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Why Bitcoin Is Your Best Bet Against Inflation
2023.03.29 01:01 BlockchainDaemon Why Bitcoin Is Your Best Bet Against Inflation
Last week, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25% amid banking turmoil, marking the ninth increase in a year and placing rates between 4.75% and 5%. The Fed aimed to balance fighting inflation while addressing banking sector upheaval, which already had a “tightening” effect on the economy.
The decision was heavily scrutinized by investors and economists for potentially prolonging economic turmoil. Chair Jerome Powell said strong economic data justified the hike, but acknowledged tighter credit conditions could further negatively impact households, businesses and the economy.
Fed officials still anticipate slower growth and higher inflation, with interest rates peaking at 5.1% in 2023 before dropping to 4.3% in 2024. Further, Powell reassured the public of the banking system's resilience, with the Fed ready to deploy all necessary tools to ensure its stability, but critics weren’t convinced.
And so, the most important question remains – will these measures be effective in actually reversing inflation back to the target rate of 2%?
We do have a relatively recent historical example of the Federal Reserve successfully reversing inflation in the 1980s, but it was a bumpy road. The renowned central banker Paul Volcker is widely hailed as one of the “greatest of all time” heads of the Federal Reserve for his role in combating inflation in the early 1980s.
However, one often-overlooked policy mistake made by the Volcker Fed in 1980 resulted in a more protracted period of high inflation and necessitated even tighter monetary policy. This ultimately led to the most severe U.S. recession since World War II up to that point.
By the time Volcker assumed his position as chair of the Fed in July 1979, the central bank's credibility on inflation had been severely undermined by the flawed policies of his predecessors, Arthur Burns and G. William Miller. Inflation had soared to over 12% by October 1979. In a surprise press conference on Oct. 6, 1979, Volcker announced that the Fed would allow the benchmark federal funds rate to "fluctuate over a wider range," resulting in an increase to over 17% by April 1980.
Facing mounting pressure to roll back rate hikes, including protests by farmers and car dealers along with bipartisan political intervention, the Federal Reserve yielded. As unemployment exceeded 7% in May, the Fed chose to substantially lower the federal funds rate, even though inflation had reached a staggering 14.7% in April. This move tarnished Volcker's reputation as a champion against inflation, and throughout the remainder of 1980, inflation persisted at over 12%.
As the recession concluded in July 1980, the Federal Reserve resumed its battle against inflation and began raising the federal funds rate once more. To reassert its credibility, the Fed had to push the rate to a staggering level of nearly 20% by mid-1981. Demonstrating unwavering resolve, Volcker wielded a metaphorical baseball bat to subdue the economy and vanquish inflation. The subsequent recession, commencing in July 1981, was the most severe economic downturn of the century.
Numerous analysts and economists now hold the belief that to effectively curb inflation, the federal funds rate must exceed the rate of inflation for a sustained period. Presently, inflation hovers around 6% (as of February 2023), while the federal funds rate range stands between 4.75% and 5%. Consequently, further interest rate increases are likely on the horizon.
But what happens if the inflation fight is prolonged as it was in 1980? How do we protect ourselves from the value of our assets eroding away?
This particular concern is back on everyone’s mind due to the current instability of the American banking system. The U.S. Treasury Department and the Fed have indicated that they will “back-stop” customer deposits for regional banks where the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) fails to do so, which critics say could result in another “money-printing spree” leading to further inflation.
In 2020, when the government initiated money printing in response to COVID-19, Paul Tudor Jones, the American billionaire and hedge fund investor, penned a compelling investor letter, widely regarded as the rational case for hedging one's portfolio against inflation with bitcoin.
He provides a list of inflation hedges “a host of assets that at one time or another have worked well in reflationary periods,” ranging from the most obvious such as gold to more esoteric such as foreign exchange investments like the AUD/JPY (Japanese yen/Australian dollar) foreign exchange trading pair. His full list of nine hedges, some of which you can invest in and some of which are meant to inspire ideas, include:
Gold: a store of value with a 2,500-year history
The yield curve: Historically a great defense against stagflation or a central bank intent on inflating. For our purposes we use long two-year notes and short 30-year bonds
Nasdaq 100: The events of the last decade have shown that quantitative easing can rapidly leak into equity markets, giving stocks a boost
Bitcoin: The most established cryptocurrency
U.S. cyclicals (long)/U.S. defensive (short): A pure goods inflation play historically
AUD/JPY forex pair: Australia is a long commodity exporter while Japan is short commodity importer
TIPS (Treasury inflation-protected securities): Indexed to consumer price index (CPI) to protect against inflation
GSCI (Goldman Sachs commodity index): A basket of 24 commodities that reflects underlying global economic growth in the U.S.
JPMorgan’s emerging market currency index: Historically when global growth is high and inflationary pressures are building, emerging market currencies have done quite well, likely because they are also suffering from inflation
(The list was lightly edited.)
Tudor Jones then puts these nine candidates through a rigorous analysis using the following four categories:
Purchasing power: How does this asset retain its value over time?
Trustworthiness: How is it perceived through time and universally as a store of value?
Liquidity: How quickly can the asset be monetized into a transactional currency?
Portability: Can you geographically move this asset if you had to for an unforeseen reason?
His analysis leads him to identify bitcoin as the top candidate due to its ability to retain purchasing power (as the best-performing institutional asset of all time, from the perspective of bitcoin’s entire lifecycle), trustworthiness (backed by cryptography), liquidity (tradeable 24/7) and, most importantly, portability (as a peer-to-peer system, no entity can intermediate on-chain transactions).
The run on Silicon Valley Bank underscored the remarkable capabilities of digital finance, with venture capitalists effectively toppling a bank using smartphones and group chats in just a matter of hours. During periods of political turmoil such as wars, pandemics or shifts in government, the importance of digital portability cannot be overstated. After all, it's improbable that anyone would transport gold or paper bonds across borders.
submitted by BlockchainDaemon to ChainDaemons [link] [comments]
The decision was heavily scrutinized by investors and economists for potentially prolonging economic turmoil. Chair Jerome Powell said strong economic data justified the hike, but acknowledged tighter credit conditions could further negatively impact households, businesses and the economy.
Fed officials still anticipate slower growth and higher inflation, with interest rates peaking at 5.1% in 2023 before dropping to 4.3% in 2024. Further, Powell reassured the public of the banking system's resilience, with the Fed ready to deploy all necessary tools to ensure its stability, but critics weren’t convinced.
And so, the most important question remains – will these measures be effective in actually reversing inflation back to the target rate of 2%?
We do have a relatively recent historical example of the Federal Reserve successfully reversing inflation in the 1980s, but it was a bumpy road. The renowned central banker Paul Volcker is widely hailed as one of the “greatest of all time” heads of the Federal Reserve for his role in combating inflation in the early 1980s.
However, one often-overlooked policy mistake made by the Volcker Fed in 1980 resulted in a more protracted period of high inflation and necessitated even tighter monetary policy. This ultimately led to the most severe U.S. recession since World War II up to that point.
By the time Volcker assumed his position as chair of the Fed in July 1979, the central bank's credibility on inflation had been severely undermined by the flawed policies of his predecessors, Arthur Burns and G. William Miller. Inflation had soared to over 12% by October 1979. In a surprise press conference on Oct. 6, 1979, Volcker announced that the Fed would allow the benchmark federal funds rate to "fluctuate over a wider range," resulting in an increase to over 17% by April 1980.
Facing mounting pressure to roll back rate hikes, including protests by farmers and car dealers along with bipartisan political intervention, the Federal Reserve yielded. As unemployment exceeded 7% in May, the Fed chose to substantially lower the federal funds rate, even though inflation had reached a staggering 14.7% in April. This move tarnished Volcker's reputation as a champion against inflation, and throughout the remainder of 1980, inflation persisted at over 12%.
As the recession concluded in July 1980, the Federal Reserve resumed its battle against inflation and began raising the federal funds rate once more. To reassert its credibility, the Fed had to push the rate to a staggering level of nearly 20% by mid-1981. Demonstrating unwavering resolve, Volcker wielded a metaphorical baseball bat to subdue the economy and vanquish inflation. The subsequent recession, commencing in July 1981, was the most severe economic downturn of the century.
Numerous analysts and economists now hold the belief that to effectively curb inflation, the federal funds rate must exceed the rate of inflation for a sustained period. Presently, inflation hovers around 6% (as of February 2023), while the federal funds rate range stands between 4.75% and 5%. Consequently, further interest rate increases are likely on the horizon.
But what happens if the inflation fight is prolonged as it was in 1980? How do we protect ourselves from the value of our assets eroding away?
This particular concern is back on everyone’s mind due to the current instability of the American banking system. The U.S. Treasury Department and the Fed have indicated that they will “back-stop” customer deposits for regional banks where the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) fails to do so, which critics say could result in another “money-printing spree” leading to further inflation.
In 2020, when the government initiated money printing in response to COVID-19, Paul Tudor Jones, the American billionaire and hedge fund investor, penned a compelling investor letter, widely regarded as the rational case for hedging one's portfolio against inflation with bitcoin.
He provides a list of inflation hedges “a host of assets that at one time or another have worked well in reflationary periods,” ranging from the most obvious such as gold to more esoteric such as foreign exchange investments like the AUD/JPY (Japanese yen/Australian dollar) foreign exchange trading pair. His full list of nine hedges, some of which you can invest in and some of which are meant to inspire ideas, include:
Gold: a store of value with a 2,500-year history
The yield curve: Historically a great defense against stagflation or a central bank intent on inflating. For our purposes we use long two-year notes and short 30-year bonds
Nasdaq 100: The events of the last decade have shown that quantitative easing can rapidly leak into equity markets, giving stocks a boost
Bitcoin: The most established cryptocurrency
U.S. cyclicals (long)/U.S. defensive (short): A pure goods inflation play historically
AUD/JPY forex pair: Australia is a long commodity exporter while Japan is short commodity importer
TIPS (Treasury inflation-protected securities): Indexed to consumer price index (CPI) to protect against inflation
GSCI (Goldman Sachs commodity index): A basket of 24 commodities that reflects underlying global economic growth in the U.S.
JPMorgan’s emerging market currency index: Historically when global growth is high and inflationary pressures are building, emerging market currencies have done quite well, likely because they are also suffering from inflation
(The list was lightly edited.)
Tudor Jones then puts these nine candidates through a rigorous analysis using the following four categories:
Purchasing power: How does this asset retain its value over time?
Trustworthiness: How is it perceived through time and universally as a store of value?
Liquidity: How quickly can the asset be monetized into a transactional currency?
Portability: Can you geographically move this asset if you had to for an unforeseen reason?
His analysis leads him to identify bitcoin as the top candidate due to its ability to retain purchasing power (as the best-performing institutional asset of all time, from the perspective of bitcoin’s entire lifecycle), trustworthiness (backed by cryptography), liquidity (tradeable 24/7) and, most importantly, portability (as a peer-to-peer system, no entity can intermediate on-chain transactions).
The run on Silicon Valley Bank underscored the remarkable capabilities of digital finance, with venture capitalists effectively toppling a bank using smartphones and group chats in just a matter of hours. During periods of political turmoil such as wars, pandemics or shifts in government, the importance of digital portability cannot be overstated. After all, it's improbable that anyone would transport gold or paper bonds across borders.
2023.03.29 00:54 strategicsound Season Attendance for Teams in Conferences A-I
Instead of waiting months for the NCAA to release attendance records for each school, I decided to do the work. Here are teams' average attendance for conferences A-I. For teams that play in more than 1 arena, I used data for the arena they played the most games in. I'll be releasing teams in conferences M-W within the next day or two.
Average Attendance/Capacity (% of arena full)
American East
Vermont 2,365/3,266 - 72%
Binghamton 2,110/5,142 - 41%
UMBC 1,604/4,654 - 34%
Albany 1,247/4,538 - 27%
Bryant 916/2,650 - 34%
UML 899/2,000 - 44%
Maine 720/5,800 - 12%
New Hamp 653/4,500 - 14%
NJIT 446/3,500 - 12%
‐-------------------------------------------- American Athletic Conference
Memphis 11,920/17,794 - 66%
Cincinnati 9,927/12,012 - 82%
Houston 7,568/8,479 - 89%
Wichita St 7,048/10,506 - 67%
UCF 5,942/10,000 - 59%
Temple 5,302/10,206 - 51%
East Carolina - 4,434/8,000 - 55%
SMU - 4,228/7,000 - 60%
Tulsa - 3,935/8,355 - 47%
USF - 3,790/10,411 - 36%
Tulane 1,576/4,100 - 38%
‐-------------------------------------------- Atlantic Sun:
E Kentucky 3,547/6,500 - 54%
Liberty 3,295/4,000 - 82%
Bellarmine 2,524/18,865 - 13%
FGCU 2,376/4,633 - 51%
Jacksonville St 2,322/3,500 - 66%
N Florida 1,794/5,800 - 30%
N Alabama 1,772/4,000 - 44%
Lipscomb 1,612/5,028 - 32%
Kennesaw St 1,568/4,792 - 32%
Austin Peay 1,456/7,257 - 20%
C Arkansas 1,120/6,000 - 18%
Jacksonville 998/1,450 - 68%
Stetson 694/5,000 - 13%
Queens 498/2,500 - 19%
‐-------------------------------------------- Atlantic Ten:
Dayton 13,407/13,409 - 99%
VCU 7,302/7,637 - 95%
Saint Louis 6,694/10,600 - 63%
Richmond 6,285/7,201 - 87%
Rhode Isl 5,158/7,657 - 67%
St Bonaventure 3,763/5,480 - 68%
George Mason 3,584/10,000 - 35%
UMass 3,580/9,493 - 37%
Loyola 3,372/4,486 - 75%
Davidson 3,356/5,223 - 64%
Duquense 2,178/3,500 - 62%
G Washington 1,608/5,000 - 32%
Saint Joseph's 1,504/4,200 - 35%
La Salle 1,481/3,400 - 43%
Fordham 873/3,200 - 27%
‐-------------------------------------------- ACC:
North Carolina 19,890/21,750 - 91%
Syracuse 19,102/35,642 - 53%
Virginia 14,219/14,623 - 97%
NC State 13,253/19,500 - 67%
Louisville 12,497/22,090 - 56%
Duke 9,314/9,314 - 100%
Virginia Tech 8,431/10,052 - 83%
Wake Forest 8,331/14,665 - 56%
Pittsburgh 8,194/12,508 - 65%
Florida St 6,567/12,500 - 52%
Clemson 6,517/9,000 - 72%
Notre Dame 6,118/9,149 - 66%
Miami 5,825/7,972 - 73%
Boston College 5,230/8,606 - 60%
Georgia Tech 4,713/8,600 - 54%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big Ten
Indiana 16,101/17,222 - 93%
Illinois 15,090/15,544 - 97%
Purdue 14,876/14,804 - >100%
Maryland 14,045/17,950 - 78%
Michigan St 13,810/14,759 - 93%
Wisconsin 13,288/17,287 -76%
Nebraska 13,221/15,500 - 85%
Iowa 12,370/15,400 - 80%
Ohio St 12,181/18,809 - 64%
Michigan 11,748/12,707 - 92%
Minnesota 9,451/14,625 - 64%
Rutgers 8,219/8,000 - >100%
Northwestern 4,890/7,039 - 69%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big 12
Kansas 16,300/16,300 - 100%
Iowa St 13,374/15,056 - 88%
Texas Tech 13,222/15,300 - 86%
West Virginia 12,003/14,000 - 85%
Texas 10,550/10,000 - >100%
Kansas St 9,596/12,528 - 76%
Baylor 9,473/10,347 - 91%
Oklahoma St 7,235/13,611 - 53%
Oklahoma 7,104/11,528 - 61%
TCU 6,192/8,500 - 72%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big East
Creighton 17,163/18,320 - 93%
Marquette 14,328/17,500 - 81%
UConn 11,446/10,167 - >100%
Providence 10,608/12,400 - 85%
Xavier 10,286/10,250 - >100%
Seton Hall 8,977/18,711 - 47%
Butler 7,918/9,100 - 87%
Villanova 6,500/6,500 - 100%
Georgetown 5,442/20,308 - 26%
St Johns 4,089/5,602 - 72%
DePaul 4,045/10,387 - 38%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big South:
High Point 3,334/4,500 - 74%
Radford 1,509/3,205 - 47%
UNC Asheville 1,349/3,200 - 42%
Longwood 1,314/1,807 - 73%
Campbell 1,302/3,095 - 42%
Winthrop 1,120/6,100 - 18%
Gardner Webb 662/3,500 - 18%
Charleston Southern 640/881 - 72%
USC Upstate 483/878 - 55%
Presbyterian 369/2,300 - 16%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big Sky:
Weber St 5,149/11,592 - 44%
Montana 3,448/7,321 - 47%
Montana St 3,271/7,250 - 45%
Idaho 1,717/4,200 - 40%
E Washington 1,508/6,000 - 25%
N Colorado 1,336/2,992 - 44%
Idaho St 1,288/3,214 - 40%
Portland St 1,083/3,094 - 35%
N Arizona 885/10,000 - 8%
Sacramento St 749/1,012 - 74%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big West:
Hawaii 5,140/10,300 -49%
UC Irvine 2,550/4,984 - 51%
UCSB 1,754/5,600 - 31%
Cal Poly 1,674/3,032 - 55%
Long Beach St 1,637/4,200 - 38%
UC San Diego 1,446/4,200 - 34%
CS Bakersfield 1,246/3,500 - 35%
UC Davis 1,198/5,931 - 20%
CS Fullerton 927/4,000 - 23%
UC Riverside 700/3,168 - 22%
CS Northridge 398/2,400 - 16%
‐-------------------------------------------- CAA:
Charleston 4,630/5,100 - 90%
UNCW 4,047/5,200 - 77%
William & Mary 2,631/11,300 - 23%
NC A&T 2,561/5,700 - 44%
Hofstra 2,343/5,142 - 45%
Towson 2,252/5,200 - 43%
Stony Brook 2,176/4,160 - 52%
Delaware 2,133/5,000 - 42%
Elon 1,745/5,100 - 34%
Monmouth 1,586/4,100 - 38%
Drexel 1,437/2,509 - 57%
Northeastern 941/6,000 - 15%
Hampton 899/7,200 - 12%
‐-------------------------------------------- CUSA:
UTEP 4,552/11,892 - 38%
W Kentucky 4,026/7,500 - 53%
UAB 3,774/8,508 - 44%
M Tennessee St 3,657/11,520 - 31%
N Texas 3,609/10,500 - 34%
Charlotte 2,985/9,105 - 32%
Louisiana Tech 2,492/8,000 - 31%
Florida Atlantic 2,238/2,900 - 77%
Rice 1,881/5,208 - 36%
UTSA 1,050/2,650 - 39%
FIU 1,020/5,000 - 20%
‐-------------------------------------------- Horizon:
Wright St 3,686/12,000 - 30%
N Kentucky 3,103/9,400 - 33%
Youngstown St 3,053/6,300 - 48%
Oakland 2,371/4,005 - 59%
Cleveland St 1,890/13,610 - 13%
Detroit 1,772/8,295 - 21%
Green Bay 1,724/9,729 - 17%
Milwaukee 1,717/10,783 - 15%
IPFW 1,449/13,000 - 11%
IUPUI 1,156/8,200 - 14%
Robert Morris 1,144/4,000 - 28%
‐-------------------------------------------- Ivy League:
Penn 2,481/8,722 - 28%
Princeton 2,012/6,854 - 29%
Yale 1,468/2,532 - 57%
Harvard 1,442/1,636 - 88%
Columbia 1,003/2,500 - 40%
Brown 923/2,800 - 32%
Cornell 821/4,472 - 18%
Dartmouth 692/2,100 - 32%
Independents
Hartford 347/4,017 - 8%
Chicago State 120/7000 - 1%
submitted by strategicsound to CollegeBasketball [link] [comments]
Average Attendance/Capacity (% of arena full)
American East
Vermont 2,365/3,266 - 72%
Binghamton 2,110/5,142 - 41%
UMBC 1,604/4,654 - 34%
Albany 1,247/4,538 - 27%
Bryant 916/2,650 - 34%
UML 899/2,000 - 44%
Maine 720/5,800 - 12%
New Hamp 653/4,500 - 14%
NJIT 446/3,500 - 12%
‐-------------------------------------------- American Athletic Conference
Memphis 11,920/17,794 - 66%
Cincinnati 9,927/12,012 - 82%
Houston 7,568/8,479 - 89%
Wichita St 7,048/10,506 - 67%
UCF 5,942/10,000 - 59%
Temple 5,302/10,206 - 51%
East Carolina - 4,434/8,000 - 55%
SMU - 4,228/7,000 - 60%
Tulsa - 3,935/8,355 - 47%
USF - 3,790/10,411 - 36%
Tulane 1,576/4,100 - 38%
‐-------------------------------------------- Atlantic Sun:
E Kentucky 3,547/6,500 - 54%
Liberty 3,295/4,000 - 82%
Bellarmine 2,524/18,865 - 13%
FGCU 2,376/4,633 - 51%
Jacksonville St 2,322/3,500 - 66%
N Florida 1,794/5,800 - 30%
N Alabama 1,772/4,000 - 44%
Lipscomb 1,612/5,028 - 32%
Kennesaw St 1,568/4,792 - 32%
Austin Peay 1,456/7,257 - 20%
C Arkansas 1,120/6,000 - 18%
Jacksonville 998/1,450 - 68%
Stetson 694/5,000 - 13%
Queens 498/2,500 - 19%
‐-------------------------------------------- Atlantic Ten:
Dayton 13,407/13,409 - 99%
VCU 7,302/7,637 - 95%
Saint Louis 6,694/10,600 - 63%
Richmond 6,285/7,201 - 87%
Rhode Isl 5,158/7,657 - 67%
St Bonaventure 3,763/5,480 - 68%
George Mason 3,584/10,000 - 35%
UMass 3,580/9,493 - 37%
Loyola 3,372/4,486 - 75%
Davidson 3,356/5,223 - 64%
Duquense 2,178/3,500 - 62%
G Washington 1,608/5,000 - 32%
Saint Joseph's 1,504/4,200 - 35%
La Salle 1,481/3,400 - 43%
Fordham 873/3,200 - 27%
‐-------------------------------------------- ACC:
North Carolina 19,890/21,750 - 91%
Syracuse 19,102/35,642 - 53%
Virginia 14,219/14,623 - 97%
NC State 13,253/19,500 - 67%
Louisville 12,497/22,090 - 56%
Duke 9,314/9,314 - 100%
Virginia Tech 8,431/10,052 - 83%
Wake Forest 8,331/14,665 - 56%
Pittsburgh 8,194/12,508 - 65%
Florida St 6,567/12,500 - 52%
Clemson 6,517/9,000 - 72%
Notre Dame 6,118/9,149 - 66%
Miami 5,825/7,972 - 73%
Boston College 5,230/8,606 - 60%
Georgia Tech 4,713/8,600 - 54%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big Ten
Indiana 16,101/17,222 - 93%
Illinois 15,090/15,544 - 97%
Purdue 14,876/14,804 - >100%
Maryland 14,045/17,950 - 78%
Michigan St 13,810/14,759 - 93%
Wisconsin 13,288/17,287 -76%
Nebraska 13,221/15,500 - 85%
Iowa 12,370/15,400 - 80%
Ohio St 12,181/18,809 - 64%
Michigan 11,748/12,707 - 92%
Minnesota 9,451/14,625 - 64%
Rutgers 8,219/8,000 - >100%
Northwestern 4,890/7,039 - 69%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big 12
Kansas 16,300/16,300 - 100%
Iowa St 13,374/15,056 - 88%
Texas Tech 13,222/15,300 - 86%
West Virginia 12,003/14,000 - 85%
Texas 10,550/10,000 - >100%
Kansas St 9,596/12,528 - 76%
Baylor 9,473/10,347 - 91%
Oklahoma St 7,235/13,611 - 53%
Oklahoma 7,104/11,528 - 61%
TCU 6,192/8,500 - 72%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big East
Creighton 17,163/18,320 - 93%
Marquette 14,328/17,500 - 81%
UConn 11,446/10,167 - >100%
Providence 10,608/12,400 - 85%
Xavier 10,286/10,250 - >100%
Seton Hall 8,977/18,711 - 47%
Butler 7,918/9,100 - 87%
Villanova 6,500/6,500 - 100%
Georgetown 5,442/20,308 - 26%
St Johns 4,089/5,602 - 72%
DePaul 4,045/10,387 - 38%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big South:
High Point 3,334/4,500 - 74%
Radford 1,509/3,205 - 47%
UNC Asheville 1,349/3,200 - 42%
Longwood 1,314/1,807 - 73%
Campbell 1,302/3,095 - 42%
Winthrop 1,120/6,100 - 18%
Gardner Webb 662/3,500 - 18%
Charleston Southern 640/881 - 72%
USC Upstate 483/878 - 55%
Presbyterian 369/2,300 - 16%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big Sky:
Weber St 5,149/11,592 - 44%
Montana 3,448/7,321 - 47%
Montana St 3,271/7,250 - 45%
Idaho 1,717/4,200 - 40%
E Washington 1,508/6,000 - 25%
N Colorado 1,336/2,992 - 44%
Idaho St 1,288/3,214 - 40%
Portland St 1,083/3,094 - 35%
N Arizona 885/10,000 - 8%
Sacramento St 749/1,012 - 74%
‐-------------------------------------------- Big West:
Hawaii 5,140/10,300 -49%
UC Irvine 2,550/4,984 - 51%
UCSB 1,754/5,600 - 31%
Cal Poly 1,674/3,032 - 55%
Long Beach St 1,637/4,200 - 38%
UC San Diego 1,446/4,200 - 34%
CS Bakersfield 1,246/3,500 - 35%
UC Davis 1,198/5,931 - 20%
CS Fullerton 927/4,000 - 23%
UC Riverside 700/3,168 - 22%
CS Northridge 398/2,400 - 16%
‐-------------------------------------------- CAA:
Charleston 4,630/5,100 - 90%
UNCW 4,047/5,200 - 77%
William & Mary 2,631/11,300 - 23%
NC A&T 2,561/5,700 - 44%
Hofstra 2,343/5,142 - 45%
Towson 2,252/5,200 - 43%
Stony Brook 2,176/4,160 - 52%
Delaware 2,133/5,000 - 42%
Elon 1,745/5,100 - 34%
Monmouth 1,586/4,100 - 38%
Drexel 1,437/2,509 - 57%
Northeastern 941/6,000 - 15%
Hampton 899/7,200 - 12%
‐-------------------------------------------- CUSA:
UTEP 4,552/11,892 - 38%
W Kentucky 4,026/7,500 - 53%
UAB 3,774/8,508 - 44%
M Tennessee St 3,657/11,520 - 31%
N Texas 3,609/10,500 - 34%
Charlotte 2,985/9,105 - 32%
Louisiana Tech 2,492/8,000 - 31%
Florida Atlantic 2,238/2,900 - 77%
Rice 1,881/5,208 - 36%
UTSA 1,050/2,650 - 39%
FIU 1,020/5,000 - 20%
‐-------------------------------------------- Horizon:
Wright St 3,686/12,000 - 30%
N Kentucky 3,103/9,400 - 33%
Youngstown St 3,053/6,300 - 48%
Oakland 2,371/4,005 - 59%
Cleveland St 1,890/13,610 - 13%
Detroit 1,772/8,295 - 21%
Green Bay 1,724/9,729 - 17%
Milwaukee 1,717/10,783 - 15%
IPFW 1,449/13,000 - 11%
IUPUI 1,156/8,200 - 14%
Robert Morris 1,144/4,000 - 28%
‐-------------------------------------------- Ivy League:
Penn 2,481/8,722 - 28%
Princeton 2,012/6,854 - 29%
Yale 1,468/2,532 - 57%
Harvard 1,442/1,636 - 88%
Columbia 1,003/2,500 - 40%
Brown 923/2,800 - 32%
Cornell 821/4,472 - 18%
Dartmouth 692/2,100 - 32%
Hartford 347/4,017 - 8%
Chicago State 120/7000 - 1%
2023.03.29 00:04 ChrisGeritol Conference room phones that work with RingCentral?
So, RingCentral is not helpful. They list a few options from partner vendors, but really don't provide useful answers.
I need a conference room phone that allows for a remote mic attachment and has a speakerphone that will be loud enough for 12 people. I don't need it to wash dishes, massage my feet, etc. This is just basic functionality that I'm looking for at a reasonable price.
What have you guys used that you're happy with?
submitted by ChrisGeritol to RingCentral [link] [comments]
I need a conference room phone that allows for a remote mic attachment and has a speakerphone that will be loud enough for 12 people. I don't need it to wash dishes, massage my feet, etc. This is just basic functionality that I'm looking for at a reasonable price.
What have you guys used that you're happy with?
2023.03.28 21:10 AlanharTheRiver Insertion Prologue Arc [part 0.6] - Side story of Insertion/NowBoarding, co-writing with u/SamakSalmon
So, I said that Aegis would be being introduced next friday when I posted part 0.5, but it turns out that the exposition wound up being a lot longer, so you all are getting a chapter in the middle of the week!
[main story line of Insertion (formerly titled Now Boarding)] - [first part of prologue arc] - [previous] - [next]
Primary memory transcription subject: Lena Irons-N.
Date [standardized human time]: July 13, 2136
Location: I-Industries refueling station and shipyard, located in the Jovian satellite system around Jupiter, Sol system.
The moment that the elevator doors opened on one of the crew levels, Lena was guiding her little posse to one of the conference rooms that were on the central line of the station’s docking ring. “Clear out,” she commanded the group of engineers who were using the space for a card game. “Urgent business that needs a sealed room. Go and hold a game with the refueling crew once they’re done with the Odyssey.”
The three men seated at the table nodded, before hurriedly collecting their cards and making a swift exit. Noah and Sara filed into the room, before Frank shut the door behind them all and turned the lock.
“You know we could have used an already empty room,” Noah suggested, only for Lena to shake her head.
“No, you implied that this was urgent, so I’ll treat it as such,” the raven-haired woman responded. “Now talk. What is it that I am needed for?”
Sara sighed. “You’re likely going to need to prepare to a state of war,” Lena’s old friend said softly. “We made first contact with aliens, and there’s a lot out there that we never predicted.”
Lena’s face hardened as Frank became pale. “Tell me everything,” the woman demanded.
And so the two did. They explained how there were hundreds of aliens out there, some good, some bad, some that would hate humanity as a principle, and one that Lena would eventually find to be more horrifying than what the depths of her nightmares could conjure. The Arxur.
The Arxur were a reptilian species of presumably obligate carnivores that were at war with the rest of the galactic community, a federation composed entirely of herbivores.
“This isn’t good,” was the first thing that came out of Lena’s mouth once the diets of the two parties were explained. “large herbivores are often highly aggressive towards potential predators. I suppose that that would include us?”
“And probably anything else with binocular vision,” Sara said with a slight hum. “That and Noah’s smiling caused one of the party that we had first contact with to outright faint.”
Lena grimaced. “So if they learn about us while having an all-out war with another species of predators, then they’d likely try to annihilate us without quarter.”
“Not necessarily,” Noah commented. “The venlil have become somewhat of an immediate ally, and I would assume that anyone else who might have known about our existence will assume that we wiped ourselves out.”
“How do you figure that?”
Noah shrugged. “They’ve got translators that know our languages,” he responded. “probably learning algorithims trained on the signals that we sent out, so they likely assume that we blew ourselves to bits what with the cold war nuclear tests and our horror movies.”
Lena laughed at the least thought. “I never really liked the genre,” she said after a moment of thought, “but if it saved our lives, then I might owe Willow a drink. Shall we continue with the briefing?”
“Of course,” Sara replied. “So, the venlil allied themselves with us. They initially panicked and called up a Federation battlegroup, so then they kind of sabotaged some of their old alliances to save our hides and now we’re going to put forward the idea of military aid from the UN.”
That didn’t sound good to Lena, and she quickly voiced that thought. The idea behind the modern-day UN was supposed to be of unity, with them deescalating and stopping conflicts rather than engaging in them. But Sara was quick to dissuade her of the hope that there would be a truly peaceful ending. The Arxur, as she explained, were possessed of a truly bloodthirsty mentality. The worst of humanity didn’t come close to the death tolls that they caused with over fifty worlds burned at their paws. And the worlds that had a populace that was… appealing… Those people would often suffer worse fates by the hands of the grays, as they were colloquially known.
The Arxur had turned the populace of the galaxy into their preferred quarry, enslaving and devouring all who stood in their way, and they had wiped out a good 20 percent of the species that formed the Federation. As the governor of the venlil had put it, the grays had no sense of compassion to appeal to.
Sara had a hypothesis as to why. The Arxur had been in an industrial stage when the Federation found them, and they tried to uplift the creatures. Beings at war given far greater technologies and without the development of the arts necessary to devote resources about speculation of life in the stars, they likely viewed themselves as the chosen of a deity, and that all other were heretics.
“Just imagine if Christopher Columbus and Adolf Hitler teamed up and made first contact with aliens,” Sara said. “That’s basically what the Federation got.”
Lena cursed. “So, they don’t recognize anyone else as sapient beings despite the fact that they got their tech from the Federation,” she said eventually. “and we can probably throw in the rampant consumerism without any thought for long-term effects that was prevalent in the average 21st century American as well for good measure.”
Sara nodded. “One would assume so.”
More cursing came from the host’s side of the table, as Frank joined in on the conversation. “Expansionist, colonialist, bloodthirsty and likely trapped in a perpetual war economy,” the assistant noted. “And to top it all off they make the British at their worst look like good Samaritans in terms of treatment of the groups that they find?”
“Not to mention the fact that they literally eat children and hunt them for fun,” Noah added. “Tarva showed us an intercepted video that the Arxur likely sent out as propaganda, and it is not for the faint of heart.”
Sara nodded her head in agreement. “Yeah, so we’re thinking that we should be teaching some human values to the xenocidal lizard space Nazis,” she said succinctly, a saddened expression on her face. “My deepest apologies Lena, but all of the work on demilitarization that you’ve spent your life working on, you’re likely going to need to undo all of it. Fast.”
Lena nodded as she inhaled a shaky breath of air. “Fucking hell,” With what you’ve told me,” she eventually said hesitantly, “it doesn’t really feel like I have much of a choice.”
“None of us will,” Sara replied. “I’m sorry Le’.”
Lena nodded and briefly clasped hands with Sara, her expression grim. “Go,” she said eventually. “Go to earth, get word to the UN, rally support and get back out here so that we can give the Arxur a swift boot to the keister.”
Sara and Noah nodded their agreement, before Frank unlocked the door and ushered the pair back to the elevator. “Are you alright ma’am,” he said to Lena once they had left.
Lena rested her elbows on the table where she sat, burying her head in the palms of her hands as she let out a jagged-edged laugh. “Not at all,” she said eventually. “I need a drink. Destroying one’s life’s work is not something to be done sober. I’ll be heading back up to my office, Frank, and I’ll need you to assemble the board.”
Frank let out a sigh. “Yes ma’am,” he replied softly, before watching in silence as Lena picked herself up and exited the conference room. He would stand there for a moment, looking in the innocuous site where the direction of Lena’s company had been irrevocably altered once more, before sealing the door and falling in behind the woman as she marched back towards the passageway that led to the station ring that the two of them had started the day on.
––
[main story line of Insertion (formerly titled Now Boarding)] - [first part of prologue arc] - [previous] - [next] – – [Nature of Predators Literary Universe]
This is a fan story set in the universe of u/SpacePaladin15’s The Nature of Predators series. Posted with the permission he left in the comments of Chapter 16: “anyone is welcome to write fanfiction; just credit the original universe, if you don’t mind!” In addition, this is part of the fan story by u/AlanharTheRiver, who I am co-writing this story arc with. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this!
submitted by AlanharTheRiver to HFY [link] [comments]
[main story line of Insertion (formerly titled Now Boarding)] - [first part of prologue arc] - [previous] - [next]
Primary memory transcription subject: Lena Irons-N.
Date [standardized human time]: July 13, 2136
Location: I-Industries refueling station and shipyard, located in the Jovian satellite system around Jupiter, Sol system.
The moment that the elevator doors opened on one of the crew levels, Lena was guiding her little posse to one of the conference rooms that were on the central line of the station’s docking ring. “Clear out,” she commanded the group of engineers who were using the space for a card game. “Urgent business that needs a sealed room. Go and hold a game with the refueling crew once they’re done with the Odyssey.”
The three men seated at the table nodded, before hurriedly collecting their cards and making a swift exit. Noah and Sara filed into the room, before Frank shut the door behind them all and turned the lock.
“You know we could have used an already empty room,” Noah suggested, only for Lena to shake her head.
“No, you implied that this was urgent, so I’ll treat it as such,” the raven-haired woman responded. “Now talk. What is it that I am needed for?”
Sara sighed. “You’re likely going to need to prepare to a state of war,” Lena’s old friend said softly. “We made first contact with aliens, and there’s a lot out there that we never predicted.”
Lena’s face hardened as Frank became pale. “Tell me everything,” the woman demanded.
And so the two did. They explained how there were hundreds of aliens out there, some good, some bad, some that would hate humanity as a principle, and one that Lena would eventually find to be more horrifying than what the depths of her nightmares could conjure. The Arxur.
The Arxur were a reptilian species of presumably obligate carnivores that were at war with the rest of the galactic community, a federation composed entirely of herbivores.
“This isn’t good,” was the first thing that came out of Lena’s mouth once the diets of the two parties were explained. “large herbivores are often highly aggressive towards potential predators. I suppose that that would include us?”
“And probably anything else with binocular vision,” Sara said with a slight hum. “That and Noah’s smiling caused one of the party that we had first contact with to outright faint.”
Lena grimaced. “So if they learn about us while having an all-out war with another species of predators, then they’d likely try to annihilate us without quarter.”
“Not necessarily,” Noah commented. “The venlil have become somewhat of an immediate ally, and I would assume that anyone else who might have known about our existence will assume that we wiped ourselves out.”
“How do you figure that?”
Noah shrugged. “They’ve got translators that know our languages,” he responded. “probably learning algorithims trained on the signals that we sent out, so they likely assume that we blew ourselves to bits what with the cold war nuclear tests and our horror movies.”
Lena laughed at the least thought. “I never really liked the genre,” she said after a moment of thought, “but if it saved our lives, then I might owe Willow a drink. Shall we continue with the briefing?”
“Of course,” Sara replied. “So, the venlil allied themselves with us. They initially panicked and called up a Federation battlegroup, so then they kind of sabotaged some of their old alliances to save our hides and now we’re going to put forward the idea of military aid from the UN.”
That didn’t sound good to Lena, and she quickly voiced that thought. The idea behind the modern-day UN was supposed to be of unity, with them deescalating and stopping conflicts rather than engaging in them. But Sara was quick to dissuade her of the hope that there would be a truly peaceful ending. The Arxur, as she explained, were possessed of a truly bloodthirsty mentality. The worst of humanity didn’t come close to the death tolls that they caused with over fifty worlds burned at their paws. And the worlds that had a populace that was… appealing… Those people would often suffer worse fates by the hands of the grays, as they were colloquially known.
The Arxur had turned the populace of the galaxy into their preferred quarry, enslaving and devouring all who stood in their way, and they had wiped out a good 20 percent of the species that formed the Federation. As the governor of the venlil had put it, the grays had no sense of compassion to appeal to.
Sara had a hypothesis as to why. The Arxur had been in an industrial stage when the Federation found them, and they tried to uplift the creatures. Beings at war given far greater technologies and without the development of the arts necessary to devote resources about speculation of life in the stars, they likely viewed themselves as the chosen of a deity, and that all other were heretics.
“Just imagine if Christopher Columbus and Adolf Hitler teamed up and made first contact with aliens,” Sara said. “That’s basically what the Federation got.”
Lena cursed. “So, they don’t recognize anyone else as sapient beings despite the fact that they got their tech from the Federation,” she said eventually. “and we can probably throw in the rampant consumerism without any thought for long-term effects that was prevalent in the average 21st century American as well for good measure.”
Sara nodded. “One would assume so.”
More cursing came from the host’s side of the table, as Frank joined in on the conversation. “Expansionist, colonialist, bloodthirsty and likely trapped in a perpetual war economy,” the assistant noted. “And to top it all off they make the British at their worst look like good Samaritans in terms of treatment of the groups that they find?”
“Not to mention the fact that they literally eat children and hunt them for fun,” Noah added. “Tarva showed us an intercepted video that the Arxur likely sent out as propaganda, and it is not for the faint of heart.”
Sara nodded her head in agreement. “Yeah, so we’re thinking that we should be teaching some human values to the xenocidal lizard space Nazis,” she said succinctly, a saddened expression on her face. “My deepest apologies Lena, but all of the work on demilitarization that you’ve spent your life working on, you’re likely going to need to undo all of it. Fast.”
Lena nodded as she inhaled a shaky breath of air. “Fucking hell,” With what you’ve told me,” she eventually said hesitantly, “it doesn’t really feel like I have much of a choice.”
“None of us will,” Sara replied. “I’m sorry Le’.”
Lena nodded and briefly clasped hands with Sara, her expression grim. “Go,” she said eventually. “Go to earth, get word to the UN, rally support and get back out here so that we can give the Arxur a swift boot to the keister.”
Sara and Noah nodded their agreement, before Frank unlocked the door and ushered the pair back to the elevator. “Are you alright ma’am,” he said to Lena once they had left.
Lena rested her elbows on the table where she sat, burying her head in the palms of her hands as she let out a jagged-edged laugh. “Not at all,” she said eventually. “I need a drink. Destroying one’s life’s work is not something to be done sober. I’ll be heading back up to my office, Frank, and I’ll need you to assemble the board.”
Frank let out a sigh. “Yes ma’am,” he replied softly, before watching in silence as Lena picked herself up and exited the conference room. He would stand there for a moment, looking in the innocuous site where the direction of Lena’s company had been irrevocably altered once more, before sealing the door and falling in behind the woman as she marched back towards the passageway that led to the station ring that the two of them had started the day on.
––
[main story line of Insertion (formerly titled Now Boarding)] - [first part of prologue arc] - [previous] - [next] – – [Nature of Predators Literary Universe]
This is a fan story set in the universe of u/SpacePaladin15’s The Nature of Predators series. Posted with the permission he left in the comments of Chapter 16: “anyone is welcome to write fanfiction; just credit the original universe, if you don’t mind!” In addition, this is part of the fan story by u/AlanharTheRiver, who I am co-writing this story arc with. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this!
2023.03.28 18:22 Hot_Temperature_5754 HOTEL LATVIA: SELL OUT, HANG IN OR PARTNER?
In mid-2013, Amit Sandis sat back in his chair to watch the sunset, wondering what the future would hold in Latvia. Business was starting to look up, and he had a new family to take care of. They had just a few days left in their summer vacation in the Maldives before returning to Latvia to join his two co-owners in making a critical decision. Sandis, together with his two best friends, had, in 2002, followed an entrepreneurial dream to build a five-star hotel in the cultural centre of one of Latvia’s top seaside cities, Liepaja. To achieve that dream, the three co-owners had negotiated and survived many challenges over the past decade.
After several early years of confidence and profit, the co-owners had spent the past five years struggling, due to the massive downturn in the Latvian economy, as a result of the European Union (EU) financial crisis and subsequent slow recovery. Since the crisis began, the business had declined from generating an annual profit to its present situation of making a loss or just breaking even. Now, however, the EU was showing signs of recovery, business confidence was returning, bookings were recovering and income generation was starting to look up. The co-owners’ frustration with the situation in recent years had at times been so bad that on several occasions they had spoken about selling the business while they could still break even. Now the question confronting them was whether they should put all their struggles behind them, retain the ownership of the hotel and look forward to enjoying the potential days of profit that lay ahead. With these questions on his mind, Sandis thought about the meeting he had planned in a week’s time with his two partners in Latvia. Many variables needed to be weighed before they decided on the strategic direction they should take. The co-owners were his two best friends, and they had spent many years working together.
BACKGROUND
In Latvia, the winter temperatures fluctuate between –25 and –2 degrees Celsius; and during the daytime, it is grey and dark after 4 p.m. Because of this climate, observers often say the Latvian people can, at times, seem a little depressed and not so joyous or communicative, compared with those in southern Europe. For those who live in warmer Mediterranean climates with year-round sunshine, life appears comparatively more relaxed and carefree. Because of Latvia’s northern location, in the winter, Latvians go to work in the dark and when they finish work, they return home in the dark. The long cold winter stretches from November to April. In contrast, Latvia’s climate from May to October is delightful.
Sandis spent 25 years working as a high-ranking city official in Latvia during what he described as “the good times under Soviet control,” when Latvia enjoyed high levels of employment, productive manufacturing plants and very little corruption due to the tight security and military and police control. Even though wages were low, most Latvian people led simple lives and were happy.
Not long after 1991, when Latvia gained independence from the Soviet Union, discussions commenced toward it becoming a member of the EU. From then onward, most of the Soviet-backed manufacturing plants began closing down, unemployment increased, uncontrolled corruption grew and the country’s gross domestic product dropped significantly. Many security professionals and soldiers who had worked for the Soviets no longer had a job, which led to a new industry of private protection and security services, although some of those involved had questionable standards of corporate governance.
With independence, Latvians started looking forward to a new-found freedom. The Latvian people felt excitement and confidence in the media and in government officials promoting successful growth. Celebrating their new independence, the Latvian politicians were riding the wave of popularity. However, Sandis had worked in a government facility and had an insider’s view of how these elected representatives really operated. He felt that most of them worked hard only near an election, but after the election was over, their overall priority was to make money. Sandis’s long-term experience led him to conclude that when an election was coming, government leaders would show great care for the public, make unrealistic statements about positive strategies for the future but after they had been re-elected, they often forgot most of the promises they had made.
After more than two decades working as part of the Soviet security establishment in Latvia prior to 2001, Sandis and his colleagues, Johachim Kaspars and Kemat Valdis, had developed strong bonds, friendships and acquaintances with many powerful government and military officials, some of whom were in high office. They had also endured many years working under tough conditions and were now ready to try to do some private business of their own. Their belief and research had heightened their expectation that tourism was likely to grow in Latvia, as the country became a full member of the EU. In addition, all economic indicators suggested the demand for tourism facilities and accommodation was likely to grow. After long hours of discussion and consideration, the three former Soviet servants were confident that collectively they had now accumulated enough money and trusting relationships with bankers to be successful in realizing their dream of building a five-star hotel in the centre of Liepaja, Latvia’s resort and seaport city.
Politically, the relationship between Latvia and the EU was also evolving. Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis felt that the enthusiasm and the West’s growing confidence in the Latvian business environment made it the right time to invest in the hotel industry. With good planning and management, they were confident of success at a time when the Latvian economy was entering a period of expected growth.
The co-owners registered their new business in the Latvian Official Company Register for €200s, and their application was approved after they had established their company bank account containing a minimum deposit of €3000s. Their first taste of what lay ahead was the realization that, at that time,
running a company in Latvia meant an almost constant need to satisfy the demands of the Revenue Service (RS).
In what seemed to be an after-effect from the Soviet era, Latvia company bookkeepers and accountants devoted a large portion of their daily work time to ensuring their company was complying with RS rules. At times, this task proved to be all encompassing and an unwanted difficulty as the RS decision makers were prone to making changes to the countries taxation rules on very short notice. As Kaspars lamented, “Such legalistic changes were liable to happen up to 200 times during any given year.”
Another complication was that when the RS changed a taxation rule or created a new rule, companies were not given any standard period of time to adjust but were expected to immediately correctly implement and abide by the new law or rule. Tax rates and taxable items were constantly changing, which led to complaints among members of the business community. But it made no difference to the RS officials, as they exercised total control and were not afraid to use their power. Unless one had a strong relationship with an RS insider, these government tax officials were rarely prepared to listen to any complaints. Consequently, company bookkeepers were under constant pressure to keep up to date. They needed to constantly be on the lookout for RS Information Releases and continually consulted their RS contacts and communication networks so they could implement any given changes in a timely manner. Complicating the matter further was that the RS sometimes gave only minimal directions and explanations on how new rules and laws should be correctly interpreted and implemented. The lucidity and interpretations of the changes could vary greatly, and the RS would not hesitate to impose a fine on any company found applying the new rules in an incorrect manner.
Although Latvia was now a part of the EU, the senior RS officials had spent all of their working life operating under the Soviet system. They knew no other way and were reluctant to change or respond to training. Their type of communication, thinking, behaviour, management and work environment continued to exhibit characteristics from their Soviet past, when the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) had previously controlled Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Estonia, countries whose people had followed the socialist philosophy of Marx, Engels and Lenin. Most people holding senior positions in the Latvian RS had started working there when Latvia had no private companies, restaurants, shops or hotels, and everything was owned by the state and operated under the Soviet socialist philosophy. In those times, private ownership was banned, and people had to prove they could work hard, be honest and share communal facilities. The general public had little power to make their own decisions regarding how much they were able to spend or what they would spend it on. The buying choices were usually narrow (e.g., only three types of car could be purchased — if anyone could afford one), and the socialist ideology promoted the philosophy that owning any property was bad and that capitalism only exploited working people.
Latvians thus experienced a significantly different style of thinking and government from the norm for people in the EU and Western market economies. After Latvia gained independence, change was initially slow. A significant period of time passed before senior government officials and employees, long entrenched in government positions under Soviet conditions, chose to retire or to adjust their thinking toward the characteristics of the EU market economy. Latvia had supposedly become an open-market economy, and many new emerging entrepreneurs who had worked hard to become successful now enjoyed the fruits of a market economy. These successful businesspeople could afford to own a modern car and a private house, yet they were still being made to feel guilty under the former Soviet ideology. As Sandis explained:
If you were making money, the members of older generations made you feel like you had robbed somebody or you had stolen something and they were usually angry with successful modern business people. Sometimes they would say it to your face that they “are so angry with you being successful and making money, driving a Mercedes and having a nice place to live” even though you may have worked hard to get all of these material things. Some of my friends in Latvia got so tired of this attitude that they decided to sell their business, sell all of their possessions and leave the country. These successful people were paying a lot of tax and the older generations working in the government offices didn’t understand that their salaries come from these taxes. My colleague who had worked in the Revenue Service from the middle of the 1990s started telling me that the biggest taxpayers were the bureaucrats. I had to stop him and say that “I’m sorry my friend, the source of your salary and the bureaucrats is from taxation charged on private businesses.” This was the way the older generation that grew up under the Soviet rule continued to think although small changes are slowly taking place and it is starting to become a little bit easier for successful modern business people in society. Many of my friends, even from outside Latvia, believed it would take two generations for this attitude and type of thinking to be fully eroded and perhaps gone. Now we are trying to explain this new concept to the 40-, 50- and 60- year-old employees that worked in the Revenue Service or Finance Police Department all their lives under the Soviet control.
Latvia became independent in 1991 and immediately after fell into a deep crisis. Jobs, money and opportunities dried up, and by 2000, many skilled people were leaving Latvia to seek a job abroad. They would try to find a job in another EU country, then save some money and later return to Latvia to buy a flat and maybe set up a business to improve their living conditions.
Introducing Latvia into a market economy had led to many problems, and the average workers were the people who suffered in the long term. The Latvian government was not ready for this change and took no action to avoid a significant banking crisis that was incubating due to its vague transition strategy and questionable governance. The banking crisis began not long after Latvia had been granted independence from the Soviet Union and the commencement of its new membership in the EU. Under the new EU policy and conditions, banking officials responsible for granting loans started being paid bonuses on the amount of money they could loan, not on the ability of borrowers to realistically repay the loans. This approach was a complete change in policy from the former Soviet banking environment; as a result, Latvian loan officials soon realized their opportunity and started to take advantage of the situation by approving loans much too easily, without conducting due diligence on prospective borrowers. As a result, borrowing money became much easier, and credibility checks on those applying for loans were often questionable and minimal. Bank officials were taking the opportunity to make more money than ever before and were unconcerned with the ability of borrowers to actually make repayments or repay their loans in full. The bank officials’ main motivator was the commission they would be paid, based on the size of the loan.
When Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis decided to pursue their Hotel Latvia dream, they had been unaware of any of these developing credit problems or the difficulties they could create for their new venture in the future. Feeling confident, they made a request to the bank for a loan of €22 million in 2002, and were surprised as to how easy it was to gain approval.
Sandis explained:
When we gained the €22 million loan to finance building our hotel, our bankers were coming and asking “Why did you take only this amount? Why don’t you take more?” We said, “We don’t need more. What we have been loaned is enough.” We didn’t know the bank officers responsible for providing the credit would get bonuses from the amount of money they loaned to the people. Their checking and due diligence was almost non-existent and they were not even asking for credit records or proof of income. Instead they were asking questions like, “If you need more money or a new car then why don’t you take a bigger loan?”
Prior to purchasing the land on which they would build their hotel, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis had first built one large apartment building in the central historical area of Riga, the Latvian capital, as a test case to provide them with the opportunity to measure the market, gain some experience in the real estate market, develop a better understanding of the construction industry and begin to generate some income while their larger project was developing. Enjoying success on this first smaller project saw their confidence grow toward the construction of their much larger Hotel Latvia complex. With their larger loan secured, the Hotel Latvia project started in 2002, when Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis identified, researched and purchased land in the centre of Liepaja, Latvia’s resort and seaport city. They wanted to build the hotel in the old part of the city, as it was in a central location, which would be attractive for customers. Because of the location, they expected they could charge slightly higher rates when serving their target markets of businesspeople and tourists who expected quality facilities. In preparing to build, they needed to remove from the existing site the remains of a few old decaying structures that were in serious danger of collapsing. They thought it would be easy to clear and start construction soon after; however, gaining the approvals to demolish these old ruins for their much larger project proved to be significantly more complicated. In a frustrated tone, Kaspars recalled the situation:
You could not imagine the politics involved when you want to build something in the historical part of Liepaja. On the proposed Hotel Latvia site we had purchased, there were several crumbling down and neglected ruins that had no official status or any conditions existing on them saying that “they needed to be restored.” The buildings were totally ruined and we had proceeded to commission three private, official, independent assessments of the proposed site that all concluded they were impossible to restore and that the only safe action to take would be to demolish them. These on-site ruins were in danger of collapse at any moment. However, despite this evidence, the government said there is no possibility that we could demolish them and build something new in the historical part of the city.
To try to change the decision we had to arrange several meetings with several politicians and government officials to get approvals from their respective departments to undertake the construction. It was a big headache to get all of these approvals. Although we could demolish most of the buildings the government departments informed us that each of the front facades of the ruins had to be restored. As a condition of the approval, we had to pay all restoration costs. Another building company we knew who were building in a nearby city also had problems and were not allowed to demolish even one wall of an old decaying building on their site even though it had large cracks in the building and the façade was not even traditional. The one they wanted to demolish was a very ordinary building with no historical value. On one occasion they were officially granted permission from the Architectural Authority to proceed with the demolition at 10 a.m. and then later on the same day at 11.45 a.m. received a second notification from another department saying that “permission to demolish it had been refused.” Today, this building still remains untouched in the centre of the city. Unfortunately, we learned of their experience well after we had begun our building process.
In Latvia’s new market economy, the officials who granted permissions were taking advantage of their newfound power. For businesses to gain any kind of documented approval, they now had to offer the officials something extra to get their signature of approval. Many approvals could not be completed by dealing directly with the officials responsible but had to be done through networks of connections. Valdis was frustrated and threw his arms in the air, stating “You had to use somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody.” Before Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis could even consider beginning construction, much more time was wasted and “under-the-table” fees needed to be paid to a portfolio of connections. Then, after construction had commenced, if the authorities wanted to stop the process to extract some additional favours, they could always find a mechanism whereby someone could complain and put a halt to everything. So, in total, it took the group several years to get all of the approvals to actually go ahead and commence the building construction.
When construction of Hotel Latvia finally commenced, a new problem confronted Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis. The builders and construction employees knew demand on construction services was vastly outstripping the current supply in Latvia, as only a limited number of building companies could build such large structures. As a result, the pressure on at the worksite was always intense, and the co-owners looked at using three builders to carry out the construction. If the builders arrived in the morning to commence the day’s work and if all of the materials or equipment were not there, or if some problem prevented them from starting immediately, then the builders would pack up and head off to work on another site. When this happened, the disruption resulted in the builders having to return later, and the price of construction would increase. This interruption in the schedule also resulted in frustrating delays; sometimes the builders would not return for several days. The hotel was a big project, and in the end, Valdis had to spend every day at the worksite to supervise the building company’s employees and ensure they were working. If no building company supervisor was present on the worksite, then the employees would often not work to capacity, significantly reducing their productivity. The construction companies knew that they were in a strong bargaining position. Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis were in a tough situation, as Latvia had too many buildings under construction, most were only partly completed and Latvia lacked a sufficient number of companies that were competent enough to do all the construction.
Valdis reflected:
We had a separate contract with a German company to do all the installations on the ground floor comprising the hotel’s entry, front desk area, bar and all the other features and facilities. They did a quality job and did it very quickly. The local Latvian builders were working on another part of the hotel at the same time, and the German builders had commented how at times the Latvian builders could not be found, were smoking outside or just sitting around doing nothing. In the end, I had to go to the site every day to supervise their work for the last four months including on the weekends, from the morning to the evening. Sometimes we had to threaten the builders to make sure they were doing their job because they took short cuts, time off or left to work on other building sites.
The German building company had designed the hotel and brought with them all of the materials to complete the entrance hall, and another German company came to install all of the lamps in the hotel. The German lighting employees were professional and efficient, and it took only three employees to complete the job in three days. For the Latvian construction companies, progress was much slower. After having to apply constant pressure on them to keep working effectively, the construction of the hotel was finally completed in one and a half years.
Finding the talented employees to staff the hotel was another issue. A large number of applications were received; however, finding the right standard and quality of employee suitable to staff this five-star operation required intense interviewing and a comprehensive training program.
The Hotel Latvia finally opened in 2006, and business started well. The hotel’s initial marketing campaign was successful: after six months of business, it was performing better than its competitors but was still not generating enough income to meet the co-owners’ strategic target. In the first two years, they generated enough income to service their loan but sometimes needed to contribute their own money to meet the repayments. Some adjustments were necessary, and halfway through their second year of operation, they sold their initial trial investment in Riga and asked the bank to deposit the funds from the sale into an offset account to reduce the interest being paid on the loan.
By the third year, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis had also renegotiated an increase in the term of their loan from 20 years to 25 years, with the goal of reducing their repayments and, thus, the level of financial pressure. This strategy helped them to adjust to the change in market conditions and encouraged the untried entrepreneurs to become more contingent. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the level of tourism declined sharply in Latvia in 2009 and 2010. By then, due to the significant drop in tourist numbers, the co-owners were generating only 60 per cent of the revenue required to meet their business target.
To try to cope with the downturn in bookings and reduction in income generation, they needed to make some strategic changes. These changes included downsizing the staff by 18 per cent, closing one of the guest floors, eliminating one of the elevators to reduce power costs and opening their five-star restaurants only on weekends.
During the downturn, not only did individual people stop travelling but companies, government and universities stopped holding conferences and/or reduced the number of delegates they were sending to conferences. These changes resulted both in universities, governments and associations reducing their number of conferences and in many existing industry conferences significantly decreasing their budgets.
Said Sandis:
We had many solid and developing contracts for annual conferences and tours but at the beginning of 2009 there were many cancellations and a sharp drop off in group tours and individuals coming to stay at the Hotel.
At about this time a Dutch professor I knew came to Latvia for a short term on foreign exchange to give some lectures and organize some student exchanges. After a time, he told me he believed a high percentage of the Latvian university students will leave Latvia for Germany and other countries after they graduate. Although he was a foreigner, he was worried about the situation in our country. He believed the IMF [International Monetary Fund] had made a mistake to place such heavy austerity measures on Latvia and it had created a very bad situation that would be difficult to recover from. Although it was not openly reported in the Western press, Latvia was in trouble much earlier than Spain, Greece and Italy with their gross domestic product declining by 18 per cent in 2009. Most of the decline was in construction because, during the preceding period of steady growth, the real estate and construction sectors grew out of control and too many buildings were built for the demand at that time. This had resulted in the problem of an oversupply of rooms in the hotel sector.
Eventually, the Latvian economy collapsed, real estate prices declined, companies and many individuals holding loans went bankrupt, salaries decreased by 30 to 40 per cent, and many people lost their jobs with unemployment rising significantly. The government was in financial difficulty and could afford to pay people who had been retrenched only a small percentage of their promised redundancy or unemployment payments. Even worse was that the government’s unemployment financial assistance following redundancy usually lasted only nine months; and when these payments ceased, the unemployed persons had to take care of themselves.
The downturn delivered to Latvia a market economy reality check that very few people who had lived under Soviet control could predict, understand or imagine. Huge excesses had occurred at the beginning of the growth phase in 2002, when bankers and financiers had enjoyed considerable wealth, and they now had to be paid for. Not conducting the required due diligence on those who wanted to borrow the money when times were good and giving out poorly backed or unsupported loans was now having a severe and adverse effect on the Latvian economy.
Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis had worked hard and had built their hotel from the ground up during the peak in construction activity; as a result, their construction costs had been higher than expected. After the slowdown, business did not run according to their expectations and, like many others, they were in a difficult situation regarding loan repayments to the bank. Many people had taken out large bank loans and mortgaged everything, including their homes, to ride the boom. After the downturn, many companies went bankrupt, were taken over by the banks or closed down because they could not afford to make the repayments. Most were overexposed with too much debt and no liquidity to make the repayments. Although this situation was happening throughout Latvia, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis still had the liquidity to continue making repayments, though their strategic options were severely reduced.
Due to their tight fiscal management, the three Hotel Latvia owners did not have to sell the hotel but began to consider whether they should get out while they were still able to break even. They realized that to go on trying to make money from the hotel would be hard work, and the venture had not delivered their expected outcome. They started wondering about their future risk on the amount of return they could generate. Were the hardest times over, meaning it would now be a mistake to sell? Solving all the approval problems during the years of construction had taken its toll, and with the building problems and increase in costs, it appeared that if they sold now, they could make a zero net gain in value on their decade of hard work and investment. At another time, the outcome would have been very profitable; however, the business environment following Latvia’s entry into the EU had taken its toll on and had disadvantaged Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis, as a result of a tough combination of factors: the Latvian people’s slow adaptation to the evolving market economy, corrupt bankers and government officials, building contractors taking advantage of the excess demand in the construction industry and the sudden economical crash.
Despite their situation, their bank was not currently concerned about their financial situation and was not putting pressure on them to liquidate their property or make any extra repayments on their loan. The bank had many other poorer performing loans and associated issues to worry about and its main concern was the number of its bad loans. Many lenders owed their banks substantial amounts of money, and many companies found themselves overextended and facing bankruptcy.
Valdis expressed his concern:
When we saw some good businesses being taken over by the banks without warning or with very short notice, we became concerned. We anticipated we may have to sell the hotel not long after it was completed because the cost of construction had gone 18 per cent over budget and, as a result, our monthly repayments and period of the loan had both grown significantly. Our business had started so well we thought the future would be profitable. Following the EU crash, it appeared some type of recovery had started and we thought there may be an opportunity to sell it in 2012 as Latvia’s credit and investment ratings proposed by the International Rating Agency, Standard and Poor’s, were improving and looking better.
But another serious problem was looming in the hotel sector. Latvia’s average price per room had dropped sharply because many hoteliers were in deep trouble and had started slashing their prices because they were located in less marketable locations. One example was the Reval Hotel that boasted 240 rooms in suburban Riga. Facing very poor occupancy, the operator in charge had suddenly slashed prices and had begun to sell rooms to large groups of tours at prices that were so low that they decimated the whole market. Once the Reval Hotel owners found out what their managers were doing, they immediately dismissed them and changed their operator but it was too late. For the rest of the market, the damage had already been done through the reductions in their bookings and through agents and customers who were no longer prepared to pay the former prices.
This incident happened at a critical time, when Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis were considering searching for a new partner to purchase 30 per cent of the hotel, in an effort to help reduce their loan pressure. Ideally, they needed a partner who had the cash to buy a portion of the property, and then the co-owners could use the money generated to offset or repay a larger part of the loan and thereby reduce their debt. With a fourth partner joining the group, it would have made it significantly easier to survive but after the Reval Hotel had slashed its prices, that option was no longer possible. The unpredictable situation drove away all potential buyers; they were afraid to invest and had decided to wait until the situation improved. Kaspars’s connections in a different bank informed him that the financial markets did not know what the situation may be for the future in Latvia, and much doubt surrounded the industry and marketplace. Some price targeting had broken out from time to time, and the reduced number of customers who required accommodation in Latvia were enjoying quality deals.
Upon reflection, compared with most of the businesses at that time, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis were among the lucky ones. Despite their many problems, they still believed that, if necessary, they could still sell their hotel, pay off their debt and get out without losing money. Looking at the market around them, they saw many others lose everything; gone was the confidence that had existed before the crisis. Wisely, they had made sure they had mortgaged only the property on which the hotel was being built; none of their own private dwellings were included as part of their collateral on their original €22 million loan.
The Hotel Latvia was built on a prime piece of land in coastal Liepaja, so it retained most of its value following the crisis and did not decrease by in real estate value as much as other properties further from the centre of the city or in less marketable locations. As time wore on, many competitors disappeared completely. Those that had managed to survive had experienced significant decreases in income. At the beginning of 2012, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis again commenced negotiations with a large global finance company based in London in an attempt to sell the hotel. They found that from 2008 to 2011, the sale price of the hotel had decreased by approximately 35 per cent. Their agents had tried selling the Hotel Latvia to different investment companies, and their responses had initially been positive. However, when investors saw the predicted future of Latvia and its poor credit and investment ratings, the buyers’ interest had ceased, and it was difficult for the agents to generate any serious interest.
Selling agents would tell us, “We know you guys have a good hotel but the country is no good. The climate for business and investment is poor and the future is not good.”
In the seven years following the boom that had begun in 2002, most of the surge in business activity, income generation and increases in prices had been in the construction industry. As a result, when the decline hit the construction companies, the support industries and related jobs were the worst affected. Only when the credit and investment ratings began to rise a few points in early 2013 did any purchasers begin to show any real interest in buying the hotel. Western investors were becoming interested again but their offers were still much below what the co-owners considered to be an acceptable price.
As Sandis explained:
They all came with the idea that they could buy our hotel for what we describe as “sandwiches.” I mean, for a very cheap price, and we thought they really wanted to buy it for nothing. The poor prices and demand were as a result of the construction bubble throughout Europe. Believe me, the politicians and bureaucrats could see it coming long before the crisis arrived but they did nothing because they were all set to make a lot of money out of it.
By the beginning of 2013, a slight recovery had begun, especially with the number of Russian tourists again beginning to grow. To Russian tourists, Latvia was now being marketed as an EU country and hence an international destination. In addition, rumours had begun that the EU was beginning to emerge from the recession, and that the steep austerity measures currently imposed at the time were soon to be eased.
Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis were at the point where they now had three options. One was to keep the hotel and continue working hard to enjoy the fruits of the supposed upturn that appeared to be commencing. The second option was to now find another partner to purchase a share in the company and to use this money to reduce their debt repayments and risk. Their third option was to sell the hotel completely and walk away with approximately the same amount of funds they had started with in 2002. Were there any other options?
Sandis knew the meeting with Valdis and Kaspars would occur on the evening after his return to Liepaja. He sat in the chair in his bungalow on the Maldives and wondered what they should do.
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In mid-2013, Amit Sandis sat back in his chair to watch the sunset, wondering what the future would hold in Latvia. Business was starting to look up, and he had a new family to take care of. They had just a few days left in their summer vacation in the Maldives before returning to Latvia to join his two co-owners in making a critical decision. Sandis, together with his two best friends, had, in 2002, followed an entrepreneurial dream to build a five-star hotel in the cultural centre of one of Latvia’s top seaside cities, Liepaja. To achieve that dream, the three co-owners had negotiated and survived many challenges over the past decade.
After several early years of confidence and profit, the co-owners had spent the past five years struggling, due to the massive downturn in the Latvian economy, as a result of the European Union (EU) financial crisis and subsequent slow recovery. Since the crisis began, the business had declined from generating an annual profit to its present situation of making a loss or just breaking even. Now, however, the EU was showing signs of recovery, business confidence was returning, bookings were recovering and income generation was starting to look up. The co-owners’ frustration with the situation in recent years had at times been so bad that on several occasions they had spoken about selling the business while they could still break even. Now the question confronting them was whether they should put all their struggles behind them, retain the ownership of the hotel and look forward to enjoying the potential days of profit that lay ahead. With these questions on his mind, Sandis thought about the meeting he had planned in a week’s time with his two partners in Latvia. Many variables needed to be weighed before they decided on the strategic direction they should take. The co-owners were his two best friends, and they had spent many years working together.
BACKGROUND
In Latvia, the winter temperatures fluctuate between –25 and –2 degrees Celsius; and during the daytime, it is grey and dark after 4 p.m. Because of this climate, observers often say the Latvian people can, at times, seem a little depressed and not so joyous or communicative, compared with those in southern Europe. For those who live in warmer Mediterranean climates with year-round sunshine, life appears comparatively more relaxed and carefree. Because of Latvia’s northern location, in the winter, Latvians go to work in the dark and when they finish work, they return home in the dark. The long cold winter stretches from November to April. In contrast, Latvia’s climate from May to October is delightful.
Sandis spent 25 years working as a high-ranking city official in Latvia during what he described as “the good times under Soviet control,” when Latvia enjoyed high levels of employment, productive manufacturing plants and very little corruption due to the tight security and military and police control. Even though wages were low, most Latvian people led simple lives and were happy.
Not long after 1991, when Latvia gained independence from the Soviet Union, discussions commenced toward it becoming a member of the EU. From then onward, most of the Soviet-backed manufacturing plants began closing down, unemployment increased, uncontrolled corruption grew and the country’s gross domestic product dropped significantly. Many security professionals and soldiers who had worked for the Soviets no longer had a job, which led to a new industry of private protection and security services, although some of those involved had questionable standards of corporate governance.
With independence, Latvians started looking forward to a new-found freedom. The Latvian people felt excitement and confidence in the media and in government officials promoting successful growth. Celebrating their new independence, the Latvian politicians were riding the wave of popularity. However, Sandis had worked in a government facility and had an insider’s view of how these elected representatives really operated. He felt that most of them worked hard only near an election, but after the election was over, their overall priority was to make money. Sandis’s long-term experience led him to conclude that when an election was coming, government leaders would show great care for the public, make unrealistic statements about positive strategies for the future but after they had been re-elected, they often forgot most of the promises they had made.
After more than two decades working as part of the Soviet security establishment in Latvia prior to 2001, Sandis and his colleagues, Johachim Kaspars and Kemat Valdis, had developed strong bonds, friendships and acquaintances with many powerful government and military officials, some of whom were in high office. They had also endured many years working under tough conditions and were now ready to try to do some private business of their own. Their belief and research had heightened their expectation that tourism was likely to grow in Latvia, as the country became a full member of the EU. In addition, all economic indicators suggested the demand for tourism facilities and accommodation was likely to grow. After long hours of discussion and consideration, the three former Soviet servants were confident that collectively they had now accumulated enough money and trusting relationships with bankers to be successful in realizing their dream of building a five-star hotel in the centre of Liepaja, Latvia’s resort and seaport city.
Politically, the relationship between Latvia and the EU was also evolving. Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis felt that the enthusiasm and the West’s growing confidence in the Latvian business environment made it the right time to invest in the hotel industry. With good planning and management, they were confident of success at a time when the Latvian economy was entering a period of expected growth.
The co-owners registered their new business in the Latvian Official Company Register for €200s, and their application was approved after they had established their company bank account containing a minimum deposit of €3000s. Their first taste of what lay ahead was the realization that, at that time,
running a company in Latvia meant an almost constant need to satisfy the demands of the Revenue Service (RS).
In what seemed to be an after-effect from the Soviet era, Latvia company bookkeepers and accountants devoted a large portion of their daily work time to ensuring their company was complying with RS rules. At times, this task proved to be all encompassing and an unwanted difficulty as the RS decision makers were prone to making changes to the countries taxation rules on very short notice. As Kaspars lamented, “Such legalistic changes were liable to happen up to 200 times during any given year.”
Another complication was that when the RS changed a taxation rule or created a new rule, companies were not given any standard period of time to adjust but were expected to immediately correctly implement and abide by the new law or rule. Tax rates and taxable items were constantly changing, which led to complaints among members of the business community. But it made no difference to the RS officials, as they exercised total control and were not afraid to use their power. Unless one had a strong relationship with an RS insider, these government tax officials were rarely prepared to listen to any complaints. Consequently, company bookkeepers were under constant pressure to keep up to date. They needed to constantly be on the lookout for RS Information Releases and continually consulted their RS contacts and communication networks so they could implement any given changes in a timely manner. Complicating the matter further was that the RS sometimes gave only minimal directions and explanations on how new rules and laws should be correctly interpreted and implemented. The lucidity and interpretations of the changes could vary greatly, and the RS would not hesitate to impose a fine on any company found applying the new rules in an incorrect manner.
Although Latvia was now a part of the EU, the senior RS officials had spent all of their working life operating under the Soviet system. They knew no other way and were reluctant to change or respond to training. Their type of communication, thinking, behaviour, management and work environment continued to exhibit characteristics from their Soviet past, when the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) had previously controlled Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Estonia, countries whose people had followed the socialist philosophy of Marx, Engels and Lenin. Most people holding senior positions in the Latvian RS had started working there when Latvia had no private companies, restaurants, shops or hotels, and everything was owned by the state and operated under the Soviet socialist philosophy. In those times, private ownership was banned, and people had to prove they could work hard, be honest and share communal facilities. The general public had little power to make their own decisions regarding how much they were able to spend or what they would spend it on. The buying choices were usually narrow (e.g., only three types of car could be purchased — if anyone could afford one), and the socialist ideology promoted the philosophy that owning any property was bad and that capitalism only exploited working people.
Latvians thus experienced a significantly different style of thinking and government from the norm for people in the EU and Western market economies. After Latvia gained independence, change was initially slow. A significant period of time passed before senior government officials and employees, long entrenched in government positions under Soviet conditions, chose to retire or to adjust their thinking toward the characteristics of the EU market economy. Latvia had supposedly become an open-market economy, and many new emerging entrepreneurs who had worked hard to become successful now enjoyed the fruits of a market economy. These successful businesspeople could afford to own a modern car and a private house, yet they were still being made to feel guilty under the former Soviet ideology. As Sandis explained:
If you were making money, the members of older generations made you feel like you had robbed somebody or you had stolen something and they were usually angry with successful modern business people. Sometimes they would say it to your face that they “are so angry with you being successful and making money, driving a Mercedes and having a nice place to live” even though you may have worked hard to get all of these material things. Some of my friends in Latvia got so tired of this attitude that they decided to sell their business, sell all of their possessions and leave the country. These successful people were paying a lot of tax and the older generations working in the government offices didn’t understand that their salaries come from these taxes. My colleague who had worked in the Revenue Service from the middle of the 1990s started telling me that the biggest taxpayers were the bureaucrats. I had to stop him and say that “I’m sorry my friend, the source of your salary and the bureaucrats is from taxation charged on private businesses.” This was the way the older generation that grew up under the Soviet rule continued to think although small changes are slowly taking place and it is starting to become a little bit easier for successful modern business people in society. Many of my friends, even from outside Latvia, believed it would take two generations for this attitude and type of thinking to be fully eroded and perhaps gone. Now we are trying to explain this new concept to the 40-, 50- and 60- year-old employees that worked in the Revenue Service or Finance Police Department all their lives under the Soviet control.
Latvia became independent in 1991 and immediately after fell into a deep crisis. Jobs, money and opportunities dried up, and by 2000, many skilled people were leaving Latvia to seek a job abroad. They would try to find a job in another EU country, then save some money and later return to Latvia to buy a flat and maybe set up a business to improve their living conditions.
Introducing Latvia into a market economy had led to many problems, and the average workers were the people who suffered in the long term. The Latvian government was not ready for this change and took no action to avoid a significant banking crisis that was incubating due to its vague transition strategy and questionable governance. The banking crisis began not long after Latvia had been granted independence from the Soviet Union and the commencement of its new membership in the EU. Under the new EU policy and conditions, banking officials responsible for granting loans started being paid bonuses on the amount of money they could loan, not on the ability of borrowers to realistically repay the loans. This approach was a complete change in policy from the former Soviet banking environment; as a result, Latvian loan officials soon realized their opportunity and started to take advantage of the situation by approving loans much too easily, without conducting due diligence on prospective borrowers. As a result, borrowing money became much easier, and credibility checks on those applying for loans were often questionable and minimal. Bank officials were taking the opportunity to make more money than ever before and were unconcerned with the ability of borrowers to actually make repayments or repay their loans in full. The bank officials’ main motivator was the commission they would be paid, based on the size of the loan.
When Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis decided to pursue their Hotel Latvia dream, they had been unaware of any of these developing credit problems or the difficulties they could create for their new venture in the future. Feeling confident, they made a request to the bank for a loan of €22 million in 2002, and were surprised as to how easy it was to gain approval.
Sandis explained:
When we gained the €22 million loan to finance building our hotel, our bankers were coming and asking “Why did you take only this amount? Why don’t you take more?” We said, “We don’t need more. What we have been loaned is enough.” We didn’t know the bank officers responsible for providing the credit would get bonuses from the amount of money they loaned to the people. Their checking and due diligence was almost non-existent and they were not even asking for credit records or proof of income. Instead they were asking questions like, “If you need more money or a new car then why don’t you take a bigger loan?”
Prior to purchasing the land on which they would build their hotel, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis had first built one large apartment building in the central historical area of Riga, the Latvian capital, as a test case to provide them with the opportunity to measure the market, gain some experience in the real estate market, develop a better understanding of the construction industry and begin to generate some income while their larger project was developing. Enjoying success on this first smaller project saw their confidence grow toward the construction of their much larger Hotel Latvia complex. With their larger loan secured, the Hotel Latvia project started in 2002, when Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis identified, researched and purchased land in the centre of Liepaja, Latvia’s resort and seaport city. They wanted to build the hotel in the old part of the city, as it was in a central location, which would be attractive for customers. Because of the location, they expected they could charge slightly higher rates when serving their target markets of businesspeople and tourists who expected quality facilities. In preparing to build, they needed to remove from the existing site the remains of a few old decaying structures that were in serious danger of collapsing. They thought it would be easy to clear and start construction soon after; however, gaining the approvals to demolish these old ruins for their much larger project proved to be significantly more complicated. In a frustrated tone, Kaspars recalled the situation:
You could not imagine the politics involved when you want to build something in the historical part of Liepaja. On the proposed Hotel Latvia site we had purchased, there were several crumbling down and neglected ruins that had no official status or any conditions existing on them saying that “they needed to be restored.” The buildings were totally ruined and we had proceeded to commission three private, official, independent assessments of the proposed site that all concluded they were impossible to restore and that the only safe action to take would be to demolish them. These on-site ruins were in danger of collapse at any moment. However, despite this evidence, the government said there is no possibility that we could demolish them and build something new in the historical part of the city.
To try to change the decision we had to arrange several meetings with several politicians and government officials to get approvals from their respective departments to undertake the construction. It was a big headache to get all of these approvals. Although we could demolish most of the buildings the government departments informed us that each of the front facades of the ruins had to be restored. As a condition of the approval, we had to pay all restoration costs. Another building company we knew who were building in a nearby city also had problems and were not allowed to demolish even one wall of an old decaying building on their site even though it had large cracks in the building and the façade was not even traditional. The one they wanted to demolish was a very ordinary building with no historical value. On one occasion they were officially granted permission from the Architectural Authority to proceed with the demolition at 10 a.m. and then later on the same day at 11.45 a.m. received a second notification from another department saying that “permission to demolish it had been refused.” Today, this building still remains untouched in the centre of the city. Unfortunately, we learned of their experience well after we had begun our building process.
In Latvia’s new market economy, the officials who granted permissions were taking advantage of their newfound power. For businesses to gain any kind of documented approval, they now had to offer the officials something extra to get their signature of approval. Many approvals could not be completed by dealing directly with the officials responsible but had to be done through networks of connections. Valdis was frustrated and threw his arms in the air, stating “You had to use somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody.” Before Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis could even consider beginning construction, much more time was wasted and “under-the-table” fees needed to be paid to a portfolio of connections. Then, after construction had commenced, if the authorities wanted to stop the process to extract some additional favours, they could always find a mechanism whereby someone could complain and put a halt to everything. So, in total, it took the group several years to get all of the approvals to actually go ahead and commence the building construction.
When construction of Hotel Latvia finally commenced, a new problem confronted Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis. The builders and construction employees knew demand on construction services was vastly outstripping the current supply in Latvia, as only a limited number of building companies could build such large structures. As a result, the pressure on at the worksite was always intense, and the co-owners looked at using three builders to carry out the construction. If the builders arrived in the morning to commence the day’s work and if all of the materials or equipment were not there, or if some problem prevented them from starting immediately, then the builders would pack up and head off to work on another site. When this happened, the disruption resulted in the builders having to return later, and the price of construction would increase. This interruption in the schedule also resulted in frustrating delays; sometimes the builders would not return for several days. The hotel was a big project, and in the end, Valdis had to spend every day at the worksite to supervise the building company’s employees and ensure they were working. If no building company supervisor was present on the worksite, then the employees would often not work to capacity, significantly reducing their productivity. The construction companies knew that they were in a strong bargaining position. Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis were in a tough situation, as Latvia had too many buildings under construction, most were only partly completed and Latvia lacked a sufficient number of companies that were competent enough to do all the construction.
Valdis reflected:
We had a separate contract with a German company to do all the installations on the ground floor comprising the hotel’s entry, front desk area, bar and all the other features and facilities. They did a quality job and did it very quickly. The local Latvian builders were working on another part of the hotel at the same time, and the German builders had commented how at times the Latvian builders could not be found, were smoking outside or just sitting around doing nothing. In the end, I had to go to the site every day to supervise their work for the last four months including on the weekends, from the morning to the evening. Sometimes we had to threaten the builders to make sure they were doing their job because they took short cuts, time off or left to work on other building sites.
The German building company had designed the hotel and brought with them all of the materials to complete the entrance hall, and another German company came to install all of the lamps in the hotel. The German lighting employees were professional and efficient, and it took only three employees to complete the job in three days. For the Latvian construction companies, progress was much slower. After having to apply constant pressure on them to keep working effectively, the construction of the hotel was finally completed in one and a half years.
Finding the talented employees to staff the hotel was another issue. A large number of applications were received; however, finding the right standard and quality of employee suitable to staff this five-star operation required intense interviewing and a comprehensive training program.
The Hotel Latvia finally opened in 2006, and business started well. The hotel’s initial marketing campaign was successful: after six months of business, it was performing better than its competitors but was still not generating enough income to meet the co-owners’ strategic target. In the first two years, they generated enough income to service their loan but sometimes needed to contribute their own money to meet the repayments. Some adjustments were necessary, and halfway through their second year of operation, they sold their initial trial investment in Riga and asked the bank to deposit the funds from the sale into an offset account to reduce the interest being paid on the loan.
By the third year, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis had also renegotiated an increase in the term of their loan from 20 years to 25 years, with the goal of reducing their repayments and, thus, the level of financial pressure. This strategy helped them to adjust to the change in market conditions and encouraged the untried entrepreneurs to become more contingent. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the level of tourism declined sharply in Latvia in 2009 and 2010. By then, due to the significant drop in tourist numbers, the co-owners were generating only 60 per cent of the revenue required to meet their business target.
To try to cope with the downturn in bookings and reduction in income generation, they needed to make some strategic changes. These changes included downsizing the staff by 18 per cent, closing one of the guest floors, eliminating one of the elevators to reduce power costs and opening their five-star restaurants only on weekends.
During the downturn, not only did individual people stop travelling but companies, government and universities stopped holding conferences and/or reduced the number of delegates they were sending to conferences. These changes resulted both in universities, governments and associations reducing their number of conferences and in many existing industry conferences significantly decreasing their budgets.
Said Sandis:
We had many solid and developing contracts for annual conferences and tours but at the beginning of 2009 there were many cancellations and a sharp drop off in group tours and individuals coming to stay at the Hotel.
At about this time a Dutch professor I knew came to Latvia for a short term on foreign exchange to give some lectures and organize some student exchanges. After a time, he told me he believed a high percentage of the Latvian university students will leave Latvia for Germany and other countries after they graduate. Although he was a foreigner, he was worried about the situation in our country. He believed the IMF [International Monetary Fund] had made a mistake to place such heavy austerity measures on Latvia and it had created a very bad situation that would be difficult to recover from. Although it was not openly reported in the Western press, Latvia was in trouble much earlier than Spain, Greece and Italy with their gross domestic product declining by 18 per cent in 2009. Most of the decline was in construction because, during the preceding period of steady growth, the real estate and construction sectors grew out of control and too many buildings were built for the demand at that time. This had resulted in the problem of an oversupply of rooms in the hotel sector.
Eventually, the Latvian economy collapsed, real estate prices declined, companies and many individuals holding loans went bankrupt, salaries decreased by 30 to 40 per cent, and many people lost their jobs with unemployment rising significantly. The government was in financial difficulty and could afford to pay people who had been retrenched only a small percentage of their promised redundancy or unemployment payments. Even worse was that the government’s unemployment financial assistance following redundancy usually lasted only nine months; and when these payments ceased, the unemployed persons had to take care of themselves.
The downturn delivered to Latvia a market economy reality check that very few people who had lived under Soviet control could predict, understand or imagine. Huge excesses had occurred at the beginning of the growth phase in 2002, when bankers and financiers had enjoyed considerable wealth, and they now had to be paid for. Not conducting the required due diligence on those who wanted to borrow the money when times were good and giving out poorly backed or unsupported loans was now having a severe and adverse effect on the Latvian economy.
Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis had worked hard and had built their hotel from the ground up during the peak in construction activity; as a result, their construction costs had been higher than expected. After the slowdown, business did not run according to their expectations and, like many others, they were in a difficult situation regarding loan repayments to the bank. Many people had taken out large bank loans and mortgaged everything, including their homes, to ride the boom. After the downturn, many companies went bankrupt, were taken over by the banks or closed down because they could not afford to make the repayments. Most were overexposed with too much debt and no liquidity to make the repayments. Although this situation was happening throughout Latvia, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis still had the liquidity to continue making repayments, though their strategic options were severely reduced.
Due to their tight fiscal management, the three Hotel Latvia owners did not have to sell the hotel but began to consider whether they should get out while they were still able to break even. They realized that to go on trying to make money from the hotel would be hard work, and the venture had not delivered their expected outcome. They started wondering about their future risk on the amount of return they could generate. Were the hardest times over, meaning it would now be a mistake to sell? Solving all the approval problems during the years of construction had taken its toll, and with the building problems and increase in costs, it appeared that if they sold now, they could make a zero net gain in value on their decade of hard work and investment. At another time, the outcome would have been very profitable; however, the business environment following Latvia’s entry into the EU had taken its toll on and had disadvantaged Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis, as a result of a tough combination of factors: the Latvian people’s slow adaptation to the evolving market economy, corrupt bankers and government officials, building contractors taking advantage of the excess demand in the construction industry and the sudden economical crash.
Despite their situation, their bank was not currently concerned about their financial situation and was not putting pressure on them to liquidate their property or make any extra repayments on their loan. The bank had many other poorer performing loans and associated issues to worry about and its main concern was the number of its bad loans. Many lenders owed their banks substantial amounts of money, and many companies found themselves overextended and facing bankruptcy.
Valdis expressed his concern:
When we saw some good businesses being taken over by the banks without warning or with very short notice, we became concerned. We anticipated we may have to sell the hotel not long after it was completed because the cost of construction had gone 18 per cent over budget and, as a result, our monthly repayments and period of the loan had both grown significantly. Our business had started so well we thought the future would be profitable. Following the EU crash, it appeared some type of recovery had started and we thought there may be an opportunity to sell it in 2012 as Latvia’s credit and investment ratings proposed by the International Rating Agency, Standard and Poor’s, were improving and looking better.
But another serious problem was looming in the hotel sector. Latvia’s average price per room had dropped sharply because many hoteliers were in deep trouble and had started slashing their prices because they were located in less marketable locations. One example was the Reval Hotel that boasted 240 rooms in suburban Riga. Facing very poor occupancy, the operator in charge had suddenly slashed prices and had begun to sell rooms to large groups of tours at prices that were so low that they decimated the whole market. Once the Reval Hotel owners found out what their managers were doing, they immediately dismissed them and changed their operator but it was too late. For the rest of the market, the damage had already been done through the reductions in their bookings and through agents and customers who were no longer prepared to pay the former prices.
This incident happened at a critical time, when Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis were considering searching for a new partner to purchase 30 per cent of the hotel, in an effort to help reduce their loan pressure. Ideally, they needed a partner who had the cash to buy a portion of the property, and then the co-owners could use the money generated to offset or repay a larger part of the loan and thereby reduce their debt. With a fourth partner joining the group, it would have made it significantly easier to survive but after the Reval Hotel had slashed its prices, that option was no longer possible. The unpredictable situation drove away all potential buyers; they were afraid to invest and had decided to wait until the situation improved. Kaspars’s connections in a different bank informed him that the financial markets did not know what the situation may be for the future in Latvia, and much doubt surrounded the industry and marketplace. Some price targeting had broken out from time to time, and the reduced number of customers who required accommodation in Latvia were enjoying quality deals.
Upon reflection, compared with most of the businesses at that time, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis were among the lucky ones. Despite their many problems, they still believed that, if necessary, they could still sell their hotel, pay off their debt and get out without losing money. Looking at the market around them, they saw many others lose everything; gone was the confidence that had existed before the crisis. Wisely, they had made sure they had mortgaged only the property on which the hotel was being built; none of their own private dwellings were included as part of their collateral on their original €22 million loan.
The Hotel Latvia was built on a prime piece of land in coastal Liepaja, so it retained most of its value following the crisis and did not decrease by in real estate value as much as other properties further from the centre of the city or in less marketable locations. As time wore on, many competitors disappeared completely. Those that had managed to survive had experienced significant decreases in income. At the beginning of 2012, Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis again commenced negotiations with a large global finance company based in London in an attempt to sell the hotel. They found that from 2008 to 2011, the sale price of the hotel had decreased by approximately 35 per cent. Their agents had tried selling the Hotel Latvia to different investment companies, and their responses had initially been positive. However, when investors saw the predicted future of Latvia and its poor credit and investment ratings, the buyers’ interest had ceased, and it was difficult for the agents to generate any serious interest.
Selling agents would tell us, “We know you guys have a good hotel but the country is no good. The climate for business and investment is poor and the future is not good.”
In the seven years following the boom that had begun in 2002, most of the surge in business activity, income generation and increases in prices had been in the construction industry. As a result, when the decline hit the construction companies, the support industries and related jobs were the worst affected. Only when the credit and investment ratings began to rise a few points in early 2013 did any purchasers begin to show any real interest in buying the hotel. Western investors were becoming interested again but their offers were still much below what the co-owners considered to be an acceptable price.
As Sandis explained:
They all came with the idea that they could buy our hotel for what we describe as “sandwiches.” I mean, for a very cheap price, and we thought they really wanted to buy it for nothing. The poor prices and demand were as a result of the construction bubble throughout Europe. Believe me, the politicians and bureaucrats could see it coming long before the crisis arrived but they did nothing because they were all set to make a lot of money out of it.
By the beginning of 2013, a slight recovery had begun, especially with the number of Russian tourists again beginning to grow. To Russian tourists, Latvia was now being marketed as an EU country and hence an international destination. In addition, rumours had begun that the EU was beginning to emerge from the recession, and that the steep austerity measures currently imposed at the time were soon to be eased.
Sandis, Kaspars and Valdis were at the point where they now had three options. One was to keep the hotel and continue working hard to enjoy the fruits of the supposed upturn that appeared to be commencing. The second option was to now find another partner to purchase a share in the company and to use this money to reduce their debt repayments and risk. Their third option was to sell the hotel completely and walk away with approximately the same amount of funds they had started with in 2002. Were there any other options?
Sandis knew the meeting with Valdis and Kaspars would occur on the evening after his return to Liepaja. He sat in the chair in his bungalow on the Maldives and wondered what they should do.
2023.03.28 17:57 rarakoko7 $brds KABOOM RARA KOKO PRIVATE DISCORD KNOWS IT FIRST ALERT SENT SUPER FAST ON SUBSCRIBERS CELL PHONE stamp central time 1057 3/28/23 we know it first again yahooo
 | submitted by rarakoko7 to squeeze_stocks [link] [comments] |
2023.03.28 17:44 MOStateWineGuy What a 32 Team, 2 Conference, 4 Division MLS could look like
 | submitted by MOStateWineGuy to stlouiscitysc [link] [comments] |
2023.03.28 17:09 PlainsmanParkingLot D1 Baseball TV/Streaming for Tuesday March 28
 | submitted by PlainsmanParkingLot to collegebaseball [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/i84l7n54xhqa1.jpg?width=2791&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94ed0320ef55091707b54986eef3c27d4f96a7a3
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2023.03.28 17:00 _call-me-al_ [Tue, Mar 28 2023] TL;DR — Crypto news you missed in the last 24 hours on Reddit
Bitcoin
Why do tickets to the Bitcoin conference cost $800? I thought Bitcoin was for everyone. How can they justify that?Comments Link
Got mine 😎
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Rooftop Bar in Playa del Carmen
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ethereum
Apparently Vitalik was the first to sign a transaction on Polygon zkEVM! Great day for EthereumComments Link
Polygon Labs unveils zkEVM Layer 2 to help scale Ethereum
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🏰 BuidlGuidl presents: Scaffold-Eth 2 hackathon
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CryptoCurrency
Binance traded against customers with approximately 300 "house" accounts - CFTCComments Link
Binance sued by CFTC of regulator violations - report
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Light up, folks! 69,420 ETH have been burned since The Merge.
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btc
Binance used 300 accounts to insider trade against their customers. They likely used knowing margin call thresholds to enrich themselves. The market is/was rigged.Comments Link
Bitcoin Sidechain Rootstock Expands Their DeFi Capabilities with New Solution and Locking Cap Removal
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Sneak Peek of the New Bitcoin Cash Network Explorer with CashToken Support
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SatoshiStreetBets
Binance NowadaysComments Link
CryptoMarkets
Bitcoin falls after CFTC sues crypto exchange Binance for allegedly breaking trading rulesComments Link
SEC’s Crypto fines against celebrities:
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Stormgain Releases Decentralized Crypto Trading Platform Offering Exorbitant Leverage
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CryptoCurrencies
The world's largest crypto exchange, Binance, is being sued by American regulators for violating the Commodity Exchange Act. Here is everything you need to know:Comments Link
‘Flatcoin’ Builders Respond to Coinbase Call to Deploy on Layer-2 Network Base
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Bitcoin ATM maker to refund customers impacted by zero-day hack
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CoinBase
Account closure (no reason at all or help)Comments Link
Coinbase holding funds hostage (x post)
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coinbase disable my account , can't give me an explanation on why
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binance
Ethereum's Shanghai Upgrade - What you need to know 🫡Comments Link
FantomFoundation
Fantom's fees are up 42% from the last quarter!Comments Link
Exciting News for Fantom Gamers: Internal Conflict Beta Release is on the Horizon! 🚀🎮
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Announcing SUPA Portal Marketplace & Internal Conflict Beta Launch Dates 🚀🎮
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solana
What is stopping you from using cryptocurrencies as payment?Comments Link
Solana: A technical deep-dive
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A Comprehensive Technical Overview of Solana, as explained by Streamflow
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cosmosnetwork
The mods have abandoned this sub.Comments Link
Rough guide to show current expected staking returns for the Cosmos Hub/Atom earned in 24 hours. (results will vary slightly depending on the validation fee)
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Decentralized Exchange dYdX to Transition From Ethereum to Cosmos
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algorand
BitBoy uploaded the John Woods interview as a standalone clipComments Link
John Woods was live on BitBoy Crypto (1:02:24)
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RIO (Realio Network) will list on MEXC Global as an Algorand ASA
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cardano
The number of ADA holders grow despite the bear marketComments Link
IOG announced that developers are working on Hydra-node compatibility for the Cardano mainnet release! We reveal the details and explain the benefits of this scaling solution.
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Introducing the Fiat to Crypto On/Off Ramp Feature on the WorldMobile Global App!
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Monero
who's network is busy now...Comments Link
We're out of beta! Cake Wallet MacOS v1.0.1 is out today on the App Store, including new invoice and donation options in the receive screen!
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U.S. CFTC Sue Binance, CEO Zhao For Breaking Trading Laws
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NFT
FrostBone - This my first 1/1 drawing. What do you think? Also you can check out my comment below!Comments Link
Poly Penguin NFTs “Volunteer group supporting local Conservatories and Animal Shelters” Minting in progress 200/800
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Construction Giant XCMG Chooses Conflux for NFTs and Future Global Blockchain Applications - Finance Monks
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2023.03.28 17:00 _call-me-al_ [Tue, Mar 28 2023] TL;DR — This is the top investing content you missed in the last 24 hours on Reddit
stocks
Disney will start laying off employees this week, CEO Bob Iger says in memoComments Link
BOIL down 36% Overall
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Apple (AAPL) to Spend Billions More on Entertainment
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StockMarket
Lyft CEO and president to step down in mid-April, former Amazon exec David Risher named as replacementComments Link
First Citizens Bank surges over 50% after buying SVB from the FDIC
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Help me understand this. Last year seems like i lost $6,540.16 and i am a self employed guy and here’s my question; can I use this lost as a deduction of my taxes or Should I just forget about that lost?
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investing
Schwab’s $7 Trillion Empire Built on Low Rates Is Showing CracksComments Link
31-year-old teacher with roughly 100k in investments. I want to increase my monthly dividends as much as possible.
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TIL That brokerage accounts offer much higher rates on CDs (Schwab 6 month at 5.31% today)
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trakstocks
Ultimate Draganfly DD , a solution provider for autonomous drones, AI, data and moreComments Link
Element79 Gold Does Gold Exploration At Its Best (CSE: ELEM, OTC: ELMGF)
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Stock Friendable Inc. (FDBL)
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UndervaluedStonks
wallstreetbets
Alright regards, get your PUTS orders in. It's another gambling session @9am ETComments Link
Classic
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Introducing: WSB's First Ever Paper Trading Competition.
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market_sentiment
Let’s say for $25,000 you could buy a 10% interest in the income of any one of your classmates that you wanted to. Would you do it?Comments Link
options
CCs on SPY for RetirementComments Link
Confession
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Is there a better way to settle my ITM buy/sell options?
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pennystocks
Can Splash Group (SBEV) mirror the success stories of Monster Energy and Celsius Holdings?Comments Link
Huge Reversal Candle on the Daily Chart for $RNXT
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$PBTS shares should be thinning out after this latest news. “Chairman Shiang Lor bought US$2.5m worth of shares at a price of US$0.25 per share.”
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SecurityAnalysis
Germany at a standstill as huge strike halts planes and trainsComments Link
20%+ ROCE in the 2020s for traditional energy leaders
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Deep Dive: Workday, Power of the SOR, and the Platform Opportunity
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Biotechplays
Scorpion Capital Biotech Short announced tomorrow - 9 AM EST. Any guesses who "has blood on their hands?"Comments Link
algotrading
I created a machine learning system to detect support resistance levels and its pretty good what do you guys think?Comments Link
Backtesting in tradingview. 100% win rate. This isn't reliable at all right?
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2023 R In Finance Conference - Chicago - May 19-20
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Forex
MAMBA FX CLARITY ALGO FREE SCRIPT (Youre Welcome)Comments Link
Nas100
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Sounds legit, should I invest?
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RobinHood
Stock Market Recap for Monday, March 27, 2023Comments Link
Why does Limit Buy show up on my history?
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Daily Discussion Thread - March 28th, 2023
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CryptoMarkets
Bitcoin falls after CFTC sues crypto exchange Binance for allegedly breaking trading rulesComments Link
SEC’s Crypto fines against celebrities:
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Stormgain Releases Decentralized Crypto Trading Platform Offering Exorbitant Leverage
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2023.03.28 15:57 kristadpole When the NBA expands to 32 teams (adding Las Vegas and Seattle), how would you want the league to be realigned?
I think it's fairly plain to see that there are three options for league realignment. I wanna hear y'alls opinion on which you'd like the most.
Option 1:
This one has the goal of preserving the three division system as much as possible, the only changes being sending the Timberwolves to the east, and the addition of Seattle and Las Vegas to the west. The downside to this is that scheduling with these divisions would be a herculean task.
Option 2:
This one's pretty self explanatory. This also creates a pretty simple scheduling system, cause they can just copy off of the NHL.
Option 3:
I'm gonna keep it real with y'all, this one's kinda ass. It's definitely a possibility though. Having a division called "Southern" would be pretty funny ig.
Lmk what y'all think.
submitted by kristadpole to nba [link] [comments]
Option 1:
| Western Conference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Northwest | Pacific | Southwest |
| Seattle | Sacramento | San Antonio |
| Portland | Golden State | Dallas |
| Utah | Las Vegas | Houston |
| Denver | Los Angeles Lakers | New Orleans |
| Oklahoma City | Los Angeles Clippers | Memphis |
| Phoenix |
| Eastern Conference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | Central | Southeast |
| Toronto | Cleveland | Miami |
| Boston | Detroit | Orlando |
| Brooklyn | Indiana | Atlanta |
| New York | Chicago | Charlotte |
| Philadelphia | Milwaukee | Washington |
| Minnesota |
Option 2:
| Western Conference | Eastern Conference | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific | Southwest | Atlantic | Central |
| Seattle | Utah | Toronto | Minnesota |
| Portland | Denver | Boston | Milwaukee |
| Sacramento | Oklahoma City | Brooklyn | Chicago |
| Golden State | Memphis | New York | Detroit |
| Las Vegas | New Orleans | Philadelphia | Cleveland |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Houston | Washington | Indiana |
| Los Angeles Clippers | Dallas | Orlando | Charlotte |
| Phoenix | San Antonio | Miami | Atlanta |
Option 3:
| Western Conference | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific | Southwest | West Central | Southern |
| Seattle | Las Vegas | Utah | San Antonio |
| Portland | Los Angeles Lakers | Denver | Dallas |
| Sacramento | Los Angeles Clippers | Oklahoma City | Houston |
| Golden State | Phoenix | Memphis | New Orleans |
| Eastern Conference | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | Northeast | East Central | Southeast |
| Brooklyn | Boston | Indiana | Miami |
| New York | Toronto | Chicago | Orlando |
| Philadelphia | Cleveland | Milwaukee | Atlanta |
| Washington | Detroit | Minnesota | Charlotte |
Lmk what y'all think.
2023.03.28 14:07 Chico237 #NIOCORP~ THE ELK CREEK MINE PART II~
 | #NIOCORP~ THE ELK CREEK MINE PART II~Figure 4.World map of carbonatite occurrences and their spatial relationship to Proterozoic and Archean rocks. Areas underlain by unsubdivided Proterozoic and Phanerozoic rock are not shown. Modified from Woolley and Kjarsgaard Yesteday's post left off comparing Niocorp's Resource size to other World Projects. Today I want to take a deeper look into "The ELK CREEK MINES NIOBIUM POTENTIAL.!" Keeping in mind NIOCORP only recently completed a market compliant NI-43-101 Report adding VIABLE RARE EARTH MINERALS "Pounds in the Ground" & is currently undertaking FINAL Demonstration Plant operations to be able to claim & "PROVE" out SEPARATION of the viable Rare Earth Minerals via a market compliant report & later into an independently verified 2023 F.S. REMEMBER ONLY THE SMALL RED CIRCLED AREA'S DRILL CORES WERE USED TO DETERMINE & DELINEATE THE CURRENT RESOURCE! AS USGS & OTHER ARTICLES SUGGEST ~ THE RESOURCE MAY BE MUCH LARGER!!!! NIOCORPS NIOBIUM ~ Carbonatites: related ore deposits, resources, footprint, and exploration methodsCarbonatites: related ore deposits, resources, footprint, and exploration methods (tandfonline.com)Carbonatites and alkaline-carbonatite complexes are the main sources of rare earth elements (REE) and Nb, and host significant deposits of apatite, vermiculite, Cu, Ti, fluorite, Th, U, natural zirconia, and Fe. Nine per cent of carbonatites and alkaline-carbonatite complexes contain active or historic mines, making them outstanding multi-commodity exploration targets! NIOCORP'S ELK CREEK DEPOSIT #11 - RANKS VERY HIGH COMPARED AS A NIOBIUM BEARING DEPOSIT! Examples of other carbonatites with distinctive geophysical signatures are the Elk Creek (Nebraska, USA)and Catalão I (Brazil) intrusive alkaline-carbonatite complexes. Elk Creek is a semi-circular (6×8 km)intrusive complex covered by a 200 m thick sequenceof sedimentary rocks. It hosts the largest known Nb resource in the United States and significant REE mineralization (Drenth 2014). This complex coincides with a roughly annular vertical gravity gradient high, a subdued central low, and a magnetic high surrounded by magnetic lows (Drenth 2014). The highest Nb concentrations are encountered within a dolomitic carbonatite, and REE are concentrated in a barite-dolomite carbonatite. AS RECENTLY AS 2022 ~THE USGS HAS COMPLETED SEVERAL ADDITIONAL "NEW" STUDIES ON THE ELK CREEK COMPLEX!~June 4, 2022 ~Petrogenesis and rare earth element mineralization of the Elk Creek carbonatite, Nebraska, USAPetrogenesis and rare earth element mineralization of the Elk Creek carbonatite, Nebraska, USA U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)Petrogenesis and rare earth element mineralization of the Elk Creek carbonatite, Nebraska, USA Elsevier Enhanced Reader With the increasing reliance on high technology and green energy products, demand for critical metals has become an important driver in economic geology. Understanding how various elements reach ore-grade enrichment and what minerals host the elements of interest are two keys to successful deposit evaluation. Compared to most base and precious metals, many critical elements tend to be enriched in relatively uncommon rocks and minerals. Carbonatites are one example of such, given that carbonatite-related deposits are the primary source of then world’s rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium as well as important sources of phosphate, iron, and fluorine. https://preview.redd.it/pgvw3qv6wgqa1.png?width=481&format=png&auto=webp&s=9f8ae8b0471b6ee7b69e7e6c17da89255fdfc16d May 9, 2022 ~Geochemical data for the Elk Creek alkaline complex, southeast Nebraska~Geochemical data for the Elk Creek alkaline complex, southeast Nebraska U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)Mineralized carbonatites are the world’s primary source of rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium, but only a few deposits are responsible for meeting the current demand of these critical elements such that there is increasing interest in other carbonatites that have the potential to help meet future demands. This study focuses on the Elk Creek carbonatite, the largest Nb resource in the United States and a REE exploration target. The Elk Creek carbonatite is comprised of three carbonatitic lithologies; apatite dolomite carbonatite, magnetite dolomite carbonatite, and barite dolomite carbonatite as well as multiple breccias. Samples were collected from drill core from mineral exploration holes drilled by the Molybdenum Corporation of America between 1973 and 1986. The drill cores are housed at the Nebraska Geological Survey storage facility near Lincoln, Nebraska. Geochemistry data include major and trace element analytical results for 105 samples including alkaline igneous rocks, carbonatites, and paleosol samples. Dolomite and apatite geochemical data were collected using electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses. A set of dolomite samples were analyzed for their carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions. Data are reported in comma-separated values (CSV) files. All column headings, abbreviations, and limits of the data values are explained in the Entity and Attribute Information section of these metadata. SEE ALSO January 22, 2022 ~ Evaluation of Critical Elements in Carbonatites~Evaluation of Critical Elements in Carbonatites U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)IMPORTANT MILESTONES FROM 2020 to 2022! STARTING ON Sept. 29th 2020- NioCorp R&D Effort Identifies Possible Improved Approach to Niobium Extraction for its Elk Creek Projecthttps://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-rd-effort-identifies-possible-improved-approach-to-niobium-extraction-for-its-elk-creek-project/\"L3 and the Company intend to conduct additional carbonation testing at a larger scale to optimize carbonation operating conditions, confirm reaction kinetics, evaluate total potential extraction for niobium and other elements and complete additional mass balances, as funds become available. \"December 14, 2021~NioCorp Reports Rare Earth Assay Results~https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-announces-drill-core-assays/(Proving the NEW SIMPLIFIED Process at the Pilot Scale... for REE extraction!)CENTENNIAL, Colo. (December 14, 2021) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp” or the “Company”) (TSX: NB; OTCQX: NIOBF) is pleased to announce the results of rare earth assays completed on drill core samples from the Elk Creek Project (the “Project”) that were obtained through an agreement with the University of Nebraska’s Conservation and Survey Division (“CSD”). A total of 1,094 samples originating from 18 diamond drill holes completed by previous operators of the Project were obtained pursuant to an agreement between the Company and CSD and were assayed for rare earth element content at Actlabs in Ancaster, Ontario. The assay results were subjected to a Quality Assurance and Quality Control program consistent with industry best practices. These new assay results complement the analysis previously completed by the Company of the geological and metallurgical evaluation of all of the rare earth data associated with the Project (see this announcement). https://preview.redd.it/7iz8d58pygqa1.png?width=980&format=png&auto=webp&s=0d4be730e42508559768b2c4a734c645f6b03110 MARCH 2, 2021~ NioCorp To Review Potential of Adding Rare Earths to Its Currently Planned Critical Minerals Product Offering~NioCorp To Review Potential of Adding Rare Earths to Its Currently Planned Critical Minerals Product Offering - NioCorp Developments Ltd.APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER!~JUNE 2022 - NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT FEASIBILITY STUDY ELK CREEK PROJECT, NEBRASKAhttps://gx0d43.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/NioCorp_June-2022_NI_43-101_Technical_Report.pdfhttps://preview.redd.it/b85pu03azgqa1.png?width=454&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a0ec322a2a04ebd42c467d7bd8da3c623b367ab September 6, 2022 ~NioCorp Files Technical Report Summary of its 2022 Feasibility Study with the SEC~Niocorp has recently updated the F.S. with the REE lbs. in the ground intended for production. A FINAL F.S. is expected in the first quarter of 2023 adding REE's & updating all the Economics for the project. Once the Demonstration Plant Processes are completed & independently verified.https://www.niocorp.com/niocorp-files-technical-report-summary-of-its-2022-feasibility-study-with-the-sec/FORM YOUR OWN OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS ABOVE!https://preview.redd.it/veego74hzgqa1.png?width=1422&format=png&auto=webp&s=12f5e0c9afe50ed09cbfab454e70d438b24357acNEWS!!! MARCH 28, 2023 ~NioCorp to Ring The Nasdaq Stock Market's Opening Bell~NioCorp's Executive Team to Visit New York City and Ring the Opening Bell at The Nasdaq Stock Market on Thursday, March 30, 2023CENTENNIAL, Colo. (March 28, 2023) – NioCorp Developments Ltd. ("NioCorp") (Nasdaq:NB; TSX: NB) is pleased to announce that Mark A. Smith, NioCorp's CEO and Executive Chairman, will ring the opening bell on The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023. NioCorp's stock began trading on Nasdaq on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 under the ticker symbol "NB."
A live webcast of the Nasdaq Opening Bell will be available at https://www.nasdaq.com/marketsite/bell-ringing-ceremonyFor multimedia features such as exclusive content, photo postings, status updates, and video of bell ceremonies posted by Nasdaq, please visit these Facebook pages: Additional photos from the event will be posted on Nasdaq's and NioCorp's Instagram pages: For news tweets, please visit Nasdaq's and NioCorp's Twitter pages: https://preview.redd.it/earoo0ua1hqa1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=e2d9713720f96d473b4635a0ec7c332bff3d550b FOLLOWING THE RARE EARTHS TOMMORROW ALONG WITH THE ESG/GHG & POTENTIAL INCREASES IN RECOVERY RATES FOR NIOBIUM, TITANIUM (Including improved oxides!) ~Oh and some awesome NEW BYPRODUCTS CaCO3 & MgCO3!!! ~ Final Part III tommorrow! |
2023.03.28 06:22 retard_ai Hey Reddit! Please review my resume. I graduated in 2021 from Delhi(IP University). Currently, I am working as Engineering Lead for a Dubai-based Marketing and Influencer Management Company. What can I improve in my resume?
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2023.03.28 05:04 tengrrl CFP: [email protected] 2023
We're sending another reminder to please submit your proposal for [email protected]. ARSTM has a robust presence at the annual National Communication Association convention.
ARSTM sponsors multiple panels featuring the latest research in the rhetoric of science, technology and medicine as part of the main NCA convention schedule. We also sponsor a pre-conference.
[email protected] invites submission of individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions for the 2023 NCA convention. We invite submissions that respond to the convention theme–FREEDOM–as it pertains to the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine.
All submissions must be made electronically through NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be considered. Submissions may take the form of individual papers, paper sessions, or panel discussions.
The deadline for submission to [email protected] is Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Contact Dr. Aimee Kendall Roundtree ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])) if you have questions.
Aimee Kendall Roundtree, Ph.D.
Faculty Fellow, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Associate Dean of Research, College of Liberal Arts Professor, Master of Arts in Technical Communication Program
Editor,Research Management ReviewAssociate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Professional CommunicationTexas State University
601 University DriveSan Marcos, TX 78666[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])512-408-0192
512-245-2317
From:Roundtree, Aimee K
Sent:Tuesday, March 21, 2023 2:48 PM
To:[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])<[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])>
Subject:Submit Your Proposals for [email protected] 2023 It's not too late to submit your proposal for [email protected]. ARSTM has a robust presence at the annual National Communication Association convention.
ARSTM sponsors multiple panels featuring the latest research in the rhetoric of science, technology and medicine as part of the main NCA convention schedule. We also sponsor a pre-conference.
[email protected] invites submission of individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions for the 2023 NCA convention. We invite submissions that respond to the convention theme–FREEDOM–as it pertains to the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine.
All submissions must be made electronically throughNCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be considered. Submissions may take the form of individual papers, paper sessions, or panel discussions.
The deadline for submission to [email protected] is Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Contact Dr. Aimee Kendall Roundtree ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])) if you have questions.
Aimee Kendall Roundtree, Ph.D.
Faculty Fellow, Division of Research
Associate Dean of Research, College of Liberal Arts
Professor, Master of Arts in Technical Communication Program
Editor, Research Management Review
Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
via IFTTT
submitted by tengrrl to WPAannouncements [link] [comments]
ARSTM sponsors multiple panels featuring the latest research in the rhetoric of science, technology and medicine as part of the main NCA convention schedule. We also sponsor a pre-conference.
[email protected] invites submission of individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions for the 2023 NCA convention. We invite submissions that respond to the convention theme–FREEDOM–as it pertains to the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine.
All submissions must be made electronically through NCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be considered. Submissions may take the form of individual papers, paper sessions, or panel discussions.
The deadline for submission to [email protected] is Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Contact Dr. Aimee Kendall Roundtree ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])) if you have questions.
Aimee Kendall Roundtree, Ph.D.
Faculty Fellow, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Associate Dean of Research, College of Liberal Arts Professor, Master of Arts in Technical Communication Program
Editor,Research Management ReviewAssociate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Professional CommunicationTexas State University
601 University DriveSan Marcos, TX 78666[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])512-408-0192
512-245-2317
Sent:Tuesday, March 21, 2023 2:48 PM
To:[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])<[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])>
Subject:Submit Your Proposals for [email protected] 2023 It's not too late to submit your proposal for [email protected]. ARSTM has a robust presence at the annual National Communication Association convention.
ARSTM sponsors multiple panels featuring the latest research in the rhetoric of science, technology and medicine as part of the main NCA convention schedule. We also sponsor a pre-conference.
[email protected] invites submission of individual papers, paper sessions, and panel discussions for the 2023 NCA convention. We invite submissions that respond to the convention theme–FREEDOM–as it pertains to the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine.
All submissions must be made electronically throughNCA Convention Central. Emailed or mailed submissions will not be considered. Submissions may take the form of individual papers, paper sessions, or panel discussions.
The deadline for submission to [email protected] is Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Contact Dr. Aimee Kendall Roundtree ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])) if you have questions.
Aimee Kendall Roundtree, Ph.D.
Faculty Fellow, Division of Research
Associate Dean of Research, College of Liberal Arts
Professor, Master of Arts in Technical Communication Program
Editor, Research Management Review
Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
via IFTTT
2023.03.28 04:50 tengrrl CFP: SIGDOC’23 proposal submission extended to Thursday, March 30
Dear colleagues,
Many of you have let us know a few more days are welcome as you finalize your proposals for SIGDOCʻ23. If you will be in need of a short extension to complete your proposal, we would be happy to accept your proposal until Thursday, March 30.
You can find our conference CFP at https://sigdoc.acm.org/conference/2023/. If you have any questions about proposal submission, please feel free to contact myself or Joe and Kristin at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
Best,
Sonia
--
Dr. Sonia Stephens
Associate Professor
Department of English & Texts and Technology Program
University of Central Florida
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
via IFTTT
submitted by tengrrl to WPAannouncements [link] [comments]
Many of you have let us know a few more days are welcome as you finalize your proposals for SIGDOCʻ23. If you will be in need of a short extension to complete your proposal, we would be happy to accept your proposal until Thursday, March 30.
You can find our conference CFP at https://sigdoc.acm.org/conference/2023/. If you have any questions about proposal submission, please feel free to contact myself or Joe and Kristin at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
Best,
Sonia
--
Dr. Sonia Stephens
Associate Professor
Department of English & Texts and Technology Program
University of Central Florida
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
via IFTTT
2023.03.28 04:10 Namesareoverrated5 On St. George's Spear Ch. 13
ON ST. GEORGE’S SPEAR
Ch. 13
First Previous
Author’s Note: After a pretty big writing block and a severe bout of the big sad, I’m back! (Hopefully for a little longer, this time). I have a couple of ideas pinging around in my head. Again, sorry for the hiatus.
This takes place in an alternate universe described here.
Credit to u/spacepaladin15 for the original universe :)
Memory Transcript Subject: Lt. Petar Kaljević, HHE Marine of the Order of St. George, attached to the EES St. George
Date [standardized human time]: June 20, 2178
After what must have been the shortest meeting in council history, the Papacy and Orders all greenlit the invasion of the planet Treshaan. Or at least that’s what the Arxur call it. I doubt that will be the name of that planet for much longer. A few transports and trans-atmospheric civilian craft jumped into the system, under escort.
We loaded into them and found that there were reinforcements in the holds. I was given command of a small group of those new soldiers. According to rumors, the ghouls hoard people for slaves and food. As a result, cities took a secondary priority to the ‘farms’. I couldn’t exactly complain, though. From what I’ve heard, these lizards have the tactics of children who play too many video games in easy mode.
After a long time of waiting, we started to descend into the atmosphere. The lack of Anti-Air systems was odd. When we would do any training, we would be immediately met with every system imaginable, as that's what the situation was like during the battle of Changde. I felt cheated at how easy the landing was. It was as if we had over-prepared for alien threats.
The light turned green, the boarding ramps opened in all directions, and none took fire. I couldn’t help but laugh at the incompetence of our opposition’s commanders. We had completed the riskiest part of the riskiest operation imaginable with no casualties. How does that even happen? I would like to buy a round of drinks for the command staff coordinating the defense of this planet. They made my job easy.
We walked through abandoned streets, not seeing anyone resist us. We observed signs of looting and panic throughout this small town we walked through. However, the anticipation and expectation of a fight started to grate on our nerves. We were told to expect a fight, and rumor had it that they were effective warriors. With every step, my confidence in that rumor was shaken.
We passed a large building on our path to the farm. Curiosity took the better of us, as we decided to enter. In the foyer, there was what could best be described as a pagan shrine to some false god. It was one of those lizards with a book in one hand, a sword in the other, and the body of one of the sapient ‘livestock’ in its mouth. There also were candles in the shapes of these same creatures at the base of the shrine.
We defaced, then covered this statue with the flag of the Papacy, then took a photo-op to send back to our families and home parishes to put on the announcement boards. We walked deeper into the building and entered a massive hall of row upon row of shelves. This had to be a library, which would make this a gold mine for scholars to translate and review. I wonder what types of books cannibals wrote.
The halls were empty, save for a weird, harumphing, or hiccuping noise emanating from inside the hall. We advanced, cautiously, past a few aisles of books, where sat a young arxur. It had its head in its hands and was emanating a noise almost like crying. Almost. Nemec, the sergeant, stood this pitiful creature up and tried to make it talk, but it only made some chittering, hissing noises in reply. He took two privates, Boullée and one of the reinforcements, and escorted it to a cargo vessel for interrogation at a science post.
Once we eventually searched the library and found no more abandoned Arxur, we left to reach our initial objective. We passed by a building that could not make it more obvious that it was a military base. There were watchtowers, solid fortifications, weapons embrasures, and the works. The only thing missing was any hostile fire coming from this base. After conferring with Command, we were ordered to secure the base before proceeding to the farm complex.
When we passed the gates, we saw the entrance to what could best be described as an over-engineered bunker. This bunker was designed to withstand sustained orbital bombardment, which is a stupid concept. Why would you bombard a surface to the degree that this bunker was created for if you wanted to do anything other than strip mine the thing? And why would you strip mine in a gravity well, anyways?
Further into the base lay another statue of that same figure, just with the base of the statue being stylized corpses of different species, including other Arxur. Instead of a book in one of the hands, the Arxur was now donning some unusual armor and was holding a shield. Long buildings looking eerily similar to barracks from a bygone era lined abandoned sidestreets.
Automotives and other unidentifiable craft lay abandoned in the streets. It was as if the entire population just disappeared. The barracks' interiors had half-eaten ‘rations’ sitting on tables. I wouldn’t want to imagine who those poor souls were. Maybe I could have been friends with one of the now-very-dead aliens - no - people sitting undignified on a plate.
Eventually, we reached one of the farms around 5:30 PM (local time), when we got there, we started to hear things that weren’t the noises of an abandoned city. Next to the large building was an entrance to a bunker similar to the military base bunkers. It was almost as if the only strategy they expected us to employ was a campaign of indiscriminate orbital bombardment. I guess I would remain confused about the intentions of the Arxur defense strategists.
Running into a lamppost was what it took to get me out of my mental tangent and back into the moment. The ‘farm building’ and surrounding area looked positively industrial. It had the stench of death that any soldier is far too accustomed to hanging in the air, to such a degree that you could almost see it. The long buildings where one could only presume the slaves were being held were of a practically dilapidated structure. Rust accumulated on every surface, and there were no windows. At least any snipers could not hit us from any of the “farm buildings”.
We lined up at the large, rusted, steel, double doors of the first one in the line and checked ourselves before entering. The door was luckily unlocked, and we perfectly executed entry procedures. There, we immediately noticed we were on a raised walkway, and that there was a multitude of beings below us. We had heard that whoever these people are, they don't like to be looked at, so we didn’t. I didn’t want to have a prison riot on my hands as well as a planetary invasion.
We split up to look for a staircase down so we could start extracting individuals from this prison. I walked down the central catwalk, which branched off in multiple directions but only to what looked like those claw machines you would use as a kid. Eventually, we ran into an intersection between the main path and one that went to a door on either end. The smaller group I was with split further to see what lay behind the doors.
A small, dark, spiral staircase led down and up what amounted to a metal tube. The characteristic rust was prevalent here, as always, and I worried for the structural integrity of this staircase as I descended and some very unkind sounds emanated from the poor steel. I cursed myself for putting myself in the lead, but an officer is meant to show “a contempt for death to his men.” That contempt will get me killed one of these days. I opened the door to the holding pens, expecting much the same treatment as the marines and navy boys faced. Instead, I was met by screaming, running, and what appeared to be instances of cardiac arrest.
I called for a medical team on my Personal Radio Unit or PRU. {OTL Human Slang: Walkie-Talkie}. Eventually, I heard loud, heavily accented speech coming from one of the catwalks above me. “There needs to be a medical ship in orbit if there is hope for everyone to be treated!” Some burly, bearded men with all the trappings of medics almost took the door off of its hinges as they entered the holding cell. A more … inoffensive medic would be preferred, but I suppose there’s no point in hiding what we are. Besides, lying isn’t cool. Or so I’m told.
Almost every slave took a couple of steps backward. A few stayed close, I presume out of shock. Then one of them, a squirrel the size of a primary schooler started to squeak something too quiet to hear. One of the others, what looked to be a squid gurgled something in a panicked voice, which the squirrel seemed to shrug off.
I was curious as to what they were saying, but there was no way that I would decipher an alien language today with the experience, or lack thereof, in linguistics. My older brother though, was a genius when it came to languages. The squirrel squeaked something else, this time with more confidence. It even looked as if it was trying to show the squid what for, and I just had to help in screwing over aquatic life.
"Sorry, I don't know if you can understand me, but I don't understand a word you're saying. If there's something you want to discuss, non-verbal methods are best." The squirrel seemed to relax a little and shot an accusative glare at the rest of the slaves currently huddled in the opposite corners.
Before I could have a better conversation, I was interrupted by a loud beep over the PRU. It was followed by frantic breathing and an equally frantic radio operator who, in his panic, forgot radio protocols. “All available units, report to Building 2, Farm 23, Coordinates: 27॰ 22’ 01” N, in the slave pens, also, priority request for a priest … or two. *click*”
I groaned as I realized that the day was only going to get longer. I left command of this particular building to one of the privates down in the pens and ran up the stairs. It wouldn’t do for a higher-ranking officer to arrive and the unit commander to be absent. I looked around trying to decipher which one was building two until I realized that one building had a hubbub around it. And not a small hubbub either, and there must have been at least a company surrounding the entrance.
I pushed my way through the crowd and got onto the catwalk. I bounded down the stairs going three at a time with only the rusty handrail to steady myself. The pens were awash with chaos, with a perimeter being maintained, keeping the slaves at bay while we were in much the same process of resuscitating collapsed slaves: Sheep, porcupines, and space horses this time.
There was the flag of the Order’s Council lying on a stretcher. I walked over to the flag but was stopped by a sergeant. “Sir, I would not think that you should look under that flag. There’s a reason the cadaver’s covered.” Now my curiosity was piqued, although I wish I had listened to his advice. I sidestepped the sergeant and lifted the flag near the head of the stretcher. I lifted the flag to show a mutilated, human face.
submitted by Namesareoverrated5 to NatureofPredators [link] [comments]
Ch. 13
First Previous
Author’s Note: After a pretty big writing block and a severe bout of the big sad, I’m back! (Hopefully for a little longer, this time). I have a couple of ideas pinging around in my head. Again, sorry for the hiatus.
This takes place in an alternate universe described here.
Credit to u/spacepaladin15 for the original universe :)
Memory Transcript Subject: Lt. Petar Kaljević, HHE Marine of the Order of St. George, attached to the EES St. George
Date [standardized human time]: June 20, 2178
After what must have been the shortest meeting in council history, the Papacy and Orders all greenlit the invasion of the planet Treshaan. Or at least that’s what the Arxur call it. I doubt that will be the name of that planet for much longer. A few transports and trans-atmospheric civilian craft jumped into the system, under escort.
We loaded into them and found that there were reinforcements in the holds. I was given command of a small group of those new soldiers. According to rumors, the ghouls hoard people for slaves and food. As a result, cities took a secondary priority to the ‘farms’. I couldn’t exactly complain, though. From what I’ve heard, these lizards have the tactics of children who play too many video games in easy mode.
After a long time of waiting, we started to descend into the atmosphere. The lack of Anti-Air systems was odd. When we would do any training, we would be immediately met with every system imaginable, as that's what the situation was like during the battle of Changde. I felt cheated at how easy the landing was. It was as if we had over-prepared for alien threats.
The light turned green, the boarding ramps opened in all directions, and none took fire. I couldn’t help but laugh at the incompetence of our opposition’s commanders. We had completed the riskiest part of the riskiest operation imaginable with no casualties. How does that even happen? I would like to buy a round of drinks for the command staff coordinating the defense of this planet. They made my job easy.
We walked through abandoned streets, not seeing anyone resist us. We observed signs of looting and panic throughout this small town we walked through. However, the anticipation and expectation of a fight started to grate on our nerves. We were told to expect a fight, and rumor had it that they were effective warriors. With every step, my confidence in that rumor was shaken.
We passed a large building on our path to the farm. Curiosity took the better of us, as we decided to enter. In the foyer, there was what could best be described as a pagan shrine to some false god. It was one of those lizards with a book in one hand, a sword in the other, and the body of one of the sapient ‘livestock’ in its mouth. There also were candles in the shapes of these same creatures at the base of the shrine.
We defaced, then covered this statue with the flag of the Papacy, then took a photo-op to send back to our families and home parishes to put on the announcement boards. We walked deeper into the building and entered a massive hall of row upon row of shelves. This had to be a library, which would make this a gold mine for scholars to translate and review. I wonder what types of books cannibals wrote.
The halls were empty, save for a weird, harumphing, or hiccuping noise emanating from inside the hall. We advanced, cautiously, past a few aisles of books, where sat a young arxur. It had its head in its hands and was emanating a noise almost like crying. Almost. Nemec, the sergeant, stood this pitiful creature up and tried to make it talk, but it only made some chittering, hissing noises in reply. He took two privates, Boullée and one of the reinforcements, and escorted it to a cargo vessel for interrogation at a science post.
Once we eventually searched the library and found no more abandoned Arxur, we left to reach our initial objective. We passed by a building that could not make it more obvious that it was a military base. There were watchtowers, solid fortifications, weapons embrasures, and the works. The only thing missing was any hostile fire coming from this base. After conferring with Command, we were ordered to secure the base before proceeding to the farm complex.
When we passed the gates, we saw the entrance to what could best be described as an over-engineered bunker. This bunker was designed to withstand sustained orbital bombardment, which is a stupid concept. Why would you bombard a surface to the degree that this bunker was created for if you wanted to do anything other than strip mine the thing? And why would you strip mine in a gravity well, anyways?
Further into the base lay another statue of that same figure, just with the base of the statue being stylized corpses of different species, including other Arxur. Instead of a book in one of the hands, the Arxur was now donning some unusual armor and was holding a shield. Long buildings looking eerily similar to barracks from a bygone era lined abandoned sidestreets.
Automotives and other unidentifiable craft lay abandoned in the streets. It was as if the entire population just disappeared. The barracks' interiors had half-eaten ‘rations’ sitting on tables. I wouldn’t want to imagine who those poor souls were. Maybe I could have been friends with one of the now-very-dead aliens - no - people sitting undignified on a plate.
Eventually, we reached one of the farms around 5:30 PM (local time), when we got there, we started to hear things that weren’t the noises of an abandoned city. Next to the large building was an entrance to a bunker similar to the military base bunkers. It was almost as if the only strategy they expected us to employ was a campaign of indiscriminate orbital bombardment. I guess I would remain confused about the intentions of the Arxur defense strategists.
Running into a lamppost was what it took to get me out of my mental tangent and back into the moment. The ‘farm building’ and surrounding area looked positively industrial. It had the stench of death that any soldier is far too accustomed to hanging in the air, to such a degree that you could almost see it. The long buildings where one could only presume the slaves were being held were of a practically dilapidated structure. Rust accumulated on every surface, and there were no windows. At least any snipers could not hit us from any of the “farm buildings”.
We lined up at the large, rusted, steel, double doors of the first one in the line and checked ourselves before entering. The door was luckily unlocked, and we perfectly executed entry procedures. There, we immediately noticed we were on a raised walkway, and that there was a multitude of beings below us. We had heard that whoever these people are, they don't like to be looked at, so we didn’t. I didn’t want to have a prison riot on my hands as well as a planetary invasion.
We split up to look for a staircase down so we could start extracting individuals from this prison. I walked down the central catwalk, which branched off in multiple directions but only to what looked like those claw machines you would use as a kid. Eventually, we ran into an intersection between the main path and one that went to a door on either end. The smaller group I was with split further to see what lay behind the doors.
A small, dark, spiral staircase led down and up what amounted to a metal tube. The characteristic rust was prevalent here, as always, and I worried for the structural integrity of this staircase as I descended and some very unkind sounds emanated from the poor steel. I cursed myself for putting myself in the lead, but an officer is meant to show “a contempt for death to his men.” That contempt will get me killed one of these days. I opened the door to the holding pens, expecting much the same treatment as the marines and navy boys faced. Instead, I was met by screaming, running, and what appeared to be instances of cardiac arrest.
I called for a medical team on my Personal Radio Unit or PRU. {OTL Human Slang: Walkie-Talkie}. Eventually, I heard loud, heavily accented speech coming from one of the catwalks above me. “There needs to be a medical ship in orbit if there is hope for everyone to be treated!” Some burly, bearded men with all the trappings of medics almost took the door off of its hinges as they entered the holding cell. A more … inoffensive medic would be preferred, but I suppose there’s no point in hiding what we are. Besides, lying isn’t cool. Or so I’m told.
Almost every slave took a couple of steps backward. A few stayed close, I presume out of shock. Then one of them, a squirrel the size of a primary schooler started to squeak something too quiet to hear. One of the others, what looked to be a squid gurgled something in a panicked voice, which the squirrel seemed to shrug off.
I was curious as to what they were saying, but there was no way that I would decipher an alien language today with the experience, or lack thereof, in linguistics. My older brother though, was a genius when it came to languages. The squirrel squeaked something else, this time with more confidence. It even looked as if it was trying to show the squid what for, and I just had to help in screwing over aquatic life.
"Sorry, I don't know if you can understand me, but I don't understand a word you're saying. If there's something you want to discuss, non-verbal methods are best." The squirrel seemed to relax a little and shot an accusative glare at the rest of the slaves currently huddled in the opposite corners.
Before I could have a better conversation, I was interrupted by a loud beep over the PRU. It was followed by frantic breathing and an equally frantic radio operator who, in his panic, forgot radio protocols. “All available units, report to Building 2, Farm 23, Coordinates: 27॰ 22’ 01” N, in the slave pens, also, priority request for a priest … or two. *click*”
I groaned as I realized that the day was only going to get longer. I left command of this particular building to one of the privates down in the pens and ran up the stairs. It wouldn’t do for a higher-ranking officer to arrive and the unit commander to be absent. I looked around trying to decipher which one was building two until I realized that one building had a hubbub around it. And not a small hubbub either, and there must have been at least a company surrounding the entrance.
I pushed my way through the crowd and got onto the catwalk. I bounded down the stairs going three at a time with only the rusty handrail to steady myself. The pens were awash with chaos, with a perimeter being maintained, keeping the slaves at bay while we were in much the same process of resuscitating collapsed slaves: Sheep, porcupines, and space horses this time.
There was the flag of the Order’s Council lying on a stretcher. I walked over to the flag but was stopped by a sergeant. “Sir, I would not think that you should look under that flag. There’s a reason the cadaver’s covered.” Now my curiosity was piqued, although I wish I had listened to his advice. I sidestepped the sergeant and lifted the flag near the head of the stretcher. I lifted the flag to show a mutilated, human face.
2023.03.28 02:46 Squid211 Minnesota Wild are finally on top of the Central division
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2023.03.28 01:45 Formal-Mud-990 Everything HxH and it's real life equivalent
Edit' I'll try to organize it better
Here are several things in Hunter x Hunter that resemble real life things with similar characteristics. Here is a example:
The Phantom Troupe: Neapolitan camorra A groups Who clashes with various mafia groups, are reminiscent of real-life gang wars and turf battles. One example is the Mafia- Camorra War, which occurred in New York City in the early 20th century. The war was between the Italian Mafia ,which more or less died off from this, and the Neapolitan Camorra, The Neapolitan Camorra is a powerful criminal organization based in Naples, Italy, and is considered one of the oldest and largest mafia groups in Italy, along with the Sicilian Mafia. The Camorra originated in the 19th century, and it is estimated that the organization has around 7,000 members, divided into various clans, each with its own hierarchy and territory.
Like the Phantom Troupe in Hunter x Hunter, the Camorra is involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and arms trafficking. The organization also has a strong presence in the construction industry, and it is known for its involvement in illegal waste disposal and toxic dumping.
The Camorra is known for its violent tactics, and its members are notorious for their willingness to kill anyone who gets in their way, including police officers and rival gang members. The organization is also known for its use of torture and intimidation to maintain control over its territory and business interests.
Similar to the Phantom Troupe's hierarchy, the Camorra also has a well-defined internal structure, with a boss, underboss, and various lieutenants and soldiers. The organization also has its own codes and rituals, and members are required to take oaths of loyalty and secrecy.
Despite efforts by law enforcement to dismantle the organization, the Camorra remains a powerful force in Naples and continues to operate to this day, with many of its members still involved in a wide range of criminal activities.
1 Whale Island: The island where Gon grew up is said to be located off the coast of the Republic of Palau in the Pacific Ocean. The island is said to be inspired by real-life Palau, which is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and diverse marine life. It is known for its pristine natural beauty, which includes crystal-clear waters, lush tropical forests, and abundant marine life. Palau is also famous for its world-class scuba diving, which draws thousands of tourists to the islands every year. Whale Island is depicted as a remote, tropical island that is home to a small community of fishermen and hunters. The island is surrounded by clear, turquoise waters and dotted with palm trees and other tropical vegetation. Many of the characters on the island are shown to have a close relationship with the ocean, and rely on it for their livelihoods.
This makes me tend to believe the garbage piles themselves are most important clue And honestly there is only one place in the world like that And it fits the pattern for world wide geographic locations according to best I figure it. India. Probably meteor city is one of the worst slums of India. IMHO.
similarities with the Hunter Association in terms of their mission, structure, and purpose. For example,
some organizations that aim to promote exploration, adventure, and discovery, such as the National Geographic Society or the Explorers Club, share some similarities with the Hunter Association in terms of their goals and values.
Similarly, some professional organizations or guilds, such as the Screen Actors Guild or the Writers Guild of America, share some similarities with the Hunter Association in terms of their role in supporting and advocating for their respective professions.
If we're looking specifically at organizations that are hired as problem solvers when no one else can solve a particular problem, then there are several options to consider.
One example is the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, which is known for its expertise in management consulting and problem-solving for businesses and organizations. McKinsey has been hired by various governments, corporations, and non-profit organizations to tackle complex and difficult challenges, such as optimizing operations, developing new products, and improving efficiency.
Another example is the Crisis Management Team of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is response to global health responsible for providing rapid emergencies, such as disease outbreaks and pandemics. The WHO Crisis Management Team is made up of experts in epidemiology, public health, emergency response, and other related fields, and they are trained to quickly identify, assess, and respond to health crises around the world.
In addition to these examples, there are also many other organizations that specialize in problem-solving and are hired to tackle complex and difficult challenges, such as the Corporation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These organizations have a range of expertise and capabilities, and they can be hired to address various types Boston Consulting Group, the RAND of problems, from business challenges to social and environmental issues
If we are talking about organizations that are hired to handle conflicts and fighting, there are several options to consider. One example is private military and security companies (PMSCs), which provide military and security services to governments, corporations, and individuals. PMSCs are hired to provide a range of operations,including security, combat operations, consulting, and training of security forces. Some examples of PMSCs include Blackwater (now known as Academi) Aegis Defence Services, and G4S.
Another example is international peacekeeping organizations, such as the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, which is responsible for maintaining peace and security in areas of conflict around the world. The UN peacekeeping Force is made up of military personnel, police officers, and civilian personnel from different countries, and they are deployed to areas of conflict to provide security, protect civilians, and support peace processes.
In addition to these examples, there are also many other organizations that specialize in conflict resolution and management, such as the International Crisis Group, which provides analysis and advice on conflicts and crises around the world, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which provides research and analysis on global security issues.These organizations can be hired to provide expert advice and assistance on conflict-related issues, ranging from strategic planning to tactical operations.
. Similarly, the Hunter Exam in the series may be inspired by various real-world tests and competitions, such as the Special Forces selection process or the entrance exams for prestigious schools. There are pretty much license for any type of out doors vehicle or flight diving Mt guide ECT that allow after hard tests access to alot of areas otherwise not normally accessed. There is FCC for radio frequencies not normally accessable to public for communication, there is various security and security system access or maintenance licenses that do the equivalent of sometimes better then high level clearance. Sometimes.
In addition, the conflicts and power struggles between various factions and individuals in Hunter x Hunter may be influenced by real-world political and social issues, such as war, corruption, and inequality
On reasons of "WHY ALL THE SECRECY" in regards to teaching of NeN
Nen: unseen energy source able to be used through unknown to public means
Examples of real life.
Shamanism is a religious practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance. The goal of this is usually to direct spirits or spiritual energies into the physical world for the purpose of healing, divination, or to aid human beings in some other way.
Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism, was a protoscientific theory developed by German doctor Franz Mesmer in the 18th century in relation to what he claimed to be an invisible natural force.
The Odic force (also called Od [õd], Odyle, Önd, Odes, Odylic, Odyllic, or Odems) is the name given in the mid-19th century to a hypothetical vital energy.
Qi is the central underlying principle in Chinese traditional medicine and in Chinese martial arts it is known as
Qigong (/ˈtʃiːˈɡɒŋ/),[1] qi gong, chi kung, chi 'ung, or chi gung (simplified Chinese: 气功; traditional Chinese: 氣功; pinyin: qìgōng;
Ase or ashe (from Yoruba àṣẹ)[1] is a philosophical concept defined by the Yoruba of Nigeria to represent the power that makes things happen and produces change in ,thought, is dependent upon it In addition to its sacred characteristics, ase also has important social ramifications, reflected in its translation as "power, authority, command." A person who, through training, experience, and initiation, learns how to use the essential life force of things to willfully effect change is called an alaase.
According to Melanesian and Polynesian mythology, mana is a supernatural force that permeates the universe. Anyone or anything can have mana. They believed it to be a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being a source of power. It is an intentional force. is a Polynesian traditional concept denoting something holy or sacred, with "spiritual restriction" or "implied prohibition"; it involves rules and prohibitions. The English word taboo derives from this Accordingly,
Māori regarded all things as possessing a life force or mauri.
Orenda /ˈɔːrɛndə/ is the Haudenosaunee name for a certain spiritual energy inherent in people and their environment. It is an "extraordinary invisible power believed by the Iroquois Native Americans to pervade in varying degrees in all animate and inanimate natural objects as a transmissible spiritual energy capable of being exerted according to the will of its possessor.
Manitou (/ˈmænɪtuː/), is the spiritual and fundamental life force among Algonquian groups in the Native American theology. It is omnipresent and manifests everywhere: organisms, the environment, events, etc.
Reiki (霊気, /ˈreɪki/) is a Japanese form of energy healing, a type of alternative medicine. According to ancient and medieval science,
aether (/ˈiːθə, alternative spellings include æther, aither, and ether), also known as the fifth element or quintessence.
Vitality (from Middle French vitalité, from Latin vītālitās, from Latin vīta 'life') is the capacity to live, grow, or develop. More simply it is the property of having life a component to the will to live. As such, people seek to maximize their vitality or their experience of vitality—that which corresponds to an enhanced physiological capacity and mental state
Élan vital, a philosophical term coined by Henri Bergson in 1907, roughly translated as "vital impetus" or "vital force An incantation, a spell, a charm, an enchantment or a bewitchery, is a magical formula intended to trigger a magical effect on a person or objects. The formula can be spoken, sung or chanted. An incantation can also be performed during ceremonial rituals or prayers. In the world of magic, wizards, witches, and fairies allegedly perform incantation.A curse is a spell or incantation intended to harm.
In Old Norse, seiðr (sometimes anglicized as seidhr, seidh, seidr, seithr, seith, or seid) was a type of magic which was practised in Norse society during the Late Scandinavian Iron Age.
A psychic is a person to use extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from the normal senses, particularly involving telepathy or clairvoyance, or who performs acts that are apparently inexplicable by natural laws, such as psychokinesis or teleportation. Although many people believe in psychic abilities.
Orgone (/ˈɔːrɡoʊn/) is a pseudoscientific concept variously described as an esoteric energy or hypothetical universal life force. Originally proposed in the 1930s by Wilhelm Reich and developed by Reich's student Charles Kelley after Reich's death in 1957,*** for those of you keeping track that is technically the most recent to current modern day theory proposed He got killed in prison for building boxes that cured cancer shortly after Don't believe me Google it Anywho...
if you look you will see Even further back in ancient antiqueties you find all it over as well. Examples.
Pneuma (πνεῦμα) is an ancient Greek word for "breath", and in a religious context for "spirit" or "soul".Greek translations of
ruach רוח in the Hebrew language From Proto-West Semitic
*rūḥ-. Cognate with Arabic رُوح (rūḥ).: /ˈruah In Islam, the Holy Spirit acts as an agent of divine action is seen as the intermediary between God and man and "the outpouring grace of God and the effulgent rays that emanate from His Manifestation
Nephesh (נֶ֫פֶשׁ nép̄eš) is a Biblical Hebrew word which occurs in the Hebrew Bible. The word refers to the aspects of sentience, Adam "became a living nephesh." Nephesh when put with another word can detail aspects related to the concept of nephesh; with רוּחַ rûach ("spirit") it describes a part of mankind that is immaterial, like one's mind, emotions, will, intellect, personality, and conscience, as in Job 7:11
Shaktipat or Śaktipāta (Sanskrit, from shakti "(psychic) energy" and pāta, "to fall")refers in Hinduism to the transmission (or conferring) of spiritual energy upon one person by another or directly from the deity. Shaktipat can be transmitted with a sacred word or mantra, or by a look, thought or touch – the last usually to the ajna chakra or agya chakra or third eye of the recipient. In Hinduism, especially Shaktism (a theological tradition of Hinduism),
Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; lit. "Energy, ability, strength, effort, power, capability") is the primordial cosmic energy, female in aspect. Shakti represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the universe.
Chakras (UK: /ˈtʃʌkrəz/, US: /ˈtʃɑːkrəz/ CHUK-rəz, CHAH-krəz;[2] Sanskrit: चक्र, romanized: cakra, lit. 'wheel, circle'; Pali: cakka)
. In Hinduism, Kundalini (Sanskrit: कुण्डलिनी, romanized: kuṇḍalinī, lit. 'coiled snake are various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, or the esoteric or inner traditions of Hinduism.
Prana (प्राण, prāṇa; the Sanskrit word for breath, "life force", or "vital principle") permeates reality on all levels including inanimate objects. Used in yoga Persian martial arts and medicine.
Jīvitindriya (Sanskrit and Pali) is a Buddhist term translated as "life faculty" or "vitality". Jīvitindriya is identified as one of the seven universal mental factors within the Theravada abhidharma teachings. In this context, jīvitindriya is defined as a mental factor that sustains the life of the citta (mind) and other mental factors it accompanies. The characteristic of jīvitindriya is said to be “ceaseless watching.
I'm sure there is more I missed of you know of any please don't hesitate to comment just a name is enough for me to go off of thanks in advance for any an all efforts to forward that endeavor of mine.
So I won't lie that some of this is based on real lifes mystical chi, chakra, ki, spirit , faith ,there's many more and wiki is a great source on the subject in regards to when an where specifics. So some of this is based off of my real life experience perceptions of the world Some is speculation I'll try me best to note the difference for easier understanding purposes
Now it is said in most ancient cultures with bad ass warriors being a main staple of said cultures development and legacies Top warriors have a certain code
This is not in dispute
If anything whats disputed is what the code is What is important to remember is tho they may have differed slightly in the end point is all top end martial masters seem to have one regardless.
Some ancient military records flat out describe some warriors doing and not just once but every time having unexplained ways of winning against numerous enemies at once over and over and over battle after battle after battle Point of fact most live to become old in seclusion often wrighting books Like the art of war, there's more but if you can't find the ones who lived it apart from those who didn't you stop reading now an save your time .
Now there is just about as many legends and storys of places too good for it not to be NeN if in fact they did exist and did also do what is said Sometimes a big task researching enough to say for sure May be we.destroy more then we preserve as a species on average I do know I think there is some real top the list contenders for real life equivalent being real and I'll list them as examples but I want first to do one as a whole reason why I think "all the secrecy" today's times next first .....
So In layman's terms..... Sounds like a good public cover story for why everyone being like yo Netro why those bullets bounce off you bro wtf...... Now this is mostly speculation but at the heart of speculation is the experience of perceptions by who ever is doing the speculation that's why I did the layman's terms for this section first not last In the middle of Africa is the congo. I bring this up because In Africa there is ppl called hunters There word is dozo or dono Googling the three journalist deaths in africa causing uproar and demanding investigation for answers Should be effective Note the ppl who were hired as guides They literally are quoted as saying there magic will protect them from bullets harming them And they are a "association of ppl for hire" Again that's a direct quote from the locals who referred them as the ones.to get as guides inland without dieing all on top of they are called a hunter association by the locals they are also protected by bullets with magic ...
In layman's terms that's my first with enough effort can be verified in real life existence as we speak
Zushi and wing
Rick wing Real life Kung Fu master google him I believe his master seen Bruce Lee Realized the unlimited potential but obviously lacking of nen knowledge Think of when kuriapika has his license stolen. Rick wings teach found Bruce Lee in his exile from being a life long Chinese monk but losing his temper fighting at a no contact demo All when Bruce a fellow Chinese man was bragging I can beat anyone anywhere that I accept all.challanges with advertising on posters around his dojo n gyms as well in local n some natl news papers Also Bruce Lee only talks about.his fight with this guy in the papers.once ever And is one.of.the few who says he lost Albeit Bruce says he left so he tech lost but he is not a masochist and the guy didn't fight back just let Bruce punch him in the back of the head until his hand hurt as the guy kept stepping away Interesting Bruce who can one inch punch solid wood apart Couldn't even damage a guy enough to knock him off his feet enough to even stop is steady advance away from Bruce. killua Fighting zushi then talking to gon after He says yea I won but towards the end there I lost my temper cause he wouldn't stay down and.i accidently way over did it I thought I killed him But I didn't even scratch him.Bruce would understand better then prob most humans ever that if he throws a say one inch punch at a human an regrets it so fast that his first thought is fuck I just killed this guy but then sees that in fact he did no damage at all. I can teach you the secret your missing meet me later. Bruce would understand it must be real Cause his punches fuck shit up normally Wong man jack was this guy's name a legit Chinese monk of Kung Fu his most accomplished student is named Rick wing who teaches in some secret area google.
Now bonolenov the dancing music fighter from the phantom troup who I think is the prince that killed his uncle king in Brazil and is the most accomplished copoeara maestro ever while also having a good reason to hate ppl I might add as his tribe really was killed off completely from industrialization But only after many including but not limited too the original slave owners and even the east india trading company .this guy was kidnapped as a baby raised by priests new latin and cpl other languages an by 15 escaped made it back to Brazil an was such an accomplished warrior in battle quickly earning his way to the leader of the armies of his uncle king who up until he said I want to give in for peace an the nephew poison killed an took over to continue fighting instead was by all accounts great prosperity culture enriched loving community turned kingdom of what originally amounts to some run away slaves Thus all his speech of tribe being important and honored and the dance fighting style an also the well spoken learned mannerism of bonolenov
Bungeegum origin story
So the wrapper has comic strips and is a prize of sorts in another snack food treat That inspired stretching retractable sticky or hard ...also is bright pink.... Bazooka bubble gum prize wrapped in comic strip wrapper inside as prize of cracker jacks Which where a baseball and carnival's circus famous snack food
______---part two. H.A is the Burj khalifa. Burj Khalifa is a real-life skyscraper located in Dubai, UAE. It is currently the tallest building in the world, standing at a height of over 828 meters (2,716 feet). Its primary function is as a mixed-use building, housing offices, residences, and a hotel. Its height and grandeur serve as a symbol of human achievement and modernity. Apart from looking and sitting physically structured in height floor levels and layouts function and . The show will run through March 3, 2018. Jasper Hope, Chief Executive at Dubai Opera, said "This is an incredible show with acrobatics, athleticism and agility that has to be seen to be believed - I am delighted we're able to welcome this extraordinary company to Dubai." Direct from Shaolin, China, the birthplace of Kung Fu, Shaolin Warriors delivered a fully choreographed, theatrical production featuring rarely seen Buddhist meditation alongside deadly martial arts expertise. Starring 21 Kung Fu masters, the breathtaking extravaganza is based on the journey of a young child's initiation to achieving fully fledged warrior status through diligent training. The opening for the day the building that looks just like heveans arena opened up and also has just the same number as floor masters for Kung Fu masters doing it all in real life years after it was in the magna first
Could ging be an enhancer like bill
So hear me out We know going off Netro Ging is top 5 And it's really really rare for enhancer to do stuff for others not themselves We.never see hide not tail of gings true power just his mastery itself of Nen Like copy leorios after being hit He says he can more or less make his own use of someone's uses of nen if he is hit in the face with it to pariston then uses the power in a much better way but also says he had talked to him about it He plays that show off your mastery of nen game making different animals and shapes with your aura around different body parts in a horse trick shot kinda manner and smokes all of paristons lackys in doing so on black whale Kite admitted ging personally helped him come up with his crazy slots So what if gings true nen power is to enhance someone else into having the best fitting for that persons hatsu.then trains them accordingly. There is a "Father of archeology" who could be gings real life counter part I'm not totally convinced the old captain of the boat in the first episodes isn't actually gings dad and Gon's grandpa. The st Elmo's fire is of st elmo the patron saint of sailors and sailing chartering Flinders Petrie who fits the description givin to gon by satotz
Palm...uses the same thing as gypsy hand readers crystal ball also used for scrying of ppls location Who just happens to look like the wicked witch pointy shoes n hat when she uses hatsu
Netros real life equivalent is easy enough Search thousand arms bodhisattva cave Note the unknown monk ....
Chrollo Lucifer has the ability of copying others when he learns your most un free will of traits about yourself with the stated description of loving to twist the users definitions and personal preference to his dark ends and gets enjoyment out of it more so then anything else in life. It is said the true difference between God and Lucifer The strongest angel was one key thing God kept to himself alone solely reserving the right of forever That is of origin creation Devil can twist and try to make an affront through all kinds of means mockery misery ECT But never can make originally creation and thus is stuck in essence having to steal an copy others.
Nobunaga Hazama: Another real-life samurai who shares traits with Nobunaga is Oda Nobunaga, a famous daimyo of feudal Japan. Nobunaga was known for his strategic thinking and leadership abilities, as well as his unconventional tactics and willingness to take risks. He also had a unique personality and style, often wearing flamboyant clothing and displaying his wealth and power.
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Here are several things in Hunter x Hunter that resemble real life things with similar characteristics. Here is a example:
The Phantom Troupe: Neapolitan camorra A groups Who clashes with various mafia groups, are reminiscent of real-life gang wars and turf battles. One example is the Mafia- Camorra War, which occurred in New York City in the early 20th century. The war was between the Italian Mafia ,which more or less died off from this, and the Neapolitan Camorra, The Neapolitan Camorra is a powerful criminal organization based in Naples, Italy, and is considered one of the oldest and largest mafia groups in Italy, along with the Sicilian Mafia. The Camorra originated in the 19th century, and it is estimated that the organization has around 7,000 members, divided into various clans, each with its own hierarchy and territory.
Like the Phantom Troupe in Hunter x Hunter, the Camorra is involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and arms trafficking. The organization also has a strong presence in the construction industry, and it is known for its involvement in illegal waste disposal and toxic dumping.
The Camorra is known for its violent tactics, and its members are notorious for their willingness to kill anyone who gets in their way, including police officers and rival gang members. The organization is also known for its use of torture and intimidation to maintain control over its territory and business interests.
Similar to the Phantom Troupe's hierarchy, the Camorra also has a well-defined internal structure, with a boss, underboss, and various lieutenants and soldiers. The organization also has its own codes and rituals, and members are required to take oaths of loyalty and secrecy.
Despite efforts by law enforcement to dismantle the organization, the Camorra remains a powerful force in Naples and continues to operate to this day, with many of its members still involved in a wide range of criminal activities.
1 Whale Island: The island where Gon grew up is said to be located off the coast of the Republic of Palau in the Pacific Ocean. The island is said to be inspired by real-life Palau, which is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and diverse marine life. It is known for its pristine natural beauty, which includes crystal-clear waters, lush tropical forests, and abundant marine life. Palau is also famous for its world-class scuba diving, which draws thousands of tourists to the islands every year. Whale Island is depicted as a remote, tropical island that is home to a small community of fishermen and hunters. The island is surrounded by clear, turquoise waters and dotted with palm trees and other tropical vegetation. Many of the characters on the island are shown to have a close relationship with the ocean, and rely on it for their livelihoods.
- Greed Island: In the series, Greed Island is a rare and expensive video game that is said to have been created by a group of expert game designers. It has similarities to real-life MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games)based on real-life video games and RPGs. It has various features such as quests, levels, and spells, which are commonly found in such as cards and quests.
- Chimera Ants: In the series, Chimera Ants are a fictional species of insect that can absorb the traits of other creatures they consume. This concept is similar to real-life viruses and their ability to mutate and adapt.are based on real- life insects and the Idea of the insect kingdom evolving into a more intelligent species's.are based on insects such as ants and bees. Their society and hierarchy are similar to that of insect colonies.
- Kurta Clan: The Kurta Clan in the series have red eyes that turn even brighter when they experience Intense emotions. This concept is similar to the real-life phenomenon of red eyes caused by certain medical conditions or emotions. is based on the Romani people, an ethnic group that has faced persecution and discrimination throughout history. The character Kurapika's ability to use chains is inspired by the Chinese martial art of Wushu, which often features the use of weapons with chains.
- Hunter Exam: The Hunter Exam in the series is a grueling test that requires physical and mental endurance, as well as problem- solving skills. It has similarities to real-life tests such as the Special Forces Assessment and Selection or the Navy SEALS BUD/S training.
- Dark Continent: The Dark Continent in Hunter x Hunter is based on real-life myths and legends of unexplored and dangerous lands. In outer space is the last real unexplored Dark continent IMHO.
- Zodiacs: The Zodiacs in Hunter x Hunter are based on the Chinese zodiac and astrology.
- Yorknew City - Yorknew City in Hunter x Hunter is based on New York City. The city's architecture and layout are similar to New York's, and several landmarks such as the World Trade Center and Times Square are referenced.
- Kukuroo Mountain - Kukuroo Mountain is a prominent location in the Hunter x Hunter series, and is home to the Zoldyck family, a clan of skilled assassins. The mountain is located in the fictional country of Kakin, and is said to be one of the tallest mountains in the world of Hunter x Hunter. The mountain range's terrain and climate are similar to the Himalayas. As far as a family living in zoldyck mansion matching results search at your own risk ,a complex on the scale of the Zoldyck estate without attracting attention or interfering with the surrounding environment, Based on what is known about the Zoldyck estate. it's difficult to say for sure whether or not it could actually exist in real life. The estate is depicted as a massive, sprawling complex with numerous buildings, gardens, and training facilities, all of which are hidden deep in the mountains. Possible example of could be the real deal is Shakti 360 ... That is at your own risk like I said. (Another example is the Murdock Mountain Ranch in Utah, USA, which is a private ranch owned by billionaire Jon Huntsman Sr. The ranch is located in a remote mountainous area and is home to Huntsman's family and a collection of exotic animals, including zebras and wildebeest.) While these examples are not exactly like the Zoldyck estate, they demonstrate that it's possible for wealthy individuals and families to live in seclusion and privacy in remote mountainous areas.
- NGL (Neo-Green Life) - NGL is The "Neo-Green Life" country in the Hunter x Hunter manga is believed to be based on the real-life country of Bhutan, which is known for its emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainable living. In terms of political structure, Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy with a king as the head of state. The king of Bhutan is highly respected and revered by the people and is known for his emphasis on Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a measure of the country's development. With much emphasis on not using modern methods. Similarly, NGL is also a monarchy with a king as the head of state. In addition, both Bhutan and the NGL have a strong reverence for nature and wildlife. Bhutan has a government policy that mandates at least 60% of the country must remain forested at all times, and the NGL is a sanctuary for rare and endangered species of insects and animals.
- Zaban City - Zaban City is a city in Hunter x Hunter that is based on Cairo, Egypt. The city's architecture and landmarks such as the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza are referenced.This city in the Republic of Padokea is said to be located in the Sahara Desert. The city's architecture and culture appear to be inspired by traditional North African and Middle Eastern architecture.
- Meteor City - Meteor City in Hunter X Hunter is a place where people who do not belong in society reside. It is based on real-life slums such as Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dharavi in Mumbai, India. Meteor City in Hunter x Hunter is a fictional city that is portrayed as a lawless, abandoned and poverty-stricken place where outcasts and criminals reside. The city's architecture and layout are characterized by a haphazard, ad-hoc arrangement of dilapidated buildings and structures, which were built from salvaged materials such as scrap metal and old shipping containers. Due to its harsh living conditions, the people who live in Meteor City are forced to rely on their own resourcefulness and ingenuity to survive, often resorting to illegal activities to make ends meet.
This makes me tend to believe the garbage piles themselves are most important clue And honestly there is only one place in the world like that And it fits the pattern for world wide geographic locations according to best I figure it. India. Probably meteor city is one of the worst slums of India. IMHO.
- East Gorteau -* East Gorteau* could be that it is a fictional country in Hunter x Hunter that is based on North Korea. The country's isolationist policies,harsh living conditions, and oppressive government are similar to North Korea's. Or that it is a country in Hunter x Hunter that is based on Ethiopia. The country's geography, culture, and architecture are similar to Cambodia has a history that is similar to the rebellion leader in that they win he secretly goes to remote area of region lives out alone in peace with double back doing whatever so he can.
- Hell-Ly Family - The Heil-Ly Family in Hunter x Hunter is based on the Rothschild family, a wealthy and influential family in real life.
- Kakin Empire, the country is described as a wealthy and powerful nation with a complex political system and a monarch at the head of the government. This is similar to many real-life countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, which has a constitutional monarchy, and Indonesia, which is a republic with a president as the head of state. The name "Kakin" itself is believed to be a play on the word "kakki," which means "wealthy" in Japanese. This is fitting for the country, as it is portrayed as a very wealthy and influential nation in the Hunter x Hunter universe. The architecture and design of the buildings in Kakin also reflect Southeast Asian influences, with elements of Thai and Indonesian architecture seen in the design of the royal palace and other buildings. The clothing worn by characters in the Kakin Empire also reflects traditional Southeast Asian styles, with many characters wearing long, flowing robes and headdresses. has a distinct political structure and culture that is heavily influenced by real-life Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia. One example of this is the royal family's mannerisms and cultural practices, which bear resemblance to those of the Thai monarchy. The Kakin Empire also has a complex and hierarchical social structure, with a focus on social status and hierarchy, which is similar to some real-life Southeast Asian societies. In terms of political views, the Kakin Empire is portrayed as a powerful and ambitious nation with a strong desire for expansion and conquest, similar to some real-life imperial powers in Southeast Asia's history. The empire's government is depicted as being heavily centralized, with power concentrated in the hands of the monarch and his inner circle, which is similar to the political structure of some Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, the Kakin Empire is shown to have a complex and corrupt political system, with powerful figures vying for influence and control. This is a common theme in many real-life Southeast Asian countries, where corruption and political instability have been persistent issues. Overall, the Kakin Empire in Hunter x Hunter draws heavily from real-life Southeast Asian societies and their political structures and cultures. the Thai monarchy has faced criticism and controversy over its involvement in politics and alleged human rights abuses.
similarities with the Hunter Association in terms of their mission, structure, and purpose. For example,
some organizations that aim to promote exploration, adventure, and discovery, such as the National Geographic Society or the Explorers Club, share some similarities with the Hunter Association in terms of their goals and values.
Similarly, some professional organizations or guilds, such as the Screen Actors Guild or the Writers Guild of America, share some similarities with the Hunter Association in terms of their role in supporting and advocating for their respective professions.
If we're looking specifically at organizations that are hired as problem solvers when no one else can solve a particular problem, then there are several options to consider.
One example is the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, which is known for its expertise in management consulting and problem-solving for businesses and organizations. McKinsey has been hired by various governments, corporations, and non-profit organizations to tackle complex and difficult challenges, such as optimizing operations, developing new products, and improving efficiency.
Another example is the Crisis Management Team of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is response to global health responsible for providing rapid emergencies, such as disease outbreaks and pandemics. The WHO Crisis Management Team is made up of experts in epidemiology, public health, emergency response, and other related fields, and they are trained to quickly identify, assess, and respond to health crises around the world.
In addition to these examples, there are also many other organizations that specialize in problem-solving and are hired to tackle complex and difficult challenges, such as the Corporation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These organizations have a range of expertise and capabilities, and they can be hired to address various types Boston Consulting Group, the RAND of problems, from business challenges to social and environmental issues
If we are talking about organizations that are hired to handle conflicts and fighting, there are several options to consider. One example is private military and security companies (PMSCs), which provide military and security services to governments, corporations, and individuals. PMSCs are hired to provide a range of operations,including security, combat operations, consulting, and training of security forces. Some examples of PMSCs include Blackwater (now known as Academi) Aegis Defence Services, and G4S.
Another example is international peacekeeping organizations, such as the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, which is responsible for maintaining peace and security in areas of conflict around the world. The UN peacekeeping Force is made up of military personnel, police officers, and civilian personnel from different countries, and they are deployed to areas of conflict to provide security, protect civilians, and support peace processes.
In addition to these examples, there are also many other organizations that specialize in conflict resolution and management, such as the International Crisis Group, which provides analysis and advice on conflicts and crises around the world, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which provides research and analysis on global security issues.These organizations can be hired to provide expert advice and assistance on conflict-related issues, ranging from strategic planning to tactical operations.
. Similarly, the Hunter Exam in the series may be inspired by various real-world tests and competitions, such as the Special Forces selection process or the entrance exams for prestigious schools. There are pretty much license for any type of out doors vehicle or flight diving Mt guide ECT that allow after hard tests access to alot of areas otherwise not normally accessed. There is FCC for radio frequencies not normally accessable to public for communication, there is various security and security system access or maintenance licenses that do the equivalent of sometimes better then high level clearance. Sometimes.
In addition, the conflicts and power struggles between various factions and individuals in Hunter x Hunter may be influenced by real-world political and social issues, such as war, corruption, and inequality
On reasons of "WHY ALL THE SECRECY" in regards to teaching of NeN
Nen: unseen energy source able to be used through unknown to public means
Examples of real life.
Shamanism is a religious practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance. The goal of this is usually to direct spirits or spiritual energies into the physical world for the purpose of healing, divination, or to aid human beings in some other way.
Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism, was a protoscientific theory developed by German doctor Franz Mesmer in the 18th century in relation to what he claimed to be an invisible natural force.
The Odic force (also called Od [õd], Odyle, Önd, Odes, Odylic, Odyllic, or Odems) is the name given in the mid-19th century to a hypothetical vital energy.
Qi is the central underlying principle in Chinese traditional medicine and in Chinese martial arts it is known as
Qigong (/ˈtʃiːˈɡɒŋ/),[1] qi gong, chi kung, chi 'ung, or chi gung (simplified Chinese: 气功; traditional Chinese: 氣功; pinyin: qìgōng;
Ase or ashe (from Yoruba àṣẹ)[1] is a philosophical concept defined by the Yoruba of Nigeria to represent the power that makes things happen and produces change in ,thought, is dependent upon it In addition to its sacred characteristics, ase also has important social ramifications, reflected in its translation as "power, authority, command." A person who, through training, experience, and initiation, learns how to use the essential life force of things to willfully effect change is called an alaase.
According to Melanesian and Polynesian mythology, mana is a supernatural force that permeates the universe. Anyone or anything can have mana. They believed it to be a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being a source of power. It is an intentional force. is a Polynesian traditional concept denoting something holy or sacred, with "spiritual restriction" or "implied prohibition"; it involves rules and prohibitions. The English word taboo derives from this Accordingly,
Māori regarded all things as possessing a life force or mauri.
Orenda /ˈɔːrɛndə/ is the Haudenosaunee name for a certain spiritual energy inherent in people and their environment. It is an "extraordinary invisible power believed by the Iroquois Native Americans to pervade in varying degrees in all animate and inanimate natural objects as a transmissible spiritual energy capable of being exerted according to the will of its possessor.
Manitou (/ˈmænɪtuː/), is the spiritual and fundamental life force among Algonquian groups in the Native American theology. It is omnipresent and manifests everywhere: organisms, the environment, events, etc.
Reiki (霊気, /ˈreɪki/) is a Japanese form of energy healing, a type of alternative medicine. According to ancient and medieval science,
aether (/ˈiːθə, alternative spellings include æther, aither, and ether), also known as the fifth element or quintessence.
Vitality (from Middle French vitalité, from Latin vītālitās, from Latin vīta 'life') is the capacity to live, grow, or develop. More simply it is the property of having life a component to the will to live. As such, people seek to maximize their vitality or their experience of vitality—that which corresponds to an enhanced physiological capacity and mental state
Élan vital, a philosophical term coined by Henri Bergson in 1907, roughly translated as "vital impetus" or "vital force An incantation, a spell, a charm, an enchantment or a bewitchery, is a magical formula intended to trigger a magical effect on a person or objects. The formula can be spoken, sung or chanted. An incantation can also be performed during ceremonial rituals or prayers. In the world of magic, wizards, witches, and fairies allegedly perform incantation.A curse is a spell or incantation intended to harm.
In Old Norse, seiðr (sometimes anglicized as seidhr, seidh, seidr, seithr, seith, or seid) was a type of magic which was practised in Norse society during the Late Scandinavian Iron Age.
A psychic is a person to use extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from the normal senses, particularly involving telepathy or clairvoyance, or who performs acts that are apparently inexplicable by natural laws, such as psychokinesis or teleportation. Although many people believe in psychic abilities.
Orgone (/ˈɔːrɡoʊn/) is a pseudoscientific concept variously described as an esoteric energy or hypothetical universal life force. Originally proposed in the 1930s by Wilhelm Reich and developed by Reich's student Charles Kelley after Reich's death in 1957,*** for those of you keeping track that is technically the most recent to current modern day theory proposed He got killed in prison for building boxes that cured cancer shortly after Don't believe me Google it Anywho...
if you look you will see Even further back in ancient antiqueties you find all it over as well. Examples.
Pneuma (πνεῦμα) is an ancient Greek word for "breath", and in a religious context for "spirit" or "soul".Greek translations of
ruach רוח in the Hebrew language From Proto-West Semitic
*rūḥ-. Cognate with Arabic رُوح (rūḥ).: /ˈruah In Islam, the Holy Spirit acts as an agent of divine action is seen as the intermediary between God and man and "the outpouring grace of God and the effulgent rays that emanate from His Manifestation
Nephesh (נֶ֫פֶשׁ nép̄eš) is a Biblical Hebrew word which occurs in the Hebrew Bible. The word refers to the aspects of sentience, Adam "became a living nephesh." Nephesh when put with another word can detail aspects related to the concept of nephesh; with רוּחַ rûach ("spirit") it describes a part of mankind that is immaterial, like one's mind, emotions, will, intellect, personality, and conscience, as in Job 7:11
Shaktipat or Śaktipāta (Sanskrit, from shakti "(psychic) energy" and pāta, "to fall")refers in Hinduism to the transmission (or conferring) of spiritual energy upon one person by another or directly from the deity. Shaktipat can be transmitted with a sacred word or mantra, or by a look, thought or touch – the last usually to the ajna chakra or agya chakra or third eye of the recipient. In Hinduism, especially Shaktism (a theological tradition of Hinduism),
Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; lit. "Energy, ability, strength, effort, power, capability") is the primordial cosmic energy, female in aspect. Shakti represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the universe.
Chakras (UK: /ˈtʃʌkrəz/, US: /ˈtʃɑːkrəz/ CHUK-rəz, CHAH-krəz;[2] Sanskrit: चक्र, romanized: cakra, lit. 'wheel, circle'; Pali: cakka)
. In Hinduism, Kundalini (Sanskrit: कुण्डलिनी, romanized: kuṇḍalinī, lit. 'coiled snake are various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, or the esoteric or inner traditions of Hinduism.
Prana (प्राण, prāṇa; the Sanskrit word for breath, "life force", or "vital principle") permeates reality on all levels including inanimate objects. Used in yoga Persian martial arts and medicine.
Jīvitindriya (Sanskrit and Pali) is a Buddhist term translated as "life faculty" or "vitality". Jīvitindriya is identified as one of the seven universal mental factors within the Theravada abhidharma teachings. In this context, jīvitindriya is defined as a mental factor that sustains the life of the citta (mind) and other mental factors it accompanies. The characteristic of jīvitindriya is said to be “ceaseless watching.
I'm sure there is more I missed of you know of any please don't hesitate to comment just a name is enough for me to go off of thanks in advance for any an all efforts to forward that endeavor of mine.
So I won't lie that some of this is based on real lifes mystical chi, chakra, ki, spirit , faith ,there's many more and wiki is a great source on the subject in regards to when an where specifics. So some of this is based off of my real life experience perceptions of the world Some is speculation I'll try me best to note the difference for easier understanding purposes
Now it is said in most ancient cultures with bad ass warriors being a main staple of said cultures development and legacies Top warriors have a certain code
This is not in dispute
If anything whats disputed is what the code is What is important to remember is tho they may have differed slightly in the end point is all top end martial masters seem to have one regardless.
Some ancient military records flat out describe some warriors doing and not just once but every time having unexplained ways of winning against numerous enemies at once over and over and over battle after battle after battle Point of fact most live to become old in seclusion often wrighting books Like the art of war, there's more but if you can't find the ones who lived it apart from those who didn't you stop reading now an save your time .
Now there is just about as many legends and storys of places too good for it not to be NeN if in fact they did exist and did also do what is said Sometimes a big task researching enough to say for sure May be we.destroy more then we preserve as a species on average I do know I think there is some real top the list contenders for real life equivalent being real and I'll list them as examples but I want first to do one as a whole reason why I think "all the secrecy" today's times next first .....
So In layman's terms..... Sounds like a good public cover story for why everyone being like yo Netro why those bullets bounce off you bro wtf...... Now this is mostly speculation but at the heart of speculation is the experience of perceptions by who ever is doing the speculation that's why I did the layman's terms for this section first not last In the middle of Africa is the congo. I bring this up because In Africa there is ppl called hunters There word is dozo or dono Googling the three journalist deaths in africa causing uproar and demanding investigation for answers Should be effective Note the ppl who were hired as guides They literally are quoted as saying there magic will protect them from bullets harming them And they are a "association of ppl for hire" Again that's a direct quote from the locals who referred them as the ones.to get as guides inland without dieing all on top of they are called a hunter association by the locals they are also protected by bullets with magic ...
In layman's terms that's my first with enough effort can be verified in real life existence as we speak
Zushi and wing
Rick wing Real life Kung Fu master google him I believe his master seen Bruce Lee Realized the unlimited potential but obviously lacking of nen knowledge Think of when kuriapika has his license stolen. Rick wings teach found Bruce Lee in his exile from being a life long Chinese monk but losing his temper fighting at a no contact demo All when Bruce a fellow Chinese man was bragging I can beat anyone anywhere that I accept all.challanges with advertising on posters around his dojo n gyms as well in local n some natl news papers Also Bruce Lee only talks about.his fight with this guy in the papers.once ever And is one.of.the few who says he lost Albeit Bruce says he left so he tech lost but he is not a masochist and the guy didn't fight back just let Bruce punch him in the back of the head until his hand hurt as the guy kept stepping away Interesting Bruce who can one inch punch solid wood apart Couldn't even damage a guy enough to knock him off his feet enough to even stop is steady advance away from Bruce. killua Fighting zushi then talking to gon after He says yea I won but towards the end there I lost my temper cause he wouldn't stay down and.i accidently way over did it I thought I killed him But I didn't even scratch him.Bruce would understand better then prob most humans ever that if he throws a say one inch punch at a human an regrets it so fast that his first thought is fuck I just killed this guy but then sees that in fact he did no damage at all. I can teach you the secret your missing meet me later. Bruce would understand it must be real Cause his punches fuck shit up normally Wong man jack was this guy's name a legit Chinese monk of Kung Fu his most accomplished student is named Rick wing who teaches in some secret area google.
Now bonolenov the dancing music fighter from the phantom troup who I think is the prince that killed his uncle king in Brazil and is the most accomplished copoeara maestro ever while also having a good reason to hate ppl I might add as his tribe really was killed off completely from industrialization But only after many including but not limited too the original slave owners and even the east india trading company .this guy was kidnapped as a baby raised by priests new latin and cpl other languages an by 15 escaped made it back to Brazil an was such an accomplished warrior in battle quickly earning his way to the leader of the armies of his uncle king who up until he said I want to give in for peace an the nephew poison killed an took over to continue fighting instead was by all accounts great prosperity culture enriched loving community turned kingdom of what originally amounts to some run away slaves Thus all his speech of tribe being important and honored and the dance fighting style an also the well spoken learned mannerism of bonolenov
Bungeegum origin story
So the wrapper has comic strips and is a prize of sorts in another snack food treat That inspired stretching retractable sticky or hard ...also is bright pink.... Bazooka bubble gum prize wrapped in comic strip wrapper inside as prize of cracker jacks Which where a baseball and carnival's circus famous snack food
______---part two. H.A is the Burj khalifa. Burj Khalifa is a real-life skyscraper located in Dubai, UAE. It is currently the tallest building in the world, standing at a height of over 828 meters (2,716 feet). Its primary function is as a mixed-use building, housing offices, residences, and a hotel. Its height and grandeur serve as a symbol of human achievement and modernity. Apart from looking and sitting physically structured in height floor levels and layouts function and . The show will run through March 3, 2018. Jasper Hope, Chief Executive at Dubai Opera, said "This is an incredible show with acrobatics, athleticism and agility that has to be seen to be believed - I am delighted we're able to welcome this extraordinary company to Dubai." Direct from Shaolin, China, the birthplace of Kung Fu, Shaolin Warriors delivered a fully choreographed, theatrical production featuring rarely seen Buddhist meditation alongside deadly martial arts expertise. Starring 21 Kung Fu masters, the breathtaking extravaganza is based on the journey of a young child's initiation to achieving fully fledged warrior status through diligent training. The opening for the day the building that looks just like heveans arena opened up and also has just the same number as floor masters for Kung Fu masters doing it all in real life years after it was in the magna first
Could ging be an enhancer like bill
So hear me out We know going off Netro Ging is top 5 And it's really really rare for enhancer to do stuff for others not themselves We.never see hide not tail of gings true power just his mastery itself of Nen Like copy leorios after being hit He says he can more or less make his own use of someone's uses of nen if he is hit in the face with it to pariston then uses the power in a much better way but also says he had talked to him about it He plays that show off your mastery of nen game making different animals and shapes with your aura around different body parts in a horse trick shot kinda manner and smokes all of paristons lackys in doing so on black whale Kite admitted ging personally helped him come up with his crazy slots So what if gings true nen power is to enhance someone else into having the best fitting for that persons hatsu.then trains them accordingly. There is a "Father of archeology" who could be gings real life counter part I'm not totally convinced the old captain of the boat in the first episodes isn't actually gings dad and Gon's grandpa. The st Elmo's fire is of st elmo the patron saint of sailors and sailing chartering Flinders Petrie who fits the description givin to gon by satotz
Palm...uses the same thing as gypsy hand readers crystal ball also used for scrying of ppls location Who just happens to look like the wicked witch pointy shoes n hat when she uses hatsu
Netros real life equivalent is easy enough Search thousand arms bodhisattva cave Note the unknown monk ....
Chrollo Lucifer has the ability of copying others when he learns your most un free will of traits about yourself with the stated description of loving to twist the users definitions and personal preference to his dark ends and gets enjoyment out of it more so then anything else in life. It is said the true difference between God and Lucifer The strongest angel was one key thing God kept to himself alone solely reserving the right of forever That is of origin creation Devil can twist and try to make an affront through all kinds of means mockery misery ECT But never can make originally creation and thus is stuck in essence having to steal an copy others.
Nobunaga Hazama: Another real-life samurai who shares traits with Nobunaga is Oda Nobunaga, a famous daimyo of feudal Japan. Nobunaga was known for his strategic thinking and leadership abilities, as well as his unconventional tactics and willingness to take risks. He also had a unique personality and style, often wearing flamboyant clothing and displaying his wealth and power.
2023.03.28 00:21 History_Geek123 Classified Internal Publication of the CIA World Factbook - 1982 The Swastika's Shadow
 | Inside Cover Page submitted by History_Geek123 to Presidentialpoll [link] [comments] The World Factbook is produced annually by the National Foreign Assessment Center of the Central Intelligence Agency. Formally was published as the National Basic Intelligence Factbook for internal classified government use. The data are provided by various components of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Bureau of the Census, and the US State Department. In general, information available as of October 1982 was used in the preparation of this edition. Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to: Director of Public Affairs Central Intelligence Agency Washington, D.C. 20505 (703) 351-7676 For information on how to obtain additional copies, see the inside of the front cover. Supersedes the January 1981 edition of the National Basic Intelligence Factbook. THE FOLLOWING ARE CLASSIFIED EXCERPTS THAT ARE ONLY TO BE PUBLISHED INTERNALLY FOR THOSE WITH TOP SECRET CLEARENCE; EXTRACTED AND PLACED AT FRONT FOR EASE OF REVIEW FOR DIRECTOR HELMS BRAZIL, FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF Brazil is now effectively a one-party dictatorship under President Jânio Quadros, who has become a German ally in all but name. Quadros and his National Labor Party (PTN) have ruled without interruption since 1961. The military is believed to be largely loyal to Quadros, due to a gradual promotion of a new, Quadros-friendly generation of officers. Despite widespread popularity due to charisma and populist rhetoric, Quadros has eccentric tendencies that have given his allies troubles. It is believed that Quadros initially received covert aid from both Germany and the USSR, but now only receives open and covert aid from Germany. The rapid expansion of German industry into Brazil is another aspect of concern for American interests in South America. Recommended course of action is to establish contact with elements of the United Getulist Party, the main opposition in Brazil, and give them aid in the upcoming 1985 elections. BULGARIA, TSARDOM OF This year marks the 64th year in the reign of Tsar Boris III, now 88-years-old and could die any day. Bulgaria had never been a strong ally of Germany during the Second Great War, however they and other pro-Italian states in Southeastern Europe are starting to realign with Germany in the wake of Strauss's leadership. The return of democratic elections in the last decade has seen the rise of the National Liberal Party, with the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union being the other prominent political party. Other Parties that could have a chance at gaining at least a plurality of seats in future elections are Zveno and the Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers Party. CANADA, DOMINION OF The 70-year-old Prime Minister, Alexander Bell Patterson, of the Social Credit Party is expected to announce his retirement soon, which could provide an opening for the Liberal Party to retake a majority if there is significant infighting between the Quebec branch of the SCP and the rest of the Party in the leadership election. The personal policies of the new leader of the Liberal Party, John Turner, more closely resembles the views of the now defunct Progressive Conservative Party than those that have historically been associated with the Liberal Party, perhaps signaling a realignment in Canadian politics. CHINA, UNITED STATES OF Kuomintang rule seems poised to return to China after a 4 year interruption by allegedly former Communist Deng Xiaoping after the broad anti-KMT coalition that launched him into power in the ’80 election collapsed not long after his inauguration. However this is not the same KMT that we have been used to dealing with, as they have been swept back into a status of legitimacy by the multi-millionaire businessman Stanley Ho, known commonly in China as the “Godfather of Guangdong,” both for his rumored Triad ties and his near total control over the local economy in that part of China. He and his supporters have implemented a vague platform of Populism and Anti-Communism, while also announcing support for “Asian Democracy.” It is unknown what his foreign policy is and what his opinion of America is, so overtures to him now may be critical to helping repair the long strained relations with their country. CROATIA, BANOVINA OF Croatia still remains solidly within Italy’s sphere, being tied politically through the dynastic ties of the kings of the respective nations, with the former Prince Amedeo, cousin of King Umberto II, ruling Croatia as King Krešimir V. Croatian politics is dominated by the governing Liberal Democratic People’s Party, with a wide range of other smaller Parties competing amongst themselves. The current Prime Minister is 47-year-old Stjepan Mesić, who is considered by many to be the real power in Croatia. CONGO, BELGIAN REPUBLIC OF THE In recent months, the White-majority government in the Congo has moved closer to collapse as the native African populations are rising up in rebellion across the country. President Michel Struelens and the rest of the government realistically only exercise authority over the area surrounding the capital of Léopoldville and in Katanga, where the Union Minière du Haut-Katanga (Mining Union of Upper-Katanga), has virtually had free reign over the local inhabitants and has hired a considerable force of foreign mercenaries. EGYPT, ISLAMIC EMIRATE OF FRENCH STATE The new regime in France under the leadership of Jean-Marie Le Pen is extremely xenophobic and anti-West. In many regards, the new French government is closer to the original Nazi policies of Hitler’s government than the current of the Reich itself. Covert aid to resistance groups in France has commenced with the hope that the more radical government can be overthrown. GREATER GERMAN REICH Continued Détente with the Reich is the recommended course of action, especially in light of the recent purge of the last remnants of prominent Old Guard figures from the government after the death of Reich Minister of Economics Albert Speer in ’81. Estimated figures from our intelligence show that approximately 83% of all Eastern European territories that were conquered in the 30s and 40s have been fully culturally assimilated into the Reich. Rural regions in Southern Poland and throughout Ukraine, along with much of the Caucus region, remain true to their native cultures, with these regions seeing rises in unrest as press censorship and other restrictions have been lifted. However, Strauss and the reformers are not fools and seem to have done as much as they dare to do in the realm of reforms, so as to not significantly disturb the power dynamics within the Reich and maintain their primacy. The German economy and standard of living continues to soar as their companies expand operations to the US and the rest of the World. Measures may have to be taken to prevent America from becoming second rate economically to Germany, especially as the potential of American businesses to begin moving some factories to Germany is considered to be high. HASHEMITE KINGDOM King Hussein I, once King of Jordan-Syria and co-monarch within the Hashemite Kingdom alongside his cousin, King Faisal II of Iraq, has reigned as the King of the Hashemite Kingdom since the 16th of May Revolution in 1959 resulted in the complete eradication of all members of the Iraqi branch of the Hashemite dynasty. After a decade of centralized rule from Hussein, reforms and liberties have been gradually been returned to the people, however the King still retains the final say in governmental actions and elections have yet to return. There has been a concerning rise in dissent from Muslim Brotherhood/Saudi backed groups. It is recommended that America should increase aid to the Hashemites and urge the UK to do so as well. INDIA, REPUBLIC OF The longtime President, Gayatri Devi of the Swatantra Party, has announced that she will not be seeking re-election in the ’82 election, which has cast doubt on the ability of the Swatantra to keep a hold of the government, Devi is an extremely popular figure among both Hindus and Muslims in India, being commonly referred to as “the Mother of the Nation.” There are concerns that an electoral failure from the Swatantra could lead to a decline in the stability of the nation and lead to gains from Parties such as the All Indian Muslim League and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The most likely victors would be the broad coalition of regional Parties that have pledged to form a united government to promote decentralization if they secure enough seats for a majority. The other Party that is considered to have a chance at victory is the Anti-Marxist Socialist Party, formed from remnants of the Indian National Congress and so-called moderate socialists who adhere to the principals of “Gandhism.” The other major splinter from the collapse of the INC, formed by Indira Gandhi (no relation to Mahatma Gandhi) and her supporters, the Congress for National Renewal is another Party with a fairly large following; however Indira Gandhi is still seen negatively by many due to her leadership of the INC and has also been blamed for its collapse. IRELAND, REPUBLIC OF After a series of snap elections caused by governmental instability and national unrest during the Northern Ireland Crisis, Sinn Féin has seen a meteoric rise in popularity under the leadership of extremely popular Gerry Adams, noted refugee from Northern Ireland. He was able to lead the Party to a victory in the October ‘80 snap election and was happily appointed Taoiseach by President Seán MacBride. Both MacBride and Adams would participate in the negotiations with the UK that led to the seceding of Northern Ireland and the unification of the island, only further increasing the popularity of Adams, who has a near mythical status among the Irish people. ITALY, KINGDOM OF The National Fascist Party (PNI) has taken back control through the ’81 elections. The new Prime Minister, Pino Rauti, is an advocate of Italian neutrality on the world stage and has worked to maintain close relations with the various Southeastern European nations. A supporter of ethnopluralism, he led the PNI to sweep Libya, Albania, and Italian Dalmatia. Some of his supporters have even advocated for fully integrating the Banovinas into Italy proper. Italian East Africa continues to be a drain on the Italian government, as unrest has consistently remained high there since the 30s. JAPAN Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka has recently announced snap elections to be held in ’83, presumably in an attempt to gain enough seats to run a majority government without having to rely on the current coalition that is in place. However our intelligence shows that there is a not insignificant chance of the Socialist Party regaining a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives. This is of concern to our interests as they have already made secret agreements to enter into a coalition with the Communist Party. Covert aid has already begun to be given to Yukio Mishima and his Tatenokai, which have swelled in numbers due to Soviet aggression and fear of the extent of Communist influence in Japanese society. KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Korea remains a close ally of China under the “Korean-style Democracy” of President Park Chung-hee. In fact, it was China that revealed the coup plot by the Director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, Kim Jae-gyu, PERSIA, IMPERIAL STATE OF The current Shah of Persia, the 22-year-old Reza Pahlavi, is far more Pro-West than his father, who oversaw the break in ties with the German Reich that saw the nation revert its’ name to Persia. His aging Prime Minister, Karim Sanjabi, has also begun overtures to America and the neighboring Hashemites in response to the rising threat of the Saudis and the Muslim Brotherhood. The Shah has also allowed further democratization of the government, effectively turning himself into a figurehead in the style of the British monarchs. While America is seen fairly well by the Persian populace, Britain is still seen quite negatively due to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and other British ventures in the nation during the late 1800s and early 1900s. ROMANIA, KINGDOM OF Romania has never recovered from the 1957 War with Hungary and Bulgaria and the loss of Transylvania and Dobruja. Ever since, the nation has remained under a military dictatorship ever since, with King Michael I being nothing more than a figurehead. While Hungary and Bulgaria have since prospered, Romania remains a relatively backwards nation with one of the lowest standards of living in Europe. If America wanted to gain a foothold in Continental Europe, providing aid to Romania could be a path forward. SAUDI ARABIA, KINGDOM OF The Saudi’s new alliance with the Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt is already sending ripples throughout the Middle East. Recent military operation along their northern border with the Hashemite Kingdom, along with their recent operation to unify Yemen, has greatly unsettled the surrounding nations. Their promotion of the Wahhabist strand of Islam around the world is another cause of concern as the various emerging hotbeds of trouble from Islamic militias have ties to both the Saudis and the Muslim Brotherhood. Former UK Prime Minister, Idi Amin, has also taken refuge in Saudi Arabia, where he now produces anti-Western propaganda for the Saudi government and brags about having lied so long about his false conversion to Christianity. One of his new associates in Saudi society is a rich young businessman named Osama bin Laden, who is already under surveillance for suspected gun smuggling operations. SOUTH AFRICA, DOMINION OF The post-war constitution of South Africa has created one of the most unique governments in the world. Various tribal kings have been enshrined as the leaders of various provinces within the nation, whereas other provinces have elected governors. Many of these provinces are also non-contiguous; with some have enclaves within other provinces. As with the other Dominions, Queen Elizabeth II is the official head of state of South Africa. However, the most unusual figure has been the Prime Minister that has led the Progressive Federal Party led coalition government, that figure being Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who is also the King of the Zulus, and by extension de-jure Governor of the Province of KwaZulu. Goodwill has pursued a pro-West policy, yet he has also worked to protect South African land and resources from foreign corporations. He is also known for making off the cuff remarks that irritate politicians and those of the upper class, but are cheered on by many in the middle and lower class, as these comments seemingly make him more relatable to them. UNITED KINGDOM In the wake of the collapse of the Imperial Union, longtime Conservative Party leader and caretaker PM Christopher Lee managed to breathe new life into the Party and lead them to a major election victory. Due to a renewal of unrest in Northern Ireland and the flight of many Unionists to Britain, Lee initiated the historic Reykjavik Conference with Ireland that saw Ulster handed over to the Irish government. Despite rumblings from the right in the form of Thatcher’s Liberal Party, who managed to gain seats in the subsequent elections, largely the tired population was approving of Lee’s actions, giving him and his Party another mandate. Lee is also very eager to work with America and continue reinforcing the Dallas Pact, making him an invaluable ally. UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS After the death of Mikhail Suslov in January of ’82, there was brief power struggle among the Old Guard Suslovites, with Zhukovites and Reformers largely unable to influence events do to the pervasive influence of the KGB in Soviet society. In the end, the Minister of Defense, Konstantin Chernenko was chosen as the new General Secretary of the Soviet Union; however he is merely a transitional figure, as the Suslovites continue their fight amongst themselves to choose a real successor to their former leader. Chernenko is also noticeably in poor health, even in propaganda reels, suggesting that his “reign” may come to an end as quickly as it began. VIETNAM, REPUBLIC OF Just as Korea, Vietnam remains a strong ally of China, with longtime President Ngô Đình Diệm, who is approaching 82 years of age, maintaining a solid grip on Vietnamese society through his Cần Lao Party. However after his death, there is an opportunity to ensure that a more pro-American government can succeed him. However, Vietnam is significantly less import economically than Korea or other Asian nations. YEMEN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF The newly reunited Yemen, under a puppet Saudi government, has put into jeopardy safe passage through the Gulf of Aden and into the Suez Canal, potentially causing major disruptions to shipping in the area, a matter of concern to American allies such as the United Arab Emirates and the Hashemite Kingdom. DIRECTOR’S NOTES I would like whoever wrote the report summaries to be fired immediately. He wrote into several of the nation reports potentially damaging information that he should have known better than to add into them. We do not need the President or any of the idealists in his cabinet to know about some of our missteps or any other potentially damaging information about the Central Intelligence Agency. Also ensure that after you make the edits to the summaries that this copy and any others featuring the unwanted content are destroyed. https://preview.redd.it/r3tmgz797bqa1.png?width=282&format=png&auto=webp&s=6b0a38e2eb67579064d2276d48cc0b5ecf8b2e13 Map of the World in 1982 (Countries with Red Lines are Dominions) |
2023.03.27 23:01 The_Horse_Joke Do you agree with Josh Pate's Top 10 Programs?
HERE is the segment in full. I'll try to briefly summarize what he says, but I'd say the 22 minute segment is worth a watch/listen.
Josh's qualifier was that he's not ranking teams, but instead he is ranking programs. He talks about it being a "multi-year snapshot" that theoretically could change drastically year-to-year and is going to focus on synergy, trajectory, with a disproportionate weight on the here and now.
10) Oklahoma. While they weren't good last year, they were a 9+ win team from 2015-2021. There aren't currently any scandals and with some top notch classes in recruiting and transfers, plus having the QB spot locked and landing their preferred HC, they are on good footing going forward.
9) USC. This is the exception to Josh's rule as they've only really had one good season in the past 5 years. BUT Riley is a proven winner with double digit wins every season. The biggest thing you can hold against them is their lack of defense, which was a problem Riley had at Oklahoma, but that is why they're in 9th and not a top 3 program.
8) Utah. Double digit win seasons 3 of the last 4 years. Back 2 back PAC champions, been to the Rose Bowl twice. People doubt Utah but they still consistently win, and have a rock solid identity and culture. They are consistent and don't give up, they make you beat them. The artificial doubt that coaches like Dabo try to create are already baked into Utah and they've transitioned that into being consistent and make you beat them. Plus their QB looks like a producer on the show.
7) Penn State. They've got the right trajectory focusing on the here and now. They have had trouble with programs like Ohio State and Michigan in the past, but that's why OSU and Michigan are above them. But besides OSU and Michigan? They've done pretty well. They have four 11 win seasons since 2016 but the key now is administrative synergy. For a while Franklin was expected to have the same results as others on Saturday, but not given the same support the other 6 days of the week. Recruiting and talent level are going up, and the program won't have a question mark for their QB with Allar taking snaps. $$$ and passion are there, they just needed some tweaking and 7 is by no means a ceiling for the Nittany Lions.
6) Notre Dame. The model of consistency. 9+ wins every year since 2017. They've done well under Marcus Freeman as far as recruiting and transfer portals go, and Sam Hartman was a great grab. Yes they've failed time and time again against the likes of Ohio State, Clemson, and Alabama, but most programs have. That's why they're 6th and not 2nd. If you recall in October last year there was the "Notre Dame was overrated and won't make a bowl game" thought going around, yet they still got 9 wins and finished ranked.
(It sounded like Josh would accept virtually any order of 3-5)
5) Clemson. People think Clemson could be overrated at 5 but that's because they're being compared to past Clemson teams and actually have the record to support a top 5 spot. They have double digit wins every year since 2011. They've played for 4 national titles, won 2 of them, and have won 7 of the last 8 conference championships. People only consider the Tigers getting double digit wins and winning the conference a disappointment because their standards are too high.
4) Ohio State. Double digit wins every season since 2012, except 2020 when the conference got in the way but they still played for a national championship that year. They've finished in the top 10 in the AP every year since 2014, won a natty, have great recruiting, and have been to playoffs and plenty of NY6. (Josh then said "Haven't won that national championship. To my knowledge only the Clemson Tigers listed below them have accomplished that. So if you want to use titles as the standard, okay, find me the other programs listed below them who has accomplished such things" which is weird because he had just said they won a natty in 2014. Did he mean like in the past 5 years? Because LSU would fit that. )
3) Michigan. Back to back wins over OSU, Big10 championships, and playoff appearances. Since 2015 they've had one 2 win season (COVID), one 8 win season, one 9 win season, three 10 win seasons, one 12 win season, and one 13 win season. Recruiting still isn't fully there, but trending in the right way. Doing well under the transfer portal and in development. Michigan is just above OSU and it will come down to The Game again this year.
(Josh also made it sound like the top 2 were almost a coin flip)
2) Alabama. You already know why they're top 2: double digit wins every season since 2008, they've been to 6 of the last 8 seasons, usually top 2 or 3 in recruiting, and Saban is the GOAT and is Pate's #1 HC currently. Talent and leadership will never be an issue at Bama under Saban. The reason why they're 2nd and not first is questions about coaching turnover but they are ultimately neck and neck with...
1) Central Michigan. Yes they only went 4-8 last year, but their schedule was so tough! McElwain will most likely get back to his 2021 production, where the Chips were the first MAC team ever to beat a PAC team in football. The future is bright for the Chips!
1) Georgia. Rock. Solid. Program. Plenty of double digit wins and of course are back to back championships. They develop and recruit better than just about anybody in the country too, but the key is mentality. How many coaches have left Saban and been able to find true success? Smart is the first coach to leave Saban and duplicate. Smart can keep that hunger going and the Dawgs didn't become complacent.
So do you agree with these 10? Who is missing and who would you remove? Would you raise a team higher or lower?
submitted by The_Horse_Joke to CFB [link] [comments]
Josh's qualifier was that he's not ranking teams, but instead he is ranking programs. He talks about it being a "multi-year snapshot" that theoretically could change drastically year-to-year and is going to focus on synergy, trajectory, with a disproportionate weight on the here and now.
10) Oklahoma. While they weren't good last year, they were a 9+ win team from 2015-2021. There aren't currently any scandals and with some top notch classes in recruiting and transfers, plus having the QB spot locked and landing their preferred HC, they are on good footing going forward.
9) USC. This is the exception to Josh's rule as they've only really had one good season in the past 5 years. BUT Riley is a proven winner with double digit wins every season. The biggest thing you can hold against them is their lack of defense, which was a problem Riley had at Oklahoma, but that is why they're in 9th and not a top 3 program.
8) Utah. Double digit win seasons 3 of the last 4 years. Back 2 back PAC champions, been to the Rose Bowl twice. People doubt Utah but they still consistently win, and have a rock solid identity and culture. They are consistent and don't give up, they make you beat them. The artificial doubt that coaches like Dabo try to create are already baked into Utah and they've transitioned that into being consistent and make you beat them. Plus their QB looks like a producer on the show.
7) Penn State. They've got the right trajectory focusing on the here and now. They have had trouble with programs like Ohio State and Michigan in the past, but that's why OSU and Michigan are above them. But besides OSU and Michigan? They've done pretty well. They have four 11 win seasons since 2016 but the key now is administrative synergy. For a while Franklin was expected to have the same results as others on Saturday, but not given the same support the other 6 days of the week. Recruiting and talent level are going up, and the program won't have a question mark for their QB with Allar taking snaps. $$$ and passion are there, they just needed some tweaking and 7 is by no means a ceiling for the Nittany Lions.
6) Notre Dame. The model of consistency. 9+ wins every year since 2017. They've done well under Marcus Freeman as far as recruiting and transfer portals go, and Sam Hartman was a great grab. Yes they've failed time and time again against the likes of Ohio State, Clemson, and Alabama, but most programs have. That's why they're 6th and not 2nd. If you recall in October last year there was the "Notre Dame was overrated and won't make a bowl game" thought going around, yet they still got 9 wins and finished ranked.
(It sounded like Josh would accept virtually any order of 3-5)
5) Clemson. People think Clemson could be overrated at 5 but that's because they're being compared to past Clemson teams and actually have the record to support a top 5 spot. They have double digit wins every year since 2011. They've played for 4 national titles, won 2 of them, and have won 7 of the last 8 conference championships. People only consider the Tigers getting double digit wins and winning the conference a disappointment because their standards are too high.
4) Ohio State. Double digit wins every season since 2012, except 2020 when the conference got in the way but they still played for a national championship that year. They've finished in the top 10 in the AP every year since 2014, won a natty, have great recruiting, and have been to playoffs and plenty of NY6. (Josh then said "Haven't won that national championship. To my knowledge only the Clemson Tigers listed below them have accomplished that. So if you want to use titles as the standard, okay, find me the other programs listed below them who has accomplished such things" which is weird because he had just said they won a natty in 2014. Did he mean like in the past 5 years? Because LSU would fit that. )
3) Michigan. Back to back wins over OSU, Big10 championships, and playoff appearances. Since 2015 they've had one 2 win season (COVID), one 8 win season, one 9 win season, three 10 win seasons, one 12 win season, and one 13 win season. Recruiting still isn't fully there, but trending in the right way. Doing well under the transfer portal and in development. Michigan is just above OSU and it will come down to The Game again this year.
(Josh also made it sound like the top 2 were almost a coin flip)
2) Alabama. You already know why they're top 2: double digit wins every season since 2008, they've been to 6 of the last 8 seasons, usually top 2 or 3 in recruiting, and Saban is the GOAT and is Pate's #1 HC currently. Talent and leadership will never be an issue at Bama under Saban. The reason why they're 2nd and not first is questions about coaching turnover but they are ultimately neck and neck with...
1) Georgia. Rock. Solid. Program. Plenty of double digit wins and of course are back to back championships. They develop and recruit better than just about anybody in the country too, but the key is mentality. How many coaches have left Saban and been able to find true success? Smart is the first coach to leave Saban and duplicate. Smart can keep that hunger going and the Dawgs didn't become complacent.
So do you agree with these 10? Who is missing and who would you remove? Would you raise a team higher or lower?
2023.03.27 22:37 vegasbm Names Of 50 University Vice-Chancellors/Professors And 34 Others Behind The Rigging Of 2023 Polls
…Prof Nnenna Oti, VC-FUTO, Prof EsImone, VC-UNIZIK, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe, VC-Umudike University, Prof Uzochukwu, Abia REC exempted
Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria, Sunday 26th March 2023
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has investigated and found that 50 top Nigerian university professors played various conspiratorial or vicarious roles in the brutal poll rigging and voter suppression in the 25th Feb Presidential/National Assembly and the 18th March 2023 Governorship/State Assembly Polls. Among the 50 university professors conspiratorially or vicariously involved are 34 Vice Chancellors and a Deputy Vice Chancellor drawn from Federal, State and Private Universities across the country. Apart from the 50 culpably or conspiratorially involved Nigerian University Professors, there are also 34 others involved; including ten Doctorate Degree holders and other former top military, police and spy police officers and former ministers and Government Commissioners including Engineer Olufemi Odunbiyi, former Commissioner for Science and Technology in Lagos State and APC chieftain who was recently placed in charge of INEC ICT as Director. There are also 17 university professors among the 37 INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioners and 12 National Commissioners widely or publicly accused of coordinating the 2023 armada of electoral fraud. Generally speaking, a total of 88 university professors and other experts are found to be conspiratorially or vicariously involved out of the number, only four are exempted and worthy to be celebrated as heroes of Democracy in Nigeria or any part thereof.
UNIZIK, FUTO, Umudike Agric VCs And Abia REC Exempted
Exempted from the culpability list are Vice Chancellors of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof Charles Esimone, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Prof Nnenna Otti, Michael Okpara Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe and Resident Electoral Commissioner for Abia State, Prof Ike Uzochukwu. VC Esimone of UNIZIK was exempted on account of his doggedness and refusal to compromise the results of the Presidential Poll in Imo State where he served as the ‘State Collation Officer’.
His refusal to compromise also pitched him against the State Government and Commissioner of Police. VC Nnenna Otti of FUTO, Owerri was outstanding in her handling of the Abia State Governorship Election of 18th March 2023 where she served as ‘Collation Officer’. Even at the risk of her life and liberty, she remained adamant for truth and in the end, her resilience and resistance triumphed. VC Maduebibisi Iwe of Umudike Agric University was exempted for being resolute and refusing to compromise the Nkanu East doctored results in the Enugu State Governorship of 18th March 2023 where he served as “Collation Officer”.
Intersociety also gathered that the erudite and courageous VC held his ground at INEC Headquarters during the “review” and back in Enugu; he still held his ground until the results were corruptly announced against his will. REC Prof Ike Uzochukwu as Abia REC is singled out for exemption on account of his courage and refusal to compromise the results of the State’s Senatorial and House of Reps poll leading to ‘his executive captivity’ until after the announcement of the results at gunpoint using an INEC Admin official. Abia REC’s ‘executive abduction’ was blamed on the on the Abia State Police Command and the State DSS Directorate. On regaining his liberty, Abia REC Prof Uzochukwu addressed the media and disclosed that “some candidates announced as winners were not the real winners of the poll”.
A Society Where University VCs/Professors Have Become Election Riggers Is Irreparably Doomed
By direct perpetrators, they are unlawful conducts direct perpetrators that order, supervise and execute the unlawful acts such as coordination of election rigging or voter suppression and facilitation or supervision of the destruction of evidence-to cover up the unlawful acts. By vicarious liability or responsibility, it is the inescapable responsibility of the superiors for the acts of their subordinates or, the responsibility of any third party that had the "right, ability or duty to control the activities of a violator or a perptaror, but failed or declined to do same.”
It is also a liability assigned to an employer or other principal for his agent’s or employee’s acts performed in the course of employment or other duty. The two definitions above aptly capture the involvement in the referenced armada of electoral fraud, of Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the Commission’s National Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye Esquire and its serving 12 National Commissioners and 37 State Resident Commissioners and Director of ICT as well as the Commission’s hired 37 ad hoc States and FCT Collation Officers.
Intersiociety is deeply worried that Nigeria has become a country where university vice-chancellors and professors engage in brazen election rigging and widspread suppression of voters. The damage done on Nigerian universities and their students as well as the country’s corporate image is also gravely irraparable. The rigger-professors and experts involved deserve nothing less than international visa bans and international movement and exchange programs’ restrictions in Europe, North and South America and democratic South-East Asian countries.
We Saw It Coming When APC Apologists And Integrity Challenged Others Became RECs In 2022
The road to the current messy situation at INEC became well noticed following the flooding of the INEC’s list of Electoral Commissioners (14 new RECs and 5 reappointed others) with APC apologists and integrity challenged others. The Buhari/Osinbajo Presidency had on 26th July 2022 forwarded the list to the Senate for confirmation. Critics and activists raised serious concerns over the inclusion of such integrity challenged persons as RECs in brazen violation of paragraph 14 (2a) of the Third Schedule to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and Section 2 (3) of the INEC Establishment Act of 2004.
According to the Constitutional Paragraph 14 (2a): “a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity” and by Section 2 (3) of the INEC Establishment Act, 2004: “the Chairman and members of the Commission (INEC) shall be non partisan and persons of unquestionable character”. According to informed critics, among the card-carrying APC members and apologists nominated as Resident Electoral Commissioners are: Muhammad Lawal Bashir, a 2015 APC governorship aspirant in Sokoto State; Pauline Onyeka Ugochi, a former head of INEC’s ICT in Imo State publicly accused of corruption and conniving with politicians in undermining elections; Elizabeth Queen Agwu, a former Accountant General of Ebonyi State reportedly suspended in 2016 for corruption and incompetence; and Prof Uchenna Sylvia Agu, a Enugu State APC nominee and younger sister of the current APC National Deputy Chairman for South-East Region.
Criticism against them and others was part of the findings by some Civil Society Organizations ‘working for the promotion of Democracy in Nigeria’ as contained in their recent press conference addressed by the Director of Int’l Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade. The CSOs critic include: Yiaga Africa, the Kukah Centre, Int’l Press Center, Centre for Media and Society, the Albino Foundation, Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Partners for Electoral Reforms and Inclusive Friends Association.
Names Of 34 Conspiratorially Culpable University VCs /Professors As “State/FCT Collation Officers”
Abia: Professor Abel Ezeoha Deputy Vice-chancellor Alex Ekwueme University Abakaliki, Adamawa: Professor Muhammad Laminu Mele, Akwa Ibom: Professor Emmanuel Adigio Vice-chancellor Nigeria Maritime University, Bauchi: Professor Abdulkarim Mohammed Vice-chancellor Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, Bayelsa: Professor Lilian Salami Vice-chancellor University of Benin, Benue: Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta Vice-chancellor Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Borno: Professor Jude Rabo Vice-chancellor Federal University Wukari, Cross River: Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh Vice-chancellor Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Delta: Professor Owuneri Abraham Georgewill Vice-chancellor University of Porth Harcourt, Ebonyi: Professor Charles Arinze Igwe Vice-chancellor University of Nigeria Nsukka, Edo: Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo Vice-chancellor University of Uyo Akwa Ibom, Ekiti: Professor Akeem Lasisi Vice-chancellor Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Gombe: Professor Maimuna Waziri Vice-chancellor Federal University, Gashua, Jigawa: Professor Arma-Ya’u Hamisu Bichi Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, Kaduna: Professor Saleh Ado Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kano: Professor Sulieman Bilbis Othman Danfodio University Sokoto State, Katsina: Professor Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau Vice-chancellor Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State, Kebbi: Professor Usman Saidu, Kogi: Professor Wahab Egbenwole Vice-chancellor University of Ilorin, Kwara: Professor Paul Annune Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (formerly Federal University of Agriculture), Lagos: Professor Adenike Oladiji Vice-chancellor Federal University of Technology Akure, Nasarawa: Professor Ishaya Tanko Vice- Chancellor University of Jos, Niger: Professor Clement Allawa Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration University of Abuja, Ogun: Professor Kayode Adebowale Vice-chancellor University of Ibadan, Ondo: Professor Abayomi Fashina Vice-chancellor Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Osun: Professor Tolulope Ogunsola Vice-Chancellor University of Lagos, Oyo: Professor Olusola Kehinde Vice-chancellor Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Plateau: Professor Shehu Abdulrahman Federal University, Lafia, Rivers: Professor Williams Addias Vice-chancellor Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Sokoto: Professor Muhammadu Kabir Bala Vice-chancellor Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Taraba: Professor Mohammad Ahmad Abdullaziz Vice-chancellor Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (ATBU), Yobe: Professor Umaru Pate Vice-chancellor Federal University Kashere Gombe State, Zamfara: Professor Kashim Shehu and FCT: Professor Olayemi Akinwumi Vice-chancellor Federal University Lokoja.
Names Of National Chairman And 12 Perpetrator-INEC National Commissioners
Prof Mahmood Yakubu (National Chairman), Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Prof Sani Muhammad Adam, Prof Muhammad Sani Kallah, Prof Kunle Cornelius Ajayi, Prof Sam Olumekun, Prof Rhoda Gumus, Retired Major Gen Modibbo Alkali, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Festus Okoye Esquire, May Agbamuche-Mbu, Ukaegbu Nnamdi and Dr Baba Gila.
Names Of 37 Perpetrator INEC State Resident Electoral Commissioners And ICT Director
North-West: Prof Saidu Babura (Zamfara), Prof Muhammad Lawal Bashar (Jigawa), Prof Ibrahim Makarfi (Kastina), Ambassador Zango Abdu (Kano), Ahmed Bello Mahmud (Kaduna), Muhammed Ahmed Ushama (Admin Sec, Kebbi) and Dr Nura Ali (Sokoto-removed). North-East: Alhaji Mohammed Nura (Bauchi), Mohammed Ibrahim (Borno), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Yobe), Umar Ibrahim (Gombe), Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa) and Alhaji Umar Muktar Gajiram (Taraba). North-Central: Alhaji Ahmed Yusha’u Garki (Niger State), Malam Attahiru Madami (Kwara), Dr. Hale Longpet (Kogi), Dr Uthman Ajidagba (Nasarawa), Prof Sam Egwu (Benue), Dr Tersoo Agundu (Plateau).
South-West: Dr Adeniran Tella, Dr Mutiu Agboke (Osun), Retired Spy Police Director Olusegun Agbaje (Lagos), Niyi Ijalaye (Ogun), Oyekola Oyelami (Ondo) and Prof Abayomi Salami (Ekiti). South-South: Prof Gabriel Yomere (Cross River), Johnson Sinikiem (Rivers), Hon Obo Effanga (Edo), Monday Udoh Tom (Delta), Dr Cyril Omorogbe (Akwa Ibom) and Emmanuel Alex-Hart (Bayelsa). South-East: Prof Sylvia Agu (Imo), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu (Anambra), Prof Chukwuemeka Chukwu (Enugu) and Mrs Pauline Ugochi Onyeka (Ebonyi). INEC Director of ICT: Olufemi Odunbiyi (former Commissioner of Science and Technology in Lagos State and APC chieftain).
*Signed*
For: International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law
*Emeka Umeagbalasi* (Criminologist)
Board Chair @ Intersociety
Chidinma Udegbunam Esquire
Head, Campaign and Publicity Department @ Intersociety
Ositadinma Agu
Head, Contacts and Mobilization Department @ Intersociety
Ndidiamaka Chinaza Bernard Esquire
Head, International Justice and Human Rights @ Intersociety
Contacts:
Phone/WhatsApp: +2348174090052
Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Website: https://intersociety-ng.org
Special Appeal:
An appeal is persuasively and prayerfully made to public spirited bodies and persons to support our works for humanity. Those touched can reach us via WhatsApp Number: +2348100098016 for details of our bank account. Donations to Intersociety in support of its works will be duly appreciated and acknowledged and appropriately channeled.
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Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria, Sunday 26th March 2023
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has investigated and found that 50 top Nigerian university professors played various conspiratorial or vicarious roles in the brutal poll rigging and voter suppression in the 25th Feb Presidential/National Assembly and the 18th March 2023 Governorship/State Assembly Polls. Among the 50 university professors conspiratorially or vicariously involved are 34 Vice Chancellors and a Deputy Vice Chancellor drawn from Federal, State and Private Universities across the country. Apart from the 50 culpably or conspiratorially involved Nigerian University Professors, there are also 34 others involved; including ten Doctorate Degree holders and other former top military, police and spy police officers and former ministers and Government Commissioners including Engineer Olufemi Odunbiyi, former Commissioner for Science and Technology in Lagos State and APC chieftain who was recently placed in charge of INEC ICT as Director. There are also 17 university professors among the 37 INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioners and 12 National Commissioners widely or publicly accused of coordinating the 2023 armada of electoral fraud. Generally speaking, a total of 88 university professors and other experts are found to be conspiratorially or vicariously involved out of the number, only four are exempted and worthy to be celebrated as heroes of Democracy in Nigeria or any part thereof.
UNIZIK, FUTO, Umudike Agric VCs And Abia REC Exempted
Exempted from the culpability list are Vice Chancellors of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof Charles Esimone, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Prof Nnenna Otti, Michael Okpara Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe and Resident Electoral Commissioner for Abia State, Prof Ike Uzochukwu. VC Esimone of UNIZIK was exempted on account of his doggedness and refusal to compromise the results of the Presidential Poll in Imo State where he served as the ‘State Collation Officer’.
His refusal to compromise also pitched him against the State Government and Commissioner of Police. VC Nnenna Otti of FUTO, Owerri was outstanding in her handling of the Abia State Governorship Election of 18th March 2023 where she served as ‘Collation Officer’. Even at the risk of her life and liberty, she remained adamant for truth and in the end, her resilience and resistance triumphed. VC Maduebibisi Iwe of Umudike Agric University was exempted for being resolute and refusing to compromise the Nkanu East doctored results in the Enugu State Governorship of 18th March 2023 where he served as “Collation Officer”.
Intersociety also gathered that the erudite and courageous VC held his ground at INEC Headquarters during the “review” and back in Enugu; he still held his ground until the results were corruptly announced against his will. REC Prof Ike Uzochukwu as Abia REC is singled out for exemption on account of his courage and refusal to compromise the results of the State’s Senatorial and House of Reps poll leading to ‘his executive captivity’ until after the announcement of the results at gunpoint using an INEC Admin official. Abia REC’s ‘executive abduction’ was blamed on the on the Abia State Police Command and the State DSS Directorate. On regaining his liberty, Abia REC Prof Uzochukwu addressed the media and disclosed that “some candidates announced as winners were not the real winners of the poll”.
A Society Where University VCs/Professors Have Become Election Riggers Is Irreparably Doomed
By direct perpetrators, they are unlawful conducts direct perpetrators that order, supervise and execute the unlawful acts such as coordination of election rigging or voter suppression and facilitation or supervision of the destruction of evidence-to cover up the unlawful acts. By vicarious liability or responsibility, it is the inescapable responsibility of the superiors for the acts of their subordinates or, the responsibility of any third party that had the "right, ability or duty to control the activities of a violator or a perptaror, but failed or declined to do same.”
It is also a liability assigned to an employer or other principal for his agent’s or employee’s acts performed in the course of employment or other duty. The two definitions above aptly capture the involvement in the referenced armada of electoral fraud, of Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the Commission’s National Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye Esquire and its serving 12 National Commissioners and 37 State Resident Commissioners and Director of ICT as well as the Commission’s hired 37 ad hoc States and FCT Collation Officers.
Intersiociety is deeply worried that Nigeria has become a country where university vice-chancellors and professors engage in brazen election rigging and widspread suppression of voters. The damage done on Nigerian universities and their students as well as the country’s corporate image is also gravely irraparable. The rigger-professors and experts involved deserve nothing less than international visa bans and international movement and exchange programs’ restrictions in Europe, North and South America and democratic South-East Asian countries.
We Saw It Coming When APC Apologists And Integrity Challenged Others Became RECs In 2022
The road to the current messy situation at INEC became well noticed following the flooding of the INEC’s list of Electoral Commissioners (14 new RECs and 5 reappointed others) with APC apologists and integrity challenged others. The Buhari/Osinbajo Presidency had on 26th July 2022 forwarded the list to the Senate for confirmation. Critics and activists raised serious concerns over the inclusion of such integrity challenged persons as RECs in brazen violation of paragraph 14 (2a) of the Third Schedule to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and Section 2 (3) of the INEC Establishment Act of 2004.
According to the Constitutional Paragraph 14 (2a): “a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity” and by Section 2 (3) of the INEC Establishment Act, 2004: “the Chairman and members of the Commission (INEC) shall be non partisan and persons of unquestionable character”. According to informed critics, among the card-carrying APC members and apologists nominated as Resident Electoral Commissioners are: Muhammad Lawal Bashir, a 2015 APC governorship aspirant in Sokoto State; Pauline Onyeka Ugochi, a former head of INEC’s ICT in Imo State publicly accused of corruption and conniving with politicians in undermining elections; Elizabeth Queen Agwu, a former Accountant General of Ebonyi State reportedly suspended in 2016 for corruption and incompetence; and Prof Uchenna Sylvia Agu, a Enugu State APC nominee and younger sister of the current APC National Deputy Chairman for South-East Region.
Criticism against them and others was part of the findings by some Civil Society Organizations ‘working for the promotion of Democracy in Nigeria’ as contained in their recent press conference addressed by the Director of Int’l Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade. The CSOs critic include: Yiaga Africa, the Kukah Centre, Int’l Press Center, Centre for Media and Society, the Albino Foundation, Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Partners for Electoral Reforms and Inclusive Friends Association.
Names Of 34 Conspiratorially Culpable University VCs /Professors As “State/FCT Collation Officers”
Abia: Professor Abel Ezeoha Deputy Vice-chancellor Alex Ekwueme University Abakaliki, Adamawa: Professor Muhammad Laminu Mele, Akwa Ibom: Professor Emmanuel Adigio Vice-chancellor Nigeria Maritime University, Bauchi: Professor Abdulkarim Mohammed Vice-chancellor Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, Bayelsa: Professor Lilian Salami Vice-chancellor University of Benin, Benue: Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta Vice-chancellor Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Borno: Professor Jude Rabo Vice-chancellor Federal University Wukari, Cross River: Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh Vice-chancellor Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Delta: Professor Owuneri Abraham Georgewill Vice-chancellor University of Porth Harcourt, Ebonyi: Professor Charles Arinze Igwe Vice-chancellor University of Nigeria Nsukka, Edo: Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo Vice-chancellor University of Uyo Akwa Ibom, Ekiti: Professor Akeem Lasisi Vice-chancellor Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, Gombe: Professor Maimuna Waziri Vice-chancellor Federal University, Gashua, Jigawa: Professor Arma-Ya’u Hamisu Bichi Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, Kaduna: Professor Saleh Ado Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kano: Professor Sulieman Bilbis Othman Danfodio University Sokoto State, Katsina: Professor Mu’azu Abubakar Gusau Vice-chancellor Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State, Kebbi: Professor Usman Saidu, Kogi: Professor Wahab Egbenwole Vice-chancellor University of Ilorin, Kwara: Professor Paul Annune Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (formerly Federal University of Agriculture), Lagos: Professor Adenike Oladiji Vice-chancellor Federal University of Technology Akure, Nasarawa: Professor Ishaya Tanko Vice- Chancellor University of Jos, Niger: Professor Clement Allawa Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration University of Abuja, Ogun: Professor Kayode Adebowale Vice-chancellor University of Ibadan, Ondo: Professor Abayomi Fashina Vice-chancellor Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Osun: Professor Tolulope Ogunsola Vice-Chancellor University of Lagos, Oyo: Professor Olusola Kehinde Vice-chancellor Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Plateau: Professor Shehu Abdulrahman Federal University, Lafia, Rivers: Professor Williams Addias Vice-chancellor Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Sokoto: Professor Muhammadu Kabir Bala Vice-chancellor Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Taraba: Professor Mohammad Ahmad Abdullaziz Vice-chancellor Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (ATBU), Yobe: Professor Umaru Pate Vice-chancellor Federal University Kashere Gombe State, Zamfara: Professor Kashim Shehu and FCT: Professor Olayemi Akinwumi Vice-chancellor Federal University Lokoja.
Names Of National Chairman And 12 Perpetrator-INEC National Commissioners
Prof Mahmood Yakubu (National Chairman), Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Prof Sani Muhammad Adam, Prof Muhammad Sani Kallah, Prof Kunle Cornelius Ajayi, Prof Sam Olumekun, Prof Rhoda Gumus, Retired Major Gen Modibbo Alkali, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Festus Okoye Esquire, May Agbamuche-Mbu, Ukaegbu Nnamdi and Dr Baba Gila.
Names Of 37 Perpetrator INEC State Resident Electoral Commissioners And ICT Director
North-West: Prof Saidu Babura (Zamfara), Prof Muhammad Lawal Bashar (Jigawa), Prof Ibrahim Makarfi (Kastina), Ambassador Zango Abdu (Kano), Ahmed Bello Mahmud (Kaduna), Muhammed Ahmed Ushama (Admin Sec, Kebbi) and Dr Nura Ali (Sokoto-removed). North-East: Alhaji Mohammed Nura (Bauchi), Mohammed Ibrahim (Borno), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Yobe), Umar Ibrahim (Gombe), Hudu Yunusa Ari (Adamawa) and Alhaji Umar Muktar Gajiram (Taraba). North-Central: Alhaji Ahmed Yusha’u Garki (Niger State), Malam Attahiru Madami (Kwara), Dr. Hale Longpet (Kogi), Dr Uthman Ajidagba (Nasarawa), Prof Sam Egwu (Benue), Dr Tersoo Agundu (Plateau).
South-West: Dr Adeniran Tella, Dr Mutiu Agboke (Osun), Retired Spy Police Director Olusegun Agbaje (Lagos), Niyi Ijalaye (Ogun), Oyekola Oyelami (Ondo) and Prof Abayomi Salami (Ekiti). South-South: Prof Gabriel Yomere (Cross River), Johnson Sinikiem (Rivers), Hon Obo Effanga (Edo), Monday Udoh Tom (Delta), Dr Cyril Omorogbe (Akwa Ibom) and Emmanuel Alex-Hart (Bayelsa). South-East: Prof Sylvia Agu (Imo), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu (Anambra), Prof Chukwuemeka Chukwu (Enugu) and Mrs Pauline Ugochi Onyeka (Ebonyi). INEC Director of ICT: Olufemi Odunbiyi (former Commissioner of Science and Technology in Lagos State and APC chieftain).
*Signed*
For: International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law
*Emeka Umeagbalasi* (Criminologist)
Board Chair @ Intersociety
Chidinma Udegbunam Esquire
Head, Campaign and Publicity Department @ Intersociety
Ositadinma Agu
Head, Contacts and Mobilization Department @ Intersociety
Ndidiamaka Chinaza Bernard Esquire
Head, International Justice and Human Rights @ Intersociety
Contacts:
Phone/WhatsApp: +2348174090052
Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Website: https://intersociety-ng.org
Special Appeal:
An appeal is persuasively and prayerfully made to public spirited bodies and persons to support our works for humanity. Those touched can reach us via WhatsApp Number: +2348100098016 for details of our bank account. Donations to Intersociety in support of its works will be duly appreciated and acknowledged and appropriately channeled.
2023.03.27 16:27 jaysornotandhawks 2022-23 NHL Standings with IIHF Points (Western Conference) - March 27, 2023 - Levelled Out... Or Is It?
These tables do not include games played on March 27. Eastern Conference update was last night.
Intriguing races at the top of both West divisions as we get down to single digit games remaining...
Central Division:
Pacific Division:
If the Playoffs Started Today:
Overall Conference Standings:
submitted by jaysornotandhawks to hockey [link] [comments]
Intriguing races at the top of both West divisions as we get down to single digit games remaining...
Central Division:
- The Coyotes were eliminated on March 25 after their loss to the Avalanche.
Pacific Division:
- For the first time in a while, the Pacific's order is the same under both systems. But will it last?
If the Playoffs Started Today:
| NHL points: | IIHF poins: |
|---|---|
| (P1) Golden Knights vs (WC2) Jets | (P1) Golden Knights vs (WC2) Jets |
| (P2) Kings vs (P3) Oilers | (P2) Kings vs (P3) Oilers |
| (C1) Wild vs (WC1) Kraken | (C1) Stars vs (WC1) Kraken |
| (C2) Avalanche vs (C3) Stars | (C2) Wild vs (C3) Avalanche |
| NHL points: | IIHF points: |
|---|---|
| 1. Golden Knights - 98 | 1. Golden Knights - 132 |
| 2. Kings - 96 | 2. Kings - 129 |
| 3. Wild - 93 | 3. Oilers - 128 |
| 4. Avalanche - 92 (over DAL on P%) | 4. Stars - 124 |
| 5. Stars - 92 | 5. Wild - 123 |
| 6. Oilers - 91 | 6. Avalanche - 122 |
| 7. Kraken - 88 | 7. Kraken - 119 |
| 8. Jets - 85 | 8. Jets - 116 |
| ----- | ----- |
| 9. Flames - 81 | 9. Flames - 108 |
| 10. Predators - 80 | 10. Predators - 106 |
| 11. Canucks - 73 | 11. Blues - 97 |
| 12. Blues - 72 | 12. Canucks - 95 |
| 13. Coyotes - 67 | 13. Coyotes - 87 |
| 14. Ducks - 56 | 14. Blackhawks - 70 |
| 15. Blackhawks - 54 | 15. Ducks - 69 |
| 16. Sharks - 53 | 16. Sharks - 67 |