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BP Scales Back Climate Targets as Profits More Than Double
Baltimore County Bans Plastic Shopping Bags
Nearly 5,000 Solar Panels Added to Longest Dam in Switzerland
3.4 Million Adults in U.S. Were Displaced by Extreme Weather Last Year: Census Bureau Survey
Wood Stoves Could Cause 'New Air Pollution Hotspots' in the UK
Single-Use Plastic Production Surged in 2021, Despite Growing Awareness of Environmental Impact
Zero Waste 101: Everything You Need to Know
Check Mate: Air Pollution Can Harm the Thinking of Even the Best Chess Players
Greenpeace Activists Occupy Shell Oil Platform on North Sea Bound Vessel
Climate Litigation Against Big Oil Heats Up
May 25, 2018 12:15PM EDT Climate
Storage tanks on the hillside at the Chevron refinery above Point Richmond, CA. Shayan (USA) / CC BY 2.0
By Jason Mark
Can any one group of actors be held responsible for the damages caused by global climate change?
That was the central question argued in federal court on Thursday as attorneys representing San Francisco and Oakland tried to beat back efforts by ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell to have a judge throw out a potentially groundbreaking climate change related lawsuit.
The nearly three-hour hearing was the latest round in a burgeoning effort by cities and counties nationwide to hold major fossil fuel producers accountable for climate change-related damages. Last year, seven California cities and counties sued the oil majors, claiming that their production and sale of fossil fuels—even as they were aware of the risks of CO2 emissions—constitute a public nuisance. Since then, similar suits have been filed by New York City; Boulder and two Colorado counties; and King County, Washington, home to the city of Seattle. (For more, see SIERRA's May/June cover story, "The Case for Climate Reparations.")
Thursday's hearing represented the first major test of such lawsuits as Judge William Alsup considered whether the Oakland and San Francisco complaint should move forward. The defendants challenged the lawsuit on a broad range of grounds, forcing Judge Alsup, a Clinton-appointee known for being an idiosyncratic jurist, to say at one point, "There are a lot of arguments here. As soon as I focus on one, you run off to another one."
The defendants' arguments for dismissing the suit centered on two main questions: whether the Federal District Court for Northern California is an appropriate jurisdiction to decide the case, and, of larger concern, whether the lawsuits might be displaced by existing federal laws and policies.
Arguments hinged on a welter of legal terms such as "general jurisdiction" versus "personal jurisdiction" versus "specific jurisdiction," while also touching on the distinctions between a holding company and an operating company. (Lawyers for Royal Dutch Shell maintained that the Netherlands-based multinational corporation is a holding company, and therefore has no agents in California.) In the course of the arguments it became clear that the very scale of the contested issue—global climate change—further complicates the questions of jurisdiction. The defendants argued that it's hard, if not impossible, to establish direct causation for a specific harm when the source of that harm is billions of people burning fossil fuels worldwide.
"[The plaintiffs] have decided that they do not want to and cannot disaggregate the conduct that leads to their harm," Jaren Janghorbani, an attorney representing ExxonMobil, said. "They cannot attribute any of the harm they are alleging to the company's activities in California."
Jonathan Hughes, a lawyer representing BP, echoed that point. "The amount [of CO2 emissions from its California operations] that could be attributed to BP would be a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent. And under the but-for argument, if BP hadn't produced any fossil fuels, would they have still suffered an injury? The answer is yes. We are talking about a speck in the ocean."
In response, Benjamin Krass, a lawyer representing San Francisco and Oakland, said the oil company attorneys were "muddying up" the but-for argument—the principle of tort law that establishes liability. "The end result of the defendants' argument is that a company that does business everywhere should be held accountable nowhere."
In the end, Judge Alsup said he didn't have enough information to make a decision on the jurisdiction question. He gave both sides at least 60 days for a discovery process and depositions to establish whether each of the defendants has sufficient business operations in California for the two California cities to claim injury.
That left Chevron, the only defendant headquartered in California, to argue for dismissal based on the merits of the case. Chevron attorney Theodore Boutrous, Jr. began by saying that the cities' claims stretch federal common law and that "the plaintiffs are asking this court to throw caution to the wind." Boutrous went on to argue that a complex issue like climate change "should be committed to those who write the laws rather than those who interpret them." And Congress, Boutrous argued, has again and again passed laws in favor of fossil fuel production. "Congress has made clear that energy production is not a public nuisance; it is a public necessity."
As a rebuttal, Steve Berman, the lead counsel for the two cities, argued that the cities' complaints are not nearly as novel as the defendants make it seem—but instead merely the application of ancient laws to contemporary circumstances. "The law of nuisance has been around forever, and it has responded to changes in mankind. What we are doing is applying hundreds of years of law to a new situation." Berman later said, "We allege that this was a deliberate nuisance, based on phony science."
The San Francisco and Oakland case has generated a great deal of attention among legal scholars and climate change activists. In March, Judge Alsup held an unusual "climate science tutorial" as a preliminary step in the case—an event that attracted so big a crowd, the court had to reserve an overflow room. The case has also become a proxy battle of sorts. Fifteen states with Republican attorneys general—including Indiana, Colorado, Kansas and Louisiana—filed an amicus brief in support of the oil corporations' position. Meanwhile, California, New Jersey and Washington filed their own brief backing the cities' arguments.
The federal government has also weighed in. Two weeks ago the U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief supporting the five oil companies, and on Thursday, Eric Grant, a deputy assistant attorney general, was given time to express the federal government's opposition to the San Francisco and Oakland suits. "It is upon Congress, not the courts, to prescribe policy in areas of special interest," Grant said. "As this court knows, in respect to domestic emissions, the kind of national policy-making sought by plaintiffs is inappropriate … [Climate change] is a complex issue involving trade-offs affecting a nation of more than 300 million people. Individual federal district courts lack the competence to undertake that task."
The federal government's arguments appeared to give Judge Alsup pause, even as he continued to express exasperation with the legal maneuverings of some of the defendants. "There is no court in the history of the universe that has extended this [federal common law] to global warming," the judge said. "The United States is pointing to Supreme Court language that judges like me have to move slowly … There's no doubt there will be some sea rise. But will it be in 75 years or 25 years? We don't know."
To which Berman, the plaintiff's attorney, responded, "That's what the trial is for. Today we're talking about a motion to dismiss."
Whether the case will ever make it to a trial is, of course, now in the hands of Judge Alsup.
Chevron Presents on Climate Science While Oil Companies Move to Dismiss Landmark Case https://t.co/5G7gd1Ondw @DeSmogBlog @NRDC @Greenpeace @foe_us
— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) March 22, 2018
Reposted with permission from our media associate SIERRA magazine.
Schwarzenegger to Sue Big Oil for 'Murder'
Charleston, SC Becomes First City in U.S. South to Sue Big Oil for Climate Costs - EcoWatch
Opinion: Why cities put Big Oil on trial for climate change
These communities sued Big Oil over climate change; then the ...
Richmond is latest California city to file climate lawsuit vs. Big Oil
big oilbpcaliforniachevronclimate changeconocophillipsexxonfossil fuelsoaklandsan franciscoshellsierra club


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Partners in Literacy: Schools and Libraries Building Communities Through Technology
reviewed by John W. Collins - December 05, 2007
Title: Partners in Literacy: Schools and Libraries Building Communities Through Technology
Author(s): Sondra Cuban and Larry Cuban
Publisher: Teachers College Press, New York
ISBN: 0807747955, Pages: 150, Year: 2007
I've been waiting for a book like this to come along for some time. I am an academic librarian in a school of education. I also served as a Trustee of a public library for eighteen years. During that period I was amazed at the lack of collaboration between the public library and the schools in our town. I even attempted to establish opportunities for the schools, particularly the school libraries, and the public library to work together, share resources, and adopt compatible technologies—I was unsuccessful. I viewed the disconnect between schools and libraries as being the result of a clash of cultures, turf issues, and limitations attributed to the impenetrable bureaucracy of schools. Sondra Cuban and Larry Cuban have carefully analyzed this phenomenon and written a book that optimistically suggests that technological developments may provide the key to overcome many of the barriers that have kept schools and libraries on... (preview truncated at 150 words.)
Purchase Partners in Literacy: Schools and Libraries Building Communities Through Technology
A Library in Action in a Modern School
Access and Storage of Knowledge in the New Millennium: The Google Book Search Library Project and the Future of Libraries
New Studies in Education: State Participation in Public School Library Service
Teacher Use of Library Materials
Programmatic Role of Education Libraries in Informatics to Support Preservice Teacher Preparation Programs
Information-Seeking Behaviors of Education Literature User Populations
Public Libraries Provide a Safety Net for Our Neediest Children
JOHN W. COLLINS is Librarian of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a member of the faculty of education. He directs the Monroe C. Gutman Library which provides a full range of research support services to the education research community. Collins is a specialist in information technology, serves on national boards and task forces, and is a regular contributor to library and education journals. His latest book, with Nancy P. O'Brien, The Greenwood Dictionary of Education, was published in 2003.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


If a full-time teaching role is not for you, you might find being a supply teacher advantageous. Your work will be flexible and you will get a chance to work in a wide variety of schools, which will really improve your teaching skills. You'll spend more time actually in the classroom teaching and less on the admin and meetings aspect of the job. You can also use the opportunity to work part time and pursue another career or interests.
There are many supply teacher jobs in Bletchley and all over the UK, it's simply a matter of gaining an advantage over the other teachers who will be competing for the same opportunities. Here are some tips for getting the best supply teacher jobs.
Supply teachers sign up with an agency who will then connect them with jobs in schools. You can increase the amount of jobs you are offered by working with multiple agencies. However, be careful with this and don't spread yourself too thin. The agencies will want someone reliable and if you are not able to take the jobs they offer you they might stop calling you.
If you want to get the best supply teacher jobs, set your alarm and make sure you are out of bed and ready by 7:30am. You will always have an advantage over the teachers who are still sleeping. Better yet, head to your local train station and call the agency from there, letting them know that you are ready to travel to any school in your region before classes start.
Keep an open mind and be flexible about the schools you teach at, the subjects you teach and the age levels. You will have a much better chance of finding a great supply teaching job if you are open to all possibilities. Also, allow for some flexibility on your rate as well, it's fine to offer a lower rate for several days of work because this provides you with some stability.
Often great supply jobs for the afternoon or the next day are given away at lunch time, so make sure that you check your messages while you are eating your sandwich! If you don't check your phone until the end of the day, you might discover that the best jobs have already been snapped up.
If you do a great job as a supply teacher, a good percentage of your work can be from schools you have worked at previously who have requested you back. This can be a great way to find semi-regular supply teacher jobs in Bletchley or anywhere else, especially since the work is easier once you already know the school and the students.
These are just a few strategies that supply teachers can use to find the best jobs and to enjoy success with this flexible style of teaching.


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Tee-II
Bizarre & Lifestyle
Petr Cech's open letter to Chelsea fans
New Arsenal signing Petr Cech has written an emotional open letter to Chelsea fans after his £11 million move to the Emirates Stadium was confirmed.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper brought to an end an 11-year spell with the Blues after falling behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Highlighting his desire to stay in the Premier League and thanking staff and supporters for their work together over the years, Cech posted the message on social media as his transfer was announced.
Cech's letter:
"I thought this would never happen but it is time for me to say goodbye to Chelsea. The club I have lived every single minute for since joining in July 2004, the club in which I thought I'd hang my gloves and boots one day and finish my career. But life doesn't always turn out the way you think it will.
"Since 2004 it has been an incredible journey with so many highs and not many lows. We have managed to win every single English trophy as well as the Europa League and the biggest of all - Champions League. Looking back at all the achievements, including our first-ever league double in 2010, back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, and multiple EPL and FA Cup wins, I couldn't be more proud! As a team we made history together!
"Last summer, things changed and I understood I was no longer the first-choice keeper but I felt it was not the right time for me to go. During the season it became clear that my situation would not improve and as I know I am not at the stage of my career when I want to be on the bench, I made my decision to move on and look for new challenges.
"The limited playing time gave me the chance to refresh and rest mentally as well as make me realise just how much I enjoy playing football at the highest level, because I missed it badly every game day I was not involved. I have the same commitment to football, the same motivation and the same hunger for success as I had at the beginning of my career and I love the challenges brought by the top-quality players you face while playing the Premier League - simply the best and the most challenging league in the world.
"That's why I spoke to Mr Abramovich about me staying in the Premier League and I'd like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for his support in this matter. It means so much to me because without him Chelsea would not be where it is now. He deserves huge credit for what he has done for the club and for all of us.
"I would like to personally thank everybody involved with Chelsea for their support - all the players, staff, managers and all the coaching staff I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. Without them it would have been impossible for us to have achieved such success.
"But most important of all - a huge thank-you goes to all the Chelsea fans. I did everything for you and you gave me your love back. I'll never forget it. It will stay with me forever. We will meet again but this time I will be in the other goal - I hope you will remember our history and understand it is time for me to begin a new adventure.
"I wish everybody at Chelsea all the best for the new season and for the future. Thank you for an incredible 11 years."
Credit: Goal
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VIDEO: Voting & counting at controversial Nigeria Governors' Forum election
An amateur footage of the May 24 Nigeria Governors' Forum election during which Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was reelected chairman after he defeated his only challenger, Jonah Jang of Plateau State 19 votes to 16 has emerged.
With his mobile phone, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun captured most of the proceedings of an election that featured intense maneuvering from governors on a clear divide, either in support or against Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state.
VIDEO AFTER THE BREAK
Jessica Alba Showcases Her Post-Pregnancy Figure In A Bright Bikini
Cash Warren couldn't keep his eyes off his wife of three-and-a-half years as they frolicked on the beach - and it's easy to see why.
Jessica Alba wowed on in Cabo San Lucas, wearing a bright pink bikini as she enjoys a Mexican break with her family and friends.
The actress only gave birth to her second daughter Haven four months ago but showed off her extremely toned stomach as she paddled in the warm water yesterday.
more pictures as you read on
Cryptocurrency fund boss dies with passwords to unlock clients' $190 million
by: Armina Ligaya
Canada's largest cryptocurrency exchange Quadriga is due in court Tuesday as it seeks creditor protection in the wake of the sudden death of its founder and chief executive in December and missing cryptocurrency worth roughly $190-million.
The Vancouver-based exchange filed an application for creditor protection on Jan. 31 and the Nova Scotia Supreme Court will be asked on Feb. 5 to appoint a monitor to oversee the proceedings, according to a post on its website, which has been otherwise shut down.
Quadriga owes $70 million in currency and an additional amount of cryptocurrency valued at approximately $180 million, based on market prices in December, to roughly 115,000 users, it said in its application.
Some have very large balances, with the largest affected user claim reportedly valued at approximately $70 million, court filings show.
Users have very little recourse to recover those funds, said Christine Duhaime, a lawyer and founder of the Digital Finance Institute…


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ABOUT NCSTL
It's Evident
SEARCH FORENSIC DATABASE
Forensic & Criminal Justice Resources
United States Federal Courts
State Courts & Opinions
Rules of Evidence on Expert Testimony
Professional Codes of Ethics
Expert Testimony: Resources for Expert Witnesses
Professional Associations, Agencies and Organizations
U.S. Federal Government Forensic Related Organizations
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Educational Programs in Forensic Science
NAS Report: Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community
PCAST Report: Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature Comparison Methods
Innocence Projects
Postconviction DNA Legislation & Policy
DNA Collection Upon Arrest
Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts
Amicus Briefs in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Finding Forensic Resources on the Web - 2019
Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
September 9, 2009 - "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States"
Member Statements
Chairman Patrick Leahy: The case of Cameron Todd Willingham, a man appearing to have been wrongfully convicted and executed for the arson murder of his three daughters in Texas, highlights the need for reliable forensic science. The cases of unreliable forensic science that resulted in wrongful incarceration influence the U.S. Supreme Court to hold in a recent case, Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, forensic reports constitute testimony and as such, criminal defendants have the right to call the examining laboratory technician to testify about the testing process and results. Reliability will emerge from the establishment of national standards to ensure that laboratories employ "best practices" in their work. Additionally, accreditation of all laboratories and research into the validity and reliability of some forensic techniques is necessary to addressing the problems outlined in the National Academy of Sciences' report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States. As of 2005, there was a national backlog of 350,000 pieces of evidence and one in five labs did not qualify for accreditation.
Senator Russ Feingold: Forensic science is not the infallible indicator of guilt or innocence many believe. Forensic scientists are hampered by a lack of resources that impact their ability to apply rigorous scientific principles to casework. Three problems identified in the National Academy of Sciences' report are viewed as the core issues contributing to forensic science unreliability: a lack of national accreditation and certification standards, limited funds to support laboratories, and a dearth of research validating many traditional forensic science techniques. These problems are compounded by jurors' willingness to rely on forensic science, including unreliable techniques.
Senator Al Franken: Recites statistics on the incarceration rates of the United States as they compare to the rest of the world. Discusses how the lack of uniform standards in identification determinations leads to bad forensic science and 242 wrongful convictions, later revealed through DNA testing. Further, he points out that holding the innocent accountable for another's bad act, allows the true perpetrator to commit more crimes, as evidenced by the fact that of the 242 exonerees, 105 real perpetrators were discovered. From that number, 90 additional violent crimes were committed, including 56 rapes and 19 murders.
Hearing/Witness Testimony and Statements
Senator Jeff Sessions: Forensic science is monetarily shortchanged given its importance in the criminal justice system. This lack of investment is demonstrated daily in the delays law enforcement officers and prosecutors experience waiting for forensic reports from laboratories. The Senator does not believe forensic science is invalid or lacking in scientific support in any area. For example, fingerprints should not be thrown into question after decades of use.
Dr. Eric Buel - Director of the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, Former Board Member of ASCLD: His goal as a member of the American Society of Crime Lab Directors was to ensure the highest standard of forensic science for all victims regardless of where they were victimized. However, this goal was not realized due to a lack of resources. More funding for laboratories is needed to increase the capacity in facilities, operations, and services. Additionally, reform is needed in the following areas: quality assurance through accreditation of laboratories and certification of personnel, more forensic research, and national standards. Accreditation is difficult because thousands of forensic service providers operating in law enforcement agencies are non-accredited. Staff certification should be facilitated by a national process dictated by a national organization. Stable federal funding is needed to provide the long-term development of laboratories, which will result in the reduction of backlogs. Scientific experts and academicians should work together to formulate standards related to uniform report language, protocols, and methods. It needs to be a national entity creating this framework in order to make the validation and establishment of best practices for all disciplines a national priority. Academia has the equipment forensic laboratories lack to perform the necessary validating research. In short, the funding and research put into the development of DNA testing needs to be replicated in other forensic areas.
Peter Neufeld - Co-Founder of the Innocence Project: Discussed what happens when forensic science is misapplied or invalidated forensic methods are used. The cases of Roy Brown and Cameron Todd Willingham are used as examples of the consequences of bad forensic science. Brown was convicted in 1991 based on bite mark evidence, and Willingham was found guilty in 1992 based on the testimony of an arson investigator who used, now and then, unscientific investigative techniques. The problem is the real perpetrators are still free and committing crimes. An independent entity is needed to ensure best practices are enforced so that the old system, which wrongfully convicted the innocent, is replaced. Invalidated or improper forensics is the second greatest contributing factor to wrongful convictions. Much of this misidentification is due to the lack of scientific research in the non-DNA disciplines. DNA, unlike other forensic techniques, developed independently of law enforcement use. This resulted in scientific validation of the field before it was ever used in criminal investigations. Courts have not functioned well as gatekeepers of questionable scientific evidence due to a lack of knowledge among judges and lawyers. It is not realistic to expect courts to sort through the patchwork of standards or assess reliability of the forensic sciences. Further, Neufeld does not support the idea that SWGs provide sufficient standard setting guidelines because of the bias inherent in the political nature of the organization and its members. He does support the creation of a National Institute of Forensic Sciences (NIFS) within the Department of Commerce using the research and standards expertise of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The focus of NIFS should be: basic and applied research to assess the existing forensic methods, establishing national standards, and implementation of quality assurance through accreditation and certification.
Harold Hurtt - Chief of Police, Houston Police Department: Discussed the recent history of the Houston Crime Laboratory, reforms implemented at the laboratory, and solutions to challenges facing forensics. In November 2002, the Houston Police Department requested an independent audit of the Houston DNA laboratory by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The DNA unit was temporarily shuttered and an internal investigation revealed criminal and administrative violations. In 2003, a case review of past work began using three outside laboratories to conduct the retesting. In September 2004, an independent review of the property room and crime laboratory was performed. Specifically, the past and present operations were reviewed and particular focus was given to serology cases from 1990-2002. The final report issued in the summer of 2007 revealed that the fifteen years prior to the closure of the DNA laboratory it was operated with a lack of support and resources. There was also ineffective management and a lack of quality controls and quality assurance. The reforms implemented in the wake of the independent audit findings included: new testing procedures, practices, and policies; a state legislative mandate that all crime laboratories become accredited; the construction of a new property room; and the adoption of the case management model used by law enforcement in the United Kingdom. Hurtt offered these recommendations for addressing systemic problems discussed the National Academy of Sciences report: proper funding of labs to ensure access to technology, competent staff, and training; adoption of the case assessment strategy used in the UK, which is very discriminating about which pieces of evidence are submitted for testing and employs barcoding, robotics, automation, and databases, and the education of judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys on forensic science principals.
Paul Giannelli - Professor, Case Western Reserve University: He believes the implementation of NAS recommendations would reduce the number of challenges to the validity of forensic evidence. DNA exonerations highlighted problems associated with eyewitnesses, false confessions, and jailhouse informants. It also exposed deficiencies in forensic science practices. These deficiencies were the result of a lack of empirical research in forensic science disciplines, especially the subjective identification areas of firearms, fingerprints, questioned documents, trace hair analysis, and bite marks. Independent research is critical as the most informative and rigorous studies come from this area. Essential to the fostering of this research is the creation of an independent national agency headed by scientists, dedicated solely to forensic science. Such an agency will have the prestige needed to attract top scientists to the field and get universities to conduct research and establish educational programs. At the local level, examiners must be given the necessary monetary support to purchase equipment, attend training, and get advanced schooling.
Barry Matson - Deputy Director Alabama District Attorney's Office, Chief Prosecutor Alabama Computer Forensics Laboratory: Prosecutors are held to higher standards given the governmental role they play in the criminal justice system. The National Academy of Sciences failed to get any input from prosecutors when compiling its report. It overlooked the fact that prosecutors and forensic scientists do more than defense attorneys or academicians to free the innocent and safeguard justice. Defense attorneys and academics do not have the burden to seek the truth and are permitted to suppress information if it is in the client's interest to withhold. The mistakes and deficiencies identified in the report are not as widespread as it was claimed. The NAS report focused on perceived biases in the law enforcement community. If the type and extent of bias depicted in the report existed, when a laboratory excludes a suspect through forensic testing law enforcement should arrest him/her anyway because cognitive bias drove the result. In other words, the report suggests that forensic science is only wrong when it points to guilt. Another point of contention with the report is its characterization of digital evidence/computer forensics as a science when in fact the examiners utilize software programs to capture and search electronic information. The report also states that training and certification are lacking in the digital evidence area, but training and certification are presently supplied by the National Computer Forensic Institute. Matson also disagrees that traditional forensic science methods are unreliable because they have a long history of leading to the truth. Finally, the negative impact of the report is already apparent nationwide as defense attorneys are using the report to challenge the forensic evidence used in past and present prosecutions.
Matthew F. Redle - Sheridan County Prosecutor (Wyoming): Justice and a victim's best interest are not best served by arresting the wrong person and the reliability of forensic science is critical to ensuring that interest is achieved. Redle disagrees that public laboratories should be removed from law enforcement agencies because the key to reliability within a laboratory is not where it is located, but how it operates. Reliability is determined by the following: the culture within a laboratory and quality assurance and quality control measures. A laboratory culture that encourages autonomy, transparency, and critical thinking will diminish the influence of outside entities due to the high regard given to the scientific integrity of the work. Additionally, quality assurance policies should include: laboratory accreditation and personnel certification, internal peer review, external/internal performance audits, proficiency testing, and corrective action procedures. Overall, removing laboratories has an enormous cost with no guarantee that examiner error, bias or fraud will disappear. Also, bias will not be removed because the bulk of the work will still come from law enforcement agencies and the same work relationships will form. Bias is combated with quality control and assurance measures and external peer review. Further, many of the recommendations made in the report can be implemented by the Department of Justice, instead of forming a new federal agency, using existing accreditation agencies and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. More funding is needed to support non-DNA laboratory work and accreditation of all labs to ensure reliable testing. Redle supports research into the science but not to the extent it countermands current best practices.
Sen. Patrick Leahy: Dr. Buel emphasized the need for professional rapport and support for research in all forensic disciplines. Congress has historically supported DNA research and training but has not extended that level of funding into traditional forensic areas. If we take on more comprehensive forensic reform and invest more in all forensic areas, will that help us solve more crimes?
Dr. Buel: DNA is only applicable in some cases and other areas provide a lot of information to prosecutors about whether in include or exclude a suspect. The NAS report provides a limited window of information and a more complete review of the forensic system is needed to move forward on this issue. However, if the support given to DNA (backlogs, education, research) is offered in other areas, more crimes will be solved.
Leahy: Forensic evidence has been used to exonerate the wrongfully incarcerated. How important is scientific research in testing in non-DNA areas? Are we doing enough in the non-DNA disciplines?
Neufeld: Congress is generous with the level of funding provided for DNA testing because everyone understood the reliability of the technology from the outset. However, other areas of forensic science are not as robust and basic research and standards are needed before congressional funding is appropriate.
Leahy: To improve don't you need money for training and standards?
Neufeld: No, basic research is needed to validate a method, which then allows for the establishment of application standards. Only at that point should funding for training uses be allocated.
Leahy: Based on your experience, what would you tell another police chief facing problems in his/her laboratory?
Hurtt: Admitting the problem is the first step. Then, the process used to fix the problems must be very transparent in order to regain confidence in forensic science. Finally, appoint experts to conduct an investigation and implement the recommendations they offer.
Sen. Jeff Sessions: Do delays and a lack of resources in forensic science present problems to officers trying to make a case?
Hurtt: Yes, this is a daily problem. DNA evidence in a serial rape case was sent to the FBI laboratory, and it took almost a year to get results due to the backlog.
Sessions: Is it frustrating to law enforcement and prosecutors to face delays in forensic analysis? Could delays allow criminals to be free to commit more crimes?
Matson: Yes, we cannot go to trial unit we have forensic reports, which still require further analysis once they are received. Alabama has an independent laboratory that helps to overcome backlog issues. The backlog at the state laboratories are improving because of federal funds but it is still a major burden.
Sessions: Do you believe the NAS report is being used to challenge traditional types of forensic evidence at trial based on claims of unreliability?
Redle: Yes, but the use is spotty so far. I am working to survey the impact nationally and to determine what disciplines are most targeted.
Sen. Al Franken: Provided general comments on his belief that Willingham's prosecutor made suspect statements about circumstances surrounding the case in a recent newspaper article. He also noted that he found the NAS report terrifying.
Neufeld: (Referring to the Willingham case) In every case I have worked on there are always claims that overwhelming evidence of guilt exists outside of the forensic evidence. However, when you deconstruct the pieces they don't hold together under scrutiny. Many of 242 exonerated by DNA were convicted based on incorrect/misapplied forensic evidence (examples of evidence at issue: hair analysis, serology, bite marks, and fingerprints). You can debate the death penalty from many perspectives but you can't debate the wrongful convictions demonstrate the system is not as perfect as we thought and having an irreversible punishment creates problems if new evidence is discovered. This is justification for suspending the death penalty until forensic science is sufficiently rigorous and robust.
Franken: DNA testing is the most reliable but there is a major backlog of rape kits nationwide. What can we do to increase funding to maximize DNA testing?
Matson: Congress has taken steps to provide funding and the backlogs are starting to decrease. DNA is at the place we would like it to be. (Discussing exoneration cases) Seventy-five percent of cases taken by the Innocence Project dealt with areas (like serology and hair analysis) using techniques now abandoned. DNA has replaced blood typing and hair follicle identification.
Sen. Dick Durbin: Based on DNA evidence, how many prisoners have been exonerated following conviction?
Neufeld: Of the 242 exonerated by DNA, almost all had exhausted direct appeals and habeas corpus collateral attacks.
Durbin: In states where access to postconviction DNA is not available what is the solution?
Neufeld: I argued in the Supreme Court case (District Attorney's Office v. Osborne) for the right to postconviction access but the Court did not agree. Now, efforts should be focused on local legislatures. Further, Congress could help by increasing the monetary incentive to pass postconviction access laws when it considers renewing the Innocence Protection Act.
Durbin: As a professional prosecutor, don't you believe there should be DNA testing in every state?
Matson: Yes, DNA should be used when it is available, but it must be understood that evidence used for testing in postconviction cases is subject to contamination.
Durbin: Wouldn't that be a chain of custody issue?
Matson: I support DNA testing anytime we can do something to find the truth, but the reality is we do not know who handled evidence after conviction and many times key players are dead leaving prosecutors to rely on transcripts.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse: Comment on problems with delays due to a lack of resources and the effect of those delays on investigative efforts and prosecution.
Hurtt: Delays compromise timely access to evidence while the crime is fresh, witnesses are available, and connections to other offenses can be made. As cases linger, case management becomes a problem as workloads increase and perpetrators have opportunities to commit more crimes.
Whitehouse: Discusses his perspective on a lack of standards in investigating and prosecuting death penalty cases in states as compared to the federal government. Comment on the extent and merit of additional procedural protections in state death penalty cases.
Matson: Safeguards are already in place. There is a lengthy process before execution is possible, including trial/sentencing phases and appellate petitions. As for deciding to ask for the death penalty, death penalty decisions are unique to the facts, place and community a person is tried in.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Do the prosecutors agree we should implement accreditation requirements?
Redle: Yes, I agree with most of the recommendations of the NAS report, including accreditation. Note, however, that due to DNA testing and standards enacted by the DNA advisory board, close to 90% of public labs are accredited. Certification is the next step.
Matson: I agree that national accreditation standards are a good thing. Anything that supports the science and examiners is good.
Klobuchar: Is it a good thing to have a national agency perform the validation research?
Redle: More funding for research is needed but I don't think a new national agency is the most efficient method to accomplish this goal. The framework to do the research is already within existing agencies. The NAS report rejected NIST and the National Science Foundation as possible agencies and proposed NIFS to conduct the research because NIST and the National Science Foundation had modest experience in research funding. But the proposed new agency will have no experience with research funding.
Giannelli: A paucity of research in the forensic sciences was challenged under Daubert starting in 1995 and nothing has been done to correct this under the current system. Money was given but was not funneled to the conduct needed research. This is why we need an independent scientific research program.
Matson: Research is a good thing but I don't think we need a political agency regulating forensic science.
Klobuchar: In the Melendez-Diaz case, I disagreed with majority and agreed with Kennedy's dissent. Mr. Neufeld stated in his written testimony that cross examination is needed to weed out bad forensic science because judges and lawyers lack the scientific knowledge to discern the limitations of some types of forensic evidence. How is this decision good if it guarantees more cross examination that many not be helpful?
Neufeld: This case is addressing the problem of a lack of national standards, which make live testimony necessary. We need meaningful standards for report writing to describe the items tested and the methods used to identify results and draw conclusions. If we had this information in all reports, as we get in DNA, there would be more pleas or stipulations to the content negating the need for live testimony.
Klobuchar: So, if you had national reporting standards you wouldn't need live witnesses?
Neufeld: If we had those reports, it would ameliorate the problem because people will stipulate and there will be no need to confront. Better report writing will produce a more efficient system.
Sen. Jeff Sessions: The federal government should not overly intrude on local and state criminal matters, but it should provide funding for training and research. The DOJ should already be aware of the latest technology and the most reliable techniques. It should be a resource to states and should provide more leadership. Is DNA uniquely capable of more certainty?
Buel: Statistics that show the likelihood of identification in the billions is good evidence.
Sessions: Fingerprints will never be an exact science?
Buel: The proper use of quality controls, proficiency testing, and peer review verifications at an accredited lab will provide excellent scientific results.
Sessions: Where does a lab send personnel for training? Are there many places available? Could we do a better job of providing quality training centers?
Buel: I requested funds from NIJ to start a college-like program that would produce graduates capable of passing the proficiency test but all examiners need further in-house training before they can do casework.
Hurtt: DNA is the best identification technique and small jurisdictions should have access to large city, state, and federal labs for testing. The UK used DNA testing of skincells and fingerprints left on bullet casings in property crimes and increased the detection rated from 15% to 50%. We need to move toward the use of DNA in property crimes instead of training other types of examiners.
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text:
Q: Trick to delete session after going back in browser I have an issue. I have a list of recipes in my recipes index page. The idea is that when you click on a particular recipe, it carries you to the show page and stores the recipe id in session. The presence/absence of the id in session is integral to the workflow of the program. The session gets cleared when you create a sub-recipe or revisit the index page. However, when you click back on the browser (to recipes/index) without creating a resource, the recipe id remains in session and you no longer desire the value in the session. This causes the program to run into errors. How do I do it that the clicking of the back button also deletes the session

A: Two possible solutions with the information you've provided:

*

*Set a before_action on the index to clear the recipe id from the session.

*Pass the recipe id to the show page via params then set it to an instance variable for use in the view.

I would choose the latter of these if possible. More info would allow a better answer.

A: So I solved it by checking if the request.referer is the index page's url. If it is, then I clear the session.
Moving forward, you can handle cases like this by checking the header key (request.headers["HTTP_REFERER"]) (also gotten by calling request.referer). This way regardless of the method you used to get to a page, you can always get its fidelity.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
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      if (pair[0] === 'v') {
        return pair[1];
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    return window.StaticConfig.assetVersion || (window.CartoConfig && window.CartoConfig.data && window.CartoConfig.data.user_frontend_version) || version;
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Game Of Thrones' Creators Revealed The Fate Of A Long Lost Character
Jul. 9. 2016 2:35 PM
Spoilers ahead for the most recent episode of Game of Thrones.
Few television shows have done what HBO's megahit Game of Thrones has managed to pull off. The fantasy drama has successfully adapted a complicated and detailed series of novels, and has become one of the most watched and talked about TV shows of all time. Part of what makes Game of Thrones so exciting is its giant cast of dynamic characters. But because there are so many players in the Great Game, it's easy for some to slip our minds or fall through the cracks of our attention. This seems to be exactly what happened with one of Arya's OG buddies and Robert Baratheon's bastard, Gendry.
The last time we saw Gendry was back in Season 3, when Davos rescued him from the clutches of Melisandre, who was leeching his blood for rituals and sacrifices to the Lord of Light. Davos sent the bastard, who can't swim, away on a small boat, and we haven't seen or heard from him since. On a recent appearance on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, Game of Thrones creators D.B. Weiss and David Benioff have finally addressed his absence,
Weiss: He's still rowing.
Benioff: Yes, he's still rowing. It's a long, a very long---
Weiss: He's coming up on Florida.
Benioff: He's getting in great shape. Think of the shape he's in after rowing for four seasons.
That's right. Apparently Gendry is still rowing and trying desperately not to fall out of the boat and drown. Four season later.
Of course, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff are just kidding with their statements, but it does bring up a question that fans have been asking for years: where the hell is Gendry?
The fate of Gendry has perhaps never been so important as it is in the current Game of Thrones timeline. Now that all three of the Lannister/ Baratheon children have bit the dust, there is no one to claim the Iron Throne, besides our homegirl Dany of course. As such, Cersei somehow managed to ascend the stairs and name herself Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. But if Gendry were to make a reappearance, he could perhaps be a threat to Cersei's claim. Sure, he's a bastard, but he's Robert Baratheon's son, which is actually more than Tommen or Joffrey could have ever said. And with the folks behind Game of Thrones bringing back so many long lost characters, smart money says that he'll finally be making a reappearance next season, and serve as a new enemy for Cersei.
Do you want Gendry to come back to Game of Thrones, or is he not that important? Sound off in the comments below.
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text:
Thursday, August 8, 2002, Chandigarh, India
E D I T O R I A L P A G E
Widen the delimitation scope
THE new delimitation commission headed by Justice Kuldip Singh, a retired Supreme Court Judge, assumes special significance because this is the first in the last three decades. The last time such a commission was set up to remove disparities in the seat-population ratio was in 1971, which completed its work in 1978. Since then there have been demands from various political parties as also the Election Commission to set up a new panel for a fresh review.
PSEB's shock treatment
THE Punjab State Electricity Board is often in the news for all the wrong reasons: power cuts, power thefts, hefty bills, tariff hikes, free electricity to farmers, poor return on investments, mounting losses, questionable appointments or plain acts of corruption. For a change, the PSEB is not at the receiving end and has started performing one of its basic duties, that is, recovering dues from defaulters, no matter who they are.
Bhajan Lal at the helm
Mr Bhajan Lal celebrated his long-cherished coronation as the chief of the Haryana unit of the Congress in style on Tuesday. The function in Chandigarh was reminiscent of the oath-taking ceremony of a Chief Minister, with crowds brought from all over the state to clap and dance. It was a massive show of strength by the former Chief Minister. As they say in the case of economy, upbeat mood is a prerequisite for rejuvenation.
EARLIER ARTICLES
Attack on Amarnath yatris
It rained gold for India
BJP's agenda for power
India is on the precipice of an epidemic
Dealing with drought
Easing the tax burden
Power sector mess
Rebuff to Mamata
Powell's foot in mouth
Krishan Kant
USA caught between crass materialism & idealism
Turmoil in Jharkhand
Looking back and ahead
Kashmir's all-important poll
Last-minute flurry does credit to no one
Inder Malhotra
PERHAPS the most interesting and apt comment on the perfervid activity in relation to the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir came from a villager whom I overheard purely by chance. He was telling his companions that the government in Delhi was behaving rather like the family of a girl about to be married. Only when the baraat (marriage party of the groom) is at the door do the bride's relatives realise that they have left a lot yet to be done.
Undeterred Najma Heptulla sets her targets high
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla is in the news with the Congress refusing to back her candidature for the post of Vice-President on the plea that they had supported a minority candidate in President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for that high office.
Gujarat CM's troubles
Justice H.R. Khanna
OF LIFE SUBLIME
Scriptures transport us to the other world
Darshan Singh Maini
It's a truism when we say that sublimity which manifests itself at all levels of human condition, commerce and communication, is best seen at work in higher forms of art, music, thought, lofty mountains and vast seas, but we have seen the sublime touching us quietly in moments of meditation and prayers. The moment comes, and is soon gone, but the effect of the ineffable abides.
TRENDS & POINTERS
Colds are in the air
Contrary to the earlier belief that flying increases the risk of getting colds and other infections due to air circulation, US researchers now say that travelling with a large number of people is a primary factor in transmission of colds, or maybe the changing time zones and losing sleep could increase rates of viral infections.
Jokes about Singapore's water recycling plan
Jokes are flowing thick and fast about Singapore's moves to recycle water from toilet bowls, the latest plan to reduce reliance on supplies from Malaysia.
The satirical Web site TalkingCock.com cut straight to the chase with "Singaporeans preparing to drink own pee".
SPIRITUAL NUGGETS
THE new delimitation commission headed by Justice Kuldip Singh, a retired Supreme Court Judge, assumes special significance because this is the first in the last three decades. The last time such a commission was set up to remove disparities in the seat-population ratio was in 1971, which completed its work in 1978. Since then there have been demands from various political parties as also the Election Commission to set up a new panel for a fresh review. Public interest petitions were also filed in the Supreme Court in this regard. Normally, delimitation of constituencies of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies is done on a decennial basis. However, the regular delimitation exercises after each census raised apprehensions among some states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, which said that their family planning and other population control successes would reduce their representation in the Lok Sabha. Consequently, through a constitutional amendment, Parliament froze the population figure to that of the 1971 census and delimitation was put on hold till 2001. Meanwhile, the lowering of the voting age to 18 years, the tremendous increase in population and the intensive revision of electoral rolls just prior to the 1998 Lok Sabha elections have all contributed to the rise in the number of registered voters. The backdrop to the vociferous demand for the delimitation of constituencies from across the political spectrum follows from the growth of the population. This growth has been on two counts: a quantum jump in the population since the last delimitation exercise in 1971; and the anomalous growth of population in different constituencies.
Clearly, some of the Lok Sabha seats of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh or Bihar have a larger electorate today than those in Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu or Karnataka. The Kuldip Singh Commission is expected to redraw the electoral boundaries to ensure "equal electorate" in all the seats within the respective states. However, doubts have arisen whether this exercise will really achieve the goal since the new delimitation will be done on the basis of the 1991 census and not the 2001 census. Consider the specific example of Outer Delhi and East Delhi Lok Sabha constituencies. During the last two decades, the electorate in the Outer Delhi has grown at the rate of 159 and 97 per cent respectively as against 118 and 62 per cent in East Delhi during the same period. The same is the case with other seats. According to a study, of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, 74 are urban, 70 semi-urban, 156 rural and 243 are semi-rural. Compared to rural constituencies, almost all urban seats have recorded a higher growth of population. If delimitation should adhere to the principle of equal population to seat ratio within the state, will the Kuldip Singh Commission be able to rectify the major anomaly of unequal size? Of course, there will be no change in the strength of the Lok Sabha or state Assemblies. But how will the new commission address the problem of growth in urban constituencies? More to the point, the new exercise, when completed, will be already 10 years old and there will be no delimitation for the next three decades. Consequently, this will force us to conduct one more Lok Sabha election on the basis of the old delimitation. It is in this context that the suggestion for new delimitation on the basis of the 2001 census — and not on the 1991 census — is worthy of consideration. If this suggestion is accepted, the Kuldip Singh Commission may take some more time to complete the exercise, but it would help achieve the main goal of having an updated demarcation of electoral boundaries and rectification of anomalies to some extent.
THE Punjab State Electricity Board is often in the news for all the wrong reasons: power cuts, power thefts, hefty bills, tariff hikes, free electricity to farmers, poor return on investments, mounting losses, questionable appointments or plain acts of corruption. For a change, the PSEB is not at the receiving end and has started performing one of its basic duties, that is, recovering dues from defaulters, no matter who they are. So far the impression has gone round that much of its woes are due to the politically motivated free power supply to the farming community. But the board has seldom asserted itself the way it is doing now in dealing with its recalcitrant customers. Rattled by the severe and persistent criticism of its functioning, the precarious state of its finances and unscheduled and frequent disruptions in the electricity supply, the board has severed the power connections of the government departments which had failed to clear their dues. In its own hometown of Patiala, the PSEB has recovered huge arrears from the mighty of the land like the Commissioner's office, the court of the Sessions Judge, the SSP's office and served notice on the Deputy Commissioner, among others, to either pay up or face action. The campaign needs to be extended to the other districts as well. A message has to go around that there is no such thing as a free lunch and everyone has to pay for whatever one consumes.
The PSEB authorities deserve to be congratulated on showing guts in performing their duties. It is a commercial organisation and has to be run professionally. The Electricity Act imposes on the management an obligation to ensure at least a 3 per cent rate of return on the net value of the board's assets. With its losses projected at Rs 950 crore, as Press reports indicate, the board authorities cannot afford to be lax. Transmission losses is another area which the board needs to focus on next. Power pilferage, widely seen as a result of the customer-official connivance, cannot be stopped or minimised unless the corrupt elements within the board are first weeded out. Although the board's proposal for an increase in the power tariffs for various sectors is under consideration of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the state government, and more particularly the political leadership, should not use the board to nurture its vote-banks. Whatever help has to be extended to the needy and deserving sections like the drought-hit farmers and the recession-hit small units should come from the state government itself and not at the cost of the Punjab State Electricity Board. On its part, the board has started a few cost-cutting measures like reduction in the staff strength through initiatives like allowing payment of bills through post offices. This indicates an attitudinal change on the part of the board management. Once the desire to change is there, solutions are not hard to find.
Mr Bhajan Lal celebrated his long-cherished coronation as the chief of the Haryana unit of the Congress in style on Tuesday. The function in Chandigarh was reminiscent of the oath-taking ceremony of a Chief Minister, with crowds brought from all over the state to clap and dance. It was a massive show of strength by the former Chief Minister. As they say in the case of economy, upbeat mood is a prerequisite for rejuvenation. The same holds true of politics as well. The Congress in Haryana is not in the pink of health and Mr Bhajan Lal has a huge task cut out for him. He has made little of the challenge posed by Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala but he obviously knows how formidable the contest is. However, the real competition at the moment does not come from the Indian National Lok Dal or any other party. The real fight is with the detractors within the Congress. Not even a false show of unity was put up on the day of the takeover function. Mr Bhoopinder Singh Hooda, with whom Mr Bhajan Lal swapped places, decided to stay away along with his supporters, among them more than half of the MLAs that the party has. Even the excuses made by senior leaders for the absence (boycott?) were unconvincing and contradictory. While some said he could not come because of bereavement in the family, the others claimed that he was caught in a traffic jam! If such are the fissures at the very start, the days to come are not going to be very smooth.
Mr Bhajan Lal remained in the oblivion all these years mainly because he could not establish a rapport with Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Faith reposed in him at this stage, that too in the face of a strong protest from the other faction, is indicative of the thinking of the central leadership that only he can revive the fortunes of the party. But can he? An acknowledged organiser that he is, the task ahead is daunting. To take the entire party along, he will have to dig into some hitherto unexplored bags of tact and diplomacy. Since he has to accomplish this without the benefit of spoils of office, his job becomes all the more ticklish. His advent may help the party in his home district and northern districts like Ambala and Karnal, but weaning away Jat votes elsewhere will be a daunting proposition. That could have been possible to some extent if Mr Hooda were with him solidly, but that is unlikely to happen. Mr Chautala is a seasoned politician and knows that the threat from the Congress has now been stepped up. He is going to take care of his flock with renewed vigour.
Witness the acid comments of Mr Ram Jethmalani, better known as a hugely successful lawyer and a political maverick than as a former Union Law Minister. Strangely, he has blamed the Election Commission, rather than anyone else, for having announced the poll schedule "too soon". Not only does he overlook that the Chief Election Commissioner could not have framed the timetable without consulting the Central and the State governments. But also he fails to explain why he did not begin earlier his praiseworthy efforts to persuade the separatist groups in the sensitive state to abandon their habitual boycott of the elections. Was he waiting for official encouragement at the highest level that had come rather late, reported because of initial differences at the top in New Delhi?
Mr Jethmalani is not the only one, however, to bestir himself belatedly. Another former Law Minister, Mr Arun Jaitley, is the official interlocutor, with a Cabinet rank, primarily with the Abdullahs — father Farooq and son Omar — on their demand for greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir. He, too, was entrusted with his mission a trifle too late. What kind of an understanding with the National Conference can he reach in a matter of days when the two sides have a different concept of what is actually under discussion? Srinagar says the issue is "autonomy". New Delhi asserts emphatically that it is nothing more than "devolution of powers".
As for the mission of Mr K.C. Pant, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, that began a good two years ago and cannot therefore be said to have suffered for want of time, the less said the better. It just did not take off.
In short, it is unrealistic to expect any miraculous last-minute agreements either with the alienated, separatist groups (some of them are unabashedly pro-Pakistan) or with the National Conference that is also disgruntled with New Delhi for reasons to be discussed presently. But it will be absurd to blame only the Vajpayee government for this unhappy state of affairs.
Other factors such as the Hurriyat and its diverse constituents, Mr Shabir Shah's Democratic Freedom Party, the outfit of Mr Hashim Qureshi and so on are also at serious fault. They cannot go on pretending that they represent the "real voice of the Kashmiri people" and yet refuse to put this claim to the test of the popular vote on one pretext or the other.
Their legitimate grievance is that the elections might be rigged as so often in the past. It is not just that the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, has staked his and indeed the country's reputation on ensuring a poll that is not only free and fair but is also seen to be so. A large number of Indians, individuals as well as institutions, are absolutely determined that the old-style dishonesty is not allowed to be repeated this time around.
The Vajpayee government — and more than it, the Election Commission — has disallowed only foreign "monitors" with self-given right to certify the fairness of the election or the lack of it. There is no ban on foreigners coming in to observe the conduct of the poll. In his talks with the visiting US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, the Prime Minister went so far as to tell him: "You can send the entire US embassy in New Delhi to Kashmir for the duration". The oncoming Kashmir elections would indeed be under the most intense national and international scrutiny. Any attempt to monkey with them would instantly destroy their credibility and create enormous problems with the international (community over Kashmir which is "on international) agenda", whether we admit it or not.
No sane government in New Delhi can or would risk this. The elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been routinely rigged, right from the days of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, except in 1977 when the poll was held under the rule of the then Governor, L.K. Jha. But the Centre, by itself, has never done this. It has only looked the other way when the Ministry in Srinagar did the dirty work. This, mercifully, is no longer the position.
However, deeds that matter more than words, and that is where some long overdue action of the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr J.M. Lyngdoh, comes in. He has announced steps to ensure that no one is left out of electoral rolles and Kashmiri Pandits, languishing in relief camps, are able to vote wherever they are. He has also decided to deploy high officials from outside the state to oversee the poll's conduct and to intervene wherever wrongdoing is suspected. This is welcome but not enough. Those abominable local officials who are experts in rigging elections on behalf of their political masters must be removed from the scene.
Strangely, no one is talking about an important, indeed critical, element in the situation that can make or mar the elections. It is rather like the famous Sherlock Holmes story about the dog that did not bark in the night. Pakistan's interest in disrupting and subverting the Kashmir elections is manifest. The key question is how far the Musharraf regime would go in view of international, principally American, warning that nothing should be done to "destabilise" this all-important election from which alone can flow a lasting solution of the issue, internally and externally.
The shape of things is clear from the almost daily and apparently calibrated terrorist incidents directed specifically against actual and potential candidates of the National Conference. The murder of Mr Abdul Ghani Lone, the moderate Hurriyat leader, was clearly a warning to others. The purpose of the attack on Amarnath pilgrims is also the same. Will the leaders of the separatist groups continue to be scared of the Pakistani threats or have the courage to take part in the poll and establish their credentials to speak on behalf of the Kashmiri people?
It would have been ideal if Governor's rule could be imposed on Kashmir at this stage. At one time it had indeed appeared that this wise course would be followed. But that is no longer the case. The Abdullahs, both father and son, have rejected the idea emphatically and the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, has also ruled out the elections in Jammu and Kashmir being held under Governor's rule. Behind this dismal about-turn lies the untold story of New Delhi's regrettable treatment of Dr Farooq Abdullah and the strident reaction of not only the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister but also his son. Omar, forsaking his usually impeccable manners, used unacceptably offensive language against the Central government of which he continues to be a member.
There is no doubt that the Vajpayee government had promised Dr Farooq Abdullah the office of Vice-President. This became impossible with the emergence of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as the most acceptable presidential candidate. When asked for his preference for an alternative job in Delhi, Dr Abdullah opted for a Cabinet seat and External Affairs portfolio. But he refrained from pressing his demand when told that it would not be right to replace a minister of the calibre and experience of Mr Jaswant Singh.
However, when the indispensable Mr Jaswant Singh was shifted to Finance and Mr Yashwant Sinha, with no known flair for foreign affairs, made External Affairs Minister, Dr Abdullah was understandably incensed. Exigencies of the election and disagreement over autonomy have soured his relations with the Centre even more. This is an unhappy state of affairs that needs to be repaired without delay.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla is in the news with the Congress refusing to back her candidature for the post of Vice-President on the plea that they had supported a minority candidate in President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for that high office. The argument advanced was that how there can be two members of the minority community occupying two top constitutional posts. Besides, the Congress insists that it had accommodated the suave and amiable Ms Heptulla in the Rajya Sabha for four terms.
That has, however, not deterred Najma from setting her targets high and to some extent the BJP-led NDA is willing to play ball much to the discomfiture of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. First, the talk centred around Ms Heptulla making the bid for the high post of Secretary -General. She felt she could muster the requisite support among world parliamentarians, thanks to her association with and popularity in the International Parliamentary Union (IPU).
There is no doubt that she has made some influential friends among global parliamentarians. While heads of African missions and other countries felt Ms Heptulla might be a good choice, supporting her candidature will depend on various other factors and how Western powers feel inclined towards her. Now, it appears a near certainty that the BJP-led NDA will offer her the chairmanship of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations with the rank of a Cabinet Minister. The move is clearly intended to raise the hackles of the Congress that the Vajpayee government is not averse to choosing a Congress woman, thus giving a goby to the precedents and claims from its own ranks. The 62-year-old Ms Heptulla, who was born in Bhopal and has done her Ph.D in Cardiac Anatomy, has an impressive CV and public record. She has diverse interests ranging from galvanishing parliamentarians for human development, the environment and sustainable development to population and disarmament. Ms Heptulla has travelled extensively all over the globe and was invited to the first summit meeting of the Council of World Women Leaders at Harvard.
Headaches are growing by the day for Gujarat caretaker Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP's central leadership. Dissidence against Mr Modi's peremptory style of functioning is gaining momentum which can disturb the saffron brigade's applecart in the state. Though Mr Modi had called on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee the other day to assure him that all was well in Gujarat, the BJP faces the rude shock of Mr Haren Pandya quitting the Modi government. This might well be a harbinger of things to come as there is a churning going on in the Gujarat BJP unit.
Mr Pandya is a close associate of former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel who had to make way for Mr Modi. Mr Patel refused to join the Atal Behari Vajpayee Cabinet in the recent expansion-cum-reshuffle undertaken by the Prime Minister on the ground that the powerful Patel community in Gujarat wanted him to stay put in the state. Clearly, Mr Patel is like a wounded tiger on the prowl, and with dissidence growing against Mr Modi, the BJP can find itself on a highly sticky wicket.
In the run up to the assembly elections in Gujarat and thereafter, the BJP strategists might well rue having retained Mr Modi as Chief Minister after the carnage in Godhra and subsequent communal riots in the state. Despite the loud talk of polarisation, Mr Modi might turn out to be the baggage that the BJP should have discarded some time ago.
All eyes were rivetted on Justice H R Khanna on August 5 as it was his 90th birthday. Supreme Court advocates Nina and Lalit Bhasin celebrated the occasion in a befitting manner by honouring Justice Khanna, a product of DAV High School and Law College, Lahore. A galaxy of politicians, jurists and personalities from other spheres attended the celebration in New Delhi, where plaques of recognition were presented to Justice Khanna. Former Prime Minister I. K. Gujral described Justice Khanna "as a great human being, a great judge and a great son of India." Eminent jurist F. S. Nariman said Justice Khanna "is a living legend and a man with courage of conviction who has made us proud."
Justice Khanna in turn observed that "old age has its own honours and royalty and I thank each one of you for making me feel important in your life." After being an advocate at the Lahore High Court in 1940, Justice Khanna moved to Amritsar and mostly dealt with civil cases. He was appointed District and Sessions Judge in Punjab in February, 1952. He became an Additional Judge of the Punjab High Court for two years and a permanent Judge in 1964. He was transferred to the Delhi High Court in 1966 and appointed Chief Justice in August, 1969. He was elevated to the Supreme Court in October, 1971.
Justice Khanna resigned as a Judge of the Supreme Court in March, 1977. He was also Chairman of the Law Commission and a Union Minister for a short period before bowing out in August, 1979.
Again, one need not labour the point that all religious scriptures and poetry carry in their verses the highest aspects of sublimity. But, as it is, this kind of experience on the heights comes rarely to those not gifted with divine insight. That's why the saints and the savants are closest to it, for to live continually in touch with the heavens above is a rare boon, and it accrues only through grace or nadar, through God's will, in short. It cannot be gained through efforts only, for its nature precludes ritualistic worship, offerings etc.
Since I've elected to write on the nature of the sublime in Sikh scriptures, the Guru Granth being its supreme example, I have necessarily to confine my little discourse to the prophetic verse of the Sikh Gurus and greet Sikh poets in tune with the bani. And since music, as we know, touches sublimity when the voice, the hand and the spirit work in unison as in the best renderings of Shabads in Keertan, I would chiefly dwell on the ragas used in the gurbani. And I may add that the Sikh Guru, Arjan Dev, who compiled the Adi Granth placed the songs of his predecessors and his own in all the 32 classical Indian ragas in tune with the music of the spheres — day and night, the sun and the moon, the ambrosial hour of the morning before dawn and the sunset hour of glory — and gloom.
It's important to observe at the start that my personal knowledge of ragas, of Sikh musicology is extremely limited, and I, therefore, touch upon the use of some ragas that I hear more often. The first thing I do on waking up from my disturbed sleep each morning is to turn to the TV relay from the Harimandir or the Golden Temple. And that raga. Asa, is the dominant feature of the morning service.
Asa, as the word connotes, means 'hope', and that's how the Sikh sangat or congregation imbibes the message — 'the word within the word', and sets about their daily business. It doesn't happen in practice, and most listeners lost in their material thoughts remain empty vessels. But the select few drink this amrit, and are transported to another world for the moment. The sublime here becomes a matter of deep experience and consequence.
There are some ragas close to Asa, such as Raamkali, Parbhati, that have the same uplifting effects. I owe the summary below to an article "Musical Framework of Guru Granth Sahib" by Amardeep Singh (The Sikh Review, Calcutta, May, 2002): As a musicologist, the author of the article has sought to link different types of songs to different types of ragas, and also to different periods or parts of the day and night. It's not possible here to go into details regarding the full scale and scope of the ragas, but grouping of certain shabads, ragas and periods has an inner logic which only those close to the sublime can achieve.
I pick up the timings and the appropriate ragas to continue our argument. For instance, from six to nine in the morning, in addition to Asa, Bairagi and Devgandhari are used — all in praise of the Lord and man's quest for union and happiness. The spousal imagery and metaphors which may also be seen frequently in compositions that bring out strong man's yearning for the life sublime.
Similarly, Sarang, Suhi, Gujri, Gond and Todi (9 a.m. to 12 noon), Vadhans, Maru, Dhanasri (12 noon to 3 p.m.), Manjh, Gauri, Talang, Tikhari (3 to 6 p.m.) and Basant, Mouli Gaura, Jaitari, Kedare and Kalyan (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) define man's changing states of mind when in stress or pain, in happiness or felicity, in peace and tranquillity etc.
In other words, the entire range of human experience is captured within the words and the ragas in question. It's thus that the sublime in Sikh scriptures manifests itself, and transports us to the other world.
For the study, Prof John Balmes and colleagues at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) examined 1,000 passengers found that one in five passengers reported developing a cold within one week of flying. Women reported more colds than men.
The scientists were originally trying to identify whether the type of ventilation used on planes increased the risks of catching cold.
However, their study showed that there was little difference between passengers who travelled on planes which used recycled air and those on planes with a fresh air supply. This led the researchers to suggest other factors may be to blame for high infection rates. "I think there's a fairly universal feeling that flying increases your risk of getting colds and other infections, but air circulation may not be the key issue, Professor Balmes said.
"It may be that just being on a plane, packed with a lot of people is the primary factor in transmission of colds, or maybe travelling is the issue - changing time zones and losing sleep have been documented to increase rates of viral infections. My best advice is to wash up after shaking hands and avoid touching your nose," Balmes was quoted as saying by BBC. ANI
Singapore relies on its neighbour for about half of the 300 million gallons of water it consumes every day, but the two sides have been trading verbal punches before next month's negotiations on setting a new price after current agreements expire.
"We don't want to sell water to them," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday. "We are losing money selling to them."
Resource-parched Singapore countered by saying it would need less from Malaysia in future because it could fill some of its requirements by turning waste water into so-called "Newater".
TalkingCock, which means "spouting nonsense" in Singapore slang, had its own version of the government campaign to sell the idea of Newater to the city state's four million people.
"It's totally natural, like Evian, except that it doesn't come down from snowy alpine rivers but from your very own kidneys," it quoted a fictitious official telling sceptical residents of a housing estate.
In reality, Newater has been certified cleaner than tap water by a panel of international experts. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong gave it his seal of approval by swigging a bottle for the local press after a recent game of tennis.
Singaporeans will get to taste it for themselves when 60,000 bottles are handed out at the National Day parade on Friday.
Only government officials know to what extent Singapore intends to cut its reliance on Malaysian water, but the heavy emphasis on the possibilities of Newater clearly is designed to be a bargaining chip over price.
Singapore now pays three Malaysian cents (less than one U.S. cent) for every thousand gallons of raw water piped in.
Malaysia said last month it was ready to rework the pricing formula after a proposal to make the city state pay 100 times more by 2007 was rejected.
One joke e-mail doing the rounds envisions a novel solution to the long-standing tensions over water.
"In the landmark deal, Malaysia has agreed to divert its vast sewerage network across the peninsula into Singapore so that the island republic can have unlimited supply of human waste for recycling into Newater," it reads.
But TalkingCock said Temasek Holdings, Singapore's powerful state investment agency, had other plans — collecting the urine of high-ranking politicians to bottle and age like fine wine.
"We believe that the pee of our highly gifted leaders is not ordinary urine and should be treated as such," a fictitious official said. "It's tentatively called Cabinet Sauvignon." Reuters
Signs of an illumined soul
He knows bliss in the Atman.
And wants nothing else.
Cravings torment the heart;
He renounces cravings.
I call him illumined.
The tortoise can draw in its legs;
The seer can draw in his senses.
The recollected mind is awake
In the knowledge of the Atman.
Which is dark night to the ignorant;
The ignorant are awake in their sense-life
Which they think is daylight:
To the seer it is darkness.
He knows peace who has forgotten desire.
He lives without craving:
Free from ego, free from pride.
This is the state of enlightenment in Brahman:
A man does not fall back from it
Into delusion.
Even at the moment of death
He is alive in that enlightenment:
Brahman and he are one.
— The Bhagvad Gita
Futility of external practices
All talk, all assertion,
Is confusion, a trap;
Men talk, they profess, they hear,
But nothing is achieved by talking;
Practice alone bears fruit....
Vain are your penances,
Vain your austerities,
Vain what you deem
Your vast knowledge;
Without the Lord's Name
Vain are your meditations;
Your contemplations vain.
Vain your rites and rituals,
Vain your adorations,
Vain your do's and dont's ;
They plunge you into the depths
Of the sea of delusion,
They will never let you reach
The shores of bliss and peace.
— From Kabir Granthavali


Though I use Captcha and reCaptcha, I have a lot of dummy users and Contacts which I can identify by the fact that their sort_name = display_name = email (or sort_name contains an "@").
How can I delete those Users and Contacts ?
My original idea was to create a Dynamic Group of those, then delete them after exporting their list to excel to delete the relevant Users. But, how to create such a Dynamic Group (based on what search criteria ?) ?
An alternative would be to create a View (filtered on "sort_name contains '@'"), then use VBO to add them to a Group : I tried, but could not succeed).
You could use Search > Search Builder and search for Individuals whose First Name and Last Name are NULL (when this is the case, Civi will use the email address as the Display Name), select all of the search results and then create a Smart Group. You would then periodically review the contacts of the smart group by navigating to Contacts > Manage Groups and then clicking on the Contacts hyperlink to the right-hand side of the group and perform the desired actions.
Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged contacts user-account search-builder or ask your own question.
How Do You Create Users from Contacts?
How to have the Civi Contact deleted when the Drupal User is cancelled?
How to delete addresses (and only addresses) for multiple contacts?
How to share the user profiles with other users?


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text:
Freedom! Adorable Dachshund uses bulldog as step stool to make her escape
A naughty Dachshund was caught using an American bulldog as a canine ladder to jump over a kitchen gate.
The one-year-old pup, Darcie, was caught on camera using her brother, Benson — an American Pocket Bulldog — as a step stool to get over the doggy gate put up in the kitchen by their owner.
After continuously coming home and seeing Darcie in the window, Mary Warwick of Burbidge, Leicestershire, England, said she decided to put up a camera to see how the sausage dog was escaping from her kitchen confinement.
GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY MEETS HIS NEW OWNER IN VIRAL VIDEO AFTER TAKING A SOLO FLIGHT TO REACH HER
"We were coming home, and she [would be sitting] in the windowsill," she said.
"Or I'd open the front door, and she'd come running out, and I was wondering how and why."
Darcie wanted to escape the gated area of the kitchen — so she hatched a canine conspiracy to get over the gate.
(Kennedy News & Media)
But after installing a camera, Warwick was not expecting to see what she did.
DOG QUIZ! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR FACTS ABOUT CANINES?
In the video above, Darcie can be seen jumping on Benson's back before putting her paws on the top of the gate — and pulling herself to freedom.
Darcie uses Benson's back as a step stool to make it to the top of the gate.
"She's always been an absolute monkey since I've had her, and it's only [this dog] that escapes," said the pets' owner.
CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DOG BREED FIT FOR A NEW KING
Warwick said Benson could easily snatch up Darcie, but he has the softest, sweetest personality — she called him a gentle giant.
Darcie is caught making her dramatic escape from the gated kitchen.
The two bystanders in the clip are Warwick's seven-year-old brown Dachshund Mollie and four-year-old speckled Dachshund Vegas.
However, Warwick said Darcie is her one dog that will always find a way to make a mess — calling her mischievous.
The Dachshund Darcie was caught on camera escaping from the gated kitchen.
"Darcie's the one that if there's a toilet roll available, she'll go and thread it," she said.
"You can't leave washing in the kitchen, as she'll pull all the clothes down," said Warwick.
To learn more, watch the video at the top of this article!
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