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Recommended Reading: Books for reading and giving
From the many excellent books on leather and/or BDSM that have been published over the years, here is a very arbitrary selection—many of them taken directly from your humble columnist's bookshelf—that only scratches the surface (so to speak) of what's available.
Almost any of these books would make excellent reading for those curious about, or just starting to explore, leather and/or BDSM.
Even if you've been in the scene awhile—whatever your age, gender, orientation, preference or experience level, you'll find something appropriate and worthwhile among the following.
Urban Aboriginals: A Celebration of Leathersexuality by Geoff Mains (Daedalus)—A trail-blazing mid-80's look at the development and then-current state of the gay men's leather community. Also includes still-timely discussions of leather spirituality and explanations of leather's appeal. Mains, who had a Ph.D. in biochemistry, introduced the notion of endorphins as a component of SM sexuality and was among the first to draw parallels between leather and other tribal cultures throughout history. Brilliant and timeless.
The Leatherman's Handbook and The Leatherman's Handbook II by Larry Townsend (L T Publications)—The first Handbook dates from the pre-AIDS 1970s; Handbook II is a mid-80s sequel incorporating safer-sex information (and is the first book that your humble columnist read when he was getting into leather). Both books alternate between fact-sharing and storytelling (Townsend is a master at writing erotic fiction), which for some will heighten the reading experience. The tone of both books is rawer and more macho than the other books discussed here; Handbook II, especially, describes some heavy scenes and practices in unflinching detail.
Leathersex: A Guide for the Curious Outsider and the Serious Player and Leathersex Q&A: Questions about Leathersex and the Leather Lifestyle Answered by Joseph W. Bean (Daedalus)—Bean is one of leather's best and most prolific writers. Leathersex is a well-organized, straightforward introduction to leather sexuality; in the sequel, Leathersex Q&A, Bean responds to actual letters he has received over the years. His sensitivity, wisdom, and caring shine through both books.
SM101: A Realistic Introduction by Jay Wiseman (Greenery Press)—True to its name, this is the closest thing I've ever seen to a textbook on SM—thorough, non-judgmental, suitable for all genders and all orientations. Many drawings and diagrams. Bonus: witty aphorisms (example: "That's the thing I like about rope: One size fits all.") that will have you thumbing through the entire book because you don't want to miss any.
Chainmale 3SM: a unique view of leather culture by Don Bastian (Daedalus)—Totally unlike any other book discussed here, Bastian's autobiographical masterpiece is risky, impressionistic, poetic, hot, intensely personal and eminently readable. An excellent right-brain introduction to leather.
Leatherfolk: Radical Sex, People, Politics and Practice, Mark Thompson, Editor (Daedalus)—For beginners or for anyone interested in leather/SM spirituality, this is the ultimate compilation of essays on the topic by 25 brilliant writers.
Painfully Obvious: An Irreverent & Unauthorized Manual for Leather/SM by Robert Davolt (Daedalus)—A curmudgeon's view of leather, this book is packed with priceless social and sociological commentary on how the leather community and its institutions work (or sometimes don't). It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me think—what more can one ask?
The Toybag Guide to Dungeon Emergencies and Supplies by Jay Wiseman (Greenery Press)—Wiseman, a former ambulance paramedic, has packed a wealth of emergency medical knowledge and common sense into a very small, very portable book without which no toy bag should be considered complete. Useful when emergencies rise, it's even better if you've read it before you need it.
International Mr. Leather: 25 Years of Champions, compiled, edited and written by Joseph W. Bean (Leather Archives & Museum)—Don't buy it just because it will look great on your coffee table. Packed with rare photos and fascinating interviews and memoirs, this epic book is not just a history of the International Mr. Leather Contest, it documents the last quarter-century of the leather community in general. Twenty-five years in the making, I doubt we'll see its like for at least another 25.
Here are some other time-tested leather/BDSM books to consider:
The Lesbian S/m Safety Manual by Pat (now Patrick) Califia (Lace Publications). Out of print, but you still might find a copy if you search.
Ties That Bind: SM/Leather/Fetish Erotic Style: Issues, Commentaries and Advice by Guy Baldwin (Daedalus)
Learning the Ropes by Race Bannon (Daedalus).
The Topping Book and The Bottoming Book by Dossie Easton and Catherine A. Liszt (Greenery Press)
The New Topping Book and The New Bottoming Book by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy (Greenery Press)
Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns by Philip Miller and Molly Devon (Mystic Rose Books)
Different Loving: A Complete Exploration of the World of Sexual Dominance and Submission by William Brame, Gloria Brame and Jon Jacobs (Villard).
The Master's Manual and The Compleat Slave by Jack Rinella (Daedalus).
Publisher and Shopping Information
Publishers of books listed above:
Daedalus Publishing Company: www.daedaluspublishing.com
Greenery Press: www.greenerypress.com
L T Publications: www.larrytownsend.com
Leather Archives & Museum (LA&M): www.leatherarchives.org (Support the Leather Archives and Museum! Visit their online gift shop for books and other merchandise suitable for holiday gift-giving.)
Mystic Rose Books: www.mysticrose.com
Villard, an imprint of Random House: www.randomhouse.com
Twin Cities Shopping Information
Many of these titles are either in stock or can be ordered at Dreamhaven Books in Minneapolis (www.dreamhavenbooks.com) or Query Booksellers (www.querybooks.com).
You might also find some of these titles, and many more holiday gift items, at MSDB's Bizarre Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 11, noon to 7 PM at Trikkx Bar, 490 N. Robert St., St. Paul (free admission).
Time Capsule: The Prescient Susie Shepherd
Fifteen years ago, in October 1989, the men's and women's leather communities in Minnesota gathered together for the first Minnesota Leather Encounter (MLE) weekend. Part of the weekend was the first Mr. Minnesota Leather contest.
One of the judges of that contest was International Ms Leather 1989 Susie Shepherd. The following is an excerpt from the speech she gave that weekend. I present it here to show that fifteen years later, some things have changed but many have not. Shepherd's message still resonates today.
Never when I won the International Ms Leather contest last year did I think I was going to the Twin Cities and have both my tits pierced and play bingo, all on the same day!" (Jim Ward, master piercer from The Gauntlet, was another judge for the weekend.)
I was real involved in politics for a long time, and because of that I kept myself in the leather closet.
I figured, if I'm busy lining up testimony—people to go over to the state legislature and people to come with me and talk to groups of psychiatrists and convince them that gay people are like everybody else— if I let them know I got all these kinky fantasies, they're gonna think I'm really weird, and it's gonna undo all the work I'm doing.
So I didn't do that, and for a long time I found myself dying in this closet.
What I want to tell you is, if there's anybody here who doesn't know—and I think everybody does to some degree—closets kill!
And if there's anybody here tonight who's in any kind of a closet—take the fuckin' knob off, kick the door out, and come out and be who you are!
I almost died in the leather closet even though I was the best little lesbian in the state of Oregon.
It doesn't matter what kind of a closet it is, it's gonna kill you. It's gonna stifle you. It's gonna suffocate you. It's gonna be a long, slow, painful death.
We were trying to get a civil rights bill for gay people through the state of Oregon. I was behind a table with another lesbian at the University of Oregon in Eugene having people sign postcards to send to their state legislators.
This one man came up to us, and he had an umbrella in his hand, and he said, "You know what I think they ought to do with all those gay people? I think we ought to take them all, and line them up against a wall . . . ." and then he picks up his umbrella and uses it like a machine gun.
And I said, "Well, that really bothers me because I'm gay, and I don't like that idea."
And he said, "Well, I didn't mean anything personal."
There's a Supreme Court out there that wants to tell low-income women what to do with their bodies. If those people want to tell heterosexual procreative women what to do with their bodies, imagine what they want to tell a bunch of kinky gay people!
Now, we've got the power to undo a lot of what they can do. Number one, organizing at the local level, we can get involved in judicial campaigns and we can help elect judges who are going to make the kinds of decisions that stand up when they go before the Supreme Court.
We also have the power in this room to hold fundraisers like what's going on tonigh. so that if cases involving our people get to the court, we can hire good attorneys who can defend our people, so that if it does go to the Supreme Court we can be well represented, and have a much better chance of convincing the law of who's right.
We are only as powerless as we let ourselves be. And as an SM leather dyke, I'm a botto, but the way that I do that is, I consensually exchange my power with whoever is topping me.
Out there in the political realm, that can be a real non-consensual exchange of power.
But if I get myself involved politically, then I've got the power to negotiate. And by doing that, I'm getting consensually involved in the exchange of power that guarantees me, as the American citizen, my right to be here on this earth.


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James Baughn
The webmaster of seMissourian.com and its sister newspapers, James Baughn has lost track of the number of websites he manages. On the side, he maintains even more sites, including Bridgehunter.com, LandmarkHunter.com, TheCapeRock.com, and Humorix.
Visit a National Forest hiking trail only a short distance from Cape
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at 5:16 PM
Grapevine Trail is one of many colorful highway names in Southern Illinois. For a lot of people, the highway is a shortcut to Shawnee Community College or Metropolis from Cape Girardeau. With its many grapevine-like twists and turns, it can be a frustrating drive.
The busy railroad crossing at McClure adds to the frustration, thanks to a variation of Murphy's Law which guarantees that the closest approaching train will always meet you at the crossing.
Nevertheless, Grapevine Trail also provides access to a scenic portion of the Shawnee National Forest that is frequently overlooked by visitors. The Horse Creek Hiking Trail, located off Grapevine Trail only 12 miles from Cape, is a quality trail that doesn't require a long drive.
Horse Creek doesn't offer any spectacular rock formations or natural wonders, but I wouldn't call it "boring." It's a challenging 5-mile hike that loops through ridgetops on the west and then returns through a deep hollow on the east. In winter, the Mississippi River floodplain and Missouri hills can be seen in the distance.
The trailhead is located at the end of Oxford Road, a gravel road that was closed earlier this year for an extensive reconstruction project. It's now one of the fanciest dead-end roads in the Shawnee National Forest.
Beginning at the locked gate at the end of the road, the trail climbs and follows a ridge toward the west.
At the highest point on the Horse Creek Trail, the trail turns to the southwest, still following the ridge. Glimpses of the river bottoms can be seen to the right through the trees.
After staying in the hills for about two miles, the trail turns south and begins descending into the Horse Creek valley. Keep your eyes peeled for a tranquil man-made pond on the right.
Soon the trail makes a final drop to the valley floor and reaches a T-intersection with an old road. Turn left. The landscape is much different here, with the trail passing between deciduous trees on the left and evergreen trees on the right.
A fork in the trail to the right leads to Horse Creek and connects with a network of other forest roads.
Back at the main trail, the route runs parallel to the creek, following it upstream. It's an easy walk through the woods, although the trail does enter the creek bed a few times toward the end. This would not be a good place to visit during wet weather.
Quickly the trail turns away from the creek and climbs a steep hill to return to Oxford Road. Back at the road, turn left and follow the road a short distance to return to the trailhead.
The trail map lists the entire loop as 6 miles long, but it's probably closer to 5. While only modestly scenic, the Horse Creek Trail is a good chance to enjoy nature and get some exercise without driving very far.
[Google map] [Printable trail map (PDF)]
From Cape Girardeau, cross the Emerson Bridge into Illinois and turn left at Highway 3. At the school in McClure, turn right on Grapevine Trail. Go 4.7 miles and turn right on Oxford Road. This turnoff is a bit hard to see in advance -- it comes immediately after the left turn for County Line Road.
Climb to the top of the hill on Oxford Road and bear right at the intersection to stay on the main road. Park at the end of the road. You'll pass a trailhead on the left, but I recommend continuing to the second trailhead at the end of Oxford Road.
As always, be sure to print a trail map in case you take a wrong turn somewhere.
Looking for places to go?
Browse the Pavement Ends interactive map, color-coded by difficulty
More from this blogger · James Baughn
The Pavement Ends guide to the Ozark Riverways (8/19/20)
Maintz sunflowers back for 2020 (7/27/20)
Massive sinkhole opens in Reynolds County along the Trail of Tears (6/3/20)1
Hike from 0 to 12 miles on the Audubon Trail (5/14/20)
Scenes from Pinecrest Azalea Garden (4/19/20)
Ideas for getting away from it all (3/27/20)1
Jean Dale: Cape Girardeau baseball sensation (with an asterisk) (2/10/20)
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Need a beautiful dessert to bring to a party or event? Don't worry because here at A&J Bakery we will do it for you. Two pounds of our tastiest cookies presented nicely on a golden board. These cookies come in a variety of flavors that change depending on the seasons. All cookies are assorted and are nut and gluten free.
PLEASE NOTE: 2 lb Fancy Cookie Tray will contain random cookie flavors. There is no way for our bakers to guarantee that any one specific cookie flavor will be included in this assortment.


Djsradioshow presents a new mix Tiestos Club Life 500 selected works of the week! Large-scale radio show with a variety of stylistic modulations - just a huge collection by artist, here on our Site.
Just after releasing his second studio album Just Be in 2004, at the Summer Olympics he performed live at the opening ceremony in Athens, Greece becoming the first DJ to play live on stage at an Olympics Games. Tracks he made especially for the Olympics were mixed together and released as the mix compilation Parade of the Athletes later that year. He was appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau by Queen Beatrix. He was chosen as the official ambassador for the Dance4Life foundation in May, and released the song "Dance4Life" with Maxi Jazz to help spread the awareness of HIV/AIDS. In April Tiësto launched both his radio show Tiësto's Club Life on Radio 538 in the Netherlands and released his third studio album titled Elements of Life. The album reached number one on the Dutch album chart as well on "Billboard Top Electronic Albums" in the U.S. and received a nomination for a Grammy Award. Tiësto is set to release his fourth studio album called Kaleidoscope in October.


When was the MASMOVIL Group founded?
Who founded the MASMOVIL Group?
Is it a Spanish company?
What does the MASMOVIL Group focus on?
Does it have its own network?
How many employees make up the MASMOVIL Group?
How many customers does the MASMOVIL Group have?
What revenues does the MASMOVIL Group have?
What was the MASMOVIL Group's EBITDA in 2015?
Can I become a shareholder of the MASMOVIL Group?
What are the next meetings for MASMOVIL Group's shareholders?
Where can I see economic and financial information on the MASMOVIL Group?
I want to know more about the MASMOVIL Group's board of directors.
How is the share capital of the MASMOVIL Group divided?
Where can I find a MÁSMÓVIL store?
How do I get in touch with shareholders and investors of the MÁSMÓVIL Group?
How do I contact the press of the MASMOVIL Group?
How do I contact the Customer Support of the MASMOVIL Group?
The MASMOVIL Group is the fourth largest telecommunications operator in Spain that offers fixed-line, mobile, and internet products to residential, business and wholesale customers, through its main brands: Yoigo, Pepephone, MÁSMÓVIL and Llamaya.
MÁSMÓVIL was founded in 2006. It was founded as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). In recent years, MÁSMÓVIL has experienced rapid growth and has become the fourth largest telecommunications operator in Spain with its own network of fixed and mobile telephony.
MÁSMÓVIL was founded by two young entrepreneurs: Meinrad Sprenger and Christian Nyborg. Meinrad Sprenger is currently the Managing Director of the MASMOVIL Group.
The MASMOVIL Group is a Spanish company, founded in Madrid.
The MASMOVIL group focuses on the telecommunications business, both fixed-line and mobile.
The MASMOVIL Group has its own 3G and 4G mobile network and deployed nationwide fixed fibre network infrastructures, which makes them one of the main players in the Spanish market. It also has agreements with other operators in Spain to use other mobile and fixed-line networks, making it one of the market operators with the best levels of coverage for both fixed-line and mobiles in Spain.
More than approximately 500 employees.
The MASMOVIL Group at the end of September had a total of 4.7 million customers of which 4.6 million were mobile customers and 70,000 fixed broadband customers.
The MASMOVIL Group has a revenue of about 1.1 billion euros, considering the aggregated data from the group's three companies in the 12-month period June 15-16.
The company had an EBITBA of approximately 117 million euros, considering the aggregated data from the group's three companies in the 12-month period June 15-16.
Yes, you can contact inversores@masmovil.com for more information.
You can check for the next MÁSMÓVIL General Meeting of Shareholders here.
You can look at informative documents on MÁSMÓVIL here.
In this link you can get to know the members of MÁSMÓVIL's Board of Directors.
Its share capital is divided into 19,951,100 shares in circulation, they are listed on the (Spanish Main Stock Market), with a market capitalisation of over 500 million euros.
Find your nearest MÁSMÓVIL store here.
You can contact the press using the e-mail comunicacion@masmovil.com or the telephone number +34 694 435 788.
Or if you prefer, you can call us on 900 696 912 if you are not a customer, or on 2373 if you are already a MÁSMÓVIL customer.
Send a copy of your CV to our Human Resources team (correo@masmovil.com).


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Home / First Presidential Term (4 March 1789-3 March 1793) / 1789 / April 1789 / 07 April 1789
At Mount Vernon, GW received a letter from William Shotwell, surviving partner of Embree and Shotwell, saying that GW's order of seeds had been sent to Baltimore merchant and shipowner Richard Curson. GW wrote Curson to ask for an immediate shipment to Mount Vernon of this order of clover and timothy seed. GW then wrote back to Shotwell to reprimand him for the prolonged delay of this shipment, and for not sending it to Alexandria, Va. GW desperately needed these grass seeds at Mount Vernon and their delay had negatively impacted his estate. He declared, "my whole system of husbandry is deranged by it."


The Climate Corner is a monthly column featuring a variety of writers from around the state and Door County addressing various aspects of the challenges and opportunities climate change presents. The Corner is sponsored by the Climate Change Coalition of Door County, which is dedicated to "helping to keep our planet a cool place to live." The Coalition is always open to new members and ideas. Contact the Coalition at climatechange.doorcounty@gmail.com.


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Wrong to say cases of atrocities against Dalits have increased under Modi government, says Ramdas Athawale
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Union minister Ramdas Athawale Sunday said it was wrong to say cases of atrocities against Dalits have increased under the Narendra Modi government. Noting that caste-related violence was continuing in the country, the Dalit leader from Maharashtra said irrespective of which party is in power, the government should take stringent action against the perpetrators. No party (in power) encourages these acts. However, the government should make efforts to stop this, The RPI leader said the issue should not be politicised as attacks on Dalits have happened in the past and may continue to happen in the future. The issue, he noted, must be viewed from a social perspective. He said the statistics from the last 10 years revealed that every year, nearly 45,000 to 46,000 cases of atrocities against Dalits were registered in the country. The BJP has been criticised over Dalits being attacked in the states ruled by the party, particularly the incident in Una, Gujarat, where Dalits were flogged in 2016. Athawale further batted for the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the Maharashtra. However, in case the tie-up ends, the RPI will align with the BJP, Athawale said. The Athawale faction of the RPI aligned with the Shivsena-BJP combine in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. However, when the Shiv Sena-BJP severed ties in 2014, Athawale chose BJP over the Shiv Sena. Later, Athawale was made a minister in the Modi-cabinet. Athawale asserted he will contest from Mumbai South Central in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, a seat currently represented by the Shiv Sena. This move is likely to irk the Sena. I will contest from Mumbai South Central. I will ask the BJP to compensate the Sena with some other seat from their quota, Athawale added that if there is no alliance then he can win the seat in a triangular contest between him, the Shiv Sena and the Congress-NCP combine candidate.
What Modi achieves outside India, Yogi Adityanath does in state! UP CM completes what Akhilesh, Mayawati couldn't
President Ram Nath Kovind gives assent to India's first good samaritan bill of Karnataka


Before environmental microarrays can fulfill their diagnostic promise, it is necessary to define an environmental diagnostic. In this chapter, I propose a definition for an environmental diagnostic (EVD) that is consistent with the FDA's definition and meaning of an in vitro diagnostic (IVD), where the emphasis is on the use of the diagnostic to make a decision and take action relative to the effect of a particular condition on human health. In this context, the underlying microarray technologies, methods of manufacture, and intended use can significantly impact the quality and reliability of an environmental diagnosis. Current and future technology should therefore focus on reducing the variability of environmental microarrays during manufacture and use, so that repeatable results can be obtained independent of the user. Analytical process simplification, perhaps through amplification microarrays described in this chapter, may help achieve the objective of repeatability for independent users, but technology per se will not substitute for a clearly defined intended use, effective product design, and objective verification and validation data. At present, the absence of regulatory oversight for EVDs is both a blessing and a curse. It is therefore expected that future technical solutions for realizing microarray-based EVDs will only come with a consensus biological and regulatory opinion regarding the meaning of environmental nucleic acid signatures relative to the real or perceived risks associated with each intended use.
117. Adams CP, Kron SJ. June 24, 1997. Method for performing amplification of nucleic acid with two primers bound to a single solid support. US patent 5,641,658.
150. Martinez G, Bruant G, Brousseau R, Masson L, Harel J. 2006. Development of a new integrated diagnostic test for identification and characterization of pathogens. Dev Biol (Basel) 126 : 213– 218.


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Latest Technology to Protect Paraolympians | Wolf & Pravato
'Bleeding' Pants Show ccWhere They've Been Injured
Paralympians who compete in international athletic competitions no longer need to worry about not being able to feel serious and life threatening injuries that could result in bleeding to death. A group of students from London's Imperial College and The Royal College of Art have teamed up to create Bruise pants. These specially designed pair of pants uses pressure-sensitive film and dye packs to help athletes who can't feel pain see where they have been injured.
With special pressure-sensitive film developed by Fuji, the designers sewed the film inside pockets which were then stitched over common injury sites, in sweat-wicking Lycra leggings. If any injuries or impact occurs in those areas, a red stain similar to blood seeps through the cloth letting the paralympian know they've been hurt. The more vivid the intensity of the color, the stronger the impact. In the event it turns a dark magenta, that means they've suffered a serious injury and it's time to stop and find the medics.
The students tested the film by wrapping some over animal bones and exposing them to repeated blows. Their tests and trials resulted in the present prototype, which is especially useful for athletes who play wheelchair basketball, sit skiing and motor racing In the future, the developers hope to make a full suit that will be more useful for other sports — even ones played by able-bodied athletes.
Students Lucy Jung, Elena Dieckmann, Dan Garrett, and Ming Kong from the Imperial College of London and the Royal College of Art were inspired to design the sports pants after a talk given by Paralympian skier Talan Skeels-Piggins at the Imperial College.
In a recent article by CNET, The students were quoted as saying, "We were really inspired by what Talan had to say about competing in sport and it was great to hear about his experiences. Offhandedly, he remarked about not being able to feel his injuries after competing in high impact sporting events and it prompted us to look more into this area," Jung said.
"We found that many sportspeople often don't realise that they've injured themselves because they can't feel anything, which could have serious health implications. We hope in the future that our trousers will be used by athletes to better monitor their health and well-being."
The pants are just the first step. The team would like to develop the concept into a full bruise suit, and then into a product line that could be used by any able-bodied athlete involved in activity where blunt force trauma could cause injury. Athletes are renowned for going through the pain barrier, and that also includes training with fractured bones that could either fail catastrophically or cause long term damage to the athlete.


In separate decisions yesterday, the State Supreme Court ruled that a municipal employee can be punished for using a racial slur against a colleague, and that even a single instance of racial name calling by a supervisor can constitute job discrimination.
In a 1993 case based in Atlantic City, the court upheld a 48-day suspension without pay against a city firefighter, James Karins, for violating the city's code of conduct, after he was found to have used a racial slur against a black police officer who had stopped him on suspicion of drunken driving. Mr. Karins argued that the suspension violated his free-speech rights and that the code of conduct was too broad.
In the second case, the court overturned the dismissal of a discrimination suit against the former Burlington County Sheriff, Henry W. Metzger. The suit had been brought by a veteran officer, Carrie Taylor, who accused Mr. Metzger of using a racial epithet.
While Officer Taylor's job status was not directly affected, the court ruled that the remark sent an ''unambiguously demeaning racial message'' and sent the case back to Superior Court for trial.


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Published in Test your Japanese: Section 2
Click here...
Los Angeles Cosplay Contest
Los Angeles Cosplay Contest at Nagoya Day
The 2014 Los Angeles Cosplay Contest was held on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at The Grove in Los Angeles, as part of "Nagoya Day" to celebrate the 55-year anniversary of sister city relations between Los Angeles and Nagoya. Emcee Ivan Van Norman, a Season One Contestant from TBS television's King of the Nerds hosted the contest which featured over 40 cosplayers from the Los Angeles/Southern California area. The judges of the event were Cosplay/Video Game Journalist Paola Alejandra, Designer/Professional Seamstress Kristine "Space Invader" Carr and Makeup / Special Effects Artist KC Mussman. The 2013 winner of America's Got Talent Kenichi Ebina entertained the crowd during the event with his amazing dance performance. The contest was produced for the Los Angeles Nagoya Sister City Affiliation (LANSCA) by Tokyo Journal / Authentasia. The Nagoya Day event was presented by the City of Nagoya and LANSCA.
Published in MANGA & ANIME
Sunday, 26 October 2014 00:51
Home Makeover Spotlight II
Interior: Sharp Shades and Beautiful Blinds
As this California home has large windows with views of the pool in the front and a hilltop scenery at the side and back, the owners faced the challenge of selecting window coverings that would restrict direct sunlight during peak hours without blocking the magnificent views.
Published in Lifestyles
Travel to Las Vegas & Portland, OR
Travel to Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon
TJ's hotel reviewers headed to Las Vegas and Portland to experience the best places to stay and most entertaining things to do. Here are a few of our favorites.
Published in TRAVEL & FOOD
Tasty Tokyo Treats
Meet Hikari Takara
Actress develops her career by learning English in Southern California
Tokyo Journal has zeroed in on eighteen-year-old actress Hikari Takara as a rising star in the international movie scene. Beginning her acting career at the age of twelve, Hikari has appeared in movies, TV dramas, and commercials. Following the release of her movie "Innocent Lilies," Tokyo Journal first interviewed Hikari in fall of 2013 when Hikari moved to California to study English and do a homestay with an American host family. After a year in California, Tokyo Journal caught up with Hikari again. Hikari has her sights on being in a Hollywood movie and becoming a global star. Although she still has a long way to go, she has her acting experience complimented by her stunning appearance, height, newly founded English ability, dance skills, and some impressive martial arts moves. Prior to returning to Japan to resume her acting career, Tokyo Journal followed Hikari as she shows us some of her favorite hangouts and attractions in Southern California.
Published in MOVIES,MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
L.A., Seattle & London Cosplay Conventions
Cosplay Conventions in Los Angeles, Seattle & London
Photos from Anime Expo 2014 July 3rd to 6th, 2014 in Los Angeles, California; Sakura-Con 2014 April 18th to 20th, 2014 in Seattle, Washington and MCM London Comic Con 2014 May 23rd to 25th, 2014 in London, England
Dennis Awori: Toyota in Africa
Formerly Kenya's ambassador to Korea and Japan (2004-2009) and now representing Toyota Tsusho Corporation as chairman in 13 African states, Dennis Awori knows a thing or two about Japan and its commercial links to the world. Tokyo Journal met up with Awori to find out more.
Published in BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY


I grew up in Malawi (Africa) and England before moving to the USA. I love traveling, learning from other cultures and trying out new foods! I think of dentistry as a blend of science and art. It allows me to apply the knowledge and skills of being a doctor and at the same time be creative. What's great about Smile Magic is that everyday is fun. Our staff go out of their way to make each patient's visit a wonderful and rewarding adventure.


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Canada announces subjects for its 2023 stamp program
Dec 21, 2022, 10 AM
Canada Post announced that its 2023 stamp program will feature an issue celebrating ferries. Other stamps from Canada that show ferries include a 1946 stamp showing a train ferry and a 20¢ definitive depicting The Ferry, Quebec by James Wilson Morrice.
By David Hartwig
Canada Post announced details of its 2023 stamp program in a Dec. 21 press release.
"The 2023 Canadian stamp program will celebrate some of the country's most accomplished individuals, historic milestones, and the holidays that bring communities together," Canada Post said.
Notable among the 2023 stamps will be the issuance of the first definitives honoring King Charles III, who was named Canada's head of state Sept. 10, 2022.
Although Canada became independent, leaving the British Empire, in 1982, it remains a member of the British Commonwealth.
A Sept. 10, 2022, article from the Reuters news agency said that Canada proclaimed Charles its king during a formal ceremony held at the official residence of Governor-General Mary Simon, "the monarch's representative in Canada who performs the duties of the head of state on behalf of the crown."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Simon signed an order naming Charles as the new sovereign, the proclamation was read by Canada's chief herald, and a 21-gun salute ended the ceremony, according to the article.
Canada Post announced other individuals who would be featured on stamps in its 2023 program, though it did not provide names.
One stamp will celebrate a "hockey pioneer who broke boundaries and gave back to his sport and community," and another will honor a Canadian in the Resistance during World War II.
Canada Post did not announce issue dates, but in recent years it has commemorated military subjects on stamps issued close to Remembrance Day (Nov. 11).
Another stamp, to be issued in January, will celebrate Black History Month. Canada's long-running Black History Month series began in 2009.
A series Canada Post began in 2022 will continue in 2023 with three new stamps honoring indigenous leaders. The first three stamps in the series were issued June 21, 2022, National Indigenous People Day in Canada, and featured Harry Daniels, Jose Kusugak and Chief Marie-Anne Day Waler-Pelletier.
In 2023, Canada Post will again issue stamps to commemorate the Sept. 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which recognizes children who never returned from Indian residential schools, those who survived, and the families and communities involved.
The postal agency issued the first set of stamps in 2022 for this series. Three of the four stamps in the se-tenant (side-by-side) block of four showcase First Nations, Inuit and Metis artists.
Quebec activists and trailblazers will be honored on a 2023 stamp issue, according to Canada Post, but the press release does not name these individuals.
Canada Post also announced a stamp issue for the ferries "that charm tourists and serve commuters across Canada." Other stamps from Canada that show ferries include a 1946 stamp showing a train ferry (Scott 273) and a 20¢ definitive depicting The Ferry, Quebec by James Wilson Morrice (464), issued as part of a 1967-72 series.
A set of six stamps are simply said in the press release to "demonstrate how a picture is worth a thousand words."
The stamps in the annual spring Flower issue will picture ranunculus, "a favourite of gardeners and the soon-to-be-wed," Canada Post said. Flowers in the ranunculus genus are often known as buttercups. These stamps will be issued in March.
The 2023 program will see another fundraising stamp issued for the Canada Post Community Foundation, which supports children and youth. Canada Post started this annual semipostal series in 2012.
"Annual Christmas and holiday stamp issues will celebrate the Nativity story and creatively depict the beauty of the Canadian winter," Canada Post said. In addition, the program will include stamps celebrating Eid, Diwali and Hanukkah.
"Canada Post is proud of its role as one of Canada's storytellers," the press release said, adding that the committee responsible for recommending subjects to the annual stamp program "relies on thoughtful input from groups and individuals to choose subjects that are meaningful to all Canadians."
The program is tentative and subject to change.
Nov 14, 2022, 8 AM
Canada celebrates Hanukkah with Nov. 7 stamp
Nov 10, 2022, 2 PM
Quebec's grande dame of stage and screen honored on Nov. 14 stamp from Canada Post
Nov 8, 2022, 8 AM
Canada Post ushers in holiday season with Nov. 1 stamps


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Lathrop GPM Partner Jehan Kamil Moore Receives Diversity & Inclusion Award
Kansas City, MO (June 29, 2020) – Missouri Lawyers Media named Lathrop GPM Partner Jehan Kamil Moore to its 2020 class of Diversity & Inclusion honorees. Moore is one of 21 recognized by the publication for "advancing diversity, inclusion and the dignity of all people in Missouri's legal profession and in communities in which exceptional legal work impacts justice for all."
Moore serves as co-chair of the Lathrop GPM Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Involved with diversity and inclusion efforts at the firm since joining more than 10 years ago, Moore helped create and lead the firm's Diverse Professionals Network, is past co-chair of the firm's Women's Initiative Network, and also mentors and aids in the recruitment of diverse attorneys to the firm. Moore's advocacy efforts continue outside the firm. She is an active alumna of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellows Program, serving as city lead for its Kansas City-area alumni group; a member of the University of Kansas School of Law's Alumni Diversity Advisory Council and serves as a mentor for the school's diverse students; and a member of CROWN — the Cross-Organizational Women's Network of Kansas City.
A litigation attorney, Moore's practice focuses on representing business clients in litigated and non-litigated disputes, defending employers in a variety of litigation matters, and advising employers on effective personnel policies and practices.
Moore will be recognized for this honor during a virtual awards event scheduled for July 31 and a feature in a special section of Missouri Lawyers Media that same week.
Diversity and inclusion are priorities at Lathrop GPM. The firm is dedicated to becoming a more diverse and inclusive firm whose workforce reflects the diversity of the clients served and the communities inhabited. As a reflection of that commitment, Lathrop GPM was among the first 20 law firms to pledge support to CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, is active in the Leadership Council for Legal Diversity, and earned a 95 out of 100 score on the 2020 Corporate Equality Index. For more information on the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit lathropgpm.com/diversity.html.
About Lathrop GPM
Lathrop GPM is a national law firm with nearly 400 attorneys and 14 offices from coast to coast. At Lathrop GPM, we relentlessly pursue our clients' interests to help anticipate trends, plan for challenges, and bring their vision to life. As a full-service firm with deep roots and a broad reach, Lathrop GPM collaborates with our clients to shape the future. For more information, visit lathropgpm.com.
Jehan Kamil Moore


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Multilateral interchange fees
By Louise Freeman, Elaine Whiteford15 October 2018
Louise Freeman
Last year we discussed the contrasting judgments of the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in Sainsbury's and the Commercial Court in Arcadia (Gazette, 18 September 2017). A few months later, a differently constituted Commercial Court reached yet a third conclusion in relation to the legality of multilateral interchange fees (MIFs) in the Visa judgment. The Court of Appeal considered all three cases together, handing down judgment on the conjoined appeals on 4 July 2018.
Elaine Whiteford
This article will focus on three of the elements of the Court of Appeal judgment of wider implication, namely its observations on: the burden of proof; pass-through; and case management.
A critical question considered by the Court of Appeal was, if the MIFs were not exempt under article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), whether the claimants bore the burden of proving what level of MIF, if any, would have been exemptible and, hence, lawful. Identifying such a level of lawful fee was a prerequisite for calculating damages.
In Arcadia, Popplewell J had reasoned that, as the claim was for tortious damages, it was for the claimants to establish the extent of their loss by reference to the extent of the unlawfulness. In other words, it was for them to show the difference between the MIF that could lawfully have been charged and the MIF actually charged.
According to the Court of Appeal, the correct approach that the burden of proof lies on the party asserting that some arrangement, other than the actual arrangement, would have been lawful and what that lawful arrangement would have been (here the MIF that could lawfully have been charged). In other words, and contrary to Popplewell's conclusion, the burden lay on the defendants.
This is a conclusion with potentially far-reaching consequences. For example, in cartel cases, it has hitherto been assumed that the claimant bears the burden of proving the level of any overcharge that resulted from the cartel. The Court of Appeal suggests that this is wrong. Rather, the claimant having demonstrated (usually by reference to a prior commission infringement decision) that the prices charged have been tainted by cartel behaviour, it would then be for the defendant to demonstrate what level of price could have been charged absent the cartel.
This aspect of the Court of Appeal's judgment may be seen to reflect the policy and approach underlying the 2014 damages directive (namely, a presumption that cartels cause harm), but whereas the directive's presumption applies in the UK only in respect of loss or damage suffered on or after 27 December 2016 as a result of infringements of competition law taking place on or after that date, the Court of Appeal's ruling is subject to no such restriction.
In practice, of course, UK claimants typically start their claim with an assertion of a 26% overcharge based on the Oxera study. The Court of Appeal's approach allows them to dispense with such an approach. As a consequence, the starting point for the court will no longer be the 26% asserted by the claimants but the – inevitably – much more modest figure put forward by the defendant. Certainly (unless this is overturned by the Supreme Court) the days of UK defendants refusing to put forward a positive case on overcharge would appear to be over.
In Sainsbury's, the CAT held that Mastercard had failed to prove that any part of the MIF had been passed on to Sainsbury's customers because they were unable to establish any identifiable increase in retail prices causally connected to the MIF, and because they could not identify a purchaser or class of purchaser to whom the overcharge had been passed on who would be in a position to claim damages. At the same time, the CAT reduced by 50% the compound interest to which it found Sainsbury's to be entitled on the basis that 50% of the MIF had been passed on to its customers. Mastercard challenged the consistency of these two findings on appeal.
The Court of Appeal considered there was no inconsistency between these two findings. It observed that in each case it is a matter for the judge to decide whether, on the evidence before him, the defendant can show there is a sufficiently close causal connection between an overcharge and an increase in the direct purchaser's price to justify reducing the damages claim for pass-through. That increase can be shown by a combination of empirical fact and economic opinion evidence. The evidence adduced by Mastercard had failed to convince the judge. In restricting compound interest on the basis that 50% of the MIF was passed on by Sainsbury's, the court observed that the CAT was making economic assumptions different from the legal principles it had applied when considering whether Mastercard had demonstrated that Sainsbury's had passed on part of the MIF.
Significantly (and helpfully from the defendants' perspective), the Court of Appeal confirmed that it was not part of the legal test for pass-on that the defendant must be able to identify a purchaser or class of purchaser to whom the overcharge was passed on who would be in a position to claim damages, thereby slightly lessening the burden on defendants in establishing pass-through.
Having concluded that the MIFs were restrictive of competition within the meaning of article 101(1) of the TFEU, the Court of Appeal:
remitted the Sainsbury's case back to the CAT for reconsideration of the article 101(3) exemption issue and for the assessment of quantum;
remitted the Visa case to the CAT (rather than the High Court from whence it had come) for reconsideration of the article 101(3) issue and for the assessment of quantum;
remitted the Arcadia case to the CAT (rather than the High Court from whence it had come). The Court of Appeal had concluded that Popplewell J ought to have concluded on the evidence he heard that Mastercard's claim for exemption under article 101(3) ought to have failed, but in view of the fact that Sainsbury's and Visa were to be allowed to reargue article 101(3) issues, the CAT concluded it was correct for Arcadia to be able to argue it too; and
emphasised that the cases are being remitted for reconsideration and not for retrial. Consequently, it will not be possible for any party to adduce new evidence, save in respect of quantum in Visa and Arcadia. Each party will, however, be entitled to rely on evidence filed in the other cases.
The Court of Appeal sought to create order where there was chaos and, in so doing, it handed down a judgment with far-reaching consequences for competition damages litigation in England.
That the lessons of the interchange fee litigation have been learned by the CAT and the courts can be seen in the way in which the current avalanche of 'trucks' litigation is being handled. The myriad claims have been transferred to the CAT where they are being managed by a single judge, with a view to avoiding the unedifying spectacle of duplicative and inconsistent litigation on, essentially, common issues across courts.
Equally, as regards the ever-growing number of interchange fee claims, it seems likely that, with the exception of the Merricks judicial review/appeal listed for 31 October, all will be stayed pending the final determination of Sainsbury's, Arcadia and Visa.
Louise Freeman and Elaine Whiteford are partners in Covington's European competition practice
It is still relatively uncontroversial to suggest that, as a matter of public law, public authorities must comply with legislation. But what should public authorities do where such compliance would actually result in a breach of a right under the European Convention on Human Rights? In RR v Secretary of ...
The Hague Rules on business and human rights arbitration
With all eyes on the general election, few noticed the significant milestone for business and human rights announced on 12 December.
Civil procedure.
More Legal updates
Resolving corporate wrongdoing by negotiated settlement
Do the incentives always stack up?
After the election: all change for UK sanctions litigation?
Out of chaos can come opportunity.
Local government.


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Home / Issues / 2012 February
2012 February Issue
Defence has always been a hot topic on the diplomatic community's agenda, but today, in an increasingly interdependent world, never has it been more talked about. With this in mind, this month we have produced a special report on defence, with some interesting contributions including a couple from London's missions. We have a general look into organised mass force, from the Spartans and Romans to the modern day. Whether it's protesters in Libya, Egypt and Syria, networked rioters in London or cunning Somali pirates hijacking large ships, the issue is the same: what are the modern limits of organised official power? This leads us on to the problem of how much taxpayers' money modern governments should spend on defence.
Globalisation has created powerful new incentives for international co-operation, however these relationships inevitably change over time. European nations cannot continue to rely on America to guarantee their security indefinitely, especially if they are not willing to contribute their share to that effort. We conclude that innovative thinking is required when dealing with these difficult choices; strategic decisions and threat assessments should be made for future defence reviews before financial considerations are taken into account. We also consider global cyber security, with an expert outlining how nations should address cyber-threats and protect their citizens.
Even with the disturbing news that over 70 per cent of the world's population suffers from high or very high restrictions on freedom of religion, Diplomat expected such restrictions to occur far from home. Yet the burka is now banned in Belgium and France, as are the construction of new minarets in Switzerland and the display of crucifixes in the classrooms of state schools in Italy. This gives the impression that Europe says one thing to the world and does another within its own borders. Sometimes we need to turn the mirror around and look at how well we protect freedom of religion or belief for all within our own societies.
In the same vein, we profile Tibet's new political leader-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay. His is an extraordinary and unique appointment: at the age of 43, he takes over the day-to-day political leadership of the Tibetan Central Administration from the 14th Dalai Lama. It marks the first step in passing the mantle of leadership to a younger generation, breaking a 400-year-old stipulation that such events come only with the death of the spiritual leader and his subsequent reincarnation.
According to the IMF, the African continent is expected to host more than half of the world's top 10 fastest-growing economies of 2012. In fact, research has found return on capital for over 950 African enterprises to be on average 11 per cent higher than in Latin America and Asia, and 70 per cent more profitable than similar Chinese firms. In this issue Diplomat makes a specific case for investing in Sub-Saharan Africa. Will it be the globe's new economic frontier?
As always, Diplomat reviews the credentials of new heads of mission to the Court of St James's, this month meeting with the Ambassador of Panama and the High Commissioners for Canada, Mozambique and Papua New Guinea. For our series of photographic portraits, we feature Her Excellency Karine Kazinian, Ambassador of Armenia.
In the lifestyle section, Diplomat travels to the exclusive private island of Mustique to stay in the luxurious Cotton House, enjoys a stay at The Goring and lunch at Green's Restaurant and Oyster Bar in St James's. Readers with a taste for culture will find valuable advice in our book and art reviews, including details of the fabulous new Lucian Freud exhibition at Blain Southern.
Finally, we want to hear from you, our readers, on article suggestions, new appointments, local news, issues and other embassy events that you would like covered.
Tibet: The long road to freedom
Passive Viewing Is Over
Global Cyber-Security
Organised Mass Force
Sub-Saharan Africa: A New Economic Frontier
Diplomat stays at The Goring
Check In: Diplomatic Airline Travel
Hugo van Kuffeler reviews Green's Restaurant and Oyster Bar


This was the Year of Astronomy. Societies all over the UK took part in various events to celebrate this occasion, which was to commemorate the 400th anniversary of when Galileo first looked through a telescope.
HAS took part in three events. The first was a mini science festival called "4000 years of astronomy in the Highlands", which took place in March. Held at Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, in conjunction with the NTS, the week long festival included a children's activity afternoon, a planetarium, visits to four schools and a number of speakers including Professor John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland. In addition the observatory was opened all week for public viewing. Many members helped with all the activities.
In May a joint HAS/Sigma event took place in Nairn with Steve Owens giving a talk entitled "Refuting Astrology".
.Also this year saw the launch of our new website, our Chairman Eric began broadcasting live images from his garden observatory onto the website, Lynn Robinson made a collection box using marquetry showing a picture of our observatory where it is now housed.
We also had a stand at the Inverness Highland Games, the Black Isle Show, the Eastgate Centre, and the Open Doors event took place at our observatory with 70 visitors. Not only do these events raise our profile but also help with funding along with the monthly raffle and the bag packing that took place in M&S and Tesco.
In November HAS visited the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and in December the second Christmas dinner took place at Bogbain Bristro rounded up the social activities for HAS this year.
Sadly we had to give up our venue at the Green House because it became too expensive to continue our meetings there. Smithton-Culloden Free Church kindly offered their premises and this has become our monthly meeting place.


Despite a few too many exclamation marks and drawn-out misunderstandings, all is resolved for Angel and her little brother, Rags.
Beginning readers will quickly identify with the episodic adventures in Russell Sprouts, by Johanna Hurwitz, illustrated by Lillian Hoban (Morrow, New York, $10.95, 68 pp., ages 4 to 7). Six-year-old Russell, who lives in New York City, gets lost at a movie theater, comes up with a unique Halloween costume, writes a report card for his parents, and even experiments with a bad word.
``Russell noticed that the more [his parents] complained about the word, the more he felt like saying it.'' The humor here is gentle, and the author explores familiar first-grade territory in imaginative ways.
A relationship of a different kind and time is addressed in The Friendship (Dial, New York, $11.60, 53 pp., ages 7 to 12). Author Mildred Taylor won the Newbery in 1977 for ``Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry'' (Dial), the story of a black family living through the depression in Mississippi. That remarkable novel was based on tales her father had told of his own experience in the South, and this book is similarly drawn from a real-life incident.
Briefly, it has to do with the tenuous friendship that exists between an elderly black man, Mr. Tom Bee, and a white country-store owner, John Wallace, whose life he had saved years earlier.
Mr. Tom dares to break an unspoken code by calling John by his first name, and as a result is shot in the leg by his so-called ``friend.'' The story is told through the eyes of the Logan children, who witness the shooting. Their reactions will leave an indelible impression on readers.


I know you all have been waiting on pins and needles for me to post about our recent road trip to Chesapeake, VA – well, today is your lucky day!
First I'll start with my strategy for the crazy long TWENTY hour car ride. I went to TARGET to stock up on supplies. I saw these ducks in the dollar section (although they were actually $2.50) and new they would be perfect. I had to get two – exactly the same or there would be problems. I then filled them with fun things – the girls' quilted paper dolls, I Spy Bags that their sitter made specially for them (thanks Denise – the girls LOVED them!), mini kid computers, special coloring books with markers that will only mark in the book, story books, interactive books, magna doodles, these weird ginormous pipe cleaner things (Capri really liked these) and other random items. The girls were able to get what they wanted with only minimal help with mom…most of the time and these ducks really saved the trip. I never even had to pull out the DVD player (which I did bring just in case).
Our next trick was to leave super, super early (we were out the door before 4am).
The girls both slept for the first couple of hours of the trip.
Here's Cedi sporting her glasses and playing with her new I Spy bag. I have to give Cedi some props here – she has an AMAZING bladder for a 3 year old. We only stopped 2 times the first day (13) hours and once the second (7 hours)…amazing!
Capri needed a pillow – I had to laugh!
Here's Cedi enjoying the beach – we headed to the Outer Banks the first day.
Capri and Papa playing in the sand.
Jared and I actually were able to swim in the ocean for quite awhile (Karma watched the girls). It was so much fun and the water was fantastic.
On the second day we headed to the beach for a bit in the morning but the water was much colder. We ended up back at Karma's pool later in the day and Cedi had a blast "swimming" in her life jacket.
She's so proud of herself!
And finally – here's Capri snuggling with Bear on the way home… Thanks Karma for putting up with us and our mess for a bit. We had a fantastic time!
OMG I want that ice cream cone with sprinkles in the worst way!
Looks like a great trip. One of these days we gotta make it out there!


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Buck Rogers and President Trump - an Out-of-This-World History of Space Force
Redlands Daily Facts, September 23, 1959, page 1.
On March 13, 2018, President Trump floated the idea that he might create a new branch of the military – the "Space Force."
The reaction was predictable. At his next campaign rally, supporters lustily chanted "Space Force! Space Force!" in unison, as though a "Space Force" would be the "Best Thing Since Sliced Bread."
[(see my earlier piece about the best thing BEFORE sliced bread)].
Critics and the "Resistance", on the other hand, reflexively mocked it as something dumber than comic-book crazy. Even such formerly serious news giants as Time and Fortune, as well as the Huffington Post, didn't pull any punches. HuffPo "hilariously" proclaimed that "Trump's Call for a 'Space Force' Makes Him the Laughingstock of the Galaxy."
Fortune magazine compared Trump's "Space Force" proposal to a long-forgotten, failed sitcom from the late-1970s, "Space Force."
You can watch an episode of "Space Force" TV series here. It's kinda funny.
Gene Roddenberry said that Star Trek was pitched as "a Wagon Train to the stars". "Space Force", on the other hand, could have been pitched as an "F-Troop in space." I'm no military or space expert, but I think it's safe to say the existence of the show is otherwise irrelevant to the "Space Force" debate.
Even the once proud Time magazine dispensed with providing any historical context or reasoned analysis, opting instead to recount Stephen Colbert's comedy routine, blow-by-blow, as though it were serious news.
Colbert joked that the Space Force came from an idea President Trump "got from a Buzz Lightyear Happy Meal toy."
He then played a clip of President Trump waxing on about the new sixth arm of the military. "We may even have a Space Force," Trump said in the clip. "Develop another one. Space Force. We have the Air Force, we'll have the Space Force. … Think of that. Space Force!"
"Yes, think of that," Colbert said. "But not too hard, 'cause it's stupid."
"We don't need Space Force," he added. "Please wait until NASA finds life before you try to kill it."
Well, if current military force structure is a guide (and I assume it is), it is clearly not "stupid" to have military forces dedicated to defense in space. The three major services already have their own, separate commands devoted to space warfare; the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, and the Air Force Space Command.
The United States even has a history of combining many of the separate space functions under a joint command. From 1985 through 2002, the United States Space Command (which sounds suspiciously similar to "Space Force") oversaw space defense. Those responsibilities were transferred to the joint United States Strategic Command in 2002 at the direction of then-Defense Secretary Rumsfeld.
All of which doesn't really answer the question of whether "Space Force" is as great as the Trump-rally chanters seem to think, but it does clearly suggest that the "Space Force," in and of itself, isn't as fanciful or "stupid" as Colbert and the "Resistance" like to make it out to be.
But the resistance may be right about one thing – "Space Force" originated in a comic book – or at least a comic strip.
"Buck Rogers in the 25th Century," The Bakersfield Californian, October 13, 1942, page 13.
Buck Rogers described himself as a "Space Force Pilot" in an episode of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century", published in October 1942, the earliest reference to "Space Force" I could find.
A few years later, the Navy Captain and prolific author, Walter Karig wrote a sci-fi novel, War in the Atomic Age, in which the "Space Force" played a part in futuristic warfare. An image from the book shows a "Space Force" pilot remotely guiding a cruise missile or drone with the help of a video feed, in a manner similar to that used in the modern Air Force.
Captain Walter Karig, USNR, War in the Atomic Age, Wm. H. Wise & Co., Inc., New York, 1946, page 38.
Life imitated art about a decade later when rocket expert/science fiction author, Willy Ley, advocated for the creation of a "space force" to break through the creative gridlock caused by Ley three space programs run separately by the Army, Navy and Air Force..
A single program wrapped into a new space force with one man in charge is the shakeup that is necessary. It will take drastic simplification of organization.[i]
In addition to having been a leading member of the German rocket association that solved the problem of liquid rocket propulsion in the late-1920s, Ley worked as a consultant to the United States government for fifteen years after leaving Nazi Germany in 1935,[ii] after which he turned his talents to writing pop-science and science fiction.
But despite his new career, his suggestion was serious. Within less than a year, the powers-that-be took his advice (to some extent), consolidating most of the space-related mission within the Air Force, which was a "jolt" to the Army and Navy.
Paducah Sun, September 23, 1959, page 4.
While the Air Force's prominence in space defense for several decades may have put the idea on the back burner, the perceived need for a separate "Space Force" never disappeared.
In 1965, space expert Erik Bergaust noted:
It may still take a few years before the Air Force will change its name from USAF to USSF, but a U.S. Space Force is more than a gleam in the eyes of our Air Force leaders.[iii]
Space Force History and the Plattsburgh Air Base, AdirondackAlmanack.com, August 16, 2018.
In 1980, U. S. News & World Report suggested that the Air Force might someday become the "Space Force."
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, July 7, 1980, page 11.
Shortly afterward, elements of the three major military branches and civilian consultants advocated the creation of a separate "Space Force".
Naval War College Review, Volume 34, Number 2, March-April 1981, page 48.
A separate U. S. Space Force would be in a much better position to increase and certainly to consolidate the military space budget. [iv]
Military Review, the Professional Journal of the Army, Volume 65, Number 7, July 1985, page 48.
For future US space planning and operations, a separate US space force should be seriously considered. [v]
The Daily Spectrum (Saint George, Utah), January 13, 1984, page 5.
C. Richard Whelan, a California military and aerospace consultant, thinks the time has come for establishing a U. S. Space Force.
In the years after the creation of the joint United States Space Command in 1985, all phases of warfare became increasingly reliant on space-based technology.
Santa Maria Times, December 18, 1998, page 1.
The increased value of space defenses brought the "Space Force" debate back to the table during the Clinton administration.
Florida Today (Cocoa, Florida), March 6, 2000, page 1.
On Capitol Hill, and at the White House and the Pentagon, the debate is expanding over whether to carve a separate U. S. Space Force that mostly would come out of the U. S. Air Force's hide.
Ironically, while the Air Force is under threat of having much of its mission taken out of its hide, the Air Force itself was carved out of the Army's hide more than seven decades ago. You know all of those airplanes you see in the WWII movies? – apart from the Navy planes taking off and landing on the carriers, all of those planes were in the Army Air Corps – there was no Air Force.
The Air Force came into being in 1947, less than fifty years after the invention of the airplane, and barely thirty-five years after Lieutenant Jacob Earl Fickel of the 29th U. S. Infantry, who conducted some of the earliest air warfare experiments with Glenn H. Curtiss in 1910, stressed the importance of becoming proficient in the new art of warfare:
It is a certainty that the next war is going to be fought with armies having aeroplane forces and the first great battle will be a battle in the air. The aeroplanes will not all be on one side, and as they will be used for advance scouting they will meet before the armies come within distance of them.[vi]
It took more than three decades to carve out a separate Air Force. Some observers think that advancements and changes in technology and warfare in the ensuing seventy years merit at least consideration for carving out a separate "Space Force".
In 2016, the former head of Space Command gave a sober assessment of the United States' readiness in space:
So is the US moving quickly enough to respond to the new threats in space? "I would say the answer was no," said Gen. Willam Shelton, former head of Space Command. "Could we provide active defense of our own satellites? The answer's no."
In 2017, Representative Mike Rogers (R-Alabama), the chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, proposed a "Space Corps" (to be separate part of the Air Force, similar to how the Marine Corps is part of the Navy):
Rogers' argument is that the US military is losing ground to Russia and China in space by having its space programs within the Air Force, when the Air Force's primary focus is on fighter jets like the F-35. "The Chinese literally have a space force today. Yet the Air Force would continue to force space to compete with F-35s. And we know who's going to win that competition," Rogers said.[vii]
The idea even enjoyed some bipartisan support:
"I am thrilled that the Space Corps idea is gaining traction at the White House. Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN) and I have worked tirelessly on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Strategic Forces subcommittee level on the need for a Space Corps outside of the Air Force for over two years now," Rogers said in a statement to CNN. [viii]
But the proposal was removed from the military budget before it was passed.
Today, President Trump has upped the ante, proposing a fully separate branch of the service – Space Force.
Is it necessary?
Is it bat-stuff crazy?
Bloomberg news doesn't think so.
Even Neil deGrasse Tyson doesn't think so.
I'll let the Generals and the politicians hash it out.
[i] The Daily Oklahoman, January 10, 1958, page 5.
[ii] The Daily Oklahoman, January 10, 1958, page 5.
[iii] Space Force History and the Plattsburgh Air Base, AdirondackAlmanack.com, August 16, 2018.
[iv] "2001: A U. S. Space Force", Lieutenant Colonel Dino A. Lorenzini, U. S. Air Force and Major Charles L. Fox, U. S. Air Force , Naval War College Review, Volume 34, Number 2, March-April 1981, page 62.
[v] "Space, the Army's New High Ground," Colonel Jan V. Harvey, US Army, and Colonel Alwyn H. King, US Army, Retired, Military Review, the Professional Journal of the Army, Volume 65, Number 7, July 1985, page 48, referring to endnote 24, "The Secretary of Defense announced presidential authorization of a unified US Space Command, 30 November 1984."
[vi] The Bridgeport Times (Bridgeport, Connecticut), May 1, 1911, page 2.
[vii] "Congress and the Air Force are in a Space War, Jeremy Herb, CNN, CNN.com, July 8, 2017.
[viii] "Trump Pushes Idea of Adding 'Space Force' to US Military," Zachary Cohen, CNN.com, May 1, 2018.
Posted by Peter Jensen Brown at 12:35 PM 1 comment:
A Ball, a Pole, a Rope – a Twisted History of Tetherball
Buck Rogers and President Trump - an Out-of-This-W...


Tomato - the fruit of love?
The tomato is by far the most beloved fruit grown by home gardeners. Although it is commonly called a vegetable, technically it is a fruit.
The average American consumes about 18 pounds of fresh tomatoes a year. That includes store-bought "pink cardboard" varieties that grace grocers' shelves during winter, but not tomato products such as ketchup and tomato sauce (on pizza and spaghetti, in Sloppy Joes, etc.).
Yet, early in this country's history, tomatoes were far from popular - in fact they were believed by to be poisonous.
Tomatoes are native to South America, but took a long route to North America. The originals - small berrylike fruits in clusters - were a far cry from the large varieties we know today.
These wild tomatoes spread from South America to Central America and Mexico.
There, the pre-Mayan Indians began to propagate the tiny fruits, and the Aztecs called the fruit tomatl.
When the Spanish conquistadors came to the Americas, they returned home not only with gold, but also the seeds of the tomatl. The Spanish adopted the fruit and adapted its name to tomate.
At one point, because of their heart shape, tomatoes were thought to be an aphrodisiac - hence the name "love apples." The Italians named the fruit pomodoro, meaning golden apple.
The earliest written reference to the tomato was in a European herbal in 1544, where it was described as another species of mandrake (a plant of the nightshade family) with yellow fruit. Botanists of the day thought tomato plants were poisonous (all parts except the fruit are indeed toxic). This idea stuck for hundreds of years.
In 1820, Col. Robert Gibbon Johnson ate a bushel of tomatoes on the steps of the courthouse in Salem, N. J. His survival convinced farmers that tomatoes were more than just ornamental plants.
Then, in 1870, Alexander Livingston of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, introduced Paragon, a variety that he described as "the first perfectly smooth, deep-red tomato ever offered to the American people." Soon, home gardeners were growing them, and the fruit's popularity zoomed.
Now there are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes, ranging in size from a pencil eraser to a grapefruit. They come in a variety of colors - red, orange, yellow, white, purple, and green. There are even "black" and bicolor tomatoes - all descendants of those ancient tiny fruits that originated in South America.


text:
Q: Why is .load() not firing? I am trying to execute this jquery code:
$('#imgUnrelatedToCanvas').load(function(){
  $("#loading").fadeOut(1000);

});

It is not working. I assume because the canvas on the page shows an ongoing animation - not sure though. It is meant to fire when an image, unrelated to the canvas loads. I can make the same load syntax work on other pages that don't have animation; keen to solve if possible because .ready() fires too early. HTML:

<canvas id="canvas"></canvas>

*

*Could someone confirm whether or not it is the canvas animation that is causing my plight?

*Is there a way to make .load() work or do I have to settle for .ready()?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Being a mom can bring such joy to your life! However, motherhood can also be extremely challenging — especially if you are living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 25. Since then I've managed my RA through two pregnancies, and today my rowdy little dudes are four and two. While I am still learning each and every day how to be a better mom, I wanted to share some of my own experiences and ideas for parenting with rheumatoid arthritis.
From pregnancy to surrogacy to adoption, there are many equally beautiful ways to start a family. Whichever path your family chooses, it can be a difficult transition to bring home a new baby.
For those of us living with RA, it is especially important to plan ahead for baby's arrival because an increase in stress combined with a decrease in rest makes the probability of an RA flare-up quite high. Also, if you carried the baby yourself, there will be an additional physical toll on your body from pregnancy and birth.
And even if you were lucky enough to be among the 48 percent of women with RA who experience remission during pregnancy, almost all women with RA are likely to experience a post-birth flare. For me, this flare happened around six or seven weeks after each of my boys were born.
To help you through a difficult transition and likely flare, it's important to do whatever you can to prepare in advance. For example, you'll likely be too exhausted to do much cooking, but you'll still need to eat nutritious meals — especially if you are trying to breastfeed.
I spent the last few weeks of my most recent pregnancy filling my deep freezer with healthy meals that would be easy to heat up, like lasagna, meatloaf, soups, and things I could easily stick in the crockpot. This helped immensely with our transition from a family of three to a family of four!
Perhaps the most important lesson I've learned as a mom with RA is the importance of asking for and accepting help. While it can be a very difficult thing to do, I think there is genuine strength to be found in recognizing that we can't do everything by ourselves.
When you have a new baby, one easy way to request help is to create an online meal registry so friends and family can deliver meals for the first few weeks. It's also useful if you can schedule some time for a friend or family member to help out regularly so you will have adequate time to rest.
As your children grow, it's important to continue asking for help whenever you are struggling. As a very independent person, this has been a rather difficult learning process for me.
Caring for little kids can be a huge strain on your body, so you'll want to make sure you invest in gear that makes life easier for you. For example, when my boys were newborns I really loved having a co-sleeper, which is a bassinet that attached securely to my bed.
The co-sleeper kept my boys safely in arms reach for feeding and care while still allowing me to spend more time in bed to rest. If you plan to try breastfeeding for any length of time, a nursing pillow can really reduce the strain of properly positioning your baby.
I'd also recommend considering a lightweight stroller, a car seat with buckles you can operate yourself, pajamas and other baby clothes with zippers instead of tiny snaps, and a comfortable way to wear your baby so you can still hold them while giving your hands and arms a break.
As a mother, it is essential to keep in mind the importance of self-care. I realize this can be a very challenging goal when small humans depend on you for their every need, but if you don't take care of your own health and wellbeing it will be extremely difficult for you to take care of anyone else.
My favorite reminder of the importance of self-care is this: I can't pour from an empty cup. If I want to fill my children's cups, I have to make sure my own cup is full first.
Whenever I am really struggling with motherhood, I find it useful to focus on the positive things that my boys can learn from growing up with a mom who has RA. Just as we try to teach kids not to judge a book by its cover, I hope my boys learn that you should never judge someone by how they look on the outside.
I also hope to teach my boys that sometimes strength is nothing more than the decision to try again tomorrow. While my RA does place some limitations on my body, my love isn't in any way limited — and with unlimited love I know I can find a way to be an amazing mom despite living with RA.
Good rest habits and smart activity choices can help your parental involvement in taking an active role in your children's health and interests.
Working in Early Head Start, this has been my focus. I really enjoy my job, so I've changed my diet and I'm working to get my symptoms under control to keep up with my amazing toddlers.
Same story . Im 72 and been managing every day. Still moving.
I am 73 years old. I have had RA for 50 years. I was diagnosed when I was 23. I made it. I can not believe I raised 2 boys It was not easy but God blessed me in this area, my health has been a nightmare I have autoimmune diseases. I started with RA and now I am battling autoimmune dysautonomia.
I was also diagnosed at 21 and had two long re missions after birth of each son. There is hope!
Dysautonomia is a rare disease that not many doctors are truly aware of. I was diagnosed 4 years ago but I believe I had it much longer. The neurologist said I had autoimmune dysautonomia . It is very hard to explain. It is autonomic nervous system dysfunication.
Frances Wall thank you for sharing. You are so inspirational!
I was diagnosed 1 month after our twins were born.


A passionate love story between two people of different backgrounds and temperaments, who are fatefully mismatched and yet condemned to each other. Set against the background of the Cold War in the 1950s in Poland, Berlin, Yugoslavia and Paris, the film depicts an impossible love story in impossible times. Beautifully filmed in black and white, it uses the old-fashioned square Academy ratio.
Winner of 22 awards including Best Director at Cannes Film Festival 2018, Cold War is also nominated for 4 BAFTA awards.


Control all aspects of your servers with Plesk, cPanel and our powerful, bespoke control panel.
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cPanel makes administration of your sites, email and server easy. You can install it during your signup process, so it's ready and waiting for you.
Dedicated Server Control Panel Comes as standard.
At the heart of your server is your control panel management area. This area has been designed to give you as much control as possible for your servers and comes as standard with every new Easyspace dedicated server.
The Easyspace control panel makes it easy to request a power cycle for you server. If you make a reboot request in error, our system failsafe has the ability to cancel the power cycle request for up to 2 minutes.
Access your server as if you were in the data centre by using our free KVM devices. These KVM sessions can be used for configuring your own custom BIOS solutions and managing your own operating system installs.
Setting up monitoring in the Easyspace dedicated server control panel is easy. Unlike many server specialists, we give you full control, without extra cost.
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The Plesk virtual server control panel makes setting up websites, domains and email really easy, simple and intuitive. It's both robust and secure and the package comes with features such as WordPress installation and server automation tools.
Plesk 12 provides a streamlined user experience that allows users to focus more on their business objectives, rather than maintaining and administering users and web servers.
Automated healing and recovery functionality is built into Plesk, so many technical issues can self-repair without needing skilled support.
Thanks to incremental site backups, designers and developers are able to save only what has been recently changed or is otherwise in need of backup – they no longer need to run a backup on the entire website as a result of a minor update.
You'll have access to reliable tools that expedite the migration process as much as possible.
cPanel utilises a 3 tier structure that provides capabilities for administrators, resellers, and end-user website owners to control the various aspects of website and server administration.


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Overview

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Uses of Package
at.irian.ankor.action

Packages that use at.irian.ankor.action

Package
Description

at.irian.ankor.action

at.irian.ankor.event

at.irian.ankor.ref

at.irian.ankor.ref.impl

at.irian.ankor.ref.listener

at.irian.ankor.serialization.json.common

at.irian.ankor.serialization.modify

at.irian.ankor.switching.connector.socket

at.irian.ankor.switching.connector.websocket

at.irian.ankor.switching.msg

at.irian.ankor.viewmodel.listener

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.action

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

ActionBuilder

Convenient builder for an Action.

ActionEvent

A ModelPropertyEvent that carries an Action as payload.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.event

Class and Description

ActionEvent

A ModelPropertyEvent that carries an Action as payload.

ActionEventListener

todo: make this an interface

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.ref

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.ref.impl

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.ref.listener

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.serialization.json.common

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.serialization.modify

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.switching.connector.socket

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.switching.connector.websocket

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.switching.msg

Class and Description

Action

An action that happened.

Classes in at.irian.ankor.action used by at.irian.ankor.viewmodel.listener

Class and Description

ActionEvent

A ModelPropertyEvent that carries an Action as payload.

ActionEventListener

todo: make this an interface

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Copyright © 2014 Ankor Developers Team. All rights reserved.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Hanseniella may refer to:
 Hanseniella (myriapod), a genus of myriapods in the family Scutigerellidae
 Hanseniella (plant), a genus of plants in the family Podostemaceae

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The Book of Genesis is brimming with great biblicalcharacters - Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph.
And, of course, we cannot forget Ham, Jā'-phĕth, and Shem -the three sons of Noah.
Before Moe, Larry, and Shemp, there were Ham, Jā'-phĕth, andShem, affectionately known throughout the Holy Land as the "Three Knuckleheadsof the Book of Genesis." Their slapstick antics and moronic wordplay aresprinkled throughout the pages of Genesis, from the Great Flood to the Tower ofBabel.
In fact, it is believed that these three morons actuallycaused the Great Flood during one sidesplitting episode (entitled "I Smellan Ararat") in which they played a trio of inept plumbers repairing pipesat the exclusive Mt. Ararat Country Club & Spa.
And some theologiansbelieve that not only did the building of the Tower of Babel by these threeidiots result in the confusion of tongues, thus confounding the language of thepeople, and thus scattering the peoples throughout the earth, but that thisparticular episode (entitled "Tower of Rabble") also ended in a good,old-fashioned pie fight.
So, here is their tale - Ham, Jā'-phĕth, and Shem - takenfrom Genesis Chapters 6 thru 11, "when men began to multiply on the face ofthe earth, and daughters were born unto them." God help us all!
The alarm clock's ringing awakens the man sleeping in themiddle, Ham, the one with the bowl-shaped haircut. He sits up in bed, rubs hisface, and then looks down at his two sleeping brothers snoring on either sideof him. Finally, he bops both of them on their foreheads with his two fists,accompanied by a pair of sound effects resembling a hammer striking a piece ofsteel pipe.
"Come on you two, wake up!" he barks. The othertwo men, Shem and Jā'-phĕth, sit up in bed, nursing their sore foreheads.
"Gee, Ham, what did you do that for?" asksJā'-phĕth, who, though bald on top of his head, has a full crop of curls alongthe sides.
"Because today is the day we've gotta start buildingthe ark."
"Ark?" replies Jā'-phĕth, "What ark?"
"The ark that we bought all that wood foryesterday!" barks Ham as he reaches out and rips free a handful ofJā'-phĕth's hair.
"Hey, you shouldn't do that!" says Shem, thebrother with the face like a worn catcher's mitt.
"You're right," says Ham. "I guess I shouldhave done this instead!" With that, he pokes Shem in the eyes with twofingers.
"Come on you two!" orders Ham as he pulls hisbrothers out of bed by their hair.
"Gee Ham, how big are we supposed to build theark?" asks Jā'-phĕth.
"I don't know. Let's ask Shem. He has theblueprints."
Looking over at Shem, they see him eating a sandwich wrappedin some sort of papyrus.
"Enjoying your sandwich?" asks Ham, smiling ... andthen slapping Shem across the face.
"Hey, what gives?" asks Shem.
"That papyrus you've wrapped your sandwich in is theblueprint for the ark, you idiot!" barks Ham.
"Oh, so it is," replies Shem. Ham grabs thepapyrus away from Shem and hands it to Jā'-phĕth.
"Here genius, you figure it out."
"Three hundred cubits..." says Ham, rubbing his chinas if in deep thought.
"Hey, Ham," blurts Shem, "What's acubit?"
"What's a cubit, he asks," says Ham, shaking hishead and looking at Jā'-phĕth. "How the heck do I know what a cubitis." He then slaps Shem in the face, gives him a fist to the belly, and bopshim in the forehead.
"Hey Ham," says Jā'-phĕth, referring to thepapyrus, "It says here that one cubit equals two spans."
"Oh, is that so," replies Ham, smiling. "Andwhat is a span?"
"A span equals three palms," announces Jā'-phĕth.
"Oh, now we're getting somewhere," says Ham,smiling and nodding his head. "So, professor, what is a palm?"
"It says one palm equals four digits," saysJā'-phĕth, feeling confident about himself.
"And what, exactly, is a digit?" asks Ham witharms crossed.
"It don't say," says Jā'-phĕth.
"Oh really ... well how about you pick two digits,"says Ham, offering his hand.
"One, two," says Jā'-phĕth, picking two of Ham'sfingers, with which the bowl-shaped haircut man pokes the curly-haired man inthe eyes. A melee of face slapping, and top-of-the-head conking, and stomachpunching, and eye gouging commences until their father, Noah, happens by to seethe progress being made on the ark.
"What have you three morons been up to?!" asksNoah as he grabs Shem and Jā'-phĕth by the backs of their collars and liftsthem off the ground.
"Hey, Pops," says Ham, standing there with twothumbs in his suspenders, "We're just about to begin work."
"I hope so," replies Noah. "God says He'sgoing to 'cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights' -that'll be something like a billion ephahs of water."
"No problem, Pops. We'll have this ark built in notime," assures Ham.
"Well, see to it!" says Noah as he departs.
"Okay, you knuckleheads, get building!" barks Hamto his two brothers as he slaps each on the back of the head.
"Hey, Jā'-phĕth," says Shem, as he picks up a longtimber of hewn wood, turns, and accidentally strikes Ham with it on the back ofthe head, knocking him down, "What's an ephah?"
"Well, it says here," says Jā'-phĕth referring tothe papyrus, "An ephah equals three seahs, and one seah equalsthree-and-a-half omers, and one omer equals one and four-fifths cabs..."
"That's enough you two morons!" barks Ham, back onhis feet and rubbing the back of his head. "Get to work!"
With that, he swings at their faces with the palm of an openhand. SLAP!! SLAP!!
Next time: "After the waters were abated," with the ark resting at Mt. Ararat, Noahsends forth a dove, which returns with an olive branch in itsmouth, only to drop the branch in Jā'-phĕth's nest of hair and then bitesShem on the nose in a classic episode entitled "40 Daze of Rain."


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