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USA- California | New law regulates industrial hemp products including CBD
The Government of California has signed, Assembly Bill AB-45, into law which will regulate industrial hemp products, removing restrictions on the sale of dietary supplements, food, beverages, cosmetics, and pet foods that include industrial hemp or cannabinoids, extracts, or derivatives of industrial hemp.
Key highlights of the law are:
The new legislation sets new registration process, under the State Department of Public Health, for hemp manufacturers who produce specified products that include industrial hemp or who produce raw hemp extract, as defined, including requirements for testing and labelling on products.
Ingestible CBD products – including dietary supplements and food – and topical CBD products made in compliance with this law will be legal for retail sale without restriction in California.
The legislation allows for the sale of inhalable hemp products; however, the sale of these inhalable products is prohibited until the passage of legislation that would establish a tax on inhalable hemp products.
*Tanvi Singh, Editorial Assistant has reported this brief.
Published on October 11, 2021 October 12, 2021 By Editor
Leave a comment443 views
Case BriefsCOVID 19High Courts
Guj HC | Out of work, money and food, migrants workers wished to go back to their hometowns, instead were sent to jail: "More the victims, certainly not criminals"
Gujarat High Court: Paresh Upadhyay, J., while addressing a matter with regard to granting bail to the migrant workers who were locked in jails, stated that,
"instead of sending these labourers back to their hometown when they wished to go back due to no money, work and food, they were locked in jails."
"These migrants are more the victims certainly not criminals."
Present application was filed for regular bail. He was punishable for the offences under Sections 143, 144, 147, 148, 149, 186, 332, 333, 336, 337, 427 and 188 of Penal Code, 1860 and Section 135(1) of the Gujarat Police Act, Section 3 of Epidemic Act, 1897, Section 51(b) of the Disaster Management Act and Section 3(1) and 3(2)(e) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Advocates on behalf of the applicants submitted that of the total 33 applicants, 32 are from the State of Jharkhand and one is from the State of West Bengal.
The stated applicants were migrant workers and in the new lockdown they were all without any work, money and food, thus under the said circumstances they wished to go back to their home which led to an untoward incident.
Since 18-05-2020, applicants are in jail.
"…fit case to exercise the discretion to release the applicants on bail, in exercise of powers under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973."
-High Court
Court noted that instead of sending the above-stated labourers back to their home towns when they were out of money, food and work, they were locked up in the jails.
In view of the above, bench said that,
Applicants are more the victims, certainly not the criminals. Thus, the said applicants immediately needs to be set free on furnishing person bond without any conditions.
Thus, the application has been allowed. [Ravi v. State of Gujarat, 2020 SCC OnLine Guj 930, decided on 23-06-2020]
Published on June 25, 2020 July 3, 2020 By Devika Sharma
Del HC | PIL filed without "any ground work" and any "thought to it"; Court dismisses petition seeking effective measures for sex workers and LGBTQ community during COVID-19
Delhi High Court: A Division Bench of Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, JJ., dismissed a petition raising concerns for the welfare of LGBTQI Community, as the same was filed without any ground work.
Public Interest Litigation was filed to seek direction to respondent to take effective measures to provide financial aid including food, shelter and medicines, etc., to sex workers, lesbians, bisexuals, gay and transgender people in Delhi for their survival during the COVID-19 Pandemic; petitioner also sought the constitution of a Committee for their rehabilitation.
Another point raised in the PIL was the exemption of rent for above-stated persons living in Delhi.
Bench on observing the points on concern raised in the PIL, asked the Counsel that for whose benefit the petition has been filed and how such people/persons are to be identified, he had no clue and appears to be thunderstruck by the question.
"…Whether any separate register is maintained of such persons, as indeed cannot be, again the petitioner has no idea.
Bench asked the Petitioner, whether such persons would come forward to identify themselves; he was unable to say anything whatsoever except for stating that such task should also be assigned to the respondent."
Further the bench dismissed the matter by stating that respondent as well as State Governments have already brought out several schemes to alleviate hardship to citizens in wake of COVID-19.
Supreme Court and other Courts have already issued directions in the above regard and such persons are not being discriminated.
Thus petitioner sought to withdraw his petition. Court allowed for the same on the condition that,
"the petitioner, if files any other public interest litigation in his name or on behalf of anybody else, to file a copy of this order alongwith the said PIL and mention this order prominently, in the synopsis as well as in the body of such fresh petition if any. [Anurag Chauhan v. Union of India, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 584 , decided on 11-05-2020]
Published on May 13, 2020 May 22, 2020 By Devika Sharma
COVID 19 | Kar HC | Media to ensure that Court's order are not misinterpreted or misquoted; Voluntary organisations can distribute food while following social distancing
Karnataka High Court: A Division Bench of Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, CJ and and B.V. Nagarathna, J. while dealing with certain issues amid COVID 19 outbreak, noted a very significant point, that,
media must ensure that no part of the stand taken by the State Government or no part of the orders passed by this Court should be misinterpreted or misquoted
In the present petition, the issue brought in is with regard to the Order issued by Kalaburgi District Administration which suggests that organizations distributing food to beggars, needy and homeless are committing violation of prohibitory order under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.
In view of the above, it has been sought that the order should be modified in a manner that individuals, voluntary organizations, NGOs, etc. should be permitted to continue with the work of supplying the food to the underprivileged and poorer sections of the society.
Bench observed that,
"Voluntary organizations cannot be prevented from distributing food to the weaker sections of the society so long as they are following the norms of social distancing and taking other precautionary measures."
Further the Court added to its observations that,
since its first order, Court has been suggesting to the State Government that activities of NGOs need to be coordinated. Thus State government must respond on the stated.
It will be appropriate if the State Government comes out with a direction for convening meetings with NGOs working in the field at various levels so that their activities can be co- ordinated
On a requisition made by the Chairpersons of the DLSAs to the concerned State officials, requisite number of passes shall be issued forthwith to enable the PLVs to perform the duties which are entrusted to them. The Director General of Police may also consider of issuing necessary guidelines to the police authorities to allow the PLVs to do their work on production of the certificates/passes issued by the DLSAs.
With regard to opening of shelter homes, Court stated that, considering the fact that nearly 1/3rd of positive cases of COVID-19 reported in the State are from Bengaluru Urban District, compliance by BBMP with the directions issued by the State Government is of utmost importance.
Another significant observation made through this order by the bench was that,
"… while reporting our orders, the media and in particular, the electronic media has to be very careful. The media must ensure that no part of the stand taken by the State Government or no part of the orders passed by this Court should be misinterpreted or misquoted."
Cause of confusion and panic can be misrepresentation of the orders of this Court by the media.
While noting the above observations and asking for State Governments response, the present petition is to be dealt on 16-04-2020. [Mohammed Arif Jameel v. Union of India, WP No. 6435 of 2020, decided on 13-04-2020]
Published on April 16, 2020 April 16, 2020 By Devika Sharma
COVID 19 | Bom HC | State Govt. to ensure that no person should go hungry and basic necessities reach individuals including the ones in remote areas
Bombay High Court: A. A. Sayed, J. addressed issues pertaining to migrant labourers, homeless and other marginalised communities in the city of Mumbai pursuant to COVID-19 pandemic and in particular relating to making water, food and healthcare facilities available to them.
B V Samant, AGP submitted that State Government has set up relief/shelter camps and about 7.5 lakh migrant labourers have been accommodated and along with that they are being provided 3 meals a day.
In each district a common helpline has been set up. Various advisories have been issued by Centre and State Government that being followed by authorities.
Senior Counsel, Gayatri Singh for the petitioners submitted that though various advisories have been issued by Centre and State Government and there are several schemes in place, there is no implementation of the same by State authorities and the benefits pursuant to them are not reaching the migrant labourers and homeless persons.
No proper response to the help-lines and there are several areas where there is no water, food, medicines and healthcare, and toilet facilities made available.
Court's Decision
Bench stated that the issues pertain to implementation of the advisories and schemes of Centre and State Government and as regards the benefits being made available to all the migrants and the marginalised sections of community.
There is a scheme in place for victims of disasters through the Legal Services Authorities to ensure immediate help to the victims of disaster by Government and Non-Government Agencies. Under the said scheme, the State Legal Services Authorities are required to co- ordinate the implementation of the plan of action prepared by the Disaster Management Authorities and supervise the transferring victims of disaster to shelters and the distribution of food, drinking water, medicines and healthcare, to such victims.
Thus, District Legal Services Authorities can play an effective role by co-ordinating the activities of the State Government authorities.
Hence, endeavour of the State Government must be that no victims go hungry and the food/food-grains reach all victims (even in remote areas), and drinking water, medicines, healthcare and hygienic toilette facilities are provided to them. [Sarva Hara Jan Andolan v. State of Maharashtra, 2020 SCC OnLine Bom 520, decided on 08-04-2020]
Case BriefsHigh Courts
COVID-19 | Ker HC | Additional Advocate General to file a comprehensive statement with regard to — provision of food & shelter to migrant workers
Kerala High Court: A Division Bench of Shaji P. Chaly and A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar, JJ. addresed a petition filed by amicus curiae of the Court with regard to provision of shelter and food to migrant workers.
Amicus Curiae Advocate Parvathi Sanjay voiced her apprehension through the present petition with regard to migrant workers of Ernakulam District and Kottayam District and sought direction for provision of food and shelter to them.
Court on perusal of the above issue stated that a statement needs to be filed with regard to the steps being taken in the above regard.
Additional Advocate General, Ranjith Thampan has also been requested to file a statement with regard to the steps being taken by State of Kerala to provide shelter and food to the migrant workers.
Additional Advocate General thus submits that he will file a comprehensive statement on or before 03-04-2020.
Matter has been listed through video conferencing for 03-04-2020. [ I.A. NO. … in WP(C). No. 23724 of 2016, In re,2020 SCC OnLine Ker 1301 ,Order dt. 31-03-2020]
Published on April 1, 2020 April 17, 2020 By Devika Sharma
Delhi Riot Victims | Del HC | Riot victims will be provided with required medical aid, food and accommodation
Delhi High Court: A Division Bench of Sanjeev Sachdeva and Navin Chawla, JJ. addressed the matter with regard to the issues being faced by the Delhi Riot victims.
The present hearing has been conducted through video conferencing.
Senior Advocate, Colin Gonsalves contended that Delhi Riot Victims have been facing several issues, he stated that the victims were staying at Idgah Camp but the Government has cleared the camp due to which they had to relocate themselves. In view of the lockdown they are facing several issues with regard to medical and food.
Standing Counsel for GNCTD, Rahul Mehra states that the camp has been removed as the victims voluntarily left camp and were not removed by police or government.
He added to his submission that, in view the present situation and also the directions with regard to lockdown issued by the Central Government, the officers shall get in touch with the representatives of each of the 275 families, whose names and telephone numbers have been provided and will further ascertain whether any assistance with regard to food, medical help etc. is required by them.
The families will be provided with the Nodal officers details for any kind of assistance during an emergent situation. In case any of the families require accommodation, efforts shall be made to immediately place them in appropriate accommodation/relief camps.
Senior Advocate, Colin Gonsalves further submits that there is an apprehension with regard to shifting them to the existing night shelters in and around their respective localities.
Standing Counsel for East Delhi Municipal Corporation submit that authorities shall coordinate between themselves and ensure that such families are not accommodated in the existing night shelters.
List for directions/reporting compliance on 03.04.2020 [Shaikh Mujtaba Farooq v. Union of India, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 49, decided on 30-03-2020]
COVID-19 | Del HC | Delhi riot victims who may be shelterless to be provided accommodation and basic amenities
Published on March 31, 2020 April 3, 2020 By Devika Sharma
Delhi High Court: A Division Bench of Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh, JJ. addressed an application filed under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 directed,
"GNCTD to ensure that all the riot victims, who may be shelterless were provided with accommodation."
Petitioner in the present application has prayed for the following:
"a. Directing a large contingent of cleaning staff from the East Delhi Municipal Corporation to go immediately to the area to carry out the cleaning on a war footing and continue cleaning the area and the drains twice a day.
b. Directing the respondents to re-open the relief camp at Idgah, Mustafabad and to provide proper food supplies, sanitation, cleaning of toilets, adequate water and security.
c. Directing the respondents to publicly announce on television and in the Newspapers that the Idgah camp is open and all those who seek refuge there are welcome to return.
d. Directing the respondents to provide doctors and medical care immediately.
e. Restraining the respondents from preventing or interfering with the work of genuine NGO's and media persons providing assistance.
f. Directions for the security to be upgraded with immediate effect.
g. Directions for appointment of a responsible person as Court Commissioner to visit the riot affected areas and the relief camps and to make a report about the conditions and to make recommendations regarding what is needed to be done urgently.
h. Pass any other order which this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper to do complete justice to the matter/case."
GNCTD is directed to ensure that all the riot victims, who may be shelterless were provided with accommodation, at Community Centres or at Night Shelters operated by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board.
Adding to the above, provision of food, water and medical aid shall also be provided to the victims.
GNCTD and EDMC shall furthermore, individually and jointly, ensure that sanitation, cleanliness and hygiene is properly and regularly maintained at the locations/centres/shelters, where the riot victims are to be housed.
The petition is to be re-notified on 30-03-2020. [Shaikh Mujtaba Farooq v. Union of India, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 500 , decided on 27-03-2020]
Published on March 30, 2020 April 10, 2020 By Devika Sharma
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Main » 2015 » March » 30 » Abu Dhabi Hosts GCC Risk Management Committee Meeting
Abu Dhabi Hosts GCC Risk Management Committee Meeting
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, March 24th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
The third meeting of the Risk Management Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was launched Tuesday morning. The meeting, headed by Brigadier Abdullah Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Defense in Qatar, comes within the framework of cooperation and coordination between the GCC countries.
Brigadier Abdullah Mohammed Al Suwaidi, head of the Qatari delegation and chairman of the meeting, welcomed the members of the delegations participating in the meeting and conveyed the greetings of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. Brigadier Al Suwaidi also extended his gratitude to the UAE for hosting the meeting and for the benevolent hospitality, and wished good luck for the participants. He also praised the efforts made by the Secretariat General of the GCC in the preparations for the meeting.
In his speech delivered on this occasion, Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Civil Defense Acting General Commander-in-Chief and chairman of the UAE delegation in the meeting, praised the joint efforts in enhancing cooperation among the GCC countries and the exchange of expertise the various police and security work fields. He extended his thanks to the Secretariat General of the GCC for its efforts in preparing for the meeting and wished them a good stay in their second home, the UAE.
For his part, Major General Abdurrahman bin Mohammed Al Saleh, Chief of the Command and Control Center at the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Head of Saudi delegation, delivered a speech through which he conveyed the greetings of His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince and Second Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Interior of Saudi Arabia, and wished them success in their important meeting in order to achieve the objectives sought by the GCC leaders.
Moreover, he stressed that in light of the urban and economic prosperity and development and population growth in the GCC countries, one of the top priorities that GCC countries are working towards involves the preservation of life and property. He pointed to the importance of work, for emergency preparedness, for the need to redouble efforts, and for continuous cooperation in order to handle such situations. Such aspects are necessary in order to maintain the security and stability of the GCC.
Adding further, he said: "The responsibility of handling emergency situations is a shared and comprehensive responsibility that cannot be undertaken by any of the GCC countries alone - it is the responsibility of all the GCC countries. This is what we are all looking forward to through this meeting, in order to achieve the wishes, aspirations, and goals of our leaders and of our people. "
Towards the end of his speech, Major General Al Saleh extended his thanks to everyone for their continuous interest in maintaining mutual cooperation and in achieving the objectives sought-after by the leaders of the GCC.
In his address on this occasion, Colonel Hazza'a Mubarak Al Hajri, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Security Affairs, addressed his heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, for his unwavering support in promoting joint security work between the GCC countries. Moreover, Colonel Al Hajri highlighted the importance of the integration of work between GCC countries, in developing joint plans and strategies to face risks, in ensuring the progress and prosperity of the GCC countries, and of achieving the aspirations of their leaders and peoples through the consolidation of efforts and continuous coordination.
Colonel Al Hajri expressed his thanks and gratitude to the UAE for the warm welcome and for the hospitality. He also noted that the agenda of the meeting is rich in subject matter, and the recommendations yielded from such topics shall meet the aspirations and hopes of the GCC Ministers of Interior.
In a speech delivered by Brigadier General Mohammed Abdul Karim Showaiter, Director General of the General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Head of the Bahraini delegation, he expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the UAE for the kind reception and hospitality. Brigadier General Showaiter also expressed his hopes that the meeting will achieve the sought-after objectives.
Brigadier Engineer Mubarak bin Juma Al Ghailani, Director General of Civil Defense in the Sultanate of Oman and Head of the Omani delegation, addressed his sincere thanks to the UAE for hosting the meeting. Brigadier Engineer Al Ghailani also emphasized its importance in realizing the aspirations and hopes of the leaders and people of the GCC countries.
Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Hussein Al Zaabi, Head of the Kuwaiti delegation, conveyed to the participants in the meeting the greetings of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and addressed his deepest thanks to the UAE for hosting the meeting.
The first session was launched following the speeches, during which the attendees reviewed and discussed a number of topics. It is noteworthy that the GCC Risk Management Committee will resume its meetings tomorrow, Wednesday, in order to complete the discussions of the various topics.
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Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE
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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
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in Business, Series 12
Game Changers: Melissa Doyle Speaks To Twisted Healthy Treats CEO And Founder Cassandra Spies
by Robyn Foyster May 3, 2020, 12:40 pm
The first time Cassandra Spies experienced frozen yoghurt was when she visited the US with her family. She quickly realised there was a gap in the market for healthy frozen yoghurts.
In 2009, Cassandra, who has a Bachelor of Science in Food Technology, launched Twisted Healthy Treats in a local shop in Bondi, Sydney.
Now, a decade on, the all-natural, authentic lite ice-cream and frozen yoghurt company has proven so successful, it is available in 1,800 supermarkets across Australia and in 80 per cent of school canteens.
Not one to shy away from competition, Cassandra has set her sight on becoming Australia's leading frozen dessert manufacturer. She has also started to export her popular range of products overseas with containers being shipped to the United States and other lucrative markets for the first time.
None of this, Cassandra told Game Changers host Melissa Doyle, would have been possible without her all-female executive team, all of whom have been with her since the beginning. That, and a tasty product which has the additional benefit of being good for you.
The frozen yoghurts are sold in take-home tubs and single-serve cups at Woolworths, Coles, Harris Farm Markets, Costco and more. Twisted Healthy Treats is also committed to local manufacturing and operates a state-of-the-art facility in Alexandria, Sydney.
Twisted Healthy Treats
But running this business isn't just all about the frozen yoghurt for the company's founder and CEO Cassandra Spies, it's also about empowering women to work in business. Her all-female, family-run management team is a tribute to that and they have remained loyal "through the ups and downs" all businesses go through, for the last ten years.
"My management team is all-female and it's not because they're female that they have the job," says Cassandra. "They have the job because they're the best ones for the roles."
Twisted Healthy Treats products are low in calories, contain no added sugar, and they are also tingle the taste buds.
"We take an incredibly tasty product and we make it healthy"
Cassandra Spies, Founder and CEO of Twisted Healthy Treats
On top of that, Twisted Healthy Treats is dedicated to using the best Australian produce. Using 100% Australian dairy and fresh fruit via local Aussie farmers is supporting a community that is very much in need of it. Cassandra believes that our "farming industry, and the methods we use, produce the best tasting dairy and the most delicious fruit in the world."
Combine that with the billions of probiotics and you've got a tasty dessert that also does a power of good for your body. The probiotics in the products can withstand stomach acid and therefore remain alive in the digestive system which in turn strengthens and supports the "immune system, your digestion and your protein utilisation". It also helps to lowers blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels.
Cassandra Spies with her all-female team from Twisted Healthy Treats
For Cassandra, this year is all about growing and expanding their range of products and marketing it to customers around the world. 2020 has already seen the launch of its latest product Twisted Licks – the 99% juice ice block without any added sugar.
"2020 is about overseas expansion which is really exciting and is something that we've been working on for the last two years," adds Cassandra. "We're just about to send our first container of product to the US."
Find out more about Twisted Healthy products on their website: https://www.twistedhealthytreats.com.au/https://www.twistedhealthytreats.com.au/
CassSpiesGameChangersTwistedHealthyTreats
Written by Robyn Foyster
With over 30 years experience as a journalist and TV producer, Robyn Foyster is the owner and publisher of the lifestyle websites TheCarousel.com, GameChangers.com.au and WomenLoveTech.com.
Robyn was voted one of the 30 most powerful women in media at the 2015 B&T Women In Media Awards.
Previously, Robyn was the Publisher and Editor of Australia's three biggest flagship magazine brands - The Australian Women's Weekly, Woman's Day and New Idea.
Robyn won Editor of the Year at the 2007 Magazine of the Year Award and under her helm The Australian Women's Weekly won the inaugural 2008 Australian Magazine Award for Australia's best mass market magazine and New Idea won the MPA's coveted Magazine of the Year award.
She can be contacted on robyn@thecarousel.com.
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Robert Heron Sony MFM-HT95 The Sony MFM-HT95 is a versatile multifunction display hampered by mediocre image uniformity.
Incorporates analog A/V inputs and an integrated NTSC TV tuner. Thoughtfully designed remote control. Good contrast ratio.
Poor image uniformity. Screen technology best suited for light-controlled environments.
The Sony MFM-HT95 is a versatile multifunction display hampered by mediocre image uniformity.
The Sony MFM-HT95 ($799.99 list) is a 19-inch LCD that, with its comprehensive set of video inputs, is an ideal display for taming a tangle of audio and video (A/V) components. The MFM-HT95's versatility is compelling, but its mediocre image quality had us considering other options.
The MFM-HT95's myriad video inputs include DVI, VGA, component, and S-Video/composite. Each video input is equipped with an independent audio input, making the MFM-HT95 especially useful for people who frequently switch among various A/V components while using a single display. An integrated analog TV tuner provides access to unscrambled content via a standard RF input.
A spring-loaded folding stand at the rear of the MFM-HT95 provides 20 degrees of vertical angle adjustment. Similar to the stand design of Sony's MFM-HT75W and SDM-HS75P displays, the base lacks any height adjustment, and users must physically turn the entire display to adjust the horizontal angle.
The MFM-HT95's infrared remote control is a simple, yet elegant design that offers a thoughtful button layout with comfortable spacing. In addition, the remote is easy to operate with one hand and includes buttons for discrete input selection—a practical necessity since switching inputs via the MFM-HT95's on-display controls is painfully slow. But the remote lacks a backlight or glow-in-the-dark buttons, making it difficult to use in dimly lit environments.
The MFM-HT95 uses Sony's XBrite technology to enhance contrast levels. The overall effect is darker black levels that make colors look brighter, but the glossy finish of this "clear-coat" technology is best suited for light-controlled environments. Otherwise, you may end up staring at yourself more often than at the content of the screen.
The MFM-HT95 exhibited none of the serious viewing-angle artifacts we encountered with its 17-inch sibling, the SDM-HS75P. We noticed, however, that video playback suffered from loss of detail and washed-out colors at angles of 45 degrees or more from all sides.
The MFM-HT95's integrated speakers and subwoofer initially sounded a bit tinny, but slightly increasing the bass adjustment resulted in decent sound quality. An easily accessible headphone jack on the side of the display was a nice touch.
In the lab, the MFM-HT95's factory default "movie" mode delivered an impressive 593:1 contrast ratio. Good black measurements contributed to this result, but DisplayMate (www.displaymate.com) evaluations with full-screen dark colors revealed bright spots in all corners and particularly in the lower corners.
Stepped grayscale tests were marked with periodic green-tinged bands at lower intensities. Slight changes in the horizontal viewing angle affected the perceived brightness of individual color steps, with the left edges appearing darker than the right. The MFM-HT95's lack of a viewing sweet spot carried over into our color purity and uniformity tests, where small shifts in the viewing angle affected color intensity at the dark end of the scale. The results with the lighter side of the grayscale were far more impressive: Fine details were rendered clearly and evenly until very close to peak-white.
As with the other Sony LCDs we have seen this year, the MFM-HT95's text legibility was very good down to 9 pixels/6.8 points. The display's lack of a viewing sweet spot, however, affected the uniformity of light-colored fonts. Dark fonts on a light background appeared near-perfect.
Although we found light image smearing during our PC Magazine Labs motion test, as well as in PC games such as Unreal Tournament 2004, the MFM-HT95's 12-ms pixel-response rate is adequate for most applications. When you compare that rate with the 25-ms rate of the Samsung SyncMaster 930mp, an Editors' Choice, the MFM-HT95 is certainly better suited to fast-paced gaming.
Sony's MFM-HT95 is a versatile display with some image uniformity issues. If you require a multifunction LCD that displays a consistent image from edge to edge, Samsung's SyncMaster 930mp is a better choice. Otherwise, the MFM-HT95 offers a good blend of performance and functionality.
Bottom Line: The Sony MFM-HT95 is a versatile multifunction display hampered by mediocre image uniformity.


text:
Jingjing Chen • April 15, 2016
Favorite Astro Plots #4: Classifying Exoplanets
Mass and size. Two of the most fundamental properties of any object. So fundamental that they are two of the seven "base units" in the International System of Units. In astronomy, measuring (rather than just guesstimating) both the mass and radius of other worlds is tough and, until just a few years ago, a plot of mass versus size of other worlds would have looked pretty sparse and uninformative. But thanks to the tireless efforts of exoplanet astronomers, we now know fairly precise masses and radii for hundreds of distant worlds. Welcome to the era of big exoplanet data!
You are probably used to thinking of mass and radius as being "properties" or "parameters" of an object. But a data scientist interested in classifying the data into different groups would call them "features".
Classifying data using features can sometimes provide important physical insights, with a nice example coming from the case of phase changes for H2O. Imagine having a sealed box full of water ice for which you are only able to measure what the temperature inside the box is. Let's say you start heating the box up (increasing the energy input). You'll observe that the temperature inside the box will increase, as shown in the plot below. But then you'll notice the thermometer stabilizes at 0oC for a while, even though you're still heating the box! This is because the energy is being used to transform the ice from solid to liquid (although remember you don't know this because you can't see inside the box!). Now take a data scientist and show them the temperature versus energy input data shown below. They would apply a classification algorithm and be able to identify the three phases of matter, even though they were never able to peer inside the box and actually see the different phases.
Solid to gas phase change
In my recent paper, I was interested in applying this kind of thinking to mass and radius of different worlds. Could we classify the planets? The plot below compares the mass with the size of any object massive enough to look round (i.e. dwarf planets) all the way up to stars which have not yet lived long enough to become giant stars. The least massive world shown in this plot is smaller than the Moon, while the most massive world extends to stars a little smaller than the Sun. Aside from the eight Solar System planets (the orange symbols), this plot includes the moons and dwarf planets in our Solar System, and about 300 extrasolar worlds detected through a variety of techniques.
Jingjing Chen, Columbia University
Exoplanet radius vs. mass
Just like the temperature-versus-energy input plot from before, it is clear that a single straight-line relation would not fit all of the data. This is because different worlds have different compositions and different underlying physics that govern the relation between mass and radius -- there are phase changes! So instead of a single straight line, we fit a broken power-law between mass and radius. The transitional points between each pair of relations are fitted as a part of our model, which essentially means that we are performing classification of these worlds.
The first transition happens at 2 Earth masses, corresponding to about 1.23 Earth radius. We labeled the category below this point as the "Terran worlds", because the Earth is a typical member. Many Solar System worlds, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, as well as the moons and dwarf planets, all belong to this category, exhibiting a tight relationship between mass and radius. Its neighboring category is labeled as the "Neptunian worlds", containing three of the outer planets in the Solar System—Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Worlds in this category possess significant volatile envelopes, which makes their radii increase much more rapidly than the radii of the Terran worlds. Saturn sits on the verge of the Neptunian category, just to the right of the second transition, which occurs at 0.41 Jupiter mass (or around 130 Earth mass). In fact, using the classification derived in our project, Saturn is 95% likely to be a Neptunian world and 5% likely to be a Jovian world (Jupiter-like). The next category—"Jovian worlds" is kind of special. In this category, all the worlds have almost the same radius, despite the fact that mass has increased for more than 100 times. This category contains the most massive kind of planets and brown dwarfs. Some classification regards planets and brown dwarfs to be different. However, as is shown in the plot, brown dwarfs follow the same mass-radius relation as the most massive planets. The last transition is at 0.08 Solar mass. Above this limit, the internal pressures are sufficiently high that its core will be able to ignite a hydrogen nuclear fusion chain reaction. Hence the last category, "Stellar worlds", contains stars.
Aside from classification, this mass-radius relation can also be used for forecasting. Through the past two decades, astronomers have discovered thousands of extrasolar worlds. But most of these detections measure either the mass (e.g. radial velocity) or the radius (e.g. transit). The mass-radius relation allows us to predict the mass (radius) with the other measurements.
Looking at data in this way leads to surprising implications. Brown dwarfs are merely high-mass Jupiters. Dwarf planets, like Pluto, are merely low-mass members of the same class containing the Earth. Perhaps the most surprisingly result is that the divide between Neptunian worlds and solid planets like the Earth occurs at just 2 Earth masses. This leaves very little room for Super-Earths and suggests gaseous planets occur at much lower masses than we initially expected. Effectively then, the Earth is the Super-Earth we have been looking for all along.
Favorite Astro Plots #1: Asteroid orbital parameters
Favorite Astro Plots #2: Condensation of the solar system
Favorite Astro Plots #3: The rate of lunar cratering
Classifying Exoplanets
Favorite Astro Plots: The Pyroxene Quadrilateral
Read more: scale comparisons, extrasolar planets, explaining science
Home > Blogs > Guest Blogs > 2016
Jingjing Chen
Graduate Student for Department of Astronomy, Columbia University
Read more articles by Jingjing Chen
sepiae: 2016/04/15 04:07 CDT
Thanks for this! Very comprehensive and engaging. It's an intriguing and fascinating reminder of big gas planets not 'just being out there at whatever huge size and mass', that at some point a limit is reached beyond which there'll be consequences to be paid; hence the expression of a 'failed sun', although it's probably more adequate relating to objects larger than Jupiter (?). I can see Jupiter when going out to grab some last groceries in the evening, right now real close and bright. Most people, who look up, will think it's a star. It's quite something to think that, with some more mass (Jupiter, not the people), they *could* have been almost sort of nearly right...
Dave: 2016/04/17 12:28 CDT
This is an excellent post! The radius-mass graphic is brilliant. The fact that radius is nearly constant or decreasing with increasing mass for Jovian worlds shows how strangely matter behaves under extremes of pressure, temperature and gravity -- it's much more "squishy" than we think from terrestrial experience. White dwarfs and neutron stars show the same qualitative behavior, for different reasons.
Tom West: 2016/04/19 10:52 CDT
This is fascinating and quite a revelation! The way the density chanegs with mass (increases for Terran and Jovian, decreases for Neptunian and stellar) gives a very robust way of grouping planets. As discussed in the paper, the transition points obtained here (purely from numerical analysis) match up with real-world physical parameter - which then means the numerically-drived distinction between the groups has qualititaive meaning. Thanks for this! (Btw, can you make the raw data available as CSV, rather than just a table in the paper's PDF?)
I meant to add: if you plot *density* against mass, the classification becomes even more striking!
Terpi: 2016/04/30 09:38 CDT
Have you checked this alternative classification, based on surface gravities? http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/ast.2016.1475
lepton: 2016/05/11 02:31 CDT
Jupiter mass is hugely lower than a minimum star, in fact, you probably need 70+ Jupiter mass to get started.
The Downlink: Ganymede's North Pole, A New Asteroid to Explore
The Downlink: New Earth-size Exoplanet Found, Meteor Shower Seen from ISS
The Downlink: CHEOPS Exoplanet Mission Launches, ISS Test Flight Goes Awry


text:
package org.apache.sling.event.impl.support;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.io.ObjectInputStream;
import java.io.Serializable;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.BitSet;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Map;

import org.apache.sling.api.resource.PersistenceException;
import org.apache.sling.api.resource.Resource;
import org.apache.sling.api.resource.ResourceResolver;
import org.apache.sling.api.resource.ResourceUtil;
import org.apache.sling.api.resource.ValueMap;
import org.apache.sling.event.impl.jobs.JobImpl;
import org.apache.sling.event.impl.jobs.config.MainQueueConfiguration;
import org.apache.sling.event.jobs.Job;
import org.apache.sling.event.jobs.ScheduleInfo;
import org.apache.sling.event.jobs.consumer.JobConsumer;
import org.osgi.service.event.EventConstants;

public abstract class ResourceHelper {

    public static final String RESOURCE_TYPE_FOLDER = "sling:Folder";

    public static final String RESOURCE_TYPE_JOB = "slingevent:Job";

    /** We use the same resource type as for timed events. */
    public static final String RESOURCE_TYPE_SCHEDULED_JOB = "slingevent:TimedEvent";

    public static final String BUNDLE_EVENT_UPDATED = "org/osgi/framework/BundleEvent/UPDATED";

    public static final String BUNDLE_EVENT_STARTED = "org/osgi/framework/BundleEvent/STARTED";

    public static final String PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_NAME = "slingevent:scheduleName";
    public static final String PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_INFO = "slingevent:scheduleInfo";
    public static final String PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_INFO_TYPE = "slingevent:scheduleInfoType";
    public static final String PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_SUSPENDED = "slingevent:scheduleSuspended";

    public static final String PROPERTY_JOB_ID = "slingevent:eventId";
    public static final String PROPERTY_JOB_TOPIC = "event.job.topic";
    public static final String PROPERTY_DISTRIBUTE = "event.distribute";
    public static final String PROPERTY_APPLICATION = "event.application";

    /** List of ignored properties to write to the repository. */
    private static final String[] IGNORE_PROPERTIES = new String[] {
        ResourceHelper.PROPERTY_DISTRIBUTE,
        ResourceHelper.PROPERTY_APPLICATION,
        EventConstants.EVENT_TOPIC,
        ResourceHelper.PROPERTY_JOB_ID,
        JobImpl.PROPERTY_DELAY_OVERRIDE,
        JobConsumer.PROPERTY_JOB_ASYNC_HANDLER,
        Job.PROPERTY_JOB_PROGRESS_LOG,
        Job.PROPERTY_JOB_PROGRESS_ETA,
        Job.PROPERTY_JOB_PROGRESS_STEP,
        Job.PROPERTY_JOB_PROGRESS_STEPS,
        Job.PROPERTY_FINISHED_DATE,
        JobImpl.PROPERTY_FINISHED_STATE,
        Job.PROPERTY_RESULT_MESSAGE,
        PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_INFO,
        PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_NAME,
        PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_INFO_TYPE,
        PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_SUSPENDED
    };

    /**
     * Check if this property should be ignored
     */
    public static boolean ignoreProperty(final String name) {
        for(final String prop : IGNORE_PROPERTIES) {
            if ( prop.equals(name) ) {
                return true;
            }
        }
        return false;
    }

    /** Allowed characters for a node name */
    private static final BitSet ALLOWED_CHARS;

    /** Replacement characters for unallowed characters in a node name */
    private static final char REPLACEMENT_CHAR = '_';

    // Prepare the ALLOWED_CHARS bitset with bits indicating the unicode
    // character index of allowed characters. We deliberately only support
    // a subset of the actually allowed set of characters for nodes ...
    static {
        final String allowed = "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789_,.-+#!?$%&()=";
        final BitSet allowedSet = new BitSet();
        for (int i = 0; i < allowed.length(); i++) {
            allowedSet.set(allowed.charAt(i));
        }
        ALLOWED_CHARS = allowedSet;
    }

    /**
     * Filter the queue name for not allowed characters and replace them
     * - with the exception of the main queue, which will not be filtered
     * @param queueName the suggested queue name
     * @return the filtered queue name
     */
    public static String filterQueueName(final String queueName) {
        if ( queueName.equals(MainQueueConfiguration.MAIN_QUEUE_NAME) ) {
            return queueName;
        } else {
            return ResourceHelper.filterName(queueName);
        }
    }

    /**
     * Filter the node name for not allowed characters and replace them.
     * @param resourceName The suggested resource name.
     * @return The filtered node name.
     */
    public static String filterName(final String resourceName) {
        if ( resourceName == null ) {
            return null;
        }
        final StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder(resourceName.length());
        char lastAdded = 0;

        for(int i=0; i < resourceName.length(); i++) {
            final char c = resourceName.charAt(i);
            char toAdd = c;

            if (!ALLOWED_CHARS.get(c)) {
                if (lastAdded == REPLACEMENT_CHAR) {
                    // do not add several _ in a row
                    continue;
                }
                toAdd = REPLACEMENT_CHAR;

            } else if(i == 0 && Character.isDigit(c)) {
                sb.append(REPLACEMENT_CHAR);
            }

            sb.append(toAdd);
            lastAdded = toAdd;
        }

        if (sb.length()==0) {
            sb.append(REPLACEMENT_CHAR);
        }

        return sb.toString();
    }

    public static final String PROPERTY_MARKER_READ_ERROR_LIST = ResourceHelper.class.getName() + "/ReadErrorList";

    public static Map<String, Object> cloneValueMap(final ValueMap vm) throws InstantiationException {
        List<Exception> hasReadError = null;
        try {
            final Map<String, Object> result = new HashMap<>(vm);
            for(final Map.Entry<String, Object> entry : result.entrySet()) {
                if ( entry.getKey().equals(PROPERTY_SCHEDULE_INFO) ) {
                    final String[] infoArray = vm.get(entry.getKey(), String[].class);
                    if ( infoArray == null || infoArray.length == 0 ) {
                        if ( hasReadError == null ) {
                            hasReadError = new ArrayList<>();
                        }
                        hasReadError.add(new Exception("Unable to deserialize property '" + entry.getKey() + "' : " + entry.getValue()));
                    } else {
                        final List<ScheduleInfo> infos = new ArrayList<>();
                        for(final String i : infoArray) {
                            final ScheduleInfoImpl info = ScheduleInfoImpl.deserialize(i);
                            if ( info != null ) {
                                infos.add(info);
                            }
                        }
                        if ( infos.size() < infoArray.length ) {
                            if ( hasReadError == null ) {
                                hasReadError = new ArrayList<>();
                            }
                            hasReadError.add(new Exception("Unable to deserialize property '" + entry.getKey() + "' : " + Arrays.toString(infoArray)));
                        } else {
                            entry.setValue(infos);
                        }
                    }
                }
                if ( entry.getValue() instanceof InputStream ) {
                    final Object value = vm.get(entry.getKey(), Serializable.class);
                    if ( value != null ) {
                        entry.setValue(value);
                    } else {
                        if ( hasReadError == null ) {
                            hasReadError = new ArrayList<>();
                        }
                        // let's find out which class might be missing
                        ObjectInputStream ois = null;
                        try {
                            ois = new ObjectInputStream((InputStream)entry.getValue());
                            ois.readObject();

                            hasReadError.add(new Exception("Unable to deserialize property '" + entry.getKey() + "'"));
                        } catch (final ClassNotFoundException cnfe) {
                             hasReadError.add(new Exception("Unable to deserialize property '" + entry.getKey() + "'", cnfe));
                        } catch (final IOException ioe) {
                            hasReadError.add(new RuntimeException("Unable to deserialize property '" + entry.getKey() + "'", ioe));
                        } finally {
                            if ( ois != null ) {
                                try {
                                    ois.close();
                                } catch (IOException ignore) {
                                    // ignore
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            if ( hasReadError != null ) {
                result.put(PROPERTY_MARKER_READ_ERROR_LIST, hasReadError);
            }
            return result;
        } catch ( final IllegalArgumentException iae) {
            // the JCR implementation might throw an IAE if something goes wrong
            throw (InstantiationException)new InstantiationException(iae.getMessage()).initCause(iae);
        }
    }

    public static ValueMap getValueMap(final Resource resource) throws InstantiationException {
        final ValueMap vm = ResourceUtil.getValueMap(resource);
        // trigger full loading
        try {
            vm.size();
        } catch ( final IllegalArgumentException iae) {
            // the JCR implementation might throw an IAE if something goes wrong
            throw (InstantiationException)new InstantiationException(iae.getMessage()).initCause(iae);
        }
        return vm;
    }

    public static void getOrCreateBasePath(final ResourceResolver resolver,
            final String path)
    throws PersistenceException {
        ResourceUtil.getOrCreateResource(resolver,
                        path,
                        ResourceHelper.RESOURCE_TYPE_FOLDER,
                        ResourceHelper.RESOURCE_TYPE_FOLDER,
                        true);
    }

    /**
     * Create the resource and commit it
     * @param resolver The resource resolver
     * @param path The path of the resource
     * @param props The properties
     * @return The created resource
     * @throws PersistenceException If something goes wrong
     */
    public static Resource createAndCommitResource(final ResourceResolver resolver,
            final String path,
            final Map<String, Object> props)
    throws PersistenceException {
       return ResourceUtil.getOrCreateResource(resolver,
                        path,
                        props,
                        ResourceHelper.RESOURCE_TYPE_FOLDER,
                        true);
    }

    /**
     * Creates or gets the resource at the given path.
     * If any resource along the parent path needs to be created,
     * this is committed immediately. The resource itself is not committed.
     * This is the task of the caller.
     *
     * @param resolver The resource resolver to use for creation
     * @param path     The full path to be created
     * @param props    The properties of the new resource.
     * @return The resource for the path.
     * @throws PersistenceException If something goes wrong
     */
    public static Resource getOrCreateResource(final ResourceResolver resolver,
            final String path,
            final Map<String, Object> props)
    throws PersistenceException {
        // create parent path with auto commit set to true
        final String parentPath = ResourceUtil.getParent(path);
        ResourceUtil.getOrCreateResource(resolver,
                parentPath,
                ResourceHelper.RESOURCE_TYPE_FOLDER,
                ResourceHelper.RESOURCE_TYPE_FOLDER,
                true);
        // now create resource itself
        return ResourceUtil.getOrCreateResource(resolver,
                        path,
                        props,
                        ResourceHelper.RESOURCE_TYPE_FOLDER,
                        false);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Charges filed in child sexual assault investigation in Ward County
By Joe Skurzewski
Published: Dec. 9, 2019 at 9:47 PM CST
A 40-year-old Minot man faces a AA-felony charge on accusations he sexually assaulted a 10-year-old child.
Prosecutors have charged Barry M. Lindeman with gross sexual imposition, victim under 15 and defendant at least 22.
According to the criminal affidavit, Minot Police notified the Surrey Police Chief early Saturday morning that a man, later identified as Lindeman, had confessed to them to sexually assaulting a child while living in Surrey.
Investigators say Lindeman admitted to the Surrey Police Chief that he performed sex acts on the victim multiple times while living in Surrey, when the victim would have been 10 years old. He also said these acts occurred while he was living in Harvey.
Lindeman made his initial appearance on the charge Monday. He remains in custody in the Ward County Jail and will be back in court for his preliminary hearing and arraignment Jan. 16.
The charge carries with it the maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
An attorney was not listed for Lindeman as of Monday evening.


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text:
Gurus » Ram Dass
Submitted by avi on Thu, 01/31/2008 - 13:29.
Dr. Richard Alpert, Baba Ram Dass
Spiritual Teacher
Bhakti Yoga, Buddhism, Karma Yoga, Sufism, Guru Kripa
Newton, Massachusetts, USA
Related Gurus:
Richard Alpert was born in 1931, the son of a wealthy lawyer who was the founder of Brandeis University. Alpert studied psychology and earned an M.A. from Wesleyan and a Ph.D. from Stanford.
From 1958 to 1963, he taught and conducted research at the Department of Social Relations and the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.
While at Harvard, Alpert's explorations of human consciousness led him to conduct intensive research with LSD and other psychedelic elements, in collaboration with Timothy Leary, Aldous Huxley, Allen Ginsberg, and others. Because of the controversial nature of this research, both he and Leary were dismissed from Harvard in 1963.
In 1967 he traveled to India where he met the spiritual teacher, Neem Karoli Baba. Under his guru's guidance, he studied yoga and meditation and received the name Ram Dass, or "servant of God." Since 1968, he has pursued a variety of spiritual practices, including Hinduism, Karma Yoga and Sufism. His book Be Here Now brought him further into the public eye in 1971.
In 1974, Ram Dass created the Hanuman Foundation, which has developed many projects, including the "Prison-Ashram Project," designed to help inmates grow spiritually during incarceration, and the "Living/ Dying Project" which provides support for conscious dying. He is also a co-founder and board member of the Seva Foundation ("service" in Sanskrit), an international organization dedicated to relieving suffering in the world.
In 1997, Ram Dass suffered a stroke which paralyzed the right side of his body and significantly affected his ability to speak. Despite this challenge, he continues to teach, write and lecture.
It is hard to define Ram Dass exact teachings. He has embraced a wide variety of spiritual traditions and practices, including guru kripa (grace of the guru); bhakti yoga focused on the Hindu spiritual deva Hanuman; meditation in various schools of Buddhism such as Theravada and Mahayana (including Tibetan and Zen); karma yoga; and Sufi and Jewish studies.
Following a stroke in 1997 and a life-threatening infection in 2004, Ram Dass now resides on Maui using the Internet as the main vehicle for to share his being in online satsangs.
Online Satsangs
Satsang Place
Ram Dass's online satsang includes Monthly Live Streaming Satsang with Ram Dass (live via webcast), Heart-to-Heart (one-on-one) Webcam conversations with Ram Dass, Historical and current Video and Audio archives via on-demand streaming, Meditations guided by Ram Dass, Shared Experiences: Anecdotes from satsang members about how Ram Dass or Maharaji have affected their lives, Daily Words of Wisdom.
Center for Spiritual Studies
57361 Hillcrest Drive,
Yucca Valley, CA 92284, USA
(760) 228-1717 (voicemail)
Location Website:
http://www.ramdass.org/JoinSatsangnbsp/tabid/345/Default.aspx
info@ramdass.org
Prior subscription is required.
In order to support the continuation of the teachings, registrants are asked to subscribe for $108 per year, $9 per month, or an amount that feels right from "Other" category. The money will go to the Center for Spiritual Studies for Ram Dass' teachings and support.
The Official Ram Dass Website
Living/Dying Project
Journey of Awakening: A Meditator's Guidebook
(Mass Market Paperback)
Find the practice that's right for you with this exploration of the many paths of meditation—from mantra, prayer, singing, visualizations, and "just sitting" to movement meditations such as tai chi
"Everyone has experienced a moment of pure awareness. A moment without thinking 'I am aware' or 'that is a tree.' Such moments bring a sense of rightness, of clarity, of being at one. Such moments are the essence of meditation."—Ram Dass
Ram Dass is an American psychologist and spiritual teacher who has studied and practiced meditation for many years. Here he shares his understanding and suggests how you can find methods suitable for you. He illuminates the stages and benefits of meditative practice, and provides wise and often humorous advice on overcoming difficulties along the way.
"We're talking about metamorphosis
We're talking about going from a caterpillar to a butterfly
We're talking about how to become a butterfly."
In March 1961, Professor Richard Alpert – later renamed Ram Dass – held appointments in four departments at Harvard University. He published books, drove a Mercedes and regularly vacationed in the Caribbean. By most societal standards, he had achieved great success... And yet he couldn't escape the feeling that something was missing.
Psilocybin and LSD changed that. During a period of experimentation, Alpert peeled away each layer of his identity, disassociating from himself as a professor, a social cosmopolite, and lastly, as a physical being. Fear turned into exaltation upon the realization that at his truest, he was just his inner-self: a luminous being that he could trust indefinitely and love infinitely.
And thus, a spiritual journey commenced. Alpert headed to India where his guru renamed him Baba Ram Dass – "servant of God." He was introduced to mindful breathing exercises, hatha yoga, and Eastern philosophy. If he found himself reminiscing or planning, he was reminded to "Be Here Now." He started upon the path of enlightenment, and has been journeying along it ever since.
Be Here Now is a vehicle for sharing the true message, and a guide to self-determination.
With over 150 pages of metaphysical illustrations, practical advice on how to implement a yogic regiment, and a chapter dedicated to quotes and book recommendations, Be Here Now is sure to enrich your emotional, physical, and spiritual life.
Open to the Infinite: Live at the Inner Directions Gathering
After a major stroke, Ram Dass returns with a vibrant joy and deepened wisdom, resulting from a profound encounter with Silence. In this video, he joins with singer Krishna Das for a very special presentation. This remarkable event is like a circle: Ram Dass speaks about his stroke as an act of grace, and about the profound gift of silence he has been given, while the melodious chanting of Krishna Das carries the words home to the heart. This is an inspiring video, which demonstrates that the silence of Spirit and the eternal chant of India both emanate from the same source.
Ram Dass: Fierce Grace
Harvard professors Richard Alpert and Timothy Leary made countercultural history in 1963 when they were fired from that institution for conducting controversial psychedelic drug research. In the purple haze aftermath, Alpert journeyed to India and found his guru Maharaj ji, who renamed him Ram Dass (\"Servant of God\"). Best known for his 1971 bestseller BE HERE NOW, which was a spiritual touchstone of the era, Ram Dass became an inspiration to people across the globe. Filmmaker Mickey Lemle--who has known his subject for more than twenty-five years--intersperses vivid archival footage from hippiedom\'s glory days with intimate glimpses of Ram Dass today, as he continues to remake his life since being--in his words--\"stroked\" in 1997. Named by NEWSWEEK as one of the Top Five Non-Fiction Films of 2002, RAM DASS FIERCE GRACE is an engrossing, poignant meditation on spirituality, consciousness, healing and the unexpected grace of aging.
Meditations on the Gita
Here We All Are
Telling his story in "three chapters," Ram Dass explains how he moved from the structured academic world to wide-open experiences with psychedelics (and Timothy Leary). This thirst for knowledge led him to India, where he encountered a man who taught him to "just be here now."
Ram Dass shares with us how we can all attain a state of well-being. The result is that we'll become more centered, and we'll learn to see the God in each other, which ultimately leads to an overwhelming sense of oneness with, and love for, our fellow humans.
As Ram Dass says, "We're all the same . . . and here we all are."
Includes the bonus CD, Be Here Now, which features music from
A Spiritual Journey
Two classic audio programs from one of the world's most influential contemporary spiritual teachers, now available in one volume on cd
In Part One: Finding and Exploring your Spiritual Path, Ram Dass speaks from the heart with wisdom gained from a lifetime spent on the path to enlightenment about the often rocky yet profoundly transforming road to living the spiritual life. With personal anecdotes and commentary, he illuminates a wide variety of ancient and contemporary philosophies, drawing from such sources as the Buddha, Russian philosopher Gurdjieff, Mahatma Ghandi, and many others. Here is down-to-earth advice for those on the path to spiritual fulfillment, the pleasures and pitfalls you will encounter en route, the value and potential dangers of teachers and gurus, and the importance of following your intuitive heart.In Part Two: Journey of Awakening, Ram Dass focuses on the moments crucial to the serious seeker of the spiritual path. Meditation is an essential part of that practice. Why meditate? To live in the moment. To dwell in the harmony of things. To awaken. Those moments in your life when there is an openness, a spacious quality to your existence —those are the moments that truly make life remarkable.
The Sweetest Man
Leelo11 on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 02:54
I really don't know if Ram Das is a bona fide guru. He's probably not one on the level of Ramana Maharsh.
yes, yes, a thousand times yes
Ammi on Fri, 08/01/2008 - 07:05
the first time i saw him speak, i didn't even know who he was, but i was profoundly affected. i enjoyed an opportunity to hug the man & was floating on bliss for hours.
Con Opinions
NIDHI PARKASH on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 17:11
May be good preacher but difficult to understand Him as guru. His work regarding prison project with the view of improving the prisoners. Other social works are also praiseworthy.
'Be Here Now' & 'Selfless Self' - Square, Seminal, Iconic (blog)
Don't forget to also accept the consequences (blog)
Sometimes accepting something undesirable means also to accept the und...
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Dear brothers and sisters, ...
Am I realy taking antibiotics? (blog)
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Attached is the softcopy public domain version of the excellent book "...
Suffering is not caused by pain but by resisting pain (blog)
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Meditation (blog)
The greatest adventure in this world is "MEDITATION" OM...
Your strong conviction that you are one same "I" (blog)
One of the most strong taken-for-granted illusionary convictions one c...
What is Enlightenment? (forum)
All of us in this forum are taking some sort of spiritual journey. I t...
When one realises one is asleep, at that moment one is already half-awake
— Ouspensky


The New York Times' practice of hurling adjectives at Israeli politicians and pro-Israel Americans has been criticized here.
But sometimes the Times journalism is just bad journalism, not biased journalism. So in fairness to the Times, it's worth noting that the newspaper has also hurled a not-exactly-favorable adjective — actually, a present participle — at the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.
That is hardly news to careful readers of the Times.
I'm no fan of Abbas, and I suppose "aging" is better than the words like "inflammatory" and "combative" or "brash" or "ultra-nationalist" that the Times uses to describe Israelis or pro-Israel Americans.
But it's ridiculous nonetheless, and not only because of the repetition.
Times readers themselves aren't exactly a bunch of spring chickens, as evidenced by the ads in the print newspaper for adult diapers, cane-like walking sticks and special reading lamps to help those who have vision difficulties. As for the newspaper's editors, it's hard to tell if they are too old to catch this sort of mistake or too young to notice it. But they are "aging," too, no matter how old they are. It goes without saying.


The European Union is India's largest trading partner and a leading source of development aid, foreign direct investment, industrial collaborations, and technology. Containing fourteen papers by European and Indian specialists, this volume critically evaluates the economic and political challenges confronting India and the European Union in the new millennium.
The book examines the issues confronting Indian and European security in the post-Cold War era, the sociological roots of Islamic radicalism in Western Europe, and responses of India and the EU to international terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The study critically analyses economic relations between India and the European Union and their respective positions in the New Millenium Round of trade negotiations in the World Trading Organisation.
The contributors make a comparative assessment of India's relations with the European Union and the United States since the 1990s and discuss relations between the EU and SAARC. The book evaluates European and Indian responses to globalization and assesses the impact of the Euro on India.
The book will be of interest to all those involved in the study of economics, international affairs, political science and area studies.


Accessory World is offering accessories for different types of vehicles. Accessories World is providing accessories like Ute tray, canopies, ladder rack, trundle drawers and tool boxes etc. We are selling products to various government departments in New South Walse, Local Councils and various franchises like Toyota, Ford, Holden, Isuzu, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, etc. We have also been applauded for offering excellent customer services.


text:
Meglena Chtilianova Kouneva (Меглена Щилянова Кунева, en bulgare), née à Sofia le , est une universitaire et femme politique bulgare, membre du Mouvement Bulgarie pour les citoyens (BG). Elle est Vice-Première ministre entre 2014 et 2017 et ministre de l'Éducation entre 2016 et 2017.

Négociatrice en chef de l'adhésion de la Bulgarie à l'Union européenne entre 2001 et 2006, elle est nommée membre de la Commission européenne en 2007, et conduit deux ans plus tard la liste du NDSV aux élections européennes. Elle choisit cependant de ne pas siéger au Parlement européen et se retire peu après de la vie politique. Elle y revient en 2011, afin de se présenter à l'élection présidentielle bulgare.

Biographie

Formation et carrière
Diplômée en droit de l'université Saint-Clément d'Ohrid de Sofia en 1981, elle y obtient quatre ans plus tard un doctorat en droit de l'environnement. En 1987, elle y est recrutée comme professeur assistante, puis devient, en 1988, journaliste à la radio nationale bulgare (BNR), où elle travaille un an.

Elle obtient un poste de conseillère juridique auprès du gouvernement bulgare en 1991, et le conserve dix ans, participant à la rédaction de nombreux textes sur l'environnement et à la loi sur l'accès à l'information, tout en se perfectionnant en droit à l'université de Georgetown notamment.

Négociatrice en chef avec l'Union européenne
Elle est élue députée à l'Assemblée nationale, sous les couleurs du Mouvement national Siméon II (NDSV), lors des élections législatives du 17 juin 2001, mais démissionne dès le mois d'août, après sa nomination au poste de vice-ministre des Affaires étrangères, chargée des Négociations d'adhésion à l'Union européenne. Le , elle est promue ministre des Affaires européennes, étant la première à détenir ce portefeuille.

Malgré la défaite du NDSV aux élections législatives du 25 juin 2005, celui-ci reste au gouvernement, désormais dirigé par les socialistes, et elle conserve donc son département ministériel. Au mois d', le conseil de la coalition au pouvoir décide de la proposer comme première commissaire européenne. Elle est confirmée, au portefeuille de la Protection des consommateurs, le 12 octobre, par le Parlement européen, par 583 voix contre 21 et 28 abstentions. Elle démissionne du gouvernement neuf jours plus tard, et entre en fonction le .

Commissaire européenne
Elle prête serment devant la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes le 22 janvier suivant. Elle propose alors trois principales lignes pour son action, à savoir les politiques de vie privée, la communication commerciale et la discrimination commerciale. Au cours de son mandat, elle signe notamment un accord avec la Chine pour la sécurité des produits et exige que les banques unifient les règles du crédit à la consommation tout en cherchant à lutter contre les pratiques déloyales.

Fin de mandat et monde des affaires
Désignée tête de liste du NDSV, rebaptisé Mouvement national pour la stabilité et le progrès, aux élections européennes du 7 juin 2009, elle obtient 7,96 % des suffrages exprimés et deux sièges sur 17. Elle renonce cependant à occuper le sien, préférant terminer son mandat à la Commission européenne. Le 8 juillet suivant, le futur Premier ministre bulgare, Boïko Borissov, annonce qu'il ne compte pas la reconduire dans le prochain collège. Son mandat prend officiellement fin le 31 octobre, mais elle reste en fonction jusqu'à l'investiture de la nouvelle équipe, le . Trois mois plus tard, elle est élue membre du conseil d'administration de BNP Paribas.

Retour en politique
Elle fait savoir, le , qu'il est plus que probable qu'elle soit candidate à l'élection présidentielle bulgare d'octobre, mais au moyen d'un « comité de soutien » et non avec l'appui du NDSV, afin de mener une campagne non-partisane. Son comité de soutien annonce le 2 juin suivant qu'elle compte effectivement se déclarer candidate, quatre jours plus tard. Avec 14 % des voix, elle se classe troisième du premier tour et échoue donc à se qualifier pour le second.

Elle fonde, quelque temps plus tard, le Mouvement Bulgarie pour les citoyens (BG), un parti politique centriste, dont elle est la tête de liste lors des élections législatives de 2013. Pour les élections européennes de 2014, elle devient tête de liste du Bloc réformateur, mais elle n'est pas élue, avec moins de voix de préférence que le second de la liste.

Le  suivant, un mois après les élections législatives anticipées, Meglena Kouneva est nommée Vice-Première ministre, chargée des Politiques européennes et des Affaires institutionnelles dans le gouvernement de coalition formé par le conservateur Boïko Borissov. Elle devient en outre ministre de l'Éducation et de la Science le .

Vie privée
Mariée avec l'homme d'affaires Andrei Pramov, fils d'un ancien membre du comité central du Parti communiste bulgare (PCB), Ivan Pramov, elle est mère d'un fils, Aleksandar.

Notes et références

Annexes

Articles connexes
 85, 86 et  bulgares
 Adhésion de la Bulgarie à l'Union européenne
 Commission Barroso I
 Élections européennes de 2009 en Bulgarie
 Élection présidentielle bulgare de 2011
 Liste de dirigeantes politiques

Liens externes

Naissance à Sofia
Naissance en juin 1957
Étudiant de l'université Saint-Clément-d'Ohrid de Sofia
Professeur à l'université Saint-Clément-d'Ohrid de Sofia
Femme ministre bulgare
Ministre bulgare de l'Éducation
Commission Barroso I
Commissaire européen bulgare

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
'''
    Running Support Vector Regression Model.
'''
from __future__ import print_function

import os
import sys
import pandas as pd
from sklearn.svm import SVR
from sklearn import cross_validation
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from datetime import datetime
from sklearn.cross_validation import train_test_split

def convert_to_integer(dt_time):
    return 10000*dt_time.year + 1000*dt_time.month + dt_time.day

def preprocess(file_dataframe, cols=['date', 'open']):

    if 'date' in cols:
        file_dataframe['date'].applymap(convert_to_integer)

    X = file_dataframe['open']
    y = file_dataframe['date']

    return X, y

def svm(file_dataframe, test_size=0.2, cols=['date', 'open']):
    '''
        Run Logistic Regression
    '''

    print('Loading data...')

    if 'date' in file_dataframe:
        file_dataframe['new_col'] = pd.to_datetime(file_dataframe['date']).astype(datetime)
        #file_dataframe['date'] = pd.to_datetime(file_dataframe['date'])
        file_dataframe['new_col'].apply(lambda dt_time:10000*dt_time.year + 1000*dt_time.month + dt_time.day).astype(int)

    print(file_dataframe['new_col'])

    X = file_dataframe['open']
    y = file_dataframe['new_col']

    X_train, X_test, y_train, y_test = train_test_split(X, y, test_size=test_size)

    #svr_rbf = SVR(kernel='rbf', C=1e3, gamma=0.1)
    svr_lin = SVR(kernel='linear', C=1e3)
    #svr_poly = SVR(kernel='poly', C=1e3, degree=2)

    #parameters = {'kernel':('linear', 'rbf'), 'C':[1, 10]}

    #loo = cross_validation.LeaveOneOut(len(y_train) - 1)
    #clf = grid_search.GridSearchCV(svr_rbf, parameters)
    scores = []

    #svr_rbf.fit(X_train, y_train)
    svr_lin.fit(X_train, y_train)
    #svr_poly.fit(X_train, y_train)

    #scores.append(cross_validation.cross_val_score(svr_rbf, \
    #    X_test, y_test, scoring='mean_squared_error', cv=loo).mean())
    scores.append(cross_validation.cross_val_score(svr_lin, \
        X_test, y_test, scoring='mean_squared_error', cv=loo).mean())
    #scores.append(cross_validation.cross_val_score(svr_poly, \
    #    X_test, y_test, scoring='mean_squared_error', cv=loo).mean())

    return scores

def main(dir_path):
    '''
        Run Pipeline of processes on file one by one.
    '''
    files = os.listdir(dir_path)

    for file_name in files:
        print(file_name)

        file_dataframe = pd.read_csv(os.path.join(dir_path, file_name), parse_dates=[1])

        print(svm(file_dataframe, 0.2, 'high'))

        break

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main(sys.argv[1])


Documentary Photography for Nature. Be in it.
This portfolio shows the Documentary Photography I captured for local Hobart business Nature. Be in it. who specialise in short nature walks for all ages.
"Nature aids healing, improves mental clarity, calms your nervous system, heightens creativity, and more. Remember the freedom, awe and wonder of time-out in nature.


The first publication from the MHF's landmark Haringey Man MOT project is now available.
The Haringey Men's Health Intelligence Data 2013, which pulls together all the health information for men in the borough from a variety of sources, shows a fall of nearly TEN years in life-expectancy between the west and east of the borough. The data will be used to inform the next stages of the Man MOT project which is all about setting up an online health information service designed by and for Haringey men.
Prepared by Dr Vanessa Bogle, the data, along with primary research carried out on the streets of Haringey and online, will feed into the design of Man MOT, its chat interface and the services and information it provides. The project will also be publishing a separate piece of secondary research looking at studies around men, health and information technology.
MHF CEO Martin Tod said: 'This is not just invaluable data for the Haringey Man MOT project, it is invaluable information for everyone who is interested in health in the borough.
There is a 9-year gap in male life expectancy between men living in the more deprived areas (east) compared to those living in more affluent areas (west).
The greatest contributors to the male life expectancy gap are heart disease, stroke, cancer, alcohol, lung disease and deaths in men aged over 40 years.
Men accounted for 67% of smoking-related admissions to hospital in 2011/12.
Coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure emergency admission rates in males are significantly higher than female admissions rates compared to both the national and London average.
More than three-quarters of men are not regularly physically active.
The incidence of cancer is high in males compared to the England average and premature mortality rates in males are also high compared to men nationally.
Men in Haringey have the highest death rate in London due to alcohol and rank 6th in London for its rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions, of which the majority come from the east of the borough.
Haringey ranks 10th highest in London for its rate of drug misuse and 75% of the drug treatment population are male.
Rates of psychotic disorder are the third highest in London.
Suicide in men is higher than the England average and between 2008-10, 81% of suicides were amongst men.
Men represent only 31% of referrals to the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies.
Rates of sexually transmitted infection are worse than the England average.


We're sure you've seen plenty of articles online about the best workplace cultures. They'll usually be a list of cool firms to work for, where people have fake grass underfoot, beers in the kitchen fridge, and a slide between floors. This isn't one of those articles.
Instead, we've pulled together our expertise in employee engagement, motivation and recognition to talk about what we think really makes a great workplace culture. We help our clients develop and improve the culture of their workplace every day – here's how we do it. And also, how we don't do it.
This is the very core of an organisation's culture. What it stands for, what it's trying to achieve, and the impact it wants to make on the world, is more important for defining what a workplace is actually like than any aesthetic feature.
People need to feel like these values are important to them and their role, and like they're actively contributing towards them. And organisations need to actively live up to them too – they can't just be big, empty words. A company's mission, vision and values needs to guide everything it does, every single day.
When a company gets this right, you've got a whole team of people working towards the same thing, that are inspired to be their best to achieve it, and that believe in the organisation they work for.
Culture needs to be led by the people at the top. This means that, more than anyone else, company leaders and managers mustset a good example, and live up to the organisation's values more than anyone else.
When there's one rule for the top dogs and another for everyone else, it can be a really demotivating double standard.
Managers need to support their employees, and they need to be accessible. Management is more than just about supervising people and allocating work – it's about coaching and mentoring, recognising good performances in the right way, and putting a human face on the organisation that someone works for.
The way people are expected to work has a huge influence on an organisation's culture – and making working practices more positive isn't as simple as relaxing the rules on dress code or flexible working, though that's often a good start.
Too much bureaucracy can also make a workplace culture a little less fun for everyone – when processes are complicated or convoluted, it can be hard to stay motivated. It's important to find a balance when it comes to the rules and regulations – the middle ground that ensures efficiency and quality without sacrificing flexibility and control for the individual.
Good communication is absolutely essential for a positive workplace culture. It needs to be honest and transparent, and to be more than just a one-way street. People shouldn't be left in the dark about what's going on where they work, and they should have the opportunity to talk to the people above them in the organisation when they need to.
It's important for the day-to-day, too – people need to know what's expected of them, both in their specific role, and as a part of the wider culture they play a part in. It really is good to talk!
We've talked about what a workplace culture is, but here are a few things that are widely considered to be what makes a workplace culture great. These are all fantastic things to provide in an organisation, yes – they definitely shouldn't be neglected, by any means. But they're not what really culture.
Colourful artwork, exposed brickwork, the arcade machine and pool table, the fancy coffee maker, the rooftop garden, the quirky meeting pods. All the colourful stuff that tries to make work more like home – without really realising that what people need at work is totally different to what they need at home.
Creating a bright and lively workplace can really contribute to a great culture – but it doesn't do the whole job itself. It's possible for people to love the building they work in while still being dissatisfied with their job.
Team nights out, parties, post-work beers… the stuff that looks great on Instagram and tells the world that people are having a great time.
A great social scene should be a symptom of a positive workplace culture, not the cause. People will want to spend time together because they have genuine bonds as a workplace culture. Building the great social scene without laying the foundations could mean many a night down the pub spent grumbling about the boss.
Plenty of companies – mostly trend-setting tech firms, such as Netflix, LinkedIn and Hubspot – are now giving unlimited holiday time as an employee perk. That's obviously not within reach for every business, but there's also options of a festive shutdown, or even just a few more days than the standard holiday allowance for companies looking to give employees some extra time off.
We think policies like this are great – the world's changing, and the traditional nine to five, five days a week won't be around for ever. But infinite holiday time alone isn't enough – especially if employees really feel like they need to get away from the office for their own good on the regular.
All of these things play a part in the culture of a workplace. But they're not the whole story. An organisation could have all of these things, but it could still have a culture that fails to engage and support employee – one that fails to help them be their best.
These are the beginnings of a strong workplace culture – the fundamentals that any organisation really needs to get right. But there's still plenty more to think about. Not only are there more factors that will have an impact on how your organisation works, it's also important to consider what impact you want your culture to have on your workplace, as well as how you're going to encourage people to get involved and actually buy into the culture you're creating.
To find out more, click below to download our free ebook, The Essential Guide to Developing a Positive Workplace Culture. Inside you'll find a more detailed look at what makes a workplace culture, with comments from our engagement experts and research on what today's employees are really looking for.


text:
Tag Archives: best of list
January 2, 2021 Shouts	Leave a comment
RTJ 4
At this point in time we should not have to go to any length introducing Run The Jewels but just in case you have not heard of them, we urge you to check them out. This duo makes incredible productions, they are community organisers, their flow is brilliant and their songs are just so catchy. On top of that, they use their voices fiercely and now that their vocal chords resonate to an even larger audience they keep at it and make one of the greatest rap/protest albums we've ever heard. Just check out these lyrics from a song that was written before Eric Garner's murder and watch the single below – you'll see that this is revolution music.
"The way I see it, you're probably freest from the ages one to four
Around the age of five you're shipped away for your body to be stored
They promise education, but really they give you tests and scores
And they predictin' prison population by who scoring the lowest
And usually the lowest scores the poorest they look like me
And every day on the evening news, they feed you fear for free
And you so numb, you watch the cops choke out a man like me
Until my voice goes from a shriek to whisper, "I can't breathe""
Full album: https://spoti.fi/3n4Aybb
Wonderful Hell
Hardworking hardcore band War On Women are what you might call familiars of Shouts as they were some of the webpage's first interviews. Since a way back we have followed them grow into a force to be reckoned with as they take on large stages and use their talents frequently in support of all the voiceless. Their new album, Wonderful Hell, completely rips and is a wonderfully hellish way forward for the band. It's punk, it's angry, it's current, it's groovy and it's just really, really good music.
See also: Song Of The Day: White Lies By War On Women (Video)
Full album: waronwomen.bandcamp.com
Cybersecurity and computer networking by day and music and activism by night – this is Portes. As she explained to us in an interview this year her artistic name is the French name for doors: "Each style of music represents a door to explore." Portes was born in Guatemala and at the age of 6 she was adopted to a family in the U.S. "Knowing I'm from a multicultural family grounds me in being open-minded and willing to experience other people and cultures, including their music." Portes' background shines through on her latest album; it is diverse, interesting and beautiful.
See also: A Protest Music Interview: Portes
Full album: portesmusic.bandcamp.com
Ye Hai Baghawat
Different from most genres of music, rap has collectives. Many have perhaps heard of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan from the U.S., or Rap Against Dictatorship from Thailand. Wanandaf is a collective of rappers and activists out of India that make art for their fellow people – no matter who they are. This is an important factor because in India people are still, in 2020, degraded and mistreated because of their social class (otherwise known as the Caste system). Wanandaf take this seriously and drop bad ass albums while fighting for the human rights of Indian people.
See also: Song Of The Day: Ye Hai Baghawat By Wanandaf
Full album: https://spoti.fi/3mWK4gs
Short Sighted People In Power
My Politic
Two friends that have been making music since the age of 14 is either a recipe for disaster or success. In the case of My Politic and their latest album it is the latter. Shortsighted People In Power is a reflection on the state of things in the U.S. and a very hard hitting, angry and honest album. As one half of the duo, Kaston Guffey, told us "I wanted to write something honest, something true".
See also: Song Of The Day: Shortsighted People In Power By My Politic
Full album: mypolitic.bandcamp.com
Valerie Orth
An educator, an activist and a musician. Although this is the resume of many of the artists that we feature here on Shouts, Valerie Orth has said she was first an activist before getting into using music as a tool for activism: "She challenged corporate behemoths like Proctor & Gamble, joined the fight for fair-trade coffee, and traveled to China to consolidate worker support. She led the effort to pass San Francisco's anti-sweatshop law in 2005."
See also: Song Of The Day: I Believe We Will Win By Valerie Orth
Full album: store.valerieorth.com
By The Time I Get To Minnesota
The Cornel West Theory
From the front porch of the U.S. comes one of the baddest rap groups around. Vetted by the doctor himself, The Cornel West Theory bring hard, truth telling lyrics to their fellow citizens under noisy, punkish, sample driven beats. If you ever have the chance to ever catch them live, grab the opportunity – you won't be disappointed.
See also: Music Video Of The Day: 12 O'clock Rock By The Cornel West Theory
Full album: thecornelwesttheory.bandcamp.com
The Sharecropper's Daughter
Not necessarily a protest musician, but rather one of the greatest MC's in the game for the past decade or so, Sa-Roc always brings consciousness and real talk to the table. Her latest effort is a huge LP with that has been in the works for at least a couple of years. Black empowerment, female empowerment and a plea to look inside ourselves and make the world a bit better is all wrapped up in her incredible bars.
Full album: sa-roc.bandcamp.com
Dehumanise
Facecutter
Maybe the hardest listen on this list (for most people) brings the most animal friendly lyrics mixed between the grindcore noise and pummeling riffs. Australian band Facecutter are a vegan band and their songs are an angry statement about the world of factory farms, animal welfare and consumerism. This music tears your soul apart if you let it.
Full album: facecutter.bandcamp.com
For more selected protest music of 2020
check out our 100+ protest song playlist on Spotify:
✊ ✊ ✊ ✊
anti-capitalistanti-fascismanti-racismanti-sexistanti-warbest albums 2020best of listprotest musicprotest songprotest songsrevolutionary music
Selected Protest Music Of 2020