text:
An electric lawnmower that utilizes solar power as an energy source will address a number of issues that standard internal combustion engine mowers do not. An electric lawnmower with a solar charger will be easier to use. There is no messy dangerous gasoline to deal with. It will eliminate those pesky trips to the gas station for fill-ups. Just plug the mower into the charging station when not in use and it will be charged and ready for your next mow! Most importantly it eliminates the emissions of an internal combustion mower.
The basic idea is to convert an older non-working gas mower into an electric-powered mower by replacing the gas engine with an electric motor that runs from a 12-volt battery. This battery will be charged using photovoltaic panel (A.K.A. - solar panel). I chose to convert an old gas mower rather than just starting with an electric mower due to cost and so I could design the power output. I also planned on using as many used materials as I can. This will help to save these materials from ending up in our already over filled landfills.
The Plan/Design[edit | edit source]
I would like to claim that I came up with this solar charged electric mower idea on my own but the truth is I came across an article about one in a "Home Power" magazine (Issue 107) awhile back and have wanted to build one ever since. When the opportunity arose to use it as a project in my Engineering 305 class at Cal Poly Humboldt I jumped at the chance.
Motor and Battery Sizing[edit | edit source]
To start with I needed to design a mower that would fit my needs. I have a yard that takes about forty-five minutes to mow so it was important to size the battery accordingly. To do this I had to find out what kind of amperage the motor would be pulling for the forty-five minutes it takes to mow the grass. This is dependent on the type of motor used. Motors are rated in HP (horse power) and I wanted around the same HP as a standard internal combustion mower. The newer gas powered lawnmowers are about 4 to 6 HP and the older mowers are around 3 HP. According to the article in "Home Power" magazine 1 HP of an electric motor is equivalent to about 4 HP of an internal combustion engine. I was hoping to purchase a 1 HP motor but after pricing them I decided I needed to go with the least expensive motor that would get the job done. This turned out to be a 12 VDC, 3/4 HP, Dayton electric motor. (See below for details on parts and cost.)
The 3/4 HP Dayton motor is specified to pull 58A with a full load. I used this figure to help determine the size battery I needed. I knew I wanted a 12VDC battery, they are easy to find, use, and come in a variety of sizes. The next step was to figure out the amp-hours I needed to run this particular motor for 45 minutes. Amp-hours are a measurement of the length of time it takes to discharge a battery at a certain amperage. For example; a 35 amp-hour battery should give 35 amps for an hour before being discharged. I know I want to run my mower for 45 minutes but I'll just round it to an hour to be safe. Although the motor is rated for 58A, that amperage is with a full load and typically while mowing I will not be running a full load. While just spinning the blade (not cutting grass) the amps will only be about half of the full load or 30A. So a 40 Amp-hour battery should allow me to mow moderately tall grass for about 45 minutes to an hour. It just so happens that I had a 40 amp-hour deep-cycle battery from a past project. (See below for details on parts and cost).
Solar charging station[edit | edit source]
After the grass is mowed I'm going to need a way to charge the battery for the next mow. Luckily, my grass only needs to be cut once every week or two. This allows plenty of time to charge the battery with a solar panel. I had originally planned to build a structure that would house the entire mower then mount the solar panel on the roof. Due to time constrains, lack of yard space, and lack of good stationary solar access I decided to build a small portable solar charging station. This will allow me to easily store the mower in the garage while placing the charging station in direct sunlight.
Charging Station
Solar Panel and Charge Controller Sizing[edit | edit source]
I have an 11Watt solar panel from a past project that I am using to charge the battery. It is rated at 16.5 operating voltage (Volts) and.62 operating current (Amps) in full sun. (See link below for details on parts and cost)
To figure out how long it takes to charge the battery I use this calculation I found in the owner's manual of a DieHard Battery Charger:
(Amp Hour Rating * % of charge needed / Amps) * 1.25 = hours of charge time
Say my battery is discharged down to 50%, according to my systems setup the calculation would look like this:
(40 Amp-hour battery *.50 charge needed /.62 solar panels Amps) * 1.25 = 40 hours total charge time.
Charge Controller
I also have a 12V 4.5A charge controller from a past project. This is wired between the solar panel and the battery. The controller stops the battery from discharging through the solar panel when the sun is not out and the panel is not creating electricity. It also regulates the voltage to the battery. Varying voltage to the battery can significantly shorten the battery's life span. (See below for details on parts and cost).
Bill of Materials[edit | edit source]
Quantity | Materials | Source | Cost ($) | Total ($) |
1 | used lawnmower | yard sale | 5.00 | 5.00 |
1 | electric motor (Dayton 3/4HP, 12VDC) part #: 6ML04 | Graingers | 312.00 | 312.00[1] |
1 | solar panel (UniSolar 11 Watt) | Affordable-solar.com | 120.00 | 120.00 |
1 | charge controller (Morningstar SunGuard 4.5A, 12V) | Affordable-solar.com | 39.00 | 39.00 |
1 | voltmeter | Kragen Auto Parts | 22.00 | 22.00 |
1 | ammeter | Kragen Auto Parts | 16.00 | 16.00 |
1 | battery (Sun Xtender 40 AH) | windsun.com | 90.00 | 90.00 |
misc. electrical (wire, etc.) | local electric store | 25.00 | 25.00 | |
misc. hardware (nuts & bolts) | local hardware store | 20.00 | 20.00 | |
1 | switch (70A) | Industrial Electric | 50.00 | 50.00 |
Total Cost | 699.00[1] |
Stripping the Old Mower[edit | edit source]
After searching various yard sales I found and bought this old lawnmower for $5.00. (You can't beat that price!) As you can see it needed a lot of work. I was hoping to remove the internal combustion engine by loosening the bolts that attached it to the mower deck. No such luck. They where rusted to the deck so I spent a large amount of time cutting the deck with a rotary tool to allow the engine to be removed. I used some spray on paint remover to remove a majority of the red paint. Then I used a wire brush to remove all the rust. After that I sprayed the rust spots with a rust retardant to stop the rust from spreading.
This mower was in pretty bad shape, if I took on this project again I would try to find a mower in better shape. It may cost a little more but that money could be easily recouped by the savings in time and effort.
Old Mower Deck
Old Mower Deck
Old Mower Deck
Stainless Steel Patches
Fabricating the Deck[edit | edit source]
After stripping the mower and removing the engine I was left with a mower deck with a huge hole in it. I went to a local scrap yard and found a couple of small sheets of stainless steel about 1/16" thick. I then cut the steel to the proper size to cover the hole in the deck. Before welding the new stainless steel deck to the mower I drilled five holes; one in the center to allow the shaft of the motor to sit under the deck and four more around the center hole to allow the motor to be mounted to the deck. It was important to make sure the center shaft hole is centered on the mower. If the shaft is not centered when the blade is mounted to the shaft it could rub against the sidewall of the mower. After the holes were properly measured and drilled I carefully welded the steel over the existing hole in the mower. There were still a few spots where rust had eaten through the mower so I cut some additional pieces of steel to weld over the smaller rust holes. These patches can be seen in the image on the lower left. The 1/16" stainless steel worked well for this application. It is thick enough to support the motor and fairly easy to work with when the proper tools are used.
As mentioned in the stripping the old mower section, the whole process of fabricating a new deck could have been avoided by purchasing a mower in better condition. One that allows the engine to be removed without taking part of the deck with it.
Mounting the Motor[edit | edit source]
When mounting the motor to the mower deck the most important thing was to make sure it was centered and properly secured. I made sure it was centered by measuring an equal distance from the sides of the motor to the outside diameter of the mower. I secured the motor to the deck with four 3/8" bolts with washers. Adding washers between the motor and the deck allowed me to raise different sides of the motor to level. I needed to place two washers on the front two bolts to bring the motor up to level.
I struggled with the decision to the way I should mount the motor. Should I face the terminal studs toward the back of the mower to protect them and to allow easy access to the battery or toward the front to allow the battery mount to attach to the motor base? After trying the different variations I realized that the battery must be mounted to the motor base to provide the proper support to the battery. (See battery mounting below for more info.)
This method of battery mounting is working out well. I have had no issues.
Dayton 3/4HP, 12VDC Motor
Mounting the Blade[edit | edit source]
Unfortunately, when removing the old blade from the old mower I was unable to salvage the piece that attached the engine shaft to the mower blade. This meant that it was necessary to fabricate my own blade mount. I found a piece of metal rod about 3/4" in diameter in the scrap pile in the HSU metals lab. I bored a hole into the rod at about 3/8" in diameter (the motor shaft diameter). This would allow the rod to slide over the motor shaft. Next the rod needed a key way milled to allow a key to be inserted. The key connects the rod to the shaft and keeps the rod from slipping while the shaft is rotating. Then I cut the rod to length and welded it to an 1/8" thick metal plate that the mower blade will be bolted to.
After the blade mount was finished being fabricated I inserted it on to the shaft. Then to make sure the mount was supported vertically I drilled a small hole completely through the mount and shaft. This allowed me to insert a bolt as an added safety measure.
When the blade mount was securely mounted I bolted the mower blade to it using two 3/8" nuts and bolts with washers.
All in all the fabrication of the blade mount went well. The parts were free (except the nuts and bolts) so the only true cost was the labor and it seems to be doing its job well. The only thing I would change is the lengh of bolts I used. I used about a 1-1/2" bolt for both the blade and the blade mount. They really only need about a 1/2" bolt.
Detached Blade Mount
Drilling the Mount
Milling the Mount
Blade Mount
Mower Blade Mounted
Battery Mounting[edit | edit source]
Once the motor was mounted I needed to find a place for the battery to sit. As I mentioned in the mounting the motor section, the base of the motor was facing the rear of the mower and would provide a solid mounting surface for the battery mount. To get the proper weight distribution I wanted to mount the battery as close as I could to the back wheels. This would allow the handle bars to serve as a lever and allow the mower to easily pivot when on its back wheels.
Using a piece of stainless steel I purchased from a local scrap yard I fabricated the battery mount. I started by placing the battery in the center of the square piece of stainless steel. Then I marked the outline of the battery on to the steel. Next I cut the corners to allow the sides that extend beyond the battery to be folded up. After folding up all four sides I welded them together for support. The battery fits tightly into the mount so no excess strapping is needed.
I then added a small piece of steel to the front side of the battery mount at a ninety degree angle. This piece extended from the battery mount to the deck of the mower to help support the battery when bolted to the motor base (see bottom right image). The other end of the battery mount rests on the raised back of the mower.
Folding stainless steel
Partially complete mount
Finished battery mount
Placement of battery mount and motor
Electrical[edit | edit source]
The electrical was one of the more complicated parts of this project. I had originally thought it would be rather simple, just run some wires from the battery to the motor add a switch and that would take care of it. As I started to do so I realized it wasn't that simple. I needed to have gauges to measure the volts and amps of the battery, the wires needed to be correctly sized, and a switch for a 12V 60A system can't just be picked up at the local hardware store.
Lets start with the wire sizing. Wires are sized by gauge, the smaller the gauge the larger the wire. The Dayton 3/4HP motor pulls 58A according to the spec sheet. It turns out that a #6 wire is rated to handle 75 amps so that's what I used to connect the motor to the battery through the amp meter and switch (see wire diagram below). I used a 16 AWG wire to connect the voltmeter to the battery and a 16 AWG medium duty extension cord to connect the battery to the charging station. According to the extension cord label it could handle up to 13 amps. This should be more than enough for the.63 amps the solar panel puts out.
I found the gauges at a local car parts store. I wired the ammeter in series and the voltmeter in parallel. The ammeter helps to give me an idea as to the amount of amps I'm pulling when mowing the grass. This in turn gives me an idea as to how long the battery is going to last before needing a charge. The voltmeter tells me when I need to recharge the battery. According to the battery manufacturer the battery is fully charged when the voltage reads 12.7 V. When it reads 11.75 V the battery is down to 30% and needs recharging.
I originally wanted to use a breaker for the on/off switch but after searching for awhile I noticed that a 60A 12V circuit breaker is not readily available. Luckily I found a switch that could handle 60A at a local industrial electric supplier. I also added a 100A fuse between the battery and motor.
Solar charging station electrical:
I also used 16 AWG for the connections between the solar panel and the charge controller. I put a 1.5A fuse between the solar panel and the charge controller as specified by the manufacture.
Solar Charging Station[edit | edit source]
After the mower was assembled and ready to go I needed a way to charge it. A used a 11 Watt Uni-solar panel that plugs into the mower when not in use. This panel is made to charge a 12V battery at.62 amps in full sun. I screwed a couple 4' long 2x4s to three cross supports to serve as a mount for the panel (see picture at top of page "Charging Station"). This makes for a light portable sturdy structure. I needed something I could easily move to the best solar access.
I also mounted a Morningstar SunGuard charge controller on to one of the cross supports. It is hidden behind the solar panel to protect it from the weather. (see picture at top of page "Charge Controller")
Although this solar panel is able to charge the battery I would have liked to get a larger one (if I had the money). As stated on the Home Page it takes about 40 hours of direct sunlight to charge the battery from 50%. Here in Humboldt County direct sunlight is not always prevalent. In optimal conditions we may get 5 hours a day in the winter. This means it would take eight days to charge the battery from 50% to 100%. On the bright side, the grass can't be cut when it's raining and it is usually raining if it is not sunny in the Pacific Northwest.
Testing[edit | edit source]
Testing the mower proved to be more difficult than I had anticipated. Wouldn't you know it, the only time I have ever been excited about mowing the lawn and it rained for a week straight? I did manage to get some tests done in my garage and even mowed a little grass when the rain let up.
Reserve Capacity Test[edit | edit source]
I bought the Sun Xtender deep-cycle PVX-420T over two years ago and have never used it. The manufacturer recommends running this test if the battery has gone unused for over 6 months to ensure the battery is capable of providing the necessary capacity to perform properly. After the battery is fully charged (12.7V) you are supposed to discharge the battery at 25 Amps until the voltage reads 10.5V. Luckily the mower pulls 25 Amps when running (not cutting). So I turned it on and timed how long it took to go from 12.7V to 10.5V. This ended up taking well over an hour. The PVX-420T was rated to do this in 61 minutes. So the battery passed this test with flying colors. If it would have taken 49 minutes or less, the manufacture recommends replacing the battery.
Fifteen Minute Mow Test[edit | edit source]
I was anxious to get out and try the mower so during a break form the rain I did just that. The wet grass didn't provide ideal mowing conditions but I will take what I can get at this point. I measured the battery voltage to be 12.5 (about 90% capacity) prior to mowing. I had the mower deck set to the second to highest position and the grass was moderately long and wet. I watched the ammeter while mowing and it was pretty consistently pulling 45-60 amps. I mowed for about fifteen minutes (about 1/3 of my yard) and when I finished the battery voltage read 12.25 (about 60% capacity). Not bad considering the grass was wet. I figure that in ideal conditions (moderately long dry grass) the mower should pull between 40 and 50 amps. At that amperage the 40 amp-hour battery should last about an hour before becoming completely discharged. Completely discharging the battery is not good for it so I will only run the mower for 45 minutes which is about how long it takes to mow my lawn. This should leave the battery at about 11.75 (about 30% capacity).
Testing the Charging Station[edit | edit source]
Once again the rainy weather did not provide the ideal conditions for testing the solar panel charging station. Therefore, I had to use a battery charger to recharge the battery to a safe level. I used the 2 amp setting on the charger. This gives the battery 2 amps at a constant voltage in until it reaches about 80% (12.4V) capacity. It then starts to vary the voltage and this is not good for the battery. At this point I take the battery off the charger and plug it into the solar charging station. In a full winters day sun it raised the battery from 12.4V (80%) to 12.5V (90%) so I know its working. I plan on using the charging station at greater lengths when the weather allows me to do so.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Over all I really enjoyed completing this project. It was a lot of hard work but most things worth doing are. In retrospect there are only a few things I would change. First, I would find a mower that could be easily disassembled or at least able to be disassembled. This would save time and labor on the fabricating portion of this project. Next I would invest in a larger solar panel, at least 50 Watts this would allow the battery to be charged quicker and require less sun between mows. I would have also used a breaker rather then the switch I installed or mount a fuse between the battery and motor. This would help to make the system safer and protect the motor if the amperage rose to an unsafe level. Besides that the mower runs great and I'm looking forward to quiet pollution free mowing from here on out.
If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at createfreedumb at hotmail dot com
Project Credits[edit | edit source]
Jeremy James Cal Poly Humboldt Humboldt County, CA createfreedumb at hotmail dot com
See also[edit | edit source]
- Humboldt photovoltaic gallery
- Solar wiki
- Wogga's Solar Mower Page http://web.archive.org/web/20180618181701/http://solarpowermower.wikia.com/wiki/Solar_Power_Mower_Wiki


text:
The 5 port solenoid valves series SQ was designed for applications which
demand high speed, high frequency, long life and a precise response time.
The SQ uses cassette style valves and manifolds, making it simple to
increase or decrease the number of stations on a DIN rail. Valves are
available with 12VDC or 24VDC rated voltage. Actuation options include 5
port single solenoid, 5 port double solenoid, and dual 3/2 ported.
Manifold variations for the SQ plug-in series include EX510 Gateway-type
serial transmission system, D-sub connector, flat ribbon cable connector,
PC wiring system compatible flat ribbon cable, terminal block box, or a
lead wire kit. The SQ plug lead units are available with D-sub connector,
flat ribbon cable connector or PC wiring system compatible flat ribbon
cable kits.
– SQ1000, plug-in type manifold
– Serial transmission kit
– Maximum stations as standard: Up to 8 depending on S kit
– Variety of options
Download SS5Q13-S Datasheet by click the link Datasheet.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The time between NAMM and this past weekend's performances has been quite busy for music, not only performing but also attending a variety of concerts. Today we look back at a concert featuring the work of Steve Reich by Ensemble Signal at Hertz Hall in Berkeley, California.
[Ensemble Signal performs music by Steve Reich on Sunday, January 29, 2017 in Hertz Hall. Photo by EMPAC Rensselaer, courtesy of Cal Performances.]
We also had the opportunity to hear a full concert of Steve Reich's music last year by the SF Symphony – the composer has been receiving a great deal of attention since his 80th birthday. Two of the pieces from that concert were on this program as well, including Clapping Music and Double Sextet.
Clapping Music opened the evening, with the composer himself joining Ensemble Signal conductor Brad Lubman. Similar to last year, I consider it quite a treat to here Steve Reich performing this piece. Double Sextet closed the concert. It is a large and complex work, with the two quartets performing similar but non-identical parts that come in and out of phase rhythmically and harmonically.
Vibraphones feature prominently in Reich's music and in this concert in particular, including the second piece Quartet for two pianos and two vibraphones. Interestingly, the use of two pianos featured prominently this concert as well. The piece has many of the characteristic elements of interlocking harmonies and repeating patterns, but there were more sudden changes and gaps in this piece (composed in 2013) than in some of his earlier works, where the changes only occurred gradually.
However, the two pieces immediately before and after the intermission were what made this concert unique. First, there was the U.S. premiere of Runner a piece for large ensemble co-commissioned by Cal Performances (who hosted the concert). It featured winds, percussion, piano and strings in a series of rhythmic patterns over five movements, played without pauses. It forms a rhythmic palindrome of sorts, with even sixteenths followed by irregularly accented eighths, and then a standard bell pattern from Ghana before returning backwards to the eighth-note patterns and finally the even sixteenths. It's a long and complex piece, and was undoubtedly an endurance test for the musicians, but Reich's music in the hands of the right performers can sound effortless.
Radio Rewrite had perhaps the most interesting backstory of any piece in the concert. It was composed by Reich in 2013 after hearing Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead (who had made backing tracks for Reich's Electric Counterpoint). The piece, also in five moments, draws upon two Radiohead songs "Everything it its Right Place" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place." It's not a set of variations or quotations in the traditional sense, although bits of the original songs to make their way into the melodic and harmonic material. And the instrumentation is quite unlike a standard rock band, save for the inclusion of electric bass. Musically, this was probably the most distant from the idioms of Clapping Music, but a powerful contrast to the other pieces on the program. It was lush, intense, and once again quite an endurance test at 17 minutes.
Overall, this was a great concert in a gem of a concert hall, and it's always great to see composers like Steve Reich on hand. We will continue to follow his music and hope to see new works.


text:
Eyeware Tech SA, an emerging deep tech provider of head and eye tracking solutions for webcams and 3D cameras, today announced a collaboration to provide AMD with patent-pending computer vision algorithms and machine perception AI technology for its new AMD Privacy View application.
Expected to be available in the first half of 2022, AMD Privacy View is powered by Eyeware's head and eye tracking functionality, which uses proprietary computer vision algorithms and machine learning technology to enable private screen viewing on laptops and PC monitors. AMD first revealed the application on January 4 in the AMD 2022 Product Premiere livestream event.
"Past iterations of eye tracking technology involved hardware-based solutions that are too expensive for widespread adoption, or integrated webcam-based solutions that are not reliable," said Eyeware co-founder Bastjan Prenaj. "Our platform-independent human perception AI for webcams and 3D cameras bypasses the need for specialized hardware so that AMD and other companies can integrate reliable and cost-effective head and eye tracking technology into consumer applications."
The collaboration between Eyeware and AMD follows last year's release of Eyeware's first consumer application using the same proprietary head and eye tracking technology included in the AMD Privacy View application. The free Eyeware Beam beta app turns a Face ID-supported iPhone or iPad, with a built-in TrueDepth camera, into a precise, multi-purpose, six degrees of freedom (6DoF) head and eye tracking device.
PC gamers use Eyeware Beam to control the in-game camera with real-life head movements in Microsoft Flight Simulator and other PC games. Meanwhile, content creators demonstrate mainstream adoption of eye tracking technology with the app. They live stream with the eye tracker overlay in games to accurately show viewers where they look on the screen.
Eyeware continues to expand access to its head and eye tracking solutions. The Eyeware Beam software development kit (SDK) provides third-party developers and independent software vendors with a subscription to develop their head and eye tracking-enabled PC solutions with access to tracking data in real-time. Application integrators and developers previously depended on dedicated hardware to enable these functionalities for end-users before the availability of Eyeware's hardware-agnostic technology.
Prenaj embraces the new exposure created with the AMD collaboration, noting that, "Teaming up with AMD provides the best use case to date. We're pleased to work with AMD to demonstrate that hardware is no longer a barrier to entry for companies creating head and eye tracking applications for gaming, research, and accessibility industries."
Supporting Resources
- Learn more about एएमडी Privacy View powered by Eyeware
- See videos and read about the Eyeware Beam iOS app
- Download and explore the Eyeware Beam SDK for developers
- Connect with Eyeware co-founders on LinkedIn तथा ट्विटर
Eyeware Media Contact
Jason Batansky
+1 305-741-5649
[email protected]


text:
Director, Big "I" Virtual University
Abstract: Although damage waiver fees are generally considered outrageous, most consumers should consider purchasing the waiver for short-term rentals. This article addresses the types of losses and expenses that a consumer can incur that may not be covered by their auto insurance or credit card coverage.
Although most collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW) fees are considered outrageous, most consumers should consider purchasing the CDW/LDW for short-term rentals. This is becoming increasingly the case as rental car companies charge ever-higher fees and penalties for losses and expenses not covered by most auto policies or credit cards. The following are ten reasons to purchase the rental car damage waiver:
1. Loss Valuation
The value of a rental car, according to virtually all rental agreements, is determined solely at the discretion of the rental company and may be significantly different from the market value "ACV" basis used by most auto policies. The "industry standard" (ISO) personal auto insurance policy covers the lesser of the "actual cash value" (market value) of the vehicle or the amount "necessary" to repair or replace the damaged property.
The rental agreement may very well contractually obligate the consumer to reimburse the rental agency for the "full value" (whatever that is) of the vehicle. If the renter's insurance policy has a "betterment" clause, the insurer might not pay the "full value" and the renter could be responsible for the difference.
2. Loss Settlement
As implied above, there may very well be disagreement over the value of the vehicle or the amount charged for labor and materials to repair the property—an Appraisal clause may be invoked by the insurer with its accompanying costs covered partially by the insured/renter.
More importantly, the auto insurer has the right to "…inspect and appraise the damaged property before its repair or disposal"—the rental company may choose to make the repairs immediately, potentially resulting in a lack of auto insurance coverage because of failure to comply with the condition cited above.
In a recent claim involving farm equipment under a similar policy provision, the insurer denied coverage when the farmer had the property repaired immediately in order to minimize lost production and the insurer never had the opportunity to appraise the damage.
3. Loss Payment
The rental agreement may require immediate reimbursement for damages and it is not uncommon for the rental company to charge the consumer's credit card for the full value of the vehicle and other expenses. This can create a significant debt, "max" out the card's credit limit (perhaps shortening a vacation or business trip), result in litigation, etc.
4. Loss Damage Waivers (LDW)
The rental agreement usually requires reimbursement for more than collision, making the consumer responsible for ANY "loss" in value beyond normal wear and tear regardless of fault. Most auto policies must include collision coverage on at least one insured owned vehicle for collision coverage to transfer to the rental car. Since many consumers buy only state-mandated liability insurance, they may have no physical damage coverage to transfer to the rental car.
If the rental agreement includes a Loss (not just Collision) Damage Waiver (LDW), the policy must also include comprehensive coverage to protect the consumer for non-collision damage such as theft or vandalism. Even so, keep in mind that the renter's contractual liability under the rental agreement may be almost absolute, so it's possible the auto policy may not respond to all losses.
(Note: Likewise, the auto policy might respond to losses not covered by the LDW such as use off paved roads, use while intoxicated, use by unlisted drivers such as valet parking (see below), etc. Therefore it is important to have BOTH auto insurance and LDW coverage.)
5. Indirect Losses
The consumer most likely will be responsible for the rental company's loss of rental income on the damaged unit. Most auto policies have, at best, daily and maximum caps for this indirect loss and some may pay only for loss of income resulting from theft, not collision or other causes of loss.
In addition, many rental companies will not divulge their fleet utilization logs for competitive reasons or their rental agreements may make the renter responsible for loss of use without regard to fleet utilization rates. If so, the renter may be charged even though unused rental vehicles are sitting on the lot. In one case, a renter was hit with a $2,000 loss of use charge. Insurers may not be willing to pay for charges they don't feel represent a true loss of income by the rental company.
Most alarmingly, rental car companies are increasingly inclined to charge for "diminution of value," an indirect loss that is not covered by most auto policies' physical damage section (nor most credit card coverages). We have seen documented examples of these charges for amounts in excess of $5,000 – $7,000 and heard of one that was allegedly $15,000 on an upscale SUV rental.
6. Administrative Expenses
The rental contract may make the consumer liable for various "administrative" or loss-related expenses such as towing (e.g., one renter was charged for a 230-mile tow), storage, appraisal, claims adjustment, etc. None of these expenses are typically covered by auto policies.
7. Other Insurance
Coverage under an auto policy is typically excess over: (1) any coverage provided by the owner of the auto, perhaps including self-insured plans, (2) any other applicable physical damage insurance, and (3) any other source of recovery applicable to the loss—CDW/LDW, travel policies, credit card coverages, etc. (what if the credit card coverage says it's excess over the auto policy?). The potential controversy over who pays what is obvious and can result in litigation.
In addition, keep in mind that many states have statutes, proprietary policy forms, and/or case law precedents that may govern this and other rental car exposures. For example, in determining which insurance is primary (pays first) and which is excess, states vary significantly. By purchasing the damage waiver, this distinction become unimportant to the renter.
In one final example, a consumer was given a loaner vehicle from a Cadillac dealer while his car was being serviced. He proceeded to total the vehicle in an accident to the tune of $37,000. His personal auto insurer refused to pay on the basis that their auto policy provided excess coverage over the dealer's garage insurance policy, offering only to pay a portion of the dealer's deductible. The garage insurer paid the entire claim, then sued the customer for $37,000.
When the consumer turned the suit in to his auto insurer, the claim was denied under the liability section of his policy, citing a "care, custody or control" exclusion. While this involved a dealer loaner auto, the same result could have been reached in this state if the auto was a rental.
8. Excluded Vehicles & Territories
Personal auto policies typically do not provide physical damage coverage for motorcycles, motorhomes, and other motor vehicles that are not private passenger cars, pickup trucks, or vans, and use of covered vehicles is limited to the U.S., its territories and possessions, Puerto Rico, and Canada (the rental agreement may also exclude operation outside a specific geographical area, in which case the auto policy could provide coverage not provided for under an LDW).
In addition, if a consumer is renting a trailer (U-Haul, camper trailer, etc.), auto coverage is typically limited to only $500 – $1,500. The consumer usually has no choice but to rely on the rental company's damage waiver for coverage under these circumstances.
9. Excluded Uses & Drivers
The personal auto policy may have limitations on the use of vehicles that are not otherwise excluded by the rental agreement damage waiver—for example, some auto policies provide no physical damage coverage for the business use of non-owned pickup trucks or vans.
Also, some auto policies may include an exclusionary endorsement for certain individuals or may apply only to designated individuals that can be covered by listing them on the rental agreement. In contrast, the damage waiver usually only applies to designated individuals (with certain omnibus "insureds" such as spouses), so having both an auto policy and the damage waiver can again be advantageous.
One often overlooked issue where a large coverage gap might exist is using valet parking at a hotel or restaurant during a personal or business trip. Most auto policies cover damage to non-owned autos if you have physical damage coverage on at least one declared auto. However, this coverage may extend only to a non-owned auto "while in the custody of or being operated by you or any 'family member'…."
If the rental car is being valet parked, it's certainly not being operated by you. The question is whether it is still technically in your custody. Does custody mean possession or entrustment? Is the rental car in your custody from the moment you rent it or only when you have physical control? It's a matter of law and contract interpretation. That's why it is probably not a good idea to valet park a rental car.
The Catch-22 is that, even if you purchase the rental car damage waiver, most rental agreements void the coverage if the vehicle is being driven by an unauthorized driver. As discussed above, the only authorized drivers are those identified by name on the rental agreement and perhaps a spouse or co-worker. Hotel or restaurant valets? Highly unlikely.
10. Additional and/or Future Costs
The personal auto policy will most certainly include a physical damage deductible in the range of $100-$500 or more, while the rental agency's LDW may not. In addition, payment for damage to a rental car may result in a significant premium increase on the renter's auto policy via surcharges or loss of credits.
All auto insurance policies are not created equal, despite what you might be led to believe by some "low-cost" auto insurance advertising. In particular, coverage and claims practices for the use of non-owned auto like rental cars can vary dramatically from one insurer to another. Equally important, virtually all rental car companies draft their own rental agreements and can make charges and assessments that are not covered by any auto policy. Although damage waiver fees are generally considered outrageous, most consumers should consider purchasing the waiver for short-term rentals.
The above information is based on the "ISO standard" Personal Auto Policy in force in most states at the time of publication and typical rental car agreements. Be aware that these contracts may vary from state to state and there may be statutory exceptions (e.g., the State of NY) that may govern. In addition, these provisions can change at any time, so it is important to review the laws and contracts in effect in your jurisdiction at any point in time. Due to the brevity of this article, we cannot analyze every possible loss exposure and exception to the general guidelines above.
Copyright 1998-2015 by the Insurors of Tennessee and Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Reprinted with permission.


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New research indicates that our cognitive capacity is reduced whenever our phones are within reach—whether it's turned on or off.
Adrian Ward and coauthors conducted experiments with nearly 800 smartphone users in an attempt to measure, for the first time, how well people can complete tasks when they have their smartphones nearby, even when they're not using them.
In one experiment, the researchers asked study participants to sit at a computer and take a series of tests that required full concentration in order to score well. The tests were geared to measure participants' available cognitive capacity—that is, the brain's ability to hold and process data at any given time.
Before beginning, participants were randomly instructed to place their smartphones either on the desk face down, in their pocket or personal bag, or in another room. All participants were instructed to turn their phones to silent.
The researchers found that participants with their phones in another room significantly outperformed those with their phones on the desk, and they also slightly outperformed those participants who had kept their phones in a pocket or bag.
The findings suggest that the mere presence of one's smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity and impairs cognitive functioning, even though people feel they're giving their full attention and focus to the task at hand.
"We see a linear trend that suggests that as the smartphone becomes more noticeable, participants' available cognitive capacity decreases," says Ward, an assistant professor at McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.
"Your conscious mind isn't thinking about your smartphone, but that process—the process of requiring yourself to not think about something—uses up some of your limited cognitive resources. It's a brain drain," Ward says.
In another experiment, researchers looked at how a person's self-reported smartphone dependence—or how strongly a person feels he or she needs to have a smartphone in order to get through a typical day—affected cognitive capacity.
Participants performed the same series of computer-based tests as the first group and were randomly assigned to keep their smartphones either in sight on the desk face up, in a pocket or bag, or in another room. In this experiment, some participants were also instructed to turn off their phones.
The researchers found that participants who were the most dependent on their smartphones performed worse compared with their less-dependent peers, but only when they kept their smartphones on the desk or in their pocket or bag.
Ward and his colleagues also found that it didn't matter whether a person's smartphone was turned on or off, or whether it was lying face up or face down on a desk. Having a smartphone within sight or within easy reach reduces a person's ability to focus and perform tasks because part of their brain is actively working to not pick up or use the phone.
"It's not that participants were distracted because they were getting notifications on their phones," says Ward. "The mere presence of their smartphone was enough to reduce their cognitive capacity."


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Lossing's Histories
Benson John Lossing, born February 12, 1813 died June 3, 1891, was an American historian and journalist who's lifespan encompassed the Civil War and who's extensive works provided one of the more popular histories of the Civil War from the 19th century. He was a frequent contributor to Harper's New Monthly Magazine. His specialty was the American Revolution, a topic he must have thoroughly enjoyed having ammassed a significant library of reference documents and material covering the subject. His background and ability to collect and compile information in a logical, compelling and captivating manner translated well for the posterity of the record of the Civil War.
Below are links to the various works by Lossing covering the period of the Civil War.
Lossing's Pictorial History of the United States
Benson J. Lossing wrote an extensive history of the United States, from discovery through 1867. In this section we provide the chapters covering President Buchanan's administration, Lincoln's administration and the chapters on the Civil War.


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There has been a significant increase in interest in the Memcached, the open source distributed memory object-caching system, in recent months, as a number of vendors look to exploit its popularity in Web 2.0 and social networking environments.
Like Hadoop, which has become the focus of a number of commercial plays, it would appear that the time is right for commercialization of Memcached. But what is it, here did it come from, and what are the chances for vendors to rake in serious cash? Here are the details.
What is it?
Pronounced mem-cash-dee, Memcached was originally created by
Danga Interactive (the developer of LiveJournal,
which was acquired by Six Apart in 2005) to speed up the
performance of dynamic Web applications by alleviating database
load. Memcached has become an industry standard for improving the
performance of dynamic websites.
The code is available from the …
[Read more]


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The Secret Life of a Small Nonprofit "If someone insults us, we usually dwell on it, asking ourselves, "Why did he say that to me?" and on and on. It's as if someone shoots an arrow at us, but it falls short. Focusing on the problem is like picking up
Child sacrifice is on the rise in Uganda, as witch doctors forced to leave Tanzania relocate to Uganda where they can register as "natural healers." Albino Rescue – A Four Year-old Boy Survives Child Sacrifice Attempt It was a sheer stroke of luck for a four-year-old Vicent Katongole. He had been
Project Update – Reusable Pads Project Kabale by Michael Sabiiti, Country Director The reusable pads project started with 120 needy girls and 10 poor women with HIV/AIDS. We are proud that enrollment has increased to 160 needy girls. In addition, 3 mothers of albino children who were rendered homeless and
Humanity Healing International, HHI, was cyber-attacked by professional hackers on Friday, December 3, resulting in first, the theft of the Facebook profile of HHI CEO, Christopher Buck, followed rapidly by the hijacking of the 501(c)(3) public charity's company pages. While the loss of a Facebook page might not sound like
In late October, Michael Sabiiti, Country Director for Humanity Healing International, received word from an elderly gentleman that he had discovered two albino children hiding in his banana tree grove. Michael made arrangements for the gentleman to shelter the children until he could arrive and pick them up. Due to
Where we have made a difference
Humanity Healing International is a humanitarian, nonpolitical, nondenominational spiritual organization promoting Spiritual Activism as a means to foster Healing for communities around the world that have little or no Hope.
Our Mission is to seek out and identify specific projects worldwide and to implement definable and sustainable solutions. Our initiatives are not broad mandates to eradicate poverty, end famine, or stop violence in war-torn countries.


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Last Ronin has been blowing up all over the place. He has a unique style that combines melodic Pop vocals with some of the best produced Dubstep around. When he released his 4-track EP "Incognito" during 2015, I quickly took notice. I was drawn to his style and found myself waiting for what he had next. What he has delivered is the seven track album, "Meditate" that builds upon the sound he started just over 2 years ago. And which is inspired by the likes of KOAN sound, Seven Lions and Mitis. The album opens up with an overload of catchy sounds on "Reconnect" Ft. Kailey Elizabeth that is made to knock the ceiling out of mainstream radio. Subtle synths, pianos and wobbles are everywhere, while the female vocals sound great: "Baby what's your magic, baby what's your spell. You got me so attracted, but you put me through your hell."
The production on this track and the whole album is incredible. The drop on this song is on the more melodic side. The vocals are sweet and smooth, while the bass is linear and consistent. The song construction on this is another strong point, showing that Last Ronin, the man behind the production, has a real talent for crafting music. This is a song that will make people's heads turn. "Interstellar" has a nostalgic feel to it while keeping Last Ronin's signature sound intact.
Last Ronin carefully crafted every lyric, the instrumentation, the song order, and nurtured this album like it's a new born baby. Many people are used to the all-out and upfront nature of Last Ronin displayed through his earlier music, but this album displays every dimension of him.
From start to finish head-bobbing is a must, and at many points it's hard to stay in your seat and resist jumping up and down with abandon. If you aren't a fan of EDM or a seasoned veteran it is hard to hate this album. In fact, it's hard not to absolutely love this album.
The album is packed with carefully chosen lyrics, catchy tunes and high-energy dance numbers that you would expect to find in a club or even in a set of headphones. The album demonstrates that Last Ronin is not only influenced by the hard, rough sounds of dubstep but also the softer sounds of pop and dance music which are also featured on the album.
One of my favorite tracks on the album has to be the slow building "Ancient Past" ft. Tom Evans which starts off sweetly with drops of synthesizers drifting in and out, building up to a powerful chorus which displays why Last Ronin is the one to watch out for.
The simple electronic chords combined with the drums and the harmony between the pads make "Daydream" an essential listen – while it is clear throughout "Desistance" that this track can be admired for its wide variety of explosive Dubstep and electronic sounds that demonstrate how far Last Ronin has come as a producer.
Structurally the songs seem to flow into one another with ease making it seem like the EDM music will never stop. I feel Last Ronin has provided his listeners with a strong album that manages to display his ability to explore new styles whilst maintaining his ability to produce high quality EDM tracks.
February has been an undeniably big month for new music in almost every genre imaginable. Not to be outshone by his contemporaries, EDM now has its certified flavor of the month from Last Ronin.
"Meditate" is definitely an album that fits in with the EDM masses. It does what it sets out to do, and it does it surprisingly well. The album is filled to the brim with energy and cutting edge arrangements, and just when it's about to implode, the songs end. Adding dynamic and sultry voices on top of those results brings something emotional and diverse to the table.
This album is going to appeal to a large group of people, and there's a reason for that. It's anthemic, it's energetic, and it embodies all that electronic dance music should without overstaying its welcome. There's a lot to like about this album and for that reason alone, it gets our sound approval!


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Skip to content
JOHN NORUM official website
Norwegian/Swedish rock/blues guitarist and singer. Solo artist and founder/axeman of the rock band EUROPE
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Click the boxes and read the LATEST news. Constantly updated!
MESSAGES from John NORUM & Co.
John's messages to his fans and communications from the Norum team
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JOHN & TONE NORUM Unplugged
SOLO Albums and singles
Calling (single, 2023)
Gone to Stay (2022)
One by One (single, 2022)
Voices of Silence (single, 2022)
Sail On (single, 2022)
Play Yard Blues (2010)
Optimus (2005)
Slipped Into Tomorrow (1999)
Face It Live '97 (1997)
Worlds Away (1996)
Another Destination (1995)
Face the Truth (1992)
Live in Stockholm (1990)
Total Control (1987)
EUROPE Albums
Walk the Earth (2017)
War of Kings (2015)
Live at Sweden Rock – 30th Anniversary Show (2013)
Bag of Bones (2012)
Last Look at Eden (2009)
Almost Unplugged (2008)
Secret Society (2006)
Start from the Dark (2004)
The Final Countdown Tour 1986 (2004)
The Final Countdown (1986)
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Europe (1983)
(DON) DOKKEN Albums
Long Way Home (2002)
Up from the Ashes (1990)
LET IT SHINE – A look inside John NORUM's crazy guitar world (2017)
War of Kings – Special Edition (2015)
Live at Sweden Rock – 30th Anniversary Show (2013)
Live Look at Eden (2011)
Live at Shepherd's Bush London (2011)
Almost Unplugged (2009)
Live from the Dark (2005)
Rock the Night – Collectors Edition (2004)
The Final Countdown tour 1986 (1986, 2004, 2006)
DVDs on sale
SIGNATURE Guitars
Paoletti STRATOSPHERIC WINE CUSTOM J.NORUM
Paoletti FLYING EAGLE J.NORUM CUSTOM
Blue Devil
Arvidson Strat
Fender Stratocaster 1972 reissue from 1985
Fender Stratocaster 1974
Burny Les Paul Custom
Custom Strat
Sandberg California Aged Relic Strat style
Swing Les Paul style
Custom Freedom
Fender Stratocaster 1962 reissue from 1983
Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop 1959
Fender Stratocaster 1972 reissue from 2004
Gibson Flying V
Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop 1958
Paoletti Stratospheric Wine Custom J.Norum
Paoletti Flying Eagle J.Norum Custom
Fender Stratocaster 1968 Aged Relic Michael Landau signature
Ovation Standard Balladeer L X
Kids Bass
Fernandes "mini" Les Paul
SR "mini" Flying V
Fender Stratocaster 1965
50 watt JCM 800 2205 model (1987), JCM 800 100 watt 2210 model (1988), tubes
1971 50 Watt bass model 1986 and 100 Watt 2555 model
JCM 800 50 Watt the 1987 model and another 2555 model
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JOHN NORUM GROUP dates 2022 – CANCELLED
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EUROPE Time Capsule tour 2024 – Summer tour 2024
EUROPE Summer Tour 2023 – Time Capsule 2023
EUROPE Tour the Earth 2017-2022
Short tour of Powerplay Studios (2016)
SOLO works promo and studio photos
GONE TO STAY (album, 2022) – Promo photos
GONE TO STAY (album, 2022) – Making of
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NORMA (music video, 2023)
EUROPE music videos
Hold Your Head Up (Europe – single / music video, 2023)
LIVE & PROMO shows
EUROPE "Walk the Earth" tour
EUROPE "War of Kings" tour
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May 23, 2022
MESSAGES from John NORUM & Co.
Met some good ol' friends in
today, alright now! /John
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GONE TO STAY (album, 2022) – Making of
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Pedal Board – Europe tour 2022
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Okay, I get the missing "13" (bad luck in Western cultures) and no numbers with "4" in them (bad luck in Chinese and Japanese cultures), and the –1 is clever, but where's the zero? C'mon Asian people, we're supposed to be good at math!
This article also appears in The Adventures of Accordion Guy in the 21st Century.


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My First Phonics Activity Book
This fun-filled activity book is a great starting point for helping your child to discover the fascination of letter shapes and sounds. Hundreds of thousands of children have learned to read, write and spell with Letterland's fun, interactive teaching system. Research has shown how important the right support at home can be. First in a new series of activity books, it is designed to help you make the adventure of learning to read, write, rhyme and spell a pleasurable part of home life.


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Time to Grow Your Business?
Marketing and consumer behaviour has changed. You can now buy almost anything online and for most businesses, your website is your silent sales person working 24/7 to generate leads and sales. In fact, most consumers start their search for products and services online and in 2015 your website must deliver a great customer experience or your business is never going to reach its potential.
So, is your website driving plenty of traffic and customers? If not, let's look at seven essential features your site needs to have to win new business.
1. Blog
If you don't have a blog it's time to start. The simple fact is, the more you blog, the more traffic you will get to your website. The statistics are compelling, businesses that blog one to two times per month generate seventy percent more leads than those that don't blog at all. Answer your prospects commonly asked questions and start a blog today.
2. Free Educational Content
Educating your prospects builds trust, particularly if you give valuable content away for free. If you have valuable content that you're prepared to exchange for your prospects contact details then you can build your email list. Through email marketing you can then nurture the relationship and ultimately work towards a sale. Remember, website visitors are strangers looking for solutions so educate them and show them you are an industry expert so they keep coming back for more.
3. Responsive!
In 2014, around 20% of all website hits are from mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones. This figure is growing each year and it's critical that your website is responsive which means it renders differently on these devices to deliver a perfect website viewing and experience. A lot of websites were built using old technology but being responsive is a must have feature.
4. Search Engine Optimization
To get your website found by the search engines you have to strategically plan what keywords you use and also carefully name your page titles, URLs, alt tags, meta-tags and meta descriptions. It's a science and the search engines look at the keywords in your website headlines, paragraphs and image descriptions. If you failed to plan your keywords when you created your site then it's time for a SEO review. Without traffic your beautiful website is just like a billboard in the desert with no passing traffic.
5. What's In It for Me?
Most visitors to the home page of your website have the attention span of a goldfish. This means in under 10 seconds you have to engage with them or they are off and gone. You need to tell them how your products and services will help them and solve their problems. Your content needs to nail the fact that you have the solution to their issues.
Avoid talking about you and focus on the benefits the reader will get. Some describe this as a 'why us' approach. Visitors don't really care about you, they simply want solutions and fast.
6. Testimonials and Social Proof
Your visitors are strangers and they are sceptical. Nobody believes everything they read online and they hate being sold to. You need to build trust and that's where testimonials and case studies can provide proof that your products and services work. Your satisfied customers are living proof and you should highlight their success stories and reassure prospects that you have the solution to their problems.
7. Analytics – Know Your Numbers
In 2015, it's time to know your numbers. You can install Google Analytics for free on your website that lets you track key website statistics like how many visitors you get each day, what pages are drawing the most traffic and where the visitors are from and what percentage are using mobile devices. You need to measure and monitor so you have benchmarks and can gauge the results of your changes.
In summary, there are no shortcuts when it comes to website development. Without these essential features your website isn't going to deliver the results you need. Make your website a priority and stop thinking of it as a cost and start treating it as an investment. Your site must work perfectly on a smartphone and the content needs to focus on your prospects not you. The internet is a field of diamonds and you can compete with the big players if you provide visitors with an amazing website experience. Our website underwent a major overhaul this year and these changes had a big impact on our traffic numbers. If you need any help with your website or are contemplating a makeover talk to us today.


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Introductory Dedication To King James
In the 1611 KJV Bible
The Translators of the Bible wish Grace, Mercy and Peace,
through JESUS CHRIST, our Lord.
GREAT and manifold were the blessings, most dread Sovereign, which Almighty God, the Father of all mercies, bestowed upon us the people of England, when first he sent Your Majesty's Royal Person to rule and reign over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our Sion, that upon the setting of that bright Occidental Star, Queen Elizabeth of most happy memory, some thick and palpable clouds of darkness would so have overshadowed this Land, that men should have been in doubt which way they were to walk; and that it should hardly be known, who was to direct the unsettled State; the appearance of your Majesty, as the Sun in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists, and gave unto all that were well affected exceeding cause of comfort; especially when we beheld the Government established in Your Highness, and Your hopeful Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with peace and tranquillity at home and abroad.
But among all our joys, there was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of the preaching of God's sacred Word among us; which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth; because the fruit thereof extendeth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that eternal happiness which is above in heaven.
Then not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that state, wherein the famous Predecessor of Your Highness did leave it: nay, to go forward with the confidence and resolution of a Man in maintaining the truth of Christ, and propagating it far and near, is that which hath so bound and firmly knit the hearts of all Your Majesty's loyal and religious people unto You, that Your very name is precious among them: their eye doth behold You with comfort, and they bless You in their hearts, as that sanctified Person who, under God, is the immediate Author of their true happiness. And this their contentment doth not diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe, that the zeal of Your Majesty toward the house of God doth not slack or go backward, but is more and more kindled, manifesting itself abroad in the farthest parts of Christendom, by writing in defence of the Truth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will not be healed,) and every day at home, by religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of God, by hearing the Word preached, by cherishing the Teachers thereof, by caring for the Church, as a most tender and loving nursing Father.
There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and religious affection in Your Majesty; but none is more forcible to declare it to others than the vehement and perpetuated desire of accomplishing and publishing of this work, which now with all humility we present unto Your Majesty. For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into the English Tongue; Your Majesty did never desist to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the work might be hastened, and that the business might be expedited in so decent a manner, as a matter of such importance might justly require.
And now at last, by the mercy of God, and the continuance of our labours, it being brought unto such a conclusion, as that we have great hopes that the Church of England shall reap good fruit thereby; we hold it our duty to offer it to Your Majesty, not only as to our King and Sovereign, but as to the principal Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of Your most Sacred Majesty, that since things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures of ill meaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince as Your Highness is, whose allowance and acceptance of our labours shall more honour and encourage us, than all the calumniations and hard interpretations of other men shall dismay us. So that if, on the one side, we shall be traduced by Popish Persons at home or abroad, who therefore will malign us, because we are poor instruments to make God's holy Truth to be yet more and more known unto the people, whom they desire still to keep in ignorance and darkness; or if, on the other side, we shall be maligned by self-conceited Brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil; we may rest secure, supported within by truth and innocency of a good conscience, having walked the ways of simplicity and integrity, as before the Lord; and sustained without by the powerful protection of Your Majesty's grace and favour, which will ever give countenance to honest and Christian endeavours against bitter censures and uncharitable imputations.
The Lord of heaven and earth bless Your Majesty with many and happy days, that, as his heavenly hand hath enriched Your Highness with many singular and extraordinary graces, so You may be the wonder of the world in this latter age for happiness and true felicity, to the honour of that great GOD, and the good of his Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour.


text: Improve the look of any room in your home simply and affordably with the Harounian Rugs International Palace line of flooring. Discount Flooring proudly carries the Palace line in order to help you invest in new floorings without breaking your budget. We'll also help answer your area rug flooring questions from which flooring to buy to how to install your Harounian Rugs International floors. We've been supplying quality floors for ten years, so trust in the flooring experts for your next home improvement project.


text: Broccoli is (le sigh) a common green vegetable. For people who are unfamiliar with food, it's a safe vegetable to cook. As a premier healthy vegetable, it's more likely to be dropped in everyone's shopping cart. A carnivore restaurant includes it in their vegetarian menu. As a home cook, I walk pass it in the grocery store, because there are exotic vegetables to discover.


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System Control
A focus on different system control techniques that can be used to change application state, issue commands and provide overall input to a 3D application.
On a desktop computer, we input text and commands using 2D UI elements such as pull-down menus, pop-up menus, or toolbars on an everyday basis. These elements are examples of system control techniques—they enable us to send commands to an application, change a mode, or modify a parameter. While we often take the design of such techniques in 2D UIs for granted, system control and symbolic input are not trivial in 3D applications. Simply adapting 2D desktop-based widgets is not the always the best solution. In this chapter, we discuss and compare various system control and symbolic input solutions for 3D UIs.
9.1 Introduction
The issuing of commands is a critical way to access any computer system's functionality. For example, with traditional desktop computers we may want to save a document or change from a brush tool to an eraser tool in a painting application. In order to perform such tasks, we use system control techniques like menus or function keys on a keyboard. Designers of desktop and touch-based system control interfaces have developed a plethora of widely used and well-understood graphical user interface (GUI) techniques, such as those used in the WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, Point and Click) metaphor (Preece et al. 2002). While quite a few techniques exist, designing a 3D UI to perform system control can be challenging. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of system control methods, and review their advantages and disadvantages.
Although much of the real work in a 3D application consists of interaction tasks like selection and manipulation, system control is critical because it is the glue that lets the user control the interaction flow between the other key tasks in an application. In many tasks, system control is intertwined with symbolic input, the input of characters and numbers. For example, users may need to enter a filename to save their work or specify a numeric parameter for a scaling command. In this chapter, we will focus on system control and symbolic input concurrently instead of handling these tasks separately.
To be sure, 2D and 3D applications differ with respect to symbolic input. For example, in writing this book with a word processor, the core activity is symbolic input, accomplished by typing on a keyboard. This activity is interspersed with many small system control tasks—saving the current document by clicking on a button, inserting a picture by choosing an item from a menu, or underlining a piece of text by using a keyboard shortcut, just to name a few. Yet, within most 3D applications the focus is the opposite: users only input text and numbers occasionally, and the text and numbers entered usually consist of short strings. While this may change in the future with more effective techniques, the current state of affairs is centered on limited symbolic input to support system control tasks.
We can define system control as the user task in which commands are issued to
request the system to perform a particular function,
change the mode of interaction, or
change the system state.
The key word in this definition is command. In selection, manipulation, and travel tasks, the user typically specifies not only what should be done, but also how it should be done, more or less directly controlling the action. In system control tasks, the user typically specifies only what should be done and leaves it up to the system to determine the details.
In this chapter we consider system control to be an explicit instead of an implicit action. Interfaces from other domains have used methods to observe user behavior to automatically adjust the mode of a system (e.g., Celentano and Pittarello 2004; Li and Hsu 2004), but we will not focus on this breed of interfaces.
In 2D interfaces, system control is supported by the use of a specific interaction style, such as pull-down menus, text-based command lines, or tool palettes (Preece et al. 2002). Many of these interaction styles have also been adapted to 3D UIs to provide for a range of system control elements (see section 9.4), which may be highly suitable for desktop-based 3D UIs. 2D methods may also be appropriate in handheld AR applications, where the application often also relies on screen-based (touch) input. But for immersive applications in particular, WIMP-style interaction may not always be effective. We cannot assume that simply transferring conventional interaction styles will lead to high usability.
In immersive VR, users have to deal with 6-DOF input as opposed to 2-DOF on the desktop. These differences create new problems but also new possibilities for system control. In 3D UIs it may be more appropriate to use nonconventional system control techniques (Bullinger et al. 1997). These system control methods may be combined with traditional 2D methods to form hybrid interaction techniques. We will talk about the potential and implications of merging 2D and 3D techniques at several stages throughout this chapter.
9.1.1 Chapter Roadmap
Before describing specific techniques, we will consider two categories of factors that influence the effectiveness of all techniques: human factors and system factors. We then present a classification of system control techniques for 3D UIs (section 9.3). Next, we describe each of the major categories in this classification (sections 9.4–9.8). In each of these sections, we describe representative techniques, discuss the relevant design and implementation issues, discuss specific symbolic input issues, and provide guidance on the practical application of the techniques. In section 9.9, we cover multimodal system control techniques, which combine multiple methods of input to improve usability and performance. We conclude the chapter, as usual, with general design guidelines and system control considerations in our two case studies.


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The first book in the All Souls trilogy, A Discovery of Witches, was a tour de force, an artful and unusually skilled blending of hard science, history and the supernatural. Deborah Harkness, a historian of science at the University of Southern California, was the perfect person to pull off a mix that some readers called "Harry Potter for intellectuals."
If you haven't read it, here's a primer: A reluctant witch, Diana Bishop, the descendant of Salem witches, rejects her supernatural ancestry and becomes a historian. Holed up in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, Diana is suddenly hounded by witches, daemons and vampires after she asks to see an alchemical text, Ashmole 782 — which turns out to be both long-lost and strangely magical.
Her life threatened, Diana teams up with Matthew Clairmont, an Oxford geneticist who also happens to be a 1,500-year-old vampire. This is the beginning of a sprawling adventure that combines the supernatural with discussions of Darwin, genetics, fine wines (Harkness writes a wine blog), and much more. The first volume ends with a cliff hanger as the two, now a couple, flee into the past, into Elizabethan England.
Shadow of Night starts where A Discovery of Witches left off; Diana and Matthew land at Matthew's house in Woodstock, England, in the year 1590. We are among a huge assortment of historical figures: Queen Elizabeth, Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh, just to mention a few.
The quest to find Ashmole 782 — and to find witches who can train Diana's growing and unruly abilities — leads them to France, as well as to the court of the Holy Roman Empire in Prague. And at nearly 600 pages, the book is so complex that there is a list of 85 characters at the end. Thirty-seven of them are known historical figures, though Harkness has granted supernatural abilities to a few of them. Christopher Marlowe is a daemon; others are human, like Queen Elizabeth and George Chapman, the poet whose verse "Shadow of Night" provides the book's title.
The book is too complex at times, with so many characters, although anyone with a huge interest in Shakespearean England will find a host of fascinating details and descriptions.
Since Matthew is a Catholic in Protestant England, and Diana is a witch at the same time that witches are being executed in Scotland, both are on perilous, constantly shifting ground. Matthew in the 16th century is not as liberated as he was in the 21st, and their marriage has some rocky moments. In addition, they face emotional upheaval after meeting important relatives from their past who are long dead in the modern world — not to mention the danger of changing that past through their actions.
When the couple finally comes across Ashmole 782, it is for too short a time to truly penetrate its secrets, but the few things Matthew and Diana learn are so deeply disturbing and unexpected that my own wavering over this sequel ended. I am now eager to read the last installment. But given the complexity of Shadow of Night, when the finale appears in a year, I will be sure to spend a few hours reminding myself of what happened in the two previous books before I dare open its pages.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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By Arwen O'Reilly Griffith
Years ago, my friend Emma's mother used to make us a traditional German Easter brunch every year. We knew to show up with the very first leaves and flowers of spring, as well as a patiently collected bag of onion skins. Anna would decorate her light-filled apartment with flowers in defiance of the bare winter outside and lay the table with plates and plates of food. And while the final dishes were simmering, we'd make Easter Eggs.
People have been coloring eggs to celebrate spring for literally thousands of years, starting with those cultured Persians. The practice has become ever more complicated as it spread around the world, with everything from stickers and tie-dye in the U.S. to marbling and elaborate wax drawing in parts of Europe and Russia. Crafty early Christians ensured that colored eggs are now mostly associated with Easter, but in Sweden they dye eggs to ring in the summer solstice. Decorated eggs are beautiful at any time of the year, and if you're not attached to the electric pastels of commercial dyes, you can make them with food and spices you probably have lying around the house.
White eggs
Flowers and leaves to decorate eggs
Pot of water
Dye (onion skins, blueberries, asparagus/spinach…)
1 T vinegar to intensify the dye (not shown)
One pair old stockings (in a color that won't bleed)
Step 1: Cut up your stockings into 4-5″ sections. Tie off one end. Wash the eggs in mildly soapy water to clean off any oils or residue that might keep the dye from being absorbed. Dry them off. (Tip: stick them back in the refrigerator until you're ready to place the decorations on; the condensation will help stick leaves and flowers to the egg.)
Step 2: Tie off one end of the stocking.
Step 3: Choose your leaves or flowers carefully. Leaves with interesting and distinct shapes work best, and choose flowers that can be pressed flat. You're looking for two dimensional graphic interest here, since the specimens will be pressed tightly against the egg. Flatten them first if necessary, and then wrap around the egg. Keep in mind that stems can add interest, so think about making a spiral or doing something else fun with them. In planning your design, also keep in mind that the knots in the stocking will leave a swirling pattern in the dye.
Step 4:Carefully place the egg in the stocking pouch. This is the hard part, as your carefully placed plant will invariably move around. Have patience, and you'll get better at intuiting the best way to hold the leaf or flower down against the egg as you place it. Tie off the other end of the stocking, making sure the stocking is stretched as tightly as possible around the egg to hold the leaf in place. (If you don't have an assistant, wrap the thread around the stocking a number of times while you hold it in place with the other hand before you try to tie your knot–it will add tension so it's easy to do!)
Step 5: Add the dye material, vinegar, and eggs to the water. If you're using onion skins, use equal parts onion skins and water. (I gathered a gallon-size bag of onion skins for a quart-sized pan of water; remember that they pack down a lot!) Boil for 20 minutes.
Step 6:Remove the eggs, cut off the stockings and leaves, rinse off, and voila! You can rub with vegetable oil for a nice finish. These can be eaten, although if you boiled them for 20 or more minutes, don't expect them to actually taste good. Enjoy, and happy spring!
About the Author:
Arwen O'Reilly Griffith is staff editor at Make and Craft and mama to a 2-year-old rapscallion.
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text: Cowley Beach Wind ForecastAustraliaQLDFar NorthCowley Beach1-Day3-Day5-Day Graph Plots Open in Graphs Wind Forecast Bureau of MeteorologyWind Real-Time Cowley Beach wind forecast issued today at 6:38 pm. Next forecast at approx. 6:38 am. Cowley Beach Wind Statistics View MoreJuly WindSouth Johnstone (15km)2024JuneJulyStrongest 6 July, 202438.9km/h ESEAverage July6.7km/hStrongest 13 June, 202429.5km/h SEAverage June4.7km/hStrongest 21 January, 202450km/h SWAverage 20246km/hClimate (2010–Present)South Johnstone (15km)Take a look at our website widgetsAvailable free! Find Out MoreStrongest 23 September, 202079.6km/h NEAverage 2019–20246.4km/hWind RoseAnnual (5 Year Average)5 Year Average Annual5 Year Average July25%13.75%2.5%CalmModerateJuly Wind RoseJuly (5 Year Average)5 Year Average Annual5 Year Average July22.5%12.5%2.5%CalmModerateGet an account to remove ads


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Merge DA with basic this year and defer increments: pay panel member
Member of the Seventh Central Pay Commission Rathin Roy has suggested that to meet its fiscal deficit target the Government should merge the basic pay and dearness allowance (DA) of central government employees in the current year and defer implementing any real increases in pay and pensions. This, the member has said, could be done by compensating those who would have to bear the burden of the deferred effect by giving them a "more generous award distributed over several years".
"I am saying that the increment need not all be given at one go... It can be staggered and made more generous… So this could be done for pay and for pension," Dr. Roy told The Hindu in an exclusive interview. "Now I am not competent to say whether this is politically feasible or not," he, however, added.
Last month, the Union Cabinet set up an empowered committee of secretaries under the Cabinet Secretary for processing the recommendations of the Commission.
The pay and pension revision recommendations of the Commission are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2016, but Dr. Roy, who is also the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy's Director, has suggested that the implementation should be pushed to April 1.
What they should get, from April 1, 2016, is what they would get if we merge the basic pay and the DA, which is more or less what they are already getting, he said. "That will mean some increase in allowances but other than house rent allowance the burden of that [on the government budget] will not be very high." He has also recommended that the Government defer allowances, principally the house rent allowance. "The case for that is strong because we are in the midst of fairly flat growth in consumption expenditure and rents are not going up much."
Ahead of the presentation of Union Budget 2016-17, the Government is considering options for keeping the fiscal deficit for the next year within the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management target. The Government's fiscal deficit in 2008-09, the year the Sixth Central Pay Commission award was implemented, doubled to 6 per cent, though not all of the increase was on account of the pay and pension hikes. Currently, Central government pay and allowances account for 1 per cent of the country's GDP.
The Seventh Pay Commission, which submitted its report in November 2015, estimated that the total financial impact due to the hike in pay and allowances of central government employees recommended by it would be Rs 1,02,100 crore. Of this, Rs 73,650 crore will be borne by the General Budget and Rs. 28,450 crore by the Railway Budget. The Commission was set up by the UPA government in February 2014 to recommend revisions of remuneration for 48 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners.
Read at: The Hindu


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Hello coffee (ab)users,
I'm very happy to present Eiriks report about his reduced soda/ascorbic-acid versions. Have a nice reading, and I recommend visiting his sites linked below. He's a great photographer and a very nice guy. Thank you so much, Eirik.
Happy developings - Reinhold
That's what Eirik wrote:
That's what Eirik wrote:
I promised Reinhold a long time ago I would write an article on the (RS) and (RSA) versions of his recipes.
many others, when I started out with Caffenol I perused the net for
tips on where to start. I concluded pretty early on that these 8tsp
of this, a pinch of that, and a cup of other recipes, were not going
to cut it for me. Reinhold's precise and predictable recipes
however were exactly what I was looking for. In addition to reading
everything on his blog, I joined a Caffenol group on Flickr, and a
long ongoing thread on the Scandinavian APUG forum to discuss and
share experiences.
like to be accurate in my work, but I am also lazy. So I soon tried
out premixing Caffenol, instead of having to dissolve powders and mix
them up for every development. My approach was to dissolve the
ingredients in larger quantities and store them in light and airtight
bottles. Then mix them, one third each, when developing. For this to
work, each solution had to be 3 times the prescribed strength. And it
worked well. The ingredients did not go off as quickly as some had
thought. The coffee started to develop mold at 8-12 weeks, and the
ascorbic acid oxidized gradually to be useless after 15-20 weeks. The
soda kept forever, but was susceptible to crystalising in my storage
space in the basement in cold weather. Evidently this was due to the
combination of higher concentration and low temperature. In warm
weather the soda was stabile.
first time the soda crystalised, I was unaware of it. Some of the
soda had formed a solid block at the bottom of the flask. I mixed as
usual, and developed a roll of TMX. And it came out gloriously!
Caffenol is a compensating developer, and I had been accustomed to it
helping me bring back highlights and draw out shadow detail, but this
was something else. The compensating effect seemed enhanced, and the
tonal gradation, definition and micro contrast was discernably better
than I was used too. I knew something was not quite as it should be.
Having checked with said forums I was tipped that the soda may have
something to do with it. Having identified the culprit I went about
testing levels of soda to approximate the serendipitous TMX roll.
After a bit of trial and error I ended up with a recipe where the
only difference being lowering the level of soda (or sodium carbonate
if you will) to 40g/l (from 54g/l). Technically this will result in a
lower pH and a less active developer. Developing times may therefore
need adjusting. I however found that this was not necessary. But then
again, I tend not to do push development. My variations over
Reinhold's recipes are more tuned to regular box speed developing.
Of course, should you want to push, by all means, but then you may
want to add a few minutes to the timing, as compared to most of my
efforts that is. Since this discovery, it became my staple developer
for several years, and worked fine on films such as Kodak TMX, TMY2,
Tri-X, Plus-X, Double-X and BW400CN, Fuji Acros (my favourite) and
Neopan 400, Efke R25 and KB/R 100, Era 100, Rollei Retro 400s, Agfa
APX 100/400, Ilford PanF and Delta 400, PolyPan F and several others
I forget.
Reinhold, I like a definition to have a particular meaning. The name
should refer to a specific recipe. I therefore set about naming the
recipes. I wanted to coin mine much like Reinhold has his, and it
felt only natural the names should reflect that they were indeed
variations over his well-known Caffenol-C-M and H.
Caffenol-C-M(RS) is just a Reduced Soda version of C-M. Same applies
to C-H. I also experimented lowering the ascorbic acid level to 10g/l
(from 16g/l), and saw little or no effect. But I found little reason
to continue with it, introducing yet a variable. This variation
gained the postfix (RSA).
lay no claim to have invented anything, I know of several others who
have come to similar conclusions by other means. Indeed, a couple of
my co-authors of the Caffenol Cookbook have their own versions of
lower pH Caffenol-C mixtures, which work in much the same way.
TMX roll that started it all? Here are a few examples.
caffenol flickr album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ezzie0304/sets/72157625081279605/
Caffenol and DIY blog: http://on-your-kitchen-worktop.blogspot.no/
of luck
Russell Roberts


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Showing Collections: 1 - 3 of 3
Chris Lobingier papers
Christopher Lobingier (1944-2014) was a composer based in Baltimore who wrote the original score to the 1977 John Waters film Desperate Living and participated in the Baltimore Composers Forum. This collection contains scores of original compositions by Chris Lobingier, including his score to Desperate Living, as well as materials related to the Baltimore Composers Forum, recordings, and other ephemera.
Jean Eichelberger Ivey papers
Jean Eichelberger Ivey (1923-2010) was a composer, pianist, electronic musician, professor, and the founder of the Peabody Conservatory Electronic Music Studio, which she directed from 1969 until her retirement from Peabody in 1997. The Jean Eichelberger Ivey papers contain scores and recordings of Ivey's musical works, writings and notes by Ivey, personal and professional correspondence, programs and clippings, photographs, and other personal and professional papers.
Mihály Virizlay papers and cello score collection
Mihály Virizlay (1931-2008) was a Hungarian-born cellist who had an international career as a concerto and recital soloist, was principal cello of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for 40 years, and taught at the Peabody Institute. The Mihály Virizlay papers contain published and manuscript musical scores, chiefly for cello, including Virizlay's own compositions and arrangements. The collection also includes recordings, concert programs, newspaper clippings, and correspondence.


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Basic Principles of Universal Ethics and Human Rights:
Each human being is endowed with personal dignity.
His liberty finds its limits where the dignity of the other begins.
State, religious, economic and other office holders are in his service.
The world can't go on like this! Please sign the Universal Ethics Campaign


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Most Americans wake up every morning believing that they live in a democracy. We have the right to vote, the right to work, and the right to freely express our opinions without threat of imprisonment or worse. Our political leaders often tout the United States as being a democracy of and for the people. We even spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year spreading this democratic influence to the rest of the world.
But a new study from researchers at Princeton and Northwestern University titled Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens starkly contrasts the notion that America provides an equal playing field for every citizen, as it was intended to do at its founding.
After a multivariate analysis of key variables involving 1,179 policy issues the results provide "substantial support for theories of Economic Elite Domination," wherein economic elites and organized groups representing business interests maintain "substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy," while average citizens have little or no independent influence.
Essentially, you as an average American citizen have no say whatsoever as it pertains to public policy, legislation, or regulation.
A study, to appear in the Fall 2014 issue of the academic journal Perspectives on Politics, finds that the U.S. is no democracy, but instead an oligarchy, meaning profoundly corrupt, so that the answer to the study's opening question, "Who governs? Who really rules?" in this country, is:
"Despite the seemingly strong empirical support in previous studies for theories of majoritarian democracy, our analyses suggest that majorities of the American public actually have little influence over the policies our government adopts.
Americans do enjoy many features central to democratic governance, such as regular elections, freedom of speech and association, and a widespread (if still contested) franchise. But, …" and then they go on to say, it's not true, and that, "America's claims to being a democratic society are seriously threatened" by the findings in this, the first-ever comprehensive scientific study of the subject, which shows that there is instead "the nearly total failure of 'median voter' and other Majoritarian Electoral Democracy theories [of America].
When the preferences of economic elites and the stands of organized interest groups are controlled for, the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy."
To put it short: The United States is no democracy, but actually an oligarchy.
(Via CommonDreams.org)
Given that even the Federal Reserve announced this morning that their policies make the rich much richer and the poor poorer, can anyone really argue with the fact that the political and socio-economic systems of this country are specifically designed to benefit the interests of the elite?
As Congress debates cuts to food stamps and unemployment insurance to the tune of a few billions dollars, the government pumps tens of billions into the coffers of investment banks and financiers on a monthly basis.
(Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon testify before Congress with other elite bankers)
Those convicted of petty non-violent crimes like possession of marijuana could spend a lifetime in prison, while the individuals responsible for wiping away 40% of America's wealth in the 2008 crash have not only avoided prosecution, but are rewarded within their respective organizations.
Whistle blowers spreading the truth to the masses about the the duplicitous nature of politics and business have to hide in non-extradition countries to avoid prosecution for releasing "sensitive" material, all the while the elites who engaged in criminal acts like bribery, conspiracy and murder are hardly even given a second look.
And just last week we saw a perfect example of elite domination in the form of a land grab when hundreds of government officials converged on the ranch of a family that has been engaging in the same activity for over a century without any trouble. That is, until a conniving Senator with ties to foreign companies determined it was in the best interests of his pocket book and legacy to force a rancher off public lands and put thousands of people in harms way just to achieve his ends.
The stories of such corruption and overreach against average Americans are countless and prove without a shadow of a doubt that, while we may call the United States of America a "democracy" or "republic," it's now only rooted in rhetoric and not reality.
Economic and political cyclical analyst Martin Armstrong warns that it is this very effect of moving power from the people to the elites that led to the failure of previous 'democratic' societies:
Dealing with Washington over the years taught me a lot. I have been inside the belly of the beast as well as on the outside. I have seen it all from every angle. Government is not run by democracy – it is a republic oligarchy pretending to be a democracy. Now a study is coming out an it confirms what I have seen over the years that this is just an American Oligarchy.
There is no hope of honest politics until there is major serious reform. We are at the same point in our history as the fall of the Roman Republic and for the very same reasons – outrageous corruption..
When we surrender our power, influence and money to the elite as we have done in modern day America, then we have likewise surrendered to them our liberty.