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- Mohamed Mortada
- Beirut
- Lebanon
This conversation is closed.
Alternative for Democracy
Democracy lacks coherence with the imperfect nature of human beings. Decisions shouldn't be taken by majorities since we have no guarantees that these majorities are right. Giving the same amount of votes for everyone means putting someone's education on the same level with another person's ignorance. Also, decision are hardly based on analysis and studies.
The idea is still theoretic but I propose giving the power to the debate that occurs between specialists in the first place and commoners on a second level. The idea consists of a scientific method which calculates advantages and disadvantages on different levels (environmental, economic, educational...) The project that provides success on more levels is executed. The matter becomes more of a democracy of advantages rather than of people.
There are laws for debating and there is a council that organizes debates. Every town, city or public institution would have a council. For now I believe that a competition is made for assigning council members which aren't more than employees but the matter is debatable.
It is possible to change every detail by debate in this system but the main idea remains the same.
Feb 10 2013: The problem is that people think that government must make all of society's decisions. This places tremendous amounts of power in the government. That government then becomes vulnerable to charismatic takeover as happened in the often cited case of Germany. Germany was a democracy and still wound up a dictatorship when it placed too much faith in its government.
Powerful governments also generate corruption and graft. There is no point in bribing a government official who can do nothing for you.
I think that it would be far better to let people to make their own decisions to the greatest extent possible. The only function of a good government is to protect the rights of the people. If government was restricted to this role then your ideas would actually be implemented automatically.
Feb 11 2013: Your proposition concerning taking absolute power from governments makes a lot of sense actually and when I think about it being done in my country it seems a good plan.
But, the people shouldn't take their own decisions since they aren't mature enough or into technical details as much as specialists and scientists... This might sound crazy but governments and parliaments shouldn't exist at all. They vote and voting as I believe doesn't produce necessarily a healthy choice.
Of course my ideas are still theoretical and need a lot of testing before being implemented. And if proven successful a proper transition should be provided.
Ross G
Feb 17 2013: The Republic was a significant improvement to democracy. Unfortunately, we're presently witnessing exactly how an uneducated, immoral, and divided vulgus can create opportunity for criminals to rip a republic apart at the highest levels.
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Feb 18 2013: As one of the vulgus, I take umbrage at the thought that I would create opportunities for those whose appetite for power is all consuming. I am a gentle soul that takes every word of my fellows as truthful as any word of mine. I do not see insincerity. I want all us in our society to be successful in their endeavors, to reach for their own stars and live their own lives. I do not see us as immoral, uneducated or divided. Those are terms spoken by those who seek power and are used to steal our trust and our faith. This is also why I believe that individual rights are the highest order in a society and the society has it's foremost authority to insure those rights are never violated.Feb 16 2013: There is a lot of well thought out points being made about the inefficiencies of government and how a society could function without. There in lies my problem. A society really needs some rule to function. Let us assume that the members of the society have come together, establish those rules and all members agreed to abide by them. I am not familiar with detailed governmental process in other countries, but I am with my country. There are over 300 million citizens in this country. Under our present system, we have 3 levels of governance. Each citizen elects representatives to do all the work of governance. On the Federal level, Each of us votes for a president/vice president and 2 members of congress. There are 50 states, each of us votes for a governor and a member of legislature. Locally, each of us votes for councilman, maybe a mayor, sheriff and a judge. Federal government is limited to a president/vice president and and 535 congressman. States have one governor and may average less then 100 legislators. Counties have a Sheriff and a Judge. Cities and towns have one mayor and a dozen councilmen.
There are probably 30,000 doing the governance of 300 million. Now one may question effectiveness of this system, but I question the numbers. If we were to implement such a system how many people and how much time would be needed to organized and debate the issues as have been described and that must be addressed. If I extrapolate from just what happens on a small city level, the numbers on the national scale is exponential. There comes a point of diminishing returns. Perhaps our current system is not as precise as that proposed, but it is probably good enough as they say "for government work"
Feb 16 2013: Well I never said there will be no rule. There will always be police, FBI for the US or intelligence and armies and an actual system based on laws, punishment, rights and duties... The idea seems too abstract but debates will actually rule not governments.
The biggest flaw the system I proposed has, is the fact that it takes much more time to make decisions. Dictatorship breaks the record for the fastest decision maker and democracy follows. When I try to theoretically apply this system on my country where every municipality has a voting council of about 5 people, I see the numbers not really changing. The council that used to vote, now organizes debates (obviously not the same people).
I admit the system is still theoretical and needs further and further studies and trials before being executed. Now, when it comes to a national debate, people ask me how are you going to make a whole population participate (even with a priority for specialists it still would be huge). The point is, there will be representation but not a formal one done by a congressman or a councilman...
To make things more concrete you live in Los Angeles and in one week there will be a national debate about legalizing marijuana. Basically what happens is all private communities in the US interested in the issue assemble and choose one person or many (could be by voting I don't really care how) and write their arguments and send this person to Washington where the debate happens. If one representative got on stage and listed all the supporting arguments, there is no need for anybody else from the same opinion to say it again. If he missed a point or two or whatever, another representative will fill the gap.
Feb 16 2013: OK,
The debates will rule, and the "government offices " will carry out the rules coming from the debate conclusions. Do I understand your proposal? If that is correct, the difference I see as compared to my country is that we elect members of the "debate groups" for fixed periods to come to conclusions for the government office to effect. My "debate groups" (federal congress, state legislatures, local councils) debate all issues and can call on experts as needed to address those issues.
If I understand you proposal, the debate councils formed as needed to conduct the debates and submit conclusions for execution. This may work in a relatively small nation, I am perplex to see how it would work in a country like the USA, India, China, Russia, or even Indonesia.
However, if a people can see a benefit to this form of social order (basically that's what national government is about) I would say... go for it. Every peoples deserve the right to determine their own destiny. I criticize my own government for it's policy of "encouraging" other counties to emulate ours. Americans for the most part like the way they are governed. Other people may want an entirely different way of governance. That's great. The only stipulation I would make is that people decide for themselves. They should never be forced to accept a social order.
Feb 17 2013: Yeah you got it! I explained a bit about the selection of the council members below for
Krisztián. I think you're totally right when you say that not every country should be democratic and I don't believe neither that every country should adopt my proposal neither. What works for you doesn't necessarily work for others.
Well I think there is a contradiction of visions that doesn't need to be or perhaps can't be resolved. You see the people responsible for their own fate and decisions while I see them unqualified to make their own path.Feb 15 2013: democracy does not work
formal structures limiting democracy work even less, as they suffer the same problems, but lack flexibility
the only stable system is freedom
Feb 15 2013: Can you please explain how this applies on the proposed system and tell more about these problems?
Freedom without limits isn't a stable system at all. And I tell you this from one of the most chaotic countries on earth. Freedom is essential but an overdose of it may be fatal. And our civil war, the Lebanese civil war stands witness to such statement.
Feb 15 2013: Your point is taken. Here in American, we are fortunate to have and see many working forms of governance. Democracy as a political system is only valid in small groups, such as villages in some of our states. There have been small societies that have practiced communism. For a nation, I believe the best form of governance is a constitutional republic.The constitution must be acceptable to all of the people. It should be very direct as to the responsibilities and the tasks of the governing body. there should be a system of checks and balances in the government. And, it should have provisions to insure the people to address grievances and allow it citizens to hold whatever means to remove the government even if by force if it violates the tenants of the constitution.
Feb 15 2013: Ok, but a government by nature is subject to mistakes. And if it made any mistakes the people shall elect another government. This is democracy in its best shape. What I am proposing is a system that takes our human faulty nature into account thus, dodging most wrong decisions that could be taken. (maybe I am repeating myself, sorry for that)
Constitutions are mandatory and should exist everywhere, but do we have to have a government? I don't really see why we should have an executive power and a constitutional power. Various debate councils can dig into both types of issues and still make better decisions than republics (in theory).Feb 15 2013: the question boils down to: how do you set up the rules? more precisely, who is authorized to change them. if there are officials, who appoint them? if there is disagreement, who decides? the dynamics is that sooner or later people decide. majority option always wins, except in the case of dictatorship. so either this or that, after some time, every system must be poplar vote or a coercive rule of some elite.
basically that happened already. if you look at the history of democracies, you see the tendency how principles decline, and popularity grows. first, everone was keen on personal freedom, due process, and all sort of moral principles that can not be violated, even if the system itself would allow them. but we observe the erosion of such principles, because they are backed only by tradition, and not popularity. the "land of the free" now has atrocious laws that allow authorities to detain people without due process, search houses without court order, assassinate people abroad even with "collateral damage" (aka dead children), and intrude people's private life in many many ways. what happened? people actually vote for these monsters. bush was reelected. obama just got reelected. people are okay with it. whatever these psychopaths do, is approved by the people. it is not unique. i see this all around europe, and in all the new democracies.
your plan is to re-establish some moral self-control to democracy. but we've been there. we came from there. it does not last.
Feb 15 2013: The basic rules will be have flaws, and I have set some of them. Flaws will be taken away by debating each rule. Everybody is authorized to change any rule he or she wants. The decision is granted to the cause that is supported by more arguments. Majorities aren't involved.
The extreme case explains how this works: If you are one person and all the other people in your country are against you and you present more arguments supporting your cause than they do, your proposal gets executed.
The system has nothing to do with numbers of people. It rather deals with numbers of advantages.
e.g: If a plumber proposes a change in a law, he should take his case to the local municipal council where it will be debated. If his proposal shows more advantages than disadvantages, it will be taken to the council of the district. If it succeeds again, it will be debated in the council of the governorate. If it makes it, the national council will debate it and if it succeeds, it will be executed. If it fails at any stage, the issue will not be debated for another number of years set by the laws.
Each argument should be supported by a fact, statistic or study from a credible source in order to be valid.
I hope that answers your inquiries.Feb 16 2013: you commit the error to look at a snapshot, assuming that at a certain point everything is fine. two problems with it. first: you can not miraculously create such a system, it has to be created. but most importantly, second: it will evolve with time.
who decides who is on the council? if not sooner, the members will die, and you need to elect new members. how do you make it sure the new members will match the original criteria? if people choose new members, slowly the council becomes populist. if the old members choose the new members, the council will slowly drift to a random direction. it this system, there is nothing that pushes the council to the right direction. election pushes to the popular direction. self-containment lets the council drift randomly.
you make a serious error using words like "should". a system or a group has its own dynamic, and the dynamic is written in the rules. your declared goals have zero effect on the outcome. your set of rules are nothing but democracy with a lot of checks and rigid structure. it slows things down, and only because of that, it looks better. but the system still lacks any feedback on the quality of decisions. the only feedback is their popularity, or none at all.
freedom, on the other hand, has the right feedbacks. if we do not have central solutions, but rather, we have a multitude of competing solutions, regardless of popularity, some of them will be a success, and others will be a failure. people will feel the immediate feedback on their own decisions. there is no public debate, popular vote, or anything like that. you go your way, i go my way, and we see which works better.
Feb 17 2013: Well like any other job, you have to study in college for it and earn a degree in order to work. So there will be a managing debates major where all the graduates are able to apply for the job. There will be a competition (like an exam) and the first five scores fill the seats of a council.
One of the rules of the debates is that when a council makes a decision he should back it up with arguments. What will always be under examination is the council's objectivity and there will be agents investigating any breach of such objectivity. If a breach occurs, it will jeopardize the council's position. We should understand that these councils don't have any decisive power. They are just a medium between the debate and the debaters.
I think now that the best way to judge this system is through trials. It has a rigid structure and it isn't fast when it comes to deciding but at least we now that their decisions are more correct than other systems.
You're right when you say this can't be miraculously implemented. If it were to be executed, a proper transition should be planned ahead.
Concerning the competition of choices, I think my system makes the best competition. Imagine different engineers or architects or doctors... debating their projects in order to get them executed. The decision will be much more rational and will be eventually justified with concrete evidence.
Again, popularity doesn't matter at all. If a really unpopular case such as increasing taxes had the proper arguments and showed more advantages than disadvantages, it will succeed in debate and eventually be executed despite popular rejection.Feb 15 2013: Didn't Plato put this together about 2500 years ago?
Feb 15 2013: The way I see it, I share ideas with Socrates (and I am not sure about Plato) but the context and the practicality are different. Their method of debate wasn't regarded as a ruling system. It was merely regarded as a way to solve philosophical debates. It was a debate between two hypothesis about love for example. The one that generates contradiction is eliminated. I am proposing a different approach but yes you could say it is the same basic idea. And debates in this system are between engineering projects or external policies... rather than theories.
Well I don't know if you want to call it plagiarism, because I think you are partly right.


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R.E.A.C.H Program: Next Stop Cameroon
The Rush Equipment Assisting Children Program keeps endeavoring and working hard to bring soccer gear to all our partners throughout the world. Our latest aim is to visit Cameroon Rush to send them soccer equipment while sharing our passion and soccer knowledge with one of the best soccer countries in Africa.
The Republic of Cameroon, also called "Africa in miniature" for its geological and cultural diversity, is known for its successful National Soccer Team and for being the birthplace of many African soccer legends, such as Roger Milla (Yaoundé, 1952), Marc-Vivien Foé (Nkolo, 1975), and Samuel Eto'o (Duala, 1981). The Indomitable Lions, famous Cameroonian nickname, has won four African Cup of Nations and the soccer gold medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sidney.
The coaching exchange trip to Cameroon will be from January 14th, until February 8th. The first responsibility of the experienced coaches of the Rush family will be to supply the gear that Cameroon Rush needs to play soccer in better conditions. Another important part of the trip will be the training aspect which includes mini Rush Fests, Coaches Clinics, and several training sessions with the Cameroon Rush' top teams.
Four experienced Rush coaches will participate in this project with a common goal: help and collaborate through the R.E.A.C.H Program in Cameroon. Brian Lux, one of the members of the trip recognizes: "The gear and the soccer balls are really important, but the biggest challenge is to show Cameroon Rush how much we support them. They are on the other side of the globe, but they are still part of the Rush Family." Lux has been a part of the Rush Family since 1997 and he has won six State Cups in a row as a player. He joined the coaching staff of Colorado Rush in 2007 and became a DOC for Rush Pikes Peak in 2010.
The members of the trip will share their knowledge, passion, and love for soccer, but they also want to acquire new skills as well: "I am very excited to learn from the players and coaches there. Here we complain about the grass on our fields when it´s too long and they don't even have grass. There are great players in Cameroon and hopefully the next Roger Milla will wear Rush blue," assures Lux. The motivation to gain knowledge is a shared aim between all the coaches: "I really want to learn new ideas and ways of teaching from the coaches around me. I also think the trip will help broaden my understanding of the Rush Way in Cameroon and work to help them implement the club culture," says Deb Benakis, from Iowa Rush. Deb already has experience helping in Africa, specifically in Uganda where she volunteered with a non-profit group called Soccer Without Borders.
|Members of Cameroon Rush visiting Colorado
in February 2012
All the coaches are aware that soccer is a considerable tool to help a community: "Rush Soccer allows these players to continue with the sport they love while bringing family and friends," notes Alexander Mendolia, NY Rush coach and member of the trip. Soccer is the world's game and everyone can play at some level. Soccer is hope and the Rush Family distributes it all over the world. Next R.E.A.C.H stop: Cameroon. The fourth coach attending the trip is also a fellow NY Rush coach, Cara Nelson, who just like Deb has had experience working with youths in Tanzania.
We will be receiving articles from the coaches about their trip so watch this space to see how it all went!


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New charges, including multiple drug offenses and illegal possession of firearms, have been filed against Francis Anthony Milliard, 54, of Ridgway, currently incarcerated on arson and related charges in connection with two residential fires in Elk County, as well as charges of attempted murder and assault stemming from Milliard's alleged beating of a Ridgway man.
WILCOX – Bailey Pretak and friends will present "Release the Butterfly", a concert to benefit the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Johnsonburg Area High School Auditorium.Â
The concert is free of charge, but a free-will offering will be taken and all proceeds go to the F.I.R.S.T. foundation to fund research and publicity. This weekend's concert will feature inspirational music by dancers and singers who will tell a story of those who have Ichthyosis.
David L. "Keppy" Kephart, 68, of 139 Lynch Rd., St. Marys, died Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at the DuBois Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.
He was born October 7, 1943 in Clearfield, son of the late Robert D. and Mary Vena Landsberry Kephart.
On September 23, 1995 in St. Marys, he married Patricia A. Breindel, who survives.
Kathryn Polaski will return to the Johnsonburg cross country team this season as its lone member at season's start.
Johnsonburg coach Eric Lowry is happy to be able to see Polaski run with Johnsonburg cross country.
"Just to be able to see her finish her career out will be good enough," Lowry said. "She's doing fine, I'm just hoping to give her a chance to qualify and go to states these next two years, that's really the big thing."
Lowry said Polaski has a chance to be a state qualifier this season if she can have a strong season.
After a 6-4 season in 2011, Ridgway football comes into the new season hopeful after losing 15 seniors to graduation last year.
To offset the loss of 15 seniors, Ridgway has 16 sophomores coming up to the team this year.
"It's a great group of kids and we lost a lot last year with our 15 seniors that we graduated," Ridgway coach Mark Heindl said. "We definitely have a great group of sophomores coming up through the system. The future looks bright for the football program."
JOHNSONBURG – After a winless 2011 season, second-year head coach Jesse Schreiber and the Johnsonburg Rams are looking to turn the page in what they hope will be a successful year on the football field.
The Rams came close last season; they nearly defeated Cameron County on the road but succumbed in overtime. At the end of the season, they found themselves in a tight game against Keystone but a second half letdown expunged the team to a winless season. Some forfeit losses also plagued the team.
But a year later and a year wiser, Schreiber said he looks to build on lessons learned.
The preliminary hearing for Francis Anthony Milliard, 54, of Ridgway, charged in connection with two area arsons as well as the attempted murder of a Ridgway man, resulted in those charges being upheld by District Judge George A. "Tony" King in Elk County Court on Wednesday.
Joseph Martin Fannin, 69, of Ulster Ave., Ridgway, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at his residence.
He was born October 26, 1942, in Ridgway, the son of the late Thomas J. and Della A. Johnson Fannin.
On February 13, 1965, in St. Mary's Catholic Church, he married Marguerite (Peggy) Feldbauer, who survives.
An overturned tanker truck hauling butane has overturned in a Kane, PA where residents within a half-mile radius of the accident are being evacuated Wednesday morning.
Seven Elk County residents and one individual with local ties, all charged with offenses relating to the operation of a Jefferson County-based drug trafficking ring, waived their preliminary hearings in District Judge Mark Jacob's courtroom on Tuesday.


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We need to stand up to the NFL Owners and make a statement! Signing a petition won't help and neither will ranting and raving help it.The NFL Owners will not do a thing until they start getting hit in their wallets!
Therefore, for all Week Four games, everyone needs to stay out of the stadium for the first five minutes of the game!
Yes, it will be hard. Yes, the players will not get the support at opening kickoff. However, they will understand and they want the regular referees back just as much as we do, if not more!
How will this work? It's simple! Tailgate a little longer. Do not go into the stadium until the 10 minute mark in the first quarter.
Stadiums across the nation will be empty at kickoff. It will create a huge buzz on television and on the radio. It will get people talking and NFL Owners will take action!
Think about this. The NFL Owners will lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions! Sponsors who advertise before the game will not be happy and some will demand a refund! NFL Owners who do special events for pre-game will lose money because no one will be there to see it!
Concessions are most active before the game begins! If no one is in the stadium, the concessions will lose money! If you say that people will just buy the food when they get in - you are wrong! If more people tailgate longer, they will have more food and drinks outside the stadium. Therefore, there would be no need to eat and drink when you get in!
We need everyone on board. If we do this the right way, the NFL Owners will be hit in their wallets - and that's the only way that they will seriously negotiate with the locked out referees!


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A clip/trailer of The Incredible Burt WonderstoneTags : The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
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The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Release Date :March 15, 2013
Studio :Warner Bros. Pictures
Director :Don Scardino
Starring :Steve Carell, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, Jay Mohr
Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas strip for years, raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt's growing ego. But lately the duo's greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they've grown to loathe each other. Facing cutthroat competition from guerilla street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult followingsurges with each outrageous stunt, even their show looks stale. But there's still a chance Burt and Anton can save the act-both onstage and off-if Burt can get back in touch with what made him love magic in the first place.


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Migration & Development
Migration & Development
Recent Activity
Numerous researchers and organizations have predicted that climate change will trigger historically unprecedented waves of mass migration. MPI's Carolina Fritz examines the complex links between climate change and migration, how and where these links influence current and future migration patterns, and some of the problems with predicting future flows.
For many developing countries, migrants are considered valuable contributors to future development. As proof of their commitment, they have invested in diaspora institutions with responsibilities ranging from protecting migrants to encouraging investment. MPI's Dovelyn Rannveig Agunias analyzes 45 such institutions across 30 countries and breaks them down by type.
The world's second most populous country also has a vast diapora spread across nearly every continent. Daniel Naujoks provides a broad overview of Indian migration flows and major populations worldwide, and discusses India's diaspora policies, refugees and asylum seekers from the region, and illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
Tibetans have integrated into Asian and Western societies since 1959 with different types of outcomes. In Part II of our two-part series, Seonaigh MacPherson, Anne-Sophie Bentz, and Dawa Bhuti Ghoso examine integration experiences, the diaspora's political success, the gaps between those in Tibet and Tibetans abroad, and what lies ahead for the Tibetan diaspora.
Approximately 122,000 Tibetans, including those of Tibetan ancestry, live outside their homeland. Seonaigh MacPherson, Anne-Sophie Bentz, and Dawa Bhuti Ghoso provide an in-depth look at Tibetan history and Tibetans' migration to India and the West in this first of our two-part series on the Tibetan diaspora.
Recent Activity
Private recruitment agencies orchestrate much of the migration process, from predeparture to return. They provide information, assistance, and even financial support to migrants; facilitate transit to and from the destination; and in some cases employ migrants directly. While recruitment agencies protect migrants, sometimes removing them from abusive workplaces or even organizing repatriation, migrants' dependence on them for so many services also creates many opportunities for exploitation and abuse. This brief assesses the forms of regulation that are being proposed and enacted to oversee recruitment agencies and identifies several areas for further improvement.
Diasporas can play an important role in the economic development of their countries of origin or ancestry. Beyond their well-known role as senders of remittances, diasporas also can promote trade and foreign direct investment, create businesses, spur entrepreneurship, and transfer new knowledge and skills. Policymakers increasingly recognize that an engaged diaspora can be an asset — or even a counterweight to the emigration of skilled and talented migrants.
Economic and demographic disparities will shape the mobility of labor and skills during the 21st century. The populations of richer societies are aging rapidly, while working-age populations continue to grow in some emerging economies and most low-income countries. Despite these trends, many countries continue to assume that today's demographic realities will persist. This policy brief describes how the current geography of migration is changing, and offers recommendations for policymakers.
Skilled migration is often thought to have overwhelmingly negative effects on countries of migrant origin. Yet recent research and policy experience challenge this assumption and offer a more nuanced picture, as this brief explains. Countries of origin and destination can in fact benefit from skilled migration when it is correctly structured, and efforts to restrict skilled nationals' ability to leave their countries of origin may have unintended costs, in addition to being ethically problematic.
Environmental change is likely to affect global migration flows in a number of ways. Both long-term trends such as increased flooding and the increasing scarcity of resources as well as shorter term trends like severe weather are likely to contribute to displacement and increased migration for individuals already in vulnerable situations.
This policy brief, the first in a series distilling the evidence and experience on migration and development, examines whether respect for migrant rights has economic benefits for countries of origin and destination. The author finds that respect for rights in migrant-sending countries can help secure remittances, attract other forms of diaspora investment, and effect political and social change.
This edited volume develops a pragmatic approach to the engagement of highly skilled members of the diaspora for the benefit of their countries of origin. The book, edited by a World Bank senior economist, is based on empirical work in middle-income and high-income economies.
This policy brief explores the relationship between environmental change and migration to Europe in light of recent scholarship challenging the notion that environmental change triggers mass migration. It presents an overview of European policy response in this area and summarizes the spectrum of proposed solutions.


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FOLSOM, CA - An early morning police call to the Residence Inn in Folsom Monday resulted in the evacuation of the motel's third floor as a hazard materials team investigated cocaine being cooked in a room.
Sgt. Jason Browning said police were called at 6:20 a.m. to check a report of a guest acting strangely. The man, identified as Christopher Neal, 48, of Folsom, was having difficulty speaking and staying awake and gesturing wildly, said Browning.
Officers went to the third floor room Neal had rented and found Cheri Neal, 49, attempting to hide drug smoking paraphernalia, Browning said. In addition, officers realized something was cooking on the suite's kitchen stove and believed it could be drugs.
Third floor motel guests were evacuated as a Sacramento County Sheriff's Department team that investigates illegal drug labs was called. Browning said the team determined that since the molecular properties of cocaine weren't not being changed by heating it, a charge of manufacture of a controlled substance wasn't warranted.
The Neals were arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.


text:
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Comic 173
Link: Comic 173
Translations: http://www.beaverandsteve.com/wiki/images/8/8f/Finnishflag.png Finnish, http://www.beaverandsteve.com/wiki/images/5/52/Frenchflag.png French, http://www.beaverandsteve.com/wiki/images/5/57/Polishflag.png Polish, http://www.beaverandsteve.com/wiki/images/0/04/Danishflag.png Danish, http://www.beaverandsteve.com/wiki/images/7/79/Italianflag.gif Italian
Title: the yolk's on you
Date: April 17, 2006
Summary: Steve meets the easter bunny...and her children.
Cast: Beaver, Steve, Easter Bunny
Onomatopoeias used: "Chomf!", "Hatch!"
"Fin" style: Each letter colored on an easter egg.
Number of panels: 6
Panel 1
Easter Bunny: Hey Steve would you like to have some fun?
Steve: Oh boy yes!
Easter Bunny: Well why dont you see if you can find my eggs?
Panel 2
Steve searches in a crocodiles mouth.
Easter Bunny: Cold!
Panel 3
Steve searches under Beaver's tail.
Easter Bunny: Warmer
Panel 4
Steve looks in the refrigerator and sees four colored eggs.
Easter Bunny: Found them!
Panel 5
Steve: Thank you Easter Bunny!
Steve Takes a bit out of one of the eggs.
Steve: Yum!
Easter Bunny: No!
Panel 6
The Easter Bunny begins crying.
Easter Bunny: My baby! Why??
One of the other eggs hatch.
Bunny Baby: Mama?
Fun Facts
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text:
|Original post:
|Last updated:
|2015-05-21 re latest version update and Synchronisation Options.
Basic Info
|App Name
|Thumbs-Up Rating
|App URL
|App Version Reviewed
|There is only a Freeware version.
The latest version is 7.0 (still an excellent backup tool)
|Test System Specs
Key Features: (copied from Help file)
1. Compare files (bytewise or by date) and synchronize them.
2. No limitations: An arbitrary number of files can be synchronized.
3. Unicode support.
4. Network support.
5. Transactional file copy
6. Built-in support for very long filenames (more than MAX_PATH = 260 characters).
7. Synchronization database for propagation of deleted files and conflict detection
8. Copy NTFS alternate data streams, compressed and encrypted file attributes
9. Support for multiple folder pairs with distinct configuration
10. Full support for Windows/Linux Symbolic Links and Windows Junction Points.
11. Lean & easily accessible UI: Highly optimized for speed and huge sets of data.
12. Algorithms coded in C++ completely.
13. All progress indicators optimized for maximum performance!
14. Create Batch Jobs for automated synchronization with or without GUI.
15. Focus on usability:
a. Only necessary functionality on UI: no overloaded menus or icon jungle.
b. Select all folders via drag & drop.
c. Last used configuration and screen settings are saved automatically.
d. Maintain and load different configurations by drag & drop, load-button or commandline.
e. Double-click to start external application (e.g. show file in Windows Explorer)
f. Copy & paste all grid data as text
g. Delete superfluous/temporary files directly on main grid.
h. Right-click context menu.
i. Comprehensive status information and error reporting
j. Sort file-lists by name, size or date.
14. Support for filesizes larger than 4 GB.
15. Option to move files to Recycle Bin instead of deleting/overwriting them.
16. Ignore directories "\RECYCLER" and "\System Volume Information" with default filter. (Windows only)
17. Localized versions are available for many languages.
18. Delete before copy: Avoid disc space shortages for large sync-jobs.
19. Filter functionality to include/exclude files from synchronization (without requiring a re-compare!).
20. Include/exclude specific files from synchronization temporarily.
21. Automatically handle daylight saving time changes on FAT/FAT32 volumes.
22. Portable version available (selectable via installer).
23. Native 64-Bit version.
24. Check for updates from within FreeFileSync automatically.
25. Copy locked files using Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service. (Windows only)
26. Create regular backups with macros %time%, %date% within directory names
27. Copy file create/modification times when synchronizing.
28. Advanced locking strategy to allow multiple synchronization processes (e.g. multiple writers, same network share).
29. Case-sensitive synchronization of file, directory and symlink names
|Supported OSes
|Windows and Linux
|Support Methods
|Upgrade Policy
|Automatic free upgrades.
|Trial Version Available?
|Yes. (Trial version and Full version are one and the same.)
|Pricing Scheme
I had been trialling several backup alternative solutions and started to trial FFS as a result of reading @Curt's post: FreeFileSync (Open-Source) « on: 2011-04-19, 16:23:00 »
I quickly discovered that FFS was a superb backup system, and continued to use it.
I felt I had to consolidate my thoughts on FFS after reading this excellent comparison and review of 2012-02-17, between FFS and Microsoft SyncToy: Is FreeFileSync Better Sync Software Than Microsoft SyncToy?
The above review is well worth reading, and I shall not duplicate it here.
FreeFileSync is a folder comparison and synchronization tool providing highly optimized performance and usability without needless user interface complexity.
It is highly customisable and includes real-time monitoring capability and maintenance of versions in the backups.
The website at https://sourceforge.net/projects/freefilesync/ lists these features:
- 1. Detect moved and renamed files and folders
- 2. Copy locked files (Volume Shadow Copy Service)
- 3. Detect conflicts and propagate deletions
- 4. Binary comparison
- 5. Full support for Symbolic Links
- 6. Automate sync as a batch job
- 7. Multiple folder pairs
- 8. Copy NTFS extended attributes (compressed, encrypted, sparse)
- 9. Copy NTFS security permissions
- 10. Support long path names > 260 characters
- 11. Fail-safe file copy
- 12. Cross-platform: Windows/Linux
- 13. Expand environment variables like %USERPROFILE%
- 14. Access variable drive letters by volume name (USB sticks)
- 15. Native 32 and 64-bit builds
- 16. Keep versions of deleted/updated files
- 17. Optimal sync sequence prevents disc space bottlenecks
- 18. Full unicode support
- 19. Highly optimized performance
- 20. Include/exclude files via filter
- 21. Local and portable installation
- 22. Handle daylight saving time changes on FAT/FAT32
- 23. Use macros %time%, %date%, et al. for recurring backups
- 24. Case sensitive synchronization
- 25. Built-in locking serializes multiple jobs running against the same network share
Who this app is designed for:
FFS would be an ideal automated backup tool for any computer system where the user wished to have a "fire and forget" backup strategy to minimise/avoid risk of data loss.
The Good:
- Simple and highly flexible at the UI (User Interface). The user can select 1 of 4 Variants of backup, and within Variants 2, 3, and 4, the user can select Synchronisation Options (Categories and Actions) to establish precise backup procedures. Variant 1 necessitates FFS building a control database to manage the backups, and specifying the rules for that backup, using that database. That same database approach can be selected for the Variants 2, 3, and 4, if required to detect moved files. Refer separate section at the end of this review, entitled Details of Synchronisation Options.
- An excellent piece of software that so far has done its job very well (as above) on my laptop.
- The software can automatically check for updates to cope with improvements and new hardware and drivers.
- The good points of FFS are comprehensively covered in the excellent comparison and review of 2012-02-17, between FFS and Microsoft SyncToy: Is FreeFileSync Better Sync Software Than Microsoft SyncToy?
- Real-time syncing works perfectly, and is a breeze to set up (I used the Help document). Really good.
The needs improvement section:
- I have not observed that anything needs improvement. No annoyances. In any event, the software is updated periodically, to implement improvements and bug fixes.
- Not so much an improvement as a suggested alternative set-up approach: The user could consider using reparse links (folder junctions) to set up a library for FFS to backup, rather than spell them out individually - as I have done - in the FFS configuration.
- WARNING: @PhilB66 reminded me that the install now included OpenCandy, so make sure you pick the right setting:
- SyncToy: Read the comparison/review: Is FreeFileSync Better Sync Software Than Microsoft SyncToy?
- Handy Backup: FFS was certainly good enough to shift me from Handy Backup, which I had been using for years, and with FFS' RealTimeSync module (Handy Backup didn't do that), I am very happy with the outcome.
- BeyondSync: I had posted a very brief note/review about BeyondSync Standard 4.3, which product worked OK for syncing, but I could not get its real-time syncing to work, and so uninstalled it from my laptop.
- Other: There was also an interesting discussion on DCF re various backup software (not necessarily FreeFileSync): backup software - file-by-file sets
When I can put aside the time for it, I intend to trial and report on the backup functionality mentioned in AOMEI Backupper FREE + AOMEI Partition Assistant FREE - Mini-Review, and refer to the report in this FFS review.
Why I think you should use this product:
My experience of FFS is that it is a superb backup software tool, and with it's RealTimeSynce module it seems to be a real winner.
Superb backup tool.
Note that the list of key features given above does not provide a comprehensive list of all the functionality of this software. There are many other features.
Does what it says it does, and very well.
This is a picture of a backup disc (note the VERSIONING directory):
This is a progress report just prior to completing the sync/backup:
Links to other reviews of this application:
If you Google FFS, you will find various reviews, but, as above, this one is good: Is FreeFileSync Better Sync Software Than Microsoft SyncToy?
Details of Synchronisation Options:


text:
List all words that contain sequelae
Only the word sequelae was found, nothing longer.
Some random words: lass flab foehn duad deem swab vocable
This is not a dictionary, it's a word game wordfinder.
- Help and FAQ - Examples - Home
Privacy Policy - Share - © Copyright 2004-2015 Morewords.com - 86.225mS


text:
Akmal looks under constant stress.
Akmal looks under constant stress.
FMD the SL anthem sounds like a bloody Hi 5 song.
WWCC - Loyaulte Mi Lie
"People make me happy.. not places.. people"
"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." - Samuel Johnson
"Hope is the fuel of progress and fear is the prison in which you put yourself" - Tony Benn
#408. Sixty three not out forever.
It really does.
Nevertheless, Carn Lanka. Do this. Deserve to win a tournament.
I didn't say they deserve it more than the others. I said they deserve to win a tournament.
West Indies winning the 2004 Champions Trophy was supposed to a boom for their cricket tbh.
It was won by Ian Bradshaw and Courtney Browne though...
Are we playing on this pitch tomorrow night? If so I'm glad we aren't playing either of these two sides.
Dilshan's really dragging this innings down, has to make up for it before it's too late.
Epic series of fist-palms between Afridi and the other pakistani players there
Sanga playing on a completely different track atm.
Originally Posted by Peter Mooresforever 63*
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)


text:
guy just doesn't learn at all. Worthless waste of life
Seriously, what a terrible person this guy is. This is his 5th, FIFTH!!!!!! arrest related to beating women.
What a piece of you know what.
Ex-Chief Larry Johnson arrested for domestic violence | ProFootballTalk
Diehard Fan Living in Packer Territory
Co-Founder: 2 Mugs Fantasy Football -- a site about and football!
guy just doesn't learn at all. Worthless waste of life
|Thumbs Up
|Received: 34
Given: 38
We all knew it was a matter of time.
One thing Clark has done that we can agree on, is put this bum out with the trash.
Larry... who???
I seem to remember some guy by that name, but just can't place him. Did he used to be on this team?
Are you man enough? Eric Berry? Apparently Not!
|Thumbs Up
|Received: 1
Given: 0
|Thumbs Up
|Received: 0
Given: 0
I'm having a hard time deciding what's worse. Someone that hurts women or those that applaud when someone gets hurt.
|Thumbs Up
|Received: 1
Given: 0


text:
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text:
Kirko Bangz 'Drank in My Cup' Remix: 2 Chainz, Juelz Santana Jump Onboard
After J. Cole showed up on a remix to Kirko Bangz' "Drank in My Cup," which actually turned out to be a freestyle from the North Carolina MC, fans were left empty-handed. Now an official remix comes featuring Def Jam signee 2 Chainz and Dipset member Juelz Santana.
On the track, the Houston MC spits the same verses that popped up on the Cole version. Santana and 2 Chain


text:
Ligety secures his third Gold of the Championships: "This was the one I came for."
Ted Ligety demonstrated why he is the main star of the 2013 World Championships in winning the Giant Slalom. With a lead of 1.30 seconds after the first run, the HEAD World Cup rebel dominated proceedings. After the race Ligety explained that this has been "a dream, the best week of ski racing in my life, so phenomenal," adding it had "far exceeded" his expectations. "The GS was what I really wanted." Marcel Hirscher recovered from an at odds first run to take second with Manfred Moelgg taking third just ahead of Aksel Lund Svindal.
Ligety felt that his first run had been smooth but that it had been easy to ski the first run so clean when the course was clean, "The second run was harder, the conditions neutralizes my technique and it is not easy to give it all in the bumps," Ligety explained.
With Aksel Lund Svindal in second after the first run, a double medal haul looked promising for the HEAD racers but a disappointed Svindal commented after the race that for the second Championships running he was left in fourth place. While he had lead after Garmisch this time he had been in second: "I did not make a good enough run on the second run," explained Svindal.
With two Gold's already in the bag, Ligety felt the pressure of expectation in going for the third Gold. "I came here to win the Giant Slalom and it would have felt almost like failure if I did not do this," he explained. "It is a cool feeling to have matched those that have won three gold medals at the same Championships," reflected Ligety. This was the first time a racer had taken three Gold medals in the same World Championships since Jean-Claude Killy in 1968
"I feel far from in control," said Ligety about how he skis fast. "It's an optical illusion when I look like I'm that in control." It was no optical illusion this time as he became the sixth racer to defend his World Championship Giant Slalom title in history.
GOLD: Ted Ligety (USA) HEAD
Silver: Marcel Hirscher (AUT)
Bronze: Manfred Moelgg (ITA)
4th Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR) HEAD
13th Marcel Mathis (AUT) HEAD
21st Mathieu Faivre (FRA) HEAD
26th Robby Kelley (USA) HEAD


text:
NH Audubon's Rare Bird Alert
This is New Hampshire Audubon's Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, April 3.
Asnow goose was found in fields near Robyn Avenue in Litchfield on March 21, and was last reported on the 29th.
A pair of gadwall, and a pair of northern pintails were seen at Horseshoe Pond in Concord during the past week.
Ring-necked ducks, wood ducks, common goldeneyes, hooded mergansers, and common mergansers continue to be seen in good numbers in open water areas.
Thirteen fish crows were reported from Horseshoe Pond in Concord on April 3.
Fox sparrows are being reported from many locations, some with multiple birds including eight being seen in one yard in Amherst.
Numerous tree swallows have been seen during the past week, with the first report of the season coming from Nashua on March 29.
There were several sightings of American woodcock, killdeer, and Wilson's snipe, as well as a few American kestrels, merlins, ospreys, and northern harriers, all during the past week.
An eastern phoebe was seen in Penacook on April 1, and one was seen in Rochester on April 3.
This information is also available by phone recording: call 224-9909 and press 2 as directed or ask to be transferred. If you have seen any interesting birds recently, you can leave a message at the end of the recording or send your sightings to the RBA via e-mail at: firstname.lastname@example.com. Please put either "bird sighting" or "Rare Bird Alert" in the subject line and be sure to include your mailing address and phone number. The RBA is also available on-line at the New Hampshire Audubon web site, www.nhaudubon.org.
To improve the chance of seeing your comment posted here or published in the New Hampshire Union Leader:
- Identify yourself. Accounts using fake or incomplete names are suspended regardless of the quality of posts.
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- If you see an objectionable comment please click the "Report Abuse" button and be sure to tell us why.
Note: Comments are the opinion of the respective poster and not of the publisher.Be the first to comment.
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text:
This Week in Music History
This Week in Music History
This Weekend in Music History
April 19th, 1974 - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band appear at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. Tickets are only $4.50 and the promoter of the event takes a gamble that word-of-mouth will be enough to fill the 550 seats, however, only 250 attended.
April 19th, 1997 - Michael Ja


text:
Dancing with the Stars' first elimination turned out to be moot after Dorothy Hamill withdrew with a spine injury. But since that was kept on the down low from the cast until the show announcement, no one's nerves were quelled. "No one knew [so] I was really nervous," Aly Raisman tells TVGuide.com. "Standing up there, I was like, 'This just got real! Someone's going to leave.' Luckily, we were saved pretty early." Raisman and her partner Mark Ballas are in third place on the leader board after two weeks and have the Viennese waltz next on Prom Week. Get the scoop on the routine and their "cool surprise."
TV Scorecard: What's renewed? What's canceled?
Read Derek Hough's Dancing blog


text:
It is official. The 2014 Atlanta bag tags have all been sold. 114 participants this year. I'm holding tag 115 incase someone loses a tag.
79 attendees for the 1st challenge match. 112 sold before I ever made it back to the house. The final 2 tags sold yesterday.
Thanks to everyone who purchased one. The league email has been sent to everyone who is signed up. If you did not get a copy of it let me know.


text:
HEAD Racquet Rebels Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray have helped pace HEAD racquets to the top of an unofficial ranking for success during the just-concluded 2012 season, as published by British Website The Tennis Space.
The Australian Open title of world No. 1 Djokovic, the breakthrough win by Murray at the US Open plus the French Open trophy from Maria Sharapova gave the brand a solid hat-trick of success at the majors. HEAD took the lead over the course of the season at the big events as a whole. According to that table, HEAD totaled a winning 330 points at the 2012 Grand Slams under a system awarding 50 points for a singles champion, 25 for a runner-up, 10 for a semi-finalist and 5 points for a quarter-finalist.
HEAD also took the best marks for the number of top players in the ATP World Tour rankings. With Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych and Richard Gasquet HEAD has finished the season with four players under the Top 10. Having six HEAD Racquet Rebels in the Top 20 and 14 in the Top 50 is also an amazing year-end result for 2012.
To see the results, go to http://www.thetennisspace.com/ranking-the-rackets-who-performed-best-in-2012/


text:
This conversation is closed.
Proposing elderly communal housing; i.e. private residence with central/shared kitchen and living rooms with private bed and bathrooms.
For the elderly who don't want as "assisted care" fascility and don't have family, yet need some form of community life. Perhaps with a live-in assistant to help drive to Dr. appointments, hairdressers , marketing etc. and otherwise help. The elderly would basically help each other and remain social and somewhat independent. I hear it's the latest rage at colleges these days. Question: why are so few of these being built in the US? Money?
Janne Webb
May 28 2013: I am particularly interested in this idea. I am a general contractor and I am aging and I am gay. These are all great qualifications for building and living in a POD type living environment. We planned an entire community with architectural schematics for this concept. We named it OUR HOUSE. Because many of us have love animals we included a animal sanctuary where we could interact with the community and volunteer. Each home was basically a duplex so it could be sold as a single or join two together easily. All the homes opened to a nice interior courtyard that was safe for people and animals. We planned for One large LIVING ROOM where the noon meal would be shared. We felt it would be important to include gardening, harvesting, cooking, cleaning as joint chores to keep us active. I could go on and on....We paid particular attention to making the homes affordable, GREEN, and modern as most of the assisted living facilities do not necessarily cater to good design.
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Erin Evans
May 26 2013: What is required is a group of people with diverse talents, from financial advisers and accountants to nurses and doctors, from chefs, gardeners, and artists, to cleaning crews. From someone who can find a property worth building upon or retrofitting, to men and women who can do the work --all in their senior years, alone, and all willing to pull together. And place for them to meet and brainstorm. I guess we need a website. I pipe dream, I guess. But one I like to dwell upon. Often.
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May 27 2013: In my research, I've learned about a Charles Durette, architect, who promotes co-housing and helps get a community off the ground. Website:cohousingco.com
I will check it out tomorrow.Jun 2 2013: I think there is definitely real needs here that is not met, and I am very interested in learning more and to contribute. The key, as mentioned by others before: serve the needs motivated by passion, self-help, community, as opposed to profit-oriented business. Not a charity either! Nothing like that out there I know of. When enough people dream about it, it is no longer a dream.
Erin Evans
May 26 2013: In what communities? Again, I am speaking of the single aged person M-L first spoke of, those who by living alone without family or friends lose hope and purpose. We baby boomers need communes that don't cost a fortune to join as the assisted living facilities do. What's being offered now are facilities that in most cases have shareholders who demand growing earnings reports, require prohibitively large monthly payments for too many. These facilities don't stimulate anyone. If you work in the construction industry, you know that a simple commune could be built with separate housing units and communal areas for "roommates" for much less than what's already being offered. Ideally, surrogate family communes for old people that encourage continued work, supply computers, learning centers, libraries, ateliers, and gyms --rather than merely supplying a bed, food, a TV, and a communal area --where maybe you can play board games but that's all-- for entertainment. Taking care of each other keeps people alive, gives them purpose, a reason to get out of bed. We should be taking care of each other. Our society has been brainwashed into thinking it can't take care of itself without the help of a corporation.May 29 2013: As a 66 year old living in Community Housing in Brisbane Australia, I have often spoken about this with friends of same age. Single and living alone leaves a lot to be desired. We've discussed how community housing could be set up with each of us having open plan, ground level unit which comprised a kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom. On the same site, a larger building which housed a community kitchen, eating and entertainment area could be the general meeting place and meals could be prepared on a community basis.
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We think this could work quite well as it could offer each individual privacy and also a way of getting together with others to prepare and eat food and then share entertainment. None of us wish to go into a nursing home
Denise Lohnn
May 29 2013: My friends and I used to always joke about what we'd do once our kids were grown. I've been separated from my husband for years, and I just turned 60. My daughter is 18 and was going off to college, but she will defer because she has terrible neuro-lyme, that must be dealt with. She worries that if she goes to college, I will be alone. I was hoping that I could return to the work force, as money is a real issue. My idea with friends was to rent/buy a big home with enough rooms for each of us, and common areas we could share (since we know each other well) and try to stay as youthful as possible. We used to have really fun theme parties when we were young and working together, and we thought why not as we get old. Who wants to sit around and think about dying. No fun there. It's a bit harder to live with strangers (kind of like kids have to do in college!), but if enough people, who have common interests, can share a home and always have interesting things planned, it could be fun. And one is never too old to do that!
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Erin Evans
Jun 4 2013: On M-L's comment on the 27th, I looked at cohousing.com's site, and sent them a query regarding cohousing in the Southeast. Today, Mr. Durette responded with the suggestion that we look at his book at this site: http://www.newsociety.com/Books/C/Creating-Cohousing. His book and the others there look interesting. He also suggested a phone call next Thursday which is past the time this thread will expire. Perhaps I will call him and suggest a TED talk.
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Jun 15 2013: I suggested Charles Durett to TED for a possible talk last week.May 28 2013: I am very glad to see this topic. It seems there has recently been a flood of visionaries with ideas about different lifestyles as we age. I would like to add what I call "pod living" to the mix. I wrote a book last year entitled "Borderless Broads, Rethink Your Lifestyle and Rewrite Your Future" which was in large part dedicated to women over 50 and living solo. Expanding our ideas of family beyond blood to intentional kinship groups and creating pod living in a variety of creative and financially re-modeled way. Encouraging women to be "borderless broads" and go beyond all current assumptions about aging and lifestyle.
Bravo for this discussion and thanks!
Morgana Morgaine (firstname.lastname@example.com)May 28 2013: I was thinking about something similar the other day. In particular I was wondering about a community for both the elderly and a half-way house. That may sound like a disaster (and it certainly could be). I think if you had really good organization and training you could end up creating a really great synergy. I was inspired by a TED talk by Sugata Mitra. In the talk he mentioned training elderly british women to encourage children as they learn. I think there could be a similar training for the elderly to be supportive and the recovering addicts and alcoholics could be physically supportive. I had an internship at a drug rehab for low income women and children and I noticed that most of them really hadn't gotten the support and recovery that they needed before they left. They probably won't either.
May 28 2013: A possible good thought...May 29 2013: A laudible thought but probably more than what most elderly would want. Many have already raised their own children and don't need that experience again. Good idea but highly impractical I feel.May 26 2013: I love this concept. There are many churches with outreach programs to help prisoners, the hungry, those in need of good housing. I'm wondering if this could be another aspect. Help set up some of these independent living situations so that those of us who would prefer to remain social but have our own private area too could do so.May 26 2013: closest thing to what I'm referring are the 4 co-housing units being built in Co. and Ca. Focused on residents helping one another as opposed to costly service "institutions". These are 1 and 2 bedroom units or condo/townhomes incorporating community guest room, gardens, kitchen, meeting room etc. Idea here was imported from Denmark. But many diverse options to consider.Jun 15 2013: You can reach me at: email@example.com Thanks all, M-L.Jun 15 2013: In 20 hours this conversation will close. It will be years before I have to act on what we've discussed here, but I will be sorry that I lost contact with you of like mind. I'm on Linked In as a photographer in Marietta, Ga., and FB as a painter, if you'd like to stay in touch. Maybe over time we could build our community. And I will suggest a wonderful book about the kind of people we used to be: The Poet of Tolstoy Park by Sonny Brewer.Jun 15 2013: Speaking personally, although I agree that providing economic and cultural diversity are lofty goals, having little children included might not be practical nor wanted, except for visits by family at "guest house". If residents want generational diversity, they could volunteer at nearby schools, nurseries, hospitals etc. Bottom line is "fixed income' of the residents who can't afford the added expense of playgrounds, daycare etc. The diversity can be obtained racially, culturally and economically without the introduction and confusion of little ones running about. Economics has alot to do with these communities' viabilities. Just a thought.Jun 15 2013: Any relevant information is welcomed. Thanks Manishka.Jun 15 2013: My utopia is Diana Cammack's. I spend most of my time looking up, dreaming, planning, discussing, the intermediary steps to achieve it.
A direct democracy system. Solar power and power from continuous microwave catalytic depolymerization which extracts and utilizes the methane and syngas that would result from decomposition of waste anyway, it gives a biochar byproduct which we use to make terra preta to fertilize the cooperative farm which is in the green space between buildings in the city and just enough surrounding land to feed all the people there.
All humans move to these self sufficient cities and live in comfort in mixed use buildings with a hospital and school and retail. The apartments are interspersed within the vertical farm that is part of the cooperative. Each building's population is dense enough to be able to afford the sports fields and equipment required for them. The same population is dense enough that it makes a subway stop there viable. It's not a kibbutz in that everyone shares their income , they don't have to eat in the collective cafeteria, and the kids are not separated from their parents.
"It takes a village to raise a child" still applies because they are exposed to the multiple careers, disciplines and hobbies of the numerous residents. Parents no longer have to schedule playdates and organise activities as all you need to do to have friends is open the door and step outside.
Grandparents no longer have to choose between being a burden on their children and getting professional care at a nursing home and long for their family to take time out to visit them. the hospital downstairs can send nurses up the elevator to help. They don't have to wait to be entertained by volunteers as they can just take the elevator down to the school and volunteer and be useful and still contribute to society.
All the in-between stages woven throughout.Jun 15 2013: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urbanism
Ecological urbanism
Green urbanism
Landscape urbanism,
Networked Urbanism
New urbanism,
Unitary urbanism,
Peer-to-peer urbanism,
sustainable urbanism
There are quite a few urbanisms, But I find that they are all similar in that they all shy away from segregation and specialised areas. I like that. they're mixed use, mixed income, and although unspecified, I would add mixed age neighborhoods with the density to make it vibrant. I see several have already mentioned staying active participants in society. I think that would be lovely and valuable. and a reflection of the interdependence of life.
I'd like to copy my post from another thread because it applies here too.
Does this sound ok or way off base?Jun 12 2013: My findings/ summary based on this TED conversation and preliminary research: there is definitely a growing interest and need for alternative housing options for our growin older population. Most don't want our only option to be heartless institutions yet we find ourselves, for one reason or another, lacking the caring help of blood relatives. The co-housing movement began in Denmark and was imported to the US by Charles Durett, a West Coast architect. He has been instrumental in creating several such communities west of CO. and even as far away as the Aleutian Islands. I have therefore suggested to TED that he be a future speaker. Several similar concepts are being tried on the East Coast, the "village" concept in Boston and Washington, D.C. However in the Southeast, where I reside, implementing this concept seems hung up on the profitabilty for various developers/builders, and thereby lose much of the movements incentives. I.e. in NC, there are endless Governor's panels studying the feasibilty of such housing, where lots of suggestions are made but having no concrete results. I find that only a national lreader such as Mr. Durett can initiate East Coat development and perhaps employ government aid to get it done. Thanks all for your input!Jun 7 2013: Thanks Ellen, Viewed your recommended site and it seems all "village" concept communities in NC are still in the exploratory or perhaps planning stage. There seems to be alot of mercenary interests involved which may not fit the need but will pursue the site further. I extended this conversation for an additional week and suggested Charles Durett as a possible future TED speaker. Many thanks.Jun 6 2013: In addition to co-housing, which can often be a long and sometimes costly process to create, there is also the "Village" concept in many locations. These are virtual communities where people remain in their own homes, and support each other with volunteer services. Some Villages focus on access to higher-end paid services (e.g. limos to ferry folks to doctor appts) and most also have an annual fee to cover administrative costs. One of the first was Beacon Village in Boston. Many are affiliated with the Village to Village Network , but a village community could also be created independently. Here in San Francisco, there's a village community for GLBT elders.
Jun 6 2013: Your idea sounds intriguing but perhaps more costly. Do you have any reference sites where I could check this "village" concept out?
Jun 7 2013: Here's a good introductory article in the May/June AARP magazine:
Since the village concept focuses on aging-in-place, it can be much less expensive than co-housing, depending on the communities involved. It's really an apples vs. oranges comparison of two different models, one providing housing, the other services. Even folks living in mixed age co-housing communities might benefit from some village services, especially as elders become more frail and require 24-hour or more skilled care.Jun 4 2013: I have asked TED to please extend this conversation due to your excellent suggestions. I have also asked TED to consider Charles Durett for a future lecture as I feel there is a growing need and interest in the topic with our burgeoning elder population. Thanks Erin for your excellent ideas and suggestions. P.S. I also live in the southeast and gather this co-housing movement exists only west of Co. at this time.Jun 4 2013: That sounds like a wonderful proposal! Thanks for your research site info. will check it out. Mr. Durette is undoubtedly an excellent source of information and will help in order to encourage his architecture business. I wonder if a group of people seeking his aid will not be a prerequisite? I'm located in Raleigh, NC. if I can be of asssistance. I will try to extend this thread's time limit to accommodate further news from you and others.Jun 1 2013: I lived in communal housing in Vancouver for 23 years with my son. It was (and still is) an urban rural community and the city co-op houses 40 people of all generations. In my mind this is the best way to age, especially if a single person. We can envision lots of exciting options for housing to replace the institution the the boomers want to replace. But if we talking about housing seniors exclusively, for me something is lost - the vibrancy and dynamic of living with different ages AND the potential for truly taking on a role as an elder in a culture which is missing this.
In the Lower Mainland in BC there are some innovative housing opportunities being built, for example where units are approx. 350 sq. feet consisting of bedroom, bathroom and sitting room with communal kitchen and living area. Think this will be the way forward.
Jun 2 2013: I agree with you in general. What I was referring to was concern for many of us who, for one reason or another, don't have families for care, socialization etc. I hear that Vancouver is a wonderful place to live and you are fortunate to have a son nearby. In eastern US, it seems for those of us without families only have the choice for future institutional care and that is expensive and often unpleasant. Many of the "older" people are seeking the friendship and care of friends, choices and fun activities, i.e. gardens etc.May 30 2013: Great ideas. Bottom line goals seem to be similar. None of us want an institution and many don't have families, for differing reasons. This would entail sharing similar burdens and caring for one another in a social and productive manner. Her in the US there are a few architects who will help design and locate such communities though they've generally caught on more in our western part of the continent. Keep me posted. Many thanks. M-L.May 30 2013: True...empathy and workig and living together in mutual harmony is the primary goal here.May 30 2013: Understand but I don't feel that money shouldn't be the primary motivator.; incentive yes but not all there is to consider. There are architects who help develop these co-housing "communities" but these places seem to exist only west of Co. Need some to spread to the East coast.
Comment deleted
May 26 2013: I couldn't find such communal retirement places in Fl....existing ones are all corporate money-makers and drainers, hardly caring about their habitants. Too fru-fru, costly, unstimulating and 'traditional'. No incentives to care about each other, garden etc.May 29 2013: Why is it people always seem to dismiss anything unless the bottom line will benefit them materially. This isn't about "business"...it's about compassionate living for the elderly!May 26 2013: Perhaps but these would be PRIVATE homes in existing communities (occupants would share the investment and costs). There are about 3-4 such "communities" being built in the U.S. but hardly enough to serve demand.May 26 2013: Perhaps what you describe is too close to what is already offered in retirement communities to warrant a distinct service offering.
May 26 2013: Not at all the same. Totally different.


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- Independent
- The Enterprise
- The Recorder
A Prince Frederick man was killed after he was involved in a Saturday afternoon car accident in Lusby, and the Maryland State Police Prince Frederick barrack is investigating.
At 4:29 p.m. Saturday, troopers responded to the area of Route 4 and Nursery Road for a reported car accident, according to an MSP press release.
Troopers said a 2007 Ford F-550 truck, driven by Kenneth Vance Klingensmith Jr., 48, of Pasadena was traveling north on Route 4 in the left lane when the truck "veered across" the right lane and collided with a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, which was stopped at the Nursery Road stop sign.
After striking the Chrysler, driven by Michael J. Funchion, 63, of Prince Frederick, the Ford continued off of the road and hit a light pole and a tree, the press release states.
Funchion died as a result of his injuries, troopers said. Troopers do not believe alcohol or drugs are contributing factors in the accident.
The St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, the Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department and the Calvert County Sheriff's Office assisted with the investigation.
Tfc. Wiesemann is continuing the investigation.


text:
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In 1989 I worked for British Telecom (BT)… the role I was initially recruited for was as an underground heavy cabler… As such we had to learn about various skills and dangers and bits and pieces of how to winch, pull, rod, rope and turn cables over huge distances through underground ducting, across bridges, in lakes, dams, coal mines, remote hill top locations and down your street.
As such there were only a few places in the entire world where you could learn this skill and one of them was British Telecom's Technical College Bletchley Park…
What happened at Bletchley apart from learning a new set of skills of hauling optical fibre and copper cables up to 4800 pair, meeting trainees from the USA, Canada, Asia etc – was finding a fascination with the place…
There wasn't anything really there to tell you of its history, but for the most part the ornate gardens, grounds and buildings were all operational and well looked after.
Yesterday I stepped foot back on the grounds of Bletchley Park.. once home Mi:1 (later Mi:8) and the true birth place of GCHQ and what ultimately lead to the start of the NSA…
So… What is Bletchley really?
Yes it's where the code breakers worked… yes, later the code breakers for the US worked there and then began a much deeper US/UK relationship which has continued to at a similar level ever since.
But the most significant thing is what you're looking at to read this article!! The Computer.. (I say that because you may be from a country that was not involved in WWII)
This issue knows no patriotism, it, while once a technology of utmost secrecy, is now a technology where you and I, the end users, roam about the ether without a visa, at the speed of light and in the realms of the internet are all most members of a reasonably governmentless new world…
Whether we use the computer for work, shopping or simply for communication, it does not take long to understand its pitfalls, gain friends globally and learn it's abilities and more importantly its strengths…
Now add this to the following information:
Bletchley Park was the home of the world's first programmable computer (Colossus).
The work carried out there by the Code Breakers, by intellect and by computer is known to have shortened WWII by a minimum of 2 yrs, most likely 6 yrs.
There is actual reason to assume now that without the work of Bletchley, the war would have ended in a stalemate!!
While initially a British only thing, the information was soon shared with our Allies and very quickly the USA came on board and later expanded the work considerably with over 300 US intelligence staff working at Bletchley Park at one point.
What does that mean in real terms…
Well if WWII lasted 6 yrs at the loss of around 84,000,000 lives – shortening the war by any length of time saved a hell of a lot of lives… So many lives in fact that had it have not done its work, some of you reading this would have simply never existed in the first place!!
So in real terms on a pro-rata basis in saving lives =
2 yrs = 28,000,000
3 yrs = 42,000,000
4 yrs = 56,000,000
5 yrs = 70,000,000
6 yrs = 84,000,000
Staggering isn't it…. Of course we'll never actually know….
But what we do know about Bletchley Park and only more recently seem to realize is that while its work on the war effort was one thing, huge infact – the relevance to our lives today is immense…
You see, the old cliché of "The first casualty of war is the truth" is very real… and with every single industrial revolution of modern history – we forget the true roots of it all..
Yes, from the work that has become legend of modern pioneers like Steve Jobs, Paul Allen, Bill Gates and so many others – little homage has been paid to where it all truly started.
And Bletchley Park isn't the only site to have made a significant break through in history – and these places need preserving also. But what of Bletchley today and more over – what are the multi billion dollar companies doing to preserve this level of modern history?
Bletchley today is open to the public, its assets decimated by BT when it relinquished control of the site with the shameful selling off of assets in the most disgusting example of cut-n-run you're likely to ever see and something they should be made to do something about or at least be held accountable for.
It is run mainly by volunteers with an affinity with the place, but in order to keep its doors open it has almost reached the point of soul selling – and that isn't pretty!!
The displays are based on what they can afford and that isn't much. Even the gift shop is a sad cry for sell anything if people will buy it!!
To me it is not in anyway a family site, it is historic geekdom… Infact talk to several people who have been, other than the odd item to do with the code breaking and the worlds first programmable computer – the rest can strike boredom even in the most intellectual of minds! Frankly, while that remark pains me to even hear it – it is nonetheless a point of view given to me… However, talk to someone else and they said their entire family went and loved it to bits… So it really is up to you to make your mind up.
Bletchley Park IS NOT and should not be a WWII theme park, it is and should be only about Code Breaking, its impact, what was achieved there, what was innovated and where the world is today because of computers and how they came into being.
Can it be improved – YES!!! But that'd take cash and a lot of it – and a real road map to what should be there…
It should on the outside look just like it did in the days it was operational… but underneath it should be an advanced learning centre… yes the introduction to the Enigma, yes, learn about the code-breakers and what they did…
But then it needs to turn uber geek and have a tech centre built in a secluded spot whereby the entire history of computing can be shown – but NOT as a set of static displays… unused computer equipment is simply static junk – it all needs to work and have a degree of "hands-on" ability. But when you drive up to the gate, you should see guards dressed and armed as they were back in the day, and the windows should be taped etc. The public should feel as they've genuinely walked into another world, the world of the Code Breakers themselves.
It is here where real networking started, where the computer made it's first leap forward and it's here where there should be the greatest collection of this industrial revolution!!
Not piles of old junk, not modernising a site to modern health and safety laws – but a real living breathing reproduction of its heyday.
So what has our multi billion dollar "do anything to make a buck" computer, IT, and software companies done to help (other than the odd one like Google)?
Don't get me wrong here, I back anyone who did it for themselves, I respect their innovation and guts to do all they have achieved… But when is enough money enough??
Yup, all these CEO's can enjoy their earned lifestyles etc – but to not honour in any way the thing that ultimately made them their money??? It's a bit like the baby who has just been born jumping up and head butting it's mother in the face.
Bletchley Park should to all intents and purposes be made a UN World Heritage Site, it has to be restored, protected and also become the ultimate learning resource… the site needs innovation, conceptual design that is hidden away. It needs to be hands on and have enough money to pay its staff.
It needs the greater industry to donate 50% of one day's bank interest from their fortunes so that this site can be honoured developed and set its history in stone..
No, there are no national and BS patriotic issues here, it needs its greedy fat assed off spring to stand up and be counted, to stand with some level of courage, commitment and more over – the self respect to step up to the plate.
It needs physical help too!! Yes from the companies who have staff who worked or developed modern super computers to be on-site to show the world what they did, how they took and industry forward through their own innovation.
IBM, Apple, Dell, Microsoft, Adobe, Samsung, Texas Instruments – and this list could go on and on…. But Bletchley should be the home of not only the Code Breakers – but the site of a global industry show case and meeting point.
A place of collaboration, innovation and a place the entire world can see where it came from and marvel at the concepts of where it'll go.
I'm ashamed of the lack of investment, the lack of enterprise and more over the complete and utter lack of organization and imagination of industry into the place, a place I actually like! The people at Bletchley Park, well they're working hard, but with hands tied behind there backs. As for the overall real vision, cutting the wheat from the chaff and remaining focussed, I don't know – it's hard to achieve as much that needs to be done with little more than a shoe string.
I will say that NOTHING makes me more appalled than the gutless blind eye turned to an industries roots and birthplace – by the very industry itself and one I've worked in most of my life.
So, if the industry has ANY level of self-respect, has ANY balls…. Feel free to apply yourselves, offer 50% of – or better still, a whole days company bank interest, – use this as an opportunity of show casing yourselves…
The hard work and dedication of the team at Bletchley and Dr Sue Black is a testament to how important this work truly is… these people have my respect and their hard work, enthusiasm is, while outstanding, an immense wake up call of people striving to do something, to work against impossible odds for the benefit of us all.
So… is there anything "we" can do? Yes be there for the weekend of the 21-22 May to show your support…
One final note:
Contrary to the Bletchley Park website image below…. the cost of an adult visit is NOT 10 pounds – it is 12… and while I have now scrolled about to find the parking fee – there is one and it's 3 pounds
To be clear about this, this is the first Bletchley Park Google result link… the Site has been updated and you should (until previous cache's have been cleared) go through the website main portal to gain the latest information in order to prevent confusion and possible frustration: http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/. Clicking HERE or on the image below will take you to the present prices page and the most accurate information at the time of writing.