themindunleashed--2020-09-22--Julian Assange Is ‘Hearing Voices’ And At ‘High Risk Of Suicide,’ Psychiatrist Says

( TMU ) – At a recent extradition hearing for Julian Assange , a psychiatrist testified that the embattled Wikileaks founder is experiencing strong hallucinations and is at a high risk of suicide .
Professor Michael Kopelman , an emeritus professor of neuropsychiatry at King ’ s College London , said that Assange has been hearing voices and has confessed to a priest that he was making preparations to kill himself .
These preparations included drafting his will and writing a goodbye letter to his family and friends .
On Tuesday , at the Old Bailey courthouse in London , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 20 times and has become concerned about his mental and physical health .
“ He reported auditory hallucinations , which were voices either inside or outside his head , somatic hallucinations , funny bodily experiences , these have now disappeared .
He also has a long history of musical hallucinations , which is maybe a separate phenomenon , that got worse when he was in prison , ” Kopelman said .
The voices that Assange is hearing are saying things like “ you are dust , you are dead , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the most severe hallucinations have begun to diminish , but Assange is still severely depressed and at a high risk of suicide .
He also added that if Assange were extradited the risk would increase further .
“ The risk of suicide arises out of clinical factors…but it is the imminence of extradition and or an actual extradition that would trigger the attempt , in my opinion , ” Kopleman said .
Kopelman was cross-examined by James Lewis QC , who accused Assange of fabricating his mental illness to avoid extradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pointed out that Assange was reluctant to share details about his mental struggles with authorities , despite self-reporting in the past .
“ Mr Assange was very reluctant to talk about his suicidal ideas and plans because he feared he would be put on constant watch or isolation , ” Kopelman said .
“ He thinks as a leader he shouldn ’ t be showing weakness or psychiatric problems and he was concerned he would end up being further isolated on continuous watch and he didn ’ t want that , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confiscated a razor blade and two cords from his cell , and he has been kept under close watch the entire time he has been behind bars .
Last month , his partner Stella Moris visited him for the first time since the coronavirus lockdowns began at the prison .
Moris said that Assange is looking much thinner than he was the last time she saw him back in March .
She says that the situation has been “ incredibly stressful ” and that he has been having some health problems , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While the prison was taking virus precautions when Assange was having visitors , Moris says that they have done nothing to protect the prisoners during regular hours .
Moris has also launched a crowdfunding campaign to help with legal costs for Assange as he fights extradition to the United States .
So far , the campaign has raised £138,445 .
Assange is facing 18 charges under the U.S .
Espionage Act from the 2010 release of 500,000 files that exposed US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq .

(TMU) – At a recent extradition hearing for Julian Assange, a psychiatrist testified that the embattled Wikileaks founder is experiencing strong hallucinations and is at a high risk of suicide. Professor Michael Kopelman, an emeritus professor of neuropsychiatry at King’s College London, said that Assange has been hearing voices and has confessed to a priest that he was making preparations to kill himself. These preparations included drafting his will and writing a goodbye letter to his family and friends.
On Tuesday, at the Old Bailey courthouse in London, Professor Kopelman testified that he visited Assange over 20 times and has become concerned about his mental and physical health.
“He reported auditory hallucinations, which were voices either inside or outside his head, somatic hallucinations, funny bodily experiences, these have now disappeared. He also has a long history of musical hallucinations, which is maybe a separate phenomenon, that got worse when he was in prison,” Kopelman said.
The voices that Assange is hearing are saying things like “you are dust, you are dead, we are coming to get you”.
Kopelman said that the most severe hallucinations have begun to diminish, but Assange is still severely depressed and at a high risk of suicide. He also added that if Assange were extradited the risk would increase further.
“The risk of suicide arises out of clinical factors…but it is the imminence of extradition and or an actual extradition that would trigger the attempt, in my opinion,” Kopleman said.
Kopelman was cross-examined by James Lewis QC, who accused Assange of fabricating his mental illness to avoid extradition.
Kopelman disagreed with the assertion, and pointed out that Assange was reluctant to share details about his mental struggles with authorities, despite self-reporting in the past.
“Mr Assange was very reluctant to talk about his suicidal ideas and plans because he feared he would be put on constant watch or isolation,” Kopelman said.
“He thinks as a leader he shouldn’t be showing weakness or psychiatric problems and he was concerned he would end up being further isolated on continuous watch and he didn’t want that,” he added.
Prison guards have previously confiscated a razor blade and two cords from his cell, and he has been kept under close watch the entire time he has been behind bars. Last month, his partner Stella Moris visited him for the first time since the coronavirus lockdowns began at the prison.
Moris said that Assange is looking much thinner than he was the last time she saw him back in March. She says that the situation has been “incredibly stressful” and that he has been having some health problems, including a sprained ankle and a frozen shoulder. While the prison was taking virus precautions when Assange was having visitors, Moris says that they have done nothing to protect the prisoners during regular hours. Moris has also launched a crowdfunding campaign to help with legal costs for Assange as he fights extradition to the United States.
So far, the campaign has raised £138,445.
Assange is facing 18 charges under the U.S. Espionage Act from the 2010 release of 500,000 files that exposed US war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-22--Ann Arbor becomes latest city to decriminalize “magic” mushrooms and other natural psychedelics

( TMU ) – The city of Ann Arbor , Michigan , has effectively decriminalized psilocybin or “ magic ” mushrooms along with other natural psychedelics in the latest sign that public opinion across the U.S. is continuing to turn against prohibitionist policies .
On Monday , the Ann Arbor City Council unanimously voted in favor of a resolution that would make it the city ’ s lowest-ranked law enforcement priority to the investigate or arrest anyone planting , cultivating , purchasing , transporting , distributing , using or possessing entheogenic plants or plant compounds .
The resolution applies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including psilocybin mushrooms , ayahuasca , ibogaine , mescaline , peyote and other substances with hallucinogenic properties deemed illegal under state and federal law .
The council also requires the Washtenaw County Prosecutor ’ s Office to halt the prosecution of those involved in the use of entheogenic plants and plant compounds .
Ann Arbor now joins a growing list of cities including Denver , Colorado , and the California cities of Santa Cruz and Oakland that have decriminalized all entheogenic plants .
Other cities including Chicago and Austin are considering similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legalize the use of psilocybin in therapeutic settings will also be voted on in the state of Oregon this November .
The move to de-prioritize law enforcement around psychedelics was spearheaded by the efforts of local grassroots advocacy group Decriminalize Nature Ann Arbor , or DNA2 .
At the beginning of the year , councilmembers were skeptical about any move to decriminalize psychedelics .
Since then , they ’ ve found themselves convinced by evidence of the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics , including for mental health treatment and treating addiction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opening of a $ 17 million psychedelic and consciousness research center by Johns Hopkins Medicine as proof of “ the tremendous potential of these future medicines.
” The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is currently conducting clinical trials to find out whether the drug is suitable as a prescription drug for the U.S. market .
Councilmember Jack Eaton described the council ’ s unanimous backing for the decriminalization resolution as carrying on the city ’ s legacy of backing the local decriminalization of m******** during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal under state and federal law .
The resolution doesn ’ t allow for the commission of crimes or any significant violation of state or federal law , and any use of entheogenic substances that pose a threat to public health and safety could require intervention by law enforcement bodies .
In the resolution , entheogenic plants are defined as the full spectrum of plants and fungi that contain indole amines , tryptamines and phenethylamines “ that can benefit psychological and physical wellness , support and enhance religious and spiritual practices , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct relationship to nature.
” The resolution also states that psychedelic substances can be used to address substance abuse problems , addiction , recidivism , trauma , post-traumatic stress , depression , anxiety , grief , cluster headaches and other debilitating conditions .
“ The use of entheogenic plants , which can catalyze profound experiences of personal and spiritual growth , have been shown by scientific and clinical studies and traditional practices to be beneficial to the health and well-being of individuals and communities in addressing these conditions , ” it states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 narcotic by the Drug Enforcement Agency .
However , psilocybin – the main chemical component of the mushrooms – was designated as a “ breakthrough therapy ” by the FDA in 2019 due to the positive results of psilocybin in treating depression , anxiety , addiction , and other mental health problems .
Studies have also shown how a microdose of psilocybin—far from the level needed for a full-blown trip—actually increases the creativity and empathy of participants .
Other researchers have also found that psilocybin has provided effective help to patients struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cigarettes .
The newfound recognition of psilocybin therapy as a valid treatment has eroded old stereotypes of psilocybin as some intoxicating and hallucination-inducing party drug that drives its users insane – a reputation that largely grew out of the hippie counterculture of the 1960s when they were widely known as “ psychedelic ” or “ magic ” mushrooms .
The resolution further notes that entheogenic plants have been the basis of spiritual practices by human cultures for thousands of years , yet those who seek them for the sake of improving their health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to obtain them .
“ Decriminalization of naturally occurring medicines is necessary for progress , ” councilmember Jeff Hayner said in a press release from DNA2 last week , reports Detroit Metro Times .
“ We can no longer turn a blind eye towards the wisdom of indigenous peoples , and the bounty the earth provides .
I have been moved by the testimonies of those who have found profound relief from the use of entheogenic plants .
”

(TMU) – The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, has effectively decriminalized psilocybin or “magic” mushrooms along with other natural psychedelics in the latest sign that public opinion across the U.S. is continuing to turn against prohibitionist policies.
On Monday, the Ann Arbor City Council unanimously voted in favor of a resolution that would make it the city’s lowest-ranked law enforcement priority to the investigate or arrest anyone planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, using or possessing entheogenic plants or plant compounds.
The resolution applies to all psychedelics derived from plants and fungi, including psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, ibogaine, mescaline, peyote and other substances with hallucinogenic properties deemed illegal under state and federal law.
The council also requires the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office to halt the prosecution of those involved in the use of entheogenic plants and plant compounds.
Ann Arbor now joins a growing list of cities including Denver, Colorado, and the California cities of Santa Cruz and Oakland that have decriminalized all entheogenic plants. Other cities including Chicago and Austin are considering similar measures. A ballot measure that would legalize the use of psilocybin in therapeutic settings will also be voted on in the state of Oregon this November.
The move to de-prioritize law enforcement around psychedelics was spearheaded by the efforts of local grassroots advocacy group Decriminalize Nature Ann Arbor, or DNA2.
At the beginning of the year, councilmembers were skeptical about any move to decriminalize psychedelics. Since then, they’ve found themselves convinced by evidence of the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics, including for mental health treatment and treating addiction, reports MLive.
Councilmember Zachary Ackerman cited the opening of a $17 million psychedelic and consciousness research center by Johns Hopkins Medicine as proof of “the tremendous potential of these future medicines.” The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is currently conducting clinical trials to find out whether the drug is suitable as a prescription drug for the U.S. market.
Councilmember Jack Eaton described the council’s unanimous backing for the decriminalization resolution as carrying on the city’s legacy of backing the local decriminalization of marijuana during the 1970s, when the plant was still illegal under state and federal law.
The resolution doesn’t allow for the commission of crimes or any significant violation of state or federal law, and any use of entheogenic substances that pose a threat to public health and safety could require intervention by law enforcement bodies.
In the resolution, entheogenic plants are defined as the full spectrum of plants and fungi that contain indole amines, tryptamines and phenethylamines “that can benefit psychological and physical wellness, support and enhance religious and spiritual practices, and can reestablish human’s inalienable and direct relationship to nature.”
The resolution also states that psychedelic substances can be used to address substance abuse problems, addiction, recidivism, trauma, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, grief, cluster headaches and other debilitating conditions.
“The use of entheogenic plants, which can catalyze profound experiences of personal and spiritual growth, have been shown by scientific and clinical studies and traditional practices to be beneficial to the health and well-being of individuals and communities in addressing these conditions,” it states.
Psilocybin mushrooms are currently considered a Schedule 1 narcotic by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
However, psilocybin – the main chemical component of the mushrooms – was designated as a “breakthrough therapy” by the FDA in 2019 due to the positive results of psilocybin in treating depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health problems.
Studies have also shown how a microdose of psilocybin—far from the level needed for a full-blown trip—actually increases the creativity and empathy of participants.
Other researchers have also found that psilocybin has provided effective help to patients struggling to quit other addictive substances such as cigarettes.
The newfound recognition of psilocybin therapy as a valid treatment has eroded old stereotypes of psilocybin as some intoxicating and hallucination-inducing party drug that drives its users insane – a reputation that largely grew out of the hippie counterculture of the 1960s when they were widely known as “psychedelic” or “magic” mushrooms.
The resolution further notes that entheogenic plants have been the basis of spiritual practices by human cultures for thousands of years, yet those who seek them for the sake of improving their health and wellbeing must risk arrest and prosecution to obtain them.
“Decriminalization of naturally occurring medicines is necessary for progress,” councilmember Jeff Hayner said in a press release from DNA2 last week, reports Detroit Metro Times. “We can no longer turn a blind eye towards the wisdom of indigenous peoples, and the bounty the earth provides. I have been moved by the testimonies of those who have found profound relief from the use of entheogenic plants.”
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themindunleashed--2020-09-22--Four cops face 10 years in jail after video shows them beating man they said died of heart attack

( TMU ) – Four police officers in Shreveport , Louisiana , are facing a possible decade behind bars after being charged with negligent homicide and malfeasance in the death of a mentally ill man whom they initially claimed died from a heart attack , but was later exposed as having died after being savagely beaten and tased for four and a half minutes before being deprived of medical assistance .
The four officers with the Shreveport Police Department — Brian Ross , Treona McCarter , James LeClare and D ’ Marea Johnson — were charged on Friday for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tommie Dale McGlothen Jr. , 44 , who died in police custody during an arrest attempt .
Caddo Parish coroner Dr. Todd Thoma determined that McGlothen ’ s death “ was preventable ” because the officers should have determined that he urgently needed medical treatment after they beat him , according to the district attorney ’ s office .
When McGlothen ’ s family members went to see his body , they noticed that his entire right side of the face was swollen and he also had a broken jaw .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heart attack .
Police had three encounters with McGlothen on April 5 , and in each case he “ exhibited signs he was a mental patient in need of medical treatment , ” prosecutors said .
Witnesses of the third , fatal encounter say that police had been called after McGlothen fought with a neighbor , whose driveway he had blocked before following the homeowner indoors while mumbling incoherently and showing clear signs of mental distress and paranoia .
According to family lawyers , he had been previously diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pacing up and down the street and appeared to be “ thrown off in his head and not acting mentally right , ” reports KSLA .
When officers arrived , they began using mace , nightsticks and tasers on McGlothen to subdue him .
In cellphone video of the incident , officers can be seen forcing a screaming McGlothen to the ground while punching and kicking him repeatedly .
The officers also sat on him , shocked him with a stun gun , and beat his legs with a baton before slamming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brawl lasted at least four-and-a-half minutes .
The officers then held McGlothen in their car for 48 minutes before realizing that he wasn ’ t breathing .
McGlothen was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly afterwards .
According to the county coroner ’ s office , McGlothen was “ not a candidate for incarceration ” due to his medical condition , while the officers ’ wanton use of excessive force was a crucial factor McGlothen ’ s death from so-called “ excited delirium.
” The coroner also noted that his death was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation of the arrest , the Shreveport Police Department failed to submit an investigative report to Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart until May 29 .
At that point , the district attorney found that the report they filed was “ missing reports , statements , downloads and other vital information essential to conduct a thorough and complete review , ” indicating a clear sign to cover the incident up .
The officers still remained on duty during the investigation .
However , on June 8 , the cellphone video footage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-minute struggle that led to McGlothen ’ s death .
In a June statement , District Attorney Stewart wrote that he believed there was clear evidence the officers had used excessive force , violated the department ’ s policy on the use of tasers , and failed to call for medical assistance when McGlothen was clearly unconscious .
A Caddo Parish Grand Jury indicted the officers on charges of negligent homicide and malfeasance .
On Friday , the officers turned themselves in for arrest before they were each individually released on a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 10 years in prison if they are convicted on both counts .
“ I just appreciate the work the D.A .
has done in bringing justice for my father , ” McGlothen ’ s son , Tommie McGlothen III , said .
James Carter , a lawyer for McGlothen ’ s family , said that the case is a tragic reflection of how people with mental disorders are treated by police .
“ It ’ s just a sad situation how the mentally disabled are dealt with and how law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters , act abusively and use excessive force , ” Mr. Carter told the New York Times .
The move to indict the officers was “ only one step toward justice , ” he added .
“ The family has worked very hard , ” Carter said .
“ They are obviously exhausted but at the same time have a sense of jubilance .
But there ’ s no mistake about it — there ’ s still a long way to go on this matter .
”

(TMU) – Four police officers in Shreveport, Louisiana, are facing a possible decade behind bars after being charged with negligent homicide and malfeasance in the death of a mentally ill man whom they initially claimed died from a heart attack, but was later exposed as having died after being savagely beaten and tased for four and a half minutes before being deprived of medical assistance.
The four officers with the Shreveport Police Department — Brian Ross, Treona McCarter, James LeClare and D’Marea Johnson — were charged on Friday for their role in the April 5 death of Tommie Dale McGlothen Jr., 44, who died in police custody during an arrest attempt.
Caddo Parish coroner Dr. Todd Thoma determined that McGlothen’s death “was preventable” because the officers should have determined that he urgently needed medical treatment after they beat him, according to the district attorney’s office.
When McGlothen’s family members went to see his body, they noticed that his entire right side of the face was swollen and he also had a broken jaw. However, police maintained that he had died of a heart attack.
Police had three encounters with McGlothen on April 5, and in each case he “exhibited signs he was a mental patient in need of medical treatment,” prosecutors said.
Witnesses of the third, fatal encounter say that police had been called after McGlothen fought with a neighbor, whose driveway he had blocked before following the homeowner indoors while mumbling incoherently and showing clear signs of mental distress and paranoia. According to family lawyers, he had been previously diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and depression.
Witnesses claim that McGlothen was pacing up and down the street and appeared to be “thrown off in his head and not acting mentally right,” reports KSLA.
When officers arrived, they began using mace, nightsticks and tasers on McGlothen to subdue him. In cellphone video of the incident, officers can be seen forcing a screaming McGlothen to the ground while punching and kicking him repeatedly. The officers also sat on him, shocked him with a stun gun, and beat his legs with a baton before slamming him against their squad car. The brawl lasted at least four-and-a-half minutes.
The officers then held McGlothen in their car for 48 minutes before realizing that he wasn’t breathing. McGlothen was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly afterwards.
According to the county coroner’s office, McGlothen was “not a candidate for incarceration” due to his medical condition, while the officers’ wanton use of excessive force was a crucial factor McGlothen’s death from so-called “excited delirium.” The coroner also noted that his death was “possibly preventable.”
When family members demanded an investigation of the arrest, the Shreveport Police Department failed to submit an investigative report to Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart until May 29.
At that point, the district attorney found that the report they filed was “missing reports, statements, downloads and other vital information essential to conduct a thorough and complete review,” indicating a clear sign to cover the incident up. The officers still remained on duty during the investigation.
However, on June 8, the cellphone video footage of the incident emerged, showing the nearly five-minute struggle that led to McGlothen’s death.
In a June statement, District Attorney Stewart wrote that he believed there was clear evidence the officers had used excessive force, violated the department’s policy on the use of tasers, and failed to call for medical assistance when McGlothen was clearly unconscious.
A Caddo Parish Grand Jury indicted the officers on charges of negligent homicide and malfeasance. On Friday, the officers turned themselves in for arrest before they were each individually released on a $20,000 bond.
The officers now face up to 10 years in prison if they are convicted on both counts.
“I just appreciate the work the D.A. has done in bringing justice for my father,” McGlothen’s son, Tommie McGlothen III, said.
James Carter, a lawyer for McGlothen’s family, said that the case is a tragic reflection of how people with mental disorders are treated by police.
“It’s just a sad situation how the mentally disabled are dealt with and how law enforcement, when they have notification of these matters, act abusively and use excessive force,” Mr. Carter told the New York Times.
The move to indict the officers was “only one step toward justice,” he added.
“The family has worked very hard,” Carter said. “They are obviously exhausted but at the same time have a sense of jubilance. But there’s no mistake about it — there’s still a long way to go on this matter.”
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themindunleashed--2020-09-24--Two police officers shot in Louisville amid violent protests over killing of Breonna Taylor

( TMU ) – At least two police officers have been shot in Louisville , Kentucky , on Wednesday as anger continues to mount over the killing of Breonna Taylor by Louisville Metro Police officers during a botched raid on March 13 , according to multiple reports .
Initial reports from WDRB said that an officer was shot at the intersection of Brook and Broadway in downtown Louisville just before 8 p.m. Wednesday .
The news was later confirmed by LMPD Spokesperson Lamont Washington in an email .
“ JUST IN — MetroSafe confirms a police officer was just shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Fallon Glick , of WDRB-TV , said in a tweet .
A subsequent report came that at least two officers had been shot .
Further details remain unknown about the circumstances of the shooting , as well as the condition of the officers , and police have yet to make a formal statement regarding the incident .
It remains unclear if the shootings were directly tied to the protests .
Amid the reports , video emerged on social media showing gunfire break out in the streets .
In one live-streamed video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be heard saying “ shots fired.
” Another video posted by user “ FJ News Reporter ” alleged that “ Louisville Rioters ” had shot live rounds at police .
The shots apparently came after police had deployed chemical agents against community protesters , according to at least one tweet .
“ Sh*t , they ’ re shooting real guns , ” someone can be heard shouting in the video .
“ They ’ re blasting at the police !
” The reports of violence come after authorities announced earlier in the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Taylor – namely Sergeant Jonathan Mattingly and officers Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove – would not face criminal charges , enraging advocates and critics of police violence who have described Taylor ’ s death as the result of “ murder.
” Former officer Brett Hankison was criminally charged with three counts of “ wanton enforcement in the first degree ” for his actions during the botched raid , primarily for blindly firing 10 shots into her apartment .
However , none of the charges are directly related to the killing of Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameron said that the grand jury charged the former detective because the shots passed through her apartment walls into a neighboring apartment , endangering the lives of her three neighbors present at the time .
On the night March 13 , the undercover officers obtained a no-knock search warrant intended to find illicit drugs .
Louisville Metro Police deployed a battering ram to force their way into the apartment before Taylor ’ s boyfriend , Kenneth Walker fired a warning shot that struck an officer .
Police responded with 35 rounds , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an officer .
Walker maintains that the officers failed to identify themselves , but police claim that they knocked first .
Police also claimed in their initial report that Taylor was not injured by their bullets , which later turned out to be an obvious lie .
Taylor had been studying to be a nurse and worked at two local hospitals as an EMT during the ongoing pandemic before her killer ’ s bullets tragically cut her life short .
The crime of “ wanton endangerment ” is a Class D felony in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence of only one to five years in prison and a fine on conviction for each count .
Hankinson ’ s bail was only set for $ 15,000 .
The lenient charge has clearly sparked the anger and unrest in the streets of Louisville on Wednesday .

(TMU) – At least two police officers have been shot in Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday as anger mounts after no officers were charged with offenses directly linked to the March 13 killing of Breonna Taylor.
Initial reports from WDRB said that an officer was shot at the intersection of Brook and Broadway in downtown Louisville just before 8 p.m. Wednesday. The news was later confirmed by LMPD Spokesperson Lamont Washington in an email.
“JUST IN — MetroSafe confirms a police officer was just shot at Brook and Broadway. #Louisville,” Fallon Glick, of WDRB-TV, said in a tweet.
A subsequent report came that at least two officers had been shot, according to local reports.
Further details remain unknown about the circumstances of the shooting, as well as the condition of the officers, and police have yet to make a formal statement regarding the incident.
It remains unclear if the shootings were directly tied to the protests.
OFFICER SHOT: Per MetroSafe, one LMPD Officer has been shot at Brook & Broadway. This is a look outside U of L hospital right now, the ER entrance off Chestnut & Hancock. @WDRBNews #Louisville pic.twitter.com/LFCMr5624O — Katrina Helmer (@KatrinaWDRB) September 24, 2020
On Wednesday evening, police in riot gear, National Guard troops and armored military vehicles concentrated in the center of the Kentucky city as protesters responded with grief and anger to grand jury decision not to charge police officers for the killing of Taylor.
The Courier Journal reports that a photographer said he saw “a line of officers move toward a gas station with rifles up. Shortly after, they had somebody pinned to the ground and cuffed.” It is still unclear if the arrest was tied to the shooting of the officers.
https://twitter.com/stillgray/status/1308930366191804416
Another video posted by user “FJ News Reporter” alleged that “Louisville Rioters” had shot live rounds at police.
BREAKING VIDEO – Louisville Rioters shoot live rounds at police, injuring at least 1 so far pic.twitter.com/b9ju1jFzaS — FJ News Reporter (@FJNewsReporter) September 24, 2020
The shots apparently came after police had deployed chemical agents against community protesters, according to at least one tweet.
“Sh*t, they’re shooting real guns,” someone can be heard shouting in the video. “They’re blasting at the police!”
https://twitter.com/StringerBoston/status/1308927895348350977
The reports of violence come after authorities announced earlier in the day that the officers involved in the killing of Taylor – namely Sergeant Jonathan Mattingly and officers Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove – would not face criminal charges, enraging advocates and critics of police violence who have described Taylor’s death as the result of “murder.”
Former officer Brett Hankison was criminally charged with three counts of “wanton enforcement in the first degree” for his actions during the botched raid, primarily for blindly firing 10 shots into her apartment. However, none of the charges are directly related to the killing of Taylor.
Instead, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said that the grand jury charged the former detective because the shots passed through her apartment walls into a neighboring apartment, endangering the lives of her three neighbors present at the time.
On the night of March 13, the undercover officers obtained a no-knock search warrant intended to find illicit drugs.
Louisville Metro Police deployed a battering ram to force their way into the apartment before Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker fired a warning shot that struck an officer. Police responded with 35 rounds, including 10 rounds fired “blindly” by an officer.
Walker maintains that the officers failed to identify themselves, but police claim that they knocked first.
Police also claimed in their initial report that Taylor was not injured by their bullets, which later turned out to be an obvious lie.
Taylor had been studying to be a nurse and worked at two local hospitals as an EMT during the ongoing pandemic before her killer’s bullets tragically cut her life short.
The crime of “wanton endangerment” is a Class D felony in Kentucky, meaning it can carry a sentence of only one to five years in prison and a fine on conviction for each count. Hankinson’s bail was only set for $15,000.
The lenient charge has reignited anger and unrest in cities across the U.S. on Wednesday.
Throughout Wednesday night, protesters marched through the streets of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia and other cities.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-23--Rapper Bobby Shmurda Denied Parole – Will Remain In Prison Until December 2021

( TMU ) – The embattled rapper Bobby Shmurda was hoping that he would be released from prison after his parole hearing last week , but law enforcement sources told TMZ that his parole was denied .
The terms discussed at the hearing are unclear , but the source said that Shmurda will likely be held in prison until the end of his sentence , December 11 , 2021 .
His parole may have been denied because of trouble that he got into while he was behind bars .
During his time in prison , Bobby has received at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations for drug possession , fighting , and having a shank .
Shmurda was arrested and charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon on June 3 , 2014 .
Police claim they saw him flashing the gun in an apartment and then say they found the gun after chasing him down .
A few months later , on December 17 , 2014 , police arrested Shmurda and 14 others , including his brother Javese and his fellow GS9 label-mate Rowdy Rebel .
Police charged Shmurda with conspiracy to commit murder , reckless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Charges against the others included murder , attempted murder , assault , and selling drugs .
Police said that the GS9 label was a “ gang ” and that Shmurda was the “ driving force ” in the group .
The arrest took place just a few months after he signed a seven-figure record deal with Epic Records .
In November of 2014 , he released his debut EP , Shmurda She Wrote , which was less than two months before his arrest .
Shmurda ’ s case became so controversial because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as evidence .
James Essig , head of the NYPD unit that made the arrests , said Shmurda ’ s songs and videos were “ almost like a real-life document of what they were doing on the street.
” Shmurda has said that the lyrics represent his real life in several interviews , but the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled that lyrics can ’ t be read at the trial as evidence unless they have a “ strong nexus ” to a specific crime .
Shmurda was forced to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs that were found in his possession , despite no evidence that he was guilty of any violence .
On September 2 , 2016 , Shmurda pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree conspiracy and one count of weapons possession , and was sentenced to seven years in prison .
The two years that he served behind bars awaiting trial were counted towards the total , meaning that he had five additional years to serve after sentencing .
While taking the plea , Shmurda told the court that he was forced into accepting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take this sentence , I did not want to take this sentence , ” Shmurda told the court .
Shmurda ’ s mother says that he plans on releasing new music as soon as he is out of prison , and he is also planning on making a documentary about his life upon his release .
He is currently being held is being held in protective custody at the Clinton Correctional Facility located in Dannemora , New York .

(TMU) – The embattled rapper Bobby Shmurda was hoping that he would be released from prison after his parole hearing last week, but law enforcement sources told TMZ that his parole was denied. The terms discussed at the hearing are unclear, but the source said that Shmurda will likely be held in prison until the end of his sentence, December 11, 2021.
His parole may have been denied because of trouble that he got into while he was behind bars. During his time in prison, Bobby has received at least 11 violations from authorities, which includes violations for drug possession, fighting, and having a shank.
Shmurda was arrested and charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon on June 3, 2014. Police claim they saw him flashing the gun in an apartment and then say they found the gun after chasing him down. A few months later, on December 17, 2014, police arrested Shmurda and 14 others, including his brother Javese and his fellow GS9 label-mate Rowdy Rebel. Police charged Shmurda with conspiracy to commit murder, reckless endangerment, and drug and gun possession. Charges against the others included murder, attempted murder, assault, and selling drugs. Police said that the GS9 label was a “gang” and that Shmurda was the “driving force” in the group.
The arrest took place just a few months after he signed a seven-figure record deal with Epic Records. In November of 2014, he released his debut EP, Shmurda She Wrote, which was less than two months before his arrest.
Shmurda’s case became so controversial because police and prosecutors used his lyrics against him as evidence. James Essig, head of the NYPD unit that made the arrests, said Shmurda’s songs and videos were “almost like a real-life document of what they were doing on the street.”
Shmurda has said that the lyrics represent his real life in several interviews, but the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled that lyrics can’t be read at the trial as evidence unless they have a “strong nexus” to a specific crime. Shmurda was forced to take a plea deal because of the weapons and drugs that were found in his possession, despite no evidence that he was guilty of any violence. On September 2, 2016, Shmurda pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree conspiracy and one count of weapons possession, and was sentenced to seven years in prison. The two years that he served behind bars awaiting trial were counted towards the total, meaning that he had five additional years to serve after sentencing.
While taking the plea, Shmurda told the court that he was forced into accepting the sentence.
“I was forced to take this sentence, I did not want to take this sentence,” Shmurda told the court.
Shmurda’s mother says that he plans on releasing new music as soon as he is out of prison, and he is also planning on making a documentary about his life upon his release. He is currently being held is being held in protective custody at the Clinton Correctional Facility located in Dannemora, New York.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-23--Bill Clinton had “intimate dinner” with Ghislaine Maxwell after Epstein’s crimes were exposed

( TMU ) – Former president Bill Clinton reportedly met with accused sex-trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell for an “ intimate ” dinner in 2014 , which is many years after her illegal activities with Jeffrey Epstein were well-known to authorities and the media .
A source told The Daily Beast that “ This is an intimate dinner with Clinton in LA .
Think of all the people [ Clinton ] knows in LA — and Ghislaine gets to attend.
” Another source confirmed the meeting with The Daily Beast journalist and added that Clinton ’ s PR team was relieved that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlines at the time , since Maxwell ’ s relationship with Epstein was already public knowledge .
The pair reportedly met at Crossroads Kitchen , a hotspot for celebrities and millionaires on Melrose Avenue .
On the night of their meeting , famous actors like Bruce Willis and Sean Penn were also in the building .
Clinton and Maxwell met with mutual friend Steve Bing , a producer and major Democratic donor who killed himself earlier this year .
It is not clear if his suicide had anything to do with his involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re always fighting against the reporting and not that they did it .
That ’ s the problem , ” one friend of the Clintons told the site anonymously .
In a new book called “ A Convenient Death : The Mysterious Demise of Jeffrey Epstein , ” authors Alana Goodman and Daniel Halper claim that Clinton was having an affair with Ghislaine Maxwell , who was just recently taken into custody over her involvement with the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein .
Clinton continued to carry on a relationship with both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were both exposed as sex offenders .
In fact , Maxwell was served court papers relating to the Epstein trafficking ring in 2009 while she was attending the Clinton Global Initiative at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City .
Just a few months later , Maxwell attended Chelsea Clinton ’ s wedding , and Bill continued his relationship with both of them for many years despite the public knowledge of their crimes .
Journalist Conchita Sarnoff wrote in her book TrafficKing that Maxwell was ironically served her court papers during a Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ironically , photographs of Maxwell taken by a private investigator who accompanied the process server showed Maxwell receiving notice while standing beneath a human trafficking banner .
Human trafficking was the Conference ’ s theme at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative , ” she wrote Recent reports have suggested that Maxwell is prepared to fully cooperate with investigators and name the names of high profile individuals who took part in Epstein ’ s human trafficking ring .
In an interview with The Sun , Epstein ’ s former employer Steven Hoffenberg said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ totally co-operate ’ after her arrest .
A set of documents that were unsealed from a previous civil trial between Maxwell and Virginia Giuffre , one of the most public and outspoken of Jeffrey Epstein ’ s victims , indicated that Clinton was seen on Epstein ’ s private island with two young girls .
In her testimony , Guiffre said that she remembered Epstein telling her that Bill Clinton owed him some favors .

(TMU) – Former president Bill Clinton reportedly met with accused sex-trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell for an “intimate” dinner in 2014, which is many years after her illegal activities with Jeffrey Epstein were well-known to authorities and the media.
A source told The Daily Beast that “This is an intimate dinner with Clinton in LA. Think of all the people [Clinton] knows in LA — and Ghislaine gets to attend.”
Another source confirmed the meeting with The Daily Beast journalist and added that Clinton’s PR team was relieved that the meeting didn’t make the headlines at the time, since Maxwell’s relationship with Epstein was already public knowledge.
The pair reportedly met at Crossroads Kitchen, a hotspot for celebrities and millionaires on Melrose Avenue. On the night of their meeting, famous actors like Bruce Willis and Sean Penn were also in the building.
Clinton and Maxwell met with mutual friend Steve Bing, a producer and major Democratic donor who killed himself earlier this year. It is not clear if his suicide had anything to do with his involvement in people like Ghislaine Maxwell.
“They’re always fighting against the reporting and not that they did it. That’s the problem,” one friend of the Clintons told the site anonymously.
In a new book called “A Convenient Death: The Mysterious Demise of Jeffrey Epstein,” authors Alana Goodman and Daniel Halper claim that Clinton was having an affair with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was just recently taken into custody over her involvement with the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein.
Clinton continued to carry on a relationship with both Maxwell and Epstein for long after they were both exposed as sex offenders. In fact, Maxwell was served court papers relating to the Epstein trafficking ring in 2009 while she was attending the Clinton Global Initiative at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City.
Just a few months later, Maxwell attended Chelsea Clinton’s wedding, and Bill continued his relationship with both of them for many years despite the public knowledge of their crimes.
Journalist Conchita Sarnoff wrote in her book TrafficKing that Maxwell was ironically served her court papers during a Clinton charity event for human trafficking.
“Ironically, photographs of Maxwell taken by a private investigator who accompanied the process server showed Maxwell receiving notice while standing beneath a human trafficking banner. Human trafficking was the Conference’s theme at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative,” she wrote
Recent reports have suggested that Maxwell is prepared to fully cooperate with investigators and name the names of high profile individuals who took part in Epstein’s human trafficking ring.
In an interview with The Sun, Epstein’s former employer Steven Hoffenberg said that Maxwell ‘knows everything’ and will ‘totally co-operate’ after her arrest.
A set of documents that were unsealed from a previous civil trial between Maxwell and Virginia Giuffre, one of the most public and outspoken of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, indicated that Clinton was seen on Epstein’s private island with two young girls. In her testimony, Guiffre said that she remembered Epstein telling her that Bill Clinton owed him some favors.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-23--Adorable Country Mouse ‘Passes Out’ After Munching On Cannabis Leaves

( TMU ) – Canada ’ s Cannabis Act , ( aka Bill C-45 ) was passed by the House of Commons of Canada on June 19 , 2018 , legalizing cannabis for recreational use across the country effective from October 17 , 2018 .
The bill stipulates the minimum age of 19 to use , buy , grow or possess cannabis for recreational use and that it must not be consumed in a public place or in a motor vehicle .
All good and well , except for a country mouse obviously not schooled on the law , found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Cannabis leaves .
Colin Sullivan from New Brunswick found the little fellow stealing leaves off his plants on two consecutive days and realized the rodent may have a problem .
Sullivan captured the mouse on camera while in action nibbling the stems of plant leaves and its effects on the little guy .
Sullivan decided to isolate the mouse in a Perspex cage and start him on a ’ 12 step program ’ , primarily to keep him away from the plants , clear his head and get him back on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He posted on Facebook last week Tuesday , writing : ‘ ‘ For two days in a row I ’ ve caught this little pothead taking leaves off of my plant and eating them until he passes out .
‘ ’ He ’ s missing an ear so it may be self medication for his PTSD but I still think it ’ s time for an intervention .
‘ ’ I ’ ll let him sleep this one off but when he wakes up he ’ s getting a real stern talking to.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , showing the mouse in a Perspex cage and explaining the situation : ‘ ’ So it ’ s been a couple of rough days for our little baked buddy here and despite a belly ache and a wicked bad case of the munchies I think he ’ ll make a full recovery .
He ’ s been weaned to one medium leaf per day and seems to be adjusting well .
One day at a time my friend , one day at a time.
’ ’ After a short stint in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sullivan advised on his post that the mouse was ready to be released back in the wild and , as a farewell , wrote a pun laden ode to his new buddy : After a long and desperate battle with addiction this little mouse has grinded up his struggle , picked out the seeds and stems and is ready to roll out .
Weed all benefit from joining together to help the smoke clear in any addict ’ s life .
He did his very cannibest and was awarded his first Twelve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one to open his cage but he was the one who set himself free .
So long my friend , till we meet again.
’ ’ Not surprisingly , the posts received over 12,000 likes and attracted thousands of comments ranging from concern for the little mouse to wishing him well in his efforts to stay sober .

(TMU) – Canada’s Cannabis Act, (aka Bill C-45) was passed by the House of Commons of Canada on June 19, 2018, legalizing cannabis for recreational use across the country effective from October 17, 2018. The bill stipulates the minimum age of 19 to use, buy, grow or possess cannabis for recreational use and that it must not be consumed in a public place or in a motor vehicle.
All good and well, except for a country mouse obviously not schooled on the law, found passed out on its back after munching on Cannabis leaves.
Colin Sullivan from New Brunswick found the little fellow stealing leaves off his plants on two consecutive days and realized the rodent may have a problem. Sullivan captured the mouse on camera while in action nibbling the stems of plant leaves and its effects on the little guy.
Sullivan decided to isolate the mouse in a Perspex cage and start him on a ’12 step program’, primarily to keep him away from the plants, clear his head and get him back on his feet for release in the wild.
He posted on Facebook last week Tuesday, writing: ‘‘For two days in a row I’ve caught this little pothead taking leaves off of my plant and eating them until he passes out.
‘’He’s missing an ear so it may be self medication for his PTSD but I still think it’s time for an intervention.
‘’I’ll let him sleep this one off but when he wakes up he’s getting a real stern talking to.’’
An update followed two days later, showing the mouse in a Perspex cage and explaining the situation:
‘’So it’s been a couple of rough days for our little baked buddy here and despite a belly ache and a wicked bad case of the munchies I think he’ll make a full recovery.
He’s been weaned to one medium leaf per day and seems to be adjusting well.
One day at a time my friend, one day at a time.’’
After a short stint in ‘rehab’ for his furry friend, Sullivan advised on his post that the mouse was ready to be released back in the wild and, as a farewell, wrote a pun laden ode to his new buddy:
‘’On The Rodent To Redemption.
After a long and desperate battle with addiction this little mouse has grinded up his struggle, picked out the seeds and stems and is ready to roll out. Weed all benefit from joining together to help the smoke clear in any addict’s life.
He did his very cannibest and was awarded his first Twelve Step chip. I may have been the one to open his cage but he was the one who set himself free. So long my friend, till we meet again.’’
Not surprisingly, the posts received over 12,000 likes and attracted thousands of comments ranging from concern for the little mouse to wishing him well in his efforts to stay sober.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-24--Newly Released Footage Shows Police Shooting 13-Year-Old Autistic Boy 11 Times

( TMU ) – A 13-year-old named Linden Cameron was shot 11 times by Salt Lake City police earlier this month , after police were called to his house because he was having a mental breakdown .
The body camera videos of the officers involved were posted to YouTube by the Salt Lake City Police Department on Monday .
The video shows that the young man was running away from a group of police when one of them opened fire on him , shooting him 11 times .
The officers were called the boy ’ s home by his mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that her son was on the autism spectrum .
She also told them that he doesn ’ t like police because they killed his grandfather , and also mentioned that he may have been carrying a fake gun .
This woman either lives under a rock and is totally unaware of the many fatal encounters that police have with people on the autism spectrum , or she wanted to get her son killed .
She says that she called the officers to de-escalate the situation , which was obviously an incredibly naive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the female officers on the scene could be heard expressing caution about the situation , and suggesting that maybe this isn ’ t a job that the police should be handling .
“ This is a psych problem .
I don ’ t see why we even have to approach .
Honestly , we can call sergeant and tell him the situation , because I ’ m not about to get into a shooting because he ’ s upset .
This is exactly what we talked about last week .
If no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one is in danger , maybe he ’ s probably breaking stuff but he ’ s not harming himself .
Sorry , I ’ m not about to get into a shooting , ” the officer can be heard saying .
Sadly , the other officers on the scene didn ’ t take her advice .
A few moments later , police went and knocked on the door , causing Cameron to flee through the backyard .
After a short chase , Cameron was shot 11 times by one of the officers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t feel good .
Tell my mom I love her , ” as he is laying on the ground .
Police handcuffed him first , and then made a half-hearted effort at giving him medical attention .
Luckily , Cameron was able to survive but he is still in very serious conditions and will be left with injuries that will be with him fro the rest of his life .
When he was taken to the hospital , he was initially in critical condition with bullet wounds to his intestines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is still in the hospital and has been having trouble speaking .
He has also lost feeling in one of his arms , and doctors don ’ t expect him to be able to walk again .
During a press conference , SLCPD Chief Mike Brown admitted that Cameron and many other victims of police violence were not doing anything criminal .
“ We are facing a mental health crisis in this country .
We want to be partners with those who provide mental health services .
As a community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Too often , our officers are called to deal with these difficult problems , which frequently are not criminal in nature , ” Brown said during a press conference this week .

(TMU) – A 13-year-old named Linden Cameron was shot 11 times by Salt Lake City police earlier this month, after police were called to his house because he was having a mental breakdown. The body camera videos of the officers involved were posted to YouTube by the Salt Lake City Police Department on Monday. The video shows that the young man was running away from a group of police when one of them opened fire on him, shooting him 11 times.
The officers were called the boy’s home by his mother, Golda Barton, who told officers that her son was on the autism spectrum. She also told them that he doesn’t like police because they killed his grandfather, and also mentioned that he may have been carrying a fake gun. This woman either lives under a rock and is totally unaware of the many fatal encounters that police have with people on the autism spectrum, or she wanted to get her son killed. She says that she called the officers to de-escalate the situation, which was obviously an incredibly naive and foolish thing to do.
One of the female officers on the scene could be heard expressing caution about the situation, and suggesting that maybe this isn’t a job that the police should be handling.
“This is a psych problem. I don’t see why we even have to approach. Honestly, we can call sergeant and tell him the situation, because I’m not about to get into a shooting because he’s upset. This is exactly what we talked about last week. If no one’s in the house and no one is in danger, maybe he’s probably breaking stuff but he’s not harming himself. Sorry, I’m not about to get into a shooting,” the officer can be heard saying.
Sadly, the other officers on the scene didn’t take her advice. A few moments later, police went and knocked on the door, causing Cameron to flee through the backyard. After a short chase, Cameron was shot 11 times by one of the officers.
The video ends with Cameron saying “I don’t feel good. Tell my mom I love her,” as he is laying on the ground.
Police handcuffed him first, and then made a half-hearted effort at giving him medical attention. Luckily, Cameron was able to survive but he is still in very serious conditions and will be left with injuries that will be with him fro the rest of his life. When he was taken to the hospital, he was initially in critical condition with bullet wounds to his intestines, bladder, shoulder, and ankles. He is still in the hospital and has been having trouble speaking. He has also lost feeling in one of his arms, and doctors don’t expect him to be able to walk again.
During a press conference, SLCPD Chief Mike Brown admitted that Cameron and many other victims of police violence were not doing anything criminal.
“We are facing a mental health crisis in this country. We want to be partners with those who provide mental health services. As a community, we need to find a way forward. Too often, our officers are called to deal with these difficult problems, which frequently are not criminal in nature,” Brown said during a press conference this week.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-25--USDA Warns Of “Feral Swine Bomb” As Population of “Super Pigs” Explode Across US

( TMU ) – Researchers warn that the United States soon experience a massive explosion in the population of feral hogs throughout the country , causing what some have hyperbolically labeled as a “ feral swine bomb.
” Zoologist Dr. Jack Mayer has been researching wild pigs for 40 years and he is worried that populations could soon rise to dangerous levels .
The only thing that he sees stopping this impending “ pig bomb ” is a sudden swine flu epidemic , but there is no indication that this variable will come into play .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s happened in what I call the Pig Bomb , which has exploded in North America , ” Jack Mayer told The Daily Beast .
Mayer estimates that the wild hog population in the United States is between 6 and 8 million .
Texas is a hotspot for wild hogs , with about two million of them living in the state .
Florida , Georgia , and California also have large feral hog populations .
Feral hogs can cause a lot of damage if they start to invade farms and communities in large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eat the livestock .
Mayer says that warmer temperatures have allowed for a higher survival rate for newborn piglets .
California and Texas have started to encouraged recreational hunting as a way to reduce their pig populations .
However , these animals reproduce so fast that they could fully repopulate even if a significant percentage of their population were wiped out .
“ There ’ s not another animal that can put little feet on the ground quicker than a wild pig , ” Mayer said .
Dale Nolte , manager of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Department of Agriculture , also used the “ bomb ” terminology to describe the growing hog populations .
“ I ’ ve heard it referred to as a feral swine bomb .
They multiply so rapidly .
To go from a thousand to two thousand , it ’ s not a big deal .
But if you ’ ve got a million , it doesn ’ t take long to get to four million , then eight million , ” Nolte said .
This problem is not just unique to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canda and Mexico are also experiencing similar problems with the species .
Ryan Brook , a biologist at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada , said that these pigs can also grow to be especially large and can have litters of up to ten or more .
“ It creates what we ’ d call super-pigs .
Pig populations are completely out of control .
The efforts to deal with them are about 1 percent of what ’ s currently needed , ” Brook said , adding that soon his province of Saskatchewan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is estimated that the animals cause up to $ 2.5 billion worth of damage each year , mostly on farms here they destroy crops and attack livestock .
This species is also known to carry dangerous diseases and parasites as well .
This seems like another addition to the list of crazy headlines from 2020 , following murder hornets , a pandemic , riots , historic wildfires , literally too many hurricanes to name , and whatever Donald Trump decides to throw at us of any given week .

(TMU) – Researchers warn that the United States soon experience a massive explosion in the population of feral hogs throughout the country, causing what some have hyperbolically labeled as a “feral swine bomb.”
Zoologist Dr. Jack Mayer has been researching wild pigs for 40 years and he is worried that populations could soon rise to dangerous levels. The only thing that he sees stopping this impending “pig bomb” is a sudden swine flu epidemic, but there is no indication that this variable will come into play.
“It’s a crazy situation with everything that’s happened in what I call the Pig Bomb, which has exploded in North America,” Jack Mayer told The Daily Beast.
Mayer estimates that the wild hog population in the United States is between 6 and 8 million. Texas is a hotspot for wild hogs, with about two million of them living in the state. Florida, Georgia, and California also have large feral hog populations.
Feral hogs can cause a lot of damage if they start to invade farms and communities in large numbers. They often target farms and eat the livestock.
Mayer says that warmer temperatures have allowed for a higher survival rate for newborn piglets. California and Texas have started to encouraged recreational hunting as a way to reduce their pig populations. However, these animals reproduce so fast that they could fully repopulate even if a significant percentage of their population were wiped out.
“There’s not another animal that can put little feet on the ground quicker than a wild pig,” Mayer said.
Dale Nolte, manager of the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, also used the “bomb” terminology to describe the growing hog populations.
“I’ve heard it referred to as a feral swine bomb. They multiply so rapidly. To go from a thousand to two thousand, it’s not a big deal. But if you’ve got a million, it doesn’t take long to get to four million, then eight million,” Nolte said.
This problem is not just unique to the US either, the neighboring countries of Canda and Mexico are also experiencing similar problems with the species.
Ryan Brook, a biologist at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, said that these pigs can also grow to be especially large and can have litters of up to ten or more.
“It creates what we’d call super-pigs. Pig populations are completely out of control. The efforts to deal with them are about 1 percent of what’s currently needed,” Brook said, adding that soon his province of Saskatchewan will have more wild pigs than people.
It is estimated that the animals cause up to $2.5 billion worth of damage each year, mostly on farms here they destroy crops and attack livestock. This species is also known to carry dangerous diseases and parasites as well.
This seems like another addition to the list of crazy headlines from 2020, following murder hornets, a pandemic, riots, historic wildfires, literally too many hurricanes to name, and whatever Donald Trump decides to throw at us of any given week.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-25--Hunter Mauled To Death By Grizzly Bear In Alaskan National Park

( TMU ) – According to the National Park Service , this past weekend , a grizzly bear mauled and killed a hunter in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve , America ’ s largest national park .
The fatal attack reportedly occurred while the man was on a 10-day moose hunt with one of his friends .
In a statement after the attack , the National Park Service said that this is the first known bear mauling fatality recorded in the park since it opened in 1980 .
“ Visitors are encouraged to be Bear Aware when traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as carrying bear spray and using Bear Resistant Food Containers , ” the statement read .
The Mansfield Police Department identified the victim as 22-year-old Austin Pfeiffer of Mansfield , Ohio .
This is certainly an unusual event , each year there is only an average of 2 or 3 bear attack fatalities in North America .
If you ever happen to encounter a bear in the wilderness experts recommend for you to play dead by lying flat on your stomach with your legs spread out .
Bears are also known to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it might be a good idea to avoid hot spots during that time of year .
The park is filled with a wide variety of wildlife , including timber wolves , grizzly bears , black bears , and caribou .
Mountain goats and Dall sheep are also found in mountainous areas .
Roughly 13,000 Dall sheep live in Wrangell–St .
Elias , which is one of the highest concentrations of the species in North America .
The smaller mammals include wolverines , beavers , Canadian lynxes , porcupines , martens , river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground and flying squirrels , hoary marmots , weasels , snowshoe hares , several species of voles and mice , and pikas .
A few bison have been established in two herds in the park .
Cougars are considered possible but have not been documented yet .
The waters along the coast are home to whales , porpoises , harbor seals and sea lions .
The endangered Steller sea lion may be found in park waters .
About 93 species of birds inhabit Wrangell–St .
Elias , but only 24 remain during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include willow and rock ptarmigan , Canada jays , ravens , hermit thrushes , American robins , hairy woodpeckers and northern flickers .
Owls include great horned owls , northern hawk owls and boreal owls .
The park and preserve cover an area larger than Switzerland , extending from the Gulf of Alaska to the Alaskan interior , with altitudes that vary from sea level to 19,000 feet .

(TMU) – According to the National Park Service, this past weekend, a grizzly bear mauled and killed a hunter in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, America’s largest national park. The fatal attack reportedly occurred while the man was on a 10-day moose hunt with one of his friends.
In a statement after the attack, the National Park Service said that this is the first known bear mauling fatality recorded in the park since it opened in 1980.
“Visitors are encouraged to be Bear Aware when traveling in the backcountry and take precautions such as carrying bear spray and using Bear Resistant Food Containers,” the statement read.
The Mansfield Police Department identified the victim as 22-year-old Austin Pfeiffer of Mansfield, Ohio.
This is certainly an unusual event, each year there is only an average of 2 or 3 bear attack fatalities in North America. If you ever happen to encounter a bear in the wilderness experts recommend for you to play dead by lying flat on your stomach with your legs spread out. Bears are also known to be more active in the fall months, so it might be a good idea to avoid hot spots during that time of year.
The park is filled with a wide variety of wildlife, including timber wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, and caribou. Mountain goats and Dall sheep are also found in mountainous areas. Roughly 13,000 Dall sheep live in Wrangell–St. Elias, which is one of the highest concentrations of the species in North America.
The smaller mammals include wolverines, beavers, Canadian lynxes, porcupines, martens, river otters, red foxes, coyotes, ground and flying squirrels, hoary marmots, weasels, snowshoe hares, several species of voles and mice, and pikas. A few bison have been established in two herds in the park. Cougars are considered possible but have not been documented yet.
The waters along the coast are home to whales, porpoises, harbor seals and sea lions. The endangered Steller sea lion may be found in park waters.
About 93 species of birds inhabit Wrangell–St. Elias, but only 24 remain during the harsh winter. The most common birds include willow and rock ptarmigan, Canada jays, ravens, hermit thrushes, American robins, hairy woodpeckers and northern flickers. Owls include great horned owls, northern hawk owls and boreal owls.
The park and preserve cover an area larger than Switzerland, extending from the Gulf of Alaska to the Alaskan interior, with altitudes that vary from sea level to 19,000 feet.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-26--Otherwise healthy man suddenly dies from overdose of Black Licorice candy

( TMU ) – In a tragic and unpredictable turn of events , a 54-year-old man in Massachusetts died after his heart stopped beating from eating too much black licorice candy .
The man ’ s sudden death at a McDonald ’ s in 2019 had doctors clueless , and became the focus of a study by senior medical researchers .
We all have our guilty pleasures and vices : it could be that we like to butter our toast on both sides , drink a pot of coffee daily , snack on moonshine cherries , or the common problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of the TV .
And no doubt , these vices do carry a health cost – but the cost of this man ’ s black licorice habit turned out to be far beyond anything imaginable .
According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine , the 54-year-old man didn ’ t have a history of heart problems .
His doctors attested that he regularly took his dog out on walks and was fit enough to meet the physical demands of his job as a construction worker .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contend with his fatal habit of consuming one to two large bags of black licorice every day for three weeks – a problem which , without any warning , had a massively detrimental impact on his health .
According to the report , the habit resulted in a precipitous drop in his potassium levels , causing his sudden heart failure at the McDonald ’ s .
After suffering cardiac arrest and collapsing , the man never regained consciousness and died 24 hours after arriving at Massachusetts General Hospital .
“ We almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figured it out , ” Dr. Jacqueline B. Henson , who treated the man while she worked at the hospital , told New York Times .
“ We were all shocked and surprised.
” Doctors soon discovered that the man had a generally poor diet and consumed at least a pack of cigarettes a day , according to friends and family .
Yet none of those factors could explain his death .
As it turned out , his death could be traced to his sudden switch from red to black licorice three weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have announced that consuming two ounces of black licorice for 12 days can result in an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia for people aged 40 and over , as well as high blood pressure , edema ( swelling ) , lethargy , and congestive heart failure .
Medical practitioners are generally taught that black licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid , a common plant extract used to sweeten candies and other foods that can dangerously reduce potassium levels when consumed in high doses .
The ingredient is also common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licorice root , such as jelly beans , licorice tea , certain types of chewing gum , popular anise liquors like ouzo , raki , arak , and anisette , and a number of Belgian beers .
Sweet-flavored chewing tobaccos also commonly contain licorice .
However , overconsuming these products cause our potassium levels to plunge , throwing off the balance of sodium and potassium that ’ s necessary for a healthy functioning heart .
When our potassium levels drop , sodium levels skyrocket – resulting in arrhythmia and boosting our blood pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an extreme one and far from the norm , noted Dr. Henson , who said that the occasional licorice treat shouldn ’ t be confused with poison .
“ It ’ s fine taken in sort of small amounts , infrequently , ” Henson said .
“ But when taken on a regular basis , it can lead to these issues .
”

(TMU) – In a tragic and unpredictable turn of events, a 54-year-old man in Massachusetts died after his heart stopped beating from eating too much black licorice candy. The man’s sudden death at a McDonald’s in 2019 had doctors clueless, and became the focus of a study by senior medical researchers.
We all have our guilty pleasures and vices: it could be that we like to butter our toast on both sides, drink a pot of coffee daily, snack on moonshine cherries, or the common problem of compulsive eating as we sit in front of the TV. And no doubt, these vices do carry a health cost – but the cost of this man’s black licorice habit turned out to be far beyond anything imaginable.
According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the 54-year-old man didn’t have a history of heart problems. His doctors attested that he regularly took his dog out on walks and was fit enough to meet the physical demands of his job as a construction worker.
However, his relative fitness wasn’t enough to contend with his fatal habit of consuming one to two large bags of black licorice every day for three weeks – a problem which, without any warning, had a massively detrimental impact on his health.
According to the report, the habit resulted in a precipitous drop in his potassium levels, causing his sudden heart failure at the McDonald’s. After suffering cardiac arrest and collapsing, the man never regained consciousness and died 24 hours after arriving at Massachusetts General Hospital.
“We almost didn’t believe it when we figured it out,” Dr. Jacqueline B. Henson, who treated the man while she worked at the hospital, told New York Times. “We were all shocked and surprised.”
Doctors soon discovered that the man had a generally poor diet and consumed at least a pack of cigarettes a day, according to friends and family. Yet none of those factors could explain his death. As it turned out, his death could be traced to his sudden switch from red to black licorice three weeks prior to his death.
Officials of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have announced that consuming two ounces of black licorice for 12 days can result in an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia for people aged 40 and over, as well as high blood pressure, edema (swelling), lethargy, and congestive heart failure.
Medical practitioners are generally taught that black licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, a common plant extract used to sweeten candies and other foods that can dangerously reduce potassium levels when consumed in high doses.
The ingredient is also common in other foods and drinks that contain licorice root, such as jelly beans, licorice tea, certain types of chewing gum, popular anise liquors like ouzo, raki, arak, and anisette, and a number of Belgian beers. Sweet-flavored chewing tobaccos also commonly contain licorice.
However, overconsuming these products cause our potassium levels to plunge, throwing off the balance of sodium and potassium that’s necessary for a healthy functioning heart. When our potassium levels drop, sodium levels skyrocket – resulting in arrhythmia and boosting our blood pressure.
The Massachusetts case, however, is an extreme one and far from the norm, noted Dr. Henson, who said that the occasional licorice treat shouldn’t be confused with poison.
“It’s fine taken in sort of small amounts, infrequently,” Henson said. “But when taken on a regular basis, it can lead to these issues.”
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themindunleashed--2020-09-26--Amazon’s Ring Developed A $250 Security Camera Drone To Fly Around Your House

( TMU ) – Ring , the controversial door camera and home security service developed by Amazon , has announced its most disturbing product yet , a security camera attached to a drone that will fly around the customer ’ s home , watching for potential intruders .
The autonomous drone is called the Always Home Cam , and it is expected to cost about $ 249.99 when it goes on sale next year .
Jamie Siminoff , Ring ’ s founder and “ chief inventor , ” said that the company has spent the past two years developing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ product that is very hard to build.
” Although the device is autonomous , customers will be able to set pre-planned paths that the drone will follow .
The drone also makes a noise when it is in flight , so its presence will be obvious to anyone in the room .
A statement from the company also said that obstacle avoidance technology is built into the drone ’ s operating system , so it will know to avoid people , pets , and other possessions .
There will also be guards over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case the device does happen to collide with someone .
The device will only be recording when it is active and flying , so it will likely be docked while customers are home , and the company promises that the device won ’ t be recording when it is docked .
“ Always Home Cam only records when in flight ; when it ’ s not in use it sits in a dock and the camera is physically blocked .
And , it ’ s loud enough so you hear when it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the company said .
In a short video advertisement for the product , there was a caption that read “ Functionality simulated for illustrative purposes only , ” so many specifics of how the device will work are still unclear .
The product was revealed along with many other new devices at Amazon ’ s annual hardware event , which took place on Thursday , September 24th .
As The Mind Unleashed reported last year , Ring is planning to build a database of neighborhood watchlists using facial recognition technology .
Leaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with law enforcement on a system that will identify people who are considered “ suspicious , ” and let Ring owners know when these individuals are near their home , using the facial recognition software built into the security system ’ s cameras .
The software will also give the Ring owner the ability to notify police or call in the suspicious activity on their own .
According to the documents , the watchlists would be connected to Ring ’ s Neighbors app , where owners of the system communicate with their neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other potential security breaches .
While this may sound innocent—or even helpful—critics worry that this technology may empower the kind of neighborhood snitches that call the cops on anyone who they find “ suspicious , ” typically based on their own prejudices .
These features are not unprecedented for Ring or Amazon .
Earlier this year , Motherboard reported that Ring was encouraging its users to snitch on their neighbors in exchange for discounts and free products .

(TMU) – Ring, the controversial door camera and home security service developed by Amazon, has announced its most disturbing product yet, a security camera attached to a drone that will fly around the customer’s home, watching for potential intruders. The autonomous drone is called the Always Home Cam, and it is expected to cost about $249.99 when it goes on sale next year.
Jamie Siminoff, Ring’s founder and “chief inventor,” said that the company has spent the past two years developing the device and called it an “obvious product that is very hard to build.”
Although the device is autonomous, customers will be able to set pre-planned paths that the drone will follow. The drone also makes a noise when it is in flight, so its presence will be obvious to anyone in the room.
A statement from the company also said that obstacle avoidance technology is built into the drone’s operating system, so it will know to avoid people, pets, and other possessions. There will also be guards over the propellers to add additional protection in case the device does happen to collide with someone. The device will only be recording when it is active and flying, so it will likely be docked while customers are home, and the company promises that the device won’t be recording when it is docked.
“Always Home Cam only records when in flight; when it’s not in use it sits in a dock and the camera is physically blocked. And, it’s loud enough so you hear when it’s in motion,” a statement from the company said.
In a short video advertisement for the product, there was a caption that read “Functionality simulated for illustrative purposes only,” so many specifics of how the device will work are still unclear.
The product was revealed along with many other new devices at Amazon’s annual hardware event, which took place on Thursday, September 24th.
As The Mind Unleashed reported last year, Ring is planning to build a database of neighborhood watchlists using facial recognition technology.
Leaked documents revealed that the company is working with law enforcement on a system that will identify people who are considered “suspicious,” and let Ring owners know when these individuals are near their home, using the facial recognition software built into the security system’s cameras.
The software will also give the Ring owner the ability to notify police or call in the suspicious activity on their own.
According to the documents, the watchlists would be connected to Ring’s Neighbors app, where owners of the system communicate with their neighbors about packages being stolen from doorsteps and other potential security breaches. While this may sound innocent—or even helpful—critics worry that this technology may empower the kind of neighborhood snitches that call the cops on anyone who they find “suspicious,” typically based on their own prejudices.
These features are not unprecedented for Ring or Amazon. Earlier this year, Motherboard reported that Ring was encouraging its users to snitch on their neighbors in exchange for discounts and free products.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-28--Multiple underground water reservoirs discovered on Mars, new study finds

( TMU ) – A number of liquid bodies have been found on Mars , raising the tantalizing possibility that liquid water could exist on the Red Planet long believed to be desolate and hostile to life .
A major new study published Monday by the journal Nature Astronomy indicates that a subterranean reservoir of extremely salty water is located close to the Martian south pole .
For scientists , the existence of such a lake – along with a number of other wet areas – is a tell-tale sign that the planet could harbor its own native microscopic life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to survival .
While some researchers still remain unconvinced that liquid water exists on Mars , the new study lends credibility to the belief that the Mars Express robot orbiter made the discovery , according to tentative findings from 2018 during the mission to radar map the planet ’ s crust .
The research gleaned from those findings found that an underground “ lake ” of liquid water lies beneath layers of sediment close to the planet ’ s south pole , similar to the subglacial lakes that exist underneath Greenland and Antarctica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 2018 study was hailed as a huge breakthrough in the search for alien life in our universe , in general , and on Mars , specifically , but skeptics continued to question whether scientists had actually accumulated enough details to know with certainty that they had actually found a vast lake of liquid water .
However , this latest study used the techniques used by the satellites orbiting our own planet to study the massive subterranean lakes underneath Antarctic glaciers to confirm that the vast store of liquid does exist on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across .
Earth ’ s own subglacial lakes thrive with bacterial life , leading scientists to believe that their Martian counterparts could also be teeming with microscopic activity .
“ We are much more confident now , ” said Elena Pettinelli , a geophysics professor at Italy ’ s Roma Tre University , who led the research on this and the previous study .
“ We did many more observations , and we processed the data completely differently.
” The researchers were also able to use the method to locate a patchwork of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separated from the main reservoir .
Researchers still don ’ t know precisely how deep the reservoirs go , but they are located a bit more than a mile below the surface .
The data also shows that the bodies are likely filled with hypersaline solutions , or water that is so saturated with a thick concentrate of calcium , magnesium , sodium and potassium that they are able to remain liquid despite the extremely cold conditions on the Martian south pole .
If these pools are filled with liquid water , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life – which itself could be the remnant of life that may have existed billions of years ago on the planet if Mars had the sort of oceanic expanses of water on its surface that the Earth does .
If the discovery is confirmed , this will be the very first time that liquid water will have been found on Mars .

(TMU) – A number of liquid bodies have been found on Mars, raising the tantalizing possibility that liquid water could exist on the Red Planet long believed to be desolate and hostile to life.
A major new study published Monday by the journal Nature Astronomy indicates that a subterranean reservoir of extremely salty water is located close to the Martian south pole. For scientists, the existence of such a lake – along with a number of other wet areas – is a tell-tale sign that the planet could harbor its own native microscopic life, given the importance of liquid water to survival.
While some researchers still remain unconvinced that liquid water exists on Mars, the new study lends credibility to the belief that the Mars Express robot orbiter made the discovery, according to tentative findings from 2018 during the mission to radar map the planet’s crust.
The research gleaned from those findings found that an underground “lake” of liquid water lies beneath layers of sediment close to the planet’s south pole, similar to the subglacial lakes that exist underneath Greenland and Antarctica’s ice sheets here on Earth.
The 2018 study was hailed as a huge breakthrough in the search for alien life in our universe, in general, and on Mars, specifically, but skeptics continued to question whether scientists had actually accumulated enough details to know with certainty that they had actually found a vast lake of liquid water.
However, this latest study used the techniques used by the satellites orbiting our own planet to study the massive subterranean lakes underneath Antarctic glaciers to confirm that the vast store of liquid does exist on Mars, and spans about 15 miles across.
Earth’s own subglacial lakes thrive with bacterial life, leading scientists to believe that their Martian counterparts could also be teeming with microscopic activity.
“We are much more confident now,” said Elena Pettinelli, a geophysics professor at Italy’s Roma Tre University, who led the research on this and the previous study. “We did many more observations, and we processed the data completely differently.”
The researchers were also able to use the method to locate a patchwork of other buried reservoirs in the region, separated from the main reservoir.
Researchers still don’t know precisely how deep the reservoirs go, but they are located a bit more than a mile below the surface.
The data also shows that the bodies are likely filled with hypersaline solutions, or water that is so saturated with a thick concentrate of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium that they are able to remain liquid despite the extremely cold conditions on the Martian south pole.
If these pools are filled with liquid water, they are a likely venue for microbial alien life – which itself could be the remnant of life that may have existed billions of years ago on the planet if Mars had the sort of oceanic expanses of water on its surface that the Earth does.
If the discovery is confirmed, this will be the very first time that liquid water will have been found on Mars.
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themindunleashed--2020-09-29--“Vertical forest” apartment complex in China transforms into mosquito-plagued jungle hell

( TMU ) – The problem of improving air quality in heavily-polluted cities across the world is one of the big challenges faced by urban planners , especially in the 21st century as greenhouse gas emissions climb and temperatures increase across the world .
However , a pioneering effort to transform high-rise apartment buildings into a lush “ vertical forest ” has transformed what was meant to be a green paradise into something more like a green hell teeming with some of the most irritating and obnoxious insects known to mankind .
Residents at the experimental green Qiyi City Forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were hoping for a respite from the concrete jungle by moving into the manicured green space of the vertical forest .
The developer quickly managed to sell all 826 apartment earlier this year , but the ultramodern eight-tower complex touted as an “ eco-paradise ” now resembles a post-apocalyptic jungle nightmare – complete with incessant swarms of mosquitoes buzzing and nibbling away at residents ’ health and sanity .
Because of this monstrous turn of events , only a small number of families have decided to brave the bug infestation and move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 families have moved into the sprawling complex , as is clear from the pruned plants and outdoor furniture that adorns several balconies , along with the lights switched on inside the units .
But with plants sprawling between neglected balconies and branches twisting across the railings of towers and merging into one another , the 2018 development is quickly reverting to the primordial nature of the forest .
The idea of vertical forests was a concept developed by Italian architect Stefano Boeri , who designed the stunning vertical garden Bosco Verticale in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to polluted cities across the world , from Albania to Egypt and the Netherlands .
The general idea is to balance mother nature and biodiversity with the needs of the urban population by covering the buildings in balconies planted with species appropriate to local climate conditions , while maintaining a variety of heights and blooming seasons so that the buildings remain aesthetically pleasing year-round .
Plants on all levels of the building also provide natural shading and an improvement to residents ’ air quality .
The plants would also contribute to the ecological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absorbing several tons of carbon dioxide while contributing even more oxygen annually .
The same fantastic idea has been used for dozens of other concepts , including Koichi Takada ’ s Urban Forest and the futuristic Cloud Corridor skyscrapers planned for Los Angeles .
However , the problem at Chengdu ’ s Qiyi City Forest Garden doesn ’ t mean that the concept itself is flawed – instead , this could just be a problem of the property managers neglecting the basic needs of the building itself , according to landscape architect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Just because it looks cool , absorbs CO2 , is a noise buffer , and offers psychological benefits , doesn ’ t mean you don ’ t have to do it properly , ” Beyers told Curbed .
“ And I think [ the developers ] rushed into it .
They didn ’ t think about the maintenance.
” “ You can ’ t have a garden without a gardener , ” he added .
“ They [ developers ] were touting it as a manicured garden outside on your deck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone has to do the manicuring.
” Additionally , the humid climate in the Chengdu region also provides the perfect habitat for thirsty mosquitoes to thrive , while the overgrown plants also provide much-needed shade to the pesky insects .
Indeed , the lesson here is that sometimes nature wins – especially when people , or in this case landlords , slack off and ignore their responsibilities .
“ It is sort of apocalyptic , and that ’ s what nature will do to all our cities if everything goes to hell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in the movies .
Plants will do those things .
”

(TMU) – The problem of improving air quality in heavily-polluted cities across the world is one of the big challenges faced by urban planners, especially in the 21st century as greenhouse gas emissions climb and temperatures increase across the world.
However, a pioneering effort to transform high-rise apartment buildings into a lush “vertical forest” has transformed what was meant to be a green paradise into something more like a green hell teeming with some of the most irritating and obnoxious insects known to mankind.
Residents at the experimental green Qiyi City Forest Garden housing complex in Chengdu, China, were hoping for a respite from the concrete jungle by moving into the manicured green space of the vertical forest.
The developer quickly managed to sell all 826 apartment earlier this year, but the ultramodern eight-tower complex touted as an “eco-paradise” now resembles a post-apocalyptic jungle nightmare – complete with incessant swarms of mosquitoes buzzing and nibbling away at residents’ health and sanity.
Because of this monstrous turn of events, only a small number of families have decided to brave the bug infestation and move into the complex. So far, 20 families have moved into the sprawling complex, as is clear from the pruned plants and outdoor furniture that adorns several balconies, along with the lights switched on inside the units.
But with plants sprawling between neglected balconies and branches twisting across the railings of towers and merging into one another, the 2018 development is quickly reverting to the primordial nature of the forest.
The idea of vertical forests was a concept developed by Italian architect Stefano Boeri, who designed the stunning vertical garden Bosco Verticale in Milan in 2014 before bringing the concept to polluted cities across the world, from Albania to Egypt and the Netherlands.
The general idea is to balance mother nature and biodiversity with the needs of the urban population by covering the buildings in balconies planted with species appropriate to local climate conditions, while maintaining a variety of heights and blooming seasons so that the buildings remain aesthetically pleasing year-round.
Plants on all levels of the building also provide natural shading and an improvement to residents’ air quality. The plants would also contribute to the ecological balance of the surrounding urban center, absorbing several tons of carbon dioxide while contributing even more oxygen annually.
The same fantastic idea has been used for dozens of other concepts, including Koichi Takada’s Urban Forest and the futuristic Cloud Corridor skyscrapers planned for Los Angeles.
However, the problem at Chengdu’s Qiyi City Forest Garden doesn’t mean that the concept itself is flawed – instead, this could just be a problem of the property managers neglecting the basic needs of the building itself, according to landscape architect and New York Botanical Garden instructor Daryl Beyers.
“Just because it looks cool, absorbs CO2, is a noise buffer, and offers psychological benefits, doesn’t mean you don’t have to do it properly,” Beyers told Curbed. “And I think [the developers] rushed into it. They didn’t think about the maintenance.”
“You can’t have a garden without a gardener,” he added. “They [developers] were touting it as a manicured garden outside on your deck. If it’s manicured, someone has to do the manicuring.”
Additionally, the humid climate in the Chengdu region also provides the perfect habitat for thirsty mosquitoes to thrive, while the overgrown plants also provide much-needed shade to the pesky insects.
Indeed, the lesson here is that sometimes nature wins – especially when people, or in this case landlords, slack off and ignore their responsibilities.
“It is sort of apocalyptic, and that’s what nature will do to all our cities if everything goes to hell,” Beyers said. “You see it in the movies. Plants will do those things.”
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