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Louis Tomlinson's "Fly High Buddy" Interview Transcript.
NO PART OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE PHOTOGRAPHS THERIN MAY BE USED IN FULL OR IN PART WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR
Yesterday I published an article on Inquisitr that received an incredible amount of attention. The article concerned One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and the support both Louis and his mother Johannah (Jay) Deakin had given to the family of nine-year-old Harvey Hex who was sadly claimed by childhood cancer neuroblastoma.
Harvey's mother Sarah agreed to being interviewed by me and the interview made up the bulk of my story. To date the Twitter imprint for the article is over 2.5 million and I found myself in the bizarre situation of trending all over the world.
I was shocked, surprised and if it doesn't sound too immodest thrilled to see this happening. Of course when writing for a trending news outlet you can't simply use the interview and nothing else and people have indicated that they would like to see the full interview. I am of course delighted to do this for one reason.
I can't even begin to tell you how honored I am that Sarah agreed to this interview. We should never forget that Sarah's family are dealing with a huge tragedy in their lives. Little Harvey fought his illness with everything he had and sadly he ultimately lost that fight. Sarah and her family are still trying to work out how to fill the huge whole that Harvey's loss has left in their lives.
More than anything this is the story of two amazing family's, Sarah Hext's and Louis Tomlinson's. What makes this story so incredible for me is how a world renowned star like Tomlinson is so securely ground, kind considerate and so very very thoughtful. Sarah says that Louis, his family and the amazing charities that have supported them have given her family the most precious gift of all. Sarah says her family have been given a host of special memories of Harvey. Those memories are simply beyond price.
Below is the full interview. All I have edited is grammar and spelling, these are Sarah's words. My questions are in bold.
Tell me a little about your family. What sort of little boy was harvey? How close are your kids? What do the twins like to do?
David and I met in 1995 and were married in 1997. In October 2002 our Daughter Olivia was born and in July 2006 she became big sister to our beautiful identical twin boys Spencer and Harvey, the boys were diagnosed at birth with Down Syndrome. The diagnoses was a huge shock and we had been thrown into a world that we knew nothing about, but it wasn't long before the boys personality's started to shine through and we all fell head over heels in love with them. The early days went past in a bit of a haze, having twins is hard work!
All three children were incredibly close and Olivia was a very proud big sister, we worried what affect the boys diagnoses may have on Olivia at first, after all she had two brothers with special needs that took up a lot of our time but she took to them like a duck to water, they were just her little brothers and she was always ready to show them off at every opportunity. Olivia never complained about the lack of attention she received, she was just happy to help us with the boys in any way she could.
Spencer and Harvey were a real double act, they went everywhere together and would always be up to some kind of mischief. Dave once decorated a bedroom and when he had finished he came downstairs to have a cup of tea, in the meantime the boys snook upstairs and found a 1/2 full tin of pain without a lid on, they had a paint fight and ended it by pouring the tin of paint over Harvey's head!
They would love to play hide and seek with Harvey once running off in a shop and us in complete panic searching for him, only for someone to point out that the little mannequin in the shop window had just moved! Both boys were full of fun but Harvey was always the instigator of trouble and fun, he had spirit and wasn't frightened of anything where as Spencer was always far more sensitive. The boys would love to confuse their swimming teacher by telling her they were each other! Spencer and Harvey were two halves of a whole and something that always gave me comfort was knowing they would always have each other, they would never feel that they were different because some one else was the same as them.
How did you find out about Harvey's illness? What effect did the news have on you all? How did you cope with the illness?
In 2010 a month before Harveys 5th birthday. Harvey had been poorly on and off for months and had a very distended tummy, he didn't want to walk and wasn't sleeping at night but the Doctors always put it down to a bug or food poisoning, after around 7 visits to the GP and twice going to A&E insisting that something was wrong they told me that they could find nothing untoward and if I was still concerned to go and see a paediatrician.
The Paediatrician referred us to a local hospital for tests and within a few days we were referred to Bristol Children's hospital and given the devastating news that they believed our little boy had Stage 4 Neuroblastoma – a very aggressive childhood cancer with a survival rate of 20%. The cancer had spread to Harvey's bones. Straight after we were given the news the Doctors asked for Spencer to be tested, thankfully he was clear of cancer but he will be monitored for many years to come. The actual diagnoses took a few weeks as there are no other cases worldwide of any child ever having Down Syndrome and Neuroblastoma, Kids with DS don't usually get solid tumours. It was unheard of.
The news was devastating, the treatment protocol for Neuroblastoma is harsh, we were looking at 18months of intensive treatment. After 8 rounds of punishing chemotherapy then surgery (Harvey's operation was 14hrs long) we were told that the treatment was not working, two more rounds of chemo was then followed by MIBG therapy in London, this entailed Harvey having a high dose of a Radioactive drug and having to stay in a lead lined room until his levels were low enough for him to mix with the general public. As parents we had restricted contact with him for our own safety although we did stay with him as much as we were allowed. After further tests Harvey was given an oral chemotherapy for 18months and his Neurablastoma remained stable, never cured but stable.
Over the years Harvey had many blood transfusions, a stem cell transfusion, platelets and general aesthetics but he would often wake from a GA and ask to go to school. He did manage school now and then and Spencer was always so thrilled.That whole period of time took its toll on all of us.
My Mum moved in with us and looked after Olivia and Spencer as we were always in hospital or London and Dave was eventually made redundant from his job- this often happens to parents of sick children.
As Harvey didn't follow the treatment protocol we were taken off the Neuroblastoma trial, this meant that all treatment options were no longer available to Harvey so we started the mamouth job of raising £300,000 incase we needed to take Harvey to the USA or Germany to access the treatment privately. [We currently have £200,000 in a fund that will be used to Help children in Harvey's situation].
We managed Harvey's illness day by day but for us it put the fact that the boys had Down Syndrome in a completely different context, the Downs didn't matter to us at all and to be honest made Harvey who he was, so for that I am grateful.
How did you meet Jay? I assume Jay got Louis involved but how did that happen?
I first met Jay at a Believe in Magic Party at London Zoo in Dec 2014, Louis had asked her to attend the party for her as they had funded the event but he couldn't be there as he was on the X Factor that night. Jay came over and introduced herself and I think Harvey and Spencer stole her heart there and then. Only a twin mum can really understand the impact that losing one twin could have on a family and of course Jay having two sets of twins made her fully qualified to understand my fears.
Harvey has a Facebook page and soon after Jay sent a message saying that she had been thinking of us a lot, we started chatting and soon build up a friendship. Louis became involved through Jay and started supporting Harvey by doing things like wearing a Gold ribbon for Childhood cancer awareness.
Tell me about the Cinderella Ball. Were the whole family Louis & Johanna's guests at the event? How was the evening, what was the experience like?
Yes the whole family were guests at the ball. For us the Ball was the stuff that fairy tales are made of. We were all taken to the beautiful Langham hotel in London and the boys were given Ralph Lauren suits to wear, Olivia was given a made to measure silk dress.
Cars were at the hotel to collect us and we were taken to the beautiful Natural history Museum. When we arrived there were 100's of 1D fans at the gates and as we walked up the red carpet Harvey turned to them, stopped and gave them a bow! Spencer turned to the crowd an shook his bottom! Everyone was cheering and clapping them, it was magical.
Inside we had a champagne reception and the kids were entertained by Dynamo. Olivia was busy star spotting and she has made some lovely friends through Believe in Magic so spent time running around with them.
Then we were called to the main room and all the children walked down the main staircase in true Cinderella style. I have to say it was just breath taking. So much thought had gone into the children and there was a section of the room filled with toys, face painting,arts and crafts. There was also a photo booth which was a great hit. The food was beautiful and again there was food especially for the kids. There was a really fun auction and then Ben Heynow sung a few songs. Unfortunately we had to leave before 12 as Harvey couldn't keep his little eyes open but it was a night we will treasure forever.
I understand that at that event Louis and Liam and Jay tried to spend time with all of the children. Is that correct? How did they deal with getting round so many people etc. What did they say? Were they comfortable? How did the children react?
All the children were greeted at the foot of the staircase by Louis and Liam, many had photos taken with the boys and then we sat for Dinner. After dinner the boys were having more photos with the kids, they spent time in the arts section with the kids and lots of funny photos were taken with the boys in the photo booth, Ben Heynow also joined in the fun. Liam had his face painted as a tiger and the boys were in fine spirits. they were just chit chatting as anyone else would, asking the kids if they were enjoying the evening, were they feeling ok? etc. They seemed completely relaxed and I am sure they enjoyed the evening as much as we did. Jay was talking to everyone as were Meg and Jean [founders of BIM]. Cars were waiting outside to take anyone back to the hotel when they were ready to leave.
I notice on your Facebook post you talk about Louis and Jay providing support to Olivia and Spencer. How is that provided? Do you have regular contact etc?
Jay and some of her family came to Harvey's celebration. We played "Best song ever" in the church and had a little smile to each other whilst it was playing. We exchange texts fairly regularly and a week after the service Jay called and said that Louis had two tickets for the X Factor finals and they wanted to offer them to us, we decided it would be good for the kids so we accepted.
On the Saturday we went to the Believe in Magic Christmas party, it was hard without Harvey but they are a fantastic charity that continue to support siblings even after the sick child has passed. That's so important to family's. After the party Jay had booked us into a beautiful Central London hotel and Dave and Spencer went swimming and out for dinner whilst Olivia and I were whisked off in a luxury car to a VIP X Factor party and then to see the show. The whole night was a very welcome distraction and although we were so so sad we did manage to have a fun weekend, never forgetting Harvey though.
Jay and Louis do all these amazing things and never ask for anything in return, what could you possibly give them? We decided that we would send them a treasured colouring that Harvey had done and Dan has laminated it and its used as a family placemat. I loved that idea.
Tell me about the Disney trip. How did Harvey react, did you all have fun?
Disney was awesome. We didn't tell the boys we were going until just before and they were so excited. Disney was Harvey's favourite place. There were about 10 Believe in Magic family's who went and the kids were given a suitcase each full of beautiful clothes. We stayed in The Pink Palace hotel which is just stunning,everything was taken care of. We were there Monday-Thursday and we had a ball. There were characters walking around the hotel and at night we all went to the top floor of the hotel to watch the Fireworks. Harvey and Spencer loved the Frozen show so we went to that a few times. Some of the girls had lunch with Cinderella but my boys just wanted to go on the rides over and over again!
Harvey was a real thrill seeker and the faster the rides the better. Jay and her family joined everyone for the last few days. We had the best time there and the kids were just blown away by the whole experience.
Tell me about the microphone, how it was delivered and Harvey's reaction. Why was this a big deal for him? Were there gifts for the other kids too? If so tell me a little about that.
On the way to London I sent Jay a video of Harvey singing to 1D in the car, "Best song ever." I understand Louis was with her when she received it, when we arrived at the hotel (another beautiful one) there were two microphones waiting for the boys, it was so thoughtful and there were also some beautiful girly gift's for Olivia. The boys started playing with them immediately and took them to the concert that night. Spencer often plays with his Microphone and I love the photo we have of Harvey with his. Gifts sent with such thought behind them.
What is your impression of Louis as a man? Does he love kids as much as he appears to? How do children react to him?
Louis is kind and considerate. He comes from a large and loving family and I guess that helps him to stay grounded. Louis younger twin sisters are also kind sweet girls so I think it runs in the family. When you come from a large family I think you feel at ease with children and he seems to be able to make people feel naturally at ease. Olivia loves Louis, she giggles a lot when she sees him, he's in 1D and she's 13yrs old! Lol. Harvey and Spencer didn't really appreciate the fact he is a global star but that makes it even more genuine for me as it shows Louis not doing it for the glory.
Tell me about Harvey's 1D concert. Did you all manage to go? How did Harvey react? Did you all get to go backstage to meet Louis and the rest of the boys? How were you treated?
We stayed in the beautiful Kensington Hotel . There were gifts for the children and Louis' PA called to give us all the arrangements. We were made to feel very special. These are hotels that we would never normally be able to experience.
The Concert was something I would never have taken the boys to for fear of it being too loud or us having to leave and spoiling Olivia's fun so we took my niece in case she needed to take the boys out for us.
Louis had offered us the Green room should the boys decide it was too much for them. We were taken to the friends and family room before the show and then back stage to meet all the boys. It was a bit of a whirlwind meet as there were many other fans waiting to meet the boys. After that we were taken to our seats right near the stage and the concert began. All the children absolutely loved the concert and Harvey was up dancing to many songs. It was a lovely experience and one that I would not have chosen to take the boys too but I am so glad we did. After the concert Louis PA came and showed us to our waiting car. Everything we needed was taken care of.
The next day a car was sent for us to take us to a Believe in Magic party in Hamley's toy store. It was a perfect weekend and we made some beautiful memories.
What are your thoughts about how Louis is being treated by some sections of the media?
It makes me angry. These people don't know the real Louis, to them its a story but its actually quite hurtful to the people that know different. Something they don't understand is that he helps so many familys and the fact that he doesn't shout about it makes him even more special, he doesn't do it for the glory he does it because he wants to help people. Jay once told me that on a bad press day Louis will often say to her. "Come on mum, lets make someone happy today"
What do you think people should know about Louis and Johannah?
How genuine they are. They go out of their way to help people and expect no recognition for it. Louis has stayed grounded and I think that's thanks to great parenting on Jays part. He's a lovely family orientated guy. Jay doesn't have to help us or anyone else but she does it because she wants too and she is truly grateful for what she has.
Tell me about your charitable efforts in Harvey's memory. Links to any website, just giving page etc.
Harvey only passed on 29th Nov, I am hoping to set up a charity in his name providing treats for poorly children but haven't yet got this up and running.
http://solvingkidscancer.org/ hold Harvey's appeal page, money donated to them will pay for research into Neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers.
http://upsanddowns.net/ are the charity that have supported us since the boys were born and this is the charity we collected for at Harvey's Celebration.
What question do you really wish I had asked and didn't? What would the answer be? Feel free to add anything you think relevant or that you want people to know about.
When Jay knew that Harvey didn't have much time left she came to the house with her Twin girls [Daisy and Phoebe], they took a day out of school to come and spent all day playing with Olivia, Harvey and Spencer.
Louis sent Olivia a Pandora bracelet and lots of toys for the boys. Louis driver brought them here and came in to say hi, he's a lovely guy and also came to Harvey's celebration, in fact he arranged the balloon release on that day. As they left we talked about doing a winter wonderland for Harvey on our decking but sadly there was never the time. We left for the hospice that day and only had two other days at home.
I cant tell you the importance of having things to look forward to and Jay and Louis have given us many of them. Louis has also offered us a holiday at Centre parcs whenever we are ready. They hold a very special place in my heart and Jay keeps in regular contact by FB or texting every now and again to see how we all are.
Louis and Jay have given us precious memories with Harvey and all of our children and that is priceless, we have so many beautiful photos of Harvey to look back on in some amazing places! I do feel that I have made a genuine friend in Jay and she certainly doesn't do it for the glory.
I once asked Jay if any of the boys knew Ant and Dec as Harvey loved them. A few weeks we had a personal message from them to the kids and wishing Harvey well.
This entry was posted in interview, News and tagged Believe In Magic, blogging, harvey Hext, Johannah Deakin, Longreads, Louis Tomlinson, Sarah hext on January 14, 2016 by Alan Ewart.
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7 thoughts on "Louis Tomlinson's "Fly High Buddy" Interview Transcript."
charlinbenjamin January 15, 2016 at 8:56 pm
I absolutely loved this article! You made the entire fandom very happy by letting us see a glimpse of the private Louis Tomlinson and how his heart is bigger than we could have ever imagined! This is the kind of journalism this planet needs. 💘
The Sound of Summer Post author January 15, 2016 at 9:31 pm
It is amazing to see this young man bring so much joy.
I spoke to Sarah today and she is thrilled to see how many people have taken Harvey's story to their hearts
frenchyls January 15, 2016 at 3:16 pm
thank you so much Alan ! Finally someone who appreciate the real Louis …
sehirablue January 15, 2016 at 1:06 pm
and again you have made me cry at work *shakes fist angrily*. But seriously, thank you so much for not only continuing to support Louis and Jay, but also for showing such compassion with Mrs. Hext.
Audra Kostic January 14, 2016 at 7:53 pm
Reblogged this on Passionate About Music and commented:
Please respect the authors wishes in this blog – thank-you 🙂
Hello – I love to reblog posts but because of your explicit request I would like to get you permission – would you allow me to reblog this?
On my blog – passionate about music – I love to share other people's experiences with One Direction – all my blogs will get automatically posted to my twitter @aud2bme & also my tumblr blog – Passionate about 1D.
thank-you very much.
A reblog is no problem. Thanks for asking


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Fruitvale is a village in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia. It is  east of the city of Trail along Highway 3B.

Early community
One of eight original stations on the Nelson and Fort Sheppard Railway opened in 1893, the location was named Beaver Siding. The name Fruitvale appeared in 1907, promoting a new subdivision. Despite the climate being unsuitable for fruit growing, the settlement prospered and was incorporated as a village in 1952.

Geography
The village of Fruitvale lies in the Beaver Valley, which is made up of Fruitvale, Beaver Falls, and Montrose.

Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Fruitvale had a population of 1,958 living in 858 of its 881 total private dwellings, a change of  from its 2016 population of 1,920. With a land area of , it had a population density of  in 2021.

Religion
According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Fruitvale included:
Irreligion (1,150 persons or 60.7%)
Christianity (740 persons or 39.1%)

Schools
Fruitvale Elementary School serves students from kindergarten to grade 7.  High school students are bussed to J. Lloyd Crowe Secondary School in nearby Trail. Beaver Valley Middle School (formerly Beaver Valley Junior Secondary ) closed in 2002.

Sports
The KIJHL's Beaver Valley Nitehawks hockey team play in Fruitvale.  The village also has facilities for curling, bowling, soccer, golf, and baseball.

Notable people

Adam Deadmarsh, former NHL player – Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings
Barret Jackman, 2003 NHL Rookie of the Year
Laci J. Mailey, actress – Falling Skies, Chesapeake Shores
Ella Matteucci, ice hockey player – Markham Thunder (CWHL) and PWHPA
Paul Moller, inventor of the Skycar

References

External links

Designated places in British Columbia
Villages in British Columbia
Populated places in the West Kootenay

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Court Enters Final Order Settling FTCs Charges Against Warner Chilcott
Terms Protect Consumers from Agreements Designed to Delay Generic Drug Launches
U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly yesterday entered a final order settling the Federal Trade Commission's charges that drug company Warner Chilcott's agreement with Barr Laboratories unlawfully delayed entry of Barr's generic version of Warner Chilcott's Ovcon birth control pill.
As a result of the settlement, Warner Chilcott must: 1) refrain from entering into agreements with generic pharmaceutical companies in which the generic agrees not to compete with Warner Chilcott and there is either a supply agreement between the parties or Warner Chilcott provides the generic with anything of value and the agreement adversely effects competition; 2) notify the FTC whenever it enters into supply or other agreements with generic pharmaceutical companies; and 3) for three months, take interim steps to preserve the market for the tablet form of Ovcon in order to provide Barr the opportunity to compete with its generic version. In addition to the elements discussed above, the final order contains standard reporting requirements to ensure that Warner Chilcott complies with its terms. The order will expire in 10 years.
Entry of the final order is the latest development arising from the FTC's action in this matter. Last month, under threat of a preliminary injunction sought by the FTC, Warner Chilcott abandoned the portion of its agreement with Barr that prevented Barr from bringing a generic version of Ovcon to the market. The next day, Barr announced that it would begin selling generic Ovcon tablets in the United States. As a result of the FTC's actions, women taking Ovcon now have a lower-cost generic version of the product that was launched last week.
The Commission vote approving the proposed settlement and authorizing the staff to file it with the court was 5-0. It was filed under seal on October 20, 2006, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and was signed by the judge and entered by the court yesterday. The settlement is posted on the FTC's Web as a link to this press release. The Commission will continue to vigorously prosecute its case against Barr.
The FTC's Bureau of Competition, in conjunction with the Bureau of Economics, seeks to prevent business practices that restrain competition. The Bureau carries out its mission by investigating alleged law violations and, when appropriate, recommending that the Commission take formal enforcement action. To notify the Bureau concerning particular business practices, call or write the Office of Policy and Coordination, Room 394, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20580, Electronic Mail: antitrust@ftc.gov; Telephone (202) 326-3300. For more information on the laws that the Bureau enforces, the Commission has published "Promoting Competition, Protecting Consumers: A Plain English Guide to Antitrust Laws," which can be accessed at http://www.ftc.gov/bc/compguide/index.htm.
(FTC File No. 041-0034; Civ. No 1:05-cv-0219-CKK)
Mitchell J. Katz,
Brad Albert,
Warner Chilcott Holdings Company III, Ltd.; Warner Chilcott Corporation; Warner Chilcott (US) Inc.; Galen (Chemicals) Ltd.; and Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Health Care Competition
Competition in the Health Care Marketplace

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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2023 Nissan ARIYA Model Review - Peoria, AZ
What's New For the 2023 Nissan Ariya?
The ARIYA is an all-electric SUV from Nissan. It is one of the most anticipated vehicles from the automaker this year, and for a good reason. The Nissan ARIYA is a new SUV that has a sleek and modern interior, a stylish exterior design, and a sophisticated mechanical system that provides power and efficiency at the same time. The Nissan ARIYA has comfortable seats and ample storage room, and it also has some of the most advanced safety and technology features available.
Interior and Amenities
A simple yet polished and sophisticated cabin is one of the first things you'll notice about the Nissan ARIYA when you step into the car. The ARIYA has a horizontal display that has easy access to all the buttons and controls. Front and center in the dashboard are two wide screens that provide access to apps, music, and navigation. There is also another screen that provides convenient real-time information about the ARIYA's performance. The interior has an overall open concept design that provides an airy and spacious feel. In the front, the driver and front passenger benefit from a cushioned center armrest with a sliding top that opens to provide more storage space. A glowing lantern located beneath the dashboard adds to the interior's upscale feel. The Nissan also has Zero Gravity seats, which are cushioned and ergonomically designed for superior comfort. Wood trim accents give the cabin a classy look with all trim levels. Storage space in the Nissan varies by drivetrain. If you get the front-wheel drive version, the Nissan will get over 16 cubic feet in storage capacity, but it gets 14.6 cubic feet if you choose all-wheel drive. The back seats fold down to free up storage space.
The Nissan ARIYA uses two electric motors and a battery pack for power. The ARIYA has varying levels of power production depending on the battery pack and drivetrain that you choose. The Nissan ARIYA comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for its drivetrain. Power output starts at 215 HP and can range up to nearly 400 HP. The Nissan comes standard with front-wheel drive, but you can choose to get all-wheel drive as an alternative. A DC fast-charge port is included, and the Nissan ARIYA gets about 300 miles of range. Torque output ranges from 220 LB-FT to more than 440 LB-FT.
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Nissan Reveals Z GT4 Race Car
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Nissan Enhances Certified Pre-Owned Program to Include Older Models and Select Non-Nissan Vehicles
Purchase prices do not include tax, title, license and $499.00 doc fee. Prices include the listed rebates and incentives. Please verify all information. We are not responsible for typographical, technical, or misprint errors. Inventory is subject to prior sale. Contact us via phone or email for more details. *MPG Based on 2019 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery-pack age/condition, and other factors.


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Public Policy and Law
Global Government Solutions
Public Policy and Law Alert
Will Wyden Recharge the Batteries on the Finance Committee's Energy Tax Reform Proposal?
by Mary Burke Baker, Nicholas A. Leibham, Karishma Shah Page, Ryan J. Severson, Andrés Gil, Cindy L. O'Malley, David Walker
In late 2013, the Senate Finance Committee released a tax reform staff discussion draft on energy (the "energy draft") as part of a series of tax reform proposals. According to Committee staff, the energy draft "proposes a dramatically simpler set of long-term energy tax incentives that are technology-neutral and promote cleaner energy that is made in the United States."
Although the departure of former Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) from the U.S. Senate has thrown the fate of energy tax reform into doubt, there is ample reason to believe that his energy draft has gas left in the tank. This alert describes the energy draft and offers insights on the possible next steps for the proposal.
Key Components of the Energy Draft
Transition Period
The energy draft would create two new sets of tax incentives for clean electricity and clean transportation fuels. In order to give the business community and administrative agencies time to plan for and implement these provisions, the energy draft includes a transition period for certain existing tax incentives.
In particular, the draft extends the production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) for electricity from renewable sources under sections 45 and 48 of the Tax Code, as well as the credit for residential renewable electricity investments under section 25D, through the end of 2016. The energy draft also extends the PTCs for various transportation fuels under sections 40 (second generation biofuels), 40A (biodiesel, renewable diesel), and 6426 (alternative fuels, alternative fuel mixtures) of the Tax Code through the end of 2016.
Tax Incentives for Clean Electricity and Clean Transportation Fuel
Beginning in 2017, when the existing tax incentives expire, the energy draft implements a new system of tax incentives for "clean electricity" and "clean transportation fuels." This system is designed to be technology-neutral (i.e., not arbitrarily favoring one specific technology over another) and based on the environmental impact of the energy source involved.
The incentives for clean electricity and clean transportation fuels are designed to help the United States reduce by 25% the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) associated with our country's overall electricity generation and transportation fuel supply.
Clean Electricity
For clean electricity, the energy draft allows a taxpayer to elect either a PTC of up to $0.023/kilowatt hour (adjusted for inflation) for 10 years or an ITC of up to 20% for electricity generation that has GHG emissions at least 25% below the average of the current electricity fleet.
The proposal adjusts the PTC and ITC levels depending on the GHG emissions of the electricity generation. Under this system, electricity generation that is just over 25% below the average of the current electricity fleet would receive minimal credits, but these credits would gradually increase so that electricity generation with zero GHG emissions would be entitled to the full amount of the credits.
The proposal phases out the credits once the GHG emissions of the overall electricity fleet decline by 25% below 2013 levels. Taxpayers who place facilities in service during the first, second, and third years of the phase-out would receive 75%, 50%, 25%, respectively, of the credit to which they would otherwise be entitled, and taxpayers would be eligible for 10 years of tax credits at the applicable level. Taxpayers would be unable to claim the credit for facilities placed in service after the third year of the phase-out.
Additionally, the proposal includes an ITC of 20% for carbon capture and sequestration equipment that: (1) is installed in a facility that was placed in service before 2017; and (2) results in a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions rate of 50% or greater.
Clean Transportation Fuel
Similar to the tax incentives for clean electricity, beginning in 2017 the energy draft allows the taxpayer to elect a PTC of up to $1/gallon for 10 years or an ITC of up to 20% for transportation fuels that have GHG emissions at least 25% below conventional gasoline. The GHG levels of transportation fuels would be measured by the EPA through a life-cycle analysis.
The energy draft adjusts the PTC and ITC levels depending on the GHG emissions and energy content of the taxpayer's fuel. Under this system, fuels with lower GHG emissions and/or higher energy content would be entitled to larger tax credits.
Additionally, the proposal phases out the credits once the GHG emissions of the overall transportation fuel supply decline by 25% below 2013 levels. Taxpayers who place facilities in service during the first, second, and third years of the phase-out would receive 75%, 50%, 25%, respectively, of the credit to which they would otherwise be entitled, and taxpayers would be eligible for 10 years of tax credits at the applicable level. Taxpayers would be unable to claim the credit for facilities placed in service after the third year of the phase-out.
Repeal Efficiency Credits and Other Provisions
In addition to the new system of tax incentives for clean electricity and clean transportation fuels, the energy draft would repeal, or allow to expire, the following 11 existing energy tax provisions:
Section 25C credit for residential energy efficiency
Section 30B credits for fuel cell motor vehicles
Section 30D credits for electric plug-in vehicles
Section 43 credit for enhanced oil recovery costs
Section 45I marginal well production credit
Section 45N mine rescue training credit
Section 45Q carbon dioxide sequestration credit
Section 45L credit for construction of energy-efficient new homes
Section 45M credit for energy efficient appliances
Section 48C credit for investment in advanced energy property
Treatment of gain resulting from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission restructuring
The impact of comprehensive tax reform on the energy sector could be even more significant when viewed in light of the Senate Finance Committee's other tax reform staff discussion drafts. In particular, the Committee's staff discussion draft on cost recovery and accounting proposed to repeal 11 current energy-related incentives that the staff determined "are not targeted on domestic production of electricity or fuels," including percentage depletion and the deduction for intangible drilling costs. Further, the cost recovery and accounting draft would repeal provisions that apply to renewable energy, such as accelerated depreciation for second generation biofuel plant property.
How Much Gas is Left in the Tank?
With Chairman Baucus' departure from the Senate, it is natural to wonder whether the energy draft will remain relevant as the debate over comprehensive tax reform continues. However, the energy draft is likely to stay significant for a few reasons.
Wyden and energy policy. First, new Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) has a keen interest in energy policy, as reflected by his tenure as Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In addition, Senator Wyden's office reportedly had a hand in drafting the proposal with Chairman Baucus' Finance Committee staff, and Senator Wyden also praised the energy draft after its release.
"Big ideas" in energy tax reform. Second, the energy draft embodies certain bipartisan principles that are seen as being on the cutting edge of energy tax policy. Members of Congress—including Chairman Wyden— have called for a "technology-neutral" system of energy tax incentives, but the energy draft is one of the first legislative proposals to actually flesh out this idea in great detail. Although some sectors of the energy industry have expressed dissatisfaction over aspects of the proposal (e.g., the elimination of all credits for energy efficiency), the fact that comprehensive tax reform is not imminent means that the Committee will have time to fine-tune the energy draft under Chairman Wyden rather than abandon it completely.
Appetite for a new regime. Third, dissatisfaction and uncertainty in the business community relating to the tax extenders process will likely help build momentum for a long-term system of energy tax incentives like the one proposed in the energy draft.
Taken together, these factors mean that the energy draft is likely to remain a prominent part of the energy tax debate under Chairman Wyden. Stakeholders should not miss the opportunity to weigh in with the Committee on this legislation, which could dramatically alter the tax treatment of the energy sector.
Mary Burke Baker
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Self-Confidence: A Philosophy
Authors: Pépin, Charles
Publisher: Other Press
Synopsis: Inspired by great figures from Emerson and Nietzsche to Madonna and Serena Williams, this engaging philosophical essay explores the workings of self-confidence and how to develop it.
Where does self-confidence come from? How does it work? What makes it stronger or weaker? Why are some people more confident than others? Is it only a question of temperament or the result of conscious self-improvement? How do you get closer to those who stand out thanks entirely to their confidence in themselves?
Drawing on philosophical texts, ancient wisdom, positive psychology, and a wide range of case studies that feature famous thinkers, artists, and athletes, but also unsung heroes such as a fighter pilot and an urgent-care doctor, Charles Pépin brings to light the strange alchemy that is self-confidence. In doing so, he gives us the keys to having more confidence in ourselves.


1962 : The Beatles begin their legendary stint at the new Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany. Performing three to four hours a night for 48 days (with only one day off), the group logs a total of 172 hours of performance. When they return to England, they're already stars with a recording contract.
1965 : The Beatles win their first Grammy Awards, taking Best New Artist and Best Performance by a Vocal Group for "A Hard Day's Night". Record of the Year goes to "The Girl From Ipanema" by Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto.
1967 : The Rolling Stones play their first-ever gig behind the "Iron Curtain" of Soviet countries with a performance in Warsaw, Poland. Police use tear gas to control a riot and disperse the crowd at a Rolling Stones concert when the club where the band performs is overrun by kids without tickets.
1970 : The first sellout of the Montreal Forum, thanks to Led Zeppelin.
1975 : The last date of Hawkwind's UK A Dead Singer tour, Queensway Hall, Dunstable.
1979 : David Lee Roth collapses on stage from exhaustion during a Van Halen tour stop in Spokane, Washington.
1980 : The musical "Grease" closes on Broadway after 3,883 performances, which is a record at the time.
1982 : Still awaiting trial on a concealed weapon and illegal drug possession charge three weeks earlier, David Crosby is again arrested in Dallas, Texas, after local police find him preparing a "speedball" of cocaine backstage before a show.
1989 : Jack Jones is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6104 Hollywood Blvd.
2004 : Pixies return to the stage after 12 years with a 27-song set at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis.
2008 : Cult 60's Detroit Soul hero Nathaniel Mayer collapses from the brain hemorrhage that will, within the year, take his life.
2009 : A jury finds the now 69-year-old Phil Spector guilty of second-degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of the actress Lana Clarkson.
2010 : Ron Isley of The Isley Brothers is released from jail after serving 3 years for tax evasion. He came up with song ideas in prison and released the album "Mr. I" on November 30.


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Home > Asia Pacific > South East Asia > Malaysia
50 couples tie the knot together on 07/07/07
By CHRISTINA LOW, The Star, July 9, 2007
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- MANY couples tied the knot over the weekend, because of the auspicious date of July 7, but for environmentalists Michael Phuah and Ricole Woo, there was another reason besides the significant numbers: it was the day when people around the world celebrated World Earth Day.
<< Wedding parade: The 50 couples are taken on a parade around Brickfields. Led by youths on foot and a horse carriage, the convoy included vintage cars, golf buggies and even trishaws (picture), as well as a specially designed float.
"Most of us forget how important it is to care for the earth until we really think about it seriously; that was why Ricole and I chose to be married today," said Phuah, during the Buddhist Mass Wedding ceremony held at the Buddhist Maha Vihara recently.
The 29-year-old groom and his 25-year-old bride are Penangites and had never attended any mass wedding ceremonies before.
"This is the first time I am at such a ceremony although I had occasionally read about similar events in the newspapers." said Phuah, whose family came from Penang to celebrate the occasion with him.
The mass wedding celebration started at 8am when all the 50 couples took their vows before the temple's registrars of marriages. They then proceeded to the hall where a mass wedding blessing session was held, led by the Maha Nayaka Thera of Malaysia, the Most Venerable K. Sri Dhammaratana Maha Nayaka Thera, who was assisted by Venerable Meng Ji together with 50 other monks.
The session included the sprinkling of holy water, tying of holy string, taking of religious marriage oaths, and exchanging of wedding rings by the newlyweds.
"This is the first time this temple is organising a Buddhist Mass Wedding celebration after having been established here for more than 100 years," said Dhammaratana.
He added that as he did not have any experience in organising such an event, he had to seek guidance and information from the devotees and was happy that the occasion was a successful one indeed.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat, who was the guest of honour, presented the newlyweds with their marriage certificates and souvenirs before the couples marched out of the hall to a convoy of vintage cars, Mini Coopers, trishaws and a wedding float waiting for them.
They were taken on a short ride around the Brickfields area, accompanied by a lion dance troupe, a Bhangra drum troupe and a horse carriage led by Ong, Dhammaratana and Bukit Bintang MCA chairman Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng.
"The event was also part of the celebrations for country's 50 years of Independence and Visit Malaysia Year," said the Ven. Dhammaratana, who is already looking forward to next year's mass wedding celebration.


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Which clippings match 'Programmable Media' keyword pg.1 of 1
BBC Micro Bit: potential to inspire digital creativity?
"The BBC has unveiled the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized codeable computer with motion detection, a built-in compass and Bluetooth technology, which is to be given free to every child in year 7 or equivalent across the UK. A collaboration between 29 partners, the micro:bit is the BBC's most ambitious education initiative in 30 years, with an ambition to inspire digital creativity and develop a new generation of tech pioneers. The UK currently faces a critical skills shortage in the technology sector and the BBC and partners aim to help change that. In the 1980s, the BBC Micro introduced many children to computing for the first time and the BBC micro:bit, part of the BBC's 2015 Make it Digital initiative, will build on the legacy of that project for the digital age. It aims to inspire young people to get creative with digital and develop core skills in science, technology and engineering. The micro:bit will also be made commercially available later in 2015, so those not in the year 7 group can get involved."
(BBC Make It Digital)
http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2015/10/features/bbc-microbit-inside-story
http://www.kitronik.co.uk/blog/bbc-microbit-cad-resources/
http://www.techwillsaveus.com/microbit/
11 and 12 year olds • 2015 • 21st century literacies • Arduino • BBC Make It Digital • BBC Micro • BBC Micro Bit • BBC micro:bit • coding • coding programmes • computing kit • design and technology • digital creativity • digital device • digital skills • education initiative • engineering and design • FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) • home computing • imperial ambitions • inspire digital creativity • Intel Galileo • Micro Bit • over-the-air programming • pocket-sized circuit board • pocket-sized computer • printed circuit board • programmable device • programmable media • programming-oriented device • Raspberry Pi • skills gap • skills shortage • technology education • Tony Hall • UK
The Raspberry Pi
"The Raspberry Pi is a credit–card sized computer that plugs into your TV and a keyboard. It's a capable little PC which can be used for many of the things that your desktop PC does, like spreadsheets, word–processing and games. It also plays high–definition video. We want to see it being used by kids all over the world to learn programming."
2006 • 2008 • Alan Mycroft • beginner-friendly • Computer Laboratory (Cambridge) • computer programming • CPU • design and technology • Eben Upton • hardware design • ICT literacy • Jack Lang • learn to code • learning software • mobile device processor • Pete Lomas • pocket-sized circuit board • programmable device • programmable media • programming environment • programming experimentation • programming-oriented device • prototyping platform • Raspberry Pi • Raspberry Pi Foundation • Rob Mullins • teaching tool • technology education • UK • University of Cambridge
All students should have the opportunity to be creative with code
This is a useful initiative, despite its narrow focus on engineering and science. It would be great to see the companion film which profiles creative arts and design professionals who regularly use programming as part of their practice/work.
2013 • algorithm • code • code studies • coding • computer programmers • computer programming • computer programming education • computer science • design and technology • engineering and design • learn to code • learning software • problem-solving • programmable media • programmer • programming • programming language • Scratch (programming language) • scripting • software • software developer • software engineering • software literacy • STEM • technological craftsmanship • technological know-how • technology education • technology instruction • text of code • will.i.am
Expressive Processing: Digital Fictions, Computer Games, and Software Studies
"Wardrip–Fruin builds upon the foundation laid by Lev Manovich, who, in his 2002 book The Language of New Media, suggested that the natural development of media studies in an age of 'programmable media' should be 'software studies' (a set of approaches which includes 'expressive processing' but also code studies which, in Wardrip–Fruin's words, looks at 'the specific text of code' written by developers).
Expressive Processing fulfills and extends the promise of Manovich's ideas, putting the theory into practice through a set of case studies of the artificial intelligence engines of a dozen or so software programs that might be loosely called 'games.' That the first real example of a software studies approach comes out of game studies is both to be expected and (somewhat) regretted. On one hand, games of the sort Wardrip–Fruin examines are a medium for storytelling and character creation, and as such are natural extensions of the work of previous literary and media studies scholars and thereby set up a convenient space for humanities scholars and teachers to consider the important cultural and technical issues raised by Wardrip–Fruin in an environment more familiar than, for instance, an analysis of the software that drives Walmart (one of Wardrip–Fruin's suggestions for another work of software studies scholarship). Unfortunately, like graphic novels and musical theater, the genre is still too easily dismissed as popular entertainment by too many of those who most need to hear Wardrip–Fruin's arguments."
(Doug Reside, 2010)
Reside, D. (Fall 2010). "A review of Noah Wardrip–Fruin's Expressive Processing: Digital Fictions, Computer Games, and Software Studies." Digital Humanities Quarterly 4(2).
academic journal • ADHO • code • code studies • cultural analytics • data • digital culture • digital humanities • Digital Humanities Quarterly (academic journal) • expressive processing • game studies • graphic novel • humanities • information aesthetics • Lev Manovich • literary studies • media studies • musical theatre • Noah Wardrip-Fruin • popular culture • popular entertainment • programmable media • software • software literacy • software studies • storytelling • text of code • The Language of New Media • visualisation • Walmart


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HeadlinesJune 25, 2013
Julian Assange: NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden "In a Safe Place"
The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden is deepening following reports he landed in Moscow Sunday after leaving Hong Kong. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov now insists Snowden never crossed the Russian border. His remarks could simply indicate Snowden remained by the airport and did not technically enter Russian territory. On a conference call with reporters Monday, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Snowden is safe.
Julian Assange: "We are aware of where Mr. Snowden is. He is in a safe place, and his spirits are high. Due to the bellicose threats coming from the U.S. administration, we cannot go into further details at this time."
Ecuador is currently considering Snowden's request for asylum while the United States has called for Russia to expel him so he can face espionage charges.
Report: Snowden Plans to Give More Documents to Journalists
The South China Morning Post reports Edward Snowden told them he took the job at National Security Agency contractor Booz Allen Hamilton in order to gather proof of sweeping U.S. surveillance. Snowden also told the paper he plans to screen and release more documents on U.S. spying to journalists in other countries.
Taliban Launches Attack Near Afghan Presidential Palace
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for an early-morning attack near the presidential palace in a heavily guarded area of the Afghan capital Kabul. A Taliban statement said one of the targets was the Ariana Hotel, which houses a CIA station. The attack came as journalists gathered for a news conference where President Hamid Karzai was expected to discuss efforts toward peace talks with the Taliban. Reporters said they ran for cover as militants opened fire and detonated a vehicle bomb. The exact number of casualties is unknown, with reports as many as four attackers and three guards were killed. Meanwhile, in southern Afghanistan a roadside bomb killed 11 members of a family, including eight women.
Iraq: 41 Killed in Latest String of Bombings
In Iraq, at least 41 people died Monday in bomb blasts in and around Baghdad and north of the capital. The attacks came as part of a wave of sectarian violence that has killed more than 2,000 people since April.
Supreme Court Hands Affirmative Action Case Back to Lower Court
The Supreme Court has handed a key case on affirmative action back to a federal appeals court. The petitioner in the case, Abigail Fisher, is a white woman who accused the University of Texas-Austin of discrimination for rejecting her. On Monday, the Court refused to overturn its 2003 decision allowing some forms of affirmative action, instead ordering the lower court to consider the issue under a harsher standard.
Court Deals Blows to Workers Alleging Sexual Harassment, Discrimination
The Supreme Court also struck potential blows to workers who allege sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace with a pair of decisions Monday. In the first case, the Court narrowly defined a worker's "supervisor" as someone who can change a person's employment status, thus limiting legal protections for those harassed by superiors who lack such direct control. In a separate ruling, the Court backed a tighter standard for workers to prove they have been the victims of retaliation after complaining about discrimination. Both rulings were decided by a 5-to-4 vote. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called on Congress to overturn them with new laws.
Senate Backs Amendment to Increase Border Enforcement in Immigration Bill
Senate lawmakers have backed an amendment to the immigration reform bill that would dramatically increase enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border. The proposal by Republican senators Bob Corker and John Hoeven would nearly double the number of border agents, expand the use of drones and construct hundreds of miles of border fencing. In total, the plan would cost roughly $40 billion over the next decade. The proposal reportedly spurred roughly a dozen Republicans to throw support behind a reform bill that would extend an eventual path to citizenship to millions of undocumented people.
George Zimmerman Murder Trial Opens with Profanity, Knock-Knock Joke
The second-degree murder trial of George Zimmerman for killing unarmed African-American teenager Trayvon Martin has opened in Florida. During opening statements Monday, attorneys on each side cast conflicting views of Zimmerman's motives on the night of the shooting last February. Prosecutor John Guy said Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, had profiled the 17-year-old as suspicious and chose to assume the role of a police officer and follow him. He quoted Zimmerman's own expletive-laced words to a dispatcher.
John Guy: "Good Morning. 'F—ing punks. These a—holes, they always get away.' Those were the words in that grown man's mouth as he followed, in the dark, a 17-year-old boy who he didn't know. And excuse my language, but those were his words, not mine."
These were prosecutor John Guy's concluding remarks at the end of his opening statement Monday.
John Guy: "We are confident that at the end of this trial you will know, in your head, in your heart, in your stomach, that George Zimmerman did not shoot Trayvon Martin because he had to. He shot him for the worst of all reasons: because he wanted to. Thank you for your time."
Defense lawyer Don West argued that Zimmerman killed Martin because he feared for his life after the teenager smashed Zimmerman's head on the sidewalk, which he suggested constituted a deadly weapon. West told a knock-knock joke toward the beginning of his remarks, a move for which he later apologized.
Don West: "Knock, knock. Who's there? George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman who? All right, good, you're on the jury. Nothing? (audience laughs) That's funny."
Texas House Gives Final Approval to Anti-Abortion Bill; Sponsor Suggests Rape Kits Provide Abortions
Texas House lawmakers have given final approval to a sweeping anti-abortion bill that would shutter almost all the state's abortion clinics. The state Senate is set to take up Senate Bill 5 today. Pro-choice demonstrators have flooded the Capitol to protest provisions that include banning abortion at 20 weeks and requiring clinics to meet the standards of hospital-style surgery centers. Critics say only five out of 42 clinics would survive. On Monday, the bill's Republican House sponsor, state Representative Jodie Laubenberg, suggested rape victims could obtain an abortion by seeking rape kits at an emergency room where "a woman can get cleaned out." A rape kit is a forensic test that collects evidence used to prosecute sex crimes.
Documents Show IRS Targeting of Progressive Groups
Newly surfaced documents show the targeting of certain groups for extra scrutiny by the Internal Revenue Service extended beyond right-wing or tea party organizations. The terms "progressive," "Israel" and "Occupy" all appeared on so-called "be-on-the-lookout" lists used by IRS employees reviewing applications for tax-exempt status. Interim IRS chief Danny Werfel told reporters on a conference call Monday the agency has eliminated the use of such lists and admitted: "There was a wide-ranging set of categories and cases that spanned a broad spectrum." The IRS has apologized for scrutinizing right-wing groups amid a scandal that sparked the exit of several agency officials.
Former Italian PM Berlusconi Sentenced to 7 Years in Underage Sex Case
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of paying for sex with an underage girl and using his political position to hide the act. A court in Milan also barred Berlusconi from ever serving in public office again. Berlusconi is expected to keep his seat in parliament, however, during an appeal.
Brazilian President Unveils Changes to Appease Protesters
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has proposed a series of political changes aimed at appeasing historic protests against political corruption and failing public services. The changes include investing more than $20 billion in public transit. As protests continued Monday, two women were fatally struck by a car while blocking a highway in the capital Brasília, bringing the total number killed in the protests to four.
Turkish Protesters Detained in Ankara Raids; Police Officer Released After Fatal Shooting
Turkish police have reportedly detained 20 people during raids in the capital Ankara in connection with weeks of widespread anti-government protests. Meanwhile, a police officer who allegedly fatally shot a protester has been released by a court on the grounds the shooting was in self-defense. The ruling has sparked outrage particularly because a video of the shooting went viral online. The video appears to show a police officer firing his gun and then running away.
Mandela's Grandson Says Family Hoping for Steady Recovery
Former South African President Nelson Mandela remains in critical condition in the hospital where he is suffering from a recurrent lung infection. Mandela's grandson, Mandla, spoke on Monday.
Mandla Mandela: "We've been grateful to South Africans and the people of the global community who have showered the family with prayers, and we are hoping that my grandfather will recover steadily. He is under good care, under the supervision of nurses and doctors, which we've been grateful for their efforts in ensuring that they are at his bedside and attending to him."
Colorado: Transgender First-Grader Wins Landmark Discrimination Case
In a landmark move for transgender rights, Colorado state officials have ruled a transgender first-grader must be allowed to use the girls' bathroom at her school, even though she was born male. The state's Division of Civil Rights said barring six-year-old Coy Mathis from using the girls' bathroom constituted discrimination. LGBT activists hailed the ruling as the first in U.S. history to say schools must allow transgender students to select restrooms that match their gender identity.
5 Arrested at Yahoo HQ Protesting the Firing of Wal-Mart Workers
Five people were arrested at the headquarters of Yahoo in California Monday while protesting the firing of 11 Wal-Mart workers who went on strike earlier this month to demand higher wages. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is on the board of Wal-Mart. The Nation is reporting at least 26 workers are alleging some form of retaliation by Wal-Mart after they participated in protests against the company.
Iraq War Veteran's Suicide Letter Describes Trauma of War, Abandonment by Gov't
The website Gawker has published the suicide note of an Iraq War veteran who says he took his own life because the trauma of war left him in constant mental and physical agony. Daniel Somers had been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions related to the war. He ran hundreds of combat missions as a machine gunner and carried out interrogations as part of an intelligence team in Baghdad. Later, he worked with Joint Special Operations Command as a senior analyst in Mosul. In a letter first quoted by the Phoenix New Times and written to his family before he killed himself just two weeks ago, Daniel Somers wrote: "During my first deployment, I was made to participate in things, the enormity of which is hard to describe. War crimes, crimes against humanity. Though I did not participate willingly, and made what I thought was my best effort to stop these events, there are some things that a person simply can not come back from. I take some pride in that, actually, as to move on in life after being part of such a thing would be the mark of a sociopath in my mind. These things go far beyond what most are even aware of. To force me to do these things and then participate in the ensuing coverup is more than any government has the right to demand. Then, the same government has turned around and abandoned me." He went on to write, "Any blame rests with them." Somers killed himself on June 10. He was 30 years old.


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The plan for Mission 1: What's your game?


It is inevitable that one's parents will reach old age. It is during this period that simple tasks that were easy when they were younger will become difficult for them to do. Old age doesn't mean elderly parents stop doing their normal day-to-day activities. At this stage, they may just need assistance from you physically and emotionally. If it is not physically possible for you to take care of your elderly parent, there are senior care centers you may want to look into. One such center is the Skylark Adult Day Care where licensed nurses and other health care professionals can assist your elderly parent to manage the day-to-day health needs, personal care, and special diets.
The center is also equipped with many activities that seniors may enjoy such as exercising, solving puzzles, making art, playing sports and dancing. This special assistance may be enjoyed by your elderly parent at the daycare center or at home. These days that many choices are being offered on how to live at old age, you and your parent can choose the best place to spend time relishing retirement age, which can be at home or at a senior care center. You have significant decisions to make at this point when it is your elderly parent now that needs your care. Read on for tips on how to go about caring for your elderly loved one.
The living arrangements at old age are crucial to the well-being of an elderly parent. It is the first thing that you and your elderly parent should seriously talk about. Nowadays, there are more choices of living arrangements that you may consider that you think would work best for you and your elderly parent.
If your parent chooses to age at home, a family caregiver may be needed. Elderlies also have different needs and want, thus choices such as independent or assisted living communities allows them to use special amenities for seniors who are independent and on the active side. There are also nursing homes for seniors who require medical surveillance 24/7. Your elderly parent may also opt to live with you or any family member or relative who can provide companionship and assistance with day-to-day activities.
Another thing which is vital to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of an elderly parent is the ability to perform the basic activities of daily life such as simple tasks of getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, and self-feeding to name a few. If they are in a stage wherein they cannot perform these daily tasks on their own, you may consider getting help from family members or a professional caregiver.
It would be good to know the benefits an elderly parent may avail such as additional financial support from the government which has programs to help in the living expenses of the aged. Being physically available to assist them in managing their finances and retirement funds would also be a big help for them.
Educating yourself about the support groups that support the seniors may greatly help you in caring for your aged parent. Independent or government-funded organizations for seniors have programs for housing, health care, prescription drugs and many other services that seniors may need.
The best elderly care you could give to your aged parent is to make sure that their overall well-being is taken cared of. The tides have turned, and as your parents had cared for you when you were little, it is your time now to take care of their needs. Caring for your elderly parent can be done with your siblings and other family relatives or a professional caregiver if necessary.
Taking care of your aged parents should not be considered as a burden because these people had laid out their lives for you as well when you were the one who was vulnerable. There are many choices now which you can look into, on how to care for elderly so that they can live in comfort at their retirement age.
What really intrigued me initially was the beginning scene in the kitchen. It is so lively, entertaining and captivating. The introduction to a film is so important. The rest of the film is equally well shot. The camera quality is clear and the cinematography is pretty spot on. This film really is quite entertaining and educating at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it because every aspect is so incredible.
This documentary is about one woman's quest to start a food-truck business in the refugee camp where she resides, in Lebanon. The quality of life for the camp's residents is quite low, with many people living in very condensed dwellings. Mariam Shaar, with her adept business sense and entrepreneurial spirit sets out to improve the quality of life for herself and those around her. She, along with other women, cook high quality Mediterranean food and through a Kickstarter Campaign, raise and exceed the amount of funds needed to buy a van and get the permit for the business. Not surprisingly, things do not go as planned.
Mariam's lawyer tells her there may be hurdles in terms of getting the permit and obtaining a truck because she resides in the refugee camp and because of her ethnicity. Therefore, when she goes to the automobile dealer, she is turned down. Inevitably, a few months later, she is turned down for the license to operate Soufra also. She feels defeated at this point, but her lawyer explains a way in which she can circumvent these laws regarding license, location and ethnicity Mariam can find a brick and mortar place as a legitimate residential location for her business on the outskirts of Beirut. She does in fact find a place and is then granted a license. The van approval for her food truck comes smoothly after that. Her dream of a food truck business is then realized.
The Adventure Continues…The arrival of the super powerful Meicoomon starts a countdown to the real world's collapse. The Digi-Destined are cast out of the Digital World, and even after returning to the real world, are driven away by people, due to their partnerships with the Digimon. Meanwhile, a cruel fate appears imminent for Kari, who has a more honest and sensitive spirit than anyone. KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror Kimbirly M. comments, "With the well-known Japanese anime style, Digimon-tri has sharp-edge graphics and action sequences that draw the viewers in." See the rest of her review below.
This is a continuation of the popular Digimon-tri series. The storyline, generally about dark forces taking over, flows well. There are no lagging sequences that would bore the viewer. One becomes empathetic with the protagonist Kari and even the evil force overtaking Meicoomon. The vocabulary and concepts are appropriate for its intended age group and could further enhance vocabulary and concepts that the viewer may not understand. It portrays pro-social models such as when Kari feels that she might be responsible for a specific situation and one of the others reassures her that this definitely isn't the case. This entire series is very good at displaying consequences of both negative and positive behaviors. There are also good models of problem solving such as when a Digimon character decides on an action and another vehemently opposes it. The rest of the group has to come to a general consensus to make a final determination.
The underlying message is about seeking out others when you are experiencing tough times. Life has complicated challenges, but you can overcome them. You should be aware that there are two things that make this more appropriate for older viewers. First, a character pulls out a gun, but there is no blast. And second, we see a powerful being shaped like a naked woman, although there are no graphic features. For that reason, I recommend it for ages 10 to 18, as well as young adults and give it 4 out of 5 stars. I would raise the highest age to 25 if I could, because it is so thought-provoking and intelligent. The DVD allows you to select specific scenes and has a bonus feature interview. Reviewed by Kimberly M., KIDS FIRST! Adult Reviewer.
DR. JANE GOODALL SPEAKS AT THE LOS ANGELES ZOO IN HONOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 This Day-Long Celebration Includes Demonstrations by Young Leaders of the Jane Goodall Institute's Root & Shoots Program, the Flying of Giant Peace Dove Puppets, Live Entertainment, and more.
On Sunday, September 23, 2018, Dr. Jane Goodall, a United Nations Messenger of Peace and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, will speak at the L.A. Zoo in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace. On this day, young members of Roots & Shoots, the Institute's global environmental and humanitarian youth program, participate in the symbolic flying of the program's signature Giant Peace Dove Puppet, a globally known symbol for peace. The dove symbol for Dr. Goodall not only represents peace among people, but also peace with wildlife and the natural world we share. The celebration will also include demonstrations by area Root & Shoots groups, and a performance by award-winning duo Andy & Renee. Due to overwhelming demand, Dr. Goodall's lecture is sold out, but can still be viewed remotely on large video screens. All the day's programming is included in the purchase of Zoo admission.
Sunday, September 23, 2018, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dr. Goodall's talk will be at 2 p.m.
To learn more about the day's programming, visit www.lazoo.org/dayofpeace.


I guess we should expect such things by now, but every time a new set of Winter Olympics pops up, the events seem to get stranger and stranger.
Events like the skeleton, with a single participant flopping onto his belly and sledding down a mountain. That's an event? Heck, we used to do that in the backyard.
Then there's curling, the only Olympic event that requires a broomstick; the biathlon, which for reasons known only to the gods of Olympus somehow combines cross-country skiing with shooting a rifle; and the luge, in which the athlete sleds down a hill — backwards. Why?
The two-legged grocery split will be familiar to anyone who's had to go grocery shopping in icy weather. The athlete must make it out of the grocery store and across an ice-slickened parking lot to her car while carrying a bag of groceries in each hand. The grocery sacks prevent the contestant from being able to catch herself as her legs go into the splits and she must somehow slowly lower herself to the ground while maintaining her dignity and not damaging her eggs. Oh, I realize that there's the possibility of the Russian athletes using performance-enhancing drugs to keep them from splatting onto the ice so forcefully, but every event has its drawbacks. And this is one event where the women can compete equally with men and might perhaps even have an advantage with their lower center of gravity.
The back-bumper slalom slam takes place on the highway when the idiot behind you has been on your bumper for the last 20 miles over icy roads. You tap your brake for something minor like a stoplight or a second-grader in the road and the nincompoop comes crashing into your back bumper before accusing you of stopping without warning. Winners usually are determined by their cumulative IQs.
The thermo-sneak probably would be one of the most recognized events in my plan for a revised Winter Olympics. Each country sends a husband-and-wife team to this competition. To win, the lady of the house must be able to pass by the home's thermostat and kick it up 3 degrees without the penny-pinching husband noticing it.
The urban drive blocker is a competition not just for countries but for cities. Each town would send one snowplow and driver to Pyeongchang, where each contestant would be given a street in the city. Whichever plow driver manages to block the most private driveways with his mound of snow will come home with the gold.
The two-ply sneeze dodger is an Olympic event for competitors of any age, but quickness and agility will bring home the medals. Every contestant will be required to walk through a shopping mall, a grocery store and a third-grade classroom before taking a ride in a crowded elevator up to the gate of an airline terminal to board a 2-hour flight in mid-February — all while dodging the sneezes, coughs, hacks and dripping noses of flu season without falling ill. It's a tough event in that, while the winners are applauded, the losers are sent to bed bathed in Vicks VapoRub.
After all, the point of all modern Olympics isn't national pride or athletic expertise but rather the amount of commercial time that can be sold by the networks covering the event. If we'd throw in a few of the above events, they'd provide enough entertainment to coax a few folks away from Netflix.


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Trials of Mana – Review
By Leif Rey Bornaleson April 28, 2020
Square Enix, Xeen
PS4, PC
Reviewed on
Review copy provided by
A game about gaining power and being able to save the world. Trials of Mana is the sequel to Secret of Mana and is the third game in the Mana series. I haven't really played its predecessors so I can't tell what differences are. I'm going to approach this review from a newcomer's standpoint.
Trials of Mana is a remake of the original game all fully blown up into a fully 3D animated world. The game starts off by letting you choose between six playable characters. Each of them has their own unique skillsets and abilities. They can be leveled up into different classes while you progress further into the game. Players can also choose the main character for the entirety of their playthrough, and the other two will serve as your supporting characters.
You start off in the game by going through your main character's background story. You will learn about why they will go on a journey to get the Mana Sword. They will encounter Faerie in their journey who will haunt your main character and declared that they will be with you until the very end or until they die.
You will then encounter your companions one by one and get to play their background story through a flashback sequence. In these flashback stories, you will gain control of the companion but the items you get from here won't carry on to the present. It is nice though that they are able to let you get an idea of why each of the characters wishes to go on the journey with you and why they also need the Mana Sword.
The Mana Sword, as told by the Faerie, is the greatest weapon there is. Making anyone who wields it become the strongest person in the world. Each of your characters has their reason for obtaining it which is why they go with you on your journey.
Although the characters itself are interesting enough, I can't help but notice how empty and lifeless the towns are. Yes, there are NPCs abound but none of them really make that much of an impact in the game other than the ones you interact with, and even then, I feel that they are not interesting enough to make an impact on the story. The monsters in the game are more interesting than the NPCs and that's saying a lot.
The world is comprised of areas at the beginning as the story unfolds itself on the quest to get the Mana Sword. But first, you will be tasked to gather eight elementals. Each having the power of a certain element. Once you gain the elementals you will be able to acquire powerful abilities that are tied to an element.
Once you get four of the elementals, the story changes as you gain access to Vuscav which is a friendly giant turtle who helps you get around the world. The world now becomes bigger for you to explore giving you the freedom to go to any island that has beaches as you can only call Vuscav on them.
Equipment is pretty straightforward in this game and each of your characters has their own unique weapon so you will have to buy or obtain weapons through chests for each one of them. I was happy to see that equipping a weapon changes the visible weapon on your character and the game also changes your character's appearance once they change classes. You can also opt to change back to their original appearance by going to the costume menu.
You first gain access to a change in class when you hit level 18 and you encounter the first Mana stone. Each character has multiple numbers of classes to change to and they are subdivided into Light and Dark Classes. Where Light Classes are geared towards supporting each of your characters while the Dark Classes are more focused on attack power. This makes the game have hundreds and hundreds of combat combinations and you can even go back to a Mana stone to change to a different class if you don't like what you currently have.
Speaking of combat, battles happen in real time. Which would be something that people would enjoy if they are into fast-paced action and combat. You can control any of your characters and you can also provide AI strategy to your companions so that they can use commands when you are not controlling them. I find this unreliable though as I feel like no matter what setting I use the characters don't seem to act as I want them to. For example, I set my companions to always use their Class Strike commands regardless of how much percentage it is but they seem to only be using it one out of ten times we are in combat.
The Class Strike gauge is a gauge that fills up while you are combating enemies. Once it reaches 100% you can use Class Strike abilities to dish out the damage on your enemies. These Class Strike abilities are tied to the class that you unlock for your character. So you will start with just one and gain another one once you change classes.
There are also skills that you can learn by leveling up your character. Each time your character levels up, you gain a training point that you can put towards five stats. These stats are strength, stamina, luck, intelligence, and spirit. Placing a certain number of training points on a stat will allow you to unlock active and passive skills. You can also learn new skills by talking to NPCs. Try and talk to as many as you can to unlock many skills.
Another interesting feature of the game is the Magic Pot. Magic Pots are located in Inns throughout the game and you can use these to get items by planting an item seed. The more item seeds you plant, the Magic Pot increases its level making it more valuable to you as it will produce better items and also allow you to farm more item seeds from enemies.
Another cool feature of this game is the Li'l Cactus that is scattered throughout the world. Finding the Li'l Cactus will earn you a stamp and if you earn a certain number of stamps, you will get special privileges like getting discounts in shops or being able to know how many treasure chests you are still missing in an area.
The last feature I want to touch on is how the game shifts between night and day. This is particularly more significant if you ever choose Kevin as a character. Kevin is a beastman who can transform into a beast at night time. Kevin in his beast form gives him more attack power and enhanced stats all around. There are also certain shops that are only accessible at nighttime so it is really helpful to pay attention as to what time of the day it is. There are also different enemies during day and night time so you really need to plan out which time it is best to go out.
The game has varying difficulty levels for those who wish to either just enjoy the story or have a bit more of a challenge during combat. What I like about it though is that it doesn't really water down the difficulties whether you are playing the easy mode or not. You still need to think through some of the battles and carefully plan out your strategies. Just because you're playing on easy mode doesn't mean the enemies are too.
There are probably other features of the game that I have not covered yet but I will leave that to you to explore. All I can say is, this game is worth the play as it is interesting enough to get into. It may be slow in the beginning but the game picks up considerably once you get through the first two chapters. If you like an action-packed RPG with a good amount of story, then Trials of Mana is something worth picking up.
Score Definition
When the issues of a game are rolled and stomped by its greatness, then it's something to invest on if you have some spare.
So many features that keep it interesting
Multiple classes for multiple combinations fun and action
A beautiful open world that's worth exploring
AI Combat can be unreliable
The towns may seem lifeless and empty
Forspoken PC Version Has Glaring Issues


From hunting to kayaking, a lot of us enjoy the outdoors. Few things are as good as a weekend spent in the wilderness unplugged from our normal lives. However, we need to be prepared for unexpected emergencies if we want to ensure we make it back to our homes and families.
With that in mind, I found myself surfing the internet and looking for new gear and other emergency equipment that I could incorporate into my own readiness preps when I am away from civilization. As I was making a short list, I thought that some of you might like to see what cool survival tools I am currently using.
Someone much wiser than I once said "forewarned is forearmed." Having advanced information about a potential problem lets you prepare for it. The Midland EH55VP is a portable weather and hazard alert radio that can immediately notify you when a dangerous weather event, such as a severe thunderstorm or tornado, is bearing down on you.
The EH55VP is in the form of a walkie-talkie with a stubby antenna and belt clip. The clip can attach to PALS webbing on your pack to get it off your waist when hiking.
As with most of the new weather alert radios on the market, Midland is compliant with the S.A.M.E. technology that allows you to receive specific county broadcast alerts. This is great for time spent in counties you frequent. You can even program one for your home and the others for travel for the most accurate information depending on where you are.
Don't know your county code, or you've traveled beyond your normal area, no problem. The radio also has a scanning mode that seeks out the strongest signal. As you move and the signal weakens, the radio will find the next strong signal and send you information from it.
In addition to the weather alert capabilities, the EH55VP also has an alarm clock feature. When you are hiking for several days at a time, this can be a handy tool to ensure you are up at the proper hour for a full day's hike.
The Midland radio is powered by a rechargeable battery pack. Additionally, it can run on 3 AAA batteries.
Water is one of the most important things you need in a survival situation. Without drinkable water, you can suffer from many serious ailments and even die in relatively short order. When heading out into the wilderness, I always take more water than I think I will need. I also take a LifeStraw with me.
'What's a LifeStraw?' you ask. Well, it is a very light, portable water filter that allows you to drink from a pond, puddle or other water source while filtering out more than 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and parasites. It does not need iodine or any other chemicals to work.
The LifeStraw is good for 264 gallons of water filtering, which I would imagine should be good enough for any emergency you might find yourself in.
Note that this is not a water purifier. It cannot remove chemicals, desalinate or remove viruses. However, for the price, you get a lot of protection from bad water in an emergency. I wouldn't use the LifeStraw to replace carrying water with me, but if I run out, I'm happy to use it. Since it is less than two ounces, it adds very little weight to my load out.
The LifeStraw has more than 5,000 reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Amazon. I guess I'm not the only one who likes these.
If you are taking a camp stove with you, consider upgrading to the BioLite wood burning camp stove. This is a rocket stove style cooker that burns very hot and very clean. It has an additional benefit that I think many of you will also like: it also charges your USB devices.
So, something like this is big and heavy you might say. Not really. It is only the size of a 1L Nalgene bottle and weighs 2 pounds. While 2 pounds can be a lot of weight if you are going light, it might still make sense if you are on an adventure where you plan on cooking anyway.
It all comes down to a cost-benefit analysis, and this one might not make the cut in many situations. For those times that it does, it can be an incredible resource for cooking and powering your electronic devices.
An edged tool should be considered mandatory for anyone wandering out of the house. I find mine very useful no matter where I go. The kind of knife you need is largely dependent on where you are going and what you might be doing.
For a general purpose knife, I really like my Spyderco Endura. I've carried this knife daily for nearly 20 years and it is still going strong. Mine has a completely serrated blade, though I think I might opt for a combination edge for slightly more flexibility in the field. I cannot recommend these highly enough. Click here for more information on these.
For a fixed blade knife, there are a lot of very good choices as well. This is going to sound a bit silly to some of you, but the Bear Grylls branded knife from Gerber is actually very good for most people. I previously reviewed the Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro knife here and was impressed by it. I've since used it a lot more, from carrying into the field to teaching my son how to start fires with it.
The Ultimate Pro has a drop point blade made of 9Cr19MoV steel with a combination blade. The rear serrations are great for cutting through rope and vine – trust me they work wonderfully in the field. The grip has a tough rubber overmold that feels great in the hand even when you are sweating.
Along the spine of the blade is a hard edge that works with the fire starting rod to produce a lot of sparks. A whistle is attached to the knife via a cord from the pommel. Holes in the knife handle allow it to be lashed to a stick for use as a spear or other tool. There is even a sharpener built into the sheath.
A quick word about the pommel. It is designed for hammering, and I found that it worked very well. However, very early editions of this knife (around 2010) had a problem with these breaking. It seems Gerber immediately upgraded the design and this is a non-issue now. Mine has seen a great deal of use, and I've not had any problems. Click here to see more than 1,400 reviews of the knife at Amazon.
I suspect that you already know about the infinite uses of paracord, and how having a bracelet of it can provide a lot of useful cordage in an emergency. However, I've generally avoided the inexpensive survival bracelets as I figured they were more gimmick than useful. Well, I was wrong.
At a recent gun show, my pre-teen son saw one of these bracelets and wanted one. The guy selling them is a local guide with a good reputation, so we stopped to talk and wound up buying one. Since that time, my son and I have given this bracelet a real work out and found that it is exceptional.
The scraping-type fire starter works very well. My son was able to manipulate it easily with his small hands, and I, with my much larger hands, was able to also start fires with it. The built in whistle is very loud.
I was also impressed by the small compass. I've often been disappointed by cheap, small compasses, but this one stays true. It isn't a great compass for precision navigation, but as an emergency tool, it will help you keep your bearings and moving in the direction you want.
Considering these are both inexpensive and lightweight, there really isn't any excuse to not have one when you set out on a hunt or other adventure.
I'm sure all of us carry a cell phone into the wilderness. Hopefully, you have it for making an emergency call and not for checking Facebook when you should be enjoying nature. But what happens when you are injured or lost and without a cell signal? That's where a personal locator beacon (PLB) comes into play.
A PLB is one of those really cool gadgets that can save your life. When you activate it, it sends a signal via satellite to a monitoring center with your GPS coordinates. The monitoring service then dispatches search and rescue to help you regardless on how far off the beaten track you may be.
For me, I like the DeLorme inReach SE. This unit has a satellite-based SOS system, but it also allows for two way communication between you and the monitoring center. This allows you to describe your emergency and give responders an idea of what kind of problems they might encounter on the way to you.
The inReach SE does more. It also allows you to send 160 character messages with GPS coordinates to any e-mail or cell phone. So, even when there is not any emergency, you can notify your family of your location.
There are also options for tracking. Tracking allows you to automatically send GPS coordinates to someone at scheduled intervals. That way your spouse or other family member can keep track of you.
If you need a navigation system, there is an upgraded version of the InReach SE that displays maps and allows you to set waypoints. This version also has an altimeter, barometer, compass and accelerometer to work with the GPS to provide very precise navigation functions. Frankly, I feel this is well worth the upgrade price.
Both models will pair with your Android or iOS devices for additional functionality.
I've put together a guide to personal locator beacons if you are looking for alternative products. Some are more simple designs that can provide an SOS call only while others are intended for open water use.
There really are a lot of exciting survival tools and outdoor gear on the market now. All of these can enhance your outdoor experience by offering an increased margin of safety.
Keep in mind that no activity is 100% safe, but as long as the benefits of the activity outweigh the risks, it is probably worth doing. These tools can help tilt the survival balance in your favor. But, you should also exercise good common sense, have a solid first aid kit and stick to the level of your training and experience when on your own.