text:
Birmingham City consolidated their position just outside the playoff zone on Friday with a scrappy 1-0 victory over Cardiff settled by a somewhat disputed penalty scored by Paul Caddis. With just under half the season gone they lie in seventh, a point behind Ipswich and still in contention for a chance of post-season glory.
After what has happened at Blues over the last few years I guess we should be happy; rather than scrapping at the wrong end of the table, relying on loans and last minute goals to keep us in the division we're fighting for a place at the top table – with talent securely signed to the club.
I don't think I'm alone however in feeling somewhat fatigued by Blues. The effects of playing on "Mad Friday" coupled with Blues being on Sky saw a sparse-looking 14,114 venture out to St Andrews on Friday. I'm not going to blame anyone who didn't go – no home win in two months, and more crucially more no goals from open play at home (still) since Donaldson's second in the 4-2 win over Bristol City.
Since that Donaldson goal Blues have scored three penalties, one goal from a free kick and one from a corner in 13 hours, 10 minutes at St Andrews. In 790 minutes of playing time Paul Caddis has been our top scorer with 2. In the same timeframe, they've conceded 11 goals.
The injuries to Clayton Donaldson and David Cotterill have not helped matters whatsoever – but I have to admit I am beginning to wonder if playing two up front might be the answer. Watching modern football, 4-4-2 seemed dead in the water with many teams favouring attacking midfielders or wide forwards supporting a lone striker yet both Leicester and Watford this weekend continued to prove that there is something to be said for playing with such an unfashionable tactic.
If anything, one thing Leicester and Watford has proven is the value of a team playing for each other. At Vicarage Road Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo have an almost telepathic seeming partnership, being able to link up with ease to beat offside traps and defences, resulting in the Nigerian scoring 12 Premier League goals. Riyad Mahrez at Leicester proves that big money signings aren't always necessary to achieve success; the Algerian is the toast of the Premier League with 15 goals and 7 assists yet cost about the same fee as Nicolai Brock-Madsen (circa £400,000).
One of the immediate changes for the better Rowett made when he took the managerial role at Blues was to take a morale-sapped, mis-shapen lineup and give it some organisation and purpose. I think the organisation and purpose is still there but has been somewhat eroded as he's looked for ways to improve as teams have gradually figured out how Blues ticked – and I don't think it's any coincidence that Rowett said in his post-match interview that he has gone back to where he started and rather than tweaking his formation and tactics is just trying to get his players to play better.
Hopefully with the return of Donaldson and Cotterill we'll see a bit more purpose and goals return to the team. However, I think the January window is going to be equally important – a test of the amount of ambition Blues can show (even if it's bringing in loanees on higher wages) and a test of the bottle Rowett has in changing his squad for the better. If he can get it right, then the results and the crowds will return – and maybe come May we'll have something to celebrate.
Tags: Clayton Donaldson, David Cotterill, Gary Rowett, Nicolai Brock-Madsen
64 Responses to "Purpose and Goals"
I've never been one to bang the 4-4-2 drum and as much as I think Toral is our most talented player, I have to admit I'd love to see Vaughan and Donaldson up top with Cotterill and Gray as wingers when playing certain types of team at home. I do think we'd struggle against stone teams in centre midfield only playing 2 of Davis, Gleeson and Kieftenbeld but I'd still like to see us give it a go. It would leave a lot of good options on the bench to change it around too.
Whilst agreeing with you on the fact that compared to this time last year-we are in a much better position both in and off the pitch. My concern and disappointment however is the amount of information being released by EY and TTA at the time of year when a little bit of good cheer would not go amiss. Apart from yourself I do not get any empathy for our club from either. Limbo continues and I do not buy into the fact that this process is ongoing and we shouldn't expect updated news. just a small reassurance from either parties would suffice.
StaffsBlue says:
Before their injuries, Donaldson had scored in just 3 of his 17 starts with Cotterill adding 2 in 11. The rest of our forwards have scored 8 between them. As much as I look forward to Donaldson and Cotterill returning to action, there's no guarantee they'll make as much difference as we need them to. If it wasn't for the 9 goals contributed by our defence, we might not be in such a great position as we are now. So I for one am grateful that we are.
For me, we need a change in playing style, to push on, but that's highly unlikely to happen, because, at the moment, we simply don't have the personnel to go 4-4-2 (which I will always prefer.) We need a stronger central midfield, with a bit more guile.. and a nippy striker to play off Donaldson (maybe Vaughan.) We don't have the time or resourses to change this window, but maybe next.
BlackCountryBlue says:
Good points as always Dan. TBH I'm not sure if playing to a different system is the full answer though. The challenge is also to get 'better' players in for the system GR likes to play, but also have enough flexibility to provide something different when games are in a stalemate. Agree – other teams have 'sussed' us out a little and have worked out how to stop us particularly at home, and being without Donaldson and Cotterill during this period has been a big handicap with such limited resources. I still think it important that anyone we bring in is also 'the right sort' as well to avoid upsetting the team ethic we seem to have at the moment and based on the last 3 results where we could have had 3 wins – or at least 2 away wins and a draw on Friday.
Dave Mann says:
I said yesterday that there's no reason why Donsldson and Vaughan can't form a partnership like Ighalo and Deeney but because we won't play 4-4-2 due to the weakness that some fans talk about in central midfield it's unlikely to happen but why can't we address that in January ?… Get a Teasche or a savage type of midfielder and there's no reason what so ever why we can't play it at home … Away we stay the way we are because it's working but at home we need more pressure put on defences and with cotterill and Gray our wide, two central midfield players and those two up front we would be more potent than we are now in my opinion but even with new recruits coming in I suspect our manager will stick to his guns and go with what he trusts .. Can't argue with him if he gets us top six but we're wait and see , it's all about opinions but it's Gary Rowetts that counts and nobody else's . Kro
To be fair Dave, it's not just some of the fans who say we're too weak in midfield to go 4-4-2, the manager himself has stressed the same point on more than one occasion. But, the only opinion that counts is his.. and he's the only one who can change it.
Retired&Weary says:
With the players available GR should stick to the tried & trusted formation. Our back 4, especially the full backs, is not good enough to risk a 4 4 2 formation, and our wide players not strong enough defensively either.
If 2 or 3 better quality players come in it might be a different story.
Regarding Deeney, from what I can see he plays behind the front man. He's turned in to quite a clever player these days. Perhaps Vaughan could play this role? Toral is too in and out at present, Shinnie has lost confidence.
We badly need a midfielder who can run at the opposition, and create the space lacking at the moment. Gray looks dangerous at times, but is being doubled up on, and when he does find space, lacks an end product unfortunately.
One player I would love in our team, is Bristol City's Luke Freeman. He can play wide left or in behind the striker. He's quick, tricky, has a football brain.. and scores the odd goal. He always impresses me every time I see him. Wasted at the bottom of the league.
Paul Badger says:
To all Blues fans. From Australia, Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Cheers Paul. Christmas greetings to you and yours!
Richard Granfield says:
With 5 goals of which 3 were dubious penalties in over 13 hours play at home indicates a change of tactics is needed.
I have witnessed every home game this season, and despite our healthy league position, it has been painful to watch.
A lot has been made of our low possession percentage as though it was a positive! I do not think it is a positive that our players cannot pass to a blue shirt consistently and build attacks rather than hoof the ball forward to one striker who is usually outnumbered.
The attendances at St Andrews will never increase until Blues play attractive attacking football.
If Rowett persists with his long ball tactics we may as well play 2 up top so we have 2 players contesting hopeful punts up field instead of 1.
Waycoolblue says:
I was at the match blues did not play a long ball game it was not hoof-ball at all. The team played well Cardiff defended well.
Shirley Blue says:
Agreed it wasn't long ball football though Lowry did have a tendency to whack it long rather than look for a pass but he was making his debut. Whether some people like it or not it's about getting results and GR has generally achieved that though we have had a dip in the last couple of months You don't get points for artistic impression in professional football as far as I am aware. We would all like to see swashbuckling free flowing football with loads of goals but the reality is that just is not going to happen and if we did try that with what we have got it is likely to see us in trouble. The attendances will rise again with better results not trying to play like Barcelona.
Way cool……..If you thought Blues played well against Cardiff I would hate to see a performance you thought was bad!!'
Having witnessed the last game,I feel GR will never go one up front again. He dare not now with Donaldson back it has to be Vaughan up there as well.Richaard is correct- fans will dwindle if the attacking threat is taken away from home games. Midfield is now at the point where passes are not created no matter who plays there- which brings us to the only logical method of play which is playing down the wings- enter the full backs. Caddis plus new left back the plan.
That's why I go I away games Richard , I see a different team .. Not a dig or a moan at all but just an observation . Kro
No reason to change much away from home but once Donaldson is fit I really don't see there is any significant change in the balance of the team by swapping Vaughan for Toral when we are at home. The latter is more of a second striker than a number 10 type anyway. Vaughan and Donaldson will give us a heck of a lot of movement up front with both capable of running the channels and holding the ball up and a good first line of defence with their mobility. If we look at the remaining games we have played most of the top teams away so they have got to come to St. Andrews and are likely to be looking for three points so we might be able to play on the counter-attack anyway. Away from home we have got to play a lot of the lower placed teams we have struggled against at home. That gives me hope that we can pick up sufficient points to challenge for 6th place.
jonno11blue says:
A lot of fans keep mentioning Donaldson and Vaughan playing together but Supporters have got to realise that Vaughan could be back at Huddersfield in 10 days time.
Your all a bunch of wingers. We played well against a good Cardiff team there was a lot of Incidence in and around the box that we could have been given a penalty for. The fact that a penalty was give don't account for the hole game we played well defended well in the second half and also created chances. We won the first half battle and came out the seconded half the better team. KRO.
I am not whinging – I agree with you. It was a decent performance against a good side and over the game we deserved the three points albeit we got it with a dodgy penalty.
Sorry I was not directing my reply at you just at the ones that are whingeing.
*whingers
Ime glad Ime not one of them mate . Kro
I've no idea personally, but I wonder how many teams have reached the play offs based mainly on away form. It can't be many… but we've a good chance of doing just that. If we can't rack up the wins at home, we'll have to do it away. 3 points is 3 points after all. The only thing that may suffer, is home attendances.
WalmleySteve says:
I think too much is made of formations. Ultimately, it comes down to the quality of the players and their ability to create chances and unlock defences. The four teams at the top of the championship are there for a simple reason – they have invested more in better players. Gary Rowett should be commended for the progress that has been made over the last 12 months with a very limited set of players that would not look out of place in League 1, one or two aside. And I agree with you Dan about feeling fatigued about Blues. For me, it's not the team or the way they play, but the ridiculous on-going ownership saga and the realisation that this is as good as it will ever get unless and until BIHL move aside. What adds to the depression is the inability of anyone at the club or BIHL to communicate clearly with the supporters on the timescale for change. If, for example, they have to wait until all of the various litigation involving Carson Yeung has been dealt with then surely it would be better to tell us that so at least we know this is going to take years rather than months to resolve. In the meantime, the hope of a better future is slowly being sucked out of the club, manifesting itself in the quietest atmospheres at the last few home games that I can remember in a long while. I see the comments from Gary Rowett saying how much he's looking forward to the transfer window, implying that there's money to be spent, but this is all money borrowed from TTA at high rates of interest and is not the answer – we need a change of ownership with proper investment and it's time that Mr Pavlakis stepped up to the plate and explained to the fans exactly when this is going to be allowed to happen.
Hillfield Blues says:
Agree 100% WS.Formations don't win football matches-players do.
WalmleySteve When are you and other supporters going to get it into your heads that Parvos or Ernest and Young can not tell you or any other supporter when or if the sale of the club is going to happen. As I understand it even if TTA wanted to buy the club NOW the majority shareholders have to agree so you still have the problem of persuading Carson Yeung and his supporters.
No offence to Dan about being "fatigued about the club" but for someone who's decided to live and work in Poland personally I don't feel he can complain too much. It's the supporters who attend matches, especially those who go to both home and away games regularly are the one's feeling matter. And before anyone makes a comment I travel to all the games including preseason friendlies.
Wearing your match attendance credentials like some big badge and thinking it gives you a more valid point of view is utter crap.There are lots on here that can't get to games for all sorts of reasons wheather they live in Poland or otherwise and for all that Dan has done for our club and its supporters I would listen to his point of view over yours all day long.
swissjonny says:
Yes Steve I agree.I really felt that Pavlakis was going to change the culture of secrecy and silence.Not engaging with the fans is a receipe for disaster.I would suggest that we all scale down our expectations for the transfer window. I believe that we will get some new blood-but dont start printing the Lionel Messi shirts. I also hope that GR-who has many excellent qualities and has done a great job-gets some proper advice and input on any new players he wants to bring in.There are diamonds in the rough out there but when your having to bargain hunt and you have a budget as tight as ours there really is no margin for error. We dont need another Brock or Lowery-we need someone for the now.Someone who can make an immediate and quantifiable difference.I feel great sympathy for GR in this part of his role. Good luck Mr Rowett!!
Trevor Honnor says:
I think a big part of playing with 2 holding midfielders is because we only really have 1 proper Centre Back. If we could get Morrison a long-term partner and they build a relationship, I'd like to see Halford given a go there. Then certainly at home we could get away with one holding midfielder and perhaps Toral in behind two strikers. We have good competition/cover on the wings and long may that continue.
I'd like to see Davis on the pitch more often, his bite and passion is what being a midfielder is all about. His distribution is a bit suspect at times but then so is our willingness to want the ball on occasion. That simple pass to feet, isn't so simple if you have no one to give it to.
A proper CF and CB means we can rotate the formation and the players to suit – give people a rest and cover for injuries.
RichardM says:
Agree with this. Other than Donaldson, Kieftenbeld and Morrison, I don't think we have enough Physical Strength in the side – and I think Halford would give us this.. Surprised that so far he's only been given 15 minutes to show what he can do, but I think he should be given a try at Centre-Back alongside Morrison. Failing that, put Grounds in at Centre-Back and recruit a left back in the transfer window. How ong have we got Halford for anyway?
It was just a month loan I think. Half of that's already gone. I must admit, I'm disappointed too that he's only been given a few minutes here and there. We can't expect players to be at their best when they're sitting on the bench 90% of the time.
Blues fan says:
It was a good win on Friday but all the fans that are saying blues played well are totally deluded we were awful at times we looked like a bad none league team. As for Donaldson he doesn't score that many goals but he pulls defences apart and that allows our other players to score that's why we miss him big time we have no other player that can play in that way.
I think it was a dull match, but to say Blues didn't play well is a bit harsh – they did what they had to do and what they do best, nullify the opposition (which in Cardiff's case given the firepower they have is no mean feat) and nick one on the break – I'll take a dull 1-0 win anytime over an entertaining 2-3 defeat. Thought the defence handled everything thrown at them pretty well, and when we did break, Maghoma, Toral, Vaughan and Gray all looked like a handful. I think Maghoma in particular is a real steal, looks totally at home with this type of formation and style of play.
Let's worry about entertaining football once the club has been properly sold and there's a bit more money to play with more ambition.
That's fine if those chances are leading to goals, but more often than not… they're not. We need someone to play off him, to get closer to pick up on those chances. At the moment, we don't seem to have anyone who can do it on a semi-regular basis. Toral, Shinnie, Gray… you wouldn't bet good money on any of them scoring too often.
Agree Blues Fan we did not play well but we battled with very limited quality for 3 very good points. Cardiff missed nearly as many sitters as we did against Preston.
Well said KC why is it some of our fans just can't say the truth about blues or have a go at fans that are not afraid to say how bad our team is at times.
Truth is we have no money and that's the best we can expect / afford. Why can't some fans apreciate that it's not going to be scintillating football until we have a far bigger budget.
And it could be a lot worse. Look at Bolton. Last time I read anything on their situation if they don't pay their players soon they can give in their notice and go for free. Might be worth GR sniffing around for a bargain.
Bluey says:
I`ve found that to be a problem with some Blues fans.You`re not allowed to say we were poor or we don`t think we have a hope of promotion without some on here having a go about `negativity` and `whingeing`. It seems only optimism is acceptable.
Get real FFS. We are on the fringes of the play-offs with a team costing virtually nothing. What is the point of slagging off a manager and players who have done incredibly well in the circumstances compared to what other clubs in the division have spent on transfer fees and wages and who are below us. What do you realistically expect them to do – win every game and be top of the division. They are going to have bad patches every now and again.
And play scintillating passing football at the same time!!If anybody on here wouldn't honestly have accepted our current position at the start of the season they're deluded.
We're definitely overachieving… and long may it continue. :)
And that's the stupid thing about this.Some quality loans and Cotts and Donaldson back,we are definitely in with a shout at the playoffs.
I don't ask for scintillating football, just for our players to pass to one another and retain possession a bit more.
BhamCityJulian says:
People can pass opinions on 'faults' as they see them. If you see that as 'slagging off' Shirley Blue then that is how you interpretate it. It is invariably constructive so I take it at face value
Cheer up Dan and Merry Christmas. Thanks for keeping us informed especially those of us in Canada or abroad. Enjoy the holiday and KRO into 2016 when I will visit St Andrews….
ChrisG says:
Friday was the 1st chance I had to see Vaughan in the flesh as it were & I said to my mates i'd love to see him paired up with Donaldson in a 4-4-2, he's really fast & leaps like a salmon & the way they both put theirselves about & battle for every ball I think they'd form a brilliant partnership. I don't see any reason why we couldn't use 4-4-2 at home & I think if GR played Davis & Keft in central midfield who may not be technically gifted but I think are slightly more tougher in the tackle, with any of the 2 of our 4 widemen on the wing. At the end of the day it's all about opinions & i'm sure GR wouldn't be interested in mine!!
Can any one suggest why Duffy was never given a chance ? I seem to remember he came on in a home game under Clark, looked quite useful but seemed to have a few words with the manager and was taken off. Then looked ok against Blyth. Also what's happened to the big screen in the corner. It seems to show less and less and was not on at all against Cardiff. Is it cost saving ? Sorry to go off the main theme ! Great summary Dan.
Possibly because he was crap. He got sent back from a loan spell by some FL club I can't remember last season which probably says it all . We have got better players than him so he would be a waste of wages.
Fair comment. Must admit never seen much of him. He scored a good goal the weekend probably at his level.
Reading Daniel's comments again and the stark depressing facts of our home form-it makes me wonder if we should 'bully' a few teams more. Change of style and personnel at home is probably what's needed. So easily have we been bulldozed by lesser teams without much muscle from ourselves. Is it time to play Halford and Morrison together with Grounds at his usual position-MK and Davis giving meat to midfield and the 'rough and ready' Vaughan and Don. up front. Strong players with a steely spine that we should see playing all together. Getting a bit tired of our home games being dictated by stronger yet lesser teams.
In spite of all that's been said the question of Brock and Lowry remains, Neither are anywhere good enough and in the case of Brock cost quite a bit of money. Should say that the above is my opinion.
However the manager seems reluctant to use them, which once again brings me to the question Why on earth did he buy them?.
There have been many loan players available some good quality ones at that, but we never had a look in.
Is he supposed to get it right every time? Even Alex Ferguson brought a few duds and £400k is b&gger all for a striker in the general market but a lot of money for us. I very much doubt BM was his first choice but he was very much constrained by the wages he could offer. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and he may now wish he had used that money to get a high quality loan in eg James Wilson.
Williammorgan says:
I think we have come to our limit for bread and butter players , I think we have to sign a more skillful type of player to help win matches , …kro
Every transfer window turns out a few young players out of contract with a 3star skill rating . I think that should be our aim , but we need to act quickly,…kro .
I don't think the points total to make 6th place and the play-offs is going to be as high as previous years because outside the top 5 the other teams have been just as inconsistent as us. With 24 games to go I reckon 72 points could do it. So the target for the rest of the season would be 39 points -11 wins, 6 draws and 7 defeats as an example of what we wound need to do. Very challenging but not impossible. GR is going to need a very strong transfer window and have a lot of luck with injuries for us to be in with a chance I think. Anyway nice to be thinking like this because the last three seasons I would have been working out what was needed not to be relegated at this time of year.
I like the look of Marcus Madison as a cash plus player deal ,
Blue Steve says:
I find it bizarre that people have such high expectations. If you compare our wage bill to other championship teams – there are maybe 6 teams that have a lower wage bill. How can we expect flowing free scoring football. GR is doing an amazing job with thus squad and with a little wise investment could make the playoffs which tbh would be a miracle,
Totally agree Blue Steve. The little wise investment on DF and Tesche made such a difference last season. However of course GR will not get everything right but because of the finances we can only allow for a small margin of error. Dyer never did much of a job and it is early days but I feel the concern regarding BM and one or two others. If you go through the squad GR has achieved something very special to get us where we are on a squad devoid of quality and midfield creativity but generally well organised. I would suggest GR has over achieved on expectation from the point he took over but that only fuels our aspiration to believe we are a big enough club to be up amongst the Albion, Stoke, Watford etc We do not have a God given right to be up there and it seems to me that when we have had our two best managers we have been in a mess at the top. Love em or hate em I would like to have seen CH or GR work under the Sullivan regime. OK they were in it for the money, and they didn't quite get it right when the opportunity was there but compared what has happened since, even though we won the league cup under CY, it ihas been another world where so far GR has achieved miracles in the circumstances. I think we all look for a combination of results/entertainment. One day….
Of course, at the start of the season, if we'd been told we'd be in 8th place at Christmas we'd have all taken that in a heartbeat. We're where we are on merit, so it would be a crying shame not to invest a little bit and see how much further we can take it.
Dear Santa, could we please have a left back, a creative midfielder and a decent striker as Xmas prezzies please?
A new owner, the Villa relegated and promotion via the play off a week after they go down
Jazzzy786 says:
If we can't play 442 because our midfield is too weak then why not strengthen our midfield? If the manager knows what our weakness is shouldn't he be looking to address the problem. I was reading in the BM that he still doesn't know who his targets are and where he wants to strengthen


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Next Next post: Psalm 142–Really God, In a Cave?!


Follow John and Frances as they travel by airplane, train, bus, car, ship and tuk-tuk to wherever they next decide to go.
So what overseas travel do we have coming up? Our summer of 2019 venture to the fjords of Norway was canceled when the cruise ship we were scheduled to take failed to be launched. Maybe we'll try again some future year. We've replaced the cruise with a road trip through the upper mid-west, culminating in a cruise down the Mississippi to New Orleans. Looking farther out (spring of 2020) we plan to resume our Regent voyages, starting in Sydney and cruising to Abu Dhabi. The summer of 2020 we will be on several of the rivers of France. I suspect there will be several other journeys in between, but we've not made those decisions yet.


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Instead, what makes this case important and novel is the question of the liability of Shannon Vowell. The issue in question revolves around whether Shannon Vowell possessed liability for the injuries suffered by virtue of Candice Vowell's striking Buchanan with her car. How could liability exist?
It turns out Shannon and Candice Vowell consumed alcohol together at Brad's Gold Club and Shannon Vowell determined that, upon leaving, rather than call a cab or have Candice Vowell ride as a passenger in Shannon Vowell's car, the two would traverse the streets of Indianapolis in two vehicles with Candice Vowell leading and Shannon Vowell following. At the time of the accident, Shannon Vowell was following Candice Vowell in a separate vehicle, and was engaging Candice Vowell in a conversation on a cell phone. Under these facts, could Shannon Vowell be found liable?
Buchanan alleged that, at the time of the accident, Shannon Vowell knew Candice Vowell was operating her vehicle while intoxicated and knew, or should have known, that talking on her cell phone would further impair or distract Candice Vowell, making her even more dangerous to other persons using the streets. Buchanan further alleged that Shannon Vowell "negligently made the affirmative, conscious effort to call Candice Vowell, distracting her from maintaining a proper lookout."
In determining Shannon Vowell's liability, the court looked at the Restatement (Second) of Torts § 324(a) which provides "one who undertakes, gratuitously or for consideration, to render services to another which he should recognize as necessary for the protection of a third party or his things, is subject to liability to the third person for physical harm resulting from his failure to exercise a reasonable care to protect his undertaking, if (a) his failure to exercise reasonable care increases the risk of such harm or (b) he has undertaken a duty to perform a duty owed by the other to the third person or (c) the harm is suffered because of reliance of the other or the third person upon the undertaking."
The trial court chose to dismiss Shannon Vowell as a defendant. The Court of Appeals reversed and found that Shannon Vowell had acted in a negligent fashion by communicating with Candice Vowell on her cell phone when she knew that Candice Vowell was driving a car. The Court concluded that Shannon Vowell, as an individual, may have breached her duty of reasonable care "by calling and distracting a person she knew was operating a vehicle . . . ."
Perhaps you now see the potential significance of this case. One suspects that every day supervisors call, e-mail or even text "mobile" employees in the act of driving. It certainly appears an avenue now opens for employers to be liable for any action that occurs while the employee attempts to drive and text or talk via cell phone with the employer. While such a ruling would require an extension of the precise holding of Buchanan v. Vowell due to the added element of consumption of alcohol, it does not appear to be a difficult stretch. Wise employers will consider this case and set specific standards and protocols for when employees should and should not use their cell phones and text in the course of operating a company vehicle or carrying out company duties.
© 2003-2022, Ice Miller LLP National Law Review, Volume , Number 228
California Employee Required to Challenge Non-Compete Clause in Indiana
Anthony J Oncidi
Supreme Court Lets Gay Marriage Stand In Five States
Douglas M. Oldham
Unions Score Two Important Victories in Consecutive Weeks
Kenneth J. Yerkes
Indiana Court Lacks Jurisdiction Over Employee's Threat
Gerald F. Lutkus
David J. Carr is a partner in the Labor and Employment Group of Ice Miller, and Chair of the Employment Litigation Group, focusing his practice in the areas of personnel policies, employment discrimination, wage and hour law, and employment contracts involving trade secrets, confidential information and covenants against competition.
David is a veteran labor negotiator and has handled numerous labor arbitrations, union avoidance and other collective bargaining matters. He also possesses substantial experience representing employers in wrongful discharge lawsuits and...
david.carr@icemiller.com
www.icemiller.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


OP	 ARTE CINESE (Chinese Art). Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1954. Organized by the Commune of Venice in association with Italian Institute for the Mid and Far East, Rome. 162 pp. with 45 ills. (2 col.). 24 x 16 cm. In Italian.


text:
package main

import (
	"context"
	"encoding/json"
	"fmt"
	"log"
	"os/exec"
	"time"
)

// kubectlGetNodes lists nodes by executing kubectl get nodes, parsing the output into a nodeList object
func kubectlGetNodes(cmd string) (*nodeList, error) {
	if cmd == "" {
		cmd = "kubectl"
	}
	o, err := control.Output(exec.Command(cmd, "get", "nodes", "-ojson"))
	if err != nil {
		log.Printf("kubectl get nodes failed: %s\n%s", wrapError(err).Error(), string(o))
		return nil, err
	}

	nodes := &nodeList{}
	if err := json.Unmarshal(o, nodes); err != nil {
		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error parsing kubectl get nodes output: %w", err)
	}

	return nodes, nil
}

// isReady checks if the node has a Ready Condition that is True
func isReady(node *node) bool {
	for _, c := range node.Status.Conditions {
		if c.Type == "Ready" {
			return c.Status == "True"
		}
	}
	return false
}

// waitForReadyNodes polls the nodes until we see at least desiredCount that are Ready
// We can also pass requiredConsecutiveSuccesses to require that we see this N times in a row
func waitForReadyNodes(desiredCount int, timeout time.Duration, requiredConsecutiveSuccesses int) error {
	stop := time.Now().Add(timeout)

	consecutiveSuccesses := 0
	for {
		if time.Now().After(stop) {
			break
		}

		nodes, err := kubectlGetNodes("")
		if err != nil {
			log.Printf("kubectl get nodes failed, sleeping: %v", err)
			consecutiveSuccesses = 0
			time.Sleep(30 * time.Second)
			continue
		}
		readyNodes := countReadyNodes(nodes)
		if readyNodes >= desiredCount {
			consecutiveSuccesses++
			if consecutiveSuccesses >= requiredConsecutiveSuccesses {
				log.Printf("%d ready nodes found, %d sequential successes - cluster is ready",
					readyNodes,
					consecutiveSuccesses)
				return nil
			}
			log.Printf("%d ready nodes found, waiting for %d sequential successes (success count = %d)",
				readyNodes,
				requiredConsecutiveSuccesses,
				consecutiveSuccesses)
			time.Sleep(2 * time.Second)
		} else {
			consecutiveSuccesses = 0
			log.Printf("%d (ready nodes) < %d (requested instances), sleeping", readyNodes, desiredCount)
			time.Sleep(30 * time.Second)
		}
	}
	return fmt.Errorf("waiting for ready nodes timed out")
}

// countReadyNodes returns the number of nodes that have isReady == true
func countReadyNodes(nodes *nodeList) int {
	var ready []*node
	for i := range nodes.Items {
		node := &nodes.Items[i]
		if isReady(node) {
			ready = append(ready, node)
		}
	}
	return len(ready)
}

func kubectlGetPods(ctx context.Context, namespace string, labelSelector []string) (*podList, error) {
	args := []string{"-n", namespace, "get", "pods", "-ojson"}
	for _, ls := range labelSelector {
		args = append(args, "-l", ls)
	}
	o, err := control.Output(exec.CommandContext(ctx, "kubectl", args...))
	if err != nil {
		log.Printf("kubectl get pods failed: %s\n%s", wrapError(err).Error(), string(o))
		return nil, err
	}

	pods := &podList{}
	if err := json.Unmarshal(o, pods); err != nil {
		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error parsing kubectl get pods output: %w", err)
	}

	return pods, nil
}

// nodeList is a simplified version of the v1.NodeList API type
type nodeList struct {
	Items []node `json:"items"`
}

// node is a simplified version of the v1.Node API type
type node struct {
	Metadata metadata   `json:"metadata"`
	Status   nodeStatus `json:"status"`
}

// nodeStatus is a simplified version of the v1.NodeStatus API type
type nodeStatus struct {
	Addresses  []nodeAddress   `json:"addresses"`
	Conditions []nodeCondition `json:"conditions"`
}

// nodeAddress is a simplified version of the v1.NodeAddress API type
type nodeAddress struct {
	Address string `json:"address"`
	Type    string `json:"type"`
}

// nodeCondition is a simplified version of the v1.NodeCondition API type
type nodeCondition struct {
	Message string `json:"message"`
	Reason  string `json:"reason"`
	Status  string `json:"status"`
	Type    string `json:"type"`
}

// metadata is a simplified version of the kubernetes metadata types
type metadata struct {
	Name      string `json:"name"`
	Namespace string `json:"namespace"`
}

type podList struct {
	Items []pod `json:"items"`
}

type pod struct {
	Metadata metadata `json:"metadata"`
	Spec     podSpec  `json:"spec"`
}

type podSpec struct {
	NodeName string `json:"nodeName"`
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Here is another thing you may want to take a look if you are so passionate about iphoneography. Dubbed as Trygger Camera Clip, this tiny accessory is claimed to filter the incoming light, turning over your iPhone 5's native camera into a DSLR. Well, maybe it's not that much but if it is more brilliant images you want, this thing might help.
A few days ago, Trygger Camera Clip was officially featured on Kickstarter and apparently the developer team is looking to reach a funding goal of $10,000. The team plans to make it in two versions: the black and white one. Expected retail price is nearly $40 but you can pre order it for the price of $30. Well, actually, a pledge of $1 is enough to get you a unit of this sleek clip. But it's only available for 100 backers and you can bet it sold out like a hot cake. Check out the video below!
At its core, Trygger Camera Clip is actually pretty simple. It only utilizes a polarizing filter to layer your iPhone's camera. Still, we appreciate that it has an adjuster useful to control how much light you want. The filter itself is protected by a scratch resistant glass. It helps you get pictures with much richer colors while also removing ugly reflection, in case you take a shot near any reflective glasses.
There are a couple of things you should note, though. First, it the clip will cover your LED flash, so forget about using it in a dark. Second, the clip won't fit your iPhone if you have already used a case. Other than that, Trygger Camera Clip looks quite promising. If it is lots of lens attachments that you want, go for PentaEye or Orbit by Izzi.


text:
Q: Why is ",/default.aspx" being appended to the end of my URL I have a weird situation ...
I have a redirect to a url and when I look at the HTML in inspect element is is as follows: http://myTestsite.net/home/default.aspx, but when you click on the link it renders as "https://myTestsite.net/home/default.aspx,/default.aspx ... causing an error. any advice?
Here is the code : note: targetPath is "%20default.aspx"
  string targetPath = HttpUtility.UrlEncode(Core.Context.Current.Url);
                string secure = SiteUtil.IsSecureConnection(Request) ? "https://" : "http://";
                string targetDomain = Digitaria.Web.MBFI.UI.Data.Util.MobileCookieOverrideUtil.GetCookieOverrideMobileDomain(false);
                string viewFullLink = string.Format(@"
{4}
", targetDomain, "handlers/MobileSwitch.aspx", 1, targetPath, L.Full_Website).Replace("&", "&");
                phNav.Controls.Add(new LiteralControl(viewFullLink));

                phNav.Controls.Add(new LiteralControl("
"));

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Do you see this amazing bottle? I about lost it when my Essential Rewards order came in this month.
I was opening everything up and making sure everything was there, and it was. But when I got to the Young Living Lavender and Geranium bottles I squealed with delight!
The best part was I wasn't the only one! I had been home alone when I was opening up the box and I had them sitting on the coffee table in the living room. Well when my adorable daughter came into the room and she was looking over our monthly order she was excited enough about all of it being there. And then she saw the new Young Living Lavender and Geranium bottles and she about flipped her lid! I really wish I had been recording her reaction to the new bottles. She was so excited and she was oohing and aahing. Here it is a day later and she is still excited over the new labels.
She truly is her mothers daughter because there is no other way to put it.
Next postForgive Me, I've Been Gone!


Based in Sandpoint, Idaho, 7B Productions is a production company based on bringing community and creativity together. We're a full service company, offering stage, screen and business production services and entertainment.
All Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruise Fleet boats may be chartered for parties, weddings, reunions, business functions, receptions and other special occasions.


text:
Q: How can I build a graph from a file containing the traffic lines? I'm struggling with my project in Prolog. My problem is, given a file containing the traffic lines in the form of line(NameOfLine, Type, ListOfStations). For example:
line(m1, train, [a,b,c,d,e])
line(m2, train, [h,e,j,i])
...

where e is the intersecting station of two line (The real line file is very complicated and containing a dozen of lines with hundreds of stations). I have to do the classic graph question like find a routing, calculate the cost, etc.
I knew that I have to build a graph undirected before start, so I've tried something like this:
adjacent(X,Y,[X,Y|_]).
adjacent(X,Y,[_|T]) :- adjacent(X,Y,T).

find_edge(LArret) :- forall(adjacent(X, Y, LArret), assert(edge(X,Y))).

connected(X,Y) :- edge(X,Y) ; edge(Y,X).

graph :-
    forall(ligne(_,_,L),  find_edge(L)).

But I didn't get all the edges as expected. Can you guys give me some advice for that? Or was I wrong at very first for solving this kind of problem?

Supplementary question:
Thanks for the solution proposed and i've finally succeed to define the edges. Then i tried this algorithm classic to find a path betwwen A and B, but sometimes the search doesn't seem to end and sometimes the program stuck in searching.
connected(X,Y) :- edge(X,Y) ; edge(Y,X).

path(A,B,Path) :-
       travel(A,B,[A],Q),
       reverse(Q,Path).

travel(A,B,P,[B|P]) :-
       connected(A,B).
travel(A,B,Visited,Path) :-
       connected(A,C),
       C \== B,
       \+member(C,Visited),
       travel(C,B,[C|Visited],Path).

I think the reason could be a loop in the graph or a infinite loop in seraching, how can I avoid this kind of problem but still find all the path possible?

A: I was able to use the following code with your line/3 definitions to create your list of edge/2 definitions:
adjacent(X,Y, [X,Y|_]).
adjacent(X,Y, [_|T]) :- adjacent(X,Y, T).

adjacent_lines(X,Y) :- line(_,_,L), adjacent(X,Y, L).

:- forall(adjacent_lines(X, Y), assert(edge(X, Y))).

It created all applicable and valid edge/2 facts as specified by the line/3 facts.
(at least, with SWI-Prolog)


Featured Artist: *namirin | osu!
Soaring to her iconic osu! fame on the back of her cover of Yowamushi Pedal's Koi no Hime Hime Pettanko, *namirin (*なみりん) is all but the osu! community's first self-appointed idol.
Making her grand debut with her mini-album 5colors, *namirin is quickly building on the fame and following she has gathered as a highly popular Japanese-American utaite (YouTube/niconico singer) across dozens of vocal covers of popular Japanese and anime-related tracks.
Wielding her cutesy and quintessentially sweet voice, *namirin's lyrical mastery is very much the front-and-center of her work. Mappers familiar with osu!'s classic popularity of anime-related tracks and Japanese vocalists will find something familiar yet refreshing in her sound.


Visit Randy Wise Auto in Flint, MI for the 2017 or 2018 Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Jeep, Lincoln and Ram. I'm not saying all auto surf for cash sites are run by saints, the homeowners are just extraordinary people who want to make a residing on the Internet, and the business (like any other) has its share of rogues and thieves who will take your money and run, plus a number of inept site owners who just do not know find out how to run a business and lose everybody's cash.
Over the course of the previous 20-years, now we have by no means seen or heard of a case the place a dealership sold and the seller received much less blue sky due to site control, or the purchase value of the facility was discounted due to site management.
To make use of Android Auto on your phone phone display, you will want an Android cellphone working 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher and the Android Auto app. To make use of Android Auto on your automobile's in-dash display, you'll want an Android Auto appropriate automobile or aftermarket stereo, an Android cellphone working 5.zero (Lollipop) or higher and the Android Auto app.
As talked about earlier than, if the dent is positioned on a previous auto physique repair, making an attempt PDR might have disastrous results. Customers travel from cities resembling Plainfield, Noblesville, Martinsville, Shelbyville and Pendleton as a result of they know they will not find a higher deal on a used automotive than at TruWorth Auto.
This is neither a system nor secret, it is merely a process everybody who wants to earn a living on-line building area of interest sites MUST do! A number of Payment processors which permit gamers in your web site to pay through varied processors like Moneybookers, Paysafecard, Neteller, Ukash, and so forth.


text:
Fossil fuels - coal, petroleum oil, and natural gas - are concentrated organic compounds found in the Earth's crust. Fossil fuels make modern life possible.
The Institute for Energy Research conducts in-depth economic and policy research on energy and environmental issues. The follow studies provide an extensive analysis of fossil fuels as an energy resource, their impact on markets, and their importance in energy policy debates. Below these studies is an in-depth overview of fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels—coal, petroleum (oil), and natural gas — are concentrated organic compounds found in the Earth's crust. They are created from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago in the form of concentrated biomass. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), fossil fuels meet 81 percent [i] of U.S. energy demand.
Fossil fuels make modern life possible. These huge sources of energy work to generate steam, electricity and power transportation systems. They make the manufacturing of tens of thousands of commercial goods possible. And although fossil fuels have become synonymous with modern industrial society, their potential to solve some of the challenges of everyday existence has been understood throughout history.
Scattered records of the use of coal date to at least 1100 BC. By the Middle Ages, small mining operations began to spread in Europe, where coal was used for forges, smithies, lime-burners, and breweries. The invention of fire bricks in the 1400s made chimneys cheap to build and helped create a home heating market for coal. Coal was firmly established as a domestic fuel in much of Europe by the 1570s, and represented the major heating source for buildings, especially in cities located far from easy access to less energy-dense biomass forms.
Coal was the first of the fossil fuels to go into widespread use, displacing low-energy firewood as the leading source of fuel in the US, and triggering the country's industrialization in the second half of the 19th century. Within a few decades, the US went from a net importer of coal (mostly from Britain) to a major exporter of the fossil fuel, a development made possible by mining the nation's vast reserves of coal.
Oil was used in architectural adhesives, ship caulks, medicines, and roads in Mesopotamia around 3000 BC. Two thousand years later, the Chinese refined crude oil for use in lamps and home heating. The ancient Chinese also were pioneers in natural gas, using it to make salt from brine in gas-fired evaporators, boring shallow holes, and conveying the gas to evaporators via bamboo pipes. By the 19th century, natural gas was used extensively in Europe and the US as lighting fuel until it was displaced by Thomas Edison's electric light bulb.
Edwin Drake's successful extraction of oil at his well in northwestern Pennsylvania in 1859 marked the dawn of the age of petroleum. Petroleum's first decisive impact was displacing whale oil in lighting in the late 19th century. But it was the victory of the internal combustion engine over steam and electricity as the preferred means to propel the recently-invented automobile in the first decade of the 20th century that thrust petroleum into the prominence it still enjoys today. Fueled by gasoline made from inexpensive and readily available oil, internal combustion cars, notes Alan P. Loeb, "alone offered a combination of speed and power, range and infrastructure that gave motorists the ability to achieve the automotive purposes they desired."
Fossil Fuels Today: Oil, By the Barrel
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) credits fossil fuels for bringing about "one of the most profound social transformations in history."
Of the fossil fuels, none has had a more far-reaching effect on society than oil. Oil, in all its forms, is the "transportation fuel" that makes all modern modes of transportation possible and moves both people and goods around the world. Once the products of refined crude oil came into widespread use, the US, along with most of Europe and Japan, was transformed from an agrarian, subsistence and hand-to-mouth society for all but a few to an industrial society in which many shared a better life within a few decades.
Today, the most common products derived from oil are found in the energy sector: gasoline, heating oil, aviation fuels and diesel fuel. Oil is also the key ingredient in tens of thousands of consumer goods, including ink, plastic, dishwashing liquids, crayons, eyeglasses, deodorants, tires, ammonia, and heart valves. Each 42-gallon barrel of oil typically yields these refined products (percent of barrel)[ii]:
45.3% gasoline for use in automobiles
29.8% heating oil and diesel fuels
19.4% other products, including those derived from petroleum for the manufacturing of chemicals, synthetic rubber, and plastics.
9.7% jet fuel
2.1% asphalt
Included is a processing gain of 6.3 percent or 2.65 gallons. Thus, a 42-gallon barrel of crude oil in actuality yields 44.6 gallons of refined products.[iii]
The United States was once self-sufficient in oil, but began importing more oil than it produced in 1994. In 2015, 24 percent[iv] of the oil consumed in the US was imported from foreign countries. The top six source nations for net petroleum and petroleum product imports to the US in 2015 were Canada, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia and Russia.[v]
Despite the rapid growth of global demand for petroleum products, the EIA estimates that less than half the world's total conventional oil reserves will have been exhausted by 2030. These estimates include existing oil reserves and anticipated reserves resulting from new technologies and discoveries. World oil reserves at the end of 2014 totaled 1656 billion barrels[vi], over 3.1 times their level in 1971.[vii] The world's oil reserves have steadily increased even in the face of rising consumption.
Coal, by the "Short Ton"
Coal, the first of the fossil fuels to make its presence felt in the modern era, remains a major contributor to the world's energy pool. Once burned in chimneys to produce heat, today coal is widely used as fuel for power plants that generate electricity for residential and commercial customers. In fact, it accounts for over 30 percent of US electricity generation.[viii]
American coal production is currently the second highest in the world (behind China)[ix], delivering 895 million short tons in 2015.[x] The United States has a vast amount of in-place coal resources, over 10 trillion short tons[xi], and has the most technically recoverable coal in the world at 258.6 billion short tons[xii]. From mines around the country, coal is transported to over 500 power plants in the US in diesel-powered freight trains. Similarly, the coal the US exports to overseas markets is carried on ships powered by petroleum-based bunker fuel, a further example of one fossil fuel being used to transport another.
Natural Gas, by Trillions of Cubic Feet (TCF)
Today, the United States is the largest producer of natural gas (Russia is second), producing 27.1 trillion cubic feet in 2015.[xiii] The US consumed 27.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in 2015, importing the additional natural gas to meet its demand. By sector, US natural gas consumption in 2015[xiv] was:
33% Industrial
35% Electric Power
17% Residential
12% Commercial
3% Transportation
Led by the booming economies of China and India, growing global demand for energy is expected to secure the dominant position of fossil fuels for at least the next several decades.
Future Fossil Fuel Supply and Demand
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its Annual Energy Outlook 2015 predicts U.S. liquid fuels consumption to increase 3.3 percent between 2013 and 2020, and then to decline remaining above 2013 levels in 2040. Between 2013 and 2040, natural gas consumption is expected to increase by 13.4 percent and coal consumption by 5.6 percent.[xv] The EIA foresees fossil fuels maintaining their status as America's leading source of energy consumption between now and 2040, supplying 80 percent of our nation's energy needs in 2040.
America is endowed with huge quantities of fossil fuels. The responsible use of these resources has fueled our factories, furnaces, homes, highways and hospitals since their first use. Vast quantities exist in untapped forms that hold promise for generations to come. Access to these energy resources and the discovery of new technologies to safely and cleanly use them for the benefit of mankind is an ongoing challenge. Governmental decisions about the use of these energy resources have tended to place them out of reach of the American people, increasing our dependency on others for those supplies.
Because much of our future potential supplies of fossil fuels exist under lands owned by the federal government, its decisions will have a major bearing on how we live our lives. In 2008, in the midst of the highest gasoline price spike in history, President Bush revoked the executive moratoria on offshore drilling, and Congress did not renew its ban on drilling for offshore oil and natural gas. However, while the Bush Administration put forth an accelerated schedule for leasing the Outer Continental Shelf's oil resources, the Obama Administration extended the comment period on the Bush Administration lease offerings, delayed the ability for oil companies to purchases leases and to undertake exploratory drilling, and excluded most of the newly opened areas in its offshore lease plan for the 2012 to 2017 period. The net result of these actions is a decline in oil and gas production on federal lands, while production on private and state lands where permits take less time to process has been increasing.
[i] Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2016, http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec1_3.pdf .
[ii] Energy Information Administration, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pnp_pct_dc_nus_pct_a.htm .
[iii] Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html#How%20used .
[iv] Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2016, http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec3_3.pdf .
[v] Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2016, http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec3_11.pdf and http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec3_10.pdf
[vi] Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics, http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/IEDIndex3.cfm?tid=5&pid=57&aid=6 .
[vii] Institute for Energy Research, https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2008/08/26/has-oil-reached-its-peak/
[viii] Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2016, http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec7_5.pdf .
[ix] Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/IEDIndex3.cfm?tid=1&pid=7&aid=1 .
[x] Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2016, http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec6_3.pdf .
[xi] US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-077/ .
[xii] Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics, http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/IEDIndex3.cfm?tid=1&pid=7&aid=6
[xiii] Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2016, http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec4_3.pdf .
[xiv] Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 2016, http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec4_5.pdf .
[xv] Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2015, http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/pdf/tbla1.pdf


text:
Covid-19: Millions in England go into toughest restrictions
A stringent new lockdown has come into force in London and large parts of the east and south-east of England.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said tough rules are needed after a new variant of coronavirus caused cases to soar.
Nearly 18 million people entered tier four restrictions at midnight meaning they will not be able to mix with other households over Christmas.
In the rest of England, Scotland and Wales relaxed indoor mixing rules are cut from five days to Christmas Day.
The toughest restrictions – similar to England's second national lockdown – applies to all areas in the South East currently in tier three, covering Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey (excluding Waverley), Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Rother and Hastings.
It also applies in London (all 32 boroughs and the City of London) and the East of England (Bedford, Central Bedford, Milton Keynes, Luton, Peterborough, Hertfordshire and Essex (excluding Colchester, Uttlesford and Tendring).
Tier four restrictions:
People elsewhere will be advised not to travel into a tier four area.
The changes for England, announced at a Downing Street briefing on Saturday, will last for two weeks with the first review due on 30 December.
In Scotland, Covid restrictions will only be relaxed on Christmas Day, with mainland Scotland being placed under the tightest restrictions from Boxing Day.
A ban on travel to the rest of the UK will also apply over the festive period.
In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford said the country will be placed into lockdown from midnight.
In Northern Ireland, no changes have been made to Christmas restrictions, with three households allowed to meet from 23 to 27 December. The country is set to enter a six-week lockdown from 26 December.
The PM's announcement came just days after he defended plans to relax restrictions for five days during the festive period – despite calls by some in the medical profession to scrap the change.
Mr Johnson told the Downing Street briefing on Saturday that he knew how "disappointing" the news would be, but said he believed there was no alternative.
Scientists have warned that a new variant of the coronavirus variant is more infectious and spreading more rapidly leading Mr Johnson to say the government had to "change our method of defence".
The prime minister said analysis suggested the new variant could increase the R number – which indicates if an epidemic is growing or shrinking – by 0.4 or more.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who raised the prospect of tougher restrictions in the Commons on Wednesday, said he was "really frustrated".
"Millions of families will be heartbroken by having Christmas plans ripped up," Sir Keir said.
Following Saturday's announcement, the Dutch government announced it was banning passenger flights between the Netherlands and the UK from 05:00 GMT Sunday, until 1 January at the latest.
The steep increase in the proportion of coronavirus cases linked to this new variant is strong evidence that it is driving transmission.
In London, 28% of cases were as a result of this new mutation in mid-November, but that has now increased to more than 60%.
It may explain why, during the second lockdown, cases started to increase in London, while in Kent the tier three measures appear to have had little impact in recent weeks.
As England's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty says, this is a bad moment, but there is also some hope.
Mutations happen all the time – there have been thousands of variations to this coronavirus since it emerged – and there is nothing to suggest this causes more serious illness or will hamper the effectiveness of the vaccine.
The prime minister announced 350,000 people had been given the first dose of the vaccine in the first two weeks of the programme.
In the coming weeks, the number of GP-led vaccination clinics should increase six-fold, while approval of a second vaccine made by Oxford University could pave the way for mass vaccination centres to be set up in sports stadiums and conference centres.
That could see two million people a week being vaccinated. Within a matter of months all the over-65s could have been offered a jab. This could then start to feel very different.
But for now, the slog of the pandemic continues – and for many it just got harder.
Mr Johnson is also facing criticism from within Conservative Party ranks.
Mark Harper, chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs – which has been highly critical of the government's strategy – called for Parliament to be recalled so MPs could debate and vote on the changes.
British Chambers of Commerce director general Adam Marshall asked what support would be available for companies whose cash flow projections "have once again been thrown into chaos".
In other developments:
Fire-hit Royston church marks Christmas in innovative way
Covid-19: Our duty to act over Christmas plans, says Matt Hancock


Our nonprofit organization gives Hope to families in the coffee farming regions of Honduras. Serve Hope International provides a direct way for people to help families living in extreme poverty. Our goal is to raise awareness of these needs and provide oversight for the different community improvement projects.
A native of Beaumont, Texas, Mark is the President and Founder of Serve Hope International. In 2001, they left the United States to serve the Honduran people in the area of community development. Through Mark's education in construction and architecture, his main passion is to serve the poor in the underdeveloped world. Mark has over sixteen years of experience in developing projects for orphanages, hospitals, seminaries, schools, and housing for various communities and organizations. Mark and Michelle live with their five children in Rockwall, Texas.
A native of Orange, Texas, James is the Vice President of Serve Hope International. Over the years they have made numerous trips to various locations throughout Honduras and have served local churches with community development projects. James is a practicing attorney for a private corporation. They live with their three children in Katy, Texas.
A Houston native, Jeff serves as board member of Serve Hope International. They have served as a family with their four children on various international trips to Central America. Jeff uses his real-estate expertise in serving as Vice President of a national commercial real-estate firm. Jenny is a teacher for two of their children and helps with various ministries in Houston. They live with their four children in Houston, Texas.


With most of Peninsular India under upper level High Pressure zone yesterday saw Rains over Tamil Nadu ease with only a few places in Tirunelveli & Kanyakumari districts recording moderate rains. Other parts of South Tamil Nadu saw isolated rains while delta region saw rains at one or two places. North Tamil Nadu was pretty much dry most of the places.
This subdued rains over Tamil Nadu is expected to continue for a few more days as the rains are expected to be pretty much confined to extreme South Tamil Nadu with one or two places in the Kanyakumari & Tirunelveli districts receiving moderate spells of rains at times. Most places of Tamil Nadu is going to remain fairly dry.
There is a possibility of some thundershowers developing over the interior parts of Tamil Nadu due to some bit of convergence on account of a weak disturbance still lingering around Sri Lanka, but it appears due to the absence of upper level moisture we could see this not develop at or possibly give some light rains at isolated places to the West of Chennai .
Chennai Weather Update: Another fairly quite day on the cards with partly cloudy skies and a max day time temperature of about 30°C. As things stand rains look unlikely though one or two places receiving isolated passing showers could not be ruled out. Expect the nights to be nippier and possibly the early morning to be around 22°C.


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Care Minister faces questions on mistreatment of autistic and learning disabled people
Lauren Nicolle
At a recent Health and Social Care Committee hearing, the Care Minister, Helen Whately was asked to explain the high number of deaths in young autistic and learning disabled people and why their mistreatment continues, with no notable change in the last decade.
Following the two previous evidence sessions, the inquiry raised with the Minister poor experiences of inpatient care, including ongoing concerns about the unnecessary use of restraint, segregation and seclusion for autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities.
Personal experiences were put to the Minister, with the panel's key questions being: why are so many people with learning disabilities and autism dying so young? Why are there still more than 2,000 people in inpatient units, many of whom are receiving inadequate care? Why are restraints and isolation still regularly practiced? Why – 10 years on from Winterbourne View and the Transforming Care programme – does it seem as though nothing has changed?
People with learning disabilities should not be expected to die young
The inquiry began with a personal testament from Bengi O'Reilly, whose autistic child is currently in an assessment and treatment unit (ATU) after she began suffering with her mental health and hit crisis point in 2018. Bengi tells of the complete lack of support her daughter received and how she was repeatedly told to bring her to A&E, which she knew would only make her condition worse. Eventually, Bengi's daughter was moved to an ATU, hundreds of miles away in Wales, and that's where she still is today. She is completely cut off from the community, with no mobile phone or any way of contacting her family.
Before the pandemic, Bengi visited her daughter and shortly after her arrival, her daughter was "torn away" from her and restrained. There is no estimated date for her discharge and no clear goals that need to be met in order for her to be discharged. Bengi says the problem is that inpatient units are too generalised and the staff are not trained to manage the complex needs of autistic and learning disabled people. She says there should be specific units for autism and trained specialists who work with the families to provide properly planned care strategies.
Dr Sara Ryan spoke next about her experience of the inpatient system. Tragically, her son who was admitted to an ATU in 2013, died while under the hospital's care. Connor was autistic and had epilepsy; he drowned after having a seizure in the bath, while he was meant to be under the supervised watch of staff. Sara had to fight ferociously to find out what happened to Connor, after his death certificate said he died of "natural causes". Connor's death is now a well-known story and led to 'the Mazars review', an inquest into the deaths of all patients with mental ill health or learning disabilities between 2011 and 2015.
Sadly, these stories are only the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of people with learning disabilities and autism have died preventable deaths, which are often recorded as death by "natural causes". If there is one thing the panel agreed on, it's that this needs to stop and people with learning disabilities should not be considered lesser than the general population and should not be expected to die young. Just recently, the death of Laura Booth bought this topic back into the public eye. Laura died while in hospital for a routine eye operation. At the time, her death was also attributed to natural causes and yet five years down the line, the coroner has ruled her death was partly caused by malnutrition as a result of neglect.
"Patients remain powerless, providers are powerful"
Dr Sara Ryan highlights that her son died eight years ago now and yet we're still in the same position as we were all that time ago. We keep hearing the same, tragic stories, which are discussed at length and greatly sympathised with, yet no real action is being taken and no real change is happening. Sara says that an independent review is necessary for every autistic or learning disabled person who died in care. As all too often, deaths that would be considered a crime are brushed under the carpet when they happen in an ATU. She said: "We need to hold people to account, we need to take action, we need to decide how much we are prepared to spend, how much we are prepared to enforce and how much we are prepared to scrutinise."
Rosie Cooper asks Helen Whatley why we are still in this situation when so many have set out with the ambition to change it, and presses the Minister on what she is going to do to achieve this "dramatic change". She said: "Many have tried to change the system, and you've all been very sympathetic, but you've all failed. Meanwhile, patients remain powerless, providers are powerful, and in this sense the NHS is acting as an accomplice, and government is the mechanism. We need to start acting. The response to the pandemic has shown that if we really wanted to do something we could, we've just got to spend the money differently. We need to ban or at least monitor inpatient stays, value the lives of patients. So, what is actually stopping the necessary change? Nothing's going to change unless you do something and act. Stop talking and listening, act."
The Care Minister responded by saying the key thing to improve is training, and the Oliver McGowan training programme is currently being trialled and will be rolled out once it is effective. However, she says we are still facing multiple barriers that are preventing this immediate change from occurring. These are: lack of support in community (and lack of clarity of what good looks like in the community), failures in transitions to adulthood, problems with funding, specific challenges of those who have Ministry of Justice (MOJ) restrictions, shortage of appropriate housing and gaps in the workforce.
The current funding package set out by the Minister is only enough for 1 in 8 people
Barbara Keeley argues that the key thing holding us back is a lack of funding. She challenges the Minister on her funding plan, stating that the £25 million she has committed for the next three years of community services is simply not enough. She explains that the average cost for a former inpatient to be cared for in the community is £66,000 a year. This means the current package is only enough for 1 in 8 people, and there is no guarantee or funding after those three years. Keeley compares this to the cost of inpatient settings, stating that according to the latest figures (which are from 2013) NHS England spent £557 million a year on inpatient care for people with learning disabilities and autism. This figure highlights that the current funding plan is way off the mark.
The Minister says that the £25 million is for supporting the discharge process and she has established a piece of work to look into the funding of community care, which she is yet to receive the answers from. She agreed that inpatient units are very expensive and are "rarely the right answer", and when they are absolutely necessary, they must be of "therapeutic value". She said: "I think I'm being quite clear that I share with you, and others, that this a system that needs to change and there is a set of steps in progress…to make to make that change happen. It's not simple, these are complex things; this involves action across governments, local authorities and the NHS. So, there is not one simple answer, but there is a whole load of work going on to make it happen."
A 10-year plan for the social care sector will be published later this year
Claire Murdoch, the National Mental Health Director, was also questioned by the committee. Claire stressed that she is a great advocate for the Trieste model and believes good partnership is essential to good care. Currently, she says there are big gaps in autism care but the NHS is building credible, 24/7 community crisis alternatives as part of the long-term plan.
Rosie Cooper puts to her that some high-risk individuals with learning disabilities or autism are not capable of living in the community. When asked what they need in terms of specialist care, Claire said: "There needs to be a pathway of care, where you're really clear about how you step people down through the system, back to supported local care. There are models that are highly effective and it's our hope that we can invest more in those models of care, particularly as we close more beds. Where there is a need for inpatient facilities… they need to be palaces, they need to be really excellent environmentally, in terms of the clinical offering and so forth."
Although this meeting was the final evidence session of the inquiry, the Health and Social Care Committee say they will continue to investigate the lack of progress made by the Government.
The Minister has confirmed that a 10-year plan for the social care sector will be published later this year. Consultation will begin before the plan is published in order to involve all of those who have expertise, views and interests in the social care reform proposal.


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Mujeres, Fronteras y Sus Historias – Women, Borders and Their Stories
Las voces que no se pueden callar – Una revista bilingüe
← Marcela Legarde: Un Entrevista
Recovering Bodies, Unraveling Dark Secrets: Remains of Unknown Migrants Excavated From a Falfurrias Cemetery →
South Texas Women Raise Their Voices
Brownsville, TX. A report, Nuestra Voz, Nuestra Salud, Nuestro Texas: The Fight for Women's Reproductive Health in the Rio Grande Valley, published in November 2013, reveals a women's health crisis surrounding the reproductive health and rights of females of all ages in the Rio Grande Valley, but especially vulnerable are women in child-bearing age and beyond. In 2011, the State legislature slashed funding earmarked for family planning by two-thirds, leaving the already meager services for women in a dire condition.
The most vulnerable are reproductive age women that are within or below the poverty level, immigrant status that is undocumented as well as "resident" in some cases, with children, and a spouse that is unemployed or underemployed, or may be a single parent.
Read the report.
Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for insurance under the Affordable Care Act and do not qualify for "tax credits."
Individuals who have the DACA status (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as the "Dreamers") are excluded from accessing the Affordable Care Act insurance.
To qualify for Medicaid, the families' annual income must be 25 percent below the federal poverty level (Example: just over $6,000 for a family of 5), therefore many women and/or their families DO NOT QUALIFY for these funds.
Women in South Texas (el valle) are twice as likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and die from the decease.
The report, Nuestra Voz, Nuestra Salud, Nuestro Texas: The Fight for Women's Reproductive Health in the Rio Grande Valley is a result of an investigation in 2012-2013 by the Center for Reproductive Rights and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health to assess the impact of the 2011 budget reductions and new policies on women's health care in the valley, specifically in a four-county region straddling the US/Mexico border including Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo, and Starr counties.
For the purposes of this review two questions are foregrounded plus a CALL FOR ACTION:
What are the changes? How have the reproductive health services changed for women, and how is it different from before the 2011 budget cuts?
What is the impact? How are women affected, particularly in the selected counties in South Texas?
What should be done? The report is clearly meant to educate the public and to bring into focus a need to take action.
The Women Participants
188 women participated by answering specific, focused questions and providing feedback, individually and as a group. The women were selected because of their experiences and understanding of the issues on a first-hand basis. The interviews and group discussions were held in community centers, health centers, churches and private homes in cities and in rural areas as well as isolated communities known as colonias (unincorporated residential communities that often lack the basic infrastructure such as indoor plumbing, electricity, and paved roads). Ten of the 49 women that were individually interviewed were promotoras (a public health worker/educator that is closely tied to the community due to shared language, culture, and life experiences and serves as liaison between social and health services and the community). The majority of the women were either citizens or residents (55 percent), and 39 percent were emigrants from Mexico without documentation papers. The women, mostly between 20 and 40 years of age, lived in or around the cities where the meetings were held: Rio Grande City, San Juan, Mission, Edinburg, Alamo, Donna, Lasara, and Brownsville.
The women, whose household incomes were in the range or below the federally defined poverty levels, reported that the cost factor was the main barrier to accessing reproductive health care, from even the basic contraceptive counseling services and supplies to the urgently needed mammograms and ultrasound exams. Even though 78 percent had health insurance, in most cases, the coverage was not enough since co-pays and other fees were beyond their reach financially.
Before the 2011 legislative budget cuts, family planning clinics, the largest being Planned Parenthood, serviced 19,595 women; after the cuts the number of women serviced by family planning clinics went down to 5,470 – a 72 percent drop!!
Statewide, 40 percent of women who had access to family planning in 2010 do not have access to these services today due to the budget cuts.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD, the largest and long-serving provider of family planning services was the "target" behind the drastic cuts in family planning services. Legislators who disapproved of abortion services providers proposed (and subsequently passed) the "affiliate rule," excluding Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving Women's Health Program (WHP) funds, simply by refusing federal matching funds. Even though some Planned Parenthood (PP) clinics had one of its services to provide abortions, these are proportionately small in comparison to the other women's health services that they provided. And, not all the PP centers provided abortion services. In the four counties highlighted in the report, 9 out of 10 funded family planning clinics have closed. The two WHP funded centers, Planned Parenthood, have since shuttered.
The legislature responded by approving funds for the newly formed Texas Women's Health Program that replaced the dissolved Women's Health Program, for the purpose of enforcing the affiliate rule and to create uncharted venues for the federal funds that they withheld.
Planned Parenthood clinics were of great value to the women in South Texas. The newly organized distribution of funds is mainly earmarked for community health centers, restricting funding for Planned Parenthood. Historically, these community centers have reached only a fraction of the women that need health services, so a new strategy is required to radically change the system of women's health services.
Women are simply denied basic reproductive services or access has been extremely restricted. The few clinics that are opened and available for the women are so few, and scheduling appointments for routine services require women to wait a much longer time than before the cuts. Transportation is an issue for many women, and public bus service is hardly available. Women have reported that there are no clinics in the area that provide mammogram exams or ultrasounds; private physicians and hospitals or clinics are too expensive for the women.
But, the impact of the reduction of funds specifically aimed to assist women, and the damage caused as a result of these cannot be measured in concrete terms. Each of the women featured in the report talks about how they have been personally affected, and their stories are tragic, heartening, and frustrating. They open our eyes to the real problems and how decisions at the State level can directly affect them, and other women.
The women featured in the report talk about the kinds of concerns that all women worry about. Some of these include the need to remove cervical cysts, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, lumps in the breasts or painful areas in the breasts; and the need for contraceptive supplies. Cervical cancer rates are double compared to other groups of women, another source of great concern for the women from South Texas.
Women who seek abortions must either travel by car or bus for six hours to the nearest abortion provider/clinic, or self- induce an abortion, which can be dangerous and life threatening. Unfortunately, economic circumstances force women to opt for the latter.
What specifically can be done to address the crisis?
1. Immediately! Provide adequate state and federal funding for women, especially ones that are in a desperate medical condition.
2. Provide necessary resources to women that live in rural communities, ensuring quality care, both preventive and on an emergency basis.
3. Revoke the "affiliate rule" so that funding from the federal government can be restored.
4. The State should participate in the expanded version of Medicaid, and allow immigrant women and their families to participate as well as allow their children to enroll in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
WHY ACT?
The Texas legislature took drastic measures to reduce the essential resources for women's reproductive health. However, the kinds of action taken by the State government is reflective of a kind of "war" raging across our country, primarily by politicians and organizations that have embraced a conservative, right-wing agenda and use their abundant resources to attack the most vulnerable members of our society. The case of the South Texas women in the investigative report is a prime example of the consequences of the actions of a few powerful, influential, and self-centered individuals and groups. The only way by which we can insure that our country is a democracy and not a plutocracy is to raise our voices and take action so we can be heard and not allow others to make the decisions that solely belong to the women.
Posted by Irma Guadarrama on January 28, 2014 in Uncategorized
In the Shadow of the Half Moon: Stories of Central American Women in Search of a New Life
SNAPSHOT: Central American Migration – Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras
Migration From El Salvador to the United States Largely Due to Street Gang Violence and Related Factors
In the Shadow of the Half Moon: MAPS AND GRAPHS
Educational Policy Change in Guatemala: Conflict, Social Justice, and Power
Human Rights Abuses Among C.A. Migrants on the Rise
Entrevista con Marcela Legarde por Bea del Cid (1850 Televisión) Legarde es un mexicana feminista, escritora
Mujer Semilla Mujeres Mexicanas siembran para un mejor futuro.
Rape in the Fields
Violación de un sueño
Violence Against Women Hackathon People working together to solve problems of violence against women.
Irma Guadarrama
Comisión especial de la cámara de diputados México
Contra los Femicidios Honduras – en memoria de ellas.
Fundamujer Venezuela – Prevención violencia doméstica.
Grupo de Mujeres Ixchel Guatemala
Inter-American Commission of Women Inter-governmental agency.
La Casa del Encuentro Argentina, casa para las mujeres
Mujeres Populares y Diversas Colombia, Ecuador, Brasil, Peru
Observatorio ciudadano nacional de feminicidios México – alianza de 49 organizaciones
ORMUSA El Salvador – Organización de mujeres salvadoreñas
Unetelatinoamérica Fin a la violencia contra las mujeres Latinoamérica y el caribe
Web Site Links
Mujeres, Fronteras y Sus Historias - Women, Borders and Their Stories


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The Book of Predictions was a book published in 1981 and written by David Wallechinsky, Amy Wallace, and Irving Wallace, the authors of The Book of Lists.  Written in the same type of style (i.e., lists), it includes lists of predictions by scientists, science fiction authors, politicians, and others.
Other contents include:
  "18 Greatest Predictors of All Time" including the Great Pyramid of Cheops, Mother Shipton, Nostradamus, and Edgar Cayce.
  "The 6 Greatest Predictions of All Time":  The Ides of March, St. Malachy's predictions of future popes, a prediction of the Titanic's sinking, and Jeane Dixon's prediction of the Assassination of John F. Kennedy.
  "The Worst Predictions of All Time", ranging from "legitimate" failures (the British Parliament stating the incandescent light would never work) to psychic fails (Muhammad Ali would be elected to Congress in a non-election year).
  The Book of Predictions Contest.  The winners receive a housekeeping robot (if available) or personal appointments with famous psychics.  Winners were chosen in 1982.

References

1980 non-fiction books
Books by David Wallechinsky
Books by Amy Wallace
Books by Irving Wallace
Collaborative non-fiction books
William Morrow and Company books


An activist has posted a petition seeking to stop the development and rollout of 5G technology over fears it is "an experiment on humanity and the environment."
Arthur Firstenberg's petition to world leaders calls for 5G plans to be scrapped.
"Every person on Earth will have instant access to super-high-speed, low-latency wireless communications from any point on the planet, even in rainforests, mid-ocean and the Antarctic," the petition reads.
"What is not widely acknowledged is that this will also result in unprecedented environmental change on a global scale. . . . Despite widespread denial, the evidence that radio frequency (RF) radiation is harmful to life is already overwhelming."
5G is the next generation of communication, both broadband and wireless. Some companies already offer 5G broadband for use in homes, but wireless 5G is slated to be introduced starting this year as the massive infrastructure it requires is built.
5G has been in development for a decade and will allow download speeds up to 20 times faster than the current 4G standard.
Firstenberg, who already has more than 40,000 signatures on his petition, warned of grave dangers posed by 5G. He said electromagnetic fields can result in several ailments, including heart arrhythmias, cancer, obesity and diabetes, and stress. Children can also be plagued by autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and asthma, according to the petition.
Several cell phone service providers will debut 5G phones later this year. That list of devices will not include those made by Apple, which does not plan to release a 5G-capable phone — which requires different technology to access the 5G network — until at least 2020.


Investigators from the United Arab Emirates have determined that a Japanese oil tanker damaged in the Straits of Hormuz last month was struck by an explosive-filled boat in an act of terrorism. "A responsible source at the UAE Coast Guard said that investigations and an examination carried out by specialised teams had confirmed that the tanker had been the subject of a terrorist attack," according to official UAE news agency WAM.
The report came after an Al-Qaeda-linked group, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, claimed responsibility on its website for the suicide attack. The M Star oil tanker, filled with 270,000 tons of oil, was damaged on 28 July in the Strait of Hormuz after heading from the UAE port of Das Island to Japan.
If Al Qaeda's capabilities and willingness to open a front in the region are indeed enhanced as this attack implies, there will be an increased threat against targets in the GCC. While the GCC security forces have traditionally been able to ensure such threats do not materialize, an increase in the threat level will put further pressure on those states, particularly on Western assets.