Is Defunding the Police Libertarian? Reason.com – Reason

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I have become increasingly cognizant of a tendency of many libertarians to conflate "libertarian" with "antigovernment." There are a variety of groups and movements in the U.S. who hate "the government" for their own reasons, but aren't by any stretch of the imagination libertarian. If you hate the U.S. government because you think is it's controlled by "Zionists" who are trying to destroy European American culture by organizing an alliance of Third World immigrants and native African Americans, you will likely support dramatic cuts in government; but you are not libertarian, because if you thought "your people" were in control, you would happily have a massive, unlibertarian federal government.

Back when Ron Paul's presidential campaign was receiving support from various racist individuals and groups, his campaign's official position was that it welcomed support from *anyone* regardless of ideology, so long as they supported limiting the federal government. That's exactly the mentality I object to.

Libertarians hopping on the "defunding the police" bandwagon once again reminds me of the crucial but neglected distinction between being libertarian (or classical liberal) and being antigovernment. Protection of life, safety, and property is a legitimate function of government. Even Robert Nozick was fine with funding the "night watchman" of the night watchman state.

There are plenty of police reforms that could be enacted from a libertarian perspective that would improve matters. Qualified immunity reform is libertarian. Holding police accountable for misbehavior is libertarian. Reducing the power of police unions is libertarian. Getting rid of overtime and pension abuse is libertarian. Banning no-knock raids is libertarian. Reducing bloated police department bureaucracies is libertarian.

Broader reforms that would reduce the need for police and reduce police/civilian encounters are also libertarian. Getting rid of victimless crimes, especially the drug war, and certain categories of criminal business regulation that should be handled civilly is libertarian. Getting rid of taxes that lead to black markets that in turn lead to police/civilian encounters is libertarian. Abolishing laws that allow local governments to put people in jail for failure to pay civil fines is libertarian. Separating forensic science services from prosecutors' offices is libertarian. Holding prosecutors accountable for misconduct is libertarian. Finding alternatives to prison for certain categories of offenders is libertarian.

By contrast, "defunding the police," if that just means willy-nilly cuts, is not libertarian. This is true especially given that police departments will inevitably follow the "Washington Monument" strategy, in which bureaucracies respond to budget cuts by cutting what is most painful to the voting public. What is very likely to suffer is the legitimate function of the state in preserving people's lives, safety, and property from criminals, while not reforming the system at all nor doing anything about abusive police officers.

If defunding the police means getting rid of the police entirely, without any remote prospect of alternative means of protecting lives, safety, and property suddenly arising in its place (and in the current legal environment, the anarcho-capitalist dream of private protection services replacing police is impossible, even if it were somehow practical), is both crudely antigovernment and stupid.

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Is Defunding the Police Libertarian? Reason.com - Reason

Ottawa’s bylaw department conducting review after officer punched Black man in park – CTV News

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TORONTO -- Ottawas bylaw department is conducting an internal review after an officer punched a Black man in the face during a physical distancing crackdown in a city park.

Obi Ifedi told CTV News that back in early April, he was in the closed park with his daughter when the officer began clearing it out during a physical distancing crackdown spurred by COVID-19. He said he felt singled out for a ticket among the many people in the park who were trying to leave.

He said; Okay then, I'll just write you a ticket. What's your name, what's your name sir? I said: 'I'm not giving you my name, I've done nothing wrong,' Ifedi said.

Soon after, Ifedi said two police officers were called in and he ran out of fear.

I ended up across the street ... a bylaw guy tackles me to the ground (and) punches me to the face, he said.

Ifedi was left with a bruised lip and more than $2,000 in fines from the city bylaw officer.

In an email to Ifedi, Ottawa police said they investigated the incident and the officer in question did commit an assault while you were on the ground by striking you in the face.

The officer, however, was not charged for the incident but it was instead decided that pre-charge diversion was the best path forward for the officer, which typically includes counselling or community service.

Ifedis lawyer David Anber called this move rare.

Diversion is diverting something away from criminal justice system, most of the time that's done at the stage after charges are laid," he said. "When it's done in those situations, it's done for charges that are 'victimless crimes.'

The citys By-Law & Regulatory Service initially denied any wrongdoing from the officer, but are now conducting an internal review of the incident, which could result in a range of penalties, including the dismissal of the bylaw officer.

Still, Ifedi is more concerned that his daughter had to witness what happened.

I worry about her future, he said. I cry a lot about this at home I laugh because I'm really damaged inside.

Ifedi also wonders what might have happened had he fought back.

Imagine if we both punched each other, who would get the short end of the stick? he said. I would get the short end of the stick, because he's an enforcer. I'm a civilian and I'm Black.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Ottawa's bylaw department conducting review after officer punched Black man in park - CTV News

Pervert drove missing teen 200 miles to his home after filming her in shower – Mirror.co.uk

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A pervert who drove a teenage girl he met online 200 miles to his home in County Durham had filmed her in the shower when she was 15, a court heard.

Police went to Philip Olivers house in Bowburn, Co Durham, to find a 16-year-old girl who was missing from home.

The 40-year-old claimed their relationship was friendship rather than sexual but evidence seized from his computers proved otherwise, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Officers discovered a video of the girl, taken when she was 15 years old, in which she was having a shower as Olivers reflection could be seen in the mirror filming her.

The former IT specialist could be heard encouraging the girl to touch herself intimately and said, No judge will take you away from me.

A search of six electronic devices revealed a folder with the teenagers name, containing other indecent images.

Officers also found messages between them showing he had sent her pornographic images, the court heard.

And they discovered 491 Category A indecent still images, and 24 moving images, across six different devices, with some of children as young as two years old.

Oliver has now been jailed for almost three years after pleading guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of making an indecent image of a child, one each of possessing a prohibited image of a child and possessing extreme pornography, and one of distributing an indecent photo of a child.

In mitigation, David Lamb said that when Oliver first met the girl on an adult chatroom, he initially thought she was 18 years old.

Mr Lamb told the court Oliver suffers from mental health issues and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Sentencing Oliver, Judge Ray Singh told him, You made arrangements to collect her and take her to your home in Bowburn - a significant distance.

She was found at your home address. You told police you had had previous communication with her and she seemed to be having a difficult time at home and didnt want to return home, so you collected her.

You confirmed to police you knew her age and used the words shes now turned 16.

You have described the relationship as friendship rather than sexual, but that was incorrect.

Judge Singh said conversation between Oliver and the girl in the video implied they had had intercourse, but added, I dont sentence you on that basis.

He told Oliver: You knew what you were doing was wrong. You said, no judge will take you away from me, confirm your age is 16. You were aware she was 15.

On the indecent images, the judge said: These are not victimless crimes - children are distressed in these images.

The hunger and appetite from people like you fuels that trade.

It is wrong to describe it as pornography - it is child sexual abuse.

Oliver, of Bowburn, was jailed for 32 months and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

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Pervert drove missing teen 200 miles to his home after filming her in shower - Mirror.co.uk

The Problem of Racial ProfilingWhy it Matters and What Can be Done About it – Reason

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The killing of African-American George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the resulting protests have called new attention to a longstanding issue with American law enforcement: widespread racial profiling. In this post, I would like to consider why racial profiling is a serious problem, why it's so hard to end, and what nonetheless can be done to reduce it.

As I use the term, racial profiling denotes a situation where law enforcement officers treat members of one racial group worse than they would be treated in the same situation if they belonged to another group. If a police officer stops, searches, or arrests a black person when a white person in the same situation would be left alone, that's a case of racial profiling. By no means all cases of abusive police behavior qualify as racial profiling. As Jason Brennan and Chris Surprenant describe in a recent book, American police too often use excessive force in cases involving white officers and white suspects, where race, presumably, is not an issue. Even abuses involving minority civilians are not always a result of racial profiling. The wrongdoing officers may sometimes be "equal-opportunity" practitioners of police brutality, who would have done what they did regardless of the suspects' race.

Ending racial profiling would not end all abusive law enforcement behavior. It wouldn't even end all abuses where minorities are victims. But racial profiling is a serious problem nonetheless. It causes real suffering, it's unconstitutional, and it poisons relations between law enforcement and minority communities.

I. Why Racial Profiling Matters

Though racial profiling is far from the only flaw in American law enforcement, it is nonetheless widespread. A 2019 Pew Research Center poll found that 59% of black men and 31% of black women say they have been unfairly stopped by police because of their race. Their perceptions are backed by numerous studies including many that control for other variables, including underlying crime ratesshowing that police often treat blacks and Hispanics more harshly than similarly situated whites.

Almost every black male I know can recount experiences of racial profiling. I readily admit they are not a representative sample. But as a law professor, my African-American acquaintances are disproportionately affluent and highly educated. Working-class blacks likely experience racial profiling even more often.

If you don't trust studies or survey data, consider the testimony of conservative Republican African-American Senator Tim Scott, who has movingly recounted multiple incidents in which he was racially profiled by Capitol police. Even being a powerful GOP politician is not enough for a black man to avoid profiling. Or consider the the experiences of right-of-center Notre Dame Law School Dean Marcus Cole. Scott and Cole are not easily dismissed as politically correct "snowflakes" who constantly see racism where none exists.

Most cases of racial profiling do not result in anyone being killed, injured, or even arrested. The police unfairly stop, question, or otherwise harass a minority-group member. But they then let him go, perhaps with a traffic ticket (if it was a vehicle stop). Conservatives are not wrong to point out that the average black person is far more likely to be killed or injured by an ordinary criminal than by a police officer.

But that doesn't mean that racial profiling is trivial or insignificant. Even if one isolated incident might qualify as such, it is painful and degrading if the people who are supposed to "protect and serve" you routinely treat you as a second-class citizen merely based on the color of your skin. And it gets worse if it isn't just about you, because your friends and family get the same treatment.

It is also painful and scary to know that, while racial profiling usually doesn't lead to injury or death, there is always a chance that such an incident could horrifically escalate. When a black man encounters a cop, he often has to worry that the officer might kill or injure him even if he did nothing wrong. Such fear is far less common for whites.

Widespread racial profiling also poisons relationships between police and minority communities. If you (with good reason) believe that cops routinely discriminate against your racial or ethnic group, you are less likely to cooperate with them, report crimes or otherwise presume they are acting in good faith. That creates obvious difficulties for both police and civilians.

Curbing racial profiling should be a priority for anyoneincluding many conservatives and libertarianswho believe government should be color-blind. I have long argued that anyone who holds such viewsas I do myselfcannot tolerate ad hoc exceptions for law enforcement.

If you truly believe that it is wrong for government to discriminate on the basis of race, you cannot ignore that principle when it comes to those government officials who carry badges and guns and have the power to kill and injure people. Otherwise, your position is blatantly inconsistent. Cynics will understandably suspect that your supposed opposition to discrimination only arise when whites are the victims, as in the case of affirmative action preferences in education.

Finally, you have special reason to condemn racial profiling if you are a constitutional originalist (as many conservatives are). Today, most cases under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment involve challenges to the constitutionality laws and regulations that discriminate on the basis of race, or are motivated by such discrimination. But the original meaning of the Clause was centrally focused on unequal enforcement of laws by state and local governments, including the police. That happens when authorities enforce laws against some racial or ethnic groups differently than others, treating some more harshly and others more leniently based on their group identity.

Racial profiling is a paradigmatic example of exactly that problem. Where it occurs, victims are denied equal protection because the very officials who are supposed to provide that protection instead treat them more harshly than members of other groups.

II. Why Racial Profiling is Hard to Combat

While racial profiling is a serious problem, it's also a very difficult one to curtail. One reason why is that it's often hard to detect. With many types of illegal discrimination, the perpetrators leave a record of their decision-making process that can then be assessed by investigators or used as the basis for a lawsuit. In many, perhaps most, racial profiling cases, the relevant decision was made on the fly by a single person, or a small group. There is no record to refer to, and the officer can easily offer a benign explanation for his or her actions. Indeed, sometimes the officer himself won't know for sure whether he would have done the same thing if the race of the civilian involved was different. That makes racial profiling hard to address by using many of the traditional tools of anti-discriminitaion law, including lawsuits targeting specific discriminatory actions.

An additional problem is that racial profiling isn't always the result of bigotry, defined as hatred of a given minority group. Some officers really are awful bigots. But many, probably most, who engage in racial profiling are not. They are instead acting on the basis of what economists call "rational stereotyping." Police know that members of some racial or ethnic groups, particularly young black males, have relatively high crime rates compared to members of most other groups. In situations where they have little other information to go on, police therefore view members of these groups with heightened suspicion, and as a result are more likely to stop them, search them, arrest them, or otherwise take aggressive action.

If the officers who profiled Senator Tim Scott had known he was a senator, they would likely have left him alone. But all they knew just from seeing him was that he was a black male, and that led them to believe he was statistically more likely to be a threat than a woman or a member of some other racial group might be.

Racial disparities in crime rates have a variety of causes, including a long history of racism, and flawed government policies of many types. But there is little the average cop on the beat can do to alleviate these causes. He or she instead may focus primarily on the resulting differences in crime rates.

The fact that such behavior is "rational" in the sense used by economists does not make it right. Rather, this is just one of a number of situations where rational decision-making by individuals can lead to a harmful systemic outcome. Racial profiling resulting (in part) from rational stereotyping may be efficient from the standpoint of individual officers trying to cope with uncertainty under pressure. But it harms innocent people, and poisons police-community relations in the long run.

But the fact that racial profiling may often be rational makes it more difficult to root out. Police, after all, are far from the only people who use rational stereotyping as a way to cope with limited information. People of all races and walks of life routinely do so in a wide range of contexts. If you come to a party where you don't know anyone, there is a good chance you will make snap judgments about who to try to talk to, and that those judgments may be influenced by stereotyping based on appearance, including race and gender.

Jesse Jackson, the first prominent African-American presidential candidate, once said "There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery. Then (I) look around and see someone white and feel relieved." Jackson was relying on rational stereotyping: a white person (at least on that particular street) was statistically less likely to be a robber than an African-American.

The point here is not that rational stereotyping by Jackson or by a party-goer is the moral equivalent of racial profiling by police. Very far from it. The latter is far, far worse, because it causes vastly greater harm and injustice. Rather, these examples help us recognize that rational stereotyping is not confined to bigots, that it is very common human behavior, and that it is therefore very hard to avoid.

When we ask police officers to suppress their instincts and avoid racial profilingas we should!we are also asking them to exhibit a level of self-control that most of us often fall short of. The demand here goes well beyond simply asking them to avoid being bigoted thugs. It's asking them to refrain from using a decision-making heuristic that even otherwise well-intentioned people may often resort to.

III. What Can be Done.

While curbing racial profiling is difficult, it is not impossible. Many of the policy reforms that can curtail police abuses more generally will also indirectly reduce racial profiling. Abolishing or limiting qualified immunity can incentivize police to reduce abusive behavior of many kinds, including that which stems from profiling. Police who know they can be sued for wrongdoing are likely to be more careful about racial discrimination. Curtailing the War on Drugs and other laws criminalizing victimless offenses can eliminate many of those confrontations between police and civilians that are especially prone to racial bias. The same goes for curbing the power of police unions, which protect abusive officers of all types, including those who engage in racial discrimination.

If racial profiling is hard to detect, we can at least impose serious punishment in cases where it does get detected. If officers know that racial discrimination is likely to land them in hot water, they may try harder to avoid it, even if the chance of getting caught in any one incident is relatively low.

Perhaps the lowest-hanging fruit is getting rid of the policy under which the federal government explicitly permits the use of racial and ethnic profiling in the enforcement of immigration law in "border" areas (which are defined broadly enough to include locations where some two-thirds of the American population lives). This is by far the most extensive example of openly permitted racial discrimination in federal government policy. The Obama administration decided to let it continue, and Trump has perpetuated it as well. If we are serious about ending racial discrimination in law enforcement, it needs to go.

Laws and incentives are important. But ending racial profilinglike other forms of invidious discriminationalso requires cultural change. Survey data indicate that most white police officers believe current law enforcement practices treat blacks fairly (though the same polls show most minority officers disagree). Many of these officers probably believe racial profiling is justified, or at least defensible under the circumstances police face on the job. That needs to change.

History shows that progress against prejudice and discrimination often depends on changing social norms, as much as on laws. When I was growing up in the 1980s, it wasin most placessocially acceptable to display open bigotry against gays and lesbians. People routinely used words such as "fag" and "homo" as insultseven in liberal Massachusetts (where I lived at the time). People who behave that way today would be socially stigmatized in most settings, even though such expressions remain legal. The stigma is one reason why such behavior is a lot less ubiquitous than it used to be.

Police work is one of the relatively few settings in which widespread racial discriminationof a certain typeis still considered socially acceptable. If that changes, the behavior itself is likely to change, even if it remains difficult to challenge through formal legal processes. Consider what might happen if police officers known to engage in racial profiling were stigmatized by their peers or by respected authority figures in their communities. In that world, racial profiling would probably still exist; but it would likely be a good deal less common.

I don't have any brilliant suggestions for bringing about such a change in social norms. But history shows it can be done, and the issue is one that deserves more consideration by those with relevant expertise.

In sum, racial profiling is genuine problem that deserves to be taken seriously. There is no simple solution to it. We probably can't get rid of it entirely. But much can be done to make it less widespread than it is today.

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The Problem of Racial ProfilingWhy it Matters and What Can be Done About it - Reason

Actively reaching out amid frustration and pain – Loma Linda University Health

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Once again our country is being reminded that we have much work to do. As we watch the news, we must feel more than sympathy for our African American students, faculty, staff, friends and colleagues. This has gone on far too long, and even though the protests are now being taken advantage of by other forces of evil, we must not get derailed from the fundamental issues.

To see a plea for breath and life itself from George Floyd, and a long line before him, is painful to watch. That this occurred by a member of law enforcement makes this injustice even more heart-breaking. The re-emergence of discrimination that still exists in the hearts of some and being personified through actions should concern us all.

Since the inception of this nation, America has struggled to overcome hate and discrimination. We still see this struggle hundreds of years later today as we witness scenes like George Floyd and see many unite in the fight for justice.

So how does one help to heal these often mortal wounds? Can any one individual actually make a difference? While we often wait for clarion calls from our political leaders on these issues, we must realize that perhaps it can only be solved one person at a time by you and me reaching out in solidarity, not just in passive acknowledgement. But with active embracing of the pain and hurt felt by so many of all races.

Loma Linda University Health has long adopted core values that address these issues justice, compassion, and self-control, to mention just three. These arise not from the minds of people today, but indeed are values enunciated by Jesus. They need to permeate all that we do and think. They need to be so clear on this campus and to our communities around that we become a refuge for those now suffering.

This will not be a struggle of weeks or months or even years, but of a lifetime. We are wired in ways that make it difficult to overcome ingrained biases or beliefs from our own past. But surely this is a task we must embrace, perhaps the most noble of tasks, and one for which we seek divine help. Our faith-based heritage and our own campus are both full of examples that we can emulate the Golden Rule and the Good Samaritan for starters. It is so poignant now that when artist Alan Collins sculpted the Good Samaritan at the center of our campus, he portrayed an African American man as the Good Samaritan who faced danger to bring healing to a stranger.

It is into this confusing world of chaos and accusations that we are just now sending our newest alumni taught to heal and comfort those in physical and emotional pain. What a challenge and opportunity they are facing. This situation calls for a careful integration of medical skills integrated with our core values and an unwavering belief that we are all children of one God, of equal value in His sight.

Please join me in this journey of healing, this ultra-marathon of finding peace and wholeness in this torn world of ours. Begin within your own circle of friends and acquaintances, but then reach out, and further out, to include others. Look especially for those who are different from yourself and contemplate, understand, and enjoy their differences.

The Next Supper painting portrayed so powerfully in our library is surely the vision we all long for people of all nations eating with Christ in solidarity together.

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Keeping the Faith: Covid 19 and the Golden Rule | Opinion – Sonoma West

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Its disappointing to see the often casual ways people in public are dealing with the virus. For far too many in these parts, it seems like the attitude is Hey, man, no problem. Im not sick. Lets party. Even among the more reserved there seems to be little agreement about the value of wearing a mask out on the street. From what Ive seen, about a quarter of the folks out there are maskless. At the same time, our Sonoma County Health Officer told Sonoma West that the number of infections jumped significantly in recent days.

Whats going on, I wonder. Is the political divide really causing people to either wear a mask or emulate our barefaced national leader? I hope not, for if so, we humans have further to go toward sensible living than I would like to think.

Far as we know, everyone is susceptible to Covid 19. Were not even sure those who have recovered from it are immune. Nor do we know who among us might be carrying the virus without being sick at all. And we know the virus can kill a significant percentage of those it infects. Among older folks, older starting around age 60 so far as this virus is concerned, as many as one in five who get infected die, depending on underlying conditions. Far as I can tell, almost all of us in this age group have underling conditions. And death might not be the worst of it. The virus can cause blood clots all over the body; it can weaken vital organs and make the rest of ones days a terrible trial; and it appears to bring horrible illnesses to a small percentage of the children it infects.

Putting this all together, its crucial that we do what we can to avoid getting infected and to avoid infecting others. Wearing a mask and maintaining social distance are the ways we do this. Its that clear and that simple. But this doesnt work unless virtually everyone does it. Thats whats so disturbing about the haphazard pattern of masked and bare-faced folks interacting in public.

This new reality makes it especially hard on our business people. But if we want to help them, if we want to restore the economy, the best thing we can do is make sure we take all the precaution while shopping. We wear masks and stay safely apart.

Taking these simple precautions are the way we practice the Golden Rule in the time of Covid-19. I dont want people infecting me just because they dont want to wear a mask, and so Im morally bound to wear a mask myself. And in this situation, the stakes are really high. Doing unto others as you would have others do unto you is a matter of life and death these days.

Bob Jones is the former minister of the Guerneville and Monte Rio Community Church.

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Keeping the Faith: Covid 19 and the Golden Rule | Opinion - Sonoma West

Never turn your back to the sea NSRI urges all to obey golden rule – South Coast Herald

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The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity that saves lives on South African waters. Its goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives. NSRI is not a law enforcement agency. Its organisation is totally reliant on donations and sponsorships. This enables crew to do the work of saving lives, changing lives and creating futures.

ALSO READ: Recreational fishermen cast away lockdown gloom

While lockdown restrictions remain in place and beaches and inland waterways are not officially opened NSRI is nonetheless appealing to the public to exercise caution and to adopt a safety conscious mindset around the coastline and on inland waterways as lockdown restrictions may gradually begin to ease.

Southbroom beach.

When families can return to the beach and to inland waterways NSRI urges parents to ensure that their children are supervised by responsible adults while they are swimming at beaches, inland waters and at home swimming pools and the supervisor should not be distracted from the task.

Dont swim, go paddle boarding, sail boarding or boating under the influence of alcohol.

Paddlers and sailboarders are also urged to be cautious and to take into consideration fitness levels and competency levels that may have been reduced during lockdown restrictions and that may need some work before tackling any challenging conditions.

At this time of the year normally some provinces have lifeguards physically on duty at certain beaches and some provinces do not.

Always keep an eye on what the currents are doing.

In terms of provinces where lifeguards do patrol beaches, NSRI is informed that lifeguards will return to duty when lockdown restrictions are lifted or eased.

Where and when lifeguards do return to patrolling beaches NSRI appeals to the public to make use of those lifeguard protected beaches and where there are no lifeguards on duty extra care should be taken by bathers.

NSRI appeals to the public to maintain social distancing, wearing of masks and hand sanitising.

It appeals to anglers fishing along the shoreline to keep a safe distance away from danger, never to turn their back to the sea and be aware of high tides, low tides and spring tides.

NSRI also appeals boaters to ensure their boat engines are serviced and in good working order and boaters and paddlers must wear life-jackets while on the water.

Check that your safety equipment red distress flares, a referee whistle, highly visible clothing, fully charged cellphones and portable marine radios and capsize kits are all in tip-top shape and ready to be used in an emergency.

Respect the ocean at all times,

Have an emergency plan in place before launching.

Let a responsible person know your departure time, route and return time check in with that responsible person on your safe return.

Before launching to go to sea it is critical to your safety to download to your cellphone and make use of the NSRI RSA SafeTrx free cell phone app. NSRI Emergency Operations Centre and Maritime authorities monitor NSRI RSA Safetrx.

NSRI stations around the country and supporting water rescue agencies and the emergency services continue to remain on alert to respond to water related emergencies and we appeal to bathers, boaters, paddlers and sailboarders to have NSRI emergency numbers programmed in their phones.

The NSRI emergency number is 0870949774 or call 112.

NRSI is now experiencing a full moon spring tide which brings the usual higher than normal spring high tides and lower than normal spring low tides lasting into next week and extra caution is advised.

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Never turn your back to the sea NSRI urges all to obey golden rule - South Coast Herald

Southeast Texas family remembers father each year with unique memorial: A bright pink tree – 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas A Southeast Texas family is carrying on a tradition to honor their father in a peculiar but colorful way.

If you've traveled down Highway 365 near the Hillebrandt Bayou Bridge in Jefferson County, you've probably noticed a certain tree on the side of the road, a pink tree.

It's located on the north side of 365, just west of the bridge.

The reason the trunk is pink, to remember the life of Louis Sain.

Louis Sain's son, Brian, tells 12News his dad used the color pink to help his vision.

"Dad had a big shop and a ton of tools. But as he got older his eyesight started failing on him," Sain said. "So, he would paint his tools hot pink so he would find them."

On May 25, 2008, the day before Memorial Day, Louis Sain was coming home from an out-of-state trip when tragedy struck.

"He fell asleep at the wheel, and hit this tree. His car flipped over into this ditch and he drowned, passed away right here," Sain said.

He died at the age of 69, but his memory lives on thanks to the effort of family and friends.

Every year, they come back to the scene of the tragic wreck to brighten the memory of their father.

Yet, it's not just the bright pink trunk that makes this memorial so different.

"People will leave cans here and sometimes family will put them here, but that's the reason they're hanging there," Sain said.

The empty cans are Lone Star cans, Louis Sain's favorite beer.

Keeping his memory alive serves one purpose, but Brian says this tree also reminds drivers passing by, not to judge others based on differences and to treat people with kindness.

That's a lesson he says he learned from both his parents at a young age.

Brian's mother passed away in a fire, two years before Louis' crash.

"The golden rule, 'do onto others as you would have them do unto you.' They treated everyone that way, they always found the good in people and never looked for the bad," Sain said.

The tree remains pink if anyone is wanting to keep an eye out the next time they drive along that stretch of road.

June 6 would've marked Louis' 81st birthday.

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Southeast Texas family remembers father each year with unique memorial: A bright pink tree - 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC

Rooter-Man to the rescue | News, Sports, Jobs – Minot Daily News

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Brandon Carr/MDN David Kirlis, manager and service technician at RooterMan, poses alongside a company van.

Rooter-Man drain cleaning service owners Reid Hanson, Cole Ritter and Manager David Kirlis had big plans for the city of Minot and the territory of western North Dakota during its grand opening on May 1. But the coronavirus pandemic thought otherwise.

As numerous businesses were closed by the government shutdown, the drain cleaning franchise began to ascend as newly acquired customers started flushing non-flushable items down their pipes.

Dont flush anything down the toilet that should not be flushed, said Ritter.

The golden rule for plumbing is no matter how plumbing safe disinfecting wipes, protective gloves and masks say they are, theyre not, added Kirlis.

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Kirlis took a liking to the small-town atmosphere in Minot. He worked primarily as a plumber while serving nine years at Minot Air Force Base with the Civil Engineer Squadron. In 2019 Hanson and Ritter brought him in to become the manager and service technician for the Rooter-Man franchises launch.

When I was working on the base, I did a lot of rough end plumbing like new design and repair, Kirlis said. The Rooter-Man stuff is something Ive always enjoyed. I like fixing problems.

Hanson said the Rooter-Man franchise considers itself a problem-solving business. If a customer has household problems like grease wipes, roots, sewer lines in old homes, slow draining sinks and anything plugged up, they can call, and the company will get them back operating correctly.

The service technician stays equipped with the proper attire, such as gloves, masks and booties, to protect themselves and others inside the home upon arrival, said Hanson. The drain cleaning business is more personal as were in someones home after theyve exhausted numerous hours trying to figure out a solution for the problem.

In regard to customer service, Kirlis said it applies when entering a persons home. Its something to consider as the company is often the last resort since the customer has tried everything before contacting Rooter-Man.

Rooter-Man opened its doors to the public in North Billerica, Massachusetts, in 1970. After franchising in 1981, the company now has north of 580 locations dispersed between the United States and Canada.

By vote, its widespread success has earned it the number one franchise in the plumbing and drain cleaning category by Entrepreneur Magazine 16 years in a row and counting.

Rootermans replicable name with a proven track record of success is a big reason why we bought into the franchise, Ritter said.

For health and safety purposes, when going into someones home, their mission is to leave the customer with a scintilla of hope and satisfaction that the job is complete.

Rooter-Man can be contacted at 852-4665 or nd@rooterman.com.

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Rooter-Man to the rescue | News, Sports, Jobs - Minot Daily News

A look on the lighter side: Outed by Zoom at every click – The Island Now

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Now that more and more of my life is lived in Zoom computer meetings, Im starting to notice a few details.

For example, I am seeing that the other people in these meetings all seem to live with Martha Stewart, whereas I am clearly calling from the bottom of a well. A dark, messy, cluttered well.

And this is not just about my family and friends. With so many newspeople reporting from their own homes, it seems that if theyre not standing in a whistle-clean kitchen, then theyre sitting in a cozy, book-lined den. I can even tell you the color of their bookshelves, because with rare exceptions, everyone paints their bookshelves white.

My favorite is the bookshelf behind Rafael Pi Roman, a host and senior editor on WNET/Channel 13. He has so many books jammed onto every shelf, with even more wedged in at the top horizontally, that I cant believe it hasnt come down already. I tune in just to see if he will survive that bookcase for another day.

I have a bookcase, too, a lot neater than his but no one seems to see it. All anybody sees are the few little odds and ends that are piled in front of it.

Judy! said my brother. Is that your treadmill piled high with boxes and clothing? How long has it been since you used it?

Um, just a few weeks, I said, and quickly change the subject.

Yo, Judy, sais a friend, some days later. I thought you were getting rid of that old armchair? And whats that sitting on top of it? A printer?

No, its a typewriter.

A typewriter? What do you need one of those for? I thought theyd all been melted down!

I need it to type up mailing labels, if you must know.

Why do that? You have a computer printer, dont you?

The truth is Ive never yet figured out how to get a mailing label safely un-mangled through my printer, but she doesnt need to know that. Instead, I said, Im saving it for when I type up a fake suicide note to leave next to your body.

I was in a discussion group about the Golden Rule when my mind began to wander.

What would it mean to do unto others as you would have others do unto you? the leader was asking.

Um, dont judge me by the clutter in my Zoom background? I volunteered.

The discussion moved on, but I stayed transfixed by the seven years worth of tax records stacked on the couch.

And the seven years worth of toilet paper stacked on the floor beside it.

By the computer keyboard that quit working suspiciously soon after I sprayed it with Lysol, and which had to be replaced at full cost but which might dry out and start working again, someday.

And the recyclable shopping bag full of other bags that are all waiting for the day when we can leave the house because Someday, Scarlett, I promise you, I will Shop Again!

And whats that big cardboard box with the big distracting label on the side? I decide to turn it so at least the label isnt showing.

Oops! The whole thing fell over onto a stack of books, which fell onto the stack of toilet paper, which fell and rolled around and .

Its time I gave up. Maybe I should just drape a sheet over the whole mess and tell everyone Im at the summer home, with the butler taking some time off. (Unless people are going to worry that the butlers body is under the sheet?)

Mom, why dont you just use one of the zillion backgrounds Zoom has for precisely this situation?

You can do that? Quick! Find me some New-York-anchorperson bookshelves!

Let people wonder how I got into the room with Rafael Pi Roman.

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A look on the lighter side: Outed by Zoom at every click - The Island Now

Dont have enough time to exercise? Here are 10 tips to help you stay fit at home – Times Now

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Dont have enough time to exercise? Here are 10 tips to help you stay fit at home  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: For many people, maintaining a healthy weight can be a big task since stay-at-home guidelines went into effect. Eating right and exercising remain a golden rule for all and the statement never gets outdated to maintain overall health and well-being. But the storm of COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily routine and habits, making it difficult to stay on track.

As we continue to maximise our indoor stay and work for long hours, there may be limited time for us to stick to our previous exercise or workout routines since most of us had programmed ourselves to outdoor workouts in groups, which have taken a pause now. Perhaps, the change in routine combined with stress and not getting enough sleep can lead to a number of health issues, including unhealthy weight gain and obesity.

Obesity, as we know, is the culprit and root cause for most of the diseases. In fact, researchers have found that obesity-related conditions may worsen the effect of COVID-19. Maintaining a healthy weight can improve overall quality of life, as well as limit complications, if infected with the virus, said Ms Edwina Raj, senior dietitian, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. And here are a few tips to help you manage weight and maintain health with limited physical activity during the pandemic:

Eating healthy doesnt have to be drudgery, it can and should be explored in an enjoyable way. A healthy eating plan combined with physical activity is key to maintaing health and overall well-being. By doing so, you can manage your weight and overall health not just during the pandemic but throughout your life.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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Dont have enough time to exercise? Here are 10 tips to help you stay fit at home - Times Now

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: This is our moment – Effingham Herald

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By Fr. David Rose

Like most of us, I have continued to watch the unrest and protests that began with the murder of George Floyd unfold across our country, including in our own backyard in Savannah and Atlanta. I have alternatively felt support, grief, sadness and disappointment at both the protests and the responses they have provoked. After reflecting and praying the past week, I want to speak to my white Christian sisters and brothers and say that this is our moment, and we had better not miss it.

This is our moment and we cannot let it slip away this time. Too many moments have already come and gone over the years. It would be easy to dismiss the protests out of hand as riots, saying that if the protests wont happen peacefully then they get what they deserve. It would be easy to make it all political and partisan, saying my political party is on this side so Im sticking with them. It would be easy to simply say that this doesnt affect me or my loved ones so why do I need to get involved. In short, it would be easy to dismiss or rationalize away the unrest, and by doing so dismiss the underlying cause and fuel of this unrest that our black sisters and brothers are hurting.

Let that sink in for a moment because this message is easy to lose between the politics, the news cycle and our own discomfort. The pain is real with the murder of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner and many, many more. I cant ignore the words of Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:26: If one part of the body suffers, all suffer with it. Our black neighbors, friends, co-workers and family members are hurting, and it is past time for us to respond in a constructive and healing way. This is our moment to listen, be honest with ourselves and to act.

We must listen to the stories that are different from our own. It is time to collectively listen to the stories of prejudice and the way the system operates differently for different people. Lets listen to the stories of fear, silencing and marginalization. It is time to listen to the stories of lynchings (including those that happened in Effingham County); of events such as the Ebenezer Creek Massacre and Tulsa race riots; of death threats being leveled against those (including pastors) who attempt to speak out still. Lets listen to the stories of disappointment that we, you and me fellow white Christian, have not actively done more or have stayed silent when this pain has been expressed before.

After listening, its time to respond honestly. Again, it is past time for us to acknowledge to ourselves and to our hurting brothers and sisters thateven if we attempt to not see different races or colors of people, our society does. And if we are truly being honest, its time to get over our discomfort and fear and admit that we also see race and color. Its a good thing to not show bias or prejudice as individuals but when our individual attempts keep us blind to a larger societal problem, then its time to take the blinders off and fix that issue. The issue confronting us today is systemic racism plain and simple.

Once we are finally honest about the larger systems and structures that our ancestors constructed and we have benefitted from, we are able to begin to act in a healing way. We can begin to dismantle a deeper form of racism than personal prejudice. his work will take all of us. Its also going to be hard and take time. But, this is our moment to begin to heal and repair damage that has been done for generations. This is out time to act. We act by speaking up at every single opportunity. We act by showing up and standing in solidarity. We act by implementing changes to unjust systems in every area of life. When unjust systems are dismantled, it is then that the beloved community can begin to take shape not before.

When we know better, we do better. For my part, I will choose to listen, be honest and then act. To do otherwise when I know that my black sisters and brothers are hurting is a sin. It would be like walking on the other side of the road in the parable of the Good Samaritan. To dismiss the experiences of our black brothers and sisters is the opposite of the Golden rule that Jesus taught to do to others what you would have them do to you. To dismiss or ignore at this point is the definition of dead faith not to act to help a sister or brother in need. I call upon my fellow pastors in every predominantly white church in Effingham to do the same.

The pain and frustration we are witnessing erupting to the surface through the protests whether constructive or destructive needs a redemptive response. The ball is in our court and how we choose to respond will determine whether healing and reconciliation can happen, or if we will continue to see more unrest, mistrust, desperation and anger in the future. Fellow white Christians, this is our moment and we can not let this moment slip by.

Fr. David Rose

St. Lukes Episcopal Church, Rincon

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: This is our moment - Effingham Herald

Enterprising Spirit: Business is at a crawl for Spokane travel agency as it waits for the rebound – The Spokesman-Review

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Editors note: Our series Enterprising Spirit documents how businesses and workers are managing the economys slow return to life after its sudden shutdown in March and adapting to new challenges ahead.

Cathy Nystrom arranges travel for a living, but that doesnt make her immune to the whims of an industry ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic.

Nystrom, owner of Edwards LaLone Travel agency in downtown Spokane, had long been looking forward to a European getaway in mid-March. It was a work trip one of the perks of being in the travel industry that would have put her and other industry members on a river cruise up the Danube for a week, mixing work and leisure for a few days.

The trip, however, became more unlikely as COVID-19 spread globally. Luckily, Nystrom has made a career of handling situations like these for clients over the last 30 years, and she knows how to make the best of the unfortunate situation. She got a refund on the cruise and a credit for her flight.

It was a lot of waiting around for the company to cancel the cruise itself, because they waited till the last minute and wouldnt give refunds if it wouldnt be canceled, Nystrom said. Times like this truly give companies and individuals the chance to show their true selves, Ive found.

Nystrom has been with Edwards LaLone since its inception 30 years ago, and has been the owner for the past seven years. The agency handles travel plans for its clients every step of the way, booking hotels, rental cars and flights for solo travelers and school trips.

Many think travel agents are a relic of a bygone era, Nystrom said, but the reality is the internet has only helped grow her business. Travelers still appreciate having an expert on call from booking to returning home, and sometimes its simply easier to avoid rabbit holes and have someone who knows how to do the work for you, Nystrom said.

And over the years, Nystrom has taken one golden rule to heart: whats best for the client is best for the agency.

Nystrom and her seven employees make nearly all their income on commissions from travel companies. As bookings dried up, so did the revenue. Nystrom had to lay off all her agents, some of whom have since gone on unemployment.

Nonetheless, Nystrom said it was never an option to close up shop entirely. Clients still needed help fighting for refunds on canceled trips; she spent the first week of the shutdown evacuating clients from overseas.

Theres not a chance Ill just shut it down and go to the lake for the summer, Nystrom said. The phone is not ringing off the hook by any means. But if there are only two phone calls a week, I want to be here for those two calls.

Like many non-essential businesses, the agency has felt the pinch in recent months as its office closed and employees retreated home. But the travel industry has been under extra pressure as clients cancel flights and stay home whenever possible.

Nonetheless, Nystrom said she was crazy busy for the first weeks of the shutdown. The travel industry, she said, is difficult to grasp for the uninitiated on the best of days, with its constantly shifting rules and regulations. Clients needed Nystroms expertise to help them navigate cancellations, refunds, credits and future plans. On top of that, Nystrom was suddenly her agencys only employee.

But Edwards LaLone has seen hard times before. The agency hasnt missed a single world crisis in its three decades, Nystrom said Spokane travelers have gotten caught up in SARS, volcanoes, Ebola and typhoons before, and Nystrom and her staff got them out.

The industry saw travel dry up drastically following 9/11 and the 2008 economic crisis, and as a result Nystrom has run her business conservatively in anticipation of another downturn. Shes built up a sizable rainy-day fund thats been keeping her going during the pandemic. Plus, she admits, working from home has allowed her to adopt a less-hectic pace thats been pretty soothing.

But things are not exactly certain. Nystrom said she doesnt expect bookings to return to normal levels until a vaccine for the coronavirus is developed, and her agents may not be able to return full-time until January.

A few clients whose trips werent canceled have stuck with Edwards LaLone, including Echo Norisada, a Spokane resident whos been planning her sons 21st birthday trip to Las Vegas since February.

Norisada said the trip, scheduled for the end of July, had been increasingly uncertain since the pandemics start. But when she heard Las Vegas would be starting to reopen, she called Nystrom to make sure plans could still continue.

Ive just been sitting here and waiting for months now, not knowing what well do, Norisada said. But one call to Cathy and she handled it all for me while I was on the phone.

Though shes a little nervous about traveling during a pandemic, Norisada said Nystrom had reassured her about precautions being taken by hotels and airlines. Plus, Norisada said, she would rather support a local business whenever possible, especially one like Nystroms that shes patronized for years.

Other than a few clients like Norisada here and there, Nystrom said the initial craziness has now died down. She gets only a few emails a week now, mostly from clients wishfully thinking about future vacations when things are back to normal. But Nystrom is expecting that when business returns again, it will be in full force.

Im a little afraid its going to be like flipping a switch, Nystrom said.

In the meantime, Nystrom is working from home, keeping in touch with longtime clients and posting travel inspiration on the agencys social media. And shes planning a little something for herself, too this October, she and her husband will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a trip to Hawaii using the credit from her canceled Europe trip.

Or, if things are still upside down, theyll take the car to northern California.

I see a lot of car travel and camping for this summer and fall, Nystrom said. And thats not exactly our biggest business. But we arent going anywhere.

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Enterprising Spirit: Business is at a crawl for Spokane travel agency as it waits for the rebound - The Spokesman-Review

Dan Bongino, George Floyd’s brother to testify at House police brutality hearing – POLITICO

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Democrats, meanwhile, are planning to call Floyds brother, Philonise Floyd, as well as an attorney for the family and a slew of other witnesses who provided input on Democrats sweeping police reform package that was unveiled this week.

Wednesdays hearing on police brutality follows the death of Floyd, an unarmed African American man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was seen in a video pressing his knee on Floyds neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd begged for his life. Chauvin is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder.

Two autopsy reports have called the death a homicide, and video of the killing set off massive, nationwide protests against police brutality. Some protesters have called for defunding police departments, along with a host of other proposed changes.

The Judiciary panel could mark up the police reform bill as early as next week, with a floor vote expected before the end of this month, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) announced Tuesday.

Bongino, formerly an agent in the U.S. Secret Service, is an outspoken defender of law enforcement. In a recent "Fox and Friends appearance, he said defunding police was catastrophic.

People will die, he said.

Shin Inouye, a spokesperson for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, confirmed that Vanita Gupta the organizations president, and the former head of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division will also testify.

Vanita looks forward to offering her views on behalf of The Leadership Conference to the House Judiciary Committee, he said in a statement. We look forward to working with Congress to work for real change that shrinks the footprint of the criminal legal system, including police, in Black and Brown peoples lives and makes all communities safer and more prosperous.

The other Democratic witnesses, according to a source familiar with the list, include Art Acevedo, chief of the Houston Police Department; Paul Butler, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center; Benjamin Crump, attorney for the Floyd family; Ron Davis, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; Phillip Goff, president of the Center for Policing Equity; Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; and Marc Morial, the president of the National Urban League.

The Democrats' witness list draws heavily from a list of advisers that the committee turned to earlier this month for recommendations on policy changes to address police brutality and systemic racism: Ifill, Gupta, Morial, Goff and Davis were among those who briefed the committee on June 2 as Democrats began crafting their a package of police reforms.

In addition to Bongino, Republicans are also planning to call Angela Underwood Jacobs, the sister of Federal Protective Services Officer David Underwood, who was shot and killed during recent protests and riots in Oakland, Calif.; and Darrell Scott, an African American pastor and Trump ally.

Scott is listed on the communication that POLITICO reviewed, and confirmed he will participate.

I think defunding, dismantling police departments would be one of the most irresponsible, foolish, unwise decisions that any elected official has ever made in the history of this great country," Scott said.

The trio of witnesses selected by Republicans underscores the GOP's desire to echo Trumps law and order message, even as they call for some police reforms.

But Republicans have uniformly condemned Floyds killing. Bongino has called the video of Floyd's death "really, really tough to watch."

"When I was in the 75th precinct as a New York City Police Department [officer,] the golden rule was when the cuffs are on and the subject is controlled, the fight is over," he said in an appearance on the Fox News show Hannity on May 28.

Bongino has also lobbed criticism at a number of committee Democrats over the years including calling Judiciary panel Chairman Jerry Nadler an "intergalactic laughingstock" a preview of the potential fireworks that could erupt at Wednesdays hearing.

After special counsel Robert Mueller testified to the panel about his probe of Russian election interference, Bongino tweeted that Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) should resign in disgrace. He called Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), another member, one of the legendary liars in Congress. And he called Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) a [f]ailed human being.

Kyle Cheney contributed to this story.

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Dan Bongino, George Floyd's brother to testify at House police brutality hearing - POLITICO

How does an RPA Triumph? 10 Rules that Test Automation Success – Analytics Insight

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Much has been said and debated about the success parameters which govern Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Forrester recently released two reports that identify two important thrust factors that enterprises must weigh to test the success of their first automation initiative. The first examines RPA philosophies, and the second emphasis on how does test automation technology is becoming more relevant to the overall automation strategy.

The essence of RPA is truly felt as the world fights the battle with the Coronavirus pandemic. Robotic Process Automation is no longer an add on but has emerged as a critical ingredient to business continuity. Automation finds its use cases into not just the traditional RPA friendly domains but to the emerging sectors like mining and logistics as well.

The key question is how does an organization assess the success of its automation initiative?

Forresters Ten Golden Rules for RPA success aimed at Application Development & Delivery Professionals speaks about the important considerations that must be taken into account by application development and delivery (AD&D) professionals while developing pilot automation solution for enterprises.

According to Forrester, though it is easy to get into RPA, the art of automation is difficult to master. AD&D professionals must and should focus on business continuity, use cases, change management, bot security while designing and implementing an RPA solution. An important aspect to consider here is turning out human effort to an enterprises greatest strength by imbibing a strong automation culture among the workforce.

Robotic Process Automation began as a support to augment the human workforce, by taking the repetitive rule-based work away. As times change Intelligent Automation has stepped in, making success factor assessment an ongoing activity for each process under automation. Forrester reminds AD&D professionals to be wary of these key considerations-

Finding the processes to automate- RPA business analysts amongst AD&D professionals must brain-storm to find the most repetitive, high-volume tasks that are simple to automate in a bid to justify the cost of the bot and efforts spent behind building the solution.

The scale of Automation- Starting with complex processes first has a strong chance to halt the Automation process. The key is to start with a simple rule-based manual process, then proceed with scalability in later stages on a full-fledged RPA project implementation.

Enterprise investment vs ROI assessment- AD&D professionals need to understand the processes in collaboration with the enterprise and design automation solution which justifies enterprise investment and ROI earned.

Enterprises need to ascertain that RPA efforts invested align with its long-run digital transformation objectives.

There is no plug and play business cases, RPA solutions are customized to enterprises according to their workflows.

Consider RPA as an enterprise platform, setting the stage for data privacy and buoyancy.

Bots must be treated as an IT asset, set with zero-trust fundamentals.

Rule-based repetitive processes must have a pre-defined pipeline for automation workflows. For instance, Data Warehouse Automation for simple initial processes to further scale up to complex processes.

Define the different processes to automate, improve, and standardize which can be documented. Categorize success with process mining.

Artificial Intelligence backed Intelligent Automation must be assessed, with supporting data to augment human decision making.

Foster in-house automation skills, look out for cases that are unique to an enterprise for Intelligent Automation.

Take employee experience (EX) as a critical success factor. Build a model based on the most common errors that a human can make and then create the solution that is easy for the human to correct. Automation models must be designed and developed considering employees well-being a priority.

Inculcate an automation mindset, focus on the customers end goals, the processes involved, discuss changes and strategies proactively. Build leadership faith.

Forresters Ten Golden Rules for RPA success, concludes by focussing on, RPA will not fuel the automation revolution unless and until it changes. As RPA aligns more closely with adjacent technologies such as AI, the opportunity for AD&D pros to leverage it for broader transformation will multiply. Use RPA as a stepping stone to a broader automation strategy, but dont drop the ball on the basics.

Forrester, emphasizes that AD&D professionals must learn lessons from test automation and RPA solution implementation, these two technologies have a great potential to work-in-tandem to scale automation and accelerate innovation in the long run.

As a fitting conclusion, the report offers key takeaways for AD&D professionals-

To maintain bot resiliency, lower RPA maintenance costs.

A successful RPA solution requires customized use cases, process mining is as critical as digital analysis opportunities.

Testing requires flexibility and room for improvement in the pre-designed solution, mainly for pre-production and bot-design and development.

Automation testing is aligned with congruity, integrating AI &ML, automating machine-human interactions, and orchestrating automation.

In a crux, both RPA and Test Automation are pivotal to the future of Automation. AD&D professionals must not use RPA tools instead of testing tools with testing applications and shouldnt be looking for mergers or imposing each other.

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How does an RPA Triumph? 10 Rules that Test Automation Success - Analytics Insight

Have mask, will travel: a brief history of facial coverings – TheArticle

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From June 15, it will be compulsory to cover your face on public transport. Announcing the new rule at the Downing Street press conference, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, was at pains to distinguish between face masks and face coverings, explaining that only the latter would be mandatory and that clinical masks were only necessary in a health care setting. There are concerns about shortages of surgical masks for NHS and care staff. Nevertheless, the great majority of travellers will wear masks of some kind. Enforcement will be carried out by police, but transport staff will refuse entry to passengers who fail to cover up. The experience of using buses, trains, tubes, trams, ferries and aircraft will be transformed.

The British have no love of face masks. Unlike some East Asian nations, who wear them even in normal times, we have hitherto resisted any compulsion. The evidence that they reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus is thin. Yet other European countries, notably Germany, have already made facial coverings mandatory on public transport and some, such as Spain, require them in all public places.

Masks confer little or no protection on the wearer; the benefits, if any, are almost entirely for those in their vicinity. The public health argument is therefore an altruistic one: we must do this for the sake of others. Whether we comply will depend on how well we know and abide by what has become known in the field of ethics as the golden rule. In the Hebrew Bible, this takes the form: love your neighbour as yourself. In St Matthews Gospel, Jesus gives the injunction as: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. All the world religions express the golden rule in one form or another, usually as a divine commandment.

In secular form, the rule is often formulated as an ethic of reciprocity: wear a face mask to protect others so that they will do the same for you. From a political or legal perspective, the justification is utilitarian: the greatest good of the greatest number. As Jeremy Bentham put it, the business of government is to promote the happiness of society, by punishing and rewarding. Punishing those who spread Covid-19 conduces to the happiness of society, even though the risk of any individual doing so is small.

Historically, many societies have required women to cover their faces for reasons of modesty; some, notably in Islamic countries, still do. A minority of European Muslim women wear the niquab, which may leave only the eyes visible. Such veiling of the face has provoked resistance in non-Muslim societies; in France, for example, the law requires that the face must be visible in public places. But in the West, too, veils used to be common in church and are still frequently worn by brides. Some veils, such as the Spanish mantilla, tend to enhance rather than obscure feminine beauty; their purpose is often to attract rather than deter the attention of the opposite sex. This is less true of sunglasses, which hide the most important part of the face. It is no accident that so much trouble is often taken with eye makeup and that some spectacles are so costly. One of the reasons many people dislike face masks is that they make our glasses steam up.

If eyes are windows into our souls, it is good that they wont be concealed by the facial coverings that will become the norm on public transport. When surrounded by strangers, being able to look at their eyes is important. In future, it will be harder for transport police to identify thieves and other criminals on CCTV because their faces will be only partly visible. That is one of many drawbacks that ministers must be presumed to have weighed carefully before reaching their decision to impose facial coverings by law.

Comparisons have been drawn with the ban on alcohol on some forms of public transport, but this is a much more far-reaching measure. Whether it succeeds will depend on the public: British policing can only be by consent. The golden rule cuts both ways: we wont do for others what they fail to do for us. Like most things in life, a little courtesy will go a long way to making this burden less onerous. Masking up is unlikely to become permanent; and any restriction is tolerable as long as it is temporary. The benefits are as likely to be as much psychological as medical: they will make people feel safer. This is important: having frightened us off public transport, in due course the authorities may have to encourage us to use it again. The motto might be: have mask, will travel. Bon voyage!

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Have mask, will travel: a brief history of facial coverings - TheArticle

Faces of Cayman: Lucas Anglin | Loop News – Loop News Cayman

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This week's face of Cayman is tourism-worker and digital artist, Lucas Anglin who hails from West Bay.

Lucas was born in the Cayman Islands and lived in the United States with his American mother and Caymanian father until the age of ten, when he returned to Cayman.

"I believe in equality, the golden rule and treating people fairly," says Lucas of the principles that guide his life.

Like many Caymanians, Lucas was employed in the tourism sector before COVID-19 and has been displaced by the COVID-19 shutdown. "I've worked in tourism for most of my life," he says. "I've driven buses, given tours, worked at the Turtle Farm, Dolphin Discovery, Ritz Carlton, Captain Marvins..." He goes on.

"Right now I'm out of work," he laments. "I'm looking for jobs via WORC or anywhere else I can find something."

Lucas is also a digital artist with a flair for abstract Digital Arts and designs with a profoundly emotional grafiti'esque vibe. He got into art about five years ago, but really became addicted to his craft during the pasttwo years and has since created over 900 pieces. His dream is to have his own art gallery in Cayman some day.

Photo credit: Helen Jones

Lucas is also an avid musician and has written a number of hip-hopsongs and also writes in his free time.

"What I love most about living in Cayman is that I can fish and catch my own lobster and conch for dinner. I also love the beach and I even love the occasional thunderstorm," shares the pensive artist.

View more of the artist's work here.

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Faces of Cayman: Lucas Anglin | Loop News - Loop News Cayman

Where to Find Outstanding Food From Black-Owned Restaurants in Greater Phoenix – Phoenix New Times

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Sky-high plates of chicken and waffles in Youngtown. Crispy catfish po'boys in south Phoenix. Bites of Hoppin John that would transport you to the muggy outdoor cafe tables in the French Quarter. The Valley is lucky to have a wide variety of black-owned restaurants offering incredible food in vital spaces.

We have many suggestions. Here are several restaurants in greater Phoenix we recommend for today and well beyond.

Jupiter Rings Wings and More 4700 North 12th Street

If youre looking for a new restaurant, try Jupiter Rings Wings and More. Jason Higgins came to Phoenix with just a buffalo sauce recipe. He has since created a popular vegan version and opened a restaurant and will soon be selling his product in grocery stores nationwide.

The artfully plated chicken chicken and waffles dish from Rag's.

Lauren Cusimano

Rags Real Chicken & Waffles 12242 North 111th Avenue, Youngtown

Tucked away in the northwest Valley city of Youngtown, Rags Real Chicken & Waffles is a small, family-owned restaurant that plates sky-high chicken and waffles truly, the dish has to be about six inches tall off the surface of the table. Aside from the huge portions, there is much more to appreciate here like the sides, the live music, and the BYOB policy.

Mingo's serves a variety of po'boys, including the classic catfish po'boy.

Samantha Pouls

Mingo's Louisiana Kitchen 3424 West Southern Avenue, #180

We have a few good spots for Cajun food in the Valley,but we recommend Mingo's Louisiana Kitchen in south Phoenix. Its backed by a New Orleans-rooted chef, and offers old-school and new school poboys, like an oyster and bacon or confit pork and slaw. Theres also a brunch menu with an andouille and shrimp omelet paired with a morning daiquiri. At the moment, it's best you follow the Facebook page to see where the Mingo's food truck will be located.

Get them ATL style.

Lauren Cusimano

ATL Wings Multiple Locations

For some seriously, seriously good wings, go to ATL Wings. Many wing options in Phoenix are pretty good, but these are some of the best. If you love a good dry rub, ATL Style should definitely be your order. Each piece, drum, or wing is hefty and evenly coated with that heavy, oily blend of herbs and spices. Its no surprise they won a Best of Phoenix award in 2018. (Personal note: Ive eaten myself sick on ATL Wings many times.)

How Honey Bears BBQ was excellent to the cast and crew of Bill & Ted in 1987.

Lauren Cusimano

Honey Bears BBQ Multiple Locations

Many restaurant owners have stories, but not all can recall a time they catered the crew of Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure. It's true. Honey Bears BBQ owner Mark Smith remembers the first time this group of highly energetic and friendly young people walked into his barbecue restaurant in 1987. The next three months would be filled with some excellent adventures. Also, you can drink the sauce here, and many do.

Mrs. Whites Golden Rule Caf is one of the top restaurants in town.

Jacob Tyler Dunn

Mrs. Whites Golden Rule Caf 808 East Jefferson Street

Mrs. Whites Golden Rule Caf is one of the citys top restaurants. Named for founder Elizabeth White, it serves utterly timeless food. The writing on the wall literally informs you this 50-year-old restaurant is where youll find one of Phoenixs most famous Southern dishes: the golden brown Southern fried chicken (with suggested sides of cabbage and black eyed peas). Mrs. White has spinoffs everywhere, including her grandson, Larry Lo-Lo Whites spot, Lo-Los Chicken & Waffles.

Stephen Jones of the Larder + the Delta in the permanent location.

Chris Malloy

the Larder + the Delta 200 West Portland Street, #101

Operated by chef Stephen Jones, the Larder + the Delta is also one of Phoenixs top restaurants. Wereviewed the restaurant in 2018,and we stand by it. The restaurant's second location is in sleeker digs, but the menu is still killer Southern fare. Entrees include pork ribs and chicken fried chicken, but smaller plates are the main draw here. The cauliflower is made with sauce from Cutino Sauce Co. (another black-owned business), the Hoppin John makes you feel like you're in NOLA, and the crispy pig ears are dusted in Cheetos. We could write a poem about the chicken skins.

An order of the fried chicken at Stacy's Off Da Hook BBQ and Soul Food.

Lauren Cusimano

Stacy's Off Da Hook BBQ and Soul Food 1804 West Glendale Avenue

We think Stacy's Off Da Hook BBQ and Soul Food has some the best soul food in town. In addition to offering a well-decorated (but not yet opened) dining area, this casual soul food restaurant serves "ole fashion" barbecue, fried chicken, and chitterlings, and has Kool-Aid on tap. That crispy fried chicken is some of the best in town; it comes from a secret recipe concocted by owner Stacy Phipps himself who most likely will be in the restaurant when you visit. We also gave it a Best of Phoenix award in 2019 for its food in general.

Anibal Abayneh and and Salem Beyene own Cafe Lalibela in Tempe.

Jacob Tyler Dunn

Caf Lalibela 849 West University Drive, Tempe

Metro Phoenix has several standout African restaurants and coffee shops. But one is a cut above, and we've deemed it one of the Valley's top restaurants. Located in Tempe, the husband-and-wife-run Caf Lalibela is a cozyEthiopian restaurant that has occupied a strip mall suite for decades. The eatery specializes in vegetarian dishes, though several meat items are on the menu like the key sega wat. Injera, or a crepe-like sourdough bread made with teff, is served with most meals.

Monroe's Hot Chicken has the best lunch in downtown.

Chris Malloy

Monroes Hot Chicken 45 West Jefferson Street

Remember when hot chicken was all anyone could talk about around here? One place has done it extra well but not extra well done. The sandwiches are juicy and hot at Monroes Hot Chicken, which we discovered in a very early visit. But we had such a good time on follow-up visits we gave the restaurant, owned by Larry White (also the man behind Lo-Los Chicken & Waffles), a Best of Phoenix 2019 award for best downtown lunch.

James Lewis of JL Smokehouse philosophizing about wood and smoke.

Chris Malloy

JL Smokehouse 1712 East Broadway Road

Our food critic, Chris Malloy, is a big barbecue fan. He's dedicated countless hours to his series Smoke Rings. Along this journey, smoke master James Lewisclaimed I got the best pulled pork in the country. Lewis' barbecue joint, JL Smokehouse,usesoak and mesquite in service of exceptional menu items like the Chicago sausage sandwich, the brisket, pulled pork, rib tips, and sides like thecoleslaw, potato salad, mac and cheese (goosed with smoked gouda), and beans (flavor halfway between barbecue and Cajun). Just to name a few.

The Jumbo Philly Crack Wings from Trapp Haus BBQ in downtown Phoenix.

Chris Malloy

Trapp Haus BBQ 511 East Roosevelt Street

Roosevelt Row is known for cocktails, galleries, and maybe a craft beer spot, which is what makes Trapp Haus BBQ all the more worth a visit. Proprietor Phil "the Grill" Johnson is a "seasoned barbecue master," and he plies his trade on standout items like the Jumbo Philly Crack Wings, which we gave a Best of Phoenix award in 2019. Other memorable menu items include the St. Louis ribs andTrappetizerslike burnt ends and the hot chicken skins.

The amber-hued hot sauce from Island Sensation Cuisine brings a tropical rush.

Chris Malloy

Island Sensation Cuisine 830 East Indian School Road

Were big fans of quality, inexpensive lunches, which is why we also recommend Island Sensation Cuisine. We recommend you start with the house-made ginger beer brew and then work your way down the menu. Chef Lloyd Campbell offers classically Jamaican food, which he fine-tuned in culinary school in Kingston. Plates include classic stewed oxtail with gravy and rice, jerk chicken thighs, and sides like island coleslaw.

Stewed chicken, house-made cheese, cabbage, and greens on injera from Authentic Ethio African Spices.

Chris Malloy

Authentic Ethio African Spices 1740 East McDowell Road

Spotted by the colors of the Ethiopian flag at 18th Street and McDowell Road, Authentic Ethio African Spices is another one of the Valleys outstanding African restaurants. Injera is easily accessible, as is ginger-spiked chicken stew, and fresh cheeses, and vegetarian options. We also gave this cozy African caf a Best of Phoenix award in 2018 after a couple mesmerizing visits.

Chris Malloy

West Alley BBQ 111 West Boston Street, Chandler

Weve been fans of West Alley BBQ in downtown Chandler since it opened in 2018. After attending Chandlers Great American BBQ & Beer Festival in early 2017, owners Bardo and Christian Brantley decided to spring for a storefront in the east Valley. The barbecue joint specializes in St. Louis-style ribs, Tennessee-style barbecue, and more. It also had its own installment in our Smoke Rings series.

Editor's note: We will continue to add to this list as new restaurants open and we're reminded of other great places in town.

Lauren Cusimano is Phoenix New Times' food editor. She is a journalist based in Tempe with more than 10 years of experience writing and editing. She enjoys eating wings, riding bikes, going to dive bars, talking too much about The Simpsons, and falling asleep while reading.

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Where to Find Outstanding Food From Black-Owned Restaurants in Greater Phoenix - Phoenix New Times

Exercising Free Speech Through Social Media and Assembly While Also Protecting Your Immigration Plans – JD Supra

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Living in a society plagued by racism and injustice, many people across the world have taken to social media and their communities, protesting to voice their opinions of violence and injustices being committed.

Although freedom of speech and assembly is granted to all in the United States Constitution, there are things non-citizens should be aware of as they advocate for a better society to protect themselves against unintended immigration consequences.

Today, our lives and beliefs are on display for all to see, nearly everyone owns a smartphone and information is often shared through Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. For those afforded the privilege of U.S. citizenship, clicking post or share will not impact their status as citizens. However, for non-citizens, pressing a button could potentially jeopardize their immigration plans.

Since March 31, 2019, the Department of State has requested additional information about the social media accounts of both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants, including the applicants username on numerous social medial platforms. It has become increasingly important for non-citizens to responsibly manage their social media presence.

So, what does responsibly manage their social media presence mean? Generally, just keep in mind that social media accounts may be reviewed by US government officials for visa applications or before granting immigration benefits.

For example, a non-citizen alluding to marijuana use in an Instagram post, even in a state in which marijuana is legal, could face inadmissibility issues, as previously discussed by my colleague, Elizabeth Van Arkel. This does not mean that non-citizens should refrain from using social media, as even the lack of social media presence may raise flags with immigration officers, but it is important to remember that social media content will be subject to review by immigration officers who hold immense discretion in adjudicating most visa applications.

If you have questions or concerns about whether your social media content poses immigration concerns, contact an immigration attorney.

While the right to assemble is also protected by the Constitution, in the last week, protestors have still been subject to arrests. Whether or not the arrest is supported by evidence or the law, and regardless of whether an arrest results in a conviction, non-citizens can face severe immigration consequences. Non-citizens without any immigration status, meaning they are undocumented, could be placed in removal proceedings, potentially leading to deportation. Even for those with some type of immigration status, including lawful permanent residents, arrest and/or criminal charges can create serious immigration consequences.

If you are arrested while protesting and charged criminally, you should ask to speak to a criminal defense attorney and discuss your immigration status with them or ask that they contact an immigration attorney. If you are arrested, even if you are not charged, you should also speak to an immigration attorney. You are not required to discuss your immigration status with anyone other than your attorney.

At Davis Brown, we advocate for equity and denounce racism. We support and encourage the expression of free speech and the freedom of assembly rights afforded by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. We recognize and champion immigrants who advocate for the betterment of a county that has not yet accepted them as its own. And we want to help our clients achieve their immigration goals.

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Exercising Free Speech Through Social Media and Assembly While Also Protecting Your Immigration Plans - JD Supra

Hate speech is not free speech on campus The Temple News – Temple News

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We, as the independent, student-run newspaper of Temple University, well know the importance of First Amendment rights in our campus community. In the Bill of Rights, our right to free speech is listed alongside our right to a free press.

In the aftermath of George Floyds murder on May 25 and the protests following it, weve seen Temple respond to at least a dozen instances of current and incoming students seen on social media using hateful, racist language.

On June 4, Temple tweeted a response to these events saying that each one was reported to the Dean of Students and the university will take action as warranted.

Then, on June 5, Temple tweeted a clarification on the universitys disciplinary policy for offensive speech, stating the university respects the First Amendment rights of all, including those that express unpopular and even hateful speech that is antithetical to the universitys mission.

Temple also referenced the universitys Student Conduct Code, stating it is in accord with the First Amendment and students are not disciplined solely for speech unless circumstances indicate there is a violation under the Code.

The universitys Student Conduct Code does not include any reference to hateful speech or racism. Instead, it asks students to respect all university and local community members regardless of race.

That same day, Temple also tweeted that recognizing everyones First Amendment rights does not mean that Temple tolerates racism.

Earlier this week, we wrote about the importance of uplifting the Black Lives Matter movement in our community in the wake of Floyds murder. Since then, weve seen Black Lives Matter protests expand to our own campus and one of our own students, Evan Gorski, beaten by a now-charged Philadelphia Police Inspector for exercising First Amendment rights in protesting for racial justice.

Temple released a statement in the wake of Floyds murder opposing racial oppression. The university has not released any details on disciplining students involved in racist social media posting or commented on Gorski.

In the past few weeks, weve come to know the weight of the phrase silence is violence as it pertains to actively speaking out against racial injustice, and we want to be clear: on our campus, hate speech is not free speech.

The university has an obligation to students to create a welcoming and safe campus for students to learn, live and socialize between many groups of people. Temple cannot condone racist and hateful speech, especially when this threatens the physical and emotional security of its students, faculty and staff.

While we encourage students to express their political and ideological viewpoints in healthy discourse, we do not welcome hateful or racist speech in these conversations. Hate speech can create a hostile academic environment that is disruptive to the learning process for people of color.

Therefore, the Editorial Board believes that in the Temple community, racism in hateful speech needs to be actively fought against, denounced and barred. Not condemning hate speech is tolerating it.

The universitys inability to protect the First Amendment rights of a student speaking out against racism while simultaneously permitting other students to express racist speech puts the entire Temple community students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members in danger.

The Student Conduct Code states Temple recognizes ignorance and violence have no place on campus, values diversity and strives to understand all cultures and experiences of students. It also states that only when the universitys interests as an academic community are substantially involved should the special authority of the university be asserted.

With the university stating hateful speech is antithetical to the universitys mission, the Editorial Board strongly believes that the universitys interests as an academic community are threatened by the use of this hateful speech by students. As such, we insist the university recognizes the violent nature of hate speech and acknowledges the responsibility to assert special authority and take action to protect the community. Otherwise, by respecting hate speech that is antithetical to the universitys mission, the university is antithetical in failing to upkeep its mission.

The Editorial Board first and foremost calls on the university to denounce and expel students involved in racist acts or in sharing racist language and to publicize the disciplinary actions taken in handling these incidents.

Second, the Editorial Board calls on the university to publicly acknowledge and defend Gorski who, despite now being released, was wrongfully charged and jailed after a violent incident with a Philadelphia Police Inspector.

Finally, the Editorial Board demands the university reevaluates and reconsiders language in the Student Conduct Code to actively speak out against racism, racist speech and racist acts in the Temple community. This will allow the university to address and punish hateful speech, thereby demonstrating the universitys adherence to its own mission.

We also encourage the university to consult with multicultural student groups and community members when amending its Student Conduct Code to ensure the changes more adequately service the needs of the Temple community.

Pointing to language that ineffectively protects or safeguards members of the community as a defense for hateful speech is inexcusable. If the Student Conduct Code is failing to uphold and institute the universitys ethics and needs to be changed, then change it.

Editors Note: Colin Evans, Digital Managing Editor, contributed reporting to the accompanying news story. He played no part in this editorial.

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Hate speech is not free speech on campus The Temple News - Temple News