#source: the Christian science monitor

[poisoned-sugar11]

The possible medical use of somnus perennis, an essay by Dr. Azalea Florist

Content warning: medical malpractice, poisoning, drugging, mentions of addiction, and religious themes (not Christianity specifically though)

Somnus perennis, colloquially known as the dreamflower, is the most effective known sleeping aid. Low doses of powdered dreamflower can be used to ensure a patient has no chance of waking up during the time of a procedure. There are no substantial side effects besides putting the patient to sleep. The dreamflower is completely nonaddictive. The alleged side effects of visions are not an issue considering their similarities to the existing nightmares of patients. With the current availability of powdered dreamflower, it's only logical to start using them medically.

There are numerous accounts of how traumatizing of an experience it is to be left awake during surgery. All major anesthetics have at least a small percentage of these cases. It is absolutely impossible for a dose of powdered dreamflower to leave a patient awake. In 101 Deadliest Poisons and How to Use Them, Ayaka Sakai writes, "after my numerous successful jobs, I can guarantee that it's impossible to wake up a victim under the influence of somnus perennis until the dose has fully worn off." Dr. Emily Wheeler of the Association of Illegal and Unethical Science has conducted further experiments that prove this to be the case. Regardless of the morality of these sources, they do show how useful powdered dreamflower can be.

The mortality rate of the direct effects of powdered dreamflower is 0%. Despite its notoriety, powdered dreamflower is completely non-lethal. There are only two noted effects of ingesting somnus perennis: deep sleep, and a strange effect on the patient's dreams. A patient being put into a deep sleep is the ideal state for conducting major surgeries. The only known risk is a patient being unconscious longer than anticipated. However, this risk can be avoided entirely if one isn't careless.

Somnus perennis is a completely nonaddictive substance. Existing anesthetics, such as slumber leaves, and daisy roots, have dedicated rehabilitation facilities related to them. On the other hand, there are no reported symptoms of any addictive disorders in patients that have ingested somnus perennis. The Black Market, a famous hot spot for mad scientists, notably markets it as a poison as opposed to a recreational drug. In How to Crime, Sylvia H. Hunter states, "it is vital to avoid breathing in any drugs you use to aid you. Slumber leaves can leave you hooked for life, and dreamflowers will leave you plagued by visions for a day or maybe even longer." There are no accounts of anyone voluntarily ingesting somnus perennis.

Those against the use of any sort of somnus perennis in medical settings often argue that the side effects are too grave. This is an overreaction. There was a survey conducted on the population of Akane Island. A staggering 86% of residents recorded that they had nightmares most nights, with 65% of those nightmares being related to the divine. The prevalence of alleged somnus perennis symptoms among a completely unaffected population is very telling. The alleged vividness of dreamflower visions are likely the only actual effect.

Many substances currently used as anesthesia are unfortunately difficult to make and harvest. It's incredibly easy to create the conditions for dreamflowers to grow. There are already many monitored dreamflower fields across the multiverse. With the existing research institutes focused on somnus perennis being owned by the same organizations that provide medical care, it would be incredibly easy to access them for medical use. Alongside the proper channels, the Black Market is home to many vendors carrying powdered dreamflower. While some might consider this to be a poor resource for those unaffiliated with the Association of Illegal and Unethical Science, it still shows how easy somnus perennis is to keep and harvest with the proper equipment.

In conclusion, powdered dreamflower is the ideal anesthesia. This is clear due to it's reliability to keep patients asleep, its nontoxic properties, it being nonaddictive, the lack of substantial side effects, and it's availability.

[beardedmrbean]

genuine question; trying to look at info regarding the Israel-Hamas war, but having a hard time figuring out what sources are reliable/unbiased. any advice?

Every source will have bias so you're kinda out of luck there in regards to the war on the whole.

You have to figure out how to read past the bias language used on both sides of the deal, though flat out ignoring most anything that comes out of al jazeera is going to benefit you since they're just basically propaganda at this point.

UPI.com will be your most unbiased source I think, used to be a global juggernaut for news delivery but they managed to not keep up with the times on some stuff so they're not as widely known as AP or Reuters is but they do the same thing and they're very balanced in experience. Tradeoff is they don't have a huge amount of coverage.

Click here for their world news section, like I said in my observation they're very middle of the road, I trust them to be honest.

Christian Science Monitor is another one, they're very straight forward took me a bit to get past the name being someone that remembers

These guys, which ya they publish it but it's as respected for honesty and fairness as it's possible to get, they don't pop up on my radar much anymore so they might be leaning one way or the other on the whole war thing, their whole gig is moving society forward though so they don't proselytize in their news.

Those two are gonna be good choices.

Non US based ones, DW has been pretty good they're out of Germany bias leans a touch left US left not europe left though.

Those will be your best shot I think, first two are likely to be the MOST fair.

That and on here find some bloggers that are posting about the whole thing and ask polite questions, they way they answer should tell you if you should listen or not some people get incredibly aggressive when they start in on the answering, look for snark not anger tho.

I hope this helps, it's a pain in the ass to find solid solid unbiased sources, in all the years I've been at this those first two are the only ones that have managed to keep my full trust.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me in TUCSON (Mar 9-10), then San Francisco (Mar 13), Anaheim, and more!

#20yrsago Database copyright: a stupid idea whose time hasn’t come https://www.wired.com/2004/03/hands-off-that-fact-is-mine/

#20yrsago How piracy repeatedly saved the entertainment industry https://www.wired.com/2004/03/lessig-2/

#20yrsago Eisner ousted from Disney’s Board https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/04/business/defied-in-vote-disney-leader-loses-one-post.html

#20yrsago Worm-writers insulting each other in source-code comments https://web.archive.org/web/20040619024113/http://www.vnunet.com/news/1153225

#15yrsago Christian salt, a wingnut alternative to Kosher salt https://web.archive.org/web/20090302152904/http://www.examiner.com/a-1873794~Christian_salt_seller_hopes_to_shake_up_market.html

#15yrsago Cult of Done Manifesto: a name for my disease https://medium.com/@bre/the-cult-of-done-manifesto-724ca1c2ff13

#15yrsago EFF launches “Surveillance Self Defense” — comprehensive guide to blocking govt snooping https://ssd.eff.org

#15yrsago In Praise of the Sales Force: the stuff a publisher does for an author that the Internet can’t replace https://www.locusmag.com/Features/2009/03/cory-doctorow-in-praise-of-sales-force.html

#15yrsago Manchester man arrested for alleged sewer-grate photography, held as a terrorist https://pinacnews.com/index.php/2009/03/10/uk-police-arrest-man-for-photography-even-though-he-didnt-take-photos/

#10yrsago Full NHS hospital records uploaded to Google servers, “infinitely worse” story to come https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/03/nhs-england-patient-data-google-servers

#10yrsago Cold Equations and Moral Hazard: science fiction considered harmful to the future https://locusmag.com/2014/03/cory-doctorow-cold-equations-and-moral-hazard/

#5yrsago Record label censors copyright lawyers’ site by falsely claiming it infringes copyright https://torrentfreak.com/record-label-targets-copyright-experts-with-bogus-takedown-request/

#5yrsago Google says it won’t remove Saudi government app that lets men track and monitor their wives and domestic employees https://www.businessinsider.com/absher-google-refuses-to-remove-saudi-govt-app-that-tracks-women-2019-3

#5yrsago The FAIR Act will end forced arbitration for employment, consumer, antitrust and civil rights disputes https://thinkprogress.org/lawmakers-declare-war-on-the-biggest-civil-rights-problem-youve-probably-never-heard-of-eaf3b5459034/

[verybadatwriting]

Please read into this more, it's not all it appears on the surface.

Source 1, Congress' Website. This lays out what the people making the bill say.

Kids have to check with parents, and parents have to give approval, before online accounts can be created. Parents are also able to enforce restrictions, monitor activity, and are notified when the site's risks posed to minors. - (Has the potential to allow parents to severely limit their children's access to the internet)

No ads for gambling, tobacco, porn, other 18+ products for children online. Their definitions and other included restricted topics have the potential to limit speech even if it's not harmful.

Allows reporting of 'certain harms' which companies must respond to in a timely manner. Doesn't specify what is required of an appropriate response

Companies must tell users about targeted ads and recommendations, essentially how they pick what you see.

Companies must report what possible harms there are to minors.

Form the Kids Online Safety Council, made up of parents, relevant govt. officials, reps from affected platforms, etc.

Source 2, Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Vague requirements for what is blocked.

Could limit adult's access.

All discussion of restricted topics would be blocked. This means that anything even discussing suicide, eating disorders, etc. would be unavailable to children.

Restricted subjects must be backed by evidence. This can easily be side stepped. The article mentions transitioning care. There are articles for and against it, the latter of which could be used to block any discussion of it. The article also mentions that it could be used to restrict topics like Christianity and gun ownership.

Age verification or blocking 18+ for all is nearly guaranteed.

The sights might not even be responsible for the 'harmful' content. (air quotes included because not all the content KOSA wishes to restrict is harmful, see point #3.)

Source 3, U.S. Senate Comity on Commerce Science and Transportation

KOSA isn't the final answer, there will still be work to do, even if it is implemented.

Senator Cantwell recognizes that there are flaws, specifically concerning LGBTQIA+ content.

Source 4, Petition by Anouk Wijeratne on Change . org

Personal political beliefs can be imposed on minors. (Ex. racism education being deemed inappropriate.)

Safe environments are crushed. Fandoms, LGBTQIA+ spaces, even Suicide Prevention Pages would be put at risk.

All in all, the idea of keeping kids away from bad things has been around a long time, but I don't think this is the right answer. At the very least, many, many more revisions are needed.

@randomweirdohuman, thank you very much for bringing this to my attention. It was an interesting rabbit hole to dive down.

!!PLEASE STOP SCROLLING AND READ THIS!!

There's something called a KOSA Bill in the US. It's a project planning to cut off internet access to ALL CHILDREN WORLDWIDE. This means they are banning Chai/C.AI, Wattpad, AO3, Discord, Tumblr, Tiktok, etc.

To make matters worse, parents will have access to their children's internet activity, meaning chats, websites visited, apps opened, etc. Giving them NO privacy whatsoever. Esp. children who are LGBTQIA+, because in the US, it is deemed "inappropriate".

There is a solution to this, however only to people who have Tiktok, there is a user named omarsbigsister, if you check their profile, you can see in their bio it says "STOP KOSA!! ⬇️⬇️"

Below the text, there's a link. Now before you click on the link, there's a video you need to see, giving you instructions on what to do.

This is the video.

Plz do WHATEVER you can to boost this, tag friends, reblog, share, anything will do.

Tags: @randomweebhub @blankdemslate @raymett @donkeybro @corvid-steven @pookie-pie-12 @ipostmyhyperfixationsnshit @ask-the-anonymous-army @fandomsandwriting1 @myclutteredmess-but-reblogs PLS BOOST!!

[xtruss]

Somehow, This Country Is A Friend To The US, Iran And Russia – And It’s Working

Oman Is Known For Its Pragmatic, Neutral, And Peaceful Policies – What’s The Significance of Its Rapidly-Growing Friendship With Moscow?

— Murad Sadygzade | April 21, 2025 | Russia Today (RT)

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al-Said Attends a Wreath-laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia. © Sputnik/Kristina Kormilitsyna

The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, is planning a visit to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This visit carries particular significance against the backdrop of a new phase in nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, in which Oman is once again playing the role of mediator. The country’s involvement reaffirms its status as one of the few neutral and respected actors in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Historically, Oman has repeatedly demonstrated a unique ability to serve as a reliable and impartial intermediary in international conflicts – especially in the complex and sensitive context of US-Iran relations. Thanks to its balanced foreign policy, non-interference doctrine, and ability to maintain the trust of adversarial parties, Muscat has become an indispensable channel for confidential diplomacy in the Persian Gulf region.

Perhaps the most prominent example of this role came in 2013, when Oman hosted secret direct talks between the US and Iran. At the time, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, renowned for his personal commitment to peacebuilding, provided a discreet venue for initiating dialogue between the two sides. These meetings, conducted under strict confidentiality, proved to be a turning point and laid the groundwork for subsequent multilateral negotiations that ultimately led to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, colloquially known as the Iran Nuclear Deal) – widely regarded as one of the most significant achievements in international diplomacy in the past decade. Analysts at Christian Science Monitor and Foreign Policy referred to Sultan Qaboos as “the architect of backchannel diplomacy,” without whom the deal in its final form would likely have been impossible.

Today, amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf and renewed attempts by Washington and Tehran to revisit the parameters of the nuclear agreement, Oman is once again at the forefront of regional diplomacy. From 2023 to 2025, Muscat hosted a series of closed-door, indirect meetings between Iranian and American representatives, as confirmed by sources within Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and unnamed US officials. These consultations, facilitated by Oman, allowed the parties to discuss mechanisms for limiting Iran’s nuclear program, the phased lifting of sanctions, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to reports from WANA News Agency and Middle East Eye, Oman has been actively advancing its own diplomatic proposals, including the establishment of a contact group and a neutral verification mechanism. It has also put forward the idea of a regional dialogue on security and energy stability. Through these efforts, Muscat is positioning itself not merely as a mediator, but as a key architect in shaping a new security framework for the Persian Gulf.

What sets Oman’s approach apart is its lack of aggressive ambition, its consistent multi-vector diplomacy, and its ability to combine discreet backchannel efforts with open support for peaceful initiatives. Unlike most states in the region, Muscat maintains working relationships with both Washington and Tehran, avoids one-sided political alliances, and leverages its neutrality in favor of dialogue. This makes Oman an especially valuable partner in the eyes of the international community, which seeks to avert direct confrontation between two long-standing geopolitical rivals.

Oman’s role in these negotiations goes beyond technical mediation – it is strategic in nature. Omani diplomacy aims not only to ease tensions but to establish a sustainable foundation for regional balance. Amid ongoing geopolitical turbulence, Muscat offers a model of “quiet strength,” grounded in dialogue, diplomatic flexibility, and strategic patience.

Thus, Oman’s efforts to revive the US-Iran dialogue reaffirm its status as a unique and indispensable mediator in the Middle East. The Sultanate once again demonstrates that even a relatively small state can play a crucial role in global affairs – provided it possesses trust, a solid reputation, and the ability to listen to all sides of a conflict. Oman’s diplomatic activity strengthens its position not only as a regional moderator but also as a key international partner capable of playing a constructive role in addressing global challenges.

Russia And Oman: On The Path Toward A World Majority

Over the past two years, bilateral relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Russian Federation have significantly deepened, reaching the level of strategic importance. This rapprochement has become particularly noticeable amid Moscow’s pivot to the East, prompted by increasing Western pressure and unprecedented sanctions following the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. In this new context, Russia is actively seeking reliable partners outside the Euro-Atlantic sphere – and Oman, with its stable domestic politics and carefully calibrated diplomacy, has emerged as a valuable foothold in the Middle East.

For Moscow, the Sultanate represents not only a promising economic partner but also a key political asset that contributes to regional balance and security in the Persian Gulf. Oman’s stance is traditionally characterized by moderation and a refusal to engage in confrontational alliances – qualities that make Muscat a trusted and respected intermediary on both regional and international issues.

For its part, Muscat views the strengthening of ties with Russia as an essential component of its multi-vector foreign policy, which emphasizes maximum flexibility and autonomy. This approach is particularly relevant in an era of growing instability in the Middle East and deepening polarization in international affairs. Despite its historically close ties with the US and the UK, Oman is increasingly charting an independent course. The influence of Western powers in the Sultanate has gradually waned – a trend that became especially apparent after the launch of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023. Western support for those actions, particularly from the US and several European nations, sparked public outrage in Oman and intensified domestic calls for a reassessment of the country’s traditional foreign policy priorities.

An additional factor driving Oman’s gradual shift away from its traditional dependence on the West is the country’s active expansion of cooperation with emerging global powers – particularly China and India. These nations are not only increasing their economic and energy footprint in the region but are also expanding military cooperation through joint exercises and security initiatives. This multipolar orientation enables Muscat to strengthen its bargaining position while minimizing the risks associated with alignment to a single geopolitical axis.

Oman has long pursued an independent foreign policy, carefully balancing relations with leading regional and global powers. Muscat seeks to build relationships founded on mutual respect, non-interference, and shared benefit – qualities that make it a vital mediator and diplomatic platform in some of the world’s most complex international conflicts. Adhering to the principle of “friendly neutrality,” Oman remains open to dialogue with all sides: its territory hosts both British and Chinese military facilities, and in recent years, joint exercises have been conducted with the armed forces of the US, China, Iran, and Russia. Until recently, Oman also maintained discreet lines of communication with Israel, though Muscat refrains from publicizing such contacts – especially amid rising tensions in the region.

Map of The Sultanate of Oman

At the same time, the Sultanate remains firmly committed to its policy of non-intervention and abstention from military coalitions. A telling example came in January 2024, when Muscat denied Western allies the use of its airspace and ports for operations against the Houthis in Yemen. Despite allegations of indirectly facilitating arms transfers, Omani authorities maintained a calm and measured stance, emphasizing that their priority remains regional peace and stability – not entanglement in geopolitical rivalries.

Under the leadership of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Oman’s foreign policy has become even more pragmatic and multi-vector. The Sultanate’s leadership stresses the importance of developing diversified economic and diplomatic partnerships, especially with Eastern powers such as Russia, China, and Iran. This direction is complemented by efforts to strengthen ties with regional partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Such an approach enables Muscat to maintain resilience amid rising instability, competition, and polarization on the international stage.

In the context of the war in Ukraine, Oman has maintained a position of restraint, advocating for a diplomatic resolution while refraining from public support for either side. In an interview with Le Figaro, Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi emphasized that Muscat avoids accusatory rhetoric, stating, “Accusations rarely contribute to peace.” Instead, Omani diplomacy focuses on mediation and dialogue. Demonstrating its independent stance, the Sultanate declined to participate in the 2024 “peace summit” on Ukraine held in Switzerland, once again affirming its neutral yet active position.

The growing importance of Russia-Oman relations became especially evident in 2023–2024, as political and economic contacts between the two countries reached unprecedented levels. In May 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Oman for the first time in seven years, holding talks on key issues of regional security and bilateral cooperation. In July, Oman’s Foreign Minister made a reciprocal visit to Moscow to attend the “Russia–GCC” meeting – marking a symbolic step in the rapprochement between Russia and the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf.

In September, Muscat hosted a high-level Russian delegation led by Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, which included representatives from Rosatom, the Central Bank, and Russian security and energy agencies – signaling serious plans to deepen cooperation in critical sectors.

In December 2023, Crown Prince and Minister of Sports Dhi Yazan bin Haitham Al Said visited Moscow, where he held talks with Putin and discussed youth and cultural exchange initiatives. In 2024, Russia also welcomed the Chairman of Oman’s State Council, Abdulmalik Al-Khalili, and the Speaker of the Consultative Council, Khalid bin Hilal Al-Maawali – underscoring Oman’s interest in institutionalizing inter-parliamentary dialogue and expanding political cooperation. Oman’s participation as a guest of honor at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, with one of the largest delegations, symbolized the growing strategic significance of the bilateral partnership.

All of this reflects the shared ambition of Muscat and Moscow to build not merely ad hoc cooperation, but durable and stable relations based on mutual respect, pragmatism, and the joint pursuit of an alternative framework for international engagement in an era of global transformation.

Deepening Economic Ties: The Path To A Reliable Partnership

In recent years, economic cooperation between Russia and Oman has shown steady positive momentum, reaching a qualitatively new level and increasingly taking on the features of a strategic partnership. This collaboration aligns with the broader trend of Russia’s pivot to the East in its foreign economic policy and its effort to expand ties with key players in the Persian Gulf. Amid growing global instability and sanctions pressure, Moscow and Muscat are prioritizing a stable and mutually beneficial economic convergence, supported by practical initiatives and high-level engagement.

Currently, around 300 companies with Russian participation are registered in the Sultanate, operating in sectors such as trade, construction, information technology, hospitality, and oil and gas services. Particularly notable is the rising interest from Russian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking new markets and alternative logistics routes. A significant milestone in 2023 was the visit of a delegation of 39 Russian companies, organized by the Russian Export Center. The visit resulted in the signing of several preliminary agreements in areas such as food supplies, mechanical engineering, and medical technologies, as well as the launch of joint investment project discussions in Oman’s free economic zones.

By the end of 2024, Oman had secured its position as one of Russia’s fastest-growing trade partners in the Arab world. Bilateral trade reached $350 million, more than doubling compared to the previous three years. The trade portfolio includes Omani exports of fertilizers, petrochemical products, and aluminum, while Russia supplies food products, timber, metals, machinery, and chemical goods. Logistics cooperation is also gaining momentum – with new container shipping routes between Omani ports and southern Russia beginning to form alternative supply chains that bypass unstable transit regions.

For the first time in 2023, official data on mutual investments was released. According to the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, total investments amounted to $90 million – indicating the emergence of a stable financial and investment platform. Priority areas include agro-industrial development, green energy, digital technologies, infrastructure, and logistics. Plans are also underway to establish a joint investment fund and explore settlement mechanisms in national currencies using digital solutions, including cryptographically secured platforms – particularly relevant amid restrictions on dollar-based transactions.

Tourism is developing particularly dynamically, as one of the most flexible and rapidly scalable sectors of cooperation. In 2024, approximately 11,000 Omani tourists visited Russia, while the number of Russian citizens choosing the Sultanate as a travel destination reached a record 44,000. Oman’s active promotion on the Russian market as a “premium Eastern destination” is supported by improved infrastructure, the introduction of electronic visas, and the launch of new Oman Air routes, including flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi.

Russia–Oman cooperation holds vast potential across several strategic areas. Trade and investment remain key sectors, with a focus on the complementarity of export and import profiles – ranging from food and seafood to chemical, medical, and pharmaceutical products. Cooperation in the oil and gas sector extends beyond raw material exchange: joint geological exploration projects, the localization of service operations, and the implementation of digital solutions in extraction and processing are actively under discussion. Further areas of development include energy efficiency, water purification, waste management, and environmental protection – particularly within the framework of a shared climate agenda.

Education, science, and innovation also represent promising avenues of collaboration. Negotiations are underway to establish joint research centers and facilitate exchanges of students, faculty, and experts in petrochemicals, IT, medicine, and engineering. Topics under discussion include the mutual recognition of academic degrees, dual-degree programs, and joint startup incubators.

The fields of digitalization and fintech deserve special attention. Oman has shown keen interest in Russian technologies related to cybersecurity, blockchain, digital identity, and cashless payment systems. At the same time, Russian banks and financial institutions view Oman as a promising platform for piloting and deploying new tools, thanks to the region’s favorable regulatory environment and geoeconomic flexibility.

The upcoming visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to Moscow promises to be a significant milestone in the evolution of Russia–Oman relations. It will reflect not only the high level of mutual trust and political understanding already achieved but also open new horizons for strategic convergence. Amid a profound transformation of the global order, Muscat and Moscow are demonstrating a shared commitment to building a sustainable, multidimensional partnership based on respect for sovereignty, pragmatism, and mutual benefit. In this context, Oman emerges not merely as an important regional player, but as a full-fledged ally in the shaping of a multipolar world – a country with which Russia envisions long-term political, economic, and humanitarian priorities.

— By Murad Sadygzade, President of the Middle East Studies Center, Visiting Lecturer, HSE University (Moscow).

[dabobba]

A Review of Record Store Days

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Record Store Days is a non-fiction book written by music producer Gary Calamar and writer Phil Gallo, published in 2010. It features stories and interviews about record stores, offering firsthand accounts of both old and new shops worldwide. Through presenting these experiences, the authors highlight the enduring culture of record stores, emphasizing their resurgence and growing prominence in today's music scene. Casual dialogues and personal anecdotes from the authors and their interviewees highlight the relationships that can be forged through record stores, resonating with both vinyl enthusiasts and a broader audience.

Record stores have been around longer than most can remember, serving as hubs for bargains, entertainment, and community. The book states, “Without record stores, there would be far less joy in our lives. We’ve tasted their transcendent buzz, and are now joyously addicted.” Even the decline in vinyl's popularity during the late '80s and '90s could not keep record stores down, as vinyl made a legendary comeback in the 21st century. 

In the chapter “Vinyl Revival,” the authors share a story that reinforces the idea that record stores have not faded away in the last couple decades, but have instead flourished. This story takes place in 2009 at a wine and beer bar called El Prado in the Los Angeles area. After closing for the night, the local vinyl record store named Origami had set up shop in this bar. They were ready to begin their weekly record club session. Favorite albums were passed around and listened to, creating a scene that was “clearly united by a love of vinyl records.”

Source: The Vinyl District

This club event was the ninth in a series hosted by Neil Schield, the owner of Origami Records. A variety of music genres filled the air, including classic rock, hip-hop, and electronic music, drawing in hipsters, bands, and local fans from the streets. Schield states, “It gets people excited about the music.” He also references his use of Twitter to blog and share the event in real time, bolstering a sense of community and following within his community and abroad. The authors cite the desire for community as a key driver behind the growing number of record stores and record sales in the 21st century, with many artists and entrepreneurs capitalizing on this emerging trend.

Another chapter that stood out to me was "Dancing in the Aisles," which focused on in-store performances, also known as "in-stores." These shows were originally created to showcase up-and-coming bands, providing a significant boost to both the artists' sales and the host record stores’ business. These shows were once an essential part of an artist’s growth, but gradually declined in popularity over the years, alongside the supposed "death" of vinyl. Together with the revival of vinyl in the mid to late 2000s came a resurgence of in-stores, such as the legendary concert held by Paul McCartney at Amoeba Music in Hollywood on June 27, 2007.

Source: The Screen Door

I find Record Store Days to be a great testament to vinyl record collecting and the community it fosters. In relation to my research topic, it provides a deeper understanding of the ever-growing passion for vinyl record collecting and why it can become such a deeply personal experience. Humans are naturally social beings, and in an age where digital isolation is common, vinyl collecting offers a way for people to engage in meaningful interactions and build connections with others who share the same interest. 

It is worth mentioning that this book is highly enjoyable to read, packed with exciting images, insightful quotes, and meaningful sidebars. Every page looks different from the next, creating an engaging atmosphere for the reader. A lengthy index is also included, allowing readers to easily find stories about specific artists or record stores. Additionally, photo credits are provided, adding a layer of appreciated authenticity.

[weerentheworld]

Day 2- Boston

Things are a bit crowded in the city center this morning due to the pride parade (yay! But also oops on my part- I would have sworn I googled when the parade was so I could avoid crowds (even if they are good ones) but apparently something went awry…probably me trying to research a little too late at night). So I head further out towards the Mapparium - inside Mary Baker Eddy Library, grabbing breakfast at a random cafe on the way.

One slightly uncomfortable thing I find on arrival is that the Mary Baker Eddy Library is named for the founder of Christian Science.

Not being familiar with Christian Science or their paper the Monitor, I spend the time waiting for the next tour of the Mapparium worrying I may have given money to a cult/intolerant sect.

5 min of googling didn’t make the answer super clear btw- so at least it’s not much money? Really wish I’d realized this before deciding to visit so I could make a better decision on if the implications of the cost were worth seeing the cool thing.

Also a heads up, the lady at reception WILL assume you are either a) part of Christian Science or b) very willing to learn about Christian Science (from the very biased source of the library about the sect). Both assumptions that made me deeply uncomfortable.

The Mapparium

This exhibit turns out to only be accessible via a tour and with no photography allowed, but it’s still quite neat. Fortunately the tour is more of an audio-visual presentation built into the globe, and is free of any Christian Science talk.

This stained glass globe was built in 1935, and is visually stunning.

One really striking thing was that it hasn’t been updated since 1935, and thus has a number of countries on it that don’t exist anymore, like european colonies in africa, the USSR, Siam, etc. The proportions of the countries also look a bit different than looking at a globe since you’re effectively in the middle of a globe, looking mostly out and up rather than down.

Personally I kinda wish the suspended walkway in the middle had been left fully clear- it’s got a carpet on its floor, due to scaring folks in 1935- as it would have been neat to be able to see fully down.

The unique proportions of being inside a globe have unusual effects on the acoustics of the space. There’s a whisper gallery effect, and sounds bounce around in unexpected ways.

Read more about it here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mapparium-globe-boston

[styrofauxm]

#Happy now?

to your tag - of course I'm not happy. That is obviously a very shitty thing to say, much less make it through a bunch of reviews and get published. That's why it set off my "potential BS" alarm.

It is nice to see that it's not completely made up that reputable news organizations (I checked Christian Science Monitor and it IS reputable). But OP's claim that there's lots of news organizations celebrating this and calling it impressive is still unsubstantiated.

I checked about 10 different sources, and this is the first that actually states that. And, let's be honest, the average person is not tuning to the Christian Science Monitor for their news. If I've heard of it before today, I didn't remember it. Beyond that, 1 article does not prove an overall trend like OP is implying.

None of that excuses the way the other sources discussed this (especially CNN. It was worse than the Wall Street Journal AND Fox News. Combined (imo)).

But it's important to me that the information I share is accurate. And, based on the information people have given me, and my own research, the claim that "ALL these news stories call the pager explosions 'impressive'" is not accurate, nor is the claim that "arab deaths are being celebrated on an international scale."

It's really just not fair how obviously the world devalues arab lives. All these news stories call the pager explosions as "impressive"... it's just not fair. I don't know how else to say it. It's not fair that arab deaths are celebrated on an international scale.

[mariacallous]

Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski has stated that Warsaw joined the Czech initiative to purchase hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds for Ukraine, but he refused to disclose the sum allocated by his government for that particular purpose.

Source: European Pravda, citing Bloomberg

Quote from Sikorski: "Yes, we are in [the Czech initiative for the purchase of shells for Ukraine – ed.]."

Details: At the same time, during a meeting with American journalists organised by the Christian Science Monitor in Washington, the minister refused to disclose the amount his government allocated for the artillery rounds.

Background:

Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that based on the signals received by his government, Ukrainian military forces will soon get the ammunition supplies as part of the Czech initiative.

On 12 March, it was reported that in addition to the commitment to purchase 300,000 artillery shells for Ukraine under a Czech-led initiative, the Czech government received an early approval from fellow EU countries to purchase an additional 200,000 shells; they can be bought by these countries that have joined the initiative.

Czech President Petr Pavel announced at the Munich Security Conference that Czechia had found up to 800,000 NATO standard-calibre shells that could be sent to Ukraine within a few weeks if proper funding could be found.

Last week, the Czech prime minister announced that enough money had been raised to purchase the first batch of 300,000 artillery shells.

[reasonsforhope]

"While tourists visiting Mexican beaches complain about piles of smelly seaweed, one Mexican gardener reckoned it was something like a gift.

The governments in places like Cancun have been required to clear away as much as 40,000 tons of sargassum seaweed, which smells like rotten eggs, but Omar de Jesús Vazquez Sánchez is steering it away from the landfills and into a kiln, where he makes adobe-like blocks that pass regulation as a building material.

He started SargaBlock to market the bricks, which are being highlighted by the UN Development Program as a stroke of brilliance, and a sustainable solution to a current environmental problem.

His story begins back in 2015 when, like any experienced laborer, he found rich people were stuck with a job they didn’t want to do. In this case, it was cleaning up the sargassum on the beaches of the Riviera Maya.

Omar grew up in poverty, immigrated to the US as a child to become a day laborer, and eventually dropped out of school and became a substance abuser. The American dream never appealed to him as much as a “Mexican dream”—a mix of memories from his childhood and dreams of being a gardener back home, so he moved back.

His time feeling unwanted as an addict and immigrant gave him a unique perspective on the smelly seaweed.

“When you have problems with drugs or alcohol, you’re viewed as a problem for society. No one wants anything to do with you. They look away,” Omar told Christian Science Monitor in a translated interview.

“When sargassum started arriving, it created a similar reaction. Everyone was complaining, I wanted to mold something good out of something everyone saw as bad.”

The ecology and environment offices of Quintana Roo, the legislative area that includes the city of Cancun, approved the SargaBlocks for use, and similar organic-based blocks have been reckoned as being capable of enduring 120 years.

The UN Development Program selected Omar’s work to be featured in their Accelerator Lab global broadcast to alert the world of its value and ingenuity.

There are all kinds of naturally-occurring pollutants or burdens that could be used in construction, and the UNDP hoped that by sharing Omar’s vision of the future of the Caribbean’s sargassum problem, it would inspire others to act in similar ways.

Bricks and cement can be great sources to use up naturally-occurring material that’s dangerous or burdensome—like this Filippino community using the ash from volcanic eruptions to make bricks.

Omar has been fortunate enough to be able to donate 14 “Casas Angelitas,” or homes made of SargaBlock, to families in need, and seems to be exceedingly close to achieving his “Mexican dream.”"

-via Good News Network, 4/24/23

[saleintothe90s]

464. The Create a Card Machine

This is something I only remember seeing in stores for about a year, and that was it. It was definitely one of those we flew too close to the Sun ideas from the 90s. We were throwing our money away back then.

My WalMart in Hampton, Virginia had one of these, in the card section. I only ever remember kids, like myself and my niece and nephew playing with it, making our own cards, and stepping around the paper from cards nobody paid for.

I can't find the source on this image-any help would be great.

You already know the reason why these machines captured my attention -- there were Simpsons custom cards. My niece and nephew actually made me a Bart one for my 12th or 13th birthday. I just remembered he was at a hot dog stand and there was a joke about Weiners.

I've only found one example of a card online, on Reddit Here's an archive of the funny story behind it. Like I said, these machines were not in stores for very long in the mid 90s.

I'm looking at this photo from the article, and I now remember how flimsy these cards felt. It was very thin cardstock. It definitely felt like something you would just print at home. Also, they were nearly $4, which back then was a lot of money for a card.

Here is a photo of one at an abandoned mall. Another image where I can't find the source.

It seems like the machines were a runaway hit .... at first (1994):

``When we launched Creatacard, we had no real business plan you could follow,'' John Barker [company spokesperson] says. ``We started from scratch and planned to set up 3,000 [electronic] kiosks in retail stores. The demand was so strong, we ended up placing 9,000.'' 1

At Hills Department Stores, Canton, Mass., a one-unit test started before Christmas and has produced outstanding results, said Gary DeMarchis, general manager of the chain’s Robinson Town Centre store in the Pittsburg market. Use of the machine is so high that DeMarchis had his store associates learn how to service the machine themselves rather than use American Greetings’ field service organization. 3

Two years later:

American Greetings now expects the number of its CreataCard machines to drop from about 10,000 in 1995 to about 7,500 this year. Hallmark anticipates that the number of its Touch-Screens will decline from 2,700 to about 1,500.

[...]

“What maybe this is proving is people just don’t have the time,” said Marianne McDermott, executive vice president of the Greeting Card Assn., a trade group.

“Time is such an important factor now. With the basic, traditional card, someone has already designed a message. Probably that’s the way people want to go. But people also want choices.”

Curtis Nelson, 43, of Cleveland, spent about 30 minutes at a CreataCard machine recently at a suburban mall to make a card for his girlfriend after a spat.

“My only real complaint was it seemed to lack enough of a selection and detail in the graphics. Too much of it is too cute. It needs to me more serious and still more creative,” Nelson said.

Facebook | Etsy | Retail History Blog | Twitter | YouTube Playlist | Random Post | Ko-fi donation | instagram @thelastvcr​ | tik tok @ saleintothe90s

Christian Science Monitor. ‘Greetings Made Easy: Card Company Goes On-Line’, 16 August 1994. https://www.csmonitor.com/1994/0816/16092.html.

‘Sales Rush Wasn’t in the Cards for Personalized Greetings’. Los Angeles Times, 27 June 1996. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730005443/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-27-fi-18966-story.html

IndexArticles. ‘CreataCard Personalizes Greetings; New Computerized Card Designing Kiosk Is Catching on at Discounters’, 1993. https://indexarticles.com/business/discount-store-news/creatacard-personalizes-greetings-new-computerized-card-designing-kiosk-is-catching-on-at-discounters/.

Blackwell, Roger D., and Kristina Stephan. Customers Rule! Why the e-Commerce Honeymoon Is over and Where Winning Businesses Go from Here. 1st ed. New York: Crown Business, 2001.

[felvika]

i didn't grow up mormon but everything described by it sounds literally like how i grew up and I'm more convinced than ever that good chunks of christianity are just cults but go unrecognized as such bc they don't have a unifying identification like "mormon." they're just "christian," like millions and millions of other people in america, right? except literally not.

we were very specifically "non denominational," and taught about how wrong all the other christians were. we went to church most days of the week. we were isolated from anyone outside the church, all of us were homeschooled, and media was monitored and limited. it you expressed too much "worldliness" you ran the risk of ostracization. leaving the church or expressing doubt ran the risk of losing friends and family, and becoming a source of judgement and exclusion with no other resources.

i literally never learned how to survive in the world except to go to their christian school to become a missionary. and a frightening number of teenagers ended up married as soon as they became legal, as though the school was a matchmaking program. girls under legal drinking age would pump out multiple babies before many marriages fell apart because they were literal children, and the church had constant turnover because of it.

we were made to do things as children without a choice or the education to question it. we weren't allowed to learn science, only creationism, and they trained us for arguments against people who believed in science. we were taught incorrectly about sex and the birth of babies, then dragged to anti-abortion rallies and pride protests and put on the front lines as a barrier and psychological tactic. one of the founders of our church was a messianic jew who managed to both be frequently anti-semetic and zionist, and who wrote some of the most aggressive, leading books inventing and slamming "the gay agenda."

and when everyone you know is like this, when the only people you care about and recieve support from are like this, leaving is hard or even impossible. for women especially, they make you unable to rely on yourself and leave your family unless you get married and get supported by a man. you have no knowledge, no support, nowhere to go, and the church is safety. the church has your family.

no mayyer how resentful, trapped, and abused i felt by the church, i don't think i could have detached as much as i did if i wasn't gay and trans. i would have faked my way through and seethed quietly without any idea of what else to do.

christianity is too easily warped into a cult and it's just so. NORMALIZED and unquestioned here.

[nuttypoliceheart]

SHOCKING REALITIES REGARDING JAMES GARDNER HOPKINS

James Gardner Hopkins is not your normal barrister

He has been specializing in Source Management, Environment, Preparation, and Organic Sources Legislation for 17 years. He has a non-traditional approach when giving recommendations and developing a litigation strategy for obtaining the outcomes required by his clients and he goes for practical techniques.

What collections James Gardner Hopkins apart is the manner in which he sees his clients. He doesn't see them as simple instances to be fixed. To James, they're individuals and that's why he makes every effort to build long term connections with them. It's perhaps not surprising he has come to be a depended-on advisor for a lot of his clients.  

A Short History

James Gardner Hopkins was born in New Zealand and matured in Britain. He returned to his country of start to complete his education and learning and ultimately to exercise his career. He completed his BSc in Scientific Sciences and Bachelor of Regulations at Auckland University.

He worked as a summer season clerk for Russell McVeigh in 1999 and then returned to the firm the following year as a laid-back clerk. He came to be full time there in 2001, ultimately coming to be a companion in 2009. He originally operated in the Auckland office of Russell McVeagh and it was while he existed, he obtained a chance to deal with one of the most senior of all environmental legal representatives in New Zealand, Derek Nolan.

James has been given countless acknowledgments and awards for his job. He was honored with the "Exceptional Individual" honor by Straterra, the group that represents the mining market, in 2012. He has additionally belonged to the National Council and Central Phase of the New Zealand Institute of Building since 2014.

His Technique

James was originally located in Auckland New Zealand and now he's his office in Wellington and he serves the whole country. Most of the moment he practices generally centres like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch however he additionally practices in locations that consist of Tauranga, Queenstown, the Hawkes ‘Bay, and the Marlborough Seems.

His past clients consist of Tank farming New Zealand, the Table of Airline Company, Air New Zealand, Auckland Global Airport Terminal, and Ballance. James has extensive experience when it pertains to intending adjustments, unsafe materials, and environmental authorizations. He focuses on domestic and business framework and industrial advancements.

Industries Covered

The following are several of the markets covered by John Gardner Hopkins'practice:

Resource Monitoring

One of the primary areas of expertise of John'practice is resource monitoring. The Resource Handle Behave is significant regulation in New Zealand. The legislation promotes the sustainable use of natural deposits. John has handled a ton of instances that are covered by this legislation.

The Resource Monitoring Behave is considerable because it puts sustainable monitoring as an important the main framework. John may lead you to ensure that you will remain certified with the arrangements of the legislation.

Atmosphere

Caring for the atmosphere is important the main Resource Monitoring Behave and is an extremely crucial trend today. The element of this is the recurring environment advocacy that is viewing a rise in several countries. Companies have to understand the effect that their activities carry the atmosphere.

John may assist you to ensure that you will be certified with environmental laws. He has helped many customers before who were taking care of environmental instances.

Preparation and Organic Assets Regulation

John was the pinnacle of Russell McVeagh's Atmosphere, Preparation, and Organic Assets team for two decades before he began his own practice. That gave him crucial exposure to taking care of the preparation and natural deposits laws.

Community

Are you intending on acquiring a residential property inside a neighborhood? Are you developing residential property and would certainly require neighborhood services? John Gardner Hopkins has substantial knowledge when it concerns taking care of residential or professional properties and that would certainly consist of neighborhoods.

Address:  PO Box 25160 Wellington, 6011, New Zealand

Phone:  021 277 1425

Mining Industry

As a result of James 'substantial experience in handling instances taking attention of regulations relating to the atmosphere and also resources, he's likewise fairly proficient when it involves instances that worry the mining industry.

Retail and also Business

Retail and also industrial is another industry that James concentrates on. He had the power to obtain important litigation experience throughout the so-called "Supermarket Conflicts ".During these hard-fought instances, he gained an understanding of the regulations related to retail organizations.

Oil & Gas

The petroleum industry is a really rewarding industry that will produce lots of earnings for every person involved. At the same time frame, this industry can likewise be controversial as a result of the impacts that it might have on the atmosphere. With the existing increase in environmental activism, petroleum firms might face some challenges.

With his experience in handling instances that take attention to the Source Manage Act, James Gardner Hopkins is distinctively well-positioned to aid you with instances that are related to the mining industry.

Water

Because water is one of the most vital resources, it is not unusual that James has actually dealt with instances that can be taking the attention of water resources numerous times. That experience and also his knowledge of the law produce him an excellent expert when it involves instances taking the attention of water.

Transport Industry

The transport industry will inevitably involve some impact on the atmosphere and also resources. If you require a lawyer who is familiar with the regulations concerning the transport industry, then you should connect with James Gardner Hopkins now.

Coastal

Coastal locations represent areas of diversity that should be protected. They're locations where there are resources that should be dealt with. James likewise has the knowledge to take the attention of instances about coastal locations.

In addition to handling instances that took attention of the Source Monitoring Act and also the atmosphere, James Gardner Hopkins was likewise privileged adequate to deal with leading Maori legal attorneys John Majurey and also Christian What J. He has actually likewise worked with jobs that involved Tangata when from the occasions he was a clerk at Russell McVeagh. It is not unusual he is now taken into consideration to become a leading service provider of Maori Appropriate Services.

So, if you're searching for a lawyer who will certainly fight fearlessly for you personally when required and also who can create a long-lasting partnership with you as a consultant, call James Gardner Hopkins now. For more info., visit   https://www.facebook.com/JGHBarrister/

[evilelitest2]

I’m the anon that’s been watching Tucker Carlson since April 2020 & doesn’t know whether I should continue watching or not. Nice blog btw. I still don’t know whether I like him or not or should I like him or not. Tbh I watch CNN & MSNBC all day then I end up watching Tucker, Hannity, Ingraham Angle & the Five. I don’t know whether to like these people or not. I don’t know that about CNN & MSNBC either. I’m lost. I just started getting into politics when the coronavirus came. I don’t know. 😔

Oh thanks for the compliment and welcome to the world of politics, it sucks.  Ok so I thought really hard about this question because I don’t want to just tell you “read all the media I like and become a mini me, all of your ideas should be mine” I think its important for people to be able to do research and make up their own mind.  So rather than me telling you what media you should check out, I want to talk to you about how it is best to get your own news and what tips to bear in mind.  So here is “EE guide to the news” but bear in mind most of these are suggestions not absolute rules.  But i’m going to violate my own standards with rule number 1

1) DO NOT WATCH FOX.  There is a whole range of different opinions on what is a good place to get your news, but almost all experts agree, if you want accurate news do not touch anything owned by Rubert Murdoch.  The Right wing has its own little media bubble which makes it almost impossible to get accurate information, avoid all of that like the plague.  Fox News (all of it), Brietbart, Daily Mail, New York Post, The Blaze, anything in the Conservative media bubble is going to be primarily misinformation and avoid it like the plague.  Any time you see a news source or claim made by any of them, double check it with a source that isn’t literally propaganda.  And Tucker Calrson is probably the worse of the lot.  Literally not watching the news is better than watching Right Wing News.  

2) Don’t have one news source.  No news source is perfect and all of them have their own bias and lack of information.  So its best not to pick a single news source to be your guide to knowledge, you want to have a few news sources that you bounce between.  So if a single news article is like “this happened” you can check with other sources.  

3) As a rule, avoid cable news.  CNN, NBC, MSNBC and BBC are real life grow up news sources, but cable news has a lot of problems with presentation.  They have to be extremely quick with their summaries and they often have less effective fact checkers.  So your best guide is print media, CNN written articles tend to be a lot better than CNN’s video stuff.  

4) Know what the news is for.  A lot of news outlets do different things.  So 538 is a great website for reporting on electoral politics, and Politico is great at getting at the view of Washington insiders.  Your ideal media diet should draw from a variety of sources

5) There are also fact checking websites which if you ever see something get debated really heated in terms of what happened you can check those 

So when it come what you should read, I think there two basic things to keep in mind

6) The political bias of the news.  All news has a political bias and it is good to know what position people come from.  Ideally you should get stuff that goes across a range of political world views that aren’t openly conservative because conservative news organizations just are misinformation personified.  

7) Finally there is quality of reporting.  No news site is perfect but some have better fact checkers, editors, resources and writers.  So as a rule, if the New York Times reports something, especially a factual piece, its probably correct, you should double check but you are probably going to be fine with New York Times or Washington Post factual stuff.  Opinions/editorals/Analysis is more nuance

So in terms of the most qualified Anglo-American news sources I would recommend the following 

New York Times (moderate Left Wing)

Washington Post (Mildly  Left Wing) 

NPR (Moderate Left Wing) 

The Guardian (Far Left)

Politico (Far Left) 

538 (Electoral News)

The Wall Street Journal (Mildly Conservative) 

The New Yorker (moderate Left Wing) 

The Economist (Conservative Centrist)

Bloomberg ( Conservative Centrist) 

Foreign Affairs (Leftist Centrist) 

BBC (Centrist) 

Time Magazine (Moderate Left wing) 

Vox (Far Left, better for opinion pieces) 

Forbes (Business) 

Fortune (Centrist) 

Financial Times (Conservative Centrist)

PBS (Moderate Left) 

Stuff which is still good quality but not as great but are real news

Christian Science Monitor (The weirdest newspaper on the planet)

CNN written articles (Centrist)

NBC Written (Centrist)

CBS (Centrist) 

ABC (Centrist)

The New Republic (Radical left) 

The Nation (Radical Left) 

And stuff which tends to be shaky but you should always double check 

The National Review (Moderate Conservative) 

The Jacobin (Really Radical Left) 

Huff Post (Radical Left but dumb) 

Salon (Radical Left) 

The Hill (Moderate Left) 

The Mother Jones (All of the Left) 

And a few non Journalists who might be useful but do not mistake them for news 

Last Week Tonight

Daily Show 

Full Frontal 

The Alt Right Hand book (youtube) 

And you can go outside The he Anglo-Americans context there is a lot of good stuff.  I suggest you find a mix of those works.  Personally I think you should go in the moderate to radical left direction but go find your own stuff.  Just avoid anything in the conservative media sphere because its not just stuff I disagree with, it is mostly misinformation.  And super dooper avoid non journalist on Fox like Hannity or Carlson the latter who is basically a White Nationalist.  

TLDR: no do not watch Tucker Carlson, avoid him entirely.  

[jameshopkins-blog1]

Shocking Realities Regarding James Gardner Hopkins

James Gardner Hopkins is not your normal barrister

He has been specializing in Source Management, Environment, Preparation, and Organic Sources Legislation for 17 years. He has a non-traditional approach when giving recommendations and developing a litigation strategy for obtaining the outcomes required by his clients and he goes for practical techniques.

What collections James Gardner Hopkins apart is the manner in which he sees his clients. He doesn’t see them as simple instances to be fixed. To James, they’re individuals and that’s why he makes every effort to build long term connections with them. It’s perhaps not surprising he has come to be a depended-on advisor for a lot of his clients.  

A Short History

James Gardner Hopkins was born in New Zealand and matured in Britain. He returned to his country of start to complete his education and learning and ultimately to exercise his career. He completed his BSc in Scientific Sciences and Bachelor of Regulations at Auckland University.

He worked as a summer season clerk for Russell McVeigh in 1999 and then returned to the firm the following year as a laid-back clerk. He came to be full time there in 2001, ultimately coming to be a companion in 2009. He originally operated in the Auckland office of Russell McVeagh and it was while he existed, he obtained a chance to deal with one of the most senior of all environmental legal representatives in New Zealand, Derek Nolan.

James has been given countless acknowledgments and awards for his job. He was honored with the “Exceptional Individual” honor by Straterra, the group that represents the mining market, in 2012. He has additionally belonged of the National Council and Central Phase of the New Zealand Institute of Building since 2014.

His Technique

James was originally located in Auckland New Zealand and now he’s his office in Wellington and he serves the whole country. Most of the moment he practices generally centres like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch however he additionally practices in locations that consist of Tauranga, Queenstown, the Hawkes ‘Bay, and the Marlborough Seems.

His past clients consist of Tank farming New Zealand, the Table of Airline Company, Air New Zealand, Auckland Global Airport Terminal, and Ballance. James has extensive experience when it pertains to intending adjustments, unsafe materials, and environmental authorizations. He focuses on domestic and business framework and industrial advancements.

Industries Covered

The following are a several of the markets covered by John Gardner Hopkins’practice:

Resource Monitoring

One of the primary areas of expertise of John’practice is resource monitoring. The Resource Handle Behave is significant regulations in New Zealand. The legislation promotes the sustainable use of natural deposits. John has handled a ton of instances which are covered by this legislation.The Resource Monitoring Behave is considerable because it puts sustainable monitoring as an important the main framework. John may lead you to ensure that you will remain certified with the arrangements of the legislation.

Atmosphere

Caring for the atmosphere is an important the main Resource Monitoring Behave and is an extremely crucial trend today. Element of this is the recurring environment advocacy that is viewing a rise in several countries. Companies have to understand the effect that their activities carry the atmosphere.John may assist you ensure that you will be certified with environmental laws. He has helped many customers before who were taking care of environmental instances.

Preparation and Organic Assets Regulation

John was the pinnacle of Russell McVeagh’s Atmosphere, Preparation, and Organic Assets team for two decades before he began own practice. That gave him crucial exposure to taking care of preparation and natural deposits laws.

Community

Are you intending on acquiring a residential property inside a neighborhood? Are you developing a residential property and would certainly require neighborhood services? John Gardner Hopkins has substantial knowledge when it concerns taking care of residential or professional properties and that would certainly consist of neighborhoods.

Address:  PO Box 25160 Wellington, 6011, New Zealand

Phone:  021 277 1425

Mining Industry as a result of James’substantial experience in handling instances taking attention of regulations relating to the atmosphere and also resources, he’s likewise fairly proficient when it involves instances that worry the mining industry.Retail and also Business

Retail and also industrial is another industry that James concentrates on. He had the power to obtain important litigation experience throughout the so-called “Supermarket Conflicts ”.During these hard-fought instances, he gained an understanding of the regulations that related to retail organisations.

Oil & Gas

The petroleum industry is a really rewarding industry that will produce lots of earnings for every person involved. At the same time frame, this industry can likewise be controversial as a result of the impacts that it might have on the atmosphere. With the existing increase of environmental activism, petroleum firms might face some challenges.

With his experience in handling instances that take attention of the Source Manage Act, James Gardner Hopkins is distinctively well-positioned to aid you with instances that are related to the mining industry.

Water

Because water is one of the most vital resources, it is not unusual that James has actually dealt with instances which can be taking attention of water resources numerous times. That experience and also his knowledge of the law produce him the excellent expert when it involves instances taking attention of water.

Transport Industry

The transport industry will inevitably involve some impact on the atmosphere and also resources. If you require a lawyer who is familiar with the regulations concerning the transport industry, then you should connect with James Gardner Hopkins now.

Coastal

Coastal locations represent areas of diversity that should be protected. They’re locations where there are resources which should be dealt with. James likewise has the knowledge to take attention of instances about coastal locations.

In addition to handling instances that took attention of the Source Monitoring Act and also the atmosphere, James Gardner Hopkins was likewise privileged adequate to deal with leading Maori legal attorneys John Majurey and also Christian Whata J. He has actually likewise worked with jobs that involved tangata whenua from the occasions he was a clerk at Russell McVeagh. It is not unusual he is now taken in to consideration to become a leading service provider of Maori Appropriate Services.

So, if you’re searching for a lawyer who will certainly fight fearlessly for you personally when required and also who can create a long-lasting partnership with you as a consultant, call James Gardner Hopkins now.

For more information, you may visit https://www.lexology.com/16939/author/James_Gardner_Hopkins/?start=11&s=MostPopular

[studentofrhetoric-blog]

Part 2, Friday, April 14th, 2017

International News:

--- "A United Nations expert said on Friday she hoped her visit to Cuba would open the door to a more intense dialogue on human rights and praised the country's social welfare system for reducing Cubans' vulnerability to human trafficking. Communist-run Cuba is generally suspect of inspections by international institutions, and this was the first visit by a U.N. human rights investigator in a decade. "I hope that this will be a stepping point for a more intense and fruitful dialogue with the whole human rights system," said Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, U.N. special rapporteur on trafficking in persons. Cuban dissidents, whom the government considers mercenaries funded by U.S. interests, said it was a positive sign that she had been invited, but only a first step. "It is notable they are not inviting special rapporteurs who look into torture, penitentiary systems, freedom of expression, the functioning of electoral systems, etc," said Elizardo Sanchez, leader of the Cuban Commission of Human Rights and National Reconciliation, which monitors arrests of opponents. Cuba's free healthcare, education and social security systems help reduce vulnerabilities that can lead to trafficking, Giammarinaro told a news conference."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-rights-idUSKBN17G1JK?il=0

--- "Pope Francis, presiding at a Good Friday service, asked God for forgiveness for scandals in the Catholic Church and for the "shame" of humanity becoming inured to daily scenes of bombed cities and drowning migrants. Francis presided at a traditional candlelight Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) service at Rome's Colosseum attended by some 20,000 people and protected by heavy security following recent attacks in European cities. Francis sat while a large wooden cross was carried in procession, stopping 14 times to mark events in the last hours of Jesus' life from being sentenced to death to his burial. Similar services, known as the Stations of the Cross, were taking place in cities around the world as Christians gathered to commemorate Jesus' death by crucifixion. At the end of the two-hour service, Francis read a prayer he wrote that was woven around the theme of shame and hope. In what appeared to be a reference to the Church's sexual abuse scandal, he spoke of "shame for all the times that we bishops, priests, brothers and nuns scandalized and wounded your body, the Church." The Catholic Church has been struggling for nearly two decades to put the scandal of sexual abuse of children by clergy behind it. Critics say more must be done to punish bishops who covered up abuse or were negligent in preventing it. Francis also spoke of the shame he said should be felt over "the daily spilling of the innocent blood of women, of children, of immigrants" and for the fate of those who are persecuted because of their race, social status or religious beliefs."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-easter-pope-viacrucis-idUSKBN17G1KN?il=0

--- "A Palestinian man fatally stabbed a British student on Jerusalem's transit network on Friday, Israeli police said. Israel's ambassador to Britain, Mark Regev, named the victim as Hannah Bladon on his Twitter account, adding that she was "murdered in a senseless act of terror." The incident occurred in a train carriage on the light rail network near the walled Old City. TV footage showed blood on the floor of the carriage with police officers restraining a man and carrying him away. A paramedic for the Magen David Adom ambulance service said the woman had suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead in hospital. The British Foreign Office in London said in a statement: "We can confirm the tragic death of a British national in Jerusalem. We are providing support for her family at this difficult time and are in touch with the local authorities.""

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-violence-idUSKBN17G0XY?il=0

--- "Marine Le Pen has brought the National Front from fringe status into the political spotlight and made herself a real contender to be France's first woman president and its first far-right leader since World War Two. Since taking the helm in 2011, Le Pen has sought to rid the party of the anti-Semitic image it acquired under the nearly 40-year leadership of her father, ex-paratrooper Jean-Marie Le Pen. The twice-divorced mother of three has positioned the party instead as an anti-immigrant, Eurosceptic force offering protectionist policies to shelter French workers from globalization. Polls have consistently shown Le Pen as one of the favorites to get through the April 23 first round and contest the May 7 runoff. That would be a step further than her first attempt in 2012, when she failed to reach the second round, and equal the achievement of her father, who reached the second round in 2002, only to lose by a landslide to conservative Jacques Chirac. While polls suggest the younger Le Pen would also lose in the run-off, they point to a much closer fight this time."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-lepen-newsmaker-idUSKBN17G18J?il=0

--- "South Korea's military said it believed missiles displayed in a North Korean military parade on the anniversary of its state founder Kim Il Sung included new types of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). The North's leader, Kim Jong Un, attended the parade in the capital, Pyongyang, as a series of missiles, multiple launch rocket systems and rockets were on display, amid questions about U.S. plans for the country and concerns about a possible sixth nuclear test."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-icbm-idUSKBN17H034?il=0

--- "North Korea warned the United States on Saturday to end its "military hysteria" or face retaliation as a U.S. aircraft carrier group steamed towards the region and the reclusive state marked the "Day of the Sun", the 105th birth anniversary of its founding father...The North's warning came as leader Kim Jong Un, looking relaxed in a dark suit and laughing with aides, oversaw a military parade at Pyongyang's main Kim Il Sung square, named after his grandfather, on his birth anniversary. Goose-stepping soldiers and marching bands filled the square, next to the Taedonggang River that flows through Pyongyang, in the hazy spring sunshine, followed by tanks, multiple launch rocket systems and other weapons. Single-engine propeller-powered planes flew in a 105 formation overhead..."All the brigandish provocative moves of the U.S. in the political, economic and military fields pursuant to its hostile policy toward the DPRK will thoroughly be foiled through the toughest counteraction of the army and people of the DPRK," the KCNA state news agency said, citing a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army...KCNA said the Trump administration's "serious military hysteria" had reached a "dangerous phase which can no longer be overlooked". The United States has warned that a policy of "strategic patience" with North Korea is over. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence travels to South Korea on Sunday on a long-planned 10-day trip to Asia.   State TV showed North Korea's Pukkuksong submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) on parade with tanks and other heavy machinery in front of Kim Jong Un. It was the first time North Korea had shown the missiles, which have a range of over 1,000 km (600 miles), at a military parade. Displaying more than one of the missiles indicates North Korea is progressing with its plan to base a missile on a submarine, which are hard to detect, said Joshua Pollack, editor of the Washington-based Nonproliferation Review."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-anniversary-idUSKBN17G0WU?il=0

Domestic & International News:

--- "U.S. President Donald Trump's administration declined to name any major trading partner as a currency manipulator in a highly-anticipated report on Friday, confirming a decision to back away from a key Trump campaign promise to slap such a label on China. The semi-annual U.S. Treasury currency report did, however, keep China on a currency "monitoring list" despite a lower global current account surplus, citing China's unusually large, bilateral trade surplus with the United States. Five other trading partners who were on last October's monitoring list - Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany and Switzerland - also remain on the list, ensuring that the Treasury would apply extra scrutiny to their foreign exchange and economic policies. The Treasury report recognized what many analysts have said over the past year, namely that China has recently intervened in foreign exchange markets to prop up the value of its yuan currency, not push it lower to make Chinese exports cheaper. Foreign exchange experts told Reuters last week that a manipulator label was unlikely for Beijing."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-currency-idUSKBN17G1JD?il=0

--- "President Trump is abruptly reversing himself on key issues. And for all his usual bluster, he's startlingly candid about the reason: He's just now really learning about some of them. "After listening for 10 minutes, I realized it's not so easy," the president said after a discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping that included his hopes that China's pressure could steer North Korea away from its nuclear efforts. "I felt pretty strongly that they had a tremendous power" over North Korea, he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. "But it's not what you would think. That's just one of several recent comments offering insight into what looks like a moderate makeover for an immoderate president. As he approaches 100 days in office, Mr. Trump appears to be increasingly embracing what he describes as his "flexibility" – acknowledging he may not have thought deeply about some of the issues he shouted about throughout his political campaign. Over the past 48 hours, the outsider politician who pledged to upend Washington has:

Abandoned his vow to label China a currency manipulator.

Rethought his hands-off assessment of the Syrian conflict – and ordered a missile attack.

Turned his warm approach toward Vladimir Putin decidedly chilly and declared US-Russia relations "may be at an all-time low."

Decided NATO isn't actually obsolete, as he had claimed.

Realized the US Export-Import Bank is worth keeping around.

"Instinctively, you would say, 'Isn't that a ridiculous thing,' " he said of the bank he once panned as "featherbedding" and pledged to eliminate. He now says of the bank, which supports US exports, "Actually, it's a very good thing. And it actually makes money." Allies describe Trump as merely growing in the job, taking what he's learning and adapting. The White House, however, is struggling to explain some of the changes...Trump, who seemed to remain in campaign mode for months after the election, appears to be listening to different advisers now. His onetime campaign guru, Steve Bannon, has been somewhat marginalized while moderate voices grow louder. It may also be that Trump is merely looking for a way to improve his low approval rating, acknowledging his best tactic could be switching to a less dogmatic, more pragmatic approach."

Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/0414/As-Trump-sharpens-focus-on-key-issues-surprising-reversals-on-core-campaign-rhetoric

Further information/commentary regarding Trump's change in policy positions: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2017/0414/Why-Trump-s-palace-intrigue-matters

--- "Hackers released documents and files on Friday that cybersecurity experts said indicated the U.S. National Security Agency had accessed the SWIFT interbank messaging system, allowing it to monitor money flows among some Middle Eastern and Latin American banks. The release included computer code that could be adapted by criminals to break into SWIFT servers and monitor messaging activity, said Shane Shook, a cyber security consultant who has helped banks investigate breaches of their SWIFT systems. The documents and files were released by a group calling themselves The Shadow Brokers. Some of the records bear NSA seals, but Reuters could not confirm their authenticity. The NSA could not immediately be reached for comment. Also published were many programs for attacking various versions of the Windows operating system, at least some of which still work, researchers said. In a statement to Reuters, Microsoft (MSFT.O), maker of Windows, said it had not been warned by any part of the U.S. government that such files existed or had been stolen. "Other than reporters, no individual or organization has contacted us in relation to the materials released by Shadow Brokers," the company said. The absence of warning is significant because the NSA knew for months about the Shadow Brokers breach, officials previously told Reuters. Under a White House process established by former President Barack Obama's staff, companies were usually warned about dangerous flaws.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cyber-swift-idUSKBN17G1HC?il=0

--- "Britain’s spy agencies played a crucial role in alerting their counterparts in Washington to contacts between members of Donald Trump’s campaign team and Russian intelligence operatives, the Guardian has been told. GCHQ first became aware in late 2015 of suspicious “interactions” between figures connected to Trump and known or suspected Russian agents, a source close to UK intelligence said. This intelligence was passed to the US as part of a routine exchange of information, they added. Over the next six months, until summer 2016, a number of western agencies shared further information on contacts between Trump’s inner circle and Russians, sources said. The European countries that passed on electronic intelligence – known as sigint – included Germany, Estonia and Poland. Australia, a member of the “Five Eyes” spying alliance that also includes the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand, also relayed material, one source said. Another source suggested the Dutch and the French spy agency, the General Directorate for External Security or DGSE, were contributors. It is understood that GCHQ was at no point carrying out a targeted operation against Trump or his team or proactively seeking information. The alleged conversations were picked up by chance as part of routine surveillance of Russian intelligence assets. Over several months, different agencies targeting the same people began to see a pattern of connections that were flagged to intelligence officials in the US...The Guardian has been told the FBI and the CIA were slow to appreciate the extensive nature of contacts between Trump’s team and Moscow ahead of the US election. This was in part due to US law that prohibits US agencies from examining the private communications of American citizens without warrants. “They are trained not to do this,” the source stressed. “It looks like the [US] agencies were asleep,” the source added. “They [the European agencies] were saying: ‘There are contacts going on between people close to Mr Trump and people we believe are Russian intelligence agents. You should be wary of this.’ “The message was: ‘Watch out. There’s something not right here.’���"

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/13/british-spies-first-to-spot-trump-team-links-russia?CMP=twt_gu

Domestic News:

--- "President Donald Trump nominated former Republican lawmaker Scott Garrett as president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States on Friday, completing an about-face over an institution he had denounced as "featherbedding" for big business. A White House statement also named Spencer Bachus, another Republican former congressman, to be a member of the board of directors of the bank. Both were named for four-year terms. Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday he would fill the two vacancies on the bank's five-member board that have prevented it from having a quorum and being able to act on loans over $10 million. His picks must gain approval from the Senate, which blocked nominees by former President Barack Obama. The Export-Import Bank, an independent government agency, provides loans to foreign entities that enable them to purchase American-made goods. For example, it has been used by foreign airlines to purchase planes from Boeing Co (BA.N) and farmers in developing nations to acquire equipment. The bank has become a popular target for conservatives, who worked in Congress to kill the institution, arguing that it perpetuates cronyism and does little to create American jobs."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-eximbank-idUSKBN17H003?il=0

--- "United Airlines said on Friday it is changing its policy on booking its own flight crews onto its planes after a man was dragged off an overbooked flight to make way for a United employee on Sunday, video of which went viral and made the airline the target of global criticism and ridicule. The airline, owned by United Continental Holdings Inc (UAL.N), said it would make sure crews traveling on their aircraft are booked into seats at least 60 minutes before departure. It said the new policy would ensure that a situation in which a passenger is forcibly removed from a plane does not occur again. United said the change is an initial step as it reviews policies in order to "deliver the best customer experience." The passenger ejected from the plane, David Dao, suffered a significant concussion, broken nose and lost two front teeth in the incident, and will need reconstructive surgery, according to his attorney, Thomas Demetrio, who has signaled that Dao will likely sue the airline. United's board said on Friday the company had to craft policies to win back customer trust and apologized to Dao and his family. It added that it stands behind Chief Executive Oscar Munoz, who has been under fire in the wake of the incident. Munoz has said he has no plans to resign. Even before this week, Munoz was under pressure from activist investors to improve the airline's performance, including its customer relations."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ual-crew-idUSKBN17H00M?il=0

--- "As knowledge moves from pages to pixels, many of America's public libraries have broadened their mission. Take, for example, the Boston Public Library, which occupies a full city block in the Back Bay neighborhood. Its imposing granite Johnson Building underwent a $78-million facelift last year, receiving larger windows, higher ceilings, and an LCD screen art installation behind its Information Desk...“We’re trying to really define what is meant by a library in 2017,” says Jessica Elias, one of the BPL’s curriculum development coordinators...Some libraries, like the BPL, enjoy large municipal budgets to support their operations. But in struggling urban neighborhoods and small rural towns, the costs of just keeping the lights on or fixing a leaky roof can shutter a library. The Trump administration's proposals to eliminate government funding for the IMLS, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts could force many of these institutions to make hard choices in coming years. To solve this problem, David Rothman is asking the super-rich to create a national endowment for libraries...However the federal budget process turns out, David Leonard, president of BPL, expects private funding to prove more necessary as library patrons seek ever-more expensive services. “As we see a shift towards people wanting to see libraries do more programming [and] more classes, we're going to need even more of those dollars available,” Mr. Leonard says of private philanthropy. “And the hope is that it will be in addition to – and not have to be a replacement for – city, state, or federal money.”...“It is very tempting, when one looks at the erosion of public support, [to] say, 'well, let's turn to the rich people, and they can solve things.' ” explains Professor Marker, who also founded Wise Philanthropy, a philanthropy advisory and education firm. “But in fact ... there is no ability of private support to take the place of public support.” Even an annual endowment payout of $1.1 billion would only mark a 9 percent increase over the $12 billion that US libraries took in as revenue in 2014. While that could offset some federal budget cuts, most experts say that support for libraries needs to be a robust combination of public, private, and government funds."

Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/2017/0414/Why-libraries-could-soon-need-a-national-endowment