Doug

It wouldn't surprise me if our film production wins awards such as NRB Media Awards, The Telly Awards and so forth. The Photo Drama of Creation came out 13 years before The Jazz Singer. But, the Jazz Singer is credited with being the first "talkie". It's only a technological distinction. Photo Drama used synchronized sound and color moving pictures, whereas Jazz Singer used audio printed directly on the film. However, Photo Drama was the first to use color, it was 8 hours long and viewed by 9,000,000 people; an astronomical number for the era.

For you sleuths , can someone tell me when Hawaiian Pidgin was released (Matthew and Mark) and what number language was it?

haha . . I'm inclined to agree with you. We delete stuff but it's not really deleted. But I was quoting the State Departments spokesperson, so that's how they're selling it. They obviously want the app to further weaken repressive regimes. In fact, it may launch in sync with a military attack on Iran.

Yes. I'm not tech savvy, but I assume the app coming soon will use legacy infrastructure. Or, will it use Starlink? What do you think? If it uses Starlink, then it won't be the global phenomenon that it's being promoted to be, because there are just so many Starlinks. The press release on this new app makes it sound like everyone will have it immediately.

If things weren't interesting enough . . . The US Department of State announced a new app platform intended to give users the same uncensored Internet available to Americans, even in countries with strict online repression such as China and Iran, and increasingly tighter control in Europe. Freedom.gov Source: Reuters , Fox Frankly, it sounds dangerous. It will be completely open-source and completely anonymous. Quote: "Anyone can see how it works. No one, including us, can track or identify you". The app does not log IP addresses, session data, browsing activity, DNS queries or device identifiers that could be used to identify users. This is obviously intended to allow the people in countries to know what's going on in the world outside, while their own governments don't want them to know. But, it sure sounds like it can be misused by bad actors. But will it make our jworg easily accessible in China, North Korea etc ???

Well, it took them like an hour to announce Plan B. A global 10% tariff that can last only 150 days. This is in addition to any tariffs that survived the Supreme Court decision. In his dissent, Justice Kavanaugh wrote that the tarriffs under review were "clearly legal". Iron and Clay.

"Blitz" ? Yeah, probably the end of that. But there will be contingency plans. The administration needs to find a way that can be legally justified. Although, three justices would have allowed these tariffs to stand. Hopefully there's not enough time remaining in the system for this to go back to the courts under a new mechanism.

An attack on a religion doesn't need to be an attack on the most prominent , or biggest, denomination. I don't know enough about Islam to speak with credibility, but it may be that Shia is the hardcore fundamentalist branch. Maybe Shia is an embarrassment to the rest of the Muslims. In any case, in Iran, government and religion are currently indistinguishable from each other. The Vatican is a sovereign State, with ambassadors and observer status at the UN. And at the same time entirely Catholic. One and the same. Perception is reality in this world. The big concern about any war on Iran is the domino effect it will have in the whole region. Apparently, Iran doesn't have any friends among the other Muslim nations of the Middle East. But Iran can try to turn an attack into something more than just about themselves. They could spin it as an attack against Islam. IF it happens, I believe it will be with overwhelming force and of short duration. It will be like liberating Germany from the Nazis.

I choose B. Iran is an Islamic government under the control of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, for life. His role is a unique blend of absolute religious authority and ultimate political command. The Supreme Leader has the final say on all major matters of State. He has direct control over the armed forces. His religious decrees are binding . Neither the President of the government nor the Parliament (all of which can be elected only with the Ayatollah's approval) can over rule the Supreme Leader. The government and Islam Shia are one and the same. The answer is obvious. Jehovah can do whatever he wants, however he wants, whenever he wants. Jehovah can cause the leaders of world's governments to all have a dream, and put His 'one thought' into their heads and hearts. While Jehovah fulfills prophesy in his chosen way, the nations will think it's their idea for reasons that have convinced them to do it. And it's just as plausible that some of the nations will go along reluctantly, not fully convinced it's a good idea, but do it anyway. That's only my opinion, of course. We won't have the answers until it has happened.

If Trump goes ahead and wars against Iran, how is that NOT an attack on Islam ? The Iran government is formed upon Islam Shia law. Their government and their religion are one and the same. The repercussions of an all out war will be very interesting indeed. We don't know what events may precede Jehovah putting his 'one thought' into the consciousness of the nations. Something like this could be a catalyst.

Social security in the USA is slowly running out of money to support 70 million Americans. Fewer workers contributing, beneficiaries living longer, and cost of living adjustments increasing, all put stress on the program. It isn't going bankrupt, but it is projected that by 2032 they will have to reduce benefits to align with the revenue of fewer contributing workers. Benefits may be reduced by 20%, hundreds of dollars a month. 40% of beneficiaries rely on social security for half their income. 14% rely on it for 90% of their income or more.

I would never defend such a heartless decision by the employer. But , pensions are killing businesses and city governments, possibly because people are living longer, or because the pension was overly generous to attract the worker. Some fire chiefs receive a pension that's 90% of their previous salary. And they're still young enough, 50-ish, to find other employment. But, firing a loyal employee just before retirement is despicable. Satan's world

Right there with you, Pauline.

The UN, like every government, is rife with waste and fraud. I think what the administration is doing is to end it by cutting off the money. The more programs the UN adopts, the more opportunities for waste and fraud. So, the US has quit almost all programs that aren't directly connected to the core mission of maintaining P&S. Owing money is somewhat of a paradox (or irony, I can't tell). On the surface, it would seem the creditor (the bank) has the upper hand over the debtor. But, it can be the opposite. Because if you owe me money, I need to help you stay solvent, because if you fail I will never get my money. For example, (and I'm pretty sure this is irony), whereas you owe me money, I may loan you more money to keep you afloat until you can start paying me back. This seems to be the strategy of the US owing the UN so much money. The UN needs to accommodate reforms that the US wants if they (UN) are to get the money owed to them. The tail wags the dog. But, what all of this points to is a real shake-up of the status quo. The UN will make some real reforms, there will be a new Secretary-General by December (Guterres has been described as the worst SG ever), perhaps the UN will re-calibrate and focus on peace and security and not so much on diversity/equality/inclusion. And, at the perfect moment, Jehovah will put his one thought into their consciousness to carry out His purpose. I believe the GT will start while Trump is president.

It seems to me that the entire project would begin with an approved script. Then it would be a matter of location, costumes, and the actors knowing their lines and filming. So, I can't think of a reason why translation couldn't have begun even before filming was finished. Because the script wasn't going to change. It would be a matter of recording the script with voice-over actors in the 500+ languages. Anyway, the brothers will do things to the highest standard and efficiently as well.