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From manufacturing to cupcake sales, companies are finding that machines can often do the job just as well, or better, than humans. But some tasks – like picking and tending to fruit and vegetable crops – have remained the territory of low-wage laborers.
But labor-starved growers are now eying machines with increasing interest.
Some 90 percent of the strawberries and 80 percent of the salad greens grown in the U.S. come from California. These crops and a lot of others have always been picked by hand because they don't ripen all at once and can bruise easily.
As NPR's Kirk Siegler reported in April, immigration policies and enforcement along the border between the U.S. and Mexico lately have meant that growers in California can't find enough workers to pick these crops.
"Over the last 10 years, there's been a new effort to restart mechanization," says Phil Martin, an agricultural economist at the University of California, Davis and curator of Migration News.
That's partly because the technology has come a long way. New machines use computers and vision sensors to replicate the human ability to handle delicate crops. In recent years that technology has gotten cheaper, making it more feasible for farm use.
Consider the lettuce thinner, developed by Frank Maconachy, president and CEO of harvesting equipment manufacturer Ramsay Highlander. The machine removes excess seedlings from the field so that others have room to grow.
The Hummer-sized tractor uses a vision system to find the seedlings and sends their location to a computer on board, which uses an algorithm to determine which seedlings to save and which to eliminate. Then it zaps the unlucky ones with a concentrated shot of fertilizer, like an industrial-sized search-and-destroy robot.
The process happens very fast: a whole row of lettuce thinned in just a few minutes. And it requires only one worker, versus a crew of 20 who would do the same task with long-handled hoes.
Maconachy's company is also working on a robotic picker that seeks out a head of lettuce and then picks it — think of it as search and pick. Like the lettuce thinner, the robot picker relies on a sophisticated vision system to determine if the greens are ready for the picking. It's not quite Rosie, the TV show Jetsons' robot maid who delivers the food to the table, but it's close.
In late May, Maconachy showed the lettuce thinner to a potential buyer, Bob Thorp. He's vice president of production at Growers Express, which is a partner of the Green Giant Fresh produce brand. "The labor [shortage] is the worst that I've seen, ever since I can remember," Thorp says. "Any way we can mechanize and take labor out of the equation, we're looking at it."
But labor shortages aren't the only motivation, Maconachy says. Some producers fear new state and federal laws that require them to provide shaded areas for farmworkers during breaks, for example, or bathrooms within a certain proximity to workers. While the new requirements undoubtedly benefit workers, Maconachy says growers are worried that if they don't comply they'll be fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
More robots on the farm could also spell trouble for smaller farms that can't afford them, says Martin. The lettuce thinner starts at $250,000, and some farm machines run as much as $600,000.
"It's inevitable that if you restructure an industry, you will dramatically change who's producing and what they're producing," he says.
Martin estimates that two companies, Dole Fresh Foods and Taylor Farms, control about 60 to 70 percent of the bagged lettuce market in the U.S. "If we go to mechanization, it could go up to 80 to 90 percent." And, he says, that means "a whole lot of other guys are going to be out of business."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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How The Really Smart Money Invests Nobel Prize winners entrust their nest eggs to DFA, where investing is a science, not a spectator sport.
(FORTUNE Magazine) – Suppose you made a list of the smartest people alive in finance--those who have done the most to advance our understanding of how the stock market really works. Somewhere near the top you'd surely place Eugene Fama of the University of Chicago, the leading champion of the efficient-market theory and a favorite to win a Nobel Prize one day. You'd obviously want to include Merton Miller of Chicago, who earned a Nobel by analyzing the effect of a corporation's capital structure on its stock price, and Myron Scholes of Stanford, who won his Nobel by explaining the pricing of options. You'd also pencil in Fama's collaborator Kenneth French of MIT, as well as consultant Roger Ibbotson and master data cruncher Rex Sinquefield, who together compiled the most trusted record of stock market returns going back to 1926. What would you give to know how these titans invest their own money? Well, don't give too much, because all you have to do is look at the funds of one Santa Monica money management firm, Dimensional Fund Advisors. Sinquefield and partner David Booth, both former students of Fama, founded DFA and now run the funds. Fama and French map out many of the investment strategies (and earn royalties for doing so). Miller, Scholes, and Ibbotson are directors. All except Miller, who believes directors should not invest in their own funds, have large chunks of their own money in DFA. If you want to invest like these giants, however, you may have to check one of your most cherished investment notions at the door. Unlike any other money management firm, DFA insists that each of its funds follow a strategy based on rigorous academic research. And for the past three decades that research has squarely challenged the industry's fundamental assumption--namely, that a stock picker, given enough smarts and enough research, can consistently beat the market. To the Uber-intellects at DFA, the genius stock picker is a myth. "I'd compare stock pickers to astrologers," says Fama. "But I don't want to bad-mouth the astrologers." Such talk may seem harsh in these stock-mad days--when top mutual fund managers are as celebrated as sports stars--but DFA has the numbers to back it up. Sinquefield and Booth will be happy to share the reams of academic research supporting the theory that stocks are, with a few exceptions, an efficient market, in which prices fairly reflect all available information and stock pickers can't really add much value. They can also point to the wildfire spread of indexing among professional and retail investors, an investment strategy they helped pioneer. Sinquefield and Booth might also bring up the success of their own firm. After being hooted at by Wall Street 20 years ago, the pair today manage $29 billion in 22 funds, making their firm the ninth-largest institutional fund manager in the country. The client list includes the pension funds of PepsiCo, BellSouth, and the state of California, and the endowment of Stanford University. The firm is also the most popular choice of the mutual fund industry's fastest-growing retail distribution channel, fee-only financial planners. (If you want to invest your own money in DFA funds, you'll need to go through one of them.) DFA collects fees averaging about a quarter of a percent on that asset base, for a gross of some $70 million a year. Which pretty much disposes of the notion that ivory-tower ideas never make you rich. If nothing else, DFA's success is a measure of how deeply the once thorny theories of academic finance have taken hold in mainstream investment practice. And that is due in no small part to the two founders' own tireless proselytizing. Sinquefield and Booth met in 1971 at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Booth, a Ph.D. candidate, was grading papers and advising students in Fama's finance course. Sinquefield, an MBA student, regularly bombarded Booth with doctorate-sized questions. Both were already ardent believers in the efficient-market hypothesis, a theory that Fama first espoused in his Ph.D. thesis in 1964 and elaborated on in subsequent articles and academic confabs. Booth, a blond, Midwestern computer jock, came across Fama's thesis as a master's candidate in computer sciences at the University of Kansas. Dazzled by Fama's intellectual footwork, he gave up his IBMs to move to Chicago and study under Fama. For Sinquefield, it was a case of one theology replacing another. Raised from age 7 in Saint Vincent's Catholic orphanage in St. Louis, he earned his keep there making beds and waiting on tables. He went on to study for the priesthood but left the seminary after three years. Sinquefield first encountered Fama's theories at the University of Chicago and, like Booth, had an epiphany. "It reminded me of studying Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas," he says. "The theories were so ordered and logical." The object of their devotion, Eugene Fama, is a blunt, brilliant rebel, the scion of a working-class Boston family, whose greatest love is upsetting the status quo. As restless physically as he is mentally, Fama is a fanatic tennis player and athlete who rises at dawn to work out in his basement to blaring Wagner operas. On visits to DFA's California headquarters, he wears a special beeper that goes off whenever the wind is right for windsurfing. Once alerted, the 59-year-old Fama packs up his sailboard and heads for the beach--or if he's stuck in a meeting, he exhorts the participants to hurry up. Although considered a front-runner for a Nobel, Fama refuses to shed his curmudgeonly ways, even to compete for the prize. When well-wishers gently suggested that he might help his chances by chatting up the Nobel committee, his response was pure Fama: "If they come over here, I'll chat, but I'm not dragging my behind over to Sweden." While other thinkers had long questioned whether stock prices were really predictable, Fama's work gave the efficient-market hypothesis its most rigorous intellectual grounding (as well as its name). Fama argued that the stock market is a matchless information-processing machine, whose participants collectively price shares correctly and instantaneously. Unlike the market portrayed in mutual fund advertisements and personal-finance magazines, it is not a place where the smartest managers outwit the less smart. Instead, the market is so full of well-trained, well-motivated investors avidly gathering information and acting on it that not even Nobel Prize winners can hope to beat it consistently. Sure, some managers will outpace the market for a few years, but it is impossible to prove that those runs are more than just sheer chance. The efficient-market theory still raises hackles on Wall Street, for obvious reasons. But in academia the debate is all but over, and among pension fund fiduciaries Fama's theories are now so accepted that an estimated 24% of the trillions of dollars in pension assets is invested in index funds. When Sinquefield and Booth joined the work force after leaving Chicago, however, the efficient market was a revolutionary idea. While working as a trust officer at American National Bank in Chicago, Sinquefield evaluated the bank's money managers and discovered just what Fama had predicted: Funds that actively pick large-company stocks collectively do no better than the S&P--worse, in fact, once you count their fees of 0.5 to 1.5 percentage points a year. Why not create a fund that simply tracked the index? asked Sinquefield. As long as fees were low, it would be all but certain of beating most professional stock pickers over time. The new concept was the ultimate hard sell. "You think John the Baptist had it tough!" recalls Sinquefield. But he finally persuaded New York Telephone to invest in an S&P 500 fund if American National started one. So in 1975 Sinquefield and American National launched the first index fund to mimic the S&P. (Or maybe the second--Wells Fargo, which came out with a similar fund at the same time, claims it got there first.) Meanwhile, at investment firm A.G. Becker in New York City, Booth was advising pension fund managers on where to put their money. He noticed that almost all the managers invested in big companies. Booth pleaded to start a small-cap index fund, but his colleagues guffawed at his presentation. "They were saying, 'Don't let the door hit you on the way out,' " recalls Booth. The next day Booth started DFA in his Brooklyn apartment, ripping out the sauna to put in a Quotron machine. As Booth began looking for clients, another of Fama's graduate students, Rolf Banz, was researching the performance of small stocks vs. large. Banz's research proved for the first time what most professional investors take for granted today: that small-cap stocks produce higher returns than big ones over long periods. The reasoning is pretty straightforward. Smaller companies are riskier than larger companies and have a higher cost of capital. No one would invest except in expectation of earning a commensurately higher return. Sinquefield, who had been following Banz's research, immediately proposed a small-cap index fund at American National. The bank nixed the idea. By coincidence, Booth called shortly afterward to say his fledgling firm was hatching a product just like the one Sinquefield's employer had deep-sixed. Sinquefield quit his job and joined Booth. DFA was in business. In keeping with Banz's research, the fund would own all the stocks that made up the smallest two deciles, measured by market capitalization, of the companies on the New York Stock Exchange. (The name, the 9-10 fund, derives from the two deciles.) True efficient-market believers, Sinquefield and Booth made no effort to sort the winners from the dogs among the fund's holdings. Thus, there would be no research department or celebrity money managers, and costs could be held to a modest half percentage point, a third of what the average small-cap fund charges today. The result was a fund with the efficiency of an S&P indexer but the promise of higher returns in the long run. One of DFA's first moves was to recruit Fama, Miller, Scholes, and Ibbotson as advisers. Fama was delighted with the idea of a fund based on his principles. "In class he kept telling us that the efficient-market theory was the most practical thing we'd ever learn," recalls Booth. "I think Rex and I were the only people who believed him." Over the years Wall Street firms, including Goldman Sachs, have tried to lure Fama away, but he always refused to leave his brainchild. At first things went splendidly. From July 1982 to mid-1983, DFA's small-cap fund gained nearly 100%, and pension funds rushed to sign up. Then Sinquefield and Booth experienced a corollary of Banz's research: When small stocks fall, they fall harder than big ones. From 1984 to 1990, small caps went through the worst seven years in their history, returning just 2.6% a year, vs. 14.7% for the S&P. "At least it discouraged the competition," muses Booth. What saved DFA during this period was that Sinquefield and Booth had not overpromised when selling the fund. They never told clients that small stocks would outpace big ones in any given period, even one lasting seven years. They did pledge that DFA would beat most competing small-cap funds, saddled as they were by high fees. And so it did: All small-cap funds underperformed the S&P, but DFA did better than most. Moreover, since the small-stock dry spell ended in late 1990, the 9-10 fund has waxed the S&P 500, the Russell 2000 small-stock index, and the average small-company mutual fund (see first graph). Then as now, DFA owed much of its outperformance to a fierce attention to costs. After all, in an efficient market, costs are the one thing you can control. In addition to charging low management fees, DFA gains on the competition by sharp trading. Part of its advantage is size: As the nation's largest market maker in small caps, DFA is the first stop for active managers desperate to buy or sell blocks of small stocks. Says Robert Deere, the head of trading: "We make it as painful for them as possible." While the 9-10 fund remained a moderate success, it took another breakthrough by Fama to really push DFA into the big time. The study, conducted with Kenneth French, then of Yale, confirmed Banz's small-stock effect but also showed convincingly that the lower the company's ratio of price to book value, the higher its subsequent stock performance tended to be. No other measures had nearly as much predictive power--not earnings growth, price/earnings, or volatility. While "value" managers such as Warren Buffett and Michael Price had long maintained that it was smarter to buy companies when they were out of favor--thus trading at low price-to-book ratios--Fama and French proved the point with statistical rigor. According to Fama and French's most recent data, downtrodden "value" stocks have outpaced high price-to-book growth stocks annually by an average of 15.5% to 11% over the past 34 years. What makes the numbers so dramatic is that growth stocks--the Coca-Colas and Gillettes--are inevitably the most highly regarded issues, with the most predictable earnings streams. The only problem is that you have to pay for that reliability. That leaves less room for future appreciation. Value stocks, by contrast, have low prices but big upside potential. They have to offer investors higher return to compensate for the extra risk of owning them, just as Kmart must offer higher rates to sell its bonds than Wal-Mart. In a way, the value effect is similar to the small-stock effect: Bigger risk pays off, in aggregate, with higher returns. In fact, small stocks that also trade at low price-to-book ratios provided the best results of all in Fama and French's study, returning an annual 20.2% over 70 years, eight points more than big growth stocks. DFA was quick to launch a small- and a large-cap value fund based on Fama and French's research. The funds buy only stocks that fall into low price-to-book deciles, and they make no attempt to distinguish "better" value stocks from worse ones. Partly on the strength of Fama's research, the two funds have proved enormously popular and now contain some $8 billion. One believer is Robert Boldt of Calpers, which invests $1.7 billion with DFA. "I'm convinced the value effect is real," says Boldt. "You have to expect higher returns for investing in beaten-down companies." With a certain amount of academic prudence, the DFA sages are careful to warn that their research is no substitute for a balanced investment plan. They don't, for example, recommend that you invest only in small-cap and value stocks; the two strategies sometimes badly underperform. For stability, they recommend holding about 45% of your equities in an S&P index fund. None of that diminishes their evangelical--some would say arrogant--attachment to their strategies. The zealots at DFA believe that their methods have not only the weight of evidence behind them but also the force of history. "Today the only people who don't think markets work are the North Koreans, the Cubans, and the stock pickers," says Sinquefield. Who could argue, given all the brainpower at DFA? Still, hope springs eternal in investors' hearts. The temptation to try to pick the next Microsoft or Peter Lynch is--let's face it--pretty hard to overcome. And besides, at least one DFA giant thinks it's okay to indulge such guilty pleasures as long as you recognize them for what they are. "I choose a few stocks myself," says Nobel laureate Merton Miller. "But I do it strictly for entertainment." |

subset: commoncrawl


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According to a new report, Slade Smiley, boyfriend/rumored fiance of Gretchen Rossi, is still owing loads of child support while also driving on a suspended license.
A new report by MostWantedDeadBeats website via the OC Register states that Slade, 42, is now owing $138,850 in child support debts, a rapid increase from the previous amount of $84,962, due to interest owed on arrears in addition to the piling unpaid support.
Slade, an extra on the Real Housewives of Orange County, was scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom yesterday to address the payments owed to his ex-girlfriend and mother of his son Grayson Smiley, Michelle Arroyo. It is however uncertain if the hearing took place as Michelle notified the courts that Grayson was sick and in the hospital. Grayson suffers from a rare form of brain cancer.
It gets even worse as court documents show Slade's driver's license was suspended on Jan. 8 due to the delinquent child support.
This however hasn't prevented Slade from driving as the OC Register notes he has been spotted driving around Costa Mesa, where he lives with Gretchen, in a powder-blue Mercedes Benz and a black Range Rover.
A judge also recently ordered Slade to seek work outside of the entertainment/TV industry due to his claims that he has been unable to earn money through those ventures for extended periods of time. Though it seems Slade has yet to find a job as of today.
It was reported Slade admitted in court last May that he had received some payments for his appearance on the OC Housewives, but had the funds paid to Gretchen and then re-directed to him to avoid mandatory deductions.
Gretchen sure knows how to pick them.
In other OC news, it seems OC wild teens Raquel and Alexa Curtin have yet to curb their crazy ways. Months ago, theDirty website posted some risque photos of Lynn Curtin's daughters, while also reporting the underage girls are always drinking and are heavy into the rave scene. Which brings us to a very important question – Raves still exist?
Other readers allege the girls are also into drugs. Some of the photos are posted below but these aren't leaked photos as Raquel's myspace page proudly displays one of the pics as her profile photo. As we have reported, Lynn is no longer a cast member on the upcoming season of the OC Housewives, set to premiere Mar. 6.


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Simply stunning. These beautiful country cowgirl boots make your outfit shine with their artistic floral details and pops of turquoise color. The 12-inch shafts are designed with stunning rose inlays in a vibrant turquoise hue. The turquoise accents pop off the dark brown shafts, which are further embellished with floral embroidery. The look is fresh, stylish and unique, perfect for women whose fashion tastes gravitate away from ordinary.
More than just fashionable, these boots are incredibly comfortable to wear. Shock-absorbing leather soles, smooth leather lining and cushioned insoles all combine to provide lasting comfort for your feet all day or all night. Wear them to work, wear them out, or even wear them with a wedding dress. Crafted by hand and offered by the experts at Soto Boots, these country cowgirl boots are built to last and leave a lasting impression wherever you wear them.
Turquoise Cowgirl Boot Features
- 12" shaft height
- 2" heel height
- Mid Heel
- Turquoise floral inlays
- Rose inlays
- Floral embroidery
- Snip Toe
- Genuine leather throughout
- Distressed appearance
- Comfortable leather lining
- Dual pull tabs for easy on and off
- Leather soles
- Cushioned insole
- Handmade
Genuine leather throughout


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Eid Mubarak Gold Foiled Greeting Card in Chocolate Ombré - RC 16
An elegant Eid Mubarak card from our luxurious "Rose & Co" collection. Sharp and contemporary in chocolate along with a flash of gold further enhanced with gold foiled Arabic motif & lettering. Wish someone dear a happy and blessed Eid with this truly graceful Eid Mubarak card. Blank inside for your own personal message and printed on premium quality FSC approved linen embossed board.
- Eid Mubarak (Arabic & English) - Ombré Chocolate
- Simple, elegant and luxuriously hot foiled on to a textured linen card
- 155mm Square
- Blank Inside
- Complete with envelope and cello wrapped
- FSC approved - premium quality textured board from responsible sources
- Made in Great Britain
Product code: RC 16
Copyright © All rights reserved.
* Any photographic props pictured are solely for illustrative purposes and not included *


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OLSON-HORIBA INCORPORATED (USA) is established, marking the start of overseas business.
Shares are listed on the Osaka securities and Kyoto stock exchanges.
Subsidiaries are established in the United States and Europe.
Standard Technology Inc. is established. (presently HORIBA STEC Co., Ltd)
Environmental Protection Agency (USA) adopts MEXA.
COS Co., Ltd. is established (presently HORIBA Advanced Techno).
HORIBA develops Japan's first energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer.
The corporate motto becomes "Joy & Fun."
The employee welfare company HORIBA COMMUNITY CORPORATION is established.


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1666 Newbridge Road, Bellmore, NY 11710
Your law firm deals with liability everyday as part of its business but have you taken care of the liability in your business? A lawyers professional liability policy can give you the peace of mind that your firm can survive a lawsuit arising from a liability claim.
It may seem ironic to some, but as an owner or partner in a law firm you know all too well that malpractice claims against attorneys are on the rise.
Almost any business aspect of a law firm can be challenged in court and a strong lawyers professional liability policy can keep you and your partners on task, knowing that you protected.
Costs are always a concern in a law partnership but lawyers professional liability insurance is some of the least expensive coverage available.
Lawyers professional liability insurance is designed to keep law firms functioning and covered during lawsuits aimed at the firm.
Here are two reasons to get started right now!


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Noise analysis and inverted soundwave emitted by DSP within 0.002 second
Image Attribute: Road Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system can analyze various types of noise in real-time and produce inverted soundwaves. / Source: Hyundai Motor Group
November 11, 2019 (Seoul) - Hyundai Motor Group today announced the development of the world's first Road Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system. The first-ever system dramatically reduces noise within the cabin of a vehicle.
RANC builds on the Group's current Active Noise Control (ANC) technology, which actively reduces noise by emitting soundwaves inverted to incoming noise. ANC is a software-driven technology that analyses the in-cabin sound to decrease engine and road noise, versus than the passive method of blocking noise through sound insulation.
The existing noise insulation method involved sound insulations and dynamic dampers, which not only increased weight but also failed to block the buzzing infrasound completely. In contrast, ANC utilizes much lighter parts like microphones and controllers to control the noise and reduces infrasound more efficiently. The technology is already available in some Hyundai Motor Group vehicles.
However, due to the limitations of noise measurement and analysis technology, the existing ANC was only able to be utilized when noise was constant and the occurrence of the noise predictable. The Group's current ANC technology has been most commonly used to counteract constant engine noise. Given that it only takes about 0.009 second for road or engine noise to reach the passenger, the current technology was limited.
With the first-ever RANC technology, Hyundai Motor Group is able to greatly improve in-cabin quietness. The new system can analyze various types of noise in real-time and produce inverted soundwaves. For example, there are different types of road noises that the new technology can process, such as resonant sounds created between tires and wheels or rumble sounds coming up from the road.
The working principle of RANC is as follows: Using an acceleration sensor, RANC calculates the vibration from the road to the car and the control computer analyzes road noise. As its computation and signal transfer speeds are optimized, it only takes 0.002 second to analyze the noise and produce an inverted soundwave, generated by the DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The microphone constantly monitors the road noise cancelation status and sends the information to the DSP. RANC is able to conduct accurate noise analysis and rapid computation to combat road noise for the driver's seat, the passenger seat and rear seats separately.
Based on tests evaluating road surface, vehicle speed, and different seating positions, RANC was able to reduce in-cabin noise by 3dB. That 3dB level is roughly half the noise level as compared without RANC. Thanks to this achievement, the Group can potentially decrease the amount of unsprung weight in a vehicle, utilizing fewer sound-insulating parts and dampers as compared with before.
Hyundai Motor Group went through six years of research and development for the mass production of RANC. Especially, the pre-production phase involved an open innovation between industry and academia, with participation by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, WeAcom, ARE, BurnYoung and more. Furthermore, the mass production phase was carried out with a global car audio company, Harman to increase the degree of competition.
Hyundai Motor Group has completed domestic and American patent application about the location of sensors and signal selection method, the core technology of RANC.
Looking to the future, in-cabin quietness becomes more important as internal combustion vehicles are phased out. Vehicle interior noise primarily comes from three sources: vehicle powertrain noise, road noise, and wind noise. There is almost no powertrain noise from electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, so quelling road and wind noise becomes even more imperative. Utilizing RANC can significantly reduce road noise and create a serene cabin for future electric and fuel cell electric vehicles.
"RANC is a remarkable technology which takes existing NVH technology to the next level," said Gangdeok Lee, a Research Fellow of NVH Research Lab, "We will continue to take the leading position of NVH technology and deliver the highest level of quietness to customers."
The technology will begin to be applied to an upcoming Genesis model.


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Writing Concurrent Systems, Part 2: Lockless Data Structures
When you start making a sequential system support concurrency, the easiest approach is to protect individual parts of it with locks. This design works, but it doesn't always provide the best solution. Locking is relatively expensive and can limit scalability, as I described in part 1 of this series.
In this article, the second in the series, we're going to take a look at some lockless data structures. These structures allow concurrent access, without the need for explicit locking, and can be significantly faster.
The Building Blocks
Lockless algorithms depend on the existence of a small number of atomic operations and on memory ordering. The key idea behind any lockless operation is that you can do it several times concurrently, as long as you do everything in the right order.
This requirement makes x86 a good platform, for once. The x86 architecture is strongly ordered, meaning that memory accesses happen in the order in which they appear in the instruction stream. A lot of other architectures are not so ordered. The CPU is free to reorder instructions, so you need to insert explicit memory barriers to prevent reordering.
At a minimum, lockless algorithms require an atomic compare-and-exchange instruction. We used one form of the GCC intrinsic for this instruction in part 1 to implement a spinlock. The instruction is quite simple. You can think of this intrinsic as being implemented like this:
type __sync_val_compare_and_swap (type *ptr, type oldval type newval) { if (*ptr == oldval) { *ptr = newval; return oldval; } return *ptr; }
Unlike this function, the intrinsic operates atomically with respect to other memory accesses. In a single-processor x86 system, it's a single instruction, so it can't be preempted. In a multicore system, the instruction will lock the cache line containing *ptr, preventing it from being modified by other cores until the instruction completes.
On RISC architectures, it's common to implement this intrinsic as a short sequence of instructions using a reservation mechanism. For example, PowerPC provides two instructions:
- lwarx loads a word and sets the reservation bit on a region of memory. The region depends on the implementationpossibly the word, probably the cache line, maybe the page.
- stwcx performs a store that succeeds only if the reservation bit for that memory index is still set. Any other write to that area of memory, by any processor, will clear the reservation bit.
You can build any single-word atomic operations from this pair of instructions simply by loading the value, doing something to it, conditionally storing it, and trying again if the conditional store failed.


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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Trusted by the pros, tough and yet relatively light, the EOS 5D Mark IV is ideal for stills or video – making it great for reportage. "My all-time favourite camera. It can do everything. I use it all the time, both for still and video stories," says Magnus.


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We've been asked what seems a thousand times this week "Does BitScope Micro work with Raspberry Pi 2?".
The answer is an unequivocal yes !
Thanks to our friends at element14 we managed to get our hands on the brand new Raspberry Pi within 24 hours of its release so we set about bootstrapping it to see if it works with BitScope Micro. The result is this screencast which Bruce posted today which shows just how easy it is to get started with this brand new Pi.
It's a brilliant upgrade to a fantastic little computer and bootstrapping it could not be easier. Bruce also shows how easy it is to get BitScope Micro connected and up and running using existing BitScope software (built for the older models) on the new Pi. The most impressive thing about it is that everything just works !
As we said in our previous post, we will test the performance of the new Pi and compare it with the earlier models as soon as we can but from what we've learned today, Eben's performance claims look like they're right on the money as far as BitScope is concerned. We'll run up the BitScope Display diagnostic tool and we'll rebuild our code for ARMv7 to see if we can extract even more performance from this little beast but for now, we're blown away with what James and the guys at Broadcom and Raspberry Pi have achieved in terms of performance and compatibility with this new Pi!
Copyright © 2023 BitScope Designs


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A man berated employees and customers for speaking Spanish in a New York restaurant, describing them as undocumented and threatening to call immigration officials in a rant captured on video.
The incident happened Tuesday at a Fresh Kitchen in Manhattan, according to Edward Suazo, who posted a video of the encounter on Facebook, saying his wife and her friend were the target of the man's anger.
The video starts with a man in a white collared shirt confronting employees and customers in the restaurant.
"Your staff is speaking Spanish to customers when they should be speaking English," the man says, holding a white iPhone and pointing at the Spanish speakers for emphasis.
"Every person I listen to: He spoke it, he spoke it, she's speaking it. This is America!" he says.
Someone in the background interrupts him and calls him ignorant. Others hurl expletives at him.
"Yeah, this is America. So ignorant," another person tells him as laughter breaks out.
Bystanders act
The man continues to express his displeasure to an employee and threatens to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
"My guess is they're not documented. So my next call is to ICE to have each one of them kicked out of my country," he says.
"If they have the balls to come here and live off my money, I pay for their welfare. I pay for their ability to be here. The least they can do ... is speak English."
He then tells the employee, "If you intend on running a place in Midtown Manhattan, your staff should speak English. Not Spanish."
A woman tries to engage the man just before he walks out. He turns around and says, "Honey, I'm calling ICE."
"Call ICE!" the woman shoots back. Before leaving, he tells the woman, "Maybe you shouldn't eat that sandwich, take a break from the food."
The woman yells back, "Maybe you should get hit by a car," as the man storms out of the restaurant.
A woman who did not want to be identified told CNN affiliate PIX11 News that she's the one challenging the man in the video. She said she called police to report a public disturbance, but the man had left.
'What a big man'
In a Facebook post, Suazo said his wife and her best friend were talking to a waiter in Spanish when the man butted in and angrily demanded that they speak English.
"What a big man talking down to couple of women and a helpless employee," he posted. "I wish someone tells me I can't speak in my native language! First of all they (weren't) talking to you."
CNN has reached out to Suazo to get more details. His video had been viewed 4.4 million times by early Thursday, with some identifying the man as a lawyer with an office near the restaurant.
CNN has called and left messages at the law office the man apparently owns but has not heard back. After the incident, people inundated the law firm's social media accounts with messages. Local tabloid New York Daily News featured an image of the man on its front page of Thursday's edition.
In an email, Fresh Kitchen said the store is a public area for breakfast and lunch and welcomes everyone from all types of cultures.
Everyone has a mind of his own, the company said, "But in (a) public area, disturbing others or making (a) comment like that is not right at all."
In what appeared to be a reference to the incident, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted that the city's strength was its diversity.
"It's what makes this city great. The 8.6 million people who call this city home speak more than 200 languages -- they're all New Yorkers and they're all welcome here," de Blasio said Wednesday.


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Since taking over Twitter, the world's second-richest person Elon Musk has struggled to sell subscriptions. Musk took over Twitter in October, but subscriptions have been slow. He promised to revamp the company's subscription revenue strategy. In 2021, Twitter Blue was introduced, but at $3 per month and with limited features, it didn't make a significant dent in the revenue of the largely advertising-supported website.
It doesn't seem like Musk's most recent model is doing well either. Musk barely added any features to Twitter Blue beyond selling blue check marks. Yet Musk settled on a significantly higher price point for Twitter's premium service based on public talks with novelist Stephen King. Musk's pricey paid subscription model isn't popular with Twitter users.
Based on Musk's revised model, Twitter has added $27.8 million in increased annual subscription revenue. Musk won't have enough money to keep Twitter running or even to pay the interest on his loans. To buy Twitter, Musk needed $12.5 billion in loans. Even Musk, the world's second richest person, couldn't buy Twitter outright for $44 billion without $12.5 billion in outside financing. To finance his debt, Musk will need to pay about $1 billion annually. That'll require a lot more Twitter Blue sign-ups.
$27.8 million in new subscription revenue is less than 3% of what he owes in interest. According to Quartz's back-of-the-napkin math, Musk needs to sell 10.4 million subscriptions to cover that $1 billion. He's short of 10.1 million subscriptions. Musk cut Twitter's costs by laying off (or inspiring) most of its staff. According to CNBC, only 1,300 employees remain out of 7,500. His lax content moderation policies have also scared off advertisers.
Advertisers were already cutting back on their spending when this revenue loss occurred. So far, Musk hasn't replaced that lost ad revenue with subscriptions. In order for Musk to make Twitter profitable long-term, and recoup the investment, he will need to convince 10 million more people-about 4% of Twitter's 238 million monthly users.


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Best Cheap Health Insurance In Rhode Island For Individuals And Families (Rates from $413/month!)
Regardless of whether you are part of the 4% of Rhode Island residents who don't have health insurance or not, I am sure you can agree that finding cheap health insurance in Rhode Island can be complicated.
But, it doesn't have to be, we have taken some complicated concepts and broken them down in "plain English".
This blog post will cover the average cost of health insurance in RI and how it's broken down into tiers.
We will also list the most affordable health insurance companies in Rhode Island so you can get health insurance family plans and find the best coverage for your needs and budget!
More Of The Best And Cheapest Health Insurance Companies In Rhode Island:
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How Much Does Health Insurance In Rhode Island Cost Per Month?
The average cost of individual health insurance in Rhode Island is $413 per month or $4,956 per year for an adult in their 40s. However, this cost will change significantly depending on the metal tier of coverage you select and your age. Like most insurance products, the older you are when you take out the policy, the more expensive it will be.
What Factors Influence The Cost Of Rhode Island Individual Health Insurance?
Under the new health care law, insurance companies are only allowed to consider five factors when determining rates: for Rhode Island residents, your location, age, tobacco use, plan type, and whether the policy covers dependents.
Where You Live – Yes, health insurance premiums vary from one state to the next and even neighborhood to neighborhood. The cost of living and the typical wage are two elements that influence how much you will pay for a health plan.
Your Age – Your age will impact your premiums, just like most insurance. When you get health insurance, the younger you are, the lower your rates will be.
Tobacco Use – The use of tobacco is very likely the one thing on this list that will cause you to pay more for insurance. Regarding health insurance, premiums can rise by upwards of 60% per month.
Individual vs. Family enrollment – A health insurance plan that covers you and your spouse and any dependents may cost more than one that only covers you. So, if you're purchasing coverage for yourself alone, it will be less expensive than buying a family policy. However, some inexpensive family health insurance plans are still available in Rhode Island.
Plan Category (Deductible, Co-Insurance, Prescriptions & Other Plan Benefits) – There are five plan categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Catastrophic. These metal tiers are based on how you and the insurance company share expenses. Bronze plans are generally less expensive, while out-of-pocket expenditures are higher when it comes to monthly premiums. Platinum plans have the highest premiums and lowest out-of-pocket expenses.
States can restrict how much these elements influence premiums; however, the essential health benefits have to be the same in all Marketplace health plans. Insurance companies may add extra benefits, which might affect costs.
What Factors Can't Affect Health Insurance Premiums?
Insurers may not charge women and men different rates for the same policy. When determining prices, they cannot consider your present health status or past medical history. All health plans must cover treatment for pre-existing conditions from the day coverage begins.
Health Insurance Rate Changes In Rhode Island (2021 vs. 2022)
Health insurance costs, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums are updated yearly by health insurance carriers. The plans are then submitted to the federal exchange for approval for the following plan year. From 2021 to 2022, health insurance premiums in Rhode Island rose an average of -2.13%.
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Is Health Insurance Required By Law In Rhode Island?
Technically, the Affordable Care Act – or Obamacare – still states that everyone must have health insurance. However, the federal tax penalty for not having health insurance was eliminated in 2019. So, on your federal taxes, you'll need to indicate whether or not you had coverage.
Will I Be Penalized If I Don't Have Health Insurance?
You won't be fined by the IRS for not having health coverage in 2022—but there are several disadvantages to being uninsured. The tax penalty under Obamacare vanished in 2019, so if you don't have health insurance, you won't be penalized.
However, some states have passed their own health insurance requirements, resulting in a state-level tax fine if you go without coverage.
Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, California, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C are among the states that have enacted their own health insurance rules.
What Type Of Health Insurance Marketplace Does Rhode Island Have?
Rhode Island uses the HealthSource RI marketplace, so individuals and families who need to buy their own health coverage can go online to enroll. Like the Rhode Island health insurance marketplace, regardless of the state you live in, there is some sort of Marketplace for you to buy coverage.
When Is The Open Enrollment Period For Obamacare?
Rhode Island's health insurance marketplace has an open enrollment period that generally runs fromNovember 1st to December 15th of each year. This is when enrollees may join a new plan or modify their existing coverage.
When Does The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) For Rhode Island Health Insurance Start In 2022?
Unfortunately, Open Enrollment for the ACA Marketplace ended on January 15, 2022. This implies you'll have to qualify for the special enrollment period or purchase short-term health insurance if you want coverage right now.
What Are The Rhode Island Open Enrollment Dates For Health Insurance In 2023?
Open Enrollment begins on Thursday, December 15th, 2022. Open Enrollment will end on Sunday, January 1st, 2023, when any plans purchased during Open Enrollment will begin.
Types of Affordable Health Insurance Plans In Rhode Island?
There are five distinct kinds of health insurance to select from, including HMOs, PPOs, POS plans, EPO plans, and HSA plans.
A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is one of the major medical plans that limit your access to specialists to local hospitals and frequently necessitates the use of a referral. If you have an HMO plan, make sure you stay in-network, which may cost you money.
A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is a health plan that allows you to utilize any doctor, hospital, or treatment facility. You'll pay less if you use "in-network" physicians, however. Because of their size, these networks provide an extensive choice of doctors.
A Point of Service Plan (POS) has a smaller network than a PPO plan, and its costs for in-network care are often lower (like the cost of an HMO.) You must pick a primary care physician and any other provider from the network of doctors. You also need to obtain a referral to see a specialist.
An EPO, or Exclusive Provider Organization, will only pay if you go to an in-network doctor. You don't need a referral to see a specialist; however, if you visit a non-network doctor, you will be responsible for the total cost. Depending on the company, this plan may or may not require you to pick a primary care physician.
An HSA, often known as a Health Savings Account, is a kind of insurance that allows you to pay for medical expenses using pre-tax money. The account is held and controlled by the individual, allowing it to pay for current and future health care expenditures.
What Are The Different Health Insurance Tiers In Rhode Island?
According to the Affordable Care Act, there are now, also, five tiers of health insurance in Rhode Island. These tiers are catastrophic, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. The more valuable the metal, the greater the coverage's benefits and cost. We have listed them below with a brief description of each plan:
Catastrophic Plans
Catastrophic plans will typically have the lowest monthly premiums compared to the other metal tiers. To be eligible for a Catastrophic plan, you must be under the age of 30 or qualify for a "hardship exemption" A Catastrophic Plan must satisfy similar Qualified Health Plan (QHP) criteria and usually doesn't cover any other services than three primary care visits each year.
Bronze Plans
Deductibles for Bronze plans (the amount of medical expenses you pay yourself before your insurance plan starts to reimburse you) can be thousands of dollars a year. It's a decent alternative if you want a low-cost option for protecting yourself against severe sickness or injury. Your monthly payment will be modest, but you'll have to pay for most routine care alone.
Silver Plan
The Silver plan's monthly premium is reasonable, and the expenses incurred when you need care are moderate. Deductibles on the Silver plan are usually smaller than those on the Bronze plan. If you qualify for "additional savings," or if you're willing to pay a little more each month in premiums to have more of your routine care covered, the Silver plan is an excellent choice.
Platinum Plan
The Platinum plan will have the highest monthly premium and lowest cost when seeking treatment. Your deductible is relatively low, which means your policy kicks in sooner than other categories of plans. It's a great choice if you require a lot of care. However, you should be are prepared to pay a significant monthly premium.
Gold Plan
The gold plan will have a high monthly premium, but Low costs when you need care, and the deductibles are usually low. It's a good choice if you're willing to pay more each month to cover more costs when you get medical treatment. If you use a lot of care, a Gold plan could be a good value.
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What Does Health Insurance Cover In RI?
Most hospital and doctor visits, mental health services, preventative care, prescriptions, and medical devices are covered by your health insurance. Each of these items is addressed in your policy under various sections that we go through below:
Your deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in (co-insurance). Deductibles can range from $0 to $10,000 per year, and the smaller the deductible, the higher the monthly premium.
Your co-insurance will come into play to help you cover medical expenditures when your annual deductible has been exhausted. Typically, this is expressed as 80/20 or 70/30. The insurance company pays the first amount (80%), while you pay the second (20%).
A co-pay is the amount you will pay to see your doctor. They can differ depending on whether you are seeing your primary or specialist physician. This amount is not covered by your co-insurance and must be paid individually on each visit.
Out Of Pocket Maximum
An out-of-pocket annual maximum will be included in each plan. This is the most you can spend out of your pocket in a year without going completely uninsured. These amounts are determined by your deductible, co-insurance, and prescription costs.
Prescription Drugs
Prescription medicines are covered based on formulary tiers. Formularies come in multiple levels, such as Tier 1, Tier 2, and so forth. The price of prescription medicine is determined by the tier. You may have an additional prescription drug deductible on top of your primary plan's deductible.
Preventative Care
Most policies include a free annual examination when you purchase them, and then a free check-up once per year. Some insurance businesses are placing more emphasis on preventative care in the early stages to help clients live longer.
What Does Health Insurance Not Cover In Rhode Island?
Cosmetic surgical treatments, fertility treatments, off-label therapies, and new technologies and goods are all excluded from health care coverage.
Because cosmetic operations and fertility treatments are typically considered elective by insurance companies.
And because prescribed medications are investigated and authorized for particular illnesses, if your condition isn't listed on the "label", your provider will not reimburse your prescription costs.
How To Get Rhode Island Health Insurance Quotes Online?
There is no reason to go without health insurance coverage in Rhode Island, especially when it's so easy to find a plan that suits your needs and budget!
The best approach to finding affordable health insurance rates in Rhode Island is to compare numerous quotes from multiple companies online.
All you have to do is click here or on one of the above buttons to get free private health insurance quotes. Best of all, you can get covered in less than ten minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Health Insurance Rhode Island
How much is health insurance a month for one person in Rhode Island?
The average cost of health insurance in Rhode Island is $413 per month or $4,956 per year for one person in their 40s. However, this cost will change significantly depending on the metal tier of coverage you select and your age.
Is there any free healthcare in Rhode Island?
Medicaid offers free and inexpensive healthcare to eligible people in Rhode Island. However, not everyone will qualify for Medicaid services, and many people do not know they are eligible. It is best to check with your state's Department of Health website to see if you qualify.
What is the cheapest health insurance plan in Rhode Island?
The cheapest health insurance plan in Rhode Island would be a catastrophic plan with a high deductible and high maximum out-of-pocket expenses. This policy does not cover preventive care or prescription drugs and is only meant for emergency situations.
Does Rhode Island have low-income health insurance?
Yes, Medicaid is a federal government-sponsored insurance program that provides medical coverage to low-income people and families. The cost of the Medicaid program is split between the state and federal governments.
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Rep. Scott Rigell: Maverick GOP freshman in the eye of a political storm
| Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Va.
When President Obama touches down in Virginia Beach, Va., Thursday morning, he'll be crossing electoral ground that is both well-traveled and crucial in the race for the White House.
When Mitt Romney unveiled his vice presidential nominee, he did so just down the road in Norfolk, Va., where Rep. Paul Ryan (R) of Wisconsin walked down the ramp of the USS Wisconsin at an early-morning rally last month. Mr. Obama, for his part, is making his fourth trip to the area since June – on a par with his campaign travel to traditional campaign hot spots such as Miami and Columbus, Ohio.
The Norfolk media market, home to freshman Rep. Scott Rigell (R), has seen more than 21,000 political ads between April and early September, according to an analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project, making it the seventh-hottest ad-buying destination for Obama and Mr. Romney in the entire country.
Amid the political cyclone of being in a battleground district of a battleground state in a close presidential election, Congressman Rigell is worth watching both for what he's tried to do during his first term in Congress and what he and several dozen like-minded colleagues might achieve in the future.
Elected on the tea party wave of 2010 that brought many hard-line conservatives to Washington, Rigell has proved to be distinctly undoctrinaire. He was one of only two House Republicans to vote against criminal impeachment charges for Attorney General Eric Holder and has renounced a pledge to never raise taxes that is nearly a writ of faith in the GOP. He has taken his own party to task in front of party leadership – among them fellow Virginian and House majority leader Eric Cantor – for a light congressional work schedule he criticizes as short-circuiting one of Congress's bottom-line responsibilities: passing the 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the government every year.
But just as important, he and some two dozen lawmakers in the House and Senate are also trying to make Congress work. Whether the "Fix Congress Now" caucus that Rigell co-founded can break the gridlock in Washington is still an open question.
It's not hard to build the case that Rigell is howling in the wilderness. He's a backbencher who has promised to serve no more than four terms in office. There's a shot that he could even be ousted by a talented challenger, venture capitalist-turned-education entrepreneur Paul Hirschbiel (D), before he reaches a sophomore term.
But from where Rigell sits, he sees no choice but to try.
Americans "know that our country is at great risk unless we find a way to find common ground in sound legislation that's actually enacted," Rigell says. "This paralysis we're in, this toxic mix of partisanship, no facts, weak ideas, is – the Republic can't stand this."
Before 2009, Rigell was a successful businessman with only a marginal interest in politics. He built his auto dealerships and real estate holdings in the Hampton Roads region into a small fortune. He's the 29th richest member of Congress, with a net worth of more than $10 million.
But fearing for a nation in dire fiscal straits, Rigell in 2010 threw himself into a crowded GOP primary in Virginia's Second Congressional District. Despite having donated money to then-candidate Barack Obama in 2008 – a move some thought would be a showstopper in a GOP Virginia primary – he won, riding the Republican wave (and a cool $2 million of his own funds) into the House over freshman Rep. Glenn Nye (D).
He hasn't been tapped as a rising star by the GOP's leadership and doesn't have any sweeping legislative achievements. He's a low-key member with a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, the political lifeblood of a member from a district studded with military installations, but he hasn't been at the forefront of Washington's most high-profile political fights.
But many who have met Rigell say he has a particular skill that many politicos claim to posses: He not only listens, but he actually hears what people say.
Quentin Kidd, a professor of politics at Christopher Newport University in Virginia Beach, sidled up to Rigell at a Boy Scout event and introduced himself as a new constituent. When Mr. Kidd mentioned where he lived, Rigell told him, " 'I need to get over there and learn the issues and meet people.' I appreciated that because a lot of people would act like they already knew a good part of the district.... I think that's his character," Kidd said.
And when what Rigell hears doesn't make sense, he goes after the facts.
Undecided on a politically explosive vote to hold Attorney General Holder in contempt of Congress, Rigell did something that's all but unheard of on Capitol Hill: He invited Democratic staff wonks to his office to argue their case. Pitch me, he said. In the end, Rigell was one of two Republicans to vote on June 29 against the criminal contempt charge, while voting with his GOP colleagues in favor of a civil contempt charge.
Rigell believes the attorney general should be replaced, as he made clear in a letter to constituents after the vote.
But "if Congress can obtain the documents through a civil contempt citation," Rigell wrote, "then why immediately choose the sanction of last resort: criminal contempt?"
That willingness to go his own way has won Rigell respect from his peers.
"I don't expect a freshman to expect to do all this and especially a freshman from Eric Cantor's own state," says Rep. Jim Cooper (D) of Tennessee. "He's extraordinarily brave to deviate an inch from party doctrine."
Facts, members of Congress like to say, are stubborn things. And American disdain for Congress is a fact. The legislative branch's approval rating verges on single digits. The 112th Congress is, statistically, the least-productive session since World War II. underperforming even the the infamous "do-nothing" Congress reviled by President Harry Truman.
About midway through his first term, Rigell noted that his were constituents expressing "fear, angst, and anger" about Congress. "And so I went, as best as I could tell, to the root of the problem," he said.
Rigell approached Representative Cooper with what one of the last Blue Dog Democrats described as a "very inquiring mind and a distressed conscience." After adding Rep. Reid Ribble (R) of Wisconsin and Rep. Kurt Schrader (D) of Oregon to the mix, the Fix Congress Now caucus was ready to roll. The caucus, now supported by some dozen members, has a single signature piece of legislation: no budget, no pay.
The concept is simple: If Congress fails to pass a budget and all 12 appropriations bills by Oct. 1 of each year, legislators go without pay until they've achieved passage of every bill. Lawmakers can't recoup lost pay, either.
The bill is far short of becoming law: It has at least 77 House co-sponsors. A Senate version is sponsored by several Republicans, including Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) of Tennessee, a pragmatic lawmaker who stepped down from his party's leadership last year to free himself for more bipartisan problem-solving.
The group also aims to "end careerism in public service by beginning the public discourse on term limits."
But at the urging of Rigell, the group also aims to make a few changes that don't require legislation by changing how members of Congress act. Rigell, for instance, always refers to the president as "President Obama," never as "Obama."
"This is foundational to me because we respect the office," Rigell says. "That basic civility in my view is part of a thread that holds us together, the glue that holds us together."
That also means he doesn't use the term "Obamacare" to refer to the president's signature health-care reform law. It's pejorative, he says, and doesn't respect the facts.
"If I'm trying to move someone in this direction, I want a debate on the president's health-care plan on the merits on the plan or the lack of merit of the plan. I don't want someone immediately thinking, incorrectly so, that it has something personal to do with the president," Rigell says, "because it doesn't."
Finally, Rigell's urges members to stop questioning the motives of those with whom they disagree.
Rigell believes Obama wakes up every morning wanting to put more Americans back to work, but the congressman does "question his wisdom, his judgment" on actually getting people employed.
"Eighteen thousand jobs are being held up by President Obama because he has a full moratorium on coastal Virginia energy," Rigell says, referring to drilling off the coast of his district, which runs from the Maryland to North Carolina borders. "I don't question that [Obama] desires to create jobs, but I do strongly object to and wish he would pivot off of this."
Removing the rhetorical brass knuckles has political costs, however. Among the most conservative partisans, "If you start speaking this way, their antennas go up and they're, like, 'Wait, are you really conservative? Because you're not using the term Obamacare.' I say, look, civility is not weakness," Rigell says. "My voting record reflects this."
Two votes highlight the tight line Rigell is trying to walk in the current Congress. The first is his approval of the House budget championed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan – a budget Democrats lambast as slashing spending for the neediest with no corresponding hit to the wealthy or the Pentagon.
The second is his vote for a budget offered by the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), featuring more draconian spending cuts than Ryan's plan.
How can someone espousing civility and fixing Congress vote for something so divisive? America's financial situation, Rigell says, requires it.
"I would submit as an entrepreneur that the very act of reconciling revenues and expenses is in and of itself an act of job creation," Rigell says. He's proud that his party had "the courage to grab the third rail of politics," Rigell says, referring to the Ryan budget's bid to reform entitlement programs like Medicare. It irks him that Democrats opted to use Medicare as an election issue rather than trying to shore up its long-term finances.
He voted against a bipartisan debt-reduction plan, based on the recommendations of president's debt commission, because it lacked entitlement reform.
But there's yet another layer to the budget story. Rigell is the only member of Congress to have taken billionaire business magnate Warren Buffett up on his offer to match any donation to reduce the federal debt (He gave 15 percent of his salary in both 2011 and 2012 to the cause.)
When the legendary investor invited Rigell to his Omaha, Neb., offices for a talk in January, the two agreed that the federal government could balance its finances at spending and revenues of about 20 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Mr. Buffett was a bit higher; Rigell, a little lower, but "as a businessman, I thought, wait a minute, we've got common ground there," Rigell says.
The problem is that the government currently collects under 17 percent of GDP in taxes, he says. And getting from there to 20 percent puts Rigell under the wheels of another big man in the politics of taxing and spending: Americans for Tax Reform president Grover Norquist.
Mr. Norquist's Taxpayer Protection Pledge is famous in Washington for holding at least 90 percent of congressional Republicans (and a handful of Democrats, besides) to a pledge to never raise taxes. Rigell, who signed the pledge when running for office in 2009, now disavows it. He turned on the pledge after realizing that closing tax expenditures (or tax breaks) without corresponding decreases in government spending counted as violating the pledge.
"The agreement itself, with some degree of irony, prevents the very meaningful tax reform that we all seek," Rigell says. In fact, about half of the candidates in the House GOP's "Young Guns" program, which helps promising newcomers, have eschewed the pledge.
Some voters applaud this stand for conservative budget positions, while not drawing a red line on taxes. "I do think he can serve as a model," says Pat Kelly, an engineer in Norfolk who plans to vote for Rigell. "Getting something done is better than getting nothing done."
Democrats, however, say that Rigell's talk of civility and bipartisanship is just talk.
"There's nothing in the vote record that says 'moderate,' " says Jesse Ferguson, communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has targeted Rigell for an upset.
Challenger Hirschbiel, a long-time friend of Virginia's perennially popular Sen. Mark Warner (D), says he was drawn into the race because of his belief in the power of investment in fields like education, infrastructure, and research and development, slated for sharp cuts under the Ryan or RSC plans.
"It's not just that they [the House] were getting nothing done because of partisanship," Mr. Hirschbiel says. "It's also because what the House was doing. The Ryan budget, I believe, is antithetical to the future of America – at least a strong economic future, particularly on education."
Whether Virginia's second district sends Rigell back for a second term will depend on factors such as fundraising and voter turnout. Hirschbiel, particularly, needs the Obama campaign's efforts to drive voters to the polls, Professor Kidd says.
The race could also come down to who can win the sweat equity battle of old-fashioned, grip-and-grin politics. That's where Rigell shines.
"Scott is also as good a retail politician as I've ever known," says Joel Rubin, a political analyst in the Tidewater area with deep ties to Democrats. "He came out of the car business, where you've got to make relationships with customers and treat everybody like your friend."
In a July town hall meeting in Norfolk, Navy veteran Mark Stets, whose son was killed in Pakistan, unloaded on three high-profile GOP senators over Washington's failure to head off military spending cuts at year's end.
"My son didn't die for the crap that you people are doing in D.C.," he said. "Do you understand me?" The senators winced. But he offered a much different view of his freshman congressman, sitting nearby.
"He sells cars and cars are full of plastic these days," he said. But, pointing toward Rigell, he added: "There is no plastic on that man."


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FREE Connecticut DMV Practical Test Page 2 of 3
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Each practise test question has a hint and explanation to assist you in remembering the concepts. The written component of the official DMV test will include questions about road rules, traffic signs, and driving statutes, as well as information from the Driver Handbook.
To achieve the required passing grade, you must correctly answer 20 of the 25 questions. Take our DMV practise exam to help you prepare for your Connecticut instruction permit or driver's licence.
The DMV exam is available in several languages.
Using any form of testing help will result in an automatic fail, and the DMV may take further action against your driver's licence, so avoid it.


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Defend your castle against unimaginable dark forces trying to breach its mighty walls. Pick one of three kingdoms' bow shooter heroes out in this super addictive and action-packed bow shooting game. Bois d'Arc has already been played by millions online and now we bring you the full mobile version! Choose your hero and take the forces of evil head on!
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Monday, April 30
Keeping it Simple!
I had a fabulous day demoing at Coleman's yesterday ... it was great to be working with the lovely Karen again and all the staff were so friendly and eager to help ... LOVED it! And talk about a LOT of people ... oh my goodness ... great to see lots of faces ... old and new! A BIG Thank you to everyone from me!
Well ... tis Monday ... so a new theme at Simon Says Stamp and Show ... and this week is all about colour! I had a play with some Faber-Castell products ... which were so simple to use ... great on textured surfaces too ... and I added water with my new big fat and chunky Ranger Water Brush ... LOVE that too! As always the super wonderful people at Simon Says Stamp have donated another $50 Shopping Spree for us to give to a lucky random person ... so do join in!
The stamps used are THE Wendy Vecchi Botanical Art and the flowers are Lord Tim of Holtz Tattered Florals ... you know Tim ... the man that designed every flower known to the most expert of experts while making a scale model of the new Olympic Stadium on the top of a pin head with just a Distress Marker Pen and a swoosh of Distress Stain.
I must away ... My half hour is up ...
Have a great week y'all!
16 comments:
- Lisa said...
Wow... It's very beautiful. Love love love it!
Lisa - 30 April, 2012
- jill said...
Lovely & bright just what we need to cheer us all up after a wet weekend.
Pleased that you had a great time at Colemans & thank you for your help & answering my questions .Happy Crafting - 30 April, 2012
- Helen said...
Love this bright canvas, it looks stunning.
- 30 April, 2012
- Sid said...
Lovely piece of art Linda !
- 30 April, 2012
- craftimamma said...
Ah, lovely and it's brought the real sunshine with it! Not surprised there were lots of people to see your demos. If you were anywhere near me I'd be there like a shot.
Lesley Xx - 30 April, 2012
- Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...
Lovely blend of colours to your background Linda and I love the text. Gorgeous flowers which work perfectly with the background. Love it. Tracy x
- 30 April, 2012
- TAM said...
Fabulous piece of artwork - just what we need on a Monday morning (especially after the miserable wet weekend we've had).
Was lovely to see you at Colemans on Saturday and I'm hoping you will be there again - your demos were brilliant.
Trudi - 30 April, 2012
- Candy C said...
Linda, your piece is so cheery! I love the bright yellow-ish background of your piece with the splashes of orange. Your flowers with the snap centers are adorable and perfect against the background. Do I detect Dyan's spider slithering down a thin sting of webbing? :) It's just a darling piece! <3 Candy
- 30 April, 2012
- Shazza said...
love the colours of this Linda, tis fab!
x - 30 April, 2012
- Julia Dunnit said...
Pretty...lovely cheerful colour. Spider doesn't scare me.
- 30 April, 2012
- Marjie Kemper said...
Love it! Gorgeous colors and how cool to leave the flowers w/o color... fab contrast!
- 01 May, 2012
- email: firstname.lastname@example.com said...
Another fantastic piece, Linda! The flowers really POP against this gorgeous and golden yellow!
Simon Says Stamp! - 02 May, 2012
- Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...
Fab canvas? Linda, love the colours you've used on previous 2 posted artworks - yummy :-)
Anne x - 04 May, 2012
- Jacquie Parry said...
I love the colours on this piece the perfect antedote to the weather we have had lately,
The flowers are brilliant as weel
Jacquie x - 04 May, 2012
- Rosie said...
You always make pieces with such vivid, intense colours - love it. And you've reminded me that I've got some of that German text paper somewhere .....
- 06 May, 2012
- Georgie Horn said...
this card is great!
- 13 May, 2012


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This image is of the original artwork titled:
Willow Creek
Created at Woven Tree Studios / Hang-Ups Studios. The original fiber sculptures are hand woven from natural, undyed wool. By utilizing natural fibers as a sculpting medium these pieces offer our interpretation of the wonders of the universe with emphasis on the seasonal transformation of trees, the living sculptures.
Each piece is unique, one-of-a-kind, and all designs and images are copyrighted.
If you would like to inquire regarding licensing or imaging rights please contact us via phone or email (see the Contact page for details).
Original Fiber Sculpture Dimensions:48″x36″


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Unity Events
Sunday Services-Suspended
January 4, 2026 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 11:00 am on Sunday, repeating indefinitely
Suspended Sunday Celebration Service
Our In Person Sunday Services have been suspended. Check out our Facebook page and Video Library, Blog, and Unity Weekend Message Podcast. We are co-creating a spiritual community here in Long Island, and hope you visit us soon


text:
Garry Kasparov on My Great Predecessors: Part 4
This book brings together the two greatest names in the history of chess. The author, Garry Kasparov, is the world number one and, by common consent, the greatest player ever. The subject of the book, Bobby Fischer, is the only American to have become world champion and is probably the greatest natural talent the world has ever seen.
In the period between 1955 and 1972 Fischer, more or less single-handedly, took on the might of the Soviet Chess Empire, and won. During this time Fischer scored astonishing successes the like of which had not been seen before. These included 11/11 in the 1963/64 US Championship and match victories (en route to the World Championship) by the score of 6-0 against two of the strongest players in the world, Mark Taimanov and Bent Larsen. The climax of Fischer's campaign was his unforgettable match win in Reykjavik in 1972 against Boris Spassky.
Fischer is almost equally well-known for his temperamental behaviour away from the board, as his play on it. He made extreme demands of all those around him including tournament organisers. When these demands were not met he often refused to play. The 1972 match against Spassky required the intervention of no less than Henry Kissinger to smooth things over. In 1975 when he was due to defend his title against Anatoly Karpov, Fischer was completely unable to agree terms with FIDE (the World Chess Federation) and was defaulted. After this he more or less gave up chess, playing only once, a 'return' match against Spassky in 1992.
In this book, a must for all serious chessplayers, Kasparov analyses deeply Fischer's greatest games and assesses the legacy of this great American genius.
This ebook is a part of Bundle: My Great Predecessors


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Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has joked that Sir Alex Ferguson may well sack the whole team should they surrender their seven-point Premier League lead over Manchester City, as they did last term.
The Red Devils were eight points clear of their local rivals with just five games left on the calendar last season, but Roberto Mancini's men fought back to secure the title in dramatic style in the final minute of their final game.
This time around Sir Alex's men have stretched an early lead to seven points, with a late goal handing them victory in a thrilling encounter with Newcastle on Boxing Day, while City were defeated away at Sunderland for the second successive year.
The France international was relieved to pull off the victory, stating it could be a big moment in the title race, while he fears the sack if the team manage to throw away the sizeable lead once again.
"It was a crazy match. For football lovers, it was a great match," the 31-year-old told TV channel Canal Plus.
"In the end, it was such a great release for us.
"I have never seen the players so happy in the changing room this season. At half-time Sir Alex told us if we could win this game, then we would have a big chance to be champions again.
"Remember, we were seven points ahead last term and we lost the Premier League with goal difference. If we do it again this season, Ferguson could sack us all!"
United will hope to keep the momentum going in their next few league clashes, as they host West Brom on Saturday before travelling to Wigan on New Year's Day, while rivals City are away at Norwich before welcoming Stoke to the Etihad Stadium.


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Welcome to Title Builder Beta.
This small piece of kit is designed to make building your Quiz, Crossword or Puzzle question more effective. It should make finding your question easier for others and, the easier it is to find, the more likely someone is to answer it!
To build an easy to find question title simply select the paper and quiz, enter the quiz number if relevant and fill in the Publication Date. Once you're happy click "Build Title" and the information should populate the Title field. Fill in the final required details of your question as you normally would, and click submit.
As this is a Beta we only have a limited number of papers and quizzes listed. If you think your favourite Quiz, Crossword or Puzzle should be listed here don't hesitate to contact us.
Remember: You do not have to use the title builder - simply enter the title and question as you normally would and click submit!
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Welcome to Winter Wear Designs PDF Patterns
My PDF patterns are classic designs of easy to wear clothes for women and kids that will fit your life. My store is called Winter Wear Designs, but don't worry, I design patterns for all seasons. ;o) You can find my featured patterns below or click here for my full catalog. Please sign up for the WWD newsletter at the bottom of this page to be notified about new patterns, sales and other fun stuff. Also, you can join my Winter Wear Designs Fun Facebook Group to participate with the WWD family and shape future designs, get help, and win fun prizes. Hugs!
- Suzanne Winter


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Listen: Where The Action Is / Freddy Cannon FreddyCannonAction.mp3
Let's face it. The theme song to ABC's syndicated daily pop show, WHERE THE ACTION IS, titled 'Action' by Freddy Cannon, was so good, even The Ramones could have covered it.
I lived for WHERE THE ACTION IS and saw many a great act each day after school. Our local Syracuse affiliate, WSYR-TV, was wishy-washy, and many times pre-empted it with other things. Looking over the complete, chronological list of episodes and guests, I've only just discovered missing Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, The Action and Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich for just that reason. Indeed, I'm a bit crushed having now discovered these atrocities. Scumbags.
But seeing an LA centric act almost daily, given they were basically down the street from the studios, must have been daily bliss. To name a few: The Guillteens, The Ikettes with and without Ike & Tina Turner, The Vejtables, The Leaves, The Seeds, Gary & The Hornets, Love, Dino Desi & Billy, The Buffalo Springfield, Jan & Dean.
Not to mention the RnB stuff: Martha & The Vandellas, Doris Troy, The Royalettes, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway, The Toys, Maxine Brown, Kim Weston, Carla Thomas, Billy Stewart, Bobby Hebb, Alvin Cash & The Crawlers or Felice Taylor. I still replay The Vibrations doing 'My Girl Sloopy' vividly in my memory.
Then there were the black and white segments from England, a real high for we Anglophiles: The Small Faces, Gary Farr & The T-Bones, Them, The Mindbenders, The Zombies, The Moody Blues, The Kinks, Unit 4 + 2, The Who, Wayne Fontana, Marianne Faithfull, The Yardbirds and The Cryin' Shames.


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Public Tours at the Cafesjian Center for the ArtsOctober 08, 2011 Free public tours at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts!By making a preliminary reservation and paying purely the price of a regular admission ticket you will be given a full tour of the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden and all CCA exhibition galleries. Our professional guides will present each and every exhibition in detail and will be glad to answer the questions you might have. For inquiries or reservations please call + 37410 54 1932/34. Time: 18:30 Other materials from this section
Admission and Hours
Cafesjian Sculpture Garden: always open. Escalator Gallery: everyday, 8:00-20:00. Exhibition Galleries, Museum Store and Visitor Center: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10:00-20:00. The Center is closed on state holidays. From April 1 until October 31, CCA Museum Store, besides Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, will also be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 10:00am till 6:00pm. |


text: The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2014Sarah Janssen World Almanac, 17.12.2013 - 1008 Seiten Larger hardcover format offers more user-friendly access to thousands of facts at increased font size to enhance readability. The World Almanac® and Book of Facts is America's top-selling reference book of all time, with more than 82 million copies sold. Published annually since 1868, this compendium of information is the authoritative source for all your entertainment, reference, and learning needs. The 2014 edition of The World Almanac reviews the events of 2013 and will be your go-to source for any questions on any topic in the upcoming year. Praised as a "treasure trove of political, economic, scientific and educational statistics and information" by The Wall Street Journal, The World Almanac® contains thousands of facts that are unavailable publicly elsewhere. The World Almanac® and Book of Facts will answer all of your trivia needs—from history and sports to geography, pop culture, and much more. Features of The World Almanac® 2014 include: • The Year in Review: The World Almanac® takes a look back at 2013 while providing all the information you'll need in 2014. • 2013—Year in Sports: Hundreds of pages of trivia and statistics that are essential for any sports fan, featuring complete coverage of the 2013 World Series, the brand-new National Women's Soccer League, and much more. • 2013—Year in Pictures: Striking full-color images from around the world in 2013, covering news, pop culture, science, and sports. • 2013—Top 10 News Topics: The editors of The World Almanac® list the top stories that held their attention in 2013. • World Almanac Editors' Picks: Time Capsule: The World Almanac® lists the items that most came to symbolize the year 2013, from news and sports to pop culture. • Offbeat News Stories: The World Almanac® editors found some of the strangest news stories of the year. • The World at a Glance: This annual feature of The World Almanac® provides a quick look at the surprising stats and curious facts that define the changing world today. • Marriage in the U.S.: After a year in which the U.S. Supreme Court declared DOMA unconstitutional and the federal government began to extend some marriage benefits to same-sex couples, a feature on marriage in the United States reveals surprising details about the state of our unions. • Voter Guide: Prior to the 2014 midterm elections, The World Almanac® provides a user-friendly, state-by-state guide to key election dates and information, including voter-ID laws adopted by many states. • Need-to-Know Information: Browse all-new statistics on topics in the news: firearm violence and crime rates, the health and employment of U.S. veterans, and the latest in digital technologies—and who is using them. • Health News and Statistics: Details about U.S. health care policy, including ongoing implementation of health care reform. Factual information on common diseases and disorders (including a new section on ADHD), nutrition and diet, and Medicare and insurance. • World Almanac® Editors' Picks: Memorable Winter Olympic Moments: From Tonya and Nancy to the Miracle on Ice, the editors of The World Almanac® choose their favorite moments of past Winter Olympics to prepare readers for the 2014 Games. • and much more. |


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towels, candle and flower in health spa for spa treatment.
Julia Loggins, Inc. is an educator, author, and gut health coach, not a registered dietician, medical professional, or psychologist. The opinions expressed here, and her writings, are from her experience and should not be taken as medical advice. This includes her website, products, courses, services, or advice. You hold yourself liable for any damage that may occur, including any damages that pertain to financial, other incidental, consequential, or any other special damages that may occur based on information found or work provided. No refunds will be given. Always consult with your doctor or physician prior to starting any new workout regime, diet, or lifestyle change.


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Information Society Internet Governance Forum - 5th meeting
"Internet should be a space of freedom, justice and democracy", said Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General, at the opening of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) held in Vilnius (Lithuania) from 14 to 17 September. During the IGF, the Council of Europe engaged in an open dialogue with representatives of governments, business and civil society on how to safeguard freedom on the Internet - as well as security, openness and privacy - while also protecting users from its risks. Contributing to the overall theme 'Developing the future together' of this United Nations event - the Council of Europe presented its most recent work to protect human rights online and to provide an adequate legal framework for the Internet. This work includes a convention for protecting children from sexual abuse – which entered into force in July 2010 - and two new conventions to be adopted soon, one for fighting violence against women, and the other for combating counterfeit medicines, including those sold online. The Council of Europe also presented at the IGF a draft recommendation on data protection and profiling, an update of ongoing work to implement the Cybercrime Convention worldwide, and the development of an international legal framework for the protection of critical Internet resources and cross-border flow of Internet traffic.
(more ...)


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the jerusalem post
By: By ISI LEIBLER
Candidly Speaking: Bernard Lewis predicted that Turkey would evolve into an aggressive Islamist dictatorship and could become the greatest threat to Israel. Alas, his prediction about Turkey is being realized
Bernard Lewis, one of the world's greatest experts on the Islamic world, told me a few years ago that the emerging younger Iranian generation and the alienated middle class would bring about regime change. However, he also predicted that Turkey would evolve into an aggressive Islamist dictatorship and could become the greatest threat to Israel.
Alas, his prediction about Turkey is being realized.
When, 12 years ago, Recep Tayyip Erdogan assumed the reins of leadership in Turkey, many expressed concern that beneath the veneer of moderation and commitment to a fusion of moderate Islam and democracy, the real Erdogan was a fanatical Muslim whose objective was to transform Turkey into an authoritarian Islamic state. They were vindicated.
The military, which controlled the nation since Kemal Ataturk created a secular Turkish Republic in 1923, undoubtedly displayed autocratic tendencies in the course of its relentless determination to suppress Muslim extremism. Yet in terms of freedom of speech and democratic process, the situation today is significantly worse than before Erdogan.
Erdogan imprisoned thousands of Turkish citizens on spurious grounds without adequate trials; one in four former Turkish generals is currently languishing in prison; journalists, nonconforming academics and politicians have been summarily arrested; dissenting newspapers were closed down.
To some extent, leaders can be judged by their associates.
Erdogan proudly accepted a "human rights award" from the late Libyan tyrant Muammar Gaddafi and welcomed as his guest Omar Bashir, the genocidal leader of Sudan, a certified war criminal responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of his own citizens.
Erdogan denies that Hamas is a terrorist organization, referring to its adherents as heroic liberation fighters and treating visiting Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh virtually like a head of state. Last month he invited the other Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal, to be his personal guest of honor at a state Iftar dinner to mark the end of Ramadan.
Erdogan also expanded Turkish diplomatic ties to the most radical Muslim terrorist regimes and organizations, including until recently the Syrians and the Iranian ayatollahs who he continues to insist are entitled to become a nuclear power. Now having parted ways with Assad, he has closely allied himself with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Clearly his objective is to emerge as the popular leader of a neo-Ottoman Sunni Muslim arc.
To promote this objective, he has consciously exploited popular hatred of Israel as a vehicle by which to gain widespread support from the Arab masses.
To this end, he has transformed Turkey's former close alliance with Israel into one of aggressive confrontation and demonization, emerging as one of the leading Arab states directing hostility against the Jewish state.
The first public display of this behavior was his bitter and contrived confrontation of President Shimon Peres at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2009. Millions of television viewers saw him excoriating Peres over alleged Israeli war crimes and then dramatically storming out of the conference.
The deterioration in Turkish-Israel relations climaxed in 2010 when nine members of the IHH, a Turkish government-sanctioned jihadist terrorist group, were killed on board the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish boat in the Gaza "peace" flotilla, after having attacked the IDF boarding party with metal bars, clubs and knives.
An independent Israeli commission of inquiry vindicated the IDF actions as self-defense. A separate UN commission ruled that while there may have been excessive violence, the Israeli action was entirely consistent with international law.
However, Erdogan exploited this incident to intensify the confrontation with Israel. He demanded that the Israeli government apologize, pay restitution to families and unconditionally lift the blockade on Gaza.
Seeking to ease tensions, the Israelis expressed regret at the loss of lives and, without accepting blame, sought to reach an accommodation including a rumored offer to pay $6 million to families of the victims.
But it soon became clear that Erdogan was seeking confrontation rather than compromise.
The Turkish government downgraded its diplomatic representation and intensified its global campaign to demonize Israel, seeking to have it barred from participating at all international gatherings.
Last month, on the second anniversary of the flotilla, the Turkish High Court issued indictments against Israeli military officers for their alleged involvement in the incident, pronouncing life sentences on the former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi and other military leaders.
Campaigns against Israel were accompanied by intensification of anti-Semitic propaganda in the government- controlled media which included ghoulish television dramas (Valley of the Wolves) portraying Israelis as dealers in body parts, murderers of innocent children and other foul criminal activity. Not surprisingly, Turkish opinion polls reflect a 76 percent negative attitude towards Jews.
Erdogan has been especially viral in his denunciation of Israel's targeted assassinations of terrorists. Yet when a number of Syrian shells errantly crossed his border, he had no hesitation in launching a brutal military attack, in stark contrast to Israel's reluctance to maximize its deterrent capabilities in response to missiles continuously being launched against Israeli civilians from Gaza.
Nor does Erdogan display any scruples in employing the fiercest means to suppress protests or efforts by the Kurdish minority to achieve greater autonomy or independence.
One of the most disconcerting aspects of this confrontation is that despite his concerted campaign to delegitimize Israel, Erdogan has successfully forged a close alliance with President Barack Obama, who describes him as "an outstanding partner and an outstanding friend on a wide range of issues." Erdogan reciprocates, stating "from the moment Barack became president, we upgraded the status of our relations from a strategic partnership to a model partnership, on which he also placed a lot of importance."
Indeed, following pressure from Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Obama agreed to bar Israel – a NATO partner country and member of NATO's Mediterranean dialogue – from participating in a NATO summit which took place in Chicago.
Turkey also demanded that NATO intelligence information be denied to Israel.
Likewise, Turkey succeeded in excluding Israel from a special meeting of the World Economic Forum. More outrageously, Obama caved in to Turkey's demand that Israel – the Western country which has suffered more terrorism than any other – be barred from a global forum on counterterrorism.
Israel can do little to lessen the tension. Those who suggest that by prostrating and groveling towards Turkey Israel would overcome this enmity are naïve and misguided. In the context of an aggressive Islamist government such behavior conveys weakness and surrender and would only further embolden Erdogan into making even greater demands. If we cannot generate friendship it is far better that we command respect.
However, the Turks would hesitate to demonize and delegitimize us if they believed that they would be penalized. We could surely expect our principal ally, the United States, to stand firm and not kowtow to Turkish efforts to isolate or demean us.