Po Revanovem odhodu so se Sithi, ki so ostali na Korribanu, spet spopadli med seboj za oblast. Ni znano kakšen je bil izid, a od njihove akademije in naselja Dreshdae ob njej ni ostalo kaj dosti več kot kup ruševin. Čeravno so izjemno nevarne, saj se vam lahko vsak trenutek vdre strop na glavo, pa so ruševine akademije še vedno ponekod prehodne, in obljubljajo mnoge temne skrivnosti tistim, ki si drznejo vstopiti v njeno notranjost.
The constant rapping of the sand against his helmet was beginning to irritate the man underneath the armor. He ground his teeth, firm in his resolve not to lose it. It went without question that he was going to find what he came here for – provided he first found a way into the shattered building before him. The library on Ziost lent him the knowledge of recent catastrophes that had hit the Dreshdae settlement and subsequently also the Academy itself; rupturing earthquakes and a Republic bombardment, not to mention the foul strength of the howling wind and its immense power of erosion. He wanted to wipe a bead of sweat off his forehead, but found his hand colliding with the cold metal of his headgear. Growling in frustration, the hunter turned his gaze back to the ruins of once no doubt a magnificent structure.
He took a few probing steps towards the red blocks of stone that lay scattered across the expanse of field before the former entrance into the Academy. He now seriously doubted if there was any possibility to enter through the front gates that lay blasted away beyond recognition – of course in such a way that left no space for a man to squeeze through. He bemoaned the absence of heavy explosives in his pack and his own forgetfulness for not grabbing a few upon his leaving the Ziost citadel. With a long sigh, he set about finding ingress even amongst the shattered red rock and bent, charred metal.
Were it not for the strange wind that rose in that moment, the task might've taken much more of precious time that the bounty hunter didn't have, but with the help of whispers he didn't stop to muse whose they were, his eyes were opened to a single detail that would've and in fact had easily escape even the eye of an individual who was used to spotting hidden details. He shook his head at his unprovoked carelessness, and crossed the space to the secret hatch with a few long strides. A careful push revealed a sighing and moaning, but importantly, a still working hydraulic mechanism and Kareem couldn't help but smile at the sight. Very well, he thought to himself and proceeded with caution. After all, there was no telling what awaited him inside.
He landed on the soles of his feet and only the light sound of small stones being crushed under his boots. The roof had long ago caved in and at some or other part of his continuous exploration of the building he even had to crawl. When he could draw an easy conclusion that wherever the holocron was, it certainly wasn't here, on the upper floor – for it would've been crushed mercilessly by the stone or annihilated by the bombardment – he went about finding an entrance to the subterranean part of the Academy complex. The datapad he had with him contained the structural plans of the Academy, but no one had ever bothered to alter them according to the now present damage and so many paths were left collapsed or blocked by rock and debris.
Frowning his brow in annoyance, the hunter pressed onward, squeezing through the smallest holes and blasting away more than a handful of stone. He was fully aware that such actions – blasting, that is – could easily bring about the impending collapse of the whole building above him, but it was a risk he was prepared to take. He hadn't come here to return empty handed, and there were grand lengths he would go to for success.
Finally lady luck smiled upon his fate when the last staircase mapped on the plans was in fact accessible, allowing the hunter to descend further into the bowels of the red, evil planet whose very heart pulsed with the Dark Side of the Force.
All he felt was enthusiasm.
There were times when the hunter, amid all the cross-Galaxy flying he did, had spare time to question himself and his motives. It was far from being a favorite of his, and for two reasons; he felt that, if his conscience was to be stirred to often and too deeply, he would lose the touch for his work; secondly, the thought of all his acts accumulating and bearing down on him wasn't something he wished to ever experience. Nonetheless, in the oodles of time that presented themselves even with the hyperspace travel being freely available, he found that after practicing every possible manner of keeping himself in shape, there was no other way to busy himself than to let those long-buried, wandering thoughts to barge into his conscious mind.
And some of the answers he'd pursued within those moments, or had fiercely avoided them at all costs, came bubbling onto the surface the deeper he descended. They were more images than anything else, but be that as it was, they were no less disturbing and unnerving. It was like some unseen entity was bringing all his self-doubt and questioning, askance and untoward thoughts out in the stark light, to force him in a confrontation. For a few long moments, the hunter's stride halted to a full-stop, eyes clouding over in pondering. His breath came in shallow gasps as he felt, for the second time in not so long a period, a ghostly specter pulling up his misdeeds and crimes of various degrees, burning them into the inside of his skull.
He ground his teeth and, having experienced this before – in a much more powerful way – pushed the pictures away. "I hate my mind," he rasped out to no-one in particular, his eyes regaining their look of acute and rapt attention to his surroundings. He was immediately aware that something was terribly amiss; someone, or, more likely, something, was trying to confound him and lower his defenses in order to overcome him with greater ease. "Damn the Sith and their tendency to stick around for a long while," he cursed into the supposedly empty air, trying to banish his own trembling fears with a rough humor and ragged exterior. Showing fear was begging for death in his world – and he certainly wasn't going to lose a fight on his own turf.
Resuming his determined pace, he quickly closed in on the source, the very nexus of that which tried to invade his mind. Gripping the heel of his blaster with almost painful a force, he turned the last corner, facing a surprisingly big chamber. He eyed the place with curiosity, his fears quickly dissipating at the sight of students' bunks. Spread throughout the room intermittently were beds, footlockers and diverse consoles, but nothing peculiar drew in even the trained eye of the hunter. Hs face was marred with a frown when suddenly the onslaught of painful imagery and depressive conscience returned, this time full force. He let out an agonized groan and, pressing his palms on his forehead, releasing his blaster from the grip of his fingers, the sound of clattering echoing through the room. "Ow," he simply expressed the pain he was feeling, feverishly looking around to find the cause of all this. "All of you, trying the same old, boring way," he shouted out, not caring if whoever was doing this could even hear him. "Wouldn't you rather do something challenging for a change?" forcing out a derisive laughter, he stepped forth, pretending he knew where to go.
"Come out, Sithy, Sithy, wherever you are," a chuckle mixed with a heavy sigh left his lungs and he reached his hand to his blaster at the slight sound of a shuffle to his left.
"A stranger!" The whisper hastened swiftly among the pillars and columns. A stranger had dared enter their domain! He strode undaunted among the fallen stones and the rubble that was once their temple of power, knowledge and ambition. Shadows and vapours began to emerge from the many fissures in the ground and the gaping crevasses that separated the floors from the walls of every room. It was like the mists themselves had come to life and began to swirl around the intruder.
"Intruder! Thief! Opportunist! Burglar! Grave-robber!" and many other words of similar meaning were heard whispered and hissed among the shifting vapours, yet no shape or form was visible to represent the origin of these voices. And yet, the man did not break from the pressure they exerted upon him, nor did he seem to be weakened by it. What was more, he asked for a challenge. Such an act was not to be ignored; not here, where the ghosts of the dead held power over life and death.
"Who be thou, mortal, who are come before us? Who be thou, who now stand so proud and dauntless in our domain? Who be thou, who dare disturb the ashes of The Fallen?"
He gripped at his weapons with a start as the mists came swirling from the cracks and crevices in the worn building. His eyes tried to follow every strand of smoke, but they moved too quick for the eye and were of ever-changing shapes that meddled the mind. He was grateful though, for the pause in the mental assault, as it seemed that the materialization had taken a toll even on the powerful Force of whatever the entity they embodied. With his shoulders slouched and his body hunched over, he didn't seem like much of a threat. In reality, though, his mind was racing, now mercifully free of the imposing presence of the many-faced specter that begun to form in front of his eyes. He had to admit, it was a sight that he'd never seen before, but truth be told, he had no wish to witness it – on the upside, it was an experience to better prepare him for further such encounters. To him, it seemed that apparitions and ghosts were a thing that hit you at an alarming frequency; therefore, it was only smart and natural in order to heighten your chances for survival to learn from each such experience.
"Who?" he repeated, an eyebrow arching up his forehead, doing his best to look as nonchalant and undaunted as the faceted ghost believed him to be. "If you were as almighty as you'd like me to believe, you'd already know. Therefore, I see no point at all in explaining myself to you…whatever you are," he pulled at the ever-present strings of a Sith's famed pride, this time in a different manner. While he had chosen to play Exar Kun's self-importance and seem humble in his presence, his gut, which he trusted at all times, kept telling him that the course of action had to be the exact reverse of that. He smiled diabolically, the memory of Kun spurring an idea.
"One thing you should know, though," he purred silkily, the normal huskiness all gone from his voice, "is that I come as an emissary of the Dark Lord of the Sith, Exar Kun. I am quite confident that you know of him, as his great deeds far precede him." A faint breeze, a draft even, billowed, whistling through the invisible holes amid the stones, adding to the sinister atmosphere. "Give me your knowledge and I shall disturb you no longer. If you fail to do so, however, I shall make it my foremost goal to depict your disrespectfulness and lack of obeisance to the Great Lord," he smirked, eyes shining in debauched pleasure he took in imbuing fear in others.
"Were I you, I wouldn't strive to anger someone who has surpassed the realm of physical existence much farther than you," the glint in the silver of his eyes grew ever more fiery as he concluded, menace dripping from every word, "especially that someone having knowledge of setting anything afire with so much as a snap of their fingers."
"Not to mention that I am by pure happenstance very familiarized with that particular technique."
A loud, crackling cackle shook the building, and the ground itself trembled as the creature of mists laughed on the notion of Exar Kun.
"Lord Kun was a Jedi who played at being Sith and has long since perished, his spirit crushed by a clandestine ritual he did not fully comprehend. It was desperation that drove him, not knowledge, for he strove to outwit his pursuers, who were already at his throat. All for naught, for his presence had not been felt by the living nor the dead ever since his untimely demise. Invoke a name that no longer holds any power if thou so desire, but know that we are not intimidated by it."
"So it is knowledge thou seekest within our hallowed halls. Knowledge we possess, but we are Sith, and the Sith do not share. Yet all is not lost to thee and thy quest for secrets most dark. Our knowledge will not be given, as had been told before; but it may be won. Should'st thou pass our challenges three, we shall deem thee worthy of our mysteries."
"First, we demand of thee the knowledge of our Code. Invoke the words and thy understanding thereof, so that we may better judge thee."
For all his practice and training, he was unable to stop the look of unbridled dissatisfaction and even a hint of anger from crossing his scarred face. Lifting his chin, even if just for a notch, he glared at the apparition that slowly took form with proud insolence, refusing to be dismissed in such an offhand way. Just as he was about to speak up and state his opinion matter-of-factly and loudly too, the spectre howled again with thousands of voices that sounded like long-deceased corpses trying to use their vocal cords and tongues in various stages of decay.
The hunter himself wondered where the gruesome comparison had come from, but he ultimately ascribed it to the all-encompassing presence of the Dark side of the Force, its will forcing many a image into his mind that he otherwise wouldn't have thought of. He focused his tempest-like eyes back on the entity that finally resembled a shadow of a man – or was it a woman? - , for its voice rang throughout the chamber, demanding attention.
As all "pure" Sith, it seemed that these, too, had a thing or two for delivering whatever was on their minds in most pompous a manner possible. He was, thankfully, well-versed in High Galactic and had little trouble following the meaning of what the horned demonic apparition meant with its flourished speech and seemingly bottomless source of rare adjectives.
"I can hardly disagree with that proposition, can I?" he chuckled more at himself than at the condensed, swirling mist with many a mouth and eye.
The Code? he repeated in his mind, racing down the corridors of his memory with fervor – he would not fail this task.
He recited from memory, with his eyes closed and a faint smile playing at his lips, but his hand still held the vibroblade in a firm grip, a reminder of his awareness.
His eyes snapped open, revealing a keen sheen. "As for my understanding," he phrased slowly, without rush whatsoever. "You see," he began softly, moving with a barely detectable pace, " I'd be lying if I said I am a Sith. By title, anyway. I lived by this code before I ever read it, before I even knew it existed," his voice was now smooth, full of cadences that appealed to the ear. "I am, however, fascinated by the passion and through it the perfect freedom they pursue. By birth I am a hunter, and even more by my own volition – pursuit is in my blood. Therefore, I have only to abide by a few rules, until I grow in power enough to surpass everyone and everything that would dare oppose me," he smiled, sweetly and with nary a hint of a veiled threat.
A moment of silence came and went, while the ashen apparition pondered the hunter's words. Even though the man did not specifically elaborate on every verse of the code, the spirit found his explanation sufficient and in line with the desired answer.
"Do not delude thyself," the spectre spoke in a voice that was now less aggressive. "To be Sith is not merely to possess conscious knowledge of our words. Thou hast passed the first of the challenges three, but whether or not thou art Sith, by truth or title, we shall be the ones to judge. Mayhap thou shallt yet prove to be one of us, and mayhap thou shan't."
"The next test among the challenges three shall be a test of strength. The dictums thereof are simple: Should thou prove strong, thou shallt proceed to the final test. Should thou fail, thou shallt perish."
With those words, the spectre once again laughed. But this time, it was not the amused cackle like before; it was a deep, tremendous bass staccato of utter malice. The eyes of the dust devil shone like flashes of ruby and it's mouth gaped even more. The essence of which it was made seemed to fade into non-existence, yet even when it became almost invisible, its presence was to be strongly felt. Behind the place where the being used to be were now no less than a dozen tuk'ata. Large, fully grown, and starved tuk'ata, quite willing to extract with fang and claw the man from his armour. Had they possessed the wit and sarcasm, they might have thought of him as food in a tin; but that was not the case. These creatures now felt only agonizing hunger and the warmth of veins pulsating with fresh blood that fed the meat on his bones.
And as one, they leapt into attack.
He found, and with a great deal of unease, that the silence, stretching out between them, agitated him more than it should have. He was, after all, used to all kinds of evaluations and exams, more often than not far more concealed than this one. Whatever test he was going through now was laid out in plain sight, and it left him more bemused that he would've liked. A slight frown stretched the white scars of his face and he scrubbed at the stubble on his chin – a weird quirk of his that surfaced when he was somewhat under pressure.
The bout of nervousness passed, though, and the concentration, the focus returned, just in time for him to stoically bear through another session of the apparition's heavy duty High Galactic; not to mention all the archaic expressions it managed to weave into its speech. With a resigned sigh, he set unto the arduous task of accepting the next challenge. Strength. Just perfect, he smiled inwardly, even he himself not certain if he was being sarcastic or not.
The moment his eyes spotted the pack of drooling tuk'ata he let his instincts take over. With almost imperceptible flick of a wrist, the vibroblade was firmly situated in his hand, the other mirroring its position around the handle of his blaster. With a feral snarl that mixed with the beasts' own, he broke off to his left, leading them to a wild chase throughout the maze the collapsed dormitories presented. Now, in this moment, he himself was little more than a growling beast, led by his basest urges. He weaved and zigzagged his way amid the fallen stones and shattered bunks that were once filled by many a Sith neophyte. He rounded yet another corner, beads of sweat sent flying off his slick skin at the sharp turn. He was fit, true, but he knew he could no more outrun the tuk'ata as a boulder could hold its own against aeons of eroding sandstorms.
He came to a screeching halt, turned on his heels in the time it took you to blink an eye, and fired a couple of half-aimed blaster shots, scurrying off again in hope of gaining another chance for such surprise attack. With a satisfied exhale he noted the metal stink of blood and charred flesh in the air as he ricocheted forth, folding himself in a half-crouch just in time to roll on his feet and pull the trigger again.
A beast, hit straight in the chest, in its dying rage flung itself at him. Immediately he was crushed by the sheer force of the hit and pinned to the cracked floor by the heavy mass of a still-warm dead body upon him. A struggled for a moment, but the sound of the tuk'ata closing in had him wedged between a rock and a hard place. Here goes nothing, he let out a puff of air and felt for the stinging sparks of his nascent power, suddenly unbelievably grateful for all the training of the past few months.
The cadaver removed and its suffocating presence gone, he sprang to his feet, redirecting the first tuk'ata that jumped him full speed, sending it crashing into a nearby piece of rock. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he impaled another one, the footwork coupled with the sprint he'd ran before getting to him slowly but inevitably.
The searing pain sent his body into shock and the reaction that followed was purely his natural 'fight or flight' reaction. With a scream of fury he dropped the blaster in his bitten hand, spinning around to sever the offending limb. With uncontrolled anger spilling over the barriers of his control, the power seeped out like from a pressurized pipe that's been screwed too tight for too long. Two of the closest tuk'ata flew back-first into the walls of the narrow passage they were stranded in, their spines meeting the hard stone with a sickening sound of breaking bones. A hint of stark madness glinted in the hunter's eye as he pushed onward in an unrelenting frenzy, none of the other beasts even getting the chance to close in for the kill. One by one, they were cut down, like the trees falling to the force of raging winds.
His breathing was labored as he finally opened his eyes, chest rising and falling in rapid, ragged inhales and exhales. His left hand hurt like hell and for a moment he tried to avoid looking at it, but with a determined bite to his cheek, he opened his eyes to the sight of fang marks. "Great," he sighed out, wiping the sweat off his face with his good hand.
" So what happens now?" he threw into the empty air around him.
This time, the dust devil materialized in front of the hunter almost instantaneously after he spoke the words. In truth, it was never gone; it merely dispersed into myriads of invisible spirits from which it consisted. Unseen, but seeing everything.
"Thou hath done well," spoke the waft of ashes. The warrior, while far from perfect, had passed the test. In fact, the embodiment of the fallen Sith now spoke with a very faint hint of respect in its voice. "Some of us see in thee how we have once been; foolish, arrogant, fragile... but also ambitious, full of passion and untapped power. Thou shalt now face the third and final of the challenges three. Only should thou pass it, will we find thee worthy."
The form of the spirit began to wiggle wildly. Then it split into two shapes, which continued to wiggle and split on their own. More and more shapes were amassing around the mortal, bubbling, shifting, duplicating, until there were too many to count. But now, each of them was unique, their shapes and faces similizing those of humans, twi'leks, zabraks, and many other humanoid races. All were clad in robes, and all had empty, void eyes.
"Thy final test and question is this;" the apparitions spoke as one in hundreds of voices. They sounded almost like a choir; deep, imposing, powerful, and in perfect harmony.
A little self-satisfaction had never killed anyone, and frankly, Kareem wasn't just anyone. That is also why instead of a small smirk, a grand, proud and unbelievably smug Cheshire cat grin split his face at the spectre's words. The sting of the wound on his hand seemed to diminish by the minute and the silver eyes grew ever more brilliant. Flexing the fingers of his bitten hand, he chewed at his lip, pulling out the blaster. True, he wasn't done yet, but the stalling tactics always worked fine when one had to figure out a tricky puzzle or avoid a potentially lethal trap. So his firing of the blaster served partially as a diversion and partially as a way to keep his injury from further bleeding. Gritting his teeth, he fired a few laser rounds, scorching a deep black hole into the nearby cadaver of a tuk'ata.
Sure, pressing a red-hot barrel of the blaster against his freshly marred flesh mightn't have such a good idea in terms of pain but considering his other options – that is to say, none – he went along the most sensible course of action. "Ow," he grunted out between tightly ground teeth, the inescapable 'hiss' of flesh being burned resounding in the empty silence of the corridor.
"Well then," he raised his voice and his eyes with a merry note, "who are you?" he repeated the question, kneading his chin with a pensive quirk of his lips. His look darted from one swirling gray shape to another, taking in their hooded robes and a plethora of different sentient species. He saw a myriad of diverse aliens; from zabrak to rodian, to bith and twi'lekk, humans, togruta and much more. A silent, yet of volumes speaking eyebrow rose up his forehead and a thin grin curved the edges of his lips. "Ah, yes, they all ask us that, don't they?"
"Who are you? Who paid you to kill me? Why are you trying to hurt me? What's the price of staying alive? … I could go on for hours," he rolled his eyes in exasperation, turning on his heels to gaze at the other half-circle the spirits had formed around him. "But that's not what they ask you, is it?" he smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. It was seriousness time. Business time.
Rolling his neck and popping his knuckles with a sickening crack, he gazed at no entity in particular. "You'd have me believe that you are…well, what exactly? Really, it's not that hard. Anyone with a couple of braincells and a common sense could figure it out." He shrugged, wincing at the pain in his left hand. "I just suppose no-one ever made it past the first two assignments, if even past the door?" he threw the more or less rhetorical question amid the swarm of apparitions surrounding him.
"You," he pointed at one zabrak in a armor, half covered with a black cloak. "Everything about you," he swirled around, "or you," again, "or you," he emphasized with shaking an accusing finger at a particularly…Sithish figure in the mists, "you all look so…so Sith there's no mistaking it."
A low chuckle left his lips and he raised his eyes to the crack-ridden ceiling.
"You see, I may not really work for Exar Kun, but I certainly am an associate of a very powerful Sith Lord. Bear in mind, though, I said 'associate', not 'mindless follower'. That is, however, what you used to be. That's what you were before your bodies withered and died by this or that cause, be it natural or more…handmade."
"You asked me who you were, and this is my answer; you once were young men and women who had strayed from their path – now, however, I believe that you have in death learned what you couldn't have in life. You can project fear, awe, even respect. You hold great power and I am most certain you can subdue almost any a sentient who strays here. Provided, that is, they don't have the willpower to resist you. Therefore, I'd ask you with all the respect that is due to you, for the knowledge promised beforehand,"
The spirits stirred, spoke; but this time it was not in perfect unison as before and addressing the mortal among them, but in many discordant voices and to an unknown recipient. In fact, it seemed almost like they quarrelled among themselves. After a few moments, however, they stopped as if by some unrecognisable signal.
"We are Sith," said they now once again as one. "But we are also not Sith. We are hopefuls and we are apprentices, we are warriors and we are masters. And we are Sith. But we are also the Followers, the Fallen, the Unworthy, the Eternal, and the Ascendant Ones. We followed Darth Revan and we followed Darth Malak. We studied under Master Jorak Uln and under Master Uthar Wynn. And as we trained, as we grew stronger, we were wiped out by one whom we had once served. He came to us, cloaked, disguised as one of us. We didn't even suspect until it was too late. For once he had Master Wynn and his apprentice Yuthura alone, he killed them both. And in the same strike, he swept through the academy, wiping out any and all of us like cattle."
"We thought ourselves powerful, we thought ourselves masters of our fate. But he showed us our weakness and destroyed us for being weak. That is what we deserved; that is the way of the Sith. It was Revan, of whom the ancient prophecies of the Sith'ari spoke. One who would destroy the Sith and make them greater than ever before. Destroyed us he did; but through destruction we became stronger than ever. No longer are we chained by the needs of flesh, we are perfect and we are eternal. While we guard these places of old, the true Sith will grow ever stronger, until the Galaxy shakes in terror of our rebirth!"
Now once more the walls and foundations of the former academy shook with the malignant laughter of a hundred horrible thoughts. Then, one of the spectres stepped closer to the man, close enough that the mortal could discern the bald human head covered by tattooes and a more elaborate version of Sith robes.
"Within the headmaster's chamber lie two holocrons. One you will not need, for it is too large for one man to carry on his own, and it was damaged to non-functionality several years ago. The other however is small enough, and it contains all that was once taught here. A safety measure, if you will, in case the headmaster was too careless and replaced by his student before he could pass on all he knew."
"We bestow upon you this reward, for we know whom you serve and where you will go next. Within, you will find what you seek. Stay strong, grow ever stronger, and remember: The Dark Side will always be with you."
And as if there were a symbol or sorts in the words he said, the apparitions jointly became more and more transparent, until they had finally, completely and utterly, vanished from sight and thought. But unbeknownst to both the spirits and the man, there was also another device worth of notice hidden in this ruin. A concealed scanner at the exit to the Valley of the Dark Lords, placed by a certain infiltrator and waiting for an exactly specified DNA scan to give the directions to a certain hidden location.
Had it not been for the hunter's notable schooling skills, the change in his facial expression would have been abrupt and plain obvious; thus it was just at the edge of perception. A slightly quirked eyebrow and a hint of musing smile curving up the corners of the man's mouth, the scar across his cheek warped in length when his muscles flexed. Nevertheless, he remained stoically still, curbing his curiosity and impatience; he was going to wait for the ghosts to finish their speech, for he had no wish to bring their ire upon himself so close to his goal. Concentrating on the speaking apparition instead of the wound on his hand that drew to it painful attention, he found himself strangely intrigued by the entity's words. He pushed that thoughts away, filing them somewhere in his memory for later pondering and discussions he didn't want to have, yet knew he would have to.
"I thank you for the knowledge," he replied curtly, but neither his eyes nor his voice ever wavered. He dipped his head in silent farewell to the dissipating specters, lingered for a few prolonged moments there still and then turned on his heel towards the chambers they had directed him to. There was a gnawing worm of doubt in the back of his mind, albeit a little one, whispering that maybe the ghosts had lied. After all, it wouldn't be a far stretch for even a long-death Sith to enjoy in torment and malign deeds to people who still tread the dust and breath the dry air of Korriban. He shuddered inwardly at the thought of going through the whole ordeal without gaining anything; his right hand balled into a fist completely subconsciously and he muttered some choice words under his breath. What if? the thought nagged at his jumbled mind, but he pushed it back, angrily punching the wall and immediately regretting the action.
What is it with me today? It's like I can't control myself, he mused eyes narrowing in suspicion. Had the ghosts done something to me? Or maybe it's the injury from the tuk'ata, he continued while he followed the map on his datapad.
All the ugly thoughts dispersed at the sight of the two aforementioned holocrons and the hunter left out an appreciative whistle. The one that the tattooed entity had spoken about, the large one, indeed seemed broken; black debris and pieces of the half-collapsed ceiling lay all around it. But amid all that, surprisingly sound an well, lay the other dark pyramid, this one more intricately ornamented with pieces of metal and what he assumed were letters of the Sith alphabet. He gave himself a mental pat on the shoulder as a self-satisfied smile assumed its reign on his features. "Come to daddy," he cooed to the small black holocron, as if it were possible of it to suddenly come alive and spring into his waiting arms.
The return to his small shuttle was smooth and without any kind of complications, for which the hunter was silently thankful; the sting in his left hand had grown ever more persistent on his journey back and once he'd arrived on the ship he immediately went to treat it. The searing pain of the disinfectant sent black spots swimming into his vision – apparently it was worse than he'd initially thought – but he continued to clear the wound until he was satisfied with the results. The warm bandage felt good at the numb pain that now coursed through his lower arm, like a soft, soothing pressure that whispered of healing.
He sat behind the controls and initiated the take-off sequence, when a faint beeping sound on his right drew his attention. Turning, he found a single, brief message on one of the screens. His eyes darkened with suspicion as he regarded it for a moment, judging the possible deceit of the coordinates and two initials that were displayed blue on black for his eyes to see.
"Humm," he murmured aloud, pinching the bridge of his nose. Before he could've come to any kind of decision, however, the shuttle spluttered to life all on its own, proving him wrong. "Well, that settles the sincerity of the message," he chuckled as the navicomputer was overridden with the received coordinates. The ship took off in a cloud of reddish dust, obscuring the raging sun for a moment, but Kareem only smiled at the initials glowing softly on the screen.


text:
Egale calls for apology from Canadian IOC Member, Richard Pound
Mr. Richard W. Pound
Member of the International Olympic Committee
Château de Vidy
RE: Comments to Metro regarding anti-LGBT legislation in Russia
Dear Mr. Pound:
On 29 January 2014, the daily newspaper Metro quoted you as stating that you believe the seriousness of the anti-gay propaganda laws in Russia, those which silence the expression of LGBT persons on the false pretense of protecting children from sexual predators, has been exaggerated and does not merit the level of international attention and criticism that has followed.
As Canada's only national LGBT human rights organization, Egale Canada Human Rights Trust is deeply dismayed that a respected Canadian representative to the International Olympic Committee would seek to downplay and excuse LGBT human rights abuses rather than send a firm message of condemnation to the Russian government.
The laws passed in the Duma on 29 June 2013 are a grave violation of the rights of millions of Russian citizens and foreign residents, directly contravening the values enshrined in the Olympic Charter. As a direct result of this institutionalized discrimination against LGBT persons in Russia, violent and humiliating attacks directed at LGBT people have become widespread and are well-documented. Moreover, loose or unclear interpretations of these laws have often given local officials license to crack down against LGBT communities with impunity.
All human rights violations are unacceptable and should never be diminished or ignored. LGBT people in Russia are being denied their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and recognition of their inherent dignity as members of the human family. The grievous nature of this reality is in no way affected or lessened by how Russian laws compare to other regions of the world. Your demonstrated lack of sensitivity or knowledge on human rights is intolerable from a public figure and it is imperative that you educate yourself on this issue.
Mr. Pound, Egale Canada Human Rights Trust urges you to apologize and to redress your comments made to Metro excusing the severity of Russia's anti-gay propaganda laws. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to address this matter further, as well as to discuss the reality of LGBT human rights abuses more broadly.
[original signed]
Helen Kennedy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Shop BAKUGAN CS002 Combat Set Aranaut + Battle crasher. Free delivery and returns on eligible orders of 㿀 or more.
New Bakugan Combat Set Aranaut + Battle Crusher CS002 Toys & Hobbies, Collectible Card Games, CCG Individual Cards eBay!
Go Haos Aranaut!" exclaimed Fabia "I will battle to the end for you princess!" "Hold on Aranaut! Battle Crusher Du weakens all the opponent's attacks by half."
Aranaut Bakugan Wiki Characters, Dragonoids, Mechtogan, Aranaut (, Anauto) is a Haos knight/ninjalike Bakugan from Neathia.
Let's go, Haos Aranaut!" "In the name of the castle knights, Aranaut claim as he joined the battle with a power level of 900. "Someone sounds sure of himself."


Superman, Stan Lee and Ariana Grande?!
Anyone expecting to see a Deadpool cameo in James Mangold's exceptional Logan will be sadly disappointed when the credits roll on Hugh Jackman's last stand as Wolverine. Well, they would be if they weren't a little pre-occupied with trying to stop the tear flowing, anyway. But the rumour that there would be a Wolverine/Deadpool team-up weren't entirely off base.
That mysterious 3 minutes of added run-time for Logan ended up coming in the shape of a Deadpool 2 teasing short film, directed by new sequel helmer David Leitch, who clearly has a handle on how to do the character right.
The short - which definitely borrows something of Zack Snyder's Watchmen aesthetic - is as hilarious and outrageous as you'd expect. It's a great way to sell the character again, and to establish that the film will absolutely follow on from Tim Miller's original, despite the creative differences that saw him leave the project.
So what were the best secrets and references hidden in there?


text:
Metropolitan (UA)
Scheduled Tribes
House Assets
House Less
Fertility Ratio
State Census 2011
District List
Jaloda - Vadodara
Jaloda Population - Vadodara, Gujarat
Jaloda is a large village located in Chhota Udaipur Taluka of Vadodara district, Gujarat with total 397 families residing. The Jaloda village has population of 2536 of which 1248 are males while 1288 are females as per Population Census 2011.
In Jaloda village population of children with age 0-6 is 402 which makes up 15.85 % of total population of village. Average Sex Ratio of Jaloda village is 1032 which is higher than Gujarat state average of 919. Child Sex Ratio for the Jaloda as per census is 1173, higher than Gujarat average of 890.
Jaloda village has lower literacy rate compared to Gujarat. In 2011, literacy rate of Jaloda village was 45.41 % compared to 78.03 % of Gujarat. In Jaloda Male literacy stands at 58.04 % while female literacy rate was 32.87 %.
As per constitution of India and Panchyati Raaj Act, Jaloda village is administrated by Sarpanch (Head of Village) who is elected representative of village. Our website, don't have information about schools and hospital in Jaloda village.
Jaloda Data
Total No. of Houses 397 - -
Population 2,536 1,248 1,288
Child (0-6) 402 185 217
Schedule Caste 193 102 91
Schedule Tribe 2,342 1,145 1,197
Literacy 45.41 % 58.04 % 32.87 %
Total Workers 1,284 716 568
Main Worker 514 - -
Marginal Worker 770 232 538
Caste Factor
In Jaloda village, most of the village population is from Schedule Tribe (ST). Schedule Tribe (ST) constitutes 92.35 % while Schedule Caste (SC) were 7.61 % of total population in Jaloda village.
In Jaloda village out of total population, 1284 were engaged in work activities. 40.03 % of workers describe their work as Main Work (Employment or Earning more than 6 Months) while 59.97 % were involved in Marginal activity providing livelihood for less than 6 months. Of 1284 workers engaged in Main Work, 167 were cultivators (owner or co-owner) while 279 were Agricultural labourer.
High Density State
Density / Km2
1 Delhi 11,320
2 Chandigarh 9,258
3 Puducherry 2,547
4 Daman and Diu 2,191
5 Lakshadweep 2,149
India @ Glance
District Related
State Related
Copyright Census Population 2021 Data


text:
JUDAISM FOR THE RITE REASONS: Concepts & Customs, Sources & Reasons - Illustrated
by Shmuel Pinchas Gelbard
Hardcover, 428 pages, includes 64 pages of full color illustrations
Mifal Rashi Publishing, Urim Publications, 2003
The book deals with basic concepts and customs, from every community, covering the whole year. There are 64 pages of full-color illustrations showing Judaism in action.
What is a Mezuza? What is in it, why is it set diagonally on the doorpost, and why do we kiss it?
When was the first Siddur written, and who was the author?
Why does a curtain, the Parochet, hang in front of the Holy Ark?
Who chooses the name of a newborn baby, the mother or the father, and why?
You will find the answers to these and hundreds of other questions from every aspect of Jewish religious life in Judaism for the Rite Reasons.
If you want to know what something looks like -- the Lulav, the Etrog or Citron, a spinning top for Chanukah, the Holy Ark or a weding canopy, the Chupa -- you can study the dozens of fascinating photos that supplement and illustrate the text.


Ezra Barzilay — Lost 13 lbs(!!!); stayed on track while in Haiti on business; overall CEC champion on Facebook and to the Lean Team!
Ruth Stanford — Completed all bonus point opportunities; Lost 10 lbs; experienced big improvements in FGB & pull-up test; most engaged Challenger!
Yay! Everyone did so awesome! I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of the love, support and encouragement. Watching all of you ladies kept me going! I'm proud to represent all of the ladies! 🙂 Woohooo!
Way to go, that's so awesome!!!!
Oh please don't eat your fingers… what would happen to your hook grip?
Thanks for doing the challenge–you did so well!
Carny hands are too small for hook grip…not a concern for me.
Congrats! And thanks again Lean Team– it was great!


text:
Q: In Rails, jQuery objects disappear after pageload, reappear on refresh I have some custom jQuery code creating the frontend for a business optimisation machine.
simutronX.js
$(function(){
    $("#slider_constraint_a").slider({
    orientation: "vertical",
    range: true,
    values: [17, 67],
    slide: function(event, ui) {
      $("#constraint_a").val(ui.values[0] + " - " + ui.values[1]);
      }
    });
    $("#constraint_a").val($("#slider_constraint_a").slider("values", 0) +
      " - " + $("#slider_constraint_a").slider("values", 1));

    ...

    $("#slider_constraint_e").slider({
    orientation: "vertical",
    range: true,
    values: [17, 67],
    slide: function(event, ui) {
      $("#constraint_e").val( ui.values[0] + " - " + ui.values[1] );
      }
    });
    $("#constraint_e").val( $("#slider_constraint_e").slider("values", 0) +
      " - " + $("#slider_constraint_e").slider("values", 1));
});

When the page loads, the constraint sliders appear very briefly, then disappear. On refresh, these items reappear. I have gem installed the jquery-turbolinks gem as suggested here and added it to my application.js file, then precompiled the assets and restarted the server.
application.js
//= require jquery
//= require jquery.turbolinks
//= require jquery_ujs
//= require jquery-ui

This does not seem to have helped. A similar problem is listed in the jquery-turbolinks readme (e.g. double loading...) but it doesn't appear my code has any of the problems listed.
Any further suggestions?

A: I had this issue previously. Solution was to surround the Jquery code with a on change action rather than on load action in your js file
 $(document).on('page:change', function(){

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Don't be surprised to get a ticket if you park at Ocean Strand.
The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District is asking the city to help it keep people off the almost 15-acre parcel that stretches from the Atlantic to the Intracoastal Waterway.
"We will get with the city to see about access that is being made to the land on the west side of A1A and try to get more control on individuals who go down into the western part of Ocean Strand," said Arthur Koski, the district's executive director.
"It's got to be secured so they cannot get back there with ATVs," Commissioner Robert Rollins said.
Gabriel Banfi, who lives in Boca Towers next to the undeveloped property, told commissioners Oct. 26 that people reach the site in a variety of ways.
Commissioner Earl Starkoff asked why access to the property, midway between Red Reef and Spanish River parks, is blocked off.
"Here's this wonderful piece of land, and we've got it fenced off from people who could maybe park there," he said.
Koski reminded the board that it decided in 2012 to let "the next generation" decide what to do with the parcel after a consultant said there was no current demand for another beachfront park.
He also said Ocean Strand would need at least a traffic signal on State Road A1A to keep pedestrians crossing the highway safe if the district were to open the property.
The site also has mangroves and sea grapes overrunning its seawall on the Intracoastal, a number of exotic plants and an aging dock that is not suitable for public use, Koski said.
Ocean Strand has sat unused since the district bought it 21 years ago for $11.9 million.
Starkoff said he wants commissioners to consider short-term and long-term uses of the land at a future meeting instead of waiting for the next generation.


Starter: King and Collins reimagined a flat, featureless, flood-prone parcel formerly known as the Sequatchie Valley Golf and Country Club – "Squishy Valley," as the locals dubbed it – into a classic of modern golf-course design. The architects took plenty of chances, moving 300,000 cubic yards of earth to shape heaving, sand-capped terrain and wild green complexes. Golfers and critics alike have embraced it. In only a few years, Sweetens Cove, which sits 25 minutes west of Chattanooga via Interstate 24, has become a destination. Golfweek magazine ranks it as the best public-access course in Tennessee. That's big praise for a little nine-hole country track.
Play because …: Few places in American golf capture the game's essential elements as well as Sweetens Cove. It's walkable, affordable, scenic and downright fun. What's not to like? Ignore the grass parking lot, gravel drive, tiny shed/pro shop and lack of a practice range or clubhouse. Sweetens Cove was built as a monument to pure golf – walking golf – with no attention, energy or expense diverted to the game's frivolous modern accoutrements. Even the scorecard, a 4¾-by-6-inch two-color design, emphasizes pragmatism.
Takeaway: Creative architecture and quality turf conditions combine with endless shot-making options to make Sweetens Cove a must-play for golfers of any skill. The green complexes, with their bold, rolling contours, defend par while sparking creativity. Be sure to play a second (and maybe even third) nine to enjoy the alternative angles and club selection. Just remember to pack drinks and snacks. The "clubhouse" offers little more than a place to pay. If you leave Sweetens Cove without having played every club in the bag, then you didn't use your imagination.
Best par 3: No. 4 (169 | 169 | 146 | 114 yards). The only hole given a nickname, "King" salutes not co-designer Tad King but the late King Oehmig, a giant in Chattanooga-area golf and an inspiration behind Sweetens Cove. No. 4, like the man for whom it was named, leaves quite an impression. A semi-blind tee shot – the proper club can be anything from a short iron to a hybrid or even fairway wood, depending on hole location – plays into a Himalayas-style green that is 20,000 square feet of MiniVerde madness, running 93 yards from front to back. It's more than merely massive. Sweeping breaks and falloffs on all sides, plus a collection area in the middle of the boomerang-shaped putting surface, are likely to leave first-timers smiling despite a potential three- (or even four-) putt. Who knew that bogeys could be so much fun?
Best par 4: No. 8 (387 | 361 | 333 | 285 yards). By this point in the round, you might be thinking that the course couldn't get any more stimulating. Hang on. The 100-plus-yard-wide fairway actually rewards a drive hit wide left or wide right. That's because of the ideal approach angle into a canted, Biarritz-style green surrounded by falloffs and collection areas. Hole location here is everything, and no spot on the green is easy.
Best par 5: No. 1 (563 | 503 | 469 | 401 yards). From an elevated tee, the fairway welcomes a big first swing of the day. The left side is the more direct route to the hole, but a fairway bunker could nab a bold play. Keep the second shot away from the timber-lined bunker short right or you might question the fun factor that awaits. A pulled approach will carom off the banked left side and into the welcoming embrace of a Redan/Punchbowl-style green and a birdie putt. It's a wonderful first impression and one of many smile-inducing moments to come.


text:
1 comment · Feb 25, 2022
10 Awe-Inspiring Sights You Absolutely Must See at Yosemite National Park
If you're looking for an amazing adventure, and a chance to see some of the most beautiful sights that California has to offer, then you need to visit Yosemite National Park. With its iconic mountains and awe-inspiring natural sights, Yosemite is a must-see for any National Park enthusiast.
With breathtaking granite cliffs and ancient giant sequoia trees, Yosemite National Park is teeming with tourists all year round!
Here are 10 awe-inspiring sights you must see at Yosemite National Park.
Glacier Point is a breathtaking viewpoint, overlooking Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. The view from a height of over 7,000 feet is simply ethereal.
Sunrise and sunsets are some of the most stunning moments at Glacier Point. You will be awestruck by the colorful valley. Make an unforgettable trip to Glacier Point!
The viewpoint is accessible by car and bus, look over their schedules in advance. There is much to do at Glacier Point. You can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, and stargazing all year round. Enjoy skiing and snowshoeing in winter.
Half Dome is Yosemite's most iconic and heavily visited formation. It's aptly named after its "half dome" appearance. The granite formation is smooth on three sides while flat on the other.
Although the hike to Half Dome is arduous and takes over 12 hours, the views make it worth the journey. As you hike towards Half Dome, you'll encounter lovely vistas overlooking the Nevada and Vernal Falls, Liberty Cap, and Half Dome.
As you reach the dome-shaped base, you can then reach the peak with the help of cables attached. Be cautious when climbing up; an ill-placed step may jeopardize your safety.
The Bridalveil Falls are a jaw-dropping waterfall at 80 feet of height. The hike to the falls is super easy and short( half a mile) and takes only an hour to reach and back. The hike is pet and wheelchair-friendly.
The Bridalveil Falls are stronger in spring after the snow has melted. It's also the best time to visit the falls. The falls look misty and flow much lightly throughout the year. The misty flow looks like a bridal veil thus its name.
Tunnel View
Tunnel View is an incredible viewpoint in Yosemite Park off State Route 41. A long dark tunnel leads you to face the phenomenal vista.
Tunnel View opens into a pine carpeted valley, along with splendid views of the El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and the Half Dome.
The best time to visit Tunnel View is during spring when Bridalveil Falls are at their strongest. The location is very popular and easy to reach.
Just park your car at the side of the road and marvel at the sights. The El Capitan to your left, Bridalveil to the right, and beyond the mist you can peak at the Half Dome.
Mariposa Grove
Mariposa Grove is the largest grove in Yosemite Park. Home to the oldest giant sequoia trees. The grove is estimated to be almost 3,000 years old. There are over 500 giant mature sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove.
The most famous tree is the Grizzly Giant, which is almost 2,700 years old! The Grizzly Giant stands at 209 feet and is the second-largest tree in Yosemite.
The Mariposa Grove is easy to reach, although pets aren't allowed on the trail. If you're feeling up to it, hike the grove on horseback!
Tenaya Lake
Tenaya Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake nestled between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. The lake along with Tenaya Canyon is named after Chief Tenaya of The Ahwahnechee people who inhabited the land before being relocated.
The lake is set against beautiful granite cliffs. The hike to the lake is 2.5 miles long but is considerably easy.
Tenaya Lake is a popular tourist destination. It's suitable for kayaking, swimming, and sunbathing.
The El Capitan is one of the most popular attractions at Yosemite Park. It towers at a height of over 3,000 feet above the valley floor. This imposing granite rock formation is a challenge for rock climbers..
The best time to visit El Cap is in winter when the chilly mists give it a mystical appearance. Spring months are also ideal, as the lush green meadows below make a stark contrast with the bare El Capitan.
If you want an unforgettable experience at El Cap, make a trip in the last two weeks of February. The sun creates a molten glow on the nearby "Horsetail Fall".
Olmsted Point
Olmsted Point is a must-see vista if you're traveling along the Tioga Pass Road. The views from Olmsted Point are breathtaking. You can marvel at Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and Tenaya Lake.
You will have to hike up giant erratic boulders for a full view of the vista. The boulders are said to be left by a glacier thousands of years ago.
Horsetail Fall
Horsetail Fail is a seasonal fall on the eastern side of El Capitan. The fall makes a 2,030 feet drop, but this is not why it's famous. The magical Horsetail Fall comes to life in the last couple of weeks of February.
Take some time to see a natural "firefall" in Yosemite Valley. The setting sun's position along with other variables perfectly lights up the fall. The fall glows like a celestial body as it flows down El Capitan it's a breathtaking sight, mark your calendars!
Yosemite Valley View
Yosemite Valley View is the last vista people visit on their trip to the park. You have to save the best for last! Valley View is an incredible vista surrounded by lush meadows and a clear river.
Make your last stop at Valley View and be amazed by the sights before you. The vista is ideal for viewing the Merced River, Bridalveil Falls, Spires, Cathedral Rocks, and El Capitan.
This view makes up for the lack of hiking and exploring.
It's no wonder why Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the world. The natural sights are something you have to behold in person. Pictures can't do them justice. Plan your next trip to the great outdoors and don't miss out on these fantastic sights!
Check each one of these amazing locations off of your bucket list, with our National Parks Adventure Book , Yosemite National Park Adventure Notes, or build your own adventure bundle with our Adventure Bundle Builder today. Your story starts now!
Jean Jan 28, 2023
One of the most beautiful places on earth!
Back to Travel Inspiration


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Q: Remove or filter duplicate holidays events from calendar database - Android I am fetching all calendar events including holidays from Android Calendar Database using Content providers. As I am signed in with two different Gmail accounts, the Query returns duplicate holidays. I want to avoid duplicate Holidays and I am trying to do the same by making changes in Query.
Is it possible to avoid duplicate holidays by making changes in the query? Can someone help me with making a proper query which by default avoids duplicate Holidays? Or is there any other solution for this issue?
Below is my code:
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

    String[] PROJECTION = { CalendarContract.Events._ID,
            CalendarContract.Events.TITLE ,
            CalendarContract.Events.OWNER_ACCOUNT,
            CalendarContract.Events.ACCOUNT_NAME,
            CalendarContract.Events.ACCOUNT_TYPE};

    Cursor cursor = getContentResolver().query(
            CalendarContract.Events.CONTENT_URI, PROJECTION, null, null,
            null);

    int titleIndex = cursor.getColumnIndexOrThrow(CalendarContract.Events.TITLE);
    int eventIdIndex = cursor.getColumnIndexOrThrow(CalendarContract.Events._ID);
    int ownerAccountIndex = cursor.getColumnIndexOrThrow(CalendarContract.Events.OWNER_ACCOUNT);
    int accountNameIndex = cursor.getColumnIndexOrThrow(CalendarContract.Events.ACCOUNT_NAME);
    int accountTypeIndex = cursor.getColumnIndexOrThrow(CalendarContract.Events.ACCOUNT_TYPE);

    String[] result = new String[cursor.getCount()];
    while (cursor.moveToNext()) {
        String name = cursor.getString(titleIndex);
        String id = cursor.getString(eventIdIndex);
        String ownerAccount = cursor.getString(ownerAccountIndex);
        String accountName = cursor.getString(accountNameIndex);
        String accountType = cursor.getString(accountTypeIndex);
        result[cursor.getPosition()] = name + "(" + id + ")"+" ownerAccount->"+ownerAccount+", accountName-->"+accountName+" accountType->"+accountType;

        Log.d("AllDataLog","* result->"+result[cursor.getPosition()]);
    }
    cursor.close();
}
}


PC Magazine Volume 9 Number 10.
which returns the remainder of an integer division.
returns the value 14, the command COMPUTE (4 + 5) * 2 returns 18.
COMPUTE stores its last calculated result within its own .COM file.
and x can be used as an operand, as in COMPUTE x + 5.
directory or in one designated in a PATH= statement.


text:
Buell Theatre rolling out new security measures just in time for "Hamilton"
By John Wenzel, The Denver Post Feb 9, 2018, 6:00 pm
People walk through the Denver Performing Arts Complex on February 8, 2017, Security will be upped at the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Visitors to the Buell Theatre can expect to spend more time getting into the auditorium starting next week as the Denver Center for the Performing Arts rolls out new security measures before the Feb. 27-April 1 run of Broadway's "Hamilton."
The enhanced screening includes bag checks, a metal detector and a renewed focus on banned items such as drugs, weapons and oversized bags, the Denver Center said in an email sent to subscribers Friday.
The security checks will take effect before the 7:30 p.m. performance of "Stomp" on Tuesday.
"It's something that has been contemplated before, but we're about to have a big year with the 'Hamilton' run, 'Stomp' and Robert Plant all in a row, so this seemed like a decent time to test it out," Denver Arts & Venues marketing director Brian Kitts said.
Read more about the change on denverpost.com.
This story was first published on DenverPost.com
More about the neighborhood: Denver
Post tags: DCPA, DCPA Broadway Series, Hamilton, security and safety
John Wenzel, Entertainment reporter
John Wenzel is an award-winning A&E reporter and critic-at-large for The Denver Post who has written about comedy, music, film, books, video games and other pop-culture topics. He hails from Dayton, Ohio, where he grew up thinking about the Wright Brothers and Guided by Voices.
Last hit: Seven chocolate shops in Colorado creating small-batch, handmade treats Up next: How an Ecuadorian rose makes the journey to your American sweetheart for Valentine's Day
Mountain bikers dodge gunfire in Steamboat Springs during "harrowing" encounter with men shooting guns
Hanging Lake forced to close as out-of-control wildfire gets dangerously near
Larimer Square is about to be transformed with six brand new restaurants
Get to know Stapleton


Lake Cumberland Children's Theatre has been working with local children since 2004, providing them with opportunities to act, sing, dance, and gain self-confidence. Lake Cumberland Children's Theatre inspires and fosters a love of theatre through education and performance programs. Currently, they serve children kindergarten through 12th grade from Pulaski and surrounding counties …… performing plays such as The Wizard of Oz, Shrek, Peter Pan, Jungle Book, and Alice in Wonderland, just to name a few. They perform two shows each year at the Center for Rural Development. For more information, please contact Tammy Allison at 606-416-9608.
Located on Highway 27, next to Alton Blakley Ford and the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.


text:
Some Workers' Facebook Beefs Are Protected…
Some Workers' Facebook Beefs Are Protected by Federal Law, NLRB Concludes
August 30, 2011, 10:59 am CDT
Some workers who beef about the workplace on Facebook and Twitter may be protected from firing or discipline because they are engaging in "protected concerted activity," according to a report by the National Labor Relations Board.
The report by acting general counsel Lafe Solomon discusses the outcome of investigations into 14 cases involving social media by the agency's Division of Advice, according to a press release, Above the Law, and Business Ethics. In four cases in the report (PDF), the NLRB found the workers were protected under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act because they were discussing terms and conditions of employment with fellow employees.
In one case the NLRB sided with a luxury car salesman fired for posting photos of a sales event in which hot dogs were served, cheap food he deemed to be conveying the wrong message to potential clients. His introduction to the photos remarked that he was happy to see that the employer had gone all out for the party. The NLRB said the salesman was vocalizing the concerns of his co-workers, whose salaries were based entirely on commissions.
In another case, the NLRB sided with two restaurant employees fired after reacting online to a critical Facebook post by a former employee. The ex-worker criticized her onetime employer for failing to withhold enough money for state taxes. One fired employee pressed "like." The other said she also owed money, and opined that one of the restaurant's owners was "such an asshole." The report noted that the issue had previously been raised with management, and the online discussion concerned future group activity by the employees.
But the NLRB sided with a retail store that disciplined an employee who complained on Facebook about "tyranny" at work and criticized an assistant manager with a denigrating term. The posts were about an individual gripe rather than concerted action, the NLRB said.
Eric Meyer, a labor and employment partner at Dilworth Paxson, sees several lessons for employers hoping to avoid federal scrutiny. According to his post at TLNT.com, they include:
• Generally, you can't discipline employees who discuss workplace responsibilities and performance together online—even if the employees swear, use sarcasm or include insults.
• You can't discipline an employee for clicking "like" on Facebook.
Section 7 covers most private sector employees and applies even if the workplace is not unionized, Meyer writes. He cautions that the NLRB's position on social media has not been tested in the courts, and the legal issues are still developing.
Labor & Employment | Internet Law
Afternoon Briefs: Law dean Chemerinsky opposes Trump Twitter ban; safe injection site shot down
Afternoon Briefs: State bar considers ousting Giuliani; pelt-wearing protester is judge's son
Afternoon Briefs: Google hit with third antitrust suit; more troubles for Girardi Keese
Afternoon Briefs: 10 states file antitrust suit against Google; SCOTUS sides with churches


The Bentley Mulsanne line-up has been unveiled at an exclusive event that was organized at the company's headquarter in Crewe, Cheshire. This facelifted Mulsanne is expected to be showcased at upcoming Geneva Motor Show, which will commence from March 3rd.
The automaker has introduced two more variants under the Extended Wheelbase trim- one model is available with 250 mm of rear legroom while the other one is offered with a 6-seat configuration in a face-to-face rear seating arrangement. These will join the existing variants, namely Mulsanne standard and Mulsanne Speed.
Moreover, some cosmetic changes have also been made to the entire range. Starting with exteriors, a redesigned front-end along with new bumper, bonnet, radiator, shell, a pair of floating all-LED headlights for better night vision, rear lights added in a 'B' shape and a new stainless steel grille with wider vertical slats against to the earlier model, have been updated.
Inside the cabin, it comes with new door trims and armrests, glass switchgear, a new style of seats, bringing a complete advance new package for customers as well as the 24 different colors of leather finish have also been made available in single or twin -color arrangement. In addition, a new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system accompanied by Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink are also found. In order to make the drive more safe, automotive adjustable headlights, a new stability control system and blind-spot monitoring system have been attached.
Coming to the powertrain, the standard Mulsanne gets a 6.75-litre V8 engine that is tuned to belt out 505 Bhp of power and 1020 Nm of torque. The motor is mated to an eight-speed automatic ZF transmission. It can reach 0-100 kph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 296.11 kph.
At the same time, the speed variant comes with a 6.75-litre V8 engine but generates more power of 530 Bhp and torque of 1080 Nm. Having a recalibrated eight-speed gearbox, it will do 0-100 kph in just 4.8 seconds and goes up to 305.77 kph. The Bentley has also offered the Sports Suspension mode for making your driving experience more dynamic. Nonetheless, this model gets some different elements such as 21-inch alloy wheel, sports exhaust, and separate bumper design at the exterior.


The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) (Persian: شرکت ملّی نفت ایران Sherkat-e Melli-ye Naft-e Īrān), a government-owned corporation under the direction of the Ministry of Petroleum of Iran, is an oil and natural gas producer and distributor headquartered in Tehran. It was established in 1948. NIOC ranks as the world's third largest oil company, after Saudi Arabia's state-owned Aramco. and Gazprom.
The NIOC is exclusively responsible for the exploration, extraction, transportation and exportation of crude oil, as well as sales of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Having provided the domestic refineries and manufacturing plants with crude oil required for the petroleum products, the NIOC exports its surplus production according to commercial considerations in the framework of the quotas determined by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and at the prices prevalent in the international markets. The NIOC also signs some long term contracts on "buy-back" basis with foreign companies in order to exploit national oil fields and export its products. The NIOC exports natural gas and liquefied natural gas via the "National Iranian Gas Export Company".
Recoverable liquid hydrocarbon reserves in early 2005, 136.99 billion barrels (21.780 km3) 10% of world's total.
Recoverable gas reserves in early 2005, 28.17×1012 m3 (15% of world's total).
Current NIOC production capacities include over 4 million barrels (640×103 m3) of crude oil and in excess of 500 million cubic meters of natural gas per day. In 2008, the average extraction cost of oil was less than $5 per barrel. This does not include processing (refining) and distribution costs.
Iran's cumulative oil production has reached to 61 billion barrels (9.7×109 m3) by the end of 2007, most of these volume produced after 1951, under the supervision of NIOC. Iran's overall export crude oil was valued at US$85 billion in 2010.
The Shah opens the facilities of International Naval Oil Company of Iran in 1970.
In May 1901, William Knox D'Arcy was granted a concession by the Shah of Iran to search for oil, which he discovered in May 1908. This was the first commercially significant find in the Middle East. In 1923, Burmah employed future Prime Minister, Winston Churchill as a paid consultant; to lobby the British government to allow APOC have exclusive rights toPersian oil resources, which were successfully granted.
In 1935, Rezā Shāh requested the international community to refer to Persia as 'Iran', which reflected in the name change of APOC to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC). Following World War II, Iranian nationalism was on the rise, especially surrounding the Iranian natural resources being exploited by the foreign companies without adequately compensating Iranian taxpayers. APOC and the pro western Iranian government led by Prime Minister Ali Razmara, initially resisted nationalist pressure to revise AIOC's concession terms still further in Iran's favour. In March 1951, Ali Razmara was assassinated; and Mohammed Mossadeq, a nationalist, was elected as the new prime minister by the Majlis of Iran.
In April 1951, the Majlis nationalised the Iranian oil industry by unanimous vote, and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) was formed, displacing the APOC. The APOC withdrew its management from Iran, and organised an effective worldwide embargo of Iranian oil. The British government, which owned the APOC, contested the nationalisation at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, but its complaint was dismissed.
By spring of 1953, incoming US President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorised the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), to organise a coup against the Mossadeq government, known as the 1953 Iranian coup d'état. In August 1953, the coup brought pro-Western generalFazlollah Zahedi as the new PM, along with the return of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi from his brief exile in Italy to Iran. The anti-Mossadeq plan was orchestrated under the code-name 'Operation Ajax' by CIA, and 'Operation Boot' by SIS (MI6).
In 1954, the APOC became the British Petroleum Company. The return of the shah did not mean that British Petroleum would be able to monopolise Iranian oil as before. Under the pressure from United States, British Petroleum reluctantly accepted membership in a consortium of companies, founded in October 1954, to bring back Iranian oil to the international market. It was incorporated in London as a holding company called 'Iranian Oil Participants Ltd' (IOP). The founding members of IOP included British Petroleum (40%), Gulf (later Chevron, 8%), Royal Dutch Shell (14%), and Compagnie Française des Pétroles (later Total S.A., 6%). The four Aramco partners – Standard Oil of California (SoCal, later Chevron) – Standard Oil of New Jersey (later Exxon, then ExxonMobil) – Standard Oil Co. of New York (later Mobil, then ExxonMobil) – Texaco (later Chevron) – each held an 8% stake in the holding company.
All IOP members acknowledged that NIOC owned the oil and facilities in Iran, and IOP's role was to operate and manage on behalf of NIOC. To facilitate that, IOP established two operating entities incorporated in Netherlands, and both were delegated to NIOC. Similar to the Saudi-Aramco "50/50" agreement of 1950,the consortium agreed to share profits on a 50–50 basis with Iran, "but not to open its books to Iranian auditors or to allow Iranians onto its board of directors".The negotiations leading to the creation of the consortium, during 1954-55, was considered as a feat of skillful diplomacy.
In Iran, IOP continued to operate until the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The new regime of Ayatollah Khomeini confiscated all of the company's assets in Iran. According to the company's Web site: The victory of the Islamic revolution annulled the Consortium Agreement of 1954 and all regulations pertaining to it. The taking of power by the Islamic Republic led to the withdrawal of foreign employees from Iran's oil industry; domestic employees took full control of its affairs.
According to OPEC, NIOC recoverable liquid hydrocarbon reserves at the end of 2006 was 1,384 billion barrels (2.200×1011 m3).
NIOC oil reserves at the beginning of 2001 was reported to be about 99 billion barrels (1.57×1010 m3),however in 2002 the result of NIOC's study showed huge reserves upgrade adding about 317 billion barrels (5.04×1010 m3) of recoverable reserves to the Iranian oil reserves.
After 2003 Iran has made some significant discoveries which lead to addition of another 7.7 billion barrels (1.22×109 m3) of oil to the recoverable reserves of Iran.
The vast majority of Iran's crude oil reserves are located in giant onshore fields in the south-western Khuzestanregion near the Iraqi border. Overall, Iran has 40 producing fields – 27 onshore and 13 offshore. Iran's crude oil is generally medium in sulfur and in the 28°-35 °API range.
As at 2012, 98 rigs are in operation in onshore fields, 24 in offshore fields and a single rig is in operation in theCaspian Sea. Iran plans to increase the number of its drilling rigs operating in its onshore and offshore oilfields by 36 units to reach 134 units by March 2014.
Iran began in 2006 with plans to create a global strategic petroleum reserve with the construction of 15 crude oil storage tanks with a planned capacity of 10 million barrels (1,600,000 m3). The storage capacity of oil products in the country is around 11.5 billion liters (2011), but it will reach 16.7 billion liters by the end of theFifth Five Year Development Plan (2010-2015). As of 2012, Iran is capable of storing crude oil in the Persian Gulf for a period of 10–12 days. The figure should hit 30–40 days after the construction of new storage facilities are completed.
NIOC holds about 1,000×1012 cu ft (28,000 km3) of proven Natural gas reserves of which 36% are as associated gas and 64% is in non associated gas fields. It stands for world's second largest reserves after Russia.
NIOC's ten biggest Non-Associated Gas Fields.
Since 1995, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has made significant oil and gas discoveries, standing for some 84-billion-barrels (1.34×1010 m3) of oil in place and at least 175×1012 cu ft (5,000 km3) of gas in place, which are listed below.
NIOC Oil Discoveries Since 1995.
NIOC Natural Gas Discoveries Since 1995.
It is its highest decision marking body, determining the company's general policy guide lines, and approving the annual budgets, operations and financial statements and balance sheets. The company's Board of Directors has the authority and major responsibilities to approve the operational schemes within the general framework ratified by the General Assembly, approve transactions and contracts, and prepare budgets and Board reports and annual balance sheets for presentation to the General Assembly.
The Board supervises the implementation of general policy guidelines defined by the General Assembly, and pursues executive operations via the company'sManaging Director.
With appropriate division of tasks and delegation of responsibilities to subsidiaries- affiliates, NIOC has been able to establish acceptable degrees of coordination within its organizational set up. In fact, NIOC's Directors act primarily in policy making and supervision while subsidiaries act as their executive arm in coordinating an array of operations such as exploration, drilling, production and delivery of crude oil and natural gas, for export and domestic consumption.
Iranian Offshore Oil Company(IOOC) in charge of offshore oil fields in the Persian Gulf offshore oil and gas fields with the exception of South Pars. It focuses mainly on production platforms, ancillary facilities, and installations.
Central Iranian Oil Fields Company supervises all upstream activities in the central oil and gas regions of the country, i.e. everything, excluding the oil-rich southern Khuzestan province, Caspian and offshore.
National Iranian Gas Export Co. (NIGEC) in charge of gas exports for the National Iranian Gas Company. Until May 2010, NIGEC was under the control of the NIOC, but the Petroleum Ministry transferred NIGEC, incorporating it under NIGC in an attempt to broaden responsibility for new natural gas projects. See also: Persian pipeline and Peace pipeline.
National Iranian South Oil Company(NISOC) in charge of onshore oilfields in southern Iran. Focuses on onshore upstream activity in the province of Khuzestan. As Khuzestan is the main oil and gas-producing province, this entity is among the most significant in the NIOC family. It produces approximately 80 percent of all crude oil produced in Iran.
National Iranian Central Oil Company supervises all upstream activities in the central oil and gas regions of the country, i.e. everything, excluding the oil-rich southern Khuzestan province, Caspian and offshore.
Karoon Oil and Gas Production Company (KOGPC) Operating in Khouzestan, the company operates 538 wells and delivers natural gas to NIGC.
Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) National Iranian Gas Company does not play a role in awarding upstream gas projects; that task remains in the hands of the National Iranian Oil Company. Pars Oil and Gas Co. is in charge of the offshore North and South Pars gas fields and responsible for awarding the contracts for the different phases. Since 2010, it has been raising capital on the domestic and international markets in order to finance its projects.
National Iranian Oil Terminals Company has four transport hubs including facilities on the three islands of Kharg, Lavan and Sirri consisting of 17 jetties capable of berthing tankers of all sizes to lift and export its crude oil that load more than 2,000 oil tankers per year. 2,000 of them dock in Bandar Abbas Port, 1,000 in Khark Island. Iran earned nearly $2 billion in 2009 from bunkering ships in the Persian Gulf (25% market share). Projected bunkering sites by 2015: Bandar Abbas (two sites), Kish, Qeshm, Bushehr, Mahshahr, Assalouyeh, Khark and Chabahar. Fujairah bunkering hub, UAE is Iran's main competitor in the Persian Gulf. The country's terminal storage capacity should soar to 100 million barrels by 2015 from the current 24 million barrels.
National Iranian Drilling Company(NIDC) in charge of all offshore and onshore drilling activities. NIDC provides more than 90 percent of drilling services needed by the oil companies inside the country. In 2011, NIDC, drilled or completed 192 oil and gas wells, drilled 454 thousand meters of wells and provided more than 8 thousand expert or technical services to customers. As at 2012, 123 drilling rigs are in operation in Iran's offshore and onshore.
Ahwaz Pipe Mills Company manufacturing oil and gas pipes and has a capacity of up to 420,000 tons per year. It operates three plants.
National Iranian Tanker Company controls the second largest fleet of tankers in OPEC.
Exploration Service Company (ESC) responsible for providing operational services in all facets of exploration and production activities within NIOC onshore regions.
Kala Naft (London) Ltd. in charge of carrying out the procurement needs of the NIOC that cannot be met domestically. However, NIOC organizations can in theory also purchase directly from suppliers.
Naftiran Intertrade Co. (NICO) (Switzerland) handles trading & swaps operations on behalf of NIOC. Iran has swap arrangements with Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, under which it ships crude from the Central Asian producers to its Caspian ports. In exchange Iran delivers the equivalent barrels of crude on behalf of the three Central Asian producers to their costumers in the Persian Gulf. In October 2010, Iran asked for the terms of the contract to be re-negotiated because it claims it has lost money because of it. On 2 July 2011, NIOC resumed oil swaps with Caspian states. NaftIran also buys the vast majority of Iran's gasoline imports. Naftiran is a key player in Iran's energy sector.
Petroiran Development Company(akaPetroIran or PEDCO) General offshore contractor (a subsidiary of Naftiran Intertrade Co.). PetroIran was initially formed to be the Iranian partner of foreign contractors with a 10% share in each buy-back contract.
Arvandan Oil & Gas Company (AOGC) responsible for the development of the Arvandan oil & gas fields. AOGC was established in 2004 working as the main operator in oil and gas production from Azadegan, Yadavaran, Darquain, Jufeyr, Moshtagh, Khorramshahr, Arvand, Susangerd, Band-e-Karkheh, Omid and other fields which are located in west of Karun River.
Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI) NIOC will implement 69 research projects between 2010 and 2015 which include topics as enhancing recovery rate, modeling, control and management of reservoirs, production and exploitation, exploration, promotion and technology in drilling operations, establishment of an integrated data bank, industrial protection and environment, optimizing energy consumption, materials and equipments manufacturing, strategic and infrastructure studies, productivity and specialized maintenance. Iran is expected to launch its first gas to liquids (GTL) plant by 2018. See also:Science and technology in Iran.
The cost of producing each barrel will rise to $30 or more from $7 in 2012.
Iran currently allocates $20 billion a year to develop fields and $10 billion on maintaining output. In the next decade, maintaining production will cost $50 billion, with a similar sum required for development.
Although usually neglected and overlooked, Iran also has a number of very active private companies in the oil sector. The growing private sector activity is mainly active in projects involving the construction of oil field units, refinery equipment, tanks and pipelines, as well as engineering. Iranian manufacturers will supply oil industry with $10 billion worth of domestically-made goods and equipment in 2012.
Iranian companies are already outperforming foreign firms in South Pars. NIOC produces 60-70% of its industrial equipment domestically including refineries, oil tankers, oil rigs, offshore platforms and exploration instruments. Iran is also cooperating with foreign companies to transfer technology to Iranian oil industry. The objective is to become self-sufficient by 85% before 2015. The strategic goods include onshore and offshore drilling rigs, pumps, turbines andprecision tools. Domestic production of 52 petrochemical catalysts will be started in 2013.
Iran owns 50% of the offshore gas field of Rhum in the North Sea, which is Britain's largest untapped gas field. It is a joint-venture with BP worth $1 million a day at 15 June 2010 spot prices.
Iran has another 10% joint-venture participation with BP and other foreign oil companies in Azerbaijani Shah Deniz gas field, producing 8 billion cubic meters of gas per year, worth up to a reported $2.4 billion per year. The Iranian entity with which BP has partnered in these ventures is the Swiss-based Naftiran Intertrade, a subsidiary of NIOC. Shah Deniz is not subject to US sanctions.


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Mike Shedlock
Michael "Mish" Shedlock is a registered investment advisor representative for SitkaPacific Capital Management.
Apple Grab: How Should Ireland and US Respond to EU Euro13 Billion Ruling Against Apple?
By Mike Shedlock - Sep 01, 2016, 7:48 AM CDT
On Tuesday, the EU ruled Ireland granted illegal favoritism to Apple and hit the company with a record €13 Billion ($14.5 Billion) penalty.
The charges stem from Ireland's low tax rate of 12.5% that angers Brussels because it gives Ireland an advantage in attracting business. Adding to the mix, Apple actually paid an effective rate of 1%. Complaints came in from both sides of the Atlantic.
Curiously, the Irish government does not want the penalty, and there was an outburst of anger from the US Congress as well.
Apple Response
Image from CNN Money article EU hits Apple with $14.6 billion tax bill.
The decision amounted to "a transfer of revenue from U.S. taxpayers to the EU," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. The Obama administration would fight for "American taxpayers and American businesses overseas when they're being treated unfairly," he added
"Apple had helped create and sustain more than 1.5 million jobs across Europe, follows the law and pays all the taxes it owes," said Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Irish Government Doesn't Want the Money
Bloomberg explains Why Ireland Doesn't Want Apple's $14.5 Billion in Back Taxes.
Apple's billions in back taxes could cover the entire annual Irish health budget, build about 100,000 homes for the poor or pay off a chunk of the nation's debt. So why doesn't the government want the money?
Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan on Tuesday vowed to fight a European Commission ruling that could force the world's richest company to pay it at least 13 billion euros ($14.5 billion), more than twice the country's entire 2015 corporate tax take and equivalent to about $3,000 for every man, woman and child. He drew fire from opposition lawmakers who say Dublin should take the money. For the government, though, the stakes are higher.
The country's corporate tax regime is a cornerstone of its economic policy, attracting Google Inc. and Facebook Inc. to Dublin. Even when Ireland was forced to seek an international bailout six years ago, it resisted pressure to change how it taxes companies. While the Apple ruling doesn't directly threaten the 12.5 percent rate, the government has promised to stand by executives it says are helping the economy.
"To do anything else, it would be like eating the seed potatoes," Noonan told broadcaster RTE on Tuesday, adding a failure to fight the case would hurt future generations.
Apple and Ireland deny any wrongdoing and say no sweetheart deal was ever agreed. The iPhone-maker is one of more than 700 U.S. companies that have units there, employing a combined 140,000 people, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland.
US Employment in Ireland
US companies employ 140,000 people in Ireland. That's one heck of a lot of people. And those are high-paying skill jobs.
It happens because Ireland has a lower tax rate than Europe and the US.
The nannycrats in Brussels want no part of Ireland controlling its own fate.
Angry US Reaction
The Financial Times reports Apple Ruling Sparks Angry Reaction in US.
US political leaders reacted with anger on Tuesday to an EU decision to hit Apple with a record-breaking €13bn tax penalty, setting the stage for possible US retribution and highlighting the volatile politics around international corporate tax issues.
The US Treasury expressed disappointment at what it called an "unfair" decision by the European Commission to assess taxes retroactively and warned that it could have wider ramifications. "The Commission's actions could threaten to undermine foreign investment, the business climate in Europe, and the important spirit of economic partnership between the US and the EU," it said.
Paul Ryan, speaker of the US House of Representatives, issued a statement on Tuesday in which he said: "This decision is awful. Slamming a company with a giant tax bill — years after the fact — sends exactly the wrong message to job creators on both sides of the Atlantic. It's also in direct violation of many European countries' treaty obligations. This is precisely the kind of unpredictable and heavy-handed taxation that kills jobs and opportunity.
"Above all, this is yet another reason why we need to fix our tax code. We need more American companies to invest their money and create jobs right here in the United States. Today's decision should be a spur to action," he added.
"This is a cheap money grab by the European Commission, targeting US businesses and the US tax base," said Senator Charles Schumer, the New York Democrat who is in line to preside over the Senate should Democrats seize control from Republicans in November's election.
"By forcing their member states to retroactively impose taxes on US companies, the EU is unfairly undermining our ability to compete economically in Europe while grabbing tax revenues that should go toward investment here in the United States," he said. "This is yet another example of why we need to reform the international tax system to ensure these revenues come home."
Ron Wyden, a Democratic Senator from Oregon, said the EU was venturing outside its own jurisdiction.
"This ruling could set a dangerous precedent that undermines our tax treaties and paints a target on American firms in the eyes of foreign governments," he said.
In the lead-up to Tuesday's decision Mr Schumer and other senators have been calling for the US Treasury to explore possible responses to such an EU ruling, including subjecting European companies to double taxation.
Mrs Clinton has proposed charging companies that engage in inversions an exit tax. Mr Trump has called for a lowering of the US corporate tax rate from 39 per cent currently to 15 per cent in order to encourage companies to bring profits home, while also proposing a one-time 10 per cent levy on repatriated profits.
"On the one hand the US wants to be defending US companies overseas and they are going to see this as vindictive, particularly in going after Apple's profits retroactively. But in the bigger picture the US is taking moves to fight inversions and improve the global system," said Geoffrey Gertz, a research fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said the US and EU appeared to be locked in a risky pattern of tit-for-tat corporate fines, citing the recent $15bn settlement with US authorities by Volkswagen and previous crackdowns on BNP Paribas and Société Générale.
"If the next administration doesn't work out a climbdown from these kinds of humongous fines?.?.?.?this can go on and get worse," he said. "And it's not going to stop with the US and EU. It is going to move on to China and so on."
What Should the US Do?
US tax code is really screwed up. It allows corporations to defer taxes on foreign profits held overseas, but not on profits in the US. This encourages monetary flight and human capital flight.
Paul Ryan hit the nail on the head with his statement "Above all, this is yet another reason why we need to fix our tax code."
Trump called for a lowering of the US corporate tax rate from 39 per cent currently to 15 per cent. That's a step in the right direction. Zero would be even better. US businesses would not seek tax havens abroad.
Look at the millions of jobs these technology firms create. Why should they pay any tax at all? We should be thankful for them.
What Should Ireland Do?
The Brussels nannycrats have overstepped their bounds. The EU is not a supranational taxing body that gets to decide tax rates for the world.
I advise Ireland to cut its corporate tax rate to 5% and threaten the EU with an "Irexit" if the EU objects.
The fools in Brussels need to wake up. Hitting them in the face with a brick called "Irexit" just might do the trick.
Libor is Signaling a Problem
The 'Fly-In-The-Ointment': Stagnant Wages and Hidden Inflation


Set in the visually stunning Louron Valley in France, Loudenvielle is an exceptional purpose-built ski resort with amazing facilities and warm hospitality.
With breathtaking landscapes nearby and excellent views of Lake Genos, the region is a fantastic option for skiers and snowboarders who are looking for a peaceful ski destination where they can work on their skills and enjoy the natural beauty of the captivating Pyrenees region.
Whether you're visiting with a family, as a couple or own your own, the salubrious charm of Loudenvielle is sure to leave a lasting impression. The nearby Loudenvielle village is full of great restaurants and bars serving mouth-watering French delicacies.
There are a total of 38 individual pistes across the resort and runs are located above 2,000 metres, providing reliable snow cover for skiers.
With such a great history of providing extensive training, visitors can expect to receive excellent tutelage and make big strides in developing their skills on the slopes.
The season at Loudenvielle generally runs from December to April and up to 9,000 skiers can be transported around the park every hour, ensuring travellers can fully explore the variety of runs available.
There is plenty for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy off the slopes in the cosy Loudenvielle town area, with a selection of charming bars and restaurants for visitors to explore.
While there is not the vast array of shops expected at larger resorts the local village is the perfect place for tourists to put their feet up after a day on the slopes, providing amazing scenic views, fantastic customer service and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. There is also a thermal spa and waterpark in the resort, offering entertainment for adults and kids alike.
The closest departure point to the resort is Lourdes Pyrenees Airport, which is around 52 miles away.


Kids Club runs weekly on Monday evening throughout term time. It is a great time filled with fun and exciting games, challenges, praise and bible stories. There are loads of prizes to be won (or you can save up points for bigger and better prizes).
It is open to children between the ages of five and ten. Come along and meet new friends!


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Q: Scanf function with strings I need to read input from user. The input value may be string type or int type.
If the value is int then the program insert the value into my object.
Else if the value is string then it should check the value of that string, if it's "end" then the program ends.
Halda h; //my object
string t;
int tint;
bool end=false;

while(end!=true)
{
    if(scanf("%d",&tint)==1)
    {
        h.insert(tint);
    }
    else if(scanf("%s",t)==1)
    {
      if(t=="end")
          end=true;
      else if(t=="next")
          if(h.empty()==false)
              printf("%d\n",h.pop());
          else
              printf("-1\n");
    }
}

The problem is that scanning string doesn't seem to work properly.
I've tried to change it to: if(cin>>t) and it worked well.
I need to get it work with scanf.

A: The specifier %s in the scanf() format expects a char*, not a std::string.
From C11 Standard (C++ Standard refers to it about the C standard library):

Except in the case of a % specifier, the input item (or, in the case of a %n directive, the
   count of input characters) is converted to a type appropriate to the conversion specifier. If
    the input item is not a matching sequence, the execution of the directive fails: this
   condition is a matching failure. Unless assignment suppression was indicated by a *, the
  result of the conversion is placed in the object pointed to by the first argument following
   the format argument that has not already received a conversion result. If this object
  does not have an appropriate type, or if the result of the conversion cannot be represented
  in the object, the behavior is undefined.

Anyway, here there's is no real reason to prefer the C way, use C++ facilities. And when you use the C library, use safe functions that only reads characters up to a given limit (just like fgets, or scanf with a width specifier), otherwise you could have overflow, that leads again to undefined behavior, and some errors if you're luck.

A: That's a really bad way to check for end-of-input. Either use an integer or use a string.
If you choose string, make provisions to convert from string to int.
My logic would be to first check if it can be converted to integer. if it can be, then continue with the logic. If it can't be(such as if it's a float or double or some other string) then ignore and move on. If it can be, then insert it into Halda's object.
Sidenote: Do not use scanf() and printf() when you're working with C++.

A: Assuming string refers to std::sring this program doesn't have defined behavior. You can't really use std::string with sscanf() You could set up a buffer inside the std::string and read into that but the string wouldn't change its size. You are probably better off using streams with std::string (well, in my opinion you are always better off using streams).