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Deep Politics Forum › Deep Politics Forum › Geopolitical Hotspots
Israel On Killing Spree In Gaza
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Damien Lloyd
My evaluation comes only from what I've seen previously. The footage that is all over the net from it's use in Lebanon, and Iraq. It sure looks similar. Again they have banned journalists from entering Gaza even though the Israeli supreme court ruled to allow them entry, but I'm still watching news 24 and expect that some of the bodies being taken to hospital will soon show the characteristic burns to human flesh that leave the clothes undamaged.
I emailed the BBC earlier asking them if they could comment or if their experts could confirm that the footage showed WP being used, I also gave them the 1st link above and told them the footage started at 01:06. That link now shows a different piece of footage, maybe coincidence.
Myra Bronstein
According to Raw Story this is video of Gaza carnage: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Leaked_gra..._0104.html
David Healy
Damien Lloyd Wrote: My evaluation comes only from what I've seen previously. The footage that is all over the net from it's use in Lebanon, and Iraq. It sure looks similar. Again they have banned journalists from entering Gaza even though the Israeli supreme court ruled to allow them entry, but I'm still watching news 24 and expect that some of the bodies being taken to hospital will soon show the characteristic burns to human flesh that leave the clothes undamaged.
can't bemoan main stream media (as is often done here) coverage (or lack thereof) and their biases, then depend upon that same press for factual data can we? (for the record, one can make a lit match appear as WP on video)
So I'll ask (again?): do you accept as FACT that WP can be delivered by RPG? If so, does the Israelii Army utilize RPG's in their arsenal?
Myra Bronstein Wrote: According to Raw Story this is video of Gaza carnage: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Leaked_gra..._0104.html
from the above link direct from the posters blog
quote on
NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN!
This video clip was taken with a mobile camera immediately after a terrorist Israeli air strike hit a busy market where kids with their mothers and fathers were searching for food to eat from one of the local markets early on Saturday 03, Jan 2009, Gaza.
quote off (emphasis mine)
the link and blog appears a bit biased Magda, yes? How do we know that wasn't an errant Hamass rocket falling to earth? Perhaps one Hamass previously hid in a Mosque. Seems they have a habit of doing things like that...
David Healy Wrote: from the above link direct from the posters blog
Well I'm not Magda, but I'm the one who posted the link so I'll address it.
I used the term "According to Raw Story..." because we can't be sure what it is so it's not stated as a fact.
Terry Mauro
Mark Stapleton Wrote: Thanks for those vids, Myra.
Israel can't spin their way out of this incident. They've also put Obama in a very difficult situation. A farewell gift from the Bush regime, no doubt.
And, as I posted this over at The Swamp, in reply to your post, Mark. Of this I'm eternally accused of anti-semitism, and relegated to burn in the fires of hell.
But, here's the unequivocal proof that it is our taxpayer dollars with which this debacle is allowed to continue to be aided and abetted.
* Sorry for the length of this post, CD.
The Ber
"The US, while sometimes paying lip service to peace plans, continues to support Israel financially, militarily and diplomatically."
EXACTLY! Last I heard, back in 1994, it was to the tune of 11 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
Who knows what it's been jacked up to over the last 14 years? And, what have they done for us, lately? Nothing but aid and abet our sorry asses into another money pit of delusion and paranoia aimed at separating the U.S. taxpayers from more billions of our hard-earned and dwindling cash reserves. And, for what? In order to eminent domain more of the Islamic Middle East's oil fields?
I'm fed up with being a "Hebrew slave" just so Israel can allow itself to be coddled and coerced by the C.I.A. into one skirmish after another with every country in their vicinity. Their nuclear warheads should be pulled, along with capping the missile silos. What good is it for them to have WMD at their fingertips, anyway? Whose interests are they suppose to be protecting? Not mine. They should be able to confront each other on an equal and conventional style battle field. All I see is a weak little outpost, set up by the C.I.A. from which to conduct more of their dirty tricks and black-ops campaigns on the rest of the Middle East's countries, for the specific purpose of exploiting their oil and "poppy" reserves.
Bottom line is, there should be NO NUCLEAR or WMD's allowed in the Middle East. But, if one country is allowed to be armed with them, then the rest of them should be allowed to, as well. How can you blame Iran, or Syria, when the U.S. has already and intentionally stacked the deck against them?
We need to get the hell out of there and let the chips fall where they may. And, cut that damned umbilical cord of a hemorrhaging cash flow.
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Home > U.S. Aid to Israel
U.S. Financial Aid To Israel: Figures, Facts, and Impact
Benefits to Israel of U.S. Aid
Since 1949 (As of November 1, 1997)
Foreign Aid Grants and Loans
Other U.S. Aid (12.2% of Foreign Aid)
Interest to Israel from Advanced Payments
Total Benefits per Israeli
Cost to U.S. Taxpayers of U.S.
Aid to Israel
Interest Costs Borne by U.S.
Total Cost to U.S. Taxpayers
Total Taxpayer Cost per Israeli
Special Reports:
* Congress Watch: A Conservative Total for U.S. Aid to Israel: $91 Billion—and Counting
* Congressional Research Report on Israel: US Foreign Assistance by Clyde Mark (213K pdf file)
* U.S. Aid To Israel: The Strategic Functions
* U.S. Aid to Israel: What U.S. Taxpayer Should Know
* U.S. Aid to Israel: Interpreting the 'Strategic Relationship'
* The Cost of Israel to U.S. Taxpayers: True Lies About U.S. Aid to Israel
THE STRATEGIC FUNCTIONS OF U.S. AID TO ISRAEL
By Stephen Zunes
Dr. Zunes is an assistant professor in the Department of Politics at the University of San Francisco
Since 1992, the U.S. has offered Israel an additional $2 billion annually in loan guarantees. Congressional researchers have disclosed that between 1974 and 1989, $16.4 billion in U.S. military loans were converted to grants and that this was the understanding from the beginning. Indeed, all past U.S. loans to Israel have eventually been forgiven by Congress, which has undoubtedly helped Israel's often-touted claim that they have never defaulted on a U.S. government loan. U.S. policy since 1984 has been that economic assistance to Israel must equal or exceed Israel's annual debt repayment to the United States. Unlike other countries, which receive aid in quarterly installments, aid to Israel since 1982 has been given in a lump sum at the beginning of the fiscal year, leaving the U.S. government to borrow from future revenues. Israel even lends some of this money back through U.S. treasury bills and collects the additional interest.
In addition, there is the more than $1.5 billion in private U.S. funds that go to Israel annually in the form of $1 billion in private tax-deductible donations and $500 million in Israeli bonds. The ability of Americans to make what amounts to tax-deductible contributions to a foreign government, made possible through a number of Jewish charities, does not exist with any other country. Nor do these figures include short- and long-term commercial loans from U.S. banks, which have been as high as $1 billion annually in recent years.
Total U.S. aid to Israel is approximately one-third of the American foreign-aid budget, even though Israel comprises just .001 percent of the world's population and already has one of the world's higher per capita incomes. Indeed, Israel's GNP is higher than the combined GNP of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza. With a per capita income of about $14,000, Israel ranks as the sixteenth wealthiest country in the world; Israelis enjoy a higher per capita income than oil-rich Saudi Arabia and are only slightly less well-off than most Western European countries.
AID does not term economic aid to Israel as development assistance, but instead uses the term "economic support funding." Given Israel's relative prosperity, U.S. aid to Israel is becoming increasingly controversial. In 1994, Yossi Beilen, deputy foreign minister of Israel and a Knesset member, told the Women's International Zionist organization, "If our economic situation is better than in many of your countries, how can we go on asking for your charity?"
U.S. Aid to Israel: What U.S. Taxpayer Should Know
by Tom Malthaner
This morning as I was walking down Shuhada Street in Hebron, I saw graffiti marking the newly painted storefronts and awnings. Although three months past schedule and 100 percent over budget, the renovation of Shuhada Street was finally completed this week. The project manager said the reason for the delay and cost overruns was the sabotage of the project by the Israeli settlers of the Beit Hadassah settlement complex in Hebron. They broke the street lights, stoned project workers, shot out the windows of bulldozers and other heavy equipment with pellet guns, broke paving stones before they were laid and now have defaced again the homes and shops of Palestinians with graffiti. The settlers did not want Shuhada St. opened to Palestinian traffic as was agreed to under Oslo 2. This renovation project is paid for by USAID funds and it makes me angry that my tax dollars have paid for improvements that have been destroyed by the settlers.
Most Americans are not aware how much of their tax revenue our government sends to Israel. For the fiscal year ending in September 30, 1997, the U.S. has given Israel $6.72 billion: $6.194 billion falls under Israel's foreign aid allotment and $526 million comes from agencies such as the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Information Agency and the Pentagon. The $6.72 billion figure does not include loan guarantees and annual compound interest totalling $3.122 billion the U.S. pays on money borrowed to give to Israel. It does not include the cost to U.S. taxpayers of IRS tax exemptions that donors can claim when they donate money to Israeli charities. (Donors claim approximately $1 billion in Federal tax deductions annually. This ultimately costs other U.S. tax payers $280 million to $390 million.)
When grant, loans, interest and tax deductions are added together for the fiscal year ending in September 30, 1997, our special relationship with Israel cost U.S. taxpayers over $10 billion.
Since 1949 the U.S. has given Israel a total of $83.205 billion. The interest costs borne by U.S. tax payers on behalf of Israel are $49.937 billion, thus making the total amount of aid given to Israel since 1949 $133.132 billion. This may mean that U.S. government has given more federal aid to the average Israeli citizen in a given year than it has given to the average American citizen.
I am angry when I see Israeli settlers from Hebron destroy improvements made to Shuhada Street with my tax money. Also, it angers me that my government is giving over $10 billion to a country that is more prosperous than most of the other countries in the world and uses much of its money for strengthening its military and the oppression of the Palestinian people.
U.S. Aid to Israel: Interpreting the 'Strategic Relationship
"The U.S. aid relationship with Israel is unlike any other in the world," said Stephen Zunes during a January 26 CPAP presentation. "In sheer volume, the amount is the most generous foreign aid program ever between any two countries," added Zunes, associate professor of Politics and chair of the Peace and Justice Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.
He explored the strategic reasoning behind the aid, asserting that it parallels the "needs of American arms exporters" and the role "Israel could play in advancing U.S. strategic interests in the region."
Although Israel is an "advanced, industrialized, technologically sophisticated country," it "receives more U.S. aid per capita annually than the total annual [Gross Domestic Product] per capita of several Arab states." Approximately a third of the entire U.S. foreign aid budget goes to Israel, "even though Israel comprises just…one-thousandth of the world's total population, and already has one of the world's higher per capita incomes."
U.S. government officials argue that this money is necessary for "moral" reasons-some even say that Israel is a "democracy battling for its very survival." If that were the real reason, however, aid should have been highest during Israel's early years, and would have declined as Israel grew stronger. Yet "the pattern…has been just the opposite." According to Zunes, "99 percent of all U.S. aid to Israel took place after the June 1967 war, when Israel found itself more powerful than any combination of Arab armies…."
The U.S. supports Israel's dominance so it can serve as "a surrogate for American interests in this vital strategic region." "Israel has helped defeat radical nationalist movements" and has been a "testing ground for U.S. made weaponry." Moreover, the intelligence agencies of both countries have "collaborated," and "Israel has funneled U.S. arms to third countries that the U.S. [could] not send arms to directly,…Iike South Africa, like the Contras, Guatemala under the military junta, [and] Iran." Zunes cited an Israeli analyst who said: "'It's like Israel has just become another federal agency when it's convenient to use and you want something done quietly."' Although the strategic relationship between the United States and the Gulf Arab states in the region has been strengthening in recent years, these states "do not have the political stability, the technological sophistication, [or] the number of higher-trained armed forces personnel" as does Israel.
Matti Peled, former Israeli major general and Knesset member, told Zunes that he and most Israeli generals believe this aid is "little more than an American subsidy to U.S. arms manufacturers," considering that the majority of military aid to Israel is used to buy weapons from the U.S. Moreover, arms to Israel create more demand for weaponry in Arab states. According to Zunes, "the Israelis announced back in 1991 that they supported the idea of a freeze in Middle East arms transfers, yet it was the United States that rejected it."
In the fall of 1993-when many had high hopes for peace-78 senators wrote to former President Bill Clinton insisting that aid to Israel remain "at current levels." Their "only reason" was the "massive procurement of sophisticated arms by Arab states." The letter neglected to mention that 80 percent of those arms to Arab countries came from the U.S. "I'm not denying for a moment the power of AIPAC [the American Israel Public Affairs Committee], the pro-Israel lobby," and other similar groups, Zunes said. Yet the "Aerospace Industry Association which promotes these massive arms shipments…is even more influential." This association has given two times more money to campaigns than all of the pro-Israel groups combined. Its "force on Capitol Hill, in terms of lobbying, surpasses that of even AIPAC." Zunes asserted that the "general thrust of U.S. policy would be pretty much the same even if AIPAC didn't exist. We didn't need a pro-Indonesia lobby to support Indonesia in its savage repression of East Timor all these years." This is a complex issue, and Zunes said that he did not want to be "conspiratorial," but he asked the audience to imagine what "Palestinian industriousness, Israeli technology, and Arabian oil money…would do to transform the Middle East…. [W]hat would that mean to American arms manufacturers? Oil companies? Pentagon planners?"
"An increasing number of Israelis are pointing out" that these funds are not in Israel's best interest. Quoting Peled, Zunes said, "this aid pushes Israel 'toward a posture of callous intransigence' in terms of the peace process." Moreover, for every dollar the U.S. sends in arms aid, Israel must spend two to three dollars to train people to use the weaponry, to buy parts, and in other ways make use of the aid. Even "main-stream Israeli economists are saying [it] is very harmful to the country's future."
The Israeli paper Yediot Aharonot described Israel as "'the godfather's messenger' since [Israel] undertake[s] the 'dirty work' of a godfather who 'always tries to appear to be the owner of some large, respectable business."' Israeli satirist B. Michael refers to U.S. aid this way: "'My master gives me food to eat and I bite those whom he tells me to bite. It's called strategic cooperation." 'To challenge this strategic relationship, one cannot focus solely on the Israeli lobby but must also examine these "broader forces as well." "Until we tackle this issue head-on," it will be "very difficult to win" in other areas relating to Palestine.
"The results" of the short-term thinking behind U.S. policy "are tragic," not just for the "immediate victims" but "eventually [for] Israel itself" and "American interests in the region." The U.S. is sending enormous amounts of aid to the Middle East, and yet "we are less secure than ever"-both in terms of U.S. interests abroad and for individual Americans. Zunes referred to a "growing and increasing hostility [of] the average Arab toward the United States." In the long term, said Zunes, "peace and stability and cooperation with the vast Arab world is far more important for U.S. interests than this alliance with Israel."
This is not only an issue for those who are working for Palestinian rights, but it also "jeopardizes the entire agenda of those of us concerned about human rights, concerned about arms control, concerned about international law." Zunes sees significant potential in "building a broad-based movement around it."
The above text is based on remarks, delivered on. 26 January, 2001 by Stephen Zunes - Associate Professor of Politics and Chair of the Peace and Justice Studies Program at San Francisco University.
The Cost of Israel to U.S. Taxpayers: True Lies About U.S. Aid to Israel
By Richard H. Curtiss
For many years the American media said that "Israel receives $1.8 billion in military aid" or that "Israel receives $1.2 billion in economic aid." Both statements were true, but since they were never combined to give us the complete total of annual U.S. aid to Israel, they also were lies—true lies.
Recently Americans have begun to read and hear that "Israel receives $3 billion in annual U.S. foreign aid." That's true. But it's still a lie. The problem is that in fiscal 1997 alone, Israel received from a variety of other U.S. federal budgets at least $525.8 million above and beyond its $3 billion from the foreign aid budget, and yet another $2 billion in federal loan guarantees. So the complete total of U.S. grants and loan guarantees to Israel for fiscal 1997 was $5,525,800,000.
One can truthfully blame the mainstream media for never digging out these figures for themselves, because none ever have. They were compiled by the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. But the mainstream media certainly are not alone. Although Congress authorizes America's foreign aid total, the fact that more than a third of it goes to a country smaller in both area and population than Hong Kong probably never has been mentioned on the floor of the Senate or House. Yet it's been going on for more than a generation.
Probably the only members of Congress who even suspect the full total of U.S. funds received by Israel each year are the privileged few committee members who actually mark it up. And almost all members of the concerned committees are Jewish, have taken huge campaign donations orchestrated by Israel's Washington, DC lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), or both. These congressional committee members are paid to act, not talk. So they do and they don't.
The same applies to the president, the secretary of state, and the foreign aid administrator. They all submit a budget that includes aid for Israel, which Congress approves, or increases, but never cuts. But no one in the executive branch mentions that of the few remaining U.S. aid recipients worldwide, all of the others are developing nations which either make their military bases available to the U.S., are key members of international alliances in which the U.S. participates, or have suffered some crippling blow of nature to their abilities to feed their people such as earthquakes, floods or droughts.
Israel, whose troubles arise solely from its unwillingness to give back land it seized in the 1967 war in return for peace with its neighbors, does not fit those criteria. In fact, Israel's 1995 per capita gross domestic product was $15,800. That put it below Britain at $19,500 and Italy at $18,700 and just above Ireland at $15,400 and Spain at $14,300.
All four of those European countries have contributed a very large share of immigrants to the U.S., yet none has organized an ethnic group to lobby for U.S. foreign aid. Instead, all four send funds and volunteers to do economic development and emergency relief work in other less fortunate parts of the world.
The lobby that Israel and its supporters have built in the United States to make all this aid happen, and to ban discussion of it from the national dialogue, goes far beyond AIPAC, with its $15 million budget, its 150 employees, and its five or six registered lobbyists who manage to visit every member of Congress individually once or twice a year.
AIPAC, in turn, can draw upon the resources of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a roof group set up solely to coordinate the efforts of some 52 national Jewish organizations on behalf of Israel.
Among them are Hadassah, the Zionist women's organization, which organizes a steady stream of American Jewish visitors to Israel; the American Jewish Congress, which mobilizes support for Israel among members of the traditionally left-of-center Jewish mainstream; and the American Jewish Committee, which plays the same role within the growing middle-of-the-road and right-of-center Jewish community. The American Jewish Committee also publishes Commentary,one of the Israel lobby's principal national publications.
Perhaps the most controversial of these groups is B'nai B'rith's Anti-Defamation League. Its original highly commendable purpose was to protect the civil rights of American Jews. Over the past generation, however, the ADL has regressed into a conspiratorial and, with a $45 million budget, extremely well-funded hate group.
In the 1980s, during the tenure of chairman Seymour Reich, who went on to become chairman of the Conference of Presidents, ADL was found to have circulated two annual fund-raising letters warning Jewish parents against allegedly negative influences on their children arising from the increasing Arab presence on American university campuses.
More recently, FBI raids on ADL's Los Angeles and San Francisco offices revealed that an ADL operative had purchased files stolen from the San Francisco police department that a court had ordered destroyed because they violated the civil rights of the individuals on whom they had been compiled. ADL, it was shown, had added the illegally prepared and illegally obtained material to its own secret files, compiled by planting informants among Arab-American, African-American, anti-Apartheid and peace and justice groups.
The ADL infiltrators took notes of the names and remarks of speakers and members of audiences at programs organized by such groups. ADL agents even recorded the license plates of persons attending such programs and then suborned corrupt motor vehicles department employees or renegade police officers to identify the owners.
Although one of the principal offenders fled the United States to escape prosecution, no significant penalties were assessed. ADL's Northern California office was ordered to comply with requests by persons upon whom dossiers had been prepared to see their own files, but no one went to jail and as yet no one has paid fines.
Not surprisingly, a defecting employee revealed in an article he published in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs that AIPAC, too, has such "enemies" files. They are compiled for use by pro-Israel journalists like Steven Emerson and other so-called "terrorism experts," and also by professional, academic or journalistic rivals of the persons described for use in black-listing, defaming, or denouncing them. What is never revealed is that AIPAC's "opposition research" department, under the supervision of Michael Lewis, son of famed Princeton University Orientalist Bernard Lewis, is the source of this defamatory material.
But this is not AIPAC's most controversial activity. In the 1970s, when Congress put a cap on the amount its members could earn from speakers' fees and book royalties over and above their salaries, it halted AIPAC's most effective ways of paying off members for voting according to AIPAC recommendations. Members of AIPAC's national board of directors solved the problem by returning to their home states and creating political action committees (PACs).
Most special interests have PACs, as do many major corporations, labor unions, trade associations and public-interest groups. But the pro-Israel groups went wild. To date some 126 pro-Israel PACs have been registered, and no fewer than 50 have been active in every national election over the past generation.
An individual voter can give up to $2,000 to a candidate in an election cycle, and a PAC can give a candidate up to $10,000. However, a single special interest with 50 PACs can give a candidate who is facing a tough opponent, and who has voted according to its recommendations, up to half a million dollars. That's enough to buy all the television time needed to get elected in most parts of the country.
Even candidates who don't need this kind of money certainly don't want it to become available to a rival from their own party in a primary election, or to an opponent from the opposing party in a general election. As a result, all but a handful of the 535 members of the Senate and House vote as AIPAC instructs when it comes to aid to Israel, or other aspects of U.S. Middle East policy.
There is something else very special about AIPAC's network of political action committees. Nearly all have deceptive names. Who could possibly know that the Delaware Valley Good Government Association in Philadelphia, San Franciscans for Good Government in California, Cactus PAC in Arizona, Beaver PAC in Wisconsin, and even Icepac in New York are really pro-Israel PACs under deep cover?
Hiding AIPAC's Tracks
In fact, the congress members know it when they list the contributions they receive on the campaign statements they have to prepare for the Federal Election Commission. But their constituents don't know this when they read these statements. So just as no other special interest can put so much "hard money" into any candidate's election campaign as can the Israel lobby, no other special interest has gone to such elaborate lengths to hide its tracks.
Although AIPAC, Washington's most feared special-interest lobby, can hide how it uses both carrots and sticks to bribe or intimidate members of Congress, it can't hide all of the results.
Anyone can ask one of their representatives in Congress for a chart prepared by the Congressional Research Service, a branch of the Library of Congress, that shows Israel received $62.5 billion in foreign aid from fiscal year 1949 through fiscal year 1996. People in the national capital area also can visit the library of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Rosslyn, Virginia, and obtain the same information, plus charts showing how much foreign aid the U.S. has given other countries as well.
Visitors will learn that in precisely the same 1949-1996 time frame, the total of U.S. foreign aid to all of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean combined was $62,497,800,000--almost exactly the amount given to tiny Israel.
According to the Population Reference Bureau of Washington, DC, in mid-1995 the sub-Saharan countries had a combined population of 568 million. The $24,415,700,000 in foreign aid they had received by then amounted to $42.99 per sub-Saharan African.
Similarly, with a combined population of 486 million, all of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean together had received $38,254,400,000. This amounted to $79 per person.
The per capita U.S. foreign aid to Israel's 5.8 million people during the same period was $10,775.48. This meant that for every dollar the U.S. spent on an African, it spent $250.65 on an Israeli, and for every dollar it spent on someone from the Western Hemisphere outside the United States, it spent $214 on an Israeli.
Shocking Comparisons
These comparisons already seem shocking, but they are far from the whole truth. Using reports compiled by Clyde Mark of the Congressional Research Service and other sources, freelance writer Frank Collins tallied for theWashington Report all of the extra items for Israel buried in the budgets of the Pentagon and other federal agencies in fiscal year 1993.Washington Report news editor Shawn Twing did the same thing for fiscal years 1996 and 1997.
They uncovered $1.271 billion in extras in FY 1993, $355.3 million in FY 1996 and $525.8 million in FY 1997. These represent an average increase of 12.2 percent over the officially recorded foreign aid totals for the same fiscal years, and they probably are not complete. It's reasonable to assume, therefore, that a similar 12.2 percent hidden increase has prevailed over all of the years Israel has received aid.
As of Oct. 31, 1997 Israel will have received $3.05 billion in U.S. foreign aid for fiscal year 1997 and $3.08 billion in foreign aid for fiscal year 1998. Adding the 1997 and 1998 totals to those of previous years since 1949 yields a total of $74,157,600,000 in foreign aid grants and loans. Assuming that the actual totals from other budgets average 12.2 percent of that amount, that brings the grand total to $83,204,827,200.
But that's not quite all. Receiving its annual foreign aid appropriation during the first month of the fiscal year, instead of in quarterly installments as do other recipients, is just another special privilege Congress has voted for Israel. It enables Israel to invest the money in U.S. Treasury notes. That means that the U.S., which has to borrow the money it gives to Israel, pays interest on the money it has granted to Israel in advance, while at the same time Israel is collecting interest on the money. That interest to Israel from advance payments adds another $1.650 billion to the total, making it $84,854,827,200.That's the number you should write down for total aid to Israel. And that's $14,346 each for each man, woman and child in Israel.
It's worth noting that that figure does not include U.S. government loan guarantees to Israel, of which Israel has drawn $9.8 billion to date. They greatly reduce the interest rate the Israeli government pays on commercial loans, and they place additional burdens on U.S. taxpayers, especially if the Israeli government should default on any of them. But since neither the savings to Israel nor the costs to U.S. taxpayers can be accurately quantified, they are excluded from consideration here.
Further, friends of Israel never tire of saying that Israel has never defaulted on repayment of a U.S. government loan. It would be equally accurate to say Israel has never been required to repay a U.S. government loan. The truth of the matter is complex, and designed to be so by those who seek to conceal it from the U.S. taxpayer.
Most U.S. loans to Israel are forgiven, and many were made with the explicit understanding that they would be forgiven before Israel was required to repay them. By disguising as loans what in fact were grants, cooperating members of Congress exempted Israel from the U.S. oversight that would have accompanied grants. On other loans, Israel was expected to pay the interest and eventually to begin repaying the principal. But the so-called Cranston Amendment, which has been attached by Congress to every foreign aid appropriation since 1983, provides that economic aid to Israel will never dip below the amount Israel is required to pay on its outstanding loans. In short, whether U.S. aid is extended as grants or loans to Israel, it never returns to the Treasury.
Israel enjoys other privileges. While most countries receiving U.S. military aid funds are expected to use them for U.S. arms, ammunition and training, Israel can spend part of these funds on weapons made by Israeli manufacturers. Also, when it spends its U.S. military aid money on U.S. products, Israel frequently requires the U.S. vendor to buy components or materials from Israeli manufacturers. Thus, though Israeli politicians say that their own manufacturers and exporters are making them progressively less dependent upon U.S. aid, in fact those Israeli manufacturers and exporters are heavily subsidized by U.S. aid.
Although it's beyond the parameters of this study, it's worth mentioning that Israel also receives foreign aid from some other countries. After the United States, the principal donor of both economic and military aid to Israel is Germany.
By far the largest component of German aid has been in the form of restitution payments to victims of Nazi attrocities. But there also has been extensive German military assistance to Israel during and since the Gulf war, and a variety of German educational and research grants go to Israeli institutions. The total of German assistance in all of these categories to the Israeli government, Israeli individuals and Israeli private institutions has been some $31 billion or $5,345 per capita, bringing the per capita total of U.S. and German assistance combined to almost $20,000 per Israeli. Since very little public money is spent on the more than 20 percent of Israeli citizens who are Muslim or Christian, the actual per capita benefits received by Israel's Jewish citizens would be considerably higher.
True Cost to U.S. Taxpayers
Generous as it is, what Israelis actually got in U.S. aid is considerably less than what it has cost U.S. taxpayers to provide it. The principal difference is that so long as the U.S. runs an annual budget deficit, every dollar of aid the U.S. gives Israel has to be raised through U.S. government borrowing.
In an article in the Washington Report for December 1991/January 1992, Frank Collins estimated the costs of this interest, based upon prevailing interest rates for every year since 1949. I have updated this by applying a very conservative 5 percent interest rate for subsequent years, and confined the amount upon which the interest is calculated to grants, not loans or loan guarantees.
On this basis the $84.8 billion in grants, loans and commodities Israel has received from the U.S. since 1949 cost the U.S. an additional $49,936,880,000 in interest.
There are many other costs of Israel to U.S. taxpayers, such as most or all of the $45.6 billion in U.S. foreign aid to Egypt since Egypt made peace with Israel in 1979 (compared to $4.2 billion in U.S. aid to Egypt for the preceding 26 years). U.S. foreign aid to Egypt, which is pegged at two-thirds of U.S. foreign aid to Israel, averages $2.2 billion per year.
There also have been immense political and military costs to the U.S. for its consistent support of Israel during Israel's half-century of disputes with the Palestinians and all of its Arab neighbors. In addition, there have been the approximately $10 billion in U.S. loan guarantees and perhaps $20 billion in tax-exempt contributions made to Israel by American Jews in the nearly half-century since Israel was created.
Even excluding all of these extra costs, America's $84.8 billion in aid to Israel from fiscal years 1949 through 1998, and the interest the U.S. paid to borrow this money, has cost U.S. taxpayers $134.8 billion, not adjusted for inflation. Or, put another way, the nearly $14,630 every one of 5.8 million Israelis received from the U.S. government by Oct. 31, 1997 has cost American taxpayers $23,240 per Israeli.
It would be interesting to know how many of those American taxpayers believe they and their families have received as much from the U.S. Treasury as has everyone who has chosen to become a citizen of Israel. But it's a question that will never occur to the American public because, so long as America's mainstream media, Congress and president maintain their pact of silence, few Americans will ever know the true cost of Israel to U.S. taxpayers.
Richard Curtiss, a retired U.S. foreign service officer, is the executive editor of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.
05-01-2009, 01:38 AM (This post was last modified: 05-01-2009, 01:42 AM by David Healy.)
"We need to get the hell out of there and let the chips fall where they may. And, cut that damned umbilical cord of a hemorrhaging cash flow."
Sorry Terry, that'll never happen... we nor anyone else in the christian world can afford that move. Better use of a "chips fall where they may" effort would be finding more of those $50billion + Wall Street ponsey scam artists. You know what they say, where there's one, others do lurk...
What is the current *official* US total debt load? 10-15 trillion (probably much more)? Israel is a yearly drop in the bucket.....
Myra Bronstein Wrote: Well I'm not Magda, but I'm the one who posted the link so I'll address it.
Sorry Myra....
Mark Stapleton
Indeed, Terry.
And the saddest thing is that so many Americans won't accept the truth.
Israel has bled America dry. Even the Jewish millionaire investors in Bernie Madoff's company will be subsidised by the US taxpayer.
And look at what it has created.
Mark Stapleton Wrote: Indeed, Terry.
truth according to who, Mark?
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Israel has attacked Gaza Flotilla (dead and wounded) Ed Jewett 245 52,772 15-05-2013, 08:44 AM
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US may end loan guarantees to Israel Magda Hassan 0 2,190 30-07-2011, 11:28 AM
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Israeli invasion into southeastern Gaza kills 4, injures 8, destroys a home and ravages farmland Magda Hassan 1 2,583 28-03-2010, 03:01 AM

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Library details: Blue Hill Public Library is a Public library.
This library is affiliated with Blue Hill Public Library (view map) . The collection of the library contains 7,807 volumes. The library circulates 4,822 items per year. The library serves a population of 936 residents .
Administration: The director of the library is Tammy Lowery .


text:
Trending: Ecommerce WordPress Small Business Grants Legal Structure
These Events Offer a Spring Thaw After a Late Winter Slump
Published: Mar 18, 2017 Last Updated: Sep 15, 2021 by Small Business Editor In Small Business Events 0
The cold winter months can lead to a lot of small business owners feeling particularly uninspired about their day-to-day operations.
But attending educational events can help entrepreneurs get out of those slumps and start feeling inspired again. There are plenty of great opportunities coming up with the spring thaw, including exciting options like EntreLeadership 1-Day and ICON17.
Happening in Los Angeles in early April, EntreLeadership 1-Day lets you learn the six essentials of business leadership. Taking place this April in Phoenix, ICON17 features educational breakout sessions, inspiring keynote speakers, networking opportunities and more. And it all takes place over three days.
You can learn more about the EntreLeadership 1-Day, ICON17 and other events in the Featured Events section. And then check out even more upcoming opportunities in the list below.
To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the Small Business Events Calendar.
Webinar: Learn to Spot the Next Pokémon Go and use it to Drive Customers to your Business
Spot and take advantage of important mobile app trends.In this webinar, Anita Campbell, founder of award-winning online publication Small Business Trends, focuses on the wildly successful Pokémon Go mobile app phenomenon. You will learn Pokemon Go is and how it works, how Pokemon Go got started and caught fire, how to use it today to increase trafficand business, how to spot and benefit from the next big mobile app or social media trends. Presented by Anita Campbell.
South Florida Regional Franchise Seminar
March 29, 2017, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The Franchise Consulting Company is proud to present our regional seminar to explore the world of franchising in South Florida on Wednesday March 29, 2017 5:30-9:00. We are excited to be joined by several of our leading US franchise partners.
EntreLeadership 1-Day
April 11, 2017, Los Angeles, Calif.
Grow yourself, your team & your profits! At EntreLeadership 1-Day, you will learn the six essentials of business: leadership, people, money, time, team, and higher calling. Dave Ramsey will be joined by business experts Chris Hogan & Christy Wright.
SMALLBIZ10 ($10 off)
ICON17
April 25, 2017, Phoenix, Ariz.
ICON17 is a 3-day conference for small business owners. It's packed with inspiring keynote speakers, educational breakout sessions on modern business strategies, sales & marketing best practices, Infusionsoft product training, networking.
TECHSPO Toronto 2017
May 18, 2017, Toronto, Ontario
TECHSPO Toronto 2017 is a 2-day technology expo which takes place at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. TECHSPO Toronto brings together developers, brands, marketers, technology providers, designers, innovators and evangelists looking to set the pace in our advanced world of technology. TECHSPO Toronto 2017 promises to be better than ever and we're excited to see all the amazing tech companies and talent that will be joining.
Secret Knock
May 22, 2017, Los Angeles, Calif.
Secret Knock is going to be the single greatest event for the top entrepreneurs and action-takers in the world to connect, share ideas, and help take each other to the next level. Each of the attendees have believed in themselves enough to get to where they are, and they are not stopping now. Secure your application for one of the few spots left at the Secret Knock.
Sales World 2017
November 08, 2017, Online
Sales World 2017 takes place November 8th to 9th, 2017, Online; Live and On Demand. It is the largest Sales Industry Event in the World and will be attended by over 10,000 Sales Professionals. It's the one sales event you can't afford to miss!
DIGIMARCON WORLD 2017 – Digital Marketing Conference
See Also: Secrets Your Mentors Never Told You About Why Your Small Business Should Sponsor Events
DIGIMARCON WORLD 2017 Digital Marketing Conference takes place November 14th to 16th, 2017. Whether your goal is to reinforce customer loyalty, improve lead generation, increase sales, or drive stronger consumer engagement, DIGIMARCON WORLD 2017's agenda will help attendees enhance their marketing efforts. Sessions will focus on building traffic, expanding brand awareness, improving customer service and gaining insight into today's latest digital tools.
Growth & Success Con 2017
March 21, 2017, Lawrenceville, N.J.
New York: Build a Career You Love
March 21, 2017, New York, N.Y.
How To Start Online Marketing Business – Free Internet Marketing Workshop
March 21, 2017, Union City, Calif.
Business Networking for Professional Success
March 21, 2017, Online
CFO Rising East Summit
March 22, 2017, Boston, Mass.
CMO Digital Summit, Atlanta
March 22, 2017, Atlanta, Ga.
B2B Tech Solutions
ComTech Forum: The Latest in VR and AR
March 23, 2017, Sunnyvale, Calif.
What's Next in Data Analytics and eCommerce
March 23, 2017, Woodbridge, N.J.
Women Designing the Future
March 24, 2017, Newark, N.J.
Global Integration Bootcamp India
March 25, 2017, Bengaluru, India
Annual Entrepreneurial Women's Conference
March 25, 2017, Decatur, Ga.
National Summit on Small Business Digital Marketing
March 27, 2017, San Diego, Calif.
LEAP Tech Talent 2017
March 28, 2017, San Francisco, Calif.
Fireside Chat with Jordan Ritter, Founder | CEO (Atlas Informatics)
March 28, 2017, Seattle, Wash.
Lead Without A Title
March 28, 2017, Jersey City, N.J.
Telemedicine and being Compliant
Balancing Customer Satisfaction With Security Issues
The Franchise Consulting Company is proud to present our South Florida Regional Franchise Seminar
Branded Content for High-Impact Online Storytelling
Go Code Colorado Challenge Weekend
April 09, 2017, Denver, Colo.
Small Business Expo 2017 – Houston
October 19, 2017, Online
This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends.
Winter photo via Shutterstock Comment ▼
Don't Miss on the Future of Technology with REUTERS MOMENTUM


Alzheimer Scotland are now recruiting for their 'Knowing Me Knowing You' befriending project for people living with dementia.
Viewpark Family Centre are recruiting a Centre Manager, covering maternity leave for a minimum of 8 months starting in May 2019.
Newmains Activity Cafe - Open to Everyone!
Barnardo's have new warehouse and shop in Carfin, Motherwell and would love some new volunteers to help out. They are particularly short of assistance on Saturday's and Sunday's.


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Дахбе́д () — посёлок городского типа в Акдарьинском районе Самаркандской области Узбекистана. По состоянию на середину 2016 года, в Дахбеде проживало более 10 тысяч человек.Основную часть населения составляют узбеки и таджики. Расположен в 8 километрах к северу от Самарканда и является частью Самаркандской агломерации.

Название населённого пункта происходит от таджикских словосочетаний (дах — десять, бед — ива) и буквально означает Десять ив.

Расположен в междуречье рукавов Зарафшана — Карадарьи и Акдарьи — в 8 километрах к северу от Самарканда. Зеравшан, проходя от Самарканда по равнине на запад, образует пойму, в составе которой отмечается несколько островов; самый крупный из них — Миянкуль длиной до 98 и шириной до 15 километров. В 9 километрах к востоку от Дахбеда расположена железнодорожная станция Зарафшан (на линии Самарканд — Джизак).

В 1958 и 1980—1981 годах были проведены археологические исследования в Дахбеде.

Статус посёлка городского типа несет с 1978 года.

В Дахбеде имеется пункт приёма хлопка, текстильная фабрика и другие промышленные и хозяйственные объекты. Также в Дахбеде расположены: три общеобразовательной школы, Самаркандский механико-экономический колледж, школа ремёсел, две библиотеки и культурный центр. Также в Дахбеде находится мавзолей Махдуми Аъзама (XVI век), который был капитально реконструирован в 1996—1998 годах.

История образования поселения

По инициативе одного из крупных военных деятелей Шейбанидов Джанибек-султана Махдуми Аъзам (полное имя Саид Джалал ад-дин Ахмад ал-Касани ад-Дахбеди) переселяется в долину Миёнкаль (Междуречье)— в 12 км от Самарканда в Дагбите (Акдарьинский район). И здесь остается до конца своей жизни, до 1542 года.

Исламский богослов и мистик из Средней Азии, представитель суфизма, основатель школы «Дахбедия», крупный теоретик и шейх учения Накшбанди Махдуми Аъзам (полное имя Саид Джалал ад-дин Ахмад ал-Касани ад-Дахбеди). В произведении «Кандийа»: «Передают, что среди богоизбранных святых особо дороги и известны трое. Первый — султан Бурхан ад-дин ибн Шейх 'Ала' ад-дин Сагарджи. Второй — Саййид Бурхан ад-дин Килич, который был из числа потомков Имама 'Абдаллаха и от него берет начало род ходжей Дахбеда. Третий — автор "Хидайи" Имам Бурхан ад-дин (Маргинани) Сиддики, могила которого на кладбище Чакардиза и, по мнению которого, Хулагу был мусульманином»..

В XIX веке Дахбед был широко известен как место большого базара, собиравшегося дважды в неделю и по обороту превосходившего самаркандский рынок.

Из монументальных сооружений в Дахбеде было известно медресе, состоявшее из 34 худжр с мечетью и аудиторией. Построенное при первых представителях узбекской династии Мангытов, оно существовало ещё в конце XIX века. Разрушено и уничтожено большевикаами.

Ссылки

Литература
 Каттаев К. Махдуми Аъзам ва Дахбед. Самарканд: Сугдиён, 1994

Посёлки городского типа Акдарьинского района

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
est le premier single de Jojo Siwa, danseuse, chanteuse et actrice américaine. Il est sorti en single le . C'est une chanson optimiste qui traite du cyberharcèlement et le message de la chanson est de triompher des harceleurs en ligne.

Clip vidéo
Le vidéoclip réalisé par Monseé Wood est sorti le , présente Jessalyn Siwa (la mère de Jojo Siwa) et l'ancien casting de Dance Moms. À la mi-mars 2017, il avait été visionné sur YouTube plus de 200 millions de fois. Le , le single a été certifié disque d'Or par la RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Le 31 août 2017, la chanson a été certifiée disque de Platine toujours par la RIAA. En Mars 2020, le clip vidéo avait plus de 826 millions de vues sur YouTube.

Notes et références

Chanson interprétée par JoJo Siwa
Single musical sorti en 2016
Chanson de 2016
Single certifié platine aux États-Unis


text:
Mason & Hamlin Gospel Artist: Quennel Gaskin
"I believe music...is broader—it goes beyond. It actually deals with things concerning life. It's almost like a doorway to get to people's souls." — Quennel GaskinQuennel Gaskin is a Mason & Hamlin Artist originating from New York City. Passionate about creating...
"The Theme from Schindler's List" was the first film score arrangement I started work on, back in 2016, despite it being my third film score video here on YouTube. The arrangement maintains the original intention present in the full orchestral piece. My version sticks...
Jarrod Radnich Is Back
We are very excited to announce that Mason & Hamlin artist, Jarrod Radnich, is back with a new three-movement fantasy suite from the Pirates of the Caribbean hit movie series!Most often compared to the famed virtuoso Franz Liszt, pianist and composer Jarrod...
许多人都听说过一个名叫Henry Mason的品牌,这是最近才出现在中国的一个品牌。 实际上,这些钢琴是完全正品的Mason & Hamlin钢琴,它们以Henry Mason这个名字在中国进行独家销售。 我想花点时间对出现这种情况的原因进行澄清和解释。
WNG Rebuilder Series: Marvin Rus, Eastman School of Music
Renown for its legacy of music and commitment to community development, Eastman School of Music continues to impact both the local and global music community. Based in Rochester, New York, Eastman School of Music has a beautiful history of culture and music. Inspired...
Many people have heard of a brand called Henry Mason that recently emerged in China. These pianos are in fact authentic and true Mason & Hamlin pianos, sold exclusively under the Henry Mason name in China. I'd like to take the time to clarify and explain why this is the case.
North Bennet Street School Tours Mason & Hamlin 2019
Last week, North Bennet Street School came for their annual tour of the Mason & Hamlin Factory. This year we had over thirty students and faculty tour and see our piano manufacturing process and features including the rim pressing, tension resonator, full...
WNG Rebuilder Series: Bruce Stevens
Articles, Rebuilder Series
Bruce Stevens, the owner of Bruce Stevens Piano Tuning & Restoration, has been a registered piano technician for over forty years. He works out of his piano shop in Bellflower, California and services the West Los Angeles area to South Bay, up into Orange County....
WNG Rebuilder Series: David Sposto
David Sposto of Sposto Piano has been a piano technician for thirty nine years, servicing the Los Angeles and Orange County area. He provides custom piano rebuilds, restorations, and installations out of his workshop in Long Beach. In this interview we ask David about...
WNG Testimonials: A Better Way To Rebuild
From its inception in 1874 and reintroduction in 2008, Wessell, Nickel, & Gross has continued to change the piano industry, staying true to its original vision of innovation. Owned by Kirk Burgett, the owner of Mason & Hamlin, WNG has stood apart as the only...
Mason & Hamlin and Piano Rebuilders
As many of you are aware, a letter was recently issued restricting piano technicians and rebuilders' capabilities and livelihood. I have dedicated my life to creating quality instruments, tools, products, resources, providing classes for the piano industry, and I...
NAMM Show 2019: A Wonderful 30 Years
A single player sits down on the Mason & Hamlin BB grand piano. He begins with a simple blues melody, but slowly adds more and more layers. At first, people walk past, attracted to other pianists, but one or two people are struck by the performance and sound of the...


When Genting Hotel wanted to provide its guests with the option of relaxing, being pampered or working up a sweat, they called our expertise to deliver the perfect solution.
The hotel, at Resorts World on the NEC Campus, wanted to create a number of zones for fitness, treatments and relaxation, wet spa and thermal areas. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided amazing natural light and great views of the many zones within the spa, and also perfectly complemented the Malaysian-style decor.
Hotel guests, day visitors and exclusive spa and wellness members will have a feeling of belonging to a luxury facility with high standards of operation and service. And with Resorts World partnering with a Medispa operator to deliver a range of prescriptive treatments, visitors can enjoy a full range of wellness and Medispa treatments.


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Transportation in the Massachusetts Clean Energy Climate Plan
Posted by Anna Vanderspek on Thursday, July 14, 2022 @ 02:03 PM
This blog covers strategies outlined in Massachusetts' final Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. For more background on the CECP for 2025 and 2030, read this blog.
Transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in Massachusetts and the state's ability to meet its 2025 and 2030 GHG requirements will hinge largely on this sector. The final CECP requires reductions in the transportation sector of 18% by 2025 and 34% by 2030. In 2020, with all the reduced travel due to the pandemic, we reached 22% reductions under 1990 levels. But otherwise, transportation emissions have remained stubborn, as the green bar in the graph below demonstrates.
Massachusetts Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, from Mass.gov
Back when the first draft of the CECP was published in late 2020, Green Energy Consumers submitted official comments, which focused heavily on transportation. At that time, we called for more specificity in the outlined strategies, plus a greater emphasis on providing alternatives to single-occupancy passenger vehicles and on the reduction of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) (among many other things that we summarized on our blog). The Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EEA) heard us and other advocates on some of those points, but not necessarily all of them.
Briefly summarized, this final version of the CECP outlines a two-pronged approach to reducing transportation emissions: simultaneously reducing the amount of miles vehicles travel overall and rapidly electrifying vehicles of all types and sizes. Specifically, the CECP calls for 200,000 EVs by 2025 and 900,000 by 2030 (out of the 5.5 million passenger vehicles currently on our roads).
The CECP lists six strategies to realize these goals, and we've included them in this blog along with our thoughts on each.
Strategy 1: Further reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by supporting alternatives to personal vehicles.
The main pathways outlined in this strategy are multifamily zoning, the MBTA bus modernization plan, MassDOT Complete Streets and Shared Streets Programs, coordination with employers, and e-bike incentive programs. Despite the fact that these are all great things that the state should be doing (and that the last CECP did not discuss), all of these were already in the works anyway. They're not additional, and they're still not adequately funded.
Strategy 2: Implement advanced standards for vehicle efficiency.
Vehicle efficiency can only be regulated by the federal government, with one exception: California can issue stricter standards (or "advanced" standards) thanks to a waiver in the Clean Air Act. Other states can use California's standards too. The CECP's strategy depends on MA adopting two such standards: Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks regulations. We fully support this.
We are eagerly awaiting ACCII regulations to come out of California later this year, which are expected to lead to 100% of new car sales being electric by 2035.
Read more about Advanced Clean Trucks here.
Strategy 3: Expand electric vehicle (EV) incentives.
This section sums up our own views on EV incentives pretty well: rebates and other incentives will be needed until EVs reach cost-parity with gas-powered cars. For this decade, EV incentives should strive to accelerate EV adoption generally, and then transition to a more targeted program once we hit cost parity (an example might be offering rebates only to low- and moderate-income drivers).
Strategy 4: Accelerate fleet electrification for equity and public health benefits.
We fully support prioritizing the electrification of fleet vehicles, such as school buses, ride-hailing services, small business fleets, and more, which tend to drive more miles than passenger vehicles and contribute disproportionately to air pollution and public health harm. However, this section in the CECP was scant in detail! As advocates, we will need to call for more details on programs that this section relies on.
Strategy 5: Build out charging infrastructure and encourage smart charging.
We know the lack of charging is a major barrier to accelerating EV adoption. In this section, the state commits to building DC Fast Charging along highways and through competitive grants, in addition to updating building codes and supporting residential smart charging.
Specifically, the state sets the targets of having 15,000 public charging stations by 2025 and 75,000 by 2030. How exactly we're going to build that many is not specified. Right now, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is reviewing proposals from our major electric utilities and will shortly issue its order on those EV dockets. Historically, the DPU hasn't had to consider climate change in its deliberations, but thanks to the 2021 Climate Roadmap bill, that's now part of its purview. We hope they will come out with strong programs to support charging build-out.
Strategy 6: Engage consumers and support markets.
From our perspective here at Green Energy Consumers running the Drive Green program, we know that educating consumers and dealerships as we transition to electric cars is important. We appreciate the CECP's inclusion of strategies for technical support, consumer outreach, workforce development, and pilot programs. This will play a crucial role this decade.
CECP and the clean transport workforce
Finally, one addition we were particularly interested to see in this final CECP is projections around workforce impacts. The installation of EV charging units was one of the largest sources of projected new jobs, responsible for 5,900 of the anticipated 22,000 new jobs by 2030!
You can soon read more about our thoughts on the CECP's strategies for reducing emissions in the buildings sector and the electric sector. We are also holding a webinar on July 19th to cover the CECP in detail. We hope to see you there!
P.S. The CECP comes out just as the conference committee in Massachusetts is working on the final version of a 2022 climate bill. This bill reinforces and complements many of the elements in the CECP. Please take a moment to reach out to your legislator to call for a strong climate bill! We have a page with instructions here.
Tags: Energy policy & advocacy, Electric vehicles/Transportation


Of course… It should be noted that if there was an unplanned pregnancy, Obama's pro-abortion supporters would be more likely to end their pregnancy.
Maybe Obama's election will mean a boon for abortionists, too?
Here's more on Obama's abortion extremism.


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Use of Images & Content
Home Texas Legacy
A Texas Legacy: Selections from the William J. Hill Collection
The Caroline Wiess Law Building, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX | mfah.org
Beaded Purse, ca. 1843
A Texas Legacy: Selections from the William J. Hill Collection tells the story of early Texas decorative arts through a selection of furniture, drawings, paintings, pottery, silver, and other goods made between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.
The exhibition brings together objects from the era of the Republic of Texas, when Texas was a sparsely settled territory (1836 to 1845); to the turn of the 20th century, when the oil boom resulted in the rapid expansion of the state's economy, transportation networks, and population. A Texas Legacy showcases the traditional craft practices employed by early settlers as they produced everything from utilitarian, stoneware pottery to highly accomplished, decorative pieces of furniture.
This presentation offers insight into the practices of early Texas artists and artisans. More than 65 works of art are on view, created for both personal and commercial use. Highlights include a one-of-a-kind, intricately carved desk by Adolph Kempen; a monumental wardrobe by Johann Michael Jahn; and early Texas silver by Samuel Bell.
Browse objects from the exhibition | Browse all objects from the William J. Hill Collection
The related catalogue Texas Silver from the William J. Hill Collection is available through the MFA Shop (713.639.7360) and the Museum's Hirsch Library (713.639.7325).
About Artisans and Artists on View
Bahn, Adolph, 1823-ca. 1901.
Bell & Brothers, 1860-ca. 1895.
Bell, Samuel, 1798-1882.
Frazier, Milligan, 1848-after 1910.
Friedrich, Wenzel, 1827-1902.
H. Wilson & Company, ca. 1869-ca. 1884.
Hogue, Jeremiah S., 1847-1926. Jahn, Johann, 1816-1883.
Jefferson S. Nash Pottery, ca. 1849-1865.
Kempen, Adolph, ca. 1844-1885.
Leopard, John Davis, ca. 1800-1883.
Lungkwitz, Hermann, 1813-1891.
Onderdonk, Robert Jenkins, 1852-1917.
Scholl, Heinrich, 1828-1909.
Archival Materials, Ephemera, & Tools
Artisans and Artists
City Directory Records
Newspaper Articles & Advertisements


text:
Q: FuncAnimation: Plotting lines conditionally, if a threshold-euclidian distance of two points is reached Heyo,
Newbie with FuncAnimation here. :)
I am trying to animate randomly moving points with Matplotlib with a "twist": If two points reach a certain threshold of distance to eachother, a line should be drawn between those two. The line should disappear as soon as they stop being close to another.
I managed to animate the dots and precalculated every distance at every timestep of every point. Lines are conditionally being drawn, if the condition is met, however, the lines seem to be drawn between absolutely random points.
Would appreciate some insight into why that is very much! Code example below:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.animation as animation
import numpy as np
from scipy.spatial import distance
fig, ax= plt.subplots()
n=200 #number of points
t=2000 #timesteps
spread=500
x,y= (np.random.rand(1,n)-0.5)*spread,(np.random.rand(1,n)-0.5)*spread
mat, = ax.plot([], [], 'o')
mx,my = np.random.rand(1,n)-0.5,np.random.rand(1,n)-0.5
xf,yf=x,y
for i in range(t):
    xf=np.append(xf,(np.add(x,i*mx)),axis=0)
    yf=np.append(yf,(np.add(y,i*my)),axis=0)
dis=np.zeros((n,n,t))
xy=np.zeros((200,2))
print(len((dis[:,0,i])))
#print(xy.shape)
for i in range(t-1):
    xy[:, 0] = xf[i]
    xy[:, 1] = yf[i]
    dis[:,:,i]=distance.cdist(xy, xy)
line, = ax.plot([])
from scipy.spatial import distance
def animation_f(i):
    xl=[[],[]]
    yl=[[],[]]
    count=0
    if i==0:
        print(i)
    mat.set_data(xf[i],yf[i])
    for k in range(len((dis[0,:,i]))):
        for l in range(len((dis[:,0,i]))):
            if dis [k,l,i]<5 and dis [k,l,i]!= 0:
                count=count+1
                #print(" ,distance: ",+dis [k,l,i],count,k,l, distance.euclidean([xf[i][l],yf[i][l]] , [xf[i][k],yf[i][k]]))
# the line above is a sanity check, if the euclidian distance is correctly computed
                xl[0].append(xf[i][l])
                xl[1].append(xf[i][k])
                #print(xl)
                yl[0].append(yf[i][l])
                yl[1].append(yf[i][k])
                #yl.append([yf[i][l],yf[i][k]])
    line.set_data(xl,yl) #here the line-data will bet set, so that new lines can being rendered
    return mat,line,
ax.axis([-500,500,-500,500]) #random window size
animation = animation.FuncAnimation(fig, func=animation_f, interval=1)
plt.show()
'''

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
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Road test: 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
Gallery: 2014 Bentley Flying Spur
Road test: 2013 Subaru WRX
by Nick Tragianis	 | February 21, 2013
Nick Tragianis, Driving
2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
Handout, Subaru
Traversing the Himalayas, especially in winter, can be a very daunting task, not unlike Toronto roads during a snowstorm.
So, when nearly 30 centimetres of snow fell on Feb. 8. And our roads were devoid of the morning's taxing levels of gridlock, the Subaru XV Crosstrek's ethos flourished. It was as unstoppable as a Himalayan mountain goat wearing studded hiking boots.
The Crosstrek follows Subaru's formula used for the Outback Sport since 1997. It is essentially an Impreza, inside and out, with the exception of a few styling cues. Much of the bodywork and architecture is mutual between the two, but the Crosstrek wears different bumpers, matte black fender flares and rocker panels down the side.
It also sits 22 centimetres off the ground, taller than many pseudo-CUVs and SUVs out there, including the Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman and Chevrolet Trax. It even has a higher ground clearance than the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The ride height, paired with the bodywork and chunky, black-and-silver 17-inch alloy rims, won't win any beauty contests, but at least it looks better than the Juke.
Subaru has never quite been the industry benchmark for interior design and quality, although in the past six years, it did come close to nailing it with the Tribeca and the previous-generation Legacy. Most other models have been seas of hard black plastic that scratches easily, although stepping into something like a WRX STI, caressing the dashboard isn't the driver's prime directive.
The Crosstrek slots in the grey zone, between Subaru's best and worst. On one hand, the layout is boring, wearing the infamous monotonous black colour scheme. On the other hand, the materials are exponentially better and the layout is logical and functional. Everything does what it's supposed to do and is within reach of the driver, except for the heated seat switches, which are below the armrest.
Like the Impreza, a useful information readout sits atop the dashboard. Although it seems tacked on as an afterthought, it keeps track of necessary information. Menus keeping track of fuel consumption, which wheels have traction and which don't, and, of course, the time, can be accessed through controls mounted on the steering wheel.
The interior's saving grace is that the Crosstrek is well-equipped. The Touring model starts at $24,495, and gets you the standard kit of power equipment in addition to heated seats, fog lights, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, an iPod-compatible audio system and, of course, Subaru's absolutely incredible all-wheel-drive system.
The normally aspirated, 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. It's the only engine option, and can be mated to two transmissions, and hence two absolutely incredible AWD systems.
The five-speed manual splits torque 50/50 between the front and rear axles under all weather conditions. However, the CVT is matched to a more advanced system, splitting torque 60/40 front to rear. When it detects wheelspin, it can distribute torque evenly.
Unfortunately, the CVT is quite noisy, especially on the highway, emitting a whine and making the engine sound as if it's complaining under acceleration. Combined with the motor's already low displacement and horsepower numbers, it felt downright unwilling to accelerate while passing or merging on the highway.
The CVT is equipped with a manual mode, though. It lets the driver shift through pre-programmed gear ratios, which made the engine a little less anemic, and a little more willing to go. Not to mention, it cut down on the whining considerably.
Thanks to the beefed-up suspension components and ground clearance, the ride is comfortable and composed, although body roll is present. At highway speeds, the Crosstrek is stable, but wind noise is evident — reminiscent of the days when Subaru's doors were frameless. Bigger brakes are also part of the Crosstrek's CUV package, although the soft brake pedal took some getting used to.
Of course, these quibbles are very, very easy to forgive when the snow falls. Few cars can match Subaru's legacy of reliability and durability, and even fewer cars on the road are as composed and confident as the Crosstrek in adverse weather conditions.
Type of vehicle: All-wheel-drive crossover
Engine: 2.0L DOHC Boxer four-cylinder
Power: 148 hp @ 6,200 RPM; 145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
Transmission: CVT with six preset "gears"
Brakes: Ventilated discs (front), solid discs (rear)
Base price/as tested: $24,495/$24,495
Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 8.2 city, 6.0 hwy.
Standard features: All-wheel-drive, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, automatic headlights, tinted rear windows, windshield wiper de-icer, auxiliary/iPod input, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 4.3-inch multifunction display, heated seats, 60/40 split folding rear seats, retractable cargo cover, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, hill holder, anti-whiplash headrests
Options: Sunroof, HID headlights, five-speed manual transmission, leather seating surfaces, GPS navigation, dual-zone climate control and more
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Thanks for sharing the Gujarat Factories Rules... Can you tell me from where we can get other state factories rules soft copy like of Kerala and Rajasthan, Etc.
Thanks for sharing this type of material it's also help us for knowledge enhancing.
Pls find attached with soft copy of Factory Act'1948 and Gujarat factory rules 1963 for your referance.
Is any body having the amendments occured on the Factories Act 1948 & MaharastraFactories Rule 1963.
Please provide any copy of the amended copy of Factories Act 1948 & factories rules 1963(amended in 2010).
I am working in a Pvt. Ltd. Company as a executive HR.
Please need your valuable suggestion.
Their is one question is it possible to get principal employer registration under the factories act without plan approval.
Duty hour changed from 12 to 8 hour for worker - any legal obligation for moving the plant work hours?
Comp Off for Overtime - any legal case laws or judicial pronouncement relating to this?
Is Hand wash time and drinking water time include in lunch time?
If an employee works for 237 or 238 days in a year is he eligible for EL?
Creche Requisite In Gujarat Is 30 Women Or 50 Women?


text:
Can't Get a Turkey? This Is Better Anyway
Maybe not getting a Turkey this year is the best thing that ever happened to your Thanksgiving.
Hannah Selinger|Nov 16, 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released some sobering data just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. According to a
Turkey Market News Report
, published on November 12, turkeys—those ubiquitous holiday birds—are now 30 percent more difficult to find. That means that even if you have everything like a
, or all of the cookware you need, you might be missing the main event. But fear, not, we spoke with Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, chef and co-owner of Austin, Texas'
Birdie's,
who says that If all that news feels crushing as we roll into the season, fear not. Read on for a last-minute guide for hosting a holiday without the big bird.
Flip the Bird
Although turkey is the traditional poultry of the holiday, it's not the only bird that can amaze guests, says Malechek"If you're having a lot of people over, I recommend goose," she says. This rich, dark-meated bird traditionally weighs in around 10 to 12 pounds, and can feed up to six. For smaller gatherings, Malechek suggests Cornish hens, which can be plated individually for guests. Pheasant, she says, which offers delicate white meat, is also a great alternative (these birds average around two to three pounds and can serve one to two people).
Skip the Bird
But don't feel beholden to poultry just because you're giving up turkey. Meat roasts are also a great way to provide a show-stopping entrée for your nearest and dearest. "Porchetta feels celebratory, and isn't as hard as it looks," Malechek says, referring to the Italian-style, boneless, stuffed pork roast. For red meat lovers, she suggests a timeless classic: prime rib with horseradish sauce, which she calls "a personal favorite."
Shop the Butcher
If you can't quite commit to your turkey-less feast, consider visiting your local butcher shop for inspiration, Malechek says. The butcher shop can be a window into a wide and wonderful world of unexpected cuts. "I always recommend going to your local butcher shop and seeing what they have available," she says. "It's a great relationship to develop and an exciting way to try new cuts of meat."
Break with Tradition
A move away from turkey can be freeing in terms of the rest of this meal. Don't feel obligated, Malechek says, to make that stuffing, cranberry sauce, or even gravy. Part of expanding beyond turkey means expanding the roster of sides, too. "Just pick a theme and embrace it," she says.
Try a New Technique
Whereas cooking turkey can be limited, if you mix up your protein, there are new, fun ways to cook it, too. Malechek-Ezekiel suggests brining birds like capon, goose, and pheasant, and drying them overnight in the refrigerator. "If you have an immersion circulator, you can cook that way as well, which is a smart way to avoid drying out the meat," she says. And although you may not be able to sous vide a 16-pound bird, this method is much more plausible with some smaller fowl. With extra-small birds, like Cornish hen, you can infuse flavor into the meat via marinade. "If you find yourself down to the wire on time and didn't plan for brine and dry process, Cornish hen is a good option," she says. "Make a quick marinade and simply roast. Plus, it still feels celebratory."


text:
Huawei MateBook 16 review: Big display, big potential
You're spoilt for choice for excellent laptops in 2021 but Huawei has a new notebook it thinks is worthy of joining the ranks. The Huawei MateBook 16 is slightly more affordable than the MateBook X Pro (2021) and offers more screen real estate than 2020's MateBook 14. It's another high-end Windows laptop for customers looking to dabble in Huawei's extended product ecosystem, with more power than the brand's MateBook D range.
This is Huawei's first-ever high-performance notebook, boasting a larger 16-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio display. The laptop is targeted at creative and productivity workloads while emphasizing Huawei's signature aesthetic design. But is the MateBook 16 any good? Let's find out in Android Authority's Huawei MateBook 16 review.
About this Huawei MateBook 16 review: I tested the Huawei MateBook 16 (AMD 5800H model) over a period of five days. The unit was provided by Huawei for this review.
What you need to know about the Huawei MateBook 16
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Huawei MateBook 16 (AMD 5600H): €1,099 (~$1,271)
Huawei's latest Windows laptop (yes, Huawei still has access to Microsoft Windows despite the trade ban) is all about the huge IPS display. Coming in at 16 inches across, it sports a 2.5K (2,520 x 1,680) resolution, productivity-focused 3:2 aspect ratio, and 10-point touch capabilities. We'll dive deeper into the panel specifics later in the review.
The Huawei MateBook 16 comes in two flavors: one sporting an eight-core, 16 thread AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU, and the other a six-core, 12 thread Ryzen 5 5600H processor. Both chips are equipped with integrated AMD Radeon graphics. Again, the 5800H model offers the most performance with eight GPU cores clocked at 2GHz, while the 5600H model sports seven graphics cores clocked at 1.8GHz.
Other core specifications which are shared across the two models include 16GB DDR4 RAM and a speedy 512B NVMe SSD. Excluding a fresh Windows installation, you're left with 403GB for your own applications and files, although the drive is split into 120GB and 340GB Windows and Data partitions respectively. The laptop is also equipped with Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, and a 135W USB-C power adapter for charging.
Huawei's Matebook 16 packs in a fair few extras too. There's the signature in-keyboard nostril-spying webcam, Huawei's Multi-screen Collaboration with phones and tablets, dual microphones with AI noise cancellation, and dual front-facing speakers. On the laptop's right side, you'll find two USB-A ports that meet the USB 3.2 gen 1 spec. On the left are two multi-function USB-C ports, an HDMI output, and a headphone and microphone jack combo. For security, the laptop offers a snappy fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button.
As for portability, the laptop weighs 1.99kg and is approximately 17.8mm thick. The Huawei Matebook 16 is available exclusively in Space Grey. Huawei has not provided a sale date at the time of publication but notes that the laptop will be coming to markets across Western Europe. The MateBook 16 is already available in China and customers in Germany can register their interest.
How good is the MateBook 16's display?
If you're after a laptop with a big workhorse of a display, look no further than the Matebook 16. It's colossal and although not 4K, the 2.5K (2,520 x 1,680) resolution is certainly sharp enough for picture editing and the like. Other specifications include a 178-degree wide viewing angle, 1500:1 contrast ratio, and 100% sRGB color gamut coverage. It's certainly built to be a productivity powerhouse.
Huawei claims that every MateBook 16 is factory calibrated to achieve an average color accuracy rating Delta error of just one. That's what you'd expect from some professional-grade monitors. The company also claims this is the first-ever notebook to receive TÜV Rheinland certification for Colour Accuracy and Quick Stability. So we put the quality claim to the test.
While the MateBook 16 offers very accurate pure greens, a robust color check of the panel's sRGB gamut gives a Delta error closer to 2.3 on average, with individual errors as high as 4.9. Good, but certainly not industry-leading. Unfortunately, the laptop's panel has some odd behavior when running on battery which affects the display's gamma accuracy quite substantially. The best results we recorded were when plugged in, while the display tested worse in power-saving mode, although this is much harder to see just by looking at the display.
Still, the panel does indeed cover 100% of the sRGB color space, and the panel's peak brightness exceeds Huawei's 300 nit estimation, clocking at 373 nits on our model. Decent enough to work around some moderate sun glare. Maybe Huawei is using a very different testing process, but based on our results the panel isn't calibrated as accurately as the company claims.
Also read: The best laptops for video editing and graphic design
As a result, we wouldn't recommend this laptop for professional photographers and other creative types who rely on high levels of display accuracy for their work. That said, it's still a very good-looking display to the more casual eye. Its large size, crisp resolution, broad aspect ratio, and decent colors are certainly more than good enough for office work, gaming, and watching movies.
How does the laptop perform?
As you'd expect, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H variant we tested, paired with 16GB of RAM, performs very well for web browsing, image editing, and all your other day-to-day tasks. Broadly speaking, this laptop flies through pretty much everything you can throw at it, except for games — there are definitely better options if you need extra graphics performance.
However, as we've noted with other Ryzen 5000 series laptops, there's a big performance differential between the chip on battery versus mains power. GeekBench 5 scores 1,412 single-core and 6,859 multi-core on mains power, while max performance mode on battery power scores 1,100 and 6,112 respectively. That's a decline of 22% single-core and 11% multi-core. Sticking the laptop into standard battery mode drops these scores down to 540 and 4,023, a more colossal 58% and 40% drop from the laptop's peak performance potential. You'll find smartphones that benchmark higher than that.
Read more: The best affordable gaming laptops
A run of 3DMark's Time Spy benchmarks wields a CPU score of 7,003 and 1,090 graphics while plugged in, falling to 4,521 and 1,062 on battery. That's far short of gaming laptop territory, which isn't unexpected given the work focus on this laptop, but it's still a tough pill to swallow compared to some laptops at this price. The low graphics score is due to the use of integrated graphics, but you can definitely grab decent gaming laptops with dedicated graphics for around the $1,000 mark. That being said, you can play some older titles at low resolutions and minimum graphical settings on this machine.
This performance discrepancy extends to SSD performance too, with sequential read and write speeds falling from 3,584MB/s and 2,945MB/s to 1,813MB/s and 1,674MB/s respectively. That's a nearly 50% reduction in speeds when you're running on battery power, although, that said, I didn't encounter anything resembling a slowdown when launching software. But it's something to consider if your use case requires fast storage access. Fortunately, random access speeds are roughly comparable on and off of mains power, although turning on battery-saving mode does reduce this metric as well.
The MateBook 16 has plenty of power for work but isn't a gaming class notebook.
Huawei also sports a Performance Mode to run at full throttle that is toggled on by pressing an Fn+P keyboard shortcut. It's not marked on the keyboard though, so you might be hard-pressed to know this is an option without consulting the manual (or review guide in my case). Furthermore, this mode only works when plugged in and when the battery is above 20%. This option didn't improve our benchmark scores but allows the laptop to run at full pelt for longer without throttling back to control heat.
In summary, performance is rock solid for most workloads. However, there are some caveats, particularly for gaming and when running the laptop on its battery, that might concern those who require maximum performance.
How's the keyboard?
There's a fair amount of feedback and travel from the MateBook 16's low-profile keys. The soft keys don't glide quite as smoothly as some other keyboards, but perhaps that will come after breaking it in a bit. That said, it's still a great keyboard for typing several thousand words in one sitting. But key feel is all a matter of preference really — what's perhaps more important is that Huawei's keys feel like they are built to last. The keyboard is backlit too, ensuring you can type freely in low light.
The large trackpad is also a joy to use, especially for gliding around the large display. Left and right clicks work as intended in the lower quarter and offer just the right amount of feedback without feeling too sticky. There's really nothing to complain about here, as you'd hope for from a laptop at this price.
What's the MateBook 16 battery life like?
The Huawei MateBook 16 includes an 84Wh battery. I received 8-11 hours of screen-on time during my daily workloads, which is easily enough for a full day of checking email, web browsing, and typing up documents. Image editing and decoding HEVC video content chug down the battery a bit faster. I saw about five to seven hours of 1080p HEVC video playback. Overall battery life is decent but not exceptional. Fortunately, Huawei has bundled an ultra-fast charging solution with its notebook.
Huawei provides a 135W USB-C charger with the MateBook 16. It's a rather hefty brick but reasonably slim given the amount of power provided. About 117W peak makes it to the laptop's USB-C port and it takes about 90 minutes to fully charge up.
Equally importantly, the laptop could also be charged with a 100W USB Power Delivery plug I had to hand, with 90W reaching the laptop. The MateBook 16 will play nice with third-party chargers and adapters, albeit charging slightly slower, so you don't have to port around Huawei's bulky charger while on the go.
How does multi-screen collaboration work with other Huawei devices?
One of the MateBook 16's signature features is an improved version of Huawei's Multi-screen Collaboration tools as part of Huawei's PC Manager tool suite. In addition to file and screen sharing with compatible Huawei smartphones, you can now also connect up compatible tablets in one of three modes. I tested this out using the Huawei MatePad Pro (2021) that runs the company's required Harmony OS 2.
Connection is established seamlessly via Bluetooth but requires entering a passcode each time — a minor annoyance if you intend to use this feature regularly. Once connected, the tablet defaults to screen mirroring, complete with touch controls and dedicated shortcuts. There's not a lot of use cases for screen mirroring like this, although it might come in handy for drawing when combined with a stylus.
Multi-screen Collaboration is nice if you own other Huawei products but isn't a must-buy feature.
Multi-screen Collaboration can also extend the tablet as a second wireless (or wired via USB-C) display for your PC desktop. The third mode allows for seamless dragging and dropping of files between the two devices for fast file sharing. Overall, the feature might be useful in a few rare instances but ultimately didn't change the way I regularly use a laptop and will only be applicable to those invested in Huawei's product ecosystem.
Design: In typical Huawei fashion, there's a heavy dose of Apple-inspired design here. But the laptop is wonderfully built with a sturdy aluminum chassis. The only complaint is that rather bulky 1.99kg weight.
Fans and noise: The laptop is whisper quiet during light use. The two 75nm Shark fin fans do pick up while gaming and fast-charging, but they aren't overbearingly loud.
Recessed webcam quality: With a so-so 720p resolution, limited dynamic range, and awkward upward-facing camera angle, Huawei's recessed webcam might add a touch of privacy but sacrifices quality on those all-important business calls.
Microphone quality: Due to the microphone's placement below the trackpad, the volume is a little quiet, especially if used on your lap. That aside, the quality is certainly good enough for voice calls.
Speakers: The MateBook 16 features stereo keyboard-side speakers that offer plenty of volume for music and film, even when on your lap. They sound pretty decent to boot, with plenty of bass and definition.
Windows 11: Microsoft's upgrade tool states that the laptop meets all the requirements to upgrade to Windows 11.
Huawei MateBook 16 specs
Huawei MateBook 16
Display 16-inch display
2,520 x 1,680 resolution
3:2 aspect ratio
100% sRGB coverage
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5800H Processor
AMD Ryzen 5 5600H Processor
GPU AMD Radeon Graphics (integrated)
RAM 16GB LPDDR4
Storage 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Wireless Wi-Fi 6
Ports 2 x USB-C
2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
Touchpad 10-point touch with anti-fingerprint coating
Webcam 720p (HD) recessed with Huawei AI noise cancellation dual microphone
Audio 2 x stereo speakers
In-built dual microphones
Battery and Power 84Wh
135W USB-C PD power adapter
Weight and Dimensions 351mm x 254.9mm x 17.8mm
Value and competition
Creativity Unleashed
The Huawei MateBook 16 combines powerful processing hardware and a vibrant 16-inch 2.5K display into a package designed with creatives in mind.
The MateBook 16's closest competitor is the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro (€999). It's a little more affordable than the MateBook 16 yet still offers an AMD 5800H processor, 512GB SSD, and 16GB RAM. The trade-off is a wider 16:10 display with a similar 2,560 x 1,600 resolution and 100% sRGB color gamut, and the lack of front-facing speakers. The LG Gram 17 fills a similar role at an ever so slightly higher price (around €1,400). It has a larger 17-inch display, is powered by an i5 or i7 11th Gen Intel CPU, comes with up to 1TB of storage, and boasts a slimmer profile and more portable 1.3kg weight.
See also: The best laptop deals
The Dell G5 15.6-inch laptop (€1,349) is a better option for those who enjoy a little gaming. It's a bit more expensive but can often be found at a very competitive €1,099 on sale. It features a similarly sized display, powerful Intel Core i7 CPU, and dedicated Nvidia RTX 3060 or RTX 3050 graphics card for some powerful gaming chops. Similarly, the HP Pavilion Gaming 17 (€999) offers RTX 3050 and an Intel Core i5-11300H for gaming on the go without the high price tag.
While not in the same size category, Apple's highly portable 13.3-inch MacBook Air M1 (€1,129) costs roughly the same or less, if you can find it on sale. Apple's M1 chip is an efficient yet powerful Arm processor that offers something a little different for those who need long-lasting battery life and want to enter Apple's software ecosystem.
Huawei MateBook 16 review: The verdict
The Huawei MateBook 16 is a well-designed notebook with enough performance, battery life, and high-end features to suit those looking for a professional-grade laptop. Combined with a tall 3:2 aspect ratio, this laptop is a joy to use for work as well as play. With fast USB-C charging, Wi-Fi 6 on board, and Windows 11 supported too, this is a future-proof purchase that will last years to come. Although I'm not sure that Huawei's Multi-screen Collaboration suite is quite the game-changer the company thinks it is.
I'm equally unconvinced the display accuracy, single 512GB SSD capacity, and battery life are quite suited to the creative users that Huawei has in mind for the MateBook 16. Running the laptop at full tilt drains the battery just a little too quickly but performance is capped quite heavily when optimizing for battery life. Likewise, the lack of dedicated GPU means the MateBook 16 isn't great for gaming.
Huawei's MateBook 16 is an excellent professional notebook.
Taking a step back to look at the whole picture, Huawei's MateBook 16 offers a reasonable value proposition. Between its lovely build quality, extra features, and huge display, there's a lot to like. My takeaway: this is a great laptop if you're looking for a general-purpose work-oriented laptop that won't break the bank. However, there are other laptops out there that fill various niches a little better.
Previous: On the right track, but not quite there yet
Next: Hands-on the new features in OnePlus' Android 12 update


text:
The Charlotte City Council is the legislative body of the City of Charlotte and forms part of a council–manager system of government. The Council is made up of eleven members and the Mayor, all elected to two-year terms in odd-numbered years. Four Council Members are elected at-large with the other seven representing districts. Though elected separately, the Mayor presides over City Council meetings. A Mayor Pro Tem is elected by the members of the City Council to preside when the Mayor is absent, and to assume the office of Mayor in an acting capacity should the Mayor no longer be able to do so.

Members
Last election: July 2022

Election results

2022

Initially scheduled for 2021, this election was postponed by state legislation in order to "allow municipalities to consider revising their electoral districts based on new population numbers from the 2020 U.S. Census".

2019

2017

2015

2013

See also
Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina

References

External links
Meet the Charlotte City Council

Organizations based in Charlotte, North Carolina
North Carolina city councils