Just this morning, all the backyard gates along our block were open. After the unknown party had climbed over the six-foot fencing, they must have pulled out the wood piece which holds the latch snug in place, and thrown it somewhere. Then they pulled out the metal landscaping pin which secured the latch and bent it in every direction imaginable, and set it on top of one of the crosspiece two-by-fours along the top of the fence before tripping the latch and leaving for the next house.
Being that it must have occurred during the dead of night, they had to be armed since they would not know what they would encounter upon breaking in. In other words, they knew that someone was home. This suggests desperation. Any good robber would strike when someone wasn't home, or would at least calculate someone's movements even if they were going to conduct a home invasion. Key word: "Desperation." From old western films, we always hear the word "desperadoes." Well, in reality, that word actually meant people who were fully able and willing to kill for profit... party due to their state of desperation. Crack or meth addicts often are "desperadoes." They're willing to go the extra mile to steal your property or resources, even if it leaves you maimed or dead. I receive a crime report of this area, and even before the current situation, crime happens all the time! We just don't see it, so it becomes less relevant to us than it should be.
Of course, we never know when "they" are going to strike. I can think of four counter-predatory measures which one could take as long as this lasts. 1) Home security deterents. This might include physical security of the home exterior or having someone home at all times. 2) Weapons to fight with. This is a no-brainer. The more the merrier. If you don't have a firearm, and they're actually inside of your home, then it's no-holds-barred: big kitchen knives, lead pipes, tire irons, pepper spray, stun guns, blows to vital areas, etc... and if all efforts fail and they're just bound and determined to do what they like with you....... well, oven cleaner sprayed to the eyes will stop them. I think that violence should only be used if: A) They have actually entered your home; and B) They attack you outside of the home. I also think that if you have a firearm, and they're actually inside of your home, the minimum response should be a bullet to a non-vital area... such as the foot.
3) Consistent mindfulness. Keep looking out the windows. Know who's around you. Even while on a road trip, know who is around you. Evaluate everyone in terms of threat level. Some of the sneaky tricks include someone coming up to your car and saying something like "Hey lady, you dropped your twenty" while holding the bill up. The correct response is "KEEP IT!!!" Another trick is if a young women, or even a child, comes up to your car and seems to be asking for someone... it could be a set up. For example, many benevolent-looking people such as a girlfriend of some bang-banger, have no problem setting up people for their criminal relative or friend. One time I observed a car driving around the neighborhood here with two
men. One was getting out and looking into sides windows, then getting
back in, etc.
Once we experienced someone who waited for us to leave the home before striking in broad daylight. They may have chosen this home because the homes on both sides were not occupied. They tried to break in through an iron gate over the front door, and when that didn't work the party climbed over the back fence from the side and saw that there was iron gating over the back door and windows... they opened the side gate from the inside and left. Another time years ago, two gang banger types conducted a strong armed robbery right outside of the neighbors garage door. When one of their sons attacked them back they fired and left his arm useless for life. Also, be aware of low skill level service people who have visited your home, and also neighbors who associate with criminal or gang banger types. THEY may not be criminals, but they could pass on information of who lives there, the security there, and the threat level from the standpoint of home robbery.
4) Armed tactical exercises. At any time of the day or night, conduct occasional exercises of your property or home. In other words, become a counter-predator. After establishing a plan and gearing up for it, secure the perimeter of the home. In other words, conduct an armed physical security spot check of the entire property. These exercises give you an opportunity to hypothetically, theoretically, and psychologically "take it to the enemy!" Just be careful of some young person, many of whom may not understand the seriousness of trespassing or how it relates to the current dilemma. Why not use counter-predatory measures? They're not nice to us.
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Of course, the familiar shape of "the boot"
Featuring Sicily in the middle, Malta at the bottom, the boot, Sardinia, Corsica, the cloud covered Alps, and the Balkans. It almost looks as if you could put your hand in the cool pond water, or poke your hand in the grass, or reach out and feel the cold air above the Alps. Also, the larger landmass can be seen under the sea. It also looks like a view from the top of a mountain from a much smaller scale. Amazing photograph.
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The Cadini di Misurina in Auronzo di Cadore, Italy
Northeastern Italy's Dolomite mountain range is a maze of jagged peaks, plunging valleys, and enormous blocks of nearly bare, and impossibly rugged, dolomite rock. Around and among this geological wonder lie the thick green forests and rambling pastures of the South Tyrol region. To call this landscape picturesque is an understatement. Nearly every square mile is awe-inspiring, but the mountain group known as the Cadini di Misurina grabs the attention with its sawtooth peaks and steep slopes cut through by dozens of valleys. While not quite as renowned as the nearby Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Cadini group still lures shutterbugs and hardy hikers.
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Located in the Belluno Province, Veneto
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Cadini di Misurina
Auronzo di Cadore
Dolomites
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For California residents, and concerning anyone in the world!
Due to the current pandemic, all street efforts to garner the necessary signatures for the 'California Stem Cell Research, Treatments, and Cures Initiative of 2020' to make the November ballot has been put on hold. This initiative will provide $5.5 billion to accelerate development of treatments and cures for life-threatening diseases and conditions that affect someone in nearly half of all families. Any California resident can sign this petition on the Californians for Stem Cell Research, Treatments, and Cures website:
https://caforcures.com/
Californians for Stem Cell Research, Treatments, and Cures is a coalition of at least 25 of the leading organizations fighting the worst chronic diseases, such as the American Association for Cancer Research, American Diabetes Association, Conquer Paralysis Now, Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, etc. Since Proposition 71 passed into law in 2004, there has been some incredible groundbreaking research. For example, there basically is already a cure for diabetes! Using mice as test subjects, stem cells have been formed into new beta cells to regulate blood sugar, and it's worked. Now all that is needed is to work with human test subjects to finally make it happen.
For diabetes, the stem cells are not from abortions. There already are enough stem cells in cold storage right now to cure every person with diabetes in the entire country (about 1 in 10 people). For other areas of research, I don't know at the present time. Please take a quick timeout to sign the petition! All that is needed is a simple signature and the cost of a stamp. Even if you're not from California, consider a donation. This research being conducted in California would of course affect everyone in the world... forever! The coming cure for diabetes, along with cures for cancer and all of the other conditions, won't be just for this month, year or decade, but for all-time.
https://caforcures.com/
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California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
2004 California Proposition 71
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Windows 10 is currently featuring the spring image of "green field and blue sky." There aren't as many sights on earth as colorful as this simple and common image. It symbolizes life itself.
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The distinct Ladin people within the Dolomite region have been covered here. They're a rural mostly farming people with a very particular culture and language, which essentially could remind Americans of the Amish. They seem to have some affinities to the old Cimbrian settlements, but speak a Rhaeto-Romance language related to Swiss Romansh and Friulian. They have a time-honored culture and way of life which is unique in that it inherently promotes environmental sustainability and respect for the earth. Like the Amish, they are known for being great craftspeople. The famous singer-songwriter Giorgio Moroder and world champion and Olympic medalist ice skater Carolina Kostner are probably thought of by many as being Tyrolian, but they're actually Ladin. Ladinia overlaps the South Tyrol a bit, but they don't speak German.
According to the FTOW (Flags Of The World) webpage about the Ladin flag, "The flag symbolizes the landscape: blue for the sky, white for the mountains and green for the meadows." Apparently the flag isn't official, but it still recognized by the Italian government.
Ladin people
Ladin language
Ladinia
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Above, the Sella mountains and the Ladin village of Calfosch (Corvara). "Blue, white, and green."
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