text:
May 18, 2016

A deal between two main Iraqi Kurdish political parties, Gorran and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), is expected to increase tensions and lead to further fragmentation and destabilization of Iraqi Kurdistan’s political scene, at least in the short run, as it might trigger reactions from the major ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

The agreement signed May 17 by senior PUK and Gorran leaders in Sulaimaniyah comes after a year of political crisis in Iraqi Kurdistan sparked by unsuccessful Gorran-led attempts to unseat Massoud Barzani, the KDP leader and president of the autonomous region.

A governmental body known as the Kurdistan Consultative Council extended Barzani’s tenure in August 2015, a measure strongly protested by Gorran and a group of parliamentarians from different parties. As a result of mounting tensions and ensuing popular protests — which the KDP blamed on Gorran — KDP-affiliated security forces prevented Yusuf Mohammed Sadiq, the Gorran speaker of the Kurdish parliament, from entering Erbil on Oct. 12, 2015. The KDP also expelled Gorran ministers from the government without resorting to proper legal mechanisms.

Against this backdrop and a severe estrangement of Gorran’s ties with the KDP, the former has struck a deal with the PUK in an attempt to form a strong front to challenge and counter KDP’s domination over Iraqi Kurdistan government and politics.

“Naturally, the KDP will most definitely feel vulnerable and will resist most concessions if not all,” Mohammed Shareef, a Kurdish affairs’ analyst, told Al-Monitor.

The deal, which sounds more like a collaborative reform proposal, states that the PUK and Gorran blocs are committed to forming an alliance in parliamentary and provincial council bodies.

It also paves the way for the two groups to run on joint lists in future elections if they choose to do so.

The two parties have also agreed that the Kurdish parliament should reconvene “without any preconditions,” a call that appears to challenge Barzani’s KDP. The KDP has repeatedly said that it supports the parliament to convene but that Sadiq should be replaced.

“The KDP will not accept any preconditions,” Roj Nuri Shaways, a member of the KDP’s political bureau, told reporters in Erbil April 16, signaling his party’s refusal to accept PUK and Gorran attempts for the parliament to resume its work with its former leadership.

Over the past seven years, the PUK has suffered from a considerable loss of votes as the party’s former deputy head, Nawshirwan Mustafa, parted ways with PUK leader Jalal Talabani and established Gorran.

The relations between the PUK and Gorran have been marked by dramatic ups and downs, with the PUK at one point suppressing with a firm hand a popular protest movement in early 2011 encouraged by Gorran. In 2014, Gorran replaced the PUK as KDP’s primary partner in Kurdistan’s ruling coalition. But Gorran’s insistence on setting limits for Barzani’s term as the president of the Kurdistan Region and the expulsion of Gorran's ministers and parliament speaker last October brought to an end the uneasy alliance between the two sides.

When Gorran leader Mustafa, after about eight months of absence from Iraqi Kurdistan, returned home from London in late April, many wondered what the veteran politician would do to restore the party’s strength and credibility.

The deal with the PUK negotiated in just a month appears to be Mustafa’s response to the KDP and a tacit acknowledgment that Gorran's stated method of bringing about change on its own by relying on popular pressure has failed.

While saying the deal is meant to further democracy in Kurdistan and not aimed at undermining the KDP, Shorish Haji, Gorran’s official spokesman, told Al-Monitor that some degree of “confrontation and struggle will be inevitable.”

Haji said, “We had to find a solution between settling political struggles through fighting or — given that the parliament has been frozen — we had to reach out to other parties that share our worldview and work together to find a way."

Kurdish groups have a long history of armed internal struggle with the PUK and KDP fighting a civil war for four years in the mid-1990s. Subsequently, the Kurdistan Region has been divided into two zones, and despite a joint government, the KDP and the PUK each maintains influence over its territory.

Gorran was in the opposition until 2014 and has presented itself as an anti-establishment party attacking both the PUK and KDP over corruption, family rule and weak governance. It is not clear if Gorran will tone down its anti-establishment rhetoric, especially vis-a-vis the PUK, after this agreement. In addition, some have been asking if the former opposition group is heading toward more of a family-dominated structure, as Mustafa is often seen these days alongside his close relatives when receiving foreign diplomats and local politicians.

Gorran’s major base of power and activity has been in Sulaimaniyah province and areas dominated by the PUK, causing instability in those areas as it sought to take on the local PUK-dominated administrations.

“We needed to have an agreement and stabilize our bilateral relations [with Gorran],” Farid Asasard, a member of the PUK Leadership Council and one of the main drafters of the agreement, told Al-Monitor.

Asasard said that Iraqi Kurdistan suffered from an internal power imbalance, and that his party’s deal with Gorran will restore balance vis-a-vis the KDP and its perceived hegemony over the Kurdish region in the recent years.

“We believe that when you have one strong and weak side this will not lead to stability and peace. Stability will emerge only between two strong sides,” Asasard said.

The KDP’s less than excited reaction to the news of the Gorran-PUK deal comes at a very sensitive juncture for the party, as Barzani is positioning himself as the leader of a possible push toward statehood.

The PUK-Gorran deal stipulates the two parties’ commitment to hold a referendum on independence in Iraqi Kurdistan but says it has to be approved by the parliament. But given chronic power rivalries between the KDP, PUK and Gorran leaders, it is not yet clear how the three parties will manage to transcend their differences and work together on such a crucial matter for Iraqi Kurds.

The deal seems to be a bitter pill for the KDP to easily swallow.

“The content of the agreement shows there is some sort of preparation to create problems in [Iraqi] Kurdistan,” Saro Qadir, a former senior KDP official who is still considered close to the higher echelons of the party, told Al-Monitor.

“If they choose to confront Barzani, the KDP will have its own say. Just as Barzani did not allow Gorran to disrupt the situation, he will not allow a Gorran alliance [with the PUK] to disrupt the situation,” Qadir said.

The PUK-Gorran deal comes at the time of the centennial of the Sykes-Picot agreement signed by two British and French officials at the end of World War I. Following the agreement, large parts of the Kurdish homeland was divided among Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

With the rise of the Islamic State (IS), the weakening of the Iraqi government and the raging chaos in Syria, Kurds are closer than they have ever been in the last century to build their own state. While ideally the PUK-Gorran deal might pave the way for broader power-sharing with the KDP, in reality it might have the unintended consequence of setting the stage for years of intense rivalries and enhancing the lines separating KDP's zone of influence from that of the PUK and Gorran.

“Both the fragile security situation as a result of the war with IS and the dysfunctional economic reality [in Iraqi Kurdistan] render the situation far too profound and the whole Kurdish enterprise too vulnerable to allow for any irresponsible behavior to manifest itself in the further fragmentation of the Kurdish body politic,” Shareef said.

question: What are the two main Iraqi Kurdish political parties named?

answer: Gorran and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

question: Who did the KDP-affiliated security forces prevent from entering Erbil?

answer: Yusuf Mohammed Sadiq

question: What has the PUK suffered from the past seven years?

answer: A considerable loss of votes

question: What happened in 2014 with the political parties?

answer: Gorran replaced PUK as KDP's primary partner in Kurdistan's ruling coalition.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This excerpt describes the intricate political history and connections of the two main Iraqi Kurdish political parties: Gorran and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.


split: train

text:
Hey everyone! I posted this to r/writing the other day, but I felt like this is a better sub for it. I didn't like the title, so I changed it before posting it here, and I also made a few minor changes. Anyways, I hope it is enjoyed! Thanks for reading! I love you all! If you have any feedback, please share.

----

"Woah! Woah! Woah! Here we go! Here we go!" We keep saying to each other. It is July Fourth, America's birthday, and Eagle and I are honoring her in our young, and hopeful-naive way.

We lay down under a tree. Staring off and up, and the entire world begins to feel like it is moving around me - like being at the center of a great merry-go-round. My eyes cannot hold in all the light. I am at the bottom of the entire world. This tree I am beneath, it blurs and dances with aliveness. It feel like forever, and finally I say to Eagle: Let's go walking. He agrees with a childly, benevolent grin.

We walk through the park and along the river. The way the river can move is not possible to tell of with words; but believe me, it is magic. The sun is a crazy yellow-gold ball of fire. It can be no more than a hundred yards away. The air is warm and soft, made of a hundred million pastel colors compounding together in a heavenly glory. "Look at that! Oh wow, would you look at that!" I say, and Eagle says "We know God because we are God!" And I think I agreed. We were crazy with real truth and conviction, but we had neither.

It was too much, the entire world - with all of it's madness and love and humor, trying to squeeze all together into my head. I just couldn't take it all in. I thought I was going to die. Eagle and I discussed responsibility as parently as we could, and it was decided that we absolutely must find a mission. We made ourselves into make believe soldiers, struggling out of the imaginary bush and to safety: anywhere but here.

With our heads full of color and exploding sound, we scramble across the park. We are continuing up the river and I see her. She is the girl I have been looking for my entire life. Beautiful almond hair, on fire, resting on olive shoulders. We make eye contact and time stops! We look right into each other. Her bright green eyes shine with beautiful tears. In that infinite moment it all happens, I love her, we plan to love each other forever, and then it all ends. It all moved in some Einsteinian way: impossibly fast; stretching on forever.

In this great America, on her esteemed birthday, it was somehow possible to sail through her glorious history, high on her greatest enemy. We were goners. The whole entire world was just a giant sandbox to Eagle and me.

Fireworks are going off overhead as we walk down an alley, directly from the canvas of a Normal Rockwell painting. The sun has just set and the sky has faded to a dark silvery blue in the East. The sky is lit up everywhere. Everything is chaos, absolute chaos. It is some how though, that I know I am safe. It is beautiful. It all has to happen: I sincerely feel this way. I tell this to Eagle, and feel like he understands, but he just nods in utter pensivity. We are almost there when Eagle turns to me, a glorious smile cracking across his face, and says,

"This is it. This is all of it! Isn't it glorious!?"

title: The Light Splashing Against Our Eyes

question: Where is the narrator?

answer: The narrator is in a park.

question: Who is the girl that the narrator is looking for?

answer: The girl is a stranger that the narrator sees at the park.

question: Why does the narrator think they are going to die?

answer: This is hyperbole, as the narrator and their friend seem to be playing make-believe.

question: What are they celebrating?

answer: They are celebrating the Fourth of July.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator and their friend Eagle are in a park for the Fourth of July. The narrator notices a beautiful girl. They enjoy the fireworks.


text:
The rubber of my sole had its first chance to meet my un-hemmed pant leg . On the floor, I was happy to know that I had been the last person to leave the school, preserving an unrivaled passivity. I stood myself up and I wiped the dust from my pants. The dust dried and ruled out any comfortability my hands had had left. In frustration, I laid myself back on to the ground for no apparent reason other than the feeling that I felt I needed to.

I stared directly at the floor in a surprising lack of artificial lighting and an illumination of near-night. I picked my head up to glance at the room I had begun my day in. A day in which I was now in the process of ending. I groaned audibly. The floor's generosity showed me how tired I had really been, much like an unsettling mattress. I picked myself up for a second time but promptly collapsed from exhaustion. My head once again faced the former room, triggering a thought. Sitting five rows back in the farthest left left could be, far away from a window and far away from anyone I had known "Why are you always laughing?" said James Wilten possibly intrigued from the front of his classroom. I had reason to my laughter.

Laughing at his funnily unkempt haircut and luminary wit was my probable but uncertain reason. He scratched his head in a sudden jerk of possible amusement and continued to survey the nearly consumed classroom with a rather rare objection to small talk, curiosity, and the humanity in his professionalism.

I had known Mr. Wilten as a beautifully professional individual with an exemplary way of running a classroom. His young, red, hair abundant face was accentuated by a gut that protruded from a checkered shirt and an unbalanced tie. These things made effort to tell me that he had not been the way he was for very long. My other teachers, Gerchek, Waits, Frota had all passed middle age with familial figures. Ones that clumsily taught young children how to ride bikes or ones that had questioned themselves and later forgot that they had. They were jewels of the age that sat quietly behind a privately situated desk. Instead, they weren't confined to their familiar positions as I had previously believed. Instead a face not 8 years older than I was, stood. A strangely confident coming-of-age story eyed me down, inadvertently.

title: [RF] A Professional

question: What is this story about?

answer: A teacher who is still young.

question: How does the narrator know the teacher is still green?

answer: The way he dresses.

question: Where is the narrator when the story begins?

answer: On the floor.

question: What does the main character do in their seat in the back of the class?

answer: Laugh.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This story is about a student in a school who laughs at their young teacher who is still green.


text:
ANNELIESE SCHÖNNENBECK was a German film editor.[1] She was married to fellow editor Helmuth Schönnenbeck.

Selected filmography

-   _Große Freiheit Nr. 7_ (1944)
-   _Tell the Truth_ (1946)
-   _And If We Should Meet Again_ (1947)
-   _Blocked Signals_ (1948)
-   _The Trip to Marrakesh_ (1949)
-   _King for One Night_ (1950)
-   _The Disturbed Wedding Night_ (1950)
-   _Love on Ice_ (1950)
-   _My Friend the Thief_ (1951)
-   _Poison in the Zoo_ (1952)
-   _Young Heart Full of Love_ (1953)
-   _Scandal at the Girls' School_ (1953)
-   _Salto Mortale_ (1953)
-   _Portrait of an Unknown Woman_ (1954)
-   _Hungarian Rhapsody_ (1954)
-   _Sky Without Stars_ (1955)
-   _If We All Were Angels_ (1956)
-   _Love from Paris_ (1957)
-   _Two Bavarians in the Jungle_ (1957)
-   _A Song Goes Round the World_ (1958)
-   _Labyrinth_ (1959)
-   _The Hero of My Dreams_ (1960)
-   _Agatha, Stop That Murdering!_ (1960)

[1] Directory of World Cinema: Germany p.284

title: Anneliese Schönnenbeck

question: Who was Anneliese married to?

answer: Anneliese was married to a film editor, Helmuth Schonnenbeck.

question: Which film did she edit in 1949?

answer: The Trip to Marrakesh.

question: Which film industry was she affiliated with?

answer: The German film industry.

question: Which was the first movie she edited?

answer: It may be implied that the first movie she edited was Große Freiheit Nr. 7.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer:
Anneliese Schönnenbeck was a German film editor. She was married to Helmuth Schönnenbeck, a fellow film editor.

A few of the movies she has edited are - Große Freiheit Nr. 7, A Trip to Marrakesh, If We All Were Angles, and Poison in the Zoo.


text:
As I made my way through the backstreets of the town, I could feel my heart thumping. My hands where clammy and sweaty, yet I was bitterly cold. I was taking my time as I wasn’t quite sure where I was headed too. My hands became shaky, I took the last few puffs of my cigarette until I felt the sharp sting of the hot embers approaching my lips. I sighed and stomped the butt out on the pavement. Rain water was seeping in through holes in my boots, I started to lose the feeling in my toes, my legs became weak and the joints in my knees where seizing to a halt. I sat on the next bench I came across, just outside a small café. It was just a little past Ten O’clock in the evening, the last few customers in the café were finishing their drinks and preparing to face the howling wind I was desperate to find shelter from. I dug deep in my pockets, some change rattled and clanged against my tobacco tin. I pulled out a handful, a fifty pence coin peeked out from amongst the coppers, I counted up my coppers and rose to my feet.

As I pushed open the cafes door, a warm rush of air raced past my face and escaped behind me. I slinked up to the counter, and began to read the menu. My tired eyes scanned the board searching for a price to match the coins I clasped to. Nothing, It was inevitable anyway, I was just glad for the warmth. As I turned to leave a soft voice came from behind me “Cup of tea dearie?”
I looked behind me and was met by the face of a hard life, the voices owner was an old frail looking woman, her eyes heavy from years of work yet she had the sort of endearing smile that warms the heart.
“H-how much” I stuttered quietly”.
“Whatever you want poppet” the woman moved behind the counter and gestured to a charity box.
“For the wee babies in Africa” she crooned.
“I wasn’t aware this café was for charity” I smiled politely
“It isn’t dearie” She cackled as she poured the boiling water into a mug, she tapped the spoon on the handle and threw a few lumps of sugar into the warm mixture. “On the house” she smiled and disappeared into the kitchen. I took the mug from the counter and deposited a few coins in the box.

I made myself comfortable on the faux leather chairs placed against the back wall, I was far enough out of the way yet I could still smell the sweetness coming from the cafes bakery cabinet. My stomach howled and I grasped my tummy in pain. I hadn’t ate in a few days and the pains were only getting worse. I had been surviving on the last few pieces of gum that were collecting debris at the depths of my jackets pockets. Occasionally I would find a half-eaten sandwich on the park benches at lunch, left over from the busy workers rushing back to their offices. But as it was a Sunday evening I had been given no such prize this afternoon. The lady reappeared holding a small bag.
“We’re closing up now poppet” She thrust the paper bag into my hands “On your way now”.
I nodded and thanked her for her kindness, as I left, just as the warm air had greeted me upon entering, the cold greeted me too, it enveloped my body and slowly all the warmth I had built up in the café dispersed.

I made my way towards the bus shelter. It was quite and enclosed, there would be some shelter from the elements there. I found a quite spot in the door way and nestled into the corner. I gently opened the little brown package the old woman had trust into my hands before I had left the café. The smell of fish assaulted my nose, I peeked inside and was greeted by the sight of a tasty dinner. Tuna and sweetcorn, a meal for I queen I thought. I ate half, leaving some for the morning’s stomach pangs. Fumbling through my pack back I pulled out a few hats and another scarf, the night would be harsh. I unravelled my mousy brown hair, the tips dyed with a pink hue. Pulling my hats on, I tucked my hair into the scarf and zipped myself up till I could taste the metal in my mouth. Curling into a tight ball, I rested my head on my backpack and closed my eyes. As I lay there, cold and silent, the sounds of the city ushered me to sleep.

End.

Just looking for some feedback :)

title: City sleeper. (792 words)

question: Summarize the negative moments.

answer: The narrator is seemingly homeless, and this leaves them vulnerable to the bitter cold outside. With their worn shoes, rain water seeps into them and they lose feeling in their toes and legs. They haven't eaten in a few days, surviving on pieces of gum, and it causes their stomach to be in pain. After the finds shelter in a café, they're sent back out into the cold.

question: What does the story say about kindness?

answer: The homeless narrator finds kindness in a café worker. She seems to take notice of their plight, and gives them a cup of tea on the house. The narrator thanks her for her kindness. In a further act of kindness, the worker gives the narrator a brown paper bag with a tuna sandwich.

question: What does the story seem to say about homelessness?

answer: The narrator is seemingly homeless and freezing, as they don't have anywhere to stay. They're painfully hungry, and their shoes are so worn that rain water seeps in. A café worker gives them food because the narrator doesn't have enough change. The narrator only eats half because they know they will have to save it for their morning hunger pangs. They face the very cold weather in a bus shelter, where the sounds of the city lull them to sleep.

question: What does the text say about homeless shelters?


text: He woke. It was a breathless waking, the kind where you slam your own bed as if rushing to the ground. He had hardly blinked away the heaviness in his eyes when he noticed. Something was wrong, different, unsettling, his room seemed, brighter. It wasn’t a comforting light, it seemed to vibrate from everything, as if all objects had a new glean. He took the whole feeling as a shuddering, a resonating chill lasting only moments. Curling his fingers over the edge of his bed he swung himself across the lip of the sheets. His feet touched the ground and the tactile sensation of the carpet caused him to shift uncomfortably. For the first time he was conscious of the fibers, the rough spun cotton flowing underfoot. He thought he might be able to count them all, every strand, and find them all to his liking. He found this unnerving. Straining his eyes the room came into focus, his vision was acute and the details washed over him in waves. The colors were deeper and the patterns more noticeable. This made him realize everything about his immediate surroundings. The four corners, arched ceiling, tissue box, miss matched curtains, everything, all of it, appeared flawless. Nothing had moved, nothing had changed, it was simply right. It was in its place. It was at home. All except the door. It was the same. The familiar had a new temptation, a magnetism, a undeniable pull. The door was already cracked, shadows slipping in from around the frame. The dark ruff cut wood, bronzed hinges and dented knob stood in flushed contrast to the perfection surrounding it. He rose, pushed off the bed, stepped towards the doorway and reached out tentatively. He clutched the handle, it felt slightly chilled, as if it hadn't been turned in a generation. He stood there, preparing to breach, wondering why he would pause. Feet shoulder width apart, sideways to the door, he surveyed the room with a last calculating gaze. Suddenly, in a lapse of time without thought, he gave a sharp pull, strode into the darkness, and fell.

title: Never wrote before, thought i needed a new hobby, whipped this together today!

question: Where is the main character?

answer: The main character seems to be in a bedroom.

question: What is happening to the main character?

answer: The main character is waking up.

question: What sensation does the main character feel on the floor?

answer: The main character feels the carpet on the floor.

question: What happens to the character at the end of the scene?

answer: The character walks out of the door of the room.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The main character wakes up and exits his room.


text:
[The park in 2010.] The CHEDDI JAGAN BIO DIVERSITY PARK is a Guyanese park that was established in 2001 in memory of patriot and national hero Dr. Cheddi Jagan by Isahak Basir CCH.
It is located on a historical site created by slaves in the period of the 18th century and also a symbol of action that lead to the final closure of Hampton Court Estate in 1943, being the last of the 34 sugar mills in Essequibo.

History - September 2001

The Dr. Cheddi Jagan Bio Diversity Park was identified in September 2001 and officially opened on March 23, 2002[1] by Minister Clement Rohee M.P., Ally Baksh - Regional Chairman, Vishnu Samaroo - Vice Chairman and Sabra Basir A.A. The idea of identifying an appropriate park consistent with Dr. Cheddi Jagan's concept and likeness and love for nature came from Isahak Basir C.C.H. a personality who has had forty years of very close political relations with the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Hence the “Lima Sands” located in Essequibo, Region 2, Guyana, South America, was identified. The park is consistently filled with a variety of flora, fauna and subordinating savannahs - access is by road, west of Anna Regina, parallel to the Tapacooma Main Canals.

History

The entire sea coast from the Corentyne to the Barima River in the North West District was occupied by rivals, such as the Spaniards, French and the Dutch, even though the Dutch paid for their final occupation. The Essequibo Coast was no exception; from Supenaam to Better Success each estate owner had his own landing, police and control system. Cotton, coffee and sugar dominated the production, with thirty four sugar mills on the Essequibo Coast lands.

The areas between Reliance and Paradise were dependent on water supply from Tapacooma Lake, which main supply canal was under the control of the Dutch planters of the Anna Regina estate. The stealing of slaves and denial of irrigation was always rebellious situation, consistent with that of the 1763 uprising in Berbice.

The Plutocracy from Richmond to Paradise consisting of eleven estate owners decided in 1788 to engage about 150 slaves to dig a canal North West of the Tapacooma Lake landing to the back of Lima estate, so as to avoid the high charges and sabotage of water supply from Anna Regina owners and slave masters. This effort was met with armed opposition that forced the location of the canal further inland. However the canal was completed about eight miles cutting the Lima Sands. A wooden koker structure, built in the 1920 is still noticeable. The Lima Sands were an escape route for runaway slaves, who were easily captured by Amerindian in the Dredge creek water way, now known as 'Manicuri' Canal.

The word 'Manicuri' is of Locono origin, means “hiding place”. The British who took control in 1810 and in 1860 period brought mules and bisons to help in the sugar plantation. Lima Sand became a heaven for escaped bisons, some eventually migrated to Troolie Island and one Sernauth Ally killed the last Bison in 1954 in Danielstown.

The three counties, Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, were merged in 1831 under British occupation, to create British Guyana but each county had their elected representative in control.

By mid 1920, the main contestants for the Demerara court of policy, from Essequibo were Dodds of affiance, Seymour of Reliance and Brashington of Hampton Court. It was a heated election in 1928 and Brashington lost the majority. He became enraged and immediately closed down the Hampton Court estate saying, “Essequibo coolie must perish and wear jute bags for clothing”.

He damaged many infrastructures, broke down many logies and destroyed one of the most beautiful chimneys build by the Dutch in Hampton Court. His final assault was to damage a “waterwheel” which prevented Hampton Court from flooding and instructed his remaining disciples to pull a huge “iron cane punt” and block the supply canal of lima that led to the Tapacooma Lake and one that led to the Anna Regina hinterland. The iron punts can still be located about 500 meters west of Lima Sands submerged under savannah's vegetation.

The Marsh Plan promulgated in 1957 by the PPP Government resulted in the construction of the major Tapakuma project and was commissioned in 1963 by Sir Ralph Grey and Premier Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

The Cheddi Jagan Bio Diversity Park was established to preserve the memory of teacher and leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan. The Cheddi Jagan Bio Diversity Park was enriched with the “ashes” of a young schoolteacher P.Y.O members Balram Khanhai[2] which was placed in a cornerstone. Balram Khanhai was murdered at the P.P.P. 27th Congress held in Berbice on July 22, 2002.[3]

[1]

[2]

[3]

title: Cheddi Jagan Bio Diversity Park

question: What does the passage say about the Spanish occupation of Guyana?

question: Summarize what the passage says about Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

answer: Dr. Cheddi Jagan was a well-known teacher and leader the Guyanese biodiversity park was named after. He was a national hero, a patriot, and loved nature. Dr. Jagan was the Premier who commissioned the Tapakuma project with Sir Ralph Grey in 1963.

question: What does the passage say about Brashington's actions when he lost the election in 1928?

answer: Brashington became enraged and immediately closed down Hampton Court. He damaged and destroyed infrastructure, including a beautiful chimney built by the Dutch. His final assault was to damage a waterwheel that prevented Hampton Court from flooding.


text:
This repo contains R scripts that constitute the elements of the machine learning pipeline for the ML experiments to tackle the supervised-learning regression problem to predict vine sales per https://inclass.kaggle.com/c/pred-411-2016-04-u3-wine/

R scripts were originally developed by George Vyshnya back in 2016 as the above-mentioned completion was active. The scripts were then slightly modified in 2017 to demonstrate the potential of building repeatable and reusable production-ready ML pipelines for R-based applications, using the prominent Data Version Control (DVC) application (https://dataversioncontrol.com/).

DVC is an open source tool for data science projects. It makes your data science projects reproducible by automatically building data dependency graph (DAG). Your code and the dependencies could be easily shared by Git, and data - through cloud storage (AWS S3, GCP) in a single DVC environment.

DVC is courtesy to Dmitry Petrov who is the principal developer and maintainer of DVC. He also developed the original tutorial (https://blog.dataversioncontrol.com/data-version-control-beta-release-iterative-machine-learning-a7faf7c8be67) to walk you through applying DVC to building a solid process and pipeline for Python-based ML projects.

While working on DVC pipeline for this project, the respective DVC tutorial for R-based projects was used. Such a tutorial (https://blog.dataversioncontrol.com/r-code-and-reproducible-model-development-with-dvc-1507a0e3687b) is courtesy to Marija Ilić.

NOTE: The materials of this repo are used as illustrations/playground in my blog post per https://blog.dataversioncontrol.com/ml-model-ensembling-with-fast-iterations-91e8cad6a9b5 as well.

In order to try the materials of this repo in your environment, the following pre-requisites should be installed on your machine

-   Python 3 runtime environment for your OS (it is required to run DVC commands in the batch files)
-   DVC itself (see https://dataversioncontrol.com/, Installation section on how to install DVC on your machine)
-   Latest version of R runtime environment
-   Latest version of git command-line client application

The technical challenges of building DVC-backed ML pipeline for this project were to meet business requirements below

-   Ability to conditionally trigger execution of 3 different ML prediction models
-   Ability to conditionally trigger model ensemble prediction based on predictions of those 3 individual models
-   Ability to specify weights of each of the individual model predictions in the ensemble

The next section below will explain how these challenges are addressed in the design of ML pipeline for this project.

ML pipeline for this project is presented in the diagram below

[https://github.com/gvyshnya/DVC_R_Ensemble/blob/master/logical_workflow.png]

As you can see, the essential implementation of the solution is as follows

-   _preprocessing.R_ handles all aspects of data manipulations and pre-processing (reading training and testing data sets, removing outliers, imputing NAs etc.) as well as storing refined training and testing set data as files to reuse by model scripts
-   3 model scripts implement training and forecasting algorithms for each of the models selected for this project (_LR.R, GBM.R, xgboost.R_)
-   _ensemble.R_ is responsible for the weighted ensemble prediction and the final output of the Kaggle submission file
-   _config.R_ is responsible for all of the conditional logic switches needed in the pipeline (it is included as a source to all of modelling and ensemble prediction scripts, to get this done)

You will find the following files and folders in this repo

-   _code_ folder contains R scripts used in this solution
-   _dvc.bat_ is a Windows bat file that implements DVC-based pipeline to orchestrate different steps of the ML pipeline for this project
-   _Readme.md_ – this readme document

Subsections below provide more details on every technical asset mentioned above.

R Script Files

_code_ folder with R script files contains the following elements

-   requirements.R
-   pre-processing.R
-   LR.R
-   GBM.R
-   xgboost.R
-   ensemble.R
-   config.R

The role and method of use of each of the R script files is described below.

requirements.R

This script will install necessary packages into your local R environment.

NOTES:

-   You will have to run this job only once in case you need to install packages that are used in this project
-   This file is not the part of the ML pipeline for this project technically – you can consider it to be your ‘installer’ for it, if you will

pre-processing.R

This file is responsible for several initial steps of the ML pipeline for this project

-   pre-processing of the initial training and testing data sets (imputation of NAs, elimination of outliers from the training set)
-   saving pre-processed training and testing data sets as new csv files for future re-use by ML models

NOTE: due to the nature of the data for this ML prediction competition, there was no need for additional feature engineering. Therefore there is no a dedicated pipeline steps managing it.

This script can be launched from a command line with the command as follows

Rscript --vanilla code/pre-processing.R "Str1" "Str2" "Str4" "Str4"

Where

-   _Str1_ - input file name for raw traing data csv (by default, the DVC pipeline script will download it to 'data/wine.csv' - see below)
-   _Str2_ - input file name for raw testing data csv (by default, the DVC pipeline script will download it to 'data/wine_test.csv' - see below)
-   _Str3_ - output file name for imputed training data csv (for example, 'data/train_imputed.csv')
-   _Str4_ - output file name for imputed testing data csv (for example, 'data/test_imputed.csv')

LR.R

This file implements the following capabilities

-   Train and fit the Linear Regression (LR) model for predictions
-   Predict test values on the test set, using the trained LR model
-   Output the prediction results as a Kaggle submission file of a format specified by the requirements to the completion per https://inclass.kaggle.com/c/pred-411-2016-04-u3-wine/

This script can be launched from a command line with the command as follows

Rscript --vanilla "code/LR.R" "Str1" "Str2" "Float1" "Int1" "Str3" code/config.R

Where

-   _Str1_ – relative path to the input file name for imputed training data csv (recommended default value: "_data/training_imputed.csv_") – such file is generated by _pre-processing.R_ on the earlier step of the ML pipeline
-   _Str2_ - input file name for imputed testing data csv (recommended default value: "data/testing_imputed.csv") – such file is generated by pre-processing.R on the earlier step of the ML pipeline
-   _Float1_ – the number (in 0..1 interval) to specify the split ratio of the training set on true training vs. validation parts (recommended value is 0.7)
-   _Int1_ – the integer value to set the value of seed, to ensure reproducible modelling results (it can be any non-negative integer number, for example 825)
-   _Str3_ – relative path to the result submission csv file (in a ready-for-Kaggle-upload format); recommended value is "_data/submission_LR.csv_"
-   _code/config.R_ - the configuration file of the solution in a format of R script module (please use _config.R_ provided)

NOTES:

-   Training and predictions are performed in "cluster-then-predict" framework since the observations in both the training and testing sets allow for clear clustering the data by a meaningful business factor (wines starred by experts and wines not starred by any of the experts)
-   Cross-validation efforts had been taken to tune the parameters of LR model itself as well as to prove cluster-then-predict setup yields better prediction accuracy vs. using the entire training and testing sets (however, the cross-validation scripts are not the parts of ML pipeline directly, and thus they are not the part of this repo)
-   Please make sure to specify the same name of the relative path to the result submission csv file for LR model in the ensemble setup section of _config.R_
-   Please refer below as for manual editing config.R to tweak the run-time parameters for the ML solution/pipeline

GBM.R

This file implements the following capabilities

-   Train and fit the GBM model for predictions
-   Predict test values on the (imputed) test set data, using the trained GBM model
-   Output the prediction results as a Kaggle submission file of a format specified by the requirements to the completion per https://inclass.kaggle.com/c/pred-411-2016-04-u3-wine/

This script can be launched from a command line with the command as follows

Rscript --vanilla code/GBM.R "Str1" "Str2" "Int1" "Int2" "Int3" "Int4" "Str3" code/config.R

Where

-   _Str1_ - input file name for imputed training data csv (for example, 'data/train_imputed.csv' - it should be located where preprocessing.R output it)
-   _Str2_ - input file name for imputed testing data csv (for example, 'data/test_imputed.csv' - it should be located where preprocessing.R output it)
-   _Int1_ - number of trees to generate in GBM search (integer)
-   _Int2_ - depth of GBM Search (integer)
-   _Int3_ - number of folds in the internal GBM cross-validation (integer)
-   _Int4_ - minimum number of observations in a bucket in order to make another tree split in GBM search (integer)
-   _Str3_ - output file name for the result submission csv file (in a ready-for-Kaggle-upload format), for example 'output/submission_gbm.csv'
-   the last parameter is the configuration file of the solution implemented as an R script (this is 'code/config.R' by default)

NOTES:

-   Training and predictions are performed in “cluster-then-predict” framework since the observations in both the training and testing sets allow for clear clustering the data by a meaningful business factor (wines starred by experts and wines not starred by any of the experts)
-   Cross-validation efforts had been taken to tune the parameters of GBM model itself as well as to prove cluster-then-predict setup yields better prediction accuracy vs. using the entire training and testing sets (however, the cross-validation scripts are not the parts of ML pipeline directly, and thus they are not the part of this repo)
-   Please refer below as for manual editing config.R to tweak the run-time parameters for the ML solution/pipeline
-   Please review http://www.inside-r.org/packages/cran/gbm/docs/gbm for more details on each of the GBM-specific int parameters above

xgboost.R

This file implements the following capabilities

-   Train and fit the xgboost model for predictions
-   Predict test values on the (imputed) test set data , using the trained xgboost model
-   Output the prediction results as a Kaggle submission file of a format specified by the requirements to the completion per https://inclass.kaggle.com/c/pred-411-2016-04-u3-wine/

This script can be launched from a command line with the command as follows

Rscript --vanilla code/GBM.R "Str1" "Str2" "Int1" "Int2" "Float1" "Float2" "Str3" code/config.R

Where

-   _Str1_ - input file name for imputed training data csv (for example, 'data/train_imputed.csv' - it should be located where preprocessing.R output it)
-   _Str2_ - input file name for imputed testing data csv (for example, 'data/test_imputed.csv' - it should be located where preprocessing.R output it)
-   _Int1_ - number of rounds in the xgboost search (integer)
-   _Int2_ - depth of search (integer)
-   _Float1_ - alpha, one of the linear booster-specific parameters (float)
-   _Float2_ - lambda, one of the linear boster-specific parameters (float)
-   _Str3_ - output file name for the result submission csv file (in a ready-for-Kaggle-upload format), for example 'output/submission_xgboost.csv'
-   the last parameter is the configuration file of the solution implemented as an R script (this is 'code/config.R' by default)

NOTES:

-   Training and predictions are performed in “cluster-then-predict” framework since the observations in both the training and testing sets allow for clear clustering the data by a meaningful business factor (wines starred by experts and wines not starred by any of the experts)
-   Cross-validation efforts had been taken to tune the parameters of xgboost model itself as well as to prove cluster-then-predict setup yields better prediction accuracy vs. using the entire training and testing sets (however, the cross-validation scripts are not the parts of ML pipeline directly, and thus they are not the part of this repo)
-   Please refer below as for manual editing config.R to tweak the run-time parameters for the ML solution/pipeline
-   Please review http://xgboost.readthedocs.io/en/latest/R-package/xgboostPresentation.html for more details on xgboost-specific parameters

ensemble.R

This script will utilize individual predictions saved by individual MLs in this project (LR, GBM, xgboost) to prepare ensemble submissions in a format of a Kaggle Submission file specified in requirements to https://inclass.kaggle.com/c/pred-411-2016-04-u3-wine/

_ensemble.R_ will rely on the configuration settings in _config.R_ on the conditional logic as for

-   Preparing ensemble submission (or not)
-   Specifying weights of every model prediction in the ensemble

This script can be launched from a command line with the command as follows

Rscript --vanilla code/ensemble.R "Str1" code/config.R

Where

-   _Str1_ - output file name for the result submission csv file (in a ready-for-Kaggle-upload format)
-   configuration file in R (setup of the ensemble implemented as R code module) - the default version provided in _code/config.R_

config.R

This file is not intended to run from a command line (unlike the rest of the R scripts in the project). It is de-facto a configuration file for entire solution (although the configuration itself is specified as R statements/variable assignments). This file is included as a source file to all of the other R scripts mentioned above. Thus the respective parameters (assigned as R variables) will be retrieved by the runnable scripts, and the conditional logic there will be triggered respectively.

DVC Batch File

This file is used to run the machine-learning pipeline for this project, using cabapilities of DVC (https://dataversioncontrol.com/)

question: What does this repo contain?

answer: R scripts that constitute the elements of the machine learning pipeline for the ML experiments to tackle the supervised-learning regression problem to predict vine sales.

question: Who originally developed R scripts back in 2016?

answer: George Vyshnya

question: What is DVC and who is its principal developer?

answer: DVC is an open-source tool for data science projects that makes projects deductible by automatically building a data dependency graph (DAG). Dmitry Petrov is the principal developer of DVC.

question: What process handles all aspects of data manipulation and pre-processing?

answer: preprocessing.R

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The author provides a repository of open-source tools, namely R scripts and DVC, for coders, developers, learners, or anyone who wants to run Machine Learning (ML) experiments on their computers. He also states the pre-requisites that should be installed on the machine and the technical challenges of building a DVC-backed ML pipeline.


text:
Tuesday's parting with longtime general manager Jeff Ireland has opened up the franchise to rethink the operation for the first time in half a decade. At first blush, we see two options -- one safe, one perilous -- for the team's current head coach:

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that owner Stephen Ross and his team will conduct an immediate search for "new leadership." The Dolphins plan to leave vice president of football administration Dawn Aponte in charge for the time being. If Aponte remains in that top spot and Brian Gaine, Ireland's top assistant, is made the next GM, Philbin can breathe a sigh of relief -- for now.

Aponte and the coach have worked well together, and her permanent promotion would suggest that Ross is satisfied by weeding Ireland out of the equation over rebooting the machine.

NFL Media's Jeff Darlington noted that it "seems very reasonable" that Gaine will be retained. If nothing else, that would allow Philbin to plead his case before a cast of characters who see the team-building process in a similar light and believe in Philbin's vision.

If Ross hires a GM from outside the organization, Philbin's long-term future is shaky at best.

He's almost certainly safe for next season after agreeing to have his friend and former offensive coordinator, Mike Sherman, scattered to the wind. From there, it's anyone's guess.

On top of likely flushing the organization of front office decision-makers and countless scouts, a newly appointed GM will want the power to pick his own coach. Assuming Philbin is given a one-year shot to prove himself, we can imagine more than a few late night phone calls with Rex Ryan, who's been down this road before.

Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald named Eric Mangini, Scott Pioli, Carl Peterson and even Mike Tannenbaum as potential candidates to take over. None of those men are wilting flowers. Philbin would be forced to win over a GM likely to blow up a roster that Ross -- and Philbin -- pieced together.

A new general manager almost always means a new coach. If Miami travels this second road, Philbin's short run in South Beach is on the hot seat.

question: Who is Jeff Ireland?

answer: Jeff Ireland was longtime general manager who has parted with the Miami Dolphins.

question: What does Ireland's departure mean for the team?

answer: The departure paves the way for a possible organization restructure.

question: Who will be take charge temporarily in Ireland's absence?

answer: VP Dawn Aponte will take charge.

question: Explain why Coach Philbin's future is shaky.

answer: A new general manager almost always means a new coach.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer:
Miami Dolphins' GM Jeff Ireland has parted with the team allowing the franchise to rethink its operation.
Owner Stephen Ross announced the team would search for new leadership and temporarily appoint VP Dawn Aponte in charge.
A new general manager puts Coach Philbin on the hot seat since a new GM almost always means a new coach.


text:
I don't remember the first time I met her, but it was in some kind of abstract kind of way. The colours around us were always loose and steady, mad colours that no one had ever heard of or seen.
Connie and I were both mad you see. We were both seeing psychiatrists, both once a week.

'How have you been the past week? The psychiatrist would say

'Not bad' I would always say. I would very rarely say how bad I'd been feeling.

'And what have you been up to?'

'Nothing much'

'Shall we go over what we talked about last week?'

'Yes, if you want'

Sometimes talking about things made everything worse, a lot of the time I'd come out feeling more depressed than before I came in.
It would go much the same for Connie except she would be much more honest about things.

'Have you been up to much over the past week'

'Yes, a lot' Connie would say 'I've fucked two men since I last saw you'. And the
Psychiatrist's face would be in a kind of shock for a while.

'And anything else?'

'Yes, I've also fucked two women.'

'Oh, my. All that in the last week'

'Yes'

Connie and I spoke nearly every day. We'd fall out quite often and it was usually over something that I did. Mostly not turning up to places that I'd say I was turning up to. Her brother was an alcoholic and I knew him through a friend who he lived in a flat with and he was managing the band I was in at the time. He promised us fame and glory but in the end he turned out to be liar.
Connie's parents were nice people. Her mother was an English teacher and her father was a blues musician.
When I was a gigging musician her father played with us and helped with gigs. He is a very fine musician. The last time I spoke to him he asked If I was still playing music and still with the band?

'No, not anymore' I said

'Why not?

'Musical differences'

'Yes, that happens a lot.'

It was my birthday and Connie was putting on a birthday party for me at her home. She had two kids and a now a dog. Which was a beagle named Gatsby. The first time I met Gatsby I knocked on Connie's front door and she opened it and Gatsby ran out into the road while a car was coming and I ran out into the road and saved him. He tried to bite me after it all. But after that all he does is lick me and give me affection.

The birthday party was on a Saturday. It was originally meant to be on a Monday, then a Tuesday, then a Friday and finally we settled on a Saturday. The reason for all this being a certain person could only make it on a Saturday. Her name was Caitlin and she was a beauty.
She had long dark hair and a body that danced beneath the tide. Connie and Caitlin didn't get on and Connie didn't really want Caitlin at the party but she said it was OK as it's my Birthday.
Connie thought Caitlin was jealous of her because She spent so much time with me and Caitlin was in love with me and she couldn't handle it.

'She's in deep with you, you know' Connie said

'No, she's not'

'Yes, she is. She fucking wants your babies!'

'Oh, God please. Don't be silly'

Connie was on the brink on being an alcoholic and she would say the same of me. I bought mostly whiskey for the birthday party and two crates of beer. We both drank a lot and some would say too much.
There were a few more people attending the party. Mostly girls and one boy and in the end he never turned up.
I arrived at the party at 6 in the evening. It was a sunny day with a slight wind blowing in the distance. It felt soothing on your face. There was only one other person who was there at that time, her name was lotte.

'Hello' she said

'Hey, how long have you been here?' I asked

'Oh, not long. About 20 minutes'

'I see. And what you drinking then?'

'Cider. What about you?'

'Whiskey and beer'

'Manly drinks then'

Yes, I suppose you could say that.'

Connie was busy with her kids. Giving them their supper and getting the younger one ready for bed.
I sat in a chair silently looking around the room. The TV was on. It was some children's programme.
I had my eye on a fly flying about. It flew on the window and then the curtain and then finally landed on the TV which is where it stayed for the remainder of the night. I was waiting on Caitlin mostly. I was looking forward to seeing her.

'When is Caitlin getting here?' Connie asked

'She said 8 o clock to me'

'What time is it now?'

'7:15'. I'm meeting her at the bus station at 8'

Nothing much happened in the next 45 minutes apart from some very small small talk. By then I had had about 3 bottles of beer and Lotte had drank half a bottle of cider and Connie was already drunk.

'I'm off to meet Caitlin' I said

I arrived at the bus stop on time and Caitlin had not yet arrived. It was now rather cold and the sun had gone into hiding. The breeze was cold against my face. Not long the moon was about to make an appearance. I looked up to the sky thinking about things and I felt an empty feeling inside me. I don't know why but my heart heard the dancing of the soul and could not dance to the same rhythm and I felt lost.
It was now 8:25 and Caitlin had not yet arrived. I tried to ring her and there was no answer. I looked up at the sky some more and pondered the world and after pondering the world for another 35 minutes and I gave up and went back to Connie's.

'Where's Caitlin?' Connie asked

'Don't think she's turning up'

'I'm rather glad really'

'Yes. We shall drink the wine I bought for her'

We opened the bottle of wine and drank it from the bottle.

'We're all mad here, you know' said Connie

'What do you mean? I asked

'Lotte is one of us'

'Oh, is she?'

'Yes, she is'

And Lotte smiled splendidly at the situation and became drunk rather quickly. We went into the garden as it turned dark and laughed at the stars while sitting down in the long grass.

'Yes, we're all mad here' we all said

The party was a boring one and we were all home by midnight.

title: A birthday party

question: Who are the main characters of the story?

answer: The male narrator (unnamed), Connie

question: Who's Caitlin?

answer: The narrator's love interest.

question: Who said that they're all mad?

answer: Connie and the narrator say (or think) they're both mad because they both see psychiatrists once a week.

question: Where does the story take place?

answer: That information can’t be found.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator and his friend, Connie, both think they're mad because they both see a psychiatrist once a week. They're close, but not really a couple and speak almost every day. Connie, now a mom of two kids, arranges a birthday party for the narrator but doesn't want to invite Caitlin, the narrator's love interest whom she thinks is jealous of her. Caitlin bails out on the narrator on his birthday, so he and Connie end up drinking with another guest, Lotte, who Connie says is mad like them.


text:
The Argentina captain missed a chance to take victory for his nation, but he has the backing of one of the Albiceleste's heroes

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has leapt to Lionel Messi's defence after seeing the star err from the penalty spot against Iceland.

With Saturday's World Cup Group D opener poised at 1-1, Messi had the chance to restore Argentina's advantage when Maxi Meza was shoved in the area.

Iceland's goalkeeper and part-time film director Hannes Halldorsson, however, had other ideas, keeping out the penalty with a strong save to ensure a share of the points.

But Maradona pointed out that even the best players can make mistakes from 12 yards out - including himself.

"I missed five penalties in a row and I was still Diego Armando Maradona," the 1986 World Cup winner explained to _Telesur_.

Click to expand
"The game and the two points lost by the team are not down to his penalty.

"He showed his face and gave everything he had to give. The 'kid' did his duty.

"Seeing him on the field, he was pretty pissed off. Just like I would have been. It was all him, he always had to shrug two players off and when he did, there was no pass open."

Maradona has focused criticism on coach Jorge Sampaoli, whom he believes should not return to Argentina if the team continues to struggle.

Show Player

But the colourful former Albiceleste boss nevertheless believes that his nation can turn things around - with a bit of help from up above.

"Whether you win, lose or draw, it is always 11 players on the pitch. But you have to see how you win, lose and draw," he added.

"We are closer to losing the coming games. We are in big trouble, but we still believe in God and that we can improve. I hope the lads get better."

question: Who is the Argentinian football captain?

answer: Lionel Messi

question: What did Lionel Messi do in the game against Iceland?

answer: He missed a penalty and, by doing that, his team failed to pull ahead. The game ended in a draw 1-1.

question: How did Diego Maradona defend Messi?

answer: He said that he himself missed 5 penalties in a row and that he was still Diego Armando Maradona.

question: What alternate explanation of Argentina's loss did Maradona give?

answer: He said that the coach, Jorge Sampaoli, is to blame and that he should not return to Argentina if the team continues to struggle.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Diego Maradona came to the defense of Lionel Messi after Messi missed a penalty and the Argentinian team drew with Iceland. He says that he himself missed 5 penalties in a row. He also says the coach might be to blame.


text:
This story starts off at ground zero on the day of me hitting rock bottom. I had burned all my bridges, with nowhere to go, no one to call and I began to realize that I had no one to blame.
There was one friend who I believed would help me if I asked him, so I jumped into my car and raced over to his house.
He lives across town in an upper-class community and his house is immaculate inside and out. I'm so jealous of his house and of how much he puts into it. His house is big, beautiful and well-kept and I would never derserve to own or live in a house like that.
I pulled up to the curb of my friend's house and saw him outside watering his amazing lawn. I honked my horn and rolled down my window and yelled to my friend: "God...!" (My friends name is God) "God, I need your help, I messed up real bad!"
My friend dropped the garden hose and ran over to my car and said: "Brian, I knew something like this was going to happen, of course I will help you, slide over, I'm going to drive."
"Um....what?" I said: "No, no.... you don't need to drive God, I got it! I'm already here, just come around to the other side and get in."
God smiled at me and said: "Brian, I love you. I want to help you..... I'm going to help you, but in order for that to happen, you have to let me drive. I have a place I would like to take you, someplace safe."
Well I got angry as I replied: "Safe? Safe! Look God, I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm going through withdrawl, I'm bitter and resentful, and I'm mad at the whole wide world! I don't think you understand what I need from you. See God, I need you to come with me to my home and I need you to change the mind of my spouse. Make them look at me with those adoring eyes again. Make them overlook my frequent infidelities and lack of comittment. And if I'm late coming home some nights, or even just don't make it home at all, mane that ok with them too. Maked them stop nagging about my smoking, drinking and drug use. Give them the strength and desire to love me more and more each day in spite of what I do or say. Then I want to take you to each of my friend's, and I need you to change their hearts about me also. Then we need to go and see my boss, and he needs to learn to overlook the sloppiness of my reports, accept the work hours that I select that work best for me. Then I need you to show me how to get all the euphoria out of getting high but without all of the psychosis, paranoia and negative consequences. I need you God to keep everyone off my back and keep my life together. So seriously God, please get in! We have a lot to do, a lot of stops to make and I'm tired. I want to be home and in bed within the hour....!"
"Oh B!....." (My friend God calls me "B" sometimes) "Oh B! That's quite a plan. We could do that, but I tell you what, let me take you some place you can rest a while and later we can talk about all that other.........'stuff'. You have to trust me on this B, the only decision that I am asking you to make is to just slide over and let me drive. Can you at least just trust me that much?"
And so I went out on faith, but mostly because I was so tired, I let my friend God drive.
A short time later, we pulled up to the Midnight Mission and we got out of the car.
"What is this place?" I asked God, and he put his hands on my shoulders, looked me dead in the eyes and said:
"This is my house Brian; I want you to stay with me for a little while. Here you can heal your wounds and let go of the hurt and pain. We will spend each day getting to know each other and you will make some lifelong friendships with other guests that I have staying here. You will transform from a taker to a giver and your heart will be full always. You will learn how to smile and laugh, and at times you will cry, especially when you realize just how much you don't deserve any of this. You will fall in love with me and I will be your first manogamous relationship. Your strength will be forged out of fire and tested, and I will prepare you to do great and amazing things in my name. You will bring lost people to me by telling them what I did for you when no one else would even look at you. I will remove from you the desire to smoke, drink and do drugs, and in time you will even surrender to me those things you think I don't know you secretly lust for. You will be on time and your word will be more reliable than any contract. The whole world will know your name and you will tell them all about me, and that's merely the beginning. So what do you say B? Will you stay with me?"
Well how could I say no to that offer? I said: "Yes!"
"Great, you just made the best decision of your life, now go through those doors and ask for Jackie Breland, and tell him that I sent you, and remember to call on me for whatever you need. I love you so much Brian, and I will see you soon."
Then my friend God gave me a huge hug and started to walk away.
"Wait God! I have a question.....If THIS is your house, then who's big, beautiful, well-kept house was that where I picked you up?" I asked.
God just looked at me and smiled and said: "That's your house B, I've been taking really good care of it for you until you are able to receive it, and that's just one of the many gifts I have for you my friend!"
The End

By: Brian D. Baltimore

title: God's House

question: What does the text say about the narrator?

answer: The narrator says they have hit rock bottom at the start of the story. They go to God and tell them that they are hungry, going through withdrawal, and are bitter, resentful, and mad at the whole world. The narrator indicates that they have cheated on their spouse and frequently smoke, drink, and use drugs. The narrator is very demanding of God, and seems to want to control everyone else in their life.


text:
The 1955 CANADA CUP took place June 9–12 at the Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a suburb northwest of Washington, D.C., United States. It was the third Canada Cup event, which became the World Cup in 1967. The tournament was a 72-hole stroke play team event with 25 teams; the same teams that had contested the 1954 event. Each team consisted of two players from a country. The combined score of each team determined the team results.[1] The American team of Ed Furgol and Chick Harbert won by nine strokes over the Australian team of Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson.[2][3] For the first time there was an official competition for the leading individual score. This was won by Ed Furgol, who beat Peter Thomson and Flory Van Donck in a sudden-death playoff.

Teams

  Country       Players
  ------------- --------------------------------------
                Antonio Cerdá and Roberto De Vicenzo
                Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson
                Arthur Devulder and Flory Van Donck
                Mário Gonzalez and Ricardo Rossi
                Pat Fletcher and Stan Leonard
                Luciano Calderon and Alberto Salas
                Raúl Posse and Miguel Sala
                Naaman Aly and Hassan Hassanein
                Peter Alliss and Norman Sutton
                Jean Garaïalde and François Saubaber
                Georg Bessner and Friedel Schmaderer
                Harry Bradshaw and Fred Daly
                Alfonso Angelini and Ugo Grappasonni
                Kashio Kurihara and Koichi Ono
                Percy Clifford and Amado Martinez
                Gerard de Wit and Piet Witte
                Frank Buckler and Alf Guy
                Larry Montes and Celestino Tugot
  Scandinavia   Carl Paulsen and Arne Werkell
                Eric Brown and John Panton
                George Farmer and Brian Wilkes
                Ángel Miguel and Sebastián Miguel
                Ernest Bauer and Robert Lanz
                Ed Furgol and Chick Harbert
                Harry Gould and Dennis Smalldon

The Scandinavian team consisted of a Dane, Carl Paulsen, and a Swede, Arne Werkell.

Source[4]

Scores

TEAM

  #             Country               Score                 To par   Money (US$)
  ------------- --------------------- --------------------- -------- -------------
  1                                   143-139-139-139=560   E        2,500
  2                                   139-146-139-145=569   +9       1,500
  3                                   145-141-141-144=571   +11      1,000
  T4                                  144-139-144-146=573   +13      500
                144-139-143-147=573
  T6                                  147-141-145-142=575   +15      500
                146-143-142-144=575
  8                                   147-138-143-152=580   +20      500
  9                                   144-147-150-142=583   +23      500
  T10                                 149-143-147-145=584   +24      250
                149-147-145-143=584
  12                                  146-149-147-146=588   +28
  T13                                 150-145-145-151=591   +31
                148-147-152-144=591
  15                                  146-146-151-149=592   +32
  T16                                 159-151-145-140=595   +35
                150-153-147-145=595
  18                                  155-143-143-155=596   +35
  T19                                 154-149-150-147=600   +40
                152-154-145-149=600
  T21                                 151-147-153-152=603   +43
  Scandinavia   152-146-150-155=603
  23                                  149-150-149-156=604   +44
  24                                  149-159-143-160=611   +51
  25                                  157-149-161-156=623   +63

Source[5]

INTERNATIONAL TROPHY

  #                                    Player            Country           Score             To par   Money (US$)
  ------------------------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -------- -------------
  1                                    Ed Furgol                           73-70-69-67=279   −1       2,500
  2                                    Peter Thomson                       67-74-67-71=279   1,500
  3                                    Flory Van Donck                     70-66-73-70=279   1,000
  4                                    Chick Harbert                       70-69-70-72=281   +1       500
  5                                    Harry Bradshaw                      74-66-72-72=284   +4
  T6                                   Eric Brown                          72-70-70-73=285   +5
  Mário Gonzalez                                         73-67-72-73=285
  T8                                   Antonio Cerdá                       74-70-72-70=286   +6
  [John Panton (golfer) |John Panton                     73-71-71-71=286

Furgol, Thomson and Van Donck contested a sudden-death playoff. Van Donck dropped out after a bogey at the second extra hole. Thomson took a bogey at the third hole which gave Furgol the victory after his par. Thomson took the second prize and Van Donck the third prize.

Source[6]

There were additional prizes of $100 each day for the lowest team and individual scores, additional prize money of $800. The team prizes were won the Australia (day 1), Ireland (day 2), the United States and Australia (day 3) and the United States (day 4). The individual prizes went to Peter Thomson (day 1), Harry Bradshaw and Flory Van Donck (day 2), Peter Thomson (day 3) and Ed Furgol (day 4).

All players received $500 in expense money.[7]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

title: 1955 Canada Cup

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: This sports article highlights the 1955 Canada Cup, which commenced on the 9th of June till the 12th at the Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States. It was also the third Canada Cup event, which became the World Cup in 1967.


text:
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD BY EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE THIS NOVEMBER.

IMPORTANT DATES

-   October 5, 2020 - Deadline to register.
-   October 22, 2020 - Application deadline for absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be received by noon on election day.
-   Novemeber 3, 2020 - ELECTION DAY!

REGISTER OR CHECK STATUS

If you are registering with an alternative accepted ID other than a state-issued license, you can register here.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHO CAN VOTE IN INDIANA?

To vote in Indiana, an individual must be a citizen of the U.S. who will be least 18 years of age at the time of the next general, municipal or special election. The voter must have resided in their precinct for 30 days prior to the next general, municipal or special election.

There are many misconceptions surrounding who can and cannot vote in the state of Indiana, leading to suppressed voter turnout for certain groups that DO have the right to vote.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED

Voting rights are restored upon release from jail or prison. People who have been previously incarcerated should check their registration, and re-register to vote if it has been canceled. Individuals on parole, probation, home detention, or people who are in jail awaiting trial can vote. People who are in a community corrections program, such as work release or electronic monitoring, can vote. Learn more and view corresponding Indiana code.

TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

Transgender people can vote, even if their gender does not match what is listed on their government issued ID. Transgender people must be registered with the name that is listed on their government issued ID. Full list of accepted photo ID forms below.

RECENTLY NATURALIZED CITIZENS

-   -

STUDENTS

College students have a right to register and vote in the place they truly consider to be “home” — whether their dorm room, apartment or parents’ house. High school students who will turn 18 by the next General or Municipal Election, may register to vote before the registration deadline even if they have not yet turned 18.

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Each polling place in the state of Indiana must have at least one accessible voting machine and each location must be physically accessible.Voters that require assistance may designate a relative or friend to assist them at the polling place, or receive assistance from one of two poll workers who have completed the Affidavit of Voter Assistance at the Polls.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOTO ID REQUIREMENTS

Accepted photo identification is as follows:

-   State of Indiana identification with the voter’s name, photograph, and an expiration date that is current or expired after the most recent general election

-   U.S. government identification that meets the above criteria

-   Student ID from a public institution in Indiana that meets the above criteria

-   Military ID (need not include an expiration date)

Voters may also submit an application for a free photo ID at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The Secretary of State provides further information.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAKE YOUR VOTING PLAN

Make sure you have a voting plan! Outline how you’ll participate in the November 3, 2020 election. Your vote plan should include:

1.  How you’re voting—by absentee ballot, early at a satellite location, or in-person.
2.  The location you’ll vote if you opt to visit a satellite location or to vote in-person.
3.  Any important deadlines associated with the way in which you plan to cast your vote.

If you are voting in Marion County, you can check your polling location wait time here.

For voters who are planning to vote absentee, make sure your absentee ballot is complete, and that you sign the outside of the absentee envelope before returning it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We know that volunteering will look different for everybody for the 2020 election. We've gathered some resources and volunteer opportunities from all over the state of Indiana to help you find the right volunteer opportunity for you. These activities will range from phone and text banking, to in-person tasks for those who feel safe participating.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING AT THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY, CONTACT YOUR COUNTY CLERK HERE.

MORE Volunteer opportunities

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRINT COPIES OF OUR "YOU CAN VOTE" CARD HERE.

question: Does the article answer important voting questions?

answer: It covers all of the important things: Who can vote, what you need to vote, where you can vote etc.

question: Is the content specific to the state of Indiana?

answer: Yes, it appears to only cover the information for voting in Indiana

question: Is the article clear on who can vote?

answer: Yes, but not for Naturalized Citizens

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The article covers what is necessary to vote in the state of Indiana during the 2020 elections. It makes clear how it is possible to vote and what any U.S. Citizen would need to do in order to make their vote count.


text:
Since being founded in 1975, the EUROPEAN NUCLEAR SOCIETY (ENS) has grown to become the largest society in Europe for science, engineering and research in support of the nuclear industry.[1] ENS’s membership consists of national nuclear societies from 22 European countries, plus Israel. Within the membership there are also stakeholder representatives for nuclear technology and research businesses, with around 60 corporate members.[2] ENS exists to promote the advancement of peaceful uses of nuclear energy on an international level, encouraging networking between countries and facilitating meetings to support global communication on scientific and technical affairs. ENS also supports education and training in engineering, promotes international standardisation in the nuclear industry, coordinates the activities of the member organisations and develops the expertise and capability needed for the future of the industry.[3] One of ENS’s activities is organising conferences and workshops, providing a platform for international forums to exchange knowledge, experience, ideas and scientific developments.[4]

The current president of the European Nuclear Society is Noël Camarcat.[5]

The ENS is member of the International Nuclear Societies Council (INSC).

ENS Young Generation Network (YGN)

The ENS Young Generation Network (YGN) has been active across the society’s member countries since 1995 when ENS supported a proposal from Jan Runermark, the then President-elect of ENS, to spread the Young Generation Network (YGN) to all its member countries.[6] Five objectives ensure that YGN members are working towards a common goal, these are:

-   Attracting more young people: Recruiting and educating young people to be skilled members of the nuclear industry
-   Training new leaders: Exchanging knowledge between generations
-   Thinking nationally: Participation of young people in the national nuclear societies
-   Thinking internationally: Bringing together all national YGNs at European level
-   Opening up nuclear conferences: Ensuring events are relevant and topical for young people to attend.[7][8]

YGN membership is available to anybody working in the nuclear industry, as well as fields of nuclear academia and research.

European Nuclear Young Generation Forum (ENYGF)

The European Nuclear Young Generation Forum (ENYGF) is a biennial international event, held since 2005 by the Young Generation Network (YGN) as part of the European Nuclear Society.[9] The forum alternates with the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC) and is held in a different location in Europe each time.

The aim of the event is to provide a platform for learning and networking for young professionals in all areas of nuclear application. It provides a chance to enhance international communication as well as sharing technical advances and knowledge, learning from experience and discussing best practice as well as considering social and political aspects of the nuclear industry.[10]

The forum involves:

-   Formal lectures and presentations
-   Workshops - which have previously included Women in Nuclear (WiN)[11]
-   Technical tours
-   Keynote speakers
-   Social and cultural events

Each forum has a number of central focuses, around which the speakers, lectures, presentations and workshops are based. In 2011, the forum in Prague focused on the topics of nuclear safety and severe accidents, education and training, new build projects and ITER and fusion.[12] At the 2015 forum in Paris the main focus points were nuclear efficiency and nuclear and the environment.

Previous ENYGF events

Following the success of IYNC conferences which began in the year 2000, the ENS-YGN decided to create the ENYGF 2005 and host the inaugural event in the city Zagreb, Croatia. Following this, the ENS-YGN elected cities to host the event every two years, the host locations to date have been:

-   ENYGF 2007, Amsterdam, Netherlands[13]
-   ENYGF 2009, Córdoba, Spain[14]
-   ENYGF 2011, Prague, Czech Republic[15]
-   ENYGF 2013, Stockholm, Sweden. With 300 participants where the previous record was 150[16]
-   ENYGF 2015, Paris, France[17]

The events are organized by an executive committee from the selected country. This executive committee can acquire assistance from delegates of other countries who chose to collaborate. All the committee members have a common goal which is to further the ENS-YGN mission and help to create a global community of nuclear professionals.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

title: European Nuclear Society

question: What does the article say about the European Nuclear Society's (ENS) aims?

answer: ENS promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and supports related research, engineering, and science. To that end, they organize events to encourage international networking and communication. They also have a sub-society, the ENS Young Generation Network, that aims to incorporate the youth into the future of nuclear energy.

question: What does the article say about ENS events?

answer: The events are held in accordance with the aims of the ENS, promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and facilitating the international community around it. They organize the biannual European Nuclear Young Generation Forum (ENYGF) conference since 2005. The conferences involve workshops, lectures, technical tours as well as social and cultural events. The focused topics for each conference are different. The members of the host country that holds the event are responsible for organizing it, but they can ask for assistance from those who choose to help.

question: What does the article say about the Fukushima disaster?


text:
[Lafayette Gazette 4 Oct 1894] LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, and the surrounding area is a mix of American Indian, African American, English, French and Spanish culture. The area is situated in the region known as Southwest Louisiana. The Vermilion River runs through the city. Today, the city and parish are at the heart of Acadiana.

Early history

[Drawing of Atakapa Indians from 1735] The earliest settlers in the area were Atakapa Indians. Several burial mounds exist along the Vermilion and Bayou Teche.[1]

Acadian Settlement

The earliest records label the area as the Atakapa and Opelousas districts named after the local Indian tribes. Before 1765, few Europeans settled in the area, mostly trappers and smugglers. By 1765, Acadians were arriving in New Orleans and the Spanish governor began settling them in the Lafayette area at St. Martinville and Opelousas. Both the French and Spanish officials granted lands freely along the bayous Carencro and Vermilion. Generally, the size of 6–8 arpents along the stream with a depth of 40 arpents.[2] Two of the earliest settlers were Andrew Martin, Jean and Marin Mouton. It wasn't until Louisiana Governor William C. C. Claiborne created the counties of the Orleans Territory in 1805 did the Attakapas County exist.

Founding of Vermilionville

By 1812, the Attakapas Country was split into the St. Martin parish and the St. Mary parish. The original village which would become Lafayette, was laid out by Jean Mouton and his surveyor, John Dinsmore, Jr. in 1821 and was given the name “St. Jean du Vermilionville”.[3] Later, the name would be shortened to “Vermilionville”. The boundaries were defined in an 1836 charter and later expanded in the 1869 charter.

In 1804, Alexandre Mouton was born in Lafayette and would become Governor of Louisiana from 1843 to 1846.[4]

On April 17, 1863, the Battle of Vermillion Bayou was fought, the third battle in a series of running battles between Union Major General Nathaniel Prentice Banks and Confederate Major General Richard Taylor.[5]

Lafayette Established

[The Marquis de Layfayette in 1825 (during his tour of the US)] In 1823, the Louisiana legislature divided St. Martin parish and created Lafayette Parish.[6] The parish name _Lafayette_ was chosen due to the enthusiasm of General Lafayette's visit to the United States. However, the city's name remained Vermilionville due to the fact that the name “Lafayette” was already given to a suburb of New Orleans. Eventually, in 1884, the suburb was incorporated into New Orleans and Vermilionville became Lafayette.

Twentieth century

Southwestern Louisiana Institute

Oil boom

Post-war growth

[1] Griffin, Harry Lewis. “The Attakapas Country: A History of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana”. Pelican Publishing, 1959. p7

[2] Griffin, p14

[3] Griffin, p33

[4] Kiesel, Jean S. Images of America: Lafayette, 2007, p15.

[5] Ayres, Thomas., Dark and Bloody Ground : The Battle of Mansfield and the Forgotten Civil War in Louisiana, Cooper Square Press, 2001

[6] Griffin, p23

title: History of Lafayette, Louisiana

question: When was Lafayette, Louisiana founded?

answer: The city was founded in 1821 under the name St. Jean du Vermilionville. It was not renamed Lafayette until it was incorporated into New Orleans in 1884.

question: Who were the first people to settle in the Lafayette, Louisiana area?

answer: The Atakapa Indians

question: Summarize everything related to Vermilionville.

answer: Vermilionville was the original name for the city of Lafayette. It was founded in 1821 by Jean Mouton, and its boundaries were defined in an 1836 charter and expanded in the 1869 charter. Vermilionville remained the city's name when Lafayette Parish was created, since the name Lafayette had already been given to a New Orleans suburb. It was renamed Lafayette in 1884.

question: Why was the name Lafayette chosen?

answer: The name comes from General Lafayette. Originally, a parish was named after him due to the enthusiasm of his visit to the United States.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Lafayette, Louisiana is a city situated in Southwest Lousiana. The area was first settled by the Atakapa Indians. The town of Vermilionville was founded in 1821, and was later renamed Lafayette when it was incorporated into New Orleans in 1884.


text:
Footsteps echo in the long stone corridor. Small chains can also be heard. The man is panting, running towards a wooden door with golden engravings. He rams in the door, forgetting about the doorknob. The door hits the Jester, who then falls to the ground and breaks his nose. In the middle of the room, is the leader. Without wasting an instant, he yells

“Sire! We are under attack!” Yells the Subreddit knight.
“What?” Screams the leader, standing up
“Yes sire! Castle Repost is breaching our walls! It won't be long now!”
“What are they after?”
“The same thing as always, they wish to break Castle AdviceAnimal's walls and reach the Front Page fortress!”
“This shouldn't be a problem, our Downvote cannons are always charged! Tell me what happened!”
“They managed to outnumber us. They silently shot down our defenses with their Upvote Cannons. From that point, they burned the front gate and slowly walked in.”
“Where are they now?” Asks the Leader
“We managed to arm our comment guns and slow them down, but soon they will overpower us.” The knight explained
“Did you try calling on an ally Castle? Like Castle Funny or Castle Aww?”
“We did, but they said they could not arrive for a few days. We sent messages to Castle Atheist and Circle-Jerk, we have no response yet, but I'm sure they will refuse.”
“What about the citizens?”

A cannon shot is heard, then a smashing sound. Screams flood the air, followed by another explosion and screams of glory.

“We tried to make them leave by the secret tunnels, but many citizens took to arms and jumped into the fight. Many died and are still dying. The ones that decided to escape found that most of the tunnels were blocked. We lost many.” Explains the Knight, a hint of sadness in his voice.
“How many men do we have left?”
“When I left, a few were still standing. A few of our men have been captured and enslaved. The Fortress was still untouched, but, as we heard, that has changed.”
“Then follow me, we shall gather what few we have and craft some plan that might turn the table.” Commands the King.

The King opens the door. A few cats run away from the room. The Jester stands up and runs to the corridor, where a cannonball smashes through and hits him. The Knight goes first, but turns left. The King follows him. They walk through the stone corridors and passageways, on their way seeing the Castle Nobles running awry. The Scumbag Brain is hitting a door, trying to get in, while the Scumbag Steve and Stacy are pushing people aside, running in circles. As the Knight and King finally arrive to the armory, they realize that it's completely empty.

“Where are they all?” Asks the King
“At the walls, fighting off the enemy. We were lucky not to encounter them.”
More screams are heard, this time closer to them. Again, the same victory cries are heard.

“We don't have any time left. The enemy is here, searching for me. We have to act now.”
“All the weapons we have left are here. A few pounds of black powder, some swords and dagger and two shields.” Counts the Knight, as he locks the door.

The King walks and sits in a corner. As he does this, the door blasts open in a cloud of fire, smoke and blood. The King screams as portions of his newest friend splatters his robes. As the smoke dies down, an orange arrow smashes into the wall next to his head.

“So, you managed to outlive all of your little guards? No matter, you will join them soon enough.” A voice chuckles.
“So you are the new general that managed to recruit all of these newbies? You are new yourself, but competent.” Tells the King.
“Why thank you, but don't think complements will save you. I am here on a mission.” Exclaims the General
“You are competent, but still inexperienced. Exactly like your army.”  Explains the King
“And why is that?” Asks the General
“Because you didn't think this through. The worst place to be when you attack a Fortress, especially when you confront someone, is the armory.” Slowly says the King
“Explain.” Demands the General
“Let me show you.” The King says

The General and his army intensely stares at the King, while he reaches into his back pocket with his left hand. He slowly pulls out a gun.

“Downvote gun, one of the most powerful ever built” Says the King.
“Don't even think about shooting me or yourself.” Confidently says the General.

The King lets out a little laugh. He slowly points the muzzle to his left. The entire audience looks left, over to a pile of swords and daggers. As fast as he can, the King takes a shield and shoots to his right, on a pile of black powder. As the audience looks right, they see a large flash of light, then another ball of fire, smoke and blood fill the room. Screams are heard, but no victory cries are heard this time. When the smoke falls, the King uncurls from behind the shield and stands up.

“Time to rebuild, again... Will these attacks ever end?” He sighs

As he walks out of the room, he looks at all the damage done to the Fortress and the Kingdom. A cat walks to him and starts cuddling.

- “I really need a bath.” He whispers.

title: The attack of the Repost

question: Who is under attack?

answer: It's a little unclear, but it could Castle AdviceAnimal.

question: Who leads Castle Repost's attack?

answer: The General.

question: Who are the allies?

answer: Castle Funny, Castle Aww, and possibly Castle Atheist and Circle-Jerk.

question: Why is Castle Repost attacking?

answer: To break down Castle AdviceAnimal's walls and get to the Front Page fortress.

question: How does the King win the fight?

answer: By shooting a powerful 'downvote gun' at a pile of (what is presumably) gunpowder, causing an explosion in the armory.

question: What is the genre of this story?

answer: Fantasy/satire.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The Subreddit Knight reports to the King that they are under attack by Castle Repost, which is trying to break down Castle AdviceAnimal's walls and get to the Front Page fortress. A message has been sent to their allies, namely Castle Funny and Castle Aww, but they are unlikely to arrive in time. Inside the fortress, however, the King confronts the enemy General and shoots a powerful 'downvote gun' at a pile of (what is presumably) gunpowder, causing an explosion in the armory. It's now time to rebuild.


text:
The typical goal of search engine optimization is to have your site’s pages show up on a Google results page in answer to a query. The object is for Google and every other search engine to crawl and index all your product detail pages, blog posts, and articles, and anything else that results in conversions.

But there are pages that should not be included in search results. Removing them from Google’s index might actually increase search engine traffic to more important, better-converting pages.

Don’t Index These

But do you really care if your privacy policy, GDPR disclosures, or similar pages are showing up on Google? Pages you likely don’t want Google to index include:

-   _Thank you pages_ (displayed after a survey or similar)

-   _Ad landing pages_ (meant for pay-per-click campaigns)

-   _Policy pages_

-   _Internal site search results_ (because going from Google’s results page right into your website’s search results page may not be a good user experience).

[Not every page in your company's website should be indexed with Google. Photo by Campaign Creators.]

Not every page on your company’s website should be indexed with Google. _Photo: Campaign Creators._

Removing Pages

Getting these sorts of pages out of Google’s index could also improve your website’s authority which in turn might improve how well its various pages rank on Google for relevant queries.

Some SEO practitioners argue that Google has become adept at identifying content quality and is on the lookout, so to speak, for redundant, duplicate, or relatively low-quality pages.

What’s more, some SEO professionals have suggested that Google averages the relative value of all of the pages on your website to create an aggregate authority or value score. This might be domain authority, domain rank, or a similar metric.

If your company has stuffed Google’s index with relatively low-value pages — such as the privacy policy your tech guy copied and pasted from your ecommerce platform provider — it could affect how authoritative Google believes your site is as a whole.

For example, writing about the topic of removing website pages (deleting pages, in this instance), Chris Hickey of Inflow, an ecommerce agency in Denver, Colorado, reported a 22 percent increase in organic search engine traffic and a 7 percent increase in revenue from organic search traffic after culling thousands of duplicate pages from a client’s ecommerce website.

Similarly, in 2017 SEO tool maker Moz removed 75 percent of the pages on its website from the Google index. The pages were primarily low-value member profiles from the Moz community. These pages did not have much unique content, and removing them from the Google index resulted in a 13.7 percent increase in year-over-year organic search traffic.

Removal Tool

Perhaps the best tool for removing an individual page from Google’s index is the robots _noindex_ meta tag.

    <meta name="robots" content="noindex" />

Inserted in the __ section of a page’s HTML markup, this simple tag asks all search engines not to index the associated page. Google’s primary web crawler, Googlebot, follows this directive and will drop any page marked with _noindex_ the next time it crawls that page.

Using your website’s content management system, it should be relatively easy to add this tag to policy pages, internal search results, and other pages that don’t need to be included in Google’s index or shown in response to a Google query.

HTTP Response Header

The robots _noindex_ directive may also be passed in an HTTP response header. Think of the HTTP response header as a text message your server sends to a web browser or web crawler (such as Googlebot) when it requests a page.

Within this header, your site can tell Google not to index the page. Here is an example.

    HTTP/1.1 200 OK
    X-Robots-Tag: noindex

For some businesses, it may be easier to write a script that will place this _X-Robots-Tag_ than it would be to manually or even programmatically add the robots meta tag. Both this HTTP tag and the meta tag have the same effect. Which one of these methods your business uses is a matter of preference.

Prevent Indexing?

Robots.txt does not prevent indexing. A robots.txt file is located in a website’s root directory. This simple text file tells a search engine web crawler which pages on the site it can access.

Often, website owners and managers mistakenly think that disallowing a page in a robots.txt file will prevent that page from showing up in Google’s index. But that is not always the case.

For example, if another site links to a page on your company’s website, Googlebot could follow that link and index the page even if that page is disallowed in a robots.txt file.

If you want to remove pages from Google’s index, the robots.txt file is probably not the best choice. Rather, it is helpful for limiting how Google indexes your site and preventing search engine bots from overwhelming your company’s web server.

It is important to mention that you should not disallow a page in a robots.txt file and use a noindex tag at the same time. Doing so could cause Googlebot to miss the noindex directive.

Ultimately, it may sound counterintuitive, but there are almost certainly pages on your company’s website that should not be included in Google’s index or displayed on a Google results page. The best way to remove those pages is with a robots _noindex_ tag.

question: What does the article say about the reasons for removing a website's pages from search engines' index?

answer: The search engine index (Google's especially) tries to distinguish between useful and junk pages. Search engine then assigns a score based on that to the entire site to ensure its users can find high quality results. This means that removing less useful pages like terms of service, internal search results, etc. would ensure the overall score for the site is higher. This often increases the proportion of people who actually use the site after a search result.

question: What does the article say about Google's business practices?