text:
[Dan Bennett]

There’s a place on top of a small hill outside Turner Field in Atlanta, home of the baseball Braves, where perfect strangers hail cabs and share rides, no matter their separate destinations.

Or that’s how it was, anyway, on a pleasant Georgia night in August 2013. While in Atlanta for a conference and taking in a Braves game, I shared a cab with two people I didn’t know, a man and a woman, friends in their early 30s, so at least 20 years younger than me.

They involved me in their conversation, then discovering I was from San Diego and not aware of a local landmark, insisted I join them for a late-night snack at the Varsity, the oldest drive-in restaurant in the country, opened in 1928.

The cab dropped us off at the restaurant, where we found ourselves alone in the main dining room, the dinner crowd long gone. The man had a few too many beers at the game, and needed to visit the men’s room. Talking to the woman, I asked her if she was originally from Atlanta, and she said she wasn’t.

“Have you ever heard of Athens, Georgia?” she asked.

“I have,” I said, my words tumbling out faster than I could really think about how to say them best. “R.E.M. was part of my … my path.”

I patted my chest twice, to let her know I was sincere.

The woman didn’t say anything, but raised her hand for a high-five. I answered it, and she grasped her fingers between mine and smiled, and I saw this look in her eyes, this self-recognition that she was from a place that was special, in part because people for so long had connected with that band, from that town, her town, however far away we were.

Though she may have been a toddler when R.E.M. played its first gig inside the now long-gone St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Athens in April 1980, perhaps she had some emotional connection with the band that was passed on to her.

Maybe she saw in me her father, or a teacher, or someone else who had felt the same way, who had connected with the band, as so many of us did during the college-radio boom of the early ‘80s, when indie-fueled college-station DJs were spinning records far removed from the Top 40 landscape, that clogged place where disco’s last gasp was meeting overproduced commercial pop tunes issued by superstar icons, categorically defining most everything about the decade.

College radio was the true alternative, a place where vaguely geeky and presumably foul-smelling heroes in rooms full of stacked vinyl were inciting creative fire in their loyal 400 or so listeners. Their credit remains, tragically, mostly on the back-page footnotes of rock’s history book.

After finishing our Frosted Orange shakes, a Varsity specialty, the three of us had a long conversation that likely ended with me giving some semblance of sage life advice, as I find more and more often happens when I spend time talking to young people. (When, exactly, did I become Obi Wan Kenobi?) We said goodbye, and I haven’t spoken with them since.

Later that night, after returning to my hotel, I wondered again why I hadn’t budgeted time for a trip to Athens, the birthplace of what would become one of the country’s great bands, the band a famous Rolling Stone cover called in 1987, without blinking, America’s Best Rock Band.

It was something I had wanted to do for decades, but despite many trips to Georgia, never had. I ordered myself to do just that next time I was in Georgia, probably at the same conference in August 2014.

REAL life interrupts good intentions, sometimes, and it did for me when I had sudden heart trouble in March 2014, probably caused by a virus, which knocked me down hard, and almost knocked me out for good.

It took me more than a year to fully recover, and by August this year I was feeling much stronger, and found myself back at the same conference in Atlanta. This time, I budgeted a day for Athens, driving a rental car 1 hour and 20 minutes east, ready for a day exploring the R.E.M.-related sites.

On the drive, I thought about my own R.E.M. beginnings, traced to two friends I met while briefly attending journalism school at Iowa State University. Jim and Pat were wired to the alternative-rock scene of the time, and by that I don’t really mean Talking Heads and the Cure, or fellow Athens-bred B-52’s, though those bands were certainly somewhere snuggling under the alt-umbrella.

Rather, I was schooled on what the Ramones had been doing for a few years, and turned on to the charged sounds of Minneapolis cult favorites the Suburbs, and later, Boston roots-rock band Scruffy the Cat, an outfit with Iowa beginnings.

There were more Twin Cities rock-lesson plans, where Prince was far from the only game in town, as my new friends eased me into the quasi-melodic, three-piece buzzsaw that was Husker Du, and the more well-known but never well-known enough Replacements. And as anyone hooked by them knows, the fire for _that_ impractically perfect and perfectly wayward band never dies. To this day, I never travel far without a little Big Star.

I had been raised on the FM rock of Queen, Van Halen, Def Leppard, etc., playing in my life’s background, and though my appreciation for those bands was and is part of who I am, the pull of these independent bands was strong. R.E.M. offered something head-turning, as I faintly and similarly remember a small handful of bands during my childhood. I was a hippie child, as in an actual child during the late ‘60s, drawn to T. Rex and early Who. Earlier, I knew something important was happening when Ronnie Bennett (later Spector) sang, and understood by age 13 that it didn’t get much more real than Johnny Cash. So somewhere within, I was hard-wired for this. I just needed someone to zap me.

Thanks to my friends, I became an R.E.M. fan just before the single “Radio Free Europe” had really taken off among grateful indie-rock fans with the release of R.E.M.’s 1983 debut album “Murmur,” on the cool indie-label startup I.R.S. Records. (The original, murkier-sounding, and mostly preferred “Radio Free Europe” single had been recorded two years earlier). And all of this long before R.E.M. signed its multi-million dollar deal with Warner Bros. Records, a deal that would catapult them to a more elevated place in the public consciousness.

Like most R.E.M. fans, we were alternately thrilled by and reluctant to accept that increased exposure, perhaps even slightly mortified to share what we knew. It’s the story of everyone who falls for a band before it becomes famous, knowing that fame is inevitable, because you recognize the magic early, and you want to hold on to it quietly for a little longer.

By the mid-’80s, I was the pop-music and film critic at a mid-size suburban daily in San Diego. I wrote about music for some 15 years, counting earlier freelance contributions here and there, compiling hundreds of album and concert reviews, interviews with music artists famous and not famous at all. I stopped writing about music not long past age 35, not only because I got older and the appeal of late nights at music clubs become non-appealing, but also for another reason: I ran out of adjectives. When I tell people that, they laugh, and I laugh along with them, and when we finish laughing, I say it again: No, seriously. I ran out of adjectives.

You don’t necessarily need adjectives to admire an abandoned train trestle, so when I made the first stop on my R.E.M. pilgrimage in Athens this past summer, I didn’t make an attempt to categorize my emotions by assigning them words.

The trestle in Dudley Park, pictured on the back album cover of “Murmur,” was simply there, surely impressive even to those not applying an R.E.M. connection, and remaining existent in part because local champions had convinced the city to keep the trestle as it is, rather than demolish it. From what I read, R.E.M. supported the effort only from a distance, concerned that their participation in a campaign preserving some of their own history could appear self-serving.

From there, I’m off to Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods, where proprietor Weaver D is known to sometimes shout out the word “Automatic!” as he takes a customer order, his restaurant’s slogan inspiring the title of R.E.M.’s eighth album, “Automatic for the People.”

[Image for post]

Weaver D
Weaver hands me a paper plate piled with fried catfish and collard greens. I ask him if I can take his photo in front of the album’s poster hung on the wall, and he kindly agrees, having posed in that spot many times before to the smiles of other grateful pilgrims.

It’s only a few blocks to Wuxtry Records, where guitarist Peter Buck and singer Michael Stipe began a friendship, though the original Wuxtry’s where Buck was a store clerk was actually next door. Then only a couple more blocks to the Caledonia Lounge, called the 11:11 Koffee Club when R.E.M. played its first gig as R.E.M. on April 19, 1980, the police closing the show around 2 a.m. for that most nebulous of trumped-up charges that has attempted, pathetically, to halt rock ‘n’ roll for eons: Lack of a legal permit.

And finally, ending at the beginning, standing next to the red steeple without its church underneath, the venue where Stipe and Buck lived, and R.E.M. played its first show two weeks before the shut-down gig, even before they had chosen a band name.

[Image for post]

Like the trestle, this steeple would be slightly mesmerizing even without a backstory, sitting defiantly, almost royally, without its bottom. Provide the steeple the story I had in my head, and it quietly takes your breath, fitting so nicely in this active and lovely college town, the steeple a character within the city’s story. I walked away happy, sweating but feeling strong in the Georgia heat, wishing I had an extra-large Frosted Orange shake in hand. The drive back to Atlanta was easy. A few hours later, I boarded a flight home.

THOUGH I interviewed members of hundreds of bands less famous and more famous than R.E.M., I never wholeheartedly pursued interviewing any of the R.E.M. band members when they were scheduled to make occasional tour stops in San Diego, letting my fellow writers make those requests. Not that a 20-minute telephone interview with one of them would make us soul mates, but I simply preferred distance from that band, a distance that would keep them somewhat of a mystery to me.

For the same reason, I had no interest in bumping into any of the band members while in Athens, unlikely because at least some of them don’t live there anymore. Two still live there? One? None? It doesn’t matter, because I don’t really need to shake their hands and say thanks. I want only the pieces of their past available for easy-reach nostalgia, connected to strong emotions weakened by years passed, now alive again. The sort of visceral connections that conjure memories crackling with images of youthful good times, emotions that still beat even in a slightly damaged heart.

SO, why R.E.M.? Like I said, I ran out of adjectives some time ago, about the same time my metabolism slowed, and a few years before I had children. The life-changing realities of parenthood became so energy-consuming, I often even ran out of nouns.

Yet, now well rested, I’ll attempt to rekindle the ability: Michael Stipe’s lyrics that wrapped ideals inside images, ideals that I agreed with and images I eagerly captured in my head. Lyrics I felt that I easily understood even in the early years, when Stipe was celebrated (mostly) for delivering lyrics not easily understood. It wasn’t always so much what the words meant, but how they felt when they fell into my brain.

Buck’s relentless string experimentation that cried with authenticity, whether hard electric or throwback barren and simple, arrangements that blended melody and dissonance with something like a lion tamer’s whip. Mike Mills’s blissful harmonies and melodic bass lines. Original drummer Bill Berry’s equally ferocious but well-considered backbeat that harnessed the sound, all of this colliding into a Southern-gothic storytelling rock stew of social and cultural observations, merging with the band’s own personal memories and self-images, caressed with depth-charged sonic creativity. Really, about as American as rock music gets.

This isn’t a story, though, trying to capture in words the sound of a vital American band, a band that disbanded in 2011 after more than 30 years of valued service. Rather, it’s the story of one man’s specific pilgrimage to Athens, Georgia on a humid August afternoon, a pilgrimage made by so many before him, hiking around a train trestle and then up a hill to see a separated church steeple, slowly disappearing middle-age defied briefly, again.

And this isn’t so much a belated fanboy confession as an eager, sweaty handshake with my past. It’s not meant to sway anyone’s thinking on them. It’s about me, so I’ve littered this mini-memoir with personal pronouns. Please try not to trip on them.

I don’t even necessarily call R.E.M. my favorite band, though the band is certainly among my favorites. As a critic, I learned around Day One that you write for yourself, not the masses. It’s the only option. And you hope a few of them hop on the back of the sled. I also learned to just say so if I liked something, and crow with defiance if I really liked it. Chronic cynicism is for sissies. I rediscovered that anew every time I praised a new band or film or play, and even one person wrote to me and said: I didn’t know this and now I do. Thank you.

THESE days, I do what dads everywhere do with their patient offspring, explaining to them the who’s, whats and whys of my youth, and providing them examples at decibels meant to help convey a message. I see my 16-year-old daughter discovering new, independent bands that haven’t crept into the establishment Top 40 pile, bands that likely began two years ago playing in small rooms, permits unnecessary until 2 a.m., when the cops showed up.

I see her friends tell her about other such bands, and she passes the word to yet other friends, and her younger brother, and I think she inherited something from me, and I see that she is also kind to people in need and lost animals, and I’m pretty sure I did OK.

I’m hopeful that for she and her friends, the lyrics from “These Days” on my favorite R.E.M. album, “Lifes Rich Pageant,” so urgently defiant but optimistic regarding many morbid particulars of the ‘80s, might still apply:

_We are young despite the years_

_We are concern_

_We are hope despite the times_

Or I crank up “I Believe,” the Southern-styled banjo opening followed by Stipe’s vocals creating a call to action, and I let the lyrics do my parenting for me:

_Trust in your calling_

_Make sure your calling’s true_

_Think of others_

_The others think of you_

Or perhaps more gently and personally, and finally, my wish for both my children, also from “These Days”:

_Take this joy wherever, wherever you go_

Meanwhile, I’ll drift off again tonight with a bucket-list item emptied from its home of more than 30 years, thanks to my summer pilgrimage. Then I’ll slide eventually into the sleep state rapid-eye movement, creating potential for dreaming of more discoveries ahead, despite the years. No permit required.

question: Why did the narrator stop writing about music?

answer: As the narrator got older, the appeal of late nights at music clubs became non-appealing. But additionally, they say they ran out of adjectives to describe the music.

question: Did a meaningful relationship blossom from the protagonist's encounter with the pair from Georgia?

answer: No, they hung out for the night, but after they said goodbye they haven't talked since.

question: What all did the protagonist do with the couple from Georgia after sharing a taxi cab with them?

answer: After they included him in their conversation, they insisted on his joining them for a late-night snack at the Varsity, the oldest drive-in restaurant in the country. Talking about where she was from lead to a conversation about one of the protagonist's favorite bands, R.E.M. They enjoyed their Frosted Orange shakes and had a conversation that likely ended in his giving them some semblance of sage life advice. They said goodbye and went their separate ways.

question: What does the protagonist do with his time now?


split: test

text:
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1.

      UPDATE OCTOBER 21ST
      The update for the new build of Razer Synapse on macOS Sierra is now live!

      If you're encountering any new issues, DO NOT post in the thread below about the bugs you are facing, instead click on the gear icon at the top right hand corner of Razer Synapse and submit your bug report there. Alternatively, please reach out to us through our Support Team.
      ---

      Hey Insiders,

      We have received feedback from our Mac user community about issues that have been encountered with the latest build of Razer Synapse with macOS 10.12 Sierra. Our engineers are working on an update to Razer Synapse that will fix the issues that are currently being reported. The fix will be available during the next Razer Synapse software update that is expected on OCTOBER 1ST.

      The upcoming software update will address the following:

      -   _A specific bug that causes Razer keyboards to stop functioning when Razer Synapse is installed on macOS 10.12 Sierra_
      -   _System crashes when updating to the latest Synapse version for macOS 10.12 Sierra_
      -   _A bug where the Ripple and Reactive Chroma lighting effects did not work for macOS 10.12 Sierra._

      We apologize once again for the inconvenience and are working to ensure that this will be addressed as soon as possible.

      [Razer Synapse Update.png]

      As an IMMEDIATE REMEDY, please follow these steps to get your product working again:

      1.  Unplug all Razer Keyboards, Mice, or Keypad.
      2.  Delete RazerHID.kext found in “/Library/Extensions/RazerHID.kext”
      3.  Restart your system and ensure the Kernel extension is deleted.

      Once completed, your Razer Peripherals will begin to work. However, Keyboard assignment and macros will still not be available.

      PLEASE NOTE THAT UPCOMING RAZER SYNAPSE PATCH WILL PUT THE KERNEL EXTENSION BACK IN PLACE AUTOMATICALLY. DO CONTACT RAZER SUPPORT IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER ISSUES.

    Last edited: Oct 20, 2016

2.

      Has anyone managed to get any of the Sierra betas to work with Synapse, or know of a public beta version of Synapse since the latest release doesn't support it? Now that Sierra is GM, I'd like to use it on my production Mac. Under the two betas I tested it with it didn't work at all.

3.

      We unfortunately do not support macOS betas or Sierra at this moment. We do not have any beta versions currently available for Synapse. I do apologize for the inconvenience.

4.

      Sierra was announced for public availability later this month. Razer has to know that people that use their products are early adopters. When can we expect a synapse version that works with Sierra?

5.

      Hello, I assume you are now aware that Apple have announced general availability of MacOS Sierra on 20th September. Are you likely to have synapses working for then? Might as well throw the thing away as no profiles or even leds work currently.

      Scott

6.

     [PT.Singer]

    PT.Singer _Jedi Master_ _RAZER MOUSE ADVOCATE_ _VANGUARD_

      With Apple, you should know by now not to update to the new OS until it is out of Beta and at least on it's third iteration. Most software developers need extra time to make sure that their products work 100% with the new OS releases anyway. Shoot, there's professional video playback software, Playback Pro Plus, that still doesn't even work with El Capitan yet. Best idea is to wait until the software you use a lot is compatible with the new OS, and THEN update OS."Early adopter" is synonymous with "early complainer". Razer will let us know when they're product is 100% with compatible with Sierra.

    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 11, 2016

7.

      Hello,

      The point of Beta testing products is to find out what works and doesnt work, not just for the OS but all the other products and software. As a serial beta tester I inform any company that their product is not working. Your point about just wait until its ready really isn't good enough. If I as a consumer were to buy a Razer keyboard after 20th September I would probably return it as it doesnt work. All we are looking for is assurances that they are developing for Sierra and some indication of timescales.

      I appologiese for my throw it away rant as thats not helpful or constructive.

      As a consumer we shouldnt be held back from using the latest products and software just because 1 company are unable to update their software in time. Synapses is the only piece of software I use that doesnt work with Sierra. All my other software, peripherals and hardware work well.

      All the best.

8.

      I agree that a "Show Critical Computer" or a computer used in a critical environment should not be updated until it is a little more stable. I do not use my Mac in a critical environment and the keyboard functions in that if I hit a key it works. The only problem is the Synapses software. I can live with no lights in the meantime and not having a back light isn't the end of the world but it would be nice to know how long it will be unsupported. Having the new functionality afforded by Sierra is more of a benefit than the back light.

      So in a way I am "sucking it up". That doesn't mean that I should not let companies know when their product doesn't work.

      If we all just sit back and not apply pressure to businesses then everything would take longer.

      The public beta has been around for a while and as a developer they have access even earlier than the public.

      The least Razer can do is to be able to provide some kind of roadmap. It can only help them as until they have a date / roadmap people can not make informed decisions on whether to purchase a new Razer keyboard.

9.

      @PTSinger I know it's not unusual for anyone to call up or email a support service like Figure 53 and take their word as the gospel truth. It is not standard practice to provide negative comments about 3rd party products or voice any opinion about them at all, however, because it could be interpreted as slander. So regardless, his opinion that all Apple x.0 releases are buggy is likely just his personal opinion and not the actual perspective of his employer. It is standard for software developers to be granted early access to operating system releases, which Apple always does and has always announced publicly that developers will get really access during every Keynote they have announced a new software release. The fact that Razer hasn't taken advantage of that opportunity or is lagging behind because there aren't as many Mac users using their products or hasn't made this priority is still disappointing.

      I absolutely agree that beta versions of anything should only be installed on personal computers for people brave enough or willing to deal with these kinds of issues. macOS Sierra is now out of beta and those who were beta testers taking advantage of the official release version before it is publicly released should be able to do so without having to deal with most, if not all of the problems that came with the beta version. I have never personally experienced any issues at all when updating to the latest version of Apple's software. I have never seen any validated references that would indicate that their software is always buggy, mostly just a few individuals who congregate together and get really vocal with their complaints.

      Personally, I plan to investigate to find out if any of the other peripheral companies like Logitech have the same response as Razer and will likely purchase their products the next time I'm in the market for a new mouse, keyboard or keypad instead. I like the Razer products, but I've had issues with them and their customer service over the past year and this kind of response (more of a lack of response in this case) is not one that makes me want to continue being a Razer customer.

10.

      So now with 1.57.2 we have lights but no keyboard input. Unbelievable.

      I can use Chroma configurator fine I can have custom lights. But the moment it fires up the Synapse software all keyboard input is lost.

11.

      Same thing happened to me when I installed that update a day or two ago. Wasn't sure if it was just my setup so I didn't post anything about it. My Razer keyboard also stopped recognizing the input but ONLY after the login screen when the Synapse software loaded. I could input my password fine at login... I have uninstalled the software to get my keyboard working again.

12.

      That describes my exact experience. I hope now we are at GM that this can be sorted as a matter of urgency. Razer with update 1.57.2 have made the keyboard unusable without uninstalling the software!!

13.

      I had this problem as well (no keyboard input once the Razer software loaded). I predict an avalanche of support tickets on Sept 20th if Razer don't release a working update by then!

14.

      As a developer that have to adopt early to get his programs ready for when release is out i would expect that at least my keyboard works. A computer is not only a gaming console, nor all early adopters do it by choice.

15.

      When it comes to future peripheral purchases - wether or not they become totally useless when I need to update software for work will be a large part of my purchasing decision going forward.

      I didn't need to update until now, but I feel someone on your engineering team should have "had" to update months ago when they first came out with betas, as that's part of where I expect the money to go when I purchase a product - especially if you're marketing yourself as having "cutting edge" products.

16.

      Are you serious? We got the GM, release is in 3 days...
      C'mon you're Razer and sell premium products for a whole lot of money and not some shitty chrinese peripherals company that sells €1 products. I expect you to release a new synapse asap... With El Capitan you had a simple fix

17.

     [PT.Singer]

    PT.Singer _Jedi Master_ _RAZER MOUSE ADVOCATE_ _VANGUARD_

      It really seems to me that everybody here should be contacting support instead of creating an account to tell the Razer Community that awesome Razer peripherals aren't working with a beta release of an OS . . . most people here are on Windows machines anyway.

      I'm with you: I want my awesome Razer gear to work with my MacBook Pro exactly like it does when I run Bootcamp. However, 20 years of updating my Mac OS just to have stuff I need NOT work with the new OS right away has taught me patience in these things. Yes, 20 years, and it's been the same with every Mac OS release.

      It's a personal choice to upgrade to the newest and shiniest thing right away, and yes, it's a personal choice to go somewhere else for your peripherals. Razer's tagline, "For Gamers. By Gamers." Most PC gamers are on PCs, not Macs. We are not their priority. I love the gear anyway; they get a pass from me on this.

18.

      Shall not be updating, thanks for the heads up. I have Sierra on my secondary machine, but that doesn't have any Razer peripherals plugged into it.

19.

      I can confirm the latest update breaks my Razer Chroma for keyboard input. I have an older BlackWidow Ultimate 2013 that does work.

      I will look to see if I can get the older driver, if not, my Corsair K95 RGB is working with Open Source drivers, so I guess I'll use that until Razer has usable drivers.

20.

      When I installed Sierra GM on my Macbook last Friday, I restarted for the first time and ran into a reboot loop. Took me a little while to try unplugging my peripherals, and then a little while longer to narrow it down to my Naga. Every time I plug in the Naga while Synapse is running, my laptop instantly crashes. Yes, I uninstalled Synapse and I'm back to the 5-button mouse experience like it's 2005.

      The same thing is going to people next week when non-developers get to install Sierra. It doesn't matter if Razer has an update issued the same day. The crashes will have already happened.

      The proper time to issue the update was already a few weeks ago, at least. That way people have time to be notified of and run the update.

     KarinS and bowler357 like this.

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 [Razer Insider]

We've Updated Our Policies

By continuing to access the Razer sites; using Razer services or by closing this dialog, you agree to our amended policies.

question: Summarize the issues Mac users are having with the latest build of Razer Synapse.

answer: There are various issues faced by Mac users when it comes to Razr Synapse. Some of them are: keyboards losing functionality after Razer Synapse installation on macOS10.12.  The macOS10.12 software crashes when installing Synapse. The Ripple and Reactive Chroma lighting effects stop.

question: Why is the latest version of Razer Synapse having problems with macOS and not Windows?


text:
Welcome gentleman. I am here on behalf on the United Nations Committee on Asteroid Deflection. As I stand here before the heads of state of nearly every country, I am reminded of the immeasurable weight which we all have pressed upon us today. I believe that it is in our best interest for me to remind all of you why we are here today.

Three years ago, the scientists at NASA's Near Earth Objects Asteroid Detection Program discovered 2034 RG32, now known colloquially as the Hammer of God. After initial trajectory calculations, it was discovered that this asteroid was on a collision course with Earth, and was predicted to strike within 38 months. Now, three years later, we know that this asteroid will strike the Earth with 100% certainty in 48 days.

Let me put this in terms that you will understand, though no doubt all of you have read the reports already. This asteroid is three times larger than the one which killed the dinosaurs. It is twice as dense. When it strikes, it won't just wipe out one country, or one continent. It will destroy every bit of life on earth. Every human, every plant, every microbe and amino acid. All gone.

After it was discovered, nations put aside their differences and scrambled to develop a plan which would prevent the asteroid from striking the earth. I see several familiar faces among the audience today who I know approved the massive budget expenditures to try and get this thing done. Entire economies were set aside in order to focus on this threat to our existence. Eventually, one scientist  came forth with a theory that he had been working on since before the asteroid was discovered.

You are no doubt familiar with this scientist by now. He is known the world over, heralded as the savior of humanity. Lars Knutson, the Swedish theoretical physicist whose ideas we are all gambling on today, developed the theory of quantum magnetics. Although the details are beyond all but a handful of scientists, I will try to give you the basic gist of what this theory entails.

When a special type of magnet is cooled to a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero, a laser is fired into one side of the magnet. Inexplicably, the magnet releases more energy out of the other side than is put into it. Knutson theorized that this energy came from a parallel universe, and through higher order mathematics, proved that there is exactly ONE other universe. Think of it as a mirror image to this one, or for those among who are a bit more scientifically minded, an antimatter universe is closer to the concept, but still not quite exactly.

The problem with this mathematical theory is that Knutson could not prove which of the universes we belong to. One of the fundamental aspects to his theory is the idea of symmetry. Think of it like this: in our universe, more energy came out of the other side of the magnet. In the other universe, that energy came out of the same side of the magnet, presumably destroying the laser that fired in the first place. Knutson believed that if he ran a negtive electric charge through the magnet instead of the positive one that he used, he would see the same results. Sure enough, when he ran a negative charge through the magnet, the energy came out of the same side that it entered.

This is not the whole story, but I am afraid that I must simplify it so that all of you are able to understand the concept. As I said before, I barely understand it myself. This brings us to the main matter. After Knutson's theory was proved, it was decided that his principles could be used to disperse the asteroid which is heading towards earth. The "death laser," as the press have decided to call it, has been finished. It sits in the Australian outback, waiting to fire upon the asteroid.

The problem is this: Knutson's laser worked on a small scale. For the amount of energy that is needed destroy the asteroid, different construction methods had to be used. We have no way to test on a small scale which polarity will compound the energy of the laser, and which polarity will send the laser back where it came from. Knutson himself has admitted that he has no idea.

We have currently diverted the energy output of several countries to power this laser. If it fires successfully, it will completely vaporize the asteroid, and in 48 days, all that will happen is a small light show as the fragments of the asteroid enter the atmosphere. If we get it wrong, the energy output will be enough to crack a hole the size of Australia into the mantle, and we will not need an asteroid to wipe out all life on Earth.

Gentlemen, this is why we are gathered here. To make the most important decision of our lives, and the lives of every human that has ever existed. I hold in my hand an ordinary quarter. No doubt if we destroy this asteroid, this quarter will be the most treasured relic in human history. The laser is prepped, the calculations are done, all that is left to do is for you to make the biggest bet of your lives.

Heads or tails?

title: [SF] Toss-Up

question: Who is the narrator?

answer: The narrator is a member of the United Nations Committee on Asteroid Deflection.

question: What is the titular toss-up?

answer: A coin toss that will determine whether or not the laser is used against the asteroid set to collide with earth.

question: Describe the duties of the United Nations Committee on Asteroid Deflection.

answer: They are to bet on a coin toss which will determine whether the committe uses a laser to try to destroy the asteroid set to collide with Earth.

question: What is Lars Knutson's theory?

answer: He developed the theory of quantum magnetics. He theorized that the extra energy that is released by a magnet after it is cooled to a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero and a laser is fired into one side of it comes from a parallel universe, one that is a mirror image to this one.

question: What is the Hammer of God?

answer: The Hammer of God is a nickname for 2034 RG32, an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. It is three times larger than the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: An asteroid nicknamed Hammer of God, three times larger than the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs, is on a collision course with Earth. The United Nations Committee on Asteroid Deflection has built a laser using Lars Knutson's theory of a parallel universe. The laser will either destroy the asteroid or backfire and wipe out the planet. The members of the United Nations Committee on Asteroid Deflection meet to perform a coin toss to decide whether to fire the laser.


text:
Signs of a blue wave are increasing as lawmakers return to Washington for their final few weeks of legislative work before the crucial midterm elections.

Democrats have led Republicans by at least 11 points in five of the last six polls asking voters whether they favor a generic Democrat or a generic Republican in the race for Congress.

That margin only slightly trails the Democratic advantage in 2006, when the party won back control of Congress.

Democrats also enjoy a fundraising advantage, one that is perhaps bolstered by polls showing their party is more enthusiastic about turning out to vote this November, figures borne out by higher turnout in Democratic primary contests in states across the country.

After a brutal August that ended with the conviction of his former campaign chairman, a guilty plea from his former personal lawyer and a final feud with Sen. John McCain[]John Sidney McCainThe Memo: Democrats grapple with 'elite' tag Arizona GOP asks if followers willing to give their lives to 'stop the steal' Smearing presidential election will turn off young voters and undermine democracy MORE that played out during memorials to the late Arizona Republican, President Trump[]Donald TrumpBiden and Harris named Time's 2020 'Person of the Year' US to sanction Turkey over Russian defense system: report Federal government executes Brandon Bernard despite last-minute appeals MORE’s job approval rating has sunk to record or near-record lows in several polls.

Reputable surveys show his approval rating trading at the nadir of his traditional range, between 36 percent and 41 percent. More voters strongly disapprove of Trump than approve in total, a measure of how heavy an anchor he will be around the GOP candidate’s necks.

Taken in total, the evidence suggests the Labor Day holiday may have been the point where the blue wave crested for Democrats — at least when it comes to the battle for the House.

As recently as late July — 100 days out from the midterms — signs of the wave were much less evident.

Republicans take solace in a Senate map that bolsters their chances of growing a narrow majority, though Democrats also hope to break through and win the Senate majority.

And those tasked with maintaining control of the House say they remain optimistic.

“We’re going to wake up and run every day as if we’re down 10 points. We’re leaving nothing to chance. But we’re confident with our great candidates who are talking about the issues that actually matter to voters, we’re going to defy history,” said Matt Gorman, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

But a wide variety of data suggests Republicans face strong headwinds in retaining their House majority.

The number of House districts rated as potentially vulnerable to a party flip by the nation’s top elections analysts is growing, and most of these competitive seats are held by Republicans.

The Cook Political Report calls 41 seats “toss-ups or worse,” with only three held by Democrats. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates 45 seats similarly, with three held by Democrats. Nathan Gonzales at Inside Elections rates 86 seats as in play, only 10 of which are held by Democrats.

Democrats running for House seats have raised $621 million this year, compared with $470 million for Republicans, according to tallies of Federal Election Commission filings by the Center for Responsive Politics. Democratic candidates for Senate seats have raised $368 million, compared with $258 million for the Republicans running for those same seats.

By comparison, Republican House candidates outraised Democrats by $140 million in 2014, and Senate Republicans outraised Democrats by $40 million.

The most recent national polls show almost nothing but doom and gloom for the GOP. Surveys conducted over the last two weeks by Suffolk University on behalf of USA Today and TIPP for Investor’s Business Daily show Democrats leading the generic House ballot by 11 points; Reuters/Ipsos and Emerson College polls peg the Democratic advantage at 13. The pollsters at ABC News and The Washington Post put the edge at 14 points.

Dig beyond the toplines and the numbers are even starker. Democrats lead among independents by 14 points in the Emerson survey, and by 18 points in the ABC/Washington Post poll. In another measure of up-for-grabs voters, self-described moderates backed Democrats by 30 points in the ABC/Post poll, and by 21 points in the Economist/YouGov survey — the only survey that showed Republicans within single digits among all registered voters.

Asked whether voters prefer a Democratic Congress that acts as a check on Trump or a Republican Congress that backs his agenda, 60 percent of those interviewed by ABC and the Post opted for a Democratic check. The USA Today/Suffolk poll found 58 percent wanted a Democratic Congress to stand up to Trump, versus just 34 percent who wanted a Republican Congress that mostly cooperated with the White House.

Those are wider than the margins by which voters favored a Republican Congress to stand up to former President Obama in 2010, just weeks before Republicans won back 63 seats and control of the House.

Polls may be criticized for their sample sizes or voter screens, but actual election results carry no margins of error. Democrats have inarguably overperformed in a series of special elections since Trump was inaugurated, flipping a U.S. Senate seat, a House seat and nearly two dozen GOP-held state legislative seats, some in deep-red territory like Oklahoma, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Primary elections, too, have showed Democratic voters are more enthusiastic about voting this year. Of the 42 states that have held primaries so far this year, more Democrats have showed up to vote than in 2014 in 35, compared with 30 states where more Republicans showed up to vote. The average Democratic turnout is up 64 percent, while the average Republican turnout in those states is up 38 percent over 2014 levels.

A month ago, the publicly available data showed Democrats with an advantage, however marginal. Nine weeks before voters head to the polls, that advantage is growing substantially.

question: If the polls turn out to be inaccurate, who will win the elections?

answer: The Republicans

question: Are polls typically accurate?

answer: Polls can be inaccurate due to their questionable sample size.


text:
Dawn of Darkness
Dark clouds blocked out the sun. Thunder rolled and boomed, as lightning lit up the skies. Below, the salty waves tossed and tumbled, growing larger as the wind whipped and raged from the north. The rain came down in torrents, pelting the deck of the wooden ship, and soaking the wood. The first mate barked out orders to the crew who busied themselves to carry those orders out. The sails were taken in, so as to not be blown off course. The idea was to wait out the storm, as the waves weren’t so bad that they needed to get out of danger. Near the bow, on top deck, a woman cloaked in a silver robe stood by a man who was robbed in royal purple. Both had crowns fastened to their heads. Soldiers stood by, on edge from the storm, but otherwise relaxed. The man smiled down at his wife and looked to the small bundle of joy she held in her arms. A small child, nearly a year old, rested against her mother’s breast. She had dark, nearly obsidian black hair. Her emerald green eyes were closed now, resting while the storm raged on around them. Her little fingers curled tightly around her mother’s necklace. Their calm was shattered by the sound of lightning as it hit the main mast. The following boom of thunder was loud enough to wake the dead. Deckhands scrambled as they tried to put out the fire that was quickly spreading, but another bolt of lighting struck the ship near the stern, and soon they understood their battle with the flames was a lost cause. The captain readied the life boats, and had the king and queen begin to board. A large wave crashed into the side of the ship and the queen and her child were sent flying over the side. The life boat was lowered down into the unforgiving seas. The queen tried to stay close to the boat, but between holding her child’s head above the waves and the weight of her attire, she was quickly losing strength. She felt something brush up against her. The queen was so tired at this point, her arm holding her child threatened to release her. She saw the life boat coming for her, she knew she would be safe soon. But her child.. Suddenly she felt her child being taken from her arms, as if the water itself was wishing her to drop the child. She screamed up at the skies to whatever god might be listening.

“Save my baby, please! Save my Allene!”

Something came up from the waves, a sleek head, covered in scales, long like a horse’s. two horns upon the top of it’s head that looked like blackened icicles, Nearly glowing blue orbs seemed to bring the queen into a state of shock. This was a water dragon. Feared for their ever-changing moods, and loved for their kindness. The desperate mother, without a thought, handed her child up to the dragon, who took it in it’s maw gently. But as the life boats came closer, the dragon’s eyes became a glare. There was a man raging in the small life boat, he was screaming out of fear, and waved a sword in the air. The dragon gave a deep growl and sunk below the waves.

The queen screamed in horror as she watched her baby disappear beneath the black waves, her strength gave out and she began to sink, hoping to join her child in a watery grave. Large hands pulled at her soaked body before she could embrace the darkness that surrounded her and she was pulled into the chaos of life. She sobbed openly as her king held her, the dread and hatred in his eyes was enough to keep the crew silent while they worked on getting everyone safely to shore. The closest line of safety being Conach Moore, an island that held many mountains. On the eastern side there was a small village that would be able to help them get home to Riochtdome.

Beneath the unforgiving waves, in the calm depths of the ocean, the water dragon still carried the young child in it’s maw, a protective barrier surrounded it so that water did not enter the child’s lungs. The dragon had sensed darkness in the King’s heart and sought to save both the mother and the child, but when she had looked for the mother, the king was already pulling her with him. With a heavy heart she took the child to her home, Farlig Dyre. It was a rather large island, filled with forests, mountains, rivers, and plains. It was a beautiful land where Humans dared not tread, and Dragons lived peacefully. She swam up to the edge of the massive cliff that served as a shoreline, digging her claws into the rough earth as she hauled her long, lithe body up the mountainous wall. Her deep blue scales dripped water and left a wet trail as she climbed over the wall and onto the soft lush grass of the northern forest. She placed the now awake, and yet peaceful child, onto the ground. She held her massive head to the sky and beckoned her elders with a roar. As she waited for the sounds of familiar wings beating against the wind, she gathered a few logs and used her claw to dig a small, shallow hole She placed the logs inside and lit a fire with her maw. Her fire was blue, but unlike most fires, it wasn’t as hot as it should be. It was warm, like a sunny day rather than a bursting inferno. She placed the child near the edge of it so as to keep it warm, spreading one of her small wings over her so as to keep her dry. She curled herself up around the child the mother had called Allene, and looked to the skies, awaiting the judgment of her elders.

title: [FN]Dawn of Darkness: The Beginning

question: Summarize the climactic event of the story.

answer: When a large wave washes the queen and baby over board she struggles to keep them both alive in the violent waves. When a water dragon with kind eyes approach her, she hands over her baby in desperation to save its life. The water dragon accepts the baby in its maw and swims off keeping the baby protected until it reaches the island Farlig Dyre. It lights a fire to keep the baby warm and calls its elders to make a judgement.

question: Summarize how the queen changes over the story.

answer: The queen was standing near the bow of the ship with the king, holding her 1-year-old baby close to her, while the storm raged around them. The ship was lost after two direct lightning strikes and the queen and baby was tossed overboard when a wave hit the ship. The queen struggled to hold her baby's head above water while keeping herself afloat with her attire being weighed down. In desperation she hands her baby over to a water dragon to save its life. She screamed in horror as the dragon disappeared with her baby below the waves and longed for the same watery grave, but strong hands pulled her into a life boat. She cried into the king's shoulder for her lost child.

question: Summarize what happened to the ship.

answer: Waves tossed the ship about during a severe storm at sea. The rain came down in torrents and sails were taken down when the decision was made to wait out the storm. Lightning hit the main mast and the thunder could wake the dead. Deckhands scrambled to put out the fire while lightning strikes the stern; the ship was a lost cause. Life boats were called as the queen and her baby was tossed over the side. The ship was abandoned.

question: What does the story say about the origin of Allene's name?


text:
Kelly Darden Jr. still remembers one of the first times he experienced the “black friend defense.”

Back in high school, a group of white classmates dressed in Confederate-inspired clothing as part of a social club called the “Rebel Rousers” and insisted they weren’t racist when confronted because some of them knew Darden, who is black.

“It was insulting,” the 64-year-old Greenville, North Carolina, man recalled Thursday. “I was insulted by it even when it was occurring.”

Darden and countless other African-Americans have experienced variations of the “black friend defense” — saying that a person can’t be racist because of the color of the company he keeps — for generations. And the trope played out in front of a national TV audience this week as Republican Rep. Mark Meadows defended President Donald Trump against testimony by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen , who claimed the president is racist. Meadows, of North Carolina, quickly sent social media into a frenzy when he pointed to Lynne Patton, a black Trump administration staffer, and said Patton never would tolerate working for a racist.

Many consider the “black friend defense” a tired and hollow argument.

“The fact someone would actually use a prop, a black woman in this chamber, in this committee, is alone racist in itself,” Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan said in response to Meadows’ interaction with Patton, who works at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

An outraged Meadows, who is white, hit back, saying he can’t be racist because he has nieces and nephews of color and he is friends with Rep. Elijah Cummings, who is black and was chairing the hearing.

The “defense” has a history of being part of a politician’s playbook.

Trump himself has trotted it out more than once. While giving remarks during a 2016 presidential campaign stop, Trump pointed to someone in the crowd and yelled “Look at my African-American over there.”

A few black celebrities have been called props or “Uncle Toms” for throwing support Trump’s way or simply just meeting with him. Kanye West, Steve Harvey and Jim Brown have all been criticized.

Harvey, who voted for Hillary Clinton, told media outlets in 2017 that he regretted meeting with the president at Trump Tower because of the backlash. He only did so in the hopes of helping with Trump’s transition to the White House.

In “4 Little Girls,” Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary revisiting the deadly 1963 Birmingham church bombing, former Alabama governor and onetime staunch segregationist George Wallace talks about how he has helped black people. At one point, he is seen sitting behind the governor’s desk and summons a black man.

“Here’s one of my best friends right here … my best friend right here. I wouldn’t go anywhere without him,” Wallace says while holding the man’s hand. The man stands quietly but doesn’t say anything.

The phenomenon was the subject of a 2014 study done by University of London Business School professor Daniel A. Effron.

In his research, Effron noted that former Bosnian leader Radovan Karadzic said he held no anti-Muslim prejudice because his former barber was Muslim. In 2016, Karadzic was convicted of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity for wartime atrocities including the 1995 massacre of 8,000 Muslim men.

Tyler Parry, an associate professor of African American Studies at California State University in Fullerton, said using black people as political props is something that occurred as far back as the 19th century in debates about slavery. In Antebellum-era writings by former slave owners, they would often describe their relationship with slaves as a friendship. It was a way for them to justify their stance on slavery.

Parry said he finds it remarkable that people in the public eye keep using “the black friend” excuse over and over in almost verbatim language rather than issue a mea culpa. It comes off shallow and brings the authenticity of the friendship into question, he said.

“There’s a few studies that say it’s a way to overcompensate — particularly a white person or a person of privilege feels the need to accumulate friends of color in case they are ever accused of racism,” Parry said. “If they can deflect the criticism and place it upon their friend as a way to explain it, they can get off the hook.”

Patton, the Trump administration staffer, denied she was a figurehead being exploited by Republicans. A former event planner best known for her work on the wedding of Trump’s son Eric, Patton slammed Democratic lawmakers who “placed more credence on the word of a self-confessed convicted perjurer” than a highly educated black woman working alongside the president.

“That is not the resume of a prop. It is however, the resume of someone who remains completely unfazed by the criticism of others and laser focused,” Patton wrote on Instagram.
___

Associated Press writer Jesse J. Holland in Washington contributed to this report.
___

Tang, Hajela and Washington cover race and ethnicity for The Associated Press. Follow them on twitter: @ttangAP, @dhajela, and @jessejholland and search for their work at https://apnews.com .

question: What does the article say is the "black friend defense"?

answer: The article states that the black friend defense is when one argues that a person can't be racist because of the color of the company they keep.

question: Who is Tyler Parry?

answer: Tyler Parry is an associate professor of African American Studies at California State University in Fullerton.


text:
I remember the first day I met Mellie. Her real name was Melinda Hudson. We were both twelve. She was a shy, awkward girl with bright red hair and light green eyes. She looked like a girl on fire. She always sat alone far from the other kids, her thin shoulders bent over, holding her peanut butter sandwich with both hands as if it might fly away any second. She hadn’t taken a bite yet. She was just staring at it.

I don’t know what attracted me to her. Was it her bright hair that looked like it was on fire? Was it the contrasting quietness that she portrayed despite her hot looks? My power created so much noise around me that her peace had an extraordinary effect on me.

I approached her. I was bold and sat down beside her without permission. She looked up at me with questioning eyes but did not say a word. I opened my lunch bag, took out my sandwich and started eating. She started to eat her own sandwich as well and there we were just sitting there side by side, eating our sandwiches in blessed silence.

For a whole week, we continued to eat together. I found her at the same spot and sat down beside her every single day. I ate my lunch with her and I didn’t even know her name. It was strange that I felt so comfortable with her as if I’ve known her my whole life. We started our friendship with that awkward silence.

I introduced myself the week after. She smiled shyly and told me to call her Mellie. From that day on, we started talking every day. Six years later, we still had plenty to talk about. Until I killed her and there was nothing else to say.

Oh Mellie, you were my best friend and my soul mate. You understood everything about me. And you knew I was keeping something from you. Yet you never pushed me. Just being friends with me was enough.

Like everyone else, I had a mother and a father. I was the only child and my parents traveled often for business. Then on a fated business trip, my parents died in a car crash. Report said they were trying to avoid a deer and crashed headlong to a tree. The deer survived and my parents didn’t. Mellie was there to hug me while I cried. Mellie stayed with me for days and nights bringing me food and holding me to sleep. Without Mellie, I would probably have drowned myself in sorrow. I never thought I would ever lose my parents.

My mother’s older sister, Morgana came to live with me. She came to get her sister’s affairs in order. My parents were rich and there were a lot of legal things I didn’t know how to handle. Since my father had no family, all the money they had would go to me and Morgana. She had a younger brother, his name was Philip. My mother talked about him a long time ago. She said that he was a free spirit who preferred to go where he pleased and that usually meant far from the family. It was impossible to find him and he didn’t care one bit for the family’s money. She spoke of him with more love than she did of Morgana. I’ve never met Philip. I’ve met Morgana only three times in my life and all those times, I thought she needed to get the stick out of her butt. This woman was uptight to a hilt and very proper.

When Morgana arrived, she shook my hand briefly and gave me a withering look. Sorry about your mother, darling but these things happen. She took over the house and I started to plan my escape.

Morgana was very different from my mother. While my mother was warm and loving, Morgana was cold as ice. She didn’t bother to hide her dislike for me and Mellie. She hinted that Mellie should spend more time at her house with her own family. It didn’t take me long to realize that I have lost my home and it was time to move on. I had enough money from my inheritance to go to any state I want for college. I was not bound here and there was no reason to stay.

Mellie supported my idea and wanted to go with me. We started to plan together and after a month of planning, we were set to go.

There was already a nice cozy apartment waiting for us in New York and our applications to NYU were accepted. We were both stellar students so admission was never an issue. Mellie’s parents were ecstatic that their precious daughter would be attending NYU. They trusted me; well they trusted my money since I offered to pay for Mellie’s education.

Everything was ready and in a day, we would be off. I had decided to tell Morgana at the last-minute to avoid any problems. I didn’t know why I would think that especially since Morgana should be happy to get the house all to herself. But somehow I had this feeling that my plan to leave would be a big problem. Morgana was always watching me. Whenever I entered a room, I could feel her sharp cold beady eyes watching my every move. I got this eerie sensation that she needed to know my every move and me moving out would mean that she could no longer watch me. It was weird I know but that was how I felt.

I found Morgana in the drawing-room reading. As I entered, she looked up but didn’t say a word. I sat down in front of her. Mellie was coming in half hour to help me pack.

Morgana continued to stare at me, her lips pursed.

“I’m leaving,” I said. The direct approach was always best. Morgana frowned. Ignoring the frown, I continued. “I’m leaving for New York tomorrow with Mellie.” I forced a smile and rambled on. “You can stay here for as long as you want. We are really excited, we got into a great school and we’ll find some part-time work and-”

“No,” Morgana said cutting me off.

“Sorry, what?” I was taken aback. A part of me expected her to feign disappointment while secretly relishing the fact that I would be gone.

“You can’t leave this house?” Morgana said coldly.

“Why not? I’m turning eighteen next month and I can go to any college I want,” I said. “This house is different for me now.” I hesitated before adding, “Since Mom and Dad died.”

Morgana laughed and I wondered what was so funny.

“My dear, I think college should be the last thing in your mind,” Morgana said getting up and pouring a glass of vodka. As she nursed her drink, her eyes never left me. I waited for her to explain.

“You are an extraordinary girl, Helena but you should know that extraordinary doesn’t always mean that you are special. Sometimes it just means you might die earlier.” A shadow casted over the room at Morgana's words. The flames in the fireplace flickered disturbed by a wind that wasn’t there. I shivered at the sudden chill that had entered the room.

Suddenly I was eight and huddled in the dark basement waiting in fear. My aunt’s face reminded me of the Scary Man who trapped me and wanted to do untoward things to me. They had the same eyes. Eyes that wanted to rip me into shreds and have a party afterwards.

Instinctively I stood up and backed away.

“Where do you think you are going?” Morgana said. Instantly the doors slid shut.

“How did you do that?” I gasped.

“Are you that arrogant to think you are the only one with super powers?” Morgana waved her hand and I was lifted in the air as if I were lighter than a feather. I screamed and flailed as I flew across the room hitting the wall hard. I collapsed on the floor out of breath.

I was stupid to think that I was the only one. A small part of me was happy to know that my aunt was just like me. Perhaps our blood was the explanation for all I was going through. That small part of me disappeared as Morgana grabbed me by the hair and dragged me across the room kicking and screaming. I struggled to escape from her grip but this woman was strong. Pieces of my dark  hair was ripped from my skull as she held me strong in the center of the room like a lamb about to be slaughtered. An image of Morgana drabbed in metal armor her long black hair blowing in the wind and brandishing an unearthly huge sword over my head flashed in my mind. I blinked and she was back to being Morgana but there is a knife now in her hands. Smaller but sharp enough to slice my throat. There was a strange symbol on the blade itself, two parallel waves.

“Let me go, Morgana! I’m your niece!” I played the family card. She laughed again.

“I think you should know by now that I am not your beloved aunt. This may be your Aunt’s body but she is long gone, love.”

The process of understanding was a painful one. I looked at Morgana or whoever it was that killed my Aunt. She made the mistake of looking back at me. Almost instantly the world turned and I was in Morgana and she was in me. Before she could react and gained control of the situation, I stabbed myself in the heart with the knife in my hand. Morgana screamed as my hand continued to hold her tightly by the hair. I held on to my consciousness amid waves of pain to return to my body and then I was back as I stared at Morgana’s lifeless body on the floor.

I wasn’t sure if I should cry. I never knew my Aunt Morgana. I’m sorry she had to die. I didn’t even know why this thing wanted to kill me. I pulled out the knife from Morgana’s chest and wiped the blood on her shirt. I didn’t think she would mind. I stared at the symbol. It looked familiar.

The door opened startling me out of my muddled thoughts. Mellie walked in and stopped dead at her tracks when she saw me standing over my Aunt’s body with a knife in my hand.

I gulped.

“Erm…I swear this is not what it looks like,” I said. “I stabbed myself, I mean I stabbed her. Wait…this is what it looks like…”

Mellie walked towards me frowning without saying a word.

“She attacked me!” I said. “And she’s not my Aunt, not really. I don’t know why she attacked me, this is her knife.”

Mellie took the knife from me and silently studied it. I could not read her face. It would be horrible if my own best friend didn’t believe me.

“It’s ok, Hel,” Mellie finally said and I sighed in relief.

“I know it’s not your fault,” Mellie said and hugged me. I froze. I pushed Mellie away and tried to grab the knife in her hand. But she was faster than lightning. Gentle Mellie kicked me hard in the stomach and punched me in the face. I tasted blood in my mouth. I was having a really bad day.

Mellie giggled.

“How did you know?” she asked fingering the knife.

“Mellie don’t do hugs,” I said. “She likes her personal space.”

“Shucks, I screwed that up, didn’t I?”

“Who are you and what do you want from me?” I yelled.

“I want you to die,” the thing in Mellie hissed.

I threw a cushion at her. Seriously that was the nearest thing to me. In my defense it hit her squarely on the face.

“What did I ever do to you?”

“It’s nothing personal. It’s just part of life. You are what you are and we are what we are. Our sole purpose is to end your life cycle.”

“Get out of my friend,” I said. “I killed you before and I can do it again,” I said nodding at Morgana’s body.

Mellie laughed.

“Are you going to kill your friend too?” she sneered. “It was easy for you to kill your aunt. But can you drive this knife into your friend’s heart?”

She had a point.

“I can do other things to you. You won’t die but you are going to wish you are.”

“Tough words coming from a rich brat. Come and try, little girl,” Mellie said. “The time for talking is done.”

She swung at me with the knife and I fell back to avoid it. I threw the vodka bottle at her. She ducked and it smashed against the wall.

“You are wasting good vodka!” she yelled and lunged towards me. Her body slammed against mine and we both fell on the floor. She was strong. She swirled the knife around her fingers expertly and plunged it towards my face. I grabbed her hands, the knife was inches from my head. With all the strength I have left I threw her off me. Before she could get up, I swung my right leg and kicked her squarely in the face. She dropped the knife and I slid on the floor to grab it. Still at the back of my mind, her question was there. Could I really kill my best friend?

Before I could think it through, Mellie rushed towards me. She drove me against the wall and my hand, the one holding the knife was positioned right at her gut. Mellie smiled as she continued to press me against the wall, her one hand squeezing my neck and one hand holding back the knife.

If it wasn’t for the knife in between us, this was totally a lesbian moment. Mellie grabbed my hand. Thinking that she was going to try and pry the knife from my hand, I held on to it as tightly as I could.

“Say goodbye Mellie,” she said. And before I could fully understand what she meant, she took my hand and drove it into her gut. And at the split second, the thing left Mellie, left her to feel all the pain and the confusion wondering why her best friend was holding the knife that was stuck in her.

Mellie gasped and collapsed. She was having a hard time breathing. I held her in my arms and cried. She couldn’t form any words but her eyes had all the questions I could not answer. As she died in my arms, I kept saying I was sorry.

Again I was back in the dark basement, alone, and scared. But this time it wasn’t the Scary Man who was there scaring me. It was me. I was the one who scared me.

title: Spirit Child - Chapter 2 (Goodbye Mellie)

question: What does the story say about death?

answer: The narrator's friendship with Mellie ended when she killed Mellie. Her parents died in a car crash while on a business trip. The being possessing Morgana tells Helena that her powers mean she might die early. Helena realizes that this being killed her real aunt. While in control of Morgana's body, Helena stabs herself, killing her aunt. The entity then admits that its sole purpose is to end Helena's life cycle. It then forces Helena to kill Mellie.

question: What does the story say about magic?

answer: Helena's powers create a lot of noise around her. Morgana causes the flames in the fireplace to flicker despite the lack of wind. When Helena tries to leave the room, the doors slide shut on their own. Morgana waves her hand and lifts Helena into the air and sends her flying into the wall. Morgana reveals that Helena's real aunt is dead and she is possessing her body. Morgana and Helena briefly switch bodies. The entity then possesses Mellie.

question: What does the article say about Millie's powers?


text:
The 2022 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL will be the final match of the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League, the 51st season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 13th season since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League. It will be played at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville, Spain, in May 2022.

The final was originally scheduled to be played at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. However, due to the postponement and relocation of the 2020 final, the final hosts were shifted back a year, with Budapest instead hosting the 2023 final.[1]

The winners will earn the right to play against the winners of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League in the 2022 UEFA Super Cup.

Venue

This will be the first Europa League final to be held at the stadium. It previously hosted the 1986 European Cup Final. The city of Seville hosted the 2003 UEFA Cup Final at the Estadio de La Cartuja. Spain had hosted four other UEFA Cup finals (holding a leg in 1977, 1985, 1986, and 1988).

Host selection

An open bidding process was launched on 28 September 2018 by UEFA to select the venues of the finals of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Women's Champions League in 2021. Associations had until 26 October 2018 to express interest, and bid dossiers must be submitted by 15 February 2019.

UEFA announced on 1 November 2018 that three associations had expressed interest in hosting the 2021 UEFA Europa League final,[2] and on 22 February 2019 that two associations submitted their dossiers by the deadline.[3]

  Country   Stadium                         City      Capacity   Notes
  --------- ------------------------------- --------- ---------- --------------------------------
            Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena    Tbilisi   54,202     Hosted 2015 UEFA Super Cup
            Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán   Seville   43,883     Hosted 1986 European Cup Final

  : Bidding associations for final

The following associations expressed interest in hosting but eventually did not submit bids:

-   Austria: Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna
-   Czech Republic: Sinobo Stadium, Prague
-   Hungary: Puskás Aréna, Budapest

The Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán was selected by the UEFA Executive Committee during their meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 24 September 2019.[4][5]

On 17 June 2020, the UEFA Executive Committee announced that due to the postponement and relocation of the 2020 final, Seville would instead host the 2022 final.[6]

Match

Details

The “home” team (for administrative purposes) will be determined by an additional draw to be held after the quarter-final and semi-final draws.

  -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     MATCH RULES

     -   90 minutes.
     -   30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
     -   Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
     -   Twelve named substitutes.
     -   Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.
  -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

question: Where will the 2022 UEFA Europa League Final be played?

answer: It will be played at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville, Spain.

question: What are the match rules for the final?

answer: The match will be 90 minutes, with 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. If the scores are still even, there will be a penalty shoot-out. There will be 12 named substitutes, with a maximum of three substitutions in regular time and a fourth in extra time.

question: What teams are playing in the final?

question: What is the prize for winning the final?

answer: The winners of the match will earn the right to play against the winners of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League in the 2022 UEFA Super Cup.


text:
RUFUS CROSBY KEMPER III is the current director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Previously director of the Kansas City Public Library from 2005 until 2020, Kemper's other experience includes CEO/Chairman of UMB Financial Corporation.[1][2]

The son of R. Crosby Kemper, Jr and Cynthia Warrick Kemper,[3] he was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, then attended Andover, Eton College, and Yale University.[4]

In 2005, Kemper co-founded the Show-Me Institute with Rex Sinquefield. He chaired the Missouri Commission on the Future of Higher Education and additionally served on various boards, including the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the Kansas City Symphony, and the Black Archives of Mid-America.[5] Under his leadership the Kansas City Public Library received the 2008 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, awarded to American libraries and museums with outstanding service to their communities.[6]

In November 2019, Kemper was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal support for US libraries and museums.[7] The nomination was supported by the American Library Association,[8] followed by a January 9, 2020 confirmation in the United States Senate for a term of four years.[9]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

title: Crosby Kemper III

question: Who is Rufus Crosby Kemper III?

answer: The current director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

question: Where was he born?

answer: Kansas City, Missouri.

question: With whom did he found the Show-Me Institute?

answer: Rex Sinquefield.

question: Which US president nominated Kemper for his current position?

answer: Trump.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Rufus Crosby Kemper III is the current director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). He was nominated by then-President Donald Trump in 2019. He will continue to serve his four-year term.


text:
[photo of a pen on a balance sheet]Introduction

Most individuals who have recently wed realize this will change their income tax status, but common law couples often fail to realize they may also be considered married by the Tax Man. Many are surprised to learn that a different set of rules applies the next time they file their income tax returns. Ultimately, the _Income Tax_ _Act_ affords married and common law couples the same advantages and disadvantages. This article provides a basic overview of how married and common law are defined for purposes of the _Income Tax Act_ of Canada (“_ITA_”) and some tax advantages and disadvantages associated with married/common law status.

Definitions

_MARRIED_
The _ITA_ does not specifically define married, so the ordinary definition – two people legally united in marriage – applies.

_COMMON LAW_
The _ITA_ defines a common law partner as a person (opposite or same sex) with whom the taxpayer lives in a conjugal relationship, and at least one of the following applies:

-   the parties have cohabitated with one another throughout the previous 12 months, or
-   the person is the parent of the taxpayer’s child.

In determining whether two individuals are living in a conjugal relationship, the courts evaluate seven main factors:

-   shelter
-   sexual and personal behaviour
-   services
-   social
-   societal
-   support (economic)
-   children

These factors were cited in the case of _Hendricken v. The Queen_, 2008 TCC 48. Paragraph 12 of this case expands on each of these  factors.

For couples without children, this means they become common-law partners one year after they move in together. Under these definitions, it is possible for a legally married person to also have a common law spouse (or multiple spouses).

Each province legislates “common law status” for family law purposes, typically not matching the income tax definition. For the remainder of this article, “married” is used to refer to both legally married and common law couples, unless otherwise noted.  Ultimately, the _Income Tax Act_ affords married and common law couples the same advantages and disadvantages.

Tax Advantages Enjoyed by Married Couples

_SPOUSAL TAX CREDIT_
If one spouse had net income less than their basic personal amount in the taxation year ($11,327 in 2015 indexed for inflation), the excess may be transferred to their spouse. Where one spouse had no income in 2015, the other would claim a married credit based on $11,327, for a federal tax savings of $1,699. Provincial credits are available as well, in varying amounts.

_TRANSFER/OPTIMIZATION OF PERSONAL TAX CREDITS_
Married couples can optimize the use of their personal tax credits by transferring or combining credits on their tax returns.  Spouses qualify for CPP survivor benefits, and may also qualify for survivor benefits from other pension plans. Application for such benefits often results in a review of past income tax filings to determine whether married/common law status was reported historically.Some credits that may be transferred include: the age credit; pension income credit; disability tax credit; and tuition credits.

Medical expense credits can be optimized by combining the couple’s eligible expenses and claiming them on one return. Medical expenses are reduced based on net income, so combining a couple’s expenses normally results in a greater tax benefit.

The Canada Revenue Agency also allows charitable donations made by either spouse to be claimed on one spouse’s return to take advantage of a higher credit on donations exceeding $200.

_SPOUSAL RRSP CONTRIBUTIONS_
One spouse may make contributions to the other’s RRSP. The contributor will receive a deduction as if they had contributed to their own plan. Generally, the higher income spouse will contribute to the lower income spouse’s RRSP, on the assumption that the lower income spouse will continue to have lower income upon the couple’s retirement. Taxes in retirement will be minimized by equalizing the spouses’ respective incomes.

_PENSION INCOME SPLITTING_
Married couples can split up to 50% of their eligible pension income on their income tax returns. When each partner is in a different tax bracket, this reduces the couple’s taxes by allowing the higher-taxed spouse to shift some income to the lower-taxed spouse.  This can also reduce exposure to Old Age Security repayment for higher income individuals.

_TRANSFERRING ASSETS WITHOUT TRIGGERING GAINS_
Capital property such as the matrimonial house, family cottage, or non-registered investments may be transferred between the married couple on a tax deferred basis. The _ITA_ allows one spouse to transfer capital property to the other spouse at their cost amount, realizing no gains. Careful planning is necessary to ensure the attribution rules (discussed below) are addressed. An election could be made to transfer at fair market value if they wish to realize any gains.

Spousal rollover provisions apply automatically on the death of a spouse. In addition, if the surviving spouse is the beneficiary of the deceased’s RRSP/RRIF, this can also transfer on a tax deferred basis to the surviving spouse’s RRSP/RRIF.

_CANADA PENSION PLAN BENEFITS_
Spouses qualify for CPP survivor benefits, and may also qualify for survivor benefits from other pension plans. Application for such benefits often results in a review of past income tax filings to determine whether married/common law status was reported historically.

Tax Disadvantages of Being Married

_ATTRIBUTION RULES_
Married couples generally cannot transfer investment income by transferring investment assets. Income and capital gains (or losses) on assets transferred attribute back to the spouse who transferred the asset. For example, if Betty transfers her TELUS shares to her spouse, Barney, any dividends he receives are properly taxable to Betty, as are any capital gains (or losses) on the sale of the shares. Further any investments Barney acquires with the proceeds on a sale of the TELUS shares are also subject to this attribution. The attribution rules are complex, and asset transfers can, with careful planning, be structured to allow the income and capital gains to properly be taxed to the recipient of the assets.

_POTENTIAL LOSS OF BENEFITS_
Eligibility for certain benefits such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canada Child Tax Benefit or the GST Credit are determined based on family net income for a married couple. If either spouse qualified for these benefits before they were married, they may be reduced or lost based on their family net income.

_LOSS OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION_
The capital gain on the sale of a principal residence is tax exempt if the property is designated. Where a married couple incurs tax-deductible child care expenses, the deduction must normally be claimed by the lower income spouse. If one spouse owned a home and the other owned a cottage, the capital gain on the sale of both properties could be exempt if they were not married.  Once the couple is married, they will only be able to designate one home as their principal residence, and any capital gain on the sale of the other property is taxable.  Some of the gain may still be exempt if they owned the property before they became married. See “Your Principal Residence and Taxes” in the July 1, 2013 issue of LawNow.

_LOSS OF ELIGIBLE DEPENDENT CREDIT_
Single individuals may claim an eligible dependent credit for a minor child in their care. This credit is equivalent to the married credit, but is not available to a person who is married throughout the year.

_CHILD CARE EXPENSES_
Where a married couple incurs tax-deductible child care expenses, the deduction must normally be claimed by the lower income spouse.

Relationship Breakdown

When the relationship doesn’t work out, it is important to note that the _ITA_ also has specific rules on when an individual is considered to be single.

For individuals exiting a common law relationship, they will not be considered single for income tax purposes until the relationship has ceased for a period of at least 90 consecutive days due to a breakdown in the relationship. For example, if the couple was to separate on December 31, and stay separated until at least March 31 (90 days), they ceased being common law on December 31. However, if they reconciled in March, they would not cease being common law at all.

For married couples, the 90 day rule is also applicable. However, subsequent to 90 days, married individuals will be considered separated for income tax purposes. For individuals exiting a common law relationship, they will not be considered single for income tax purposes until the relationship has ceased for a period of at least 90 consecutive days due to a breakdown in the relationship. The single marital status will not be applied until such time as the divorce (cessation of a legal marriage) is finalized.

While many of the tax rules related to separation and divorce apply equally to common law and married couples, there are some complex cases, particularly where the couple owns an interest in a private corporation, where the tax treatment depends on the marriage continuing. The date of divorce is under the couple’s control. As noted above, the date a common law relationship ends is not. These provisions can be extremely complex and mandate specialized advice being obtained.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many issues that couples, both young and old need to be aware of when entering into or exiting out of a marriage or common law relationship. Often, the tax implications are overlooked in addressing other issues like pre-nuptial agreements, future asset division, and revision of Wills. Being mindful of these issues can help maximize the benefits for the couple and avoid some potentially negative tax consequences that could arise due to poor planning. Professional advice should always be sought to ensure that the proper precautions and planning aspects of a change in marital status are taken into consideration.

question: How do the income tax laws of Canada consider a couple common-law partners?

answer: According to the law a common-law partner is a person with whom the taxpayer lives in a conjugal relationship. At least one of the following must also apply. The couple must have lived together over the past 12  months or the person must be the parent of the taxpayer's child.

question: What is the objective of this article?

answer: The objective of the article is to explain the benefits and pitfalls of Canada's tax laws for married couples and common-law partners. The article defines common-law partners under the law and explains the differences between marriage termination and common-law partnership termination. The article suggests that couples should seek professional advice to avoid negative tax consequences.


text:
Politics|Kimberly Guilfoyle, Top Fund-Raising Official for Trump Campaign, Tests Positive for Coronavirus

She is the third person in proximity of President Trump known to have contracted the virus.

[Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of President Trump’s eldest son and a top fund-raising official for the Trump re-election campaign, with Donald Trump Jr. in May.]

Credit...Evan Vucci/Associated Press

-   Published July 3, 2020Updated Aug. 25, 2020

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of President Trump’s eldest son and a top fund-raising official for the Trump re-election campaign, tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday before a Fourth of July event at Mount Rushmore, a person familiar with her condition said.

Ms. Guilfoyle traveled to South Dakota with Mr. Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr., in anticipation of attending a huge fireworks display where the president was set to speak. They did not travel aboard Air Force One, according to the person familiar with her condition, and she was the only person in the group who tested positive.

As a routine precaution, people who come in close contact with Mr. Trump are screened for the virus.

Ms. Guilfoyle is the third person in possible proximity to Mr. Trump known to have contracted the virus. A personal valet who served Mr. Trump his food and the press secretary for Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for the virus in May.

Ms. Guilfoyle was not experiencing symptoms, the person familiar with her condition said. She and the younger Mr. Trump never met up with the president’s entourage, the person said. Out of caution, the couple plans to drive back from South Dakota to the East Coast, the person said.

Still, that another person who was expected to be near Mr. Trump tested positive — and someone who most staff aides consider a member of the Trump family — is likely to renew attention around potential risks to the president.

Ms. Guilfoyle attended Mr. Trump’s indoor rally last month in Tulsa, Okla. Before and since then, some campaign staff and Secret Service personnel have tested positive for the coronavirus. Herman Cain, a former Republican presidential candidate who was also at the rally, said this week that he had been hospitalized with the virus.

Sergio Gor, the chief of staff for the Trump Victory Finance Committee, said in a statement that Ms. Guilfoyle “was immediately isolated to limit any exposure.” He added, “She’s doing well, and will be retested to ensure the diagnosis is correct since she’s asymptomatic, but as a precaution will cancel all upcoming events.” The younger Mr. Trump, despite testing negative, was self-isolating and canceling public events as a precaution, Mr. Gor said.

Even as outbreaks have emerged in the South and West and as states across the country report a record number of cases each day, White House officials — and Mr. Trump in particular — have minimized their focus on the virus in public appearances. In an interview on Wednesday, the president indicated that he believed the virus was “going to sort of just disappear.”

The president’s aides recently modified protocols for people entering the White House grounds, abandoning routine temperature checks, for instance. They have counseled people experiencing symptoms typical of the coronavirus to stay away.

But people who come in proximity to Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence are still tested for the coronavirus.

question: What does the article say about the measures against Covid taken by the president?

answer: The people who test positive for the virus are kept away, isolated, and public events are canceled if possible. The people who visited the White House were checked for temperature routinely, although that's been abandoned recently. The people who will have direct proximity with the president or the vice president are tested for the virus.

question: What does the text say about contact tracing?


text:
A Vancouver cyclist is furious police have not laid charges against the driver who allegedly drove him off the road and assaulted him last week in what appears to be a case of road rage.

[]

A cyclist and driver square off in Vancouver streets 2:20

A Vancouver cyclist is furious police have not laid charges against the driver who allegedly drove him off the road and assaulted him last week in what appears to be a case of road rage.

Edward Hoey says he was riding his bicycle down Georgia Street around 4 p.m. PT on Jan. 24 when he stopped in the left-hand turning lane for a red light.

When the light turned green and Hoey started making the turn, he claims the motorist behind him started honking his horn and revving his engine.

[]

Vancouver cyclist Edward Hoey says he was assaulted by a motorist as he was making a left-hand turn off of Georgia Street. (CBC)

"He just started yelling at me about not being in the bike lane — I presume on Hornby Street — and was driving erratically, swerving into me," says Hoey.

Hoey says this caused him to crash his bicycle into the sidewalk. He got off his bicycle and approached the vehicle to confront the driver about what happened.

"He was making threats at me at this point in time, indicating that he had martial arts experience and could take me down," says Hoey.

"He did pull my hand into the car. I managed to free it, and in freeing it pulled some papers out from his passenger side seat and threw them on the sidewalk."

Hoey said the motorist then tried to drive his vehicle into him, before getting out of his car and twisting Hoey's arm behind his back.

That's when Hoey says a handful of witnesses pulled the motorist off of him, and police were called to investigate.

Police determined that both men were at fault, and that Hoey had allegedly tried to damage the driver's vehicle.

"This is an example of a cyclist and a driver of a car not seeing eye-to-eye on the rules of the road or what's happening on the roadway," said Sgt. Randy Fincham with the Vancouver Police Department.

"At this point, there are no charges being laid. We are still waiting for a couple witnesses to come forward to provide statements, but we think we have a pretty good idea of what happened in this event."

Photos and video posted online

A series of photos of the altercation popped up on Facebook in an album entitled "Please share- Violent assault on cyclist in Vancouver". The album has 25 photos and has been shared more than 400 times.

The photos are of the final moments of the incident, according to a police statement.

"This is unfortunate, as the photos appear to paint an incomplete picture of the event," reads the statement, adding investigators will look at the photographs as part of their investigation.

Personal injury lawyer David Hay says he has dealt with confrontations between cyclists and drivers "at almost every intersection in Vancouver" and, based on what he knows about this case, police should be laying charges.

"Someone's clearly been assaulted and I don't think provocation is a reason not to lay charges," says Hay.

"Charges ought to have been rendered. An assault is an assault, quite apart from whether it involves a cyclist."

Cyclists are not required to use bike lanes in Vancouver.

Hoey says he was using Georgia Street because it is "essentially impossible to make a left-hand turn without using the two pedestrian sidewalks from Hornby Street onto Dunsmuir."

He says he did, however, move into a bike lane once he was on Dunsmuir Street.

CBC News could not reach the motorist for comment because his identity has not been released.

The blog Vancity Buzz published a cellphone video of the incident on YouTube on Tuesday morning.

question: What did the police determine about the case?

answer: Police determined that both sides were at fault. While the driver did try to assault the cyclist, the cyclist also tried to damage the driver's vehicle. Police call this a case of both the driver and the cyclist not agreeing on the rules of the road.


text:
_THE SON OF THE RED CORSAIR_ (Italian: _IL FIGLIO DEL CORSARO ROSSO_) may refer to:

-   _The Son of the Red Corsair_ (novel), a 1908 novel by the Italian writer Emilio Salgari
-   _The Son of the Red Corsair_ (1921 film), an Italian silent adventure film directed by Vitale De Stefano
-   _The Son of the Red Corsair_ (1943 film), an Italian adventure film directed by Marco Elter
-   _The Son of the Red Corsair_ (1959 film), an Italian adventure film directed by Primo Zeglio

title: The Son of the Red Corsair

question: Who wrote the novel The Son of the Red Corsair?

answer: Emilio Salgari

question: How many films have been made based on the novel?

answer: Three films.

question: Who has directed the films?

answer: Vitale De Stefano, Marco Elter, and Primo Zeglio.

question: When was the book released?

answer: In 1908.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: A Wikipedia page about The Son of the Red Corsair, an Italian novel, and film.