Are we creating a generation of problem gamblers? – The Guardian

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Jack Ritchie was still at school when he had his first big gambling win. It was the start of an addiction to betting that would cause devastation to his family. As Jenny Kleeman tells Anushka Asthana, problem gambling among children is rife in Britain and is causing untold harm.

Ritchies parents, Liz and Charles, now run a charity called Gambling With Lives. They estimate there could be up to 650 gambling-related suicides every year in the UK. Many of those will have started gambling as children.

This year the NHS opened its first clinic for child gambling addicts, but families are continuing to count the cost of a culture awash with opportunities and enticements to place high-stakes bets

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Are we creating a generation of problem gamblers? - The Guardian

Kollywood actor Shaam and 12 others booked for gambling by Chennai cops, let off on bail – The New Indian Express

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By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Actor Shaam and 12 others were booked and released on bail allegedly for gambling.

The Nungambakkam police received a tip-off on Monday night alleging that actor Shaam and his friends were gambling every day with money and other celebrities were involved too.

"Based on the tip-off, we went to his apartment in Sterling Road in Nungambakkam. We found them playing cards and some tokens were also found. So, we took them to the police station," said Inspector Siva Kumar of Nungambakkam police station.

Shaam and 12 of his friends were booked under sections 45 and 46 of the City Police Act and let go on bail.

"We did not find any money with them. We checked the CCTV footage and found that there was no large scale gambling involved," said the inspector.

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Kollywood actor Shaam and 12 others booked for gambling by Chennai cops, let off on bail - The New Indian Express

Loot boxes should be a consumer protection matter not a gambling one, says EU report – GamesIndustry.biz

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The European Union should approach loot boxes from a consumer protection perspective rather than a gambling one, a recent study has recommended.

Conducted on behalf of the EU Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee, 'Loot boxes in online games and their effect on consumers, in particular young consumers' is among the most comprehensive loot box investigations to date, and outlines "problematic design features" of current industry monetisation and engagement mechanics.

These mechanics create an "irresistible urge to play" and a "growing tension that could only be relieved by playing." This is supported by the many shared characteristics of loot boxes with gambling, such as "presentational features" which mimic the casino aesthetic or otherwise glamorise potentially addictive loops.

The IMCP report noted that while these design features are not exclusive to games, they use "well-documented behavioural bias -- systematic pitfalls in behaviour compared to how rational and well-informed consumers should behave -- to sell content" and present "very real gambling-like activities."

Certain features may become problematic for players because they tend to prolong gaming sessions, and could motivate players to repeatedly spend money on loot boxes, or resemble additive techniques applied in casino gambling. Perhaps the most striking example of this can be seen with the MyTeam trailer for NBA 2K20, which focused entirely on casino-inspired loot box minigames.

[Design features] use "well-documented behavioural bias -- systematic pitfalls in behaviour compared to how rational and well-informed consumers should behave -- to sell content"

"Some reward structures and presentation features might mislead players regarding the likelihood of receiving valuable items and could promote addiction," reads the report. "These issues could be alleviated through responsible game design which refrains from using proven addictive features. Moreover, players should be clearly informed about the presence of loot boxes in games prior to downloading/purchasing them and about the probabilities of receiving certain items from a loot box at the moment of access."

Considering the hamstrung attempts to limit access to problematic design elements such as loot boxes through gambling legislation, the IMCP study suggests refocusing efforts on consumer protection, where the EU has competence over legislation. The report recommends that protective measures be introduced at multiple points throughout the consumer journey.

The starting point would be "balancing out the asymmetry in information between players and publishers." This would include raising awareness about risk, disclosing probability, and establishing robust refund policies. However, even the report authors note that experts doubt the efficiency of such measures.

Parental controls were also highlighted as an important factor, but again the authors noted that such controls aren't effective unless they are the default, and parents properly understand them. Furthermore, it was suggested that parental controls be reframed to motivate adoption by adult players to protect themselves from potentially harmful practices.

"While consumer information, transparency and player control measures are certainly welcome initiatives, it is recommended that their effectiveness is systematically verified, for example through consumer testing," reads the report. "It also needs to be made sure that such measures are supervised and enforced by independent bodies"

Attempts to fold loot boxes into gambling regulation have proven largely fruitless, and any legislation would struggle to keep pace with industry developments. We have already seen this with the adoption of battle passess over loot boxes as a means of monetisation.

The battle pass model proved favourable to many consumers and publishers alike, removing the elements of chance, and other gambling-like aspects. Even so, battle passess are not free from criticism, and have come under fire for monopolising a player's time. The Fortnite battle pass, for example, requires anywhere between 75 and 150 hours of playtime to unlock all of the content. As psychologist Jamie Madigan highlights, these systems use "subtle and effective tricks of psychology" to keep players engaged.

"Some reward structures and presentation features might mislead players regarding the likelihood of receiving valuable items and could promote addiction"

Evidence of battle pass implications on player behaviour is still largely anecdotal however, and further scientific analysis is required. This only compounds the problem, as games can change tact in a single patch, while regulators and academics are still chasing their tails year after year.

It's been nearly three years since the Star Wars Battlefront 2 debacle, and loot boxes remain one of the most controversial industry talking points. Although not a new mechanic, the recent discussion has been framed around whether loot boxes constitute gambling, with consumers, publishers, and regulators all taking wildly different stances.

A recent UK government inquiry into immersive and addictive technologies suggested that loot boxes be regulated under gambling law. Belgium and the Netherlands have -- to differing degrees -- folded loot boxes into their gambling regulation frameworks. This resulted in companies like Electronic Arts, Valve, and Blizzard simply making in-game currency unavailable in accordance with national law while continuing business unabated elsewhere: hardly the solution many have been looking for.

The argument in favour of regulating loot boxes as gambling has been slowed by a lack of conclusive scientific evidence regarding the behavioural and psychological outcomes. However, early studies from University of Tasmania researchers Dr. Aaron Drummond and Dr. James Sauer found that loot boxes are "psychologically akin to gambling." This position was later reinforced by Dr. David Zendle and Dr. Paul Cairns of York St. John University and University of York, whose research found "important links between loot box spending and problem gambling."

Another hurdle to the gambling approach is that regulatory and legal frameworks across EU member states are "not sufficiently harmonised" for any Europe-wide initiative. As a result, the EU Commission has not directly addressed the issue of loot boxes, but has issued several recommendations about protecting minors in the broader context of gaming and gambling.

However, 19 out of the 30 nation members of the Gaming Regulators European Forum signed a declaration in 2018 voicing their concerns "related to the blurring of lines between gambling and gaming." The declaration identified skin gambling, loot boxes, social casino gaming, and gambling themed content as areas of concern.

Although each EU member state has autonomy over how it legislates gambling, there are three common aspects that factor into almost every state's definition: Something of monetary value must be wagered, the outcome is determined at least partly by luck, and the reward must also be of monetary value.

The jury may still be out on the extent and nature of harm these strategies cause, but there is blood in the water and the regulators are circling

Except for a few rare instances such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the contents of a loot box cannot be exchanged for real-world money. Being unable to cash out in this way effectively nullifies any legal connection to gambling, and is typically the decisive factor when assessing whether loot boxes could be regulated under gambling law.

A review into these practices found they do not technically constitute gambling, and the GREF was satisfied with action taken by companies like Valve to stamp out third-party grey markets where players would illicitly trade the contents of loot boxes for real-world money. Still though, the IMCP report suggests that gambling authorities "intensify their cooperation" on this front.

It also also highlights the scant few industry and regulatory practices relating to loot boxes. Aside from the direct action taken by gaming authorities in Belgium and the Netherlands, the Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act was put before the US Congress last year, but has not been adopted or even discussed in Congress since.

Beyond that, PEGI introduced a new in-game transactions warning label, Apple now requires games on the App Store to disclose loot box odds, and some games such as Fortnite, Rocket League, and Heroes of the Storm have done away with the controversial mechanic entirely.

The industry has been living under the shadow of looming regulation for several years now, especially in Europe where individual nation states have paid close attention to the issue. The EU may have no authority over gambling legislation, but it is able to harmonise rules on consumer protection within the single market.

Recommendations made by the IMCP report could present a major shift in tactics away from the minutiae of gamling legislation and towards a more holistic approach, addressing directly the "harmful effects on players" of certain gaming mechanics.

The industry has resisted all attempts to reign in some of its more questionable monetisation and engagement techniques. EA's attempt to rebrand loot boxes as "surprise mechanics" being one of the most notable moments from last year's UK government inquiry. The jury may still be out on the extent and nature of harm these strategies cause, but there is blood in the water and the regulators are circling.

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INSIDE LABOUR | Gambling with the law – News24

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Irrationality and inconsistency by the powers that be breed contempt among the citizenry.

This is something government should bear in mind as it persists in demanding Covid-19 rules that defy common sense, while applying leniency elsewhere in an apparent double standard.

Grooming by its most innocent definition is the preparation of a person for a particular purpose or activity. Sadly, it is not always innocently applied: at times, vulnerable people are enticed by individuals and groups via various means in order to manipulate, exploit and/ or abuse them in some way.

Such behaviour is rightly condemned and usually takes place in secret.Yet right now such grooming is taking place on national television.

The National Gambling Board strictly regulates the advertising and promotion of gambling. Yet, adverts are currently being broadcast on national television, starring young people ecstatically celebrating having won considerable amounts of money on any of a variety of featured casino games.

These games, a silken-voiced announcer says, can be played "anywhere, any time".

To make the point, a young woman is seen gleefully gambling on a tablet in the back seat of an upmarket convertible.

The National Gambling Act of 2004 banned online gambling in South Africa.

Yet these advertisements, on the DStv platform, have become prominent since the Covid-19 lockdown that has put increasing numbers of working people in desperate financial positions. Because men and women, frantic for money, become ready prey for the groomers of the online gambling business.

Many retrenched workers, with just R100 left between starvation and a throw of the dice, are tempted to take a chance at perhaps winning enough to live on. To entice waverers and others, these "online casinos" offer "automatically credited" bonuses ranging from R100 to R300 with free gaming up to R10 000 and more.

One of the online sites, link farm Play Casino, spells the message out enticingly: "You may enjoy playing at online casinos for free, but the real reason we gamble is to make some money while having fun." This appears to suggest that unless you use real money, you dont win and dont have real fun.

But such games are rigged in favour of the "house". Thousands of desperate punters, acting individually, may together wager perhaps R2 million before usually to much fanfare one of their number wins perhaps R1 million.

And, should they become hooked, gamblers try all the harder to win back their losses. All the time they are encouraged that there is gold at the end of a "fun" rainbow made of games such as money wheels, roulette and blackjack.

As the Betway website notes: "We love what we do and intend (sic) on sharing it. We aim to provide our customers with quality products and a thrilling online gambling experience. Always bringing them closer to the action. Win or lose, its all for the love of the game."

Betway, a Guernsey island registered company, is one of two major DStv online gambling advertisers and is headed by South African-born Anthony Werkman, with Stellenbosch graduate, Ricky Serfontein as his financial director. In March this year,the company was fined a record 11.6 million (R243 million)by the UK Gambling Commission for failing to take adequate steps to prevent money laundering and problem gambling.

Half the fine was allocated to victims from whom money had been stolen by gamblers betting with Betway, with the other half going to the Gambling Commission. Inquiries reveal that Betway, a private company, apparently registered initially in Guernsey in 2006, operates out of Guernsey, Malta and Cape Town. And it appears to hold a gaming licence from the Western Cape province.

However, such licences cover only bookmaking for horse racing and sports events. Casino sites and the individuals, internet service providers and banks that process payments for online gamblers, along with those who advertise such facilities, may still be subject to a fine of R10 million or 10 years of imprisonment, or both.

Although the South African National Gambling Board does not mention possible fines and/or imprisonment, it makes clear that online gambling (outside of horse racing and sports undertaken by licensed bookmakers) is still illegal. At the foot of each entry on the NGB website are stark warnings:

If you gamble online your winnings will be confiscated by your bank before they reach your bank account. You will not receive your winnings. You will be investigated and could face criminal charges this will impact the rest of your life.

What happens to losses incurred is not stated. But there you have it: a flagrant breach of quite sensible regulations which only government can act on.

At the same time, the law is paraded continually as an ass with lifestyle rules that defy common sense.

At least, as history has shown, when any law or regulation is perceived by a majority of citizens to be irrational and enough people decide simply to ignore it the irrational becomes irrelevant. Short of using brute force through the armed might of the state, there is nothing much any government can do.

Good examples now exist in many coastal regions. Beaches, without any reason being given, are still, legally, off limits to the public. But the public, certainly in the Western Cape, followed the example of hundreds of surfers and, in the clear, warm, winter days this past week, have "gone to the beach", wearing masks and social distancing. This, in the same week that the ban on beaches was reiterated.

Then there is the farce surrounding the ban on cigarettes and tobacco products, which started with Co-operative Governance minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma confusing dagga "zols" with cigarettes. Zols, until recently, wholly illegal, were traditionally shared, and such sharing does increase the danger of coronavirus transmission.

Cigarettes, relatively cheap and legal, were seldom shared, until now. Smokes today are still readily available in a burgeoning parallel market run largely by criminal gangs. But they cost R100 or more a packet and are therefore often shared by hard up smokers.

This is all part of a series of sometimes contradictory and apparently irrational orders, including the bungling approach to restaurants, that have emanated mainly from Dlamini-Zuma. It has seen her dubbed, by one newspaper, the "Nanny of the Nation".

Unless the existing confusion and legal ambiguity let alone the horrendous damage, mainly to working-class families is cleared up, she and the government should not be surprised if they end up being regarded as the National Inanity.

.

Terry Bell is a writer, journalist, broadcaster, social activist and sometime teacher. He has catholic interests but specialises in political and economic analysis and labour.

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INSIDE LABOUR | Gambling with the law - News24

Ontario’s gambling profits flow from a hidden tax on the vulnerable – Philippine Canadian Inquirer

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FILE: OLG lottery tickets (Photo by Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Scalable Grid Engine Own work, CC0)

Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) is down on its luck. On top of this springs leadership and layoff controversies, the corporation needed to be put on financial life support by a $500-million government loan when pandemic closures cut off most of its revenue. But theres a more serious problem plaguing Ontarios gambling industry. The government of Ontario is addicted to gambling money a hidden tax on the provinces most vulnerable citizens that harms the very people the government has a responsibility to help.

Pre-pandemic, OLG was a lucrative source of revenue for the Government of Ontario. The corporation generated $2.5 billion for the provincial treasury last year the provinces largest source of non-tax revenue, as OLG is quick to point out. Yet Ontarios gambling scheme is a tax in all but name. Lottery and casino profits are piped directly into the Consolidated Revenue Fund the same as income and sales taxes, and the government relies on gambling money to finance core public services.

Yet Ontarios gambling tax is regressive. Our recent report, titled Pressing Its Luck: How Ontario Lottery and Gaming can work for, not against, low-income households, demonstrates that gambling taxes collect a greater share of income from the poor than from the rich. Households in Ontarios lowest income quintile (the lowest-earning 20 percent of households in the province) are likely to spend more than 4.5 percent of their incomes on gambling each year two-and-a-half times more than households in the highest-earning quintile, who spend less than 2 percent. (The average annual after tax income of the lowest quintile is $18,738 and the actual spending on gambling is $920, whereas the average annual after tax income of the highest quintile is $103,950 and the actual spending on gambling is $1,803).

The progressive income tax system, in contrast, collects nearly 10 times more from the wealthiest Ontarians compared with the poorest. The gambling tax burden also disproportionately harms other vulnerable Canadians, including those with lower levels of education and Indigenous communities.

These figures cannot be dismissed by labelling gambling a voluntary tax contributed by citizens who have freely chosen to participate. The problem with such a free will argument is not just that it ignores the evidence that shows the governments gambling scheme to be inequitable and regressive, but that it fails to account for the ways in which the system is designed to overcome individual players wills.

If half of the provinces gambling tax is collected by machines designed to override players conscious control of their spending, this tax cannot be labelled voluntary.

In the same way that social media platforms are carefully engineered to keep users scrolling, slot machines are designed to maximize players time and spending with features that encourage distorted perceptions of the game. These features include near misses where the display of symbols makes it appear that the player was close to winning, even though the outcome of each play is completely random. There are also losses framed as wins, where audio and visual effects celebrate a player winning an amount less than he or she wagered, even though the player lost money. If half of the provinces gambling tax is collected by machines designed to override players conscious control of their spending, this tax cannot be labelled voluntary. Ontarios gambling sector relies heavily on slot machines: around 56 cents of every dollar Ontario has received from OLG since 2000 has come from slots.

Problem gamblers, meanwhile, are disproportionately responsible for financing Ontarios gambling industry, contributing up to 24 percent of gambling revenue despite making up only 1 to 2 percent of the population. Players whose voluntary control has been overpowered by addiction are painfully aware that their decision to spend money on gambling is not a free choice.

Government-run gambling is not simply meeting a demand: pervasive government advertising actively encourages Ontarians to gamble more. We analysed the marketing expenditures OLG notes in its annual reports. Adjusting for inflation, OLG has spent an average of $320 million a year on marketing over the past two decades more than $6 billion in total. This aggressive promotion is conspicuously inconsistent with the strict marketing rules for alcohol and tobacco, other potentially addictive products whose sale is limited to adults (and, lets remember, whose sale is still market-driven rather than monopolized by the state). In 2018, OLGs marketing spending ($282 million) was nearly four-and-a-half times more than its spending on problem gambling prevention and treatment ($64 million). Halving OLGs marketing budget and boosting funding for problem gambling services would help reorient the corporations priorities.

Disentangling gambling money from legitimate tax revenue by moving OLG profits into a specific fund preferably aimed at relief of poverty would be the equivalent of the government admitting it has a problem.

Its time for Ontario to reform its gambling scheme so that OLG works for, not against, the provinces most vulnerable. Disentangling gambling money from legitimate tax revenue by moving OLG profits into a specific fund preferably aimed at relief of poverty would be the equivalent of the government admitting it has a problem, admitting that it has harmed the public it is intended to protect, and forming the first steps to making direct amends. If Ontario reformed gambling, it could use the proceeds to boost the income equality or savings of low-income households instead of taxing them disproportionately to support the rest of the province.

There are several policy approaches Ontario could take to gambling reform. One option is to return OLG profits directly to the poor through cash transfers. Instead of keeping OLG revenue for itself, the government could use the profits to fund a new benefit for the provinces neediest households: lets call it the Ontario Gaming Equality Benefit (OGEB). Such a system could be tied to income levels, based on the same sliding scale used for, say, the Canada Workers Benefit. OGEB could be used to enhance existing cash transfer programs like Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). As with other transfers, OGEB could be designed to help families support their kids, giving a boost those who have to cover child-related expenses.

Alternatively, gambling profits could be used to incentivize savings by contributing to savings accounts for low-income families. This policy might follow the RESP model: the government tops up the savings account by a certain percentage of the account holders contributions. In a more ambitious model, the government matches (up to a cap) the savers contributions. An American example of the latter program is individual development accounts (IDAs), which are designed to help low-income participants save for specific investments like post-secondary education, home ownership, or small business start-up expenses. Canada tested an IDA program in the early 2000s, and the results suggest a matched saving program would have a positive impact on the savings habits of low-income households.

If Ontarians want the excitement of chance and the thrill of winning, the province could offer the opportunity to channel those desires toward saving with prize-linked savings (PLS). In savings accounts that follow the PLS model, account holders forgo some or all of the fixed interest they would normally earn on their savings in exchange for the chance to win a prize. These accounts have proven popular when introduced: Save to Win, a PLS product offered by credit unions throughout the United States, has seen great success since its launch in 2009; Walmart customers moved more than $2 billion through a PLS feature on the retailers prepaid cards in the programs first two years of operation; and the lottery bonds offered in the United Kingdom are held by a third of the countrys population. Research suggests PLS products are particularly appealing to low-income savers and can increase total saving.

Ontarios gambling scheme is ripe for reform. The pandemic has highlighted both the importance of improving financial security for Ontarians and provided a unique opportunity for the province to cut its gambling addiction cold turkey: with casinos shut down and OLG revenue plummeting, the costs of getting clean have never been lower. Its time for government to kick its gambling habit for good.

This article first appeared on Policy Options and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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Ontario's gambling profits flow from a hidden tax on the vulnerable - Philippine Canadian Inquirer

Scotland: Bingos and Casinos Plan to Reopen on August 24 – GamblingNews.com

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Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans for the reopening of bingos and casinos on August 24. On the same day, the government plans to allow betting shops to switch their gaming machines back on. BGC CEO Michael Dugher pleased with the announcement.

Earlier this week, on Thursday, July 30, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister in Scotland announced that bingos and casinos may reopen on August 24. According to Sturgeon, this is not a firm date as the government may decide to change plans in the event of COVID-19 spikes in Scotland. However, if the country continues to suppress the virus, casinos and bingo halls will be allowed to reopen their doors on August 24. All those venues will have to implement strict health and safety measures for safe post-COVID-19 operations.

With that in mind, Scotland is currently at phase three out of the four-phased plan for easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Similar to England, Scotland introduced those restrictions in an effort to flatten the curve of spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19. In light of this, back in mid-March, all gambling venues in the UK were ordered to shut their doors.

Given that no spikes of positive COVID-19 cases are observed in the upcoming weeks, some 800 employees of the countrys 11 casinos will be able to return back to work. Besides the reopening of those venues, the betting shops in Scotland will be allowed to turn on their gaming machines on August 24 as well.

Back in the beginning of July, the BGC criticized the Scottish Government because of the additional restrictions applied to betting shops. The Council said that such restrictions can prove to be harmful for the industry. Furthermore, BGC CEO Michael Dugher deemed the measures as draconian and urged for the removal, before its too late.

Now, in light of the recent announcement, Dugher said: We are delighted that casinos and bingo halls in Scotland have finally been given a date to re-open. The BGC CEO continued by outlining that the venues have committed to ensuring the safety of employees and visitors. In addition, Dugher said that it is good news that the Scottish Government has seen the efforts of the casino industry. He did not miss to say that the BGC is pleased with the Scottish Governments decision to switch on the gaming machines in the betting shops. In conclusion, Dugher said that it is great that the gaming machines will be back from August 24.

Elsewhere in the UK, the planned casino reopening from today in England, 1 was delayed with 2 weeks. Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the easing of restrictions in the country will be delayed for at least two weeks. Besides casinos, this delay also affects ice rinks and bowling halls.

Commenting on the subject, Dugher called the move fiasco which represents the heavy hit on the casino industry. He outlined that the casino industry employs 14,000 people and also supports additional 4,000 jobs in the UK. Dugher added that operators have been preparing for the reopening which resulted in millions of pounds spent.

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Local men arrested in connection with illegal gambling ring – OrilliaMatters

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More than 30 people have been arrested and more than $24-million worth of assets have been seized by OPP

NEWS RELEASEONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE*************************Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and its investigative partners have laid more charges and charged additional persons after warrants were executed at a number of Ontario locations.

In December 2019, Project HOBART saw 18 police agencies and enforcement organizations combine to end an illegal gaming enterprise operated by and linked to members of known criminal organizations, including three members and one prospect member of the Hells Angels.

At the time,28people were charged with228offences and police seized or restrained$12-millionworth of residential properties, luxury and vintage automobiles and motorcycles, off-road vehicles, cash, gold and silver bars and jewellery.

On July 29, 2020, police and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)executed four (4) search warrants in London, Oakville, Toronto and Pickering and other judicial warrants at eight (8) locations in London, Toronto, Welland and Thornbury resulting in the seizure and/or restraint of$24-millionworth of assets including:

As a result of this ongoing investigation, four (4) additional persons are charged with offences contrary to theCriminal Codeincluding commission of offences for a criminal organization, bookmaking, proceeds of crime, money laundering and tax evasion.

Three (3) other persons are charged with money laundering and proceeds of cCrime. In addition to his previous charges, Hells Angels member Robert Barletta was re-arrested and charged with money laundering and fraud (related to tax evasion) against the Government of Canada.

His tax evasion charges were also amended to reflect a greater taxable benefit.One person is additionally charged with two counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking/Selling contrary to theControlled Drugs and Substance Actand theCannabis Act.All eight (8) accused are expected to answer charges at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on Sept.17, 2020.

Two local men were among those charged.

Michael Curtis, 37, of Collingwood was charged with laundering proceeds of crime, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He wasreleased and will make his first court appearance Sept. 17, 2020

Douglas Adams, 58, of Thornbury was also charged with laundering proceeds of crime, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He wasreleased and will make his first court appearance Sept. 17, 2020

The broader investigation and active takedowns have involved members of OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB), Biker Enforcement Unit (BEU), the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, the RCMP, London Police Service, Niagara Regional Police, Halton Regional Police Service, Canada Revenue Agency, Peel Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Hamilton Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Sault Ste. Marie Police, Barrie Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, Stratford Police Service, Woodstock Police Service, the Sret du Qubec and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

QUOTE "Police and our partner agencies are again demonstrating that we are relentless in our pursuit of criminal organizations and their leaders, their associates and their criminal lifestyle, ensuring the safety of our communities." - Chief Superintendent Kari DART, Commander, OPP Investigation and Support Bureau.

*************************

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Local men arrested in connection with illegal gambling ring - OrilliaMatters

Sports Gambling Is Officially Back After Seeing This Absurd MLB Bet Turn Into Thousands Of Bucks For A Lucky Person – BroBible

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One incredible aspect of MLB games finally being back? The sports gambling.

Now, dont get me wrong, I love being able to crack open a few cold ones and plop down on my couch to watch a bunch of the action, but, for those of us who like to spice shit up a little bit more than the casual fan, betting on games is the way to go. After all, how else can you make a Reds-Cubs game interesting if you dont give a damn about either team? Oh, right, put a little money on it.

Ive mentioned before about how pitiful I am at sports gambling, but, hey, that doesnt mean its going to stop me from at least trying to win big money in the future on some wild bets. And, just because I havent gotten lucky doesnt mean I cant applaud those who know what in the hell theyre doing to cash out even if I do find myself more than just a little envious.

So the fact that one lucky person just cashed out $20,000 on a $1,000 bet doesnt make me pissed at all. No, really, Im fine. Taking home an extra $19,000 for doing nothing but guessing right is totally cool with me and the bet itself was pretty fucking insane.

According to B/R Betting, the lucky person parlayed four games together Cardinals-Twins, Brewers-Pirates, Mets-Red Sox and Cubs-Reds and went with one pretty common theory early in a baseball season: That pitching dominates hitting, and that neither game would see a first inning run scored. Ballsy, right? Well, it clearly paid off for the lucky son of a bitch, with the person netting a total of $22,467.75.

Winning that kind of money has to feel really nice given the uncertain times going on right now. Hopefully the person didnt just use the winnings to dump back into other bets but with this kind of luck, maybe he/she was trying to ride that momentum and pull in even more cash. I mean, damn, if this person can turn $1,000 into more than $22,000, imagine what they could win if they go bold again with a similar bet?

For those looking to scratch that sports gambling itch that weve all had for the past few months, head on over to my preferred site, BetMGM, which is available for those in Colorado, New Jersey, Indiana or West Virginia; but you can register and deposit cash from anywhere. Good luck; go make me jealous AF.

(H/T Total Pro Sports)

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Sports Gambling Is Officially Back After Seeing This Absurd MLB Bet Turn Into Thousands Of Bucks For A Lucky Person - BroBible

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Survey on Consumption Benefits 2025 – Owned

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Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Report 2019 Market Size, Share, Price, Trend and Forecast is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine industry.

The report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.

There are 4 key segments covered in this report: competitor segment, product type segment, end use/application segment and geography segment.

Do You Have Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Industry [emailprotected] https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=2601857&source=atm

For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Complementary and Alternative Medicine as well as some small players.

The key players covered in this studyColumbia NutritionalHerb PharmHerbal HillsHelio USADeepure PlusNordic NaturalsPure encapsulationsIyengar Yoga InstituteJohn Schumachers Unity Woods Yoga CenterYoga TreeThe Healing CompanyQuantum Touch

Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoBotanicalsAcupunctureMind, Body, and YogaMagnetic InterventionMarket segment by Application, split intoDirect ContactE-trainingDistance Correspondence

Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral & South America

The study objectives of this report are:To analyze global Complementary and Alternative Medicine status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players.To present the Complementary and Alternative Medicine development in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Central & South America.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their development plan and strategies.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, market and key regions.

In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Complementary and Alternative Medicine are as follows:History Year: 2015-2019Base Year: 2019Estimated Year: 2020Forecast Year 2020 to 2026For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2019 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.

You can Buy This Report from Here @ https://www.marketresearchhub.com/checkout?rep_id=2601857&licType=S&source=atm

Important Key questions answered in Complementary and Alternative Medicine market report:

What will the market growth rate, Overview, and Analysis by Type of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2024?

What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers, challenges, and business risks in Complementary and Alternative Medicine market?

What is Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope and price analysis of top Manufacturers Profiles?

Who Are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Complementary and Alternative Medicine market? Knows Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing and Downstream Buyers.

Who are the key manufacturers in space? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin, and Market Share

What are the opportunities and threats faced by manufacturers in the global market?

Get PDF Sample Copy of this Report to understand the structure of the complete report: (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Chart) @ https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2601857&source=atm

The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1, to describe Complementary and Alternative Medicine product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks.

Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Complementary and Alternative Medicine , with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2019 and 2015.

Chapter 3, the Complementary and Alternative Medicine competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Complementary and Alternative Medicine breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 12, Complementary and Alternative Medicine market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Complementary and Alternative Medicine sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Survey on Consumption Benefits 2025 - Owned

2020 European Hospital Register Online Database for the Specialities and Equipment Sector – Yahoo Finance

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DUBLIN, July 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "European Hospital Register - Specialities & Equipment" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research and Markets Logo

The European Hospital Register is a comprehensive on-line hospital database for the specialities and equipment sector. The database covers 19,000+ hospitals in Europe across 23 countries

In the 23 countries, it includes:

The European Hospital Register provides:

The on-line database is updated continuously to ensure it contains the latest accurate information.

With a few clicks, the easy-to-use search engine enables users to:

a. Create unlimited mailing labels, lists, Excel exports and ASCII files.b. Find all the hospitals in Switzerland and Austria with ophthalmic surgery and create a mailing list.c. Identify all the public psychiatric hospitals in Germany and categorize them by size.d. Discover how many hospitals in the United Kingdom use alternative medicine and create a telephone list.e. Ascertain all the hospitals with dermatology wards in Italy and export the contact data to Excel.

For more information about this directory visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/k81wpa

About ResearchAndMarkets.comResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com

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View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2020-european-hospital-register-online-database-for-the-specialities-and-equipment-sector-301103844.html

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2020 European Hospital Register Online Database for the Specialities and Equipment Sector - Yahoo Finance

A COMIC’S VIEW: Stupid is as stupid does in The Bahamas – Bahamas Tribune

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By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

FROM the travelling quarantined, to the new MOH, to the leader of the oppositions special request, to local lockdown rates and a no nonsense judge, it turned out to be quite the week uptown off the farm.

Lets have a closer look:

D AVERAGE ALIVE AND WELL

We as a nation, can blame the Competent Authority for many failings and shortcomings. Especially his recent decisions in regards to the COViD-19 global pandemic protocols.

Truthfully though (despite it being the norm these days) we cant blame the PM for everything, as easy as it seems.

We as a populace can take issue with the PMs single-minded, impulsive decision making, and his love for calling last-minute lockdowns during this whole, God-awful pandemic.

We cannot, however, blame the PM for the selfishness and stupidity displayed by some citizens.

Forrest Gump had a great line, stupid is, as stupid does. That famous line has sadly come to life in The Bahamas recently. Certain members of society who have tested positive for COVID-19, (who Im convinced were denied oxygen in the womb) have thrown medical advice and caution to the wind, and decided to go out and about, meeting and greeting and socialising.

As a result, we now have more cases recorded, including one incident where a mother and daughter spread the virus to ten others. These are the selfish, inconsiderate actions of two non-disciplined citizens, who obviously have no conscience.

Again, people, if you must go out, masks, gloves, sanitisers and proper hygiene is still the order of the day.

Continue to social distance, at least six feet apart, avoiding the elderly and those who appear to be sick at all costs.

If you feel you may have the symptoms of COVID-19, contact your physician or community clinic immediately.

Remain home, until further instructed by a medical professional.

Selfish actions and ill advised decisions, by a minority, could prove fatal for the majority.

Let your conscience be your guide, and let common sense intervene where and when necessary.

NEW MOH KNOWS ABOUT MEDICINE... WELL MAYBE

As you all know by now, I consider the barbershop the last bastion of free speech in this country.

During my latest visit, I was privy to a hot political exchange between to veteran politicos, one a die-hard FNM and the other a from-the-womb to the tomb PLP. Their exchange went something like this:

PLP: Wells is the new MOH? He aint no doctor.

FNM: The PLP had plenty non doctors serve as MOH, including Perry Christie.

PLP: Yeah but none of them was as lost as Wells.

Ouch! Check and mate!

I hope the new MOH still has his track shoes because he needs to outrun the lousy reputation he has built in one short week.

BOLD AND BRAVE REQUEST

I really didnt want to get back into this, seeing how Briland Gate still gets me fired up to inferno like proportions. But sadly, foreign residents, are getting preferential treatment over Bahamians, and to make matters worse, some are expecting it. Im still trying to figure out how this has become the norm these days.

So after not attending an emergency meeting of Parliament, PLP leader Philip Brave Davis asked Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to waive new wedding rules for one of his constituents on Friday.

However, confirmation that Dr Minnis approved the request arrived in Bahamian time, in other words, it came too late for the couple to host a full-fledged wedding with more than five people.

How ironic, Mr. Davis along with the members of the opposition, skipped an emergency meeting of Parliament, and tending to the peoples business, in these desperate times of COVID, but he wanted to ensure his constituents wedding would still go on with no restrictions.

Priorities Mr. Davis, priorities. The jury is still out on you and the PLP amongst the voting populous as far as the next election is concerned.

There are lingering trust issues in relation to both Davis and the PLP party. This was a golden opportunity to shed a different light on both respectively, and all we got from Mr. Davis was more of the same old all buck up go governance weve been getting for the last fifty years.

LOCAL LOCKDOWN RATES

Businesses, especially the smaller local hotels are getting creative, in an all out effort to generate revenue from the local market. Adds for Lockdown Specials have been in heavy rotation in the press and on social media, encouraging Bahamians to take advantage of all the hotels amenities allowing guests to ride out the lockdown in comfort and style.

Then the government said you need a proper COVID-19 test? And then they changed their mind. That was a problem for all of 24 hours, but looks like those special local rates are good to go.

MAD MAGISTRATE

Its clear the effects of all things related to the COViD-19 global pandemic are taking their toll on all Bahamians.

Bahamians from all walks of life have been affected and continue to feel the effects of curfews, lockdowns, a semi-police state, unemployment, etc.

The coronavirus hangover has even hit the judiciary. Its apparent the judiciarys patience is wearing thin in regards to the lockdowns and the reason behind said lockdowns.

Despite it being totally and politically incorrect, Magistrate Andrew Forbes, said a mouthful in regards to the lockdowns, a mouthful that needed to be said - The purpose of the lockdown isnt to shack-up, the purpose of the lockdown is to try to separate persons. There are two heads on a male. Use the one on your shoulders. Magistrate Andrew Forbes.

Yes, we need to separate, socially distance and continue to be vigilant and aware as we are fighting an invisible enemy. Now is not the time for nonchalance and slackness. Please, take your boungie inside, and keep it inside. I will see you all, down on the farm next week with the next chapter of the Covid Chronicles.

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A COMIC'S VIEW: Stupid is as stupid does in The Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

Heads Of Amazon, Apple, Facebook And Google Testify On Big Tech’s Power – Red River Radio

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Updated at 6:35 p.m. ET

Are Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple "emperors of the online economy" that stifle competition and hurt consumers? Not surprisingly, the tech giants' chief executives told Congress: absolutely not. The concern that too much power is concentrated in too few companies is unfounded, they said Wednesday.

Does Apple punish its rivals on the App Store to score more customers?

Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia drew attention to Apple's Screen Time app, a service allowing parents to limit their kids' phone use.

When Apple introduced the app in 2018, competing parental control apps, such as OurPact, were booted from the App Store for not meeting Apple's safety requirements.

Apple CEO Tim Cook told McBath those fears were justified.

"We were concerned, congresswoman, about the privacy and security of kids," Cook said, noting the app was vulnerable to third-party takeovers. "So we were worried about their safety."

But McBath said House investigators discovered that rival parental control apps that were kicked out of the App Store were readmitted six months later without making significant privacy overhauls.

"Of course, six months is truly an eternity for small businesses to be shut down, even worse if all the while a larger competitor is actually taking away customers," she said.

McBath pointed to an email in which an Apple employee responded to a mother complaining about the removal of parental control apps. The Apple representative suggested that the mother download Apple's Screen Time.

Cook said that "there are many reasons why" an app may not meet the App Store's guidelines, dismissing the suggestion that Apple squashed its competition to favor its own service.

McBath referenced a second example, this one involving the publisher Random House, which said Apple held back the introduction of its app while pushing its own similar product.

"Even some of the largest companies in the country fear your power. Our evidence suggests that your company has used its power to harm your rivals and boost your own business," McBath said.

"This is fundamentally unfair," she said. "Ultimately, it reduces the competition and the choices made to consumers, and that's a great concern to all of us."

Bobby Allyn

CEO vows Google won't play favorites in 2020 election

Google CEO Sundar Pichai faced a barrage of questions from Rep. Jim Jordan. The Ohio Republican said he's concerned that Google will tailor its search engine to give a leg up to presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden over President Trump in searches related to the November election.

When Jordan asked Pichai for a promise to Americans that Google will not favor Biden in the 2020 election, Pichai said, "We don't do any work to politically tilt anything one way or another."

Jordan persisted with the same question.

Pichai eventually agreed to make a commitment that Google will not tilt its features to help Biden and that the search engine will not be used to silence conservatives.

"Yeah, you have my commitment. It's always been true, and we'll continue to conduct ourselves in a neutral way," Pichai said.

That line of inquiry was far afield from the purpose of the hearing, noted Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., saying she'd like to turn the focus back to antitrust, rather than "fringe conspiracy theories."

This remark incited Jordan, who interrupted Scanlon, and led to a screaming match between Jordan and the Democratic leadership about following the rules of the hearing.

"When someone comes after my motives for asking questions," Jordan shouted, "I should get a chance to respond."

Bobby Allyn

Does Amazon use sellers' data to help itself?

The first inquiry for Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos finally arrived from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., some two hours into the hearing. Jayapal zeroed in on the subcommittee's central concern about Amazon: Does the company use the data it collects from other sellers on the platform for its benefit?

"I can't answer that question yes or no," Bezos said. "We have a policy against using seller-specific data to aid our private label business, but I can't guarantee you that that policy has never been violated."

Committee lawmakers have previously accused Amazon of "lack of candor" about how it might be using other sellers' data to give an edge to its own business, something Amazon executives have, until now, denied was happening.

Critics have made the case that Amazon employees may have used such data to create the retailer's own private-label products, which Bezos told lawmakers the company was still investigating.

Jayapal noted that Amazon has access to information about consumer habits, sellers' pricing and inventory data, a trove of details that could be ripe for abuse if used to make business decisions about Amazon's own products.

"You can set the rules of the game for your competitors, but not actually follow those same rules for yourself," Jayapal said.

"You have access to data that your competitors do not have," she continued, adding that if Amazon was "continuously monitoring" such data to make sure that other sellers "are never going to get big enough that they can compete with you that is actually the concern that the committee has."

Alina Selyukh

Google's Pichai is pressed on being "the gateway to the Internet"

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., the subcommittee chairman, spent all of his first five-minute block of questions on Google the company at most immediate risk of antitrust action. The Department of Justice is reportedly preparing to sue the company over its advertising business, and could be joined by state attorneys general who have also been investigating Google.

Cicilline pressed CEO Pichai on whether Google's business model presents a conflict of interest, because it has an incentive to give search results that keep users on its own site rather than anywhere else on the Internet.

"As Google became the gateway to the Internet, it began to abuse its power," Cicilline said.

Pichai responded that Google "always focuses on providing users the most relevant information." Cicilline appeared annoyed at Pichai's answers, cutting him off several times to move on to another question.

Shannon Bond

A long wait for Bezos

Over an hour and a half into the hearing, Bezos appearing in Congress for the first time, whose company employs 1 million workers and has more than 150 million paying subscribers had yet to receive a single question.

His presence was slated to become a powerful accomplishment of the House Judiciary Committee, but the early questioning had left him muted on the live video feed, reaching for some snacks.

The hearing, meanwhile, took a 10-minute break to fix a technical problem "with one of our witnesses."

Alina Selyukh

Did Facebook buy Instagram to neutralize a competitor?

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., pressed Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on why his company bought Instagram for $1 billion back in 2012. That's a key part of competition questions facing the social media giant. Critics accuse Facebook of buying or copying rivals such as Instagram and WhatsApp to squash competition.

Nadler said in its investigation, the committee got documents from Facebook in which Zuckerberg discussed "neutralizing a competitor" as a reason to pursue Instagram.

"Facebook saw Instagram as a threat that could potentially siphon business away from Facebook. And so rather than compete with it, Facebook bought it," Nadler said.

Zuckerberg pointed out that the Federal Trade Commission OK'd the merger at the time. "With hindsight it probably looks obvious that Instagram would have reached the scale that it has today, but at the time it was far from obvious," he said.

Cicilline interjected to say that the "failures" of the FTC in 2012 do not mean it was not a violation of antitrust law.

Shannon Bond

Panel chairman: Under coronavirus, Big Tech "likely to emerge stronger and more powerful"

Up first was Cicilline, chairman of the antitrust subcommittee that was holding the hearing. He has been the driving force behind the yearlong investigation of Big Tech.

In his opening remarks, he described the dominance of each company: Amazon in online shopping, Apple in smartphones and apps, Facebook in social media and Google in search and ads. And he pointed out that thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, all four "are likely to emerge stronger and more powerful than ever before."

"As American families shift more of their work, shopping, and communication online, these giants stand to profit," Cicilline said. "Locally owned businesses, meanwhile mom and pop stores on Main Street face an economic crisis unlike any in recent history."

The committee's investigation has turned up a pattern among the tech giants, he said. They control access to information and marketplaces, use that control to "surveil" rivals and protect their power, and favor their own businesses.

"Simply put: They have too much power," Cicilline said. For consumers, he said, this is reminiscent of previous American monopolies: railroads, oil and telephone companies, and even another tech giant Microsoft.

"This investigation also goes to the heart of whether we, as a people, govern ourselves, or whether we let ourselves be governed by private monopolies," he said. "Our founders would not bow before a king. Nor should we bow before the emperors of the online economy."

Shannon Bond

Jordan: "Big Tech is out to get conservatives"

Wednesday's hearing was supposed to be about Big Tech's power and market dominance. But Republicans tried to make it about something else: accusations that online platforms are biased against conservatives.

"Big Tech is out to get conservatives," Jordan, the Ohio Republican, said in his fiery opening statement.

Jordan then rapidly read aloud headlines making claims that conservative-leaning publications and voices had been suppressed or censored on Facebook and Google.

He also mentioned Twitter, even though it was not part of the hearing. Jordan said conservative members of Congress were "shadow banned" on Twitter. He said Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said it was a glitch.

"If I had a nickel for every time I heard it was just a glitch, I wouldn't be as wealthy as our witnesses, but I'd be doing all right," Jordan said.

"We all think the free market is great. We think competition is great. We love the fact that these are American companies. But what's not great is censoring people, censoring conservatives and trying to impact elections," Jordan said. "If it doesn't end, there has to be consequences."

Before Jordan's remarks, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., also mentioned the belief, strongly contested by large tech companies, that conservatives do not get a fair shake by the online platforms, calling reports of conservative censorship troubling.

"Conservatives are consumers, too, and they need the protection of antitrust laws," Sensenbrenner said.

The hearing erupted in chaos after Jordan asked that Rep. Mike Johnson of the House Judiciary's Constitution subcommittee be allowed to participate in the hearing. The request was denied.

Jordan then repeatedly interrupted Cicilline, the antitrust subcommittee chairman, who was attempting to introduce Bezos.

"We're talking about people's liberties here," Jordan said over Cicilline.

"Put your mask on," Jordan was told.

Bobby Allyn

Trump tweets: "Bring fairness to Big Tech"

The hearing got underway after an hourlong delay. First up were opening statements from the top members of the committee and the four CEOs. Then lawmakers each got five minutes to question Bezos, Cook, Pichai and Zuckerberg. All four joined remotely via video.

The focus of the hearing, and the committee's investigation, was meant to be about competition but lawmakers seemed unable to resist bringing up other complaints about tech companies, from the spread of misinformation to alleged anti-conservative bias.

That also was the message coming from the White House, where President Trump repeatedly has accused tech companies of treating him unfairly. Shortly after noon, he tweeted: "If Congress doesn't bring fairness to Big Tech, which they should have done years ago, I will do it myself with Executive Orders. In Washington, it has been ALL TALK and NO ACTION for years, and the people of our Country are sick and tired of it!"

Shannon Bond

Our original story by Bobby Allyn continues:

Amid a time of rising tensions with China, some of the powerful CEOs will suggest that too much regulation could provide an opportunity for Chinese tech firms to gain a global toehold, according to opening remarks from the tech leaders released by the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee.

"We believe in values democracy, competition, inclusion and free expression that the American economy was built on," Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg will tell lawmakers, according to his prepared opening statement. "China is building its own version of the internet focused on very different ideas, and they are exporting their vision to other countries."

Amazon's Jeff Bezos, the world's richest person who will be making his first appearance in front of Congress, will bring in his personal story of being adopted by an immigrant father when he was 4 years old and spending his summers on his grandparents' ranch in Texas, saying his upbringing instilled in him a work ethic that has helped Amazon prosper.

Amazon's rise to becoming the largest online retailer, Bezos will say, is an achievement only made possible in America. But Walmart, he will point out, is still twice the size of Amazon.

"We did not start out as the largest marketplace eBay was many times our size. It was only by focusing on supporting sellers and giving them the best tools we could invent that we were able to succeed and eventually surpass eBay," Bezos says in his released testimony.

Google's Sundar Pichai will steer attention to the other ways people navigate the online world, even though 90% of Internet searches happen on Google.

"People have more ways to search for information than ever before and increasingly this is happening outside the context of only a search engine," Pichai plans to tell the House panel. "You can ask Alexa a question from your kitchen; read your news on Twitter; ask friends for information via WhatsApp; and get recommendations on Snapchat or Pinterest."

Apple's Tim Cook will echo the appeals to patriotism raised among the other tech CEOs by touting how Apple's strength, becoming the most valuable company in the world, represents success "only possible in this country."

He will also join the other tech leaders by arguing that Apple has plenty of competition.

"The smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and companies like Samsung, LG, Huawei and Google have built very successful smartphone businesses offering different approaches," Cook will say in his opening statement to lawmakers.

Whether members of the House Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee buy these arguments over the course of what is set to be an hours-long spectacle is another matter.

And it remains to be seen if the public will gain new insight into the tech companies, and whether lawmakers can pin down answers from the typically cautious technology executives.

The CEOs will be testifying via video at the same time, rather than one by one, a format seen as taking the heat off any individual executive and something the companies requested.

While the hearing centers on questions around market dominance, lawmakers are free to pepper the executives with questions about any topic.

The anything-goes format will likely divert the hearing away from antitrust and delve into issues such as perceived anti-conservative bias on social media platforms, a common Republican refrain. And Democrats, often raising concern about foreign election meddling, may inquire about possible efforts to influence the vote online ahead of the November election.

More on-topic probing could involve issues such as acquisitions that have grown the reach of Big Tech.

For instance, Facebook has acquired nearly 90 companies, including Instagram, WhatsApp and more recently, Giphy, a tool for creating animated images.

However it goes, one thing is certain: It will be a day for the history books.

The hearing is the first time all four technology leaders have testified together, as scrutiny over the companies' nearly $5 trillion market power draws intensifying scrutiny in Washington.

The CEOs will be on the defensive as House lawmakers grill them about whether the business empire each company has created has resulted in monopoly-like dominance that distorts the marketplace in their favor.

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Heads Of Amazon, Apple, Facebook And Google Testify On Big Tech's Power - Red River Radio

The River: Finally the words he had anxiously awaited ‘The CLYDE and crew have landed safely’ – User-generated content

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The riverboat captain is a storyteller, and Captain Don Sanders will be sharing the stories of his long association with the river from discovery to a way of love and life. This a part of a long and continuing story.

By Capt. Don SandersSpecial to NKyTribune

Was I lost at the end of the day last week! According to my calculations on Thursday, 23 July 2020, Capt. Tim Roberts had the CLYDE running full ahead through the once hazardous Gorge of the Tennessee River in the middle of the night so he could tie off, tonight, as I said, at a Chattanooga city dock. The Captains last nightly communication added, We are about two miles from our stop tonight at Mile 412. Going to try and tie to a city dock in case we get another big blow. Should make Chattanooga tomorrow. The Ross Landing dock in Chattanooga is at Mile 464. The CLYDE was actually at the city dock at Bridgeport, Tennessee, some 52 miles downstream with the Gorge and Nickajack Lock and Dam between the two locations. Lets begin again at Mile 412 below Bridgeport.

Captain Tim Roberts: Got up at 4:30 to get an early start only to discover the impeller finally gave out.

Friday, 24 July 2020. Mile 412, Tennessee River.

Captain Tim Roberts: Got up at 4:30 to get an early start only to discover the impeller finally gave out. Luckily we had one, so I replaced it. We got underway at six.

Thus, started the social media blitz concerning carrying enough spare parts on a long trip and the condition of the impeller:

Never leave home without a lot of spare parts can never have too many spares always good to carry a few extra onboard Ive replaced older impellers that didnt look that bad before impellers every two years and batteries every three years belts and hoses before any long tripusually good for a few years unless you got grass or mud in the raw water intakehow long has that been installed? in Aurora, we never had issues with ingesting seaweed never had breakdowns

All sage advice and comments that were truly appreciated, but the bottom line was, the CLYDE needed a specific spare part, a water pump impeller, and one was aboard.

Clearing Nickajack Lock The boat cleared the lock at Nickajack Dam, Mile 424, at 0915 a.m.

An hour after departure, the CLYDE paddled beneath the Shelby Rhinehart Bridge connecting South Pittsburg and New Hope, TN. The boat cleared the lock at Nickajack Dam, Mile 424, at 0915, and passed the defunct Hales Bar Dam an hour later. The old dam, constructed from 1905-1913 primarily to hold back the whirlpools along the Tennessee River, was the nations first hydroelectric dam. Unfortunately, it was supposedly built on cursed Native American land and eventually required replacing. Some say that may also be true about the rest of the nation.

About that same time, my message read:

I lost track of the CLYDE last night and forgot about Nickajack Lock. So, you did get to see the Gorge in the daylight?

Rick promptly answered along with a breathtaking panoramic shot of the Gorge of the Tennessee River:

Were in the Gorge, now, at Mile 452. Trying to make the Nooga by tonight.

As I noted before, the Gorge of the Tennessee River below Chattanooga is where the river twists and turns for some 26 miles through a massive gap in an ancient rock formation known as Walden Ridge. Before the Hales Bar hydroelectric dam raised the level of the river in 1913, treacherous rapids, and rocks with colorful names caused some extremely hazardous conditions in the Gorge.

Rick promptly answered along with a breathtaking panoramic shot of the Gorge of the Tennessee River.

The Suck, the Boiling Pot, the Skillet, and the Pan struck terror into the hearts of boatmen and travelers on the river as it tumbled through the Gorge of the Tennessee. Though now, Captain Tim was not fearful of those old drowned haunts in the Gorge, he was concerned whether, or not, he could tie off that night, at Ross Landing, the Chattanooga city dock.

At 6:51 am, Saturday, 25 July 2020, this note from Captain Roberts was waiting in my message box:

CLYDE and crew made Ross Landing, Chattanooga, at 2039 hours (8:39 pm) last night.

Hearing no more from the CLYDE for nine hours, at 3:49 pm, Saturday afternoon, I sent an almost desperate inquiry:

Whats going on? Through Chickamauga Lock, yet?

It wasnt until 7:18 pm that I received a reply with a lovely photo of the setting sun beyond the paddlewheel of the CLYDE:

Yup, we are about 16 miles from Watts Bar Lock. Going to anchor-up afterward.

Sunday, 26 July 2020. The Rafter CLYDE II Facebook narrative for the day read:

Chattanooga 7-24-20 CLYDE and crew made Ross Landing, Chattanooga, at 2039 hours (8:39 p.m.) last night.

CLYDE is on Watts Bar Lake. Overnighted at Sand Island, and getting closer to home.

Anchored at an old hang-out, Sand Island, Mile 538 @ 1:30 am.

Pulled anchor at 0700 this morning headed for Bluesprings Marina for a final fuel stop.

410. Capt Tim: The towboat BEARCAT is a familiar sight as I see her regularly from the pilothouse of the STAR. She started chasing us in Chattanooga and finally overtook us north of Kingston.

1413. Dr. Julie: CLYDE is making excellent progress. My friends and I were able to take pictures of CLYDE when she was in Kingston, TN, this morning, going under the TN Highway 58 Bridge.

1700. Were way past Kingston. We just stopped for a quick crew change. 1830. About two miles from our anchorage at Mile 590. I had to anchor quickly to wait out a severe blow in a very narrow channel.

2033. We are anchored 12 miles below Fort Loudoun Dam (Mi. 602.3).Several dedicated followers of the paddlewheelers memorable trip made these comments:

Departing Ft. Loudoun Lock As CLYDE paddled out of the lock, a camera recording the comings and goings of vessels using the government facility recorded the splish-splashing red paddlewheel propelling the boat beyond the chamber.

Dr. Julie: I talked to Capt. Tim and he went through Watts Bar Dam going to Blue Springs Marina for fuel and then headed toward Kingston, TN to spend the night. She is slow and steady as she heads to her final port Home Sweet Home!

Billy Ferree: Its good to be able to follow the CLYDE to its new home.

Mary Sward Charlton, a retired Riverlorian for the DELTA QUEEN and AMERICAN QUEEN steamboats: Bringing back memories of so many wonderful trips on the DELTA QUEEN!

Capt. Michael Blitgen: Everyone who goes up the TN River has the BEARCATs cell number as they are the go-to boat for any questions or concerns about anything up there!

Betty Rullman Schutte, formerly of the DELTA QUEEN crew: I am loving following this story. I found myself with a knot in my stomach while reading about the lack of communication from Captain Tim during the bad storm they endured. Great writing and storytelling!!

When Jeff Wilkes posted: As always an excellent job!!!! The CLYDE has had a lot of peoples attention up the Beautiful Tennessee River !!

Landing Tellico_2-27-20 The CLYDE and Crew landed safely at 2:10 pm, Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

I replied: The Rafter CLYDE will be a lovely addition to the lovely Tennessee Valley as she follows in the footpath of her namesake, the original CLYDE.

Meanwhile, the banter between the CLYDE and my desk, nearly a thousand river miles apart, continued:

Me: Keep your eyes out for the SUN*FISH. Whats your mileage?

CLYDE: 577.

Me. Youre almost to the barn.

CLYDE: Hopefully, the doors are open.

Me: Im sure Juliell have them wide open. Shes liable to have the Governor and the high school band waiting to welcome you.

At 8:53, Sunday evening, Captain Tim informed me:

We are anchored for the night some twelve miles below Ft. Loudoun Lock. About two miles from our anchorage at Mile 590. Had to quickly anchor to wait out a hard blow in a very narrow channel.

Ok, I answered, Tomorrows the BIG day.

Monday, 27 July 2020. Mile 590 Tennessee River. The Home Stretch.

6:42 am. Captain Tim: Underway.

Me: Roger that. Keep me up to date, please.

When the Skipper announced at 9:35 am, Cleared Fort Loudoun Lock, he meant that all the lockages were behind the CLYDE. Ahead lay twenty-some-miles of water in the home stretch to CLYDEs new residence on the Little Tennessee River, a tributary of the parent waterway. As CLYDE paddled out of the lock, a camera recording the comings and goings of vessels using the government facility recorded the splish-splashing red paddlewheel propelling the boat beyond the chamber. After eight years of affiliation with the rafter, seeing her underway from ashore is still a neoteric experience Ive yet to take for granted.

Three hours later, when I heard nothing more about the disposition of the paddlewheeler, I relayed a hint Capt. Tims way:

The suspense is killing me.

And when that failed to elicit a response from the captain, I tried texting Rick Welton, who was ashore and following along by road:

Hey, Rick. Where are they now?

At 1:40 Rick returned:Wouldnt you know it? Quite a blow came up right before entering our marina, so theyre biding some time for it to pass. Should be soon.

Thunderstorms, here, too, I remarked. Checked the weather there and saw what youre getting.

On the dock,Dr. Johnston stretched an attractive banner with the words: WELCOME HOME CLYDE and CREW.

How is it now Passed? All Okay? I asked.

Then came the words Id been anxiously awaiting:

The CLYDE and Crew landed safely at 2:10 pm, Eastern Daylight Savings Time. The smokestacks cleared by only an inch or two at the most.

At 2:26 I messaged Captain Tim Roberts one last time:

Congratulations, Captain Tim. Mighty-fine job.

On the dock where the CLYDE lay nestled and resting peacefully after her long and arduous ordeal, Dr. Johnston stretched an attractive banner with the words: WELCOME HOME CLYDE and CREW. To either side of the script was an artistically-accurate drawing of the boat done by Ms. Lee Ann Ward, Clydes Marine Engineer during my tenure.

In a photograph capturing the essence of the bustle on the dock after the lines were all made fast, Captain Tim was busy connecting the shore power cord to the electrical system of the Rafter CLYDE. Shoving the connectors together, the captain energized the coppery veins of the Mississippi River-born, Ohio River-bred sternwheeler with the water-generated energy of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Symbolically, the Rafter CLYDE now belonged to the river called the Hogohegee and the Tenasi the Tennessee.

Captain Don Sanders is a river man. He has been a riverboat captain with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and with Rising Star Casino. He learned to fly an airplane before he learned to drive a machine and became a captain in the USAF. He is an adventurer, a historian, and a storyteller. Now, he is a columnist for the NKyTribune and will share his stories of growing up in Covington and his stories of the river. Hang on for the ride the river never looked so good.

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The River: Finally the words he had anxiously awaited 'The CLYDE and crew have landed safely' - User-generated content

Arthur (Artie) Satkowski | Obituaries | thedailynewsonline.com – The Daily News Online

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Arthur (Artie) Satkowski, 69, of Medina, N.Y., passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, with his loving wife at his side.

Born on March 10, 1951, in Medina, N.Y., he was the son of the late Ben and Anna (Will) Satkowski.

Arthur worked for the NYS Department of Corrections & Community Supervision and retired with 25 years of dedicated service. He retired to Las Vegas for six years and returned home to be with his family and friends. In his younger years, he as an avid bowler and managed the Medina Bowling Alley. He enjoyed fishing with his father, brother, Tom and many friends. Arthur was a strong-minded individual who always spoke his mind in a tone for all to hear. This confidence carried over into his love of poker and his willingness to call you for the hand. Arthur possessed a green thumb, always producing one of the best vegetable gardens in the area. He would frequently be found selling the sweetest strawberries in front of his home. He had a great affection for dogs; leading him to his most recent endeavor of dog care and loved his two dogs, Luna and Bella. He truly treasured his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela Jones Satkowski, a son, John Satkowski, two daughters, Melinda (Jason) Cogovan, Elizabeth Satkowski, all of Medina, N.Y.; a daughter-in-law, Sara (David) Bouche of Kendall, N.Y.; three stepsons, Jamie (Alisha) Duffina of Medina, N.Y., Kevin Jones of Oakfield, N.Y., Jason Duffina of Theodore, Ala. Also surviving are two brothers, Thomas Satkowski of Medina, N.Y., Jim (Barb) Satkowski of South Carolina; and a sister, Clara (John) Lockwood and a brother-in-law, Larry (Linda) Barnaby of Moores Fork, N.Y. Also surviving are numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Arthur is predeceased by his first wife, Nancy (Pries) Satkowski; maternal parents, Harold and Grace (Higgins) Pries; maternal parents, Clearance and Grace (Hawksby) Barnaby; stepson, Bobby Jones; grandson, Devante Boston; nephew, Justin Pries; and brothers-in-law, Jamie Winters and Gary Barnaby.

Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Oak Orchard Assembly of God Church, 12111 Ridge Rd, Medina, NY 14103, where a memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. with the Pastor Rev. Daniel A. Thurber officiating. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorials may be made in Arthurs name to: PAWS, 3371 Gaines Basin Rd. Albion, NY 14411, or to: Strong Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home, 226 Pearl St., Medina, NY 14103.

Please light a candle or share a memory of Arthur at: http://www.bogantuttlefunerals.com

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Arthur (Artie) Satkowski | Obituaries | thedailynewsonline.com - The Daily News Online

Princeton professor pushes back on cancel culture on campuses: ‘First Amendment is for all of us’ – Fox News

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The right to free speech in Americaneeds to be protected, Princeton Universityjurisprudence professor Robert George statedFriday.

George's comments during an interview on"Fox News @ Night"came following a Michigan bed and breakfast's decision to remove their Norwegian flag afterdozens wrongly accused the owners of flying a Confederate flag.

MICHIGAN INN REMOVES NORWEGIAN FLAG AS RESIDENTS FALSELY BELIEVE IT'S THE CONFEDERATE FLAG: REPORT

According to reporting from WLIX, when Greg and Kjersten Offbecker created the St. Johns inn -- named The Nordic Pineapple -- they installed the flag, hanging an American flag alongside it.

The pair then beganto receive cruel emails and phone calls. Some were even convinced that the "B&B" was built by Confederate leaders when, in fact, union workers constructed the Civil War-era building forthe daughter of the Saint Johns founder.

Kjersten Offbecker said the flag was hung as a way for her to represent her Scandinavian heritage. However, with the confusion, she took it down because she said it was not worth the frustration.

The Norwegian flag has the same colors as the Confederate flag, but the patterns and symbols are different. The Confederate flag is red with a blue X containing white stars.

"It's a combination of a very bad attitude and a great deal of ignorance," George remarked. "You would think that Americans would be able to tell what is and isn't a Confederate flag -- even if it's a flag that, in some ways, resembles a Confederate flag.

"But, look at how quickly people just turn to outrage and tried to shut these people down because they thought they had broken the rule against wrongthink..." he told host Shannon Bream. "So, the combination of malice and ignorance is really toxic."

George highlighted the importance of speaking upin defense of the free speech rights of those you strongly may disagree with.

"Temple University was under pressure to discipline [Professor] Marc Lamont Hill for some statements that I very strongly disagreed with. But I, nevertheless, threatened to myself lead a protest...in defense of the free speech rights of the very progressive Marc Lamont Hill," he explained. "Because he has every bit of [a right to] free speech as I have or as anybody else has.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP

"The First Amendment is for all of us," George pointed out.

"It's not the property of the left. It's not the property of the right. It's not the conservatives'; it's not the liberals' [property]. It's everybody's right..." he said.

"And so, we need to protect the free speech rights and stand up for the free speech rights of those we oppose," George urged.

Fox News' Jack Durschlag and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Princeton professor pushes back on cancel culture on campuses: 'First Amendment is for all of us' - Fox News

OPINION: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – Standard-Times

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Cathy Norris, Opinion contributor Published 12:01 p.m. CT Aug. 1, 2020 | Updated 1:24 p.m. CT Aug. 1, 2020

An expert explains the need to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Wochit

I was born between the Great Depression and WWII, part of the Silent Generation, when children were to be seen and not heard. I want to thank the San Angelo Standard-Times for the opportunity to be heard.

Our Declaration of Independence states, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The Bill of Rights originally did not apply to all Americans and wouldnt for 130 years. When ratified, those with said Rights were land-owning white men.It was only in 1868 when blacks became equal but only on paper. When women got the right to vote in 1920, they were more equal than they had been. When the Native Americans achieved full citizenship in 1924, they were somewhat more equal. Almost 230 years later there are those who still believe we are not all created equal.

War-time President Trump could learn something about the Covid-19 pandemic from Americas war history.

Completely unaware (as todays COVID-19 has been to us) of what they we're about to witness, Washingtonians dressed for a picnic with picnic baskets and opera glasses, gathered to observe the first battle of the Civil War. It was First Battle of Bull Run in the North and Battle of First Manassas in the South. The picnickers could hear the guns and cannons firing but did not need the opera glasses to see the blood, death and carnage. In horror the picnickers quickly retreated to the safety of their homes.

We visited this battleground and went through a field hospital. The operating tables were put near the windows so that when arms and legs were cut off, they could be tossed out the windows. If the soldiers survived the amputations, they often died from an infection. And today when I see a gurney with a sealed body bag being rushed to a sealed cold storage van, I am reminded of that field hospital where others died alone and the families didnt get to say goodbye or I love you.

After fighting the Battle of Battan in the Philippines for three months, US Forces surrendered. On April 9, 1942the arduous Battan Death March began. The US soldiers were exhausted, malnourished and yet, when a comrade fell, a fellow soldier picked him up, carried him and if he died, he did not die alone. For a soldier to hear Ive got your back could very well mean his survival. The estimated death of Filipinos was 5,000 to 18,000 and 500 to 650 Americans.

By wearing a mask and social distancing, you are saying Ive got your back. By not wearing a mask you could deny others the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Seventy-five years ago on July 30, 1945, the Japanese torpedoed the USS Indianapolis. For the 316 of the 1,196 crew who survived, it was a torturous four days in the water surrounded by sharks. They saw their shipmates drown with water soaked life jackets pulling them down, others became delirious and drifted away, but the most traumatizing death to witness was sailors being eaten alive by sharks and living with the dread they could be next. By best count there were 150 such deaths. It was called the worst shark attack during WWII.

Like the sharks, you dont know where COVID-19 will come from. Do you think it cant find you?

By not wearing a mask you are saying you signed up for it do your duty to the men and women who have served and died to protect your right to be uncaring and disrespectful to your fellow citizens. And worst of all to the doctors and nurses your actions show no respect, concern or compassion for their wellbeing.

To wear a mask or not is not about you or me, it is about us and the U.S. During a TV interview a doctor pleaded emotionally for everyone to Wear the damn mask.

Being part of the Silent Generation and as life went on, I learned I am my brothers keeper.

Cathy Norris is a San Angelo resident.

Read or Share this story: https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/opinion/2020/08/01/opinion-life-liberty-and-pursuit-happiness/5496693002/

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OPINION: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - Standard-Times

Liberty Utilities nixes Granite Bridge pipeline, gets increased capacity from another pipeline – The Union Leader

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Liberty Utilities will not proceed with its Granite Bridge natural gas pipeline proposal and will instead seek an alternative solution.

The pipeline which would have followed Route 101, bringing natural gas from Exeter to Manchester, with a storage tank in Epping was opposed by several environmental groups and politicians.

The utility now hopes the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approves a filing for a 20-year contract for capacity on an existing pipeline known as Concord Lateral. The new proposal will eliminate more than 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions while enabling more customers to receive gas service, according to the company.

Liberty Utilities proposed the project in 2017 with a natural gas capacity shortfall in New Hampshire. It would have linked to existing gas pipelines.

When we originally filed Granite Bridge, the capacity was not available, said Emily Burnett, a spokeswoman for Liberty Utilities. At the end of 2019, another company did not renew a contract to use a portion of the Concord Lateral pipeline.

Were always looking for the cheapest option available for our customers. This was flagged for us, Burnett said.

Liberty Utilities provides natural gas service to a growing customer base of more than 96,000 homes and businesses in 35 New Hampshire communities, including the cities of Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Laconia, Franklin and surrounding towns. The company struggled to meet the demand with more than about 1,000 customers a year signing up for gas service.

Making sure natural gas is available for customers who want it is critical not only for New Hampshires economy and for families pocketbooks, but also to enable the deepest, fastest, and most achievable pathway for decarbonizing our economy and taking action on climate change, said Sue Fleck, president of Liberty-NH, in a statement

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Liberty Utilities nixes Granite Bridge pipeline, gets increased capacity from another pipeline - The Union Leader

UPDATE: Package Recovered – Lady In Light Blue Jeep Liberty Sought In Connection With Brazen Daylight Sheldon Theft – KIWARadio.com

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Sheldon, Iowa On Tuesday we told you about a package being taken from the mailbox at a Sheldon residence. As it turns out, there was no theft, just a series of coincidences.

Greg Kavanaugh, of Sheldon was expecting to have a package delivered via the U.S. Mail on Tuesday. When he checked his mailbox there was other mail but no package. It was then that he spotted a woman carrying a package bearing the logo of the company from which Kavanaugh was expecting his package. The woman climbed into a light blue Jeep Liberty and drove away, causing Kavanaugh to believe the package she was carrying was his.

Unbeknownst to Kavanaugh, his package had been delivered to the wrong address. The residents of that address were not home, so a relative was picking up their mail for them. Thats when Kavanaugh spotted the woman with the package getting into the Jeep and driving away.

Once the mystery was unraveled, Kavanaugh got his package which, ironically, contained a video security camera.

**************************************************

Original Post 2:19 pm, July 28, 2020

Sheldon, Iowa A Sheldon man came within seconds of catching someone in the act of pilfering a package from his homes mailbox Tuesday.

It all happened around midday Tuesday. Sheldon resident Greg Kavanaugh was expecting a package containing merchandise that he had ordered, and had received notice that the package would be delivered via U.S. Mail today. Kavanaugh tells KIWA that his mail is normally delivered between 11:45 am and 12:15 pm. He was home today, and about noon decided to see if the mail had arrived.

Kavanaugh says when he went to check the mail there was no package, but other mail was in his mailbox. It was then that he spotted a lady carrying a box with the logo of the company from which he had ordered the merchandise. Kavanaugh says the lady promptly jumped into a light blue Jeep Liberty and sped off.

He says he thought stealing the package from his porch was a pretty gutsy move, since it was in the middle of the day, both his vehicles were in the driveway and while his homes front storm door was closed, the inside entry door was wide open.

Kavanaugh reported the theft to Sheldon Police, so if you know or see a lady who drives a light blue Jeep Liberty, please call the Sheldon Police Department at 712-324-2525, because cops want to have a little chat with her.

There is some irony to this story. The package taken from Kavanaughs mailbox contained a video security camera.

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UPDATE: Package Recovered - Lady In Light Blue Jeep Liberty Sought In Connection With Brazen Daylight Sheldon Theft - KIWARadio.com

Letter to the Editor: Universal health care is essential to liberty – Press Herald

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The Declaration of Independence tells us: We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. And governments are responsible to secure these rights.

Health care is fundamental to the pursuit of these rights. Indeed, without health care, none of these rights are attainable. The great conservative Chancellor Otto von Bismarck recognized this 150 years ago and established universal health care for all of Germany. He understood this was a conservative issue, and a strong health care system would make his country stronger and greater. Today Germany has one of the best health care systems in the world. Indeed, most European countries and developed countries have universal health care. Therefore, most of Europe is surviving the pandemic better than other countries.

The United States has one of the worst health care systems in the world, being 38th. We are paying for it in sickness and in lives. We have the worst pandemic record in the world, and it is accelerating. Because our government utterly failed to protect us, all pandemic health issues must be paid by our government.

Next, we must establish universal health care. Some will say we cannot afford this. But we cannot afford not to. Our lack of preparation and our poor health care system has already cost us trillions of dollars, four million cases, and over 140, 000 lives.

Douglas PrideCumberland

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Letter to the Editor: Universal health care is essential to liberty - Press Herald

Heres Where the Earliest ETH Ever Mined Ended Up 5 Years Later – Cointelegraph

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Ethereum, a household name in the crypto industry, fired up its network on July 30, 2015, but what happened to the first ETH coin ever mined all those years ago? Blockchain analytics and Anti-Money Laundering company Coinfirm found out.

Another great example of the many benefits of blockchains such as Ethereum compared to the traditional space, we can see and understand the literal creation of value and how it moves," Coinfirm co-founder and CMO Grant Blaisdell told Cointelegraph, adding, "In a time where fiat printing by central banks and other major elements are absolutely unknown to the people and businesses effected by it.

*Image courtesy of Coinfirm.

Ethereum'sinaugural mined block attributed to the following address: 0x05a56e2d52c817161883f50c441c3228cfe54d9f,Coinfirm data showed. The address received a 5 ETH payout.

The noted address racked up 265.63 ETH in mining rewards over time, responsible for a total mining career of 53 blocks. A Kraken crypto exchange address received the first 5 ETH rewarded as payout for mining the inaugural block, Coinfirm data showed.

One Wei of ETH, however, went to the address 0xc130afe98f8c42e19bdacf8c6e63e48a44a26ca8. Wei hold as Ethereum's version of Satoshis, denominating the smallest divisible fraction of a 1 ETH.In total, the address sent ETH to three different locations on four separate occasions.

Ethereum has changed significantly since its first mined block, not only regarding its network, but also in its asset's price. Long-term hodlers likely reaped the benefits of the project, seeing the asset take its place among the largest assets in the industry.

Data from ICODrops shows ETH priced at $0.31 per coin during its initial coin offering, or ICO a hefty profit potential if owners held the asset until its 2018 peak near $1,400 per coin.

Ethereum's network has also shown no shortage of changes over the years as it still wages toward a transition to proof-of-stake, or PoS,as part of Ethereum 2.0.

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Heres Where the Earliest ETH Ever Mined Ended Up 5 Years Later - Cointelegraph