Of all the Biblical heroes we grew up hearing the stories told again and again about, the story of Samson really hits home with me. I'm not sure why, because in a lot of ways, he is probably one of the biggest "disappointments" in the Scriptures. Blessed beyond belief with strength probably no human ever has or ever will experience, and he threw it all away.
I often wonder why. Why would he take this blessing, one few people really receive, and let it all go for one night. I guess I relate to him because often at my "strongest", it's in those moments I feel untouchable. Invincible. Like I can do no wrong.
It's funny how in those moments, when we're at our "strongest", it's often where we're most vulnerable. It's in those moments that we're often reminded how weak we really are. Why? I don't know, perhaps our pride goes to our heads and we feel as though we have it all together.
When Jesus came, he came to seek and save the lost, not the found. He made audacious claims that laughed in the face of society like "blessed are the MEEK, for they will inherit the earth." I wonder if maybe it is not when we are at our strongest that we are most effective for God's Kingdom, but at our weakest. Because it's when we are at our "weakest", that we finally begin to truly trust and rely on God's strength, not our own.
Remember, even with Moses, another great hero of our faith, it wasn't until he finally admitted that he was definitely the wrong guy for the job, that God was able to use Him to accomplish His will for His people.
Praying for weakness is not an easy prayer to pray. It's easy to pray for strength, to be a strong father, a strong mother, a strong follower. Those prayers make sense. This life is about building strength, not losing it, right?
But what if, with regards to our spirit, our faith, what if the greatest strength we possess is only released in our weakness? What if God is waiting for us to come to a place where we recognize and embrace our weakness, so His strength can fill that void, and we live on His power and His alone. Society tells us to run from weakness, or at the very least hide it. Jesus gives us another message, another gospel of it is those who are weak, that will be made strong. That is exactly what Paul wrote in his letter to the believers in Corinth, when he quoted God our Father as saying "My power works best in weakness".
Maybe rather than seeking strength, power, or all that comes with it, maybe we need to learn to embrace weakness. It doesn't make sense in our modern world where strength is constantly sought after, but then again, not much of what Jesus said really did.
A while back, a new restaurant opened in my hometown in Detroit called "Johnny Noodle King". It's a restaurant that specializes in Ramen Noodle dishes. One of the coolest things about ramen is you take a very basic, yet delicious noodle, and then you can form it into any flavor you desire. Here's an option to try out this week, but have fun with it. Take this simple, "weak" food, and turn it into something beautiful, because that's exactly what God does with us.
FIRSTBORN - by Good Luck Varsity on their album "Foundations". I'll say up front, it's a rockin' tune, but listen to the words. Find hope in the fact that God can use our weakness to accomplish great things, if we trust Him to.
God, you know every strength and every weakness in me. You've seen the best of me, and worst of me. Thank you God, that your unfailing love is greater than the worst parts of who I am. Thank you God, that despite all of my flaws and shortcomings, you desire to accomplish great things by the gifts you have given me. Help me, Father, to embrace my weakness, not run from it, so your Kingdom can be made known to those around me. You are so good to me. Your faithfulness reaches beyond my imagination. Find me in my weakness, God, and use me to do your will.
It's uncommon for people to show weakness or vulnerability in our culture. This week, take some time to intentionally approach conversations and interactions from a place where you are ready to listen, ready to embrace the strengths of someone else, rather than just always trying to flex your own.


text:
Maksym Hryhorovych Sutula (; born 10 December 1987) is a Ukrainian football striker.

Club history
Dmytro Zayko began his football career in CYSS Chornobai in Chornobai. He signed with FC Kremin Kremenchuk during 2007 summer transfer window.

Career statistics

References

External links
  Profile – Official Kremin site
  FC Kremin Kremenchuk Squad on the PFL website
  Profile on the FFU website

1987 births
Living people
FC Kremin Kremenchuk players
Ukrainian footballers
Association football forwards

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Jamshedpur, Feb 28: The last rites of Krishna Kumar Agrawal, father of Vimal Agrawal, Editor of The Avenue Mail and father in law of Mountaineer Premlata Agrawal was performed at Shiv Ghat in Jugsalai on Friday, Feb 28. He was 82 years old.
Jayprakash Rai and Kavi Kumar along with family members and others were present.
Hospital paid tribute to late Krishna Kumar Agrawal in front of the hospital. Agrawal is survived by a joint family.


text:
namespace heap {
namespace base {

namespace internal {
class V8_EXPORT_PRIVATE SegmentBase {
 public:
  static SegmentBase* GetSentinelSegmentAddress();

  explicit SegmentBase(uint16_t capacity) : capacity_(capacity) {}

  size_t Size() const { return index_; }
  bool IsEmpty() const { return index_ == 0; }
  bool IsFull() const { return index_ == capacity_; }
  void Clear() { index_ = 0; }

 protected:
  const uint16_t capacity_;
  uint16_t index_ = 0;
};
}  // namespace internal

// A global marking worklist that is similar the existing Worklist
// but does not reserve space and keep track of the local segments.
// Eventually this will replace Worklist after all its current uses
// are migrated.
template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
class Worklist {
 public:
  static const int kSegmentSize = SegmentSize;
  class Segment;
  class Local;

  Worklist() = default;
  ~Worklist() { CHECK(IsEmpty()); }

  void Push(Segment* segment);
  bool Pop(Segment** segment);

  // Returns true if the list of segments is empty.
  bool IsEmpty();
  // Returns the number of segments in the list.
  size_t Size();

  // Moves the segments of the given marking worklist into this
  // marking worklist.
  void Merge(Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>* other);

  // These functions are not thread-safe. They should be called only
  // if all local marking worklists that use the current worklist have
  // been published and are empty.
  void Clear();
  template <typename Callback>
  void Update(Callback callback);
  template <typename Callback>
  void Iterate(Callback callback);

 private:
  void set_top(Segment* segment) {
    v8::base::AsAtomicPtr(&top_)->store(segment, std::memory_order_relaxed);
  }

  v8::base::Mutex lock_;
  Segment* top_ = nullptr;
  std::atomic<size_t> size_{0};
};

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Push(Segment* segment) {
  DCHECK(!segment->IsEmpty());
  v8::base::MutexGuard guard(&lock_);
  segment->set_next(top_);
  set_top(segment);
  size_.fetch_add(1, std::memory_order_relaxed);
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
bool Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Pop(Segment** segment) {
  v8::base::MutexGuard guard(&lock_);
  if (top_ == nullptr) return false;
  DCHECK_LT(0U, size_);
  size_.fetch_sub(1, std::memory_order_relaxed);
  *segment = top_;
  set_top(top_->next());
  return true;
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
bool Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::IsEmpty() {
  return v8::base::AsAtomicPtr(&top_)->load(std::memory_order_relaxed) ==
         nullptr;
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
size_t Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Size() {
  // It is safe to read |size_| without a lock since this variable is
  // atomic, keeping in mind that threads may not immediately see the new
  // value when it is updated.
  return size_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Clear() {
  v8::base::MutexGuard guard(&lock_);
  size_.store(0, std::memory_order_relaxed);
  Segment* current = top_;
  while (current != nullptr) {
    Segment* tmp = current;
    current = current->next();
    delete tmp;
  }
  set_top(nullptr);
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
template <typename Callback>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Update(Callback callback) {
  v8::base::MutexGuard guard(&lock_);
  Segment* prev = nullptr;
  Segment* current = top_;
  size_t num_deleted = 0;
  while (current != nullptr) {
    current->Update(callback);
    if (current->IsEmpty()) {
      DCHECK_LT(0U, size_);
      ++num_deleted;
      if (prev == nullptr) {
        top_ = current->next();
      } else {
        prev->set_next(current->next());
      }
      Segment* tmp = current;
      current = current->next();
      delete tmp;
    } else {
      prev = current;
      current = current->next();
    }
  }
  size_.fetch_sub(num_deleted, std::memory_order_relaxed);
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
template <typename Callback>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Iterate(Callback callback) {
  v8::base::MutexGuard guard(&lock_);
  for (Segment* current = top_; current != nullptr; current = current->next()) {
    current->Iterate(callback);
  }
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Merge(
    Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>* other) {
  Segment* top = nullptr;
  size_t other_size = 0;
  {
    v8::base::MutexGuard guard(&other->lock_);
    if (!other->top_) return;
    top = other->top_;
    other_size = other->size_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
    other->size_.store(0, std::memory_order_relaxed);
    other->set_top(nullptr);
  }

  // It's safe to iterate through these segments because the top was
  // extracted from |other|.
  Segment* end = top;
  while (end->next()) end = end->next();

  {
    v8::base::MutexGuard guard(&lock_);
    size_.fetch_add(other_size, std::memory_order_relaxed);
    end->set_next(top_);
    set_top(top);
  }
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
class Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Segment : public internal::SegmentBase {
 public:
  static const uint16_t kSize = SegmentSize;

  void Push(EntryType entry);
  void Pop(EntryType* entry);

  template <typename Callback>
  void Update(Callback callback);
  template <typename Callback>
  void Iterate(Callback callback) const;

  Segment* next() const { return next_; }
  void set_next(Segment* segment) { next_ = segment; }

 private:
  Segment() : internal::SegmentBase(kSize) {}

  Segment* next_ = nullptr;
  EntryType entries_[kSize];

  friend class Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local;

  FRIEND_TEST(CppgcWorkListTest, SegmentCreate);
  FRIEND_TEST(CppgcWorkListTest, SegmentPush);
  FRIEND_TEST(CppgcWorkListTest, SegmentPushPop);
  FRIEND_TEST(CppgcWorkListTest, SegmentIsEmpty);
  FRIEND_TEST(CppgcWorkListTest, SegmentIsFull);
  FRIEND_TEST(CppgcWorkListTest, SegmentClear);
  FRIEND_TEST(CppgcWorkListTest, SegmentUpdateFalse);
  FRIEND_TEST(CppgcWorkListTest, SegmentUpdate);
};

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Segment::Push(EntryType entry) {
  DCHECK(!IsFull());
  entries_[index_++] = entry;
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Segment::Pop(EntryType* entry) {
  DCHECK(!IsEmpty());
  *entry = entries_[--index_];
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
template <typename Callback>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Segment::Update(Callback callback) {
  size_t new_index = 0;
  for (size_t i = 0; i < index_; i++) {
    if (callback(entries_[i], &entries_[new_index])) {
      new_index++;
    }
  }
  index_ = new_index;
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
template <typename Callback>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Segment::Iterate(
    Callback callback) const {
  for (size_t i = 0; i < index_; i++) {
    callback(entries_[i]);
  }
}

// A thread-local view of the marking worklist.
template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
class Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local {
 public:
  using ItemType = EntryType;

  Local() = default;
  explicit Local(Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>* worklist);
  ~Local();

  Local(Local&&) V8_NOEXCEPT;
  Local& operator=(Local&&) V8_NOEXCEPT;

  // Disable copying since having multiple copies of the same
  // local marking worklist is unsafe.
  Local(const Local&) = delete;
  Local& operator=(const Local& other) = delete;

  void Push(EntryType entry);
  bool Pop(EntryType* entry);

  bool IsLocalAndGlobalEmpty() const;
  bool IsLocalEmpty() const;
  bool IsGlobalEmpty() const;

  void Publish();
  void Merge(Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local* other);

  bool IsEmpty() const;
  void Clear();

  size_t PushSegmentSize() const { return push_segment_->Size(); }

 private:
  void PublishPushSegment();
  void PublishPopSegment();
  bool StealPopSegment();

  Segment* NewSegment() const {
    // Bottleneck for filtering in crash dumps.
    return new Segment();
  }
  void DeleteSegment(internal::SegmentBase* segment) const {
    if (segment == internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress()) return;
    delete static_cast<Segment*>(segment);
  }

  inline Segment* push_segment() {
    DCHECK_NE(internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress(),
              push_segment_);
    return static_cast<Segment*>(push_segment_);
  }
  inline const Segment* push_segment() const {
    DCHECK_NE(internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress(),
              push_segment_);
    return static_cast<const Segment*>(push_segment_);
  }

  inline Segment* pop_segment() {
    DCHECK_NE(internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress(), pop_segment_);
    return static_cast<Segment*>(pop_segment_);
  }
  inline const Segment* pop_segment() const {
    DCHECK_NE(internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress(), pop_segment_);
    return static_cast<const Segment*>(pop_segment_);
  }

  Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>* worklist_ = nullptr;
  internal::SegmentBase* push_segment_ = nullptr;
  internal::SegmentBase* pop_segment_ = nullptr;
};

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::Local(
    Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>* worklist)
    : worklist_(worklist),
      push_segment_(internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress()),
      pop_segment_(internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress()) {}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::~Local() {
  CHECK_IMPLIES(push_segment_, push_segment_->IsEmpty());
  CHECK_IMPLIES(pop_segment_, pop_segment_->IsEmpty());
  DeleteSegment(push_segment_);
  DeleteSegment(pop_segment_);
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::Local(
    Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local&& other) V8_NOEXCEPT {
  worklist_ = other.worklist_;
  push_segment_ = other.push_segment_;
  pop_segment_ = other.pop_segment_;
  other.worklist_ = nullptr;
  other.push_segment_ = nullptr;
  other.pop_segment_ = nullptr;
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
typename Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local&
Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::operator=(
    Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local&& other) V8_NOEXCEPT {
  if (this != &other) {
    DCHECK_NULL(worklist_);
    DCHECK_NULL(push_segment_);
    DCHECK_NULL(pop_segment_);
    worklist_ = other.worklist_;
    push_segment_ = other.push_segment_;
    pop_segment_ = other.pop_segment_;
    other.worklist_ = nullptr;
    other.push_segment_ = nullptr;
    other.pop_segment_ = nullptr;
  }
  return *this;
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::Push(EntryType entry) {
  if (V8_UNLIKELY(push_segment_->IsFull())) {
    PublishPushSegment();
  }
  push_segment()->Push(entry);
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
bool Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::Pop(EntryType* entry) {
  if (pop_segment_->IsEmpty()) {
    if (!push_segment_->IsEmpty()) {
      std::swap(push_segment_, pop_segment_);
    } else if (!StealPopSegment()) {
      return false;
    }
  }
  pop_segment()->Pop(entry);
  return true;
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
bool Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::IsLocalAndGlobalEmpty() const {
  return IsLocalEmpty() && IsGlobalEmpty();
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
bool Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::IsLocalEmpty() const {
  return push_segment_->IsEmpty() && pop_segment_->IsEmpty();
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
bool Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::IsGlobalEmpty() const {
  return worklist_->IsEmpty();
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::Publish() {
  if (!push_segment_->IsEmpty()) PublishPushSegment();
  if (!pop_segment_->IsEmpty()) PublishPopSegment();
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::Merge(
    Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local* other) {
  other->Publish();
  worklist_->Merge(other->worklist_);
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::PublishPushSegment() {
  if (push_segment_ != internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress())
    worklist_->Push(push_segment());
  push_segment_ = NewSegment();
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::PublishPopSegment() {
  if (pop_segment_ != internal::SegmentBase::GetSentinelSegmentAddress())
    worklist_->Push(pop_segment());
  pop_segment_ = NewSegment();
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
bool Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::StealPopSegment() {
  if (worklist_->IsEmpty()) return false;
  Segment* new_segment = nullptr;
  if (worklist_->Pop(&new_segment)) {
    DeleteSegment(pop_segment_);
    pop_segment_ = new_segment;
    return true;
  }
  return false;
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
bool Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::IsEmpty() const {
  return push_segment_->IsEmpty() && pop_segment_->IsEmpty();
}

template <typename EntryType, uint16_t SegmentSize>
void Worklist<EntryType, SegmentSize>::Local::Clear() {
  push_segment_->Clear();
  pop_segment_->Clear();
}

}  // namespace base
}  // namespace heap

#endif  // V8_HEAP_BASE_WORKLIST_H_

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Lectionary Commentaries for December 28, 2008
First Sunday of Christmas
from WorkingPreacher.org
Print Go Back
Commentary on Luke 2:22-40
Holly Hearon
The birth of a child is an occasion that evokes family, religious, and social traditions.
The infant's gown, once worn by a great-grandparent, is carefully liberated from layers of tissue paper where it has been preserved for this moment. A rose is placed on the altar or communion table in honor of the child's birth. Announcements are sent to family and friends.
Traditions Ancient and Modern
In the Gospel of Luke, the parents of Jesus respond to his birth by attending to the obligations called for in Leviticus 12:3-8. These ancestral traditions are a reminder to them that Jesus is born in the context of the covenant established between God and the people Israel. The language of purification may sound odd to us, but it arises from sensitivity to the holy. One way a woman encounters the holy is through the miracle of giving birth. It is a holiness which belongs to and describes the natural rhythm of life.
There is also a holiness that is ascribed arbitrarily to certain times, places and activities (such as the Temple). The two do not stand in opposition to each other, but they belong to separate spheres−in the same way that we might say a mound of earth is a good thing in the garden, but not in the middle of the living room. Ritually presenting their offering to God is a formal way of recognizing the difference between the two spheres.
Of course, this ritual reflects an ancient worldview. Today, Jews celebrate the birth of a child with a ceremony marked by prayers, songs, and food. All present recite the words, "As he/she has been welcomed into the covenant so may he/she grow into a life of Torah, marriage and good deeds." Elijah, the famous prophet, is welcomed to the celebration, linking each new birth to the renewal of hope in the coming of the messianic age.1 This same hope is expressed by each of the persons named in our passage from Luke:
Mary and Joseph come to present Jesus to God, demonstrating their confidence in God's promises
Simeon is described as a righteous and devout man seeking the consolation of Israel
The prophet Anna fasts and prays for the redemption of Jerusalem
It is a vibrant hope, evident from ancient traditions, but equally as alive today.
Setting and Memory
The action in our scene takes place at the Temple in Jerusalem. As the dwelling place of God, it is an appropriate setting for a story revolving around the theme of redemption. Yet Luke is writing after the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E. In that year, the Romans razed Jerusalem to the ground and scattered its survivors abroad. These facts yield two differing interpretations.
On the one hand, readers can see the setting as hearkening back to remembrance of a time when life seemed safe, traditions were observed, and Joseph and Mary could safely negotiate registering in a Roman census (2:1-11) while worshipping in the Temple of the one God. On the other hand, it may be a poignant reminder of the catastrophe that already exists in the memory of Luke's readers: the Temple's destruction. This juxtaposition of memories presents a yellow caution light−a warning against painting too thick a veneer of harmony and tranquility over the past. Underneath that veneer, cracks will appear in the surface, evidence of the tensions percolating underneath.
Living in Anticipation
Such 'cracks' are present in Luke's text. We see them in the way Luke alternates between references to God's deliverance and references to destruction and exile:
Verse 23 links the presentation of Jesus to the words in Exodus 13:2 that "every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord." In Exodus, this verse is set in the context of God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Children born into slavery belonged to the slave master; in consecrating them to God, the Israelites affirmed their new identity as God's people.
Contrasting with this reference to God's deliverance in the past, Simeon is one looking forward to the consolation of Israel. Between past and present, another catastrophic event has occurred. In 586 B.C.E., the Babylonians destroyed the Temple, an event echoed by the Roman destruction of the Temple. Simeon awaits the moment when God will console those who are in exile (in Babylon or the Roman Empire). Taking the child in his arms, he declares that that moment of deliverance is at hand (verses 29-32).
Yet, just as quickly, Simeon warns Mary and Joseph that the child who marks the presence of salvation in their midst will also be the cause of the 'falling and rising' of many. This 'rising and falling' will not be the result of war, economic overturn, or natural disaster. Instead, it will come about through radical transparency, as people's inner thoughts are revealed (verses 34-35). The windows into the soul will be thrown wide open.
Anna's description picks up this anticipation of disruption. Her constant state of fasting identifies her as one in a state of mourning, not for her husband, but for the people of God. However, seeing the child, her mourning turns to praise! God has come to bring about the return of God's people from exile.
At the center of this is the child. He is mentioned by name only once, in verse 27. Elsewhere he is referred to always as "the child." Substantial words spoken about someone so very small! But Luke has been playing on this contrast throughout the birth story. The savior of the world is born in a stable, while another 'savior' of the world, i.e. Caesar, sits on a throne in Roman splendor. In striking contrast, Jesus' parents bring the offering designated for the poor: two turtledoves. It is this child born in poverty who is the true savior. He is the sign of God's consolation and redemption. We are left in anticipation to watch as the child grows strong, filled with wisdom and blessed with the favor of God.
1Thank you to Rabbi Sandy Sasso of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck (Indianapolis) for her insight into the ritual of purification and for providing a description of contemporary Jewish practice surrounding the birth of a child.
Commentary on Isaiah 61:10—62:3
J. Clinton McCann, Jr.
Our text falls within the central section (chapters 60-62) of what is traditionally known as Third Isaiah (chapters 56-66).
According to the historical-critical consensus, this portion of the book was written by disciples of Second Isaiah (chapters 40-55) after the return from exile. However, the return was not as glorious as Second Isaiah had envisioned (cf. 62:4). Therefore, Third Isaiah continues to articulate the hope of a full restoration of the people and nation, with special attention on setting things right for Jerusalem (cf. 62:1).
While this consensus is helpful and has not been abandoned, the past twenty years have seen the emergence of a new consensus− that is, the book of Isaiah should be read as a unity. Edgar Conrad, a major proponent of the unity of the book,1 concludes that the shape of the book itself implies it was addressed to "survivors" (1:9; 66:19, although the Hebrew differs in each case). These "survivors" have witnessed the defeat of Judah by Babylon (39:5-8), and now await with hope for God to deliver them, just as Isaiah 1-39 (First Isaiah) recounted that God once delivered Judah from the Assyrians (chapters 36-39).
At this point, it is easy to detect points of congruence between Conrad's argument and the historical-critical consensus. But Conrad goes even further. He suggests that although the return from exile is anticipated in Isaiah 40-66, it is not explicitly narrated. Thus, in his view, the book of Isaiah positions its readers in every generation to wait with hope for a new act of divine deliverance. In addition, Conrad concludes the Babylonian exile can be understood metaphorically, not just historically. As a metaphor, then, the whole book of Isaiah invites its readers, whatever their time and place, to live in hope toward a future which is claimed and redeemed by God. Indeed, this redemption will ultimately involve the setting of things right not only for Judah and Jerusalem, but also for all peoples and nations (cf.2:1-4; 42:1-9; 49:1-6). See also the extraordinarily expansive Psalm 148, the psalm for the day.
In this regard, notice in today's Gospel lesson that the prophet Anna testifies concerning Jesus "to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). And having seen the child Jesus, Simeon proclaims he has seen the "salvation" which God has "prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:31-32). These references are not to say that Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (or any portion of the book of Isaiah) is a prediction of Jesus, although the Gospel writers sometimes seem to have thought so. Rather, the congruence between Isa 61:10-62:3 and Luke 2 (see also the citation of Isaiah 61:1-2 in Luke 4:16-21) suggests that the Christ-event is similar to the book of Isaiah. Both are invitations for people in every place and time to live toward a future which is claimed and redeemed by God.
In a real sense, when we read Isa 61:10-62:3 during the 2008 Christmas season, we are still "looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" and the setting of things right for the nations. Even after Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection, we are called to live with hope, entrusting ourselves, our futures, and the future of the world to God and God's deliverance.
Apparently speaking for the entire community, the prophet declares, "I shall greatly rejoice." Such joy could be a response to the promises in 60:1-61:9 (cf. 60:17-18, where three of the capitalized words recur in 61:10-11−Righteousness, Salvation, and Praise). Further reasons for joy are introduced by the two occurrences of "for." The clothing imagery in verse 10 features "salvation," a prominent theme in Isaiah 40-66 (45:17, 21-22; 49:6; 51:5-6; 52:7, 10; 59:11; 60:16, 18; 62:11; 63:1), and "righteousness." Occurring four times, "righteousness" becomes the keyword in our passage (two are in verses 10 and 11, while two are in 62:1-2, where the same Hebrew word is translated "vindication"). The clothing imagery is filled out by the mention of wedding attire, and weddings would have been occasions to rejoice. It is perhaps not coincidental that the covenant relationship between God and God's people is sometimes described as a marriage (see Hosea 1-3; Jeremiah 2:1-13; and note the mention of "covenant" in Isaiah 61:8).
Agricultural productivity, featured in verse 11, would also have offered reason to rejoice. The second occurrence of "righteousness" and the mention of "all the nations" reinforce the source of the joy−God setting things right for God's people and for the world.
Whereas the previous two verses suggested God has set things right, these three verses suggest that there is still work to be done. Whether the prophet continues to speak, or whether God should be understood as the speaker, is unclear. In either case, God still needs to act for the sake of Jerusalem/Zion (see Isaiah 42:14; 63:18-19; 64:1-12, especially verses 10-12). The pairing of "vindication"/"righteousness" and "salvation" in 62:1 recalls 61:10; and as in 61:11, the "nations" are involved. As Walter Brueggemann suggests, to envision the "glory" of Jerusalem (62:2) is to envision that "the full rule of Yahweh is established."2 The rule of God is regularly characterized by righteousness (our keyword), along with justice and peace (cf. Psalm 96, 98). These three traits are the substance of the new identity or "new name" (62:2) which God will give the people, in contrast to the current condition of being "Forsaken" and "Desolate" (62:4).
The royal imagery in verse 3−"crown" and "royal diadem"−may hint that the new identity/name of the people will include a mission. In other words, the people as a whole will be entrusted with the former monarchical function of administering God's justice and righteousness in the world.
The tension between "already" (61:10-11) and "not yet" (62:1-3) is important and instructive for Christian reflection upon and proclamation of our text. On the one hand, we affirm that Jesus proclaimed and embodied "the full rule of Yahweh," so that we can "greatly rejoice" in the ways that Jesus has set us and the world right. On the other hand, we (as individuals and as the people of God) are clearly works in progress, and there is much in our world that still waits to be set right. Thus, we live as the postexilic community lived, and as the final form of the book of Isaiah invites God's people in every generation to live. We live, entrusting ourselves to God, living in hope toward a future which is claimed and will be redeemed by God, and contributing by our words and deeds toward making the world right and life-serving, for God's sake, for our own sake, and for the sake of "all the nations" (61:11; see Isa 2:1-4; 42:6; 49:6; 51:4-6).
1Edgar Conrad, Reading Isaiah (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991).
2Westminster Bible Companion, Isaiah 40-66 (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1998), 220.
James Limburg
And Heav'n and Nature Sing
It's always been one of my favorite Christmas carols. How could you lose with this one? The words are by Isaac Watts and the tune, at least according to some hymnbooks, is by George F. Handel. The combination of words and music is just right. Notice that the melody runs straight down the D major scale! Though we've sung it countless times and have heard it each year in churches and shopping malls, it's possible that we have missed one important feature of this carol. Consider the words:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king;
let every heart prepare him room
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
The lyricist is thinking big. All humans on earth are invited to welcome the Christ-King into their hearts. Then Isaac Watts ratchets the lyrics up another notch. He names two extremes to indicate the whole, asking heaven and also nature to join in singing this joyful song. To make sure that everybody gets the point, he repeats "heav'n and nature" three times, even having the tenors and basses echo it in a refrain. Once you've changed from a boy soprano or alto to a man tenor or bass, this becomes one of your favorite songs to sing at Christmas time!
The Closing Quintet: Psalms 146-150
The biblical Book of Psalms begins with a strong emphasis on laments−prayers from times of trouble (most of the psalms in Book I, from 3-41). The plan of the book as a whole indicates an increasing emphasis on praise, coming to a climax with Psalms 146-150. Each psalm in the closing quintet begins and ends with "Praise the LORD" or, in Hebrew, "Hallelujah!" This makes for ten "Hallelujahs" at the end of the book; then Psalm 150 alone adds ten more. You'd think the book was put together by a praise band that was relegated to a separate "contemporary service" in the church (or synagogue) basement or gymnasium!
But now to an unusual feature in Psalm 148 that I did not notice for a long time. It is the same feature already noted in "Joy to the World," namely the call for non-human creatures, that is, for nature to join in praising God. Professor Terry Fretheim has called attention to this theme in the entire Old Testament; see the helpful insights in Chapter 8 of his recent book, God and the World.1
The psalm begins by calling for praise "from the heavens" (1-6), continues with a call for praise "from the earth" (7-12), and concludes by tying "earth" and "heaven" together with a final call for all to join in the praises (13-14). It follows the typical pattern of the hymn with imperatives calling for praise (1-5,7,13-14), grounded by "for" clauses giving the reasons for praise (5b-6; 13b-14).
Praise from the Heavens (1-6)
The opening call for praise is aimed at all heavenly creatures, including angels and the heavenly armies ("host"). Note the Old Testament view of the universe: above the heavens ("firmament," " dome," Ps 19:1; Gen 1) are waters (vs. 4). Windows in the dome slide open causing rain on the earth (Gen 7:11).
Praise from the earth (7-12)
Now the focus is upon the earth. A surprise: first to be invited to this praise fest are not human beings, but rather sea monsters (the Hebrew word is the same as that used in Gen 1:21). Next in line are the elements of nature, including fire, hail, snow, frost, stormy wind, mountains, hills, and trees (7-9). The invitation is extended again, now to the living creatures, including wild and domesticated animals, animals that creep on the ground, and birds (10).
Finally, the psalm says "O yes! And you humans are invited to join this praise band too!" The extremes are named to indicate the whole class: kings, princes and rulers, then young people, senior citizens, and children.
How ought we to understand this non-human praise of God? This could be considered simply highly-charged poetic language where the poet lets his or her imagination run wild But I think there is more. According to Psalm 150, one can praise God with dance (4). One can also praise God with an orchestra, including wind, string, and percussion instruments (Psalm 150). Clearly, praise need not be limited to human words or actions. If our dancing can express praise, why not the dance of the loons on a Minnesota lake? If the sound of the trumpet in Handel's Messiah can express praise, why not the sound of a trumpeter swan?
Toward a Sermon
The Christmas season is a fine time to re-discover the theme of "nature's praise of God" as found in the Bible and in the hymns of the church. In the case of this theme, the church's hymns have been ahead of the church's preaching and teaching! I admit, it is an area I have neglected. A sermon could be based on the "non-human praise of God" in this psalm, asking what it means for heaven and nature to sing. For example, "Earth and all Stars" is a modern hymn calling on non-human elements (including test tubes!) to join the praise band (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 731). For a classic hymn, check out Francis of Assisi's "All Creatures, Worship God Most High!" which calls "brother wind," "sister water" and a whole list of non-human creatures to join in praise (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 835).
One can page through the "Praise and Thanksgiving" section of any hymnbook to find numerous examples of praise offered to God from non-human entities. We humans do not have a monopoly on praise. It appears that the often suspiciously regarded "praise band" could be moved from the basement to the main sanctuary, "loud clanging cymbals" (Psalm 150) and all!
1Terence Fretheim, God and the World: a Theology of Creation (Nashville: Abingdon, 2005).
Commentary on Galatians 4:4-7
Hans Wiersma
Besides being the second reading for the first Sunday of Christmas, this passage is assigned for "The Feast of Mary, Mother of Our Lord" on August 15th.
For those who may have missed Mary's feast day or any who are inclined to take this lesson as an opportunity for a meditation on Mary, feel free. After all, a church council meeting in Ephesus in 431 A.D. considered this passage (and others) in its theological deliberations regarding Mary. The consensus reached by this Third Ecumenical Council was that Mary is properly called theotokos (Greek for "God-bearer") rather than "merely" chrisotokos ("Christ-bearer"). In fact, you might offer a spell-binding sermon on the intricacies of the early Christological debates and how, in the fourth century, a bishop named Nestorius taught that Mary gave birth to the human Jesus but not to the divine logos, and how another bishop, Cyril, led the charge to keep the human and divine natures united within Mary's womb. You could do that.
On the other hand, it is likely that the Apostle Paul did not have the fight against Nestorianism and the consensus regarding Christ's "hypostatic union" in mind when he wrote "born of a woman." In fact, when the entire passage is considered, we see that it is less about the relationship of Christ's humanity and divinity, and more about the believer's relationship with God through Christ.
In the previous chapter, Paul, preaching to those Galatian believers and explained that those "under the law" (that is, everyone) cannot receive the divine inheritance through obedience to the law. Instead, the law is like a task master or disciplinarian (Greek: paidagôgos). Under the law, we have no rights before God and, therefore, we are as slaves in God's household (3:19-24). Then Paul begins to announce the promise. Now, that faith has come, we are no longer slaves serving a tough taskmaster (the law). Instead, we are God's children through faith in Christ Jesus.
In chapter four, Paul is simply underscoring his main point. Christ has come in the flesh (born of a woman!) to free us from that old master (the law), making possible our adoption as members of God's household–with all the benefits that go with it. It is no longer our relationship to the taskmaster (the law) that determines our situation in the divine household. Instead, it is our relationship to Christ (the rightful Son and heir) that determines our new status in the family. Consequently, as adopted sons and daughters, we do what children do (call their father Abba–"Daddy" for instance) and receive what children receive: blessing and inheritance.
Paul's overriding concern in the Galatians letter is the distinction between one's relationship to God through faith in Christ as opposed to one's relationship to God via the legal code. In chapters two and three of Galatians, Paul emphasizes this difference between "law and gospel" in a number of different ways. In fact, if you want to emphasize Paul's emphasis to your hearers, simply quote the source:
"We know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ" (2:16)
"For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (2:19-20a)
"If justification comes through the law then Christ died for nothing" (2:21b)
"Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for "the one who is righteous will live by faith" (3:11)
"For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise" (Galatians 3:18a)
In chapter four, Paul illustrates the law/gospel difference in the language of relationship. Look, says Paul (in short), you cannot have it both ways. Either you are child of God because you are "under Christ" through faith, or you are slave because you are "under the law," relating to God through the law. Further on in the chapter, Paul describes the law/gospel divide in familial terms, using the child of the slave woman, Hagar, and the child of the rightful wife, Sarah, as allegories for his law/gospel distinction.
Martin Luther held in high regard the importance of distinguishing law from gospel. For Luther, in fact, only the one who could discern law and gospel could call herself a theologian. Luther wrote: "Nearly the entire Scripture and the understanding of all theology hangs on the right understanding of law and gospel." He also wrote: "Whoever knows well how to distinguish the gospel from the law should give thanks to God and know that he is a real theologian."1
Perhaps you think this law/gospel business is too theological, too abstract, for your hearers. You are probably correct. Preaching about law and gospel is one thing–a theological and abstract thing. On the other hand, doing law and gospel for your hearers is another thing all together. In the case of the passage in question–Galatians 4:4-7–this will mean proclaiming in concrete and relevant terms the difference between being a slave "under the law" and being a child, an heir, through faith.
In Paul's Galatians letter, the concrete and relevant terms had to do with circumcision. Paul "did the law" to those Galatians by testifying "to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law" (5:2) and "you who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace" (5:4). Obviously, preaching on circumcision no longer cuts it–especially if you are seeking to be inclusive. Therefore, where Paul said: "If you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you" (5:2), you will have to fill in the blank: "If you [blank] in order to gain God's blessing and inheritance, Christ will be of no benefit to you."
Fortunately, there is no shortage of things we think we can do to make God accept us into the household of Christ: be good people, go to church, assent to the creeds, give our hearts to Jesus, and on and on and on. Here the task is anything but abstract. You expose all of the subtle and not-so-subtle ways your hearers attempt to gain the divine inheritance via obedience to the law. Then you tell them, "Good luck with that." Then you hit them with the sweet gospel: "God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children."
1WA 7:502.34-35 (my translation) and LW 26:115.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Tips to Prepare for Disaster Management Topic for UPSC Civil Service Mains Exam
The general studies III paper in the UPSC civil services mains examination is considered to be the most diverse among the 4 general studies papers, as it includes topics as diverse as economics, internal security, disaster management, science and technology, and agriculture.
Among these topics, internal security and disaster management is a newly listed topic that is of high importance as the internal security and disaster management act is something that civil service officers have to deal with quite frequently in their careers.
Both the facts of the events as well as the analyses and knowledge on topics like the National Disaster Management Authority will be relevant for this topic along with the static portions of the rules and regulations to follow. Questions from this section will test your analytical ability and critical thinking along with your basic knowledge about the topic.
Also Read: Is the Study of BSc Medical Beneficial for UPSC Preparation? Best Optional Subjects for BSc Students
Internal Security and Disaster Management Syllabus as per the Latest UPSC Mains Pattern
The topics listed by UPSC under internal security and disaster management are as follows:
Disaster and Disaster Management
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal social security.
Challenges to internal security through communication networks, the role of media and social networking sites in internal social security challenges, basics of cybersecurity; money-laundering and its prevention.
Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Various security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Marks Allotted for Each Section
Subject Subtopic 2013 2014 2015 2016
Disaster Management Disaster Management 10 12.5 12.5 25
Security Development and Extremism 10 0 12.5 12.5
Security External Actors and Border Management 10 62.5 25 25
Security Cyber Security and Money Laundering 35 0 25 12.5
Disaster Management for UPSC
This topic is dynamic and gains prominence with every natural disaster that occurs in the country be it floods, earthquakes or landslides.
The cyclone Amphan in 2020 and Fani in 2019 set an example for the planned management of natural disasters by which huge human loss was averted. This is an area that you should prepare.
Apart from natural disasters, man-made disasters such as fires, chemical spills, groundwater contamination, etc. are also studied.
You should stick to one standard textbook for the static part and refer to a good newspaper for the dynamic content.
NDMA publications and NCERT Class XI textbook ( Natural Hazards & Disaster Management ) are major sources for this section.
UPSC Questions from the Last Few Years
Poor development and lack of growth opportunities is the primary reason for the spread of extremism in India. Discuss.
Apart from external factors, India's security is challenged equally by internal factors. Critically examine.
The latest developments in science and technology and new media has made combating terrorism a more difficult task. Critically analyze.
Is money laundering a major threat to the present-day Indian Economy? Discuss the possible steps that can be taken to control it.
Management of security challenges in border areas is a delicate but crucial area. What are the practical measures in this regard?
Are Indian Disaster Management Agencies properly equipped to handle a major disaster? Critically analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian Disaster Management Framework.
Is India becoming repeatedly prone to cyber-attacks? Analyze the vulnerability in the area.
How equipped is India in combating a threat in terms of terrorism or war? Discuss the security machinery of India.
2013 UPSC Mains Examination
How important is vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on disaster management?
Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its party expense, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority, discuss the mechanism for preparedness to deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India.
The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India's preparedness for mitigating its impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects.
Also Read: Sendai Framework: Check Out the UPSC Notes on Disaster Risk Reduction
With reference to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.
The frequency of urban floods due to high-intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods. Highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
In December 2004, the tsunami brought havoc on 14 countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for the occurrence of a Tsunami and their effects on life and the economy. In the light of guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing 'Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)'. How is this framework different from 'Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005?
Vulnerability is a crucial factor in determining disaster impacts and the threat they pose to people. How and in what ways can disaster vulnerability be defined? Discuss various types of vulnerability in the context of disasters.
Explain the recent initiatives taken by the Indian government for disaster management and also discuss how it differs from the previous reactive approach.
Internal Social Security for UPSC
This topic is subdivided and discussed in different subsections briefly below:
Development and Spread of Extremism
This social security topic has a very narrow scope but is very important as Naxal issues are often seen in the news.
Explore the relationship between poverty, lack of development, unemployment and the rise of left-wing terrorism such as Naxalism and Maoism. The issue's origins, development, the response of the government and current situation should be studied. Since this topic has a narrow scope, you can make good notes for them and refer to them as and when needed.
The Hindu newspaper
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) website
Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar
Questions from the Last Few Years
Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to the Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism.
The persisting drives of the government for the development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements with Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the left-wing extremism (LWE) doctrine affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth.
The north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.
Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India's approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.
Over-ground workers which are also known as OGWs, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, were assisting the terrorist organisation and this was brought into focus after banning 'Jamaat-e-Islami.' Evaluate the role of OGWs and their insurgency affected areas. Also, give an opinion of the measures that should be taken to neutralise OGWs.
Discuss the steps that must be taken to refuse local help to militants and ways to organize a favourable awareness among residents for effective border area supervision.
Cybersecurity, Social Media and Internal Security Challenges, Money-Laundering
This is a very relevant topic for the times. Many terrorists claim to have been influenced by social media sites and social media preachers for their terrorist acts.
With easy accessibility and a wide reach, social media is proving to be a challenge in tackling crimes of all natures.
Mob violence is also fuelled by social media messages that take no time to go viral.
Also Read: What Relevant Topics Should be Read from the Newspaper? Know How to Manage Time
Money laundering poses a serious threat to the country's economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace?
What is a digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Give various salient built-in features of a digital signature.
What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present?
Cyberwarfare is considered by some defence analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand about Cyber Warfare? Outline the cyber threats to which India is vulnerable and bring out the state of the country's preparedness to deal with the same.
Religious indoctrination via digital media has resulted in Indian youth joining ISIS. What are ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous for the internal security of our country?
Considering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a "Digital Armed Force" to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 outlining the challenges perceived in its effective implementation.
Discuss the advantage and security implications of cloud hosting of servers vis-a-vis in-house machine-based hosting for government businesses.
Use of the Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major concern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat.
Also Read: Best App for UPSC Preparation: Top 7 Apps to Crack the UPSC Exam
Discuss the potential threats of Cyberattack and the security framework to prevent it.
India's proximity to two of the world's biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering, and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same?
Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cybercrimes. Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to the protection of personal data in cyberspace?
One of the security challenges faced by border policing in North-East India is the Insurgent cross-border movement. Evaluate the several issues that are currently created on the India-Myanmar border. Also, talk about how you're going to deal with the problems.
Discuss the various types of cybercrime and the steps that must be taken to combat the threat.
Examine cross-border crimes and internal security threats along with Bangladesh's, Myanmar's, and Pakistan's borders, including the Line of Control (LoC). Discuss the role of various security forces in this regard as well.
A very important topic and dynamic too.
The newspapers are the most important sources of material. The IDSA website is also a good source.
Management of border areas, linkages between organized crime such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, human trafficking and their links with terrorism are to be studied.
How far are India's internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?
China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for the development of an economic corridor. What thread does it dispose of for India's security? Critically examine.
In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65° East to 78° east in the Arabian Sea by the International Maritime Organization. What impact does this have on India's maritime security concerns?
How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India's security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration.
The diverse nature of India as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighbourhood. Discuss along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment.
International civil aviation laws provide all countries with complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand about airspace? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggest ways to contain the threat.
Also Read: Best Current Affairs App for UPSC: Prepare Online with the Best Teaching Method
Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.
The terms 'Hot Pursuit' and 'Surgical Strikes' are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.
"Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades." Analyze the above statement.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China's larger 'One Belt One Road' initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same.
The Indian government recently amended the National Investigation Agency Act (NIA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967 to strengthen anti-terrorism laws. Analyze the changes in the current security environment while discussing the reasons and scope for human rights organisations' opposition to the UAPA.
What factors influence left-wing extremism in India's eastern states? What strategy should the civil administration, Indian government, and security forces use to combat the threat in the affected regions?
Security Forces and Their Mandate
External and internal security forces such as the military forces (army, navy, air force), CAPF, IPS, intelligence agencies such as IB, RAW, etc.
You can refer to the official websites of these agencies for authentic information. Check out this link which gives precise information on them for a quick reference.
Also Read: Can I Prepare Botany from Internet-Material Instead of Using Standard Books for UPSC Optional Paper?
The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of India. The defence services in India consist of three uniformed services:
The Indian Army
The Indian Navy
The Indian Air Force
Paramilitary Forces of India
The term "paramilitary forces" in India has not been defined in any act of parliament or by the authorities. Since 2011, the Government of India uses an unofficial definition that the Paramilitary forces are the ones that assist the military forces and are headed by Military officers, not by IPS officers.
Assam Rifles
Special Frontier Force
Central Armed Police Forces
Central Armed Police Forces were formerly referred to as Paramilitary Forces. From March 2011, the Ministry of Home Affairs adopted a uniform nomenclature of Central Armed Police Forces to avoid confusion. There are seven central armed police forces. Each of these forces performs a separate function. They operate under the Ministry of Home affairs. Each of the forces is led by an IPS officer with the notable exception of the Assam Rifles which has been covered under paramilitary forces.
Border Security Force (BSF)
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
Special Forces of India
Apart from the Special Forces operating under various agencies in the country, the special forces of India also have the following units reporting directly to the Home Ministry for counter-terrorism and VIP protection activities:
National Security Guards (NSG)
Special Protection Group (SPG)
Also Read: Can a Bank Employee be Eligible for 24 Months of Leave for UPSC Preparation? Check Out the Potential Information
Other Important Security Agencies In India
Railway Protection Force (RPF)
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
Internal Security and Disaster Management are one of the most scoring topics in General Studies Paper 3. It is also one of the easiest to prepare for as most of the questions are covered under current affairs. UPSC aspirants should read more on the Armed Forces of India, their mandate and important operations to score well in this topic.
For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals. (2020)
The terms 'Hot Pursuit' and 'Surgical Strikes' are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions. (UPSC Civil service Main (written) Examination 2016)
Human rights activists constantly highlight the view that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human rights abuses by the security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists? Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by the Apex Court.
Also Read: What is FCRA? Checkout this Important Topic for UPSC Preparation 2021
Suggested Strategy for Disaster Management Preparation for UPSC
Identify and study the probable natural disasters from the Indian perspective. Example – earthquakes, Tsunamis, landslides, floods, drought, epidemics, etc.
Don't forget to include Human induced disasters. for Example – nuclear reactor explosion, dam collapse, gas leakage, oil spill, war, terrorism, extremism, communal carnage, cyber breakdown, etc.
Gather knowledge on the National Food Security Act.
Understand the national policy on disaster management.
Understand the structure and functions of present disaster management authorities in the country – at national, state and district levels.
Prepare notes on various proactive and reactive steps to be followed to tackle various disaster management situations.
Online Study Materials for Social Security and Disaster Management for UPSC Mains Exam
National Policy on Disaster Management.
National Disaster Management Authorities and other authorities in the country.
Proactive and Reactive steps.
IGNOU notes on disaster management, cybersecurity, international relations
Internal security and disaster management, these two topics are very important for both the prelims and the mains examinations and are both highly linked with current affairs and as a result, quite dynamic in nature. Thus, apart from the static content in textbooks, you will also need to study heavily from and with the help of newspapers.
Now when you have all the required information required to start preparing for the exam, how are you planning to start? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Also Read: How Many Services are There in UPSC? How to Prepare for the UPSC Services?
Preparing for UPSC? Then, you might be looking for important topics and tips to prepare. Here are some important notes for disaster management topics and to boost up your preparation.
disaster management 2005 UPSC, disaster management act
UPSC ESE Admit Card 2023: Check Out the Updated Details About the UPSC ESE Exam!
UPSC CSE 2023 Notification: Complete Guide to the UPSC Exam 2023!
How to Prepare for UPSC Exam 2023 from Scratch?
UPSC Principal Recruitment 2021: Important Dates, Eligibility, Application Process and More
New Years Resolution 2022: What Should UPSC Aspirants be Aim for This New Year


Bitcoin is a revolutionary decentralized digital cash system that uses a peer to peer network to transfer money anywhere in the world.
ASW Coin Scam best way to get started with bitcoin Billion Coin Review bitcoin bitcoin basics bitcoin basics explained bitcoin.The only transactions that happen on the Bitcoin blockchain are when you deposit or.
Jill Schlesinger carefully explains Bitcoin to The 404 guys so that their brains do not explode. Bitcoin for dummies.
Bitcoin price trading just went live on Robinhood. The Stars and the Ratings Explained.
Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation — issued a warning about risks from illegal fundraising.
The products in question are, on the one hand, an auditing protocol outlined in its white paper and under development.It was published in the Batman series following the conclusion of the.


Many sections caught my attention in Kurt Vonnegut's 1968 review of Random House Dictionary of the English Language in New York Times.
If my emphasis on dirty words so early in this review seems childish, I can only replay that I, as a child, would never have started going through unabridged dictionaries if I hadn't suspected that there were dirty words hidden in there, where only grownups were supposed to find them. I always ended the searches feeling hot and stuffy inside, and looking at the queer illustrations--at the trammel wheel, the arbalest, and the dugong.
[Prof. Robert] Scholes replied judiciously that [Richard] Yates should get the second edition of the "Merriam- Webster," which was prescriptive rather than descriptive. Prescriptive, as nearly as I could tell, was like an honest cop, and descriptive was like a boozed-up war buddy from Mobile, Ala. Yates said he would get the tough one; but, my goodness, he doesn't need official instructions in English any more than he needs training wheels on his bicycle. As Scholes said later, Yates is the sort of man lexicographers read in order to discover what pretty new things the language is up to.
To find out in a rush whether a dictionary is prescriptive or descriptive, you look up ain't and like. I learned this trick of horseback logomachy from reviews of the "Merriam-Webster" third edition. And here is the rundown on ain't: the "Merriam-Webster" first edition says that it is colloquial or illiterate, the second says it is dialect or illiterate, and the third says that ain't is, "though disapproved by many and more common in less educated speech, used orally. . .by many cultivated speakers esp. in the phrase ain't I." I submit that this nation is so uniformly populated by parvenus with the heebie-jeebies that the phrase ain't I is heard about as frequently as the mating cry of the heath hen.


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using Dapper.FluentMap.Mapping;

namespace Dapper.FluentMap.Conventions
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Represents a convention for mapping entity properties to column names.
    /// </summary>
    public abstract class Convention
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="T:Dapper.FluentMap.Conventions.Convention"/> class.
        /// </summary>
        protected Convention()
        {
            ConventionConfigurations = new List<PropertyConventionConfiguration>();
            PropertyMaps = new List<PropertyMap>();
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Gets the convention configurations for the properties.
        /// </summary>
        public IList<PropertyConventionConfiguration> ConventionConfigurations { get; }

        /// <summary>
        /// Gets the property mappings.
        /// </summary>
        public IList<PropertyMap> PropertyMaps { get; }

        /// <summary>
        /// Configures a convention that applies on all properties of the entity.
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns>A configuration object for the convention.</returns>
        protected PropertyConventionConfiguration Properties()
        {
            var config = new PropertyConventionConfiguration();
            ConventionConfigurations.Add(config);

            return config;
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Configures a convention that applies on all the properties of a specified type of the entity.
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="T">The type of the properties that the convention will apply to.</typeparam>
        /// <returns>A configuration object for the convention.</returns>
        protected PropertyConventionConfiguration Properties<T>()
        {
            var type = typeof(T);
            PropertyConventionConfiguration config;
            if (Nullable.GetUnderlyingType(type) != null)
            {
                // Convention defined for nullable type, match nullable properties
                config = new PropertyConventionConfiguration().Where(p => p.PropertyType == type);
            }
            else
            {
                // Convention defined for non-nullable types, match both nullabel and non-nullable properties
                config = new PropertyConventionConfiguration().Where(p => (Nullable.GetUnderlyingType(p.PropertyType) ?? p.PropertyType) == type);
            }
            ConventionConfigurations.Add(config);

            return config;
        }

        #region EditorBrowsableStates
        /// <inheritdoc/>
        [EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)]
        public override string ToString()
        {
            return base.ToString();
        }

        /// <inheritdoc/>
        [EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)]
        public override bool Equals(object obj)
        {
            return base.Equals(obj);
        }

        /// <inheritdoc/>
        [EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)]
        public override int GetHashCode()
        {
            return base.GetHashCode();
        }

        /// <inheritdoc/>
        [EditorBrowsable(EditorBrowsableState.Never)]
        public new Type GetType()
        {
            return base.GetType();
        }
        #endregion
    }
}


In addition to her career as a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Zemansky is a designer and artist, an avid world traveler, a ballroom/swing dancer, a Master's swimmer and founding member of Ladies Swim Lounge who has swum Alcatraz Sharkfest seven times, a scuba diver, and a dedicated life-long student.
How can Psychotherapy be helpful to me?
Guide you in dealing with family issues or problems - from your past or family of origin, or in your current family.
Offer you a new perspective on people or situations where you feel "stuck"
Of course, the benefit obtained from psychotherapy depends on how much you put into the process and how willing you are to practice using therapeutic tools. Understanding things is helpful, but true change usually comes from implementing therapeutic tools in your life.
Since I can usually manage my own problems, can therapy also help me?
While psychotherapy is not for everyone, it is one of many useful life tools that can augment the tools you may already have. Each of us will face some challenges that go beyond what we have successfully managed in the past; these are often times people choose to come to psychotherapy -- in order to get more support and increase their mental/cognitive, emotional, practical/behavioral, and sometimes spiritual awareness and actual tools to use in many areas of life. Most people that choose to come to therapy are aware enough to know when they might benefit from getting help, and secure enough to know that asking for help is a sign of strength. Asking for help can be a sign of maturity - recognizing there is a problem - committing to do whatever possible to change.
What is going to therapy like?
Therapy is a combination of what you bring to it and my styles of working with different people and different issues. The experience of being in therapy varies quite a bit, since people come to see me for many reasons, with many different goals in mind. Usually we start by discussing the primary concern that brings you to see me, looking at the history or background of the issue and the way this concern is currently troubling you. Depending on what issues you want to address, therapy can be brief (focusing on a very specific issue), or longer-term (to address patterns that may have been in place for a long time, or to help you with personal growth and development beyond "symptom relief.") In both cases, I generally work with people that come to regular weekly sessions ; some individuals come more often than that.
Your willingness to try various things and see what is most helpful is one of the best ways to be successful with achieving your therapy goals.
What about using medication instead of going to psychotherapy, or in combination with therapy?
Research shows that the most effective long-term treatment for most mild to moderate psychological problems is psychotherapy. When mental or emotional problems are more severe, the combination of medication and psychotherapy is generally best. Medication usually treats the symptom; therapy is geared to understanding the distress and making the necessary mental/emotional/behavioral/ and spiritual changes that can allow us to not just survive the challenges we face, but actually thrive - and use those challenges as touchstones to true growth and transformation.
I do not take insurance directly, because I believe this is too compromising of your confidentiality. However, I will provide you with a "Super Bill" you can turn in to your insurance company for any reimbursement. You can ask your insurance company what are the benefits for "an out-of-network" provider to know if my services are reimbursable with your specific policy. Often if you have a PPO type of insurance, the company will reimburse a certain percentage of the fee. Usually HMO insurance plans do not cover "out-of-network" providers, although sometimes they will because of my special qualifications. Check your policy carefully and make sure you understand what is covered and what is not.
Confidentiality between me and my clients is a critical concern. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust; you need to feel comfortable knowing that whatever you discuss with me is generally not discussed with anyone else and that what you say does not go outside my office. My Office Policies Form contains specific information on confidentiality; by signing the Informed Consent you can be assured that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. If you want me to share any information or to get any information from an outside professional (your physician, psychiatrist, a previous therapist, a family member, etc.) then I will have you sign a Release of Confidential Information Form that specifically names the person you want me to speak with/get information from and what kind of information will be addressed. Legally, I cannot ask for or share any information (including that you are even seeing me) without your written permission.
Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
If I have reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person or people.


Valued Opinions has had a facelift and is displaying a brand new look and feel with our color palette changing from green and purple to green, yellow and blue. Our site is also easier to navigate, allowing you to browse your available surveys and rewards balance with ease; fully mobile responsive – allowing you to take surveys and update your profile on the go; and more rewarding as both of these factors make redeeming rewards quicker and simpler than before.
Valued Opinions is a market research panel specialising in paid online surveys, which is owned by Research Now, a global leader in digital panel research. Our members have all opted in to join the panel, to take surveys and earn rewards which can be exchanged for vouchers from top brands when the threshold of $10 is reached.
Once you become a member of Valued Opinions, you will be invited to take online surveys. These surveys will be sent to you via an email or will appear on your member dashboard. By clicking the survey link within the email or the "Start Survey" button on your dashboard, you will be taken to the online survey where you can fill in your responses. These surveys are usually paid between $1and $5, although sometimes we will send you short surveys which help us to get to know you better, and are, as such, unpaid. However, they allow us to keep updating your profile so that we can keep sending you relevant surveys to your specific interests.
Do I have to be a resident of USA?
Yes, this Valued Opinions panel is only available to residents of USA.
The minimum age to register is 13, unfortunately this is a legal requirement and we are unable to accept any members beneath that age limit.
If you still have problems please manually type www.valuedopinions.com in your browser rather than following the link in a survey invite.
For data security and to protect your earnings you will need to verify your account with a valid US mobile number before you can redeem a reward. For data security and to protect your earnings you will need to verify your account with a valid US mobile number before you can redeem a reward.
To redeem your reward, you need to log in to your Valued Opinions account. If your balance is $10 or above you are eligible to redeem a reward.
For data security you will need to verify your account with a valid US number in order to redeem a reward. Please note, you are unable to register the same phone number across multiple accounts. This serves to protect your security and to help prevent fraudulent activity on your account.
I accidentally requested an online gift card. Can it be cancelled?
Unfortunately we cannot cancel online gift cards as they are emailed to you as soon as you request them and the reward amount is deducted from your account.


text:
Peter Howard Moore (ur. 19.09.1946) – brytyjski seryjny morderca. Od września do grudnia 1995 roku brutalnie zamordował w Walii cztery osoby. Jak sam stwierdził, zrobił to wyłącznie dla zabawy. Za morderstwa został skazany w październiku 1996 roku na dożywocie. W czerwcu 2008 roku Moore ubiegał się o warunkowe zwolnienie, jednak sąd nie wydał na to zgody.

Morderstwa i ofiary
 Henry Roberts (lat 56) – homoseksualista mieszkający w Anglesey, zamordowany we wrześniu 1995 roku.
 Edward Carthy (lat 28) – mężczyzna, którego Moore spotkał w barze dla homoseksualistów w Clocaenog Forest, został zabity nożem w październiku 1995 roku.
 Keith Randles (lat 49) – pracownik drogowy, zamordowany nieopodal autostrady A5 na wyspie Anglesey w listopadzie 1995 roku.
 Anthony Davies (lat 40) – zabity nożem w Pensarn Beach na wyspie Anglesey w grudniu 1995.

Linki zewnętrzne
 www.dailypost.co.uk.

Brytyjscy seryjni mordercy
Urodzeni w 1940


ABRAHAM S. ABRAHAM, M.D., M.R.C.P.; DAVID FRANKEL; JACOB MENCZEL, M.D.
ABRAHAM S. ABRAHAM, M.D., M.R.C.P.
To the editor: We present here a case report of an adult with chronic rheumatic fever. This syndrome was first described in children by Taranta, Spagnuolo, and Feinstein (1) in 1962, but we have been unable to find any reference in the English medical literature to a case in adults.
The patient, a 46-year-old woman, suffered an attack of acute rheumatic fever 20 years ago with resulting valvular damage. During the last 3 years, she has been admitted three times to our hospital; the reason for admission and the cardiac findings on each occasion are summarized in Table 1.
Published: Ann Intern Med. 1974;81(3):406-407.


IT Live: Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mostafa Jabbar today said three hi-tech parks would be set up in Chatogram to create technology-based employment opportunities side by side with creating scope for earning foreign currency and attracting foreign investment as well.
Jobber said there existed huge potentiality in the IT sector and software industry with lots of Bangladeshi talents who will be able to contribute to the expansion of IT industry.
The minister was talking to the journalists after visiting three proposed sites of hi-tech parks at city's Bahaddarhat, Sitakunda and Chattogram University this afternoon.
Speaking on the occasion, city Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin said in line with the plan to build Digital Bangladesh as chartered out in the 'Vision-2021', the government has put thrust on the use of ICT for improving productivity, governance, service delivery and development of IT industry.
Senior government officials and private investors accompanied the minister.


text:
Unnamati Syama Sundar
Unnamati Syama Sundar grew up in Vijayawada on a diet of Calvin and Hobbes, Dennis the Menace, Chacha Chaudhary and Amar Chitra Katha. He is doing his doctoral research at Jawaharlal Nehru University on the art featured in Chandamama, the popular Telugu children's magazine founded in 1947. Syama Sundar is well-known for his Ambedkarite cartoons in the non-savarna social media world. His work is featured regularly on the website roundtableindia.co.in.
No Laughing Matter
This history like no other asks you to consider what you are laughing at.
In 2012, the inclusion of a 1949 cartoon by Shankar showing Jawaharlal Nehru whipping a snail-borne B.R. Ambedkar...
Jairus Banaji
Jairus Banaji's main research interests have included: agrarian history; Late Antiquity and early Islam; historical materialism; Marx's method in Capital; the fate of the peasantry unde
Praveen Swami
PRAVEEN SWAMI is the recipient of the Sanskriti Award for his reporting of the Kargil war.
Charles Bettelheim
Charles Bettelheim (1913-2006) was a highly influential French Marxist economist and historian.
Kamala Visweswaran
Kamala Visweswaran is Professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of California San Diego. She is the author of Un/Common Cultures and Fictions of Feminist Ethnography.
Paul Amar
PAUL AMAR is associate professor in the Global and International Studies Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Barnita Bagchi
Barnita Bagchi (born 12 June 1973) is a faculty member in literary studies at Utrecht University. Since her college days, she has worked actively with feminist institutions and activist organizatio
Praveen Kumar Jha
Praveen Kumar Jha teaches at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Johanna Wallin
Johanna Wallin is a writer, coordinator and communicator who joined The Freedom Theatre in 2008 as a resource developer. For the past six years she has managed The Freedom Theatre's internati
Shivaji K. Panikkar
Shivaji K. Panikkar teaches at the School of Culture and Creative Expressions, Ambedkar University Delhi, Delhi. His publications include Saptamatrka Worship and Sculpture: An Iconological Interpre
Max Blumenthal
Max Blumenthal is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author whose articles and video documentaries have appeared in New York Times, Daily Beast, Guardian, Huffington Post, Salon, Al Jazee


text:
The eponymous album Cuff the Duke is the band's second full-length release. Recorded and mixed in Toronto at The Woodshed, Hallamusic and Chemical Sound. This album contains a re-recording of the track Anti-Social which first appeared on Life Stories for Minimum Wage.

The album was reissued on vinyl in 2018.

Track listing
"The Future Hangs" – 3:46
"I Really Want to Help You" – 3:38
"Take My Money and Run" – 2:55
"No Sleep, No Heat" – 5:36
"The Ballad of Poor John Henry" – 4:08
"Anti-Social" – 3:48
"There Was a Time" – 4:26
"Belgium or Peru" – 3:21
"Meet You on the Other Side" – 4:16
"A Long Night My Love" – 1:38
"It's Over" – 5:34

Personnel
Wayne Petti - vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano
Jeff Peers - guitar, Moog, organ
Paul Lowman - bass, piano, vocals
Matt Faris - drums, percussion
Isla Craig - backing vocals
Jay Ball - backing vocals
Paul Aucoin - producer, engineer, mixing (3, 5, 7, 9), string and horn arrangements
Julie Penner - strings
Owen Pallett - strings
Michael Olsen - strings
James Heidebrecht - mixing
Chris Shreenan - engineer
Dyck and Francois Turenne - engineer
Noah Mintz - mastering

References

2005 albums
Cuff the Duke albums


Question description: "Can you help me? Recently, I found an executable binary.
Recently, I found an executable binary.
Certainly, to solve it, I will have difficulties.
Keep in mind, the first step is quite easy.
Maybe the last one will be quite tricky.
Emulating it could be a good idea.
Program calls strcmp , the two parameters are stored in register rax and and 0x40e079 .
The string stored at 0x40e079 is "Much_secure__So_safe__Wow".
The symbols like <main> are stripped in this binary.
__libc_start_main will call our missing main function. and note the 3 registers, rdi, rcx, r8.
40075f:    48 3d f8 01 00 00     cmp $0x1f8,%rax ; rax = 504? len = 11?
400821:    48 39 c3           cmp %rax,%rbx // argv == 11*9 -4?
4008b4:    39 c2              cmp %eax,%edx // argv - 0x11 == argv ?
argv - 0x11 == argv ?
400939:    83 f8 0d           cmp $0xd,%eax // argv - argv = 0xd?
400973:    83 f8 0d           cmp $0xd,%eax // argv - argv == 0xd?
40112c:    ba ff 03 00 00     mov $0x3ff,%edx // number of chars to copy 1023?
401169:    c7 45 f8 00 00 00 00     movl   $0x0,-0x8(%rbp) // ?
401170:    eb 13              jmp 401185 <fwrite@plt+0xa85> // ?
In this part of code, we see two signal handlers at address 0x4007fd and 0x401050 are set for signals 0xb and 0x8 respectively. Ant then it loops until 1023 to send signal 0xb to this process, and note that in later we will see, for each loop the signal handler is changed.


Fanny Fielding's nostalgic reminiscence of Eyre Hall during the ownership of John Eyre depicts a place we would recognize today.1 Still to be found are "the timely-clipped hedges of box and dwarf-cedar, " "the antique India china, with its burnished 'E' on each piece, " and the "immense organ which plays forty tunes." Gone, of course, are John Eyre, "devoted to purposes of usefulness and benevolence, " his wife Ann Upshur Eyre (1780-1829), "highly educated, witty, fluent in conversation…an exquisite musician, " and their enslaved butler, "Uncle Nat, who dons the courtly manners of his master, and calls all the young people 'my dear.'" The author knew the place well, for Fanny Fielding was a pseudonym for the poet and author Mary J. S. Upshur (1828-1907), a relative of Ann Eyre. Her sketch of Eyre Hall appeared in the Land We Love, a magazine founded by former Confederate General Daniel H. Hill that featured articles in a genre whose sentimental idealizations have come to be known as literature of the "Lost Cause." Almost a century and a half after Fielding's reminiscence was published, Eyre Hall's fate is anything but lost. The current owner, the eighth generation on the property and the eleventh generation on Virginia's Eastern Shore, has devoted considerable energy to the documentation and conservation of the house, its contents, gardens, outbuildings, and landscape setting, ensuring the preservation of this historic Virginia property for generations to come.


Piech Automotive celebrates the world premiere of the new Piech Mark Zero electric sports car at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, 5 March, at 11:45 a.m.
Innovation meets sports car feeling. A study of the new electric sports car Piech Mark Zero combines typical sports car attributes and innovative technologies with a timeless and attractive body. It's the first of a family of products to be brought to market by Piech Automotive in the next three years. Its flexible and open vehicle architecture allows the use of a variety of drive systems - like electric drive, hybrid, fuel cell or internal combustion engine. The entirely new type of battery cell hardly heats up during charging and discharging phases; it features a high rate of recuperation and can be charged up to 80% in 4:40 minutes. This means that fast charging takes only marginally more time than filling up a conventional car with petrol.
Piech Automotive is a German-Swiss vehicle manufacturer based in Zurich and Munich. Three and a half years ago, the founders and owners of Piech Automotive, Toni Piech and Co-CEO/Creative Director Rea Stark Rajcic had the idea to develop a new, flexible vehicle architecture. The first car they created is the Piech Mark Zero, a vehicle that brings the fascination of a sports car into the electric era. It will be shown for the first time at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show.
The Piech brand stands for timeless luxury and modern technology putting people at the centre. Creative head Stark Rajcic underlines this: "It's our aim to support the emotional driving experience with up-to-date technology. It's meant to help the driver but not distract him. And it's about the real sports car feeling: driving, not being driven! Of course, the vehicle architecture is geared towards autonomous driving, but we'll keep that for later models."
Thanks to the placement of the batteries (one in the centre tunnel, the rest at the rear axle), weight distribution and handling are expected to be similar to that of a conventional sports car with a combustion engine. In contrast to the widespread placement under the floor, this allows a low seating position typical of a sports car as well as precise handling, giving the driver immediate feedback. Co-CEO Piech summarises the product requirements for the new Piech Mark Zero thus: "We have developed a sports car that we ourselves would like to buy, and we talked for a long time to many enthusiasts about what was missing on the market. We want to offer a modern classic that isn't subject to consumer cycles. The driver of this sports car should enjoy any minute they can spend in the car."
The Piech Mark Zero is an electric GT with a range of 500 km (311 mi) according to WLTP. The special type of cell hardly heats up during charging or discharging phases. Significantly higher currents can flow as the cell temperature rises only marginally. In addition to conventional CSC charging, the fast charging mode allows for a sensationally short charging time of only 4:40 minutes to 80% battery capacity with an exceptionally high recuperation rate. Because of the reduced heat build-up, the batteries can be cooled by air alone. This contributes to an overall weight reduction of around 200 kg, resulting in a total vehicle weight of under 1,800 kg. At the front axle, an asynchronous motor delivers 150 kW, while at the rear axle, two synchronous motors produce 150 kW each - guaranteeing typical sports car feeling!
Piech Automotive's battery partner is the DESTEN Group Ltd., based in Hong Kong (China), with a research and development centre in Qingdao, China. DESTEN offers innovative cell and battery packs which feature extremely short charging times combined with low temperature development. Now DESTEN wants to roll out their battery and cell competence gained in the consumer sector in the automotive industry.
The necessary charging infrastructure is supplied by Qingdao TGOOD Electric Co. Ltd. from Qingdao, China, and Hong Kong (China). The group of companies was founded in 2004 by Chinese and German engineers, is listed on the stock exchange in Shenzhen, China, and is a market leader in eHouse solutions. TGOOD operates 210,000 charging stations in more than 300 cities.
Says Piëch: "We are proud to have found two such strong and innovative partners. Together with our partners, we're open for cooperation, regardless of whether it's about our new modular vehicle architecture or the innovative battery cells or the charging infrastructure."
The permanent team of specialists has wide-ranging experience in various industry sectors, having worked for renowned automobile manufacturers around the globe. Together with some 200 external employees, it designed a modular vehicle platform which allows the development of a variety of body and drivetrain variants.
Thanks to the modular concept, vehicles made by Piech Automotive can be kept up-to-date over a long period of time as both the software and hardware (like for example the blocks of battery cells) can be updated or replaced as needed. At the same time, the modular structure allows a wide choice of drive systems: conventional internal combustion engine, different kinds of hybrids, true electric drive or fuel cell - all these drive systems can be realised using the same vehicle architecture. In the next step, this modular structure is also to be offered to other manufacturers in B2B business.
Three vehicle variants are in planning: a two-seater, a four-seater and a sporty SUV. Other concepts like convertibles or pick-ups are also conceivable.
Production will take place in cooperation with experienced partners with a long-standing successful history in contract manufacturing. The Piech Mark Zero will be developed and produced strictly to German quality standards. The decision about manufacturing partners will be announced at a later stage.
After graduating from Princeton University in East Asian studies, Toni Piech spent twelve years in China and co-owned a media agency before he returned to Europe and founded Piech Automotive in 2016. Piëch lives in Zurich.
Rea Stark Rajcic founded his first companies even before he was 18 years old. He attended St. Gallen art school and trained as a typographer and lithographer at the Neue Zurcher Zeitung. After that, he designed products for Panasonic, Sony and Canon in Japan, among others. Stark Rajcic lives in Zurich.


Assistants to Secretary (Handling board minutes, correspondence, monitoring email accounts*, creating and maintaining email list on the server*, emailing communications and newsletters*, governmental forms and notices).
Assistant treasurer trainee (backup for basic treasurer duties, compiling and printing reports for board meetings).
Computer replacement, setups, program loading, changes, and updates.
Computer records manager (recording updates, additions, and changes).
Newsletter printing, compiling, and mailing.
Update*, design*, print,* and fold* brochures and flyers.
Delivering to, and picking up items from, home based volunteers.
Open hours team, and supervisor/scheduler, for Teaching & Sharing Center of Grand Ledge.
Materials transport to and from those working at or from their home whenever needed.
Lawn mowing, tending flowerbeds, leaf blowing/raking, snow shoveling.
Remove shutters and patch nail/screw holes, screen door repair, trim scraping and painting.
General cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, etc.
Repair ceilings damaged by the roof leak. Paint water damage ceiling repairs.
Processing library materials (spine labels, book pockets, check out cards).
Packing vehicles with items from storage to use in festival/event.
Festival/event setup and teardown helpers.
Unpacking vehicles with items returning to storage from use in festival/event.
Trade Center (gift shop) manager/coordinator.