#national selective service board

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"NOT OPENING BOYS' CAMP BECAUSE LABOR IS SCARCE," Toronto Star. June 12, 1943. Page 8. --- Lack of Transportation and Gasoline Shortage Also Factors --- IN PEEL COUNTY ---- Port Credit, June 12 - Because more boys are working on farms to relieve the labor shortage and also due to the lack of transportation and shortage of gasoline, Peel county religious education committee has announced that their annual summer camp for boys will not be opened this year.

"The main problem is to get leaders to the camp and all the leaders live at the southern end of the county," said Rev. Stanley Osborne of Port Credit. "None of them feels he can afford the gasoline to travel to and from the camp. Most boys are a bit young to help on the farms. They range in age from 11 to 14 years."

The council plans to hold a camp for girls at Woodside lodge, near Orangeville, from July 10 to 17. Mr. Osborne will also hold a camp at Lorne Park from June 30 to July 7 for children of his own parish.

Mr. Osborne stated that this year for the first time camps must observe the regulations of the National Selective Service board in securing leaders and other help. A good registration at the camps from Sunday schools in Peel and Dufferin counties has been secured, he said.

"Most of the boys are working on the farms and there weren't enough to hold a camp." explained Mrs. A. G. Neelands of Mono Road. "Plans for the boys' camp were cancelled largely on this account. We have been advised by Wartime Prices board and the Selective Service that camps would not be permitted to run for more than 10 days, and also that we must have school teachers for leaders."

[batboyblog]

Things the Biden-Harris Administration Did This Week #38

Oct 11-18 2024

President Biden announced that this Administration had forgiven the student loan debt of 1 million public sector workers. The cancellation of the student loan debts of 60,000 teachers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses and other public sector workers brings the total number of people who's debts have been erased by the Biden-Harris Administration using the Public Service Loan Forgiveness to 1 million. the PSLF was passed in 2007 but before President Biden took office only 7,000 people had ever had their debts forgiven through it. The Biden-Harris team have through different programs managed to bring debt relief to 5 million Americans and counting despite on going legal fights against Republican state Attorneys General.

The Federal Trade Commission finalizes its "one-click to cancel" rule. The new rule requires businesses to make it as easy to cancel a subscription as it was to sign up for it. It also requires more up front information to be shared before offering billing information.

The Department of Transportation announced that since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration there are 1.7 million more construction and manufacturing jobs and 700,000 more jobs in the transportation sector. There are now 400,000 more union workers than in 2021. 60,000 Infrastructure projects across the nation have been funded by the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Under this Administration 16 million jobs have been added, including 1.7 construction and manufacturing jobs, construction employment is the highest ever recorded since records started in 1939. 172,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during the Trump administration.

The Department of Energy announced $2 billion to protect the U.S. power grid against growing threats of extreme weather. This money will go to 38 projects across 42 states and Washington DC. It'll upgrade nearly 1,000 miles worth of transmission lines. The upgrades will allow 7.5 gigawatts of new grid capacity while also generating new union jobs across the country.

The EPA announced $125 million to help upgrade older diesel engines to low or zero-emission solutions. The EPA has selected 70 projects to use the funds on. They range from replacing school buses, to port equipment, to construction equipment. More than half of the selected projects will be replacing equipment with zero-emissions, such as all electric school buses.

The Department of The Interior and State of California broke ground on the Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat Project. The Salton Sea is California's largest lake at over 300 miles of Surface area. An earlier project worked to conserve and restore shallow water habitats in over 4,000 acres on the southern end of the lake, this week over 700 acres were added bring the total to 5,000 acres of protected land. The Biden-Harris Administration is investing $250 million in the project along side California's $500 million. Part of the Administration's effort to restore wild life habitat and protect water resources.

The Department of Energy announced $900 Million in investment in next generation nuclear power. The money will help the development of Generation III+ Light-Water Small Modular Reactors, smaller lighter reactors which in theory should be easier to deploy. DoE estimates the U.S. will need approximately 700-900 GW of additional clean, firm power generation capacity to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently half of America's clean energy comes from nuclear power, so lengthening the life space of current nuclear reactors and exploring the next generation is key to fighting climate change.

The federal government took two big steps to increase the rights of Alaska natives. The Departments of The Interior and Agricultural finalized an agreement to strengthen Alaska Tribal representation on the Federal Subsistence Board. The FSB oversees fish and wildlife resources for subsistence purposes on federal lands and waters in Alaska. The changes add 3 new members to the board appointed by the Alaska Native Tribes, as well as requiring the board's chair to have experience with Alaska rural subsistence. The Department of The Interior also signed 3 landmark co-stewardship agreements with Alaska Native Tribes.

The Department of Energy announced $860 million to help support solar energy in Puerto Rico. The project will remove 2.7 million tons of CO2 per year, or about the same as taking 533,000 cars off the road. It serves as an important step on the path to getting Puerto Rico to 100% renewable by 2050.

The Department of the Interior announced a major step forward in geothermal energy on public lands. The DoI announced it had approved the Fervo Cape Geothermal Power Project in Beaver County, Utah. When finished it'll generate 2 gigawatts of power, enough for 2 million homes. The BLM has now green lit 32 gigawatts of clean energy projects on public lands. A major step toward the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.

Bonus: President Biden meets with a Kindergarten Teacher who's student loans were forgiven this week

[writers-potion]

How to pick between two academic rivals in being valedictorian

Academic Rivals - How to Pick the Winner

Rivalry is a juicy piece of character dynamic. Whether it's rivals to lovers, the setup for murder, or underlying tension within school dramatics, academic rivalry pulls the heartstrings of readers by hooking them into the universal desire to excel.

Here are some real-life processes that goes into selecting a valedictorian. Feel free to mix-and-match & alter it to fit the academic setting of your story.

A High Cumulative Grade Point

CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average), Honors Classification, WAM (Weighted Average Mark), ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), percentage system...whatever it is, your character will need to have a stellar academic record

Could be relative (e.g. top 2%) or a minimum bar (e.g. Above 95%)

Notable Awards/Scholarships

Those who earn notable awards in a particular field - National Book Awards, Olympiad Trophies, etc. will also be a huge plus

Any professional membership (e.g. Chartered Accountant), certifications are also valued.

Scholarships administered by the school, companies and the government will also be a plus.

Interview with the Faculty

The faculty from the student's college, the year's board of judges, the Dean will conduct round(s) of interviews to assess the candidate's integrity.

Extracurricular Contributions

Students who have participated actively in major school clubs, won awards for the school, took part in professor-led projects, etc. will have the upper hand, especially in the eyes of the faculty.

It helps to have held leadership positions in such clubs.

Other extracurriculars like starting their own business, starting community service projects, etc.

Self/Student Nomination and Voting

In some schools, you may need to self-nominate yourself to be considered for valedictorian.

There will often be a round of nominations, where students get to recommend peers (other than themselves)

Professor Nominations

Professors may nominate students that have showcased their ability to perform highly.

Hope this helps! :) Happy writing

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* . ───

💎If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! Also, join my Tumblr writing community for some more fun.

💎Before you ask, check out my masterpost part 1 and part 2 

[nasa]

50 Years Ago: Apollo 17

Not long after midnight on Dec. 7, 1972, the last crewed mission to the Moon, Apollo 17, lifted off with three astronauts: Eugene Cernan, Harrison Schmitt, and Ronald Evans.

Experience the Apollo 17 launch and follow the mission in real time.

Meet the Crew

Let’s meet the astronauts who made the final Apollo trip to the Moon, including the first scientist-astronaut.

Gene Cernan: In 1972, Apollo 17 Mission Commander Eugene A. Cernan had two space flights under his belt, Gemini 9 in June 1966, and Apollo 10 in May 1969. He was a naval aviator, electrical and aeronautical engineer and fighter pilot.

Ron Evans: Apollo 17 Command Module Pilot Ronald E. Evans was selected as a member of the 4th group of NASA astronauts in 1966. Like Cernan, he was an electrical and aeronautical engineer, and naval aviator before his assignment to the Apollo 17 crew.

Harrison (Jack) Schmitt: Lunar Module Pilot Dr. Harrison (Jack) Schmitt joined NASA as a member of the first group of scientist-astronauts in 1965. Before working for NASA, Schmitt was a geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Center. He was on the backup crew for Apollo 15 before being selected for the prime crew of Apollo 17. He became the first of the scientist-astronauts to go to space and the 12th human to walk on the Moon.

The Blue Marble

“The Blue Marble,” one of the most reproduced images in history, was taken 50 years ago on Dec. 7, 1972 by the Apollo 17 crew as they made their way to the Moon.

Bag of Soup, Anyone?

NASA astronauts have an array of menu items to stay well fed and hydrated on missions. For Apollo 17, the menus allocated around 2,500 calories per day for each astronaut. They included:

Bacon Squares

Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Frankfurters

Lobster Bisque

Like anything going to space, weight and containment matter. That's why the Apollo 17 menu included plenty of soups and puddings.

Synchronicity

On Dec. 11, 2022,  the Artemis I mission will be splashing down on Earth after its 25.5-day mission. At 2:55 p.m. 50 years prior, the Apollo 17 lunar module (LM) landed on the Moon, with Commander Gene Cernan and LM Pilot Harrison Schmitt on board. Ron Evans remained in the Command and Service Module (CSM) orbiting the Moon.

Experience the landing.

Planting the Flag

One of the first tasks the Apollo 17 crew did on their first moonwalk was to plant the American flag. There’s no wind on the Moon, but that doesn’t mean the flag has to droop. Did you know that a horizontal rod with a latch makes the flag appear to be flying in the wind? Gene Cernan carefully composed this photo to get Schmitt, the flag, and the Earth in a single shot.

So, is the flag still there? Images of the Apollo 17 landing site from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera show that in 2011 the flag was still standing and casting a shadow!

Moon Buggy

During Apollo 17, the Lunar Rover Vehicle (LRV), nicknamed the Moon buggy, logged the farthest distance from the Lunar Module of any Apollo mission, about 4.7 miles (7.5 km). 

As a precaution, the LRV had a walk-back limit in the event of an issue; astronauts had to have enough resources to walk back to the lunar module if need be.

Grab the Duct Tape!

The right rear fender extension of the LRV (Moon buggy) was torn off, kicking up dust as the crew drove, reducing visibility. The crew made a resourceful repair using duct tape and maps.

For LRV fans, visiting an LRV driven on the Moon is a bit difficult since all three LRVs used on the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions were left on the Moon. But you can find an LRV used for training at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Read more about the LRV.

The Perils of Lunar Dust

After the first lunar EVA, Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt reported that he suffered from “lunar hay fever” in reaction to the lunar dust. Unlike Earth’s dust particles which are rounded, Moon dust particles are sharp and abrasive, irritating astronaut eyes, nasal passages, and lungs.

Curious about how Moon dust feels and smells? Find out!

So What’s it Like?

After his return to Earth, Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt (on the right) described his time on the Moon:

“Working on the Moon is a lot of fun. It’s like walking around on a giant trampoline all the time and you’re just as strong as you were here on Earth, but you don’t weigh as much.”

Splashdown! 

After 12 days and 14 hours in space, the Apollo 17 astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 2:25 p.m. EST on Dec. 19, 1972. It was the longest of all the Apollo missions, with the most photos taken. A recovery team was waiting on the USS Ticonderoga just 4 miles (6.4 km) away to pick up the astronauts, the lunar samples, and the Crew Module.

When Are We Going Back?

NASA’s Artemis Program has taken its first steps to sending humans back to the Moon with Artemis I, currently on its way back to Earth. The program plans to land humans, including the first women and person of color, on the Moon’s south polar region with its Artemis III mission, currently slated to launch in 2025.

Is aerospace history your cup of tea? Be sure to check out more from NASA’s past missions at www.nasa.gov/history.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[emblemxeno]

FE Support Conversation Rant, sorry this is really incoherent lol

How many issues that people have with Fire Emblem's support system can be solved by answering "Your own lack of willingness and imagination is not a writing issue."

Pre support era, characters had a purpose beyond being faceless pieces on a board. These guys are loyal squad mates to their leader cuz the leader saved them from hardship. These are royal knights on the verge of being executed. This closed off village has been hounded, and a girl has been kidnapped because the bad guys saw she had potent magic. This princess is being forced to fight against her will for a foreign nation because her nephew has been kidnapped.

Each character had purpose that works and is meaningful once you give it more thought. Even the near-blank slates in Thracia or Shadow Dragon, you can still discern who they are by when you recruit them, how you do it, what they were doing beforehand, etc. Further on, you can glean more info through the gameplay. This guy has poor strength, but great speed, yet he's not a myrm or a thief, he's an axe fighter! Must be a technical guy instead of a big swinger, the village said he used to do woodwork!

That's fun! That's cool! That's engaging in a story through gameplay despite limited dialogue.

Supports didn't ruin this aspect, because you can still ascribe reasons as to why characters do what they do, what cause they fight for, who they are as people, how they do things, etc.

Supports didn't take away simple nobody recruitments like Rebecca, lost royalty like Elffin or Joshua, or mercenaries like Ike's group. Lon'qu is a man of few words, his name doesn't match other Feroxi names, he cares only about swordsmanship; that's interesting! Nohr's retainers are almost all gutter trash or nobodies who worked to get to their positions, whereas Hoshido's retainers are nobles or respected lineages bred for their roles. These things aren't first seen in supports, they are just in the small info boxes when you click on their names. That's intriguing!

3H, for as much as I give it shit, does this well too! It front loads the cast, because they're all in the monastery for some reason, and the house leaders (as well as early game mandatory monastery wandering) give you enough to say "oh i'd like to know more" or "oh this makes my brain tingle, what's a person like that doing here."

Supports are nebulous, story-insignificant because they're supposed to be. They are rewards for using characters you care about more and more. They are "what if GI Joe and Malibu Barbie hung out" given form. IMO, they aren't meant to supplement the main story in a way that changes things unequivocally, they're meant as a way to peek in how characters just are, as people. Handling day to day tasks, what their routines are like, what trivial things they like and don't like, what they believe, what in their past may or may not influence their behavior.

They are puzzle pieces, that are just as beautiful individually as they are put together as the whole, the whole being the entire story/game.

Having every character be significantly important to the story is functionally impossible, especially given the costs that go into making these games now. The voice acting alone! Why even have it if you're not gonna have a guaranteed selection of conversations to lean on in order to not waste the talent's time or your money? In the current gaming climate, simply being "a chilavrous thief who steals from war profiting nobles who joins your side after some convincing", while more than serviceable and great, simply doesn't cut it anymore when it comes to cost benefits and losses. As sad as it is, people need more than a 1 chapter exclusively cool introductory scene and their own imagination to bother caring about your cast after they paid $60 for your game.

Even base conversations, for as well written they tend to be, are still dependent on you having access to the characters involved, and that can't always be the case due to perma-death being a staple-and removing that is something that I think would be an invariably bad choice, as it is a core part of FE's reputation and a significant part of how each person engage's with each game's gameplay cycle.

Nothing's perfect, and the support system is very flawed, but it's better to have them than nothing at all. Ideally, we'd have supports alongside base conversations, cool boss dialogues, interesting recruitment requirements, awesome non-main character story scenes. If we're being honest, all of that is possible, they just have to not front load character recruitment as much as they do in modern titles, with Awakening and ESPECIALLY Fates being the absolute worst at this (due to needing characters ASAP in order to make them breed with each other and still have maps to sic their demon spawns on).

Hell, that's why I found Engage's cast so refreshing, because you still are getting new blood well into the late teen chapters of a story that ends after chapter 26.

So uh... keep doing it like that IS, and add back some stuff that makes the side cast look cool. Everyone wins.

[abolitioncommunism]

[...] Opting out of service isn’t straightforward. Refusal is rare partly because the army leaves little room for dissent. The Israeli high court of justice has ruled that while absolute pacifism is a valid reason for exemption, “selective refusal” – rejecting specific duties – is illegal. This stance, especially the refusal to serve in the occupied territories, is seen as a threat to national unity. Those few exempted on grounds of pacifism are also restricted from discussing the occupation or Israel’s politics more widely. The IDF’s handling of refusers is also not consistent. Some face trials and multiple imprisonments before being discharged by a military psychiatric board. Others, like myself, are sent directly to this board. There, I had to articulate my beliefs to a tribunal of officers, which at 17 were more intuitive than clearly defined. The main method the army uses to release refusers is by declaring them mentally unfit for service, implying that in Israel dissent is equated with insanity. The experience of getting out is disorienting, like stepping into an alternative reality. In my case, in the post-school wilderness and unskilled, I ended up in construction, a field shared by Palestinians, migrant workers and marginalised groups. Choices are slim for those who made the ethical choice to refuse enlistment, with plenty of personal and social ramifications. [...]

[hazel-of-sodor]

Presenting the revamp of my British Railways 9F.

92203 Black Prince is preserved (irl) on the North Norfolk Railway .

92220 Evening Star is preserved (irl) in the National Collection, she was already selected for preservation when built, as she was the last steam engine built for BR.

92000 Crewe Works is preserved at the Sodor Railway Musuem as the class prototype.

92162 is preserved on the Coleford Preservation Railway after a stint working for the National Coal Board (who donated her to the railway)

92079 Brianna was purchased by the NWR, for Banking at Wellsworth due to her experience/time working on the Lickey Incline.

92210 was purchased by Caledonian Preservation Railway in 1964. While the line was focused on Caledonian locomotives and rolling stock, 92210 was only 5.25 years old when withdrawn, and the line couldn't pass up the opportunity of a basically new locomotive. She was painted in Caledonian Blue to help her blend in with the rest of the fleet, and has remained as such ever since.

92001 Murdoch is the second built 9F and was was delivered directly to the North Western Region (Railway) where she has remained ever since. When adpated for a childrens tv series in 2003, the Show portrayed her as male, much to her ire.

92167 Vulcan was one of the last two 9Fs in service, and quite famously broke a rod, forcing her to finish her service as a 2-8-2. She was purchased by the London New Eastern Railway directly from BR, and repaired.

92160 Hephaestus was the other of the last two 9Fs in service, and was run directly onto Chester and Holyhead Railway's lines and ownership at the end of the day.

92250 Tamerlane was the last steam engine built at Crewe Locomotive Works as was bought direct from British Railway by The Rose Line preservation society.

92187 Paddington Station, the first Swindon built 9F, is preserved on the Kingsbridge Branchline Railway.

92170 Brighton Belle ia preserved on the Spa Valley Railway.

92169 Minerva, one of the first withdrawn, was purchased by the London New Eastern Railway

C92 (formerly 92137) was handed over to the Denbigh and Wrexham Railway upon their seperation from British Railways.

[sourcreammachine]

SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY MANIFESTO 2024 SUMMARY

cw: extreme transphobia

ok story time. after thatcher happened the labour party elected a left-wing leader to try stop her. four labour MPs left the party in protest and formed the SDP. they formed a non-aggression pact with the Liberal Party, and after a couple years voted in favour of merging to form the Liberal Democrats. one of the four founders disagreed with the merger and founded a new party, calling it the SDP again and acting like it was the rightful successor. after a year or two the continuation party had been destroyed at every little election it had tried to fight, and it voted in favour of disbanding. however, a few activists disagreed with the disbanding and founded a new party, calling it the SDP AGAIN and acting like it was the rightful successor. this second continuation, this third SDP is what survives today

when reading about this party thirty years later, i’d found descriptions that they had become ‘economically left-wing but socially right-wing’ and tbh, i took them at their word. i were told they were communitarians, using traditionalist conservative moral frameworks to promote social democratic economics. that description is very, very wrong

this manifesto is deeply fascistic

i was expecting a couple of yikes moments, especially about trans people, and while there is truly an avalanche of transphobia and trans-hostile policy proposals, the fascistic nature is all over the place, especially on migration, hypernationalism and security. they are beyond Likud on some security matters – if the IRA came back under the SDP we’d be living in a hypermilitarised apartheid state before you can say boyfanny

the reason i’m covering this manifesto is because they’re comfortably the sixth largest party in terms of seats contested at 122, narrowly behind the workers’ party (though they have a suite of endorsed independents). i want you to look at this atrocity. i want you to see the number of votes they get in these 122 seats and despair. this is your country, this is your fascism

💷ECONOMY

abolish housing benefits

audit board of private industry to audit the entire public sector every three years

ban the public sector from buying from foreign manufacturers. at all.

stop benefits after six months. councils required to “hire” (force the labour of) six-monthers for random stuff like street sweeping

expand tax incentives for marriage

raise the minimum wage to 2/3 median wage

raise corporation tax to internationally standard levels, but instead rollout freeports and Special Economic Zones

introduce laws discriminating in favour of parents for redundancies, “protecting them” as a protected category in equality legislation

unilateral expansion of fishing. sorry iceland, it looks like we’ll be having another war

🏥PUBLIC SERVICES

renationalise rail, water and energy

require the showing of an ID card to access the NHS and basically any free public service to prevent its use by illegals. immigrants, when given ‘indefinite leave to remain’, STILL won’t get the right to use any service for ten entire years

massive rollout of elite selective schooling

reduce the number of bachelors’ degree places

force over-65s to do community service to pay for their eventual social care

“teaching will reflect Britain’s important contribution to the world in the context of its time. teachers will avoid advocacy of unorthodox or sectarian agendas”

fully nationalise the BBC to seize state control, requiring it to ‘promote national cohesion’

schools to confiscate all phones during the day and “impound” (their word) any found phone for two weeks

ban the NHS using any language other than english or welsh. whoops looks like they forgot to include BSL

the manifesto includes a whiny “charter” on “academic freedom”

mandatory one mile walk every day in schools

require international students to take a strict english test before being offered a place

“public funding of culture, media and sports organisations will be conditional on those organisations respecting the principles of balance and free speech. institutions that fail to do so, by censoring artefacts, promoting sectarian agendas or deterring people from civil discourse, will have funding withdrawn”

rewrite the PSHE curriculum to prioritise “parenting and household management”

🏠HOUSING

“the fundamental aim of national housing policy shall be to ensure that young people seeking to start a family will be able to find a suitable home in which to do so”

create a public company to create 100k new social houses a year

discriminate in favour of the married and veterans for council and social housing

suspend but later reintroduce right to buy with a one-in-one-out clause

ban buy-to-let

👮FORCE

“restore the offence of sedition and actively use this law to pursue those who incite terrorism overtly or covertly, or who act in flagrant support of the UK’s enemies”

abolish the supreme court and transfer its powers to the house of lords, which due to reform will be more politically partisan

leave the UN refugee convention

abolish the human rights act

abolish the european convention on human rights

leave the council of europe

surge defence spending

surge funding for MI5 and the NCA

surge police funding and pursue an aggressive broken windows policy

double all sentences for violent crime, and for any repeat offence

mandatory minimum of ten years after three serious offences

mandatory hard labour for parolees for two years after release

all non-citizen prisoners to be deported and permabanned after release

any legally resident non-citizen to be deported for “any act considered materially hostile to Britain’s social peace”

“prisons will become safe, orderly institutions - whatever it takes”

asphyxiating migration cap of 50k/a, but “agreements between key strategic partners may result in selective exemptions if clearly in the national interest” (ie, we’ll let in anglophones, but probably not anglophones from africa or asia or the caribbean )

“promote a generation-long cessation of mass migration”

cease all aid for ukraine

🌱CLIMATE ?

“overrwhelming focus on climate ‘catastrophe’ is fostering anxiety and despair in children. from early years to key stage 3, all children will learn about British wildlife. the Natural History GCSE will [teach] the inspiring achievements of Britain’s pioneering naturalists”

abandon net zero

re-legalise fracking and expand oil and gas

pursue energy autarky where the country always has 12 months’ supply of fossil fuels

prohibit the rewilding of farmland

create no new low emissions zones

the fishing industry to oversee existing marine protection areas and any proposal for any new ones

🗳️DEMOCRACY

english parliament for english people

explicitly codify the fact that scotland can’t leave

proportional representation (specifically STV) for the commons

evict the hereditary lords and bishops but keep the appointees, capped at 400 with 15 year terms and appointed by committee

increase the powers of parish councils

🏳️‍⚧️REACTIONARY AGENDA, other than everything else

strip trans people of discrimination protections in both the equality and gender recognition acts to protect “sex-baesd rigths”

catastrophic reduction in NHS funding for trans healthcare, remaining funds to be for “psychological intervention” (state-mandated conversion therapy)

mandatory profiling of all trans people for all public data for all purposes by keeping separate sex and gender categories across the ENTIRE public sector

ban ALL pharmacological care for trans minors

ban trans women using women’s shelters

ban trans participation in sports competition

force trans prisoners to be incarcerated at the prison for the opposite sex

all public sector DEI to be stopped, so goes the policy

introduce a bad internet bill, require id for porn sites, require all tech companies to “promote free speech”

mandatory spyware on all devices: “a digital border application will be created to detect digital content which is malignantly pornographic, supportive of terrorism or otherwise contrary to law. all internet service providers operating in the UK will be required to utilise this scanning software and take steps to block undesirable content.” all smartphones “sold to or used by” an under-16 to have mandatory age restrictions

[unknownworlds4]

In honor of Black History Month, here are 10 Black Americans who were pioneers of their time. (I apologize that this post is late. I’ve been preoccupied with midterm exams)

Eugene Bullard (1895 - 1961)

Eugene Bullard was one of the first African American military pilots in the world. Originally from Georgia, Bullard had run away from home when he was 11 and wondered around the state for six years with a clan of gypsies before stowing away on a German cargo ship in 1912. He ended up in Aberdeen, Scotland and eventually ended up in London, where he worked as a boxer and performer for an entertainment troupe. He traveled to Paris for a boxing match and eventually settled there permanently. When World War 1 began in 1914, Bullard joined the French Foreign Legion, where he saw combat at the Somme, Champaign, and Verdun. After being injured during the Battle of Verdun, he was sent to Lyon to recuperate. After recovering in 1916 he joined the French Air Service as a machine gunner. He obtained his pilot's license in 1917. He flew several missions during the war and claimed two victories over German planes. He applied to join the American Air Corps after the United States entered the war in 1917 but was rejected because of his race. Bullard returned to the French Air Service but was removed after an apparent conflict with a French officer. He remained in the military until 1919. He returned to Paris where he worked a nightclub, operated his own nightclub and gym, and married Marcelle de Straumann. After Germany invaded France in 1940, he volunteered to fight again, but was injured during the defense of Orleans. He escaped to Spain and later returned to the United States, settling in Harlem, New York City. In 1949, he was working as a security guard at concert hosted by Paul Robeson. Riots broke out where a racist mob and police officers beat concert goers, including Bullard. He eventually died of Stomach Cancer in 1961.

Bullard received many honors from France. In 1954, the French government invited Bullard to Paris to be one of the three men chosen to rekindle the everlasting flame at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe. In 1959, he was made a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. He also received the Military Medal, an award given for courageous acts and the third highest award in France. After his death, he also received honors from the United States. He was posthumously commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1994. He was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 1989 and the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2022. The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robbins, Georgia erected a statute in honor of Bullard.

Ruby Bridges (1954 - )

Ruby Bridges hadn't even been born yet when, in 1954, the United States Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in the Board vs. Board of Education case that declared that desegregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision caused protests and celebrations all across the South, including New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1960, when Ruby was 6 years old, U.S. Circuit Court Judge ruled that schools in New Orleans must begin desegregation. Ruby was one of four 6-year-old girls (the others being Lenona Tate, Tessie Provost, and Gail Etienne) selected by the NAACP to participate in the integration. Tate, Provost, and Etienne enrolled at McDonogh 19 Elementary School, while Bridges enrolled at William Frantz Elementary School. All four faced death threats, racial slurs, and taunts. After a race riot broke out at Parish School Board meeting, U.S. Marshalls were called in to escort the girls to and from school.

Since the tumultuous period, Bridges has become a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement. She has been the subject of Songs, documentaries, movies, and 1964 Norman Rockwell painting "The Problem We All Live With". She is currently the Chair of the Ruby Bridges Foundation. She has also received numerous accolades over her life including the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Clinton in 2001, being honored as a "Hero Against Racism" by the Anti-Defamation League in 2006 and being inducted in the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2024.

Bessie Coleman (1892 - 1926)

Bessie Coleman was born the tenth child out of thirteen to a family of sharecroppers in Texas. She walked four miles each day to attend a segregated school where she loved reading and established herself as an exceptional math student. Every harvest season she helped her family harvest cotton. When was turned eighteen years old, she enrolled at the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, Oklahoma (known today as Langston University). She only completed one term before running out of funds and returning home. In 1915, she moved to Chicago to live with brothers where she worked as a manicurist at a barbershop, where she heard flying stories of pilots returning from their service in World War 1. She took a second job as a restaurant manager to save money in the hopes of becoming a pilot herself, but flight schools in the U.S. at the time were not accepting women nor black people. As such, she was encouraged to study abroad by Robert Abbott, publisher of the African American newspaper 'The Chicago Defender'. To do this she received financial backing from the defender and banker Jesse Binga (founder of the first black owned bank in Chicago).

In 1920, she traveled to France to earn her license. She trained on a Nieuport 14 Biplane. In 1921, she received her pilots license, becoming the first black woman (and first black person in general) to receive a license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. She returned to the United States in September becoming a media sensation. She made a living performing in air shows as a stunt flier. She met with community activists and spoke before crowds about perusing aviation as a profession and the goals of black people in the United States. Unfortunately, she was killed in 1926, when the plane she was flying in lost control and threw her out at 2,000ft. Though she never established her own flight school, her ambitions inspired many other black aviators to this very day.

Katherine Johnson (1918 - 2020)

Katherine Johnson was one of the first black to be employed as a scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Born in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia, she was the youngest of four children. Her mother was a teacher, and her father was a lumberjack, farmer, and handyman. From an early age she displayed strong mathematical abilities, so her parents enrolled her in high school in Institute since their home county didn't school for African Americans passed the 8th grade. After graduating high school, she enrolled at West Virginia State College, where took every mathematics course offered (new classes were even added just for her). She graduated 'summa cum laude' in 1937 and took a teaching job Marion, Virginia.

In 1938, the Supreme Court ruled that states that provide higher education for white students must provide it for black students as well. As a result of this, Johnson was selected along with two men to become the first black students to be enrolled at the West Virginia University Graduate School in 1939. However, she left the program to start a family with her husband James Goble. The couple had three daughters: Joylette, Katherine, and Constance.

At a family gathering in 1952, a relative informed her that the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, the precursor to NASA) was hiring mathematicians and that the Langley Research Center was hiring Black applicants as well as white. Johnson took a job at the agency in 1953. She spent 33 years with NACA and NASA, where she earned a reputation as a human computer for mastering complex mathematical calculations and helping pioneer the use of electronic computers. She worked at topics including gust alleviation, flight trajectories, and launch windows. Her work was instrumental to the Apollo Missions during the Cold War 'Space Race'. For her work she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, the Silver Snoopy Award and a NASA Group Achievement Award in 2016, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2019. She was the one of the subjects of the 2016 film Hidden Figures, and she was posthumously inducted into the National Womens Hall of Fame in 2021.

Shirley Chisholm (1924 - 2005)

Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress. She was born in Brooklyn to working class parents. Since her mother face difficulty working and raising her children, Shirley and her three younger sisters were to live with their grandmother in Barbados. She said about her grandmother "Granny gave me strength, dignity, and love. I learned from an early age that I was somebody. I didn't need the black revolution to teach me that". She returned to the United States in 1934 and in 1939, began attending the integrated Girl's High School in Brooklyn. She did so well academically, she served as the Vice President of the Junior Arista Honor Society. She attended Brooklyn College where she majored in sociology and graduated in 1946. She married her husband Conrad in 1949. After suffering two miscarriages, the couple learned they could not have children. She worked as a teacher's aide from 1946 to 1953, during which she went on to obtain her master's degree in childhood education from Columbia University in 1951. She soon became an authority on childhood education and child welfare as a consultant for the Division of Day Care in New York City's Bureau of Child Welfare.

She entered politics when she joined the effort to elect Lewis Flagg Jr. to the bench as the first black judge in Brooklyn. The election group became known as the Bedford–Stuyvesant Political League (BSPL), which pushed candidates that supported civil rights and advocated for expanding opportunities in Brooklyn. After leaving the BSPL she worked with a number of different political groups including the League of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League, and the Democratic Party Club in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

In 1964, Chisholm decided to run for the New York State Assembly after the present holder, Thomas R. Jones, was appointed to the New York City Civil Court. Despite resistance because she was a woman, she appealed to women voters and won the Democratic primary in June. She was elected in December serving in the assembly from 1965 to 1968, where she championed several pieces of legislation including expanding unemployment benefits and sponsoring the introduction of the SEEK program which helped disadvantaged kids enter college. In 1968 Chisholm ran for the United States House of Representatives for New Yorks 12th District, which had recently been redrawn to incorporate the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. She ran with the slogan "unbought and unbossed" and won the district with a nearly 2 to 1 margin over her opponent, becoming the first black woman ever elected to Congress. She served on a number of different committees during her career, including the Agriculture, Veterans, and Education and Labor Committees. She worked with Bob Dole to expand the Food Stamps program, played a critical role in the creation of the WIC program, and was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women's Political Caucus. In 1972, she became the first black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, though she ultimately lost the nomination. She retired from politics in 1983, after 14 in Congress. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

Thurgood Marshall (1908 - 1993)

Thurgood Marshall was a lawyer and jurist who served as the black justice of the United States Supreme Court. Marshall was originally from Baltimore, Maryland, where graduated from high school with honors in 1925 and then attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania where he graduated with honors in 1930 with a bachelor's degree in American literature and philosophy. While at Lincoln, he led the schools debate team to numerous victories. He attended Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C. because he couldn't attend the all-white University of Maryland Law School. While at Howard, he was mentored by NAACP first special counsel and Law School Dean George Hamilton Houston. He graduated first in class in 1933. He joined Houston as his assistant at the NAACP in 1935, where they worked together on the landmark case Missouri ex rel. Gaines vs. Canada, which ruled that any state which provides a school to white students had to provide in-state education to black students as well. After Houston returned to Washington, Marshall took over his position as special counsel to the NAACP and also became director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc. 

During his career he argued 32 civil rights before the Supreme Court, winning 29 of them. Many of them were landmark cases including Smith vs. Allwright (which ruled that primary elections must be open to voters of all races), Morgan vs. Virginia (which ruled that a state law enforcing the segregation of interstate buses was unconstitutional), Shelley vs. Kramer (which ruled that racially restrictive housing covenants cannot be legally enforced), and Brown vs. Board of Education (which ruled that state laws requiring segregation in schools was unconstitutional).

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed him as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in order for Kennedy to demonstrate his commitment to the interests of black Americans. He took the oath after numerous delays by southern Senators. Marshall authored 98 majority opinions while on the bench. He was nominated as the United States Solicitor General by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, where he won fourteen of the nineteen Supreme Court cases he argued. In 1967, Johnson nominated Marshall to be a Supreme Court Justice after Justice Tom C. Cark resigned. He took the Oath of Office on October 2. Marshall remained on the Court for 24 years until his retirement in 1991. A staunch liberal, he often dissented from the court as the liberal majority vanished and the court became more conservative. During his tenure he advocated for equal rights for minorities, opposed the death penalty, and supported abortion rights.

Jesse Owens (1913 - 1980)

Jesse Owens was an American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games. Owens was born the youngest of ten children in Oakville, Alabama. In 1922, his family moved to Ohio during the great migration in search of better opportunities. As a child, he developed a passion for running, which was encouraged by his middle school track coach Charles Riley. It was in middle school where he met Minnie Solomon. They married in 1935 and had three daughters: Gloria in 1932, Marlene in 1937, and Beverly in 1940. He first came to national attention while attending high school where he equaled the world record of 9.4 seconds in the 100 yards dash and long-jumped 24 feet 91⁄2 inches at the 1933 National High School Championship in Chicago. While a student at Ohio State University, Owens won a record eight NCAA championships. Notably in 1935, he set three world records and tied a fourth during the Big Ten Conference track meet in Ann Arbor. He equaled the world record of 9.4 seconds in the 100-yard dash and set records for the long jump at 26 feet 81⁄4 inches, the 220-yard sprint at 20.3 seconds, and the 220-yard low hurdles at 22.6 seconds, which cemented him in track and field history.

In 1936, in despite of his apprehension, he was selected to compete in the Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. At the time, Germany was under the iron grip of the Nazi regime led by Adolf Hitler. Hitler saw the games as an opportunity to promote the Nazi ideals of antisemitism and Aryan supremacy. He believed German athletes would dominate the games. However, he visions went unfulfilled. Over the length of competition Owens won Gold Medals in the 100-meter dash at 10.3 seconds, the long jump at 26 ft 5 inches, the 200-meter sprint at 20.7 seconds, and the 4 x 100-meter sprint relay at 39.8 seconds. On August 1, Hitler shook hands with the German victors only and left the stadium and then skipped all further medal presentations. Despite his victories, racial discrimination in the United States made it difficult for Owens to earn a living, being prohibited from appearing at sporting events and refused commercial sponsorships. He attempted several careers, but all they proved fruitless. He hit rock bottom in 1966, when he was prosecuted for tax evasion. In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower selected Owens as a Goodwill Ambassador, being sent all around the world to promote physical exercise and tout American freedom and economic opportunity in the developing world, a position held until the 1970s. He also did product endorsement for corporations such as Quaker Oats, Sears and Roebuck, and Johnson & Johnson. He was invited to the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics as a guest of the West German government. He eventually retired and moved to Arizona with his wife. Owens succumbed to Lung Cancer in 1980 at the age of 66 and was buried in Tucson, Arizona. In 1983 he was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and was posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal in 1990.

Hiram Revels (1827 - 1901)

Hiram Revels was the first African-Amercian to serve in the United States Congress. He was born to free black people in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His father was a Baptist preacher. He attended a Quaker seminary in Indiana as a boy and in 1845, was ordained as a minister with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He traveled throughout the Midwest preaching and acted as a religious teacher. He studied religion at Knox College in Illinois from 1855 to 1857 and then became a minister a Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, while also serving as a high school principal. During the Civil War, he enlisted as a Chaplain in the Union Army and helped recruit and organized two black regiments in Maryland and Missouri.

In 1866, Revels was called to be the pastor in Natchez, Mississippi where he settled permanently with his wife and five daughters. In 1868, during the Reconstruction Era, he was elected as an Alderman of Natchez and in 1869, he was elected to represent Adams County in the Mississippi State Legislature. In 1870, Revels was elected to the United States Senate by the state legislature to fill the seat left since before the Civil War. Southern Democrats opposed his seat, stating that the 1857 Dred Scott decision disqualified him on basis if citizenship. He officially became the first black senator on February 25. As a senator, he advocated compromise and moderation, and supported racial equality. He served on both the Committee of Education and Labor and the Committee of the District of Columbia (at the time, Congress administered the district). His professional conduct was greatly admired by fellow congressmen and the Northern press. After his term expired, he became President of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College in Claiborne County, Mississippi (currently Alcorn State University). He served in this post until his retirement in 1882. In 2002, he was listed as one of 100 Greatest African Americans by Molefi Kete Asante.

Henry Johnson (1897 - 1929)

Henry Johnson was an American soldier who was noted for heroic actions during World War One. Originally from North Carolina, he moved to Albany, New York and worked variety of menial jobs before enlisting in the army in 1917, two months after the United States entry into the First World War. The unit he was assigned to, the all-black New York National Guard 15th Infantry Regiment, was mustered into federal service and redesignated as the 369th Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Harlem Hellfighters. The regiment was assigned to labor service duties while stationed in Europe. The black service members faced discrimination and harassment by white soldiers and even the American headquarters. The American commander loaned the regiment to the French Army. It's believed he did this because white soldiers refused to fight alongside black soldiers. The French enthusiastically welcomed the new troops.

The regiment, Johnson included, was assigned to the Ardennes Forest. While on outpost duty on the night of May 14, 1918, Johnson came under attack by a German raiding party. Using only his bare hands, a bolo knife, his rifle butt, and some grenades, he was able to repel the attackers, killing four of them and preventing the capture of his fellow soldiers, all while suffering 21 wounds. He was given the nickname "Black Death" for his actions and awarded the Croix de guerre by France. However, his actions went unrecognized in the U.S. because of racial discrimination, and he died poor and in obscurity. However, he has since been posthumously given several awards by the military, including the Purple Heart in 1996, the Distinguished Service Cross in 2002, and the Medal of Honor in 2015. In 2023, the U.S. Army base Fort Polk in Louisiana was renamed Fort Johnson in his honor.

Dorothy Height (1912 - 2010)

Dorothy Height was an activist for both the Civil Rights and Women's Rights movements. Height was born in Richmond, Virginia and moved to Rankin, Pennsylvania when she was five. Her mother was active in the Pennsylvania Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, and regularly took along Dororthy to meetings, which exposed her to activism from a young age. Height was an enthusiastic participate in Young Women's Christian Association, who was eventually elected as president of the club. She was appalled to learn that her race prevented her from using the YMWA's central branch swimming pool and dedicated much energy to changing the YWCA. While in high school she was active in the anti-lynching movement and won first place and a $1,000 scholarship in a national oratory contest held by the Elks Club. Height graduated from high school in 1929 and was accepted entry in Bernard College at Columbia University but was barred from entering because the school had an unwritten policy of only admitting two black students a year. She instead enrolled at New York University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1932 and a master's degree in educational psychology in 1933. She pursued postgraduate work at the New York School of Social Work.

From 1934 to 1937, Height worked for the New York Department of Welfare, a job she credited for teaching her conflict resolution skills. She then took a job as a counselor at the YWCA Harlem Branch. While working there she met civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at a meeting of the National Council of Negro Women being held at the YWCA office. During this meeting Bethune told her "The freedom gates are half ajar. We must pry them fully open". She dedicated her life to this cause. She also did work with the United Christian Youth Movement, a group that worked to relate faith to real-world problems.

Beginning in 1939, she worked at YWCA offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., specializing in interracial relations. She ran trainings, wrote periodicals, and worked in Public Affairs on race issues. She believed that segregation caused prejudice through estrangement, so after the YWCA adopted in interracial charter in 1946, Height worked to help white members of the organization transcend their apprehension and bring their action in line with what the YWCA principles by running workshops, facilitating meetings, and writing articles. In 1958, she was elected president of the National Council of Negro Women and remained at the post until 1990. While president of the NCNW, she worked alongside civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and Whitney Young. Thanks to her background as an orator, she became a master at acting as the middleman in initiating dialogue between feuding parties. In 1963 she became head of the "Action Program for Integration and Desegregation of Community YWCAs", which was started in response to the growing civil rights movement. In this role she worked to monitor progress in integrating the association. In 1974, she was named to the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, which was formed in response to the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment scandal. She was also a driving force behind the movement to get a statue of Mary McLeod Bethune in Lincoln Park, the first statue of a woman or a black person to be erected on federal land.

She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993. She was awarded the Presidential Citizen's Medal in 1989, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1994, a Congressional Gold Medal by President George H.W. Bush in 2004, and President Barack Obama called Height "the godmother of the civil rights movement and a hero to so many Americans". She died on April 20, 2010, at the age of 98. She was buried at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Maryland after a funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. She is considered one of the driving forces of the American Civil Rights Movement.

[importantwomensbirthdays]

Roberta L. Hazard

Rear Admiral Roberta L. Hazard was born in 1934 in Boston, Massachusetts. Hazard entered the US Navy in 1960. In 1988, she was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral (upper half), becoming the first woman board selected for this grade and the highest-ranking woman in the US military. Hazard received several honors in her military career, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Rear Admiral Roberta L. Hazard died in 2017 at the age of 82.

Image source: National Archives Catalog

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"DAY CARE FOR ALL CHILDREN OF WORKING MOTHERS URGED," Toronto Star. June 24, 1943. Page 35. ---- Board of Control Supports Council in Advocating Facilities Extension ---- 10 CENTRES OPEN ---- Board of control went on record Wednesday as supporting Toronto board of education in its efforts to extend day-care facilities to all children of all mothers employed outside the home. The controllers will ask city council to lend their support to pleas for action by the federal and provincial governments. Trustee G. M. A. Grube presenting a brief told the controllers that 10 day-care centres are now open in Toronto, but that the service is offered only to children of such mothers as are employed in work declared essential by national selective service. Regulations should be broadened to take in children of all working mothers, he urged.

On motion of Con. Saunders, board of control voiced its approval of the proposed changes and sent the matter along to council.

"Needs of all children are the same," Prof. Grube said, "and the danger of increasing delinquency is the same. It is impossible to draw a hard and fast line between essential and non-essential in wartime, "It is the responsibility of selective service to see that womanpower, like manpower, is used to best advantage. If there is failure to do so, children should not pay the price."

Prof. Grube said it is true that a 25 per cent, margin per unit is allowed above the number set forth by selective service. However, he continued, such a margin was impractical of administration, besides being inadequate.

The brief asserted that the quetion had become more acute as the school year drew to a close. Attendance at centres would diminish, "By telescoping some of these centres when close together, and by making every effort to keep up attendance, we hope to provide services somewhere for all the schools, but there is some doubt if we shall be able to do so." the brief said. Such an arrangement, it was indicated, cared only for those in the "essential class" and only in these 10 schools.

"The prospect of many hundreds of children without care or supervision is one that must fill us all with deep apprehension. Should the government adopt immediately a more generous interpretation of its agreement, some relief would certainly be obtained," the brief added.

Although such action was described by Deputy City Solicitor W G. Angus as "illegal," board of control, by a vote of three to two, decided to recommend to city council the purchase of Strathcona public school for use as a hospital for incurables.

Con. Saunders agreed with Mr. Angus. "If we make a direct grant to some hospital with the understanding they take over the building and conduct it as a hospital, it would be perfectly legal," he stated. The motion to buy the building was presented by Con. Duncan. Controller Saunders said there is nothing to prevent a taxpayer from taking action against the city if this building is acquired for other than municipal purposes. "We have been told we have no right to go into the hospital business without private legislation, which we have not got," he declared.

Con. Duncan, who insisted his motion be put to a vote, said such an action would be dismissed with costs.

"I am definitely in favor of the city finding additional hospital accommodation, but I am most certainly against taking illegal action to secure it," said Con. Saunders.

In a report by the civic welfare committee, it was recommended an offer of $32,100 be made to the board of education for the building It was suggested also that the board of trustees of the Queen Elizabeth hospital be requested to manage and operate the proposed hospital.

Upon being informed that this hospital board had not yet agreed to take over the responsibility, Con. Duncan agreed to include in his motion "or some other hospital."

Con. Duncan made a further motion that the legislation committee consider making application for private legislation to allow the city to operate a hospital.

Mr. Angus suggested the report should provide for the conveyance of the Strathcona building to the Queen Elizabeth hospital, in trust. for the purpose of carrying it on as a hospital upon such terms as may be agreed.

Con. Hamilton and Con. Wadsworth supported Con. Duncan's motion. Mayor Conboy and Con. Saunders opposed.

[commodorebuzzkill]

A bit of distraction for us left-leaning military nerds.

Let's play a game... AND YES, I STOLE THIS SCENARIO FROM THE NAFO GANG ON YOUTUBE, SO SUE ME! You are now in charge of the procurement of military equipment for the nation of Elbonia, a nation that as of now (being around 1956) has had its government overthrown by an authoritarian communist coup (meaning the not fun kind of communism). Headed by El Jeffe, our glorious leader (who has all the meglomaniacal tendencies you'd think he would), the revolutionary army is now looking to fill itself out to a well-rounded modern army and air force with all the bells and whistles. But here's the catch. You are actually a CIA plant, and your job is discreetly sabotage the revolutionary army and revolutionary army air force with equipment that looks cool but is pretty much garbage. If you fail to deliver sufficient coolness, El Jeffe will have you shot. If it actually turns out to be perfectly serviceable, the CIA will have you shot. Thus, the game is this: Select one or more categories of military equipment, and then propose a weapon designed or produced before 1956. This can be something that went into full production, something that died in the prototype phase, or something that never escaped the drawing board. Eastern Block, NATO, Former Axis Powers, doesn't matter, so long as it's before 1956, it's fair game.

I will offer my first entry:

Category: Light Bomber/attack aircraft

The Douglas A2D Skyshark.

Looks a lot like an A-1 Skyraider, don't it? Well, on a basic level, it's a heavily modified Skyraider with a giant turboprop in the front. Said turboprop put out a whopping 5100 shaft horsepower, plus an additional 810 lbs of thrust from the exhaust, attached to a contra-rotating propeller. That means the A2D's top speed is 492 mph! So, El Jeffe, I present you the reliable frame of the A-1 Skyraider, but better in every way! Just look at this big, mean, bruiser of a ground pounder. It doesn't need the giant runways of modern jet aircraft, and the rugged construction and beefy landing gear will allow it to operate from grassy fields. Or even from small aircraft carriers if the glorious navy of Elbonia is provided with them. And now the bad stuff. The Skyshark has about half the maximum bomb load of Skyraider, reduced from 10,500 pounds of underwing ordinance to 5,500. So, that kinda sucks.

But it ain't got nuthin' on the Skyshark's real fatal flaw. That giant turboprop is the Allison XT-40, possibly one of the worst turboprops ever made. The XT-40 isn't really one engine, it's two turboprops coupled together and made to drive a single shaft through a deeply tortured gearbox.

This lead to the destruction or near-destruction of two prototypes. The first XA2D-1 was lost in December 1950, when the starboard power section of its engine failed while the pilot, Cdr. Hugh Wood, was attempting to land. The failed section of the engine failed to de-clutch, and most of the power of the remaining half of the engine ended up going to the compressor of the dead half. Hugh Wood was unable to check the rate of his descent and crashed, unfortunately dying as a result.

Then there was an incident in 1953 when test pilot C. G. "Doc" Livingston was performing dive tests in another XA2D. In the process of pulling out of a dive, his Skyshark made a loud bang, and his front windscreen was covered in engine oil. Doc Livingston then managed with the help of his chase plane to land his now powerless skyshark intact. Upon examining the front of the aircraft, he found that the prop and gear box had wrenched free of his aircraft, yeeting the planes means of propulsion whirling off into the sky.

Not a year after that, the prototype for the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk flew for the first time, putting an end to the misery of the Skyshark program.

So, I can guarantee the CIA that Elbonia won't have much luck with this one. I'd predict lots of engine trouble and maintenance problems all around, with a high accident rate and low operational readiness rate. But since it looks cool, I think El Jeffe will go for it.

And I will pass this one along to @hms-exeter.

[fillejondrette]

a small selection of some of the more disturbing position statements from the 2024 Texas Republican platform https://texasgop.org/official-documents/#platform

Support restoring state sovereignty with the repeal of the 17th Amendment of the US Constitution and the appointment of US Senators by the state legislatures

We support affirmation of God, including prayer, the Bible, and the Ten Commandments being returned to our schools, courthouses, and other government buildings.

We urge lawmakers to enact legislation to abolish abortion by immediately securing the right to life and equal protection of the laws to all preborn children from the moment of fertilization, because abortion violates the United States Constitution by denying such persons the equal protection of the law.

We oppose environmentalism, or “climate change“ initiatives, that obstruct legitimate business interests and private property use, including the regulatory use limitation and confiscation by governmental agencies. We support the reclassification of carbon dioxide as a non-pollutant, abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency, and repeal of the Endangered Species Act.

We support legislation to prohibit the use of any government funds, as well as the transportation of pregnant women across Texas’ state lines, for the purpose of procuring an elective abortion and for the provision of a private right of action against all persons and organizations who aid and abet in the harming of the woman, and the killing of her pre-born child.

We urge the Legislature and the State Board of Education to require instruction on the Bible, servant leadership, and Christian self-governance. We support the use of chaplains in schools to counsel and give guidance from a traditional biblical perspective based on Judeo-Christian principles with the informed consent of a parent.

As long as parents are responsible for an adult child, through college or the age of 26 when children are on the parents’ insurance, the parents must have access to medical information, grades, and other information normally afforded to parents of minor children.

We support abolishing the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, the trauma-informed care policy, school-based mental health providers, school-based or school-connected mental health interventions, and any other public school programs that serve to expand access to minors. Legislators shall prohibit all reproductive healthcare services in public schools.

We believe the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, overturning the Texas law prohibiting same-sex marriage in Texas, has no basis in the Constitution and should be nullified.

The Texas Family Code shall be completely rewritten with regards to No-Fault Divorce and Child Custody. Suits related to these topics shall be delineated in such a way as to remove the need for any but the most minimal judicial interaction, and promote the maintenance of the traditional family via required intervention or counseling prior to any decree of divorce. We urge the Legislature to rescind unilateral no-fault divorce laws, to support covenant marriage, and to pass legislation extending the period of time in which a divorce may occur to six months after the date of filing for divorce.

We recognize that we are living in a time of geopolitical upheaval and unprecedented complexity of threats to our liberties, constitutional governance, and national sovereignty. These threats emanate from “globalist” agents both within and outside our borders. The United States is a sovereign nation founded on the principles of freedom. We reject any assertion of authority over our nation or its citizens from foreign individuals or entities, such as the World Economic Forum, World Health Organization, and the United Nations. We stand firmly against the concept of a One World Government or The Great Reset.

[lboogie1906]

Richard Nathaniel Wright (September 4, 1908 – November 28, 1960) was an author of novels, short stories, poems, and non-fiction. Much of his literature concerns racial themes, especially related to the plight of African Americans during the late 19th to mid-20th centuries, who suffered discrimination and violence in the South and the North. Literary critics believe his work helped change race relations in the US in the mid-20th century.

He was born at Rucker’s Plantation, between the train town of Roxie and the larger river city of Natchez, Mississippi. He was the son of Nathan Wright who was a sharecropper and Ella, who was a schoolteacher. Both sets of his grandparents had been born into slavery and freed as a result of the war. Each of his grandfathers had taken part in the Civil War and gained freedom through service: his paternal grandfather Nathan Wright had served in the 28th United States Colored Troops; his maternal grandfather Richard Wilson escaped from slavery in the South to serve in the Navy as a Landsman.

He gained national attention for the collection of four short stories entitled Uncle Tom’s Children. He based some stories on lynchings in the Deep South. The publication and favorable reception of Uncle Tom’s Children improved his status with the Communist Party and enabled him to establish a reasonable degree of financial stability. He was appointed to the editorial board of New Masses. Excellent sales had provided him with enough money to move to Harlem, where he began writing the novel Native Son.

Based on his collected short stories, he applied for and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Native Son was selected by the Book of the Month Club as its first book by an African American author.

His memoir Black Boy described his early life from Roxie up until his move to Chicago. American Hunger, which was published posthumously, was originally intended by him as the second volume of Black Boy.

With Ralph Ellison as best man, he married Dhimah Rose Meidman, a modern-dance teacher of Russian Jewish ancestry.

He married Ellen Poplar, a Communist organizer from Brooklyn. They had two daughters. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[thaivisanews]

Thailand SMART Visa

Thailand's ambition to transform its economy into a high-tech hub has led to the creation of the SMART Visa program. Launched in 2020, this visa aims to attract skilled professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs across ten targeted industries deemed crucial for the nation's growth. Let's delve deeper into the intricacies of the SMART Visa program and explore its various facets.

Tailored Categories for Specific Needs

The SMART Visa caters to a diverse range of individuals by offering four distinct categories:

SMART Talent (T) Visa: This category targets highly skilled professionals with expertise in fields like robotics, aviation, and digital technology. Applicants must possess a minimum monthly salary of 100,000 baht (approximately $3,000 USD) and have their work experience endorsed by a relevant government agency within the Strategic Talent Center (STC) network. This visa offers a maximum four-year stay with the possibility of renewal.

SMART Business (B) Visa: This category focuses on attracting business executives and investors. Applicants can qualify by demonstrating a minimum investment in a Thai company or a minimum annual income derived from overseas. Unlike the T visa, the B visa doesn't require specific industry expertise but offers a shorter maximum stay of two years, also renewable.

SMART Startup (S) Visa: This visa is ideal for entrepreneurs seeking to establish or join a startup in Thailand. Applicants can qualify by having a stake in a registered Thai startup or participating in an approved accelerator or incubator program. The S visa offers flexible stay durations of 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years, depending on the specific circumstances.

SMART Family (F) Visa: Spouses and children of SMART Visa holders can apply for the F visa, allowing them to accompany the main visa holder and reside in Thailand for the duration of the primary visa's validity. This eliminates the need for dependents to obtain separate visas, simplifying the relocation process.

Beyond Long Stays: Unveiling the SMART Visa Advantage

The SMART Visa goes beyond just offering extended stays. Here's a breakdown of some of its key benefits:

Fast-Track Immigration: SMART Visa holders benefit from expedited immigration services at designated Thai airports, saving valuable time upon arrival.

Work Permit Exemption: The T visa and, in some cases, the B visa exempt holders from the need to obtain a separate work permit, streamlining the employment process. Spouses with F visas may also be eligible to work without a separate work permit.

Tax Incentives: SMART Visa holders in certain categories might be eligible for tax benefits such as reduced personal income tax rates or exemptions on imported equipment for business ventures.

Multiple Re-Entry: Unlike some Thai visas, the SMART Visa allows for multiple entries and exits throughout its validity period, offering greater travel flexibility.

Eligibility Nuances and the Application Process

The eligibility requirements for each SMART Visa category can be nuanced. It's crucial to consult with a Thai immigration lawyer to determine the most suitable category and ensure you meet all the specific criteria. Here's a simplified overview of the application process:

Category Selection: Identify the SMART Visa category that best aligns with your goals and qualifications (Talent, Business, Startup, or Family).

Documentation Gathering: Compile the necessary documents as per your chosen category, which may include academic certificates, employment contracts, business plans, or financial statements.

Endorsement (if applicable): For the T visa, endorsement from a relevant STC agency is mandatory. This involves submitting your application and qualifications to the designated agency for review and approval.

Application Submission: Applications are typically submitted through the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) or a designated embassy or consulate.

The Legal Landscape: Considerations and Potential Challenges

While the SMART Visa program offers exciting prospects, some factors require careful consideration:

Industry Specificity: The T visa's focus on targeted industries might exclude skilled professionals in other sectors.

Work Permit Exemptions: The work permit exemption associated with certain SMART Visas might not apply to all job roles within a company. Consulting with an immigration lawyer is crucial to navigate this complexity.

Evolving Regulations: The SMART Visa program is relatively new, and regulations might evolve over time. Staying updated with the latest requirements is essential.

Conclusion

The SMART Visa program presents a compelling opportunity for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and their families seeking to establish themselves in Thailand's dynamic economy. By understanding the intricacies of each category, its benefits, and the application process, individuals can leverage this program to chart a successful course in the Land of Smiles. Remember, seeking expert legal advice can ensure a smooth application process and maximize your chances of securing a SMART Visa.

[theopulenthq]

After the Spring’s End Concert comes to a close, royal families return to their apartments with an ominous letter awaiting them. Boasting the seal of the Tsarina Stasov of Russia, the heavy handed letter reveals the work accomplished by the reserved kingdom of Russia. With news of The Reckoning reaching every corner of the world, Russia took it upon themselves to uncover the assailants. In the Tsarina’s own words - “what harms one inevitably harms all”, and includes details of the threat to order and justice presented by The Reckoning & it's leaders. Thanks to the heroism of Russia’s military, the leaders of the extremist, revolutionary group responsible for The Reckoning have been captured. To ensure decorum and fair judgment, Russia promises to deliver the criminals to a neutral location. After years of trade disputes and a distrust in the Soloman's of Ethiopia's judgment (after all, they had suffered at the hand of the revolutionaries more than most), Russia demanded a relocation. As neutral counterparts uninvolved in The Reckoning, Brazil volunteers to open its doors to host The Tribunal.  But Russia is not the only kingdom interested in the ongoing opportunities of The Tribunal. Several independent City States have received word, and plan to travel alongside the existing Kingdoms to take part and bear witness. With their unique governments and essential services, their involvements opens new doors to alliances (and enemies). By the end of the Month of May, preparations begin for a week-long voyage to Brazil. All Kingdoms & City States are expected to arrive together and will met with the Kingdom of Russia once ashore.

Now, bring me that horizon…

As three of the most dominant seafaring nations in the world; Norway, Japan, and Brazil invite the kingdoms in attendance to board their large-scale vessels. Recently designed based on modern technology, these vessels are the height of travel speed and luxury. Below are the three vessels and the invited kingdoms on board:

NRP Sagres - Brazil's Vessel

Brazil

Ethiopia

Egypt

The Mughal Empire

France

Naglar - Norway's Vessel

Norway

China

Spain

Scotland

Thailand

The Kōtetsu - Japan's Vessel

Japan

Turkey

Persia

Madagascar

Germany

While each vessel is unique, with offerings and design based on its country of origin, all three have a similar layout:

Top Deck: An open-air space with canopies and tents, designed to take in the view and socialize with fellow passengers.

Upper Deck: Luxury apartments for all royal families in attendance.

Middle Deck: Apartments of various sizes for nobility and members of royal court.

Lower Deck: Individual bedrooms for soldiers, attendants, and anyone traveling outside of royal contingents.

While all kingdoms are assigned to a specific vessel, individuals are allowed to select a different vessel from their respective kingdom to travel on. Just know that it will be rather noticeable..

OOC Information:

The Opulent HQ is moving! We are relocating to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for this leg of the plot. 

At this time, you can continue existing threads. As well, feel free to kick off any “travel threads” taking place on one of the vessels. Note - we understand that everyone likes to write and plot at a different pace. You are also free to continue existing threads and forego travel threads, in anticipation for the second half of the plot drop. Or to jump straight into travel threads. Write at the pace that works for you.

On Friday, June 21st at 7PM EST  (ooc time), the ships will arrive in Brazil. In-game, this will be the end of the first week of June. More details to come. For now, new threads should take place on one of the vessels, if you choose to participate.

At this time, we are increasing the muse cap to 10 characters.

The City States are live and open for applications! You can find all the information HERE. As mentioned, Russia will become a Kingdom available for applications starting on June 21st. 

Applications for City State characters will be accepted beginning the 16th at our usual acceptance time - each city state will be traveling with their supporting Kingdom, please refer to the grouping for each ship above!