Reading

Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 19:44
Suppose there is a series of Bernoulli trials, that each trial has the same probability p of success, and that the trials are independent—like the standard model of coin tossing, treating ‘heads’ as ‘success.’ Then the Law of Large Numbers guarantees that the rate of successes converges (in probability) to the probability of success. If […]
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 10:00
“Without TCM, classic movies will die and with them, part of our culture.” -from the “TCM Mantra” In 1994, media mogul Ted Turner launched Turner Classic Movies, a commercial-free subscription channel dedicated to airing uncut classic and deep-catalog films ranging from the silent era to the early 80s. At the time of its inception, TCM’s only real “competitor” in the cable market was American Movie Classics, which operated under a very similar programming philosophy. However, by the early 2000s, AMC (for assorted business reasons) was interrupting film presentations with commercial breaks; and once the channel went down that road, they were soon kowtowing to ad agency and sponsor demands – e.g., being pressed to incorporate more contemporary films into their programming. By default TCM was now the sole haven for classic film buffs on cable TV. Consequently, over the ensuing years TCM has built a sizeable, passionate, and fiercely loyal coterie of fans (myself among them), as well as a (mostly) genial social media community (we’re not unlike the Deadheads; albeit more Ty Power than tie-dyed).
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 08:00
Lot’s of palm trees and sunshine in both states but that’s where the similarities end: Florida Governor and floundering presidential candidate Ron DeSantis traveled to California’s Bay Area this past week to fundraise and to cut a new ad. He stands on a San Francisco street corner and portrays the city as a lawless, drug-infested hellhole that people are fleeing, in favor of Florida, because of “leftist policies.” But he offered no statistics to back up his claims. Here’s one stat he should know, from the CDC: Drug overdose mortality by state, per 100,000 residents, for 2021 Florida: 37.5 (18th worst state) California: 26.6 (35th worst state) It’s really galling to have most of the country subjected to this calumny about California every single day by assholes like DeSantis when their own states are actually much worse off. I really wish that Democrats would start fighting fire with fire on this stuff.
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 06:30
Well said. It’s been a year and we are seeing the ramifications of the repeal of Roe v Wade. It’s as bad as we could have anticipated. As she says, women are dying, families are in crisis, lives are being ruined. By the way, don’t rest on your laurals if you live in a blue state. Yesterday at the faith and Freedom convention, Mike Pence backed Lindsey Graham’s proposal for a 15 week national abortion ban. Graham was there and proclaimed, “we’ll be saving babies in California.” “Fucking angry” doesn’t even begin to describe my reaction to that.
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 05:00
Could history repeat? In his speech, Putin kept referencing 1917, which stuck many people as … bizarre. Here’s Anne Applebaum in the Atlantic on how apt it might be: The hall of mirrors that Vladimir Putin has built around himself and within his country is so complex, and so multilayered, that on the eve of a genuine insurrection in Russia, I doubt very much if the Russian president himself believed it could be real. Certainly the rest of us still can’t know, less than a day after this mutiny began, the true motives of the key players, and especially not of the central figure, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group. Prigozhin, whose fighters have taken part in brutal conflicts all over Africa and the Middle East—in Syria, Sudan, Libya, the Central African Republic—claims to command 25,000 men in Ukraine. In a statement yesterday afternoon, he accused the Russian army of killing “an enormous amount” of his mercenaries in a bombing raid on his base. Then he called for an armed rebellion, vowing to topple Russian military leaders.
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 04:57
The public deserves to know who our Ministers are meeting with. The news today that former Cabinet Minister Stuart Robert met consulting firm Accenture to discuss a $111 million federal project, triggering probity concerns, shows it’s time we publish Ministerial diaries. The public should know who Ministers are meeting and why, and they should know Continue reading »
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 04:57
A plan for Africans to take control of Africa and make it prosperous, fair and low carbon. Price of solar panels falling again. Protection for Macquarie Island’s wildlife. Creating a prosperous future and a just transition for 1 billion There’s a large landmass south of Europe. It’s call Africa. You may have heard about it. Continue reading »
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 04:53
While there are some – such as Major General Melick – concerned about not depicting warriors in the Frontier Wars, because they didn’t wear a uniform, in the Australian War Memorial, it is worth remembering how appalling the treatment of Indigenous veterans who did wear ‘the uniform’ over the last century or so were treated. Continue reading »
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 04:51
Over the past eighteen months, I’ve often found myself under scrutiny for not outrightly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Any acknowledgment of Russia’s stance—that the hasty expansion of NATO played a role in the current conflict—earns labels: indifferent to Ukraine’s plight, a “Putin” apologist, a victim of Kremlin misinformation. After much contemplation, I’ve traced the Continue reading »
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 04:50
Beijing, Tehran, and Islamabad know that their mutual goal of ‘peaceful development’ and expanded Asian trade routes will be unattainable without solving the terrorism dilemma in neighbouring Afghanistan. First published in The Cradle June 13, 2023 This month, Beijing hosted the first-ever tripartite security dialogue between Iran, Pakistan, and China. The gathering took place against Continue reading »
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 04:00
Both Prigozhin and Putin are nightmares This analysis from the Financial Times about Prigozhin is quite informative. They have been following the story of Putin and Prigozhin for some time and if you’d like to bone up on the various dynamics, I would suggest that’s a good place to start. When they first appeared in 2014 to fight covertly in Ukraine, the masked militiamen of Russia’s Wagner group epitomised how Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin had mastered a new, underhand form of warfare. But after Wagner paramilitaries took control of at least one Russian city on Saturday and began a “march of justice” on Moscow, the blowback from nine years of war in Ukraine threatened the very foundations of Putin’s state — with a problem of his own making. After months of lurid public infighting, the conflict between Yevgeny Prigozhin’s paramilitaries and the Russian defence ministry has boiled over into the first coup attempt in Russia in three decades.
Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 03:29

INNOVATING in local tourism, a new partnership between four of the Coffs Coast’s top tourist attractions launches an initiative aimed to benefit tourism and the wider business community. The Coffs Coast Multi Pass brings together four of the Coffs Coast’s top tourist attractions on one ticket, offering significant savings and convenience for visitors. Advertise with...

The post Coffs Coast Multi Pass tourism initiative launched appeared first on News Of The Area.

Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 03:23

HEARTSTART Glenreagh is currently seeking feedback from the Orara Valley community about the concept of a ‘community hub’ for valley residents. “A hub is a safe and supported place where local and broader communities can come together to build resilience, create connections and share resources,” HeartStart Glenreagh’s Faye Neil told News Of The Area.The Orara...

The post HeartStart Glenreagh seeking feedback on plans for Orara Valley community hub appeared first on News Of The Area.

Created
Sun, 25/06/2023 - 03:20

THE Coffs Harbour and District Eisteddfod has kicked off for 2023 with students and teachers giving their all to this highlight of their year. Eisteddfod President Debbie Waters told News Of The Area all disciplines have had great audience numbers to date. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business....

The post Coffs Harbour Eisteddfod going like a song and dance appeared first on News Of The Area.