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2023.05.29 14:02 Gumbybum Lore Discovery Part 3/3: Fishbones, Flatwoods, and Colonel's Dirty Little Secret
Disclaimer: This post is long, so you may want to save it and read it later. Also, I put a lot of time into both researching this and writing it up. So if all you have is negative feedback, kindly keep it to yourself. Finally, there’s a lot more that I’ve been looking into beyond the scope of this write-up. If you’d like to join my exp-LORE-ation efforts, please let me know.
Edit: I guess hyperlinks aren't working right now, so I'll have to manually paste those in.
https://www.reddit.com/fo76/comments/1327e9a/lore_discovery_responder_colonel_flatwoods_was/
https://www.reddit.com/fo76/comments/135xf3y/lore_discovery_part_2_responder_colonels_postwa
Recap: Part 1 establishes that Colonel is the same kid who was playing with his “baer frends” at the Palace of the Winding Path. Part 2 establishes that Darius Angler was the author of the 4 Untitled Poems.
TLDR (mad spoilers up in here): Fishbones led the raid that killed Colonel and all the Responders in Flatwoods, and he could very well be Darius Angler’s brother. Colonel may have been up to something nefarious with the children of Flatwoods (but not in that way). Ra Ra might be Ward’s granddaughter. And it looks like mole rat teeth are used to craft Day Tripper.
We Begin at the End: November 2096. 13 Bridge Street, Flatwoods, WV. Responder Colonel died in the raider attack on Flatwoods, along with just about every other Responder that resided there. The raiders attacked because a Chem Addict stole all their food and chems and fled to Flatwoods. You can find her body and holotape just West of the river. But before we get to that, we need to look at what Colonel was up to before he died. Most people probably overlooked this detail because they haven’t explored Flatwoods since they were level 3, and at that point they didn’t have a jetpack or the Marsupial mutation. But Colonel’s front AND back porches are completely railed off. If you make it over the front railing, you’ll find the corpses of Colonel and (likely) the raider that killed him, Colonel’s second “Survivor Story,” and a stroller with an intact doll in it. Colonel was the “caregiver for children” in Flatwoods, so the stroller may have once been for an actual baby.
But on the back porch, Colonel was burning books, files, documents, and the contents of a mysterious duffel back on his grill. Colonel definitely had a secret and he was literally trying to burn the evidence. And that secret was his past with the Diehards and Darius Angler. If you follow the road West out of Flatwoods, you’ll eventually arrive at Hillfolk Hotdogs, which is the site of Untitled Poem #3 and the former home of Colonel when he lived with Angler as a child (you can find one of his “baer frends” on the kid-sized bunk bed). But inside the bus(?) at Hillfolk’s, you’ll also find similar documents and a duffel bag, just like the kind Colonel was burning in Flatwoods when he died. As a matter of fact, there are other similarly suspicious duffel bags and file caches along the Ohio River. And this takes us to Ohio River Adventures.
Fishbones is a Dirty Rat Bastard: In the exact same way that the Diehards returned to Crater, a former territory of theirs (and site of Untitled Poem #2), the Diehards also returned to Ohio River Adventures. Now, O.R.A. gets overlooked because there is no main quest line that keeps you returning to this area (maybe the grind for Raider Rep), but this place is former Diehard territory too. Now, it is critically important to know that both Fishbones (Bones) and Blackeye are O.G. Diehards. Blackeye was almost certainly Colonel’s 1st grade teacher back at the Palace of the Winding Path. But what about Bones? Well, my friends, I bet I’m about to tell you something you didn’t already know:
When Margie McClintock died in 2096 (as inferred what Rose tells us during the main quest), Meg Groberg took over and soon thereafter led the Diehards out of Appalachia before returning years later (that, you already knew). You probably also already knew that before Margie died, Meg and the other Diehards went against protocol and “shot first” when robbing people. Meg was a true raider in all the ways that Margie was not. But what you probably didn’t put together is that Margie died around the time that Flatwoods was attacked. According to the Chem Addict from Flatwoods:
“Chems Addict: Well, this is it I guess. Rock bottom I think they call it. I still miss him. Billy. I knew he was too young for me, but he made me feel good. Though it's the old Billy I really miss. The one who used to do nothing all day with me but listen to the radio and drink. I shoulda got out sooner when Billy and his buddies started torturing little cats and dogs. His friends... were no good. But that didn't stop me anyway. I can't believe my wake up call was watching people's heads... get stuck on spikes. So... what is an old gal like me to do? Steal all the food. Steal all the chems. And get the hell out of there. *laughs* I'd trade my last bite of food just to see the look on their faces. Oh, I know it's going to piss off Billy's friends, but I don't give a damn. I tell myself I should feel sorry for the little town across the river. But if I'm being honest, and that's what this tape is for, I don't really care. I call myself an addict, but it ain't the chems that finally got me. It was always Billy.”
I want to emphasize the “heads on spikes” part, because that’s something Margie would never tolerate. But Meg on the other hand let raiders be raiders. The other thing that I want to point out is “Billy.” I’m not saying for certain that this Billy is the same as Darius Angler’s brother, but I am saying that technically no body was ever recovered from the molten steel, and Angler didn’t see the accident happen because he didn’t work at Grafton Steel anymore. It’s possible that “Billy Angler,” who didn’t quit because “he needs the money,” could have taken out some kind of insurance policy, named his chem addict girlfriend as the beneficiary, faked his own death, and skipped town. Do I know for certain that this happened? Of course not. But what I do know is this: FISHBONES’S REAL NAME IS BILLY!!! The reason he’s obsessed with the letter B is because that’s his first initial. You see, at first I thought the raiders that wrecked Flatwoods were Cutthroats because of their whole feud with the Responders. But then I learned that the Flatwoods attack was caused by a bunch of chems that the Addict stole, and the Diehards were Appalachia’s great chems supplier (thanks to Angler). Furthermore, Fishbones’s current operation is spiking Mirelurk meat with an addictive substance (chems). And since Bones is an OG Diehard, it means he was the piece-of-shit raider that attacked Flatwoods and killed Colonel.
https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Fishbones
A Bit About Bruiser: I found a few interesting details about Bruiser at Ohio River Adventures, but nothing too profound. We know that he used to play football, his mascot was a “battle bear,” and that he spent some time in a vault. The likeliest conclusion from this information is that he’s from Grafton, given that’s the only high school in the region with a football field and it’s next to the makeshift vault that formerly housed a few raiders before the BOS took over. If you look up the IRL Grafton High School, you’ll find that it’s on Yates Ave (likely the namesake of Sofie Yates, a Responder turned Raider in Flatwoods) and their mascot is the “Bearcat.” Also, all the varsity jackets in FO76 have the letter B on them, but that’s more Fishbones’s thing. But none of this has anything to do with Colonel or Angler, so let’s move on.
The Charleston Cartel (2079-2082): From the Charleston Capitol Building terminal entries, we know there was a massive chem trade happening in Charleston at this time:
“Name: Matoukas, George
Date of Crime: 10.09.81
Description:
300 Block of Oak. Based on anonymous tip, Responder Atkins found subject peddling vast amounts of illegal chems out of his home. Over 300lbs of illegal chems found in the subject's basement.
Resolution:
Matoukas sentenced to 5 years hard labor under close supervision, with possibility of parole for good behavior. Chems were seized and destroyed.”
Since the Diehards’ operation at the Palace of the Winding Path effectively ended with the great rapture of ‘79, it only makes sense that the Diehards would have to adapt their drug trade elsewhere. If you actually look for raider activity in Charleston (outside of the courthouse), you won’t find a lot, but what you will find is very telling of their operations. You’ll find a dead raider at the chemistry workbench inside Hornwright Industrial Headquarters. You’ll find a few dead raiders in/above the pharmacy on the south side of town. And you’ll find a dead raider lurking outside the doctors’ offices (which is NOT the hospital) to the north. And this takes us to Dr. Joseph.
https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Joseph_(Fallout_76))
Dr. Joseph was a psychiatrist in Charleston who practiced both before AND after the Great War. He had the authority to refer patients to Allegheny Asylum and write prescriptions; Prescriptions that would be filled at the pharmacy on the south side of Charleston. To one patient, P. Davis, he prescribed Day Tripper. This insightful detail is why the Diehards were operating in Charleston in the first place. As many seasoned players have observed, Day Tripper is not craftable in this game; You can only find it out in the wild. Consider the following terminal entry from the Palace of the Winding Path:
“Log: 12.29.77 Since the war, incense ingredients have been hard to come by. We started rationing weeks ago, in anticipation of this, and doses are much lower. The sedative effects of the incense are a priority, to keep people from freaking out.
I've begun to improvise with some other ingredients and found some creative ways of stretching the supply, at least until things return to relative normal. Other chem supplies are plentiful.”
So here’s what I think happened. If the Diehards were in dire need of Day Tripper to make their custom chems (see: Making Incense), and the Responders had a healthy supply of Day Tripper locked inside a pharmacy in Charleston, and there was also a doctor who wrote prescriptions for Day Tripper, then all the Diehards needed to do was register a new patient with Dr. Joseph. Enter: Darius Angler.
Darius Angler was batshit crazy (if in doubt, refer to his manifesto). Angler, who now resided at Hillfolk Hotdogs, was also just a short trip up the New River from Charleston. He would periodically visit Dr. Joseph, get his prescription filled like a meth-head scoring Sudafed, and used the trip as a cover to smuggle the refined chems into the city. Essentially, I think he just made a loop around the southwest “island” of the Forest (area surrounded on all sides by 3 rivers, referred to as “Zone D”). The loop around Zone D functioned as a supply chain/assembly line for producing the chems that were being smuggled into Charleston. There’s a lot of suspicious stuff happening around here: Raider activity, duffel bags/files, bridge control, coffin conspiracies, etc. that I had to edit out for length, but I’ll try to summarize it here.
Hillfolk Hotdogs is where Angler and Colonel raised mole rats for reasons I’ll explain later. Follow the Ohio River south and you’ll soon come to a boat that’s not far away from a crashed truck loaded up with industrial chemical barrels (useful for producing industrial quantities of chems). South of that is a tent with a duffel bag. Further south you’ll find a 3-story house with suspicious files and a duffle bag hidden in the attic (just like at Hillfolk’s). South of that are some dry-docked boats with a chem box and a duffel bag. Even further south is Ohio River Adventure (a current Raider base of operation that served a similar purpose back then). Southeast of there, by Lewis & Sons, is a little “boat” with 2 stuffed bears, which I think was left behind by Colonel as he reenacted his river adventures with Angler using his bears. Southeast of there is a floating Nuka-Cola structure with a submerged safe guarded by 2 more bears, one of which has a liquor bottle. I think this is a dead drop and the bears are another work of Colonel’s. Heading East up the River you’ll find a raider-operated “store” at the end of a questionable bridge. Further east is Charleston, where George Matoukas was distributing the chems. And on the return trip down the New River is another dead drop directly beneath the Bridge on the west side. It’s a safe by a couch with a bear and Jangles (I think Jangles is supposed to represent George). Again, I think that this big loop is a supply chain/assembly line for moving chems and the components needed to make chems.
The smuggling operation also deviously involved Colonel and his “Baer Frends.” If you jetpack up to the very top of AVR Medical Center, you’ll find two people who OD’ed on chems, each with a stuffed bear next to them. So I think that either the Diehards were sewing chems inside Colonel’s stuffed bears and using them as drug mules to smuggle chems into Charleston, or that Colonel just climbed to the highest point on the hospital (as he did at the Palace and later in Flatwoods) and left two bears as a memorial. But I’m leaning toward the former because of an unmarked location in the Savage Divide that I found. It’s southeast of Bastion Park right at the bend of the monorail line. It’s essentially a fire pit with a bunch of stuffed bears thrown in it with a few dead party-goers around the area. I think this is the location where the Responders destroyed all of the Chems, bears and all, that they confiscated from George Matoukas. Speaking of George Matoukas….
Curious George and the Rocket: According to the above-mentioned terminal entry, George Matoukas was apparently the only criminal who the Responders sentenced to hard labor rather than exile. If you go to Rollins Labor Camp (formerly Rollins Work Camp), you won’t find a whole lot there other than Blood Eagles. But what you WILL find at the very top of the crane structure are two stuffed bears and a Jangles. Colonel, as a child, had a thing for playing with “baer frends in high places.” I can’t say with any certainty what happened here, but maybe Angler was the one who gave the responders that “anonymous tip” because Matoukas was starting to rub off on Colonel, and Angler didn’t want him growing up to be a Raider. Matoukas gets sentenced to hard labor rather than exile, with a change of parole pending “good behavior,” which means “snitching.” So maybe Angler took Colonel to visit his “friend” at the labor camp (visiting hours are a thing), Angler introduced George to a “rocket,” and Colonel used his toys to recreate the scene. Or not. Who knows? But what I do know is that the shitty poet (Angler) moved on from Hillfolk Hotdogs to go to the Cranberry Bog, and I think the Christmas Flood gave him the perfect reason to leave.
Untitled Poem #3: I’m intentionally skipping Untitled Poem #2, partly because I haven’t found much deeper meaning to it, but mostly because what I think it means is little more than conjecture. #3, on the other hand, I feel like I can make sense of it:
“white cedar leaning against the shadow of our river
peeling like asylum walls
hobbled together around dignity that died long ago
simple things to jumpstart fogged memories
holed as teeth hidden in tin
we leave our things pinned
winning only the stuck wings”
I think the phrase “white cedar leaning against the shadow of our river” is the title of the painting in Dr. Joseph’s office. Or at least that’s how Darius Angler would describe it as if it was some kind of Rorschach test. “Peeling like asylum walls, hobbled together around dignity that died long ago” is a reference to the office wallpaper, and perhaps another one of Dr. Joseph’s clients, Daniel Boone.
“Patient: "Boone, D"
Observations:
Interesting case.
Patient responds only to "Daniel Boone" and indeed seems to believe himself to be the historical figure by the same name. I'd heard that some of the hillfolk can end up a bit off after lack of socialization, but I'd not expected to see such a case.
Advised that he be sent to Allegheny rather than the Penitentiary for further observation.”
There’s only a VERY narrow window of plausibility to suggest that Angler is Daniel Boone, so I won’t. But this entry seems to refer back to Untitled Poem #3, with worlds like “hillfolk” (as in Hillfolk Hotdogs), “Allegheny” (as in asylum), and “the historical figure” (as in dignity that died long ago). I think the line “simple things to jumpstart fogged memories'' refers to the Souvenir Magnet on the fridge at Hillfolk Hotdogs, and I think it came from Lady Janet’s Soft Serve (not Cow Spot Creamery). “Holed as teeth hidden in tin” refers to the mole rats that he was raising with Colonel at Hillfolk’s (the cat bowl on the floor is for the mole rat that walks around the trailer like Fry’s dog from Futurama, just waiting for Colonel to come home). And “we leave our things pinned, winning only the stuck wings,” refers to Angler’s (and Colonel’s) escape from the Diehards. I’m assuming this event took place just after the Christmas flood, once the chem operation in Charleston was destroyed with the rest of the city. But if you remember those dead raiders I mentioned earlier, there are a few more. Outside of Dr. Joseph’s office is a dead raider next to an ammo box. Well, next to him is a makeshift bridge that goes over the highway. And if you keep going in the same direction once you step off the bridge you’ll hit the southwest corner of Wade Airport. Immediately in that corner past the fence is a locked truck-trailer (watch out for the mine) with 2 more dead raiders and a power armor chassis (sometimes). I think the last line of the poem refers to this exact event, leaving his power armor (and compatriots) pinned in the back of the trailer so he can steal yet another Vertibird. Angler flew the automated aircraft to Watoga. Why? I don’t know. But it explains how he got to the Cranberry Bog and why his body can be found just a short distance south of the city.
Untitled Poem #4: Just like #2, I don’t have any deep insight into the specifics so all I can do is speculate. I’ll spare you the details. But what I think it’s about is the very end of his relationship with Colonel. I think the time Angler and Colonel spent together in the unmarked cabin southeast of Sunrise Field was just Angler teaching Colonel to be self-sufficient (hunting, trapping, maintaining weapons and whatnot). I think that when the scorched attacked Harper’s Ferry in 2086 that there was also generally increased scorched activity in the eastern half of Appalachia. The poem describes Angler providing cover fire to, or perhaps just drawing fire away from Colonel as he escaped through Big Bend Tunnel, later to be found by the Responders. But again, like with #2, all I can do with this poem is speculate.
The Mysterious Mole Rats: This is a question I’ve had for almost 2 years now, and I think I finally figured it out. Back at the Palace of the Winding Path, there’s a lonely mole rat that lives in the computer room by the garden. There’s also a dead mole rat next to a dead raider pilot by a downed plane that was headed to the Palace from the north. I didn’t know what the Diehards needed mole rats for because I was only looking at the Palace itself. But the answer to this question is found at Lady Janet’s. Everyone thinks that the two bears in gas masks by the chemistry is just a Breaking Bad easter egg. But I think it’s yet another “baer frend” reenactment left behind by Colonel. Do you remember how the cultists at the Palace ran out of ingredients to make the “spiritual incense” and had to improvise? Well, one of the substitute ingredients they used, and the reason they were importing mole rats, and the reason the Diehards took care of the children like they did, is found in the baby carriage at Lady Janet’s.
A stroller full of human jaw bones? Yeah…. Teeth. Or more precisely, “baby teeth.” I suppose mole rat teeth would do in a pinch, but as messed up as it sounds human baby teeth were preferred. This is why the Diehards at the Palace were taking care of those first-graders; because six-year-olds shed baby teeth like it’s raining molars! This also answers a question you didn’t even know you had, and it takes us back to Flatwoods. Here’s a note written by Jeremiah Ward who lived in trailer in the town (and the Ransacked Bunker before that):
“I, Jeremiah Ward, resident in the town of Flatwoods, county of... not sure.
Being of sound mind, and not acting under... duress. Mostly.
Hereby declare this letter to be my last will and testament.
Mia gets the house, and everything in it.
It ain't much but that's all I got to give and... she's all I got.
I know she's still alive.
The Responders say the dogs got her, but I know it ain't true.
They been real good to us. Teaching an old geezer like me how to really cook is something. I'll give em that.
But I know they lyin about those dogs. I seen em in the hills. There's some bad folks scoping us out. They took my granddaughter, I just know it.
I'll get you back, Mia. I promise.”
Mia, a baby who slept in the crib in that trailer, was abducted by raiders. And the only raider gang that ever had any interest in kids was the Diehards. And when you remember that the Responders had a foster care program that would later be run by Colonel once he was older, you’ll remember that a shit load of children went “missing” when Billy (Fishbones) attacked Flatwoods. And if teeth (baby, mole rat, or otherwise) was the secret ingredient in Angler’s chem recipe… and Colonel was Angler’s apprentice for a number of years before he joined the Responders… and Colonel was the caretaker of all of the children of Flatwoods… then exactly what was in those documents that Colonel was burning on his back porch?
Full Circle: So after everything, the Diehards lost their crop of children at the Palace of the Winding Path in 2079, but took the children of Flatwoods and left Appalachia. When they came back, they put Fishbones (Billy) in charge of the Ohio River Adventures operation, who is now spiking the mirelurk meat with a potent chem. It’s totally possible that Ra Ra is actually Mia Ward (Jeremiah Ward’s granddaughter). Hell, it’s even possible that Jeremiah Ward is somehow Ward from Foundation. Since Colonel was obviously keeping, and subsequently burning, secrets, I’d say he was also inclined to keep his raider past a secret as well as the truth about his adoptive father. Like he said in his Survivor’s Story, “he was bad.” Perhaps the reason he kept his Diehard history a secret from the Dassa and the other Responders was because he knew that the Responders were the ones punishing and exiling people back in Charleston. But this whole story began the day Darius Angler decided to get revenge on Grafton Steel. And if his brother hadn’t actually died after all, then it would explain why Angler stayed with the Diehards for as long as he did rather than returning to the Free states. Regardless, this entire story began and ended with Billy. “It was always Billy.”
submitted by Gumbybum to fo76 [link] [comments]
Edit: I guess hyperlinks aren't working right now, so I'll have to manually paste those in.
https://www.reddit.com/fo76/comments/1327e9a/lore_discovery_responder_colonel_flatwoods_was/
https://www.reddit.com/fo76/comments/135xf3y/lore_discovery_part_2_responder_colonels_postwa
Recap: Part 1 establishes that Colonel is the same kid who was playing with his “baer frends” at the Palace of the Winding Path. Part 2 establishes that Darius Angler was the author of the 4 Untitled Poems.
TLDR (mad spoilers up in here): Fishbones led the raid that killed Colonel and all the Responders in Flatwoods, and he could very well be Darius Angler’s brother. Colonel may have been up to something nefarious with the children of Flatwoods (but not in that way). Ra Ra might be Ward’s granddaughter. And it looks like mole rat teeth are used to craft Day Tripper.
We Begin at the End: November 2096. 13 Bridge Street, Flatwoods, WV. Responder Colonel died in the raider attack on Flatwoods, along with just about every other Responder that resided there. The raiders attacked because a Chem Addict stole all their food and chems and fled to Flatwoods. You can find her body and holotape just West of the river. But before we get to that, we need to look at what Colonel was up to before he died. Most people probably overlooked this detail because they haven’t explored Flatwoods since they were level 3, and at that point they didn’t have a jetpack or the Marsupial mutation. But Colonel’s front AND back porches are completely railed off. If you make it over the front railing, you’ll find the corpses of Colonel and (likely) the raider that killed him, Colonel’s second “Survivor Story,” and a stroller with an intact doll in it. Colonel was the “caregiver for children” in Flatwoods, so the stroller may have once been for an actual baby.
But on the back porch, Colonel was burning books, files, documents, and the contents of a mysterious duffel back on his grill. Colonel definitely had a secret and he was literally trying to burn the evidence. And that secret was his past with the Diehards and Darius Angler. If you follow the road West out of Flatwoods, you’ll eventually arrive at Hillfolk Hotdogs, which is the site of Untitled Poem #3 and the former home of Colonel when he lived with Angler as a child (you can find one of his “baer frends” on the kid-sized bunk bed). But inside the bus(?) at Hillfolk’s, you’ll also find similar documents and a duffel bag, just like the kind Colonel was burning in Flatwoods when he died. As a matter of fact, there are other similarly suspicious duffel bags and file caches along the Ohio River. And this takes us to Ohio River Adventures.
Fishbones is a Dirty Rat Bastard: In the exact same way that the Diehards returned to Crater, a former territory of theirs (and site of Untitled Poem #2), the Diehards also returned to Ohio River Adventures. Now, O.R.A. gets overlooked because there is no main quest line that keeps you returning to this area (maybe the grind for Raider Rep), but this place is former Diehard territory too. Now, it is critically important to know that both Fishbones (Bones) and Blackeye are O.G. Diehards. Blackeye was almost certainly Colonel’s 1st grade teacher back at the Palace of the Winding Path. But what about Bones? Well, my friends, I bet I’m about to tell you something you didn’t already know:
When Margie McClintock died in 2096 (as inferred what Rose tells us during the main quest), Meg Groberg took over and soon thereafter led the Diehards out of Appalachia before returning years later (that, you already knew). You probably also already knew that before Margie died, Meg and the other Diehards went against protocol and “shot first” when robbing people. Meg was a true raider in all the ways that Margie was not. But what you probably didn’t put together is that Margie died around the time that Flatwoods was attacked. According to the Chem Addict from Flatwoods:
“Chems Addict: Well, this is it I guess. Rock bottom I think they call it. I still miss him. Billy. I knew he was too young for me, but he made me feel good. Though it's the old Billy I really miss. The one who used to do nothing all day with me but listen to the radio and drink. I shoulda got out sooner when Billy and his buddies started torturing little cats and dogs. His friends... were no good. But that didn't stop me anyway. I can't believe my wake up call was watching people's heads... get stuck on spikes. So... what is an old gal like me to do? Steal all the food. Steal all the chems. And get the hell out of there. *laughs* I'd trade my last bite of food just to see the look on their faces. Oh, I know it's going to piss off Billy's friends, but I don't give a damn. I tell myself I should feel sorry for the little town across the river. But if I'm being honest, and that's what this tape is for, I don't really care. I call myself an addict, but it ain't the chems that finally got me. It was always Billy.”
I want to emphasize the “heads on spikes” part, because that’s something Margie would never tolerate. But Meg on the other hand let raiders be raiders. The other thing that I want to point out is “Billy.” I’m not saying for certain that this Billy is the same as Darius Angler’s brother, but I am saying that technically no body was ever recovered from the molten steel, and Angler didn’t see the accident happen because he didn’t work at Grafton Steel anymore. It’s possible that “Billy Angler,” who didn’t quit because “he needs the money,” could have taken out some kind of insurance policy, named his chem addict girlfriend as the beneficiary, faked his own death, and skipped town. Do I know for certain that this happened? Of course not. But what I do know is this: FISHBONES’S REAL NAME IS BILLY!!! The reason he’s obsessed with the letter B is because that’s his first initial. You see, at first I thought the raiders that wrecked Flatwoods were Cutthroats because of their whole feud with the Responders. But then I learned that the Flatwoods attack was caused by a bunch of chems that the Addict stole, and the Diehards were Appalachia’s great chems supplier (thanks to Angler). Furthermore, Fishbones’s current operation is spiking Mirelurk meat with an addictive substance (chems). And since Bones is an OG Diehard, it means he was the piece-of-shit raider that attacked Flatwoods and killed Colonel.
https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Fishbones
A Bit About Bruiser: I found a few interesting details about Bruiser at Ohio River Adventures, but nothing too profound. We know that he used to play football, his mascot was a “battle bear,” and that he spent some time in a vault. The likeliest conclusion from this information is that he’s from Grafton, given that’s the only high school in the region with a football field and it’s next to the makeshift vault that formerly housed a few raiders before the BOS took over. If you look up the IRL Grafton High School, you’ll find that it’s on Yates Ave (likely the namesake of Sofie Yates, a Responder turned Raider in Flatwoods) and their mascot is the “Bearcat.” Also, all the varsity jackets in FO76 have the letter B on them, but that’s more Fishbones’s thing. But none of this has anything to do with Colonel or Angler, so let’s move on.
The Charleston Cartel (2079-2082): From the Charleston Capitol Building terminal entries, we know there was a massive chem trade happening in Charleston at this time:
“Name: Matoukas, George
Date of Crime: 10.09.81
Description:
300 Block of Oak. Based on anonymous tip, Responder Atkins found subject peddling vast amounts of illegal chems out of his home. Over 300lbs of illegal chems found in the subject's basement.
Resolution:
Matoukas sentenced to 5 years hard labor under close supervision, with possibility of parole for good behavior. Chems were seized and destroyed.”
Since the Diehards’ operation at the Palace of the Winding Path effectively ended with the great rapture of ‘79, it only makes sense that the Diehards would have to adapt their drug trade elsewhere. If you actually look for raider activity in Charleston (outside of the courthouse), you won’t find a lot, but what you will find is very telling of their operations. You’ll find a dead raider at the chemistry workbench inside Hornwright Industrial Headquarters. You’ll find a few dead raiders in/above the pharmacy on the south side of town. And you’ll find a dead raider lurking outside the doctors’ offices (which is NOT the hospital) to the north. And this takes us to Dr. Joseph.
https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Joseph_(Fallout_76))
Dr. Joseph was a psychiatrist in Charleston who practiced both before AND after the Great War. He had the authority to refer patients to Allegheny Asylum and write prescriptions; Prescriptions that would be filled at the pharmacy on the south side of Charleston. To one patient, P. Davis, he prescribed Day Tripper. This insightful detail is why the Diehards were operating in Charleston in the first place. As many seasoned players have observed, Day Tripper is not craftable in this game; You can only find it out in the wild. Consider the following terminal entry from the Palace of the Winding Path:
“Log: 12.29.77 Since the war, incense ingredients have been hard to come by. We started rationing weeks ago, in anticipation of this, and doses are much lower. The sedative effects of the incense are a priority, to keep people from freaking out.
I've begun to improvise with some other ingredients and found some creative ways of stretching the supply, at least until things return to relative normal. Other chem supplies are plentiful.”
So here’s what I think happened. If the Diehards were in dire need of Day Tripper to make their custom chems (see: Making Incense), and the Responders had a healthy supply of Day Tripper locked inside a pharmacy in Charleston, and there was also a doctor who wrote prescriptions for Day Tripper, then all the Diehards needed to do was register a new patient with Dr. Joseph. Enter: Darius Angler.
Darius Angler was batshit crazy (if in doubt, refer to his manifesto). Angler, who now resided at Hillfolk Hotdogs, was also just a short trip up the New River from Charleston. He would periodically visit Dr. Joseph, get his prescription filled like a meth-head scoring Sudafed, and used the trip as a cover to smuggle the refined chems into the city. Essentially, I think he just made a loop around the southwest “island” of the Forest (area surrounded on all sides by 3 rivers, referred to as “Zone D”). The loop around Zone D functioned as a supply chain/assembly line for producing the chems that were being smuggled into Charleston. There’s a lot of suspicious stuff happening around here: Raider activity, duffel bags/files, bridge control, coffin conspiracies, etc. that I had to edit out for length, but I’ll try to summarize it here.
Hillfolk Hotdogs is where Angler and Colonel raised mole rats for reasons I’ll explain later. Follow the Ohio River south and you’ll soon come to a boat that’s not far away from a crashed truck loaded up with industrial chemical barrels (useful for producing industrial quantities of chems). South of that is a tent with a duffel bag. Further south you’ll find a 3-story house with suspicious files and a duffle bag hidden in the attic (just like at Hillfolk’s). South of that are some dry-docked boats with a chem box and a duffel bag. Even further south is Ohio River Adventure (a current Raider base of operation that served a similar purpose back then). Southeast of there, by Lewis & Sons, is a little “boat” with 2 stuffed bears, which I think was left behind by Colonel as he reenacted his river adventures with Angler using his bears. Southeast of there is a floating Nuka-Cola structure with a submerged safe guarded by 2 more bears, one of which has a liquor bottle. I think this is a dead drop and the bears are another work of Colonel’s. Heading East up the River you’ll find a raider-operated “store” at the end of a questionable bridge. Further east is Charleston, where George Matoukas was distributing the chems. And on the return trip down the New River is another dead drop directly beneath the Bridge on the west side. It’s a safe by a couch with a bear and Jangles (I think Jangles is supposed to represent George). Again, I think that this big loop is a supply chain/assembly line for moving chems and the components needed to make chems.
The smuggling operation also deviously involved Colonel and his “Baer Frends.” If you jetpack up to the very top of AVR Medical Center, you’ll find two people who OD’ed on chems, each with a stuffed bear next to them. So I think that either the Diehards were sewing chems inside Colonel’s stuffed bears and using them as drug mules to smuggle chems into Charleston, or that Colonel just climbed to the highest point on the hospital (as he did at the Palace and later in Flatwoods) and left two bears as a memorial. But I’m leaning toward the former because of an unmarked location in the Savage Divide that I found. It’s southeast of Bastion Park right at the bend of the monorail line. It’s essentially a fire pit with a bunch of stuffed bears thrown in it with a few dead party-goers around the area. I think this is the location where the Responders destroyed all of the Chems, bears and all, that they confiscated from George Matoukas. Speaking of George Matoukas….
Curious George and the Rocket: According to the above-mentioned terminal entry, George Matoukas was apparently the only criminal who the Responders sentenced to hard labor rather than exile. If you go to Rollins Labor Camp (formerly Rollins Work Camp), you won’t find a whole lot there other than Blood Eagles. But what you WILL find at the very top of the crane structure are two stuffed bears and a Jangles. Colonel, as a child, had a thing for playing with “baer frends in high places.” I can’t say with any certainty what happened here, but maybe Angler was the one who gave the responders that “anonymous tip” because Matoukas was starting to rub off on Colonel, and Angler didn’t want him growing up to be a Raider. Matoukas gets sentenced to hard labor rather than exile, with a change of parole pending “good behavior,” which means “snitching.” So maybe Angler took Colonel to visit his “friend” at the labor camp (visiting hours are a thing), Angler introduced George to a “rocket,” and Colonel used his toys to recreate the scene. Or not. Who knows? But what I do know is that the shitty poet (Angler) moved on from Hillfolk Hotdogs to go to the Cranberry Bog, and I think the Christmas Flood gave him the perfect reason to leave.
Untitled Poem #3: I’m intentionally skipping Untitled Poem #2, partly because I haven’t found much deeper meaning to it, but mostly because what I think it means is little more than conjecture. #3, on the other hand, I feel like I can make sense of it:
“white cedar leaning against the shadow of our river
peeling like asylum walls
hobbled together around dignity that died long ago
simple things to jumpstart fogged memories
holed as teeth hidden in tin
we leave our things pinned
winning only the stuck wings”
I think the phrase “white cedar leaning against the shadow of our river” is the title of the painting in Dr. Joseph’s office. Or at least that’s how Darius Angler would describe it as if it was some kind of Rorschach test. “Peeling like asylum walls, hobbled together around dignity that died long ago” is a reference to the office wallpaper, and perhaps another one of Dr. Joseph’s clients, Daniel Boone.
“Patient: "Boone, D"
Observations:
Interesting case.
Patient responds only to "Daniel Boone" and indeed seems to believe himself to be the historical figure by the same name. I'd heard that some of the hillfolk can end up a bit off after lack of socialization, but I'd not expected to see such a case.
Advised that he be sent to Allegheny rather than the Penitentiary for further observation.”
There’s only a VERY narrow window of plausibility to suggest that Angler is Daniel Boone, so I won’t. But this entry seems to refer back to Untitled Poem #3, with worlds like “hillfolk” (as in Hillfolk Hotdogs), “Allegheny” (as in asylum), and “the historical figure” (as in dignity that died long ago). I think the line “simple things to jumpstart fogged memories'' refers to the Souvenir Magnet on the fridge at Hillfolk Hotdogs, and I think it came from Lady Janet’s Soft Serve (not Cow Spot Creamery). “Holed as teeth hidden in tin” refers to the mole rats that he was raising with Colonel at Hillfolk’s (the cat bowl on the floor is for the mole rat that walks around the trailer like Fry’s dog from Futurama, just waiting for Colonel to come home). And “we leave our things pinned, winning only the stuck wings,” refers to Angler’s (and Colonel’s) escape from the Diehards. I’m assuming this event took place just after the Christmas flood, once the chem operation in Charleston was destroyed with the rest of the city. But if you remember those dead raiders I mentioned earlier, there are a few more. Outside of Dr. Joseph’s office is a dead raider next to an ammo box. Well, next to him is a makeshift bridge that goes over the highway. And if you keep going in the same direction once you step off the bridge you’ll hit the southwest corner of Wade Airport. Immediately in that corner past the fence is a locked truck-trailer (watch out for the mine) with 2 more dead raiders and a power armor chassis (sometimes). I think the last line of the poem refers to this exact event, leaving his power armor (and compatriots) pinned in the back of the trailer so he can steal yet another Vertibird. Angler flew the automated aircraft to Watoga. Why? I don’t know. But it explains how he got to the Cranberry Bog and why his body can be found just a short distance south of the city.
Untitled Poem #4: Just like #2, I don’t have any deep insight into the specifics so all I can do is speculate. I’ll spare you the details. But what I think it’s about is the very end of his relationship with Colonel. I think the time Angler and Colonel spent together in the unmarked cabin southeast of Sunrise Field was just Angler teaching Colonel to be self-sufficient (hunting, trapping, maintaining weapons and whatnot). I think that when the scorched attacked Harper’s Ferry in 2086 that there was also generally increased scorched activity in the eastern half of Appalachia. The poem describes Angler providing cover fire to, or perhaps just drawing fire away from Colonel as he escaped through Big Bend Tunnel, later to be found by the Responders. But again, like with #2, all I can do with this poem is speculate.
The Mysterious Mole Rats: This is a question I’ve had for almost 2 years now, and I think I finally figured it out. Back at the Palace of the Winding Path, there’s a lonely mole rat that lives in the computer room by the garden. There’s also a dead mole rat next to a dead raider pilot by a downed plane that was headed to the Palace from the north. I didn’t know what the Diehards needed mole rats for because I was only looking at the Palace itself. But the answer to this question is found at Lady Janet’s. Everyone thinks that the two bears in gas masks by the chemistry is just a Breaking Bad easter egg. But I think it’s yet another “baer frend” reenactment left behind by Colonel. Do you remember how the cultists at the Palace ran out of ingredients to make the “spiritual incense” and had to improvise? Well, one of the substitute ingredients they used, and the reason they were importing mole rats, and the reason the Diehards took care of the children like they did, is found in the baby carriage at Lady Janet’s.
A stroller full of human jaw bones? Yeah…. Teeth. Or more precisely, “baby teeth.” I suppose mole rat teeth would do in a pinch, but as messed up as it sounds human baby teeth were preferred. This is why the Diehards at the Palace were taking care of those first-graders; because six-year-olds shed baby teeth like it’s raining molars! This also answers a question you didn’t even know you had, and it takes us back to Flatwoods. Here’s a note written by Jeremiah Ward who lived in trailer in the town (and the Ransacked Bunker before that):
“I, Jeremiah Ward, resident in the town of Flatwoods, county of... not sure.
Being of sound mind, and not acting under... duress. Mostly.
Hereby declare this letter to be my last will and testament.
Mia gets the house, and everything in it.
It ain't much but that's all I got to give and... she's all I got.
I know she's still alive.
The Responders say the dogs got her, but I know it ain't true.
They been real good to us. Teaching an old geezer like me how to really cook is something. I'll give em that.
But I know they lyin about those dogs. I seen em in the hills. There's some bad folks scoping us out. They took my granddaughter, I just know it.
I'll get you back, Mia. I promise.”
Mia, a baby who slept in the crib in that trailer, was abducted by raiders. And the only raider gang that ever had any interest in kids was the Diehards. And when you remember that the Responders had a foster care program that would later be run by Colonel once he was older, you’ll remember that a shit load of children went “missing” when Billy (Fishbones) attacked Flatwoods. And if teeth (baby, mole rat, or otherwise) was the secret ingredient in Angler’s chem recipe… and Colonel was Angler’s apprentice for a number of years before he joined the Responders… and Colonel was the caretaker of all of the children of Flatwoods… then exactly what was in those documents that Colonel was burning on his back porch?
Full Circle: So after everything, the Diehards lost their crop of children at the Palace of the Winding Path in 2079, but took the children of Flatwoods and left Appalachia. When they came back, they put Fishbones (Billy) in charge of the Ohio River Adventures operation, who is now spiking the mirelurk meat with a potent chem. It’s totally possible that Ra Ra is actually Mia Ward (Jeremiah Ward’s granddaughter). Hell, it’s even possible that Jeremiah Ward is somehow Ward from Foundation. Since Colonel was obviously keeping, and subsequently burning, secrets, I’d say he was also inclined to keep his raider past a secret as well as the truth about his adoptive father. Like he said in his Survivor’s Story, “he was bad.” Perhaps the reason he kept his Diehard history a secret from the Dassa and the other Responders was because he knew that the Responders were the ones punishing and exiling people back in Charleston. But this whole story began the day Darius Angler decided to get revenge on Grafton Steel. And if his brother hadn’t actually died after all, then it would explain why Angler stayed with the Diehards for as long as he did rather than returning to the Free states. Regardless, this entire story began and ended with Billy. “It was always Billy.”
2023.05.29 14:02 throwitaway5876 Why does it feel like somethings calling me?
Little about myself: 33M / current location: South Central United States /
Okay I know the title isn’t super descriptive but it seems to be the best way for me to explain what’s going on with me.
I can’t explain why but for some reason my body around 9 months ago swapped everything around on me and it’s going to sound nuts so pick away if you want.
At first it was just my sleep, I used to be the 6am in the morning to the 9pm and night kind of person with no problems at all. But for some weird reason just out of the blue it jumped from my normal to 10am to 2pm just like clockwork and hasn’t stopped since.
I have tried sleep aids, prescription and non prescription to try and get my body back into a rhythm. I’ve gone as far as the daylight integration and still no avail.
I’ve come to accept the time change but it’s interfering with my every day to day life. I can’t be up at 1 am in the morning working on my house. Or be awake to run the company I started so many years back.
But the wildest thing that blows me away is that my body’s somehow swapped to a Pacific Island time zone in a snap of a night and I have never been that far West. Most I’ve been is Idaho and that was a few years back.
My moms side of the family is or well was somewhat native or just residence of Hawaii at one time ( my mom was a few of some islanders that came to the mainland in California, where I was born San Diego) and my dads side Italian and Irish. My wife suggested maybe it’s some kind of internal clock or something.
What do you y’all think? Am I just never going to sleep normal again or resort to heavier methods to sedate myself? Or just go with the flow and follow that internal clock my wife keeps talking about calling me back to something I have no idea about?
submitted by throwitaway5876 to CasualConversation [link] [comments]
Okay I know the title isn’t super descriptive but it seems to be the best way for me to explain what’s going on with me.
I can’t explain why but for some reason my body around 9 months ago swapped everything around on me and it’s going to sound nuts so pick away if you want.
At first it was just my sleep, I used to be the 6am in the morning to the 9pm and night kind of person with no problems at all. But for some weird reason just out of the blue it jumped from my normal to 10am to 2pm just like clockwork and hasn’t stopped since.
I have tried sleep aids, prescription and non prescription to try and get my body back into a rhythm. I’ve gone as far as the daylight integration and still no avail.
I’ve come to accept the time change but it’s interfering with my every day to day life. I can’t be up at 1 am in the morning working on my house. Or be awake to run the company I started so many years back.
But the wildest thing that blows me away is that my body’s somehow swapped to a Pacific Island time zone in a snap of a night and I have never been that far West. Most I’ve been is Idaho and that was a few years back.
My moms side of the family is or well was somewhat native or just residence of Hawaii at one time ( my mom was a few of some islanders that came to the mainland in California, where I was born San Diego) and my dads side Italian and Irish. My wife suggested maybe it’s some kind of internal clock or something.
What do you y’all think? Am I just never going to sleep normal again or resort to heavier methods to sedate myself? Or just go with the flow and follow that internal clock my wife keeps talking about calling me back to something I have no idea about?
2023.05.29 13:52 Shivaniverma1 Godrej Luxury Plots Kurukshetra, Price List, Layout Plan, Location Map & Floor Plan
 | Godrej Properties Kurukshetra is one of the most luxurious plot developments in India. This project has been developed by Godrej Properties, a leading real estate developer in India. It offers premium plots with world-class amenities and features to its customers. The development consists of residential plots that are spread across an area of over 300 acres and offer great connectivity to major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala etc., making it an ideal location for those who want to invest or live near these cities while still enjoying the serenity and peace offered by this beautiful city located in Haryana state. submitted by Shivaniverma1 to u/Shivaniverma1 [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/92w33l0der2b1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8615ec04675858229e724e18a2f966e0a323bd64 The main highlights of Godrej Plots Kurukshetra include modern infrastructure such as wide roads lined with trees on both sides, street lighting systems powered by solar energy etc., along with other facilities like round-the-clock security surveillance system; playgrounds for children; shopping complexes; community centres where residents can come together & organise events/parties etc.; swimming pool & gymnasiums as well as parks & gardens for relaxation purpose among many others which make living here truly a pleasure! https://preview.redd.it/dbz0s35eer2b1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f6c840d035f0d1a1cbd95e150a98fe76ff798c73 Apart from all these amazing features mentioned above, what makes investing at Godrej Plots Kurukshetra even more attractive is their flexible payment plans which allow customers to pay either through EMI's or lump sum amount according to their convenience thereby providing them maximum flexibility when it comes time for purchasing property here! Additionally they also provide special discounts during festive seasons thus making sure everyone gets something out buying property at this prestigious address! All in all if you are looking forward to investing your hard earned money then there’s no better option than opting for luxury plots at Godrej Properties Kurukshetra - definitely worth considering!.for more help visit my site:- https://godrejplotskurukshetra.in/ |
2023.05.29 13:44 Confident-Cupcake164 One scammy industry that is so scammy and have frustrated me for years
One industry is so scammy it defies my understanding of libertarianism
That is the insurance industry in my country. Claim ratio is so low anyone me buying it can expect to pay 10 to 1000 times than if he pays for healthcare himself.
The product was so bad there is no way they can sell any of their shitty product without deception and force.
So what do they do?
Under regulation in Indonesia the company make it easy for their agents to lie.
Fees are not written clearly. Most customers that read the polis terms cannot see the major fees.
Also they have this component called unapplied premium. It will greatly increase fees without any benefit whatsoever. This is how those that buy even low amount insurance can end up paying huge fees.
Their agents sell insurance privately. Soft lying is often not enough to trick some customers so they try to sell privately so when agents lie the case wasn't viral.
If asked publicly on things that cannot be evaded by soft lying none of their agents would answer.
For example if you asked agents publicly what are the fees and where it is written. No body answer.
They don't want to admit that they sell something costing 1000 times than normal. They know their product is so bad if customers know about the hidden fee they won't buy and feel disgusted.
Interestingly Indonesians do not have choices when it comes to getting cost effective insurance. Someone create a start up where people can collect money and pay for those who are sick. So at least the claim ratio will be reasonable. Those start up then don't get licenses.
Because the commission on selling this scammy product is so big they can make other bizs force their customers to buy their shitty products too.
When I buy my house for example, the agent told me that I have to buy insurance. I was boiling mad when I learned that it's not true. I got my money back and don't want to prolong the issue. But that convinces me that the whole insurance industry in my country is a scammy business
And that makes me rethink a lot about libertarianism.
The idea that businessmen are good and politician are bad is gone. All businesses will scam and force when they can get away with it and when it is profitable to do so.
Ancap believes that private security contractors will want to maintain trust of their customers and don't shit on them. We don't know that.
What's really frustrating is it's hard to convince anyone that this is really fraud.
So they put another bullshit on top of their fraud.
They claim that all the money is really invested and customers will make more money if they keep investing.
What happened is some money is indeed invested. But that's just normal mutual fund. While mutual fund took 2% fee they took fucking half (i.e. 50%). The insurance aspect is of course negligible.
Of course if you wait 1000 years even money that has been cut in half will have the interest grow back to make up for the loss. But the present value of the money now is still half. And having this concept of present value means it's something most judges and most customers don't get it. Of course they don't even bother going through this in public.
They also said really really bizarre things like the money going to fees are not gone and customers lost money because they close their insurance early. It's A FUCKING FEE. OF COURSE it's gone. Their agents try to portray it as there is the penalty for withdrawing early. Of course when pressed and asked which part of the deal say there is penalty for withdrawing early, no one answers?
Basically, they turn a really really simple case. Absurd huge fees that they deliberately hide from customers into some complex misunderstanding on the philosophy is the whole money is really invested when part of the money is invested?
Basically individual agents don't face any danger of conviction by claiming that they too don't truly understand the problem. The companies PR can lie to public saying that some agents are just naughty but that's the problem of the customer with the agent. So reputational damage is also minimal.
They are definitely lying and they know it. They know their product is shit. Why else no one of them bother answering how much the fee is. They know that once people know the fee everybody knows it's shit, well 99% people.
Besides, it's customary in sales that sales people say the good part of the product and not the bad part. So is it a fraud for simply not telling the huge fees?
An Indonesian lawyer told me that according to Indonesian law it's not. Not telling huge fees, deliberately obfuscating it, and claiming all money are invested which in some twisted sense can be true, is not fraud but smart selling. They said I am going to lose if I sue and the cost of lawyers will be bigger and they can counter sue me for defamtion.
But a foundation once sue them on behalf of customer and the judge order that foundation to pay for defamation because the foundation cannot proof that customers are "hurt". Why not? It's a "good" investment that may make more money "long term".
People protesting and accusing them of fraud may be the one going to jail for defamation and people need a certain law skills to understand what they can say or not. To be save, should be done anonymously.
Key material information is the price. It's deliberately obfuscated and their agents claim that it's all invested. Basically, they will defend that all the money is "really" invested and probably have some bullshit acrobatic explanation for that either.
The case is extremely similar with Sim Lim scam. There are huge fees that customers simply don't know because it's "told" in a very obfuscated ways. On top of that there is this huge bullshit that somehow the product is "good" because in the long term interests or gains from the investment parts can cover the lost fees. Of course the "invested" part is just a regular mutual fund with normal Sharpe ratio.
submitted by Confident-Cupcake164 to Anarcho_Capitalism [link] [comments]
That is the insurance industry in my country. Claim ratio is so low anyone me buying it can expect to pay 10 to 1000 times than if he pays for healthcare himself.
The product was so bad there is no way they can sell any of their shitty product without deception and force.
So what do they do?
Under regulation in Indonesia the company make it easy for their agents to lie.
Fees are not written clearly. Most customers that read the polis terms cannot see the major fees.
Also they have this component called unapplied premium. It will greatly increase fees without any benefit whatsoever. This is how those that buy even low amount insurance can end up paying huge fees.
Their agents sell insurance privately. Soft lying is often not enough to trick some customers so they try to sell privately so when agents lie the case wasn't viral.
If asked publicly on things that cannot be evaded by soft lying none of their agents would answer.
For example if you asked agents publicly what are the fees and where it is written. No body answer.
They don't want to admit that they sell something costing 1000 times than normal. They know their product is so bad if customers know about the hidden fee they won't buy and feel disgusted.
Interestingly Indonesians do not have choices when it comes to getting cost effective insurance. Someone create a start up where people can collect money and pay for those who are sick. So at least the claim ratio will be reasonable. Those start up then don't get licenses.
Because the commission on selling this scammy product is so big they can make other bizs force their customers to buy their shitty products too.
When I buy my house for example, the agent told me that I have to buy insurance. I was boiling mad when I learned that it's not true. I got my money back and don't want to prolong the issue. But that convinces me that the whole insurance industry in my country is a scammy business
And that makes me rethink a lot about libertarianism.
The idea that businessmen are good and politician are bad is gone. All businesses will scam and force when they can get away with it and when it is profitable to do so.
Ancap believes that private security contractors will want to maintain trust of their customers and don't shit on them. We don't know that.
What's really frustrating is it's hard to convince anyone that this is really fraud.
So they put another bullshit on top of their fraud.
They claim that all the money is really invested and customers will make more money if they keep investing.
What happened is some money is indeed invested. But that's just normal mutual fund. While mutual fund took 2% fee they took fucking half (i.e. 50%). The insurance aspect is of course negligible.
Of course if you wait 1000 years even money that has been cut in half will have the interest grow back to make up for the loss. But the present value of the money now is still half. And having this concept of present value means it's something most judges and most customers don't get it. Of course they don't even bother going through this in public.
They also said really really bizarre things like the money going to fees are not gone and customers lost money because they close their insurance early. It's A FUCKING FEE. OF COURSE it's gone. Their agents try to portray it as there is the penalty for withdrawing early. Of course when pressed and asked which part of the deal say there is penalty for withdrawing early, no one answers?
Basically, they turn a really really simple case. Absurd huge fees that they deliberately hide from customers into some complex misunderstanding on the philosophy is the whole money is really invested when part of the money is invested?
Basically individual agents don't face any danger of conviction by claiming that they too don't truly understand the problem. The companies PR can lie to public saying that some agents are just naughty but that's the problem of the customer with the agent. So reputational damage is also minimal.
They are definitely lying and they know it. They know their product is shit. Why else no one of them bother answering how much the fee is. They know that once people know the fee everybody knows it's shit, well 99% people.
Besides, it's customary in sales that sales people say the good part of the product and not the bad part. So is it a fraud for simply not telling the huge fees?
An Indonesian lawyer told me that according to Indonesian law it's not. Not telling huge fees, deliberately obfuscating it, and claiming all money are invested which in some twisted sense can be true, is not fraud but smart selling. They said I am going to lose if I sue and the cost of lawyers will be bigger and they can counter sue me for defamtion.
But a foundation once sue them on behalf of customer and the judge order that foundation to pay for defamation because the foundation cannot proof that customers are "hurt". Why not? It's a "good" investment that may make more money "long term".
People protesting and accusing them of fraud may be the one going to jail for defamation and people need a certain law skills to understand what they can say or not. To be save, should be done anonymously.
Key material information is the price. It's deliberately obfuscated and their agents claim that it's all invested. Basically, they will defend that all the money is "really" invested and probably have some bullshit acrobatic explanation for that either.
The case is extremely similar with Sim Lim scam. There are huge fees that customers simply don't know because it's "told" in a very obfuscated ways. On top of that there is this huge bullshit that somehow the product is "good" because in the long term interests or gains from the investment parts can cover the lost fees. Of course the "invested" part is just a regular mutual fund with normal Sharpe ratio.
2023.05.29 13:39 Johnny_Boy398 Africa Rework: The Leopard of the Congo Mobutu Sese Seko
 | (This is part of an ongoing series, links to which will be posted in the comments below) submitted by Johnny_Boy398 to TNOmod [link] [comments] The Nationalists of the “Mouvement Authenticité de la Révolution” (MAR) Who is Mobutu Sese Seko? Just another warlord who got a lucky break? A champion of the nation willing to do what is necessary for unity and freedom? A traitor to the people who was happy to crack congolese heads until his pay got cut? A revolutionary Father-Marshal or a reactionary kleptocrat? No one can say for sure, but when the Congo war begins in 1966 it will become clear what he wishes himself to be: the great liberator, unifyer, and undisputed master of the great Congo nation. And with Japanese help he may just pull it off. But no man is born great, and even the Fuhrer does not rule alone. So let us discover how Mobutu came to be, and what his victory will mean for the Congo and Africa at large. For the Japanese, who will become his greatest supporters and headaches, he is the African Oda Nobunaga: a martial and cruel man whose vision for unity and glory far outweighs whatever sins he may have committed. Always one for the cameras and adept at winning over an audience, Mobutu will successfully win over the Japanese public by playing the role of the justly tyrannical “Great Man”, even while he personally prefers western delicacies. Joseph-Désiré Mobutu lived an unremarkable life before being thrust into greatness. He was only 16 when the Congo was violently transferred from Belgian to German hands, and like many rebellious students he joined in the 1949 protests against the construction of the Congo dam, stowing away from boarding school to do so. In the aftermath of the MNC repression Mobutu was assigned to the still technically Belgian controlled Force Publique as punishment. Unlike many of his fellows however Mobutu immediately took to military life, embracing the strength, discipline and martial values it provided. In part because of this he served without noticeable disobedience, and was even bribed to be an informant on clandestine communist cells within the force, ratting out a few of his “comrades”. From the point of view of the Belgians he was a model soldier. But this was an act: in truth Mobutu never ceased holding resentment for his arrogant Belgian commanders or the priests who had “educated” him. Behind their back he was a contributor to the native underground press, writing under assumed names and attacking the Belgian presence. It came as quite a shock then when in 1955, as his mandated time in the force was drawing to a close, Mobutu did not accept demobilization quietly but instead went into revolt. It is still a matter of debate about what pushed him into this. He claims that this had been the plan all along, while cynics say the impending annexation of the belgian Congo by Zentralafrika forced him into it. Some think that his double life was about to be exposed, while the more conspiratorial leftists say that he never went into rebellion at all, and that his “revolt” was ordered by the Belgians as a way to counter the APL insurgency. But whatever the case it was here that the public figure was born. After killing several belgian officers and stealing as many weapons and valuables as they could Mobutu and his co-conspirators quickly fled east. This was not entirely unusual: the sudden annexation of the colony led to many sporadic demonstrations and revolts. But it immediately became clear that Mobutu had larger ambitions than these local disturbances. His strategy at this time was one of survival: he would only accept those who could move fast and hit hard, with his armed band always staying on the move as they fled to the east. But unlike other petty warlords he understood the importance of a political and social message for his long term survival, as well as local alliances. For this he essentially copied the platform of the now underground MNC while adhering to none of its tenants in reality: he would tell the people whatever they wanted to hear so long as it got him what he wanted. More practically he made tight alliances with local eastern notables as well as Tutsi refugees which had fled reprisals to the east. In this he was successful, forging for himself a loose alliance in the north east which permitted him to slip the noose where so many others were eventually caught. One of his most important lieutenants in these early days was Victor Nendaka Bika, his de facto “foreign minister” and torturer who would make initial contact with those Mobutu saw the need to coerce or charm. Unlike many warlords Mobutu never gave into the temptation to rule by fear alone, instead seeking to co-opt useful men into his own organization. But he was just as happy to let loose his jackal to show the consequences of disloyalty. These early years from 1956-1962 were defined at first by mere survival: banditry, illegal trade and bribery were the only ways to stay alive. But slowly, with plenty of self promotion to help it, Mobutu’s reputation as a survivor and a winner grew locally, and then regionally. As the remnants of failed rebels and warlords drifted into his growing camp Mobutu was able to step beyond being a bandit king and into becoming a local powerbroker. He had already made himself the allied protector of the Tutsi refugees, and soon after the APL’s protracted people's war in the north began he sought to become the patron of his own native Ngbandi people as well. Where he had the most power in the eastern fringes the pan-Africanist APL held the north, with the Ngbandi in the middle still “up for grabs” between the APL, Mobutu and the German administration. It is here that he first developed his own separate political platform: unwilling or unable to come to an agreement with either of the other two factions Mobutu began developing his own ideology of an “authentic” congolese nationalism which was opposed to both pan-african and communist radicalism, “self defeating” regionalism and demanded the full liberation of the congo from european imperialism. But most importantly to those who heard his call was for unity under Mobutu: if the African people remained divided and timid they would be slaves forever, and only a great leader like Mobutu could bring them true liberty. As one may expect, this call for subordination won him very few new friends. The see-saw of influence in the Congo north and east is set to be radically upended in 1962, as kommissar Krogmann finally thinks he has enough stability in the west to launch a pacification campaign. In this he will be superficially successful: all anti-German factions will be forced to retreat and large swaths of land will be returned to German control. But it will not accomplish its primary objective of capturing and killing the leadership: Mobutu will once again avoid the hangman and will return when the Zentralafrika army goes marching south to the SAW. And when he does it will be with a new purpose. Much of his army was scattered or deserted by the German offensive, with many of the local allies he thought were in his hands all but begging to come to terms with the Germans after he was forced out. He had survived yes, but only by the skin of his teeth: this time he would do things differently. Taking lessons from the APL he will return in 1964 as a popular revolutionary rather than as a mere warlord with a printing press. Though still not fully developed it is here that “Joseph-Désiré” would become “Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa za Banga” or “The all-powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and inflexible will to win, goes from conquest to conquest, leaving fire in his wake”. A new ideology of “Authentic” nationalism came with this new name, seeking to truly win over the hearts of the people as well as the loyalty of their leaders. It was a threat and a promise, as he would go about tearing down symbols of westernism in his wake and giving personal “gifts” to people or organizations which he wished to win over. He also sought to portray himself as an avenging angel, throwing “bad actors” such as denounced priests and hated collaborators against the wall. This new ideology, disseminated through the “Manifesto of Goma” is long in emotion and short in concrete policy. As such it was quickly denounced by the intellectuals of the Pan-Africanists and Liberals as not a “real” ideology and merely a cheap populism. But it is taken deadly seriously by the newly declared Mouvement Authenticité de la Révolution: for its supporters it promises a true rebirth of the congolese people from within rather than without. The Congo would be purged of malignant western influence by remaking the congolese individual in body, mind and spirit. This was the way to true freedom and dignity, far more than mere “material conditions” or to ape their constitutions. With his newfound identity and strategy Mobutu will of course be a prime target for Huttig’s retribution, but as is always the case too few men and not enough supplies will stop Huttig from ever putting him down for good. Plus Mobutu had found a new friend: the Japanese. In the immediate aftermath of Huttig’s takeover the Japanese will support the APL, but will quickly grow disenchanted: the naked radicalism and distrustful nature of the APL will lead to the Japanese looking for a more reliable partner, and Mobutu will aggressively angle to become just that. After having been rejected by the Americans in favor of the MNC Mobutu is the only big game left in the Congo for Japan to back, and was always a master at co-option and personal magnetism. He will charm the Japanese mission to sing his praises in Tokyo, even if there is little they can do for him at the moment. This will change when Huttig dies: taking a gamble Mobutu will strike at Stanleyville, successfully forcing the retreating garrison to leave behind most of their weapons and capturing an airport through which he will finally have solid connections with the outside world. The bad blood between him and the MNC and APL will mean that there is no choice but to fight it out as the Congo war begins in 1966, this time with Japan backing him to the hilt. Mobutu now seeks to become a legend. Already having gained a personal mythos after having been declared dead by the Germans several times, his wartime strategy will be to force the mass mobilization of the population. Under his personal name and with the backing of Japan he will force every man who comes under his control into his army, seeking to form a tidal wave of men which will overwhelm his enemies and make up for his lack of supply. If an enemy cannot be rooted out with simple force of numbers, it will be the job of his all Ngbandi “Leopard Division” or even better of Japanese “volunteers” to root them out. The success of this strategy is heavily dependent on momentum, and will rely on Japanese backing to arm itself. But if it is successful Zentralafrika will be no more, and neither will the Congo: The Republic of Zaire will rise as the newest power in Africa under the leadership of the nation's great guide: Mobutu Sese Seko. After a partial demobilization and a reconfirming of his alliance with “internal allies” such as the Tutsi under François Rukeba and the Bakongo under Holden Roberto he will initiate a grand campaign of national revolution and self aggrandizement: Zairianization. Asian inspired architecture of the newly built Presidential Palace. Among those celebrating the creation of Zaire will be the Japanese. All sides have poured a great deal of resources into the conflict, and the victory of Mobutu will doubtless be a strategic boon for Japanese influence on the continent. Mobutu for his part recognizes the usefulness of his new “friends”, but neither side is blinded by the propaganda: the dangers and opportunities of Nationalism are all too familiar. As mentioned in my previous post there are several common issues which any native unifyer must account for. The first among these is The Looming Famine: in the aftermath of years of war and mismanagement the supply of food to urban areas is critically unstable. And it is in this issue that the weaknesses of Mobutu’s regime will first be seen. Mobutu’s agricultural reform centers mostly on seizing land owned by the whites and his political enemies, and then redistributing it to himself, his political allies, and occasionally to the people. As everything with the Zairean revolution the purpose is twofold: to meet the needs of the people and to entrench Mobutu's personal political power. But often the second goal far outstrips the first: many of the people who gain this land do not know how to use the land productively, or if they do, are more interested in producing cash crops than they are in food staples. This is certainly the case for the massive amounts of land brought under Mobutu’s personal ownership, which will most often continue to grow the same way as the colonial plantations they were before. This reckless reorganization and focus on exports ensure that hunger will be an early and acute crisis for Zaire. The issue will be solved slowly, as roads are repaired and the rhythm of agricultural life is no longer disrupted by war, but the people need food now and more than anything else it is cassava and rice which the people demand from their leaders. It is by meeting this need that Japanese influence first becomes a powerful thing. Though motivated in part by genuine charity from well off Asians, the provision of food and aid is also cynically used by the Japanese state to buy the support of the people and the local power brokers away from Mobutu, and towards themselves. This aid, plus the government's own subsidies of food imports, plus the natural healing from war, will lead to the crisis fading away but leaving all sides on notice that the future of Zaire is still being made, and that the Japanese are a major player in it. The Mutilated Independence: The inability of Mobutu to take Leopoldville during the independence war is a blow to Mobutu’s prestige, not to mention Zaire as a whole. However he is pragmatic enough and has enough friends in Japan to hash out a deal with Nigeria and Gabon: the loss of the major port will not strangle Congolese exports or imports, only make them more expensive. But for both political and economic reasons the retaking of Leopoldville and the Kabinda port remain absolutely vital to the continued reign of Mobutu. To this end Mobutu’s solution to retaking Leopoldville is direct conquest, not because he can think of no other option but because it will give him the greatest personal prestige as a great conqueror. As such along with his policy of “Zairianization” and economic consolidation he will also invest a great deal into the army. This army will see its strength tested as Mobutu tries to expand his influence beyond the Zaireian borders. Gabon may be protected by America, but unleashing blitz style attacks on Angola and Rwanda is fair game. In Angola he will seek to set up Holden Roberto as a fellow autocratic “Authenticité” leader by supporting his meager army against the warring angolan factions in an attempted knockout blow. In Rwanda he will need to be somewhat more cautious (unless something very bad happens) but ultimately seeks to return Kigeli V to the throne on the backs of his long time exile allies. In this way he will both expand his influence as well as surround Leopoldville with friendly regimes. When the oil crisis hits Mobutu will leap at the opportunity to crush the Germans by launching an all out assault on “Festung Leopoldville”, and if successful will greatly increase his prestige, as well as rehabilitate his image in the eyes of other revolutionary leaders as a “true revolutionary”. If he fails in these wars however he will decline, and need to lean ever more heavily on Japan to prop himself up. This is somewhat awkward for Japan itself: having previously backed leftist movements as their best options they must now choose between their old allies and the new anti-leftist gambles taken by Mobutu. But despite the heartburn Zaire is simply too valuable in the african chaos for Japan to not continue supporting it, and so the rising sun shall backstab their allies in the name of pragmatism to the benefit of Mobutu. And besides, these new factions typically promess a better deal than the socialists did. Mobutu walks a fine line in African politics: though he has denounced the APL’s brand of pan-africanism he also wishes to be seen as a great revolutionary. Surrounded as he is by pan-african or otherwise revolutionary movements it is only good sense to say you are one of them. And to many Mobutu is just that: a liberating revolutionary who both freed and united great swaths of africa from pernicious white influence. But for the wider Marxist inspired world of African liberation his clear anti-communist is difficult to accept, no matter how well he speaks the language of pan-african pride. Lingering Regionalism: In this question Mobutu is the most radical, and his policy is what you may know him for OTL. While all revolutionaries desire to establish a united identity, and some of them will do so by autocratic centralization, Mobutu makes the establishment of a “true” Zaireian nation a core part of his rule. As established in the Manifesto of Goma Mobutu promesses a national revolution in which regionalism will be swept away by a new, authentic program of nation building which will decolonize the Congolese mind as well as their hands. In practical terms this means the creation of a totalitarian state which will regulate and make “african” all aspects of life. Western influence will be attacked via the banning of christian names and nationalizing catholic church property. A citizen dress code will be implemented as well as a “traditional” family code which will favor male-dominated polygamy and property laws. Though his own praetorian guard of the leopard division is tribally biased the army as a whole will have a new organization forbidding any unit to be more than 20% uniform in tribal origin. This campaign is carried out with special zeal against the influence of Catholicism. Seeing it as both a challenge to his own power and as a malignant foreign influence Mobutu will make a great show of putting priests on trial and instructing his followers to declare that Mubutu is like Jesus and the MAR like the church. Schools, previously run almost exclusively by religious organizations, will be nationalized and their curriculum no longer permitted to teach Christianity but instead to teach “Mobutuism”. Though he will not have the strength needed to wipe out the church entirely during the 60s or early 70s Mobutu will be able to effectively cow this institution and dare any priest to say “sacrilege”. This campaign will provide a degree of unity, pride and self confidence to the shattered nation beyond what any other program could do, but it is all provided through the image of Mobutu as the great sun king of the new nation. Mobutu will seek to become the center of a pseudo-religious cult of personality with mass public celebrations of his figure following him wherever he goes and an entourage singing songs in his praise. A consequence of the personalism in this campaign is than any embarrassing failures will not only reflect poorly on the nation but on Mobutu himself. As such he will often get worked up by seemingly trivial matters: if the football team should be lucky enough to participate in the world cup they will do so under the threat that if they do not perform well enough it will see retribution on them at home. But as part of building this cult he must never let any other person, even his own children, get a moment in the spotlight. Below him is transient chaos, while above him is none: he alone is the rock on which Zaire can be built. This policy is most clearly seen in his handling of the Warlord Plague. Here Mobutu has a two sided policy: All those military figures which he believes could pose a threat to his rule will at first be executed publicly and brutally. In the opening months of his reign he will institute a mini reign of terror to make an example of many warlords and political enemies. However, once the example has been made he will move on to a policy of co-opting these same men. Often through direct bribery, or through positions of prestige and other perks, local strongmen who will accept his rule are brought into the state machine by promising the opportunity to profit in exchange for loyalty. This opportunity is often revoked without notice or reason and personal rivalry at the top is encouraged: in this way no other individual is able to form a stable powerbase. But at the same time individuals previously kicked out of power may be rehabilitated just as quickly, rising once again to wealth and prestige on the auspices of Mobutu’s favor. In this way no elite is a permanent outsider, and the best move for many will seem to be “wait and see”. This of course makes the internal administration of the nation hell, but it does keep Mobutu in undisputed power without even the glimmer of a rival. This policy of personal co-option extends even to The Belgian Question. The Europeans remaining property will be nationalized and they will be deported, but it will not come with the punitive brutality of the pan-africanists. Mobutu has no love for the Belgians, and will not tolerate their continued dominance, but he also has no special hatred for them, seeing them mostly as political liabilities and rivals rather than ideology defining enemies: that distinction goes to the Germans. But after this show of nationalistic force the door will be left open to their return: many of the nationalized properties are redistributed to those without the knowledge, skill or desire to maintain their productivity. As such when those same Europeans are offered the chance to buy back their property or even return to the Congo Mobutu will not get in their way: so long as they avoid getting lynched along the way by Mobutu’s notoriously brutal and poorly disciplined soldiers he will let them have their piece too so long as they accept that it is by his grace alone that they keep it. Part of this leniency is out of a calculated mercy to Europeans: Mobutu is smart enough to know that making himself solely reliant on Japan is a poor strategy, and will seek to make connections with America, Italy and Brazil. Having mercy on the Belgians and keeping the door open to cooperation with the Euros is an easy way to mollify western opinion and thus maintain his own independence on the world stage. Of course even this policy has limits: Germany and those under her will see the door slammed shut. Which brings us neatly into the great struggle which defines the early Mobutu regime: addressing the Economic Devastation. In keeping with his Authenticité program Mobutu wishes to nationalize all previously foreign owned industry, which is the vast majority of all industry, under the one-party state. These national corporations, modeled off of the Japanese Zaibatsu and Italian corporatism, will be either controlled directly by Mobutu, by his close political allies, or (to his own displeasure) by East Asians, most often the Japanese. Mobutu’s Japanese backers are willing to prop up his regime, to allow whatever social and political organization he wishes, but they have come to the Congo for a reason. That reason is money and resources, and with Authenticité pushing for the cartelization of all money in the Congo the Japanese demand to be let in. Mobutu cannot simply dismiss them: it is Japanese credit and weapons which ensure he stays secure and on top. But he is also unwilling to simply roll over for them: he is a nationalist and a deeply ambitious man, and will not be satisfied with anything less than personal ownership of the Zaire economy. As such the 60s and early 70s will be a contest between true Mobutu loyalists and pro-Japanese opportunists for who will gain a majority share of the new nation's economic resources. Japan offers cash, guns, food, technical advisors and diplomatic support (all of which Zaire really needs) in return for shares in the national corporations and local extractions. They will also play dirty by employing bribes, intimidation tactics, organized crime and even clandestine support of anti-mobutu civil resistance to put pressure on the regime to open up more space for the Japanese. To counter this Mobutu has all the tools of the state at his disposal, as well as the mobilization of his own hard core group of supporters for intimidation or political pressure on local leaders. “Kazi ndjo baba, ndjo mama” (work, it is my father, it is my mother), is a common phrase in Katanga which alludes to the paternalist role played by large companies such as the Union Minière, which would provide housing, education, and sometimes even wives to their workers in exchange for productive loyalty. Even after the full German takeover “company work” maintained a facade of this relationship. Japan is well positioned to take up the old Union Minière paternalism tactics, offering workers higher and more regular pay than what native organizations sometimes can, while also reinforcing a culture of dependency which Mobutu is trying to break (or bend to his own ends). It is this contest for the hard cash and rare metals provided by the Congo which will determine the final form the Authenticité regime takes. If Mobutu is victorious and secures the lion's share of the economy for himself and a large enough share for his allies the Zairean Revolution will be complete with major bonuses to stability and political power, and even more importantly to Mobutu’s personal fortune. Though never giving public access to his personal books Mobutu will be plausibly rumored to be worth billions, with he and his family being some of the foremost african business people in the world and minor celebrities in the co-prosperity sphere. However the economy will suffer greatly from this as all economic efficiency and business skill has been sacrificed in the name of Mobutu’s personal power: though he is the undisputed master of Zaire it will be a deeply dysfunctional country economically, and if commodity prices were to fall he may need to go crawling back to the outside world to bail him out. On the other hand if Japan wins Zaire will become a neo-colonial strip, with its most lucrative industries owned in part or in full by the Japanese and the state unable to do anything about it without critically undermining its own elite support. This will make Mobutu into only a multi-millionaire rather than a billionaire, as well as undermine his public image of all powerful invincibility. With the Japanese ambassador keeping a hawkish eye on him and his party Mobutu will be left to stew in his unhappy lot knowing that if he ceases to play the part assigned to him the Japanese can always find someone else. This will also be the end of the Authentice campaign as even uneducated workers can see that their bread comes not from “Father Marshal” but from their places of work, owned by foreigners once again. But it is arguably better economically, as the extractive industries are at least run competently and its workers will be paid in full and on time more often. In all cases Zaire will be a sphere observer, but in this case it will be a part of the Japanese economic sphere as well. The later 70s and 80s will be difficult times for either end as prices crash and the cumulative effects of bad government and foreign domination come to the fore. But that is a story for another day. Japan or Mobutu, success or failure, unity or farce, one thing remains constant: the Zairean military officers are the new nobility of the new nation. Corruption is an endemic and potentially crippling issue in Zaire, and this is seen most clearly in the military, where officers will steal wages and army units will act close to bandits in the more remote regions, creating an atmosphere of fear. But the best position is that of an Air Force officer, with prominent families often paying through the nose for their sons to be educated in Japanese military academies to earn their wings. |
2023.05.29 13:38 Nepal-Real-Estate Navigating the Real Estate Market in Nepal: Houses for Rent, Houses for Sale, and Land Rental Options
Nepal's real estate market is thriving, offering a wide range of opportunities for those seeking houses for rent, houses for sale, and land for rent. Whether you are a resident looking for a new home or an investor interested in the growing market, this blog serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the real estate scene in Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu.
Houses for Rent:
Finding a suitable house for rent in Kathmandu can be an exciting and fulfilling endeavor. The city offers a diverse range of rental properties, from cozy apartments to spacious family homes, catering to various budgets and preferences. With a growing population and a bustling rental market, prospective tenants can explore different neighborhoods in Kathmandu to find their ideal rental home.
Houses for Sale:
Owning a house in Kathmandu is a dream for many, and the city provides ample opportunities for homebuyers. From traditional Newari-style houses to modern villas, the real estate market in Kathmandu offers a plethora of options. Whether you are seeking a tranquil suburban retreat or a vibrant urban dwelling, there is a house for sale in Kathmandu that fits your vision of a dream home.
Land for Rent:
For those interested in land rental options, Kathmandu has a range of opportunities to explore. Renting land can be a strategic decision for various purposes, such as commercial ventures or agricultural projects. With careful research and guidance, you can find the ideal plot of land for rent in Kathmandu to fulfill your specific requirements.
Land for Rent in Kathmandu:
Kathmandu's land rental market provides attractive prospects for investors and entrepreneurs. Whether you are looking to establish a business or engage in agricultural activities, Kathmandu offers diverse options for land rental. From the outskirts of the city to strategic locations within urban areas, you can find the perfect plot of land for your venture.
Conclusion:
Navigating the real estate market in Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu, can be an exciting journey. Whether you're searching for a house for rent, a house for sale, or land for rent, Nepal offers a wide array of options to suit various preferences and budgets. Engage with reputable real estate agents, conduct thorough research, and consider your specific requirements to make informed decisions in the thriving real estate landscape of Nepal.
submitted by Nepal-Real-Estate to u/Nepal-Real-Estate [link] [comments]
Houses for Rent:
Finding a suitable house for rent in Kathmandu can be an exciting and fulfilling endeavor. The city offers a diverse range of rental properties, from cozy apartments to spacious family homes, catering to various budgets and preferences. With a growing population and a bustling rental market, prospective tenants can explore different neighborhoods in Kathmandu to find their ideal rental home.
Houses for Sale:
Owning a house in Kathmandu is a dream for many, and the city provides ample opportunities for homebuyers. From traditional Newari-style houses to modern villas, the real estate market in Kathmandu offers a plethora of options. Whether you are seeking a tranquil suburban retreat or a vibrant urban dwelling, there is a house for sale in Kathmandu that fits your vision of a dream home.
Land for Rent:
For those interested in land rental options, Kathmandu has a range of opportunities to explore. Renting land can be a strategic decision for various purposes, such as commercial ventures or agricultural projects. With careful research and guidance, you can find the ideal plot of land for rent in Kathmandu to fulfill your specific requirements.
Land for Rent in Kathmandu:
Kathmandu's land rental market provides attractive prospects for investors and entrepreneurs. Whether you are looking to establish a business or engage in agricultural activities, Kathmandu offers diverse options for land rental. From the outskirts of the city to strategic locations within urban areas, you can find the perfect plot of land for your venture.
Conclusion:
Navigating the real estate market in Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu, can be an exciting journey. Whether you're searching for a house for rent, a house for sale, or land for rent, Nepal offers a wide array of options to suit various preferences and budgets. Engage with reputable real estate agents, conduct thorough research, and consider your specific requirements to make informed decisions in the thriving real estate landscape of Nepal.
2023.05.29 13:20 goldenmom4gr Transcription of "Second Westman Interview"
This is a transcription only of this
SECOND WESTMAN INTERVIEW
Tim W
Faith W
Haverhill, New Hampshire
Telephone: xxx
(noted as 2006 in handwriting)
Tim and Faith Westman were interviewed relative to their knowledge of certain events that occurred on February 9, 2004 concerning the disappearance of Maura Murray. They were interviewed by telephone with both of them on the line at the same time.
The Westmans indicated that at approximately 1900hrs on February 9, 2004, they were working inside of their home office. They heard what sounded like a "thud or thump" coming from the front of their residence. Both went into their kitchen to look out the window that faces Route 112, now known as Wild Ammonoosuc Road to see what had made this sound. They observed a dark colored vehicle (no further description by them) off the road facing west or toward Lincoln, New Hampshire. The rear of the vehicle was very near or adjacent to a tree with the driver's side of the car on the wooded side and the passenger side on the road side. Both Westmans cuold see the interior light of the car come on and subsequently go off several times as they watched the vehicle.
It was their opinion that the car had been traveling eastbound, when it left the road, struck a tree and came to a rest facing westbound. Both noted that the road was dry at the time of this accident with no ice, black ice or snow which would have caused the vehicle to go off the roadway. They also noted that a couple of days after this incident they observed the tire tracks in the snow left by the car at the time of this accident. It was clear to them that based upon these tracks the operator successfully negotiated the severe curve in the road, but for reasons unknown drove straight off the road. They could not offer any explanation for this collision.
The Westmands noted that at some point the emergency flashers for the vehicle also came on.
After the Westmans watched this car for a few minutes, B Atwood, one of their neighbors, drove by and stopped at the collision scene. He was one of the local school bus drivers and was in fact driving a large yellow standard school bus at this time. He said the bus stopped facing easy (the opposite of the parked vehicle) at which time Atwood opened the door of the bus and behan to speak to, the Westmans later learned, Maura Murray. Maura at this time had gotten out of her car and was speaking to Atwood from across the top of her vehicle. The Westman recalled that Atwood spoke to Maura for only 1-2 minutes. After this conversation, Atwood left and drove the school bus back to the house where he parked it as he usually does.
The Westmans said that Maura did not get into the school bus with Atwood, nor did Atwood get out of the bus when he spoke with Maura.
Both of the Westmans said that a couple of minutes after Atwood and the bus left they saw some activity outside of the car and believed it was Maura walking around her vehicle. Tim Westman said he could see a small light near Maura's face and thought she was smoking a cigarete. He later learrned that Maura did not smoke and that the light he saw was probably a light from her cell phone. Another couple of minutes passed when both the Westman's noted they saw no further lights coming from Maura's vehicle.
Another couple of minutes went by at which time the Westmans saw a fully marked Haverhill police car coming from the west and parked near the scene. They observed the police car because it had its blue emergency lights on. Another couple of minutes went by when the officer assigned to this police car came to their front door. The officer asked where the female operator of the car in question was. Both Westmans stated they did not see Maura leave the area, but noted that she if she walked from the collision scene, she had to walk eastbound. They noted that had she walked westbound they would have seen her. The officer also noted that he came from the west and did not see her along his route.
The Westmans noted it was 5-6 minutes in time from when atwood left in the school bus to the time the Haverhill police officer arrived on the scene.
The Westmans stated that soon after the officer left their residence, the local fire department, EMS staff and other local and state police officers arrived at the scene of this collision and began to search for Maura. Both Westmans also noted that the morning of the 10th both of them looked their property over and found no footprints in the snow to show where, if or how Maura left the accident scene. They said there certainly was enough snow for a person to leave footprints in the snow and none were ound by anyone in the immediate area of where Maura left her car.
They did note that it was possible that other vehicles drove by the scene where Maura was parked, including when she was speaking with Atwood. They were clear, however, that no other vehicls stopped at the scene, only Atwood.
It should be noted that both the Westmans and the Marrottes did not like Atwood. They described him as "weird and peculiar" but declined to further document what "weird and peculiar" was.
submitted by goldenmom4gr to MauraMurrayEvidence3 [link] [comments]
SECOND WESTMAN INTERVIEW
Tim W
Faith W
Haverhill, New Hampshire
Telephone: xxx
(noted as 2006 in handwriting)
Tim and Faith Westman were interviewed relative to their knowledge of certain events that occurred on February 9, 2004 concerning the disappearance of Maura Murray. They were interviewed by telephone with both of them on the line at the same time.
The Westmans indicated that at approximately 1900hrs on February 9, 2004, they were working inside of their home office. They heard what sounded like a "thud or thump" coming from the front of their residence. Both went into their kitchen to look out the window that faces Route 112, now known as Wild Ammonoosuc Road to see what had made this sound. They observed a dark colored vehicle (no further description by them) off the road facing west or toward Lincoln, New Hampshire. The rear of the vehicle was very near or adjacent to a tree with the driver's side of the car on the wooded side and the passenger side on the road side. Both Westmans cuold see the interior light of the car come on and subsequently go off several times as they watched the vehicle.
It was their opinion that the car had been traveling eastbound, when it left the road, struck a tree and came to a rest facing westbound. Both noted that the road was dry at the time of this accident with no ice, black ice or snow which would have caused the vehicle to go off the roadway. They also noted that a couple of days after this incident they observed the tire tracks in the snow left by the car at the time of this accident. It was clear to them that based upon these tracks the operator successfully negotiated the severe curve in the road, but for reasons unknown drove straight off the road. They could not offer any explanation for this collision.
The Westmands noted that at some point the emergency flashers for the vehicle also came on.
After the Westmans watched this car for a few minutes, B Atwood, one of their neighbors, drove by and stopped at the collision scene. He was one of the local school bus drivers and was in fact driving a large yellow standard school bus at this time. He said the bus stopped facing easy (the opposite of the parked vehicle) at which time Atwood opened the door of the bus and behan to speak to, the Westmans later learned, Maura Murray. Maura at this time had gotten out of her car and was speaking to Atwood from across the top of her vehicle. The Westman recalled that Atwood spoke to Maura for only 1-2 minutes. After this conversation, Atwood left and drove the school bus back to the house where he parked it as he usually does.
The Westmans said that Maura did not get into the school bus with Atwood, nor did Atwood get out of the bus when he spoke with Maura.
Both of the Westmans said that a couple of minutes after Atwood and the bus left they saw some activity outside of the car and believed it was Maura walking around her vehicle. Tim Westman said he could see a small light near Maura's face and thought she was smoking a cigarete. He later learrned that Maura did not smoke and that the light he saw was probably a light from her cell phone. Another couple of minutes passed when both the Westman's noted they saw no further lights coming from Maura's vehicle.
Another couple of minutes went by at which time the Westmans saw a fully marked Haverhill police car coming from the west and parked near the scene. They observed the police car because it had its blue emergency lights on. Another couple of minutes went by when the officer assigned to this police car came to their front door. The officer asked where the female operator of the car in question was. Both Westmans stated they did not see Maura leave the area, but noted that she if she walked from the collision scene, she had to walk eastbound. They noted that had she walked westbound they would have seen her. The officer also noted that he came from the west and did not see her along his route.
The Westmans noted it was 5-6 minutes in time from when atwood left in the school bus to the time the Haverhill police officer arrived on the scene.
The Westmans stated that soon after the officer left their residence, the local fire department, EMS staff and other local and state police officers arrived at the scene of this collision and began to search for Maura. Both Westmans also noted that the morning of the 10th both of them looked their property over and found no footprints in the snow to show where, if or how Maura left the accident scene. They said there certainly was enough snow for a person to leave footprints in the snow and none were ound by anyone in the immediate area of where Maura left her car.
They did note that it was possible that other vehicles drove by the scene where Maura was parked, including when she was speaking with Atwood. They were clear, however, that no other vehicls stopped at the scene, only Atwood.
It should be noted that both the Westmans and the Marrottes did not like Atwood. They described him as "weird and peculiar" but declined to further document what "weird and peculiar" was.
2023.05.29 13:15 wromit Seeking advice on the next steps / sequence of events to get my prototype to market.
I have built a prototype for a toy product that contains a custom PCB (now in final form) and some peripherals (motor, speaker, buttons, sensors, etc.) inside a 6"x3"x2" plastic housing. With initial user testing, the response has been very positive. I would appreciate any advice as to what are the next steps and sequence to get from such a prototype to market? I am located in Texas. My preliminary list is below:
• File provisional patent (12 mo validity).
• Build website (shopify?).
• Shoot product pictures and videos, upload to website.
• Perform extensive user testing and direct users to the website.
• Identify a manufacturer (in China?) and determine the cost for parts and pcb. (Need to visit China? Other alternative countries to manufacture?)
• Create crisp 60-second video ad (~$3000?) and post on website and social media.
• Hire social media influencers? (Fixed period profit sharing deal?)
• Open the website to the public for preorders.
• Schedule a social fundraising campaign (indigogo, kickstarter, etc) offering preorders. (Would it clash with preorders on my website?)
• If sufficient preorders are received, place an order with the manufacturer.
• Order small batch for final testing and early sales.
• Order larger quantities.
My initial budget is $20,000. The estimated cost is $20-25, and selling is $50. I prefer to rely on the pre-orders to gauge the viability of the business as well as source the initial batch of production. Will greatly appreciate your feedback.
submitted by wromit to startup [link] [comments]
• File provisional patent (12 mo validity).
• Build website (shopify?).
• Shoot product pictures and videos, upload to website.
• Perform extensive user testing and direct users to the website.
• Identify a manufacturer (in China?) and determine the cost for parts and pcb. (Need to visit China? Other alternative countries to manufacture?)
• Create crisp 60-second video ad (~$3000?) and post on website and social media.
• Hire social media influencers? (Fixed period profit sharing deal?)
• Open the website to the public for preorders.
• Schedule a social fundraising campaign (indigogo, kickstarter, etc) offering preorders. (Would it clash with preorders on my website?)
• If sufficient preorders are received, place an order with the manufacturer.
• Order small batch for final testing and early sales.
• Order larger quantities.
My initial budget is $20,000. The estimated cost is $20-25, and selling is $50. I prefer to rely on the pre-orders to gauge the viability of the business as well as source the initial batch of production. Will greatly appreciate your feedback.
2023.05.29 13:05 krsgroup क्या आप अपने सपनों के घर की तलाश कर रहे हैं? अगर हा तो आपकी सही जगह यहाँ हैं KRS GROUP के साथ तो आज ही फोन करे और अपने सपनो को सच करने का पहला कदम बढ़ाए
 | submitted by krsgroup to u/krsgroup [link] [comments] |
2023.05.29 13:03 FelicitySmoak_ On This Day In Michael Jackson HIStory - May 29th
 | 1950 - Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson is born in Gary, Indiana. She is the first child born to Joe & Katherine Jackson submitted by FelicitySmoak_ to MichaelJackson [link] [comments] 1956 - La Toya Yvonne Jackson is born in Gary, Indiana. She is the 5th child & the middle daughter 1971 - The Jackson 5 play at the Indiana Fairgrounds Coliseum (now Indiana Farmers Coliseum) in Indianapolis, Indiana 1988 - Michael Jackson performs in concert to an audience of 53,600 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Turin, Italy on his BAD World Tour https://preview.redd.it/pkmq55o7il2b1.jpg?width=188&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=565bf39b3c27e237092a868e3c590859d7c92852 1997 - Michael arrives in Bremen, Germany with Tarak Ben Ammar, on the HIStory World Tour. He meets the mayor of the city, Henning Scherf https://preview.redd.it/xxuqu9k5il2b1.jpg?width=419&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1efb677539f72da3a2130b05ebd0ce456aa3425d https://i.redd.it/rs245el6il2b1.gif Three month old Prince Michael Jr is taken to a Paris hotel suite where he is taken care of by his nannies Grace Rwaramba & Pia Bhatti. Michael joins him after each concert of the European tour. Debbie Rowe also flies every weekend to spend time with Michael & their son. 2006 - While still in Tokyo, Michael has business meetings in his hotel suite and then goes out shopping 2009 - Michael invites some fans into CenterStaging, where This Is It rehearsals are taking place. According to them he seemed worried, upset and his voice crackled as if he was on the verge of tears as he revealed that he had "gone to bed thinking it was 10 concerts and woke up finding out it was 50". Michael’s curly hair is back! https://preview.redd.it/ypg7sx42il2b1.jpg?width=150&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbdad990b37e3848f92fcbde269a5a09a4f5cc49 https://preview.redd.it/qfe4xg53il2b1.jpg?width=793&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37fd8a1992f87a862cd094f8d051b33d312194bc Later Michael goes for the second time in 10 days to a sound design studio on Magnolia Boulevard. 2013 - Jackson v AEG Trial Day 19 Katherine and Rebbie Jackson are at court. Paul Gongaware Testimony Jackson direct "My understanding Michael Jackson is a party (to the contract)," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray's contract. Gongaware told jury he's never looked at Conrad Murray's contract to serve as Michael Jackson's tour doctor Panish: "Why did AEG have to enter into a contract with Dr. Murray?" Gongaware: "I don't know about AEG terminating Dr. Murray"Gongaware said he didn't believe they could do it, because he was Michael's doctor. Gongaware said it was fair to say he didn't know why AEG would enter into a contract with a doctor for Michael Jackson. Panish asked Gongaware if Michael negotiated the price/contract with Dr. Murray. "I believe he did through me, he instructed me what to offer"Gongaware said he didn't know for sure whether Karen Faye was an independent contractor or not. "Dr. Murray would've been 100% charged to Michael Jackson," Gongaware testified.Gongaware said he didn't know what the $300k budgeted for medical management was for. Panish tried 'impeaching' Gongaware, which is the process of calling into question the credibility of an individual who's testifying. Yesterday and today the plaintiffs' attorney would ask a question then play parts of the deposition to catch Gongaware in contradiction. At one point, a portion of Gongaware's deposition was played in which he discussed a meeting at Michael's house with Conrad Murray. In his deposition, Paul Gongaware said the meeting "was about Dr. Murray and engaging him"; Gongaware later changed testimony to state "him" meant MJ. That change was read to the jury, leading attorney Brian Panish to question Gongaware about what he meant by the word "engage". "Here I think we were talking about making sure Michael Jackson was engaged and focused", Gongaware said. He told the jury he was concerned about getting Michael involved and focused, engaged mentally. "I believe that was Kenny's concern, that he wanted him to be focused," Gongaware explained. "Michael had gone before without rehearsing", Gongaware recalled. "When he got to London, he was going to be sensational." Gongaware said he thought at the meeting they discussed Jackson's nutrition, not his health (i.e. sleep issues.) Panish asked Gongaware about another meeting at Jackson's house in which Michael showed up late after a visit to Dr. Arnold Klein. "I didn't know what he was under the influence of, but he was a little bit off", Gongaware said of the meeting adding that he didn't know what kind of drugs Dr. Klein was giving Michael Panish then asked Gongaware whether he was involved in getting Jackson a nutritionist. Lots of back-and-forth on this issue. Panish showed emails in which Gongaware emailed others at AEG telling them Jackson needed a nutritionist and physical therapist. "Obviously I was looking for a nutritionist for him, but I wasn't involved in his nutrition," Gongaware said. Panish played Gongaware's deposition where he said he was not involved in finding a nutritional person. Gongaware explained he believes nutritional person and nutritionist were not necessarily the same. On June 15, 2009, Gongaware sent an email to Ortega in response to request for nutritionist and physical therapist for Michael . Email: We're on it. AEG owns major sports teams in this market so we think we can find the right people quickly. Kenny responded: Super.Not a minute too soon. Let's turn this guy around! Panish then asked Gongaware about a friend of AEG CEO Randy Phillips who was going to work with Jackson. Gongaware said he didn't know whether this friend of Phillips was a nutrition specialist. He told Panish he'd have to ask Randy Phillips. Gongaware testified he remembers someone named David Laughner working with Michael. Panish pointed out Laughner is Randy Phillips' friend. "I don't know if he was a nutritionist, it was someone in charge of making Michael eat," Gongaware explained. Gongaware: "He's a guy who's dealt with artists quite a bit"Gongaware said he doesn't know what Laughner did, but he's seen him working with JLo and Enrique Iglesias. Gongaware didn't know why MJ would need a nutritionist when he had a doctor hired. "Kenny asked for it," Gongaware explained. Gongaware said he told Dr. Murray he wanted him to have everything he needed. He said Michael Jackson had always been thin Gongaware said he didn't attend rehearsals frequently. "I was at the rehearsal facility at all the times but I wasn't in the arena much.""We were always concerned about Michael's health and well being," Gongaware explained, saying he was responding to Kenny Ortega's requests. Gongaware said Kenny Ortega was responsible for keeping an eye on everything, including Michael and his health. Gongaware was then asked whether there was anyone responsible for handling AEG's interests at rehearsals. Gongaware responded "Yes, that was Kenny Ortega" Panish: "Do you think Ortega was overreacting?"Talking about the email Gongaware wrote saying he wanted to remind him (Dr. Murray) that it's AEG, not Michael, who's paying his salary. In his deposition, Gongaware said he didn't know what he meant to say in the email. Gongaware testified he spent some of the time himself looking at this email, putting it in context with the rest of the material he had. Panish: "After meeting with your lawyers and talking about an hour or two about this email, did you refresh your memory of what you meant?"Panish played for jurors a section of Gongaware's deposition, recorded in December, in which Jackson lawyer Kevin Boyle questioned him about what he meant when he wrote to Ortega: "We want to remind him that it is AEG, not Michael, who is paying his salary." Boyle: "Based on the assumptions that AEG is your company and Michael is Michael Jackson, do you have an understanding of what that means?"After Gongaware began recalling in court what he meant in the e-mail, Panish suggested it may be a case of "repressed memories" where "someone doesn't remember something for three or four years." "You didn't have any psychotherapy to remember what you wrote here?" Panish asked. "You didn't like get put to sleep? (Judge Yvette Palazuelos injected: "Hypnotized?") to see if you remembered this?Panish went through every word of the email, which was to Kenny Ortega and Frank DiLeo: Frank and I have discussed it already and have requested a face-to-face meeting with the doctor, hopefully Monday. We want to remind him that it is AEG, not Michael, who's paying his salary. We want him to understand what's expected of him. He's been dodging Frank so far Panish: "You're referring to Dr. Murray and what's expected of Dr. Murray, right?"Panish asked if he thought Dr. Murray knew what his responsibility was, so why the need to remind him what was expected of him? "This thing was shorthand between me, Kenny and Frank. I was going through hundreds of emails a day. If I knew lawyers four years later were picking everything apart, I may have been more careful choosing my words", Gongaware testified.He claimed he was referring to Kenny's email regarding nutritionist, physical therapist. "I certainly feel Dr. Murray should be competent to do that (be a nutritionist). He's a doctor!" Gongaware testified.Panish asked why Gongaware thought they needed a nutritionist when they had a doctor hired. "Kenny asked for one," he responded "If Michael signed the contract and if Michael would've instructed us to pay him, we would've pay him," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray "Frank and I have discussed it already and have requested a face-to-face meeting with the doctor, hopefully MondayAEG Live co-CEO Paul Gongaware wrote on June 14, 2009, 11 days before Murray administered a fatal dose propofol "Michael didn't like to rehearse, it didn't surprise me," Gongaware expressed, saying it was known that Michael didn't go to rehearsals. But when the lights went up, Jackson was "on," he stated. Email on 5/5/09 from Gongaware to Carla Garcia: Pray for me. This is a nightmare. Not coincidentally, I have them now every night. Cold sweats too. Life used to be so much fun...It was not an admission that he was concerned about Jackson's ability to do the show, he said. "It was just playing around, joking," with AEG President Tim Leiweke's assistant, Carla Garcia, he testified. "Carla is an absolute babe and I was just chatting her up. I don't have cold sweats, I don't have nightmares, I sleep great!" Gongaware said. Panish asked him if he was lying in the email, "white lie?" Response from Phillips on Jun 20: Bugzee, I know because I just got Kenny's message on my voicemail.What did he do when he got there and what happened between him and KO? I have a meeting with Michael tomorrow morningFrom Hougdahl (Bugzee)to Phillips, cc'd Gongaware: MJ came out and watched all the pyro demonstrations and endorsed the all the effects then went into his room and asked Kenny "you aren't going to kill the artist, are you?" We assumed this was reference to pyro, but Kenny said he was shaking and couldn't hold his knife and fork. Kenny had to cut his food for him before he could eat, and then had to use his fingers. I don't know how much embellishment there is to this, but (Kenny) said repeatedly that Michael was in no shape to go on stage. He kept going on and on how no one was taking responsibility for "getting him ready". We might be getting beyond ... damage control, here"I didn't worry about, it sounded like he was sick and they were going to talk about it next morning," Gongaware explained Phillips replied: Tim and I are going to see him tomorrow, however, I am not sure what the problem is. Chemical or physiological?Gongaware said he was at a family wedding and wasn't really paying attention to this. This was 1st time he heard something was wrong with Michael Gongaware responds: Take the doctor with you. Why wasn't he there last night?"Yes, if he (MJ) was sick, why wasn't he (the doctor) there?" Gongaware said he meant in the email Phillips responded and added Tim Leiweke in the chain: He is not a psychiatrist so I'm not sure how effective he can be at this point. Obviously, getting him there is not the issue. It is much deeper."I think Randy is stating his opinion," Gongaware said. Panish asked if Gongaware inquired what Phillips meant by "the issue... It's much deeper." Gongaware: "Well, there was going to be a meeting that day to discuss it"Response from Hougdahl to Phillips, about needing trainetherapist: I've watched him deteriorate in front of my eyes over the last 8 weeks. He was able to do multiple 360 spins back in April. He'd fall on his ass if he tried it now"There was a meeting on June 20th. I wasn't there, I was back East," Gongaware recalled. Email from Phillips (6/20/09): Unfortunately, we are running out of time. That's my biggest fear"He was afraid of that, I wasn't," Gongaware said. Gongaware said he didn't agree with Phillips' assessment, "He may have said that, but I didn't agree with that" Panish questioned Gongaware about whether the company put too much emphasis on the showbiz maxim, "The show must go on." Gongaware denied that was the case. He told the jury that he was concerned about Jackson's health, but that he thought This Is It tour director Kenny Ortega may have been overstating concerns about the singer's wellbeing. Gongaware agreed that in this business, the show must go on Gongaware testified he didn't know when Dr. Murray's contract was to begin. "That contract was for London and the shows for London, I believe," Gongaware said. Email on 6/20/09 from Phillips to LeiwekeComm and "Kazoodi"(private email address that belongs to Gongaware): This guy is really starting to concern me. Read his email and my response. Dr. Murray and I are meeting with Michael at 4pm today at The Forum.Gongaware testified that he wasn't sure who Phillips was referring to, and his boss may have been expressing concerns about Jackson or Murray. The artist's health is paramount. Without the artist, there's no show. The artist is the most important thing," Gongaware testified Email on 6/19/09 from Phillips to Leiweke: We have a real problem hereThere was a meeting that was going to happen the next day, Gongaware said, and he waited to see what would come out of it Email on 6/19/09 from Leiweke to Phillips: Let's set up a time for you and I to meet with him. I want Kenny in the meeting as wellOrtega wrote back: I will do whatever I can to be of help with this situation. My concern is now that we've brought the Doctor into the fold played the tough love .He appeared quite weak and fatigued this evening. He had a terrible case of the chills, was trembling, rambling and obsessing. Everything in me says he should be psychologically evaluated. If we have any chance at all to get him back in the light it's going to take a strong therapist to help him through this as well as immediate physical nurturing. I was told by our choreographer during the artists costume fitting w/ his designer tonight they noticed he's lost more weight.: As far as I can tell, there's no 1 taking responsibility (caring) for him on a daily basis. Where was his assistant tonight? Tonight I was feeding him wrapping him in blankets to warm his chill, massaging his feet to calm him and calling his doctor. There were four security guards outside his door, but no one offering him a cup of hot tea. Finally, it's important for everyone to know I believe he really wants this. It would shatter him break his heart if we pulled plug. He's terribly frightened it's all going to go away. He asked me repeatedly tonight if i was going to leave him. He was practically begging for my confidence. It broke my heart. He was like a lost boy. There still may be a chance he can rise to the occasion if we get him the help he needs.Phillips responded: Kenny: I will call you when I figure this out,we have a person like that, Brigitte, who's in London advancing his stay. We will bring her back asap and Frank, too, however, I'm stymied on who to bring in as a therapist and how they can get through to him in such a short timeGongaware said Brigitte is a lawyer who was in charge of accommodations for MJ in London Gongaware: "He was obviously concerned""This all happened prior to the meeting, and I was waiting to understand what the situation was," Gongaware explained "I think they are special," Gongaware said about artists. Email response from Philips to Kenny urging him, and everyone else, not to become amateur psychiatrists or physicians on 6/20/09: You cannot imagine the harm and ramifications of stopping this show now Panish: "Can you name a single person at AEG who checked Dr. Murray out?"Gongaware: "I never checked any doctor that I used. I just go by recommendation, never checked anyone's financial situation" Gongaware said everyone thought Michael had all the money in the world, and it was not unusual for him to see people asking for a lot of money. Gongaware said he never heard before today anything about Dr. Murray's financial conditions Panish: "He knew Michael's health was declining based on what the doctor told him, right?"Email on 6/22/09 from Hougdahl (Production Manager, known as Bugzee) to Gongaware: Further to the earlier email Let's keep our two docu people out of here today, unless they stay in the dressing room area only. Tomorrow is another story... Panish: "Sir, Michael was sick this time, wasn't he?"Panish then asked Gongaware about his attendance at Jackson's rehearsals. Gongaware said he didn't attend many. He watched Jackson perform "Thriller" two days before he died, but that was the only time he spent at that rehearsal. "He appeared to me to be fully engaged. I recall seeing "Thriller" because it was the first time they were rehearsing with the costume and I wanted to see it," Gongaware saidCourt Transcript 2017 - Lifetime original movie, Michael Jackson: Searching For Neverland is featured in TV Weekly magazine, with Navi on the cover https://preview.redd.it/xr20szbwhl2b1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ca89f816ca5d8ca75a97e23528767b4036711be3 |
2023.05.29 12:55 Maroiogog B1540 - Corporation Tax (Non-Resident Companies Bill - Division
Corporation Tax (Non-resident Companies) Bill
An Act to make provision for further anti-avoidance measures in relation to overseas companies making sales in the United Kingdom.
BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1: Definitions
(1) A “Non-resident UK Company” is a company which is not registered in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006.
(2) An “Associated Group Company” is defined as any overseas company under common control of a non-resident UK company with at least 51% shared ownership or control.
(3) “Sales of UK origin” means either;
(1) A non-resident UK company and its associated Group companies shall fall under the scope of this Act if the entity has any Sales of UK origin.
(2) A non-resident company shall be liable to corporation tax on its worldwide profits net of any overseas corporation taxes paid, on the highest percentage of the terms in (a) and (b) multiplied by the applicable corporation tax rate.
Section 3: Commencement, Short Title and Extent
(1) This Act will come into force on the 6 April 2024
(2) This Act will extend to the entirety of the United Kingdom.
(3) This Act shall be cited as the Corporation Tax (Non-resident Companies) Act 2023
This Bill was submitted by His Grace Sir Rea-wakey KCT KT KD KCMG KBE MVO FRS, Duke of Dorset, Secretary of State for the Home Department, on behalf of His Majesty’s 33rd Government.
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
It has long been known that the United Kingdom is a haven for companies and individuals wishing to avoid paying their rightful share of tax. This is the first of 3 pieces of legislation that I wish to bring forward to the House in my role as Home Secretary and Treasury advisor.
This Bill’s aim is simple - to capture all revenue-generating transactions occurring in the United Kingdom as generating taxable total profits, therefore ensuring that all profits earned in the United Kingdom are taxed in the United Kingdom. This Bill broadens the scope of transactions which are taxable under the Corporation Tax Act to include those in which either the risks or rewards of the transaction occur in the United Kingdom, as well as transactions funded through the UK equity and debt markets.
This simple measure will make it harder for non-resident companies to claim that profits that are generated in the United Kingdom are only taxable in lower tax-rate affiliated companies overseas, thereby avoiding scope of Corporation Tax.
In combination with the other two pieces of anti-avoidance legislation I will be submitting to the House, these measures are collectively expected to raise £3.4 billion. This proposed revenue generation and these Bills were raised at Her Majesty’s Budget Committee and unopposed. My thanks go to my friend the Right Honourable Phonexia2 for their assistance in costing.
I urge the House to rally behind this Bill.
(M: These costings are calculated as 40% of the tax gap for “Evasion” and “Non-payment”, given the difficulty of calculating the actual revenue generated from these measures).
This Division will end on the 1st at 10PM
submitted by Maroiogog to MHOCMP [link] [comments]
An Act to make provision for further anti-avoidance measures in relation to overseas companies making sales in the United Kingdom.
BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1: Definitions
(1) A “Non-resident UK Company” is a company which is not registered in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006.
(2) An “Associated Group Company” is defined as any overseas company under common control of a non-resident UK company with at least 51% shared ownership or control.
(3) “Sales of UK origin” means either;
a. The customer is in the United Kingdom, orSection 2: Taxation of Non-resident UK companies
b. The customer is resident in the United Kingdom and the risks and rewards of the transaction arise in the United Kingdom, or
c. The delivery of the good or the service is in the United Kingdom, or
d. The sale is paid through equity raised through UK capital markets, specifically or largely for the purposes of the transaction, or
e. The sale is paid through debt originating from the United Kingdom, specifically or largely for the purposes of the transaction
(1) A non-resident UK company and its associated Group companies shall fall under the scope of this Act if the entity has any Sales of UK origin.
(2) A non-resident company shall be liable to corporation tax on its worldwide profits net of any overseas corporation taxes paid, on the highest percentage of the terms in (a) and (b) multiplied by the applicable corporation tax rate.
a. The percentage of the companies’ worldwide sales which are sales of UK origin;(3) If a non-resident UK company is paying corporation tax under the terms of a “Permanent Establishment” under the Corporation Tax Act 2009, these amounts shall be fully deductible to the liability arising under clause 2).
b. The percentage of the companies’ worldwide profits which are arising from sales of UK origin (sales of UK origin, less allowable expenses arising in the United Kingdom)
Section 3: Commencement, Short Title and Extent
(1) This Act will come into force on the 6 April 2024
(2) This Act will extend to the entirety of the United Kingdom.
(3) This Act shall be cited as the Corporation Tax (Non-resident Companies) Act 2023
This Bill was submitted by His Grace Sir Rea-wakey KCT KT KD KCMG KBE MVO FRS, Duke of Dorset, Secretary of State for the Home Department, on behalf of His Majesty’s 33rd Government.
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
It has long been known that the United Kingdom is a haven for companies and individuals wishing to avoid paying their rightful share of tax. This is the first of 3 pieces of legislation that I wish to bring forward to the House in my role as Home Secretary and Treasury advisor.
This Bill’s aim is simple - to capture all revenue-generating transactions occurring in the United Kingdom as generating taxable total profits, therefore ensuring that all profits earned in the United Kingdom are taxed in the United Kingdom. This Bill broadens the scope of transactions which are taxable under the Corporation Tax Act to include those in which either the risks or rewards of the transaction occur in the United Kingdom, as well as transactions funded through the UK equity and debt markets.
This simple measure will make it harder for non-resident companies to claim that profits that are generated in the United Kingdom are only taxable in lower tax-rate affiliated companies overseas, thereby avoiding scope of Corporation Tax.
In combination with the other two pieces of anti-avoidance legislation I will be submitting to the House, these measures are collectively expected to raise £3.4 billion. This proposed revenue generation and these Bills were raised at Her Majesty’s Budget Committee and unopposed. My thanks go to my friend the Right Honourable Phonexia2 for their assistance in costing.
I urge the House to rally behind this Bill.
(M: These costings are calculated as 40% of the tax gap for “Evasion” and “Non-payment”, given the difficulty of calculating the actual revenue generated from these measures).
This Division will end on the 1st at 10PM
2023.05.29 12:53 PuzzleheadedError595 AITA for wanting the front door always closed?
Growing up my family had the habit of leaving the front door open to let air in and so we didn’t have keep the AC on all the time (we have window units) Fast forward 15 years and they still do it. But now I work from home and we also have a dog. He barks at everything and everyone that passes by. Terrible for me because I work sales over the phone. Also since I’m home majority of day, I’m being constantly being bit by mosquitos and constantly have flies in my face. I hate to feel entitled but it literally only affects me. They leave it open while they have breakfast and by the time I leave my room to get ready I’m already being bit. And you could argue that it’s to keep costs down and keep the house fresh, but i literally spent $700 on a high efficiency ac unit that I have on a timer to go off every few hours to keep the temps fresh inside. I constantly ask them and tell them to please keep the door closed but they still do it.
submitted by PuzzleheadedError595 to AmItheAsshole [link] [comments]
2023.05.29 12:44 acatal [S] [USA-NY] Sony a5100 for sale
Selling my a5100 in great condition with extra lens (neewer 35mm)! Was just laid off and need the money more than I need my extra cameras at the moment. Selling this guy and my x100v. Comes with original box, manual, charger, and battery as well. $400 + 3% for PayPal fees and shipping!
https://imgur.com/a/vQEQs9z
submitted by acatal to photomarket [link] [comments]
https://imgur.com/a/vQEQs9z
2023.05.29 12:41 Ok_Prompt4244 Can't seem to avoid the anxiety...
Hi everyone,
I had posted on here a couple months ago regarding a recent breakup and navigating all of that. I've been doing my best since then, but now things feel like they're at a breaking point. Was wondering if I could ask for guidance if anyone is willing to listen.
Since the breakup in February, it feels like everything in my life has unraveled. I had to move into a new place with strangers, and I feel very distant from a lot of my friends in the city. I'm not entirely alone, but I've had to spend a lot of time in solitude recently thinking about everything that's happened. That's been a good and bad thing. I've been going on morning walks around the park near my house, which has been a nice habit to pick up.
There was also a recent GI scare that lead me to getting a colonoscopy that thankfully turned out negative, but my appetite has still been almost non-existent for the last few months. I've gone from 253 lbs to 200 lbs since my last physical in early February, and it feels really hard to get back into a regular eating schedule (mainly cause I've put an extreme budgeting plan in motion to try to save up to move to a new place sooner than later). Some days I realize that I haven't eaten anything except some small snacks and a lot of water.
My current dayjob has been steady, but it's also not work that I feel content doing in the long run. Being mostly remote has been nice due to my covid anxieties but being cooped up in my room all day for the last three years hasn't been good for my psyche. What's interesting is that a job offer has come my way that would allow me to pivot into an industry that I want to shoot my shot at (at the cost of a 1.23% paycut) but I'm worried that I won't be able to keep up with the pacing of the work or that my stress tolerance isn't high enough these days to endure possible high workloads from the new position. It sucks, because it feels like I've spent the last three years working up to this point, and now it feels like my body/mind are in such shambles that I don't feel confident in accepting the job. In some ways, it feels like I wasted the last three years trying to do a career change at the cost of having anxiety ravage me in a bad way.
Things have been tense at the apartment recently as well - and I'm sad that things have escalated as fast as they have. One of my roommates put a lot of hard boundaries up in response to the anxiety that I've been trying to stifle around the house, and I'm not sure if the other roommates now feel unsafe with me around.
Last night, after talking with the other roommates about the recent situation, I started to feel my heart rate rise rapidly. I measured it on my phone, and my heart was beating around 105 bpm. I took a cold shower to try to level out, but it only felt like a temporary fix. There was also a moment where my left hand and part of my face felt like it was going numb. Those feelings have subsided for now, but I'm really concerned about my health and wellbeing. I tried to sleep it off, but I woke up in a cold sweat with my heart rate still elevated. It doesn't feel like any of it is stopping.
Right now, I'm not sure what to do. I moved to the east coast with the idea of pursuing my passions and expanding my network. I was able to do that to an extent, but it feels like in the last three years I haven't made the progress that I wanted to make. Now, at this point in my life, I wonder if I want to continue to stack on stress on myself to keep pursuing these ambitions of mine, or if I should just drop it and tend to my mental health. I've even considered the idea of moving back to the west coast to be closer to family, but I'm not even sure what I would do to secure a job there that makes as much as I make now.
What do you think is best to do for my wellbeing at this time? Should I still accept this new job offer and see if I can still achieve my dreams in the big city, should I settle for my current job and keep saving money, or should I just cash my chips now and go back home? No matter what, I know that I can't keep living like this. I'm 32 now, and it feels like I'm wasting away. I'm just afraid that if I can't mitigate this anxiety in time that it'll manifest as a serious health issue come up in the near future that wouldn't be able to recover from.
submitted by Ok_Prompt4244 to DecidingToBeBetter [link] [comments]
I had posted on here a couple months ago regarding a recent breakup and navigating all of that. I've been doing my best since then, but now things feel like they're at a breaking point. Was wondering if I could ask for guidance if anyone is willing to listen.
Since the breakup in February, it feels like everything in my life has unraveled. I had to move into a new place with strangers, and I feel very distant from a lot of my friends in the city. I'm not entirely alone, but I've had to spend a lot of time in solitude recently thinking about everything that's happened. That's been a good and bad thing. I've been going on morning walks around the park near my house, which has been a nice habit to pick up.
There was also a recent GI scare that lead me to getting a colonoscopy that thankfully turned out negative, but my appetite has still been almost non-existent for the last few months. I've gone from 253 lbs to 200 lbs since my last physical in early February, and it feels really hard to get back into a regular eating schedule (mainly cause I've put an extreme budgeting plan in motion to try to save up to move to a new place sooner than later). Some days I realize that I haven't eaten anything except some small snacks and a lot of water.
My current dayjob has been steady, but it's also not work that I feel content doing in the long run. Being mostly remote has been nice due to my covid anxieties but being cooped up in my room all day for the last three years hasn't been good for my psyche. What's interesting is that a job offer has come my way that would allow me to pivot into an industry that I want to shoot my shot at (at the cost of a 1.23% paycut) but I'm worried that I won't be able to keep up with the pacing of the work or that my stress tolerance isn't high enough these days to endure possible high workloads from the new position. It sucks, because it feels like I've spent the last three years working up to this point, and now it feels like my body/mind are in such shambles that I don't feel confident in accepting the job. In some ways, it feels like I wasted the last three years trying to do a career change at the cost of having anxiety ravage me in a bad way.
Things have been tense at the apartment recently as well - and I'm sad that things have escalated as fast as they have. One of my roommates put a lot of hard boundaries up in response to the anxiety that I've been trying to stifle around the house, and I'm not sure if the other roommates now feel unsafe with me around.
Last night, after talking with the other roommates about the recent situation, I started to feel my heart rate rise rapidly. I measured it on my phone, and my heart was beating around 105 bpm. I took a cold shower to try to level out, but it only felt like a temporary fix. There was also a moment where my left hand and part of my face felt like it was going numb. Those feelings have subsided for now, but I'm really concerned about my health and wellbeing. I tried to sleep it off, but I woke up in a cold sweat with my heart rate still elevated. It doesn't feel like any of it is stopping.
Right now, I'm not sure what to do. I moved to the east coast with the idea of pursuing my passions and expanding my network. I was able to do that to an extent, but it feels like in the last three years I haven't made the progress that I wanted to make. Now, at this point in my life, I wonder if I want to continue to stack on stress on myself to keep pursuing these ambitions of mine, or if I should just drop it and tend to my mental health. I've even considered the idea of moving back to the west coast to be closer to family, but I'm not even sure what I would do to secure a job there that makes as much as I make now.
What do you think is best to do for my wellbeing at this time? Should I still accept this new job offer and see if I can still achieve my dreams in the big city, should I settle for my current job and keep saving money, or should I just cash my chips now and go back home? No matter what, I know that I can't keep living like this. I'm 32 now, and it feels like I'm wasting away. I'm just afraid that if I can't mitigate this anxiety in time that it'll manifest as a serious health issue come up in the near future that wouldn't be able to recover from.
2023.05.29 12:40 acatal [S] [USA-NY] Mint x100V for sale
SOLD
Barely used x100v for sale! Purchased in December and has only been super lightly used. Kept in original box. Was laid off a few weeks ago so need the money more than an extra camera at the moment. Please see photos and reach out with any questions! $1500 + 3% for PayPal fees and shipping. Just looking to make what I paid back.
https://imgur.com/a/Fpe54Rr
submitted by acatal to photomarket [link] [comments]
Barely used x100v for sale! Purchased in December and has only been super lightly used. Kept in original box. Was laid off a few weeks ago so need the money more than an extra camera at the moment. Please see photos and reach out with any questions! $1500 + 3% for PayPal fees and shipping. Just looking to make what I paid back.
https://imgur.com/a/Fpe54Rr
2023.05.29 12:39 miarrial War in Ukraine: what we know about the installation of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus
Link in French – Guerre en Ukraine : ce que l’on sait de l’installation d’armes nucléaires russes en Biélorussie
Is the long-heralded nuclear rearmament of Belarus, Russia's main ally, underway? That's what Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed on Thursday, in a video posted on Telegram. According to him, Russia has begun supplying nuclear warheads to its neighbor. Vladimir Putin had already hinted at this in March. Here's what we know.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting of the Eurasian Supreme Economic Council at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 25, 2023
Transfer of nuclear weapons underway
"The transfer of nuclear warheads has begun", declared Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday. The Belarusian president was responding to a question from a Russian journalist. The video of the interview was broadcast by the Belarusian presidency's unofficial Telegram channel, Pul Pervogo. According to Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin had told him the day before that he had signed the decree allowing the transfer. The President didn't seem to know whether the weapons were already in the country. "Maybe, I'll go back and see," added the Belarusian leader. The Kremlin has made no comment for the time being.
READ ALSO – The "sea serpent" of a merger between Russia and Belarus
A first since the fall of the USSR
Since 1991 and the collapse of the USSR, Russia has never installed nuclear weapons outside its borders. Moscow had been agitating the threat of such a deployment for several months. On March 25, the Russian president made the announcement during the traditional "Moscow, Kremlin, Putin" television interview. Vladimir Putin spoke of the construction of a nuclear weapons storage facility in Belarus by July. According to him, these weapons will be "tactical", i.e. they will contain less powerful warheads than so-called "strategic" nuclear weapons. As the country is located on the doorstep of the European Union, this announcement worried the West about a possible escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin has been talking about the possibility of using nuclear weapons.
Belarus, Russia's main ally
Minsk is not directly involved on the ground in Ukraine. However, Belarus has allowed the Russian army to launch its assault in February 2022 from its territory. In early April, Russia claimed to have begun training the Belarusian military in the use of "tactical" nuclear weapons. According to Vladimir Putin, ten aircraft have already been equipped to use such weapons. At the time, the President said that a special warehouse would be completed by July 1. "This not only endangers the lives of Belarusians, but also creates a new threat for Ukraine, for all of Europe," wrote Belarusian opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on Twitter. "When it comes to tactical nuclear weapons, most are as powerful as the one that killed 140,000 people in Hiroshima," she added.
READ ALSO – War in Ukraine: Kiev believes Belarus is Moscow's "nuclear hostage
A means of putting pressure on Ukraine
For several weeks now, Ukraine has been announcing a large-scale counter-offensive. And recently, an intrusion into the Belgorod region of southern Russia forced Moscow to evacuate civilians as a matter of urgency. The installation of nuclear weapons in Belarus may serve as a means for Vladimir Putin to negotiate with Kiev. "Tiphaine de Champchesnel, a specialist in nuclear arms control at the Institut de Recherche Stratégique de l'École Militaire, was interviewed by Le Monde. The newspaper added: "Russia can also hope that this pressure will be reinforced by the interventions of other states, who would ask Ukraine not to go any further to avoid nuclear escalation."
A procedure denounced by the West
"A step towards an extremely dangerous escalation". With these words, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, condemned the transfer of nuclear weapons from Russia to neighboring Belarus. The move was received "extremely negatively" by US President Joe Biden, according to the White House.
submitted by miarrial to International [link] [comments]
Is the long-heralded nuclear rearmament of Belarus, Russia's main ally, underway? That's what Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed on Thursday, in a video posted on Telegram. According to him, Russia has begun supplying nuclear warheads to its neighbor. Vladimir Putin had already hinted at this in March. Here's what we know.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting of the Eurasian Supreme Economic Council at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 25, 2023
Transfer of nuclear weapons underway
"The transfer of nuclear warheads has begun", declared Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday. The Belarusian president was responding to a question from a Russian journalist. The video of the interview was broadcast by the Belarusian presidency's unofficial Telegram channel, Pul Pervogo. According to Alexander Lukashenko, Vladimir Putin had told him the day before that he had signed the decree allowing the transfer. The President didn't seem to know whether the weapons were already in the country. "Maybe, I'll go back and see," added the Belarusian leader. The Kremlin has made no comment for the time being.
READ ALSO – The "sea serpent" of a merger between Russia and Belarus
A first since the fall of the USSR
Since 1991 and the collapse of the USSR, Russia has never installed nuclear weapons outside its borders. Moscow had been agitating the threat of such a deployment for several months. On March 25, the Russian president made the announcement during the traditional "Moscow, Kremlin, Putin" television interview. Vladimir Putin spoke of the construction of a nuclear weapons storage facility in Belarus by July. According to him, these weapons will be "tactical", i.e. they will contain less powerful warheads than so-called "strategic" nuclear weapons. As the country is located on the doorstep of the European Union, this announcement worried the West about a possible escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin has been talking about the possibility of using nuclear weapons.
Belarus, Russia's main ally
Minsk is not directly involved on the ground in Ukraine. However, Belarus has allowed the Russian army to launch its assault in February 2022 from its territory. In early April, Russia claimed to have begun training the Belarusian military in the use of "tactical" nuclear weapons. According to Vladimir Putin, ten aircraft have already been equipped to use such weapons. At the time, the President said that a special warehouse would be completed by July 1. "This not only endangers the lives of Belarusians, but also creates a new threat for Ukraine, for all of Europe," wrote Belarusian opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on Twitter. "When it comes to tactical nuclear weapons, most are as powerful as the one that killed 140,000 people in Hiroshima," she added.
READ ALSO – War in Ukraine: Kiev believes Belarus is Moscow's "nuclear hostage
A means of putting pressure on Ukraine
For several weeks now, Ukraine has been announcing a large-scale counter-offensive. And recently, an intrusion into the Belgorod region of southern Russia forced Moscow to evacuate civilians as a matter of urgency. The installation of nuclear weapons in Belarus may serve as a means for Vladimir Putin to negotiate with Kiev. "Tiphaine de Champchesnel, a specialist in nuclear arms control at the Institut de Recherche Stratégique de l'École Militaire, was interviewed by Le Monde. The newspaper added: "Russia can also hope that this pressure will be reinforced by the interventions of other states, who would ask Ukraine not to go any further to avoid nuclear escalation."
A procedure denounced by the West
"A step towards an extremely dangerous escalation". With these words, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, condemned the transfer of nuclear weapons from Russia to neighboring Belarus. The move was received "extremely negatively" by US President Joe Biden, according to the White House.
2023.05.29 12:29 CantaloupeOk8296 Block Houses - For Sale Signs
submitted by CantaloupeOk8296 to TheBlock [link] [comments]2023.05.29 12:20 wromit Seeking advice on the next steps / sequence of events to get my prototype to market?
I have built a prototype for a toy product that contains a custom PCB (now in final form) and some peripherals (motor, speaker, buttons, sensors, etc.) inside a 6"x3"x2" plastic housing. With initial user testing, the response has been very positive. I would appreciate any advice as to what are the next steps and sequence to get from such a prototype to market? I am located in Texas. My preliminary list is below:
submitted by wromit to startups [link] [comments]
- File provisional patent (12 mo validity).
- Build website (shopify?).
- Shoot product pictures and videos, upload to website.
- Perform extensive user testing and direct users to the website.
- Identify a manufacturer (in China?) and determine the cost for parts and pcb. (Need to visit China? Other alternative countries to manufacture?)
- Create crisp 60-second video ad (~$3000?) and post on website and social media.
- Hire social media influencers? (Fixed period profit sharing deal?)
- Open the website to the public for preorders.
- Schedule a social fundraising campaign (indigogo, kickstarter, etc) offering preorders. (Would it clash with preorders on my website?)
- If sufficient preorders are received, place an order with the manufacturer.
- Order small batch for final testing and early sales.
- Order larger quantities.
2023.05.29 12:10 SPRIndia Owning a Luxury Apartments For sale in Chennai Flats/Apartments for sale in Chennai SPR India
In this article we have mentioned how it feels after owning luxury apartments for sale in chennai and also the Upcoming Luxury flats/Apartments for Sale in Chennai by SPR Highliving.
Read more - https://sprindia.com/blog/owning-a-house-in-chennai/
submitted by SPRIndia to u/SPRIndia [link] [comments]
Read more - https://sprindia.com/blog/owning-a-house-in-chennai/
2023.05.29 12:09 Actual_Insect5984 BHP belives china’s real estate recovery will pump metals consumption
 | submitted by Actual_Insect5984 to u/Actual_Insect5984 [link] [comments] SHREEMETALPRICES Despite a signal from the world economy that has led copper prices to drop precipitously, BHP Group is full of optimism in the recovery and of China’s actual estate markets in the next months. According to international news on May 25. Existing home sales in the real estate market “are still strong & very strong,” the company’s chief operating officer Vandita Pant said in an interview on Thursday. We anticipate that home sales & completions will increase before housing starts. She continued, “This trend has always existed. The world’s top user of metals is China. Copper prices fell below $8,000/mt for the 1st time since Nov of last year due to a weaker-than-anticipated construction sector, notably real estate. Which added to the general pessimism about the status of the world economy. (Read More) |
2023.05.29 12:02 IndyMod [#DetroitGP] INFO & QUESTIONS // 2023 CHEVROLET DETROIT GRAND PRIX
![[#DetroitGP] INFO & QUESTIONS // 2023 CHEVROLET DETROIT GRAND PRIX](https://external-preview.redd.it/C-SMjP2uqlWHLEF5EC8FJ4dXRz0NhHTUhyFYC--sao0.png?width=320&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=f8cc753dac84890c19ab5d6488c488396857ef66 "[#DetroitGP] INFO & QUESTIONS // 2023 CHEVROLET DETROIT GRAND PRIX") | Round 7: 2023 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix submitted by IndyMod to INDYCAR [link] [comments] 👋 Welcome to race week! Here we have collated all the information you might need for the upcoming race weekend. Additionally, feel free to use this thread as an open forum to discuss the various aspects of attending and enjoying the upcoming race weekend. Feel free to discuss things like meetups, ticket sales, parking, merchandise, food vendors, restaurants, journey plans, route maps, hotels, checklists, and whatever else comes to mind! 📍 CIRCUIT INFORMATION
🏁 RACE INFORMATION🟦 INDYCAR
📅 SESSION SCHEDULEAll times Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−04:00).Friday 2nd June
📺 BROADCAST INFORMATIONBroadcast info last updated: Sunday 28th May, 22:48 UTC🟦 INDYCAR Practice/Qualifying
📝 ENTRY LISTS🟦 INDYCAR
|
2023.05.29 11:54 Nevermin1979 What would you do?
Hi everyone! I don't even know where to start! First of all sorry for bad grammar English is not my native language. I'm (43 m) my girlfriend (48 f) We are together for 5 years and we love each other. We are from a European country. We worked in an other country for over a year as an order picker, packer in a big warehouse. Everything was fine until 2021 December when she started feeling tired,dizzy she had no energy so we went to see a doctor. It turned out she has a big tumor in her uterus and the blood iron level was dangerously low we had to go to the hospital immediately. As she don't speak English I tried my best to translate so I had to go with her to the appointments . They tried medicine it didn't work after spiral still nothing she was loosing so much blood she needed surgery but the waiting list was 6 months. I was with her helping her out with everything. In the meantime our agency has enough for missing 2-3 days a week because of the appointments so we got fired se we lost our income plus accommodation as well. We decided to come back to our home country for surgery, It was 2022 February. We had some savings so we thought we will survive the surgery and recovery period and we will go back to work. We rented a cheap apartment for this period. Thank god the surgery went well and she slowly started healing. I was cooking baking cleaning done the clothes shopping etc. I have to mention this small cheap apartment was my first "home" in my life and I felt so happy , imagine your girlfriend your love is healing you can take care of her and you don't have to share the kitchen and the bathroom with others, it was like haven ❤️ Yes I didn't rush to find job when she was okay ( it was around August) yes it was my fault to not pushing go back to work but first time in my life I felt I have a home I was enjoying the freedom I can cook I can bake cakes cookies without asking others. Around October I realised I messed up, our saving almost disappeared rent and bills are coming and we don't have job. I immediately started to look for jobs but as I mentioned before my girlfriend don't speak English, she understands a lot but not really speak. In our country I can't get any proper paying job because I don't have any profession. December come and we still don't have any opportunity and we new we have to give up our little haven because we couldn't afford the rent.In January 2023 I contacted my sister for help, we loaned 2000€ to her and her husband early 2020 they promised they will pay it back in 6 months but after I transferred the money they don't even answered the phone, not replying for messages. Anyway I wrote to her to please help us, as we are in big trouble and just lend some money for me and I will pay it back as soon as I can. I don't care about the 2000€ just help us . Few days later she called me ,she said she is sorry but they don't have any spare money to borrow but we can have 1 room in their house and the can help with food. As we don't have other options we moved across the country we left a our little one bedroom apartment and come here and this my dear reader this was one of my biggest mistake in my life! This is a small village like 400 people middle of nowhere. We offered to cook, bake help with cleaning cutting wood for heating etc. Since we arrived they treating us like slaves, we have to make the food and cleaning washing clothes as they like. they just sitting smoking cigarette and giving us orders to do.. We have nothing for sale we have no money we have no job and even if I find something we don't have the money for travel or food we have no one for help and we don't know what to do to escape from this situation.we know we made a huge mistake We are probably depressed but we have each other we hold each other hand .we will never give up.i don't even know how reddit work , probably no one will read but I feel a bit better to write it down.
submitted by Nevermin1979 to NoStupidQuestions [link] [comments]