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In just a little over a year, life in Hong Kong has changed dramatically. That's because of a national security law that went into effect last year, one that's already had troubling effects on the semiautonomous region - semiautonomous meaning Hong Kong had some independence from the strict laws governing mainland China, part of the accord that led to Hong Kong's handover from the United Kingdom to China a generation ago. Those rights are now under sharp attack. Earlier this week, the State Department expressed concern over, quote, "the continued erosion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. We note in particular the increase in politically motivated prosecutions targeting Hong Kong's teachers, lawyers and individual citizens," unquote. And among the most concerned about the law and among the most scrutinized by authorities are journalists.
Joining us to explain and to explore, Mark Clifford, a veteran journalist in Hong Kong and a past editor-in-chief of The South China Morning Post. Mark Clifford, welcome.
MARK CLIFFORD: Thank you, David.
FOLKENFLIK: First, can you tell us a bit about the national security law itself? What are its major tenets and its stated goal?
CLIFFORD: Well, its major tenets are to criminalize anything that the government doesn't like. Its stated goal is to bring Hong Kong very much under the thumb of authorities in Beijing. They didn't like the fact that it was, as you said, a semiautonomous region that had its own way of thinking about things. And that included massive street protests of a million, 2 million people and a really freewheeling atmosphere that was unlike anything in the mainland, and ultimately, the mainland authorities couldn't stomach that.
FOLKENFLIK: When we talk about semiautonomy for Hong Kong, that meant, you know, somewhat democratic local elections, press freedoms, a more liberalized economy than on the mainland. This new security law has transformed much of that. What are the biggest tangible changes you've noticed so far?
CLIFFORD: Well, the biggest tangible change is that there's a climate of fear that pervades anyone who's involved with political media, civil society issues. I was on the board of directors of Next Digital, which published the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper. A pretty tangible demonstration of the reach of the new law came when 500 armed police raided the newsroom, questioned journalists, froze bank accounts and put us out of business. So I could go on and on. There are dozens of examples like that of civic organizations, newspapers, pretty much everybody who occupied the political space that was in the pro-democracy sphere - which, by the way, 6 out of 10 Hong Kong people consistently have supported since elections began about 30 years ago.
FOLKENFLIK: You talked about what happened to Apple Daily. What are you hearing from journalists there now?
CLIFFORD: It's scary. People are afraid. Some people have fled. One friend of mine literally heard of another colleague of his being arrested and got a COVID test and headed to the airport and got the last seat out that night. This was a couple of months ago. That's an extreme example. Most people are taking a little bit longer. And some, of course, are staying and hoping against hope that there can be a little space that's carved out, but it looks like the crackdown on journalism will continue and will get worse. And we have seven journalists from Apple Daily and its parent company in jail right now being held without - essentially without bail. And it'll probably be years until their trial comes up. And they're effectively serving a life sentence because they're presumed guilty rather than innocent before a trial, and the trial can take place whenever the authorities want it.
FOLKENFLIK: Mark, you've lived in Hong Kong for decades. You are a permanent resident of Hong Kong, but I think it's important to note for our listeners you're an American citizen. I assume many folks would imagine that you would be able to operate more freely than your Hong Kong and Chinese counterparts there. How has this affected you?
CLIFFORD: For me personally, I left Hong Kong at the end of October, just short of a year ago, and planned to come back for a long end-of-the-year vacation. But when the chairman of Apple Daily, where as I said, I sit on the board of the parent company, was put in jail - a man named Jimmy Lai, longtime pro-democracy advocate - put in jail, manacled, denied bail and my name was thrown around in court hearings as a result of some interviews I've been doing with him, I decided it might be wiser not to go back. I don't know what would happen to me if I went back.
I am the subject of a number of investigations because of the destruction of Next Digital. Authorities stole the company, froze our assets, kept our 600,000 subscribers from being able to enjoy the news that Apple Daily provided. And yet authorities are going after the board as if somehow the board is responsible for the company's destruction. It's an extraordinary situation, and it's discouraging. It's personally extremely time-consuming for me to be dealing with these regulatory inquiries. But at the end of the day, I am an American citizen, and thankfully, I'm in the United States at this point.
FOLKENFLIK: Mark Clifford, let me ask you this. The Chinese government says, our country, our rules. Hong Kong has to exist closer in line with their counterparts in mainland China. They cite national security concerns. They cite the concerns of terrorism. Those threats are faced by democracies and autocrats alike. What reply do you offer to that?
CLIFFORD: Well, China has effectively torn up international agreements that it's signed. It signed an agreement with a British before Hong Kong was handed back to Chinese control. So if China can't be trusted to keep its word in a prosperous, modern, civil, peaceful society like Hong Kong, where can it be trusted? It has signed numerous international agreements on human rights and other protections, and it seems to be ignoring all of them. It says it doesn't matter. It says that it can make up its own rules. And I think what we're seeing in Hong Kong is a China that wants to set the rules for the world. And it's a dark, authoritarian, techno-driven, surveillance-intensive set of rules. And I don't think most people want the China model. But I think what we're seeing in Hong Kong is a very clear disjunction or split between what China offers the world and what a prosperous, open, free city like Hong Kong had enjoyed. And I think the world can see what's at stake, and they should see that it's much more than Hong Kong that's at issue here.
FOLKENFLIK: We've been hearing from Mark Clifford. He's the president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong and also is the past editor-in-chief of The South China Morning Post. Mark Clifford, thanks so much for your time.
CLIFFORD: Thanks so much for your interest, David. I really hope that the people of Hong Kong are remembered. The world needs to know and remember that people in Hong Kong still believe in freedom. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system.
- It causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tend to come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks or months at a time.
- It's usually a lifelong problem. It can be very frustrating to live with and can have a big impact on your everyday life.
- There's no cure, but diet changes and medicines can often help control the symptoms.
- The exact cause is unknown – it's been linked to things like food passing through your gut too quickly or too slowly, oversensitive nerves in your gut, stress and a family history of IBS.
Page last reviewed: 24-02-2021
Next review due:24-02-2024

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text: Section Editors usually manage the Review of submissions and the editing of those that are accepted. Depending on the journal's policies, however, a Section Editor initially assigned to a submission by an Editor may be asked only to see it through the Review stage, after which, if the submission is accepted, the Editor takes over (in the role of Section Editor). Editors send requests to Section Editors to see a submission through the editorial process.


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Masters in Public Policy & Public Administration Degree Programs in St Louis
Masters in Public Administration and Policy (MPAP or MPA) programs are planned-out to help students gain a firm grasp of how to serve the public good through responsible management. Interested students could gain the tactical skills to drive changes and craft solutions to key concerns such as homelessness, homeland security, and health initiatives.
Masters in Public Administration and Policy: Overview
The degrees encompassed by Masters in Public Administration and Policy programs include the Masters in Public Administration (MPA), Masters in Public Policy (MPP), Masters in Government Policy and many other unique programs such as the Masters in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA).
What Could One Do With a Masters in Public Policy & Administration?
A masters degree in public administration and policy might prepare students to pursue careers in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors and all levels of government. The variety of public administration masters programs provides a dynamic opportunity for each student to select an analytical and/or administrative angle to leadership within local, national and international levels.
We outline a few different degrees to enable you to pick the perfect masters in public policy and administration for your professional goals. Compare course lists from individual schools to help you with your final decision.
What Is an MPA Degree?
An MPA degree, which is short for Masters in Public Administration, is a 'terminal' professional rather than academic degree. As such, it may appeal to students who want to build a base of new knowledge and understand how to apply these theories into real-world decisions. For instance, within sectors like public service management, healthcare, fundraising and the environment.
It may take a full-time student two-years to complete an MPA program, although there are accelerated and online MPA programs which may take between 12 and 18 months for some students. Credit requirements also range though on average, require about 36 credit hours. Some MPA programs exist that accept students who haven't taken the GRE.
Several of the more comprehensive programs might also include a research seminar, internship and practicum in addition to a full range of core and elective classes. An internship experience may be required for students who have fewer than two years of professional work experience in a public or nonprofit setting.
MPA Course Plans
MPA degree programs are often quite broad with course plans that could meld MBA and Master of Public Policy (MPP) degrees. In other words, students could learn about an array of business management topics such as finance/budgeting and organizational dynamics.
Along with these, a focus on nonprofit organizations, policy analysis and government adds on themes that touch on the public sectors. Often as well, there is a discussion of ethics, accountability and global awareness.
Ultimately, courses aim to ready students to examine a problem, synthesize data, think critically about multiple facets of an issue, solve problems, and make decisions. Through this process, students may find they are prepared to communicate and interact with diverse groups and in diverse settings. Below is a sample of potential core MPA topics.
- Public Service
- Managerial Decision Making
- Human Resource Management
- Strategy and Statistical Analysis
- Financial Management and Control
- Economics in Public and Nonprofit Sectors
FUN FACT According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, political scientists often complete a master of public administration (MPA), master of public policy (MPP), or master of public affairs degree.
MPA Concentrations
One might also enter a Masters in Public Administration with a specific interest, and to this end, many universities offer concentrations to tack onto the main (core) MPA coursework. Potential emphases could include healthcare, international affairs, human rights, urban policy, public sector, data analytics and beyond. See below for other possibilities to scout for.
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Policy Analysis
- Emergency Management
- Public Management
- City and Regional Planning
Through coursework and an area of emphasis, students could develop the ability to lead teams and projects. Also, to think strategically as they work to problem solve in their field of expertise.
What is an Executive MPA?
An Executive MPA (EMPA) might position mid-career professionals to advance their careers in public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Often, EMPA programs are available online so that at-work students need not sacrifice their career and life commitments.
Typically planned-out for the experienced public manager, EMPA course plans might cover broad questions of public affairs. With them, specific analytic, managerial, and communication skills for management and policy analysis. Students may be able to choose from three areas of study.
- Advanced Management and Finance Concentration
- Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management Concentration
- International Economic Policy and Management Concentration
Masters in Public Administration Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for Masters in Public Administration and Policy programs could vary greatly given that each university sets their own standards. Most programs do require applicants to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and might recommend candidates show an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
In some cases, applicants may need at least three years of professional work experience at the time of enrollment, and basic quantitative skills including a foundation in pre-calculus. Other times, students may not need to have prior experience in public administration or public policy. But, they should show analytical, quantitative, and verbal skills up to par with academia at this level.
In several grad schools with Masters in Public Administration and Policy programs, the GRE score is required for admission. However, GRE scores may be waived for students who have already completed a masters degree or who have at least five years' management experience in a government or non-profit setting.
Other required materials for acceptance into some programs might include the completion of an online application, all official transcripts, a statement of purpose, a current resume, and several letters of recommendation.
What Is an MPP Degree?
An MPP degree – Masters in Public Policy – is a professional degree which may be heavily academic as well as practice-focused. A primary aim of an MPP program is to prepare students to pursue careers in policy analysis, politics, and public affairs within public, non-profit, or private sectors.
The MPP is normally a two-year degree for full-time students. Applicants might seek enrollment directly from their bachelors degree although some universities might prefer candidates with a few years of work experience under their belts.
Some schools might also look for students who show an enthusiasm to serve the public interest – perhaps through past community or volunteer work. Undergraduate-level economics, statistics or calculus courses might also be helpful.
MPP Course Plans
Some MPP course plans highlight the research that is required to make public policies rather than on implementation (which is usually the case with an MPA degree). As a result, students might be exposed to a wide range of analytical methods used to dissect complex problems. Also, to the appropriate practices used to form concrete solutions via informed policy decisions.
One of the hallmarks of the MPP degree is its core coursework which may vary between schools but is generally planned-out to broaden student perspective and sharpen specific public service skills. Core and elective courses in the first year could be supplemented by a policy-oriented internship, and an applied thesis may cap the final part of the curriculum. See below for sample MPP course topics.
- Economics for Public Policy
- Finance and Budgeting
- Ethics
- Management and leadership
- Negotiations
- Politics
- Policy analysis
- Quantitative analysis
MPP Concentrations
Through core courses, exercises and fieldwork, participants could master concepts and skills that draw on the social sciences but are adapted for action. On top of these components, many MPP degree programs ask students to major in a substantive policy area through a selected concentration. See below for some examples of areas in which in concentrate coursework.
- Business and Government Policy
- Democracy, Politics and Institutions
- International and Global Affairs
- Political and Economic Development
- Social and Urban Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Labor and Workforce Policy
Some schools might also help students to tailor design their program to target personal objectives.
MPA vs MPP Degree?
The MPA degree and MPP degree share a focus on issues that concern the public and ways to serve the community, but they are otherwise distinct from one another.
In a nutshell, an MPP degree relies upon evaluation and strategy with an emphasis on research and analysis. In contrast, the MPA degree could focus on administration and leadership with an emphasis on management. While MPP students seek to glean information, MPA students might set out to find ways to implement data by managing programs that are used in the public sector.
Furthermore, a Masters in Public Administration degree course plan usually involves classes in leadership and how to make strategic and informed decisions. Leadership skills are vital because public leaders may oversee large groups of people. This degree focus might also include studies in human resources, finance, management principles and information systems.
A Masters in Public Policy degree by comparison might stress the scrutiny and interpretation of data, therefore may not play up the administrative aspects like an MPA. Instead, courses could include research methods, statistics, cost-benefit analysis, and economics.
Finally, to earn an MPA, students are usually required to have professional experience, such as internships or other work experience before the degree is granted. Most MPP programs do not require candidates to have relevant professional experience to be accepted into their program.
Schools with Masters in Publicy Policy Degree Programs in St Louis
Program | Institution | Degree Awarded |
Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and Policy | Grand Canyon University | MPA |
MPPA Degree
A Masters in Public Policy and Administration is an interdisciplinary professional program. MPPA programs might suit those who are interested in both the analytical (MPP degree) and administrative (MPA degree) sides of the discipline. In tandem with courses in leadership, students might learn to think across diverse groups and boundaries to design and assess public policies and programs.
MPPA Course Plans
Core courses could help students refine their research and graduate writing skills. Students might also reasonably expect to take courses which put forth research methods, statistics and analytic tools for public policy. The topics below provide a general overview of a MPPA course plan.
- Public Organization Theory and Management
- Microeconomics for Public Policy and Administration
- Public Finance and Budgeting
- Scope and Theory of Public Policy
MPPA Concentrations
Students in MPPA degree programs might be expected to complete core courses plus a capstone project of thesis research. Elective courses that correspond to a declared emphasis might round a course plan out. These could delve into some of the areas that follow.
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Global Policy
- Global Health
- Data Analytics for Public Policy
Masters in Government
Masters in Government degree programs might suit participants who want to shape policy and are specifically drawn to serve in government. Many such programs are available through a university's Political Science or Government Departments. Students might thus gain familiarity with topics such as international relations, comparative politics, political theory and American government.
Master of Arts in Government
A Master of Arts (MA) in Government could help students hone expertise in U.S. government, public policy, national security, constitutionalism or other areas.
Students may need to take several core courses, though the MA is often flexible which means participants might supplement compulsory topics with several electives. See below for some possible areas of study.
- Analysis of Political Data
- Leadership and Process in American Government
- Executive Branch Politics and Policy Making
- U.S. Foreign Policy
Apart from the finer points of American politics, students might be required to complete a practicum experience which could provide a taste of hands-on, real-world professional practice.
Master of Science in Government Analytics
For students who prefer statistical tools to debating the finer points of congressional politics and the American presidency, a MS in Government Analytics might hit the mark. A MS in Government Analytics curriculum could equip students with a broad set of foundational skills in statistical analysis through a central core.
- Statistics and Political Analysis
- Quantitative Methods
- Advanced Quantitative Methods
- Big Data Analytics: Tools and Techniques
Some universities might also offer the opportunity to cultivate skills in a specific analytical area. Program concentrations could include statistical analysis, geospatial analysis, political behavior and policy analysis and public management.
Could I Earn an MPP or MPA Degree Online?
Many universities offer a menu of course delivery systems so that busy students could earn a Masters in Public Administration and Policy at their own pace or in line with their schedule needs. Here is a rundown of the principal formats.
- On-Campus: Typically has students (cohort) meet at set times; in-person lectures, opportunity to meet and interact – choose your preferred location
- Online: Courses may be set up entirely online or with a brief on-campus meeting; coursework accessible 24/7 through web-based platform
- Hybrid: A blend of on-campus and online course components which could be a perfect way to interact and study independently
written by Rana Waxman
State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
District of Columbia | 3,670 | $123,070 |
Virginia | 930 | $138,160 |
Texas | 320 | $79,390 |
New York | 110 | $117,450 |
Washington | 110 | $75,770 |
Metro Area | Annual Mean Salary | Employment |
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,230 | 4,570 |
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $122,500 | 90 |
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | $118,430 | 30 |
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $97,170 | 90 |
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $85,990 | 0 |
Now you're equipped with the information you need to start your search for a masters program in public administration. Don't be shy, reaching out to more than one public administration and policy school may increase your chances of achieving your goal.
GradSchools.com offers 2 Masters in Public Policy Degree Programs in St Louis
Wake Forest University
Grand Canyon University
Purdue Global
University of Missouri - St Louis
Washington University in St Louis


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NEW ORLEANS — Two of the largest supermarket chains in the Northeast are rolling out a program to recycle the rigid plastic containers they use behind the counters.
Hannaford Bros. Co. and Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. LLC will recycle the high density polyethylene and polypropylene buckets, containers, tubs and other plastic bulk packaging that accumulates in bakeries, seafood counters and delis.
It's the culmination of a pilot program created by the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers to cap¬ture some of more than 350 million pounds of rigid plastics generated by medium and large supermarkets in the U.S., said Elizabeth Bedard, director of the rigid plastics recycling program at APR.
Hannaford, based in Scarborough, Maine, has more than 180 locations. Stop & Shop, based in Quincy, Mass., has more than 375. Together, the two chains represent about 8 percent of grocery stores in the U.S., Bedard said in a presentation at the Plastics Recycling Conference, held March 19-20 in New Orleans.
It's the first step in rolling out APR's Recycle Grocery Plastics program nationwide. The organization started the program about four years ago and completed six-month pilot runs at Hannaford and Stop & Shop in 2012. Now, two other chains are in the early stages of starting their own programs.
APR has provided as many tools as possible to make the program possible, including an extensive how-to manual that details "soup to nuts how to deal with the obstacles grocery stores will have," Bedard said.
The online manual includes links to videos, worksheets and other reference materials, as well as a market listing of more than 20 companies in North America that are interested in purchasing the rigid plastics.
APR is also offering stores free onsite and offsite technical assistance from consulting firm Brown Sustainability Solutions of Portland, Maine. Founder Ted Brown previously worked for Hannaford.
During the pilot program, Hannaford and Stop & Shop stores generated about 50-80 pounds of recyclable containers each week. More than 85 percent of all the wide-mouth containers collected were PP, according to a report by Brown Sustainability.
According to APR, an average-sized 45,000- to 50,000-square-foot supermarket generates at least 40 pounds of wide-mouth rigid containers weekly. Stores with pharmacies have the potential to double that volume by including pharmacy stock bottles, narrow-mouth containers and other bulk packaging. Pharmacy bottle recycling is a separate project APR may take on, Bedard said.
According to APR, pharmacy stock bottles probably make up more than 90 percent of pharmacy waste and may make up more than half of the total rigid plastic waste generated by stores. But recycling pharmaceutical containers has some hurdles. There are concerns about medication being left in bottles placed in recycling bins and the high volume of containers, combined with the lack of floor space in most pharmacies.
Pharmacies can recycle stock containers if they remove caps, place them in space-saving bins lined with clear utility bags, and place filled bags on top of the other rigid plastics.
Recycling rigid containers makes economic sense for supermarkets, Bedard said. Waste is expensive and bulk containers take up lots of room in dumpsters and compactors. Demand is high for good, rigid HDPE and PP containers, so stores can also look at the containers as a revenue source, she said.
The program also fits with stores' sustainability goals.
"[Recycling] makes sense for zero-waste programs," she said. "In the past, they might have given [a container] away; now it makes sense to recycle it and turn it into recycling feedstock."
Implementing rigid container recycling doesn't require additional money or labor, Bedard said.
When an employee empties a container, they quickly scrape it clean, rinse out the container and lid and allow it to air dry. Containers are temporarily stacked in each department by resin type and size, while lids are placed in clear plastic bags. At the end of the day, those containers are stacked in melon bins near the store's dock and the bags of lids are placed on top. The bins are picked up and taken to market and may be baled first. The process does not take any more time than throwing the containers away, according to Bedard.


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Scenes From Mexico, 2011
These pictures have been taken during my travel to Mexico. From the airplane on the way there, to the panoramic view during the climb of the 3rd tallest monolith in the world.
Posted in Landscape, Location Photography, Mexico, People, Places, Things, Travel Photography
Tagged "yellow wavey wall", (C) Alexi Dagher, accommodation, aerial, aeromexico, aeroplane, Aeroplanes, Aerospace, aguave, airplane, Alebrijes, alexi dagher, altitude, Alvin, amazing, america, american, anblem, ancient, antique, aqueduc, aqueduct, Arcade, archeological site, arches, architectural, architecture, architecure, arcos, arcossantiago, arcs, art, artesanias, artifact, artisan, artistic, asphalt, aztec, B & W, Baroque, beautiful, Bernal, between puebla and queretaro, Black and white, bridge in the middle of mountains, Building Exterior, buildings, Built Structure, burial, bushes, cactus, campeche, Cantera, casa, cathedral, celebration, centro cultural santo domingo, centro historico de la ciudad de oaxaco, christian, church, city, cityscape, ciudad de Oaxaca de Juárez, Civil, cliff, climb, colonial type building, colorful, colors, columns, contemporary, cosy, country, countryside, craft, crafted, craftsmanship, crowded, danger, dark, dashboard, day, daylight, de, de-focused, 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gulf of mexico, hacienda, hallway, hand made, handcraft, hangars, hat, headlight, heart, heaven, heavenly, heavy, high altitude, high ceiling, higher, highway, hill, historic, History, history hall, horizon, horizontal, horse, hotel, House, houses, housing, hublot, huge, ice, indoor, inerior, inside, inside the clouds, Intense, intercontinental, interior, interior design, international, irrigate, irrigation, islands, jesus, jet, jetplane, Jets, jorge, José María de Jesús Diez de Sollano y Davalos, journey, July 2011, jungle, keyhole, l'arche, la bone tera, La Parroquia, lake, lamp posts, lampost, land, landmark, Landscape, lane, lanes, latin, latin america, latin american, Latin Cross, lawn, layers, ledge, left wing, life, light, lights, line, lines, lit window, living, lobby, lock, logistics, logo, long, los, los arcos, louisiana, luxury, management, many, maya, mecian, memory, merchant, mess, metal, metal chair, mexican, mexican cimetery, mexican houses, mexicans, mexico, mexico 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pots, power, power lines, praying, praying menthis, protector, Puebla, puppet, purple wall, pyramid, queretaro, queretaro centro, Queretaro State, rail, railing, rain, raindrop, rainy, rays, rectangle, Red, red apron, red rock, reflection, relax, relaxing, religion, remembrance, rest, restaurent, resting, rich, ride, ridge, river, road, roadway, Rock, rock road, rocks, Roman Catholic, roof, rooftop, rooftops, room, round, route, Ruega Por Nosotros Virgen Dolorosisima, ruins, sad person, saints, San Miguel de Allende, San Sebastián Bernal, sand, santiago de queretaro, satellite dish, scary, Scene, scenery, Scenes, scenic, scratched, sculpture, sculptures, sea, seat, seats, selling, sense of space, seventeenth century, shadow, sharp, shops, shore, side, sidewalk, sight, sign, skeleton, sky, skylight, sleep, small, small door in big door, small islands, smoke, snake, snow, some clouds, soul, south bay, south padre island, speckle, speed, spirit, spooky, square, statue, steep, steps, 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work, worldwide, yellow, yellowred, YUL to MEX, zapotec, zoom
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A hike on the Mount Royal – May 2014
Posted in Landscape, Location Photography, Nature, Places
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My journey with grey water began at time when I was doing a bit spear fishing around Sydney. We were mostly diving just outside the heads of Sydney Harbour, every so often though we'd head further afield up or down the coast. When we did the change in water visibility was immense.
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Nice cars or 'green cars', as they are popularly known, are fast leaving the fuel-powered cars far behind since it offers many advantages like low gasoline costs, comparatively low maintenance costs and 'zero emission' factor. Lacking any combustion engine, they are operated through batteries and electric motors. However they too require to be looked after. Auto provides the best electric car services facilities to ensure that it glides.
The one big maintenance issue with electric cars is that its batteries last for approximately 100,000 miles. Post it, the batteries need to be replaced .No other issues require a higher expenditure than this. These cars have an electric motor through which the car is driven. Apart from it, there are about six or seven parts which together as an ensemble help to rotate the tires.
Another common issue with electric cars is the eventual wearing out of motor brushes owning to constant friction. After every fifty to sixty thousand miles, they need to be replaced. Hence, the electric car owners should ensure that the car is frequently inspected by a skilled and knowledgeable repair service station like Auto to ensure a smooth and hassle free glide.


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Variations in the stuff that cements grains together in sandstone have shaped the landscape surrounding NASA's Curiosity Mars rover and could be a study topic at the mission's next science waypoint.
On a journey with many months yet to go toward prime destinations on the lower slope of Mount Sharp, Curiosity is approaching a site called "the Kimberley." Scientists on the team picked this location last year as a likely place to pause for investigation.
Its informal name comes from a northwestern Australia region known as the Kimberley. The Martian site's geological appeal, based on images taken from orbit, is that four types of terrain with different rock textures intersect there.
"The orbital images didn't tell us what those rocks are, but now that Curiosity is getting closer, we're seeing a preview," said Curiosity Deputy Project Scientist Ashwin Vasavada of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "The contrasting textures and durabilities of sandstones in this area are fascinating. While superficially similar, the rocks likely formed and evolved quite differently from each other."
The rocks that the Curiosity mission has studied most intensively so far are finer-grain mudstone, rather than sandstone. The rover found evidence for an ancient lakebed environment favorable for microbial life when it analyzed sample powder drilled from mudstone last year in an area called "Yellowknife Bay."
The rover team is eager to inspect sandstone at the planned waypoint, now just 282 feet (86 meters) south of the rover. The pause for investigations at this site might include time for collecting rock-sample material with the rover's drill, for delivery to the laboratory instruments inside the vehicle.
Material filling the space between grains of sand in sandstone is called cement, whatever its composition. Characteristics of the cement can vary greatly, depending on the environmental history that affected the rock. Sandstones with some clay-mineral cements are quite soft. Tap them with a hammer and they crumble. Sandstones with quartz cement can be very hard. Hit them with a hammer and they ring.
"A major issue for us now is to understand why some rocks resist erosion more than other rocks, epecially when they are so close to each other and are both likely to be sandstones," said Michael Malin of Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego. He is the principal investigator for the Mast Camera and the Mars Descent Camera on Curiosity.
Malin said that variations in cement material of sandstones could provide clues to different types of wet environmental conditions in the area's history.
As in the southwestern United States, understanding why some sandstones are harder than others could help explain the major shapes of the landscape where Curiosity is working inside Gale Crater on Mars. Erosion-resistant sandstone forms a capping layer of mesas and buttes. It could even hold hints about why Gale Crater has a large layered mountain, Mount Sharp, at its center.
Erosion-resistant capping layers that Curiosity has sometimes driven across during the rover's traverse since leaving Yellowknife Bay have also presented an engineering challenge for the mission. Some rocks within those layers have sharp points that have punched holes in the rover's aluminum wheels. One of the strategies the rover team has used to reduce the pace of wheel damage is choosing routes that avoid crossing the hard caprock, where feasible.
"The wheel damage rate appears to have leveled off, thanks to a combination of route selection and careful driving," said JPL's Richard Rainen, mechanical engineering team leader for Curiosity. "We're optimistic that we're doing OK now, though we know there will be challenging terrain to cross in the future."
The pace at which new holes have appeared in the wheels during recent drives is less than one-tenth what it was a few months ago. Activities with a test rover at JPL this month show that wheels with much more extensive damage than has been sustained by any of Curiosity's six wheels can still perform well. The holes in Curiosity's wheels are all in the thin aluminum skin between much thicker treads. These tests on Earth are using wheels so damaged that many treads are broken, but they still provide traction.
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Project is using Curiosity to assess ancient habitable environments and major changes in Martian environmental conditions. JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, built the rover and manages the project for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.


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John Anderson |
Let me give just one example. Back in 1927 the powers that be made the decision to appoint John Anderson as the professor of philosophy at Sydney University.
Anderson began as a fellow traveller of the Communist Party, but when he realised the nature of the regime in Russia he became a Trotskyist. But during the 1930s he moved away from Marxism altogether in favour of a left-libertarianism (i.e. he combined anti-statism with anti-capitalism).
Anderson's was a pessimistic form of leftism:
In one talk he canvassed the 'fallacy of optimism' and criticised notions of 'good' and 'progress'. Optimistic theories are based on the view that the ultimate nature of reality is good, he argued, or that good is more real than evil: 'But reality as such can be neither good nor bad.' (Christine Wallace, Greer: Untamed Shrew, p. 74)
In Anderson's universe there were no transcendent values and therefore nothing that was in itself either good or bad:
As a committed empiricist, Anderson argued that there is only one realm of "being" and it can be best understood through science and naturalistic philosophy. He asserted that there is no supernatural god and that there are no non-natural realms along the lines of Platonic ideals. He rejected all notions that knowledge could be obtained by means other than descriptions of facts and any belief that revelation or mysticism could be sources for obtaining truth. He was arguing that traditional Christian concepts of good and evil were only meant for slaves and that, in actuality, the idea of morality was empty.
So if morality is empty and a restriction on our freedom, then what is the non-servile intellectual to do? This is the "solution" Anderson arrived at:
For Anderson, the term "good" was valid when applied objectively to human activities which were free, critical and creative but the more common subjective applications were to be avoided or exposed as deceptive. Not surprisingly, Anderson's influence was both extensive and controversial as he constantly examined and fearlessly criticized hallowed beliefs and institutions.
This is a typical modernism. Anderson has rejected the idea of an inherent good and replaced it with a good that we make for ourselves through an assertion of our "free, critical and creative" self. This requires the individual to reject forms of authority external to itself:
With Anderson, every icon was to be smashed - God, immortality, free will, moralism, the common good of society, the lot ...
For Anderson, there was no point in trying to create an alternative icon - instead, the ideal was to be in permanent opposition, as it was through struggle that the non-servile self was expressed:
Andersonians argued that there was no such thing as a general 'good', that the state was always a malign force and that reform was, in any case, always doomed to fail.
In his 1943 journal article 'The Servile State', Anderson laid down his core views on reform and the state. Meliorism ignores the permanence of struggle, he wrote: 'The scientific student of society, then, will not be concerned with reform. What he will be concerned with is opposition - what he will be above all concerned to reject is "social unity". " (Wallace, p.78).
Finally, Anderson viewed sexual morality in particular as a form of repressive authority:
In a journal article in 1941, Anderson argued that sexual repression had a central place in any repressive system, and that 'freedom in love is the condition of other freedoms, that while in itself it does not constitute culture, there can be no culture without it.'
In short, Anderson believed that culture was dependent on promiscuity.
These journal articles were being published in Australia in the early 1940s - one of the key periods of intellectual and political decline in our country.
Why bother with Anderson? It so happens that he was one of the more influential of Australian academics:
He is, arguably, the most important philosopher who has worked in Australia. Certainly he was the most important in both the breadth and depth of influence.
Anderson was the leading figure in the Freethought Society at Sydney University and out of this group came the Libertarian Society. It was this libertarian group that gave rise to the Sydney Push - a group of intellectuals in the 1950s and 60s who were determined to live a libertarian/anarchist, Andersonian lifestyle:
the libertarians at the Push's heart had their own special put-downs, 'authoritarian', 'neurotic' and 'illogical' being the worst insults. Positions or behaviour which did not meet expectations were condemned for 'inconsistency' - at least as loaded an epithet as 'servility'.
In terms of relationships, the Push followed the ideas of both Anderson and Wilhelm Reich. Reich was a psychiatrist who believed that sexual repression was responsible for neuroticism and political authoritarianism. Therefore, the Push believed that sexual "freedom" (i.e. being uninhibited) was the primary freedom on which other freedoms turned. What mattered then was proving that you could engage in sexual relations without any associated moral feelings.
This was the life outlook that Germaine Greer walked into as a young woman. She fell in love with a leader of the Push called Roelof Smilde, but it didn't work out in the end because Push culture didn't exactly encourage emotional connection:
Emotional denial was a key element of Push culture ... The explicit repression of jealousy, though imperfectly achieved, was essential to Push promiscuity. No emotion was allowed, no sign of shock, disappointment or distress permitted when one's lover sallied forth with another.
You have to wonder what might have happened if Germaine Greer had been in a milieu in which she had been better able to find love with a man.
The Push helped to bring about the 1960s counterculture. Members of the Push such as Greer and Richard Neville shifted to England and became leading figures in the political scene there.
So, if you want to know the origins of the 60s counterculture you have to go back to the libertarians of the Push in the 1950s, which itself had its origins in the philosophy of David Anderson as fully developed by the early 1940s, which itself developed from a rejection of his earlier Marxism held in the 1930s.
How is a society or a tradition supposed to survive such an intellectual climate? Should we really be surprised if things didn't ultimately hold together so well?
It matters what the political class of a society believes. Western society has not been served well by its intellectual classes. It's something that we have to try to turn around and get right.


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Carnivorous Plant Marketplace
Welcome to the carnivorous plant marketplace, where you purchase carnivorous plants directly from the wonderful nurseries that grow them! Each plant is listed, and will be fulfilled by the nursery that grew it. What's even better than that? 1% of every sale goes directly to the non-profit International Carnivorous Plant Society for carnivorous plant conservation. Shopping with us is a great way to find the perfect plant, support the carnivorous plant community, and ensure the survival of these wonderful plants in the wild.


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Siegfried Sassoon
Siegfried Sassoon
Siegfried Sassoon was a British poet and writer, most famous for the poems he wrote as a soldier in World War I.
- Let no one ever, from henceforth say one word in any way countenancing war. It is dangerous even to speak of how here and there the individual may gain some hardship of soul by it. For war is hell, and those who institute it are criminals. Were there even anything to say for it, it should not be said; for its spiritual disasters far outweigh any of its advantages.
- As quoted by Robert Nichols in his introduction to The Counter-Attack and Other Poems (1918)
A Soldier's Declaration (July 1917)
- I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the War is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it.
I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers. I believe that this War, on which I entered as a war of defence and liberation, has now become a war of aggression and conquest.
- I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops, and I can no longer be a party to prolong these sufferings for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust.
I am not protesting against the conduct of the war, but against the political errors and insincerities for which the fighting men are being sacrificed.
On behalf of those who are suffering now I make this protest against the deception which is being practised on them; also I believe that I may help to destroy the callous complacency with which the majority of those at home regard the contrivance of agonies which they do not share, and which they have not sufficient imagination to realize.
The Counter-Attack and Other Poems (1918)
- Poems from Counter-Attack and Other Poems at Wikisource
- Mute in the clamour of shells he watched them burst
Spouting dark earth and wire with gusts from hell,
While posturing giants dissolved in drifts of smoke.
He crouched and flinched, dizzy with galloping fear,
Sick for escape,— loathing the strangled horror
And butchered, frantic gestures of the dead.- "Counter-Attack"
- Lost in a blurred confusion of yells and groans...
Down, and down, and down, he sank and drowned,
Bleeding to death. The counter-attack had failed.- "Counter-Attack"
- Soldiers are citizens of death's grey land,
Drawing no dividend from time's to-morrows.
In the great hour of destiny they stand,
Each with his feuds, and jealousies, and sorrows. - "Dreamers"
- Soldiers are dreamers; when the guns begin
They think of firelit homes, clean beds, and wives. - "Dreamers"
- If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath,
I'd live with scarlet Majors at the Base,
And speed glum heroes up the line of death.- "Base Details"
- I'd say — "I used to know his father well;
Yes, we've lost heavily in this last scrap."
And when the war is done and youth stone dead
I'd toddle safely home and die — in bed.- "Base Details"
- You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.- "Suicide in the Trenches"
- October's bellowing anger breakes and cleaves
The bronzed battalions of the stricken wood
In whose lament I hear a voice that grieves
For battle's fruitless harvest, and the feud
Of outrage men. Their lives are like the leaves
Scattered in flocks of ruin, tossed and blown
Along the westering furnace flaring red.
O martyred youth and manhood overthrown,
The burden of your wrongs is on my head.- "Autumn"
Collected Poems (1949)
- Who will remember, passing through this Gate,
The unheroic Dead who fed the guns?
Who shall absolve the foulness of their fate, —
Those doomed, conscripted, unvictorious ones?
Crudely renewed, the Salient holds its own.
Paid are its dim defenders by this pomp;
Paid, with a pile of peace-complacent stone,
The armies who endured that sullen swamp.- "On Passing the New Menin Gate" (1927-1928)
- Here was the world's worst wound. And here with pride
'Their name liveth for evermore' the Gateway claims.
Was ever an immolation so belied
As these intolerably nameless names?
Well might the Dead who struggled in the slime
Rise and deride this sepulchre of crime.- "On Passing the New Menin Gate" (1927-1928)
- This poem is about W. H. R. Rivers.
- What voice revisits me this night? What face
To my heart's room returns?
From the perpetual silence where the grace
Of human sainthood burns
Hastes he once more to harmonise and heal?
I know not. Only I feel
His influence undiminished
And his life's work, in me and many, unfinished.
- O fathering friend and scientist of good,
Who in solitude, one bygone summer's day,
And in the throes of bodily anguish, passed away
From dream and conflict and research-lit lands
Of ethnological learning, — even as you stood
Selfless and ardent, resolute and gay,
So in this hour, in strange survival stands
Your ghost, whom I am powerless to repay.
- Deep in my morning time he made his mark
And still he comes uncalled to be my guide
In devastated regions
When the brain has lost its bearings in the dark
And broken in it's body's pride
In the long campaign to which it had sworn allegiance.- Lines from a draft version of "Revisitation" omitted from final version.
Silverdale Interactive © 2024. All Rights Reserved.


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China appears to be shifting gears in its multi-billion dollar Belt and Road initiative. Long projected as driven by economics and the benefit of infrastructure linkages, China appears to be increasingly adding a security component to the initiative against the backdrop of President Xi Jinping positioning of his country as a superpower rather than a developing nation.
The emergence of a security component is not only highlighted by the establishment last year of China's first foreign military base in Djibouti, but also in its stepped-up security cooperation with Afghanistan and other Central Asian nations that border on its north-western province of Xinjiang.
China's security focus is driven by concerns about national and religious aspirations in Xinjiang of Uyghurs, an ethnic Turkic Muslim group that has long looked westward toward Central Asia and Turkey rather than eastward towards Beijing.
China has sought to radically alter Uyghur identity by introducing a 21st century repressive surveillance state that invades the privacy of Uyghurs and sends tens, if not hundreds of thousands to re-education camps where indoctrination is designed to install Chinese rather than Uyghur nationalist or Islamic values.
China's security focus on Afghanistan and Central Asia is intended to counter Uyghur militants who have moved to the region after the defeats suffered by the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and the group's establishment of a base in Afghanistan and the Pakistani province of Balochistan.
It also aims, together with efforts to cut off contact between Uyghurs and their Central Asian brethren, to fend off the influence of non-violent Uyghur Diaspora groups who have been resident in Central Asia for decades.
Uyghur fighters speaking in videos distributed by the Islamic State have vowed to return home to "plant their flag in China." One fighter, addressing evil Chinese Communist infidel lackeys," threatened that "in retaliation for the tears that flow from the eyes of the oppressed, we will make your blood flow in rivers, by the will of God."
The Islamic State threats and migration of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) fighters from Syria and Iraq to the Afghan province of Badakhshan raises in China's mind the spectre of a return to the 1990s, a period of protests and attacks in Xinjiang, when the Taliban government allowed Uyghur militants to operate from its territory.
Some analysts argue nonetheless that China is more worried that Uyghur militants operating from Afghanistan may pose a greater threat to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), at US$50 billion plus a Belt and Road crown jewel and its single largest investment, than to Xinjiang.
China also fears that the militants could expand from Afghanistan into Central Asia and particularly Tajikistan. The Afghan-Tajik border is 1,357 kilometres long, two thirds of which is in Badakhshan, while the Tajik-Chinese borders runs for 414 kilometres compared to only 76 kilometres along the Afghan-Chinese frontier.
The analysts note that Chinese scholars participating in March in a European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) conference doubted whether militants would be able to infiltrate Xinjiang from Afghanistan.
Militants have repeatedly targeted Chinese assets and personnel in Pakistan. At least one Uyghur was involved in a 2016 suicide bombing of the Chinese embassy in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek while a Uyghur gunman killed 39 people in an attack on an Istanbul nightclub in January of last year.
Chinese security cooperation has so far concentrated on joint counter-terrorism operations with Afghanistan and Tajikistan. It first became apparent with reports that Chinese troops were joining their Afghan counterparts in patrolling the Wakhan Corridor, a tiny strip of Afghanistan bordering the on Xinjiang.
China earlier pledged US$ 70 million in aid for Afghan counter-terrorism efforts. The Chinese scholars participating in the ECFR conference said Chinese border control assistance extended beyond the Wakhan Corridor to the Badakshan-Tajik border.
China agreed two years ago to fund and build 11 military outposts and a training facility to beef up Tajikistan's defense capabilities along its border with Afghanistan that hosts a large part of the main highway connecting Tajikistan's most populous regions to China.
China has since stepped up the sharing of intelligence with Tajikistan on issues related to political violence, religious extremism and drug trafficking.
The Chinese defense ministry announced in April that China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan would perform joint counterterrorism and training and exercises that focus on real combat experiences.
China and Afghanistan agreed last year to lay a cross-border fibre-optic cable that like in the case of Pakistan could pave the way to export China's model of a surveillance state to Afghanistan.
"China will strengthen military exchanges and anti-terrorism cooperation with Afghanistan to ensure security between the two nations and the region," said Xu Qiliang, deputy chairman of China's Central Military Commission.
Mr. Xu was speaking in December on the sidelines of a meeting of the Chinese, Afghan and Pakistani foreign ministers designed to ease tensions between Kabul and Islamabad and integrate Afghanistan into CPEC. Pakistan has so far resisted sharing CPEC glory with Afghanistan.
China hopes that a resolution of Pakistani-Afghan disputes would pave the road to a Chinese mediated resolution of the Afghan war that would allow the Taliban to share power.
On a visit to Xinjiang in January, Chinese defense minister Chang Wanquan vowed to "firmly maintain Xinjiang's stability" and "build an iron wall to enhance border defense." President Xi Jinping reiterated the need for a "great wall of iron" in March.
Pan Zhiping, head of the Central Asian Studies Institute at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Science, argued that "China's approach is always to stabilise bordering countries. If the CPEC links up to Afghanistan, it can ultimately be a gateway to Iran and the Indian Ocean."
Afghanistan and Central Asia, regions that most immediately impact the security of Xinjiang, are likely to be first steps in what Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described as China's intent of "resolving hotspot issues with Chinese characteristics."
Greater emphasis on the Belt and Road's security component would also be in line with Mr. Xi's assertion last month that China was ready to "lead in the reform of global governance."
China scholar Elizabeth Economy said Mr. Xi's "ambition is most evident close to home." Ms. Economy was referring to policy in the South China Sea, Hong Kong and with regard to Taiwan. It is becoming equally evident in China's other near abroad: Afghanistan and Central Asia.


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Let's talk dining first!
I had a fabulous meal at ink last night, Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio's new eatery.
It was certainly the most hotly anticipated new restaurant of the year, and it delivers and then some. I loved every dish that I tasted (it's a small plates menu, and we ordered at least three quarters of it). They were all interesting and well-balanced and unique. The cocktails were excellent, too. If you're looking for a great review and pictures, hop over to Kevin Eats (I love his blog!).
Next, the T-Day recap!
I'm happy to report that we survived a joint Thanksgiving with both sets of parents in Des Moines, Iowa. It was my parents' first trip to the Midwest, and I think they were pleasantly surprised. The cooking went off without a hitch—everybody pitched in. My father even tied on an apron and prepped brussels sprouts for roasting, something I don't think I've ever seen in my entire life!
It was a loud, boisterous household, just how you want to spend the T-Day holiday.
Now onto cooking!
In the post-Thanksgiving, winter months I always begin to crave comfort food. Orzo, in any form, certainly fits the bill. It's a rice-shaped pasta that can be prepared much like risotto. I buy a whole wheat version, which is a great, healthier alternative to white pasta.
For this hearty, winter dish, I cook the orzo like a risotto in chicken broth. Meanwhile, I saute chicken sausage (I prefer a spicy variety), kale (great in the winter months), and cherry tomatoes. To finish the dish, I stir it all together and add a healthy infusion of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
The resulting dish is hearty and creamy, the perfect antidote to the cold winter months.
Orzo Risotto with Kale and Chicken Sausage
Serves 4-6 people
Cooking time: about 30-40 minutes
Print Recipe
- 1 lb whole wheat orzo (about 2 cups)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups kale, thinly sliced
- 2 cups chicken sausage, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- pinch of chili flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano, grated
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Quickly parboil the orzo for about 4-5 minutes, until it has softened, but is still hard in the middle. Drain and rinse with cool water.
- Add the stock to a pan and bring to a simmer. Add the orzo and simmer in the stock, stirring regularly, until all the liquid has been absorbed and the orzo is al dente. More stock may be used if needed.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and the chili flakes and saute for one minute. Add the chicken sausage and cook for another minutes. Then, add the kale and the tomatoes. Continue cooking the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the kale is tender and the tomatoes have broken down (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add the sausage-kale mixture and the parmigiano-reggiano to the orzo, stirring to combine. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- To serve, either plate the orzo or serve family style. Enjoy!
Source for Ingredients
- whole wheat orzo, chicken sausage, organic kale, chili flakes, and organic cherry tomatoes from Whole Foods
- garlic from the West Hollywood Farmers Market
- organic low-sodium chicken stock and extra virgin olive oil from Trader Joe's


text: Isabelle Guimond lives and works in Montréal. Her art has been exhibited in Québec, the United States and Mexico. The recipient of the 2014 Sylvie and Simon Blais Award for Emerging Visual Artists, she was also a finalist for the Claudine and Stephen Bronfman Fellowship in Contemporary Art. In the last few years her work has been on view at Galerie de l'UQAM, Galerie B-312 (where she took part in a round-table discussion on issues in painting), Galerie Les Territoires, Centre des arts actuels Skol, Maison de la culture Maisonneuve and Galerie Simon Blais. She has had residencies at Centre Sagamie, Galerie B-312, and L'Écart, where she also showed her work as part of the Filles Debouttes! collective (whose other members are Christine Major and Gabrielle Lajoie-Bergeron). In 2017, her most recent solo exhibition, Autre que moi, was presented at Galerie d'art d'Outremont (GAO). Her work has also been featured in the Conseil des arts de Montréal's CAM en tournée activities, and the group exhibitions Geist: La présence représentée, at Galerie Laroche/Joncas, and Insulaire, at Galerie Trois Points.


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Cardinal, Archbishop of Cologne, b. 5 February, 1796, at Gimmeldingen, in the Palatinate; d. 8 September, 1864, at Cologne. After completing his classical studies at Neustadt-on-the-Hardt, and at Edesheim, he was received into the then imperial Lyceum of Mainz in 1813, and studied theology in the diocesan seminary of the same city, under Prof. Liebermann, from 1815 to 18. He was ordained priest, 22 August, 1818. For a short time he became assistant in the parish of Hambach. On 1 February, 1819, he was appointed professor at the Gymnasium of Speyer; on 24 June, 1822, canon of the cathedral chapter of Speyer; and on 25 May, 1836, dean of that body. Nominated Bishop of Speyer by the King of Bavaria, he was preconized by Gregory XVI, 20 May, 1837, and consecrated in Augsburg cathedral the following 13 August.
The new bishop displayed such zeal and efficiency that after four years he was called to a larger sphere of activity. After the accession to the throne of Prussia of Frederick William IV, the "conflict of Cologne" was to be settled amicably by an agreement between Church and State, to the effect that Archbishop Clemens August von Droste-Vischering would relinquish the personal direction of the archdiocese, which should pass over to a coadjutor with the right of succession. On 24 September, 1841, Gregory XVI appointed Geissel coadjutor to the Archbishop of Cologne; and on 4 March, 1842, he entered upon the administration of the archdiocese. When Clemens August died (19 October, 1845), Geissel succeeded him, and was enthroned as archbishop, 11 January, 1846. Finally, Pius IX created him cardinal, 30 September, 1850.
Geissel was a man of many gifts and great energy, one of the foremost German bishops of the nineteenth century. His services in behalf of the Catholic Church in Prussia and throughout Germany are of permanent value. Discretion and a sense of justice on the part of the government of Frederick William IV made it possible for the cardinal to regulate and ameliorate the conditions of the archdiocese in harmony with the policy of the State. He ended the heretical dissensions created by the Hermesian School by suspending the refractory Hermesian professors Braun and Achterfeldt of Bonn; and he reorganized the theological faculty of that university by calling in as professors Dieringer and Martin, men of unsuspected orthodoxy. He was also solicitous for the education of the clergy, and established two seminaries for boys at Neuss and Münstereifel. To instill new zeal into the spiritual life of his people he encouraged popular missions, introduced religious orders and congregations into the archdiocese, instituted the Perpetual Adoration, and stimulated devotion to the Blessed Virgin by celebrating with unusual splendour the declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Of still greater importance for the Church in Germany was his convocation of the German episcopate to a meeting at Würzburg, 1848. The result of this meeting of the hierarchy was a number of momentous deliberations for the future prosperity of the Church. In 1860 he held a provincial council at Cologne. Another matter which the cardinal had at heart during his life, was the completion of Cologne cathedral, the preparations for which had commenced in 1842. Geissel lived long enough to see the edifice completed and dedicate in October, 1863.
In the years preceding his elevation to the episcopal dignity, Geissel also displayed notable literary activity. During the first two decades of its existence (1821-37) he contributed numerous anonymous essays of either serious or humorously-satirical character on questions and occurrences of the day to the "Katholik", and became one of the foremost contributors to that periodical. His unusual poetical talent is shown by a number of poems, mostly of a religious character, and published partly in that periodical, partly issued singly, as the occasion offered. After his death there appeared a special edition of his "Festgedicht auf die Grundsteinlegung zum Fortbau des Kölner Doms" (Cologne, 1865). However, his most marked effort as a writer is his historical work, "Der Kaiser-Dom zu Speyer. Eine topographisch-historische Monographie" (3 vols., Mainz, 1828); 2nd ed. in one volume, as Vol. IV of his "Schriften und Reden" (Cologne, 1876).
Other historical writings of less significance are: "Der Kirchensprengel des alten Bisthums Speyer" (Speyer, 1832); "Die Schlacht am Hasenbühl und das Königskreuz zu Göllheim" (Speyer, 1835). Of other separate writings are to be mentioned" Sammlung aller Gesetze und Verordnungen über das Kirchen- und Schulwesen im bayerischen Rheinkreise vom Jahre 1796-1830" (Speyer, 1830); "Die religiöse Erziehung der Kinder aus gemischten Ehen. Eine geschiehtlichen-rechtliche Erörterung" (Speyer, 1837); first published in the "Katholik", vols. LXIII, LXIV (1837). His pastoral letters, memoirs and addresses, composed by him during his episcopacy, show a great mind and heart. They have been collected with other dispersed and minor writings of earlier days, and various poems, in "Schriften und Reden von Johannes Cardinal von Geissel, Erzbischof von Köln, herausgegeben von Karl Theodor Dumont" (Vols. I-III, Cologne, 1869-70); later on vol. IV was added, "Der Kaiserdom zu Speyer", 2nd ed. (1876).
REMLING, Cardinal von Geissel, Bischof zu Speyer und Erzbischof zu Köln, im Leben und Wirken (Speyer, 1873); BAUDRI, Der Erzbischof von Köln, Johannes Cardinal von Geissel und seine Zeit (Cologne. 1851); PFÜLF, Cardinal von Geissel, Aus seinem handschriftlichen Nachlass geschildert (2 vols. Freiburg im Br., 1895-96); DUMONT, Diplomatische Correspondenz über die Berufung des Bischofs Johannes von Geissel von Speyer zum Coadjutor des Erzbischofs Clemens August Freiherrn von Droste zu Vischering von Köln (Freiburg im Br., 1880); Conventus episcoporum Herbipolensis (1848) in Acta et Decreta Sacrorum Conciliorum recentiorum, Collectio Lacensis, V (Freiburg im Br., 1879), col. 959-1144. Acta et Decreta Concilii Provinciae Coloniensis anno 1860 celebrati (Cologne, 1862), also in Acta et Decreta s. Conc. rec. Coll. Lacensis, V, col. 231-382.
APA citation. (1909). Johannes von Geissel. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06405a.htm
MLA citation. "Johannes von Geissel." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06405a.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Michael Kolarcik, S.J.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. September 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is webmaster at newadvent.org. Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.


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The Actual Queen of England May Have Referenced 'The Crown' on Christmas
Much as we love to imagine historical figures sitting down to watch their fictionalized selves, there's no way the real Queen Elizabeth II actually watches The Crown, right? A key moment from the Netflix drama's second season seemed to make its way into this year's Christmas address, and Her Majesty may just have tipped us to her royal binge-watching habits.
You're warned of light spoilers from here on out, but a significant milestone depicted in The Crown Season 2 was that of Elizabeth's first televised Christmas address in 1957, allegedly urged on by monarchy critic Lord Altrincham. Royal Christmas messages date back to at least 1932, and all of Queen Elizabeth's since 1957 have been televised. That said, The Crown fans couldn't help connecting dots between its notable Season 2 depiction and the real Elizabeth acknowledging its anniversary in her 2017 address (h/t Vanity Fair):
Sixty years ago today, a young woman spoke about the speed of technological change as she presented the first television broadcast of its kind. She described the moment as a landmark. Six decades on, the presenter has 'evolved' somewhat, as has the technology she described.
Mind you, this is far from the first rumor that Queen Elizabeth II actually watches the Netflix drama based on her reign, even as star Claire Foy has expressed doubt at the prospect. One imagines it beneath the Queen's dignity to confirm or deny speculation, especially as the series heavily dramatizes both real-life events and the more salacious rumors of decades past. All the same, we have to wonder if Her Majesty will hypothetically keep watching once Olivia Colman takes over the role, or perhaps even play favorites between actors.
The Queen's TV habits will remain a subject of great interest, especially as Suits star Meghan Markle joins the royal family, so stay tuned for the latest on The Crown in the meantime.
Check Out 100 TV Facts You May Not Know!


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MASTER CARRIER SET for Kirsch Empire or Superfine Drapery Traverse Rods
Set includes Right Side Overarm and Left Side Underarm and will work in both the Kirsch Superfine and Empire Traverse Rods.
PLEASE NOTE: Most Orders are shipped via the US Postal Service. If you do not have a valid USPS address and require UPS or FedEx shipping, you MUST contact us in advance of purchase to make arrangements. Additional charges may apply.
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Rust programming language
To install Raspbian software on a Raspberry Pi
Packages are installed using Terminal. First get an updated package list by entering the following command in to terminal if this has not been done today sudo apt update
Then install your chosen package with the command sudo apt install package name
Find out more with the Guide to installing software with the apt command
Distro Version:
The latest Distro for Raspbian is Buster, the previouse version was Stretch. Next to each package is the version available for each distro.
Buster(#) = Raspbian Buster
Stretch(#) = Raspbian Stretch
Buster & Stretch(#) = same version for both.
If only one Distro is listed then the package is only available on that distribution.


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1967 Imperial Crown
2dr Convertible
8-cyl. 440cid/350hp 4bbl
Protect your 1967 Imperial Crown from the unexpected.
Model overview
Model description
After three years of Elwood Engel's Lincoln-esque Imperial design, complete with faux spare cover on the trunk, the Imperial was completely redesigned for 1967. The new car was three inches shorter and much squarer than the preceding model, looking like the rest of the Chrysler family. The cars now had a unibody construction, the model name was spelled out across the grille, and there were two full-length ribs protecting the side panels, with a chrome strip in between. Rear fenders were integrated into the bumpers, and the full-width taillights featured an Imperial eagle in the center. The engine was a 350-hp 440-cid V-8.
Sales rebounded from 13,742 in 1966 to 17,614 in 1967. It wasn't much by Cadillac standards, but Imperials always appealed to a discriminating buyer. There were three Imperial models in 1967: the Imperial four-door sedan and convertible, the two- and four-door hardtop Imperial Crowns, and the Imperial LeBaron—a one-model series of four-door hardtop with a formal roofline. The Crown four-door hardtop was a top seller with 9,415 examples, while the convertible was rarest with 577 sold.
The base Imperial line was dropped for 1968, but the sedan and convertible were included in the Crown Imperial series. Changes were minor. The grille had an eagle in the center and was redesigned into two huge castings; and the trim across the side panels was now carried on the lower ribs. Side marker lights were added. Most cars had vinyl tops and all power accessories.
Total sales for 1968 were 15,361, with the Crown four-door hardtop leading the way with 8,492 examples. The convertible found only 474 buyers, making it one of the rarest convertible models—this would be the last year for an Imperial convertible. The formal Imperial LeBaron four-door hardtop registered 1,852 sales, slightly fewer than the year before.
The boxy 1967 and 1968 Imperial was replaced by the "fuselage" design for 1969, which was made through 1973. These cars are recognized as excellent highway cruisers and a fair number still survive. Almost all have every power option, with 97.2 percent having air conditioning. Original owners also tended to hold on to these cars for long stretches of time, pampering them in the process, so good examples are relatively easy to locate today. Trim pieces, on the other hand, are difficult to source and the 1968 grille in particular is both fragile and complicated. Prices are quite reasonable considering these were limited production, and the very last Imperial convertibles to be made.


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The best ink for fine detailed stamps. Embossable for SEVERAL minutes after dried—perfect for layered stamping. Air tight, ergonomic case keeps the pad inky. Great for solid block print style stamping Tsukineko's VersaFine Clair is a quick drying pigment ink that provides impeccable solid surface-area coverage as well as capturing fine details on stamps. VersaFine Clair's innovative formulation provides the perfect image to use with watercolor paints or water-based markers.


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Memorial Day gas prices will be the highest they've been since 2014, according to the American Automobile Association, commonly known as AAA.
The holiday, which signifies the beginning of summer for many, is associated with an increase in travel. That will likely be the case this year, as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in response to the increase in vaccinations.
AAA says pump prices are likely to fluctuate leading up to the holiday weekend.
Over the past weekend, AAA says the national gas price average declined a penny to $3.03, the first decrease in two weeks. While it's barely cheaper on the week, the average is 17 cents more than last month and $1.12 more expensive than last year.
"AAA expects 37 million Americans to travel, mostly by car and plane, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. That is a 60% increase over last year's holiday and a strong indication that summer travel is going to be largely popular," said AAA spokesperson Jeanette McGee in a statement. "With the increase in travel demand, gas prices are going to be expensive no matter where you fill up, so plan ahead. The AAA app can help to find the best price."
AAA says the national average gas price has stabilized following this month's cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline, which caused part of the East Coast to scramble for gas.
While the Colonial Pipeline is back in operation, some stations in the Southeast continue to experience supply strain. This is likely to extend into the holiday weekend, but motorists will be able to fill up, according to AAA.
"Holiday road trippers may come across some gas stations with low fuel supply in popular travel destinations, like beaches, mountains or national parks. However, markets are not expected to be fuel-less, like we saw in the wake of the pipeline shutdown," added McGee.
AAA offered these road trip tips for Memorial Day travelers:
- Get your battery, engine and tires checked before heading out
- Consider refueling when your gas tank level hits a quarter of a tank
- Fill up before arriving at your vacation destination; gas prices are likely to be cheaper outside of popular travel spots
- Don't leave home without an emergency roadside kit, including a mobile phone and car charger, a first-aid kit, blankets, drinking water, a flashlight with extra batteries, a basic toolkit, warning flares and jumper cables
- Don't forget extra snacks or meals, as well as cleaning supplies, including disinfecting wipes


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AALBORG, Denmark – Thomas Bjorn shot a 5-under 66 for a three-way share of the lead after the first round of the Made in Denmark on Thursday, boosting his chances of securing a place in Europe's Ryder Cup team.
Playing in his home tournament, Bjorn made five birdies and did not drop a shot in gusty conditions. He was tied for first with Felipe Aguilar of Chile and Bradley Dredge of Wales.
They led by three shots from Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark, who hit a bogey-free 69. Nine players carded 70.
Bjorn hasn't played in the Ryder Cup since 2002, but a victory on the Himmerland Resort course will guarantee him a spot in the European team for the match against United States at Gleneagles next month.
Bjorn has occupied a position in the automatic qualifying places since December.
"I am happy with the day and happy with the start. It was pretty solid all way round," said Bjorn, who earned his first professional victory at Himmerland in 1995.
Aguilar, a two-time European Tour winner, briefly led with a birdie on the par-four 8th hole, his 17th, but Bjorn, playing a hole behind, immediately responded in kind. They both parred the last. Dredge, who also has won two European Tour events, recovered from bogeying the second, his 11th hole, to birdie five of his last seven holes.
Paul Lawrie of Scotland and Soren Larsen of Denmark pulled out of the tournament because of injuries.
This is the inaugural tournament, and the first time since 2003 that a European Tour event is held in Denmark.


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Modern Times, New in Ceasefire - Thursday, February 2, 2012 15:37 - 5 Comments
Modern Times">B.F. Skinner Likes Your F.B. Status Modern Times
More than half a century ago, behavioural psychologist B.F. Skinner conducted countless experiments in an attempt to condition the behaviour of pigeons. Corin Faife explores some uncomfortable parallels between Skinner's pigeons and today's Facebook and Twitter users.


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'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' Is the Last Time We Will See the Team
All good things must come to an end, and that includes guarding of the galaxy.
After a lengthy delay caused by writer/director James Gunn's firing and rehiring, followed by his work on Warner Bros' The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker spinoff, the third Guardians of the Galaxy movie is finally in production. Fans are excited to get the latest adventure of Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot, Nebula and Mantis — but they might be a little less thrilled when they learn that Gunn is essentially treating this as the end of an era.
Speaking with Deadline's Hero Nation podcast, Gunn made it clear that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is "the end for us," as far as he and the creative team are concerned. He added that it was "the last time people will see this team of Guardians." That could mean that there will be a Vol. 4 at some point with a different group of heroes, or even some returning heroes with other newbies. But it definitely suggests that this movie will be the last iteration of this version of the team.
Gunn also described the movie as "so big and dark, and different from what people might be expecting it to be." And underlining just how much this is the Guardians finale, Gunn said his goal is to "give people the wrap-up that they deserve for the story." I dunno about you, but I read these quotes and I think we are going to have to watch some beloved Guardians bite the dust in this movie.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is scheduled to open in theaters on May 5, 2023. Even if that is the end, though, there is one more visit with the Guardians coming; the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, also written and directed by Gunn, is expected to premiere this holiday season on Disney+.


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Dusty Hill Insisted ZZ Top Not Break Up Following His Death
The death of Dusty Hill will not mark the end of ZZ Top.
Hill, the trio's bassist since 1969, died at age 72 last night, but not before insisting bandmates Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard continue without him.
"As Dusty said upon his departure, 'Let the show go on!' And ... with respect, we'll do well to get beyond this and honor his wishes," Gibbons told SiriusXM radio host Eddie Trunk in a message confirmed by ZZ Top publicist Bob Merlis.
The band's longtime guitar tech, Elwood Francis, will take over on bass, per Hill's wishes. "Dusty emphatically grabbed my arm and said, 'Give Elwood the bottom end, and take it to the Top,'" Gibbons explained to Trunk. "He meant it, amigo. He really did."
Francis made his stage debut with ZZ Top last Friday, filling in after Hill was forced to leave the band's tour due to what was reported as a hip injury. Francis previously played harmonica on Gibbons' solo Big Bad Blues Tour in 2018.
Before working with ZZ Top, Francis served as a guitar tech for artists such as Joe Perry, Izzy Stradlin and Gilby Clarke of Guns N' Roses and the Black Crowes' Rich Robinson. "Billy taught me to slow down and play every third note," Francis said when asked what he had learned from working with Gibbons in an interview with Pure Salem Guitars.
Hill's cause of death was not immediately revealed. The show ZZ Top was scheduled to play tonight in Simpsonville, S.C., was canceled. The next date on their previously announced tour itinerary takes place July 30 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
ZZ Top Albums Ranked
You Think You Know ZZ Top?


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Sassy Snowgal with black and white ribbon scarf. Snowflake hat detail. Weather resistant.
Handmade & hand painted.
Measurements: 37" long x 15" wide
DISCLAIMER: Ribbon, embellishments, & small details may vary due to availability. Each piece is handmade and hand painted therefore there are slight variations from piece to piece, no two DoorCandy pieces are exactly alike!