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Howell: 20% Property Tax Hike
Update from April 17, 2018: The Gadsden Center received this press release from former Howell City Councilman Doug Heins. Councilman Heins discusses several issues relevant to the proposed property tax hike. Highlights from the press release are as follows:
The proposed tax hike violates state statute.
The current city council recently voted to spend $3 million to subsidize a development project. This is money that could have been spent on police.
The entire press release is shown below (Note: edited for personal information and punctuation)
PRESS RELEASE: The City of Howell To Illegally Assess Property Owners for Police Protection
The City of Howell's proposed use of an obscure Public Safety Special Assessment (Act 33 of 1951) process to balance the city budget for police protection is illegal states former longtime City Councilman Douglas Heins.
"A special Public Safety assessment cannot be used to sustain a government function yet the city has clearly admitted they plan to defund the police to pay for other services and debt and replace the money with an illegal special assessment" said Heins "I've been involved in city budgeting over the years and I can say some long-time members of this Council have made very poor budgeting decisions"
http://www.cityofhowell.org/psa/
On background the legal theory of special assessments is they create a public benefit and make property values rise because the government's assessment improves the land and they has a right to charge the property owner a special assessment tax.
(Citation: http://www.michiganpropertytax.com/specials.htm)
Michigan's Supreme Court ruled in 1986 the only justification for a special assessment levy is to increase a property's market value, so there must be a measurable "special benefit" for the special assessment to be valid.
"City Police protection already exists, so using a special assessment to continue an existing benefit, makes it hard to legally argue our property values will increase." Said Heins "The city is actually creating a fake hardship to justify this assessment by defunding the police."
"The city's process for the creating an assessment district is also questionable. The city assessor will have to be very creative in pretending there is property improvement values to justify the assessments." Said Heins
"Every property owner needs to ask the assessor how this assessment will increase the benefit of our property because Council made a decision to defund the police department. This assessment does not create a new Public Safety benefit, but only maintains the status quo." Said Heins
"Also, people really need to question how the city has been spending money in the past," said Heins "The city is crying poor but they recently locked up 3 million dollars in a vacant land deal to subsidize a development project. If the city had sold this property outright that would be 3 million more dollars in the bank right now."
"It's pretty clear this assessment process has the backing of the Michigan Municipal League and Howell is the test case, so if this passes without a challenge, every small city in Michigan will be doing the same thing," said Heins
"The crazy quirk about this type of special assessment process is every property owner has to attend the public hearing and protest on the record to preserve their rights. If a protest is not recorded at the public hearing the property owner person loses the right to challenge the legality of assessment at the Michigan Tax Tribunal."
"If the city has a case for money more they should put it to a vote, and stop making property owners jump through hoops. This is a stupid, arrogant way to ask the public for more money," said Heins
By law, a special assessment must apply to all properties even those exempt from taxation. "So, does the city plan to assess schools to pay for police protection? And if they do, how can the city argue that a school's property value increases from the special assessment?" How about someone that has a vacant lot? How does vacant land get a special benefit from police protection? "Heins asked.
It's the classic issue, of a spending problem, not a revenue problem. The city is currently using thousands of dollars in general fund money to pay downtown projects, this is money that should be used for police, not parking lots. "said Heins "Their priorities are all screwed up"
Why should every property owner be forced to file a legal challenge to the Michigan Tax Tribunal?" "It's a gross abuse of the law's real intent," says Heins.
Doug Heins
The City of Howell (Howell) is considering a plan that would raise property taxes by nearly 20%. The current millage rate is just shy of 16 mils. The proposed tax hike is 3 mils. It is important to note that this tax hike affects just the City of Howell, not Howell Township.
Howell City government officials have found a way to bypass caps on property tax rate hikes in order to regain what they consider to be a fair share of your money. Regardless of whether you own property in Howell, concerned taxpayers should take note of this legalistic maneuvering.Why? These same tactics could be employed where you live at some time in the future.
Traditionally property owners have been accustomed to tax hikes of no more than the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is less. This rate cap was imposed decades ago when voters approved the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A.
Unfortunately for taxpayers, local policymakers can avoid these caps by creating a Special Assessment District (SAD) to raise property taxes for police services.In short here is what the City of Howell is proposing:
Establish a SAD encompassing the entire City of Howell.
Increase property tax rates by 3 mils within this new SAD. It is important to note that raising taxes via this SAD avoids the rate caps that property owners have been accustomed to for many decades.
Approximately $860,000 of new tax revenue will be collected from property owners residing within the SAD. This new tax revenue will be used to fund a portion of the Howell Police Department. The City of Howell spends about $2.6 million/year for its police department.
With this new funding in hand, the City of Howell will be able to shift $860,000 that would have otherwise been spent on police funding and use it for other purposes.
We encourage citizens, especially those living in the City of Howell, to read the documents posted on the City of Howell website (http://cityofhowell.org/psa/). These documents provide additional detail regarding this new tax hike. Of particular interest to Howell property owners is the public hearing scheduled for April 23. Citizens have an opportunity to speak directly with Howell policymakers about this tax hike. Citizens should also note that the documents describe a method by which residents of the City of Howell could force a direct vote on this issue, thereby negating the wishes of Howell policymakers.
As you read through the documents it is clear that the City of Howell holds the viewpoint that government is being shortchanged by the tax reform enacted by the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A. Their primary argument for raising taxes is the caps put in place via tax reform prevents tax revenue from increasing as fast as property values. Howell government points out that tax revenue fell quickly due to the 2008 recession. However, as property values recovered the tax caps have prevented quick revenue growth.
While their point of view shouldn't be discounted out of hand, one could argue that the inflated property values due to the "real estate bubble" prior to 2008 caused property owners to be unfairly taxed for a number of years prior to the recession. The slower increase in tax revenue experienced today offsets the unfair taxation prior to 2008.
The Gadsden Center is conducting further investigation into this issue. We will publish any significant findings as they become available.
Ann Arbor Spark Analysis
Communities in Livingston County are being asked to contract out their economic development efforts to a single source, Ann Arbor Spark (Spark). Spark proponents are asking policymakers throughout Livingston County for taxpayer funds to support this effort.
For about six years Spark has received financial support from Livingston County taxpayers. According to figures published by Spark, Livingston County taxpayers provided Spark with about $1.3 million through 2015. Spark recently requested another $600,000 over the next three years from the Livingston County Board of Commissioners.
The Board rejected this request, opting to approve $175,000 for one year while requiring more transparency into the finances surrounding Spark's economic development in Livingston County. The added reporting requirements will provide the Board additional information to assess the effectiveness of Spark's efforts.
In the interest of providing policymakers with comprehensive information, The Gadsden Center, a non-profit public policy research organization publishes this report for county, township, and city officials. Based in Livingston County, The Gadsden Center is well suited to conduct this in-depth examination on behalf of Livingston County citizens and taxpayers. The analysis contained in this report is intended to provide policymakers with perspectives that they may not have gained from Spark or other sources.
Our analysis of publicly available information uncovered several areas of concern that merit further investigation on the part of Livingston County policymakers. While discussed in the body of the report, these concerns are highlighted here in the executive summary. (For those desiring a detailed analysis please turn to page nine. For a listing of our source information please turn to page three.)
Before committing further funds, policymakers should carefully evaluate Ann Arbor Spark's past performance. Our research suggests they should seek a full and comprehensive disclosure of all available data regarding Spark's business and investment performance. The Gadsden Center makes this recommendation based upon past media reports, both local and national, of Spark's financial irregularities, and use of inflated job creation numbers to bolster their request for taxpayer funds.
Spark's efforts appear to be skewed toward Washtenaw County. Specifically, Spark claims credit for new investments in Washtenaw County of $1.679 billion, while claiming credit for just $0.197 billion in Livingston County. These figures show Spark claims to have generated 8.5 times (850%) more in new investments in Washtenaw than in Livingston. In fairness, it should be noted that Washtenaw jurisdictions contributed 36% more funds to Spark than Livingston jurisdictions.
Paul Krutko, the current President of Ann Arbor Spark left his previous job under a financial cloud. One media report indicates Krutko left San Jose after an undisclosed "breach of city policy." Another media account reported, "Last month, the city's imploding redevelopment budget led to a suggestion that Krutko's Office of Economic Development be folded into the agency." This red flag suggests that policymakers should dig deeper, and not just accept, at face value, Spark's self-assessment of their own economic performance.
Both the State of Michigan, and the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Local Development Finance Authority have opted not to renew funding for Spark. While the reasons for defunding are not known, it is reasonable to surmise that these jurisdictions concluded there were better uses for their taxpayer dollars. Also, it has been reported that Marion Township has decided not to renew funding; however, The Gadsden Center has not yet received confirmation of this.
Several potential conflicts of interest were described in in Spark's 2016 Audited Financial Statement. Additionally, this same audited statement pointed out that Spark's banking practices creates unwarranted financial risk for Spark and for taxpayers.
As a taxpayer-funded venture capital entity, Spark invests in start-up companies in Michigan. One measure of Spark's performance is the value of their investment portfolio. Over the last six years Spark's investments have declined by 26%. In contrast, the small-cap market, as measured by the Russell 2000 index increased by 64%. Would policymakers be willing to accept this level of performance with their own personal funds? Would policymakers hire a consultant with this track record?
During this same six-year period, Spark's annual expenses have increase by 74%. This is another red flag suggesting Spark may not be as careful with taxpayer funds as a private individual would be with his/her own funds . It should be noted that a substantial portion of this increase is attributed to increases in salaries and compensation. Salary and compensation increases are highlighted below:
a. Spark's tax returns indicate that the number of employees has doubled, going from 30 in 2011 to 61 in 2016.
b. Spark's President has seen his total compensation increase by 42%, or 7% per year. In 2016 Spark's President earned $320,743, an increase of nearly $100,000 over his $225,000 starting compensation (2011).
c. Handling economic development for two Michigan counties, Spark's President earns more than the head of economic development for the entire state of Michigan (83 counties). The head of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation earns $240,000 per year, and is the highest paid leader of a state agency.
A PDF file containing the entire report can be obtained by clicking here. (Updated on 12/4/17)
Welcome to The Gadsden Center
The Gadsden Center is a Michigan nonprofit organization dedicated to educating citizens about our state and federal constitutions and constitutional government, transparency and accountability in government, policy choices that enhance and protect individual and economic liberty, responsible spending and ensuring fair and proper elections.
The Gadsden Center conducts nonpartisan public policy research, advocacy and educational programs. We invite you to explore Our Projects and to read Our Constitutions and Founding Documents. Occasionally we host events. Please visit Our Events and meetings for full details.
The Gadsden Center, Inc. was one of 426 organizations that may have been improperly treated by the IRS. It is an example of how an out-of-control federal agency used the full force of the federal government to unfairly scrutinize citizens who happen to believe in constitutional government.
Conservatives coined the term RINO to describe Republicans who campaign as conservatives, then legislate as liberals.
Whether a Republican officeholder or candidate qualifies as a RINO, Republican in Name Only, somewhat depends upon who you ask. There is no "dictionary definition" for RINO that would be universally accepted by all conservatives.
Well hold on for just a minute. . . While there is no "dictionary definition" it's virtually certain that all conservatives and Republicans would agree that these two Livingston County candidates would easily fit even the strictest definition of the term RINO.
The next regular meeting of The Gadsden Center is scheduled for Tuesday June 14, 2016
Please join us for food and fellowship at our social hour and dinner at 5:30 pm. Our meeting starts at 7 pm.
Block Brewing Company
1140 S. Michigan Avenue
Mr. Craig Mauger, Executive Director and the Michigan Campaign Finance Network will be our guest speaker at the June 14 meeting of The Gadsden Center. Mr. Mauger will discuss the need for campaign finance reform in our state.
The state of Michigan has the worst government transparency and practices according to an mLive article published on November 9, 2015. This is due in part to loose campaign finance statutes and regulation. Included in these loose regulations are precinct delegate races which are exempted from campaign finance disclosure. In short, delegates who nominate our Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General have no campaign finance disclosure requirements. This has led recently to an influx of large amounts of establishment money being spent of delegate races. This trend is expected to continue into the next election cycle when these "big 3" races are up for grabs, as all incumbents are term-limited.
Union Controlled School Boards Inflate Salaries and Benefits
The Michigan Education Association (MEA) pays close attention to School Board elections, and so should you.
The MEA is the largest union representing teachers and support staff in Michigan. The MEA and their local affiliates spend large sums of money electing their friends to local school boards. Union bosses know it is a lot easier to gain oversized pay and benefit packages if school board members are hand-picked (endorsed and elected) by the union.
Williams Supported Prop 1 Tax Hike
The Gadsden Center recently came accross evidence that County Commissioner Steve Williams supported Proposal 1, the nearly $2 billion gas tax increased pushed by Governor Snyder. Mr. Williams is the incumbent in County Commission District 6. He is being challenged in the August 2, 2016 primary by Sheriff Bob Bezotte.
Transgender agenda in Howell Public Schools
The Gadsden Center received this email from Howell School Board Trustee Deborah McCormick regarding transgender issues in the Howell Public School District. Unfortunately, it was received too late to post prior to the June 13th school board meeting referenced below. However, we are posting this message to inform you of the situation and too make you aware of the dates of future Howell School Board meetings.
The link to the Howell School Board website provides the dates and location of future meetings. It also includes agendas for upcoming meetings. We also included a link to a recent article published by the Livingston Daily on this topic.
Election Highlight: Genoa Township Clerk
One of the most important duties of a Township Clerk is to insure the intergrity of the voting process. It appears that the Genoa Township Clerk has not consistently upheld the high standards voters have come to expect. Should she lose her job? Voters will decide in August.
Polly Skolarus (R), the incumbent Genoa Township Clerk is facing a primary challenge in the upcoming August 2 election. She is being challenged by Dan Wholihan (R), Chair of the Livingston County Republican Party.
80th and 82nd House District Election Information
The Gadsden Center recently mailed some informational literature regarding candidates for State House in the upcoming November 5 elections.The flyers contained links to sources cited in the literature. Those links are also shown here in this online article.
R's Push Tax and Fee Hike
Legislation approved in a late night session hikes taxes and fees for roads.
Dark Stores Increase Your Taxes
Big box retailers use the "dark store" property tax break to reduce their property taxes. Unfortunately, as their property taxes go down, yours goes up. Legislation is now being considered to reign in this practice.
46% Tax Increase
County-wide tax increase on the ballot in November. LESA proposes property tax increase of 46%.
Upcoming Millage Votes
This document contains a listing of all property tax millage votes in Livingston County Michigan. Voting day is November 3, 2015.
Brighton Library Millage
Library supporters claim a new 0.22 mil property tax levy for library operations is not a tax increase. Hmm . . .


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Airport Transfer/Airports/Germany/Munich International Airport/
Munich International Airport Transfer
Munich International Airport is an international airport located in the Erdinger Moos district south of Freising, 28 km from Munich, the capital of Bavaria. It is the second busiest airport in Germany and the ninth in Europe.
Munich Airport serves 48 million passengers to destinations in Europe, North America, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia with approximately 50 airlines annually. The routes with the highest passenger traffic are Berlin, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona.
Photo by Christoph Keil on Unsplash
Transfers From & To Munich International Airport
There are railway and bus stops within Munich Airport. The S1 and S8 S-Bahn lines run between the airport and the city center every 10 minutes. Line S1 passes from the west of the city and S8 passes from the east.
Access to Regensburg, Landshut, Moosburg, Freising, and Passau is possible with the ÜFEX airport express train stopping between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Both short and long-distance travel is possible. To travel a short distance, you can take the express bus inside the airport, or travel to many destinations in Germany and Europe by Flixbus.
It is quite easy to reach Munich Airport by private car. You can use the A92 motorway and the B301 regional road from the north, south, and east directions. If you do not have a private car or do not intend to rent a car, you should get a private transfer service that provides the same comfort.
You can choose AirportTransfer.com to reach Munich's most experienced and competent ground transportation companies on a single platform. You can compare many companies and choose the one that suits you best, and book any type of vehicle you want in just a few minutes.
AirportTransfer.com is the fastest, easiest and safest way to travel to or from Munich Airport.
Most Popular Hotels Near Munich International Airport
Hotel zum Erdinger Weissbräu 12,3 km 14 min.
Hotel Victory Therme Erding 13,6 km 16 min.
Eriks Hotel 18,9 km 18 min.
Hotel am Schloßberg 19,3 km 16 min.
INFINITY Hotel 18,7 km 15 min.
Hotel Soulmade 23,3 km 18 min.
ibis Muenchen City 37,7 km 36 min.
Holiday Inn Munich Westpark 42,6 km 36 min.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


History has made Farewell To Freisans the first album in Radioactive Sparrow's 83-title catalogue, but in truth is was a 'Best Of…' made up for tracks from three early albums that were sadly lost. Lost, but actually given to fans who showed insufficient respect for the historical significance of such original expression. The original albums (issued on cassette) were: Memories of Roman Times, Machines, and Magnetic Cow (all 1980).


CSOFT CEO Speaks on "Bloomberg Markets Asia"
CSOFT's Founder & CEO Shunee Yee, talked about its expertise in "translating" brands, products, and operations on "Bloomberg Markets: Asia" this morning. Interviewed by Hong Kong-based anchor, Rish Salamat who recently interviewed the CEO of Uber, Travis Kalanick, and Sydney-based Haidi Lun, Shunee described CSOFT as the "Uber of language services" and explained how more than 50% of the world's population speaks more than two languages. By utilizing technology and these skill assets, people around the world can have instant access to live-translation services.
According to Shunee, in the past only large multinational companies were able to enjoy the luxuries of expanding internationally. However, with the rapid development of the Internet and technology, any sized company anywhere in the world is able to compete in the international market, and as a result, translation needs for globalizing businesses are accelerating.
According to CSOFT, China's companies going global are facing different types of challenges than when most Fortune 500 companies from matured markets internationalized their products in the 80s or 90s. In addition to overcoming technical, linguistic, and cultural barriers, Chinese companies are facing a much more complex political and geo-economic environment today. On top of that, the digital revolution demands today's products and information to reach global audiences instantaneously.


Norwich manager Paul Lambert hailed the performance of debutant goalkeeper Jed Steer as his side clinched an FA Cup fifth round spot after their 2-1 win at West Brom.
Canaries substitute Simeon Jackson netted the winner five minutes from time after Baggies striker Marc-Antoine Fortune had cancelled out Grant Holt's ninth goal of the campaign. But the visitors' hero was 19-year-old Steer, who produced a series of fine saves - including two in the closing seconds from Shane Long and Joe Mattock.
Lambert said: "I thought his saves were world class. He was terrific. It is only one game but he has a great temperament and a great enthusiasm for the game as well which is important."
He added: "He is a really level-headed lad, which is probably more important than anything - but his handling was brilliant. His two saves (at the end) were exceptional.
"I've never had any fear about playing any of the younger lads. You won't know about someone until you give them an opportunity and, if you don't give them an opportunity, how do you know?"
Victory enabled Norwich to complete a quickfire double success over Albion after they triumphed by the same scoreline in the Premier League clash at The Hawthorns two weeks ago.
Lambert said: "I'm delighted to go through and glad it never went to a replay. This is a hard place to come and again we came up trumps.
"We knew what to expect and that the crowd would be vibrant as they showed a fortnight ago.
"It is well documented the number of late goals we've scored in the last two-and-a-half years and that comes from a great desire within the team.
"They want to try and win games and I always think we will create things."


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UAlbany's Uptown Campus to serve as state-run walk-through vaccination site beginning January 15, appointment required
by: Jack Summers
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — UAlbany's Uptown Campus will reportedly serve as a state-run walk-through vaccination site starting Friday, January 15 in the Northwest Gold parking lot. The vaccination sites are also known as points of distribution and appointments are required.
New York State is distributing the COVID-19 vaccine in phases based on need and risk. Supplies of the vaccine will reportedly increase over time and are expected to be more widely available in spring or early summer 2021.
The vaccination site will be a restricted area where only authorized personnel will be permitted access. People who drive to the site will need to park their cars in the Northwest Gold lot and get out in order to receive a vaccine inside the tent.
The site will reportedly be run by the New York State Department of Health, and not UAlbany. The University asks that you do not contact them for information on vaccination appointments.
Click the following link to check your vaccine eligibility online or call the state's COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 1-833-697-4829 to request an appointment.
For additional information about the vaccine click here.
New year, new semester, new COVID testing measures for local colleges
by Spencer Tracy / Jan 18, 2021
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) - College students and faculty across the Capital Region are making their return back to campus for the spring semester. School officials are requiring certain COVID-19 protocols to be back on campus.
As coronavirus numbers continue to remain high around the country, many colleges and universities are offering a hybrid learning model for the spring.
by Katie Rhee / Jan 18, 2021
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (WDVM) — Have you been having trouble sleeping since the start of the pandemic? You might be suffering from what experts are calling "coronasomnia."
Coronasomnia is described as the interference of sleep due to the pandemic. Insomnia specialist dr. Lisa Medalie says that things like stress from online work and school, along with decreased exercise and increased screen time are just a few factors to coronasomnia.
NEW YORK (AP) — Coronavirus deaths are rising in nearly two-thirds of American states as a winter surge pushes the overall toll toward 400,000 amid warnings that a new, highly contagious variant is taking hold.
As Americans observed a national holiday Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo pleaded with federal authorities to curtail travel from countries where new variants are spreading.


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Spokesman Books | Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell books published by Spokesman Books the imprint of the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation, which began in 1963.
Spokesman has published new editions of two short stories by Bertrand Russell which first appeared in the 1950s. We have also reprinted Roads to Freedom, Icarus and the Future of Science and German Social Democracy.
Here they are listed here for you to browse and buy.
A Pacifist at War
Letters and Writings 1914-1918
By Bertrand Russell
Edited by Nicholas Griffin
'The outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 dramatically changed almost everything in Bertrand Russell's life. It was the War that made him a public figure and ensured that henceforth philosophy would only occasionally prevail over politics for his attention ... Unlike so many who went enthusiastically to war in the summer of 1914, Russell knew the War would be a disaster. Nor did he share the general British opinion that Germany was entirely responsible. He thought the secret diplomacy of the Liberal administration under Sir Edward Grey, which had entangled Britain in a series of alliances to defend continental countries against aggression, shared a good deal of the responsibility. He had, moreover, no doubts at all that it was his public duty to oppose the War ... The War made him a popular figure among pacifists and those on the Left who were opposed to it, but it made him persona non grata with the Government, including many of his erstwhile allies in the Liberal establishment (though not with his lover, Ottoline Morrell and her husband, who remained staunchly supportive of the pacifists). The costs to Russell of opposing the War were high. The government fined him, confiscated his passport, placed him under surveillance, banned him from certain parts of the country, and eventually jailed him. He was viciously attacked in print and in person and, on at least one occasion, physically assaulted. He lost his job at Cambridge, his academic career, and many of his former friends. During the War he was dependent on his brother for providing him a place to live and when it ended he was broke, jobless, and exhausted. None of this caused him to waver for a moment in his unrelenting opposition.'
Nicholas Griffin
McMaster University, Canada
'The introduction to the book as a whole, and particularly to individual letters, is very fine, as to be expected from its editor, Nicholas Griffin (editor of Russell's collected papers of the period). The choice of his writings (as distinct from letters) could not be bettered in the space given to them; readers might have preferred these to have been expanded at the cost of fewer of his letters. However, these provide a fascinating insight both into his emotional life and entanglements of the period, and to his participation in the anti-war struggle. His fascinated and fascinating encounters with D.H.Lawrence are particularly well illustrated. As a whole, the collection is a much needed extension to his Autobiography, and as the only reasonably priced way into the vast treasury of his papers of the period, is a must for his admirers, and an education for our time.'
Chris Bratcher
218 pages | Paperback
ISBN: 978 0 85124 8370
Unarmed Victory
The Cuban Missile Crisis Fifty Years On
The Cuban missile crisis of October 1962, more than any previous crisis, made the ordinary citizen suddenly aware of the ever-present danger of nuclear annihilation, and no sooner had the fright passed than it was renewed on the borders of India and China. Bertrand Russell shared these feelings, both the fright and the anger, but decided he must go on to turn concern into action. This book tells what he did in those frightening weeks, why he did it, and of the curious reception his activities had.
He asked Khrushchev not to challenge the US blockade of Cuba and Khrushchev acted as Russell had suggested that he should. This was exactly the action that the West had hoped for, but most people in the West still blamed Russell as too pro-communist because it was not by force that the result had been achieved. The same occurred in the Sino-Indian crisis. So the book contains a message of hope. Two precedents have been set for dignified and voluntary compromise in order to avoid nuclear war, and moreover the suggestions of a respected individual outside the battle were heeded. If we want a parallel we must look back to the thirteenth century, when Frederic II was quarrelling with the Pope and was ex-communicated. While ex-communicated he went on a crusade, but instead of fighting the Saracens, he negotiated with them. He secured far more than more warlike crusaders had ever been able to obtain, but he remained in bad odour with the Pope because it was wicked to negotiate with the Saracens. The analogy is very close.
David Sinclair - Tribune, May 2012
Roads to Freedom
"This book was written to give an account of Socialism, Anarchism, and Syndicalism. It was completed in the early months of 1918 and before the end of the First World War was imaginable. The prospect of peace seemed remote. So much has happened since that time … and the solutions, urgent problems and immediate hopes are no longer what they were in 1918. But the problem of preserving as much liberty as possible under Socialism is even more urgent now than then, and the greater part of what is said on this problem in this book still seems to me valid."
Bertrand Russell, from his 1948 preface.
158 pages | Indexed
Justice in War-Time
Here is Russell's brilliant commentary on the barbarism of trench warfare, and his horror at the blind, patriotic enthusiasm of his contemporaries who sent a whole generation to their death. Russell also raises a number of enduring questions on war and peace. How are wars made popular? When are they justified? Should diplomacy be secret? What should be the role of intellectuals? Must nation states endure? Can civilization survive?
Icarus or The Future of Science
Bertrand Russell wrote Icarus or The Future of Science in 1923 as a reply to J. B. S. Haldane's Daedalus. Within Daedalus Haldane imagined a world in which humans controlled their own evolution. In direct response to this Russell published Icarus or The Future of Science in which he argues that such power would ultimately be used not for idealistic ends but to strengthen the power of dominant groups.
64 pages | Paperback
The Life of Bertrand Russell
in pictures and his own words
Compiled by Christopher Farley and David Hodgson
This beautiful record of Russell's life from his birth in 1872 to his death in 1970, has been reprinted for a new generation of Russell enthusiasts. Images of Russell, his parents, his surroundings in Wales, Richmond, Cambridge and the United States, his wives, children, and achievements are mixed with the narratives of his life related in his own words.
Has Man a Future?
By Bertand Russell
Man has been on this planet for one million years, and in that time has come a long way. He could achieve great things in the next million. What are his prospects if he can manage to survive the present danger of universal destruction? After posing this question, Bertrand Russell examines this danger in its most urgent form: the development of nuclear weapons and the hypocrisy of official attitudes to them.
Let the People Think
In this selection of his essays, first published in 1941, sparkling wit and crystal clarity combine with a profundity and deep humanity that single him out as on of the world's mist formative thinkers. He offers his thoughts on the value of scepticism, free thought and propaganda, fascism, youthful cynicism, insects and comets.
German Social Democracy
Originally published in 1896, this was Bertrand Russell's first book. Its purpose then was to provide a convenient introduction to German Social Democracy - its history, its goals, its tactics, and the influence upon it of such thinkers as Marx, Engels, and Lassalle.
German Social Democracy is a vital document for students of European history, and for all those who read and admire the works of Bertrand Russell.
184 pages | Hardback
Satan in the Suburbs
"The title story was in part suggested to me by a stranger whom I met in Mortlake and who, when he saw me, crossed the road and made the sign of the Cross as he went." Bertrand Russell in his Autobiography
Nightmares of Eminent Persons
"This was intended to illustrate the secret fears which beset the Great while they sleep."
"The writing of these stories was a great release of my hitherto unexpressed feelings and of thoughts which could not be stated without mention of fears that had no rational basis... In this way it was possible to warn of dangers which might or might not occur in the near future." Bertrand Russell
Practice and Theory of Bolshevism
Bertrand Russell's Practice and Theory of Bolshevism is a first-hand account of the great British philosopher's journey to Russian in 1920. It is a classic and enduring analysis of communism in practice, and a careful polemic with Communist ideology. But more than this, it is a portrait of the turbulent infancy of the Soviet Republic, and a report on Russell's meeting with such great historic figures as Lenin, Trotsky, and Gorky.
ISBN: 978 085124 5416
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text:
Mumbai's Muslim Engraver at Work in Jewish Cemetery
AFP, Times of Israel, November 11, 2014
Muslim tombstone engraver Mohammad Abdul Yaseen, August 21, 2014 (photo credit: AFP PHOTO/ INDRANIL MUKHERJEE)
The 74-year-old carefully chisels away at a slab of marble, engraving a passage that recounts the devout Jewish faith of the deceased.
On another tombstone he touches up a painted Hebrew inscription, undisturbed by the blare of car horns outside the central Mumbai cemetery.
Muslim engraver Mohammad Abdul Yaseen has for decades worked in this Jewish graveyard, inscribing memorials in English, the local Indian language Marathi, and Hebrew, in which he is fluent.
Yaseen serves the tiny Bene Israel or "Sons of Israel" community, whose origins in India go back about 2,000 years, as well as the Baghdadi Jews who came to do business in Mumbai in the 19th century.
While the country's Jewish population is now dwindling, Yaseen has been in demand since he took up the trade in the 1960s after arriving in Mumbai from northern India.
He has since received numerous invitations to go to Israel, but has preferred to stay with his family in Mumbai.
"It was not really meant to be a job. But work kept coming and I stayed. In any case, I did not want to sit at home and do nothing," he told AFP.
Originally published here: https://www.timesofisrael.com/mumbais-muslim-engraver-at-work-in-jewish-cemetery/#


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This year marks a decade-long milestone for the JCC Cleveland Jewish FilmFest. Though it returns to its home base of the Cleveland Heights arthouse Cedar Lee Theatre, the fest, which kicks off Thursday and runs through Sept. 18, will also be branching out around the city.
One highlight includes a free screening of "The Blind Hero" at Cuyahoga County Public Library's Snow branch in Parma. The docu-drama tells the story of a factory owner who was able to shield workers from the Nazis. "It shows the goodness of people," says film fest director Deborah Bobrow.
This year continues the focus on highlighting global stories tied together through Jewish themes, from romance in Sweden (opening night film "Fever at Dawn") to rock music. "Rock in the Red Zone" documents the music created in a bomb shelter-turned-rock club in the Israeli town of Sderot that is bombarded with rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.
"We really try to show Jewish life all over the world," Bobrow says.
"On the Map" - When Maccabi Tel Aviv's basketball team conquered the seemingly indestructible Red Army team in the 1977 EuroCup Semifinals, their star player uttered, "We're finally on the map." Clevelanders may be able to relate. In fact, many locals may recognize the Tel Aviv team for their ties to former Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt, who carried them to the finals before he came to Cleveland. This documentary traces their incredible journey.
"Sabena Hijacking: My Version" - This riveting docu-drama recreates the Israeli Special Forces' bold operation to take back Sabena Flight 971 after it was seized by the Palestinian group Black September. The pulse-pounding portrayal offers perspectives from all involved, including the highjackers themselves.
"The Tenth Man" - Ariel's father is highly regarded in the religious community, but it often kept him away from home and removed from Ariel's upbringing. This heartfelt drama finds the two reconnecting in El Once, the Jewish quarter of Buenos Aires.


Scientists analysed the behaviour of red swamp crayfish in Kenya's Lake Naivasha and found that when the water level of the lake was low, the crayfish found additional food sources on land. The study was published in the journal PLoS ONE on 3 August 2012.
Lead author Dr Jonathan Grey from School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary, University of London explained: "These crayfish are incredible survivors; our research shows they are able to feed off terrestrial plants directly, as well as aquatic plants – the first study to demonstrate this.
"This study demonstrates how the red swamp crayfish is such an extraordinarily successful invader," Dr Grey said.
This story has been reported on The Fish Site.


text:
Q: Dynamic row addition at the bottom of Table in IE Based on the button click event, I want to add rows dynamically at the bottom of an existing table.
I had done the same using Javascript which is given below. It is working fine in Chrome browser whereas in IE the rows are getting added at the top rather than at the bottom.
If I click the button multiple times then could see that all the rows are getting added at the top one after the other in IE.
function addRow(tableID) {

    var table = document.getElementById(tableID);
    var tbody = table.getElementsByTagName('tbody')[0];

    var rowCount = table.querySelectorAll("tbody tr").length;

    var row = tbody.insertRow(-1);

    var cell1 = row.insertCell(0);
    cell1.classList.add("PadLeft10");
    cell1.classList.add("PadBottom5");
    cell1.classList.add("textcenter");
    cell1.width = "2%";
    var element1 = document.createElement("input");
    element1.type = "checkbox";
    element1.name = "element1[" + index + "].selected";
    element1.id = "element1[" + index + "].selected";
    cell1.appendChild(element1);
    [...]
}

I could see in the docs that tbody.insertRow(-1) should append row at the last in both IE and Chrome, but for me in IE it is getting added at the top. I tried many ways but in all it works fine in Chrome but not in IE.
Any help?

A: If the insertRow part is the problem, you can do this to reliably add to the end instead:
var row = document.createElement("tr");
tbody.appendChild(row);

Similarly, var cell1 = row.insertCell(0); (if it is also a problem) can be:
var cell1 = document.createElement("tr");
row.insertBefore(cell1, row.firstChild);

Finally, MDN says that IE has long supported insertAdjacentHTML (all the way back to IE4), so that entire method could be replaced with the following if you like:
function addRow(tableID) {
    var table = document.getElementById(tableID);
    var tbody = table.querySelector("tbody");
    var rowCount = table.querySelectorAll("tr").length; // Or: `= table.rows.length;`

    // ***Where does `index` come from? Did you mean `rowCount`?
    var name = "element1[" + index + "].selected";
    var html =
        '
' +
            '' +
                '<input type="checkbox" name="' + name + '" id="' + name + '">' +
            '	' +
        '
';

    tbody.insertAdjacentHTML("beforeend", html);
    // ...
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


When we were young we never heard or even saw a wetsuit, let alone wore one and we swam merrily in the chilly waters of the Atlantic sea in our well worn bathing togs, staying in for hours at a time.
My younger sister and I used to pretend to be dolphins and we developed a technique where we half butterfly stroked, half dived as we made our way through the water mimicking the dolphins rolling motion.
Those hours in the sea have withstood us well and to this day I have no problem leaping into the sometimes wild, always cold, waters of the Atlantic for a swim.
I don't swim madly or speedily. Instead, in much the same way as I ride my yellow bicycle, I 'meander'.
Exploring as I go. Happy to potter, to see what I can see.
I suppose you could call it 'slow swimming'.
My sister is coming up over the hill when she spots it.
A baby hare, a leveret, nestled in the entrance of a disused rabbit burrow.
I am at my tent making coffee.
Oh what cruelty is in us that, no matter what fear and terror we cause it (and its mother who, no doubt, is watching from afar) we must get a photo.
The Leveret is well tuned in the art of survival. It has a trick up its sleeve and plays dead. Not a blink of an eye or twitch of a whisker gives any indication it has noted our presence.
Crouching low, I take a quick photo before we crawl away backwards delighted to have seen such a wonderful thing.
We don't 'stand on things' here.
We don't trample indiscriminately but rather step lightly, despite our bulky human size.
Traipsing over the undulating low grassed hills, We see hare bells, eyebright, ladies bedstraw, birdsfoot trefoil, orchids, wild thyme, and many others, all entwining in each others roots and weaving themselves into a tight carpet on the sandy soil.
We thread even more carefully over the lichened rocks, festooned with mounds of sea pinks.
We return to my tent and sit under its awning looking out to sea and sipping our coffee.
After a few moments I say.
'I am naming my camping spot 'Áit an giorria' (the place of the hare).
Come on in it's delicious!
Oh Just jump in! get the initial shock over with' We call impatiently, only our heads visible as we thread water.
Those who are brave enough have made it to knee depth and are now nervously dipping their hands in and patting the water on thighs and upper arms.
'Come on, get IN!' We shout bossily as we swim parallel to the shore.
'Once you get down you'll get used to it, you'll LOVE it' We lie.
'See its not that bad' Our ears are deafened by the shrieks of those who have taken our advice.
'Its feckin freezing' they splutter when they get their breath back and start to run out again.
We look at each other and throw our eyes to heaven.
This morning I am alone. I make my way barefoot across the rocks to the waters edge.
I love that solitary first swim of the day. I relish it and dream about it through the short winter day's.
Its my chance to meditate, to become a creature of the sea, moving purposely but causing hardly a ripple.
I wade in around them and at waist depth slide under the water. I lift my feet and float, moving with the tide. Undulating.
Then I start a slow breaststroke out to sea.
The turquoise water is crystal clear and I watch my tanned arms admiringly as they sweep in distorted circles just below the surface.
I marvel at how they look so much thinner under the water.
I might stay in here for ever.
I dive deep, eyes open, small herring fry scattering before my outstretched hands and some prawns sweeping passed, brought in on the tide.
A periwinkle shell moves across the sand, stopping every now and again to get its bearings. It's a hermit crab.
I reach a rock with waving seaweed and see a small crab scuttle to safety.
All this in the holding of one breath.
I surface and pull a piece of the seaweed (its glutinous texture makes a good moisturizer)standing cautiously. feeling the seafloor with my toes.
A few years ago I stood on a weaver fish in this spot.
I have never known such pain and I hobbled back to my camp to ring a friend who surfed in exotic places.
'Sounds like you have stood on a weaver fish! Boil a kettle and fill a bucket with the hottest water you can bear and place your foot in it'.
I did as instructed and within seconds the pain had begun to abate and then it disappeared altogether.
Today it is not only a weaver fish I have to watch out for.
Making my way back across the sand, I see I was not the only one slow swimming this morning. A Lions mane jellyfish lies stranded by the outgoing tide. I skirt around it and up the grassy hill to my tent.
Slow swim over for this morning.
Time for my morning coffee.


Hal Heath Commercial building for sale, 2980 Gunnison, $550,000. 6200 sf, 4000sf is warehouse, executive type offices, fenced yard, zoned industrial.
Cindy Dickey Rental Available: Executive home off S.Camp Rd, Gorgeous Views! 3 BR + office, workout room, landscaping will be done for you $2500/mo.
Cindy Dickey Rental Available: In Fruita, 4 BR home $1800/mo.


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Carving tools & technologies of Coast Salish art
Photo: Burke Museum
Coast Salish Art
New tools and technologies have always been rapidly adopted and adapted by Northwest Native artists as they become available.
The adze is the most important carving tool used by indigenous carvers on the Northwest Coast. Many different styles of adzes were developed in ancient times, using ground stone blades made of a hard greenstone called jadite or nephrite. Chisels were made of beaver teeth and elk horn. It is believed that iron blades were made from metal salvaged from Japanese shipwrecks that floated in on the currents before the first Europeans brought iron in greater quantities to trade for furs in the late 18th century.
Coast Salish carvers use two basic styles of adze, a short-handled "elbow" adze, and a D-adze, named for the shapes of the handles. These were used to carve canoes, smooth cedar house posts and planks, and rough-out bowls and spoons. Finishing work is done with straight-bladed knives as well as "crooked knives" with curved blades that can hollow recessed areas. Today, carvers use chain saws and other power tools, but adzes and crooked knives are still used for carving.
Coast Salish Adze
Skokomish elbow adze, Burke Museum cat. no. 18, collected by Rev. Myron Eells for the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893.
Photo: Courtesy of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 05-7-10/65509.
Quinault D-adze
This D-adze belonged to Captain Mason, a Quinault leader, who used it for making canoes. According to Oliver Mason, the great-grandson of Captain Mason, 'The little figure represents the spirit that helped carve the canoes. He was a helper and when they'd get tired, he'd help them keep going.'
Canoe Carving
Until the early 20th century, the main method of travel on the Northwest Coast was by canoe, and many different styles of canoes were used for different purposes.
It is believed that the Coast Salish style of canoe may have been ancestral to the northern Northwest Coast canoes. It is characterized by a vertical cutwater, upswept bow and outswept stern. A groove is carved along the inside rim of the gunwale and a notch is cut in the bow.
Canoes were carved from a single log, hollowed, steamed and spread in order to increase the width of the canoe, and bring the bow and stern up (see spreading diagram below). In addition to the Coast Salish traveling canoe with the notched bow, the people of the Salish Sea also used the ocean-going west coast canoe type, also used by Chinookan, Makah, and Nuu-chah-nulth tribes, as well as the flat, dugout shovel-nosed river canoe to pole up shallow rivers.
Photo: Washington State Historical Society, neg. no. 16.01.001
Canoe race at Coupeville Water Festival, 1934.
Illustration: Kennth Greg Watson, 2008 (Brotherton S'abadeb, 2008 Fig. 11.7:253)
The Coast Salish people used three basic types: shovel nose canoes for river travel (top), Salish style canoes for travel, fishing, and hunting in the Salish Sea (middle), and Westcoast (or Nuu-chah-nulth) style canoes for long distance and ocean travel (bottom).
Illustration: Wright, Robin K. A Time of Gathering: Native Heritage in Washington State, 1991, page 245, figure 6.
Canoe changes in spreading: top, typical Puget Sound canoe after spreading; bottom, typical Puget Sound canoe before spreading.
Illustration: Robin K. Wright.
Coast Salish canoe bow diagrams: top, Northern Gulf with vertically compressed prow and deep, angular cutwater; bottom, Puget Sound with slanted prow and rounded cutwater.
Illustrations: Bill Holm, "Coast Salish Canoes," in Wright (ed) A Time of Gathering: Native Heritage in Washington State, 1991, p. 242.
This diagram shows the features of the Puget Sound-Georgia Strait Salish canoe, based on Burke Museum canoe #1-167. From top: side view; view from above; waterline showing fine entry and run; cross section amidships.
Canoe Journeys
Motor vessels largely replaced cedar canoes on the coast in the early 20th century, but canoe racing remained a popular social event for Coast Salish tribes. Since the first Paddle to Seattle event that took place in conjunction with the Washington State Centennial celebration in 1989, canoe journeys have become an annual event and have inspired the revival of traditional traveling canoes carved of cedar logs that are steamed and spread in the traditional way.
Canoe journeys also inspire the production of ceremonial regalia such as woven robes, cedar bark hats, and the carving of canoe paddles.
Emmett Oliver Honoring Canoe, painted design by Marvin Oliver; photo taken at the 2009 Canoe Journey at Suquamish, WA. Norris: Contemporary Art on the Northwest Coast: Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth and Makah, page 14-15, top.
See More Coast Salish Art
Continue exploring the history of art in this region, what makes Coast Salish art distinctive among the many regional Northwest Coast styles, and the vitality of contemporary Coast Salish art.
Additional Coast Salish Art Resources
Search additional resources related to the First Peoples who speak the Coast Salish language.
Photo: Dennis Wise/University of Washington


With hype comes heightened expectations, and my expectations for this product have been huge. I don't just want to know how it lifts lashes compared to other mascaras. I want to know how it lifts compared to eyelash curlers – I am curler tool obsessed!
That's not actually a comparison Benefit is making, from what I can tell - its 'Friends with Benefit' blog just claims 'unmatched curl power' (compared to other mascaras, I'm guessing ). But it's one that has come to my mind and probably yours too.
I've been using Roller Lash every day since I picked up my copy of Elle. I've tried it and formed an opinion. I've also taken before and after shots to show you how it looks.
This feels unlike any other mascara I have used. That's down to the 'hook n roll' brush, which grips lashes and holds them firm. You can certainly feel a gentle pull (not a tug) as you sweep upwards.
The brush design is based on traditional Velcro hair rollers (hence the old school salon imagery used in the product marketing), and it is what gives Roller Lash its curling action. The ink-black formula, meanwhile, works with the brush like hairspray to set the curls.
Roller Lash does a pretty good job of lengthening lashes too. But it doesn't create volume. In fairness this is not a claim Benefit is making, but it does mean that I would want to apply a lash thickening mascara first.
Other points to note: Benefit says the formula contains lash conditioning ingredients and is easy to remove. I'm currently using Benefit's They're Real Remover, a creamy gel that shifts pretty much anything, so I can't really say how easy it would be to erase if using a water-based remover.
In summary, Roller Lash really delivers the goods in terms of curl and lift. If you want a day off from using your curlers, without comprising performance, well now you can. But if you want volume too then you'll need to look elsewhere.
Roller Lash will arrive on counter on 27th February, priced £19.50. More on Benefit here.
They do look really good. I'm a fan of Benefit in general so did have high hopes for this product and it looks like it lives up to them.
Love the sound of the hook and roll brush!
I never use lash curlers. Your lashes seem to be beautiful naturally, so I don't think you need a lot of magic to make them into something glamorous, but I will agree, I would want a bit more volume from a mascara. Benefit is amazing with their marketing campaign. I went to Tanya Burr meetup when I started out with blogging and it was all organised at the Benefit boutique in Carnaby Street, I knew nothing about Benefit at a time, now it seems to be everywhere..
How was the Anti-ageing Show event? Was it any good?
I like Benefit very much! And yes, the campaigns are great, as well as packaging! I think this mascara now does a great job! As I am not in the UK right now, I will ask someone to buy the March issue for me :) if it still exists :) Thanks for sharing that and the nice review! I am eager to try it!


Stubborn by her own admission, trailblazing Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat doesn't mind being called arrogant for it since the attitude comes in handy to intimidate rivals on the mat.
India's first woman wrestler to claim an Asian Games gold medal dwelled on the perceptions about her, life after marriage to fellow grappler Somvir Rathee and her Olympic dreams.
"I am very stubborn, since childhood. If I feel something is right, even if that is wrong, I will be very stubborn about that and I make sure people agree with me even if I am wrong sometimes," she laughed.
But would she call it a virtue, to be steadfast even if wrong?
"If someone explains with love and proves that my thought process is wrong and I also start to realise that, then I concede and step back," she said.
And what about the perception of being arrogant for being so headstrong?
"Yes people say that (arrogant) but I know what's inside me. And if it helps me on the mat, I don't bother," she said.
"It helps me on the mat. People say it's over-confidence but for me it's belief. I don't get intimidated and your opponent also notices the body language. Some people work on it but for me it's God gift," she added.
The 24-year-old Commonwealth Games champion recently got married and is now determined to end the stereotype of women's career getting affected by their marital status.
"People say that after marriage, we lose spark and fire but I want to break this myth. I want to take this fear out of girls that marriage is a barrier. I want to be an example, so I decided to marry early," Vinesh said.
"Of course you need support of your partner. There are a few in our society who do not believe in (love) relationships (without marriage) so they will ask why don't you get married and some will say why marry so early? Now Olympics is a major competition and I have all the support of Somvir," she said.
Vinesh, the first Indian athlete ever to be nominated for Laureus World Sports Award, also insisted that the mindset of Indian wrestlers have greater self-belief.
"I feel India have 4-5 strong contenders, who can beat any wrestler in the world. I won't take names but we can win 2-3 Olympic medals. The mindset has changed," she asserted.
"Earlier people used to just look for participation or win a round at the Worlds but now medals are a possibility for all. I know these girls. After Sakshi's bronze, girls are now targetting gold at Olympics."
"We have started becoming technically smart while earlier we just played a power game, it's giving results."
The significance of getting a nomination for the prestigious Laureus awards has still not dawned on the Haryana grappler.
"Honestly I still don't know what this nomination is about. I just know that my name has been put for voting. I had not even heard of Laureus. And if no Indian athlete has been nominated before, I can only be proud of it."
"...it's definitely huge for wrestling in India because it is still struggling for recognition," said Vinesh.
The winner of multiple international medals says her comeback from a career-threatening injury, sometimes has even her amazed.
"I have seen athletes struggling so badly after suffering injuries. Sometimes I get shocked to see what and how I have achieved this success. It's nothing but God's grace."
Will she not give credit to her own hard work?
"It's not just hard work because innumerable athletes do that. This is something which I don't know. I beat even the formidable Japan wrestlers after injury, it's God's grace."
Vinesh said Somvir has played a huge role in her success.
"If Somvir was not there, Vinesh would not be what Vinesh is today. He is one person who has contributed to my success more than my family. The way he motivated me, no one did. I believe more in him than myself."
"He has videos of all my opponents on his phone. He knows them all, who attacks better, whose defense is solid. He devises strategies for me. He is more focussed on me than on himself. He has lot of belief in me," she explained.
How did this bond develop? "I don't know," she laughed.
"I just know that there is trust."
Vinesh happily noted that there is lot of improvement in system and credits WFI President for that.
"Four years back, there was not much respect for athletes but not anymore, it has gone up. Now it's up to the wrestlers to benefit from the good system in place. They need to push their limits."
How cricket has changed since that historic day!
Is Hardik being punished for spilling insider secrets?


Do your feel the need... the Need for Steed?
Great heroes need great mounts to carry them into battle. And great Munchkins need really abusively powerful steeds. Now we've got you covered. Gallop into the dungeon on the Tiger, the Dragon, the Giant Mutant Gerbil (illustrated by guest artist Shaenon K. Garrity of Narbonic), the Eagle... or even the Chicken... each one with the kind of unreasonable special power you've come to expect from Munchkin!
Designed by Steve Jackson and illustrated by John Kovalic, The Need for Steed brings 112 more cards to the best-selling game of backstabbing, looting, and sheer munchkinly mayhem.
This set also features a host of hirelings, who look quite a bit like Sidekicks from Super Munchkin, or Minions from Munchkin Bites!, and yet are completely unique and new! Add these valuable characters to your retinue, use their special abilities, and sacrifice them to save your own skin! Or, better yet, kill somebody else's Hireling. That's the way a real Munchkin does it!
Munchkin 4: The Need For Steed is not a stand-alone game.
Munchkin is required to play.


Hey beauties! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! Mine was all about relaxing and not thinking about all the work I have for university. You have to do that once in a while to stay sane, don't you? I was sick all week and got really tired blowing my nose and sneezing and the weather changed drastically, it is now officially winter...so I really needed a weekend off.
Anyway, apart from having to fight my cold, which was no fun at all, I had a pretty lucky week in terms of gifts :D If you follow me on Instagram (and you should ! @onthebrightstyle) you probably saw that I received a few gifts (4 exactly - it could have been my birthday haha)! It is really unusual, but super exciting as I have plenty of new outfits to style and show you guys!
I am here wearing two of the items I received: this amazing printed blouse from Swildens and the oh-so-gorgeous bag from Sophie Hulme thanks to Young British Designers.
Hope you enjoy this look and your week!


text:
Emily Schuster
Co-Editor-in-Chief of Liberal Education and Senior Editor
Emily Schuster serves as co-editor-in-chief of Liberal Education, the magazine of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), and also as a senior editor for the association. Schuster joined AAC&U in 2017 as editor of Diversity & Democracy, AAC&U's former quarterly publication on diversity, equity, global learning, and civic engagement. Previously, she spent nine years as editor-in-chief of Dimensions, the magazine of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, where she regularly highlighted issues in the science center and museum field related to equity, diversity, inclusion, access, education, and public engagement with science and global issues. She previously held positions in publications and education in various museums and cultural organizations in Washington, DC, including Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens; Folger Shakespeare Library; and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Schuster holds a BA in English from Johns Hopkins University and an MA in museum education from Tufts University.


text:
Comic book images push gender boundaries for Biennale's Chitra Ganesh
Our Correspondent January 10, 2019 07:10 AM IST
Kochi: Her works narrate stories that push boundaries of gender and power representations, and for that Chitra Ganesh uses mixed media that interestingly employ comic strips as well.
India's popular Amar Chitra Katha drawings are a source of inspiration to express her discerning views on subjects as weighty as race, feminism, and queer rights. In fact, she draws inspiration from myriad sources — Hindu mythology to Buddhist icons — to explore stories seemingly hidden or nestled within contemporary narratives.
In her work at the main venue of the 108-day biennale, Chitra goes on to express matters that are a nuanced version of historical and mythical texts with focus on iconic female forms. Chitra was born to immigrant parents in America and lives in New York's populous Brooklyn.
"I am interested in working across media. Installations, drawings, comics, digital collage, and mostly animation," the 43-year-old artist says. "I also study how text and image illuminate one another in my wall drawings."
Quiz her why the heavy leaning towards the comic-book style, and Chitra says she is interested in graphic as a complex semiotic system. "It's an assembly of signs and symbols that a wide audience is equipped to decipher. The form has its popularity growing, too," she says. "For example, we all understand that a certain kind of bubble signifies speech, another represents thought and we know how to create a time-based story from building meanings out of individual images that are stitched together."
A graduate from the Ivy-League Brown University, Chitra studied literature, semiotics, and social theory. All of these find a steady reference in her works. "My background in literature has influenced my desire to go for experiments in integrating text and image," says the artist, an MFA in visual arts from Colombia University.
At Aspinwall House in Fort Kochi, Chitra has a digital-animation video installation for the biennale that runs till March 29. Titled 'The Scorpion Gesture,' the work was originally commissioned by the Rubin Museum of Art, New York, for a show curated by Beth Citron. It has five screens juxtaposed to be visible simultaneously. Together, they merge thousands of animated images to pull viewers into a surreal realm.
The theme follows a broad canvas: art history, politics, everyday life. "I have been continuing an exploration of the inextricable entanglements between deep past and far future. There is a dynamic connection between mythology and science fiction," she notes. "There are always untold stories trying to rise to the surface. I find these particularly inspiring."
Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2018
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text:
Сірадж-уд-Дін Алі Хан (, нар. 1687 року, Агра — пом. 1756, Лакхнау), також відомий під псевдонімом Арзу — індійський поет, лінгвіст і лексикограф Імперії Великих Моголів. Він писав, в основному, перською мовою, але також відомі його 127 двовіршів на мові урду. Він був дядьком по материнській лінії Мір Такі Міру — визначному поету урду. Серед учнів Сірадж-уд-Діна Алі Хана були Мір Такі Мір, Мірза Мухаммад Рафі Сауда, Мірза Мазхар Джан-е-Джанаан та Наджм-уд-Дін Шах Мубарак Абру.

Біографія
Сірадж-уд-Дін народився в Агрі. Він був сином шейха Хісам-уд-Діна, військовика, який займав високі посади при дворі імператора Моголів Аурангзеба. Змалку отримав освіту на перській і арабській мовах. Також вивчав хінді та санскрит.

Почав писати у віці чотирнадцяти років. Переїхав в Делі в 1719 році. Служив при дворі наваба Камар-уд-дін Хана. Камар-уд-Дін, який був прем'єр-міністром, дав йому відповідальну роботу: Сірадж-уд-Дін був організатором придворних поетичних зборів, що називались мушайра. Тут у нього було багато учнів, включаючи Мір Такі Міра. Він мігрував в Лакхнау в 1754 році, а потім в Айодх'ю, яка колись була резиденцією його славетного діда. Поет помер в Лакхнау в 1756 році і похований в районі Вакілпура в Делі.

Твори
 Siraj-ul-Lught (лексикон перської мови, який розглядає взаємозв'язок між перською та санскритом)
 Chiragh-e-Hidayat (словник слів та ідіом, що використовувалися перськими поетами)
 Diwan-e-Asar Shirazi
 Mohiblat-e-Uzma(Трактат про просодії)
 Atiya-e-Kubra (інша робота по просодії)
 Miear-ul-Afkar(трактат з граматики)
 Payam-i-Shauq (збірка листів)
 Josh-o-Kharosh (маснаві)
 Mehr-o-Mah
 Ibrat Fasana
 Guka-ri-Kayal (довгий вірш про холі і прихід весни)
 Кілька газелей та касид

Примітки

Поети урду
Поети XVIII століття
Індійські поети
Лексикографи

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Statue of Benedict (Baruch) Spinoza in Amsterdam. Photograph by Serge Ottaviani via Creative Commons.
What does a Jew have to believe to be a Jew?
Spinoza was certainly not the first to occasion this kind of controversy. This question of whether there are beliefs that are essential to Judaism—what has been called the question of Jewish dogma—has a long and important history within Jewish thought and has had important implications for the Jewish community up to the present.
In the middle ages, Maimonides (1138-1204), the great rabbi, doctor, and philosopher, made an important contribution to this discussion in his Commentary on the Mishnah, in the introduction to the section on Sanhedrin (Perek Helek). He articulated what came to be known as the "Thirteen Principles," which are the basic set of beliefs that a Jew must have if he is to enjoy a share in the world to come. Among these are the belief in the existence of an incorporeal God, the reality of prophecy and the preeminence of Mosaic prophecy, the idea that the Torah was given by God, the belief in a messianic era, and in the resurrection of the dead.
This creed was immediately attacked by other rabbis, most prominently perhaps by Hasdai Crescas, on the grounds that the Torah did not require any specific number of beliefs, rather that we perform all 613 commandments. Indeed, Crescas thought that the very attempt to distinguish between essential and non-essential beliefs would undermine the heavy imperative (it is not called a "yoke" for nothing) of obeying all the commandments.
We can find the contemporary legacy of this debate in the criticism made by some Orthodox Jews that the Reform movement is not really a form of Judaism at all, but closer to the medieval Karaites. The Karaites believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible and they did not accept the authority of the Rabbis, expressed in the Talmud, or Oral Law. In other words, Reform Jews, like the Karaites, by picking and choosing which commandments to believe and follow, are really no longer Jews at all.
What are those ideas? Spinoza claims that God and Nature are one and the same. In other words, God is not transcendent or outside of nature in some sense, but immanent to the natural order expressed in its eternal law-like activity. It follows that God is not like human beings in any sense. He does not speak or communicate like a person would. So, if there is such a thing as revelation, in which the word of God is communicated to man, then it must be understood metaphorically, not as a literal event. The best way to know God—a path that is open to all human beings through their capacity to reason and observe—is to investigate nature itself.
It should not be surprising, then, that for Spinoza the supposed word of God, the Bible, is only an indirect way to know God; the vision of God found in the Bible is refracted through the human imagination and thus contains within it the various imperfections of its authors.
Moreover, Spinoza declares that if God is not above nature, he cannot be conceived as a being who directs nature to a specific end, in the way that a theater director would stage a play. God is not like a human being who takes interest in the actions of others and tries to help or hinder them as he sees fit. There is no divine providence in the traditional sense, in which a benevolent God guides human affairs according to a plan. Hence the sense in which the ancient Israelites were "chosen" for a purpose can only be metaphorical. The ancient Israelites were no wiser than anyone else and indeed were ignorant of the basic precepts of natural science. What they did excel in was moral and political organization. Oh, and did I forget to mention that Spinoza thought that Jesus was superior to Moses? Are you convinced that the Amsterdam synagogue was right to throw him out?
It certainly looks like Spinoza was trying to debunk religion and eliminate its baleful influence. Some important scholars, like the historian Jonathan Israel, have identified Spinoza as the central figure of the "radical Enlightenment," whose goal was to create a secular society based on reason. But, as more than one of our Fellows pointed out during our discussion of the texts, Spinoza repeatedly distinguishes between "religion" and "superstition." I think that the case can be made that it is only the latter that he really wants to eliminate. Because human beings are finite in their power, it would be an illusion to imagine that any one of us can live only according to reason. We are inevitably in the thrall of irrational passions that drive us toward the comforting visions of religion.
Ultimately, in Spinoza's view, the goal should be more to reform religion rather than to eliminate it entirely. Despite his daring and provocative intellectual project, Spinoza remained cautious and skeptical toward any kind of revolutionary movement in society.
How does Spinoza distinguish religion and superstition? I think that the key here is to recognize that even if religion cannot be based on reason, it can be informed by it. There are several important examples of how this mechanism works in the Theological-Political Treatise itself.
In the remarkable opening paragraph of the Preface, Spinoza uses the tools of what we would now call psychology and sociology to explain how anxious people, caught in the vacillation between hope and fear, are vulnerable to the manipulations of soothsayers who claim to foretell the future based on signs and wonders. Later Spinoza adopts the techniques scholars had used to challenge the alleged authorship of classical texts to examine the Bible. He was among the first to claim that the Bible was not simply handed down to Moses from above, but had been written by a variety of people at different times and that the texts had been compiled by editors to create the whole. This is what later became known as source or higher Biblical criticism and is still a heresy to many literal-minded religious believers. The idea is that the authority of the text is better established, not by shielding it from criticism, but rather by engaging with historical and rational analysis.
Likewise, Spinoza thinks that we can better understand the political dynamics of the Biblical text if we use new tools like psychology and social contract theory. Spinoza saw in Moses a brilliant example of political leadership informed by experience and practical reason. When the Bible is opened to sustained investigation the result is not necessarily to ridicule it, but to find new ways that it can inspire us, ways that do not require us to close our eyes and ears to the call of reason.
Spinoza emerges then as a key figure who makes possible the attitude revealed by the CLF group in their initial answer to my question about what beliefs a Jew should have. According to him, Judaism is distinguished from superstition when it is open to the many insights provided by the sciences that have thrived in the modern age. Judaism is an imaginative framework that has developed over millennia through its repeated encounters with the non-Jewish world. It is thus a valuable exercise to determine what beliefs are central to the practice of our faith and ask ourselves why that is so. It is this critical encounter that we find in the texts of great philosophers like Maimonides and Spinoza. Spinoza may have been kicked out of the synagogue, but his critique of its beliefs had an important role in shaping Judaism's subsequent encounter with the modern world.
Michael A. Rosenthal is Professor and the Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Washington. He received his Bachelor's degree from Stanford University and both his Master's and doctorate degrees in philosophy from the University of Chicago. Before arriving in Seattle, he taught at Grinnell College in Iowa. He teaches and publishes in the areas of early modern philosophy, ethics, political philosophy, and Jewish philosophy. His current research focuses on the philosophy of Benedict Spinoza.


text:
Q: translate this block of C physics code to python I have only learnt python for for few months and totally a newb in C, I got a C code from the web, and I am dying to study it. But i only understand python language, so would someone can help to translate the following code to python would be great. Thanks in advance!
for(i=0; i<n; i++) { /* Foreach particle "i" ... */
  ax=0.0;
  ay=0.0;
  az=0.0;
  for(j=0; j<n; j++) { /* Loop over all particles "j" */
    dx=x[j]-x[i];
    dy=y[j]-y[i];
    dz=yz[j]-z[i];
    invr = 1.0/sqrt(dx*dx + dy*dy + dz*dz + eps);
    invr3 = invr*invr*invr;
    f=m[j]*invr3;
    ax += f*dx; /* accumulate the acceleration from gravitational attraction */
    ay += f*dy;
    az += f*dx;
  }
  xnew[i] = x[i] + dt*vx[i] + 0.5*dt*dt*ax; /* update position of particle "i" */
  ynew[i] = y[i] + dt*vy[i] + 0.5*dt*dt*ay;
  znew[i] = z[i] + dt*vz[i] + 0.5*dt*dt*az;
  vx[i] += dt*ax; /* update velocity of particle "i" */
  vy[i] += dt*ay;
  vz[i] += dt*az;
}

Thanks again!

A: Treat this as an ideal opportunity to learn some C, the syntax is not so unlike Python.
It will serve you well

A: Here's a literal translation
(Edit: was a literal translation but there are some anomalies in the original C code which @hughdbrown pointed out in comments -- looks like you're trying to study this subject from code so utterly broken it wouldn't even compile, which seems very unwise on your part, so, anyway, I'm taking the liberty of fixing the apparent errors and absurdities of the original C code in this Python "almost"-literal translation...):
import math

for i in range(n):
  ax = ay = az = 0.0
  for j in range(n):
    dx=x[j]-x[i]
    dy=y[j]-y[i]
    dz=z[j]-z[i]
    invr = 1.0/math.sqrt(dx*dx + dy*dy + dz*dz + eps)
    f=m[j]*invr**3
    ax += f*dx  # accumulate the acceleration from gravitational attraction
    ay += f*dy
    az += f*dz
  xnew[i] = x[i] + dt*vx[i] + 0.5*dt*dt*ax
  ynew[i] = y[i] + dt*vy[i] + 0.5*dt*dt*ay
  znew[i] = z[i] + dt*vz[i] + 0.5*dt*dt*az
  vx[i] += dt*ax  # update velocity of particle "i"
  vy[i] += dt*ay
  vz[i] += dt*az

Of course it assumes lists x, y, z, ... vx, vy, vz are all pre-existing and of the same length n, just like the C code snippet assumes for the same-named arrays.

A: Honestly, except for the loops this is already very close to python ..   for(j=0; j < n; ++j)  simply maintains the loop counter j, which is incremented after each loop iteration. The loop runs for all 0 <= j < n. Good luck.

A: Incidentally this code is extremely buggy, assuming the intent is to numerically integrate the n-body problem.

*

*The loop to calculate the force doesn't correctly handle the case i == j, resulting in a very large (depending on the size of eps) spurious error being added to each force.

*Speaking of eps, for well-posed problems it serves no purpose except to add error to your force calculation.

*The update rules for position and velocity are a strange mix of Velocity Verlet and Forward Euler, and the resulting integrator likely has all of the bad properties of the latter, at best. Velocity Verlet, being second-order, explicit, and symplectic, will give much better results for negligible cost and should be used here instead.


The Republican president's most loyal minion stunned him and the nation with his unexpected about-face.
Respected lawyer George Conway torched the President for his authoritarian outburst.
Take Action: Add your name to tell Congress to censure Trump for his continued and egregious abuse of power!
Take Action: Sign the petition to stop Trump's saber rattling! Revoke the president's ability to wage war without Congressional approval!
After Trump made a ridiculous Tweet about South Africa, Mandela was forced to put him in his place.
The Republican president's worst week yet ended with a stunning development.
The president's favorite propaganda network turned heads with a landmark admission.
The legendary journalist exposed Trump's crazed lackey with an epic tweet.
The president hit a new low with the latest guest to disgrace the White House.
Take Action: Sign the petition to demand Twitter remove Trump ally and dangerous conspiracy theorist Alex Jones immediately!
PS — Please don't forget to sign the petition to demand obstruction of justice charges against Trump for dangling a pardon to influence Manafort, and check out the brilliant "Don't Think of an Elephant" by George Lakoff — a quick read that contains the ultimate keys for Democrats to win elections — and arguments.


The hotel is just a few minutes away from Koh Samui's only golf course and the hotel can assist you in making golf arrangements. A range of spa treatments can also be arranged at local spas.
The Amarin Victoria's 46 guest rooms and suites are all beautifully presented and combine traditional style with a contemporary feel. Modern, stylish furniture and luxury bathrooms are offered alongside modern facilities such as a flat screen TV, personal DVD player and wireless internet access. The finishing touch to the rooms has to be the freshly cut flowers on display in giant vases.
Despite the hotel's friendliest style, executives and tourists alike value hotel room rates as excellent value for money. Discounts, promotions, and last minute offers are included in hotel room rates of Amarin Victoria Resort.
With its ambience the Amarin Victoria Resort will offer you one of the best and friendliest stays you ever experienced. For online reservation please use booking form and experience the hotel's unique ambience.
The uniquely designed Amarin Victoria Resort is a contemporary hotel located within the Maenam beach area of Koh Samui. With just 46 stylish guest rooms complete with a range of modern amenities including personal dvd/cd players, the Amarin Victoria Resort is a fantastic property with a range of on-site facilities. The hotel offers a complimentary day time shuttle service to Maenam Beach as well as a night time shuttle to Chaweng, Koh Samui's buzzing resort area full of bars, restaurants, shops and entertainment. The hotel has a delightful roof top swimming pool and a number of on-site restaurants serving a variety of international cuisine.


Publication information: Book title: China, the United Nations, and Human Rights: The Limits of Compliance. Contributors: Ann Kent - Author. Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press. Place of publication: Philadelphia. Publication year: 1999. Page number: iii.


Dale Chihuly has created more than a dozen well-known series of works, among them Cylinders and Baskets in the 1970s; Seaforms, Macchia, Venetians, and Persians in the 1980s; Niijima Floats and Chandeliers in the 1990s; and Fiori in the 2000s. He is also celebrated for large architectural installations. In 1986, he was honored with a solo exhibition, Dale Chihuly objets de verre, at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Palais du Louvre, in Paris. In 1995, he began Chihuly Over Venice, for which he created sculptures at glass factories in Finland, Ireland, and Mexico, then installed them over the canals and piazzas of Venice.
His work is included in more than 200 hundred museum collections worldwide. He has been the recipient of many awards, including ten honorary doctorates and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.


text:
require 'rails_helper'

describe Chief::CountryGroup do
  describe '.to_taric' do
    let!(:country_group) { create :country_group }
    let(:example_code)  { Forgery(:basic).text }

    it 'maps CHIEF code to Taric' do
      expect(
        Chief::CountryGroup.to_taric(country_group.chief_country_grp)
      ).to eq country_group.country_grp_region
    end

    it 'is blank if no mapping is found' do
      expect(Chief::CountryGroup.to_taric(example_code)).to be_blank
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Tactics are the tools at our command and how and when we employ them. So, in addition to new media solutions, we use all of the marketing communications tools available today: digital, mobile, geotargeting, traditional print and broadcast methods for sales collateral materials, product packaging, trade shows and exhibits, advertising, sales promotions, public relations and merchandising. Combined, the RIDDLEMOSER Media/Marketing/Design team has over 60 years of experience in advertising, design and media.
The bottom line for our clients is RESULTS. If you aren't happy, we aren't either. Your goal is our goal – increased traffic, increased sales and increased awareness. Every business is important to RIDDLEMOSER Media/Marketing/Design. We know that our reputation depends on your satisfaction.


text:
Bitcoin's Biggest Software Wallet Blockchain Adds Ethereum
Link August 17, 2017 August 20, 2017 George Berg
Bitcoin wallet startup Blockchain is today launching an option for users to create ethereum software wallets, a move that marks the first time the startup has integrated a new cryptocurrency since it launched in 2011.
Announced today, the launch also coincides with a new partnership with cryptocurrency exchange service ShapeShift that will enable users to transition funds between their bitcoin and ethereum wallets, without first needing to send funds to a centralized service.
But while Blockchain executives largely kept the focus on how this would enable retail users to continue to experiment with cryptocurrencies, in comments, they also hinted at the possible business applications that could be available should the service.
CEO Peter Smith said in a statement:
"As popularity of ethereum has grown, so has the desire from our customers to have the option to manage multiple digital assets within their blockchain wallets. We are thrilled to introduce this new functionality to our community and will continue to find ways to make interacting with digital assets even easier."
Elsewhere, the company said it is open to offering other services to ethereum users, hinting its data tools could soon see an overhaul. Also mentioned was the possibility that a software wallet could be available to business users.
The company said its release today is not designed for developers or companies.
Nonetheless, such advancements could be propelled forward by new funding. Blockchain recently raised $40 million in a Series B funding round, drawing from a group of investors that included billionaire Richard Branson. The startup has raised more than $70 million to date in venture funding, according to CoinDesk data.
More broadly, it's also the latest sign bitcoin businesses are now adapting their business models to support multiple blockchains.
Other services have moved to integrate ether in recent days, including cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp and Falcon Private Bank, a Swiss-based private bank that added support for ether just over a month after it first began offering bitcoin services.
Disclosure: CoinDesk is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which has an ownership stake in Blockchain and ShapeShift.
Peter Smith image via CoinDesk
https://www.coindesk.com/blockchain-adds-ether-to-its-bitcoin-wallet-service/
Stan Higgins Aug 17, 2017 at 16:59 UTC
Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, ICO
Previous Article Blockchain May Give Rise To Even Smarter B2B Marketplaces
Next Article What your company needs to know about the blockchain movement


In Norway, a unit of mass, before 1683. In the north, = 3 bismerpunds = 36 Copenhagen skaalpunds, about 17.979 kilograms. In the south, = 3 bismerpunds = 36 Cologne punds, about 16.56 kilograms.
In Denmark, a unit of mass, fixed in 1683 at 3 bismerpunds, which can be interpreted as = 36 new Danish punds (18 kilograms) or as 36 Copenhagen skaalpunds (about 17.826 kilograms). Also spelled våg, wag, weg, waag and wog.
Rasmussen, page 79. Petersen, page 222. Thestroup, page 32.
In Russia, a unit of mass, = 30 pfunt (about 14.980 kilograms). Bruno Kirsch mentions this unit; we've not located it elsewhere.


text:
Bambaragala & Pettigala
Located just a few kilometers away from Victoria Golf Resort, the picturesque climes of Babaragala and the serene vistas of Pettigala are among the most popular places near Kandy. These destinations have much to offer visitors in terms of historical significance and natural beauty. The excursion to Bambaragala and Pettigala is regarded as one of the best things to do around Digana as it paves the way to a region filled with wonders and amazement.
Our guests can witness a majestic cave temple known as the Babaragala Temple which happens to date back over 2000 years, along with Brahami letter rock inscriptions which pay homage to the great historical value claimed by the place of worship. One can also take in fine examples of intricate artwork and murals done according to the ''udarata'' style, a distinct Kandyan style of creation done under the patronage of Sri Keerthi Rajasinghe.
Located just a mere two-kilometer hike away from Babaragala lies Pettigala; it is also a region filled with spectacular views and immaculate natural beauty. Both these attractions are quite popular among tourists who wish to take in the natural beauty of the verdant peaks, resplendent in lush greenery along with panoramic views of the surrounding areas. Our package includes tours of these sites and excursions to its surroundings.
If one intends to trek to the peak, dressing in comfortable clothing and donning appropriate footwear is well recommended. As the Babaragala Raja Maha Vihara is a venerated site of worship, dressing modestly and entering the sacred premises barefoot is considered a sign of respect.
The Pettigala and Babaragala region is home to rich biodiversity featuring a series of indigenous flora and fauna including large herds of deer, troops of wild monkeys and a variety of vibrantly coloured birds. The Pettigala Rock is located on the very top of the mountain where Bamaragala Temple is nestled. With an altitude variation of 200m and a height of 760m, the path to Pettigala winds through the secondary forest with many rock outlets opening up to vast panoramic views of the surrounding areas. The latter end of the hike can prove to be challenging; therefore, it is recommended for experienced clientele. The tour package also includes the guidance of a naturalist, refreshment and transport.


Good day, my lovely people! Are you prepared for the biggest event in February? If you still are not prepared, this is a good chance for you to grab some inspirations. I am pretty sure that you will find these Valentine's Day Decoration Ideas very helpful, so check this amazing post!
It is all about mixing the right patterns! This minimalist XO print is where you should start if you want to create a stylish setting.
2. Pick a nice Valentine's color scheme. Be more creative rather than the classic red and white. Work with baby pink or even muted tones. For a dose of elegance, add golden details.


Melania Trump's speech from the first night of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, Monday made headlines around the world — but not exactly for the reason she likely hoped. After it appeared that portions of her speech had been lifted from a separate speech First Lady Michelle Obama had given in 2008, many were astounded that an oversight as big as blatant plagiarism would have been able to occur during such an important event. After the fact, the Trump campaign offered up a number of explanations, but it is Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's response to Melania's plagiarism scandal that seems to be most poignant.
According to The New York Times, those behind the scenes describe a disorganized and rather unprofessional situation where Melania's speech was originally written for her by two top speechwriters, but she then reportedly opted to do away with their version and make the speech her own. Honorable, in theory, but along the way that somehow turned into incorporating parts of Obama's speech, word-for-word, into her own.
And yet, Donald Trump, for one, doesn't appear to at all phased by the failed speech, or the backlash it created. In a tweet Wednesday, he described all the publicity Melania's speech received to be "good news," and then attacked the media for all the time it was spending writing about it.
In a statement released shortly after his tweets, Trump staffer Meredith McIver took responsibility for the plagiarized speech, explaining that she worked with Melania on the revised copy, and that Melania had shared Obama's speech with her as an example of the types of messages she admired and wanted to share. McIver claims she then inadvertently included parts of the speech without checking or attributing, and that, when she offered to resign, Donald and Melania rejected it, telling her that "people make innocent mistakes, and that we learn and grow from these experiences."
For now, it appears that McIver still has her job, but the implications of her error are huge. More than even being just a mistake involving a plagiarized speech (which, in itself is pretty massive), McIver's gaffe shone an even bigger spotlight on the many ways in which critics have long argued that the Trump campaign is misguided and unprofessional.
According to The Washington Post, the Trump campaign doesn't particularly resemble a presidential campaign very much at all. Trump generally seems to prefer eschewing running a campaign with lots of staff, lots of fundraising, and lots of formal interviews and advertisements, in favor of tweeting, and giving speeches that often seem totally off-the-cuff. And his supporters usually eat it up, admiring his unorthodox, politically incorrect, anti-establishment style as a sign that he's really for the people.
His latest tweet, of course, is the perfect example of unorthodox political strategy. While many politicians in his position would be cringing, explaining, and maybe apologizing, Trump is telling his supporters that, hey, publicity is good, it's fine. And no doubt it has worked for him in the past: despite seemingly making one outrageous, offensive comment after another on the campaign trail, he won the party nomination without a whole lot of earnest competition.
And that, it seems, is what makes the Trump campaign a particularly concerning head-scratcher. Not only does it seem to not actually bother his supporters all that much when he hurls insults, or lies, or spins something in an almost-inexplicable kind of way, they actually seem to like it. What look like liabilities to the political world, and to critics of Trump, can instead appear to be assets to Trump-loving Republicans, who see his words and actions as further proof that he's a savvy, self-promoting business man who will "make American great again" without really ever disclosing exactly how. In the eyes of many Trump supporters, the end absolutely justifies the often-absurd means, even though no one — including Trump himself — seems to be able to explain what the end is going to look like.
But, of course, there is one thing that Americans can certainly count on in November if the GOP takes the White House: Donald Trump will have emerged victorious. And it wouldn't be particularly surprising if that fact, in and of itself, was really his only end-goal all along.


The target groups are: Member States; social partner organisations; civil society organisations with an interest in gender equality issues, violence against women, and/or social issues; equality bodies; and other organisations or individuals.
Please fill in the questionnaire: Equality between women and men in the EU. You can submit your contribution in any language of the EU.


Ever since motor cars appeared on our roads they have been customised/modified by their owners.
Alterations might be under the skin, such as improving the performance or handling of the vehicle. Those on the outside might be sensible and subtle or ostentatious and strange. Some say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but, in the case of a truly bespoke car or motorcycle, it is perhaps what is in the eye of the owner that is most important.
Smaller manufacturers have for many years produced cars in kit form for their owners to take home and build themselves.
Some people choose to be different and some people like to be part of the crowd. In automotive terms, what you are or what you want to be is really down to you.
The custom and kit cars on display give you a taste of how owners interpret "different".


Okay, I'm freaking out cause my baby has Pneumonia, a serious lung infection! I sure hope he will be okay.
Comments for Bandanna Has Pneumonia!
Daisy- OMG! Thank you for that strong amount of hope:) yes, its extremely amazing how hope can heal such things.
- lets hope for the best:) these days where he has been getting older I worry so much about him. Since he lives at my friends grandma's I don't see him as much anymore. I have been forcing the tears back and quit afraid of what come of this serious situation. I'm keeping my hope strong right now and most importantly I'm keeping my love and support for Bandanna as much as I can. I call and check in with my friend who talks to her grandma each day after school. Right now there's little progress with healing but I have a handful of hope and I hope you do too.
Thank you for all your guys support, God bless.
I hope your horse is okay hope the best and not the worst will happen cuz if the worst does happen you will never feel the same hope the best will come and your horse will get better wen he does I'll be waiting to see wen you post it!