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Articles about child abuse, clergy abuse and ritual abuse
Dr. Barto sentencing sexual assault two dozen children, Shambhala Buddhist org. allegations of sexual assault, Syracuse Diocese ritual abuse, Bill eliminates statute of limitations child sex abuse "ritual abuse of a minor", Ritual Abuse Conferences 2019
- Dr. Johnnie Barto, a sexual predator pediatrician, gets up to 158 years in prison
- Shambhala discloses allegations of sexual assault, child abuse within Boulder-born Buddhist organization's ranks
- Bill giving victims more time on child sex abuse lawsuits, criminal cases gets support
- Ahead Of Diocese Report, Reaction To Syracuse Abuse Compensation Program
- The 2019 Annual Ritual Abuse, Secretive Organizations and Mind Control Conference
- The Survivorship Ritual Abuse and Mind Control 2019 Conference
Dr. Johnnie Barto, a sexual predator pediatrician, gets up to 158 years in prison
"He held himself out as a pillar in his community — a family pediatrician, an elected member of the school board, a regular attendee at church," the state attorney general said.
Dr. Johnnie Barto heads into Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, on March 18, 2019, for his sentencing in the sexual assault of more than two dozen children.
March 18, 2019 By Corky Siemaszko
A Pennsylvania pediatrician who admitted to molesting several generations of children was sentenced Monday to spend the rest of his life in prison after 18 now-grown women took turns pleading with the court to throw the book at him, with many calling him a "monster."
Dr. Johnnie "Jack" Barto, 71, was hit with a sentence of 79 to 158 years in prison, virtually guaranteeing that he will die behind bars, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said....
Barto's sentencing came a day after several women — who said the doctor molested them when they were children — described in a lengthy interview with NBC News how the Johnstown community rallied behind him in 2000, the first time he was accused of abusing children.
Twenty years ago, this predator could have been stopped," Jennifer Goetz, 42, said on the steps of the Cambria County Courthouse.
Goetz, who said she was about 8 when Barto violated her in 1984, said, "Today is a bittersweet day for me."
Erika Brosig, who said she was 12 when Barto molested her in 1994, said the doctor had enablers who also need to be called to account.
"Parents were making complaints frequently about Dr. Barto," she said. "We want to find out who did know and what was the level of their responsibility."....
arto was hit with the staggering sentence two months after he first pleaded guilty to molesting the two relatives, and no-contest to three other allegations brought by children he was accused of sexually abusing at his practice.
Under questioning, Barto also admitted to sexually assaulting dozens more children during the four decades he practiced medicine in and around Johnstown, Shapiro said.
Barto targeted girls and boys, most between the ages of 8 and 12, the chief prosecutor said. The youngest victims were a toddler and a 2-week-old.
Most of the assaults happened after Barto got his medical license back in 2000. It had been suspended after he was accused the first time of sexually abusing three children in 1998. His license was restored in 2000 by the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine.
"When he was first accused in 1998, Barto thought he was immune from prosecution and played a long game to make sure the families thought well of him and allowed their children near him," Shapiro said.
Despite the rumors that Barto was still molesting children, he managed to elude law enforcement until Dec. 21, 2017, when a 12-year-old girl told her mother that at the end of an examination, the doctor had her sit on his lap while he molested her, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
Barto was arrested by the Richland Township police Jan. 18, 2018. That same day, The Tribune–Democrat newspaper reported, a "Support for Johnnie 'Jack' Barto" page went up on Facebook, complete with testimonials from local parents whose children were his patients.
The page quickly came down after Barto finally admitted his guilt.
Shapiro noted that in addition to the 31 incidents of assault charged, at least a half-dozen other cases could not be charged because of the criminal statute of limitations laws in Pennsylvania....
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sexual-predator-children-s-doctor-gets-158-years-prison-people-n984491
Shambhala discloses allegations of sexual assault, child abuse within Boulder-born Buddhist organization's ranks
Report by An Olive Branch includes unsubstantiated allegations, details failure to address issues
By Jackson Barnett The Denver Post March 19, 2019
Shambhala, the Buddhist organization founded in Boulder in the 1970s, released a report Tuesday detailing — but not substantiating — new allegations of sexual assault and child abuse within the organization, along with an internal failure to adequately address that abuse....
Allegations of abuse within Shambhala — now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia — first were brought to light last year by Buddhist Project Sunshine, which published anonymous allegations of sexual abuse by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, the organization's leader, and other high-ranking teachers.
In July, Mipham acknowledged he had caused "harm" in relationships and would step aside from his leadership position. Shambhala then retained the Canadian law firm Wickwire Holm to conduct a third-party investigation. The firm, in a report released last month, found two credible claims of sexual abuse and a pattern of inappropriate behavior by Mipham, but its investigation was criticized for being too narrow in scope by former Shambhala members....
The report that contained self-reported accounts of abuse found several "themes" of abuse, including sexual misconduct by Shambhala teachers and staff, child abuse and abuse of power. People who self-reported also claimed backlash, concerns about speaking up and efforts by Shambhala to protect teachers and the organization from accusations.
Unverified firsthand stories included acts ranging from unwelcomed kisses from older teachers to child molestation. The report did not include the names of those accused nor the locations where the alleged abuse occurred. An Olive Branch said it reported crimes that had been brought to its attention to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. The report also found that many people did not trust Shambhala to execute proper procedures to address abuse....
An Olive Branch also noted that Mipham in 2015 was excluded from signing Shambhala's pledge to understand and abide by the policy and not have sexual relationships with students....
Beyond the Buddhist organization's own internal reviews, an investigation by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office into "possible criminal activity" at the Shambhala Mountain Center near Red Feather Lakes remains ongoing. And Boulder police earlier this year arrested a former Shambhala teacher, William Karelis, 70, on charges of sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust....
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/19/shambhala-an-olive-branch-abuse-report-sakyong-mipham/
Ahead Of Diocese Report, Reaction To Syracuse Abuse Compensation Program
By Gabe Altieri (WSKG) March 19, 2019....
This month, the Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese hopes to release a report on how its settlement program for people who have been abused by clergy has gone.
It's called an independent reconciliation and compensation program, or IRCP. The Syracuse Diocese covers part of Central New York and the Southern Tier including Binghamton and Cortland.
WSKG looked into how this program went for the diocese and those who participated. A listener note: this story contains graphic details of sexual abuse.
Remembering Abuse
....What happened to Lightbody is detailed in her testimony to the independent mediator who ran the victims compensation program for the Syracuse Diocese.
....This was the early 1970s. She was about ten years old.
"It was not typical, what you consider typical sexual abuse," Lightbody said. "What he did to me was ritual abuse which involves physical abuse, sexual abuse, mind control and brainwashing."
....Here's what we know about her alleged abuser: his name is Paul Slavetskas. He served at Blessed Sacrament in Johnson City from March 1973 until September 1974.
Slavetskas died in 2015.
The Syracuse Diocese put his name on a list of priests with credible accusations against him. That was released in December. Lightbody's testimony is the only known abuse claim against him.
https://www.wrvo.org/post/ahead-diocese-report-reaction-syracuse-abuse-compensation-program
Bill giving victims more time on child sex abuse lawsuits, criminal cases gets support
PHOEBE TOLLEFSON Mar 14, 2019
....The bill, HB 640, would eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal cases and extend from age 21 to age 27 the time frame during which a victim can sue over alleged abuses.
It makes no change to current law that allows victims to sue after the statute of limitations has expired, but within three years of recognizing their abuse. Experts say victims can repress memories of abuse and struggle to come to terms with its lifelong impacts.
The bill beefs up penalties against mandatory reporters who fail to act by making it a felony in cases involving sexual abuse allegations.
....The bill pertains to victims younger than 18 of the following crimes: sexual assault, sexual intercourse without consent, aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, indecent exposure, sexual abuse, ritual abuse of a minor, incest and sexual exploitation.
https://www.fairfieldsuntimes.com/news/state/bill-giving-victims-more-time-on-child-sex-abuse-lawsuits/article_c29b4d2a-887f-5738-8bf2-df5771d405cf.html
The 2019 Annual Ritual Abuse, Secretive Organizations and Mind Control Conference August 17 – 18, 2019 DoubleTree near Bradley International Airport Windsor Locks, CT Internet conference information: http://ritualabuse.us/smart-conference/
The Survivorship Ritual Abuse and Mind Control 2019 Conference
Regular Conference - Saturday and Sunday May 4 - 5, 2019
Clinician's Conference (CEUs are available) Friday May 3, 2019
Where: Courtyard Marriot Long Beach Airport Long Beach, CA
https://survivorship.org/ritual-abuse-and-mind-control-2019-conference/
Survivorship Conference Speakers
Clinician's Conference - Friday May 3, 2019
Deception by Organized Abuser Groups: Helping Yourself and Your Clients Think Through the Issues by Alison Miller
The Use of Music and other Auditory Stimuli in Psychological Therapy with Extreme Abuse Survivors by Randy Noblitt
Deception by Organized Abuser Groups: Helping Your Front People and Your Insiders Recognize the Lies and Tricks Which Keep You Enslaved by Dr. Alison Miller
Talking About Triggers Without Being Triggering by Dr. Randall Noblitt
Barriers encountered by RA Survivors when accessing Support in Offline Spaces (Services) By Joseph Lumbasi
A Survivor's View of Recovery from Ritual Abuse by Neil Brick
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Labels: Alison Miller, Buddhist organization, Dr. Johnie Barto, Neil Brick, Randy Noblitt, ritual abuse conferences, sexual predator pediatrician. Shambhala, Syracuse Abuse Compensation Program
Cardinal George Pell highest-ranking Catholic cleric convicted of child sex abuse, Ritual Abuse Conferences in 2019
Cardinal George Pell sentenced to 6 years in prison for child sex abuse
Pell is the highest-ranking Catholic cleric worldwide to be convicted of child sex abuse .
March 12, 2019 By Doha Madani and Associated Press
The most senior Catholic cleric ever to be convicted of child sex abuse was sentenced to six years in prison in Australia on Wednesday morning.
Cardinal George Pell, 77, faced as many as 50 years in prison after being convicted in December for the molestation of two choir boys while he was the archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s. Pell must serve a minimum of three years and eight months before he is eligible for parole.
He will spend the rest of his life as a registered sex offender.
Pell was convicted for the assault of the 13-year-old boys after he caught them swigging sacramental wine in a rear room of Melbourne's St. Patrick's Cathedral in late 1996.
The jury also found Pell guilty of indecently assaulting one of the boys in a corridor more than a month later....
During the nearly hour-long sentencing remarks, Kidd called Pell's attack "brazen" and suggested that the cleric was "breathtakingly arrogant" in his attack on the young boys.
"There is no evidence of your remorse or contrition," Kidd said Wednesday in court....
A spokesman for the Vatican also said that Pell was no longer head of the Secretariat for the Economy, a post that oversees the Vatican's finances.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cardinal-george-pell-sentenced-6-years-prison-child-sex-abuse-n982331
The 2019 Annual Ritual Abuse, Secretive Organizations and Mind Control Conference
https://ritualabuse.us/smart-conference/
August 17 – 18, 2019
DoubleTree near Bradley International Airport Windsor Locks, CT
Speakers include: Alison Miller, Neil Brick and Daniel Roemer (film maker)
Regular Conference – Saturday and Sunday May 4 – 5, 2019
Clinician's Conference – Friday May 3, 2019
Courtyard Marriot Long Beach Airport
Speakers include: Alison Miller, Randy Noblitt, Joseph Lumbasi and Neil Brick
Labels: Alison Miller, Cardinal George Pell, Child sex abuse, Daniel Roemer, Joseph Lumbasi, Neil Brick, Randy Noblitt, Ritual abuse conference, SMART, Survivorship
Thousands of Immigrant Children Said They Were Sexually Abused in U.S. Detention Centers, Report Says, 10 Undeniable Facts About the Michael Jackson Sexual-Abuse Allegations
Thousands of Immigrant Children Said They Were Abused in U.S. Detention Centers, Report Says
By Matthew Haag Feb. 27, 2019
The federal government received more than 4,500 complaints in four years about the sexual abuse of immigrant children who were being held at government-funded detention facilities, including an increase in complaints while the Trump administration's policy of separating migrant families at the border was in place, the Justice Department revealed this week.
The records, which involve children who had entered the country alone or had been separated from their parents, detailed allegations that adult staff members had harassed and assaulted children, including fondling and kissing minors, watching them as they showered, and raping them. They also included cases of suspected abuse of children by other minors.
From October 2014 to July 2018, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, a part of the Health and Human Services Department that cares for so-called unaccompanied minors, received a total of 4,556 allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment, 1,303 of which were referred to the Justice Department. Of those 1,303 cases deemed the most serious, 178 were accusations that adult staff members had sexually assaulted immigrant children, while the rest were allegations of minors assaulting other minors, the report said....
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/us/immigrant-children-sexual-abuse.html
10 Undeniable Facts About the Michael Jackson Sexual-Abuse Allegations
The author, who spent more than a decade covering the scandal for V.F., shares the key revelations and insights that viewers of the new HBO documentary Leaving Neverland....
The two-part documentary, which premieres on HBO this Sunday, gives Robson and Safechuck, together with their surviving family members, the opportunity to tell their stories of being first befriended and then seduced, emotionally and—they allege—sexually, by Michael Jackson. What struck me most, as someone who spent more than a decade reporting on allegations against Jackson, was how closely Robson's and Safechuck's stories mirrored those of Jordie Chandler and Gavin Arvizo, the 13-year-old whose allegations prompted the 2005 trial in which Jackson was acquitted on 10 felony counts, including four counts of child molestation and one of attempted child molestation. Another boy, Jason Francia, whose mother worked as a housekeeper for Jackson, testified under oath that he was molested by Jackson, bringing to five the number of young men who've sworn that Jackson showed them pornography, masturbated them, or introduced them to sex when they were between the ages of 7 and 12.
So many details of each case were the same: the targeting of boys from troubled families, the skillful grooming, the gifts, the seduction, the Jacuzzis, the way sex was performed, the fear and threats of what would befall them if they ever told anyone what Jackson had done. Their dismissals followed a similar pattern, too: as puberty approached, Robson and Safechuck say in the documentary, they were abruptly thrown to the curb and replaced with a new, younger kid.
Even their families got similar treatment: the sisters were put off to the side by Michael, the supposed adorer of all children; the parents were whisked around in limos and private jets, taken shopping, and treated to vintage wine from Neverland's cellar. Jordie Chandler's mother got trips to Monaco and Las Vegas, along with a diamond bracelet. Jimmy Safechuck's parents got a whole house; the documentary never mentions the cars they received, or the permanent residence visa that Wade Robson's mother testified in 2005 to having received by funneling whatever wages she had received through the Michael Jackson Corporation. Joy Robson also acknowledged accepting a car, a $10,000 payment from Jackson, and a $10,000 loan from Jackson's investigator....
1. There is no dispute that, at age 34, Michael Jackson slept more than 30 nights in a row in the same bed with 13-year-old Jordie Chandler at the boy's house with Chandler's mother present. He also slept in the same bed with Jordie Chandler at Chandler's father's house. The parents were divorced.
2. So far, five boys Michael Jackson shared beds with have accused him of abuse: Jordie Chandler, Jason Francia, Gavin Arvizo, Wade Robson, and Jimmy Safechuck. Jackson had the same nickname for Chandler and Arvizo: "Rubba." He called Robson "Little One" and Safechuck "Applehead."
3. Jackson paid $25 million to settle the Chandlers' lawsuit, with $18 million going to Jordie, $2.5 million to each of the parents, and the rest to lawyers. Jackson said he paid that sum to avoid something "long and drawn out." Francia also received $2.4 million from Jackson....
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/03/10-undeniable-facts-about-the-michael-jackson-sexual-abuse-allegations
Labels: Gavin Arvizo, government-funded detention facilities, Immigrant Children, Jordie Chandler, Leaving Neverland, Michael Jackson Sexual-Abuse Allegations, Sexually Abused in U.S. Detention Centers
Dr. Barto sentencing sexual assault two dozen chil...
Cardinal George Pell highest-ranking Catholic cler...
Thousands of Immigrant Children Said They Were Sex...


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Stock notice
Approval and publication of prospectus and commencement of subscription period in the subsequent offering
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Oslo, 8 February 2021
Reference is made to the stock exchange announcements from Axactor SE ("Axactor" or the "Company") on 9 December 2020 regarding a number of measures to strengthen the financial platform of the Company, including (i) a private placement raising gross proceeds of NOK 320 million (the "Private Placement"), (ii) a potential subsequent offering of up to 26,750,000 new shares at a subscription price of NOK 8.00 per offer share (the "Subsequent Offering") and (iii) the acquisition of the 50% interest in Axactor Invest held by Geveran with consideration consisting of shares in Axactor (the "Axactor Invest Roll-up").
The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Nw. Finanstilsynet) has on 5 February 2021, approved the Company's prospectus (the "Prospectus") prepared in connection with; (i) listing of 40,000,000 shares offered in the Private Placement, (ii) offering and listing of up to 26,750,000 shares (the "Offer Shares") in the Subsequent Offering, and (iii) listing of 50,000,000 shares in connection with the Axactor Invest Roll-up. The Prospectus will be published today and will, subject to applicable local securities laws, be available at www.abgsc.com/, www.dnb.no/emisjoner or www.nordeamarkets.com/axactor. The Prospectus will also be available at the Company's web www.axactor.com
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Can The Republicans Fool Enough Of The People With This Report?
While the Republican Party might have little meaningful to say on today's issues, you have to concede they sure beat the Democrats when it comes to showing chutzpah. They are making a lot of noise over a report (pdf here) from a CMS actuary which means far less than they are claiming.
The first point of interest is that the Congressional Republicans have event turned to a CMS actuary. During the battle over George Bush's Medicare Part D program, the Bush administration had threatened to fire a CMS actuary if he reported to Congress about the true cost of the program.
With this report the Republicans were able to obtain the answers they want due to the limitations placed upon the data requested. The report basically says that if you ignore 1) potential cost savings and 2) any increases in any forms of taxes, then health care reform will increase government expenses. You hardly needed an actuary to tell you that.
The report makes many of the same points I have made here in previous posts. Yes, as I have frequently written, health care reform will probably cost more than is estimated. Democrats are not without blame here. They are doing what all politicians do. The Democrats are underestimating the initial costs of their program, just as Republicans underestimated the cost of the Medicare D program and of the Iraq War. It is common for politicians to underestimate the costs of their programs. At least they are not threatening to fire those who present the data as the Bush administration did.
Among areas where the report is consistent with my previous predictions, they note that it does cost more to institute preventive care programs and that the cost savings of these are not clear. As I've previously argued, we should spend money on preventive because of its benefits to the country. Potential cost savings are an added benefit, but not the primary reason for spending money to have a healthier population with a longer life expectancy.
The report also is consistent with my objections to expanding Medicaid to provide coverage to the uninsured, noting that patients in Medicaid programs will have difficulties with access to care. Of course the solution to this problem is to spend more money to allow everyone to have private insurance or a public plan which provides benefits comparable to private insurance. It is doubtful that Republicans will agree to this added spending.
Health care reform is largely a matter of how much we are willing to pay and how much government action we are willing to accept to hold down costs. If this was purely a matter of cost, then by far the most cost effective way to deliver medical care would be a with a single payer system modeled on the Medicare program. Republicans try to obfuscate the benefits here by citing projections of future financial difficulties for Medicare if there are no changes. Of course any projections which do not allow for changes over time mean very little. What business would remain in business indefinitely if they never made changes? In addition, much of Medicare's financial problems come from Republicans-sponsored measures in the Part D program which would be eliminated under health care reform legislation.
Republicans certainly will not accept a single payer plan regardless of how much money it would save. The added irony of their position is that they complain about the cost of health care reform while fighting most of the measures which would bring about the greatest cost savings. They oppose the public option (while a small number of economic conservatives have made a free market argument for the plan). Republicans also oppose plans to take future decisions on Medicare partially outside of the political process, and they even voluntary attack end of life counseling as the creation of "death panels." Of course health care reform will cost more when the Republicans block most attempts at cost savings. You hardly needed an actuary to tell you that.
The real problem here is in allowing the Republicans to frame the issue as simply a matter of cost. Republicans have so altered the political debate that any consideration of spending more money (unless it involves invading other countries or committing torture) is difficult to bring up, regardless of how beneficial increased domestic spending in some areas might be.
If we frame the issue as one of spending money, then of course the Republicans will win. There is no such thing as a free lunch. If Americans can once again look at the issues as adults, then we can look at the real issues. We have the worst health care delivery system in the modern industrialized world. Any discussion of health care should start from the perspective that the United States should be able to do what the rest of the industrialized world does in enabling all of its citizens to obtain affordable health care.
So far the Republicans have no meaningful answers as to expanding health care coverage. They essentially have two proposals: allowing people to purchase insurance across state lines and malpractice reform. The first is basically a way to allow insurance companies to avoid state regulations which is the opposite of what is needed as long as insurance companies are destroying the individual market by finding ways to deny care. Tort reform should be included in health care reform. We need to take advantage of all possible ways to reduce health care costs without reducing quality or limiting choice. While this should be included, tort reform would only have a small impact on overall health care costs and by itself it is not a solution.
We need to look beyond the question of whether health care reform costs money to looking at the problems which must be solved. Unfortunately the Democrats also reinforce the Republican framing when they make promises which they might not be able to keep to reform health care without raising any taxes on most people. Having a country in which everyone has access to health care, and nobody has to fear that losing their jobs or developing a serious illness might force them into bankruptcy, is something which is worth paying for. If the rest of the industrialized world can do this, the United States should be able to. Republicans are hoping that they can fool enough people with their spin on this report to avoid having to answer the real questions on health care reform.
While there was little which was truly pro-freedom in Ron Paul's platform of mixing Republican social conservatism and states' rights ideas with libertarian bumper sticker lines, the Paul campaign was one of the more interesting aspects of the 2008 elections. The Hill reports that Paul says it is "too early" to decide as to whether he is running for president in 2012. For now he is concentrating on his reelection campaign.
While Paul generated a lot of interest, he was not able to receive a meaningful number of votes. It is questionable if he could match his 2008 levels of support without the Iraq war as a major issue. Paul did manage to build a grass roots movement capable of making some noise, but was not able to obtain any meaningful degree of national support.
Unfortunately the libertarian elements of his movement were ultimately drowned out by the racists, anti-Semites and neo-Nazis who also flocked to the Paul movement, often better understanding Paul's views than his younger supporters. Ultimately Paul's close relationship with extremist groups and the promotion of racism in his newsletter led many libertarians to disassociate themselves with Paul. Without either the Iraq war or support from libertarians it is questionable if Paul could recreate the excitement of the 2008 campaign.


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Home » News » Truck Driver Now Available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Truck Driver Now Available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
One of the most popular driving sub-genres on PC now has a console analogue with Truck Driver, now available on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
It's a little surprising that it's only now, in the tail end of 2019, that a long-haul simulator is available on consoles. Truck Driver follows in the footsteps of another niche PC driving title making that move, with Wreckfest smashing its way onto PS4 and XB1 just last month.
Developer SOEDESCO has released a launch trailer to give players a taste of that sweet, sweet 18-wheeler action:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=MEJwZjJ5z6w%3Ffeature%3Doembed
Here's what we already knew about Truck Driver. Players will inherit a big rig from their uncle, and progress through a single-player story to make him proud. Along the way they'll meet characters that task them with various challenges, like moving an ancient marble statue. Judging by the short section in the above video about the quote-unquote bananas, not every person will be the most upstanding of individuals…
SOEDESCO has also promised extensive customization. This will extend not only to the driver avatar, but also the trucks, with options for different paints, grilles, fenders and more.
The reveal trailer also shows off the open world progress SOEDESCO hinted at this past summer. As players complete missions, businesses expand and thrive, changing the landscape.
Have you picked up Truck Driver? What are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments section.
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Texas A&M women complete NCAA run with a national championship
Chuck Carlton, The Dallas Morning News (MCT)
INDIANAPOLIS — After long stretches of frustration in the NCAA Women's Tournament, Danielle Adams would not be denied with a championship tantalizingly close.
Neither would Texas A&M, the second seed that dreamed of greater things and seized the moment.
In the most important game of their lives on the biggest stage, the Aggies delivered the school its first national basketball title with a 76-70 victory Tuesday night over Notre Dame.
As they had for five previous games in the tournament, the Aggies (33-5) hugged and danced. Then, they assembled on a raised stage at Conseco Fieldhouse to hoist the NCAA trophy amongst the confetti.
They even coaxed coach Gary Blair, the Dallas native who jump-started a program that had endured seven straight losing seasons when he arrived from Arkansas in 2003, into a few forgettable dance moves.
The Aggies' effort was anything but.
"Me and my team couldn't let our seniors leave without winning a national championship," junior forward Tyra White said.
Adams pounded inside for 30 points and nine rebounds and showed the dominant game that made her an All-American. She claimed the most outstanding player of the Final Four and was joined by White on the all-tournament team.
"I had a little voice in my head that said, 'Don't let this team down,' " said Adams, who scored 22 points in the second half on 9-of-11 shooting. "We worked hard the whole season to prepare for this point."
Said Notre Dame's Devereaux Peters: "We couldn't guard her."
White, nicknamed the team's "Silent Assassin," provided the key basket like she had in the semifinal win over Stanford. As the shot clock expired, she connected on a backbreaking 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining to give the Aggies a five-point lead.
"That was a knife right in my heart," Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said.
A Sydney Colson turnover gave the Irish possession down three, 73-70, with 29 seconds left. A&M forced a turnover with White coming up with the steal. Two free throws later, the A&M lead was five.
While Notre Dame (31-8) got 23 points from star guard Skylar Diggins, A&M's defense made her work for her points. She shot just 7-of-19 from the field.
In a game of major momentum changes, the Aggies led by 13 in the first half and trailed by seven early in the second half before slowly, surely, inexorably taking command.
A&M had already beaten two No. 1 seeds and might as well been playing another in Notre Dame, which had upset two-time defending champion UConn in the semifinals.
Conseco Fieldhouse might as well been in the shadow of the Golden Dome. About three-fourths of the crowd of 17,473 seemed to be wearing Irish green.
At the end, Adams outdueled Diggins in a battle of All-Americans.
Adams came to A&M before the 2009-10 season as junior college All-American with conditioning issues. Now 40 pounds lighter, she took A&M to the top. At 6-1, she had battled bigger defenders throughout the tournament and struggled.
On the A&M official website before the Final Four, she said the Aggies would bring home the NCAA trophy to their fans. Then she delivered, helping A&M shoot 68 percent in the second half. She broke a 66-66 tie with consecutive inside baskets.
"I predicted it," Adams said.
(c) 2011, The Dallas Morning News.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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American branding consultant. He is CEO of Brandstream, a global branding firm with offices in the Seattle, Washington area and Co-Founder and Chairman of Upstream Research, a disruptive analytics startup. He is perhaps best known for his groundbreaking work as Nike Advertising Director including the launch of the "Just Do It" campaign and for serving as Starbucks' Chief Marketing Officer during its formative years.


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María Isabel Amada Antonia Rosa Mauri Segura eller Roseta Mauri y Segura, född 15 september 1850 i Palma de Mallorca, död 3 december 1923 i Paris, var en spansk dansare och balettlärare av katalansk härkomst. Hon var prima ballerina och verksam på La Scala i Milano och från 1878 på Parisoperan där hon introducerades av kompositören Charles Gounod. Mauri porträtterades flera gånger av konstnärer, skulptörer och fotografer samt var föremål för flera poetiska hyllningar.

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Q: call a function which is declared in UIViewcontroller to AppDelegate with a ilustrated example Is it possible to call a function which is on a UiviewController to appdelegate
Im using an Sdk which contains a group of custom controllers and controllers which can be subclassed
Example:
Suppose We have 2 viewcontrollers and appdelegate
viewController 1.h  which is in the sdk and can be subclassed
    @interface FirstViewController : UIViewController
    @end

and second viewController
which is subbclass of firstViewController
ex:
 import# <customViewcontroller/customviewcontroller.h>
 @interface FirstViewController : FirstViewController

 @end

in custoviewcontroller there is a function who is named
    -(void)showChatForUserId(NSString)userId;
and in the SecondViewcontroller.m
i can get the right result if i call
[self showChatForUserId:self.targetUserId];

and in Appdelegate i import SecondViewController
My question is
How can i possibly use the function [self showChatForUserId: ]
And userId comes from Push notification in appdelegate in the method
  -(UIApplication)application didReceiveRemoteNotifications(NSDictionary *)userInfo
    {
      NSString userId = [userInfo valueForKey"uid"]; here comes the id which i can use in the showChatForUseId.
    }

how can i possibly call this function by creating some instance of SecondViewController in appdelegate and get
 [self ShowChatForUserID:userId];

in the didReceiveRemoteNotifications method of appDelegate.m
Thank You to anyone who possibly can help in this case. <3

A: This bears a suspicious similarity to the exact same question asked earlier in the day.
First off some general advice, sit down for a few hours and read some of the first chapters of  an iOS book as you're floundering around, and even after getting the answer from your question you'll just continue to flounder without slowing down and getting some basic understanding under your belt.
Now
[self ShowChatForUserID:userId];

is not a function, the function is ShowChatForUserID:. Do you know what self means?
Before ShowChatForUserID can be called on an instance of SecondViewController their either
a) has to already exist an object of that type when didReceiveRemoteNotifications is called or
b) some part of your program has to create one.
So some object has to either have previously created a SecondViewController (SVC) or now some object has to create one.
Which object should create it cannot be answered because we have no idea of what the overall design of your application is or should be with only the information supplied.
Applications have a root view controller (RVC) and the root view controller might be a SecondViewController, or the RVC might create an SVC, or the RVC might create another VC which in turn should be responsible for creating the SVC, or .....
The app delegate should post a notification (using NSNotificationCenter) to notify something that the push has been arrived and to send the push id to something.
Something might be the SVC if it already exists, or it might be the RVC, or it might be another VC.
If something is the SVC then it could call [self ShowChatForUserID:userId];
If something isn't the SVC then it might create the SVC and initialize it with the userId.
It is not possible to say what something should be because the answer to that depends upon the whole of how your application should be designed and architected.
This is the correct answer, if its not the nice simple answer that you can copy/paste right away into your code then sorry to disappoint you. If you don't understand it then don't post another question again a few hours later hoping to get another answer that you can copy/paste. Heed what I said right at the very top about books.
If somebody gives you some quick canned answer that you can apply immediately, their answer is quick hack bullshit.
(IF the RVC is the SVC then it would be possible for the app delegate to call a method on that class directly to tell it to show the chat for the user id, or if the RVC is not the SVC then it would still be possible for the app delegate to tell it to pass the message to show the chat to the SVC. But in a real app the RVC would not be the SVC, and the app delegate calling methods on the RVC which get passed down is not good).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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The Villero has a good aging potential and reaches its best as years go by.
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Although the selection of DVDs/Blu-rays releasing this week is limited, you've likely been waiting for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2! Whether you saw it in theaters and have been dying to see it again, or you've been waiting until the home release, we can say that this movie is one fun ride. If superheroes, '80s music and adventure aren't your thing, there is also the indie sci-fi/fantasy thriller, Kill Switch, starring Dan Stevens.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – Hired by the Sovereign to protect Anulax Batteries, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista) and Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) find themselves in hot water when Rocket (Bradley Cooper) steals some. While escaping the wrath of the High Priestess, Peter is contacted by his father, Ego (Kurt Russell), who has his own planet. They travel there so Peter can discover more about him. Meanwhile, Yondu (Michael Rooker) and his Ravagers want the batteries stolen by Rocket.
Kill Switch – When an advanced method of gathering energy, capable of powering a whole city is unleashed, news soon surfaces of a glitch that causes vehicles to disappear and reappear out of thin air. Pilot Will Porter (Dan Stevens) is asked to jump between worlds in the hopes of fixing the issue, but when he arrives, this alternate world is drastically different — plagued by violence and destruction.


text:
Home | About The SABS | Services & Sectors | Sustainable Development | Procurement & Tendering | Media Centre | Local Content | Careers | Green | Contact
LOCAL CONTENT VERIFICATION
Local content is Government initiative driven by the National Treasury, the dti and the Department of Mineral Resources, aimed at stimulating the manufacturing industry with a view to improving South Africa's economic performance and increase job creation. This policy is premised on the impact the government and Mining companies spending has on the economy of the country if directed at industrialisation and job creation.
For public procurement, South African National Standard (SANS) 1286:2017 defines local content as "that portion of the tender price that is not included in the imported content, provided that local manufacturing takes place and is calculated in accordance with the local content formula". (Standard available at https://store.sabs.co.za/. Whereas in the Mining sector is defined as the percentage local value add, the sales price in rand of the capital good, component or consumable excluding mark-up and indirect overheads and imported inputs/components used in the assembly or manufacturing.
This initiative was first introduced in the Preferential Procurement Framework Act in 2011, with an amendment that made provision for the dti to designate certain sectors for local production and content, in line with national development and industrial policies for local production. In September 2018 the Department of Mineral Resources issued the Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the Mining Industry (Mining Charter#3), which were subsequently followed by its guidelines (December 2018). Both the Charter and the Guidelines affirms the SABS as an agency appointed by the Department of Mineral Resources to carry out local content verifications.
PPFA (Public Procurement) Mining
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Addonpeds mod worked fine for me but suddenly it cracks the game in loading screen. I know that addonpeds does not work with recent GTA V updates, but I am using an older version of the game where it has always worked.
I am not sure but I think it has to do with number of addon characters. I do not know if it has to do with number of addons, because it crashes when I add a new one (version 3.0.0 of mod); nevertheless, if I use version 3.0.1 of mod it does not crash but models are not found.
The game version I use is 1.0.1032.1. As I have said, it worked fine for me in that version.
Thanks for you kind reply!
Have you installed a gameconfig?
I used to run that version on my old labtop and it should work fine with a proper gameconfig.


text:
Home Video Games Impressions: Gears of War 4 Multiplayer beta on Xbox One
Impressions: Gears of War 4 Multiplayer beta on Xbox One
Paul Hunter
Gears of War 4 Multiplayer Beta has arrived
Last summer Microsoft announced that fans who play Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox One or Windows 10 before March 1st, 2016 (later extended to April 11th), will gain access to the exciting, exclusive Gears of War 4 Early Access Multiplayer Beta. The beta, which rolled out to Early Access members yesterday, offers the first peak at how Gears of War 4 is evolving the franchise's multiplayer experience.
This is a beta in its truest sense. Not all features in the final game are present, and the overall framerate and graphics engine are not yet full optimized. The beta is intended to help the developers tweak and refine the multiplayer experience as we move closer to big worldwide release date of October 11th, 2016. After diving into the Multiplayer Beta this weekend during a limited preview period, I can confidently say that even at this early stage, Gears of Wars 4 multiplayer delivers. The combat has gone back-to-basics, taking the best elements from the exceptional Gears of War 3 multiplayer, while also innovating the gameplay in many ways.
Everything you love about Gears multiplayer is here, and more
Roadie running, cover shooting, wall frag tagging, gnasher rolling, enemy spotting, meatshields, tac-com, down-but-not-out, and my personal favourite—chainsaw duels—are all back and better than ever in Gears of War 4 multiplayer. This is a true-to-form multiplayer incarnation that takes you back to the glory days of early Gears of War multiplayer, and will make you forget about the rather underwhelming, arcadey, FPS-style multiplayer offering in Gears of War: Judgment. The old-school intensity is back.
Gears of War 4 multiplayer does a great job at building upon core, classic Gears gameplay elements, refining and tweaking them to make combat more fluid and finessed. Take the new Vault Kick for example, this move allows you to roadie run towards an enemy on the other side of cover, and quickly vault over to perform a stunning kick to the face. It's like the mantle kick from Gears 3, only with no need to slow down your momentum. Next, there's the new Yank and Shank maneuver, which allows you to pull opponents over cover to your side, leaving them vulnerable to the many new knife executions. Both of these moves can be countered, so while they are very effective to under specific situations, you need to be choosey where and when you employ them.
New Maps
There are three maps included in the Gears of War 4 Multiplayer Beta—Dam, Harbor, and Foundation. All three of them are roughly symmetrical, giving each team equal opportunity secure key chokepoints and obtain the highly coveted power weapons. Dam was my favourite map with its gorgeous moss-covered construction yard, magnificent flowing dam backdrop, and central hot zone everyone hustles towards to secure the game-changing power weapon. Action can occur anywhere on this multi-area battlefield: in the bunkered pit at the map's base, in the tight corridors underneath a towering crane, or in the precarious, yet integral, raised central platform. It's frenetic fun combat from start to finish.
For urban environment lovers there's Foundation, a map filled with close-range encounters and a key bisecting path that gives you line of sight down the whole map. I loved the carnage-filled 5-on-5 wars that took place down the central corridor, but you have to watch out for players who duck into the upper piston room, or lower statue monument area to grab power weapons like the Torque Bow and all-new Dropshot grenade launcher. These weapons make a huge impact, especially in the highly populated central stretch.
Finally, there's Harbor, a dark, drizzly outdoor industrial shipyard filled with protruding pipes, a large crane, a docked boat, and a multi-floor docking area. This felt like the smallest map of the bunch, and control of the boat is critical to success. You get a great view of the battlefield when at the front of the boat, but you need to be ready to defend your position in close-quarter combat should you get flanked. The best aspect of this map is the multiple lanes to enter from unexpected angles, resulting in surprise encounters that constantly keep you on your toes.
New (and Returning) Modes
Team Deathmatch returns in Gears of War 4 multiplayer in all its glory. Each 5-player team is given a 15 life pool, so you need to strategize and fight as if each life was your last. Unlike other shooters, there are no infinite spawns in Team Deathmatch, so you need to stick together, fight as a unit, and have each other's backs. After playing several hours of Team Deathmatch, I switched over to 5-player vs 5 bots mode, to see how the game's AI stacked up. They obviously posed less of a challenge than human players, as the AIs didn't seem to coordinate their attacks very well, but they have deadly aim with a Torque Bow or Dropshot so you have to watch out.
The one new mode included in the beta is Dodgeball, which if you know from the real game, once you tag an opposing player, one of your teammates gets to re-enter the play field. The Gears version works pretty much the same: each player only has one life, but if you die, you can get resurrected and re-entry the fray after one of your teammate scores a kill. Remember all those times you were in 5-2, or worse, 5-1 situations and thought you had little chance to win? In Dodgeball, a 5-1 match can easily become a 4-2 after taking down an opponent, and then an even 3-3 if you take down one more. Huge upset comebacks can occur in Dodgeball, making it the most thrilling multiplayer mode included in the beta.
New (and Returning) Weapons
I've already mentioned some of the returning weapons, like the iconic Lancer (w/ chainsaw), Gnasher shotgun, Hammerburst, and Torque Bow. The beta also includes the devastating Boomshot (still my favourite Gears weapon), as well as the Longshot sniper rifle, now just as deadly as it was in the original Gears. Rounding out the returning weapons are the Boltok and Snub pistols, as well as smoke and frag grenades.
The one new weapon in the beta, the Dropshot, is just downright nuts. It's basically a hybrid drill-mine that hovers in the air and darts outwards the longer you hold the trigger button. When you release the button, the drill comes crashing down with high explosive power, obliterating everyone in its radius. Should you time the drop such that it lands squarely on the head of your opponent, the drill will burrow inside your victim's body, then explode them into a pile of mush. It takes a few rounds to really get the hang of this weapon, so don't be surprised if you miss the mark the first few times until you learn exactly how long to hold the trigger to get your desired distance.
Rewards for playing
First the bad news—your stats and progression in the beta will not carry over to the final game come October. However, by reaching XP Level 20 in the beta, you can obtain exclusive DLC like the 'Vintage Kait' character model, an emblem, a special Vintage Kait bounty, plus the Vintage weapon skin for the Lancer and Snub Pistol. Sure it would have been great to carry over your progression, but look on the bright side—the beta is totally free (and it's awesome), plus you can score some cool items and gear to give you a head start when the full game releases.
Don't miss out – pre-order now
If you're currently playing the Gears of War 4 Multiplayer Beta I'm sure you'll agree—Gears multiplayer is back with a vengeance. If you didn't play Gears of War: Ultimate Edition during the valid period, and thus can't join the Early Access, don't fret: an open beta is currently scheduled for April 25 through to May 1 for all Xbox Live Gold members.
Considering how great the beta is, Gears of War 4 multiplayer is going to be epic. Now we just have to see about the campaign, hopefully we'll get more of it at this year's E3.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this groundbreaking new entry on Xbox One.
Editor Video Gaming
I work out of Toronto, Ontario as the Editor of Gaming here on the Plug-in Blog and as Editor-in-Chief of NextGen Player. I am thankful for having a loving and patient wife who doesn't mind my 40 hour a week obsession with gaming. See my latest gaming adventures on my Twitter channel.
Hands-on with Logitech's latest Mac accessories, including the MX Master 3S Bluetooth optical mouse for Mac


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For providing interest subvention to eligible farmers under Bank's Naini Kisan Credit Card (NKCC) schemes, one separate account to be opened under the Short Term Crop Loans-lnterest Subvention with ROI @ 7% p.a. for a maximum period of one year for cultivation of crops and/or Post harvest expenses only maximum up to Rs. 3.00 lakh per farmer out of the total calculated limit as per the scale of finance as prescribed by DLTG of respective.
lt is an agriculture credit Scheme for providing production and investment credit to farmers based on land holdings and income criteria. Maximum amount for interest subvention will be eligible as per the scale of finance as NKCC scheme above. interest subvention will be available only on the amount which qualifies under NKCC scheme (as per the scale of finance prescribed by DLTC). One separate account should be opened under the (Short Term Crop Loans-lnterest Subvention) with ROI @ 7% p.a. for a maximum period of one year for cultivation of crops and/or Post harvest expenses only maximum up to Rs. 3.00 lakh per farmer. The total loan amount of both the accounts should not exceed the maximum eligible limit as per the scale of finance prescribed under NBKGC scheme.
If the Short Term Crop Loans eligible for interest subvention are not repaid on or before the due date fixed by the bank or within a maximum period of one year, whichever is earlier, then the normal interest rate as applicable for the particular Crop Loan/ scheme will be charged.


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text:
Home » TV » True Crime
Did Warren Horinek murder his wife Bonnie Horinek or was it suicide: Reasonable Doubt investigates
Tue Mar 31, 2020 at 10:57am ET Fri Apr 03, 2020 at 10:57 am EDT
By Jerry Brown
Reasonable Doubt examines the case of Warren and Bonnie Horinek from Forth Worth, Texas. The pair had a difficult marriage, and when Bonnie ended up shot dead, her husband wound up in prison convicted of her murder.
Warren has been described as a "vicious drunk with a history of threatening his wife;" however, there are many people who believe Bonnie killed herself on that fateful night in March 1995.
Warren dialed 911, his first words were slurred and incomprehensible, but he eventually made himself understood, he was claiming his wife had just shot herself, and he was demanding an ambulance.
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When medics arrived they found Warren behaving strangely; firstly, the front door was locked, he then disappeared to look after a dog before returning to perform CPR on his wife's already dead body.
Warren's story changed a couple of times, he told some investigators that someone must have broken-in and killed Bonnie, and he explained to others it was suicide.
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Did Bonnie Horinek commit suicide, or was it murder?
Police found two firearms at the scene and zero signs of a break-in. Police decided there were only two possible outcomes: either Bonnie had committed suicide or Warren had murdered his wife.
While the autopsy reported listed the cause of death as undetermined, it appeared to suggest that the wound was self-inflicted: "Both the location and proximity of the gunshot wound along with an absence of defensive wounds are suggestive of a self–inflicted gunshot wound," the report read.
Mike Johnson was convicted of planting the bomb that murdered pregnant Tammy Baker: Reasonable Doubt asks did...
Many of the investigating officers, experienced homicide detectives, began to believe Warren was telling the truth of a suicide. Mike Parrish, an assistant D.A. in Forth Worth, examined the case and decided not to prosecute. "I always thought that it was suicide," Parrish says. "Still do."
However, Bonnie's family and friends flat out rejected the idea she might have killed herself. They pointed to the fancy new job she'd just gotten downtown with a six-figure salary. Colleagues considered her a "rising star" at the law firm where she worked as a labor and employment lawyer.
While her marriage had had problems and she suffered bouts of depression, they argued that she generally seemed content.
Warren Horinek liked to play with guns when drunk
Warren had a history of abusive behavior and was known to enjoy playing with guns when drunk; he even admitted to previously firing a gun in her direction. On the night of Bonnie's death, he had consumed at least eleven beers.
But what ultimately led to Warren's conviction was the blood splatter evidence on his shirt that appeared to suggest he was in the room when Bonnie died.
In 1996, Warren Horinek, a former Forth Worth police officer who had lost his job due to his drinking, was convicted of murdering his wife.
More from Reasonable Doubt
Follow the links to read about more possible miscarriages of justice from Reasonable Doubt.
In another case of a husband and wife duo where the wife ends up dead, Kathy Middleton died from a gunshot wound in 1990 in Missouri. Her husband, Ken Middleton, has been in prison ever since. However, many believe Ken is the victim of a botched investigation, and Kathy's death was a tragic accident.
Reasonable Doubt also looked at the case of Claude Garrett, who was accused of killing his 24-year-old girlfriend Lorie Lance Lee in 1992 in Nashville, Tennessee. Garrett was charged with setting the fire that killed Lorie; however, some believe that new scientific developments in fire investigation suggest he might be innocent.
Watch The Meanest Drunk in the South on Reasonable Doubt at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery.
Jerry was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, but is now based in the UK. He specializes in true crime and entertainment news stories. When... read more
Latest posts by Jerry Brown (see all)
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Tags Reasonable Doubt
Roosevelt Myles has spent 27 years in prison for murdering Shaharian Brandon:...
Mike Johnson was convicted of planting the bomb that murdered pregnant Tammy...
Tracy Fortson claims other cops framed her for murdering her boyfriend Doug...


The question is on agreeing to the constitutional point of order made by the Senator from Nevada, Mr. ENSIGN, that the amendment violates Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and the Fifth Amendment.
Snowe's "aye" vote makes it hard for her to support any bill that includes an individual mandate. If she were to vote for an individual mandate after declaring that such a law would violate the Constitution, Snowe could reasonably be accused of violating the oath she swore to the Constitution upon joining the Senate.
Yet Democrats are unlikely to support any bill that does not include an individual mandate. As President Obama told a joint session of Congress, his plan "only works" if lawmakers force everyone to purchase government-designed health insurance.


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Slashing prices and faces
Does this look like an upgrade?
We approve of WGCL's investigation into what sounds like a drive-through plastic surgery clinic in Atlanta, with branches across America. WGCL says it spent three months looking into complaints about "The Lifestyle Lift." The story, produced by Michelle Glorieux and fronted by anchor Stephany Fisher, describes a clinic for patients who want Cher results but can't afford Cher prices. A cut-rate clinic, as it were.
The process sounds a bit grisly. You walk in one day, get scheduled for surgery the next day. The patient is then herded into a room with other freshly cut-and-bandaged patients. Then, they're shown the door en masse. One woman laments on camera that her jowls and turkey-neck remained despite the surgery. The video is certainly convincing.
Smooth operator: Dr. David Kent
This piece is also an excellent example for folks boning up on their bad PR skills. The clinic offered the clinic's owner, David Kent, for an interview with WGCL. A smooth-talking and rather condescending-sounding sort, he offered to fix the turkey-neck lady with a return visit. (She says she's afraid to return and wants a refund instead.) He explained that his is a discount operation, so to speak. The implied message is that you get what you pay for.
But then the owner bailed out on the interview, midway as Fisher was asking "the tough questions." The on-camera walk-off made Kent look like a weasel and undid whatever damage control he might have sought to do by consenting to the interview. (We have to give a finger-wag to the photog behind Kent, though. He's wrapping his mic wire, while he ought to be shooting the interviewee stalking off. Good thing his counterpart in the two-camera shoot had the presence of mind to widen the shot and keep rolling.)
Our only complaint: WGCL put a bed of music under the first part of its investigative series. Call us old fashioned, but Mike Wallace or Lesley Stahl never did that at 60 Minutes. It's cheesy and unnecessary. But overall, this is a solid consumer / health investigation, the kind of stuff that audience research shows is a winner on local TV news. Grade: A-
This entry was posted in WGCL on November 18, 2008 by live apt fire.


1962 - the year Best Home Furnishings was born. We find it fitting to name our latest collection Studio 62, more than 50 years later.
Studio 62 gives you the chance to become the designer. Choose from colorful prints and velvets. Now, choose your frame. It's simply done, but simply beautiful.
Bold prints show a beautiful array of color, while the luxurious velvet line of 14 vibrant colors rounds out the trendy new look. Select from over 40 correlating fabrics in Studio 62.
Every chair that's produced is finely crafted by skilled sewers and upholsterers in Southern Indiana. The detail used in their work will give you a product that will be enjoyed for years to come.


text:
The White House from Washington, D.C. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
China's Rise Doesn't Equate to America's Fall
Media Coverage | June 27, 2018
Zoe Leung
Senior Program Associate, Asia-Pacific Program
Jace White
Program Coordinator, SOUTH ASIA PROGRAM
U.S.-China relations are increasingly complex and intertwined. Both countries have called for greater cooperation, yet this stands in stark contrast to recently intensified mistrust. Plans for the United States and China to focus on building a mutually trustful relationship are unrealistic at this juncture, given mutual skepticism of strategic intentions and unwillingness, on either side, to display strategic vulnerability. Alternatively, the best step forward is aiming for a constructive relationship based on interdependence and confidence wherein both sides can predictably pursue their rational self-interest.
Power politics between the two great powers is inevitably a zero-sum game; a rise in Chinese power is treated as running counter to U.S. interests, and vice versa, regardless of intentions. While Washington remains skeptical of Beijing's ambitions in its "Peaceful Development" and Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing is equally suspicious of the U.S.-led alliance system and regards it as a tool left over from the Cold War, designed to isolate and contain China. Tallying recent developments in the long list of contentious bilateral issues reveals a pattern of widening strategic mistrust that must be managed.
Read the full commentary in The National Interest.
Image: The White House from Washington, D.C. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
China-Russia: The Entente Cordiale of the 21st Century?
EWI Hosts Roundtable Discussion on U.S.-China Relations
How China Can Offer Pakistan a Path From the Precipice
Europe's Need to Leverage China to Counter American Excesses
Trade Disputes Are at the Heart of Washington's New Diplomacy


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Moveable bridge installed in Canary Wharf
The new 28-metre moveable bridge on Water Street, Canary Wharf. Picture: COWI - Credit: COWI
The deck of London's newest moveable bridge was installed last week in Canary Wharf following a 36-hour voyage across the North Sea.
The bridge was shipped from Belgium. Picture: COWI - Credit: COWI
The 28-metre structure on Water Street crosses the southern end of Bellmouth Passage.
Once open for use, it will provide a road and pedestrian link between Montgomery Square and Canary Wharf's new district, Wood Wharf.
Two hydraulic cylinders underneath the eastern end of the bridge will raise the deck to allow large ships to pass; revealing its steel structure and mechanical parts.
"It's been a fascinating project to work on," said engineer Vlad Opanasiuk of COWI, who designed the bridge alongside Knight Architects and Eadon Consulting.
"Solving complex engineering challenges to bring brilliant designs like this to reality is what makes being an engineer so rewarding."
The bridge was shipped from Belgium ahead of its installation on Tuesday, August 14.


[Podcast Transcript] Bots for Brands?
Goldy Arora: Welcome to the 4th episode of Land of Digital Opportunities podcasts by MediaAgility, a global digital consulting company. Every week we invite an industry experts to explore the land of digital opportunities and see how new technologies can help businesses become ready for the coming years and gain competitive edge. So today, we are going to speak with Kamal about Bots for Brands, Kamal is a partner at MediaAgility and has been working with CIO's of some of the innovative companies and in this podcasts we are going to hear from him about what Bots exactly are and more specifically how businesses can benefit from these new technologies? We will also ask from him his recommendations on how to really narrow down and to decide which business function to start with, when you are ready to take your first step towards getting advantages of these Bot platforms for your business and at last we will ask him about what are some of the innovative things, he or MediaAgility is doing with Bots. With that, let's talk to Kamal about Bots for Brands.
Kamal, Welcome to the Land of Digital Opportunities podcasts.
Kamal: Thanks Goldy! Thanks for inviting me.
Goldy Arora: You're welcome, we are glad to have you here today. Kamal, I have attended developer conferences of Facebook and Google I/O, Microsoft majorly online, I have been seeing this snippet of Bots but still I have limited understanding of what these Bots are and most importantly how businesses can be benefit from these new technologies? So, being an expert in having working in this area for sometime now, why don't you talk to us a bit about what Bots exactly are and specifically how business can be benefit from these Bots?
Kamal Puri: I think Bots are really powerful in connecting brands to consumers. It is a answer to the question that businesses always have, Should I have a mobile app or a web app. Most of the time brands have a mobile app because they like stickiness from the users, they like loyalty, they want to deliver a wonderful user experience to their customers which is a challenge on mobile if it is a web app today and I believe Bots solve that problem and is kind of a middle way that provides all the brands a platform where all the users of mobile are spending majority of their time. So, Facebook last year revealed almost 900 million active Facebook users spending 1 hour every day on Facebook and same are the stats with other messaging apps either Skype, IMessage, hangouts which will be converting to Allo sometime this year from Google. So all these are answers to the questions how to deliver a really powerful user experience on Mobile where people are spending majority of their time and Bots is the answer to that question where it gives you a platform where every users online is spending 1 hour every day and that is the biggest platform where brands can deliver a wonderful experience through these different messaging apps either it is Facebook messenger app or Skype or Imessage or Allo, all these are trying to deliver a beautiful user experience through the messaging app to the users, that's what Bots are all about. So when I talk about Bot, it really consists of 3 major elements- 1st one is the reach which is provided by all these platforms where people are spending majority of their online time. 2nd is the natural language processing which has become really simple and powerful over last few years through various Machine Learning Algorithm and data that all these platforms allow us to consume today, So Natural Language Processing is a solved problem for majority of the platforms and 3rd is Machine Learning where you can actually learn and know a lot more about customer when they are online on these apps then when they come to a standalone app which is yours. So if you take an example if I am a small consumer brand and I am trying to sell my clothes and people come to my site and open my mobile app to buy something on the site, they are really looking for what their need of the day is and do not much about the app but once I am in Facebook, I am connected to the social graph, I know what their IMessage friends are, I know a lot more about the user and I can deliver a very powerful user experience through these apps once they are connected to the platform. So, I believe combining these 3 really delivers the promise of Bots, what they really stand for.
Goldy Arora: That's the good summary of what Bots are? So, if a s business user I get it right what you are saying is that these Bots are kind of artificial human being which can understand the context of what I say, what I type with the help of Natural Language Processing and it can interact like human being, is that the right small summary for Bots.
Kamal Puri: Yes, lot of Bots are pretty smart these days and they understands small transactional messages and not long ones so far but as long as those messages are directly questions, queries which Bot can answer to, that really powerful experience.
Goldy Arora: Welcome back! You are listening to Land of Digital Opportunities podcasts by MediaAgility, back to the conversation with Kamal about Bots for Brands.
So Kamal, if we take that as Bots description and as a business user if I understand what these Bots are and may be some direction on how they can help my business in may be getting comparative advantage and becoming ready for coming years but there are still you know loads of vendors like Facebook, Microsoft, Google and bunch of others plus there are multiple business functions that I have to run as a business owner or the business leader, what would you recommend the listeners where they should actually take this initiative of getting Bots advantage.
Kamal Puri: I think what I have been experiencing is working with multiple customers, you need to think about what your goals are, are you trying to increase your sales? Are you trying to improve your customer experience? Are you trying to grow your audience? Are you trying to increase your reach? Once you know what is the most important thing in the business for you based on that you can really think about use cases and scenarios where Bots can play a pretty active part. The most popular I have seen are playing an ecommerce role where applications like 1800flowers are really taking advantage of Bot platform where I can go to the Bot of 1800flowers where I can say I want to order flowers for my mom for the mother's day and it will recommend me 3 options to chose from and I will pick one and give to me my address with just a single click of sharing the location and that's it. My order is placed and flowers will be delivered to me on the next day. Things like that are really powerful when we talk about e commerce and biggest advantage of using these platforms and building your own ecommerce app is you know a lot more about user who are in those platforms through the social graph of the user, through the profile, persona of the user once they logged in through their Apple, Google ID, it's really simple and customer gets a really personalized experience because you are giving them offers based on what they really need than doing a bundle demographic style marketing where you say, okay you want to do marketing that say 15% off on all electronics or let's do a 20% off on goods which is a traditional way of doing marketing. Now you can do a more personalized one on one marketing to each of the customers that is going to talk to you on your Bot platform.
The second important function where we are seeing lot of traction is in support and customer service area, I am sure you must have experienced long IVR queues you call up a bank or insurance company or to place an order to the pizza hut near to you, so all these IVR's can be actually replaced with Bots. If I want to get a pizza deliver to my home, I will just say Hey, Pizza hut, can you deliver me a pizza and one click share my location, it will give me 3 options- which pizza's to choose from or it will also remember what was my last order and just repeat that and that's it, I don't have to install a pizza hut application on my mobile phone, I don't have to go to browser open the website, it is that simple and that's what really the promise of Bots are to bring a great user experience from user's point of view and for brands it is a big customer base where they can target to where people spend majority of their online time. These are the 2 major functions where I have been seeing taking the most advantage of Bots.
Goldy Arora: Kamal, it reminds me of the podcasts that we did where Rajesh said on the similar lines- When it comes to digital transformation, it starts with saying "NO" first and then take a deep breath and go back to your team and try to see what are your strengths and what are your core objectives and your unique value proposition and then try to figure out which is that function where you should take this initiatives. I do agree with the recommendations that these are the business functions but every time when there is a new technology coming in and everyone gets excited to adopt these technologies and it have been the kind of number one in the market to offer that and be competitive so same case is with Bots gonna be, so based on your experience have you seen some of the industries which are like prominent in adopting Bots and taking benefits from these Bots like some industries are picking up really well and some are not.
Kamal Puri: So talking about industries, one of the biggest industry I see where the opportunity lies is in Publication industry and we all know publishing has been going through tough time today where revenue models are primarily based on advertising or subscriptions. I have been really working with some of the publishers where they are seeing a lot of struggle in terms of increasing their audience, how to keep people engaged with their content, have them actively return to their sites or app, Bots really solve that problem for them. It is the best platform where majority of users spend their time online and this is the easiest way to consume content . I have seen CNN Bot and the experience have been really fantastic so far, every morning I get top news about the day, I can ask about whatever interesting topic I can talk about, I can ask it latest news about Olympics and it will deliver me that. So it's really powerful interesting way to deliver content, have a feeling where you're more in a discussion mode with an assistant who deliver a content to you then rather than just searching about a content on Google, it is a different experience altogether.
Goldy Arora: Welcome back, you are listening to a Land of Digital Opportunities podcasts by MediaAgility and now back to the conversation with Kamal about Bots for Brands.
A- Which platforms do you want the Bot to integrate with like to integrate with Facebook, iMessage, Allo from Google, Amazon Echo and there are many more platforms opening up with so many messenger app opening their platforms.
B- You need to built the Bot app which talks to the user, do the Natural Language Processing and then give the people what they are looking for, to built those apps there are platform like Wit.ai, a company which Facebook acquired last year, Microsoft has a Bot platform which allows you to built application in node.js, telegram also has a platform to built those apps or you can also even built a custom app in any language you want as long as it is supporting the protocols of Bots and it can talk in JSON request response, it pretty much what you need to built.
C- Third is the machine learning component where you learn over a period of time what kind of things customers are asking for, what kind of orders they are placing, what kind of content they are reading, what kind of support they are looking for and then personalise the experience based on that.
Combining these three really gives a very powerful customer experience in a really simple and clean way and that's what I believe we should be really focussing on.
Goldy Arora: Kamal, you know something just happened when I started this podcasts I had limited understanding of Bots are though I have some understanding after seeing these developer conferences but as we spoke a bit now I am trying to relate things around me and yesterday I was at bank nearby to get the cashier cheque done and I was in a queue for 10 minutes but now I am just trying to relate all this with what we just discuss because when you go at a bank for example what you do exactly, you do the same kind of interaction every time either you are going to deposit some money or get the cashier cheque so I guess if you look at the Bot perspective, it can fit anywhere, where the human interaction is happening and specifically where human interaction is kind of repetitive.
Kamal: Yes, imagine a Bank of America where you want to deposit a cheque, it will ask you sure, click a picture, you click a picture of cheque and that's it, everything else is done electronically, you don't have to visit the branch and do anything else. It was a really powerful experience.
Goldy Arora: Around the other hand, what I am thinking is somehow it is like replacing the human side, will we be missing those human interaction elements that we deal with now, when we start doing things with Bots all the time, what do you think about this?
Kamal Puri: i don't think Bots will replace humans, they will definitely make it simple and easy to do all the rudimentary things and even going beyond just the rudimentary things, delivering a experience which is really personalised to you.
Kamal, as MediaAgility as a company I understand has been helping the businesses in exploring the possibilities with Bots and you are actively engaged in couple of these projects, so tell us a bit about some of the interesting things you have been doing about with these Bots.
Kamal Puri: So things that we are helping our customers with majorily fall in 3 buckets – 1st one is e commerce where customers really want to have direct conversation with the large customers they spend majority of their time and make it really simple for them to buy things online, Amazon echo falls in that category and Bots really integrate well with Amazon echo, they really integrate well on the backend with Salesforce, ERP, order management and that's really where we are coming into picture and helping companies integrate all system together and delivering powerful experience to user to buy product online, The 2nd area is for publishers to deliver content and we are helping them integrating Bots platform with their CMS, so that they do not have to go and do an overhead of content and it's really simple and easy for publishers and editors to publish content on their CMS platform which is automatically pushed to all their users based on their persona, based on their learning style, reading habit in the past and also based on their social graph, the kind of things they are sharing on their social profiles, we can deliver really powerful experience to all these customers and not only that doing a push versus pull where you actually push content to your users everyday based on what their interest categories are. The 3rd major area where we are working with their customers is in support where brands did really like to deliver good customer experience, if let's say my washing machine has some problem, I should be able to go to the Bot and say hey, my washing machine has a problem, this was my order number and it will automatically understand which model I am talking about, it will ask me rudimentary troubleshooting questions, things like- is the power on? Is the spinner is running? Trying to figure out what the root cause of the problem is and based on whatever I tell in troubleshooting, then give me the next step and if required raise a ticket in zendesk and have a visit to my home to fix my device , So these are some of the major areas where we are working with our customers and we are seeing a lot of traction this year where brand really want to integrate with all these platforms and deliver a wonderful customer experience to the user.
Goldy Arora: Kamal, I am sure today's podcasts would be helpful to our listeners not only in understanding what Bots are and how coming 5 years will look like but also in figuring out where and how to take their Bot initiatives, once they are ready to go with these. So with that I appreciate your time and thank you for being with us on the Land of Opportunities podcasts.
Kamal Puri: Thank you for having me!


OCTOBER, 2017: SCOTTSDALE, AZ- As families of children and teens work together to plan their annual Halloween festivities, one family is changing up their traditions, or, rather, continuing those began 500 years ago.
"We don't celebrate Halloween," said Mrs. Geneva Knox, mother of four, as she welcomed reporters, sharing both her insights and her gluten-sugar-dairy-and-taste-free porridge snacks.
Mrs. Knox nodded in agreement and explained that instead of succumbing to the lure of free candy and unholy costumes, she and Mr. Knox would be starting a new door-to-door tradition with their children. Rather than miss out on the fun of trick-or-treating, the Knox family is reforming this annual romp according to their faith.
Instead of dressing in this years' popular Wonder Woman and Stranger Things costumes, the four Knox children will be donning authentic Benedictine monk habits which they learned to sew themselves during their homeschool history lessons. Properly attired, they will then to go door-to-door to pass out copies of Luther's 95 Theses, which they translated and hand-wrote during their homeschool penmanship lessons. Should homeowners not answer the door to their knocking, Mr. and Mrs. Knox are planning to supply their children with a sufficient number of thumb tacks and toy hammers so that they may continue to live in the spirit of Luther and attached their Theses to the doors regardless.
"We would not want to leave any houses out just because they don't answer!" explained Mrs. Knox.
However, those who do answer are in for a special surprise; not only will they receive their own copy of Luther's 95 Theses, they will also be treated to a rousing a cappella rendition of "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" sung by the four children.
Grace was quickly nudged into silence by her twin sister Faith and handed a consolatory cheese curd by her brother Zwingli.
When asked whether they were excited to go door-to-door on Reformation Day, the Knox children had mixed responses. Grace still mourned her forgone candy, but brothers Zwingli, age 12, and Calvin, age 15, were enthusiastic about their endeavor.
The Knox family is hoping to promote their idea as a safe and spiritual alternative for Protestant fun this Halloween. Perhaps they will start a trend amongst likeminded families, themselves serving to reform traditions and continue those began 500 years ago.


That was in comparison to many other places in America, like the South etc..
OP should never go to the Pacific NW.
For one, I get my business information from other sources. Second, I've never said I was treated better out here. I simply said the people I've encountered were very nice.
I wouldn't ask business related questions on this forum. I have other resources for that. My concerns were only social related. Anyway, I'm good. I'm adjusting to the way of life out here. It's all good and it's what you make of it, like anywhere else in the Great USA.
Good to hear. I have a Graphics and Printing business and wondering if I will be able to grow my my business out here. I wouldn't want to lose possible business accounts because of my race.
Than why did you say this? This is business related. But you only make it about race, not one question about cost of starting a business in CA. Your main focus should be is "what is this going to cost me in CA?".
Yes, you did. You said you were treated better out here. That people were nicer than back east. How is that not being treated better? It's the same thing.
Not buying it. And how are you adjusting to the way of life out here? You didn't move here. You're visiting, there is nothing to adjust to when you only visit.
You're full of contradictions. You say you don't see black people out here, you won't go to South Central, another poster pointed out that places like Lancaster and San Bernardino have large black populations and you questioned that as if they were making it up....you don't live here. People have pointed out places that have large black populations and you dismiss it.
1st. Again, I never said I am treated better out here. You need to recheck that. 2nd. I didn't come out her to seek and be around black people. I get plenty of that in Atlanta. I just simply noticed the difference. 3rd. I'm slowly adjusting because I'm learning and have a lot more to learn. 3rd. I was wondering about the business itself growing as a black owner. Racism does exist and can be very subtle at times.
I think you went out with the expectation to see things like Atlanta, no city anywhere has a more dense population of blacks in the country. You will experience culture shock no matter where you go in the country in some way shape or form. Just like moving from a large city to a small one or the reverse.
That also goes both ways people from CA would experience the culture shock of being in other states where race is an issue. Don't shoot down his view point because its not an issue in CA, you have to understand that race and race issues do exist in other parts of the country, some states a lot more than others.
So you have sources with local business experience, but those same sources don't know anything about the demographics of the city? I know the demographics(race, household size, annual income, education level, crime rate, etc) of every neighborhood within a 5 mile radius of my shop. It's part of why my shop is where it is and informs a lot of how I run it. And you found these local businesses sources, but couldn't be bothered to google LA's demographics?
I agree racism does exist, and it can be in subtle ways.
You say you're exploring LA, where exactly do you go? Why won't you go to South Central? I'm white and worked in South Central for 5 years, never felt uncomfortable.
Your comments about South Central based on what you said people in the east percieve about the area(again based on TV and movies) is in fact internalized racism.
Your concerns should focus on 1) Cost of moving a business to CA 2) If I do this what area needs a business like mine(as in you don't want to relocate to an area saturated with similar businesses).
Again priorities, you make everything about race.
You know when you come to an area with a preconcived notion and negative energy, you can end up making that your reality.
LA(and not just because I live here), is one of the last places I would worry about racism in this country. I am not saying it doesn't exist. But when you live in a city that you can't go anywhere on a daily basis and not hear 2 or 3 different languages and see people from different cultures, well let's just say you're not looking to relocate to Biloxi, MS or Little Rock, Arkansas.
Atlanta, no city anywhere has a more dense population of blacks in the country.