themindunleashed--2020-08-14--‘Extinct’ Large Blue Butterfly is reintroduced in the wild after 150-year absence

( TMU ) – A large blue butterfly that was previously extinct has been successfully reintroduced to the UK , with the pollinator repopulating large parts of the country after an absence of 150 years .
Some 750 of the large blue butterflies , which are marked by distinct rows of black spots on its forewing , have been spotted this summer around Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire , southwest England – a higher number than anywhere else in the world .
In 1979 , the butterfly was declared extinct and hasn ’ t been seen in the Rodborough region for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the rarest of Britain ’ s Blue butterfly species , reports BBC .
Last year , conservationists released some 1,100 larvae to the region after meticulously preparing the landscape for the butterflies ’ return .
The globally endangered large blue butterfly has a unique life cycle that begins with tiny caterpillars tricking the area ’ s red ant population ( myrmica sabuleti ) into hauling them to their nest , while even “ singing ” to it , after which the parasitic larvae feast on ant grubs before emerging a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer when the ants are out foraging , nature performs a very neat trick — the ants are deceived into thinking that the parasitic larva of the large blue is one of their own and carry it to their nest , ” said research ecologist David Simcox in a statement .
“ It ’ s at this point that the caterpillar turns from herbivore to carnivore , feeding on ant grubs throughout the autumn and spring until it is ready to pupate and emerge the following summer.
” Controlling the red ant population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reintroduce the blue butterflies .
For five years , a range of experts from the National Trust , Butterfly Conservation , the Limestone ’ s Living Legacies Back from the Brink project , Natural England , Royal Entomological Society and the Minchinhampton and Rodborough Committees of Commoners collaborated to prepare the area for the butterflies .
Cattle grazing was kept in check and the area ’ s scrub cover was reined in to help the area ’ s ant population , while wild thyme and marjoram plant growth was encouraged to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of food and egg-laying habitats .
“ Butterflies are such sensitive creatures , and with the large blue ’ s particular requirements they are real barometers for what is happening with our environment and the changing climate , ” said commons area ranger Richard Evans .
“ Creating the right conditions for this globally endangered butterfly to not only survive but to hopefully thrive has been the culmination of many years work.
” The butterfly was reintroduced to the UK after caterpillars were brought to the country from Sweden in an ecologist ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Experts now say that the large blue butterfly has “ stronghold ” sites around the country and have also naturally colonized areas across southern England , reports CNN .
The return of the rare large blue to the region marks one of the most successful insect reintroduction projects to date , and marks the culmination of a nearly four-decade conservationist effort in Europe .
“ One of the greatest legacies of the re-introduction is the power of working together to reverse the decline of threatened species and the benefit the habitat improvements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , birds and bats on the commons , ” Evans said .

(TMU) – A large blue butterfly that was previously extinct has been successfully reintroduced to the UK, with the pollinator repopulating large parts of the country after an absence of 150 years.
Some 750 of the large blue butterflies, which are marked by distinct rows of black spots on its forewing, have been spotted this summer around Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire, southwest England – a higher number than anywhere else in the world.
In 1979, the butterfly was declared extinct and hasn’t been seen in the Rodborough region for 150 years. The Large Blue is one of the rarest of Britain’s Blue butterfly species, reports BBC.
Last year, conservationists released some 1,100 larvae to the region after meticulously preparing the landscape for the butterflies’ return.
Back from the brink… The Large Blue Butterfly was declared extinct in Britain in 1979 but hard-working scientists have successfully brought it back. RH #KayBurley pic.twitter.com/p0qifegqzD — Kay Burley (@KayBurley) August 13, 2020
The globally endangered large blue butterfly has a unique life cycle that begins with tiny caterpillars tricking the area’s red ant population (myrmica sabuleti) into hauling them to their nest, while even “singing” to it, after which the parasitic larvae feast on ant grubs before emerging a year later as butterflies.
“In the summer when the ants are out foraging, nature performs a very neat trick — the ants are deceived into thinking that the parasitic larva of the large blue is one of their own and carry it to their nest,” said research ecologist David Simcox in a statement.
“It’s at this point that the caterpillar turns from herbivore to carnivore, feeding on ant grubs throughout the autumn and spring until it is ready to pupate and emerge the following summer.”
Controlling the red ant population was a crucial component of the project to reintroduce the blue butterflies.
For five years, a range of experts from the National Trust, Butterfly Conservation, the Limestone’s Living Legacies Back from the Brink project, Natural England, Royal Entomological Society and the Minchinhampton and Rodborough Committees of Commoners collaborated to prepare the area for the butterflies.
https://twitter.com/BBCGlos/status/1293809753769091073
Cattle grazing was kept in check and the area’s scrub cover was reined in to help the area’s ant population, while wild thyme and marjoram plant growth was encouraged to ensure that the butterflies have their natural source of food and egg-laying habitats.
“Butterflies are such sensitive creatures, and with the large blue’s particular requirements they are real barometers for what is happening with our environment and the changing climate,” said commons area ranger Richard Evans. “Creating the right conditions for this globally endangered butterfly to not only survive but to hopefully thrive has been the culmination of many years work.”
The butterfly was reintroduced to the UK after caterpillars were brought to the country from Sweden in an ecologist’s camper van, writes The Guardian.
https://twitter.com/britbutterflies/status/1294213299639377927
Experts now say that the large blue butterfly has “stronghold” sites around the country and have also naturally colonized areas across southern England, reports CNN.
The return of the rare large blue to the region marks one of the most successful insect reintroduction projects to date, and marks the culmination of a nearly four-decade conservationist effort in Europe.
“One of the greatest legacies of the re-introduction is the power of working together to reverse the decline of threatened species and the benefit the habitat improvements will have for other plants, insects, birds and bats on the commons,” Evans said.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-14--A wild black bear casually joined this family’s picnic, and they pretty much all just chilled

( TMU ) – A family in Maryland peacefully shared some time in the great outdoors with a wild black bear after the creature decided to join them for a picnic , and the amazing scene was all caught on video .
Kaitlyn Nesbit , 29 , was with her family on Aug. 6 in Deep Creek enjoying some cold beers at a picnic table near a cabin when the wild black bear sidled up to the group and sat with them .
Rather than panicking and causing a ruckus , however , the family remained calm and even snapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This was a friend ’ s cabin and they said that the bear is always around and never really bothers them , ” Nesbit , who manages a bridal store , told Caters .
In footage of the incident Nesbit posted to TikTok , the bear can be seen nonchalantly dining on a peanut butter sandwich straight from one of the men ’ s hands while other members of the family sit there and do their best to appear unperturbed .
A second man then starts to prepare another sandwich for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away their beers to make sure their visitor doesn ’ t make off with the cold suds .
“ Some of our group are used to being out in the wild so we were all told to not make sudden movements and stay where we were , ” Nesbit added .
“ Most of us were scared to death and filmed from the deck but the brave tested their luck.
” The bald and shirtless man with the bandana even dared to tap the creature on its nose – and managed to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meantime , onlookers were in disbelief over the incident , asking at one point : “ This is a f**king joke , right ?
” This being 2020 , naturally the group ’ s actions were roundly criticized by social media users who pointed out that bears shouldn ’ t be treated so carelessly or fed in such a manner – both for their own safety and for the safety of people .
In Maryland , it ’ s also against the law to feed wild bears so that they don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food and start thinking it ’ s somehow normal to just barge in on local residents in the expectation that they ’ ll find some tasty reward .
While many of us might think it would be great to hang out and knock back a few suds with a big , furry bear , this likely wouldn ’ t end up like some adult version of Winnie the Pooh .
Instead , such a lax attitude would more likely end up with someone getting mauled .
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond in case they encounter a black bear .
“ DON ’ T FEED IT !
Scare it away , ” the advice reads .
“ Make loud noises , bang pans , or yell .
Seeing bears can be very enjoyable .
However , having a bear in camp can lead to problems that will persist long after you have gone home .
If a problem becomes serious , your safety and the bear ’ s safety may become jeopardized .
”

A family in Maryland peacefully shared some time in the great outdoors with a wild black bear after the creature decided to join them for a picnic, and the amazing scene was all caught on video.
Kaitlyn Nesbit, 29, was with her family on Aug. 6 in Deep Creek enjoying some cold beers at a picnic table near a cabin when the wild black bear sidled up to the group and sat with them.
Rather than panicking and causing a ruckus, however, the family remained calm and even snapped a few selfies with the massive bear.
“This was a friend’s cabin and they said that the bear is always around and never really bothers them,” Nesbit, who manages a bridal store, told Caters.
In footage of the incident Nesbit posted to TikTok, the bear can be seen nonchalantly dining on a peanut butter sandwich straight from one of the men’s hands while other members of the family sit there and do their best to appear unperturbed.
A second man then starts to prepare another sandwich for the bear while the group carefully hides away their beers to make sure their visitor doesn’t make off with the cold suds.
“Some of our group are used to being out in the wild so we were all told to not make sudden movements and stay where we were,” Nesbit added. “Most of us were scared to death and filmed from the deck but the brave tested their luck.”
The bald and shirtless man with the bandana even dared to tap the creature on its nose – and managed to get away with the bold move.
In the meantime, onlookers were in disbelief over the incident, asking at one point: “This is a f**king joke, right?”
This being 2020, naturally the group’s actions were roundly criticized by social media users who pointed out that bears shouldn’t be treated so carelessly or fed in such a manner – both for their own safety and for the safety of people.
In Maryland, it’s also against the law to feed wild bears so that they don’t become overly reliant on humans for food and start thinking it’s somehow normal to just barge in on local residents in the expectation that they’ll find some tasty reward.
While many of us might think it would be great to hang out and knock back a few suds with a big, furry bear, this likely wouldn’t end up like some adult version of Winnie the Pooh. Instead, such a lax attitude would more likely end up with someone getting mauled.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has also issued advice warning residents of how to respond in case they encounter a black bear.
“DON’T FEED IT! Scare it away,” the advice reads. “Make loud noises, bang pans, or yell. Seeing bears can be very enjoyable. However, having a bear in camp can lead to problems that will persist long after you have gone home. If a problem becomes serious, your safety and the bear’s safety may become jeopardized.”
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themindunleashed--2020-08-14--A super-rare ‘blue moon’ will illuminate our night skies this Halloween

( TMU ) – When we think about Halloween , we often conjure up a number of visions ranging from witches ’ cauldrons brimming over with mist , flickering jack-o ’ -lanterns , and black cats looking spookier than they would on every other day of the year .
But this year , as we enjoy Halloween with our immediate loved ones , we ’ ll also be treated to a stunning sight that is far less common : a brilliant blue moon that will make its appearance on October 31 , 2020 .
The Halloween blue moon will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2018 , and is also going to be the last blue moon to occur on Halloween until the year 2039 .
Just to clear up any confusion , a “ blue moon ” doesn ’ t necessarily mean that the moon takes on an alluring azure tones or bewitching indigo shades – they actually shine just the same as any other full moon .
Instead , the phenomenon occurs when there are two full moons within the span of only one month .
So while the blood moon and super moon are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moon , this blue moon simply means that we ’ ll be treated to two full moons in the month of October – once on the first day of the month and once on the last – which is still pretty cool no matter how you frame it .
What this also means is that this year , we will actually be presented with 13 full moons rather than the typical 12 that occur in the calendar year .
In fact , blue moons got their names from an old English term meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moon seems to mess with and confuse our calendars .
And while the number 13 might seem like bad luck – especially when paired with our year , 2020 – we can assure readers that there is no danger of supernatural occurrences coming about thanks to the blue moon .
However , if you are prone to believing in superstition , there are a number of old wives ’ tales about the blue moon that may entice ( or alarm ) you , including the following : • Looking at the blue moon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flowers under the blue moon will bring abundance .
• Turning you bed over can mean increased fertility under a blue moon .
• Looking at a blue moon through any kind of glass , whether it ’ s a beer mug or glasses , will lead to 30 days of bad luck .
• Sleeping with the blue moon on your face will drive you insane .
While we can ’ t vouch for any of the above explanations , we can assure you that the world is likely to keep turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although who knows ?
This being such a bizarre year , we may be in for some surprises .
So while many of us won ’ t be off trick-or-treating with the kids , or attending wild costume parties and Halloween parades like we may have in the past during the pre-COVID era , we will at least be able to indulge in a gorgeous full moon that will be illuminating our streets and backyards .
What ’ s not to love about that ?

(TMU) – When we think about Halloween, we often conjure up a number of visions ranging from witches’ cauldrons brimming over with mist, flickering jack-o’-lanterns, and black cats looking spookier than they would on every other day of the year.
But this year, as we enjoy Halloween with our immediate loved ones, we’ll also be treated to a stunning sight that is far less common: a brilliant blue moon that will make its appearance on October 31, 2020.
The Halloween blue moon will be the first blue moon since March 31, 2018, and is also going to be the last blue moon to occur on Halloween until the year 2039.
Just to clear up any confusion, a “blue moon” doesn’t necessarily mean that the moon takes on an alluring azure tones or bewitching indigo shades – they actually shine just the same as any other full moon. Instead, the phenomenon occurs when there are two full moons within the span of only one month.
So while the blood moon and super moon are phenomena which change the appearance of the moon, this blue moon simply means that we’ll be treated to two full moons in the month of October – once on the first day of the month and once on the last – which is still pretty cool no matter how you frame it.
What this also means is that this year, we will actually be presented with 13 full moons rather than the typical 12 that occur in the calendar year. In fact, blue moons got their names from an old English term meaning “betrayer” – precisely because the moon seems to mess with and confuse our calendars.
And while the number 13 might seem like bad luck – especially when paired with our year, 2020 – we can assure readers that there is no danger of supernatural occurrences coming about thanks to the blue moon.
However, if you are prone to believing in superstition, there are a number of old wives’ tales about the blue moon that may entice (or alarm) you, including the following:
Looking at the blue moon will make girls pregnant.
Picking flowers under the blue moon will bring abundance.
Turning you bed over can mean increased fertility under a blue moon.
Looking at a blue moon through any kind of glass, whether it’s a beer mug or glasses, will lead to 30 days of bad luck.
Sleeping with the blue moon on your face will drive you insane.
While we can’t vouch for any of the above explanations, we can assure you that the world is likely to keep turning during and after Oct. 31, 2020, although who knows? This being such a bizarre year, we may be in for some surprises.
So while many of us won’t be off trick-or-treating with the kids, or attending wild costume parties and Halloween parades like we may have in the past during the pre-COVID era, we will at least be able to indulge in a gorgeous full moon that will be illuminating our streets and backyards. What’s not to love about that?
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themindunleashed--2020-08-15--Truck driver dies a hero after spending his last breath rescuing kids from school bus crash

( TMU ) – A Florida man is being hailed as a hero after colliding in a rental truck with a Georgia school bus and spending the last of his energy saving children before finally collapsing and dying .
Johnathon Grayer , a 25-year-old from Jacksonville , Florida , was driving a Ryder box truck down Georgia highway 4 on Wednesday afternoon just outside the city of Alma in Bacon County , Georgia , when the vehicle crashed into the rear of a school bus that was stopping to unload the children , according to the preliminary findings of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
The bus was carrying ten students at the time of the crash , authorities say .
As soon as the crash occurred , both Grayer and the bus driver quickly acted to begin helping children to get off the bus , George State Trooper Shane Copeland explained to WSAV .
After doing all that he could , Grayer eventually collapsed and later died .
“ He must ’ ve been running on adrenaline , and his body gave out , ” GSP Cpl .
Shane Copeland told CNN .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Footage from the surveillance camera on the bus also captured scenes of Grayer trying his utmost to lift seats up to help free children who were trapped within the gnarled wreckage of the bus , which crumpled like an aluminum can after it was rear-ended .
A photo published by WSAB showed the yellow bus with its back end crashed and the rear emergency exit door caved in .
The rear bumper was also badly mangled and the vehicle could be seen standing upright on the grass .
Authorities claim that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 50 and 60 mph at the time of the collision .
Two helicopters were called to the scene to evacuate the students , according to Bacon County Emergency Management Agency Director Danny Turner .
Three of the students were taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center while three others were taken to the nearby Bacon County Hospital .
The bus driver , Jerry Sweat , also was taken to Bacon County .
According to local reports , the students ranged from elementary to high school age .
Fortunately , none of them suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded quickly to news of the crash .
“ Terrible news out of Alma , ” Gov .
Brian Kemp tweeted Wednesday night .
He added that his family was praying for the wellbeing of students and the Grayer ’ s bereaved family A team of Georgia State Troopers specializing in the reconstruction of collisions will investigate the events , according to a GSP spokesperson .
Copeland told WTOC that the crash was high impact and would be investigated by troopers as if loved ones were involved in the crash .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every crash and treat all crashes equally .
However emotionally , you can ’ t help but to think I ’ ve got three children and you can ’ t help but to think of your three children on their bus back home and it does make it personal if that makes sense , ” Copeland said .

(TMU) – A Florida man is being hailed as a hero after colliding in a rental truck with a Georgia school bus and spending the last of his energy saving children before finally collapsing and dying.
Johnathon Grayer, a 25-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, was driving a Ryder box truck down Georgia highway 4 on Wednesday afternoon just outside the city of Alma in Bacon County, Georgia, when the vehicle crashed into the rear of a school bus that was stopping to unload the children, according to the preliminary findings of an investigation by Georgia State Patrol (GSP).
The bus was carrying ten students at the time of the crash, authorities say.
As soon as the crash occurred, both Grayer and the bus driver quickly acted to begin helping children to get off the bus, George State Trooper Shane Copeland explained to WSAV.
After doing all that he could, Grayer eventually collapsed and later died.
“He must’ve been running on adrenaline, and his body gave out,” GSP Cpl. Shane Copeland told CNN. “He was pretty much done by that point.”
Footage from the surveillance camera on the bus also captured scenes of Grayer trying his utmost to lift seats up to help free children who were trapped within the gnarled wreckage of the bus, which crumpled like an aluminum can after it was rear-ended.
A photo published by WSAB showed the yellow bus with its back end crashed and the rear emergency exit door caved in. The rear bumper was also badly mangled and the vehicle could be seen standing upright on the grass.
Authorities claim that the bus was going at a speed of between 50 and 60 mph at the time of the collision.
Two helicopters were called to the scene to evacuate the students, according to Bacon County Emergency Management Agency Director Danny Turner.
Three of the students were taken to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center while three others were taken to the nearby Bacon County Hospital. The bus driver, Jerry Sweat, also was taken to Bacon County.
According to local reports, the students ranged from elementary to high school age. Fortunately, none of them suffered life-threatening injuries.
Georgia’s governor responded quickly to news of the crash.
“Terrible news out of Alma,” Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted Wednesday night. He added that his family was praying for the wellbeing of students and the Grayer’s bereaved family
Terrible news out of Alma. @GAFirstLady, the girls, and I are praying for the family and loved ones of the truck driver who lost their life and the students who are injured. https://t.co/IGkkWlDS9h — Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) August 12, 2020
A team of Georgia State Troopers specializing in the reconstruction of collisions will investigate the events, according to a GSP spokesperson.
Copeland told WTOC that the crash was high impact and would be investigated by troopers as if loved ones were involved in the crash.
“We try to do the standard procedures on every crash and treat all crashes equally. However emotionally, you can’t help but to think I’ve got three children and you can’t help but to think of your three children on their bus back home and it does make it personal if that makes sense,” Copeland said.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-15--How To Grow Your Own Out Of This World Cannabis Bonsai Tree

( TMU ) – The art and skill of creating miniature trees from the trees found in nature originated in China over a thousand years ago .
The Japanese fine-tuned the techniques and named it bonsai , which simply means ‘ planted in a container ’ .
The aim of this tradition is to grow a healthy plant that will grow into maturity but remain much smaller than the size of the same species growing in nature .
This is achieved by using small containers for planting and thereby restricting the plant ’ s ability to absorb nutrients and develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonsai , the Japanese White Pine or the Yamaki Pine , is just under 400 years old and was trained into an exceptional Bonsai by six generations of the Yamaki family and miraculously survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima 75 years ago , on August 6 , 1945 , completely unscathed .
The tree is now part of a permanent exhibition at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in Washington DC .
In recent years , growers have experimented with creating cannabis bonsai , primarily to produce clone clippings from a mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother plant as a bonsai means many mother plants can be grown in a much smaller space , thus allowing for diversity in the cannabis garden and eliminating the need to grow from seed .
Although the basic steps for planting and training a cannabis bonsai are the same as for any tree or plant , bear in mind that soil , light , humidity , heat and water requirements differ from species to species .
YOU ’ LL NEED : a young cannabis plant in a pot , a drill , plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wooden stake ( or dowel ) .
If you ’ re starting with a mother plant clone clipping you ’ ll need a pot and soil as well .
No need for using a traditional bonsai pot , a small upright pot will be fine .
Drill holes around the rim of the pot , this will be useful to help with training the plant with string or twine .
Ensure the holes are big enough for the twine to fit through comfortably .
Choose a healthy and sturdy cutting from the mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pot and position the cutting in the pot .
Push the wooden stake into the soil next to the main stem of the cutting and be careful not to damage any roots .
The stake can be used to position the trunk of the bonsai to any position you want it to grow , with the help of the twine and the holes drilled in the pot .
Don ’ t tie the trunk with too much force , and leave some room for the trunk to grow in width .
Train the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by tying them in the position you choose with the twine using the drilled holes .
To create horizontal branches they will need to be tied down tighter and less tight for the vertical .
Be gentle so as not to damage or snap the branches .
The branches should be allowed to be grown without too much restriction .
To keep the classic bonsai shape and allow airflow to the plant ’ s main stem it ’ s important to keep the stature and prune to only the offshoot branches .
Cutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and growth of the plant severely .
At this stage the jury is still out on how long bonsai mother trees should be kept active .
Since they can be kept in a vegetative stage indefinitely , they could technically keep going for as long as they are alive .
However , growers have found that pure indica ’ s degrade faster and sativa ’ s last longer .
Currently , as a general rule , indica ’ s are replaced every 3–4 years , hybrids every 4–5 years , and sativa ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strain and the quality of care the plant receives will no doubt impact its lifespan .
WHICH STRAINS ARE BEST FOR CANNABIS BONSAI TREES ?
The genetics of each strain is different and those strains with shorter stature are likely to be more suitable for developing into cannabis bonsai .
Two strains with a short stature that might be ideal for developing into bonsai are Critical Kush and White Widow .
Critical Kush , an indica dominant hybrid , grows short and bushy because of its 80:20 indica/sativa ratio .
The high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties .
White Widow , a legendary Dutch classic strain is a well-balanced hybrid with a potent mix of sativa and indica .
THC levels are above 20 % .

(TMU) – The art and skill of creating miniature trees from the trees found in nature originated in China over a thousand years ago.
The Japanese fine-tuned the techniques and named it bonsai, which simply means ‘planted in a container’. The aim of this tradition is to grow a healthy plant that will grow into maturity but remain much smaller than the size of the same species growing in nature.
This is achieved by using small containers for planting and thereby restricting the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and develop extensive root systems.
The most famous bonsai, the Japanese White Pine or the Yamaki Pine, is just under 400 years old and was trained into an exceptional Bonsai by six generations of the Yamaki family and miraculously survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima 75 years ago, on August 6, 1945, completely unscathed.
The tree is now part of a permanent exhibition at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in Washington DC.
In recent years, growers have experimented with creating cannabis bonsai, primarily to produce clone clippings from a mother plant.
The smaller size of the mother plant as a bonsai means many mother plants can be grown in a much smaller space, thus allowing for diversity in the cannabis garden and eliminating the need to grow from seed.
Although the basic steps for planting and training a cannabis bonsai are the same as for any tree or plant, bear in mind that soil, light, humidity, heat and water requirements differ from species to species.
YOU’LL NEED: a young cannabis plant in a pot, a drill, plastic coated wire or gardening twine, a wooden stake (or dowel). If you’re starting with a mother plant clone clipping you’ll need a pot and soil as well.
STEP ONE: PREPARE THE POT
No need for using a traditional bonsai pot, a small upright pot will be fine. Drill holes around the rim of the pot, this will be useful to help with training the plant with string or twine. Ensure the holes are big enough for the twine to fit through comfortably.
STEP TWO: PLANT YOUR CUTTING
Choose a healthy and sturdy cutting from the mother plant. Add the soil to the pot and position the cutting in the pot.
Push the wooden stake into the soil next to the main stem of the cutting and be careful not to damage any roots. The stake can be used to position the trunk of the bonsai to any position you want it to grow, with the help of the twine and the holes drilled in the pot. Don’t tie the trunk with too much force, and leave some room for the trunk to grow in width.
STEP THREE: TIME TO TRAIN
Train the branches as you did the stem, by tying them in the position you choose with the twine using the drilled holes. To create horizontal branches they will need to be tied down tighter and less tight for the vertical. Be gentle so as not to damage or snap the branches. The branches should be allowed to be grown without too much restriction.
STEP FOUR: PRUNING
To keep the classic bonsai shape and allow airflow to the plant’s main stem it’s important to keep the stature and prune to only the offshoot branches. Cutting the main branches could affect the health and growth of the plant severely.
At this stage the jury is still out on how long bonsai mother trees should be kept active. Since they can be kept in a vegetative stage indefinitely, they could technically keep going for as long as they are alive. However, growers have found that pure indica’s degrade faster and sativa’s last longer.
Currently, as a general rule, indica’s are replaced every 3–4 years, hybrids every 4–5 years, and sativa’s every 5–6 years. However, the strain and the quality of care the plant receives will no doubt impact its lifespan.
WHICH STRAINS ARE BEST FOR CANNABIS BONSAI TREES?
The genetics of each strain is different and those strains with shorter stature are likely to be more suitable for developing into cannabis bonsai.
Two strains with a short stature that might be ideal for developing into bonsai are Critical Kush and White Widow.
Critical Kush, an indica dominant hybrid, grows short and bushy because of its 80:20 indica/sativa ratio. The high THC content has excellent relaxing and sedative properties.
White Widow, a legendary Dutch classic strain is a well-balanced hybrid with a potent mix of sativa and indica. THC levels are above 20%.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-17--Majestic and haunting red jellyfish lightning over Texas captured in brilliant photos

Scientists have been documenting rare phenomenon in recent years : streaks of red lightning that resemble the tentacles of a glowing crimson jellyfish hanging high from the sky .
These haunting spurts of lightning have been dubbed “ sprites , ” and are the product of super-fast electrical bursts that occur high up in the atmosphere some 37 to 50 miles in the sky , reaching toward space , according to the European Space Agency .
While sprites have been sighted over every continent besides Antarctica since their discovery in 1989 , the phenomenon still isn ’ t very well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second , and generally are hidden from those of us on the ground by heavy storm clouds .
Stephen Hummel , an expert on dark skies at the Austin McDonald Observatory , managed to capture a perfect photo of these sprites on July 2 from his vantage point on a ridge on Mount Locke in the Davis Mountains of West Texas .
Hummel snapped the photo while he was recording dozens of hours of footage throughout the year .
On that July night , he had already recorded four and a half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and he had also recorded some 70 hours of footage and stills including 70 sprites this year , he told Business Insider .
“ Sprites usually appear to the eye as very brief , dim , grey structures .
You need to be looking for them to spot them , and oftentimes I am not certain I actually saw one until I check the camera footage to confirm , ” Hummel said .
Sprites often resemble alienlike jellyfish-style creatures dangling from the ionosphere , or the layer that lies just above the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they look like vertical red pillars with thin , curling tendrils – and these are called carrot curls due to their resemblance to the root vegetable .
Sprites are difficult to see from the ground during massive thunderstorms because of the clouds , but also because they happen so far from the Earth ’ s surface – however , they are far easier to observe from the International Space Station .
Sprites were given their magical name by late University of Alaska physics professor Davis Sentman , who devised the name for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ well suited to describe their appearance ” and fleeting , fairy-like nature .
In some cases , the jellyfish sprites can be absolutely massive , with Hummel ’ s recent photograph depicting ones that tower “ probably around 30 miles long and 30 miles tall , ” he said .
In some cases , the massive glowing tentacles be seen upwards of 300 miles away .
However , no all thunderstorms produce sprites – instead , they occur when lightning strikes the ground , releasing positive electrical energy that requires balancing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the sky .
The sprites also occur much higher into the sky than regular lightning , which strikes in between electrically charged air , clouds , and our planet ’ s surface .
“ The more powerful the storm and the more lightning it produces , the more likely it is to produce a sprite , ” Hummel noted .
The red glow of the sprite is a result of nitrogen gas high in the atmosphere getting excited by the bursts of electricity resulting from lightning strikes .
As a sprite sparks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floating high in Earth ’ s atmosphere .
The gas gets excited by the burst of electricity and emits a red glow .

Scientists have been documenting rare phenomenon in recent years: streaks of red lightning that resemble the tentacles of a glowing crimson jellyfish hanging high from the sky.
These haunting spurts of lightning have been dubbed “sprites,” and are the product of super-fast electrical bursts that occur high up in the atmosphere some 37 to 50 miles in the sky, reaching toward space, according to the European Space Agency.
While sprites have been sighted over every continent besides Antarctica since their discovery in 1989, the phenomenon still isn’t very well known – they last mere tenths of a second, and generally are hidden from those of us on the ground by heavy storm clouds.
Stephen Hummel, an expert on dark skies at the Austin McDonald Observatory, managed to capture a perfect photo of these sprites on July 2 from his vantage point on a ridge on Mount Locke in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.
Sprite medusa. Foto Stephen Hummel pic.twitter.com/WDdDcKPzG4 — Gustavo Vela (@GustavoVela71) August 15, 2020
Hummel snapped the photo while he was recording dozens of hours of footage throughout the year. On that July night, he had already recorded four and a half hours of footage before capturing the sprite – and he had also recorded some 70 hours of footage and stills including 70 sprites this year, he told Business Insider.
“Sprites usually appear to the eye as very brief, dim, grey structures. You need to be looking for them to spot them, and oftentimes I am not certain I actually saw one until I check the camera footage to confirm,” Hummel said.
Sprites often resemble alienlike jellyfish-style creatures dangling from the ionosphere, or the layer that lies just above the dense lower atmosphere. In other cases, they look like vertical red pillars with thin, curling tendrils – and these are called carrot curls due to their resemblance to the root vegetable.
Sprites are difficult to see from the ground during massive thunderstorms because of the clouds, but also because they happen so far from the Earth’s surface – however, they are far easier to observe from the International Space Station.
https://twitter.com/AdrienneLaF/status/1294752236518748161
Sprites were given their magical name by late University of Alaska physics professor Davis Sentman, who devised the name for this weather phenomenon due to it being “well suited to describe their appearance” and fleeting, fairy-like nature.
In some cases, the jellyfish sprites can be absolutely massive, with Hummel’s recent photograph depicting ones that tower “probably around 30 miles long and 30 miles tall,” he said. In some cases, the massive glowing tentacles be seen upwards of 300 miles away.
However, no all thunderstorms produce sprites – instead, they occur when lightning strikes the ground, releasing positive electrical energy that requires balancing by an equal and oppositely charged electrical discharge into the sky. The sprites also occur much higher into the sky than regular lightning, which strikes in between electrically charged air, clouds, and our planet’s surface.
“The more powerful the storm and the more lightning it produces, the more likely it is to produce a sprite,” Hummel noted.
The red glow of the sprite is a result of nitrogen gas high in the atmosphere getting excited by the bursts of electricity resulting from lightning strikes.
As a sprite sparks, it turns red because of nitrogen floating high in Earth’s atmosphere. The gas gets excited by the burst of electricity and emits a red glow.
Multiple column sprites line up above an angel sprite in my last sprite lightning capture from the night of 4/17/2019 . An uncropped image on the 50mm about 20 minutes before being clouded over. Anadarko, Oklahoma. #okwx #APOD @JimCantore @emilyrsutton @MichaelSeger pic.twitter.com/gXNlPMKucZ — Paul M Smith (@PaulMSmithPhoto) April 21, 2019
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themindunleashed--2020-08-17--Jeffrey Epstein victim says he “showed her off” to Donald Trump when she was only 14

( TMU ) – Although notorious pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein died last August in a suspicious hanging death at a New York jail , the controversy surrounding the figure shows no sign of dying out – and new details are emerging about the disgraced financier ’ s relationships with people in power .
And according to a new lawsuit from one of his alleged underage victims , Epstein himself brought her to Donald Trump ’ s exclusive Mar-a-Lago resort to show her off to the future president when she was only 14 years old .
The California woman who goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit last January against Epstein ’ s estate and his ex-girlfriend , British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell , who was arrested by federal authorities in July over allegations that she was involved with Epstein ’ s sex trafficking of young women and minors .
The lawsuit alleges that the woman faced long-term abuse at the hands of the pair which began when she was just 13 years old , reports The Daily Beast .
The lawsuit also includes fresh details about Epstein ’ s relationship with the real estate tycoon Trump during the 1990s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought the then-teen to Mar-a-Lago , Trump ’ s exclusive Palm Beach estate .
“ Doe also claims Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago when she was only 14 years old , ” The Daily Beast reported .
“ ’ This is a good one , right ?
’ Epstein asked the future president , who allegedly smiled and nodded before sharing a chuckle with the depraved hedge funder.
” However , while the lawsuit does raise fresh questions about the extent of Trump and Epstein ’ s relationship – as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s perverse and repugnant string of crimes against children prior to his arrest – the current president is not accused of any sexual misconduct with the victim .
The late 66-year-old Epstein counted numerous figures from political , cultural , and financial elites among his friends and associates , including former President Bill Clinton , U.K. royal Prince Andrew , MIT artificial intelligence mastermind Marvin Minsky , actor Kevin Spacey , theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking , former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson , billionaire Les Wexner , comedian Woody Allen , celebrity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Larry Summers , Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk , Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates , and other public figures .
Prior to his suicide last August , Epstein was long known to associate with Trump , a fellow Palm Beach resident .
In 2002 , Trump showered Epstein with praise in an interview with New York Magazine and described him as “ terrific ” while hinting at the financier ’ s taste for sexually abusing girls .
“ I ’ ve known Jeff for 15 years .
Terrific guy , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of fun to be with .
It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do , and many of them are on the younger side.
” However , the two had a falling out in the following years , and Epstein spent his final years having never spoken to Trump , according to the White House .
A new book entitled The Grifter ’ s Club , which details the intrigues that take place at Mar-a-Lago , claims Trump banned Epstein from the resort in 2007 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another member .
“ The way this [ member ] described it , such an act could irreparably harm the Trump brand , leaving Donald no choice but to remove Epstein , ” said Sarah Blaskey , a Miami Herald investigative reporter .
One year later in 2008 , Epstein pleaded guilty one count of solicitation of prostitution and one count of solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18 .
He was largely let off the hook by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta in a non-prosecution plea relating to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was also required to register as a convicted sex offender with the State of Florida .
The Trump Organization has denied that Epstein was ever a member of Mar-a-Lago , but the new book shows that the disgraced sex offender was a member until his termination in 2007 .
Epstein and Maxwell accuser and former “ sex slave ” Virginia Roberts Giuffre was a locker-room attendant at Trump ’ s Mar-a-Lago club .
Epstein ’ s former partner and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell is expected to face trial in July 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump confirmed that he also knew Maxwell confirming that he had met the accused sex trafficker “ numerous times over the numerous times over the years , especially since I lived in Palm Beach.
” The president repeatedly said “ I just wish her well .
”

(TMU) – Although notorious pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein died last August in a suspicious hanging death at a New York jail, the controversy surrounding the figure shows no sign of dying out – and new details are emerging about the disgraced financier’s relationships with people in power.
And according to a new lawsuit from one of his alleged underage victims, Epstein himself brought her to Donald Trump’s exclusive Mar-a-Lago resort to show her off to the future president when she was only 14 years old.
The California woman who goes by the name Jane Doe filed a lawsuit last January against Epstein’s estate and his ex-girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who was arrested by federal authorities in July over allegations that she was involved with Epstein’s sex trafficking of young women and minors.
The lawsuit alleges that the woman faced long-term abuse at the hands of the pair which began when she was just 13 years old, reports The Daily Beast.
The lawsuit also includes fresh details about Epstein’s relationship with the real estate tycoon Trump during the 1990s. According to court documents, Epstein brought the then-teen to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s exclusive Palm Beach estate.
“Doe also claims Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago when she was only 14 years old,” The Daily Beast reported. “’This is a good one, right?’ Epstein asked the future president, who allegedly smiled and nodded before sharing a chuckle with the depraved hedge funder.”
However, while the lawsuit does raise fresh questions about the extent of Trump and Epstein’s relationship – as well as whether Trump knew about Epstein’s perverse and repugnant string of crimes against children prior to his arrest – the current president is not accused of any sexual misconduct with the victim.
The late 66-year-old Epstein counted numerous figures from political, cultural, and financial elites among his friends and associates, including former President Bill Clinton, U.K. royal Prince Andrew, MIT artificial intelligence mastermind Marvin Minsky, actor Kevin Spacey, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, billionaire Les Wexner, comedian Woody Allen, celebrity attorney Alan Dershowitz, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and other public figures.
Prior to his suicide last August, Epstein was long known to associate with Trump, a fellow Palm Beach resident.
In 2002, Trump showered Epstein with praise in an interview with New York Magazine and described him as “terrific” while hinting at the financier’s taste for sexually abusing girls.
“I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy,” he said. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
However, the two had a falling out in the following years, and Epstein spent his final years having never spoken to Trump, according to the White House.
A new book entitled The Grifter’s Club, which details the intrigues that take place at Mar-a-Lago, claims Trump banned Epstein from the resort in 2007 after the billionaire sexually harassed the daughter of another member.
“The way this [member] described it, such an act could irreparably harm the Trump brand, leaving Donald no choice but to remove Epstein,” said Sarah Blaskey, a Miami Herald investigative reporter.
One year later in 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty one count of solicitation of prostitution and one count of solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18. He was largely let off the hook by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta in a non-prosecution plea relating to his sexual exploitation of underage girls. However, he was also required to register as a convicted sex offender with the State of Florida.
The Trump Organization has denied that Epstein was ever a member of Mar-a-Lago, but the new book shows that the disgraced sex offender was a member until his termination in 2007.
Epstein and Maxwell accuser and former “sex slave” Virginia Roberts Giuffre was a locker-room attendant at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club.
Epstein’s former partner and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell is expected to face trial in July 2021.
In a press conference last month, Trump confirmed that he also knew Maxwell confirming that he had met the accused sex trafficker “numerous times over the numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach.” The president repeatedly said “I just wish her well.”
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themindunleashed--2020-08-19--It’s Finally Happening: Japan May Have Flying Cars In Three Years

( TMU ) – Popularized most memorably by an air-borne DeLorean in Back to the Future 2 , the vision of flying cars has been a persistent science fiction trope for many decades .
However , the technological challenges and complications of social implementation have largely rendered the idea a no-go .
A Japanese tech startup , the Tokyo-based company SkyDrive , now says it plans to launch the first commercial flying taxi service by 2023 .
The company ’ s CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa goes further and even predicts that by the 2040s , there will be a trillion-dollar global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft ( eVTOL ) .
According to Rajeev Lalwani , Morgan Stanley ’ s aircraft analyst , this market “ could likely begin as an ultra-niche add-on to existing transportation infrastructure , similar to how helicopters operate today .
They could later transform into a cost-effective , time-efficient method of traveling short to medium distances , eventually taking business away from car and airline companies.
” SkyDrive is one of over 100 flying car initiatives around the world – a race that includes Boeing Co. , Airbus SE and Uber Technologies Inc. – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-seat vehicle with eVTOLs propellers in all four corners of the upper half of the craft , a design which Fukuzawa believes will enhance its safety .
This battery-powered SD-xXX model would have a travel range of dozens of kilometers at 100 kmh ( 62 mph ) .
While there are still many skeptics who are cynical that these cars will ever get off the ground ( so to speak ) , Fukuzawa imagines offering a flying taxi service to big cities in Japan , starting in the Osaka Bay area and slowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes Japanese citizens will be able to take an air taxi to “ any destination within the capital ’ s 23 wards in 10 minutes.
” “ The two biggest difficulties , ” he said in a recent interview , “ are getting it certified for commercial flights and ensuring the same safety and reliability as existing aircraft — and changing the social climate , by letting the general public know about this air mobility , and making them want to ride a flying car.
” If and when these hurdles are overcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to vertically take-off and land ) could revolutionize the travel industry , reducing traffic congestion in cities , assisting citizens during natural disasters , and increasing access to remote locations .
“ The initial model will fly basically on autopilot , but it ’ s not 100 percent autonomous because a pilot would need to maneuver it in case of an emergency , for example , ” Fukuzawa says .
With drones increasingly commercialized and self-driving cars poised to soon dominate the marketplace , one can imagine a drastically different cityscape in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science fiction movies .
While there are legitimate questions about the viability of Japan ’ s air taxi industry – much less whether that market can spread around the world – the ‘ flying car ’ prototype is certainly a marvelous technology to behold .

(TMU) – Popularized most memorably by an air-borne DeLorean in Back to the Future 2, the vision of flying cars has been a persistent science fiction trope for many decades. However, the technological challenges and complications of social implementation have largely rendered the idea a no-go.
A Japanese tech startup, the Tokyo-based company SkyDrive, now says it plans to launch the first commercial flying taxi service by 2023. The company’s CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa goes further and even predicts that by the 2040s, there will be a trillion-dollar global market for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL).
According to Rajeev Lalwani, Morgan Stanley’s aircraft analyst, this market “could likely begin as an ultra-niche add-on to existing transportation infrastructure, similar to how helicopters operate today. They could later transform into a cost-effective, time-efficient method of traveling short to medium distances, eventually taking business away from car and airline companies.”
SkyDrive is one of over 100 flying car initiatives around the world – a race that includes Boeing Co., Airbus SE and Uber Technologies Inc. – but its plan is for a small two-seat vehicle with eVTOLs propellers in all four corners of the upper half of the craft, a design which Fukuzawa believes will enhance its safety. This battery-powered SD-xXX model would have a travel range of dozens of kilometers at 100 kmh (62 mph).
While there are still many skeptics who are cynical that these cars will ever get off the ground (so to speak), Fukuzawa imagines offering a flying taxi service to big cities in Japan, starting in the Osaka Bay area and slowly branching out. By 2050, he believes Japanese citizens will be able to take an air taxi to “any destination within the capital’s 23 wards in 10 minutes.”
“The two biggest difficulties,” he said in a recent interview, “are getting it certified for commercial flights and ensuring the same safety and reliability as existing aircraft — and changing the social climate, by letting the general public know about this air mobility, and making them want to ride a flying car.”
If and when these hurdles are overcome, the air taxi (with the ability to vertically take-off and land) could revolutionize the travel industry, reducing traffic congestion in cities, assisting citizens during natural disasters, and increasing access to remote locations.
“The initial model will fly basically on autopilot, but it’s not 100 percent autonomous because a pilot would need to maneuver it in case of an emergency, for example,” Fukuzawa says.
With drones increasingly commercialized and self-driving cars poised to soon dominate the marketplace, one can imagine a drastically different cityscape in the near future that more closely approximates science fiction movies. While there are legitimate questions about the viability of Japan’s air taxi industry – much less whether that market can spread around the world – the ‘flying car’ prototype is certainly a marvelous technology to behold.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-19--Brazil’s Amazon gutted by record-setting wave of fires as Bolsonaro claims “rainforest can’t burn”

The Brazilian Amazon rainforest is being gutted by a new , record-setting wave of severe fires , threatening further environmental calamities one year after vast fires sparked global outrage toward the Brazilian government ’ s mismanagement of the region .
Over the past month alone , government monitors registered at least 20,473 fires across the sensitive region .
In only the first two weeks of August , Brazil ’ s space agency INPE also recorded 15,000 fires .
On Tuesday , environmentalist group Greenpeace blasted Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for his attacks on environmental regulations and consistent siding with industrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Bolsonaro ’ s administration has continued to systematically dismantle environmental protection and has undermined the work of environmental law enforcement agencies , ” said Cristiane Mazzetti , Amazon campaigner for Greenpeace Brazil , in a statement .
“ Bolsonaro ’ s supposed fire ban has already been undermined by Bolsonaro himself .
Sending troops to the Amazon is just a PR stunt and a waste of resources.
” Greenpeace also released dramatic video it recorded from a flyover of live fires in the Amazon region .
Critics of the far-right president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deforestation of the rainforest while expressing a hostile attitude toward the environment and Indigenous peoples whose ancestral land lies in the Amazon .
Bolsonaro and his officials regularly blame environmental laws , activist groups , NGOs and Indigenous peoples for allegedly hindering Brazil ’ s economic potential .
Since his election in 2018 , Bolsonaro has vowed to open the Amazon to economic development , unleashing a wave of human-caused fires meant to illegally clear one of the world ’ s most biodiverse regions so that it can be exploited by miners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agricultural interests .
“ Crime took over the Amazon , encouraged by the Bolsonaro administration itself , ” Marcio Astrini , executive secretary of the Brazilian Climate Observatory , said in a statement .
Last week , Bolsonaro blasted back at his critics , claiming that the data produced by his own government showing the thousands of fires across the region are a “ lie.
” “ Tropical rainforest doesn ’ t catch fire , ” Bolsonaro said .
“ So this story that the Amazon is burning is a lie , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers.
” However , damning satellite data from INPE shows that the number of forest fires in the Brazilian rainforest have dramatically risen by 28 percent from July 2019 to 6,803 .
Last month , the Bolsonaro administration instituted a three-month “ moratorium ” on fires in the region after troops were deployed there earlier this year to prevent the fires from being started .
The move came after the far-right leader became the focus of international condemnation over the rising destruction of the world ’ s largest rainforest .
Critics have excoriated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and blamed him for the uncontrolled blazes in the region .
“ The figures show that banning fires alone doesn ’ t work , ” Mazzetti said .
“ It is essential to enhance monitoring and enforcement capacity of experienced agencies in order to really curb environmental destruction .
But Bolsonaro´s administration has continued to systematically dismantle environmental protection and undermine the work of such agencies.
” Experts have warned that the Amazon rainforest is a crucial barrier to the catastrophic breakdown of global climate conditions .
Without the Amazon rainforest , carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of control and drive global warming to intolerable levels while also changing rainfall patterns across the Western Hemisphere .
Yet the wave of economically-driven land clearing and fires hitting the Brazilian Amazon could push the region beyond the tipping point in a matter of years , rapidly converting the forest to savanna or grassland-style ecosystems .
“ The explosion of deforestation in the Amazon has as an important cause – the discourse of the President , which delegitimizes environmental inspection while stimulating the occupation of the region in a predatory model , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialist in public policy at the Brazilian Climate Observatory , in a statement .
“ Who profits from this is the illegal logger , the land grabber , the investor in uncontrolled mining that exploits slave labor.
” Brenda Brito , associate researcher at the Brazilian nonprofit Imazon , also warned that “ it will be difficult to contain deforestation if the government continues with its intention to change land legislation and legalize deforested and illegally invaded areas .
Land grabbing is a vector of deforestation , which is encouraged with the expectation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also risen dramatically on Indigenous lands , with Greenpeace reporting a 78 percent increase of fires being set on Munduruku people ’ s land .
The fires also coincide with the raging coronavirus pandemic , threatening suffering communities and patients with increased smoke and soot that exacerbate the symptoms of COVID-19 .
“ Instead of combating criminal behavior and protecting Indigenous forest guardians already hit hard by COVID-19 , this government continues to reduce environmental protection and ally itself with those who want to destroy the forest , ” Mazzetti said .
Critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will change tack in its reckless approach to the Amazon .
“ Crime took over the Amazon , encouraged by the Bolsonaro administration itself , ” said Marcio Astrini , executive secretary of the Climate Observatory

The Brazilian Amazon rainforest is being gutted by a new, record-setting wave of severe fires, threatening further environmental calamities one year after vast fires sparked global outrage toward the Brazilian government’s mismanagement of the region.
Over the past month alone, government monitors registered at least 20,473 fires across the sensitive region. In only the first two weeks of August, Brazil’s space agency INPE also recorded 15,000 fires.
On Tuesday, environmentalist group Greenpeace blasted Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for his attacks on environmental regulations and consistent siding with industrial interests driving the fires in the Amazon.
“Bolsonaro’s administration has continued to systematically dismantle environmental protection and has undermined the work of environmental law enforcement agencies,” said Cristiane Mazzetti, Amazon campaigner for Greenpeace Brazil, in a statement. “Bolsonaro’s supposed fire ban has already been undermined by Bolsonaro himself. Sending troops to the Amazon is just a PR stunt and a waste of resources.”
Greenpeace also released dramatic video it recorded from a flyover of live fires in the Amazon region.
This is what the fires in the Amazon look like right now. Meanwhile, Bolsonaro continues to look the other way and say nothing is happening. Losing the Amazon means losing the fight against the climate crisis and we cannot allow that to happen. pic.twitter.com/1HIhSYWa3J — Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) August 14, 2020
Critics of the far-right president have blasted Bolsonaro for encouraging the illegal deforestation of the rainforest while expressing a hostile attitude toward the environment and Indigenous peoples whose ancestral land lies in the Amazon.
Bolsonaro and his officials regularly blame environmental laws, activist groups, NGOs and Indigenous peoples for allegedly hindering Brazil’s economic potential.
Since his election in 2018, Bolsonaro has vowed to open the Amazon to economic development, unleashing a wave of human-caused fires meant to illegally clear one of the world’s most biodiverse regions so that it can be exploited by miners, cattle ranchers, loggers, and big agricultural interests.
“Crime took over the Amazon, encouraged by the Bolsonaro administration itself,” Marcio Astrini, executive secretary of the Brazilian Climate Observatory, said in a statement.
Last week, Bolsonaro blasted back at his critics, claiming that the data produced by his own government showing the thousands of fires across the region are a “lie.”
“Tropical rainforest doesn’t catch fire,” Bolsonaro said. “So this story that the Amazon is burning is a lie, and we have to fight it with real numbers.”
https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1293755405827440641
However, damning satellite data from INPE shows that the number of forest fires in the Brazilian rainforest have dramatically risen by 28 percent from July 2019 to 6,803.
Last month, the Bolsonaro administration instituted a three-month “moratorium” on fires in the region after troops were deployed there earlier this year to prevent the fires from being started. The move came after the far-right leader became the focus of international condemnation over the rising destruction of the world’s largest rainforest.
Critics have excoriated the Brazilian leader for the ineffective measures and blamed him for the uncontrolled blazes in the region.
“The figures show that banning fires alone doesn’t work,” Mazzetti said. “It is essential to enhance monitoring and enforcement capacity of experienced agencies in order to really curb environmental destruction. But Bolsonaro´s administration has continued to systematically dismantle environmental protection and undermine the work of such agencies.”
Experts have warned that the Amazon rainforest is a crucial barrier to the catastrophic breakdown of global climate conditions. Without the Amazon rainforest, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could become out of control and drive global warming to intolerable levels while also changing rainfall patterns across the Western Hemisphere.
Yet the wave of economically-driven land clearing and fires hitting the Brazilian Amazon could push the region beyond the tipping point in a matter of years, rapidly converting the forest to savanna or grassland-style ecosystems.
“The explosion of deforestation in the Amazon has as an important cause – the discourse of the President, which delegitimizes environmental inspection while stimulating the occupation of the region in a predatory model,” said Suely Araújo, a senior specialist in public policy at the Brazilian Climate Observatory, in a statement. “Who profits from this is the illegal logger, the land grabber, the investor in uncontrolled mining that exploits slave labor.”
Brenda Brito, associate researcher at the Brazilian nonprofit Imazon, also warned that “it will be difficult to contain deforestation if the government continues with its intention to change land legislation and legalize deforested and illegally invaded areas. Land grabbing is a vector of deforestation, which is encouraged with the expectation of amnesty and legalization.”
Fires have also risen dramatically on Indigenous lands, with Greenpeace reporting a 78 percent increase of fires being set on Munduruku people’s land.
The fires also coincide with the raging coronavirus pandemic, threatening suffering communities and patients with increased smoke and soot that exacerbate the symptoms of COVID-19.
“Instead of combating criminal behavior and protecting Indigenous forest guardians already hit hard by COVID-19, this government continues to reduce environmental protection and ally itself with those who want to destroy the forest,” Mazzetti said.
Critics believe the prospects that the Brazilian government will change tack in its reckless approach to the Amazon.
“Crime took over the Amazon, encouraged by the Bolsonaro administration itself,” said Marcio Astrini, executive secretary of the Climate Observatory
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themindunleashed--2020-08-19--Louisiana man sentenced to life in prison for less than a gram of weed finally walks free

A Black U.S. military veteran who was sentenced to life in prison for selling less than a gram of marijuana has finally walked free after being incarcerated for nearly a decade .
Derek Harris of Louisiana was arrested in 2008 for selling 0.69 grams of cannabis , estimated to be worth under $ 30 , to an undercover officer .
While he was initially sentenced to 15 years in prison for the crime , in 2012 he was resentenced to life imprisonment under the state ’ s controversial Habitual Offender Law , which allows judges to impose far harsher sentences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they see fit .
But in a win for Harris , his family , and criminal justice reform advocates , on Tuesday the former convict was released from Louisiana State Penitentiary after serving a substantially reduced sentence of nine years , according to a statement from New Orleans-based nonprofit group the Promise of Justice Initiative ( PJI ) .
Upon being released from prison , a beaming Harris thanked God , his family , and all of his legal supporters .
The release of Harris comes as incarcerated people nationwide face the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept in the tight and often overcrowded confines of jails and prisons , posing the risk that prison sentences are unjustly turned into death sentences .
“ This delayed justice was a terrifying ordeal for Derek and his family , ” said Mercedes Montagnes , the executive director of PJI .
“ As COVID-19 rates continue to rise in DOC facilities , every day spent in Angola was a tremendous risk for Derek ’ s health and safety.
” Although Harris has finally been freed from the living nightmare of a life behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a job and the need for basic assistance to help him find medications and the necessities to help him restart his life .
“ Supporting Derek did not end with overturning his egregious life sentence and it did not end the day he walked out of Angola , ” said Harris ’ attorney Cormac Boyle .
“ Righting the harms done to a person through incarceration includes supporting their health , housing , and adjustment to their long-deserved freedom we need all the help we can get.
” Supporters of Harris are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help him out .
A GoFundMe campaign started earlier this month has already exceeded its $ 10,000 goal , but the family has expressed appreciation for any additional help .
Harris had developed a substance abuse problem following his return from Operation Desert Storm , the U.S. operation launched by the U.S. during the 1990-1991 Gulf War .
In 2008 , he was arrested in Abbeville , Louisiana after attempting to sell the small amount of marijuana to an undercover officer .
In 2012 , the sentencing judge gave him life in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theft and dealing cocaine ; Advocates have depicted Harris ’ case as illustrative of the deep injustices of Louisiana ’ s criminal justice system and the way in which the habitual offender law has disproportionately harmed Black defendants in the state and driven the mass incarceration of people convicted of nonviolent crimes .
“ Louisiana ’ s habitual offender law is abused , misused and ineffective , ” said Jamila Johnson , a senior supervising attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund , in a 2019 statement .
“ People suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty can find themselves in prison for decades for something as minor as stealing $ 14.
” “ Instead of addressing the root causes of repeat offenses , the habitual offender statute punishes these symptoms , ” Johnson added .
“ And Louisiana taxpayers are footing the bill for these long , harmful , and ineffective prison sentences .
”

A Black U.S. military veteran who was sentenced to life in prison for selling less than a gram of marijuana has finally walked free after being incarcerated for nearly a decade.
Derek Harris of Louisiana was arrested in 2008 for selling 0.69 grams of cannabis, estimated to be worth under $30, to an undercover officer.
While he was initially sentenced to 15 years in prison for the crime, in 2012 he was re-sentenced to life imprisonment under the state’s controversial Habitual Offender Law, which allows judges to impose far harsher sentences on defendants with prior criminal charges if they see fit.
But in a win for Harris, his family, and criminal justice reform advocates, on Tuesday the former convict was released from Louisiana State Penitentiary after serving a substantially reduced sentence of nine years, according to a statement from New Orleans-based nonprofit group the Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI).
Upon being released from prison, a beaming Harris thanked God, his family, and all of his legal supporters.
The release of Harris comes as incarcerated people nationwide face the high possibility of COVID-19 infection due to being kept in the tight and often overcrowded confines of jails and prisons, posing the risk that prison sentences are unjustly turned into death sentences.
“This delayed justice was a terrifying ordeal for Derek and his family,” said Mercedes Montagnes, the executive director of PJI. “As COVID-19 rates continue to rise in DOC facilities, every day spent in Angola was a tremendous risk for Derek’s health and safety.”
Although Harris has finally been freed from the living nightmare of a life behind bars, he is now leaving prison without a job and the need for basic assistance to help him find medications and the necessities to help him restart his life.
“Supporting Derek did not end with overturning his egregious life sentence and it did not end the day he walked out of Angola,” said Harris’ attorney Cormac Boyle. “Righting the harms done to a person through incarceration includes supporting their health, housing, and adjustment to their long-deserved freedom we need all the help we can get.”
Supporters of Harris are hoping to crowd-fund the money necessary to help him out. A GoFundMe campaign started earlier this month has already exceeded its $10,000 goal, but the family has expressed appreciation for any additional help.
Harris had developed a substance abuse problem following his return from Operation Desert Storm, the U.S. operation launched by the U.S. during the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
In 2008, he was arrested in Abbeville, Louisiana after attempting to sell the small amount of marijuana to an undercover officer. In 2012, the sentencing judge gave him life in prison due to Harris’ previous offenses of theft and dealing cocaine;
Advocates have depicted Harris’ case as illustrative of the deep injustices of Louisiana’s criminal justice system and the way in which the habitual offender law has disproportionately harmed Black defendants in the state and driven the mass incarceration of people convicted of nonviolent crimes.
“Louisiana’s habitual offender law is abused, misused and ineffective,” said Jamila Johnson, a senior supervising attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, in a 2019 statement. “People suffering from addiction, mental illness, and poverty can find themselves in prison for decades for something as minor as stealing $14.”
“Instead of addressing the root causes of repeat offenses, the habitual offender statute punishes these symptoms,” Johnson added. “And Louisiana taxpayers are footing the bill for these long, harmful, and ineffective prison sentences.”
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themindunleashed--2020-08-20--US Army researchers creating robot tech directly inspired by T-1000 villain from Terminator 2

Researchers for the U.S. Army are hoping to formulate a new shape-shifting material that can heal itself on its own in hopes to achieve the kind of futuristic killing technology famously depicted in the 1991 science-fiction film , Terminator 2 .
In fact , the film ’ s villain , the T-1000 , directly provided the inspiration to one of the Army engineers working on a project to develop “ soft robotic ” drones and unmanned aircraft based on flexible , self-repairing and self-reconfiguring materials , reports Military.com .
“ We want a system of materials to simultaneously provide structure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frank Gardea , an aerospace engineer at the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command ’ s ( CCDC ) Army Research Laboratory .
Gardea hopes that the U.S. Military will soon have future platforms for air and ground combat that possesses the “ reconfiguration characteristics of the T-1000 character in the Hollywood film , ‘ Terminator 2 , ' ” he said in an Army statement .
In the blockbuster film , the T-1000 created by Skynet is described as being an “ advanced prototype ” made of a “ mimetic pollyalloy ” or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portrayed by actor Robert Patrick was able to transform its arms into sword-like stabbing weapons and self-heal after sustaining various types of wounds ranging from pistol shots to 12-guage shotgun blasts and even a direct hit from a 40mm grenade launcher .
Gardea ’ s team , which worked alongside scientists at Texas A & M University , is hoping to develop a new epoxy material capable of “ massive reconfigurability , ” the ability to heal autonomously in the air or underwater , and embedded intelligence that would grant it the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any direct external control .
Fortunately , the team working out of the U.S. Army ’ s Aberdeen Proving Ground facility in Maryland hasn ’ t yet devised the sort of unstoppable killing machine depicted in the Terminator series – however , they have developed a 3D-printed , flexible polymer with a “ unique shape memory behavior ” that can be programmed to remember and snap back to certain shapes , and can even be repeatedly melted down and reused .
“ Most cross-linked materials , especially those that are 3D printed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning that , once you manufacture your part , the material can not be reprocessed or melted , ” Gardea explained , adding that the material has a “ dynamic bond that allows it to go from liquid to solid multiple times , which allows it to be 3D printed and recycled.
” Gardea says that the development provides “ a first step along a very long path toward realizing the scientific possibility for deep future platforms.
” This isn ’ t the first time that U.S. military technologists have compared their developments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Cameron ’ s Terminator series starring Arnold Schwarzenegger , which revolved around time-traveling military robots that “ can ’ t be reasoned with [ and ] doesn ’ t feel pity , or remorse , or fear , ” as one character in the original film says .
The U.S. Navy has worked on developing a 135-ton autonomous unmanned surface vehicle ( USV ) named the Sea Hunter , which would provide an autonomous platform for anti-submarine and electronic warfare as well as serving as a decoy in any live-fire clash involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warfare has alarmed critics , who believe that an overreliance on computerized and autonomous weapons on the battlefield poses the risk of leaving complex ethical choices about who lives or dies in the hands of algorithms , rather than humans .
The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots has been at the forefront of these concerns , raising concerns over how autonomous weapon systems “ would decide who lives and dies , without further human intervention , which crosses a moral threshold , ” according to its website .
Last year , former top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she had joined the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots because the robot systems envisioned by Big Tech firms and militaries could potentially do “ calamitous things that they were not originally programmed for .
”

Researchers for the U.S. Army are hoping to formulate a new shape-shifting material that can heal itself on its own in hopes to achieve the kind of futuristic killing technology famously depicted in the 1991 science-fiction film, Terminator 2.
In fact, the film’s villain, the T-1000, directly provided the inspiration to one of the Army engineers working on a project to develop “soft robotic” drones and unmanned aircraft based on flexible, self-repairing and self-reconfiguring materials, reports Military.com.
“We want a system of materials to simultaneously provide structure, sensing and response,” said Frank Gardea, an aerospace engineer at the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s (CCDC) Army Research Laboratory.
Gardea hopes that the U.S. Military will soon have future platforms for air and ground combat that possesses the “reconfiguration characteristics of the T-1000 character in the Hollywood film, ‘Terminator 2,'” he said in an Army statement.
In the blockbuster film, the T-1000 created by Skynet is described as being an “advanced prototype” made of a “mimetic pollyalloy” or “liquid metal.” The villainous cyborg portrayed by actor Robert Patrick was able to transform its arms into sword-like stabbing weapons and self-heal after sustaining various types of wounds ranging from pistol shots to 12-guage shotgun blasts and even a direct hit from a 40mm grenade launcher.
Gardea’s team, which worked alongside scientists at Texas A&M University, is hoping to develop a new epoxy material capable of “massive reconfigurability,” the ability to heal autonomously in the air or underwater, and embedded intelligence that would grant it the ability to adapt to its environment free of any direct external control.
.@USArmy researchers and our Texas A&M University partners explore self-healing materials https://t.co/AYJddNMLBn This material has a dynamic bond that allows it to go from liquid to solid multiple times, which allows it to be 3-D printed and recycled. @armyfutures @usarmyccdc pic.twitter.com/ZEIUv89JuP — U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory (@ArmyResearchLab) August 17, 2020
Fortunately, the team working out of the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground facility in Maryland hasn’t yet devised the sort of unstoppable killing machine depicted in the Terminator series – however, they have developed a 3D-printed, flexible polymer with a “unique shape memory behavior” that can be programmed to remember and snap back to certain shapes, and can even be repeatedly melted down and reused.
“Most cross-linked materials, especially those that are 3D printed, tend to have a fixed form, meaning that, once you manufacture your part, the material cannot be reprocessed or melted,” Gardea explained, adding that the material has a “dynamic bond that allows it to go from liquid to solid multiple times, which allows it to be 3D printed and recycled.”
Gardea says that the development provides “a first step along a very long path toward realizing the scientific possibility for deep future platforms.”
This isn’t the first time that U.S. military technologists have compared their developments to the artificial intelligence-equipped cyborgs depicted in James Cameron’s Terminator series starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which revolved around time-traveling military robots that “can’t be reasoned with [and] doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear,” as one character in the original film says.
'An Army engineer working on soft robotics says that his work is directly inspired by the T-1000, the shape-shifting (and fictional) robot villain from the 1991 James Cameron blockbuster “Terminator 2.”' Look, not all ideas are good ideas. #NoFatehttps://t.co/z8BelxEAoJ — Sarah O'Connor (@Sara_Lisabeth) August 20, 2020
The U.S. Navy has worked on developing a 135-ton autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) named the Sea Hunter, which would provide an autonomous platform for anti-submarine and electronic warfare as well as serving as a decoy in any live-fire clash involving human forces.
The prospect of AI-guided warfare has alarmed critics, who believe that an overreliance on computerized and autonomous weapons on the battlefield poses the risk of leaving complex ethical choices about who lives or dies in the hands of algorithms, rather than humans.
The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots has been at the forefront of these concerns, raising concerns over how autonomous weapon systems “would decide who lives and dies, without further human intervention, which crosses a moral threshold,” according to its website.
Last year, former top Google engineer Laura Nolan told the Guardian that she had joined the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots because the robot systems envisioned by Big Tech firms and militaries could potentially do “calamitous things that they were not originally programmed for.”
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themindunleashed--2020-08-20--Grandfather who raped his mentally disabled 6-year-old granddaughter jailed for only 3 years

An elderly Australian man who raped his mentally disabled six-year-old granddaughter is only facing three years in jail , but could be released as soon as December 3 .
The 65-year-old man – whose name has not been disclosed due to legal protections in place in Australia – will be eligible for parole on Dec. 3 due to time already served prior to sentencing .
The man pleaded guilty to digitally raping his intellectually impaired granddaughter in November 2018 .
“ Digital rape ” is a term that refers to cases of rape where the perpetrator uses his finger to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon their victim or otherwise penetrate them without their consent .
In his court appearance , the sick elderly man admitted his guilt and apologized following his initial denial that the horrendous act of sexual abuse took place , reports Gold Coast Bulletin .
In graphic accounts of the assault presented to the court , the helpless little girl could be heard begging her grandfather to stop before he told her to “ shut up.
” Prior to the assault , the man had been drinking alcohol .
It was also revealed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her grandfather as “ pop.
” When the blood-chilling details of the man ’ s sexual abuse of his granddaughter finally surfaced , he allegedly tried to escape accountability by overdosing on pills in an attempt to take his own life .
Defense attorneys claimed that the man was “ disgusted ” and extremely disappointed with the odious crime , which later led to the man being completely cut off by angry family members .
According to a report presented to the court , the rapist was at a “ low risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Catherine Muir sharply disagreed with the assertion .
“ This is reprehensible offending , ” Muir said .
“ It is predatory and it was a breach of trust committed by you on your young , intellectually impaired granddaughter.
” The devastating effects of rape and sexual abuse on survivors tend to be very far-reaching , and can last a lifetime .
Myriad studies have linked child sexual abuse to psychiatric disorders , eating disorders , drug and alcohol dependence , and mental disorders including clinical depression , anxiety disorders , suicidal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual abuse involving penetration has also been identified as a risk factor for developing psychotic and schizophrenic syndromes .
Even in cases where child sexual abuse victims develop mental health difficulties later in life , there is also the problem of sleeper effects emerging later in life or being triggered by major life events .
In her remarks during sentencing , Muir noted : “ Your offending , unsurprisingly , has had a destructive effect on the complainant and on your family.
” It is expected that the grandfather will be freed before @ @ @ @ @ @ @

An elderly Australian man who raped his mentally disabled six-year-old granddaughter is only facing three years in jail, but could be released as soon as December 3.
The 65-year-old man – whose name has not been disclosed due to legal protections in place in Australia – will be eligible for parole on Dec. 3 due to time already served prior to sentencing.
The man pleaded guilty to digitally raping his intellectually impaired granddaughter in November 2018. “Digital rape” is a term that refers to cases of rape where the perpetrator uses his finger to or fingers to force a sexual act upon their victim or otherwise penetrate them without their consent.
In his court appearance, the sick elderly man admitted his guilt and apologized following his initial denial that the horrendous act of sexual abuse took place, reports Gold Coast Bulletin.
In graphic accounts of the assault presented to the court, the helpless little girl could be heard begging her grandfather to stop before he told her to “shut up.” Prior to the assault, the man had been drinking alcohol.
It was also revealed that heartbreakingly, the young child had referred to her grandfather as “pop.”
When the blood-chilling details of the man’s sexual abuse of his granddaughter finally surfaced, he allegedly tried to escape accountability by overdosing on pills in an attempt to take his own life.
Defense attorneys claimed that the man was “disgusted” and extremely disappointed with the odious crime, which later led to the man being completely cut off by angry family members.
According to a report presented to the court, the rapist was at a “low risk” of re-offending. However, presiding Judge Catherine Muir sharply disagreed with the assertion.
“This is reprehensible offending,” Muir said. “It is predatory and it was a breach of trust committed by you on your young, intellectually impaired granddaughter.”
The devastating effects of rape and sexual abuse on survivors tend to be very far-reaching, and can last a lifetime. Myriad studies have linked child sexual abuse to psychiatric disorders, eating disorders, drug and alcohol dependence, and mental disorders including clinical depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation and various post-traumatic symptoms.
Child sexual abuse involving penetration has also been identified as a risk factor for developing psychotic and schizophrenic syndromes.
Even in cases where child sexual abuse victims develop mental health difficulties later in life, there is also the problem of sleeper effects emerging later in life or being triggered by major life events.
In her remarks during sentencing, Muir noted: “Your offending, unsurprisingly, has had a destructive effect on the complainant and on your family.”
It is expected that the grandfather will be freed before this Christmas for the monstrous crime.
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themindunleashed--2020-08-21--Rare Vintage Typewriter From The 1950’s Lets You Type Sheet Music

According to History.com and most historians , ‘ Hurrian Hymn No .
6 ’ is the oldest extant song , an ode to the goddess Nikkal , composed in cuneiform by the ancients Hurrians around the 14th century B.C .
Clay tablets excavated in the 1950s from the ruins of the city of Ugarit in Syria contain the tune and an almost complete set of musical notations as well as specific instructions for playing the song on a type of nine-stringed lyre .
The Catholic Church , during the middle ages ( c. 800-1450 ) , was very powerful and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is where the extensive and meticulous recording of music notation started .
During that time , only the clergy and a few others learned to read and write and their music notations during that period were written and decorated by hand in either Gothic or Roman notation , using black ink usually on vellum made from animal hide .
By the 15th century , woodblock carving was used for printing music , a laborious process , as were many that followed , but slowly and surely , the printing process improved .
Johann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was soon used to also print music .
Although still expensive and labor intensive with having to assemble the moveable type , i.e .
each , note , line , beam and so on , into a ‘ puzzle ’ , lined up in the correct order and assembled from left to right and in reverse .
Once locked together , the printing was quick , the types were placed on the printing press , inked and pressed onto paper and , of course , larger quantities could be printed and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to the 1930s , inventor Robert H Keaton was working on his new invention , a music typewriter in his home workshop in San Francisco , California .
In 1936 he patented his Keaton Music Typewriter with 14 keys .
He continued working on the design and in 1953 patented his upgraded version featuring 33 keys .
The machine was indeed a masterpiece of engineering with a unique circular keyboard which separated the two types of character , printing each character on a staff and showing where the next character would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to type one class of music characters such as bar lines and ledger lines , which , when repeated , always appear in the same relative spaced positions with respect to the lines… and a second keyboard adapted to type another class of musical characters , such as the notes , rest signs and sharp and flat signs etc.
, which may , when repeated , appear in various spaced positions with respect to the lines , ” explained .
This new machine had a curved meter , called the Scale Shift Handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left of the keyboard , which made it easy to control where the notes and characters would fall on the page .
Moving the handle up or down a notch to print would adjust 1/24 inch either way and allow the character to fall one musical step either way .
While the Keyton Music Typewriter was not the first , nor the last typewriting machine invented for printing music , it certainly stood out amongst others of that era for its ingenious design and the quality of the printed results .
Sadly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many of these machines were made but they are rare and highly sought after by collectors .

According to History.com and most historians, ‘Hurrian Hymn No. 6’ is the oldest extant song, an ode to the goddess Nikkal, composed in cuneiform by the ancients Hurrians around the 14th century B.C.
Clay tablets excavated in the 1950s from the ruins of the city of Ugarit in Syria contain the tune and an almost complete set of musical notations as well as specific instructions for playing the song on a type of nine-stringed lyre.
The Catholic Church, during the middle ages (c. 800-1450), was very powerful and controlled many affairs including music and that is where the extensive and meticulous recording of music notation started.
During that time, only the clergy and a few others learned to read and write and their music notations during that period were written and decorated by hand in either Gothic or Roman notation, using black ink usually on vellum made from animal hide.
By the 15th century, woodblock carving was used for printing music, a laborious process, as were many that followed, but slowly and surely, the printing process improved.
Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1450 which was soon used to also print music.
Although still expensive and labor intensive with having to assemble the moveable type, i.e. each, note, line, beam and so on, into a ‘puzzle’, lined up in the correct order and assembled from left to right and in reverse.
Once locked together, the printing was quick, the types were placed on the printing press, inked and pressed onto paper and, of course, larger quantities could be printed and more people could buy sheet music.
Fast forward to the 1930s, inventor Robert H Keaton was working on his new invention, a music typewriter in his home workshop in San Francisco, California. In 1936 he patented his Keaton Music Typewriter with 14 keys. He continued working on the design and in 1953 patented his upgraded version featuring 33 keys.
The machine was indeed a masterpiece of engineering with a unique circular keyboard which separated the two types of character, printing each character on a staff and showing where the next character would be printed.
“One keyboard is adapted to type one class of music characters such as bar lines and ledger lines, which, when repeated, always appear in the same relative spaced positions with respect to the lines… and a second keyboard adapted to type another class of musical characters, such as the notes, rest signs and sharp and flat signs etc., which may, when repeated, appear in various spaced positions with respect to the lines,” Keaton explained.
This new machine had a curved meter, called the Scale Shift Handle and a Scale Shift Indicator on the left of the keyboard, which made it easy to control where the notes and characters would fall on the page.
Moving the handle up or down a notch to print would adjust 1/24 inch either way and allow the character to fall one musical step either way.
While the Keyton Music Typewriter was not the first, nor the last typewriting machine invented for printing music, it certainly stood out amongst others of that era for its ingenious design and the quality of the printed results.
Sadly, there seems to be no record of how many of these machines were made but they are rare and highly sought after by collectors.
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