More than 24 hours after a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Kubwa district reversed itself and ordered the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to swear in newly elected local government chairmen and councillors, the Minister has not obeyed, and it is raisingng the temperature of supporters.
A vast crowd has been around the minister’s office in Area 11 of Garki district, awaiting the swearing-in.
Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, who initially issued the order that stopped Minister Muhammad Bello from swearing the elected officials, on Thursday set aside the judgment given in favour of tenure elongation for the six FCT Area Council chairmen and their councilors elected in 2019 for a three-year tenure.
Three weeks ago on May 18, 2022, the FCT High Court in Kubwa district suspended the swearing-in of the newly elected chairmen and the councillors, claiming they were entitled to an extra year based, according to him, on a provision of the Electoral Act 2022.
There was confusion in Abujs and the legal team of the Federal Capital Territory Authoriyy (FCTA) sought clarification.
On Thursday, the judge clarified that everyone is in a learning process, that humans are bound to make mistakes and also bound to make corrections.
He said that it was very clear that some mistakes were made and a judgment was entered, which brought a lot of issues concerning the elongation of the tenure of the outgoing chairmen in the six area councils.
He subsequently vacated his first judgment and directed that the new Area Council chairmen who were elected and issued certificates of return be sworn-in by the FCT Minister immediately.
In a statement he personally signed three weeks ago, Minister Mohammad Bello, who has been accused of keeping dethroned area councils chairmen and councillors in place, because his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), lost some of the seats to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially the chairmanship of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, made up of the city centre, where the nation’s seat of power is, stated: “As you are all aware, in March of 2019, we held the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, whereby six council chairmen and councillors were elected after a very competitive and rigorous process.
“These six council chairmen of the FCT were then inaugurated on the 20th of May 2019, under the 2010 Electoral Act. Based on that Act, the tenure of the Chairmen would end today and the new Chairmen, based on the elections held in February this year, would be sworn in on 20th May 2022.
“But a few days ago, we received communication of a judgment by a court in the Federal Capital Territory directing us to suspend the inauguration of the new Chairmen, based on the fact that the current Chairmen’s tenure would end today, 19th May 2022.
“According to the judgment, based on the recently signed Electoral Act of 2022, which stipulates that the tenure of office of the Chairmen of the Area Councils in FCT would now be four years instead of three years, the existing Chairmen whose tenure were meant to expire or end today, have another one year to continue, based on the new law.
“So, as a law-abiding government, the FCT Administration has no option than to suspend the planned inauguration of the Six Area Council Chairmen of the Federal Capital Territory who were duly elected some weeks ago as a result of this injunction of the court.
“Also, as an administration that is very conscious of the need to abide by the rule of law, even though we are not satisfied with the judgment of the court, we have no option but to comply.
“While complying, we are also making efforts to vacate the judgment and if need arises, to appeal the judgment, so that the correct position of the law will be determined by the legal processes.
“In the interim therefore, we are very conscious of the fact that the stand of the court has raised a lot of concerns within certain sections of the Federal Capital Territory residents. I wish to appeal to everyone to be calm, to be law abiding and to await the outcome of the legal processes.
“FCT is a creation of law. The FCT has always been known to be a place of unity, peace and good governance and populated by law abiding residents. Please let us continue the way we are and await the court processes. At the end of the court processes, the clear direction of what needs to be done would be clearly stated and then as an administration, we will do the needful.”


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The Washington Post declined to mention any reference to “Islamic terror” in a story published Monday recounting the 2016 Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando.
Instead of mentioning that Islamic terrorism was the motive for the shooting, the article’s author, Katie Mettler, wrote that the Orlando massacre that left 49 people dead was a “mass shooting” caused by “gun violence.”
“It had been a year since the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history stole 49 lives there and scarred countless others; a year since Pulse, a safe space for Orlando’s gay community, fundamentally changed,” Mettler writes.
Mettler talks about how the June 2016 attack devastated the victims and their families but failed to mention Omar Mateen’s motive for carrying out the attack.
Mateen, however, made his intentions known in a 911 phone call he placed with Orlando police shortly after he carried out the attack.
A transcript of Mateen’s conversation with the 911 operator shows that Mateen carried out the attack in the name “of the Islamic State”:
“Emergency 911, this is being recorded,” the operator said.
“In the name of God the Merciful, the beneficent,” Mateen said in Arabic.
“What?” the operator asked.
“Praise be to God, and prayers as well as peace be upon the prophet of God,” Mateen continued in Arabic before stating in English: “I wanna let you know, I’m in Orlando and I did the shootings.”
“What’s your name?” the operator asked.
“My name is I pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of the Islamic State,” Mateen declared.
The FBI also investigated Mateen for statements he made pledging his loyalty to terrorist organizations three years before the attack took place.
The article does not mention the words “terror” or “Islam” at all, merely chalking off the terrorist attack as another shooting comparable to police shootings that took place later in the year.
“By the end of the night, more than 1,000 people had gathered to remember what happened last June, when Orlando became the first U.S. city of the summer — before Falcon Heights, Minn., and Baton Rouge and Dallas — to be upended by gun violence,” she writes.
There were some references to “terrorism” and “the Islamic State” in the caption for a video placed at the top of the article, but that has changed.
The video placed at the top of the article about the victims of the Orlando attack used to say that it was an act of “terrorism” and that it was motivated by “pledging loyalty to the Islamic State,” according to an earlier piece from the Daily Caller.
As of Monday evening, the video at the top of the article about the owner of the nightclub speaking about the attack includes a caption that says, “Barbara Poma, the owner of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, spoke on June 12, one year after the shooting that killed 49.”

domain: law


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Although the term 'money laundering' is generally used when describing the activities of organised crime (for which the legislation and regulations were first and foremost introduced), to most people who are likely to come across it or be affected by it, it involves a suspicion that someone they know, or know of, is benefiting. The tutor pages - essay writing tutor article: fca's approach to money laundering by dr ade. This article will explore the latest technique in money laundering: cyberlaundering by means of anonymous digital cash part i is a brief race through laundering history part ii discusses how anonymous ecash may facilitate money laundering on the intenet part iii examines the relationship between current. The acute crisis of the global financial system emphasized the necessity of the attack on money laundering which blows up investments from a country. India is extensively gripped under crime of money laundering money laundering is usually used by criminals to hide money made through illegal act it is the process by which huge amount of money obtained unlawfully, from drug trafficking, terrorist activity or other severe crimes money laundering has an unfavourable. Money laundering is something some criminals do to the money they make from crime when a criminal does money laundering, the criminal tries to make it hard for the police to find out where the criminal got the money one way criminals launder money is by using the money earned from illegal activities to buy things ( like.
After foreign exchange and petroleum, money laundering is the world's largest industry in terms of turnover and yet little academic or empirical research exists on the matter this essay attempts to counter this in some way firstly, a definition of money laundering is offered, before attempting to justify its study and estimate its. Money-laundering is the method by which criminals disguise the illegal origins of their wealth and protect their asset bases, so as to avoid the suspicion of law enforcement agencies and prevent leaving a trail of incriminating evidence terrorists and terrorist organizations also rely on money to sustain themselves and to. Money laundering has been a popular way to avoid the law since the time of al capone you can find out more about it from this paper template. Phd thesis on money laundering money laundering dissertation writing service to assist in writing a doctorate money laundering thesis for a graduate dissertation class phd thesis on, money laundering the doric order thematic essay application essay writing xat 2012 phd thesis on money laundering.
This essay draws not only on the modest criminological and legal literature but also on a wide array of nonacademic writings, principally from governments, lawyers, and journalists, to describe both money laundering and the regime our emphasis is as much on the regulations as on the offense the reason is not just that. Lawteachernet have a range of money laundering essays to help you with your legal studies no registration required. Free essay: the third step is integration, which is when the funds reenter the legitimate economy often times the illegal money is intertwined with.
There is money laundering in the civil service largely manifesting itself in financial irregularities in the auditor general's reports and misappropriation of donor funds there is money laundering in the private sectors especially in the unshackled sectors like the church and the informal sectors this essay. Money laundering 1 definition ofmoney laundering 2 money laundering•the word “laundry”literally means “cleaning”•metaphorically, moneylaundering refers to“cleaning on money” 3 money laundering“any financial transactionwhich generates an asset ora value as the result of anillegal act.
Money laundering is a global trend, increasing in recognition in recent times.

domain: economics


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Shunsuke Adachi, first author of “The Evolution of C4 Photosynthesis in Flaveria (Asteraceae): Insights from the Flaveria linearis Complex”
Current Position: Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
Education: PhD in Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
Non-scientific Interests: Japanese sake
Brief bio: I am a crop physiologist with a focus on photosynthetic improvement in rice. My final goal is to understand the comprehensive genetic network controlling photosynthesis and activating physiological breeding for achieving the “Second Green Revolution”. My major research subject is the genetic and physiological analysis of natural genetic resources in rice. I also have a strong interest in the evolution of C4 photosynthesis as a guide for enhancing rice photosynthesis. This Flaveria research published in Plant Physiology resulted from my visit to the R.F. Sage laboratory at the University of Toronto in 2017.

domain: agronomy


Helsinki, Finland October 13 2017 – Axiell, the leading vendor to libraries in Europe, today announces that the company has acquired ATP Automation Ltd Oy, a company specialized in library logistics. Through the acquisition, Axiell will broaden its offering in the Finnish market to cover market leading self-service machines and conveyor solutions for libraries, in addition to the already existing offer which the company is working with. ATP represents top Finnish know-how, guaranteed by a membership in the Association of Finnish Work. The four staff at ATP will join Axiell and will continue to serve existing customers.
"We are glad that ATP will join the Axiell family. It is very important for us to be a complete provider to libraries in Finland and to support all the aspects of their services. With ATP, we will now be able to broaden our product offering, for example with their smart shelf solution and add industry-leading knowhow," says Mr Joel Sommerfeldt, President & CEO of Axiell Group.
ATP has been active in Finland for 10 years and has 70 implementations at Finnish libraries and 15 industry customers. The largest customers are Turku City Library, the four largest libraries in Helsinki, Tampere City Library, and the brand new Iso Omena library in Espoo. In addition to library self-service, the company has developed conveyor and RFID solutions also for customers outside the library market.
"We have been cooperating with Axiell for 10 years and it was a natural next step to join them. During the acquisition process, we have established that we share values, such as the importance of excellent customer service, so we feel very positive towards joining Axiell", says Mrs Reeta Muttonen, Director of Automation Business from ATP Automation Ltd.
Additional details around the acquisition are not disclosed.


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Today I’d like to present Guitar Coach Magazine, a free magazine-based Application for iPad with loads of guitar tuition videos and articles as well as music news, product reviews and guest articles.
Guitar Coach is a free magazine, packed with practical guitar coaching videos. From beginner to intermediate lessons, including songs, riffs, licks, solos and improvisation. Guitar Coach also includes guitar news, articles, guitarist profiles and product reviews.
Guitar Coach magazine is a free publication.
I highly recommend this to any person who want to start learn playing the guitar.

domain: hobby


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Comics Are as Popular in the Arab World as Elsewhere
As a part of my research on new ways to convey ideas, I’ve been looking into the medium of the illustrated novel. My colleagues have made a deal for two “comic books” that, we hope, will effectively convey the ideas of freedom to readers of Arabic. That may lead to a lot more. (We’ll see.) In addition to the works of Scott McCloud, I have been directed by Arab friends to AK Comics and the interview with the principals behind the project on NPR. (They have a video version of their TV cartoon work, which is very action-oriented, here.) (I think that we’re going to go less with the “action hero” genre and more with the illustrated book of ideas, but we’re still looking at options.)
The radical enemies of toleration have been using the medium of illustrated novels for some time. I hope that my Arab libertarian friends can give them some competition.

domain: literature


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Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) An Islamic State member, known to be close to the group’s supreme leader, was killed along with several snipers in an airstrike in southwest of Kirkuk, a local source said.
“The leader in charge of training the group’s snipers, known as Abu Abdullah al-Tajiki, along with other snipers, were killed in an airstrike in a village in north of Hawija,” the source told AlSumaria News on Saturday.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source added, “al-Tajiki is one of the front line leaders. He was known to be close to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the group’s leader. He was in charge of the snipers brigade in Nineveh.”
Iraqi joint troops killed 385 IS members, including five snipers, as Hawija Operations Command announced accomplishing targets of the second phase of operations earlier on the day. Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi declared on Thursday liberation of Hawija. The second phase of the offensive was launched in late September.
557 IS militants were killed, while more than 100 villages and regions were liberated during the first phase, which launched on September 24th.
On Friday, Pentagon said it believes Baghdadi is still alive. Anadolu Agency quoted Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesperson, on Friday as saying that the U.S. intelligence service verified audio recording circulated last week to be authentic.

domain: news


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BNHR Statement for International Human Rights Day
December 10, 2013
A Vision of Human Rights for the Borderlands and the Promise for a Better America
El Paso, TX – Sixty five years ago the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made public. Its impacts have been global. Today, on December 10th, we commemorate Amnesty International USA Human Rights Day.
Here, in the Borderlands, we see both reasons to celebrate its impact and reasons to be challenged by the promise yet un-kept.
Border Network for Human Rights celebrates International Human Rights Day because we value the worldview that it provides the hundreds of member families in our community. This world view helps us visualize America’s potential.
Our communities imagine the Borderland giving the rest of our country an example of our rights being respected as universal and indivisible and where no community, ethnicity, or belief is sacrificed for the benefit of the other.
We imagine the Borderland being the example that poverty is avoidable and morally unacceptable. In this region, where many of us are immigrants, the society we aspire to belong togives all of us have the opportunity and responsibility of contributing to the common good and that, in return, our human needs are met.
We imagine the Borderland being an example of an American society where the mechanisms built to satisfy basic and substantial human rights are public and function for the benefit of everyone, not for the purpose of creating wealth for just a few. We see a society where access to healthcare, education and housing, for example, are not part of a commercial transaction that denies those rights to the majority of communities.
We imagine the Borderland being the example to the rest of America where communities, especially those that have been marginalized and negatively affected, have a strong voice and presence in the political and economic decision making processes in the country. We see a system of participation where political isolation and dysfunctional relations are replaced by a dynamic of active dialogue and mutual commitment of and between all stakeholders.
In this way, we imagine a Borderland being the example toAmerica that the government and institutions that maintain public order and promote public participation are responsible and accountable to all communities and sectors of society. We believe in a society that establishes regulatory and supervisory mechanisms for the public and the private sector to guarantee that no one, absolutely no one, violates or denies human rights.
The vision that Human Rights provides, however, is a challenge to Borderland residents and to the rest of America.
We, border communities, have traditionally been sacrificed with harsh and punitive enforcement in every round of immigration reform discussions. And our communities have not been recognized or consulted meaningfully in the political decisions that impact us most profoundly.
One challenge we face is in the manner in which border enforcement has been conceived.Our immigration enforcement system is unaccountable to the communities most impacted. Border agencies and agents operate with attitude of impunity. Their training does not grow their capacity to meet the cultural conditions in which it operates. The stakeholders with the most invested in the border do not have a meaningful way to recommend to the Federal Government ways to mitigate the problems with harsh and punitive border enforcement.
Border Network for Human Rights has accepted the challenge of realizing our vision for America right here at home, in our Borderlands. Today, on the 65th anniversary of the of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we further challenge our youth, our elders, our laborers, our business owners, our governments and sectors of civil society to join in celebration of what a Human Rights vision has to offer and to join the struggle to fulfill its promise here in our beloved America.


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Having been on this scene for decades, I have witnessed a lot of changes - principally the golf course and the coming of new buildings and expanded parking grounds - but the core attraction remains the competition and the setting at Augusta National.
Taking a walk around the golf course in the early morning before the crowds storm the premises brings about an unequaled uplifting of spirits and a renewal of inspiration at what has to be the classiest of sporting events.
There are so many sensational sporting championships in the world, and each has its own charm and allure, but there is nothing quite like the Masters. This is the toughest ticket in sports, but it is also the best bargain. Although I am sure you pay a premium for that iconic Masters logo in the pro shop, which is your choice, you are not gouged at the Masters.
Buy a sandwich and a Coke, and you won't have to cringe when you get your change. How much do you have to pay for parking at the Super Bowl? The World Series? The Kentucky Derby? At Augusta, they even have a family plan where you can bring a kid to the tournament without taking out a small loan. Most sports teams count on inflated ticket prices and entice you to succumb to overpriced goods and services. Unfortunately, we are now seeing that take place in college athletics. Although this event can't guarantee you an exciting finish on Sunday, tradition says that will likely happen. The best bang for your buck can only be had at the Masters.
Masters fans love the setting as much as the purists do. Where else can you find a more refreshing environment, more scenic beauty, and more hospitality and welcomed decorum? Only the Kentucky Derby (and maybe Wimbledon, the Henley Regatta, and the Tour de France) can compete with the Masters when it comes to affiliating with the great outdoors.
The World Series attracts an element of rowdies, the Indy 500 is too loud, and everybody seems to get drunk at the Super Bowl. Fans give way to their neighbors at the Masters. At other events, you need a steel vest to rebuff the elbowing you incur. At the Masters, nobody boos the competitors. Nobody screams at the officials, and if you drop a sandwich wrapper, you pick it up. You go to the Masters, you have a sense of hospitality and courtesy. Your instincts make you mindful of good housekeeping.
Then there are those memories. Everybody has one to cling to. If you are an old timer, you may have seen Ben Hogan or Byron Nelson or Sam Snead win the Masters. If your time was the sixties, you may have been there when Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player were winning more often than not. Now you get chill bumps early on Thursday morning when you make an effort to see Arnold, Jack, and Gary start the Masters. If you have been around, you can remember when those roles were reserved for Gene Sarazen, Snead, and Byron Nelson. When that last trio was starting the Masters, Nicklaus and Palmer were winning golf tournaments - a reminder that time waits for no man.
Geography has been an accomplice in my case, for which I am grateful. Think about it: If you had been born in the Bronx, you might have seen the great Yankee and Dodger teams. You might have even gotten to see them play for a 50-cent bleacher ticket.
But you never would have smelled the fragrance of the azaleas or the dogwoods or heard the whisper of the loblolly pines. You would never have heard the flowing waters of Rae's Creek while a player tried to make a 15-foot putt at No. 12. You would have missed something that Georgians, who love the Masters, never take for granted.

domain: sports


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On November 26, 2018, the world lost a hero. Stephen Hillenburg was best known as the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, the popular cartoon on Nickelodeon starring everyone’s favorite sea sponge. The biggest kids show of its time, it continues to rank as one of Nickelodeon’s most popular shows. In March 2018, Hillenburg revealed that he had been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease Lou Gehrig’s Disease, specifically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Hillenburg was born August 21, 1961 in Lawton, Oklahoma. He developed a passion for the ocean as a child, as well as loving to draw. In 1984, he started with a career as a marine biology professor at the Orange County Marine Institute. In his time as a professor, he wrote and illustrated his first book, The Intertidal Zone. It was a comical book about tide-pool animals as a way to help his students learn. The main character of this book, Bob the Sponge, would later evolve into the one we all know and love, SpongeBob SquarePants. This book influenced Hillenburg to move on from teaching and pursue a career in art and animation. In 1989, he enrolled in the animation department at the California Institute of the Arts. Later, he was offered a position as an animator on the Nickelodeon show Rocko’s Modern Life.
Several years later, in 1994, Hillenburg started to develop The Intertidal Zone’s characters which would later become the characters of SpongeBob SquarePants. Come the end of Rocko’s Modern Life in 1996, Hillenburg went full force into creating the world of Bob the Sponge and Friends. In the early stages of development, the main character’s name was Spongeboy and the series was initially called Spongeboy Ahoy! In 1997, the series was given the green light for full production. The name was changed to SpongeBob SquarePants after finding out the other title was already trademarked.
The first episode of SpongeBob SquarePants aired on July 17, 1999. SpongeBob lived in a pineapple under the sea and got into nautical nonsense with all of his undersea friends. The show was the recipe of a typical kids show with a certain breath of uniqueness that captivated people of all ages. The plot line follows a sponge who cooks burgers for a greedy crab and does karate with a scientist squirrel who lives in an air dome. It’s the perfect recipe for a successful cartoon.
The show took Nickelodeon by storm, and was the most viewed cartoon in 1999. Throughout the early 2000’s, SpongeBob was a total phenomenon and became the token for a lot of branded items. He had toys, countless video games, bed set collections, and many more. The show continued for a second and third season, containing some of the most iconic lines from a television show that people still quote to this day. SpongeBob had been such a hit that in November 2004 the series saw a full fledged feature film that became a classic for the early 2000’s kids. However, despite such success in the movie and show thus far, trouble started to brew among the writers for the show.
By the time The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie was released, the show had been on the air for five years and Hillenburg was ready to wrap things up. He, along with several of the show’s writers, felt like the series had ran its course and the movie was the perfect ending for the series. They thought if the show went on any longer, it would lose its spark. Nickelodeon was insistent that the show stay on air because of great profit and publicity. In 2005, Season Four of SpongeBob was released.
The fourth season of SpongeBob was the first season where Hillenburg did not spearhead the production. He had stepped down from his showrunner position and became an executive producer for the show instead. He no longer had that hands-on involvement in the show, and a previous writer for SpongeBob became the showrunner. Paul Tibbitt took the wheel of the ship and started to take the show in a direction that was not authentic to the true SpongeBob storyline. At the time of change, it seemed to happen pretty smoothly, but many long time SpongeBob fans refer to season four as the beginning of the decline of SpongeBob. From 2005 to 2015, the show had released a whopping six more seasons and changed showrunner again from Tibbitt to Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller in 2015 to the present.
The writers of the classic seasons of SpongeBob were long gone, and the show’s comedy and tone had turned a lot of adult viewers off from the content. The new seasons had lazier writing and more of the easy jokes as opposed to their original classic comedy. Fans thought the jokes became predictable and gross, the originality of the show flushed down the drain. On the beginning of SpongeBob’s decline, things started to turn around for the better. Come 2015 and SpongeBob had his second movie, Sponge Out of Water. For the movie, Hillenburg returned to production and had a major writing role for the first time in nearly a decade. After the success of the second movie, Hillenburg surprised fans across the nation and returned to the writing team for SpongeBob. Not only was Hillenburg back, but a lot of the writers from SpongeBob’s golden age were back on the team as well.
As a result of the return of the classic writers, seasons ten and eleven managed to get older viewers back on board. Old jokes and characters made a return and the references to older seasons that had pretty much been forgotten were back in full swing. SpongeBob maintained his spotlight as a media outlet, and recently had his own broadway production called SpongeBob the Musical. It is rumored that a third SpongeBob movie is being released in 2020 called It’s a Wonderful Sponge! SpongeBob has experienced a lot of ups and downs in the recent years. Upon the beginning of airing, the show was literally the most popular kids show on TV. Despite the show never really having a strong decline in ratings, the later seasons did tank the show’s reputation slightly. Going on 20 years on the air, the show is still so talked about and referenced because of the timeless comedy.
In honor of Hillenburg, a petition was created on change.org for SpongeBob to make an appearance at the 53rd Annual Super Bowl. He made a brief appearance before the main performers of the halftime show, Maroon 5 and Travis Scott, went on. The appearance did anger some viewers, as it was only a few short seconds from the popular SpongeBob episode “Band Geeks.” The episode showcased a mock Super Bowl called The Bubble Bowl, where Squidward and his band performed “Sweet Victory” by David Glen Eisley. It was hoped that the entire halftime show would star the sea sponge, and many saw it as a half-effort tribute to Hillenburg. Others were glad to see that recognition was rightfully given to the father of one of the most iconic cartoons of all time.
Hillenburg left a permanent mark on the cartoon world. Nickelodeon even premiered a commercial that compiled all of SpongeBob’s most iconic moments as a tribute to Hillenburg and the amazing impact he had on kids of all generations. The commercial, which can be viewed here, showcases moments including the F.U.N. song, Doodlebob, and SpongeBob’s “best day ever.” The ending of the commercial says, “Thank you, Steve Hillenburg, for making everyday the best day ever.” SpongeBob brought joy to children around the world, and his legacy will live on forever.

domain: artistic


Stage 1 water rationing approved
Golden State says irrigation rules took effect Wednesday
SAN DIMAS — Golden State Water has activated Stage 1 of its staged mandatory water conservation and rationing for all customers.
According to a press release from Golden State Water spokesman Mike Gazda on Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the filing and the restrictions for all customers effective July 1.
The Stage 1 restrictions assign two outdoor irrigation days as well as times when outdoor watering is permitted for each water system. Failure to comply with restrictions could result in a written warning, installation of a flow restrictor for a minimum of seven days (including payment of fees for installation and removal) or termination of water service. Restrictions do not apply for trees or edible vegetation watered solely by drip or microspray systems.
Golden State Water had mailed letters to its customers June 15 informing them of the implementation of Stage 1 restrictions.
“Given the severe drought in California, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has assigned reduction mandates in an effort to reduce statewide water use,” said Toby Moore, water resources manager and chief hydrogeologist for Golden State Water. “Regulated utilities like Golden State Water are required to file staged mandatory water conservation and rationing plans that outline restrictions, water allocations and enforcement measures to help the communities we serve achieve the state’s reduction mandates.
“Stage 1 activation should not significantly impact customers, given that outdoor irrigation was already limited to two days each week, per the current level of our water shortage contingency plan. This step simply adds enforcement options and assigns which days and times customers may water outdoors.”
The State Water Board on May 5 adopted emergency regulations assigning water-use reduction mandates ranging from 4 to 36 percent, compared to 2013 usage, to water systems throughout the state. The reduction mandates took effect on June 1.
Golden State Water filed its staged mandatory water conservation and rationing plans for all water systems on June 1. The CPUC approved the activation of Stage 1 in all areas on June 30.
“Because the majority of California’s residential water use is for outdoor irrigation, the Stage 1 restrictions should help customers achieve the state-mandated water reduction targets,” said Perry Dahlstrom, general manager of the Mountain-Desert District for Golden State Water. “Progression to additional stages or a reduction in the number of watering days would only be necessary if we fall short of reaching the state’s conservation goals or if a water shortage emergency warrants the action.”
Mike Lamb can be reached at 760-475-8337 or mlambdispatch.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @mlambdispatch.


Board Member (Ex-Officio)
Executive Director (Co-Founder)
St. Croix Valley Opera
Obed Floan, Master of Music and one of SCVO’s founders as well as its current executive director, is an accomplished Heldentenor and vocal instructor. Obed runs a vocal studio alongside his wife Megan, which for 15 years has helped students enter prestigious college, university, and young artist programs as well as professional roles in both opera and Broadway productions. Obed’s career as an opera singer met with rave reviews for his “unforced power, purity of tone,” “genuine helden sound,” and “voice of spun gold”. His performance credits include work with Des Moines Metro Opera, the Wagner Intensive, Minnesota Opera, and Carnegie Hall. Obed specializes in Wagnerian voices and has achieved recognition for this work, including being one of 16 singers selected for the 2010 Lauritz Melchior International Singing Competition, 2012 and 2013 Wagner Society of New York Encouragement grants, and a 2015 win of the Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition—Wagner Division.


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The lamps are going out all over England, according to a survey which shows that 106 out of 150 councils are turning off or dimming streetlights to save money. Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, thinks this is welcome news, while Hilary Benn, his shadow, thinks it is appalling and will compromise the safety of citizens. Artificial light is both good and bad. It deters crime and facilitates the flow of both people and vehicles at night. But it also disturbs our sleep and stops us seeing the stars. Early street lighting was an adjunct of policing and a form of surveillance. Smashing street lights was a revolutionary act.
Some forms of public lighting found aesthetic favour. Robert Louis Stevenson, for example, loved gaslights. But he hated their electric successors. “A new sort of urban star now shines out nightly, horrible, unearthly, obnoxious to the human eyes,” he wrote. “A lamp for a nightmare! Such a light as this should shine only on murders and public crime, or along the corridors of lunatic asylums, a horror to heighten horrors.”
But the worst aspect of light pollution is that it erodes the difference between night and day and masks the constellations, depriving us of that nightly reminder of how unbelievably vast the universe is, and how small we are by comparison. Recent figures suggest we can now see the night sky better, thanks to cuts in public lighting. Mr Pickles is right. Better dim the lights than dim the stars.


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Melisa asks: My writing gets compared favorably to Nathan Lowell’s. What story type is this, exactly? Resources Mentioned: Nathan Lowell Heinlein essay On the Writing of Speculative Fiction reprinted in Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy, edited by Asimov Science Fiction Magazine Down From Ten by J. Daniel Sawyer The Resurrection Junket by J. Daniel …
Melissa asks: Do you have any thoughts on the RWA meltdown, and how our works are scrutinized?
JR asks: How are book lengths evolving in today’s publishing market with the expectation of book release a month? Sponsored by Archivos
Mark asks: “How do you decide which tense to tell a story in?” Sponsored by Archivo
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Roland asks: “Can you elaborate on changes in conversational style and dialog tags then (1960s and earlier) vs. now? Are these changes linear or cyclical?” Resources Mentioned At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft Conan the Barbarian Series by Robert E Howard The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur …
Subscribe Here! Robert asks: “How would one convey slapstick in writing?” Resources Mentioned Phule’s Company, by Robert Aspirin Lamb to the Slaughter and Pig, by Roald Dahl in collection Kiss, Kiss Home Alone Monty Python’s Flying Circus This episode sponsored by BundleRabbit
Subscribe Here! Robert asks: “I want to learn to flesh out side characters by writing heists/capers. What do I need to know?” Resources Mentioned: The Thomas Crowne Affair The Italian Job Gone in 60 Seconds The Great Muppet Caper

domain: library


text:
The adoption tax credit was made permanent in the American Taxpayer Relief Act in January 2013. The law did not, however, extend the refundability provisions that applied to the adoption tax credit in 2010 and 2011. This bill will restore the refundable portion for families wishing to adopt.
“It is a common misconception that only wealthy families adopt,” Casey said. “We must do all we can do to ensure that all children are afforded the opportunity to grow up in a permanent, loving home. This legislation is a commonsense approach to improve lower-income families’ ability to adopt and support children from foster care.”
The Department of Health and Human Services reports that one-third of all adopted children live in families with annual household income at or below 200 percent of the poverty level. Nearly 46 percent of families adopting from foster care are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many of these families’ tax burdens are so low that they cannot benefit from the adoption tax credit at all unless it is refundable.
“Millions of children in our country and around the world are waiting for the safe, stable home and loving family that every child deserves,” Blunt said. “Making the Adoption Tax Credit permanent was an important step to encourage more families to adopt. Restoring the refundability portion of the credit will build on that progress by making adoption more affordable for hardworking families. I’m encouraged by the bipartisan support we’ve received for this bill, and I’ll continue advancing policies that make it easier to connect children in need of homes with families that are eager to adopt.”
In 2011, 62 percent of families who filed for the adoption tax credit benefited from refundability. Forty-one percent of families who benefited from refundability had annual gross incomes under $50,000. This shows that that a refundable adoption tax credit plays a significant role in lower-income families’ ability to adopt and support a child from foster care.
The cost of adoption is also significantly lower than the cost to federal, state and local governments to provide long-term foster care, the bill’s sponsors said.
The legislation has been endorsed 116 national, state and local groups.

domain: finance


text:
Cajuns hope to rebound in style at Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. – Coming off a 48-20 loss to Louisiana Tech last Saturday night, UL coach Mark Hudspeth figures it would be understandable if No. 14 Ole Miss spent much of this week figuring it could feast on the Ragin' Cajuns.
The two teams meet this afternoon in an SEC Network-televised game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
"You know," Hudspeth said, "you just see a team that didn't play well in the second half against Louisiana Tech. … If I was them, I'd be licking my chops too."
Coming itself off a 41-3 win at Vanderbilt, Ole Miss (2-0) will be playing its home opener today. Meanwhile, 1-1 UL will be playing on the road for the first time this season.
"Any time you go on the road it's difficult," Hudspeth said. "When you go on the road against a Top 20 team at their place in the Southeastern Conference, it gets even more difficult.
"But you know what? We all want to go against the best, challenge ourselves against the best. It will be a great measuring stick."
It also should be a great atmosphere.
"It's a tough place to play," said Hudspeth, a former Mississippi State assistant coach who was raised about 100 miles south of Oxford in Louisville, Miss. "They'll have a big crowd. They're very loud."
The Rebels, in fact, are sold out of season tickets with a record 51,316 at 60,580-seat Vaught-Hemingway.
"They've got a great fan base. … They support 'em extremely well," Hudspeth said. "And we'll hear the Hotty Toddy (cheer) quite a few times, and it will be an electric atmosphere to say the least.
"Hopefully we can do are part to limit that," he added. "Our play will determine how electric their atmosphere is. So hopefully we can extremely hard, and with a lot of passion, and with unrelenting effort."
The Cajuns, Hudspeth said late in the week, must play with "a sense of urgency, knowing that they're going to play a Top 15 team."
"Two things: One, they want to show we're better than we played," he said. "And two, they know they better show that, because it will get like the Vanderbilt game in a hurry and smothered them."
HIGH ON LEE
With reserve Marvin Martin needing probable season-ending knee surgery, and starters Christian Ringo (foot) and Marquis White (ankle), both hobbling, true freshman defensive lineman Taboris Lee – a Mississippi high school product – has impressed Cajun coaches.
"That guy is gonna be a really good player," Hudspeth said. "He actually not only looks like Ringo; he plays like Ringo did when he was a freshman.
"And he's only gonna get better. But he has a great get-off, a great base, a great motor. We're really, really high on him."
When Hudspeth was an assistant coach at rival Mississippi State from 2009-10, he tried to recruit several prospects who wound up with the Rebels.
One is a starting defensive end in Ole Miss' 4-2-5 scheme.
"C.J. Johnson is a guy I'm familiar with," Hudspeth said. "I know the type of person he is, and the way he pursues the ball. They've got a lot of playmakers on that side of the football."
Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze was 10-2 in his one season (2011) at Sun Belt Conference-member Arkansas State, including a 30-21 win over UL.
Freeze is the former Memphis-area high school coach depicted as Coach Burt Cotton in the 2009 movie Blind Side, which told the story of future NFL offensive tackle Michael Oher. Among those in the Blind Side cast: Sandra Bullock.
"I don't know if my wife would let me be in a movie with Sandra Bullock or not," Hudspeth cracked.
With a win today, Hudspeth would tie Sam Robertson and Raymond Didier for eighth place on UL's all-time coaching victories list with 29. … UL quarterback Terrance Broadway is 21 yards short of becoming the fourth player in school history with 7,000 yards offense. Broadway needs one more TD throw to move out of a tie with Roy Henry (40) and alone into second place behind Jake Delhomme (64) on UL's all-time leader's passing TDs leaders list. … UL linebacker Trae Johnson's team-high 17 total tackles ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference through two weeks of play. … Ole Miss didn't have to punt once in its win over Vanderbilt last Saturday – the first time that's happened in more than 10 years.


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Offer of little use to residents and those who work on a Sunday — it’s closed
Queen Street car park offers local residents, businesses and employers cheap parking all year round, and now Bedford Borough Council has made it even easier for people to use this town centre car park.
People can now pay for an annual season ticket monthly rather than having to find the money upfront, at Queen Street and a number of other town centre car parks.
Bedford Borough Council has frozen car parking season tickets prices since 2017. This means that someone can park in the town centre at Queen Street car park for less than £650 for the whole year, or less than £12.50 a week.
Queen Street Car Park has been awarded the Park Mark Award and a Disabled Parking Award, and is handily located just behind Tavistock Street, a 10 minute walk to the river straight down Bedford High Street.
It’s not just people who work in Bedford who can benefit from parking offers in our town. There is free parking available every day in Bedford town centre:
Up to two hours free parking at Queen Street car park every day from Monday-Saturday — closed Sundays
Up to two hours free parking at all Council-owned town centre car parks on Saturdays
Free parking all day every Sunday at all Council-owned town centre car parks, except Queen Street
Free parking after 6pm at all Council-owned town centre car parks, except River Street
Cllr Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport said: “Queen Street car park really does offer a great option for people working or studying in the town centre. This car park is a short walk to town and we have continued to freeze all of our parking charges again this year, keeping the prices down for residents and visitors.”
Roger Rigby Conservative Cllr commenting on this announcement said: “We welcome the portfolio holder’s initiative to pick-up on Conservative policy of encouraging the town’s businesses to have economical parking in Queen Street multi-storey car park. He could be bolder and more imaginative and allow the town’s business permit holders the opportunity to also park in Queen Street, freeing up very valuable kerb-side parking space for short stay and visitor parking”
You can apply for a season ticket and find out about parking options in Bedford at www.bedford.gov.uk/parking


The most common reasons are that your phone’s GPS settings are inaccurate or you do not have a strong enough signal to connect. If Waze is not finding your GPS location, first check your phone’s settings to make sure that the location permissions are accurately configured and then check for a strong signal like Wi-Fi or 4G/LTE.
If you are still having issues, try calibrating your phone by moving it in a figure eight pattern while Waze is running. Additionally, make sure your app is up to date and has the latest version of the Waze maps.
If none of these solutions work, it is possible something is wrong with your phone’s hardware. Try restarting your phone and then checking your GPS to see if this solves the issue.
Why is my phone showing no GPS?
There could be a few reasons why your phone is showing no GPS. Depending on the type of phone you have, the issue might be related to the hardware or software.
Hardware issues could include something as simple as a loose connection or a more complex issue such as broken or damaged GPS antenna or receiver. If this is the case, you might need to take your device to a repair shop.
Software issues might be due to outdated or incompatible with your phone’s software. To resolve this, you should check to see if there are any updates available for your phone’s software. If an update is available, make sure to install it, as this will often solve the issue.
Additionally, you should check to make sure your GPS application is compatible with your phone.
If none of the above solutions work, you might need to factory reset your phone. This will erase all of your data, but will also reset all of the settings, which may solve the issue. Factory resetting should be done as a last resort, as you will lose all of your data.
Why is my GPS not working in my car?
If your GPS is not working in your car, it could be due to a variety of factors. First, please check the power source of your GPS to ensure it is getting its power. If the power source is working, then check the connections in your car.
Make sure the wiring is secure and the antenna is connected properly. Additionally, check the fuses associated with the GPS system to make sure they are all intact. If everything appears to be in working order, yet your GPS is still not working, it could be due to a faulty GPS unit or a defective antenna.
If so, it may need to be replaced. It also could be that you are in an area of low GPS coverage.
How do I reset my GPS settings?
Resetting your GPS settings depends on the type of GPS you have and your operating system.
If you have an in-car GPS device:
1. Check your user manual for resetting instructions. Some GPS devices have a “reset” feature that you can access easily.
2. If there is no “reset” feature on your GPS device, try power cycling the device by removing and re-inserting the power source/battery.
3. If this doesn’t work, try deleting and re-downloading the software and updating the maps.
If you have a handheld GPS device:
1. Try power cycling the device by removing and re-inserting the power source/battery.
2. If this doesn’t work, try resetting the device by pressing and holding the “On/Off” and “Reset” buttons at the same time.
3. If this still doesn’t work, try deleting and re-downloading the software.
If you’re using a GPS feature on your phone:
1. Open your app and find the “Settings” menu.
2. Look for a “Reset” or “Restore” button and select it. This will reset your GPS settings.
3. If you’re using an Android device, go to your device’s settings, select Location then toggle off the GPS feature. After a few seconds, toggle it back on.
If you’re using navigation software on your computer:
1. Locate the program’s Settings or Options menu, which may be located in the main navigation bar or through a right-click context menu.
2. Within the settings, look for the “Reset” option and select it. This should reset the GPS settings of your navigation software.
How do I recalibrate my GPS on my phone?
To recalibrate your GPS on your phone, you will need to do the following:
1. Turn off Wi-Fi and/or mobile data on your phone to prevent interference with the GPS signal.
2. Go to the Settings app on your phone and select “Location” or “Location Services”.
3. Tap the toggle button next to Location or Location Services to enable it. You will also see several options such as “GPS satellites”, “Wi-Fi networks”, “Bluetooth”, and “Cellular”. Enable them as needed.
4. Go out to an open area with a clear view of the sky, such as a park, a beach, or an open field.
5. Launch a GPS navigation app such as Google Maps or Apple Maps and allow it to determine your location.
6. Wait for a few minutes for the app to get a clear fix on your location.
7. Once your location has adjusted to the correct coordinates, your GPS should now be working properly.
How do I check if my GPS is working?
To check if your GPS is working, you can perform a few tests. First, make sure that you are in an area with a good signal. If you are outdoors, you can go to an open area without a lot of trees or tall structures.
You can also try to move to a higher elevation.
Next, confirm that your GPS is connected to the right networks and has enough battery power. You can look at the setting of your device to confirm it is connected to the proper satellites. Finally, try running a few diagnostic tests.
You can download a GPS testing app for your phone or tablet. This can help you make sure that the GPS is detecting the correct location and providing accurate readings.
You can also try using a free online mapping tool. Input your current location and see if the map correctly displays where you are. If you are getting inaccurate readings or the map does not show your correct location, the GPS might not be working correctly.
In this case, you should try to reset the GPS settings. You can also check with the manufacturer for other troubleshooting tips.
Where do I find GPS in settings?
GPS is part of the Location Services on your device, which can be found in the “Settings” app. Depending on your device, you may find it in different locations within the “Settings” app. On some devices, GPS is found under the “Location” section of the “Settings” app.
On others, it is found in the “Security & Privacy” section of the “Settings” app. When you have located the “Location” or “Security & Privacy” section, you can often find the GPS settings directly within those sections.
It may be labeled as “GPS” or “Location Services”. If you are unable to find the GPS setting in either the “Location” or “Security & Privacy” section, try looking in the “General” or “System” section.
If you still can’t find it, you should contact your device’s manufacturer for assistance.
What causes poor GPS signal?
Poor GPS signal can be caused by a number of factors. One of the most common is obstructions to the satellite signal, such as tall buildings, tree branches, cliff sides, mountains, and other large structures.
Sometimes, wires or other antenna obstructions can also interfere with the signal. Weather can also have an effect, as atmospheric conditions can block or weaken the signal. Additionally, receiving ‘multi-path’ interference, or bounced signals that distort the real signal, can cause a degradation in GPS reception.
GPS signal can also be weakened by ‘selective availability’ – intentional distortion of the signal by the U. S. Department of Defense. Finally, lower-grade receivers and cheap antennas can also contribute to weaker signals.
How do I fix GPS searching signal?
If you’re having trouble getting a GPS signal while searching, there are a few steps you can take to try to fix the issue.
First, ensure that your device has a view of the sky, with minimal obstacles around it. Trees, buildings, and hills can block GPS signals and prevent them from reaching your device.
If your device is outdoors, move it to an area with an unobstructed view of the sky with as little urban-built environment around it as possible.
If your device remains indoors, you may have to try reconnecting it outside. Depending on the type of device, you may also be able to reposition your antenna, or use an external antenna to improve the signal strength to your device.
If the above steps do not solve the problem, you can try restarting your device. This will clear your memory and may help to reset any minor issues that were preventing a correct connection. It is also worth taking the time to delete any installed applications that may be adversely affecting your GPS search.
If all else fails, you may have to resort to purchasing an external GPS receiver or antenna. These can be expensive, but if you need access to GPS for your job or for specialized activities then it may be worth the investment.
Your device’s manual should explain in detail the exact specifications and connection details required for a GPS search to work. From there, you can then compare the specifications to what you have and see if any adjustments need to be made to ensure a successful connection.
Why does my GPS always say searching?
First, your device may need to be near a window with an unobstructed view of the sky to receive satellite signals. If your device is in a spot with poor reception, such as a basement, underground parking, or under a canopy of trees, it won’t be able to pick up a signal.
Another possible cause is having the wrong date or time set on your device, as this can interfere with the device’s ability to pick up a signal. You can also try restarting your device and check the batteries if your device is an older model.
Also make sure you’re in a well-lit area, as GPS signals can be difficult to pick up in the dark. If these steps do not fix the problem, then you may need to update the GPS software or GPS maps on your device.
How do I refresh my GPS on Android?
Refreshing your GPS on Android is as easy as following these steps:
1. Open your Android device’s settings.
2. Tap “Location.”
3. Scroll down and tap “Google Location Accuracy.”
4. Tap the switch at the top of the screen to turn it on.
5. Tap “Improve Accuracy.”
6. Tap “Mode” and select “High Accuracy.”
7. Tap “Agree” when the Location Services prompt appears.
8. Wait a few minutes to allow your device to refresh its GPS signal.
9. Close the settings window.
Refreshing your GPS signal will typically make your location more accurate and allow you to access features that require a GPS signal. It is recommended to refresh your GPS periodically, especially when traveling or when expecting to use location-based features.
What can interfere with GPS signal?
GPS can be interfered with by a variety of factors, including:
1. Atmospheric Conditions. GPS signals can be blocked or distorted by things like rain, snow, or even fog. This is because the atmosphere absorbs the GPS signals.
2. Solar Flares. The sun can send out electromagnetic radiation that can interrupt or even distort GPS signals.
3. Structural Interference. Structures such as tall buildings, bridges, or even trees can block out or weaken the GPS signal.
4. Electronic Interference. Electronic devices such as cell phones, radios, and microwaves can produce electrical noise which can interfere with GPS signals.
5. Signals from Other Satellites or Spacecraft. GPS signals can be interfered with by signals from other satellites or spacecraft.
Overall, GPS signals can be interfered with by a variety of factors. It is important to keep this in mind when using GPS, as these factors can cause inaccurate readings and disruption.
Do GPS automatically update?
GPS systems can be designed to automatically update or require manual updates. Large-scale GPS systems are typically designed to update automatically and often do so as part of regular maintenance performed by the manufacturer.
For example, some GPS systems installed on transportation assets, such as aircraft or ships, follow a continuous update cycle which can be configured to automatically update when something changes.
Similarly, smartphones and other personal devices often receive automatic updates as part of the manufacturer’s regular maintenance and update protocols. These updates typically include the identification of new points-of-interest, changes in navigation systems, access to new software, and improvements in how the GPS works.
On the other hand, stand-alone GPS systems, such as a Garmin or TomTom, must be manually updated. These systems can also be designed with an automatic update feature which requires the user to manually download and install updates as needed.
It is important to keep these systems current, as some vendors deactivate older or out-of-date GPS systems which may not be able to benefit from newer features or product updates.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2007
AUSTIN -- State Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) joins 27 of his colleagues in officially supporting legislation filed today to give Texans broader rights to protect themselves, their families and their property.
Senate Bill 378, authored by Senator Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio), changes Texas code to allow the use of force, including deadly force, against someone who unlawfully enters or intrudes into a home, occupied vehicle, place of business or employment. Current Texas law requires defenders first make an attempt to retreat.
"Texans ought to have the clear right to defend themselves, their homes and their loved ones," said Nichols. "No one should have to worry about their legal rights at the moment of invasion."
Fifteen other states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Michigan have "castle doctrine" laws and it was the law in Texas until 1974. At that time, the law was changed making the use of deadly force justifiable only if the victim makes an attempt at retreat unless deemed impossible under a "reasonable person" standard.
"It should not be a crime to defend yourself," said Nichols.


text:
The Gospel According to Matthew: Authorized King James Version
Canongate U.S., 1999 - 78 pages
The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.
angels answered begat behold betrayed Blessed blind body bread brethren brother brought called cast chief priests child Christ clothed cometh commanded David dead death deliver departed devils disciples drink earth enter evil faith Father fear field fire five followed fruit Galilee gave give given Gospel hand hath healed hear heard heart hour Jesus Jesus answered Jesus said unto John kill king kingdom of heaven light Lord Master Matthew mother multitude offended parable pass Peter Pharisees pray prison prophet received saith unto sake say unto scribes sent servant ship sick spake speak spoken suffer talents teach tell temple thine things thou hast thou shalt took tree unto thee Verily I say whatsoever whole whosoever wife wise worshipped


text:
This organization is a MUST for all young males!!!!! Since becoming involved with this organization, I have seen a positive change within my son academically and socially. Mr. Manning goes above and beyond in helping to develop these young men into something great. The way that he has been able to connect with my son through his own experiences is truly remarkable.
My family and I are so incredibly thankful for Fishing Lessons Inc. providing us not only with a turkey but also all the sides to go along with it in order for us to have a complete meal on Thanksgiving Day last year! There are not many organizations that comes to our community and give back in such a big way as they did. They are one of the few.

domain: sociology


Sevendust's headlining tour kicks off on April 26 inside The Varsity Theatre in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it concludes with a performance at Rocklahoma inside Pryor, Oklahoma on May 28. That's not the only festival appearance for the band on this tour. The group will also make stops at Florida's Fort Rock and Welcome to Rockville, North Carolina's Carolina Rebellion, Wisconsin's Northern Invasion, and Ohio's Rock On The Range, and New York's Rock Derby. Joining the band on tour are Trivium and Like A Storm. Trivium will not be a part of the tour from May 24 through May 27.
You can check out the entire tour routing below. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday at noon local time. More dates will be announced in the following weeks.
Aside from their new album, Sevendust received their first Grammy nomination for the single "Thank You" in the Best Metal Performance category. Kill The Flaw was produced by the band.
Trivium are on the road in support of their latest studio album Silence In The Snow, which peaked at number three on both Top Hard Rock Albums and Top Rock Albums charts. Like A Storm are touring in support of their latest studio album Awaken The Fire, which peaked at number five on the Heatseekers Albums chart. That album features the charting singles "Love the Way You Hate Me", "Wish You Hell", and "Become the Enemy".
Sevendust tour dates
4/26 Baton Rouge, La. @ The Varsity Theatre
4/27 Birmingham, Ala. @ Iron City
4/29 Atlanta, Ga. @ Center Stage
4/30 Fort Myers, Fla. @ Fort Rock
5/1 Jacksonville, Fla. @ Welcome To Rockville
5/3 New York, N.Y. @ Playstation Theater
5/5 Hartford, Conn. @ Webster Theater
5/7 Charlotte, N.C. @ Carolina Rebellion
5/8 Baltimore, Md. @ Rams Head
5/13 Clear Lake, Iowa @ Surf Ballroom
5/15 Somerset, Wis. @ Northern Invasion
5/17 Sioux Falls, S.D. @ The District
5/18 Arlington Heights, Ill. @ Home Bar
5/20 Columbus, Ohio @ Rock On The Range
5/21 Reading, Pa. @ Reverb
5/22 Albany, N.Y. @ Rock Derby
5/24 Flint, Mich. @ Machine Shop *
5/25 Louisville, Ky. @ Mercury Ballroom *
5/27 Shreveport, La. @ Riverside Warehouse *
5/28 Pryor, Okla. @ Rocklahoma
*= dates without Trivium


text:
With concern escalating about zebra chip, an entomologist is worried that potato growers are overlooking another pest that can cause severe crop loss.
Oregon State University Extension entomologist Silvia Rondon is advising growers to keep an eye out for tuberworm.
"Everybody is paying attention to the psyllids," Rondon said, "and they could have a big surprise. [But] I'm seeing the highest numbers of potato tuberworms than I've seen in years," she said.
The tuberworm, which caused millions of dollars of crop loss in the mid-2000s, has flown under the radar in recent years, Rondon said.
She is concerned that growers aren't watching tuberworm moth counts as closely as they should.
"Pay attention to your numbers," Rondon said. "We don't want to happen what happened in 2004 and 2005."
SOURCE: Mitch Lies, Capital Press

domain: biology


text:
The CFE Arena, which opened in 2007, is the largest live entertainment and sports facility in East Orlando.To find out how to plan a trip to Orlando, use our trip itinerary maker.
The facility features a seating capacity of over 10,000 and amenities including 16 luxury suites, two loge boxes and club seating with lounge access. Offering a diverse lineup of shows including world famous entertainers, beloved family shows and special events rivaling any venue in the country, the CFE Arena has changed the face of entertainment in Central Florida.
CFE Arena also is the home of UCF men’s and women’s basketball.
CFE Arena Reviews
Been to this facility when my daughter attends UCA Camp with her team. The Arena is clean and it’s great that you can park right next to it. There is also eateries across the street. more »
Holds round 4500 for college basketball (UCF knights) and used for concerts and other random events. It’s clean, it’s nice, parking garages nearby Eats nearby. Box office in the front. more »
This is a nice arena. Not too big where the seats are so high up in the rafters that you get queasy. It's well kept and clean. I didn't visit the restroom but there was no smell coming from it. The staff members were helpful and kind. Even the parking attendants were nice! I like this place... It's a YES from me.
Great facility for the conference we attended. Easy access throughout, lots of food and beverage options in and out of arena, plentiful clean and well-supplied restrooms, helpful staff and security. Easy to get to, well-located for hotels and other restaurant options.
Places to stay near CFE Arena
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domain: travel


text:
I know, it’s only the end of September why am I thinking about Christmas already?!? I’ll tell you why! My gift giving list contains many hand made items I wish to purchase for my loved ones, and as an owner of a handmade shop, I know the earlier you order the better! Especially if the items are customized to the lucky ducky receiving the gift. Waiting until December to purchase handmade gifts will result in rushed orders (read extra $$$), stress on you and especially the artist trying to put a bit of themselves and a part of their soul into each handmade inch of the gift they are creating for your loved one (or you!).
As I was browsing my favorite shops and items on Etsy, I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you! These are just a few of the amazing handmade items I’ve fallen for, there are more on my Pinterest boards, check out my Gift Giving (for her), Gift Giving (for him) and the What I want for Christmas boards, along with the Sparetire Design Stationery boards. My shop has several great gift ideas, personalized stationery and note pads to name a few. But the trick is to order early!
Here are 14 pics for just about everyone on your holiday shopping list!
1. Key Chain by theCopperPoppy
2. Hand thrown Bowl by OneClayBead
3. Bracelet by TownofBeadrock
4. Bike shirt by iheartanalogue
5. Napkins by giardino
6. Leather Bracelet by SariBlue
7. Travel Mug by snowhillpottery
8. Earrings by huiyitan
9. Slippers by Molipop
10. Journals by ordinaryartists
11. Feathers by jodyvanB
12. Scarf by AnniesCloset
13. Dog Toy by wagsandwiggles
14. Poster by JumpOffThePage
Many of these shops I have purchased from, others I have long admired. I hope you buy Hand Made this holiday season, online or in your local shops; buy something made with love (and order early 😉 ).


text:
Experience golf in Himmerland
Try some of the best golf courses in Denmark. Himmerland is filled with professional courses in beautiful conditions.
In Himmerland nature is perfect for outdoor activities. Whether you enjoy kayaking, hiking, trail running, golfing, angling and MTBs, you are sure to find something for you in Himmerland.
The nature in Himmerland is extremely varied. From the fjords on each side, the Limfjord on the west and Mariager Fjord in the east. Between the two fjords, you will find rolling hills created during the ice age, magical forests, coastlines, bogs and much more.
Himmerland has plenty of it all - the towns around Himmerland are unique and each offers their own authentic and exciting experiences.

domain: geography


text: Born in Biarritz, France, Léa Hossack Bouillon studied voice with Constance Fee and violin with An-chi Lin at Roberts Wesleyan College where she graduated with her B.S. in vocal performance last Spring. She started her violin studies at the Conservatoire de Bayonne, France when she was 7 and went on to study voice at the Conservatoire de Caen in Normandy. Léa won the first place of her division at the NATS Eastern this year as a Soprano. During her time at Roberts, she performed as a soloist on several occasions with the RWCCO. A member of the Roberts Wesleyan College Chorale, she was a soprano soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the RWCCO, in February 2018, Léa was a Concerto-Aria Competition Winner, performing as a soloist with the RWCCO, and in October 2018 she performed again pieces by Richard Doyle with the RWCCO. In April 2018, she performed the role of The Mother in the Roberts Opera Theatre production of Humperdinck’s setting of the beloved children’s story, Hansel & Gretel. As a participant and worship leader at the Crescendo Summer Music Institute in Tokaj, Hungary for two summers, she performed in scenes from Mozart’s Così fan tutte as Despina and Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette as Juliette, as well as in art song concerts featuring works of Rachmaninoff, Schubert, and Barber. She has performed several times with her husband, tenor Joshua Alain Bouillon, in Rochester at Pearce Memorial Church, Asbury Church, the Little Theatre, etc. and also gave a recital at Souderton Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania with pianist Dr. Michael Landrum in 2018.


THREE men have been taken to hospital following a crash involving a lorry and two coaches.
The incident happened at around 10.15am on the northbound A74(M) at junction 15 near Beattock.
Police Scotland said two men were taken to Wishaw General Hospital and one to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Their conditions are not yet known.
There are not thought to have been any passengers on board the coaches at the time of the incident.
One lane of the road, a key route into Scotland, remained closed this afternoon to allow for repairs and for debris to be removed. It is believed the vehicles have been recovered from the scene.
A force spokeswoman said: "At 10.15am police and emergency services were called to a report of a road crash involving a lorry and two coaches.
"There are three confirmed injuries."
She added: "Police will continue their inquiry into what caused the crash. If anyone has any information they can contact police on 101."


text:
Leaving Your Lasting Legacy
Want to do more with your wealth? You might want to consider creating a charitable foundation.
Have A Question About This Topic?
It sounds simple, but paying yourself first can really pay off.
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Have you explored all your options when it comes to managing your taxable income?


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It certainly looks like it has its pros (interactive environment with boss fights) and its cons (no visible NPCs anywhere). It'll be interesting to watch for developments from.
Let us all take a moment before pressing play to look at the inappropriate title picture (or whatever you call the picture that displays before you actually start a video).
I'm sure this wasn't intentional...
This game is awesome. There are infinite beta keys if you do it right.
That guy is providing a beta key to anyone who follows his stream. When you register your key, you get 2 more in return for registering. You must give those 2 to him, that way he can keep supplying keys to everyone who wants one. So go grab your beta keys.
Originally Posted by Khilbron
So I'm ready to drop my end of closed beta review of Vindictus:
First I want to give you my general impression and opinion, so subjectivity incoming.
I don't really think there has been as satisfying of a hack n' slash for PC since DII. I have yet to have been completely bored with any particular combo or move, nor have I been overwhelmed with too many buttons to push. The controls are intuitive and simple, but boss fights require more finesse than LmBx4 -> RmBx1 -> repeat. Having actual control of your character is important and identifying boss moves, their counters, and having the reaction time to apply them separates joe-average from leet-pete. Secondary weapons bring another element that can be either fun or profitable.
Most importantly, I have fun playing. Is it grindy? sure. But combat is fast, so, to me, it doesn't feel like that much of a chore. Finding new and interesting ways to break up landscape and use it to destroy your enemies is still fun. Combat is smooth [with a caveat that I'll get into later] and the settings allow you to tweak how much manual input you provide.
So, with that out of the way, I'll do a short list of high and low points:
Graphics: Just fantastic work with character models and environment. I haven't seen cloth and hair move so fluidly in a MMORPG that wasn't a cut scene. There are a plethora of animation face points which allow for a wide variety of character expressions. Armor is unique and each set feels drastically different from each other. Physics engine is good, though often something will seem like it was hit with more force than it actually was. For instance, go kick a pot or hit the fish with a spear on the boat.
The biggest "controversy" in the Graphics category is the treatment of NPCs. NPCs exist in shops. Shops are in town and when you enter one, a "shop instance" is created just for you. When you enter a shop, you basically enter a glorified menu screen. The background is the shop itself, with the camera panning slowly back and forth, and the NPCs are 2D avatars with chat boxes.
Now, this may seem strange in a game that I've touted as having fantastic graphics, but I generally like the direction the developers have taken with NPCs and towns for this particular game. First of all, by "instancing" the shops, you don't have to deal with 20 people crowded around the same NPC. From a story line enjoyment perspective, I feel more like the hero when its just me and Fergus jaw-jacking back and forth, rather than 20 other "brave mercs" who are getting the same treatment. The characters, to me at least, feel more personal as 2D avatars, as opposed to 3D models. Sure, they could have created unique models for every NPC, but even in WoW, I really don't pay attention to the detail on unique 3D models [after they were released]. Regular merchant/story NPCs in WoW? They have no chance for remember-ability, unless they have a quirky name. With the 2D avatar, they can switch the facial expressions as different text is displayed and generally show more detail to make them memorable. While I don't think this is good for all games, I think it works well here.
Gameplay: I went over some of this above, but the "hack 'n' slash" style was executed very well. If you don't enjoy hack 'n' slash games, this isn't for you. Breakable and interactive terrain is tons of fun. Picking up a barrel over your head and smashing it on an enemy is satisfying. Grabbing a gnoll, slamming him into a wall, and then smashing him with your shield is very satisfying. Grabbing a kobold and kicking him into 7 kobolds, knocking them all down, is near orgasmic.
"Trash" is easy, as is its intention. There are some pretty cool traps in the game that, while easily avoidable, add a little extra spice to the instance [these include: rolling Indiana Jones boulders, giant mechanical spiked rolling pins, tripwire suspended tree trunks (a la Endor), and reverse spike pit traps (in soviet russia, spike smash you)].
Bosses, however, are not trash with more hit points [like some DII bosses felt]. Well, I suppose that is a matter of perspective. Ya see, Vindictus has a "group size difficulty slider" system for most dungeons. This means that you can run a dungeon that is supposedly tuned for one person, two people, three people, or four people. Now, most MMOs that I've tested that employ this system work something like this: Solo mode = Easy mode and 4 person mode = "how-the-game-was-properly-tuned" mode. So, solo mode is there when you just want to knock something out fast, or don't have the time to wait for a group.
Now, in Vindictus, the paradigm is: solo mode = pro mode vs. 4 person mode = roflstomp mode. These two modes are so vastly different from each-other, I really can't tell which is closer to "how-the game-was-tuned" mode. It is a totally different experience between 1v2v3v4 people in a group. Solo mode, for many fights, can be down right brutal and crazily time consuming. It requires patience, reaction time, boss attack pattern recognition (if there is any), and has leeway for very few mistakes. This is opposed to 4 person mode, where even though the health of the boss increases, generally any group can zerg a boss to win.
What gets even funnier are raids. Jack that number to 6 and you can accomplish the only currently testable raid encounter in the game in the hardest mode availible in less than 30sec with timely use of spears wearing nothing but your weapons.
Now, this may be a bias on my part, but it seems to me that you want to make encounters more complex and more challenging when the players have more options available to them. At the very least, solo mode and 4player mode should feel equal in difficulty.
Now, there are a bunch of reasons why one would make solo mode more difficult. Some legitimate, some less so. I will not list them, but I'd thought I'd mention their existence. Suffice to say, this is one of the things that disappoints me the most. I first attempted the polar bear raid with two people. It was exciting! Lots of dodging and moving! Clutch use of secondary weapons and environment! Precise positioning and timing needed to land a powerful smash attack! That was on normal mode. Then I ran it on hard, with the difficulty turned up, in a group of six. I was pumped! We killed it in 30sec. Better and more loot dropped. More exp was gained. =\
This is, in my opinion, a cultural design thing. Being an Eastern design company, Nexon will develop their game primarily from an Eastern perspective, for an Eastern audience. The paradigm for the Eastern gamer is just vastly different from the average U.S. gamer. U.S. gamers, generally, believe the greatest rewards should come from the hardest tasks, regardless of the parameters (reinforced individualism). Eastern gamers, generally, believe the rewards should be static to the task, with the task becoming easier with more people involved (reinforced collectivism).
So, we see a game like WoW move towards evening out the "difficultly" of 10s and 25s in order to offer the same rewards, which, in theory, should increase the U.S. player base.
Vindictus, designed primarily for an Eastern audience, already has equal rewards across the board, but has nearly an exponential decrease in difficultly for every new person brought into a group.
Take it as you will. People will agree with one paradigm or the other. I don't think one is "wrong." I just know I, personally, enjoy one over the other.
Tech:Now, I'm not a tech person, but I'm generally satisfied with the state of the coding (bugs, etc) for a closed beta. The one big beef, which is most likely the one at the top of my list, I have is the hosting system. When you do a dungeon run in a group, the instance is hosted by the party leader, not a dedicated server. This is understandable because the game will be FtP, and having dedicated servers would, quite frankly, demand a subscription.
The problem comes in when you have someone create a party who is an exceptionally bad host [tech wise]. You will be jumping all over the screen, the game will lock up at horribly inconvenient times, and you will get 1 frame every 5 seconds [regardless of how awesome your computer is]. At this time, there is no way to easily see on the "launch" board how good a host the party leader is.
Now, in a recent patch, it seems like some of these hosting issues have been fixed. Hopefully they can change it so that the game automatically chooses the best host out of a group, instead of the party leader. Perhaps they are still tweaking, since it is in closed beta after-all. I'm willing to give this one time, but if not fixed it will be a major stopping point for many players.
Community: Difficult to say how this community will end up being. As of closed beta, I've run into very few "ragers" and people generally seem to be forgiving of mistakes. Now, this may be because you are rewarded for rezzing people with feathers... or perhaps because the game hasn't been out long enough... or perhaps because its closed beta. There will be a guild system set up, but I see this as more of a convenience for friends than something necessary for success in the game.
I don't think it will ever have a WoW level of community, but it'll be more vibrant than, say, HoN/LoL.
Keep in mind that these are thoughts from closed beta. Only two characters are available for play: a tank and a dual-wield melee DPS. Half of the game features are not implemented [enchanting and alchemy are the most glaring]. When the game goes into open beta and ranged/magic characters are introduced, the game is going to vastly change.
Final verdict from closed beta: B+ [A if hosting issue is fixed].
I am still enjoying the heck out of this game and full agree with Spiritus!

domain: game


text:
Robert Astorino's website
He's either cut or kept taxes flat
"I have never once raised the county tax levy -- not for seven straight years."
— PolitiFact New York
on Wednesday, January 11th, 2017


text:
Bety Maldonado was selling drugs on his doorstep. She had been at it for six months when she was arrested. About 150 elements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (AFI) arrived, surrounded the family private where their home was located, and arrested 22 people, including family members and even neighbors.
It was March 2010. He was given six years in prison. First they took her to Santa Martha Acatitla. But former President Felipe Calderón had started his war on drugs, and those who were imprisoned for health crimes were to be in a federal prison.
Bety was transferred to the Marias Islands in October 2011. «There, the Federal Police officers made it known to me that I was worth less than a stone, i.e. that I was a criminal, so I couldn’t dare or look them in the face. In its wake, the inmates had to bow their heads.»
From the year he was there — before one of the various shelters he brought in to get back to St. Martha was effective -the hardest thing was not seeing his family. I could only call them once every fortnight. And that’s only if he behaved well and didn’t accumulate three bad points.
In the Marias Islands, it took five more minutes to shower or show up with hair and wet clothes for breakfast to earn those points, it did not matter that the inmates should play the bath with 40 other companions. Bety took pains to abide by all the rules to be allowed to make the call, because for her, she says, her family comes first.
It was when he decided to sell drugs. Her husband was addicted and had accumulated a debt to a criminal group. They came to find him to his house to charge him, but they didn’t find him, he had been hiding in a tub. They found only Bety, their daughter and their three-year-old granddaughter.
The child was held and shot. They were told that if they didn’t pay the debt, the family was going to «stand up mother.»
«We didn’t doubt that, at that time, in the neighborhood (in Azcapotzalco) all over the place, they knew about dead people, of account adjustments,» bety Bety said.
With the work he had in the afternoons in the cellar of a backpack company, where he accommodated the product, and what he took from the taco stand he attended in the morning, Bety could not pay the amount demanded by the criminals. He decided to start selling drugs. «I went two days after them and told them I would pay.»
She had already managed to resettle half the debt when the AFI came to stop it. «It was a huge operation, as if I had been a great drug dealer and so I was punished, the Marias Islands was an excess, that almost killed me, there were times when I was just looking for something to hang me with.»
Bety was worried about someone in particular. «I was very desperate not to be with my youngest son, I was 15 when I was arrested, as they also took their dad, who was also addicted, he was left alone. My son wanted to study law, but he couldn’t anymore. He had to work and take care of himself.»
When drug trafficking is punishable by imprisonment, Bety says, «not just one crime is being punished, poverty, ignorance, lack of opportunity are being punished. And the family is also punished, most of the women in prison are the pillars of that nucleus.»
Ana Pecova, director of the civil society organization Equis Justice for Women, explains that when the war on drugs was launched, in calderón’s sex-year period, people with little drugs were detained and imposed exemplary punishments, such as sending them to women to the Marias Islands.
«It was an attempt to send the message that these crimes would not be tolerated. But it was not the great kingpins who ended up in prison, the prisons were filled with women who worked, out of necessity or threat, in the lower links of criminal networks.»
The Washington Office for Latin American Affairs (WOLA) and Equis Justicia para las Mujeres have documented that in Mexico there are 3,18 women incarcerated or in criminal proceedings for health crimes. 2 thousand 777 of them are in local prisons and 241 in federal. In the last two years, the number of women who have been admitted to prison in the common jurisdiction for health offences has grown by 103.3%.
Accused women who engage in these crimes are generally poor, uneducated, and solely responsible for their sons and daughters.
Some of the activities they carry out are: the transfer of narcotics; the planting, harvesting and/or cultivation of poppy or marijuana; packaging of illegal substances for transfer and drug protection in their homes.
For the most part, these women were victims of human rights violations. Only 1.3% were arrested with an arrest warrant by the Army. Federal authorities, especially the Navy, used physical force and firearms to subdue them.
Pecova argues that we should ask ourselves, what’s the point of having these women in jail? «They are not a danger, they are for non-violent crimes, and organized crime groups easily replace them, their imprisonment does not affect the operation of drug trafficking. They only expose them to more violations of their rights, and they also have a negative impact on their families and are taxed for having them in jail.»
The other state fault
Abigail Sanchez was eight days old when her mother left her with her grandmother. They lived in a wooden and cardboard house. He hardly went to school. For her a hot dog was a bread and gravy. She knew the pizzas only because her neighbor left her the banks she didn’t want to eat, and that she would throw her up from the roof so she would have to lift them off the floor if she wanted them.
Added to poverty were Grandma’s frequent blows. Abi suffered sexual abuse in his teens and lived on the street for some periods. Then he went to live with a man. But her financial condition did not improve, he gave her 100 pesos a week to solve the expenses of her and three children. There was no frills or pizza.
At that time too, the blows were added to the gaps. Abi’s partner began to mistreat her. She would defend herself when she could and on a couple of occasions even threatened him with a knife. They separated, but the man convinced the children to go with him to live with his paternal grandmother, who owns a small grocery store. Abigail was left alone and out of money. He joined another man, who didn’t earn much in his job as a bricklayer.
Abi looked for jobs, but he always had a low salary. He’s fed up. His own sister offered to «work» by introducing drugs to prisons. He was at it for almost a year. «With what I earned I was able to go to eat at a restaurant, buy clothes, candy, have someone to do me the cleaning, all that for some it is so easy, but for me not. Until they learned me and ended up in Santa Martha.» It was April 2013.
He was in prison for five years. He left barely an eight months ago. While she was in jail, the man she was living with when she started introducing drugs to the criminals was also arrested, charged with kidnapping.
On his visits to prison, he befriended another inmate’s partner. «The man asked him to rent him a room where we lived and my husband said yes, as I was not there and he spent many days with my sister-in-law, that person used the room to put there a boy he kidnapped.»
Police arrived at the house one day and the husband was involved in the kidnapping. During his time in prison, he passed away, allegedly from peritonitis, «I’m sure he was kicked in the stomach to death,» Abi says.
With her husband dead, and unable to approach their children, because their former partner wouldn’t let him, Abigail got out of jail without having any relatives to turn to. «Whoever offered me her house to stay was a dance teacher I met here in the penitentiary, he had me there for eight months without taking a weight. If I have a job, it’s because two former Santa Martha classmates got me a job cleaning a house.» Women get to drug trafficking because of poverty and leave prison more vulnerable.
That’s the other problem, women get out of prison on a much more vulnerable condition than the one they entered. «Women were very alone in prison. Out of ten sentences, one-third are never visited. The same percentage comes out with nowhere to go. They take them out in the middle of the night, without a weight and without anyone waiting for them,» says Natacha Lopvet, founder of the Network of Justicieras, an organization that was created as a space of coexistence and support among former recluse.
It’s the state’s other fault for women in prison. «For us there are no halfway houses, for example, in several cases it is the former companions who are waiting for you outside and see where to take you, in the network we do that, because we know that many have not even where to go.»
The AMNESTy of AMLO
The Amnesty Law initiative presented by Andrés Manuel López Obrador will benefit women who are in prison for owning, transporting, selling, cultivating or introducing narcotics to the country, provided that they have not committed blood or violence crimes, and that they are not Recidivists.
«But there are several that are (up to 8% according to data from the National Free Private Population Survey, ENPOL 2016). There are drug users who had prior contact with the justice system but let them go, reoffended and just entered the prison, they do not qualify for amnesty,» Pecova explains.
Find out: What yes and what does not propose the Amnesty Act sent by AMLO to Congress
In addition, the activist points out, the reintegration part is absent from this bill. «It’s not just the question of getting them out of jail, they need accompaniment so they don’t re-instate, to treat their addiction if they’re users. If that’s not it, the law remains a quick fix, like a patch, but it won’t be effective or durable.»
Both Pecova and Lopvet emphasize the need for a public policy that accompanies women when they leave prison. «They go out even without their documents, take months to recover their NSOs, how they are then going to rent a room, find a job, get their children back if they’ve lost custody, if they don’t even have the basic papers,» Pecova asks.
Faced with this problem is that WOLA and Equis Justicia launched the campaign #LiberarlasEsJusticia Context is the only difference, in which three proposals are made to the Mexican state:
1. Establish a legal mechanism for the release of women who are incarcerated and who have been victims of drug policy, many of whom are vulnerable. The proposition is to get them all out.
2. Implement comprehensive social reintegration strategies, so that women have more life choices.
3. Move to comprehensive drug policies that prioritize public health and women’s human rights.
What we do in Animal Político requires professional journalists, teamwork, dialogue with readers and something very important: independence. You can help us keep going. Be part of the team.
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Debate Over Automatic Spending Cuts
Image used under Creative Commons from Flickr user Steel Wool
By most accounts, the U. S. is headed for a fiscal cliff at the end of this year. Congress is at loggerheads over Bush-era tax cuts which are due to expire December 31st. Then there’s sequestration – mandatory across-the-board budget cuts slated for January 2nd -- the result of a bipartisan deal passed last year. The combined effects of these events could be disastrous. Members of both parties worry automatic defense cuts could jeopardize the military. Sequestration might also slash funds for education, infrastructure, head start, and food safety. Diane and her guests discuss the debate over automatic spending cuts.
senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and former chief economist and economic policy adviser for Vice President Joe Biden.
research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute’s Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies.
congressional correspondent for NPR.


CELTIC have been linked with Greek international Kyriakos Papadopoulos who is poised to quit SV Hamburg in the summer.
The 28-year-old defender was a target for Brendan Rodgers when he was in charge at Liverpool, but there were concerns over the player’s fitness.
However, Papadopoulos has been injury-free in the current campaign as has already played 25 first team games for the Bundesliga outfit.
The versatile back-four operator still has two years of his contract with SV Hamburg to run.
Rodgers has already raided the German market this season after spending £1million on RB Leipzig central defender Marvin Compper.
Read more from Celtic Quick News …
- CELTIC’S TITLE DATE
- ‘WHY BRENDAN WON’T QUIT,’ STUBBS
- COLLINS BACKS BROONY
- ‘FLAG RACE IS OVER,’ COMMONS
- ‘I FELT GUILTY LEAVING CELTS,’ IZZY
Catch up with Pau67’s Blog here …