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HomePosts tagged 'color'
July 22, 2015 July 22, 2015 fasab Current Events, Factoids, George Carlin, Politics, Rants, Religion Aaron and Melissa Klein, against their interests, all and sundry, all men are created equal, America, atheist, brightest people, Buddhist, can you sue yourself for damages, challenge authority, chaos, Christian, Christian lesbian, civil rights, color, compliance, constitution let the tail continue to wag the dog, constitutional protections, control, count, critical thinking, Current Events, damages, defended at all costs, Donald Trump, drive on the correct side of the road, dumb enough, dumbest, dumbing down of society, education, emotional suffering, eroding the individual citizen's right, facts, fought for, Freedom Act, freedom of religious beliefs, freedom to do what minority groups dictate, gayest cake shop in America, George Carlin, government, gun, gun shop, Hindu, hold up a bank, idiots, illegal for a business to refuse to serve someone because of their sexual orientation, information, instilling fear, judge, kill your family, legal system, Lesbian, lesbian couple, lesbians, lowering the level of education, machines, Macy's, majority, majority community, micro-manage, minority rights, mom and pop bakery, murder, Muslim, no equivalent law, nothing is free, obedient workers, Opinion, Oregon, Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry, pander to every minority, paperwork, passively accept it, politics, Presbyterian, protect the religious beliefs of business owners, protection of minority rights, race, Rants, read, refused to bake a wedding cake, religion, religious beliefs, rules, school, sexual orientation, sikh, sillier looking signs, Silly looking people, six figure fine, supporting your point of view, Sweet Cakes By Melissa, teaching, the state, Thoughts, upheld, weapon, well educated people, well informed, within my rights, wrecked the education system, write
They say that nothing is free and in America that is certainly true as regards freedom of religious beliefs.
If you are a Christian, that is.
If you are a Muslim, or a Hindu, or a Sikh, or a Buddhist, or even an atheist, the constitutional protections of your civil rights will be upheld and fought for by all and sundry. Silly looking people will hold up even sillier looking signs supporting your point of view.
If you are a Christian, however, you will find you only have the freedom to do what minority groups dictate, not what conforms to your religious beliefs.
Aaron and Melissa Klein, the owners of a mom and pop bakery they call 'Sweet Cakes By Melissa', found that out a while ago when they refused to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple in 2013. They have been ordered by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI-cks for short) to pay $135,000 in damages to the two lesbians for "emotional suffering."
It makes me wonder if Donald Trump will launch a similar suit against Macy's for the "emotional suffering" he has been caused by Macy's refusing to sell his merchandise? I would imagine for a man with that kind of ego the "emotional suffering" would be substantial, at least a billion dollar's worth, I reckon.
Apparently in Oregon, and probably in other states, it is now illegal for a business to refuse to serve someone because of their sexual orientation. Most probably the same applies if you are of a particular race, color, or religion. However, there is no equivalent law to protect the religious beliefs of business owners.
Now I could care less whether you are a lesbian or a Presbyterian, that's not the issue here. The issue is that you can't have a law that protects one sector of the community at the expense of another. More to the point you can't have a ridiculous legal system that is both unfair and illogical.
But you do.
And it's getting worse.
Just as the Freedom Act took away more freedoms than it gave, the government is stealthily and overtly eroding the individual citizen's right to live their lives as they want to and as their beliefs dictate.
Sure you have to have rules, like don't murder people, drive on the correct side of the road, and that kind of thing otherwise there would be chaos. But trying to control and micro-manage every thought and action of the people, which is what the government is now about, is both unnecessary and unwanted.
Big Brother control room
I'm now wondering what happens if you come into my gun shop and I don't like the look of you and refuse to sell you a gun or other weapon. Am I within my rights? Or can you sue me for the "emotional suffering" of not being able to kill your family or hold up a bank?
Or can I sue you if you own the gayest cake shop in America but refuse to serve me because I am a Christian? That would be an interesting one in the light of the Oregon decision.
What happens if you are a Christian lesbian? What sort of "emotional suffering" does that cause? And can you sue yourself for damages? I'm sure there's a judge somewhere stupid enough to grant you a big payout, but of course you would have to pay it to yourself, unless the state would step in because of your sexual orientation and cough up the cash for you.
You see where this is going?
deliberate dumbing down of America
Just as they wrecked the education system in many western countries by teaching the brightest people in the school at the same pace as the dumbest, thereby lowering the level of education of everyone and churning out a multitude of idiots who can barely read, or write, or count, now we have to pander to every minority no matter how few people they represent and no matter how much their minority beliefs offend our own.
Minority rights don't really matter to the government because they don't make up enough of the population. If and when the need arises minorities can be brought to heel. The majority is a different matter though and what has been discussed in this blog post is all part of the dumbing down of society and instilling fear in anyone from the majority community who dares to stand up and challenge authority. The threat of a six figure fine, or worse, ensures compliance in most people.
My old late lamented friend George Carlin summed it up so well when he said, "Governments don't want well informed, well educated people capable of critical thinking. That is against their interests. They want obedient workers, people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork. And just dumb enough to passively accept it."
Protection of minority rights in a society is one thing – and a good thing – and should be defended at all costs. But it should be done for the right reasons AND it should be in addition to the rights of the majority, never at their expense.
Otherwise you might as well throw out the "all men are created equal" bit of the constitution and just let the tail continue to wag the dog.
First Of June, First Quiz Of June.
June 1, 2015 June 1, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests 16th and 17th centuries, 16th century, art, artists, authors, Baker Street, ball game, Birmingham, black and white bird, board game, books, Buildings, canal, Canary Current, Christopher Cockerell, city, City of Oaks, close fitting bodice, color, company, counties, country, cue ball, detective, east, education, empire, english, English city, Entertainment, equipment, famous, female bear, Finnish, first person, followers, Gävleborg, general knowledge, Geography, Golden Fleece, Gotland, Greek Mythology, Gulf Stream, herb, history, House of Representatives, idiots, India, institution, invent, Italian painter, land, language, Large Hill, largest landowner in the world, leader, leaves, line the streets, links, literature, London, Manchester, mode of transport, monopoly, movie, Name, nationality, nature, Normal Hill, North, North America, North Atlantic, North Atlantic Current, North Equatorial Current, north pole, Norwegian, oak trees, Olympic sport, on foot, original tokens, Pakistan, Pelota, People, Pica pica, places, pocket, questions, quiz, quizzes, red ball, region, ruled, science, scientific name, Shamrock, ship, shot in snooker, sit down, small vegetable growth, south, sport, star, Swedish, Taken, test, tests, United States of America, Uppsala, US Senate, voting seats, west, Western Europe, word, writer, writers
Summer is beckoning but not before you try another fasab quiz.
Twenty more random questions to test your knowledge.
As usual if you get stuck you can find the answers waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating!
Enjoy and good luck.
Q. 1: How many leaves are there on a shamrock?
Q. 2: It is the name of a region in Western Europe, a unique language, a close fitting bodice and a common form of the ball game Pelota. What is it?
Q. 3: What nationality was the first person to reach the North Pole alone and on foot?
a) Finnish b) English c) Norwegian d) Swedish
Q. 4: Which mode of transport did Christopher Cockerell invent in the 1950's?
Q. 5: What word links a herb or other small vegetable growth, the buildings, equipment, etc., of a company or an institution, or a shot in snooker where the cue ball hits a red ball which hits another red ball to make it go into a pocket?
Q. 6: What city in the United States of America is known as the "City of Oaks" because of the many oak trees that line the streets in the heart of the city.
Q. 7: What is a female bear called?
Q. 8: Gävleborg, Gotland and Uppsala are among the counties of which country?
Q. 9: In which Olympic sport are there 'Normal Hill' and 'Large Hill' events?
Q. 10: In Greek mythology who went in search of the 'Golden Fleece' ? (You get a point for the name of the leader, the name given to his followers and two bonus points for the name of their ship.)
Q. 11: What color originates from a famous 16th Century Italian painter and what color is it? (A point for each correct answer.)
Q. 12: Which English city has more than 100 miles of canal?
a) London b) Birmingham c) Manchester
Q. 13: Which empire ruled most of India and Pakistan in the 16th and 17th centuries?
Q. 14: What writer created the famous Baker Street detective?
Q. 15: Which black and white bird has the scientific name 'Pica pica' ?
Q. 16: What is the name given to that part of the North Atlantic bounded by the Gulf Stream on the west, the North Atlantic Current on the north, the Canary Current on the east, and the North Equatorial Current on the south.
Q. 17: If you added together all the voting seats in the US Senate and House of Representatives, how many idiots could sit down?
Q. 18: Name the star of the movie 'Taken'.
Q. 19: What company, still in existence, was at one time the largest landowner in the world, having 15% of the land in North America?
Q. 20: Finally a chance to beef up that points score. What were the eight original tokens used in the board game 'Monopoly' ? (A point for each correct answer and two bonus points if you get all eight correct.)
A. 1: Three (3).
A. 2: Basque.
A. 3: The correct answer is c) Norwegian. He was Børge Ousland and he walked there by himself in 1994.
A. 4: The Hovercraft.
A. 5: A 'plant'.
A. 6: Raleigh, North Carolina, is known as the "City of Oaks".
A. 7: A 'sow'.
A. 8: Sweden.
A. 9: Ski jumping.
A. 10: His name was 'Jason', his followers were the 'Argonauts', and the name of their ship (after which the followers were named) was the Argo.
A. 11: Titian, a brownish-orange color.
A. 12: The correct answer is b) Birmingham.
A. 13: The Mughal Empire.
A. 14: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, his creation was Sherlock Holmes.
A. 15: The (Common) Magpie.
A. 16: It is called the Sargasso Sea.
A. 17: 535 (100 + 435).
A. 18: Liam Neeson.
A. 19: Hudson's Bay Company.
A. 20: Wheelbarrow, Battleship, Racecar, Thimble, Old-style shoe (or boot), Scottie dog, Top hat, Iron.
From Alien Invasion To Vitamins – Another Quiz Day Is Here.
May 11, 2015 May 1, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests acronym, actress, album, alien invasion, alternative name, American cowboy, and the clocks were striking thirteen, Australia, automobile, B Group, bears, big cat, book, British Crown Dependencies, cedar tree, cereal packet, Channel Islands, character, City of a Hundred Spires, coast of France, Cointreau, color, crust, diameter of Earth, earth, Eastern European city, education, English Channel, Entertainment, FBI trainee, flag, flavor, Geography, Girlie Chorus, Hawaii, Himalayan poppy, history, It was a bright cold day in April, milk, Moribund Chorus, movie, movies, music, Nasal Choir, New York City, nucleus of an atom, outer core, People, places, POD, police commissioner, private investigator, publishing industry, questions, quiz, quizzes, Riboflavin, science, Silence of the Lambs, South America, subatomic particles, sugar, test, tests, UK, vitamin, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Woking, world's smallest flightless bird, world's tallest mammal
Welcome to another Quiz Day at the fasab blog.
Another challenging selection of questions.
But as usual, if you get stuck, you can the answers waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating!
Q. 1: Who has been a private investigator in Hawaii, an American cowboy in Australia and the police commissioner in New York city?
Q. 2: What do you call a group of bears?
Q. 3: Which Eastern European city is known as the 'City of a Hundred Spires' ?
Q. 4: Which country's flag includes a cedar tree?
Q. 5: In which book does an alien invasion commence in Woking?
Q. 6: Which subatomic particles are found in the nucleus of an atom?
Q. 7: Which sugar is found in milk?
Q. 8: This one is the name of the largest species of big cat to be found in South America and a make of automobile?
Q. 9: What is the name given to the part of the Earth that lies between the outer core and the crust?
Q. 10: You see it on your cereal packet all the time, but Riboflavin is an alternative name for which vitamin of the B Group?
a) Vitamin B1 b) Vitamin B2 c) Vitamin B3 d) Vitamin B12
Q. 11: Not part of the UK, but still known as British Crown Dependencies, the Channel Islands are situated in the English Channel just off the coast of France. You get a point for each of the four main islands in this group you can name correctly.
Q. 12: Which is the world's tallest mammal?
Q. 13: 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen,' is the first line from which book?
Q. 14: What is the approximate diameter of Earth?
a) 4,000 miles b) 6,000 miles c) 8,000 miles d) 10,000 miles
Q. 15: What gifted actress played the part of an FBI trainee in the movie 'Silence Of The Lambs' and what was the name of the character she played? (A point for each correct answer.)
Q. 16: What is the world's smallest flightless bird?
Q. 17: In the publishing industry what does the acronym 'POD' mean?
Q. 18: What color is a Himalayan poppy?
a) Red b) Yellow c) Green d) Blue
Q. 19: What flavor is Cointreau?
Q. 20: On which multi-million selling album would you find the Nasal Choir, Moribund Chorus and Girlie Chorus?
A. 1: Tom Selleck. He played Magnum PI set in Hawaii, Quigley in the movie Quigley Down Under and currently Frank Reagan the NYC Police Commissioner in the TV series Blue Bloods.
A. 2: A 'Sloth'.
A. 3: Prague, the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic.
A. 4: Lebanon.
A. 5: The War of the Worlds by H G Wells.
A. 6: Protons and Neutrons.
A. 7: Lactose.
A. 8: Jaguar.
A. 9: It is known as the 'Mantle'.
A. 10: The correct answer is b) Vitamin B2.
A. 11: The four main islands in the Channel Islands group are: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark.
A. 12: The Giraffe. (By a neck!)
A. 13: 1984 by George Orwell.
A. 14: The correct answer is c) 8,000 miles.
A. 15: She is Jodie Foster and in The Silence Of The Lambs she played the part of Clarice Starling.
A. 16: The Kiwi.
A. 17: It means 'Print on demand'.
A. 18: The correct answer is d) Blue.
Q. 19: What flavour is Cointreau?
A. 19: Orange.
A. 20: Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield.
May The 4th Quiz Be With You.
May 4, 2015 April 24, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests American state, Antonio de Egas Moniz, band, books, brain, brightest star in the night sky, canoeing, Chairman Mao, Chemical Element, China, City of 72 Nations, collective noun, color, Conrad, costas, country, created, diamonds, different course, education, Entertainment, figure-skating judge, general knowledge, Geography, girl's best friend, Heller, highest score, history, house, international car registration, Journey, kayaking, Kipling, Liberation of Saigon Day, links, literary characters, literature, Living Next Door to Alice, loop of a meander of a river, movies, music, Name, Nobel prize for medicine, operation, Owls, paddles, people places, phonetic alphabet, PL, Portugal, prime minster, public holiday, questions, quiz, quizzes, science, Southwark, spain, Tabard Inn, test, tests, trumpet, vacations, valves, voting representatives, Welsh poppy, word, words, writers
I don't know what it is, but I can't resist using that "May The Force Be With You" thing on this date. Sorry, but you'll probably see another version of it next year if we're all still around in the blogshpere.
But to get on with today's real business, I do have another quiz for you.
The usual random selection and also as usual you can find the answers waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating.
Q. 1: What word links vacations to the phonetic alphabet?
Q. 2: What is the collective noun for a group of owls?
Q. 3: 'PL' is the international car registration for which country?
Q. 4: What city is also known as the 'City of 72 Nations' ?
Q. 5: What is the highest score that can be awarded by a figure-skating judge?
a) 2 b) 4 c) 6 d) 8 e) 10
Q. 6: For what operation on the brain was Antonio de Egas Moniz of Portugal awarded the Nobel prize for medicine in 1949?
Q. 7: Who was prime minster of China under Chairman Mao?
Q. 8: Which literary characters set out on a journey from the Tabard Inn, Southwark?
Q. 9: What is the brightest star in the night sky?
Q. 10: Spain has many famous 'costas'. A point for each one of the following you can name correctly the four below and a bonus point if you get them all.
Costa _ _ _ _ _ _
Costa _ _ _ _ _
Q. 11: What name links the writers Kipling, Conrad and Heller?
Q. 12: As well as being a girl's best friend Diamonds are a form of which chemical element?
Q. 13: What is the difference in paddles between canoeing and kayaking?
Q. 14: In which country is Liberation of Saigon Day on April 30 a public holiday?
Q. 15: What is created when the loop of a meander of a river is cut off and the river diverted on a different course?
Q. 16: The number of voting representatives in the House of Representatives was fixed by law in 1911 at what number?
Q. 17: What color is a Welsh poppy?
a) Blue b) Yellow c) Red d) White
Q. 18: How many valves does a trumpet have?
Q. 19: Which is the only American state to begin with the letter 'P' ?
Q. 20: Which band were Living Next Door to Alice in 1976?
A. 1: Hotel.
A. 2: A parliament.
A. 3: Poland.
A. 4: Tehran.
A. 5: The correct answer is c) 6.
A. 6: Prefrontal lobotomy.
A. 7: Chou En-Lai (or Zhou Enlai).
A. 8: The pilgrims in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
A. 9: Sirius (The Dog Star).
A. 10: The correct answers are Costa BLANCA, Costa BRAVA, Costa DORADA, and the Costa DEL SOL
A. 11: The answer is 'Joseph'. Joseph Conrad, Joseph Heller and although he was much better known as Rudyard Kipling his first name was also Joseph.
A. 12: Carbon.
A. 13: Canoe paddles have a single face and Kayak paddles a double face.
A. 14: Vietnam.
A. 15: Oxbow Lake.
A. 16: The number of voting representatives in the House of Representatives was fixed by law in 1911 at no more than 435, proportionally representing the population of the 50 states.
A. 17: The correct answer is b) Yellow.
A. 18: A trumpet has 3 valves.
Q. 19: Which is the only American state to begin with the letter 'p'?
A. 19: Pennsylvania.
A. 20: Smokie.
Grab A Cup Of Coffee And A Croissant, It's Quiz Time!
April 27, 2015 April 26, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests A Woman of Substance, Academy Awards, actor, best-selling debut novel, big bang, black and white face mask, book, breakfast delicacy, bushy tail, business organization, color, Croissants, cryogenics, director, education, England, Entertainment, European city, first English novel, France, general knowledge, Geography, Grendel's mother, hematite, history, history of the EU, hydrated magnesium sulphate, jersey, John Walton Sr, killed Grendel, largest eye of any animal, limonite, literature, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, Magnetite, major treaty, metal, motorways, movie sequels, movies, music, musical, Nebraska, North American mammal, ores, People, phonetic alphabet, Pilot, places, questions, quiz, quizzes, rings, Roman emperor, Saint Paul's Cathedral, science, sea creature, seasons, series, siderite, spring, state capital, Surrey, television, test, tests, The Forbidden City, The Waltons, Tour de France, town, wide acceptance, worn by the winners of each stage, writer
A cup of coffee and a croissant is pleasant at any time, but particularly on the first morning of the week if you have a quiz to try.
The usual wide range of questions, some rather difficult in this selection.
But remember if you get stuck you can always find the answers waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating!
Q. 1: What is 'The Forbidden City' better known as?
Q. 2: What is the connection between the Academy Awards and the Phonetic Alphabet?
Q. 3: Where are the breakfast delicacy of Croissants originally from?
Q. 4: What sea creature has the largest eye of any animal? .
Q. 5: What is studied in the science of cryogenics?
Q. 6: What are motorways called in France?
Q. 7: What business organization underwent a "big bang" in 1986?
Q. 8: Which musical Roman Emperor was originally named Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus?
Q. 9: 'A Woman of Substance', published in 1979, was a best-selling debut novel for which well-known writer?
Q. 10: Named after a town in Surrey, England where a spring containing it was discovered, how is hydrated magnesium sulphate better known?
Q. 11: Who killed Grendel and Grendel's mother?
Q. 12: What North American mammal has a black and white face mask and a bushy tail with between five and seven rings?
Q. 13: Saint Paul's Cathedral is in which European city?
Q. 14: Who played John Walton Sr. in season 1 thru 8 and the six movie sequels of The Waltons? (Five bonus points if you can name the actor who played the role in the pilot for the series.)
Q. 15: Where was a major treaty in the history of the EU signed in February 1992?
Q. 16: In literature which 1719 book has gained wide acceptance as 'the first English novel' ?
Q. 17: What is the state capital of Nebraska?
Q. 18: Magnetite, hematite, limonite and siderite are ores of which metal?
Q. 19: What color jersey is worn by the winners of each stage of the Tour De France?
Q. 20: Name the director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
A. 1: Beijing.
A. 2: Oscar.
A. 3: They come from Vienna, Austria, NOT Paris, France.
Q. 4: What sea creature has the largest eye of any animal?
A. 4: The giant squid.
A. 5: Very low temperatures.
A. 6: Autoroutes.
A. 7: The London Stock Exchange.
A. 8: Nero.
A. 9: Barbara Taylor Bradford.
A. 10: Epsom salts.
A. 11: Beowulf.
A. 12: A Raccoon.
A. 13: London.
A. 14: Ralph Waite was the actor who played John Walton Sr. in seasons 1 thru 8 and the six movie sequels. For your five bonus points, Andrew Duggan played the role in the pilot.
A. 15: Maastricht.
Q. 16: In literature which 1719 book has gained wide acceptance as 'the first English novel'?
A. 16: Robinson Crusoe.
A. 17: Lincoln.
A. 18: Iron.
A. 19: Yellow.
A. 20: Peter Jackson. .
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It's The Movie, Math And Mud Quiz!
April 20, 2015 April 14, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests Africa, air, alopecia, anvil shape, Astronomical Unit, Battle of the Greasy Grass, Bennet family, bird, body, cloud, color, coniferous trees, copper sulphate, creature, Cresta Run, device, Devil's Coachhorse, education, Entertainment, foot, fossilized resin, fuel, Geography, heavy showers, history, home of golf, Humphrey Bogart, insect, internal combustion engine, Jane Austen, Lakota, language, lawnmowers, major benefactor, math, mathematical series, mathematics, maths, Middle Tertiary period, movie, movies, Muddy York, music, nature, novel, numbers, parasitic organism, People, places, public libraries, questions, quiz, Quiz Day, quizzes, river, rock, science, sleeping sickness, small engines, soil, son of a weaver, storms, test, tests, toes, town, UK, United States of America, US, Victoria Falls, We'll always have Paris
Welcome to this week's quiz.
Movies, math and mud do feature, as do many other topics.
Is it easy? Is it difficult? Depends on how many answers you know.
But don't worry, if you get stuck you can find the answers waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating.
Q. 1: What is the official language of the United States of America?
Q. 2: What bird has only two toes on each foot?
Q. 3: On which river are the Victoria Falls to be found?
Q. 4: What city is known as 'Muddy York' ?
Q. 5: What type of creature is a Devil's Coachhorse?
Q. 6: The Lakota call it the Battle of the Greasy Grass. What do we know it better as?
Q. 7: What town is also known worldwide as the "home of golf" ?
Q. 8: The Bennet family appear in which famous Jane Austen novel?
Q. 9: What is the mathematical series that starts 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21 called?
Q. 10: 'Alopecia' is a condition causing the loss of what from the body?
Q. 11: What is the device, used mainly nowadays on small engines like those found on lawnmowers, that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine called?
Q. 12: What is the usual color of copper sulphate?
Q. 13: Which form of cloud has an anvil shape and is associated with heavy showers and storms?
Q. 14: What is defined as "Any rock or soil material that has remained below 0°C continuously for two or more years" ?
Q. 15: Which insect found in Africa is the host for the parasitic organism that causes sleeping sickness?
Q. 16: An Astronomical Unit is the mean distance between which two bodies?
Q. 17: How is the fossilized resin of coniferous trees from the Middle Tertiary period better known?
Q. 18: Which son of a weaver was a major benefactor of public libraries throughout the UK and US?
Q. 19: Where would you be in if you were at the Cresta Run? (A point each for correctly naming the town and the country.)
Q. 20: In which movie did Humphrey Bogart say, "We'll always have Paris" ?
A. 1: A bit of a trick question to start with, the United States has no official language.
A. 2: An Ostrich.
A. 3: The Zambezi.
A. 4: Toronto.
A. 5: It is a Beetle.
A. 6: We know it better as the Battle of Little Big Horn.
A. 7: St. Andrews, Scotland.
A. 8: Pride & Prejudice.
A. 9: A Fibonacci Series.
A. 10: Hair.
A. 11: A carburetor, or carburetor.
A. 12: Blue.
A. 13: Cumulonimbus.
A. 14: Permafrost.
A. 15: The Tsetse fly.
A. 16: The earth and the sun.
Q. 17: How is the fossilised resin of coniferous trees from the Middle Tertiary period better known?
A. 17: Amber.
A. 18: Andrew Carnegie.
A. 19: You would be in the winter sports town of St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Q. 20: In which movie did Humphrey Bogart say, "We'll always have Paris"?
A. 20: The line is from the fantastic movie 'Casablanca'.
Pioneers, People And Places – It's Quiz Day!
April 13, 2015 April 12, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests 20th century, Action Man, African tribe, art form, balls, bird, britain, campaigned to have the vote, capital, Capital of the Alps, Chemical Element, city, color, constant, creature, early pioneer, education, Edvard Grieg compose the instrumental music, Empire State, Entertainment, Falkland Islands, Fe, fishing dispute, flowers, flying all day without flapping its wings, general knowledge, Geography, Henrik Ibsen play, history, Iceland, information, inoculating against smallpox, Julia Margaret Cameron, laburnum tree, letter, medicine, nicknamed, People, phonetic alphabet, physics, pioneered, Pioneers, places, propulsion, questions, quiz, Quiz Day, quizzes, rhombus, rock Salmon, rock-eel, science, Scotland's oldest university, serval, ship, sides, small shark, snooker table, SS Archimedes, start of play, symbol, test, tests, United States, US state, vaccination, women, world's first
Welcome to another week and another fasab quiz.
Today is the usual random mixture of questions, including as the title suggests, some about pioneers, people and places.
If you get stuck you can find the answers as usual waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating!
Q. 1: Which US state is nick-named the 'Empire State' ?
Q. 2: What sort of creature is a 'serval' ?
Q. 3: What city is known as the 'Capital of the Alps' ?
Q. 4: What African tribe represents a letter in the phonetic alphabet?
Q. 5: What color are the flowers of the laburnum tree?
a) red b) yellow c) blue d) cream
Q. 6: Which chemical element has the symbol 'Fe' ?
Q. 7: What is the only bird capable of flying all day without flapping its wings?
Q. 8: How many sides does a rhombus have?
Q. 9: Which small shark is also known as a 'rock-eel' or 'rock Salmon' ?
Q. 10: What is the capital of the Falkland Islands?
Q. 11: How many balls are on a snooker table at the start of play?
Q. 12: In physics, what letter is used to represent the constant that is equal to "9.80665 metres per second squared" ?
Q. 13: Who was the United States' 'Action Man' ?
Q. 14: What name was given to the women who campaigned to have the vote in the first two decades of the 20th century?
Q. 15: What was the fishing dispute between Britain and Iceland during the 1960s and 1970s popularly known as?
Q. 16: Founded in 1413, what is Scotland's oldest university?
Q. 17: Who pioneered vaccination as a means of inoculating against smallpox?
Q. 18: SS Archimedes was an appropriately named ship which was the world's first to use what form of propulsion?
Q. 19: Julia Margaret Cameron was an early pioneer of which art form?
Q. 20: For which Henrik Ibsen play, first performed in 1876, did Edvard Grieg compose the instrumental music?
A. 1: New York.
A. 2: A Wildcat.
A. 3: Grenoble.
A. 4: Zulu, representing the letter 'Z'.
A. 5: The correct answer is b) yellow.
A. 6: Iron.
A. 7: The Albatross.
A. 8: A rhombus has 4 sides.
A. 9: Dogfish.
A. 10: Port Stanley.
A. 11: 22. (15 reds, 1 yellow, 1 green, 1 brown, 1 blue, 1 pink, 1 black and the cue ball.)
A. 12: It is the letter 'G' (constant is Earth's gravity pull, the acceleration of free fall)
A. 13: He was called 'G.I. Joe'.
A. 14: They were known as 'Suffragettes'.
A. 15: It was known as 'The Cod War'.
A. 16: It is the University of St Andrews.
A. 17: Edward Jenner.
A. 18: A Screw Propeller.
A. 19: Photography.
A. 20: Peer Gynt.
The Big Easy Quiz.
March 30, 2015 March 29, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests A Whiter Shade of Pale, acronym, activity, archipelago, Au, Balearic Islands, best-known recording, British Government, capital city, city, color, constellation, country, courtier, created, dog family, eastern coast, education, electrical unit of resistance, element, Elizabethan England, Entertainment, explorer, famous battle, famous bicycle manufacturing company, Flemish giant, flowers, fought, four largest islands, gas, general knowledge, Geography, group, harebell, history, hunter, Iberian Peninsula, invented, jet engine, June 18 1815, largest, liquid phase, Long John Silver's parrot, music, Name, nature, poet, politician, process, proper name, purling, questions, quiz, quizzes, ream, reduce accidents, roads, science, sculptures, sheets of paper, single, soldier, solid, spain, sport, spy, stars, state in the US, symbol, test, tests, The Big Easy, The Kiss, The Thinker, VOIP, western Mediterranean Sea, wild member, world's first female Prime Minister, writer
Well maybe not just so easy a quiz as all that. You'll find out below, and why I called it that too.
All the usual mixture of questions are here.
And as usual if you get stuck you can find the answers waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating!
Q. 1: What city is known as 'The Big Easy' ?
Q. 2: What color are the flowers of the 'harebell' ?
a) red b) green c) blue d) yellow
Q. 3: What is the name of the process in which a solid turns directly into a gas, without passing through the liquid phase?
Q. 4: What is the largest wild member of the dog family?
Q. 5: Which element has the symbol 'Au' ?
Q. 6: What is the electrical unit of resistance?
Q. 7: Who invented the jet engine in 1930?
Q. 8: How many sheets of paper are there in a 'ream' ?
Q. 9: It is called the 'Hunter' and consists of 3 stars, what is the proper name of this constellation?
Q. 10: What did the British government do on the roads in order to reduce accidents in 1925?
Q. 11: What is a 'Flemish giant' ?
Q. 12: The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. You get a point if you can name any of the four largest islands that make up this group. (If you can correctly name more than one, give yourself a bonus point for each.)
Q. 13: If you were 'purling', what activity would you be doing?
Q. 14: Which famous battle was fought on June 18 1815?
Q. 15: In which country was the world's first female Prime Minister elected in 1960?
Q. 16: What is the name of Long John Silver's parrot?
Q. 17: This is the name of a famous bicycle manufacturing company, the capital city of a state in the US, and of a writer, poet, soldier, politician, courtier, spy, and explorer in Elizabethan England, what is it?
Q. 18: Who created the famous sculptures 'The Thinker' and 'The Kiss' ?
Q. 19: A lot of us now use it, but what does the acronym 'VOIP' stand for?
Q. 20: Which group's best-known recording is the 1967 single 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' ?
A. 1: New Orleans is known as 'The Big Easy'.
Q. 2: What color are the flowers of the harebell?
A. 2: The correct answer is c) blue.
A. 3: The process is called 'sublimation'.
A. 4: The wolf.
A. 5: Gold.
A. 6: The 'ohm'.
A. 7: Frank Whittle.
A. 8: 500.
A. 9: It is 'Orion's belt'.
A. 10: They painted white lines.
A. 11: I'm tempted to give you a point if you said "A big Belgian' but I won't. You get the point if you said a Flemish giant was a Rabbit.
A. 12: The four largest Balearic islands are Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
A. 13: You'd be knitting.
A. 14: The Battle of Waterloo.
A. 15: Sri Lanka (or Ceylon as it was then – the woman in question being Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike)
A. 16: Captain Flint.
A. 17: It is 'Raleigh'. Raleigh is a famous bicycle manufacturing company, Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina, and the famous Elizabethan was Sir Walter Raleigh.
A. 18: Auguste Rodin.
A. 19: Voice Over Internet Protocol.
A. 20: Procol Harum. (Here it is….)
The Quizzes March On!
March 2, 2015 March 1, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests 3 4 5 triangle, 746 watts, baked earth, Big D, bonus points, Buy the World a Coke, Captain Nemo's submarine, cities, City of Brotherly Love, color, communicate, country, creature, dancing, drink it, economic, education, Emerald City, English politician, Entertainment, financial, fiscal policies, formulating, general knowledge, Geography, government, government department, Hilltop television commercial for Coca-Cola, history, husband, insects, Italian, jade, jingle, Lady Nancy Astor, lawn bowls, letter L, major city, March's quizzes, math, mathematics, maths, metal, Mikhail Gorbachev, mulberry leaves, nature, new policy of openness, ophidiophobe, Persian, piece of rock, Piraeus, place of, poison in his coffee, politics, popular song, port, pottery, power, questions, quiz, quizzes, recommending, Rip Van Winkle, science, sleep, Solidarity, Soviet Union, space, sport, stan, Steel City, suffix, surface of the Earth, target ball, tax, test, tests, theorem, Trade Union, UK, US, USA, wife, Zodiac
The quizzes do March on and we are starting this month with a good mix of questions. Some you should get without too much difficulty and some you will have to think about for a while.
Oh yes, and one that I will be surprised if anyone gets the bonus points for. You'll know it when you see it.
As usual if you do get stuck, you can find the answers waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating.
Q. 1: 'Solidarity' was an important Trade Union in which country in the 1980s?
Q. 2: In lawn bowls (and its indoor version), what is the target ball called?
Q. 3: Which creature lives on mulberry leaves?
Q. 4: In the USA what cities are known as the
a) Big D? b) Steel City? c) City of Brotherly Love? d) Emerald City?
(A point for each correct answer and a bonus point if get all four correct.)
Q. 5: In relation to power what is the equivalent of 746 watts?
Q. 6: What word denoted the new policy of openness adopted by Mikhail Gorbachev's government in the Soviet Union?
Q. 7: What well known pottery form takes its name from the Italian for "baked earth"?
Q. 8: How long did Rip Van Winkle sleep for?
Q. 9: What term is given to a piece of rock or metal from space that reaches the surface of the Earth?
Q. 10: The suffix 'stan' is Persian for 'place of' or 'country'. The names of seven countries end in 'stan', what are they? (You get a point for each one you can name correctly and five (yes, 5) bonus points if get them all correct.)
a) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ stan
b) _ _ _ _ _ _ stan
c) _ _ _ _ _ _ stan
d) _ _ _ _ stan
e) _ _ _ _ _ _ stan
f) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ stan
g) _ _ _ _ _ _ stan
Q. 11: What color is the most-prized variety of jade?
Q. 12: Whose theorem uses a 3, 4, 5 triangle?
Q. 13: Piraeus serves as the port for which major city?
Q. 14: Which insects communicate with one another by dancing?
Q. 15: What was the name of Captain Nemo's submarine?
Q. 16: What creature is an ophidiophobe afraid of?
Q. 17: In the US and the UK what is the name given to the government department responsible for formulating and recommending economic, financial, tax, and fiscal policies?
Q. 18: Which of the 12 Zodiac signs start with the letter 'L' ?
Q. 19: Which English politician, when told by Lady Nancy Astor that if he were her husband she'd put poison in his coffee, replied that if she were his wife he'd drink it?
Q. 20: What popular song originated as the jingle "Buy the World a Coke" in the groundbreaking 1971 "Hilltop" television commercial for Coca-Cola? (A bonus point is available if you can also correctly name the group.)
A. 2: Jack.
A. 3: The Silk worm.
A. 4: The correct answers are
a) The Big D = Dallas
b) The Steel City = Pittsburgh
c) The City of Brotherly Love = Philadelphia
d) The Emerald City = Seattle
A. 5: 746 watts is the equivalent of 1 horse power.
A. 6: Glasnost.
A. 7: Terracotta.
A. 8: Twenty years.
A. 9: It is known as a 'Meteorite'.
Q. 10: The suffix 'stan' is Persian for 'place of' or 'country'. The names of seven countries end in 'stan', what are they? (You get a point for each one you can name correctly and seven (yes, 7) bonus points if get them all correct.)
A. 10: They are in alphabetical order,
a) Afghanistan
b) Kazakhstan
c) Kyrgyzstan
d) Pakistan
e) Tajikistan
f) Turkmenistan
g) Uzbekistan
A. 11: Green.
A. 12: Pythagoras.
A. 13: Athens.
A. 14: Bees.
A. 15: It was called the 'Nautilus'.
A. 16: Snakes.
A. 17: Treasury.
A. 18: They are Leo and Libra.
A. 19: Winston Churchill.
A. 20: "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony) by The New Seekers.
Ujiji? Who Ever Heard Of Ujiji? Hope You Have, Coz It's Quiz Day.
February 9, 2015 January 9, 2015 fasab Questions, Tests Amperes, Anemometer, archery target, assassination attempt, atlantic, aviation, baby beavers, ball, Billy Ray Cyrus, biology, books, British MPs, Charles de Gaulle, Chicago, clavicle, color, common name, country, country singer, cow's stomach, Dr Livingstone I presume, education, Entertainment, field sport, first solo flight, flew, Florentine, food, French king, general knowledge, gentle knight, Geography, history, House of Commons, human body, literature, main airport, Miley Cyrus, movies, music, nature, netted stick, novel, Palace of Versailles, Parliament, politics, Portugal, Province of Lapland, questions, quiz, quizzes, Sancho Panza, science, Sea of Tranquility, servant, Spirit of St Louis, Storting, story, teams, test, tests, The Day of the Jackal, tourism, Ujiji, vegetable
Don't worry Ujiji is just part of a question in today's selection, you don't have to know where it is to score a point. Although if you do, give yourself a bonus.
The rest of the questions are easy, difficult and some somewhere in between.
But you won't find out unless you give them a try.
And, as always, if you get stuck, you can find the answers waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down below, but please NO cheating!
So enjoy and good luck.
Q. 1: In which country is the Province of Lapland to be found?
Q. 2: An 'Anemometer' measures what?
Q. 3: What are baby beavers called?
Q. 4: What is the name of the smallest and southernmost region of mainland Portugal, known primarily for tourism?
Q. 5: What quantity is measured in 'Amperes' ?
Q. 6: In the human body what is the more common name for the 'clavicle' ?
Q. 7: What is the name of the main airport, one of the busiest in the world, that serves the city of Chicago?
Q. 8: What color is the innermost zone in an archery target?
Q. 9: What vegetable is used if a dish is cooked 'Florentine' ?
Q. 10: How many compartments does a cow's stomach have?
Q. 11: Who said "Dr Livingstone, I presume?" at Ujiji?
Q. 12: Which novel is the story of the gentle knight and his servant Sancho Panza?
Q. 13: Where would you find the 'Sea of Tranquility' ?
Q. 14: How many British MPs are there currently in the House of Commons?
a) 450 b) 550 c) 650 d) 750
Q. 15: And a related question, the 'Storting' is the parliament of which country?
Q. 16: Which field sport involves teams of 10 for men and 12 for women each carrying a netted stick with which a ball is caught, carried or thrown?
Q. 17: Who flew 'Spirit of St Louis' across the Atlantic to make the first solo flight across that ocean in 1927?
Q. 18: Who wrote 'The Day of the Jackal', a story about an assassination attempt on Charles de Gaulle?
Q. 19: Which French king built the Palace of Versailles?
Q. 20: True or false, Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus?
A. 1: Finland.
A. 2: It measures wind speed.
A. 3: They are called 'Kits'.
A. 4: It is known as the 'Algarve'.
A. 5: Electric current.
A. 6: The collarbone.
A. 7: It is known as 'O'Hare Airport'.
A. 9: Popeye's favorite, 'Spinach'.
A. 10: The correct answer is b) 4.
A. 11: (Henry Morton) Stanley. (You get the point for 'Stanley'.)
A. 12: Don Quixote.
A. 13: On the Moon.
A. 14: The correct answer is c) 650.
A. 15: Norway.
A. 16: Lacrosse.
A. 17: Charles Lindbergh.
A. 18: Frederick Forsythe.
A. 19: Louis XIV.
A. 20: True. Here she is with her Wrecking Ball….


text:
Q: Microsoft Access DoCmd.TransferText additional column I'm using DoCmd.TransferText to import data from .cvs file. I need add another column with current date to imported information. Is there any simple way to do this?

A: There's a few approaches you can use:
-Parse the file and create INSERT statements via VBA instead of using TransferText.
-If the table already exists, you're appending data to an existing table, and you have an auto-number ID field or some other way to distinguish new data from old data then you can add the current date after importing via an UPDATE statement:
Dim latestID As Long

latestID = DMax("yourIDField", "yourTable")
DoCmd.TransferText acImportDelim, , "yourTable", "c:\import.csv", True

DoCmd.SetWarnings False
DoCmd.RunSQL "UPDATE yourTable SET importedDate = #" & Date & "# WHERE yourIDField > " & latestID
DoCmd.SetWarnings True

-If a new table is being created each time you import, you can use an ALTER statement to add the column then an UPDATE to enter the current date:
DoCmd.TransferText acImportDelim, , "yourTable", "c:\import.csv"

DoCmd.SetWarnings False

DoCmd.RunSQL "ALTER TABLE yourTable ADD COLUMN importDate DATE"
DoCmd.RunSQL "UPDATE yourTable SET importDate = #" & Date & "#"

DoCmd.SetWarnings True

A: You can use schema.ini instead transfer text method.
Check the following blog it describes more about schema.ini
https://officeaccelerators.wordpress.com/2015/02/08/exporting-text-file-from-access/
Set cn = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
Set cn = CurrentProject.Connection
sSQL = "insert into TanleName(Field1,Field2,Date) select tab1.Field1,tab1.Field2,date() from "
sSQL = sSQL & "[text;database=FilePath\;HDR=Yes].[Test.csv] as Tab1"
cn.Execute sSQL

A: Another way is to create a linked table for the .csv file (select the correct file type from the Open dialog popup form when creating a new linked table) and create an append query with the additional field holding Date() or Now() as default value.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Stephen Greenblatt's book The Swerve: How the World Became Modern begins by recounting Greenblatt's chance discovery, while he was still in college, of a translation of De rerum natura (On the Nature of Things), a poem by the Roman philosopher Lucretius. He immediately found the work fascinating, especially its focus on the fear of death, a fear that had dominated Greenblatt's life until then.
On the Nature of Things, by Lucretius—a beautiful poem of the most dangerous ideas: that the universe functioned without the aid of gods, that religious fear was damaging to human life, and that matter was made up of very small particles in eternal motion, colliding and swerving in new directions.


Lionel Messi came off the bench to inspire La Liga leaders Barcelona to victory over Leganes – their seventh successive win in all competitions.
Luis Suarez handed Barca the advantage again when he poked home after Messi's superb free-kick had been saved.
The result moves Ernesto Valverde's team to 46 points from 20 games, five ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid with arch-rivals Real Madrid third with 36 points.
However, it seemed for a while that Barca's advantage would be only three going into the next round of games.
Despite that setback Barcelona reasserted their control. They took the lead once more when Cuellar failed to deal with Messi's strike and Suarez poked in.


What a lovely year 2015 we had!
Been bobbing up and down the UK over the last 12 months, playing clubs and festivals and its been blummin great!
One of the nicest parts is meeting up with some of our oldest friends. We can say the world old as ..its true...we are all getting older and have know each other for over 20 years!
Ken and I had released our new CD late 2014 and its been going off the shelves really well which we are proud about. We now find ourselves compiling a new list of songs to produce on a new album, hopefully released towards the end of 2016.
We will continue to do the odd Risky gig from time to time. All dependant of course on how busy we all are with our other commitments. Dave touring with 'Other Roads' and Ken and I with our own dates on the calendar.
Although Ken has reached 'retirement' he will continue to build instruments too. Its something he doesn't think he'll ever be able to stop. He loves it see..


text:
Play in Your Own Ryder Cup
September 24, 2021 By Andrew Majewski
There's no "I" in team. And thanks to the Ryder Cup every two years at least there's no "I" in golf.
I love how the Ryder Cup throws our sport's emphasis on individual, stroke-play tournaments out the window. Replacing it with three days during which you and I get to watch a form of golf on steroids while rooting for 12 American pros at once.
"That's what makes the Ryder Cup in golf so much better than the Masters or the U.S. Open," says Scott Hamilton who has coached over a half dozen Tour players. "To be part of something that is not about personal achievement, but about representing everyone and sharing it with the whole country, it's wonderful."
The Ryder Cup may be billed as golf's pre-eminent event but it's more like our sport's version of ordering tequila. It packs a punch from the very first tee where a chanting gallery of fans cheers on our nation's best. It gives teammates the chills as they play for nothing more than the love of the game. And with a level of play that's off the charts the Ryder Cup is a welcome shot to the system that, in my opinion, outshines even Augusta.
Not Just for Pros
Luckily you and your SoCal golf buddies don't have to wait two years to play in your very own Ryder Cup.
How's that? Golf clubs located right in your area can act very much like the Ryder Cup (without the expensive airfare needed to play against Team Europe). Although golf clubs generally have individual gross- and net-competitions once a month or more, a lot of them also compete against other clubs AS A TEAM. These club competitions take on a lot of different formats, but the bottom line is the same: You and your golf buddies compete together for bragging rights against another squad.
As with the Ryder Cup, cooperation matters. It's not just you hacking around out there. You're actually hoping your friend doesn't miss that putt on 12 because now they're also your teammate (not just the butt of jokes back at the clubhouse). Since you are playing together, you might be depending on them to drain that 6-footer since it's been years since you made a putt outside of three feet.
Opportunities Everywhere
Want to capture the excitement of the Ryder Cup throughout the year? Below are some proven ways to shake up your game while enjoying the growing movement of team-based golf all over Southern California.
SCGA TEAM PLAY
By far the biggest competitive program the Southern California Golf Association runs, over 230 groups pit 16 of their club's golfers against each other. Each competition includes both single and four-ball match play with the season culminating in single elimination playoffs and an 18-hole team championship.
Learn More about SCGA Team Play
"THE BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES"
This intra-club, bi-yearly showdown is like a mini-Ryder Cup held within the confines of Los Angeles County. Armed with a sense of camaraderie (and their handicap), golfers of all skill levels join together for team-based golf that is as fun as it is friendly. Players rep their respective SoCal team in order to find out which group really is the "Best in LA".
Learn More about "The Battle of LA"
TINY PUTTERS' "MONEY BALL"
There's even a hybrid format available that celebrates the group vibe while still putting pressure on one player during every single hole. Here each team of four counts only two scores per hole: The very best score plus that of the rotating "money ball" player (whether their stroke count is good or downright awful).
Learn More About Tiny Putters
With Ryder-Cup-style teams available in your area, now you'll want your golf buddies even closer. The format works so well even Bryson and Brooks can play together.
Team opportunities from the Southern California Golf Association mean fewer eye rolls and more exhilarating chances to keep the "I" out of golf.
FIND YOUR OWN RYDER CUP SQUAD
battle of lagolf clubgolf handicapgolf leaguegolf newsgolf tournamentsryder cupscgasocalSoCal GolfSouthern California Golfsouthern california golf newsteam golftiny puttersusga
Clubs Featured
Andrew Majewski
Andrew is a proud SCGA member who loves any chance to improve his handicap and his golf jokes.
Why Do Men Have Lower Handicaps?
Embrace the New: Random Playing Partners
How to Prepare to Play a Round with your Coworkers
August 16, 2016 By Danny Chait
Why Golf is More Fun as a Group Activity
August 9, 2016 By Danny Chait

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Instagram added face filters to its app, which allow users to take a selfie enhanced by filters. They add glasses, a shining glint in your eyes, bunny ears, and more.
It's not that I'm bored during maternity leave, it's that I have to find different ways to amuse myself.
Posted in HumiliationTagged face filters, Instagram, selfiesBookmark the permalink.


text:
iOS 5 contains references to LTE, but when will we see it?
References to LTE have been found within certain versions of the iOS 5 beta, …
Jacqui Cheng - Aug 22, 2011 4:51 pm UTC
Apple's "testing" of LTE isn't just limited to an internal iOS build as was theorized last week—references to LTE have now been found buried within certain developer builds of iOS 5. Highlighted by MacRumors over the weekend, a property list (.plist) file found on the GSM iPhone 4 and CDMA iPad 2 shows that Apple has incorporated LTE testing into its Fieldtest application, which is used by engineers performing various radio frequency tests out in the field.
Two LTE-related tidbits came down the Apple rumor pipeline last week. The first was evidence found within what was then referred to as an internal iOS build, indicating that Apple was indeed testing such 4G compatibility in a future version of the iPhone. This was bolstered by a leaked photo of LTE equipment belonging to AT&T that was supposedly being installed in at least one "major" Apple Store. Neither rumor stated unequivocally that LTE support would necessarily come in the next version of the iPhone, but the appearance of the AT&T equipment was, at the very least, a curious development, indicating that Apple and AT&T may be further along in their plans than the rest of us thought.
The most recent discovery of LTE references within some versions of the Fieldtest application raises doubts about whether the "internal iOS build" from last week was indeed internal, or rather just the public developer version of iOS 5. Still, there's no denying the fact that it's in there, and when combined with a recent Apple job listing looking for LTE engineers, it's clear that the high-speed LTE connection is on Apple's priority list for its iDevices.
Like MacRumors, however, we share the skepticism that an LTE iPhone will be available to the public anytime before 2012. In addition to comments from Apple about difficulty working with LTE chips, the rumors themselves have remained quiet on this front until very recently. And, like we said last week, most of the latest iPhone 5/4S rumors have not mentioned LTE support, leading us to believe that Apple's LTE plans are being tested for products that we'll see next year, maybe beginning with the iPad 3.
Jacqui Cheng Jacqui is an Editor at Large at Ars Technica, where she has spent the last eight years writing about Apple culture, gadgets, social networking, privacy, and more.
Email jacqui@arstechnica.com // Twitter @eJacqui


text:
USMCA to Take Effect July 1
May 4, 2020 | News & Events |
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer has notified Congress that the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement will take effect on July 1, a month later than initially proposed. In a statement, Lighthizer said both Mexico and Canada had taken measures necessary to comply with their commitments under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaces the 26-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
More information on what is included in the USMCA is outlined here.
Sources: Reuters, USTR


New York-New York Hotel & Casino, one of Las Vegas' most iconic and downright fun destinations, is upping its New York-ness in the months to come.
Earlier this month, CBS Films released the major motion picture "LAST VEGAS," a story about four life-long friends who reunite in Sin City for one final bachelor party.
Focal point of The LINQ, Caesars Entertainment's US$550 million centre-Strip development, meets major construction milestone.
Thanks to cold temperatures, impressive snowmaking and natural snowfall Whistler Mountain will open thirteen days early on Saturday, November 16.
Although Kailua-Kona may seem expensive with its many posh resorts, decadent restaurants, and expensive getaways, that doesn't mean you have to splurge to enjoy everything this island offers.
It may be Mexico's second biggest city, but Guadalajara takes a back seat to nowhere when it comes to showcasing the finest, and most famous of Mexican traditions.
The start of the winter season in New York kicks off with the opening of The Rink at Rockefeller Center on Columbus Day.
You know that Halloween is creeping up on us when zombies, skeletons and graveyards start popping up to get everyone into the fun and frightful spirit of this holiday.
The zip line will fly 150 metres above the ground and offer an alluring view of the famed Las Vegas Strip.
The theme park hopes the new Marvel ride will encourage visitors.
US Government shut down causes closure of the national parks and other major tourist attractions.
Two popular theme parks change their ride policies for special needs visitors.
Enjoy complimentary admissions to top Tampa Bay attractions when you make reservations for overnight stays at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel now through Dec. 31.


text:
Judith McGeary
By Layne Lynch
Photography by Jenna Noel
When Judith McGeary founded the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) six and a half years ago, she intended to take a short leave of absence from practicing law to get the grassroots activist group off the ground and eventually hand over the reins to another passionate activist. But McGeary did no such thing. Did she stay on to see a number of vital projects through to fruition? Sure. But the real reason was a little more romantic.
"I can't claim I had some grand vision in the beginning," says McGeary. "But it was just one of those things where you realize: 'Wow, this is what I'm meant to do.'"
During her formative years in North Dallas, McGeary thought her passion for riding horses and debating her way through mock trials foreshadowed a future in veterinary science or environmental law. "I was a bit of a geek," she admits. "I went to school, rode horses and read books. That was my world."
After graduating from high school, she moved away to Stanford University to study biology—with full intent to leave Texas for good. When it came time to choose a professional path in college, McGeary attempted the veterinarian route. But after a stagnant summer on the job, she realized she lacked a propensity for the field.
A few years later, when the University of Texas offered her a full merit scholarship to law school, McGeary assumed her backup plan of pursuing environmental law would satisfy the hunger that veterinary work had failed to sate. But after a year of handling endangered-species and wetland issues, that unsettled feeling reared its ugly head once more. "I was, frankly, bored," she says. "It wasn't an intellectual challenge and I wasn't intrigued by my work."
But passion had a way of finding McGeary even when she seemed most lost, and that passion was born from a conversation that took place in 2000—before the local or sustainable food movements had picked up any steam.
"[Professor] Dick Richardson said that if I really cared about the environment, I needed to understand where my food came from," says McGeary. "I remember looking at him and saying, 'I buy organic all the time; of course I care.' He looked at me and said, 'You don't know the first thing you're talking about.'"
Following their eye-opening discussion, McGeary took Richardson's advice and started honing a profound interest in farming—eventually deciding to become a consultant in sustainable agriculture. "It was a life-changing moment," she says. "I realized you could have this ecosystem of restoring agriculture that was good for the environment, good for animals, good for people and good for human health. I started to appreciate and understand the roots of my food."
Just as McGeary was about to enter the field of consulting, a disturbing rumor caught her attention: a program called the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) was being proposed by a branch of the USDA that would require all farmers—both industrial and small—to tag their livestock and poultry and report their movements to the government. McGeary—who owns a farm of her own—couldn't imagine a legitimate reason small farmers would need to adhere to such drastic regulations.
She adopted a booming voice on behalf of small farmers and attempted to reason with officials with the argument that the program was unnecessary for small-scale production. "I got told in so many words that they were the experts and that I should just go home, be quiet and comply," she says. "As you can imagine, therein lie the origins of FARFA."
From the beginning, FARFA fought against the potentially devastating effects of NAIS and aided with a number of other issues, including spreading the word about genetically modified foods and the potential risks involved, amending the Food Safety Modernization Act to protect local producers from federal regulations, protecting the rights of raw-milk producers and fighting for a cottage-food law. The plans for NAIS were halted in 2010, no doubt as a direct result of FARFA's and other activist groups' efforts.
Today, when she isn't at home on her 165-acre farm in Cameron, McGeary continues to work toward FARFA's goal of equalizing a playing field where bigwig industrial agriculture is commonly king. "I hear people asking, 'How do we play well with industry folks,' but I don't get why we have to," she says. "It's a competing system, and I'm not asking for an advantage over them. I'm just looking for a system that doesn't give them an advantage over us."
McGeary's work continues to mount as established precedents tend to aid industrial giants like Tyson Foods, but FARFA is a fertile seed in a powerful grassroots revolution. "We're at a turning point," she says. "The sustainable agriculture and local food movement has gotten too big to be ignored. We're either going to have to become a respectable movement with some power behind it, or we're going to get crushed by the status quo. That's why FARFA's work never stops."
To learn more about FARFA and the upcoming Farm and Food
Leadership Conference, visit farmandranchfreedom.org
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By popular demand, we are selling the shirts that our players wore to the 2018 ASANA World Series in New Orleans.
We need a minimum of 12 orders. Once we reach 12 orders, we will place the order and arrange a local pickup date and time for anyone local to Philadelphia.
If ordering from outside of Philadelphia, please contact womensdirector@cblsl.org so we can set up a custom order with shipping for you. The price listed DOES NOT include shipping.


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Updated September 12, 2020 by Daniel Imperiale
The 10 Best Compact Tripods
This wiki has been updated 17 times since it was first published in February of 2017. Whether you're snapping photos at home or traveling the globe, there's no reason why you can't manage a steady shot in any situation using your camera, camcorder, or cell phone, if you have one of these nifty, compact tripods. These are designed to fit easily into backpacks and carry-on bags, and offer folding legs, adjustable angles, and a range of available height options. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki. Skip to the best compact tripod on Amazon.
10. GoPole Base 15
The tiny GoPole Base 15 (around $36) is capable of adapting into six locked positions, thanks to a bidirectional design that allows it to be set up as either a tabletop stand for a GoPro camera or as a support platform for other devices.
High-torque thumbscrew
Relatively affordable price
Prone to rusting
9. Manfrotto Pixi Mini
If you're looking to set up something small on a desktop, like an LED light or an action camera, the Manfrotto Pixi Mini (appx. $20) makes a smart choice. It boasts a very simple push-button locking mechanism on its ball head, allowing for fast, reliable adjustments.
Available with a phone clamp
Made of a technopolymer and aluminum
Tilt range is poor
8. Neewer Desktop Macro
If you need something extraordinarily compact that can still support a decent amount of weight, look no further than the Neewer Desktop Macro (appx. $38), which can hold equipment weighing up to 11 pounds. It's made of a strong aluminum alloy.
Available in black or red
Carrying pouch included
Locks aren't terribly sturdy
7. Davis & Sanford Traverse
The Davis & Sanford Traverse (around $70) folds down to a length of just one foot and extends to a maximum height of 53 inches. It can support a load of up to 10 pounds, making it ideal for accommodating both DSLRs and point-and-shoots.
Arca-swiss quick release
Fast setup and mounting
Feet lack spikes for outdoor use
6. Manfrotto BeFree Advanced
Capable of fitting into most carry-on luggage and backpacks, the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced (around $295) has an integrated aluminum ball head that keeps your camera securely locked in the desired position, while its quick-release adapter allows it to fold up smartly.
Leg angles are easily adjustable
Padded carrying bag
Also available with twist locks
5. Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB
In a controlled environment, the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB (about $175) performs excellently, and its variable angle center column is an undeniable asset. With a bubble level in the body and the head, you can be sure your camera is even with the horizon.
Aluminum construction
Accessory connection points
Not the most durable choice
4. Bonfoto B690C Lightweight
The central shaft of the Bonfoto B690C Lightweight (about $118) acts a lot like the crank-operated elevator columns on some competitors' models, but uses a set of twist locks instead, making it easy to set the exact height you want. It can extend all the way up to 59 inches.
Inverts for macro photography
Made from carbon fiber
Plate occasionally comes loose
3. Benro Travel Angel 2 Series
Thanks in large part to its lightweight and durable carbon fiber construction, the Benro Travel Angel 2 Series (appx. $400) offers a high degree of portability to photographers on the go. It comes with the company's simple and effective V1 ball head.
Four-section legs
Extends to over five and a half feet
Converts easily to a monopod
2. Zomei Z699C Portable
The Zomei Z699C Portable (appx. $130) employs five-section legs that break down significantly, allowing you to pack it up compactly for transportation or storage. It can also convert to a handy monopod and has a load capacity of 33 pounds.
Maximum height of 60 inches
Built-in sandbag hook
1. Manfrotto 055 Four-Section
The Manfrotto 055 Four-Section (around $400) collapses to just 54 centimeters, and its carbon fiber construction makes it both exceedingly lightweight and highly durable. Its central column can conveniently tilt 90 degrees for top-down shooting.
Supports almost 20 pounds
Reliable flip locks
Integrated bubble level
Whether you actually want to use your tripod for travel will play a big part in deciding among models. Certain offerings, like the GoPole Base 15 or the Manfrotto Pixi Mini, are no-brainers for packing without much fuss, but their use is going to be limited to tabletops. That makes these ideal for influencers and other types who livestream and don't need to support too much weight. The Neewer Desktop Macro is a step up in this regard, and has enough strength to serve nature photographers who know they do most of their macro work very close to the ground, and only need something small for the task.
If space isn't as big of a concern, but that ability to get close to the ground is, the Bonfoto B690C Lightweight lets you invert its central column to shoot just inches above the soil without needing to make massive adjustments to the legs. Of course, the big names like Manfrotto and Benro are where you'll want to go if you use your tripod on a frequent basis and want something that will last. The Benro Travel Angel 2 Series and the Manfrotto 055 Four-Section both boast carbon fiber construction that keeps them lightweight and durable.
October 03, 2019:
Availability issues with a pair of models necessitated their removal, namely the Bonfoto B671C and the PolarPro Trippler. Bonfoto had a nice alternative available in the 671A that slotted in at number six. It could be a little shorter when fully collapsed, but at just over three pounds, it still makes a pretty portable choice.
That balance between just how compact one of these tripods is and things like their maximum height and carrying weight remains the most important factor in our ranking. That balance is perhaps best struck by our number one pick, the Manfrotto 055 in carbon fiber, which is a mere 54cm long when broken down. It also includes some of the most durable and reliable flip locks in the industry. From my experience, these are much easier to use than twist locks, which often feel as though they require overtightening, which will wear down lesser versions over time.
We also made it a point to include some tabletop options for small cameras or lights used by live streamers, and Manfrotto offers a very fine one of these, as well, for a very reasonable price.
The updated version of Vanguard's Alta Pro seems to have some problems maintaining the kind of stability most shooters need, so it dropped a good distance down the list. Toward the top, we've added the latest Travel Angel tripod by Benro, as that company continues its ascendence in the marketplace as a significant rival for more established brands like Manfrotto.
What A Compact Tripod Can Do For You
That means you can rely on your compact model as a tool for more rugged environments or shoots that could endanger your pro gear.
If you've been a photographer for any stretch of time, chances are you already own a tripod. Whether this is a model meant to hold you over until you can afford something nicer or you already have a pro-level set of sticks is actually irrelevant to our topic here. That's because compact tripods are a unique offering, and even if you already have several means by which you stabilize your camera, one of these more diminutive models is still a smart addition to your kit.
That's because a compact tripod can often perform certain functions that a regular, full-sized tripod cannot. The most obvious of these is that it can get your camera closer to the ground. Even with their legs spread out, full-sized tripods can only bring your camera so close to the floor, making certain low or up angles more difficult to capture. Compact tripods, on the other hand, start out a lot closer to the ground, and when you spread them out they get extremely low.
You might be telling yourself that you never shoot low angles like that, so such an advantage would be wasted on you, but there's another crucial benefit to a compact tripod that you could certainly use: they're exceedingly portable. If you're hiking into the wilderness to do some shooting, the last thing you want to do is try to figure out how to get your video tripod lashed to your camping backpack. A compact tripod is much easier to pack and will add a significantly lighter load to your haul, saving you valuable energy.
Compact tripods also make good knock-around models, as many are far less expensive than their professional counterparts. That means you can rely on your compact model as a tool for more rugged environments or shoots that could endanger your pro gear. For example, I recently shot a horror film, and one of the scenes called for a veritable bloodbath with a tripod on a dolly. I could have spent a bunch of time carefully covering my go-to sticks with plastic to prevent all that sticky fake blood from harming their joints, but I chose instead to reach for a smaller tripod I keep on hand for whenever I need a low angle. It got covered in fake blood, and I was able to wash and dry it without worrying too much if it would ever be the same. There's freedom in that.
How To Choose The Perfect Compact Tripod
The compact tripod category contains a very wide variety of models, so choosing one from among them might turn out to be a slightly harder task than you would have imagined starting out. With an eye toward certain features and styles, however, you can easily take the options on our list and narrow them down to just one or two great models.
Users may overtighten these, however, which can damage their ability to hold a locked position.
Because most compact tripods have stark limits to their weight capacity compared to full-sized units, the first thing you should do when shopping for a compact tripod is ascertain the heaviest weight of your usual setup. That means grabbing your camera, your heaviest lens, and anything you might want to attach to the camera for shooting, and putting it on a scale. If you don't have a small scale like a food scale, you can hop on your regular bathroom scale without holding the camera and subtract that number from the number you see when standing on the scale with the camera in your hand. That should give you the weight of your setup. Then, make sure that the tripod you have your eye on can support at least that much weight.
Another important thing to look at is whether or not the legs of your compact model can extend. Some compact tripods are so small that they aren't even built for any kind of height, and they're intended rather for use tabletops and other flat, stable services. Any model with extendable legs will be considerably more versatile, and will probably be able to hold a heavier-set up.
Finally, take a look at the way those legs extend. Most tripods today utilize either screw locks or tab locks to secure their legs in an extended position. Screw locks are generally considered to be more durable, as there aren't any appendages susceptible to damage. Users may overtighten these, however, which can damage their ability to hold a locked position. Screw locks are also a little bit more of a hassle then their tab-based counterparts. Tab locks today are a lot stronger than they were when they first came out, as well, and as long as you don't wrench them in the wrong direction, they should hold up just fine.
Other Smart Camera Accessories
If you're trying to reduce the size of your gear footprint as much as possible, compact tripods are a great start. There are some other accessories you can invest in, as well, that can make your photography and videography kit much smaller.
You could also use a holster if you find that you mostly rely on one lens when you're out shooting.
If you shoot video, the quality of your audio is paramount. Professional sound equipment can be bulky and expensive, however, and paying someone to run it can be a costly affair. Instead, you can get a small shotgun microphone that mounts on your camera's hot shoe. That placement allows it to cleanly pick up audio from whatever the camera is pointing at with minimal background noise.
If you find your camera strap to be too cumbersome, you can invest in any number of alternative solutions, from wrist straps to harness systems. You could also use a holster if you find that you mostly rely on one lens when you're out shooting.
The bag you use to keep all of your gear together can go a long way toward reducing your overall footprint, as well, especially if its interior is spacious and customizable, and its overall size is relatively small. And if you're getting a compact tripod for use in the wilderness, there are great waterproof bag options out there that warrant serious consideration.
Click here to see our #1 pick
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Last updated on September 12, 2020 by Daniel Imperiale
Daniel Imperiale holds a bachelor's degree in writing, and proudly fled his graduate program in poetry to pursue a quiet life at a remote Alaskan fishery. After returning to the contiguous states, he took up a position as an editor and photographer of the prestigious geek culture magazine "Unwinnable" before turning his attention to the field of health and wellness. In recent years, he has worked extensively in film and music production, making him something of a know-it-all when it comes to camera equipment, musical instruments, recording devices, and other audio-visual hardware. Daniel's recent obsessions include horology (making him a pro when it comes to all things timekeeping) and Uranium mining and enrichment (which hasn't proven useful just yet).


Construction in Toulouse, France has begun on the first Hyperloop passenger capsule.
In Toulouse, France, construction has begun on the first, full scale passenger Hyperloop capsule. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) says it expects delivery of the capsule in 2018.
The Hyperloop capsule is a concept that was created in 2012 for a pod-like vehicle in a reduced-pressure tube moving at high velocity speeds. Three years ago, Elon Musk outlined his vision for high-speed passenger travel of capsules inside of tubes. The original route was envisioned to go from the Greater Los Angeles Area to the San Francisco Bay Area, but now France will get the honor of the having the first high speed passenger capsule.
The Hyperloop capsule will measure 98.5 feet (30m) in length (which is about six cars parked close together), nine feet (2.7 m) in diameter and weighs in at 20 tons. The fastest train in Japan, the Maglev bullet train, goes up to 374 mph (603 kph), but the Hyperloop capsule is expected to move at speeds of 760 mph (1223 km) per hour.
The passenger capsule is being built in collaboration with Carbures S.A which focuses on developing and building fuselage and advanced materials construction for the aeronautics and aerospace industries.
According to a press release, Dirk Ahlborn, CEO, HTT said the company is taking a passenger-first approach to guarantee that safety takes a priorty over all else.


BMF Show organisers The Mulberry Group have announced that this year's Tailend show will have some extra features and some very special guests over the weekend.
Also at this year's Tailend show, a World Stunt competition will run throughout the weekend with over 30 of the World's top riders competing and organisers are installing temporary grandstand seating to give visitors an even greater view of the unbelievable action. The show weekend will also be the last chance for people to get their raffle tickets to win the trip of a lifetime with Riders for Health on one of their Experience Africa rides in 2014 – the winning ticket will be drawn at the show on Sunday 15th September.
The BMF Tailend Show offers a fully packed weekend of entertainment, awesome stunt riding and what promises to be a great end of season party! – If you have a free weekend over the 13-15 September ride over to Peterborough…..it may well be worth it!


The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has appreciated members of the party across the country and in diaspora for their support that made possible the conduct of a peaceful and transparent Presidential primaries at the weekend in Port Hacourt, Rivers State.
Prince Secondus said that by that singular action, the party's journey to regaining power and ejecting All Progressives Congress (APC), from office has begun well and only a matter of time.
The National Chairman said that all the doomsday predictions that the party was going to emerge from their National convention swimming in crisis have been proved wrong as the party is not only more peaceful but more united and determined to execute the sole most important project of chasing out APC from the nation's political life.
Prince Secondus said in a statement from his media office signed by his media adviser Ike Abonyi that the pace setting convention was a clear demonstration that the rebranding and repositioning of the party with a view to regaining power was actually on course and in full gear.
"The support from members and non members to the reform agenda of the party that culminated in the successful primaries from ward to National levels shows clearly the determination of Nigerians to return PDP to power.
Prince Secondus noted that this would not have been possible without the support of critical stakeholders working on the same page to realize this common goal.
The National Chairman also marked for special appreciation, the Rivers state Governor His Excellency Neysom Wike and the government and people of the state for their exceptional service and contributions to the party and the successful hosting of the convention.
He also noted with thanks, the wonderful roles of all the PDP Governors as well as other critical stakeholders and members at all levels as well as the media and the public for their positive interests in the party.
"By the Port Harcourt successful outing, the party's journey to Aso Rock villa has begun in ernest and I urge all hands to be on deck until the country is rescued.
Finally, Prince Secondus appealed to members who contested for various positions and lost to emulate the Presidential aspirants and make the necessary sacrifices needed for the eventual success of the party noting that PDP umbrella is big enough for all in victory.


Namaste! I'm truly humbled to be a featured Miracle Team member. I wondered if I should even write as I am still in the center of profound transformation. I reminded myself that I'm not alone and many are where I am at right now. I pray that my words will resonate with those who need inspiration to keep going. After all, that is what Sri and Kira and the miracle team connection has given me…inspiration to keep going and a beautiful resource of information.
In 2015, after eight years of a growing spiritual life and prayer to be shown Divine love, my purpose, and the truth of my heart, the answers began appearing. I'm still in the midst of it all, however…I have learned, through this process, that God does not live in a box of dogmatic religion, societal and familial beliefs, race, age, or any other limitation we put on love. When we call out to God with pure intention the call will be answered. It is rarely in the way we 'think' it will or 'should' be. God answers by breaking us wide open and expanding our consciousness in ways we could never imagine. It strengthens our faith in the vastness of all that is and prepares us for service. I am awe struck everyday by the gifts of ascension and the pathway there.
The past two years have been the most grueling, challenging, painful, AND the most beautiful, mysterious, and awakened days of my life. I've been in the dark night of my soul more times than I can count and I don't believe that we all must suffer to reach the light. My experience opened my eyes to reveal the light and the importance of honoring all that we experienced as souls. We can come home to God in our 'allness'.
Self-Ascension has unveiled truths of my heart that I've buried for years and the integrity to live my truth. Living for the highest good of all starts with me and the greatest act of love is the truth. I've changed immensely. Finding Sri & Kira six months ago was a gift. Sri & Kira, the lessons they offer, and the Miracle Team has provided me with more than a resource, its given me a community. The changes I'm making will not be easily accepted by others, so to have a community helps to free me and supports what I know in my heart to be true. This is invaluable at a time when I am so vulnerable. There are days when doubt creeps in and having the tools for self-ascension and a place to go online for inspirational words and guidance is essential.
I thank each and every one of you. While I may not know you personally, I do know that the love shared is real and powerful and I don't know where I would be without it. May we all draw strength from each other and live the divine paths that we're meant to live for the highest good of all.
Thank you Sri and Kira for providing all of us a 'safe' room and many blessings of light and love from my heart to yours.


← I'm justa Nintendo guy….
There are many who wouldn't agree with the statement that Laura Kuenssberg is a woman to admire but they would be wrong. You have to be a certain strong willed character to be the leading face of British political journalism – the person who always gets the first question and more often than not will set the tone of how something is reported. She is not perfect – who is? But in this ever polarised world she seems to have the good grace to have a sense of humour whilst coming under some incredible pressure – pressure that I certainly couldn't take day in day out.
This entry was posted in Apple Pencil, Art, drawing, Politics and tagged Apple Pencil, Laura Kuenssberg, portrait, Procreate, sketch, woman. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Cops probing how Vegas mayor' son was injured
LAS VEGAS — Detectives say they've been able to talk to the son of Las Vegas' current and former mayors after he suffered a serious head injury while jogging, but haven't ruled whether he suffered an attack or an accident.
Police called a press conference Monday to reiterate that they haven't made a judgment on the case. Deputy Chief Al Salinas said the department doesn't want to create hysteria.
Las Vegas police said Saturday they're investigating what happened in the hours before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Eric Goodman was found injured in the men's bathroom at South Tower Park on Dec. 15.
Authorities said Goodman's injuries have made it difficult for him to tell them what happened.
Goodman is the son of Mayor Carolyn Goodman and former Mayor Oscar Goodman.


Eliminate a government agency? Another Republican joke. Kind of like the vapor ware of some software companies. Big promises but no action.
Besides, what will those 'conservatives' do when they found that the Constitution also has no articles for the favorite middle class welfare program known as student loans?


The political debate surrounding the Republican decision to cut the oil extraction tax in 2015 continues over two years later. Rightly so, because this rushed change to North Dakota's oil tax collections is having profound long-term impacts on our state budget. Moreover, the Republican decision to cut the oil extraction tax was passed and implemented without any study or prior analysis. The end product of this arbitrary oil tax cut has cost the state $235,530,746 to date according to Tax Department figures.
First, a quick refresher on how the oil extraction tax works. There are two separate components at play here. First, the tax rate itself, which was established by North Dakota voters via initiated measure in November of 1980. Second, the so-called "trigger," which was a provision to automatically lower the voter-approved rate when the price of oil stayed below a specific dollar amount for an extended period of time. The trigger was created by the North Dakota Legislature in 1991. The 1991 bill to create the trigger was SB 2279 and was sponsored entirely by Republican legislators. One of those sponsors was then Representative Rich Wardner, the current Senate Majority Leader from Dickinson.
The two parts to the oil extraction tax – the tax rate and the trigger – are entirely separate policy decisions. One was created by the people in 1980; the other was created by the Legislature eleven years later. Thus, illustrating that we can change one without changing the other. But, that wasn't what happened in the final days of the 2015 legislative session.
The Republican machine, along with its public relations specialists and oil industry lobbyists, continues to manipulate the narrative regarding the decision to cut the oil extraction tax. Only now, Republican talking heads are using simplistic catch phrases developed in last year's Presidential campaign, calling legitimate disagreements over tax policy "fake news." To state firmly that the tax rate and the separate trigger must be acted upon at the same time with the same legislative action is patently false. Those who claim otherwise are practicing the art of saying anything while knowing nothing.
Yes, eliminating the trigger prevented a huge revenue loss. But every legislator – Republican and Democrat – along with every policy expert I know of agreed the trigger should be eliminated. On the other hand, following the elimination of the trigger with a controversial decision to permanently cut the oil extraction tax rate from 6.5% to 5% without question caused loss of revenue. Of course the averted revenue loss from eliminating the trigger is bigger than the loss from the cut to the tax rate, at least in the short term. But, lumping these two separate policy decisions together is spin at best and dishonest at worst.
"If everything were the same" i.e. keeping the rate at 6.5% while also eliminating the trigger, we'd have maintained $235,530,756 in revenue according to the Republican-controlled Tax Department. That scenario is one of the alternatives offered by Democratic lawmakers not once, but twice in 2015. It was also offered in 2013 by Democrats.
All attempts by Democrats to simply remove the trigger were rejected by the Republicans.
(BELOW): A month-to-month breakdown of what each proposal would offer in tax collections. The blue bar shows what the state would have collected if lawmakers simply eliminated the trigger without cutting the tax rate.
(BELOW): A cumulative chart since January of 2016. This chart includes the third bar without the tax cut passed by Republicans which has been "conveniently" left out by others.
It never was a take-it-or-leave-it in 2015 as Republicans would like you to believe. Their political decision to couple the elimination of the trigger with a reduction in the tax rate itself was a decision made behind closed doors. Not only did Democrats offer a plan to eliminate the trigger while leaving the tax rate untouched, they also wanted to study what the most effective oil tax rate would be. The purpose of the study: at what rate would we be able to maintain our budget priorities while also satisfying economic growth?
Instead, the Republicans insisted on an arbitrary cut to the tax rate for purely political reasons. It is important to note their original wish was to cut the rate from 6.5% to 4.5%. They settled for 5% based on nothing more than wanting to cut taxes for oil companies. Rep. Tom Kading said as much in the House Finance and Tax meeting when he said any change to the trigger without lowering the tax rate would not pass the House Chamber. Politics, not prudent policy decisions, ruled the five days this bill was debated at the end of the 2015 legislative session.
Go through the minutes. It was repeatedly asked what Republicans were basing their decision to cut the oil extraction tax on. Nobody – not Al Carlson, not Rich Wardner, not Craig Headland, not Dwight Cook – not a single one of them could provide a coherent answer as to why they wanted to cut the oil extraction tax rate. That's because no study or prior-analysis was conducted to determine what the most effective extraction tax rate would be. Remember, the rate of 6.5% at the time brought us to being the second largest oil producing state in the nation.
The false narrative that the only options were to go along with the Republican tax cut or maintain the status quo and have zero tax revenue while the trigger was on simply isn't true. Blindsided with the 11th-hour oil tax bill left people scrambling. Nobody in the Republican majority would express the full impact of this permanent cut in the tax rate. Perhaps it was either because they didn't know the impact of their decision, or maybe they just didn't want you to know.
We continue to see people paint a false narrative by omitting information relevant to having an open, honest debate. The bottom line is that this was a politically motivated tax cut. It produced a lower tax rate not based on research, but on what was politically popular to do at the time for campaign donors and special interests. Because of the partisan decision to cut the oil extraction tax in 2015, vital services and tax rates for living, breathing North Dakotans are being impacted. In our upcoming series, you will learn exactly how this impacts you.


I am incensed at the possibility of ethyl glucuronide testing for alcohol intake being employed in schools (17 February, p 14). Schools have no right to monitor what teenagers are doing, much less punish what they might have done, after hours and at weekends. Some parents might allow their teenage sons and daughters to drink, say, a glass of wine at dinner, and while I can understand forbidding alcohol in schools, these restrictions should not bleed into home life.


Political scientists James W. Ceaser, Andrew E. Busch, and John J. Pitney, Jr., take a hard look at the 2016 election, adding another book to their series of insightful election analyses.
Seeing in our contemporary politics the revival of Douglas Democracy in all its anxieties about freedom—and seeing it make such headway in Lincoln's political party—is disheartening in the extreme. The imperative of learning from Lincoln, as Allen Guelzo's work brings him to us, has never been stronger.
A play in three acts, each consisting of a meeting between the CEO of a religious charity and the agent representing her health insurance company.
The students of Justice Scalia were not merely those who took his classes or served as his clerks. Through his opinions, he taught countless others the importance of the rule of law, republican self-government, and the virtue of courageous persistence in a good cause.
Thanks to its sympathy and its moral seriousness, Richard Brookhiser's new biography of Abraham Lincoln is a fine study of statesmanship.


4 Owensboro Investment Properties | Kurtz Auction & Realty Co.
SEE BELOW FOR OPEN HOUSE DATES & LOCATIONS!
Terms: 10% down at the auction, balance within 45 days. Seller to pay 2018 taxes, buyer to pay from January 1st, 2019 and thereafter. Bidders have 10 days prior to the auction for lead-based paint and other inspections.