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Jon Tester on Gun Control
Democratic Jr Senator
Supports background checks & banning bump stocks
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?
Matt Rosendale (R): No. Second Amendment rights are non-negotiable. Mass shootings all involve mental illness & sites where guns have been banned.
Jon Tester (D): Backs Second Amendment rights, but would consider "background checks, banning bump stocks & making sure our databases are talking to one another." Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Montana Senate race , Oct 9, 2018
AdWatch: Check if gun buyers are on terrorist watch-list
Matt Rosendale zeroed in on the Second Amendment record of his opponent Sen. Jon Tester: "Tester believes that we should have a national registration so that the people of Montana should have to ask permission before they purchase a gun, ask permission from the federal government."
We decided to investigate whether Tester supports a national gun registry. It turns out the opposite is true. A national gun registry [means] the government has a single, consolidated list of all guns and all gun owners across the country.
Rosendale's campaign pointed us to a vote Tester cast in favor of a 2015 amendment sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein that failed in the Senate. Feinstein sought to extend the FBI's [gun watch] list to those on the US government's consolidated terror watchlist. The Rosendale campaign's argument appears to be as follows: Because the terror watchlist has mistakenly listed innocent people, the watchlist could be used as a national gun registry. We rate this "Pants on Fire." Source: PolitiFact.com fact-check on 2018 Montana Senate race , Aug 21, 2017
Strongly believes in our Second Amendment rights
Jon Tester strongly believes in our Second Amendment rights. As a gun owner and custom butcher Jon made his living with a gun for 25 years. As a legislator Tester voted repeatedly to protect gun rights. In the United States Senate, Jon will stand up to anyone - Republican or Democrat - who wants to take away Montanans' gun rights. Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, www.testerforsenate.com/issues , Oct 1, 2006
Voted NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets.
The term 'large capacity ammunition feeding device' means a magazine or similar device that has an overall capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition
It shall be unlawful for a person to import, sell, manufacture, or possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
Shall not apply to the possession of any large capacity ammunition feeding device otherwise lawfully possessed before 2013.
Shall not apply to qualified or retired law enforcement officers.
Proponent's Argument for voting Yes: Sen. BLUMENTHAL: This amendment would ban high-capacity magazines which are used to kill more people more quickly and, in fact, have been used in more than half the mass shootings since 1982. I ask my colleagues to listen to law enforcement, their police, prosecutors who are outgunned by criminals who use these high-capacity magazines. I ask that my colleagues also listen to the families of those killed by people who used a high-capacity magazine.
Opponent's Argument for voting No: Sen. GRASSLEY. I oppose the amendment. In 2004, which is the last time we had the large-capacity magazine ban, a Department of Justice study found no evidence banning such magazines has led to a reduction in gun violence. The study also concluded it is not clear how often the outcomes of the gun attack depend on the ability of offenders to fire more than 10 shots without reloading. Secondly, there is no evidence banning these magazines has reduced the deaths from gun crimes. In fact, when the previous ban was in effect, a higher percentage of gun crime victims were killed or wounded than before it was adopted. Additionally, tens of millions of these magazines have been lawfully owned in this country for decades. They are in common use, not unusually dangerous, and used by law-abiding citizens in self-defense, as in the case of law enforcement. Reference: Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act; Bill S.Amdt. 714 to S. 649 ; vote number 13-SV103 on Apr 17, 2013
Voted YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains.
Congressional Summary:AMENDMENT PURPOSE: To ensure that law abiding Amtrak passengers are allowed to securely transport firearms in their checked baggage.
On page 37, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following: "Allowing Amtrak Passengers to Securely Transport Firearms on Passenger Trains.--None of amounts made available in the reserve fund authorized under this section may be used to provide financial assistance for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) unless Amtrak passengers are allowed to securely transport firearms in their checked baggage.
Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Sen. ROGER WICKER (R, MS). This amendment aims to ensure that gun owners and sportsmen are able to transport securely firearms aboard Amtrak trains in checked baggage, a practice that is done thousands of times a day at airports across the country. I emphasize that this amendment deals with checked, secured baggage only. It would return Amtrak to a pre-9/11 practice. It does not deal with carry-on baggage. Unlike the airline industry, Amtrak does not allow the transport of firearms in checked bags. This means that sportsmen who wish to use Amtrak trains for hunting trips cannot do so because they are not allowed to check safely a firearm.
Opponent's argument to vote No:Sen. FRANK LAUTENBERG (D, NJ): I object to this disruptive amendment offered by the Senator from Mississippi. He wants to enable the carrying of weapons, guns, in checked baggage. One doesn't have to be very much concerned about what we are doing when they look at the history of attacks on railroads in Spain and the UK and such places. This amendment has no place here interrupting the budgetary procedure. The pending amendment is not germane and, therefore, I raise a point of order that the amendment violates section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Reference: Wicker Amendment; Bill S.Amdt.798 to S.Con.Res.13 ; vote number 2009-S145 on Apr 2, 2009
Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership.
Amendment SA 2774 to H.R. 2764, the Department of State's International Aid bill: To prohibit the use of funds by international organizations, agencies, and entities (including the United Nations) that require the registration of, or taxes guns owned by citizens of the United States.
Sen. VITTER: This is a straight funding limitation amendment. Many folks who haven't followed the proceedings on this in the U.N. may ask: What is this all about? Unfortunately, it is about an effort in the United Nations to bring gun control to various countries through that international organization. Unfortunately, that has been an ongoing effort which poses a real threat, back to 1995. In 2001, the UN General Assembly adopted a program of action designed to infringe on second amendment rights. The Vitter amendment simply says we are not going to support any international organization that requires a registration of US citizens' guns or taxes US citizens' guns. If other folks in this Chamber think that is not happening, that it is never going to happen, my reply is simple and straightforward: Great, then this language has no effect. It is no harm to pass it as a failsafe. It has no impact. But, in fact, related efforts have been going on in the U.N. since at least 1995. I hope this can get very wide, bipartisan support, and I urge all my colleagues to support this very fundamental, straightforward amendment.
No opponents spoke against the bill. Reference: Vitter Amendment to State Dept. Appropriations Bill; Bill S.Amdt. 2774 to H.R. 2764 ; vote number 2007-321 on Sep 6, 2007
National cross-state standard for concealed carry.
Tester signed H.R.197&S.845
Establishes a national standard for the carrying of concealed firearms (other than a machinegun or destructive device) by non-residents. Authorizes a person who has a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm in one state and who is not prohibited from carrying a firearm under federal law to carry a concealed firearm in another state:
Notwithstanding any law of any State, a person who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing a firearm and is carrying a valid license to carry a concealed firearm may carry in another State a concealed firearm.
If such other State issues licenses to carry concealed firearms, the person may carry a concealed firearm in the State under the same restrictions which apply in that State.
If such other State does not issue licenses to carry concealed firearms, the person may not carry a concealed firearm in a police station, in a courthouse, at a meeting of a governing body, in a school, at an athletic event, in an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages, or inside an airport, except to the extent expressly permitted by State law.
Source: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act 09-HR197 on Jan 6, 2009
Sponsored veterans registering unlicensed guns from abroad.
Tester sponsored Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act
Provides a 90-day amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record any firearm acquired before October 31, 1968, by a veteran while a member of the Armed Forces stationed outside the continental United States.
Grants such an individual limited immunity with respect to the acquisition, possession, transportation, or alteration of such firearm before or concurrent with such registration.
Extends such immunity to a veteran who attempts to register a qualifying firearm outside of the amnesty period if the veteran surrenders the firearm within 30 days after being notified of potential criminal liability for continued possession.
Transfers each firearm qualifying as a curio or relic which has been forfeited to the United States to the first qualified museum that requests it
Publishes information identifying each such firearm which is available to be transferred to a museum.
Makes a prohibition against transfer or possession of a machine-gun inapplicable to museums.
Source: HR420/S798 11-S0798 on Apr 12, 2011
Restrict right to bear arms, according to CC survey.
Tester supports the CC survey question on Second Amendment
The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Further Restrictions on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates." Source: Christian Coalition Surve 18CC-10 on Jul 1, 2018
Ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC.
Tester co-sponsored banning gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC
Nothing in any provision of law shall authorize the Mayor, or any governmental authority of the District of Columbia, to prohibit possessing firearms by a person who is allowed to possess firearms under federal law.
Denies the District any authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms.
Repeals the ban on semiautomatic weapons.
Repeals the District's registration requirement for possession of firearms.
Repeals the trigger lock law.
Maintains the current ban on the possession and control of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or short-barreled rifle.
Eliminates criminal penalties for possessing an unregistered firearm.
Specifies exceptions to the prohibition against carrying concealed weapons in the District. Source: D.C. Personal Protection Act (H.R.1399/S.1001) 2007-S1001 on Mar 27, 2007
Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control.
Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Jon Tester.
Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Jon Tester.
Click here for SenateMatch quiz answers by Jon Tester.
Click here for a summary of Jon Tester's positions on all issues.
Click here for issue positions of other MT politicians.
Click here for issue statements from MT primary archives.
Click here for issue statements from MT secondary archives.
Other candidates on Gun Control: Jon Tester on other issues:
MT Gubernatorial:
Albert Olszewski
Brian Schweitzer
Casey Schreiner
Corey Stapleton
Gary Perry
Greg Gianforte
Reilly Neill
Steve Bullock
Tim Fox
Whitney Williams
MT Senatorial:
Matt Rosendale
Wilmot Collins
MT politicians
MT Archives
IA: Ernst(R,incumbent) vs.Graham(D) vs.Mauro(D) vs.Greenfield(D)
LA: Cassidy(R,incumbent) vs.Pierce(D)
OK: Inhofe(R,incumbent) vs.Workman(D)


Who is trying to sabotage efforts to get to the bottom of human rights abuses in El Salvador — abuses that likely have a US connection?
A break-in targeting information about a lawsuit against the CIA is the latest in a string of apparently related thefts, data breaches and armed attacks against human rights workers who are investigating abuses committed during El Salvador's bloody civil war in the 1980s.
Most recently, an unknown party broke into the office of Angelina Godoy, director of the University of Washington's Center for Human Rights(CHR), and stole her computer and hard drive. These contained sensitive information and testimony regarding the Center's ongoing investigations into human rights violations in El Salvador.
The hard drive also contained information about a lawsuit against the CIA that the CHR filed a few weeks before the theft. The suit alleges that the CIA — citing national security reasons — illegally withheld documents from CHR regarding US involvement in the country's 12-year civil war.
The lawsuit also requests documents regarding Col. Sigifredo Ochoa Perez, a Salvadoran commander trained by US forces at the School of the Americas. Perez, who was a member of the country's parliament until retiring earlier this year, is accused of leading a notoriously brutal government brigade responsible for two massacres of unarmed civilians, in 1981 and 1982. He is currently under investigation by Salvadoran authorities for his role in those massacres.


Light show depicting the burning of Chambersburg will celebrate the rebirth of the town after it was burned to the ground by Confederate troops in 1864.
CHAMBERSBURG - When crowds gather Saturday evening to watch the re-enactment of the 1864 burning of Chambersburg by Confederate troops, many of the faces in the re-enactment cast will be familiar.
One of the most popular characters is Joan Bowen's portrayal of her ancestor, an outraged German American woman who confronts the Confederate invaders and takes on McCausland singlehandedly in an entirely improvised performance.
"She does it without a script, and beats the Confederate general on the verbal battlefield with a superb imitation of her ancestor," said David Shuey, who will return for the sixth year as General John McCausland.
The show starts at 6 p.m. when the Confederates enter the town square, where Mike Sipes, the Hanover Civil War re-enactor who portrays Gen Jubal Early in the production, gives McCausland orders to proceed to Chambersburg and demand a ransom or burn the town.
Although Early did not actually accompany McCausland's troops in the raid on Chambersburg, the scene sets the stage and explains the reasons behind the burning for those who are not familiar with the story.
Shuey is proud of his role in the re-enactment, bragging that this will be the sixth time he has "had the honor of coming back and burning Chambersburg... something I have been able to repeat every year."
In addition to Bowen, Shuey said many of the same cast members join him in telling the story year after year. Others show up as "extras" without speaking roles.
"Most members of the cast are familiar with the story, and their lines, which makes it easier and requires fewer rehearsals," he said.
John Lewis of Shippensburg will portray Col. W.E. Peters, a Confederate officer commanding the 21st Virginia Cavalry, who objected to the way townspeople were being treated and refused to participate in the burning.
Following that refusal, he was arrested and his entire unit sent out of town.
"There were those (among the Confederate soldiers) who didn't approve (of the sacking of the town)," Shuey said.
One of those was a Confederate officer who refused to set fire to the local Masonic Temple and ordered one of his men to guard the South Second Street building. The temple was one of the few buildings in town to escape the torch.
Charles Rittenhouse, a Hagerstown, Md., screen actor, portrays townsman Jacob Hoke, a local shopkeeper who later wrote a vivid account of the raid and burning. It will be Rittenhouse's second year in the role.
"Chas is an accomplished screen actor," Shuey said. "He joined our cast last year and adds a new dimension to the portrayal of Jacob Hoke."
John Shindledecker of Waynesboro will be back this year portraying attorney J. McDowell Sharpe, great-great-grandfather of Chambersburg attorney Jack Sharpe. Shindledecker has had the role in the past but had to skip last year's production due to illness.
Shuey's wife Susan will be the show's narrator this year.
The show, which packs the square with spectators each year, will be expanded to include the old bank building next to Central Presbyterian Church on the southwest side of the square this year.
Janet Pollard, who heads the Franklin County Visitors Bureau, said the inclusion of the bank building in the light show will add to the realism of the re-enactment. The visitor's bureau will soon make that building its headquarters.
The show draws between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors and costs more than $20,000 annually to stage.
Corey Eslinger of Eslinger Lighting, Bob Ranalli of All Sound Pro and Rick Summers of T Tech Services create a light and sound effect to make it look like the County Courthouse, the nearby County Commissioners complex and Heritage Center on the southeast side of the square are aflame.
"They do an amazing job," Pollard said.
Several events lead up to the re-enactment. including the third annual A Cappella & Unplugged competition. The champion will perform on the steps of the Franklin County Courthouse to open the re-enactment and light show.
A Civil War Ball takes place Friday evening at the Allison-Antrim Museum in Greencastle, led by the Victorian Dance Ensemble.
"We've worked very hard to pull in other parts of the county," Pollard said. "The purpose (of the re-enactment) is to promote Franklin County."
In 1864 Confederates raided the valley a third time, led by General John McCausland under the orders of Gen. Jubal Early.
Bank funds had already been sent north for safekeeping. When informed that the ransom wasn't going to be paid, McCausland ordered his troops to burn Chambersburg.
As the city burned, renegade soldiers robbed citizens, looted stores, and drank whatever liquor they could find.
McCausland's raid would be the last time that Confederates entered Pennsylvania during the Civil War.


While Anna was sad, because Elsa had gone, she was eating a lot of sweets. Now she has several dental issues, and unpresentable teeth. Would you like to be her dentist, and make her smile bright?
Instructions: Use dental tools to fix Anna's teeth. Play with mouse.


What it does, in a sentence: Fluffy milk buns stuffed with the best ingredients, great cocktails, tasty sides to match.
What was your inspiration to start Taiwanese restaurant Mr Bao?
Dad is from Hong Kong so I grew up with these amazing flavours. From travelling around Asia I couldn't resist the Gua Bao. I got screwed over at my last company so this was a second chance that I'm grateful for.
Why did you pick Peckham for the location?
I live here, and love it. amazing customers and other operators.
Tell us about your other restaurant 'Daddy Bao' and the inspiration behind it?
Dad (already mentioned him so you're probably getting the gist) was a great inspiration to me when I was young. He retired from his restaurant last year so I decided to open Daddy Bao in his honour.
We have become a particular fan of your low-alcohol Saki. Tell us more about this choice of liquor on the menu and how do you manage to source it in Britain?
Thank you! My personal favourite is the Yuzu Sake, which is a Junmai Ginjo sake, left with Yuzu fruit (a kind of Asian lemony orange) for 6 or so months. Perfect to start or finish any meal.
I believe you also have a Bottomless Brunch Menu In Peckham. What does it entail?
Yes, we love bottomless brunch, it's a great vibe in the restaurant. So we have our usual menu (bao buns and sharing plates) and we also have some fun twists on brunch – think Full Taiwanese Breakfast with Taiwanese sausage, or Bao Benedict with free range pork on wilted spinach and bao, topped off with egg and house pickles.
We're fully private, no shareholders, no debt. That's why we open slowly. I had a bad experience with our last company so wanted to take it easy this time and enjoy the ride.
We came across your wedding pictures with fellow foodie and the owner of Spanish restaurant Miss Tapas. Was it a match made in food heaven?
Yes Blanca is everything to me. We met in a restaurant (of course). We're husband and wife, business partners, best friends. Most of the good decisions I make are because she helped me. Miss Tapas is a passion project, she (and the team) cares so much about every detail, it's a lovely restaurant.
What do you think is on the horizon for food industry in the next 5 years?
It's an interesting time, for sure. I think there will be more casualties as wages and cost fo product continue to increase. But there are new models for the restaurant business which are working, and people will find a way.
Opening a dud site in Soho in 2011.


Every Camp John Marc experience is different, and everyone who goes to Camp leaves with a unique understanding of the place. That said, campers, staff, and volunteers often describe CJM as a place for both fun and reflection, and most leave remembering special moments spent in nature that enrich their lives.
Camp John Marc was built to be a place of adventure and healing for campers, who are the heart of the Camp John Marc experience. Because of this, each CJM program is carefully designed to meet the unique needs and interests of the participating camps. No two CJM programs are alike, but to get a sense of what a day at CJM is like, click here on our Typical Daily Camp Schedule. Similarly, the facilities at CJM, which are accessible and functional while also striving to be whimsical or reflective of the natural surroundings, have all been designed with campers' needs and enjoyment in mind. Click here to take a tour of Camp John Marc.


The UDX range delivers stunning experiences and savings on installation and shipping time, reducing costs significantly. The most compact, high-brightness laser projectors with integrated cooling on the market, the UDX projectors bring reliable and razor-sharp 4K images to every type of event and venue.
The UDX-4K32 features 4K UHD resolution and 31,000 lumens light output to ensure flawless shows with accurate colors at all times. The Constant Light Output (CLO) functionality also guarantees peace of mind by providing constant brightness and color over time. The UDX platform offers the widest color spectrum in the industry. Without compromising on brightness, the UDX color quality matches the renowned Xenon quality and outperforms the Rec. 709 color space.
Thanks to their laser phosphor light source, lamp-related costs and maintenance as well as image flicker, belong to the past. The UDX series delivers a long lifetime and high reliability to ensure minimum downtime. The UDX's compact and rugged design allows you to reduce shipping and labor costs. The modular components can be removed quickly to limit servicing time. You can also reuse your TLD+ lenses.
The unique FLEX² feature will allow you to tune and lock your brightness and resolution to a specific show. You'll now need less projectors to cover a wider range of brightness levels and resolutions.
The Barco Pulse 4K electronics offer an intuitive interface and flexible, user-friendly, embedded control software. Its Single Step Processing (SSP) allows for sharper images and less latency.


James Allen is the online destination for anyone in the market for high quality jewelry and beautifully cut gemstones at magnificent prices. From round cut deep red rubies, embellished and eye-catching engagement rings to even simple 14-karat gold wedding bands, James Allen has it all.
James Allen accepts returns within 30 days of the purchase date.


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Many irregularities registered in Bosnian census
Numbers of irregularities are registered since the beginning of the first post-war census in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Border police at Skelani – border cross between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia – stopped on Saturday a person who tried to leave the country carrying numbers of census questionnaires with himself.
"Border police warned this person that it is illegal to have these questioners with him or to take them out of the country. Finally, he left the country without these questionnaires," border control officer told AA. He was not able to say what did happen with the quesionnaires.
This is just one of the irregularities registered since October 1, when census started in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to observers from the coalition of non-governmental organisation Popis Monitor, during the first two days of the census, over 100 complaints have been registered online.
Most of the complaints are related to people who are conducting the census, and who are not aware of rules or are giving false information to citizens.
This is the first census held in Bosnia since its independence in 1992. The last census was conducted when Bosnia was part of Yugoslavia, in 1991 when 43.5 percent of people declared themselves as Muslims, 31.2 percent as Serbs and 17.4 percent as Croats. Over five percent said they were Yugoslav.
At that time Bosnia had a population of 4.4 million.
This census will cost 23 million Euros.
The country has a complicated power-sharing system set in place by the 1995 peace agreement, which defines three ethnic groups – Serbs, Croats and Bosnia (Bosnian Muslims) – as a constituent peoples' splitting power between them. People who do not declare as members of one of these groups are excluded from the public sector jobs.
#bosnia-census,
#Bosnian Census,
#Bosnia and Herzegovina
Jason - 7 yıl Before
The part in the last paragraph should be "Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats", there is no need for "(Bosnian Muslims)".
Kosovo, 100 percent tax yields positive effects on domestic products
UNSC to discuss Kosovo Army
NATO to 're-examine' Kosovo mission after army vote
Kosovo asserts statehood with vote to create army
NATO-led troops on the move in northern Kosovo

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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MPs suggest restricting activities of 'undesirable foreign groups' in Russia
December 1, 2014 uhm Leave a comment
MPs suggest restricting activities of 'undesirable foreign groups' in Russia
Published time: November 27, 2014 10:10
http://rt.com/politics/209335-russia-foreign-undesirable-ngo/
Two opposition lawmakers want an official list of "undesirable foreign organizations" and criminal responsibility for Russians who assist the activities of these entities inside the country.
Aleksandr Tarnavskiy of the leftist Fair Russia party and Anton Ishchenko of the nationalist LDPR party have prepared a set of legislative amendments introducing the definition of an "undesirable foreign organization."
The sponsors of the motion write in the explanatory note that they deem it important to prevent any potential for foreign groups to harm the "basic values of the Russian state." The MPs see threat in organizations involved in so-called color revolutions and those that can sow ethnic and religious strife among in Russia.
They want to give the Prosecutor General the power to recognize foreign or international organizations as undesirable. The decision must be based on information presented by the Interior Ministry and coordinated with the Foreign Ministry, the bill suggests.
After the group is recognized as "undesirable", the authorities would freeze its accounts in Russian banks and impound any property on Russian territory. The organization would also be banned from opening offices, branches or affiliate companies in Russia, and barred from collecting donations or distributing propaganda. The bill also stipulates that individual foreign members of the banned groups would be officially banned from entering the country.
The MPs also suggest introducing new articles to the Administrative and Criminal codes, punishing Russian citizens who assist the activities of undesirable foreign organizations with fines of between 10,000 and 100,000 rubles ($220 – $2200).Repeated offenses could carry criminal responsibility with a maximum of 8 years in prison. However, anyone who voluntarily quits working for an undesirable foreign organization must not be criminally prosecuted, the draft reads.
"This is a prevention measure, many organizations have a reputation they value and even the threat of getting into this list would force them to change the methods of their work or leave Russia. We don't see our objective as punishing someone, it is important for us that the motion prevents hostile activities harming our country," MP Tarnavskiy said in an interview with Izvestia daily.
According to Izvestia the government and the Supreme Court have already approved the bill with minor corrections.
The motion can be seen as a radical expansion of the "Foreign Agents Law" introduced in late 2012. According to this act, all NGOs who receive funding from abroad, and that are even partially engaged in political activities, must register as foreign agents or risk substantial fines.
The act caused a lot of complaints from activists and human rights officials who accused it of labeling the groups and warned of a possible sharp cut in foreign funding. Russian officials, including President Putin, have repeatedly emphasized that the law contained no sanctions against foreign-funded organizations and only sought to inform the Russian public better, and especially voters, of the possible motives of various participants in the political process.
Earlier this month, the State Duma passed a bill that makes it illegal for Russian political parties to receive sponsorship, or enter any business deals with NGOs with "foreign agent" status.
MPs approve fines for concealing foreign citizenship
Poland based NGO says human rights violated by Western coup of Ukraine
The Separatists are fine as long as the Central Intelligence Agency backs them
To Stop World War, Nuland Must Be Replaced Immediately
US Attempted Color Revolution in Russia?
The "Impending" Russian Maidan? US Sponsored "Regime Change" Initiative in the Russian Federation?
Category: War Machine	Tags: anti-government, anti-russia, civil war, color revolution, coup, coup d'etat, CRIMEA, CRIMEAN PORT, european union, foreign groups, george soros, independence square, information warfare, john mccain, kiev, maidan, mccain, military interventionos, ministers, MPs, nazi, NGO, ngUkraine, occupied, opposition, pro-eu, Protests, putin, restricting activities, revolution, russia, russian federation, russian troops, soros, suggest, Ukrainian Opposition, ukrainian president, undesirable foreign groups, uprising, Usurper Yatsenyuk, Viktor Yanukovych, vladimir putin, yanukovych, yatsenyuk


In Grit and Grace's September 16th show, Jenn and Mer interview special guest – local talent Rick Sellers (aka Rick TRC) LIVE in the studio! Rick shares about the newest show on Lone Star Community Radio – The Lone Star Radio Troupe and his upcoming performances in the area. Plus, Grit and Grace is now 2 hours so the ladies share about more topics and tips for listeners – check it out!


And finally ... the 'Unintentional Irony' award goes to the graphic design department of Interbike itself. See that lovely Argon18 tri bike that is the marquis of the presentation, featured all over the Event Guide, maps, website, and more? Not only was this show decidedly NOT tri-focused ... but Argon18 didn't even attend the show.
Misc » Various other odds and ends from Interbike.
Felt has revamped its bike lineup for 2012, and will now be offering their flagship DA at a number of new, lower price points.


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HMS Wizard (R 72)
Destroyer of the W class
Type Destroyer
Class W
Pennant R 72
Built by Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.)
Ordered Dec 1941
Laid down 14 Sep 1942
Launched 29 Sep 1943
Commissioned 30 Mar 1944
Reconstructed as Type 15 frigate during 1954.
Scrapped at Inverkeithing in March 1967.
Commands listed for HMS Wizard (R 72)
1 Lt.Cdr. Donald Terry McBarnet, RN 21 Feb 1944 mid 1944
2 Lt.Cdr. Robert Hugh Hodgkinson, DSC, RN 27 Dec 1944 Jan 1946
Notable events involving Wizard include:
HMS Trusty (Lt. M.F.R. Ainslie, DSO, DSC, RN) conducts exercises with HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, DSC, RN). (1)
During 14/15 April 1944, HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN), conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. She was escorted by HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Thomas, DSC, RN) and HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, DSC, RN). (2)
HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. R.M.W. MacFarlan, RN), HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, DSC, RN), HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Danae (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN). (3)
HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, DSC, RN). (3)
HMS Voracious (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at/off Scapa Flow with HMS Nubian (Lt.Cdr. T.A. Pack-Beresford, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), HMS Whelp (Cdr. G.A.F. Norfolk, RN) and HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, DSC, RN). (3)
HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. D.T. McBarnet, DSC, RN) sustained major structural damage from the explosion of her own, accidentally dropped, depth charges. 6 members of the crew lost their lives in this mishap.
HMS Sea Devil (Lt. D.W. Mills, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Hodgkinson, DSC and Bar, RN). (4)
British destroyers & frigates
Norman Friedman
Destroyers of World War Two
Whitley, M. J.
ADM 53/120408
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You are here: Home / Northern Europe / Celebrating Dylan Thomas in Swansea, Wales
Celebrating Dylan Thomas in Swansea, Wales
Published/Revised June 11, 2014 By W. Ruth Kozak This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
In 2014 Swansea, Wales is celebrating the centenary of the birth of one of the English languages most distinctive voices. The year-long celebration will honour the works and legacy of Dylan Thomas. My father was Welsh, and I have traveled frequently to Wales. I've been a fan of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas for years, but until this past summer I haven't visited any of his haunts. Once several years ago, while in New York, I went to the pub where he downed his last shots of whiskey before collapsing on the sidewalk outside. He later died, November 1953. So this year I was determined to make a pilgrimage to as many Dylan Thomas places as I could during the short time I was in Wales. Unfortunately it proved impossible to find an actual tour, and my time was scarce, so I opted to hop the train from Cardiff to Swansea and check out as many places as I could in a day trip.
Swansea Street
Swansea is only a short jaunt from Cardiff and from the main train station, with the help of a city map, I set off walking to the Dylan Thomas Centre. Along the way I passed the ruins of Swansea Castle. The original castle was founded in 1106 but all that remains now, hemmed in by modern buildings, are two sides of the new castle building from the late 13th century. From there, I took a side trip off the main street to the Swansea Museum where there are displays including sports and cultural history.
Swansea Castle
The Dylan Thomas Centre is housed in a beautiful Regency building in Swansea's Maritime Quarter. The centre hosts many literary and art programs during the year and in 2014 it will be the focal point for a year's worth of celebrations honoring the poet.
Dylan Thomas Center
It was a thrill for me to wander the exhibits, all the while entertained by the rich Welsh tenor of Richard Burton reciting Thomas's "Under Milk Wood". The exhibits include bits of Dylan Thomas' life including photos, hand-written notes and journals, news clips and other memorabilia. The Swansea Bay area has produced many other world-famous cultural icons such as actors Richard Burton, Catherin Zeta-Jones, and Anthony Hopkins. Burton was a personal friend of Thomas and there is a special display honoring their friendship.
Interior Dylan Thomas Centre
Outside the Centre, facing the marina, is a life-size bronze statue of the poet, and not far away is the Dylan Thomas Theatre. The Swansea Little Theatre was the first Little Theatre in Wales. The group began performing from 1924. In the early '30's Dylan Thomas became a member of the troupe and appeared with them in several plays over the next few years. The Swansea Little Theatre group moved to its present location in 1983.
Dylan Thomas bronze statue
Dylan Thomas was born October 27, 1914. He began as a journalist at the age of sixteen but it was the publication of "Light breaks where no sun shines" in 1914 that caught the attention of the literary world. His works included "Under Milk Wood" and the popular "A Child's Christmas in Wales" (I watch the movie every Christmas time.)
He married Caitlin Macnamara in 1937 but their relationship was turbulent because of Dylan's alcoholism. For some years the family lived in a rustic cabin called The Boat House in the Welsh fishing village of Laugharne. After his death in New York, Thomas's body was returned to Wales. He is buried in the village church yard at Laugharne. It was my wish to visit the village but without transportation and lack of time I was unable to get to it. Laugharne is definitely on my 'to do' list the next time I visit Wales.
Swansea fountain
Dylan Thomas has been acknowledged as one of the most important Welsh poets of the 20th century. The celebration planned in his honour is sure to be an extravaganza of events including literary presentations of his renowned work. Besides events at the Dylan Thomas Centre and theatre, there will be tours around town to his favorite pubs and the home where he lived as a youth.
Dylan Thomas Theater
The Swansea Bay area provides many attractions such as the Mumbles Pier, the old fishing village of Oystermouth and its castle and the scenic Gower Peninsula which has some of the best sandy beaches in the UK. If you visit, allow yourself several days to explore all these areas. My trip was for just one day and I regret not having the time to see everything that Swansea had to offer as well as the other sites related to Dylan Thomas.
Written by and photos by W. Ruth Kozak for EuropeUpClose.com
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Filed Under: Northern Europe, Wales
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About W. Ruth Kozak
Ruth has been a travel journalist for 35 years. She also writes historical fiction and her novel, "Shadow of the Lion" will be published in UK in two parts. Part 1 "Blood on the Moon" in August 2014 and Part 2 "The Fields of Hades" in 2016 Ruth also edits and publishes a travel e-zine Travel thru History.
elite charters21 says
nice pictures..wonderful blog as well
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I agree, social networking is a great way for employers to find employees that are good fit with their organizations. With the plethora of outlets, though, it seems like it could be difficult for employers to stay focused. How can medium sized companies insure that have a coherent brand and message?
Any size company needs to focus on their customers and potential employees. Whether they are on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or all of these platforms is up to the company to find out.
Test all three and see where the activity falls. Monitor all the activity closely and always respond and engage with people using your company's name. There are free monitoring tools and free tools, such as creating Google alerts, etc.
Looking for ideas on how to implement all this? Building, monitoring and engaging?
One of my favorite resources is Hubspot.com. They regularly post free eBooks that help explain all these things in greater detail. I would also recommend reading Windmill Networking http://windmillnetworking.com/ for additional insight.
Having a dedicated resource in-house or on call as well as getting ideas and asking for all employees contributions is really what makes social work.
Guide for lifetime career navigation.
Awesome article Hannah! I focus most of my time on Twitter but I am beginning to branch out into facebook and google+ as well, but this article is motivating me to get a move on. I have been following your twitter account for a while (through a corporate account), but just followed you today on my personal account. I look forward to more of your great offerings in the future. Keep up the good work!


text:
module ActiveMerchant #:nodoc:
  module Shipping

    class TrackingResponse < Response
      attr_reader :carrier # symbol
      attr_reader :carrier_name # string
      attr_reader :status # symbol
      attr_reader :status_code # string
      attr_reader :status_description #string
      attr_reader :scheduled_delivery_date # time
      attr_reader :delivery_signature #string
      attr_reader :tracking_number # string
      attr_reader :shipment_events # array of ShipmentEvents in chronological order
      attr_reader :origin, :destination

      def initialize(success, message, params = {}, options = {})
        @carrier = options[:carrier].parameterize.to_sym
        @carrier_name = options[:carrier]
        @status = options[:status]
        @status_code = options[:status_code]
        @status_description = options[:status_description]
        @scheduled_delivery_date = options[:scheduled_delivery_date]
        @delivery_signature = options[:delivery_signature]
        @tracking_number = options[:tracking_number]
        @shipment_events = Array(options[:shipment_events])
        @origin, @destination = options[:origin], options[:destination]
        super
      end

      def latest_event
        @shipment_events.last
      end

      def is_delivered?
        @status == :delivered
      end

      def has_exception?
        @status == :exception
      end

      alias_method(:exception_event, :latest_event)
      alias_method(:delivered?, :is_delivered?)
      alias_method(:exception?, :has_exception?)

    end

  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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18/11/2010 · How to use the Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing interface to make your A, B & C group selections.
1. KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING IN TO. Other players do not like a fantasy NASCAR owner who drops out. Whether it is after the draft, or halfway through the race season, no player wants to play in a league where some of the people have quit.


Lindsey Warren was born and raised in Los Angeles. She earned an MFA in Painting from Boston University in 2008 and recently moved back from NYC to LA where she now has a studio in Lincoln Heights. Lindsey's paintings have been exhibited across the United States with recent shows in New York City, Boston, MA and Los Angeles. She has been a studio artist in Chashama's Workspace Program in NYC and a participant in the Bronx Museum's AIM program. Her public works and murals have been installed in Boston, MA with another large-scale mural project recently completed in the Bronx.


The Creep Mod adds a brand new dimension filled with creepers! This dimension is filled with floating islands, and a massive amount of creepers can spawn. However, many of the new creepers are not aggressive so it is fairly safe to explore. There is a lot of new weapons, armor and tools to acquire from the ores that are present in the Creeper Dimension.


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Aesthetics of Ori and the Blind Forest

Introduction

Ori and the Blind Forest (referred to as "Ori" in this essay) is a Metroidvania action platformer which tells the journey of an orphan named Ori, who started a heroic journey to reform his forest to its former glory. The game tells a deeply emotional story with its stunning visuals, orchestral music, and meaningful interactions. All of the elements add to each other coherently and produce exceptionally strong aesthetics. This essay discusses the aesthetics of the game by referencing both Davison's (2017) aesthetics lecture and the eight aesthetics presented in the famous MDA framework (Hunicke, LeBlanc & Zubek, 2004). This essay assumes that the audience has played Ori.

Flow

Metroidvania is not a genre for everyone because of its difficulty, but Ori is designed to keep the difficulty perfectly lined up with players abilities so they can always stay in the flow channel. Right after the tutorial level where the players familiarize themselves with basic controls, the game starts cycles of learning new abilities → practice new abilities with platforming → solve puzzles with new abilities → face tough challenges and intense combats with new abilities. So after each ability is introduced, there are some levels designed for the player to practice and master that ability. When the next ability is introduced, the player is always ready to learn that ability and face new challenges. The same thing for abilities also applies to mechanics such as portals.

A perfect example is the Ginso Tree level. In that level, the player first learns double jump and practices it by moving around and collecting keys. Then, they learn how to bash. Bash is a core mechanic in Ori where the player bashes projectiles, lanterns, or enemies, pushing them to one direction and pushing themselves to the opposite direction. The game familiarizes players with this abilities with a level that requires them to bash a projectile through multiple portals until they can use that projectile to break an obstacle that is far away from where the projectile starts. After that, there is a huge exciting escape level, where the player constantly uses the bashing ability to get rid of the dangerous rising water. With the progression of levels, the game's difficulty can line up with player's ability.

Figure 1. Ginso Tree escape (Image source: Video gamer, 2015)

New Poetics

One way Ori achieves high-level immersion is the music. All music in Ori are fully orchestrated and fits the theme perfectly, but more importantly is how the game uses them. The Ginso Tree escape level can also be used as an example here. In this level, the background music does not stop after the player dies, which is unusual but meaningful. When the player feels frustrated after failing, the epic music just keeps playing and tells the player: "Keep going, the game is not over yet." It helps present the idea that death is an important part of Ori's experience. There are other things that keep players immersed in this level, such as instant respawn.

Navigation in Ori's world is smooth and makes players feel powerful. Unlike other platformers, Ori introduces double jump and wall jump at a very early stage. So that the player has the freedom to navigate to most places right from the beginning, although with some controls over the freedom in level design. But Ori does not stop with double jump - it gives players even more powerful movement such as triple jump, dash, and bash. Ori also gives players the power to choose their own save points, which gives them the freedom to choose how they navigate through levels, but at the same time make them responsible for their choices - making save points costs energy and some save points can make passing levels more difficult.

Interest Curves

Ori keeps its interest curve by exciting "boss fight", challenging movements, and the learn → practice → test cycles for new abilities as mentioned before. What makes Ori's interest curves exceptional is the unique designs:

The "boss fight" is not limited to its literal meaning. Delivering an object, escaping a place, escaping an enemy can all become challenging boss fights in Ori, which produces a variety to keep players interested.

Movements in Ori are more powerful than in most Metroidvania games as discussed in the last session. They are in different forms and are core to the game experience.

Each ability in Ori is interesting and the rich feedbacks make the abilities intrinsically fun to use, like bashing, gliding with fur, stomp, and charge jump.

Apart from these mechanics-heavy interest curves, Ori also keeps its high level of interest through its gorgeous hand-painted worlds, orchestral music, and a deep story about love, growth, and sacrifice.

Procedurality

In Ori, the main procedure is the various movement abilities. Some "behind-the-scenes" videos by Benson (2016) show that the mechanics of Ori's movement is prototyped in an early stage of development, and levels laid out using squares and sphere are used to test the movement. It seems that the testing went well, so all levels in Ori are designed around different movement abilities, and functions as a primary method of delivering Ori's rhetoric - love and sacrifice.

Levels of Interactivity

Pine (2009) categorizes interactivities into three levels: low, medium, and high. Ori presents all three levels with most interactivities at high level. Low level interactivities include navigating through static and safe platforms. Medium level interactivities includes normal combat with Ori's companion and revealing the story. High level interactivities include combining different abilities to beat levels and forming their own way of playing the game.

More analysis based on the MDA framework

Ori also shows six out of eight aesthetics as discussed in the MDA framework. These aesthetics are:

Sensation: again, achieved by hand-painted world and orchestral music.

Fantasy: in the game player plays the role of Ori who starts a heroic journey to revitalize his forest. This is a compelling fantasy.

Narrative: Ori tells an emotional tale about love and sacrifice through the relationship between characters and the world supported by the mechanics.

Challenge: achieved by the cycles of learn → practice → test. At the end of each area, there is one level with a big challenge for the player, and finishing those levels is super rewarding, because the players know they have mastered all abilities learned in that area.

Discovery: achieved by discovering new areas, new abilities, new enemies, new objects, and revealing the story through interactions.

Expression: each player can have his own way of playing Ori. Similar to Bartle taxonomy of player types (Bartle, 1996), Ori's player can be categorized by how they move and combat.

Figure 2. Types of Ori's player

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ori presents exceptionally strong aesthetics through the coherent combination of stunning visuals, immersive music, interesting and powerful abilities, controlled freedom, and carefully designed levels.

References

Benson, J. (2016). Ori and the Blind Forest - Game Design Reel [Video]. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTksBJeoa1A

Bartle, R. (1996). Hearts, clubs, diamonds, spades: Players who suit MUDs. Journal of MUD research, 1(1), 19.

Davison, D. (2017). Aesthetics and Design [Lecture]. Retrieved from: http://fundamentals.etc.cmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/aesthetics-design.pdf

Hunicke, R., LeBlanc, M., & Zubek, R. (2004, July). MDA: A formal approach to game design and game research. In Proceedings of the AAAI Workshop on Challenges in Game AI (Vol. 4, No. 1, p. 1722).

Pine, L. (2009). Levels of Interactivity. Retrieved from: https://mpm17fall2009friday.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/levels-of-interactivity/

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