text:
IT is not possible to eradicate dissent in a nation of 220 million people. On any issue, at any time, there will be someone who takes an opposing view, someone who offers a different perspective, someone who levels a criticism, someone whose values diverge. Denying this is tantamount to insanity.
And yet, the state’s efforts to eradicate dissent continue apace. The recent closure of Radio Mashaal on the grounds that its programming undermined Pakistan’s interests and facilitated a “hostile intelligence agency’s agenda” was only the latest in a series of crackdowns against dissenting voices. Journalists and bloggers are abducted (or nearly so) with alarming frequency. Foreign correspondents have been expelled from the country. And it is not just dissenting voices in the media that are facing pressure; attempts to curtail the activities of domestic and international NGOs are under way, with many of the latter facing expulsion.
These tactics seem excessive given that decades of martial law have instilled a strong culture of self-censorship and caution among those who seek to challenge the state. Starting out as a reporter in Karachi 15 years ago, I remember being told to stay clear of religion, the military and Altaf Hussain — in order to stay out of trouble. Times have changed, but not by much. You can criticise Altaf Hussain with little fear these days. The rest of the advice is intact. Indeed, one can imagine today’s reporters being told to stay clear of Balochistan and CPEC as well.
The state’s efforts to eradicate dissent continue.
A heavy-handed approach also seems unnecessary in an era when co-option works as effectively. The state has learned how to bring dissenters on side by funding projects, facilitating careers, arranging lucrative contracts, providing access in the form of scoops and high-profile interviews, and inflating salaries. Few will bite the hand that feeds them. This is an unnerving shift towards first-world narrative manipulation, much like lobbying, and difficult to pin down as a form of censorship. And Pakistan will lack the tools to counter it — such as transparency, right to information, and media literacy — for decades to come.
Legal instruments are also cynically deployed to ensure dissenters mind their language. Courts are ever ready to cite violations of media regulations and hold troublesome characters in contempt in order to ensure silence. The Anti-Terrorism Act — which ambiguously states that “creat[ing] a sense of fear or insecurity in society” is an act of terrorism — is routinely used to pursue journalists, students or other members of civil society that dare speak out against the state — to the extent that the Supreme Court in August had to urge lower courts to wield the ATA with a tad more finesse.
Growing attempts by the state to quash dissent are echoed by the growing audacity of far-right groups to scare into silence those they perceive to be dissenters. These are groups that, for now, consider themselves to be protected by the state, aligned with its views, in agreement on what constitutes dissent. But their tactics are different, even more dangerous.
As a result, those who take any issue, of any magnitude, with state narratives are either in danger of being accused of treason, terrorism or conspiracy by the state, or blasphemy by the mob. Both are terrifying prospects. Both are sufficient to fuel further silence, stronger self-censorship, extreme caution.
But 220m people will never agree on everything. So while dissent may be stifled, it cannot be eradicated. And it will eventually have to be reckoned with. At some point, individuals and communities decide the silence is no longer worth it — that what is gained in exchange for silence is too unjust, too negligent. That silence gives you nothing in return.
That’s when people take to the streets. One recent example of silence running its course is the ‘Pakhtun Long March’, which reflects a community’s exasperation with stereotyping and persecution. The protests and public outpouring following Zainab’s brutal abuse and murder was another tipping point, which indicated that the horrors had reached unacceptable levels. And once the silence is broken, it is difficult to restore again. That’s because further silence is quickly equated with complicity, and for all our flaws, we are ultimately a nation with some conscience.
The problem with stifling dissent is that you don’t know what will be a breaking point. With no one to point out where you might be failing, with no one to suggest what might be perceived as an injustice, with no one to hold you to account, you start to forget that silence does not mean complacency or even resignation. Dissent helps a society become stronger, by recognising problems and urging improvement — it allows for dialogue and incremental change, democracy rather than revolution. Push for silence long enough and the only response you’ll get is a scream.
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2018


🤖 Robotics | ❤ Programming | 🖤 Cyber Security
I am a Robotics Software Engineer, presently working at the AI & Robotics Technology Park @ Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. I am a keen enthusiast of AI and Robotics and look forward to collaboration and teaching opportunities in this field. I am also a Cyber-Security Hobbyist and I actively participate in Capture-The-Flag Events.
🔭I'm currently working on projects including deep-learning, computer-vision and robotics. 🤝I’m looking to collaborate with other developers in these domains. 💬Ask me about anything. I will try to help you as much as I can. 🥅2021 Goals: Contribute more to Open Source projects. ⚡Fun fact: I love solving puzzles.
Languages and Tools:
Connect with me:
- AI learns to Play Tetris Game: Building the GUI
- Augmented Reality Sudoku Solver — Part IV
- Augmented Reality Sudoku Solver — Part III
- Augmented Reality Sudoku Solver — Part II
- Augmented Reality Sudoku Solver — Part I


text:
Switzerland - 20 gold francs. Minted in Bern (Switzerland), 1935.
HELVETIA. Young female portrait, wearing flower garland, facing left. Mountains in background /
Shield bearing cross, within oak branches, divided value
20 FR · 1935 B
(6,45 g. 21 mm.) Gold (.900)
Almost uncirculated! Original shine still remaining.
For a better impression see the pictures.
- Switzerland, Bern
- 20 Francs
- Year/Period and Variation
- 1935 - B
- Precious metal
- AU (About Uncirculated)

domain: artistic


text:
“In the EU today, we take women’s rights for granted,” says Marina Paulenka, director of Organ Vida, a three-week international photography event held annually in Zagreb. Founded in 2008, the festival has always been driven by political context, and this year, for its 10th edition, its all-female team have chosen to emphasise female-identifying perspectives from around the globe.
“In a time of post-capitalist global turmoil, technological advancements, with the strengthening of rightwing extremism, the growing influence of religion that limits women’s rights again, and the semblance of democracy in the 21st century, we are facing a situation in which women must fight anew for the rights that had been won long ago,” Paulenka insists.
In tandem with the main festival’s 2018 theme, Engaged, Active, Aware – Women’s Perspectives Now, with participants selected from an open call, she has organised a touring exhibition, Vigilance, Struggle, Pride: Through Her Eyes, which will arrive at Zagreb’s Museum of Contemporary Art in September, in time for the opening of the festival.
Initially conceived as a separate project, Through Her Eyes features 13 renowned international women artists, including works from Zanele Muholi’s acclaimed portrait series of the LGBTQI community she belongs to, and Sandra Vitaljić’s deeply disturbing photo-installation, Beloved, photographs of lethally damaged body parts, injuries inflicted by a violent partner. Each of these women question, from their own situation, society and condition, what it means to be a woman now, the forces that limit and repress us – and how we can escape them.
In the wake of public movements including the Women’s Marches, social media protests around #MeToo, and the furore over gender pay gaps, Organ Vida brings together the past, present, and future to highlight how genuine change can emerge from the public sharing of the complexities of the female experience. Their aim is, Paulenka says, “To see how art can trigger and provoke reaction in society, to address the current problems and make them visible in our society, where patriarchal patterns are still present”.
Yet within photography, the term ‘female gaze’ is still being grappled with. Until now, it has largely been applied to Western artists, but Paulenka is interested in diversifying our understanding, shaking up the definition of the female gaze as a trend dominated by white Western women and centred around images of the female body that often emerge from social media. At both Organ Vida and Through Her Eyes, narratives on subjects as broad as war and violence, architecture, and history, prove that the female gaze is not confined to discussions on gender and sexuality, but is a new world view.
Paulenka sees the potential of the female gaze as “a moment of emancipation, as well as being in charge of the control over representation”. She and her team have worked closely with participating artists to ensure each work is given its proper critical framework – crucial in an age in which photography often travels with no context.
“Many young artists have consciously adopted this term as a feature of their own approach, their activist and emancipatory engagement. The female gaze is juxtaposed with the dominant, patriarchal male gaze, which objectifies the female body and defines the position of the woman as passive,” she explains. “Women artists purposefully take on an active role in order to articulate potential new perspectives on personal and direct female experiences that have, until now, remained invisible or been represented in a stereotypical manner.”
Photography is both a tool for change and a mirror to the world we’re living in: often, when it comes to representing women in the art world, the female gaze is simplified, or commodified, to appeal to a commercial gaze that is predominantly heteronormative and male. Paulenka’s stance is unflinchingly political: for her, the female gaze has a direct feminist purpose. Though there is a great disparity in the way different societies treat, and gaze upon, female bodies – cis and non-cis, Western and non-Western – Paulenka ultimately believes that the “problems are different but the aim is the same: to live in a world of equality”.
Another important aspect of her mission has been to counter the Western-centric idea of the female gaze, inviting photographers from Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, as well as Eastern Europe. Although we cannot assume the position of a woman in Tehran is the same as a woman in, say, Tokyo, Zagreb or Santiago, “Everything is political. And being a feminist is being a person who stands for equality in all levels and fights against misogyny.”
If equality is the goal, does a festival with a female-centric programme not defeat the idea of freeing us from gender bias? Seen outside of the tolerant space of exhibitions and biennales, galleries and museums, can photography really have an impact on the mainstream conscience in terms of how we view women – without inciting tokenism?
“I don’t have a problem with all-female projects,” Paulenka responds. “Women are absolutely not visible as artists in art history, so any kind of focus on them I heavily support.” She notes that she did not deliberately exclude male photographers, but found that the strongest works selected to address this year’s theme were by women.
There are incisive, documentary-led works, such as Shiraz-born Amak Mahmoodian’s series examining the photographs of women taken for the official Iranian birth certificate identification, a series which ruminates on identity, religion and Middle Eastern women. Barcelona-based Laia Abril, known for her work on sex clubs, lesbian culture, and eating disorders, presents the first part of her compelling trilogy A History of Misogyny.
Chapter one, On Abortion, “is not about the experience of abortion itself but about the repercussions of women not having legal, safe or free access to the procedure, often forcing them to use dangerous alternatives and causing physical and mental harm,” says Paulenka. These are, according to Abril’s work, among the effects of a patriarchy on women’s bodies and lives.
“I have a problem with some activist feminist work, because it is so literal and shallow,” Paulenka admits. “It had its place in history and played a significant part of the fight, but today I would like to see different approaches.” One of the aims of the festival is to bridge the intergenerational divide in feminist photography, and to put the new language under scrutiny.
“Today we are witnessing a sociopolitical situation in which rights that have already been won must be re-examined, and women’s questions are more pressing than ever. Photography may, if it finds its audience, be a powerful tool for engagement of marginalised and discriminated individuals.”
She adds that, during Organ Vida, “We would like to give an example of the positive power of civil society and encourage people to be involved in shaping the future of our everyday life and not become disillusioned and cynical in the face of the seemingly unchangeable status quo – this disillusionment is fertile ground for the rise of populism and nationalism, which we are seeing take root over Europe and the world.”
In Croatia, the works resonate deeply with recent local struggles. “In our country the situation is terrible,” Paulenka explains. “The main person who is campaigning against women’s rights is actually a woman, the president of the rightwing political initiative, In the Name of the Family, who organised a referendum against abortion and fights against the Istanbul Convention that was ratified in Croatia two months ago.”
The Istanbul Convention, a treaty to prevent and challenge violence against women, was signed by Croatia in April, but also drew fierce opposition, with 10,000 people, backed by the nation’s Catholic church, joining a protest in Zagreb in March campaigning against the treaty. They claimed that the convention “imposes gender ideology”.
In this polemical atmosphere around women’s rights, Organ Vida is positioned as a platform of education for the public about the day-to-day effect of such political acts on individual lives. It is an open space, where different, colliding points of view will be loudly voiced through the inventive and universal language of photography – supported by the festival’s programme of workshops, talks and events, across some of the most prominent cultural venues in the city. Photography, Organ Vida maintains, can influence politics in significant ways.
“I really believe that this festival edition and its programme will achieve positive progress and change,” says Paulenka. “It will educate the audience, since our main aim is to educate, to try to change the state of mind, and to gain the critical thinking through a visual language which is powerful and relatable for everyone.”
The Organ Vida International Photography Festival is from 10-16 September at the Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb; many of the exhibitions are open until 30 September ovfestival.org This article was first published in the September issue of BJP www.thebjpshop.com


text:
Some political speakers notable
Thankfully the political conventions are over.
I watched both conventions. The Republicans featured many new faces and they all handled themselves nicely, but what will be remembered the most will be the speeches of Ann Romney, who put a face on her husband that many haven’t seen; Condoleeza Rice, who in my opinion was the most effective speaker of all (in either convention); Marco Rubio, the senator from Florida and a rising star; Paul Ryan, who is probably the smartest guy in the race; and Clint Eastwood, who introduced some much needed levity to the proceedings.
In time, I’ll wager that Eastwood’s schtick will be remembered more than any of them, in either party. The "analysts," whatever that means, seemed disposed to criticize him but polls indicate that us "ordinary folks" liked it. While funny, it made two salient points: We, the people, own this country and the politicians work for us, and two, when someone isn’t doing their job we have to let them go.
The Democrats took much the same approach. Notable were Michelle Obama who gave a beautifully delivered speech, extolling the virtues of her husband; twins from Texas, well educated and articulate Hispanics, one the Mayor of San Antonio and the other a state legislator, espoused the Democratic dogma very well; Eva Longoria, who looked stunning (I couldn’t concentrate on what she was saying) and read her script flawlessly; and John Kerry, a partisan hack void of character and someone we can’t look to for the truth.
Then we saw Joe Biden, an Obama sycophant au fait, who gave an emotional testimonial to his boss, much of which will be greeted with a cocked eyebrow by the fact finders.
And then came Bill Clinton. Ah yes, Bill Clinton, who gave the kind of speech we have learned to expect from him - smoothly delivered, too long, and fodder for the fact finders - but in this case had all the earmarks of CYA, not for him but for Hillary.
If Obama gets re-elected, a scenario the Clintons prefer, she can run for his office in 2016, that is if he doesn’t mess up even more. If Romney wins, and doesn’t do well, she can run against his re-election. If Romney wins and does a good job, she can simply stay out of the fray. Smart. Clinton is one of the most accomplished politicians of our time and he knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t even like Obama.
The presidential candidates were in sharp contrast. Obama gave a speech that wasn’t up to his usual standards and was remarkably void of "meat." It was the same old promises and dreams, but if he didn’t keep his promises of four years ago, why should we believe him now? Promises and dreams don’t pay the bills - jobs do - and we have fewer people working now than we did when he took office. He hasn’t done a very good job but he wants four more years to keep doing what he has been doing. HUH?
Romney’s speech, while a little better than usual, won’t long be remembered either, but at least he provided us with a five point outline of what he proposes to do. Obama gave us nothing.

domain: politics


text:
Explore the unprecedented rise in ocean temperatures and the scientific quest to understand the factors driving this phenomenon.
Author: Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate Adaptation Platform )
Bangladesh’s Climate Vulnerabilities and Barriers to Adaptation
Get a comprehensive understanding of how climate change impacts Bangladesh and worsens existing vulnerabilities and adaptation barriers.
UN Report Exposes the Human Cost of Somalia’s Intense Drought
Somalia's deepening droughts claimed thousands of lives, with kids under five being the most vulnerable. Learn why urgent action is needed.
How UN’s “Early Warnings for All” Plan Can Improve Climate Resilience
UN's "Early Warnings for All" plan highlights the role of early warning systems in climate change adaptation and climate resilience.
From Coal to Resilience – India’s Inspiring Climate Adaptation Stories
Explore India's path towards climate adaptation and resilience-building amid the dual challenges of coal investment and extreme events.
How the Netherlands is Gearing Up for Future Climate Risk
Discover how the Netherlands is charting a course towards climate resilience in 2040 and its strategies to adapt to future climate risks.
Understanding River Systems Can Be Key to Climate Change Adaptation
Explore the shift to nature-based river management approaches instead of infrastructure-centric ways to promote climate change adaptation.
Integrating Climate Change into Conservation Strategies in New Zealand
How can long-term data collection for effective conservation strategy help mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity in New Zealand?
Energy Sector Reaches Emission Peak as Fossil Fuel Use Declines
A report unveils record growth in wind and solar, driving down the carbon intensity of global electricity generation to an all-time low.
Using Nature-Based Solutions To Mitigate Climate Change Impacts
Discover the importance of nature-based solutions and water-sensitive design in tackling extreme weather events and climate change impacts.

domain: geography


text:
Saturday I was in the woodshop with my dad who makes all my wood items. This is the process of making a little wood snippet bowl with magnet attached, to sit on your hooking project and catch all the little snippets of wool that usually end up on the floor.
From a birch log, to a round block, then hollowed out on a lathe, and a decorative trim on the outside.
I used mine in class yesterday and today, it rests easily on my rug. No mess on the floor!

domain: design


Hon. Momodou L. Sanneh, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly has assured that lawmakers will continue the partnership with Gambia Revenue Authority to strengthen better collaboration to ensure effective tax compliances.
“The Gambia is a tax base economy, and we cannot avert revenue collection and generation, therefore enlightening Lawmakers on key issues on the current development by Gambia Revenue Authority on tax management system is something that is gear toward attaining our development agenda as government,” he said.
Sanneh made the statement a daylong sensitation forum organised by GRA meant to enlighten the lawmakers on key issues on the current development by GRA, on tax management system.
He explained that tax and tax related matter are complicated and this issues cannot be address in an isolation without coming together, noting that inviting the National Assembly members to familiarise themselves with the issues which this seminar seek to address is indeed a welcome development.
“As a lawmakers, the forum will avert the members the opportunity to discuss on tax administration issues of doubt and seek for clarification with directly from GRA, official.
Hon. Sanneh urged all National Assembly members to participate actively on the issues regard to the seminar organized by GRA.
He pointed out that Gambia is a tax based economy, stressing that revenue generation ,and collection is paramount and financing development institution, lawmaker are very much concern with the welfare of their people ,in term of access to basic healthcare education , infrastructure noting that this cannot be achieve without the participation of all .
Sanneh commended GRA for engaging the lawmakers to have a better understanding of the tax laws and its related mandated as revenue Authority.


text:
When I went to write this post before my children, ages 19 and 23 had dinner, my husband said to me, “What kind of mother are you?” because I put a bag of lettuce on the table with dressing and left. Now my children are certainly old enough to put it in a bowl for themselves; however, as a younger mom I would have chastised myself for not serving it “right.” While those days are mostly behind me, this inspired me to write about guilt and motherhood, borrowing from our book, “Life Will Never Be the Same: The Real Mom’s Postpartum Survival Guide .”
“It’s a difficult task to try to maintain your pre-baby life…You may feel as if you never have enough time for everything you want to do. If you neglect your own needs or your partner or your job, you feel guilty. And you feel guilty if you put any of those priorities above the baby’s needs. Guilt just comes with the territory at times.”
Now, substitute whatever stage of parenting pertains to you. It’s all the same. Moms everywhere feel they’re falling short, resulting in GUILT. So, here’s what we recommend. First, “focus on what you accomplish rather than what you leave undone.” Second, “you may also need to lower your standards and set less ambitious goals for a while,” like me with the salad. Finally, find other moms in similar situations for support and validation.
Try our friends at Working Moms Against Guilt for a great web resource. And forget the salad bowl.

domain: literature


text:
Crystal Growing Volcano
Do you want to buy this product?
Exploding onto the crystal growing scene is our new volcano kit. The kit includes the paper form of the volcano, a tray, a terraforming solution, and instructions. Pour in the magic terraforming solution and watch your mighty volcano grow, effloresce, and bloom.


text:
The properties, unique due to the blend between their stunning renovations and their original architecture, are elegant apartments in an historic building from the mid-19th century located in one of the most desirable central neighborhoods. The area was built in the late 1800’s and quickly became the target of the local and foreign bourgeoisie.
Just a few meters from the place, d’Azeglio square offers the biggest public green space in the city center. On the other hand, the buzzing Sant’Ambrogio square with restaurants, cafes and local shops is a couple of minutes away from the apartments. In addition to the lovely places and local atmosphere, the true gem of this area is the secular food market. Fresh produce, flowers, and vintage items make up the perfect picture of the Italian lifestyle. The Four Seasons Hotel featuring a beautiful SPA, private garden and Michelin star restaurant gives the final touch to the district.
With most areas and places within walking or cycling distance (car parking is a no brainer since close to d’Azeglio square and several indoor garages), the unique location of this house offers a fantastic Florentine journey to visitors looking for quality and authenticity.

domain: travel


text:
My favorite quick snack and or lunch meal that requires no cooking and very minimal effort.
Great for by the pool or to bring to the beach!
Buffalo Tuna Rice Cake
This is such an easy and delicious recipe that is full of protein
- Bowl for mixing
- 1 5 oz. Can Wild Planet Tuna in water 2 1/2 oz. per serving
- 1 TBSP Hot sauce I used Frank's
- 1/2 tsp Dak's Nothin But Ranch
- 1/2 tsp Hidden Valley ranch powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Boar's Head Mustard or spicy or brown mustard
- Light Laughing cow wedge 1 per serving
- Lightly Salted Rice Cakes 1 per serving
- Chives optional
- Trader Joe's Cheese seasoning optional
- In a bowl combine all of the ingredients for the tuna mixture
- Spread the laughing cow wedge onto a rice cake
- Add 2 1/2 oz. of the tuna mixture to the rice cake per serving and enjoy
- Garnish as you wish with chives, more pepper etc.

domain: food


As reader Timothy M. points out, the following story from The Hartford Courant has a lot to upset Reason readers. The Courant reports on a vote in Newington, Connecticut:
The town council has approved a bid waiver that will allow the police department to modify a mine- and ambush-proof military vehicle that they acquired from a government surplus program.
Police plan to send the six-wheeled BAE Caiman, which was designed to carry troops into combat in Afghanistan, to a specialized firm for $54,000 worth of modifications. Changes to the vehicle include removal of its firing ports and installation of running lights and a radio system. The council voted unanimously earlier this month to allow the work to proceed without bidding.
The town's police chief said he was pleased the vote was unanimous. He called the vehicle "free" despite the $54,000 price tag for (no-bid) modifications. That's going to be paid for through the asset forfeiture fund. Why does Newtington need this military vehicle? Mass shootings have been up, the chief says. Connecticut, home to some of the strictest gun control laws in the country, passed a new set of them this year, laws so draconian and unenforcably they were mostly ignored, leaving politicians shocked. Oh, and Connecticut is home to cops like this. And state's attorneys who protect bad cops like this. Oh, and a court in Connecticut recently ruled police can arrest you for being too physically close to someone being arrested.


text:
IT bellwether Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will start on-boarding of 40,000 freshers in a phased manner from mid-July. It will also start lateral hiring of freshers selectively.
Milind Lakkad, EVP and Global Head, Human Resources, TCS, said the company has been in touch with fresh recruits to reassure them that they would be able to join the company. “The process was delayed because of their academic year got delayed.”
TCS CEO Rajesh Gopinathan said the company is selectively opening up lateral hiring given the positive demand environment. However, he did not disclose in which area will the hiring happen or the quantum of hiring.
TCS during its March quarter result said the company is freezing lateral hiring due to uncertainties around COVID-19. However it will honour 40,000 offers handed out to fresh recruits. The recent move to open lateral hiring indicates the demand recovery and the management’s confidence.
These hirings are likely to happen in new age technology areas such as cloud, where there is a huge demand. NG Subramanium, COO, TCS, said majority of the deal closures were in the areas of digital transformation, cloud migration and reimaging customer experience.
For the quarter-ended June, the company saw its total employee count decline by 4,788 to 4.43 lakh. According to Lakkad, this is due to voluntary attrition and the fact that the company has not added new employees in the quarter.
Lakkad said there will be no change in its bench policy and that the company is not looking at retrenching its employees. However, more offshoring is in the pipeline, which has been a challenge due to COVID-19.
TCS registered revenue of $5,059 million for the first quarter, down 7.1 percent quarter-on-quarter. The growth in revenue was led by life sciences and healthcare, whereas other verticals such as banking and financial services, manufacturing and retail saw negative growth. Also read: After The Bell: TCS feels COVID pain; here’s what investors should do on Friday?

domain: news


text:
Bowman, Marion and Valk, Ülo eds. (2012). Vernacular Religion in Everyday Life: Expressions of Belief. New York & London: Routledge.
|Google Scholar:||Look up in Google Scholar|
Vernacular religion is religion as people experience, understand, and practice it. It shapes everyday culture and disrupts the traditional boundaries between ‘official’ and ‘folk’ religion. Vernacular Religion in Everyday Life examines how the concept of genres – notably written, performative and oral genres – can be applied to the study of vernacular belief to illuminate faith and practice. Genres are forms of expression and interpretive strategies which are developed through everyday communication and performance. They can come to express ways of seeing and of being which take the individual beyond traditional forms of religion. The book analyses vernacular religion in a range of Christian denominations as well as in indigenous and New Age religion from the nineteenth century to today. How these differing expressions of belief are shaped by their individual, communal and national contexts is also explored. What is revealed is the consistency of genres, the persistence of certain key issues, and how globalisation in all its cultural and technological forms is shaping contemporary faith practice.
|Item Type:||Edited Book|
|Copyright Holders:||2012 The Authors|
|Academic Unit/Department:||Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) > History, Religious Studies, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)
|Depositing User:||Marion Bowman|
|Date Deposited:||01 Mar 2012 09:07|
|Last Modified:||09 Nov 2016 17:33|
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domain: library


text:
Hasse, Freidrich Rudolf
Hasse, Freidrich Rudolf a German theologian, was born at Dresden June 29,1808. After studying at Leipzic and Berlin, he established himself, in 1834, at the university of the latter city as privatdocent; in 1836 he became extraordinary professor of Church History at the University of Greifswald, and in 1841 ordinary professor at the University of Bonn. Subsequently he was also appointed consistorial councilor. He died in 1862. His principal work is the excellent monograph Anselm von Canterbury (Leips. 1843- 52,2 vols.), one of the best works of this class, and which had the merit of causing amore scientific treatment of the history of scholasticism. His Geschichte des alten Bundes (Leips. 1863) is a course of lectures, and, as such, is meritorious. His Kirchengeschichte was published after his death by Koher (Leips. 1864, 3 vols.). See Krafft, F. R. Hasse (Bonn, 1865); Studiel u. Kritkien, 1867, p. 823.


text:
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
Tetris is probably the one game that almost anyone in the world can recognize. Strangely enough, though, Nintendo only released a relatively small amount of copies of Tetris for the DS. It quickly became recognized as one of the best versions of the iconic puzzler, especially since it offered four-player competitive play off a single cartridge. It’s still as addictive as ever today, and is even better if you manage to jump online and take on a player on the other side of the world. The DS may be on its final days, but Tetris DS will always be one game players carry with them long after the system is retired.

domain: hobby


text:
Single Hole Belt Blank - Hermann Oak Brown
Belt Blank cut from 8-10 oz. (3.2-4 mm) Hermann Oak Drum Dyed Brown Collar Leather. 48" - 52" (122cm - 132cm) long. Available in two widths, 1-½” and 1-¼”.
SLC’s Single Hole Belt Blanks are pre-punched with slot and snap holes and feature decorative holes running 1” apart down the length of the belt.
Ratings & Reviews
GREAT BELT BLANK FOR BEGINNERS!!
Amazing belt blank! I'm new to leathercrafting and I botched my first blank due to poor instruction from another leather store. I bought this to just have a quality belt as quickly as possible and I love the result. I didn't get to hand dye it but I did finish the edges and added a sweet brass Merek Buckle and antique brass Chicago screws. The belt is solid and looks great around my waste. I will be purchasing some natural blanks soon to try hand dyeing in black and navy blue.


SFWMD considers Lake O backpumping proposal
July 27, 2012
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has two important meetings coming up in August to consider a proposal to backpump water laced with phosphorous and nitrogen from the Everglades into......
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The DARPA XM-3
By Steve Reichert
The original article (here) was published by Soldier of Fortune in the summer of 2012. It has since been updated below
For years Marine snipers have been using their coveted bolt-action M40s (A1/2/3/5) to take out enemies all over the world. These rifles are all built by hand at the Marine Corps Precision Weapons Shop (PWS) in Quantico, VA. The Marines at PWS build some of the most accurate sniper rifles in DOD, yet when 9/11 sent the Marines into Iraq and Afghanistan the shortcomings of the new M40A3 were soon apparent. Marines on the front lines needed rifles that were shorter and lighter, had better fields of view, and were quiet. But the weapons procurement timelines in non-special operational forces are long, and what should take months typically takes years. This is where the DARPA XM-3 came in
Enemy Snipers Take a Toll
When urgent needs statements (UNSs) started coming from the sniper platoons on the front lines, one government agency was quick to respond—the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, better known as DARPA. In 2003 DARPA became interested in helping the Marine snipers counter insurgent snipers who had been successful in spotting and killing Marine snipers in hide sites. When our nation’s elite snipers are killed by enemy snipers, it tends to get the attention of all groups in DOD, DARPA being no exception.
DARPA looked at the problem from a technology standpoint. What could DARPA do to increase the Marine snipers’ chances of survival while improving their lethality? One project they were working on was a sniper detection system called the Boomerang. In 2004, as this system was being field tested at Camp Lejeune against Marine snipers on Hathcock Range, the Marine Corps’ representative to DARPA, Col Otto Weigl, was on deck watching the Marine snipers fire against the system. The Col noticed an older gentleman getting down in the dirt and talking to the Marines behind the rifles. The man asking the questions was LtCol Norm Chandler USMC (Ret.). He had been responsible for building Hathcock range in the 90s, so he took an interest any time a new technology was tested there. LtCol Chandler had noticed a Marine was having issues with his optics, and he asked what issues they were having in general with their currently issued M40A3s. That day on the range Col Weigl learned about the shortcomings of the Marines’ sniper rifles and equipment.
DARPA gets in bed
I was the SNCOIC of the 2nd Marine Division’s Pre-Sniper course in 2004 when I got a call from LtCol Chandler. I had known him for years and knew his company built some rock-solid rifles. LtCol Chandler told me he had spoken extensively with Col Weigl and that the Col might be able to provide some technological assistance for the next set of units heading out the door. I found it hard to believe that an O-6 would have taken such an interest so I called Col Weigl’s office at the Pentagon. The Col explained what DARPA could and couldn’t do, and asked to arrange a meeting with snipers and some key leadership within the Division. That year DARPA held a small conference with Marine snipers to gather information on equipment and desired improvements. To develop a new program, DARPA decided to do an evaluation of off-the-shelf equipment that could be acquired, deployed, and evaluated.
The conference and evaluation led to many developments. “In mid-2005,” Col Weigl recounts, “DARPA provided a deploying MEU with spotting scopes, laser range finders, clip on night-vision devices for weapons, carbine suppressors and deployed 2 Mirage 1200 counter sniper systems. DARPA also provided night vision and suppressors to the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab’s first distributed operations platoon deployed in Afghanistan.”
The initial equipment DARPA fielded was used in combat on a daily basis. The technical reports and after-action reports provided DARPA with the justification needed to start the M40XM program. Since DARPA had used Iron Brigade Armory to get the equipment to the Marines, they had a great working relationship. The folks at DARPA also understood what a battle-hardened rifle needed, so it was a natural fit for them to select Iron Brigade Armory. In 2005 DARPA contracted IBA to build and test lightweight sniper rifles that incorporated the improvements the snipers desired in combat.
DARPA’s mission was to develop a complete sniper system for both day and night operations. The system had to be lighter and smaller than the existing M40s while having better accuracy, clip-on night vision that did not require a re-zero, better optics, and better stock, and it had to be suppressed.
Getting funding for the project was not an issue. According to Col Weigl, “Funding for the prototypes XM1 through XM3, as well as the 56 full systems was not a problem since there was interest from the DARPA director Tony Tether, SOCOM General Brown, and USMC General Mattis.” The support and funding made it possible to expedite the development and fielding of the systems.
One of only two XM-3’s with a Rikert Engineering take-down stock, on an OP in Ramadi Iraq
Developing the M40XM
IBA began development of the M40XM1 in early 2005. From the outset they wanted to develop a rifle that was lighter and shorter and that possessed a suppressor and night vision capability. Some of the issues with the Army’s M24 and the Marines’ M40A3s were long barrels, long actions (M24), weaver rails (M24), heavy stocks (M40A3), and fixed power optics. IBA had to look at each issue on the M24 and M40A3 with a critical eye. DARPA wasn’t interested in developing another M40A3 boat anchor. IBA looked at all the parts in a standard Remington 700 action and began working to lighten and modify any factory parts to achieve better results.
So what made the XM3 so different? Here are some of the main elements that set them apart:
- The receivers were clip slotted to accept the reverse-engineered titianium picatinny rail (IBA Design) to fit firmly.
- The receivers’ internal threads were opened up to 1.070” to allow a perfectly true alignment with the bolt face and chamber/bore dimension. The chamber was cut to accept M118LR ammo.
- The titanium recoil lug was built with the 1.070” diameter opening for the larger-barrel threads and surface ground true.
- The stainless steel magazine box was hand fitted and welded to eliminate movement when assembled.
- The stocks were custom made for the project.
- The barreled actions were bedded in titanium Devcon and Marine Tex to allow for decades of hard use without losing torque or consistency.
- Nightforce made a full 1 MOA elevation adjustment on their NXS 3.5-15X50’s to allow for faster dope changes at distance. These scopes had 1/4 MOA windage.
During the development, IBA went through a total of five configurations before settling on the XM3’s final configuration. The first and most obvious departure from a regular M40A3 was the stock. The Marines who used the M40A1 loved the sleek, low-profile stock. It didn’t weigh much, it was easy to maneuver, and it fit most guys well. The main downside to the McMillian A1 stock was the low comb height—plus the fact that the forend was not wide enough to accept the new in-line night vision mounts. I called McMillian Brothers in Arizona and spoke to Mr. McMillian himself. I explained what the XM program was about and asked if he could take an A1 rear, raise the comb half an inch, and use an A3 forend. He said it wouldn’t be a problem, and they got on it. Within three weeks I had the new A6 (as it was called at the time—it’s now the A1-3) stock at my doorstep. Now the stock problem was solved! IBA bedded the the new A6 onto my existing Chandler rifle and we began putting it through it’s paces. Within a month I had sent the stock to Rikert Engineering in MA to have it modified into a take-down stock. This same stock would eventually end up overseas on a Marine Corps XM-3.
DARPA XM-3 out with one of the MEU’s
The other major departures from the sniper rifles of the day were in barrel length and contour. The barrel had to be short enough to allow maneuverability yet long enough to deliver a 10” group at 1,000 yards. If the barrel was too heavy, maneuverability would decrease, yet if the barrel was too light it would only be able to shoot a few rounds before the groups started to shift due to barrel temperature. IBA tested a number of barrel lengths, ranging from 16 to 20 inches and in different contours and even a fluted version. Each rifle with a different length was assigned an XM designator starting with XM1 through XM3. In each case, everything on the prototype rifles was kept the same except the barrel. During the final phases of testing it was found that the 18” barrels had no issues keeping up with their longer 20” brethren. The final barrel length was set at 18.5”, and the contour was a modified #7. The straight taper on the barrel was only 2” vs. 4” and the overall diameter at the muzzle was .85” vs. .980”. This helped reduce a lot of the rifle’s weight while not negatively affecting accuracy or effective range. A number of the groups at 1,000 yards were -1 MOA.
Once the final rifle configuration had been settled on, the prototype XM3 was sent to the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Indiana for testing, safety certification, and a comparison test. The tests conducted at Crane were very scientific. Every round was fired on a fully instrumented range and recorded. The XM3 was tested side by side with the Mk13 Mod 5 and the Mk 11 Mod 0. The XM3 did extremely well during testing.
The time it took IBA to develop and field the XM3 rifle was light years ahead of typical government programs. By the time the first XM3 rifle had been shipped out the door, only 12 months had passed since DARPA had contacted them.
The DARPA XM3 rolls out
You would think with such support the Marines would be chomping at the bit to get these new weapons systems in hand. Despite the interest from Gen Mattis, some Marine program managers at Marine Corps Systems Command (SYSCOM) said there were no requirements for a new sniper rifle and made DARPA jump through numerous hoops. The Marines tested and evaluated the XM3 in Quantico. SYSCOM required an official safety certification from the Navy’s Surface Warfare Center, and once the bureaucratic pushback from SYSCOM, PWS, and unit armory and supply officers was overcome, the systems were sent to the units. In 2006 the Marine Corps started to take delivery of the XM3 sniper weapon system. The system included:
- Rifle – XM3
- Hardigg iM3200 Storm Case
- Suppressor – Surefire FA762SS w/ soft case
- Day Scope – Nightforce NXS 3.5-15X50 MD w/ ZS 1 MOA Elv & 1/4 MOA Wind
- Night Vision Unit – AN/PVS-22 UNS w/ soft case
- Harris Bipod – BRMS w/ PodLoc
- Eagle Cheekpiece
- Turner Saddlery AWS Sling
- Dewey Cleaning Rod and Bore Guide
- Seekonk Torque Wrench @ 68 in lb.
- Kleinendorst Bolt Disassembly Tool
- Allen 5/32 T-Wrench
- SK T30 T-Wrench
- Kobalt ½” Adapter
- 3 Bore Brushes
A number of the first units to receive the XM3 were West Coast infantry battalions. Col Weigl had been working with GySgt Ken Sutherby, one of the Corps’ top snipers, to ensure the rifles made a smooth transition into the fleet. GySgt Sutherby was instrumental in ensuring that the sniper platoons who received the XM3s knew how they operated and what they could and could not do. This was the first time the Marines had seen in-line night vision devices that did not require them to be zeroed to a specific rifle. It was also the first time the Marines had variable power scopes and most importantly the first time they were able to shoot their rifles suppressed.
Col Weigl and Norm Chandler, Jr. were on hand at Camp Pendleton when the first shipment of rifles was delivered to I-MEF. As with all IBA rifles the XM3s were test fired and zeroed before leaving the shop. When the Marines cracked open the cases and went to zero the rifles, they were pleasantly surprised that all the rifles were within a ½ MOA of their point of aim. The Marines were able to hit their targets all the way out to 1,000 yards with ease. But that night was when the Marines’ jaws really dropped. After the sun went down, the Marines tossed on the PVS-26 universal Night Sights. Using their prior data, more than 75% of the Marines had first-round hits at 900 yards, fully suppressed!
One of only two DARPA XM3’s with fluted barrels and take-down stocks
The Marines loved the fact that the rifle was more compact and lighter and had more capabilities than their existing M40A3s. The rifle was mostly able to keep up accuracy-wise with the longer-barreled M40A3s. Even though the barrel on the XM3 was a full six inches shorter, muzzle velocity was only reduced by 100fps on average. Did this make the rifle less accurate? No. It just meant that, depending on the environment, the rounds sometimes went trans-sonic prior to reaching the 1,000-yard mark.
DARPA XM3 Goes to War
Shortly after I-MEF took receipt of the XM-3s, the first units in II-MEF took receipt of theirs and two additional XM-3’s were built for MCWL (Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory). The two MCWL XM-3’s had a special low-profile take-down feature built into them. One of these stocks came off my personal Chandler rifle. By mid 2006 there were dozens of XM3s in Iraq quietly killing insurgents. One of the first reports back described a team of three insurgents emplacing an IED about 400 yards away from the team. It was just after midnight when the team shot the first insurgent. The other two had no idea where the shot came from and starting running directly towards the team. The sniper took out the second guy, while the third guy kept running towards the team. The third guy was dropped about 200 yards from the team’s position. There were reports like this coming back from theater monthly.
I thought the Marines themselves could best sum up their thoughts on the XM3:
“I last deployed in 2008 and carried the XM-3 on every operation. The rifle shot great and the size was perfect for the insert platforms.” GySgt USMC (MARSOC)
“I think the move to the XM-3 was great—beautiful gun, big step forward. Never had any problem with function (or malfunction)—awesome rifle, love it.” MGySgt USMC (2nd Force Recon)
“The length of the XM-3 helped with employment issues as well. In an urban environment where you can get some standoff from your loophole, size is not such an issue. In the mountains of Afghanistan and in the small mud buildings of our AO, we were often wedged into our positions. A shorter weapon was welcomed.” Sgt USMC (Sniper Instructor)
“Why we haven’t adopted this model of rifle I have no idea. I love this rifle. If I could afford it, I would buy one myself.” SSgt USMC (Sniper Instructor)
“The greatest advantage to this rifle compared to the M40A3 was the decreased weight, suppressor, inline night sight rail over the barrel, and variable power scope. That would not be significant nowadays, but back then, it was a force multiplier.” CWO2 USMC (Marine Gunner & former Sniper School SNCOIC)
“The length of the rifle was its real advantage. To be able to T-bone it across your pack and not have it sticking as far out as our 40s was advantageous” SSgt USMC (Sniper School Instructor)
“At the time, none of our 40s were set up with suppressors. That in my opinion is what gave it the advantage over the M40s” GySgt USMC (Sniper School Instructor)
“I personally shot over 1,000 rounds through the XM-3 and had no issues. With M118 I held sub minute of angle groups back to the 1,000-yard line suppressed and non-suppressed. This was the norm and not the anomaly.” CWO2 USMC (Marine Gunner & former Sniper School SNCOIC)
“These benefits are hard to explain to a commander that only leaves the wire under the protection of an armored vehicle. We tried one night, but our Battalion Commander could not see how any military unit could justify spending that much money on a weapon system. We explained to him that a lot of our heavy weapons cost a lot more. This was to no avail. In the end, I left him with a playing card that I had shot the spade out of from 100 yards using the XM-3.” Sgt USMC (Sniper Instructor)
“All XM-3 rifles (I mean every one) that I tested were sub-minute of angle guns at 300 yards with Black Hills ammunition and I never encountered any stoppages, malfunctions or failures to fire during any tests or field use.” MGySgt USMC (Former Marine Rifle Team SNCOIC)
“All around, the XM3 was the solution for a primarily urban fight and the required long-range shooting when the opportunity presented itself. The suppressed capabilities allow snipers to remain uncompromised and take more than one shot from a concealed position.” GySgt USMC (Sniper School Instructor)


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NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Johnson & Johnson is recalling yet another batch of Tylenol medicines due to consumer complaints about a musty, moldy smell.
Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ, Fortune 500) McNeil division, which makes over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol, Motrin and Benadryl, said the latest recall includes one lot of Tylenol 8 Hour (150 count) extended release caplets, or 34,000 bottles.
McNeil said the new recall is part of the company's ongoing surveillance of its products.
The company said the Tylenol product involved in this latest recall was manufactured at its Fort Washington, PA plant prior to the closure of that facility in April 2010 following recalls of millions of non-prescription children's drugs made there.
Earlier this month, the government announced it was taking over three Tylenol plants operated by McNeil following the blizzard of drug recalls and a Food and Drug Administration criminal investigation into safety issues at the factories.
McNeil recalled more than 50 million bottles of Tylenol, Motrin and Benadryl products last year after receiving complaints of an unusual moldy, musty odor.
The company said at the time that the smell was caused by trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, which is applied to wooden pallets that are used to transport and store packaging materials.
In Tuesday's recall, McNeil said the musty odor was again thought to be caused by the presence of trace amounts of 2,4,6-tribromoanisole and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole.
The company said consumers who purchased products from the latest recalled lot should stop using the product.
Consumers can also contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare, either at www.tylenol.com or by calling 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time) for instructions about receiving a refund or product coupon.
American companies have continued to ship jobs overseas on an almost daily basis during President Trump's first 100 days in office. More
The Commerce Department will publish the first quarter of GDP mostly under President Trump. It's expected to be very low but the economy overall is in good shape. More
In 1998, Ntsiki Biyela won a scholarship to study wine making. Now she's about to launch her own brand. More
You may get big financial and mental benefits if you wait a little longer to retire. More


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- Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great Hotel. Highly recommend. The customer service was excellent
Your dates need to occur after 2020-01-19. Try updating your dates to see prices for your trip.
In the business district, Hyatt Centric Arlington is in Arlington's Rosslyn neighborhood, an area with great shopping. Kennedy Center and National Museum of American History are cultural highlights, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Fashion Center at Pentagon City and L'Enfant Plaza. Check out an event or a game at Capital One Arena, and consider making time for Smithsonian's National Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Our guests love the hotel's quiet location.
I love it , is close to everything , is very safe . Is perfect


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In principle, banking is the most extremely paid trade to enter as a graduate. Some attorneys work in the enterprise world, providing counsel to company shoppers on business transactions. Most of legal professionals work in non-public practices dealing with both civil or criminal legislation instances. A trainee solicitor is an aspiring lawyer enterprise a two-12 months period of recognised training, also referred to as a coaching contract , at a regulation agency.
The median annual salary of real property attorneys in 2014 was roughly $90,a hundred twenty five, in accordance with Extremely expert contract negotiators tend to be the highest earners in real property regulation, nevertheless, expertise and location additionally influence the incomes potential of these attorneys.
Employees in all areas of the legislation sector enjoy a number of the highest salaries in the nation, with many companies providing bonuses and beneficiant pay rises as well as benefits equivalent to health insurance, fitness center memberships and travel subsidies.
Within the greatest legal markets â€” including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington â€” $one hundred sixty,000 is the most typical salary on the largest firms that reported paying first years. Some legislation school graduates who have been unable to search out everlasting positions turn to short-term staffing corporations that place attorneys in short-time period jobs.
Newly employed legal professionals, often called associates, should either advance within their agency or could also be compelled to go away, a observe commonly generally known as “up or out.” Those that depart law firms may discover work as in-house counsel with corporations, with government businesses, or as self-employed attorneys.

domain: law


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During a media call on Jan. 13, Dr. Wendell James, a chief clinical officer at Prisma Health in the Upstate, described the COVID-19 hospitalizations from the omicron form of the virus as “looking like a vertical line.” As of Jan. 13, the Prisma Health system in the Upstate of South Carolina had 628 patients hospitalized Jan. 13. He claims that hospitalizations from the COVID-19 strain of the virus increased by 51% in a week. According to Dr. Divya Ahuja, just 53% of South Carolinians have been properly vaccinated. James requested the public’s cooperation in preventing the virus’s spread by wearing masks, avoiding crowds, getting vaccinations, and cleaning their hands.
Those needing testing at the emergency room should go to one of the DHEC’s public testing locations, he advised. The Prisma system admitted 43 youngsters, three of whom were on ventilators. Those who haven’t been vaccinated have immune systems that aren’t ready to combat the virus, according to Dr. Robin Lacroix, medical director of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Upstate. “We still have a long way to go in terms of vaccinating youngsters,” she said. *Inpatients and observation inpatients with COVID-19 do not include hospitalized COVID patients who have tested negative for the condition.


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St. Elmo Historic District
St. Elmo & Incline, circa 1900
St. Elmo is a beloved neighborhood here and one of several Chattanooga neighborhoods designated as a local historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You may have noticed the late Victorian architecture styles of Queen Anne, gabled ell, and Colonial Revival, along with early 20th century styles of Craftsman/bungalow and Tudor Revival.
Colonel Abraham Malone Johnson and his wife, Thankful Whiteside Johnson, are considered the founders of St. Elmo. They acquired land at the foot of Lookout Mountain shortly after the Civil War and built a beautiful residence on Alabama Avenue. Col. Johnson was instrumental in the formation of several local organizations and companies, including the water company that would become Tennessee American Water and The Chattanooga Medicine Company (now Sanofi).
As Chattanooga residents fled the yellow fever epidemic of 1878, many settled on Lookout Mountain and at the base of the mountain. Seeing the desire for land outside the city, Colonel Johnson divided his land into residential and commercial lots for sale and named the burgeoning community St. Elmo in honor of the popular 19th century novel, St. Elmo. The author, Augusta Evans, was a personal friend of his wife and is said to have written part of the novel while visiting them.
St. Elmo was still somewhat removed from Chattanooga proper, so Col. Johnson, along with Z.C. Patten and other prominent Chattanooga residents, financially backed the formation of The Chattanooga-St. Elmo Street Railroad Company, which formed a horse-drawn street rail line between St. Elmo and the city in 1885. By the 1890s, electric streetcar lines began running from Chattanooga to St. Elmo, increasing residents’ interest in moving out to the “country.” Opened in 1895, the Incline Railway allowed for easier transportation up and down the mountain and drew in tourists as well.
As the small community grew, they established their own schools and churches, and in 1905, St. Elmo incorporated and formed a town commission. It wasn’t until 1929 that the city of Chattanooga annexed St. Elmo.
If you’d like to know more, there is a St. Elmo resident, Jeffrey Web, who has written a book on St. Elmo called, St. Elmo, Yesterday and Today.
Hope this helps!
Resident History Hound
St. Elmo & Incline, circa 1920

domain: history


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Fernie Search and Rescue recovered three skiers in distress on Magnolia Ridge following training exercises on Sunday.
According to Fernie SAR, teams were alerted around 2 p.m. that the skiers had become cliffed out while trying to return to the resort from Magnolia Bowl after they had lost a ski.
Fernie SAR teams were dispatched one hour after completing training at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Along with the help of Fernie Alpine Resort management and Ski Patrol teams, Fernie SAR said that technicians completed a challenging long-line rescue. It added that technical piloting skills from Ascent Helicopters made the rescue possible.
The three skiers, two of which are local residents, were returned safely to the resort base.


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BROWN DEER (WITI) -- The future of the former Northridge Mall site is once again in question. At the Eleventh Hour on Friday, April 11th, the Chinese owner of the former Northridge Mall redeemed the mortgage on the property -- giving it control of the site three days before a scheduled Sheriff’s Auction -- and preventing Bill Penzey from acquiring it for his business, Penzeys Spices.
Northridge Mall closed in 2003. Wauwatosa-based Penzeys wanted the space -- but we have now learned the Chinese investors who own it don't plan on giving it up.
"The property was in foreclosure and it was actually scheduled to go into a Sheriff`s Auction on Monday," Stacy Vogel Davis with the Milwaukee Business Journal said.
On Friday, we learned the property owner, a Beijing-based company called U.S. Toward Enterprise Group Incorporated gave everyone a big surprise. After sitting on the property for six years, it paid off the $1.4 million debt it owed on its mortgage -- which means U.S. Toward will retain ownership.
In a statement, the company says it intends to open an "Asia commodities trade center and China convention and exhibition center later this year." It would create "a variety of products, including ceramics, silk, textiles, crafts and gifts, lighting and hardware."
Jeff Fleming, spokesperson for the Department of City Development says the last-minute save casts doubt over Bill Penzey's plans for the property. The owner of Penzeys Spices had been eyeing the property and hoped to purchase it during Monday's auction.
"There's no reason to believe the promises made today will be treated any differently than the promises before. That`s why we have sided with Bill Penzey because that project has the greatest likelihood, in our mind, of moving forward in a positive way," Fleming said.
Penzey hoped to use the space for warehousing and distribution -- with a possible retail component.
Now, the future of Northridge Mall isn't looking too spicy -- but even so, the city isn't giving up hope.
"The city is fighting to move forward with the best possible project," Fleming said.
Penzey actually owns the old Boston Store location at the Northridge site and the roads surrounding the site -- so if the Chinese group is going to move forward, it will have to work with Penzeys.

domain: economics


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September 27, 2014
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY--MY FIRST VOLUNTEER PROJECT
De Leon Springs State Park
Date: September 27, 2014, 9:00 a.m.-12:00p.m.
Please join the Friends of DeLeon Springs State Park and Assistant Park Manager Dave Garcia in support of National Public Lands Day. We need help planting 500 potted Long-leaf pines for restoring areas of disturbed Pine Flatwoods Habitats in the park. While we work, guest speaker and DEP biologist, Graham Williams will share his knowledge of the importance of restoring Florida’s dominant pine species. Partner with us in this long-term effort to return disturbed pasture land into what the first Europeans exploring Central Florida saw. We recommend bringing: appropriate clothing such as long trousers and closed shoes, as well as water and bug spray to use if needed. Please bring own shovel if possible.
If you have any special needs, please contact park office at 386-985-4212 before arriving so we can make reasonable accommodations.
Fees: Free entance for participants
- De Leon Springs is located at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Burt Parks Road, west of U.S. 17.
- Take US Hwy 17 North from Deland for approximately six miles, following the state park signs. Turn left onto Ponce De Leon Boulevard and travel approximately one mile to the entrance to De Leon Springs State Park.


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"Hide is dead"
Touka was seen visiting the hospital and let me tell you why I’m sure it’s Hide.
Ghouls, for one, are the enemy of humans. They won’t certainly be welcomed at hospitals to be treated. Her friends are mostly ghouls who can heal and regenerate their bodies. Apart from Yoriko (who is well and alive), Hide is the only human Touka is acquainted with who is in need of medical attention due to the past battle arc.
Like what everyone is saying, Hide is most likely in a coma and Touka is visiting him in Kaneki’s stead knowing Hide is Ken’s precious best friend.


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Standalone Sunday is a weekly feature created by Megan @bookslayerReads that allows us to feature books, that are not part of a series, that we loved.
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once.”
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.
I have been seeing quiet a few reviews lately of John Green’s new book. That just made me think about the only John Green book that I have read, The Fault In Our Stars. It’s literary been years since I have read this book.
(I actually read it in 2013.) This is actually one of the first young adult books that I have ever read while being aware that there is something like a young adult genre. (I had no idea that that was a thing for a long time.)
I remember really loving this book, it was one of my all time favourites for a long time.
(It’s not anymore, but I still appreciate it for what it was.) I think I just read this book at the right moment in my life, where I could really feel for the characters and connect with them. The characters were definitely my favourite part of this book, I loved all of them. And yes, this book did make me cry a lot. (It’s one of the few that managed to do that.) This is also one of those books that I’m unsure I would enjoy as much if I read it now.
I actually don’t plan on picking up any other John Green books. Honestly they just don’t interest me and there is the fact that I don’t read many contemporaries in the first place.


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Rhonda Valley cashed in on the deal while shopping at Value Village. She bought some shelves, started carrying them to her car, when a plastic bag fell out of a slot that would normally hold mail.
The bag contained a gun that was marked as evidence for the Fairbanks police department.
The gun frightened Valley who found a manager. The manager called the police.
Fairbanks police Lt. Dusty Johnson said the gun probably was returned to its owner, who didn't bother to remove the evidence sticker.
"We've found guns that are many years old before," Johnson said.
The case number and date were hand-written on the sticker. The case was from 1974.
Fairbanks Officer Dave Stevenson went to the thrift store to pick up the gun and said the revolver was made in the early '70s.
"That used to be the No.1 murder weapon used at the time," he said. "They were cheap. You could buy them over the counter."
Or as Valley found out, you can find them in discount shelving.
-- Fairbanks Daily News-Miner


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As part of the upcoming delegates conference of the Bole District Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) slated for 18th May, 2021, the Bui Power Authority has donated items worth hundreds of Ghana cedis to the association to support the event.
Some of these items include 20 packs of bottled water, five crates of canned malt, branded note books and pens as well as calendars.
The items were donated to the association at the Bole District GNAT Secretariat by the community relations officer Mr. Anokye Benjamin on behalf of the Bui power Authority and received by the Bole District GNAT secretary, Chief Abdulai Jaaga.
Speaking to Bole based Nkilgi Fm, Mr Anokye Benjamin said the Bui Power Authority and its management is always ready to support anytime they are called upon for th as a way to strengthen the long term relationship that existed between GNAT the authority.
Chief Abdulai Jaaga expressed his excitement on receiving the items on behalf of GNAT and thanked the Bui power authority for their contribution.
He said they appealed to stakeholders and partners and Bui Power Authority came to their aid. He disclosed that the Ghana Commercial Bank also donated GHc300 for them to pay for Conference hall of their upcoming delegates conference.


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Johann du Toit
Du Toit has a BEng and an MScEng in mechanical engineering, structural design and simulation from Stellenbosch University. He is the co-founder of the SIMERA Group and is responsible for company growth.
Previously, he was Technical Director: CTS Trailers, where he was responsible for the set up and management of technical systems for the manufacturing of large flat deck and refrigerated semi-trailers, tippers and manufacturing processes. From 2001 to 2007, Du Toit was Optical Group Lead: SunSpace and Information Systems. He joined SunSpace as a structural design engineer, then specialised in structural vibration testing and went on to become group leader of the space optics team. In 1997, Du Toit founded his own structural analyses start-up (Fem-Aided Designs) where he consulted in the field of structural design and simulation ranging from transport, marine, space and medical fields until 2000.
He also lectured design for final year mechanical engineering students at Stellenbosch University on a part-time basis from 1999 to 2000.
Du Toit believes that by aptly managing, guiding and empowering a great team, one will be far prouder of the outcome than what your own limited contribution could have fashioned.


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My city Mumbai is the capital city of Maharastra. It was formerly known as Bombay and then changed into ‘Bombay’. It is one of the most populous cities in India with an average population of about 18.4 million. A recent study has revealed that Mumbai is the 2nd most populous metropolitan city in India with an estimated population of 21.3 million as of 2016. It is the wealthiest city with numerous resources. Mumbai has numerous millionaires and billionaires. It has seen tremendous growth in all fields of automation to engineering. It is a technologically advanced city with the rich source of electronic gadgets. Apart from these, it has the great history of traditional architecture & cultural heritage.
An ancient Mumbai was flourished with numerous elegant historic sites. Chatrapathi Shivaji terminus, shree siddhi Vinayak temple, Iskon temple, Hare Krishna temple, Mahalakshmi temple, mount marry church are some of the popular historic sites and temples. Some of the most popular architectural buildings in Mumbai are such as Churchgate Railway station, Bombay High court, St. Thomas Cathedral Mumbai, Worli Fort, Antila, The Ashleys, Mahim Fort, Brihan Mumbai Corporation and lots more. Besides, there are lots of sightseeing and attractive place. Mumbai is indeed a perfect place for tourist spots. If you come to my city, you can have an unforgettable travel experience.
Gateway of India is one of the top attractive places in Mumbai. In addition to this, there are plenty of alluring museums and historical sites out there, which adds allure to the city. Nehru Planetarium, Red carpet wax museums, Bhau Daji lad museum, Nehru center, Nehru science center, Rhythm art Gallery, Aai Museum, Asia Society Museum are just a few of the most attractive museums in Mumbai. If you come to my city, there are a lot of surprises for you. Experience the beauty of Mumbai by visiting your favorite place.


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Work but no pay
Residents of Oroville, I call upon you to stop supporting local businesses that do not pay their employees for working.? A locally owned video store, or so they say, pay their employees under the table.?They trade hours worked with free video rentals or say they will pay them in cash under the table.?I know people who have worked or are still working for this establishment and have quit to go to other jobs or quit because they do not get paid.?I know of two employees now that have quit while still being owed hundreds of dollars,?now I have learned that the owners allegedly are saying those employees stole merchandise from them so they do not have to pay them for the time worked.?There is no time clock and therefor no official record of hours worked, it’s one person’s word against another.?Businesses like this are what make it difficult for legitimate small businesses to afford the cost of employee insurance.
Support from fitness facility
We would like to thank the generous person who offered to let our son use their membership as a guest at Oro-West while on leave. He is now “back in country” but I would like to mention that he contacted Oro-West and was able to use their facility gratis while on leave. Kudos to Oro West and concerned Oroville citizens who support our service men and women in harms way. Thank you.


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An inmate in the Hunt County Detention Center has added some new charges to himself. Charles Trent Parrish has made terroristic threats against jail personnel and their families. During a course of the last few days, Parrish has made threats written and verbally. He is charged with two felony counts of Obstruction/Retaliation in addition to his other charges.
“Parrish has been a problem for us ever since he was booked into jail when he assaulted a victim with a machete. This individual is a very violent man and we take all threats against our folks very seriously.” Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks
Hunt County Sheriff
On August 9th, 2019 the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office alerted the public to an active felony warrant on Charles Trent Parrish for the offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon after he eluded capture the previous night.
On August 10th, 2019 Hunt County Crime Stoppers received an anonymous tip that Mr. Parrish was hiding in a residence in the 2500 block of Monroe Street in Commerce Texas. The Commerce Police Department was notified of this tip and responded to the location where Mr. Parrish was taken into custody without incident.
Sheriff Meeks stated: “I want to thank for the public for the tips that came in to Hunt County Crime Stoppers in the search for this violent offender. I also want to commend Lt. Clark with the Commerce Police Department for taking swift action to make sure that Mr. Parrish was taken into custody without further incident”.
Sheriff Randy Meeks
Hunt County Sheriffs Department released this statement after an overnight manhunt.
On August 8th, 2019 at approximately 7:20 p.m. the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an assault in the 2700 block of SH 69 South.
Additional information provided was that the suspect had assaulted a person with a large knife, possibly a machete and the victim was transported to the hospital in a private vehicle. Deputies were informed that the suspect was hiding in the area and was armed with the large knife and possibly an assault rifle. The suspect was identified as Charles Trent Parrish, 43 years of age from the Greenville area.
The Hunt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was mobilized and assistance was requested from outside agencies to assist in the search for Mr. Parrish in and around his residence. Mr. Parrish eluded capture and is currently at large and a Felony Warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon has been issued for his arrest.
The victim was treated at a local hospital and his condition is not known at this time.
Sheriff Meeks stated: “This search went well into the early morning hours and I greatly appreciate all the agency’s that assisted us. Mr. Parrish is a very dangerous person and we are asking anyone with information to contact us or Crime Stoppers at 903-457-2929”.
Sheriff Randy Meeks


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Rising cost of food items in the country is worrisome, and rightly so. Millions of Nigerians literally pay through their nose to put food on the table. What makes the situation dire is the fact that virtually all food items are affected, including ingredients and other condiments. It is so serious that people no longer discuss it in hushed tones; the complaints have now become too strident for the government not to hear.
It cannot be otherwise in a situation where a bag of rice which sold for about N15,000 a few years back now goes for about N35,000, a more than 100% increase. Similarly, a bag of beans has gone up from N9,000 to N28,000. Also, a bottle of groundnut oil which now sells for about N900 per bottle was sold for N400 a few years ago. Even seasoning, salt and sugar have also become more expensive. That is not all; a kilo of cooking gas, which was N600 around December, 2021, is now about N750.
The cumulative effect of these astronomical price increases is a plunge in the standard of living of Nigerians.
Although different people have come up with several lists of what constitute basic human needs, we can narrow them down to four. These are food, water, air and shelter. If any of the first three, at least, is not met, death beckons. One can improvise to some extent on the fourth, which is shelter. Each of the four serves different purposes to our bodies.
But food provides nutrients, that is substances that provide energy for our daily activities, growth and all other functions of the body like breathing, digestion and keeping us warm. We also need food to keep our immune system healthy. Nutrients, chemicals that our body needs include vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein and lipids, all of which also help in nourishing our bodies.
If food is this important, it follows that it should be within reach. In other words, it should come cheap, at least for the basic food items that would give us the appropriate calories that we need to function properly. This is the reason many countries subsidise food items, to enable their citizens meet their daily requirements of what constitutes a balanced diet. The United States of America, for example, subsidises agriculture to the tune of about $16billion annually. British farmers get about £3billion from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) annually despite comprising only about 0.7% Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Indeed, food is such an essential requirement of Iife that people have had to revolt due to lack of it, or when its price is beyond reach. As a matter of fact, it led to violent revolution like that of France in 1789. Even in this century, we have had a rash of food riots in many developing countries like Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, India, to name a few, over astronomical rise in the prices of what could pass for iconic foods in these countries. Thus, the riots which led to massive looting of stores, fast food restaurants and supply depots were caused by high cost of staple food items like rice, bread, onions, among others, resulting in deaths in some cases and erosion of credibility of governments in others. As the saying goes, “a hungry man is an angry man”. The only language a man that is hungry understands is to be provided with food. That is why many governments do all within their powers to stem rising food prices and prevent the anarchy that usually follows it.
Although many observers believe the rising price of fuel, particularly diesel, is responsible for the rising prices of food items in the country, as farmers still have to transport the items to the town, this only explains a part of the story. The most important reason food prices are soaring in the country is due to insecurity. Farmers have, especially in recent times, become an endangered species. People now go to farms with their hearts in their mouths, as terrorists have made many farmers abandon farming for fear of being killed, kidnapped or their wives and daughters raped by the heartless criminals. Add these to the recurring destruction of farmlands by herdsmen who trample on farmlands, destroying farm produce in the process, we cannot blame farmers who are fleeing their farms in droves. The consequence is shortage of food items that in turn breeds high prices.
Governments at all levels have to do a lot to remedy the situation and stabilise the prices of foodstuffs in order to save Nigerians from malnutrition and anarchy. Already, they are battling with all manner of hardships occasioned by bad leadership, either by the present administration and those it inherited. Taking food items beyond their reach is going to be one problem too many. It is therefore incumbent on the Federal Government in particular to fight the insurgency war more vigorously so that farmers can confidently return to the farms and work towards reversing the spiralling prices of food items. Other factors militating against agriculture can similarly be tackled once security is guaranteed. Rising food prices is an open invitation to chaos and disenchantment, the end of which no one can predict.


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STATE BASKETBALL: WHS seniors can hold heads high
Published 03/22/2012, EOT Focus
After a tough 51-47 loss to Perham in the Class AA state boys’ basketball quarterfinals, the Trojans sat quietly in the stands of the Target Center.Word count: 658
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