U.S. targets $1.3-billion in French imports in retaliation for tax on tech giants – The Globe and Mail

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In this file photo taken on March 31, 2016 a woman works in the Hermes workshop in Hericourt, eastern France.

SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP/Getty Images

The Trump administration on Friday announced plans to impose taxes on $1.3 billion in French imports hitting handbags and makeup but sparing cheese and wine in retaliation for Frances digital services tax on U.S. technology giants.

But the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the levies would be delayed for 180 days to provide time for negotiations.

The French tax is designed to prevent tech companies from dodging taxes by establishing their headquarters in low-tax European Union countries. It imposes a 3% annual levy on French revenue of digital companies with yearly global sales worth more than 750 million euros ($848 million) and French revenue exceeding 25 million euros.

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The U.S. said the tax unfairly targeted U.S. firms such as Amazon and Google. It also criticized the French tax for targeting companies revenue, not their profits, and for being retroactive.

Last year, the U.S. threatened to slap tariffs of up to 100% on $2.4 billion in French goods, including cheese and wine. But the list released Friday was smaller and dropped the cheese and wine.

The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has been attempting to negotiate a compromise on digital taxes.

Retaliatory tariffs arent ideal but the French governments refusal to back down from its unilateral imposition of unfair and punitive taxes on U.S. companies leaves our government with no choice, Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and the committees top Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, said in a joint statement.

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U.S. targets $1.3-billion in French imports in retaliation for tax on tech giants - The Globe and Mail

US slaps French goods with 25% added duties, but delays effective date – Financial World

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Late on Friday, the Trump Administration had issued a statement saying that the United States would incline an additional 25 per cent tariff on French-borne consumer goods such as cosmetics, handbags alongside other imports, worth of roughly $1.3 billion as a part of its response to French digital tax on internet service providers which mostly included US-based tech Goliaths.

Nonetheless, the announcement had also added that an implementation of the move would be delayed as long as 180 days in order to deliver an opportunistic window to resolve the issue through in-person meets and discussions in the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).

In point of fact, the latest move from the Trump Administration announced by the office of USTR (United State Trade Representative) comes over the heels of an earlier section 301 probe, which ruled earlier this year that the French digital taxation rule could be subject to discrimination against a number of US tech conglomerates such as Google, Apple Inc.

and Facebook Inc, while the decision had also mirrored a stubborn stance from France regarding its 3 per cent taxation on digital service providers.

Apart from the section 301 probe on French digital tax aimed at generating a greater revenue from the tech giants which usually profit enormously from the local market, but contribute very little to the public coffers, the United States had also initiated similar probe on ten countries including India, UK and Turkey, all of which had adopted digital taxations on US-based tech conglomerates.

Nonetheless, on last December, the USTR Robert Lighthizer had unveiled a list of $1.3 billion worth of French imports for the first time, which would be subject to 25 per cent added levies, unless the French Government sways away from its planned digital taxation on the US-based tech titans.

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US slaps French goods with 25% added duties, but delays effective date - Financial World

Tiktok and finding the real digital imperialists – The New Indian Express

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The US and India have crossed swords on whether customs duty should be levied on Harley Davidson bikes, but the two countries are sailing in the same boat when it comes to banning the hugely popular Chinese app TikTok. Soon after the border clashes with China, in a retaliatory surgical strike India banned TikTok and58 other apps on nationalsecurity concerns.Its hurting both sides of the border. For TikTok, Indias 120 million users is a huge market, the largest, perhaps, after China. In India, the app was a form of self-expression in dance and quirky gigs especially formillions of rural youth.

The Indian government has different concerns. The Union ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the apps were banned as they were stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users data in an unauthorised manner to servers which have locations outside India, thereby comprising the sovereignty and integrity of India.The US administration, which has been blaming China for the spread of what Donald Trump calls the China virus, found a good point of alliance. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lost no time, and in an interview with Fox News,revealed that a ban on TikTok was something we are looking at. That he was serious about it was apparent when hecompared a ban on TikTok with the earlier bans imposed on Chinsese tech giantsHuawei and ZTE.

Chinese controls

Though TikTok denies it isinvolved in any snooping, and claims it stores user data in servers in the country oforigin, critics have pointed to its questionable privacypractices like a leaked moderation guidelines that discourage criticism of events like theTiananmen Square protests. The fear is, as voiced by Sarah Cook, an analyst of the right wing think tank Freedom First: The Chinese government has a history of gaining control over nodes in theinformation system.

However, the bigger concern cited is the symbiotic relationship between the Chinese state and Chinese companies, where the latter by law are required to share data with the government. The two specific laws that rope in Chinese companies are the 2017 National Intelligence Law and the 2014 Counter-Espionage Law. Article 7, for example, of the National Intelligence Law provides that any organization or citizen shall support, assist and cooperate with the state intelligence work in accordancewith the law.

We are right to be concerned about possible data mining by Chinese companies that may fall into the hands of theChinese government. However, it is a practice that goes back centuries to the East India Company where private commercial operators collaborated with their governments to subdue and colonize indigenous people. What is repugnant though is US double-speak.After all its intelligenceagencies have been usingprivate commercial companies for decades to spy on, assassinate leaders and removeelected governments.

US double-speak

We have forgotten how the United Fruit Company in the 1950s and 60s became an arm of the US government in theCentral American countries of Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras. United Fruit not only became the largest single landowner in central America; it ran postal services, nurtured banana republics on behalf of the CIA, and deposedany regime that questionedUS domination.

Or, more recently during the continuing Middle East conflicts, where Leidos Holdings merged with another defense contractor Lockheed Martin to become a $50 billion private military powerhouse. The merged entitys 8,000 private operatives, worked closely with the US military command,doing everything from analyzing signals for the US National Security Agency (NSA) to hunting down suspected terrorist fighters forUS Special Forces.

Cyber snooping is not the prerogative of China and Huawei. Revelations by Edward Snowden, the former US defense contractor, leaked classified information on how the US and its allies were running numerous global surveillance programs. One of these was a government snooping programme called Prism which rode on the backs of nine US internet firms, and tapped into their servers to glean private information of millions of American citizens. Thecollaborating companiesincluded Facebook, Google,Microsoft and Yahoo.Or, even more recently, the company Cambridge Analytica became a tool of the Donald Trump election campaign. A whistleblower in the company, Christopher Wylie, exposed how Cambridge Analytica bought personal profiles of50 million or more Facebook users in the US from an independent researcher Aleksandr Kogan. The data was then used to soft-target a mass of potential Trump supporters.

The Chinese, Huawei and TikTok are not innocent. But let us not pretend any of the other governments are. Those who have the wherewithal snoop on their own citizens, their neighbours and their trade competitors. Thatsthe new normal. We haveadvanced from the ageof colonialism to digital imperialism. Technology has grown not to give us greater freedom, but to wipe out whatever individual privacy wethought we enjoyed.

Fight onIndia has bannedTikTok stating they werestealing and surreptitiously transmitting users data. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, too, in an interview revealed that a ban on TikTok was something we are looking at

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Tiktok and finding the real digital imperialists - The New Indian Express

10 big things: TikTok, on the clock – PitchBook News & Analysis

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In the less than two years since its worldwide release, TikTok has exploded into a social-media supernova. Originally a home for lip-synching and viral dance moves, it has since transformed into something of an everything-app for Generation Z, a place where many young users talk to their friends, meet new people, discuss politics, follow celebrities, create memes, and generally spend a not-insignificant portion of their waking hours.

With more than 2 billion downloads, it's also become the cornerstone of a growing online empire for its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, which has reportedly been valued at some $150 billion in recent secondary share sales. The future, in many ways, seems limitless.

But that wasn't why TikTok and ByteDance were in the headlines this week. Instead, it was because of the political roadblocks suddenly in their path.

The Chinese government's commitment to the startup scene in recent years has done wonders for many companies. But as those companies go global, their ties to the state come with complications. And that's one of 10 things you need to know from the past week:

TikTok, for its part, denies that it ever has or ever would hand over user data to the Chinese government. The company has also taken recent steps to emphasize its independence.

In May, the app creator plucked Kevin Mayer away from Disney, where he was head of streaming, to be its new CEO. This week, TikTok announced plans to pull out of Hong Kong after China strengthened its grip on the semi-autonomous region. And shortly thereafter, reports surfaced that ByteDance was considering moving TikTok's headquarters out of China to further distance it from the nation.

Like Huawei, Alibaba and other Chinese business giants that have emerged over the past decade, just what sort of influence the state may have over TikTok is difficult to discern. The intricacies of corporate law in the country seem to be murky to many Westerners, particularly legal laymen like yours truly. But despite TikTok's protestations, allegations of censorship and privacy violations have continued to surface.

China's startup scene has long been marked by an unconventional mix of business and politics. Government programs and government-backed investors helped fuel the country's boom, allowing upstarts to rapidly gain ground on established giants from the US and Europe. Now, as these names begin to become truly dominant from a global perspectivetake Huawei's place as a leader in 5Gthe connections between country and company are becoming more controversial, forcing other governments to make uncomfortable choices.

For businesses, the boon of government support can sometimes turn into a burden.

At the same time TikTok reckons with its ties to China, financial markets in the region are going nuts. In Shanghai, the SSE Composite Index is up nearly 19% since late May, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index is up more than 12% over the same span. Against that backdrop, another of the country's tech titans may be considering an IPO.

Ant, the fintech affiliate of Alibaba, is planning a listing in Hong Kong that could occur this year and result in a valuation of more than $200 billion, according to Reuters, although the company denied the report. Valued at an estimated $150 billion in 2018, Ant joins ByteDance as arguably one of the two most valuable VC-backed companies in the world, according to PitchBook data.

Ant, which operates Alipay, has traditionally focused its operations in China. But the business has begun expanding rapidly in recent years, and in the process has encountered its own share of hostility. In 2018, for instance, the US blocked Ant from acquiring money-transfer specialist MoneyGram, citing national security concerns. Bloomberg's report last year that the Chinese government was sending officials to Alibaba and other companies in a bid "to exert greater influence" over the private sector likely didn't assuage such concerns.I'm not here to determine what degree of influence the Chinese government may or may not have over the country's growing generation of tech giants. In some ways, the reality probably doesn't matter as much as the perception. TikTok can hire as many American executives as it wants. It could move its headquarters to Wyoming. But as long as fears remain that data shared with TikTok or Ant is data shared with the Chinese state, the companies will continue to encounter obstacles on their path to global domination.

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10 big things: TikTok, on the clock - PitchBook News & Analysis

Invest NI’s Bill Montgomery who helped bring top US tech giants to Northern Ireland steps down – Belfast Telegraph

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He was there in Denver, 1998, as then-First Minister David Trimble awaited the call from Oslo confirming that he and John Hume had won the Nobel Peace Prize.

s part of his role in drawing US investment, Bill Montgomery also chaperoned US President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary on their historic visit to Belfast in winter 1995 when they turned on the city's Christmas tree lights.

So as he retires from economic development agency Invest NI after 34 years, the father of three definitely has a tale or two. For the last three years or so, he's been director of Invest NI's advance manufacturing division, working with companies helping them grow jobs, exports and innovation.

"We have great NI companies competing regionally and globally in aerospace, materials handling, construction, auto, renewables, electronics and advanced materials and consumer products. They really are some of the best manufacturing and engineering companies in the whole of the British Isles."

He got his first job after university at a US insurance engineering company, assessing loss prevention measures at big companies like Apple and Pfizer. The job often took him to the Republic. "Ireland was booming with foreign investments as they had the big corporation tax advantage. I was visiting companies like Apple in the Republic and it occurred to me that I wasn't doing many visits in Northern Ireland - for obvious reasons, we weren't getting as much investment as we were still in The Troubles. I learnt about the Industrial Development Board (the precursor to Invest NI), then joined as part of an MBA programme."

He soon took on a challenging role in the US. "Firms were looking at Europe, the UK and Ireland - my job was to showcase that NI would be a good proposition. That was the summer of 1992 when my wife Alison and two young boys Michael and Matthew and I all went over and lived in LA."

The first big win was Seagate -the hard-drive manufacturer which now employs over 1,000 in Derry. But Mr Montgomery is quick to give credit to his predecessor. "Before I got there my colleague Grainne McVeigh had already done all the groundwork. They committed at the end of the year, and it was a big win - a hi-tech company with 350-person staff. At that point Ireland had been winning all the companies like Hewlett Packard. Intel had been another big win for them and they thought that they would get Seagate."

Another highlight was accompanying the Clintons on their visit to Belfast in the run-up to Christmas, 1995. He was in the company of the First Couple a number of times. "Bill did have an incredible energy about him. He has quite a huge personality, and I remember how he could talk to people as if he knew them - he just had a knack of latching on as if he knew them well."

Bill was asked to head up the North American headquarters of IDB in Chicago, this time with a third son, Ian, in tow. "At that time one of the sales team, Ian Murphy, had been courting and promoting NI to Allstate Insurance. We then managed to secure Allstate Insurance in October 1998. They committed to a couple of hundred people in IT, and there's now over 2,000. I was just a part of that.

"Allstate was announced as part of an 11-city roadshow tour with the Secretary of State Mo Mowlam and the First Minister David Trimble. When we were in Denver they announced that David Trimble and Deputy First Minister John Hume had won the Nobel Peace Prize. Word came through to him to expect a call from Oslo and people got quite excited about it, though Mr Trimble was really quite reserved."

The family returned home in 2003, and Bill then became director of Invest NI's international investment division. Jeremy Fitch, Invest NI's executive director of business solutions, paid tribute to Bill's work. "Bill has been one of the key leaders for inward investment into Northern Ireland over the last three decades and his contribution in this area has been immense. A significant proportion of Bill's career was spent in the US where he led the NI team and oversaw significant investments from Seagate and Allstate. More recently, when based back in Belfast, he has had strategic responsibility and led the inward investment focus on developing our legal services sector. He added: "A true team player, many of us have benefited from Bill's wisdom, experience and guidance."

Belfast Telegraph

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Invest NI's Bill Montgomery who helped bring top US tech giants to Northern Ireland steps down - Belfast Telegraph

The Future of Remote Work, According to Startups – Visual Capitalist

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No matter where in the world you log in fromSilicon Valley, London, and beyondCOVID-19 has triggered a mass exodus from traditional office life. Now that the lucky among us have settled into remote work, many are left wondering if this massive, inadvertent work-from-home experiment will change work for good.

In the following charts, we feature data from a comprehensive survey conducted by UK-based startup network Founders Forum, in which hundreds of founders and their teams revealed their experiences of remote work and their plans for a post-pandemic future.

While the future remains a blank page, its clear that hundreds of startups have no plans to hit backspace on remote work.

Based primarily in the UK, almost half of the survey participants were founders, and nearly a quarter were managers below the C-suite.

Prior to pandemic-related lockdowns, 94% of those surveyed had worked from an external office. Despite their brick-and-mortar setup, more than 90% were able to accomplish the majority of their work remotely.

Gen X and Millennials made up most of the survey contingent, with nearly 80% of respondents with ages between 26-50, and 40% in the 31-40 age bracket.

From improved work-life balance and productivity levels to reduced formal teamwork, these entrepreneurs flagged some bold truths about whats working and whats not.

If history has taught us anything, its that world events have the potential to cause permanent mass change, like 9/11s lasting impact on airport security.

Although most survey respondents had plans to be back in the office within six months, those startups are rethinking their remote work policies as a direct result of COVID-19.

How might that play out in a post-pandemic world?

Based on the startup responses, a realistic post-pandemic work scenario could involve 3 to 5 days of remote work a week, with a couple dedicated in-office days for the entire team.

Upwards of 92% of respondents said they wanted the option to work from home in some capacity.

Its important to stay open to learning and experimenting with new ways of working. The current pandemic has only accelerated this process.Well see the other side of this crisis, and Im confident it will be brighter.

Evgeny Shadchnev, CEO, Makers Academy

Working from home hasnt slowed down these startupsin fact, it may have improved overall productivity in many cases.

More than half of the respondents were more productive from home, and 55% also reported working longer hours.

Blurred lines, however, raised some concerns.

From chores and rowdy children to extended hours, working from home often makes it difficult to compartmentalize. As a result, employers and employees may have to draw firmer lines between work and home in their remote policies, especially in the long term.

Although the benefits appear to outweigh the concerns, these issues pose important questions about our increasingly remote future.

To uncover some work-from-home easter eggs (Better for exercise. MUCH more pleasant environment), we grouped nearly 400 open-ended questions according to sentiment and revealed some interesting patterns.

From serendipitous encounters and beers with colleagues to more formal teamwork, an overwhelming number of the respondents missed the camaraderie of team interactions.

It was clear startups did not miss the hours spent commuting every day. During the pandemic, those hours have been replaced by family time, work, or other activities like cooking healthy meals and working out.

Remote working has been great for getting us through lockdownbut truly creative work needs the magic of face to face interaction, not endless Zoom calls. Without the serendipity and chemistry of real-world encounters, the world will be a far less creative place.

Rohan Silva, CEO, Second Home

This pandemic has delivered a new normal thats simultaneously challenging and revealing. For now, it looks like a new way of working is being coded into our collective software.

What becomes of the beloved open-office plan in a pandemic-prepped world remains to be seen, but if these startups are any indication, work-life may have changed for good.

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Indian Govt Wants Tech Giants Google, Amazon And Facebook To Provide Source Code And Algorithms – IndianWeb2.com

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Indias government is working on a policy which include tough rule that will require tech giants like Google, Amazon and Facebook to provide source code and algorithms, said a report by Bloomberg.

The proposed rules aims to build a wall against unfair monopolistic practices and create a more competitive business environment for local businesses.

The proposed 15-page policy draft (as seen by Bloomberg), prepared by DPIIT, includes a mandate that allows government to access online companies source codes and algorithms, which the ministry of commerce says would help ensure against digitally induced biases by competitors.

The proposed draft also talks of ascertaining whether e-commerce businesses have explainable AI, referring to the use of artificial intelligence.

The draft further states Theres a tendency among some of the leading companies to exercise control over most of the information repository

E-commerce companies will be required to make data available to the government within 72 hours, which could include information related to national security, taxation and law and order, the proposed draft said.

The report by Bloomberg states that for at least last two years the government of India has been working on the e-commerce policy in order to fulfill calls of local businesses/startups, wherein they wants to reduce the dominance of global tech giants like Amazon, Google and Facebook.

Notably, in the previous drafts the data localization was the primary point but it got criticism for being insensitive towards local startups and businesses. Surprisingly, the new draft leaves the question as which e-commerce platforms would have to keep data locally unanswered.

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Indian Govt Wants Tech Giants Google, Amazon And Facebook To Provide Source Code And Algorithms - IndianWeb2.com

Sequoia Capital Opens Its First Tech Incubation Center in Shanghai – Caixin Global

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Sequoia Capital China, widely viewed as a bellwether of Chinese tech investment, has put into operation its first incubation center in Shanghai in an effort to help the citys young tech firms grow sustainably.

The incubation center aims to support tech startups in areas of corporate development, resource sharing and industrial cooperation as part of its broader plan to help Shanghai become an artificial intelligence powerhouse in China, according to a WeChat post by Sequoia Capital China on Wednesday.

So far, six Sequoia-backed tech startups running businesses related to artificial intelligence chips, information security, smart manufacturing and edge computing have settled in the incubation center, which is located in the Shanghai Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island. The island houses a cluster of scientific research facilities run by tech giants like IBM and Microsoft, Shen Nanpeng, founding and managing partner of Sequoia Capital China, said in a statement.

Founded in 2005, Sequoia Capital China has invested in over 500 companies in China including JD.com and Alibaba as well as some of the countrys promising startups like ByteDance, Didi Chuxing and Nio.

Contact reporter Ding Yi (yiding@caixin.com)

Related: Sequoia China Leads Nearly $100m Round in Storytelling App Kuaidian

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Sequoia Capital Opens Its First Tech Incubation Center in Shanghai - Caixin Global

Ring: One day it will end – The Augusta Chronicle

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Its going to be over one day and Im not talking about the end of the world. This pandemic will have an end. When? Nobody seems to have a grip on that. We have become a people who expect an on/off switch for just about everything. The pandemic doesnt have a light switch. Its more like a dimmer.

Basically, it comes down to a feeling of being in control. With the new world of universal knowledge, the vast amount of information (real and fake) leaves an even greater feeling of being out of the drivers seat. The ability to gain knowledge at our fingertips is not working out well. We tend to forget that knowledge has to go through an interpretation lens. Knowledge is not so much the problem. The interpretations of it are.

Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden with Gods truth before them. That darn serpent showed up and gave a different interpretation of the knowledge they had. How did it go from there? Not too well at all.

I have said often I want to get to heaven and have the opportunity to beat the stuffing out of Adam and Eve. I stop and remember that the grace God gives me instead of beating me senseless is to be given to the first sinners. The gospel of hope through Jesus Christ really is amazing, isnt it? We all have to remember we would have done the same thing; dont kid yourself.

So how do we live in light of a relative world in the midst of a pandemic with vast opinions and information waiting impatiently for something to break so we can get back to normal? The great philosopher Francis Schaeffer wrote a book titled "How Shall We Then Live," speaking of living in the decline of conservative Western culture. Maybe it is time for someone to write a sequel.

A sequel is not necessary, actually. A refresher on biblical principles is necessary. Thats all Dr. Schaeffer did. He studied deeply the various aspects of culture and applied biblical truth. Honestly, that is what is needed in any of our life disruptions.

I was thinking about the winnowing down of biblical instruction and practice over the years. In Acts 2, we see the early church dedicating themselves to four principles on a daily basis. Did you catch that? Daily. Every day they gathered together to study the teachings of Jesus, pray, fellowship (that wasnt popcorn and a movie) and break bread (a meal or communion).

Now, fast-forward to today. We think attending church biweekly for the worship service is all we need, with a little 15-minute daily devotional. We dont have a biblically illiterate secular culture. We have a biblically illiterate Christian culture that has been seduced by bright lights, popular music and smiling people.

With the lack of deep biblical instruction, we have morphed into a Christian culture that is seldom united by the Holy Spirit (that was the biblical purpose), but instead places great value on individual interpretation of the minute details. Why? Just like in the pandemic, we value our own interpretation of the information more than that of experts. We have become the experts.

Meanwhile, there are three basic biblical principles that apply to our social distancing protocols. We are guided to decide on wearing a mask or not. We are guided on living in a world that fears great illness and death. We are given hope in what seems like a hopeless estate, especially if one is at risk.

The first principle is "love your neighbor as you would want to be loved." Jesus said this is close to loving Him. By the way, love is defined in the Bible. In John 3:16, the apostle says love is the "laying down of your life for the sake of another." So its not all kisses and ice cream. Its hard. Its sacrificial. Its outside of our opinion and desires. Our neighbor takes a position equal with us.

The second principle is found in Philippians 2 when the apostle Paul writes, "Each of you should not look after your own interests but also to the interests of others." Paul repeats the golden rule. Lets get moving together. "Its not all about me." Repeat again, "Its not all about me."

The third principle takes us to another level when Paul in Corinthians says we are to respond so we dont offend the weaker brother or sister. He upped the ante. He is repeating clear instruction from Jesus in Matthew 25 when we are to live a life that assists "the least of these." Believing in Jesus is not about power, but service. You will find that instruction from Jesus to James and John in Mark 10.

There are very few "but" or "maybe" clauses in the Bible. Jesus never said, "Serve that person unless they are an idiot." We find Jesus washing Judas feet even when he knew Judas would be a traitor before the night was out. There are no "jerk" clauses either. One will not find "wash each others feet unless they are a jerk." Quite the opposite.

Looking out for the weak and least of the human race was to mark the Christian more than the endless quest to moral excellence. We have clear instructions. At the end of the day, I dont like not shaking hands with others. I dont like not getting a warm hug of affirmation. I dont like stepping back instead of being close. I despise wearing a mask.

However, under the instruction of someone far greater than me and you, I will wear a mask, not shake hands and keep my distance. Ill do it with a smile and no grumbling. Thats in the Bible, too. One day it will end. Then we will have to figure out our response to whatever will be the new normal. I will lay odds the answers to that are in the Bible.

John Ring is minister of family counseling and community outreach at Grace Coastal Church in Okatie.

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Ring: One day it will end - The Augusta Chronicle

Law is necessary in civilized society – Martinsburg Journal

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Albert Browne

Martinsburg

Im so thankful for the caring perspective of Mr. West its a must read for every American that needs to understand important beliefs behind the group BLM, and who supports complete justice.

Article entitled: A Black Mans Letter to Black Lives Matter | CNSNews

https://cnsnews.com/commentary/allen-west/black-mans-letter-black-lives-matter

Mr. West certainly is against unjust brutality and believes that the rule of law is necessary to sustain a civilized society from the anarchy we are now seeing.

Here are some things I want to share: We used to teach the golden rule of How you want to be treated - so treat others. Love does no harm to a neighbor, overcome evil with good, forgive us our trespasses - as we forgive those that trespass against us. Love is the fulfillment of the law. Submit to authority .

I certainly believe people matter and equal justice under the law for all. Im thankful most officials are seeing injustice and are taking lawful action to rectify police brutality yet hopefully still permit the police to do their job. Many of us are concerned that burning looting, rioting, destruction of private property is totally wrong, hypocritical by being unjust to somehow coerce others to be just and non-criminal.

Its never right that any innocents should suffer by an out-of-control mob for the sins of a few. There will always be bad apples in any group yet we are not called to be bigots and stereotype all folk in a group (not even the police) based on a couple of bad apples. There is a proper way to address any injustice and that is through the justice system, peaceful protesting, educating truthfully, calling and writing our reps, voting in the right people and voting out wrong people who support violence, shake-downs, attacking of the police, cover-ups, double standards or harming of innocents or those in the press.

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Law is necessary in civilized society - Martinsburg Journal

The Rev. Jim Watkins and Roxie Column: To mask or not to mask – Charleston Post Courier

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Jim, you humans seem to be going around and around about wearing masks and its not even Halloween.

Roxie, you are pulling my leg again. Youve done that so many times, one leg is shorter than the other. You know as well as I do that the discussion about masks has to do with wearing a cloth mask in public during the pandemic.

I was pulling your leg. Ive been writing up the mask controversy in my human watchers guide book. From where I stand or sit or lay down, whether or not to wear a mask in public has become a partisan litmus test.

You are a very wise canine. Indeed it has and thats unfortunate. The medical case is clear. Wearing masks in public cuts down on the infection rate and as we all know, that rate is surging. But at heart, in my opinion this is a question of theology. Am I my brother and sisters keeper or not? How does the Golden Rule apply here? What does wearing a mask have to do with doing unto others as you would have them do unto you?

What do you come up with as you ask those questions about wearing masks?

As you can imagine, it is personal with me, Next month I turn 77 and as weve talked about, Im in the midst of cancer treatment. As far as the virus is concerned, I feel like Im in an iconic Far Side cartoon. Two bears are standing up in the woods. One of the bears has a big bulls eye on its chest. The other bear says, thats a bummer of a birthmark. Im certainly in the high risk group when it comes to the virus. When Im out in public wearing my mask, Im grateful for all the other masked folks. I thank them.

Jim, I know you are anxious. I hear your concern and take a hard look at what is happening during these days of division. It seems to me that we all need to recover the notion that it is not just about me. The world doesnt revolve around me. We are all in this together. Do you think there will be progress toward more humans in our area wearing masks.?

I do. We are lucky to have local public officials who understand the concept of the common good. We are all connected. Im pleased that the Georgetown City Council has passed a mask ordinance and even as we speak, the County Council is getting ready to vote on an ordinance.

On that note Jim, time for Happy Hour. Youll have to pull your mask down as we toast mask wearers. Well continue to keep our social distance.

Amen, Roxie, Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Jim Watkins lives in Pawleys Island. His column is published twice monthly.

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The Rev. Jim Watkins and Roxie Column: To mask or not to mask - Charleston Post Courier

The Plain Dealer Names Valmark Financial Group A Winner Of The Cleveland Top Workplaces 2020 Award – News-Herald.com

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AKRON, Ohio, July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Valmark Financial Group has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Plain Dealer. Valmark ranked 12th among 100 reputable companies in the Northeast Ohio small business space to be recognized as a Top Workplace. The list is based solely on employee feedbackgathered through a third-party, with the results of top performers published in the Plain Dealer. The survey is anonymous and uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

"Valmark being named a Top Workplace is an incredible testament to our people and the workplace culture they create," said Caleb Callahan, President, Valmark Financial Group. "I'm truly honored by this achievement, especially because the judges were our employees."

Valmark employees exemplify on a daily basis actions that are consistent with the company's five core values, the first of which is, "We Live By the Golden Rule", a philosophy that means treating others the way you desire to be treated. "This shapes the way we treat our customers, our industry partners and certainly each other," said Callahan. "Together, we have created a unique culture, and I believe it has been a major contributor to both the success of our customers and our own business."

"I am very proud of the culture we have created and especially Caleb's leadership working with all managers to create increased levels of engagement among our internal team members," said Larry J. Rybka, Chairman and CEO, Valmark Financial Group. "This has helped all of our employees understand that they play a real role in bringing the Golden Rule to life."

Valmark's employee-focused culture is well represented by its engagement program, called simply, Engage. The Engage program is made up of a team of employees from various departments who work together to organize and implement a variety of activities for employees throughout the year. These include unique social events such as food trucks, in-office health and wellness activities, and the Valmark Olympic Games. Additionally, the Engage program also recognizes and awards employees who actively exemplify one or more of the company's five core values each month. "I call this getting caught in the act of doing things the Valmark way," said Callahan.

Part of the draw to Valmark for many employees is Valmark's "Spirit of Generosity." Through the Valmark Global Gift Fund (GGF), the company makes financial gifts to those in need locally and around the world. The GGF focuses on providing basic living needs, such as food, water, clothing, shelter, and basic education needs, to society's most vulnerable members. The GGF also partners with the employee led Engage program to create numerous volunteer opportunities for Valmark employees throughout the year.

"I am so proud of our team and all the wonderful work we do together to serve our customers, our communities and each other," said Callahan. "We are so thankful for this recognition and, more importantly, our employees, who make Valmark a truly special place!"

View Valmark's profile on the Top Workplaces website here. If you have any questions regarding this release, please reach out to Jamie Summerville, VP, Communications at jsummerville@valmarkfg.com.

About Valmark Financial Group, LLCValmarkFinancialGroup is a holding company of several subsidiaries, including: Executive Insurance Agency, Inc., a national producer group; Valmark Securities, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of both FINRA and SIPC; Valmark Advisers, Inc., a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser; and the Valmark Policy Management Company, LLC, which provides ongoing policy management and monitoring services for life insurance policyholders.With a proud history of workingwith independently owned financial servicesfirms committed to high ethical standards in over 30 statesthroughout the United States, Valmarkoffersa wide range of insurance and investment solutions for high net-worth clients. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio with operations in St. Paul, Minnesota, Valmark, through its affiliated entities, has helped itsmemberfirms place over $50 billion of life insurance death benefits and manage insurance policies with a cumulative cash value of over $8 billion dollars. Valmark's affiliated RIA, Valmark Advisers, has an estimated $5 billion in assets under management, including approximately $2.5 billion in variable sub-account assets withinits TOPSfunds. To learn more about Valmark Financial Group, visitwww.valmarkfg.com.

Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Contact: Jamie Summerville VP, CommunicationsValmark Financial Group130 Springside DriveAkron, OH 44333P: 330.576.1234 x3609E: jsummerville@valmarkfg.comwww.valmarkfg.com

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The Plain Dealer Names Valmark Financial Group A Winner Of The Cleveland Top Workplaces 2020 Award - News-Herald.com

Letters to the Editor: Improve traffic merge as part of West Ashley project – Charleston Post Courier

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Improve traffic merge

Lets make sure the redevelopment of the dead Pig in West Ashley does not lead to any deaths or injuries at the merge of Old Towne Road and Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.

The city and traffic engineers who work for us did a heroic job of soliciting and vetting multiple plans for improving the suicide merge at the intersection.

Those plans were ultimately nixed by the community. It was never clear to me what the vote was to stop the planning.

Now, its time for Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and City Council to intervene on behalf of the safety of citizens.

The site is going to undergo major changes that will affect road safety planning.

The mayor and council must use the authority given to them by the citizens of Charleston and do what is best for West Ashley citizens.

DR. EDGAR J. WEISS

South Hampton Drive

Charleston

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan, Here we go again.

So Boeing, which hid, obfuscated and lied about its problems with the 737 Max airliners that killed hundreds of people, is now being bailed out by the Federal Reserve Board and the federal government.

Once again people are crying Too big to fail and pumping out billions of taxpayer dollars and piling up record levels of debt to keep flailing companies alive.

Meanwhile, dare I ask, what restrictions are being put on corporate salaries and bonuses?

Or are we going to have the same situation we had during the Great Recession of 2007-09 when the banks and lending institutions that caused the crisis got off scot-free?

And where are the true conservatives who believe in free markets and limited government in economic affairs?

Where? Theyve run to the hills dropping all of their so-called principles by the wayside.

STEVEN MORRIS

Oconee Loop

Mount Pleasant

A letter in the July 5 Post and Courier asked, Who is Jaime Harrison?

I didnt know much about the Democrat challenging U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham until I attended one of the many town hall meetings he is holding with interested voters.

Participants can learn about Harrisons upbringing, family life, education, previous political and private-sector experience, his wisdom in the ways our government runs, or should run, and his understanding of what leadership entails.

I and many others came away impressed with Harrisons integrity, concern for the needs of constituents, his desire to heal the divisions in our nation and his ability to think independently.

I encourage the letter writer to become an actively informed voter.

Have a look at Harrisons website. It contains a lot of relevant information and outlines what his priorities as senator would be.

Call the campaign office to find out when his virtual appearances are scheduled and sign up to participate in one.

For those who really want to know about Jaime Harrison, information is available to those willing to take responsibility for informing themselves rather than expecting a busy Senate candidate to drop by when he is in town.

KAY K. CHITTY

West Shipyard Road

Mount Pleasant

I was brought up to be considerate of others and I would like to think I still am, but it is becoming more difficult to love my neighbor these days.

Whatever happened to the Golden Rule? Why are so many of our neighbors inconsiderate, insensitive, ignorant and indifferent to others?

When did we turn the corner and cross the line on being good neighbors?

How did we get to a point of caring only for ourselves, doing whatever we want to do when we want and how we want to do it without any sense of responsibility for our actions?

Last week, we celebrated the Fourth of July and the Declaration of Independence, or at least thats what the national holiday is supposed to be about.

How ironic that the primary drafter of this important document was Thomas Jefferson, whose statues are being torn down along with other important figures in American history.

Where is the logic in that?

We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men (and all women of all color, all race and all religion) are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men (and women) deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Lets not forget who we are and how we got here.

BETTY REED

Ashley Garden Boulevard

Charleston

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Letters to the Editor: Improve traffic merge as part of West Ashley project - Charleston Post Courier

I took a golf-themed gap year and loved it. Heres what junior golfers should know about them – Golf.com

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A gap year is a when kids take a year off between high school and college.

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With the continued spread of the coronavirus upending plans all across the country most recently on college campuses, where many schools have announced theyll be pursuing an all-digital curriculum in 2020-21 many would-be incoming freshmen are considering taking a gap year.

Gap years, where you take a year break in between high school and university, are pretty common in England, where Im from originally. I knew pretty early I wanted to take one, and my Mum was very supportive of the idea which Im very grateful for because it was a genuinely beneficial and enjoyable experience. So, with so many incoming freshmen potentially considering one of their own, I wanted to share a few things I learned along the way that could influence your decision to take one, or maybe help inform any advice you give to a loved one considering one themselves.

Sure, some well-to-do kids take a gap year, travel and blow through a bunch of their parents money in the process. More power to them, but personally, I think a gap year is more rewarding when you have a side-hustle that provides a little bit of dough for yourself. I lived at home during my gap year and caddied during the week, whenever I wasnt playing in tournaments. My colleague and fellow gap-year taker, Dylan Dethier, wrote about skiing on the side to help subsidize his trip around America.

Look, any money you make on your gap year isnt going to be enough to retire on, but if youre smart about it, itll certainly be enough to come in handy when you need it. You could put it aside for college, or if nothing else, you could use it to spend on a fun experience for yourself, which brings me to my next point

I had a very golf-centric gap year, which is a fancy way of saying I spent a lot of time in my car, road-tripping to and from tournaments. They werent huge trips; most of the tournaments were 36 holes, so the majority of my travels were a night or two somewhere within about eight hours of Hilton Head Island, which is where I was living at the time. Id leave the day before the tournament, try to get to the course in time for a practice round that evening, and usually hit the road after my final round.

At times it was boring I got to know I-95 really well, with the countless number of trips I made from South Carolina to Florida but when youre fresh out of high school and taking trips by yourself, alone for hours in a car, theres a dual sense of adventure and responsibility. You start thinking about stuff, which is mostly good, and learn to fend for yourself a bit.

It also, in my case, helped me see some areas of the country that I hadnt been to before or since. And once again, these werent massive trips. To Alabama for a couple of days, or up to Tennessee for a two-day tournament. But regardless, its a nice feeling, getting to know a little sliver of the country you wouldve never had a reason to go to before.

This one hit me in the winter of my gap year. All my friends were off in college, doing all the things college kids do and coming back with stories about it all, then leaving once again. Itll be a little terrifying at first it was for me at least and the truth is, youre probably not going to make a bunch of new friends during your gap year. Its going to feel pretty apparent when all your old friends are in college, meeting new people. Feeling a little left out is normal, so dont dwell on it. Use it as an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone.

If youre a golfer taking a gap year, even if youre working a bit, youre probably never going to have this much time to work on your game for the rest of your life, so get serious about it. Many juniors may take a gap year to work on their game in hopes of improving their chances of getting a collage scholarship. So if thats your plan, do it right. Find a coach and iron out your swing; hit the gym and gain some speed; play as many holes a day as you can, and learn to score. You have the potential to make some serious improvements that will pay dividends for years. Just because you have a year off doesnt mean its the time to slack off.

A gap year is your opportunity to get outside your comfort zone. When it comes to golf, that means pushing yourself. Id suggest playing a few mini-tour events and Monday qualifiers as an amateur. Get a taste of what its like competing against guys for a paycheck, and see what level youre at compared to them. Spending a day or two playing a mini-tour event can be an eye-opening experience. Even if it doesnt go well it will be valuable, and it might also show the kind of ambition college golf coaches look for.

In retrospect, perhaps the biggest benefit of my gap year is that it gave me some time to think. High school can be a crazy time, and so many of my friends came right out of it and barreled straight into college without much thought. By the time they actually took a breath and started to think about what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives, they were already two years in.

Of course, theres always the potential to change your mind later and discover something new, but use your gap year to ask yourself what you find interesting and might want to pursue. Do some self-discovery, that way you can hit the ground running when you get to school.

Ultimately, the best advice I can give, whether youre a golfer or not, is to stay productive. Learn about yourself, save some cash, work on your game, see new places, push yourself. If youre looking to get recruited by college coaches, be proactive and update them on your progress.

Ultimately, if youre a kid who wants to take a gap year or the parent of one considering it, remember the golden rule: A gap year is only as good as you make it, and its an opportunity that only comes around once.

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I took a golf-themed gap year and loved it. Heres what junior golfers should know about them - Golf.com

The little-known law that could stop you getting a fine and points on your licence for speeding – MyLondon

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Obviously, you should stick to the law and not speed, but many drivers will admit that they have sped once or twice, perhaps by accident or because they were in a desperate rush.

Then comes the fine, speed awareness course or points on your licence.

It hurts, and hopefully you learn your lesson.

But in some cases you might not actually have to pay the fine, thanks to a rule unearthed by The Money Advice Service.

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According to the free and impartial advice service, a letter should arrive within 14 days, and then youll need to return the completed Section 172 notice within 28 days, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Then youll be sent a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) - this is where you can plead guilty or not guilty.

However - before you do this, put the brakes on and check if a golden rule has been followed by the police.

The Money Advice Service confirm on their website: "If the ticket was issued written up, created outside of 14 days after the speeding incident, then there may be a possibility the ticket could be time barred (cancelled)."

However, they say the rules are more complicated than that.

They say: "All the police need to do is show the ticket should have reached the vehicles registered owner under normal circumstances within 14 days.

"This means the letter could go to an old address if youve not updated your licence, it could go to a hire company or to your work address if the vehicle isnt yours."

Put simply - if it gets to one of these within 14 days, it does not matter if it doesnt reach your address for another fortnight.

It also means delays caused by postal problems dont affect the rule if it was posted in time for a normal service to get the letter to you, a four-day strike wont sway the courts.

And by contesting the ticket, you could end up with a bigger fine and more points.

If you get 12 points or more over a period of three years, you could be disqualified from driving.

We've created a Facebook group for people who use the M25 to keep up to date with what's happening on the motorway.

We will keep you informed about the latest news that affects your daily commute to work, as well as at the weekend.

We'll also let you know in advance if there are any roadworks or closures you should know about, or if there are any problems at the Dartford Crossing.

Join the group here.

There are also more severe bands D, E and F, which are used for very serious speeding and driving offences.

The maximum fine is 1,000, rising to 2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.

Of course the most sensible and foolproof way to avoid a speeding ticket is to stick to the laws of the land in the first place.

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The little-known law that could stop you getting a fine and points on your licence for speeding - MyLondon

A little-known law that could stop you getting a fine and points on your licence – Cambridgeshire Live

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When you see a camera flash or a speed camera van in your rearview mirror it can be an agonising wait to learn if you've been caught for speeding.

Many of us have been guilty of this in our lives but the fines, speed awareness course or points on your licence still sting.

But it may not be too late to avoid a fine - thanks to a rule unearthed by The Money Advice Service.

According to the free and impartial advice service a letter should arrive within 14 days, and then youll need to return the completed Section 172 notice within 28 days, reports the ECHO.

Then youll be sent a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

This is where you can plead guilty or not guilty.

However - before you do this put the brakes on and check if a golden rule has been followed by the police.

The Money Advice Service confirm on their website: "If the ticket was issued written up, created outside of 14 days after the speeding incident, then there may be a possibility the ticket could be time barred (cancelled)."

However, they say the rules are more complicated than that.

They say: "All the police need to do is show the ticket should have reached the vehicles registered owner under normal circumstances within 14 days.

"This means the letter could go to an old address if youve not updated your licence, it could go to a hire company or to your work address if the vehicle isnt yours."

Put simply - if it gets to one of these within 14 days, it does not matter if it doesnt reach your address for another fortnight.

It also means delays caused by postal problems dont affect the rule if it was posted in time for a normal service to get the letter to you, a four-day strike wont sway the courts.

And by contesting the ticket, you could end up with abigger fine and more points.

If you get 12 points or more over a period of three years, you could be disqualified from driving.

There are also more severe bands D, E and F, which are used for very serious speeding and driving offences.

The maximum fine is 1,000, rising to 2,500 if you were driving on a motorway.

Of course the most sensible and foolproof way to avoid a speeding ticket is to stick to the laws of the land in the first place.

Read the rest here:

A little-known law that could stop you getting a fine and points on your licence - Cambridgeshire Live

What It Really Means To Amplify Black Voices – LAist

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(Dana Amihere/LAist)

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I was on KPCC's Take Two news talk show for less than two weeks when I produced my first conversation about race in Los Angeles. It was April 2015: one hell of a time to wade into the debate over race and policing. But it was also the month that I learned what it truly meant to amplify Black voices.

On April 5, Walter Scott, a Black man in South Carolina, was shot in the back by Michael Slager, a White police officer; the heinous execution was captured on camera for the world to witness. Less than two weeks later, 25-year-old Freddie Gray died in the custody of Baltimore police after a so-called "rough ride" resulted in injuries to his spinal cord. The uprisings that followed shook Obama's America and reminded even the most naive of us that a racial reckoning was long overdue.

Enter me: A fill-in producer fresh out of news radio powerhouse KNX1070. Less than a week after I was laid off in a round of budget cuts, I went from a legacy newsroom with 30-year employees and 30-second news holes to a comparatively newer house of journalism with 12-minute segments and more millennials than I could count. I relished the opportunity to help Los Angeles have some much-needed talks about race. But it hasn't been easy.

As the third Black person on the team, I had some great mentors in Joanne Griffith and Stephen Hoffman. Each of us carried a unique perspective on the Black experience. But in those first few weeks, I felt that my segments about race were embarrassingly basic. There's no other way to say that.

Even when I received kudos from our predominantly White leadership, their idea of a productive conversation often felt very different from my own. Deep down, I knew that the impact of any segment about race was almost entirely determined by the extent of my own knowledge and reflection on the subject. How could I "go there" if I didn't know where "there" was?

I started easy: a conversation about the use of the word "thug" when talking about Baltimore protesters with a young Jamelle Bouie. That same show, I produced a roundtable featuring a Black professor and a Black community leader from the city. A journalist, an academic, and a faith leader. How do I say this? Sigh.

In times of racial strife, the obvious decision for every outlet should be to "amplify Black voices." The difficult question that invariably follows is: "Which ones?"

In the beginning, I, like many journalists, fell into a familiar media trap. I chose to put a microphone in front of the Black community's polished gems, rather than its uncut diamonds. Subconsciously, I thought I was doing my people a favor by presenting its most assimilated voices. This was my takeaway after four years in commercial news. But if truth and accuracy are the foundation of true reconciliation, then accurate representation is non-negotiable. All Black experiences matter.

As April wore on, the news industry's dearth of nuanced coverage became increasingly apparent. I realized that I would have to become my own critic and develop a mental rubric for booking guests and writing interview questions that were free from the vestiges of inherent white supremacy.

Over the next month, I took listeners along on my personal journey. I produced a discussion about the often-problematic reporting around the Baltimore unrest. UCLA Dean of Social Sciences Darnell Hunt called out the news outlets that focused on the crimes committed during the protests rather than the frustration behind them. The goal was admittedly subversive: I wanted people to understand that those who create the narrative hold the very reins of social change. In retrospect, the conversation was for my own edification as much as anyone else's.

The turning point in my production work came in August. Longtime NAACP chairman Julian Bond had died. I was tasked with producing a roundtable discussion about the state of Black leadership in America. It was after nearly a week of production that I reached the limits of my own understanding.

So I got on Twitter and just started DMing Black people all kinds of Black people. Some days, I did nothing but talk to Black people. I called up activists, asked open-ended questions, and then I sat back and listened. It was commentator Jasmyne Cannick who got me thinking the most during this time.

"There is a huge disconnect from the folks who the media calls on as representing Black people and how Black people actually feel about those people who are out there claiming to represent them," Cannick explained on the phone with me and later on the air.

In the end, Cannick proved to be the right voice for our radio panel. What resulted was a frank discussion about the past, present, and future of Black leadership.

Though the segment existed for just shy of 15 minutes on the air, it gifted me with three lessons that I now use to measure all coverage of the Black experience.

Lesson 1: Times change.

Black people in Black spaces are having conversations about race that never make it to the mainstream media. They're discussing and dissecting social and economic dynamics that would likely sound foreign to more than half of the country. Failure to stay in the loop inevitably results in shallow coverage the journalistic equivalent of AstroTurf. Some listeners can't tell the difference, but Black people can.

Lesson 2: Let the story tell you how to tell it.

In the world of broadcast news, time is at a premium. The environment rarely lends itself to amplify Black voices. Finding the right voice takes time. Listening to that voice in a non-exploitative way takes time. Rewriting your entire narrative to reflect the fullness of the story takes time. Breaking out of colonial structures and power dynamics takes time. In this way, I believe, a news organization's dedication to Black lives can be accurately measured by the time they allow their journalists to pursue the stories of Black people.

Lesson 3: Love Black people.

The final lesson incorporates all lessons. I consider it my Golden Rule. Loving Black people doesn't mean giving them special treatment. It means giving their voices the same respect we've historically given to the police. It means respecting Black anger. It means celebrating Black intersectionality. It means recognizing Black individuality. And yes, it means hiring, training, and retaining Black talent.

Five years later, I can say that I'm still learning how to amplify Black voices. Mastery will always be just out of reach. But during this time, when the voice of Black America is too loud for any newsroom to ignore, it is my prayer that the practice of journalism will not emerge from this chapter unchanged and that we too will become part of the history we write.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly said Darnell Hunt was a dean at USC. He is a professor and dean of social sciences at UCLA. LAist regrets the error.

MORE FROM AUSTIN CROSS:

MORE FROM OUR RACE IN LA SERIES

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What It Really Means To Amplify Black Voices - LAist

Here’s How to Set Up an Ergonomic Home Office to Avoid Aches & Pains – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

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If you spend several hours each day working at a desk, youve probably experienced the ache and pain that comes with poor posture. Were talking wrist pain, neck and back issues, hip soreness and even an increase in headaches all due to improper setup.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

Add in the new challenge of working from home during a pandemic and you might be wondering how to set up your new workspace to be productive and avoid pain.

Luckily, there are tips and tricks to setting up your office (or makeshift home office) to achieve good posture and ergonomics. Chiropractor Andrew Bang, DC, discusses what to keep in mind to avoid discomfort and injury.

Its no surprise that sitting all day (especially if youre hunched over pounding away on a laptop) can have some undesirable consequences to your health. From increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to painful injuries like carpal tunnel and a stiff neck, properly setting up your desk and workspace should be a priority on your wellness list.

When it comes to good ergonomics, its really about positioning yourself to avoid injury, pain and fatigue and just improve your overall work performance, says Dr. Bang.

And who wouldnt want to achieve all those things?

Dr. Bang explains that there are four key areas to focus on when it comes to your setup:

These four fundamentals are the golden rules of ergonomics (whether youre working in the office or remotely).

I tell my patients when theyre setting up their workstation, think: head right, arms right, back right and move right, he explains. So if you do those four things correctly, it allows you to be in a position where you can avoid pain and a whole list of other injuries.

Dr. Bang dives further into the four key areas of proper setup.

Your head is like a 10 pound bowling ball when your spine is in a neutral position, explains Dr. Bang. And if you get into the wrong position, your spine takes on more of that weight.

So the farther your head moves away from your neutral spine, the more the weight goes up. Even moving your head 15 degrees forward (so slightly looking down), your head goes from 10 pounds to about 24 pounds! Thats a big increase on your spine, which can quickly lead to neck and back pain.

Add in looking down at a piece of paper and the pressure on your neck and shoulders jumps to almost 40 pounds. Do this for several hours and were talking major pain and damage, says Dr. Bang.

For this reason, always focus on your spine and head being in a neutral position. Place your computer screen straight in front of you where your eyes are looking primarily at the area of the screen that you use the most. Use books or a box to prop the screen up to the appropriate level.

If you have two screens, put the primary screen right in the center and the secondary screen off to your left or to your right.

If you can, try to move your secondary screen around, says Dr. Bang. Have your secondary screen to the right for a few weeks and then change it to your left in another couple weeks. Good ergonomics is about keeping your neck moveable and avoiding repetitive movements.

If you use a laptop, you might run into the issue of having your screen up so high that you cant reach the keys. For this reason I always recommend using a wireless keyboard, says Dr. Bang. If you cant type comfortably, youre going to be straining, which will quickly cause neck, trap and wrist issues.

Whether youre sitting or standing, the preferred position of your arms is going to be 90 degrees. So that means your shoulders need to be down at a resting position (not hunched up to your ears) and your elbows should be bent with your wrists staying neutral.

When it comes to your computer mouse, Dr. Bang recommends using an ergonomics mouse verse a traditional mouse. A normal computer mouse forces your wrist to twist, which can irritate carpal tunnel syndrome or give you general wrist pain. An ergonomics mouse allows the wrist to maintain a neutral position, almost like youre shaking someones hand.

Its also a good idea to move around your mouse pad from time to time to create a little variety in your positions. Again, focusing on reducing repetitive movement to avoid injury.

Most standard computer chairs have built in lumbar support and the ability to change your height, which is great for customizing your workstation, says. Bang. But if youre working with a normal chair, maybe even at home, theres a few things you can try when it comes to supporting a good back position.

You first want to make sure your legs and thighs are parallel with the cushion of your seat. This allows the pressure of your weight to be evenly distributed and reduces the risk of thigh or leg pain. Make sure your legs arent dangling or that youre not using the rungs of your chair to prop your feet up. If needed, get a box or stool to rest your feet on.

Sometimes, when were really engaged in our work, we tend to lean forward a bit, but your back needs to be placed up against the back of the chair, explains Dr. Bang. If youre constantly leaning forward youre going to get tired and fatigued and thats going to lead to tightness and back pain.

Instead, try using a lumbar support pillow, which will allow you to sit with the natural curve in your back. Place the pillow in the small of your back and adjust it so that your head is over your neck and shoulders. This even works with a regular, small pillow.

Think of the curve of your spine like a spring.As gravity bears down on it, the spring can change pressure and distribute it evenly. If you straighten your spine out or overly curve it because youre in a weird position, youre going to start to have some discomfort.

Along with the lumbar support pillow, you can get a chair cushion, which is also going to help distribute your weight. Some cushions have a cut out for your tailbone, which is a common complaint, either from a previous injury or from childbirth.

Even if I sit in the best possible position, if I stay there for too long, its going to cause me some pain and discomfort, says Dr. Bang. Whenever you get stuck doing the same thing, youre going to get injured. Repetitive movement is a big cause of injury.

Our joints are made to self-lubricate when we move. (Thats why movement is so good for us!) When we move our muscles we also stretch out from being tense or overstretched from sitting or standing too long.

I learned a saying from one of my patients that I think is so important motion is lotion, says Dr. Bang. We need to get up and move throughout the day.

Set a timer, schedule it on your calendar or make a rule for yourself that during every conference call youll try to incorporate movement, even if its a simple neck stretch. Try to figure out times throughout your day where a little bit of movement or stretching wont affect or impact your work.

Blend tasks together. So while youre reading a long email, youre stretching. If youre waiting for your lunch to heat up in the microwave, throw in some movement while you wait. Take advantage of bathroom breaks to make sure you get up every 45 to 60 minutes. Or if you have a standing desk, switch from sitting to standing every hour and the back again.

Creating variety throughout our day is going to help us combat pain and discomfort, says Dr. Bang. Movement is an important piece of good workspace ergonomics.

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Here's How to Set Up an Ergonomic Home Office to Avoid Aches & Pains - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

A smile has the power to change the world – Newcastle Advertiser

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In a Nutshell commentary by Trevor Barnes

Trevor Barnes.

Speaking for myself, what is more welcoming than a warm and genuine smile, be it from a person with whom you are on personal terms or from a total stranger?

Be it from a pretty girl or from your boss at work, a smile is the easiest way to show acceptance and approval from another person. The smile that emanates from the face of that person, also infiltrates the windows of the soul, and the eyes join the whole experience in a happy engaging twinkle.

In times of uncertainty and doubt Let a smile be your umbrella and when despair is eating at your fragility, Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone.

The humble smile has probably mended fences between wrangling neighbours, saved you from a spanking, smoothed the path back into lovers good graces and helped you side-slip out of a sticky situation.

ALSO READ: Live for today and dont take anything for granted

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Hospitality managers working at reception at holiday resorts and hotels are now not able to welcome guests with a toothy grin. Another casualty of the face mask wearing regime are those people who are deaf and need to see the mouths of those people who are communicating with them.

Unfortunately, the present Covid-19 pandemic has thwarted this means of social intercourse, instead, below the eyes, is this unfashionable and blandly boring cloth face garment, which has now become a permanent part of our going-out wardrobe, when we will be in the presence of other people.

In the past, young ladies never left home without money for a taxi or a telephone call home and boys always made certain they had a handkerchief in their pocket.

What the practical use of a handkerchief in an emergency was I do not know! Now, the call is Dont forget your face mask!. When this nightmare will be over is anybodies and every bodies guess, but if the clever people do not know, surely then neither do we.

All that remains is to mask up, wash hands frequently and endure the golden rule of social distancing, and no sneaky kisses in the lift please!

So for the protection of your own life and those of your family, say safe.

Here is the original post:

A smile has the power to change the world - Newcastle Advertiser

#FashionTips: Five rules to live by when wearing chunky accessories – The Standard

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Lolita BundeLet your one chunky piece shine and stand out (Pinterest)

Chunky accessories are bold and literally big, obviously not everyones cup of tea. They demand a certain kind of fashion discipline in order to pull off the look. They are not just the kind of accessories you wake up in the morning, throw on and leave. You have to think about your outfit, match it upfront and only add a chunky piece to gauge the final look.

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Although putting them on may seem tedious but the final look always pays off and you will keep heads turning in admiration.

Chunky accessories are easy to pull off, you only need to keep the following rules in mind:

Minimize on other accessories

When working with chunky accessories, be it a bangle, dangling earrings or a necklace in order for them to stand out and play their part you need to keep other accessories on the minimum. Let your one chunky piece shine and stand out.

When you want everything else to stand out you may end up looking tacky and unsure of what you are doing.

One chunky at a time

I cannot stress this rule more, when rocking chunky accessories always go for one at a time. If you decide to work with a chunky necklace, do not put on your dangling necklaces plus your extra-large bangles. You may end up looking like a clown.

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Maybe you can get away with a chunky necklace paired with chunky bangles but when it comes to the neck area, do not mix chunky necklaces with chunky earrings.Chunky necklaces look better when dressed with bare shoulders (Pinterest)

Be wary of your outfit

When it comes to matching your accessories to your outfits, always be wary of the designs. Not all pieces in your closet will match with accessories or are even meant for accessories. Chunky necklaces look better when dressed with bare shoulders, like when putting on off shoulders.

However dangling earrings look better when you put on turtlenecks, it spices up the long and dull outfit. Also you dont expect to put on chunky bangles with long sleeved blouses or coats, when will you show off the bangle?

Go for clothes with solid colours

This is the golden rule to wearing chunky accessories. Always go for solid colours, avoid prints and patterns. Your chunky accessories are vintage in a way and are already extra, when you do printed outfits the final look will be too heavy and confused.

Solid colours are plain and subtle and they will let your chunky accessory to all the talking and shining. They will also draw attention from your boring top or dress. Chunky accessories can come in handy when you want to keep your clothes simple but still look like a million dollars.

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Hair up always

Last but not least, your hair should always be up. Forget every other rule but this one. Whether you are in braids or your natural hair, always keep your hair up when wearing chunky accessories. If you have short hair, the better.

Having your hair down will take the spotlight from your chunky accessories. When you pull your hair up it leaves your neck bare giving more room for your accessories to shine. Furthermore, when you leave your hair loose it is likely to get tangled in the accessories which might get uncomfortable.

See the original post here:

#FashionTips: Five rules to live by when wearing chunky accessories - The Standard