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Free Shipping on orders over $50. Curbside pickup available.
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In The Big Book of Angel Tarot, best-selling author Radleigh Valentine follows up his groundbreaking work Angel Tarot Cards with the definitive guide to the mystical art of tarot. By removing the fear, worry, and secrecy from the process, Radleigh is reintroducing the world to this language of the Divine, without diminishing any of the amazing accuracy and detailed information that tarot is known for.
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How The Industrial Internet of Things Is Changing The Manufacturing Landscape
In the last few years, manufacturers and industrial organizations around the world are starting to invest in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) programs and initiatives to help accelerate the era of IT-optimized smart manufacturing. As IIoT solutions providers better frame, define and create IIoT strategies, many organizations have started to look at what is possible in the age of Industry 4.0 by embracing the Internet of Things and smart manufacturing. In the United States, the number of industrial device-to-device connections is expected to rise to nearly 180 million in 2020 from approximately 50 million in 2014. In China, the rise in machine digitalization is projected to be double that of the U.S. in 2020.
According to Beth Parkinson, market development director for The Connected Enterprise, Rockwell Automation, there are now four key areas that impact IIoT adoption:

subset: commoncrawl


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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
73 comments:
I think I may just start watching Spartacus. I'm sorry, what did you say?? I got a little distracted by your steaming photos!!! :)ReplyDeleteReplies
you mean you've been missing the hottest show in history by now? I've never seen so many boobs and willies and bums in one show as in SPARTACUS :) Such a true delight. Lucy Lawless makes the show worth watching, and Craig Parker off course :)Delete
I've heard some of the talk of this show, but I don't have HBO. Do they stream it online at all? I'm starting to think I'm a little too far behind on this one! lolDelete
I'm as in the dark as Jax on this one. I'll have to get my fingers busy online and see if I can't find a way to see this delicious treat. Boobs and willies and bums oh my!Delete
SPARTACUS is on Starz not on HBO :) At least in USA, here in Serbia it is actually aired on HBO as weird as that may be :)Yes, you have it on Netflix too.
there isn't an actor in the show who hasn't show his willie (and trust me they all have something to be proud off LOL) or an actress who hasn't shown her boobs and the southern bush :))) But, as hot this all is, the show actually has the most amazing story and plots and stunning twists and that is why I love it actually.
Yeah it does have such good twists and turns, although hearing about Jupiter's co** every ten seconds I'm not sure I need..LMAO....plus you do know for their little willies they can have prostectic thingys used to right? So it may not be real.Delete
don't break my illusions, you evil evil evil cat :)Delete
haha just trying to keep your groundedDelete
I'm now aware of the cat's most foul deed with the letter D. I'm preparing the rack for him now darling. He must be punished!!Delete
he is doing me constant evil today, Annzie, don't let him, punish him, stop him, throw him to the crazed merecats, feed him to the snails... how can he be so cruel to me today???Delete
Poor poor Dez, cry me a river..hahahaDelete
can I drown you in it too :)Delete
Sounds like the next season will be just as good as this one, should be interesting to see how they throw Ceasar into the mix. Last time I saw him played was on Xena I think haha....be great if the Constantine epic actualy comes off too.ReplyDeleteReplies
Karl Urban, my Karl Urban :) has played Caesar on XENA :)Delete
Ahhh yes I forgot his name. But yeah that be him, he's yours is he?..haha..you can have him, I'm still hung up on Kate.Delete
mine only :) Only he doesn't know it yet :) Kate is such a bird of paradise with her beauty and her velvety voice, makes you wanna make sweet love just with her British accent LOLDelete
Yeah that British accent gets me everytime, seals the deal right there.Delete
her, Rachel Weisz and my own Catherine Zeta Jones have the hottest voices ever! And Gemma Arterton too!Delete
Weisz yeah I agree with, Jones you can keep her. Don't recall seeing Arterton in anything.Delete
oh, my, you would love Gemma, she is totally your type. Watch her in PRINCE OF PERSIA or in CLASH OF THE TITANS, or in DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREEDDelete
Yours only, Dezz? Well, I'll make sure he gets the message. Meanwhile, Gemma tells me she's less into catmen than into blue men....Delete
please inform him, he needs to know :)Delete
Mmm, Gemma then has a good taste :)
hahahaha you're so mean. Don't listen to him, Pat.Delete
well, haven't you noticed how the cat was mean towards me two days ago???Delete
I've really enjoyed this season. It kept going with being over-the-top (and in a good way) and the plotting was great fun.ReplyDelete
Oh these male actors are so handsome. Where can I find one to warm my bed? You are such a tease Dezzy.ReplyDelete
Oh man, you didn't mention Katrina Law! She's sooo hot in this!ReplyDelete
These look quite cool...must keep an eye open for them over hereReplyDelete
I had trouble getting into Sparticus this season. I think I only watched the first two episodes and kinda just stopped. You're right, Liam McIntyre lacked charisma. Of course, he had a hard act to follow though.ReplyDeleteReplies
yes, as much as I hate saying it, since he is a sweet sweet man, Liam doesn't have the necessary stage presence. He could be great in a supporting role, but not in the lead one. New Zealand has so many great men, don't know why they didn't chose someone stronger. HOLLYWOOD SPY's own Kyle Prior would've been so amazing in that role instead of the supporting one.Delete
That picture of nearly naked Spartacus makes me want to watch the show. :)ReplyDelete
Those costumes look beautiful! I didn't realize Lucy Lawless is in Spartacus, she seems a staple in this genre, isn't she?ReplyDelete
Nice photos! Haven't seen it but they sure are casting it nice.ReplyDelete
Well, I haven't been able to watch Spartacus yet as usual. But I agree they must have Lawless in the mix to keep it interesting.ReplyDelete
Look at all that skin! Methinks I'll be renting Spartacus on DVD when I'm able. I do hope that Constantine gets made darling. It would be nice to see your country showcased in a big epic film. It's also a nice boos for local economy when Hollywood comes to town.ReplyDeleteReplies
such lovely skin, isn't it :) Whenever I finish watching an episode of SPARTACUS I always wanna make sweet sweet love with someone :)Delete
We currently have some tax problems which unable Hollywood producers to come here in bigger numbers, although we have studios and although Serbia is the country with the longest cinematic history in the world and we have the richest collections of old films and shots.
Governments get in the way of their own countries economy don't they? Our s does it all the time and it upsets me with all of us struggling to get new businesses in.Delete
I didn't know that about your cinematic history. There's so much that I, and the world, don't know about you guys. Serbia seems to be undervalued by the rest of the world. It's like you guys are the best kept secret on the planet.
you know the story on the governments, sister, it's as if they are all run by the certain evil cat :)Delete
Yep, it's true, we are huge and yet the West is blind towards us :) Serbia is also the most successful sport nation in the world, we've been world and European champions in dozens of different sports from basketball (in which we are more successful than USA), valleyball, handball, waterpolo, and tennis off course...
Surprisingly enough, my family is into shows like these...ReplyDelete
Maybe I should start watching Spartacus again...ReplyDelete
They have casting calls for sparticus in nz actually, maybe i should go try my luck. Not enough abs though.ReplyDelete
I haven't seen any of these shows, but I totally get why you like them Dezzy ;-)ReplyDelete
I was on the edge of my seat the entire finale! so glad that pain in the ___ Asher is gone - but I was very suprised abut Lucretia... can't wait until next seasonReplyDelete
Sorry, I saw boobies in one of the pictures and I got distracted. :(ReplyDelete
I loved the season finally but I was shocked that they got rid of Lucy Lawless...there's no coming back from her death...ReplyDelete
Dezzy - Should be an interesting season. Happy Wednesday. =DReplyDelete
I thought the ending of Spartacus was awesomeReplyDelete
yeah, i think i'm too wimpy to watch spartacus. i walked by while my hubby was watching an episode once, and it was so bloody, my stomach just- blechhhhhhh!ReplyDelete
i couldn't take it.
i don't remember what part of it it was.
i've managed to forget most of it, but!
i'm tooooo wimpy for sure!
All these skimpy male costumes, I'm drowning in my own drool. ;) Dez, you are THE cure for a rough day at the office.ReplyDelete
Exciting news about Constantine. You know I'll be first in line to see it.
When I think of Spartacus I think of men with big swords. Scary!ReplyDelete
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The funny thing about this loony UKIP councillor story (and I do not share the councillor's views on same-sex marriage or religion) is how the media and public have rounded on this guy and he's ridiculed for beliefs which are deeply held religious beliefs.
At the risk of sounding like I'm defending the guy (I'm not – I think my own views on deeply held religious beliefs are pretty well established and I'll call bullshit bullshit no matter who produces it, even if I share common beliefs with this bloke about Britain leaving the EU), what makes this guy's noxious beliefs any different from any other religious beliefs?
The thing that tickles me about this story and its portrayal, are the huge numbers of people rounding on this guy who stay remarkably silent when it's not an old Christian bloke making these kind of comments.
To quote a UKIP spokesman…
"If the media are expecting UKIP to either condemn or condone someone's personal religious views they will get absolutely no response. Whether Jain or Sikh or Buddhist or Sufi or Zoroastrian or Jewish or Muslim or Baptist or Hindu or Catholic or Baha'i or Animist or any other mainstream or minor religion or movement, we are taught as a tolerant society to accept a diversity of ideologies.
Freedom to individual thought and expression is a central tenet of any open-minded and democratic country. It is quite evident that this is not the party's belief but the councillor's own and he is more than entitled to express independent thought despite whether or not other people may deem it standard or correct."
So, what I'm not clear on is why this guy's views are more odious than the many Muslims (not just the odd individuals) who have openly called for the death of homosexuals on British streets. This old fruitcake is not advocating imposition of the death sentence for homosexuality; he's stated that he is opposed to gay marriage and his profoundly held religious belief is that his god is against it too.
I utterly disagree with him on the issue of gay marriage, but what makes his beliefs any more particularly batshit crazy than the immaculate conception, resurrection, the Noah story, the moon splitting in two, the creation myths of all religions, winged horses, all of which are beliefs sincerely held by millions of people across the world?
Are they particularly odious because he is seeking to curtail the rights of others? He's hardly unique there. Abortion laws in many Christian countries anyone? Women stoned for being raped in Islamic nations? I could go on and on about examples of religious powers curtailing the rights of others. There are literally whole books and thousands of news articles on the subject, and laws all around the world which curtail the rights of others.
Is the guy fair game because he's a clearly a capitalist Christian? No religion has complete agreement of beliefs across its adherents and this bloke is hardly unique in his religion. I have personally encountered many illiberal Christians who are illiberal because of their faith and we see regular examples of religious bigotry across the world.
Given that there is precedent in all the Abrahamic religions, the 'desert dogmas', for God flooding the Earth due to man's sin, what makes his beliefs particularly ridiculous?
Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria, India, Iran, all Islamic theocracies, and countless other nations have religious-inspired laws which contravene the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which countries subscribe when they join the UN, and yet the UN dedicates its time to condemn the one secular liberal democracy in the Middle East where homosexuals won't be threatened with prison. violence, or death – Israel. It'd be funny if it weren't so disgusting. Many of the people lining up to kick this guy are the same who defend Palestinians, who do a nice line in religious intolerance themselves, especially when it comes to teaching their children from birth and in their schools about the 'flithy, stinking, Jew' and promoting the murder of the latter in school textbooks. Right on!
Yesterday, liberal Muslim Maajid Nawaz received several death threats from Muslims for saying that he was not offended by the Jesus and Mo cartoons. Take a look at his Twitter feed.
Fortunately, only 68% of British adherents to the religion of peace support the arrest and prosecution of anyone who insults Islam, only one third of British Muslim students believe that those who leave the faith should be killed or support killing in the name of Islam, and, relative to this news item, a tiny number, a mere 61% of British Muslims want homosexuality punished.
Ironically, Nawaz was defended by people like the former head of the EDL, Tommy Robinson, along with other liberal Muslims and people who appear to know more about Islam's real history than many of that religion's current adherents.
Where were the true liberals while Nawaz was being threatened? Rounding on an old duffer with deeply held religious views who hadn't called for the death of anyone.
Still, when it comes to those who hold views incompatible with a liberal democracy, we all know who the real enemy within is, don't we folks! A bloke who represents a fairly standard conservative view of Christianity that God is against gay people getting married, as opposed to the huge numbers who would happily kill gay people themselves, if the laws of the land would only be tolerant and multiculturally aware enough to sanction it.
Right, let me get back to bravely sticking the boot into an old, former Tory bloke I know won't threaten me.


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Canotic artificial intelligence Raises $5.3 million seed round
Canotic is a new artificial intelligence startup based in Seattle and Berlin that today announced a $5.3 million seed round led by Seattle-based PSL Ventures and London-based Mosaic Ventures, with participation from East Ventures and other angels.
What they do: Canotic helps enterprise companies apply AI and machine learning to unstructured datasets without the need for top data scientists. Much like a traditional software compiler automatically and quickly transforms computer code from one programming language to another without human intervention, Canotic does the same for ingesting and analyzing data with AI and ML. Its data programs can label complex unstructured data; create real-time production AI APIs; and much more.
"We believe that in the way the software compiler changed the role of computers for the previous generation, our proprietary 'AI compiler' will do the same for the AI-first generation," said Canotic CEO Brad Cordova.
The company launched last year and has a handful of customers across IT, manufacturing, and agriculture industries. It has less than 10 employees but expects to reach 30 people in the next few months.
Why it matters: There's been a lot of hype about AI, but actually implementing the technology can be expensive and time-consuming. There also aren't many AI experts to do the work — just 22,000 PhD-educated researchers are working on AI, according to a study by Element Data.
Companies pay Canotic to make this process easier and faster. For example, agriculture companies are using Canotic to analyze drone data and figure out which plants need more or less fertilizer. Other customers use Canotic to decompose meeting audio data and produce textual summaries of key points, action items, sentiment, and etc., all in real time.
There are similar startups trying to "democratize AI," including fellow Seattle company OneClick.AI.
Who they are: Cordova previously co-founded AI mobility startup TrueMotionduring his PhD studies at MIT. He was named to the Forbes "30 under 30" list last year. His co-founder, CTO Henry Setiawan, was previously a principal software design engineer at Microsoft Research. Setiawan also worked at Google Brain and BlueKai; he has a PhD in computer science. "We cannot imagine two individuals better equipped to deliver on this bold vision than Brad and Henry," PSL Ventures Managing Director Julie Sandler, who will join the Canotic board, said in a statement.
In their words: "Because of the AI compiler we can create machine learning applications very fast, very cheaply, and very scalably," Cordova told GeekWire. "Our competitive advantage is not that we can do anything better compared to someone who had near infinite amounts of time, money, and access to 'unicorn' machine learning engineers, but instead we can do 90 percent what that expert does in 1/1000th of the time and cost — which for 99 percent of businesses is the difference between success and failure of an internal AI initiative to get insights from the data."


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Leicester Tigers tighthead Joe Heyes is refreshed and ready to go as the countdown to the new season reaches its final fortnight.
Following a breakthrough campaign in 2018/19 – including 22 senior appearances and a trip to the U20s World Championships in Argentina – the front-rower took a well-earned break before returning to his club in July.
"I did a little tour of Europe, which was nice," he explains. "After coming back from Argentina I did Spain, Greece and Italy and visited Berlin.
"The break was very much needed – I was playing consistently week-in, week-out with Tigers last season, and then on the weeks off I'd be with the Under-20s.
"As a 19-year-old young body it was all a bit sore and stressful, so it was good to get those five weeks and I'm feeling much more refreshed and ready for the new season now."
"We've got exciting plans and exciting places to go."Joe Heyes
Heyes, who turned 20 during the closing stages of last season, marked his final age-grade appearance with a try in England's fifth-place play-off against Wales in Rosario, though the tournament served as a bittersweet end to his time in his country's junior ranks.
"That's it. Fini. Done," he continues. "I think I've played over 20 age-grade games, so it was good to end with a try.
"I suppose it's the end of an era, and it was always exciting to go somewhere new. I did some good travelling with age-grade – to South Africa, Argentina, Italy and France – but it is a case of 'I've done that now', and it's time to move on and push on to bigger things.
"Age-grade [rugby] doesn't last forever. You've got to get into the business end of things, and that's where I want to be now."
Like fellow U20s internationals Tommy Reffell and Sam Costelow, Heyes' return to domestic duties was an intense one, linking up with his teammates at a military camp in Aldershot.
And, in comparison to previous pre-season preparations, this year's schedule has been much tougher.
"This one is significantly harder, and the coaches are driving standards higher and higher," Heyes says.
"We have GPS and heart-rate monitors on us all the time, so even if you look like you're working hard but you're actually not, [the coaches] can tell.
"There is no escape, but that's great because it drives standards and drives players to work harder and improve and everything like that. It's a much harder pre-season, but it'll do some good in the long run.
"I think we've got 20 guys left from last year and 20 new guys, and there's a much more positive feeling and vibe around the squad.
"We've got exciting plans and exciting places to go."
For Heyes, his target for the season is simple; pull on the green, white and red as many times as possible.
"Anything can happen," he continues. "I enjoy playing at Welford Road and I enjoy pulling on the shirt, so as long as I can keep playing for Tigers I want to keep doing that.
"I'll work hard and see where it gets me."


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As we all know flip flops are widely used especially in Summer time and also some tropical countries, for example Brazil, which has its famous flip flops brand Havaianas!
For the manufacturers, usually we need to put the brand logo on the obvious part, for the slippers, then it should be the shoelace part! But most do it the same color as the base of lace or by printing the logo, which cause the logo still not be distinguished so clearly or it has been worn out after a while!
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Diploma in Graphics Designing
- Overview
- Course Content
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Diploma in Graphics Designing course focuses on imparting the skills required for creating eye-catching designs. Under the mentorship of an expert professional, you will learn how to transform your ideas into designs. Participants will get details on theoretical concepts and practice different software's for different types of designing including vector graphics, raster graphics, page layout designs, and animation. Learning these skills prepares you to for developing interacting, informative, and interesting designs and animations for print and web media.
Course Duration: 3 months
Software to learn:
- Corel Draw ™
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Upon the completion of the training, you will inculcate the following skillset:
- Create logos, brochures, newsletters, business cards and other layout designing using Corel Draw ™ and Adobe InDesign™
- Create and edit photos or raster (pixel) based artwork using Adobe Photoshop™
- Create and edit vector based images that can be scaled up to any level without compromising with the quality by using Adobe Illustrator™
- Create motion effect and display sequencing behavior of the characters/objects using Adobe Flash™
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While there is no formal prerequisite for this training program, however candidates with a strong interest in graphics designing and multimedia are the ideal participants for this course.
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Attackers breached Telvent's network, the company has informed its customers in a letter. Telvent is the maker of an industrial control system that remotely controls smart grid networks used in portions of the electric grid.
Telvent told its customers that on Sept. 10, it learned that hackers had breached its internal firewall and security systems, implanted malicious software, and stolen project files.
According to KrebsOnSecurity, which first reported the breach, the project files concerned Telvent's OASyS SCADA product, which offers energy firms a bridge between older technology and advanced smart grid technologies.
Telvent, which is owned by Schneider Electric, told customers that the attack spans operations in the US, Canada and Spain.
Experts detected digital fingerprints implicating a Chinese hacking group that has been tied to cyber-espionage campaigns against Western interests.
KrebsOnSecurity cited Joe Stewart, director of malware research at Dell SecureWorks, who said that website and malware names mentioned in a more recent letter from Telvent can be traced to a Chinese hacking team known as the "Comment Group."
That group, often referred to as the Comment group, has been under investigation by US intelligence for years.
Researchers told Bloomberg that during two months of monitoring last year, targeted companies spanned a vast scale as data "bled from one victim to the next":
...from oilfield services leader Halliburton Co. (HAL) to Washington law firm Wiley Rein LLP; from a Canadian magistrate involved in a sensitive China extradition case to Kolkata-based tobacco and technology conglomerate ITC Ltd. (ITC)
A loose-knit group of some 30 North American private security researchers tracking the group have called the Comment Group one of the biggest and busiest hacking groups in China.
Bloomberg quoted Shawn Henry, former executive assistant director of the FBI in charge of the agency's cyber division, who said that typical cybersecurity headlines about data breaches scarcely hint at the scope of the group's activities:
What the general public hears about — stolen credit card numbers, somebody hacked LinkedIn (LNKD) — that's the tip of the iceberg, the unclassified stuff. … I've been circling the iceberg in a submarine. This is the biggest vacuuming up of U.S. proprietary data that we've ever seen. It's a machine.
Evidence indicates that at least 20 organizations have been harvested for data, many of whose secrets could give China a leg up on its path to becoming the world's largest economy.
Bloomberg cited unnamed security experts who said that the breaches have sprung data leaks in major oil companies, who've lost seismic maps charting oil reserves, while patent law firms have been squeezed for clients' trade secrets and investment banks have been targeted for market analysis regarding global ventures of state-owned companies.
Telvent said that investigations are still under way, but it's taken the precaution of severing data links between clients and the affected portions of its internal networks.
The company also said that it hasn't yet found evidence that the attackers had been able to compromise customers' systems:
Although we do not have any reason to believe that the intruder(s) acquired any information that would enable them to gain access to a customer system or that any of the compromised computers have been connected to a customer system, as a further precautionary measure, we indefinitely terminated any customer system access by Telvent.
Telvent gave me this statement:
Telvent is aware of a security breach of its corporate network that has affected some customer files. Customers have been informed and are taking recommended actions, with the support of Telvent teams. Telvent is actively working with law enforcement, security specialists and its affected customers to ensure the breach has been contained.
Meanwhile, the Obama adminstration and Congress have grown increasingly vocal about Chinese and Russian cyber espionage and attacks, with the White House close to completing the first draft of a cybersecurity executive order designed to bring about stronger cyber security around the nation's water, electrical and transportation systems.
It's a reasonable thing to call for stronger protection around vital infrastructure.
But as Reuters pointed out in a recent report on what one top US cybersecurity official called "reckless" cyber behavior from nation states, the US's right to complain about other nations' cyber warfare might be questionable, given what is by now a widespread belief that the US and Israel were behind Stuxnet.
electricity images courtesy of Shutterstock


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Brother's campfire is a super cool blog with an ongoing medieval fantasy story. New episodes appear every day and now I'm in one. Or at least, a me inspired character is and she's a cheese thief (of course).
It started with the chain mail Sunshine Blogger Award thing, where I answered the "How would you describe what your character would be like in an ongoing medieval fantasy tale?" question and the man behind the Brothers' campfire stories liked it enough to run with it, so I got an episode.


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Chelsea Boots
Winter is here, and we're all about that part of the year. Joyrides on your motorbike should be matched with a proper outfit. Our men's leather Chelsea Boots are versatile, so wear them with jeans or a pair of pence woolen pants.
Chelsea Country
Inspired by the 60s, when pop music was the soundtrack to an era of revolutions and the Beatles were a real lifestyle. This is doubtless a shoe made for new adventures, because "tomorrow it may rain, so I'll follow the sun".
Chelsea Unlined
Lighter on your feet, even with the ankle covered. The unlined version of the legendary Beatles, they take you back in time, in summer and spring too. For those who can't do without them.


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Ardy M. Scott
Artist Bio
Artist/Author/Editor/Radio Personality, Associate Publisher of Futures
Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Managing Editor for Twilight Times Books.
Ardy always considered herself a jack-of-all-trades and master of a few.
To date she is an accomplished writer of new age fantasy with two books
published and two more in the works. She currently runs two businesses
from her home: FantaSeeWorks Graphics & Designs with her partners Michael in Canada and her husband Ken, and Fantasy In Wood (wood sculpting). More, she is also a freelance artist, doing original art, unique cards and cover art for herself and other authors.
Although born a Canadian, Ardy currently resides in North Queensland,
Australia with her Aussie husband Ken, Sherlock Hound (three year old
Dalmatian) and Dogger Watson (two year old Great Dane/Bull Mastiff/Rottie).


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XK10 alignment laser improves parallelism measurement accuracy for machine tool builders
January 2020
Renishaw's new XK parallelism kit provides an innovative method to perform parallelism measurement using the XK10 alignment laser system. It enables users to measure point-to-point straightness deviation or the overall angular misalignment between two nominally parallel axes.
The XK parallelism kit is designed to improve the accuracy of, and give visibility of, the mechanical alignment of a machine's structure during assembly.
The kit includes a pentaprism which can be used to accurately turn the laser beam from the XK10's launch unit through 90 degrees, enabling alignment along a reference rail. This allows the reference from the launch unit to be preserved and compared against the measurement rail. Measurements are displayed digitally to verify parallelism of the two rails and enable adjustments to be performed during build.
About the XK10 alignment laser system
The XK10 alignment laser system has been developed for use during the build and alignment of machine tools, replacing the need for artefacts. It can be used on linear rails to ensure that they are straight, square, flat, parallel and level, as well as to assess spindle direction and coaxiality of rotary machines. The XK10 is also a powerful tool for diagnosing the source of errors following a collision or as part of regular maintenance.
For further images, videos, company biographies or information on Renishaw and its products, visit our Media Hub.


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When I was little, I loved spending the night with my grandparents, Nanny and Pop Vance, in Ramsey, Indiana. While Nanny would cook the best fried chicken ever made, I'd line up all of my Star Wars figures on the kitchen table and tell Pop the story of each and every one of them. And he'd just listen and smile.
Inevitably we'd end up at the Pic-Pac grocery store in New Salisbury to grab one thing or another, and Pop would always buy me the latest issue of Famous Monsters magazine.
Even though the color photo of John Carpenter's The Thing plastering its bloody self across an Antarctic research station's ceiling scarred my childhood, I still loved reading the articles and looking at pictures covering everything from classic Universal monsters to Arnold Schwarzenegger's first Conan movie.
That's why I'm so excited that some VERY BIG NEWS has been broken on the website of a magazine that was so important to me while I was growing up.
Russian actor, author, writer, producer, and bodybuilder Alexander Nevsky is making a Hercules movie.
And he just told Famous Monsters who's writing it:
Famous Monsters: Nevsky Still Intending to Explore Hercules
I can't even begin to express how happy and proud I am to be a part of this. My uncle Richard once recorded Conan the Destroyer off of HBO for me, and I watched that tape every day before running around the woods behind my parents' house with a plastic sword, slaying monsters and saving maidens.
That's what I want this movie to be.
And I promise it's going to be awesome.
Thanks to my writing partner, brother, and friend Kevin Rice for convincing me we could write movies.
And HUGE thanks to Alexander Nevsky for believing in Kevin and me by asking us to help him tell this story.
With Alexander and his lovely wife, Katya, on the set of Magic Man last summer in Las Vegas
With Alexander and film legend Robert Davi
Kevin and I have worked really hard on this, and we're infinitely proud of the plot that does some new and thrilling things with Hercules while honoring the classic mythology. Alexander has given us input, help, and direction every step of the way, and we truly believe this will be something mighty, magical, and massively awesome for action fans old and new.
More news on this as it happens!
For more information about Alexander, his new movie Treasure Raiders arrives on DVD on June 2!
His previous movie, Moscow Heat, is already available. I'll post reviews of both of them here soon. In the meantime, you can become a fan of Alexander on his Facebook page.


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A CurtainUp Review
Ernest in Love
By Elyse Sommer
Ernest In Love, the 1960 musical adaptation of Wilde's last, best and most revived play by Anne Croswell and Lee Pockris earned enough critical praise to extend its original run at the Gramercy Arts Theater at the Cherry Lane. Yet, the love stirred up by this chamber musical turned out to be a 111-performance flirtation that seeded a cast album but has otherwise gathered dust in that vast attic of neglected musicals.
Now the Irish Rep Theater, that invaluable source for all things Irish, has resurrected Ernest In Love, helmed by the company's artistic director Charlotte Moore and featuring a cast with the acting and vocal chops to bring out its strengths. If I had to limit this review to a single adjective, it would be "charming." Despite a cast that is considered large in these cash-strapped times, not the least of the show's claim to charm is that it never loses its sense of being a chamber musical. Even when the full company is on stage, as they are at the beginning and end, the musical numbers are more concert-like and sprightly than Broadwayesque showy.
Ms. Moore has enlisted one of the Irish Rep's favorite designers, James Morgan, to create scenery that imbues the entire front section of the theater of Victorian drawing room aura, with paintings of fans and other apt images even covering that problematic beam right on the tiny stage. Morgan's minimal scenery includes two flexible free-standing doors and a few items of furniture which Morre has the actors dance on and off stage.
Noah Racey and Ian Holcomb, this production's duplicitous Jack and Algernon, personify charm. Racey, who's an outstanding dancer and choreographer, manages to add a touch of Fred Astaire to Jack and the tall, dark and handsome Holcomb amusingly and quite shamelessly channels the flamboyant Wilde, especially when wearing a wonderful peacock-colored robe in the scenes set in his flat. (Linda Fisher's costumes for everyone deserve a hand).
Annika Boras as Gwendolen and Katie Fabel as Cecily bring rich voices to Jack and Algy's lady loves. Of course, the one character who's more scary than charming is Gwendolen's formidable mother and Algy's aunt, Lady Bracknell. As played by Beth Fowler she's also this little show's most wildly Wildean character. Her patter song, "A Handbag is Not a Proper Mother," sung first as a duet with Jack and reprised as a quintet, is the title most closely linked to one of the play's cornucopia of famous bon mots. (In case you've never seen the original play Jack was a foundling, left as a baby in a handbag at Victoria Station and adopted and named by a wealthy man which hardly satisfies Lady Bracknell's requirements for a son-in-law of suitable parentage, whether named Jack or Ernest, a name preferred by both Gwendolen and Cecily. The mystery of Jack's true parentage is ultimately revealed during a meeting between Cecily's governess, Miss Prism and Lady Bracknell).
While the lyrics of the handbag song as well as the show's other 15 dittiess are catchy and cleverly tap into the story, they're hardly the stuff of a truly great and memorable musical. Ms. Moore's expert direction, savvy casting and staging notwithstanding, this revival is pleasantly enjoyable but it's also likely to lay to rest any claims that Ernest In Love is a vastly underappreciated musical that should have been a long-running, much produced hit. Croswell and Pockriss didn't really improve Wilde's play. However, credit them with being true to the cleverly concocted plot and priceless quips, their only diddling with the original being a somewhat unnecessary extra bit of musical business for the servants Effie (Kerry Conte) and Lane (Brad Bradley).
Discounting the fact that none of the songs are as likely to pass the stick-to-the-ear hummer test like Pockriss's "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini," the libretto does feature numerous enjoyable interludes. Highlight include two delicious duets by Algernon and Jack: "Mr. Bunbury" duet (Bunbury being the sick friend Algernon invented to get out of spending time with his opinionated aunt is lyrically praised as "being a lark/ especially after dark") and "The Muffin Song" ("You can like or lump it/ but a bit of crumpet/ and a spot of tea/ will free your tension"). There's also "My Very First Impression" which pairs Gwendolen and Cecily, and for Miss Prism (Kristin Griffin) and Rev. Chasuble (Peter Maloney), the two minor characters who play a major role in resolving the many plot complications, there's "Metaphorically Speaking."
Though the four-piece string dominated orchestra brings out the best in the music and the songs never upstage or stray from their inspirational source, they do often seem to stop the show — explaining and elaborating rather than really moving things forward. Still, Croswell and Pockriss were far more successful in musicalizing The Importance of Being Earnest than Noel Coward was in his attempt to do the same thing for Lady Windemere's Fan as After the Ball. That adaptation was also staged at the Irish Rep (review) but was a rare misfire for this company because it lacked a cast of seasoned singers. Fortunately this is not the case with this musically adept cast.
While I can't in all earnest agree with anyone who thinks Ernest In Love is an unappreciated musical masterpiece, this Irish Rep revival makes the most of its modest charms. And as someone sufficiently enamored with metaphors to edit a dictionary devoted to that poetic trope, how can I fail to be charmed by a musical that includes a song in which a lover (Algy in "Lost") declares his love with "For when I dare to think of you, all my metaphors get mixed/when I dare to look at you/ I stand silently transfixed."
6, 500 Comparative Phrases including 800 Shakespearean Metaphors by our editor.
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What's New at CBH
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Date:4/20/2018 12:00:00 AM
Written By:Prevention
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public health and safety issue by providing safe, convenient, and anonymous means of disposing of unused and expired prescription drugs.
Saturday, April 28
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Local collection sites:
James City County Police Station
4600 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA 23188
(757) 253-1800
Poquoson Pharmacy Parking Lot
498 Wythe Creek Road, Poquoson, VA 23662
(757) 868-7115
Williamsburg Fire Department
440 North Boundary Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 220-6220
York-Poquoson Sheriff's D.A.R.E. Office
5338-D George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, VA 23692


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Snakes For Kids - Amazing Animal Books for Young Readers
Bestselling author John Davidson presents "Snakes For Kids – Amazing Animal Books For Young Readers". Beautiful Pictures and easy reading format will help children fall in love with Snakes. This is one of over 20 books in the Amazing Animal Books for Young Readers Series.
The series is known as one of the most beautiful on the ereaders. The pictures look great even in black and white and are excellent on the full color ereaders.
Lots of facts and photos will help your children learn about this wonderful animal. Children are given a well-rounded understanding of this beautiful animal: its anatomy, feeding habits and behavior.
*** You and your kids will love learning about Snakes***
Table of Contents
About snakes
Boa Snakes, Water Snakes
Pythons and Rattlesnakes
Venomous Snakes
Corn Snakes
Most Dangerous Snakes
Dangerous Snakes
King Snakes
White Snakes
Rat Snakes
Black Snakes
Scrub Snakes
Garter Snakes
How Can I Help?
Fun Facts About Snakes
About the Author
About Snakes
Did you know that snakes are one of the most misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom? In this book we are going to learn about snakes. We are going to talk about where they live, how they hunt, what they eat, and learn some fun and interesting facts about snakes. One thing that is very interesting about snakes is that some species lay eggs to hatch and other species give birth to live young. As we talk about each different snake keep an eye out for which ones lay eggs and which have live babies. Snakes are also grouped together in different families just like humans! We will learn a few of the snake families and some of the snakes that belong to them.


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"Si, the speed limit sign said 35. Your Goin' 55." -Sadie Robertson
"Oh, that's just a suggestion." – Si Robertson
Sadie Robertson is superb at giving advice, even though some fail to listen. In this instance, it's her sweet-tea-loving uncle Si. You may be familiar with the humor of Si Robertson from the national television show known as Duck Dynasty. The TV Series tells the story of the Louisiana family operating a successful duck call business while staying true to the lifestyle they live as faithful Christians. Sadie at only fourteen years of age at the time wasn't expecting the attention the show received. But the TV series was, in fact, a phenomenon. Millions of Americans quickly came to know what the Robertsons are all about. The show ended after Phil Robertson, Sadie's grandpa, stated his strong beliefs about homosexuality. Sadie, though, told the media, "He's my grandpa. Yeah, he's very opinionated, but he's my family and family sticks together."
The family is quite the example of who to be when your goal is eternal life, but Sadie Robertson, in particular, is an impactful example to all people especially young women. The Robertson family has many claims to fame including the dynasty show as mentioned. For Sherri Hill, designing and modeling, hosting a youtube channel, Dancing with the Stars, author of the books Live Fearless, Live Original, and Finding Freedom, and most recently the launch of her own company- Live Original. Live Original has many components of which include going on tour to speak to thousands at a time, blogging inspirational messages from herself as well as other strong believers, a bible study box, and the Whoa That's Good podcast.
Sadie's accomplishments are awe-inspiring and prove her variety when it comes to talent. However, what she defines herself is not on all that she has done, but how she has done it. Rather than shouting to the world, "Look at what I am doing!" she shouts, "Look what God is doing."
The 2 most recent tidbits that I have learned from Sadie came from her first podcast and her most recent youtube video. The podcast was an interview with Bob Goff, author of Love Does and Everybody Always. In this podcast, Goff tells Sadie, "If you want a report card on your life, just pay attention to how you treat people you disagree with." I thought this spoke like into how Christians should live. 1 Corinthians 16:14 reads, "Do everything in love." We are not called to love the people it's easy to love. We are called to love all people, even those that we find it difficult to love.
Goff also advises to invite people into your life even when they come with failure. Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." We all fall down sometimes and we all make mistakes. The glory of God's grace is with us believers and we are forgiven. So forgive others. In her latest youtube video on modesty, she says, "I don't actually want to be a reflection of the magazines that I read. I don't want to be a reflection of just the culture I live in. I want to be a reflection as the daughter of the king." In today's culture, we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. Sadie reminds us that God doesn't judge us based on what others say about us. With that being said, do not worry about pleasing the world, but rather live for the Lord.
For an awesome message from Sadie that's tailored for college students, click here. Also be sure to follow Sadie on Instagram and Twitter to stay updated on all the new ways she is impacting the world for the sake of Christ!
Media by Shelbi Fisher.


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[…] while driving more equitable political participation that parallels the recommendations in the CFR report I mentioned last […]
Defining a nation-state in the 21st century (Part 1) – Jean R. AbiNader
MATIC, by Jean R. AbiNader (Washington, DC, July 10, 2013) — With the growing onslaught of ethnic and minority conflicts in much of the emerging world, it often appears that we are on the edge of shaking out the structure of the Westphalian state system without a clear notion of what is to come. More than a dozen countries in the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and Latin America are going through significant crises in terms of governance and the emergence of new players in the political space. While the likelihood of more Sudan/South Sudan or Yugoslavia splits is not clear, the options for a greater number of federations and autonomous units cannot be ignored.
A recent publication helps frame a strategic discussion about avoiding the next Egypt or Mali by recognizing what promotes national stability and integrity.
"Pathways to Freedom: Political and Economic Lessons from Democratic Transitions" is a volume of essays published by the Council on Foreign Relations, edited by Isobel Coleman and Terra Lawson-Remer. It is useful both for what is says and what it cannot.
Based on the case studies in the collection, the generalizations offered in the first chapter "Statistical Evidence" put several assumptions about trends in national development under the microscope.
Its conclusion: "Quantitative evidence has been relatively successful in explaining long-run democratic trajectories, but it cannot predict revolutions or coups in the short term, and it is impossible to know when or how particular reforms might happen. Three priorities emerge from quantitative analysis…increasing the capacity for nonviolent protests against autocratic regimes…support for multiparty elections…maximizing access to mass media…to safeguard democratic progress already achieved…in the short run, promoting democracy and prosperity may be incompatible." The final point is unfortunately underscored by the continuing unrest in Arab countries where greater employment opportunities have yet to be achieved.
Apropos this observation is the first recommendation in the final chapter: "New democratic governments should move quickly to adopt policies aimed at materially improving the lives of the poor and dealing with unemployment," with the caveat "without creating dependency on unsustainable and distortionary economic policies in the longer term." In Egypt, Libya, or elsewhere, the mantra of jobs, jobs, jobs has yet to dominate the debate within governments, although it is certainly the priority on the Arab street. Employment and more equitable distribution of subsidies will not disappear from the agenda despite the difficulties of implementation.
The second recommendation focuses on judicial reform. "Rule of law reforms that establish a fair and level playing field and that prevents elites from bending the rules to serve their interests are critical." Again a telling caveat: don't use outside models; rather work "with local partners to bolster domestic pressures for reforms…take a bottom-up, capacity-building approach that supports the ability of average citizens to exercise their rights and the legal system's ability to implement laws consistently and fairly." Without an integrative model that is respectful of local jurisprudence and without ensuring that citizens can employ the law as it is intended, judicial reform may become a hollow exercise.
I particularly find the third recommendation instructive and reasonable for start-up governments. "Transitional countries should decentralize in ways that help deepen and sustain democratization efforts." It is important that governments are present in a positive way in people's lives. Investing in a higher degree of social services has two immediate benefits: it creates jobs for the new service providers, who should be recruited from and trained in local communities; and it shrinks the space for opportunities for services provided by forces that may not support the inclusive goals of the new regime.
The fourth recommendation takes a glass-half-full perspective on elections. "Conducting even flawed elections under authoritarian governments is worthwhile" primarily because they give the outside world an opportunity to critique the process and give local groups experience in organizing. One can see this clearly in the ability of the Islamic parties, particularly those like Morocco's PJD, which spent time as an opposition party, quickly seizing center stage as broad political reforms are implemented.
The report also addresses positive actions by the international community, including "support[ing] civil society and independent media under authoritarian regimes through civic exchanges, capacity building, and bottom-up technology transfers." There is a strong economic support role for technology transfer, technical assistance, sharing best practices, and supporting civil society empowerment.
The report notes that "foreign governments and international and regional organizations must strive to compensate for bad [neighbors] by mobilizing to give domestic democratic reformers support in economic restructuring and investing for inclusive growth … access to preferential trade, investment, and security agreements should be conditioned on the implementation of homegrown governance reforms that improve accountability in the long term." A particularly important caveat addresses the need to support the growth of a middle class "rather than promote economic ties that increase the overall growth and wealth but concentrate these gains in the hands of elites."
The details in the report are more robust than what is summarized here, and the whole thing is worth reading for its analytics and as a measure of policy options being pursued by the US in the Middle East and elsewhere.
The report closes with the following: "Even with the best circumstances and wisest decisions by policymakers and publics, the road to democratic consolidation is long and difficult. But there are no failed aspirations for human freedom: dreams of liberty and opportunity are sometimes long deferred, but they cannot be forever denied."
Amen to that. Next week, I take a look at the 2013 Failed States Index for more lessons on state-building.
Jean R. AbiNader is Executive Director of the Moroccan American Trade and Investment Center
Co-published with Fair Observer (www.fairobserver.com)


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Los Angles - A man wearing only boxer briefs and tennis shoes snarled rush-hour traffic in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday after he climbed a busy freeway sign, hung protest posters, danced repeatedly and apparently mocked his would-be rescuers.
Reporters and passers-by
shot videos of the man's antics as he climbed around and on the freeway
sign, eluding firefighters wearing harnesses and police officers trying
to get him down.
The man, who identified himself as "Dephree,"
did various dances and the strongman pose as traffic backed up for miles
on State Route 110. He hung signs that read "Dephree," ''Fight
pollution, not each other" and "Give a hoot, don't pollute."
southbound lanes of the freeway were closed as firefighters placed
inflatables underneath the man and extended ladders to him. The traffic
snarl spread onto connecting freeways and surface streets and workers in
nearby buildings stopped to watch the events unfold.
Cars passing on the other side of the freeway at times honked at the man and one even shouted to police: "Shoot him!"
standoff ended when the man eventually did a backflip off the freeway
sign down to an inflatable below. He was unhurt and quickly arrested.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
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Florida Man Gains Potato Chips, Loses His Mind.
"Wonder if the flavor was 'Assault and Vinegar.' After being arrested for stealing potato chips from a Naples, Fla. drug store, Jacky Rogers told the deputy he would find, rape and kill his family, according to an arrest report obtained by Naples News. Rogers, 28, allegedly told the drug store manager, "I am hungry, man, I need to eat," Fox 4 Now reported. He also allegedly told the Collier County deputies handcuffing him that he would "whip" their "a–es." Rogers is charged with petty theft, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office. Arrest records show this is the sixth time he's been jailed over the past two years, on charges including theft and battery." – HuffPost
A man's gotta eat. I can't blame Jacky Rogers. In college I stole eggs and bags of chips from convenience stores when having beer money was an absolute necessity, although judging by his mugshot it looks like he might need heroin money. I think there are two very important questions that need to be asked here. What kind of chips was Jacky so obsessed with? If they were Cool Ranch Doritos then the cops owe Jacky an apology. You can't expect a man to act rational when CRD's are involved. He probably just saw blue and went for the kill. Give the guy a break. The second question is how does the same guy who steals a bag of chips threaten to murder and rape a cops family? I feel like chip thieves don't dabble in the rape/murder game. All I know is I need that "assault and vinegar" line in my repertoire immediately. Game changing creativity.
– Ryan
P.S. If it turns out he stole Sun Chips they should give him the death penalty.
Posted on June 13, 2013, in Average Blog Posts and tagged Chips, Cops, Crime, food, Huffington Post, Robbery. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.


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回憶起兩年前透過「創不同」(MaD, Make A Difference)的交流計劃(Exchange + Incubation for Creative Industries Practitioners programme),有幸得到和皆川明先生會面的機會,及後更超現實地得到他為我們度身設計的專屬習作:到minä perhonen的京都工作室,選一件下架的貨品來作重塑設計。
Behind the gigantic hole in the wall, the staff were quietly chatting and working. Their voices muffled by the constant hum of sewing machines. To the guests on the other side of the wall, the humming seemed to be narrating each and every step of the sewing process.
Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to have the chance to meet with Mr. Minagawa Akira under the Exchange + Incubation for Creative Industries Practitioners Programme organized by MaD (Make A Difference). Not only did I get to meet Mr. Minagawa in person, I also got the chance to visit minä perhonen in Kyoto and picked an off-shelf item for remodeling. That was a special assignment that Mr. Minagawa tailored for us programme participants and was such a surreal experience.


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|« Pullman Porter Blues Takes A Train Trip Through Time
|American Blues Theater Travels Down Hank Williams: Lost Highway »
Theater Tue Sep 10 2013
Sideshow Theatre Shows Us Why War Is Hell in 9 Circles
Last week, on the History in Pictures Twitter page, there was a link to a photo of a soldier in battle fatigues with a scared smile on his face--handwritten on the front of his helmet is "War is hell." This could have been a soldier from Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, or any of the wars to which English-speaking troops have been sent. This image is titled "Soldier in Vietnam. 1965."
It could have been titled "Soldier in Iraq, 2012." The soldier could have been Private Daniel Reeves (Andrew Goetten), an unrepentant dead-end teenager who should never have gone to war and now stands accused of a horrific crime against Iraqi civilians.
Sideshow Theatre Company's new production 9 Circles, written by Bill Cain, uses the mechanism of the nine circles of hell in Dante's Inferno to lead us through Reeves' short life from accusation to trial and execution. In each circle, Reeves and a surreal series of professionals explore his reasoning, his memories and his options. Through his meetings with his prosecutor and shrink (Amanda Powell), his army and civilian lawyers (Andy Luther), a lieutenant and a pastor (Jude Roche), we learn that Reeves was a poor Texas teenager with a drug and criminal record when an Army recruiter decided he was fit to wear the uniform.
In Circle 1, Reeves is receiving an honorable discharge. He's then charged with a federal crime for the murder of an Iraqi family (parents and a child) and the rape and murder of their young teenaged daughter. The following circles show him in tense discussions with his lawyers, therapist, the pastor and prosecutor.
In Circle 7, Reeves is convicted at trial. In Circle 8, Reeves, now dressed in white and prepared for execution, speaks "the last words of Daniel Reeves." Circle 9 is Reeves' after-death soliloquy in which we finally learn what the young girl said in Arabic that caused Reeves to kill her--to save her from a worse fate.
Reeves' West Texas accent is sometimes mumbled and the actor sometimes speaks too fast, especially in early scenes. But his passion and his anguish over the crime and the later revenge killing of three comrades are clearly communicated. Reeves is center stage for all of the 100-minute play and the actor gives a remarkable performance.
Cain's script is gripping, sometimes poetic and definitely an antiwar sermon. The characters have great lines, such as "Operation Iraqi Freedom is both a euphemism and an oxymoron." The Army therapist says to her patient: "This isn't war. It's just violence. It's a mistake. We invaded the wrong country." One lawyer refers to "the other fuckup from Midland, Texas," a not-so-subtle reference to a former US president.
Director Marti Lyons uses the multiple casting effectively and each supporting actor skillfully becomes his or her new incarnation. The simple set by Courtney O'Neill in a reconfigured Storefront Theater space works perfectly and is enhanced by the lighting design of Mac Vaughey and sound design by Christopher LaPorte.
9 Circles (which was recently produced by the Washington DC area's Forum Theatre), received the American Theater Critics' Association/Steinberg Award. Playwright Cain, a Jesuit priest, received the same award for his earlier play, Equivocation.
This play is thought-provoking and troubling. It demands to be seen--and discussed.
9 Circles runs until October 6 at the Storefront Theater operated by DCASE (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events), 66 E. Randolph St.; performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online. For more information, call 312-742-8497.


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SONIC DRIVE-IN Locations in Freeport
Sonic Drive-InTemporarily Closed
miles1605 Brazosport BoulevardFreeport, TX 77541
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Use the SONIC app at Freeport Drive-In to get half price drinks and slushes any time plus exclusive offers and rewards! Customize your favorites just how you like them and pay with ease through the app.


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With the Ice Cream Sandwich likely just weeks away, Google is getting Android developers ready for the impending update with some tips on how to optimize applications for phones and tablets alike for the next version of the mobile operating system.
Google introduced the Fragment API in Honeycomb and we've been expecting them to be implemented into handsets at some point in the future. The latest post on the Android Developers blog shows how a developer can optimize a Honeycomb application to run on a phone and how fragments are treated differently between the two. The post also shows how one can keep their application for tablets only.
While Honeycomb is strictly for tablets only, Ice Cream Sandwich will support just about everything, with a reassuring, "This is the way Android will stay from now on: the same version runs on all screen sizes."
While Android has grown up a lot in its short life, the introduction of Ice Cream Sandwich will prove to be the update the operating system truly needs to provide users an experience that's seamless across phone and tablet devices. Of course, custom Android skins may prove to be a problem but if the rumor (speculation, really, but this would solve many issues) that Google is working on a built-in theme engine, updates could come so much easier to devices.
With more and more Nexus Prime/Galaxy Nexus and Droid Prime news trickling down, the October announcement sounds more than right and we could see the introduction of the first Ice Cream Sandwich devices in early November, which would be a great birthday present for yours truly.
[Via: AndroidDevelopers]


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In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all creation, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and all his Companions.
Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) stated:
There is a hadeeth of `Imraan Ibn Husayn (radiyallaahu `anhu) which states that Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) said:
كَانَ اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ شَىْءٌ قَبْلَهُ، وَكَانَ عَرْشُهُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ، ثُمَّ خَلَقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ، وَكَتَبَ فِي الذِّكْرِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ
"There was Allah and nothing else before Him and His Throne was over the water, and then He created the Heavens and the Earth and wrote everything in the Book." Saheeh al-Bukhaaree 6982, 3192.
There is also a narration of At-Tirmidhee who stated that it is authentic (saheeh) in a place and hasan (good) in another place; also reported by Al-Bayhaqee, Ahmad, Ibn Maajah, Muhammad Ibn As-Sabaah who all report the hadeeth of Abu Razeen al-`Uqailee that he said:
قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيْنَ كَانَ رَبُّنَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ خَلْقَهُ؟ قَالَ : كَانَ فِي عَمَاءٍ مَا تَحْتَهُ هَوَاءٌ وَمَا فَوْقَهُ هَوَاءٌ وَخَلَقَ عَرْشَهُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ
"O Allaah's Messenger! Where was our Lord before He created the heavens and earth?" He (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) responded: "He was above the [white] clouds – no air was under him, no air was above him, and He created His Throne upon the water." In the wording of Al-Bayhaqee there occurs: "He was (above) the clouds – no air was under him, no air was above him, and He created His Throne, then He ascended over it." (Reported by Ahmad, 15767. At-Tirmidhee, 3109. Ibn Maajah, 182. The narration was declared authentic by At-Tabaree. Declared hasan by At-Tirmidhee, Adh-Dhahabee and Ibn Taymiyyah. However Shaikh Al-Albaanee declared it weak in Da'eef Sunan at-Tirmidhee, but Ibn `Uthaimeen and others considered it authentic, and Allaah knows best).
The clouds here refers to pure, thick clouds. Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) stated in Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah (vol. 1, p. 8) in summary: There is some differing regarding what was created first, so some say: Allaah created the Pen (Al-Qalam) before all of these things, and that was the preference of Ibn Jareer, Ibnul-Jawzee, and others. Ibn Jareer said: 'And after the Pen it was the [creation of the] fine clouds.' And they use as a proof the hadeeth of `Ubaadah Ibn Saamit (radiyallaahu `anhu) ascribed to Allaah Messenger (salallaahu `alaihi wassallam) wherein he said: 'Indeed the first thing that Allaah created was the Pen.' (Reported by Ahmad 23197. Abu Daawood, 4700. At-Tirmidhee, 2155) However, that which the majority of the Scholars are upon is that the Throne (Al-`Arsh) preceded. This is due to the hadeeth of Abdullaah Ibn `Amr Ibn Al-`Aas which is ascribed to Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu `alahi wassallam): 'Allaah wrote the decree of all of creation 50,000 years before the creation of the heavens and the earth. And His Throne was over the water.' (Reported by Muslim, 2653) So they understand the narration, 'the first thing that Allaah created was the Pen' to mean, 'in this universe'.
Ibn Jareer (rahimahullaah) stated that other scholars stated: 'Rather Allaah created the water even before [He created] the Throne.' Then he narrates from Muhammad Ibn Is-haaq that he said: 'The first thing Allaah created was the light and darkness, then He differentiated between them.'
Then he said: It is said: That which our Lord created after the Pen was the Footstool (Al-Kursee), then the Throne (Al-`Arsh), then the air and the darkness, then the water, so He placed His Throne over the water, and Allaah knows best.
End. See Al-Muntaqaa minal-Faraa'id al-Fawaa'id of the noble Shaikh, the `Allaamah Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-`Uthaimeen (may Allaah forgive him, his parents and the Muslim), p. 101-102.
Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr (rahimahullaah) asserted that the hadeeth of `Imraan Ibn Husayn (radiyallaahu `anhu) proves that the creation of water preceded the creation of the Throne: "There was Allah and nothing else before Him and His Throne was over the water, and He then created the Heavens and the Earth and wrote everything in the Book." (See Fat-hul-Baaree 6/289)
Further useful reading:


text:
Research Project
Grant-in-Aid for international Scientific Research
The following research was conducted during fiscal years 1996 and 1997.1. Collection and analysis of basic information on the formation of national character among adolescents ;2. Collection, secondary analysis and evaluation of existing attitudinal survey data among adolescents and adults (over 20 years of age) within and outside of Japan ;3. Performance and evaluation of pre-test surveys among adolescents in the State of California (three Japanese researchers who participated in the project visited the United States in 1996 to discuss the project with the U. S. team members) ;4. Performance of a major survey in the United States (the Japanese principal investigator visited the polling company in New York in 1997 to discuses arrangements for the survey).Using quota sampling methodology 1,000 households containing an adolescent and his/her parent were selected. A core set of 88 questions was administered to both the adolescents (aged 13 to 18) and the parents of the adolescents in face
… More
to-face interviews. These questions covered such topics as family relationship with friends, attitudes toward school and community future plans, and attitudes toward religion and national character. An additional set of 15 questions was administered to the adolescents. These additional questions targeted the issue of maturity and were based on the Stanford Scale of Adolescence. Analysis of the survey data is currently in progress.New insights stemming from the study are as follows.1. From the previous national character study data, differences in adolescent attitudes between the United States and Japan with respect to the formation of national character were found to be quite substantial. In the present study however, attitudes and ways of thinking about materialism and post-materialism were supported not only for the adults over age 20 but also for the adolescents in both Japan and the United States, lending credence to and support for convergence theory.2. Based on previous survey research results and the present pre-test results, it was found that quantitative analysis of open-ended questions is imperative for detecting and revealing the processes involved in the formation in national character in both nations. Less
(37 results)
Published: 1996-03-31
Modified: 2016-04-21
User Guide
Terms of Use
Attribution of KAKENHI


text:
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Leyland Kirby "Sadly, the Future is No Longer What it Was" (HAFTW)
V/A "Open Strings: 1920's Middle Eastern Virtuoso Recordings" (Honest Jon's)
Iannis Xenakis "Orchestral Works" - Box Set (Timpani)
Thomas Köner "La Barca" (Fario)
SoiSong "qXn94" (Soisong)
Black Dice "Repo" (Paw Tracks)
Mountains "Choral" (Thrill Jockey)
Hildur Gudnadottir "Without Sinking" (Touch)
Alva Noto/Ryuichi Sakamoto "Utp_" (Raster-Noton)
Jim O'Rourke "I'm Happy & I'm Singing..." - Rerelease (Mego)
Broadcast & The Focus Group "Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age" (Warp)
Nadja "When I See the Sun Always Shines on TV" (End)
Bohren & Der Club of Gore "Dolores" (PIAS)
Black to Comm "Alphabet 1968" (Type)
Sunn O))) "Monoliths & Dimensions" (Southern Lord)
Kreng "L'Autopsie Phenomenale De Dieu" (Miasmah)
Max Richter "Waltz with Bashir - Soundtrack" (Virgin France)
Continuing from the films list above... like cinema, the year in sounds
there was the curious repeat theme; 2009 was again a year for diggers.
Wherein, many of the great recordings of the year appeared from otherwise
unknown origins and artists that some years ago were just establishing
themselves, often under other monikers. That much more reason to 'keep
the ears to the ground' as it were and be that much more looking out for
the new and unheard.
Overall again, this was another pretty darn explorative year in sound.
There were many works that took the ears to exciting places, (some, from
new totally unknown sources) that did so in distinct, expressive and
adventurous ways. In particular appearing again in the strange crossroads
where Modern Classical, Musique Concrete, Improv, Metal, 'Noise', Ambient
and academic Avant traditions all meet. Some of these were even witnessed
out in the world in a 3rd Dimension kind of way, performed live, loud and vital.
Frank Breatschnieder - Decibel Festival, Seattle
Mountains - Decibel Festival, Seattle
Benga - Decibel Festival, Seattle
Echospace - Decibel Festival, Seattle
As an aside, once again this year Dubstep & Hip Hop filled in as my musical
candy/junkfood of choice, offering a less 'nutritional' but highly flavorful
counter to the more brainy culinary type sounds listed above - and an ideal
soundtrack to public trekking/transportation in the urban 'scape:
King Midas Sound "Waiting For You" (Hyperdub)
Anti-Pop Consortium "Fluorescent Black" (Big DaDa)
V/A "5: Five Years of Hyperdub" (Hyperdub)
Goth-Trad "Law/The Clown" (Deep Medi)
King Midas Sound/Flying Lotus "Cool Out" (Hyperdub)
Posted by Jefferson Petrey at 10:26:00 AM
Labels: Alva Noto, Black Dice, Bohren & Der Club of Gore, Broadcast, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Iannis Xenakis, Jim O'Rourke, Leyland Kirby, Max Richter, Mountains, Nadja, Sunn O))), Thomas Köner


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"British soldiers go to hell" and free speech
21 February 2011
Munim Abdul and Others v Director of Public Prosecutions [2011] EWHC 247 (Admin) – Read judgment
The High Court has ruled that prosecution of a group of people who had shouted slogans, including, "burn in hell", "baby killers" and "rapists" at a parade of British soldiers, was not a breach of their right to freedom of expression, protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Five men were convicted of using threatening, abusive or insulting words within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby (contrary to section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986). The men launched an appeal, raising amongst other things the question of whether the decision to prosecute them for shouting slogans and waving banners close to where the soldiers and other members of the public were was compatible with Article 10.
Freedom of expression is protected under Article 10 of the European Convention. However, Article 10 is subject to a number of qualifications. In practice, UK freedom of speech rights are more constrained than, for example, in the United States, where even "hate speech" is generally protected under the First Amendment to the US Constitution (see Adam Wagner's post on the Congressman Giffords shooting for more).
"British soldiers go to hell"
The men had intended to participate in a protest against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at a parade of British soldiers. Relatives and friends of the soldiers were expected to be among the members of the public attending. Representatives of the protesters met with police beforehand, and management of the protest was discussed, but there was no discussion about what would amount to legitimate protest.
A small group of protesters shouted slogans near to where the soldiers were passing, which included "British soldiers go to hell", "terrorists" and "cowards". The protesters were not arrested on the day of the protest (see this report). They complied with directions from the police and there was no evidence the police warned them to cease chanting the slogans. They were filmed during the protest.
Later, after consideration including reviewing of the footage of the protest, they were charged with the section 5 public order offence. DJ Mellanby heard the trial, which led to convictions of 5 of the Appellants. During the trial, the Appellants raised the question of whether Article 10 was breached by the bringing of a prosecution. The Judge considered that it was not, finding that the prosecution was necessary and proportionate. She found they had gone beyond "putting a point across".
The Appeal
A number of points were raised in the appeal. Of particular interest was the question of whether the Judge had been entitled to come to the conclusion that the prosecution was proportionate, in the light of Article 10.
The Appellants argued that the fact that the police had not arrested them on the day of the protest was a "powerful indication" that prosecution was disproportionate. They questioned what the point of the discussion with the police was, if they were nevertheless to be prosecuted. The importance of freedom of expression was emphasised.
The DPP accepted that the men's Article 10 rights were engaged, but argued they had gone beyond reasonable legitimate protest. Those in the vicinity would clearly have been alarmed or distressed. The situation was likely to be repeated. It was hard to think of a situation to which the Public Order Acts were more appropriate. Serious public disorder could have resulted from the protest. These factors meant that prosecution was proportionate, it was argued.
The Relationship between Section 5 and Article 10
Lord Justice Gross gave a summary of the legal principles governing the relationship between section 5 and Article 10 at paragraph 49:
i) The starting point is the importance of the right to freedom of expression.
ii) In this regard, it must be recognised that legitimate protest can be offensive at least to some – and on occasions must be, if it is to have impact. Moreover, the right to freedom of expression would be unacceptably devalued if it did no more than protect those holding popular, mainstream views; it must plainly extend beyond that so that minority views can be freely expressed, even if distasteful.
iii) The justification for interference with the right to freedom of expression must be convincingly established. Accordingly, while Art. 10 does not confer an unqualified right to freedom of expression, the restrictions contained in Art. 10.2 are to be narrowly construed.
Article 10.2 qualifies the right to freedom of expression. In other words, while some rights are unqualified, meaning they can never be breached lawfully (for instance, Article 3 which prohibits torture), Article 10 contains exceptions. Article 10.2 provides:
The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
Gross LJ continued at paragraph 49:
iv) There is not and cannot be any universal test for resolving when speech goes beyond legitimate protest, so attracting the sanction of the criminal law. The justification for invoking the criminal law is the threat to public order. Inevitably, the context of the particular occasion will be of the first importance."
In this passage he stressed that every case will depend on its own facts, when it comes to determining when someone's speech goes beyond what it legitimate. The more serious the threat to public order, the more likely it is that the speech is not legitimate protest. He continued:
"v) The relevance of the threat to public order should not be taken as meaning that the risk of violence by those reacting to the protest is, without more, determinative; some times it may be that protesters are to be protected. That said, in striking the right balance when determining whether speech is "threatening, abusive or insulting", the focus on minority rights should not result in overlooking the rights of the majority.
vi) Plainly, if there is no prima facie case that speech was "threatening, abusive or insulting" or that the other elements of the s.5 offence can be made good, then no question of prosecution will arise. However, even if there is otherwise a prima facie case for contending that an offence has been committed under s.5, it is still for the Crown to establish that prosecution is a proportionate response, necessary for the preservation of public order.
In other words, if the prosecution's case, assuming that it is proved, would not satisfy all the elements of section 5 necessary for the offence in question to be committed, it cannot be right to prosecute. If all the elements are contained in the prosecution's case, assuming it can be proved, then the question of whether it is proportionate to prosecute arises. He further added:
vii) If the line between legitimate freedom of expression and a threat to public order has indeed been crossed, freedom of speech will not have been impaired by "ruling …out" threatening, abusive or insulting speech: per Lord Reid, in Brutus v Cozens [1973] AC 854, at p. 862.
viii) The legislature has entrusted the decision in a case such as the present to Magistrates or a District Judge. The test for this Court on an appeal of this nature is whether the decision to which the District Judge has come was open to her or not. This Court should not interfere unless, on well known grounds, the Appellants can establish that the decision to which the District Judge has come is one she could not properly have reached.
He considered that the Judge had applied the right test, so was entitled to find that the decision to prosecute was proportionate.
Very clear threat to public order
At paragraph 52 Gross LJ stressed that the Judge was entitled to find that the words in question went well beyond legitimate protest: there was "a very clear threat to public order". Their words were "potentially defamatory and undoubtedly inflammatory". This background, and the fact that the events are likely to recur, meant that bringing a prosecution was a proportionate response. The facts that the men were not arrested on the day and they had a discussion with police before the protest did not change this:
…dialogue [with police] can only help to reduce the risk of untoward events but it cannot guarantee in advance that the words and conduct of protesters will not contravene the law.
Mr Justice Davis added at paragraph 55, that exercise of the rights in Article 10 and Article 11 (the right to peaceful assembly) carries duties and responsibilities. He noted that two people who had reacted to the protest made by the Appellants were charged and convicted for their actions. In this case, the Appellants were making comments "specifically directed at the nearby marching soldiers" and these comments were "personally abusive and potentially defamatory of those soldiers" (paragraph 61).
The men's appeal was dismissed. Not all speech is protected by freedom of expression rights, and not all protest is legitimate in the eyes of the state.
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Read more:
- How to tell bad judges from good judges – Roy Greenslade
- Banned Preacher addresses Oxford Union
- Paster Terry Jones Ban- What about Free Speech?
- Shooting of Congresswoman Giffords and the Limits of Free Speech
7 comments
I respectfully disagree with the Judges, and I'm tempted to believe that this ruling is politically influenced. The 5 men in question have been convicted for simply protesting against a war they don't support.
I think Strasbourg would rule otherwise.
I repectfully agree to disagree with what you have said, yes i totaly agree with an individuals right to free speech just as long as what that individual is saying is based on truth/fact, >calling members of our armed forces, Murderers, child rapists, scum, and for them to burn in hell, is nothing more than inflamatory, slander, defamation of character, and these wahabi islamists should remember that the UK is not an islamic state and they have no more rights here than anyone else in our democratic society, if they dont like it then they should move back to the third world islamic lands where they can shout all the verbal hatred that they want, i doubt very much whether they would survive for very long, and end up on the end of a rope, or having their heads seperated from their bodys.
Lloyd Jenkins
" Are you sure it's that simple? Democracy also includes the rights to privacy (itself often at odds with free speech), to fair trial, to life and to freedom from torture. It includes the separation of powers, secularism and the responsibility to follow the law. All of that is reflected in the ECHR and caselaw…it's messy, you may not like it, but there it is. "
You've hit the nail on the head – nothing is ever that simple but where do you draw the line; if you sanction any limitations against anyone, anywhere, then you open the floodgates for abuse and this government needs no excuse to remove our rights.
Various freedoms may be at odds with each other but no situation should exist where freedoms are removed to make life simpler.
Because I am a non-smoker does that mean that all smoking should be banned or do I stand up and advocate for the right to smoke and depend on the good judgement of smokers to not infringe my right not to smoke?
I would rather inhale a lungful or two of nicotene by way of passive smoking than open the door for self-serving and corrupt government officials to remove basic freedoms in my name.
Usually, I find the decisions of our judges logical and correct. This is not one of them.
Prosecuting the protesters is, as far as I can see, disproportionate. I believe this because the Police did not warn them at the time of the protest. A more proportionate response would have been to ask the protesters to desist at the time they were said to be causing offence to others.
Criminalising the protesters, whose life and work chances may now be severely impaired, is quite an extreme measure to take. Too extreme given the circumstances of the case.
The British army and those who serve in it are some of the most dedicated and professional people in the world. They did not decide to attack Afghanistan, that was a political decision and they are just carrying out orders under the very toughest conditions. The people who protested against the soldiers seem to have forgotten that the Taliban ruling Afghanistan would be much worse for the people of Afghanistan. The Taliban is a medieval and backward which doesn't belong in today's world. If those people wish to protest at least protest against the right people, the politicians!
There's always a fine line between "if they don't like the way we do things in this country then they can go back to their own" and the whole democratic process.
While we may not agree with what these people are shouting, in a free and democratic society we have to consider their right to free speech as much as the next mans right to free speech.
From a personal point of view, we support the efforts of our troops and intellectually we know that they are probably presented with situations which we can only comment upon and unless we are willing to sign up and experience it first hand, we can only offer armchair support.
Let it be said though that this freedom and right to free speech must extend to all equally so the removal of things like Speakers Corner and the concrete blocks placed in Parliament Square to hamper lawful protests are basic freedoms that have been removed from the people of this country unlawfully.
This trend continues unabated with CCTV camera's invading and monitoring every more we make "for our own safety" – this is the trend that must cease.
The previous government imposed so much legislation that it is difficult to think of a situation in which one will not find oneself at odds with the law.
The current government is doing nothing to repeal those laws and the diluted efforts of the Protection of Freesoms Bill are simply not enough to restore what is rightfully ours so rather than being a "new dawn for privacy" it is simply paying lip service to the rightful concerns of law abiding free thinking men and women of this land.
DEMOCRACY = FREEDOM OF SPEECH … you may not like it but there it is.
"This trend continues unabated with CCTV camera's invading and monitoring every more we make "for our own safety" – this is the trend that must cease."
With the exception of the camera-shy, I don't see how CCTV stops freedom of speech. The very point of public speech is to be seen and heard.
"The previous government imposed so much legislation that it is difficult to think of a situation in which one will not find oneself at odds with the law."
Only for those with a wildly criminal imagination. As far as I'm aware I haven't committed a crime in the past 6 months. Many of the crimes created by the last government will never affect me (regulatory ones, for instance) so their existence doesn't oppress me in any sense.
"DEMOCRACY = FREEDOM OF SPEECH … you may not like it but there it is."
Are you sure it's that simple? Democracy also includes the rights to privacy (itself often at odds with free speech), to fair trial, to life and to freedom from torture. It includes the separation of powers, secularism and the responsibility to follow the law. All of that is reflected in the ECHR and caselaw…it's messy, you may not like it, but there it is.
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text: Our funny cloth Hot Dog Hat is the perfect hat for the grill master and sports fanatic. Take the lead in silly hats and watch your friends try to...ketchup. Not to mention, an ideal Oktoberfest accessory! Perfect for a barbeque, our fabric frankfurter hat is sold individually and one size fits most adult heads.