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John Brown Smith (born October 30, 1837) was an American doctor, author, mutualist anarchist theorist, tax resister, and developer of shorthand.

Smith was born in Canada and moved to Minnesota at age 17. In August 1862 he enlisted in a company of the 10th Minnesota and served through the American Civil War, being mustered out in July 1865.  After the war, he turned his attention to medicine.  In 1867, he married Dr. Ellen H. Goodell.

Tax Resistance
In 1879–80, Smith spent nearly a year in jail for refusing to pay a $2 city poll tax in Belchertown, Massachusetts. The fact that his imprisonment cost the town far more than the town would have recovered from his tax had he paid it made the case a contentious one. Smith wrote of his civil disobedience:

I am not a citizen of the United States, and consequently am taxed without representation, which is quite contrary to the genius of republican institutions. I believe in self-government through love, as against the old forms of government by force, and as a natural consequence cannot pay this tax without violating my conscientious convictions. I trust that the descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers still have left enough of respect for a man's honest convictions to provide a means of escape, so that he may possess those natural rights which belong to every inhabitant of earth to enjoy, including the liberty to breathe pure air without being taxed for it, especially in a case like mine, where the Collector refused to take the only kind of property I had been engaged in producing while a resident of Belchertown — my text-book on my improved method of shorthand. If nature qualifies a man to produce books, where is the justice in refusing them when offered, and then depriving him of his personal liberty?

He was freed when a friend paid the tax and accumulated fines ($5.62) "with the proviso that the town shall not sue him for board at the jail."

Utopianism
While Smith was in jail he worked on a blueprint for a utopian reconstruction of society, along voluntaryist / mutualist lines, which he called "The Brotherhood of Man." This society would be led (or "served," as he puts it) by a class of its most spiritually advanced members, who would in turn be selected by "Soul-Readers" — people with a special clairvoyant talent for tapping into the supermundane. It would eventually span the globe.

This utopia also incorporated sex equality, eugenics (only the first class citizens should breed), the adoption of a universal language, pricing according to the labor theory of value, and communal ownership of property.

Works
 The First Fonakigrafik Teacher (Google Books version)
 The First Stenographic Teacher
 The Stenografik Teecher
 The Kirografik Teecher
 Marriage and Divorce: or, The Trial and Defence of John Carl Cheney
 The Brotherhood of Man: being an address to the anti-tax league and toiling millions of Earth, proposing a new form of social organization for human society (Google Books version)

References

See also
 "John Brown Smith′s Martyrdom" New York Times 8 December 1879
 "John Smith, Martyr" New York Times 9 December 1879
 "General Notes" New York Times 12 March 1880

1837 births
American anarchists
American political philosophers
American spiritual writers
American tax resisters
Civil disobedience
Authors of utopian literature
Year of death missing
Mutualists


Debbie King passed away Saturday, December 23, 2017, following a long battle with kidney failure and illnesses at the age of 56. She enjoyed crafting, ceramics and aquarium fish clubs. Mostly she loved her family and friends. Debbie will be met by her loving husband William "Bill" King.
Debbie is survived by her son, William Gerald Elliott King; daughter, Amanda Elizabeth King and granddaughter, Shyann Noel King; brothers, Bob Noel, Ronnie Lindley, Dave Lindley and Joel Noel; sisters, Donna Sarver, Diane Noel and Heather Pasek.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Elliott Noel and Lavada Lindley.
Debbie's family will receive friends Friday, January 5th at 4:00 pm for services Celebrating her life at The Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Road in Brunswick, Ohio. Condolences and special memories can be shared with the family at www.heritagecremationsociety.com.
So sad to hear of Debbie's passing. I just got to know her a couple years ago when I joined her group at NASA. Many condolences to her family.


An improvement in evaluating patients with a Strabismus type problem as a result of strokes or accidents. It is a patient driven digital projection system coupled to a laptop reducing technician time from up to 45 minutes to less than one minute with a digital image with all pertinent calculations prepared. Designed to provide information on the extent of limited eye movement with detailed information stored digitally and provided in a convenient PDF format. Device is built with a short throw DLP type projector mounted on a chin rest type cart that can be rolled to the desired station with projection on any flat wall and then stored so minimal space is required for use and storage.


Rome wasn't built in a day, and you certainly can't experience it all in a day or even 3 days. Maybe just a taste, because come on, part of being in Italy is the food, right? Three days in Rome is enough to see the big sites, experience some of the best things to do in Rome, have a few tasty meals along the way. We're here to help you out with our Rome itinerary so you'll know what to do in Rome in 3 days.
Even still, this is Rome, the eternal city, the largest city in Italy, and the center of the ancient Roman Empire. There is enough history, ruins, museums, and monuments to keep you occupied for a while, especially if you take things slowly. Here is an itinerary for 3 days in Rome to get you started. It is very similar to one that we have personally done.
Have 4 or 5 days for Rome?
Italian food is delicious, but did you know it's very regional? And some dishes that we think are Italian actually don't exist in Italy! Food tours and cooking classes are great ways to learn about the rich food culture in Rome. You'll get to taste a variety of local foods, try your hand at pizza or pasta making, and learn how to spot authentic gelato.
We hunt for food tours in every city we visit. Rome was where this habit all began for us. We like that food tours show a different side of the city and usually a list of places to eat and we try to do them on the first day. I highly recommend including a food tour on your Rome itinerary.
I think food tours are some of the most fun things to do in Rome. We've taken two different Rome food tours, and both were excellent. Each of these tours starts in the mid morning and end around mid afternoon. This leaves you plenty of time to see some more sights after.
This one in the neighborhood of Trastevere lets you taste a variety of dishes, such as porchetta, pasta, pizza, gelato, and more.
This one in the center near Campo Fiore lets you dive deeper into each of a few types of Italian food and compare them. Vinegar, olive oil, salami, cheese and more, plus you get to make your own pizza at the end.
Trying to decide? Read my comparison of these two Rome food tours and decide which one is right for your Rome itinerary.
Read more about picking the perfect food tour and how to prepare for a food tour.
Regardless of which tour you pick head into the center to explore the streets of old Rome. From Trastravere, take a tram ride to the center. Explore Plaza Navona with the fountain of Neptune or the Pantheon building. Walk off all of the food from the morning. The inner city of Rome is walkable, but it can be bigger than it seems, especially in the heat. Make sure you get a map.
At some point during your days here, you will probably want to see the must see places in Rome that everyone sees. Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps are two of them. By all means go and enjoy, but be ready to deal with large crowds, so have patience.
There are fountains all over Rome, which add to the charm and atmosphere of the city. But the most famous one of all is the Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that you will return to Rome if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain. Plus the money is collected and donated to a local charity.
These gorgeous stairs are named for the nearby Spanish Embassy. It is the widest staircase in Europe, and these steps were one of many sights made famous by the movie Roman Holiday. They're a great place to sit and relax in between seeing the bigger sights.
The most iconic image from Rome is the Colosseum, and a trip to Rome isn't complete without visiting this landmark. Next door to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, which is worth doing a tour of as well. It is a lot of being on your feet, but totally fascinating and worth it.
It was built in just eight years, which is fascinating given how huge it is and how long ago it was built. It was the site of many gladiator battles put on as shows, but there is so much more to its history. I highly recommend taking a tour so you can hear the details while you're there, and many of the tours will also allow you to skip the long lines to get in. We took this one, which gave us exclusive access to the underground area and the third tier for amazing views.
The Roman Forum is right next to the Colosseum and usually included on a tour of the Colosseum. At one time, this was the center of activity in the city. The ruins are constantly being excavated, so what you see now might look different if you return in 10 or 20 years. Just like with the Colosseum, there are so many tales of the history that took place in the Roman Forum that help bring it all alive when you're there.
Read my full review of the fun Underground Colosseum and Roman Forum tour Andy and I took in Rome.
Especially in the summer, try to pick early tours to avoid some of the afternoon heat. Italy doesn't have a siesta like in Spain, but the afternoon is definitely a slower time due to the heat. If you do the tour mentioned above, it ended around lunch time out from the Colosseum. Try not to eat right there, it is tourist-ville. Your food tour from yesterday should have given you an idea of at least one place to eat, so try to hunt that out.
Especially if you didn't get here yesterday, head across the river to the Trastravere neighborhood. Trastravere literally means "Across the Tiber" in Italian. The Tiber is the river that flows through the city. The banks of the river and the small island (Isle Tibertina) come alive in the summer evenings with bars and outdoor events.
Rome doesn't have any skyscrapers or tall towers to climb, but it does have Giancollo Hill. This hill in Trastravere is reached by bus 115 to stop Piazzale Garibaldi. There is a plaza with a good view over the old city.
Find the footbridge called Ponte Sisto that leads from the north bank of the river where Campo Fiore into tiny Piazza Trilussa. Andy and I sat on the steps there with once warm evening and it was a lot of fun. Behind the piazza toward the east (left if you have the bridge at your back), is a large network of crisscrossing streets full of restaurants.
If it is still early, wander your way to Fata Morgana Gelato (Via Roma Libera, 11, 00153 Roma RM, Italy). They have really tasty gelato in some crazy and interesting flavors.
While technically a separate country (the smallest in the world), Vatican City is located entirely within the city of Rome. This is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, but even if you're not Catholic or religious, the art and history inside its tiny borders are well worth a visit. Consider a tour to get in to the Sistine Chapel ahead of the general public. We took this one, and it was so nice to get in before the crushing crowds.
Read my full review of the Early Access Sistine Chapel and Vatican tour we took. Well worth waking up early for it!
To the east of the Vatican back in the city of Rome proper stands the impressive fortress of Castel Sant'Angelo. Leading across the river from the main gate is the Sant Angelo bridge. Both of these were originally built in the 2nd century. The structure was built as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, but has seen many uses both military and civil since then.
Andy and I have personally taken these tours in Rome, and we highly recommend them.
Especially if you visit in the hotter months, you might want to find a cafe and relax in the shade in the middle of the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day. Venture back out at night when things start to cool off.
Nighttime in Rome is the perfect time for a leisurely stroll. Check out some ruins, grab a gelato, and remember that Italians typically eat dinner late, starting around 9pm. Read more on things to know about eating in Italy here.
You can also take some nighttime tours in Rome. If you're not a morning person, the early Sistine Chapel and Vatican tour might not appeal to you, but you can take a Sistine Chapel and Vatican night tour. And how cool would it be to do a tour of the Colosseum at night? If you're up for something a little creepy, try the crypts and catacombs tour at night!
Rome transforms at night. Though many of the tourist attractions in Rome are only open during the day, it's worth saving some energy to wander around and experience this ancient city after the sun goes down.
You can certainly visit Rome all year around, but some times are potentially better than others. Summer can be quite hot and comes with a higher number of cruise ships. Avoid August if you can. It is hot and muggy and most Italians are on vacation, which means lots of attractions in Rome might be closed.
Winter can be cold and although rare, it is known to snow. Some businesses also take time off within the months of November to February.
Our best times in Rome have been in the spring and fall, April, May, September, and October. The weather is warm, but not unbearable, and although there are still tourists, it isn't the highest concentration. Easter time and Christmas can be busy though.
We have stayed in several different areas in Rome, but one of our favorites was Trastevere. It's across the river from the main sights but still not far away. The neighborhood does see its fair share of tourists but still manages to maintain a local vibe. Staying here will give you a glimpse of how the Romans live and a calmer escape after a day of sightseeing.
Check availability and reviews for hotels in Trastevere.
If you prefer to stay closer to the sights, you'll want a neighborhood in the city center. You'll find more selection north of the Colosseum, near other sights such as Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain.
Check availability and reviews for hotels in Rome's city center.
Rome is easily reached by either train or airplane. The main train station is called Roma Termini, but there are several others in the city. Termini has all of the long distance trains to the rest of Italy as well as the train out to the airport. TrenItalia is the national rail company. Check out our whole post on train travel in Italy.
The international airport in Rome is called Fiumicino Airport. It is roughly 35 minutes from Termini and express trains run every 15 minutes at a cost of about 14 Euro. There are cheaper bus options, but they take longer.
There is a second smaller airport, called Ciampino Airport, for budget airlines. Make sure you know which airport your flight is leaving from.
Try booking trains in Italy and all over Europe using Omio (formerly GoEuro). It's straightforward and all in English, and it can even show you bus and flight options.
There are plenty of transport options inside the city of Rome. There are two main metro lines and a third being built. They do not always get close to the tourist sites, but there is a stop at the Colosseum and at the main train station. These are the fastest ways around Rome if there is a stop near where you are going.
Next there is a system of trams. They are really only in the center, but do go across to Trastravere.
And finally the bus system. There is a system of buses that go pretty much everywhere, but can be a real hassle. The routes don't always make sense and, in our experience, drivers rarely know even basic info about their route, but if you know the route, they can be really handy. Since they don't usually announce upcoming stops, pay attention to the bus stop signs along the way and know which stop comes before the one you want.
Buy tickets ahead of time in tobacco shops or news stands. The buses usually don't have ticket machines.
What if you have 4 days in Rome, or even a week?
There are plenty of museums in Rome that can occupy you for a while, especially if you have more than 3 days in Rome. Try a tour of the Borghese Gallery and Gardens or a tour of Rome's catacombs.
Take both food tours listed above. Seriously, they are both unique in their own way. Search for all the best gelato in town.
Or do some day trips from Rome. It sits roughly in the center of the country and a lot of stuff is reachable as a day trip. You could visit vineyards and taste wine from the surrounding region or take a bicycle tour of the Ancient Appian Way.
If you're willing to deal with a few hours on transportation, consider a day tour to Pompeii or a day tour to the Amalfi Coast.
Or simply enjoy a more leisurely pace. Relax and soak up the ancient city of Rome from a cafe or by wandering the streets with no particular destination in mind. Your vacation in Rome can be a combination of activities and relaxation.
There are so many other things to do in Rome. What I've listed here will give you a thorough introduction to the history and culture of this great city. But don't just see the sights. Take some time to simply wander the streets and discover pieces of every day life in Rome. Sit in a piazza with a book and watch the world go by. Do as the locals do, and just enjoy!
Thanks Siddhartha! Rome is a wonderful city!
This makes me want to go back to Italy. And that photo of the pizza looks scrumptious!!!
Thanks Lynda! Italy is a fantastic country, I hope you make it back there one of these days!
I was in Rome for nine days and I loved it! I went to the Vatican Gardens, St Peters Basilica and Sistine Chapel and I feel I have to go for a repeat visit to these places. I went to the Musei Capitolini, but I didn't see all of it because I was so tired from walking all morning, so I have to go again to see more. I've tried food at different restaurants, the food is amazing, I was going to the bar for my morning croissant and cappuccino and espressos throughout the day. I'll definitely be back in Rome.
Anne, I'm so glad you enjoyed Rome! It's an amazing city. And there's just soooo much to see! I've been there 3 times and still haven't made it to a few major landmarks. Hopefully I'll remedy that when I'm there in a couple weeks. I hope you enjoyed the other parts of Italy you visited too!
I am going to spend 4 days in Cyprus in the fall and stumbled on your packing tips while researching. I read online that Cyprus has the second busiest airport in Europe. Is it really that busy? Do you remember how long getting through Customs took?
Hi Rachel, there's no way Cyprus has the 2nd busiest airport in Europe. It's a small airport, and tons of other ones around the continent (London has 2 airports, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris has 2, Rome, Zurich, Amsterdam, and on and on…..) are all way busier than the one in Cyprus. Wikipedia says it was 69th last year. It took a few minutes to get through passport control, no worries.


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Definitely not Rebecca Black
On March 27, 2012 March 28, 2012 By Lily CIn Featured Member1 Comment
Not everyone is like Rebecca Black with parents able to fund their superstar dreams. Hannah Chapplain is a talented emerging artist whose parents have encouraged her to work hard to contribute and take ownership of her own dreams. 2 years after picking up the guitar at the age of 14, Hannah had already written over 200 songs. Reading Hannah's reflections on her recent album and upcoming music videos, one gets the impression that she is focused, hard-working, and not under the illusion that success happens overnight. Her story is a reminder of the importance of dedication and rallying the people around you to become a part of your team.
It all began this time last year, March 2011. I had gotten a Myspace message from a producer named Anthony Santonocito who is a producer at Killingsworth Recording Studio in New York. He asked if I was interested in recording an album and told me that he liked my voice. I, being an 18 year old free spirited musician, wanted to jump on the opportunity. So, with the help and support of my family and close friends, my Dad, fellow guitarist Chris Johnson and myself took a trip that summer down to New York to record my first self-titled album, Hannah Chapplain. We spent 10 days in the studio and came out with an album even better than what I had imagined. The album is all my own original material and was released December 10th, 2011.
There were many obstacles when trying to release this album. Like almost every other musician, finances were tight. I split the cost of the recording with my parents, but they had wanted me to feel as if I had full ownership of the album so they told me I had to raise the rest of the money to actually release it myself. I had been working at a local cafe in Orangeville, Ont. at the time, so I took as many shifts as possible and played every paying gig I could get. I ended up releasing the album using my own money, which was a huge accomplishment for me.
The entire experience of writing, recording, and releasing an album was very humbling. I hadn't realized exactly how much work people put into such a production. There were many people around my hometown that helped me release the album and start to get my career rolling, who I often refer to as my "Team". After we released the album, we all took a look into our connections to see where we could move from there. My photographer Paul George knew a film maker, Taylor Boehm, who had a crew put together with director, Cameron Tisi, two other camera men, Emmanuel Lachapelle, and Adam Kubiw, and actor Alex Wilson. They were all willing to film the two music videos with me. So we set a date and started the planning. We chose the songs Have We Met Before and 10,000 Years to be turned into music videos.
The preparation was exciting and totally new to me. I had a group of people taking a song I had written and using their imagination to turn it into an image. And they did just that. As we began filming I found it a challenge to go from performing to acting. I had to be in constant awareness of my body and angles. Although this was a challenge, it was incredibly fun and pushed me out of my comfort zone. In fact, it has encouraged me to look into taking acting lessons just so that I can be more experienced and fine tuned for the next music video.
We are hoping to release the first music video in the next few months. The two videos look incredible and the quality is top of the line. I am eager for everyone to see them as I'm proud of the work these guys have done. I love a good challenge and am excited to see where my career takes me from here.
Click Here to visit Hannah's Songwriters Profile.
Journey to "Sweet Happiness" – Prairie Songwriter Shares Tips on Making An Album
On March 13, 2012 March 13, 2012 By Lily CIn Featured Member, Life of a Songwriter, Songwriter InterviewLeave a comment
Glenn Sutter ('sue-ter') is a fiery folk-rocker from Regina, Saskatchewan. In September 2010, Glenn received nationwide acclaim when his tune "Weight of the World" was chosen winner and official Saskatchewan Song on David Suzuki's "Playlist for the Planet" (CBC Radio3). Glenn recently released his second full-length solo album Sweet Happiness. Here are some of the things he learned while making the album…
In Glenn's words…
The path that led to my latest album "Sweet Happiness" (released December 2011) was quite different from other journeys I've taken as a recording artist. Compared to my 2008 debut, when I barely had enough material for a full-length album and had never seen the inside of a professional studio, this time I had a small mountain of songs to choose from, and I knew what the studio experience would be like. I also made use of the following ideas:
Focus on a theme – During pre-production, I noticed that all of the tunes we decided to include had something to do with searching and discovery. I don't know if having this sort of theme made a difference to the other musicians or my producer, David j Taylor, but it really helped me to focus, or get re-focused during the recording sessions. Having a theme also made it easy to write up the liner notes, pick a title track, and develop promotional material. And now that the CD is out, I always mention the theme during interviews, or when I talk about the album or individual songs during gigs. Seems to be a good idea, all round.
Have a clear goal and tell everyone about it – This is an effective way to get people on the same page and deepen their commitment to the project. In this case, I wanted the album to have a live, off-the-floor sound with only a bit of overdubbing, so that became our goal. Everyone liked the idea, and seemed to have fun with it, even though it meant making room in the studio for an acoustic piano! Best of all, I like how it affected the results. A number of tracks have an energy and spontaneity to them that really suits the songs.
Trust, and give yourself over to, the process – Everyone says this, but I think the proof is in the doing. For me, walking seems to free up my energy and ideas, and I trust it to work for me as part of my songwriting process. At the same time, trusting and giving myself over to a musical experience can be a very hard thing to do, and it will probably always be something I have to work on. I suppose that's part of what makes creating, recording, and sharing music so rewarding.
As a last note, now that my family is older, I've started touring to promote my new album. I don't have many tips to offer on that front, since tour planning is new ground for me. So far, I've learned that it helps to plan well in advance, to build on the kindness of friends and strangers, and to watch out for crappy weather, because you're probably going to have to drive through it!
Click Here to visit Glenn's Songwriter Profile.
Click Here to visit Glenn's website.
Getting Yourself Out There – The Challenge: Finish Line & Beyond
On March 11, 2012 March 11, 2012 By Lily CIn Challenge 2012, Social Media24 Comments
Who will make it to the finish line?
9 weeks ago, over 60 songwriters across Canada signed up for the Canadian Songwriters Social Media Challenge. The purpose of the challenge was to help songwriters put on their business hats to develop and implement a strategy towards marketing themselves online, as laid out in Ariel Hyatt's book "Music Success in 9 Weeks." There was a significant amount of excitement generated as can be seen by the posts and commenting from Week 1. However, as with most artists on their path to pursuing their dreams, life happened along the way, and we lost a few participants.
How many will officially complete this challenge? Scroll down to the comments of this article at midnight on March 12, 2012, and you will see the answer. Even though there will only be one winner selected from the challenge, the entire process has been worthwhile on so many levels (you have only to read a few of the blogs to see what has been accomplished).
As someone who has witnessed the birth of new blogs, new videos, new websites, and new friendships, while also trying to stay in the race, myself, I have been amazed at what people (including myself) can do when there is community for encouragement and accountability to give the necessary external pressure. All of this paired with a guide book that has been both easy to use and informative helped many neophytes to take the plunge into unchartered online territory.
Throughout the duration of this challenge, there has been a closed Facebook group for participants where people have celebrated, debated, and shared immensely while rooting for each other. Many people have remarked that the most incredible gift of taking on this challenge has been the resulting community of people who are all passionate, not only to share their music, but to help each other along the way. If you have been tracking with us and felt like you wished you had taken part, I am happy to say that this challenge has received such positive feedback, that the Songwriters Association of Canada will likely launch it again in the future, so stay tuned…
In the mean time, here is a virtual toast to all of you who have taken part, and to all of you who have been sharing the journey with us. It is my hope that experiencing or seeing what the power of community can do, would persuade you to get out and find your own tribe, that we can all celebrate when we cross our respective finish lines.
How can you connect into community through the Songwriters Association of Canada?
1. S.A.C. members can join the closed S.A.C. Community Facebook Group – S.A.C. Connect (Once you have requested to join, you will be approved upon verification of your membership).
2. Meet in person with songwriters in your neighbourhood through an S.A.C. Regional Writers Group. If you don't have one nearby, we would happy to discuss how we could help you start one. Click for details.
3. Take part in the next edition of the Canadian Songwriters Social Media Challenge!
NOTE TO CHALLENGE TAKERS:
Okay, dear challengers, it's a bit of work, but here is what we ask you to post in this FINAL WEEK!:
1. What action steps did you take or will you be taking based on Ariel's suggestions in Week 9.
2. What is the biggest breakthrough you have experienced through participating in this challenge? (we want to celebrate with you)
3. What was the most significant week for you, and why?
4. Lastly, please post ALL 9 WEEKs, labelled: Week 1 – link, Week 2 – link, etc.,
5. Break out some bubbly!
The winner will be announced in one month's time. The winner will receive a free one year membership to the S.A.C. (to be added onto existing membership), VIP 2 month Cyber PR® Campaign from Ariel Publicity that will place their music in the hands of bloggers, podcasters and online radio DJs around the world, 2 years of sponsor Bandzoogle's Pro-plan plus a custom website design from a Bandzoogle designer, and ReverbNation is offering a $200 credit to run a PROMOTE IT ad Campaign to expand their Facebook Fanpage likes.
Congratulations to all for making it to the finish line!
To Bait Or Not To Bait Your Fans – The Challenge Week 8
On March 5, 2012 March 5, 2012 By Lily CIn Challenge 201223 Comments
Most artists encounter at least some level of discomfort when their craft and business intersect. Even though the first 7 weeks of the Canadian Songwriters Social Media Challenge were business oriented, there was still an artistic spirit behind coming up with a branding statement, creating dialogue with fans via blogging and tweeting, creating YouTube videos, etc., Week 8 takes participants on a significant leap, out of our respective creative comfort zones, into the foreign land of talking money. How else can artists be sustainable ?
This past week, artists have begun mulling over the task of building a "continuum plan," which is fancy marketing terminology for the question, "What kind of carrots do I need to use as bait to lure my fans into spending money on my music?" Some songwriters have already protested to this method and are choosing to opt out of building a strategy for their fans to opt in.
Like every other aspect of this challenge, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to creating a social media plan to develop your career as a songwriter. Every person has different goals which require different tools and strategies. However, the important thing is to have a plan. Music is not like the movie, "Field of Dreams." If you build it, the fans won't necessarily come.
So, even if you decide not to come up with a continuum plan, it is still advisable to have a concrete plan to entice your fans into deeper engagement.
1. URL to the corresponding blog entry.
2. Please let us know if you will be building a continuum plan in the next 3 months.
On March 1, 2012 By Lily CIn Challenge 2012, Social Media2 Comments
Building a social media foundation can seem daunting for many songwriters. Most creative people don't want to spend hours building their email lists, when we could be songwriting or performing. The accountability and community built into the Canadian Songwriters Social Media Challenge, hosted by the Songwriters Association of Canada, have been key for many songwriters in pushing through with the "not so fun" stuff. Aynsley Saxe is one of the songwriters who has benefitted from taking on the challenge.
Here are Aynsley's reflections on pushing through week 7. May her diligence inspire us all!
In Aynsley's words…
Week 7 is upon us, or maybe slightly behind some of the more active songwriters who are on top of the blogging game (Tom Shea & Siouxberry, congrats!) during the Songwriters Association of Canada's Social Media Challenge based on Ariel Hyatt's book Music Success in Nine Weeks.
I'm pleased to say I'm still here. I'm pushing the social media snowball up the hill, gathering tons of advice, pondering brave ideas and even soaking up a few friendships as I go. It's been an incredible journey and A LOT to digest so far. I feel a little saturated. But I guess that's the point?
Week 7 is all about the (dreaded) newsletter. Okay, kidding about dreaded, at least in the "knotty hair" sense of the word. But I must admit I feel a little intimidated about the newsletter chapter.
The questions I've been pondering this week are:
What do I have to say that is entertaining, meaningful, creative, interesting and worth sharing?
How do I market myself without seeming to market myself (at least most of the time!)?
How often should I contact fans on my newsletter list?
How can I develop a community around myself and my music?
What questions should I ask fans when I send them a short survey about what they would like from me?
And this, the ultimate question….
How can I reach people in a way that is not, I hesitate to even say the word….(a hush fell over the crowd): S P A M.
I know how much I like getting emails that are all promotional – NOT. That's the last thing I want to do to the people who like my music and who are giving me their precious time by opening my emails. I want my newsletters to be based on respect, love and genuine connection. And I want to also throw in a little bit of amusing fun in there too! Nobody wants to read a boring email right? No brussel sprouts emails please! Yuck!
Reaching out to my mailing list about once a month sounds about right to me. I want to be around often, but not too often.
To date, I've personally contacted approximately 475 people with personal, individual emails asking them if it would be okay to keep them posted on my music. I'm not kidding. FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE (give or take a few). I've got 150 people to go on my personal email list, that doesn't count Facebook friends and all those business cards I've accumulated through the years. Phew, what a snowball!!
The really great thing about this whole process of reaching out is that I've been in touch with people I haven't spoken to in years. It's been awesome reconnecting and thinking about them and hearing what they're up to. I received two warm & fuzzy responses this morning that are soooo nice I had to share:
"Congratulations. Let me know how I can support you."
"…and to answer your quick question, I appreciate learning about your musical journey. Please keep me posted and it would be a pleasure if I could be of any help."
The personal touch isn't overrated. The golden rule never grows old. If someone took the time to actually sit down and think about me and write me a quick email, and not treat me like one of the masses, I would likely be eating their emails out of the palm of their hand.
The challenging part has been it's been incredibly time consuming. I average about 2 hours of email writing for every 50 contacts. Even though I'm using a form email for part of the email as suggested, I'm also making the email personal to each person. This means going back through my emails and seeing where/when we connected last and writing a little about that. And that doesn't count the time spent when I respond (because I always try to email them back right away to thank them for letting me keep them on my list if that's what they've chosen to do). The actual act of writing and responding isn't so bad – it's actually been pretty fun. It's just thinking about the snowball that I resist. Kind of like going to the gym. Once you're actually lifting weights it usually feels pretty good.
I have 3 pages left (6 hours) and 150 people to contact personally (if you're curious, it's people with names starting with 'P' to 'T'). I did the last page this morning just to change things up (Letters 'V' to 'Z'). What category are you in? Did I miss you??
6 hours doesn't seem like a long time really. But it feels like it's really snowing on my snowball. And this last part of the hill feels daunting. Especially since I know winter never ends and it will always be snowing. Which is a very good thing because that will mean that I will be able to continually connect with people who might enjoy my music and want to be kept updated.
One of my goals during Week 1 was to keep up an ever-growing fantastic email list… And yes, to provide great newsletters too. So cheers to cold days and big snowballs!!!
One more thing, I think co-promoting with other artists (whom my fan base might like) is a fantastic idea. Once I get my album released I will definitely be reaching out to other songwriters about this idea. If you are an artist, do let me know if you're interested in this idea too and you think our music might be enjoyed by a similar audience. I would love to announce you to my list in a beautiful way!
And finally, dear Blog Reader (that's you!!!), I'd love to keep you up to speed on what I'm up to musically. If you sign up for my music updates I will also give you a free MP3 when my album is released. All Love – No Spam. Promise.
Honk and Sign up here because you Rock!
www.AynsleySaxe.com
This blog was originally posted under the title, "Saturated Snowballs" here: http://aynsleysaxe.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/saturated-snowballs/
Click Here to visit Aynsley's Songwriters Profile.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
from __future__ import unicode_literals

from django.db import models, migrations

class Migration(migrations.Migration):

    dependencies = [
        ('companies', '0010_auto_20150726_1459'),
    ]

    operations = [
        migrations.RemoveField(
            model_name='company',
            name='province',
        ),
    ]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Commentator sacked during Turkey, Morocco – Canada: Hakan Sukur appointed
The former footballer is Ergoğan's sworn enemy. And whoever talks about it, pays.
Changed in between. Then sent home. This is not the fate of a soccer player at the World Cup, but the fate of a Turkish TV commentator who lost his job during the Morocco-Canada half-time, as reported by serbiaposten.com. No technical errors, but an unforgivable diplomatic slip. Hakan said Sukur's name on live television.
was fired
The hero of the story, Alper Bakircigil, quoted the former Inter center forward on Turkish television in relation to Morocco's goal. Zyech was the quickest to score from kick-off. He scored after just 4′. A real achievement in the world championship. An event commemorating the record-breaking Turkish striker's feat. President Erdogan's sworn enemy Hakan is a journalistically flawless but unacceptable comparison in Turkey. The commentator noticed it too and was substituted in the second half. The man later reportedly reported through his account that he had been removed but the tweet had since been deleted.
Astounds those who wonder. Hakan Sukur is an absolute legend of Galatasaray and the Turkish national team. He played 112 games there and scored 51 goals. In the 2002 World Cup he pulled his selection to third place, but his name fell by the wayside. It should never be talked about again because he ended his career and entered politics. He was a member of Erdogan's party, however, he left the party two years later and became a key opponent of Turkey's most powerful man. Turkish authorities have linked him to Gulen, who was accused by Erdogan of a bloody 2016 coup attempt. His last sighting was in California, where he started anew. From waiter to taxi driver, earn good salary.
READ Perez: Rehabilitation of Neck Pain After Fielding in Canada - F1 Pilot - Formula 1
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text:
GNSO Council Meetings
gnsocouncilmeetings
GNSO Council Meetings Home
GNSO Related Meetings at ICANN Meetings
ICANN Meetings in London (Jun 2014)
NCUC London Meeting 2014-06-24
Created by de saint gery, last modified by William Drake on Jun 22, 2014
NCUC Constituency Day @ ICANN 50, London, Tuesday 24 June 2014
Tuesday 24 June 2014, 09:00-12:30pm BST
Cadogan Room, Hilton London Metropole Hotel
Remote participation information forthcoming at http://london50.icann.org/en/schedule/tue-ncuc
Final Agenda as of 22.06.2014
I. Overview, 9:00 – 9:15
Participant introductions
Adoption of agenda
II. Visit of the US Government Delegation, 9:15-9:55
Joining us for wide-ranging discussions will be:
Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Fiona Alexander, Associate Administrator (Head of Office) for International Affairs, NTIA
Ambassador Daniel A. Sepulveda, U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, U.S. Department of State
Christopher Painter, Coordinator for Cyber Issues, U.S. Department of State
Julie Zoller, Senior U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy at the U.S. Department of State
Others TBD
III. Reflections on the USG visit and the governmental High Level Meeting, 9:55-10:30
Discussion lead-offs: Robin Gross, Maria Farrell
Coffee Break, 10:30-11:00
IV. Visit of the Council of Europe, 11:00-11:30
Joining us to discuss the new CoE study, ICANN's procedures and policies in the light of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic values, will be:
Thomas Schneider, Deputy Chair of the Council of Europe's Steering Committee on Media and the Information Society (CDMSI); Government of Switzerland Representative to the GAC
Lee Hibbard, Coordinator for Internet Governance, the Council of Europe
V. Accountability, IANA, and the Four Tracks of Transition, 11:30-11:55
Discussion lead-offs: Avri Doria, Milton Mueller, Gabrielle Guillemin
VI. ICANN in the Larger Internet Governance Ecosystem, 11:55-12:15
Discussion lead-offs: Anriette Esterhuysen, Marília Maciel, Adam Peake
VII. NCUC Organizational Matters and Conclusions, 12:15-12:30
Outreach: Friday meeting with non-ICANN civil society & future efforts
Budgetary: allocations, IGF, future policy conferences, CROPP, etc.
Non-contracted House: Board election, intersessional meeting
Staff: administrative support initiative
For comments, suggestions, or technical support concerning this space, please email: ICANN Policy Department
© 2015 Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers


All 12 episodes from the twelfth and final season of the US forensic investigation drama starring Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz. In this season, Bones (Deschanel) is kidnapped by her former assistant Zack (Eric Millegan), the team investigate the mysterious death of a scientist who builds robots and Booth (Boreanaz) looks into his past when dead bodies start appearing that seem to be connected to his old army unit. The episodes are: 'The Hope in the Horror', 'The Brain in the Bot', 'The New Tricks in the Old Dogs', 'The Price for the Past', 'The Tutor in the Tussle', 'The Flaw in the Saw', 'The Scare in the Score', 'The Grief and the Girl', 'The Steel in the Wheels', 'The Radioactive Panthers in the Party', 'The Day in the Life' and 'The End in the End'.


Institute for Community Action Training (ICAT) helps participants mobilize the arts as a vehicle for social change.
Spend a weekend learning time-tested tools to start, build, and expand your own arts and social justice program! Applications are open to performing artists, activists, and social service professionals.
1. Look Inside: Reflect. Movement and creativity foster reflection and self-awareness that lead to greater self-confidence.
2. Speak Through Movement: Express. Movement and creativity encourage choice and decision-making. These activities help participants listen to their inner voices, express their feelings, and assert their identities.
3. Work Together: Collaborate. Moving and creating in a group is an enriching experience with valuable social and artistic rewards. Working together validates the experiences of every member of the group and helps to banish feelings of isolation and fear.
4. Take Care™: Dancers share state-of-the-art tools for stress reduction and self-care drawn from extensive training in dance, bodywork, and somatic practices.
The application for June 2019 is now available.
Participation mandatory for all dates.
this was a great workshop that left me feeling prepared & ready to take action in my community.


Tell me honestly why you think this is?
Because I've always been curious when someone says this, and sense you are a young educated Republican on the verge of his first real vote, why do you think this is?
I agree with just about everything he said! Weird. . .
The Pottawatomie Massacre, the raid on Harpers Ferry, and a hangman's noose doesn't add up to making more of an impact than Lincoln in my book.
Lincoln himself bestowed that honor on Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
It's the kind of effect I imagine John F. Kennedy had on people.
You mentioned JFK, I mentioned Jackie O. Did we fall for sublimal messages?
I am thinking Lincoln, Truman, W, Guiliani get a lot of credit for just being at the helm what disasters hits.
When the Country survives, and recovers and gets better, these leaders are elevated beyond what they deserve.
To some degree that is true, but your still going to see a change in how the nominee for the Democrats runs in the general election compared to the primaries.
If the country is no longer conservative or as conservative as it was in the 1990s, John McCain would not be beating all three Democratic candidates in the latest polls. Over the last 10 Presidential elections, the Democrats have only won 3, and only achieved a 50% majority in one of those elections. The two victories by Clinton showed him moving to the right in order to survive. The largest turnout ever in this country's history since 18-20 year olds got the right to vote was the 2004 election and George Bush solidly won that election. The 2006 election may have indicated big changes, but the turnout for that election was much lower than in 2004, so will see what happens in 2008.
I still think Republicans have an uphill battle this year, but its not because the electorate has radically changed their political views and party membership since 2004. No matter what the political situation, since World War II, a party in the White House for two consecutive terms has only won a third time in a row once.
According to a 2005 Harris poll, Democrats outnumber Republicans 34%-31%. Conservatives outnumber liberals 36-18, with moderates at 41.
I guess my young mind would answer that most Americans support smaller taxes, a strong defense and traditional values which at times emphasize religion. And with some 90% of Americans being religious, this makes sense.
I don't know, I really don't have a great answer. Maybe a lot of people view "liberal" as a scary word being more and more associated with irresponsible outlets and polarizing people like Michael Moore and MoveOn.
I hear you but I would question whether that was the case with Lincoln (the others, I probably wouldn't argue with). The Civil War was far more than a disaster that "hit." The generals he chose (granted he had to go through a few--but he went through them), the Emancipation Proclamation, his willingness to follow through on a war that was often quite unpopular, and who knows how things might have been different had he lived and been able to manage the Reconstruction in the manner he wanted to. I don't think Lincoln was lucky. Those were rare times and fortunately we had someone worthy to the task.
Rudy is leading in national polls. go figure.
and how did the 18-20 year olds vote? i'll give you a hint -- not Republican. and a majority of them support such "liberal" things like marriage equality. whites are going to continue to decline in population, and the Republicans have always hated blacks and have just done huge damage to whatever inroads Bush may have made with Latinos.
Clinton moving to the right was moving to the center. you're going to see the Republican nominee moving to the center. the election is won from the center.
ask yourself why Congress has been overwhelmingly Democratic since WW2.
Democrat or Republican is quantifiable identity.
"liberal" or "conservative" is not. and one thing that has been done very, very well by the right since the 1960s is to demonize the word "liberal."
i don't call myself a liberal. i'm a progressive.
I would reply by saying just because it worked 150 years ago, we should take a risk and hope Obama can do the same? Lincoln was a great man with great skill. I don't see Lincoln in Obama. Why not take more of a safer road and elect someone who has lived through war and has more experience and knowledge?
God, I could not be happier with the speech Obama made. I was struck by his poise - he certainly seems more of a statesman than any of the other candidates.
I would reply by saying just because it worked 150 years ago, we should take a risk and hope Obama can do the same? Lincoln was a great man with great skill. I don't see that in Obama. Why not take more of a safer road and elect someone who has lived through war and has more experience and knowledge?
who had more "experience" and "knowledge" than Cheney and Rumsfeld?
Yes, that's right before Uncle Tom's Cabin all clear thinking people just believed Negroes workers were appreciative of the plantation owners.
These plantation owners gave them an opportunity to improve their standard of loving by being around the white folks.
In all seriousness, I am embarrassed for my country. That people turned a blind eye to the horrors of slavery for as long as they did.
I guess Rosa Parks was the first Black person to be told to give her seat to a white person?


text:
Synthetic DNA vaccines – maniacs escalating bioterrorism against us and our children
New vaccines will permanently alter human DNA
Why is the government so maniacal about injecting vaccines?
(To read about Jon's mega-collection, Power Outside The Matrix, click HERE)
Consider this article in light of the accelerating push to mandate and enforce vaccination across the planet.
The reference is the New York Times, 3/9/2015, "Protection Without a Vaccine." It describes the frontier of research. Here are key quotes that illustrate the use of synthetic genes to "protect against disease," while changing the genetic makeup of humans. This is not science fiction:
"By delivering synthetic genes into the muscles of the [experimental] monkeys, the scientists are essentially re-engineering the animals to resist disease."
"'The sky's the limit,' said Michael Farzan, an immunologist at Scripps and lead author of the new study."
"The first human trial based on this strategy — called immunoprophylaxis by gene transfer, or I.G.T. — is underway, and several new ones are planned."
"I.G.T. is altogether different from traditional vaccination. It is instead a form of gene therapy. Scientists isolate the genes that produce powerful antibodies against certain diseases and then synthesize artificial versions. The genes are placed into viruses and injected into human tissue, usually muscle."
Here is the punchline: "The viruses invade human cells with their DNA payloads, and the synthetic gene is incorporated into the recipient's own DNA. If all goes well, the new genes instruct the cells to begin manufacturing powerful antibodies."
Read that again: "the synthetic gene is incorporated into the recipient's own DNA." Alteration of the human genetic makeup. Permanent alteration.
The Times article taps Dr. David Baltimore for an opinion:
"Still, Dr. Baltimore says that he envisions that some people might be leery of a vaccination strategy that means altering their own DNA, even if it prevents a potentially fatal disease."
Yes, some people might be leery. If they have two or three working brain cells.
Let's take this further. Under the cover of preventing disease (and all good covert ops float a laudatory goal to conceal their true intent), vaccines are ideal carriers for all sorts of genes that would be permanently incorporated into the human structure.
The enormous tonnage of propaganda about vaccines, and the resultant mandatory laws that enforce vaccination, create a powerful channel along which re-engineering is eminently possible.
Synthetic genes injected into billions of humans would form a grand experiment to create an altered species.
This grand experiment could be compartmentalized. For example, secretly, genes 1-6 would be injected into Group A in geo-location I. Genes 7-12 would be injected into Group B in location II. And so on.
Vaccine recipients will be subjected to ongoing surveillance to gauge the results. On various pretexts, members of these groups will be brought into clinics for exams and tests, to discover markers that purportedly reveal their bodies' responses to the genetic alterations.
Are these people stronger or weaker? Do they exhibit signs of illness? Do they report behavioral changes? Through surveillance and testing, all sorts of information can be compiled.
Of course, there is no informed consent. The human guinea pigs have no knowledge of what is being done to them.
And what would be the objectives of this lunatic research program? They would vary. On a simplified level, there would be two. Create weaker and more docile and more obedient and more dependent humans. On the other side, create stronger and healthier and more intelligent and more talented humans. Obviously, the results of the latter experiments would be applied to the "chosen few." And clearly, some of this research will be carried on inside the military. Secrecy is easier to maintain, and the aim to produce "better soldiers" is a long-standing goal of the Pentagon and its research arm, DARPA.
A global vaccine experiment of the type I'm describing here has another bonus for the planners: those people who fall ill or die can be written off as having suffered from various diseases and disorders which "have nothing to do with vaccines." This is already SOP for the medical cartel.
The numbers of casualties, in this grand experiment, would be of no concern to the Brave New World shapers. As I've documented extensively, the US medical system is already killing 2.25 million people per decade (a conservative estimate), as a result of FDA-approved drugs and mistreatment in hospitals. Major media and government leaders, aware of this fact, have done nothing about it.
Here is a quote from Princeton molecular biologist, Lee Silver, the author of Remaking Eden. It gives you a window into how important geneticists are thinking about an engineered future:
"The GenRich – who account for ten percent of the American population– [will] all carry synthetic genes. All aspects of the economy, the media, the entertainment industry, and the knowledge industry are controlled by members of the GenRich class…
"Naturals [unaltered humans] work as low-paid service providers or as laborers. [Eventually] the GenRich class and the Natural class will become entirely separate species with no ability to crossbreed, and with as much romantic interest in each other as a current human would have for a chimpanzee.
"Many think that it is inherently unfair for some people to have access to technologies that can provide advantages while others, less well-off, are forced to depend on chance alone, [but] American society adheres to the principle that personal liberty and personal fortune are the primary determinants of what individuals are allowed and able to do.
"Indeed, in a society that values individual freedom above all else, it is hard to find any legitimate basis for restricting the use of repro[grammed]-genetics. I will argue [that] the use of reprogenetic technologies is inevitable. [W]hether we like it or not, the global marketplace will reign supreme."
Here is another gem, from Gregory Stock, former director of the program in Medicine, Technology, and Society at the UCLA School of Medicine:
"Even if half the world's species were lost [during genetic experiments], enormous diversity would still remain. When those in the distant future look back on this period of history, they will likely see it not as the era when the natural environment was impoverished, but as the age when a plethora of new forms—some biological, some technological, some a combination of the two—burst onto the scene. We best serve ourselves, as well as future generations, by focusing on the short-term consequences of our actions rather than our vague notions about the needs of the distant future."
Notice that these two well-known scientists are speaking about "ethics." A significant number of such experts have their own lunatic version of what is right and wrong.
With vaccines that permanently alter human genetic makeup on the horizon, and given the corporate and government-agency penchant for secrecy, we are already inhabiting the Brave New World. It's not a distant prospect.
Every genetic innovation is aimed at bringing us closer to a stimulus-response world, and further away from freedom.
Which is why the defense of freedom becomes ever more vital.
That struggle comes down to who controls, yes, the philosophy, not the science. Is each human merely and only a system waiting to be re-engineered, or is he something far more, inhabiting a physical form?
We already know what the vast majority of brain researchers and geneticists believe, as well as the governments and corporations and universities and foundations that make important decisions.
Of course, these days, the college faculty department considered to be the least important, the most useless, a mere appendage waiting for those with wisdom to put it out of its misery and kill it off…is the philosophy department.
That leaves us to take up the argument and the resistance.
Not Lee Silver at Princeton or Gregory Stock or Bill Gates or George Soros or David Rockefeller or the Pope or Stephen Hawking or Obama or the Clintons or Monsanto or Dow or the Bush family or PBS or FOX or socialists or Communists or liberals or conservatives or some wackadoodle at Harvard or MIT or UCLA.
To go to the original article click HERE.
– Historic FDA Announcement
http://www.angelnexus.com/o/web/100466/
– Vaxxed Q & A in Compton
Do You Want to Remain Informed about the Latest Vaccine News?
I WANT TO BE INFORMED
Erwin Alber
PRENATAL ULTRASOUND CAUSING INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION IN CHILDREN
Vaccines Caused 1918 "Spanish Flu" Which Killed Millions
Mercury in vaccines: vaccine industry run by psychopaths
Human Protein/DNA in vaccines
Vaccines, Brain Development and Autism - Dr. Russell Blaylock MD
Filmmaker Documented Abuse, Murder of Children Under State Custody
Enterovirus D68 Infections: Primarily Affecting Vaccinated Children
Ebola: A fake pandemic set up to poison us with drugs and vaccines!
Watch the cruelty of vaccines first hand, as this young Thai girl is brutalised by the medical establishment
Growing Opposition To Mandatory Vaccination In Hungary
Vaccination in the Czech Republic
Vaccinations and the Depopulation Agenda
Is Your Eye/Brain Switch Off Or On?
Vaccination Propaganda: Neurolinguistic Programming used for Evil Purposes
'How to raise a healthy child in spite of your doctor' - Dr R. Mendelsohn MD
The Health Benefits of "Oil Pulling"
Nurse Fired for Refusing Flu Shots, Sues Hospital and CDC
Childhood Vaccination: Questions All Parents Should Ask
Vaccination The Hidden Truth - Vaccination Information Service
Vaccination Information Network (VINE) originally started as a Facebook page, where it grew into arguably Facebook's most popular source of reliable vaccination information.
As with many other unbiased vaccination organisations, VINE has also been under attack from Big Pharma, with censorship restrictions occasionally being enforced by Facebook.
The VINE website has been created in order to allow the public unrestricted access to the full range of vaccination information, including articles and videos.


Field sobriety tests can be given in many different forms and under many different circumstances at a DUI/DWI. Unfortunately, these tests are not always the most ideal way of determining sobriety. Yet, they are frequently used leading up to an arrest.
If you have been charged with DUI/DWI, your defense attorney will likely examine field sobriety tests and the type of breath tests that were administered at the time of the stop. When you are represented by me, Broocks Greer, you can trust that I will take a comprehensive approach to representing your interests.
I am a Shreveport defense lawyer with more than 40 years of experience in Louisiana. In the past, I have had a general trial practice. I now focus in criminal law. More specifically, I am known for my skills in defending drunk driving cases. Clients choose to work with me because of my success in this area and my abilities to connect with my clients.
I have knowledge of how field sobriety tests are given, and how test results affect drunk driving charges. I examine all forms of tests given to determine sobriety, including the gaze nystagmus test, heel/toe walk, one leg stand and breath tests (if applicable). I work to obtain information that I can use to challenge the validity of the stop, circumstances surrounding the arrest and factors proving that the sobriety tests given did not provide accurate results.


text:
How Poundland powered its overseas expansion with SD WAN connectivity
In 2018 Pepkor Europe, the owner of Europe's largest value general merchandise retailer, wanted to launch the Dealz brand into Poland. They briefed VCG, which manages the Poundland store network in the United Kingdom, to design a store model that provided the agility, security and scalability needed to capitalise on growth opportunities in a cost-effective manner.
Poundland needed this store model to feature a digital network, that could be:
Managed remotely from the UK
Supported operationally critical systems e.g. EPoS, payments & in-store Wi-Fi
Launched within a tight timeframe.
The resulting templated store model centred around a network built on SD-WAN connectivity using local fibre and protected by two Fortinet firewalls managed by VCG in the UK.
All operationally critical retail systems were hosted in the cloud with additional resilience for every store thanks to a back-up 4G router.
The three initial pilot stores in Swarzedz, Kalisz Kalinka and Pabianice were successful and now 60 new Dealz stores are now either live or in flight. The retailers ongoing Polish expansion is now firmly in a 'business as usual' phase and the proven templated model can be deployed anywhere in Europe with an internet connection.
Patrick Carney, VCG, said: "SD WAN has a lot more to offer retail, enabling fast and reliable access to cloud-based software anywhere with a fibre connection. This means that critical systems can be accessed securely from anywhere at any time. Cost is a sticking point at the moment for UK use, but we're seeing a growing demand for SD WAN among businesses looking to expand overseas, where SD-WAN costs are not so high."
We needed a nimble store network solution that would enable Poundland to make the most of the compelling opportunities to expand in Poland. We also needed to manage the Dealz stores from the UK without compromising on mission-critical requirements, such as security."
VCG delivered on the brief, and more. At the heart of their solution sits SD WAN connectivity, which has enabled the quick and cost-effective reiteration of this tried-and-tested store network model anywhere that has access to the internet.
Dean Bourne, Head of Service Delivery & IT Infrastructure at Poundland
Proudly working with:


text:
Worldwide: Advocare EXTRA legal expenses insurance
Advocare EXTRA gives you worldwide civil, internet and motorists' legal expenses cover. This type of insurance can only be taken out in combination with TOP, COMPLETA or OMNIA supplementary insurance.
Calculate premium/request quote
Select your desired insurance cover. It is really easy:
Please provide your details in the following fields and click "Calculate premium".
The premiums for TOP supplementary insurance will appear. Click "Request quote".
You are now in the premium calculator and can select Advocare EXTRA legal expenses insurance in the green box. Click "Quote preview". Advocare EXTRA legal protection insurance costs CHF 18.80 per month for adults.
You can see the full quote, which you can either request or conclude immediately online.
>> Do you already have TOP, COMPLETA or OMNIA supplementary insurance? Or would you like other outpatient supplementary insurance instead of TOP? We would be happy to help you further at 058 340 90 04.
W-P-TOP-EN - Praemienwidget
The insurance benefits reimbursed by Helsana Advocare EXTRA legal protection insurance are:
Internet legal expenses insurance Up to CHF 1m per case
Legal advice and representation for legal disputes in the internet.
You receive up to CHF 1m per legal case for lawyers' fees (free choice of lawyer), court and trial fees, expert opinions, court-awarded costs and compensation, advances of bail. The insurance covers contractual disputes (e.g. in the case of purchase contracts concluded via the Internet), disputes as a victim of credit card misuse, phishing and hacking (misuse of your account data), disputes in connection with cyber mobbing, menace, extortion of blackmail, disputes resulting from the infringement of incopyright, name and trademark rights (e.g. unauthorised use of a picture).
You also receive legal support and the following financial benefits for victims of violent crime in the case of death or disability as well as for treatment costs and property loss and damage:
lump-sum benefit of CHF 150,000 in the event of death or CHF 300,000 in the event of full disability (without progression). If you're over the age of 65, you receive a lifelong pension instead of a lump-sum benefit.
Unlimited treatment costs for a period of five years supplementary to compulsory healthcare insurance, military insurance, Federal Disability Insurance or compulsory accident insurance.
Up to CHF 5,000 for damage to property that the insured was wearing or carrying.
Overview and comparison of benefits
Explanatory video on internet legal protection
What does basic insurance cover?
Costs are not covered by basic insurance. The insured parties must fund legal expenses and court fees themselves.
Details about basic insurance >
Civil legal expenses insurance Up to CHF 1m per case
Legal advice and representation for private legal disputes.
You receive up to CHF 1m per legal case for lawyers' fees (free choice of lawyer), court and trial fees, expert opinions, court-awarded costs and compensation, advances of bail. The insurance covers disputes with insurers (e.g. liability insurers), disputes with landlords or tenants (e.g. due to rental increases), disputes with the employer (e.g. due to termination of the employment contract), contractual disputes (e.g. in the case of purchase contracts, travel contracts, orders), disputes with neighbours, building and planning law, advice on the purchase, sale, pledging and letting of property, advice in matters relating to family or inheritance law or the law of persons.
You also receive up to CHF 10,000 of the costs for the required appearance in a foreign court and translation costs.
Victims of violent crime also receive legal support and the following financial benefits in the case of death or disability as well as for treatment costs and property loss and damage:
Explanatory video on personal legal protection
Helsana Advocare Leistungen und Vorteile in der Übersicht
Transportation legal expenses insurance Up to CHF 1m per case
Legal advice and representation for legal disputes involving motoring matters.
You receive up to CHF 1m per legal case for lawyers' fees (free choice of lawyer), court and trial fees, expert opinions, court-awarded costs and compensation, advances of bail. The insurance covers the enforcement of claims for damages (property damage, e.g. to your car), contractual disputes (e.g. in connection with the purchase, lease, rent or repair of a vehicle), the provision of a defence in the event of criminal proceedings (e.g. unjustified fines), and representation in administrative proceedings (e.g. withdrawal or confiscation of an ID or a permit) and advice in all other legal disputes.
Erklärungsvideo zu Verkehrsrechtsschutz
Why do I need legal expenses insurance?
Anyone can get into an unexpected dispute – as a road user, employee, tenant, property owner, or consumer, as a party to a contract or even as a neighbour.
If you're going to win your case, it helps to have an expert by your side. Legal disputes can soon become lengthy and expensive, and you need an advance on costs if they go to court and you need to be represented by a lawyer.
Legal expenses insurance covers legal advice, representation by a lawyer if the case comes to court, and most of the legal costs and court fees.
My Helsana supplementary insurance includes legal protection benefits. Isn't that enough?
Thanks to your TOP, COMPLETA or OMNIA supplementary insurance, you already benefit from comprehensive legal protection while abroad or in health matters. This helps you if you get involved in, for example, legal disputes with doctors, hospitals and providers of social insurance and private liability insurance.
Because legal disputes are also common in civil matters (e.g. disputes with your landlord or employer), in motoring (e.g. after a car accident) or also in those relating to the Internet (e.g. credit card misuse), you can supplement your existing legal cover with comprehensive civil, motoring and Internet legal expenses insurance with Helsana Advocare EXTRA. You then benefit from comprehensive legal expenses insurance, which gives you protection and support wherever you are in the world.
What disputes are covered by Internet legal expenses coverage?
These are insured with Helsana Advocare EXTRA:
Contractual disputes, e.g. in the case of purchase contracts concluded via the Internet
Disputes as a victim of credit card misuse, phishing and hacking (misuse of your account data)
Disputes in connection with cyber mobbing, menace, extortion or blackmail
Disputes resulting from the infringement of copyright, name and trademark rights (e.g. unauthorised use of a picture)
What disputes are covered by private legal expenses coverage?
Insurance disputes, for example with a personal liability insurer
Disputes with your landlord or tenant, e.g. following rental increases or termination of the rental contract
Disputes with your employer, e.g. after losing your job
Contractual disputes, e.g. contracts for sale or purchase, travel contracts or contracts for services
Disputes with your neighbours
Cases relating to building and planning law
Advice on the purchase, sale, pledging and letting of property
Advice on family or inheritance law or the law of persons
What disputes are covered by motor legal expenses insurance?
Compensation for claims in respect of damage to property, e.g. to your car
Contractual disputes, e.g. related to the purchase, leasing, rental or repair of a vehicle
The provision of defence in criminal proceedings, e.g. for an unjustified fine
Representation in administrative proceedings, e.g. for the confiscation of an ID
Advice in all other legal disputes
What are the differences between the two types of legal expenses insurance offered by Helsana?
Helsana's Advocare legal expenses insurance can be taken out in two variants – PLUS and EXTRA:
Helsana Advocare PLUS is your first choice if you are looking for comprehensive and affordable legal expenses cover for disputes involving civil and motoring law, and attach importance to sound legal advice.
You should opt for Helsana Advocare EXTRA if you are looking for worldwide legal expenses and legal advice insurance that extends to Internet law in addition to civil and motoring law. You spend a lot of time abroad, shop regularly online, and are looking for an insurance solution that offers complete protection.
When compared with Helsana Advocare PLUS, Helsana Advocare EXTRA generally offers more generous benefits, worldwide cover in all areas of law and advanced cover for legal expenses associated with the use of the Internet. The Advocare comparison table gives you a clear overview of the differences.
Who's behind Helsana's legal protection offering?
The benefits are paid by Helsana Legal Protection Ltd. Helsana Legal Protection Ltd is the subsidiary of Coop Legal Protection Ltd and Helsana Supplementary Insurance Ltd.
How and when can I terminate the insurance?
Because this policy is only available in conjunction with the supplementary insurances TOP, COMPLETA or OMNIA, it is automatically terminated when you terminate your supplementary insurance.
The minimum term is one year.
The contract is automatically renewed each year on the expiry date for a further year.
You can terminate the policy on 31 December of each year, subject to three months' notice.
If the premium is adjusted, a shortened notice period of one month applies.
Details about termination >
Is there a waiting period?
The waiting period is the period between the date on which the insurance cover under your policy begins and the date from which you can claim benefits.
In this policy the waiting period differs depending on the legal issue. In some cases there is no waiting period while in others it is three months. In the latter case you will not have legal expenses cover until the end of these three months at the earliest.
You can find the detailed rules in the General Insurance Conditions (PDF, 94KB) .
Is there a discount? How can I save on premiums?
The discounts available to you on the Helsana Advocare EXTRA insurance premium are:
100% discount for children up to the age of 18: Helsana Advocare EXTRA is completely free for children until they reach the age of 19
50% discount for young adults aged 19 to 25.
25% partner discount for two or more adults aged 26 and over from the same household insured under the same contract as the person paying the premium.
General Insurance Conditions (GIC) for Helsana-advocare EXTRA
General Insurance Conditions (GIC) for the insurance of victims of crimes and offences
We will be happy to answer them Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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Arrange an appointment for a consultation ›


A disabled woman out in Colorado is pleading with local news services after storing a massive sum inside of her fridge-freezer in order to ensure a good life for herself and her daughter. With her condition deteriorating, she returned the appliance later on, but was horrified to discover she forgot the money inside.
Renee Reese has multiple sclerosis - a lifelong condition affecting the spinal cord and brain that can become a serious disability. Renee's condition is quite aggressive, but so that herself and her daughter could continue to have a good life, she wanted to store away $35,000 in cash. Now, with her declining mobility, she wanted to limit her trips to the bank, so she decided to keep the money in the freezer.
Sealing the large denomination bills in Ziploc bags, she then wrapped up the money in white towels, and kept these packages in the freezer for safe keeping. "It was a safe place to put it in case there was a fire," Reese said. "Because I had no need to get in it for any reason other than to deposit it."
"I had it in the freezer because if the house burned down, the freezer stuff doesn't burn," she said to Contact7 Investigates, the investigative wing of local TV news station KMGH.
The issue came due to Renee's ever-declining mobility - she wanted to trade in her fridge for one with larger, French-style doors. "[If] you're pulling out a large item with a disability, the doors need to stay open," she explained, which is why she asked Costco to replace her fridge, with Costco sending a third-party service to pick up the appliance.
As the delivery truck rolled away, Renee and her daughter both looked at each other, before realising they'd forgotten something very important. "I thought my daughter had grabbed it, she thought I had grabbed it, then when I went to look for it to put it back, it wasn't there," she revealed, and is now campaigning to have the money returned to her.
"The financial strain has devastated me and because I'm so sick I don't have any way to recover it," says Renee, revealing that she hadn't slept much the night before because she was mourning a close friend. Filing a report with Thornton police, Renee also contacted Costco.
They say the money was not in the freezer when they tracked down the unit. Renee is also questioning the recruiting process of these third-party delivery companies. "Who's checking these people? What if they're rapists or pedophiles? I mean, nobody knows anything and you can't talk to them, at least through the experience I've had," she lamented.
In response to the incident, a Costco spokesperson said the company is looking into the matter once more, but has not yet completed their investigative work. They also did not respond to questions about its background check process.


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Q: How to detect when an input is not on the entity list I am creating a chatbot for my store. The store has 10 categories (A, B, C...), each category has types of products(1 to 10). It is not a problem when the user ask for a product not on the list? I just want to tell them I do not sell this kind of product.
category: A, B, C, D..., I, J
category_A: A1, A2, A3 ...
category_B: B1, B2, B3....
I want to order AA
--> Sorry, we do not have this one.
Thank you.

A: You can create folder node which triggers when the bot identify the order intention and inside the folder you create a node for each category entity and the last node shall trigger with anything_else condition indicating you don't have the product on you list.
Bot Structure:
folder node -> triggers in order intention
-- Common node -> triggers in category entity
-- Common node -> triggers in category_A entity
-- Common node -> triggers in category_B entity
-- Common node -> triggers in anything_else special condition anwering you do not have this product
Example:

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


South32 partnered with Landcare Australia in 2017 to support 12 habitat restoration projects in schools in New South Wales and Western Australia. In 2018, South32 Junior Landcare Enhancing Habitat Grants have been awarded to 11 schools in Western Australia and Tasmania. These grants, of up to $5,000 each, support projects that help students learn about protecting and restoring our natural environment through hands-on outdoor learning. The 23 schools that received South32 Junior Landcare Grants in 2017 and 2018 have focussed on projects that improve biodiversity through the enhancement or restoration of habitat for native animals and plant life. South32 is a globally diversified metals and mining company that lives by its values of Care, Trust, Togetherness and Excellence, is socially and environmentally responsible and supports a better future for our communities. South32's purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people's lives now and for generations to come.


Many pellet grills compete for the title of the best wood pellet grill, but how do you decide which grills make the cut? The following article addresses 10 of the highest rated wood pellet grills out today. For organizational purposes, they're categorized from most expensive to most affordable. We examined them based on several criteria such as user-friendliness, how fast and well it heats, and additional useful features such as multiple racks in order to find the best wood pellet grill for 2018.
Next on our best wood pellet grill list is this 6-in-1 pellet grill that aims for versatility in your cooking from roasting to grilling and smoking. There's an Integrated Digital Elite Controller for maintaining temperatures up to 450ºF (232.2ºC). It may develop hot/cold spots though. Once cooking, the 3-piece grate is simple to clean. It's made with enclosed storage space and locking casting wheels. In addition, it also comes with two side shelves.
Smoke Daddy Inc. brings out their new Pellet Pro that features a new top rack for added cooking space. You can grill temperatures from 160ºF (71.1ºC) to 450ºF (232.2ºC). There's a new PID Controller as well to help control it all, and the included meat probe helps you keep an eye on internal temperatures.
Although it does smoke well, sometimes it can work too well. The design is overall sturdy, but it will take more than one person to put it together due to its weight. This grill has other benefits such as a durable bottom rack for storage and a large hopper capacity.
The next choice on our best wood pellet grill list is the Series 800 Elite from Louisiana Grills that features their standard Digital Control Center as well as a programmable meat probe. With its double-wall construction, heating food up is quick and simple (180ºF/82ºC to 600ºF/315.6ºC).
However, take caution that overcooking can occur. As for the hopper, it's rather small, so pellets need replacing often. Features include a large, stay-cool vented handle, four caster wheels, bottom storage space, and a side shelf with hooks.
With Smart Smoke technology, the grill uses an automated auger feeder and digital control system to produce your optimal amount of smoke. It has a cooking range for the grill of 160ºF (71.1ºC) to 500ºF (260ºC). The sear box, which runs on propane, can reach up to 900ºF (482.2ºC).
Moreover, with the sear box, you get more versatility in cooking. You can smoke in one section and grill in the other, making the grill good for multi-tasking. Assembling it is straightforward, but it can have some quality control issues.
The 6-in-1 Texas Elite Pellet Grill is designed with durability in mind with its steel body, powder coat finish, and quality legs with caster locking wheels. Its Digital Elite Controller is useful in maintaining control, and it's easy to ignite using the simple on/off switch.
You can change out the pellets if you want to go for a different type, however, is difficult as it lacks a trap. It offers plenty of cooking space to grill, bake, sear, etc. whatever you want. However, this does have a slight learning curve.
Another popular grill many consider to be the best wood pellet grill is the Z Grills Grill & Smoker. It features two racks for greater cooking space, and it has an 8-in-1 design for an assortment of cooking methods. With a 20lb (9.1kg) hopper capacity, you can grill longer without changing the pellets.
It has a digital control board, internal temperature sensor, pellet purge system, and a shutdown recycle mode. The automatic electric feed system can hold temperatures from 180ºF (82.2ºC) to 450ºF (232.2ºC). When first started, however, the temperature may bounce around a bit. If it is hard to decide, you can also check here more smoker grills.
The SmokePro DLX Deluxe has an advanced control system and cleaning system. It has a digital temp control with dual LED readout and an automatic auger feeder. For clean-up, it features an exclusive Ash Cleanout system. There's also a hopper cleanout and grease management system.
Pellets can be difficult to remove though. It also features a temperature probe/sensor and a shutdown mode. There's a side shelf implemented as well and a warming rack inside that may get in the way sometimes, but it can be removed.
The 700FB has a range of 180ºF (82.2ºC) to 500ºF (260ºC), and the Digital Control Board grants full control of the temperature. It lights easily with the electric igniter system. The exhaust design provides air circulation. For smoking purposes, it's tough to hold a constant temperature.
However, at higher heats, some of the paint may peel. There's enough room with cooking surface (2 racks) and hopper to limit the number of pellets used. The pellet clean-out is easy to use, and the grill also features a dome thermometer, bottom shelf, and grease bucket.
This Davy Crockett Grill is the best wood pellet grill to transport. As it can run on 12V or 120AC, it can be used just about anywhere. The legs fold as well for easier transport. It features a digital Wi-Fi controller that can be monitored through their iOS or Android app. This allows for manual or ranged control. It does have a learning curve to understand both the grill and Wi-Fi app, however. Other features include a thermal sensor, grease bucket, and side tray with hooks.
If you're curious about what constitutes as the best wood pellet grill, the above list offers a variety of grills with both the advantages and disadvantages highlighted to give you a better idea. For those of you who have used the grills mentioned, what did you think? Or do you have other products in mind we didn't mention? Share your thoughts in the comments.


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Best songs
World, Folk and Jazz
Karlheinz Stockhausen: Striking accord
Technocraft: Karlheinz Stockhausen
By Ivan Hewett
12:01AM GMT 01 Nov 2008
No tunes, but sex and laughter: Ivan Hewett offers a guide to Stockhausen
So what was Karlheinz Stockhausen? Genius or charlatan? Cool-headed rationalist or cloudy mystic? Austere technician or canny showman? The truth is he was a bit of all of them. With Stockhausen, the toe-curling and the visionary are so close, it's often hard to tell them apart.
He came to prominence in the 1950s as an earnest lean-faced idealist who wanted to remake music from scratch with sounds and noises. In the Sixties, the hair grew longer, the love life more complicated, the music - now tinged with Eastern mysticism - more wildly ambitious. From the mid-Seventies he retreated from public view to write a vast cycle of seven operas, one for each day of the week, and another cycle of 24 pieces, one for each hour of the day.
Much of his later work remains unseen and unheard, and the early works have slipped from view. Now, on the first anniversary of his death, it's all about to come surging back. From today the Southbank Centre in London presents a week-long festival of his music, and it's also featured at the Huddersfield Festival later in the month. And on January 17 the BBC presents a "total immersion" day at the Barbican Centre.
To enjoy Stockhausen, you need to approach it with the right expectations. Anyone hoping to hear catchy tunes or expressive harmonies will be disappointed. What he offers are vivid musical metaphors for big areas of human experience. Sound becomes a way of joining opposites; body and spirit, everyday and lofty, ancient and new. Such a protean composer can't easily be summarised. These are just some of his life-long obsessions: Music in space In the 1950s Stockhausen got the idea that sounds shouldn't stay still, they should be free to fly, like living things. It's hard to get an orchestra to move around, so Stockhausen wrote a piece for three spatially separated orchestras and bounced ideas between them. The result was Gruppen, one of the most exhilarating pieces of the past half-century. By the 21st century, technology had caught up with his ideas, and in the electronic piece Cosmic Pulses (Fri) the sounds literally spin around one's head.
New sounds These days electronic sounds come at the touch of a button; in the 1950s they had to be hand-made with magnetic tape and razor-blade. But Stockhausen was entranced with what emerged. "How beautiful these sounds are!" he wrote. "Like raindrops in the sun." His Gesang der Jünglinge ("Song of the Young Ones") (Nov 9) mixes these raindrops with a young boy's voice. The results are indeed beautiful, and moving.
Eroticism Music expresses this through sensuous pleasure in sound, and a willingness to luxuriate in an idea rather than hurrying it along. Both qualities were in short supply in avant-garde music, which is one reason Stockhausen's Stimmung (next Sat) came as a shock. Just one delicious chord sounds throughout its 70 minutes, coloured in fascinating ways by the six vocalists. But it's not just the harmony and slowness that create the sultry atmosphere. There are Stockhausen's sexy poems as well, though frankly they seem naughtier if you don't understand German.
Humour Could we really expect humour in this latter-day Wagner? Yes, if you can laugh at the incongruity of something bathetic being chucked into something high-flown. In the mythical drama Welt-Parlement ("World Parliament"), the solemn multilingual debates on love are interrupted when the janitor comes in to say that the president's car is about to be towed away. Well, it's better the way Stockhausen tells it.
World music Long before anyone thought of the term, Stockhausen was dreaming of uniting all the world's musics in a "voice of humanity". In the electronic piece Telemusik (available as download from www.last.fm), you hear shipibo music from Amazonia, Japanese monks and Christian chant, while, Hymnen (Jan 17) is an exuberant mélange of national anthems from 40 countries.
Rituals and ceremonies Stockhausen was raised as a Catholic, and memories of Christian ceremonies in rural Germany underlie the processions, mimes and dances in his work - though they're often overlaid with Eastern influences, as in the Japanese-flavoured Inori (Jan 17). One of his most rivetingly strange imaginary rituals arose out of a dream. In Trans (today), an orchestra bathed in purple light sits behind gauze, playing with hieratic stiffness, while over the speakers the sound of a shuttle on a loom marks out time. It's been 30 years since I first saw this inscrutable, riveting spectacle, and I've never forgotten it.
Recordings available from www.stockhausen.org. KLANG: The Music of Karlheinz Stockhausen takes place at the Southbank Centre, London SE1, today-Nov 9, www.southbankcentre.co.uk/stockhausen; 0871 663 2500.
For the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, see www.hcmf.co.uk. The BBC's Stockhausen day is on Jan 17 at the Barbican, London EC2, 020 7638 8891.
Glastonbury 2015: Wednesday as it happened
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Culture Galleries


Voluntary guidelines aim to combat 'helicopter' science and ensure that studies benefit African citizens and scientists.
As the genomics revolution finally turns its attention to Africa and northern researchers flock there to collect data, scientists from the continent are demanding a larger role in projects.
On 18 April, a group of Africa-based researchers issued guidelines for the ethical handling of samples for genomic studies. The voluntary rules are an effort to combat 'helicopter' research, in which foreign scientists take samples and data from communities and then return to their home institutions. The guidelines also aim to ensure that African citizens see health benefits from research.
In recent years, researchers have begun sequencing the genomes of Africans in large numbers. The data offer insights into humanity's past as well as predisposition to disease and potential reactions to drugs in African populations — the world's most genetically diverse.
The rules were issued by the ethics working group of the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Initiative, a health-genomics consortium that supports research in African institutions. It is funded by the US National Institutes of Health and the biomedical research charity the Wellcome Trust.
H3Africa is spending US$188 million over 10 years to fund Africa-led genomics projects, train bioinformaticians and create biobanks. South Africa has also invested in genomics facilities.
The document calls for "meaningful and substantive" African intellectual contributions to research that draws on African samples. It says that researchers might be able to take specimens out of the continent in some cases, but projects should involve African scientists and build their capacity to work independently. Research should also respect African values and should benefit citizens, says de Vries's team.
De Vries hopes the framework will empower local scientists in negotiations with foreign partners. African scientists could avoid being scooped by overseas teams with superior computational facilities, for instance, if project terms include extended embargo periods during which scientists not involved in collecting the data are banned from publishing.
Time frames for analysis present a real challenge for African researchers who lack the computational facilities of the global north, says Michael Pepper, a coordinator of the Southern African Human Genome Programme, based at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, who provided input into the framework. "As soon as it falls into the hands of researchers in the Northern Hemisphere, we get left behind," he says.
The framework will also be useful for African research-ethics committees that are charged with assessing proposals for studies. Many are unsure how to treat genomic research, de Vries says. For example, some countries — including Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi — ban or discourage collection of samples under 'broad consent', in which study participants agree that researchers can keep their samples and use them for purposes unspecified at the time of collection.
But international research funders say they are unlikely to impose the framework wholesale. The Wellcome Trust prefers to keep its funding rules broad to allow for different types of study, says Katherine Littler, a global policy adviser for the trust in London. "That said, I believe this framework will set the benchmark for what is best practice in doing genomics and biobanking in Africa," she says.
The framework "codifies what we have been talking about for many years", says Brenna Henn, a population geneticist at the University of California, Davis, who has been collaborating with African scientists on genomics projects for more than a decade. She adds that a number of its recommendations, such as feeding back research results to sampled populations, are still missing from many projects.
Henn worries that the rules could heighten tensions between scientists in Africa and those in the global north. "The amount of work in adhering to this framework is significant and greater than what is happening right now," she says. The guidelines could be a rude awakening for scientists who seem to believe they can fly into an African country, study a genetically unique population and export the samples in a few months, Henn adds.


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Advocate for Yourself
Legislator Lookup
Identify your U.S. Congressional and Illinois Senate and Representative Districts and locate your statewide representatives.
Complete Email Addresses for Congress, Senate, Governors & State Legislators
This includes all fifty states and US Territories.
Illinois General Assembly Home Page
This site is maintained for the Illinois General Assembly by the Legislative Information System.
Registering to Vote in Illinois
When, how, and where to register to vote in Illinois.
Office of Disability Employment Policy
Welcome to JAN, a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by:
Providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions,
providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and
educating callers about self-employment options.
This is a free service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy U.S. Department of Labor.
Federal Initiatives
Do you want to assist the National Federation of the Blind with its federal initiatives? To view what the NFB is currently working on at the federal level, then please visit https://nfb.org/laws-and-legislation. The fact sheets from the NFB Washington Seminar can be viewed at https://nfb.org/washington-seminar.
Parental Rights for the Blind Act
If you want to know the law that protects the rights of blind parents in Illinois, please visit http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3796&ChapterID=59.
Illinois Delegation 1
Bolotin Awards 1
A shot of the Illinois delagation at the convention, with our president, Patti Gregory Chang in the right front corner.
A shot of the Illinois delegation at the convention
Don Jordan
Don Jordan checking in to work in Chicago
Illinois Delegation at the Banquet 1
Bob Widman and Don Jordan
Debbie Stein Receives Bolotin Award 1
Debbie Stein received a Bolotin Award for her quiet cars work at the National Convention Banquet.
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