text:
Luke Sharrett / Redux Pictures file
A Marine second lieutenant hangs on an obstacle course during the Marine Corps' Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Va. on July 6. Beginning in September, women officer volunteers will participate in the course as part of a study to gauge the feasibility of allowing female Marines to serve in more extensive combat roles.
Come September, a small group of young female Marines will break through one of the last bastions of macho in the U.S. military. They'll be the first class of female officers to take part in the grueling Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Va., a test of both physical fitness and mental will that prepares the corps' future platoon leaders.
All of these women will be volunteers, and their training will be closely watched. The new coed class has sparked suggestions that such training could lead to integrating women in the Marine infantry, with some saying they "would make excellent grunts."
But at least one female Marine officer, a former college hockey player and battle-tested engineering unit commander still on active duty, says placing women in infantry units is just a bad idea.
Courtesy of USMC
Capt. Katie Petronio says women have no place in the Marine Corps infantry.
"Infantry is one of those fields we need to leave alone." Marine Capt. Katie Petronio told msnbc.com.
Petronio was just back from Afghanistan last year — where she worked shoulder to shoulder with infantrymen — when she heard people arguing that it was a violation of rights to restrict women from combat. The rights advocates missed the point, she said.
"It would just keep me up at night when I'd heard these bleeps or opinions," Petronio said. "I felt if I didn't do anything about it that my silence was consent and if this would've have passed, I wouldn't have done my due diligence in getting my point across."
She was compelled to write what became a widely cited article in the privately published Marine Corps Gazette provocatively titled "Get Over It! We Are Not All Created Equal."
The article details her personal experiences during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, making the case that the physical rigors of infantry are not for women.
The Pentagon has changed some of its rules. Women will be permitted in crucial and dangerous jobs closer to the front lines. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
"Can women endure the physical and physiological rigors of sustained combat operations," she wrote, "and are we willing to accept the attrition and medical issues that go along with integration?"
Even though she was a standout Bowdoin athlete and could bench press 145 pounds and squat 200 pounds, was ranked 4th out of a class of 52 in Officer Candidate School and excelled at Marine Corps fitness tests, Petronio's deployment in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan took a brutal toll on her 5-foot-3-inch body.
Related: Pentagon's new rules deploy women closer to combat
In Iraq, she developed severe restless leg syndrome, and a spine injury pressed on her nerves. In Afghanistan she was the senior Marine in her engineering unit working 16-hour days for weeks at a time building patrol bases.
Courtesy of USMC
Marine Corps Capt. Katie Petronio, right, poses with children at Patrol Base Mateen, Afghanistan.
"By the fifth month into the deployment, I had muscle atrophy in my thighs that was causing me to constantly trip and my legs to buckle with the slightest grade change," she wrote. "My agility during firefights and mobility on and off vehicles and perimeter walls was seriously hindering my response time and overall capability. It was evident that stress and muscular deterioration was affecting everyone regardless of gender; however, the rate of my deterioration was noticeably faster than that of male Marines and further compounded by gender-specific medical conditions." She lost 17 pounds on an already lean body.
Her article has supporters and detractors, but Petronio said she's just relating her own experience to avoid any sort of blanket policy that could end up putting lives in peril.
"People just think I'm just closed minded and I'm a sexist and I'm not looking to expand opportunities for females," Petronio told msnbc.com. "And that is absolutely not true. There are a lot of jobs in the Marine Corps right now that could be open to females. My big point is there needs to be a distinct line when it comes to the infantry."
The decades-long debate over changing roles of women in the military reached a turning point in 2011 when Congress directed the Pentagon to take a hard look at policies that restrict female service members. In February, the Defense Department relaxed some restrictions, moving women closer to combat, but a fuller review of combat jobs is under way.
It turns out that though women have fought and died in every American war, and many female troops performed with valor under fire in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is a lack of data to back any service-wide decision on which close-to-combat jobs would ultimately be open to them.
"We needed some data, some good recent Marine Corps data," Maj. Shawn Haney, a Marine Corps spokeswoman, told msnbc.com. "There's data from other services and other countries but we're a little different."
Even now, about 44 women across the Marine Corps are serving in jobs normally closed to women as part of the research program, Haney said.
The Iowa National Guard undergoes "Female Engagement Team" training prior to deploment to Afghanistan. Soldiers prepare themselves for cultural encounters with Afghan men and women played by actors in this video.
But whether women will join the ranks of grunts in the future is unclear.
"This has a lot do to with physical standards," Haney said. "This is the Marine Corps. This isn't JV. We've got to make sure we're doing the right thing for the institution and the individual."
As one female Marine told msnbc.com, "No one questions why there aren't any females in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc. Olympic athletes are the elite of the elite. No one questions why the women compete against women and men against men. Those are great sports and achievements. But lives and missions aren't on the line. In our world, if you move slower one day, you don't get bumped off the medal stand, you could die or get someone else killed."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- No charges for mother who abandoned severely disabled daughter at bar
- Sister gets text: 'The girl with this phone is dead'
- Drop the 'i' word? Debating the term 'illegal immigrant'
- San Bernardino becomes 3rd Calif. city in 2 weeks to file for bankruptcy protection
- Video: Teacher goes airborne on police pursuit


text:
Also published at The San Bernardino County Sun.
Summer travel season is right around the corner, and we're already seeing gas prices at more than four dollars a gallon. But perhaps this time next year, we may be reminiscing about "the good old days" when gas was so "cheap," as another new regulation coming out of Sacramento is about to raise the cost at the pump even higher.
The California Air Resources Board has been working to implement regulations that create a new "hidden" gas tax, which will take effect January 1, 2015. If you're wondering why you're just now hearing about it, you're not alone. Legislators passed AB 32, the legislation at the root of this hidden tax, back in 2006. While the law has affected other industries over the past few years, you may not have been impacted. However, when transportation fuels come under the cap-and-trade regulations created by AB 32 this January, we expect at least a 12-cents per gallon increase or more!
The fuels market can be volatile, so it's difficult to predict what the exact increase will be. Some, including Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, have suggested we could see the new regulation lead to increases in the 40-cents per gallon range in the near future.
This increase will be in addition to the 70-cents per gallon we already pay in gas taxes, which means next year, we'll be paying nearly a dollar per gallon in taxes and fees!
What's worse, not a penny of the money from this new hidden tax will go to improving our freeways and roads. Instead this money goes back to Sacramento for politicians in the majority party and political appointees to do with as they please. Ironically, although AB 32's intent is to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions, the governor and like-minded legislative leaders want to use the money from this new hidden tax to pay for the high-speed rail boondoggle and myriad other pet projects that won't help our air quality at all.
Those of us who live here in the Inland Empire know that the recession is far from over. Our unemployment rate is still high and empty storefronts and foreclosed homes still permeate our neighborhoods.
Increases in the cost of gas, approximately 40-cents per gallon or more, are extremely regressive. Those who can afford it the least are always hurt the most. For families struggling to make ends meet, transportation costs already take up as much as 40 percent of the household budget. Imagine what this new increase in the cost of fuel will do?
Californians are being punished for using a car to drive to and from work, drive their kids' carpool and run errands in their neighborhoods. This new tax would only make things worse for those of us who live in regions without viable transportation alternatives and who just want to provide for our families.
We should all be concerned about the absolute power and authority this one out-of-touch agency has over our lives and our pocketbooks.
If this tax goes into full effect, it will be another big hit to our economy, just as our friends and neighbors are finally getting back on their feet. The tax will also put more strain on our state's shrinking middle class. It's the last thing our region – or frankly any region in this state – needs.
Senator Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, represents the 23rd District in the State Senate which includes portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Topic: Boba Fett Fan Films
Fan films featuring Boba Fett add up to 29 now. Four were added today, on the 30th anniversary of Star Wars.
Depending on replies -- please reply with more fan film links if they're not already on http://www.bobafett.com/multimedia/films/ -- I'll post some criteria. Not just any video about Fett makes the cut for the BFFC's archive.
This is not the first post about Boba Fett fan films, so here's some deep links into the past:
http://www.bobafett.com/boards/viewtopic.php?id=670 (link question/post thanks to Lopero)
http://www.bobafett.com/boards/viewtopic.php?id=279 ("Boba Fett Chronicles" post thanks to ARC)
http://www.bobafett.com/boards/viewtopic.php?id=222 ("Wrath of the Mandalorian" post thanks to Orden Ttef)


text:
Graduate awards
In addition to these awards, the University supports graduate students through teaching, research, and service fellowships and assistanceships. For these, contact your graduate chair or graduate administrator for details.
Search among hundreds of award listings, filter by college, deadline, application form or keyword.
- Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement and may consider school/community activities, leadership or other criteria.
- Bursaries: awarded based on financial need and may also consider academic achievement.
- Prizes: awarded based on specific achievement (e.g., science fair project) and could be monetary or an item, such as a book.
Other awards websites
The above search form only contains awards available to graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan. See below if you are looking for undergraduate awards or those offered by external agencies.


text:
Marcus is a senior software engineer for SlickEdit. He can be contacted at [email protected]
Developing a plug-in for Eclipse presents special challenges that traditional application development does not. Applications are generally monolithic, despite any internal object-oriented structure. They have their own set of resources that are allocated and deallocated as needed, and are managed solely by the application.
The architecture of Eclipse, like its development, is community oriented. A plug-in is a unit of functionality in a neighborhood of other plug-ins. Like a real community, one bad neighbor affects all of its residents. Specifically, as a good citizen, you are required to minimize the amount of resources you take up in the environment. This includes memory and computational cycles. Only use what is necessary for the functionality that Eclipse users are engaging. Ideally, if your plug-in is not in use, it does not consume any resources.
The Eclipse plug-in model provides excellent ways of dealing with these concerns. Provided you follow some general guidelines and factor your plug-in correctly, you can supply great functionality with minimal cost to the community.
It is easy to think of your plug-in as a monolith. It provides a specific set of features that are all interrelated. Despite this similarity of function, your plug-in should be designed as a community of smaller plug-ins that comprises the total functionality. By breaking-up your plug-in, you will have a set of smaller plug-ins that can be loaded when invoked.
Without proper factoring, however, this strategy will backfire. If you have four small plug-ins that are not properly decoupled, you will end up continually loading all four plug-ins, thereby increasing overhead.
There are straightforward approaches that you can apply to the design of your plug-in that simplify the decomposition of your plug-in. In this article, I introduce two of them:
- Factor by Flow breaks apart plug-ins based on how users invoke them.
- Factor by Dependency looks at the dependency graph to determine the decomposition. I will also demonstrate how to use Extension Points as a decoupling mechanism.
Before you can factor your plug-in, it is important to understand the basic mechanisms that Eclipse employs in its runtime. These mechanisms control the start behavior for plug-ins and give you the power to change that behavior.
The Eclipse Class Loader
To understand how a plug-in is instantiated and started, you have to understand how the Eclipse class loader works. The class loader (org.eclipse.core.runtime.adapter.EclipseClassLoader) maps the association of a class to a plug-in. This includes any class in the plug-in's jar files. These jars are specified in the plugin.xml of a plug-in.
In the EclipseClassLoader class (available electronically; see "Resource Center," page 5), the use of the term Bundle indicates a particular plug-in's definition. This definition is composed of the plugin.xml, and now in Eclipse 3.0 the Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGI) bundle manifest. Both of these files determine when a plug-in is loaded and started.
The method shouldActivateFor(String className) applies the loading rules to determine whether a class that is being loaded should force a plug-in to start. This determination is based on the plugin.xml and OSGI bundle manifest.
Without an OSGI manifest, a plug-in is loaded when any of the classes in its jar file are loaded, provided that all of the plug-in dependencies defined in its plugin.xml file are present in the environment. If all of the dependencies are present, Eclipse instantiates the owning plug-in and calls its start method. Otherwise, the plug-in is unavailable along with all of the classes that it contains.
This loading policy requires that plug-in developers ensure that interplug-in dependencies are carefully managed. You do not want to force your plug-in to load because another plug-in is using a utility class contained in its jar file. You also do not want your plug-in to force the loading of other plug-ins you are dependent on, if they are not needed.
Third-party developers might abuse your plug-in. Although you might have managed your dependencies, any third party can use one of your classes, which may not have been intended as an API class, and force the loading of your plug-in.
OSGI Bundle Manifest
Undoubtedly, the developers of Eclipse realized the potential for abuse and inefficiency. Eclipse 3.0 introduces the OSGI bundle manifest, which gives you greater control over the loading policy. The file is named Manifest.mf and located in a META-INF subdirectory of the plug-in folder.
Bundle manifests give you three new capabilities to control the plug-in startup behavior:
- The ability to turn off autostart. This tells Eclipse not to manage the starting of your plug-in. Classes can be loaded from your plug-in without it ever being instantiated and started. This is accomplished by setting Eclipse-AutoStart to False.
- The ability to add exceptions to the default autostart policy. If the autostart policy is set to True, then you can optionally export packages that do not require the plug-in to be loaded. This is an excellent benefit that promotes reuse. You can have exported packages for utility and base classes that do not force the plug-in to load. This statement in the Manifest.mf file exports a utility package from the sample metrics plug-in: "Eclipse-AutoStart=true;exceptions=com.kestler.metrics.util".
- Control over what is exported from your plug-in. This lets you explicitly control what portions of your plug-in can be used by other plug-ins. Each package that is visible is added with a Provide-Package statement followed by the package name. Provide-Package:com.myplugin.api exposes an API package from a plug-in.
You must list all of the packages you want to export if you use an OSGI bundle manifest. By default, none of the packages in your plug-in are visible to other plug-ins. This can be tricky because the classes are visible at compile time, but not at runtime. Using the manifest overcomes all of the previous issues with only using a plugin.xml file to describe your plug-in. A manifest is created for you if you select the "Create an OSGI bundle manifest for the plug-in" in the New Plug-in Project Wizard. You can manually add one by creating a META-INF directory and adding a MANIFEST.MF file to it. Once it is created, all of the options can be controlled on the Runtime tab of the plugin.xml editor page. This page has a MANIFEST.MF tab if you have a bundle manifest to allow you to edit the file directly.
While the OSGI bundle manifest might mitigate a lot of the problems with third parties, you still have to carefully plan your plug-in dependencies and start-up behavior.
Putting It to Use
The Metrics Plug-in collects statistics about the workspace in real time and provides a view for displaying them. It collects information about Java and C/C++ projects and general workspace information. The metrics are based on the IMetric interface so that I can treat them uniformly (see the EclipseClassLoader class).
Factor by Flow
The Factor by Flow approach factors the plug-in by user interaction or flow. This approach considers how users interact with your plug-in.
You should determine ahead of time how users invoke specific features and portions of you application. Try to divide up the structure of the plug-in so that each user path, or flow, can be invoked without any extra overhead.
If your plug-in provides two perspectives, for instance, break it up into separate plug-ins. If users are working in one perspective, there is no need to introduce the overhead of the second perspective.
If you have related views that depend on each other and other views that are independent, break the independent view out into a separate plug-in. Keep the related views together in another plug-in.
Since the Metrics plug-in only has one view, I pull it out into a separate plug-in. Separating the user interface gives you added flexibility. If well designed, you can reuse user interface pieces to construct other views without dragging the underlying model with it.
Factor by Dependency
Consider the dependency graph for the plug-in so far (Figure 1). The plug-in has dependencies on the Eclipse Runtime, Resource Plug-in, JDT (Java Development Tools), and CDT (C/C++ Development Tools). The JDT and CDT dependencies need to be optional because these plug-ins might not be present (remember, there is now a platform-only version of Eclipse that does not contain JDT).
If you use this design, you are creating instances of metrics for plug-ins that might not be available. You can mitigate this by writing code to detect the presence of the optional plug-in. Fortunately, you do not have to do this.
Using the Factor by Dependency approach, you focus on the dependency graph of the plug-ins. Start by splitting out plug-ins that provide functionality based on a dependent, optional plug-in. Using this approach, any optional dependencies signal a need to refactor. You should rely on Eclipse to deal with the existence or nonexistence of a plug-in using its plug-in loading model. If the metrics that are dependent on JDT and CDT are moved to separate plug-ins, I can make the dependency required. This tells Eclipse not to load the plug-in if CDT or JDT are not present.
Now, I have three plug-ins. There is a core plug-in called "com.kestler.metrics" that provides infrastructure and workbench metrics; com.kestler.metrics.c for CDT- based metrics; and com.kestler.metrics.java for JDT-based metrics.
The dependency graph for this approach is still problematic (Figure 2). In this scenario, com.kestler.metrics is optionally dependent on the Java and C metrics plug-ins. This approach is problematic as the Java and C Metrics plug-ins use resources from the main metrics plug-in. This introduces a circular dependency. There is also the problem of the plug-ins still not being available when CDT or JDT are not present. I need to break the dependency from the main plug-in to the C/C++ Metrics and Java Metrics plug-ins to remove the optional dependency and possible circular dependency.
This problem is easily solved by introducing an Extension Point.
Extension Points for Decoupling
You can't do much with Eclipse without using Extension Points. You have probably used them by extension, but they are excellent decoupling mechanisms if you implement them in the right places.
Defining an Extension Point is a simple process. They are defined by a schema and declared in your plugin.xml as an Extension Point. Once defined, any plug-in can provide extensions to your plug-in.
I have defined com.kestler.metrics.Metric extension point (see Listing One). This enables other plug-ins to provide metrics by using the extension point. The idea is that the core plug-in will dispatch events out to a set of Metrics. The Metric element defines the integration. It is defined as requiring a class that implements the IMetric interface, and it has other values for determining how it is categorized and a filter to determine the events it receives.
A typical metric extension would be interested in events about files. The filter is set to org.eclipse.core.resource.IFile. For a simple file counter, I can just keep track of all of the files that come through the event.
There is also a Category element for defining new categories of organization, and an AggregateMetric element, which lets you define metrics that base their values on other Metrics. Any metric used by the MetricAggregate is defined as a MetricParticipant element. The MetricAggregate is notified when the value of any of the Metrics defined by the MetricParticipant changes. This allows for easy collection of statistics, like averages.
At runtime, the Metrics Plug-in gets an instance of IExtensionRegistry. This instance is aware of all of the plug-ins that have extended the Metrics extension point. By calling getExtensionPoint(String extensionPointID), I have access to all of the defined extensions by calling getConfigurationElements().
The result of this call returns only the plug-in extensions that can be loaded. If CDT, for instance, is not installed, then I will not get Metric extensions from the C Metrics plug-in. Since the C Metrics plug-in is dependent on CDT, and CDT is not available, Eclipse ignores the plug-ins Extensions. The resulting set of Extensions does not include the C Metric Extensions. Without any special code, the C metrics plug-in is not available and does not consume resources. Listing Two presents the extension processing code.
The Metrics Plug-in does not need to know anything about the other plug-ins. In effect, the dependency it had on the Java and C metrics plug-ins is reversed, and there are no more optional dependencies in the graph (Figure 3). This creates a form of inversion of control.
Fine Tuning
Now that my house is in order, I have to make sure that I keep the neighbors in line. To ensure that my plug-in is not abused by third parties, I have also set up the OSGI bundle manifest to only export the root package. This package contains the plug-in class and all of the API classes an extending plug-in would need. Everything else is located in the internal package, which is not exported by the OSGI bundle manifest.
None of the other plug-ins export any packages because they are extensions and do not provide useful functionality to the platform.
It is a good practice to start a plug-in project with a single export directory. This reduces your confusion when developing your plug-in and prevents abuse by third parties.
If you have utility classes, put them in one package that is an AutoStart exception in the OSGI bundle manifest. This package must also be exported. If a third party should use it, however, it will not force your plug-in to load.
Listing Three is the final OSGI bundle manifest for the core Metrics plug-in.
Wrapping Up
The complete source code for the set of metrics plug-ins (available electronically; see "Resource Center," page 5) contains useful examples of common processing in Eclipse. Along with Extension Point processing, there are examples of using the CDT and JDT code models to inspect code structure.
Applying the Factor by Flow and Factor by Dependency approaches to decomposing your plug-ins produces efficient, community-friendly plug-ins. While no approach covers all use cases, these two approaches will give you a base.
The key to knowing when a strategy is working in Eclipse is simple. Just ask the following question: Are you writing code that the platform would handle for you? If so, you should look at one of these approaches.
package com.kestler.metrics; import org.eclipse.core.runtime.IAdaptable; /** author Marcus Kestler. This Interface defines a metric. */ public interface IMetric extends IAdaptable { /** The event id for REFRESH. This will be called when the metric is * instanciated. The element passed with this event has not been modified. */ public final static int REFRESH = 100; /** return The calcuated value for the metric. */ public String getValue(); /** Main event for metrics. param notifyFlag one of the following events * IResourceDelta.REMOVED * IResourceDelta.CHANGED * IResourceDelta.ADDED * IMetric.REFRESH * param _adaptable The element that has been changed, removed, etc */ public void calculate(int notifyFlag, IAdaptable _adaptable); /** Adds a listener that will be notfied when the value of the metric * has been changed. * param _listener The listener */ public void addValueListener(IValueListener _listener); /** Cleanup method */ public void dispose(); /** This will be called with the id set in the extension point * param id The id of the metric defined in its extension point */ public void setId(String id); /** return Should return the id set in setId() */ public String getId(); }Back to article
Listing Two
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>  <schema targetNamespace="com.kestler.metrics.com.kestler.metrics"> <annotation> <appInfo> <meta.schema plugin="com.kestler.metrics.com.kestler.metrics" id="Metrics" name="Metric"/> </appInfo> <documentation> Adds a new Metric to be displayed by the Metrics Plugin </documentation> </annotation> <element name="extension"> <annotation> <documentation> A new metric that implements the IMetric interface. </documentation> </annotation> <complexType> <sequence> <element ref="Metric" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="unbounded"/> <element ref="category" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded"/> <element ref="AggregateMetric" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded"/> </sequence> <attribute name="point" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="id" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="name" type="string"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> </complexType> </element> <element name="Metric"> <annotation> <appInfo> <meta.element labelAttribute="label"/> </appInfo> </annotation> <complexType> <attribute name="class" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> <appInfo> <meta.attribute kind="java" basedOn="com.kestler.metrics.IMetric"/> </appInfo> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="label" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="categoryId" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="id" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="TypeFilter" type="string"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="icon" type="string"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> <appInfo> <meta.attribute kind="resource"/> </appInfo> </annotation> </attribute> </complexType> </element> <element name="category"> <complexType> <attribute name="label" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="icon" type="string"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> <appInfo> <meta.attribute kind="resource"/> </appInfo> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="id" type="string"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> </complexType> </element> <element name="AggregateMetric"> <complexType> <sequence> <element ref="MetricParticipant" minOccurs="1" maxOccurs="unbounded"/> </sequence> <attribute name="id" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="categoryId" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="class" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> <appInfo> <meta.attribute kind="java" basedOn="com.kestler.metrics.IAggregateMetric"/> </appInfo> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="label" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> <attribute name="icon" type="string"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> <appInfo> <meta.attribute kind="resource"/> </appInfo> </annotation> </attribute> </complexType> </element> <element name="MetricParticipant"> <complexType> <attribute name="metricId" type="string" use="required"> <annotation> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </attribute> </complexType> </element> <annotation> <appInfo> <meta.section type="since"/> </appInfo> <documentation> 1.0.0 </documentation> </annotation> <annotation> <appInfo> <meta.section type="examples"/> </appInfo> <documentation> [Enter extension point usage example here.] </documentation> </annotation> <annotation> <appInfo> <meta.section type="apiInfo"/> </appInfo> <documentation> [Enter API information here.] </documentation> </annotation> <annotation> <appInfo> <meta.section type="implementation"/> </appInfo> <documentation> [Enter information about supplied implementation of this extension point.] </documentation> </annotation> <annotation> <appInfo> <meta.section type="copyright"/> </appInfo> <documentation> </documentation> </annotation> </schema>Back to article
Listing Three
private void processExtensions() { IExtensionRegistry _registry = Platform.getExtensionRegistry(); IExtensionPoint _ext = _registry.getExtensionPoint(EXT_ID); IConfigurationElement[] _cfgs = _ext.getConfigurationElements(); for (int i = 0; i < _cfgs.length; i++) { IDefinition _def = ExtensionDefinitionFactory.getDefinition(_cfgs[i]); if (_def instanceof IMetricDefinition) { m_metricDefs.put(_def.getId(), _def); } else if (_def instanceof ICategoryDefinition) { m_categories.put(_def.getId(), _def); ICategoryDefinition cDef = (ICategoryDefinition)_def; if (cDef.getImage() != null) { ImageDescriptor _desc = cDef.getImage(); m_images.put(_def.getId(), _desc.createImage()); } } else if (_def instanceof IAggregateDefinition) { m_aggDefs.put(_def.getId(), _def); } } }Back to article


text:
The Shriners' Dirty Little Secret – Royal Order of Jesters
By Sandy Frost
Editor's Note:
This resource was originally created as a public service and published on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 for those wanting to know more about the Shriners' secret sub-group, the Royal Order of Jesters as well as the former fishing tour operator who took 19 Jesters fishing in Brazil for girls over 13.
The original article listed ten articles. This has been updated with 25 new articles for a total of 35 articles that detail the greatest nonprofit fraud of our time. You can scan the headlines and read the summary of four years of findings that include actual dollar amounts from the Jesters' nonprofit tax returns, available to the public on Guidestar.org.
The original intention was to provide more information in advance of the April 29 UTMB v Shriners hearing in Galveston, Texas and the May 6 and 7 sentencing's of two Jesters caught by the FBI in a human trafficking sting out of Buffalo, NY. We're way beyond that now. Read on with an Adult Content Warning. Yes, there is sex but the most offensive, IMHO, is the fact that these guys are operating a nationwide network of prostitution via human trafficking at tax payer expense.
Thank you,
Sandy Frost
Starbucks, WA
The buzz at this year's Shriner Fourth of July convention is going to be how their endowment lost $3 billion in less than a year, on top of losing $1 million a day since 2001, as everyone was blindsided by the news that the joint boards are considering closing six of their hospitals "because of the economy."
If anyone asks Shriner leaders "Where did all the money go?" they will be hushed up or threatened or told to leave or brought up on "charges" before an internal kangaroo court or sued for defamation or otherwise retaliated against.
There is a bigger problem, however, that the Shriners should address. It is one that leaders will never acknowledge and one that members will never be allowed to discuss and that is the Shriners secret sub-group, the Royal Order of Jesters and their prostitution/sex crime scandals.
Though the Jesters are holding their annual meeting at the same time as the Shriners convention in San Antonio, they will be persona non grata and swept under the rug.
Because the majority those who control the Shriners joint boards are also Jesters. Why would they implicate themselves and invite more scrutiny when the media is already asking about hospital closures? What if anyone factored mismanagement, corruption and a lack of ethics into the "blame the economy" equation to hypothesize a corporate model that either allowed or facilitated these staggering losses?
So what does the Shriner/Jester family tree look like?
The Shriners and the Royal Order of Jesters are appendant groups of Freemasonry. One must first be a Master Mason before being able to join sub-groups like the Scottish Rite, Knights Templar and the Shriners. However, one must first be a secretly invited Shriner before joining the Royal Order of Jesters, a self-described "luxury organization for only those who can qualify and who can afford it."
There are about 23,500 Jesters organized into "courts" that correspond to the 191 Shriner temples located across North America.
Below is a list of 35 Jester related articles, beginning with "Jesters Exposed," the first article ever written about the ROJ. It was published on February 15, 2008 and was mostly about nonprofit tax technicalities and how the nonprofit group's leaders ordered that the internet be scrubbed of ROJ information to "minimize to the extent possible, our public exposure or its access to Jesters information" because it had been alleged that their weekend meetings were nothing more than prostitution parties where they drank and played high stakes poker.
A few days after that, I learned about how 19 Jesters were named on a witness list for the defense in a defamation action between two fishing tour operators who took groups to fish the Amazon in Brazil. "'Jesters' To Testify about Illegal Drugs, Child Prostitution?" was published about three weeks later, on March 6, 2008, and reported how these Jesters were expected to testify about "their first hand knowledge of prostitution, minor prostitution, use of illegal drugs and/or the alleged illegal entry of one of the tour operators into Indian reservations by the plaintiff and his customers."
Three days later, on March 9, 2008, The Buffalo News reported "Former Judge Tills resigns amid FBI prostitution investigation."
Reporters Dan Herbeck and Aaron Besecker wrote:
"A retired State Supreme Court justice resigned his post as a hearing officer as federal agents investigate his alleged role in taking a local massage parlor worker across state lines for purposes of prostitution. FBI and U.S. Border Patrol agents are investigating allegations that retired Judge Ronald H. Tills, his former law clerk and a retired police captain took the female massage parlor employee in a motor home to a gathering of members of a nationwide group called the Royal Order of Jesters."
Turns out the judge, his law clerk and the retired police captain got caught in a FBI human trafficking sting and pleaded guilty to taking, or conspiring to take, illegal alien prostitutes to Jester parties in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Florida as well as a national meeting held in Ontario, Canada. The law clerk was sentenced last December to four months home confinement, fined $5,000, ordered to 250 hours of community service and put on two years probation.
The former judge and retired police captain are scheduled to be sentenced May 6 and 7 for violating the Mann Act.
Below is a chronological list of Jester articles, with links to those documents being described including Jester tax returns that show how they spent nearly $600,000 on one of their weekend parties, a revised constitution that shows the interdependence between the Shriners and Jesters, a list of meetings, ceremonies like "The Book of the Play," depositions and plea agreements.
"Jesters Exposed" Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:35 PM EST
This is the first article ever written about the Shriner secret sub-group, the Royal Order of Jesters or ROJ. It reports:
• ROJ 2005 tax returns AKA the 990s show that the Jesters fraternal brought in over $1.3 million dollars with assets totaling over $1.8 million dollars.
• ROJ 2005 tax returns show that Jesters charitable brought in over $420,000 with assets totaling $835,000, for a combined worth of about $2.65 million dollars and that charitable contributions went toward building their new $1.2 million 5,000 square foot HQ/museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• In 2006, ROJ executive director Alex Rogers, who is also an attorney and past potentate, submitted an application for property tax exemption to the Marion County Assessor that was initially denied because tax authorities were not convinced that the Jesters qualified as a charity, based on the museum claims, under Indiana law.
• Rogers appealed the decision and convinced the Indiana Tax Assessment Board of Appeals that the Jesters are an appendant body of Masonry. Both parties entered into a Settlement Agreement in January, 2007 that stipulated a 100% fraternal tax exemption for the year 2005, otherwise the Jesters would have had to cough up about $12,000 in property taxes.
• Two ROJ executive directors appear to be practicing law out of Jester HQ in Indiana and Texas. IRS nonprofit laws state that no one shall benefit personally from a nonprofit group.
• "Royal Stage Manager" Dennis Schueler sent a letter to Jester webmaster Frank Baillie, informing him that the Jesters had "directed the abolition of all Jester-related bulletin boards and internet sites. The primary reason behind such action was the desire of the Board to minimize to the extent possible, our public exposure or its access to Jesters information."
• ROJ functions have always been listed on the Imperial Council's annual session agenda.
• Shriners' corporate communications director, Alicia Aargiz-Lyons failed to respond to phone messages and emailed questions about the Royal Order of Jesters.
"Jesters" To Testify about Illegal Drugs, Child Prostitution? Thu Mar 6, 2008 1:35 PM EST
This article is about how 19 Jesters were named on a witness list for the defense in a federal defamation lawsuit and associated court documents. It reports:
• Federal court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division regarding a defamation lawsuit between two fishing tour operators, Richard Schair and Phillip Marsteller, includes a defense witness list that names 19 witnesses who are members of the ROJ and are expected to testify about fishing trips to Brazil and "their first hand knowledge of prostitution, minor prostitution, use of illegal drugs and/or entry into Indian reservations by Schair (plaintiff) and/or his customers."
• The ROJ was investigated by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas in 2005 after they received a complaint alleging Jester parties revolved around sex with prostitutes, illegal gambling and alcohol. It ended with no "prosecutions."
• The Wichita Jester Court #24 reported to the IRS that they spent $122,102 in 2006 for the exempt purpose of "recreation, entertainment and companionship."
• The Long Beach Jester Court #161 reported to the IRS that they spent $82,543 in 2006 as "benefits paid to members."
• Five girls gave statements to Brazilian federal police officers last year as they were investigating "minor Indian and other girls living near the rivers in the region of the Municipality of Autazes/AM who became victims of sexual exploitation by North American foreign tourists."
• These depositions described how the girls were, at the time of the alleged minor prostitution, aged 13, 14, 16.
• One of the 16 year olds stated that her 14 year old sister was also recruited.
• All the girls state they were lured onto the fishing boat by someone named "Richard."
• These depositions describe the crime otherwise known as "child sex tourism."
Judge Central Figure in FBI Probe, the S.O.B.I.B. and the Jesters' Half Million Dollar Weekend Parties Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:30 PM PDT
This article describes how Shriner/Jester and former New York Supreme Court Judge Tills is the focus of the FBI's investigation, exposes a clandestine Jester sub-group called the S.O.B.I.B. and details shocking data found on Jester tax returns. It reports:
• Tills is listed as a member of an inside Jesters group called the "S.O.B.I.B." The acronym allegedly stands for something like "Secret Order of Brother/s in Blood."
• Ralph Semb, chairman of the board of trustees for the Shriners Hospitals for Children, is both a Jester and a member of the S.O.B.I.B.
• The International Royal Order of Jesters, Inc. and the National Court of the Royal Order of Jesters fail to list the S.O.B.I.B. on line 80b of their 2003, 2004 and 2005 tax returns. Line 80a asks "Is the organization related (other than by association with a statewide or nationwide organization) through common membership, governing bodies, trustees, officers, etc., to any other exempt or non exempt organizations?" Line 80b asks "If 'Yes,' enter the name of the organization."
• The Jesters further fail to correctly answer questions about their exempt purpose.
• Tax returns report that in 2003, the Jesters' weekend ritual "The Book of the Play" (BOP) expenses were $226,268, with income of $400,548. In 2004, they spent $545,806 on the BOP, with income of $584,661. In 2005, they spent $307,345 with income of $454,783.
• Three years of ROJ tax returns report that director's expense as $31,116, $24,778 and $31,865 respectively, though these expenses are not reported in Part II.
• Three years of ROJ tax returns list $0 for Program Services.
• Three years of ROJ tax returns report gross receipts of $1,208,146, $1,394,551 and $1,310, 539.
• A Thursday, December 20, 2007 request for the ROJ 2006 990 and Form 1023 remains unanswered. (The Form 1023 is a group's application for tax exempt status. IRS regulations state that the organization must provide the requested document/s within 30 days from the date it received the request.)
Brazilian Fishing Trip Depositions: "Masons" Pictured Having Sex with Teen Prostitutes? Sun May 25, 2008 3:55 PM PDT
This is the second article requiring an "Adult Warning." What began as a defamation lawsuit between two fishing tour operators has led to the possibility that "Masons" participated in child sex tourism and minor prostitution. It reports:
· Two fishing guides, previously employed by the plaintiff, were deposed by the Brazilian federal police to describe what they witnessed as part of their same investigation into the international crime of "child sex tourism."
· These guides spent three days in Miami with attorneys from both sides, interpreters, a videographer and both parties as they testified about what they witnessed in pictures of "Masons" allegedly having sex with teen prostitutes on "Wet-a-Line" fishing boats, some underage.
· Brazilian teens lured into prostitution told fishing tour guides that they had "sex of all kinds" with those on "Wet-A-Line" tours.
· Tour guides described going by fishing boats as the girls engaged in oral sex with the fishermen.
· Tour guides identified groups of American men who went on these tours year after year to party, drink, watch strip contests, have sex and take drugs.
· Tour guides said that girls as young as 9, 13, and 14 were used as prostitutes on the fishing boats.
· Tour guides identified those who returned each year as "Masons."
· "Masons" were pictured with two underage prostitutes at a party on the fishing boat.
· The "Masons" asked for girls over 13.
Child Sex Tourism: Brazilian Teens Testify About Being Lured into Minor Prostitution for American Tourists Mon Jun 2, 2008 5:58 PM EDT
This is the third of three articles related to how 19 Jesters were called as to testify for the defense in a federal lawsuit about their alleged firsthand knowledge of minor prostitution while fishing trips to Brazil. It reports:
· Five girl's depositions were taken by the Brazilian Federal Police that allege how same man named "Richard" went to the same village every year, luring girls to help him with housekeeping and cooking on his boat.
· Upon arriving at the boat, the girls discover they were to drink whiskey and have sex with the fishermen.
· The girls report that they are victims of sexual abuse perpetuated by a group of North American tourists.
· One 13 year old reported that was left pregnant.
· "Richard" failed to pay the girls what was promised.
Jester Confesses to Wife He Organized Prostitutes Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:10 PM EDT
This is an interview with a wife who discovered that as her husband became more and more involved with the Jesters, he was getting prostitutes to Jester functions. It reports:
· The ROJ is a strictly stag, luxury organization for no purpose other than to "spread mirth."
· Wives are allowed at only two events a year.
· The husband said that the Jesters have a "pool" of girls.
· Certain Jesters request their favorite girls.
· Each court's director assigns the job of inviting the girls.
· The Jesters have a doctor who checks the girls "papers."
· Every court has a member who organizes the girls for their BOP.
Judge Tills Pleads Guilty, Admits Coordinating Prostitutes with Jester National Representatives Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:14 PM EDT
This article is based on a Department of Justice press release that reports "Terrance P. Flynn, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, announced today that RONALD H. TILLS, 73, a former State Supreme Court Judge from Hamburg, New York, pleaded guilty to Information charging him with knowingly transporting a female in interstate commerce with the intent that the female engage in prostitution (Mann Act)." It reports:
• The 9/11 terrorist attack did not deter Judge Tills from getting prostitutes to a weekend Jester party because air traffic was delayed or suspended.
• Judge Tills arranged for the transportation of prostitutes from the Buffalo airport to the Jesters' national meeting then being held in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
• Tills agreed with representatives of the Jesters' National Court that members of the Buffalo Court #22 would get the women from the Buffalo airport to the hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, where the national Jesters meeting was being held.
• Judge Tills paid one of these prostitutes to engage in sexual acts with him at a massage parlor.
• Tills and Trowbridge knowingly transported a different undocumented alien from New York to a Jester meeting in Pennsylvania to engage in sexual intercourse and other sexual activity
• Judge Tills arranged for a woman from Buffalo to attend a Jester party in Florida to engage in sexual intercourse and other sexual activity and be paid for it.
• Judge Tills arranged for several women from New York, Ohio and Texas to attend a Jester meeting in Brantford, Ontario, Canada to engage in sexual intercourse and other sexual activity and be paid for it.
• Judge Tills held high offices in the Masonic Grand Lodge of New York and the Ismailia Shriners.
• ROJ bylaws show that they are closely related to the Shriners, with national events being held together as well as ROJ courts dependent on where Shriner temples are located.
Jester Prostitution Updates, Stebick Sentenced Sun Dec 7, 2008 7:11 PM EST
This story reports:
· Michael Stebick, 61 was put on probation for two years, ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and directed to provide 250 hours of community service.
· According to sentencing Judge Skretny, the victim in the case was put up in a hotel by the Jesters, with a sign stating '$70-an-hour' posted outside her room.
· Pictures show Jesters fishing, drinking and cuddling with Brazilian girls.
· John Trowbridge's sentencing November 4 date was been again rescheduled for May 6, 2009.
· The owner of the "massage parlors," Len Wah Chong, was sentenced on November 19 to six years in federal prison for enslaving as many as 11 illegal alien prostitutes. She pleaded guilty early last April to "Sex Trafficking of Persons by Force, Fraud and Coercion." She forfeited two properties, $70K in cash and jewelry seized and now must pay $350,000 in restitution to those she kept as sex slaves.
· The Richard W. Schair and Wet-a-Line Tours LLC v Phillip Marsteller and Amazon Tours, Inc. defamation lawsuit was settled out of court on Friday, December, 5.
· On Wednesday, December 3, 2008, Imperial Potentate Douglas Maxwell, Chairman of the SHC Board of Trustees Ralph Semb and Corporate Director of Public Relations Alicia Aargiz-Lyons were emailed the following questions "What is your reaction to the latest news articles about those members of the Royal Order of Jesters pleading guilty in Buffalo to violating the Mann Act?" and "Those Jesters allegedly involved with child sex tourism?" To date, no response.
Tills' Sentencing Rescheduled in Jester Prostitution Case Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:17 PM PST
This article reports that:
· Judge Tills' sentencing was rescheduled from January 12, 2009 to May 7, 2009.
· Questions about these matters repeatedly phoned and emailed to the Masonic Grand Lodge of New York remain unanswered.
· On Wednesday, December 3, 2008, Imperial Potentate Douglas Maxwell, Chairman of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Board of Trustees and member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Ralph Semb and Corporate Director of Public Relations Alicia Aargiz-Lyons were asked "What is your reaction to the latest news articles about those members of the Royal Order of Jesters pleading guilty in Buffalo to violating the Mann Act?" To date, all three have failed to respond.
The Shriners & "Management by Mirth" Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:31 PM PDT
This editorial points out that the majority of those on the Shriners joint boards are also members of the Royal Order of Jesters and reports:
· Eleven out of twelve on the SHC board of trustees are Jesters.
· Nine out of fourteen of those listed on the 2006 fraternal tax return are Jesters.
· By the end of 2008, four key executives had "resigned" because they opposed recontracting with a fundraiser as not being in the hospital's best interests and may have personally benefitted some board members.
· With the hospital's executive vice president, director of corporate development, controller and senior attorney gone, those Jesters in charge were free to run things without much, if any, corporate oversight.
· The corporate model of "Management by Mirth" could prove fatal because it's based on undisclosed conflicts of interest. It's based on deception because the Shriners have hidden this affiliation with the Royal Order of Jesters from the IRS by not listing them as an affiliated group on their tax returns.
Articles from this point on added on Tuesday, June 12, 2012.
Shriner/Jester Court Updates, Brazilian Indictment & My Statement to the Buffalo News Tue May 5, 2009 5:07 PM PDT
From the article: "Here are updates in two Shriner and Jester court cases, news that the owner of the fishing tour business who took members of the Royal Order of Jesters (ROJ) fishing on the Amazon has closed shop and has been indicted by Brazilian authorities as well as my reaction to a ROJ spokesman disavowing knowledge of activities for which two Jesters are to be sentenced after both pleaded guilty to violating the Mann Act."
Brazilian Judge Rejects Schair's Request for Habeas Corpus Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:15 PM PDT
This article reports "On June 23, 2009, Brazilian federal judge, MARIA LUCIA GOMES DE SOUZA, denied a June 19, 2009 Habeas Corpus request filed on behalf of former fishing tour operator Richard Wayne Schair of Gainesville, Georgia. If granted, this would have protected Schair from unlawful detention upon entering Brazil after being charged with rape, corruption of minors and operating a house of prostitution."
Editorial: Schair v Newsvine Illustrates Importance of Reporter Shield and Child Protection Bills Before Congress Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:12 PM PDT
I respond to Richard Schair suing my provider, Newsvine.com, for defamation after I report he's been indicted by the Brazilian Federal Police for luring underage Brazilian Indian girls into prostitution for his North American fishing clients.
Richard W. Schair v Newsvine Dismissed as Brazilian Judge Accepts Rape & Underage Prostitution Case Against Him Wed Aug 5, 2009 11:04 PM PDT
This article reports "Richard Schair's motion to dismiss was granted last Friday after defendant Newsvine moved his libel and defamation complaint against the MSNBC online subsidiary to federal court. And last Monday, August 3, the Brazilian federal judge overseeing Schair's accepted it from the federal prosecutor's office. This is a step closer to Schair being prosecuted in South America after the Brazilian federal police charged him with rape, operating a house of prostitution and the corruption of minors."
Editorial: Filings Fly Prior to Tills Sentencing for Jester Prostitution Thu Aug 6, 2009 1:52 AM PDT
This article reports "Former Judge Ronald Tills is being sentenced tomorrow for pleading guilty to violating the Mann Act. He was caught with two others in a FBI human trafficking sting for taking illegal alien prostitutes to weekend meetings of the Royal Order of Jesters so their Master Mason brothers could have sex."
Nevada Assembly Formally Welcomed Shriners & Jesters Tue Oct 6, 2009 11:29 PM PDT
This article reports "Back on March 9, 2001, Nevada Assemblyman Joe E. Dini Jr. (D) formally welcomed both the Shriners and Royal Order of Jesters to Nevada. Speaking on behalf of the Nevada State Assembly, Dini said 'DECLARED, That the members of the Assembly of the State of Nevada hereby express a hearty welcome to the Royal Order of Jesters, Reno Court 33 and Las Vegas Court 181, and the Shrine of North America in their endeavors to provide fun and fellowship for its members and to bring necessary medical treatment to children across the United States. Declared by the Assembly March 9, 2001.'
The most recent Jester tax return lists Samuel "Scutter" Newton of Las Vegas Court #181 as an officer of the national court. A witness list for the defense in the federal defamation case Schair v Marsteller states
"Witness (Newton) has firsthand knowledge of prostitution, minor prostitution, use of illegal drugs and/or entry into Indian reservations by Schair and/or his customers."
Updated: Copyright Infringement Challenge Settled, Jesters Hide Prostitutes' Expenses, Blackmail Themselves into Secrecy
Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:24 AM PDT
The article reports "The Shriners secret sub-group, the Royal Order of Jesters, continues partying with prostitutes at tax payer expense, in spite of being investigated for interstate prostitution and child sex tourism. It's business as usual for who have sex with hookers like Misty LaSweet because they think that their Jester brothers in law enforcement and the judiciary system will protect them above all else."
It also reports that The U.S. Attorney"s office describes the Royal Order of Jesters as:
"This organization maintained chapters throughout the United States, including in Western New York, and it was the custom of these chapters to host periodic meetings, usually on weekends, for their members. At most of these meetings, some members of the organization would be tasked to arrange for the presence of women at the meetings, for the specific purpose of utilizing the women to engage in sexual intercourse and other sexual activity with the organization's members in exchange for money…Sources claim that these "Books" include hospitality rooms for high stakes gambling, with as much as $100,000 in the middle of the tables. They also allege that the Jesters pay for the prostitute's expenses, to include one who regularly accompanies a married member of the Royal line from state to state. These expenses are then hidden on the Jesters' tax returns as un-itemized expenses for the "Book of the Play" and payments to hotels on financial statements."
Jesters in High Places Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:28 PM PST
This article answers ""How many members of law enforcement or the judiciary or elected officials or other high profile agencies are also members of the Royal Order of Jesters (ROJ)?"
ABC News Confirms FBI Investigating Jesters for Child Sex Tourism Mon Apr 5, 2010 11:06 PM PDT
This article begins "There are now links to the same depositions referred to by ABC News so you can read what five Brazilian girls told the federal police as well as links to the original Richard Schair defamation complaint that produced the witness list that called for 19 Jesters to testify about sex w/minor prostitutes. There are also links to depositions from fishing guides who claim to have seen all of this."
Retired Deputy Charged in Jester Sex Trafficking Investigation Wed Jun 9, 2010 8:42 PM PDT
This article begins "Dan Herbeck of the Buffalo News reported today that a former Erie County Sheriff's deputy has been charged with conspiring to violate the Mann Act after allegedly arranging for the transportation of about a dozen prostitutes to a national meeting of the Royal Order of Jesters in Canada."
Feds Define Jesters Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:56 PM PDT
This article begins The June 7 criminal complaint in the case of United States of America v. Michael Lesinski paints a clear picture of "Mirth and Merriment," Royal Order of Jesters style… Next, and for the first time, the Royal Order of Jesters are defined in their own self-titled section.
It begins "The Royal Order of Jesters ("ROJ") is a worldwide fraternal organization whose membership is limited to individuals invited to join by other members. The motto of the ROJ is 'mirth is king.' The ROJ has local chapters or 'courts.' On occasion, a local court or group of local courts in the same geographical area sponsor social gatherings known as 'books of the play' or 'books.' The sponsoring courts organize the 'books' and arrange for food, lodging, and entertainment at the 'books.' The ROJ also sponsors a yearly national 'book,' the equivalent of a national convention. In April, 2005, the Jester's national book was held in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada."
"As set forth below, a typical feature of a 'book of the play' is the presence of prostitutes ('Jester Girls') who engage in commercial sex acts with members of the ROJ. Arrangements for the prostitutes are generally made by the organizer of the 'books,' or the region hosting the national 'book.' On occasion, individual Jesters make arrangements to transport prostitutes to 'books.'"
Jester Confesses to Wife He Organized Prostitutes Fri Sep 10, 2010 1:33 PM PDT
A Jester wife describes what she discovered after a "Jester girl" left a message on their phone for her Jester husband to pick her up at the airport.
Brazilian News Confirms FBI Investigating Child Sex Crimes, Jesters Pictured w/Victims Fri Oct 8, 2010 12:11 PM PDT
This article reports that Brazilian media just covered the Richard Schair story. "The broadcast includes video of the Amazon Santana and interviews with some of the girls, their attorney and a Brazilian Federal Police officer sitting with a box of evidence marked 410/2007. This is the same case number with the same evidence that led the Brazilian federal police to indict former fishing tour operator Richard Schair for rape, operating a prostitution network and using minors as prostitutes."
Fourth Jester Convicted, Former Judge Tills Out of Prison in Three Weeks Sun Jan 2, 2011 6:57 PM PST
This article reports "Today's news is that Michael Lesinski, a retired Erie County Deputy Sheriff and member of the Royal Order of Jesters, admitted last November 19 that he knew that others were committing felonies, such as the transportation of prostitutes in interstate and foreign commerce, and concealed it by not reporting the crimes as soon as possible to law enforcement.
The technical term for this is 'misprision of a felony.'
According to Lesinski's plea agreement:
"The defendant did not report any of the above facts to any judge or civil or military authority under the United States. Also, when returning to the United States from Canada, the defendant then had knowledge of the purpose of the women's presence at the Jesters organization meeting and lied to United States Customs officials as to the true purpose of his visit to Canada in a deliberate attempt to conceal the crime."
Jesters Named Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:57 AM PDT
This article reports "This is a partial list of names of those in charge of such groups from the nonprofit tax returns of the Royal Order of Jesters, the Shriners' secret sub-group, currently under investigation for sex trafficking, prostitution and child sex tourism."
Fourth Jester Sentenced Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:36 PM PDT
This article begins "This DOJ headline says it all:
'Former Erie County Sheriff's Deputy Sentenced for Failing to Report Jester Prostitution in Canada.'
Former Erie County Deputy Sheriff Michael Lesinski was sentenced today to one year probation and a $1,000 fine for 'misprision of a felony.' He pleaded guilty to transporting prostitutes from the Buffalo New York airport to a national Jester convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada in April, 2005 and not reporting the felony to authorities."
Commentorial: Royal Order of Jesters Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:42 AM PDT
This is a response to a comment from "Mavis" and begins "Thank you for sharing your rage and passion because the Jesters do nothing but hurt people, exploit women and girls and rip the rest of us off with their devious little tax schemes."
Brazil Prosecutes Schair & Co. for Running House of Prostitution Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:44 PM PDT
This article begins "The Brazilian Public Ministry filed notice yesterday that federal attorneys are prosecuting the indictment against former fishing tour operator Richard W. Schair of Gainesville Georgia for allegedly operating a house of prostitution."
Jesters on the Witness List, What the Brazilian Fishing Guides Saw & What the Girls told the Brazilian Federal Police Fri May 13, 2011 10:26 PM PDT
This article combines the latest about Jester witnesses expected to testify about their first hand knowledge of sex with underage Brazilian girls, what five Brazilian girls told the Federal Police about being forced into prostitution with North Americans and what Brazilian fishing guides reported to the police as they described pictures of "Masons" having sex with underage girls. For example:
"Q: If you could describe for us some of the types of things that you were told by, either saw or told by these prostitutes as to what specifically was occurring on these Wet-a-Line boats?
A: I would see it on the boat that they were practicing oral sex. We would be fishing and sometimes we'd go by and they were practicing oral sex.
Q: Did the girls — did you ever see or hear anything from the girls, these prostitutes, that they came to you or did they come to you and say that they did anything unusual with any of the customers?
A: Well, a sex that I had never seen, was to shove a ball in the behind and I, you know, they would say that and I heard it.
Q: Was there a certain set or group of people customer-wise that participated in these sex acts with customer, excuse me, with the prostitutes, or was it just general customers that came aboard the boat?
A: No, they were groups who came exclusively to do that type of thing.
Q: And were those groups mainly American men?
A: Yes
Q: Can you describe for us — I mean I know you indicated earlier that at some point in time the Amazon Santana, I believe you referred to it as, and the Santana I were joined together for the women and the men to get together. What would a typical night be when the boats would join together?
A: You know, party, drinking, strip, sex, drugs, everything.
Q: Do you know the ages of some of the girls that were on the boats with these customers, Wet-a-Line customers, at the time that you worked for Wet-a-Line?
A: Yes
Q: What were some of the ages of the women?
A: They would always say they were of age, but they were never of age.
Q: What is the youngest age that you're aware of a girl being on the boat as a prostitute?
A: My brother would pick up a group of girls in Autazes and would take by boat to an American. One was 13, one was 14, and there was one who was even 9 years old.
Q: Turning to the next picture, 00664, can you identify any of the individuals in the picture?
I don't know their names, but they were the boat's clients.
Q: Do you know if they came with a certain organization?
A: The manager said that they were Masons. I didn't know what Masons were. To me, it was like a religion, like a belief.
Q: Was it your understanding that there were certain Masons that came on these tours?
A: Right.
Q: Do you know what a Mason is?
A: I didn't know what it was, but now I know that it's an organization of people that are all over the world.
Q: Do you know if all of these individuals in this picture were identified to you as being Masons?
A: Yes. It was a group.
Q: Were the two people in the prior picture a part of the Mason group?
A: It was the same group, for sure it was the same group."
Brazilian Girls Sue Richard Schair for Sex Trafficking Tue Jun 14, 2011 2:54 PM PDT
This article begins "Equality Now, a humanitarian group dedicated to protecting and promoting women's rights around the world, has just announced their coordination of unprecedented legal efforts to represent four Brazilian Indian girls in a complaint filed today in U.S. District Court, Gainesville Division, against former fishing tour operator and real estate salesman, Richard Schair of Gainesville, Georgia. (1)
The complaint alleges that Schair caused the underage girls to engage in commercial sex acts and describes them as victims of sex trafficking, with one as young as twelve. The complaint further alleges that Schair, 'by and through his agents and employees, engaged in international commerce and sex trafficking of children by recruiting customers in the United States to engage in 'sex tourism' in Brazil.' Court documents from cases in both the U.S. and Brazil suggest that these customers included members of the Shriner's secret sub-group, the Royal Order of Jesters, currently under investigation for human trafficking, prostitution and child sex tourism."
Richard Schair Admits US Criminal Investigation Fri Jul 8, 2011 2:54 PM PDT
This article reports "Yesterday, former fishing tour operator Richard Schair made public a criminal investigation by a federal grand jury into his and ex-wife Amelia's alleged involvement with child sex tourism in Brazil. Schair filed a pro se motion in the Gainesville, Georgia federal court to 'stay' or stop a civil complaint brought against him by four Brazilian girls who allege he caused them, while underage, to engage in commercial sex acts with his North American fishing clients.
Their unprecedented complaint was coordinated by Equality Now, an international humanitarian group dedicated to fighting the sexual abuse and exploitation of women and girls with pro bono legal assistance provided by the Atlanta law firm of King and Spalding.
The complaint was filed to enforce civil remedies provided by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), describing the girls as victims of sex trafficking, with one as young as twelve.
Schair's motion to stay 'is a private counterpart to two ongoing criminal actions,' including prosecution by the Brazilian Public Ministry and Grand Jury FGJ 08-304 (MIA) out of Miami, Florida. It is not yet clear if the foreign prosecution is admissible in support of the stay. Schair's motion includes a copy of the original Brazilian charging document and documents from the Miami Grand Jury, including a target letter sent to Schair's ex-wife on December 16, 2010. This request from Assistant US Attorney Marlene Rodriguez asks Amelia to talk with agents because 'according to information that ICE and FBI supplied, Ms. Schair was involved with a company and/or an individual who may have engaged in child sex tourism in Brazil.'"
International Coverage of Brazil Child Sex Tourism Takes Off, 20 American Tourists Targeted by Brazilian Federal Police, Documents from Richard Schair's Criminal Past Tue Jul 12, 2011 9:41 PM PDT
The news about Richard Schair being prosecuted in Brazil and investigated by a grand jury in Miami is being reported by the NYT, Brisbane Times, Huffington Post, AOL Travel and Brazil's largest news outlet, Globo.
Jester's End Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:44 AM PDT
This poem, as another way to tell this story, was inspired by Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls." I also came up for the name of my next book, "The Vampires of Charity" while listening to this same song. This describes the last minutes of a dying Jester and what's waiting for him on the other side. Here's a sample:
"But this is not the worst of it
Because as you pass away
It's a tortured, ghastly journey
Of never ending days.
Discarded on a writhing pile
You're thrown at bloody, studded walls
Because your life personified
The very worst of all."
Updates in Schair's Human Trafficking Cases, Nonprofit News Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:04 AM PDT
This article provides an update in the case of Richard Schair being sued by four Brailian Women under the TVPA. The Judge in charge agreed to grant Schair's motion to suspend the case. Schair has unsuccessfully attempted to prove his innocence four times now, the most damaging from a Brazilian Judge who denied his request for habeas corpus while being prosecuted by the Brazilan Federal Police and federal attorneys for child sex tourism.
Editorial: Intl' Human Trafficking Day & Jester News Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:16 AM PST
This editorial commemorates International Human Trafficking day by describing the 4th Annual Northwest Conference Against Trafficking & Film Festival.
Editorial: IRS Must End Jester Tax Fraud Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:34 AM PST
From the article:
"If the IRS identified two counts of tax fraud at $250,000 for a total of $500,000 against each 191 Jester courts, the agency could realize nearly a billion dollars in fines. Seizing Jester court assets, as reported on their tax returns, could add another $10 million.
Other agencies investigating the Jesters include ICE, the FBI, the DOJ and Homeland Security.
Once the IRS uses Indiana's denials to launch a fraud investigation, how long would it take to jerk their nonprofit status?
And how long would it take the other agencies to identify enough predicate acts to launch a RICO investigation of the Jesters?
The maximum sentence for racketeering is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Multiply that by 23,000 Jesters who facilitated or knew of or participated in the human trafficking and the feds could collect a combined fine of $5.750 billion dollars."
Jesters Lose Tax Decision Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:54 AM PST
This article reports that the state of Indiana's property tax appeal board denied an appeal submitted by the Royal Order of Jesters after the Marion County Assessor's initial denial. It explains how property tax exemptions put the burden on surrounding properties then presents arguments from both sides. The Jesters stated they deserved the exemption because
The property is owned, occupied and used for charitable, educational and religious purposes.
A previous consent order granted exemption based on fraternal claims.
They are part of Masonry.
The Jesters are exempt from federal taxation as both a 501c3 charity and 501c10 fraternity made up of 191 "courts" with 20,500 members.
The state successfully argued that:
The Jesters building is used for administrative purposes only such as collecting financial information, sending out reports to the various subordinate courts and answering questions about the bylaws.
The Jesters failed to prove the property was predominantly used for any exempt purpose.
The Jesters failed to show they provided a public benefit that would justify the loss of tax revenue.
The Jesters do not serve the class of people that are legitimate subjects of charity.
The property does not relieve any government burden.
The Jesters are a recreational group that is predominantly a social club.
The Jesters aren't engaged in any charitable activities.
Jester educational activities are limited to the membership.
The second case used to support their argument was overturned.
The government has no obligation to provide entertainment, merriment or "mirth."
The result is that the property is now classified as "commercial" and, according to officials with the IRS and State of Indiana, the Jesters must now dissolve.
All copies of material reprinted or duplicated from by Sandy Frost must include the following credit line: From http://sandyfrost.newsvine.com/ Copyright © 2012 by Sandy Frost. Used by permission.


text:
A channel impeller works directly on the pumped liquid with the liquid passing through the impeller itself. A channel impeller can be described as a closed, semi-open or open impeller.
The impeller can have one or more channels of varying size allowing for free passage of impurities up to a particular size. In impellers with more than one channel, fibrous impurities might get caught on the leading edges of the vane, causing the pump to clog.
Channel impellers can have efficiencies as high as 80-85%. Liquid with a high sand content will cause problems with impeller clearance on a channel impeller.


text:
Face Painting By James Kuhn, Another 365-Day Project.
A Cat With A Mouse In Its Mouth:
(Image credit: © James Kuhn).
Planet Of The Apes:
Decorative Lip:
Green Acres:
Mr. Peanut:
A Cartoon Dog:
Big Bird:
Wonder Woman:
Pink Elephant:
Other Posts:
Memo Block.
Staple Skyscrapers.
Ice & Snow Sculptures: Part - 3.
Amazing Sculptures From Automobile Parts.
3D Anamorphic Street Paintings By Tracy Lee Stum.


text: Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums :: View topic - A Tearing Lotus (2): Unexpected Guest Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in A Tearing Lotus (2): Unexpected Guest Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Literature View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message wenziliJoined: 17 Mar 2006Posts: 83Location: China Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:10 am Post subject: A Tearing Lotus (2): Unexpected Guest (2) An Unexpected Guest Shu Zhen (a decent girl) and Xi Hua (a flower in brook) were close friends and classmates in their childhood. Shun Zhen inhabited in the north side of Dong Shan Hill and Xi Hua in the Garden Lane of the west entrance of the hill. Ever since their primary school time, they always jointly went to school and back home with seldom separation, just like Binary Stars. Shu Zhen loosed her father in her swaddling clothes. Her widow mother bitterly supported whole family by her peddling burden of vegetable grocery. Her family life was really tough. With a mere rental of two spare rooms, Xi Huas family life was also a perpetual struggle against poverty. One day in the summer of 1957, one of Xi Huas new lodgers, He Hua (lotus) met an unusual guest. In that day, the same as usual, Xi Hua was as reading Russian book as firing in front of the hearth, while a gentle knocking sounded in her main gate next to the kitchen. She swiftly ran toward and opened the door, then, to her surprise, a young military officer with a white officers visor cap and a set of trim uniform, was closely standing in front of her. With a set of dark brown army belts crossing in front and Captain rank of golden stars shining on both shoulders, he looked really handsome and smart. Since all things happened so unexpected that made Xi Hua entirely stunned! She jumped back several paces and stood there embarrassedly. Excuse me, it is He Huas home? the man asked politely. Yes, there is a He Hua here. Xi Hua answered falteringly with her unfamiliar Mandarin just learnt from high school. Because the town she lived in was so isolated that local residents spoke local dialect from generation to generation, hardly any one even the teachers in primary and secondly school were able to speak Mandarin. Until recent days when some Mandarin-speaking teachers outside were hired for newly founded high school teaching, the solid realm dominated by local dialect for thousands years had been broken. Xi Hua was a quick-minded girl. She instantly employed the linguistic skills now. Afflicted by language barrier for several days, the officer immediately felt at home when he found an understandable partner was talking to. My name is Huang Zhi Ming said he, with a gorgeous smile. I come from Nan Chang to look for my sister, weve separated for several decades! he explained even further. Oh, yes, do come in, please! Xi Hua answered and quickly turned to the living room, Sister He Hua, she called as running you have a guest here she raised her voice again, but no response. Only constant noises were coming from the gap of the room door, which was generated by an old sawing machine. She had no way, but approached to knock the door. With a squeaky sound, the door was open to a narrow gap. Merely about one meter above the doorsill, appeared a huge head with wrinkling face and protruding eyes under thick bushy eyebrows. With puzzling eyesight from its eyeballs almost popped out, the head waved to both Zhi Ming and Xi Hua without a little intension to open the door. Brother Song Qing, he is He Huas younger brother. Xi Hua pointed to Zhi Ming and explained to him seriously with local dialect. Younger brother? he frowned, I never heard about it. the head was mumbling while the door was slowly opened. Then, with age about 40, a handicapped dwarf with hunchback and pigeon breast stood in front of Zhi Ming. Xi Hua turned to him and explained the situation: This is your brother in law, Song Qing, a famous tailor in our vicinity. As saying, she led Zhi Ming to the room. Inside the room, a woman about 30 was absorbed in sawing. Clung by a head of cloth and cotton crumbs, she looked very tired. Her flat face and close resemblance to Zhi Ming could easily be attributed to common genetic transmission. It is only you, my poor sister! How hard it was when I try to spot you! Before the woman fully understood whats happened, the young officer could hardly restrain his excitement and rushed toward his elder sister . (To be continued by (3) Cession to A Marriage Fortune)_________________Practice made every effort perfect Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Literature All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Student Forums----------------ComputersCurrent NewsCultureEnglish SchoolsFamilyFilm and CinemaFoodHealth and FitnessHelp CenterHobbiesHolidaysLearning EnglishLiteratureMaking FriendsMusicOpinionsPetsScienceSportsThe Strange and MysteriousTOEFL and Other English ExamsTravel You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group


text:
With just a few hours left for Apple's event to start in California Theatre, the leaks regarding what Apple is going to announce is coming left, right and center. Thanks to Google Search, it is all but confirmed that Apple will unveil a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina screen.
The folks over at 9to5Mac have even got their hands on the specs of the new 13-inch MacBook Pros, which are as follows -:
- 2.5 GHz, 128GB of Flash storage, 8GB of RAM
- 2.5 GHz, 256 GB of Flash storage, 8GB of RAM
- 2.9 GHz, 512GB of Flash storage, 8GB of RAM
9to5Mac suggests that the new 13″ MBPs will be available for pre-order right after the event gets over. While there is no word on the pricing, rumors suggest that the base 13″ rMBP will only cost $1199, which definitely makes them tempting.
The shift to a SSD alone should bring about a noticeable speed boost compared to the previous generation of MBPs, and along with the new Retina Display should make the new 13″ rMBPs a tempting deal.
Apple is expected to unveil a new 13-inch MacBook Pros with Retina screen, a 7-inch mini iPad, iOS 6.0.1, refreshed Mac Minis and iMacs and possibly a new new iPad with a lighting connector at its event today.
Update: Well, that was fast. 9to5Mac has managed to get the complete specs of the refreshed Mac Minis as well. There will be three variants of Mac Minis like previous year, with the third one running OS X server edition.
Below is the complete specs of the new Mac Minis -:
- 2.5 GHz dual-core, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard drive
- 2.3 GHz quad-core, 4GB RAM, 1TB Hard drive
- Server: 2.3 GHz quad-core 4GB of RAM, 2TB Hard drive
Apple has made 4GB of RAM standard across the Mini, with the base model getting a 3rd gen dual-core Core i5 processor, with the top-end consumer and server models getting a 2.3GHz quad-core processor.


text:
Meal Type
Featured Videos
Featured Content
Featured Brand Sites
Featured Brand Sites
Product By Category
Tools & Info
Cooking Tips
Healthy Living
Your Kids
Recipe Ideas
food&family Magazine
5 servings, about 1 cup each.
Read MoreRead Less
Tap or click steps to mark as complete
Save 30 calories and 4g of total fat, including 3g of sat fat, per serving by preparing with 2% Milk VELVEETA.
Substitute frozen chopped spinach, chopped frozen cauliflower florets, or chopped frozen asparagus spears for the broccoli.
Microwave onions and butter in 2-qt. microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 sec. or until onions are crisp-tender. Stir in milk. Microwave 3 to 4 min. or until heated through, stirring every 2 min. Stir in cream cheese. Microwave 4 to 6 min. or until cream cheese is melted, stirring every 2 min. Stir in remaining ingredients. Microwave 30 sec. or until heated through.
* Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.


text:
Womens Socks
There are some indisputable facts in this world, and here is one of them: A woman's footwear needs far outweigh those of the male counterparts. Anyone who dares debate this ought to walk a mile in her high heels. Good luck living to tell about it. A woman's foot know how to work hard, and it must have the comfort and protection it deserves. Fro...m boots to sneakers and everything in between, the demands of a woman's foot is matched only by the demands of her socks. And when it comes to women's socks, Working Person's Store knows how to take care of you and set you up with exactly the type you need. The selection is seemingly endless: Crew socks, insulated socks, fleece socks, wool socks, cotton socks, hiking socks, slipper socks, blend socks, compression socks, work socks, and so, so, so many more. There are even socks specifically designed to fit a woman's foot. How cool is that? And as you know, what is true for working men is even more true for women: There's nothing like a good pair of comfortable socks. They need to fit well, and they need to cushion your feet. And they ought to be just the right pair for the kind of conditions you'll be wearing them in? Hot outside and going for a hike? Grab a pair of lightweight socks and hit the trail. Chilly weather on the jobsite? Give insulated socks a try. Whatever your needs, we have the women's socks for you. (Learn More About womens socks)(See less)


text:
Ben Meadows: 222874-7
- Price:
- $169.95
- Description
- Specifications
- Reviews
- Videos (1)
In addition to 360° Snake Guard protection, this boot features waterproof LaCrosse® Alpha construction with natural rubber over neoprene. Quad Core® technology incorporates four layers of cushioning and support, and the contoured Ankle Fit design guards against heel slippage. Additional features include a removable PU footbed, a protective shin guard, and an adjustable back gusset and strap for a customized fit. The 4XBurly outsole ensures superior traction in mud and loose terrain. Realtree Xtra® Green camo pattern.
We encourage our customers to let us know what experiences they have had with our products, whether good or bad. By submitting a review, you can share your experiences with others and also provide valuable feedback to us as well. With just a few simple steps, you can add your review of this product.
Ask a Question


text:
Recover Womens Gemstone iPhone 6/7/8 Plus Case - Gray
The Gemstone iPhone 6/7/8 Plus Case by Recover has a sturdy design to protect your device. Perfect for gifting, this iPhone case offers a low-profile and slim design that snaps easily into place. Fits the iPhone 6/7/8 Plus Case Gemstone print Slim design Wipe clean
Browse all deals at PacSun
See more in Telephone Accessories
* This offer may contain time-sensitive information and offers. Please check with PacSun to confirm actual price & availability.
Please enter your name
- Be the first to comment!
1 location
4501 W War Memorial Dr
4501 W War Memorial Dr
Peoria, IL 61613


text:
Indo Asian 2A 1 Pole MCB C Curve
Description :
With a minimum operating voltage of 12V, Optipro MCBs are durable and high on performance. The complete accessories range, including auxiliary changeover switch, fault signaling contact, shunt trip, and undervoltage trip, makes Optipro ideal for varied application. 35 sq mm terminals have been specially designed to accommodate larger cable connections. Colour coding and on-off markings on the handle are visual indicators designed for ease of use.
Features & Specifications :
ISI/CE Marked as per IS/IEC 60898-1
Rated Short Circuit Breaking Capacity : 10kA
Degree of Protection : IP20
Energy Limitations : Class 3
Line Load Reversibility, Biconnect Terminals
Operating Voltage : 240V/415VAC, 60VDC Per Pole
Ampere Rating : 2A
No. of Poles : 01
|Technical Specifications
|C Curve 1 Pole
|Current Rating
|Delivery Period
|6 to 7 working days
|1 year for manufacturing defects only.


text:
Preparing for your doctor's visit
There are certain things that you can do before, during, and after your appointment to make the most of your visit:
Before your appointment
Ask a family member or friend to go with you for emotional support. Choose a time of day when you will both be well rested and at ease for your visit.
Download our checklist: Preparing for your doctor's visit and complete it with a family member in case they've noticed symptoms you might have missed.
What to bring with you
Write down the following information to bring with you to your doctor's office:
- Your symptoms, when they began, whether they have changed over time, and if there are things that make them better or worse
- Prescribed and over-the-counter medications or supplements you are taking
- Any personal and family medical history that may be important
- Questions you would like to ask, such as:
- What are the tests I need to take and how long will it take to get a diagnosis?
- Would you advise me to see a specialist?
- Which treatments are currently available for my symptoms? What are the risks and benefits and possible side effects?
- What kinds of activities can I do to keep active?
- What kinds of changes should I expect over the next six months or 12 months?
- What can I do to lessen the side effects of my medication?
- When should I come back for my next appointment?
During the appointment
- Do not be afraid to ask questions and ask what is most important to you early in the visit.
- Give your doctor specific examples of things that concern you, or ask the person who is accompanying you to provide examples that you may have missed. For example: "My spouse (friend) got lost on her way home from the store last week."
- Answer the doctor's questions honestly and to the best of your ability.
- Ask the doctor to explain all the treatment options available, both those involving medication and those related to providing day to day care.
- Ask the doctor to write down any medical terms, particularly if English is not your first language.
- If you do not understand medical words or need more information, consider asking for printed material that explains the condition, tests or recommended treatments.
- Take notes as you talk with the doctor to help you remember what was said. It may be easier for the family member or friend to take notes so that you can focus on listening and asking questions.
- Schedule your next visit before leaving the doctor's office.
When you get home
- Review the notes from the visit on your own or with the person who recorded them.
- Keep a journal. Write down the things you learn, questions for the doctor, changes, and any reactions to medication. Bring this journal to your next appointment.
- Consider talking to family and friends about health care decisions you are making.
- Request a second opinion if it would make you feel more comfortable.
- For further information, contact your local Alzheimer Society.
More information
Assessments and tests >
What to expect during the diagnostic process.
Memory screening >
Our position on memory screening and online self-assessments.
Benefits of early
diagnosis >
Download our Benefits of an early diagnosis tip sheet or visit www.earlydiagnosis.ca.
Last Updated: 08/26/2018


text:
At just five inches long, tarsiers are among the world's smallest primates. And yet they communicate much like humans, using a wide range of calls to communicate. That's why it's so weird that some tarsiers apparently stay completely silent.
Tarsiers are like living fossils — a tiny link back to the ancient beginnings of primate evolution. Though they once roamed the world, they're now only found in the islands of Southeast Asia. The Borneo and Phillippine tarsiers have been called "ordinarily silent", meaning they don't make the same sounds we have observed in all the other species.
Their silence was a mystery to scientists, as their talkative counterparts were using their audible calls to convey some crucial information, such as warning others of danger, telling rivals to keep away, and just generally as a tool of social interaction with other tarsiers. How could some species depend on this communication, while other species apparently go completely without?
Dartmouth anthropologist Nathaniel Dominy set to work on this conundrum, and he soon discovered the answer: these tarsiers were only silent to our ears. They were communicating in ultrasound, meaning they used frequencies that are too high for human hearing. While lots of animals from dogs to fish to insects can hear ultrasonic frequencies, it's much more unusual for animals, particularly mammals, to actually communicate at these frequencies.
Dolphins and bats use ultrasound in their echolocation as part of their navigation, but the Borneo and Phillippine tarsiers are doing something very different. This isn't about creating a natural sonar — these primates actually use ultrasonic frequencies to communicate, and they possess an audible range that the researchers say is far beyond any other primates, not to mention most other animals. While human hearing tops out at about 20 kilohertz, these tarsiers can hear just fine all the way up to 91 kilohertz, and the researchers recorded tarsiers emitting pure ultrasonic screams at 70 kilohertz.
The ultrasonic calls possessed the same tone-like structure heard in the audible calls of the other tarsier species, suggesting they really are using these frequencies for the same sorts of communication. You can hear a recording of one of these ultrasonic calls below, as it's been slowed down to an eighth of its normal speed so that it's audible to human ears. Though I'll warn you now - it is not a pleasant sound.
In their paper, the researchers speculate that these ultrasonic calls effectively provides the tarsiers with a secret form of communication that gives them an evolutionary leg-up on all other animals in the areas:
"Ultrasonic alarm calls can be advantageous to both the signaler and receiver as they are potentially difficult for predators to detect and localize. [The calls are] private channels of communication with the potential to subvert detection by predators, prey, and competitors."
Original paper to appear in Biology Letters. Image and audio courtesy of Nathaniel Dominy.


text:
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Looks like he'd be much more comfortable cutting in to shoot from the right. Would also limit exposure to a lack of pace as he wouldn't have to go down the outside as often plus easier to play a reverse ball to an overlapping RB using his left foot rather than the opposite on the other side.
It feels like he's been around forever, can't believe he's still only 19
Could be our next McFadden!
He tends to play on the right or right of centre.Some of his overlap work with Kenny in the WC was sublime.
I really hope Dowell doesn't go on loan and gets his chances in the first team. He looks ready to be part of the first team, even if it is only a few games this season.Same with Kenny.
Page created in 0.077 seconds with 27 queries.