We are pleased to announce the release of the LogRhythm Phishing Intelligence Engine (PIE), an integrated application with LogRhythm's Threat Lifecycle Management (TLM) platform.
What is Phishing Intelligence Engine (PIE)?
LogRhythm's PIE can help streamline and automate the entire process of tracking, analyzing, and responding to phishing emails. PIE helps fight one of the most commonly used methods for network infiltration—the phishing attack–to give you back valuable work time.
PIE is an open-source PowerShell framework that integrates with the LogRhythm TLM platform to help provide phishing attack detection and response to your organization. Built around Office 365, with the goal of expanding into on premise exchange in the near future, PIE continuously evaluates Message Trace logs for malicious content and dynamically responds as threats are identified or emails are reported.
Click here to view and download PIE.
The PIE framework consists of multiple scripts that are centered around the LogRhythm SIEM and work together to automate detection and response to cyberattacks. These scripts can be used with or without LogRhythm PIE was not built to replace any existing phishing prevention toolsets—its goal is to help fill in your current detection capabilities gaps.
PIE currently takes advantage of the following API integrations for analysis and project management. Note: Please let us know what tools you're using, we're always looking for new ways to improve our detections!
Office 365 Message Trace Logging is at the core of the PIE infrastructure, allowing for the ingestion and dynamic analysis of email as these messages traverse your environment. Integrating this data with LogRhythm allows for quick and easy searching across all email data within your environment, via dashboards and drill-down analyst views.
Once this email data is flowing into your SIEM, you can integrate with the LogRhythm Threat Intelligence Services (TIS) to trigger alarms on known spammers and other malicious events within the data.
However, the data you generate internally is typically the best threat intel for your company. Therefore, every reported phishing attack that crosses a threshold is automatically added to an internal threat list, for alarming and possible blocking in the future.
Now alarms are great and all, but the real meat of the PIE centers around Security Automation and Orchestration (SAO). For every alarm that fires, you can choose to have automated actions take place. This can be anything from quarantining mail from every recipient within the company, to changing credentials, to adding blocks on senders—ensuring that specific user can no longer phish the organization.
To set up these automated actions, you can run LogRhythm's SmartResponse directly from the LogRhythm dashboard, or you can perform these actions outside of your SIEM altogether, using the O365-Ninja PowerShell script.
Regardless of how you decide to respond to events within your network, you have the option of using either the SmartResponse or the O365-Ninja PowerShell script to create and update LogRhythm cases for every event. This is very useful for tracking metrics, analyzing threat content within a message, and much more.
In addition to the case that is created within the SIEM, PIE uses a weighted scoring mechanism to determine the risk of the email in question. Assuming the email passes the defined threshold of risk, PIE can act on malicious emails and automatically quarantine the email from all recipients within the company, documenting every step of the process within the LogRhythm case.
PIE will also create a raw case file containing all data related to the phishing attack, including a report containing general data about the email in question. This allows for quick and easy analysis, plus ongoing and persistent storage of all phishing attack cases—helping out significantly with metrics and reporting.
Metrics are tracked over time via tagging within the SIEM to create easy reporting and accountability.
The key to making everything work well together is with end-user reporting and education. To help with this, LogRhythm developed a Microsoft Outlook button that can be integrated with the end-user's Outlook client.
This button takes the currently viewed email and sends it along to the pre-defined phishing inbox as an attachment, resulting in easy processing and full automation. Even without the button, you can ask your organization to forward emails to a defined phishing inbox as an attachment, and PIE will take care of the rest.
Using the report phishing button, or simply employing phishing reporting protocol, will effectively free up your time. With PIE, you can focus on more interesting and pressing tasks, as opposed to digging through commodity phishing emails and responding to clicked links.
Take a bite out of the PIE and let us know what other integrations you would like to see in the future by commenting below.


indieBerlin are excited to present Fever, the latest live video from Ukrainian electronic artist and composer Cepasa.
Filmed at Malaya Opera in up and coming counterculture music capital Kiev, it's a clear example of his unique experimentalism which seems to have drawn him quite a following. A mix of house, techno and electronica, it's difficult to put a pin in the genre Cepasa subscribes to – not that you'd want to, of course, as part of the charm is not knowing what to expect or where he's going with his beats.
With an ethereal and mellow atmosphere, the intriguingly layered melodies and meditative dronal textures seem to be significant features of his latest record Dark Beauty, released in November 2018. It's a refreshing take on downtempo, standing as an eyebrow-raising blend of different styles and techniques. His latest single Fever is out today – a snappy combination of husky vocals and raw and captivating movements. It's clean and minimal, not needing any excessive decoration to say what he needs to say.
Beautifully produced and authentically slick, the artist otherwise known as Pavlo Lenchenko is definitely one to watch. As an artist, he certainly seems to be cementing himself in the electronica scene: you'll find updates on gigs near you here (if this live video is anything to go by, it's a show you don't want to miss).
Like what you hear? Take a look at Cepasa's Facebook and Spotify, or support him through iTunes here – shout out to tvlab for motion design.


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Past And Present In The Islamic Republic
by Shane Brennan4 months ago2 comments
Sajad said: Travellers to Iran often comment on the difference between the image of the country abroad and the reality on the ground. He drew again on the water-pipe allowing me time to digest this further observation from his personal experience with foreigners. As a mining engineer he had occasional contact with businessmen from other countries, mostly from China but Europeans too.
I was inclined to counter that the observation was universal but the relaxing effect of the pipe didn't encourage debate. Besides, as I later thought of it, the case of Iran was surely different given the indelible impression which the Islamic Republic has made on the Middle East since the revolution which brought it into existence forty years ago. At least until the 21st century rise of Salafism in the Sunni world, the term fundamentalism was almost synonymous with Iran, which itself cultivated a religious image and held it out as an exemplar for other Islamic states. Yet fundamentalist certainly wasn't a term I would have used to describe Sajad, or his relatively liberal family, nor the majority of people whom I had met so far over the course of two extended journeys across the country. Still, I wondered if I had really experienced enough myself to be able to make the same comment as the one Sajad had reported.
From Trump and spiralling exchange rates the conversation turned to Bam's local history. Although famed for extensive date palm groves and a sprawling, UNESCO listed, medieval fortress, the city has become better known for a devastating earthquake. In a matter of moments on a freezing night in late December 2003 Bam's burnt brick architecture imploded. When I expressed surprise at the shock's brevity, Sajad called across the living room to his mother, who broke off from a soap opera to confirm what her son had already said. 'Twelve seconds.' To my fairly innocent ear (I had been in an earthquake once, in Athens in 1999) it seemed too short a time to account for so great a disaster in human and material terms. Sajad, his mother and two sisters, one a teacher the other a doctor, were alone in the house when it struck. They all survived, although many cousins, friends and neighbours did not. Estimates vary but on conservative reckoning at least 25,000 people died.
Rubble mound, Bam, Iran | Photo Credit: Shane Brennan
Driving about Bam, as in every other city in Iran, one is constantly reminded of another national tragedy, one which claimed the lives of up to a million Iranians. The faces of the young men which flutter from nearly every lamp post recall the local cost in blood of the war with Iraq which began in 1980 and continued until 1988. Even with this much greater timescale, the casualty numbers again feel somehow abstract. Museums, memorials and murals across the land, with their forensic detailing of events and hagiographic imagery, do, though, begin to make the impact of the war more tangible. From a visit to the museum of the Holy Defence in Kerman, my previous stop, I carried in my head images of agonising death and willing sacrifice in the minefields which ranged along the borderland between the two countries. It is arguably these more than any single battle or army general which define that war. Against that cult of death, a celebration and continuity of the martyrdom of Hussein and his followers at Karbala in 680 CE, the bellicosity of an American president didn't feel as if it carried a lot of weight.
After a tour of the famous fortress, not yet fully restored after the earthquake, Sajad drove me out to a palm grove on the outskirts of Bam. It was one of hundreds so that it felt we were wandering about in a forest of palms. The key ingredient in this desert climate was water, and here it was supplied by a network of man-made underground channels which has made farming in the region possible for over a thousand years. The qanat system taps aquifers via deep wells from whose bases gently sloping tunnels carry the water, sometimes many kilometres, to a distribution point. At this one a ruckus of youngsters cooled off from the searing heat by submerging themselves in the swirling outlet channels. I had first seen these extraordinary structures on the opposite side of the Gulf, where they are known as falaj and also considered indigenous technology. They may be — the oldest such system uncovered so far, dating to the late 4th millennium B.C.E, is in Oman — though some archaeologists consider separate (polycentric) innovation rather than diffusion to be the most likely explanation for early inventions in the region (another notable one is the Bādgīr, 'wind-catcher', an ingenious air-cooling system for homes).
On the way back into the city we came upon two large artificial mounds, incongruous against the flatness of the plain. We drove to the top of the larger one, winding slowly up the dusty track which wrapped around the structure like a crude spiral ramp. From the top, the great extent of the palm groves from where we had just come was apparent as was the fresh architectural profile of the city. In fact, as I learned on the way up, we were literally standing on the old one, the rubble that had had to be collected and disposed of in the weeks and months after the 2003 earthquake. As you looked closer, the detritus offered hints of former function: a chunk of porcelain from a bathroom; a single yellow child's plastic sandal. Except for an uninspiring sculpture thirty kilometres away in a pleasure park, and a damaged municipality building left as it had been abandoned, nothing else served as a visible memorial. This surely hadn't been intended to either, a peculiar and poignant addition to the tells which mark the passing of ancient cities across the Near East.
A day's drive west, Shiraz lies in a fertile agricultural belt in the shadow of the Zagros Mountains. Its claims to be the cultural and historical heart of Iran are justified by a longstanding association with the rich tradition of Persian poetry and by its proximity to the great Achaemenid archaeological sites of Persepolis and Pasargadae. Iranians say Shiraz is renowned for three things: wine, beautiful women and laziness. The first and last are not on display for the casual sightseer, but the middle one is not hard to discern in the cafes of prosperous neighbourhoods and around the spacious parks of the city.
One of Shiraz's greatest treasures is its gardens. Large and small, private and public, they showcase all sorts of trees, plants and watercourses. Their thoughtful layout and attention to detail combine to produce what might be best described as a soothing or calming experience for the visitor. Whether sitting and looking up at the treetops or strolling through aromatic flower beds, the feeling is invariably pleasing. The Persians, as the late Classicist George Cawkwell put it, were the great gardeners of antiquity, and this continuity is one of the remarkable contemporary links to the ancient culture.
Nazar Garden, Shiraz, Iran | Photo Credit: Shane Brennan
I went with a student at the university, Batul, to see the Ghasrodasht gardens in the northwest of the city. Many of these date back to the 19th century, but long before that and the steady encroachment of the city this productive area blessed with natural springs and rich soil supplied Shiraz with much of its seasonal produce. Some of the gardens today have fallen into disuse and are not that easy to visit, or even see, because of the protective walls which surround them. Persuaded to take a leg up, Batul peered over one trying to pick out a gateway somewhere along the perimeter. A postgraduate specialising in Japanese comics and children's literature, her thick-rimmed glasses and pale complexion had made her seem even more bookish than I expected from our email exchanges when we met for the first time the week before. Her brother, whom I had befriended in Bandar Lengeh on the Gulf coast the previous year, had afterward forwarded a draft of her master's thesis asking if I would comment on it. It wasn't my field but I happily read it (Hamlet Revisited in Popular Culture: From Manga Shakespeare to The Simpsons) and tried to offer some general pointers.
Eram Garden, Shiraz, Iran | Photo Credit: Shane Brennan
We decided against dropping over into the garden and instead continued up the cul-de-sac toward a man playing football with his daughter. On learning of our quest he hastily deposited the child with her mother in the adjacent driveway and took us away in his car. We bumped along straight, narrow laneways, admiring the rows of mature trees which fringed the garden walls. Our guide, an architect by profession, pointed with a smile to them and the construction of kilometres of high walls as proof that, contrary to the national stereotype, the locals were not in fact lazy. Coming eventually to an opening in the maze we were able to stroll through an orchard and enjoy the feeling of being in one of the homes of horticulture.
It was striking to consider the extent of the cultural legacy of these landscapes originally designed by the Persians in this very corner of the world. The generic term for the orchards, bagh, links with the Mughal Gardens in India and gives us the Turkish everyday word bahçe ('garden'). The Greeks, adopting the Avestan word pairidaēza, called the walled enclosures paradeisoi, from where our term paradise comes. A story in one of the books of the Athenian writer Xenophon describes a memorable cross-cultural exchange in one of these. He tells us how the renowned Spartan commander, Lysander, was once invited by a Persian prince to visit his paradeisos in Sardis, in what is today the west of Turkey. Having marvelled at the beauty of the trees, and the way they had been planted with exact spacing in straight rows, and the sweet scent which hung in the air as they walked, Lysander was taken aback to learn who had designed the park. 'What Cyrus? Are you saying you planted these trees with your own hands?' Pleased, the prince informed him that he never sat down to dinner before working up a sweat on some task of war or agriculture.
My final destination for this trip was the city of Mashhad, the site of Iran's holiest shrine. Initially, it wasn't what I had expected. After a gruelling bus journey from Zabol along the country's eastern frontier, I arrived at the coach terminal, a modern hub complete with free wifi and Snapp! (the Iranian equivalent of Uber) cars lined up to collect their rides. I didn't have long to wait for my driver, Nasir, a dentist. He sent me a live-location so that I was able to watch him enter the arrivals area. 'There's almost nothing that you can't find here,' he explained, sating my curiosity about the place as we sped along one of the busy highways into the city. 'In most respects it's like Dubai.' Though he hadn't been, he hoped some day to set up his own dental practice in the Gulf metropolis.
There were actually a number of similarities with Dubai as I discovered in the coming days although the comparison shouldn't be pushed too hard. One was the large number of visitors from other Gulf States, here, mostly pilgrims from Bahrain, another, the prominence of water-themed fun parks.
I had read that Mecca is for the rich but Mashhad for the poor. The city's burgeoning leisure industry and the luxury hotels springing up around the religious complex at its heart seemed to suggest that modernity had undermined this adage. But a closer look revealed there had been no real change in the old social order. Next to tall, low occupancy 4 and 5-star hotels, were smaller ones with no stars which were full. In these, extended families cramped into just one room with a shared kitchen on each floor.
Whatever their financial circumstances, those staying in the accommodation belt of the city were there for the same reason: to pray at the shrine of Imam Reza, the eight Shia Imam, interred here in the 9th century. Together with Mecca and Karbala, the Haram, as it's known, is among the most revered sites in Shia Islam. Just as a pilgrim to Mecca earns the title Hadjee, those who have prayed at Mashhad become Mashdee.
Holy Shrine Complex, Mashhad, Iran | Photo Credit: Shane Brennan
On entering the enormous complex it's hard not to be awed by its scale and grandeur. The coloured domes, vast open plazas and stacks of finely woven carpets ready to be rolled out at prayer times by custodians draw the attention first. Less obvious are the institutions which have emerged as offshoots, many of them since the revolution in 1979: a university, museums, library, health centre. The Astan Quds, the charitable trust which runs the complex, is said to be among the wealthiest and most powerful organisations in the country.
Inside a uniformed steward brandishing an old style furniture duster informed me that annually they looked after 20 million pilgrims. The end of Ramadan was one of the busiest periods, he said, with Muslims from all over the world coming to mark the last days of the holy month. This particular night was also the anniversary of the death of Ali, the pivotal figure in the great schism of Islam that has left us today with Shia and Sunni. On account of the numbers, making progress through the various places of worship was slow; over the centuries, mostly through imperial patronage, new religious buildings had greatly increased the physical scale of the site. I wasn't certain about the significance of each, but knew the way led eventually to the Holy Shrine itself.
Descending a stairway I could see it, a large rectangular tomb with characteristic barred windows. It was housed in a separate chamber which was itself divided for male and female pilgrims. I hadn't intended to go in at all but found myself unable to struggle out of the crowd as it pushed closer. Near to the tomb pilgrims surged forward, reaching over one another to grasp the grille while invoking the Imam in prayer. Boys held aloft by their fathers were propelled over the head tops to the tomb and somehow afterwards were reunited with their relatives. I jostled my way toward the left side and was eventually squeezed out into the relative calm of the antechamber.
Back out on the main plaza a mass of humanity remembered Ali in chant and by drawing their hands down on their chests in the distinctive Shia gesture of grief. The noise of so many tens of thousands of pilgrims slapping their chests in a heartfelt rhythm was deeply moving. It was also, I reflected on my way back to the hotel, an antidote to the impression one might quite easily form as a traveller in the country that its religious image was more of a facade than a true reflection of national culture. The past in this country exerts an influence that, if not always readily apprehensible, is always present.
* For their friendship, assistance and hospitality I would like to thank Zari, Alireza, Hacar, Mahan (Shiraz), Maedeh (Efsahan), Mary (Dubai), Sajad (Bam), Mojtaba, Mustafa, Batul (Bander Lengeh), Amin (Kerman), Nasir, Fatima (Mashhad), Sami (Rasht), Banafshe, Hamid, Sahar (Tehran), Saeed, Rossana (Qazvin), Hamid, Nasim (Shush), Abolfazl, Ahmadreza, Elham (Birjand) and Javad (Tabriz).
Shane Brennan
Shane Brennan is Associate Professor of Cultural Studies at the American University in Dubai. He is co-editor of Turkey and the Politics of National Identity (IB Tauris, London, 2014) and of the forthcoming Landmark Xenophon's Anabasis (Pantheon Books, New York).
Lake Urmia Water Level On The Rise
Iran Commits New Breach Of Nuclear Deal, Expands Enrichment – IAEA Report
wordsaregod says:
Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! This is my first comment here
Parsa says:
I remember reading somewhere that the Persians had a good relation with the people living in Oman and helped to develop their agriculture, which was implementing the Iranian qanat system.
The modern national identity of Iranians began to form after the fall of Qajar dynasty. But the Pahlavis who tried to construct it miserably failed in their attempt.
I had met many who did the hippie trail back in the 60s and 70s and Afghanistan was their favourite destination and not Iran. Iran's friendliness toward foreigners is partly political and partly rejecting the world view of their government which is based on paranoia and fear of the other.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Sezamovo olje je organsko olje, pridobljeno iz semen sezama, po katerih ima značilen vonj in okus. Kot začimba je pogosto uporabljen v kulinariki jugovzhodne Azije. Sezamovo olje je sestavljeno iz naslednjih maščobnih kislin:

Viri in opombe

Glej tudi
 bučno olje
 oljčno olje
 sončnično olje

Olja za prehrano

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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An artist with a PhD in play reveals why fun is not just for the young
All News, Press & Media
Tine Bech is a Danish artist who has a PhD in play and has made a career out of creating fun, physical, interactive art that encourages people of all ages to get playful.
She says it's more than just an amusing and enjoyable way to pass the time.
"I really love what I do. I'm a quite playful person," Bech tells SBS.
"We do know from science that there are certain things that play definitely does for us. One of the most important things is that, from a more academic point of view, it enables us to be emotionally intelligent.
"If we play we learn how to be with other people, how to socialise, we learn to connect, so it has that ability to create social bonds. They also talk a lot about how play enables you to adapt. We are the most playful species. We have adapted super well. And some other species, some animals, that are very good at adapting are very good players."
…Bech believes coming from a playful family has helped shape her approach to play, as has growing up in a country like Denmark.
Read the interview. Published in SBS (Special Broadcasting Service), Australia, 25 Aug. 2017.
Tine talks play & transforming the city using play
Interview with the Danish artist – Tine Bech


Just when you think it may be dead in the water (or plummeting to earth), Loon pops up (probably not the best choice of words) with some more news on its quest to connect people in remote areas with broadband delivered via balloon.
In case you haven't heard of it, Loon involves the use solar powered balloons making up an aerial wireless network capable of delivering internet connectivity to users on the ground in underserved areas and disaster zones.
In July last year, X (which was formerly called Google X) announced Project Loon had been spun off as a separate business under the Alphabet umbrella. Alphabet is a holding company that was created in the restructuring of Google back in 2015.
Since being spun off from X, there had been little news from Loon, except for a post in July regarding the delivery of services in Kenya starting this year, and one in September from Head of Engineering Salvatore Candido relating to some of the technical wizardry behind Loon.
However, there's been some very recent movement at the station.
Alastair Westgarth, CEO of Loon, posted on Medium earlier today that a new Advisory Board has been established consisting of wireless innovators with decades of experience in the sector.
Craig McCaw: among his activities during a 30 year career in communications, Mr. McCaw was Chairman and CEO of McCaw Cellular Communications, which was sold to AT&T Corporation in 1994.
Ian Small: previously global Chief Data Officer and a member of the executive committee of Telefónica S.A., one of the world's largest telecommunications companies.
Marni Walden: more than two decades of experience in the wireless industry.
"With their collective expertise and wisdom, Craig, Ian, and Marni will help guide and advise us as we work to partner with MNOs around the world and advance our mission of connecting people everywhere," said Mr. Westgarth. (MNO stands for Mobile Network Operator).
Perhaps we'll now hear more and more often from the Loon team going forward.
Another broadband via balloon type project we've mentioned in the past – this one broadband via blimp – is the Altaeros SuperTower, an autonomous helium-filled aerostat platform project that aims to deploy high-speed mobile broadband in rural markets at a fraction of the cost of other solutions.
The last news published by the company was in October 2018, when U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairperson Ajit Pai held discussions with the company regarding Altaeros SuperTower and challenges facing rural connectivity – so it seems things are still moving along there as well.
Fibre Broadband On Mt. Everest Soon?


The characters of the new James Cameron movie AVATAR demonstrate the five risk rationalities of Cultural Theory.
Jake Sully is the Fatalist. He takes over for his brother with no training and no idea of what might happen next. Fatalists believe that the future is unpredictable. So in the mind of a Fatalist, this day is no different from any other. They never believe that they know what is coming next. Jake also has some Individualist characteristics with his No Fear ethos. The Individualists believe that everything will work out – so No Fear is an extreme form of their rationality. Jake Scully evidences a change of rationality over the course of the movie. The threats to the Na'vi and the Great Tree cause him to shift to the Egalitarian point of view of the Na'vi.
The Na'vi are pure Egalitarians. Egalitarians believe that the world is in a delicate balance and that resources are finite. Pure Egalitarian societies would not grow or change very much over time. They would enforce a very strong degree of uniformity of belief, which the Na'vi evidence with their very intense initiation ceremony.
Parker Selfridge represents the Individualists. Individualists believe that raw materials are infinite, because new science will always develop ways to exploit the raw materials that are available. Individualists believe that the best ideas and people will prevail. Might makes right is a very Individualist point of view. Parker believes that because the Humans have superior force, then they have a right to the unobtainium by any means. Individualists believe that risky situations will all work out because the universe will always revert back to the situation where Individualists were in total control.
Colonel Miles Quaritch and the military forces represent the Authoritarian rationality, but not well. A true Authoritarian would believe that there was a limit to what could be accomplished – a view that the world has boundries within which one must operate to be safe. Quaritch changes into a more Individualist point of view over the course of the movie. Instead of trying to learn and work within the boundaries of the world he finds himself in, he works to change those boundaries to ones that he prefers, which is a more Individualist point of view.
Dr. Grace Augustine represents the Hermit, seeking to understand the world, but not necessarily to change it. She sometimes acts more as the Authoritarian expert, trying to define and set down the boundaries within which it is safe for humans to operate and sometimes more like an Individualist when she tries to change the world theough her schools. But you sense that the schools were more of a stalling action to allow more time for study.
Important note: Individualists and Authoritarians are not always villains. Individualists do not all believe that might makes right. They do believe that individual achievement and individual rewards should go hand in hand. Individualists are largely responsible for "progress". So if you like your electric light better than a candle, thank an Individualist.
Authoritarians do not all run armies. They are usually the key people in any hierarchical system. They are the backbone of governments and the legal profession. Authoritarians are responsible for the idea of the rule of law. So if you like to walk down the street in safety thank the Authoritarians.
Fatalists are not all action heroes either. Most drug addicts and alcoholics are Fatalists. Fatalists buy most of the lottery tickets. Generally Fatalists do not control much of the world. Fatalists are the perennial outsiders. They also make up many of the ranks of the very talented computer specialists – the prototypical computer nerd is a Fatalist all the way. Hackers are Fatalists.
Pure Egalitarians groups tend not to last for very long among humans. Some have fantasied that Native Americans were like the Na'vi – in a stable long term relationship with nature. Others have suggested that there was constant war among the different groups that kept them from having the luxury of peace to develop more advance technology. Most attempts at Egalitarian groups fail due to the tendency of Egalitarians to believe strongly in purity of common motivation and thought. Egalitarian groups would totally lack adaptability.
Hermits are the scientists and monks who study the world, trying to understand it but not to have any influence over it. They generally only leave their world when they take on another rationality and decide to try to act on their knowledge.
Perhaps we will look back at 2009 and recall that it is the turning point year for Risk Management. The year that boards ans management and regulators all at once embraced ERM and really took it to heart. The year that many, many firms appointed their first ever Chief Risk Officer. They year when they finally committed the resources to build the risk capital model of the entire firm.
On the other hand, it might be recalled as the false spring of ERM before its eventual relegation to the scrapyard of those incessant series of new business management fads like Management by Objective, Managerial Grid, TQM, Process Re-engineering and Six Sigma.
The Financial Crisis was in part due to risk management. Put a helmet on a kid on a bicycle and they go faster down that hill. And if the kid really doesn't believe in helmets and they fail to buckle to chin strap and the helmet blows off in the wind, so much the better. The wind in the hair feels exhilarating.
The true test of whether the top management is ready to actually DO risk management is whether they are expecting to have to vhange some of their decisions based upon what their risk assessment process tells them.
The dashboard metaphor is really a good way of thinking about risk management. A reasonable person driving a car will look at their dashboard periodically to check on their speed and on the amount of gas that they have in the car. That information will occasionally cause them to do something different than what they might have otherwise done.
Regulatory concentration on Risk Management is. on the whole, likely to be bad for firms. While most banks were doing enough risk management to satisfy regulators, that risk management was not relevant to stopping or even slowing down the financial crisis.
Firms will tend to load up on risks that are not featured by their risk assessment system. A regulatory driven risk management system tends to be fixed, while a real risk management system needs to be nimble.
Compliance based risk management makes as much sense for firms as driving at the speed limit regardless of the weather, road conditions or the conditions of the car's breaks and steering.
Many have urged that risk management is as much about opportunities as it is about losses. However, that is then usually followed by focusing on the opportunities and downplaying the importance of loss controlling.
Preventing a dollar of loss is just as valuable to the firm as adding a dollar of revenue. A risk management loss controlling system provides management with a methodology to make that loss prevention a reliable and repeatable event. Excess revenue has much more value if it is reliable and repeatable. Loss control that is reliable and repeatable can have the same value.
Getting the price right for risks is key. I like to think of the right price as having three components. Expected losses. Risk Margin. Margin for expenses and profits. The first thing that you have to decide about participating in a market for a particular type of risk is whether the market in sane. That means that the market is realistically including some positive margin for expenses and profits above a realistic value for the expected losses and risk margin.
Most aspects of the home real estate and mortgage markets were not sane in 2006 and 2007. Various insurance markets go through periods of low sanity as well.
Risk management needs to be sure to have the tools to identify the insane markets and the access to tell the story to the real decision makers.
Finally, individual risks or trades need to be assessed and priced properly. That means that the insurance premium needs to provide a positive margin for expenses and profits above the realistic provision for expected losses and a reasonable margin for risk.
There were two big hits to insurers in 2009. One was the continuing problems to AIG from its financial products unit. The main lesson from their troubles ought to be TANSTAAFL. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Selling far out of the money puts and recording the entire premium as a profit is a business model that will ALWAYS end up in disaster.
The other hit was to the variable annuity writers. In their case, they were guilty of only pretending to do risk management. Their risk limits were strange historical artifacts that had very little to do with the actual risk exposures of the firm. The typical risk limits for a VA writer were very low risk retained from equities if the potential loss was due to an embedded guarantee and no limit whatsoever for equity risk that resulted in drops in basic M&E revenue. A typical VA hedging program was like a homeowner who insured every item of his possessions from fire risk, but who failed to insure the house!
So insurers should end the year of 2009 thinking about whether they have either of those two problems lurking somewhere in their book of business.
Are there any "far out of the money" risks where no one is appropriately aware of the large loss potential ?
Are there parts of the business where risk limits are based on tradition rather than on risk?
"Where do we go from here, and what have we learned to help us arrive there safely and prosperously?" What risk management lessons have been learned?
Dislocations will, without question, continue to occur in the future, and just as surely manifest themselves in unpredictable ways. Survivors, and ideally 'thrivers', will understand when dislocations occur and make the changes necessary to operate well in their new environments.
They are not effective, and have eerie parallels to the seven deadly sins.
While many aspects of our personal and business lives have changed, certain themes remain the same. Righting the ship will be driven by adherence to a number of fundamentals that have driven our success over history and will drive our success in the future.
1) Responsibility and trust: Our actions … what we say and what we do … are our legacy. Do we stand behind them in terms of honesty and wisdom?
Kahlil Gibran, in his epic work 'The Prophet', said that "You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth." Quite so, but we need to make sure our aim is straight and sure. Our children are our most sacred trust, the most important manifestations of our legacy. Our actions are right along side in terms of importance.
– What is the purpose of our actions? What are we trying to accomplish?
– Are people or institutions going to be hurt by what we are doing?
– What risks are we taking?
– Functions of all kinds … how do they need to be performed?
* 'Caveat emptor' (let the buyer beware) – Is this too difficult a burden for the consumer of the 21st century?
4) What do corporations need to do to succeed?
We will solve the major issues confronting our financial system, but we will in all likelihood come out the other end in a very different place.
Growth does not always mean excessive risk, but excessive risk is almost always associated with high growth.
Growth has a way of masking problems. Things are changing and it is often very difficult to understand whether the changes are just a lag in reporting the good things that come from healthy growth or if they are leading indicators of major problems.
The firm needs to grow risk management analysis and attention along with highest growth activities. That needs to be demanded from the top. No middle or even high level risk officer will ever have the authority to slow down the part of the company that is growing the best. Firms need to have CEO commitment to extra risk analysis of the fastest growing business.
The firm needs to establish its operational capacity for handling growth. The most common reaction to unexpected growth is to delay hiring additional staff (along with delaying adding additional risk staff as mentioned above). After more delay and more growth, the business might seem much more profitable than expected. Some of that excess profitability is coming from the understaffing. Some of the profitability might be coming from mistakes in recordkeeping due to the understaffing. A sudden delayed effort to fix the under staffing will most often hurt more than it helps in the short run.
And what is most likely to be shortchanged in an understaffed growing situation Why it is quality control and recordkeeping. So if there is a growing problem it is very hard to notice it.
Part of the process of planning for each new thing that might grow, if it is as successful as is hoped, needs to be to determine where that halfway moment might be.
Try it… I believe that it does give some insight to a different aspect of intelligence that is needed for good risk management.
To be able to understand RISK, that is a good first step, to be able to distinguish between things that you know and things that you do not know are true. I would suggest that is pretty basic for success in any endeavor, including risk management.
Distinguish between Future Events that are Certainties and Future Events that are Uncertain.
Distinguish between RISK and UNCERTAINTY in a Knightian sense for the Uncertain events.
Remember after the fact that at some past time, when a decision had to be made, the future events that we now all know to be certain because they have happened, were uncertain.
But those conditions seem like boundary conditions – there is no Risk Intelligence if those conditions are not met.
Real Risk Intelligence would then be the ability to make reliable estimates of the likelihood of Uncertain Events.
Real Risk Intelligence would need to be scored as the Projection Point test is scored, that is against a scale that incorporates the idea that answers are not right or wrong, but that acknowledges that probabilistic answers should be scored on a curve (actually they use a diagonal) that reflects the likelihood as well as the outcome.
I would suggest that taking the Projection Point Risk Intelligence Test is worth the 10 minutes that it takes. But it is the beginning rather than the end of investigation into the idea of Risk Intelligence.


Some biologic drugs may increase your risk for serious infections, study says.
Some biologic drugs may increase your risk for serious infections, according to the results of a study published in May in the journalJAMA Dermatology.
The study found that taking Remicade (infliximab) or Humira (adalimumab) may put you at a higher risk for serious infections than non-biologic drugs. However, the same study found that Stelara (ustekinumab) and Enbrel (etanercept) do not appear to be associated with a serious infection risk, according to the findings.
Researchers used a large database containing information about psoriasis patients, known as the PSOLAR registry, to search for any connection between biologics and serious infections. Biologics included in the study were Enbrel, Humira, Remicade and Stelara. The list of non-biologic treatments researchers analyzed included methotrexate, systemic retinoids and phototherapy.
Infections were considered serious if they were life-threatening or led to disability, hospitalization or some other medical condition, the researchers noted. The most common serious infections occurring in the study were pneumonia and cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection, according to the findings.
More than 11,000 psoriasis patients were included in the study. Of these, more than 9,000 were on biologics, 490 were on methotrexate and 1,610 were taking other treatments, according to the findings.
According to the results, the risk of developing a serious infection more than doubled for patients on Remicade or Humira, compared with patients not taking a biologic. Taking Stelara or Enbrel was not associated with risk for a serious infection, researchers found.
The results are in line with other studies that found a connection between a risk of serious infection and a type of biologic known as a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitor, the researchers noted. Both Humira and Remicade are TNF-alpha inhibitors. Enbel also targets TNF-alpha, but in a different way from Humira and Remicade, according to the researchers.
Stelara does not target TNF-alpha, but instead targets two different pro-inflammatory proteins, or cytokines, known as interleukin 12 and interleukin 23.
The study was funded by Janssen, the company that makes Stelara.


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Defiance: Managing it through different stages of kids' development
There's no one size fits all solution for defiance. However, this expert in the field shares age specific ways to deal with defiance. More here
Defiance. It's something that's bound to grind the gears of even the most cool and collected parents. Why wouldn't it? As a parental figure, you're supposed to be the head honcho, and the one who calls the shots. No matter which age or stage of your kid, defiance rubs parents the wrong way.
The friction and tension of defiance often leads to heated conversations, and sometimes yelling. Obviously, no parent likes being the one who has to raise their voice and/or escalate a situation, but it's a necessary evil...or is it?
Author and clinical Psychologist, Laura Markham, Ph. D. seems to disagree. In her opinion, there are proper ways to defuse a situation without resulting in a battle or even a war. Not only that, but she lists a number of ways that are completely age specific to your child's stage of development.
Check out Dr. Markham's tips and tricks for handling defiance for each stage of your kids' development:
Though toddlers may shock you with how far they've come and developed since being a tiny baby, are still learning every second of the day. This means that even as they learn a sense of identity, they're still learning that they can say "no" and do things by themselves. While there's nothing wrong with them wanting to develop a sense of self and self-reliance, they often fiercely apply a sense of defiance to prove they can do things on their own. According to Dr. Markham, here's how to handle a toddler's defiance:
Let her know you hear: "You say NO bath, I hear you...." (Sometimes, that's enough to get a toddler cooperating happily.)
Give her a hug. (Often, toddlers just need to reconnect.)
Decide how flexible you are: "Ok, we can just wash your hands and face today" or "And you are so very dirty, we do need a bath, so let's find a way to make it work for you."
Kindly insist on your limit if you feel it's essential: "You're crying because you don't want a bath....I am right here....You can cry as much as you need to.....When you're done crying, let's find your doll so she can take a bath with you, I know you like to wash her hair."
By this age, your kids know and understand basic rules and guidelines. Whenever they are being defiant, what they're really saying is, "I'm upset, I just don't know how to properly express it. So, I'm going to use bad behavior to defy you and show you how angry I am."
Dr. Markham suggests handling this stage and age of defiance as so:
Remind yourself that his defiance is a bid for reconnection, not something that requires discipline.
Reconnect through play, if you can. Try being mock-outraged to get your child giggling: "Excuse me...WHAT was that? Did I hear you say NO? You WON'T do what I said? We'll see about that, won't we? En Garde!" After your pillow fight or wrestling match, your preschooler will have giggled out his upset and reconnected with some oxytocin released by all that roughhousing; he'll be ready to do what you ask.
If he's too upset to play, listen. "You're saying no, you won't go to soccer practice? Something must be upsetting you about soccer practice....What do you think it will be like if you go?"
If his upset persists, set a kind limit and welcome his tears. He might just need to get all those feelings out with a good cry in your warm presence, after which he'll feel reconnected and able to cooperate.
Parents! Learn the appropriate way to deal with your kids' defiance based on their specific age and stage! Click next for more!
Elementary/Grade School
Usually, children of this age use defiance when they feel indignant. They respond to unfair treatment by defying you through arguments; and often it's because they feel as though they aren't being heard, or connected. Markham recommends defusing their defiance by:
Stop, Drop (your agenda) and Breathe. Since your buttons are pushed, you need to get calm before you address the defiance.
Remind your child that disrespect is out of bounds: "You know we don't speak to each other that way. You must be very upset."
Consider that when kids are defiant it's a relationship problem. You're losing your child somewhere, so he's not willingly following you. Are you being unfair? Are you not listening? Are you losing his respect by having your own tantrums?
Reconnect by listening and reflecting: "You're saying No because you don't think it's fair? Hmm....Maybe I'm missing something here. Tell me more."
Empathize: "Oh, so you feel....You wish...It must feel so hard that...."
Look for win/win solutions. "So you want...and I want...How about we...?"
Preteens and tweens
For the most part, preteens and tweens resort to defiance because it's something they've learned through observation. In other words, they see defiance from their peers or older kids and use it a recourse for their own behavior. They also use it to see just how far they can go with their behavior. Here are Dr. Markham's recommendations:
Reinforce your expectation about the standard of respect in your family: "Ouch! You know we don't speak to each other that way."
Give your child a chance to correct herself while you reopen communication: "I know you didn't mean to be disrespectful. I do want to hear what you have to say. Can we try a do-over?"
Consider your approach. No one likes to be told what to do. And yet research shows that the average parent gives hundreds of orders every day, most in a negative tone. If your preteen is bristling, consider how you can help her step into more responsibility, instead of feeling ordered around.
Parents! Learn the appropriate way to deal with your teens' defiance! Click next for more!
Teenagers are often regarded as the most defiant of the ages and stages of development--and for good reason! Teens typically feel detached from the world around them as they develop their true sense of identity. It's because of this that they may begin to lose connect and respect with you as a a parent. Markham says to deal with their defiance by:
Translate your teen's defiant words. Your child may sound like she never wants to see you again, but underneath her rudeness, she's saying "I'm all alone out here and pretty miserable...I wish you'd find a way to come out in the cold and get me, because I don't know how to find my way back."
Stay compassionate. Say "Ouch! That was pretty rude...You must be very upset to speak to me that way....I try to always speak respectfully to you....What's going on, Sweetie?" (If you realize your role modeling of speaking respectfully has been lacking, admit that, apologize, promise to do better, and state your expectation that everyone in the family needs to turn over a new leaf.)
Stay compassionate while he expresses his upset: "Wow...I see...I'm so sorry...I didn't realize...Thanks for telling me." Just keep breathing and stay calm. He needs to tell you about all his built-up feelings that have been making him feel so disconnected from you.
Find a way to re-connect. Listen. Reflect. Seek to understand. Tell him how much you love him and how much he means to you. Find a common ground. Problem-solve so you both get your needs met. Model the respect you expect.
No matter what age and stage of your child, there is an appropriate and constructive way to address defiance. However, while you certainly want to consider defusing a situation whenever you can, it's also important to develop a sense of perspective. Understand where your kids are coming from and why they're defying you. In the end, you need to respect that sometimes, kids have a justifiable reason to defy you. Be sure to handle each instance accordingly, and never go over the top.
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This article was originally shared by Psychology Today
READ: 9 Things only your kids are allowed to say to you
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Apple unveils new, more proactive Siri assistant
by Andrew Griffin
9th Jun 2015 9:31 AM
APPLE has unveiled the latest update to its iOS operating system, integrating new features that allow the phone to know what users want before they do.
The update focuses on Siri, and the Apple voice assistant becoming more "proactive".
Demoed on-stage, the new software was shown to be able to understand context, with music playing when you plug in headphones and start running, and suggest apps based on the users' habits.
The update is similar to Google's Now software, and appears to show Apple making an effort to improve its digital assistant, which has struggled to keep up with Now, and Microsoft's Cortana.
iOS 9 will also automatically add invitations to a user's calendar that are sent in email, as well as suggest a possible contact name when an unfamiliar number phones you - based on your emails once again.
The software's search feature has also been improved, now enabling users to see and jump straight into apps from search results. Siri can also now be used to voice search for photos on you device. Apple are calling the whole update "Intelligence".
Mr Federighi also made a point on privacy by saying that Apple is "not interested" in user data and that Apple doesn't mine user data. "It stays on your device, under your control," he said. Last week, Tim Cook accused Google of invading user privacy by using their photos via a new app to mine data on users.
Apple Maps is also getting a much-anticipated update, with public transport systems being added to a host of global cities.
As well as adding bus and train routes, station layouts are included which means directions will be more accurate, and send users to the correct exit.
London will be among the original cities included as part of the update.
The iOS 9 update coming this fall will also have battery improvements and improved security.
Health-related improvements include tracking for hydration and ultraviolet exposure, while smart-home features include supporting sensors for carbon monoxide. App developers would take advantage of these tools in building new apps and devices.
In future cars that support Apple's CarPlay, you'll be able to do more on the car's dashboard without taking the phone out of your bag or pocket.
To get iOS 9, you'll need less free space than before to upgrade wirelessly. That was a complaint with iOS upgrades in previous years.
The new software will work with all phones and tablets that currently support iOS 8, though not all features will work with older devices.
Apple also announced at its conference for developers in San Francisco on Monday several new features, including transit directions in Maps, a new app for news and specifically for the iPad, the ability to run multiple apps side by side.
iOS 9 will also introduce multi-tasking to the iPad for the first time.
Users will now be able to use a feature called "slide-over" that will enable you to bring a second app on-screen while using the internet.
A split view will enable users to interact with both apps and windows at the same time.
The feature will also support picture-in-picture, so users can watch videos on the corner of the screen while also using another app on their iPad.
Mr Federighi also spoke of the "foundations" of iOS. Battery life is one of these, and Apple has introduced a new low power mode, which can extend battery life by up to three hours.
"It pulls switches you didn't even know existed", he said.
The number of space needed to make an iOS update - a common user problem - has also been greatly reduced from 4.6Gb to 1.8Gb.
The internet of things was also addressed, with Apple adding support for window shades, motion sensors and security systems, as well as remote access to these appliances from wherever you are via iCloud.
Mr Cook returned to the stage to announced that the Apple App Store has surpassed 100 billion downloads in the seven years since it launched.
A Flipboard-rivalling News app was also shown off for the first time.
Apple's Susan Prescott said: "The articles can come from anywhere, but the best ones are built in Apple News format.
"Articles are shown in a magazine-style format created by Apple, and are curated to content users want to see. Articles and publications can be favourited, with the app 'learning' what you like to read over time.
"We think this offers the best mobile reading experience ever."
Ms Prescott added: "News is smart, so the more I read, the better it gets at showing me stories I'm interested in.
"We think there's never been a more beautiful magazine reading experience."
The new app will include content from the like of the Guardian, BuzzFeed and Time, and will be rolling out in the UK, US and Australia first, as part of iOS 9.
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apple ios ipad siri


Eighteen thousand soldiers of the Camp Dodge, 163rd Depot Brigade formed the silhouette of the Statue of Liberty for the renowned photograph shot by Chicago, Illinois, photographers Mole and Thomas on August 22, 1918 at 2:30 p.m.
"COL. William Newman, commander of the 163rd Depot Brigade selected the statue of liberty as the formation for the brigade picture." "COL. Rush S. Wells, Regimental Commander, had charge of the formation." COL Newman was an 1892 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy.
"Beginning at 1:00 p.m. companies were assembled and by 2:30 the proper formation was completed and the photograph taken. The ground was marked out by blocks, in the shape of the statue, which facilitated getting the soldiers into correct formation. From the goddess' feet to the tip of the torch the symbolical statue measured 400 yards. The picture was taken from a tower forty feet high, constructed for the occasion. On account of the mass formation and the heat twelve men fainted and were carried from the field." The high temperature reported for the day was 92 degrees.
The photograph was taken with an 11" x 14" view camera following several day's worth of work by the photographers to set up the image on the ground using thousands of yards of white tape. In addition, substantial coordination was required between the photographers and COL. Newman's staff to ensure the various folds of the gown, the bible, the left hand, and the crown was properly outlined by soldiers wearing white shirts. The design for the living picture was laid out on the drill ground at Camp Dodge, west of current building S 34 and Maintenance Road. "The large photographs were on sale for $1 at all the exchanges in the camp. Many soldiers sent the photo home to their families.
Some have speculated that the soldiers in the photograph were members of the 88th Division who had been in training at Camp Dodge. This is erroneous as on August 16, 1918 all organizations of the Division were reported to have left Camp Dodge. The soldiers in the picture were members of the 163rd Depot Brigade under the command of COL Newman.
Most of the information contained in this brief history was found in various volumes of the Camp Dodger. "The Camp Dodger emerged on September 21, 1917, at Camp Dodge as an official publication of the 88th Infantry Division, a unit composed largely of draftees from the Midwest and forming part of the National Army.
The Camp Dodger was published weekly at Camp Dodge, Iowa, and later in France, during and shortly after the First World War. Editor-in-chief of the paper was Lieutenant Laurence R. Fairall, from Iowa City, who served as a Intelligence Officer in the 3rd Bn, 350th Inf Regt, 88th Div. Information on the photo was found in the Camp Dodger issues of Aug 9th & 23, and Sep 20th & 23rd of 1918.
As many as 20 human figure pictures were taken by photographers during the Great War, which was later termed World War One. The photos were used as a public relations vehicle for a nation at war. Other figures include the American Bald Eagle, the Liberty Bell, the U.S. Engineer Corps symbol, Adjutant Generals Corps symbol, and a number of U.S. Army Division patches to include the 34th Infantry Division, then known as the "Sandstorm Division."
Omar Bradley was a young lieutenant stationed at Camp Dodge at the time this photo was taken. We do not know if he was in the photo. Years later, during WWII, General Bradley would achieve the rank of Five Star General.
The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge has the Statue of Liberty picture on exhibit as well as a photo of the 34th Infantry Division "Sandstorm Division" patch of 1918.
The museum also exhibits a photo of the 34th Division, 1st BCT Photo taken at Camp Shelby, MS in 2006 that included a Iowa element of over 800 soldiers from the 1-133rd Infantry Battalion and 334th FSB.
The tradition continued in a photo taken in 1991, during the Desert Storm / Desert Shield War, of all the soldiers and civilian employees at Camp Dodge who supported the mobilization of the Iowa National Guard and USAR elements for deployment. Major General Warren "Bud" Lawson, Adjutant General of Iowa, is shown in the front row of the photo.
Iowa National Guard Headquarters and support unit personal Iowa map photo taken in 1991 during Operation DS / DS. Major General Warren "Bud" Lawson is shown in the front row center. The photo was sent to deployed Iowa Army National Guard soldiers in Saudi Arabia and Iraq and a Best Wishes photo for everyone back home.
During Desert Storm, approximately 1,400 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers and airmen were mobilized to support the war effort.
All of these photos and others can be seen at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, which is open six days a week, Monday thru Saturday from 0830 to 1630 hrs (closed holiday & holiday weekends). The museum is located at Camp Dodge near Johnston, IA, just off I35/80. For more information, please contact the curator at 515-252-4531 or email the goldstarmuseum@iowa.gov.


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INDEPENDENT COUNTRY
Some Thoughts on Iraq
Eleven Points
by James Leroy Wilson
I saw an out-of-town friend I hadn't seen in three years who said that he reads my articles. He asked me how long it takes me to write them, how I plan them, etc. It takes me a shorter amount of time than he thought. But I may not have been completely honest. If "abortion" meant killing essays before they have a chance to be publicly read, I'd be the anti-abortion movement's #1 target. Well, actually, I don't kill them - they are saved files that I can go back to later. But eventually, a lot of them will be deleted.
Some of them go on for several paragraphs, finding me getting lost in tangents, unable to retrieve the main point - as opposed to my most successful style where I go into tangents yet am able to retrieve the main point. And so I start again. For me, it's finding the right opening sentence and paragraph. After that, I am able to fly. There was a spurt from February through March where I was able to post this weekly column, two additional sport-related pieces, and five pieces at LewRockwell.com. Recently, however, it's been hard getting this column produced at all. The past two weeks are indicative. There were several starts and stops over several days before they were finally written.
I'm confessing all of this now, frankly, because I'm falling into the trap again. In light of the Iraqi POW torture scandal, I've already started about five different pieces, containing different points. None were adequate, but I also couldn't cram everything I wanted to say in one column - that would be way too long. (I'm already fully aware of how lengthy my pieces are compared to the Internet norm.)
And the thoughts keep coming, with no way of framing them or structuring them appropriately. So I have chosen to just summarize them here. If there's something you want further elaboration on, write a letter to the Editor:
1. Barbarism is endemic to government, not to culture.
2. The Pat Tillmans are, by design, the exception rather than the rule of the armed forces. By this is not to disparage the character of members of the armed forces, but that intelligent young millionaires like Pat Tillman with limitless opportunities don't normally enlist. Whereas many with far fewer natural gifts and economic opportunities do.
3. "Un-American" means eating dogs, playing cricket, celebrating Boxing Day, and arranged marriages. But moral values and ideals are not affixed to nationalism. America is a country, not an idea or an ideal.
4. This was not an aberration: the USA even has a school in Florida teaching Latin American agents the science of torture. We've known this for a long time. We vote for politicians who fund it.
5. The American public school system has made us a nation of uncritical idiots - and that might be the point of it. Also, the authoritarian mentality of "zero tolerance" is the mentality of maintaining control in Iraq. American schools fail; Iraq is failing. Products of American schools are trying to keep order in Iraq.
6. Proponents of the invasion of Iraq should not be surprised that Americans willfully commit atrocities during war. They also shouldn't be surprised by "insurgencies" or that there were no WMD's. The war is going as well as I thought it would, which is why I opposed it. I am more surprised that more pro-war proponents aren't saying, "these things happen, but we must be patient."
7. It is a contradiction to impose democracy and freedom through outside force. The neo-con mentality that thinks otherwise is essentially an anti-market, anti-individual, communist mentality, that the State with good intentions and enough might, can make right. You'd think that neo-conservatism was the creation of Marxists. Oh, wait, it was.
8. Peace is the beginning of liberty and justice.
9. Americans are too susceptible to "moral absolutes" or universal truths. That is, extremism: the desire for simplistic abstractions to become social reality through force and law. Which explains a whole lot, from the War on Drugs to our invading Iraq in the first place. We are thus not unlike the Islamic extremists we are fighting.
10. I think "defeat," leaving Iraq in a humiliating fashion for waging an unjust war, will actually benefit America. Does this make me "anti-American?"
11. In the very thing the national government is fundamentally supposed to do - provide for the common defense, it severely underestimated the terrorist threat of Al Qaeda, and greatly over-estimated the threat of Saddam Hussein. Why would anyone, of the right or the left, trust the national government to do anything else, like guarantee health care, determine the value of money, define obscenity, or even decide what is right or wrong or good or bad? Why should we trust these guys over anything?
Michael Orr from Ashville, North Carolina writes:
Very good points! This is my first visit to The Partial Observer and I must say, I see things on this site that I don't see anywhere else. Keep up the good work!
G. Washington from USA writes:
First of all, I agree with the first responder, that The Partial Observer brings a needed set of voices and concepts to the internet. So thanks to all the PO contributors and editor for that!
But on to a response... I have read many of the writer's 'Don't Tread on Me' articles over the months, and I have finally been inspired to challenge the author with 11 responses to the 11 points. Nothing personal.
1. If barbarism is endemic to government and not culture, how do you explain Cannibalism? Do you blame the African or South American tribal governments? Or do you think that Cannibalism is not barbaric?
2. While we could agree that most who volunteer for the military do not have the specific sports/financial opportunities that Pat Tillman refused, wouldn't you say that there are many unsung heroes in our military who gave up, perhaps, other valuable things to serve our country? How about those who gave up a relatively good job opportunity, or time with their girlfriend, spouse, or family?
3. I'm sorry you didn't get taught this at school, but I think most people have been taught that America IS much more than a country. The nationalistic feelings around freedom and responsibility in America are ideas, ideals, and indeed are secular moral values.
4. I would challenge you to produce evidence that the USA (govt?, presumably the CIA?,) has a school in FL to teach the science of torture. I will believe it if you have proof. But if it is hearsay, let's not state it as fact.
5. I didn't want to be an uncritical idiot. That is why I'm writing a critical challenge to your article. You inspired me to do it.
6. On a scale of 1 to 10, Americans commited 2's and 3's compared with the 10 of that recent decapitation the Islamists commited. Americans didn't commit these atrocities because they were American or because their government was the US, they commited them because they gave in to inner temptations of evil, something all members of the human race do. Any yet, let's not forget that the vast majority of American soldiers behaved in civilized ways toward the common Iraqis, and behaved according to the Geneva conventions and the best military standards toward the Iraqi combatants. The fact that the majority behave is not an aberration.
7. You are far more critical of democracy and freedom than you are of Radical Islamic terrorism and hate. A greater contradiction is seeing someone who grows up in a great (not perfect) country, turn around and despise the very tenets of what made that country great.
8. Liberty and justice are the beginnings of Peace. You have it turned around.
9. Well, it sounds to me like you have an authority problem. What about the 10 Commandments? Moral absolutes for susceptible extremists? Or are they categorical imperatives by which humans can guage and correct their behavior?
10. Perhaps, but at the least, it makes you Un-American.
11. Trust issues, too, I guess. Personally, I believe the U.S. government was constructed by our founding fathers with a fair amount of suspicion built into it. Thus, the reason for 3 branches of government with checks and balances. Why should I trust our government with anything? Well, with a healthy amount of suspicion, I trust our government to a certain good degree, especially when I compare it to most other governments in the world. With me, the glass is at least half-full. Our government is made of people, the majority of which are good people. I trust them to do their best. I don't expect perfection. I'm disappointed sometimes. But I'm proud of them most of the time.
James Leroy Wilson writes:
G. Washington will discredit it anyway as being left-wing propaganda (as if I myself am a leftist), but as to the torture school, here's a link: www.soaw.org/new/.
Going to war without a formal Congressional declaration of war is a repudiation of every principle of liberty and the Constitution. Yet this is how we've lived since Truman. It is not the culture of a freedom-loving people, as our culture's decadence, agenda against God, and uncritical acquiescence to a growing police state attests. It is an insult to the real George Washington, the man who warned against foreign entanglements, to borrow his name as a pseudonym to pretend that our current government bears any resemblance to that established by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution.
I was taught the government school propaganda line about American ideals, but sheer logic persuaded me that the government propaganda school was itself a socialist enterprise in opposition to the very ideals of America. I prefer to love my country for its liberty, and hold it to the standard of liberty, instead of, after every atrocity it commits, say, Well, it's still better than other countries. People who do that are actually dragging our country down to the level of other countries.
Thanks for the response, JLW! I appreciate it.
I may surprise you right away by NOT discrediting the SOA website as left-wing propoganda, but rather to say that I'll check it out. I'm a little concerned that there aren't too many byline names connected with writing the material, but there is much to read. Interestingly, on my first venture into the site, I read from the Human Resource Exploitation Manual (1983), Part 1 pdf, and found that it begins (on page 5 of 67) with, The use of force, mental torture, threats, insults, or exposure to unpleasant and inhumane treatment of any kind as an aid to interrogation is prohibited by law, both international and domestic: It is neither authorized nor condoned.
While you always make many good points, I have to take exception sometimes to either the unqualified nature of some of your statements, or the tone of some statements.
Let me give an example from your response above: ... a repudiation of every principle of liberty and the Constitution. I wouldn't have a problem if you said .. a repudiation of important principles of.., but to say 'every' is just too broad. Obviously, going to war without congressional authorization doesn't repudiate EVERY principle. Some qualifying language would help your arguments.
And in the 2nd paragraph, you write that people who say our country is better than other countries, even in light of attrocities commited by a minority of our people, are actually dragging our country down. I can't understand that, really. Here, the tone is one of hostility toward someone who is proud of the overall US government & country, even while recognizing that evil does exist in human nature, and that it does exist in Americans. Can't we be proud of our good majority?
I am tending to think that you are something of a Pessimistic Idealist, whereas I am something of an Optimistic Realist.
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"Today the Executive Board of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) voted to endorse Hillary Clinton for President, and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East voted to support that decision. During the endorsement decision-making process, we sent a clear message that we strongly urge Secretary Clinton not only to continue supporting a $15 minimum wage on state and local levels, but also expand that support to the federal level for all working people. In the richest country in the history of the world, we must ensure that hard work is rewarded, that working people can provide their children with a better future, and that we can build a fair and inclusive economy.
"Over the past few months, more than 22,000 members of 1199 had conversations with each other and filled out surveys about their priority issues, and made their voices heard through social media. 1199SEIU's executive leaders then met with both Secretary Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders, and expressed to them our urgent priorities: good jobs with a living wage, quality healthcare for all, social justice, immigration reform and a healthy planet. Following those meetings, we felt confident that both candidates strongly supported our issues, but that Secretary Clinton outlined the most effective strategy for winning the general election.
"We admire and respect Senator Sanders, and applaud his message of fairness and economic justice. But above all, we cannot under any circumstances let anti-worker, right-wing politicians gain control of the White House, in addition to controlling the Senate, Congress and the Supreme Court. That consolidation of power by the extreme right-wing would be a catastrophe for working people, women, people of color, immigrants, youth, seniors, the LGBTQ community, and for America's standing in the world. The Republican agenda is focused on accumulating more wealth and power for the top 1%, while leaving everyone else behind.
- George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.


Where can I get tickets for Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC?
Catalans again showed why home advantage is important for them as they ended St. Helens' 100% start to the season with a hard-fought win and will now look to make it three home wins in a row as they host Hull FC.
The Dragons will again be without second-rower Kenny Edwards whilst there will be a new halfback combination after Matty Smith picked up a knock last week and is ruled out as a result.
In more positive news for the French side, Steve McNamara is able to welcome back a couple of injured players into his side with long-term absentees David Mead and Ben Garcia available once again.
Hull FC bounced back from their heavy defeat against Warrington as they held off a late Salford fightback last week to leap into the top 5 but face an uphill task as they travel to the south of France.
Hull will be without Mickey Paea and Andre Savelio after both copped suspensions last week but that is just the tip of the iceberg with fellow forward Scott Taylor also out to leave the Black and Whites extremely short in the pack.
Fetuli Talanoa retired during the week after ongoing injury problems but Hull have been able to call upon Jake Connor, whilst Levy Nzoungou and Jack Brown are included in the squad and could make their debut.
Catalans will be looking to make it three home wins in a row when they host Hull FC this weekend. The Dragons became the first team to beat St. Helens this season with a solid display in bad conditions last week and, with an under-strength Hull side travelling to France, they can claim another win. Hull are without six members of their pack which is far from ideal against a big Catalans side and that is likely where the game will be won, with the Dragons having too much through the middle.


Subscribe to Hexxcom's RSS feed to get the latest Updates. Thanks for visiting!New trade packs with India and Thailand & Indonesia could come into affect with respect to the health, education and accountancy sectors.
Private equity investments in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have risen by 70% rise during the first two months of 2011.
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva are to meet next month to discuss the progress made on the proposed India-Thailand comprehensive free trade agreement.
In a move to help the growth of solar projects in India, the government may supply the banks and finance companies with Rs 1,500 crore over the next 2 years, in order for them to lend money for solar energy projects.
The Indian commerce ministry is expecting trade between India and Nigeria to reach US $12 Billion for the 2010-11 fiscal year.


Andreas Siljeström (37 years old) (born July 21 1981) is a Swedish professional tennis player who specialises in doubles. He has a career doubles high-ranking of 65 (achieved in February 2012).He is among the tallest male players on the tour only Ivo Karlović (208 cm) is taller and he is as tall as John Isner (206 cm).
When is Andreas Siljeström's birthday?
Andreas Siljeström was born on the 21th of July 1981 , which was a Tuesday. Andreas Siljeström will be turning 38 in only 93 days from today.
How old is Andreas Siljeström?
Andreas Siljeström is 37 years old. To be more precise, the current age as of right now is 13786 days, 12 hours, 8 minutes and 59 seconds.
What is Andreas Siljeström's zodiac sign?
Andreas Siljeström's zodiac sign is Cancer.
Is Andreas Siljeström still alive?
Yes, Andreas Siljeström is still alive.


text:
International Construction Issue Archibe
SiteZone technology offered for rent
SiteZone is a wearable two-way proximity alarm which uses vibration, audio and visual warnings to alert users when they have entered a detection zone
UK machine and safety technology specialist OnGrade said it was collaborating with safety rental company ESS Safeforce to increase worker protection on construction sites.
OnGrade said it had supplied its radio-frequency identification (RFID) proximity warning system, SiteZone, to ESS Safeforce.
SiteZone is a wearable two-way proximity alarm which uses vibration, audio and visual warnings to alert users when they have entered a detection zone – areas which can be varied depending on the site and vehicle requirements.
OnGrade said the collaboration was aimed at ensuring workers were protected from site vehicle collision risk. The system is said to alert personnel, operators and pedestrians to each other's presence regardless of site conditions, and warn of a potential collision.
According to the Health and Safety Executive there were 65,000 non-fatal work injuries reported in between 2014 and 2015. Approximately 11% of those people were struck by objects while doing their jobs on site, including by moving equipment. In total, 42 lives were lost from being struck by machinery or an object.
OnGrade decided that the best way to make SiteZone accessible and affordable for all site workers, SMEs and sole traders was to follow the rental model.
In this way, it said smaller businesses which are required to use the system on short-term contracts, can afford to outfit themselves with RFID safety systems as and when they need to, without having to purchase them.
Gary Escott, director of OnGrade, said, "Proximity warning systems aren't just improving safety issues, but also improving the work-related health agenda as well. It makes users feel secure. Every worker on site that faces the danger of collision risk in the course of their daily work should be able have and feel this extra security and safety."
And renting the equipment comes with the added security of replacement in the unlikely event that there's a problem with the RFID system. ESS Safeforce also worked closely with OnGrade through its special support team, offering assistance to anyone renting SiteZone; including installation.
Director at ESS Safeforce Gary Ridsdale added, "Some time ago ESS Safeforce realised that OnGrade had a truly innovative and lifesaving product with its SiteZone proximity warning system.
"As one of the UK's leading suppliers of safety equipment for rental, we encounter numerous plant operators trying to enforce pedestrian exclusion zones, hence there is huge market potential for SiteZone, encompassing the safety of both workforce and civilians.
"In light of even stricter safety standards across the UK construction sector, we offer SiteZone as an early adoption product. In most construction environments we can identify the potential need, whether that is a cost effective safety product available for rental, or an innovative tool which enables improved processes and procedures for a business or during a project."
International Construction - January-February 2020
ESS Safeforce
OnGrade
SiteZone
Prodem moves into France
Attachments specialist grows global operations with opening of new office in south east of country
Scott Bros expands composting operations
Recycling specialist's use of recycled materials to increase waste recycling demonstrates circular economy
Vinci improvement continues
French giant's construction division order book is up 9% since start of year, while Eurovia's order book has grown too
Stellar 1st quarter leap for Cemex
Cement maker reports an almost tenfold increase in net income for the first three months of 2017


The Samsung Series 5 is their first netbook to run on Google's Chrome OS. The Chrome OS is a completely cloud based OS and is a great concept from Google.
The Chromebook features the standard netbook specs, although with a larger screen and SSD drive.
As you can see it also has a dual-core processor instead of the usual single core we see in most netbooks.
The construction is great as you would expect from a Samsung. The keyboard is full size and very nice to type on, and there is a large trackpad with multitouch (and no buttons). There have been some complaints about left and right clicks being mistaken for each other occasionally, but there are driver updates available for it that fix these and make it an excellent trackpad to use.
It includes the usual ports, 2 x USB, card reader, headphones, etc. The VGA out and a usb port are hidden behind a small access panel which makes for a cleaner look.
The OS is browser based, so anything that you want to do is based on using browser based apps such as google docs, email, chrome, etc. The Chrome OS now allows you to do offline document editing which is a huge improvement from the first versions which only functioned if you had an internet connection.
The Series 5 does come with 2 years of Verizon's 3G service, but will cost you around $50 per month after that (some data plans are less). The 2 years free service includes up to 100MB of data usage which most people won't go over. And if you're not going to be using it on the road alot, the wifi only model can be had for only $349 from Amazon.
There is a 1Mp front-facing webcam for video chat which integrates very well using Google Plus circles. Of course other video chat programs work with it as well but Google made sure this one works especially smooth.
The whole point of the Chrome OS is to have a fast start time, and it delivers. With the SSD drive it will boot into the OS in around 7 seconds, and less than 1 second from stand-by.
The battery life is stated by Samsung at 8.5 hours with continuous use, and in real life testing this is a very accurate number. With the lid closed the netbook will go into a hibernation mode where the battery will last almost forever, so you don't have to worry about it slowly discharging while sitting around.
The question is really what you spend most of your time doing on your computer. If it's document editing, surfing the web, watching movies and playing games then you'll probably be very happy with a Chromebook. If you're doing some video editing, playing graphics intensive games, or need a desktop replacement this probably isn't the computer for you.
You can pickup a 3G equipped Chromebook for around $425 from Amazon, or a wifi only model for only $349.


CABOT Learning Federation is celebrating after its Post 16 provision was rated Good in all areas by the education watchdog Ofsted.
Inspectors judged the sixth form as part of their visit to John Cabot Academy in Kingswood in November, when they also rated the school as a whole as Good.
The inspectors said Post 16 students benefit from being taught by skilled subject specialists who know them well and set appropriate tasks and challenges.
"Students studying A levels make broadly similar progress to students in other sixth forms. Over the last few years, results have slowly improved, although in 2018 they remained broadly static. Disadvantaged students made good progress and pupils who speak English as an additional language also achieved well. Students studying applied subjects achieved a little less well in 2018 than in the previous year. Leaders and teachers have acted quickly to address this and students currently studying in school are making appropriate progress," it said.
Ofsted noted that students who retake GCSE English and mathematics make strong progress.
"Students are making good progress because the quality of teaching is consistently well matched to their needs. Students are also well supported by teachers through a well- organised academic mentoring system. Students value this level of individual attention. Teachers are quick to provide additional help when they see students struggling to keep up with their studies."
Kath Cooper, Head of CLF Post 16, which is run over two sites at JCA and Bristol Brunel Academy, said, "I am delighted with the outcome from the recent Ofsted visit. This is a true representation of the journey Post 16 has been on over the last three years.


KBB.com has compiled a list of the ten best green cars for 2015 and placed for the second year in a row the BMW i3 at the top of its ranking.
Each year the KBB.com editors compile a list of the most efficient vehicles available and then pick 10 standouts featuring a variety of price ranges and powertrains, publishing them as the 10 Best Green Cars of 2015.
SEE ALSO: Are Lower Battery Prices Bringing EVs Near Cost Parity With Conventional Cars?


text:
Bomber may have attacked fifth spot
amny Credit: amny
By amNY January 2, 2012 5:49 PM
A series of firebombs hurled at properties in eastern Queens on Sunday night spooked community members and led police to investigate Monday whether the incidents were bias attacks.
Also Monday, police were investigating whether the same arsonist conducted another attack on a home in nearby Elmont.
A Nassau County police spokesman said the Elmont incident took place around 9:40 p.m., when a homeowner heard his living room window break and discovered a shattered bottle containing an accelerant on his front porch. The substance did not ignite.
The other targets were in the Jamaica area, police said. The first bombing occurred at the 179th Street Deli on Hillside Ave. around 8 p.m.
At least three more properties were hit in quick succession: a residence on 107th Avenue; the Imam Al-Khoei Islamic Center on the Van Wyck Expressway; and a 170th Street home that is also a Hindu temple.
Police said the Molotov cocktails were constructed out of glass Starbucks bottles.
City officials quickly condemned the spate of attacks.
"[The] actions stand in stark contrast to the New York City of today that we've built together," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg, adding that the NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit was investigating.
(with Newsday)


Well. The last week I haven`t been that inspired to blog. The inspiration just died and I didn`t even feel guilty to be honest. But don`t worry I will continue with my blog. I just think I need/needed a little break.
Lately I have been sick & had a little food poisening!. I have recovered and gotten my lazy as back into the gym and I have gotten back to work. It feels so good to get going again. I have of course been doing some other stuff in between and I have some pictures to live up this blog post. Nothing special just random ones.
Another walk in the beautiful autumn weather. Love my stockings from H&M!
I had this huge lilly bouquet that almost smelled too much in our little apartment after a while.
Svar: Haha, inte än :PI samma butik som jag köpte mitt bestick! Dom är i plast och kostade typ 15 kr!
Welcome to my little world. Here you will mostly read about my everyday rambling, material goodness and whatever I feel like sharing with the world. Hope you will enjoy it and I will be ever so grateful for a comment.
Deep wine and bloody colors.


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