Chin chin is a Christian stay-at-home mom who takes care of five wonderful children..
Do you have a favorite son or daughter?
Do you think it's okay to have favorites?
It depends on how you handle the situation.
This hub about Isaac and Jacob - The Fathers Who Played Favorites is the second hub of the series Lessons from Fathers in the Bible. If you haven't read the first one about Abraham - The Father Who Sacrificed His Son, I hope you can take the time to do so.
Do you have a favorite son or daughter in the family? Were you or your sibling the apple of your father or mother's eye? How did you feel about child favoritism? Let's study about the stories of 2 fathers mentioned in the bible who had to deal with the issue of parental favoritism. Let's see how their lives as a family were affected by such a predicament.
Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah. He was almost sacrificed as a burnt offering by his father if not for the intervention of the Angel of the Lord who said that Abraham has passed the test of faith and obedience.
Isaac later on married Rebekah who was barren. Isaac prayed to the Lord and she finally gave birth at 60 to twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau, the first to come out, grew up to be a skilled hunter. Jacob, on the other hand, was a home buddy, a quiet type of person.
Looks like a happy family now. But there was a problem - both parents played favorites. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau while Rebekah loved Jacob. As their family story unfolded, we can see problems of sibling rivalry. First, they struggled over the issue of birthright (Genesis 25: 29-34). Esau ended up selling his birthright to Jacob in exchange for some bread and lentil stew. Then, when old, blind Isaac called for Esau to pass on to him his blessings before he dies, Jacob, through the prodding of Rebekah, beats Esau to the blessing by pretending to be Esau and tricking his father, Isaac (Genesis 27:1-40). How remorseful and bitter Esau was for having lost to Jacob his birthright and his father's blessings, too.
Esau was so angry at Jacob that he promised to kill his brother after his father dies. Rebekah knew about it and told Jacob to flee with Isaac's consent causing them (mother and son and brothers) to be separated from each other for a long, long time. It was only after 20 years that both brothers reconciled. How sad to have spent 20 years away from family because of sibling rivalry!
Jacob, while separated from his brother Esau, started his own family in the land of Haran (Rebekah's homeland). He married two sisters - Leah and Rachel, his cousins, but he loved Rachel more than Leah. Jacob had 12 sons: 6 sons were by Leah (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah); 2 sons were by Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid (Dan and Naphtali); 2 sons were by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid (Gad and Asher) and finally 2 sons were born to barren Rachel (Joseph and Benjamin). As she gave birth to his youngest son, Rachel died.
You'd think that Jacob had learned from the troubles about sibling rivalry brought about by parental favoritism from his own experience. But, oh no! He handpicked Joseph, Rachel's firstborn son, as the apple of his eye. And what trouble that costs them! Genesis 37:3-4 says Now Israel (another name of Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Joseph's half brothers hated him. They hated him so much that they plotted to kill him while they were grazing their father's flocks. But they changed their minds and just threw Joseph in a dry cistern after stripping him of his richly ornamented robe. Later, when Midianite merchants came by on their way to Egypt, they sold him to them for 20 shekels of silver. Then, they took Joseph's robe, dipped it in goat blood and showed it to their father. Jacob thought that Joseph was killed by some ferocious animal and mourned greatly for his favorite son. What a tragic turn of events.
From reading more of Joseph's story (Genesis 37-46), we know that their family story had a happy ending anyway. But at the cost of having to live separate lives - a mourning father, guilty brothers and homesick Joseph - for a long time.
How does Parental Favoritism affect the family?
What can we learn from these particular stories of Isaac and Jacob? First, it shows us that parental favoritism has been that long a common family issue and problem. It must be human nature to have favorites. Parents nowadays, may admit it or not, but a father and a mother have a favorite son or daughter. Ask the children who is father or mother's favorite, they know. They are very perceptive.
Second, favoritism leads to sibling rivalry. This is very clear from both stories above. Because one child feels that father or mother loves his sibling more than himself, he develops unhealthy feelings towards his brother or sister. This is one reason why children fight all the time even over petty things. It's really a battle for dad or mom's love and attention.
Parental favoritism also leads to some discipline problems. When a disfavored child is being disciplined, he will not be receptive to the discipline because he may feel that his parent is just being unfair - always picking on him. What about his favorite child? The disfavoured child will also hate his sibling more especially if his sibling told about something he did for which he was being disciplined (just like when Joseph made a bad report about his brothers while tending the flocks - Genesis 37:2).
Another scenario is when the child runs to one parent who favorites him to shield himself from disciplinary action by the other parent. If dad and mom have not talked over the ground rules on disciplining their children, then imposing disciplines will be a problem.
Third, favoritism affects the child's personality. Favoured children tend to have better self esteem, yet can also become spoiled and manipulative. Having a healthy self-esteem has an impact on their becoming high achievers as can be exemplified in the life of Joseph (of course, there are other factors involved). Disfavoured children, on the other hand, tend to have lower self-esteem, which can either make them try harder or give up too easily.
Fourth, favoritism not only affects the children, but also causes conflict within the parents' relationship. If Isaac knew that Rebekah was behind the trick pulled by Jacob, what do you think would be the ending of the story? I'm sure, Leah's feelings toward Jacob is also tainted with hurt because Jacob favored Rachel's son over her sons. Now, that generates a lot of stress and guilt within the husband-wife relationship, don't you think?
What can we do to deal with the issue of Parental Favoritism?
Though favoritism seem to be inevitable, there must be something that can be done to address the issue. Most often the perceived favoritism among the children starts from the demand for care. As an example, just because I sleep with the baby for comfortable breastfeeding, doesn't mean that she's my favorite among my children. But some of the older kids may perceive this to be so. To avoid such thinking, here are some of the practical steps that can be taken to ensure a more harmonious relationship within the family.
1. Make certain to give equal portions as much as possible and teach the kids to practice taking turns. Being more careful to do this will avoid the appearance of favoritism.
2. Each child is different, one child may be good in school while another is more athletic. Therefore avoid comparisons. Be careful with the words you use. Never say "Your sister or brother is better or more beautiful than you."
3. Make it a point to spend time with each child. This will let them know that you love and care for each one even if they are many in the family.
4. Have heart-to-heart talks with them. Explain that like and love are two different things. You may like or dislike something that they do, but you will always love them just the same. Explain also why there may be some different treatment among the siblings like when one is sick and needs more attention or when the baby is still young and needs more constant attention. When they understand these, any doubt about having favoritism will fade away.
5. When you feel guilty about favoring a child (which usually happens), don't overcompensate the other siblings with rewards or be lax in disciplining them when necessary.
I personally believe that most parents have a favorite son or daughter, but let us not commit the same mistake as Jacob did - he allowed his other children to "see" that he loved one more than the others. Moreover, he did nothing about it even when he saw that Joseph's brothers hated him for it. Let's continually pray for wisdom and conduct ourselves with the right attitude as parents.
Thank you motherbynature for reading and the feedback. It is indeed important that we treat our children in a way that would make them feel loved individually.
Very informative. I like the parenting tips at the end. Parents need to be careful to show love evenly to all their children. Voted up.
Hi Chin chin! I agree that every parent should not show favortism toward any one of their children but unfortunately they do and for those parents, this is a great article full of instrution on how to address this problem. I also think that you really brought out an important issue of like, dislike, and love. As parents we do like or dislike things that our children do. We may like that one daughter is tidy around the house but dislike the other daughters untidiness but we love them no less. We would give our lives for each one of them if need be. This is a very good article and I too, like Pastor Zeeshan am really impressed!
M. Reynolds, thanks for leaving your thoughts. I admire you and all the parents who are able to love all of their children equally. That is how it should really be. Parents who have favorites among their children should really pray about it especially if it is causing ill-feelings within the family.


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Q: For loop to create multiple buttons is not working Recently I have tried to add buttons to an array of JLabels, that are getting put into a JPanel (which is in JFrame). For some reason, (I am running eclipse) I get a compiler error which cuts off at this line: me[f].add(new JButton(" "));. I am having trouble in getting an array of buttons to get placed into the panel (panel1). Can anyone please tell me what I am doing wrong?
 package Grid;
 import java.awt.BorderLayout;
 import java.awt.Color;
 import java.awt.Font;
 import java.awt.GridLayout;
 import javax.swing.ImageIcon;
 import javax.swing.JButton;
 import javax.swing.JFrame;
 import javax.swing.JLabel;
 import javax.swing.JPanel;
 public class Grid {
private static int width;
private static int length;
public static JFrame frame = new JFrame();
public static JPanel panel1 = new JPanel();
private static JButton but[] = new JButton[width*length];
private static JFrame window = new JFrame();
public static void Gridify(int width,int length){
    //frame.setSize(500,500);
    frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    frame.setEnabled(true);
        panel1.setLayout(new GridLayout(width,length));
        panel1.setVisible(true);
        panel1.setBackground(Color.GREEN);
    frame.add(panel1);
}
public void manualPanels(int num){
    for(int f=0; f < num;f++){
    JPanel me[] = new JPanel[f];
    me[f].add(new JButton(" "));
    me[f].setVisible(true);
    panel1.add(me[f]);
    }
    frame.setVisible(true);
}

 }

A: You have two errors in this line:
me[f].add(new JButton(" "));

First, me[f] do not exists, as your array goes from 0 to f-1.
Second, your array is full of null (since you just created it). So, would you write, say me[0], you would still get an error.
In order to create num new JPanels and put them into panel1, you need to do the following:
for (int f = 0; f < num; f++) {
    JPanel panel = new JPanel();
    panel1.add(panel);
}

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Home » Conservation News
Study Of Wolves' Effects On Other Wildlife Gets Underway In Eastern Washington
Ammoland Inc. Posted on February 16, 2017 by Ammoland Editor Joe Evans
Eastern Washington Wolf Study Map
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
OLYMPIA, Wash. -(Ammoland.com)- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the University of Washington (UW) have launched a collaborative study to determine how eight years of growth in the state's wolf population is affecting other wildlife species.
The study, scheduled to last at least five years, will assess the health of deer and elk herds in northeast Washington, where they support hunting and other recreational opportunities while providing prey for wolves and other predators.
"The experience in other western states shows that wolves and other predators may affect the size and behavior of deer and elk herds," said Eric Gardner, head of the WDFW Wildlife Program. "We want to take a closer look at the situation here in Washington state as our own wolf population continues to grow."
Researchers will also examine the response to wolves by other predators, especially cougars, said Gardner, noting that the study will dovetail with an ongoing research project on moose in northeast Washington.
As of June 2016, WDFW had confirmed the presence of 19 wolf packs and at least 90 wolves in Washington state – up from a single pack with five wolves in 2008. Most of the growth in the state's wolf population has occurred in northeastern Washington, where the new study is now underway.
In January, WDFW research scientists and field biologists began capturing deer, elk, and cougars and fitting them with radio-collars to monitor their movements. Capture techniques include trapping animals using bait, steering them into nets, and darting them from helicopters with immobilization drugs.
The goal is to keep 65 white-tailed deer, 50 elk, and 10 cougars collared in one study area that includes areas of Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, said John Pierce, chief scientist for the WDFW Wildlife Program. In addition, researchers plan to collar 100 mule deer and 10 cougars in a second area in Okanogan County.
Some wolves are already radio-collared in those areas, but researchers want to maintain collars on at least two wolves in each pack within the study areas, Pierce said.
Pierce asks that hunters who take a collared deer or elk contact the department, so researchers can recover the collar.
UW students will join WDFW research scientists and field biologists to monitor radio-collared animals and track their movements, distribution, habitat use, diet, productivity and survival. Cougars will be monitored to learn about changes in social behavior, prey selection and predation rates in areas where wolves also occur.
"This study concentrates on multiple-use lands used by people for activities such as logging, livestock ranching and hunting," Pierce said. "In that way it differs from most other studies on the impact of wolves, which tend to be conducted in national parks and other protected areas."
Pierce said the principal investigators from WDFW and UW will periodically develop and publicly share progress reports about the study over the next five years.
Funding for the five-year study includes $400,000 from a 2015 state legislative appropriation, $450,000 in federal Pittman-Robertson funds and $150,000 of WDFW funds. The UW also secured nearly $900,000 in National Science Foundation grant funds for the project.
No studies are needed. All the info is readily available from neighboring states. This is just another diversion of public funds to waste time and placate the enviro- pukes out to ruin hunting in another state. It delays a decision that should have been already made another 2 years. It's insane!
TradHunter
Opinions are a wonderful thing, aren't they? Here's one: No two states are equal in there ability to sustain an animal population and no re-colonization (natural or otherwise) progresses the same way twice. It is certainly necessary to study these systems whenever possible in order to understand as much as possible. If we don't attempt to gather knowledge on how these events play out, then all we are left with is throwing our biases and opinions around. Let's have an evidence-based discussion after the evidence has been collected, shall we?
USA: Colorado is among many other things trying to raise the age to 25 for firearms purchasing which proves my other…
USA: PM, Yes, I have pictures of them right here and folks keep saying they think they went that way but…
USA: WB, You know you're always welcome to my stuff brother.
USA: Will, "Them cowards in the statehouse will be" running for the tunnels beneath it to hide while "shaking in their…
Gordo: I agree with all you have said. The root of our problem is the government has allowed states to…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Is there a case to renegotiate AFD? Part 1
Before I go any further, however, let me make my stand very clear from the outset. First, in principle and to the extent possible, an all-inclusive and the widest possible opposition alliance against the incumbent TPLF's regime is a necessity. There can be no illusion on it. Opposition political parties do desperately need to pull their meagre resources together to get rid of the TPLF from power. We know from experience that no single party alone is currently capable of removing TPLF. The opposition forces uncoordinated and scattered struggle is not going to get us anywhere. In light of this, I think, it is rationally wrong to oppose the formation of the AFD or any other alliance for that matter. Hence, I would not be opposing the formation of AFD as such. Rather, I fully and unreservedly support its formation.
Second, for a lasting peace, democracy and stability in Ethiopia, separatist movements like OLF, ONLF and SLF can not be ignored and sidelined from the mainstream of Ethiopian politics any longer. From their peripheral position, they need to be encouraged to come to the centre ground of Ethiopian body politic. It is wise to accept their place and role in Ethiopian politics and start negotiating with them as soon as it is practically possible. Whether we like it or not, they have their own constituencies and as such are a force to reckon with. We can not indefinitely postpone the problem. We need to face the problem sooner than later. In any case, any would-be lasting solution to the many and various Ethiopia's pressing problems should take into account the role of the separatist movements and genuinely try to address their concerns and insecurities squarely and fairly.
Having said this, for the reasons that would be clear later, I would categorise the parties that constituted AFD essentially into two clear and distinct groups. That is to say, those who have an unwavering stand on Ethiopian unity and sovereignty, and those who utmost reject or at least question the very existence of the Ethiopian nation in the first place.
For me, in simple terms, AFD is nothing but an agreement between the separatist movements and Pan-Ethiopian forces. In any sound and fair deal, one would expect the agreement not only to be mutually beneficial to all concerned parties but also to reflect the actual and perceived strengths of the parties to the deal. However, in its present from, content and composition, the deal is far from being a good deal to Pan-Ethiopian forces. The agreement terribly failed to reflect the actual and perceived strengths of Pan-Ethiopian forces on the ground. That is why, in this article, I would attempt to highlight some of the basic flaws of AFD from Pan-Ethiopian points of view. To do this and for the obvious reason, the starting point for the article's analysis and comment is AFD's Statutes and Memorandum of Understanding.
2. As it stands now, what are the shortcomings of the Alliance in the eyes of Pan-Ethiopians?
A. Absence of the name of Ethiopia in the AFD:
When we look at the parties which constituted AFD, as categorised above, they are Pan-Ethiopian parties and separatist movements. Moreover, the very soul of the present struggle is essentially between those who believe in the eternal existence and continuity of Ethiopia and those who are bent to balkanise and dismember Ethiopia so as to crave out their respective mini-states out of Greater Ethiopia. It is also no secret that secessionist movements do not consider themselves as Ethiopians and nor do they believe in the very existence of the Ethiopian nation. Whenever they mention Ethiopia, they only talk of the 'Empire Ethiopia' or the invention of Ethiopia or the 'coloniser' Ethiopia.
That is why, among the secessionist movements, it is a fashion or a trend to talk about or prepare a conference on the Horn of Africa as it is intended to override and undermine the name and place of Ethiopia. Put simply, the name Ethiopia is simply allergic to some of the secessionist forces. For instance, if we take OLF, it believes in the existence of Abyssinia but not Ethiopia and for OLF, Abyssinia means nothing more than the 'state of Amharas and Tigreans'. To make analogy with the incumbent regime, leaving the scrutiny of motive aside, it is interesting to note that even TPLF is at least forced to use the name of Ethiopia vis-à-vis EPRDF.
It is against this back ground that Pan-Ethiopians should look at the absence of the name of Ethiopia in the AFD. We are hearing from some unsuspected Ethiopians that even ANC (African National Congress) is not using the name of South Africa. Thus, it is must be ok if AFD does not bear the name of Ethiopia. The counter argument for this is that, first, what ever the ANC does, can not always be right. Second, those who are involving and leading the ANC struggle, were/are not at any time suspected of dismembering South Africa. Third, more importantly, in Ethiopian context, CUDP does not bear the name of Ethiopia. Nevertheless, for the obvious reasons, the absence of Ethiopia in the CUDP has never been an issue at all among Pan-Ethiopians. Why? Simply because it is very clear from the party's political programme, deed and the personnel involved in running the party that they have a very firm and principled stand on Ethiopian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Finally, on the preamble of the AFD's Statutes, it talks about Ethiopia and the region. What does Ethiopia and the region mean? Why is it necessary to include the word region? Does Ethiopia stand to represent the Amharas and Tigreans while Oromia and Ogaden as regions in this context? It is not clear and it may be subjected to different and opposing interpretations depending on where one stands. Clarification is desperately needed on this matter.
In conclusion, from Pan-Ethiopians point of view, for the reasons outlined above, not arguing for the inclusion of the name of Ethiopia in the AFD is at best political naivety and at worst political incompetence. By the same token, leaving aside the name of Ethiopia in the AFD is perfectly in line with the principles and objectives of all secessionist parties. Thus, they have no grounds to complain about AFD, as it can only be a good deal to them.
B. Language of AFD:
AFD's Statutes, Chapter I, Article 4 (a), reads: 'The documents of the Alliance shall be in English. Certified translations can be made in other languages.' Fully aware of the fact that English is coloniser's language and Ethiopia is the only non-colonised black country with its own languages and unique Geez alphabet, why should the documents of the AFD be in English? What is wrong in using Amharic as the documents of the AFD? Is it because the secessionist movements consider Ethiopia as a 'coloniser' and Amharic as the language of 'Amhara colonisers'? If there is hatred towards Amharic language, why not use one of Ethiopian languages, say Oromigna, Guragigna, Tigrigna, etc as the language of AFD?
It is to be recalled that, in 1991, while OLF was part of the then 'Transitional Government of Ethiopia', it opted to use the Latin alphabet (coloniser's alphabet) for written Oromigna language. While it is right and commendable for all ethnic groups in Ethiopia to use and develop their language and culture, why was it necessary to opt for Latin alphabet over Ethiopia's indigenous Geez alphabet? What were the reasons given by the OLF when it opted for using the Latin alphabet over Geez alphabet for Oromigna language?
There was a very heated debate between Pan-Ethiopians and OLF politicians as to which alphabet the Oromigna language ought to use before the Latin alphabet was introduced as the alphabet of Oromigna language in Ethiopia. On the part of the OLF, all the arguments in favour of using the Latin alphabet over the Geez alphabet were carefully gathered, collated and put forward by Dr Tilahun Gemta (an English language instructor at the Addis Ababa University). On the other hand, the advantages of using Geez alphabet over Latin alphabet for written Oromigna language was advanced by Professor Bayu Yimam (Department of Linguistics, Addis Ababa University, in a publication called Dialogue, by Addis Ababa University Teachers' Association before the 42 Professors and Drs were fired by the TPLF).
In his long and well argued article and as some one who specialised in linguistic, Professor Bayu Yimam one by one demolished Dr Tilahun's arguments and made it clear to all his readers that unless it is a blind political decision, using the indigenous Ethiopian Geez alphabet over the coloniser's Latin alphabet for a written Oromigna language is by far advantageous in every aspect.
So why did the OLF opt to use the Latin alphabet? We will not be far from the truth if we say, for secessionist parties like the OLF, demolishing and dismantling all the common ties, values, cultures and threads of Ethiopian people is very fundamental to promote their secessionist policy. It is perfectly in line with the very objective of separatist movements to carefully single out and magnify our differences while at the same time down playing or even branding our common identities as myths or fabrications.
Therefore, using English, the coloniser's language, in place of Ethiopian languages as the language of AFD has to be looked at in this context. In short, if we use Amharic or any of the Ethiopian languages as the language of AFD, it will magnify our common identity and unity, which obviously is the very antithesis of secessionist movements. That is why using English, the coloniser's language, as the language of AFD, can not be in the best interest Pan-Ethiopians by any standard.
C. TPLF's Constitution as the basic framework for the AFD?
AFD's Statutes, Chapter III, Article 1 (2), reads: 'The Alliance shall convene an inclusive conference to establish a workable arrangement on the basis of the present framework of the Ethiopian constitution.'
Why did the TPLF lose the support of the majority of the Ethiopian people from the very beginning in the first place? Was it not because of the fact that TPLF was rightly perceived as anti-Ethiopian force that is bent to dismember Ethiopia through the instrumentality of its Constitution? Is it not in the TPLF's Constitution that we find the legal basis for ethnic politics, bantustanisation of Ethiopia via ethnic enclaves and a recipe for dismemberment of Ethiopia via the rights of 'nations and nationalities' to self-determination up to and including secession? Are these not the very basic reasons for the wider Ethiopian public to reject TPLF from the outset?
If this is the case, it is beyond belief to see Pan-Ethiopian parties agreeing to such a proposition by endorsing TPLF's/OLF's/SLM's Constitution as the basic framework of AFD. I said TPLF's/OLF's/SLM's Constitution as all of these parties argued for and played vital role when the Constitution was endorsed. As to the TPLF's Constitution, with out unnecessarily going into detail, there is a consensus among Pan-Ethiopians that it is a recipe and a time bomb for future balkanisation and dismemberment of Ethiopia. If that is the consensus among Pan-Ethiopians, how and why Pan-Ethiopian parties agreed to such an agreement?
Supporters of AFD argue that because CUDP already accepts and works within the framework TPLF's Constitution, any opposition to AFD in this aspect is irrational. However, the truth is that, first, CUDP has no any other option other than accepting the TPLF's Constitution to operate legally in Ethiopia and participate in any election. Second, even though CUDP accepts and recognises the TPLF's Constitution so as to operate legally in Ethiopia, it is also a public knowledge that in its Election Manifesto, CUDP listed some of the very controversial Articles (including the infamous Article 39) from the TPLF's Constitution, with a view to change/amend them when winning the election.
CUDP's Election Manifesto, 3.1, paragraph one, states: 'The existing constitution has not been formulated in such a way as to be the frame-work in which the variety of interests, desires, attitudes are accommodated. Rather, it is so shaped to reflect the ideology, belief and political programme of a single party. It would therefore, be necessary to reform/amend it by freeing it from partisanship and transforming it into a document of long-term validity with which consecutive governments need not tamper…..' This in effect means CUDP is actually struggling to change the Constitution by mobilising the Ethiopian public behind it.
Third, when it comes to AFD, there is no slightest justification what so ever on the part of the KIL (Kinijit International Leadership) to accept the TPLF's Constitution as the basic framework of the AFD. This is because, to begin with, CUDP is struggling to change/amend this every Constitution. Thus, it would obviously be a contradiction in terms if KIL on one hand accepts the TPLF's Constitution on behalf of CUDP as the basic framework of the AFD; while on the other hand, CUDP is struggling and mobilising the public to change the very Constitution which is so shaped to reflect the ideology, belief and political programme of a single party as rightly dubbed in its Election Manifesto. Most importantly, in light of CUDP's significant acceptance, success and popular mandate by the majority of Ethiopian electorate compared to the other parties in the AFD, KIL can and should have negotiated from strength.
It is submitted that, if we believe TPLF's Constitution is the very anti-thesis of Ethiopian unity and sovereignty and CUDP is a vanguard for a democratic and united Ethiopia, there can not be any sound justification for the KIL to accept the TPLF's Constitution as the basic framework of the AFD against CUDP's Election Manifesto. When we also take into account CUDP's relative strength, acceptance and popular mandate from the electorate, KIL should have flexed its political muscle to coerce the others to look for a compromising solution. If there was one place where KIL should have been very careful and flexed its political muscle, it should have been here. It seems very ridiculous and politically suicidal for the KIL to accept TPLF's Constitution as the basis of the AFD against CUDP's Election Manifesto while it was best placed to argue otherwise.
D. The role of EPLF and the idea of the special status of Eritrea in the AFD document:
AFD's Statutes, Chapter III, Article 1 (8), reads: 'The Alliance shall actively promote good relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea based on the agreement to be reached between the two sister countries.'
CUDP's Election Manifesto, 3.7, paragraph five, states: 'The relationship of Ethiopia with its neighbours will be based on equality, mutual benefit, trust, good neighbourliness and peacefulness.'
As pointed above, while the CUDP Election Manifesto talks about neighbours in general, why single out Eritrea and specifically name Eritrea for this proposed good relationship with Ethiopia in the AFD document? What is the justification for this special status with Eritrea among all neighbouring countries to Ethiopia? Is it because AFD is solely created and financed by the EPLF with a hidden agenda as believed by some Pan-Ethiopians? Is it because, all the other parties in the AFD other than the CUDP, are based, financed and controlled by EPLF? Have we learned any lessons from our past mistakes with respect to EPLF? What is the exact nature of EPLF's involvement with the AFD and why? Can we trust EPLF; hence, strike any deal with it? If there is any need at all to make a deal with the EPLF, what are the necessary precautions we need to take? We need to have clear answers for the above questions so as to grasp the very essence of the AFD.
Let us leave aside the above probing questions for the moment and focus on the compatibility of AFD's stand in this aspect with that of Pan-Ethiopians. First, it is clear from CUDP's Election Manifesto that CUDP vehemently argues for Ethiopia's natural, historical and legal rights to access to the sea (CUDP's Election Manifesto, 3.7, paragraph three). It is further clear that this claim for access to the sea is not from Sudan, Kenya, Somalia or Djibouti. In unambiguous language, this claim is from Eritrea and the port is specifically that of the Port of Assab. Full stop. If this is the case, is it not obvious that CUDP's and EPLF's interest would necessarily clash in this aspect? How is AFD going to solve these inherent conflict of interests?
Second, leaving the claim of access to the sea aside, there is also a question of Ethiopians of Afar ethnicity who are forcibly denied their Ethiopian identity by the EPLF since 1991. The Afars have time and again affirmed their Ethiopian identity and are waging armed resistance against the EPLF since 1991 to this effect. Thus, so long as the Afars' in Eritrea are waging a righteous war against the EPLF to ascertain and claim back their Ethiopian identity, it is a question of principle and a matter of Ethiopian solidarity for Pan-Ethiopians to support them. Thus, there is a potential conflict of interest between Pan-Ethiopians and the EPLF in this aspect as well.
Third, it is also no secret that, there are some Pan-Ethiopians who still consider the whole of Eritrea as legitimate part of Ethiopia. They insist that the separation of Eritrea is illegal with no international legal basis what so ever. They also cite the absence of fair and free Referendum as a further proof for the illegality of the separation. Hence, there is a potential conflict of interest between Pan-Ethiopians and the EPLF in this aspect as well.
In summary, as argued above, so long as Pan-Ethiopians demand access to the sea, question the legality of Eritrea's separation from Ethiopia and sympathise with the plight of Ethiopian's of Afar ethnicity, there will always be a fundamental conflict of interest between the EPLF and Pan-Ethiopians. How is AFD going to reconcile these conflict of interests between the EPLF and Pan-Ethiopians? Is it possible then for AFD to address these issues squarely and fairly if it is particularly created, based and financed by EPLF? AFD has to come up with convincing explanations as to why it felt necessary to make a special relationship with Eritrea and at the same time, how it is going to solve the above pressing issues in a manner acceptable to both EPLF and Pan-Ethiopians.


text:
Friedrich Karl Kegel (* 19. Mai 1876 in Magdeburg; † 5. März 1959 in Freiberg) war ein deutscher Bergingenieur.

Leben

Als Sohn eines Schichtmeisters kam Karl Kegel 1876 in Magdeburg zur Welt. 1893 beendete er die Realschule, danach arbeitete er ein Jahr lang in Staßfurt als Bergmann. Nach seinem Militärdienst sammelte er in verschiedenen Bergbaurevieren praktische Erfahrungen, so dass er mit guten Vorkenntnissen ausgestattet von 1896 bis 1898 die Bergschule in Eisleben besuchen konnte.

Nach seinem Abschluss fand Karl Kegel Arbeit im Braunkohlenbergbau. Seinen Posten als Steiger im Rositzer Braunkohlenwerk gab er jedoch 1901 auf, um in Berlin ein Hochschulstudium aufzunehmen. Dort wurde er zu Beginn des Studiums Mitglied des Corps Holsatia.

Bereits als Student interessierte er sich intensiv für die Brikettierung. Seine erste Veröffentlichung (1902 in der Zeitschrift Glückauf erschienen) trug den Titel: Die Entstehung des Braunkohlenbriketts. Im Jahr 1904 schloss er als Diplom-Bergingenieur sein Studium an der Bergakademie Berlin ab.

Nach einer kurzen Zeit als Assistent an der Bergakademie Berlin und einer einjährigen Tätigkeit als Berginspektor in der Halleschen Pfännerschaft wirkte er ab 1906 als Lehrer an der Bergschule Bochum. Neben zahlreichen Beiträgen in Fachzeitschriften veröffentlichte er 1912 seine erste Monografie: Bergmännische Wasserwirtschaft.

Im Jahr 1918 wurde Karl Kegel als Professor für Bergbau, Bergwirtschaft und Brikettierung an die Bergakademie Freiberg berufen. Ab 1924 leitete er die bergtechnische Abteilung des Braunkohlenforschungsinstitutes. Im November 1933 unterzeichnete er das Bekenntnis der deutschen Professoren zu Adolf Hitler. Seine Vorlesungen umfassten ein weites Spektrum, u. a. Braunkohlen- und Steinkohlenbergbau, Tiefbohrkunde, Grundwasserkunde, Brikettierung, Aufbereitung und Bergwirtschaftslehre. Er veröffentlichte unter anderem das Lehrbuch für Bergwirtschaftslehre (1931) und Bergmännische Gebirgsmechanik (1941).

Im Jahr 1941 wurde er in den Ruhestand geschickt, kehrte aber 1945 an sein Institut zurück. Er übergab 1951 aufgrund gesundheitlicher Probleme sein Amt an seinen Schüler Erich Rammler. Kegel forschte und publizierte weiter und verfasste unter anderem 1953 sein Lehrbuch des Braunkohlentagebaues. 1949 wurde er als ordentliches Mitglied in die Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften und in die Deutsche Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin aufgenommen. Er war Mitglied der Freiberger Freimaurerloge "Zu den drey Bergen".

Karl Kegel starb 1959 in Freiberg und wurde auf dem Donatsfriedhof beigesetzt. In Freiberg ist die Karl-Kegel-Straße nach ihm benannt.

Auszeichnungen (Auswahl)
 1949: Ehrenbürger der Stadt Freiberg
 1949: Nationalpreis der DDR
 1952: Ehrendoktor der RWTH Aachen
 1956: Hervorragender Wissenschaftler des Volkes

Darstellung Kegels in der bildenden Kunst der DDR

 Wilhelm Landgraf: Prof. Friedrich Karl Kegel (Porträtbüste, 1951)

Literatur

 Erich Rammler: Karl Kegel. In: Glückauf. 95/1959, S. 1235–1236
 Karl Kegel 1876–1959 : Festschrift aus Anlass seines 100. Geburtstages. Deutscher Verlag für Grundstoffindustrie, Leipzig 1976. – (Freiberger Forschungshefte; A 555)
 Braunkohle in Forschung und Lehre an der Bergakademie Freiberg, hrsg. aus Anlass des 125. Geburtstages von Prof. Dr. e.h. Karl Kegel am 19. Mai 2001. TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 2001. ISBN 3-86012-142-1
 Verein Freiberger Geotechniker e.V. (Hrsg.): Die Geotechnik in Freiberg von den Anfängen unter Franz Kögler und Karl Kegel bis zur Gegenwart. TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 2016. ISBN 978-3-86012-527-4

Weblinks

Einzelnachweise

Bergbauingenieur
Hochschullehrer (Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg)
Mitglied der Akademie der Wissenschaften der DDR
Mitglied der Sächsischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
Ehrensenator der Technischen Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
Ehrendoktor der RWTH Aachen
Ehrenbürger von Freiberg
Freimaurer (Deutschland)
Freimaurer (20. Jahrhundert)
Träger des Nationalpreises der DDR III. Klasse für Wissenschaft und Technik
Hervorragender Wissenschaftler des Volkes
Geboren 1876
Gestorben 1959
Mann
Corpsstudent (20. Jahrhundert)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This Practice Statement replaces the previous Practice Statement for Special Educational Needs, Care Standards and Primary Health Lists cases dated 22 June 2011.
It will take effect on 29 September 2017.
The Senior President of Tribunals has issued a practice statement delegating tribunal functions to legally qualified staff in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Practice Statement: Delegation of functions to tribunal caseworkers First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber).


text:
Faculty Recruiting Support CICS
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Support CICS
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Request an EIR Appointment
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SigBits Newsletter
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Undergraduate Research Night 2022
Hajiesmaili Named to the Brilliant 10 for 2022
Assistant Professor Mohammad Hajiesmaili has been named one of the Popular Science Brilliant 10, the publication's annual recognition of 10 early career researchers. He was chosen for his pioneering work on substantially reducing computing's carbon footprint.
O'Neill Receives IACR Test-of-Time Award
Assistant Professor Adam O'Neill is one of three authors who recently received the prestigious Test-of-Time Award from the International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR) for the paper "Deterministic and Efficiently Searchable Encryption," presented at the IACR Crypto 2007 conference.
Brain, Body, World
Associate Professor Ivon Arroyo and fellow researchers in the Advanced Learning Technologies lab discuss the importance of developing educational technologies that prioritize collaborative and embodied learning, and support K-12 teachers and students worldwide.
A New Building for the Future of Computing
With the generous support of the Baker-Polito administration, UMass Amherst has broken ground on a new, world-class $125 million facility for education, research, and outreach at the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences.
CICS Undergraduate Programs Ranked Top 30 in Nation
CICS has moved up two spots into the top 30 among all institutions in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report, and held steady as the #1 public program in the Northeast.
Apply for an undergraduate degree in computer science or informatics and join an exciting community of students preparing to be the next generation of innovators.
Ready to take your career to the next level? Apply to one of our top-ranked, on-campus or online Master's programs to gain new skills for research or industry.
Our highly-ranked Ph.D. program features world-renowned faculty, interdisciplinary research, and a spirit of collaboration.
Governor Baker Joins UMass Officials To Break Ground for New $125 Million Bldg. For Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences
With Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito on hand to celebrate a major state capital investment in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS), the university broke ground today for a new $125 million... Read more »
UMass Engineering, Computer Science Faculty Working to Diversify STEM Culture
Working under the direction of Nilanjana Dasgupta, director of the Institute for Diversity Sciences (IDS) at UMass Amherst, five professors across UMass Amherst and UMass Boston including Teaching Faculty and Associate Chair Neena Thota have teamed... Read more »
Massachusetts AI and Technology Center For Connected Care in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Funds First Seven Pilot Projects
MassAITC releases first tranche of $1.7 million to pilot projects pioneering approaches to in-home care using artificial intelligence and advanced technology. Read more »
Xiong, Cui Win ACM SenSys 2022 Best Paper Award
While you may be just starting to reap the advantages of 5G wireless technology, researchers throughout the world are already working hard on the future: 6G. Read more »
Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences Community Gathers to Celebrate Bright Future with Donors Robert and Donna Manning
What was once the College of Information and Computer Sciences at UMass Amherst is now the Robert and Donna Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, thanks to $18 million earmarked from a larger $50 million that the Mannings bestowed... Read more »
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CICS invites applications for non-tenure-track and tenure-track positions in multiple areas for the 2023-2024 academic year.
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The Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) offers a world-class curriculum in support of BA, BS, MS, and PhD degrees. CICS is internationally recognized for its research activities and has one of the highest ranked and most competitive graduate programs in the nation. The College is distinguished by its culture of collaboration and leadership in multi-disciplinary research.
Boston Area Internship Fair
Shaw Hall, Mount Ida Campus - 100 Carlson Ave, Newton, MA 02459
Looking for an Internship or Co-op? Want to work for a Boston area company?
Looking Past the Abstractions: Characterizing Information Flow in Real-World Systems
Speaker: Pubali Datta
Computer Science Building, Room 150/151
Title: Looking past the Abstractions: Characterizing Information Flow in Real-World Systems
PhD Thesis Defense
Improving User Experience by Optimizing Cloud Services
Speaker: Ishita Dasgupta
Hybrid - LGRC A311 and Zoom
Today, cloud services offer myriads of applications, tailor made for different users in the field of weather, health, finance,...
Using the Human Body to Power Wearable Health Devices
Teaching a Robot to Do Backflips
Building K–12 Digital Literacy
Bringing Augmented Reality to Virtual Meetings
Fighting Racially Targeted Misinformation
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Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences | 140 Governors Dr., Amherst, MA 01003 | (413) 545-2744 | info@cics.umass.edu


text:
package org.binxance.service.model.account;

import static org.binxance.service.Constants.ReqParameters.HISTORY_STATUS_QPARAM;

import java.time.LocalDateTime;

import org.binxance.api.annotations.Param;
import org.binxance.service.model.account.WithdrawalDetail.WithdrawalStatus;

public class WithdrawalHistoryRequest extends BaseHistoryRequest {

	private WithdrawalStatus status;

	@Param(HISTORY_STATUS_QPARAM)
	public WithdrawalStatus getStatus() {
		return status;
	}

	public void setStatus(WithdrawalStatus status) {
		this.status = status;
	}

	public static WithdrawalHistoryRequest with() {
		WithdrawalHistoryRequest req = new WithdrawalHistoryRequest();
		return req;
	}

	public WithdrawalHistoryRequest asset(String asset) {
		this.setAsset(asset);
		return this;
	}

	public WithdrawalHistoryRequest between(LocalDateTime start, LocalDateTime end) {
		this.setEndTime(end);
		this.setStartTime(start);
		return this;
	}

	public WithdrawalHistoryRequest statusd(WithdrawalStatus status) {
		this.setStatus(status);
		return this;
	}

	public WithdrawalHistoryRequest recWin(long recvWindow) {
		this.setRecvWindow(recvWindow);
		return this;
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Graceland's annual Poinsettia Campaign is back this holiday season, and we invite you to "Give Like the King."
By making a donation to the 2017 Graceland Poinsettia Campaign, you will support the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation and add to the beauty of Graceland during the holiday season. The beautiful red poinsettias line the staircase at Graceland and can be seen throughout the mansion by our guests who visit during this special time of year.
Everyone who makes at least a $20 donation to the Graceland Poinsettia Campaign will receive a Graceland holiday postcard mailed to their home, and their name will be posted online here at Graceland.com on our 2017 list of donors.


text:
Hands-on with the Follow the Flow Engineering Challenge
By Amy Cowen on December 5, 2018 6:00 AM
The Fluor Engineering Challenge activities provide engaging in-class engineering all year long and inspire students to brainstorm, prototype, and iterate solutions!
Students in Colombia get hands-on with engineering and Follow the Flow!
The K-12 Fluor Engineering Challenge is an annual challenge designed to encourage students in classrooms around the world to try a hands-on engineering activity. Each year, the challenge is based on a challenge that Fluor engineers previously did as a company-wide competition. Science Buddies adapts the challenge for use in K-12 classrooms around the world. In the first four years of the K-12 Fluor Engineering Challenge, students in all grades have jumped in to build their own balloon cars, marble sorters, ball launchers, and water flow systems.
The K-12 Fluor Engineering Challenge takes place each year in February-March, with the submission window opening during DiscoverE's Engineers Week. Once the official challenge window is over, the projects remain available at Science Buddies and can be used at any time by students doing independent science projects or by educators teaching the engineering design process.
Warming Up for the 2019 Fluor Engineering Challenge
Katie Smith, a middle school teacher in Colegio Bolivar in Cali, Colombia teaches a Design Squad STEM elective for students in grades 6-8. "The Design Squad course is new this year, and I am constantly on the lookout for interesting engineering challenges," says Katie. In the past, she has used Science Buddies with her students for science fair projects, so when she started planning activities for her Design Squad classes, she returned to Science Buddies and discovered the Follow the Flow—and the full series of Fluor Engineering Challenge projects.
"The free resources that Science Buddies provides are incredibly helpful and meaningful. I love being able to find ideas and then develop them for the specific needs of my classroom."
Katie Smith, middle school teacher
Follow the Flow was the 2017 Fluor Engineering Challenge and challenges students to construct a terraced water flow system (inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces) using plastic cups, popsicle sticks, aluminum foil, and tape. Follow the Flow is the wettest of the Fluor Engineering Challenge projects so far, but Katie says the project was a hit with her students.
"The students really enjoyed this project! The biggest challenge for them was understanding all of the constraints, but once they began building, the enthusiasm was off the charts," says Katie. "My favorite aspect to observe was their prototyping. In many projects, they like to build an entire structure and hope for the best. With Follow the Flow, however, they were constantly testing and using their results to inform the next steps in their process."
Katie did the Follow the Flow activity with four classes, two groups of 6th-grade students and two groups of 7th- and 8th-grade students. Within each group, students worked on the water flow challenge in pairs, a focus on collaboration and team problem solving that the challenge encourages.
"Design Squad is entirely hands-on STEM," says Katie, "which is so much fun." She says the Follow the Flow project aligns nicely with NGSS standards used at her school, making it a win-win in terms of engaging students and meeting curriculum needs. Enthusiasm for Follow the Flow was so high with her Design Squad students that Katie is planning to work through the three other previous Fluor Challenges, too, in advance of the launch of the 2019 Fluor Engineering Challenge.
"We are definitely planning to compete in the 2019 Fluor Challenge! We hope to represent Colombia well!"
Above: Engineering projects like Follow the Flow encourage students to brainstorm and come up with their own innovative solutions and designs using the materials allowed. This example is from one of Katie's classes. You can see that it differs from the design shown at the top of the page, which is also from one of Katie's classes.
The 2019 Fluor Challenge is Coming!
The 2019 K-12 Fluor Engineering Challenge will be announced in January 2019. The 2019 challenge marks the 5th anniversary of the Fluor Engineering Challenge, so it is going to be exciting! To be among the first to know about the new challenge, make sure you are signed up for a Science Buddies account and have indicated you want to receive the monthly newsletter.
Share Your Science Buddies Story!
Have you used a science project, STEM activity, or Lesson Plan from Science Buddies in your class or program? We would love to hear your story! Email us at scibuddy@sciencebuddies.org and tell us how you use Science Buddies with students.
"My favorite aspect to observe was their prototyping. In many projects, they like to build an entire structure and hope for the best. With Follow the Flow, however, they were constantly testing and using their results to inform the next steps in their process."
FluorChallenge
You Might Also Enjoy These Related Posts:
Cornell Senior Cites Middle School Science Fair as Pivotal
Teaching about the Pandemic with SimPandemic
Student Forms Biotech Club to Create Opportunities for STEM Learning
Extra Credit with the Fluor Challenge
Explore Coding and Electronics with Raspberry Pi
Teacher Puts Black History Month on the Door to Science Class
Student Discovers Green Thumb Growing Plants without Water
Sustainability Lessons Help Make Environmental Awareness Real
Read These Next...
STEM is for Everyone: Jane Goodall, Zoologist
Virtual STEM Expo
Winter Science Lessons and Activities
Coding Activities for Beginners and Beyond
STEM is for Everyone: Annie Jump Cannon, Classifier of Stars
How to Build an ArtBot
Make a Slushy! Yummy STEM Project
Physics and Chemistry of an Explosion Science Fair Project Idea
You can find this page online at: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/success-story-follow-the-flow-engineering


text:
THE DR. VIBE SHOW - AISHA K. STAGGERS - STAGGERS STATE OF THINGS - FEBRUARY 6 - 2019
Aisha K. Staggers had her first major publication, an album review, in The New Haven Register while just a sophomore in high school. Another series of reviews published in The Hartford Courant followed. By the time she reached college, Aisha was writing for the literary magazine and interning at a local radio station, ABC-affiliate as a writer in the news department and in the A&R department of an independent record company.
As a graduate student at Fisk University, Aisha asked Dr. Raymond Winbush to chair her thesis because 1) he was one of the most renowned voices in black culture and academia, and 2) he was a Prince fan. His scholarship and guidance led Aisha to an early career as a professor of social sciences and later an administrator in higher education.
Aisha has also served as a director of education and policy research centers and on the staff of legislative commissions. She previously served on the Executive Board of the CT Young Democrats' Women's Caucus, an avid campaigner and has remained active in politics and public policy.
During the February 6, 2019 edition of Staggers State Of Things, Ms. Staggers talked about:
– 45's State Of The Union address last night
– Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and his blackface controversy
– Updates on the attack on Jussie Smollett
– Elizabeth Warren apologizes for claiming Native American heritage with DNA test
Visit The Dr. Vibe Show™ website at https://www.thedrvibeshow.com/
Direct download: THE_DR._VIBE_SHOW_-_AISHA_K._STAGGERS_-_STAGGERS_STATE_OF_THINGS_-_FEBRUARY_6_-_2019.mp3
THE DR. VIBE SHOW - RHONELLE BRUDER - THE CYNTONIA BROWN AND R. KELLY CASES AND THE STATE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING - JANUARY 24 - 2019
A human trafficking advocate, public speaker, wellness educator, author, roadblock conquer, and dream chaser. Rhonelle Bruder is an inspiring force on a mission to help motivate and inspire vulnerable youth to discover the power within themselves. Having overcome many traumatic experiences including teenage homelessness, sexual exploitation, and poverty. Rhonelle had to learn strategies not merely to survive but thrive despite her challenging circumstances. Her desire to support others to rise despite what obstacles they face led her to become the founder of the RISE Initiative; a program dedicated to helping vulnerable young people strengthen resilience, health and wellbeing and in the process, change the trajectory of their lives.
Rhonelle holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Health Administration graduate from New York City College of Technology and Master of Science in Health Informatics graduate from the University of Victoria. Most recently, Rhonelle's work has been featured on television, radio, newspapers, and online publications including TVO's The Agenda with Steve Paikin, State of Mind Mental Health Podcast, Medium, By Blacks and Blavity.
Recently, Ms. Bruder wias on our show talking about The Cyntoia Brown And R. Kelly Cases And The State Of Human Trafficking.
Durinng the conversation, Ms. Bruder talked about:
– Some of her story including being born in St. Vincent, being adopted when she was three years old by a white Canadian family with parents who have mental health challenges, growing in white family and not having a sense of belonging, being homeless at sixteen years old in Toronto and having a daughter at eighteen years old
– Where does she get her resilience from
– The Cyntonia Brown story and the similarities between Cyntonia Brown's story and her story
– How did she overcome her past when it comes to trusting men today
– What does she do when it comes to self-care
– Why she did not share her story for until recently
– Her thoughts on the R. Kelly allegations, society's attitude towards Blake women who have been sexually abuse
– How did she become an advocate about human trafficking
– The impact of social media on human trafficking
– Some incorrect assumptions about human trafficking
– Policing and human trafficking
– The difference between prostitution and human trafficking
– If the Black community takes human trafficking seriously
– What are human trafficking victims telling her
You can contact Ms. Bruder via:
Direct download: THE_DR._VIBE_SHOW_-_RHONELLE_BRUDER_-_THE_CYNTONIA_BROWN_AND_R._KELLY_CASES_AND_THE_STATE_OF_HUMAN_TRAFFICKING_-_JANUARY_24_-_2019.mp3


Proposals are being accepted for the newly established Renée James Seed Grant Initiative, which will help research projects with the potential for significant external funding from federal agencies or foundations.
James graduated from the University of Oregon with an undergraduate degree in political science and an MBA. She is the chair and CEO of Ampere Computing.
Tenure-track faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences can apply for up to $50,000 for work between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020. Faculty members can apply as a sole investigator or as part of a new collaborative team.
Applications are due March 29. More information and submission guidelines are available online.


I don't really feel that my reflection on this prompt can be limited to just this past year or the coming year, but on my life as whole. I have always been timid and very anxious (almost fearful) about trying new things. I assume that I won't enjoy something new or that it won't be a worthwhile experience. One of my goals, not just in the new year, but in the future as a whole, is to keep my mind open about new experiences. This was my intent when I created my bucket list of 30 Things To Do Before I Turn 30. It is a list of things that I have either been too afraid to try or didn't think I was able to try. I've already completed two items on the list, and I will be keeping the rest of the list in my mind as I enter 2011.
Oooh! I love how you opened the prompt up to your whole life, not just this year & next. Good luck with your bucket list in 2011!


text:
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    function MainPageController($scope, $http, Todos, $timeout, $rootScope, KHO_CRM_CONFIG, $location) {

    var vm = this;

    var username = $rootScope.globals.currentUser['username'];
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        if(response.role == KHO_CRM_CONFIG.petent){
            $location.path('/notAuthorize');
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    });

            vm.formData = {};

            Todos.get().success(function(data) {

                vm.users = data;
                vm.loading = false;
                vm.alertDeleteUser = false;

            }).error(function(err){

                console.log("GET ERROR: " + err);

            });

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text:
Beenleigh Rotary in Action
FOUNDATION'S ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE SPOTLIGHTED AT KOREA CONVENTION
The Rotary Foundation has been improving lives since 1917. Learn about our work and help us celebrate 100 years of doing good in the world.
In his address to convention attendees on Tuesday, 31 May, Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith proclaimed that The Rotary Foundation has never been stronger than it is today.
Bolstered by generous contributions from members and robust programs like PolioPlus and the Rotary Peace Centers, the Foundation's good work is drawing public notice, Klinginsmith said: CNBC, a leading consumer and business news outlet in the U.S., ranked Rotary No. 5 among the top 10 charities changing the world in 2015.
"Isn't it clear that our Foundation is truly better than ever before?" said Klinginsmith, who reported more than $269 million in contributions last year.
To commemorate the Foundation's 100th anniversary, Klinginsmith asked members to aim for $300 million in contributions in 2016-17. "It is a stretch goal, but we can do it," he said.
David Forward, author of "Doing Good in the World: The Inspiring Story of The Rotary Foundation's First 100 Years," joined District 6840 Governor-elect Randall Feldman and Stephanie Urchick on stage to talk about the coming year's centennial celebration.
Urchick, chair of The Rotary Foundation Centennial Celebration Committee, described the centennial's four broad goals:
Educate members and the public about Rotary and its Foundation.
Recognize major achievements and accomplishments.
Organize celebrations in our communities and at Rotary events.
Inspire further support.
"It's that once-in-a-lifetime concept that makes the centennial celebration so exciting," she said.
POLIO UPDATE
Rebecca Martin, director of the Center for Global Health at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, described the Foundation's most significant achievement this past year: the historic gains toward worldwide polio eradication.
Last year, the World Health Organization declared Nigeria – which was the last polio-endemic country in Africa – polio-free, and Martin noted that the African continent is expected to reach two full years without any new cases on 11 August.
Despite recent advances, challenges persist. "The world remains at risk with wild poliovirus circulating in Pakistan and Afghanistan," Martin said. "We need to strengthen our ability to detect all viruses and reduce the risk of outbreaks through vaccination, sustain the strong advocacy with leaders and key stakeholders, and ensure credible oversight of the program while leveraging and building the polio assets."
The world's two remaining polio-endemic countries have already seen some progress this year. Martin cited 16 cases caused by the wild poliovirus in Afghanistan and Pakistan, down from 25 at this time last year.
"We have seen stronger cooperation between the two governments at all levels," she added. "Children crossing the borders are vaccinated, and surveillance data are being shared. This is the only way we will see these two countries achieve polio-free status."
RISELEY DECLARED PRESIDENT-NOMINEE
In the afternoon business session on Tuesday, RI President K.R. Ravindran and General Secretary John Hewko oversaw the election of the 2017-18 RI directors and district governors.
President-nominee Ian H.S. Riseley received the voting delegates' unanimous approval to take the reins of Rotary International in July 2017.
In his report to the convention, Hewko spoke about strengthening Rotary's brand, increasing membership, supporting the Foundation, and expanding partnerships.
"Our polio partnership is a model for future initiatives," he said. "This is why the Rotary International Board implemented a directive to secure more strategic partners to work with Rotary in our areas of focus."
Hewko highlighted Rotary's strategic partnership with USAID, which links USAID's technical expertise and Rotary's network of grassroots volunteers to increase access to clean water and sanitation.
Rotary started its 2015-16 fiscal year with the second-highest membership in history. To reach a new record, Hewko said, Rotarians must make a special effort to attract members.
"Be creative in engaging new members and enriching the membership experience for your fellow Rotarians," he added. "Because without members, there would be no Rotary. And without our Rotary Foundation, Rotary would not be anything like the great organization it is today."
Ryan Hyland


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From classic comfort foods to regional standouts and desserts, we'll be sharing a new recipe with you each week. See the complete list of recipes at the end of this post.
This week, we're sharing a recipe for Great Britain's favorite pub fare, fish and chips.
The classic dish gained popularity among the U.K.'s working class in the mid-late 19th century, when railroads connecting ports in the North Sea to major industrial city were developed to support the rapid expansion of trawl fishing. With fresh catch being transported faster and workers seeing a rise in their incomes, the battered and deep-fried fish spread like wildfire.
But that wasn't the first time fried fish has been seen in the country. It was Portuguese Morranos, Jewish refugees who had been forced to hide their ethnicity, who introduced the dish to Britain in the 16th century.
Chips came into the equation a bit later. The first recorded fish and chip shop, also known as a "chippy" or "chipper," was opened in London in 1860 by a Jewish immigrant named Joseph Malin. He began selling the fish alongside chipped potatoes, which had mostly been seen in Irish potato shops before then. The year before, we saw the first reference to "chips" in Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities (published in 1859): "Husky chips of potatoes, fried with some reluctant drops of oil". By the late 1920s, there were more than 35,000 fish and chip shops in England. Today there is said to be around a quarter of that.
Atlantic cod or haddock are the most common fish used, but any kind of white fish can be used. The fish are dipped in a simple batter or water and flour, with a little baking soda and vinegar added so that -- once fried in lard, beef drippings or oil -- a light, bubbly and crisp texture is achieved. Today, milk or beer batters are also common. The chips served are cut slightly thicker than American-style fries, almost in the fashion of steak fries. Common sides include malt vinegar and mushy peas.
This recipe, slightly adapted from Alton Brown, uses brown beer in lieu of vinegar to create a light and airy batter. A dash of cayenne and Old Bay seasoning bring a hint of heat.
In a deep skillet or deep fryer, heat oil over high heat until it reaches to 320-325 degrees. Peel the potatoes and cut them into chips about the size and width of your index finger. Place in a large bowl of cold water.
Meanwhile, make the batter by whisking together flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, Old Bay, and the bottle of beer until mixture is completely smooth. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and, using a fryer basket or slotted spoon and working in small batches, carefully lower the chips into the hot oil. Fry 2-3 minutes until chips are pale and floppy. Remove from oil and set on a paper towel to drain. Repeat until all chips are partially-fried.
Increase the oil temperature to 375 degrees. Fry the chips for a second time, once again working in batches, and cook until crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Remove and drain on a rack. Sprinkle immediately with Kosher salt and hold in a warm oven.
Bring the oil to 350 degrees. Lightly dredge the fish in cornstarch and dip into the batter. Working in batches, add the fish to the oil. When the batter is set, gently turn and fry until fish is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on a rack and season lightly with salt.
Serve hot (wrapped in newspaper for cute factor) with malt vinegar and tartar sauce.


Melbourne Residential Real Estate - What more could you ask for?
Inspection of this spacious three bedroom apartment will definitely impress!
Making full use of all space available, this stylish and ultra modern, three bedroom plus two bathroom and 2 car spaces (side by side) features generous living area with fantastic views.
Accomodation: This apartment offers a comfortable and bright open plan living/dining area and stylish kitchen with Euro stainless steel appliances and dishwasher.


America has never felt more divided. But in the midst of all the acrimony comes one of the most promising movements in our country's history. People of all races, faiths, and political persuasions are coming together to restore America's natural wealth: its ability to produce healthy foods. In Food from the Radical Center, Gary Nabhan tells the stories of diverse communities who are getting their hands dirty and bringing back North America's unique fare: bison, sturgeon, camas lilies, ancient grains, turkeys, and more. These efforts have united people from the left and right, rural and urban, faith-based and science-based, in game-changing collaborations. Their successes are extraordinary by any measure, whether economic, ecological, or social. In fact, the restoration of land and rare species has provided-dollar for dollar-one of the best returns on investment of any conservation initiative. As a leading thinker and seasoned practitioner in biocultural conservation, Nabhan offers a truly unique perspective on the movement. He draws on fifty years of work with community-based projects around the nation, from the desert Southwest to the low country of the Southeast. Yet Nabhan's most enduring legacy may be his message of hope: a vision of a new environmentalism that is just and inclusive, allowing former adversaries to commune over delicious foods.
"David Colacci narrates this thoughtful examination of the world's diminishing resources and the efforts to restore them. This eye-opening audiobook reveals the precarious state of our planet and how a slow awareness is bringing people, communities, and organizations together to restore the earth's bounty and heal the wounds of the landscape. Colacci's frank delivery and keen earnestness convey the urgent need to increase awareness of these environmental issues, including bringing back various animal and insect species from the verge of extinction. His humble tone captures the author's deep appreciation for those who are dedicated to restoring the remaining riches of our planet. A thought-provoking listen. M.F. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine"


With this vehicle, business travelers will be safe the entire trip. Making sure that your corporate car service gives importance to the safety of everyone inside the vehicle. You can achieve this by confirming all of their chauffeurs have gone through several trainings and are license professionals. The corporate car company should be as well insured in case anything happens along the way unexpectedly.
One of the reasons why you need to have an investment in corporate car service is because business travelers can be less stressed, comfortable and more focused on their jobs. The car service should also offer you different vehicles and feature options which is perfectly suited to your travel necessities. They must have luxury cars available for any possible events, whether an expensive and luxurious business event or just an ordinary business meeting.
You only not want your car service to be aware about the business however, you want them as well to be familiar with your place. One of the benefits of a corporate vehicle service is that they're supposed to transport you to your destination as fast as they could possibly do. In addition to that, they should also know the traffic patterns so they will know the best times and routes to travel. Business travelers always have a lot of things to do in a very short time, therefore, time for them is very important.
When personnel drive their own vehicle for a business travel, you will be needing a reimbursement for some different costs. Parking fee at the airport may be very costly because you are basically charged daily. If they keep the vehicle throughout the travel, daily parking charges can add up as well. A corporate vehicle service gets rid of this concern because the driver will only drop you off at your very destination and come back to fetch you up when it is already your called time.
If an employee has no driver and needs to drive on their own, a lot of memorable time will be lost.
Businesses should also compensate their employees for the gasoline that they consumed while on the travel.
What Type of Limousine is Perfect for Your Next Event?


Published by Grey Sparkle, freely downloadable.
3 April 2004: Ether played live "Child Mix" from Sparkle in Grey!
The italian laptop duo Ether, with their friend Biga (turntables) and VJ Virgilio (visuals) played live as Cineplastico at the party for the inauguration of "Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea" (Cinisello Balsamo).
The concert was great, and the four Italian artists performed an astonishing remix of Sparkle in Grey song "When I'll be Child" at the end of the concert.
We were really happy for it! Thanks.
After their live gig, a live performance of Berlin duo Rechenzentrum closed the happening, and it also was great.


The study of light (photons), is what launched quantum physics. The ability to explore subatomic reality opened the door to whole new vistas and views of reality.
No picture of reality can be adequate or accurate without including consciousness as primary and causal (not to be confused with casual) as opposed to an emergent by-product of evolution or the brain.
Unfortunately, conventional, classical, physics – in the materialist, mechanistic, behaviorist, reductionist, Newtonian, Cartesian paradigm – believes the universe can be fundamentally reduced to physical/material parts and processes, and that consciousness is a secondary by-product.
The study of photons revealed a universe that defied the classical assumptions and our common sense, everyday experience of the world as made up of self and other, and stuff we move around.
It revealed a different set of operating assumptions. Like Paradox. Light is material and non-material at the same time. Photons have no mass or charge but they create the charged mass of the universe. Photons come from beyond space-time. Photons interconnect the universe across time and space. Light makes up/is in everything and is everywhere. It carries preferred direction and knows – ahead of time – the fastest route to its goal. The study of light opens to other dimensions of the universe and of ourselves…to concepts like infinity.
Einstein asked how an intelligent person could stay away from the Greeks.
For Socrates and Plato, the material world of our 5 senses is an illusion and our 5 senses deceive us.
East Indian tradition calls the 3D world, maya, which means illusion. There are other non-material dimensions and no physicist will argue there are only 3 (+time). Doesn't it make sense we would have transcendent capacities to equip our navigation? The right hemisphere is specialized for transcendent perception.
We currently have an education system and cultural outlook heavily materialist and left-hemisphere dominant. That would lock is into a 3D+time focus. We have literally bought into the illusion the ancients warned us about…there are also more recent voices for a non-material perspective and a new neuroscience.
Giving up familiar concepts – even if they are problematic – is very difficult, and very rewarding.
Consciousness has been found to play a pivotal role in quantum physics and in new empowered realities. There's a whole new universe of opportunity "out there" and "in here". It's about interconnectedness and making dreams not dramas come true.


The Can-Am Outlander 450 is available as a Slip-On System in the Performance and Titan Series. The Slip-On exhaust picked up 1 horsepower with 1lb of torque. At idle, the stock muffler is at 84dB and the Performance is at 93dB. The Titan is at 86dB and the Titan XL at 89dB. The system will drop 4.5 lbs with a Performance Slip On. The Slip-On exhaust system fits other Outlander models that are listed.
Fuel tuning is absolutely required with or without airbox modifications. Failure to tune this machine can result in damage to the exhaust system, engine, and other components. If you're unsure of what tuning solution to use, see our Tuning section.


text:
Ophrys vetula is een Europese orchidee van het geslacht spiegelorchis (Ophrys). Het is een zeer zeldzame soort, endemisch voor de zuidelijke Zee-Alpen in het uiterste zuidwesten van Frankrijk, die echter niet door alle botanici als een volwaardige soort wordt gezien.

Naamgeving en etymologie
 Synoniem: Ophrys scolopax subsp. vetula (Barla) Kreutz., O. scolopax var. atropos Barla, O. atropos (Barla) B.D.Jackson, O. scolopax auct. non Cavanilles
 Frans: Ophrys vielle, Ophrys décrépit

De botanische naam Ophrys stamt uit het Oudgrieks en betekent 'wenkbrauw', wat zou moeten slaan op de behaarde lip. De Latijnse soortaanduiding vetula betekent 'oude vrouw', naar de veronderstelde gelijkenis van het speculum met een tekening van een oude vrouw.

Kenmerken

Habitus
Ophrys vetula is een overblijvende, niet-winterharde plant, tot 50 cm hoog, slank gebouwd, met drie tot negen vrij grote bloemen in een lange, ijle aar.

Bloemen
De bloemen lijken zeer sterk op die van de sniporchis (O. scolopax), met slechts kleine verschillen. Ze dragen brede, roze ovale kelkbladen met een duidelijke groene middennerf en in verhouding kleine, driehoekige bovenste kroonbladen in dezelfde kleur.

De lip is tot 11 mm lang, convex maar vlakker en onderaan breder dan die van de sniporchis, de randen niet naar achter gebogen maar zelfs naar voor teruggeslagen. Het midden van de lip is donkerbruin, fluweelachtig behaard, met in de hoeken bovenaan twee zeer opvallende, driehoekige uitstulpingen, geel tot lichtbruin gekleurd en aan de buitenzijde ruw behaard. Het speculum is dikwijls zeer uitgebreid en complex, roodbruin tot paarsachtig gekleurd en met wit omrand. Het aanhangseltje is opgericht, groot en dikwijls drielobbig. De stempelholte is zeer smal en dikwijls bleker dan het basaal veld.

De bloeitijd is van mei tot half juli.

Habitat
O. vetula groeit vooral op droge, kalkrijke bodems op zonnige tot beschaduwde plaatsen, zoals graslanden, garrigues, struikgewas en lichte naaldbossen, tot op een hoogte van 700 m.

Verspreiding en voorkomen
O. vetula is een zeer zeldzame en slechts plaatselijk voorkomende soort, endemisch voor de zuidelijke Zee-Alpen (Alpes maritimes) in de zuidwestelijke departementen Var en Alpes-Maritimes van Frankrijk, en in het aangrenzende Italiaanse Ligurië.

Verwantschap en gelijkende soorten
O. vetula lijkt zeer sterk op de zustersoorten O. scolopax en O. santonica, zodat ze door sommige botanici tot een van deze soort worden gerekend.

Ze kan van O. scolopax onderscheiden worden door de bredere minder bolle bloemlip, met een complexer speculum en een groter, dikwijls drielobbig aanhangseltje, en door de latere bloeitijd (mei tot juli, tegenover maart tot mei).

Vetula
Plant uit het Palearctisch gebied


Last week's Global Environment Forum, organized by the city of Incheon, South Korea, featured United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon. He exhorted the gathering's 1,000 global government, academic, business and civil society organization leaders that they must gain political support for the United Nations COP15 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, this December.
The consequence of not getting politcal support?: global devastation beyond calculation, which the Secretary General detailed.
While Secretary General Ban's message and that of some other speakers were loaded with the impending risks posed by global climate change--stonger typhoons, hurricanes, floods, severe drought, massive human health problems, species depletion--the theme of the conference was in "Low-Carbon High Growth" solutions.
Ironically, as Ban spoke, the remnants of Typhone Morakot deluged the streets outside the convention center. The intensity of this tropical Pacific storm, which claimed more than 500 lives in Taiwan a few days earlier, is being attributed to global climate change by Taiwanese leadership after it dumped more than six feet of rain in two days in a mountainous region.
I was attending the Forum as a representative of Common Current, addressing the conference as part of a panel on Climate Change and Urban Sustainability. My presentation, along with those of many others, focused on sustainable urban solutions.
The upshot of my message was that both existing and new cities will need to scale up profitable ways to plan, measure, manage (using best management practices and the latest IT), finance, build and retrofit sustainability. My case studies focused on LEED-ND, Portland's Brewery Blocks, low carbon or carbon neutral developments, Green and Connected Cities, and large-scaled technological and financial "development ecosystems" such as Masdar City, United Arab Emirates..
Other solutions presented ranged from "low-carbon cities" to preservation or restoration of ecosystem services such as coastal mangrove buffer zones in the face of climate change impacts.
Besides Secretary General Ban, speakers included Ashok Khosla, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature; Yann Athus-Betrand, Charman of Goodplanet.org; environmental or energy/climate ministers from South Korea, the UK, Japan and Tanzania; the head of the European Commission Delegation to Korea; representatives from corporations (Cisco, Philips) and an executive from the development firm that is building the new Korean "Green City" in which the conference was located, Songdo.
Songdo is being built as a section of Incheon that is designed as the world's first ubiquitious IT city. It is also demonstrating significant sustainability attributes (see previous post).
Secretary General Ban praised Songdo as a model for global planning and development: "If we combat climate change with a sustainable, low-emissions approach, just like we see around us in Songdo, we can change the way countries develop," he said.
The bottom line on Copenhagen: developing nations will need to provide financing and technical assistance to developing nations, particularly China and India. I showed a slide demonstrating that in 1975 there were a handful of "Megacites" cities over 10 million in population: by 2030 that number will inrease to almost 500, with most expected to be in China and India.
As Secretary General Ban said, "(Songdo-like development)" will allow developing countries to pursue their mitigation efforts as part of their sustainable green growth strategies and to adapt to accelerating climate impacts. Significant resources will be needed from both public and private sources. Developing countries, especially the most vulnerable, will collectively need billions of dollars in public financing for (climate change) adaptation."
Or, as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) director Lorents Lorentson put it at the Global Environment Forum, "Copenhagen won't go through unless there's cash on the table for China and India."
And that means there must be new ways of simultaneously planning and financing the new cities of China and India.
A Visit to Incheon, South Korea's New Songdo City: Green City of the Future?
Back from Incheon, South Korea, where the partially contructed New Songdo City district is rising up as an acclaimed example of the world's first ubiquitious technology city, and the first Korean "new city" planned with green features. Ground was broken for Songdo in 2004.
Completion is scheduled for 2014, when about 65,000 residents are expected to live locally and 300,000 workers are anticipated.
Having benchmarked the sustainability of the largest 50 US cities in my book How Green is Your City? The SustainLane US City Rankings, I was curious to investigate Songdo's qualities.
I was representing Common Current in New Songdo by addressing the Global Environment Forum on the topic of climate change and urban sustainable development. The conference, on "Low-Carbon, Green Growth" was hosted by the city of Incheon's Free Economic Zone and the United Nations.
About 1,000 people from the UN (including Secretary General Ban Ki-moon), national governments, businesses, international non-governmental organizations and academia met in New Songdo's ConvensiA to collectively forge the path toward a low-carbon future.
Songdo is quickly taking shape as a city of the future because it will be digitally wired and controlled in terms of systems management, which includes everything from waste to energy use. In my five-star Sheraton Hotel room, for instance (opened August 1), not only did my room entry card activate and de-activate all lights and appliances when I entered or left--a feature common in European hotels and woefully absent from the antiquated US hospitality industry--it also turned on or shut off the room's cooling system.
The system was so efficient it was able to quickly cool the room when I re-entered, and when I left the room for short periods of time to workout or go to breakfast, it was so well insulated that it remained comfortable without active cooling.
Integrated smart building features will save massive amounts of energy. How many unoccupied rooms in hotels or offices across the world have lights burning and air conditioners blasting at this very moment? Probably enough to supply most of the energy for the spaces that are being used. Other digital features enabling greener operations will be bicycles and electric cars available through electronic smart cards, similar to the highly successful Velib bicycle share program in Paris.
All buildings including the smoker-free Sheraton are accredited by the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environment (LEED) ratings. The New Urbanist-inspired master plan for New Songdo was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, with some buildings designed by Daniel Lebeskind and HOK. The entire development is a LEED for Neighborhood Development pilot project, the only one in Korea, and one of 239 worldwide.
LEED-ND attempts certify that the not only are buildings green, but that their neighborhood is resource efficient in terms of offering public transportation, cycling and pedestrian options. New Songdo is served by a new subway line and will feature dozens of miles of cycling paths and pedestrian friendly urban planning, including wide sidewalks with generous landscaping, and frequent crosswalks.
New Songdo's more traditional "green" features include 30 percent open space, highlighted by a carefully planned and executed Central Park with running and biking trails, and waterway for both transportation and recreation.
When I jogged through New Songdo's car-free 100-acre Central Park (note to designers - a more direct pedestrian pathway from the hotel entrance to the park's crosswalk is needed), I was taken first by how established its many plant, grass and tree species were, despite construction still in progress. Most developments landscape as an afterthought, which means plants and trees do not get established before they are subjected to foot traffic and other human stresses.
The park's seven rain cisterns, holding 5,253,000 liters, capture rainwater for use in the park's irrigation, and they were plenty full after remnants from Typhoon Morakot deluged the area this past week.
In New Songdo, the care given to having natural systems interact with the built environment was testafied to by the noise of insects, including droning cicadas and thousands of graceful dragonflies zipping about the trees.
The New York City-based developers Gale International, have worked with fomer EPA Administrator Christine Whitman's Whitman Strategy Group in planning integrated sustainability throughout the $35 billion mixed-use (40 percent office; 35 percent residential; 10 percent retail; 10 percent civic space and 5 pecent hotel space) Songdo City.
New Songdo is in partnership with Cisco and its Connected Urban Development initiative, which is aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of technology in buildings, transportation and communications.
Whitman told me her four-year process on providing sustainability input is entering its final phase: the group's role now is to ensure that construction firms don't cut corners, such as making sure that pedestrian paths and bike trails aren't compromised with narrower layouts.
Gale International founder Stan Gale said a challenge for New Songdo has been in harmonizing green building standard between the USGBC's LEED and emerging Korean standards, which are set to go into effect for all private building construction by 2011. Many countries are hesitant to adopt LEED standards wholescale, as these were designed for the US developers in terms of zoning, material and operating system requirements.
New Songdo is a living example of new green cities that will be springing up throughout the world, particularly in Asia, over the next 20 years. The excitement that comes with these endeavors is palpable, in that politicians and planners at events like the Global Environment Forum are recognizing that cities produce about 80 percent of the world's greenhouse gasses, and that if we can't get cities right, we will have little chance to mitigate the most destructive impacts of global change.
And as New Songdo demonstrates, you can fight global climate change not only with more sustainable economic development, but that you can do it with natural systems, applied technology and style.
Day One of the Global Environment Forum, where UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon addressed the conference on the need for a climate change deal in Copenhagen, while remnants from Typhoon Morakot ravaged the streets of Incheon outside with torrential rain.
"We must seal the deal in Copenhagen for the fate of humanity," he told the 1,000 Korean and global sustainability leaders. "We must push, pull and conjure national leaders in acting in our common interest.
I addressed the conference on the topic of Climate Change and Urban Sustainability, after I met Ban following his speech.
Ban compared the conference to the 1950 Incheon landing of General Douglass MacArthur with UN troops to save South Korea from invading forces from the north ("a daring operation--against all odds"), only this time the common global foe is lack of committed leadership.
He announced two summit events in the US he will lead: one in New York on September 22, the other in Pittsburgh on September 24, to rally Copenhagen support with international leaders.
Secretary General Ban said developing nations in Copenhagen must be prepared to support developing nations (India and China) with technical support and significant public-private funding: "billions of dollars in financial support--not repackaged development money."
Put more bluntly by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Director Mr. Lorents Lorentsen, "Copenhagen won't go through unless there's cash on the table for China and India."
This weekend I head to South Korea for the Global Environment Forum to present on "Climate Change and Urban Sustainable Development."
My presentation and panel is on Tuesday, August 11, after keynotes by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and International Union for Conservation of Nature's president, Ashok Khosla. The IUCN was the first international environmental organization and is focused on conservation, biodiversity and combating climate change.
Both South Korea and the United Nations have been strongly supporting low-carbon high financial growth models, Korea with a "Low-Carbon Green Growth" financial stimulus funding program and the UN with a recently announced similar initiative framework.
I will be joined in Session 2, which begins at 4:15 p.m., by Christie Whitman, the former US EPA Administrator, as moderator, along with the director of the Incheon Free Economic Zone (where the conference is taking place, in South Korea's only LEED for Neighborhood Development-accredited project, which is called New Songdo City) and by the Minister and Deputy Head of Sweden's Seoul Embassy.
Hopefully I can post and Tweet to bring any newsworthy items from the event, which will also be on August 12.