text:
Free music from a leading purveyor of overpriced tongue-in-cheek fashion
Is it just me, or do you always kinda secretly begrudge how effortlessly you can be converted to commercial promotions when they include a free download of songs you like? Following that infectious Converse track and the Cartier compilation, the summer of free music continues with the folks wanting to outfit your urban experience.
It's okay to feel a little dirty.
Urban Outfitters' upbeat summer mixtape tracklist is pretty solid -- lots of bands on here to love, songs to rawk out to at full volume. Parts of this feel like playlist of bands I've been fortunate to catch in the last few months, from folks like Black Kids and Architecture in Helsinki at Coachella to King Khan and the Shrines a few weeks ago (at an off-the-hook craaaazy good show).
Okay, so rock on (while you shop?). It's free. After you spent $85 on those jeans, they owe you as much.
Lolita - Throw Me The Statue
I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You - Black Kids
Like It Or Not (Version 2) - Architecture in Helsinki
Woodfriend - Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
Hit The Wall - Broken Social Scene Presents Brendan Canning
Taking The Farm - War On Drugs
Furr - Blitzen Trapper
Red and Purple - The Dodos
The Old Days - Dr. Dog
Death To Los Campesinos! - Los Campesinos
Sore - Annuals
Horizons - Son Ambulance
Light of Love - Music Go Music
Do You Love Me? - The Explorers Club
The Blue Route - The Walkmen
GfC - Albert Hammond Jr.
Little Bit - Lykke Li
Boneless - The Notwist
Reservoir Park - The Duchess and The Duke
Outta Harms Way - King Khan and The Shrines
Willow Tree - Chad VanGaalen
[via: I totally go clothes shopping with Dodge, yo]


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


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Скороговорки на букву:
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Gertie's great-grandma grew aghast at Gertie's grammar.
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Gus goes by Blue Goose bus.


text:
Manny Pacquiao: "I'm not angry or disappointed"
Manny Pacquiao: "I'm not angry or disappointed"
By Doghouse Boxing (March 28, 2014)
Follow @DoghouseBoxing
Manny Pacquiao
Tweets by @DoghouseBoxing
Seleted quotes from this week's Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley coverage.
This week's quotes from Manny Pacquiao - "Pac Man" answers Bradley's comments that he no longer looks to compete.
Pacquiao: "The more he says that, the more I am inspired. It's actually good for me, but it won't be good for him. I'm not angry or disappointed at anything he may have said because it just makes me focus even harder."
"You could see a lot of his toughness in his last two fights. I'm not concerned, though and I'll be able to adjust."
For more on Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley, visit the homepage here at Doghouse Boxing.
Thank you for using
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing Inc. 1998-2014


text:
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
"A grudge is like drinking bitter poison, then expecting somebody else to die."
The Knight rode his horse alone. The narrow path to the castle was flanked by fallen knights that went before him to slay the Ghost that has been haunting the kingdom every night for countless years now.
He went past the courtyard and entered the throne room. Then…
Dust from the ground swirled before him to form a hazy, hooded figure of the Ghost he came to kill—like all the other knights before him who failed.
He awkwardly slid down his horse, unaccustomed to the heavy shield and broadsword he had to carry to battle.
The ghost laughed at the amateur slayer sent before him by a desperate Queen who has ran out of real warriors.
"I will be merciful. I will be swift." He said.
But the knight did not seem to hear the insult hurled at him by his adversary, his gaze was fixed beyond the ghost, beyond the throne. He was reading something written on the castle wall.
The Ghost was puzzled by the Knight who didn't seem to care that he was about to die.
The knight tore his gaze off the wall and stared at the pair of vacant globs of darkness where the eyes of the ghost should be and finally spoke "You are most surely right, but it will be I who will be Merciful and Swift!"
It was the first time the Ghost had been insulted. The impertinence of the unskilled knight rankled. The ghost briefly recited an ancient curse then mindlessly lunged at him with the broadsword that he pulled out of thin air, aiming for his heart. The knight dropped his own broadsword. Instead of parrying the blow, he pulled opened the chink in his breast plate and welcomed the sword into his heart, from pointed tip to hilt.
Time stopped.
The sword that pierced the knight's heart magically turned into ash and was blown harmlessly away by the gentle wind from the castle's windows. The knight stood unhurt.
A guttural cry that seemed to rise from the bowels of hell filled the hall. The Ghost was holding his bony hands where his heart should be on his chest. He had neither eyes nor mouth but the knight knew he was in pain. The wound that should have been his was slowly, painfully bleeding the ghost to death.
"I used to be a court Physician before I was forced into knighthood by the Queen Guenevere, after you killed the last of her knights, Sir Gawain" said the knight.
"I have been a physician to countless other knights in battles and have seen those same wounds before. On my way to your castle I couldn't fail to mark that each knight was killed by the same type of weapon they held in their hands when they dueled with you: I saw Sir Galahad with an arrow piercing his heart from a crossbow like his own; Sir Lancelot's face torn in half by a mace, his weapon of choice; And I saw the remains of Old King Arthur cut in half by a powerful sword only Excalibur could wreak"
He turned his back on his fallen adversary now melting into a writhing pool of scarlet.
"All of them caused their own deaths."He continued, "You could not be killed because every duel, like the one we had, you put a curse on each knight so that when they pierce your heart or wound you, it will be them who will bear the mortal wounds—NOT YOU."
"It was a clever curse," said the ghost with every ounce of dignity he could muster.
"Perhaps, but your name gave you away and with it your chance of winning against me." Then the knight pointed to the name emblazoned on the coat of arms on the wall above the throne.
"Your name is 'GRUDGE.'"
As he climbed up the saddle of his Horse he continued "When I read your name it dawned on me how you can be beaten. I remember being told by my teachers in the art of healing that a 'grudge' is like drinking a poisoned chalice, and then expecting your enemy to die. So I let you strike the blow, knowing that if you wound me, it would be you who would suffer death."
And with those final words, the nameless Paladin Physician rode away—the slayer of the Ghost named "Grudge."
Note: Thanks for reading but I don't think I can consider this an original work since the main concept (being killed by your own weapon used to strike a passive enemy) was adapted from a Book I've read and lost years ago. I have to find it again though and give it proper citation.
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HTC have gone from being a Qualcomm-centric OEM to a NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor carrying phone manufacturer for its HTC One series. Now, HTC have decided to take it up a notch as they look to develop their own SoC for the future after tying up with ST-Ericsson. However, to avoid major trouble HTC will implement the SoC only on their mid-level and low-end phones, steering clear of their flagship devices which are currently the crowd favorite. Even though HTC hasnt been as successful in the mid-level and low-end smartphone category as LG, Huawei and Samsung all of whom dominating that area, they are willing to a risk which would not cost them anything significant.
HTC joins Samsung and Apple both of whom make their own SoC's and would give them more control in the past over the cost of the hardware.
Source Android Central


text: The Beatles are set to dominate the British charts again after settling their Apple trademark dispute. Fab Four fans were thrilled to hear iPod manufacturer Apple Inc had settled their almost 30-year battle with The Beatles' record company Apple Corps over who owned the legal rights to the Apple name. Apple Inc will now own all trademarks relating to Apple and will license certain ones back to Apple Corps - meaning The Beatles' music, which has never been officially sold online, could soon be released via iTunes. One music source said: "Making these songs available could spark a whole new outbreak of Beatlemania."Apple Inc boss Steve Jobs said he was delighted to have settled the legal battle. He added: "We love The Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks. It feels great to resolve this in a positive manner."A recent change in how the British singles chart is compiled - which now considers downloads sales of any track ever released - means The Beatles could dominate the pop charts almost 45 years since their first release.The change even includes album tracks, meaning classic hits such as 'Blackbird' and 'Across The Universe' could hit the top spot. 'Hey Jude', which originally topped the charts in September 1968, is the bookmakers' favourite to be the first number one single, followed by 'Yesterday'.


text:
Notification Detail
Draft law laying down measures concerning the provision of Internet services for the protection of competition and freedom of access for users (Senate Act No 2484)
|Messaġġ 002
Komunika mill-Kummissjoni - TRIS/(2017) 02832
Direttiva (UE) 2015/1535
Traduzzjoni tal-messaġġ 001
Notifika: 2017/0498/I
No abre el plazo - Nezahajuje odklady - Fristerne indledes ikke - Kein Fristbeginn - Viivituste perioodi ei avata - Καμμία έναρξη προθεσμίας - Does not open the delays - N'ouvre pas de délais - Non fa decorrere la mora - Neietekmē atlikšanu - Atidėjimai nepradedami - Nem nyitja meg a késéseket - Ma' jiftaħx il-perijodi ta' dawmien - Geen termijnbegin - Nie otwiera opóźnień - Não inicia o prazo - Neotvorí oneskorenia - Ne uvaja zamud - Määräaika ei ala tästä - Inleder ingen frist - Не се предвижда период на прекъсване - Nu deschide perioadele de stagnare - Nu deschide perioadele de stagnare.
1. Structured Information Line
2. Member State
3. Department Responsible
Direzione generale per il mercato, la concorrenza, il consumatore, la vigilanza e la normativa tecnica
Divisione XIII - Normativa tecnica
00187 Roma - Via Sallustiana, 53
tel. +39 06 4705.5430 - .5340 - e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
3. Originating Department
Ufficio Legislativo
4. Notification Number
5. Title
Abbozz ta' Liġi dwar ir-regoli tal-provvista tas-servizzi tal-internet għall-protezzjoni tal-kompetizzjoni u l-aċċess liberu għall-utenti (AS 2484).
6. Products Concerned
Servizzi ta' aċċess għall-internet; softwer u kontenut diġitali.
Tagħmir terminali tal-komunikazzjoni.
7. Notification Under Another Act
- L-abbozz ta' liġi, minbarra r-rekwiżiti għall-provvista tas-servizzi tas-soċjetà tal-informatika li mhumiex espliċitament previsti mir-Regolament (UE) 2015/2120, jinkludi speċifikazzjonijiet tekniċi tat-tagħmir terminali maħsub biex jiġi konness b'mod dirett jew indirett man-netwerk pubbliku skont l-Artikolu 5 tad-Direttiva 2008/63/KE.
8. Main Content
L-Abbozz ta' Liġi jinkludi 6 artikoli.
L-Artikolu 1 jinkludi d-definizzjonijiet użati għall-applikazzjoni tal-liġi;
L-Artikolu 2 jistabbilixxi rekwiżiti ta' kwalifika tas-servizzi ta' aċċess jew ta' konnettività għall-internet u speċifikazzjonijiet relattivi għall-kontenut tad-dokumentazzjoni kuntrattwali li għandha tiġi pprovduta lill-utenti ta' dawn is-servizzi.
L-Artikolu 3, skont il-linji gwida għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Artikolu 3(5) tar-Regolament (UE) 2015/2120, jistabbilixxi regoli dwar il-limiti tal-ġestjoni tat-traffiku; jirregola l-provvista min-naħa tal-operaturi tas-servizzi tal-aċċess għall-internet, ta' servizzi b'valur miżjud ta' prijoritizzazzjoni tal-klassijiet tat-traffiku fis-segment tan-netwerk ta' aċċess tagħhom u l-iffissar tal-prezzijiet ta' dawk is-servizzi; il-proċeduri li għandhom jiġu adottati f'każ ta' ħsara fl-integrità jew fis-sigurtà tan-netwerk tal-internet jew fis-servizz jew fit-terminal ta' utenti oħra kkawżat mit-traffiku ta' utent aħħari ieħor tal-istess operatur; jistipula li l-Awtorità għall-Garanzija tal-Komunikazzjoni għandha tistabbilixxi livelli minimi tal-kwalità tas-servizz li għandhom jiġu rrispettati u rreklamati b'mod xieraq mill-fornituri tas-servizzi tal-komunikazzjoni elettronika.
L-Artikolu 4 jirregola d-dritt tal-utenti li jagħżlu s-softwer onlajn u li jneħħu s-softwer u li jneħħu mit-tagħmir tagħhom kontenut li mhuwiex ta' interess għalihom; jipprojbixxi lill-maniġers tal-pjattaformi milli jillimitaw jew jikkostrinġu dawn id-drittijiet għax-xiri jew l-użu ta' ċertu softwer, kontenut jew servizzi permezz ta' strumenti kuntrattwali, teknoloġiċi, ekonomiċi jew tal-esperjenza tal-utent.
L-Artikolu 5 jistabbilixxi regoli ta' trasparenza, li jeħtieġu li l-fornituri ta' netwerks jew ta' servizzi ta' komunikazzjoni elettronika jippubblikaw, fi żmien tletin jum mid-data tad-dħul fis-seħħ tal-liġi, fuq il-websajt tagħhom, fit-taqsima tat-trasparenza tal-prezzijiet, l-offerti li jaqgħu fil-kamp ta' applikazzjoni tal-Artikoli 2 u 3.
L-Artikolu 6 jistabbilixxi s-sanzjoni dixxiplinari għal każijiet ta' ksur tal-obbligi imposti mill-abbozz ta' liġi.
9. Brief Statement of Grounds
L-ispeċifikazzjonijiet, il-limitazzjonijiet u rekwiżiti oħra stabbiliti fl-abbozz ta' liġi notifikat huma maħsuba biex jirregolaw il-forniment tas-servizzi tal-internet sabiex jiġu protetti l-kompetizzjoni u l-libertà tal-aċċess tal-utenti.
10. Reference Documents - Basic Texts
Referenza għat-testi bażiċi: Digriet Leġiżlattiv tad-9 ta' April 2003, Nru 70: L-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva 2000/31/KE;
Digriet Leġiżlattiv tal-1 ta' Awwissu 2003, Nru 259 - Art. 25 u Art. 98: annessi;
Digriet Amministrattiv tal-31 ta' Jannar 2007, Nru 7 konvertit b'emendi, mil-Liġi tat-2 ta' April 2007, Nru 40 - Art. 1: Anness;
Digriet Leġiżlattiv tas-6 ta'Settembru 2005, Nru 206 - Art. 22 u Art. 27(1): annessi;
11. Invocation of the Emergency Procedure
12. Grounds for the Emergency
13. Confidentiality
14. Fiscal measures
15. Impact assessment
16. TBT and SPS aspects
Aspetti OTK
Aspett SPS
Le - L-abbozz mhuwiex miżura sanitarja jew fitosanitarja
Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea
Direttiva tal-Pont ta' kuntatt (UE) 2015/1535
Fax: +32 229 98043
email: email@example.com
Stakeholders Contributions
The TRIS website makes it easy for you or your organization to contribute with your opinion on any given notification.
Due to the end of standstill we are currently not accepting any further contributions for this notification via the website.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and its member Altroconsumo, Italy's largest consumer organisation, strongly support the adoption of the Italian bill (Senate Act No 2484) submitted to TRIS (Notification 2017/498/I). We have recently sent a joint letter to the Italian Senate leadership outlining the reasons for our support and calling for its speedy adoption.
Regarding the submission to TRIS, the products and services concerned by the Italian bill are not clearly qualifiable as Information Society Services. In addition, it is not clear that the measures contained in the bill constitute a technical measure. As both these conditions have to be met cumulatively for the TRIS submission, we do not believe this bill should be evaluated under TRIS. In addition, we do not believe that the consumer protection measures contained in the Italian bill represent a technical barrier to the Single Market. On the contrary, they would allow consumers to more freely use software from across the EU.
Device Neutrality – a missing link in the Digital Single Market
A right to so-called device neutrality is one of the most important missing protective measures for European consumers in the digital economy. While net neutrality (Regulated in EU Regulation 2120/2015) ensures consumers' internet connections are free of unwarranted discrimination, there is no effective legal measure that achieves a comparable kind of protection within the devices used by consumers.
The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) has rightly identified that the devices consumers use to access the internet can have a strong influence on their ability to freely choose what to do online. As consumers live increasingly digital lives, guaranteeing that they can use their smart devices, connected products and connectivity services in a truly neutral and non-discriminatory manner is of key importance.
The proposed Italian Bill 2484 takes an important step in that direction by establishing a so-called device neutrality principle. This principle ensures consumers can install and use the software of their choice on fair and non-discriminatory terms, which means hardware manufacturers and Operating System and App Store providers cannot impede consumers from using certain apps on their devices. For example, it is unacceptable that Google impedes consumers from using privacy and security enhancing app DisconnectMe for purely commercial reasons. This kind of practice should be outlawed.
In addition, the proposed Italian Bill 2484 gives consumers the right to uninstall software and to remove apps and content they are not interested in. This is another measure that is positive for consumers as their smart devices often come with a lot of bundled software that is unnecessary for the core functioning of the device and which might pose a security or privacy threat to consumers. The Italian bill is adequately balanced with safeguards for any mandatory requirements on software providers and to ensure that the device's security and operativity are not impacted.
BEUC therefore believes that Italian Bill 2484 is a positive development for Italian consumers and has encouraged the Italian legislators to adopt it. In addition, this type of measure should serve as inspiration for similar provisions to be enacted at EU level.
Electronic Frontier Foundation Response to 2017/498/I2015/1535 Procedure Regarding a Draft law laying down measures concerning the provision of Internet services for the protection of competition and freedom of access for users
EFF is a global non-profit organization working to protect civil liberties in light of new technologies1. We have 44,650 individual members, 3000 of them based within the European Union. Our submission is in our role as a technical experts and consumer advocates in information services and products. Our domain knowledge includes both the effect on consumer rights and the market impact of manufacturer-controlled restrictions on computing device usage.
Among the cases we have worked on in this area, we have established in the United States the right of consumers to install software of their choice on their mobile devices, to engage in research to determine whether their devices are secure and respect their privacy, and to tinker with vehicle software to improve it and effectuate repairs. We have analysed the effects of Sony BMG's insecure "rootkit", software that was surreptitiously installed on personal computers, undermining the security and privacy of customers, ostensibly to prevent CD purchasers from infringing copyright and represented consumers in subsequent litigation2. We have testified before the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on the risks of locked-down computer systems3, and participated in United States, WIPO, and European Union deliberations regarding the regulation of anti-circumvention measures and the harm to competition and user rights that result from such technologies4.
We limit the scope of this short submission to Article 4 of the draft law, which governs the rights of users in terms of choice and selection of software available online and for uninstalling software and removing content from their devices that troubles them or simply is not of interest.
Device Neutrality
We commend the Italian authorities for considering device neutrality as a consumer protection issue, and thereby seeking to alleviate restrictions in the market for software for general purpose computing platforms.
Removing artificial limits on software and services use for these platforms would enhance the ability of owners of computers and smartphones to select third-party software in preference to those preferred by the original manufacturer, assist in preserving the environment by allowing these users to continue to usefully use technology beyond the period of support provided by the manufacturer, and assist users in securing their devices by receiving third-party security updates and/or adaptations. Users could additionally remove or replace manufacturer-provided software that has characteristics they do not need or want, such as privacy-invasive add-ons or programs that seek to lock users into one service (such as a particular telecom provider, or messaging or voice communication system).
Effect of Article 4 on Markets
Our understanding is that EU Member States have broad powers to introduce rules and measures for information goods and services, limited by Articles 34 and 35 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which prohibits qualitative restrictions or equivalent measures between Member States.
We believe, through our understanding of the underlying technology, that Article 4 would not create such a qualitative restriction.
Technology platforms, as described by the regulation, are built as general purpose computers, and are by default capable of running all software designed for that platform. Manufacturers of such platforms can place restrictions on software that may be installed by the end-user, and also include their own software on the same platform. Platform owners can, and do, place contractual requirements and require fees of third party software creators before permitting them similar access to the market in application software created by these platforms5.
Disabling these restrictions is a matter of removing a limitation, rather than adding a new feature.
Manufacturers have the capability to remove these limitations, and offer them to select customers. For instance, developers who Apple permits to create software for restricted smartphones such as Apple iPhones are already granted the capability of installing their own software onto a limited set of devices for testing purposes6.
Android smartphones whose bootloaders are "locked" so that only manufacturer-approved operating systems may be loaded, have methods, official or not, for unlocking and opening the device for third-party software. A broad market exists for third-party software for these unlocked phones, including software to make backups, improve battery life, and alter privacy settings.7
To comply with the proposed regulation, manufacturers would not be restricted from the import or export of devices between Member States. They would be required, however, to offer such "unlocking" or "sideloading" services by request within Italy, rather than establishing contractual or technical limits on who can advantage of this feature. In other words, they would have to undo an imposed limitation and remove barriers to a market, not add a new technical feature.
The benefit of removing these limitations is comparable to the neutrality requirements of the remainder of the bill: companies in a position of dominance in one sector (manufacturers of hardware) would not be able to place discriminatory limitations on trade or communications in another market (platform software and services).
To the extent that this interacts with European Union's concern in ensuring a better functioning customs union, the bill's results would be positive. The bill would allow the freer movement of goods and services, by creating new markets in Italy for software created within all Member States, and allowing the free movement of such software and services -- which might otherwise be restricted by manufacturer-imposed limits -- between the States.
We are happy to answer further questions from the Commission on this bill, and other issues surrounding device neutrality.
Please contact:
Danny O'Brien,
International Director
Telephone: +1 415 436 9333
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mailing Address:
Electronic Frontier Foundation,
815 Eddy Street,
San Francisco,
1 "About EFF", https://www.eff.org/about
2 "Sony BMG Litigation Info", https://www.eff.org/cases/sony-bmg-litigation-info
3 "Labeling Practices in Digital Content Marketplaces", https://www.eff.org/document/eff-letter-ftc-re-drm-labeling
4 See, for instance, "Unintended Consequences: 16 Years Under the DMCA", https://www.eff.org/wp/unintended-consequences-16-years-under-dmca , "WIPO", https://www.eff.org/issues/wipo, and "Statement of EFF to German Judicial Commission", https://w2.eff.org/IP/DMCA/German-DMCA-Statement.pdf
5 Apple's developer agreement is notable in that prohibits developers from making "any public statements" about the terms of the agreement. See: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/03/iphone-developer-program-license-agreement-all
6 See "TestFlight", https://developer.apple.com/testflight/
7 For instance, apps for unlocked or "rooted" Android devices include "Lucky Patcher" which permits fine-grained control over privacy settings, "Greenify", a battery optimizer, and "Titanium Backup", permitting local backup outside of Google or the manufacturer's own backup services. See https://rootedapps.com/
The contribution hereby is also published here https://www.hermescenter.org/net-neutrality-device-neutrality/
In Italy the first european "Device Neutrality" law has been approved by the Chamber of Deputies but then, after Apple started lobbying against it, the Government is willingful delaying the Senate Vote.
This is our public statement and contribution to EU Commission TRIS.
About Device Neutrality
In Italy, first country in Europe, a proposed law already approved by the Chamber, gives citizens the right to use the software they want on their own devices and to remove the software they don't want.
Device Neutrality law ensures the users have a right of non discrimination of the services/apps they use based on platform control by hardware companies, likewise Net neutrality ensures the users have a right of non discrimination of their communications based on network control by telcos.
This is a fundamental civil rights issue as it ensures that the user have the right and possibility to use, for example, the information and communication security tools they prefer on their devices.
Android based devices let end-user install software outside of Google play app store with documented procedure, while Apple forbids it.
The proposed law is not a technical measure but a consumer protection rule which enables citizens to turn to the market protection authority to assess whether a limitation of their right to use the app they want is an aggressive or deceptive commercial practice under currently existing laws.
The good
The Chamber of Deputies approved with unanimity the bill proposal, that then reached the Senate where it was approved by all committees with no amendments, so it moved to the Senate assembly floor to be voted in June and was delayed ever since.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) issued a public support of the Device Neutrality bill proposal, as a natural extension of Net Neutrality rights.
The Chamber of Deputy Commission invited all stakeholder possibly impacted by this proposal for a public hearing.
Most of the biggest technology international companies come and gave their favourable opinions:
- Google Italy hearing
- Microsoft Italy hearing
- Booking.com hearing
- All Italian Consumer Protection Associations ( Acu, Adiconsum, Altroconsumo, Codacons e Federconsumatori) hearing
While all others major tech giants participated to the public hearing, Apple didn't participated neither filed a written position, but went silently lobbying.
The bad
Device manufacturers, like Apple, don't like Device Neutrality.
Specifically Apple, after the bill proposal has been unanimously approved at the Chamber of Deputies, started lobbying hard in order to stop it, deploying a large amount of economic and political resources.
A fact: the Italian Government always declared itself in favour of that bill proposal, like the Chamber's Commission voted for it and Senators are ready to vote it.
But on the week of 21th June 2017, the Apple's EU registered Lobbyist Miss. Elisa Molino went to Rome and, in just 2 days, the Government and notably Hon. Sergio Boccadutri, head of innovation of the majority political party, completely changed their idea (from strong supporters of the bill to a major opponent).
So the Government, first delayed the Senate votes multiple times, then, as a justification for further delaying the vote, invoked Brussels sending the bill for EU TRIS evaluation (Technical Regulation Information System), even though it is a consumer protection measure and not a technical regulation.
The deadline for EU TRIS Contributions is 25/01/2018, obviously the Italian Government in the meantime melt-down.
The fight is hard, the opponents of the bill proposal also started spreading misinformation (Italian media saying "iPhone will be declared Illegal in Italy"), refusing to correct deceptive articles in the press, informant reported large quantities of Macbook, iPhone, iPad being made available to political influencers, industry lobbyist went challenging it with discourses going against the national interests.
The opportunity
It's unbelievable to observe how such big companies can subvert the democratic order by influencing so much the policy makers in order to challenge Device Neutrality.
That's an opportunity to inspire an EU policy, first applying it in Italy, to provide Device Neutrality rights to citizens and consumers.
We ask the Italian Government to immediately schedule the Senate voting of this Bill Proposal, without further delay, clearly influenced by Apple political interference.
We ask the EU Commission to:
- reject TRIS evaluation, not being a technical regulation (our opinioni is that TRIS evaluation is results of lobbying the Italian Government to delay the proposed law)
- appreciate the bill proposal, like most technology stakeholders are doing
Future Accountability Actions
We will issues FOIA to EU Commission in order to acquire and publish each and all Contributions that has been sent for the case number 498 (that have as deadline 25/01/2018) but that has not been published.
About the Law
The Law approved at the Chamber of Deputy waiting to be voted in Senate is named "S.2484 Disposizioni in materia di fornitura dei servizi della rete internet per la tutela della concorrenza e della libertà di accesso degli utenti" .
Article 4 is about Device Neutrality rights
Art. 4. (Free access to software, contents and services)
1. Users have the right to find online, in a format suitable to the desidered technology platform, and to use in fair and non-discriminatory ways software, proprietary or open source, contents and legitimate services of their choice. Users have the right to uninstall software and remove content that is not in their interest from their devices, unless such software is required by mandatory standards or essential for device operation or for the security of the device, of the public communication networks to which it is connected or of the data managed by the device. However, any uninstallation that allows the device to operate in violation of imperative norms is forbidden.
2. The rights referred to in comma 1 may not be limited or restricted to the purchase or use of certain software, content, or services, by platform managers through contractual, technological, economic or user-experience related tools, unless they are not covered by the cases mentioned in comma 1.


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The PC Tuner of Cornelius is a computer repair and virus removal service that will come to your home or office and repair your computer on site.
There's no need to unplug anything and you don't have to worry about dropping off your computer anywhere for an extended period of time. Instead, the PC Tuner of Cornelius will set a convenient time, and then you'll have your computer fixed while you wait.
Some of the services provided by the PC Tuner of Cornelius include virus and spyware removal, all kinds of laptop repair, and comprehensive computer "tune up" services, to get your computer running faster than it ever has. Unlike many of our competitors, The PC Tuner can work from outside the Windows Operating system to remove even the most complex and difficult viruses. We also offer data recovery services (even from deleted, failed, broken, or formatted hard drives), data back-up solutions, and custom computer building for your special needs.
The PC Tuner is also licensed and registered in the city of Charlotte, and the service areas include Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, Moorseville, Denver, and the Lake Norman area. For travel to distances as far as Fort Mill SC, and beyond, there might be a small fuel surcharge.
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text:
Sisters wedding unites Oliver-Mangan
y Oliver and Hilary Mangan, both of Bend, were united in marriage on July 28, in a ceremony at Shepherdsfield wedding center in Sisters.
The bride is the daughter of Joe and Marilyn Mangan of Bend, and the groom is the son of Pam Watson of Madras, and Jim Oliver of Spokane, Wash.
The wedding site was decorated with an array of burnt orange flowers, arranged by Pat Watson, grandmother of the groom, with the assistance of Ronda Pierson, aunt of the groom. The bride wore a strapless silk vintage wedding gown and carried a bouquet of small ivory roses wrapped with cream and brown ribbon and attached with pearls. The bouquet was also made by her grandmother and aunt.
Cam Rosenfield, cousin of the groom, played guitar music for the ceremony.
The witnesses were Ron Oliver, brother of the groom, and Andrew Mangan, brother of the bride.
A dinner and dance reception at Shepherdsfield followed the wedding.
The bride and groom plan on taking a honeymoon in Spain this winter, and have made their home in Bend.
The bride is a 1995 graduate of Mountain View High School, a 1998 graduate of the University of Oregon, where she studied psychology, and a 2008 graduate of Mount Hood Community College, where she studied nursing. She works as an operating room nurse at St. Charles in Bend.
The groom is a 2003 graduate of Madras High School, and he attended Oregon State University, where he studied chemistry and biology. He works as an operator at Bend Research.


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Mince Cry part 3: The Hunger PainsPushON | December 15th 2015
PushON are delighted to announce the third instalment of our classically festive Christmas game, Mince Cry. At the time of the year when Christmas marketing campaigns are thrown into the arena like district champions, some with just a loose connection to a recent event or for needless social media promotion, Mince Cry is here to remind us that we should treat the festive season with a little more fun, and remember – there's always tears at Christmas.
With any new version of game released in time for Christmas, we've made a format change to keep everyone hooked. Much like the least enthralling film franchise of the year, Mince Cry 3: The Hunger Pains can be enjoyed even if you didn't play part 1 or 2. In fact, you don't even have to play, or watch PushON staff torture ourselves, we'll take that pain for you.
If you really wanted to catch up on events from days gone by, check out the following links:
The Rules
For Mince Cry 3, our champion will be simply crowned when they're the last one standing. It's a simple endurance game, rather than the previous knock out format.
All you'll need is an adequate number of mini mince pies and a chilli-based weapon of choice; here's ours:
Each round should see the same number of pies to participants, with just half of them having had a sensible amount of chilli sauce inserted.
Individual participants must then chomp through as many rounds as they can manage. If they're lucky they might avoid a tainted pie right through to the end, either that or fight their way through round after round of spice.
Whatever happens, may the odds be ever in your flavour.
If you want to get involved, do share any "Why, Mince Cry?!" faces on #MinceCry.
Seasons Eatings.


text: Char242 977 Posted January 12, 2018 (edited) A Knight and Her Problems Author's note: This story takes place in a medieval fantasy world. I wanted to try my hand at writing something like this for a while. This story is a bit more graphic in places and may contain some sexual acts not directly related to pee. However, rest assured that there are several pee scenes throughout this story. Because of length and the time it would take to write the entire story, I will release it in parts as I write them. Now without further ado, I shall begin the story Part 1 The tale begins with four knights camping out in a mountainous region for training purposes. The first knight and the main heroine of this story was named Elizabeth, though those closest to her called her Lizzy. She was an elven knight standing at roughly 5'10", which was on the small side for a full-grown elf. While not as muscular as other female knights, she was still adept at hand to hand combat and an expert at using weapons like staffs and spears. The second knight was a female human by the name of Lisanna, but most people called her Lisa. She stood at roughly five feet tall and had a somewhat muscular frame. While not especially adept with weapons, she could easily hold her own against a man twice her size in hand to hand combat. The third knight was a male human who went by the name Hawk. He was Lisa's younger twin brother and he towered over her at roughly six feet tall. While his birth name was not Hawk, he had earned the name on the battlefield for his precision with a bow and arrow. All three knights had been friends since childhood and since becoming knights had tried to build a guild of their own, with very little success. The fourth knight was a succubus who had joined their guild only recently bringing the grand total of guild members to four. Her name was Lilith, although Lisa called her Lily, much to her chagrin. She stood at approximately 5'5" and had the bustiest figure of the girls. Lilith was not necessarily adept with weapons, but showed great talent with close quarters combat and magic. She was known as the prankster of the group, often taking great pleasure in teasing Hawk. It was on this trip that she would be the one to have the most fun. It was around noon on the first day of the trip, and the group of knights had decided to set up camp for the day. They had been walking through the mountainous region in full armor since dawn and all of them were exhausted. As they sat down to rest, Lilith began to remove her armor. Much to everybody's shock, she wasn't wearing anything underneath. "Can't you show any damn decency!" cried Hawk as he averted his gaze. "Oh, come on," Lilith said playfully. "I just love the feeing of the cold steel caressing my bare skin. Besides you know you love seeing me naked. The ringing sound your armor makes each time you see me naked doesn't lie." she said as she pointed to the crotch of Hawk's armor. Hawk's face went beat red since he couldn't deny that seeing her naked had an effect on him so instead he tried to drink nonchalantly out of his flask. Lilith noticed this and teased, "Awe, is the virgin knight embarrassed." This caused Hawk to do a spit take for the record books. Just as he was getting ready to respond back with a witty retort, Lizzy got up and said, "Now stop it you two. We came here to have fun and to train." She reached into her knapsack and pulled out some clothed and began making her way for the forest. "I'm going to go change. None of you better follow me." And with that, she headed off into the forest. By this time, Lilith had put her clothes on and Hawk was just beginning to remove the top half of his armor. "How much you want to bet that the reason that she doesn't want anyone to follow is because she has to pee?" teased Lilith. "I wouldn't put it past her, after all she does have the weakest bladder out of all of us," said Lisa. "We shouldn't be talking about what a person does in private nor should we be making bets on it," said Hawk, although he could imagine that both girls were probably right. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Meanwhile, Lizzy had found a spot to change out of her armor. She placed her clothes on a tree stump while she began removing her armor. While not naked underneath her armor like Lilith was, she did not want anyone to see that she was only wearing underwear underneath. While this normally would not have been a big deal to other female knights, for elven knights it was a matter of pride as it was looked down upon for a female knight to be seen in such a state of undress by a member of the opposite sex that was neither family or their lover. As she removed her armor, she placed it on the stump where the clothes were. Suddenly she felt a strong urge to pee. Looking around to make sure that nobody was around to see her, she quickly pulled down her panties and squatted down. She watched as a jet of piss arched out from beneath her and slammed into the dirt and grass in front of her, creating a foamy puddle. She estimated that her stream must have been about three feet long and her face became flushed as she realized how loud it was. However, she was thankful that no one was around to hear her. At least that was what she thought. About twenty feet in front of her the bushes started rustling. Lizzy stopped her stream and grabbed the dagger she had taken with her for protection. Before she had time to react, something darted out of the bushes and went straight for her. All she could do was scream. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Back at the camp Hawk and the other two girls were still conversing. "Oh, come off it virgin," said Lilith. "Everyone pees, even the high and mighty Elizabeth." She noticed that Hawk was blushing. "Or could it be that you don't want us to know that the thought of her peeing turns you on." "Shut up!" screamed an irritated Hawk. "It's not like that at all." "Awe, it looks like I made the virgin upset," teased Lilith. "You know honestly I think you should just fuck her already." Hawk's face couldn't become any redder as he gave Lilith the death stare. "Lily is actually right for once," said Lisa. "You've had a crush on Lizzy since we were kids. Why don't you just tell her that you want to be more than guildmates." "I would if I could, but it's not that simple," replied Hawk as his gaze shifted from Lilith to his boots. "She's an elf and I'm a human. Her family would never accept a lowly human like me as their daughter's husband. Plus, her family has already chosen another elf to be her fiancé." "Well, does she like the guy?" asked Lisa. "As far as I know she doesn't, but it is tradition for a female elf's parents to decide who she is going to marry," said Hawk. "That's a load of horseshit!" screamed an angry Lilith. "Women have the right just as much as men to decide who they're going to marry and if I had to bet, Lizzy probably feels the same way." "Even so, it doesn't matter," said a depressed Hawk. "To elves, tradition is practically binding. It's better for everyone involved if I don't try to violate that tradition." Suddenly Lisa grabbed her brother by the collar of his shirt and pulled him close to her face. "Listen here you virgin piece of shit. Stop being such a goddamn coward. All you need to do is unsheathe your holy sword and storm her sacred palace." "What the hell are you talking about?" asked an extremely confused Hawk. "She's telling you to be a man and make a woman out of Lizzy," replied Lilith. Before Hawk could say anything more, he heard a scream coming from the direction that Lizzy had walked off to. Grabbing a dagger from his open knapsack, he ran in the direction of the scream while yelling at the other two girls to stay where they were. He only hoped he could make it in time. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. As Hawk neared the spot where Lizzy was he saw her sitting on the ground in a state of shock. As he continued running he saw the source of her shock was a giant green snake that had climbed a tree a few feet away from her and looked like it was getting ready to attack her again. Thinking quickly, he hurled his dagger at the snake, pinning it to the tree and ultimately killing it. As Hawk ran towards Lizzy, he slipped on the puddle of piss and fell forward. Hawk blacked out for a second. As he came to, he realized that he had landed face first into something soft and slightly hairy that also had the faint aroma of urine. Hawk lifted his head up only to realize that he had landed face first into Lizzy's bare pussy. He quickly jumped back and bowed his head furiously as he apologized. As Lizzy stood up with her hands covering her pussy, Hawk suddenly noticed that there was a trickle of blood running from Lizzy's inner thigh down her right leg. "Did you get bitten?" asked a worried Hawk. Lizzy, still in shock nodded her head. Hawk grabbed her hand and led her to the tree stump. "Let me take a look at it." Lizzy opened her legs while still doing the best to cover her pussy. Unfortunately, Hawk could not see the wound with her hands in the way. "I can't see anything with your hands in the way," said Hawk. Lizzy removed her hands, allowing Hawk to see a pair of fang marks high up on the inside of her right thigh. "Try to stay still while I suck the poison out." "Okay," said a blushing Lizzy. Hawk then proceeded to stick his head between her thighs and began sucking out the poison. Part way through the procedure he heard his sister yell, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing. I know what I said back at the camp but this is certainly not the place for that sort of thing." Hawk turned around to see both his sister and Lilith staring at him "Wow," said Lilith. "I guess you got balls after all. Good job mister virgin." "It's not what you think!" cried Hawk. "Lizzy got bitten by a snake and I'm trying to suck the poison out." Lilith looked over at the dead snake pinned to the tree. "Just so you know, if that's the snake that bit her, there is no need to suck on the wound. While it does secrete a toxin, it's perfectly harmless." However, what Lilith didn't tell them was that the toxin did have some side effects that were sure to be amusing. Hawk turned his head back towards Lizzy. "Isn't that great? You're going to be just…" but before he could finish his sentence a torrent of piss splashed all over his face, some of it landing in his mouth. Lizzy had reached her breaking point and could no longer hold back the stream she had pinched off before the snake had bit her. She pressed her hands against her crotch and closed her legs but the damage had been done. "I'm so sorry," she cried as tears rolled down her face. "It's alright," said Hawk calmly as he took his shirt off and used the dry part to clean his face. "Accidents happen," he said with a reassuring smile. "And I'm sure drinking her piss was a happy little accident for you," teased Lilith. "Oh, shut up you damn demon!" screamed Hawk. "Let's go get you cleaned up," said Lisa to Lizzy as she walked her to the river where the group would be bathing the next few days. "We should probably get you cleaned up too," said Lilith as she looked at Hawk and pinched her nose. "You absolutely reek." All the while she thought to herself that this trip certainly was going to be interesting. Part two coming soon!!! Edited January 13, 2018 by Char242 Grammar and consistency 4 2 5 Quote Share this post Link to post


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Andre Weber
Andre Weber is the Managing Partner for Simon-Kucher's Americas region (USA and Canada), based in New York.
Andre has been with Simon-Kucher for more than 15 years and has led pricing improvement projects in more than 25 countries. His consulting focus is on improving monetization strategies, sales and pricing for his clients, specializing in complex portfolios and innovative services. He has carried out successful projects across a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on internet and software, media/publishing, telecoms, and other business services.
Andre is a regular speaker at international pricing conferences and has been a guest lecturer on pricing at Wharton, Yale, and Columbia business schools. His commentary has been cited in leading periodicals such as The Wall Street Journal, Le Monde, Die Welt and The Guardian. Prior to joining Simon-Kucher, Andre worked in banking for 2 years. He graduated with an Economics degree from the University of Bonn, Germany, in 1998.
Juni 12
5th Annual NYC Technology Growth Strategy Forum
The New York Academy of Sciences, 250 Greenwich Street, 10007 NY, Vereinigte Staaten


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I feel like I'm crawling out of my fucking skin!! I've been having anxiety every single day for probably a week now. I know a lot get stressed around the holidays; I don't really have anything to be stressed about. I've cut back on gifts & am trying to get my family to just give funny cards ~ it's lots of fun to sit around, open your funny card & share them; everyone is cracking up laughing & having a great time. It takes away all the pressure of buying gifts, alas, my kids are still getting gifts, I got my kids gifts…but still, that's not adding any pressure.
Things at home are good, very good. I've taken an anxiety pill & am still chewing at the skin on my fingers, my ears are ringing, I can't concentrate- if I were depressed I'd say it's agitated depression, but I don't think I'm depressed. Late at night I'm reading and then, out of nowhere I start worrying. Meditating is out of the question. (although the other night I did sing to Trixi when she was snoring really loud & it calmed her down)Knowing that "some" day someone close to me is going to die. And trust me, I get that it's part of life & all that, I just can't imagine anything happening to my mom, or Dick, or either of my kids…even Trixi. The feeling is so overwhelming at night that I just lay there, crying. I want to go hide somewhere, some place where I don't even have to consider the realities of life. It's not something I knowingly I plan on thinking about – it just happens. It makes me want to crawl into a ball, sit in a secluded corner and stay there forever. As unrealistic as that sounds, it's my wish, at least until this awful sense of dread leaves.
Where this dread came from & why it's here, why the anxiety keeps returning ~ I don't know. I take naps when I get too anxious, my only energy is nervous energy. While I try not to show my feelings, I know I'm someone I wouldn't want to hang around-if I were reading this blog. Still, I've got to get this out to hopefully feel better. Change something. Figure something out. Accept the impermanence in life, that I know…I get, but why am I having such a problem with this? Even if I figure this out, I don't know for sure it's the root of my anxiety & these horrible feelings that seem to have control of my life.
I could say I'm looking at my glass as 1/2 empty, which would be true. I'm not accepting life on life's terms- kind of true-I'm fighting it. Pray. Higher Power. Hot baths. Hot tea. I'm not counting my blessings-possibly-things could be much worse. However, ALL of that put on the table, it doesn't "fix" my problem- this fucking anxiety & sense of dread. Went to bed crying, woke up in a panic. Why?


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Javed Hamim Kakar
Article Images
KABUL (Pajhwok): President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday visited a gurdwara (Sikh minority worship place) in Kabul and extended his deep condolence to the minority community over the deaths of its members in Jalalabad. Nineteen people,... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan's cricket team captain Asghar Stanikzai pledged to play quality cricket in limited over series against Zembabwe in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The captains of Afghanistan and Zimbabwe National teams held a press... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan army's team of disabled players on Tuesday arrived to a warm reception at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul from just concluded Invictus Games in Canada. Acting Defense Minister Tariq Shah Behrami was... read more
ARAFAT (Pajhwok): Saudi Grand Mufti Shaikh Saad Bin Nasir invited Muslims around the world to unity and said Islam was the religion of brotherhood and gave the message of peace and tranquility. The grand mufti urged the Muslim Ummah ... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): More than 100 Afghans sent to the US for training and other purposes have not returned back to Afghanistan, reliable sources claimed on Tuesday. The Afghans had been sent to the US for higher education, military training and... read more
MAHMOOD RAQI (Pajhwok): Two would-be suicide bombers have been shot dead in the Tagab district of central Kapisa province, a military statement said on Tuesday. The 201st Selab Military Corps said the suicide attackers on motorcycles wanted to... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): A Saudi diplomat in Kabul on Monday accused Qatar of supporting Afghan Taliban and parenting other terrorist groups, dragging the war-torn country into the Gulf crisis. Charge de affairs at the Saudi Embassy in Kabul, Mishari Al-... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): The US Central Intelligence Agency has discussed multiple issues of bilateral interest with unity government leaders. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah tweeted on Monday that US spymaster met him and President Ashraf... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): Religious affairs experts say only the Saudi Arabia government can better manage the hajj operations and services. Millions of Muslims from around the world annually gather in Islam's holiest cities in Mecca and Medina of Saudi... read more
KABUL (Pajhwok): Iraq's national security advisor (NSA) says Daesh and Al-Qaeda militants have presented the international community a grossly flawed picture of Islam. Afghan National Security Advisor (NSA) Hanif Atamr said and his Iraqi... read more
- 104524 reads


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A Sad Revelation to the American People
By ALF M. LANDON, Presidential Candidate of the Republican Party in 1936
Broadcast Over the Columbia Broadcasting System, July 20, 1941
Vital Speeches of the Day, Vol. VII, pp. 612-613.
THE President's drive to extend the period of service under the draft act is just the beginning of a sad revelation to the American people. A revelation that major statements of policy of candidates for the presidency were "mere campaign oratory." Frankness and candor compel me to say that in the last national election only one of the candidates for President has been loyal and consistent to his preelection policies and promises, and that was the candidate of the Socialist Party, Norman Thomas.
Lack of confidence in the word of its chief executive is a real disintegrating force in any nation and any army. Last year, when the President, speaking as a candidate, was telling the American people of the beneficial results of a year's training for boys—and girls also—in army camps and labor battalions, France and Holland and Norway and Belgium were conquered countries. He, the President, and the presidential candidate, must have known then the demands his provocative speeches and acts would place on the draftees. But he has shown himself a master at changing his pace. One day he threw provocative words at the bloody dictators. The next day he assured the American people that their boys would never be sent to Europe to fight, but would only be given a nice healthful outing by a year's training in outdoor exercises.
But that is not all of it, nor the worst of it. Within two months Mr. Roosevelt, according to press dispatches, repeated his assurances that the boys would be sent home at the end of the year, and so would the National Guard.
The world situation has not changed any since that latest promise to the American people, except for the war between the Communists and the Nazis. And the average man is getting a cynical laugh out of the flip-flops that are being done, not only by the American Communists but by the war crowd in meeting the shifting line-ups characteristic of European wars. The Communists had to join the administration over night. But the Administration has also taken the Communists as partners.
The only invasion this country has suffered since the war with England in 1812 is the organized propaganda invasion by Soviet Russia. I quote from the July Reader's Digest: "Representatives of the Soviet Government offered to insert a clause in a contract with a machine tool manufacturer, guaranteeing that while the company was working on Russian orders there would be no strike."
As Stanley High points out, the Communists' union leaders belong to "an invading Communist Army, shielded by an uninformed public and coddled by the authorities, which has moved into position from which, on orders from Moscow or Berlin, it can jam the wheels of American production and paralyze our national defense."
Of course this was written before the Commies and the Nazis fell out.
From this startling revelation by a reputable and accurate reporter it is evident that the greatest violation of our national rights, the most wholesale commitment of unfriendly acts by any foreign government against us, has been committed by the very government that we are now expected to help, the Red Soviet.
Now if the period of service under this draft act is extended, I predict the next step will be to remove the prohibition against any draftees or National Guardsmen being sent outside the Western Hemisphere. The newspapers reported: "Both the White House and the Army are willing to abandon at this time the resolutions which would remove this prohibition," (against sending the draftees and guardsmen outside the Western Hemisphere by mere executive order.)
That is a qualified position similar to Churchill's speech last April, that England didn't need American soldiers "at this time."
With the President's proposal to extend the draft act we are getting down close to brass tacks.
Another "fooler" of the President, in the campaign, was the repeated promise of "business as usual." The President was the author of that sleazy slogan. Another "fooler" was that we would keep all our social gains. The President repeated that one in his May fireside chat.
But if the President is to blame for trying to hoodwink the American people, so are his fellow conspirators, including members of his Cabinet. There are those who sold the lease-lend bill to the country under false pretenses.
Then there are certain labor leaders. These know—the tops at least—that Mr. Roosevelt is heading for war, and that if we get into war, business will not be conducted as usual, and social gains will be sacrificed. Yet John Lewis is the only national labor leader who has the guts to stick his neck out and tell labor what is going to happen to it.
Finally, what are those democratic members of the Congress going to do who promised never, never, never would they vote to send an American boy to fight in Europe—let alone Asia, and Africa, and the Seven Seas.
This political chicanery, this hoodwinking the American people, is the enemy that is flooding our homes, at one of the six most critical times in our national life. Because the American people have been denied the truth, and treated as weaklings, confidence and trust in leadership is being destroyed at a time when it is most needed.
No wonder the world, as well as his fellow Americans, are puzzled at the President's leadership. Friendly New Deal columnists printed the fact that a few months ago the President, for the first time, realized that he couldn't defeat Hitler by speeches.
So maybe the President was fooled himself, while he was fooling the American people.
In any event, he has persisted in a course of action that his closest supporters said meant war, while at the same time protesting that he did not mean war.
And now, realizing at last that his course means war, he wants to extend the draft act so that he can keep the boys in the Army and have them available to send overseas without any further interference from the Congress.
A logical explanation for his sudden reversal on the period of service of the draftees and the Guard could be his sudden awakening to the fact that wars are not won by words, or diplomacy, or halfway half-baked measures. But many men, including myself, saw this clearly and said so on repeated occasions. "Mere campaign oratory" is bad enough in thegreat national referendum. It can be fatal in international affairs.
Now, from the viewpoint of pure consistency, some who have opposed Mr. Roosevelt's war politics can honestly and sincerely support the extension of the period of service in the draft act. These are neither handicapped by having attempted to hoodwink the American people, nor can they be accused of not accurately foreseeing the inevitable result of Mr. Roosevelt's war policy.
I am compelled by circumstances, brought about partly by the President's policies, to take the position that it is unsafe to release from service these men who have had some physical training and some fundamentals of military coordination. They are all we have in the way of land defense.
However, for the sake of national morale, the President must advise the Congress definitely what unforeseen events have caused him to change his statements of even two months ago to the American people.
A vigorous independent legislative branch of the government should require such a statement. That is the way to public strength as well as legislative strength. The Congress should require the President to advise it where these boys are to be used, and what the nation and the army are to prepare for. Neither the country, the Army, nor the O. P. M. knows for sure—in fact, no one can be sure—whether we are preparing for defense of the Western Hemisphere or underwriting an English-Russian victory. This confusion handicaps all our defense preparations.
Today, as a nation, we are wide open. Under the provocative words and bellicose policies and acts of the President and his Cabinet, we have gone too far not to be armed to the teeth.
The President has been guilty of using the pretext of National Emergency, time and time again, to rush through the Congress vague and limitless grants of power. His short cuts to obtain legislation have established the seeds of totalitarianism in this country as nothing written in the legislation itself has done.
But this is one time the national emergency is real. So the American people will have to take it on the chin. It is a gross breach of the promises that this administration made the country and the draftees. But then, that is the record of the New Deal in many other cases in past years.
But I do think the amendment to the draft act calls for a frank, clear-cut statement, with no weasel words in it, from the President himself, as to whether he believes we are in the war or not.
The most vicious part of this whole business is the attempted terrorization of all who dare to say that our participation in the war is still an issue. This terrorization has all the earmarks of the methods of the Nazi, Fascist, and Communist dictators.
It is evident from the statements of the two field commanding British Generals that they think we are already in the war as an ally of Great Britain and Communist Russia. They say it is our war. They say if Hitler is to be defeated the United States must land another A. E. F. in Europe, and that we must face the probability that Britain cannot be expected to cripple her own defense by sending British boys to fight in Europe.
The right basis for national unity cannot be obtained by declarations and coaxings and chidings. A free people cannot be driven or coaxed into flaming national unity, any more than they can be driven or coaxed into the true spirit of religion.
A people can be fused by the fire of events, and by a wise, vigorous, candid and forthright leadership into a unity of purpose built on confidence and faith, which will achieve wonders against great odds.
One cannot read history without being impressed with the fact that one people may possess "a great inner fortress of the spirit" while another does not. One regiment will possess this exalted, magnificent battling spirit, and another fighting alongside of it will not. Here we see the effects of the weight of the imponderables, "the opinions, the sentiments, and the conscience of humanity."
This is the effect of aggressive, straightforward, wise, unwavering leadership, that diligently devotes itself to welding together the fragments of the mass for the building of a united people.
We have not had this kind of leadership from the President. He has not developed teamwork throughout the nation, nor even in his own O. P. M., that we need, that we must have.
This is the President's great task and duty. The more critical our situation, the more desperate the need. The quality of the leadership and the character it develops in the people is the heart and soul of national life.
The spirit of a free people, the spirit of this nation, is not expressed by blind following of any leadership. The right leadership stirs a country to great deeds. That is what we expect from a President of the United States.
America has always cheerfully contributed her wealth and her manpower when the country was in danger, and there never was any need of deceiving the people.
So, my reluctant support of the amendment to the draft act to continue the draftees and Guardsmen in service is based on preparations for defense of the western hemisphere. Furthermore, if there is no stopping of Mr. Roosevelt's war policies, he will throw the finest untrained and unequipped army in the world into a shooting war.
The President has the country out on the limb now, and we have got to strengthen the tree at the base.


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The meeting had a purpose, so respective families accompanied both of them. She saw him for the first time and thought 'Really?' His first thought was 'Oh, we were on the same flight yesterday'. Of course none of them had a clue that they were going to meet the next day. (Btw if you have not yet figured it out, this was their first filmy moment!!)
As it happens in numerous such first time gatherings, general talk took over followed by food (the venue was a restaurant). After sometime someone realized that he and she should be left alone. So, their time finally came and then they talked and talked (he did most of it). For whatever reasons it did not work out and they went their separate ways to different cities. In their busy lives, everything was forgotten.
But destiny clearly had other plans for them, so it meant that their days as single were numbered. Out of the blue an email lands up in her inbox and as they say 'the rest is history'. Then began a incredibly beautiful phase – she phoned, he phoned, she emailed, he emailed, she pinged and they chatted like there was no tomorrow! And finally they decided this is it! Different cities meant no more face to face meetings before the D-Day.
She left everything in God's hand, but that lingering doubt somehow found its place in her mind, sometimes. Finally it was that day and everything happened almost smoothly. Hey...what kinda big day would be without some glitches that people could narrate and laugh their heads off till eternity! So, they had their share of stories from this day.
She was going to his home which was about a couple of hours away by road. The heavy jewelery, clothes, customs, rituals, etc took their toll on her. She stopped the car and puked her guts out. Not an ominous sign, they all thought, scratching their chin!!
He came to aid her and then when she sat on the backseat and he on the front seat – he just looked at her and a silent message passed between them amidst the mini crowd. This was the moment she knew that she had taken the right decision; they were made for each other!
Sometimes all that is needed is a nod or a smile from the right person at the right moment! This can change lives forever :D


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Members are monotarsate; that is, all pedal tarsi consist of a single segment. For this reason they are usually included in the suborder Monosphyronida by other authors. In addition, the femora of all legs are similar in structure, with the telofemur attached firmly to the basifemur. The movable cheliceral finger is not dentate, but has a subapical lobe. The plates of the serrula interior are fused into a membranous velum. A laminal seta is present on the fixed cheliceral finger. The subterminal tarsal setae are simple and acute. The carapace is widened posteriorly. The chelicerae are small, no more than one-third as long as the carapace. One or both chelal fingers have a venom apparatus. The abdominal tergites and sternites are divided or undivided. There may be two weak eyes, or none. This superfamily is distributed widely, but mainly tropical and subtropical. Members are found in litter and under the bark of living trees, and in the nests of birds and mammals. They are small; most are less than 1 mm in body length.
These pseudoscorpions are monotarsate, and all the femora are similar. In addition, the femurs are undivided; that is, there is no or little indication of a division into a basifemur and telofemur. The carapace is distinctly triangular when viewed from above. There are two very small eyes. The abdomen is broadly ovate. The tergites and sternites are divided. The body surfaces are generally heavily sclerotized and granulate. The setae on the appendages are strongly curved and usually have a distinct tooth at or near the middle. One or both fingers of the palpal chela have a well-developed venom apparatus. The number of trichobothria on the chela is always reduced, to one or two on the movable finger. These animals are widely distributed around the world. They are generally found in litter, in animal nests, and under bark; 1 species, Cheiridium museorum, is commonly found in human habitations in Europe. They are all very small, most being about 1 mm in length. For this reason the family has not been well studied, and only 5 or 6 genera have been defined, the best known being Cheiridium and Apocheiridium.
Members are unique among pseudoscorpions in having a pseudosternal plate between the widely separated coax of legs II and III. The carapace is only slightly narrowed anteriorly, and bears no eyes. The abdomen is long and ovate, and the tergites and sternites are undivided. The whole body is markedly flattened, and the short legs extend out to the sides. The body surfaces are generally smooth, except for the palpi, which are finely granulate. All setae are straight and simple. Both fingers of the palpal chela have well-developed venom apparatus. The trichobothria on the chela are reduced in number to seven on the fixed finger and two or three on the movable finger. The legs are monotarsate and more or less alike, each femur clearly divided into a basifemur and telofemur. These forms are strongly modified for subtropical existence and are usually found under the bark of living trees. Four genera have been described in this family: Sternophorus, from western Mexico, Australia, southeastern Asia, and Africa; Sternophorellus, from New Guinea; Garyops, from Central America and the West Indies; and Idiogaryops, from the southern United States.


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Circle Singing
Singing circles of sound without words brings out our intuitive nature and makes vocalizing amazingly accessible. Circle Singing has a centuries old tradition where tribal groups would gather and join together in repetitious chant-like singing that can become intoxicating and uplifting. As singers relax into the revolving chants, additional harmonies and counter melodies are layered one upon another resulting in beautifully inter-woven songs and complex rhythms. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this singing is the creativity that emerges. No two sessions are alike and the compositions seem to flow from the spirits of those present. There is always lots of excitement, laughter, unusual sounds and rhythmic offerings, making for a wonderful community experience.
We sing in a variety of spaces—living rooms, gardens, tunnels . . . We are fortunate to have access to a small silo in Kalamazoo with glazed tile walls and a conical ceiling (featured in the above video).
WGVU / Kalamazoo Lively Arts
WGVU produced this video segment about the Trybal Revival Circle Singers for their program Lively Arts:


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Top Racing in France : What's up in 2018?
26 January 2018
Photo scoopdyga.com
A return to ParisLongchamp, a raise to promote a few of our best races, a stronger program for filles and mares, the promotion of our 2yos in the Summer, those are the best news of 2018 for racing in France.
ParisLongchamp back in the limelight with an exceptional Ganay
Prix Ganay (Gr1)'s purse goes from €300,000 to €600,000 to celebrate the grand opening of the new ParisLongchamp racecourse and the return of 48 Group races and 24 Listed races to their home place. With the Sheema Classic (Gr1) in March and the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Gr1) at the Curragh in May, the French curtain-opener was quite exposed.
Soon after, the French Guineas will return where they belong. With a small difference though as the French classic will now use the Moyenne Piste (Middle course) rather than the main course, since the start is too close to the first bend on that course. All the prep races at ParisLongchamp will also use the same course. Moreover, an open-stretch will be designed in the last straight to open the field at this critical point of the races, the way it does at Newmarket and Ascot on some occasions.
The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) is back alongside the Churchill Coolmore Prix d'Ispahan (Gr1) at the end of May after his 2-year stint in the French Guineas card.
- Prix Ganay (Gr1) up to €600,000 (+€300,000)
- Abu Dhabi Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr1) – 3yo – 1,600m MP – May 13 – Longchamp
- Abu Dhabi Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) – 3F – 1,600m MP – May 13 – Longchamp
- The Gurhka Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) – F3 – 2,000m – May 27 - Longchamp
Two historic races get a raise : Prix Jacques le Marois-Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard (€1m) and Qatar Prix Vermeille (€600,000)
Two of the most celebrated races contested in France, the Prix Jacques le Marois-Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard (Gr1) and the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1), have been increasignly exposed by the purses raise of similar races in the European pattern program. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr1) and the Sussex Stakes (Gr1) have passed the €1m mark while the Qatar Prix Vermeille no longer belongs to the top 100 World races since 2016, now that both Yorkshire Oaks (Gr1) and the Fillies and Mares Champion Stakes (Gr1) have made it to the same table.
Supported by their historic partner, the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard, who supports the race since 1986 and features amongst its best performers, France Galop was able to raise the Prix Jacques le Marois-Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard's purse to €1m from €700,000.
Le Qatar Prix Vermeille is a French jewel who was created to be the "French Oaks" and became the "Fillies' Arc". In any case, it is an objective in itself and by raising its purse rom €350,000 to €600,000, France Galop makes sure it is.
- Prix Jacques le Marois-Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard (Gr1) raised to €1m (+€300,000)
- Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1) rasied to €600,000 (+€250,000)
Group1s make a difference for all
The total Gr1 purse in France has been severed by €2.8m since the owners premium in these races has been lowered to 25%. The top program has been the main contributor in a general effort.
However, three races needed a special support and France Galop decided to make exceptions. Our classic races are an heritage that we have received and must not only preserve but nurture and grow.
Money is not the only available tool to promote a race though. So the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1) will be moved to Deauville's straight course in 2018. That specific mile will probably make the race more palatable only weeks before the beginning of the Lucien Barrière à Deauville Summer meeting, with the Prix Jacques le Marois-Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard on top of it.
- Prix Jean Prat (Gr1) – 3yo - 1,600m Straight – July 8 - Deauville
More support from QREC to Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend
The success of our Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend grows every year and the star race of the meeting has once again been recognized as the top race of the World through the Longines classifications.
Our partners in Qatar however felt that it was time to show more support to 5 major events of the weekend:
- Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1-PA) purse raises to €1,2m (+€200,000)
- Prix de l'Opéra Longines (Gr1) purse raises to €500,000 (+€100,000)
- Total Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) purse raises to €400,000 (+€100,000)
- Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) purse raises to €400,000 € (+€50,000)
- Qatar Prix de la Forêt (Gr1) purse raises to €350,000 € (+ 50,000 €)
Meanwhile the Qatar Prix Vermeille and Arc Trials meeting is once again scheduled three weeks prior to the Arc weekend on Sunday, September 16. However the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr1) is back home by the windmill that gave it its name, and its usual date, one week earlier, on Sunday, September 9th. Just like the French Guineas, the mile race will be contested over the Moyenne Piste.
In the future, it could be interesting to gather the opinion of the European Pattern Committee to move some of the races leading to the Arc weekend 4 weeks prior to the event, although confrontation with the Irish Champion weekend would not help the general cause.
The females program, a strategy edicated to breeders
The raise of the Qatar Prix Vermeille is only the most visible tip of a larger aim to better the breeding program in France.
- Stayers
France Galop is a strong supporter of the European Stayers initiative, especially for fillies and mares. hence the Prix Belle de Nuit, for 3yo and up fillies and mares due on October 27 at Saint-Cloud, has been promoted to Group 3 and was extended from 2,500m to 2,800m. Furthermore, a Listed race named Prix Gold River has been created in Longchamp on May 3rd with similar conditions.
- Prix Belle de Nuit (Gr3) – F3+ - 2,800m – Octobre 27 – Saint-Cloud
- Prix Gold River (L) – F4+ - 2,800m – May 3 - Longchamp
- A rationnalized mares Listed program
4 of the most popular Listed races restricted to mares have been altered to better answer the needs of horsemen, and open more opportunities on various distances. Restrictions have been lifted so that top fillies and mares could get in with a weight penalty, rather than getting barred from racing at that level.
- Prix Zarkava (L) – EBF – F4+ - 2,100m – April 8 – Longchamp – New conditions
- Prix Maurice Zilber (L) – EBF – F4+ - 1,400m – May 6 - Longchamp – New conditions
- Prix Urban Sea (L) – EBF – F4+ - 2,000m – June 17 – Le Lion d'Angers – Same conditions
- Prix de la Calonne (L) – EBF – F4+ - 1,600m LD – July 8 – Deauville - New conditions
- Prix de la Pépinière (L) – EBF – F4+ - 2 000m – July 22 – Maisons-Laffitte – Same conditions
- Prix Luth Enchantée (L) – EBF – F4+ - 2,400m – Early August – Clairefontaine - New conditions
- Grand Prix de Fontainebleau (L) – EBF – F4+ - 2,000m – September 11 – Fontainebleau – New conditions
- Prix de la Cochère (L) – EBF – F3+ - 1,600m – September 5 – Longchamp – Same conditions
- Prix des Tourelles (L) – EBF – F3+ - 2,400m – September 14 – Longchamp – Same conditions
- Prix Dahlia (L) – EBF – F3+ - 2,000m – October 9 – Saint-Cloud – Same conditions
- Prix Panacée (L) – EBF – F3+ - 2,400m – October 10 – Toulouse – Same conditions
- Prix Casimir Delamare (L) – EBF - F3+ - 1,800m – October 21 – Longchamp – Same conditions
- Prix Isola Bella (L) – EBF - F3+ - 1,600m – November 9 – Saint-Cloud – Same conditions
Juveniles on 7 furlongs : the birth of a French way?
Two races for 2yo Fillies over 7 furlongs have been promoted by the European Pattern Committee, in recognition of their improved ratings. The Prix du Calvados, which is run over the straight course, becomes a Group2 while the Prix Six Perfections, also at Deauville over 1,400m but with a curve and three weeks earlier, becomes a Group3.
Both races were very supported by the French trainers who claim they rather aime these longer races than shorter ones because their main concern is the following season. A mid-term strategy, if you will, rather than a pursuit of quick returns.
Threatened to lose its Listed status as soon as 2019, the Prix des Sablonnets (L) leaves Nantes for Deauville's all-weather track in December. This tranfer was suppirted by the horsemen institutions in the West of France as well as the Conseil du Plat at France Galop.
- Shadwell Prix du Calvados (Gr2) – F2 – 1,400m Straight – August 18 – Deauville
- Prix Six Perfections (Gr3) – F2 – 1,400m – July 28 – Deauville
- Prix des Sablonnets (L) – 2yos – 1,500 m PSF - December – Deauville
The French program will adapt…
Amongst other changes of importance, the Prix Daphnis (Gr3) is now opend to colts and fillies alike over 1,600m at Deauville on August 21st.
The Prix Quincey (Gr3), a week earlier on the same distance, is now restricted to 4yo and above.
The popular 3yo sprinting program has received the support of a new Listed race, Prix Kistena (L), over 1,200m, on July 8 at Deauville, fitted to follow up on the Prix Marchand d'Or (L).
The Prix André Baboin has lost it Group3 status and was transformed into a Listed avent for 3yos over 2,000m in August at Deauville. It is now the Prix Nureyev ex-Prix André Baboin, and it will be staged on August 11th.
Three Group2 events are threatened to lose their Group2 status: Prix Greffulhe, Prix du Gros-Chêne and Prix Hocquart. The Greffulhe has been badly rated because of its poor 2015 renewal with 3 horses in only. Providing this edition raises its standard, it should recover on time. The Prix Hocquart is now run later on June 18and its distance extended to 2,400m, like in 2017, so that it fits better in a trail Avre-Lys-Hocquart-Grand Prix de Paris that can help restoring its role.
- Prix Kistena (L) – 3yo - 1,200m LD – July 8 – Deauville
- Prix Pelleas (L) – 3yo – 2,000m – July 10 – Compiègne
- Prix Nureyev ex-Prix André Baboin (L) – 3yo – 2,000m - August 11 – Deauville
- Prix Daphnis (Gr3) – 3yo - 1,600m Straight – August 21 – Deauville
The Part1 of the full French program can be downloaded by clicking here.


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Public sector lender Indian Overseas Bank has announced a hike in its benchmark prime lending rate (BPLR) by as much as 50 bps.
Following the hike, the BPLR of hte bank will now stand at 15.50%.
The decision was taken by the board of the bank on December 03, 2011.
The revision will come into effect immediately.


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Military News
After 66 years, Korean War POW from Seattle finally is coming home
Lois Ahrens held out hope that she'd see her younger brother laid to rest on American soil long after he went missing in a North Korean prison camp.
Her patience will be rewarded next week when the soldier from Seattle receives a long-overdue burial at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.
The remains of Sgt. Harold Sparks, forever 21, are due to return to the Puget Sound region Monday, almost 66 years after he was taken prisoner by Chinese forces north of Pyongyang early in the Korean War.
"Mom never gave up hope that her brother would be returned home. It was just a matter of when," said Lois Ahrens' son and Sparks' nephew, Jim Ahrens of University Place.
The remains of Sgt. Sparks were identified by the Defense Department Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency earlier this year. The Pentagon found him among 208 boxes of commingled human remains that North Korea gave to the Defense Department in the early 1990s.
Only recently, the Defense Department matched DNA in the boxes with genetic material submitted by four of Sparks' relatives and descendants.
He'll come home Monday from the lab in Hawaii where the Defense Department studies the remains of unidentified casualties from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Lois Ahrens, 88, will be at Sea-Tac Airport to see his return.
"She's very grateful," said Jim Ahrens, 63.
Sparks reportedly was taken prisoner in November 1950 by Chinese troops who reinforced the North Korean army during the war. He served in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division.
His family had no idea what happened to him for several years.
In 1953, five American prisoners of war released by the North Korean military reported that Sparks had been held at a POW camp and that he died there.
Sparks had two older sisters. One, Barbara, has passed away. Lois Ahrens of Seattle carried on his memory and took her children to Defense Department events at which officials gave updates on the search for the almost 8,000 troops who remain unaccounted for from the Korean War.
Jim Ahrens said he started attending those ceremonies about eight years ago. He went to support his mom, not thinking the military would actually recover his uncle's remains.
"It's amazing," Jim Ahrens said. "I'm grateful to the citizens of the United Sates and the military that we're not leaving anybody behind."


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