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State of Email, Ep. 39: 2022 Email in Review
It's said the only constant in life is change—and that certainly holds true for email marketing. In a year where we've seen the tail-end of a global pandemic, the outbreak of war, and the worst economic conditions in decades, senders are continuously re-imagining the channel's role and thinking more about how email supports relationships, not just sales revenue.
In this year's final episode of State of Email Live, we're bringing together four email experts from around the world for a retrospective where we talk about how they've responded to these emerging challenges. Previous webinar guests Clifford McGowen (Nationwide), Glenn Paster (Potpourri Group), and Magnus Eén (Westwing) will reveal:
The biggest developments in email marketing in 2022
Which market forces have had the most impact
Their favorite emerging technologies
Their highest-performing campaigns they've run this year
Their expert email predictions for 2023
… and so much more. Plus, Validity's in-house email strategist Margaret Wolfendon will give us the low-down on the very latest global email metrics, including hot-off-the-press performance data from Black Friday/Cyber Monday and whether email activity has hit a new volume peak this year.


Whenever I play a clinic or concert, people are always fascinated to know how difficult it is to play in altered Tunings, and why would anyone want to do it?
So here are some answers…..
It's not difficult if you're prepared to concentrate. That's it. End of.
And why would you do it? Because altered Tunings give your Imagination a kick in the pants, they stimulate your creativity, and they sound great. Big expansive 'Piano Type' chords, that you just can't get any other way on a guitar.
Probably the easiest and best known alternative tuning is to simply de-tune your bottom E string down a tone to a D.
Known as "Drop D", this tuning crops up everywhere from Classical to Country and even Hard rock. Just try playing a big 'ole D chord with that bottom string ringing out!
Next up for me would have to be DADGAD. Probably the best known alternate tuning, it has a distinctive Celtic sound all of it's own. Tune the strings exactly as they're written with the Bottom E string tuning down to D, the A,D & G strings staying put and finally the B string down to A and the Top E down to a D.
DADGAD brings it's own rewards if you set out to master it. Some players like Pierre Bensusan play in no other tuning.
Try tuning to DADGAD and then playing some regular open chord shapes. Listen to the strange exotic 'Jazz' type altered chords it gives you….
Here's. Few regular chords in DADGAD for you to be getting on with…..
Probably the next best known tuning, and one that's very simple to get to from DADGAD is open D or DADF#AD where the G string is dropped half a tone to a F#.
If DADGAD is seen as Irish or European, then this is surely synonomous with the USA.
Just try sliding a bottleneck up your open strings, and you'll hear the basis of every desert highway scene you ever saw.
Drop the F # to an F natural, and you have the Open D minor tuning.
One of my own favourites, and pretty rarely used is this….. EAC#EBE.
DGDGBD is the way you get to open G.
Again, I always associate it with the USA, as many Blues and Rags were written using it.
If you drop the B to a Bflat, you get Open G minor, which is also very interesting and one that I use here……..
Finally, if you drop the E string to an Eflat you get Open C Minor.


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Q: Is google play services app required for GCM to work? I was trying to run the Google Cloud Messaging code on Eclipse. The Error SERVICE_NOT_AVAILABLE was coming on emulator and a tablet running 2.2.
So after looking on the internet for some time i included isGooglePlayServicesAvailable() check in my code which returned status code 1 meaning SERVICE_MISSING.
from developer.android.com docs i came to know this
To test your app when using the Google Play services SDK, you must use either:

*

*A compatible Android device that runs Android 2.2 or higher and includes Google Play Store.

*The Android emulator with an AVD that runs the Google APIs platform based on Android 4.2.2 or higher.

So my question is that for registering an android 2.2 device which has a Google Play app, is Google play services required as well?
Since my tablet is running on android 2.2 with a google play app but no google play services and the emulator i was running was less than 4.2.2, is this the reason that GCM was giving an error of SERVICE_NOT_AVAILABLE.
I didn't see any other error in Logcat as well.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

A:
So my question is that for registering an android 2.2 device which has a Google Play app, is Google play services required as well?

If you are going to use GoogleCloudMessaging, my understanding is yes, you need Play Services. The older GCM API that does not use the GoogleCloudMessaging class should work on devices without Play Services, as it worked on such devices before Google I|O 2013, when there was no GoogleCloudMessaging class.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The President presides over all meetings, represents the PSO within the community and school district, oversees committees, receives and helps implement requests from the school principal, teaching staff, and PSO Council regarding help from the PSO throughout the school year.
Serves as an aide to the President. Presides over meetings in the President's absence and substitutes for the President as needed. Makes the name tags at the beginning of each school year for the new Board Officers and Committee Chairs. Organizes the November Parent/Conference Night Teacher/Staff dinner. Plans the December PSO holiday gathering. Also, chairs the Nominating Committee and plans the installation ceremony of the board members. May be called upon to replace the President if the position is vacated for any reason.
Responsible for planning and implementing a membership campaign throughout the school year and updating the PSO membership form annually. Collects dues and compiles a list of active members. Also serves on the Hilton PSO Nominating Committee which meets in Jan/Feb. to nominate the Hilton PSO new Board Officers.
Responsible for planning and executing the annual fund raiser. The committee may present their recommendations to the general membership for a majority vote prior to signing any contracts. In charge of school spirit week which happens at the beginning of the school year.
Liaison between PSO and teaching staff.
Takes minutes at all PSO general meetings and PSO Board meetings. Keeps track of all volunteer hours and completes the annual volunteer hour report. Provides the "thought of the day" at each PSO general meeting. Handles general correspondence (any cards, flowers, etc.) for the organization and receives any general correspondence (cards, gifts, etc.) sent to the PSO. Each month prepares the 1/2 sheet that lists Hilton activities for the month. Final form is sent to the president for copying and distribution in the student folders.
Responsible for all monies taken in and paid out. Responsible for completing and submitting all governmental forms and maintaining financial records.
Attend the monthly PSO Council meetings and present a report at the PSO general meetings. Called upon by the PSO Council to provide bakery at the High School for the teaching staff on the first "Staff Report Day." Council delegates shall serve as Hilton's representatives on the PSO Council Nominating Committee.
Responsible for sending out weekly electronic newsletter, Hilton Highlights, to PSO members, Hilton parents and teaching staff. Maintains and updates Hilton PSO website and Facebook page. Manages email accounts. Responsible for Sign Up Genius account to coordinate all volunteering needs. Works closely with all committees on communication/marketing and volunteer needs.


VETERAN reggae singer Johnny Clarke's latest musical creation — a CD entitled Jamaica 50 Sing Then Dub Them — is his contribution to the island's 50th anniversary of independence from Britain.
The CD is produced on Clarke's own Hit Machine label.
"This is my first CD on my Hit Machine Label. With 14 tracks, Jamaica 50 Johnny Clarke Sing Then Dub Them, is a mixture of dub and vocal. Remember now, within the 50 years, we [Jamaican music] used to deal with versions," he explains.
As for Clarke, the greatest achievement in the country in the last 50 years, is in the area of music.
"As far as the country [Jamaica] is concerned, there has been positive and negative [developments] over the period we are celebrating. But I want to concentrate on the positive which is the music," he told the Jamaica Observer.
Clarke, who rose to prominence in the second decade of Independence, said that it would have been remiss of him not to have played a role in recording this significant milestone in our country's musical history.
"It would be kind of a negative [for me] not having a CD to show where we are in our career, which began in the 1970s. This CD is where the 50th anniversary come catch I. This is my contribution," he said.
Clarke is one of the first Jamaican artistes signed to Virgin Records' Frontline subsidiary in 1976, releasing the albums Authorized Version and Rockers Time Now.
He helped to defined the 'flying cymbals' period that preceded the roots rock sound of the mid to late 1970s. His hit songs include Move Out Of Babylon, None Shall Escape the Judgement, Jah Jah In Deh and Rock With Me Baby.


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Congress must not let a bad Iran nuclear deal compromise U.S. national security
By Rep. Ed Royce - - Wednesday, June 17, 2015
No issue is more important to the House Foreign Affairs Committee than preventing the ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear weapon. This month, Congress passed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. Congress will be instrumental in pushing back against a bad deal that compromises U.S. national security interests, but we can't if it isn't clear what is in the agreement. This bill requires that the president give all the details to Congress and the public so we can debate and judge any agreement on its merits.
The White House vigorously opposed the bill, precisely because it didn't want the scrutiny. Congress has repeatedly made clear that an acceptable agreement must stop the regime from developing or acquiring a nuclear weapon. That's a pretty straightforward bottom line. And 367 members of Congress are on record stating that such a deal must last for multiple decades and include full disclosure of the regime's past efforts to build a nuclear weapon, a dramatic reduction in the number of centrifuges, as well as intrusive inspections and verification measures. Unfortunately, what we have seen of the current framework appears to meet none of these essential conditions.
Even President Barack Obama himself concedes that the regime's breakout capabilities will dramatically increase as the terms of the agreement expire. In an NPR interview on April 6, the president stated that what is more relevant, as a more relevant fear would be, that in year 13, 14, 15 they have advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium fairly rapidly. At that point, the breakout times would have shrunk almost down to zero.
In announcing its outlines, Mr. Obama declared that this agreement is based on unprecedented verification. However, all of the essential elements of this inspection regime still need to be negotiated. The ink wasn't even dry on this month's announcement, and the chants of "Death to America," led by the supreme leader, were still fresh when he asserted that Tehran wouldn't allow international inspectors access to its military facilities. The deputy head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps reiterated they will not be even permitted to inspect the most normal military site in their dreams.
The administration has shrugged off such comments as domestic spin, but more and more the regime is claiming that these facilities are off limits. Another key piece of verification includes the regime coming clean on its past bomb work that your organization was key in unearthing. That elementary step still has not happened despite its long-overdue commitment to international inspectors to do so. The IAEA remains concerned about signs of the regime's military-related activities, including designing a nuclear payload for missiles. The ayatollahs haven't even begun to address these concerns.
Last fall, over 350 members wrote to the secretary of state expressing deep concerns about the lack of cooperation, yet the framework agreement is vague on this critical verification step. And the administration cannot turn a blind eye to the regime's destabilizing role in the region for propping up Bashar Assad in Syria, supporting the overthrow of the U.S. partner in Yemen, and supplying rockets to Hamas and Hezbollah. The IRGC is behind much of the turmoil that we see in the region.
Just last week, the House passed the Hezbollah Financing Prevention Act of 2015 that targets the terrorist organization's diverse financial network and requires the U.S. government to focus on Hezbollah's global logistics network and its transnational organized criminal enterprises, including its drug smuggling operations.
With your help, we will continue to press the administration to ensure that we do not get a bad deal. And we will continue to confront Islamist extremism throughout the region.
As Maryam Rajavi noted in her recent appearance before Rep. Ted Poe's subcommittee, Islamist extremism in all instances poses a threat to U.S. national security.
Finally, Congress has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the residents of Camp Liberty are protected and treated with respect and dignity and ultimately taken out of harm's way.
• Mr. Royce is a Republican House member serving California. These remarks were adapted from a videotaped message to the June 13 gathering in Paris.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In honour of Talk Like a Pirate Day, did you know the root of the word 'piracy' comes from the ancient Greek peiráomai, which basically means an attempt to rob for personal gain?
While piracy certainly didn't originate in the classical world, the geography—human and physical—of the Mediterranean was particularly favourable to this sort of lifestyle. A rocky shoreline and relatively barren soil meant that large scale agriculture was out, so many of the ancient Greeks lived in small villages and made their living through fishing. This, of course, meant that all those able-bodied villagers had boats, not to mention better-than-adequate seafaring skills and navigational knowledge. In and of itself, this would not necessarily lead to piracy, but when you add to this the fact that the larger city states could not support their populations with locally produced goods and that much of these were brought in by a constant stream of trade ships, then you have both means and motivation.
And thus, the word 'piracy' was born.


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Glorious Leo
When the midsummer Sun is high in the sky and the days are still long and hot, what gives you pleasure? Up here in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California it might be a cool, refreshing dip in the wild and free Yuba River, or an evening strolling around at the County Fair, it might be a fast motor boat ride skimming over deep blue Lake Tahoe, or perhaps just a relaxing afternoon in a hammock under your favorite pine tree reading that exciting novel you just can't put down. When the month of August rolls around and the sign of Leo holds sway, people in the Northern Hemisphere love to play, vacation, relax, and enjoy themselves. Soon enough the nights will get longer and colder, and schools will commence as everyone gets back into their Virgo-routines.
The sign Leo is in effect from approximately July 21st until August 22nd each year. Ruled by the Sun itself, Leo is characterized as hot, dry, fixed fire, and yang in nature. Its key symbol is the Lion, King of Beasts, for this is the sign of royal kings and heroes. The Babylonians knew it as Urgulla (the Lion), to the Greeks it was Leon, in India it was called Simha, and in China, Ta Shu, the Great Heat. The Celts celebrated with their midsummer feast, Lammas, on August 9th.
Leaders, superstars, people in positions of prominence and power are synonymous with the Sun during its brightest month when it becomes the visible symbol of the life force, which is at the core of our existence. For this reason, Leo is said to rule the heart, our central organ of life. Leos love to warm others up as entertainers and performers, hosts, organizers, and paternalistic leaders and providers.
The shining qualities that Leo best expresses are dignity, warmth, magnanimity, drama, and flamboyance. Leo's like to radiate with great pride their obvious enjoyment of life and surround themselves with loyal friends and/or subjects who applaud their beneficence. Yes, they like their 'strokes'. Like cats (which many Leos adore), they'll purr with pleasure when shown affection and appreciation. Like all fire signs, however, they prefer their own autonomy and will 'lick their wounds' in private rather than reveal weakness. Strength and courage are the qualities Leos like to cultivate as they pursue their path of individuation.
THE CONSTELLATION
The identification of the constellation of Leo is often described as the shape of a lion and it is composed of 52 visible stars, four of which are quite prominent. Regulus is the most notable and was considered one of the most important stars in all of astral mythology. A triple star, it is the 21st brightest star and is relatively close to our Earth. To the Persians it was known as Cor Leonis, the Lion's heart. Regulus combined the warlike qualities of Mars with the wisdom of Jupiter. To the ancient priest-astrologers, if this star were prominent in the birth chart of a prince, he would be predicted to have a glorious reign.
Interestingly, the most notable event in this Leo constellation is the Leonid meteor showers, which peak around November 17th each year.
THE GLYPH
The glyph of Leo actually looks a bit like the tail of a large cat. The Egyptians felt that the constellation itself looked like a tail hanging over the Nile Valley. Esoterically it is said to represent serpent power (the creative force) of the body in its coiled (latent) form. It also hints at the spine, which Leo also rules along with the upper back.
Like its Fire-sign complement, Aries, Leo has myths abounding with heroic figures. Leo, however, relates more to myths where themes of father, king or queen, and lion are prominent.
The tarot card, Strength, associated with Leo, portrays these themes by showing an angelic figure (male or female) closing the mouth of a lion. This theme of taming the animal nature, or vital force by consciously directing the will is repeated in the many stories of Leo heroes or heroines.
The most popular myths involve both Hercules in his 12 labors, slaying the Nemean Lion, and Samson, of Old Testament fame, also slaying a Lion with his own bare hands. There are also many references to great all-powerful female goddesses such as the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess, who may have been one of the original archetypes for this sign. The Greeks told of Rhea, wife of Cronus, who gave birth to an enormous array of famous mythological children including Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. The Babylonians had Ishtar, who was often depicted as riding upon the back of a lion. Cybele, the Mountain Mother, was another goddess connected with the wild beasts of the forest. The Greek story of Atalanta is quite graphic in portraying a goddess abandoned by her father, who becamse fiercely athletic and competitive with men. These themes of the struggle with the father imago, and a need to conquer or tame the fierce natural instinctual nature through a controlled use of the will, weave themselves in and out of so many of these ancient stories.
Kathleen Burt in her Archetypes of the Zodiac retells a more Eastern mythic tale from India, which I feel depicts more clearly the spiritual challenges of the sign. This is the story of Prahlad, the devoted one, who in his encounter with Narasimha, Lord Vishnu's incarnation as the man-lion, proves that any Leo can prevail irregardless of birth or physical attributes.
Prahlad, like so many Leo's, had big-time father issues. In this case, his father was a giant named Hiryana-Kasipu, which means 'golden fleece' in Sanskrit. The giant theme in myths truly shows how tiny children must see their adult mentors. To Prahlad, his father was quite evil because Hiryana-Kaipu felt that Prahlad didn't deserve to inherit his kingdom because he considered him to be weak and less courageous than his younger brother. There was even the suspicion that his father was trying to kill him in order to give the throne to his brother. Therefore Prahlad began to pray most ardently to Vishnu for hours on end. He continued to pray vigilantly even when made fun of by his father, who truly was trying to poison him out of existence. Vishnu finally said he really couldn't help him because Brahma had already given his father a boon of protection against death from enemies, man or beast, indoors or out, by weapons made by humans, gods or demons, in daytime or night. Quite an airtight boon!
Undaunted, Prahlad continued to pray until Vishnu, convinced by his determination, faith, and courage, appeared as a man-lion by jumping out of a pillar on the patio of the palace at twilight and killed Golden Fleece with one claw. We see here that the boon was effectively by-passed as Vishnu was neither man nor beast nor god, the time of day was neither day nor evening, the patio was neither indoors nor outdoors, and the claw was not a weapon made by men, gods, or demons. Was this creative or what?!!
The throne thus belonged to Prahlad, whose long-time courage and fasting had reduced him to a mere wraith, yet he had gained mastery of his fears through the superb test of his pride and courage. It is this internal fortitude that is the spiritual mastership of the sign. Prahlad's test was really an emotional one in the face of his pain of rejection by his father and the ordeal of getting Vishnu to even hear him out. He became a very good and wise king who stayed with his kingdom, which is characteristic of Leo's ability to keep the course. Deeper spiritual meanings can be gleaned from this story; for example the pillar, which Vishnu emerged from, is symbolic of the spine, the center of the energy-chakra system whereby power is transmitted.
Once Leos have mastered themselves from within, they are truly fit to be kings or queens. This obviously takes courage, faith, and long perseverance.
Over the years working with many Leo types, I've come to the conclusion that a few qualities are absolutely necessary for them to have a good relationship with another. They are mutual respect, loyalty, and their right to maintain some aspect of sovereignty. Notice I do not say domination, though Leo's, like Aries, are often accused of being too bossy. Leo's need to feel that they have some dominion over that which they are sovereign, whether it be their home, or a portion of it, their work, or their creative pursuits. They also need to feel respected and feel respect for their mate. The partner who fulfills these qualifications, will be amply rewarded with warmth, affection, and some very good times. Leos, like all fire signs, love to play and have fun. They enjoy spontaneity and are quite romantic.
A Leo woman can sometimes intimidate men. They often see her as being so strong, self-assured, and decidedly able to manage on her own. Why would she possibly need them? Leos, however, like big cats, need their mate, and they prefer to mate for life if betrayal and dishonesty don't wound them. Once wounded by such acts, they often lose trust and simply cannot find it in their hearts to forgive and forget, like some of the more mutable sign types are able to do. Pride often prevents them from taking a chance again with the same person, though there are certainly the exceptional ones who will take the risk, perhaps after taking some time to heal privately. Leos also can't abide subtle tactics of manipulation. They prefer to be bold and upfront in their responses.
Leo's truly do need the mystical marriage, the inner alchemy between the unconscious and conscious parts of themselves. Once they've done the hard inner work, as implied in the Vishnu myth, and conquered and mastered their shadow side, they make truly superb partners full of heart and radiance.
Hubris (or hybris) is the ultimate shadow of this sign. Wanting to be the best, the most outstanding, can lead to a desire to 'be as the gods'. Many dictators are born under this sign such as Mussolini. The lineage of the Roman Emperors certainly portrays the worst of Leo's shadow side from Augustus Cesar (founder of the month called August) on. The tyrannical path of such rulers is a saga of son rebelling at the father's authority, takng the throne, and eventually becoming a tyrant himself.
When the inherent self-centeredness, actually necessary to the heroic quest, drops into the pit of vanity and selfishness, then Leo makes impossible demands on others, which cannot possibly be fulfilled. Arrogance of power is the result. Some very prominent leaders today, who are either Leos, or have Leo rising, are good examples of these more negative traits.
Women are no less exempt from this 'enfant terrible' syndrome. Many a family has been fragmented, and cohesiveness has been ruined by a feline hell-cat bent on having her own way at the cost of everyone else.
FAMOUS LEOS
There are a pantheon of famous Leos historically including Napoleon (The Lion), King Louis XIV; both bigger than life in their adventures, conquests, and theatrical displays of power and glory. One also thinks of Fidel Castro of Cuba who maintained his role at the helm of that tiny island nation for well over a half-a-century.
Our modern world loves the super-hero where myth, glamor, and rulership often merge and blend with the likes of Bill Clinton and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hollywood has bred more than its share of superstar actors, like Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Christian Slater, Sandra Bullock, and Jennifer Lopez. Super rock stars, that never seem to fade into ignominy, are perennial favorites like Mick Jagger, Madonna, Jerry Garcia, and Whitney Huston. Even bad publicity only fuels greater fame and notoriety for these dazzling mega-stars.
CARL GUSTAV JUNG, Leo Personified
C.G. Jung, born a Leo on July 26, 1875, personified the outstanding traits of nobility, masculine leadership, and a far-reaching influence in our understanding of the psyche through his chosen field of psychology. True to the Leonine path, Jung was most interested in the development of the Solar Path involving active, conscious participation and the use of one's own will and understanding in the development of the Self.
His initial struggle with the archetypal father was dramatic. Freud, considered the 'father of psychology', was his mentor and friend until they split asunder, never to truly heal the schism between Freud's more instinctual and sexually based theories of the id, ego, and super-ego (Freud was a Taurus), and Jung's psychology of Individualism. Here is his own definition of Individuation "…a psychological process that makes of a human being an 'individual',—a unique, indivisible unit or 'whole person.'"
Jung's own personal journey of individuation was beautifully written in his famous Memories, Dreams, and Reflections. Certainly a key to the individuation process is the ability to self-reflect. Jung developed the concept of psychological archetypes: "components of the collective unconscious that serve to organize, direct, and inform human thought and behavior." (Wikipedia) His level of definition of the unconscious was much richer and broader in scope than Freud's more Victorian and misogynist view. Truly Jung was a giant light bringing the possibility of wholeness of being to each individual if they were willing to delve into their own, as well as their collective unconscious. Through his work on what he termed 'the Shadow' archetype, each person had the opportunity to explore all the cast off, repressed parts of the conscious self, which could potentially create harm if projected onto others, or acted out unconsciously. Once these rejected parts of the greater Self were brought into the light of consciousness, they could potentially be re-claimed and thus turned into treasures to be utilized for creativity and conscious self-expression
NEPTUNE AND LEO
Perhaps, as Kathleen Burt suggests, Neptune is exalted in Leo. Jung certainly encouraged mysticism, and was far-ranging in his study of astrology, alchemy, mythology, art, literature, world religion, and philosophy. Dream-work, the study of the unconscious symbolic realm, is the Neptunian place where the gold is often found in inner work, as are the various meditative techniques that lead to both self-reflection and ultimately illumination. When merged with positive Neptunian qualities, Leo can truly enter into co-creativity with the Divine, and shine luminous and sublime as an inspired and compassionate 'heart of gold'.
Categories: Astrology | Tags: Astrology, Leo, Madonna, Zodiac
« Full Moon Eclipse on August 16th Jupiter and Pluto Moving Forward »
1 Astrology Around The Web » Blog Archive » Glorious Leo by Genevieve { 08.16.08 at 6:46 pm }
[…] the rest – Blue Light Lady Astrology, leo, | Posted at 8:43 […]
2 Chalsie Flannery { 09.30.08 at 4:36 pm }
Genevieve,
So nice to have you back with us. It was great to run into you at the postal place as I've been wanting to see you and welcome you back. When you come back from Ireland, I'd love to have a reading. Enjoy. Love,
Chalsie
3 Dyllis { 10.27.08 at 12:05 pm }
Thanks for writing this.
4 Petar Vujevic { 12.18.08 at 11:53 am }
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
5 Anonymous { 03.03.10 at 9:56 am }
wazz up people
6 Clark Polachek { 12.23.13 at 5:30 pm }
You sure do make a Leo like myself feel very appreciated. Thank you, lovely Geminian lady.
7 Genevieve Vierling { 12.24.13 at 3:51 pm }
Clark, It's because you Leos always know how to make the rest of us feel good too! Actually, I'm a Pisces, but I do have a lot of Gemini in my chart as well as some Leo. 🙂 Quite frankly, we need ALL the signs to make the circle whole.
8 Clark Polachek { 12.25.13 at 11:17 am }
Oh, wow, thank you! Why is it that many Pisces individuals have a lot of either Gemini or Aquarius in their charts?
They've always been somewhat enigmatic and hard to read individuals.
Sorry for that mishap, lovely Piscean lady! <3
10 Genevieve Vierling { 12.27.13 at 2:23 pm }
Hello Clark,
To answer your question regarding Pisces having a lot of Gemini or Aquarius planets: Mercury and Venus never move far from the Sun, so each sign will have those planets either in the sign itself, the sign right before, or the sign right after depending on the degree of the Sun. So Pisces may have Mercury/Venus either in Pisces, Aquarius (the sign before), or Aries (the sign after). Having Gemini planets for a Pisces must be taken on an individual by individual basis. If outer planets were in that sign, all Pisces would have those Gemini planets as well. I hope this answers, in part, your question. 🙂
11 ThePaganSun { 07.08.14 at 6:52 am }
It was a fairly good article but it could've been better. Leo's are more than just monarchs or dramatists. They're also very physical a, dominant, extroverted, and powerful. They also have a fierce temper when provoked. In addition to actors and singers, they also make great athletes.
Thanks for pointing out more of the salient features of Leo, Marrissa. You sound quite familiar with the sign!
Oh. And although some astrologers this week Neptune is exalted in Leo, many others think it's too watery and introverted and unrealistic a planet for Leo and instead have Leo be exalted in Pluto which admits Leo's capacity for darkness and follows the old Sun myths about the sun gods going to the underworld. Pluto is better as Leo's exaltation than Neptune.
Well, that is one astrologer, Kathleen Burt, expressing Neptune in Leo's exaltation. Quite frankly, the outer planets were never considered in these old classical rules of rulership, fall, exaltation, and detriment, so it's still being debated by astrologers as to Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus' roles. Many people see Pluto as a watery planet even though we know it is icy cold that far from the Sun. Lots of projection certainly is applied when working with these themes. The myths give us some clues, but WHEN the planets are discovered give us additional clues as to their meaning.
15 ThePaganSun { 07.15.14 at 1:22 pm }
Thanks! LOL…well, I should hope so. I am one and have taken some classes on Greco-Roman astrology. I'm studying to be a classicist.
Oh, I see. Well that was traditional astrology before the outer planets were discovered and now that they're discovered, they should keep in the spirit and essense of astrology which is balance and the signs that didn't tradtionally have exaltations (Leo, Aquarius, and Scorpio) should be given the outer planets. Most astrologers already agree with Uranus for Scorpio so then Pluto should go to Leo and Neptune for Aquarius (the "Water-Bearer"). Thus, all the signs would be balanced again.
16 Paul { 07.21.14 at 9:00 pm }
Speaking of Neptune and, in a lesser degree, Leo. My natal chart states that I have a strong degree of the aspect Neptune square Sun. I then read about it on Astromatrix.com, an amazing website, and realized it was one of my biggest shortcomings.
Are there any strongpoints to this aspect? I myself don't see any…
17 Genevieve Vierling { 07.22.14 at 6:00 am }
Paul—I would have to see your chart and its overall patterns and intricacies to answer this comprehensively, but Mr. Obama is a public example of this aspect. He is both admired and loathed as a public figure, but we do know he suffers from the 'missing father' which colors much of his psyche in this life. It means that you must find your own inner compass more or less as a mystic. Neptune is a call to something beyond the physical realm usually and only deep inner introspection and spiritual inner work really will satisfy. Artists often have this signature. I see it as spiritual strength once the incarnating soul has made some real sacrifices to live out their true purpose without looking to the world for validation. It is beyond anything the ego can bring and requires absolute trust in stillness where something vaster opens up and is known. Francis the Healer has it. I had a healing with him recently and he has an absolute trust in his inner voice and works tirelessly to help others. Remember, squares are challenges but yield strength once harnessed.
Thanks again for your response, Genevieve! But I do think that the connection between Leo and Pluto (and Leo's fiercer qualities and physicality) should be explored in the future!
Marissa—Have you written about this anywhere? When Pluto was in the sign of Leo during WWII and thereafter we had a tremendous outpouring of creative power going forth to rebuild. I'm also struck by all the Pluto in Leo performers born during that time that have continued to hold forth well into this decade such as The Rolling Stones. The fierceness that you mention also for me translates into boldness and even audacity. Please share more. I'm intrigued by your comments!
20 ThePaganSun { 11.28.17 at 10:07 pm }
Thanks for responding so quickly!
I've commented briefly on other sites about Leo and Pluto, but not extensively although another astrologer is letting me help them edit a section.
And yes, I agree that creativity did expand when Pluto was in Leo, but also violence, war, and power (atomic bomb was invented in this time) and those qualities are also very Leonine. Sadly, in either an attempt to not offend Leos (like Scorpio's reputation did with Scorpios) or because of the emphasis of the warmth and noble aspects, some modern astrologers forget that Leo has inherent ferocity and power as the lion and only natural predator of the Western Zodiac.
It was also the only sign in ancient astrology that was characterized as both "bestial" (prefers primal instincts over higher reasoning) and fully "feral" (capable of savage and destructive behavior when angered). Leo can be either the creative star or the destructive black hole.
In fact, Leo's origin as the Nemean Lion really speaks to his more destructive capabilities and why he's regarded as Pluto's exaltation by many astrologers. In one ancient version, the Nemean Lion was said to have dedicated the bones of all the people he slaughtered to Hades.
So that's why I hope that Leo's more aggressive qualities are further explored in the wider astrological community as an inherent part of Leo's character. Much like Scorpio's "sting" is a part of it, and Aries' and Taurus' aggressive horns are part of them, so too are Leo's ferocious teeth and claws part of its nature.
Thanks for being so willing to chat and discuss these things with me!
I am more than impressed Marrissa! Thank you for sharing. It's not an easy thing to tackle the shadow side of brightest 'Sun' Leo! You've done an admirable job, and it brings a flood of memories up for me. My mother-in-law was a very devout Leo Catholic. I was staying with her and my father-in-law for about a month with my two young children one summer. She was in her bedroom saying the rosary. I was just sitting in their small living room and her husband had the TV on but was nodding out. An old film 'East of Eden' with James Dean was on the tube. All of a sudden she came storming out like a 'ferocious and feral' animal (to use your words). She lit into me with a storm of words haranguing me for watching such smut and 'how dare I do this in her home' etc. etc. I was dumb-founded to say the least, but then I finally saw what my husband had dealt with through-out his childhood. She once told him she'd rather see him 'dead at her feet' than commit a mortal sin. Yow! So I"m putting a real life anecdote to your well-written description of this other side of Leo. Thank you!! I really need to look at her chart again and see where Pluto factored in. I'll happily accept any other comments you might have so my readers can become more enlightened. 🙂
22 ThePaganSun { 01.09.18 at 12:57 am }
Thanks! And you're very welcome! And yeah that's true. I suppose Leo is usually a rather bright, kind, and charming personality. And I suppose most modern astrologers think highlighting our fiercer qualities will either offend Leos or give Leo a dark overall reputation like it did to Scorpio. But it's the lion of the Zodiac and its only natural predator. And just like Scorpio's stinger is an integral part of it, Leo's claws and teeth are part of it too.
By refusing or ignoring our fiercer and more powerful qualities, it makes us seem too "soft" and more similar to kittens rather than the mighty, fierce lions we are.
Whoa! Really? That's intense! And yeah, it sounds as though she did incorporate many of Leo's negative traits (stubborn, dogmatic, fierce, overly dominant, tempermental). That's tough. So sorry you and your husband had to go through that. Hopefully, things will be much smoother for you guys?
Aw, thanks again. I'm so glad that you found my comments useful and I hope your readers will find it useful as well.
I just hope that other modern astrologers will start describing Leo as what it is: both powerful and compassionate, both fierce and warm, feral and regal, creative and destructive. 😉♌
Hi again Marrissa—–You know this sign well! Much appreciated that you are willing to share with us all the fuller, more comprehensive qualities of Leo. I personally love most of the Leos I've come in contact with, which is quite a few! They ARE bold and stylish I have found. They are also quite generous. I do feel they reward loyalty. I've also found that Leos often like to be with another Leo. At least I know two such couples in that category. Neither couple live together however. They each need to maintain their own den it would seem. What do you think on that subject Marrissa?
Also, while Prahlad himself in some ways connect with Leo (although the sign itself is hardly "weak"), I find a much stronger connection in Vishnu's avatar, Narasimha, who in trying to protect his follower, had to use his feral qualities and kill a demon! That's more aligned with Leo than a little prince waiting around for someone else save him which isn't Leo's style.
Interestingly, in a Shiva-based follow-up story, it's said that after killing the demon, Narasimha was still so consumed with rage he kept rampaging and killing. Shiva sent two lieutenants to stop him but they were no match and finally Shiva himself had to take another form (part eagle, part human, and ironically, part lion) called Sharabha to subdue Narasimha, although Shiva worshippers refute this and regard it as another form of Vishnu.
But although I still think that the best mythical portrayal of Leo is the original Greek Nemean Lion version because it highlights Leo's incredible strength, near invincibility, and destructiveness (all of which modern astrology needs to do a better job of describing); one thing I really like about using Vedic portrayals is that often times the "good" characters and "bad" characters are one in the same. Although Shiva is usyally associated with destruction and Vishnu with sustaining and protecting the universe, BOTH Gods have aspects of compassion and ferocity. And indeed in actuality, both Gods (along with the creator God Brahma) are said to be themselves aspects of the ultimate one divinity, Brahman.
So I can see all of this incorporated in Leo and in ways, in the entire Zodiac.
I'm sorry that I didn't post your comments sooner Marrissa! I got busy this January I admit. So thank you, again, for your contribution on my blog. The myths are fascinating, and you've ferreted out some excellent ones. Much appreciated!!
No problem! I've had a lot on my plate too.
But while I guess the whole "generous, bold, creative, warm, etc." might seem to be compliments, I still find that they are too soft to properly describe Leo which is also a powerful, fierce, courageous, aggressive, passionate, and strong sign. These qualities should've been better explored in modern astrology which seems to try to tame Leo into this show kitty rather than accept it for the powerful creature it is: a mighty lion and nothing less.
And yes, Leo's do sometimes need our own space. This goes back to the old idea that we rule over forests and mountains and deserts which means we do love the outdoors and our alone time. So astrollogers get it wrong when they claim we constantly want attention.
We are the warrior-kings and conquerors of the Zodiac.
You're very welcome and thanks again for being so open and understanding!
27 Genevieve Vierling { 02.25.18 at 10:34 pm }
Ah Marrissa!—–I like your style and verbalizing what you know as your own truth as a Leo. Funny, but I was just looking up Danielle Steel, that famous romance novelist. My husband used to know her as a client in San Francisco for many years. Sure enough; she has a stellium in Leo—Mercury, Pluto, Saturn, Venus, and Sun. Pow! She had SEVEN children on top of writing close to 200 novels. All that Leo in square to Jupiter in Scorpio no less. That is one driven Leo woman. Married 5 times too. I feel she's a great example of what you are writing about. Her fixed pattern, of course, is that she is formulaic in her structure and never, ever writes about us common folks as she was born into wealth and created it. Even married the guy who owned the world's biggest yacht; the Maltese Falcon. The grand-scale life of a 'powerful, fierce, courageous, aggressive, passionate' Leo. Thanks for stating that so clearly.
Hi again!
Wow, that's pretty awesome! Good for her…I guess? Although it's a bit of a shame that she doesn't write about common people though.
But well, while that's all great…material wealth wasn't quite what I meant when I said Leo is powerful, fierce, aggressive, etc. I think I meant that physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, Leos are strong. While we can be kind, just like lions, we don't let people push us around. And that's the side of us modern astrologers should emphasize.
Hello again to you as well! Do people REALLY push Leos around? I've yet to see that in my circle of clients/friends. :). I do write about some pretty awesome Leos in my latest article and they are pretty much 'self-made' women. Yes, Danielle Steele was already born into privilege; you are right.
30 Cherry Blossom { 06.20.20 at 2:46 am }
Hi Genevieve! Love your articles and readings! Two years ago I posted a comment and you were very helpful with your insight. My birthday is 28th of February, 1994 in Yemen, and I'm interest in someone born in August 11, 1990 in Yemen. I've always read about how pisces isn't compatible with Leo, is that the case always? We have mutual friends and one of them want to introduce us to each other but I don't want to get into another relationship that is doomed to fail especially after my breakup with my fiancé two years ago (5th of May, 1990). I also have someone interest in me at work who's a Cancer. To be honest, the topic of relationships scare me but I have to move on and your insight would be very helpful! Many thanks!
31 Genevieve A. Vierling { 06.20.20 at 9:29 am }
Dear Cherry Blossom, Thank you for your comments. I hope I am able to help you again. This Leo man is very strong and FIXED in his male energies. That can be highly attractive of course. Prowess we're talking about, and even charm. He has Moon in Aries which is an independent streak but also a need for a strong woman who is active. He has quite a bit of Cancer energies including his Venus near Jupiter, so he may value family life and nurturance. You have Moon in Libra and you need a social life. Your Pisces energies would certainly complement his Cancer energies and your Venus energies are harmonious, but eventually you would have a 'power struggle' as evidenced by the squares between your mutual Mars. Even so he might be attracted to your intellectual strength yet you might never completely see eye to eye. I guess it boils down to whether or not you wish a 'dominant-type' male even if he is charming!! Pisces usually does the 'adjusting' to Leo who stays fixed no matter what the situation as a rule. Finally, I see a 'karmic' connection between you two. He will pull you into the past, but you may help him to grow.
32 Cherry Blossom { 06.23.20 at 12:50 am }
Thanks Genevieve for the reply! So I get from your comment that the chance of a successful relationship with this Leo is low? What about Cancer, 30 June 1995 in Yemen? Do you see it as a successful relationship?
33 Genevieve A. Vierling { 06.25.20 at 1:31 pm }
Dear Cherry Blossom, Your Cancer male is much more harmonious from an astrological perspective. Your Suns are in a nice trine in Water meaning you will re-energize each other. Your Moons are also harmonious. He has the Fire you seek but less difficult to work with. Your Mercury's are also in harmony in Air signs meaning you can communicate and you say he's a work colleague. AND your Mars is in harmony with his Venus while your Venus is opposite his Mars giving green lights of love and ardor. His chart shows a lot of gifts and his struggles/challenges in life are doable because he's adaptable. Good luck!!


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More info on Route 1 (Prince Edward Island)
Route 1 (Prince Edward Island): Map
Route 1 is the Prince Edward Island section of the Trans-Canada Highway and has a total distance of 111 km (70 miles).
Route 1 traverses the southern shore of Prince Edward Island and is an uncontrolled access 2-lane secondary highway with a maximum speed limit of 90 km/h (55 mph).
Route 1 passes through:
Borden-Carleton (the highway's western terminus is at the Confederation Bridge toll booth)
Albany (interchange with Route 1A)
Route 1 passes through Charlottetown using the Upton Road and Charlottetown Arterial Highway (a controlled access 2-lane highway) and Riverside Drive.
Wood Islands (the highway's eastern terminus is at the Northumberland Ferries toll booth)
List of Prince Edward Island provincial highways


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NY Times Op-ed Lays Guilt Trip on Los Angeles for Climate 'Sins'
Angeleno Héctor Tobar says California's 'endless summer is our punishment' for freeways and gas-guzzling.
Published: 5/22/2015 10:38 AM ET
Subscribe to Joseph Rossell
By Joseph Rossell
Staff Writer for MRC Business
Author Héctor Tobar used the pages of The New York Times to confess his "sins against Mother Nature" and promote the unproven claim that the California drought is the consequence of carbon emissions and climate change.
In his May 22 op-ed, "The Sins of Angelenos," Tobar said the "endless summer" in California is his "punishment."
"As a native of Los Angeles, I am significantly more responsible for global warming than your average resident of planet Earth," Tobar said. "We pioneered an energy-guzzling lifestyle for the masses and taught the world to follow our lead. Now a parched, endless summer is our punishment."
Tobar piled on the self-loathing guilt, declaring that "in a kind of planetary karma, our bad behavior is rebounding on us."
He claimed the unseasonable warmth and winter that felt like spring, which caused a series of problems including insects surviving to ravage birch trees is "climate change at work."
"The plague of insects is my fault," Tobar lamented. Other catastrophes he and L.A. are responsible for? "The poor snow season in Oregon resorts, and Hurricane Sandy, and the rising tides threatening assorted Micronesian islands."
Tobar joins the ranks of Gov. Jerry Brown and President Barack Obama, who have both tried to connect the California drought to manmade climate change. But those claims lack proof.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released report in December 2014, which found that computer models of global warming showed an increase in winter rains. NOAA concluded a La Nina weather pattern was the primary driver of drought, The Guardian (UK) reported Dec. 8, 2014.
Even the liberal Times rebutted Obama's drought claim in February 2014. In that news article, the Times including Columbia University climate scientist Richard Seager who said, "I'm pretty sure the severity of this thing is due to natural variability."
Scientists have also disputed his Hurricane Sandy claim. While the media have certainly linked Sandy to global warming, Climatologist Dr. John Christy pointed out that it was a "minimal hurricane." It struck a location that was heavily populated though.
"So, it is in no way indicative of arising trends in hurricanes that might be attributed to global warming," Christy said. In addition, Colorado State University researchers William Gray and Phil Klotzbach told National Geographic that human activity on the formation and intensity of Atlantic hurricanes "is likely to be negligible."
That didn't stand in the way of Tobar suggesting more radical measures than water restrictions.
In response to the drought emergency, the state it trying to force people to use less water, but only the bravest California politician would suggest we force people to drive less to fight global warming," Tobar said.
Category: Climate Change, Environment, Media
Tags: Hector Tobar, Climate Change, Global Warming, drought, Hurricanes, climate models, California, climate sins, karma, Mother Nature, freeways, carbon emissions, guilt, New York Times


Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the inability to see close objects easily and clearly.
Usually, a farsighted person can see objects in the distance with clarity. However, some farsighted individuals over age 40, may experience some blurring in the distance.
Higher levels of farsightedness can contribute to the development of crossed-eyes (strabismus) and lazy eye (amblyopia).
fail to detect moderately farsighted people.
The 20/20 eye chart is basically used to find people who are nearsighted (myopic). Objects seen from the distance of twenty feet will appear blurry to a nearsighted person. Meanwhile, most moderately farsighted people will do well on the 20/20 test -- objects twenty feet away will be seen clearly and easily.
Farsighted people have problems seeing close, so visual problems generally relate to how well they see while doing close work, such as reading, writing, computer work, etc. People with farsightedness frequently have difficulty sustaining close work for long periods of time. When reading, the text may become blurred, or they may frequently lose their place or not remember what it is that they just read.
It is interesting to note that the vast majority of people who are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD are farsighted. Farsighted people who struggle with seeing up-close and those who are labeled ADD/ADHD have something else in common, too. Both groups tend to avoid close work. Avoidance of reading and desk work are often attributed to poor attention skills, but with the farsighted person the avoidance is directly related to the inability to see close. To avoid the discomfort of close work, a farsighted person may look around the room, fidget, or begin talking with a neighbor.
For eye focusing or eye coordination problems, many times it is possible to help patients with their symptoms with only the use of reading glasses, sometimes also called stress relieving or learning lenses. Other times the lenses are used in conjunction with an Optometric Vision Therapy program. This is determined at the time of the Optometric Vision Therapy Evaluation. Lenses may be low powered convex lenses or sometimes low powered yoked prisms. The lenses may be single vision (same prescription throughout the lens) or in a bifocal form. The bifocal becomes necessary when the optimum prescription for nearpoint performance interferes with distance vision. The bifocal, then, is another tool to use to enhance performance.


Can a Prenup or a Postnup with an Infidelity Clause Deter a Spouse from Cheating?
Prenuptial agreements are becoming more common. More people are recognizing the benefits such agreements can have, and they are losing some of their stigma. Many people who consider getting a prenup are focused on the division of assets in case of a divorce. Yet, there are many other things that a prenup can include, such as the so-called "lifestyle" clauses that are becoming more popular among celebrity prenups.
One of the most common lifestyle clauses is the stipulation that if one spouse cheats, they must pay a penalty. For example, actress Jessica Biel has a prenup that states that if her husband, singer Justin Timberlake, were to cheat, she would get $500,000.
As a family lawyer who practices in Murfreesboro, Franklin, and other middle Tennessee cities, I help my clients understand how a prenuptial agreement can help them and which clauses they should include. When my clients consider an infidelity clause, one thing we often talk through is whether that clause could actually be a deterrent to their spouse cheating (though it's most commonly an issue for a woman trying to stop her husband from potentially cheating). There really is no definitive answer to that question, as there is no predicting a person's behavior. However, it is reasonable to consider the infidelity clause a deterrent, especially if a lot of money is at stake.
As with any issue in a marriage or a divorce, the outcome will depend on the specific people and set of circumstances involved. If you have a wealthy spouse like Justin Timberlake, a $500,000 "penalty" for cheating might not seem like such a big deal. However, if your spouse has a typical, middle-class salary, paying you even $10,000 as a penalty for an affair might be something he or she wants to avoid.
For some spouses, knowing that there is an infidelity penalty in their prenuptial agreement might not be a deterrent, but might just make them work harder to keep the affair a secret. If you suspect adultery and decide to divorce, you will need to work harder with your attorney to uncover evidence of the affair, which would be required if you cited adultery as grounds for fault in a divorce.
In Tennessee, you can get a divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences if both parties agree on the terms of a divorce and sign the appropriate documents. However, if your spouse is contesting the divorce, you will need to allege grounds to proceed to getting the divorce granted. Without a prenuptial agreement, even if you can prove that your spouse has cheated, you likely will not be granted a greater share of the assets and it is possible that you will not have increased alimony as a result. The courts have ruled that these decisions cannot be made on a punitive basis, such as when a spouse cheats. Therefore, if you had a prenup with an adultery clause, if the court enforces the agreement, you could be sure that you would get a greater payout upon the dissolution of the marriage.
If you didn't sign a prenup before you got married, you can still get such a clause in a postnuptial agreement which is put together after you are married (if your spouse agrees to enter into such a written document). Some couples even invest in a postnup after the discovery that one of them has cheated. The postnup is considered an inducement to help the marriage succeed, or to help give assurances that the spouse won't cheat again because they are agreeing that they will literally pay up if they do.
There really aren't many guarantees in life, so you can't be certain that a prenup or postnup with an adultery clause will deter your husband or your wife from cheating. However, if your spouse does cheat and you can prove it, having a prenup or postnup with the infidelity clause will probably help you get a bigger payout. If you are considering a prenup or postnup with an adultery clause, call me, Judy A. Oxford, a family lawyer who practices in Franklin, Murfreesboro, and other middle Tennessee cities, at (615) 791-8511 to discuss your options. You can also fill out the secure online form to schedule a free consultation.
Adultery in Tennessee: Does Cheating Affect Alimony?


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Q: Grouping users by command/shell (the last element of /etc/passwd) with awk using awk I want sth like this:
bin/bash: user1, user2
another shell path: user3, user4

etc. until all paths and users are displayed
I only figured out how to get all shells from /etc/passwd using 'seen':
awk -F: '(!seen[$7]++){print $7}' /etc/passwd

Does anyone have an idea how to do this?

A: You may use this awk:
awk -F: 'NF>5{a[$NF] = ($NF in a ? a[$NF] ", " : "") $1}
END{for (i in a) print i ":", a[i]}' /etc/passwd

A: Alternative approach using the always-useful GNU datamash utility instead of awk:
$ datamash -t: -s -g7 collapse 1 < /etc/passwd
/bin/bash:root
/bin/false:syslog,messagebus,landscape,pollinate,colord,systemd-timesync,systemd-network,systemd-resolve,systemd-bus-proxy,uuidd,_apt
/bin/sync:sync
/usr/bin/zsh:shawn
/usr/sbin/nologin:daemon,bin,sys,games,man,lp,mail,news,uucp,proxy,www-data,backup,list,irc,gnats,nobody,sshd

(Group by the 7th :-delimited field after sorting, and for each group, show all of the first field's values separated by commas)


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HOME » Geopolitics » A quick recap of how Canada became the HQ of the Khalistani movement and why Jaishankar's statement makes sense
A quick recap of how Canada became the HQ of the Khalistani movement and why Jaishankar's statement makes sense
by Apoorva Shukla
in Geopolitics
On 19 September, over 100,000 Canadian Sikhs gathered in Brampton, Ontario to vote for the Khalistan Referendum, which was organised by Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). As known to all, Khalistan referendum is a demand of carving out a separate country for Sikhs that contains areas of pre-1966 Punjab, that includes Haryana, Himachal Pradesh along with Sikh majority areas of Rajastahn, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with Shimla as the capital. The future plan is to establish before the UN that Punjabi people demand independence from India. The SFJ aims to approach the UN and other international bodies with the goal of re-establishing Punjab as a nation state.
But when did the demand of a separate state for Sikhs come into existence and who were the ones who fuelled the secessionist movement? The next big question is, Is India prepared to tackle the menace and what will be India's foreign policy with respect to the nations who provide a safe haven to such separatists?
The emergence of Khalistan
The roots of Khalistan lie in the British colonial policies of Divide and Rule. It was in the late 1800s and 1900s, when Sikhs were recruited into the British Army in large numbers to use against Hindu rulers who were rebelling against the colonialists. During the independence, the demand for Khalistan came into existence that would contain Eastern Pakistan and Western India, the area that was ruled by the Sikh empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The demand was not feasible owing to the lack of Sikh population as compared to other religions in Punjab.
Khalistan in independent India
29 days after the establishment of the 175-member Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the Sikh leadership got together and formed the Shiromani Akali Dal on 14 December 1920. Formed under the leadership of Sardar Surmukh Singh Jhabaal, the association's primary mission was to promote and protect the rights of the Sikh community. The party prominently consisted of religious leaders like jathedars and morchas were formed to promote and protect panth. Akali Dal had holy men contesting the elections. This is what helped the Akalis climb the ladder of political success. The Akalis established a firm hold over the religious sect and the peasantry. They were hard to defeat and then Bhindrawale was born.
Although the entire story of Khalistan revolves around Bhindrawale , the real player was Jagjit Singh Chouhan. Chauhan was active in politics in the late 1960s. After losing the elections in 1969, he moved to the United Kingdom and began his campaign for creation of Khalistan. He even placed an advertisement in the New York Times proclaiming an independent state. He even went to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan in an attempt to set up a Sikh government. He established the Khalistan National council and maintained constant touch with Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, who enjoyed a lot of respect within the community since he headed the Damdami Taksal, a century-old seminary, founded by Baba Deep Singh.
The entry of Congress and Indira Gandhi
The Congress was then the sole party with not so strong opposition in the entire nation. But, Congress' rise to power was not an easy task in the state of Punjab, courtesy the clout of Akali Dal. To cut Akalis to size, Sanjay Gandhi suggested a sant be put forth to challenge the Akali Dal government. The "sant" picked by Indira's son was Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale. Bhindrawale was expected to split the Sikh votes and weaken the base of Akali Dal. Congress supported the candidates backed by Bhindrawale in the 1978 SGPC elections. In the 1980 elections, Bhindrawale supported Congress candidates Gurdial Singh Dhillon and Raghunandan Lal Bhatia.
Then began the bloodiest chapter of Punjab- the series of killings by the followers of Bhindrawale. It began with the assassination of Lala Jagat Narain, the owner of Hind Samachar Group of newspapers. Then DIG Avtar Singh Atwal was murdered in broad day light. The secessionist movement was on the rise when Indira Gandhi launched Operation Blue Star and the Indian Army forced their way into the Harminder Sahib – which was by then converted into Bhindrawale's fortresses. How the Army flushed Bhindrawale and his followers pushed Sikhs cradling secessionist sentiments to run to save their heads.
Read More- K2 (Kashmir-Khalistan) plan to unsettle India is being hatched by an unholy nexus of Turkey and Pakistan
Khalistan movement outside India
By then, some waves of migration had already taken place. Sikhs from India who earlier migrated for jobs to the UK, America and Canada, now started migrating for their movement. These nations have a sizable Sikh population in the current times. The Caucasian people required labour and Canada became a heaven for migrants.
Canada wears multiculturalism on its hat as foreign-born people make up for one-fifth of Canada's population. The country takes pride in welcoming immigrants and also rolls out the carpet for extremists in order to appease. Canada welcomed Sikhs too, who crossed the Atlantic in search of a paradise and settled around British Colombia, Toronto and Ontario. Over time, the Sikh diaspora in Canada transformed from a minority to 'the biggest' minority community.
This is how the Canada became the safe haven for extremists and terrorists. Then comes Trudeau who turned Canada into the headquarters for Khalistani separatists to appease the powerful Sikh community. Pakistan's ISI has been fuelling the Khalistan secessionist movement as a revenge for the liberation of Bangladesh. Veteran journalist Terry Milewski published a report titled, 'Khalistan: A Project of Pakistan.' In it he explained how the Pakistani ISI is providing funds and manpower to revive the Khalistani movement in Punjab. The report also elaborates on how Canadian authorities provide a safe haven to the people connected with ISI.
Read More- Trudeau's overt support to Khalistanis has led to the attack on Swaminarayan Mandir
Trudeau's overt support to the Khalistan movement in Canada
The recent vandalism of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Canada's Toronto and Referendum 2020 has again brought in the debate of resurrection of Khalistani movement under Justin Trudeau. The catalyst behind the secessionist movement in Canada is Trudeau's ally Jagmeet Singh. Singh enjoys a solid political base in the political spectrum of Canada and is the first person from a minority background to lead a major political party in Canada, left leaning New Democratic Party (NDP). The NDP is the pillar upon which Trudeau's government rests. And this is the reason why Trudeau has been silent on the anti-Hindu and anti-India havoc created by the Khalistanis. There have been many incidents that stand in deposition for the same, like on the 15th of January 2022, these miscreants wreaked havoc in Shri Hanuman temple in Brampton, Greater Toronto Area (GTA ) city. 10 days later, they vandalised Maa Chintpurni Mandir in the same city, and the attack on mandirs became a norm by then.
India's plan to deal with the Khalistani menace supported by Trudeau
Recently, India's external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar was in Ahmedabad to launch the Gujarati version of his book The India Way: Strategies for an uncertain world. During the launch he was asked about India's plan to deal with extremism that has been flourishing outside the country. The example of Canada was cited, and Jaishankar was asked that since Canada has allowed the Khalistani extremists to flourish and run their anti-India movement, what would be India's foreign policy to deal with such crises? Referring to his one tweet, in which Jaishankar wrote 'EKTA', Jaishankar said that the country must have the courage to call out such nations allowing secessionist activities flourishing on their soil. He asserted that India would not tolerate if someone does something that affects the unity and integrity of the country. India has also registered protest in regard to the anti-India activities taking place on the foreign soil.
As mentioned earlier, Trudeau's palace rests on ally Jagmeet Singh's mercy. Trudeau cannot afford to lose Singh and Singh thrives on the votes of extremist Sikhs who harbour Khalistani sentiments. Justin Trudeau is busy practising appeasement politics and Canada's vote bank politics has become a threat to global peace, especially in Asia. Now, Canada is left with two options-either mend its ways or be isolated.
Tags: BhindrawaleCanadaDr S JaishankarEmergence of KhalistanIndira GandhiJustin TrudeauKhalistan ReferendumKhalistani Group
PFI, its modus operandi and why it will not last the year
Egypt became a disciplined country only in 2014, and it is the North African ally that India can rely on
Apoorva Shukla
Columnist, TFIPost.com Avid learner, Interested in Politics


text:
Gribble Grub
A Tiny Crustacean Could Help Us Create Biofuel From Wood
December 4th 18__Kristin Houser__Filed Under: Earth & Energy
Tiny Helpers
The termites of the sea could hold the key to sustainably transforming wood into a liquid biofuel.
Gribbles are tiny water-dwelling invertebrates that feed on wood. We've known for some time now that they are adept at breaking through lignin, the tough coating that envelops wood's sugar polymers — a part of the biofuel creation process that requires significant energy.
However, we didn't know exactly how they managed it — until now.
Gut In Action
In a study published in Nature Communications on Monday, an international team of researchers describe a new investigation into the gribble's hind gut. The research led to the discovery that hemocyanin proteins, which transport oxygen through the bodies of invertebrates, play a major role in the crustacean's ability to extract sugars from wood.
"We have found that gribble chew wood into very small pieces before using hemocyanins to disrupt the structure of lignin," researcher Simon McQueen-Mason said in a press release. "GH7 enzymes, the same group of enzymes used by fungi to decompose wood, are then able to break through and release sugars."
We are already able to convert wood into a liquid biofuel we can use to power everything from airplanes to cars. The problem is that the wood must first undergo a thermochemical pretreatment to help break down lignin, which requires energy.
When the researchers pretreated wood with hemocyanins, though, they found it broke down just as easily as wood pretreated thermochemically. "In the long term," researcher Neil Bruce said in the press release, "this discovery may be useful in reducing the amount of energy required for pre-treating wood to convert it to biofuel."
If he's right, we could one day use climate-friendly, wood-generated biofuels to power our world — all thanks to what we learned when we looked at the guts of a tiny crustacean.
READ MORE: Don't Quibble With a Gribble: Why a Curious Crustacean Could Hold Secret to Making Renewable Energy From Wood [University of York]
More on biofuels: Plant-Based Biofuels Are Completely Transforming Energy
Up Next__The City of Oakland Votes to Ban Facial Recognition >>>


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Home Bloggers Christine Rose Winston Peters and Neo-liberalism, Beat Compassion and Cool.
Christine Rose
Winston Peters and Neo-liberalism, Beat Compassion and Cool.
No wonder Winston Peters objected to the Coalition Government being called Labour-led. Because, on matters of most importance, it's led by New Zealand First. And even though Fortune Magazine this week said Jacinda Ardern was the second most powerful leader in the world, that would make Winston the first.
New Zealand First (NZF) has outsmarted the Labour Party, who are shackled by the Financial Responsibility Rules on one hand, and Winston on the other. Despite all the adulation and political capital for Jacinda Ardern domestically and internationally, Winston, has shown us all how implementation of a Labour agenda is at New Zealand First's discretion.
With the economic largesse and the political platform afforded Shane Jones by the Provincial Growth Fund; the apparent permission he's been granted to act with impunity, taking his blokey bombastic cronyism too far; and the New Zealand First veto on matters of progress involving even key Labour Party policies, it's clear who's boss, and it's not Jacinda Ardern.
Labour loyalists say that makes it even more important to vote for a stronger Labour representation at next year's election, so in the future the bigger party is not beholden to a minority whose ambitions thwart Labour's own.
But there's no shrewder a politician than Winston Peters. He's the oldest currently serving MP. He has been in Parliament almost continuously since 1978. He's been an MP almost as long as Jacinda has been alive. New Zealand First celebrated their 25th birthday this week. So let's not forget what a survivor Winston has been, through decades. He's seen more Governments come and go, than anyone else in the House. The concessions NZF have already secured for their key constituencies, almost guarantee them a strong enough showing in the next election to continue to secure disproportionate power. As their skills at negotiating coalition agreements show, they don't need a majority of seats to assert majority forms of power. The 5% threshold or a constituency seat will likely again provide the party with the balance of power, with a veto on forming a government and then on policy. They're pretty good at the game.
Some observers say Jacinda's CGT backdown is a humiliating defeat. Some say it's a pragmatic move. Some say she could never win in this debate, others say she didn't even try. Either way, she's left to carry all the political costs from that decision, while NZF come out victorious in upholding the interests of existing capital and the landowning class, 'home owning mums and dads', and the 'kiwi way of life'.
Jacinda said she didn't have a mandate to implement a Capital Gains Tax – an arguable point given her popularity, her own stated belief that a CGT was needed, and the redistributive role that the Capital Gains Tax proposal was intended to play. Her announcement that the CGT is dead now and for as long as she's leader, has handed a victory to National and Simon Bridges too. Out-foxed by Winston and scared off by National's barking at shadows, she's rolled over and given up important tools that she believed in as remedies for some of her – and the country's greatest concerns.
Some commentators suggest the disappointment in Labour is misplaced, because a Capital Gains Tax with exemptions would be inefficient. 'Other tools might do the job better'. 'The proposed CGT was to be fiscally neutral anyway', or 'it wouldn't raise enough because of the loopholes', and 'addressing poverty and equity really requires broader structural change'. So 'economically at least, the 'about face' is not such a big deal'.
But the Capital Gains Tax was a big deal. It was a big deal politically. It was a big deal for the Labour Party and for Jacinda personally. It was her 'Captain's Call'. It was important to her, and she's 'disappointed not to see it through'. So even if it wasn't going to be the perfect tool, this defeat is more significant because it would have been an attempt at least, to balance investment in houses against the more productive sector, to balance tax equity among the working and the middle class, between renters and owners, between those who own homes, and those who probably never will. It's a symbolic and a substantive defeat.
I have home owning friends who are relieved that their home / house investments won't be taxed. They were usually the lucky ones, who managed to buy a house – or several, when they were cheap, interest rates were low, and had help from family. But they don't want anything to affect the value of their property or potential income. I also have friends who work just as hard who will never own a home, who feel betrayed. I see people who say the battle goes on. We just have to organise, mobilise. Struggle on. And there are those who say the battle is already lost, when Saint Jacinda the Kind can't negotiate even an imperfect policy response that's widely seen as a generally only a modest step in the right direction.
Jacinda's Prime Ministerial performance has been lauded as professional, intuitive, and compassionate, showing great communication skills. A soft media approach is running in the news this weekend, as a counter to the bitter CGT response last week. Today mainstream media reported that Jacinda met music star Pink with their kids, when Pink was touring last September. An event from 2014 when Jacinda shared a ride with some stranded travelers is also doing the rounds again now. Forget the Capital Gains Tax, infers the narrative – as well as being compassionate and communicative, Jacinda is also cool!
But cool has its limits. We need courage. We need leaders with courage to stand up to outdated thinking, to conservative thinkers, we need courage to change the status quo. But in the CGT debate market rules prevailed again. In the rule of New Zealand First and the conservative nature of this Government's responses to social and environmental crises, it's business as usual. The CGT debate shows that conservativism trumps compassion, and compassion shackled to neo-liberalism is neo-liberalism all the same.
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Well I think the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern ought to worry about her ambitions for change rather than worrying about ours. Including such things as a fundamental reexamination over the failures of 3 successive elections and 4 party leaders and go to the policy issues in fact The Labour Party's phoney fiscal policies at the last election and the one before. The Adsense of any wages policy that was even believable or credible before The Honourable Willie Jackson parachuted in. The Adsense of any health care policy on national health and abdicating any responsibility on health while Coca Cola Colman fiddled with health so they had no health policy. The lack of any policy related to industry development, training and lack of educational resources to back stop business. All of the key issues that matter to the way in which the nation functions that you do not learn it as you go along.
So instead of applying ourselves to what we can change and what really matters we ask ourselves the most difficult questions about how to attach kind and economically driven legs to a fiscal fish where in fact all governments generate there own process of change well certainly Phill Twyford and Robertson and Jacinda gave Kiwi Build a crack and this change naturally comes from the leadership, the party and the government. So you've got the Prime Minster who's the director of change and the chief economic person in Robertson and other senior portfolio holders as well as an employment minister who has taken it on his own initiative to preside over falling unemployment states and didn't need to be pushed and prodded and dragged along where NOVA pay was and where we are still failing.
So the point is that we generate our own enthusiasm because we can focus on contemporary issues. What Jacinda has to do is focus on how to beat The National Party 3 times in a row because once is a fluke and why a fraudulent appeal to raise taxes is not a great vision for change and on the front pages of every news rage will be Simon Bridges saying that he is the real weapon for change and right next to that you'll have reasons for why those tax cuts. Y'know…, the real tough policies of handing out tax cuts.
So why don't we get off the poll dancing and get down to a bit of policy.
Castro April 22, 2019 at 7:45 am
Then why did Ardern take CT off the table FOR EVER? I call BS, Christine. Jacinda is a Neo-liberal.
jay11 April 22, 2019 at 11:06 am
Join the Yellow Vests, Castro! The Tararuas don't compare to the Sierra Maestra where Castro hid out with Che Guevarra! Too cold and wet.
The climate in Cuba is sub-tropical with cool trade winds providing some relief from the heat and humidity. The average year-round temperature is approximately 26°C and there's plenty of sunshine.
With satellites and modern tech a guerilla band in the tararuas would be quickly located!
Harry Wise April 22, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Agree. Jax, Twyford and a few others are neo-libs dressed up in red rags. On the whole, Winston and NZ First seem the least neoliberals in parliament.
David Stone April 22, 2019 at 2:05 pm
Winston and NZ first certainly are the least noeliberal in parliament . He has opposed it from it's inception.
Ngungukai April 22, 2019 at 8:42 pm
Like + 100%
jay11 April 22, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Castro hopefully to become a Yellow Vest ( More realistic! 🙂
"At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality." – Ernesto Che Guevara.
keep going Castro!
David Stone April 22, 2019 at 8:06 am
"Either way, she's left to carry all the political costs from that decision"
She would have carried the cost of the other decision too, and she rightly assessed that it would be a heavier burden.
"We need courage. We need leaders with courage to stand up to outdated thinking,"
It took courage to go against her stated preference, her senior advisor in Cullen and his advisory group too. But note that Cullen had 9 years when he could have implemented a CGT himself.
This decision and the way she made it won't cost Jacinda anything at all.
Nick J April 22, 2019 at 7:16 pm
Not a rhazoo. She will come out looking better.
Keepcalmcarryon April 22, 2019 at 9:12 pm
Many a comfortable rental property owning boomer is smirking along with you Mr Stone.
Not so sure about the people living in cars going in to winter, I think they will be "disappointed" Arden didn't see it through.
The politics of kindness- as applied to the upper middle class.
If you think that CGT was going directly to house people living in cars OK. But why not just increase top income tax rates? Stop corporate profits going offshore, build a meaningful number of state houses, make it illegal to own several houses and keep them empty? The govt could forcibly take over the rent of empty houses , pay the owner a market rent and place people in them. That would cool the market pretty quick.
Government and or local bodies as overseas need to get hands on to house people without means like they do in other countries; like we did with state housing long ago. They have to be prepared to be a landlord again, not a property developer. I have 2 nephews who are building apartments in Auckland. Everyone has seen some of them. Many even of these are being bought by people who have no intention of either letting them or living in them. The speculative gain is all some buyers are looking for. The government has to do something much more direct than to share in this speculative gain to remedy this .
Keepcalmcarryon April 24, 2019 at 10:02 pm
What about all those things and a capital gains tax?
CLEANGREEN April 22, 2019 at 10:08 am
Yes I am for fairness for all but Jacinda did eagerly sign us up for TPP didn't she?f
She needs to care about kiwis firstly not all the rest of the world.
We have many things so wrong now after nine years of natZ "slash & Burn politics" so please Jacinda " remember "compassion begins at home".
Was already a done deal by National ?
Supernaut April 22, 2019 at 10:25 am
CGT is dead in the water. A huge win for conservatives. Looks like getting the whole country on board with "compassionate and progressive policies" is harder than herding cats. People do not give their money away. Period.
The sooner JA buggers off to some worthless job at the UN the less damage she and Labour can inflict on the rest of us.
mikesh April 22, 2019 at 11:30 am
Andrew Little, when he led the party, was also sceptical of capital gains taxes. However, now that the CGT distraction is out of the way, they can concentrate on more effective measures. Whether they will do so though remains to be seen.
Andrew April 22, 2019 at 11:47 am
I doubt Winston did in fact block the implementation of CGT.
Sure, he claimed it as a victory, but it's also noticeable that Jacinda has been lukewarm about it since her election. It was a half baked policy she'd inherited.
If she'd been really sold on it, why appoint a tax working group? She was definitely keeping her distance all along.
There was a broad based outcry over CGT, especially with the cavernous loophole of the 'family home' that would allow the most egregious offenders escape it. It would be difficult to implement and lots of tax experts were going public saying it was a bad idea.
So rather than Winston ruling this government I think she did the prudent thing to increase her chances of survival at the next election.
Marc April 22, 2019 at 11:59 am
There is simply not enough unity in this country's population, those who managed to obtain property, whether through 'hard work', sacrifices or simply by inheriting it, they will cling to their privileged life situations as much as they can, nobody will give up assets and forms of wealth without a fight, except one like 'Jesus'.
But the number of persons forcing to rent is growing, and will continue to grow. So it may take time for those to get the upper hand.
So yes, it was partly NZ First and Winston that stopped the CGT being introduced, but they also did it with having in mind the power and influence of the property owning middle class, or the upper middle class.
They are committed voters, those who have nothing are less likely to vote, as we know, so politicians and parties will consider the consequences of upsetting those who are committed voters, less so the interests of the silent and powerless non voters and undecided voters.
We have the same challenges, even greater ones, to deal with when it comes to environmental and climate change issues and needed policies. Who will dare to introduce policies that will take conveniences away and make life more difficult for so many?
There will only be improvements if people learn to make sacrifices, and again, few will be prepared to do so, as consumers have become addicted to a wasteful and polluting life style.
Change may only come if it inevitable, due to serious disasters happening.
Peter Bradley April 22, 2019 at 12:11 pm
It's not even market rules prevailing. There were plenty of economic commentators and investors who supported the CGT both at an investment and fairness level – it has potential positive economic outcomes but they were not argued for.
What has happened here is that a small but powerful lobby group representing only a portion of the "property owning class" have shouted loudest and most angrily and the media has simply dissipated in front of it.
It reminds me of Brexit – a minority of very angry and vocal individuals simply dominate the discussion. The journalists and other voices don't push back and instead defer in sympathy to the clearly upset Brexiteer.
So it is with CGT – the more reasoned and nuanced debates about future government revenue and fairness are simply not heard as those who hold those views politely remain quite so as not to further upset the already angry – "I've worked hard for this/this is my pension/why should I pay more tax/this will destroy the economy" person before them.
I feel like this is an Obama moment for Jacinda – when pragmatism and the "job at hand" become the driving factors of her political direction over and above the idealism that may have originally got her into politics.
When leadership changes from being the idealistic vision we project onto someone to the reality that they are just someone doing a difficult job with constraints, limitations and disappointment.
Saying that it does feel like a huge body blow to long term Labour supporters but I think it goes much deeper and wider than Jacinda or even the current Labour leadership.
Across the NZ electorate there is a chasm of economic ignorance and by that I mean macro economics – sure lot's of Kiwi's run businesses or household budgets – but it is this very perspective that blinds them to the big picture.
Without a broader and fairer tax base going into the future and with the share of national income going to labor in decline – it is possible that the very assets being protected now from CGT may lose value in the long run as government engagement in the economy shrinks.
If this happens – the value of property and business assets will become less reliable.
For example – rental subsidies to low income house holds may have to go to reduce government spending which will immediately reduce the available pool of tenants who can pay market rents.
The money available to councils to develop and maintain the types of infrastructure and environment that supports and sustains the value of business and property assets will also decline and costs pushed onto individuals.
Between to 1852 and 1879 in NZ you could only vote in elections if you were male (presumably European), over 21 and an owner or leaseholder of property. Universal suffrage for men over 21 was introduced in 1879 and for women in 1893.
Ultimately providing a tax free form of income to a small segment of your asset owning citizens and then refusing to allow non property owning citizens to have a say on this takes us back to NZ's pre 1879 form of democracy.
It is an inversion of the "no taxation without representation" concept. Asset owners in NZ get "representation without taxation" as things currently stand.
I don't understand why this can't be explained to the NZ public by a strong leader with good communication skills.
countryboy April 22, 2019 at 12:14 pm
Great Post @ CR.
Clear and direct. A shiver must surely be galloping up the spine of winston peters's bent little back.
It's too late to introduce a CGT anyway. The traps are sprung. There are too many people now having been lured into the inhuman position of being 'I'm alright Jack." while they walk past the homeless, while people are living in garages and cars.
What is a CGT in reality? It's a myth. It's a complex logical fallacy. When the gargantuan foreign banks are here making more off us than anywhere else? Any tax, any increase in salaries and wages, any improvement in our way if life will ultimately be siphoned off by Them.
Never mind our politicians. They don't matter. They pretend they do and wouldn't you? On $ix easy figures plus entitlements and reimbursements and generous pensions? And all you had to do was lie, then maintain that lie for as long as you can? These are modern times. It's de rigueur in fact. It's entirely fashionable and acceptable to lie and decieve. As equally as it's so to walk past the wretched and suffering homeless living in our city's streets. The abnormal has become normal.
Before any changes to our tax system, the banksters must go.
winston peters? MMP was created for him. MMP's the perfect syringe to use to inject his Machiavellian-logical fallacy objectives into us at the behest of his masters.
Below, is an interesting interview with the ever awesome Noam Chomsky.
He details how majorities are easily led by their predjudices and beliefs into voting for those whom they might not otherwise. Sounds like MMP to me.
https://boingboing.net/2019/04/20/useful-idiots-r-us.html
peter h April 22, 2019 at 8:32 pm
"when gargantuan foreign banks are making more off us then anywhere else"
The answer to the foreign banks is simple, no revolution needed, go along to your local TSB bank branch and open an account with a wholly new zealand owned bank. If you are not with the TSB already stop crying and act
Zack Brando April 22, 2019 at 1:40 pm
".. even though Fortune Magazine this week said Jacinda Ardern was the second most powerful leader in the world, that would make Winston the first."
You're in a race and you pass the second person, what position are you now in? lol
DOC HORRORDAY April 22, 2019 at 3:38 pm
nope you're still in second
let me be frank April 22, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Think the roll over on CGT was bad?….wait for the backflip on CC
Just imagine if we had had MMP in 84..squalid old Roger would have been " rogered". System is working methinks.
I always thought that MMP, after years of rejection while Social Credit was pushing it, caught on when the electorate saw how it would have stymied rogernomics as the minor parties would have rejected it. FPP gave the govt absolute power.
So we brought in MMP to prevent a government ever having the absolute power to make such diabolical changes to our again . Only to make it almost impossible for any government ever to reverse it. That seems to have been the case.
Ngungukai April 23, 2019 at 1:17 am
The country has a lot to thank Winston and NZF for otherwise the country would be in an even bigger mess than it is now under the previous National & Labour Governments ?
WILD KATIPO April 22, 2019 at 9:14 pm
^^^^
INTERESTING !!!
Smart political decision canning CGT ?
SHG April 23, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Of course it was a smart political decision.
1. Old white people determine governments
2. Old people didn't want a CGT
3. If you want to be in government, it's not politically smart to support a CGT
SPC April 23, 2019 at 8:49 pm
It's OK politically in many other places, some of which also have estate taxes.
Marc April 25, 2019 at 11:05 pm
You will love to protect the freedom of our Muslim sisters, right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-UEZtVoOBs
You lost it long ago, Christine Rose.


text:
Maher, J.; Rubinstein, J. Hyam
Period three actions on the three-sphere. (English) Zbl 1037.57012
Geom. Topol. 7, 329-397 (2003).
The authors prove that a period three action on the three-sphere is standard, i.e. smooth free actions of the cyclic group of three elements on the three-sphere are conjugate to an orthogonal group action. Orthogonality is conjectured to hold for every finite group acting on \(S^3\), as a particular case of Thurston's geometrization, but it is only known in some cases. To the reviewer's knowledge, the first case to be proved was the cyclic group with two elements, by G. R. Livesay [Ann. Math. (2) 72, 603-611 (1960; Zbl 0096.17302)]. Other cases where proved by Rice, Ritter, Evans and Maxwell, Rubinstein and Meyers.
To prove the theorem, the authors find an unknotted curve in \(S^3\) invariant under the action. The main tool to find such a curve is the so called sweepout. A special case of a sweepout is the foliation of \(S^3\) by two-spheres with two singular leaves, which was used by Livesay in his proof for the group with two elements. In general, a sweepout is a manifold \(M\) with a height function so that generic level sets are unions of spheres, and a degree one map from \(M\) to \(S^3\) which is an embedding on each level set of the height function.
One has to look at the orbit of the sweepout by the action of the cyclic group of order three. In general, the generic intersection of the level sets of these sweepouts is transverse. The authors define a complexity for the generic level sets of the sweepout, counting triple points and double curves of the intersection. They work with a minimax sweepout (i.e., one that minimizes the maximum of the complexities along generic level sets). The basic idea is to show that a minimax sweepout must have an unknotted invariant curve. This is a nice argument that can possibly be extended to other three-manifolds.
Reviewer: Joan Porti (Bellaterra)
57M60 Group actions on manifolds and cell complexes in low dimensions
57M50 General geometric structures on low-dimensional manifolds
57S17 Finite transformation groups
3-sphere; group action; spherical 3-manifold; lens space
\textit{J. Maher} and \textit{J. H. Rubinstein}, Geom. Topol. 7, 329--397 (2003; Zbl 1037.57012)
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