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NBC sportscaster Al Michaels apologized for making a joke about Harvey Weinstein during "Sunday Night Football."
The New York Giants, who were playing the Denver Broncos, came into the game winless and with a star receiver injured. During the third quarter, Michaels said, "Let's face it, the Giants are coming off of a worse week than Harvey Weinstein, and they're up by 14 points."
Cris Collinsworth, Michaels' partner on the broadcast, chuckled at the line and said, "Only my L.A. guy comes up with that one."
"All you have to do is read the papers -- any paper," Michaels responded.
Later in the broadcast, Michaels said he was "a little flip about somebody obviously very much in the news all over the country. It was not meant in that manner. So, my apologies, and we'll just leave it at that."
NBC Sports did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Monday.

subset: commoncrawl


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Here's Krugman's assessment of the state of modern macro:
...my sense is that a lot of younger economists are aware, even if they don't dare say so, that freshwater macro has been a great embarrassment these past four years, and that liquidity-trap Keynesianism has done very well. This will affect future research; it will, over time, break the stranglehold of decadent Lucasian doctrine on the journals.How would Krugman have a "sense" for what younger economists are thinking? He has little interaction with them. He does not go to conferences with them; he doesn't read their papers; he spends little time at Princeton. Mostly, he lives in Manhattan and writes a blog. The finger is far from the pulse, I'm afraid.
What is "liquidity-trap Keynesianism?" In case you have not figured that out, it's Hicksian IS/LM. That's been "successful?" How could it be? It's not structural.
What is "decadent Lucasian doctrine," and why the heck is it so decadent? Good questions. You'll have to grill Krugman on that. As far as I can tell, we are all "Lucasians" now, and that includes Krugman, who uses many "Lucasian" principles. Complaining about Lucas is something like complaining about the other Bob - Bob Dylan. The revolution happened long ago, and now everyone loves Bob and his influences are everywhere. Krugman might like it if the Bob "stranglehold" somehow let go of the profession. Too bad, Krugman, that's not happening.
Here are the last two paragraphs of Krugman's post:
And the giggles and whispers thing — in which anything resembling non-microfounded Keynesian analysis was the subject of automatic ridicule — is already, I think, over. Look at Delong/Summers on fiscal policy: the analytical core is, yes, the IS-LM model.I don't think this is about giggles and whispers any more. We're all guffawing out loud, I'm afraid. I looked at the the DeLong/Summers paper, and you really should not waste time on that piece of trash. The analytical core is, yes, an IS-LM model. Yikes. Again, there are many reasons why we don't want to go there any more, including the ones I articulated here, and here.
In a better world, Brad and I and our fellow-travelers would have achieved an immediate transformation of both policy and doctrine. We don't live in that world. But I think we are winning the argument, in ways that will make a difference.
In the better world I'm thinking about, we would not have to put up with arrogant loud-mouths like Paul, Brad, and their "fellow-travelers." The world these people envision is one where lazy macroeconomics has free-rein. We would forget everything we have learned in the last 40 years or so. Better still, we could set the way-back machine to 1937. Why fuss with all those bothersome details? IS-LM is so easy - and so right. If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you.


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- Beta-Carotene/Papain Renewal Serum is safe for pregnant, lactating, and sensitive clients as it contains natural papain as the exfoliant. This product improves the skin's barrier function and integrity by balancing surface lipids, gently exfoliates to lessen the appearance of visible wrinkles and provides anti-inflammatory-like benefits. This serum is designed to be used nightly under moisturizer.
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Fashioned in 18K white gold, with diamonds of color GH and clarity of SI, these diamond stud earrings feature a secure three prong martini style setting providing a low and comfortable profile on the ear. Complete with standard friction backs. Earrings have a total carat weight of 0.25cttw.All white gold and sterling silver is presumed to be rhodium plated
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Purchases are eligible for our signature wrapping upon request - the silver box with the burgundy ribbon. It is our pleasure to provide this complimentary service for any items purchased from Borsheims with the exception of final sale pieces.


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Tour Dates
11/02/12 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
11/03/12 Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo 11/04/12 Portland, OR - McMenamins Crystal 11/06/12 Oakland, CA - Fox Theater 11/08/12 Hollywood, CA - Palladium 11/26/12 Amsterdam - Paradiso 11/28/12 Cologne - E-Werk 11/29/12 Berlin - Huxleys Neue Welt 12/01/12 Hamburg - Grosse Freiheit 36 12/02/12 Munich, Germany - Theatre Fabrik 12/03/12 Milan, Italy - Alcatraz 12/04/12 Bologna, Italy - Estragon 12/06/12 Zurich - Volkshaus 12/10/12 Paris - Trianon 12/12/12 London - Roundhouse 12/14/12 Brussels, Belgium - AB Club Read More Cat Power Just a reminder that Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, is coming to Minneapolis at the Mill City Nights tomorrow, October 30th. I will be there, will you? ...
I've seen Cat Power before, many, many years ago at the 400 Bar. Back then, it was just Chan Marshall with her grand piano. She spent most of the time looking down and closing her eyes as she sang her songs. This is fine for the type of slow-moving, introspective music she was playing, but last night was a different story. She had a full band, a movie projection (that synced to the songs they were playing), and was presented as a full "rock" show. I don't know if this worked for Cat Power, I would've been happy if it was just one instrument to accompany her beautiful smoky voice.
Cat Power
photo by Audrey
"There ain't no press passes," Marshall muttered, "I'm here for you [referring to the audience], not them [pointing to the photographers]."
There must have been a miscommunication; no one said anything about "no photo policy" for this show. I was on the other side of the stage and didn't see what was going on, but the story I was told later by another photographer was that securities came and had photographers leave their gear behind the front desk or were asked to leave to show.
Cat Power Setlist
Marshall performed all the songs from the recent Sun album, with the exception of "Real Life." You know how I feel about bands performing new material, it's tough because they want to play the new stuff but fans wants to hear the old stuff. It felt unbalance with 80% of the set were all new songs. Even classics like "The Greatest" had a different take, which you probably you wouldn't have recognized it from the LP version.
The band ended the show with the new single, "Ruin," with no encore.
Cat Power is currently on tour in support of Sun, out now via Matador Records. She recently announced on Instagram that she may cancel her European tour due to bankruptcy and health struggles due to Angioedema. We have nothing but well wishes for her and hope she makes a full recovery.
Please listen to our wrap-up for the post show for Cat Power with Emily and Dan. Free download of "Ruined" available at Matador Records, which is song of the show for W♥M#160.
Cat Power at Mill City Nights, Minneapolis (10/30/12) |
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Archive of this show at archive.org. More information on podomatic.com


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abort &optional condition =>|
continue &optional condition => nil
muffle-warning &optional condition =>|
store-value value &optional condition => nil
use-value value &optional condition => nil
Arguments and Values:
value---an object.
condition---a condition object, or nil.
Transfers control to the most recently established applicable restart having the same name as the function. That is, the function abort searches for an applicable abort restart, the function continue searches for an applicable continue restart, and so on.
If no such restart exists, the functions continue, store-value, and use-value return nil, and the functions abort and muffle-warning signal an error of type control-error.
When condition is non-nil, only those restarts are considered that are either explicitly associated with that condition, or not associated with any condition; that is, the excluded restarts are those that are associated with a non-empty set of conditions of which the given condition is not an element. If condition is nil, all restarts are considered.
;;; Example of the ABORT retart (defmacro abort-on-error (&body forms) `(handler-bind ((error #'abort)) ,@forms)) => ABORT-ON-ERROR (abort-on-error (+ 3 5)) => 8 (abort-on-error (error "You lose.")) >> Returned to Lisp Top Level. ;;; Example of the CONTINUE restart (defun real-sqrt (n) (when (minusp n) (setq n (- n)) (cerror "Return sqrt(~D) instead." "Tried to take sqrt(-~D)." n)) (sqrt n)) (real-sqrt 4) => 2 (real-sqrt -9) >> Error: Tried to take sqrt(-9). >> To continue, type :CONTINUE followed by an option number: >> 1: Return sqrt(9) instead. >> 2: Return to Lisp Toplevel. >> Debug> (continue) >> Return sqrt(9) instead. => 3 (handler-bind ((error #'(lambda (c) (continue)))) (real-sqrt -9)) => 3 ;;; Example of the MUFFLE-WARNING restart (defun count-down (x) (do ((counter x (1- counter))) ((= counter 0) 'done) (when (= counter 1) (warn "Almost done")) (format t "~&~D~%" counter))) => COUNT-DOWN (count-down 3) >> 3 >> 2 >> Warning: Almost done >> 1 => DONE (defun ignore-warnings-while-counting (x) (handler-bind ((warning #'ignore-warning)) (count-down x))) => IGNORE-WARNINGS-WHILE-COUNTING (defun ignore-warning (condition) (declare (ignore condition)) (muffle-warning)) => IGNORE-WARNING (ignore-warnings-while-counting 3) >> 3 >> 2 >> 1 => DONE ;;; Example of the STORE-VALUE and USE-VALUE restarts (defun careful-symbol-value (symbol) (check-type symbol symbol) (restart-case (if (boundp symbol) (return-from careful-symbol-value (symbol-value symbol)) (error 'unbound-variable :name symbol)) (use-value (value) :report "Specify a value to use this time." value) (store-value (value) :report "Specify a value to store and use in the future." (setf (symbol-value symbol) value)))) (setq a 1234) => 1234 (careful-symbol-value 'a) => 1234 (makunbound 'a) => A (careful-symbol-value 'a) >> Error: A is not bound. >> To continue, type :CONTINUE followed by an option number. >> 1: Specify a value to use this time. >> 2: Specify a value to store and use in the future. >> 3: Return to Lisp Toplevel. >> Debug> (use-value 12) => 12 (careful-symbol-value 'a) >> Error: A is not bound. >> To continue, type :CONTINUE followed by an option number. >> 1: Specify a value to use this time. >> 2: Specify a value to store and use in the future. >> 3: Return to Lisp Toplevel. >> Debug> (store-value 24) => 24 (careful-symbol-value 'a) => 24 ;;; Example of the USE-VALUE restart (defun add-symbols-with-default (default &rest symbols) (handler-bind ((sys:unbound-symbol #'(lambda (c) (declare (ignore c)) (use-value default)))) (apply #'+ (mapcar #'careful-symbol-value symbols)))) => ADD-SYMBOLS-WITH-DEFAULT (setq x 1 y 2) => 2 (add-symbols-with-default 3 'x 'y 'z) => 6
Side Effects:
A transfer of control may occur if an appropriate restart is available, or (in the case of the function abort or the function muffle-warning) execution may be stopped.
Affected By:
Each of these functions can be affected by the presence of a restart having the same name.
Exceptional Situations:
If an appropriate abort restart is not available for the function abort, or an appropriate muffle-warning restart is not available for the function muffle-warning, an error of type control-error is signaled.
See Also:
invoke-restart, Section 220.127.116.11 (Restarts), Section 220.127.116.11.2 (Interfaces to Restarts), assert, ccase, cerror, check-type, ctypecase, use-value, warn
(abort condition) == (invoke-restart 'abort) (muffle-warning) == (invoke-restart 'muffle-warning) (continue) == (let ((r (find-restart 'continue))) (if r (invoke-restart r))) (use-value x) == (let ((r (find-restart 'use-value))) (if r (invoke-restart r x))) (store-value x) == (let ((r (find-restart 'store-value))) (if r (invoke-restart r x)))
No functions defined in this specification are required to provide a use-value restart.


text:
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WebLogic Exploited in the Wild (Again)
On April 17, 2018, Oracle patched yet another deserialization and remote execution vulnerability (CVE-2018-2628) in WebLogic. The day after, technical aspects of the vulnerability were explained in a Chinese blog post by Xinxi [1]. By the next day, April 19, a proof of concept exploit was released on GitHub by Brianwrf [2]. And, to finalize this part of the history, beginning on April 19, we noticed a scan spike on the WebLogic's T3 potential vulnerable service (TCP/7001).
Figure 1 – Port TCP/7001 scan activity
Now, let's add some more to this. While analyzing an attack suffered by one of our honeypots and the data we could gather from the ongoing campaign, we found that the first victim was compromised on April 18, 19:36 (UTC-0) – just a few hours after the patch release. This was the first of 447 (and counting). If you think we are talking about another cryptojacking campaign, you guessed it right. Let's see some details.
Detailed Analysis
Approximately 3 hours after our CVE-2018-2628 vulnerable Web Logic honeypot went live yesterday, it was first targeted by a host from China (IP 18.104.22.168) using an exploit based on Brianwrf's [2]. They tried to run a Windows payload downloaded from the IP address 188.8.131.52, port 443, as seen in Figure 2.
Figure 2 – First stage payload
The retrieved payload is a PowerShell script, which downloads another part of the malware, as seen in Figure 3.
Figure 3 – Second stage payload
The second stage payload is another script which establishes the persistence then downloads and runs a Monero Miner and Neutrino.
Figure 4 – Downloading the Miner and Neutrino
In the following screenshot (Figure 5), we have the miner handshake, from which we can extract the wallet address and get some insights on the campaign gains and activity.
Figure 5 – Cryptominer handshake
In Figure 6, we have the hash rate associated with this campaign's wallet address. It started growing exactly the same time the first WebLogic victims were made – based on the campaign log with all the victims.
Figure 7 – Campaign's victims
The Neutrino component has the ability to scan for new victims and to execute the same WebLogic exploit and a variety of other exploit attempts against systems such as Struts and PHP. Neutrino also performs brute-force attacks.
Figure 8 – Some of Neutrino capabilities
Final words
It seems that the time window between vulnerability disclosure and opportunistic exploitation is shrinking more and more. From this episode, we can learn that, those who don't have time to patch fast, will have to find much more time to recover properly from the coming incidents.
What makes things worse in this case is that even those who patched their systems on time are potentially exposed. As already mentioned in the ISC Podcast [3] and by Bleeping Computer [4], the CVE-2018-2628 vulnerability wasn't fixed on its core but using command blocklisting to avoid exploitation. I particularly didn't see any new version of the exploit capable of bypass the protections, but until we have a new patch, it is recommended to restrict the access to TCP/7001 port on WebLogic installations as much as possible.
Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)
8f0453be904d16427ca3c6c779f114dd49da14a644a7f394d6ffd4cc6b7c108b x86.exe
0f3b140c12e726c8898b97ba01bc5b8d2c43516b4f431b026864ac38d334e7d3 x64.exe
9b3a96a095f35e29a64f0f9c74b449a4a66a33d1155edcacb20507124c3da70b neutrino.exe
[1] http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/nYY4zg2m2xsqT0GXa9pMGA
[2] https://github.com/brianwrf/CVE-2018-2628
[3] https://isc.sans.edu/podcastdetail.html?id=5977
[4] https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-scan-the-web-for-vulnerable-weblogic-servers-after-oracle-botches-patch/
Renato Marinho
Morphus Labs| LinkedIn|Twitter


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Why Friday night? That was our store's slow time, if you went on the weekend there were lines a mile long. On Friday night, it was practically empty; we've noticed it's that way at most Costco's after seven, unless there's a big holiday coming up.
Don't feel too sorry for my husband's wallet, it still only comes to eight dollars then. He really isn't that cheap. We just like thinking we're saving money somewhere, makes the hundred bucks we drop almost everytime we step in that place seem not so bad. It's those diapers, they cost a small fortune over the first few years, wouldn't you agree?
Costco, is definitely one of the things I love. Read about more favorite things at Things I Love Thursday, hosted by The Diaper Diaries.
Don't forget today is the last day to enter my Purple Trail Giveaway!!!


text:
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Take advantage of our exclusive offer implementation of your festive occasions in our Chateau Hotel located close to Prague. We will prepare your ideas combining romantic accommodation, first-class cuisine and a range of cultural and sports program to a particular unit. All of this at an unbeatable price. We take care, you have fun!Contact us : email@example.com


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Saturday, January 10, 2009
Entry #44
by Josh Vogt
Assassins don't like quitters. So it came as no surprise when I detected three of them stalking my morning rounds. This career change from death-for-hire to mall janitor meant a significant pay cut, but gave me a peace of mind my former associates could never understand.
A few mall walkers and store managers clicked their heels over the tiled floors, but otherwise I was alone with the jackals.
I pushed my mop and squeaky-wheeled cart to the food court, then grabbed a spray bottle and rag and stepped onto the escalator to the second floor.
One shadow detached from his hiding place and followed me up. I looked back to see him raise a silenced pistol. He didn't notice the razorwire I had stretched across the handrails until too late.
The legs somehow remained standing for a few seconds after the upper body was sheared away.
A second figure waited at the top, blade in hand. I hit him with a squirt from the bottle. He fell to his knees, clawing at his bubbling, melting face.
The last hunter emerged from behind a column and struck a martial pose. I dropped the bottle and threw the rag into the air. His gaze flicked between them, long enough for me snatch up some cutlery left on a nearby table.
Who knew a spork could be fatal? My third assailant toppled, nerve-dead before he hit the floor.
I retrieved my cart to clean up the mess.
After all, I'm just a janitor.
33 comments:
- JaneyV said...
HA! Josh you never disappoint. Wonderful, enjoyable read!
- January 10, 2009 11:52 AM
love all the action in the story...cool stuff!
- January 10, 2009 12:54 PM
- JR's Thumbprints said...
You can't take the hitman out of the janitor, or is it the other way around--afterall, he did clean-up didn't he?
- January 10, 2009 1:06 PM
- Sameera Ansari said...
Woah!That was a nerve biting piece.Loved the action in it :)
- January 10, 2009 1:11 PM
- Lena said...
So much action in just 250 words!! awesome! :)
- January 10, 2009 1:44 PM
- sandra seamans said...
Wow! Don't mess with the janitor. Great story!
- January 10, 2009 1:53 PM
- wrath999 said...
Great tale. Highly entertaining
- January 10, 2009 2:10 PM
- laughingwolf said...
janitor josh to the cleanup, love it! :D
- January 10, 2009 2:23 PM
- Victor Bravo Monchego, Jr said...
the premise is very funny.
- January 10, 2009 2:32 PM
- BernardL said...
Well done. My kind of story. :)
- January 10, 2009 3:09 PM
- Rachel Green said...
Ha! Lovely!
- January 10, 2009 4:38 PM
- Pallav said...
brilliant execution!
N - January 11, 2009 6:00 AM
- Sarah Hina said...
Fantastic as usual, Josh!
I love the black humor, the premise, and all the small, smart details that always make your writing pop. I was waiting to read your entry, and now I know why. :)
I've never trusted sporks... - January 11, 2009 11:23 AM
- Sen said...
great story...very entertaining!
- January 11, 2009 11:38 AM
- SzélsőFa said...
A great composition, indeed.
- January 11, 2009 3:48 PM
- Anil Sawan said...
if u r still not a script writer, you could think of one! amazing!!
- January 11, 2009 4:28 PM
- Esther Avila said...
Cool! Way to go Janitor!
I want him at my workplace.
Entertaining and nicely written. - January 11, 2009 11:55 PM
- anna j said...
What a great character--gifted depiction of him!
- January 13, 2009 8:40 PM
- iLL Man said...
Like bloodthirsty Hong Kong Phooey ;)
Enjoyed that one a lot. - January 14, 2009 8:20 AM
- The Preacherman said...
Having tottered through loads of stories and loved plenty of them I can honestly say this is my personal favourite.
Dunno why. Just is. Ta for that. - January 14, 2009 4:51 PM
- McKoala said...
Hm, he takes his job too seriously for my liking. Very neat story. So to speak.
- January 15, 2009 5:26 AM
John McAuley - January 15, 2009 8:24 PM
next time i see a janitor i will smile but never turn my back...
- January 15, 2009 10:26 PM
- Meghan said...
Wow, I'll NEVER look at a spork the same way again! Great job!
- January 16, 2009 3:06 PM
- jjdebenedictis said...
Hee! Very cool!
- January 16, 2009 3:47 PM
- Tiffany said...
Action packed. Great job!
- January 16, 2009 8:34 PM
- bluesugarpoet said...
I thought I was safe when I spent a half-hour chatting with a janitor today. He said he used to be a coach, but now I wonder...
Great story! Love the action...and the sporky humor.
jana - January 17, 2009 2:02 AM
- Catherine Vibert said...
Excellent, quirky and entirely fun in a horrible sort of way.
- January 17, 2009 1:42 PM
- ceedy said...
Our brains are not RAMS that can be cleaned up from past adventures unless offcourse you are hit on the head and get amnesia
Loved the play of words and the humor... - January 18, 2009 11:28 AM
- Terry said...
Josh, I don't normally read this genre, but once I started, I couldn't make myself stop--Read it several times, in fact. I think the fact that you wrote the gory scenes as matter-of-factly as someone might talk about the weather contributed to the readabilty. I can see a series here...Well done!
- January 18, 2009 9:21 PM
Original and very readable, not much into works of this nature unless they strike me as different. A class act.
- January 18, 2009 10:23 PM
- PJD said...
This is my first read of this, and I can see why it's a readers' choice winner. I am laughing out loud here in my hotel room, probably scaring the guests in the adjacent rooms.
Jason, if you're reading this, I think you should make "best use of a spork" one of the judging categories in your next contest. - January 20, 2009 9:38 PM
Great job with pacing, technical skill, and voice!
Thanks for being a wonderful part of the contest! - January 20, 2009 9:51 PM


text:
Friday 8 May 2009
doubledecker heaven
long ago now the very lovely davy h introduced me to bettye swann over at the ghost of electricity and i shall be forever grateful. he played something by her again this week along with a really smashing warm smile of a post that finally prodded me to remember about the doubledeckers doubledecker the routemaster to heaven the even better if that's actually really really possible doubledecker than the alton ellis tyrone davis doubledecker although we know that such beauty can never be rated and charted and catalouged like that but hell the almost heart exploding majesty of bettye swann and pat kelly together is just.... oh my
so sweet omis and debonair palones take a deep breath (and i'll get back to the polari lessons)
pat kelly - if it don't work out
bettye swann - then you can tell me goodbye
more bettye swann and pat kelly records
10 comments:
- davyh said...
Pat Kelley Sings? He most certainly does.
And thank you x - 8 May 2009 at 14:07
- Mondo said...
*sighs* Gorgeous.both of them. crackly ol' Pat and crisp and clear Bettye
- 8 May 2009 at 16:49
It just gets better.
My eyes are ever so slightly moist. Must..be ..dust..
*blows nose heavily into Kleenex* - 8 May 2009 at 17:40
- ally. said...
thankyou davy for passing the bettye on. it's one of those records that's almost too beautiful to listen too if that makes any sense at all.
there's a lot of that about spud dear. glad you liked them
x - 8 May 2009 at 17:58
- Simon said...
Loverly! x
- 8 May 2009 at 22:19
do you remember the kids tv prog the double deckers? ahem (coughs) WAY before my time of course....
- 9 May 2009 at 00:41
- Greer said...
I'm also grateful to DavyH for introducing me to Bettye Swann. And to you for these two, thank you x.
- 9 May 2009 at 05:23
- BLTP said...
soften my dreams with your sigh..
I was in perfectly good place after listening to Pat K. But the Bettye Swann record is truly wonderful so incredibly sweetly restrained i was half expecting to kick off like Irma Hendrick but no simple sweet and practically near perfect. It makes my pile of 19 sevens carted back from the market look fairly sorry for themselves. cheers. - 9 May 2009 at 14:02
- ally. said...
pleasure sweeties.
x - 11 May 2009 at 10:52
- davyh said...
I would also heartily recommend this excellent comp of the earlier Bettye stuff to everyone who's already bought the Honest Jon's x
- 11 May 2009 at 16:24


text:
Kantha Patchwork QUEEN SIZE hand embroidered by the amazing artisans of ROOPANTARAN
SIZE: 220 x 270 cms COTTON KANTHA QUEEN QUILT / THROW
Due to the intricate embroidery on the fabric, it is recommended to get the Kantha Quilts dry-cleaned separately, without bleach.
However, if you wish to wash it at home, then wash with low tumble dry, without using hard bleaching agents.
There may be a slight variation in the actual colors of the product due to different color settings on computer monitors.


text:
A very special thanks to Randi, Maren, and Anna Marie for the recipe, teaching us how it's done, and transporting all of the cooking equipment across town. We couldn't have done it without you. 🇳🇴🇺🇸
While most people associate Italian explorer Christopher Columbus with the discovery of the giant landmass that we know today as North America, it's believed that it was actually Vikings who first landed on the continent. Specifically, 11th-century Norse explorer Leif Erikson has been credited with sailing to Newfoundland and Labrador, along with establishing the first settlements in an area referred to as Vinland, a full 500 years before Columbus even set foot on a ship.
While not nearly as widely popular as Columbus, Erikson does still get his own holiday to mark his contributions to exploration and, on October 9, the United States officially celebrates Leif Erikson Day by way of observance (it's not a federal holiday, unlike Columbus Day). The day is celebrated without too much fanfare—no, you won't be getting off work or school for Leif Erikson Day, and there probably won't be a parade near you—though it's been traditionally recognized by the current U.S. President with a proclamation about the holiday that extends praise not just to Erikson, but to the Nordic people and to the very spirit and appreciation of exploration. Erikson might not get the full Columbus treatment, but he was unquestionably an interesting guy (his dad was named "Erik the Red," just for a start), and we're happy to celebrate Leif Erikson Day with a ship full of fun facts about the Norse explorer.
While Americans officially celebrate "Leif Erikson Day," the explorer's name is spelled differently depending on who is chatting about him and where they are doing it. In Old Norse he's Leifr Eiríksson, in Icelandic he's Leifur Eiríksson, in Norwegian he's Leiv Eiriksson, and Wikipedia calls him Leif Ericson, just to mix things up. Since we're celebrating Leif Erikson Day, we'll just stick with "Erikson," though since the name Erikson is a patronymic and not a family name (he's literally "Erik's son"), we really should be referring to him just as Leif.
Sure, Leif is often referred to as being from Norwegian blood, but he was actually born in Iceland (around 970 CE), and both his father and his grandfather spent some serious time in Norway and eventually Greenland. Leif is also considered a Viking, but perhaps we'll just call him Norse and be done with it.
While the actual date of Leif Erikson Day doesn't have anything personally to do with Leif, it was picked for the holiday because it's the anniversary of the day that the ship Restauration arrived in New York from Stavanger, Norway, back in 1825. The arrival of the Restauration marked the beginning of organized immigration from Scandinavia to the USA. The holiday was first recognized by Wisconsin in 1930, eventually becoming a nationally observed holiday in 1964.
Leif's family was totally cool and totally wild. He was the son of Erik the Red, a Viking explorer traditionally credited with founding the first settlements in Greenland, but only after he was banished from Iceland for three years (for helping to start a landslide and killing some guys because he was convinced their father had stolen some magical beans that belonged to him, which sounds like the most terrifying fairy tale ever). Erik's dad (and Leif's grandfather) was Thorvald Asvaldsson, who was actually banished from Norway for manslaughter, which is what sent young Erik there in the first place. Leif was, thankfully, never banished from anywhere. Way to break from tradition.
The history surrounding Leif's discovery of Vinland (and North America) is predictably hazy, with a number of people believing that Bjarni Herjólfsson was the first European to see the continent, even if he never actually landed there.
One of the many stories about Leif holds that, obviously intrigued by Bjarni's tales, he bought Bjarni's ship off of him and set out in the direction of the mysterious new land. He is believed to have first landed on a rocky island he called "Helluland" (which many believe is Baffin Island), before going on to a second stop that he called "Markland" (presumed to be Labrador), and then venturing to his "Vinland" (whose location has been the subject of much debate).
Erik the Red was set to join Leif on his first North American expedition, but he left the crew after falling off his horse on the way to board the ship. Erik wasn't injured, but he took the fall as a bad omen—even if it wasn't one bad enough to get his son to stop his plan.
Erik's bad omens aside, Leif and his crew stayed on in Vinland for a winter, and when they made their return to Greenland in the spring, they picked up yet another group of castaways on the way home. Thus, the punchy nickname "Leif the Lucky" was born. Sorry, papa Erik. (Some stories hold that Leif made his rescue on his way back from a second voyage to North America, but that nickname sticks.)
Good luck with this debate. Some people believe that Vinland is around the Cape Cod area, while others swear it's in the north of Newfoundland. Still others believe that "Vinland" as a name applies to a wide region, not just one spot. What we do know, however, is that there is a Norse settlement at the northern tip of Newfoundland and signs of similar settlements around Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence. While Cape Cod doesn't have the same evidence to back up strangely persistent beliefs that it was actually the site of Vinland, there is a stone wall in Provincetown that has been attributed to Leif's younger brother, Thorvald. Nice work, kiddo.
Leif got hip to Christianity after a trip to Norway that resulted in his becoming a bit of a consultant to King Olaf Tryggvason, and he quickly tried to convert his family and friends once he landed back in Greenland. His mother, Thjóðhildr, was so into Leif's religious awakening that she too became a Christian and even built her own church, called Thjóðhild's Church. Erik wasn't so keen on the idea, and steadfastly stayed with his Norse paganism.
Despite some claims that Leif returned to Vinland, it's generally believed he didn't—but that he sent out younger brother Thorvald instead (perhaps that's where that stone wall came from). Two years after Leif's discovery of North America, Thorvald borrowed his ship and set out to see it for himself. For a couple of years, Thorvald and his men explored the coastal areas, until a "skirmish" with Native Americans reportedly ended in Thorvald's death. He is believed to be the first European to die and be buried in North America, which is a sad distinction, but a distinction nonetheless. reprinted from Mental Floss - October 9th, 2013 http://mentalfloss.com/article/52993/11-leif-erikson-facts-leif-erikson-day
NST Membership: - $25 per person / $30 per family You can sign up or renew your membership on the NST web page. NST memberships are good for 12 months from registration date. Norwegian Society of Texas Web page


text:
RT @MintiSage: Up from the depths, thirty stories high... Continuing the B-movie poster trend, have a "Mutation City" poster, s… https://t.co/og7vgpU6Ct
Prettyshadowj26 wrote:Kooshmeister wrote:I fear for the Feral pony. Without his Chin of Power, how will he lead the Enforcers? That's A Nightmare Hah, horse pun ^^At least Feral H…
By Katney on August 7, 2018 at 12:37 am in Other Creative Fanworks • Re: My Little SWAT Kats -- 25th Anniversary "Reboot" with Ponies
We are the 73% who live marginally tolerable lives compared to the rest of the world," The Commander pounded his steering wheel with gusto, "We deserve better!"
"I mainly just care about myself, sir."
"This city deserves a leader who cares about its katizens following the rules! A leader who is tough, but fair. A leader who has a keen sense of justice, and the toughness to carry it out. One who will set up a perimeter first and ask questions later. It needs someone who's unafraid to do the right thing… toughly!"
"Hey ya' moron!"
The blare of a car horn was followed by a flurry of expletives, all coming from the Boy Scout carpool directly behind them, "Move your dual-exhaust eco-killer out of the way! We're calling the Enforcers!"
"Do you hear that, Steele?"
"Yes, quite clearly, Commander."
"They're calling for us. This populace is unruly and belligerent, because it's at the breaking point. It needs *me* to whip it back into shape."
More: "War Games" by Mr. Goodkat, "They That Walk in Darkness" by Kristen Sharpe and Sage SK, "Mayday" by Sage SK, "Masks" by Ghost of the Dawn, "The End of the SWAT Kats!" by Kooshmeister, "Foundation of Trust" by EricoBard, "Double Crossed" by AkaneKitty
More: "My Responsibility" by Poecat, "Casual Callie" by Tazkat, "Demoted" by Felony, "I Would Do it For You" by Ty-Chou, "3D Turbokat" by Xanatos4, "Felina" by Raphaella, "Commander Feral VS Metallikats" by Galgard, "Turbo-Kat" by ZacharyMadere, "Radical Squadron" by coreylandis, "Cry Turmoil Poster Colors" by Ty-Chou, "SWAT Kats Revamped" by RINPIN, "Swat Kats 08 15" by coreylandis, "SWAT Kats" by Purpleground02, "Swat Kats" by lCaiolSBl, "Turmoil 0" by Shraznar
In 1993, Hanna-Barbera released SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron, an animated action show taking place in the world of Megakat City. It was based on characters created by Christian and Yvon Tremblay. Despite early cancellation in its second season, the series remains popular with an active fanbase. In the United States it can occasionally be found in syndication on the Boomerang Cable Network.
SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron was created by Christian and Yvon Tremblay for Hanna-Barbera Cartoons Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 1993-1994. The SWAT Kats Encyclopedia is a fan site.


text: The objective of Soul of Katana is to survive and take out all enemy units and bosses. Collect gold coins, for each 100 coins collected you gain an additional life. Unleash the soul of the katana and destroy all your opponents. Use deadly martial art and sword moves but during all that try not to get killed. If you like sword fight games then you will enjoy this game.


text:
— — —
Mr. Chairperson, Members of the Committee,
Allow me, first of all, to extend cordial greetings to all the members of the Committee on the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In the presentation of the Initial Report of the Holy See, I wish to introduce the members of our Delegation present for this interactive dialogue. With me this morning are Monsignor Christophe El-Kassis and Professor Vincenzo Buonomo, of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, and Monsignor Richard Gyhra, Secretary of the Holy See Mission.
The Holy See acceded to the Convention against Torture (CAT) on June 22, 2002. It did so with the very clear and direct intention that this Convention applied to Vatican City State (VCS). In its capacity as the sovereign of Vatican City State, the Holy See provided an important «Interpretative Declaration» that shows its approach to the CAT.1 Such Declaration underlines the motives for accession to the Convention and expresses the moral support given to it, namely the defense of the human person as already indicated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
For the Holy See, the Interpretative Declaration provides a necessary hermeneutic to understand the motives for acceding to the Convention and also for considering the implementation of the Convention by the legal order of Vatican City State which is the very exercise we are engaging in at this moment in the consideration of the Initial Report of the Holy See to the CAT.
In this sense, my Delegation deems it worthwhile to reiterate several of the more salient points of the Interpretative Declaration so as to properly frame the consideration and discussions of the Initial Report of the Holy See.
In the first place, the Interpretative Declaration lauds the Convention as a worthy instrument for the defense against acts of torture when it says: «The Holy See considers the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment a valid and suitable instrument for fighting against acts that constitute a serious offence against the dignity of the human person.» In this sense indeed, the Holy See wished to express the harmony of its own principles and vision of the human person with those ideals and practices set forth in the Convention against Torture.
Second, the Declaration elaborates more precisely the Holy See's position, in which the teaching of the Catholic Church clearly articulates its opposition to acts of violence and torture.2 Third, although the Convention applies to Vatican City State, the Holy See adds a crucial moral voice in its support through its teaching3 and through the following statement: «In this spirit the Holy See wishes to lend its moral support and collaboration to the international community, so as to contribute to the elimination of recourse to torture, which is inadmissible and inhuman.»4 Finally, and not of least importance, the Interpretative Declaration insists that «The Holy See, in becoming a party to the Convention on behalf of the Vatican City State, undertakes to apply it insofar as it is compatible, in practice, with the peculiar nature of that State.»5 As such, in regard to the application of the Convention and any examination, questions or criticisms, or implementation thereof, the Holy See intends to focus exclusively on Vatican City State, respecting the international sovereignty of this State and the legitimate and specific authority of the Convention and of the Committee competent to examine State reports. Hence, my Delegation judges it useful to present, briefly yet clearly, the essential distinctions between Vatican City State and Holy See, as described in the Initial Report.6
The Holy See, as member of the international Community, is related but separate and distinct from the territory of Vatican City State, over which it exercises sovereignty. Its international personality has never been confused with the territories over which it has exercised State sovereignty. In its present form, Vatican City State was established in 1929 to more effectively guarantee the spiritual and moral mission of the Holy See. Therefore, colloquial references to the Holy See as the «Vatican» can be misleading. In this sense, the Holy See, as mentioned, globally encourages basic principles and authentic human rights recognized in the CAT, while implementing it within the territory of Vatican City State in harmony with the Interpretative Declaration.
Having presented some of the essential points that should guide and assist our discussion, I now wish to give an overview of the Holy See's Initial Report.
The Initial Report of the Holy See, submitted to this Committee in December 2012, is divided into four parts: 1) Introduction, 2) General Information, 3) The Convention against Torture, and 4) Affirmation of the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the teachings and activities of the Holy See. Since much of the content of the Introduction has been already mentioned, as this provides a necessary guide to understanding the approach and perspective of the Holy See regarding the Convention, I shall proceed to the second part on «General Information».
Apart from presenting the essential distinctions and relations between the Holy See, Vatican City State and the Catholic Church, I wish to highlight several important elements presented within the section of «General Information». In particular, the first point of reference is the legal system of Vatican City State, that is autonomous in respect to the legal system of the Catholic Church. In fact, not all canonical norms are relevant for the governance of this territory. In relation to the topic of crime and punishment there are specific laws that criminalize illicit activities and provide for proportionate penalties in Vatican City State. The necessity of a penitentiary system, in this small territory, is minimal, especially considering certain aspects of the Lateran Treaty (Article 22) which afford this territory the option of utilizing the judicial assistance of the Italian State if deemed necessary.
As noted in the section on Statistics, the small population of Vatican City State, while receiving roughly 18 million pilgrims and tourists annually, has a relatively tiny number of criminal and penal matters registered. It is also worth mentioning that the message of the various media services of the Holy See, disseminated in the major languages, reaches a truly international audience that makes it arguably one of the most effective moral voices in the world for human rights, including the position against torture and other cruel and inhuman punishments.
Turning now to the third part of the Initial Report, which addresses systematically each of the sixteen substantive articles of the CAT, my Delegation wishes to highlight several significant steps and improvements in Vatican City State to comply with the Convention, even since the consigning of the Initial Report in December 2012. In the first place, there is the modification of Vatican City State legislation with the promulgation of Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter on July 11, 2013, «On the Jurisdiction of Judicial Authorities of Vatican City State in Criminal Matters», particularly article 3, of Law N. VIII, which deals specifically with t
he Crime of Torture.7 While the implementation of this basic law into the criminal and penal law of Vatican City State in some fashion touches upon different articles of the Convention, it is worth mentioning a few directly. In relation to Article 1 of the Convention, the new Vatican City State legislation integrates, practically verbatim, the definition of torture and cruel and inhuman punishment as supplied therein and, therefore, de facto, fulfills Article 4 of the Convention by its integration into the penal code and the establishment of appropriate penalties for such offences. Paragraph 6 of the same article 3 of the amended Law VIII effectively restates article 15 of the Convention, prohibiting the use of any statement made as a result of torture to be considered as evidence.
Also modified in July 2013, the amendments of Law IX address with greater specificity and clarity the questions of crimes, whether within or outside the territory of the State, of jurisdiction, of extradition, and of terms of sentencing.8 The procedural and legislative changes seek to implement the principles contained in the Convention against Torture under articles 3, 5, and 8. In particular, one should note the development on the question of extradition and also the denial thereof on the part of the Holy See if the requesting State practices torture or uses capital punishment.9
To summarize, the third part of the Holy See Report must be viewed through the updates offered by the recent modifications to the procedures and legislation of Vatican City State which are a significant improvement from previous legislation and enhance positively the contents of the Initial Report. In fact, my Delegation views this new legislation as a direct result of the Holy See's adhesion to the CAT. Therefore, I am sure the Committee will consider these new laws in the ensuing discussion and the eventual Concluding Observations.
The fourth part of the Initial Report, regarding the «Affirmation of the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the teachings and activities of the Holy See», references the wide-array of documents, proclamations, publications, radio and television programs by which the Holy See actively addresses not only followers of the Catholic Faith, but also the international Community and all people of good will.10
In this way, the moral voice of the Holy See, while promoting and defending all authentic human rights, reaches the members of the Catholic Church in an attempt to foster an interior conversion of hearts to love God and one's neighbor. This love, in turn, should overflow into good practices at the local level in accordance with the laws of States. It should be stressed, particularly in light of much confusion, that the Holy See has no jurisdiction – as that term is understood also under article 2.1 of the Convention – over every member of the Catholic Church. The Holy See wishes to reiterate that the persons who live in a particular country are under the jurisdiction of the legitimate authorities of that country and are thus subject to the domestic law and the consequences contained therein. State authorities are obligated to protect, and when necessary, prosecute persons under their jurisdiction. The Holy See exercises the same authority upon those who live in Vatican City State in accordance with its laws. Hence, the Holy See, in respecting the principles of autonomy and sovereignty of States, insists that the State authority, which has legitimate competency, act as the responsible agent of justice in regard to crimes and abuses committed by persons under their jurisdiction. My Delegation wishes to emphasize that this includes not only acts of torture and other acts of cruel and inhuman punishments, but also all other acts considered as crimes committed by any individual who, notwithstanding affiliation with a Catholic institution, is subject to a particular State authority. The obligation and responsibility of promoting justice in these cases resides with the competent domestic jurisdiction.
To recapitulate this fourth part of the Report, it might be said that the measures employed by the Holy See to take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent and to prohibit torture and to address its root causes to avoid future acts in this area are abundant. This manifests the Holy See's desire «to lend its moral support and collaboration to the international Community, so as to contribute to the elimination of recourse to torture, which is inadmissible and inhuman.»11
In line with above considerations, the Holy See assures this Committee of its continued implementation and promotion of the Convention against Torture. An analysis of the Concluding Observations offered in the reviews of other Member States suggests that an evolution in the interpretation of this document may raise some questions on the part of the States Parties. As Party to the CAT, the Holy See wishes, that in the application of the Convention to all appropriate new situations, all should remain within its specific area of concern that the CAT outlines.12
My Delegation believes that the Holy See has fulfilled in good faith the obligations assumed under CAT, since it has integrated its values and principles into the legislation of Vatican City State according to the particular and unique nature of this State. In conclusion, allow me to underscore the singular role the Holy See has played, and will continue to play, in advocating on a global level the values and all human rights that safeguard the dignity of every person and which are a necessary component for friendly relations among peoples and peace in the world.
1 In this sense, the Holy See acted in accord with the provisions of international law of treaties, in full compliance of those norms, as accepted by the other contracting Parties.
2 Already in 1953, Pope Pius XII gave a clear condemnation of torture saying: «Preliminary juridical proceeding must exclude physical and psychological torture and the use of drugs; first of all because they violate a natural right, even if the accused is indeed guilty, and secondly because all too often they give rise to erroneous results.» (Address to the Sixth International Congress on Criminal Law, 3 October 1953.) «In recent times the Catholic Church has consistently pronounced itself in favor of unconditional respect for life itself and unequivocally condemned «whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, torments inflicted on body or mind, attempts to coerce the will itself». (Second Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes, n. 27. Cfr. John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor, n. 80 and Evangelium Vitae, n. 3). The Declaration also refers to the Code of Canon Law (1983), cc. 1397-1398, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1995), nns. 2297-2298, which «enumerate and clearly identify forms of behavior that can harm the bodily or mental integrity of the individual, condemn their perpetrators and call for the abolition of such acts.» Following, and building upon, the teaching found these fundamental documents of the Holy See, one should include the articulation found in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, published in 2004, which in treating the question of criminal
interrogation states: «the regulation against the use of torture, even in the case of serious crimes, must be strictly observed: 'Christ's disciple refuses every recourse to such methods, which nothing could justify and in which the dignity of man is as much debased in his torturer as in the torturer's victim.' International juridical instruments concerning human rights correctly indicate a prohibition against torture as a principle which cannot be contravened under any circumstances» (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, n. 404).
3 The Interpretative Declaration provides evidence of this unique contribution by offering examples from papal addresses and publications. On 14 January 1978, Pope Paul VI, in his last address to the diplomatic corps, after referring to the torture and mistreatment practised in various countries against individuals, concluded as follows: «How could the Church fail to take up a stern stand … with regard to torture and to similar acts of violence inflicted on the human person?» Pope John Paul II, for his part, did not fail to affirm that «torture must be called by its proper name» (Cfr. Pope John Paul II. Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, 1 January 1980). He also expressed his deep compassion for the victims of torture and in particular for tortured women, (see respectively, Pope John Paul II. World Congress on Pastoral Ministry for Human Rights, Rome, 4 July 1998; and Pope John Paul II, Message to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1 March 1993). To these could be added numerous other examples from the pontificates of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. For example, Benedict XVI, in speaking of the purpose of punitive institutions, declared: «By their very nature, therefore, these institutions must contribute to the rehabilitation of offenders, facilitating their transition from despair to hope and from unreliability to dependability. When conditions within jails and prisons are not conducive to the process of regaining a sense of a worth and accepting its related duties, these institutions fail to achieve one of their essential ends. Public authorities must be ever vigilant in this task, eschewing any means of punishment or correction that either undermine or debase the human dignity of prisoners. In this regard, I reiterate that the prohibition against torture 'cannot be contravened under any circumstances'» (Benedict XVI, Address to the Participants in the Twelfth World Congress of the International Commission of Catholic of Catholic Prison Pastoral Care, 6 September 2007).
4 Interpretative Declaration. (The Holy See recognizes that its moral voice may assist the International Community in acting as an active agent in the promotion and defense of human rights. It willingly enters into the Convention against Torture with the principal intention of defending the inviolable rights of the human person and encouraging other Member States to do the same through adequate legislation and institutional practices which respect the life and dignity of the human person.)
5 Ibid
6 Holy See, Initial Report, nn. 4-6.
7 Holy See, Supplementary Norms: Law VIII, Chapter I, Crimes Against the Person, Art. 3: Torture. Full text follows:
1. The public official having judicial, judicial police or law enforcement functions, as well as whoever performs in an official capacity a similar or analogous role, and whoever, under their instigation or with their consent or acquiescence, inflicts severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, to a person in order to obtain from him or a third person some information or a confession, or to punishing him for an act that he or a third person has committed, or is suspected of having committed, or to intimidate or coerce him or a third person, or for any other reason based on any kind discrimination, is punished with five to ten years imprisonment.
2. The penalty is increased by one-half if the offence results in serious injury or if it is committed against a minor. The penalty is doubled if the offence results in an injury of the utmost gravity.
3. If, as an unintended consequence of the offence, the victim dies, the penalty shall be of no less than fifteen years imprisonment.
4. The offence does not exist when the pain or suffering arises from, is inherent to, or is caused by legitimate measures or sanctions.
5. The offence is not justified by an order from a superior officer or a public authority, nor by a state of war or a threat of war, nor by internal political instability or any other exceptional circumstances.
6. No statement made under torture may be invoked or used as evidence in any proceedings, except against a person accused of torture, in order to prove that such a statement was made.
8 Holy See, Law IX: Amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Of particular relevance vis-à-vis the CAT are articles 1-7 and 32-46.
9 Cfr., Ibid., Chapter I, Article 6 on «Extradition».
10 In particular, the Holy See exercising its voice as a moral authority to the community of believers freely integrated into, and following, Catholic doctrinal and moral teaching, promotes the integral formation of the human person based on an accurate understanding of human dignity. This formation, while guided by Catholic principles, is primarily rooted in the education of the faithful, especially the young, which then also permeates all of society through the dedicated efforts of Catholic inspired institutions, found throughout the world, as they fulfill their mission in the variety of fields from education, health care, penitentiaries, refugee camps, among others.
11 Holy See. Interpretative Declaration.
12 The caveat of the Holy See is twofold. First, for the sake of defending the competency, integrity and duty of the Committee to oversee the implementation of the Convention against Torture, it seems fair and prudent that the focus should remain upon the contents of the Convention. Second, the introduction of other themes, of which the Convention does not speak, effectively diminishes the original focus of the Convention and thus further jeopardizes the situations for those who are truly being abused, tortured and punished. As such the purpose of the Convention, as it is being unfolded in the work of the Committee, runs the risk of not only being ineffective, but even counterproductive, with regard to its original, noble, intention.


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Danner Womens Trail 2650 Campo : Taupe
The Danner Trail 2650 Campo is designed for warm-weather hiking. It's built with a lightweight and breathable upper so it's as comfortable as your favorite pair of running shoes. Vibram Megagrip technology helps to keep your footing secure as you scramble over rocky terrain. It's dust-gaiter compatible so you can move confidently through sand, gravel and brush.
Danner Women's Mountain Light GTX : Cascade Clovis
30+ Years of Hiking Boot Greatness
Every single pair is built by hand in Portland, Oregon with full-grain leather, Vibram Kletterlift outsoles, and waterproof GORE-TEX liners. The result is a classic design that provides unmatched comfort and support. Second lace option included with the boot is in flat red.
Full-Grain Leather Upper To ensure its quality, we put our leather through six different tests before making our selection. Our full-grain leathers are the strongest and most durable form of leather.
GORE-TEX (GTX) 100% waterproof and breathable, GORE-TEX liners ensure that no water gets in, while allowing sweat and moisture to get out.
Two Lace Options Because you can never have too many laces, this pair comes with both round and flat laces.
Vibram® Kletterlift Outsole Specifically designed for comfort and durability; the heel provides superb shock absorption and the rubber compound guarantees great traction and stability on both wet and dry surfaces.
Stitchdown Construction Handcrafted to provide a wider platform, our legendary stitchdown construction offers increased stability underfoot. Many of our stitchdown boots can be recrafted.
How It Fits The 650 M last offers a women's specific fit with ample room through the toe box while maintaining exceptional support and stability. This women's specific fit is based off our popular 650 last used for many of our classic styles and offers the most universal fit for everyday wear. Please note this last fits slightly long and we recommend sizing down a half size for best fit.
Recraftable Extend the life of your boot with our recrafting services. This boot is eligible for a number of paid services, including part replacement, leather care and restitching.
Danner Inquire Mid Insulated : Hazelwood/Tangerine/Red
Great journeys consist of hills and valleys – switchbacks, steeps, streams and open meadows. Life can be like that as well – city streets, morning commutes, coffee house meetings and the yoga studio on the way home. The Inquire can handle it all; durable for the backcountry, light enough for everyday tasks. Featuring premium insulation from PrimaLoft with our Danner® Dry waterproof lining, the unmatched stability of our TRAILGUARD platform, and a custom Vibram outsole, the Inquire is ready for all of life's adventures.
Danner Womens Mountain 600 : Saddle Tan
The combination of the Vibram SPE midsole and Fuga outsole gives unparalleled grip on wet and dry surfaces while providing superior cushioning without the weight. Designed to withstand the climate and terrain of the Pacific Northwest, Danner utilized a smooth full grain leather upper and Danner Dry waterproof protection. The Mountain 600 defines a new category in hiking boots combining classic styling with lightweight innovation. The second lace option included with this boot is brown.
Danner has become an iconic name in the footwear industry, renowned for its commitment to quality craftsmanship and dedication to providing durable and reliable boots. Founded in 1932 by Charles Danner, the company has grown from a humble workshop in the Pacific Northwest to a global brand known for its exceptional boots that withstand the test of time. This is the inspiring story of Danner Bootmaker, a brand that has left an indelible mark on the world of footwear.
A Humble Beginning: Charles Danner, a skilled leatherworker with a passion for creating sturdy boots, established Danner Bootmaker in 1932. Born out of a small workshop in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Charles' vision was clear: to craft boots that would provide reliable protection and comfort to workers in the demanding logging industry.
The Pacific Northwest Legacy: In 1936, Danner Bootmaker relocated to Portland, Oregon, a region known for its rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions. The move proved pivotal in shaping the brand's identity, as Danner boots became synonymous with outdoor adventure and endurance. The company's boots quickly gained recognition for their exceptional quality and ability to withstand the elements.
Innovations and Milestones: Over the years, Danner Bootmaker introduced several groundbreaking innovations. In 1979, the company launched the iconic Danner Light boot, incorporating a Gore-Tex® lining for superior waterproofing and breathability. This revolutionary design set a new standard for performance footwear and garnered a loyal following among outdoor enthusiasts.
Expertise: Danner Bootmaker expanded its product line to cater to specialized markets. By adhering to rigorous standards and collaborating with experts, the company developed tactical boots renowned for their durability, stability, and support. Danner's dedication to serving those who protect and serve became an integral part of its legacy.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Danner Bootmaker's commitment to quality and craftsmanship attracted collaborations with like-minded brands and organizations. Collaborations with esteemed names such as Filson, New Balance, and Vibram have allowed Danner to combine its expertise with other industry leaders, resulting in limited-edition collections that have captivated boot enthusiasts worldwide.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility: As environmental concerns grew, Danner Bootmaker took a proactive approach towards sustainability. The company implemented eco-friendly practices in its manufacturing processes, sourced responsibly from suppliers, and supported local communities. Danner's commitment to social responsibility further solidified its reputation as a brand that cares about both its customers and the planet.
Legacy of Craftsmanship: From the logging camps of the Pacific Northwest to the feet of adventurers, Danner has built a legacy of craftsmanship that spans decades. The meticulous attention to detail, handcrafted techniques, and unwavering commitment to quality have made Danner boots a symbol of durability and reliability.
Danner journey from a small workshop to a global footwear brand is a testament to the vision of Charles Danner and the dedication of the countless artisans who have carried on his legacy. With each pair of boots produced, Danner continues to make its mark on the world, ensuring that its reputation for excellence endures for generations to come.


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FRIDAY, Sept. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep education for parents of children with autism helps improve the youngsters' behavior and quality of life, according to a new study.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by difficulties in social interactions and communications. Autism spectrum disorders encompass a wide range from mild to severe.
For the study, researchers provided sleep education for the parents of 80 children, aged 2 to 10, with an autism spectrum disorder. During the sessions, the parents learned about daytime and evening habits that promote sleep, including the importance of increasing exercise, limiting caffeine, and lessening the use of video games and computers close to bedtime.
In addition, sleep educators helped the parents create a visual schedule for their children to help them establish a bedtime routine and talked about ways to help kids get back to sleep if they woke up at night.
"We found that one hour of one-on-one sleep education or four hours of group sleep education delivered to parents, combined with two brief follow-up phone calls, improved sleep as well as anxiety, attention, repetitive behavior and quality of life in children with [autism spectrum disorders] who had difficulty falling asleep," study author Dr. Beth Malow, a professor of neurology and pediatrics, and a professor of cognitive childhood development at Vanderbilt University, said in a university news release.
"The parents also benefited; they reported a higher level of parenting competence after completing the education sessions," Malow added. "The one-on-one and group sessions showed similar levels of success. In contrast, an earlier study that simply gave parents a pamphlet without guidance on how to use it did not provide the same level of improvement in child sleep."
The study was published in a recent issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Future research is needed to determine the best methods for providing sleep education to families, including telemedicine- and Internet-based approaches, Malow said. She and her colleagues within the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network are also building partnerships with local pediatric practices to offer training on sleep education.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about autism.


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Ever since HealthCare.gov launched all I've been hearing about is how horrible the experience is. It never affected me directly, so I chalked it to a few vocal detractors trying to sway public opinion. I even went so far as to go to HealthCare.gov and use the logged-out experience to compare some plans. It looked pretty good actually, and I tweeted as such.
That was all about to change though. I recently made the move to work at a small startup that doesn't yet have an employer-sponsored health plan. They do however offer a stipend of sorts to help you pay for insurance costs on HealthCare.gov. And with that, my journey began.
Initial Sign Up
After discussing the healthcare situation with my wife, I ran the numbers and decided that it would be best for her to use her employer-sponsored healthcare and for me to use the exchange separately. At this point everything went as well as it could. Even though the UX on HealthCare.gov is pretty bad, I was able to figure out how to fill out an application, select health coverage, select dental coverage, and get things rolling. This all happened before December 23rd, which means I'd be getting coverage by January 1st! All was well… until I had to make a change.
The Change
As it turns out, I math'd wrong. When I was calculating the cost of healthcare for my wife at her job, I was off by something like $200 per month, which pushed her healthcare costs well into the "unreasonable for what I'm going to receive" range. With that in mind, I thought I could make a quick change on HealthCare.gov to get her on the same plan that I was. Boy was I wrong.
The process I had to take to get both my wife and myself health and dental insurance was ridiculous, and still hasn't worked correctly. To add my wife to my plan, I had to delete the entire thing. Not only that, but I needed to delete my entire application and start over from scratch. Once I did that, I kept constantly running into javascript errors in their application which would force me to re-authenticate.
After finally getting through the application process, I get to the last step where I need to confirm. I press the button and… nothing. Not a goddamn thing. Being a software engineer, I do a little investigating and find out that the server is returning 500 errors to the client (in non-developer speak, this means that the server couldn't process my request because of some error on their side). The error that is returned says that I should try to log-out, then resume the application. I do this, but when I try to resume my application I get:
Thats right, my application is locked. It doesn't give any reason, which is especially confusing considering that I was asked to re-authenticate. But there is a little link that can "explain this task", so I click it, and it naturally didn't work.
At this point, I was beginning to realize that I would need to contact their support to get things resolved.
Support and Next Steps
The first time I tried to use support, I clicked the helpful little "Live Chat" button. I then proceeded to wait for 25 minutes with no response. This was over the holidays, so I gave it another try after Christmas. This time I was connected to somebody, but no matter what question I asked I was given a canned response to contact the call center. My question is: Why have the "Live Chat" at all if you're just going to tell me to contact the call center? It's ridiculous and a waste of my time.
After my initial experience with HealthCare.gov, I'm not really excited to contact the call center. I honestly don't have a ton of time to do it, and given the number of people that will be signing up for healthcare I'm sure the wait will be long. My likely next steps will be to cancel what remains of my application and start over. If it doesn't work this time, then I'm going to cancel that application and contact my insurance provider of choice directly. In my case thats Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, which happens to have a walk-in office about a block from where I work.
I create things all the time on the web. Its my chosen profession, so I know how hard it can be to make a good website when you need to integrate with a lot of different 3rd parties. However this sort of experience isn't going to cut it. If I'm federally mandated to have health insurance, then the experience should be as painless as possible.
Because the system is broke I won't have health coverage until February 1st now; a month long gap in coverage for my family. This just isn't acceptable.


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Growing up, I preferred the plainest possible iteration of every food, yet my mom always liked to tell me that I had "champagne taste on a beer budget.†She was right. These two tendencies were at their neurotic best in my devotion to vanilla ice cream with "vanilla bean specks.†It was classy and unadorned, which somehow made me feel like it was ok to settle in on the couch with a gallon bucket-full from Costco and a spoon.
Thankfully, my palate and I both matured, but I never got over my thing for vanilla bean specks. Recently, after losing my source for vanilla beans, I convinced myself it was both prudent and economical to order what seemed like an inordinate amount of them online. Surprise! I've had no trouble getting through them and having them on hand has meant that simple things like this cornstarch pudding are much more likely to be gussied up with a vanilla bean.
This recipe followed a windy road to its inception—from a failed custard (totally my fault), inspired by the pots de crème in the La Tartine Gourmande cookbook, to an unapologetically simple recipe for vanilla pudding from the New York Times.
Milk & Honey Pudding with Stewed Rhubarb
- 2 cups whole milk, about 1/4 cup reserved
- 1 vanilla bean, pod split and seeds scraped
- 1/3 cup honey (I used a mild spring honey)
- 3 T cornstarch
- pinch salt
- 2 T unsalted butter
- 6 oz (about 1 1/2 cups) diced rhubarb
- 4 oz (about 1/2 cup) sugar (I used organic cane sugar)
Cooking Directions
- Prepare 6 small jars or bowls and set aside.
- Toss together the rhubarb and sugar in a small saucepan and let it sit until juice just begins to develop.
- When there's a bit of juice at the bottom of the pan, turn the heat on low. As the rhubarb breaks down and releases more juice, gradually increase the heat to med-high.
- Cook until all the rhubarb is broken down and the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and divide evenly among your 6 jars, putting about a heaping tablespoon in each.
- Next, whisk together the reserved 1/4 milk and cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over med-low heat, heat the remaining milk, honey, pinch of salt, and the vanilla bean until the mixture steams and just begins to start a gentle boil. Remove the vanilla bean.
- Reduce heat to low and add the cornstarch and milk mixture in a steady stream, stirring constantly. Continue to stir and cook on low for about 5 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and add butter, stirring until melted. Pass through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
- Pour the strained pudding into the jars, on top of the rhubarb, and refrigerate until set.


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GEODIS' Campus Solutions warehouse logistics can help customers to store and receive deliveries in the wake of a surge in activity. Campus Solutions also enable us to act as a fulfillment center as we ship the right order with the right products at the right time, while optimizing operating costs. See details
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GEODIS orchestrates the flow of products, partly or completely, along the entire supply chain until they reach the shelves. Our Flow Management & Enterprise Solutions offer is not only just about controlling movement. It also involves root cause analysis and pro-active actions to improve your supply chain, with an approach that includes visibility, our Control Tower services and efficient IT solutions. When it comes to flow management, our range of experts and international presence enable our customers to address stock holding issues. We can keep deliveries coming to the door of your store within required time frames throughout the year, and especially during peak activity. To achieve this, inventory information is key. See details
Transporting goods from a Distribution Center (DC) to the final point of sale comes with its own logistics constraints and requirements. GEODIS offers an array of services up until the last mile and the last minute, including help for a new product launch or store opening, and more. When it comes to a brand's promise to match User Experience (UX) & Customer Experience (CX), last mile delivery is now more critical than ever. GEODIS provides a variety of daily in-city solutions, including concierge services. See details
Nearshoring is fast becoming a Retail trend, with many stakeholders concentrated across several countries in one geographical zone. Destinations are just as plentiful and diverse, which means complex cross-border logistics must achieve their time, cost and revenue objectives. At GEODIS, we use proven expertise to adapt to each country's logistics and customs laws, regulations and documentation. We are experts in dealing with the additional security, complexity and costs that come with multimodal transport. See details
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Because your loved ones deserve the best
You know nothing will bring a bigger smile than a gift inspired by their love of cycling, but you aren't a bike specialist yourself. Here is a selection of our best road cycling gifts to help you choose the perfect present.
From brand new apparel to prepare for the upcoming season in style, to our range of bikes and clipless pedals, we have a wide selection of ideas to treat your loved ones this holiday season.
A LOOK track bike for a track cycling fan is a little like a Ferrari for a motorsports lover. Just like the French Track Cycling Team, trust in the quality of our products and choose the best of the best.
But a fixed gear doesn't stop at the velodrome. Fixie bikes are very much an urban trend, and LOOK has developed a full range of frames to take on the city streets in style.
Are you looking for the perfect gift for an adventurer, an explorer or a traveler? If you want to make dreams come true, nothing will beat the 765 GRAVEL. A bike ideal for those who don't want to choose between the roads and the trails.
And if this dream has already come true, simply gift the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors: a jersey, bibshorts or a pair of gloves make the perfect accessories to complete an outfit.


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I will survive…
It's been a hectic week, but I have managed to survive my first week as a Noogler. As everyone knows, I started at Google last week. The first week has been quite hectic as I started at the Sydney office and then in the middle of week flew to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California (if anyone is located in this area and wants to have lunch, feel free to look me up!).
The week has been a little bit of a mess for a number of reasons. I'm joining the PSO group at Google which is only just started to establish a presence at the Sydney office, this has meant not a lot of people know what I should be doing. To make matters worse, I managed to arrive for the Memorial Day weekend (public holiday on Monday) which means the normal schedule for training (which starts on a Monday) is all changed. It's still be very demanding and interesting anyway.
I arrived here in San Francisco on a Thursday (before I actually left according to wall time, Yay timezones!)Â and after sleeping for about 18 hours straight managed to make it into the office on the Friday. The jet lag didn't really end up hitting me until the weekend, so I've spent the last three days trying to reset my body clock instead of doing anything interesting.
I'm very pleased with the transparency inside of Google. I have yet to find a door which my keycard won't open or a website which I can not access with my login. Of course I can't tell anyone outside of Google what I have found out which is annoying, there is a lot of cool stuff going on.
Having worked mainly for small companies in the past, it's nice to be able to walk into TechStop (Google's tech support department) and get both hardware and support. It's nice having small things like beverages (such as that all important coffee) and food provided. The food in the Sydney office is not bad, but it pales in comparison to the variety and quality that you get here at the Googleplex.
I have heard that people worry that with all the food at Google you just end up going to lunch with your work mates, I don't think that is something having food provided creates. At the my previous work I ended up in that situation, always having lunch with the same people at the same locations, the only difference is that I was paying for it! Google is liberal about letting you invite friends to have lunch at their free cafeteria's too.
Over all, it has been a very busy and interesting week. I'm looking forward to what tomorrow (and the rest of this week) holds.
Also tagged Google, mtv, newbie


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- scipy.signal.cascade(hk, J=7)[source]¶
Return (x, phi, psi) at dyadic points K/2**J from filter coefficients.
Parameters: hk : array_like
Coefficients of low-pass filter.
J : int, optional
Values will be computed at grid points K/2**J. Default is 7.
Returns: x : ndarray
The dyadic points K/2**J for K=0...N * (2**J)-1 where len(hk) = len(gk) = N+1.
phi : ndarray
The scaling function phi(x) at x: phi(x) = sum(hk * phi(2x-k)), where k is from 0 to N.
psi : ndarray, optional
The wavelet function psi(x) at x: phi(x) = sum(gk * phi(2x-k)), where k is from 0 to N. psi is only returned if gk is not None.
The algorithm uses the vector cascade algorithm described by Strang and Nguyen in "Wavelets and Filter Banks". It builds a dictionary of values and slices for quick reuse. Then inserts vectors into final vector at the end.


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A fascinating piece on Khaled Said
Amro Ali speaks of demythologizing Khaled Said in Jaddaliya:
Khaled has been distorted almost beyond recognition. To understand the extent of this, based on interviews from friends, associates and my familiarity and understanding of the district, I attempt to provide a descriptive account of his life up until that fateful night in June 2010. The facts of his life are contrasted with his mythologization and the polarizing effects of both. His death was not just indicative of the corrupt and brutal police state; Khaled's life was symptomatic of the widespread despair that continues to plague Egypt's youth and that manifests in a plethora of symptoms from drug abuse to the strong desire to emigrate. The reconstruction of Khaled Saeed perpetuates self-defeating myths that, by elevating him into a figure with saint–like qualities, minimizes and simplifies the dynamics of his life that led up to his death.
It's the most detailed account of Khaled's life I have yet come across.