text:
← June 13, 2011 — Justice O'Connor: "Unfortunate national notoriety"
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July 4, 2011 — Freedom from tyranny
Posted on July 4, 2011 by david
May God bless this nation on this special day and every other. Please.
One of the most precious pledges of this land is our stated intent to live under the rule of law, fairly intended and administered. It is this rule of law that gives us some assurance that we will not be mere pawns in the machinations of the powerful. The individual in this land has–in theory–paramount consideration under law.
So, while we celebrate our nation's birthday, we also give pause to consider the relief from tyranny of Justice Elizabeth A. Weaver (retired). She was the target of disciplinary and punitive efforts by at least one of her former colleagues, Justice Maura D. Corrigan (retired). Justice Corrigan most recently sent her to the Attorney Grievance Commission. If you'll look back through the posts on this site you'll see the unfolding story, fully open to your scrutiny.
The result? This past week the AGC wrote to justices Corrigan and Weaver that there was no cause of action. Here's the letter:
Dismissed.
All along Justice Weaver has been describing this as a baseless complaint and a tyranny. Further, she has said, the AGC didn't even have authority in the matter.
Here is the complaint that Justice Weaver first received this spring in this most recent matter.
You'll note that it is dated April 28, 2010, and is the SAME complaint that had been filed by justices Corrigan, Steven Markman, and now-chief Justice Robert Preston Young, Jr., with both the AGC and the Judicial Tenure Commission April 28, 2010. That complaint was dismissed by the JTC last summer.
In a phone interview we learned from AGC Grievance Administrator Robert Agacinski that when the April 28, 2010, complaint was activated Justices Markman and Young decided not to join in. (The AGC checks to make sure complainants still want to act, Mr. Agacinski said, when it processes a complaint.) Only Justice Corrigan wanted to go forward. And remember, by March 15 she was well well away from the Supreme Court and ensconced in her new labors as director of the Department of Human Services.
At the time it seemed that the complaint had just been sitting around at the AGC since 2010 and the AGC had just decided to take it up.
But maybe not, because we now know something from the most recent letter dismissing the complaint: that complaint was filed by Corrigan March 15th of this year.
Now, where is the March 15, 2011, written complaint?
The AGC stipulates that in order to be accepted, complaints must come in physical form. Here's the language:
Anyone may file a Request for Investigation against an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan, or otherwise permitted by a court to practice in the state, by completing and signing the AGC's Request for Investigation form or by sending in a signed letter. THE FORM OR LETTER MUST BE SIGNED AND SUFFICIENTLY DESCRIBE THE ALLEGED MISCONDUCT (INCLUDING APPROXIMATE TIME AND PLACE). The Request for Investigation may include copies of any relevant documents or transcripts. A Request for Investigation must contain an original signature therefore, Requests for Investigation are not accepted electronically or by facsimile.
So, where's the copy of the March 15, 2011, complaint the most recent AGC letter references? Justice Weaver says she hasn't seen it…just the recycled April 28, 2010, letter, the one signed by the three justices.
Is it remotely possible Justice Corrigan simply phoned it in? Is there some other explanation?
That's something that would be good to find out.
And, what about the motivation behind the complaint? That complaint had early on been dismissed by the JTC and it had no business being put before the AGC. A learned and intelligent supreme court justice should recognize that. Is this an effort to stir up trouble for Justice Weaver? (In one sense it caused more than enough trouble…it takes time and effort to answer baseless accusations.) Is this a payback? After all, both justices were off the court, there was nothing pending or impending before them. But there had been bad blood, at least bad blood on the part of Justice Corrigan: she had expressed her outrage on several occasions that Justice Weaver would dare to speak about decisions made at the high court after matters there had been concluded. Justice Corrigan was a part of the majority force that passed a gag order to silence communication about what happens at the court. That gag order flies in the face of the Michigan Constitution and the Code of Judicial Conduct that says Justice WILL explain their actions.
In the end, though, all the turmoil with the AGC redounds upon the originator: Maura D. Corrigan. She looks less learned and intelligent, certainly less wise. She looks like she's seeking revenge.
All along I have been asking if this apparent desire for vengeance is in the nature of the character of Maura D. Corrigan. I don't know. But were I Governor Rick Snyder I would want to keep a close eye on an appointee who might have a penchant for settling scores. That can cause troubles when and where you least expect or want them.
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The business aviation community has begun to spool up a coordinated relief missions effort into earthquake-ravaged Haiti, with hundreds of business and general operations having already flown into the little island nation. Working with the Department of Homeland Security's Critical Incident Management Group, which is managing the government's crisis response, the National Business Aviation Association and the Corporate Aircraft Responding in Emergencies (CARE) organization have coordinated numerous missions involving the transport of medical teams and supplies, water, food and other necessities into Haiti and the transfer of people out of the country (BA, Jan. 18/23).
NBAA had established a registry for aircraft that could be used for relief missions, and by late last week the number had swelled to 280, including a mix of helicopters, single- and multi-engine pistons, single- and multi-engine turboprops, and jets. In addition, more than 230 private and commercial pilots have lined up on the NBAA volunteer registry to offer their services.
CARE President Marianne Stevenson, who estimated that her organization has been on pace to launch a flight into Haiti every 30 minutes, noted an "amazing amount of support and cooperation." In an update to NBAA members, Stevenson noted that the community has been able to bring critical personnel into key regions of Haiti. "CARE was the first to establish a chain of supplies and medical personnel into Jacmel and then use caravans and helicopters to bring supplies into Leogane," she said. Without the help of the community, "it is probable this area would be in dire crisis," she said.
CARE has initially targeted outlying areas such as Cape Haitian, Jacmel and Leogane in part because of the ease of access to those outlying regions. Flights into Port-Au-Prince have been tightly controlled under a Notice To Airmen that FAA put in place last week to manage flights into the airport. The NOTAM has helped with the flow of traffic into Port-Au-Prince, said Doug Carr, vice president of safety, security and regulation for NBAA. "The NOTAM brought some structure and capacity control that was needed," he said. But the airport has limited ramp space, and large aircraft are still being given priority.
"There is criticism of using slot times for low-yielding missions," Stevenson told members, and said her organization has been working feverishly to obtain large-cabin aircraft for the requests that CARE has received for assistance. "The requests we are receiving are from every conceivable charity and organization to include the Salvation Army and even the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]," she said, and noted that the organization had more than 100 medical and first response teams waiting to get into Port-Au-Prince.
She also chronicled successes, as has Robin Eissler, a partner of JetQuest who works closely with CARE to dispatch flights for the relief effort. These included the carrying of orphans from Haiti to the U.S. In a separate update to NBAA members, Eissler noted the transport of an 11-year-old girl who had been struck by a bus while walking to a neighboring town to buy food for her family.
A doctor flown in by CARE had found the girl, stabilized her while still in Haiti and coordinated with CARE to fly her to the U.S. for medical treatment. CARE had a slot for a Pilatus PC-12 at Port-Au-Prince, Eissler noted, but a guard at the airport initially denied the doctor entry, with the guard saying, "She's going to die anyway." But the doctor notified CARE, which helped him obtain access, and the PC-12 was able to transport the girl to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "This girl would be in the last hours of life without the CARE network," Eissler said.
The mission flights have ranged from large and small organizations to individuals, businesses and large multinational corporations. Mission Aviation Fellowship established a Port-Au-Prince Airport communications center and dispatched a team in a Kodiak turboprop. Clean the World Foundation has flown more than 100 doctors and 10,000 pounds of medical supplies. Several major aviation manufacturers have offered their services and/or flown missions into Haiti. Dassault estimated that at least eight Falcon operators have flown into Haiti. "We all recognize the devastation to the area and the long-term need for assistance to the people of Haiti," said Dassault Falcon President and CEO John Rosanvallon. Jeppesen is providing trip-planning services. Small operators have donated aircraft to deliver water and hygiene kits.
Most of the CARE flights are flown out of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Several spots in Florida have served as collection hubs for relief aid. Carr stressed the need to ensure that the operations remain coordinated. "There's been an overwhelming outpouring of people wanting to help," he noted. But once operators arrive in Haiti, they are on their own. "You shouldn't expect a lot of gas. You shouldn't expect a lot of ground support." Working through appropriate channels can help protect the operator and ensure the mission gets to the right place, he said.


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Reputable Automotive Group with over 30 Years of History
The Dickson Group is a reputable Automotive Group with over 30 years of history in Singapore. Our businesses span across pre-owned car sales, leasing solutions, auto financing, insurance and aftersales service centre. We pride ourselves in being fair and transparent in all our business relationships with our valued business partners and customers. We are CaseTrust and Singapore Vehicle Traders Association accredited and ISO 9001-2015 certified.
The opening of our new 4-storey Dickson Auto Centre, fully-owned, housing a dedicated showroom, offices and aftersales service centre is a testimony to our company's continued growth and commitment to our valued business partners and customers.
Dickson Automobile
Dickson Automobile is offer a wide range of certified pre-owned cars and offers peace-of-mind buying experience and aftersales support.
Dickson Capital
Dickson Capital is a trusted credit agent providing Dealers and their customers a full suite of credit facilities such as HP financing, in-house loans, COE renewal and floor stock financing. It partners many reputable financial institutions such as DBS, Maybank, Tokyo Century amidst many others.
Dickson Insurance Agency
Dickson Insurance Agency is one of the top motor insurance agents for NTUC Income and AXA. It is the No. 1 corporate agency for NTUC Income and was awarded "Top Million Dollar Motor Producer" for 3 years in a row 2018 – 2020. Services provided include Motor, Health, Lifestyle and Business insurance.
Dickson Auto Solution
Dickson Auto Solution provides customers with a wide choice of car ownership schemes – from lease to own, drive and earn plans amidst many others depending on customers' needs and financial preferences.
Dickson Auto Care Centre is the latest addition to the Group. It is a 15-workbay workshop with experienced technical experts, providing servicing and repairs, accident reporting and extended warranty services.
To be a premier automotive solution provider, offering a wide and comprehensive range of services and facilities that inspire trust and innovation.
Knowledge and fairness in our services delivered through ethical and transparent business dealings.
At Dickson Group, we offer customers the best possible solution by being fair and transparent. We listen with care, advise with honesty and serve with a heart.
Listen. Advise. Serve.
Founder & Group CEO's Story
Mr Kim Wah Boon – the founder of the Dickson Group has come a long way since his humble beginnings. He was only two-month old in his mother's womb when his father passed away. His mother single-handedly raised the family of 6 children as a washer woman. As money was often tight, the mother had to take on three jobs to make ends meet. The family hardly have a chance to sit down together for a meal as young Kim and his siblings were all busy doing odd jobs to help support the family.
In a rare interview with Kim, who is a very private person, he shares his entrepreneurship journey and his philosophy in life which made him what he is today. The Dickson Group is now a multi-million-dollar company with businesses spanning across pre-owned car sales, leasing, hire-purchase, floor stock and in-house financing, insurance and aftersales.
Q: What made you decide to set up your first company – Dickson Auto Agency back in 1988?
Kim: I remember vividly the day back in Year 1986 when I visited a friend, who was working in a used car dealer as a despatch. When I stepped into his office, I was really shocked to see his sales team smoking and gambling, blatantly ignoring the customers who were browsing the cars on display.
One particular salesperson even had the cheek to tell a customer very rudely to hurry up and buy on the spot as there were many other interested parties eyeing the same car. When the customer started negotiating on the price, the salesperson was very sarcastic and spoke very loudly, "You never do your homework? Our price is the cheapest – take it or leave it!!!"
I was stunned at how they treated their customers. "Must all used car dealers have a bad name?", I wondered. At that moment, I saw the opportunity to plug the hole in the used car market and be different. I firmly believed if I could provide my customers with good automotive solutions and deal in a fair and transparent manner, I would surely earn the trust of my customers and get many referrals.
After serving my National Service, I registered my company and started my one-man business at my mother's rented unit located above a shop-house.
Q. What struggle did you encounter at the beginning?
Kim: When I started the business, many friends mocked me and made snide remarks, "You are so poor! How do you do business without money??" I didn't reply them nor get discouraged by their comments. I started the business by borrowing $5,000 from my friend and another $10,000 from my mother.
With the limited cash on hand, I purchased a car without making full settlement to the Bank on the seller's behalf until I managed to sell the unit. Working on this basis, it allowed me to purchase more cars with the limited capital on hand. I continued to roll the working capital as fast as I could for more deals.
Often I had to endure sarcastic remarks from other car dealers, that the cheque I issued may be a rubber cheque. These struggles motivated me to work harder without complaint.
Q. You took a 5-year hiatus to do charity work between Year 2000 – 2005. Could you share why you did that and what made you decide to come back into the business again?
Kim: From Year 2000 to 2005, I was a volunteer working in a Community Club. I assisted the MP of the constituency to walk the grounds during "meet-the-people sessions", as well as helped plan the community events. I took up such volunteer work, due to the strong encouragement of my mother. I remembered she once told me when I was a kid that since the Social Welfare unit had helped our family with financial aid, I should repay back the kindness to the society one day when I have a chance to. In Year 2000, I felt that was the right time for me to do it.
I came back to the business after 5 years serving at the Grassroots. Reason why I decided to return to running my own by business was because many of my fellow volunteers had left by then and my wife needed help to take care of our 3 kids. When I was volunteering, I worked 7 days a week and was very busy attending meetings and events daily. I hardly had any time for my family. After deciding to leave the volunteer work, I adopted a "semi-retire" attitude while running my business, as I was able to bring home a decent income to provide a comfortable living for my family.
One day, I met a friend who told me that God had given me the in-born talent to run businesses. He could see that I was able to run businesses effortlessly to achieve a decent profit. He told me to cherish and make good use of my ability. By expanding the business, I could create more jobs and helped others at the same time with gainful employment.
For that reason, I rebuilt Dickson Group and transformed it from a traditional car dealership business to one which helped our dealer partners to succeed.
Q. What were some of the critical milestones/ events which guided you to shape the businesses to what they are today?
Kim: Whilst my long term vision is to transform the business to be a platform to connect people, I face challenges on how to integrate all my ideas together. I decided to further my study so as to equip myself with the required knowledge to execute my ideas.
After going through several rounds of interviews with the University professor, I managed to be enrolled into a MBA program, with only my GCE O-level Certificate. I was told that the reason they accepted my application was due to my experience, proven track record and success in my existing business.
For me, studying is the most challenging thing to do in life, and it is much tougher than running a business. As I was just a GCE O-Level student, it was really difficult for me to catch up and manage my studies. With the encouragement of my school's professors, I studied really hard. Often, I was the first one to reach the class and the last one to leave the school.
I had to juggle between taking care of my business and studies, whilst also taking care of my three kids. Every night, I waited for my kids to fall asleep before burning the mid-night oil to cram for the exams. I remembered having to study till 2am – 3am daily, but also to report to work at the office at 9am sharp daily.
My first assignment was rejected seven times before I eventually received a pass. The MBA program really helped to broaden my knowledge and equip me with different perspectives. This in turn helped to consolidate my experience and knowledge in a more structured manner which helped me run my businesses better.
In a nutshell, the knowledge acquired from the MBA, given me the skills set to build a more Structure, Systematic and Scaleable Organization. On top that, it also helps me to manage the Risks Exposure, Macro Views of the world's Economic, Integrating of all Strategies and Market Intel to operate all the businesses in a more professional and holistic way.
Q. What is the Number 1 problem you feel exist in the Automotive industry in Singapore and you hope Dickson Group can help to solve?
Kim: In the motor industry, there's still lack of transparency. At Dickson Group, we create a good buying experience for all our customers by being fair and transparent in all our dealings. As our Dickson Group tagline says, "We don't just sell product, we sell trust!".
Q. Where do you see Dickson Group going from here for the next 10 years?
Kim: In line with our vision to be a premier automotive solution provider in Singapore, offering a wide and comprehensive range of services and facilities that inspire trust and innovation; we hope to attain a significant market share in terms of the buy and sell car transaction volume in the market.
Q. What would you tell your younger self if you could go through the whole entrepreneurship journey again? Is there anything you would do differently?
Kim: I do not think I would have done anything differently as I am very grateful with what I have achieved so far.
Q. What is the Number 1 guiding principle that has served you well all your life?
Kim: Having self-discipline to me is the most important principle, and it has served me well.
Founded Dickson Service Enterprise – later renamed as Dickson Auto Agency (DAA)
DAA was appointed the authorised insurance agent of NTUC Income, Asia Insurance and HSBC Insurance.
DAA opened its 2nd office at Roxy Square.
DAA opened its 3rd office at Automega Mart.
Dickson Automobile Pte Ltd (DAP) was set up dealing with parallel imports. Also acquired Auto Mega Trading Pte Ltd and became a Nissan authorised dealer.
Auto Mega was awarded the "dealer of the year" by Tan Chong Motors for 4 consecutive years.
Dickson Capital Pte Ltd (DCP) was set up to provide Hire-Purchase and In-house financing for car dealers.
DAP stopped its parallel import business and focussed only on sales of Pre-owned cars.
DAP was accredited by CaseTrust (Consumer Association of Singapore) and SVTA (Singapore Vehicle Traders Association).
DCP extended floor stock financing to car dealers. DAP awarded the top "Singapore SME 1000 Companies". Founder Mr Kim awarded "The Entrepreneur of the Year" by ASME (Association of Small Medium Enterprises) and Rotary club of Singapore.
DAA became one of the top tier producers of AXA and NTUC Income.
Dickson Auto Solution Pte Ltd (DAS) was set up to provide innovative solutions for end consumers to own a car.
Dickson Group of companies were awarded ISO9001:2015. DAA was renamed Dickson Insurance Agency Pte Ltd (DIA) with plans to expand beyond Motor Insurance. DIA was also awarded "Top Million Dollar Motor Producer" by NTUC Income.
Dickson Auto Leasing Pte Ltd (DAL) was set up to provide leasing options to both individuals and private hire drivers.
Dickson Group of companies are now proudly housed in their own brand new 4-storey building. It boasts of an integrated pre-owned car showroom and a 15-bay workshop known as the Dickson Auto Care Centre Pte Ltd (DACC).
Automotive Solutions Buy / Sell Financing Insurance Aftersales

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Firebase Database Advanced Querying Option I have my data structured as below. Essentially, I have created a "Followers" category as a child of each key, where a key represents a Poll. If the current user ID of my app is listed in the "Followers" category, I want that node to be relevant for my query. Otherwise, I want it ignored.
Would this type of query be possible? I am starting at my top level, "Polls," and then I have to iterate through each child key, then within that key the "Following" child:
    Query query = FirebaseDatabase.getInstance()
            .getReference()
            .child("Polls");

A: This kind of query is possible.
You just need to look at each Poll Object and see if the user_ID you are looking for exists in the followers list.
The other solution is to keep a Followers node that links followers to the polls they follow based on user_ID.
This is described in further detail here:
https://firebase.google.com/docs/database/android/structure-data#flatten_data_structures
If the data is instead split into separate paths, also called denormalization, it can be efficiently downloaded in separate calls, as it is needed. Consider this flattened structure:
{
  // Chats contains only meta info about each conversation
  // stored under the chats's unique ID
  "chats": {
    "one": {
      "title": "Historical Tech Pioneers",
      "lastMessage": "ghopper: Relay malfunction found. Cause: moth.",
      "timestamp": 1459361875666
    },
    "two": { ... },
    "three": { ... }
  },

  // Conversation members are easily accessible
  // and stored by chat conversation ID
  "members": {
    // we'll talk about indices like this below
    "one": {
      "ghopper": true,
      "alovelace": true,
      "eclarke": true
    },
    "two": { ... },
    "three": { ... }
  },

  // Messages are separate from data we may want to iterate quickly
  // but still easily paginated and queried, and organized by chat
  // conversation ID
  "messages": {
    "one": {
      "m1": {
        "name": "eclarke",
        "message": "The relay seems to be malfunctioning.",
        "timestamp": 1459361875337
      },
      "m2": { ... },
      "m3": { ... }
    },
    "two": { ... },
    "three": { ... }
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: Call Action with props in ComponentDidMount I'm calling an action from a componentDidMount with a property defined on the reducer, but when it reach the action the parameter is not defined.
Here in my component I call the action "fetchAppClasses" with the property (this.props.selection):
 componentDidMount() {
    this.props.actions.fetchAppClasses(this.props.selection);
  }

function mapStateToProps(state, ownProps) {
  return {
    selection: state.SDWanSelectionReducer
  };
}

function mapDispatchToProps(dispatch) {
  return {
    actions: bindActionCreators(sDWanActions, dispatch)
  };
}

This is the state that is returned by a reducer:
const selection = {
  timespan: "-3660",
  customTimespan: false,
  pathIds: [''],
  source: undefined,
  direction: 0,
  appClassIds: []
};

Here in the variable "selection" should be avaivable the parameters passed but is undefined:
       export function fetchAppClasses(selection) {
          return function (dispatch) {
            var axcfg = { headers: { 'X-Auth-Token': window[config.storageType].token } };
            return axios.get(config.apiUrl + '/sdwan/appClasses', axcfg)
              .then(function (response) {
                console.log('SDWanActions.fetchAppClasses response:', response);
                dispatch(fetchAppClassesSuccess(response.data));
              })
          }
        }

A: Try removing the return before the axios call inside your fetchAppClasses function.
export function fetchAppClasses(selection) {
  return function(dispatch) {
    var axcfg = {
      headers: { 'X-Auth-Token': window[config.storageType].token },
    };

    // remove the return axios.get...
    axios.get(config.apiUrl + '/sdwan/appClasses', axcfg)
      .then(function(response) {
        console.log(selection); // this should work now...
        console.log('SDWanActions.fetchAppClasses response:', response);
        dispatch(fetchAppClassesSuccess(response.data));
      });
  };
}


text:
Future Fibre: Guifi.Net
Feb 11, 2020 6 min read Future FibreInternetWirelessRuralFarm
An open, free, and neutral commons telecom network
The Internet should be free, open, and neutral. Yet how do we make it so when it is presently dominated by monopolies and oligopolies that are driven by greed?
The general premise of our Future Fibre series is that communities should own and control their Internet, and that this community control is what can enable a free and open network of networks.
We sought out to explore, document, and share some of the stories from around the world that demonstrate how communities are taking connectivity into their own hands. It should come as no surprise that perhaps the most successful, radical, and resilient example is to be found in Catalunya.
Guifi.net "is a bottom-up, citizenship-driven technological, social and economic project with the objective of creating a free, open and neutral telecommunications network based on a commons model." Started in rural Catalunya in 2004, and operated as a bottom-up DIY mesh network, Guifi.net has grown to operate more than 32,500 nodes that serve over 50,000 people.
Combining fibre and wireless connectivity, Guifi.net focuses on empowering local communities and individual users as a grassroots organization that seeks social empowerment as well as the recognition that access to the Internet is a human right.
Like other community driven (and DIY) initiatives we've profiled, Guifi took matters into their own hands: running fibre across farmland, connecting schools, creating wireless mesh networks to extend their coverage. In many cases they were contravening regulations, and seeking forgiveness after the fact, rather than permission before hand, which they were being denied.
However unlike other community based ISPs, Guifi is based in Catalunya, where political protest and rebellion is entrenched in Catalan culture.
In 2012 when it was time for Guifi.net to get a better upstream connection for their network, they told the government that they would drive their tractors down the primary superhighway and block all traffic until their demands were met. Not on the weekdays, but rather on Sunday afternoons, when the wealthy elite in Barcelona would be driving home from the Pyrenees and other rural resorts. An effective tactic that got Guifi.net the upstream connection they desired at terms that were reasonable.
In this respect, Guifi.net is not a technical project, but a social and political project that recognizes the political nature of Internet connectivity.
In particular, by taking a commons approach to the Internet, they recognize that the cost of connectivity should be shared by all, and the governance of that connectivity should also be shared by all. Like water, electricity, and roads.
No need for overbuilding of networks when a shared infrastructure exists, providing a common platform, and is treated as a common good, rather than private property.
While Guifi.net is co-operatively owned by its users, there are more than 20 companies operating services on top of the Guifi commons network.
Telcos won't wire his town, so engineer does it himself! DIY ISP! https://t.co/oyLKq3QMMS
— Backchannel (@backchnnl) July 20, 2016
For people who want to see an Internet at least partly liberated from the grip of rapacious, government-connected telecommunications giants, Guifi is one of the most hopeful developments to date. Its core values, ownership, and operations are testament to the idea that you and I, and our communities, can — and should — control how we communicate. For the tens of thousands of people using it, some at no charge, Guifi operates as well as Time Warner Cable does for New Yorkers (and maybe better).
Guifi exists because a technically savvy local man, Ramon Roca, got tired of waiting for Telefonica, the Spanish telecom giant, to provide Internet access to the people of his community. He had a personal need for access. But he had a powerful second motive as well: "to help my neighbors."
Guifi started with a single wifi node in 2004. Today there are more than 30,000 working nodes, including some fiber connections, with thousands more in the planning stages.
The project is a testament to tireless efforts — in governance, not just in adding hardware and software — by Roca and his colleagues. They've been unwavering in their commitment to open access, community control, network neutrality, and sustainability.
The "terms of service" for Guifi.net is a document called The Compact for a Free, Open & Neutral Network. It has four general principles:
You have the freedom to use the network for any purpose as long as you don't harm the operation of the network itself , the rights of other users, or the principles of neutrality that allow contents and services to flow without deliberate interference.
You have the right to understand the network and its components, and to share knowledge of its mechanisms and principles.
You have the right to offer services and content to the network on your own terms.
You have the right to join the network, and the obligation to extend this set of rights to anyone according to these same terms.
The governance of Guifi.net is done via DiDIY or a distributed do it yourself model that is based on the FONN Compact. While the four general principles above are relatively brief, the Compact itself is quite a long and thorough document.
Guifi.net continues to grow with the help of local governments, local businesses, and users who take up Guifi's call to action and invitation to get involved.
Here's a presentation from founder Ramon Roca talking about the network and their plans for the future:
Guifi.net's long term goal is Internet everywhere, at similar cost (ideally free), and with a variety of alternatives and connectivity options. It's encouraging to see how much progress they've made, and that their momentum continues to build.
They've recently formed the Guifi.net, to help expand and promote their work. (Although not a lot of english resources available regarding the foundation, so we'll have to stay tuned or wait for me to learn Catalan).
We'll definitely follow their work and try to keep you updated as we learn more. Their example is one we are learning from.
"Future Fibre" is a recurring series in the Metaviews newsletter where we share some of the research, other models, news, and ideas around community based connectivity.
The series is sponsored by our friends at EasyDNS:
I've been an EasyDNS customer for almost 20 years (and I know a number of you are as well based on my recommendation). Mark Jeftovic the co-founder and CEO is a long time friend and Metaviews subscriber. EasyDNS is one of the best service providers on the Internet, and Mark ensures his customers have the benefits of the latest and most secure technology.
Mark also writes a smart newsletter called #AxisofEasy and has just published a fascinating book called "Unassailable" which will be featured in an upcoming newsletter (and would have independent of this sponsorship). I'm thrilled that Mark shares my belief in the potential for micro-ISPs and is sponsoring this series as a result.
A quick follow up on a story we've covered in Future Fibre in the past, our profile of wireless.farm and the work of Philip Mullis.
Philip has since found himself in conflict with SWIFT, Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology, the government funded non-profit tasked with establishing rural connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.
Ariss farmer providing internet to neighbourhood furious with government stepping in (4 photos) https://t.co/YAZpbKP7Dw pic.twitter.com/TysZhvWNmh
— GuelphToday (@GuelphToday) January 23, 2020
The article above is worth reading, but the quick summary is that Philip (rightly) feels he's being treated unfairly and is facing unfair competition. In particular Philip notes that his costs are dramatically lower, and has achieved far more kilometers of fibre for a fraction of the cost.
This raises an interesting issue that speaks to the core problem with rural fibre connectivity: it's not cheap to run fibre in areas where customers are often quite far from each other. Yet Philip, and others, like Ben from Community Fibre, have found ways to reduce the cost of installation and infrastructure dramatically.
For example, here's an article written about Ben from a local blog/news site:
A homegrown approach to rural high-speed Internet @CFibreCohttps://t.co/8vVuYuMHYU
— Jesse Hirsh (@jessehirsh) February 5, 2020
The CRTC is currently seeking comments about all this stuff, and while their initial deadline was Jan 24th 2020, that has since been extended.
The CRTC is committed to providing Canadians across the country with access to high-quality broadband services. Tell us what potential barriers there are to building broadband networks in areas that are not well served. https://t.co/Oxist6Jctk
— CRTCeng (@CRTCeng) January 3, 2020
We may follow up on this in a future issue, but as always, feel encouraged to let the government know what you think.
Future Fibre: Telecomunicaciones Indígenas Comunitarias
Oct 29, 2020 9 min read Future FibreWirelessdemocracyOpen Sourceparticipatory
Future Fibre: Cedar Falls Utilities
Sep 16, 2020 5 min read Future FibreMunicipalInternet
Future Fibre: Ultra Broadband?!
Aug 26, 2020 4 min read Future FibreWirelessRural


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The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel
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By Heather Morris
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The #1 International Bestseller & New York Times Bestseller
This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov—an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity.
"The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an extraordinary document, a story about the extremes of human behavior existing side by side: calculated brutality alongside impulsive and selfless acts of love. I find it hard to imagine anyone who would not be drawn in, confronted and moved. I would recommend it unreservedly to anyone, whether they'd read a hundred Holocaust stories or none."—Graeme Simsion, internationally-bestselling author of The Rosie Project
In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.
Imprisoned for over two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.
One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.
A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful re-creation of Lale Sokolov's experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.
Contemporary Women's
PublisherHarperCollins
Release dateSep 4, 2018
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HEATHER MORRIS is a native of New Zealand, now resident in Australia. For several years, while working in a large public hospital in Melbourne, she studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in the US. In 2003, Heather was introduced to an elderly gentleman who 'might just have a story worth telling'. The day she met Lale Sokolov changed both their lives. Their friendship grew and Lale embarked on a journey of self-scrutiny, entrusting the innermost details of his life during the Holocaust to her. Heather originally wrote Lale's story as a screenplay – which ranked high in international competitions – before reshaping it into her debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
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The Saboteur Of Auschwitz
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Reviews for The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Rating: 3.803181818181818 out of 5 stars
2,200 ratings196 reviews
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beth.clarke
I love historical fiction involving WW2. The Tattooist of Auschwitz was based on a true story making it more riveting. I couldn't wait to read more each night as the story unfolded. I'd classify this one as popular fiction rather than literary fiction - perfectly enjoyable plot, but not very deep with style or language.
she_climber
I grudgingly read this book, as it was a book club selection, because I only had intentions in my life to ever read one more book about the Holocaust: The Diary of Anne Frank. I've read several over the years and while I don't think I've read a bad one, I much prefer my senseless murders to be the result of crazed fictional serial killers. It's too hard for me to read books or watch movies about non-fictional accounts of war: it is always far to real and can't enjoy them regardless of how good they are.This book lived up to its tagline as "based on the powerful true story of love and survival". Lale, the Tatowierer of Auschwitz, is a young man with remarkable kindness, charisma, and just plan luck who is able to work his charms with both men and women in order to survive the horrors of Nazi internment. He lucks/charms his way into a job assisting the current tattooer, a position that comes with a more leeway and privileges than most prisoners receive. Lale, who has always had an eye for the ladies, notices Gita while tattooing her and it's love at first sight. The story follows their stolen moments over the years imprisoned and how their love and his assured promise for their future keeps them going from one day to the next. Lale, with his personality and his position, is able to make connections throughout the camp that allow him to provide small amounts of assistance and protection for Gita, other friends he has made, and himself.This is not to say that there are not accounts of horrendous acts of violence, senseless deaths, and just unbelievable inhuman treatment, but Lale's outlook while put in an impossible situation is something to aspire to achieve.
jmoncton_1
Wow - what a powerful story of survival. Based on interviews the author had with Lale Sokolov, it tells of a Jewish prisoner who survived Auschwitz and saw firsthand many of the atrocities that occurred as the tattooist of Auschwitz. As with many Holocaust stories, the brutality is horrific. But this book also recounts a tale of bravery, love, and an indomitable will to survive.
marykuhl
This book is a beautiful story of two people who met and fell in love under the worst possible circumstances and how that love brought them through. Lale was one of the kindest souls and would do anything that he could for anyone. Reading the authors notes you can see how even after all these years, Lale still loved Gita. In the epilogue just as much happened to the two of them as did thru the entire book. This is an excellent book!!
jgoto_4
The story behind The Tattooist of Auschwitz is interesting, as are most stories about life in concentration camps during WWII. Beyond that, there is nothing exceptional about this novel. The characters are not particularly developed and the prose is not noteworthy.
startwithgivens
I loved this book. I really enjoyed the way it was written. Although it told the story of prisoners at Auschwitz-Birkenau, at no point did I feel like I absolutely had to put it down to collect myself. I often wondered how these characters survived for so many years, and even so many pages, but as I came closer to the end it became very clear. This was a very smart couple. It was obvious early on that Lale knew what to do to keep himself safe. I often worried that he was trying to share too much, and it was clear that he wasn't completely immune from trouble. However, his kind actions were never forgotten and I loved that.
I am really glad that this was based on a true story. It comforts me to know that intelligence and good deeds can get you somewhere in life. Although their situation was painfully different than hopefully anything that will happen in our lifetimes, it is still a lesson worth learning. I held on much tighter to the story of survival than the story of love. Maybe I found it easier to connect with somebody fighting for their life by whatever means necessary than to connect with somebody fighting for the love of their life. Either way, I found the story very easy to connect with, despite the difference in circumstance.
I also want to thank Heather Morris for telling this story, and telling this story so well. I think it's so important that we keep this memory of concentration camps and hatred alive. I honestly had never taken the time to appreciate how many different groups were hauled into Auschwitz. I haven't really thought about the medical experiments since high school when I first learned how bad they really were. Even for those of us who know the story, it is all to easy to forget the story. We simply cannot let that happen.
shazjhb
Much better books about this subject both fiction and non-fiction. However, the book does demonstrate how beginning kind makes all the difference. Wonder what happened to many of the other people.
sbenne3
I read a lot of books in the genre and this one did not disappoint . . . . unfortunately, i didn't realize it was a true story (audio book) until the end of the book . . . . so as I was listening I found it to be a bit unrealistic and fragmented. Knowing it was a true story makes it believable (clearly), but I still think the writing could have been much better to really bring these important characters to life.
nu5bibliophile


text:
Obama relaxes US immigration policy, angers Republicans
ISTANBUL Americas
Nov 21, 2014 12:00 am GMT+3
President Barack Obama announced on Thursday a new comprehensive immigration reform plan in an effort to fix the country's broken immigration system through overhauling immigration enforcement actions.
Addressing the issue of undocumented immigrants, President Obama's plan now allows up to four million people to apply for a program that provides protection from deportation by allowing them to obtain work permits. However, only those who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years can apply for this program. The reform plan also lifts the limit on the age of young immigrants in order to qualify for work legally in the country while providing them with new legal protections from the U.S. government.
In addition, at least 250,000 undocumented people who work on farms would be "eligible for deportation relief," the president of the United Farm Workers Union said on Wednesday after a meeting with President Obama, as reported by Reuters.
"America's immigration system is broken. Too many employers game the system by hiring undocumented workers and there are 11 million people living in the shadows. Neither is good for the economy or the country as it requires anyone who's undocumented to get right with the law by paying their taxes and a penalty, learning English, and undergoing background checks before they can be eligible to earn citizenship" said the White House in a statement, addressing President Obama's immigration
Meanwhile, Obama's latest move has received significant reaction from Republicans while accusing him of acting unilaterally. The U.S. Representative Paul Ryan, the leading Republican voice and a potential 2016 presidential candidate, called Obama's reform plan a "partisan bomb."
Obama's plan is expected to affect millions in the country that has been enriched by its diverse multicultural population. In particular it would affect the Hispanics, who live mostly in the southern states, which would give huge support to the president.
Anyone who is not a citizen or a national of the United States and seeks to live in the U.S. is called "alien," as they are subjected to detention, arrest, removal and deportation, which are all instruments of enforcement action. An Office of Immigration Statistics (OIS) Annual Report in September revealed "information on aliens who were determined inadmissible, apprehended, arrested, detained, returned, or removed, during 2013."
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed approximately 438,000 aliens from the U.S. The leading countries of origin for those removed were Mexico (72 percent), Guatemala (11 percent), Honduras (8.3 percent), and El Salvador (4.8 percent), according to the report. The report also shows that the number of aliens removed from the U.S. has increased from 2004 to 2013. "The number of removals increased from 418,397 in 2012 to an all-time high of 438,421 in 2013," the report indicated.
Last Update: Nov 21, 2014 10:52 am