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Posted by Editor on 02/3/98
This Is Important!
Since the birth of the sport of mountain biking close to two decades ago, the Bryant Creek trail into Assinaboine Provincial Park (British Colombia) has been a favorite among cyclists in Calgary and the Bow Valley. The Bryant Creek Trail passes through Banff National Park and falls under that Park's jurisdiction. Recently, Parks Canada announced a decision to close the trail to mountain bikers while allowing the continued use by other user groups (hikers, equestrians, and helicopter guests). The rationale for this closure has been to reduce the disturbance and impact on large carnivores, especially grizzly bears.
While this seems like a reasonable argument on the surface, Parks Canada has yet to produce any scientific evidence that shows that mountain bikers have a greater impact than any other users on these animals. No other reasons have been given for this selective closure, leading to a growing sentiment among cyclists that they have been singled out because they are the easiest group for Parks Canada to eliminate in an effort to reduce overall traffic on the trail.
Representatives from the Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance met with local Parks officials in December to discuss alternatives to the closure. While local officials were hard pressed to defend to reasoning behind the closure, they stood behind the decision which was made behind closed doors in Ottawa. In coming to this decision it appears that Parks has disregarded it's own policy of public consultation in decision making.
The Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance advocates the use of a quota system to limit traffic to all users on the Bryant Creek Trail. The Honorable Minister for Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps, has in fact stated that quotas and reservation systems would be implemented on certain trails. In this case, however, Parks Canada seems to have found it easier to implement a closure to cyclists than applying a quota system.
This is a completely unreasonable decision on the part of Parks Canada. They have ignored their own policies, disregarded the lack of scientific evidence or inquiry, and made the decision for the wrong reasons. Because of this decision, mountain bikers could lose one of their favorite and most special rides. Will Parks Canada continue to be allowed to make decisions such as this one, eliminating user groups from any area at will without any public input or scientific basis? Let Parks Canada know how you feel about this decision by writing to: Hon. Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Tenasses de la Chaudiere, Leger Bldg., 12th Floor, 15 Eddy St., Hull, Quebec, K1A 0M5.
Aaron McConnell
Sydor Club News
The Alison Sydor Fan Club homepage is undergoing an overhaul. One of the new features is a message board. We invite everyone to go and see what's happening and to post a thread on the message board. You don't have to talk about Alison necessarily, just drop by and ask a question or tell everybody about your latest ride etc...! And if you want to become a member of the club, you can do that too! It's all at: www.geocities.com/Colosseum/5120
See you there.
Warwick Patterson
President- Alison Sydor Fan Club
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


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This has been a hard week, with a lot of tragedy in the news. I don't know about you, but my soul has felt pretty battered. Perhaps that's what made hearing a beautiful hymn played by a gifted artist on a magical flute all the more sweeter today. My soul was touched. My hope was renewed. And, my faith and confidence in the world was restored.
No matter how hard life gets, Our Father in Heaven knows and loves us. He gave us a beautiful world which testifies to us each day that He lives and we are in His hands. Creating this video has offered solace to me, and I hope that it will do likewise for you.
Elizabeth Vélez Urie is a professional inspirational flutist, and received a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Brigham Young University. She has studied in Europe, and performed both nationally and internationally. Last fall, she released her first self-produced album entitled "Amazing Grace".
Elizabeth's debut album is filled with beautiful new arrangements of favorite hymns and other inspirational music. From the tranquility of "Going Home" (alto flute) to the powerful duet, "Be Still, My Soul," with renowned violinist Jenny Oaks Baker, it is sure to inspire the soul and comfort the heart. A feature article about Elizabeth can be found at MormonTimes, and a television interview is available on YouTube. Elizabeth currently resides in the Los Angeles area with her husband, Marcus.
The Album "Amazing Grace" is available at LDS bookstores and on her Website, www.elizabethvelezurie.com
This video was created by MormonSoprano.com as a tribute to Elizabeth's beautiful talent as a Mormon musician. All photos and video clips are copyright free, and tagged "to be used for any purpose" as downloaded from WikiMedia Commons.

subset: commoncrawl


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$13.842 - $19.692 | 1 Pieces(Min. Order)
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|Total RAM Bits
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|Voltage - Supply
|Mounting Type
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|144-FPBGA (13x13)
FPGA ProASIC3 Family 250K Gates 272MHz 130nm Technology 1.5V 100-Pin VQFP Tray
FPGA ProASIC3 Family 250K Gates 231MHz 130nm Technology 1.5V 144-Pin FBGA Tray
FPGA ProASIC3 Family 250K Gates 231MHz 130nm Technology 1.5V 144-Pin FBGA Tray
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160+ $18.8268
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640+ $18.2004
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1600+ $17.2608
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320+ $16.5955
640+ $16.3203
960+ $16.1208
1280+ $15.9188
160+ $23.3195
160+ $22.6455
1+ $20.0800
50+ $19.7700
250+ $18.8800
500+ $17.5700
1000+ $10.2800
5000+ $9.6600
100+ $18.5100
40+ $19.5200
80+ $19.1300
120+ $18.7700
160+ $18.5900


text:
After my last post on Montepulciano, Tasters A and B of Smells Like a Grape were quick to email me and assure me that there are excellent Montepulcianos out there, as they had just done an enormous tasting of them. Little did they know that I rarely (if ever) fully fall off the horse with a wine grape and will almost always give it another shot. As I had already done with the Montepulciano, with much more success.
The bottle was a 2005 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. It has a real cork closure, clocked in at 13% alcohol by volume, and ran me around $15 at MV Wine and Spirit in Madison, CT.
On the nose I found spice, leather, raspberries, oak, red currants, a little saddle room, and eucalyptus. In the mouth I found raspberries, eucalyptus, and leather. The wine was a lot lighter in the mouth than I had anticipated based on the color and nose, and had the bitter element I have come to expect from Italian varietals.
This bottle definitely leads me to believe that my previous bottle of Montepulciano must have been flawed in some way, either it was too old or perhaps it got cooked along the way.
Filed under: Italy, Montepulciano, Red | 8 Comments »


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Components and Code examples
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Default components provided by Lazarus
The rest of this page covers components not delivered with Lazarus. For the default components provided with Lazarus, please see Lazarus Components Directory.
As Lazarus uses the FPC compiler, you can also use packages provided by FPC. See Package List.
Lazarus-CCR Released Components
Note: This list is not complete. A lot of components in Lazarus-CCR are mentioned under the not hosted here section
Note: Please move ONLY the components/applications/programs in the Lazarus CCR repository from the list below into this list
- FreePascalArchivePackage - Conversion of TurboPower Software's Abbrevia library for the Free Pascal Compiler
File formats
- CsvDocument - CSV files handling using parser or cell-based API similar to one of StringGrid component.
- FPSpreadsheet - A library for handling spreadsheet files. Supports the formats from MS Excel (XLS, XLSX, Excel XML) and OpenOffice. It also supports these file types: CSV, HTML, Wikitables.
- fpvectorial - Text Document Support - A library for handling text document files. Currently supports exporting to .docx and .odt file formats only.
- ExtraSyn - Additional highlighters for TSynEdit
- LazBarcodes - Generate barcodes (QRCode, Aztec, DataMatrix, ...)
Visual components
- Flag component is a collection of flags.
- Fshcomp - Edit components.
- HistoryFiles - A component for store the recent files list into an .ini file and show the result into a menu.
- LongTimer - Visual component based on TIdleTimer working with long intervals (Daily, Weekly or Monthly)
- Poweredby - Visual drop-in component to show a 'Powered by Lazarus' splash screen for 1 second on form.create() Promote Lazarus/FPC!
- ScrollText - Visual component that displays up-scrolling text (like a Credits screen)
- TPlaySound - Visual component to play WAV files in Windows and Linux
Packages/Programs for FPC/Lazarus (not hosted here)
- 5dpo (5dpo Component Library - Sdpo) is a set of components released by the 5dpo Robotic Soccer Team.
- Brook Framework is the perfect Free Pascal framework for your web applications.
- CUPS for Lazarus project Common UNIX Printing System for FPC/Lazarus. NOTE: Obsolete. Replaced by Printer4Lazarus package included in current Lazarus versions.
- DateControls Package for Lazarus - superseded by DateTimeCtrls Package which is included in Lazarus since v1.4.
- Diagram a unit to draw a diagram using a model/view system
- DelphiWebScript Object-oriented scripting engine based on Object Pascal.
- dfsSplitter: a Netscape look alike splitter. See forum thread.
- DrawObjectsExtended a graphical component ported from Delphi to draw structured diagrams.
- ExcelInterfaces, a component to interface FPC and Lazarus programs with the Excel spreadsheet tool. It also demonstrates the use of COM interfaces on the Windows platform
- FIBL FreeIBComponents library to access Firebird server.
- FreeImage is an Open Source library project which supports popular graphics image formats like PNG, BMP, JPEG, TIFF and others (works with Windows, Linux and macOS). PicViewer is a Example Application (Windows only) and shows basic usage of this DLL.
- Fundamentals Code Library includes libraries for Unicode, Strings, Data Structures, Sockets and Mathematics.
- GolfmlClass A Lazarus/Free Pascal class to accept data via properties and write a well-formed golfml XML golf information exchange file
- Greyhound Project is a tiny ORM-ish for Free Pascal. You can use SQLdb, Zeos or whatever you want to connect to a DBMS.
- ICU4PAS is an Object Pascal, cross platform, Direct Class Wrapper over the ICU libraries. ICU is a mature, widely used set of C/C++ and Java libraries providing Unicode and Globalization support for software applications.
- Indy
- Indy for Lazarus - 110+ components for internet work.
- Indy with Lazarus - newer attempt, both Indy 9 and Indy 10.
- Internet Tools are a set of units for webpage processing: There is a html/xml parser with sax/dom-like interface, XPath 2 / XQuery expressions engine, CSS 3 selectors, templates with xml pattern-matching and a http/s connection wrapper (around synapse and wininet)
- ioda is a fulltext search database: a word indexing and retrieving engine. It stores unique words from a file or database source in a btree and their repeaters in an flexible and highly space optimized list structure. Each stored word "knows" its source, position in the source and some (optional) info bytes. Written in FPC.
- JEDI-SDL : Pascal headers for SDL
- lazarus-zlib - library, contains simple functions for work with zlib-archives (it uses the original zlib source, compiled in obj-files).
- LGenerics - containers, graphs, algorithms on graphs.
- nixie - numerical display using images of nixie tubes.
- Pascal LZMA SDK
- Notepad++ plugin template for Lazarus: a demo template that should get you started quickly with writing your own plugin for the free (Windows only) Notepad++ text editor. Ported from the existing Delphi template.
- PascalSCADA is a set of components to make easy the development of HMI/SCADA applications (applications that needs interact with PLC's and others industrial devices).
- Pascal Script Pascal Script is a REMObjects Pascal Script interpreter. See Pascal Script. PascalScript is also used in the Lazarus IDE to provide scripting functionality.
- PortAudio project is a portable cross-platform Audio API currently available for Windows, macOS, Unix (OSS/ALSA), SGI, and BeOS. It allows cross-platform compatible source code also in LAZARUS. The download contains the wrapper file that makes the C Library available and also example applications showing how to use the PortAudio DLL under Lazarus LCL / Windows. The wrapper file for portaudio.DLL is from the UltraStar Sourceforge project.
- QRcode : QRcode generator (bitwise and png)
- qxotica - tools for creating qooxdoo Web apps. Develop both the JavaScript qooxdoo-based client and the Pascal server app in Lazarus.
- RackCtls a collection of components with a "Hi-fi system" appearance.
- RealThinClient SDK - components for building stable HTTP(S) Clients, Servers, Routers, Proxies, Load Balancers and ISAPIs with Delphi/Lazarus.
- SplashAbout (non-visual) is a simple object to drop in your app that creates a Splash screen and About dialog with the minimum of effort. (non-visual version)
- Note: Use SplashAbout for a visual drop-in component version
- Starting with version 32, Lucas Gebauer's outstanding Synapse TCP/IP library is now compatible with Free Pascal and Lazarus. Lucas has also just released version 12 of his Synaser serial port communications suite that also runs under Free Pascal.
- Synedit-Port Synedit 2.0.5 port - SynEdit is an advanced multi-line edit control.
- TTreeListView is the combination of a TTreeView with a TListView, showing items in a tree with columns
- UltraStar Deluxe has headers for the following libraries for Windows, Linux and macOS (with a few exceptions): portaudio, bass, ffmpeg, SDL, libpng, FreeImage, freetype, JEDI-SDL, Lua, midi, pcre, portmixer, projectM, samplerate, SQLite, zlib, fft.
- bzip2lib - Stream classes for bzip2 compression and decompression.
- libtar - Classes for .TAR archives by Stefan Heymann, who kindly relicensed so that they are now in the FPC 2.1.1 and later distributions. Can be combined by zstream to create .tar.gz files.
- PeaZip - Cross-platform archive/zip/7z/etc manager similar to WinZip or 7zip Explorer. Written in Lazarus.
- ZipFile - Component that encapsulates a zipfile, you can read and write from it as if it's a filesystem
- Zlibar - Objects to create and extract a zlib compressed archive containing multiple files
- fb embedded2 Laz - Using a FireBird 2.0.3 server included in your executable with Lazarus by including the Firebird DLLs as a resource. Note: the word "embedded" does not mean regular embedded Firebird here
- IBX - Component for direct connecting to FirebirdSQL
- ioda is a fulltext database: a word indexing and retrieving engine
- tiOPF - TechInsite Object Persistent Framework (Ver. 2)
- TParadoxDataSet - A TDataSet implementation that can read Paradox files up to Version 7 (and up ??)
- TPSQL - Components for connecting to PostgreSQL database servers
- SQLitePass - Components for connecting to SQLite database
- ZeosDBO - Component for connecting to multiple database (Firebird, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle)
- ZMSQL - TBufDataset SQL enhanced in-memory database, storing data as delimited text files
- DelphiTwain - Library that lets you scan documents using the TWAIN interface on Windows
- Graphics libraries - here you can see the main graphic libraries you can use to develop.
- pyramidtiff - a command line tool to create from an image file a tiff file with multiple resolutions usable with iipimage and other high resolution image viewers.
2D Drawing
- ZenGL - cross-platform game development library using OpenGL.
- BGRABitmap - Drawing shapes and bitmaps with transparency, direct access to pixels, etc.
- LazRGBGraphics - A package for fast in memory image processing and pixel manipulations (like scan line).
- fpvectorial - Offers support to read, modify and write vectorial images.
- Double Gradient - Draw 'double gradient' & 'n gradient' bitmaps easy.
- Gradient Filler - TGradientFiller is the best way to create custom n gradients in Lazarus.
- PascalMagick - an easy to use API for interfacing with ImageMagick, a multiplatform free software suite to create, edit, and compose bitmap images.
- Sample Graphics - graphics gallery created with Lazarus and drawing tools
- Fast direct pixel access - speed comparison of some methods for direct bitmap pixel access
- SMNetGradient - A Gradient Fill component for Lazarus.
- TMetafile/TMetafileCanvas - EnhMetafile API implementation for Windows.
3D Drawing
- Castle Game Engine, a 3D and 2D modern game engine with support for many data formats and graphic effects.
- GLScene - A port of the 3D visual OpenGL graphics Library GLScene
- TOpenGLBox - A barebones OpenGL component for Lazarus that provides an OpenGL rendering area.
- TAChart - Charting component for Lazarus
- PlotPanel - A plotting and charting component for animated graphs
- Perlin Noise - An article about using Perlin Noise on LCL applications.
- ACS - Audio Component Suite, a collection of components to develop applications for audio playing/recording/processing. Can play wav,ogg,mp3,mp2,wma ... record from any recordable source, do everything simultan, ripping and more.
- Bluetooth - Accessing Bluetooth devices. For example the Wiimote.
- Audorra is a digital audio library for Delphi and Free pascal.
- LibSndFile.dll is a C library for reading and writing files containing sampled sound (such as MS Windows WAV and the Apple/SGI AIFF format) through one standard library interface. The download also contains a GUI demo application written under Windows.
- mpg123.dll is a MPEG 1.0/2.0/2.5 decoder DLL for layers 1,2 and 3. The MPEG 1.0 layer 3 aka MP3 is most commonly tested. The Library itself is available for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, SunOS4.1.3, Solaris 2.5, HPUX 9.x, SGI Irix and Cygwin or plain MS Windows. Cross-platform compatible source code should be possible in LAZARUS as soon as the wrapper file for portaudio.DLL is tested by Linux and Mac owners. The example code contains two wrapper files, tested under Windows 32bit only.
- uos (United Open-libraries of Sound) unifies the best open-source audio libraries. With uos you can: Listen to mp3, ogg, wav, flac, m4a, opus, cda ... audio files. Deal with 16, 32 integer or float 32 bit resolution. Do internet audio streaming of mp3 and opus files. Record all types of input into wav or ogg file with 16 or 32 bit resolution. Add DSP effects and filters, however many you want and record it. Listen to multiple input and output. Produce sound from built-in synthesizer.
Science and Technoloy
- CyberUnits: A cross-platform class library for rapid programming of high-performance computer simulations in life sciences.
- PUMA Repository, a collection of Pascal units that support development of medical software with Lazarus and Free Pascal:
- PUMA Unit converter: Exports functionality to parse and convert measurement data consisting of a numeric value and a unit of measurement.
- PUMA HL7 engine: A collection of Pascal classes that support handling of HL7 messages.
- PUMA EDFplus engine: A class library facilitating parsing, reading and writing European Data Format (EDF and EDF+) files
- Runge-Kutta a scientific component to integrate partial differential equations, using events.
- FpSystools - Conversion of TurboPower's Systools to Lazarus/FPC
- DCPcrypt - DCPcrypt cryptographic component library
- RXfpc - Some of the well known RXLib components converted to Lazarus
- MultiLog - A Log system designed for FPC/Lazarus
- log4delphi - A Log system based on log4j
- OnGuard - A port of Turbo Power OnGuard
- UniqueInstance - A component to force only one instance running at same time
- XDev Toolkit - Cross-platform development tools
- MouseAndKeyInput - Tool for cross-platform manipulation with mouse and keyboard input
- PascalSane - Bindings for the libsane scanner API, with demo application
- fppkggui - A simple GUI for fppkg
- SymScan - Barcode scanner interface for Symbol/Motorola MC series handhelds
- UTF8 Tools - Handle UTF-8 code points, detect Unicode char classes
- Delphi form to HTML converter - Convert Delphi forms to HTML
- InstantFPC - Run Pascal programs as Unix scripts
- LazProfiler - IDE addon for One-Click-Profiling of your project
Edit controls and viewers
- ATSynEdit - Editor control with syntax hiliting (alternative to SynEdit)
- ATBinHex - Viewer-only for files of unlimited size (8Gb+)
- SynEdit - Editor control with syntax hiliting, used in the Lazarus IDE
- SynEdit/port - SynEdit 2.0.x port
- PowerPDF - Port of the PowerPDF components for Lazarus
- RichMemo - Rich-text editor and viewer (cross-platform)
- RichView - Port of the TRichView Freeware Edition components to Lazarus
- BeepFp - BEEP Protocol framework
- FPC and Apache Modules - Headers for creating Apache modules with fpc
- fpctwit FreePascal OAuth v1 library using Synapse. Sample FPC plurk, twitter clients. Sample Lazarus twitter client.
- Hprose - Hprose is a High Performance Remote Object Service Engine. It is a fast serialize and RPC library for Delphi and FreePascal.
- lNet - Networking components which provides simple, single-threaded event-driven networking suite with protocols from TCP and UDP to SMTP and HTTP. lNet was designed to not depend on any external libraries and is extremely portable.
- Sockets - TCP/IP Sockets components
- Web Services Toolkit - Web Services authoring and consumption
- TML Messaging Suite A network messaging library for rapid development of extensible and scalable interfaces.
File formats
Xml/CSV/TxtSYMFONIA Parsers - Parsers components for XML/CSV/TXT(symfonia). Parser's is very quick for reading XML/CSV/TXTsymfonia Files.. 17-08-2018 https://github.com/SamuelAdama/parsery not found (Error 404).
- Hprose - It provides a collection of Variant type containers, such as IList, IMap, TArrayList, THashedList, TCaseInsensitiveHashedList, THashMap, THashedMap, TCaseInsensitiveHashMap, TCaseInsensitiveHashedMap, TSmartObject, etc.
- StringHashMap - String -> Pointer associative map container. Fast and memory efficient.
- LGenerics - provides a wide range of generic containers.
- Bluetooth - Accessing Bluetooth devices.
- EpikTimer - Precision timer component written specifically for Lazarus.
- FileAssociation - Register file associations for all Windows versions. This includes Default Programs feature for Vista+.
- Manager Worker Threads System - Manager Worker Thread system to process simultaneous data objects in real-time.
- MDButtonsBar - ButtonsBar to MultiDoc Component.
- MPICH - Bindings for the MPI - Message Passing Interface. Distributed computing.
- MultiDoc - A component to write pseudo-MDI application with Lazarus.
- TTDINotebook - A component that provides a Tabbed Document Interface (TDI).
- Python4Delphi - A port of Python4Delphi that allows you to use Python scripts with Lazarus/FPC.
- TrayIcon - A multiplatform System Tray component
- TPopupNotifier - How to use TPopupNotifier to show "balloon help".
- Yet another Running Timer - A thread safe timer
Visual components
- ATButton - OS-independant flat button ATFlatControls.
- ATGroups - Six page-controls, each based on ATTabs ATFlatControls.
- ATGauge - Replacement for Delphi's TGauge ATFlatControls.
- ATLinkLabel - A label which shows a clickable URL ATFlatControls.
- ATListbox - OS-independant Listbox, owner-drawn ATFlatControls.
- ATScrollBar - Scrollbar, not OS-themed, owner-drawn ATFlatControls.
- ATStatusBar - Statusbar, not OS-themed, owner-drawn ATFlatControls.
- ATTabs - Tab-control, not OS-themed, owner-drawn ATFlatControls.
- BGRAControls - Components which are using the power of the BGRABitmap package. BGRAImageList, BGRASpeedButton, BGRAButton, BGRAPanel.
- ChemText - a label which displays subscripts and superscripts in chemical formulas.
- CmdLine - A Prompt as visual control.
- ColorBox - Color picker with preview.
- ColorPalette - A color palette grid with ability to use custom palette.
- Eye-Candy Controls - Package on more than twenty OS-themed controls incl. slider, ruler, button, multi-column checklistbox and many others.
- Extended - A last level visual components package, which can manage a management software linked to data.
- FileMenuHandler - Handles recent files list and Open, Save, Save As, Exit Commands.
- GeckoPort - Lazarus port of Takanori Ito's Gecko SDK for Delphi, including TGeckoBrowser.
- jujiboutils - Set of components to input and validate different kinds of data, floats, dates, etc.
- JvXPBar - A port of JVCL's TJvXPBar control that can display an icon, a header and zero or more clickable items in its client area.
- Lui Controls - A set of visual controls (TToggleLabel, TMenuButton).
- OrphPort - Subset of TurboPower's Orpheus controls.
- RingChart and AnalogWatch - Another Elliptical Chart and an Analogic Watch for Lazarus and FPC.
- SplashAbout - Splash and About dialogs from a visual drop-in component.
- Spook's Panel Components - A collection of panel components.
- TSubForm - A Data-Aware SubForm that replicates controls based on records in a dataset.
- Turbopower Visual PlanIt - A port of the Planner Components.
- TGradButton - A good looking button component.
- TMyRollOut and ExpandPanel - A collapsable panel with a button (like TJvRollOut).
- THtmlPort - Lazarus port of Dave Baldwin's HTML Components (THtmlViewer, TFrameViewer, TFrameBrowser).
- TRepeatButton is a descendent of TSpeedButton with a repeat property. So, if you keep the mouse pressed on the button, it will repeat the code from the onClick event, until the mouse is released.
- uE Controls - A set of instrumentation controls for Lazarus and Free Pascal, compilable under Windows and Linux.
- VirtualTreeview - Port of VirtualTreeview from Soft-Gems.
- VirtualDBTreeEx - Checking interface built with data with checking rules, inherits VirtualTreeview.
- Wile64 - Components for Lazarus: TGifAnim, TColorProgress, TLabelCut etc.
- ZVDateTimeControls Package - This package contains TZVDateTimePicker (the clone of Delphi's TDateTimePicker) and TDBZVDatePicker (a data aware version of TZVDateTimePicker).
Lazarus IDE Extensions
- Manual Docker - The extension allows Messages window to dock to the source editor.
- wndInspector FF8S - IDE Window Inspector Find File & Select
- See also Lazarus IDE plugins.
Hardware Access
National Instruments PCI,PCI-e,PXI,PXI-e measurement (DAQ) cards
- NIDAQmxBase and NIDAQmx - Units for using National Instruments data acquisition devices through the NI-DAQmxBase (Linux, Windows, macOS) and NI-DAQmx (Windows and old NI-DAQmx 8.0.2 for Linux)libraries.
- NI-DAQmx and NI-DAQmxBase Pascal examples
National Instruments PCI,PCI-e,PXI,PXI-e oscilloscope/digitizer cards cards
- Pascal bindings for NI-Scope driver - Units for controlling National Instruments oscilloscope/digitizer cards.
- NI-Scope Pascal examples
Commercial Packages for FPC/Lazarus
- AnyDAC AnyDAC is a commercial data access library. It has been ported to Lazarus. AnyDAC supports Firebird, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase, SQL Server, IBM DB2, SQL Anywhere and ODBC on Windows and Linux 32bit platforms. The MS Access and dbExpress are supported on Win32 platform only. In plans to add all drivers support on Win x64, Linux x64, MacOS 32bit and x64 platforms.
- Devart PostgreSQL Data Access Components (PgDAC) - http://www.devart.com/pgdac/ - PostgreSQL Components that use native wire protocol no libpq needed.
- Devart SecureBridge Components - http://www.devart.com/sbridge/ - SSH/SFTP/SSL components Easily create SSH tunnels and SFTP clients and much more.
- Devart Universal Data Access Components (UniDAC) - https://www.devart.com/unidac/ - direct access to multiple databases
- TMS FNC UI Pack - http://www.tmssoftware.com/site/tmsfncuipack.asp - UI controls for 3 frameworks and 5+ operating systems
- TMS FlexCel Studio for VCL/LCL - http://www.tmssoftware.com/site/flexcel.asp - A Spreadsheet component (only older component shown here? [1]
- TMS LCL Cloud Pack - http://www.tmssoftware.com/site/tmslclcloudpack.asp - Seamless access to cloud services
- IB Objects - http://www.ibobjects.com/ - for developing client and service applications for InterBase/Firebird
- FastReport for Lazarus beta - https://www.fast-report.com/en/product/fast-report-lazarus/ - reporting tool component
- OptiVec for Lazarus - http://www.optivec.com/ - high-performance vector and matrix library: math, analysis, statistics, linear algebra, FFT, signal processing, curve-fitting etc. (Win64 only)
Example programs
There are a LOT of example programs in the examples directory of your Lazarus installation.
See also:
- Page Of Code Sites: includes sites such as Rosetta Code, Torry and much more
- Tutorials: tutorials for FPC/Lazarus
Example programs not supplied with Lazarus:
- Contacts Database - An expanded version of the address book example with reports.
- Creating LCL Control From Libraries - Shows you how to create and manage LCL UI controls in an application from plug-ins (dll/so/dynlib).
- Dependency Calculator Dependency Calculator: demonstrates topological sort algorithm to sort dependencies (directory dependencycalculator)
- JCSV (Jans CSV Components) - Working Example of TJansCSV Component Set
- IniEdit - Iniedit: a small application/form that shows how to use Synmemo to show syntax-highlighted ini file editing, as well as using a timer and controls to simultaneously edit another part of the ini (directory iniedit)
- How To Use Interfaces - Working Example of Interfaces and generics.
- Kaldemonia - Google Searcher shows simple threading, using Synapse networking library.
- Libview - Views all exported function names of a given library.
- LRS_Explorer - A little software to add some pictures, music, etc.. into a Lazarus resource (lrs) file.
- Micro-mainframe Transmission Command Generator for IBM Mainframes
- OpenGL Tutorial - Example code for the OpenGL tutorial
- Robot - The Game - Very easy written sample for beginners
- SSHClient - SSHClient: complete Windows demo of Synapse+encryption units that implement an SSH terminal. Includes required DLLs. (directory SSHClient)
- Sudoku - A Sudoku solver.
- SysRec - Video Capturing and Recording application, you can download it here.
- Synapse - The Synapse page has an SSH/Telnet client unit and example program that demonstrates running commands on servers. See also SSHClient above.
- TSqlite3 Master Detail Example - Working Master Detail Example using 3 small tables and sqlite components.
- LDBase - A Database agent to create and to modify tables dbf
RTL, FCL and LCL Usage examples
- Manager Worker Threads System - An example of how to design a Manager Worker Thread Application.
- Dialog Examples - useful dialogs not found in the Component Palette
- Howto Use TOpenDialog - How to use the FileOpen Dialog
- Howto Use TSaveDialog - How to use the FileSave Dialog
- ServiceManager - How to use the ServiceManager to handle running services
See Also
- Free Pascal contributed units list
- Lazarus Components Directory
- Operating Systems written in FPC
- Package List Packages included with FPC
- Projects using Free Pascal - FPC + Lazarus
- Using the Lazarus-ccr SVN repository


text:
BOSTON (Reuters) - MSCI Inc has proposed leaving shares of Snap Inc SNAP.N and other companies including Eaton Vance Corp EV.N out of stock indexes because they lack voting rights, a sign of the rising skepticism facing corporate structures that boost the power of insiders.
In a paper sent to clients in June, MSCI MSCI.N said its proposal aimed "to address the growing concern pertaining to listings of only non-voting shares," and invited feedback.
Index providers have been reviewing the issue of whether to include companies with non-voting shares since Snap's IPO in March. MSCI's idea resembles a skeptical view that rival FTSE Russell has already put forward about companies that offer shares with unequal voting rights, even as some technology firms move in that direction.
A third index provider, S&P Dow Jones, has its own review underway, with decisions due in coming weeks.
Being excluded from stock indexes would be a blow to young companies like Snap by making it harder, or impossible, for some big fund managers to buy the stock. Critics including big pension funds worry giving shareholders less say over matters like executive pay or board elections will make corporate leaders less accountable, while some executives say tighter control helps them run their business with a longer-term focus.
Shares in the parent of Snapchat have already been under pressure since its $3.4 billion IPO in March and last week sank below their $17 initial sale price, amid concerns about the popular messaging platform's slowing growth and competition from Facebook Inc. FB.O
Under Snap's unusual structure, most power on matters like executive pay or board membership is concentrated with co-founders Evan Spiegel and Robert Murphy.
MSCI and Snap declined to comment. Snap previously said its voting structure would help it "remain a founder-led company" and that the majority of its board is independent.
Index clients include big fund sponsors like BlackRock Inc BLK.N and Vanguard Group, who have been critical of the turn away from voting shares but have also bought shares of Snap.
A BlackRock spokesman, Ed Sweeney, declined to comment on the index reviews but pointed to its governance guidelines, which state that "BlackRock supports the concept of equal voting rights for all shareholders."
A Vanguard spokeswoman, Arianna Stefanoni Sherlock, said while Vanguard has concerns about Snap's structure, "We believe companies like Snap cannot be excluded solely on the basis of voting limitations at this time."
In the paper sent to clients, also available on its website, MSCI proposes to leave non-voting shares out of popular products like its U.S. equity indexes if their voting power at a company is less than 25 percent for new constituents, or less than 16.67 percent for existing constituents.
In the case of its All Country World Index (ACWI) .MIWD00000PUS, the paper states, the proposal would keep Snap out of the product, and six non-voting shares would be deleted. The only U.S. company in the group is asset manager Eaton Vance EV.N, whose publicly traded shares do not include voting rights, a structure in place since 1959.
Eaton Vance spokeswoman Robyn Tice said while it does not wish to be removed from indexes, "we cannot control what they decide to do."
According to the MSCI paper, some companies with both voting and non-voting listed share classes, such as Alphabet GOOGL.OGOOG.O, could remain in the ACWI.
Ken Bertsch, executive director of the Council of Institutional Investors, a trade group for pension funds and other big investors that has been critical of unequal voting rights, said he was encouraged by the MSCI proposal.
Bertsch said the group could accept some concepts like allowing indexes to retain big companies even with unequal voting rights. "We don't want to kick Google or Facebook out of the indexes, it would be way too disruptive. Our concern is to set a limit on this," he said.
The council remains concerned more IPOs may follow Snap's example such as a recent one by meal-kit service Blue Apron Holdings APRN.N. A spokeswoman for Blue Apron declined to comment.
Reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston. Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in New York and David Ingram in San Francisco; Editing by Dan Burns and Tom Brown
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


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About The Slave Next Door
Book Description
It is important to look at the federal government's actions – both positive and negative – in its relatively new war against human trafficking in America. Many federal officials have taken on the task of rooting out and prosecuting traffickers, as well as coordinating with service providers and victim advocates providing care for survivors. We'll speak with representatives of some of the federal agencies whose job description has been expanded to include modern day slavery, and get a sense of how they feel the campaign is going. We'll also examine some cases that seem to stand in direct contradiction to the anti-trafficking position taken by the government – cases in which administration politics and inaction have actually increased human trafficking on American soil - both here and abroad. One of the worst of these cases involves tax-payer money supporting slavery as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bringing democracy to Iraq – on the backs of slaves
First Kuwaiti General Trade and Contracting Co., a billion-dollar construction company, was hired to build the new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad – after no American company would agree to the government's terms.
The project is worth $592 million to First Kuwaiti, and encompasses a 104-acre, 21-building complex, making it the largest U.S. embassy in the world. When completed, it will be six times larger than the United Nations, and the same size as Vatican City.
From the beginning First Kuwaiti had difficulty in fulfilling the terms of its contract. Serious problems piled up: faulty wiring, fuel leaks, and poor construction. Some of the problems were determined to be "life safety issues." And while the day-to-day fire fight was going on in Baghdad, a war of words was being waged between the State Department in Washington, who defended their contractors, and those on the ground in Iraq, who were suffering from substandard work, and delays.
Boondoggles, pork barrels, and shoddy work are scandalous, but it was another, uglier issue that brought First Kuwaiti to the world's attention. Some of their contract workers had been trafficked to Iraq against their will, held by force, and paid little or nothing. First Kuwaiti – and by association, the U.S. Department of State – were using slave labor to build the embassy. Taxpayers were footing the bill. The idea of a U.S. subcontractor trafficking enslaved workers into the country where we are waging a war to introduce freedom and democracy, is unthinkable. And yet, in case after case, the construction company hired workers, normally through sub-contractors, from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Turkey, and the Philippines under false pretenses. Falsely promised work in Dubai, they were landed in a combat zone. Once in Iraq contractors confiscated the workers' passports, forced them to live in squalid conditions, and to work long hours for little or no pay. And, says journalist David Phinney, "It was all happening smack in the middle of the US-controlled Green Zone—right under the nose of the State Department…."
The issue came to light after the murder of 12 Nepali workers who had been "recruited under false pretenses from rural villages…before being trafficked illegally into Iraq." En route to a U.S. base in Iraq, all twelve were kidnapped and executed by insurgents. The subcontractor had "sent them into the war zone, and along one of the most dangerous roads in the world, in what basically amounted to taxi cabs." Ali Kamel al-Nadi, the man who allegedly assembled the unprotected caravan, commented when asked about the incident, "If they were my workers, maybe I should be compensated for losing them."
Despite the fact that foreign workers had been complaining of abuses since early 2003, the problem was first flagged in a news report in late 2005. The report provoked a flurry of base inspections by the government. In April 2006, the Pentagon, without naming any of the subcontractors to Halliburton/KBR, concluded that "doing business in this way" was common in Iraq and Afghanistan. The confiscation of workers' passports kept the laborers from leaving Iraq, the report stated, or from seeking jobs with other contractors.
No penalties were assigned to the contractors. Nonetheless, the Pentagon ordered that all passports be returned, and that such practices "cease and desist" immediately.
They didn't. In July 2007, two American civilian contractors who had worked on the embassy testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by California congressman Henry A. Waxman. One of the two, native Floridian John Owens, had worked for 27 years building U.S. embassies around the world, sometimes in areas troubled by violence and corruption. But after working for seven months as a foreman in Iraq, he quit. "I've never seen a project more fucked up. Every U.S. labor law was broken,"
he said. Owens testified that the workers' living and working conditions were "deplorable," and described how they were "verbally and physically abused," forced to live in cramped trailers, denied basic needs like shoes and gloves, made to work 12-hour days, seven days a week, with time off only for prayer, and "had their salaries docked for petty infractions."
The second contractor to testify was Rory J. Mayberry. He told the committee that First Kuwaiti managers had asked him to escort 51 Filipino workers onto a flight to Baghdad. The plane, Mayberry recalled, was an unmarked 52-seater – "an antique piece of shit."
Mayberry noted with surprise that "all of our tickets said we were going to Dubai," whereupon a First Kuwaiti manager told him not to let any of the laborers know they were going to Iraq. John Owens recalled the same experience when he saw the workers' boarding passes: "I thought there was some sort of mix up and I was getting on the wrong plane."
In Mayberry's words, the workers were "kidnapped by First Kuwaiti to work on the U.S. Embassy." After their passports were taken in Baghdad, they were "smuggled into the Green Zone."
Mayberry, an emergency medical technician, was horrified at the number of injuries and ailments among the 2,500 or so foreign laborers. Infected, unattended, sores and unbandaged wounds were common. There was a lack of disinfectant, hot water, any form of hygiene. Prescription pain killers, he testified, "were being handed out like a candy store…and then people were sent back to work... I told First Kuwaiti that you don't give painkillers to people who are running machinery and working on heavy construction and they said, 'that's how we do it.'" After he requested an investigation into the deaths of two laborers as a result of what he believes could have been "medical homicide," Mayberry was fired.
Owens confirmed the inhumane treatment. He testified that health and safety measures were non-existent, and that serious injuries took place as a result. When he advised workers to seek medical help for their injuries and illnesses, he was accused by the firm's managers of "spoiling the workers and allowing them to simply skip work." At one point, 17 laborers tried to escape by climbing over the wall; they were recaptured - with the help of a State Department official - and put in "virtual lockdown."
First Kuwaiti responded in writing that the charges were "ludicrous."
State Department Inspector General Howard J. Krongard disputed the charges in a follow-up hearing, stating that his "limited review" and two visits to Baghdad had failed to verify the claims: "Nothing came to our attention that caused us to believe that trafficking-in-persons violations" – or any other serious abuses – "occurred at the construction workers' camp at the new embassy compound."
In a written submission the anti-slavery organization Free the Slaves pointed to serious flaws in Krongard's report. They noted that the State Department's own Trafficking in Persons Report for 2007 revealed "a structure conducive to trafficking in persons" throughout much of the Middle East. This includes sponsorship laws that give employers control over workers' ability to leave the work site, their job or the country. The TIP report observed "employers commonly do not provide workers with documents legitimizing their employment in the country … and refuse to sign exit permits allowing victims to leave the country, effectively holding the worker hostage." Most damning, the Free the Slaves submission showed that while Krongard had gone to investigate a charge of human trafficking, he failed "to recognize the significance of, and appropriately characterize as warning signs: … the contractor's practice of holding employee passports; terms of employment that raise concerns about exploitation, including the amount of payment relative to national standards, payment by the month rather than the day or hour, and a 14 day workweek, with no days off; the requirement to prepay recruitment, travel or other fees before obtaining control of earnings; and the fact that most workers interviewed either originated in countries whose laws prohibit work in Iraq, because of the strong possibility of abuse, and/or whose countries are identified by State's TIP report as having a significant number of victims of severe trafficking to the Middle East."
For his part, Chairman Waxman was also dissatisfied with Krongard's methodology or conclusions. The inspector general, said Waxman, "had followed highly irregular procedures in exonerating the prime contractor, First Kuwaiti Trading Company, of charges of labor trafficking."
On September 18, 2007, Waxman began an inquiry into accusations that Krongard had repeatedly hindered fraud and abuse investigations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The allegations were supported by information from several of Krongard's current and former employees, some of whom sought whistleblower status to protect them from punishment for malfeasance. Congressman Waxman stated to Krongard, "One consistent element in these allegations is that you believe your foremost mission is to support the Bush administration, especially with respect to Iraq and Afghanistan, rather than act as an independent and objective check on waste, fraud and abuse on behalf of U.S. taxpayers."
"Blame Somebody Else,"
Expose: America's Investigative Reports
. Sept. 21, 2007.
"A U.S. Fortress rises in Baghdad: Asian Workers Trafficked to Build World's Largest Embassy,"
Oct. 17, 2006, p. 1.
"Construction woes Add to Fears in Iraq,"
Washington Post
, July 5, 2007.
"A U.S. Fortress Rises in Baghdad….," p. 1.
"Dodging on Human Trafficking?"
The Swamp, Chicago Tribune
, June 22, 2006. p. 2.
KBR (formerly known as Kellogg Brown and Root), the largest contractor in Iraq, is a subsidiary of Halliburton, the Texas-based firm which Vice-President Dick Cheney formerly helmed. KBR has a multi-billion dollar deal with the U.S. military to provide a wide range of support services for the soldiers, including meals, housing, and laundry.
Ibid, p. 2.
"Foreign Workers Abused at Embassy, Panel Told,"
Washington Post
, July 27.2007, p. 1-2.
"A U.S. Fortress Rises in Baghdad…," p. 2.
"A U.S. Fortress Rises in Baghdad…," p. 2.
"Foreign Workers Abused at Embassy, Panel Told, p. 2.
Ibid, p. 4.
Ibid, p. 5.
"Foreign Workers Abused at Embassy, Panel Told," p. 2.
Ibid., p. 3.
Copies of the submission are available at:
[email protected]
"Blame Somebody Else," p. 2-3.
"State Dept. Official Accused of Blocking Inquiry,"
New York Times
, Sept. 18, 2007, p. 1.
© 2023 Ron Soodalter. All Rights Reserved
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text:
Oilers' Hall out four weeks
Montreal, QC (SportsNetwork.com) - Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall is expected to miss at least four weeks of action due to a left knee injury.
Hall left Saturday's game against the Senators in the second period with the injury.
The 21-year-old former top overall pick is tied for the team lead in points with eight, having tallied three goals and five assists in nine games.
Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish also announced on Tuesday that forward Ryan Smyth is out at least a week with a groin injury. Smyth has three goals and one assist in eight games this year.


text:
BH Loans, LLC
Your houston mortgage experts
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About Houston
Houston ( (listen); HEW-stən) is the most populous city in Texas, fourth-most populous city in the United States, most populous city in the Southern United States, and the sixth-most populous in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in 2020. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the seat and largest city of Harris County and the principal city of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, which is the fifth-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States and the second-most populous in Texas after Dallas–Fort Worth. Houston is the southeast anchor of the greater megaregion known as the Texas Triangle.Comprising a total area of 637.4 square miles (1,651 km2), Houston is the ninth-most expansive city in the United States (including consolidated city-counties). It is the largest city in the United States by total area whose government is not consolidated with a county, parish, or borough. Though primarily in Harris County, small portions of the city extend into Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, bordering other principal communities of Greater Houston such as Sugar Land and The Woodlands.
Neighborhoods in Houston, Texas
Acres Homes, Boulevard Oaks, Braeburn, Braeswood Place, Brentwood, Central Northwest, City Park, Cloverland, Crestwood/Glen Cove, East Downtown, Fort Bend Houston, Fourth Ward, Glenbrook Valley, Greater East End, Greater Eastwood
Things to do in Houston, Texas
Our Newest Profiles


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Look, we get it. We know. It fucking sucks getting dressed in the beginning of your second trimester. Because you don't look pregnant yet—you just look thick in the middle. You've outgrown some of your regular wardrobe, but you're not big enough for maternity clothes (most of which aren't cute anyway). It makes getting dressed really difficult and stressful. And the hormones don't make you feel any better, emotionally speaking. So we feel for Kim Kardashian. Really, we do. But isn't she supposed to be a fashion-y person, a "designer" or former stylist or something? And rich? And living for the cameras? She should be showing us how it's done, frankly. Instead, it's like watching a person who doesn't know how to swim desperately flailing in three feet of water, trying not to drown. You feel a little bad for her, but it's also really funny.
This look is almost comical, like she's trying to make us laugh. Maybe it comes across that way because she's wearing clown pants—but, you know, a sad clown.
Sustainable beauty
Caprea's Essential Organic PH Cleanser is just $10 with promo code TEN. Normally $19, this foaming face wash is crafted with organic Monoi oil. It's meant to target the production of oil secretion while protecting your skin against air pollution. Normally $19, you can save big on this richly-lathering face wash while supporting a brand that keeps the environment top of mind.
Kim went to Elton John's Oscars party on Sunday night and while she didn't look necessarily bad, it was clear that she's uncomfortable with giving up her sex symbol status, even during her pregnancy. It's like, we saw the tape. And you're pregnant for Christ's sake. We know you're fuckable. Give it a rest for the duration of your gestation.
Another problem is that Kim was used to dressing to accentuate her small waist, and usually did it really well. Now that that's gone, she seems lost and confused and making misguided attempts to camouflage her "problem areas" by drawing more attention to them. "Oh, I know, I'll wear all these feathers. A plume of something is always flattering."
This one seems like it was Kanye's fault.
On a recent trip to Brazil, Kim liked this outfit so much she wore it in two different colors. Not only was she wearing Spanx (why bother when you're pregs?), she also wore heels on a walking tour. I mean, whatever floats her boat, you know, but that seems like a lot of discomfort for something that's not even a good look anyway. Also, did you know that Kanye is moonlighting as a Thai masseuse at a day spa?
Kim: Yes?
Everyone: No.
Kim: No?
Everyone: No!
But it hasn't been all bad. Here are some examples that demonstrate Kim's potential. When she's not trying to look like a sexpot, she actually does.


text:
Imagine if a band of violent criminals stormed a building, fatally shot several people and injured hundreds of others. What if the local police department was busy playing cards instead of stopping the bandits? Shouldn't those irresponsible cops be held partially responsible for those casualties, if not lose their jobs altogether?
Russia first warned the FBI of Boston Marathon bombing mastermind Tamerlan Tsarnaev in Spring of 2011, saying he had radical tendencies and could potentially stage a terror attack. Russian intelligence warned the feds again during the Fall of that same year. But in Boston, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security were busy monitoring something else in the Fall of 2011—Occupy Boston protesters.
The ACLU was able to obtain documents of intelligence reports filed in 2011. They reveal that on September 30, the DHS-funded Boston Regional Intelligence Center, or BRIC, was collecting information about an upcoming Occupy Boston rally in Dewey Square, just two days after Russia sent them the second warning about Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis recently told Congress he "would have liked to know" that there was a potential extremist with violent intentions living in his city, and accused BRIC of failing to properly inform local law enforcement about a possible terrorist threat.
The DHS, which spent billions of dollars on fusion centers like BRIC, has been accused of gathering "crap intelligence" and using federal anti-terrorism programs and resources to spy on nonviolent protesters exercising their First Amendment rights, rather than stopping terrorists. When they should have been investigating Tamerlan Tsarnaev's extremist ties, the intelligence arm of the Boston Police Department was busy collecting information on peaceful antiwar activists from Code PINK and Veterans for Peace. That information was assembled in dossiers categorized under "Criminal Act," "Extremists," "Civil Disturbance," and the more disturbing "HomeSec- Domestic."
In fact, monitoring the Occupy movement became DHS' key focus in October of 2011, when the movement's power and influence was at its peak. Among the topics included in the DHS' daily intelligence briefing was "peaceful activist demonstrations." That section was included in the same briefings as "significant criminal activity" and potential domestic terrorist acts.
In the days leading up to the Boston Marathon bombings, agencies were aware that the race's finish line was "an area of increased vulnerability" and could be subject to domestic terrorism. Had Boston's well-financed criminal intelligence prioritized actual domestic terrorists like Tamerlan Tsarnaev instead of nonviolent protesters, the warnings from Russia may have been taken seriously and the attack prevented.
This is all leading back to the troubling trend of the massive surveillance-industrial complex that's cost us hundreds of billions of dollars since 9/11. It's been recently revealed that federal agencies are likely reading our emails without a warrant, even though they've needed a warrant to read postal mail since the 19th century. One can only imagine how they've been misusing such unprecedented surveillance technology over the last decade.
When there's so much sophisticated technology at the fingertips of our government to monitor everything we do, why couldn't they stop one 26-year-old Chechen whom foreign governments had already warned us about twice before? Even though Boston Police locked down the entire city in a frantic search for Dzokhar Tsarnaev, forcing people from their homes at gunpoint with their hands raised like criminals, he may have evaded police were it not for the man who noticed Tsarnaev hiding in the boat parked in his backyard.
Now, in response to the bombings, cities everywhere are beefing up surveillance. But isn't it far more likely that this technology will be used to curtail law-abiding citizens' constitutional rights instead of deter terrorism?
This is a mishap with far greater scandalous implications than the hyped-up Benghazi talk of recent weeks, yet there's nary a peep to be heard from the media on the tremendous failure of our government to prevent an attack that never should have taken place. This must be seen as a turning point for us to demand our rights back — particularly the First and Fourth Amendments — from a government that's slowly been chipping away at them under the false pretenses of "national security."
Like Benjamin Franklin said, those who would trade their liberty for a little security will lose both and deserve neither.
Not everyone can pay for the news. But if you can, we need your support.
Truthout is widely read among people with lower incomes and among young people who are mired in debt. Our site is read at public libraries, among people without internet access of their own. People print out our articles and send them to family members in prison — we receive letters from behind bars regularly thanking us for our coverage. Our stories are emailed and shared around communities, sparking grassroots mobilization.
We're committed to keeping all Truthout articles free and available to the public. But in order to do that, we need those who can afford to contribute to our work to do so — especially now, because we have just 8 days left to raise $47,000 in critical funds.
We'll never require you to give, but we can ask you from the bottom of our hearts: Will you donate what you can, so we can continue providing journalism in the service of justice and truth?


text:
Welcome to the 4th annual Ashford Metric Century+! This is a USA Cycling permitted event.
Pre-register online at http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12796
*** The 4th Annual Ashford Metric Century+ will be held on October 2nd, 2011 ***
2010 Ride Pictures Slide Show More pictures to come in the next few days…
Visit us on Facebook.
This is a fund raising event to benefit the Ashford Recreation Department. All routes are fully supported and include the quiet and rolling hills of Ashford, Eastford and Woodstock. Come out and enjoy the stunning fall foliage in classic New England.
Registration starts at 7:00am and ends at 9:30am. 100 miler's should be on the road by 7:30am, 62 miler's by 9am and all other riders should be on the road by 9:45am. Day of ride registration will be an additional $5 for each ride ($20 for the 10 miler, $25 for the 25 miler, $30 for the 62 miler, and $40 for the 100 miler), so register online to save a little money!
There will be one rest stop on the 25 mile ride and several rest stops on the 62 mile and 100 mile ride. Rest stops will be stocked with snacks (gatorade, water, pbj's, etc.) and will have a floor pump and basic repair tools.
Participants should ride with a tube, tire levers, pump, and patch kit in case of flat tires. CPSC or US DOT approved helmets are required.
*Free T-shirts are guaranteed for riders registering by Friday, September 2nd. After that date we cannot guarantee T-shirt sizing or availability so I encourage riders to register early to ensure a free T-shirt in the right size!!!
We plan on having another fantastic raffle this year. You can pre-purchase tickets on bikereg or at the school on the morning of the ride. Don't forget to check the raffle table after the ride to see if you won!
Please join us after the ride (starting at noon) for a warm baked potato and apple crisp with locally made vanilla ice cream.
|October 2nd, 2011
|100 mile 7:30am
|63 mile 9:00am
|26 mile 9:30 am
|10 mile 9:30 am
Registration is from 7:00 am to 9:30 am or pre-register online at http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12796
Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
Download 2011 Flyer in PDF format
Ride starts at Ashford Elementary School on Route 89 in Ashford, CT
Ashford Elementary School
440 Westford Rd.
Ashford, CT 06278
From the South and Willimantic:
From Willimantic take Route 195 north toward The University of Connecticut. In Mansfield Center turn right onto Route 89. Follow Route 89 north into Ashford. Cross Route 44. Ashford School is located on Route 89 2 miles north of the intersection with Route 44.
From the West and Hartford:
Take I-84 East to Exit 69. Turn right onto Route 74. Follow Route 74 through Willington to Route 44 in Ashford. Turn left on Route 44 to the intersection of Route 89. Turn left on Route 89. The school is on the right 2 miles to the north.
From the North and Massachusetts:
Take I-84 to Exit 72. Turn left on Route 89. Follow Route 89 (south) watching the signs because it turns twice. Ashford School is located on the left side of Route 89 about 6 miles from I-84.
From the East and Rhode Island:
From the Rhode Island border take Route 101 west. It merges with Route 44 in Pomfret. Continue on Route 44 west until Route 89 in Ashford. Turn right on Route 89. Ashford school is located on the right about 2 miles north of Route 44.


text:
On the western coast of the Sunshine State lies a stretch of coastline that has successfully sidestepped the theme park overload and skyscraper congestion plaguing other parts of the peninsula.
Charlotte Harbor's preserved oceanfront parks, community concerts, secret seafood hangouts and century-old working ranches offer a taste of vintage Florida not easily experienced elsewhere. And with direct flights from locations like Asheville, N.C., Cincinnati and Allentown, Pa., you don't have to live in a huge metropolis to have easy access. As an added bonus, it's also an extremely affordable place to visit. Following are some of my favorite high-value travel tips for visiting the area.
Food: With dozens of indie restaurants, prevalent outdoor entertainment included with evening meals and abundant access to fresh-as-it-gets fish, the prize for best area food scene goes hands down to the town of Punta Gorda. If hip and trendy suits your venue preference, head to Trabue Restaurant. It offers a fresh Florida vibe while still blending nicely into the town's historical atmosphere.
Their lunch menu offers a number of plates and appetizers starting at less than $10, with rotating items including fun finds such as Kalamata olive hummus or shellfish served in a garlicky wine broth complete with tomatoes and crusty bread. The biggest steal however is their weekly wine dinner which features three full courses - each with its own wine pour - for $40 a head. Chef will also accommodate vegan requests with a bit of advanced notice.
Prefer a more traditional experience? Head to Peace River Seafood. Housed in a period cowboy shack with outdoor picnic tables, strung lights and its own parrot, the restaurant serves up freshly-processed seafood with newspaper for placemats and hammers serving as the main utensil. Favored by locals and outside of the typical tourist circuit, you'll need to leave the center of town and head into the sticks a bit as you make your way there.
Serving up all-you-can-eat blue crab daily, this is a roll-up-your-sleeves restaurant located a parking lot away from the processing facility where the fishermen drop off their catch. It doesn't get much fresher than that. The price for this decadent crab coma? Just $20. Other menu items worth the splurge include their lobster bites, gator gumbo and key lime pie.
Fun: Looking for a day of educational family fun? Head to Babcock Ranch to experience Florida's cowboy history in an authentic setting situated on 91,000 acres of rustic wilderness. Started one hundred years ago by patriarch Edward Vose Babcock, the ranch is still home to a thriving cattle population, extensive sod farm and a timber harvesting operation.
You'll hop on a bus-sized swamp buggy and cruise past cows still herded by actual quarter horses, see some of the preserved original buildings and stop at a number of wildlife viewing spots worthy of a photo session. Baby alligator cuddling and a walk through the cypress forest are also part of the experience. End your visit with a quick tour of the miniature ranch museum movie fans will recognize from the film "Just Cause." At $24 for adults and $16 for children, it's a one-of-a-kind vacation memory you won't find at any theme park.
A number of free nature experiences are provided through the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, including wading tours to explore coastal wildlife, guided hikes and pontoon cruises interpreted by naturalists. Checflorida.org has full details on the center's complimentary activities.
Travel Unraveled
Fitness: Charlotte Harbor's blueway trails are extensive, offering an affordable framework around which to build your vacation itinerary. Not only do they provide a fairly immediate way to work off most of those vacation calories, they're also a great way to include Rover in your day-to-day activities and work in a little birding. With nearly 200 miles of waterways mapped for kayakers and 57 separate trails rated for ability level and access, there are plenty of routes to choose from.
Charlottecountyfl.com has a full brochure available for download in their community service section, including a full spreadsheet of which trailhead access points charge parking and launch fees and which ones don't. Since many of them are fee free, penny pinchers arriving with their own kayaks in tow can enjoy a frugal getaway indeed.
The town of Punta Gorda also has an excellent free bicycle lending program. Look for the canary yellow bikes available at loaner stations throughout town. Pickup locations include a number of marinas, providing a convenient transport option for those arriving by boat. For those traveling with their own wheels, the city also boasts a free bicycle repair station. How cool is that? If you are in need of marked routes and ideas for places to ride, be sure to pick up the "Punta Gorda Pathways" and "It's a Free Ride" brochures from the visitor and convention bureau.
Fur: Pets are definitely welcome in Charlotte Harbor with a number of multi-use paths, off-leash dog parks and even a souvenir shop designed to meet the needs of furry family members. For example, Edgewater Dog Park in Port Charlotte offers picnic tables, a playground and restrooms. Similarly, at the Hounds of Henry Street, separate areas are provided for both large and small breeds along with a water station featuring a hose for full-body cool downs.
Looking for a puppy present? Salty Paws features retail gifts for both kitties and canines, and hosts a popular Muttini Mingle on the first Thursday of every month where people can socialize along with their pets. Dog-friendly accommodations can be had at Microtel Inn and Suites, with a nominal pet fee of only $20. Their suites come with a microwave and small fridge for supplementing vacation meal costs, and continental breakfast is complimentary.
Theriault is a best-selling author, avid traveler and a veteran in the field of international teaching. Her recent book entitled "Teach Anywhere," advises new and experienced educators about overseas employment, international evacuation tips, and inexpensive lessons which can be implemented anywhere from refugee camps to regular classrooms.


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Students Find Perfect Fit in Ph.D. in Communication and Information
Darin Freeburg and Shelley Blundell are among the first students to pursue a Ph.D. in Communication and Information with a focus on library and information science. Read about why they chose this particular field and what they hope to do when they've completed the program. — Profiles by Nicole Gennarelli
Freeburg pursues research interests in Center for the Study of Information and Religion (CSIR)
Darin Freeburg, doctoral student in the College of Communication and Information, moved from Kansas City to do his Ph.D. with a focus on library and information science.
[Darin Freeburg] Freeburg, born in Iowa, came to Kent State from Olathe, Kan. He said he chose Kent State because it had a program that fit his interests perfectly.
"There are quite a few options to do graduate work; the key is finding that unique place that wants to work with you," Freeburg said. "The CCI Ph.D. at Kent State was that place for me. The Center for the Study of Information and Religion (CSIR), housed within the School of Library and Information Science, is equipping me for high-impact research in a dynamic field."
Freeburg plans on continuing the line of research started at CSIR, as well as beginning his teaching career, when he completes his Ph.D. "The CCI program is preparing me to do both," he said
When he's not studying, Freeburg is a huge sports fan; however, he said that moving from Kansas City to Cleveland didn't really upgrade his sports viewing experience.
"I also enjoy listening to and playing music," he said. "I want to go on tour with Cee Lo Green, but I'm coming to grips with the chance that this might not happen."
Blundell aims for career in academic librarianship
Shelley Blundell, doctoral student in the College of Communication, thought the Ph.D. with a focus on library and information science at Kent State was the perfect opportunity to blend her past education and professional experiences together.
[Shelley Blundell] Blundell, who was born in Durban, South Africa, moved to Ohio with her family in March of 2000. Shortly thereafter, her father began teaching business courses at Kent State University at Stark, which made Kent State a logical choice for her undergraduate work. She went on to complete a Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) in the School of Library and Information Science in 2009.
"Once I complete my [doctoral] degree, I hope to secure an academic library position, wherein I will liaise with university faculty in a number of disciplines to develop collaborative information literacy instruction for students who test into remedial coursework," she said.
"The research I am currently engaged in indicates that for students with remedial skill levels, collaborative instruction that positions information literacy contextually within their courses aids those students in learning more about information literacy, and how information literacy skills can be applied throughout their academic experience and toward creating lifelong learners. Furthermore, I intend to pursue any opportunity that will allow me to work collaboratively with international partners, and hope to travel extensively to this end — not only to teach, but also to learn from the practices of the cultures I visit."
In her spare time, Blundell enjoys reading, swimming, playing guitar, baking and watching documentaries. She is also skilled in the art of calligraphy.
"At one point, I considered a career as a music historian, and still continue to read and collect an array of musical facts," she said. "I hope these will aid me when I achieve my dream of being on Jeopardy!"
Although her primary research interest is in information literacy instruction in academically underserved undergraduate students, she has secondary research interests as well.
"I am interested in how information anxiety is affected when students are the victims of cyber-bullying, and anything to do with continuing education efforts in South Africa," Blundell said.
This year, Blundell served as a Graduate Student Orientation leader for Graduate Student Orientation. She worked with team members and the orientation director to create a comprehensive program dealing with a range of graduate student needs from weighing in on guest speakers for general sessions, presenting a team-taught session on exploring and conducting research at the graduate level, to making herself available throughout the two days to answer any questions graduate students may have about life at Kent State, expectations, resource facilities and so on.
For more information about the Ph.D. in Communication and Information, visit http://www.kent.edu/cci/phd-communication-information. For more information about the School of Library and Information Science, visit www.kent.edu/slis.


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Due to a partnership gone awry, the Madison County Fair got off to a rocky start, but rocked on thanks to the empathy of several bands who entertained with little or no compensation for their efforts. The Madison County Fair Board of Directors would like to express their sincere appreciation to Survivor, Wicked, Red Hush, Northern Lights, Fritz's Polka Band, Jason Wicks, Fulton Chain, BoCNY, BOMB and Pulsate, who lived up to the old adage "the show must go on." The show did go on throughout the fairgrounds. Cattle, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, and rabbits all came to compete for blue ribbons. The Madison County Youth Bureau entertained with exhibits and hands on projects in the main event tent. The stage showcased Madison County's Talent and the Ms. & Mister Madison County Pageant. Poems were recited at the poetry reading and stories were shared at the Brookfield Speedway Reunion. Trucks and tractors pulled for trophies and the Demo Derby played to a capacity crowd that sold out the grandstand before the first engine roared to life. What could have turned into to a disastrous event was averted by an awesome showing of support; even Mother Nature played her part by bestowing perfect Fair weather. The directors of the Madison County Fair would like to thank all of the volunteers, superintendents, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors and patrons; along with the Madison County Board of Supervisors, Madison County Courier, Madison County Tourism, Madison County Sheriff's Department, Madison County Youth Bureau and all of the county offices that contributed to the success of the 174th edition of the Fair. In response to the encouragement and support received the directors have pledged to persevere. In 2014 the Madison County Fair will mark its 175th anniversary. The directors would like to make the 175th annual edition of the Fair a tribute to everyone who has made this remarkable milestone a reality. Anyone interested in assisting in this endeavor is encouraged to contact a Fair board member. In the meantime the fairgrounds are being geared up for the 42nd annual edition of Wheel Days that will roll Sept. 27 – 29. Let's keep the positive momentum going. For more information visit us online at
Friend us on Facebook at "The Madison County Fair"


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Performance Lowering for Toyota Tacomas - Basic Instinct
Performance Lowering for Tacomas
We know it's nearly impossible to 'bag and body drop your brand-new mini as soon as you buy it, and even so, not everyone's ready to dive in that deep right off the bat. You have to start somewhere, and we know just the right combination to give your new Tacoma an altered appearance without breaking the bank.
First things first, you have to start out with quality components so that they'll stand the test of time. No, this isn't an ultra-low lowering kit we're installing, but it will definitely improve the handling and cornering characteristics of a stock Tacoma. At the same time, you'll lessen the amount of wheel gap between the fenders and the tires, which always helps to improve the appearance of any truck. This upgrade begins up front with 2-inch lowered coil springs from Eibach, which gives us a modest drop but leaves much of the truck's suspension travel intact and will allow the use of the original Tokico shocks. Out back, we opted for a pair of 3-inch dropped composite leaf springs from Flex-A-Form.
Before lowering, we experienced too much wheel hop in cornering situations, and once the progressive suspension was installed, the annoying hop went away - for good. Once we were down enough to clean up the wheel-to-fender gap a bit and give us improved cornering ability, we still needed one final touch: custom wheels and new low-profile tires. We were provided a set of 18x7.5-inch Hurricane wheels and 245/40R18 BFGoodrich tires to make this final change. The install gave us the right looks, the right handling, and it definitely won't kill your bank account. Follow along as Sleeper Suspension shows us how easy this setup was to install. For more information, contact the companies listed in the source box to get your new Taco' looking sweet and handling like a slot car.
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Title: Today's Promises
Series: Promises #2
Author: S.R. Grey
Genre: New Adult/Coming of Age Romance
Release Date: September 8, 2016
Starting over isn't easy, especially when the past keeps coming back to haunt you.
Flynn O'Neill and Jaynie Cumberland thought life outside the foster care system would be a breeze. Now eighteen and sharing a home in the quaint, little town of Lawrence, West Virginia, their new start should be nothing short of idyllic.
Unfortunately, it is not.
Flynn and Jaynie are discovering that picking up the pieces of their shattered lives and moving forward is far from easy, particularly when the past keeps rearing its ugly head. And then, as if things weren't tough enough, they are told the evil Allison Lowry, their former foster sister, may be released from prison early.
Committed to not allowing that to happen, Flynn and Jaynie begin to search for ways to keep their former tormentor behind bars. In doing so, dark secrets are uncovered. But instead of setting this young couple back, these new developments allow Jaynie and Flynn to grow closer than ever. As their commitment to one another deepens, these two broken people find new purpose and, more importantly, realize the healing they so deeply desire is finally within reach.
Today's Promises is the beautiful, stirring conclusion to Flynn and Jaynie's journey that first began in Tomorrow's Lies.
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I'm brought back to the present when I hear Jaynie drop something in the bathroom. Scrubbing a hand down my face, I'm torn over how best to help her. It's hard to help someone when your own life is a freaking mess.
I hear Jaynie tearing open a candy bar and mutter, "Fuck."
Rolling to my back, I rest my arm over my eyes. I've eaten plenty lately, but my stomach, as if on cue, begins to rumble. It's like all this thinking about starving has reminded me of what it actually feels like to go days without food.
We are still both so fucked-up. Will we ever heal?
"Fuck it." I throw back the quilt and head toward the bathroom. "Jaynie…" I rap on the door, once, twice, three times. "Let me in. Please."
The door opens slowly, revealing my broken girl. She stands before me, a half-eaten candy bar in one hand and chocolate smudged all over her chin.
"Busted," I say.
I'm trying to tease her to lighten the mood, but it sounds lame and pathetic.
"Sorry," she mumbles.
I reach out and, using my thumb, wipe away evidence of her binge. "Don't be silly. There's no need for apologies. I was only kidding around."
"All right, Flynn."
When my stomach growls again, there's no hiding I'm in the same boat as her. We're like Pavlov's freaking dogs, I swear.
"Hey," I say softly, "think you could spare one for me?"
Smiling for the first time since I caught her red-handed—or chocolate-chinned, as it were—her deep green eyes sparkle.
Pulling me into the bathroom, she says, "Just get in here, Flynn."
We spend the next ten minutes gorging on chocolate. And the reason is simple—when you've lived the lives we've lived, all within eighteen short years, you don't take chances. You cover your bases. You live prepared. You eat when you can since you never know when the food might run out, or when it will be withheld from you.
The bottom line is that you absolutely must be ready for things to turn bad, because they always fucking do.
"Hey, can I have another?" I ask as I polish off candy bar number three.
Jaynie hands me five more, and then wisely suggests I look for a spot to hide four of them.
"You know," she says, shrugging, "in case my stash ever runs out."
"I'll find a good place," I promise her. "And then I'll let you know where it is."
"You do that, Flynn," she replies, her eyes holding mine. "But after you tell me, don't let anyone else know where you hid them. Like…ever."
I nod, agreeing to her terms. Hell, it makes perfect sense.
What can I say—old habits die hard.
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Author Bio
S.R. Grey is an Amazon Top 100 and #1 Barnes & Noble Bestselling author. She is the author of the popular Judge Me Not series, the new Promises series, the Inevitability duology, A Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy, and the Laid Bare series of novellas. Ms. Grey's works have appeared on multiple Amazon Bestseller lists, including Top 100 multiple times, as well as #1 on Barnes & Noble Bestselling Nook books.
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Clashes suggest Sunni anger boiling over in Iraq
BAGHDAD — With Sunni gunmen beginning to confront the Shiite-led government's security forces head-on in northern and western Iraq, fears are growing fast of a return to full-scale sectarian fighting that could plunge the country into a broader battle merged with the Syrian civil war across the border. With more than 100 people killed over the past two days, it's shaping up to be the most pivotal moment for Iraq since U.S. combat troops withdrew in December 2011."Everybody has the feeling that Iraq is becoming a new Syria," Talal Younis, the 55-year-old owner of a currency exchange in the northern city of Mosul, said Wednesday. "I think that civil war is making a comeback."A crackdown by government forces Tuesday at a protest site in the northern town of Hawija triggered the latest unrest. It has enraged much of the country's restive Sunni Arab minority, adding fuel to an already smoldering opposition movement and spawning a wave of bold follow-up clashes. It is too soon to say whether the rage will lead to widespread insurrection in the largely Sunni cities of Mosul and Ramadi or spiral into open sectarian warfare in the streets of Baghdad.The Iraqi capital is far more tightly controlled by security forces than the remote towns hit by the latest unrest, but insurgents continue to launch regular, well-coordinated waves of attacks inside Baghdad. Outright threats that all but disappeared as the last bout of sectarian fighting waned in 2008 are making a comeback too, like the leaflets signed by a Shiite militant group that began turning up on the doorsteps of Sunni households in Baghdad earlier this year. The exact circumstances of the Hawija bloodshed remain murky, but there is outrage over the government's handling of the unrest and the fact that most of the 23 killed at the site were among the Sunni demonstrators. Talal al-Zobaie, a Sunni lawmaker from the opposition Iraqiya bloc, described this week's events as a pivotal moment for the country. "The crime in Hawija clearly shows that people have lost faith in their armed forces, which have been turned into a tool in the hands of the prime minister," he said. "Some people now think that the only way to protect themselves is to take up arms."The raid in Hawija sparked clashes and a spate of other attacks, mostly targeting Sunni mosques, that killed at least 56 people on Tuesday. Raids by Sunni gunmen on army checkpoints broke out in the hours following the protest camp raid and continued into Wednesday. In the most dramatic incident, armed tribesmen sealed off approaches to the Sunni town of Qara Tappah, about 75 miles northeast of Baghdad. When Iraqi troops backed by helicopters arrived to try to clear the makeshift roadblocks, fierce clashes erupted. Police say 15 gunmen and seven soldiers were killed.Sunni tribesmen also battled soldiers throughout Wednesday in the town of Suleiman Beg, about 95 miles north of Baghdad. Four soldiers and 12 others, including gunmen, were killed. The sense that violence could be spreading from a local dispute to other parts of the country is particularly worrying to many Iraqis. "This could open the door for broader clashes if things are not contained soon," said Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish lawmaker. "Hawija is a small town and it can be controlled, but the real problem will arise if Mosul or Ramadi decide to enter the armed struggle," he said.Three gunmen were killed Wednesday when they attacked a security checkpoint near the former al-Qaida stronghold of Mosul, about 225 miles northwest of Baghdad. Later, a car bomb struck a police patrol north of Baghdad, killing a policeman and two civilians. Another car bomb exploded after sunset near a bus stop in Baghdad's mostly Shiite neighborhood of Husseiniyah, killing seven people and wounding 23.Hospital officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information to reporters.Human Rights Watch urged Iraqi authorities to ensure that any investigation into the Hawija killings Tuesday take into account allegations that security forces used excessive force. The rights group noted that there have been reports that security forces attacked demonstrators without provocation. Iraq's Defense Ministry said it entered the protest area to try to make arrests over an attack on a nearby checkpoint several days earlier, and its forces came under heavy fire from several types of weapons, as well as from snipers. "This is one of those cases where ... a singular spark escalates tensions and mobilizes the population for renewed conflict," said Ramzy Mardini, an analyst at the Beirut-based Iraq Institute for Strategic Studies. "War fatigue in Iraq is losing its pacifying effects and the rationale to pick up arms and fight again is finding fertile ground in Sunni land(s)."The increasingly sectarian lines drawn in the Syrian civil war and the rise of Sunni Islamists in the region in the wake of the Arab Spring is also having an effect on the Sunni protest movement playing out in Iraq, he noted. Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime is fighting against largely Sunni rebels who draw support from Turkey and Sunni Gulf states. Assad's Alawite sect is a branch of Shiite Islam, and his regime is backed by Shiite powerhouse Iran. "Given what's happening at the regional level, there's a dangerous mixture of Sunni hubris and Shiite fear. These emotions coupled with political volatility and uncertainty renders an environment where miscalculations are most likely to occur," Mardini said. At the same time, recent local elections — which have not yet been held in two largely Sunni provinces — have put Iraqi politicians of all stripes in campaign mode, and playing up their sectarian credentials is a way to rouse voters. "You're not going to find Sunnis urging for calm," Mardini said. "Most ... are still in the mode of rabble-rousing and throwing the reddest of meats to a discontent and frustrated electorate." Tuesday's bloodshed followed four months of largely peaceful protests staged by Iraq's Sunni minority against the government. Many Sunnis are angered over what they see as an effort by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to sideline members of their sect within the power-sharing government. They say they face discrimination, particularly in the application of a tough anti-terrorism law that they believe unfairly targets them. The government frequently carries out arrests in Sunni areas on charges of ties to al-Qaida or the deposed Baathist regime of Saddam Hussein, a Sunni.Emma Sky, a key civilian policy advisor for U.S. Army Gen. Ray Odierno when he was the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, said the events in Hawija exacerbate concerns that the conflicts in Syria and Iraq are merging."The fear is that the post-World War I settlement is unraveling," she said, referring to the agreement between Britain and France that divided up the heart of the Middle East and drew the modern borders of Syria and Iraq. "The way to inoculate Iraq against all of this is national unity," she said. "If Iraq had wise politicians who actually came together for the good of the country, it could go in a different direction."


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On Wednesday next week, 29th June, it will be my pleasure to chair the Futurist Summit which is one of the free-to-attend streams happening as part of the 5G World event taking place at London's Olympia.
You can read more about the summit here, and more about the 5G World event here.
The schedule for the summit is as follows:
11:00 Introduction to the Futurist Summit
David Wood – Chair, London Futurists & Principal, Delta Wisdom
11:30 Education 2022 – MOOCs in full use, augmented by AIs doing marking and assessment-setting
Julia Begbie – Deputy Director of Studies – KLC School of Design
12:00 Healthcare 2022 – Digital healthcare systems finally fulfilling the promise that has long been expected of them
Avi Roy – Biomedical Scientist & Research Fellow at the Centre for Advancing Sustainable Medical Innovation (CASMI) – Oxford University
12:30 Finance 2022 – Anticipating a world without physical cash, and in many cases operating without centralised banks
Jeffrey Bower, Digital Finance Specialist, United Nations
13:00 Networking Lunch
14:00 Reinventing urban mobility for new business strategies…self-driving cars and beyond
Stephane Barbier – CEO – Transpolis
14:30 The Future of Smart Cities
Paul Copping – Smart City Advisor – Digital Greenwich, Royal Borough of Greenwich
15:00 The Future of Computer Security and 'Cybercrime'
Craig Heath, Director, Franklin Heath
15:30 "What happens when virtual reality experiences become more engaging than those in the real world?"
Steve Dann, Founder & CEO, Amplified Robot
16:00 End of Futurist Summit
Each of the 30 minute slots in the Summit will include a presentation from the speaker followed by audience Q&A.
If you're in or near London that day, I hope to see many of you at the Summit!
Note that, although the Futurist Summit is free to attend, you need to register in advance for a Free Expo Pass, via the 5G World conference registration page. You'll probably see other streams at the event that you would also like to attend.
Stop press: Any members of London Futurists can obtain a 50% discount off the price of a full pass to 5G World – if you wish to attend other aspects of the event – by using the Priority Code Partner50 on the registration webpage.


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The Swarovski #5328 Bicone Bead is the most popular Swarovski bead sold. It has universally been Swarovski's best-selling bead since it was created. Its Xilion faceting pattern contributes to the beads outstanding brilliance and light reflection, while its universally renowned shape adds to the beads application and use appeal. The Swarovski #5328 is ideal for virtually any design, and has been seen as a key component with jewelry designs, home decor, embellishments, crafts, and more.
The Swarovski Bicone Beads have a smooth hole drilled through their center that does not cut the thread running through them. Their color consistency and brilliance offered by these beads provides an unmatched appeal.
#5301 (the previous cut to the #5328), if in stock, may be shipped. Most customers do not have a preference because the difference in faceting is so slight, but if you require the #5328 specifically, please make a note on your order during checkout


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My colleague Lucas Meneghel Rodrigues thought it would be nice for Autotest to have a fancy logo. He came up with a great concept – a robotic arm pulling Tux upwards:
He asked me for a bit of help in spicing it up. I came up with a couple of sketches using MyPaint in Fedora:
We both agreed the original concept was strongest. So here it is, hopefully all done up real purdy-like:
What I did was to import the original MyPaint sketch as a flat PNG in Inkscape, save it on a layer, then I locked that layer. I created a new layer, and very carefully used the calligraphy tool with my tablet to trace a clean outline of the penguin. I went back in another couple of passes and thickened the external parts of the outline, and segments of the outline I wanted to pop out more (like his right leg.) Then I created another layer for the robotic arm and did the same. Finally, I created yet another layer, for the fills, moved it to the bottom of the layers stack (deleting the original sketch layer), and using Inkscape's fill tool to fill in a base color for each area to be colored. Finally, I did another pass over all the fills, adding gradients as necessary to make them pop a bit more.
Previously I would sketch ideas out on paper and scan them in, importing the scans into Inkscape. Since I've discovered MyPaint, my process in doing quick designs like this has gone entirely digital. It just has that right feel I couldn't get in Inkscape for sketching.
I hope Lucas likes the final result. 🙂 These and more related Autotest logo files are available in my Fedora People space, including the Inkscape source.
My colleague Lucas Meneghel Rodrigues thought it would be nice for Autotest to have a fancy logo. He came up with a great concept – a robotic arm pulling Tux upwards:


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Recap: Taste of Santa Fe 2010
Taste of Santa Fe was the annual fundraiser for the New Mexico History Museum, apparently a pretty small event that had hibernated over the recent years. This year, though, they relaunched Taste of Santa Fe bigger than ever, gearing it up to be one of the premier food events in the area. For that same reason, they invited Angeleno bloggers who are willing to go to Santa Fe to join them for the event (Disclaimer: we received free tickets to the events and lodging, but paid for own transport).
The main event took place at the Santa Fe Railyard Park on July 17.
It was a hot afternoon in Santa Fe (about 94 degrees!), and having been spoiled in Southern California, we had a hard time bearing with the sun and the heat. That's why I immediately veered towards to gelato booth and got the Blackberry Cabernet Sorbetto from O-Gelato, which had just opened on July 3.
Their other flavors included Ispaha, made with Parisian rosewater and raspberry, and Harry's Peach Bellini.
Mole and taquitos were abound, but there were more than New Mexican cuisine to be found at Taste of Santa Fe, although of course many incorporate ingredients and influences from the area. The resorts and fine dining restaurants participated with offerings such as seared tuna.
A non-VIP ticket to Taste of Santa Fe only gave us one drink, which was unfortunate considering the weather. I had to choose carefully. Since the wines weren't local and I tried many of the beers from the Santa Fe Brewing Co., I opted for the Chicken Killer Barley Wine Ale (yes, partly due to its awesome name).
This was fairly balanced with a bit of both maltiness and hop without being too bitter for me.
You can buy fork up cash for more drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, though we didn't do so that day.
A sample of the homemade lemonade from Flying Star Cafe was such a lifesaver in the sweltering heat, I even stopped by the actual cafe to buy a full glass.
One of my favorite tastes that day was this BBQ ribs with red chile honey glaze and green chile cole slaw from Josh's Barbecue.
This year's event brought Chef John Sedlar of Rivera Restaurant in LA for a cooking demonstration. Chef Sedlar grew up in Santa Fe and has also given us some restaurant recommendations for the area.
He prepared a dish called Scallops Arabesque which calls for Vadouvan, an Indian spice blend.
Chef Sedlar suggests using grapeseed oil since it can go to high temperature and doesn't burn.
Since Chef Sedlar had also made this dish for a Los Angeles Mag's event, you can find the full recipe for it here.
Chile, both red and green, can be found everywhere, including on your kettle corn. Kernel's Kettle Corn which normally parks its cart on the Plaza, offers three flavors: original, red chile, and green chile. Both sweet and spicy, these were actually pretty addictive.