pred_label
stringclasses 2
values | pred_label_prob
float64 0.5
1
| wiki_prob
float64 0.25
1
| text
stringlengths 29
895k
| source
stringlengths 37
43
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
__label__wiki
| 0.896478
| 0.896478
|
Employment Law Daily Firing Asian postal worker after EEO activity, sleeping on job was retaliatory
Firing Asian postal worker after EEO activity, sleeping on job was retaliatory
By Harold S. Berman J.D.
An Asian postal service police officer who was suspended several times and then terminated after engaging in EEO activity, and also after being accused of sleeping on the job, was entitled to back pay for retaliation, the First Circuit ruled. The appeals court affirmed the federal district court’s Title VII retaliation ruling at trial, concluding there was ample evidence to find the postal service liable for retaliation, given the employee’s contentious relationship with management, multiple suspensions closely following her EEO activity, and that termination was almost never applied to a postal police officer for sleeping on the job. The district court also acted within its discretion in denying the employee front pay, particularly given her failure to present front pay evidence at trial (Anderson v. Brennan, December 14, 2018, Lynch, S.).
First EEO request. The employee, an immigrant from China, was a police officer for the U.S. Postal Service. In her first 16 years on the job, she was never disciplined. In 2011, she took time off for a workplace ankle injury. When she reported back to work with her doctor’s approval, her supervisor refused to permit her to return. She ultimately returned, but first requested EEO pre-complaint counseling, alleging race discrimination against her supervisor.
Broken stool. In late May, after learning her mother had been admitted to a hospital, she left work during her shift. She left an emergency leave request form on the duty sergeant’s desk, and her request was later approved. When she returned to work, she found a broken stool in place of her regular chair. When she tried to borrow a different chair, a sergeant told her the chair was not authorized. She complained to her supervisor, emphasizing her need for a chair because of her ankle injury, but he responded, “If you don’t like it, go home.” She told him she would leave, but wanted to be put back on workers’ compensation status, and would return when the broken stool was replaced.
However, when she did not report to work the following day, a sergeant called her to explain her absence. When she told him that her supervisor told her to go home, the sergeant said he would consider her to be on sick leave. Instead, he changed her previous approved leave request for her mother’s hospitalization to AWOL status, apparently at her supervisor’s instruction.
EEO conference. In June, the employee attended an EEO conference with her supervisor and a sergeant. The employee testified that the supervisor and sergeant refused to discuss her discrimination allegations, and told her to file an EEO complaint. Nine days later, the sergeant suspended the employee for leaving her post during her mother’s hospitalization, and after the stool incident. Around this time, the supervisor told a coworker that he found the employee’s EEO complaints “distasteful” and did not understand why she was filing them. The employee later filed an EEOC complaint, alleging that her suspension was racially discriminatory. The complaint was dismissed for failure to identify a suitable comparator.
Additional EEO complaints. In early 2012, the employee filed several requests for pre-complaint EEO counseling, alleging race discrimination and retaliation by several members of management. Later in 2012, she received two warning letters, both relating to use of her firearm. In September, the employee filed another EEO pre-complaint counseling request, asserting the second letter was retaliation for her prior EEO activity. Two weeks later, she received a 14-day suspension, ostensibly for a firearms violation in July and losing her keys.
In November, the employee attended an EEO redress conference, during which management proposed expunging her disciplinary record if she resigned her police position, and became a clerk instead. Around this time, a manager expressed displeasure to a coworker about the employee’s EEO activity, and said “I want her gone.” In December, the employee filed another EEO pre-complaint counseling request, charging the manager and a sergeant with race discrimination and retaliation. The sergeant subsequently removed her from consideration to fill in as an acting supervisor.
Sleeping on the job? In late December, the employee filed an EEOC charge against the manager and sergeant for race discrimination and retaliation. Six months later, she was suspended without pay for sleeping when she was supposed to be guarding a fire scene. She claimed she was not sleeping, and her cell phone showed that she used it during that time. Although an investigation made no factual findings concerning what happened, the employee was nevertheless terminated.
Trial. The employee sued, alleging that terminating her was disproportionate to her conduct, and resulted from discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII. She sought reinstatement, back pay and benefits, emotional distress damages, and attorney fees. The court at trial did not find discrimination, but did find that the decision to terminate her in lieu of lesser discipline, as well as two of the suspensions, constituted retaliation for assertion of her EEO rights. The court refused reinstatement as a police officer because of her antagonistic relationship with her supervisors, but approved reinstatement as a clerk. The court also awarded attorneys’ fees and back pay.
The employee and postal service cross-moved for reconsideration on liability and damages. The district court refused to change its liability finding, but offered front pay instead of reinstatement. However, the court subsequently denied the employee’s front pay request, because determining the correct amount required re-opening the trial record, which the court found inappropriate, and the employee had not presented front pay evidence at trial. The postal service and employee cross-appealed.
Liability for retaliation. The appeals court affirmed the district court’s finding of the postal service’s liability for retaliation, concluding that the record offered ample support for the district court’s finding. The district court did not err in concluding that postal service management had a retaliatory motive in choosing to terminate the employee rather than impose a lesser punishment. Sleeping on the job was not taken seriously in the Boston postal police force, no witness could recall a Boston police officer ever being terminated, and only a handful had been terminated nationally. Additionally, the termination was made against a backdrop of antagonistic interactions between the employee and management.
Remedies. The court found no abuse of discretion in the district court’s award of remedies. The employee had a fair opportunity to present evidence during trial, and her disappointment with the court’s award was not sufficient reason to change it. The court acted appropriately in relying on evidence offered post-trial to reconsider and vacate its previous reinstatement award.
Nor did the district court abuse its discretion by refusing to re-open the trial record. The court did not award front pay because the employee failed to introduce front pay evidence at trial, and the district court was entitled to rely on the employee’s lack of evidence at trial in determining whether to award front pay.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line841
|
__label__wiki
| 0.682103
| 0.682103
|
Securities Regulation Daily PCAOB approves new standards on accounting estimates, work of specialists
PCAOB approves new standards on accounting estimates, work of specialists
By Amanda Maine, J.D.
The PCAOB unanimously adopted standards on auditing accounting estimates and the auditor’s use of the work of specialists. The new standards, which were adopted in tandem, were a priority of the new Board and are the first substantive auditing standards finalized since the full Board was seated in April 2018. According to Chairman William Duhnke, the staff engaged in "thoughtful analysis and extensive external engagement" in recognition of these challenging areas of the audit that needed to be addressed.
Estimates. The new standard on the auditing of accounting estimates, including fair value measurements, emphasizes the need to apply professional skepticism when auditing accounting estimates, especially when it comes to potential management bias. Acting Chief Auditor Barbara Vanich noted that by their nature, accounting estimates involve complex judgments that make them susceptible to management bias.
Assistant Chief Auditor Dominika Taraszkiewicz noted that the new estimates standard replaces the existing three overlapping standards relating to accounting estimates with a new streamlined standard. The new standard and related amendments focus on the risk of material misstatement and emphasize professional skepticism. The new standard includes an appendix that provides specific direction to address auditing the fair value of instruments, particularly when the information is provided from third parties such as pricing services and brokers and dealers, Taraszkiewicz explained.
According to Taraszkiewicz, the final standard was modified in several respects from the initial proposal, including clarifying the auditor’s responsibility for identifying significant assumptions and providing additional directions on the auditor’s ability to group financial instruments with similar characteristics when applying substantive procedures to pricing information obtained from third parties.
PCAOB Chairman William Duhnke noted that currently, the auditing of accounting estimates relies on three different standards adopted between 1988 and 2003. The result is an inconsistency in the accounting of estimates. He also advised that this approach pre-dates the Board’s priority for risk assessment analysis. The new standard, Duhnke said, is clearer, more consistent, and risk-based.
Board Member Jay Brown commented that determining estimates has been deemed "both an art and a science." In the past decade, there has been a steep increase in accounting estimates, he noted. In addition, Brown observed that in developing the standard for estimates, the staff, for the first time, considered behavioral economics in rulemaking, which "incorporates a more realistic analysis of how people think and behave when making economic decisions."
Board Member Duane DesParte said that while the new standard on estimates requires the auditor to consider both corroborating and contradictory audit evidence, auditors do not have to "scour the universe to uncover and consider any and all possible contradictory evidence."
Work of specialists. The new standard on the auditor’s use of the work of specialists strengthens and clarifies requirements in two areas: (1) the use of the work of a company’s specialists; and (2) the use of the work of an auditor’s specialist. Regarding company specialists, the new standard is aligned with the new accounting estimates standard by incorporating risk assessment. It also sets forth factors for determining the necessary evidence for to support the auditors conclusion regarding an assertion when using the work of the company’s specialist.
The standard on the auditor’s use of the work of a specialist adds requirements that the specialist be informed of the work to be performed and amends requirements for assessing the knowledge, skill, and ability of the auditor’s specialist. It also amends the requirements for "objectivity" of an auditor-engaged specialist.
Associate Chief Auditor Lisa Calandriello advised that the final standard included revisions from the proposal that had been seen as unnecessarily complex or burdensome. With respect to the use of company specialists, the final standard removed the word "test" except in relation to company-produced data. For auditor specialists, the final amendments were revised to allow auditors to assess the specialists along a spectrum of objectivity, which would allow them to use the work of a less-objective specialist if the auditor performs additional procedures to evaluate that specialist’s work.
Board Member Kathleen Hamm noted both the accounting estimates standard and the work of specialists’ standards work hand in hand. She praised the staff for its work in making sure any revised standards remain "evergreen" as the use of emerging technology and data analytics evolve for financial reporting and auditing. The new standards are sufficiently principles-based and flexible to appropriately accommodate these new innovations, Hamm added.
Implementation. Board Member Jim Kaiser said he strongly supports the new standards. He noted that the new standards, if approved by the SEC, will become effective for audits of financial statements for fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2020. While he supports this effective date, he noted that the new standards will increase demands on the financial reporting ecosystem. As such, the Board must be receptive to feedback on the implementation of the new standards and should be open to making changes if necessary, including to the effective date.
Board Member DesParte agreed, advising that while it will improve audit quality if the standards are implemented as expeditiously as possible, he also acknowledged that firms need time to update methodologies, develop tools, provide staff training, and prepare audit committees and management for these changes. In supporting the 2020 effective date, DesParte noted that the PCAOB will be establishing an implementation support program to assist firms of all sizes and other impacted stakeholders in implementing the new standards.
The new standards are subject to the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
MainStory: TopStory AccountingAuditing PCAOBNews PublicCompanyReportingDisclosure
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line842
|
__label__cc
| 0.578836
| 0.421164
|
Return to REFLECTIONS ON THE BOOK OF HEAVEN
‘The Kingdom of The Divine Will in the midst of creatures. Book of Heaven. The call of the creature to the Order, the Place and the Purpose for which he was created by God’
PASSAGES ON THE SOUL THAT LIVES IN THE DIVINE WILL FORMS THREE ACTS IN EACH HEARTBEAT FROM THE BOOK OF HEAVEN
Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta,
The Little Daughter of the Divine Will
How all the Saints are the effects of the Divine Will, while those who live in It will possess Its life.
My abandonment in the Supreme Fiat is continuous; and while I was trying to follow the acts of the Divine Volition as much as I could, embracing everything and everyone, my sweet Jesus came out from within my interior and told me: “My daughter(Luisa), the whole Creation, all the Saints, are nothing other than the effects of My Divine Will. If My Will speaks, It creates and forms the most beautiful works. Each little motion of It are fragrances of prodigies that It casts over creatures; Its littlest breath casts varieties of beauties over the one who receives it.
“A true image of this is the sun, that, by merely investing the earth, with its touch of light gives the so many varieties of colors, of sweetness, to all plants. No one can deny that, by just letting himself be touched by its light, he has received the good it contains. My Divine Will is more than sun. Even if one only lets oneself be touched by It, Its miraculous touch must produce a good that, perfuming him and warming him with Its light, will make him feel Its beneficial effects of sanctity, of light and of love.
“Now, the effects of My Fiat are given to those who do My Divine Will, who adore Its dispositions, who bear with patience what It wants. By doing so, the creature recognizes that there is this Supreme Will, and by seeing Itself recognized, It does not deny to her It admirable effects. On the other hand, one who must live in My Divine Volition must possess within herself the whole life and not only the effects—but the life with all the effects of My Divine Fiat. And since there is no sanctity, past, present and future, of which My Divine Will has not been the primary cause, in forming all the species of sanctity that exist, It therefore holds within Itself all the goods and effects of sanctity that It has issued; and so, the soul who will live in My Will, by possessing Its life with all Its effects, will see within herself, all together, all the sanctities that have been issued.
“She will be able to say: ‘The others have done one part of sanctity, while I have done everything, I have enclosed everything within myself of all that each Saint has done.’ Therefore, the sanctity of the ancients, that of the prophets, that of the martyrs will be seen in her; the sanctity of the penitents, the great sanctities as well as the small ones will be seen. Not only this, but the whole Creation will be seen portrayed in her. In fact, My Divine Will loses nothing by issuing Its works; on the contrary, while It puts them out, It holds them within Itself as primary fount. Therefore, for one who lives in It, there is nothing that My Divine Volition has done or will do, of which she will not have possession.
“What enchantment and amazement would it not be if a creature could enclose within herself the whole sphere of the sun with all of its light? Who would not say that she contains all the effects, the colors, the sweetness, the light, that the sun has given and will give to all the earth and to all plants, big and small? If this could be, Heaven and earth would be astonished, and all would recognize that each of their effects that they possess are enclosed in that creature who possesses the sphere of the sun, that is her life with all of its effects. But humanly speaking this could not happen, because the creature would not be able to contain either the power of all the light of the sun, or that of its heat; she would be burned, nor would the sun have the virtue of not burning her.
“On the other hand, My Will has the virtue of enclosing Itself, of making Itself smaller, of expanding Itself—however It wants to make Itself, so It does. And while It transforms the creature into Itself, It preserves her alive, and giving her all of Its tints of beauty, It renders her the dominator and possessor of Its Divine dominions. Therefore, be attentive, My daughter(Luisa)—recognize the great good of the life of My Fiat in you(Luisa), that, while It possesses you(Luisa), wants to render you(Luisa) the possessor of everything that belongs to It.”
After this, He added: “My daughter(Luisa), one who lives in My Divine Volition never moves from the ways of her Creator and from being Our repeater—that while Our essence is one, one the Will, one the Life, one the Love, one the Power, We are yet three distinct Persons. In the same way, for the soul who lives in It, one is her heartbeat, and in each heartbeat she forms three acts: one embraces God, the second embraces all creatures, the third herself. And so, if she speaks, if she operates, in everything she does, she forms these three acts that, echoing the power, wisdom and love of He who created her, embrace everything and everyone.”
Permanent link to this article: https://luisapiccarreta.com/reflection-from-book-of-heaven/the-soul-that-lives-in-the-divine-will-forms-three-acts-in-each-heartbeat/
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line845
|
__label__wiki
| 0.587193
| 0.587193
|
Home Addiction Choosing a Top Private Gaming Addiction Treatment Center
Choosing a Top Private Gaming Addiction Treatment Center
Defining Addiction
Risk Of Gaming
How do you choose a top private gaming addiction treatment center? While some people can play a video game from time to time, others become obsessed with the games they play, and they begin to feel more comfortable in the world of the game than they do in the real world. As a result, video game addictions are becoming increasingly prevalent in our society, which is prompting people to consider getting help for something that was once considered relatively harmless and recreational.
Signs of a video game addiction may include:
Refusing to go to school or choosing to stay home from work in order to play.
Feeling more comfortable in the video world than in real life.
Lying about how often they play video games.
Feeling disgusted with themselves for time spent playing.
Spending money on games instead of food, rent, or other necessities.
Constantly thinking about the game when not playing.
Becoming depressed or angry when not playing.
If this sounds like you or someone you know or love, begin to look for video game or internet addiction treatment programs. You can look online, ask a trusted counselor, or reach out to organizations that offer information about where to get help.
Addictive Games
When video games were first introduced, they were crude games of skill and manual dexterity. Gamers moved objects from place to place to score points, or they shot down objects as they fell from the sky. Often, these were games played in isolation, but gamers could also play in groups of two to four.
Modern videogames, by contrast, are often much more addictive. In a modern computer game, the player takes on a new identity and may keep that identity each and every time the game is played. These games are often played online, allowing the gamer to meet other players and interact with them on a regular basis. According to Online Gamers Anonymous, games can be particularly addictive if:
Time spent playing equals increased skill. People who only play from time to time may find that they cannot succeed at the game, and they may feel like failures if they see their scores compared to the scores of others.
The games cannot be won. Some games simply never end, and the player moves from level to level in an ever-escalating loop. Since the game never ends, the player has no incentive to stop playing.
Group activities are required. Some games are built upon team playing, meaning that a certain number of people must play all at once. These games depend on appointments, and they can make the games seem important.
The games are built in sessions. Some games require the player to play in blocks of four to six hours. Players who quit before this time has elapsed lose all of their progress, making the time played seem wasted. This sort of blocking of time can encourage obsessive playing.
Games encourage players to link up or form guilds. These sorts of games encourage players to form relationships with one another, and these relationships can normalize obsessive playing behaviors.
This doesn’t mean, however, that basic videogames played alone with a console and a television can’t be addictive. Almost any activity can become an addiction if it is nourished and taken to an extreme. But basic games may not have the same sort of addictive elements built in. An online game, by its very nature, seems to encourage obsessive play and those games can be particularly dangerous for those with a tendency toward addiction.
Defining Gaming Addiction
Separating people who have an addiction from people who do not can be slightly difficult. This task can be doubly difficult in people who have gaming addiction. There is no blood test or brain scan that can be used to spot the disorder, and there is definitive timeline that can be used to separate addicts from other players. Some people play video games for 6 hours per day and don’t have an addiction. Other people play for two hours per day and they do have an addiction. It all comes down to how the person feels about the video game.
According to an article published in Science Daily, around 7 to 11% of people who play video games can be considered “pathological gamers.” These are people who may not even truly enjoy playing the games they play. Instead, they feel physically and mentally compelled to play the games, and they’re unable to stop playing even when they want to stop. People who play the games for fun and who enjoy their time may be able to stop playing when it’s time to go to work, and if they are unable to play, they find other things to do.
People with a gaming addiction may feel distressed when they’re unable to play, and they may play to the exclusion of all other activities. People with a gaming addiction may:
Refuse to go to school or stay home from work in order to play
Feel more comfortable in the video world than they do in real life
Lie about how often they play videogames
Feel disgusted with themselves for time spent playing
Spend money on games instead of food, rent or other necessities
Constantly think about the game when not playing
Become depressed or angry when not playing
Some parents discover that their teens have an addiction to gaming when they attempt to remove the game from the teen’s possession. One parent, interviewed for an article by the Associated Press, reported that her son became violent and abusive when told he could no longer play videogames. This sort of behavior change is also a hallmark of addiction.
The Risks of Gaming
Teens who neglect their studies in order to play videogames may earn low marks at school, and some may even fail out of school completely due to their addiction.
Some experts believe that videogame addiction isn’t truly dangerous. In a paper published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, the researchers argue that the fears of addiction are overblown and do not truly exist. Instead, the researchers argue, videogame players simply have a problem with time management and they need to learn how to play the games while still participating in life. While this may be true of some people who play games, the fact remains that some people face steep consequences for their gaming, and these problems go well beyond simple wasted time.
College students, in particular, may be at high risk of academic failure due to gaming addiction, as they aren’t being supervised by their parents while in school. Instead of going to class or studying for tests, they may be playing games and they may be asked to leave their schools due to their poor performance. They are wasting time, it’s true, but they are also throwing away their tuition money and their low grades may remain on their records for the rest of their lives.
Some people who become obsessed with their games become incredibly depressed about their behavior. Losing at a game they’ve devoted a significant amount of time to can be demoralizing, but so can the idea of losing friends and family due to gaming. The addict may know that the behavior isn’t normal but may still be unable to stop. Suicide might seem like a reasonable escape hatch for these people. Some young people play video games because they have difficulty relating to others in the real world. They may find it difficult to relate to others, and they may seem shy and awkward in front of their peers. The adolescent years are the time when people learn to deal with these feelings and develop skills that can help them relate to others. If teens miss out on these lessons because they’re playing video games, they may never develop into well-rounded adults who can succeed in the workforce.
In the past, researchers suggested that people who play video games repeatedly and obsessively were at high risk for aggression and anger disorders. Modern studies seem to dispute this claim. According to one study published in Cyber Psychology and Behavior found that 11.9% of people studied had a definable video game addiction, but very few of those people exhibited aggression. The addiction itself was damaging, but it wasn’t linked to aggression.
People who play video games obsessively may need a formal intervention. Here, family members and concerned friends confront the addict with the consequences of the addiction, and they outline what treatment for addiction looks like and how it can help. Often, these interventions are surprisingly effective. The addict learns that the behavior is both public and noticeable, and the addict also learns that treatment is both available and effective.
Some people with video game addictions need medications to ease anxiety, but others benefit from 12-step groups and counseling sessions. Combining the two approaches may be best for others. The addiction will rarely resolve on its own, however, and the addict must often be encouraged to join treatment programs. If someone you know is struggling with a gaming addiction, you can provide that encouragement. Please call us and find out more about successful treatment programs.
Gaming Addiction Signs
Does someone you care about seem to immerse themselves in their online game or video game of choice? Do they seem dedicated to nothing but achieving the next level, or engaging with online friends or others who play their favorite game? It may seem like an innocuous hobby at first, but studies have shown that gaming addiction is real and signs of gaming addiction are not to be ignored.
Don’t let your loved one’s life get swallowed up by gaming. Remind them that a healthy and balanced life exists – help them get the treatment they need. Call now to learn more.
Signs Your Loved One Needs Gaming Addiction Treatment
Do you recognize any of the following symptoms in your loved one regarding his attention to gaming?
He doesn’t leave his room for days on end or has everything set up so that he doesn’t need to leave the house.
He pays little attention to hygiene – for himself or his living space.
He subsists off delivery food and whatever is brought to him rather than healthy meals.
He refuses to sleep and may take stimulant drugs to stay awake and continue gaming.
He doesn’t go to doctors’ appointments – neither regular checkups nor when he is sick.
He avoids contact and interaction with people IRL (in real life).
He does not participate in family events.
He has lost his job, his progress in school, and his relationships with in-person friends.
The Exclusive Hawaii
31-631 Old Mamalahoa Hwy
Hakalau, Hawaii 96710
Aspire Health Network
Huntington Beach, California 92649
Deer Hollow Recovery & Wellness
1481 E Pioneer RD
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line846
|
__label__wiki
| 0.895897
| 0.895897
|
Chi-Raq
Nick Cannon Teyonah Parris Wesley Snipes
‘A Spike Lee joint’ just doesn’t carry the same weight as it used to.
Dynamite stuff from an artist at the top of his game.
Astonishing. Up there with Lee’s very best.
This stylish, urgent Chicago-set satire is a major return to form for its director, Spike Lee.
“When I wrote this script, I had a black audience in mind. But that’s not to say that nobody else can enjoy it. It has been my contention all along that a black film directed by a black person can still be universal.” This was Spike Lee speaking to The New York Times in 1996 about his debut feature She’s Gotta Have It. Twenty years later those words ring especially true of his brilliant, urgent new film Chi-Raq, which reaffirms Lee as not only the most articulate proponent of black agency and identity in America today but also one of the most astute social commentators of his generation.
Set in Chicago – so-called ‘Chi-Raq’ because of its reputation as one of America’s most dangerous cities; the 2016 death toll has already eclipsed last year’s (the victims are disproportionately young black men with shooting the most common cause of death) – the film transposes Aristophanes’ comedy play ‘Lysistrata’, about abstinence in Ancient Greece, to present-day Englewood, a notorious neighbourhood situated on the city’s Southside. It’s here following the accidental death of a child – a routine occurrence which goes unchecked in a community where it’s safer to say nothing than speak out – that Lysistrata (Teyonah Parris) decides enough is enough. She moves to unite the girlfriends of rival gang members by proposing a sex strike, much to the derision of her gangster/rapper beau Demetrius aka “Chi-Raq” (Nick Cannon). But their rallying cry ‘No Peace, No Pussy’ catches on, and before long women’s groups everywhere
are commanding the attention of the world’s media by staging peaceful, impassioned protests of their own.
Not since 2000’s Bamboozled has Lee zeroed in on the root cause of a deep-seated social problem with such raw focus. Crucially his latest satirical polemic, which could best be described as a hip hop musical with a socially-conscious beat, doesn’t force the issue either. And while gun culture and gang violence are often taken as uniquely American concerns, the film’s scope is ultimately much broader than its title suggests. In an early scene Lysistrata is shown reading up on real-life peace activist Leymah Gbowee, who led a women’s movement which helped bring an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. Chicago (and by extension America) may not exactly be at war with itself, but it’s telling that Lee chooses to draw parallels between his country’s current polarised sociopolitical climate and that still unstable but forward looking region.
The danger is that, irrespective of the film’s incendiary message, Chi-Raq provides such high entertainment value as to somehow trivialise the actual loss of life seen in Chicago and many other cities like it. Yet the point here is to stress the power of mass protest, to underline the fact that positive action can and does lead to progress. ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’ may seem like broken promises to some, but regardless of who is in the Oval Office by the time this film is released, people won’t stop believing in a better tomorrow.
Published 2 Dec 2016
Tags: Spike Lee
What can we learn from Spike Lee’s Bamboozled today?
Find out by joining the author of ‘Facing Blackness’ for a special screening of the director’s 2000 film.
Black Lives Matter – Social media activism and the politics of protest
By Katherine McLaughlin
How a handful of filmmakers and a simple hashtag turned stories of African-American oppression into a national concern.
articles Obama Era Cinema
Sensational artwork from the first 100 years of black film posters
These beautiful, revealing posters highlight African-American culture’s contribution to cinema.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line847
|
__label__wiki
| 0.911291
| 0.911291
|
"18-Minute-Long Noise Piece"
[Intro: Russ and Panda Bear]
Yo, This beat is crazy
Shoutout to me
La Rapet (yuh)
AASSAKASKASKDKASKDASJDJASHAHDSGKASKBSDJBABIVSAIVSAUOINDBYHVGUDBSHYGUVTCRFVGUBTRYCFFVYGBUAFYCASUHCGVU ADVDAVBUDABUVHBHUSAVBHVBAVHHBFVHIFVA (lean lean)
[Chorus: XXXTentacion]
Noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise (i raped a woman in the woods!)
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar, Logic]
If black equals white
Does white equal black? (yuh!)
Okay now gimme my 250k
Noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise (and it felt good!)
[Guitar solo]
[Verse 2: Kid Cudi]
HmmmmmmmMMMMmmm
HmmmmmMMMmmmmMMMM
HmmmMMMMMMmmmmmMmmmmm
HmMMMMMMmmmm
My daughter is hanging around a bunch of crackers and I don't like that
[Bridge 1: Kid Cudi]
Oih f*ckijng hell i wahs jhust stabbed
Somene help me oh my god o htere s so much blood
f*ck f*ckjfucik
[Verse 3: Kanye West]
I'LL HIT YOU UP MAÑA
NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (i am a very controversial figure and no one understands all i do is a marketing move cause honestly i love drama and who doesnt you f*cking hypocrites up in hollywood im tired of your bullsh*t i will give you a lesson one day)[Chorus: XXXTentacion]
[Verse 4: MC Ride]
[Skit: Kanye West, MC Ride]
How in the f*ck did you say that?
I'm MC Ride
Noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise noise
[Bridge 2: XXXTentacion]
Wait did someone hear of cudi since the first bridge I'm wor--
[Verse 5: Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar]
HUMAN BEINGS IN A MOB
WHAT'S A MOB TO A KING?
WHAT'S A KING TO A GOD?
WHAT'S A GOD TO A NON-BELIEVER
WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN
ANYTHING? (dope)
[Outro: Young Thug]
Skrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line848
|
__label__wiki
| 0.574902
| 0.574902
|
The Backstreet Boys Take It Back to the Beginning on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
Relive "As Long As You Love Me" in all its glory
3 Clues That BTS May Present a GRAMMY to the Backstreet Boys
But for real, what if BTS ends up presenting an award to BSB at the GRAMMYs?!?!
GRAMMY Awards: The Backstreet Boys Make Their Prediction for Record Of The Year
Not everyone is in agreement with who should take home the award
The Backstreet Boys Reveal the Original "Concept Album" Idea Behind 'DNA'
Plus behind-the-scenes details from the group's "Chances" video
Backstreet Boys Show Grown Man Mature Music Is in Their 'DNA'
The group makes a boys to men move on their eighth studio album
Backstreet Boys Drop New Track, "No Place"
The Backstreet Boys have released their first new track of 2019 titled "No Place."
Watch the Backstreet Boys Perform "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" on 'The Ellen Show'
The Backstreet Boys are celebrating 25 years together as a band with an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Backstreet Boys Deliver New Song, Album Release Date, And A Huge New Tour
"Chances" is the second song from their upcoming album
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line849
|
__label__wiki
| 0.58097
| 0.58097
|
Home ➣ Villages of the Axarquia
The Villages of eastern Málaga
Location of eastern Málaga in Spain
Málaga is a province within Andalucía, which is an autonomous region in the south west of Spain. It has an ancient history both in the recorded past, from the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals (from where it got its name) and the Moors, and in the prehistoric, with the first hominids entering Europe from across the Straits of Gibraltar; indeed, some of the earliest known paintings are found in the Caves of Nerja, which you can read about here.
La Axarquía is the name given to eastern Málaga, stretching from the outskirts of Málaga city to the eastern most town of the province, Nerja. Its name originates from the Arabic word for the east, ‘sharquiyya’.
The pueblos blancos
There are few towns east of Málaga, mostly the region is composed of small, so called ‘pueblos blancos’ or white villages, straddling the seashore or nestling among the hills and mountains inland. Vélez-Málaga, the capital of the region, along with Torrox and Nerja, are probably the largest.
The first settlements in the Axarquia go back to prehistoric times, then later came the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, and the Romans, but most important for the history of the area was the domination by the Moors for 700 years. Many of the villages that are dotted around the olive, almond and vine planted hillsides date from this era – something that is quite evident from their Arabian style architecture, white-washed houses and narrow, winding streets.
By contrast, the villages down on the coast, sometimes as much as 2000 feet lower than those inland, are quite cosmopolitan, offering the tourist all the modern amenities they would expect.
Your guide to the villages
Map of the region
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line851
|
__label__cc
| 0.555444
| 0.444556
|
кино-глаз
blog de manuel zayas
Juan Goytisolo ante el fantasma de Virgilio Piñera y la deriva autoritaria de la Revolución Cubana
In the Park (1962)
Una reliquia habanera en EastmanColor
El estreno de Julio García Espinosa como censor cinematográfico
El asalto de Julio García Espinosa al Sindicato de Técnicos Cinematográficos
Letter from Cuban Gay People to the North American Gay Liberation Movement
Sisters and Brothers:
By chance, we got a copy of your publication with the statement of Third World Gay Revolution (Gay Flames pamphlet No.7).
We believe it is our duty to inform you of our situation as homosexuals in Cuba, as people who experience discrimination in a country which presumably is involved in a revolution and is committed to the creation of the “new man”. This revolution is struggling against the traditional injustices that all Cubans have suffered as a result of economic exploitation and a class society. The vestiges of this class society still bring us suffering. We wish to inform you, however, of a series of events which fundamentally deny the postulates of the social and political movement in Cuba. In fact, our country is in a state of increasingly greater crisis, quite in contradiction with the success stories told abroad.
If in a consumption society, run by capitalist and oligarchs, like the one you are living in, homosexuals experience suffering and limitations, in our society, labeled Marxist and revolutionary, it is worse. Since its beginning –first in veiled ways, later without scruples or rationalizations- the Cuban revolutionary government has persecuted homosexuals. The methods range from the most common sort of physical attack to attempts to impose psychic and moral disintegration upon gay people. In theory, at least, the Cuban revolution holds that homosexuality is not compatible with the development of a society whose goal is communism.
Here, the homosexual is attacked in such a way that he or she becomes the victim of a series of formulas to make invisible what the authorities judge to be an aberration, a repudiable fault. One formula is for homosexuals to marry and pretend to live a “normal” life. Another has been the confinement of homosexuals on farms where they are brutally treated. This happened with the concentration camps of the UMAP, which, for the uninformed, were simply “military units to increase production”, a place where people did farm work and youths received military training, the sort of thing that might take place in any civilized country. This situation provoked an international scandal, and subsequently the UMAP camps were eliminated as a branch of obligatory military service –but there still are prison farms exclusively for homosexuals.
On the street we suffer persecution, aggression, and a constant abuse of authority. We are asked to produce I.D. cards. We are arrested for wearing certain clothes or using certain hair styles, or for simple get-togethers. This is a violation of freedoms guaranteed by the Declaration of Human Rights, freedoms which, contradictorily, are more respected in societies that are called fascist than in ours –though Cuban society has been seen as a model for the solution of the problems of individual and collective freedom.
Methods of psychological repression, social isolation, control by districts, neighborhoods, work places and schools, always with the aim of negating us, are commonly used by this regime. It can be said that there are many homosexuals, some of them intellectuals, some not, who live apart from this situation. In the first place, they are very few in number. To the extent that such persons exist, they know that they cannot cross the limits of behavior that have been outlined for them, and that in the case of opposition, there is only the risk of exile or the response of a dictatorial system which can lead to the worst consequences.
It is not possible to advocate freedom, respect and justice for homosexuals throughout the world without taking into consideration the situation of thousands of individuals in our country. There must also be protests for the treatment they are given, and the search for an effective solution, not a theoretical one, to such problems.
We hope in future communications to give plenty of details and to shed light on many situations which you do not know about in this uncertain and chaotic pseudo-socialist system.
[Note: to protect ourselves, we have given a false return address.]
Source: Out of the Closets: Voices of the Gay Liberation, by Karla Jay and Allen Young, New York: Douglas Book Corp., 1972, pp.244-246.
Un pensamiento en “Letter from Cuban Gay People to the North American Gay Liberation Movement”
Pingback: LA IZQUIERDA HOMOFOBICA. COMUNISTAS PERSIGUIENDO HOMOSEXUALES | Derogacion de la Ley feminazi de genero, YA
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line852
|
__label__cc
| 0.641868
| 0.358132
|
A revolution, an economic crisis and a very sarcastic clergyman
Posted on April 20, 2015 by Brodie Waddell
Brodie Waddell
Update 25/04/17: An open-access version of my article on ‘The Politics of Economic Distress’ is now available though Birkbeck’s institutional repository or, alternatively, on my Academia.edu profile.
Thomas Smith was not a man of the people. Although born to a London merchant, he made his name teaching Hebrew at Oxford, publishing a thesis on Aramaic in the Old Testament and spending several years in Constantinople hunting down Greek manuscripts. Smith was, above all, an uncompromising believer in a very particular brand of high-church Anglicanism, so when William and Mary captured the throne in 1689 he refused to take the oath to the new monarchs.
In the 1690s, Smith watched the aftermath of the Revolution unfold. It was not a pretty sight. Maritime trade was battered by war with France, taxes doubled within a few years, food prices rose dramatically and the people lost faith in the currency. Although Smith seems to have lived a fairly comfortable life and remained focused on his scholarly work, his correspondence reveals that he had a good eye for the problems that beset ‘the common people’ in this decade.
By 1695, Smith’s letters to his friend, John Cotton, had turned into darkly comic commentaries on the miserable state of the nation. In May of that year, he complained of the great sums of money sent to the continent to pay for the war, especially to ‘that blessed country, Holland, to which we owe our present happiness, our wealth, flourishing trade, and righteous settlement; for which it seemes wee cannot give them Guinies enough nor bee too thankfull’. The Lords Justice, who ruled England while William III was campaigning in Flanders, were coming to be known as ‘the Seven overseeres of the Poor’.
When Smith wrote again to Cotton a few months later, the situation had become still worse. Everywhere were heard ‘the complaints of the merchants for the loss of their shipps from East and West India, which dampt the joy of [the victory at] Namur, … so instead of erecting triumphal arches they are now inclinable to hang the Exchange with black and make a bonfire of the Admiral’s house for not securing their commerce’.
The victory at Namur, 1695: worth the trouble?
Such comments on the dismal conditions of the 1690s were exceptional in their wit, but Smith’s dark perspective on life in Williamite England was hardly unusual. As soon as I began looking through records from this period, I started finding similar cases of people ranging from Jacobite pamphleteers to angry alehouse-goers complaining about ‘the state of the nation’, often in highly politicised ways. England was beset by painful economic strains in this decade and, unsurprisingly, many people traced the source of these problems back to the revolutionary chages of the late 1680s, variously blaming the old king or the new king, the Dutch or the French, scheming politicians or corrupt bureaucracts.
I’ve just published an article looking at these arguments in the latest issue of English Historical Review. I didn’t get a chance to include Thomas Smith, my new favourite non-juror and dead-pan comic, so I thought I’d share a few snippets from his letters here. The letters can be found at the Bodleian Library, MS Smith 59.
The article is entitled ‘The Politics of Economic Distress in the Aftermath of the Glorious Revolution’, summarised in the abstract:
The economic problems of the 1690s spurred an extraordinary surge in politicised debates and complaints about commercial, financial and other material affairs. This article begins by examining the magnitude of the shift that occurred in economic fortunes between the reigns of James II (1685–8) and William III (1689–1702), highlighting the main sources of concern: wartime disruption to trade, rising taxes, the currency crisis associated with the recoinage of 1696, and the high food prices of 1693–9. More significantly, it then assesses the nature and extent of the public response. Trade, finance and fiscal impositions became increasingly pervasive topics of public conversation and printed debate, as evidenced both by anecdotal reports and an approximate but telling analysis of published titles. Moreover, national political divisions—between Williamites and Jacobites, Whigs and Tories, Court and Country, anti-French and anti-Dutch—were central to this economic discourse. Perceptions of the monarch and parliamentary leaders were directly linked to how people interpreted the hardships of this decade. This manifested itself in innumerable short tracts, broadside ballads, seditious conversations, riotous protests and many other modes of public communication. Finally, through comparisons with earlier and later periods such as the 1540s, 1590s, 1640s and the early eighteenth century, this article demonstrates that the tumult of the 1690s had a long-term impact and has been unjustly neglected in the historiography of economic crisis and political conflict.
I even attempt to provide a very crude quantitative analysis of the new prominance of economic issues in print in the 1690s.
Conveniently, the figures from the ESTC that I used in the article seem to line up rather nicely with a graph of the terms created using the EBBO ngram tool.
This entry was posted in History and tagged found art, hear ye! hear ye!, Madison Avenue, politiques & politicos by Brodie Waddell. Bookmark the permalink.
About Brodie Waddell
Brodie is a Lecturer in Early Modern History at Birkbeck, University of London.
View all posts by Brodie Waddell →
5 thoughts on “A revolution, an economic crisis and a very sarcastic clergyman”
shgregg on April 21, 2015 at 1:30 pm said:
Nice use of the tools on Early Modern Print!
Brodie Waddell on April 21, 2015 at 9:49 pm said:
Thanks, Stephen. It’s a great tool. I cited it as supporting evidence in the EHR article, but didn’t actually include the ngram because (1) it wasn’t available when I started researching this, so I started with the ESTC method borrowed from Phil Withington; (2) it ends in 1700, which is rather annoying when you are trying to show that the 1690s were exception rather than just part of a gradual growth in the use of these terms; (3) it is tricky to do wild-cards, so ‘tax/taxes/taxation’ becomes difficult to track. Still, I was very pleased to find that it confirmed my suspicions and reinforced the ESTC evidence!
Pingback: Understanding Sources: doing history by numbers | the many-headed monster
Rachel Weil on April 26, 2017 at 3:54 am said:
I’m really looking forward to reading the longer article. Yes, the 1690s were a pretty sucky decade.
Thanks, Rachel. You’ll notice in the article a surprising lack of references to a certain Prof. Weil, whose book on Informers I’ve greatly enjoyed and whose work is essential for understanding the decade. My only defence is that the article was mostly written only shortly after the book came out, so I hadn’t read it yet. Still, a mistake not to be repeated!
Leave a Reply to Brodie Waddell Cancel reply
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line854
|
__label__wiki
| 0.55576
| 0.55576
|
10 Yeti Reports Involving More Than Footprints
Garth Haslam May 22, 2019 0
In April 2019, a mountain expedition by the Indian Army discovered huge footprints in the snow high in the Himalayas. They tweeted out pictures, claiming the images as evidence for the legendary Yeti, a large, hairy biped believed to exist in the mountain range. Not surprisingly, most people were unimpressed.[1]
Apparent Yeti prints have been seen many times before, and there have been many explanations put forward to explain them away. If there actually are Yetis in the Himalayas, wouldn’t someone have seen them by now? Well, about that . . .
10 Where’s A Camera When You Need One?
In 1925, a photographer, N.A. Tombazi, was touring the Himalayas taking scenic photographs. One day, his porters called him to come from his tent, and they pointed to a dark object 183 to 274 meters (600–900 ft) away.
Tombazi could see the figure was like a human being and walking upright; it was also was dark in color and appeared to be wearing no clothes. This strange being was walking around from rhododendron bush to rhododendron bush, rummaging through them and occasionally uprooting one. After the figure was visible for about a minute, Tombazi lost view of it as it walked off into some thick scrub. Tombazi was flustered; he’d had no time to get a camera or binoculars.
Tombazi and some of the men trekked over to the area a few hours later to investigate and found plenty of footprints in the crisp snow. They were definitely man-like, but oddly small—they were only about 15 to 18 centimeters (6–7 in) long and about 10 centimeters (4 in) wide at the widest part. There were five toes, and the instep could be seen, but the heel was often indistinct or merely a point. The prints were between 45 and 60 centimeters (18–24 in) apart and were obviously from a bipedal creature. The scrub was too thick and the weather too threatening for Tombazi to try to follow the trail.
The porters all believed the creature had been a Yeti, but Tombazi didn’t want to believe that. However, he could not get past the fact the creature had looked very human in form.[2]
9 Hometown Expert
Photo credit: Jamling Tenzing Norgay
Tenzing Norgay was born and raised in the shadow of the Himalayas. He first became involved in mountaineering when he was picked by Englishman Eric Shipton to help in the 1935 reconnaissance of Mount Everest (an attempt to find usable path for climbing). Tenzing enjoyed the experience so much that he became involved with almost every other attempt to climb Everest afterward. On May 29, 1953, he reached the top of Everest with Edmund Hillary, making Tenzing and Hillary the first two people to do so.
In 1951, Tenzing was on a climb with Eric Shipton again when the whole party came across prints in the snow. Tenzing identified them as belonging to a Yeti, and then he explained to Shipton that he and some of the other Sherpas had seen a Yeti two years previously, near the village of Thyangboche. It was about 23 meters (75 ft) away when the group saw the strange creature. Tenzing said it stood about 168 centimeters tall (5’6″) and had a tall and pointed head. Its body was covered with reddish-brown hair, but the face looked hairless.
Shipton had another man cross-examine Tenzing in his native language, and Tenzing stood by his statement. He knew what a bear looked like, and he knew what a monkey looked like; this manlike creature had been neither.[3]
8 The Lure Of The Hunt
Photo credit: Richard Steinwinkler
Around 12:00 AM one night in May 1951, Richard Steinwinkler reached a remote, high plateau in the Himalayas. He was climbing alone and had been planning to rest when he reached the plateau, but he saw from the corner of his eye a large figure moving behind an overhang. He immediately thought Yeti. He wasn’t a believer per se, but he knew that no one else should have been up there, especially at that time of night, so he immediately ran to the overhang to investigate.
Initially, there was nothing in sight. Then Steinwinkler noticed the footprint in the clay in front of him. He photographed the print and then followed the trail for hours, eventually finding the creature that made the print. The animal was about 50 meters (164 ft) away from him, and he could see it was moving on two legs and was very tall . . . but it was hard to get a good look because of the terrain. Steinwinkler, who had been running on excitement at a discovery up to this point, suddenly realized he was very, very alone with an unknown animal. Shakily, Steinwinkler took several photos. Then, ever so carefully, he crept back the way he came.[4]
7 Ouch!
In 1952, Norwegians Aage Thorberg and Jan Frostis were doing survey work on the Zemu Glacier in the area of Kangchenjunga when they came across a fresh example of some of the famous footprints in the snow. Thorberg and Frostis, with two local men, went in search of the creatures that had made the tracks . . . and they found them.
The creatures looked like monkeys, with long tails, but were man-sized and walking upright. Frostis proposed shooting one to take with them, but Thorberg argued that the specimen would be more valuable alive. So they improvised a lasso to catch one with.
When the attempt was made, however, one of the creatures caught the lasso before it caught a creature, and another of the animals knocked Frostis to the ground and bit his shoulder. Thorberg hastily fired a shot into the air, and the creatures all fled as the men helped their wounded companion back to camp.[5]
6 A Bad Position
Photo credit: Sports Afield
In 1953, Drs. George Moore and George K. Brooks were returning home after a visit to the Tibetan border area, where they had helped to control an outbreak of typhus. They were slowly following the trails back down the mountains to Kathmandu with a group of Sherpas when a storm threatened to overtake them. They had entered a muddy, forested area, and Moore and Brooks, unencumbered by packs and in a hurry to get home, had outpaced the Sherpas. A thick fog had set in, but the men could still follow the trail.
The two men stopped for a break near a large rock so that Brooks could grab a leech that was about to climb into his boot. Something moved ever so slightly in the bushes nearby; then it moved again. Both men quickly drew their pistols and backed up to a large boulder as they watched the bush. Then came two screams, one from somewhere in front of them and one from somewhere to the right!
Fearing they might be surrounded, the men climbed onto the boulder as an angry chattering came from the bushes in front of them, and more screams came from all around them. And then a creature, covered in hair but standing, pushed through the bushes in front of them. The creature stood about 152 centimeters tall (5′) and had gray skin, black hair, a mouth “that seemed to extend from ear to ear,” and long, yellow teeth and yellow eyes. As six or seven more figures started to be visible in the fog around them, the men realized they were surrounded by these monsters.
Moore and Brooks decided that actually shooting one of the beasts would likely just make their situation worse, so they fired a warning shot over the creatures’ heads, which made the strange animals pause in their steps. Two more warning shots, and the creatures retreated. No longer in a hurry to get home, the two men stood their ground until the Sherpas caught up to them and stayed in the group for the rest of the way home.[6]
5 A Picky Eater
In 1954, mountaineer Charles Stoner was performing interviews concerning the Yeti and other matters in several of the Himalayan villages he was visiting. Stoner was interested in the folklore and the beliefs regarding the creature but ran into a story that he wasn’t quite prepared for.
In the village of Tamyeh, Stoner found himself talking to a man named Lakhpa Tensing, who explained that, three years earlier, he had a chance encounter with a Yeti. It was in the month of March, and Lahkpa had taken his yak herd out to graze where the snow had melted. When it was time to go, one yak had wandered off, so Lahkpa climbed to a rocky area nearby to look for the stray animal. He heard a strange yelping noise that sounded like a puppy, so he went to investigate . . . and found the guts of a local rodent strewn on the ground, still fresh.
Thirty paces away, sitting on a rock with its back to him, was an upright creature about the size of a 12-year-old boy. It was covered with reddish-brown hair and had a noticeably pointed head. Once Lahkpa realized that he was looking at a Yeti, he crept back away as carefully as possible, not wanting to disturb the creature in any way.[7]
4 Word From Russia
In January 1958, Dr. Alexander Pronin, a hydrologist from Russia’s Leningrad State University (now the Saint Petersburg State University), was with a group in the Pamir Mountains. One day, he was exploring a bit when he saw what he took to be a bear on a cliff top, but when it stood up, it was clearly not a bear.
The man-like figure was covered with reddish-gray hair and had stooping shoulders. He watched it for five minutes as the strange creature moved about the cliff top doing something, before it finally turned and left his field of view.
Three days later, he saw the same figure in the same place . . . and decided that it was time to admit that what he saw was real.[8]
3 Another Picky Eater
In 1958, an expedition was sent to the Himalayas specifically to look for evidence of the Yeti. Naturalist Gerald Russell, who had been on an earlier 1954 expedition, was acting as the deputy leader for this outing.
Toward the end of April, Russell and his Sherpa guide and interpreter, Da Temba, were in the area of Choyang Khola and were taking turns with other party members spending the night in a camouflaged observation post, keeping an eye out for unusual activity. A local man told them that he’d seen a small Yeti which would visit a nearby creek nightly looking for frogs to eat, so they investigated. Russell didn’t see it, but Da Temba was in the right place at the right time.
Around midnight, a Yeti about 137 centimeters tall (4’6″) approached the creek where Da Temba was watching. It was assumed that the animal was a young Yeti, as it was physically shorter compared to most reports. As the creature searched for frogs, Da Temba shined a flashlight into the Yeti’s face. It responded by running at the men, who bravely fled. In the morning, Russell investigated and found not only Da Temba and the local man’s prints but those of a small biped, which resembled the appearance of Yeti prints seen in other areas of the Himalayas.[9]
2 Patience Prevails
In 1970 Don Whillans was part of a group of mountaineers who set up camp near Machapuchare. One night, one of the Sherpas with the group, looking past Whillans, said matter-of-factly, “Yeti coming.” Whillans turned around just in time to see a shadowy figure disappear behind a ridge. Checking the next day, Whillans and another of the mountaineers discovered strange tracks by the ridge near where Whillans had seen the figure the night previously. The other mountaineer dismissed them as bear tracks. Whillans wasn’t so sure.
That night, the moon was bright enough to read by. Whillans’ tent was positioned so that he could poke his head out and see the slope and ridge where the figure had been the previous night. Despite the bitter cold, Whillans kept peeking out from time to time to see if any animals were in the area. His patience paid off later in the evening when, fairly suddenly, a figure sprang out from the shadows on the hillside and quickly bounded along on all fours straight for the cliff face. The creature was big and powerful-looking, and Whillans felt it was either an ape or a very similar animal. He watched for a while, but nothing more happened that night.
The next morning, Whillans and two Sherpas went to investigate and found tracks in the snow corresponding to what he’d seen the night before . . . but both Sherpas pretended there were no tracks at all! Perhaps they were afraid that Whillans would go looking for the source, unaware that he’d already seen it.[10]
1 Surprise On The Slope
Photo credit: Anthony Wooldridge
In March 1986, Anthony Wooldridge was doing a run/climb through the Alaknanda Valley in the Himalayas for charity purposes. Wooldridge was reasonably unfamiliar with Yeti lore at the time, so when he reached a remote wooded area where other humans shouldn’t have been since the previous summer, he was very surprised to see a distinct trail that traveled through the snow from bush to bush. He took two pictures and then set off on his run again, hoping to find a way through the snow to Hemkund by the next day, which was going to be tough.
About an hour later, Wooldridge’s path crossed a steep slope, and there had been an avalanche ahead of his arrival, so he stopped to survey the area, looking for the safest way to cross. As he was looking, he noticed an unnatural groove in the snow slope, as if a large rock had slid down for a short distance, and there were more footprints leading away from the bottom of the groove. He followed the tracks with his eyes to a spindly shrub . . . and whipped out his camera to quickly take several shots before moving to a spot that was as close as he could safely get to look more.
There was something just beyond the shrub, something about 183 centimeters tall (6′) and standing up. Its legs were apart, and the creature was apparently looking down the slope, unaware of Wooldridge, who was looking at the animal from its right. It was covered in dark hair, and its head was large and squarish. Wooldridge moved down the slope a little to get a different angle. When he looked again, he had the distinct impression that the creature was now watching him as well. As the weather deteriorated, Wooldridge realized that he wasn’t going to reach Hemkund that day, and suddenly unwilling to just camp out, he headed back to the last village he had stopped at before night fell.[11]
+ Don’t Forget The Prints
Photo credit: Indian Army/Twitter
On April 29, 2019, the Indian Army sent out the following tweet, along with three photos of strange prints in the snows of Makalu in the Himalayas:
For the first time, an #IndianArmy Moutaineering Expedition Team has sited Mysterious Footprints of mythical beast ‘Yeti’ measuring 32×15 inches close to Makalu Base Camp on 09 April 2019. This elusive snowman has only been sighted at Makalu-Barun National Park in the past.[12]
As mentioned at the beginning, almost everyone immediately mocked the tweet, but stop and consider for a moment. In the pictures, the large prints are separated by a distance equal to about one and a half prints in length. So if, as the Indian Army reported, the individual prints are 81 centimeters (32 in) long each, that would imply the visible distance between the prints is around 122 centimeters (48 in) apart— that’s a lot of undisturbed snow between each print! No one in skis or snowshoes could pull that off, and that would be difficult even for the largest bears in the region.
So what did actually make the prints?
Garth Haslam has been digging into strange topics for over 30 years and posts his research on varying anomalies, curiosities, mysteries, and legends at his website Anomalies—the Strange & Unexplained. Check it out at http://anomalyinfo.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anomalies.news.
Read about more bizarre reports of ape-men on 10 Bigfoot-Type Cryptids You May Not Know About and Top 20 Bigfoot Sightings.
10 Bizarre Reasons Secret Plots Failed
10 Skeptics And What They Tried To Debunk
10 Unusual Things Used As A Form Of Contraception
Top 10 Ridiculous Taxes Some Countries Impose On Their Citizens
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line855
|
__label__wiki
| 0.901977
| 0.901977
|
Dave Stewart & Elliott Gould
Contributors - Season 3
53 years after Elliott Gould made his Hollywood debut and acted in over 160 films, making himself one of America’s prolific actors of the 70s, he sits down with music marvel, Dave Stewart. Dave has marked his legendary status in the world of music, mastering his incredible skills in the world of pop-rock and collaborated with a variety of impressive artists.
Gareth Edwards & Matthew Rhys
Welsh actor Matthew Rhys acting career spanned the globe and he now finds himself returning to the United Kingdom for his latest endeavour in the BBC series, Death Comes to…
Susan George & Robert Lindsay
Accomplished actor, Robert Lindsay has proven time after time that he can conquer any role. The variety of characters range from Shakespeare’s dashing Lysander to Ben from the famous BBC…
© 2018 Living The Life. All rights reserved.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line856
|
__label__cc
| 0.645252
| 0.354748
|
‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’ Original Host Bob Saget Will Return For ‘Videos After Dark’
How do you do, fellow kids? I am extremely young and hip, and not old and boring. And I have absolutely no memory of watching America’s Funniest Home Videos with Bob Saget when it first debuted in 1989. In fact, I wasn’t even alive back then! Yeah, that’s the ticket. In fact, what’s America’s Funniest Home Videos? A TV show? What’s TV? I just watch everything on Netflix on my phone.
Okay, fine. I am old. And I do remember watching many hours of Bob Saget as the host of America’s Funniest Home Videos. I may or may not have tried to convince my parents to let me mail in our home videos, which were never very funny, but darn it I just wanted to be on television. Sadly, it never worked.
I was pretty surprised to discover a few years ago, that AFV (as it’s mostly referred to now) was still on the air all these years later. Now in its 29th season, AFV is hosted by former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro. When the show first started, you had to go to the trouble of physically mailing a VHS tape to be considered. Now everyone records everything, so the pool of available material is basically limitless. In fact, ABC has announced the show will return for a 30th and 31st season — and that the man who started it all, Bob Saget, is returning for a new spinoff series called Videos After Dark. Oh my.
Here, via Deadline, is what you can expect from the new show.
Videos After Dark will feature home videos with an edgier twist. Led by Saget, who hosted AFV for its first eight seasons, Videos After Dark will feature videos from Di Bona’s vast video vault that are more appropriate for an older audience. ‘Incredible real-life mishaps, uproarious blunders and extremely bad decisions are celebrated and highlighted with Saget’s comedic commentary,’ according to the network.
Want to feel as old as me? Here is what this show looked like way back when:
In is the year of our Lord 2018 there is going to be an America’s Funniest Home Videos spinoff with Bob Saget. Until then, keep those cameras safely rolling and honey, very few people are going to get this joke.
The Best TV Show Revivals, Ranked
Source: ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’ Original Host Bob Saget Will Return For ‘Videos After Dark’
Filed Under: Bob Saget
Categories: TV News
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line858
|
__label__wiki
| 0.52629
| 0.52629
|
Soulfire Vol. 1 #7
Mal and the gang reach the eighth continent, where they discover that monsters do exist! But, things are not always as they seem...right?
J.T. Krul Michael Turner
Vol. 1: The Definitive Edition
"The Day the Magic Died" - Your first glimpse into the world of Soulfire has finally arrived. Countless ages ago, battles raged and wars were lost, but one lone heroine fought on. Struggling to prevent a time of magic and wonder from becoming extinct, her fight would span centuries, leading her to the one person who could help change the future forever. Introducing Grace, the startling and powerfu
Soulfire: Chaos Reign
In a time long past, when the world was still young and primitive, magic thrived in this untamed land. However, a deadly new threat has emerged from the shadows looking to claim the planet's raw magical power, and they won't let anyone or anything, stand in their way! It's a brand new Soulfire tale unlike any other you've ever experienced, as only Aspen could deliver!
There are two worlds. The one we know, and the one below. Aspen Matthews was a marine biologist who, in a failed experiment, discovered that she is actually a water nymph, able to live and thrive beneath the water.
Legend of The Shadow Clan
Aspen's Ten Year Anniversary kicks off with the debut of LEGEND OF THE SHADOWCLAN! Meet the Arashi family. They are like any other family living in the city: kids in school, parents working to make ends meet. But unbeknownst to even them, their ancestors held a dark secret: they were a clan of ninja in feudal Japan, in the employ of a prominent leader. But when that leader was murdered under myst
The Four Points
Something dark is coming... Throughout history, oddities have remained hidden away within the fabric of societies across the planet. However, in recent years these unexplained phenomena have begun to emerge with a vengeance...Enter Gia Sorentino. They thought she was crazy, and locked her away from the rest of the world. Yet, following a family tragedy, she has inherited an empire--and
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line859
|
__label__wiki
| 0.762891
| 0.762891
|
Australia’s first female electrical engineer: Florence McKenzie’s life of service
By Debbie Rudder
Powerhouse Museum Collection object K50. Gift of Florence Violet McKenzie, 1976.
To mark this year’s Engineering Week, I decided to feature Florence Violet Wallace, aka Florence McKenzie or Mrs Mac, a 1923 graduate of Sydney Technical College who later donated her diploma to the Museum. She was also a path-breaker, teacher, author, lobbyist and wartime leader, a woman who foresaw a need, set out to address it boldly and selflessly, and did so with great success.
Born in 1890, Wallace attended Sydney Girls High School and spent a successful year studying science at the University of Sydney. The new field of radio, in that first ‘wireless’ age, became a passion, and she sought to study at the Tech instead. That put her is a bind, as she couldn’t enrol until she found relevant employment. Showing admirable initiative, she set up a radio shop, apprenticed herself to the business, and contracted to carry out electrical work.
Florence Wallace c 1923.
A year after graduating, Wallace married fellow student Cecil McKenzie. He also ventured into a new field, transforming cities by installing huge neon advertising signs for the Scanlan Electric Company. Within a few years that company introduced to our cities another new communication technology, the ‘electric newspaper’, with rolling text lit up by 1200 light bulbs.
Sadly, Florence’s only child was stillborn. A few years later she set up the Electrical Association for Women (Australia), through which she taught women to use electrical appliances. She wrote the EAW Cookery Book for women, The Electric Imps for children, and many articles about electricity. She also joined the Australian Women’s Flying Club and began teaching its members Morse code.
Florence had been a young adult during World War I, and that conflict must have influenced her thoughts and attitudes. When she heard Neville Chamberlain proclaim that there would be ‘peace in our time’, she realised it was time for citizens to prepare for war. Not one to take half measures, she established the Australian Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps and trained 1000 women in Morse code and semaphore before war was declared, and many more afterwards. She also designed their military-style uniform: pine green serge skirt, jacket and forage cap, with brown tie, gloves and shoes.
Not content with this unofficial effort, Florence lobbied the navy and air force to set up women’s services. Although she met considerable resistance, her lobbying led to the establishment of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force and the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service. Both groups made significant contributions during the war, including sending and receiving telegraph messages and training thousands of Allied servicemen in signalling. In 1941 Florence became an honorary officer in the WAAAF, and in 1950 she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Through all those years of sadness, hard work and commitment to her country, she kept the diploma as a reminder of her early achievement – and of a very different world, with few opportunities for women outside the domestic sphere. She retained her interest in science and technology throughout her long life. It is thus very fitting that she chose to donate the diploma to this Museum, which was located alongside Sydney Technical College when she was a student and which aimed (as it still does) to help students understand their changing world.
Written by Debbie Rudder, Curator.
early radio
electric newspaper
Engineering and Surveying
first wireless age
Florence Violet McKenzie
Florence Violet Wallace
Sydney Technical College
WAAAF
WRANS
Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention: Eiffel Tower telephone
Meet the curator - Deborah Turnbull
Neons and museums
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line860
|
__label__wiki
| 0.643974
| 0.643974
|
Manifesto available for download here or as a web version below:
A LIBERAL VOICE FOR A LIBERAL CITY
The Lib Dem Plans for Brighton & Hove in 2019
Brighton and Hove is a city with a lot going for it. We have a great location, an entrepreneurial culture, the best independent shops in the country, two universities, and a vibrant arts and sports scene.
But it's also a city of contrast. We face challenges such as a low-wage economy, a housing crisis and areas of severe deprivation. This situation has been worsened by the Tory Government's continued austerity, resulting in damage to many public services like our schools, police and NHS. Meanwhile all three parties on the Council seem more focused on having internal arguments than on serving the city.
In Brighton & Hove, Lib Dem membership has trebled since 2015. We are the only national party that has wholeheartedly and consistently opposed Brexit, chiming with the open, internationalist views of this city where 68.6% people voted to Remain in the EU.
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT VALUES
The values of the Liberal Democrats are set out in the preamble to our constitution:
"The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity."
The council elections in May 2019 give the residents of Brighton & Hove an opportunity to vote for change. It is time to elect Lib Dem councillors to ensure there is a liberal voice for a liberal city.
Our manifesto is an evolving document in a fast-changing world. If you want to get involved in local Lib Dem policy formation, please contact us via our website, liberalbrighton.org.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line861
|
__label__wiki
| 0.961718
| 0.961718
|
News: Sir Kim Darroch’s resignation: Is Boris Johnson to blame?
After private comments he made about Donald Trump were leaked, the UK’s ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch, has resigned from his position.
Trump has targets his Twitter fury on Sir Kim since confidential emails to the Foreign Office where he described the president’s administration as “clumsy and inept” were made public.
Criticism is being directed at Boris Johnson for failing to back the ambassador when asked about the situation after Darroch’s resignation letter said staying in his position was now “impossible”.
The Claim
The Independent reports that Darroch’s decision to resign was prompted by likely next prime minister Johnson’s refusal to support him during a leadership debate.
Both Johnson and Tory leadership rival Jeremy Hunt were asked about Darroch’s situation, Hunt said the ambassador would have his backing but Johnson repeatedly failed to make the same guarantee and many believe it is this that caused Darroch’s resignation.
Alan Duncan MP, a junior minister in the Foreign Office, described Johnson’s inability to support Darroch as “contemptible”, arguing that he had “basically thrown our ambassador under a bus”.
Sir Kim Darroch
If Trump’s Twitter tirade hadn’t made Darroch’s position untenable then a lack of support from the man who is almost certain to be the UK’s next prime minister was the final straw. If the next prime minister wasn’t able to stand up for the British ambassador then what hope did he have?
Writing in the Financial Times, Robert Shrimsley argues that the Darroch resignation is a sign that even the Foreign Office has become tainted by the increasingly partisan nature of British politics, with reactions to the incident influenced by positions on Brexit.
He wrote that Leave supporters “will be delighted” at the opportunity to remove Darroch, who was the UK’s ambassador to the EU between 2007 and 2012, and replace him with someone closer aligned to their beliefs when they should be concerned that confidential information has been leaked regardless of whose career it threatens.
The Counter Claim
Johnson insisted the idea that his failure to back Darroch led to the ambassador’s resignation was “bizarre”, saying he was a “great supporter of Kim’s” from his time as foreign secretary.
On the subject of his failure to commit support to Darroch during a recent leadership interview he said he had felt it was wrong to “drag public servants’ careers into the arena”.
It may be that Darroch’s situation was untenable whether or not Johnson supported him, with CNN reporting that Trump’s furious outburst at the ambassador on Twitter likely sealed his fate.
The president said Darroch was “not liked or well respected in the US” and made it clear he had become persona non grata among American diplomatic circles and saying they would no longer deal with him.
Trump’s comments came before the leadership debate where Johnson repeatedly refused to support Darroch, so the ambassador’s fate may have been sealed whether or not the likely next prime minister was willing to stand up for the diplomat.
An ambassador whose assigned country won’t deal with them is essentially unable to do their job, making resignation or replacement the only realistic option for maintaining diplomatic ties.
While most expect the job of picking the UK’s next ambassador to the US will fall to Theresa May’s replacement, the departing prime minister is considering making the appointment as one of her final acts in office.
In part this would be to ensure the UK isn’t without a diplomatic connection to its most powerful ally but it would also prevent Johnson from being able to make the decision.
The British government are also focused on identifying the leaker. Confidential emails were leaked to Isabel Oakeshott of the Mail on Sunday and Downing Street would dearly like to know the who and why of the matter.
Perspecs is a free app that curates the top news stories from a variety of established regional, national and international news sources. Unlike traditional aggregators and news curation services, Perspecs goes a step further and offers readers 3 polarised opinions of the same story.
How these opinions are categorised can vary. For political stories this could be in the form of ‘left’, ‘background’, ‘right’. For review items the categories could be ‘negative’, ‘neutral’, ‘positive’.
Readers often stick to their regular sources of news therefore often only ever seeing one side of a story. Perspecs will give you the opportunity to see things from a different perspective and allow you to form your own informed opinion.
Perspecs will publish 1 edition per day and each edition will be packed with a variety of interesting and sometimes controversial topics. Most importantly, there will be 3 sides to every story.
Download on the Apple App store
Foreign Office permanent under-secretary Sir Simon McDonald said they would “pursue the culprit with all the means at our disposal”, saying the leaker was “guilty of the worst breach of trust” in his career. McDonald said he was “bracing” himself for more damaging leaks of confidential information.
The government have held “initial discussions” with the police over an investigation into the identity of the leaker. They want to know the motives behind the leak and how private communications from the Foreign Office were obtained.
The Guardian reports that the person who leaked the confidential information could be liable for prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. If the leaker is found to “without lawful authority make a damaging disclosure” then they could be prosecuted.
Events: Kate Middleton has helped one accessory become a national obsession
News: Thunderstorms and heavy rain expected to hit Lincolnshire today – here’s the hour-by-hour forecast
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line862
|
__label__wiki
| 0.531535
| 0.531535
|
Designing frameworks that allow for Intentions, Commitments and Exuberance in AI
Bobi Rakova
Jul 2, 2018 · 8 min read
Often times people talk about Artificial Intelligence without ever defining what is it that they call AI. Narrow and general intelligence, transformative AI, provably beneficial AI, extended intelligence as well as infinitely many other concepts. The goal of this writing is to give a working definition of the AI we’re hereby concerned with and embark on an exploration of how we could learn from history and employ intentionality, commitments and exuberance as first principles in the design of an AI system. All of this is work in progress and it is only through co-creation that we can create algorithms that we all enjoy. Please reach out, comment, and share your thoughts.
Feb 3, 2018, Cambridge Massachusetts, USA
You find yourself sitting in a room at the MIT Media Lab together with some of the best researchers and practitioners in the newly emerged field of Ethics and Governance of AI. You see Prof. Jonathan Zittrain as he starts his talk by acknowledging that nobody really knows what the ethics and governance of AI should look like, not even what AI looks like. His definition strikes you with its simplistic accuracy:
Tightly coupled
Autonomish systems
Autonomish decision making systems are being employed in all layers of society. Predicting risk scores based on biased datasets and oversimplified linear regression models. If the underlying data is racist, is it the machine’s job to make society more fair? You look around and are relieved to realize the diversity of people in the room as the broad range of perspectives and understandings is perhaps the best guide in the discussion. This is the opening day of a class thought for the first time. It is called Ethics and Governance of AI and is a collaboration between Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center and MIT Media Lab. Students from both institutions were competing for a spot at the class lead by Jonathan Zittrain and Joi Ito. The classroom is shared with this year’s Assembly cohort which is a 4-month high density workshop laser focused on this field.
Is it possible for Arcane Pervasive Tightly coupled Adaptive Autonomish systems to have intentions, commitments and exuberance? Let’s start backwards! (Upside down, blindfolded, sitting on a thought made of the lavender smells coming from the field outside...)
the quality of being full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness; ebullience.
There has been a supernova of exuberance in the intersection of Art and AI. Deep Dream and Alpha Go are only a couple recent examples from the broad field of Computational Creativity. If Alpha Go was our AI leap towards developing intuition and creativity, what are those examples for commitments and intentionality?
1. the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
2. an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.
What better way to think about commitments in the context of AI than to learn from the ways we share commitments between each other. I’ve been so grateful to discover and connect with a friend who communicates that concept though her art work.
Crystal Jean Baranyk and Adam Phelps created an art piece called Temple of Commitments where different pollinators form the shape of a flower.
“I chose to depict mutualistic symbiosis, the kind of symbiosis in which all species involved benefit from one another. Why is this important in terms of commitment between human beings? When we make commitments to one another it is a reminder of the deep interconnectedness we wish to share. Even in the roughest patches we commit to attempting to follow nature’s better examples by being vulnerable, being present, and knowing how much we mean to each other.”
— Crystal Jean Baranyk
The art piece was part of a heartwarming commitment to what truly matters in the world of Intentions, Commitments and Exuberance between humans. Read more about it here.
The Machine Learning research community have done fascinating work related to the so called concept of an objective function which measures an AI system or agent’s “happiness”. Yann LeCun, in his talk “A Path to AI” during the Beneficial AI conference last year talked about two ways to think about designing objective functions:
Hardwire a safeguard objective function, a built in instinct that would get the machine to by default be social or have some other inartistic behavior. Still it’s very difficult to design an objective and be sure there’s no side effects.
We should be able to train the system to train it’s objective function though something called adversarial training in the field of Inverse Reinforcement Learning. The goal there is to train the objective to emulate the (unknown) objectives of the human trainers.
Are objective functions commitments?
I think that a mix of intrinsic and trainable objectives is the closest we are to implementing the concept of commitments in AI systems. Ultimately, when thinking about the ethical implications of AI driven systems, we have a responsibility to take action and collectively challenge the kinds of objectives that AIs should comply to in order to operate in the products and services we use.
In the amazingly complex and fast-paced world we live in, everyone is involved, everyone is a policy maker. You are a policy maker and you can influence the way AI Systems behave in the world. At the end of the day, we are all six steps away from each other. The world looked very different back in 1929 when the Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy wrote a short story called Chains. “Now we live in fairyland.” — says Karinthy and tells a story how you can keep playing the Six degrees of separation game not only with people but with events and things that happen around you.
The 19th-Century Vision of the Year 2000, perhaps the fairyland that Karinthy and his contemporaries imagined for us . Published by Isaac Asimov in his book “Futuredays: A Nineteenth Century Vision of the Year 2000”.
Waiting for things to somehow figure themselves out is not a promising route and we’ve learnt that the hard way already. “Other worlds are possible, and we are going to be living in them.” — Long Now recently interviewed José Luis de Vicente, curator of the “After the End of the World” art exhibition in Barcelona, about the role of art in addressing climate change.
We should be thinking about designing systems that allow for open participation, encourage and protect the whistleblowers and activists, demand for diversity and create ways for everyone to influence the commitments of the AI that is employed in the products and services we use.
A thing intended; an aim or plan.
Is it possible for a machine or a complex AI system to posses intentionality? This question relates to the concept of strong AI and the field of Artificial General Intelligence(AGI). Strong AI was named “strong AI” by John Searle in his Chinese room argument. Searle’s main claim is that “Instantiating a computer program is never by itself a sufficient condition of intentionality.” The Chinese room argument is a thought experiment where Searle interrogates the relationships between:
a language,
a script,
the background story defining the context of the script,
a batch of questions about the script,
a batch of answers to those questions.
He locks himself in a room and becomes an instantiation of a computer program that is capable of accurately answering questions related to a script in Chinese. However he knows no Chinese. To him, Chinese writing is just many meaningless squiggles. If we could program an AI whose answers to a set of questions are absolutely indistinguishable from those of native Chinese speakers, what does this mean for the nature of human understanding?
How is understanding related to intentionality? “Our tools are extensions of our purposes, and so we find it natural to make metaphorical attributions of intentionality to them.” — in his work Minds, brains, and programs Searle argues that:
The explanation of how the brain produces intentionality cannot be that it does it by instantiating a computer program. Any mechanism capable of producing intentionality must have causal powers equal to those of the brain. Any attempt literally to create intentionality artificially (strong AI) could not succeed just by designing programs but would have to duplicate the causal powers of the human brain.
Many leading AI researchers, scientist and philosopher have expressed their answers to the question of achiving computational human understanding. You have probably seen all the work happening at some of the information technology giants such as Google. You may be concerned.
Shane Legg, co-founder and now a leading scientist at DeepMind, responds to Searle’s argument in his PhD work on Machine Superintelligence. He says that whether or not an agent understands what it is doing is only important to the extent that it affects the measurable performance of the agent. If the performance is identical, as Searle suggests, then whether or not the room with Searle inside understands the meaning of what is going on is of no practical concern.
To try to tie all of this together I want to tell you a story about Symbiosis.
In 1991, after a lifetime of biological research, the scientist Lynn Margulis published Symbiosis as a Source of Evolutionary Innovation. Rather than biology, her work focused on the interactions in emergent mutualistic systems. The first system she examines was that of the coral/zooxanthellae symbiosis, wherein the zooxanthellae live in coral cells and provide nutrients to the coral as it lives. Take away one of them and the other one will die. Margulis recognized that we needed a new word and a new framework to understand and describe organisms as systems, rather than individuals — holobiont.
Symbiotic relationships scale up quickly to forests, cities, the notion of culture and many others to create a worldview that not just removes the individual from the center, it also removes the idea of a center. Photo Credits Tiffany Lin, @TiffClin
Consider the symbiotic relationship we have with technology. How should we think about the ethical implications of AI-powered products and services? What kinds of controls do we need to minimize AI’s potential harm to society and maximize its benefits? Perhaps the design of systems that give us hooks to better define and debug AI’s intentions, commitments and exuberance is the only way to put us on a trajectory of ever being able to answer these questions.
Excited about community-driven ethics and governance frameworks for AI. Working on tools that empower people to make better decisions. AI Safety Geek.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line868
|
__label__wiki
| 0.528216
| 0.528216
|
About Thurgood Marshall College
Thurgood Marshall College, formerly known as Third College, was founded in 1970 in a period of transformative social change in the United States and the world. From its beginning, the college has enriched the lives of undergraduates with a commitment to the development of young people as both professionals and engaged citizens. In 1993, the college was named in honor of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Justice Marshall is well known for his dedication to educational opportunity for all, civil rights, freedom of speech, women’s rights, and the right to privacy.
The faculty, staff, and students of Marshall College are committed to furthering the ideals of Justice Marshall.
Read more about the college's history [PDF]
Read TMC's College Profile for 2014 [PDF]
Read more on the mission and philosophy of the College
What distinguishes Marshall College?
College motto: "The student as scholar and citizen", [social responsibility and academic excellence are equally important]
The spirit of community, as captured in our logo of three joined hands
Founded on the principles of diversity and equity minded education
Exceptional support for our transfer and international students
Emphasis on local community involvement with the Public Service Minor, DOC, and Partnership Schools outreach program
Dedication to the arts through the Artist in Residence Program and public arts initiatives
Dimensions of Culture Writing Program
The distinctive core sequence, which serves as the centerpiece of the general education requirements, emphasizes a deep examination of American society. This three-quarter sequence, “Dimensions of Culture—Diversity, Justice, and Imagination (DOC),” challenges students to develop a historically grounded understanding of the diverse experiences that have shaped U.S. culture. DOC is designed to be an interdisciplinary curriculum that explores the promise of the nation’s founding ideals juxtaposed to collective struggles to realize those ideals for all communities.
Learn more about the DOC Writing Program...
General education requirements are broad and flexible enough to enable students to integrate additional activities into their academic program, such as public service, internships, study abroad, research, and special studies. This range allows students to achieve their academic goals while applying their knowledge to real-life situations, whether students wish to enter the workforce or continue their education in graduate or professional school. General education courses introduce students to the founding principles of the college, provide a broad humanities, social science, and science background, and provide students with the skills necessary to pursue any departmental or interdisciplinary major.
Learn more about General Education Requirements...
TMC Minors
The college sponsors two successful minor programs, the Public Service Minor and the Film Studies Minor.
The nationally acclaimed Public Service Minor encourages students to understand the history and practices of public service and to work toward the development of civic skills. Those skills and practices are essential cornerstones of participation in a democratic society regardless of one’s chosen profession. The minor is open to all UC San Diego students. For the three consecutive years, UC San Diego and the Public Service Minor were honored with the President’s Community Service Honor Roll with distinction for its efforts to solve community problems, place students on a lifelong path of civic engagement and achieve meaningful, measureable outcomes of community service.
Learn more about the Public Service Minor…
The Film Studies Minor provides students an exciting opportunity to examine the many facets of American and International cinema. Students interested in exploring cinema as a multidimensional art medium will engage in the analysis of cinematic works of various forms. Study of film genres, history, theories, directors, cultural perspectives and more allow students to gain a robust understanding of cinema as a historical and contemporary means of expression.
Learn more about the Film Studies Minor…
Marshall Blog
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line873
|
__label__cc
| 0.540655
| 0.459345
|
Anger mounts over consumer credit data hack
What is Equifax and why does it have personal information on half the American population?
By Kevin Reed
As further details emerge about the server breach at Equifax—one of the largest and most damaging thefts of sensitive personal data in history—the magnitude and long-term implications of the credit reporting agency’s negligence are becoming clearer. The failure of Equifax to take the most basic security measures to protect the credit information of 143 million customers has rightfully provoked an angry response from people all around the world.
According to a company press release on September 7, hackers exploited a “website application vulnerability” at Equifax and gained access to huge volumes of consumer data—including Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and credit card account details—over a two-and-a-half-month period in the late spring and early summer of this year.
When the breach was discovered on July 29, company executives did nothing to alert anyone that their credit standing was in serious jeopardy. Instead, three top executives moved to sell $1.8 million of their company stock, while they waited another six weeks to report the hack to the public.
Along with the press release, the CEO of Equifax Rick Smith appeared visibly shaken in a YouTube video, where he promised to provide identity theft protection and credit file monitoring services at no charge to “every US consumer.” While he claimed that a preliminary investigation showed “no unauthorized activity on our core credit reporting databases,” he said that a dedicated web site and call center had been set up to “help consumers manage their personal situation.”
It quickly became clear that Equifax had no intention of responding to the flood of inquiries that came in, as phone calls went unanswered and the special web site ground to a halt. Meanwhile, it was revealed that the terms of the service agreement for the free package contained provisions that prevented individuals from ever seeking injunctive relief from Equifax if damage to their credit caused financial harm.
Equifax has now reported that the server vulnerability was well known to the Apache developer community, and a patch had been developed for it months before the massive breach. In other words, Equifax never installed critical security updates on its public web site that had been available since March of this year. A company that is supposedly tasked with determining the financial responsibility of millions of people acted out of gross negligence.
Beyond the circumstances of the hack, the events of the past several weeks raise a broader question: What is Equifax, and why does it have the personal data of half of the American population?
Equifax—along with TransUnion and Experian—is a credit reporting agency (CRA) that collects information on the borrowing and repayment activity of private individuals. These companies do not receive permission from individuals to gather this data. They buy it from other companies, collect and package it, and sell it to other companies.
The data on individuals maintained by the CRAs is held in a consumer credit report, which can include how often on-time payments are made, how much credit is available, how much credit is being used, and whether a credit account is in “collections” due to late or missed payments. The report can also contain public records such as liens, judgments, and bankruptcies that provide details about an individual’s financial status.
The report is distilled into a “credit score” that has enormous implications for individuals. This mystical number can determine whether you can get a credit card, a home mortgage, an apartment rental, an auto loan or even a job. It also is used to determine the interest rate on any loans you do obtain. An individual with a bad “credit score” can be forced to seek credit from loan sharks charging astronomical interest rates.
Equifax is the oldest of the three main CRAs. Founded in 1899 as Retail Credit Company, Equifax grew rapidly throughout the 20th century as a primary source of information for companies seeking to lend money or sell insurance to individuals. By 1960, it had grown into one of the largest CRAs. It pioneered the intrusive practice of maintaining millions of “files” on American and Canadian citizens about their personal health, habits, morals, use of vehicles, and finances. Employees of Retail Credit Company were rewarded for gathering negative information, regardless of its basis in facts.
A clip from the New York Times, December 19, 1973, on the Retail Credit Company, predecessor of Equifax
As credit information went from paper to electronic form, the practices of the precursor to Equifax—including gathering information on an individual’s marital troubles, sex life, and political activities—began to come under public scrutiny. In the socially and politically explosive period of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the US Congress held hearings and passed the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which restricted the activities of CRAs and granted consumers legal rights to the information contained in corporate databases.
As the reforms of the FCRA were enforced through an increasingly toothless system of slap-on-the-wrist fines, Retail Credit Company changed its name to Equifax, in an attempt to distance itself from its past. However, the undemocratic and oppressive practices of the credit reporting industry continued and intensified with the expansion of computerization in business record keeping, data sharing, and the development of the Internet.
In the 1980s, the consumer credit scoring system, devised by engineer William Fair and mathematician Earl Isaac, was adopted as the standard for evaluating a consumer’s ability to repay loans. In 1989, the FICO score (for “Fair Isaac Corporation”), with the range of 350 (high risk) to 800 (low risk), was introduced. Since then, the FICO scores provided by CRAs for every individual have become the primary reference point for mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and other forms of credit.
The development of the credit ratings agencies has correspondence to the financialization of the economy—the dominance of parasitic financial services over other forms of economic activity, such as manufacturing. This same period has seen a steep growth in consumer debt. As the gap between the super-rich and the working class has skyrocketed, tens of millions of working people have been forced to rely upon various forms of credit to sustain living standards or just make it from day to day.
According to the Federal Reserve, American household debt, as a percent of GDP, was less than 20 percent in the years after World War II, and less than 50 percent in 1980. As the ruling class escalated the offensive against jobs and wages under Reagan and the administrations that followed, debt skyrocketed, to 97 percent by 2008. Even after the economic collapse of 2008, precipitated by the predatory lending practices of the financial industry, consumer debt stands at 80 percent of GDP today. Enormous profits have been generated for the lenders and their financial investors over this span of time.
Household Debt as a Percentage of GDP
Throughout this process, the credit reporting agencies like Equifax have played a crucial role as instruments of the big banks and investment firms, to ensure that debts are collected and maximum interest rates are charged. Meanwhile, those who face the brunt of the economic crisis—the loss of a job, a wage cut, rising costs of health care, etc.— are doubly punished by credit reporting agencies, as they drop FICO scores just when workers are most in need of financial assistance.
There are, moreover, approximately 50 million people in the US who are so-called “credit invisibles,” with no credit records or with credit histories that are “unscorable.” This means that 10 percent of the eligible population does not exist for the consumer credit industry, due to poverty or extremely low incomes. Lack of access to credit means these layers of the population are subject to the predatory lending of the payday loan industry and other forms of semi-legal or illegal lending.
The implications of the Equifax hack—as well as the outrageous behavior of its company executives—are so damaging that both houses of Congress and several state governments have launched official probes. On Wednesday, the US House Financial Services Committee announced that Equifax CEO Richard Smith will testify on October 3 before a panel and be questioned about the breach and his company’s response to it.
Recognizing the growing hostility of millions toward the credit reporting industry, all manner of populist posturing has been mounted by Democrats and Republicans. For example, speaking about the $1.8 million sale of Equifax stock by three top company executives after the data theft was discovered, Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota—a prominent Democratic backer of Trump’s proposed corporate tax cuts—told Reuters, “If that happened, somebody needs to go to jail.”
Nothing of significance will come of the official proceedings in Washington, DC and the state houses in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or Illinois over the Equifax debacle. This is because any penetrating examination of the big business of credit reporting, FICO scores and “identity protection” services will expose the truth of class relations under capitalism, i.e., the dictatorship of the financial elite over the whole of society.
The negligent practices of Equifax with the personal credit data of millions, are one more indication of the real relationship between the oligarchy at the top of society and the rest of the population.
In the aftermath of the Equifax data fiasco, it is entirely possible for workers to conceive of circumstances where there is no need for human beings to be identified as a three-digit FICO score, where there is no parasitic elite that rules over the whole of society, where everyone has the right to a decent, high-paying job, and is not subject to the whims of the credit reporting agencies and the financial institutions they serve.
This, however, will require the abolition of the entire financial industry, its transfer to public ownership based on workers’ control, and a massive redistribution of wealth from the financial elite to the working class that produces all the wealth of society. It will require, in short, a political movement of the working class to abolish the capitalist for-profit system and establish socialism.
Facebook planning to ban ads which discourage voting in US elections
Trump national security team revives demand for “backdoor” access to encryption
Facebook escalates social media censorship with shutdown of far-right accounts
French Yellow Vests join Assange extradition protest in London
Christoph Vandreier speaks at Berlin rally to defend Julian Assange
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line874
|
__label__wiki
| 0.650635
| 0.650635
|
Cambodia builds on Shenzhen’s experience to develop Special Economic Zones
Photo: UNIDO
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) hosted a high-level delegation from the Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation (SFIEC) to share experiences on the development of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and to explore investment opportunities in education, trade, commerce, agro-industry and infrastructure.
“With the support of Shenzhen, we will improve our understanding of challenges and opportunities in developing SEZs, especially for Sihanoukville, and to support Cambodia’s Industry Development Policy (IDP); this will greatly enhance our cooperation with China,” said Nut Unvoannra, Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodia Investment Board, who chaired the meeting. The event brought together key Cambodian ministries and stakeholders with public and private representatives from the city of Shenzhen, which is located in the South of China, who also explored investment opportunities in of education, trade, commerce, agro-industry and infrastructure.
“We are very happy to share our successful experience with the Royal Government of Cambodia: through the development of Special Economic Zones, Shenzhen managed to achieve prosperity and a sustained economic growth for which we needed to implement a number of key measures such as a business environment reform, opening up to market reforms, and innovation,” said TAO Yitao, Vice-Secretary of the Shenzhen University’s Communist Party of China (CPC) and SFIEC Vice-President.
UNIDO Country Representative Sok Narin highlighted the importance of information and knowledge sharing, especially on SEZs and related investment promotion activities as they directly pertain to one of the key intervention areas of the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP), which is jointly implemented by the Royal Government of Cambodia and UNIDO.
Related Topics:CambodiaEconomicsUNIDO
World Bank Supports Croatia with the Preparation of the 2030 National Development Strategy
High Growth in Cambodia Expected to Continue
Luxembourg has achieved high levels of growth and well-being but must do more
What has happened to Western liberal idea?
EU Politics
MEPs vote on the candidate for the president of the European Commission on Tuesday 16 July.
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, who was nominated for the post by the European Council, will outline her programme and discuss it with MEPs from 9.00 CET. MEPs will vote on her candidacy at 18.00 CET.
In order to become Commission President, von der Leyen must secure the support of an absolute majority of MEPs (as of today she must get at least 374 votes). The vote will be a secret paper ballot.
Although she has the backing of EU leaders and is a member of the political party that won most seats in the European elections, von der Leyen was not a lead candidate, a fact criticised by many MEPs.
Political groups have already subjected von der Leyen to tough questioning about her plans for the Commission.
If she fails to win a majority, the European Council would have to put forward another candidate.
Following May’s elections, one of the first tasks of the new, directly-elected European Parliament is the election of the next European Commission President.
Once this new president has been approved, work starts on setting up the new Commission. Parliament’s committees will hold hearings with each of the commissioners-designate to assess their suitability for the portfolio to which they are assigned, before MEPs vote on the Commission as a whole.
July 12, 2019, Yerevan, Armenia- “China-Eurasia” Council for Political and Strategic Research, Russian-Armenian University (RAU) and “Europe Goes Silk Road” jointly organized academic Seminar “Europe Goes Silk Road through Armenia”. Academic seminar was hosted bythe RAU.
During the opening ceremony of the seminar, Mr. Zhou Hongyou (Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Armenia), spoke about the Belt and Road Initiative’s progress, results and prospects, he also introduced the last developments in Sino-Armenian relations.
Dr. Arman Navasardyan (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Ex Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Head of the Department of World Politics and International Relations of the RAU) introduced several recommendations for improving Sino-Armenian cooperation.
In turn, Mr. Sebastian Holler, (Co-Founder of the EUROPE GOES SILK ROAD, Research Associate of the Austrian National Defence Academy, Member of the Shabka Think Tank) told about the foundation of the EUROPE GOES SILK ROAD project.
Dr. Mher Sahakyan, the main initiator of this academic Seminar welcomed speakers and guests and mentioned, that the main aim of the seminar was to provide a platform for researchers who do research on Belt and Road initiative.
After the opening remarks Mr. Sebastian Maier (Co-Founder, EUROPE GOES SILK ROAD, Independent Infrastructure Researcher, former TU Wien Assistant Professor) and
Mr. Florian Krendl (Co-Founder, EUROPE GOES SILK ROAD, Member of the 2050 Thinkers Club, Austria) introduced the main aims and approaches of the “EUROPE GOES SILK ROAD” project.
Mr. Sebastian Holler and Mr. Sebastian Maier spoke about preliminary results and outlook of the “EUROPE GOES SILK ROAD Expedition.
Dr. Varuzhan Geghamyan (Assistant Professor, Yerevan State University Director, ARDI Institute) introduced his research on Sino-Turkish relations in the 21-st century.
Dr. Mher Sahakyan’s research was focused on main aims of the Belt and Road Initiative and he also introduced several recommendations for improving Sino-Armenian Cooperation in the context of Belt and Road Initiative.
An active discussions and exchange of thoughts followed after each presentation.
OECD very concerned that active bribery is no longer a felony in Greece
The OECD Working Group on Bribery has serious concerns that recent steps taken by Greece may leave the country in breach of the OECD’s Anti-Bribery Convention. On 11 June 2019, Greece amended the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes. As a result, the main active bribery offence was converted from felony to a misdemeanour, which is a less serious offence. The Working Group is concerned that this amendment may have far-reaching ramifications, ranging from the closure of ongoing corruption-related investigations and prosecutions, to possible hindrance of international cooperation in future cases and shorter limitations period. The Codes entered into force on 1 July 2019, having been adopted in the last session before Parliament was dissolved ahead of national elections, which took place on 7 July 2019.
The OECD Working Group on Bribery will conduct a supplementary Phase 3ter review of Greece, with an on-site visit in the fall of 2019 and the publication of an evaluation report in December 2019.[2] The evaluation will be conducted jointly with the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), which also decided to carry out an urgent evaluation of Greece’s amendments to its Criminal Code. Depending on the results of this evaluation, the OECD Working Group may decide that further appropriate measures are necessary, including the possibility of a High Level Mission to Greece. The OECD Working Group has also agreed to issue a letter that will be sent to the Greek Prime Minister. The letter will outline serious concerns about the potential impact of the revised anti-corruption criminal measures.
This is the second time the Working Group has decided to undertake a supplementary examination of Greece. In 2012, Greece failed to promptly investigate a significant foreign bribery case and to provide timely information on its anti-bribery efforts, and, as a result, the Working Group on Bribery conducted a Phase 3bis evaluation in 2015.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line875
|
__label__wiki
| 0.602814
| 0.602814
|
The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World
Author: E. L. Konigsburg
Series: Audiobooks for Kids Round-up
ASIN: B003L77VWY
From the publisher: "'Ninety percent of who you are is invisible.' Amedeo Kaplan seems just like any other new kid who has moved into the town of St. Malo, Florida. But Amedeo has a secret, a dream: More than anything in the world, he wants to discover something -- a place, a process, even a fossil -- some treasure that no one realizes is there until he finds it. For Mrs. Zender's mansion is crammed with memorabilia of her long life, and there is a story to go with every piece. Soon the boys find themselves caught up in one particular story -- a story that links a sketch, a young boy's life, an old man's reminiscence, and a painful secret dating back to the outrages of Nazi Germany. Two-time Newbery winner E. L. Konigsburg spins a magnificent tale of art, discovery, friendship, history, and truth."
Publisher’s description:
Amedeo Kaplan seems just like any other new kid who has moved into the town of St. Malo, Florida, a navy town where new faces are the norm. But Amedeo has a secret, a dream: More than anything in the world, he wants to discover something — a place, a process, even a fossil — some treasure that no one realizes is there until he finds it. And he would also like to discover a true friend to share these things with.
William Wilcox seems like an unlikely candidate for friendship: an aloof boy who is all edges and who owns silence the way other people own words. When Amedeo and William find themselves working together on a house sale for Amedeo’s eccentric neighbor, Mrs. Zender, Amedeo has an inkling that both his wishes may come true. For Mrs. Zender’s mansion is crammed with memorabilia of her long life, and there is a story to go with every piece. Soon the boys find themselves caught up in one particular story — a story that links a sketch, a young boy’s life, an old man’s reminiscence, and a painful secret dating back to the outrages of Nazi Germany. It’s a story that will take them to the edge of what they know about heroism and the mystery of the human heart.
Two-time Newbery winner E. L. Konigsburg spins a magnificent tale of art, discovery, friendship, history, and truth.
Other books in "Audiobooks for Kids Round-up"
Misty of Chincoteague
The Shoe Books
Peter and the Starcatchers
Flora & Ulysses
Brown Girl Dreaming
Muggie Maggie
Redwall: A Tale from Redwall
Ella Enchanted
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
17 great audiobooks for kids
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line876
|
__label__wiki
| 0.610539
| 0.610539
|
Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report: July 2019
Unemployment rate for June stays at 4.5 percent - the lowest total since October 2005.
Patrick Bourke
#Jobs in Ireland
#Jobs Market Report
#Unemployment in Ireland
#Working in Ireland
We hope you are enjoying the content on Moving2Canada.
We pride ourselves on delivering fast and accurate immigration news to our community. Revenue from trusted advertisers helps support this work.
Please consider disabling your ad blocker while visiting our site.
Social (376 Shares)
Welcome to the Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report for July, 2019.
The seasonally adjusted number of persons unemployed was 109,700 in June 2019, down from an upwardly revised 109,400 in May and a decrease of 30,500 when compared with June 2018.
The unemployment rate for males was recorded at 4.7 percent, the same as in May 2019, and down from 6.0 percent a year earlier; while for females it edged up to 4.3 percent from 4.2 percent in May, but still well down on the 5.7 percent from June 2018. The number of males unemployed fell by 200 from the previous month to 61,400 and that of females rose by 50 to 48,300.
Ireland’s unemployment rate: June 2019
source: tradingeconomics.com
A great first half performance
There is no doubt that the first six months of 2019 have been very positive for the Irish labour market and economy more broadly. Unemployment has fallen one full percentage point since December 2018, and the country is inching closer to the holy grail of full employment.
That said, anyone familiar with any of Ireland’s many sporting collapses or heroic comebacks in recent years, knows that the game is never over at half time. This is especially relevant when predicting Ireland’s economy in Q3 and Q4 given the likelihood of Brexit and a general election taking place.
Nonetheless, there are reasons to remain optimistic, as many indicators point to continued growth in the coming months and into 2020. One thing is for certain, we will continue to keep you updated of the most relevant changes to the Irish economy as soon as they materialise.
June’s jobs announcement roundup
Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest job announcements in June came from the tech sector when social media and recruitment giant LinkedIn indicated that it planned on adding 800 jobs to its European Headquarters in Dublin. The move emphasizes that hiring in Ireland remains very strong despite Brexit and a potential slowdown in global economic growth.
The positive impact that the IDA plays in attracting employers to Ireland was articulated quite succinctly in the six month reports which emerged in June. Figures indicate that IDA Ireland secured 140 investments during the first half of 2019, with 13,500 jobs expected to be created as a result.
That represents a 19 percent increase compared to the same period of last year, with a particularly strong performance recorded in the technology, financial services and life sciences sectors. The planned creation of 1,500 jobs by Salesforce in Dublin represents the biggest single investment secured during the period.
Finally, exciting times for professionals working in the space industry as the launch of Ireland’s first ever National Space Strategy suggested that 1,000 extra jobs could be created in Ireland by companies working in this sector in the coming years. Beam me up, Scotty!
Record employment levels may result in wage growth in Ireland
If there is one trend that we feel is worthy of closer attention in Ireland in the coming months it is wage growth. As unemployment continues to fall, competition for workers looks set to increase. It is quite likely that employers will have to battle it out to attract the best and brightest, and this competition should result in better wages for workers in many of Ireland’s industries.
A recent financial project undertaken collaboratively by Central Bank of Ireland economist Reamonn Lydon and Indeed economist Pawel Adrjan indicates that record employment levels in Ireland in 2019 are putting upward pressure on wages and salaries as labour demand rises relative to supply. This project found that the number of clicks on a job posting are significantly higher in jobs where the supply of potential workers is low relative to demand.
To this end, the sectors where demand exceeds supply and potential wage increases could occur are in sectors such as IT, healthcare and finance.
Continued below...
Make the most of your move to Ireland by knowing the job market inside out.
Create a Moving2Ireland account for the latest employment updates.
Multinational growth in Ireland continues apace
A report from June 2019 indicates that multinational companies account for one in seven jobs in Ireland at present. From 2012 to 2017, employment in this sector grew by 1.4 percent while jobs growth in the rest of the economy was significantly higher, at 3.7 percent. These figures go some way to debunk the myth that the majority of Ireland’s recent employment growth is owed to multinationals. However, it should be noted that this disparity was somewhat counterbalanced by higher earnings growth for those employed by multinational companies.
Ireland issues 6,500 Employment Permits in first five months of 2019
For many people looking to move to Ireland from outside the EEA, an Employment Permit is the best route of achieving this goal. If you fall into this category then 2019 has brought some positive news as The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the department responsible for the issuing of Ireland’s Employment Permits, issued 6,500 work permits to overseas workers in the first five months of 2019, a 37% increase from the same period in 2018. Typically, Employment Permits are issued to applicants who have received a job offer from a company based in Ireland, with a minimum salary threshold for €30,000. You can learn more about Employment Permits in Ireland here.
Employment in Ireland up 20 percent since recession
Recent figures from the CSO indicate that there over 2.3 million people working in Ireland in 2019. Of this total, over 80 percent are engaged in full time employment. This is the seventh year in a row that the number of people working in Ireland has increased since the economy recovered following the 2008 crash. In the first quarter of 2013, there were 1.892 million people working in Ireland. Since then, the number has increased by 21 percent and now sits at 2.301 million. Good news for sure!
That’s it for our July Jobs Report. Rather than waiting for the next installment, why not jump over to our complete Employment section and explore our resources to help you land your dream job in Ireland.
Want to make a smooth transition to working life in Ireland?
For the best advice on jobs in Ireland, create a Moving2Ireland account and get your FREE Getting Started Guide!
Moving2Canada Jobs Report: June 2019
Welcome to the Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report for June, 2019.
The Irish unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in May of 2019 from a downwardly revised 4.6 percent for April. It is the lowest jobless rate since March 2005, as the number of unemployed persons in the country fell by 3,100 to 108,200.
The unemployment rate for males was recorded at 4.7 percent, down from 4.9 percent in April and compared to 6.1 percent a year earlier; while for females it edged down to 4.2 percent from 4.3 percent in the prior month and below 5.8 percent in May 2018. Finally, the youth unemployment rate went down to 10.0 percent in May from a downwardly revised 10.3 percent in April.
Speaking about the significance of the downward revision of the unemployment rate in Ireland, chief economist for stockbrokers Goodbody, Dermot O’Leary had this to say:
“With the unemployment rate falling to its lowest level since the 2000s boom, wage growth will continue to increase, boosting prospects for domestic demand.”
Reasons for optimism
As well as the significant reduction in the unemployment rate in May, as well as the first five months of 2019, there have been other indicators which point to the strength of the Irish economy at present.
In the first quarter of 2019, employment in Ireland surged 3.7 percent in the first quarter to just above 2.3 million compared to the same quarter in 2018. And when seasonally adjusted figures are taken into account, the numbers employed grew 1.5 percent to 2,316,000, a record since this measure began in 1998 and also a record overall given the expansion of the population and labour force size.
Long-term unemployment, which accounts for almost 36 percent of total unemployment, has been declining on an annual basis since the fourth quarter of 2012 and dropped to 1.7 percent down from 2.1 in quarter one of 2019.
Similarly, the labour force rose by 2.7 percent to 2,416,300 on an unadjusted basis in the year to the first quarter of 2019. While the participation rate nudged up to 62 per cent, up from 61.6 percent.
However, despite the many positives emerging from the Irish unemployment rate, the reality is that not all sectors have benefited from the upturn in job figures. This is most evident in the agriculture sector where there has been a decline of more than 8 percent in year-on-year employment. Likewise, the CSO has indicated that the number of self-employed people fell by 4.3 percent to 323,900.
Undoubtedly, some of these issues can be attributed to Brexit and the impact that the ongoing uncertainty is having on farmers and sole traders north and south of the border, but it is not the only reason and as such deserves closer attention moving forward.
Is the high cost of housing a deterrent to further inward migration in Ireland?
There is little doubt that Ireland is an attractive place to live and work, with 2018 representing the first year in almost a decade that net migration to the country was in the positive column. Further evidence of Ireland’s attractiveness can be seen by the fact that of the total labour force increase of 63,000 in 2018, 18,000 was directly because of inward migration. However, despite these positive figures, the cost of housing remains a constant thorn in the side of newcomers and returning emigrants alike.
While housing output is slowly beginning to pick up, it could be a long time before supply meets demand. This means that Ireland will continue to be a very expensive place to work for those who do not already have accommodation. Wages and salaries will need to be high enough to make it worthwhile to relocate to Ireland or else the best candidates may go elsewhere.
Ireland proving popular with international students
Here at Moving2Ireland we are all too aware of the many benefits that life in Ireland offers those fortunate enough to call it home, and now it seems that international students also feel the same. A recent report from the European Migration Network, titled Attracting and Retaining International Students, indicates that:
“Immigration of non-EEA nationals for the purposes of higher education in Ireland grew by 45 percent between 2013, when 9,325 first residence permits were issued to students, and 2017, when 13,519 such permits were issued.”
As well as having competitive tuition fees compared to other English-speaking countries, Ireland is seen as an attractive study destination for non-EEA students because it is at the heart of Europe (thanks to its EU membership), offers a range of high-quality courses in some of Europe’s best universities, and from a social perspective, gets the balance between work and play just right!
The influx of international students to Ireland brings multiple benefits, especially should they wish to stay and progress their career in Ireland through the Third Level Graduate Scheme. You can learn more about this and all other study-related topics in our comprehensive study section.
That’s it for our June Jobs Report. Rather than waiting for the next installment, why not jump over to our complete Employment section, with resources to help you land your dream job in Ireland.
Moving2Ireland Jobs Report: May 2019
Welcome to the Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report for May, 2019.
The Irish seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 5.4 percent in April 2019, unchanged from the previous month. It remains at the lowest level since February 2008, as unemployed persons decreased by 1,700 to 129,700.
The significance of this milestone should be not underestimated, as it means that, for the second month in a row, unemployment in Ireland remains at its lowest rate in over a decade. Crucially, the 5.4 percent figure is also the lowest since the 2008 economic crisis that saw hundreds of thousands of Irish people leave the country in search of a better life abroad.
The seasonally adjusted number of persons unemployed was 129,700 in April of 2019, down from an upwardly revised 131,400 in March and a decrease of 10,200 when compared to April of 2018.
The unemployment rate for males was recorded at 5.2 percent, down from 5.4 percent in March and compared to 6.0 percent a year earlier; while for females it remained at 5.5 percent in April, unchanged from March and below the 5.7 percent rate seen in April 2018. The number of males unemployed fell by 2,200 from the previous month to 68,200, and that of females dropped by 500 to 61,500.
The youth unemployment rate went down to 12.8 percent in April from an upwardly revised 13.5 percent in the previous month.
50,000 new jobs expected for Ireland in 2019 as unemployment looks set to fall further
The forecast for the Irish economy remains very strong despite the ongoing, and seemingly never-ending, Brexit chaos that continues to permeate local, national, and international news cycles. To this end, Ireland’s Minister for Finance, Pascal Donohoe has stated that he expects an additional 50,000 jobs to be created in the Irish economy this year, driving employment to new record levels.
Donohoe made the announcement following the Irish government’s latest Stability Programme Update in April. And despite a slightly lower calculation than was initially expected in an equivalent budgetary prediction from Autumn 2018, the outlook remains largely positive. As Minister for Finance, Donohoe expects the Irish government to run a modest budget surplus of 0.2 percent of GDP in 2019, on foot of larger-than-expected corporation tax receipts in the final quarter of last year.
Speaking on the issue, the Fine Gael TD from Dublin Central had this to say:
“We have an economy that is growing at a strong pace, but this is a pace of growth that is very different to the rate of growth our economy experienced in the immediate period after the crash.”
He later added that:
“What we are now seeing is our economy grow at a rate that, if and when we sustain that over time, has the ability to continue to make a really significant difference to the living standards of our citizens, and in turn provide the resources to continue to make progress on the need to invest in homes and in the future of our country.”
This is a prediction that we will continue to monitor closely in future job reports.
Returning Irish rebuilding construction sector, but more needs to be done
In 2008, the Irish construction industry collapsed and left thousands of skilled tradespeople out of work. Many of these people chose to emigrate to countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Almost a decade later, the Irish construction industry is back on its feet, and many construction companies in Ireland are now turning to the Irish men and women who left the country during the past decade to fill open positions.
A recent study by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) found that nearly 40 percent of construction companies here have hired Irish workers returning from abroad, while 86 percent of companies surveyed stated that they had. The survey from the CIF also found that there is a potential shortfall of up to 100,000 workers up to 2020, and that more needs to be done to attract more skilled Irish tradespeople back home in the coming years.
Another telling insight from the CIF survey is that family and personal reasons was the main reason for people returning home, with no respondents citing pay as the motivating factor for moving back to Ireland.
Speaking about the results of the survey, Dermot Carey, CIF director of training and safety, stated that: “at a time when wages in the industry are increasing, and demand for skilled construction workers is very strong as we struggle with a housing crisis, government inaction in this area is problematic.”
A further boost for Dublin’s tech sector
One of the consistent themes that our jobs reports have focused on over recent months has been Dublin’s position as one of the most important tech hubs both in Europe, and globally. This is in evidence again this month as an additional 200 jobs have been created in Ireland’s capital by the US software development company, LogMeIn.
LogMeIn, which is a remote working software developer, first opened its European Middle East and Africa headquarters in the capital in 2012, and currently employs 176 people across a range of areas at its Dublin office.
As demand for remote working environments increases, the company now has millions of customers across the world using its cloud-based services and is continuing to expand its operations globally. The 200 additional staff in Ireland form part of LogMeIn’s plans to increase its workforce globally by 1,000 over the next three to five years.
The Boston headquartered firm has moved to a new office in the Reflector Building in Grand Canal Dock to facilitate its increased size.
Are Irish jobs at risk from increased automation?
We conclude this month’s Jobs Report with a question that has been gaining traction in Ireland and elsewhere in recent months: are traditional jobs at risk from increased advances in technology and automation?
In its latest report, ‘Employment Outlook 2019: The Future of Work’, the OECD has stated that increased automation could see over 14 percent of existing jobs put in peril over the next 20 years. In Ireland, the report says 40 percent of jobs are at a high risk of automation or risk significant change in the next few decades.
Speaking on this latest challenge for traditional work practices, OECD secretary-general Angel Gurría had this to say:
“The OECD Employment Outlook does not envisage a jobless future. But it does foresee major challenges for the future of work. With the right policies, we can manage these challenges. We face significant transformation, but we have the opportunity and the determination to use this moment and build a future of work that benefits everyone.”
That’s it for our May Jobs Report. Rather than waiting for the next installment, why not jump over to our complete Employment section, with resources to help you land your dream job in Ireland.
Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report: April 2019
Welcome to the Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report for April, 2019.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.4 percent in March, 2019, down from 5.6 percent in February. This is also the lowest jobless rate since February, 2008, as the total number of unemployed persons declined by 3,400 to 131,300.
The significance of this milestone should be not underestimated, as it means that unemployment in Ireland is at its lowest rate since before the last economic recession, which wreaked havoc on Irish society and saw thousands of people leave the country in search of improved job opportunities and a better life.
The unemployment rate for males was recorded at 5.4 percent in March, down from a revised 5.5 percent in February and compared to 5.9 percent a year earlier; while for females, the rate dropped to 5.5 percent from 5.6 percent in February and compared with 5.7 percent in March, 2018. The number of unemployed males declined by 1,700 from the previous month to 70,500, and the number of females decreased by 1,700 to 60,800.
The youth unemployment rate went down to 13.4 percent in March, from 13.8 percent in the previous month. And although a reduction has been felt, the figure remains higher than many would like. We will touch on this below in more detail.
Unemployment Rate (as a percentage) in Ireland April 2018 – March 2019
Ireland financial services strengthens as Brexit uncertainty continues
If you have been following our monthly Jobs Report since we launched in November, 2018, you’ll know that the one common theme has featured in all reports to date: Brexit.
March 29 was supposed to be ‘D-Day’ for Britain’s departure from the EU but given the political paralysis that is currently afflicting Westminster, it shouldn’t come a major surprise that this deadline has been missed. It may be hard to predict what Britain’s next move will be, or how Brexit will play out from here but that doesn’t mean that Ireland isn’t preparing properly.
As we covered in previous editions of the Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report, Ireland, and Dublin in particular, looks set to benefit from the post-Brexit fallout, with many multinational financial services firms choosing to relocate to Ireland as opposed to continuing to put all their eggs in the Brexit basket case.
An internal IDA report indicates that around 4,500 jobs have been promised to Ireland on foot of Brexit relocations, with commitments coming from 55 different companies.
In addition, a survey from EY’s Brexit Tracker shows that Dublin remains the most popular choice for financial services firms to relocate post-Brexit ,with 28 firms having committed to relocating their operations to Ireland’s capital since the Brexit referendum in 2016. Dublin is closely followed by Frankfurt, with 21 companies moving there, with Luxembourg on 19 and Paris on 18.
Financial services firms have been particularly active in relocating jobs to Ireland, as they seek to retain important ‘passporting’ rights that allow them to provide services across the European Union. Central Bank figures show that in 2018, there was a 50 per cent increase in ‘fitness and probity’ applications – which have to be made before people get senior financial jobs.
As we have covered in Jobs Reports from previous months, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Axa, Thomson Reuters and Legal & General are among the companies that have announced a new or expanded presence in Ireland in light of Brexit.
A recent report from the New Financials think tank states that:
“Dublin has emerged as the clear winner in terms of attracting business from the United Kingdom, with 100 firms choosing the Irish capital as a post-Brexit location. This represents 30 percent of all the moves that we identified,”
However, it is not just financial services firms that have been enticed to Ireland from the UK in recent months. March also saw Ladbrooks owner GVC announce that it is moving locating servers hosting its online gambling platform to the Republic of Ireland as it prepares for Brexit.
At a governmental level, the announcement of a new project entitled Future Jobs Ireland is a promising development and points to a commitment to future-proofing Ireland’s economy from a number of the shocks that derailed it in recent years. At present, Brexit is the biggest threat in this respect. Future Jobs Ireland aims to prepare people and companies for coming technological changes and the move to a low-carbon economy, as well as addressing issues such as work-life balance and social infrastructure such as childcare.
This is a project that we will continue to monitor closely in future reports.
Youth unemployment remains a ‘black spot’ on Irish economy
While there is little doubt that Ireland’s unemployment rate is going in the right direction, youth unemployment remains stubbornly high. And even though month-on-month youth unemployment reduced to 13.4 percent in March from 13.8 percent in February, youth unemployment in Ireland remains more than double the level in Germany and Netherlands.
Speaking on the comparatively high level of youth unemployment in Ireland at present, Indeed economist, Pawel Adrjan said:
“One of the continuing black spots in the numbers is the youth unemployment rate, which was 13.4 percent in March, down from 13.8 percent in February. This is significantly higher than countries with the lowest rates including Germany (5.6 percent), the Czech Republic (6 percent) and the Netherlands (6.4 percent).”
Youth Unemployment Rate (as a percentage) in Ireland April 2018 – March 2019
A high unemployment rate among young people is damaging to Ireland’s economy and wider society more generally, and is something that needs to be seriously tackled in the coming months.
Is Ireland’s future green?
Wicklow-based solar energy services company Crowley Carbon is to invest €10 million in three projects with the aim of increasing the amount of solar energy produced in Ireland by 50 percent. This significant investment is a sign that consumer appetite for green alternatives is on the rise.
These new jobs will bring to 250 the number of people employed by the Enniskerry based firm, both in Ireland and internationally in over 18 countries. The solar energy company is working on projects in Ghana, Mexico, and Poland, and has already finished a 6 Megawatt (MW) solar installation in the UK.
Crowley Carbon provides energy services to a range of corporate clients, including Johnson & Johnson, Associated British Foods, and Proctor and Gamble. Their work with such established and recognizable brands as these indicates that many benefits that companies are seeing from going green. Founder and chief executive, Norman Crowley has this to say on debunking the many myths surrounding solar energy:
“There are many myths in relation to Solar that need to be debunked, with a general understanding that because it rains a lot here in Ireland, we have little or no hope of generating electricity from the sun, which is simply not true.”
The company’s aim is to install over 1,000 MW of solar energy here between now and 2024 a move, it is claimed, that would reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions by 250,000 tonnes every year. Crowley Carbon is just one of a growing number of solar energy firms operating in the Ireland right now seeking to reduce and ultimately decarbonise the energy sector, and will be paying close attention to their evolution and continued growth throughout 2019.
That’s it for our April Jobs Report. Rather than waiting for the next installment, why not jump over to our complete Employment section, with resources to help you land your dream job in Ireland.
Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report: March 2019
March, as the proverb goes, “comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”. However, while this may be a useful way of describing the weather in Ireland this time of year, it may not apply to the Irish jobs market this month.
With Brexit confusion continuing to thicken as the March 29 deadline looms closer, it appears that we are all involved in a guessing game to predict what will happen next. That said, there are many positives that auger well for the Irish jobs market regardless of how Brexit unfolds. This month’s Moving2Ireland Irish Jobs Report will focus on these positives, as well as the Brexit-shaped elephant in the room.
Average weekly earnings in Ireland from 2008 to 2018.
As we can see from the graph above, in the final quarter of 2018 the average weekly earnings in Ireland stood at €761.65. This represented a 4.1 percent increase from one year earlier, meaning that workers’ wages are growing at a comfortably faster rate than inflation, which is currently hovering at less than one percent annually.
In the same period, the average hourly earnings of workers in Ireland increased by 3.8 percent. Wage growth in Ireland is above the EU average, which as of Q3 2018 was running at 2.7 percent.
This significant wage growth has helped to offset rising costs in certain areas, including an increasingly expensive property and rental market.
As we enter March, it is clear that many of the positive trends that we detected through the end of 2018 and into the new year are being replicated and added to. A recent report from IDA Ireland indicates the rude health of Ireland’s labour market in the first two months of the year. Over 2.28 million people are now employed in the country, representing the highest total since 2008. For every 10 jobs that were lost during the recession, nine have now been replaced. These jobs are being created by indigenous SME businesses as well as global giants, but the one thing that all employers have in common is access to a skilled and productive workforce.
Ireland workers deemed most productive in the world
A February 2019 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has placed the Irish workforce at the top of the global productivity table. The Paris-based agency made the calculation based on the fact that Irish workers add an average of €87 (nearly $100 USD) to the value of the economy for every hour they work.
Value added to the economy for every hour worked
Ireland tops the global productivity scale.
While the report was released in February 2019, Ireland’s workforce productivity has been on an upward trajectory since 2000. A recent report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) points to the fact that the Irish labour force increased by 4.5 percent in the productivity stakes from 2000 to 2016, with a particular increase detected in 2015.
Speaking on the recent report and the implications for the Irish labour force post-Brexit, Cantor Fitzgerald economist Alan McQuaid had this to say:
“Any business owner looking at moving out of Britain because of Brexit or any other country for that matter, and seeing those productivity figures, would be encouraged to come to Ireland, all other things, such as tax liability, property costs or internet access, being equal.”
There is no doubt that the positivity of Mr. McQuaid is shared by other economists who feel that the Irish economy is robust enough to withstand even the most ‘pear-shaped’ of Brexits. However, while the Republic of Ireland might be doing its utmost to protect itself from a ‘No Deal Brexit’, the stakes and challenges are higher in Northern Ireland.
Impact of ‘No Deal Brexit’ would be severe in Northern Ireland
A document from the UK’s Department for Exiting the European Union has stated that businesses in the North may not have sufficient time to prepare for a ‘No Deal Brexit’, which could see business failure, job losses and relocation to the Republic of Ireland.
The briefing also highlights that the economic consequences of a ‘No Deal Brexit’ will be more severe and longer-lasting in Northern Ireland than the rest of the UK because of the region’s land border with the Republic of Ireland as well as the ongoing political stalemate in the North. The fact that Northern Ireland voted by 56 percent to 44 percent to remain part of the EU only further highlights the disconnect between the UK government and the workers and the small business owners that will be most adversely affected by a ‘No Deal Brexit’.
On a more positive note for the North’s economy is the fact that as of December 2018, the unemployment rate in the region was 3.8 percent — lower than the UK average of 4 percent. Speaking to these positive figures in light of a challenging political and economic climate, Roger Pollen of the Federation of Small Businesses had this to say:
“Today’s figures show what the private sector can do for the economy, which underlines the need to ensure it is not carelessly damaged. However, while today’s employment figures are welcome, we should not lose sight of the fact that the local business environment is currently far from ideal.”
Ireland continues to attract the best and brightest from Europe and beyond
When it comes to presenting itself as a destination for workers from across the world, Ireland has a lot going for it. Sure, there is the aforementioned Brexit push-factor, whereby as an English-speaking country in the EU and conveniently located between mainland Europe and North America, Ireland certainly benefits from, well, not being the UK.
However, there is little doubt that this significant factor is more than cancelled out by a number of enticing pull factors that make Ireland such an attractive destination for businesses and workers alike.
From an employer perspective, Ireland’s highly skilled, English-speaking workforce, combined with an ultra competitive corporation tax rate and access to the EU’s single-market, make it a dream for many companies looking to set up a European hub or expand their current operations further. This includes companies such as the Insurance software and consultancy provider Sedgwick, which announced its intention to create 250 new jobs in its Dublin base recently. Similarly, the French technology firm Expleohas stated that it will add 150 new positions to its current operations in Dublin and Belfast over the coming months. Finally, proof that not all the labour market growth is concentrated in Dublin can be seen by the fact that 32,000 jobs were created in the South-East region since 2012, with companies such as Bausch and Lomb, Glanbia and MSD committing to investing over €500 million in the region over the last six months.
The fact that Ireland’s minimum wage is now the second highest in Europe is seen by some as a reason why the country continues to attract so many newcomers to its shores. At €1,656 per month, Ireland was behind only Luxembourg in January 2019 for monthly minimum wages paid to its workers. According to the Department of Social Protection, this rate, which translates to €9.80 per hour, will benefit 151,800 workersin Ireland. This, allied to the expanding labour market and better standard of living in comparison to larger European countries, are three of the biggest pull factors enticing thousands of workers from across Europe and beyond to Ireland each year.
Ireland’s magnetism as a destination for workers from across Europe may be best summed up by recent immigration data from Croatia, which indicates that since 2013, the year Croatia joined the EU, over 21,500 Croatians have moved to Ireland. The recent report indicates that the peak emigrant wave occurred in 2016 when 5,312 Croatians moved to Ireland.
That’s it for our March Jobs Report. Rather than waiting for the next installment, why not jump over to our complete Employment section, with resources to help you land your dream job in Ireland.
Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report: February 2019
Much like the closing months of 2018, the opening weeks of 2019 bring positive news about job announcements in a range of sectors in Ireland. However, what is most noteworthy about the first Moving2Ireland Irish Jobs Market Report for 2019 is the growing trend of global big-hitters choosing to relocate or expand operations in Dublin in light of continued Brexit chaos in the UK.
First, a quick look at more general employment in Ireland, where at the beginning of 2019 the unemployment rate in Ireland continued to hover around 5.3%, comfortably lower than the European Union average of 6.6%.
Figures in this month’s Jobs Market Report show that the unemployment rate across the Irish Sea in the UK is now below 5%, although that could change in the early part of 2019 as the UK moves closer to exiting the EU without a deal. Companies may reassess hiring policies and locations amid a rapidly shifting economic landscape.
Which brings us back to Brexit, and how it may affect the Irish jobs market and economy.
Despite the protracted political confusion around Brexit in the UK, it is clear that certain trends are beginning to emerge, particularly in terms of Ireland’s economy. In November we looked at the potential opportunities that could be afforded to the Irish economy in light of Brexit, and in December we delved deeper and focused on the opportunities and challenges for small businesses in terms of Ireland’s employment rate. (Those previous editions of our Irish Jobs Market Report are available at the bottom of this page.)
This month, we are going to pull back and assess the significance of a growing number of multinational companies expanding their respective hubs in Ireland, while also assessing the impact of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit for Ireland.
Is Brexit uncertainty an opportunity for Ireland?
Undoubtedly, it would be extremely unwise to assume that the ongoing Brexit chaos will benefit Ireland’s job market indefinitely. After all, the UK is Ireland’s largest European trading partner and closest neighbour, and any shock to its economy is likely to have a knock-on effect for Ireland.
That said, a report from Irish recruitment website Jobs.ie has indicated that job applications in Ireland from the UK have grown significantly year-on-year in 2018 in sectors such as IT, construction and the public sector.
Speaking on Ireland’s attractiveness as a destination for global firms, IrishJobs.ie marketing director, Saffan Mac Carthy had this to say:
“Ireland offers stability, well-paid jobs, a world-renowned education system and access to the EU. These are attractive traits for mobile professionals.“
Ms. Mac Carthy also feels that the fallout from Brexit will see more British-based professionals considering a move to Ireland, as well as many multinationals.
“As the Brexit deadline draws closer, Ireland is seeing a huge influx of investment from UK and multinational companies seeking to relocate or expand in Ireland.”
As one of Ireland’s most recognizable global employers, it is perhaps unsurprising that Facebook features prominently in this month’s Irish Jobs Market Report. On January 21, the social media giant announced that it would add 1,000 new jobs across 60 teams throughout 2019. This expansion will bring the total Facebook workforce in Ireland to 5,000.
While Facebook’s growth in Ireland has certainly been well-documented, it is not the only multinational tech-based company to expand its Irish operations significantly in early 2019. The cloud-driven software giant Salesforce announced the creation of 1,500 new jobs at a new campus on the city’s North Docks. Prior to this announcement, Salesforce, which has been based in Ireland since 2001, had 1,000 staff in Ireland.
Speaking on the growth of the company in Ireland, Miguel Milano, Saleforce’s international president had this to say:
“Europe is Salesforce’s fastest growing region, and Ireland has been a significant part of our success. We are excited to be announcing our continued commitment with this investment in Dublin.”
There is no doubt that global tech-centered companies like Facebook and Salesforce will play an increasingly important role in Ireland’s economy in 2019. At the end of 2018, foreign firms employed approximately 230,000 people in Ireland, representing 10 percent of the total workforce. But despite Ireland’s ability to benefit economically from further Brexit chaos with continued inward investment, the reality is that a no-deal Brexit could have significant implications for the strength of Ireland’s economy.
‘No-Deal’ Brexit spells bad news for Ireland
While there is some debate regarding the scope to which the Irish jobs market and economy can benefit from the ongoing Brexit chaos and the UK’s ultimate departure from the EU, the reality is that if Ireland’s nearest neighbour were to leave the EU without any exit deal in place, then this would almost certainly have quite serious consequences for Ireland – a point that we may explore in next month’s Jobs Market Report.
Ireland’s Minister for Finance, Pascal Donoghue shares this view and has expressed deep concerns about the prospect of a UK ‘no-deal’ exit from the EU.
Speaking to the point Minister Donoghue stated that:
“The assessment by my Department shows that a disorderly exit would be particularly severe. The level of economic activity will be around 4.25 percentage points lower than our existing trajectory over the medium-term.”
Although hard to predict with complete certainty, a number of industries look likely to suffer acutely should a ‘no-deal’ Brexit become a reality. Minister Donoghue had this to say on this issue:
“This aggregate figure hides an even larger hit to economic activity in labour-intensive sectors such as agri-food and indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises.”
It is clear that this analysis from someone the Minister of Finance is a warning that needs to be taken very seriously, but in the interim the Irish jobs market continues to grow and diversify. Our final section of February’s monthly Irish Jobs Market Report will focus on analyzing some of the other most noteworthy job announcements since the start of 2019.
Is supply outstripping demand in Ireland’s construction sector?
In terms of unemployment in Ireland, the trends seen in 2018 looks set to continue into 2019. However, as the unemployment rate in Ireland edges closer to five percent and what is often deemed ‘full employment’ in Ireland, many employers, workers and other stakeholders have asked who will fill these new job opportunities. This is particularly relevant in a construction sector that is showing some consistent signs of growth more than a decade after the 2008 economic crash.
Many of the shortages in the construction sector are in positions such as bricklayers, masons, carpenters, joiners and painter decorators. Ireland has three options available to help it when it comes time to fill the positions.
First, attract returning Irish citizens — particularly those with a construction background — to these Irish jobs (Moving2Ireland’s Managing Director, Ruairi Spillane, recently met with government ministers to discuss practical hurdles facing would-be returning emigrants). The second option is to ensure that construction workers from EU and EEA countries who can work in Ireland legally are enticed to do so. The third, and perhaps most pressing choice, is to increase the number of non-EEA workers to fill these positions in Ireland. One of the most effective ways of doing this would be to extend the eligibility criteria for non-national employment permits.
Of course, these options are not mutually exclusive, and two or three options may be pursued simultaneously.
At present, many of the construction vacancies that currently exist in Ireland are not deemed to be on the eligible occupations list for work permits. This means that the many workers from non-EEA countries are unable to apply and ultimately fill these roles.
In its recent report the business group IBEC said that the number of non-nationals employed in the construction sector will have to “increase significantly” in order to fill the estimated 60,000 to 80,000 construction jobs needed to meet building demands over the coming years. In 2018, the number of non-nationals employed in Ireland’s construction sector stood at 3,800, far short of this total. If unemployment rate in Ireland is to remain low then something will most likely to change in this respect.
It remains to be seen how the Irish government and Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) choose to remedy this issue in the construction sector, but when they do we will make sure to let you know!
Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report: December 2018
The festive period typically is a time for positivity and reflection, and at Moving2Ireland, we are no different. The December edition of our Irish Jobs Market Report contains lots of positive news for the Irish workforce going forward into 2019, while also acknowledging the potential impact that Brexit may have for the Irish economy more broadly.Despite the best efforts of many to understand and appreciate the full impact that Brexit may have in Ireland, the reality is that it is almost impossible to predict what the final deal will look like, and what Britain’s imminent departure from the European Union will mean for the Irish economy. In November we looked at the potential opportunities that could be afforded to the Irish economy in light of Brexit, but this month we are going to look at the impact that its uncertainty is having on one particular sector: small businesses.The Small Firms Association (SFA) has predicted that small businesses will create approximately 25,000 jobs in Ireland in 2019. This positive projection points to the strength and diversity of the Irish labour market at present. That said, concerns still exist, particularly in relation to Brexit.
In its end of year statement, Sue O’Neill, Chair of the Small Firms Association had this to say about Brexit:
“The SFA urges the EU and UK Government to make every effort for a decision on the Brexit withdrawal agreement. While a no-deal outcome remains unlikely, the SFA calls on the Irish Government to step up preparedness planning by putting in additional measures to support small firms respond to such an outcome.”
The SFA has also also called on the government to create a designated national Small Business Strategy for Ireland in order to protect and expand the growth and projected growth of small businesses in the coming year.
Non-Irish playing vital role in increasing employment in Ireland
Unemployment in Ireland fell to 5.3 percent in November 2018, meaning a year-on-year improvement of 1.1 percentage points from November 2017. Key to this downward unemployment trend in Ireland has been the role played by immigrants. Speaking on this further drop in unemployment, economist at global job site Indeed, Pawel Adrjan said:
“The Irish labour market tightened further last month edging closer to dropping below 5%, which hasn’t happened since September 2007, over 11 years ago. Employers will likely rely increasingly on inward migration to help fill positions: over the course of last year, almost 40% of the increase in the number of people in employment has come from non-Irish nationals.”
As we have commented on previously, proposed changes to Employment Permits and concerns over Brexit may affect these trends in the future, but for now, at least, it is clear that as Ireland’s jobs market and economy continue to grow, the demand for immigrants to fill many of these positions does so too.
New roles created across Ireland just in time for Christmas
They say that Christmas is a time for giving, and that sense of generosity was certainly on display in Ireland in December as approximately 300 new roles were announced in the weeks leading up to the Christmas break – thereby giving the Irish labour market a useful shot in the arm in the final weeks of 2018.
In Galway, Engineering software maker Mathworks has announced that it will create 85 new jobs, of which 20 will be filled now and the remainder are to come on board in 2019. Similarly, in Dublin Barclays Bank has confirmed that it will double its number of employees with 150 new staff members being added to its office throughout 2019. Finally, network intelligence firm ThousandEyes confirmed that it will expand into Ireland by opening a new Dublin office, creating 20 jobs.
Tralee benefits from Brexit confusion
While it may be a fool’s game to predict what Brexit will look like and the subsequent impact it will have on the Irish economy, the reality is that in recent months there have been clear signals that the UK’s loss could be Ireland’s gain, in certain respects at least.
In November’s Job Market Report, we saw how Ireland was experiencing a bounce from Brexit confusion, and this trend was replicated again in December as the UK-based pharmaceutical firm, Central Pharma announced 100 new jobs in Tralee. Crucially, the company will occupy a vacant premises located right beside IT Tralee’s campus, meaning that there will be a steady supply of recent graduates to potentially fill these new roles.
In December alone, we have seen Central Pharma and Barclays — both UK based companies, at least for now — expand or open new Irish offices, and that would indicate that Brexit uncertainty is causing many businesses to view Ireland in a more attractive light. This point is backed up by a January 2019 report from the IDA which stated that the Republic of Ireland has gained more than 4,500 jobs from international firms as a result of Brexit.
That said, the fear felt by many small businesses, particularly those close to the border, regarding the potential impact Brexit could have is real and needs to be taken seriously. Good or bad, there is no doubt that businesses based in Ireland will be paying close attention to Brexit negotiations in the coming months.
Looking for work in Ireland? Visit our dedicated page!
Stay ahead of the competition with a cover letter that ticks all the boxes
Want your CV to stand out from the crowd? Follow our detailed tips here
Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report: November 2018
The November edition of the Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report contains lots of positive news for the Irish workforce, with a cautionary tale about the impact of the ongoing housing shortage in Ireland.
While the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the British government and their EU counterparts may be confusing, and potentially damaging for economic and political stability in Europe, the immediate knock-on effect for the Irish jobs market in recent weeks and months has been largely positive.
A recent report from the Morgan McKinley Employment Monitor has found that there has been a 10 percent increase in job opportunities in Ireland since last year. The three sectors that have seen the biggest bounce in terms of job opportunities in recent months have been in pharmaceuticals, software and financial services, though other sectors have also grown. It would be misguided to attribute this entire Irish jobs market growth to Brexit, but it is believed that, to some degree at least, Ireland is benefitting from the ongoing political, social and economic confusion in the UK.
Speaking to this point, Morgan McKinley’s global FDI director, Trayc Keevans stated that, “The number of professionals seeking employment is the highest that it has been all year. A lot of that is Brexit-related, where we continue to see a big inflow of talent not just from the UK but from right across Europe, where professionals are choosing Ireland for onward career opportunities.”
Immigration key to Irish job market growth
In 2018, four out of every 10 jobs filled over the past year were filled by non-nationals, according to the data compiled in our Irish Jobs Market Report. CSO figures now show that large numbers are now coming here from countries including Italy, Romania, Spain, African countries and Brazil.
Proposed changes to Employment Permits and concerns over Brexit may affect these trends in the future, but for now, at least, it is clear that as Ireland’s jobs market and economy continue to grow, the demand for immigrants to fill many of these positions also grows.
Salaries up five percent in 2018
Other good news for those working in Ireland came with the announcement that salaries have increased by around five percent across a range of sectors so far in 2018. The research, which was undertaken by recruitment company Brightwater, found that the salary increases were across a range of sectors including finance, HR, sales, marketing, engineering, supply chain, IT, legal and accountancy.
There were additional salary increases in the engineering and legal sectors, where pay rises of eight and 10 percent, respectively, were observed for executive and managerial positions in each field. A shortage of experienced quantity surveyors and construction managers in the construction industry in Ireland, related somewhat to the number of Irish citizens with these qualifications who emigrated during the past decade, has kept supply of these positions down and pushed salaries up.
Similarly, competition to retain the best and brightest engineering professionals and recent graduates has meant that salaries have become more competitive in this sector over the past 12 months.
Is the shortage of housing affecting continued job growth?
The increasing number of immigrants moving to Ireland, as well as the fact that net migration to Ireland among Irish citizens is in the plus figures since 2009, means that more people are choosing to make Ireland home. All good so far, right? Yes, except for the fact that the accommodation crisis, especially in Dublin, is getting worse, so much so that it has led some to ask if the Irish jobs market is being affected by the shortage of housing for those working in Ireland.
The answer to this question is inconclusive, but one thing that is for certain is that a growing number of Irish and multinational companies are seeking to set up base in locations in Ireland outside Dublin. Uber opted to locate its Centre of Excellence in Limerick, while Sligo has seen US software company LiveTiles set up an innovation centre there.
The price of rental accommodation is getting to the point where it is almost prohibitive for many people working in Dublin. This has meant that even firms offering decent wages of €50,000 to €60,000 have employees struggling to find a place to live. How this plays out remains to be seen, but it is something the Moving2Ireland Jobs Market Report will keep a very close eye on in the coming weeks and months.
Moving to Ireland as a teacher
Returning to Ireland as a secondary school teacher
Returning to Ireland as a primary school teacher
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line884
|
__label__wiki
| 0.520399
| 0.520399
|
Slash: “Rock And Roll Is Starting To Show Its Teeth Right Now”
Written by Greg Moskovitch on September 13, 2014
Saul Hudson, known to a legion of fans whose devotion often borders on zealotry as Slash, is many things, but a pessimist isn’t one of them. He’s a multi-platinum-selling recording artist, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a hard rock icon, and one of the greatest living exponents of the electric guitar, but he’s no doomsday soothsayer.
“I don’t like to sit there and criticise everything and point fingers and get into all that, because these are certain things that in some way, shape or form have been going on for a long time,” he explains in a laid-back yet thoughtful tone.
“We go through periods where things get watered down and there’s a lack of fresh ideas and everybody’s trying to make a buck and forgetting about any kind of intelligent creative input. And then somebody, a great artist, will come along and shake the whole thing up and inspire it. And then it’ll go through the whole cycle again.”
While pop-culture critics continue to pen bleak jeremiads as the sky supposedly falls around them, one of the most famous emblems of that very culture is taking it easy. “It always recovers,” he says. “As long as people feel inspired to create something great that’s different to what everybody else is doing, then usually it inspires a lot of other people to do something original that’s really good as well.”
Watch: Slash – World On Fire (Official Lyric Video)
That said, he’s not blind. “Obviously, if you were to look at what makes the music business happen, what it’s about these days, it’s become so much Top 40,” he admits. “Every single music genre has to fit into the Top 40 mould or it ceases to exist, as far as [the industry is] concerned.” And yet, he’s pinning his hopes on the one genre that everyone in the business has forgotten about.
“Rock and roll is definitely one of those genres that’s not part of the big industry criteria. There’s a lot of great bands and a lot of great music and a lot of great rock and roll and it’s really starting to show its teeth right now,” he insists. “And a lot of it has to do with that [us and them] attitude. It’s like survival of the fittest. It’s really us against the industry and you have to do it on your own.”
For now, Slash is too busy working on his own great rock and roll to bother worrying about how well we’re recovering from our latest period of being watered down. His latest album, World on Fire, is his third with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, his band of five years. As he explains, it’s still possible to create relevant, powerful rock and roll.
“I had some friends in Atlanta, not Atlanta, Atlantic City, oh, what am I talking about? In Florida! [laughs] In Tampa, is what it is. Anyway, I spent some time with their son, who was sick, and he was just a really big fan and somehow we got connected. And he was a guitar player, you know, like 17 years old and a really spirited guy, but had terminal cancer.”
“So I was with him a few times before he passed on and I’ve been tight with his family ever since, so when they heard [Bent to Fly] it completely reminded them of, his name was Heath, and I was really taken aback,” he recounts.
“That song’s always been a coming of age song, a leaving the nest song. And when they saw it in more the spiritual sense of losing their boy the way that they did, it was a very, very poignant moment and changed my whole outlook of the song.”
Watch: Slash feat Myles Kennedy – Bent To Fly at Planet Rock Live Session
Slash and his band will soon be taking the new record on the road Down Under for his second stint at Soundwave, and he says fans can expect some one-on-one time with the guitar god. “There definitely will be sideshows. I don’t know specifically the venues or any of that yet, but I will… definitely, definitely sideshows. That’s one of the great things about Soundwave.”
When we explain that festival promoter AJ Maddah admitted he couldn’t keep the rocker festival-exclusive even if he wanted to – “You can’t keep that guy down! Even if it does end up becoming festival only, he’ll turn up at some small club!” – Slash just laughs. “Yeah, that would be me, right? No, but there’s definitely some specific venues that we’re gonna be playing, but I just don’t know the names of them yet.”
Having been bombarded with Guns N’ Roses reunion questions for the better part of two decades, it was finally time to see who the top-hatted one would himself like to see reunite. “Fortunately, the band that I would like to see reunite, reunite on occasion,” he explains.
“That’s Rage Against The Machine, I think that’s my all time favourite band since the ’90s. The best band that came along. And I’ve actually seen them live since they broke up, fucking phenomenal live band.” No doubt, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators will be equally phenomenal at Soundwave.
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators’ latest album, ‘World on Fire’, is available now. They will join Slipknot, Soundgarden, and more at Soundwave 2015 – details below.
Listen: Slash feat Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators – 30 Years To Life Teaser
Soundwave Festival 2015
Saturday, 21st February & Sunday, 22nd February 2015
Bonython Park, Adelaide, South Australia
Tickets: Soundwave
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
Saturday, 28th February & Sunday, 1st March 2015
Olympic Park, Sydney, New South Wales
RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane, Queensland
Lineup – Day One
Adelaide – Saturday, 21st February, 2015
Melbourne – Sunday, 22nd February, 2015
Sydney – Saturday, 28th February, 2015
Brisbane – Sunday, 1st March, 2015
The Aquabats
Icon For Hire
Emily’s Army
The Bennies
The Color Morale
Lineup – Day Two
Melbourne – Saturday, 21st February, 2015
Adelaide – Sunday, 22nd February, 2015
Brisbane – Saturday, 28th February, 2015
Sydney – Sunday, 1st March, 2015
Tonight Alive
The Swellers
Dayshell
+ more to be announced!
John Digweed: “I Can’t See EDM Slowing Down Any Time Soon”Antiskeptic’s 6 Steps To Smarter Crowdfunding
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line890
|
__label__wiki
| 0.834625
| 0.834625
|
« Defending Zionism: Defending the Indefensible
“Israeli war crimes were daily and too numerous to count” »
Palestinians remember Land Day
Posted by musliminsuffer on March 31, 2009
Hatim Kanaaneh, a former physician who witnessed the Land Day protests, stands by a monument in Sakhnin’s cemetery to six Palestinians shot dead by the Israeli army during the confrontations of 30 March 1976 (Jonathan Cook)
Palestinians across the Middle East were due to commemorate Land Day today, marking the anniversary of clashes in 1976 in which six unarmed Palestinians were shot dead by the Israeli army as it tried to break up a general strike.
Although Land Day is one of the most important anniversaries in the Palestinian calendar, sometimes referred to as the Palestinians’ national day, the historical event it marks is little spoken of and rarely studied.
“Maybe its significance is surprising given the magnitude of other events in Palestinian history,” said Hatim Kanaaneh, 71, a doctor, who witnessed the military invasion of his village.
“But what makes Land Day resonate with Palestinians everywhere is that it was the first time Palestinians inside Israel stood together and successfully resisted Israel’s goal of confiscating their land.”
The confrontation took place between the army and a group usually referred to as “Israeli Arabs,” the small minority of Palestinians who managed to remain in their homes during the 1948 war that led to the founding of Israel. Today they number 1.2 million, or nearly one-fifth of Israel’s population.
“We were given citizenship by Israel, but have always been treated as an enemy, perceived of as a threat to the state’s Jewishness,” said Dr. Kanaaneh, who last year published his memoir, A Doctor in Galilee, which offers a rare account in English of Palestinian life inside Israel during the Land Day period.
In 1976, Dr. Kanaaneh, having completed his medical studies at Harvard University in the United States, was the only physician in Arrabeh.
Israel crushed organized political activity among Israel’s Palestinian citizens between 1948 and 1966, Dr. Kanaaneh said. Nonetheless, popular frustration had mounted as the state expropriated privately-owned Palestinian land to build new communities for Jewish citizens, many of them recent immigrants.
During military rule, historians have noted, vast swathes of land were taken from Palestinians, both from refugees in exile and from Israel’s own citizens. Jews had bought only six per cent of Palestine by the time of the 1948 war, but today the state has nationalized 93 percent of Israel’s territory.
“Government policy was explicitly to make the land Jewish — or Judaize it, as it was called,” Dr. Kanaaneh said.
The announcement in the mid-1970s of the confiscation of a further 2,000 hectares led to the creation of a new body, the National Committee for the Defense of Arab Lands, which provided a more assertive political leadership.
The minority’s decision to strike, Dr. Kanaaneh said, shocked the Israeli authorities, which were not used to challenges to official policy. “Both sides understood the significance of the strike. For the first time we were acting as a national minority, and Israel was very sensitive to anything that suggested we had a national identity or a unified agenda, especially over a key resource like land.”
Although the strike was strictly observed by Palestinians throughout Israel, the focus of the protest were three villages in the central Galilee that faced the loss of a large area of prime agricultural land: Arrabeh, Sakhnin and Deir Hanna.
The prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, and his defense minster, Shimon Peres, acted on the eve of the strike.
“What was surprising was that they didn’t send in the police, as you’d expect when dealing with citizens of a country, but the army,” Dr. Kanaaneh said.
The government’s original plan, he said, was to break the strike and force employees to go to work, but when villagers began throwing stones, the army imposed a curfew.
“When a neighbor called me to attend to his wife who had gone into labor, I walked out of my house towards an armored vehicle waving my stethoscope,” Dr. Kanaaneh said. “A soldier aimed his rifle straight at me and I hurried back inside.”
Ahmed Khalaila stands by a road sign dedicated to his brother, Khader, who was shot dead by the Israeli army during Land Day protests in the village of Sakhnin in 1976. (Jonathan Cook)
Ahmed Khalaila, who was 18 and living in Sakhnin, remembered being woken early by loudspeakers. “Soldiers were calling out that we must not leave the house … We couldn’t even look out of the windows,” he said.
When a neighbor stepped outside her house, she was shot and injured, Khalaila said. He and his older brother, Khader, tried to help the woman. When they were about 50 meters from her, Khader was shot in the head.
“He was still breathing and we hoped he could be saved, but there were checkpoints at all the entrances to the village. We knew no ambulance would be coming for him.”
Eventually the family managed to get him into a car and drove towards the nearest hospital. Held at a checkpoint, Khalaila said, the family watched as Khader bled to death as he lay across his younger brother’s legs on the back seat. Khader was 24 and recently married.
No one ever came to investigate what had happened, or offered the family compensation. “It was as if a bird had died,” he said. “No one was interested; no questions were asked in the parliament. Nothing.”
As well as the six deaths, hundreds more Palestinians were injured and sweeping arrests were made of political activists.
Dr. Kanaaneh said the stiff resistance mounted by the villagers eventually forced the government to revoke the expropriation order.
Victory, however, was far from clear cut. The next year, Ariel Sharon, as agriculture minister, announced a program of new Jewish settlements called “lookouts” in the Galilee “to prevent control of state lands by foreigners,” meaning Israel’s own Palestinian citizens. The three villages were surrounded by the lookout communities, which came to be known collectively as Misgav regional council.
“They were intended to be agricultural communities, but Land Day stopped that,” Dr. Kanaaneh said. “Instead they became small bedroom communities, and much of the land we defended was passed to Misgav’s jurisdiction.
“Today the owners of the land pay taxes to the regional council rather than their own municipalities, and Misgav can decide, if it wants, to try to confiscate the land again. We may have got our land back, but it is not really in our hands.”
Jonathan Cook is a writer and journalist based in Nazareth, Israel. His latest books are Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East (Pluto Press) and Disappearing Palestine: Israel’s Experiments in Human Despair (Zed Books). His website is www.jkcook.net.
A version of this article originally appeared in The National, published in Abu Dhabi.
:: Article nr. 53012 sent on 30-mar-2009 22:25 ECT
Link: electronicintifada.net/v2/article10431.shtml
This entry was posted on March 31, 2009 at 2:35 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line891
|
__label__wiki
| 0.810635
| 0.810635
|
Where does WELLHAUSEN rank in the most common names in the U.S.?
WELLHAUSEN is identified by the U.S. Bureau of the Census as a surname with more than 100 occurrences in the United States for the year-2000 U.S. Census. In "Demographic Aspects of Surnames from Census 2000", the Census Bureau tabulated the surnames of all people who had obtained Social Security Numbers by the year 2000.
WELLHAUSEN ranks # 68973 in terms of the most common surnames in America for 2000.
WELLHAUSEN had 266 occurrences in the 2000 Census, according the U.S. government records.
Out of a sample of 100,000 people in the United States, WELLHAUSEN would occur an average of 0.1 times.
For the last name of WELLHAUSEN the Census Bureau reports the following race / ethnic origin breakdown:
Search the web for more on the name WELLHAUSEN :
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line896
|
__label__wiki
| 0.737487
| 0.737487
|
Where does WENN rank in the most common names in the U.S.?
WENN is identified by the U.S. Bureau of the Census as a surname with more than 100 occurrences in the United States for the year-2000 U.S. Census. In "Demographic Aspects of Surnames from Census 2000", the Census Bureau tabulated the surnames of all people who had obtained Social Security Numbers by the year 2000.
WENN ranks # 73659 in terms of the most common surnames in America for 2000.
WENN had 245 occurrences in the 2000 Census, according the U.S. government records.
Out of a sample of 100,000 people in the United States, WENN would occur an average of 0.09 times.
For the last name of WENN the Census Bureau reports the following race / ethnic origin breakdown:
6.12 percent, or 15 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic Black Only"
Search the web for more on the name WENN :
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line897
|
__label__wiki
| 0.776865
| 0.776865
|
Where does WESOLOSKI rank in the most common names in the U.S.?
WESOLOSKI is identified by the U.S. Bureau of the Census as a surname with more than 100 occurrences in the United States for the year-2000 U.S. Census. In "Demographic Aspects of Surnames from Census 2000", the Census Bureau tabulated the surnames of all people who had obtained Social Security Numbers by the year 2000.
WESOLOSKI ranks # 50055 in terms of the most common surnames in America for 2000.
WESOLOSKI had 393 occurrences in the 2000 Census, according the U.S. government records.
Out of a sample of 100,000 people in the United States, WESOLOSKI would occur an average of 0.15 times.
For the last name of WESOLOSKI the Census Bureau reports the following race / ethnic origin breakdown:
1.27 percent, or 5 total occurrences, were "Hispanic Origin"
Search the web for more on the name WESOLOSKI :
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line898
|
__label__wiki
| 0.810807
| 0.810807
|
Where does WHITCRAFT rank in the most common names in the U.S.?
WHITCRAFT is identified by the U.S. Bureau of the Census as a surname with more than 100 occurrences in the United States for the year-2000 U.S. Census. In "Demographic Aspects of Surnames from Census 2000", the Census Bureau tabulated the surnames of all people who had obtained Social Security Numbers by the year 2000.
WHITCRAFT ranks # 34799 in terms of the most common surnames in America for 2000.
WHITCRAFT had 614 occurrences in the 2000 Census, according the U.S. government records.
Out of a sample of 100,000 people in the United States, WHITCRAFT would occur an average of 0.23 times.
For the last name of WHITCRAFT the Census Bureau reports the following race / ethnic origin breakdown:
0 percent, or Less than 100 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic Black Only"
1.47 percent, or 9 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native"
1.3 percent, or 8 total occurrences, were "Hispanic Origin"
Search the web for more on the name WHITCRAFT :
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line899
|
__label__wiki
| 0.764778
| 0.764778
|
Where does WHITTERS rank in the most common names in the U.S.?
WHITTERS is identified by the U.S. Bureau of the Census as a surname with more than 100 occurrences in the United States for the year-2000 U.S. Census. In "Demographic Aspects of Surnames from Census 2000", the Census Bureau tabulated the surnames of all people who had obtained Social Security Numbers by the year 2000.
WHITTERS ranks # 100663 in terms of the most common surnames in America for 2000.
WHITTERS had 166 occurrences in the 2000 Census, according the U.S. government records.
Out of a sample of 100,000 people in the United States, WHITTERS would occur an average of 0.06 times.
For the last name of WHITTERS the Census Bureau reports the following race / ethnic origin breakdown:
13.86 percent, or 23 total occurrences, were "Non-Hispanic Black Only"
Search the web for more on the name WHITTERS :
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line900
|
__label__cc
| 0.749627
| 0.250373
|
ADVOCACY ALERT: United States of America v. State of Mississippi
ADVOCACY ALERT: The trial for the case of United States of America v. State of Mississippi (docket number 3:16-CV-00622-CWR-FKB) has begun with Judge Carlton Reeves presiding.
In the case, the U.S. Department of Justice asserts that when it comes to mental health services, Mississippi should work more toward community-based care and depend less on institutionalized care, with the Americans with Disabilities Act as the basis for the case.
Mississippi argues that the federal government has not offered enough specifics or funding for what changes should be made, and that DOJ is overstepping its authority in state matters.
Advocates, the trial may last up to six weeks, so we’re asking for you as well as peers, family members and community members to attend the trial when you can. The trial reconvenes today at 9 a.m.
The location of the trial is:
Thad Cochran United States Courthouse
501 E. Court Street
Suite 2.500
Courtroom 5B
A courtroom schedule is available at https://ecf.mssd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/CourtSched.pl.
View the docket at https://www.clearinghouse.net/chDocs/public/MH-MS-0001-0001.pdf.
For those who cannot attend, you can get realtime updates from the Associated Press’s Jeff Amy on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jeffamy or Whitney Downard of the Meridian Star at https://twitter.com/WhitneyDownard. If you have a Twitter profile, be sure to interact and share your experiences.
#Advocate4MentalHealth
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line901
|
__label__wiki
| 0.751288
| 0.751288
|
Pride And Prejudice And Zombies actually gets a release date
Filed to: FilmFiled to: Film
Pride And Prejudice And Zombies
Burr Steers
Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, the movie based on the Seth Grahame-Smith novel that mixes the original Jane Austen story with a zombie apocalypse, finally has a release date, according to Deadline. The romantic thriller will hit theaters on February 19, 2016.
Back in 2014, it was announced that Lena Headey and Charles Dance were attached to the project, with Lily James set to star as Elizabeth Bennet and Sam Riley as Mr. Darcy. Hella Heathcote and Jack Huston also star as Elizabeth’s sister and Mr. Collins. After years of false starts, production on the unholy mixed-genre abomination began in September 2014, with Charlie St. Cloud’s Burr Steers directing from the screenplay he wrote with David O. Russell. This shambling, undead corpse of a film has been in the works for so long, however, that even a release date isn’t quite enough to convince us it’s really happening. We’ll believe it when we see Elizabeth Bennet goring a zombie with a shovel.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line902
|
__label__cc
| 0.711089
| 0.288911
|
Viticulture and Enology Brochure
Viticulture and Enology 4 page color brochure.
New Time Reporting System (TRS)-Effective June 30
Effective 6/30/2013, the current time reporting system will be retired, which will mean a move to a new system.
Here Come the Foodies!
Magic happens when food science and culinary art mix at UC Davis.
Satisfaction Survey Provides Feedback to BFTV Cluster Teams
A simple survey tool allows customers of BFTV Cluster services to provide feedback to the various support teams. This tool is connected through the RT (Request Tracker) system which is heavily used by the cluster staff to track support issues and provide metrics in each of the functional areas.
Chancellor's Grand Prize for Best Oral Presentation
Congratulations to our very own Tom Williams, Ph.D. Candidate in Maria Marco's lab, for being selected for the Chancellor's Grand Prize for Best Oral Presentation at the 2013 Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Symposium!
Tom was also selected for the Dean's Prize for Best Oral Presentation in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences!
Other winners are listed on the PDF below.
STEM for Girls Day 2013 at UC Davis
Local girls spent a day immersed in the wonders of science when the UC Davis College of Engineering presented STEM for Girls 2013 (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2013. The annual event, designed to inspire young girls with the exciting possibilities of various engineering careers, hosted 60 students from four area schools: Beamer Park Elementary School, in Woodland; and Fern Bacon Middle School, Riverbank Elementary School and Will C. Wood Middle School, all in Sacramento.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line903
|
__label__wiki
| 0.85769
| 0.85769
|
Margaret Naumann Keyes ’39
By Cornell Report Staff
Educator and home architecture authority Margaret Naumann Keyes ’39 died Oct. 14, 2015, in Iowa City, Iowa. She was 97.
She grew up in Mount Vernon, Iowa, the daughter of Charles Reuben Keyes (Cornell Class of 1894), a prominent archaeologist and Cornell professor of German. After earning a master’s degree in home economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a doctorate in interior design and housing from Florida State University in Tallahassee, in 1951 she became a faculty member of the department of home economics at the University of Iowa, where she taught for 37 years. Keyes conducted the research for the restoration of Old Capitol (Iowa’s original capitol building in Iowa City) and coordinated the restoration process beginning in 1970. In 1975, she was named director of the Old Capitol. She wrote numerous scholarly articles and three books. Keyes was a member of the American Home Economics Association (now the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences), chaired the art section, and served on the executive board.
She also was a member of the State Historical Society of Iowa and a board member for 17 years, including serving as chairman. Other affiliations and board responsibilities included the Terrace Hill Commission and Authority, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Victorian Society in America, and the Cornell College Alumni Association.
Keyes received the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters in 1976 from Cornell College.
She was preceded in death by her friend and colleague, with whom she made her home, Floy Eugenia Whitehead.
Tags: cornell report spring 2016
Matthew Werner ’96
John Tisdale ’54
Alan Beucher ’48
Floyd Piper ’43
Cecil “Cy” Frederick Dam – Professor Emeritus of Physics
Merlin Dreibelbis ’39
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line904
|
__label__wiki
| 0.806451
| 0.806451
|
Hanley Ramirez To Start Playing First Base for Red Sox
Posted on May 8, 2017, by Bryan Zarpentine
Image via nesn.com
After more than a month of serving exclusively as a designated hitter, Hanley Ramirez is ready to pick up a glove and play the field. With the Boston Red Sox set to begin a series in a National League park against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday night, the DH won’t be available, forcing the Red Sox to put Ramirez in the field in order to get his bat in the lineup.
The Red Sox originally intended for Ramirez to get playing time at first base this season, primarily against left-handed pitchers, essentially putting him into a platoon with Mitch Moreland. However, Ramirez suffered a shoulder injury in early March that forced the Red Sox to alter their plans at first base. But the time has come for Ramirez to spend time in the field, even with Moreland off to a good start, hitting .281 with an OPS of .834 early in the season.
“Mitch has done a great job,” says Red Sox manager John Farrell. “This is his first real opportunity of playing every day, and he’s done just that, played every day. But I think it’s important we’re able to pick spots to keep him as fresh as possible. That’s been our goal since we reported to spring training (to play Ramirez at first base), and yet we’re still trying to get there.”
Ramirez may not love the idea of playing first base, but he should be somewhat comfortable with the position after starting 133 games there last year. With David Ortiz still entrenched as the DH and Boston’s outfield full of budding stars, the Red Sox had no choice but to put Ramirez at first base in 2016. Of course, those 133 games are the sum of his experience as a first baseman, and after being sidelined with the shoulder injury during spring training, it’s possible that Ramirez will be a little rusty.
“There’s been ground balls taken and there’s been some short throws there,” Farrell said. “Enough to make him capable and prepare him for it. I think for any of our guys, you’re always looking for more.”
Fortunately for the Red Sox, they have the reigning American League Gold Glove winner at first base in Moreland, giving them the option of taking out Ramirez for defensive reasons late in games.
“I can see us in a situation where we can be mixing and matching out there,” Farrell said. “If Hanley starts a game where Mitch picks him up defensively later on, that’s certainly a possibility. So, all those combinations are available to us.”
Aside from playing first base in National League ballparks, it’s unclear how much action Ramirez will see at first base going forward. However, there’s no denying the Red Sox could stand to benefit from Ramirez being able to start at first base when they face left-handed pitchers. To be fair, Moreland has held his own against lefties this year, while somehow Ramirez is just 1 for 12 against southpaws.
Nevertheless, Ramirez being able to spend some time at first base could allow the Red Sox to give other players at-bats at the DH spot, most notably Chris Young, who has been one of the most productive hitters in baseball against lefties over the past couple of years. Having Ramirez occupying first base once or twice a week could also help the Red Sox rotate different players into the DH spot to give them a break without losing their bat from the lineup.
Obviously, Ramirez isn’t going become Boston’s primary first baseman, and most of the time, one would expect Moreland to enter the game in the late innings if the Red Sox have a lead. However, being able to play Ramirez at first base on occasion will add some versatility to Boston’s roster, which could prove valuable over the course of the season. In a division as competitive as the AL East, it’s important for the Red Sox to find an edge any way they can.
Boston Red Sox, Chris Young, David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, John Farrell, Mitch Moreland
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line905
|
__label__wiki
| 0.950578
| 0.950578
|
All Posts in #media
Newhouse Junior Selected for Bustle Diversity Internship
Friday, May 17, 2019, By News Staff
Shannon Stubbs, a junior in the magazine, newspaper and digital journalism (MND) program, has been selected for an internship created via a partnership between the Newhouse School and Bustle Digital Group to provide opportunities in publishing for students of color. The…
Society of Professional Journalists Announces Newhouse Students as Mark of Excellence Winners
Monday, April 8, 2019, By Lani Rich
The Society of Professsional Journalists (SPJ) has announced its 2018 Mark of Excellence Region 1 winners this weekend at the SPJ Region 1 conference in Boston, and many Newhouse School students and media organizations were among the winners. In-Depth Reporting…
NPR’s Lakshmi Singh ’94 to Headline Newhouse’s ‘Race and the Media’ Symposium April 2 and 3
Wednesday, March 13, 2019, By Wendy S. Loughlin
The Newhouse School will host a two-day symposium exploring issues of race and the media April 2 and 3 in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium, Newhouse 3. The event will feature a panel of recent alumni of color representing the industries…
Bleier Center to Host ‘Mr. Soul’ Screening, Q&A with Director
Thursday, October 11, 2018, By Wendy S. Loughlin
The Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture will host a screening of the documentary “Mr. Soul! Ellis Haizlip and the Birth of Black Power TV” and a Q&A with producer/director Melissa Haizlip Oct. 16 at the Newhouse School. The…
Ian Eagle ’90 to Receive Marty Glickman Award for Leadership in Sports Media from Newhouse School
Wednesday, October 10, 2018, By Wendy S. Loughlin
Newhouse School alumnus Ian Eagle ’90, play-by-play announcer with CBS Sports, YES Network and Westwood One Radio, will receive the sixth annual Marty Glickman Award for Leadership in Sports Media at a ceremony Nov. 1 on campus. Mike Tirico ’88…
Students Learn the Art of Podcasting while Showcasing the Lives of Syracuse Workers
Monday, July 23, 2018, By News Staff
In the last episode of “Working: Syracuse,” a podcast that highlights stories of people living and working in the Syracuse area, hospice caregiver Annie Wilcox discusses what her job has taught her. “People who are dying don’t want to sit…
Student Magazine, Indigenous Students Connect to Tell Stories
Editor in chief of 360 magazine Molly Bolan ’19 and the magazine staff had a special idea for the latest edition of their magazine. They wanted to focus the entire edition on the history and culture of indigenous people and…
Gulf News Television
Can ‘Roseanne’ Survive Without Roseanne?
Friday, July 6, 2018, By Essence Britt
Robert Thompson, Trustee Professor and director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture in the Newhouse School, was quoted in the Reuters story “Deaths and disputes: When the TV show must go on.” Thompson, an expert in television…
How One Newhouse Alumna Is Bringing Business News to Underserved Audiences
Wednesday, May 30, 2018, By News Staff
When Kori Hale G’13 was working as an investment banker, she didn’t see any representations of herself on the business news shows she watched from the trading floor. “I was like, ‘I can’t relate to this,’” she says. “And, I…
Newhouse Dean Branham Talks Sinclair Takeover
Friday, April 27, 2018, By Sawyer Kamman
Lorraine Branham, Dean of the distinguished Newhouse School, was recently quoted in a Rolling Stone article about the Sinclair Broadcast Group, and their recent ‘must-read’ messages that have put the company in hot water. The article detailed how Sinclair helped…
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line907
|
__label__wiki
| 0.831334
| 0.831334
|
Toggle global navigation
Basic & Transitional Studies
College Transfer
Finish High School
Enrollment & Funding
Enrollment & Admissions
Financial Aid & Funding
Student Leadership & Activities
Student Support & Resources
EnglishAfrikaansAlbanianArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBasqueBelarusianBengaliBosnianBulgarianCatalanCebuanoChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)CroatianCzechDanishDutchEsperantoEstonianFilipinoFinnishFrenchGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHausaHebrewHindiHmongHungarianIcelandicIgboIndonesianIrishItalianJapaneseJavaneseKannadaKhmerKoreanLaoLatinLatvianLithuanianMacedonianMalayMalteseMaoriMarathiMongolianNepaliNorwegianPersianPolishPortuguesePunjabiRomanianRussianSerbianSlovakSlovenianSomaliSpanishSwahiliSwedishTamilTeluguThaiTurkishUkrainianUrduVietnameseWelshYiddishYorubaZulu
Current Students International Employees Community
Class Schedule/MyCentral
Toggle section navigation Menu
Faces of Central
Seattle Central NewsCenter home page
Tenure recipients recognized
Tags : Honors And Awards, Faces of Central
Posted on : Thursday, 04/13/2017 by Public Information Office
Last month, a reception honored eight faculty members for their dedication to students.
Eight faculty members who received tenure this past year were formally recognized for their achievements during a reception in March, hosted by the Seattle Colleges District Board of Trustees. To earn tenure, which grants a permanent teaching position, candidates are observed and evaluated – by a committee consisting of students, staff and fellow faculty members — according to specified criteria over a three-year period. The president and the chancellor then recommend faculty members to the Board, which officially grants tenure.
This year’s newly tenured faculty are:
Vero Barrera-Kolb, Humanities
Vero has been teaching in the Humanities department since 2014, teaching Intercultural Communications, Introduction to LGBTQ Studies and all film courses. She is currently developing an Equity and Social Justice associate degree emphasis and working to create more collective social spaces for students on campus. Prior to Seattle Central, Vero taught at University of Washington Bothell and Edmonds Community College. She holds a master’s degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College Northwest and a bachelor’s degree in Multicultural History from The Evergreen State College.
“There is an incredible wealth of experiences and gifts that the students have here that I have never seen anywhere else,” Vero said. “This is home for me. I am looking forward to creating a sustainable space, so the students feel this is also home.”
Valerie Hunt, Applied Behavioral Science and Social & Human Services
Valerie was a part-time faculty member in the Humanities department prior to starting her tenure-track position in 2014. She currently teaches courses in the Applied Behavioral Science program, including Public Policy Analysis, Professionalism in Ethical Practice, Advanced Field Placement and more. She is heavily involved in Seattle Central and the community as the co-founder and co-chair of the Dreamers Taskforce, a member of the faculty senate, the advisor for Black Student Union and a mentor to African American students at Seattle University. Before working at Seattle Central, Valerie taught at Seattle University and Southern Methodist University. She holds a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in International Relations from University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College.
“Tenure means that I can show our young freedom fighters and truth-seekers that these heights are possible,” Valerie said.
Samuel Laher, Marine Technology
Sam, an alumnus of the Marine Carpentry program, started teaching in the Wood Technology Center in 2014, where he teaches boatbuilding and repair and serves as the advisor to Wood Tech’s student association. Before attending Seattle Central, Sam served four years as an engineer in the U.S. Coast Guard. He enrolled in the Marine Carpentry program in 2002 in search of a more creative career. He earned an associate degree in Carpentry from Seattle Central, and has experience as a shipwright working on commercial fishing vessels and large wooden yachts, as well as owning his own business.
“Being tenured is such an achievement for me,” Sam said. “I am a graduate of the program I am teaching, and I never thought I would accomplish something like this.”
Althea Lazzaro, Instructional Resource Services
Althea began her time at Seattle Central in 2010 as an adjunct librarian while she was a graduate student at the University of Washington. After college, she worked for a few years as a librarian at University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia Community College (which share a library). She returned to Seattle Central as a full-time librarian. She is the liaison to the English department and the Wood Technology Center. Althea works on organizational projects, professional development, scholarships and social issues such as racial justice, equity and educational access. Althea earned a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in Literature from the University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Gender Studies from Oberlin College.
“This is my dream job,” Althea said. “I have never had such consistently sweet and interesting students in every class and every interaction. It makes researching with them such a pleasure.”
Helena Ribeiro, English
Helena, a Seattle Central alumna, began teaching at the college in 2014, including courses such as Introduction to English, Research Writing, Developmental English and Literature. Helena works on in committees throughout campus, including the Curriculum Assessment Committee and assisted with the District-wide committee to reboot developmental English coursesto help students complete them more efficiently. After transferring from Seattle Central, Helena earned a bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Arizona, and a doctorate in English at the City University of New York. She dreamed of coming back to the college after completing her education.
“Earning tenure is everything I’d hoped it would be,” Helena said. “I love this job. I have the best students and colleagues. I feel really lucky to be here.”
Marjorie Richards, English as a Second Language (ESL)
Marjorie started out at Seattle Vocational Institute in 2010 before coming to Seattle Central in 2012 to teach Literary Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening in the Basic and Transitional Studies department. She is the advisor for the Basic and Transitional Studies student club and serves on the faculty senate and LGBTQ Taskforce, which works toward freedom, justice and equality for students despite sexual orientation. Prior to Seattle Central, she worked for Green River College, Southwest Youth and Family Services and Microsoft. She earned a master’s degree in Adult Education and Training from Seattle University and a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Whitworth College.
“Earning tenure is security of feeling like the institution has my back,” Marjorie said. “I can really stretch and get involved in things I am really passionate about.”
Patricia Russell, Social and Human Services
Pat started teaching in the Humanities department in 2013 and switched to Social and Human Services in 2014. She teaches courses on counseling, interviewing skills, group dynamics, diversity and applied social psychology. Prior to Seattle Central, she spent more than 20 years in human services. As a representative on College Council, Faculty Senate and the Behavioral Intervention Team, Pat is an integral part of the college community. In addition to an associate degree in Visual Communications from Seattle Central, she holds a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in Psychology from Antioch University.
“Seattle Central taught me what a second chance means and supported me when I did not think any other institution would,” Pat said. “I always look at it like I am doing this full circle – this is where I began as an adult and this is where I would like to end my career as an adult.”
Joel Shaver, English
Joel started teaching English at Seattle Central in 2014. His classes focus on composition, research, linguistics and creative non-fiction. Prior to Seattle Central, he taught English at Green River College, Seattle Pacific University and Argosy University. Joel holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in English Language from the University of Glasgow and a bachelor’s degree with honors in Linguistics from the University of Washington.
“As a tenured faculty member, I feel I am actually a part of the community,” Joel said. “I am going to be here and try to leave a good impression on the community.”
Want to keep up with the latest from Seattle Central?
Subscribe to the Seattle Central Newsletter and don't miss a thing.
Info.Central@seattlecolleges.edu
Finishing High School
The Seattle Colleges
Seattle Central
Seattle Vocational Institute
Equal Opportunity Institution
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line908
|
__label__wiki
| 0.789854
| 0.789854
|
GRANTWATCH- NONPROFITS
GRANT NEWS
GRANT WRITERS
GRANT TRAINING
YOUHELP - FUNDRAISING
Find Nonprofit and Small Business Grants
Login Sign Up Pricing & Plans
Our Subscribers
Ask Libby
List a Grant
Search for a Grant
Choose Your State (USA)
Choose Your Province (Canada)
International outside of the USA
View Grants
Local Grants
Tour our Archives
New Grants
Select All Aging/Seniors Arts and Culture Awards Business Capital Funding Children College Scholarship Community Services Conflict Resolution Disabilities Disaster Relief Domestic Violence Economic Development Elementary Education Environment Faith Based Farming/Agriculture Financial Assistance Health and Medical Higher Education HIV/AIDS Homeland & National Security Homeless Housing Individual International Justice & Juvenile Justice Literacy & Libraries Mental Health Minorities Municipalities Non-Profit Support Services Nutrition Other Pets/Animal/Wildlife Preschool Preservation Quality of Life Refugee/Immigrant Research & Evaluation Science Secondary Education Small Business Special Education Sports & Recreation Students Substance Abuse Teachers Technology Transportation Travel & Tourism Veterans Women Workforce Youth/Out-of-School Youth
Select All United States Canada Israel International Alabama (USA) Alaska (USA) Alberta (Canada) American Samoa (USA) Arizona (USA) Arkansas (USA) British Columbia (Canada) California (USA) Colorado (USA) Connecticut (USA) Delaware (USA) Florida (USA) Georgia (USA) Guam (USA) Hawaii (USA) Idaho (USA) Illinois (USA) Indiana (USA) Iowa (USA) Kansas (USA) Kentucky (USA) Louisiana (USA) Maine (USA) Manitoba (Canada) Marshall Islands (USA) Maryland (USA) Massachusetts (USA) Michigan (USA) Minnesota (USA) Mississippi (USA) Missouri (USA) Montana (USA) Nebraska (USA) Nevada (USA) New Brunswick (Canada) New Hampshire (USA) New Jersey (USA) New Mexico (USA) New York (USA) New York City (USA) Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) North Carolina (USA) North Dakota (USA) Northern Mariana Islands (USA) Northwest Territories (Canada) Nova Scotia (Canada) Nunavut (Canada) Ohio (USA) Oklahoma (USA) Ontario (Canada) Oregon (USA) Pennsylvania (USA) Prince Edward Island (Canada) Puerto Rico (USA) Quebec (Canada) Republic of Palau (USA) Rhode Island (USA) Saskatchewan (Canada) South Carolina (USA) South Dakota (USA) Tennessee (USA) Texas (USA) The Federated States of Micronesia (USA) Utah (USA) Vermont (USA) Virgin Islands (USA) Virginia (USA) Washington (USA) Washington, DC (USA) West Virginia (USA) Wisconsin (USA) Wyoming (USA) Yukon (Canada)
Select All Federal Government Foundations & Corporations Local Government State Government
Only Available for Paid Subscribers
Include Ongoing
Include Archived
New York Art Grants & Culture Grants: 206 Arts and Culture Grants for New York.
Search for art and culture grants on Granwatch.com including grants for artists, performing arts, music, dance, visual, arts programs, local arts events, arts education and graphic arts programming.
Page 1 of 5 2 of 5 3 of 5 4 of 5 5 of 5
Grants to Westchester, New York Nonprofits, Agencies, and School Districts for Basic Needs, ...
Deadline 08/02/19
Grants to Westchester, New York, nonprofits, government agencies, and school districts for programs that strengthen the community and improve the lives of local residents. Applicants must submit a letter of intent prior to applying. Funding is intended to support programs in the areas of promising futures and thriving comm...
GrantWatch ID#: 180881
View Full Grant »
Grants to USA Nonprofits, Agencies, and IHEs to Integrate Arts and Culture into Social and Ci...
Grants starting at $25,000 to USA and territories nonprofits and government entities for collaborative projects that integrate arts, design, and culture into community development initiatives. Applicants must complete required registrations prior to applying. Funding is intended for projects that promote systemic changes t...
Grants to USA Researchers, Teachers, and Scholars for Advanced Humanities Research
Grants of $6,000 to USA individual teachers, scholars, and researchers to support scholarly research in the humanities disciplines. Required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended to support two months of full-time work and may support recipients’ compensation, travel, and other costs relat...
Grants and In-Kind Services to USA and Puerto Rico Nonprofits in Eligible Cities to Establish...
Grants of up to $50,000 and in-kind services to California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and Puerto Rico nonprofit organizations in eligible cities to establish technology centers and programs for teenagers. Funding is intended to support community-based organizations that have an existing after-school teen program and...
Grants to Minnesota and New York City Emerging Music Composers and Artists to Create and Pre...
Deadline 09/01/19 Conference Date: 07/17/19
Grants of up to $3,000 and grants of up to $8,000 to Minnesota and New York City emerging composers and music makers to create, present, and promote new musical works. Applicants must partner with another artist, who may be from anywhere in the world. Applicants from the full range of musical styles are encouraged to apply...
Grants to New York City Artists, Artist Collectives, and Nonprofits for Community Arts Educa...
Grants starting at $1,000 to New York City individual artists, artist collectives, and nonprofit organizations for community arts education and enrichment programs in Manhattan. First-time applicants are required to attend an information session prior to applying. The grant program designed to support and develop the capac...
Grants to New York City Nonprofits and Artists for Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts Pro...
Grants starting at $1,000 to New York City nonprofit organizations, individual artists, collectives, project-based collaborations, and unincorporated groups for community arts projects benefiting Manhattan residents. First-time applicants are required to attend an information session prior to submission of the application....
Grants to New York Nonprofits to Improve the Quality of Life in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. La...
Grants to New York nonprofits to fund innovative projects, programs, and initiatives that positively affect the quality of life in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, and Lewis counties. Areas of focus include health and wellness, human services, arts and culture, education, families and youth, community development, recreation, and ...
Grants to New York Nonprofits and Teaching Artists for Arts Education in Greene, Schoharie, ...
Grants ranging from $450 to $3,000 to New York nonprofit organizations and teaching artists and collectives for educational arts activities in Greene, Schoharie, and Columbia Counties. All applicants must attend a seminar. Funding is intended to support in-school, after-school, and community-based programs serving youth an...
Grants to New York Nonprofits and Artists for Arts Programming in Greene, Schoharie, and Colu...
Grants ranging from $450 to $5,000 to New York nonprofit organizations and individual artists and collectives for arts and cultural programs in Greene, Schoharie, and Columbia Counties. All applicants must attend a seminar before applying. Grants may be used for projects that promote the arts and improve the cultural clima...
Grants to New York Artists in Greene, Schoharie, and Columbia Counties to Create New Public ...
Grants of $2,500 to New York artists in Greene, Schoharie, and Columbia Counties for professional development and community engagement. All applicants must attend a seminar. Funding is primarily intended to substantially promote the artist's work. Eligible projects must lead to the creation of new work, and the local commu...
Grants to USA Nonprofits to Present Outdoor Music Concert Series in Small and Mid-Sized Town...
Grants of $25,000 to USA and territories nonprofit organizations to present free, professional music concert series that are open to the public and that take place in small to mid-sized towns and cities. The public spaces in which the concerts are to take place must be outdoors, easily accessible to a wide range of socioec...
Grants to USA Nonprofits to Strengthen and Preserve Jewish Identity and Community
Grants to USA nonprofit organizations for activities that promote an inclusive, just, and vibrant Jewish community. A letter of inquiry is required prior to submission of a full application. The Foundation is currently focusing its grantmaking efforts on initiatives and organizations that are national in scope. Applica...
Grants to New York City Women Producers and Filmmakers to Support Digital, Film, and Televis...
Grants to New York City women producers and filmmakers to complete feature and short-length film, digital, and television productions. The productions must be made in New York City and feature strong female participation. Funding is intended to support and encourage the creation of content that reflects the voices and pers...
Grants to New York City Women Playwrights and Production Companies for Theater Projects Refl...
Grants of up to $50,000 to New York City women playwrights, theater companies, and nonprofit and commercial producers for theater productions that feature strong female participation. Projects must be produced in New York City. Funding is intended to support theater content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all ...
Grants to New York City Women Musicians, Bands, Producers, and Composers for New Music Recor...
Grants of up to $20,000 to New York City women composers, producers, musicians, bands, orchestras, and ensembles to produce new music albums, EPs, and videos. The productions must be made in New York City and feature strong female participation. Funding is intended to support and encourage the creation of content that refl...
Grants to Queens, New York Nonprofits and CBOs for Public Arts Projects in the Community
Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to Queens, New York nonprofits and community-based organizations for public arts projects and events that are accessible to all residents. First-time applicants must attend an application information session. Funding is intended for projects that will strengthen community bonds, increas...
Grants to Queens, New York Nonprofits, CBOs, Individuals, and Artist Collectives for Quality...
Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to Queens, New York nonprofit arts organizations, community-based organizations, artist collectives, and individual artists working in partnership with nonprofit sponsors for quality arts programming. First-time applicants must attend an application information session. The Communi...
Grants to Queens, New York Artists for the Creation of Original Artistic Work
Grants of $3,000 to Queens, New York individual artists to support the creation of new work in any artistic discipline. First-time applicants must attend an application information session. Funding is intended to support projects that enhance the cultural experience within the borough. New work is defined as work that has...
Grants to New York Nonprofits, Agencies, and Artists for Arts Programs in Nassau and Suffolk...
Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 and grants of $2,500 to New York nonprofit organizations, agencies, individual artists, and artists collectives for arts programs and projects in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Applicants are required to attend a mandatory grant workshop. Emphasis is placed on the artistic merit and quality...
Grants to New York Nonprofits and Agencies for Parks, Recreation, and Preservation Projects
Grants to New York government agencies and nonprofit organizations for the planning, acquisition, improvement, and development of parks, heritage areas, and historic properties. Nonprofit applicants must pre-qualify before applying. Funding is intended to cover costs related to design and professional fees, archaeology, pr...
Grants to New York City Nonprofits to Support Innovative Local Performing Arts Presenters an...
Deadline 09/06/19 LOI Date: 07/26/19
Grants starting at $10,000 to New York City nonprofits to support creative and promising local performing arts presenters and organizations. An LOI and Intent to Apply form is required prior to submission of a full application. Funding is intended to support dance, music, theater, and multidisciplinary professional perform...
Grants to New York City Immigrant Performing Artists and Writers for Mentoring Services and P...
Grants to New York individual immigrant performing artists and writers in the New York City Metropolitan area for one-on-one mentoring services and peer support. Funding is intended to help non-USA-born artists achieve goals for their artistic career and to provide them with increased access to the New York cultural world ...
Grants to USA and Canada PreK-8 Schools for Art-Infused Professional Development Initiatives
Grants of $2,500 and art supplies valued at $1,000 to USA and Canada PreK-8 schools whose principal is a funding source member for art-infused professional development programs that utilize creative capacity-building. Funding is intended to create a long-term school-wide commitment to art education and to help students dev...
Grants to USA Organizations to Support Armenian-American Youth Programs
Grants to USA organizations to positively impact the lives of Armenian-American youth. Consideration will be given to both local and national projects. The Foundation supports Armenian education, cultural activities, camping, and athletic programs that foster cultural appreciation and knowledge in youth.
Grants to USA Nonprofits and Agencies for Arts, Education, and Human Services
Grants to USA nonprofit organizations and government agencies for activities that benefit communities across a broad range of areas, with an emphasis on geographic locations where family members of the Funding Source reside. Request summaries are due prior to the submission of full proposals. Priority areas include arts, c...
Grants to Tompkins County, New York Nonprofits and Municipalities for Events that Promote Lo...
Grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 to Tompkins County, New York nonprofit organizations and municipalities for community events that promote the region's unique history and culture. Funding is intended to improve the quality of life for local residents through programs and events that are free and open to the public, and a...
Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits to Exhibit Historical American Art
Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organizations for arts exhibitions that increase the appreciation and understanding of historical American art (circa 1500–1980). Letters of inquiry are due August 1, 2018. Particular interest is given to exhibitions that will travel outside the United States or Chicago,...
Grants to New York and New Jersey Nonprofits in Eligible Communities for Arts, Education, He...
Grants to New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island, New York nonprofits for programs and projects that focus on education, the arts, health and human services, youth, and affordable housing. Funding is intended to support civic-minded initiatives that invigorate communities served by the funding source.
Grants to Michigan City, Indiana, and New York City Nonprofits for Health, Education, Cultur...
Grants to Michigan City, Indiana and New York City nonprofits for programs that focus on promoting health, welfare, education, cultural activities, and civic affairs. Applicants must submit a Funding Inquiry prior to the application deadline. The mission of the Barker Welfare Foundation is to make grants to qualified ch...
Grants to USA Nonprofits and Schools for Musical Education for Children
Grants ranging from $100 to $10,000 to USA nonprofit organizations and schools for programs that provide music education to children and youth. Organizations that take innovative approaches, operate with a low overhead, and demonstrate collaborative elements in their work are of particular interest. The Mockingbird Fou...
Grants to USA, Canada, and International Individuals and Organizations for Projects Focusing ...
Grants to USA, Canada, and International individuals, organizations, museums, and historical societies for programs, projects, and activities that promote increased understanding and awareness of Jewish history in the Southern United States. There are three different grant funding opportunities available: 1) The Pr...
Grants to USA, Canada, and International Filmmakers for Films that Promote Social Justice an...
Grants to USA, Canada, and International independent filmmakers for film projects that align with the themes of empowerment, social justice, and cultural exchange. Funding is available to both novice and experienced filmmakers for all stages of development, including development, production, post-production, as well as fil...
Grants to USA Jazz Artists to Conduct Live Performance Tours in Local Communities
Grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to USA and territories individual jazz artists to conduct tours that bring live jazz music to a variety of venues across the country. Funding is intended to support 3-to-6-site touring routes for both emerging and established mid-career jazz musicians who perform solo or play within a ...
Grant to a USA Woman Film Director to Market and Distribute a Dramatic Feature Film
Grant of $5,000 to a USA emerging woman film director to get a completed film recognized and ready to be distributed. Applicants may submit a recently-completed or nearly-completed dramatic feature film. Funding may be used for festival entry fees, marketing materials, video duplication, publicists, promotion at the film's...
Grant to a USA Woman Filmmaker for the Completion of a Film Focusing on Disabilities
Grant of $7,500 and additional support to a USA female filmmaker for the completion of a film that addresses developmental or physical disability issues. Films may be of any genre or length, but must currently be a work-in-progress. Applications may be submitted by both directors and producers. Women of Her Word Grant:...
In-Kind Grants to New York City Area Women Filmmakers to Complete a Film in Progress
In-kind grants of post-production services to New York City area women filmmakers to help complete a work in progress. Funding may be awarded for a sound mix, an online session, an audio description, or a color grading session. Films may be in any genre and up to one and a half hours long. New York Women in Film and Tel...
Grant to a USA Woman Film Director for the Completion of a Second Feature Film
Grant of $7,500 to a USA female film director for the production of her second dramatic feature-length film. Funding is intended for pre-production, production, and post-production. The director should be over 40 years of age and have previously directed a dramatic feature film or feature documentary.
Opportunities to New York Advocacy Groups and Designers to Collaborate on a Public Policy Pu...
Opportunities to New York community organizations, advocacy groups, and designers to collaborate on a Public Policy publication. Applicants must be available to meet in New York City to address complex public policy issues that would benefit from a visual explanation and where the lack of understanding of a specific issue ...
Grants to New York Nonprofits in Long Island for Arts, Community, Youth, Education, Environm...
Grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 and grants of up to $50,000 to Long Island, New York nonprofit organizations in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Funding is intended to support programs in the following areas: community development, education, arts, environment, technical assistance, youth development, health, mental hea...
Grants to New York Nonprofits, Artists, and Municipalities in Erie and Niagara Counties for ...
Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to New York nonprofit organizations, municipalities, individuals representing collective groups, and individual artists in Erie and Niagara Counties for community and educational arts projects. First-time applicants are required to attend an information session prior to submitting an appl...
Grants to USA Nonprofits, Agencies, and IHEs for Humanities Projects Serving Public Audiences
Grants to USA nonprofit organizations, government agencies, tribes, and IHEs for a range of humanities projects serving the general public. Funding is intended for in-person programs and projects that explore humanities disciplines, including literature, history, ethics, and art history. This program supports projects in t...
Grants to USA Nonprofits, IHEs, and Agencies for Humanities Radio, Television, and Film Prod...
Grants to USA nonprofit organizations, government agencies, tribes, and institutes of higher education to support humanities-oriented media productions. Applicants must create or verify the required registrations at least two to six weeks before the deadline. Funding is intended to support the production and distribution o...
Grants to USA Nonprofits, IHEs, and Agencies to Develop Humanities Television, Film, and Rad...
Grants of up to $75,000 to USA nonprofit organizations, government agencies, tribal governments, and higher education institutions for the development of humanities-related media projects. Applicants must create or verify the required registrations at least two to six weeks before the deadline. The Media Projects: Deve...
Grants to USA Nonprofits and IHEs in Eligible States for Environment, Safety, and Community B...
Grants of up to $10,000 and grants starting at $10,000 to USA nonprofits and educational institutions in eligible states for programs in the areas of safety, community building, and environmental responsibility. Organizations within the following states are eligible to apply for funding: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryla...
Grants to USA Nonprofits, Agencies, and IHEs for Short Humanities-Themed Documentary Films
Grants to USA nonprofit organizations, local, state, and tribal government agencies, and IHEs to produce and distribute short humanities-themed documentary films and film series. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Projects that provide free access to the public, as well a...
Award to a USA, Canada, or International Individual for Excellence in Historical Musical Perf...
Award of $2,000 to recognize a USA, Canada, or International scholar or performer for outstanding contributions to historical musical performing practices. Awards are intended to subsidize the publication costs of articles, monographs or editions, as well as public performance, recordings or other projects. The award is...
Grants to New York City Nonprofits for Arts, Environment, Human Services, and Education
Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to New York City nonprofit organizations to enhance the quality of life in local communities. Funding is intended to support programs in the areas of human services, preservation and environment, and the arts. To request funding for educational programs, organizations may apply under o...
Contracts for Services to USA, Canada, and International Marketing Companies to Attract Touri...
Contracts for services to USA, Canada, and International marketing companies for programs that attract tourists from China to visit the State of Hawaii. Funding is intended for the creation and implementation of a comprehensive marketing approach and brand-management plan that will increase the number of Chinese visitors t...
Contracts for services to USA, Canada, and International marketing companies for programs that attract tourists from Korea to visit the State of Hawaii. Funding is intended for the creation and implementation of a comprehensive marketing approach and brand-management plan that will increase the number of Korean visitors to...
We have grants for
Farming/Agriculture
Homeland & National Security
Justice & Juvenile Justice
Literacy & Libraries
Non-Profit Support Services
Pets/Animal/Wildlife
Refugee/Immigrant
Youth/Out-of-School Youth
Customer Sales & Support
GrantsNews.com
Nonprofit & Business News
Find a Grant
MWBEzone.com
Grants for Small Businesses
GrantWriterTeam
Hire a Grant Writer
Join the Grant Writer Team
GWI.education
Learn to Write Grants
YouHelp.com
Crowdfunding/Fundraising
30 Day Free Marketing
GrantWatch, Inc. Located at
4 Easthampton A, Palm Beach, FL.
Phone: (561) 249-4129 https://www.grantwatch.com
Canada Provinces
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line909
|
__label__wiki
| 0.744877
| 0.744877
|
Talk Is Jericho
He’s a multiple world champion pro wrestler, lead singer of Fozzy, and a New York Times best-selling author. Listen in as Chris Jericho interviews some of the biggest names in wrestling, entertainment, comedy, and the paranormal. Don’t miss his unique, engaging, weekly take on all things pop culture.
← All episodes of Talk Is Jericho
WWE Hall of Famer Stevie Ray Brings The Heat
Stevie Ray is a WWE Hall of Famer, and he’s talking about what it was like to be inducted earlier this month alongside his brother, Booker T, as one half of the Harlem Heat tag team! Stevie’s telling stories from their early days at Global, making the move to WCW, working with everyone from the Steiners to the Nasty Boys to Nash & Hall to Sting & Macho Man and Eddie Guerrero too! Stevie Ray explains why he didn’t go to WWE after Vince McMahon bought WCW, and what he thinks caused WCW’s demise. He’s got a great story about Chavo Sr, and the one time that Ted Turner and Jane Fonda showed up at Center Stage in Atlanta.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line910
|
__label__cc
| 0.553547
| 0.446453
|
Dimensions: 21cm x 26cm x 24cm (w x h x d)
Bronze Edition: 8 (casts available)
Paul Tortelier was a French cellist of considerable talent and with an international reputation. His English was good and he was persuaded by the BBC to allow them to televise him giving masterclasses to some select pupils. The result was unexpectedly extraordinary television even to non-musicians.
He was so vibrant and charismatic. His energy and passion passed right through the screen and the masterclass dynamic was so unknown to the majority of the TV audience, that the experiment became a regular fixture on the BBC throughout the 60s and 70s. He was truly inspirational. As he caressed the most amazing sounds from his cello, he became lost in the music and his fine head vibrated passionately from side to side.
On the night he died it was my Mother’s 76th birthday and we had celebrated with dinner in London. Later that evening, I heard the news in my London studio and I made this model in just a few hours before retiring to bed. Next day I looked at the work and thought that I had captured Tortelier ‘in the moment’.
Paul Tortelier
Paul Tortelier 21 March 1914 – 18 December 1990
I had the work cast in bronze and the strings fabricated in copper wire. It is an edition of 8 and was first cast by the Burleighfield Foundry in Beaconsfield.
Tortelier Masterclass 1974
Tortelier from the front
Tortelier at work
Tortelier in profile
Email Neil
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line914
|
__label__cc
| 0.680361
| 0.319639
|
Ouachita News
Ouachita Show
Ouachita Voices Blog
It’s about outcome: Look for colleges that care
Editorial Note: The following article originally appeared as guest article in the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette on March 29, 2019. See the original here.
Now that spring break has come and gone, high school seniors and their parents will be finalizing a college choice for fall. They have more independent and objective information available to them to help make that choice than ever before.
One such resource is College Navigator. It’s a free consumer information online tool that allows students and parents to easily and quickly compare and contrast institutions of higher learning. Published by the National Center for Education Statistics, this unbiased source can be accessed at nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator.
For example, College Navigator will allow you to examine student retention rates–including the percentage of freshmen who return as sophomores–which speaks to the quality of the first-year experience.
One can also explore graduation rates–the percentage of students who completed a degree in four years–which says much about a university delivering on its promise to prepare students for the future.
These factors are among the most important to consider when determining institutional effectiveness, but too many families don’t access them, and too many universities don’t promote them.
While these considerations are often unnoticed, there’s an even more important factor that’s overlooked and one you can’t find on the College Navigator website. This one takes more research, but it’s truly important for the long-term well-being of students.
The Gallup-Purdue Index, a survey of more than 30,000 U.S. college graduates, “found that those who were emotionally supported during college, and who had experiential and deep learning, were more likely to have high well-being.”
Furthermore, the Gallup-Purdue Index reports that “graduates with at least one professor who made them excited about learning and cared about them as a person, while also having a mentor that encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams, have more than double the odds of being engaged at work and thriving in well-being.”
College is about graduation, one’s first job, and a career, but that’s a starting point and not an ending point.
I’m a parent of three college graduates and a current college student. We’ve parented our children and invested in four years of college for them because we want to help them thrive for the rest of their lives.
And while human well-being involves much more than college choice, the Gallup-Purdue Index gives evidence of the important role of college through self-reported outcomes by adults.
The good news for Arkansans is that this kind of outcome can occur at a public or private university, or a highly selective or less selective institution. But it’s not guaranteed. So how do we ferret out this factor in making a college choice?
Look for evidence from students and alumni of the college you’re considering.
Quiz current students if they have teachers and staff who truly know them as individuals, who take time to listen to their hopes and concerns, and who care about their lives beyond the campus. Ask for examples of experiential, real-life learning outside the classroom that their college or university has provided.
Ask younger and older alumni to give specific names of faculty and staff, and cite specific ways they invested in them as students–and how that investment continues to shape their lives–whether it’s been five years or 50 years since graduation.
Students must do their part to engage, but the university should also take a personal interest in, encourage and challenge, and inspire their students to dream a larger dream for their lives.
It’s not just about four years, but 40 and more, of creating the conditions that will help our children thrive and flourish over the course of their lives. And, dare I say, to help assure a bright future for our state and country.
Students and parents, consider the data, and don’t overlook the most important factor: finding faculty and staff who will take a personal interest in the most important people in the world–our children.
Now is the time to start!
By Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita President
AdmissionsPresident
Search Ouachita News
News Archives Select Month July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008
Ouachita’s Office of Communications & Marketing fields all media inquiries for the university. See our Media Kit for background information and contacts.
Ouachita’s Department of Biological Sciences promotes undergraduate research through AR-CURE workshop
Ouachita announces students named to Spring 2019 President’s List
Ouachita announces students named to Spring 2019 Dean’s List
Ouachita’s Chung and Feller perform as guest artists at International Flute Workshop, Italy
Three Ouachita women place in Top Five at Miss Arkansas Pageant
From the “Ouachitonian”: Joah Williams
12 apps to keep your mind sharp over the summer
The guys behind the camera
From the “Ouachitonian”: Sarah Ashley Bryant
Best apps to use during your summer road trip
Request a Press Release
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line917
|
__label__wiki
| 0.874308
| 0.874308
|
HomePosts tagged 'Cycling'
Russia: Sport Federations Removed Athletes From Result of McLaren Report
July 30, 2016 July 30, 2016 joshmartini007 Albania, Athletics, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Canoeing, Croatia, Cycling, El Salvador, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Latvia, Modern Pentathlon, Moldova, Mongolia, Rowing, Russia, Sailing, Serbia, Swimming, Weightlifting, Wrestling
With the publication of the McLaren Report on the accusation of government sponsored doping from Russia the IOC has ruled that Russia will not be banned from the 2016 Olympic Games, but gave each sport federation a set of rules to follow and remove athletes should they not meet the standards. The notable rules include the removal of all athletes implicated in the report, the removal of athletes whom have doped in the past and the removal of athletes which have not satisfied testing standards after excluding the results from the Moscow lab. While most sports did not make any changes others have.
Before the report was released athletics had already banned all of Russia’s athletes, with the exception of ones which have been out of the Russian testing system long enough. Currently only Darya Klishina has satisfied IAAF’s standard, she will compete in the women’s long jump. The other 67 athletes chosen by Russia did not make the standard. Yuliya Stepanova was also eligible to compete, but due to her role in exposing the Russian doping scandal she currently has not been selected to compete.
Besides athletics the biggest loss of athlete quotas comes from rowing. Originally Russia qualified five boats with 28 athletes (including 2 coxswains). In total 20 athletes were found to not have sufficient testing, causing World Rowing to remove four boats from Russia; the men’s lightweight fours, men’s eights, women’s lightweight double sculls and women’s eights. Russia was allowed to make a team to compete in the men’s fours out of the remaining six rowers; the two coxswains were technically eligible though for obvious reasons were not going to be selected. The reallocated boats went to Australia (women’s eights), Greece (men’s lightweight fours) and Italy (men’s eights and women’s lightweight double sculls).
Overall only one sport suffered a full banned. Due to multiple athletes getting caught doping the International Weightlifting Federation has completely banned Russia. Earlier Russia lost one man and one woman quota due to excess doping violations, but now they have lost the remaining eight (5 men, 3 women) quotas. The women’s quotas have been reallocated to Albania, Georgia and Moldova while the men’s quotas have been reallocated to Belgium, Croatia, El Salvador, Mongolia and Serbia.
In aquatics only swimmers were removed. Four athletes were removed due to having prior doping violations while three more were removed due to being implicated into the report. One of these athletes was open water swimmer Anastasia Krapivina. This means her quota has been reallocated to Hungary’s Anna Olasz.
The International Canoeing Federation announced five athletes scheduled to compete at the 2016 Olympics will be removed due to their involvement in the report. This has caused Russia to lose athlete quotas in five boats; men’s K2 200m, men’s C1 200m, men’s C2 1000m, women’s K1 200m and women’s K2 500m. The quotas have been reallocated to Austria (women’s K2 500m), Germany (women’s K1 200m), Iran (men’s C1 200m) and Sweden (men’s K2 200m). The men’s C2 1000m was not reallocated. The additional boat in the women’s K1 500m which did not use an athlete quota has also been removed.
Edit: Sweden has declined the quota, it has been reallocated to Canada
In cycling six athletes were withdrawn, three due to previous doping violations and three others whom were implicated in the report. Currently the UCI has not named the athletes or any potential change in the quotas.
In modern pentathlon Maksim Kustov and alternate Ilia Frolov were connected in the report and have been excluded. The quota was reallocated to Latvia’s Ruslan Nakonechnyi.
United World Wrestling removed one wrestler due to a prior doping violation. Viktor Lebedev has been removed from his event, men’s freestyle -57kg. The quota was reallocated to Belarus.
In sailing one athlete, in the men’s 470 was connected to the report and has been removed. However, Russia has been given an opportunity to make a late replacement.
In total, including athletics the Russian team has shrank by 122 athletes. While most of them were removed due to previous doping offenses or being included in the report others have been excluded due to being teammates of someone who has doped.
Net Athlete Quotas by Nations
Italy – 11
Albania – 1
Russia – -122
Note: Possible cycling reallocations have yet to be announced.
The Star. IAAF turns down 67 Russian applications to compete internationally. Access on July 29 2016.
WorldRowing. FISA Determines Six Russian Rowers meet conditions for participation in Rio 2016. Access on July 29 2016.
IWF. IWF EB decision on Russian participation at the Rio 2016 OG. Access on July 29 2016.
SwimSwam. Fields confirmed for Olympic Games golf com FINA Says World Champs Efimova, Morozov Pulled from Olympic Gamespetitions. Access on July 29 2016.
UCI. UCI statement on the eligibility of Russian riders at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Access on July 29 2016.
ICF. Canoeing Removes Five Russian Athletes from Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Access on July 29 2016.
CBC. Canada sending men’s kayak K2 200-metres crew to Rio. Access on July 29 2016.
UIPM. UIPM Executive Board decides on Russia participation in Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Access on July 29 2016.
UWW. Wrestling’s Special Commission Completes Review of Russian Wrestlers, Sends Recommendations. Access on July 29 2016.
ISAF. World Sailing provisionally confirms the participation of six athletes for the Rio Olympic Games. Access on July 29 2016.
Cycling Mountain: UCI Announces Reallocations
July 1, 2016 July 1, 2016 joshmartini007 Cycling, Great Britain, Lesotho, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Timor-Leste
The UCI has announced the reallocation of quotas in mountain biking. In the men’s cross-country Netherlands announced it will use only one quota while Sweden declined the use of its quota. For the women’s cross-country South Africa and New Zealand declined their quotas won at their respective continental qualifiers.
In cycling the first reallocation method is through the tripartite commission where nations which qualified an average of less than eight athletes over the past two Olympics can apply. Two quotas were given out through this method; Lesotho was given a quota to compete in the men’s cross-country while Timor-Leste was given a quota to compete in the women’s cross-country. Since no other tripartite nations were successful the other two quotas were reallocated to the next best ranked nation from the qualification method where the quotas was made available. This meant Great Britain qualified in the men’s Cross-country through the world rankings while Namibia qualified in the women’s Cross-country through the continental qualifier.
Lesotho – 1
Namibia – 1
Timor-Leste – 1
New Zealand – -1
South Africa – -1
Sweden – -1
UCI. Mountain Biking – Places attributed to the NOCs. Access on July 1 2016.
Cycling Road: Women’s Olympic Rankings Published
June 1, 2016 joshmartini007 Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Cycling, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United States
The Union Cycliste Internationale has published the Women’s Olympic Qualification Rankings which are used to allocate the majority of competitors in women’s road race and time trial. Athletes can earn points for their nation in UCI approved events. For the women’s road race initially the top 5 nations earn four athlete quotas, nations ranked 6th to 13th earn three quotas and nations ranked 14th to 22nd earn two quotas. However, if an athlete is ranked in the top 100 in the individual rankings and their nation did not qualify through the nation rankings they will earn their nation a maximum of one quota. The quota is subtracted from the lowest ranked nations (those nations can only lose a maximum of one quota). For the time trial the top 15 nations from the rankings will be allowed to send one athlete which has qualified from the road race. The Women’s Olympic Qualification Rankings are calculated from various events held from June 1st 2015 to May 31st 2016.
For the women’s road race the women’s individual rankings contained 12 nations where athletes finished in the top 100, but their nation did not finished in the top 22 in the nation rankings. They are Chinese Taipei (Huang Ting Ying), Norway (Emile Moberg), Brazil (Flavia Oliveira), Azerbaijan (Olena Pavlukhina), Thailand (Jutatip Maneephan), Austria (Martina Ritter), Slovenia (Polana Batagelj), Lithuania (Daiva Tuslaite), Cyprus (Antri Christoforou), Israel (Shani Bloch), Japan (Mayuko Hagiwara) and Chile (Paola Munoz). This has caused nations ranked from 11 to 22 to lose one quota. Netherlands, United States, Italy, Australia and Germany qualified four athlete quotas. Poland, Sweden, Great Britain, Canada and Belgium qualified three athlete quotas. France, South Africa and Luxembourg qualified two athlete quotas. Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Finland, Cuba, New Zealand, Mexico, Switzerland and Spain qualified one athlete quota. Since Cuba qualified through the nation rankings its continental qualifier quota was reallocated to the next best ranked eligible nation from the Pan American qualifier, specifically Venezuela. Also since Brazil qualified one quota through the rankings one of their host quota will be reallocated to the highest ranked nation not yet qualified, Colombia.
The nations which qualified through the women’s time trial are as follows; Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Ukraine and the United States. As a reminder these nations do not gain an athlete quota, they must use athletes which were qualified from the road race. Due to this rule both the Czech Republic and Russia which qualified quotas from the 2015 World Championship do not have enough athletes to fill that spot. The quotas have now been reallocated to the next highest eligible ranked nation from the event, specifically Japan and Sweden.
This was the final opportunity for nations to qualify to the Olympics in all disciplines of cycling. All that is left is for nations to confirm the quotas in which they were given.
UCI. Athletes quota for road cycling women’s events. Access on June 1 2016.
Cycling BMX: BMX Quotas Decided
May 31, 2016 June 2, 2016 joshmartini007 Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cycling, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Indonesia, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, United States, Venezuela
With the update of the World Rankings the BMX quotas have been decided. There are three stages in which quotas are allocated. First is the Olympic Qualification Rankings where athletes can earn points for their nation at select events such as, the World Championship, World Cup, Continental Championship and others. For the men the top four nations qualified three athletes, nations ranked 5th to 7th qualify 2 athletes while nations ranked 8th to 13th qualify 1 athlete. For the women the top three nations qualified two athletes and nations ranked 4th to 7th qualify 1 athlete. The ranking period was from May 31st 2014 to May 30th 2016.
The second way to qualify quotas was through the UCI Individual Rankings. Athletes can earn points at select events such as, the World Championship, World Cup, Continental Championship and others. Nations which did not qualify through the Olympic Rankings are eligible. The top four individual athletes for the men and the top three individual athletes for the women qualify their nation to the Olympics. The ranking period was from May 31st 2015 to May 30th 2016.
The final way athletes can qualify was through the 2016 BMX World Championship. The top three for men and top two for women ranked athletes from nations not yet qualified qualify their nation to the Olympics. The BMX World Championship was held in Medellin, Colombia from May 25th to May 29th 2016.
The Olympic Qualification Rankings for the men’s BMX was as follows; United States, Netherlands, Australia and France all qualified three athletes, Great Britain, Latvia and Colombia qualified two athletes and Argentina, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, Brazil and Japan qualified one athlete.
The nations which qualified through the Individual Rankings were as follow; Alfredo Campo (Ecuador), Russia (Evgeny Komarov), Germany (Luis Brethauer) and Norway (Tore Navrestad). At the World Championship the gold medal was won by France’s Joris Daudet whom narrowly defeated Netherlands’ Niek Kimmann by 0.048 of a second. The Olympic quotas went to South Africa (Kyle Dodd), Venezuela (Jefferson Milano), and Denmark (Niklas Lausten). Since Brazil qualified through the Olympic Rankings the host quota will be reallocated to the next best nation in the Olympic Rankings not yet qualified, specifically Indonesia.
For the women’s BMX the following nations qualified through the Olympic Qualification Rankings; Australia, United States and Netherlands qualified two athletes and Colombia, France, Venezuela and Russia qualified one athlete. The nations which qualified through the Individual Rankings were as follows; Belgium (Elke Vanhoof), Denmark (Simone Christensen) and Argentina (Maria Gabriela Diaz).
At the World Championship the women’s BMX was won by 2012 Olympic gold medalist Mariana Pajon of Colombia whom finished with a time of 41.385, well ahead of second place Caroline Buchanan of Australia whom finished with a time of 42.312. The Olympic quotas went to Germany (Nadja Pries) and Brazil (Priscilla Stevaux Carnaval). Since Brazil qualified normally its host quota has been reallocated to the next best nation in the Olympic Rankings not yet qualified, specifically Thailand.
This concludes the qualification for the BMX events. All that is remaining is for nations to confirm their qualification quotas.
Indonesia – 1
UCI. 2016 BMX Cycling Rankings. Access on May 31 2016.
UCI. 2016 BMX World Championship Men’s Results. Access on May 31 2016.
UCI. 2016 BMX World Championship Women’s Results. Access on May 31 2016.
Cycling Mountain: Cross-Country Olympic Rankings Published
May 25, 2016 May 25, 2016 joshmartini007 Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Cycling, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
The UCI Olympic Qualification Rankings have been published. The rankings consisted of the combined point total obtained by a nation’s top three athletes at select world and continental events over the past two years. For the men’s rankings nations ranked 1st-5th qualified three athletes, 6th-13th qualified two athletes and 14th-23rd qualified one athlete. For the women’s rankings nations ranked 1st-8th qualified two athletes and 9th-17th qualified one athlete. The UCI Olympic Qualification Ranking period lasted from May 25th 2014 to May 24th 2016.
The men’s rankings were topped by Switzerland whom finished with 9877 points. Also earning three athlete quotas was France, Spain, Czech Republic and Italy. The nations which earned two athlete quotas are; Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Portugal, South Africa and Brazil. The nations which earned one athlete quota are; Austria, Slovakia, United States, Argentina, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Israel and Japan.
With the release of the rankings there are also some reallocations to be done. First the host quota has been reallocated to the next highest ranked nation, Hungary. Also since Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Australia and New Zealand all qualified through the rankings their spot won at the continental qualifiers are reallocated to the next highest ranked nation at that qualifier meaning Costa Rica, Rwanda and Hong Kong are qualified. However, since no other Oceania nation competed at the continental qualifier the next level of reallocation is through the Olympic Rankings of teams from the same continent meaning Guam has qualified. Since no other Oceania nation is ranked in the Olympic Rankings the quota has been reallocated to the next highest ranked nation overall in the Olympic Rankings, specifically Russia.
The women’s ranking was also topped by Switzerland whom finished with a total of 8614 points. Also earning two athlete quotas was Germany, Canada, France, United States, Slovenia, Poland and Ukraine. The nations which earned one athlete quota are; Russia, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Australia, Sweden and Serbia.
Like with the men’s rankings there are a couple of reallocations. Since Brazil qualified through the rankings the host quota was reallocated to the next highest ranked nation, Czech Republic. Also since Australia qualified through the rankings their spot won at the continental qualifiers was reallocated to the next highest ranked nation from that qualifier, New Zealand.
This was the final opportunity for nations to qualify to the Olympics in mountain biking. There is still the possibility for reallocation as some nations may decline some or all of their quotas. We should know one way or another over the coming weeks.
Guam – 1
Hong Kong – 1
Rwanda – 1
UCI. Mountain Biking Rankings. Access on May 25 2016.
Cycling Track: Olympic Track Rankings Published
March 8, 2016 March 8, 2016 joshmartini007 Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Cycling, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United States, Venezuela
With the final update of the Olympic Track World Rankings the quotas for track cycling has been decided. The top 9 nations in team sprint, the top 9 individuals not qualified in the team sprint in the individual sprint and keirin with a maximum of two per nation, the top 9 nations in the team pursuit and the top 18 nations in the omnium will qualify to the Olympics. The Olympic Track World Rankings were constructed based on various eligible events ranging from July 15th 2014 to March 6th 2016.
Each continent also has a maximum quota limit for each event. Should the limit be reached the next highest ranked nation from a different continent will qualify. The maximum limit quotas for each event are as follows.
Russia topped the rankings for the women’s team sprint. They will be joined by Australia, China, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, New Zealand and Canada. Great Britain finished within the top nine, but did not qualify due to Europe already reaching its maximum quota of five.
The rankings for the men’s team sprint were topped by Germany. They will be joined by the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, Poland, Venezuela and South Korea at the Olympics. While Russia finished in the top nine Europe had already exceeded its maximum quota of five.
The women’s individual sprint Olympic rankings were topped by Hong Kong’s Lee Wai Sze. Hong Kong will be joined by the following nations, Lithuania, Cuba, Great Britain (2), Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Colombia and Egypt. Many athletes from America and Asia finished ahead of the final athlete from Egypt, but those continents reached the maximum quota. Also all nations which qualified in the team sprint can send a maximum of two athletes to this event.
The men’s individual sprint Olympic rankings were topped by Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer. However since Australia already qualified to the Olympics the nine individual spots went to Russia (2), Colombia, China, Czech Republic (2), Trinidad and Tobago, Japan and Spain. Many athletes from America and Asia finished ahead of the final athlete from the Czech Republic, but those continents reached the maximum quota. Also all nations which qualified in the team sprint can send a maximum of two athletes to this event.
The rankings for the women’s kerin were topped by Guo Shuang of China. China is already qualified through the team sprint so the nine spots went to Hong Kong, South Korea, Lithuania, Cuba, Ukraine, Colombia, Ireland, Great Britain and Azerbaijan. Many athletes from America and Asia finished ahead of the final athlete from Azerbaijan, but those continents reached the maximum quota. Also all nations which qualified in the team sprint can send a maximum of two athletes to this event.
The men’s keirin was topped by Colombia’s Fabian Puerta Zapata. He will be joined by Malaysia, Russia, Japan, United States, Canada, Greece, Czech Republic and Italy. South Korea and China finished ahead of the final athlete, but did not qualify as Asia had already reached its maximum quota. Also all nations which qualified in the team sprint can send a maximum of two athletes to this event.
The women’s team pursuit was topped by Great Britain. They will be joined by Canada, Australia, China, United States, New Zealand, Italy, Germany and Poland whose result at the 2016 Track World Championship was enough to finish ahead of Russia.
The men’s team pursuit was topped by Australia. They will be joined by Great Britain, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark, Russia, Switzerland, Netherlands and China.
The women’s nation omnium rankings were topped by Great Britain. They will be joined by the Netherlands, United States, Belgium, Australia, France, Cuba, Belarus, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, China, Russia, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Venezuela and Japan. Several European nations had a good enough ranking, but did not qualify due to the maximum quota of eight European nations being met.
The men’s nation omnium rankings were topped by Australia. They will be joined by Colombia, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Great Britain, France, New Zealand, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Mexico and South Korea. Russia and Netherlands finished within the top 18, but did not qualify as Europe had already reached its maximum quota of eight.
This was the only opportunity for nations to qualify in track cycling. Overall 36 nations will send at least one athlete in the sport. Also while Great Britain technically qualified 16 athletes the maximum quota in track cycling is 15.
Australia – 15
New Zealand – 15
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Men’s Team Sprint. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Men’s Individual Sprint. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Men’s Keirin. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Men’s Team Pursuit. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Men’s Omnium. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Women’s Team Sprint. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Women’s Individual Sprint. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Women’s Keirin. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Women’s Team Pursuit. Access on March 7 2016.
UCI. UCI Olympic Track Rankings – Women’s Omnium. Access on March 7 2016.
Cycling Road: Namibia On Top In Women’s Road Race
February 26, 2016 joshmartini007 Cycling, Namibia
Namibia was able to win its first gold medal in the women’s road race at the 2016 African Road Cycling Continental Championship. The highest ranked eligible nation was given a spot to compete in the women’s road race event at the Olympics. The African Road Cycling Continental Championship was held in multiple cities across Morocco from February 23rd to February 26th 2016.
The women’s road race had a leading group of 20 cyclists for most of the race. South Africa’s An-Li Kachelhoffer and Mauritius’ Kimberley Le Court attempted to break away from the pack, but were soon brought back into the pack. As the race entered its final stage a small group of cyclists finally broke away from the pack leaving four cyclists with a sprint finish to the line. It was Namibia’s Vera Adrian which won the gold and a spot for her nation at the Olympics with a final time of 3:39:48. Kachelhoffer and Le Court settled for silver and bronze respectively while Ethiopia’s Tsege Beyene was left in fourth position.
While the continental championships happen earlier the World Rankings have a higher priority when it comes to qualification. It is unlikely that Namibia would qualify through the rankings, but in the event that they do the spot will be reallocated to the next best nation at this event, namely South Africa, Mauritius or Ethiopia in this order.
UCI. 2016 African Continental Championship – Women’s Road Race Results. Access on February 26 2016.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line919
|
__label__cc
| 0.628012
| 0.371988
|
NEWS & EVENTSCurrently selected
Special Investigation Report: Medical Oversight of Noncommercial Drivers.
Home > NEWS & EVENTS > Events > Event Summary
EventsCurrently selected
: Special Investigation Report: Medical Oversight of Noncommercial Drivers.
11/9/2004 12:00 AM
The National Transportation Safety Board's interest in the medical oversight of noncommercial drivers stems from its examination of six noncommercial vehicle accidents in which a driver's medical condition played a role. The Safety Board has also investigated a substantial number of commercial vehicle and school bus accidents involving drivers with impairing or potentially impairing medical conditions.
As a result of its accident investigations and from its March 2003 public hearing, at which the factors that contribute to medically related accidents were discussed, the Safety Board identified the following safety issues:
Need for more data on the extent to which medical conditions contribute to the cause of accident.
Need for improved awareness and training for healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and the public regarding State medical oversight laws and practices.
Existence of barriers to the reporting of medically impaired drivers.
Lack of uniform medical assessment and oversight standards throughout the States.
Deficiencies in alternative transportation options for those who should not drive.
The Safety Board has issued recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the Federation of State Medical Boards.
Enter the YouTube ID of each video separated by a semi-colon (;). Example: "LV5_xj_yuhs; QgaTQ5-XfMM; VWW8DMpfI9U; BgAlQuqzl8o;"
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line920
|
__label__wiki
| 0.982819
| 0.982819
|
Marc Gasol confirms he will sign new five-year contract with Memphis
Marc Gasol has confirmed that he will sign a new five-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. The deal is expected to be worth more than $100 million. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
GIRONA, Spain — Centre Marc Gasol has confirmed that he will sign a new five-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 30-year-old free agent tells Spanish media he will stay at Memphis, as The Associated Press reported on Monday.
The deal is expected to be worth more than $100 million.
Marc Gasol adds that he won’t play for Spain alongside brother Pau Gasol in the upcoming European championships from Sept. 5-20, saying “I have to devote myself and listen to the people of Memphis.”
Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace issued a statement Tuesday saying that “the team has been engaged in negotiations” with Gasol and free-agent forward Brandan Wright “and intends to sign them both to player contracts at the conclusion of the NBA moratorium period.”
The AP previously had reported that Wright had agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth about $18 million.
The 7-foot-1 Marc Gasol is coming off the best season of his seven-year NBA career. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season for Memphis.
Wright averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 2014-15 while spending time with the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.
Mauresmo key to preventing Murray meltdown against Pospisil Spanish coach Benito Floro finally gets chance to lead Canadian men...
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line923
|
__label__wiki
| 0.631711
| 0.631711
|
BlogHome » Blog » Tours » Oakland Tours in Focus: Pedaling through the Past
Oakland Tours in Focus: Pedaling through the Past
Marcy Breffle
The city of Atlanta is a major transportation hub with Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (often called the world‘s busiest) and major interstate highways that connect here and troll motorists with some of the worst traffic in the nation. We have MARTA, the Atlanta Streetcar, and cars galore. But with Atlanta’s increasing density and personal ambitions to reduce carbon footprints, cycling is becoming a preferred mode of transportation for many Atlantans. Although new paths and bike sharing programs are popping up all over the city, cycling in Atlanta is not a recent trend. Cyclists have been crisscrossing the metro area since the late 19thcentury.
The Atlanta Bicycle Club arranged races during the 1895 Atlanta Exposition in Piedmont Park.
The modern bicycle’s early ancestor, the Draisienne, was developed in 1817 by Baron Karl von Drais of Sauerbrun in Germany. The Draisienne was basically a front wheel capable of being steered, with a padded saddle and armrest. Baron von Drais took his invention to Paris, where is acquired the name velocipede. Pedals were added to the front axle of the velocipede in 1863 in Paris. The velocipede’s popularity spread across the Atlantic Ocean after the Civil War and Americans went mad for this new form of transportation. The term “bicycle” came into use in 1869. But the craze was over almost as soon as it began. Bicycles were heavy, the seat cushions were not comfortable, and riding a bicycle took a lot of strength and coordination.
Modifications and new cycles soon brought the bicycle back into popularity. Bicycle clubs formed all over the nation, including the Atlanta Bicycle Club, which was founded in 1888. Cyclists, sometimes called “wheelmen,” staged races to nearby towns, like Marietta, Stone Mountain, and Fairburn. These wheelmen often returned home by moonlight. One such member was Oakland resident Henry Durand. Durand ran a popular restaurant at Atlanta’s Union passenger station and was a member of the Homosassa Fishing Club, an exclusive social and recreational club. Durand is buried in Oakland’s Original Six Acres in his family lot.
Long-distance riding and racing were usually done by men, but women were soon seen cycling around town. Some initially balked at women on bicycles and a pastor from First Baptist Church even launched a crusade against female riders, but women on wheels soon became a familiar sight. The bicycle craze is credited with helping to pave the way for female suffrage and women’s rights. Bicycling required a shift away from restrictive Victorian fashion and ushered in the era of exposed ankles. Women who rode bikes had a new level of transportation independence. With women riding for greater freedom, the bicycle became an emblem of women’s rights.
The bicycle also played a significant role in protesting segregation during the era of Jim Crow. Atlanta’s streetcars were segregated by city ordinance after 1890, which prompted black Atlantans to boycott the trolleys. Citizens began riding bicycles rather than sit in the back of a segregated streetcar. Oakland resident Peyton Allen took part in the boycott, which was ultimately unsuccessful as the cyclists were unable to reverse the legislated segregation.
With the growing availability of the automobile, the car overtook Atlanta’s streets and cyclists were pushed off the road. But today, Atlanta is becoming a cycle-friendly city. Groups like the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition plan bike-centric social events around the city, such as Streets Alive, and advocate for more infrastructure to support two-wheel transportation. Cyclists can ride safely on PATH bike trails and the Beltline. Atlanta natives and city visitors can discover local history and neighborhood hot spots during tours led by Bicycle Tours of Atlanta and Civil Bikes. If you want to take part but don’t own a set of wheels, borrow a bike with Relay Bike Share.
You can learn about the significance of bicycles and more transportation history during Sunday’s From Terminus to Terminals: People Who Put Atlanta in Motion special topic tour at 6:30. No reservations are required and tickets can be purchased at the Visitors Center and Museum Shop.
Education Manager
previous post: Oakland Tours in Focus: Love, Victorian Style
next post: Cemetery Snaps from Oakland’s Spring Photography Walk
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line924
|
__label__wiki
| 0.541674
| 0.541674
|
The nominations for the third edition of the Women Transforming India Awards were opened on March 8, 2018 on the occasion of International Women’s Day by Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog and Yuri Afanasiev, UN Resident Coordinator in India.
The Awards this year focus on ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’, a concept which has seldom taken root in national discourse. Concomitant with the launch of NITI’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform, the WTI Awards this year aims to go beyond recognizing women who are catalyzing change in their communities.
NITI’s flagship event, which it organises in partnership with the United Nations, will also see the collaboration of DICE Districts this year.
Achieving gender equality and empowerment rests upon unlocking the full potential of women. The Women Transforming India Awards invites stories of exceptional women entrepreneurs, who are breaking the glass ceiling and challenging stereotypes through businesses, enterprises, and initiatives that:
Provide innovative solutions to address key development challenges and/or,
Impact communities
Nominations can be filed on behalf of individuals or by the individual themselves on https://wep.gov.in.
Alternatively, give a missed call +91-7042648877 and we will help.
Over the years, the Women Transforming India campaign has received an overwhelming response and has recognised women who are breaking new ground every day, and making a difference in the lives of countless others through sheer grit, determination and courage. This year’s awards, with its focus on women entrepreneurship and set within the enabling framework of the newly launched WEP under NITI Aayog, aspires to recognise, award, and encourage those who are not only leaders of their trade, but are leading a youthful generation towards a New India.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line925
|
__label__wiki
| 0.782455
| 0.782455
|
Local Cop in Washington State Pleads Guilty to Theft from Slain Officer Fund; Sentenced
Posted on July 12, 2012 February 26, 2017 by Carl Horowitz
It takes someone pretty reprehensible to steal from relatives of fallen police officers. Skeeter Manos, an ex-cop himself, is such a person. On June 29, Manos, a former officer with the Lakewood, Wash. police force, was sentenced in Tacoma federal court to 33 months in prison for embezzling about $150,000 from a fund set up for surviving family members of four fellow off-duty officers ambushed and murdered in November 2009. Fired from his police job this February, he pleaded guilty in March. In addition to serving his sentence, Manos will have to pay $112,000 in restitution, plus another $47,000 he stole from his police union, a crime for which he was not prosecuted. The killings vaulted to the top of the national news in part because the killer, while as an Arkansas state inmate, had been granted clemency back in 2000 from then-Republican Governor Mike Huckabee.
Skeeter Timothy Manos, now 35, was a police officer for the City of Lakewood, a Tacoma suburb with a population of nearly 60,000. In addition to arresting crooks, however, he turned out to be one. He stole roughly $150,000 from a special fund established on behalf of spouses and children of four slain fellow officers, spending about $112,000 of that. Manos also embezzled at least $47,000 over a roughly two-year period from the Lakewood Police Independent Guild, the union for which he had served as treasurer. He should consider himself a lucky man. Though prosecutors had sought (and got) the maximum 33-month sentence, U.S. District Judge Robert Bryan had the authority to extend that to 20 years. Not too many people would have grieved had he exercised such discretion. Prosecutor Robert Westinghouse, in a memo to Judge Bryan, wrote that Manos’ wrongdoing “ranks at the very top of despicable acts. Indeed, it would be difficult to imagine thievery that is any more brazen or heartless.” To understand why this case has aroused such emotion, it is necessary to revisit the criminal acts that led to the creation of the fund.
Those acts were the doing of one Maurice Clemmons, a veteran of the revolving prison door. The story could be said to begin in 1989 in his home state of Arkansas. At the time just 17, Clemmons already had amassed a long criminal record. And he was about to add to his resume. One night, he and two accomplices accosted a woman on the parking lot of a Little Rock hotel bar. Pretending to have a gun in his pocket, Clemmons threatened to shoot the woman if she did not hand over her purse. The woman responded, “Well, why don’t you just shoot?” Clemmons then sucker-punched her in the head and ran off with the purse. The following year, in 1990, the explosive-tempered Clemmons was sentenced to 108 years in prison for a combined eight felony charges, 35 of those years for the Little Rock robbery and another 60 years for breaking into an Arkansas state trooper’s home and stealing things of value, including a gun. He would be eligible for parole in 2015.
In 1999, after almost a decade in prison, Clemmons appealed for executive clemency. He apologized for his crimes, insisting that he came from “a very good Christian family” and that he had turned his life around. In such a light, he maintained, the cumulative sentence was way excessive. Certain victims and prosecutors disagreed, but his appeal was supported by the bipartisan parole board, the trial court judge and, most importantly, Governor Mike Huckabee. On May 3, 2000, a sympathetic Huckabee commuted Clemmons’ sentence to 47 years, five months and 19 days, making him eligible for parole that day. Clemmons would be set free that August.
Old habits would die hard. In March 2001, Clemmons was back in action, committing aggravated robbery and theft in Ouachita County, Ark. He was convicted that July and given a 10-year prison sentence. In 2004, while on parole, he moved to the Seattle-Tacoma area, where he had relatives. He was placed under the supervision of the Washington State Department of Corrections and classified as “high risk to reoffend.” For the next half-decade, now married, Clemmons would be on his good behavior. He ran a landscaping and power-washing business from his home. He also bought six houses, five in Washington State and one in Arkansas – and one wonders why we have a foreclosure crisis!
In May 2009, Maurice Clemmons was back to normal – his kind of normal. In separate incidents, he threw rocks at houses, cars and people; told Pierce County (Wash.) jail workers, “I’ll kill all you bitches”; and forced a pair of preadolescent girls to sexually fondle him while he was naked. He also frequently referred to himself as Jesus. A psychiatric evaluation determined that Clemmons, despite his disturbing behavior, was competent to stand trial. He and his defense attorney responded they would claim insanity or diminished capacity. The delusional Clemmons also claimed he was being “maliciously persecuted because I’m black.” On November 23, 2009 he paid $15,000 for a $190,000 bail bond to secure his release. At a lively Thanksgiving dinner at his aunt’s house a few days later, he described in detail how he planned to kill police, school children and other persons. Darcus Allen, a convicted murderer who had done time in Arkansas state prison with Clemmons, was allegedly present.
Clemmons, regrettably, proved a man of his word. On the morning of November 29 he and Mr. Allen were riding together in Clemmons’ white pickup truck through Parkland, Wash., an unincorporated area of Pierce County near Lakewood, when they spotted marked police patrol cars on the parking lot of a restaurant, Forza Coffee Co. Clemmons parked his truck. He then walked into the coffee shop and noticed four Lakewood police officers working on their laptop computers, preparing for their shift. This was his big moment. He pulled out a gun and opened fire on the cops, killing all of them. Dead were: Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards. Clemmons, at least, did not go unscathed. He was shot in a struggle with Officer Richards in the restaurant doorway shortly before Richards died of a bullet wound to the head.
The wounded Clemmons escaped with Officer Richards’ service revolver. Allen drove him away from the scene. Police shortly received a tip that Clemmons, at first a person of interest and now a prime suspect, was seeking shelter courtesy of friends and family in Seattle. Authorities surrounded the homes of these persons. A false tip in the early hours of November 30 led police to a Seattle house where he apparently was holed up. After a lengthy area lockdown and stakeout, they discovered he wasn’t inside. But effort soon would be rewarded. About 2:45 PM the following day, on-duty Seattle Police Officer Benjamin Kelly noticed an idling car on the side of the road with its hood up. He did a quick background check and found that the vehicle was reported as stolen. Seated in his patrol car writing a report, he noticed what appeared to be the driver approaching him. And he recognized him from photos as Maurice Clemmons. Kelly ordered him to stop and put up his hands. In response, Clemmons ran to his disabled vehicle. This was a showdown. Kelly got out of his car and saw Clemmons reaching into his waist area for a gun. Unwilling to meet the same fate as the Lakewood officers, Kelly fired several rounds at Clemmons, hitting him at least twice. At least one of the shots was fatal. There was no doubt Kelly had the right guy. Clemmons’ gun was not his; it belonged to Officer Richards. In the aftermath, law enforcement officials arrested several persons for aiding and abetting Clemmons’ crimes and escape.
Aside from the end of Maurice Clemmons’ life and the end of Mike Huckabee’s presidential aspirations, it’s hard to think of anything good coming out of this saga. But something did: Lakewood police in short order established a special fund to benefit the spouses and children of their murdered comrades. Over time, the fund generated $3.2 million in donations, of which $300,000 was placed into a separate account for families of future fallen officers. But not all of the money reached its intended destination. This is where Skeeter Manos re-enters the picture.
Initially, Manos seemed a stand-up guy. Only days after the murders he wrote on the Lakewood Police Independent Guild website: “Words alone cannot begin to describe how much donating means not only to the fallen officers’ families, but to each and every Lakewood officer…Many times I have had to stop and recompose myself because of the overwhelming support and compassion displayed by the generous community supporting us during this difficult period.” This web post proved to be either a brilliant acting job or an uncharacteristic burst of conscience. Just two months later, court documents show, Manos began skimming contributions from the fund by creating phony accounts. All told, he ripped off about $150,000, spending about $112,000 of it on a variety of personal uses ranging from shopping at Home Depot to a vacation in Las Vegas. Manos also fleeced his union out of $47,000 in this manner starting in May 2009 and lasting until sometime in 2011. The department fired him after learning of the allegations and conducting an internal probe.
The children of the slain officers, one happily can report, have received substantial assistance. “The public was so generous, the money that got to where it was supposed to go was a sufficient amount to take care of their needs,” remarked Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar this March, the month in which Manos pleaded guilty. Manos’ thefts totaled roughly $200,000. While that sum isn’t going to deplete the coffers of the officers family memorial fund or the local police guild, it ought to rankle all the same. One thing is for sure: He’s not likely to find many sympathizers – or a police job – waiting for him when he gets out of prison.
Civilian Technicians President in Washington State Indicted for Theft
Seattle-Area Corrections Officer Charged with Embezzlement
Rhode Island Police Union President Charged with Fraud
Special Counsel Mueller Must Investigate Clintons’ Russia Ties
Wal-Mart Support for ObamaCare, Cap and Trade Ripped at Annual Meeting
Jim Rogers and Duke Energy Face Music Over Merger Power Grab
Public Employees Ex-President in Cincinnati Sentenced for $750K+ Embezzlement
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line926
|
__label__wiki
| 0.83838
| 0.83838
|
Posts tagged Don "The Magic" Juan
Vinyl (HBO) Episode Four: "Record Man's" Christmas Goulet
Okay folks, this was one of those "busy" episodes. The kind of episodes where writers realize that they are already at episode 4 and have yet to develop like 10 of the plot points that they have already introduced in the first three episodes.
This episode (called "The Racket") opens with not one but two ghosts, Otis Blackwell and Richie himself (My suggestion is that "The Racket" in the episode is the game Richie is running on himself).
Vinyl (HBO Series)Joshua B. Hoe March 7, 2016 vinyl, HBO, Sly Stone, Will Ferrell, Robert Goulet, Star Wars, Space 1999, Bobby Cannavale, Olivia Wilde, Otis Blackwell, Jerry Lee Lewis, Andrew Dice Clay, Ray Romano, James Brown, Johnny Depp, Janis Joplin, Ato Essandoh, Curtis Mayfield, Janus, Mulholland Drive, J.C. MacKenzie, Donny Osmond, Susan Heward, Juno Temple, New York Times, Pink Floyd, The Who, The GAP Band, Charlie Wilson, Booker T. Washington, Don "The Magic" Juan, Snoop Lion, Snoop Dogg, Calvin Broadus Jr., Don Cheadle, Ian Mackaye, Darby Crash, Wayman Tisdale, George Clinton, Lou Reed, Patty Smith, Blondie, Debby Harry, The Clash, ParliamentComment
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line931
|
__label__cc
| 0.671463
| 0.328537
|
Jää
Award-winning Finnish novel Ice is adapted into an opera
In January 2019 the Finnish National Opera will host the world premiere of a new opera from Finland based on Ulla-Lena Lundberg’s bestselling novel Ice. The novel was awarded the Finlandia prize, Finland’s most prestigious literary award, in 2012. The opera will be composed by Jaakko Kuusisto and the libretto in Finnish will be written by Juhani Koivisto. The director of the production will be Anna Kelo.
The novel Ice was published simultaneously in Swedish and Finnish in 2012. It has so far sold a total of nearly 150 000 copies in the two languages. There has been widespread interest in adapting the novel for the stage, but the National Opera was the first to get Ulla-Lena Lundberg’s blessing.
The story of the opera is about a young pastor and his family who settle on a remote Finnish island. The war is over and supplies are scarce, but life on the island is wonderful and everyone loves the new priest. The inauguration party is held by the glistening sea, but soon the bleak, stormy winter arrives. The priest knows nothing about ice, nor the way it gives in when you least expect.
Jaakko Kuusisto has lived and composed in the outer archipelago of Finland. Having experienced the harsh setting first hand, he says he couldn’t imagine a more appealing task as a composer. “What matters most to me is that the music creates an overriding ambience, describing the beautiful yet merciless sea and ice, which have a tremendous power over us and make us feel so small.”
Season 2017–2018 at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet also presents impressive Finnish world premieres, with both Höstsonaten – Autumn Sonata composed by Sebastian Fagerlund and the ballet spectacle The Land of Kalevala directed by Kenneth Greve in the repertoire.
Performances and tickets
Anne Sofie von Otter
Höstsonaten – Autumn Sonata
Main Stage 8.9.2017 – 5.10.2017
Land of Kalevala
Main Stage 3.11.2017 – 9.2.2018
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line932
|
__label__cc
| 0.522577
| 0.477423
|
Tag Archives: Richard Bentley
Book of the Week — Paradise Lost
≈ Comments Off on Book of the Week — Paradise Lost
Bernard Lens, Christian, engravings, God, Henry Aldrich, Index Librorum Prohibitorum, John Baptista de Medina, John Dryden, John Milton, Miles Flesher, Oliver Cromwell, pagan, Paradise Lost, Paradise Regain'd, Richard Bentley, Robert White, Roman Catholic Church, Satan, The University of Utah
PARADISE LOST. A POEM IN TWELVE BOOKS…
John Milton (1608-1674)
Printed by Miles Flesher, for Richard Bentley, at the Post-Office in Russell-street, 1688
First illustrated edition
PR3560 1688
John Milton’s Paradise Lost was first printed in 1667, in part, perhaps as a reaction to the defeat of Oliver Cromwell’s revolution and the restoration of the monarchy. Milton attempted to reconcile elements of pagan and Christian tradition, portraying Satan as an unlikable but sympathetic character who defied a tyrannical God and waged unsuccessful war against him. In spite of this, the Roman Catholic Church did not place the work on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum until 1758. This a copy from the first illustrated edition of Paradise Lost. It is also the first edition of the work in folio. University of Utah copy bound with Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV. Books. To which is added Samson Agonistes…(1688). An engraved portrait of Milton by Robert White is bound in opposite to the title page. The portrait includes an epitaph for Milton by John Dryden. Twelve full-paged engravings accompany the text, one at the beginning of each of the twelve books. All of the engravings are tipped in. The illustrations for books III, V, VI, VII, IX, X, XI are by John Baptista de Medina, engraved by M. Burghers. Book IV was illustrated by Bernard Lens, engraved by P.P. Bouche. Book XII was illustrated by Henry Aldrich, engraved by Burghers. The illustrations for Books I and II are engraved by Burghers. The illustrator for these is uncertain.
Brooke Hopkins, In Memoriam
Posted by rarebooks in Donations
≈ Comments Off on Brooke Hopkins, In Memoriam
19th century, Alexander Pope, apprentice, Baltimore, Baltimore Sun, Basil Manly, Benjamin Edes, bookselling, Boston, Boston Tea Party, Brooke Hopkins, Cambridge, cartographer, Charles Manly, Childe Harold, cholera, Columbian press, compositor, Daniel Boone, Dante Alighieri, descriptive letterpress, engraved, engraved plates, engraved vignettes, Eton, Europe, Fielding Lucas, Francis Scott Key, George Gordon Byron, Greek, Henry Franci Cary, Henry St. John Bolingbroke, Homer, Horace Walpole, Iliad, initials, James Adams, John Conrad, John Dryden, John Fox, Jon Filson, Jr., Kentucky, law, letterpress, Lord Byron, M. Gustave Dore, Maine, manuscript, maps, Maryland Historical Society, Maryland Institute College of Art, melancholy, Negro suffrage, newspaper, Norwich, Ohio, pamphlets, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Convention, Peter Edes, Philadelphia, Philidelphia Library, Philip H. Nicklin, poetry, print, printer, printing, printing shop, publisher, Raleigh, rare book collections, Rare Books Division, Richard Bentley, Robert Strange, Roman Catholic, Samuel Sands, Sir Thomas Browne, Star Spangled Banner, stationer, Thomas Gray, Tory, typesetting, United States, University of Alabama, University of North Carolina, vignettes, Virgil, War of 1812, Washington Monument, William Fry, Wilmington
The staff of the Rare Books Division extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Brooke Hopkins. Professor Hopkins was a friend of the rare book collections through his donation of several books, each of which has been used by students for research and the Rare Books staff for lectures, presentations, and exhibitions. We are ever grateful for his generous support. Thank you, Brooke. Memory eternal!
The beings of the mind are not of clay;
Essentially immortal, they create
And multiply in us a brighter ray
And more beloved existence…
–Lord Byron from Childe Harold
U Mourns Death of Beloved English Professor Brooke Hopkins
Sir Thomas Browne (1605 – 1682)
London: Printed by R.W. for N. Ekins, at the Gun in Paul’s church-yard, 1658
Third edition, corrected and enlarged by the author
In this famous book, the writer and physician from Norwich demonstrated the absurdity of commonly presumed truths. Among the traditions which Thomas Browne deposed of were the beliefs that “The Elephant hath no joynts, That an Horse hath no Gall, That the Chameleon lives only by Aire, That the Ostridge digesteth Iron; That the forbidden fruit was an Apple; That our Savior never laughed, That a man have one rib lesse than a woman, That there was no Rainbowe before the flood.” University of Utah copy gift of Brooke Hopkins.
Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, 1658
DESIGNS BY MR. R. BENTLEY FOR SIX POEMS
Thomas Gray (1716-1771)
London: R. Dodsley, 1753
English poet Thomas Gray was educated at Eton in Cambridge. There he met Horace Walpole, the father of the Gothic novel, and traveled with him throughout Europe. After his return to Cambridge, where he remained for most of his life, Gray lived in seclusion. Much of Gray’s poetry was tinged with melancholy. Richard Bentley (1708-1782), another friend of Walpole’s, created illustrations for several of Gray’s poems. Gray admired the drawings very much. This book contains six engraved plates, thirteen engraved vignettes, and six engraved initials by Muller and Grignon based upon designs by Robert Bentley. University of Utah copy on loan from Brooke Hopkins.
Gray, Designs by Mr. R. Bentley, 1753
THE DISCOVERY, SETTLEMENT, AND PRESENT STATE OF KENTUCKE: AND AN ESSAY TOWARDS THE TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF THAT IMPORTANT COUNTRY; TO WHICH IS ADDED, AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING, I. THE ADVENTURES OF COL. DANIEL BOON, ONE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS, COMPREHENDING EVERY IMPORTANT OCCURRENCE IN THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF THAT PROVINCE. II. THE MINUTES OF THE PIANKASHAW COUNCIL, HELD AT POST ST. VINCENTS, APRIL 15, 1784. III. AN ACCOUNT OF THE INDIAN NATIONS INHABITING WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES…IV. THE STAGES AND DISTANCES BETWEEN PHILADELPHIA AND THE FALLS OF THE OHIO; FROM PITTSBURGH TO PENSACOLA AND SEVERAL OTHER PLACES. THE WHOLE ILLUSTRATED BY A NEW AND ACCURATE MAP OF KENTUCKE AND THE COUNTRY ADJOINING, DRAWN FROM ACTUAL SURVEYS…
John Filson (ca. 1747-1788)
Wilmington, DE: Printed by James Adams, 1784
Land speculator John Filson’s early history of Kentucky contained, among other appendices, a narrative of Daniel Boone. Filson was the first American to write about the area. The book was very popular and helped influence the decision of many to migrate to this newly opened land. A tipped-in map is missing in most copies, as it is in this one. The map is so rare that antiquarians began to suspect that there never was one, in spite of reference to it on the title page. However, the Philadelphia Library has a copy with map intact. The map, drawn by Filson, was printed separately in Philadelphia. Filson was killed by Indians of the Ohio. University of Utah copy gift of Brooke Hopkins.
Filson, The Discovery…,1784
AN ESSAY ON MAN: IN FOUR EPISTLES TO H. ST. JOHN, LORD BOLINGBROKE
Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
New York: Printed and sold by Smith & Forman, 1809
Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man, first published in 1733, was a philosophical work consisting of four epistles in couplets and addressed to his friend, Henry St. John Bolingbroke, head of the Tory ministry. University of Utah copy gift of Brooke Hopkins.
Pope, An Essay on Man, 1809
THE ILIAD OF HOMER TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK BY ALEXANDER POPE
Baltimore: Philip H. Nicklin, 1812
Stationer Philip H. Nicklin (1786-1842) studied law. Due to financial difficulties after the death of his father in 1807, Nicklin began selling books, first in Baltimore then in Philadelphia. After 1827, he confined his bookshop’s inventory to law. He retired in 1839, having earned enough money to live out his life in comfort. He occupied the rest of his short life with writing, mostly about literary copyright. This book, although sold from Baltimore, was printed in Philadelphia by Fry and Kammerer. William Fry (d. 1854) formed a printing partnership with Joseph L. Kammerer in 1806. Fry was a well-respected pressman, compositor and proof-reader. Fry and Kammerer separated in 1810, but renewed their joint printing efforts a year later. In 1814, Kammerer died. Fry was the first to use the newly developed Columbian press, and ordered several of them for his large print shop. Added title-page engraved. University of Utah copy gift of Brooke Hopkins.
THE POETICAL WORKS OF LORD BYRON…: CONTAINING ALL HIS POEMS, ORIGINAL AND TRANSLATED, FROM THE LATEST EDITIONS
George Gordon Byron (1788-1824)
Baltimore: B. Edes, 1814
Benjamin Edes, the son and grandson of printers from Maine and Boston, continued the family business in Baltimore, where he worked as job printer and printed the newspaper, The Minerva and Emerald. Benjamin was an officer in the 27th Militia during the War of 1812 and supposedly printed the first version, in the form of handbills, of Francis Scott Key’s poem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” According to one story, the manuscript was taken to Edes’ printing shop, located on the corner of Baltimore and Gay Streets. Edes was on duty with his regiment, so the typesetting and printing was done by his apprentice, Samuel Sands, only twelve years old. Benjamin’s father, Peter Edes, moved from Boston to work for Benjamin, typesetting and keeping account books until 1832. Peter’s wife and Benjamin died that year of cholera. Peter returned to Maine, where he died in 1840. At the time of his death, according to his obituary in the Baltimore Sun, he was the oldest printer in the United States. Benjamin Edes’ grandfather, after whom he was named, participated in the Boston Tea Party. He was the printer of The Boston Gazette and Country Journal. University of Utah copy gift of Brooke Hopkins.
Byron, Poetical Works, 1814
THE WORKS OF VIRGIL TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE, BY JOHN DRYDEN
Baltimore, MD: F. Lucas, Jun., 1814
Fielding Lucas, Jr. (1781-1854) was a prominent publisher and cartographer in the early 19th century. He was especially recognized for his excellently produced maps. Lucas founded his first print shop in 1804 and became the first stationer of the newly formed United States. In 1806, Lucas became a partner in the Philadelphia publisher and bookselling firm, M. & J. Conrad, which focused on schoolbooks, maps, atlases, art instruction, children’s literature and Roman Catholic religious material. Baltimore, in most part because of Lucas, became the major center for Roman Catholic publishing through the beginning of the twentieth century. Lucas was a leader in the effort to raise funds for the Washington Monument. He was a founder of the Maryland Historical Society and the Maryland Institute College of Art. Added engraved title-page printed in Philadelphia by John Conrad. University of Utah copy gift of Brooke Hopkins.
Virgil, Works, 1814
THE POETICAL WORKS OF ALEXANDER POPE: IN THREE VOLUMES COMPLETE, WITH HIS LAST CORRECTIONS, ADDITIONS, AND IMPROVEMENTS, TOGETHER WITH ALL HIS NOTES AS THEY WERE DELIVERED TO THE EDITOR A LITTLE BEFORE HIS DEATH TOGETHER WITH THE COMMENTARY AND NOTES OF MR. WARBURTON
Philadelphia: S. A. Bascom, 1819
University of Utah copy gift of Brooke Hopkins.
Pope, Poetical Works, 1819
ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE ALUMNI AND THE SENIOR CLASS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA…
Charles Manly (1795-1871)
Raleigh, NC: Printed by T. Loring, 1838
A collection of miscellaneous pamphlets including, “An address delivered before the two literary societies of the University of North Carolina” by William B. Shepard; “Opinion of John Fox against the exercise of Negro suffrage in Pennsylvania, also, The vote of the members of the Pennsylvania Convention; Address of his excellency Governor Bagby: when inducting into office the president of the University of Alabama, together with The address of the president Rev. Basil Manly; An address delivered before the two literary societies of the University of North Carolina by Robert Strange; and Report of Chas. B. Shae on the drainage of the swamp lands of North Carolina. University of Utah copy gift of Brooke Hopkins.
Manly, An Address…, 1838
THE VISION OF HELL
Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)
London: Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, 1866
New edition: with critical and explanatory notes, life of Dante, and chronology
Translated by Henry Franci Cary. Illustrated with the designs of M. Gustave Doré. Each plate accompanied by leaf with descriptive letterpress. University of Utah copy on loan from Brooke Hopkins.
Dante, The Vision of Hell, 1866
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line933
|
__label__wiki
| 0.91125
| 0.91125
|
In the Chapel in the Moonlight
by Bob James & Nancy Stagnitta
© Copyright - Bob James / Tappan Zee Records (098867225322)
new flute & piano original Jazz/Classical compositions.
Genre: Classical: Contemporary
cd in stock order now
1. Dancing on the Water
Bob James & Nancy Stagnitta
2. Air Apparent
3. J. S. Bop
4. Quadrille
5. Heartstorm
7. The Bad & the Beautiful
8. Iridescence
9. Bijou / Scrapple from the Chapel
10. Odyssey
11. In the Chapel in the Moonlight
12. Angela
Nancy Stagnitta - flute, alto flute, piccolo
Bob James - Piano
This CD contains studio recordings of original compositions & arrangements that were performed in a live concert at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, Dendrinos Chapel on March 4, 2017.
This concert was also captured on video and can be viewed in the archives of the Interlochen website.
BOB JAMES (b. 1939), jazz pianist and composer/arranger/producer, earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan in 1961-1962. Winner of the 1962 Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival. Musical director for Sarah Vaughan from 1965-68 and is a founding member of the group Fourplay (thirteen albums including newest recording 'Silver' celebrating 25th anniversary) Other collaborations include, with Jack O'Brien--BMI award for best college musical for 'Land Ho' (1961) and the 1972 Broadway musical 'Selling of the President'; Hilary James (Flesh & Blood), Earl Klugh (1980 Grammy award for 'One on One'), David Sanborn (1986 Grammy award for 'Double Vision') Kirk Whalum (Grammy nomination for 'Joined at the Hip'), and Nathan East (2016 Grammy nomination for 'The New Cool'). Orchestrated the title song for Paul Simon's 1975 Grammy winning Album of the year, 'Still Crazy After All These Years.'
Credits as producer /arranger include Neil Diamond, Blood Sweat & Tears, Kenny Loggins, George Benson, Grover Washington Jr., Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws. He received the State of Michigan Guvvy Award 2008 for International Achievement, and was elected to the U of Michigan School of Music Hall of Fame in 2014. He is the recipient of the first ever Traverse City Opera House Ambassador for the Arts award 2017.
Toured the U.S. with the ground-breaking project 'Angels of Shanghai', combining jazz with traditional Chinese music, and the premiere U.S. performance was presented at Milliken Auditorium. He has recorded thirty solo albums, most recently 'Live at the Milliken Auditorium'.
In the world of hip-hop his recordings, notably 'Nautilus', Take Me To The Mardi Gras', and 'Westchester Lady', are are among the most sampled tracks in the history of the genre. James composed the music for the long-running TV series, 'Taxi'. The song 'Angela' is one of the most recognizable themes in the history of TV music.
His first Piano Concerto was premiered in 2015 by the Tokyo Philharmonic, and had its U.S. Premiere with the Traverse City Symphony in June 2016.
For these recordings James performed on a Yamaha piano.
NANCY STAGNITTA
Praised for her 'brilliance and beauty of tone' by the Baltimore Sun, flutist Nancy Stagnitta is Instructor of Flute and Chamber Music at Interlochen Arts Academy, Artist/Faculty at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Italy, and principal flutist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. Appointed as U.S.I.A. Artistic Ambassador to southern Africa, she presented concerts and master classes in Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique and Namibia, and has performed at the Shanghai Conservatory, Biblioteca Universitaria di Napoli, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and on the Voice of America Broadcast Network.
A two-time recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Solo Artist Award and a semi-finalist in the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition, she formerly served as flutist and piccoloist with the Sarasota and Baltimore Opera Orchestras and as concerto soloist with the National Gallery Orchestra. She collaborates with Paula Robison to host the annual Interlochen Flute Institute, and has appeared as Artist/Faculty at the Montecito, Hot Springs, and Quartz Mountain Music Festivals.
Also active as a jazz flutist, Stagnitta was featured at the National Flute Association Convention in Chicago, and has been invited to perform as both recitalist and jazz artist at national conventions held in New York City, Las Vegas, San Diego, Anaheim, Kansas City and Washington, C.D. She has recorded for Capstone records, and her performances have been heard on National Public Radio's WETA in Washington, DC and KING FM in Seattle.
Stagnitta's program at Interlochen has produced many successful flutists, including eight recipients of the $10,000 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award through NPR's 'From the Top.' As a result of her holistic approach to teaching and her collaboration with the dance and physics departments at Interlochen, she was invited to present a lecture on the relationship between body alignment, resonance, and injury prevention at the 2011 Performing Artist and Athlete Science Symposium.
Stagnitta earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Peabody Institute, where she received the Ashworth Prize. Her teachers include Robert Willoughby, Timothy Day, Mark Sparks, and Beatrice Keram.
A Powell Artist, she plays a Custom 10k flute.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line934
|
__label__wiki
| 0.80275
| 0.80275
|
« Robert Kaczorowski: Inherent National Sovereignty Constitutionalism
Michael Ramsey | Main | It's Gorsuch for Supreme Court
Michael Ramsey »
Elizabeth Price Foley on Scalia's Replacement
In the New York Times, Elizabeth Price Foley (Florida International): The Court Needs Another Clarence Thomas, Not a Scalia. From the introduction:
Many conservatives argue that a jurist who replicates Justice Scalia’s approach to law should fill the vacancy. Mr. Trump appears to agree, having vowed to nominate federal judges “in the mold of Justice Scalia.”
While Justice Scalia was a brilliant and ardent defender of conservatism, achieving a restoration of the original meaning of the Constitution — particularly its separation of powers — could be more quickly and effectively achieved by a nominee whose approach is more aligned with that of Justice Clarence Thomas.
The demeanors of the two justices could not have been more divergent. Justice Scalia was a firebrand known for opinions that were eloquent but often acerbic. Justice Thomas’s quieter disposition — he rarely asks questions at oral arguments — camouflages an equally deep and tenacious intellect.
What matters most, however, is not a justice’s demeanor but his judicial philosophy. On this score, Justice Thomas’s originalism is unflinching. In Gonzales v. Raich (2005), for example, a majority of the court held that state medical marijuana laws are pre-empted because the federal Controlled Substances Act is a valid exercise of Congress’s power to regulate interstate commerce. Justice Thomas dissented, asserting that if Congress can regulate individuals’ ability to grow, possess or use marijuana for personal medicinal use, “it can regulate virtually anything,” and states will be left with little power.
Justice Scalia concurred with the Gonzales majority. Because the Controlled Substances Act broadly regulated interstate commerce in illicit drugs, Justice Scalia reasoned, states could not exempt medical marijuana patients whose noncommercial activities — such as growing, possessing and using marijuana — never crossed state lines.
(Thanks to Michael Perry for the pointer).
I think Professor Foley is right that there were key differences between Scalia and Thomas regarding their commitments to originalism, but the essay does not identify what I regard as the most important. Justice Thomas's opinions do not appear much constrained by precedent. Scalia, on the other hand, felt somewhat constrained by precedent. In Gonzales v. Raich, for example, he seemed to feel constrained by the Court's prior decision in Wickard v. Filburn (I think he was wrong to think Wickard controlled the outcome, but that's another matter). Another well-known example is McDonald v. Chicago, in which Justice Thomas wanted to shift the basis of incorporation doctrine to the privileges or immunities clause and Scalia declined to join him on the basis of precedent. My guess is that in most of the cases Professor Foley has in mind, the difference between the two Justices is explained by Scalia's somewhat greater respect for precedent.
At the same time, the difference should not be overstated. Scalia wanted to overrule a wide range of nonoriginalist cases, and succeeded with probably more than many people realize. He did not appear to have a well developed theory of precedent, and cases involving a closely divided court in which he chose precedent over original meaning are not numerous -- Gonzales v. Raich stands out because it is unusual, not because it is typical. And Thomas, for his part, has not been entirely consistent in rejecting precedent. For example, he has joined judgments and written concurring opinions applying the equal protection clause to the federal government on the basis of the nonoriginalist precedent Bolling v. Sharp and he has applied First Amendment doctrine to overturn state and federal law without questioning whether that doctrine accords with the Amendment's original meaning. So while I agree that Scalia was somewhat more cautious than Thomas is in terms of questioning precedent, I think it is more a difference in degree than in basic methodology.
In any event, I guess we'll find out the nominee later today.
UPDATE: At Huffington Post, Scott Gerber also favors Thomas over Scalia as a model for the future Justice, because Thomas better understands the connection between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and because Thomas' opinions do not use such divisive rhetoric.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line935
|
__label__cc
| 0.589681
| 0.410319
|
Hashmon Matemera
University of Zimbabwe Alumni,
Hashmon Matemera is Zimbabwean economist and administrator who is known for his experience in the country's banking sector. He has been the Managing Director of BancABC Bank in Zimbabwe since 2011.[1] He has accumulated fame due to his working for the country's major banks such as Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ). He also worked in the public service for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
Academic Background
Matemera holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Economics as well as a Masters of Science in Economics both from the University of Zimbabwe.[1]
Matemera has over 17 years banking experience gained in merchant banking, commercial banking and as a central banker. He has held several positions, including Executive Director of Banking Services at ABC Zimbabwe and Group Head of Treasury and Structured Finance.[1] Matemera also spent 10 years at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, mostly in the Supervision and Surveillance Division. He has been appointed Managing Director of BancABC Zimbabwe Limited and Country Head Zimbabwe Operations.[1]
He also served as General Manager - Risk Management at ABC Zimbabwe, and as Senior Manger - Risk Management at the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) in 1996.[2] Prior to joining CBZ, he spent 10 years at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, mostly in the Supervision and Surveillance Division, where he held the position of Manager - Offsite Supervision, with responsibility for commercial and merchant banks.[1]
BREAKING: ECONET Increases Prices For Data Bouquets
JUST IN: Zim Netball Team Wins And Qualifies For The Next Round
"I'm Sure Everyone Will Join Our Protests," Chamisa
CURRENCY REFORMS: Statutory Instrument 142/19 Brews New Problems
FULL TEXT: UK Journalist Reportedly Tried To Destabilise Zim Netball Team
WATCH: Mahrez's 94th Minute Free-Kick That Sent Nigeria Packing
WATCH: "ZANU PF Is Back & Unstoppable," D/Defence Minister
"We've Been On Currency Reforms Journey, We Just Didn’t Tell You," Mthuli Ncube
↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 , Hashmon Matemera Managing Director BancABC Zimbabwe and Country Head Operations, "BancABC", retrieved:14 Jul 2014"
↑ , Matemera, Hashmon, "Reuters", retrieved:14 Jul 2014"
Please visit the following to contribute to the profile of Hashmon Matemera.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line938
|
__label__wiki
| 0.630687
| 0.630687
|
Context: June Board of Trustees meeting
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher at a Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 23, 2018.
Pitt’s Board of Trustees will hold its second meeting of 2019 Friday, providing an update on University affairs to the community. The Board is responsible for all key decisions at the University, including creating the annual budget and setting tuition prices. The board will meet Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room. As the meeting approaches, here are some of the topics the Board might discuss:
State legislators passed an annual funding bill for Pitt late Tuesday evening, but lingering questions remain about tuition prices for the fall semester.
Pitt initially requested a 6.5% increase in Commonwealth funding, to be paired with a 3% tuition hike for in-state students and a 5% hike for out-of-state students. State legislators allocated a 2% increase in funding, and it is unclear how Pitt will resolve the multi-million dollar hole in its budget since it received less than it asked for.
In recent years, Pitt has been under pressure from student groups to divest its endowment from fossil fuel investments. According to The Guardian, part of Pitt’s endowment as of November 2017 was invested in EnCap Energy Capital Fund IX-C, a Cayman Islands hedge fund, which was revealed in the Paradise Papers scandal last year.
But divestment is gaining traction with other area investment funds — Mayor Bill Peduto announced on June 5 he would like the City to divest its pension fund from fossil fuel, firearms and for-profit prison companies. In a letter to the Comprehensive Municipal Pension Trust Fund, the seven-member board which controls the fund and on which the Mayor sits, Peduto said the City has a history of using “both moral and financial authority.”
“The City’s leadership as a socially responsible investor has helped to advance just causes and helped to lead to formative social change,” Peduto said. “A similar time is upon us to act and provide leadership.”
Pitt’s Fossil Free Coalition, the main activist group pushing for divestment, sent a letter on April 3 to Chancellor Patrick Gallagher requesting he provide an update about the University’s work towards divestment.
In an April 10 response to the letter, the chancellor said Pitt is taking a multi-pronged approach to dealing with how to invest the University’s endowment.
Gallagher said the University’s main investment strategy is set by the investment committee from the Board of Trustees. But Gallagher added that, separately, the University Office of Finance is working on an environment, social and governance policy which would be incorporated into the process of selecting funds and managers for the endowment. Gallagher also said he viewed the report that the Socially Responsible Investment Committee is working on, which he described as “forthcoming,” as a “key” resource in developing the ESG policy.
Pitt released a finalized version of its Campus Master Plan in February, which provides a 20- to 30-year roadmap for the University. The plan includes major renovations and expansions to existing facilities as well as the construction of several new academic and housing buildings, all to be completed within 20 to 30 years.
Included in the plan is new student housing, as well as an O’Hara Street student recreation center to be built on the current site of a parking garage and Pitt’s Learning Research and Development Center. At a February town hall, some community members, and the chair of Pitt’s music department, voiced concerns about the uncertain future of University’s historic Music Building, located at the corner of Fifth and Bellefield avenues.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article said the board meeting would occur in July, not June. The Pitt News regrets this error.
Next Read: Third Thursday: Block Party event connects Wilkinsburg artists »
board of trusteesTuition
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line939
|
__label__cc
| 0.594166
| 0.405834
|
Home PRESS RELEASES PCHR Condemns the Attempted Abduction of Ashraf Nasrallah in Gaza
PCHR Condemns the Attempted Abduction of Ashraf Nasrallah in Gaza
Ref: 45/2006
Time: 11:00 GMT
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the attempted abduction of its employee Ashraf Nasrallah (lawyer) by gunmen near the court compound in Gaza City. This crime is yet another episode in the security chaos currently plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 12:15 on Sunday, 28 May 2006, a number of gunmen traveling in a white car intercepted Ashraf, a 34-year-old resident of the Rimal area of Gaza City and a lawyer at the Centre, as he was leaving the court compound in Wahda Street, Gaza City. Three gunmen walked up to Ashraf and, at gunpoint, told him to come with them. He refused to comply with the demand, however. One of the gunmen then entered Ashraf’s car and told him to drive and follow his instructions. Ashraf refused to comply with the second demand also. The traffic rush and the gathering of people in the area forced the gunmen to leave the scene. Before leaving, however, one of the gunmen fired at Ashraf. The bullet missed him and hit the front of his car. Ashraf submitted a complaint to the Abbas Police Station and an investigation was launched.
PCHR is extremely concerned over the attempted kidnapping of Ashraf and the subsequent shooting attempt. The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate this attack and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Previous articleAttacks on Public Institutions and Officials Continue
Next articleCCR CHALLENGES ISRAELI MILITARY’S EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING IN U.S. COURT TOMORROW
Gaza Strip: Attacks in the border areas and their consequences
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line943
|
__label__cc
| 0.567207
| 0.432793
|
As the 1970s opened, Brown University, like many U.S. college campuses, was in a state of transition and, often, turmoil. Of the many forces that reshaped the university in those years, few were as transformative as the women’s movement and the feminist activism unleashed by it.
During the spring of 1974, a promising young assistant professor named Louise Lamphere was denied tenure in Brown’s Anthropology Department. Believing that she was a victim of sex discrimination, Lamphere boldly challenged the university. In May of 1975, she filed suit against Brown in U.S. District Court, arguing both that she had been discriminated against and that the small number of women on the Brown faculty at the time reflected systemic bias. Her suit became a landmark class action case.
While the case was settled before the charge of sex discrimination was decided, in 1977 the university entered into a consent decree that bound Brown to undertake fundamental changes to foster the hiring, promotion and tenuring of female faculty members in every discipline – revisions that, over time, changed the face of the university.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line945
|
__label__wiki
| 0.821415
| 0.821415
|
Paolo Guerrero nominated for Ballon d’Or soccer award
Article Updated: October 3, 2015
Peru soccer star Paolo Guerrero was nominated two win the FIFA Ballon d’Or soccer award in 2015.
Guerrero was one of 59 nominees to win the award for best player in the sport. The Peruvian striker who plays for the Brazil-based Flamengo club earned a place on the list by winning, along with Chilean Eduardo Vargas, the scoring title in the Copa America tournament this year.
Known as “The Predator” in Peru, Guerrero was the first player in years to win the Copa America scoring title in consecutive years. Guerrero also led the Brazilian league with 10 goals.
While nobody expects Guerrero to win the award, the nomination is a distinction in itself. The long list will be cut to 23, then three before the award is announced in January.
The FIFA Ballon d’Or awarded to the best soccer player of the year merged the French Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2010. The prize has been dominated even before the merger by two players: the Argentine Lionel Messi and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.
Guerrero’s scored his 25th goal for Peru’s national team in the Copa America, surpassing Teodoro “Lolo” Fernandez for second place all time and only one goal behind Peru’s historic scoring leader Teofilo Cubillas.
After suffering a minor injury in practice for Flamengo last week, Guerrero has confirmed he will start next Thursday against Colombia in a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Guerrero: razones que explican su candidatura al Balón de Oro (El Comercio)
Paolo Guerrero sí jugará con la selección peruana ante Colombia y Chile (Peru 21)
Ballon d’Or: Massimo Luongo joins Messi & Ronaldo on longlist? (BBC)
Witness accuses presidential candidate of rape at murder trial
Mario Vargas Llosa endorses Pedro Pablo Kuczynski
Paolo Guerrero
Fusion artist releases new album featuring Peru’s folk sounds
Peruvian fusion musician Jaime Cuadra’s new album, “Raza,” features electronic and funk mixed with traditional Andean music. The artist known for “Cholo…
Google's homepage featured an image of Yma Sumac on Sept. 13, which would have marked the 94th birthday of the Peruvian soprano who found global fame with her…
Pair of 3,000 year old sites dug up in Cusco
Peru's immense wealth of buried artifacts has been more evident than ever this week. Just a few days after an important discovery at the Chan Chan Ruins, Peruvian…
Mistura 2015 to be held in downtown Lima
UPDATE: On April 17 the city of Lima and Apega reversed course due to construction on the 28 de Julio corridor. Mistura will be held on the Costa Verde of Magdalena…
Christmas in Peru
I remember it vividly. My first Christmas in Cusco, Peru, two years ago. The memory still makes me smile. I was walking just past midnight around the Plaza de Armas.…
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line946
|
__label__wiki
| 0.71795
| 0.71795
|
To register place your 1st order
Cultural Changes after the British Influence
← Community-Oriented Policing Race and American Identity →
Buy custom Cultural Changes after the British Influence essay
The emergence of the Gulf States after their colonial experience in the 1970s and the discovery of oil have had significant effects on the culture, behavior and social expectations of the people in the Arab Gulf. The benign nature of the British government in the region has promoted the emergence of friendly attitude toward the British administration. It was also influential in the retention of certain cultural aspects and traditions and the adoption of some foreign values.
The discovery of oil has significantly transformed the economic basis of Gulf countries, whose agricultural economy had stipulated rural population, and led to the migration of most of the citizens to the urban centers. The economic boom encouraged the development of modern apartment and office buildings and the initiation of programs to support services such as education and healthcare. Oil production has increased the influx of monetary resources, which has promoted the development in the context of the preservation of the culture and identity of the Arab Gulf countries. For example, architectural growth has placed much emphasis on the restoration of the historical styles of buildings such as the inclusion of rooms that surrounded an open center or courtyard, use of a combination of colors and arches. The targeted structures have included mosques, archeological sites and government buildings. However, evidence shows that the reconstruction of the Arab Gulf institutions has been a challenging task considering most achievements in that regard are artificial because of the problems posed by the Western penetration. For example, an analysis of the pictures of most modern structures in Qatar shows that traditional buildings have undergone some form of alteration and upgrading concerning the classical structures. The buildings have an element of modern architecture; however, most of the traditional rural structures have fallen into a state of disrepair in various parts of Qatar.
The discovery of oil has also expanded the disparity between the rich and the poor and led to the domination of the middle class. The systems of governance and social stratification have a close relationship with the high class in the society that, in its turn, has greater access to opportunities compared to other social classes. The highly educated middle class has dominance in most aspects of government and business.
The concept of social class is a Western influence because the Arab tribal and theoretical structure did not constitute its formation. On the other hand, the British society attached much significance to class distinctions and promoted various rituals to preserve the class structure. The origin of the current social distinctions in the Arab Gulf has a close relation with the British rule in the region. The traditional societal expectations were that the political power should focus on serving the people rather than establishing a cultural hegemony (Agnew & Corbridge, 1995). The British government has changed the societal view regarding class structuring by establishing schools and other institutions that significantly promoted the creation and preservation of dynasties and social classes. For example, the British Council representative, on his visit to Bahrain, stated that he supported education for the sheiks’ sons and other important people because they were the ones to hold important positions irrespective of the ability to pass examinations. This utterance highlighted the intention to convey the idea of social structures, which had been a foreign concept in the Gulf countries. The perception that the notables’ sons are more important compared to other people has continued to thrive after the end of the British government and is evident in various Gulf countries where leadership is hereditary. The British authorities have established a culture of self-imposed inferiority, which has carried on flourishing and placing the lower class iin a subordinate position. For example, the very educated are the ones likely to get an appointment or endorsement by the government. The promotion of social structuring has influenced the emergence of separateness between various Gulf countries. For example, approaches such as the requirement for a sheikhdom to display a flag have encouraged Gulf countries such as Dubai to view themselves as different states from Qatar or Abu Dhabi.
Ethnic groups exist within their own social stratospheres. The domination of an ethnic group in a caste system is minimal. The increase in urban population has led to decline in the number of arranged marriages. The enactment of laws that allow a state-appointed judge to revoke the father’s instructions in the case of an early marriage has considerably improved the options of choosing a spouse, especially in urban settings. However, the traditional view that marriage is a contract between two families still plays a significant role in marriage decisions even in urban environment. For example, the ethnicity of a spouse is a key consideration in any marriage arrangement.
British imperialism in the Arab Gulf has eroded the language, arts and other cultural forms. The British Empire has achieved hegemony in the region with the minimal use of brute force, which has allowed the endorsement of the British culture and the envisioning and formation of Gulf-nation states. The elements of the British cultural hegemony have had significant antithetical effects on the tribal structure of the Arabs (Rich, 2009). The nation-state way of thinking in administering the Gulf states has eroded the identity of individual ethnic groups and allowed Britain to promote the growth of institutions based on the western style and the diminishing of traditional systems and institutions. The new power centers that have emerged have minimal elements of the Muslim majority traditional view, which discourages a socialist approach in doing things.
Earn 10% from all orders
made by people you bring
Your people also get 17% discount on
their first order
Race and American Identity
Racial Discrimination in the US
Divorce Rate in the USA
Your request should consist of 5 char min.
Live chat and customer support team working 24/7
Professional experts
Quality and confidentiality guarantees
All standard formats followed
Investigation of all subjects
No late orders
Original paper writing
5% OFF for more than 15 pages
10%OFF for more than 30 pages
Approximately 300 words/page
FREE revision (within 2 days)
FREE outline
FREE e-mail delivery
FREE formatting
FREE plagiarism report (on demand)
FREE table of contents
FREE abstract
Written from scratch
Any citation
Fully referenced
Never resold
Unique customer system
1998-2019 Prime-Essay.com
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Delivery Policy Sitemap
Limited Time OFFER Get 10% OFF Your First Order!
Online - please click here to chat
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line951
|
__label__wiki
| 0.640682
| 0.640682
|
NEWS: MAY 09, 2019
Year 1 of Delta-Korean Air JV: ‘Shared focus on customers’
Steve Sear, Delta's President – International and Executive Vice President of Global Sales, spoke with Delta News Hub one year into the approval of the airline's joint venture with Korean Air about what customers, employees and others can look forward to in 2019 and beyond.
Delta News Hub: We're coming up on the first anniversary of Delta's trans-Pacific joint venture with Korean Air. What stands out to you as the biggest achievements in this first year?
Steve Sear: It's been a great year and we're just getting started. As (Delta CEO) Ed Bastian said a year ago, it's an exciting time for our customers and that will continue to be the case. We have our sights set on furthering our position as the No. 1 trans-Pacific joint venture. The JV with Korea Air has been one of our fastest-integrating partnerships, thanks to the close cooperation with the Korean Air team and our shared focus on customers and vision to grow together. It has been impressive to see the benefits of unlocking the potential of this partnership that spans nearly two decades, since the foundation of the SkyTeam alliance. And from a Delta perspective, this partnership is enabling us to grow across the Pacific for the first time since 2012.
DNH: What have been the most noteworthy benefits for customers?
SS: We are building the most comprehensive and reliable network in the trans-Pacific, providing our customers unparalleled access to over 80 destinations in Asia and more than 290 in the U.S. We offer the fastest and most customer-friendly connecting experience in Asia, through Seoul's best-in-class Incheon Terminal 2, home of the Delta/Korean Air Joint Venture since its opening January of 2018. The JV quickly implemented full reciprocal codesharing across our respective networks to over 200 new markets, improved reciprocity across our loyalty programs, and work together to improve all aspects of the customer experience across the Pacific.
DNH: What has been the customer feedback about the increased choice and options in partnership with Korean Air?
SS: Our customers tell us that Seoul's Incheon Terminal 2 facility is fantastic and ease of bookings, connections and SkyMiles earning are what's really working well for them. We've also heard great feedback from our customers about onboard meals created in partnership with Michelin two-star chef Kwon Woo-Joong, which are featured in all classes of Delta service to and from Korea. We're also rolling out award winning products, including Delta One Suites and Delta Premium Select available on our new aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and A330-900neo, and expanding to our Boeing 777 fleet as it is refurbished. Our customers have also responded enthusiastically to Korean Air's high service standards and premium products, including their First Class and Prestige class. In all regions where Delta flies, we have a laser focus on delivering an outstanding experience for our global customers.
DNH: How does Delta's recent proposed service to Tokyo's Haneda Airport play into its vision for its future trans-Pacific portfolio?
SS: For decades, direct Japan – U.S. travel has been very important for both business and leisure customers. This will remain the case going forward. When the U.S. Department of Transportation reached an agreement with the Japanese authorities to offer more daytime access to Haneda, the preferred airport to access Tokyo's City Center, we responded with a compelling proposal for flights from five U.S. cities, in addition to our existing two flights. The proposed service would provide direct access to Tokyo's preferred airport with convenient access to the city center, as well as enhanced connecting opportunities for passengers in the Pacific Northwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions of the U.S., all with Delta's unmatched reliability and service.
Separately, we have also proposed to the U.S. DOT to add new service to Shanghai from our Minneapolis/St. Paul hub in 2020.
DNH: What are you most looking forward to as the Delta and Korean Air joint venture begins to mature?
SS: There's been a lot happening for customers of our JV this year. Delta began service from our Minneapolis/St. Paul hub to Seoul-Incheon, featuring our newly refurbished Boeing 777s, in April. New Korean Air service between Seoul-Incheon and Delta's growing focus city in Boston launched on their new 787-9s. Also, Delta-operated service between Osaka-Kansai and our Pacific hub in Seattle launched as part of our Korean Air partnership. This growth is a testament to the strong potential of the Delta/Korean Air Joint Venture and a clear sign of our partnership's bright future. It's been gratifying to see what the Delta and Korean Air teams have been able to accomplish together, and there's a lot more to come.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line952
|
__label__wiki
| 0.898423
| 0.898423
|
5 Apr 2005 : Column 1373Wcontinued
Export Credits Guarantee Department
Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when consultation on changes to the anti-bribery and corruption procedures at the Export Credits Guarantee Department will be launched; and when it is expected to end. [223713]
Mr. Alexander: The Export Credits Guarantee Department launched a consultation on the changes to its anti-bribery and corruption procedures introduced in December 2004 on 18 March 2005. Details of this can be found on its website at www.ecgd.gov.uk.
The consultation will close on 18 June 2005.
Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate the costs to be paid by her Department to the plaintiffs, the Corner House in respect of her Department's settlement of the case relating to consultation on Export Credits Guarantee Department forms. [223714]
Mr. Alexander: No claim for any particular sum has yet been submitted by the Comer House. As a result no reliable estimate can yet be formulated.
Gaelic Language
Mr. Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's policy is on the use of the Gaelic language; and what plans her Department has to prepare and implement a Gaelic language scheme. [217097]
Ms Hewitt: Marketing communication materials are translated into Gaelic and other minority or foreign languages according to objectives and target audience requirements.
Large Print Versions
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will require the Insolvency Agency to make available to the public on request large print versions of standard documentation' and if she will make a statement. [223978]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The Insolvency Service is fully aware of its responsibilities to its users in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Where it is possible to do so the Insolvency Service will accommodate requests made by the public for large print versions of any standard leaflets or documentation.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in the Chorley constituency have benefited from the national minimum wage since its introduction. [212095]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Reliable figures cannot be produced for Chorley due to small sample size.
The DTI estimates that around 120,000 people in the North West of England stood to benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in October
5 Apr 2005 : Column 1374W
1999. It is estimated that around 160,000 people in the North West of England stood to benefit from the October 1999 estimate on the Office for National Statistics' central estimate of low pay; the 2004 estimate is based on data from the annual survey of hours and Earnings.
Minimum Wage (Lancashire)
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people have benefited from the minimum wage in (a) the North West, (b) Lancashire and (c) Chorley since its introduction. [216236]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The information requested is as follows:
(a) The DTI estimates that around 120,000 people in the North West of England stood to benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in October 1999. It is estimated that around 160,000 people in the North West of England stood to benefit from the October 2004 uprating of the national minimum wage. The DTI has based the October 1999 estimate on the Office for National Statistics' central estimate of low pay; the 2004 estimate is based on data from the annual survey of hours and earnings.
(b) Reliable figures cannot be produced for Lancashire due to small sample size.
(c) Reliable figures cannot be produced for Chorley due to small sample size.
National Minimum Wage
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the number of people in the (a) London region and (b) Leyton and Wanstead constituency who have benefited from the most recent rise in the national minimum wage. [208773]
(a) The DTI estimates that around 90,000 people in London have benefited from the October 2004 uprating of the national minimum wage. The DTI has based this estimate on the April 2004 annual survey of hours and earnings.
(b) Reliable figures cannot be produced for Leyton and Wanstead due to small sample size.
Mr. Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her estimate is of the number of people in Stoke-on-Trent who have benefited from the most recent rise in the national minimum wage. [209897]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Reliable figures cannot be produced for Stoke-on-Trent Central due to small sample size.
The DTI estimates that around 140,000 people in the West Midlands stood to benefit from the October 2004 uprating of the national minimum rage. The DTI has based this estimate on the April 2004 annual survey of hours and earnings.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) monetary and (b) percentage increase has been of each uprating of the national minimum wage since its introduction. [214027]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The following tables present the monetary and percentage increase of each uprating of the national minimum wage since its introduction.
Monetary and percentage increases in the adult (6)national minimum wage (NMW) rate
Adult hourly NMW rate (£)
Increase in adult hourly NMW rate (£)
Percentage increase in adult hourly NMW rate
1999 3.60
2000 3.70 0.10 2.8
2001 4.10 0.40 10.8
(6)The adult rate applies to workers aged 22 or above
Monetary and percentage increases in the youth(7) (development) national minimum wage (NMW) rate
Youth hourly NMW rate (£)
Increase in youth hourly NMW rate (£)
Percentage increase in youth hourly NMW rate
(7)The youth development rate applies to workers aged 1821
Mr. Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in Reading, West constituency have benefited from the national minimum wage since its introduction. [215817]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Reliable figures cannot be produced for Reading, West due to small sample size.
The DTI estimates that around 110,000 people in the South East of England stood to benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in October 1999. It is also estimated that around 110,000 people in the South East of England stood to benefit from the October 2004 uprating of the national minimum wage. The DTI has based the October 1999 estimate on the Office for National Statistics' central estimate of low pay; the 2004 estimate is based on data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.
National Minimum Wage (Edinburgh)
Mr. Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in Edinburgh North and Leith constituency have benefited from the national minimum wage since its introduction. [211571]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Reliable figures cannot be produced for Edinburgh North and Leith due to small sample size.
The DTI estimates that around 90,000 people in Scotland stood to benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in October 1999. It is estimated that around 130,000 people in Scotland stood to benefit from the October 2004 uprating of the national minimum wage. The DTI has based the October 1999 estimate on the Office for National Statistics' central estimate of low pay; the 2004 estimate is based on data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line953
|
__label__cc
| 0.703029
| 0.296971
|
1 Feb 2006 : Column 498Wcontinued
Disabled People (Skills Levels)
Mr. Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to increase the skills levels of disabled people in Hartlepool; and if she will make a statement. [42982]
1 Feb 2006 : Column 499W
Phil Hope: More people than ever before with self-declared learning difficulties and/or disabilities are now engaged in LSC-funded education and training with 579,000 learners across the post-16 sector in 200304 at a total cost of around £1.3 billion. We want to work closely with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to continue to break down the barriers that people with disabilities face in accessing quality training. The Learning and Skills Act 2000 places a statutory duty on the LSC to promote equality of opportunity between persons of different racial groups, men and women, and between disabled and non-disabled. To support that work, the LSC has introduced equality and diversity impact measures as a planning tool to promote greater equality of opportunity in both fair access to and outcomes from publicly-funded training.
Earlier this year, in our White Paper Skills Getting on in business, getting on at work" we outlined how the LSC is providing capital funding to support colleges and training providers in making the necessary changes to their accommodation, in order to improve access for disabled learners.
However, responsibility for the planning and funding of skills training in Hartlepool, including skills for people with disabilities, is the responsibility of the LSC. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive, has written to my hon. Friend with further information and a copy of his letter has been placed in the House Library.
Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 30 January 2006:
I am writing to you to follow up the Secretary of State's answer to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding increasing the skills levels of disabled people in Hartlepool.
I have set out below a summary of current activity with learners in the town:
The main providers of post-16 learning in Hartlepool are Hartlepool College of Further Education and Hartlepool Sixth Form College. Both have been supported recently with funding in relation to improving access for learners with disabilities. All providers of Apprenticeships, Work Based Learning and Entry to Employment in Hartlepool have had an Access Audit to ensure that their facilities and premises are accessible to people with disabilities.
In excess of 1,900 people taking part in learning in Hartlepool are supported with Additional Learning Support Funding. This funding provides specific individual support in respect of learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
18 learners from Hartlepool with a learning difficulty/and or disability have achieved a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification through the Employer Training Pilot. This is 7% of those taking part.
73 young people from Hartlepool who consider themselves to have a learning difficulty and/or disability are currently on Apprenticeship programmes and improving their skills and employment opportunities at levels 2 and 3. 42 young people from Hartlepool who consider themselves to have a learning difficulty and/or disability are currently on entry to employment programmes and are improving their skills and employment opportunities leading to level 2 qualifications.
Hartlepool College of Further Education is working with Catcote Special School in Hartlepool to increase provision for learners aged 19+ with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. This project is increasing personal, social and skills for working life for 14 adults.
Hartlepool Sixth Form College is running a Pathways project1 which supports 26 learners with multiple learning difficulties aged 26 to 63. Learners follow the Certificate in Personal, Social and Health Education.
We have recently approved funding for the Shaw Trust to deliver support to unemployed 1924 year olds with learning difficulties and/or disabilities that I have previously had specialist support in a local provider, or have returned from a residential college. The project will support them in community and work based settings. Participants will benefit from improved social skills to encourage independent living and progression, making aspirations and employment goals attainable. 50 learners will be supported across the Tees Valley.
In addition to the examples given above, people with disabilities have full access to the extensive range of skills training available in the colleges and learning organisations within Hartlepool.
Budgets for investment in services for learners with learning needs and disabilities for 200607 will shortly be allocated to regions and local LSC's enabling them to plan support for next year. This will be in the context of our plans for significant budget increases for these learners over the next few years. We have increased the overall budget for learners with learning needs and disabilities from £138 million to £157 million for 20062007 and this will increase again to £181 million in 20072008, rises of 14% and 15% year on year from 2005. These rises are significantly greater than the overall increase in our budget over the same period, which increases by 3% and 5%.
We are making this additional investment in response to the national review of support for learners with disabilities carried out for us by Peter Little. While the review is still out for consultation and we will need to agree nationally how the LSC's expenditure on learning is matched by what other agencies pay for by way of social and domestic support, we acknowledge that our own contribution must rise. This is because the overall number of learners with disabilities is rising as the effect of medical advances continues.
At a time when numbers of young people are falling and 80% of the workforce of 2010 is already in the labour market we regard it as essential that the aspirations and abilities of all learners are supported and developed.
I hope this information helps to support the answer to your parliamentary question.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the requirement for extended schools referred to on page 10 of the White Paper, Higher Standards, Better Schools for All". [46446]
Beverley Hughes: By 2010 we expect all schools to offer access to a core offer of extended services, with half of all primaries and a third of all secondaries doing so by 2008. The core offer includes 8 am-6 pm wraparound child care; a varied menu of study support activities such as sport and arts clubs; swift and easy referral to specialist health and social care services such as speech therapy; parenting support; and wider community use of school facilities. How this develops in each community will vary depending on the needs of that community. Some will have greater need for more child care, others will be able to rely on working with existing providers. A survey of 4,000 schools has shown that many are already delivering parts of this offer, with the vast majority already providing some activities or care before or after school. There has been enthusiasm from local authorities and schools to engage with the extended schools support programme, with over 5,000 schools joining this year.
Foundation Stage Profile
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many statements are included in the Foundation Stage Profile. [46134]
Beverley Hughes: The QCA Foundation Stage Profile scales booklet covers 13 areas of development related to the early learning goals. For each area, the booklet offers a series of statements, numbered 1 to 9, describing aspects of development within that area (117 statements in all). For each individual child, teachers decide which of the nine statements in each area best describe the child's stage of development. Schools report to the local authority, as the child's score", 13 numbers ranging from 1 to 9.
Literacy and Numeracy (Hampshire)
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of how many adults lacked basic (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2005 in (A) Hampshire, (B) Portsmouth, (C) Southampton, (D) the Isle of Wight and (E) each (1) borough and (2) district council in Hampshire. [47482]
Phil Hope [holding answer 31 January 2006]: The Department does not collect annual data on adult literacy and numeracy skills and it is therefore not possible to provide estimates for 1997 and 2005. However, in 2002/03, the Department for Education and Skills conducted the 'Skills for Life Survey'. This is a national needs and impact survey of literacy and numeracy, which provides estimates of the level of basic skills within England among adults aged 1665 years old.
The assessment levels correspond to the literacy and numeracy National Standards: these were introduced in 2002 to provide a framework for all adult screening tests, diagnostic tools, programmes of study and
qualifications. Learners are assessed for levels of literacy and numeracy from Entry Level 1 to Level 2. Level 2 is broadly equivalent to a higher grade GCSE (A*-C).
The survey provides estimates for Learning and Skills Council areas and districts. Within the Learning and Skills Council area of Hampshire and The Isle of Wight, the Skills for Life Survey estimates that around 7 per cent. of adults had literacy levels below Level 1 (equivalent to a GCSE D-G) and around 43 per cent. had numeracy levels below Level 1 (Table 1 and 2).
Table 1: Estimates, based on the Skills for Life Survey, of Adult Literacy Levels for Learning and Skills Council: Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Entry Level 1 Skills and below 6,025 1
Entry Level 2 Skills 5,430 0
Entry Level 3 Skills 61,295 6
Total Entry Level Skills 72,750 7
Level 1 Skills 464,400 42
Level 2 Skills and above 572,100 52
Table 2: Estimates, based on the Skills for Life Survey, of Adult Numeracy Levels for Learning and Skills Council: Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Entry Level 1 Skills and below 23,400 2
Entry Level 2 Skills 116,730 11
Total Entry Level Skills 475,600 43
At a district level, the Skills for Life Survey estimates around 10 per cent. of adults have literacy levels below Level 1 (equivalent to a GCSE D-G) within Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight and around 50 per cent. have numeracy levels below level 1 (Table 3 and 4).
Table 3: Estimates, based on the Skills for Life Survey, of Adult Literacy Levels for Districts
Total Entry Level
Level 1 Skills
Portsmouth 10,340 9 55,890 47 51,540 44
Southampton 14,140 10 63,140 45 62,850 45
Isle of Wight 7,820 10 35,970 47 32,950 43
Table 4: Estimates, based on the Skills for Life Survey, of Adult Numeracy Levels for Districts
Portsmouth 62,540 53 35,900 30 19,330 16
Isle of Wight 39,010 51 23,910 31 13,810 18
A copy of the full report of this survey has been placed in the House of Commons Library and all geographical estimates are on the Skills for Life website [http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus_skillsforlifesurvey/].
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line954
|
__label__wiki
| 0.72701
| 0.72701
|
13 Feb 2006 : Column 1553Wcontinued
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions he has made (a) for the purposes of demographic modelling and (b) for other reasons about the number of marriages in the decade to 2016 between UK nationals and citizens of (i) Pakistan, (ii) India and (iii) Bangladesh where the latter seek settlement in the UK. [50246]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 13 February 2006:
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the assumptions made (a) for the purposes of demographic modelling and (b) for other reasons about the number of marriages in the decade to 2016 between UK nationals and citizens of (i) Pakistan, (ii) India and (iii) Bangladesh where the latter seeks settlement in the UK. (50246)
The Government Actuary's Department has periodically produced projections of the future population of England & Wales by marital status. Responsibility for such projections has recently transferred to the Office for National Statistics. As part of this work, assumptions are made about future marriage rates. However, these assumptions are not broken down by nationality.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Financial Services Authority's press release of 8 March 2001, (1) if he will list the UK banks which laundered money for the former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha; and how much money was handled by each bank; [50557]
(2) if he will undertake an inquiry to establish whether banks in (a) the UK and (b) Crown Dependencies offered their facilities to General Pinochet to evade taxes and launder money. [50569]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The handling of accounts linked to the late General Abacha or to General Pinochet by banks in the United Kingdom is a regulatory matter,
13 Feb 2006 : Column 1554W
responsibility for which lies with the Financial Services Authority, and the financial regulatory authorities on each Crown Dependency.
HM Treasury and the Governments of the Crown Dependencies are responsible for the overarching framework of legislation and guidance in relation to money laundering, which has been subject to a wide ranging modernisation programme to safeguard the integrity of the financial services sector.
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the life expectancy of a patient suffering from myeloma was in England in the last period for which figures are available. [49870]
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the life expectancy of a patient suffering from myeloma was in England in the last period for which figures are available. (49870)
Data on life expectancy for patients with specific types of cancer are not available. Available information relates to survival from diagnosis. Survival rates are calculated from the proportion of patients in each age group still alive at a given period after diagnosis.
The latest available survival rates for multiple myeloma 1 in England are for adult patients (aged 1599 years) diagnosed during 19982001 and followed up to 31 December 2003. The five-year age-standardised 2 relative survival rates for patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma during 19982001 3 in England, was 25.6 per cent. for both male and female patients.
The survival statistics are available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Productasp?vlnk=14007
1 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C90.
2 As cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, rates have been age standardised to control for changes in the age profile of cancer patients over time. 3 Complete five-year follow-up is currently only available for those diagnosed in 1998. For patients diagnosed in later years the most up-to-date estimates of shorter-term survival were used in this analysis of survival rates.
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many parliamentary questions tabled in the last 12 months for answer by him on a named day (a) were transferred and (b) received a substantive answer (i) on the day named and (ii) after the day named. [49882]
John Healey: A parliamentary question is transferred when it is more appropriate for an answer to be given by a Department other than that to which it was originally tabled. Records are not kept of the number of questions transferred to and from the Treasury.
In the 200405 Session, Treasury Ministers answered 79 per cent. of named day questions substantively on the day nominated by questioners. The figure for the 200506 session to date is 70 per cent.
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ordinary written parliamentary questions tabled for answer by him in the last 12 months have been answered (a) within 14 days, (b) between 14 and 28 days, (c) between 28 days and two months and (d) in excess of two months after the date of tabling; and if he will make a statement. [49894]
John Healey: The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, in the 200405 session, Treasury Ministers answered 84 per cent. of ordinary written questions within a working week of their having been tabled, as provided for in Erskine May" (Twenty-Third Edition, page 342). The corresponding figure for the 200506 session to date is 79 per cent.
Pool Re
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether buildings insurance provided through Pool Re covers radiological, biological and chemical terrorist attack where the building is subsequently uninhabitable due to contamination without significant structural damage. [51108]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Pool Re provides reinsurance cover for commercial property damage and consequent business interruption resulting from an act of terrorism on mainland Great Britain (excluding war and cyber terrorism risks).
Where purchased, insurance cover provided under the Pool Re scheme by its members (insurance firms) is subject to the terms and conditions which appear in the underlying policies issued by those members, which will contain no exclusions for chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear effects applying to the terrorism cover. This means that such policies will include cover for property damage relating to radiological, biological and chemical effects where the cause is an act of terrorism. The extent of the insured's cover will ultimately depend on the contract between the insurer and insured.
Post Office Card Account
Mr. Leech: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Manchester, Withington use a Post Office card account to access child benefit. [50373]
Dawn Primarolo: Approximately 920 recipients in Manchester, Withington used a Post Office card account to access child benefit in November 2005.
Qinetiq
Dr. Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what professional advice his Department received about the offering of shares in Qinetiq to retail investors at flotation; when this advice was received; whether (a) officials and (b) Ministers challenged this advice; and if he will make a statement. [50931]
Mr. Des Browne: The recommendation that the Qinetiq IPO should not include a retail offer was received by the MOD from its professional advisers and the final decision was taken in consultation with other Government Departments.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the changes proposed in his pre-Budget statement in respect of real estate investment trusts upon (a) availability of housing for rent, (b) the amount and proportion of second and holiday homes, (c) the availability of housing in areas with a preponderance of second and holiday homes and (d) other aspects of the housing market. [50255]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Real estate investment trusts (UK-REITs) will provide a publicly quoted vehicle for investment in both commercial and residential property. As part of the Government's response to Kate Barker's Review of Housing Supply, one of the aims of introducing UK-REITs is to improve efficiency, affordability and professionalism in the private rented sector to the benefit of residential tenants. The Government will publish a final regulatory impact assessment alongside Finance Bill legislation.
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria will apply to the purchase of residential properties under his proposed changes to real estate investment trusts. [50256]
John Healey: As is set out in the draft legislation, published in December 2005 and updated in January 2006, real estate investment trusts (UK-REITs) will, among other rules, be required to be companies listed on a Recognised Stock Exchange, as defined for tax purposes, and to hold at least three properties, of which no one property can exceed 40 per cent. of the value of the total portfolio. These rules will apply to UK-REITs investing in commercial and/or residential property.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line955
|
__label__wiki
| 0.734206
| 0.734206
|
You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Hansard > Commons Debates > Daily Hansard - Written Answers
16 Mar 2010 : Column 724Wcontinued
16 Mar 2010 : Column 725W
Departmental Internet
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2010, Official Report, column 565W, on departmental internet, what the cost was of the website redesign; and what estimate he has made of the cost of the latest redesign. [321933]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The design costs for the redesign of the website in 2005 were £31,104.54.
In 2009-10 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport commissioned a digital agency to design and create five themed landing pages for its website. This work is essential to bring the current site up to date, by providing better access to content allowing more flexibility and the ability to pull in relevant social media feeds (which the current single homepage cannot support). The total cost for design was £8,383.75.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many designs for its (a) internal website and (b) intranet his Department has commissioned since 2005; and what the cost was of each such design. [321984]
Mr. Sutcliffe: We have not commissioned any designs for the intranet since 2005.
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to the Manchester, Gorton constituency, the effects on that constituency of his Department's policies since 1997. [322132]
Mr. Sutcliffe: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Manchester, Gorton constituency since 1997 include:
£316,615 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in Gorton in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.
Digital Switchover has been completed in the Gorton region, and by 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
£1,416,994 of Exchequer investment to the Gorton constituency provided through Sport England since 2002.
Over £20 million of national lottery grants made to applications from the constituency since 1995.
The Big Lottery Fund and its predecessor bodies have awarded £5,694,522 to projects located in the constituency since the 1996/97 financial year. This includes an award made in 2008-09 of £446,140 for an active project to redevelop Levenshulme. United Reformed Church into a multi-purpose community centre.
£117,483 of English Heritage grant offers to the Gorton constituency in 2008-09.
The Manchester, Gorton constituency has also benefitted from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:
£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture
More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the national lottery since 1997.
Over 2 million free swims taken in the north-west region since the Free Swimming programme was introduced.
A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.
Local Government: Statistics
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2010, Official Report, column 341W, on local government finance, what performance data local authorities regularly submit on libraries and museums to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. [319795]
Margaret Hodge: There is no requirement for local authorities to submit performance data on libraries and museums to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. The MLA:
1. Part-fund the collection of local authority data relating to National Indicator Set 9 and 10 (in order to enable libraries and museums to manage their own performance better). Local authority National Indicator Sets are required by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
2. Collects information (on Cultural Strategies, Business Plans, accounts and collecting policies) from all local authorities when they apply to become Accredited museums or Designated collections. The MLA also collect data returns from local authorities with Renaissance funded museums. This does not form part of the wider local authority performance framework.
3. Advises CIPFA on their annual public library statistics on expenditure, income, staffing and service provision, for all library authorities in England.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the tourism industry on the merits of introducing British Summer Time and Double British Summer Time. [322497]
Margaret Hodge: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and I have held a number of recent discussions with the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers, and Attractions (BALPPA) and other tourism industry stakeholders about the potential benefits to DCMS sectors, including tourism and sport, of making changes to British Summer Time (BST).
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is the lead policy Department on BST, and the DCMS have raised these issues with BIS for their consideration.
Tourism: Poole
Mr. Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding has been allocated to the promotion of tourism (a) in Poole and (b) nationally in each year since 1997. [320486]
Margaret Hodge: The information requested on funding to promote tourism in Poole is not held centrally. Responsibility for tourism in the regions was taken over by the regional development agencies (RDAs) in 2003.
I have therefore asked the chief executive of the South West regional development agency to write to the hon. Member for Poole directly. Copies of the response will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The overall level of public sector investment in tourism from local, regional and national sources will exceed £2 billion in the current spending review period (2008-09 to 2010-11).
Nationally, funding to promote tourism is directed through VisitBritain and VisitEngland.
VisitBritain's Grant in Aid since 1997 (including VisitBritain's predecessor bodies -the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Council-up to 2002-03) is outlined in the following table:
£ million
The rise in spending between 2001 and 2003 represents the additional funding invested by the Government and the industry to support tourism in response to specific national and international events that occurred in and immediately preceding this period (foot and mouth, 9/11 and SARS).
Business: Montgomeryshire
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many businesses were registered in Montgomeryshire in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. [322012]
Mr. Hain: Montgomeryshire has consistently had the second highest number of VAT registered businesses in Wales after Brecon and Radnorshire.
The number of enterprises registered for VAT at the start of each year in Montgomeryshire is as follows:
Figures for 2009 are not available at this time.
Departmental Lost Property
John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what property has been recorded as (a) lost and (b) stolen from his Department in the last 12 months; and what estimate has been made of the cost of the replacement of that property. [322084]
Mr. Hain: One mobile telephone was recorded as stolen. The replacement cost approximately £40.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will assess the merits of introducing a concessionary bus travel scheme for persons aged (a) up to 15 years old and (b) between 16 and 19 years old; and if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of introducing such a scheme in (i) England, (ii) Gloucestershire and (iii) Stroud constituency. [322051]
Mr. Khan: The Government have no plans at present to introduce a statutory bus concession for young people. Any extensions to the scope of the current statutory minimum would bring with them associated costs and would require careful consideration of the full impacts, including: the effect on limited spare bus capacity; the potential for distortion of the commercial bus market; and the impact on walking and cycling initiatives.
Local authorities are best placed to decide on the most appropriate discretionary concessions in their areas, offering far more flexibility than would be the case with a blanket statutory concession.
The Department for Transport recently commissioned some research on the cost and impact of options for extending the current statutory minimum concessionary travel scheme. Based on this research, the Department estimates that it would cost:
( a) around an extra £1.2 billion per annum to extend the statutory minimum concession to enable 5 to 16-year-olds to travel anytime for free on buses England-wide.
(b) around an extra £740 million per annum to extend the statutory minimum concession to enable 14 to 19-year-olds in full-time education to travel anytime for free on buses England-wide.
The Department does not have any estimates for specific counties or constituencies.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2010, Official Report, column 1363W, on departmental internet, what the cost was of the website redesign. [321924]
Chris Mole: The Department for Transport last commissioned a new design for its corporate website in 2005:
www.dft.gov.uk
The work to develop a new information architecture and associated usability testing cost £39,500 (net). The subsequent work to develop a new visual design around the revised information architecture cost £55,825 (net).
Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many designs for its (a) internal website and (b) intranet his Department has commissioned since 2005; and what the cost was of each such design. [321979]
Chris Mole: Since 2005 the Department has commissioned one new design for its intranet at a cost of £10,210 (ex VAT). The design work was part of a larger technical upgrade.
East Coast Railway Line
Jim Cousins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will make an assessment of the merits of increasing capacity for (a) passengers and (b) freight on the East Coast Main Line, with particular reference to (i) the lengthening of station platforms and (ii) the raising of freight loading gauges. [322242]
Chris Mole: The assessment of the merits of increasing capacity on the East Coast Main Line is a matter for Network Rail. The East Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Study was published by Network Rail in February 2008 and made recommendations for increasing the route's capacity for both passenger and freight services. This can be found on Network Rail's website at:
www.networkrail.co.uk
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line956
|
__label__cc
| 0.724193
| 0.275807
|
Peter Guarino, MPH, PhD
Director, Statistical Center for HIV / AIDS Research and Prevention, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
School of Public Health: Biostatistics
Peter Guarino is currently the Director of the Statistical Center for HIV / AIDS Research and Prevention (SCHARP) at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. SCHARP is the Statistical and Data Management Center (SDMC) for multiple HIV research networks, including HIV Prevention Trials Network , HIV Vaccine Trials Network, Microbicides Trial Network, Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery, and Vaccine Immunology Statistical Center. Prior to directing SCHARP, Peter was the Director of the VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, CT. He is also currently an assistant clinical professor of biostatistics at YSPH. Dr. Guarino has more than 15 years’ experience in the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials. His primary research interests are in measuring and improving the effectiveness of informed consent in clinical research, improving the quality and efficiency of the design, conduct and analysis of multicenter clinical trials and comparative effectiveness studies.
University of London (2005)
Yale University (1998)
Email peter.guarino@yale.edu
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line957
|
__label__wiki
| 0.847734
| 0.847734
|
Roger Waters ‘Us and Them’ Concert Film Coming to Movie Theaters
Trafalgar Releasing
Roger Waters is coming to a movie theater near you. The Pink Floyd co-founder has announced a concert film featuring footage from his Us + Them tour.
Described as an “unmissable cinema event,” Roger Waters Us + Them promises “state-of-the-art visual production and breath-taking sound.” The project reunites Waters with director Sean Evans, who previously helmed the acclaimed 2014 concert documentary film Roger Waters the Wall.
Filmed in Amsterdam during the European leg of his 2018 tour, Us + Them features songs from iconic Floyd albums The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Animals, and Wish You Were Here. The set list also includes tunes from Waters’ 2017 solo album, Is This The Life We Really Want?
“Roger has been the innovator of theater in arena and stadium rock 'n' roll since the early ’70s,” Waters' manager, Mark Fenwick remarked to Variety. “He is legendary for pushing the boundaries of surround sound and visual entertainment with his message of love and humanity through Us + Them.”
After achieving massive worldwide fame and commercial success, Waters departed Pink Floyd in 1985 citing creative differences with his bandmates. A feud with guitarist David Gilmour has prevented the group from reuniting. Despite this, Waters, Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason have continued to mix Floyd material into their respective live performances. Waters even made a surprise appearance alongside Mason’s new Saucerful of Secrets band in April.
Roger Waters Us + Them will receive a limited engagement, screening in cinemas worldwide on Oct. 2 and 6. Tickets go on sale July 17. You can find more info at the movie's official site.
Pink Floyd Albums Ranked
Next: Pink Floyd Soundtrack the Moon Landing
Source: Roger Waters ‘Us and Them’ Concert Film Coming to Movie Theaters
Filed Under: roger waters
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line959
|
__label__cc
| 0.597271
| 0.402729
|
Rickenbacker 360 2003 Montezuma Brown
The Rickenbacker 360 is considered one of the if not the most iconic Rickenbacker guitar. Both the 12-string (360-12) and 6-string version of this guitar helped define pop music in the '60s most notably as used by the Beatles. Introduced in 1958, the 360 was given a thinner body in 1961 and a new control and pickguard layout in 1963. In 1964, the body was updated with more rounded horns and new binding style, though the original styling was also offered in later reissues.
Design Elements: Dual hi-gain pickups, triangle inlays, white pickguard, two volume and tone knobs, blend knob, Rick-O-Sound stereo output
Finish Specifications: Montezuma Brown is a rare Rickenbacker finish that was part of the Color of the Year program.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line967
|
__label__cc
| 0.673721
| 0.326279
|
Robbins Roots
Sharing generations of stories…
Businessman, Mayor, State Legislator – The Career of Jacob Harvey Robbins
April 24, 2018 / robbinsroots / Leave a comment
It’s not often that you see a relative’s name on a bank note. But in 1899 Jacob Harvey (J. H.) Robbins moved to the small mining town of Sumpter, in Oregon’s Blue Mountains, organized the First National Bank of Sumpter and issued National Bank Notes. J. H. Robbins was the consummate businessman – involved in mining, banking, sales, produce distribution, and much more, and he pursued these activities in a wide variety of locations throughout the Pacific Northwest.
First National Bank of Sumpter
J. H. Robbins was born in 1859 near Salem, Oregon. He lived with his parents in the Blue Mountains where his father Harvey was one of the first into the Granite district’s gold mining area in 1862. He went to school in Pendleton or Baker City during the winter months, and then graduated from the Portland Business College in 1879. What he learned at the college stood him in good stead for the rest of his varied career. He and his wife Edith have descendants today. A summary of J.H.’s career follows.
Jacob Harvey Robbins
He first worked in the mill and assay office at the Monumental mine in Baker County, one of the largest mines located in the steep mountain country east of Granite, which was reportedly first discovered by his father Harvey, along with Isaac Nail and Isaac Klopp. A 2004 National Forest Service “site inspection” report on several mines in this area included a detailed map of the remains and ruins of the site.
Outline of Monumental Mine remains as drawn by National Forest Service site inspection
Then J.H. moved north to the ranching community of Pilot Rock where he managed Alexander & Lobenstein’s general store from 1880 to 1883. In that latter year he began keeping the books for Heistad & Loveridge in Echo, Oregon, west of Pendleton, in the wide-open sage-brush country of northern Oregon. Newton Loveridge was his uncle, having married Amanda Minerva Robbins. For two years J. H. engaged in real estate brokerage in Pendleton and then he was elected Umatilla County Treasurer in 1888, which office he held until 1893. In 1889 he was appointed assistant cashier of the Pendleton Savings Bank, which he retired from in 1893. From then until 1899 he worked as a receiver at the La Grande Land Office and was vice-president and director of the Farmer & Trader National Bank.
J. H. Robbins in Oregon State Legislature
In 1899 Jacob Harvey Robbins moved to Sumpter, back in Baker County, but not far from the Granite mining community in which he had grown up, now completing a circle from Grant county, north to Umatilla county, then down to Union county (La Grande), and to Baker county back on the border with Grant. In Sumpter he organized his bank and issued his bank notes. In addition he served as mayor of Sumpter and then was elected to the State House of Representatives from Baker County in 1903. Sumpter was a booming city in the early 1900s but was already in decline when a large fire swept through in 1917. Today, Sumpter is the center of both outdoor and historic recreation, with the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area, an old railroad, and the remaining buildings from the town’s heyday, being a big draw for tourists.
But J. H. Robbins didn’t stay many years as in 1904 he moved north to Spokane, where his parents Harvey and Perlina Robbins were already living. That year he organized Robbins, Pratt & Robbins Co., a furniture store, in Spokane with his brother Chester Robbins. All of his business activities after that are less well known. In 1910 he was in Yakima, then he was back in Spokane and associated with the Northern Pacific Fruit Distributors, and later in Ashland where he worked for the Ashland Fruit & Produce Association. In the 1940 census, at the age of 80, J. H. Robbins is listed as an inmate in the Oregon Masonic and Eastern Star Home for the Aged. And yet, he continued to live until 1953, when he finally died after 94 years of a very long and eventful life.
He studied in the large city of Portland, he worked in the predominantly ranching and farming communities of Pendleton and Pilot Rock, he lived and worked in the small mining communities of Granite and Sumpter, conducted business in the city of Spokane, and later distributed fruit in the southern city of Ashland. At one point he considered relocating to Boise. He ended his life in McMinnville, a small city west of Portland. Many of our ancestors lived their entire lives in one single town or county, but Jacob Harvey Robbins explored all the opportunities that the (inland) Pacific Northwest had to offer.
(Jacob Robbins-Jacob Robbins-Jacob Robbins-Harvey Robbins-Jacob Harvey Robbins)
National DNA Day
April 24, 2018 / robbinsroots / 2 Comments
DNA Day, celebrated on April 25th each year, honors the discovery of the DNA double helix by James Watson and Frances H. C. Crick, and the beginning of DNA research as we know it. But, more immediately for us, it’s an excuse for all the DNA testing companies to offer great price-saving deals. If you were thinking of taking a DNA test, now is a great time to save some money.
The companies always reduce their fees during events such as this, as well as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, during the summer, and around the Christmas holiday. Check out the websites for Ancestry, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA, and MyHeritage for deals this week or even special one-day-only deals tomorrow.
One of the companies. FamilyTreeDNA, promotes various projects, as their site describes: “Projects create opportunities for people to work with others to explore their common genetic heritage. Family Tree DNA encourages customers’ participation in projects. Membership is free and voluntary.”
One of the projects they promote is the Robbins/Robins DNA project. Their website is: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/robins/about. There are no restrictions on membership in this project and while the focus is on Y-DNA (passed from father to son), the results from mitochondrial (passed from mother to children) and autosomal (the DNA we receive from both of our parents) tests can also be included in the project’s results. That’s good news for those of us who are not Robbins surnamed males – our Robbins descent comes down one of the many other lines of our family tree – who otherwise would not be able to use Y-DNA results to trace a direct male-Robbins ancestry. I’m no expert in DNA and genealogy, despite attending lectures and seminars (such as the one last week my local genealogy society put on), and am always learning something new about it’s complex role in genealogy.
DNA projects and research are an important focus of today’s family history, but the science goes hand in hand with the paper trail that genealogists develop from their research.
A Robbins Family in Galt, California
April 3, 2018 / robbinsroots / Leave a comment
I can never take a vacation where I don’t visit at least one family cemetery going or coming to my destination. This year was no different. During a trip to California I stopped by the Galt Cemetery in the town of Galt.
Robbins family plot in Galt Cemetery, Galt, California
Last June I wrote a blog post titled “Serious Trouble at Millhousen” about the death of Fount Robbins, shot in bar in Decatur County, Indiana. For the longest time I had been unable to find much information about Fount and his wife Lovisa’s children, Daniel and Emma. Family historian Mary Kate Horner had some information and Decatur County historian and cousin Dale Myers added more. Emma, I learned, remained in Decatur County and was married to Everett Logan; they had two children and it is not known if there are descendants today. There was also a family story that Dan Robbins only had one arm, but where did he end up? Well, he was far away from Indiana.
I finally discovered him living in Galt, California, just south of Sacramento. In fact, Daniel had been living there with his wife and children by the 1880s, long before his father’s death in 1893. I now have an outline of the Robbins family of Galt, still not a lot of details, but more than I had before.
Daniel Henry Robbins was married to Louisa Armstrong in May of 1880 in Gaynorsville, Indiana – a small community in Decatur County – by Justice of the Peace Enoch Proctor. The following month they were enumerated in the federal census living in the household of his parents, Fount and Lovisa Robbins. Daniel was not listed as having an occupation, but there was a notation that he had “left hand off,” thereby collaborating the family story about a physical impairment.
According to Daniel’s obituary the couple moved to California the fall of 1880, while Louisa’s indicates it was in 1889, when the family first lived in Elk Grove before moving to Galt. In fact, at least two of their children were born in Indiana. What brought them west at that time and to that community? They had four children: Charles Augustus (born in Indiana), Jessie H. (born in Indiana), Gracie (birth date and place unknown – she died in infancy), and Ella May (born in California).
In 1890, 1892, 1894, 1896 and 1898 Daniel Robbins is found in the voter registration rolls of Sacramento County. In the 1900 census the Robbins family is found in Dry Creek Township of Sacramento County, which includes the town of Galt and surrounding area, and Daniel is listed as a farm laborer. The family seems to have attended the local Methodist church.
Of the children, Charles Augustus Robbins was married to Lura Oldham about 1902, possibly in San Francisco. Daughter Jessie was married to James Humphrey and Ella was married to Lloyd Dooling. Only Charles had children, one daughter Dorothy Robbins (1919-1998).
Daniel Robbins gravestone
Daniel Robbins died in 1909. His obituary reported: The sudden and unexpected death of Daniel Henry Robbins occurred here last Sunday morning, January 24th. Death resulted from tumor on the brain. The deceased had been ill for only about one month.” He was fifty-four years old.
Louisa Robbins gravestone
All of the children of Daniel and Louisa, strangely enough, died before the death of their mother. Charles died in 1938, Jessie in 1919, and Ella in 1927. Louisa Robbins, however, lived until 1942. All of the family are buried in the Galt Cemetery, and I found their graves this past week. Each member of the family has a similar type of gravestone and they are enclosed in a low concrete outline with lawn inside. The family plot was clearly marked but it took a couple of searches through the cemetery to locate it.
excerpt from Louisa Robbins obituary
It’s not often that you find the following included in an obituary, as this was in Louisa’s: “Although her husband and all four children preceded her in death, she maintained a cheerful attitude and devoted her life to helping others. She was one of the best friends this writer ever had, and will be sorely missed, not only by me, but scores of others.”
(Jacob Robbins-William Robbins-Marmaduke Robbins-Fountain Robbins-Daniel Henry Robbins)
This blog features stories and history about the Robbins family descending from Jacob and Mary Robbins, throughout Indiana and the United States. Please read the "About" page for more information. ~ Kevin Mittge ~
Robbins Roots Archives
"Last of their lines" (1)
Baker County, Oregon (1)
Bond County, Illinois (1)
Clackamas County, Oregon (4)
Clatsop County, Oregon (1)
Decatur County, Indiana (11)
Effingham County, Illinois (1)
Family Historians (1)
Grant County, Oregon (3)
Hanks (1)
Harney County, Oregon (1)
Harrison County, Indiana (1)
Jennings County, Indiana (3)
Marion County, Missouri (1)
Oregon Trail (10)
Pierce County, Washington (1)
Polk County, Oregon (1)
Posey County, Indiana (1)
Randolph County, North Carolina (1)
Schuyler County, Missouri (1)
Scott County, Indiana (1)
Surveyors and surveying (1)
Wasco County, Oregon (2)
Washington County, Oregon (1)
The Armchair Genealogist
DearMYRTLE's Genealogy Blog
The Ancestry Insider
www.geneabloggers.com/
The Murder of John Dow Robbins May 30, 2019
Bond County, Illinois: A Brief Stay April 30, 2019
North to Alaska March 27, 2019
John Robbins and the Mt. Pleasant Church February 25, 2019
Charles Oscar Robbins January 18, 2019
Sharing generations of stories...
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line973
|
__label__cc
| 0.699739
| 0.300261
|
The company Rodolfo Zengarini S.r.l. was established in Montegranaro in 1982 and immediately highly positioned on the market for its style and quality of footwear.
During the ’90s, thanks to the technical and stylistic abilities of the team, the first agreements with prestigious fashion brands were signed: Valentino, Gianfranco Ferré, Etro, Trussardi, Iceberg, Byblos, Calvin Klein Collection. Thus, Rodolfo Zengarini entered in a new phase that led him to produce and distribute high-end men’s and women’s footwear worldwide.
In October 1998 Rodolfo Zengarini became the worldwide licensee of Calvin Klein brand, an international partner who represented a strategic and forsighted choice, crucial for further expansion of distribution and visibility in the sector of luxury goods.
Rodolfo Zengarini S.r.l. is currently considered as one of the leading companies of the sector and offers all types of shoes, starting from classic and casual to even sporty style.
The continuous stylistic research and ability to interpret the market trends have created a team able to create shoes using its craftsmanship skills and, at the same time, offering a total flexibility for the customers which is compulsory in a modern industrial reality.
Currently, the licensed brands are the most important of players of the fashion scene: Roberto Cavalli, Blumarine, John Galliano, John Richmond, John Richmond Junior, J.W. Anderson, Alessandro Dell’Acqua, Frankie Morello e Costume National.
The ability to interpret ideas of the most important international fashion designers creating the styles which combine originality of the patterns, craftsmanship and used components, is the main principle of the company philosophy.
The mission of the company that fully reflects this philosophy, is to offer the products of high quality, design and uniqueness. The result are these exclusive creations that conquered the thousands of people all over the world.
The company’s head office is located in Montegranaro and coordinates all strategic areas, in particular, production, distribution and marketing aspects.
Calzaturificio Rodolfo Zengarini S.r.l. - Via Alpi 122, 63812, Montegranaro (FM) - P.IVA 00780760443 - Tel. 0734 890761 - E-mail info@rodolfozengarini.it - Privacy Policy
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line974
|
__label__cc
| 0.71874
| 0.28126
|
Arguments from Ignorance and Personal Incredulity, Anomaly Hunting, and Conspiracism
HOMEWORK AT THE BOTTOM
The next argument scheme we will look at is what’s known as the argument from ignorance. An argument from ignorance (or argumentum ad ignorantium if you want to be fancy) is one that asserts that a claim is (probably) true because there is no good evidence showing that it is false. It can also be used the other way to argue that a claim is (probably) false because there’s no good evidence to show that it’s true. Like any inductive argument, an argument from ignorance can be cogent or weak.
The Structure of Arguments from Ignorance
Here are a couple of cogent examples of arguments from ignorance:
There’s no good evidence to show that the ancient Egyptians did have digital computers. (This evaluation comes from professional archeologists), therefore, they likely didn’t have digital computers.
There’s no good evidence to suppose the earth will get destroyed by an asteroid tomorrow. (This evaluation comes from professional astronomers), so we should assume it won’t and plan a picnic for tomorrow.
There’s no good geological evidence that there was a world-wide flood event. (This evaluation comes from professional geologists); therefore, we should assume that one never happened.
Formalizing the Argument Scheme
As you may have guessed, we can formalize the structure of the argument from ignorance:
P1: There’s no (good) evidence to disprove (or prove*) the claim.
P2: There has been a reasonable search for the relevant evidence by whomever is qualified to do so.
C: Therefore, we should accept the claim as more probable than not/true.
C*: Therefore, we should reject the claim as improbable/false.
Strong and Weak Uses of Argument from Ignorance
The argument from ignorance is philosophically interesting because the same structure can be used to support both positions. The classic example is the debate over the existence of God. Let’s look at how both sides can employ the argument from ignorance to try to support their respective position.
Pro-God Arg
P1: You can’t find any evidence that proves that God or gods don’t exist.
P2: We’ve made a good attempt to find disconfirming evidence, but can’t find any!
C: Therefore, it’s reasonable to suppose that God or gods do exist.
Vs God Arg
P1: You can’t show any evidence that God or gods do exist.
P1*: Any evidence you present can also be explained through the natural laws.
P2: We’ve made a good attempt at looking for evidence of God’s/gods’ existence but can’t find any! (I even looked under my bed!)
C: Therefore, it’s reasonable to suppose that God/gods don’t exist.
This particular case brings out some important issues we studied earlier in the course such as bias and burden of proof. Not surprisingly, theists will find the first argument convincing while atheists will be convinced by the latter. This of course brings up questions of burden of proof and target audience. When we make a claim for something’s existence, is it up to the person making the claim to provide proof? Or does the burden of proof fall on the critic to give disconfirming evidence? In certain questions, your biases and world-view will pre-determine your answer.
While in the above issue, there is arguably reasonable disagreement on both sides, there are other domains where the argument from ignorance fails as a good argument. As you might guess, this will have to do with the acceptability of P1 (i.e., there is/is no evidence) and P2 (i.e., a reasonable search has been made). Most criticism of arguments from ignorance will focus on P2 since it often turns out that consideration of possible competing explanations wasn’t as extensive as the arguer thinks.
Let’s quickly elaborate on that last point. Arguments from ignorance are inductive and as such are probabilistic. With all inductive arguments we must consider the probability of an explanation relative to competing explanations. A poor argument from ignorance fails to fully consider possible explanations and their relative probabilities. In short, before I can say “we can’t explain X therefore it was Y”. I need to show that Z couldn’t possibly be the explanation. If Z is a possible explanation, there is positive evidence for Z, and there is no positive evidence for Y, then the relative probabilities favor Z. To avoid getting lost in an alphabet soup, let’s look at some examples:
Claim: There’s no evidence to show Obama is American, therefore he isn’t American.
Let’s formalize the argument to evaluate it:
P1: I’ve encountered no good evidence to show that Obama is an American citizen.
P2: Numerous agencies and individuals trained in the search and identification of state documents have been unable to locate any relevant documents.
C: Therefore, Obama isn’t American.
Notice how I’ve applied the principle of charity to (P1). The arguer states that “there is no good evidence”. This is false. More reasonably, they simply aren’t aware of it. I could have interpreted (P1) as the stronger claims “there is no good evidence that…” but we’ll be charitable and accept their testimony. Regarding (P1), maybe it’s true that the arguer hasn’t encountered any evidence so we’ll interpret it that way. That said, it wouldn’t be wrong to reconstruct the argument with the stronger claim (e.g., there is no good evidence that…). It would just be less charitable.
Even if we are charitable with (P1), (P2) has problems. There have been reasonable searches for evidence, and that evidence was found. Perhaps, the arguer was unaware or didn’t truly exert him/herself enough. The argument fails because P2 is not acceptable (i.e., false).
We can also typically find the argument from ignorance used in arguments against new (or relatively new) technologies in regards to safety or efficacy.
Example: We should ban GMO soy because we don’t know what the long-term human health effects are.
Formalized:
P1: I’ve found no evidence that shows that GMO soy is safe for human consumption.
P2: Those qualified to do studies and evaluate evidence have found no compelling evidence to show that GMO soy is safe for human consumption.
C: Therefore, we should assume GMO soy is unsafe and ban it until we can determine it is safe.
If we were to criticize this argument we’d consider (P2). In fact, there have been quite a few long-term studies done by those qualified to assess safety. At this point we will have a debate over quality or reliability of the evidence. Some on the anti-GMO side dispute the reliability of the evidence. They might argue that it was funded by a company with a vested interest its reliability is questionable. However, there are also many high quality independent studies as well as a full review by the national academy of sciences.12 In a full analysis we’d consider this question in depth, but for our purposes here, we might legitimately challenge the claim that there is no available evidence purporting to demonstrate safety.
As an aside, we should recall that burden of proof can shift over time. When GMOs were first introduced, an argument from ignorance against them would have been cogent since (P2) would have been true. However, over 30 years have passed and so it is no longer true.
Notice that we can also use the argument from ignorance for the opposite conclusion: There’s no compelling evidence to show that GMOs are unsafe for human consumption in the long-term, therefore, we should continue to make them available.
The “team” that wins this battle of arguments from ignorance will have much to do with our evaluation of (P2). The argument whose (P2) is most acceptable will be the more cogent argument. And since inductive arguments are probabilisitic, we should go with the one that is most likely to be true.
Bad Arguments from Ignorance
Generally, if an argument from ignorance takes the following form it’s bad:
There’s no evidence that X doesn’t exist, therefore it does.
Or (same thing, different wording)
You can’t prove that X doesn’t exist, therefore it does.
Explanation: The arguer is making a non-falsifiable claim. You can’t prove something exists with the absence of evidence, otherwise we could prove absolutely anything exists. Substitute any fairy tail creature into the above structure and you’ll see why.
E.g., You can’t prove that magical flying monkeys don’t exist, therefore they do.
The reason why this kind of argument fails is because the arguer is asking his opponent to provide negative evidence, which is impossible.
In standard form it looks like this:
P1. There’s no reasonable evidence to show that magical flying monkeys don’t exist.
P2. There has been a reasonable search by relevant experts for evidence that flying monkeys don’t not exist.
C. Therefore, magical flying monkeys exist.
Providing evidence that something doesn’t not exist is an impossible task and so the argument is bad. You don’t win arguments by putting on impossible burden of proof on your audience.
Below is some further explanation of why the above form is bad:
Final Notes on Arguments from Ignorance
We can look at arguments from ignorance as probabilistic arguments. That is, given that there is little or no evidence for an explanation, what is the likelihood that it is correct? This is especially true for claims that something does exist based on an absence of evidence for its non-existence. However, as Carl Sagan famously said, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” In other words, just because we can’t find direct evidence for something, doesn’t follow automatically that the thing or phenomena doesn’t exist. There might be indirect evidence. (Of course you’d have to show this if you wanted to make this claim).
On the flip side, this style of argument can also be used to support improbable claims. Consider such an argument for the existence of unicorns or small teapots that circle the Sun: There’s no positive evidence that unicorns don’t exist or small tea pots don’t circle the Sun, therefore we should assume they exist.
At this point we should return to the notion of probability: Given no positive evidence for these claims, what is the probability that they are true versus the probability that they aren’t? It seems that, given an absence of evidence, the probability of there being unicorns is lower than the probability that they do not exist. The same goes for the teapot. In both cases, these are fair inferences because not only is there no direct positive evidence but there is no indirect evidence either.
The Null Hypothesis and Burden of Proof
Typically, we say that the burden of proof falls on the person making the existential claim. That is, if you want to claim that something exists or that some variable explains an observation, the burden is upon you to provide evidence for it, otherwise, the reasonable position is the “null hypothesis.” The null hypothesis just means that we assume no entity or phenomena exists unless there is positive evidence for its existence. In other words, if I want to assert that unicorns exist, using the argument from ignorance won’t do. It’s not enough for me to make the claim based on an absence of evidence. This is because, we’d expect some evidence to have turned up by now if there were unicorns. That is to say, we wouldn’t likely accept (P2).
This brings us to another Carl Sagan quote (paraphrasing Hume): “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Or as Hume originally said: “A wise man proportions his beliefs to the evidence.” Claiming that unicorns exist is an extraordinary claim and so we should demand evidence in proportion to the “extraordinariness” of the claim. This is why an ad ignorantium argument fails here; it doesn’t offer any positive evidence for an extraordinary claim, only absence of evidence.
Another Way to Make a Cogent Argument from Ignorance: Argument by Elimination
Whenever possible, the best way to make an argument from ignorance is to make an argument from elimination. Suppose you lost your keys in your three-room apartment. You know the key in is your apartment because you had to unlock the door to get in. You didn’t go into one of the rooms. You thoroughly searched the second room. You can now reasonably conclude that your key is in the third room.
In other words, if you systematically eliminate all competing hypothesis, you can reasonably argue for the remaining one by indirect evidence.
Argument from Personal Incredulity
The argument from personal incredulity is a subspecies of argument from ignorance. It looks like this:
P1. I find X implausible.
C. Therefore, X is false or implausible.
To see how weak this kind of argument is we can make the argument valid by including the missing premise (recall enthymemes!):
P2. If I find something implausible then it is either false or implausible.
C. Therefore X is implausible.
It doesn’t take much to see why this is a weak argument. Arguments from personal incredulity are usually used by people who are non-experts arguing against a standard scientific view. That fact that a non-expert can’t understand the reasoning and evidence of experts is no argument against the plausibility of a claim.
Perhaps the most common use of the argument from personal incredulity is used by conspiracy theorists and creationists.
Example: I simply cannot believe that humans came from monkeys/bacteria, etc… Implied conclusion: Therefore, the theory of evolution must be false.
The fact that a non-expert in evolutionary biology cannot understand or believe a theory that took 100s of history’s most intelligent humans to discover and verify is no argument against the theory.
As a general rule, on matters scientific if your views are contrary to what experts believe, assume it’s you making the mistake. This is called “epistemic humility”. To illustrate, imagine you get a question graded wrong on a test in chemistry, biology, math, etc…. What is more likely: You got the wrong answer or you’re right and your professor doesn’t know his discipline?
Notice again, this is a probabilistic problem. It is possible that you are right and your professor is wrong. I tellin’ you there’s a chance! But is that outcome more likely than the alternative? I.e., That your professor is right and you didn’t know the answer? That latter is much more probable…
Anomaly Hunting:
For any complex event there will be details and artifacts that, for someone with limited and indirect knowledge of the event, will appear to be strange or out of place. Looking for these anomalies then insinuating they are “evidence” for or against some hypothesis is know as anomaly hunting. Often anomaly hunting, arguments from ignorance and personal incredulity work hand in hand.
Many conspiracies rely on anomaly hunting. Here are some famous examples:
1. The JFK assassination and the Umbrella Man:
Despite the long-ago debunking of umbrella man, conspiracy theorists cling to this anomaly as “evidence” that there’s something fishy with the “official story”
2. The Boston Marathon Roof Man Roof Man
Another debunking: Man on the Roof
Putting it all together:
The important lesson can be distilled into the same lesson I’ve been repeating since we started learning about inductive reasoning: Inductive arguments are probabilistic and as such must be evaluated relative to competing hypotheses and explanations. Pointing to an anomaly or citing a lack of evidence on their own don’t usually constitute positive evidence for anything — unless they are part of an argument by elimination. They are, however, sometimes reasons to challenge existing explanations if they can’t reasonably account for the anomaly. That said, an anomaly or lack of evidence does nothing to explain the event or phenomena we seek to explain and so usually cannot be used to support a particular positive conclusion.
A. (a) Put the following arguments from ignorance or personal incredulity into standard form (from the lecture),
(b) evaluate each premise for acceptability.
(c) give a finally assessment of the overall strength of the argument.
There’s no evidence that the ancient Chinese had cell phones, therefore, I doubt they had them.
P1. There’s no evidence that the ancient Chinese had cell phones.
P2. There’s been a reasonable search for relevant evidence by archeologists working in China.
C. Therefore, they probably didn’t have them.
P1 seems acceptable–at least to my knowledge.
P2. Acceptable. There are many archeological sites and so if the ancient Chinese had used cell phones, they’d have turned up in digs by now.
Overall a cogent argument.
Note/Clarification from Lecture: Arguments from ignorance that take the following structure are bad:
You can’t prove that X doesn’t exist therefore X does exist.
As mentioned in the lecture notes, there are several reasons. In the exercises below, when you see this (or similar) structure just say: Bad argument from ignorance because asks opponents to prove a negative which is impossible. The absence of evidence alone can’t prove that something exists.
1. Aliens are visiting us since no one has proven that they aren’t.
2. There’s no good evidence to believe aliens are visiting us, therefore they haven’t.
3. There’s no evidence of life in the universe besides on earth, therefore there probably isn’t any life elsewhere in the universe.
4. You can’t prove that CERN particle collider won’t cause a tear in the space time fabric leading to the end of the universe, therefore it will.
5. There’s evidence you don’t understand arguments from ignorance, therefore you can understand how to evaluate this question.
6. No one has ever disproven Bigfoot’s existence, therefore, he probably exists.
7. I simply can’t believe the God would allow the earth to overheat, therefore climate change must be false. (Paraphrasing Senator James Inhoff).
B. Anomaly hunting and arguments from ignorance and personal incredulity are favorite arguments for conspiracy theorists. Here are some common anomalies that are cited by various conspiracies. Choose any 3 and:
(a) Explain/reconstruct how the anomaly is used as “evidence” for conspiracy. That is, reconstruct the argument from ignorance/personal incredulity.
(b) In google, search the anomaly or claim followed by “debunked”.
(c) Briefly summarize the debunking.
Here is a good resource for 911 claims: Link
Claim/anomaly: CNN reporter said “From my close-up inspection, there is no evidence of a plane having crashed anywhere near the Pentagon”.
P1. There was no evidence of a plane crash
P2. There was a thorough search my experts for evidence of a plane crash and none was found.
C. Therefore no plane crashed into the Pentagon and the whole thing is a conspiracy by the US government.
(c) The conspiracy theorist are quote mining. The full quote is “”From my close-up inspection, there’s no evidence of a plane having crashed anywhere near the Pentagon. The only site, is the actual side of the building that’s crashed in. And as I said, the only pieces left that you can see are small enough that you pick up in your hand. There are no large tail sections, wing sections, fuselage, nothing like that anywhere around which would indicate that the entire plane crashed into the side of the Pentagon and then caused the side to collapse. Even though if you look at the pictures of the Pentagon you see that the floors have all collapsed, that didn’t happen immediately. It wasn’t until almost about 45 minutes later that the structure was weakened enough that all of the floors collapsed.” – CNN (09/11/01)
In other words, he says there’s no evidence of a plane crash because the plane has been broken into such small pieces that someone who didn’t know what had happened would have had a hard time recognizing the source of the debris.
1. Re: Apollo moon-landing was faked! Claim: The astronauts would have died from radiation exposure.
2. Re: Apollo moon-landing was faked! Claim: You can’t see the stars in the photo of the moon.
3. Re: Apollo moon-landing was faked! Claim: The astronauts can be clearly seen but they should be in shadow.
4. Re: 911. Three of the people who make the official 911 report claim that
5. Re: 911. Jet fuel can’t melt steel beams (therefore the buildings must have been part of a controlled demolition.
6. Re: 911. The Silverstein group purchased the lease on the World Trade Center for $3.2 billion. With two claims for the maximum amount of the policy, the total potential payout is $7.1 billion, leaving a hefty windfall profit for Silverstein.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line979
|
__label__wiki
| 0.533912
| 0.533912
|
All, Reviews, TV
Review: The 100 Season 4 Premiere
By Troi Watts
Season 4 of The 100 finally premiered on February 1, hopefully to give viewers a glimpse of what is to come. Season 3 left viewers with a cliffhanger: the earth’s remaining nuclear reactors are in meltdown, meaning that the world will be uninhabitable in a matter of months; this is bad news for all of our favorite characters. With such a phenomenally intense previous season and massive problems looming ahead, Season 4 has a lot to live up to. If its first episode is any indication, however, this season will be long and rough.
The season premiere picks up immediately after the events from the Season 3 finale, with Clarke and the rest of the Sky People having to clean up the mess they made while under the influence of ALLIE the AI. Needless to say, the Grounders want them all dead, blaming them for the deaths of their Commander and many people. The only chance Clarke and the Sky People have of surviving lies in the hands of the Ice Nation’s King Roan, a reluctant ally from Season 3. However, Roan was critically wounded in the finale of season three, so Clarke and her mom must rush to save them or face the wrath of the Grounders.
First of all, my summary of the episode makes it seem much more interesting than it actually is. Viewers may feel a little tension with the question of whether or not Roan will live and save the Sky People, but that cat was let out of the bag a while ago. The trailer for Season 4 was released in December, two months before the premiere. In the trailer, new footage of Roan was revealed, obviously taking place after the premiere episode. Knowing that Roan would survive, there is no shock value or tension in this situation. Why even bother having his survival be in question if you’re just going to reveal it in the trailer?
Along with the survival of Roan, the episode tries to call into question the validity of ALLIE’s warning about the nuclear reactors. After all, she was an evil AI; maybe she was lying in order to prevent Clarke from shutting her down. Again, the trailer for Season 4 answered this question. Footage of Clarke and her people suffering the effects of radiation (cancerous lesions, acid rain) were shown, obviously validating the warning. No suspense in this conflict, folks.
The biggest problem that the premiere episode has is the issue between the Grounders and the Sky People. The Grounders have every reason to kill the Sky People at this point in the show. The Sky People have invaded their home, killed hundreds of their people, and now killed their leader. The only reason the Grounders haven’t actually wiped them out is because of Clarke’s begging. “You can’t kill us. You need us to survive,” was her excuse this time as the Grounders surrounded her and her group. Clarke is referring to the nuclear meltdown, saying that the Sky People can help protect everyone, but can they? It really doesn’t seem like something you can prevent or survive (as displayed by the nameless victim at the end of the episode who is disintegrated by a radiation storm in the desert). Basically, I’m tired of Clarke whining about how her people deserve to live. I honestly think the Grounders should just kill them.
The only interesting aspect of this premiere is an idea introduced early with Jasper and Raven. Jasper points out that it is interesting that Raven, a mechanic, now knows how to code, and states that it’s as if ALLIE has given Raven an upgrade while Raven was under her influence. I would put money on the idea that this will come up later in the season. Maybe Raven’s upgrade will give her a way to save everyone?
Despite fellow Reel Deal writer Quentin Basnaw’s thorough explanation of Why The 100 is Awesome, Season 4 has fallen flat within its first episode. The trailer revealed too much for viewers to be surprised by the outcomes of the episode (maybe if you’re one of those people who don’t watch trailers, it worked out, but come on. What fan of the show wouldn’t watch the trailer?). In my opinion, you should skip this episode and go on to the second episode of Season 4, where stuff actually happens, because nothing interesting is going on in the premiere (except maybe the Raven thing. We’ll see). Sorry fans who waited the nine months to watch this premiere. It wasn’t worth the wait.
reeldealbsu February 21, 2017 February 26, 2017 featured, Reviews, Troi Watts, TV
Previous Previous post: Artist Spotlight: Vulfpeck
Next Next post: Review: John Wick: Chapter 2
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line980
|
__label__wiki
| 0.678006
| 0.678006
|
Prince Harry Regrets Not Discussing His Mother's Death
July 26, 2016 – 9:29 AM – 1 Comment
By Roisin Kelly Parade
More by Roisin
Princess Eugenie Posts the Cutest Throwback Photo: ‘Yes to the 90s’!
Will Duchess Meghan and Queen Beyoncé Walk the Red Carpet Together at European Premiere of The Lion King?
Doria Ragland Looked Absolutely Beautiful at the Christening of her Grandson, Baby Archie
(Matthew Kay/AFP/Getty Images)
Prince Harry has opened up about the death of his mother Princess Diana, who died in 1997, saying he wishes he had talked sooner about how it has affected him.
He made the comments at a barbecue he was hosting at Kensington Palace for representatives of eight mental health charities.
When Diana was killed in a Paris car crash, Harry was only 12 years old.
“I really regret not ever talking about it,” he said to soccer player Rio Ferdinand, who lost his wife to cancer last year. “For the first 28 years of my life, I never talked about it.”
He went on to say in comments that were broadcast on the BBC, “It is OK to suffer, but as long as you talk about it. It is not a weakness.
“Weakness is having a problem, and not recognizing it, and not solving that problem.”
Various sports stars attended the barbecue in the garden of Kensington Palace as part of a campaign by Heads Together to raise awareness of the importance of talking about mental health issues.
Harry said, “The key message here today is that everyone can suffer from mental health.
“Whether you are a member of the royal family, whether you are a soldier, whether you are a sports star, whether you are a team sport, individual sport, whether you are a white van driver, whether you’re a mother, father, a child, it doesn’t really matter.”
Heads Together is a charity spearheaded by Harry along with his brother the Duke of Cambridge and sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge.
A member has started a discussion.
Click "Read Comment" to view.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line983
|
__label__wiki
| 0.70745
| 0.70745
|
esiegel
Messier Monday: The Sombrero Galaxy, M104
By esiegel on May 27, 2013.
"Yes, indeed, if humankind — from humble farmers in the fields and toiling workers in the cities to teachers, people of independent means, those who have reached the pinnacle of fame or fortune, even the most frivolous of society women — if they knew what profound inner pleasure await those who gaze at the heavens, then France, nay, the whole of Europe, would be covered with telescopes instead of bayonets, thereby promoting universal happiness and peace." -Camille Flammarion
Welcome back to Messier Monday here on Starts With A Bang, where each Monday we take a detailed look at one of the 110 deep-sky objects that make up the Messier Catalogue. With each object easily visible through even a modest telescope (or excellent binoculars) and a good sky, these fixtures in the night sky are an outstanding way to get to know the clusters, nebulae, and galaxies most easily visible from Earth.
Image credit: © Ole Nielsen 1999-2007, of http://www.ngc7000.org/.
Messier's catalogue was "officially" completed in 1781, with 103 objects. But Messier also had compiled many handwritten notes about a number of other deep-sky objects that he (and his assistant, Méchain) had observed, catalogued, described and accurately located in the sky. These notes, lost for more than a century, were serendipitously discovered by Camille Flammarion in 1921. At that time, six more objects -- Messier 104 through Messier 109 -- were added to the catalogue.
Today, let's explore the first object posthumously added to the Messier Catalogue: the Sombrero Galaxy, M104. Here's how to find it.
Image credit: me, using the free software Stellarium, available at http://stellarium.org/.
The bright northern hemisphere star, Spica, is prominent right now in the post-sunset skies. If you follow the arc of the Big Dipper's handle to the orange giant Arcturus (arc-to-Arcturus), you can continue onwards to the bright blue Spica (speed-on-to-Spica). Yellow Saturn is nearby to the east, but those of you hunting for the Sombrero should look about the same distance away -- around 11 degrees -- to the west instead.
Image credit: me, using the free software Stellarium.
Just on the border between the constellations Virgo and Corvus, you can find a small, fuzzy object located in a region of space without any bright stars in it. Through a pair of binoculars or a low-power telescope, however, you should be able to find it -- with a little star-hopping -- north of the Algorab / η Corvi pair.
Here's what you might see as the background star field near the Sombrero.
If you can find the three stars (around magnitude 9-to-10) that form a line, very close together, you'll notice that they all point towards a faint, fuzzy object in your field-of-view. That's the best way, if you can gather enough light, to spot this deep-sky object.
Image credit: Pat Freeman [www.astro-pat.com], via http://www.theskyscrapers.org/.
As we get closer to the solstice, you'll have to wait until the sky darkens sufficiently to see this object, as any lingering sunlight will likely wreck your chances of viewing the Sombrero Galaxy. But as long as the Moon hasn't yet risen, if you can find this object, a spectacular sight awaits you.
Image credit: John C. Mirtle, 1993, of http://www.astrofoto.ca/.
Some 28 million light-years away, this spectacular galaxy contains both features normally found exclusively in either spiral or elliptical galaxies. Like many spirals, it has a strong disc shape, spiral arms, no central bar, and strong, prominent dust lanes. As it's inclined at only 7° relative to our line-of-sight, these dust lanes are particularly prominent, and appear in practically all images of the Sombrero Galaxy.
Image credit: Mark Jordan of http://www.thestardeckobservatory.com/.
But it also contains a huge central bulge, far bigger than we normally see in spiral galaxies. This galaxy is about 50,000 light-years in diameter, or about half the size of the Milky Way. But its halo is humongous, something the scale of which is normally visible only in giant elliptical galaxies! The halo is so large that it extends maybe 10,000 light-years beyond the extent of its spiral structure, which includes more than a thousand globular clusters populating the space around it; that's about ten times as many as the Milky Way has!
Image credit: Siggi Kohlert of http://www.astroimages.de/.
It's nicknamed the "Sombrero" for obvious reasons; the combined shape of the spiral disc, the prominent, nearly edge-on dust lanes, the central bulge and the massive, diffuse halo make this one of the most easily recognized galaxies in the night sky!
Image credit: IAC-2005, F. Martin and L. Chinarro, via http://www.iac.es/.
What's less-well-known about this object is that it's one of the fastest moving galaxies in our backyard, speeding away from us at more than 1,000 kilometers/second, or some 0.3% the speed of light! This excessive recession speed was first measured by Vesto Slipher all the way back in 1912, the largest redshift ever measured at the time, and one of the first clues that our Universe was expanding!
Image credit: Wendelstein Observatory, via http://www.wendelstein-observatorium.de:8002/.
This galaxy, the dominant member of its galactic group (much like Andromeda is in ours), will never merge with our own, although it does have hope of someday merging with the Virgo supercluster! Because it gets so bright towards the center, this is a great galaxy for applying false-color, which really reveals the different brightness levels inherent to different parts of this galaxy.
Image credit: Bill Welsh of http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/faculty/wfw/.
It also contains a supermassive black hole that's truly super, weighing in at around a billion times our Sun's mass, and many hundreds of times greater than our own galaxy's central black hole! The globular clusters, the central supermassive black hole, and there are plenty of other point sources. We can't see them so well in visible light, but we can always look in other wavelengths! Below, all such X-ray-emitting sources in the Sombrero are revealed in this fantastic X-Ray image taken by the Chandra Space Telescope.
Image credit: NASA / UMass / Q.D.Wang et al.
Perhaps the most spectacular visible-light image comes from the Hubble Space Telescope, which released this incredibly detailed mosaic of the Sombrero. Revealed are all the aforementioned features: spiral arms, dust lanes, central bulge, diffuse halo, and -- if you zoom in -- you can even find regions of star clusters, hidden background galaxies, and more!
Image credit: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).
Off in the infrared, at wavelengths longer (and temperatures colder) than the human eye can perceive, the Spitzer Space Telescope has captured the Sombrero in unprecedented detail. The red colors reveal the cold dust in the disc structure, while the blue light reveals the vast, extended halo common to elliptical galaxies.
Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Spitzer Space Telescope.
As you can clearly see, the Sombrero Galaxy is really two galaxies in one: both spiral and elliptical at once! Likely the result of multiple mergers of relatively small galaxies with a single, dominant spiral in its group, we can combine these three images in different wavelengths -- X-ray, Visible, and Infrared -- to create an unbelievable mosaic, revealing far more than the human eye could ever see on its own!
Images credit: X-ray: NASA/UMass/Q.D.Wang et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI/AURA/Hubble Heritage; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. AZ/R.Kennicutt/SINGS Team.
Finally, because I always save the best-for-last, archival Hubble data has been used to reprocess the Sombrero Galaxy and remove most of the glare from the elliptical portion of this object. What's left is a spectacular view of the edge-on disc structure, in detail that no other telescope can match!
Image credit: Vicent Peris (OAUV / PTeam), MAST, STScI, AURA, NASA.
And just for good measure, I tracked down the original, full-resolution version of this, and am pleased to present to you a (vertical) tour through the central disc of the Sombrero!
That's the best view I've ever seen of a galaxy so distant in the Universe; you can even make out individual stars! Thanks for joining me for another Messier Monday, and feel free to have a look back through the archives!
Including today's entry, we’ve taken a look at the following Messier objects:
M1, The Crab Nebula: October 22, 2012
M5, A Hyper-Smooth Globular Cluster: May 20, 2013
M8, The Lagoon Nebula: November 5, 2012
M13, The Great Globular Cluster in Hercules: December 31, 2012
M15, An Ancient Globular Cluster: November 12, 2012
M20, The Youngest Star-Forming Region, The Trifid Nebula: May 6, 2013
M25, A Dusty Open Cluster for Everyone: April 8, 2013
M30, A Straggling Globular Cluster: November 26, 2012
M33, The Triangulum Galaxy: February 25, 2013
M37, A Rich Open Star Cluster: December 3, 2012
M38, A Real-Life Pi-in-the-Sky Cluster: April 29, 2013
M40, Messier’s Greatest Mistake: April 1, 2013
M41, The Dog Star’s Secret Neighbor: January 7, 2013
M44, The Beehive Cluster / Praesepe: December 24, 2012
M45, The Pleiades: October 29, 2012
M48, A Lost-and-Found Star Cluster: February 11, 2013
M51, The Whirlpool Galaxy: April 15th, 2013
M52, A Star Cluster on the Bubble: March 4, 2013
M53, The Most Northern Galactic Globular: February 18, 2013
M60, The Gateway Galaxy to Virgo: February 4, 2013
M65, The First Messier Supernova of 2013: March 25, 2013
M67, Messier’s Oldest Open Cluster: January 14, 2013
M72, A Diffuse, Distant Globular at the End-of-the-Marathon: March 18, 2013
M74, The Phantom Galaxy at the Beginning-of-the-Marathon: March 11, 2013
M78, A Reflection Nebula: December 10, 2012
M81, Bode’s Galaxy: November 19, 2012
M82, The Cigar Galaxy: May 13, 2013
M83, The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, January 21, 2013
M92, The Second Greatest Globular in Hercules, April 22, 2013
M97, The Owl Nebula, January 28, 2013
M102, A Great Galactic Controversy: December 17, 2012
M104, The Sombrero Galaxy: May 27, 2013
Come back next week, where we’ll take a look at another one of the deep-sky wonders of Messier's catalogue, only here, only on Messier Monday!
dust lane
eliiptical
messier 104
messier monday
sombrero galaxy
Messier Monday: A Spiral with an Active Black Hole, M106
"The proverb warns that 'You should not bite the hand that feeds you.' But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding yourself." -Thomas Szasz But on this Messier Monday, you're lucky enough that you're about to be introduced to one of the great northern galaxies of the Messier catalogue…
Messier Monday: A Galactic Highlight to Ring in the New Year, M96
"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." -John Wayne There's a lot to look forward to on the precipice of the new year, and many of us will be…
Messier Monday: A double-ringed mystery galaxy, M94
"We dance round in a ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and knows." -Robert Frost It's time again for another Messier Monday! To kick off each week, we've been taking a look at one of the 110 deep-sky objects that make up the Messier catalogue. Compiled in the 18th Century to help…
Messier Monday: The Phantom Galaxy at the Beginning-of-the-Marathon, M74
"When you run the marathon, you run against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time." -Haile Gebrselassie Welcome to a very special Messier Monday, which just happens to be the twenty-first consecutive week we've taken a look at one of the 110 fixed, deep-sky objects…
Thanks Ethan for this beautiful article!
And I loved the warning from the 2003 HST archive from your "zoom in"-link that "only a few computers will be able to show the entire image of 7 MB" :-) Welcome to 2013!
By Tihomir (not verified) on 27 May 2013 #permalink
7MB wasn't an issue at all even in 2003 (1993 on the other hand...). However once uncompressed into the browser's memory 11472 X 6429 in 32-bit color is over 2GB, which indeed only a few computers in 2003 could handle (and isn't exactly a piece of cake for many machines today).
By CB (not verified) on 28 May 2013 #permalink
Ethan, where is the full res image? My company makes huge inkjet printers (3.2x1.6m bed size) and the Hubble hi-res image of Sombrero looks stunning. I'd like to try the image with reduced glare.
By Wild Bill (not verified) on 28 May 2013 #permalink
Wild Bill, in the hyperlink "Zoom in", url here:
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2003/28/image/a/warn/…
Sadly it is nowhere near the limit of your printers. But I bet it would still look amazing. The HUDF is "only" 6200x6200 but I have a good print and it brings tears to my eyes every time I look at it.
Wow, what are those two little spirals at the bottom edge of the second picture up? Very cool!
By JTyler (not verified) on 29 May 2013 #permalink
Loving the Messier Monday series, and particularly that last image!
Minor nitpick though; as a Southern Hemispherian, I feel obliged to point out that Spica, with a declination of about 11 degrees south, is not a "northern hemisphere star". It's ours and you can't have it ;)
By darkgently (not verified) on 31 May 2013 #permalink
The Last Goodbye
What better way to say farewell than with a slew of costume pictures from this year's (coming) Halloween? Happy Halloween 2017! From Ethan Siegel and Starts With A Bang. Keep looking to the Universe. And we'll have a lifetime of wonderful things to still explore. Goodbye, Scienceblogs,…
Ask Ethan: Why Did Light Arrive 1.7 Seconds After Gravitational Waves In The Neutron Star Merger?
"Delay is the deadliest form of denial." -C. Northcote Parkinson Every massless particle and wave travels at the speed of light when it moves through a vacuum. Over a distance of 130 million light years, the gamma rays and gravitational waves emitted by merging neutron stars arrived offset by a…
Five Discoveries In Fundamental Physics That Came As Total Surprises
“On what can we now place our hopes of solving the many riddles which still exist as to the origin and composition of cosmic rays?” –Victor Francis Hess It’s often said that advanced in physics aren’t met with “eureka!” but rather with “that’s funny,” but the truth is even stranger sometimes.…
Even while the world suffers, investing in science is non-negotiable (Synopsis)
“I am looking at the future with concern, but with good hope.” –Albert Schweitzer Every so often, the argument comes up that science is expendable. That we’re simply investing too much of our resources — too much public money — into an endeavor with no short-term benefits. Meanwhile, there’s…
Merging Neutron Stars Deliver Deathblow To Dark Matter And Dark Energy Alternatives (Synopsis)
"Dark matter is interesting. Basically, the Universe is heavier than it should be. There's whole swathes of stuff we can't account for." -Talulah Riley One of the most puzzling facts about the Universe is that 95% of the energy in it, in the forms of dark matter and dark energy, are completely…
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line985
|
__label__cc
| 0.707015
| 0.292985
|
Legal Notice, Credits & Contributions
1/ TERMS
SEBIA SA (hereinafter "Sebia") maintains this Internet site (the "Site") for user’s personal information, and user’s knowledge of the Sebia group activities notably its products and services. The user is free to browse and use the Site at his own convenience.
The access to the Site and its use are subject to the following conditions ("General Conditions") and all applicable laws. By accessing and browsing the Site, the user fully accepts the General Conditions without limitation or qualification. In the case where a user does not accept the General Conditions, the user is asked to leave the Site.
The user is aware that certain areas of the Site are exclusively restricted to professional users, whose accreditation and status will be verified prior access.
Improper use of the Site by the user not complying with the present General Conditions may be subject to legal proceedings.
It is hereby agreed that the limitation of liability contained in the present General Conditions apply to Sebia and all its affiliates.
2/ GENERAL CONDITIONS
2.1. Use of the Site
The user may download material displayed on the Site for non-commercial and personal use only, provided that the user preserve all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in the materials. The user shall not, however, distribute, modify, transmit, use, re-use or re-post the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including texts, images, audio materials and video without Sebia's prior written consent.
User is informed, that all materials provided on the Site such as texts, illustrations, logotypes and photos, are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Sebia and shall not be used without the prior written consent of Sebia, save as otherwise provided in the General Conditions.
Sebia neither warrants nor represents that the use of the materials displayed on the Site will not infringe any rights of third parties affiliated with Sebia.
2.2. Update of the Information on the Site
Sebia uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-to-date information on the Site, but Sebia makes no warranties or representations as to its accuracy. Sebia shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in the content of the Site.
2.3. Disclaimer
Use of the Site is at user’s own risks and its full responsibility. Neither Sebia nor any other party involved in the creation, development, production or in the displaying of the Site shall be liable for any direct or indirect, incidental, consequential or not, or punitive damages arising out of the access to, or the use of the Site or of any content thereof. Without limiting the foregoing, everything on the Site is provided to the user on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.
Sebia makes no warranties or representations that the Site is free from errors, virus or other harmful materials nor that it will run without disruption.
Sebia assumes no responsibility, and shall not be liable for any damages to the user computer equipment or other property on account of user’s access to the Site, or use of the Site, or browsing in the Site or downloading by user of any materials, data, text, images, video or audio from the Site.
2.4. Information Provided by User
Unless for personal data which are subject to our Privacy Policy Statement (See article 3 of the present) any communication or material that user transmit to the Site by email or by any means and any material supports is, and will be treated as, non-confidential and non-proprietary and may be freely used, reproduced, disclosed, published, broadcasted and otherwise disposed of, by Sebia or its affiliates for any purposes whatsoever, including but not limited to, developing, manufacturing and marketing products and services using such information.
2.5. Trademarks
All trademarks, logos and service marks displayed on the Site (collectively the "Trademarks") are registered marks, or not, protected by use, legally owned by Sebia or by other parties.
Notably without being limited to: SEBIA, GELSCAN, HYDRAGEL, HYDRAGEL SEBIA, MINICAP, SEBIA CAPILLARYS, CAPILLARYS, CAPILLARYS SEBIA, HYDRASYS, HYDRASYS SEBIA which are registered trademarks used by Sebia or by affiliates of Sebia.
Any other name or trademark is the property of its respective owner.
Nothing contained on the Site should be construed as granting to the user, by implication, estoppel or otherwise, any license or right to use any Trademark displayed on the Site without the prior written consent of the Trademarks owner. The misuse of the Trademarks displayed on the Site, or any other content on the Site, except as provided in these General Conditions, is strictly prohibited. The user is informed that SEBIA will enforce its intellectual property rights to the fullest extent of the law, including the seeking of legal prosecution.
2.6. Copyrights
The Site and its content, including without limitation any drawing, article, diagram, image, picture, video material, sound material and any other material contained herein ("Materials"), are protected by copyrights, author rights, neighbouring rights and/or other intellectual property rights according to French and International Laws and Treaties on Intellectual Property and Privacy Protection. Such Materials are either the property of Sebia or of third parties that have granted to SEBIA the rights and licenses to use them herein.
The reproduction and use of any Material is hereby authorized for user’s personal information and knowledge of Sebia's group and its products, to the exclusion of any commercial purpose whatsoever, provided that any such use and reproduction retains all copyright and other proprietary notices.
Any reproduction or use of the Materials and any part thereof other than for personal and private use is strictly prohibited without Sebia's prior written consent.
Distribution, reproduction, representation, adaptation, modification, publication, transmission, translation, sale, and otherwise disposal of all or part of the Materials as well as of the presentation and the organization of the Site, in any form and by any mean whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of Sebia.
2.7. Links to other websites
The Site may contain links or advertisements, which link to other Internet sites of our commercial partners such as supplier or any related company (hereafter referred as “Third Party Sites”). Sebia has no control on the content of such Third Party Sites, nor control of the sites that may be linked to Third Party Sites. It is hereby agreed that Third Party Site have their own privacy policy and general conditions thus Sebia shall not be responsible for the content of Third Party Sites linked to the Site.
The user is informed that Third Party Sites may contain inaccurate or obsolete information and so the use of Third Party Sites is at the user‘s own risks.
2.8. User’s liability
Sebia may from time to time monitor or review discussions, postings, transmissions, bulletin boards, and the like on the Site; Sebia is under no obligation to do so and assumes no responsibility or liability arising from the content of any such information nor for any error, defamation, libel, slander, omission, falsehood, obscenity, pornography, profanity, danger or inaccuracy contained in any information within such locations on the Site. User is informed that it is prohibited to post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, pornographic or profane material(s) or any material(s) that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered as a criminal offence. Such use of the Site engages user’s civil and/or criminal liability.
2.9. Softwares
Utility softwares may be necessary during the use of the Site. User is aware that the use of these softwares may be subject to French, United States or any other country's export laws, rules and regulations, as amended from time to time. It belongs to the user to verify the local laws and/or regulations applicable before downloading or exporting any software necessary for the use of the Site.
2.10. Public Health Information provided on the Site
The Site may from time to time contain information relating to various medical and health issues. This is for general information purposes only and is not meant to be substitute to the advice provided by physician or other competent medical professional. User shall not use the information contained herein for diagnosing anybody's health or for the diagnostic of any fitness problem or any disease. User must always consult a physician and/or a professional medical consultant.
2.11. Amendment
Information contained on the Site that relates to Sebia's products and services shall not be legally binding. Sebia reserves the right to update and amend the Site and any information contained herein, including but not limited to these General Conditions. The user is bound by any such revisions and should therefore periodically visit this page to review the then current General Conditions, to which user is bound.
2.12. Applicable Law
The General Conditions shall be construed by French law. The rights of the user that are not provided by the present General Conditions shall be determined by French law.
Any litigation related with the use and the browse of the Site, will be settled by the competent courts of Evry (91000) France.
3/ PRIVACY POLICY STATEMENT
3.1. Personal Identification Information
In accordance with laws governing the protection of personal data (French Personal Data Processing Act dated January 6th 1978, users are hereby informed that while connecting to the Site , personal information will be automatically or voluntarily collected, retained and used by Sebia as follows. Personal data collected through each connection to the Site may, in particular, come from:
• the registration of users' IP address through each connection;
• the automatic (login) or voluntary registration of users' basic contact and identification information (such as name, address, telephone, fax, e-mail, company address or any other information the user agrees to submit) through the participation to chat room, studies, on line survey, the request for further information on SEBIA including marketing and advertising materials, the subscription to newsletters or to any application form and the like.
Personal data collected will only be used by SEBIA and its affiliates and, unless otherwise specified at the collection time, will not be disclosed to or shared with any third party for any purposes.
• Personal data collected through each connection will be used to track users' browsing on the Site so as to enable SEBIA to make connections statistics on the most visited pages and, generally, to monitor and improve the good working of the Site;
• Personal data collected through chat rooms, online surveys, further information application forms, subscription to newsletters and the like shall only be used to meet the purpose for which such information have been submitted and collected. Any subscription to a newsletter may be cancelled, at any time, by sending an e-mail to the Webmaster (at the following address: sebia@sebia.com).
3.2. User’s Right of Access
In accordance with French Act concerning the protection of personal data dated 6th January 1978, the user of the Site may have access to his personal data and to rectify such data. Such right may be exercised by the user by informing the Webmaster of his request concerning its own personal data (at the following address: sebia@sebia.com).
The Webmaster shall make its best efforts to deal with the user’s request as soon as possible.
SEBIA SA – Capital de 10 203 900€ - 672 041 902 R.C.S. EVRY
Parc Technologique Léonard de Vinci, CP 8010 Lisses, 91 008 EVRY Cedex (France)
This site is published by SEBIA SA.
The hosting and support of the website: AdFab, SEBIA SA
Photo credits and copyright: ©SEBIA SA, ©fotolia.com, ©fotosearch.com
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line990
|
__label__wiki
| 0.918258
| 0.918258
|
Manchester welcomes new Lord Mayor: Cllr Abid Chohan
Cllr Abid Latif Chohan has taken up the chains of the Lord Mayor of Manchester today, Wednesday 15 May.
Following many years working as a human rights lawyer, alongside his commitments as local councillor for Longsight for the last 15 years, the Mayor Making marks another achievement for Cllr Chohan.
Born in a remote village in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Abid studied law as a means for helping others, attaining a Bachelor of Law qualification before moving to the UK and began his career as a paralegal within two weeks of his arrival.
Abid has worked as a solicitor since 2007 sitting as director in his own law firm since 2015, specialising in immigration and civil litigation law.
Abid has often spoken out against human rights violations around the globe and has provided pro bono legal services to those who cannot afford professional fees.
He is also the founder and Chair of the British Pakistani Cultural Association which aims to promote Pakistani heritage and culture in the UK. He supports a number of charities and as an active trade unionist has previously chaired the Manchester and Oldham East brand of Unite.
In 2004 Abid was first elected as a Manchester City Councillor for its Longsight ward. He has served as Lead member for Race and Equality and has sat on a number of scrutiny committees including Children and Young People, Communities, Neighbourhoods and Environment, and the Planning and Highways Committee. He has sat on the Licensing and Appeals Committee for several years and served as Deputy Chair for four years.
Abid is married to Azra Abid Chohan who will act as Lady Mayoress for the first six months of his term. They have two grown-up children, Asim and Aisha, who were born, raised and still live in Manchester. Aisha will support him for the second six months of his term.
Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllr Abid Chohan, said: “It’s with huge honour that I take up the mantle of Lord Mayor. Throughout my career I have always been committed to helping people and representing the people of Longsight for the past 15 years has been a true privilege.
“Now as Lord Mayor I look forward to serving the entire city as we all try to make Manchester a fairer and more inclusive place to live and work. I will look to use my year in office to raise awareness of those struggling with poverty and help to improve the lives of Manchester people."
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line992
|
__label__wiki
| 0.54835
| 0.54835
|
Troopers Investigate Suspicious Briefcase In Lewes
Wine and Spirits Liquor Store (Pelican Square Shopping Center), Coastal Highway and Postal Lane, Lewes, DE
Date of Occurrence:
Friday, October 21, 2011 at 9:00 p.m.
Lewes-The Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit responded to the Pelican Square Shopping Center in Lewes last evening for the report of a suspicious briefcase.
On Friday, October 21, 2011 at approximately 9:00 p.m. Troopers responded to the Wine and Spirits Liquor Store after employees became concerned after discovering a suspicious briefcase that had been left inside the store unattended. Responding Troopers immediately evacuated the store and the adjoining Super Fresh Supermarket as a precaution and notified the DSP EOD Unit.
The Delaware State Police EOD Unit responded and examined the briefcase and determined it to be non explosive, containing papers and business forms, calculator, USB cords and office stationary items. The scene was declared safe at 1:00 a.m. with all units clearing.
“Troopers take this opportunity to encourage the public to become involved in the national “See Something, Say Something” Campaign. The effort urges the public to contact police if they see any suspicious activity or anything out of the ordinary, and assist by becoming force multipliers, acting as the eyes and ears for the Delaware State Police in combating terrorism.
The public can report suspicious activity by contacting Delaware’s Anti-Terrorism Tipline 1-800-FORCE-12 (1-800-367-2312) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Days Later The Daily Times Continues To Promote Meals At SU
Even after we produced a story this week referencing the challenges local restaurants face with unfair competition, the Daily Times continues to promote the specials being held in the Commons at Salisbury University on their Home Page,
Try a themed dinner at SU this autumn
The word we're receiving is that these restaurants will consider putting a ban on advertising with The Daily Times, something the DT's had to know was coming but were willing to take the risk.
No doubt SU is getting a lot of attention and promotion on this matter, ALL of which has been FREE.
DOES WICOMICO COUNTY’S CHARTER REVIEW CHIEF WANT TO KILL THE TAX CAP?
This week’s “community forum” on the future of the tax revenue cap was very revealing. With the smoothness of a snake oil salesmen, Wayne Strausburg presented a barrage of data to support the notion that the tax burden on Wicomico County residents is low when compared to the other Eastern Shore counties, including those with much greater wealth (per capita), such as Talbot and Worcester.
Although he slickly sidestepped saying whether he would change or terminate the County’s tax revenue cap, it was obvious that he wants to substantially change or even eliminate the cap. Strausburg proposed major restructuring of the County’s tax revenue sources by reducing the “piggy-back” income tax significantly. That sounds great and will certainly be supported by some yokels, but it’s really snake oil made to look like champagne.
Because (as Strausburg also said) Wicomico County needs more total revenue, if its income tax rate – and, therefore, receipts from that tax – are reduced, how would the additional revenue be raised. That’s right, mostly from higher property taxes, by raising the tax rate. Ergo, Strausburg’s scheme would require killing or mortally wounding the tax revenue cap.
The property tax is much more regressive than the income tax, so the restructuring that Mr. Strausburg wants would hit most of us much harder than the more affluent (including him -?). And it would impact homeowners much more than renters. Plus, because of the lower assessed value of homes, the impact of his scheme on many residents, both owners and renters, could be catastrophic.
Hopefully, it won’t see the light of day – but don’t count on that because the Daily Times will be trumpeting it as the thing to do.
PS – wanna buy some champagne that smells sorta funny?
The Top Ten Gross Things Flight Attendants Have Seen Passengers Do On Airplanes
10. Breast Pumping: A lady decided that it was appropriate to use a breast pump during boarding. She fully exposed both breasts and with just a bottle (not with a baby) did the vacuum effect on her fully exposed boob. Let me remind you this was both breasts out in the air, on a full flight, during boarding, taxi, take-off and part of cruise.
9. Breast Milk Drippage: A few passengers notified me of something leaking from the overhead bins down onto their heads. The look on the men's faces was priceless when a woman stood up and said, “OMG ... My breast milk! It's not frozen anymore and it's leaking what should I do?!"
Kudoos
I want to commend Carroll County Commissioner Richard Rothschild for his effort to wake up a sleeping public to the dangers of UN Agenda 21 and its step child Plan Maryland. If you don't know much about this disastrous attack on American values check out this presentation: Agenda 21 For Dummies
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzEEgtOFFlM
Phony Jobs Bill spin
FactCheck.org decided to take a look at Obama's jobs bill claim that it will create two million jobs. Here is their conclusion: "President Obama exaggerates when he claims 'independent economists' say his jobs bill 'would create nearly 2 million jobs.' The median estimate in a survey of 34 economists showed 288,000 jobs could be saved or created over two years under the president's plan." Mrk Zandy of Moodys says "Beginning in 2013, and certainly into 2014, the plan is a drag on the economy because the stimulus starts fading away," while Obama's tax increases remain in effect.
More Green
Fisker, an electric car company that received a $529 million federal government loan guarantee is assembling its first line of cars in Finland. They claim they could not find a facility in the United States capable of doing the work but predict they will eventually be building thousands of these cars. Well maybe, but they are pretty costly and they don't save much fuel. electric vehicle makers pretend that the electricity to charge the car comes from magic pixies sprinkling pixie dust rather than burning fossil fuels. In fact fossil fuels are utilized somewhere to make that electricity. And with that understanding, the Fisker miles per gallon is about the same as an SUV - around 20 MPG' What kind of market exists for Fisker's $97,000 electric car? So far "Government Motors" has only managed to sell 4,000 of the $41,000 taxpayer-subsidized Chevy Volt. Want to bet the taxpayer will get stuck again?
Political Genius
The political geniuses in Louisiana have passed a law that bans cash on all second-hand transactions. Now if someone holds a garage sale and accepts cash for their old record collection, they’ve broken the law. And no cash at the rummage sale or if you sell your old bike to your buddy. And it hurts the small business owner of a second hand shop who will have to pay transaction costs associated with a credit card swipe because the customer can't pay in cash. WOW. What a great country.
The Economist has some terrible statistics:
Over 6 million Americans, more than 40% of all those unemployed, have now been out of work for more than six months. Most of these, 4.5 million, haven’t worked for a year or more. This crisis of long-term joblessness is unprecedented in the post-war period. Workers are escaping unemployment more slowly than at any time since 1948. The long-term unemployed are struggling most. For the first time in decades, jobless workers are more likely to drop out of the labor force (and cease to be counted as unemployed) than to get a job.
Ballooning prices and high unemployment have created a miserable economic reality— the worst in more than 28 years, according to the “misery index.” This is a measure which is put together by adding the national unemployment rate to the increase in consumer prices. The misery index rose to 13 in September, up from 10.7 in the same period last year. While it is still a lot lower than Jimmy Carter days, if inflation takes off the index will soar.
Reapportionment:
As you have read, In western Maryland a district is being reformed to include a large chunk of Montgomery County for the purpose of taking out Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, one of only two Republicans out of the eight Maryland Congressional districts. The real devil in the details in this scenario poses serious concerns for Montgomery County minorities who represent over 50% of the population. Now all three of the new districts there are designed with less than 35% minority population. This may be a violation of federal law that mandates majority minority districts must be created wherever they can
Pensions - private vs. public
Most 55-year-olds don't have pensions. Just 26% of people older than 55 get a retirement benefit from a former employer, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The average pension in 2009 was $13,007 for private-sector retirees and $25,286 for public retirees. The average pension for 455 retired federal lawmakers is $57,590, according to the Congressional Research Service
The stars, stripes and a pink slip:
Sean May was fired last week by the Casa Monica hotel in St. Augustine, Fla., for refusing to take off a lapel pin displaying the American flag. He says he had been wearing it on a daily basis for some two years... With the hotel showing no signs of reconsidering the decision, locals were planning to organize a boycott on behalf of May. Were such a movement to take off, May would become just the latest American worker to be in the spotlight of a lapel pin controversy.
As was reported on AOL Jobs in 2009, Florida-based Home Deport cashier Trevor Keezor was fired for refusing to take off an American flag pin that had an inscription that read, "One nation under God, indivisible." Keezor said that he was wearing the pin out of solidarity with his brother, then on a second tour of duty in Iraq for the National Guard. Home Depot's rationale was of a piece with that of the Casa Monica.
The continuing saga of Occupy Wall Street
In an op-ed in a recent Wall Street Journal, Doug Schoen,the former Clinton pollster warns Democrats not to embrace the Occupy Wall Street movement. Schoen sent one of the top researchers at his polling firm into the OWS crowd to interview 200 demonstrators. Here are some of his findings:
· 65% believe government should provide "health care, a college education, and a secure retirement—no matter the cost."
· "48% say they will vote to re-elect [Obama] in 2012, while at least a quarter won't vote."
· 31% "would support violence to advance their agenda."
Schoen writes, "What binds a large majority of the protesters together … is a deep commitment to left-wing policies: opposition to free-market capitalism and support for radical redistribution of wealth…" He bluntly concludes, "President Obama and the Democratic leadership are making a critical error in embracing the Occupy Wall Street movement -- and it may cost them the 2012 election." I sure hope Schoen's instincts are right, but Obama will have a huge war chest and the best campaign that money can buy.
Celebrate The Season
Man Robbed/Assaulted During Illegal Drug Transaction
Salem Center (parking lot), 1605 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE
Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 1:10 a.m.
Victim:
Suspect(s):
4-5 black males, 20-25 years of age, 5’06-5’10” tall (no further description). One suspect armed with unknown type handgun.
Suspect Vehicle described as an older style minivan (no further description)
Newark-Delaware State Troopers are investigating the robbery and assault of a 23 year old man as he attempted to purchase marijuana, early this morning.
The incident occurred on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at approximately 1:10 a.m. as the victim was meeting with the suspects to purchase marijuana in the parking lot in the area of the Wawa Store. Investigation indicates that the victim entered what was described as an older model minivan that was occupied by the four to five suspects. One of the suspects displayed a handgun and then the victim was assaulted by all of the suspects inside of the minivan. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash and removed the victim’s pants and shoes, before throwing him out of the vehicle. The minivan fled the parking lot in an unknown direction. The victim received facial injuries but declined medical treatment. Troopers are continuing their investigation into this incident.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact the Robbery Unit at Troop 2 at 302-834-2630 Extension #6 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at http://www.tipsubmit.com/
Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Today's Wildlife Photo
My Brother and his Wife are in South Africa and took the above picture this morning. To think it wasn't that many years ago when an abundance of wild animals used to roam the United States. Now we have to travel to places like South Africa to see what used to be fairly common 50 some odd years ago right here. Oh, that's right, now we have Zoo's.
"Picture from IPad. Wait until you see the ones off the camera. We saw her stalking her meal."
Dominion Says Nuclear Reactors Ready To Restart
ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - Two Virginia nuclear reactors shut down since an earthquake hit the state in August did not suffer damage that would prevent them from running and are ready to restart, the plant's operator told the government Friday.
But the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's review is continuing and the agency has not decided whether the reactors at the North Anna Power Station in Mineral, Va., should return to service.
25 Foot Whale Washes Up On Assateague
A 25 foot long whale just washed up on the south side of Assateague Island near the Virginia line.
Missing Deer Update
Mr Albero,
My Name is Jennifer Mansfield. I saw your post about the missing deer
the other day and thought you may be interested in the outcome. I had
a friend stop by saying they heard that it was on WBOC.com, so we
looked. My friend recognized the store as the one on Nanticoke Rd, as
she lived in that area she went there yesterday at lunchtime. The
girls working told her that the deer showed up late Tuesday and
"bunked down" in the back yard, with several people stopping, petting,
getting pics.....etc. On Wednesday a customer called DNR on him and
they (DNR) came out and picked him up. According to the girls DNR was
very nasty to them stating that they were going to destroy the deer
and they could have the store closed down by the health department.
Their reasons were all the Diseases that deer carry, anyone who
touched the deer and entered the store "compromised" the health and
welfare of the other people in and out of the store. If this is true
then they need to ban all hunters from entering any place of business,
after hunting, for the entire hunting season. I have done extensive
research and there are 6 diseases that deer can harbor. Only 1 (brain
abscess) is stated to not be consumed by humans, no other diseases are
transmittable to humans. Therefore DNR lied. I just wanted to put out
there the callous arrogance of the DNR. This deer was only trying to
survive and did not deserve to be destroyed! I hope you have the
willingness and the contacts to put this out there.
NPR Drops Opera Show Over Show Host's D.C. Protest Involvement
This undated handout photo provided by WDAV shows Lisa Simeone. Simeone, a freelance radio host was fired from a documentary program that airs on NPR affiliates after she became a spokeswoman for a Washington protest because her producers believed she violated the public radio network's code of ethics, the host said Thursday.
WASHINGTON – NPR will no longer distribute the member station-produced program "World of Opera" to about 60 stations across the country because the show host helped organize an ongoing Washington protest, a network official said Friday evening.
Panel OKs Dogfish Rezoning Application
MILTON — Dogfish Head Brewery's request to rezone recently acquired land has cleared the first hurdle.
Milton Planning & Zoning Commission voted 3-1 to recommend approval of an amendment to the town's comprehensive plan and to accept Dogfish's application to rezone 39.6 acres adjacent to its current facility from residential to light industrial.
Commission Gives Bloom Energy The Go-Ahead
Delmarva Power raises rates to pay for project
SUSSEX COUNTY — Delaware Public Service Commission has voted unanimously to allow Bloom Energy to move forward with a plan to set up shop in Delaware.
The Oct. 18 vote allows Bloom Energy to build a manufacturing center, which is expected to create more than 900 jobs, but it also means an increase in utility fees for Delmarva Power customers.
HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER 10-22-11
Since the first book was published in 1927, an American institution has been the Hardy Boys mystery series. They are still published today although the tone and language is more in tune with modern times. The best reading is from the ones published the year in which they were written. In the early books there were no modern conveniences that kids have today. The Hardy brothers, Frank and Joe, were always getting into some sort of scrape with bad guys and managed to get out through their own wiles and determination.
My first experience with them began in the late 1940’s. A man that worked with my father had a son that went off to college and he had a lot of the early Hardy Boys books. They sat around until I was old enough to read them and then I was hooked. I kept them long after I finished with them and read them to my sons as they were growing up. For about five years, I read two chapters a night before they went to bed. Since they were each exactly twenty-five chapters long and each chapter was ten pages, this worked out to a nice time frame.
The original six books were written by a Canadian named Leslie McFarlane under the pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon. They are still published today under that name. Leslie McFarlane only received $25 each for those historical volumes. He sold the rights to the New Jersey publisher named Edward Stratemeyer. Mr. Stratemeyer had a company that employed ghostwriters to expand into a book the outline for the twenty five chapters which he would provide for them. The company was also responsible for putting out in the same manner all the Nancy Drew mysteries. At one time, the Stratemeyer Syndicate was responsible for about 90% of all children’s books.
It is really hard to interest children today in reading, but there is nothing like a good book. If a love of books is instilled in children at an early age, then it may be with them throughout their lives. Reading to a child at night is a good way to get them settled down. I know the half hour or so we spent reading every night was beneficial to all.
Maybe I will get into another favorite of mine sometime and that is the Uncle Wigglely series by Howard Garis. My children loved them, too.
Massive Fish Kill Adjacent to Chinese Solar Plant
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Class Action Lawsuit Against JinkoSolar Holding Company, Ltd.
Click Here to see more!
Getting Distracted from the Real Issues of ADHD
Yes, it’s a real disorder. Why are we still so disposed to thinking it’s overdiagnosed?
The outcry this week in response to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ decision to publish new treatment guidelines for Attention-Deficity/Hyperactivity Disorder in children ages 4 to 18 (as opposed to age 6 to 12, as was the case previously,) has been largely focused on the fear that the change will vastly increase the number of very young children being diagnosed with ADHD and pump younger and younger kids full of medication.
Ruth Madoff Regretted Standing By Bernie, Daughter-in-Law Says
Ruth Madoff refused to turn her back on her notorious husband, Bernie, despite a desperate plea from her suicidal son. It was only on the day last December when Mark Madoff killed himself that Ruth expressed regret for her decision, saying in an email to his widow, "What a fool I was."
When Only The Best Will Do For Your Pet
GO HERE to view their facility.
Battle Over Prayer Continues In Sussex County
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Sussex County’s defiance of requests to stop saying the Lord’s Prayer to open meetings is headed to federal court next year. Oral arguments are due to be presented in January 2012 in U.S. District Court.
On June 30, Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit on behalf of four Sussex County residents who say the prayer is sectarian and unconstitutional because it promotes the Christian religion over all others.
Auditor: Mariner Band Boosters Money Mismanaged
Unauthorized bank account was opened
An audit of the Mariner Middle School band boosters has uncovered an unauthorized bank account opened by the band director who then mismanaged funds, state auditors say.
The report found a reducation of nearly $10,000 in the band boosters bank account from 2008 to 2010, according to the report. However, Chief Administrative Auditor Kathleen O'Donnell said there's no way to tell how much is actually missing because no one was checking it. Band boosters also tend to handle a lot of cash, which can be tough to track, she said.
Don't Forget The Farmers Market In Salisbury Today
Today's Weather- 10/22/11
Salisbury,Maryland
Overnight Low
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line993
|
__label__wiki
| 0.612628
| 0.612628
|
Data Mine
Send Letters, Not Emails
Why it’s so much harder for the government to spy on your snail mail than your email.
By Amy Webb
June 12, 20135:08 PM
A mailman for the U.S. Postal Service delivers mail on Nov. 15, 2012, in Miami.
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
On an average day, the United States Postal Service delivers 22 items to my home. I know this, because for the past three years I’ve been tracking delivery times, volume, addressees, types (letters, magazines, boxes) and categories of mail (letters, bills, catalogs).
This past weekend, while staring at our usual pile of Saturday mail, I noticed a Phantom Fireworks solicitation addressed to our home’s former owner. (Direct solicitations to my house have increased 37 percent in the past year.) During a typical week, the USPS delivers three pieces of misdirected mail and five items intended for previous owners. Our usual course of action is to write “delivered to wrong address” or “no longer at this address” on the envelope and drop it back in a mailbox. But the Phantom Fireworks flier? I threw it straight into the trash.
That action—handling someone else’s mail, reading the contents and then destroying it—directly violates 18 U.S.C. § 1703. It’s a federal crime punishable by a fine and up to a year in prison.
To be sure, the feds aren’t going to break down my door when I throw away a Lululemon or Athletica catalog addressed to my neighbor. Still, I know—and you know, too—that touching someone else’s mail is a big no-no. I can’t open a letter with someone else’s name on it. Your boss can’t open a package delivered to her office and intended solely for you. The IRS can’t intercept hard copies of your paycheck. Homeland Security can’t surveil you for subscribing to Guns & Ammo. By law, what the USPS delivers can only be opened by the person whose name is written on the item.
In the wake of revelations that the NSA has been filling databases with information about our emailing habits, I’ve been curious about the discrepancies between the laws that govern our physical and electronic mail. If the government isn’t supposed to be looking at our physical mail without justifiable cause, why can it watch our email messages without legal approval or, at the very least, our informed consent?
I brought Saturday’s pile of USPS mail over to my desk and compared it to what was currently in my computer’s inbox. I receive an average of 377 email messages every weekday. On the weekends, I get fewer, unless there’s been a family event with lots of photos. About 41 percent are spam or junk mail, but the rest are messages intended for me or for a group I belong to.
Looking back and forth between the pile of physical mail and my screen, I suddenly realized that the content delivered to my electronic inboxes is essentially the same as what the USPS slides through the mail slot. Both sets include bills, photos, reminders to schedule appointments, neighborhood newsletters, messages from my sister, and the like. In fact, the Staples catalog was the same in print and in electronic form: One was just a PDF of the other.
In the eyes of the government, what makes the mail on my desk so different from what’s on my computer?
It’s a question fit for Benjamin Franklin. Prior to the American Revolution, Franklin had been the postmaster for the British Crown, establishing postal delivery routes throughout the colonies. In the early days, it was only official government communications that passed through the post, and it was “sealed against inspection.” Later, when the mail could be used by citizens, carriers would regularly read others’ mail along their long routes for entertainment. Franklin, eager to maintain the sanctity of the mail in a time of political upheaval, developed a set of regulations and affixed locks to postal carriers’ saddle bags. Franklin’s early regulations became part of the basis for privacy law, as did the Fourth Amendment rule about unreasonable searches, which the Framers certainly intended to cover postal mail.
Nearly 200 years later, technologist Ray Tomlinson was helping to establish a modern-day postal system, one that wouldn’t require envelopes or stamps. It was 1971, and our Internet’s predecessor—ARPANET—had just launched. Tomlinson figured out a way to help early users send short messages in near real-time, and he sent the world’s first electronic mail message to himself.
Unlike Franklin’s postal service, email itself wasn’t a government-created system. Tomlinson’s communication vehicle was used first by universities, then commercial entities like Pegasus Mail, AOL, Excite, Yahoo, and Microsoft. Because these were corporations and educational institutions, they weren’t subject to federal law in the same way the postal service was.
You could argue that enforcing any kind of regulation would be impossible because of the volume of email messages exchanged daily, or because technological advancements dramatically outpace the speed at which our federal laws are created. Mail sent the old-fashioned way uses a more direct, explicit system. I write a letter to you, I drop it in the mailbox, it remains sealed until a USPS worker delivers it to you. That letter is likely the only copy in existence. If I sent you an email, however, a copy is stored locally on my machine, then probably at Rackspace or Gmail servers, which may or may not be inside of the U.S. Then the email is forwarded to another set of servers somewhere, where a copy might again be stored, until the message hits your provider and your own inbox. It takes only seconds for my message to reach you, but along the way it’s likely been tagged, sorted, and cataloged by a half-dozen different companies.
Our modern USPS and email systems grew up in different households. The USPS became a government entity subject to a certain set of federal regulations, while email became regulated by the FCC and laws of interstate commerce. For example, while companies can legally send fliers and brochures to our homes through the USPS, it can be a violation of the CAN-SPAM Act to send the same sort of commercial messages electronically.
Still, it seemed strange to me that we have stringent laws on the books governing my letters to my husband, but not the emails he and I exchange privately.
I put the question to Fred Lane, an attorney, expert in privacy law and the author of American Privacy: The 400-Year History of Our Most Contested Right. “The very nature of email is anti-control and anti-privacy,” he said. “Even Franklin would recognize that. In practical terms, it is difficult to have privacy control throughout the entire email process. We need to adapt our core principles to the new realities of communication.”
Lane reminded me of an earlier government surveillance program of traditional mail. Beginning in 1952, a CIA program codenamed SRPOINTER and SGPOINTER and later HTLINGUAL and HGLINGUAL authorized the interception and opening of mail items at facilities in Los Angeles and Jamaica, Queens, New York. The CIA insisted that a mail-opening operation was necessary to track the Americans it suspected of feeding information to the Soviets. A list of names was maintained, and data was collected on incoming and outgoing mail, while hundreds of thousands of letters destined for other countries were open and read.
When President Nixon took office in 1969, America’s security agencies were in constant disagreement on how to track security threats. A year later, one of Nixon’s aides, Tom Huston, crafted a plan to enlist the CIA, FBI, NSA and military intelligence agencies in wide-ranging electronic surveillance of U.S. citizens. Nixon wanted ongoing domestic intelligence on his administration’s so-called “left-wing radical” watch list, so the Huston Plan called for routinely opening postal mail and using something called “mail covers.”
During the Watergate hearings in 1973, postal mail surveillance was one of the issues brought to light. The programs were stopped, but mail covers continue to this day. In a criminal case, the USPS can be authorized use mail covers: to take photos of and record the information on the outside container, envelope, or label of anything it handles, and it may record the name and address of the sender and recipient, along with the place and date of the postmark, into a database. According to a source familiar with mail covers, there are tens of thousands of mail covers performed each year.
Mail covers aren’t supposed to be exploratory, and they don’t include the contents of whatever’s inside. To obtain a mail cover, law enforcement must first submit paperwork to the Postal Inspection Service in Chicago proving that there’s a criminal investigation under way.
But the USPS is collecting similar information on almost all mail, not just mail that is subject to covers. For example, you know those barcodes on the bottoms of our envelopes? The USPS scans those using a wide field camera and takes super-high resolution photographs of the back and front of most mail pieces—again, not the stuff inside—for sorting and diagnostic purposes. It’s actually because of the USPS that we have widespread optical character recognition technology in widespread use now. Before cameras and computers, postal workers would have to sort all mail by hand, making best guesses on illegible writing and trying to keep all correspondence in the right batches. These days, multiline OCR readers let the USPS sort thousands of pieces of mail per minute.
OCR software automatically extracts the text on an envelope and imports it into a database for later sorting and analysis. After the anthrax and ricin incidents, the USPS was able to track the pieces of mail before and after the contaminated letters to narrow down the source.
The topic of mail privacy was debated as recently as 2006. During his tenure in office, President Bush attached a signing statement to a reform bill that allowed federal authorities to ask for all mail cover data and even to open your mail without approval. His administration argued that the Patriot Act enabled the government to intercept USPS deliveries in “exigent circumstances, such as to protect human life and safety against hazardous materials, and the need for physical searches specifically authorized by law for foreign intelligence.” Sen. Charles Schumer criticized Bush at the time, saying that the action was a direct contradiction of our established mail protection laws and to the Constitution. Whether or not our USPS mail is being routinely opened today under a similar program is still not clear.
So where does that leave me and my various mailboxes? Ready for our lawmakers to have a meaningful debate on mail and privacy controls. What should the government be able to scrape and monitor from my email? Metadata alone? The fact that I’ve included Excel spreadsheets or photos? Or the content within the documents themselves? Should electronic messages, too, be “sealed against inspection?” Or should I assume that anything I send—even if it’s a self-destructing message—is not really private?
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1004
|
__label__cc
| 0.692495
| 0.307505
|
(212) 620-2717 info@slref.com
Lending Programs
Equity Advisory
Streamline Realty Funding
We are a full service commercial real estate firm providing direct bridge and construction financing, equity advisory and asset management services. Backed by major global investment managers with multi-billion dollars of assets under management, Streamline has the capital, knowledge and experience needed to help you meet your financing needs and manage your investments.
Our team of dedicated professionals averages over 20 years of experience in all aspects of commercial real estate including debt and equity finance, development, asset management and brokerage.
We work with you to craft creative solutions in line with your financing needs and business objectives. Whether its a quick closing or complex capital structure we’ll help you figure it out.
Markets move. Take advantage of the experience and relationships we’ve developed riding both the ups and downs in commercial real estate over the past three decades.
Louis P. Mirando
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
The founder of Streamline, Lou has over 35 years’ experience in commercial mortgage lending and acquisitions, initially with Chase Manhattan Bank and later, The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, having originated in excess of $4.0 billion in investments. He founded Rhodes Capital Company in 1992, formalizing alliances with Morgan Stanley, CSFB and Nomura Securities. In 1996, Lou co-founded and became CEO of Transatlantic Capital Company (“TACC”), a joint venture with Deutsche Bank. After selling his interest in TACC to Deutsche Bank, he became active in a variety of real estate developments. In 2001, Lou co-founded Rhodes Capital Advisors, a real estate debt and equity advisory company. In 2004, he became Co-Head and Managing Director of CMBS Originations for Eurohypo AG. He left Eurohypo to pursue active real estate development in 2006.
Felix Rivera
Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer
Prior to joining Streamline at its inception, Felix spent 15 years at Deutsche Bank (“DB”) where he held various roles within Global Banking, Global Markets and Private Clients Asset Management. Most recently, he had been a Director in DB’s Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Group, where he served as a senior deal manager in Warehouse Finance. Felix managed several credit facilities for select DB clients and ran the credit, underwriting and funding approval process for each line. He also managed a strategic joint venture between the CRE Group and DB’s Municipal Capital Markets desk to finance tax-exempt commercial real estate projects. Prior to Warehouse Finance, Felix worked in CRE’s Portfolio Management Group. He was responsible for operational risk management across all CRE banking and trading products, with a particular focus on the US Real Estate Distressed Debt Platform. Felix began his career at Deutsche Bank Mortgage Capital (previously known as TransAtlantic Capital Company), where he built the conduit’s financial, operational and internal control infrastructure.
John Mirando
Originations, Transaction and Asset Management
John joined Streamline in November 2016 as a director to focus on loan origination, underwriting and transaction management. John was most recently in the Origination Group at IH Capital, where he was responsible for analyzing, underwriting and closing CMBS loans.
Thomas J. Miller
Tom has over 17 years of experience in the acquisition, financing, asset management and disposition of commercial real estate, with a total dollar value exceeding $2.6 billion. Before joining Streamline, he was a Director in the Capital Markets Group of Avison Young, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage and investment management firm.
James P. Carey
Jim joined Streamline to focus on business development related to new product lines. Mr. Carey was most recently President of Wildcat Trading, LLC, a firm that he founded in 2011 to specialize in the trading of energy and financial futures. Before forming Wildcat Trading, Jim was a proprietary trader at Sempra Energy Inc. from 2003 to 2010, focusing on trading crude oil futures.
Kyra Dorn
Transaction and Asset Management
Kyra has over 12 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry within the United States, Canada and Europe, having worked in a variety of roles including traditional and construction lending, asset management and real estate investment. In addition, she also serves as the CFO of TitanStar Properties Inc.
Jack Flanagan
Originations
In addition to sourcing and originating deals at Streamline, Jack is an attorney who represents financial institutions, private equity funds, owners/operators and developers in all aspects of commercial real estate and private M&A nationwide. His practice involves a sophisticated blend of both debt and equity transactions.
Dillon F. Kelly
Originations, Transaction, and Asset Management
Dillon joined Streamline in March 2019 with a focus on loan origination, underwriting, and transaction management. Dillon brings several years of transaction and structuring experience to his current position, having most recently worked on the capital markets and advisory team at Cooper Horowitz LLC.
David Camins
Loan Correspondent
David Camins joined Streamline in April 2019 as the West Coast presence based in San Diego. After spending ten years in Chicago, David relocated his family to North County and holds his RE license with Voit Real Estate Services.
James Howard
Jim Howard serves as an advisor to Streamline. Jim has over 30 years of commercial real estate finance, brokerage and asset management experience nationwide across all major property types totaling over $5 billion.
Call us at (212) 620-2717 or
© 2018 Streamline Realty Funding, LLC. All rights reserved. SLREF.com and the Streamline Realty Funding, LLC logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Streamline Realty Funding, LLC. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Streamline Realty Funding, LLC is a licensed real estate broker in the State of New York.
The founder of Streamline, Lou has over 35 years’ experience in commercial mortgage lending and acquisitions, initially with Chase Manhattan Bank and later, The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, having originated in excess of $4.0 billion in investments. He founded Rhodes Capital Company in 1992, formalizing alliances with Morgan Stanley, CSFB and Nomura Securities. In 1996, Lou co-founded and became CEO of Transatlantic Capital Company (“TACC”), a joint venture with Deutsche Bank. After selling his interest in TACC to Deutsche Bank, he became active in a variety of real estate developments. In 2001, Lou co-founded Rhodes Capital Advisors, a real estate debt and equity advisory company. In 2004, he became Co-Head and Managing Director of CMBS Originations for Eurohypo AG. He left Eurohypo to pursue active real estate development in 2006. Lou has served as an adjunct professor at NYU’s Schack Real Estate Institute and was named Honorary Banker of the Evening in 2005 at the Institute’s annual Evening of Monopoly. A 1981 graduate of Villanova University and a 10-year member of the Villanova Center for Real Estate, Lou taught the inaugural commercial real estate course in Villanova’s MBA program. In addition, he was recently appointed to the Executive Advisory Council of Fordham University’s Real Estate Institute. Lou holds a New York State Real Estate Broker license and was an active volunteer fireman for 15 years in Rockville Centre, New York.
Prior to joining Streamline at its inception, Felix spent 15 years at Deutsche Bank (“DB”) where he held various roles within Global Banking, Global Markets and Private Clients Asset Management. Most recently, he had been a Director in DB’s Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Group, where he served as a senior deal manager in Warehouse Finance. Felix managed several credit facilities for select DB clients and ran the credit, underwriting and funding approval process for each line. He also managed a strategic joint venture between the CRE Group and DB’s Municipal Capital Markets desk to finance tax-exempt commercial real estate projects. Prior to Warehouse Finance, Felix worked in CRE’s Portfolio Management Group. He was responsible for operational risk management across all CRE banking and trading products, with a particular focus on the US Real Estate Distressed Debt Platform. Felix began his career at Deutsche Bank Mortgage Capital (previously known as TransAtlantic Capital Company), where he built the conduit’s financial, operational and internal control infrastructure. Felix also spent part of his early career in DB’s Real Estate Private Equity Group, where he was the business area controller for the Americas and Japan/Asia. He built a control desk management function for the CMBS North America and European CMBS trading desks, and also created and co-headed CRE Global Risk Management, a global risk function responsible for identifying areas of potential credit, market and operational risk. Felix received a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.S. in Real Estate Finance from New York University. He holds a New York State Real Estate Broker license, is a licensed NYSE/NASD General Securities Registered Representative (Series 7) and holds a Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law license).
John joined Streamline in November 2016 as a director to focus on loan origination, underwriting and transaction management. John was most recently in the Origination Group at IH Capital, where he was responsible for analyzing, underwriting and closing CMBS loans. Prior to that, John spent three years at Barclays Capital, where as an analyst serving in a variety of financial and regulatory reporting roles he was responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of external and statutory reporting requirements. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from St. John’s University, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business.
Tom has over 17 years of experience in the acquisition, financing, asset management and disposition of commercial real estate, with a total dollar value exceeding $2.6 billion. Before joining Streamline, he was a Director in the Capital Markets Group of Avison Young, a full-service commercial real estate brokerage and investment management firm. Tom’s background in working with institutional investors to raise funds and deploy capital began at Bear, Stearns & Co., where he was an investment banker until 2002 in both the Private Equity and the Real Estate, Gaming & Lodging Groups. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Brown University, a Master of Science degree in Real Estate from New York University, and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and he has received the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.
Jim joined Streamline to focus on business development related to new product lines. Mr. Carey was most recently President of Wildcat Trading, LLC, a firm that he founded in 2011 to specialize in the trading of energy and financial futures. Before forming Wildcat Trading, Jim was a proprietary trader at Sempra Energy Inc. from 2003 to 2010, focusing on trading crude oil futures. From 1981 to 2003, Mr. Carey worked at Morgan Stanley & Co., most recently as a Managing Director in its Fixed Income Division, where he served as co-head of Worldwide Crude Oil Trading. Jim earned a B.A. in Economics from Villanova University in 1981.
Kyra has over 12 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry within the United States, Canada and Europe, having worked in a variety of roles including traditional and construction lending, asset management and real estate investment. In addition, she also serves as the CFO of TitanStar Properties Inc. Kyra began her real estate career at Morgan Stanley in the Commercial Real Estate Finance Group, where she was responsible for underwriting more than $4.0 billion of fixed and floating rate loans and overseeing the sale of over $1.5 billion of product through syndications, securitizations and CDOs. Kyra is a graduate of Tufts University with a degree in economics.
In addition to sourcing and originating deals at Streamline, Jack is an attorney who represents financial institutions, private equity funds, owners/operators and developers in all aspects of commercial real estate and private M&A nationwide. His practice involves a sophisticated blend of both debt and equity transactions. After over 15 years in Big Law, he is currently a partner at Rooney Nimmo, P.C., in Midtown, Manhattan, a corporate boutique, where he has recently been involved in joint ventures, recapitalizations, bridge lending and European bond financing for real estate and film projects.
Dillon joined Streamline in March 2019 with a focus on loan origination, underwriting, and transaction management. Dillon brings several years of transaction and structuring experience to his current position, having most recently worked on the capital markets and advisory team at Cooper Horowitz LLC. A significant portion of his role involved working with institutional investors to financially engineer and effectively raise both the debt and the equity components of capital stacks for value-add and development deals in their pipelines. Dillon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Villanova University.
David joined Streamline in April 2019 as the West Coast presence based in San Diego. After spending ten years in Chicago, David relocated his family to North County and holds his RE license with Voit Real Estate Services. While in Chicago, David oversaw portfolio of more than a dozen properties at a time totaling seven and half million square feet of office and industrial buildings throughout the Midwest and East Coast as a member of a boutique national property services joint venture partnership with Means Knaus Partners of Houston. After the interests in the venture were sold to JLL in 2016, David put together a couple of STNL office and industrial property acquisitions, then went to work for private equity provider Blue Vista Capital Management originating bridge loans in the debt fund on numerous transitional, cash flowing assets around the country. Prior to Chicago, David spent fourteen years in New York as a loan originator with Eurohypo AG and Nomura Securities, as a debt and equity broker with Rhodes Capital Advisors, and began his career at the Edward S. Gordon Company (ESG) as a market research and financial analyst before transitioning into brokerage as a Landlord’s agent overseeing two class B, multi-tenanted Grand Central sub-market office buildings totaling over 750,000 SF. David graduated from Syracuse University with a B.A. and was a coxswain on the Varsity Crew team. While in NY, David was a Board Member of CAMBA Housing Ventures, the affordable housing arm of CAMBA located in Flatbush, Brooklyn. In Chicago, David was a mentor and internship provider to the BrightStar Community Outreach based in Bronzeville. And in San Diego, David volunteers his time to Father Joe’s Village and with the San Diego Food Bank.
Jim Howard is an advisor to Streamline. He has over 30 years of commercial real estate finance, brokerage and asset management experience nationwide across all major property types totaling over $5 billion. He has co-founded several entrepreneurial finance and advisory firms and has also held senior positions at large institutions. Jim began his business career at Price Waterhouse where he became a Certified Public Accountant and is a graduate of New York University’s College of Business and Public Administration with a B.S. in Accounting and Finance. He is a licensed real estate broker in the State of New York.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1005
|
__label__cc
| 0.7242
| 0.2758
|
The Self Is Not Entirely Lost In Dementia
Posted on February 9, 2019 by Soren Dreier
Author: Digest
In the past when scholars have reflected on the psychological impact of dementia they have frequently referred to the loss of the “self” in dramatic and devastating terms, using language such as the “unbecoming of the self” or the “disintegration” of the self. In a new review released as a preprint at PsyArXiv, an international team of psychologists led by Muireann Irish at the University of Sydney challenge this bleak picture which they attribute to the common, but mistaken, assumption “that without memory, there can be no self” (as encapsulated by the line from Hume: “Memory alone… ‘tis to be considered… as the source of personal identity”).
In their review, Irish and her colleagues, including doctoral candidate and lead author Cherie Strikwerda-Brown, present a more optimistic perspective based on their analysis of the research literature on autobiographical memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s Disease, people with Semantic Dementia, and others with Frontotemporal Dementia. “Overall,” they write, “… the self is not entirely lost in dementia, with distinct elements of preservation emerging contingent on life epoch and dementia syndrome”.
Central to the authors’ argument is that our autobiographical memories, upon which our sense of self is based, are made up of two interdependent elements: the episodic (the subjective sense of having experienced past events) and the semantic (a factual knowledge of what happened), certain aspects of which are to some extent spared across different types of dementia and different epochs of one’s life.
In people with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, they explain that there is often (especially in the early to moderate stages of the illness) a sparing of autobiographical knowledge, particularly from earlier in life. Specifically, so-called “general event memories” are spared, such as remembering “I used to go dancing on Fridays” or “I used to work as a teacher in my twenties and thirties” – even though a subjective sense of having lived those past experiences is lost. Irish and her colleagues say that this preserved semantic knowledge, including of one’s own traits and preferences, can provide a sense of “narrative self-continuity” and helps explain why social abilities can remain relatively intact for many years after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
That’s not to say there are no problems with the sense of self: “They [people with Alzheimer’s] may display an out of date self-schema, in that ‘who I was’ becomes ‘who I am’, and this non-updated framework governs their everyday behaviour,” the authors write, pointing to anecdotal cases of people with Alzheimer’s acting out roles from earlier in their lives, such as believing they are still a nurse (rather than retired) or a mother (rather than grandmother).
Conversely, Irish and her colleagues explain how people with Semantic Dementia lose much of their factual knowledge about themselves, especially from their more distant past, while they retain their recent, subjectively experienced episodic memories, especially for the last year or so.
These first-hand experiential memories for recent lived experiences – together with a general, temporally unspecified knowledge of the kind of events they experience frequently – can provide another basis for a consistent sense of self, albeit one that is largely rooted in the present and recent past. In turn, this time-limited sense of self may help explain the rigid behaviours and routines often observed in people with Semantic Dementia – a preference for wearing the same clothes, for instance, and always going to the same places at the same time of week.
The Self Is Not Entirely Lost In Dementia was last modified: February 9th, 2019 by Soren Dreier
How Mount Fuji Became Japan’s Most Sacred Symbol
Jeff Rense – Suicidal Weather Insanity
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1007
|
__label__wiki
| 0.805464
| 0.805464
|
Teen Titans Go To the Movies
Here’s the official track list of the soundtrack of Teen Titans Go To the Movies, the latest animated superhero comedy movie directed by Aaron Horvath and Peter Rida Michail and featuring the voices of Scott Menville, Greg Cipes, Khary Payton, Tara Strong, Hynden Walch, Will Arnett, Kristen Bell, and Nicolas Cage:
Teen Titans Go To the Movies Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Various artists.
1. Go! – Greg Cipes, Scott Menville, Khary Payton, Tara Strong, Hynden Walch
2. My Superhero Movie – Jacob Jeffries
3. Upbeat Inspirational Song About Life – Michael Bolton, Greg Cipes, Scott Menville, Khary Payton, Tara Strong, Hynden Walch
4. Crystals – David Gemmill, M A E S T R O
5. Shenanigans – Peter Rida Michail, Khary Payton
6. Go! (Battle Remix) – Greg Cipes, Scott Menville, Khary Payton, Tara Strong, Hynden Walch
7. Go! (Remix) – Lil Yachty
8. Upbeat Inspirational Song About Life (Reprise) – Michael Bolton, Scott Menville
9. Welcome to Jump City – Jared Faber
10. Balloon Man Invades – Jared Faber
11. Check This Out – Jared Faber, Joel Virgel
12. This is Where They Make Movies – Jared Faber
13. Slade Arch Nemesis Suite – Jared Faber
14. Chasing Slade – Jared Faber
15. Slade’s Master Plan – Jared Faber
16. Robin Misses The Titans – Jared Faber
17. The Tower Collapses – Jared Faber
18. Titans Save The World Suite – Jared Faber
19. Slade Becomes Giant Robot – Jared Faber
20. Justice League Returns – Saved by Titans – Jared Faber
21. Star Labs – Doomsday Device – Jared Faber
22. Worthy Arch Nemesis – Jared Faber
23. Back to the Future Theme – Fred Kron
Official music videos are available for some of the songs:
Teen Titans GO! to the Movies Music Video – GO! Remix
Teen Titans GO! to the Movies Music Video – Upbeat Inspirational Song About Life
When the Teen Titans go to the big screen, they go big! ‘Teen Titans GO! to the Movies’ finds our egocentric, wildly satirical Super Heroes in their first feature film extravaganza –a fresh, gleefully clever, kid-appropriately crass and tongue-in-cheek play on the superhero genre, complete with musical numbers.
It seems to the Teens that all the major superheroes out there are starring in their own movies–everyone but the Teen Titans, that is! But de facto leader Robin is determined to remedy the situation, and be seen as a star instead of a sidekick. If only they could get the hottest Hollywood film director to notice them. With a few madcap ideas and a song in their heart, the Teen Titans head to Tinsel Town, certain to pull off their dream. But when the group is radically misdirected by a seriously Super-Villain and his maniacal plan to take over the Earth, things really go awry. The team finds their friendship and their fighting spirit failing, putting the very fate of the Teen Titans themselves on the line!
The movie soundtrack of Teen Titans Go To the Movies was released on July 20, 2018 by WaterTower Music.
Here’s the movie trailer: Continue reading »
Take a look to the official track list of the soundtrack of Our House, the latest drama horror movie directed by Anthony Scott Burns and starring Nicola Peltz, Thomas Mann, Percy Hynes White, John Ralston, Christine Horne, Allison Hossack, Carlyn Burchell, Lucius Hoyos, Robert B. Kennedy, Kate Moyer, Marcia Bennett, Xavier de Guzman, Evan Marsh, Stefanie Nakamura, Aaron Hale, Neil Whitely, Jennifer Nichols, and Ryan Wilson:
Our House Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Mark Korven.
1. Heading To Lab
2. Flee The Lab
4. The Box
5. The Staircase
6. Shoes
7. Becca Tub
8. Back To Work
9. The Haunting
10. Matt and Ethan
11. Watch Me While I sleep
12. Now Do You Believe Me?
13. Lightbulbs
14. Strong Signal
15. Alice
16. Peak Button
17. Candle and Alice
18. Bathroom Shadow
19. Creepy Neighbor
20. What Ya See?
21. Never Left Me
22. Becca In Van
23. Shadow Science
24. Mr. Gifford
25. Becca Trapped
A machine that can bring back dead loved ones seems like a great idea…until you unleash the wrong spirits. When his parents are killed in a car accident, science whiz Ethan (Thomas Mann) must leave behind college and his girlfriend (Nicola Peltz) to care for his younger brother and sister. By day, he juggles the responsibilities of raising two kids; by night, he tinkers in the garage on an invention he hopes will change the world: a machine that can generate wireless electricity. He gets more than he bargained for, however, when the device awakens the dead souls that haunt the house. As Ethan and his siblings attempt to make contact with their parents, a horrifying realization sets in: not all the spirits in their midst may be friendly. This hair-raising science-fiction ghost story is a nightmare journey into a past that refuses to stay dead and buried.
The movie soundtrack of Our House was released on July 27, 2018 by Lakeshore Records.
We’ve got our hands on the official track list of the soundtrack of Zoe, the latest romantic science-fiction movie directed by Drake Doremus and starring Ewan McGregor, Lea Seydoux, Theo James, Rashida Jones, Christina Aguilera, Miranda Otto, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Helen Johns:
Zoe Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Dan Romer.
1. The Lab’s Mission
2. Answer Honestly
3. When Did You Come Online?
4. 0%
5. You Might Feel It Too
6. Look in the Mirror
7. Very Easy
8. No Tears in My Eyes
9. Do You Think I’m Nice?
10. People Aren’t Symmetrical
11. I Have Memories
12. Like Being Asleep
13. I Wonder Why You Made Me
14. Drink Half of It
15. Sometimes It Felt so Real
16. I Should Go
17. The Zoe?
18. Do They Cry?
19. I’m Sorry I Let You Slip Away
20. Can You Hear Me?
21. Someone I Love
In a future world where cutting-edge technologies can simulate the high of true love, two colleagues (Ewan McGregor and Léa Seydoux) at a revolutionary research lab yearn for a connection that’s real.
The movie soundtrack of Zoe was released on July 20, 2018 by Drawing Number One.
The Darkest Minds
Check out the official track list of the soundtrack of The Darkest Minds, the upcoming science-fiction thriller movie directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and starring Amandla Stenberg, Mandy Moore, Gwendoline Christie, Harris Dickinson, Skylan Brooks, Wallace Langham, Mark O’Brien, and Patrick Gibson:
The Darkest Minds Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Benjamin Wallfisch.
1. The Darkest Minds
2. Ruby’s Theme
3. Lady Jane
4. Escape
5. Cate
6. Runaway
7. Picnic
8. Zu’s Dream
9. E.D.O.
10. Home
11. The Slip Kid
12. Mind Control
13. Memories
14. Red
16. The Children’s League
When teens mysteriously develop powerful new abilities, they are declared a threat by the government and detained. Sixteen-year-old Ruby, one of the most powerful young people anyone has encountered, escapes her camp and joins a group of runaway teens seeking safe haven. Soon this newfound family realizes that, in a world in which the adults in power have betrayed them, running is not enough and they must wage a resistance, using their collective power to take back control of their future.
The movie soundtrack of The Darkest Minds will be released on August 3, 2018 by Milan Records.
The Crescent
Take a loo to the the official track list of the soundtrack of The Crescent, the upcoming Canadian horror mystery movie Britt Loder, Danika Vandersteen, Woodrow Graves, Amy Trefry, Andrew Gillis, Chik White, and Terrance Murray:
The Crescent Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Seth A. Smith.
1. The Crescent
2. In The Woods
3. The Sea
4. Lost
5. That’s Not Blackfly Sweetheart
6. May I Enter Your Heart
7. Dead Folk
8. Let The Shepherd Sleep
9. The Crescent (Part II)
10. Lost (Part II)
11. A Door Between Worlds
12. Lost (Dance Mix)
13. The Hermit
14. Lullaby
“After an unexpected death in the family, a mother and son struggle to find spiritual healing at a beachfront summer home.”
The movie soundtrack of The Crescent will be released on September 7, 2018 by Label Obscura.
Here’s the official track list of the soundtrack of Slender Man, the upcoming horror movie directed by Sylvain White and starring Joey King, Julia Goldani-Telles, Jaz Sinclair, Annalise Basso, and Javier Botet:
Slender Man Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Ramin Djawadi and Brandon Campbell.
1. Him
2. Surrender
3. Three Bells
4. Sleepless Night
5. Katie’s Missing
6. Can You See Him?
7. Library
8. Slender Sickness
9. He Has No Face
10. I Can Still See Him
11. Account Terminated
13. Scalpel
14. Through The Gate
15. Take Me
16. His Word
17. Slender Man
In a small town in Massachusetts, four high school girls perform a ritual in an attempt to debunk the lore of SLENDER MAN. When one of the girls goes mysteriously missing, they begin to suspect that she is, in fact, HIS latest victim.
The movie soundtrack of Slender Man will be released on August 10, 2018 by Sony Classical.
Mamma Mia 2 Here We Go Again
Take a look to the official track list of the soundtrack of Mamma Mia 2 Here We Go Again,the upcoming comedy movie sequel written and directed by Ol Parker and starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Lily James, Josh Dylan, Hugh Skinner, Jeremy Irvine, Alexa Davies, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Andy Garcia, and Cher:
Mamma Mia 2 Here We Go Again Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
1. When I Kissed the Teacher – Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies & Celia Imrie 3:01
2. Track 2
4. Waterloo – Hugh Skinner & Lily James 2:48
10. Track 10
13. Dancing Queen – Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters & Pierce Brosnan 3:41
15. Fernando – Cher & Andy Garcia 3:59
There are also two official lyric videos:
Mamma Mia 2 Here We Go Again – When I Kissed the Teacher
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – Dancing Queen Lyric Video
And two clips from the film:
Mamma Mia Here We Go Again – Sophie sings ‘Angel Eyes’ with Rosie and Tanya
Mamma Mia 2 – Donna and the Dynamos perform “Mamma Mia”
Ten years after Mamma Mia! The Movie grossed more than $600 million around the world, you are invited to return to the magical Greek island of Kalokairi in an all-new original musical based on the songs of ABBA.
The film goes back and forth in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present. Lily James will play the role of Young Donna. Filling the roles of Young Rosie and Young Tanya are Alexa Davies and Jessica Keenan Wynn. Young Sam will be played by Jeremy Irvine, while Young Bill is Josh Dylan and Young Harry is Hugh Skinner.
The movie soundtrack of Mamma Mia 2 Here We Go Again will be released on July 13, 2018 by Polydor Records.
Check out the official track list of the soundtrack of Haze, the latest drama movie written and directed by David Burkman and starring Kirk Curran, Mike Blejer, Jeremy O’Shea, Kristin Rogers, Sophia Medley, Paul Savage, Nicholas Kedrock, Raamin Samiyi, Ryan Fearson, Aaron Stein, Drew Sinclair, Doug Henderson, Matthew McClain, Shaz Khan, and Nyk Schmalz:
Haze Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Daniel Rogers.
1. Three Pillars (1:29)
2. Pentheus (1:51)
3. Lineup (feat. Ensemble De Organographia) (1:39)
4. Traitor (1:04)
5. Hazed & Amused (7:01)
6. Clear Night (2:40)
7. Corrupted (0:47)
8. Echo (4:04)
9. Something to Cry About (feat. Ensemble De Organographia) (3:40)
10. Good & Welfare (1:43)
11. A Greek Tragedy (0:59)
12. Bacchae (feat. Ensemble De Organographia) (1:39)
13. Anakalypto (feat. Ensemble De Organographia) (5:09)
14. Subcutaneous (4:02)
15. Maenads (0:53)
16. Hell Week (feat. Ensemble De Organographia) (10:18)
17. Home (1:28)
18. Something You Should Probably Know (1:23)
19. Brotherhood (feat. Ensemble De Organographia) (1:18)
20. Cithaeron (feat. Ensemble De Organographia) (5:21)
In the aftermath of a brutal fraternity hazing death, a college freshman’s desire to join the best fraternity on campus is compromised when his older brother launches an anti-hazing crusade. A modern retelling of ancient Greek mythology, HAZE is a sobering, realistic portrait of what truly goes on behind fraternity and sorority house walls.
The movie soundtrack of Haze was released on July 4, 2018 by Shadywood Road Productions.
Take a look to the official track list of the soundtrack of Hover, the latest science-fiction movie directed by Matt Osterman and starring Cleopatra Coleman, Shane Coffey, Craig muMs Grant, David Jensen, Beth Grant, Rhoda Griffis, Leo Fitzpatrick, and Fabianne Therese
Hover Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Wojciech Golczewski.
1. VastGrow (1:09)
2. At the Bedside (2:16)
3. Hover (2:32)
4. The Drive (1:52)
5. Abner’s Wake (2:02)
6. Around the House (1:10)
7. Flowers (1:29)
8. John’s Death (1:05)
9. Can’t Be (2:13)
10. New Partner (1:24)
11. Burnt House (1:38)
12. Need To Rest (2:27)
13. Night To Day (1:10)
14. The Notebook (2:44)
15. Leaving Buds (1:59)
16. Drone Chase (3:19)
17. The Repairshop (2:26)
18. Bigger Than You (1:55)
19. The New Beginning (4:02)
The film takes place in the near future, where environmental strain has caused food shortages around the world. Technology provides a narrow path forward, with agricultural drones maximizing the yield from what land remains. Two compassionate care providers, Claudia (Cleopatra Coleman) and her mentor John (Craig muMs Grant), work to assist sick farmland inhabitants in ending their lives. After John dies under mysterious circumstances, a group of locals helps Claudia to uncover a deadly connection between the health of her clients and the technology they are using.
The movie soundtrack of Hover was released on July 2, 2018 by Data Airlines.
Here’s the official track list of the soundtrack of Ant-Man and the Wasp, the latest superhero movie sequel directed by Peyton Reed and starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Laurence Fishburne, Walton Goggins, Michael Pena, and Judy Greer:
Ant-Man and the Wasp Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Christophe Beck.
1. It Ain’t Over Till the Wasp Lady Stings (2:34)
2. Prologue (3:42)
3. Ghost in the Machine (1:15)
4. World’s Greatest Grandma (1:34)
5. A Little Nudge (3:49)
6. Feds (2:47)
7. Ava’s Story (4:36)
8. Wings & Blasters (1:55)
9. Utmost Ghost (2:28)
10. Tracker Swarm (1:27)
11. Cautious as a Hurricane (2:47)
12. Misdirection (2:38)
13. Quantum Leap (2:53)
14. I Shrink, Therefore I Am (1:57)
15. Partners (1:52)
16. Windshield Wipeout (1:37)
17. Hot Wheels (1:38)
18. Revivification (2:50)
19. A Flock of Seagulls (1:07)
20. San Francisco Giant (0:45)
21. Ghost = Toast (2:54)
22. Reduce Yourself (1:41)
23. Quit Screwing Around (0:46)
24. Anthropodie (4:16)
25. Baba Yaga Lullaby – David Dastmaltchian (0:25)
From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink: ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’. In the aftermath of ‘Captain America: Civil War’, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.
The movie soundtrack of Ant-Man and the Wasp will be released on July 6, 2018 by Hollywood Records and Marvel Music.
Page 2 of 147«123-1020-»
COPYRIGHT © 2019 Soundtrack-Movie.com - Privacy Policy
All names, trademarks and images are copyright their respective owners.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1009
|
__label__wiki
| 0.868558
| 0.868558
|
Kyrie Irving says Boston is more of a 'real, live sports city' than Cleveland
Dan Devine
Ball Don't Lie October 12, 2017, 1:50 PM UTC
Kyrie Irving wonders why he hears a roar of discontent coming from Northeast Ohio. (Getty)
After Kyrie Irving’s demand request that he be traded away from Northeast Ohio and the all-encompassing shadow of LeBron James was eventually granted by way of a blockbuster deal with the Boston Celtics, many Cleveland Cavaliers fans bid a fond farewell to the former No. 1 overall pick, four-time All-Star and author of the biggest shot in franchise history. Less than one week away from the Celtics and Cavs facing off in an opening night tilt that ranks as one of the more eagerly anticipated regular-season games in recent memory, though, Clevelanders miiiiiight not feel quite so gracious toward their former star point guard when he makes his return to Quicken Loans Arena.
[Now’s the time to sign up for Fantasy Basketball! Join for free]
After the trade was (finally) finalized, Irving made a point of showing love to Cavs fans via social media and in his remarks at his introductory news conference at TD Garden. But when the Celtics headed to North Carolina on Wednesday to take on the Charlotte Hornets in a pre-season tune-up game, Irving offered some comments that are sure to arch plenty of eyebrows in the city where he started his career. From Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer:
“It’s exciting to be back on the East Coast,” said Irving, who grew up in New Jersey. “It’s fast-paced. A lot of different cultures, food and people. You get it all, especially in Boston.
“You would go to Cleveland, and it would be at nighttime, and things would be going on, but you just see a vast difference.”
A difference, too, Irving said between Boston and Cleveland as sports cities: “Boston, I’m driving in and (thinking), ‘I’m really playing in a real, live sports city?’”
That’s the sort of quote that’ll be catnip for the Boston fans to whom Irving is understandably working to ingratiate himself. Whatever his intent, though, it’s also the kind of bulletin-board material that’s going to get blown up in 1,000-point font to stoke the fire of Clevelanders who can’t stand the tendency of blue-blood marquee markets to look down on their flyover country counterparts. And it will all but certainly remove any doubt among who might have been on the fence about showering Irving with boos on Tuesday night, when he makes his first trip to the Q as a visitor.
[Follow Ball Don’t Lie on social media: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tumblr]
Irving knows he’ll be facing a pitched, emotional atmosphere on opening night — even in, y’know, Not A Real Big Sports Town — but to hear him tell it, he’s not concerned about any vitriol he might hear on Tuesday. From Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated:
“No. Why would [I] be? It’s just hoops,” Irving said before Wednesday’s shootaround […] “It’s just hooping. I understand the magnitude … But I know what it is going to entail in terms of marketing, whatever the case may be, to garner up this energy to make people feel a certain type of way. I get all that. It’s part of the game. It’s been a part of the game for a while. But, it’s just two hoops and a basketball.
“It’s all love no matter what. I have heard boos at times to hearing cheers in the parade. I’ve been in the championship parade as well as being down 30 in ‘Q Arena.’ So, I’ve heard it all. It’s just good to be there and hoop against a great team like the Cavs.” […]
While Irving didn’t have a reputation as much of a talker previously, the expectation is he will be from a leadership or media standpoint in Boston. The way Irving sees it, the voice has always been there.
“For me, the necessity of validation doesn’t ever have to come from anyone telling me that I was ‘The face’ or I was on this platform or anyone telling me my voice now matters,” Irving said. “I kind of knew that regardless. That was no tarnish on anyone else. That’s just who I am. The understanding of what’s important and the message I am trying to get across to my teammates and to those that are around me, that’s the important thing. I’m going to continue to stay that way.
“There is a misunderstanding because the amount that I speak is not as often as other individuals. And I’m fine with that. But when I do speak up, I have a lot to say and it does mean something.”
There’s no doubt that Irving has become much more vocal over the past year or so. (Your mileage may vary as to how good or bad a thing that has been.) This much is clear: after making the power move to push himself not just out of Cleveland, but to the Cavs’ most direct rivals for Eastern Conference supremacy, everything Irving says will get more attention — especially in the city he once called home.
Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
Follow @YourManDevine
Read more from Yahoo Sports:
• Why the NFL protests are more than just taking a knee
• Blindsided Cowboys meet to discuss Jones’s threat
• Ronda Rousey hints at her next career move
• New details, video emerge in Alex Morgan Disney incident
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1010
|
__label__wiki
| 0.701911
| 0.701911
|
Call us today at 888.407.8164
About Breeders' Cup Experiences
HomeBreeders Cup Experiences BlogBreeders Cup Experiences
Breeders' Cup Classic 2018 Win & You're In Final Update
October 02, 2018 By Evan Chronis
The Breeders' Cup Classic 2018 field is becoming clearer thanks to the Win & You're In™ series! This series consists of races from around the world and presents the rare opportunity for a horse to punch its ticket to the Breeders' Cup World Championships® with an automatic and free entry. With all seven races to determine free spots in the Classic now concluded, let's take a look at the two...
Breeders' Cup Classic 2018 Odds: Accelerate on Top
September 19, 2018 By Evan Chronis
With the Breeders' Cup Classic a little over a month away, the excitement about who will cross the finish line first at Churchill Downs® on November 3 is increasing. The field of potential entrants into the classic is getting smaller as we head towards knowing the official roster of racers, and the official betting odds are becoming closer to what we'll see on race day.
Breeders' Cup Festival Week Schedule of Events
The Breeders' Cup® isn't just celebrated on Friday and Saturday, it's a week-long event! The city of Louisville has put together the Breeders' Cup Festival Week to celebrate the Breeders' Cup World Championships® coming to Churchill Downs!
Accelerate Qualifies for the 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic
August 21, 2018 By Evan Chronis
The Breeders' Cup® 2018 is the last big race of the calendar year, the Breeders' Cup Challenge series is coming to its conclusion! The series consists of races from around the world and presents the rare opportunity for a horse to punch its ticket to the Breeders' Cup World Championships® with an automatic and free entry. So far, five horses have earned their place in the Breeders' Cup...
Santa Anita, Keeneland, and Del Mar Announced as Next Breeders' Cup Venues
With the Breeders' Cup® headed to Churchill Downs® in November, we're already looking forward to the hosting sites for the two-day World Championships for the next three years.
Can Diversify Win the Breeders' Cup® Classic?
With the Breeders' Cup® 2018 only two months away, the Breeders' Cup® Challenge series is hitting its peak! The series consists of races from around the world and presents the unique opportunity for a horse to punch its ticket to the Breeders' Cup World Championships® with an automatic and free entry. So far, four horses have earned their place in the Breeders' Cup® Classic, with four spots...
Who Has Qualified for the Breeders' Cup® Classic So Far?
With the Breeders' Cup® 2018 quickly approaching in November, the Breeders' Cup® Challenge series is heating up! The series consists of races from around the world and presents the unique opportunity for a horse to punch its ticket to the Breeders' Cup World Championships® with an automatic and free entry. So far, three horses have earned their place in the Breeders' Cup® Classic, with four...
Your Race-by-Race Breakdown for the 2018 Breeders' Cup
July 25, 2018 By Evan Chronis
While it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle due to the unabashed hype surrounding the Triple Crown™, the Breeders' Cup World Championships® is held by many to be the biggest thoroughbred racing event of the calendar year. With the Classic holding one of the highest pursues in the sport, the event carries a significance and importance unlike most.
Why You Should Go to Breeders' Cup® 2018
The horse racing season is coming to a thunderous conclusion at Churchill Downs® this year with the Breeders' Cup® 2018! Coined the "World Championships" of Thoroughbred racing by those in charge of the event, the Breeders' Cup is youngest of the "Grand Slam of Thoroughbred Racing," which also includes the Kentucky Derby®, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
Introducing Grandstand Yellow for Breeders' Cup® 2018!
We are saddling up and heading back to Churchill Downs® for the 2018 Breeders' Cup®! Breeders’ Cup Experiences offers a variety of Official Ticket Packages with different seating options located around the track, and you can be there for all the action as the season comes to a close!
Kristen Doolan
Kristen Doolan was born and raised a Florida State Seminole. Making her way from Florida to North Carolina, Kristen achieved her B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing at The University of North Carolina Wilmington. She is an avid traveler, college football addict, beach bum and loves spending time with her family and friends.
Jazzy Morgan
Jazzy Morgan is originally from London, England and a die-hard Manchester United Fan. She grew up in Connecticut and made the move down south in 2011 where she attended Winthrop University and received her B.S. in Family & Consumer Sciences and a minor in Marketing. Jazzy enjoys traveling, working out, reading her monthly Vogue & Cosmo and keeping up with fashion trends.
Evan Chronis
Evan Chronis was born in Omaha, Nebraska but has made his home in south Charlotte for almost two decades. A Tar Heel born and bred, Evan received his B.A in Media and Journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill. He is an avid Boston sports fan thanks to his family’s New England roots, and a fanboy of Wes Anderson films.
Home | Official Packages | About | FAQs
©2019 Breeders’ Cup. All rights reserved.
Legal Notices | Privacy Statement
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1015
|
__label__wiki
| 0.520629
| 0.520629
|
Family Defense
Discovering Family Defense: A History of the Family Defense Clinic at New York University School of Law
Martin Guggenheim
Chris Gottlieb
Madeleine Kurtz
I. The Beginning (Marty)
II. The Difference (Maddie)
III. Finding the Future (Chris)
Chris Gottlieb, Martin Guggenheim, Madeleine Kurtz∞
On its 25th anniversary, teachers of the NYU School of Law Family Defense Clinic look back at the development of an innovative practice model that helped shape the burgeoning family defense movement. As the first law school clinic of its kind, in a field that had yet to establish a professional identity or standard litigation practices, the Clinic has had unique opportunities to advance model approaches and influence Family Court practice. The authors discuss the Clinic’s role in developing the family defense bar in New York City and the exceptional pedagogical benefits of having law students do clinical work in this field.
Part I describes the genesis and teaching methods of the Clinic and its shift from a courtroom-based approach to defense advocacy (an approach that relies too heavily on a criminal defense model) to add focus on clients’ ongoing interactions with administrative and government-contract agencies. This part explains the origins of the Family Defense Clinic’s interdisciplinary model of family defense, which integrated social workers into teams with lawyers.
Part II explores the unexpected benefits of the interdisciplinary approach and increasing attention to out-of-court work, which pushed students and teachers to think more deeply about the roles of lawyers and social workers. This part also explains some of the challenges and lessons of moving from representing children to representing parents.
Part III describes the evolution of the Clinic’s teaching model to one which combines the pedagogical benefits of in-house clinics with the substantial benefits—both administrative and substantive—of collaborating with a high-volume partner office. The interaction of idealism and real world constraints in this hybrid clinic model has proved beneficial to both students and practitioners. In addition, this part discusses the enormous impact of having public interest law offices represent parents in New York City Family Courts and at the tables where child welfare policy is made.
∞ To maintain the first-person approach used in our panel discussion at the symposium, each of the three sections of this article were drafted by one of the three co-writers. Martin Guggenheim is Fiorello LaGuardia Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law and co-director of the Family Defense Clinic. Madeleine Kurtz is Director of Public Interest Professional Development at Columbia Law School. From 1991 to 2003, she was Adjunct Professor of Clinical Law and co-director of the Family Defense Clinic. Chris Gottlieb is Adjunct Professor of Clinical Law and co-director of the Family Defense Clinic. We would like to thank all the students who have been part of the Family Defense Clinic and taught and inspired us so much over the years. Extra thanks to Dani Goodman-Levy, Samantha Lee and Julia Popkin, who made the symposium happen. We also want to thank our wonderful teaching colleagues over the years, including Jill Cohen, Annette Curtis-Williams, Paula Fendall, Jill Gandel, Kathryn Krase, Joy Rosenthal, Carrie Stewart and Lynn Vogelstein. Finally, our thanks to the amazing advocates of Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, Center for Family Representation, and Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem. We feel privileged to be part of your community.
[1].See generally Martin Guggenheim, The Right to Be Represented but Not Heard: Reflections on Legal Representation for Children in Judicial Proceedings, 59 N.Y.U. L. Rev. 76 (1984).
[2].In 2015, the median age of children entering the foster care system in the United States was 6.3 years. See Child Welfare Info. Gateway, Foster Care Statistics 2015 (2017), https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/foster.pdf [https://perma.cc/W7XW-5A26].
[3].Martin Guggenheim, How Children’s Lawyers Serve State Interests, 6 Nev. L.J. 805, 807 (2006).
[4].See N.Y. Cty. Lawyers’ Ass’n v. State, 763 N.Y.S.2d 397, 400 (Sup. Ct. 2003).
[5].See, e.g., Santosky v. Kramer, 455 U.S. 745 (1982); Lehman v. Lycoming Cty. Children’s Servs. Agency, 458 U.S. 502 (1982).
[6].See, e.g., Leigh Goodmark, The Role of Clinical Legal Education in the Future of the Battered Women’s Movement, 22 Buff. J. Gender L. & Soc. Pol’y 27, 30 (2013–14) (“The number of law school clinics focusing on domestic violence increased with the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994.”).
[7].Fortunately, for whatever reason, demand for the clinic in the first year was strong. Many excellent students were in that first year program, including Charlotte Hitchcock, who went on to have a stellar legal career and is now General Counsel and Chief of Staff at Newark Public Schools, and Stacey Platt, a clinical professor of law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
[8].Such services might include attending parenting skills or anger management classes or participating in therapy, counseling or drug treatment programs.
[9].See, e.g., N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 409-e(2) (McKinney 2016) (mandating preparation of case plans by the social services district in active consultation with the child’s parent or guardian).
[10].N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 18, § 428.6; see also § 428.3(f)(4) (requiring a service plan to be completed at the initial case assessment, which is to occur within thirty days of the case initiation date); § 428.3(f)(5) (requiring a service plan to be completed at the time of the comprehensive assessment, which is to occur within ninety days from the case initiation date); § 428.3(f)(6) (requiring a service plan to be completed at each case reassessment, which must occur every six months). Federal law requires states to have written case plans for every child in care in order to ensure that an appropriate long-term plan is identified for each foster child. 42 U.S.C. § 675(1) (2002). These reviews are essential to the success of reunification efforts. See generally Subha Lembach, The Right to Legal Representation at Service Plan Reviews in New York State, 6 U.C. Davis. J. Juv. L. & Pol’y 141 (2002).
[11].N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 18, § 430.12(c)(2)(i)(11) (2016).
[12].From 1978 through 1997, the United States Department of Education provided more than eight-seven million dollars to law schools for in-house clinical legal education. See Peter A. Joy, The Cost of Clinical Legal Education, 32 B.C. J. L. & Soc. Just. 309, 324 (2012).
[13].N.Y. Cty. Law §722-c (McKinney 2004) (allowing judges to authorize counsel assigned through the 18-b panel to engage social workers to assist in the representation of indigent clients).
[14].See N.Y. Cty. Lawyers’ Ass’n v. State, 763 N.Y.S.2d 397, 401–02 (Sup. Ct. 2003).
[15].372 U.S. 335 (1963) (establishing a right to counsel in criminal cases, effectively creating the public defense bar).
[16].Florence Roberts, Martha Raimon, Nanette Schorr, Marlene Halpern, and Beth Harrow––all lawyers with Legal Services of New York—took me in from the beginning. As an honorary member of the Legal Services of New York Family Law Task Force, I benefitted from their knowledge and experiences and was very fortunate to have their friendships.
[17].By 1991, New York City’s foster care population was close to 50,000, almost three times what it had been when I started at Legal Aid. Response to the so-called “crack epidemic” sent an enormous number of children to foster care, many directly from the hospital. As a result, the number of neglect petitions filed in family court skyrocketed. See Nina Bernstein, Giuliani’s Foster Care Plan Faces a Political Minefield, N.Y. Times (June 7, 1988), http://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/07/nyregion/giuliani-s-foster-care-plan-faces-a-political-minefield.html [https://perma.cc/Y5M6-VZPR]; Martin Guggenheim, How Children’s Lawyers Serve State Interests, 6 Nev. L.J. 805, 808, 812 (2006).
[18].Legal Services funding restricts representation of individuals who are not U.S. citizens and individuals who are incarcerated. 45 C.F.R. §§ 1626.3, 1637.3 (2017).
[19].See 45 C.F.R. § 1637.3 (2017) (Federal funding restriction on representing individuals who are incarcerated); 45 C.F.R. § 1626.3 (2017) (Federal funding restriction on representing individuals who are “ineligible aliens”).
[20].But see Matter of Kittridge, 714 N.Y.S.2d 653 (Fam. Ct. 2000) (holding that the respondent mother’s immigration status could not relieve the Department of Social Services of its obligation to provide services to her).
[21].See Philip Genty, Damage to Family Relationships as a Collateral Consequence of Parental Incarceration, 30 Fordham Urb. L.J. 1671, 1675 (2003).
[22].Until 2005, when a court entered an order of placement pursuant to section 1055 of the New York Family Court Act, the matter was deemed “closed” by the court. No subsequent court date was set until the foster care agency filed a petition to extend placement, and a parent had no access to court-appointed counsel until appearing before a judge. A parent could file a petition to enforce or modify the terms of the placement order, but this occurred rarely. The statutory changes make for more frequent court oversight. See L. 2005, Ch. 3, Pt. A, § 27 (codified as amended at N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 1088 (McKinney 2016)).
[23].See N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 1055(b)(i)(A-B) (McKinney 2016), N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law §§ 409-e, 384-b(1)(a)(iii) (McKinney 2010). There are some exceptions. See N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act. §§ 1039-b, 1052(b)(i)(A) (McKinney 2016).
[24].This was before the legislature authorized restoration of parental rights. See N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act §§ 635–637 (McKinney 2010).
[25].See generally Matthew I. Fraidin, Changing the Narrative of Child Welfare, 19 Geo. J. on Poverty L. & Pol’y 97 (2012).
[26].I use the phrase “benefit of the doubt” to capture how I would have thought of what I was doing at the time. The phrase now makes me cringe for more than one reason. Who was I to give—meaning have the option to withhold—the benefit of the doubt to someone I hardly knew? Who was I to make a decision about where the doubt should fall on anything relating to the sacred relationship between children and their parents? And, in any event, doesn’t New York State by law give the benefit of the doubt to parents?
[27].I will refer to them as “BFDP,” though the discussion covers the time periods in which they were SBLS and BFDP, which is now part of Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS).
[28].See Anthony G. Amsterdam, Clinical Legal Education—A 21st Century Perspective, 34 J. Legal Educ. 612, 616 (1984) (“[The students] bore the responsibility for decision and action to solve the problem. They had to: (a) identify the problem; (b) analyze it; (c) consider, formulate, and evaluate possible responses to it; (d) plan a course of action; and (e) execute that course of action. In all of these activities, the students were required to interact with other people. They were thus required to work through the relationships between legal analysis, communication, and interpersonal dynamics.”).
[29].Id.
[30].We are certainly not the only ones to have discovered the challenges and rewards of developing a hybrid clinic model. See, e.g., Claudia Angelos, The Hybrid Clinic: Bringing the In-House Clinic to the Field, in Transforming the Education of Lawyers: The Theory and Practice of Clinical Pedagogy 283 (Susan Bryant, Elliot S. Milstein, & Ann C. Shalleck eds., 2014).
[31].Interestingly, we have found it is more difficult for lawyers to forgo arguments than to accept adding ones they would not have included. One might expect experienced lawyers would feel more comfortable assessing the odds of success of various arguments and discard more, with students being the ones more inclined to make alternative arguments, but it is the other way around. Perhaps this is because of the time students have to extensively run down the case law on the alternatives or their fresh commitment to the importance of strong narrative to an effective theory of the case. Or one might say it’s a misplaced idealism on the part of students that “the right answer” is likely to prevail. But more often it seems to me that the lawyers’ hesitations reflect a disturbing reaction akin to those of soldiers in the trenches who have experienced so much traumatic randomness in battle that they take every possible defensive measure, including some that, upon reflection, can be recognized as talismanic. In my experience, lawyers appreciate being pushed to undertake that reflection and to separate a healthy recognition that many things in Family Court are out of their control from fatalism about their armaments. They agree it ends up serving the client, the lawyer, and the broader courtroom practice to forgo alternative or cumulative arguments that one cannot reasonably imagine will convince a listener if the primary offerings do not.
[32].See Nat’l Council on Disability, Rocking the Cradle: Ensuring the Rights of Parents with Disabilities and Their Children (2012), http://www. ncd.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/NCD_Parenting_508_0.pdf [https://perma.cc/T4C7-KPAG].
[33].E-mail from Emma Ketteringham, Managing Attorney, The Bronx Defenders Family Defense Practice, to Chris Gottlieb (Mar. 14, 2017) (on file with author); E-mail from Lauren Shapiro, Director, Family Defense Practice, Brooklyn Defender Services, to Chris Gottlieb (Mar. 14, 2017) (on file with author); E-mail from Susan Jacobs, Special Counsel, Center for Family Representation, to Chris Gottlieb (Mar. 15, 2017) (on file with author).
[34].E-mail from Emma Ketteringham, Managing Attorney, The Bronx Defenders Family Defense Practice, to Chris Gottlieb (Mar. 16, 2017) (on file with author); E-mail from Rebecca Horwitz, Manager of Government Affairs & Institutional Giving, Center for Family Representation, to Chris Gottlieb (Mar. 15, 2017) (on file with author); E-mail from Gittel Kagan, Director of Social Work, Brooklyn Defender Services, to Chris Gottlieb (May 16, 2017) (on file with author).
[35].Compare Child Welfare Watch, Tough Decisions: Dealing with Domestic Violence 15 (2003), https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53ee4f0be4b015b9c3690d84 /t/54138 debe4b037d2d5803f6b/1410567659179/CWW-vol9.pdf [https://perma.cc/P79M-8T6A], with N.Y. City Admin. for Children’s Servs., Flash Indicators 16 (2016), http://www1. nyc.gov/assets/acs/pdf/data-analysis/2016/FlashIndicators.pdf [https://perma.cc/67US-6YUS]. It is impossible to wholly disentangle the many interrelated factors that affect how many children are in foster care at any given time, but data demonstrates that the representation of parents by institutional providers has substantially reduced the foster care population. See Data comparing outcomes from when parents were represented by institutional providers to when they were represented by solo practitioners (2008–2011) from N.Y. City Admin. for Children’s Servs. (on file with author).
[36].See ABA National Project to Improve Representation for Parents, Am. Bar Ass’n, http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/childlaw/ParentRep/At-a-glance%20final.authcheckdam.pdf [https://perma.cc/T5KU-VGV7].
[38].See Nina Bernstein, The Lost Children of Wilder 197–99 (2001) (describing how New Yorkers led the practice of sending poor children away from their families to work on farms, with the trains the children were sent on called “orphan trains,” though these children’s parents were not dead, simply poor.); Id. at 247 (describing New York’s Child Welfare Reform Act of 1979 and the subsequent, national Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Reform Act of 1980.)
One of the most fateful career decisions I made occurred in 1990, when I decided to create the Family Defense Clinic at New York University (NYU) School of Law. As with many such decisions, it could easily never have happened. By the end of the 1989–90 academic year, I had already been teaching at NYU for sixteen years. I taught several different courses during that time, but the only clinic I ever taught was the Juvenile Rights Clinic (a juvenile delinquency clinic), which I started in 1973, my first year of teaching. I was reasonably well-suited to teach that clinic since I had worked as a juvenile defender before becoming a member of the law school faculty. Randy Hertz joined the NYU clinical faculty in 1985, and he and I co-taught the Juvenile Rights Clinic for the next four years. In those days, we also had an even larger Criminal Defense Clinic. The combination of these two programs resulted in a disproportionate number of criminal law clinical offerings compared to civil clinics.
It seemed the right time for me to teach something new that would not be another criminal law-related clinic. But what else did I know? Before joining the law school faculty, in addition to being a juvenile defender, I was a children’s lawyer in child welfare cases. As a result, I was reasonably familiar with the substantive law of child welfare. However, I immediately rejected the idea of starting a child welfare clinic in which students represented children as their clients. Truth be told, I had never been a fan of children’s lawyers in child welfare proceedings. I believed—and still do—that it was a violation of a parent’s rights for the state to assign her child a lawyer in proceedings alleging parental unfitness before the unfitness was proven. I had written a law review article arguing that a children’s lawyer should not be employed in a child welfare proceeding, at least not before the court entered a finding of unfitness against the parent.[1]
Even larger than the concern over whether children ought to be represented by lawyers loomed the question of the role of the child’s lawyer. The majority of children in child welfare proceedings are under the age of seven when the proceedings begin.[2] Therefore, most children’s lawyers are representing very young children—too young to give their lawyers binding instructions on which positions to advocate in court. As interested as I was (and remain) as a scholar exploring the proper role of lawyers for children in such proceedings, I was loath to teach a clinic in which the students’ fieldwork responsibilities involved work I did not believe they should be doing.
Moreover, as a teacher of lawyering skills, I always believed that among the most important lessons to teach new lawyers (and law students performing the role of lawyer for the first time) is learning both the art of client counseling, which includes trying to dissuade a client from choosing a course of action the lawyer believes is unwise for the client’s interest, and learning to enthusiastically embrace the lawyer’s almost sacred duty to strive to achieve a result the client wants, even if the lawyer does not agree with it. Children’s lawyers, at least when their clients are very young, are entirely denied both of those opportunities. Even worse, lawyers for young children are relieved of the duty to seek and secure an outcome they do not believe is appropriate for their client by the remarkable device of getting to choose their preferred outcome. Giving lawyers this responsibility may be necessary when representing clients with certain disabilities, but it is a great exception to the ordinary role of lawyers. As a teacher, I have never seen the wisdom of teaching new lawyers how to perform the role of lawyer for the first time by teaching them the exception before giving them a sustained opportunity to practice the standard rule first. With this in mind, I have never been a believer in teaching a child welfare clinic in which the students’ clients are young children.
Since the only civil law subject I knew was child welfare, it quickly became apparent that if I were to teach such a clinic, our clients would have to be the parents. Clinical education has always had twin concerns: pedagogy and service to the community. Although I was long proud of our work in the Juvenile Rights Clinic in terms of what we were teaching and what our students were learning—easily satisfying the teaching and learning components of clinical education—I never believed we were making a significant contribution to the community.
Let me clarify. I did believe we were providing indigent accused juvenile offenders excellent legal representation. But we were taking cases that initially had been assigned to The Legal Aid Society and, had we not taken those cases, the clients would have been well-represented anyway. To be precise, I believed our clinic clients were better represented than they would have been by Legal Aid (because the clinic’s caseload was very small and students tended to work considerably harder and longer on their cases than would have been possible for Legal Aid attorneys if they handled the cases on their own), but the value added to the client and, even more, to the community experiencing these hardships was small.
In 1990, by contrast, parents who were accused in Family Court of maltreating their children were very unlikely to be represented by a very good lawyer. At that time, New York City court officials created a system in which children were represented by a well-funded multidisciplinary law office[3] and the prosecutors came from the highly regarded Corporation Counsel’s office. But the attorney assignment system for parents was terrible. This was true for several reasons, perhaps the most prominent being that they were grossly underpaid. In 1990 (and until as late as 2004), attorneys earned the pathetic rate of $40 per hour for in-court work and $25 per hour for the rare out-of-court work anyone ever bothered to perform.[4] This group of lawyers (known in New York as “18-b lawyers”) enjoyed a very poor reputation. Many of them struggled with effective oral advocacy. Even more, they almost never did any kind of investigation or out-of-court work of any kind. The combination of the low pay and the low esteem in which these lawyers were held in the legal community meant that, with a few notable exceptions, the quality of representation was very low. Indigent parents very rarely were able to find a good lawyer.
Aware as I was of the service purpose of clinical education, it seemed highly appropriate to start a clinic that had the potential to make an important contribution to the community. All of these factors led to this decision, which I characterized in the first sentence of this article as among the most fateful of my career. But starting this clinic also meant committing to teaching students to perform a job I myself had never performed. That is a slight exaggeration. I had represented parents in child welfare cases on appeal and in post-appellate collateral reviews,[5] but I never handled a case at the trial level in which my client was a parent accused of maltreating her child.
There was still another huge factor looming as a constraint. If I invited students to the party, would they come? There was no clinic of this kind in the country. The closest version was the Child Advocacy Law Clinic at the University of Michigan, which Don Duquette founded in 1976. In that clinic, students were expected to be prosecutors in child welfare cases one third of the time, parents’ lawyers one third of the time, and children’s lawyers one third of the time. This was the only clinic in the country that even offered students the chance to be defense counsel in child welfare cases. But, as the title of that clinic made manifest, the real focus of learning was on training future child advocates, to which Professor Duquette devoted his academic career.
The clinic I was contemplating starting would have an entirely different feel. Whereas the Michigan clinic exposed students to child welfare practice from multiple dimensions, NYU’s version would only be a defense clinic. Although criminal defense clinics were the bread and butter of many law schools’ clinical programs in the early years of clinical education, when schools branched out into civil work, none chose the defense side. Consider a close analogue to the Family Defense Clinic: domestic violence clinics, which sprouted throughout the country a bit later in the decade after Congress provided funding for victims of domestic violence.[6] In all of them, the students represented victims. None chose to represent the alleged batterer, someone broadly demonized as male, mean, and dangerous. In child welfare cases, the “victims” are the children; the “batterers,” the parents. So, it was hardly surprising that no school in the country chose to represent parents in child welfare cases. Even I wasn’t so crazy to consider calling the clinic the “Children’s Batterers’ Clinic.” But even by calling it the “Family Defense Clinic,” it wasn’t possible to ignore the truth that our only job was to represent alleged batterers of children (persons accused of maltreating children). Would students want to enroll in such a course?[7] With all of this in mind, I was, to say the least, nervous when I began teaching the clinic in its inaugural year.
The first issue I had to confront was determining where we would get our cases. In addition to the 18-b panel of lawyers, very few law offices in New York City practiced in the field representing poor parents in child welfare proceedings. These were tiny legal services offices that litigated a handful of cases each year. All but one were part of the Legal Services Corporation, offering legal services in very limited geographic areas in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan. In addition, one public interest private law office, the law offices of Lansner & Kubitschek, represented parents who were respondents in child welfare cases. In that first year of operating the clinic, I taught alone. I had neither a law colleague nor, as we have had for the past twenty-three years, a social work colleague. Rejecting the option of my joining the 18-b panel and accepting direct court assignments, I chose the alternative of placing students in these several offices and having them work with the lawyers from those offices on their cases.
I don’t remember many details of the first year of teaching the clinic, other than concluding that placing students in different law offices was not an ideal clinical experience. In all of my previous clinical teaching experience, my students were given cases they were responsible for handling. They were expected to undertake all of the crucial lawyering tasks including investigating, preparing a defense, negotiating with other parties, appearing in court, and conducting all other critical tasks in the case. I wasn’t very happy having students work on other people’s cases. In my experience as a clinical law teacher, the transformative opportunity for students in a clinic is to feel the difference between advising someone else what to do (when they know that person is free to disregard the advice) and making a choice that they themselves must carry out. I had always considered the premier clinical placement opportunity for students was for them to perform as close to the attorney-of-record role as feasible. Because I was teaching the clinic alone in Year 1 and had other teaching and administrative responsibilities at the law school, the best I could offer was to place students with other lawyers to help them in their representation.
But during that year, I had the great fortune of meeting Madeleine Kurtz, who was at the time teaching in the Lawyering Program at NYU. Before joining the Lawyering faculty, Maddie was a children’s lawyer at Legal Aid. After hearing that I had started this new clinic at the law school, Maddie began attending classes and meeting with me about the work we were doing. She was intrigued and joined me as a co-teacher. We soon began planning to change the clinic’s format for the following year. I was thrilled for many reasons when Maddie joined me as a co-teacher in Year 2 of the clinic (1991–92). Most importantly, we could now obtain our own caseload which, in turn, meant that we could allow our students to become responsible for making and executing all decisions in each case.
There was another monumental difference in the way we taught the clinic during the first year and what happened after Maddie joined. Beyond having students directly advocate for their clients and take responsibility for their cases, there was a transformational shift for the faculty as well. In the first year, I thought it was sufficient to have students work on cases, allowing the lawyers to advise the students of the required steps to perform. Not only did this arrangement offer less for the students, it offered less for me as the faculty, as well. What was missing in that first year was engaging in the kind of clinical teaching that is close to the ideal: working in a student-faculty relationship in which the teacher does not know the answers and needs to engage in a genuine search for them with the students as partners. Rather than performing a role students have come to expect from law professors (possessing the answer and hiding the ball in pursuit of teaching students how to find it for themselves), there is a genuineness in the ideal student-teacher relationship: when the teacher says, “I don’t know what we should do next,” it’s much better when it’s true. When we started becoming counsel of record in our own cases in Year 2, we quickly found ourselves in this ideal place: we genuinely didn’t know what we were doing. We weren’t performing a feigned role of ignorance or uncertainty. It was as genuine as it got.
Even more important, handling our own cases allowed us to do something that proved to be of great value to the field. When the faculty and students became responsible for the outcome of the clinic’s cases, we began a course of practice that cut new paths. Instead of working within the traditional framework of client representation, we were in a position to wholly reimagine the practice of defending parents in child welfare cases. Over the course of the next decade, this led to our discovering what needed to be done to be an effective parent defender in child welfare proceedings.
Child welfare cases are prosecuted along two tracks: the judicial and the administrative. On the judicial side, petitions are filed in family court, and the allegations in the petitions are (sometimes) resolved through contested evidentiary hearings. Courts then typically order that parents perform various services[8] and ultimately order that children be allowed to remain with their families or be placed in another arrangement. In addition, there is an administrative process that, in many cases, begins before the court proceedings and, in all cases, continues on a separate path during the court process. No good lawyer can afford to ignore the administrative process, which commonly begins when a family comes to the attention of an investigating caseworker following a report of suspected maltreatment made to the child protection agency.
The degree to which out-of-court lawyering mattered became apparent quite early in our work. We learned that successful reunification of foster children with their parents is rarely accomplished by effective examination of witnesses in the courtroom. Rather, these results are more commonly achieved by creating and developing plans designed to keep children safely at home—or to return them home as soon as can safely be accomplished—and by pushing hard for the plan’s prompt implementation. These plans must be developed out of court in conjunction with the agency overseeing the case.
We learned we needed to participate actively in case conferences that are held at the agency because that’s where the substantive work of child welfare is developed.[9] At these conferences, the case plan for each case is established.[10] These plans set the stage for all that follows and are often the single most important factor in a case’s outcome. They specify the steps an agency must undertake to reunify a family and the tasks the parent must perform as the condition for keeping or regaining custody of his or her child. Too commonly, these plans are boilerplate, often requiring parents to do things of no value and failing to identify services the agency should be providing for the particular needs and circumstances of the family. We also learned that courts rarely overrule (or reconsider) the agency’s assessment of what services are appropriate and, therefore, waiting until we reached the courtroom to advocate for our clients meant waiting too long.
Wholly apart from holding conferences throughout the proceeding, an even more critical component of the administrative process is ongoing. Caseworkers visit parents in their homes and talk to them and their service providers on a regular basis. Caseworkers are a critical player in each case. Ignoring them as part of the defensive strategy is only a tiny step away from ignoring the case conferences. With this in mind, we also came to realize that we needed to communicate with caseworkers to re-arrange meetings and services, to plan for the next steps, and for many other reasons.
Perhaps most importantly, we also learned how vital it was for us to pay careful attention to our clients and to maintain regular contact with them. Our clients needed to understand what was likely to happen in their cases in the foreseeable future and how what others would say about them could make all the difference in the outcome of their case. We learned that agencies too often offered parents little help or guidance in obtaining services, commonly doing little more than providing a parent an address and expecting the parent to find the service, make the appointment, and wind his or her way through a maze of confusing requirements. We learned that we needed to help parents negotiate all aspects of the process throughout the life of the case. We learned that we could help our clients survive what is otherwise a long, lonely, and frightening journey by staying in close, regular contact with them. This shift of focus from in-court to out-of-court work was, by far, the most important feature of our work.
What did all of this add up to? For one thing, we could no longer merely be a legal team composed of lawyers and law students. We had to become multidisciplinary. As we discussed next steps in our clinic case meetings with students, we concluded that we should call caseworkers on a regular basis and became actively involved in these out-of-court agency-related matters. But when our students called the caseworkers or attempted to attend conferences, they were told they could not talk to the caseworkers or enter the meetings. The students were confused, as were the faculty. Our clients had the right to effective assistance of counsel. We reached the conclusion that it would be ineffective lawyering not to speak with caseworkers or attend conferences. How could it be that we weren’t allowed to do these basic things? Even more, the regulations themselves are explicit in clarifying that parents may bring anyone they wish with them when attending agency conferences.[11]
When we pressed further, the agencies changed their reaction. They no longer prohibited our students from attending conferences, but they explained that if the parent’s lawyer was going to be there, the agency lawyer would also have to attend. But the agency lawyers never were available for this purpose. Although delaying things in criminal cases often works to the defendant’s advantage (at least when they are released pending trial), delays in child welfare cases can be very harmful to parents and families, particularly when children have been temporarily removed from the parents’ custody. This meant that insisting that the prosecutor attend the conference was not a good thing for our clients. But there was a compromise that the agencies readily accepted. They would allow social workers from our office to attend all conferences and they would willingly speak to our social workers for the purpose of consulting on an on-going basis during the pendency of each case. This was more than acceptable to us, in terms of finding an elegant way to get the substance of what we wanted: to engage a trained professional committed to the parent’s defense to work closely with parents while they negotiate the administrative process.
There was only one remaining problem: we didn’t have a social worker on our team. We weren’t an interdisciplinary defense office. We were committed to change that as quickly as possible. Thus, we became interdisciplinary not because we realized in advance the many benefits of such a collaboration but because our adversaries made us do so. That’s how great changes sometime happen. In retrospect, there is no more important change that we made to the conception of family defense than that parent defender teams must be interdisciplinary.
We began working on cases thinking defense work would resemble the work of criminal defenders. But after doing the work ourselves, we began to understand we had to do considerably more than what is common to criminal defense work. Like criminal defense, family defense requires a careful investigation into the facts and circumstances of the events that led to the prosecution. But, unlike in some criminal cases, in family defense parents can achieve their objective (gaining the return of their children) whether or not they were “guilty” of something in the past. What matters most in the majority of cases is whether parents are moving toward something the judge or caseworker is demanding. Parents who comply with their case plan or who otherwise make real progress in their lives are most likely to achieve their long-term objective of regaining their children’s custody.
By Year 3, we secured a federal grant from the Department of Education, which was created to support clinical legal education.[12] Ever since, the clinic has had both law and social work students. The social work students are placed in the clinic for their practicum for the entire academic year in fulfillment of requirements for the Master’s in Social Work degree. Since that year, we put three students on each case, two law students and one social work student. Instructors from both disciplines supervise each team.
Through this process, and in large part because the faculty did not have experience in the field, we had to figure out how to practice effectively in this field and with this model. Along the way, we became active advocates for implementing the form of practice in which the clinic was engaged. But this form of practice was rarely in use in New York City. Virtually all parents entitled to court-assigned counsel in Family Court were assigned one of the solo practitioners from the 18-b panel. None of these lawyers worked in an interdisciplinary way. Very occasionally, these lawyers would engage the services of a social worker and have their fees paid by the court.[13]
For the first sixteen years of the clinic’s existence, little of the progress we were making in reshaping the tasks of family defenders had an impact on how lawyers practiced in New York City. The only kind of lawyer assigned to represent indigent parents in New York City until 2007 were solo practitioners who were on the “panel” of court-eligible assigned counsel. These “lawyers” spent virtually their entire professional time in the courtroom, either hanging around the halls for a new assignment or waiting for their cases to be called. As a result, they were completely unavailable to their clients out of court. Too many didn’t even bother to pay for a secretary. All they used was a telephone answering machine which they might or might not have consulted very often. Their clients felt relatively abandoned between court appearances.
Throughout this time, the most consistent complaint parents made about their lawyers was that they were unable to speak with them from one court appearance to the next. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to argue that these panel lawyers regularly engaged in malpractice. (This couldn’t technically be true because, as the only lawyers doing this work in volume, they defined the standard of practice and, accordingly, were not deviating from it. But given that their clients were regularly attending conferences at the agency and routinely answering questions posed to them by caseworkers during the pendency of their cases, the lawyers’ almost complete lack of concern for this part of the work is impossible to justify.) It is as if during the prosecution of a federal criminal case for tax evasion, the defendant was summoned to the Internal Revenue Service office for a meeting with an employee of the agency. Everything said in these meetings is recorded. And the agency maintains full discretion to use what parents say in whatever way they see fit.
If this arrangement were employed in a tax prosecution case, of course, there is no lawyer in the country who would permit his or her client to go to the IRS meeting without counsel also attending. But child welfare lawyering was in such a backward place that the polar opposite was commonplace; there were practically no lawyers who bothered attending these conferences with their clients. Few parent defenders even knew when or whether these conferences were scheduled. Fewer still counseled their clients on what they should say and how they should address various questions and topics. The majority of court-assigned lawyers billed for less than five hours of out-of-court work in an entire case, even if it lasted years.[14] In our clinic, we would spend 20 hours each week in out-of-court work on each case.
We spent years advocating for change in the delivery of legal services for parents, meeting with local officials to talk about the adequacy of the legal services delivery arrangement. We didn’t emphasize (though we had to bite our tongue) that these lawyers were poorly trained, relatively weak, and that parents deserved better. Instead, we focused on the mistake of engaging solo practitioners who were not part of an interdisciplinary office. We told the stories of our many successes in the clinic and how those successes could be attributed to our out-of-court work. We laid out a vision for a new kind of family defender and explained how the extant system was borrowed from the criminal defense model and did not fit the needs of the families before the Family Court. For a long time, it was not clear that anyone was listening. But for many reasons, the tide finally shifted and New York City officials were persuaded to fund interdisciplinary parent defense offices.
As Chris will talk more about in Part III, it would be difficult to overstate the dramatic impact this development has had on child protective cases in New York Family Courts. Most importantly, it means that parents now receive high quality representation throughout their cases. There’s another remarkable aspect of the change, though, that I believe deserves particular celebration. As more cities follow New York’s lead and invest in this new form of family defense, there are now jobs for graduating law students right out of law school that make family defense as much a career opportunity as criminal defense has been since the days of Gideon v. Wainwright.[15] And, as family defense continues to grow, more law students than ever are expressing an interest in learning about it in law schools. Perhaps the next place to focus attention in growing this field is in the clinical legal community which remains behind the times in embracing family defense as an important trial-level fieldwork clinic that furthers social and racial justice.
From 1991–2003, I taught in the Family Defense Clinic at NYU School of Law. During that time, I had the opportunity to work alongside Marty to develop and shape a new clinical program and, together with social work colleagues and clinic fellows, discover and refine a new form of practice. This entailed thinking deeply every year about what it means to be a family defense lawyer, how to do that well, and how to teach the essential components of that practice to students. During my years with the Family Defense Clinic, I worked with students as their clinic supervisor and also assumed a caseload of my own when matters continued over time and were no longer appropriate to reassign. All along the way, I was privileged to work with dedicated colleagues and many wonderful students and to be a part of a small but impassioned community of committed and generous legal services lawyers.[16]
When people would ask me how I came to do this work (or how I got the job), I would often say that I happened to be at the right place at the right time. And indeed I was: I was in my second year of teaching in NYU’s Lawyering Program when Marty started the Clinic. I wanted to be a clinical teacher, and Marty decided by the end of that first year that the Clinic needed a second professor in order to take on full representation of clients. It was, as one might say, a match made in heaven. However, there was something more.
Like both Marty and Chris, I began my career representing children at The Legal Aid Society Juvenile Rights Practice (JRP). I had gone there because of a strong and longstanding interest in juvenile delinquency work; and, at the time, JRP had a fairly substantial delinquency practice. While I was there, however, the child welfare practice spiked[17] and became the bulk of every attorney’s caseload. I often found this work particularly troubling. In these proceedings, questions before the courts centered on whether our clients would live with their parents or not and when—if ever—they would return to their parents’ care and under what conditions. In the face of these enormous questions, we barely knew most of our clients. Many of them were infants. If they were old enough to talk with, we routinely met with them during our lunch hour, when a caseworker would bring them to our offices. We read reports, spoke with caseworkers, and sometimes enlisted a social worker from our office, but we largely, secretly, floundered. Some of us confessed these feelings to each other: we knew that there was more to know than what the parties reported to the court. We imagined possible outcomes that weren’t presented, and we felt heartsick at how often parents in court were summarily judged by others, and left confused. Often, we did not know what we wanted the court to decide. And that is when some of us would fantasize about someday being “Lawyers for Mothers”—because that looked like the place where one could make a difference. So when the opportunity came to join Marty in the new Family Defense Clinic, I jumped at it.
Over the course of the twelve years I taught in the clinic, I learned an immeasurable amount about being a lawyer and a clinical teacher, about interdisciplinary work, and about poverty, families, foster care, and child welfare policy. I saw how societal and personal values and racial bias pervade this field. Every year the clinic evolved, and each class of students contributed new and valuable insights. Our clients invariably presented us with interesting legal questions, showed us where systems had failed, increased our capacities for greater and more empathic understanding, and caused us to look deeply at our role and improve ourselves. In time, our ideas about lawyering and teaching in this field crystallized; our clinic program developed and so did our voice.
Even with our combined experiences, this was new territory and we were figuring it out along the way. But there were benefits to this. Without clear guidelines about how things should be done, and without practice models to look to, we had to develop our own ideas. We were free to imagine, and to think “outside of the box.” Once we had social workers on our teams, we were able to serve our clients more fully as individuals. As lawyers and social workers working together, we were able to better understand each family’s unique set of strengths and needs as well as consider both legal and non-legal strategies for advancing our clients’ goals. Moving beyond the traditional legal lens and outside of the courtroom was essential in these matters and drawing on approaches of these two disciplines became an important element to our teaching.
Here, I will set out some of the most significant things we (teachers and students) discovered over the years. What we learned helped us develop the Family Defense Clinic, and has been relevant for this work and this field going forward. On a personal note, our experience with the clinic forever impacted both how I think about this field and the role of a lawyer.
One of the first things we learned was that our legal services were needed. We received plenty of referrals over the years—more than we could handle—from a myriad of sources and had no trouble filling our docket with enough varied matters for our clinic students to have rich experiences every year. In the beginning, it was our friends at legal services offices who called us to refer a client when they did not have the resources to take on a new matter or when funding restrictions prohibited them from representing the person.[18] As time went on, we also received referrals from the Law Guardians’ offices, the Administration for Children’s Services, caseworkers from foster care agencies, and community based agencies providing services to the clients themselves.
I thought about a lot of things in evaluating and selecting cases for the clinic, including whether the matter was likely to provide meaningful work for students and whether we had sufficient resources when the referral was made. I also wanted the clinic to have a variety of matters at any given time. I always harbored some concern about students’ emotional wellbeing and about developing our program’s reputation. Essentially, however, the process came down to one question: Did I think we could make a difference? With this as the only real “requirement,” the clinic caseload invariably presented wide-ranging and illuminating topics: novel legal issues, complex strategy questions, and families needing carefully tailored and meaningful supports and service plans. A few things strike me about the kinds of matters referred to us. We became acutely aware of parents with children in foster care who were not U.S. citizens, and those who were incarcerated. Both groups were, and still are, ineligible for federally funded legal services assistance.[19] Moreover, ineligible for Medicaid coverage, parents without citizenship are unable to access most medical and mental health services, which drastically impedes their ability to comply with court orders and agency requirements that they complete certain programs.[20] Parents who are incarcerated also face enormous challenges when their children are in foster care, such as maintaining contact with their children and with agency personnel. The location of prisons, and the rules around visiting make it considerably more time-consuming—and sometimes impossible—for agency personnel to ensure regular visitation, even where mandated by the court to do so. Foster care agencies, courts, and lawyers often fail to appreciate these difficulties, as well as the few resources and services that are in fact available to parents in prison. In short, incarceration too often renders parents invisible to foster care and court systems not set up to engage them.[21]
A large number of our clients came to us at a time when the matter involving their children was not on a court’s calendar, but their children nonetheless were in foster care.[22] This period is a most crucial time for families. Foster care agencies are required to work diligently to assist families, provide appropriate services, arrange for meaningful visitation, and move towards reunification.[23] At the same time, parents are expected to maintain relationships with their children and take steps to resolve the issues necessitating placement. Despite the obvious importance of this time period, these critical steps towards reunification often did not happen, with lasting consequences.
We also received requests to represent individuals who were not parties to proceedings that were ongoing in family court but who could be resources. Thus, we represented clients who were not parents but who were the most “parent-like” person to the children involved: relatives and long-term foster parents in situations where the parent was not seeking custody. Additionally, we came to represent a number of biological parents who were seeking to care for their children after foster care placement or adoption had failed and the children wanted to return to their birth family (or had returned already on their own).[24]
Once we became a fully interdisciplinary program, we were referred clients because of the complex and intertwined legal and social work issues they faced. These matters required our expert involvement and entailed significant advocacy outside of the legal arena. With social work expertise, we were able to meaningfully evaluate agency service plans and to develop and recommend our own plans. Clinic social workers participated in various critical settings, including foster care case meetings, schools, benefits offices, community based agencies, and treatment facilities. They worked productively with the many non-lawyers involved in our clients’ lives and became a crucial component of our legal work.
We learned a lot from the reaction of others to our work. Most astonishing to me was the hostility we faced in the courthouse. For a former law guardian, this was a sea change. When I was a Legal Aid attorney representing children in these matters, every party and the court listened to and valued my position, the orders I asked for, and the recommendations I offered. Though no judge did everything I wanted, courts invited my participation and asked for my views on issues before making decisions. Moreover, ACS and parents’ attorneys all wanted to know beforehand what my position would be and often jockeyed, negotiated, and compromised in order to get me to support their side. While time constraints, enormous court calendars, and disagreements among parties pervaded daily practice at Legal Aid (and Friday nights were sacred times to vent frustrations, let off steam, and share stories of things not going our way) nothing came anywhere close to the experience of representing parents. No one needed—or wanted—our support, and few had interest in our ideas. Not only was it apparent that our clients were despised, but we were too. Walking into court, I could feel it. Whether other parties saw our clients as evil, careless, or selfish, their feelings were clear: parents in these proceedings were bad and undeserving. And me? I could feel the disdain and incredulity directed at me as well. This raised two challenges. First, I had to figure out how to lawyer effectively—and help students to lawyer effectively—in a hostile environment. Second, I needed to establish a positive reputation for the Clinic and make headway in changing the prevailing assumptions about our clients.
It was perhaps the many opportunities to experience family court with our clients, to endure with them the long waits hoping for good news and fearing the worst, and to feel the negative judgments coming from others that brought us closer to appreciating the challenges parents face in merely surviving this process. In turn, we came to realize something else of value we offered: unmitigated support. We stood by our clients in court, we listened to their anguish and frustration, we explained legal proceedings, and we cheered them on. We came to know our clients and something of their lives outside of court. Of course, we provided honest advice, offered suggestions informed by our legal and social work expertise, and often shared news that was deeply disappointing. But we didn’t turn against or abandon our clients when there were setbacks, when things didn’t go well, or when—as others would say—they “failed.” We were still their advocates, and we were always committed to those core qualities of honesty and loyalty. I’m convinced this makes an enormous difference.
And what about our students? In the midst of my own concerns about navigating hostility, what did the students experience? Everything that law school teaches and, in fact, what observers see in most legal settings suggest that lawyers are respected in a courtroom, that lawyers treat other lawyers professionally, and that a certain civility is the norm. People expect lawyers to take the position that their clients ultimately direct, without attributing to the lawyers the crimes or bad acts their client are accused of. The students would realize immediately that we were in a different world.
Anyone who has done this work also confronts the enormous gap between the laws as written and the laws in action. One of the biggest “aha” moments for a clinic student is reading the applicable statutes, which sound entirely reasonable and logical, and then visiting family court, which they did early on each year. Seeing only poor families of color involved in foster care proceedings is, by itself, enough to make one wonder. But our students were shocked as well by the absence of effective and engaged representation and the enormity of the decisions being made. As we became involved in court proceedings and got to know our clients, the “aha” moments only continued. We saw our clients’ talents, resiliency, and strengths, and we became privy to their fears and needs. Then we watched as others judged, disrespected, and discouraged them. When students experienced this, they were changed forever.
In the clinic, our students also learn about poverty and the mammoth challenges faced by families living in poverty just to provide for their children. Our students are exposed to the psychic toll that poverty takes, the relentless hardships of not having enough, and the havoc that one crisis can cause. They see the impact of poverty not just on their clients’ lives but also on a parent’s ability to demonstrate her fitness and have her children returned.
In perhaps a singular way, this work also teaches each of us about ourselves. To work intimately with a Family Defense Clinic client—to interview and counsel on the most personal details of home life, relationships, parenting, needs, and poverty—is to come face to face with our own personal values, assumptions, judgments and biases. And then we must deal with them. More difficult than recognizing the unfounded judgments that others make, and invariably more life changing, is to see them in ourselves. And this is deeply a part of the clinic experience. Our students sometimes meet their clients in their homes and often accompany them on appointments. We go to prisons to visit our clients who are incarcerated. We ask about everything: personal issues and struggles, strengths and needs within their families, parenting success and failure, income and resources. We advise about options and outcomes.
While the common question from students considering this work is “what do I do if I don’t think my client should have her child,” the more complex, significant and difficult question is “why do I come to that conclusion and what is it based on?” The work of figuring out what each of us brings to the table, what assumptions we make without even realizing it, and how our own experiences impact the way we interpret information is unavoidable and necessary in everything we do in this clinic. The clinic experience has an enduring impact on those involved, for one can never see the world in quite the same way after recognizing that judgment, bias, and individual perspective are a part of everything we hear, read, and are often persuaded by. In addition to learning to recognize assumptions, we came to learn how much we did not know. For me, coming from a high-volume court-based practice, this was an enormous amount. So little of who the parties are in these proceedings—and what strengths, weaknesses, supports and options families have—comes into the courtroom. I was right to be concerned as the child’s lawyer.
Our ability to spend so much time out of the courtroom—meeting with our clients and their families, visiting their homes and communities, accompanying them to service providers, watching child visits, attending agency meetings—was key to our effectiveness.[25] By working this way, we develop strong and trusting relationships with our clients, and together we create true individualized plans that address their actual needs and draw on their strengths. I watched our clients feel supported and strengthened by our students and saw the value of genuine encouragement and partnership at times of deep sadness and despair. This way of representing parents makes a difference. As we developed new insights about what it could mean to be a lawyer, we pushed our students to think deeply about their role. It is now obvious to many that a good family defense office is made up of interdisciplinary teams involving, at least, lawyers and social workers. But the true nature of this idea took a bit of time to discover and fully appreciate. Though the Clinic certainly was not the first setting to support lawyers and social workers working together (I had worked with social workers at the Legal Aid Society), I learned a great deal more about this partnership—and its necessity for family defenders—over the course of teaching the Clinic and from the two social workers with whom I had the privilege of working. Two early moments stand out for me, and reflect how much we needed to learn. The first involved the protocol for involving a social worker on a case, and the second involved the difference in how lawyers and social workers view “the issue.” As Marty explained earlier in Part I, we didn’t have a full time social worker in the clinic at first; so in the beginning years we had to hire a social worker on the occasions we felt we needed one. When we later did have a social worker on staff, and then social work students in the clinic, we continued to involve them in the same traditional way: the law student team would decide if and when to involve a social worker on a particular matter. This marriage of lawyer and social worker is an exceptionally good one but is not without its challenges. We are educated to see things differently, and I came to understand that we often have different conceptions of what is relevant. I remember in several instances being struck (and admittedly impatient) by the issues our social workers were raising. They were sharing concerns and strategies they had for a family that had nothing to do with the pending charges or issues before the court and that didn’t rise to neglect. It seemed to me irrelevant and even judgmental. But, I came to appreciate that what I had considered irrelevant was actually critical to long-term family stability; it was, therefore, very much relevant to our client’s goals. My thinking, as a lawyer, had been too narrow. Our partner-social workers are able to see things that may be invisible to us lawyers (or out of our view) and assess the impact on family functioning. My sights shifted from what needs to be accomplished to get our client’s children home to include, for example, what is needed for the family to have the best chance of remaining together and thriving.
And this lead to a realization that the decision of whether and how to involve social workers should not be in the hands of lawyers alone, because lawyers are likely to miss something. Thus, our protocol changed, and every case began with an interdisciplinary team. The extent and details of social work involvement became a joint law and social work decision.
With social workers as part of our team, we were able to participate in the administrative arena as well as the courts. We evaluated and responded to plans and recommendations put forth by agency officials. Significantly, we had the capacity to make our own expert assessment of a family’s strengths and needs and to work closely with our client to develop our own proposals for steps to maintain or reunite their family safely and successfully. And for the lawyers in the group, working closely with social workers enhanced what we could see and know; their insights expanded our options. It was also good for the students to be aware of professional blinders and to not be limited by them. As my experience in the Clinic changed forever my thoughts about effective lawyering in this field, my ideas of what we could teach students transformed over the years as well. Yes, we spent time teaching the doctrine, law, and theory of the case. We developed simulations to focus on client interviewing, counseling, and witness examination. But, at the core, we came to have other goals. Ultimately, we tried to teach these things: (1) the importance of developing a relationship with one’s client and how one might do that; (2) the capacity to be self-aware, to understand what each of us brings to a given situation, and to keep our personal judgments from creeping unintentionally into our work; (3) to be mindful of what we know and what we don’t know; (4) how to think and work across discipline; (5) what a lawyer’s role can be if we don’t limit ourselves; and (6) the enormous impact of race, poverty and class on so many critical encounters, recommendations, and decisions. This wasn’t the list at the forefront of our thinking when we began, but these goals came to be those we valued most—both because they are absolutely critical to excellent lawyering in a family defense practice and because they are important for us all in any situation anywhere.
Continuing Marty and Maddie’s theme that the most important developments in professional trajectories often stem not from well thought out ten-year plans supported by endless networking (law students are you listening?), but from necessity-fueled invention, I came to the clinic in 2002, intending to do a one-year fellowship, and find myself still here and not wanting to leave fourteen years later. I didn’t resign my prior position representing children, instead taking a leave of absence, so I could easily return. I needed a break from the high caseload I carried as a lawyer for children. I needed a change of pace. I didn’t realize it was a particularly auspicious time to begin representing parents. I didn’t realize the practice was about to change dramatically. I didn’t realize that my lawyering skills needed a jump-start. It was; they did. And when Marty and Maddie took me into the clinic, I was given the amazing gift of seeing through new eyes a world I thought I knew quite well.
By the time I joined the clinic, I had represented hundreds of children in Family Court and—with the arrogance of a young lawyer who has learned the rules of an insular game—I thought I knew a lot about New York City Family Court and the child welfare system it oversees. I also thought I was very pro-parent. That is, I thought I was trying as hard as anyone to keep families together and that I was giving parents the “benefit of the doubt” more than others in the proceedings.[26] In reality, I was pro-parent only relative to the harshly anti-parent mindset that permeates Family Court.
Maddie in Part II talked about how much more difficult it is to advocate for a parent than for a child (even when the parent’s and child’s interests are aligned), how much more eloquence and creativity the advocacy requires, and how much more vitriol is directed back in response. It is not only the lawyering that is tougher. It may seem counterintuitive, but it is emotionally tougher to represent adults than children in child welfare cases. To meet a child is not to see the world through that child’s eyes. It couldn’t and shouldn’t be to see the world in the limited way children understand it. We inevitably overlay our own adult understanding when hearing a child’s perspective. But to hear an adult, to stand next to an adult, can sometimes mean seeing what she sees. Standing next to parents in Family Court, this is often pain and disrespect being inflicted on their families. Put another way, the move from representing children to representing parents opens the possibility of experiencing empathy rather than sympathy. This was not only a significant shift for Marty, Maddie and me personally, but I believe has been for the public interest lawyering community as well—in New York City and, to a growing extent, around the country. If the greatest understanding of oppression comes from aligning with the most despised, there are few places a lawyer can stand today and learn more than next to poor parents of color who are charged with child abuse and neglect.
Though I didn’t understand it at the time, 2002 was a critical year for the field of family defense because it was the year the Center for Family Representation started. The first organization in New York established specifically to represent parents, CFR was started and funded by those who saw that New York’s child welfare system could not be fixed without a robust defense bar. Even as I introduced clinic students that year to CFR and its founders, Sue Jacobs and Michele Cortese, and told the students what a crucial step Sue and Michele were taking, I had no idea how true that was. CFR became the catalyst it was intended to be, and five years later, its initial goal came to fruition when New York City, for the first time, contracted with non-profit law offices to provide institutional representation for parents.
“Institutional representation”—an off-putting phrase for an unusually approachable type of legal practice. The discovery of the new, interdisciplinary practice model Marty and Maddie discussed could by definition only be implemented by multi-person offices. It required more professionals and more room than solo law practices. But of course, creating new offices is more than bringing bodies together and renting space. Any new organization, or new division of an existing organization, develops its own culture and personality. The three groups that received the first contracts from New York City for parent defense—CFR, Legal Services NYC and The Bronx Defenders (later joined by Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem)—each had its own public interest culture, which nurtured their quickly growing family defense practices.
While solo practitioners can certainly embody lawyerly ideals, there are not too many Atticus Finches these days, at least not paying rent in New York City. It is very different to provide legal services through an organization dedicated to doing so without charging clients. The benefits to both the clients and the professionals can be enormous: social workers and parent advocates can be on hand to do the out-of-court work Marty and Maddie discussed in Parts I and II; social workers and parent advocates can remind lawyers that clients don’t view things wholly through a legal lens; administrative staff can allow lawyers to file discovery requests and motions far more efficiently, and can develop relationships with court personnel that sometimes mean more to success than the best statutory arguments.
For lawyers, the existence of these organizations means not only jobs, but jobs one can get straight out of law school that come with the kind of training and supervision only larger offices can provide. For social workers, it means being able to do client-directed work right out of school and having critical freedom from the mandated reporting that some social workers believe undermines their profession’s goals.
Perhaps most important for staff, these organizations offer the emotional support and grounding needed to do extremely hard work in the trenches: a professional home to go back to after a difficult day in court; knowing your colleagues will listen and understand; being part of a team. They provide the opportunity to enter a field with an ambitious social justice vision.
For clients, being represented by organizations rather than solo practitioners means having a team on your side: an advocate you can reach on the phone when your lawyer is in court; another lawyer from the office available to step in when yours is on leave or stuck in a different courtroom; the benefit of a brief bank so your lawyer doesn’t have to draft every motion from scratch; and office space where your kids can play while you meet with your lawyer.
But the significance of institutional representation goes beyond these important differences from the experience of individual representation. Legal organizations, unlike solo practitioners, are institutional players. They can sit down at the table with government officials when decisions are made about policy and practice. They can use the accumulated wisdom of thousands of cases to advocate for systemic reform. They can lobby for a constituency who otherwise would have no voice in the halls of government.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Another change for the clinic the year I arrived was that we began in earnest to partner with the Family Law Unit of South Brooklyn Legal Services. SBLS was the pre-curser to the Brooklyn Family Defense Project (“BFDP”),[27] one of the parent representation providers. In 2002, this unit had just three lawyers and a part-time social worker—enough to do amazing work for a small caseload of clients but it was not yet an institutional player.
As Marty discussed in Part I, the clinic had for most of its first twelve years represented clients on its own. The clinic was the attorney of record for the cases, allowing the students to work under the supervision of Marty and Maddie without other lawyers in the mix. As Marty and Maddie explained, this structure was crucial to the learning process for both students and faculty. The clinical literature touts the virtues of what it calls “in-house clinics,” which take their own cases rather than working with other law offices, because they allow students to be supervised by faculty who are experienced in and committed to the clinical method of allowing students to fully take on the role of lawyer in their cases. The clinical goal is that the students will be the ones to identify problems, figure out options, and carry the weight of decision-making.[28] This pedagogical approach is at odds with most internship structures. Indeed, it is counterintuitive to the best lawyers, whose every fiber presses them to make the strategic decisions they think best for a client and jump into courtroom colloquy to advocate for their clients rather than leaving these critical tasks to those who are less experienced. But this lawyerly impulse impedes the best type of clinical experience for students. While internships and externships offer much of value to law students, they generally do not provide the opportunity for the kind of experiences for which Tony Amsterdam taught clinicians to aim: those in which students learn to become lawyers who learn well from their own experience by practicing in role as lawyers, not as trainees who have someone else making the tough calls for them.[29]
Marty and Maddie had offered exactly that opportunity. Yet when I came in, it became apparent the clinic had to make some changes because it was becoming unwieldy to carry the clinic’s growing caseload. At that time, Family Court cases went on for an average of four years. When I began in 2002, I inherited one case the clinic had been on since 2000 and wouldn’t finish until 2006; I was on another for eight years. Sometimes such cases could be assigned to a new set of students after the first set graduated, but turnover every year for six or eight years would be far from ideal, and sometimes the cases no longer had enough meaty legal work to make them rich learning experiences. If we didn’t reassign the cases year after year, and took on new ones faster than we closed old ones, our caseload would grow indefinitely. So it was a practical concern about the growing workload that led us to change our structure. Again, we reaped unintended benefits.
It was a risk to give up being attorney of record. It was a risk to give up the straightforward structure of clinic faculty supervising students in the way the clinical law review articles recommend.[30] Now we had a complicated mix on each legal team of not only the students and faculty, but also a BFDP lawyer, a supervisor, administrative staff, and sometimes (as SBLS turned into BFDP and gained staff) a social worker or parent advocate. A lot of cooks, many with no training in clinical education. Adding further complication, the teams now had to deal with the constraints faced by all repeat courthouse players. The clinic had previously had a small enough caseload not to have to worry that if we ticked off a particular lawyer or judge on one case, we’d have to appear in front of her on another case a few minutes later. Now if a student (or faculty member) offended someone, the entire BFDP office was associated with that offense and their other clients might pay the price. And the biggest challenge: how to have such large teams operate effectively while maintaining the pedagogical benefits of allowing students to make and implement the key case decisions when there were multiple professionals on each case with their own deeply-felt obligation to zealously represent the clients.
The risk paid off. We have been able to work through the many complications because the BFDP lawyers have committed to our pedagogical approach and have been willing to help us do the hard work of figuring out when it makes sense for us to push them and when for them to push us. There have been some bumps along the way, to be sure. But we think the collaboration has benefitted both organizations far more than anticipated.
We are able to provide not only resources (covering the cost of an expert or a transcript and providing students who can spend far more time researching legal questions and on the phone easing the anxiety of clients than lawyers with full caseloads can), but also the benefit of the luxuries of clinical practice. The clinic team members can spend hours discussing a case—pulling it apart from new angles, questioning typical practices, developing novel litigation strategies—as lawyers with full caseloads cannot. The BFDP lawyers couldn’t and shouldn’t revisit typical practices on most cases. But they have told me they greatly appreciate the chance to step back and do that kind of thinking with students when they work a case with the clinic. The BFDP lawyers may not be able to join us for the two-hour discussion on strategy for a case conference and wouldn’t be able to spend time drafting a motion to sever that has no hope of being granted but provides an opportunity to put our theory of the case in front of the judge pre-trial, but the lawyers are very happy to reap the benefits of such discussions and motions. And they are good enough lawyers to appreciate having their own assumptions challenged.
Our deal is that we will let the students own the cases throughout the process leading up to litigation decisions. When first assigned, the students are given the case information the BFDP lawyer has, but they are not given the strategies the lawyer inevitably began developing the moment she took the case. The lawyer resists sharing the analysis she does automatically (almost unconsciously) in order to allow the students to exercise their (not-yet-automatic) analytic muscles. The lawyer does not assign tasks and does not even tell the students what she would do next. After the hand-off of information, contact with the client and opposing counsel is handled by the students. And the students head off to do exactly the kind of case development they did when it was an in-house clinic. They identify the issues, develop options, work the problems—on their own and facilitated by faculty. The students make decisions about whatever strategic questions arise in the case, everything from what motions to file and what arguments to include and omit in those motions to what tone to take in communications with opposing counsel. Then the students bring the upshot of that process, of the luxurious amount of analysis and discussion they were able to undertake, back to the BFDP lawyers. The students review the process they went through, explain the options considered, the decisions made, and the reasoning behind them. The lawyers, of course, have the chance to offer additional options and weigh in with their strategic concerns, but the deal is that they will let the students’ decisions stand unless the lawyers believe they cannot do so without violating their duty to the client.
Our starting point is that reasonable lawyers can disagree on many strategic questions and we will all try to defer to the students’ considered decisions as long as they are within the realm of good lawyering. We all try to remember that using this process, which means allowing someone else to make different decisions than we would make, often results in better lawyering, though that is sometimes easier said than done (for faculty as well as for the BFDP lawyers!).
This process has meant that sometimes motions are filed that the lawyer would not have filed and, likewise, legal arguments made or relinquished that wouldn’t have been.[31] As a result, at times, the lawyers have taken tongue lashings from displeased judges. But at other times, we have achieved delicious victories. Very often the impact of particular arguments is unclear and time is needed before we learn the long-term effects of novel arguments. Win or lose, though, the lawyers seem to have come to feel that the process broadens their arsenal with helpful new tools. Perhaps as important, our joint process seems to invigorate these front-line lawyers who fight every day against the odds and sometimes need reminding of how much fun lawyering can be.
For the clinic, the benefits have gone far beyond the ability to find cases for students each autumn without committing indefinitely to those cases (and an ever-growing caseload). By having BFDP identify cases that are particularly ripe for student assistance, we can target our resources to cases at the times clients need them most and when the learning experiences are richest, knowing BFDP will take back full responsibility when summer comes. And we gain the many advantages of working side by side with great lawyers who understand intimately the day-to-day practice of Family Court. These advantages include not only the logistical and relationship benefits of working with institutional offices, which I discussed earlier (being able to file motion papers on a moment’s notice, knowing who to see to obtain a court file most quickly, etc.), but also the hard-earned knowledge base BFDP has developed through being in the courthouse every day. Marty or Maddie or I might be able to direct the students to an obscure appellate decision, but BFDP lawyers can tell them how a particular judge ruled on a particular evidentiary point last week.
Clinic faculty and students get to escape the ivory tower, not only when we go to court but—as important—when case planning. Any decisions we make to buck the system by trying something that “isn’t done” are fully informed by knowledge of what is done. Our students get the chance to decide whether to take risks within the constraints of real world practice. It turns out that assessing those risks within the context of repeat play (i.e., in the context of caring about the reputation and relationships of BFDP) can be a more valuable experience for students than decision-making in the exceptional context of an in-house clinic.
There’s more. We also get the opportunity to escape the tower to work on systemic reform efforts with the offices that have the “street cred” and the statistics to represent our clients at the tables where policy is made. For instance, we have collaborated with the parent representation offices to press children’s services and the courts to address mental health issues using up-to-date guidelines from mental health professionals rather than dealing in speculation and prejudice.[32] Concrete outputs of that effort included templates for court orders directing mental health evaluations that reflect up-to-date professional practices, and trainings to encourage advocates and courts to demand high quality mental health assessments.
Another example is an interagency committee formed after the clinic joined with the parent representation offices and children’s lawyers to ask the City to consider how its own lawyers could better protect the rights of children and families and ensure that the City’s family preservation policies are implemented. The committee meets regularly, allowing lawyers for parents, children, and the government to discuss shared goals and improving courthouse practice outside the tensions of individual cases. The parent representation offices are able to identify when a courthouse issue is systemic because they are involved with such a significant number of cases. The clinic would never have a large enough caseload on its own to be able to speak on trends other than anecdotally. By partnering with the larger offices, we bring together their breadth of practical experience and the clinic’s ability to survey the relevant academic literature and draw insights from jurisdictions around the country.
These policy reform efforts benefit from student resources as well. For instance, as part of an effort to improve the quality of family visiting, clinic students developed and conducted a survey of parents’ experiences visiting their children in foster care to show the ways in which children’s services was not following its own visitation policy. The clinic and parent representation offices used this study to successfully lobby for improved visitation practices.
Our close collaboration with the parent representation offices also allows the clinic to play a role in the family defense bar’s burgeoning strategic appeals practice. While, of course, the parent representation offices ensure that their clients’ appeal rights are pursued whenever in the particular client’s interest, the clinic has partnered with the offices to proactively identify and pursue issues on which systemic progress can be achieved through appeals. By offering trainings for the attorneys who create the trial records that go up on appeal, assisting on briefs, and organizing moots for appellate arguments, the clinic has helped the offices pursue their broader strategic goals and raise the overall level of appellate practice.
These policy and appellate reform efforts are, to be sure, primarily attributable to the newly robust family defense bar created by the institutional providers. But we like to think the clinic offers a kind of support that has helped that community of advocates come together—sometimes through the literal provision of space at NYU for the four organizations to meet and strategize together, and sometimes through the provision of mental space when we are able to encourage and serve as a sounding board for ambitious discussions of long-term goals that might otherwise be overshadowed by the pressures of front-line practice.
We want, though, to be very clear that whatever inspiration the clinic provides to the front-line lawyers of BFDP and the other parent representation organizations pales in comparison to that which we and our students get from them. When students reeling from the challenge of one or two cases ask how an advocate can handle the pressure and frustration of a full caseload, I have no answer except to advise them to absorb as much as they can from our front-line colleagues. At the beginning of the year, when we first bring the students to BFDP, we ask the lawyers there to introduce themselves by saying something about why they do the work they do. Going around that conference room never fails to make tears well. For faculty as much or more than students, the connection to a field (the ongoing realization we are a field!), to an energized defense bar—to a community—is invaluable. I cannot imagine having been able to do this work as long without this fuel for the soul.
So, while Marty, Maddie and I might at some point have urged any law school to invest in in-house clinics as often as possible, we now instead encourage other clinicians to take up the invigorating push-pull of working with practitioners who live in the trenches; not to give up the clinical method of an in-house clinic, but to find a partner office that will commit to that method. Clinics should push public interest practices in new directions. We should let them push us.
Where are we now? Today, more than seventy-five percent of all parents prosecuted civilly in New York City are assigned lawyers who work at the parent representation organizations.[33] Thanks to these organizations and the interdisciplinary model they have adopted, New York City Family Courts are strikingly different from when I walked through their doors in the late 1990’s. Without repeating what Marty and Maddie have already said about the differences, I’d like to give some numbers for perspective.
Zero is the number I’ll cite most. In the four years I represented children in New York City Family Courts, just before the advent of institutional representation, I saw zero written motions for the emergency hearings to which families are statutorily entitled when a child enters foster care and zero motions to dismiss. I never saw a motion for summary judgment on behalf of accused parents and no formal motions to expand family visitation in any way. I never saw any written motions seeking services for parents or children. I saw only one written motion by a parent’s attorney to terminate the client’s child’s foster care placement. Motion practice was so limited that the best staff attorney training program in the City had not mentioned to me the difference between an order to show cause and a motion on notice, let alone instructed me on how to file either one.
Today, there are thousands of motions filed in New York City Family Courts each year seeking services, visitation, and family reunification. These are not only filed by the parent representation offices. These organizations have dramatically raised the level of practice around them. Solo practitioners representing parents and lawyers for children now regularly file motions that had been unheard of. Family Court judges write far more opinions than they used to, and the field’s appellate case law is maturing.
Of the hundreds of permanency hearings I attended as a children’s advocate, at which courts assessed whether parents had complied with their family service plan, I never had a case in which the parent had an advocate at the agency conference when the service plan was developed. Today, the parent representation offices ensure that their clients need not go alone to negotiate their families’ futures with government officials. They accompany parents to over 2,600 such conferences each year.[34]
Another set of numbers that would look very different if we did not have institutional providers: when I came to the clinic, there were over 28,000 children in foster care in New York City; today there are fewer than 10,000.[35] It is often difficult to look at our foster care system and see anything except the need for change (I know that’s what the providers see every day). But it seems worth focusing for a moment on the fact that 18,000 more kids might be unnecessarily separated from their families today, and they are not. They are home.
In 2005, the clinic began collaborating with Mimi Laver of the ABA’s Center on Children and the Law and advocates around the country to establish the National Alliance for Parent Representation, which works to raise the quality of parent defense nationwide. Much has been accomplished at the national level, including the development of widely accepted standards of practice for parents’ attorneys, an active listserv, which allows parent advocates to share legal information, practice tips and support, and a biennial national conference that provides legal education to hundreds of attorneys.[36]
Much, of course, remains to be done. The National Alliance has identified spreading interdisciplinary representation as a priority and the development of additional parent representation law school clinics as a key step in that direction.[37] Staff from the New York City parent representation offices regularly take time from their overbooked schedules to help train lawyers elsewhere and share what they have learned developing their interdisciplinary practices.
For better and sometimes for worse, New York has often led the nation in new directions in child welfare. From the infamous orphan trains through the family preservation legislation of the 1970’s, which served as a model for federal law,[38] New York has been at the forefront of child welfare practice. One can only hope that is true with respect to the model of parent representation we’re growing here. Far from perfect, certainly, but there’s no New York trend I’d be prouder to export.
When I started in Family Court as a children’s lawyer, I had the mixed blessing of playing a role for which authority figures gave me a great deal of positive feedback. Judges were appreciative of whatever information I gave them and whatever concerns I voiced. I was, after all, speaking for the children. Even my parents’ friends were impressed with what I was doing with my law degree. It was extremely nice (though not necessarily skill building) as a new lawyer to not be criticized in the courtroom; to be appreciated, even liked. As Maddie discussed in Part II, it could not be more different to stand in Family Court as a parent’s attorney. As happy as we are to see our clinic students take jobs at the family defense offices, sometimes it has seemed to me unfair to send them off to a first job where instead of that foundation of positive feedback I received, we know they will be treated hostilely and criticized constantly (implicitly and explicitly) as they absorb some of the visceral disdain directed at their clients. I’ve told Marty that I sometimes worry it isn’t healthy, that budding professionals need the approval of authority figures—parent figures—to allow them to build the healthy confidence necessary to survive and thrive in a tough professional world. Family defenders don’t get that type of support; they are beaten up daily by the authority figures with whom they have no choice but to interact. But then Marty explained (as he so often has done for me over the years) what is actually needed. Young professionals don’t need “parents” at work. They need what adults need: supportive equals, siblings, if you will. They need partners they can count on to inspire them and be deep in it with them. They need what BFDP, The Bronx Defenders, CFR, and NDS give to their staff— and to lucky clinical faculty.
See Response
Reaction to Discovering Family Defense: A History of the Family Defense Clinic at New York University School of Law
“The Importance of Family Defense”
Matthew I. Fraidin∞ This is a transcript of a speech given by Professor Fraidin at the N.Y.U. Family Defense Clinic’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Symposium, held on April 7, 2016. This is the life of a family defense lawyer: A 17-year-old
#CanYouHearUsNow: Moving Muslim Women’s Voices from Margin to Center in 2016
On October 26, 2016, Linda Sarsour delivered the 23rd annual Rose Sheinberg Lecture[1] to an audience of more than 100 N.Y.U. Law students and community members about being a Muslim woman in America today[2].
Linda Sarsour
A Duty to Protect, But Not to Provide: Bringing the American Dream Within Reach of Asylees in the U.S.
Heather L. Scavone∞ I. Introduction II. Prescriptions That Impart Mutual Benefit on Asylees and Refugees III. Leveling the Playing Field Between Refugees and Asylees A. The Refugee-Asylee Social Services Benefits Gap B. The Refugee-Asylee Federal Immigration Benefits Gap C. Proposed
Capitalism vs. Freedom
This article aims to point out that the understanding of freedom in the U.S. legal system is too narrow since it disregards other significant aspects of freedom.
Katya Assaf
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1016
|
__label__cc
| 0.705786
| 0.294214
|
Waterproofing protects all smartphone components
A waterproof coating, developed by P2i protects all smartphone components, even when water enters the handset.
The Dunkable system-level waterproofing enables a smartphone to operate normally even when it has been fully submerged for long periods, and the outer case breached, says P2i.
It protects every component in a smartphone handset to IPX8 level for the life of the device.
Dunkable’s patented multi-chemistry is customised to an OEM’s manufacturing process and handset design. It is inert, and does not degrade through impact, heat, or environmental stress or when in contact with solvents, adds P2i.
Current waterproofing methods carry high manufacturing costs and place limitations on handset design, explains the company. Mechanical seals currently used to protect handsets to IPX7 and IPX8 levels only act as a barrier to water, allowing short circuiting if water enters the device via a cracked screen or a de-laminated seal. They also use space that could be used for larger batteries.
Ady Moores, CEO, P2i said: “Dunkable . . . represents a step change in the level of waterproofing available to handset manufacturers. The launch means that, for the first time, OEMs have access to the most advanced water protection capabilities that can be rolled out on virtually all form factors…not just the usual square designs”. He predicts that P2i will have the ability to treat over half a billion smartphones in 2019.
Dunkable enables handset manufactures to create designs that are thinner, foldable, or have smaller bezels without compromising the water protection.
P2i’s technologies are trusted to protect a range of products from smartphones (they are used by phone manufacturers Huawei, Lenovo, Motorola, Sony and Xiaomi) to filtration systems, with over 160 patents granted or pending.
Initially, P2i is targeting Dunkable at smartphones, although the technology is also applicable to tablets, wearables, consumer devices and industrial systems. The first devices protected by the Dunkable solution are set to enter the market in 2019.
The picture shows an untreated phone (left) and a treated phone (right) which is working normally 10 minutes after the electronics have been exposed to water.
Dunkable-treated handsets will be on display at MWC 2019 (25 to 28 February) at the P2i stand in Congress Square CS126, Barcelona, Spain.
http://www.p2i.com
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1017
|
__label__wiki
| 0.911129
| 0.911129
|
Our Gap Soon
A family drama that illustrates marriage and married life in modern society in a positive light.
Genre : Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Actors : Bo-Hee Lee, Byung-joon Lee, Dae-chul Choi, Du-shim Ko, Go Doo-shim, Gook-hwan Jeon, Jae-rim Song, Jang Yong, Jeon Kuk-hwan, Kim Gyu-ri, Kim So-eun, Lee Bo-hee, Lee Byung-joon, Lee Wan, Mi-young Lee, Seon Yu, So-eun Kim, Song Jae-rim, Wan Lee, Yong Jang, Yoo Sun
Networks : SBS
IMDb: 9.3 / 3
Country : South Korea
Our Gap Soon 1×1
Our Gap Soon 1×10
Coach is an American television sitcom that aired for nine seasons on ABC from 1989 to 1997. The series stars Craig T. Nelson as Hayden Fox, head coach of the fictional Division I-A college football team the Minnesota State University Screaming Eagles. The program also starred Jerry Van Dyke as Luther Van Dam and Bill Fagerbakke as Michael “Dauber” Dybinski, assistant coaches under Fox. The role of Hayden’s girlfriend Christine Armstrong, a television news anchor, was played by Shelley Fabares.
Saltön
Samantha Hunter suspects someone within the private intelligence agency she works at tried to kill her and she seeks to uncover the person behind it.
Genre: Action, Action & Adventure, Drama
Kevin Pacalioglu may have no money and no clue, but he can see dead people, so that’s pretty cool. Faced with a constant stream of stubborn spirits, Pac goes to whatever lengths require the least amount of effort to help New York City’s most frivolous ghosts finish their unfinished business, occasionally with the help of his best friend and drug dealer, Roofie.
How the West Was Won
The Macahans, a family from Virginia headed by Zeb Macahan, travel across the country to pioneer a new land and a new home in the American West.
Genre: Drama, Western
Teen Titans Go! is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics fictional superhero team, the Teen Titans. The series was announced following the popularity of DC Nation’s New Teen Titans shorts, both of which are based on the 2003 Teen Titans TV series. Teen Titans Go! is a more comedic take on the DC Comics franchise, dealing with situations that happen outside of saving the world.
Sporting a new animation style, Teen Titans Go! serves as a comedic spin-off with little continuity to the previous series, and only certain elements are retained. Many DC characters make cameo appearances and are referenced in the background, and the show also consists of much darker humor than its predecessor. The original principal voice cast returns to reprise their respective roles.
The series airs every Tuesday, and then rebroadcast as part of the DC Nation block on Saturday. New episodes moved to Wednesday on September 11, 2013. Beware the Batman has joined Teen Titans Go! on the DC Nation block in July 2013.
After 250 years on ice, a prisoner returns to life in a new body with one chance to win his freedom: by solving a mind-bending murder.
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Thriller
Hickory, dickory, dock — the Dice Man’s back and he’s ready to rock. The semi-true stories of Andrew Dice Clay, whose unique brand of humor often gets him in trouble. Once on top, the comedian now must work to resurrect his career, pay his gambling debts, manage his sons’ rock band, fend off old fans and keep his family afloat.
DI Helen Weeks grapples with pregnancy as she undertakes a very personal abduction case.
Kevin Corcoran is a rugged young Irish immigrant policeman trying to keep the peace in the historical Five Points neighborhood in 1860s New York City while searching for information on the disappearance of his wife and death of his daughter.
Now a Guardian in training at WITS Academy, the Magic Realm’s most esteemed school for Witches and Wizards in Training, it seems like Andi’s dream has finally come true. But as the best friend and unofficial Guardian to the Chosen One, she’ll have to work hard to prove that she can live up to expectations as the first (and only) human Guardian. Plus, she’s in charge of getting the Magical Realm’s toughest witch and wizard to graduation day, one of which is Jax’s little sister Jessie! Along the way she’ll have to decide who is a friend, who is a foe and who may be more…
Limitless, based on the feature film, picks up where the movie left off and follows Brian Sinclair as he discovers the power of the mysterious drug NZT, and is coerced into using his newfound drug-enhanced abilities to solve weekly cases for the FBI.
Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Thriller
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1018
|
__label__cc
| 0.612028
| 0.387972
|
Some Girl with a Braid
Autistic, creatively writing, and loving it
Sensitivity Reading and Proofreading/Editing
Tag: Media
The Curious Incident of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” – A Literary Review
The book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is an award winning book by Mark Haddon, famed for its depiction of an allegedly autistic protagonist.
It has been hailed by some as textbook on Aspergers, and some people even claim that it helped teach them how to interact with people on the autism spectrum. This is terrifying. Part of the problem is that some of the problematic aspects of the book are subtle, and in being so are possibly more damaging than something blatantly offensive because the reader doesn’t realize what they may be internalizing by reading the novel until it’s too late, or perhaps even never.
The main character is Christopher Boone, a teenage boy with an unspecified mental/social disability. His character reads as if someone googled ‘What are Asperger’s syndrome’s symptoms?’, took the first list they found off Autism Speaks’ website, and made a character based on that. It reads like a neurotypical person trying to understand the thoughts of a neurodiverse person rather than the actual thoughts of an autistic. This is in fact similar to the reverse of the personal experience I had in my own writing – most neurotypical people reading my work could tell something was off, that maybe I was not really one of them but rather was pretending. With Haddon’s work, most neurodiverse people can tell something is off, that he is pretending (as I noticed in reading reviews by other autistics). Instead of creating a real character, Haddon instead created another “Rain Man” – aka a stereotypical portrayal of a white male autistic savant mathematician.
Image is of a blurred out white male behind a glass plane, writing mathematical equations on it.
Not all aspects of Christopher’s character are negative or inaccurate – a fact which helps cover up the insidiousness of other aspects of the book. He has a fixation with the color of cars indicating what his luck for the day would be, stimming, and a few other realistic things along those lines help to build realism and potential understanding of such behaviors in neurotypical readers. However, his main flaw is his lack of humanity. Many people don’t understand that autistics do indeed have the capacity for empathy – in fact, quite a few have too much empathy to the point of being overwhelmed and not able to handle it, as I’ve written before in my review of Netflix’s Atypical. Sometimes autistics do not identify situations that require empathy, or do not understand them – but that is completely different from not being capable of empathy at all.
Christopher does not care about anyone or anything other than himself. The catalyst for the beginning of the book is Christopher discovering a dead dog and deciding to try to solve the mystery of who killed it, but even that is not done out of a sense of empathy for the murdered animal. It is entirely out of his fandom for Sherlock Holmes and his desire to solve the mystery itself. He does not care for his mentor, his neighbors, or his father, and his only reason to care about his mother comes across as a sense of selfishness – which the book ties into some of the problematic issues with their relationship, and is in and of itself problematic.
Christopher is also a consistently violent character, and not just in a triggered out of control meltdown way (it should be noted that the description of his meltdowns in the book are pretty accurate, though obviously not universal). He thinks about wanting to stab someone in response to anxiety induced by an important math test, which is not at all a realistic response to anxiety over a test. Some autistics can be violent in response to overwhelming sensory input, or even in a self-defense sort of way to overwhelming social contact, but most are not naturally violent. The natural thought to being in an uncomfortable situation is want to avoid or escape the situation or to think about a place that makes them feel safe that they would prefer to be in – the natural reaction is not to wish to brutally murder someone. Christopher even has that ‘flight’ response towards another uncomfortable situation, when he learns that his father killed the dog from the beginning and had lied about his mother being dead. Christopher’s response is to escape. Yet for the test, he casually wants to murder someone. One of his favorite fantasies is that everyone in the world has died, leaving him alone. He could have easily thought of simply being someplace alone, but wishing death on everyone on the planet seems to be overkill.
Image is of a man standing alone on a rocky beach.
In presenting him like this, the book plays off of the stereotype that all Aspies are just a hair away from deciding to go on a shooting spree. It is a harmful stereotype because of the way it leads to neurotypical people sometimes treating ASD people. Their initial response in learning that someone is an Aspie can become one of fear and suspicion fueled by the paranoia this stereotype produces. It does not matter whether or not they know anything about the individual in front of them: automatically they assume that anyone with Asperger’s is dangerous, leading to more social problems for those who already have enough.
Another example of something a little more subtly horrifying in this book is the way that the people around Christopher interact with him and treat him. His father is abusive, his mother abandoned him, and the other people he encounters look down on him. The two that stand out the most are of course his mother and father. His father drinks and hits him hard enough to bruise him – and no one seems to care. It is almost as if, because he is autistic, it is alright. Christopher has a mentor/psychologist who even asks him about the bruises, but he does not feel like talking about it so she never investigates into the possibility of abuse even though that is her job. His father also threatens him and lies to him, telling him that his mother died a year and a half previously even though she was alive and writing to him. Christopher hardly reacts to the abuse, except for when he learns about his mom still being alive. It’s almost like background noise whenever someone insults him. By portraying an autistic character as not truly harmed by abuse, it makes it seem almost alright to abuse real autistic people. Because if someone doesn’t care or feel harmed by something, then why stop? Even now, violent electric shocks are being legally used in the USA as a way to punish autistics in institutions for doing harmless things like stimming. Because if autistics aren’t bothered by abuse, then where’s the harm? (Please note, that was sarcasm.)
Image is of a teenage boy in a hoody sitting in a semi-fetal position.
The mother is barely any better. She blames Christopher for ruining her marriage despite the fact that she is the one who had an affair – sounding like an Autism Speaks promotional video using autism as a tool to scare couples. This is another trope/harmful stereotype about autism, that having a child who is on the spectrum means that a couple’s marriage is doomed. As if the trials that come with having a special needs child are the child’s fault if the marriage was unstable to begin with. And no one, not even Christopher himself, cares about any of this. The only things Christopher really cares about is that his father lied about his mother’s death, and that his father killed the dog in the beginning. But even these things – things that are very important – no one else in the book cares about. The fact that the father got drunk and literally murdered an animal in cold blood is never prosecuted or seen as indicative of violent tendencies. Perhaps the worst part is that the book itself doesn’t care. It pretends that because the father apologized at the end and bought Christopher a dog (because a man who gets drunk and murders dogs and hits his son should totally be allowed to buy a dog and keep custody of his son) that it’s all okay. Somehow, that’s supposed to be a satisfying conclusion to the whole novel. Overall it’s a terrible example of humanity.
Image is of the cover of the book “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” by Mark Haddon
Some interesting facts I uncovered while researching the author’s understanding of the condition he was writing about came to light in the form of direct quotes from Haddon himself. While he originally described Christopher as an Aspie, even putting “Asperger’s” on the cover of his book as a description of his character and story, he has since retracted this and has had this to say about the subject of autism:
“I have to say honestly that I did more research about the London Underground and the inside of Swindon Railway Station, where some of the novel takes place, than I did about Asperger’s syndrome.”
“I know very little about the subject. I did no research for Curious Incident (other than photographing the interiors of Swindon and Paddington stations). I’d read Oliver Sack’s essay about Temple Grandin and a handful of newspaper and magazine articles about, or by, people with Asperger’s and Autism. I deliberately didn’t add to this list. Imagination always trumps research.”
Except that imagination does not trump research when an author is addressing something so based in the real world, that affects so many real people. Certainly imagination is key if creating a fantasy world where rivers float through the sky and mountains are inhabited by dwarves, but not when describing a condition many people actually have. Such a work by its nature requires extensive research or personal experience, or it risks creating harmful work full of information that will harm people and society in real life with its influence. If I were to ‘imagine’ that all gay people were obnoxious, promiscuous, sex-obsessed, riddled with STDs, and incapable of romantic love in the way heterosexual people are, then that would be inaccurate and extremely offensive and harmful to a lot of people. That’s essentially what Haddon has done.
Image is of the interior of Paddington station, referred to by Haddon
Part of the harm taken from this book is that, despite Mark Haddon’s admission that he knows very little on the subject, this book is being used as a teaching tool. One doctor, Dr. Alex McClimens, read Curious Incident and went so far as to say, “The magnificent essay in communication is compulsory reading for anyone with the slightest interest in autistic spectrum disorders.” Except that it should not be, for all the reasons listed above. Without accuracy and research, paper becomes poison.
Intentions matter when you write. Haddon did not intend to write an award winning, widely read book to be turned into a musical and used as a textbook on a subject he did little research on, yet he did. His intention seemed to be to write a semi-thriller/mystery using mental illness as a prop to draw in readers (as unfortunately many writers do). If he had considered the impact his work could have on various communities, perhaps he would have sharpened his intentions and decided that imagination is not better than research. Perhaps he would have written a novel whose character could help the autistic community in visibility and their treatment rather than creating an un-sympathetic, un-empathetic mathematically inclined stereotype.
If you like what you’ve read, like, share, comment, and/or follow to show support! You can also find me on facebook as Some Girl with a Braid, or on Twitter @AmalenaCaldwell.
Image is a promotional picture for “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” musical
Author amalenafcPosted on July 7, 2018 July 28, 2018 Categories Autism, Books, UncategorizedTags ActuallyAutistic, ASD, Aspergers, Aspies, Autism, Autism Community, Autistic, Autistic Community, Books, Fiction, Literature, Media, Novels, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, writing1 Comment on The Curious Incident of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” – A Literary Review
New Autism Magazine – Masking, Issue 1
Recently, I was in contact with the amazing Olivia Armstrong to do an interview for a new magazine, Masking. It’s all about showing autistic voices talking about issues that matter to the autistic community. This is great for everyone to read – whether you’re autistic yourself, have a family member or friend who is, or just want to be more informed. It’s well put together and well written, highly suggest a read!
Here’s my contribution, a section about gender bias in diagnosing autism:
“It took 19 years for someone to suggest that I might be on the spectrum, after years of therapy and obvious symptoms, such as meltdowns, growing up. These were labeled tantrums, and I was considered to have anger management problems. Girls are socialized differently, so if you’ve got a social disability and are being judged against criteria set up for a group of people who are trained from birth to socialize differently from you, there’s going to be a difference and people won’t pick up on it. You don’t fit their mold.”
“There’s theories out there that being autistic means I have a male brain. I don’t see how that’s possible, since I feel female and am very happy as a female. It feels kind of dismissive of my identity as a female to say that I must be male in some way to have the neurology I do.”
“For a while I was told I was possibly bipolar. This didn’t stick because I didn’t get the right sort of mood swings, but suffice to say it took a while and several bad theories before realizing that ASD fit me perfectly and explained everything.”
That’s just a small portion of the amazing autistic voices in this magazine, and I highly suggest giving it a read to support this emerging journalist! To show her you want an issue 2, show your support by voicing it on social media and liking her magazine’s twitter page (@MaskingMagazine)
issuu.com/maskingmagazine/docs/maskingmagazineissue1
If you like what you’ve read, show your support with likes, comments, and shares. If you like it so much you want more, follow me here on wordpress, on facebook at Some Girl with a Braid, and/or Twitter @AmalenaCaldwell.
Author amalenafcPosted on March 26, 2018 Categories Autism, UncategorizedTags Autism, Autism Community, Autism Parents, Autistic, Autistic Community, Journalism, Magazine, Media, writing1 Comment on New Autism Magazine – Masking, Issue 1
Fantastic Autistics and Where to Find Them
(Spoiler Alert! There are a few limited spoilers concerning the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in the following post!)
Anyone who knows me at all knows that one of my greatest and most passionate literary loves is the Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling. I know every spell. I know every character, even the minor ones. Every location, every little piece of trivia, and every scrap of information having to do with books 1-7. I grew up with the series, aging as Harry did and learning alongside him all about Hogwarts and the wizarding world it was a part of.
So when Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was announced as a movie, I was jumping up and down with excitement that the journey wasn’t over, that we got to see more of Rowling’s world beyond Hogwarts.
The first thing I loved about this movie is that while the original Harry Potter books and movies taught us about what magic was and how to use it from the perspective of adolescents coming into their power, Fantastic Beasts showed the adult world. These characters knew how to cast spells without making themselves vomit slugs and apparate without splicing themselves. It was a great addition on that front alone.
But even better were the new characters essentially invented for this new movie without anything that solid to work off of from J.K.Rowling’s original writing beyond a few names and technical details like “This person wrote a textbook.”
So let’s discuss the main character, Newt Scamander. His goal is to write a textbook. It’s such a dull premise on the surface if you just say it aloud, but think about what he wants to do. He is a compassionate individual borderline ‘obsessed’ with learning everything he can about magical creatures so that he can document them and categorize them in order to save them, while finding beauty in beings that his fellow wizards and witches might be afraid of or seek to destroy. He sees the world differently from they do. He even walks and moves differently, as if he’s not completely aware of the space his body takes up and is more focused on the purpose behind his movements than how someone watching might perceive them. He struggles to make eye contact with people, and even has the following lovely exchange:
Jacob: Oh, well, I’m-I’m sure people like you too, huh?
Newt: No, not really. I annoy people.
I think a lot of autistics out there can relate to internalizing that sentiment.
You can see where this is going.
While never flat out stated to be (possibly because of the time period, or maybe the wizarding world doesn’t have a lot in the way of mental health? Harry Potter would have been seeing a psychologist if he’d gone to a muggle school by the end of book one), the way I ‘read’ Newt Scamander is as an autistic adult. But he’s not the typical autistic male white adult that we see in so many adaptations, despite being all those things, and that makes him amazing.
While most autistic characters gravitate towards science, technology, and math (in the wizarding world, perhaps potions and arithmancy would be the equivalent?) with savant like perfection, Newt Scamander does not have this stereotypical characteristic. For one, I wouldn’t classify him as a savant. He has a special interest which he’s extremely passionate and knowledgeable about, but that in and of itself does not make someone a savant. Just passionate and knowledgeable. And it’s noteworthy the choice of focus: animals. I’ve heard that autistic girls are said to commonly have a passionate interest in animals, aspiring to be veterinarians and the like. Girls like horses and dolls, boys like cars and computers. For the character of Newt, this is flipped. He goes against the stereotype by adopting a trait I’ve most often seen described in lists of “symptoms” associated with female autistics. And I absolutely love that.
Related to his passion for fantastic beasts (and where to find them), one of the most important aspects of Newt’s character is that he does not at all struggle with empathy. In fact, I’d say it’s his biggest strength. He’s even far more empathic than most of the presumably neurotypical characters surrounding him, as exhibited by this bit of dialogue:
Newt: I’m writing a book about magical creatures
Tina: Like an extermination guide?
Newt: No, a guide to help people understand why we should be protecting these creatures instead of killing them.
He shines in every moment he’s with these creatures, and seems to understand them more than he understands people – not an unheard of autistic trait. He understands them so well that he even can perform an erumpent mating dance to placate the large rhinoceros like creature, and keeps a plant-like bowtruckle in his pocket because the poor thing had a cold and needed body warmth – also because he had attachment issues. This sort of understanding and empathy towards different creatures isn’t exhibited by anyone else in the film. Indeed, others are afraid of the erumpent and when the bowtruckle is revealed, it’s desired by other characters for its lockpicking abilities without thought for what it wants or needs.
But an even more striking an example of Newt’s empathy and goodness are the moments just after he’s been arrested, and then again when sentenced to death. When arrested, his immediate concern isn’t for himself, but for the creatures in his care. He begs that they remain unharmed, emphasizing that nothing in his menagerie is dangerous over and over again even as he’s taken away in shackles. When sentenced to death, his first concern isn’t begging for his own life, but worry that his companion, Tina, might also be punished.
(Image dialogue – Newt: Please, you don’t understand. Nothing in there is dangerous.)
This is such an incredibly powerful portrayal of an autistic individual when compared to other autistic and autistically implied characters in media. They often have little concept of empathy, or have to truly struggle to learn or become aware of any form of recognizable empathy, thanks to lack of empathy being an trait inaccurately assumed to go hand in hand with autism. For a prime example, see my previous post about Atypical’s main character, Sam. In contrast, Newt shows autistic empathy. He feels deeply for everyone around him, including those that his society looks down on such as magical creatures and muggles (I refuse to use the term ‘no-maj’, sorry JKR), those he’s essentially been told not to feel empathy for. Note though, it’s not sympathy or just compassion Newt feels – something I think a lot of neurotypicals conflate with empathy. It’s true, full-blown empathy. He feels for himself what the creatures he studies feel. When the erumpent is happy, he is happy. The music played during the scene when he confronts the giant beast is whimsical and light, a beautiful piece of piano and strings indicating how they both feel. When other creatures are causing trouble or in trouble, he knows how to find them and deal with them because he can put himself into their minds and feel what they feel.
Finally, I’d like to point out one more thing about Newt that makes him an absolutely beautiful example of an autistic character. He has friends. Not a roommate who begrudgingly learns to put up with him, not coworkers who learn to see his brilliance and accept him on that basis alone. Over the course of the movie, Newt is shown becoming friends with Jacob, Tina, and Queenie through their shared struggle. They genuinely like him as a person not in spite of his differences, but because of them. There’s even hints that there’s romantic tension with Tina by the end (curse you sequel bait, I wanted a kiss!) and mention of previous love lost in Newt’s life. All social things that autistics struggle with, and in media are often portrayed without.
Overall, Newt Scamander is fantastic. He is intelligent, capable, brave, giving, and unashamedly empathetic. He is also autistic, based on the traits I mentioned above. And while I will always love Harry, Hermione, Ron, and all the wonderful characters introduced in the Wizarding World created by J.K.Rowling, Newt Scamander just might be my favorite.
Image dialogue –
Jacob: Hey, Newt, why did you keep me around?
Newt: Because I like you, Jacob. Because you’re my friend.
What were your thoughts when you saw the movie for the first time? Agree, disagree? Feel free to engage with your opinions in the comment section!
This particular fantastic autistic can be found on facebook on the page ‘Some Girl with a Braid’ or on Twitter @AmalenaCaldwell. Like, share, comment, and/or follow to show support!
Author amalenafcPosted on September 28, 2017 September 29, 2017 Categories AutismTags Autism, Autism Community, Autistic, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Film, Harry Potter, Media, Representation6 Comments on Fantastic Autistics and Where to Find Them
Guest Post at ‘The Geeky Gimp’: Autism and the Virtues of Single-Player RPGs
And now for something completely different! Well, not completely…
I direct your attention to the amazing Erin Hawley’s blog at The Geeky Gimp, where she’s given me the opportunity to do a guest post about gaming and autism. Enjoy!
“As an autistic individual, there’s a special place in my heart for single-player role-playing games. I started with Skyrim, fell in love, and have since added other games such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Portal, Diablo, and Assassin’s Creed to my computer.”
Check out the link to read more!
https://geekygimp.com/autism-and-the-virtues-of-single-player-rpgs/
Author amalenafcPosted on September 24, 2017 September 24, 2017 Categories Autism, UncategorizedTags Autism, Autism Community, Autistic, Media, VideogamesLeave a comment on Guest Post at ‘The Geeky Gimp’: Autism and the Virtues of Single-Player RPGs
The Manic Pixie Autistic Sidekick
Those of you who write or read may be familiar with the trope of the “Manic Pixie Dream Girl”, a term coined by critic Nathan Rabin to describe the sort of love interest who exists only to teach young males how to experience life and make them better people. These girls aren’t real characters in a three-dimensional way. They don’t exist for themselves or their own happiness. They are creations whose purpose is only to support or provide a catalyst for growth for the man who spends time with them.
But what does this have to do with autism?
Well, think back to one of the most famous autistic characters of all time: Rain Man, aka Raymond as portrayed by Dustin Hoffman alongside Tom Cruise. I’m sure all of you are familiar with Rain Man. It’s not a bad movie, really, it’s just the public’s reaction to it has been… disappointing. Rain Man has come to represent all autistics (despite the fact that the majority of us are not savants) in the minds of many people, and the stereotypes about us have been reinforced by all the many portrayals trying to copy Rain Man as if it’s the only way to be autistic.
I don’t want to do a full review of Rain Man, or a full examination of the impact of Rain Man. It’s been reviewed by better minds than mine, been written about constantly, and there’s not much new to add to the subject. But I do want to address one fact about it, a trope that the entire plot is based on.
Rain Man/Raymond only exists to help the non-autistic character played by Tom Cruise grow as a person. He does not exist for himself or his own happiness. He is a creation whose purpose is only to support and provide a catalyst for growth for the man who spends time with him.
This is not an uncommon trope. There are tons of stories out there about characters with various disabilities ranging from mental difficulties (Rain Man) to physical ones (Me Before You – which also buys into the incredibly harmful and appalling “better dead than disabled” trope) that aren’t really about those characters, but the person next to them. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or love interest, these characters only exist to teach a non-disabled person a life lesson of some kind. Like the Manic Pixie Dream Girl, this is a sort of objectification of our existences. We are turned into teaching props. Tools.
I don’t want to be a tool.
These sorts of stories are often (possibly always) written by non-disabled individuals, and similar tropes exist for essentially every sort of minority or perceived minority character. While I’m sure the creator’s intentions are mostly harmless (they may even think they’re doing good for the people they’re representing), using us as props to teach others lessons is dehumanizing. The problem with this is the same problem as with the Manic Pixie Dream Girl – it portrays a group of people as supporting roles for others rather than the stars of their own story. It almost removes them from their own story by putting the spotlight on someone else, someone the directors and writers think is more ‘universal’ and whose perspective will sell more tickets. But the ‘default’ isn’t representative of the entire population, and a variety of voices is good for showing that those voices do exist. We need variety and diversity, representations of all types. Autistic people deserve our own stories that accurately portray us as the protagonists and heroes of our own lives, rather than as background and support for the non-autistic people in our lives. We are not teachers. If we teach people in our lives something, that’s incidental, not the purpose of our lives. That should be a side plot. The purpose of our lives is whatever we want to make of it, and to be happy for ourselves.
So, Autistic writers, keep writing. We need you in the world. Everyone with any disability who writes, keep at it. Put your perspective out there. Actors, keep auditioning. Directors, keep going. One day we’ll break in, and we can be the stars in our own story and maybe finally teach people that we’re not tools or props, but the main characters in our own stories.
I am the hero of my own story. And you are too.
Author amalenafcPosted on September 2, 2017 September 2, 2017 Categories Autism, UncategorizedTags ActuallyAutistic, Autism, Autism Community, Autistic, Diversity, Manic Pixie Dream Girl, Media, Representation1 Comment on The Manic Pixie Autistic Sidekick
A Focus on Atypical’s Moments and Characters – Is Sam Actually the only Atypical in Atypical?
Spoilers ahead – wait to read after you watch the show if you intend to watch it spoiler-free. If not, please proceed.
So, is Sam actually the only Atypical in “Atypical”? Maybe not – but that character I’ll save for last. First, I’d like to take a look at some of the things I found… aggravating in characters or specific moments.
Most of the characters in this show bothered me at least a little in one way or another, but two that ranked the highest on my list are the mother and the psychologist. They both have their good moments – for example, the psychologist encouraging Sam and the mom supporting him… which for the most part is good, but we’ll get to that. I’d like to start with the psychologist, Julia.
First of all, she starts the series off by asking Sam to donate his brain after he dies to be studied. What kind of psychologist asks a struggling teenager to donate his organs? While I don’t think it’s her intention, the insinuations I got from this request were as such:
She sees him as an object to be studied.
Even though she is older than him and therefore statistically unlikely to outlive him and get a chance to study his brain, she seems to really, really want it. Does she think that he’s going to die prematurely?
I went to a psychologist for years… you don’t ask this of someone who’s struggling. Autistics are far more prone to depression than neurotypicals are, and as such the topic of death shouldn’t be brought up so casually, and she shouldn’t be so cheerful about the thought of him dying so that his brain can be poked at. Maybe Sam’s specific case it’s fine… but as essentially the only autistic character in the show (the only one that matters at least), it’s insinuating that this isn’t a big deal for autistics in general. It is – or at least it can be. The show doesn’t give a variety of autistics to show to the neurotypical audience that we’re not all clinical about the concept of death, and only provides one real autistic perspective in order to essentially represent all autistics. It’s not right, but that’s now media works.
She’s not the worst character in the series, and doesn’t even do significant harm to Sam. But one line really, really bothered me the most when I was watching this show, even more than the ‘can I have your brain’ zombie scientist moment. It’s in a scene where we get a few seconds of her teaching a lecture about psychology and autism to a class. She mentions special interests and how one of her patients figured out ninety-five ways to cook an egg. It’s not so much what she said, but how she said it. She said it like a punchline, like she was trying to get her audience to chuckle at how absurd such a thing is. But think about that for a moment. How many ways can you think of to cook an egg? Off the top of my head, I can’t even think of ten. This person came up with ninety-five? That’s brilliant. It should be shown as something brilliant. This specific autistic could go on to become an absolutely fantastic chef full of innovative new ideas. Instead, they’re a punchline.
Autistics often have special interests about which we are capable of memorizing lots of information or creating fantastic innovation. We’re not all savants, of course, and while cooking eggs in a new way isn’t going to vastly improve the world, our special interests can bring anything from advancement to joy to people in many fields ranging from technology, biology, medicine, literature, music, art, history, or really anything at all – as well as being fulfilling to us as people. Putting down a special interest stifles the autistic person, and anything they might have given to the world if they hadn’t been robbed of their confidence by a neurotypical who thinks eggs are hilarious.
This takes me to another point in this series: Sam’s special interest of penguins and all things Antarctica. He is constantly put down about this by almost everyone – his best friend, his girlfriend, his sister. His girlfriend tries to ‘train’ him not to talk about Antarctica, and the show seems to portray this as almost a good thing. His sister when setting him up with an online dating profile tells him not to mention anything about his real interests. His best friend tries to force him to either not buy or hide a shirt with Antarctic whales on it. This is all wrong. First of all, as far as dating goes, if you’re autistic you need to find someone who at least can appreciate your special interest, if they don’t have an interest in it themselves. The only person who seems to give Sam any real support with his interest (and with the right support, he could become a biologist studying wildlife in Antarctica one day) is his father. While the father is shown as not completely in touch with his kid, having a line about how he doesn’t have anything in common with Sam, there’s still a great scene where he takes him to a zoo and they’re sitting watching penguins together. His dad doesn’t get it, but he still supports it. Everyone else gets it, but they don’t support it – the first option is a million times better than the second. The dad’s honestly one of the better characters in the show because he has his flaws, but he treats Sam like a person and tries his best.
On to the mom. I’m on the fence about her, to be honest. I absolutely hate her for a lot of reasons (she flicks off Julia for saying that Sam has the same desires as other people, she doesn’t want to allow Sam to do anything on his own like dating or shopping, she wants to moan about how hard it is to raise an autistic kid and how he’ll never get to do any ‘normal’ things while actively trying to keep him from doing things even when he expresses an interest in them… etc.), but I think that perhaps I’m meant to as a character. For example, there’s a scene where Sam decides he wants to go to the mall to pick his own clothes instead of having his mom pick and buy all his clothes. She tries very hard to talk him out of it, but eventually relents. She calls ahead of time and asks the store to arrange for specific accommodations for Sam. Now, perhaps this can be seen as a good thing in some cases. This was not one of those cases. Sam expressed no desire for the accommodations. When she gets upset, he absolutely doesn’t care that things aren’t exactly the way she wanted them and goes on with trying on clothes, but she goes and makes a big problem out of it. She manufactures a situation of stress for absolutely no reason and gets herself kicked out, even though Sam was fine. I think that the show doesn’t mean to portray this as a case of her doing the right thing, I think they intend to show that she’s being punished for denying Sam agency, which is great. But she’s still a very, very aggravating overzealous helicopter parent. While she tries to advocate for her child, and that is good, she does so in a way that had me pulling out my hair and wanting to yell at her. And she has one more sin that’s far less easy to overlook.
Sam’s mother (and his father) fall into the trope of ‘autism will ruin your marriage’. Now, I understand that for a plot to move forward there needs to be conflict. And that’s great. However, writers need to be aware of the situations they’re creating in context of the real world. Certain organizations have tried very hard to demonize autism as some sort of curse that will destroy otherwise perfectly healthy marriages, driving parents apart. Sam’s father is revealed to have abandoned his family when the children were very young after Sam’s diagnosis. Sam’s mother has an affair with a bartender because the stress of her life gets to be too much. Even though the script has a moment where the dad says that it wasn’t the kids’ fault, the fact that it’s there is just reinforcing that harmful stereotype. If a marriage fails, it’s because the people weren’t ultimately good life partners. It has nothing to do with a child being autistic. There’s likely more stress involved because of that, sure, but a strong relationship and a good marriage can manage stress together as a team. A bad one won’t. And then ‘autism’ gets blamed by association. Putting these two together in fiction needs to stop. We need to see cases of parents of autistics who have happy, functional relationships. There could be plenty of other ways to insert drama without going the ‘parents relationship troubles’ route.
Sam’s girlfriend is another prominent character who deserves at least a few sentences: she claims to have read up on Sam’s condition once they decide to date, but when she’s in his room she starts messing with all his stuff. Then he locks her in the closet for it – which if you want to know my opinion on that, go back to my first post about this and apply “locks girlfriend in closet” wherever you see “acts abusive” or “breaks into his psychologist’s house”. As I mentioned earlier, she also tries to stifle his interest in Antarctica, proving that they should not be together. They’re a bad match, and that’s all I really want to say on her.
I saved the absolute best for last, of course, as promised:
It’s Casey, Sam’s younger sister. Generally speaking, she invades Sam’s personal space, undermines his agency, belittles his special interest, but also tries to help him when she can. I think that her flaws are acceptable in her being as a character simply because it’s a realistic relationship – though if anyone climbed over my laptop like that while I was working on it there would be a serious problem! Why I think she’s the most important character possibly in this show is that she could easily have Aspergers. As many of you may know, Aspergers/Autism/ASD can often present differently in females than in males, leading many psychologists to ignore, misdiagnose, or completely overlook it. Casey is very focused on and good at track and running – it could have been written as her special interest/focus (for those who say that Autistics can’t do physical things – yes I’ve actually heard that – two of the top fencers on my high school’s team were on the spectrum, myself and one other student. It is possible). She has difficulty controlling her temper such as when she punches a girl for being a bully (the first ‘mental condition’ I ever got sat down in front of a therapist for was anger management in elementary school, because I couldn’t stand when people would be bullies, and had lashed out physically at another girl for teasing and mocking me). She doesn’t think that the girls who pull a cruel prank on her by stealing her clothes are up to anything even though they’d been shunning her previously then suddenly switched on a dime to be fake nice (I had a terrible time navigating the social web that was middle school social systems and would take people at their word because I couldn’t read them well only to be taken advantage of or teased).
A fantastic storyline would have been if all the focus being on Sam meant that her entire family completely ignored that she too was on the spectrum. If halfway through the series, the focus shifted completely to make her the main character, with her as the newly discovered ‘Atypical’. Heck, imagine if they’d decided to make her a lesbian. We would then have a well-written autistic, female, lgbt character with depth and dimension that could do absolute wonders for representation and for the autistic community. It would show us truly as people who can be as varied and real as neurotypical characters. But the show doesn’t have that sort of imagination. It goes for the easy jokes, the easy storylines, the easy caricatures. All we get is the stereotype that is Sam Gardiner.
There’s more I could go into… but I believe I’ve covered all of the major points. Thus ends my analysis of Netflix’s Atypical. If they make a season two, I demand an autistic Casey.
If you agree or disagree, please comment and let your opinion be heard! If you like what you’ve read, please follow me here, on twitter, or on facebook and share my posts!
Author amalenafcPosted on August 18, 2017 August 18, 2017 Categories AutismTags ActuallyAutistic, Autism, Autism Community, Autistic, Media, Netflix, Representation, Television2 Comments on A Focus on Atypical’s Moments and Characters – Is Sam Actually the only Atypical in Atypical?
Netflix’s Atypical – Things it gets Right and Things it gets Wrong
This is the first in a series of posts about Autistic portrayals in fiction and media, and the first of a two part series specifically on the show Atypical.
Netflix recently released its new original series Atypical about an autistic teenage boy named Sam. It gets a few things right, and a few things wrong… so I’ll start with the good.
Atypical depicts a disabled character as non-asexual. While some people on the spectrum and with various disabilities can be asexual, it is often assumed by the public and portrayed by media to be a universal feature. So definite positive points to the show for going that route.
Also for doing a decent job of portraying things like stimming, sensory management (Sam, the protagonist, often is seen wearing noise canceling headphones, which are a truly beautiful invention), and other difficulties.
Perhaps the best thing that the show gets right is when it shows that Sam understands when he’s being made fun of. There are other portrayals in media and fiction that show autistic characters as completely oblivious to the cruelty of their peers. It’s good to show how it can harm and affect an autistic person, even if they don’t 100% get all the details. Making that empathetic connection to the audience can be a step towards stopping bullying. It’s difficult to stand up to a bully – if you’re under the impression the bully’s target doesn’t care about or understand what’s going on, then you might be less inclined to help. But when you know they are hurt just the same as anyone else, you’re more likely to step up.
Now… the things it gets wrong.
The most obvious is that it plays into the stereotype of the straight or asexual, white, autistic male. This is by far the most common depiction of autistics in fiction/media – at least, the most popular ones. I’m including in this characters who are implied to be or read by the audience to be on the spectrum, despite not necessarily being labeled as such. This includes Rain Man, Sheldon Cooper, Christopher Boone, Sherlock Holmes (technically a high-functioning sociopath, but for some reason audiences conflate the two conditions… I don’t quite get why considering how different they are), Dr. House, and Spock, to name a few. We need more diversity because we are diverse. Sometimes when I hear ‘You don’t look autistic’ I wonder if they actually mean ‘You don’t look like a straight, male stereotype.’ This has real world consequences. There are psychologists out there who refuse to diagnose girls. The color blue was chosen to represent autism by certain groups because they felt it was a boy’s club and blue means male. Aside from gender, race is also a factor. I’ve heard people say ‘black people don’t get autism’ which is just plain false and harmful to any child out there who gets overlooked as a result. Media is a reflection of how we see our world, and it can shape our world when it changes. If we include more diverse autistic characters, people will recognize more diverse autistics as valid. There have been a handful of these more diverse representations in recent years, but they’ll half to wait their turn for their own post, of course.
Next point: Humor. Humor is almost always at someone’s expense; that is a universal truth. In this show, which is meant to be a comedy, the expense is usually Sam’s. We are not meant to laugh with him, we are laughing at him. At how awkward he is when he sits on a bus and bursts out laughing for no reason, at how awkward it is when he doesn’t get something and everyone else does, at how awkward it is when he has a freak out in class and throws his jacket in the trash. We are meant to laugh from a neurotypical perspective. Once in a while it can be excused, but not whenever he’s on screen. I would pay money to see a scene where a neurotypical and an autistic are talking and the humor is played at the NT’s expense, and from the autistic’s perspective. For example, the following:
NT: Oh, you’re autistic? My father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate has a kid who’s autistic! I know all about it!
AT: … Goody for you then?
Or maybe:
NT: You’re autistic? But you don’t look like you’re autistic.
AT: Yeah, well, I peel off my scales every morning and tuck in my tail so I’m not too obvious in public.
But, in my opinion, the worst plot sin is in the episode where Sam is shown breaking into his therapist’s house at night because he has a crush on her. This is not okay. It is illegal, predatory behavior, not just an awkward autistic symptom. It’s stalking. Apparently contrary to popular belief, autistic people do understand the difference between right and wrong. We have empathy and can often understand that if we wouldn’t want to be abused or violated in some way (privacy, mentally, physically) then we shouldn’t do it to others because that will upset them just as it will upset us. Abusive behavior is not to be excused by a person’s neurology. I was in a class with someone once who told me that someone they’d had a sexual encounter with had gotten abusive, but that they weren’t going to press charges because the boy in question was autistic. This is bad for so many reasons. If someone who’s autistic is doing something illegal or abusive, they likely know too and are making a conscious choice to continue based on factors completely unrelated to their neurology. There may be one or two exceptions where someone genuinely has been socialized to believe abuse is normal and an acceptable way to behave (perhaps from a bad home, or with bad friends who normalize it), but that is not right. The media we consume (and that many people will use to educate themselves about autism) should not normalize this behavior as something quirky that just goes along with an autism diagnosis. It hurts both neurotypicals and autistics because people will expect and excuse abuse. Neurotypicals might be more tolerant of abuse, which hurts them, and autistics might be avoided/stigmatized despite not naturally being abusive, which hurts them. No one wins. Fiction needs to not portray autistics as abusive, or at least, not portray the abuse as a symptom of autism. That scene should have been completely omitted.
Not the last thing I have to say about Atypical, but one of the more important points that needs to be made is about research. For one, Sam is shown to have little empathy (in the last episode he claims he has more, but it’s almost the first point in the show where he seriously considers it. For example, he doesn’t consider whether or not his therapist might like him at all and how she feels, only focuses on how to steal her from her boyfriend and how he himself feels), which is an incorrect assumption NTs have about autistics. This shows that the writers of this show researched based off of other NT’s writing/work/experiences rather than talking to autistic adults. I did some reading up on their process for this show, and while they have good intentions, the only interactions they seem to have had with actual autistics is talking to autistic children. An autistic child’s perspective is not the same as a teen or an adult’s. They are making a show about relationships and sex: they needed to interview an autistic adult to understand that perspective. But they didn’t… I’m not sure why.
Here’s a note to all writers. If you are writing about a group of people you are not a part of, you need to be meticulous with your research. If you have a main character who is a race, gender, sexuality, religion, or other that you are not or has a disability that you do not have, don’t shove in stereotypes and call it a story. Don’t talk to people who know someone who’s a part of that community. Talk directly to people in that community, read articles by people in the community, learn about experiences they have that you don’t directly from them. Ask them for input, ask them to review your work, make the changes they suggest. Accuracy is key. We need visibility and diversity in fiction for all types of people, because absence is harmful. But possibly more harmful is inaccuracy. We in the community you portray will zero in on every inaccurate detail, while those not in our community will use those details against us.
This has been part one of my Atypical review. I’ll continue with part two hopefully soon, so stay tuned for more analysis!
Author amalenafcPosted on August 11, 2017 August 11, 2017 Categories AutismTags Acting, ActuallyAutistic, Autism, Autistic, Diversity, Fiction, Media, Netflix, Representation, Television7 Comments on Netflix’s Atypical – Things it gets Right and Things it gets Wrong
Amalena is just some girl with a braid. She loves fantasy, both writing and reading. Her hair is about 4.5 feet long and growing. She learned she was autistic at the age of 19 and now seeks to discover her voice.
Amalena provides sensitivity reading and proofreading/editing services. If interested, please get in touch!
Some Girl with a Braid Blog at WordPress.com.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1020
|
__label__cc
| 0.741854
| 0.258146
|
Foodborne Illness Long Term Consequences
Long-Term Consequences
In 2008, an Associated Press article featuring one of Stop’s volunteer advocates, Alyssa Chrobuck, highlighted the need for increased awareness and research of the long-term health consequences of foodborne illness. At age 5, Alyssa was hospitalized as a result of E. coli poisoning, the source of which was tainted hamburger from a fast food restaurant.
Alyssa, now an adult, suffers from a myriad of health problems including high blood pressure, chronic colon inflammation, and endometriosis.
Included in the article was this statement from Dr. Robert Tauxe of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Folks often assume once you’re over the acute illness, that’s it, you’re back to normal and that’s the end of it. [The long-term consequences] are an important but relatively poorly documented, poorly studied area of foodborne illness.”
Kidney Failure/HUS
Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious illness that usually occurs when an infection in the digestive system produces toxic substances that destroy red blood cells, causing kidney injury. HUS may occur after infection with some kinds of E. coli bacteria. Those who have suffered from HUS may be at risk for other kidney-related problems later in life.
These annual checkups should be performed:
Blood Pressure — scarring of the kidney tissue from HUS could cause high blood pressure early in life
Urine Exam — elevated protein levels in the urine may be indicative of kidney damage
Blood Test — to further measure kidney function
Information about HUS can be found here and here. For information on dialysis click here and here.
Chronic Arthritis
A small number of persons with Campylobacter, Shigella, or Salmonella infections develop pain in their joints, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination called Reactive Arthritis. This arthritic inflammation can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis, which is difficult to treat.
Learn more about Reactive Arthritis here and here.
Brain and Nerve Damage
Listeria infections can lead to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain. If a newborn infant or fetus is infected with Listeria, long-term consequences may include mental retardation, seizures, paralysis, blindness, or deafness.
Read a survivor’s story here.
Foodborne bacterial infections can also precipitate Guillain-Barré syndrome — a rare disorder that affects the nerves of the body. This occurs when a person’s immune system attacks the body’s own nerves. It can result in paralysis that lasts several weeks and usually requires intensive care. As many as 40% of Guillain-Barré syndrome cases in the U.S. may be triggered by a Campylobacter infection.
If you or a loved one has been affected by any of these long-term complications, we would like to hear your story. You can share it here.
You can reach us by phone: 773-269-6555 or email: srutledge@stopfoodborneillness.org.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1021
|
__label__wiki
| 0.870965
| 0.870965
|
IPL 2018: Stoinis all praise for K.L. Rahul following win against RR
The victory also put R. Ashwin’s men in the third place, further brightening up the playoffs chances.
P. K. Ajith Kumar
INDORE 07 May, 2018 18:52 IST
K.L. Rahul struck an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls to help KXIP beat Rajasthan Royals by six wickets. - AFP
The target wasn’t stiff, the boundaries were relatively small, yet those runs still needed to be scored. With Chris Gayle gone early and the middle order not exactly in great knick, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) needed K.L. Rahul to take it home against Rajasthan Royals at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, here, on Sunday night.
He did that, in considerable style. The opener struck an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls to help the host beat Rajasthan Royals by six wickets. The victory also put R. Ashwin’s men in the third place, further brightening up the playoffs chances.
His teammate Marcus Stoinis, who watched him from the non-striker’s end as they added 68 for the unfinished fifth wicket, believes it is Rahul’s best knock of the IPL.
“I don’t know what you guys think, but I think it was his best innings. That’s what the best players do — they win the games and that is what he’s done. He understood the situation, he understood the wicket and he batted accordingly,” the Australian all-rounder said, shortly, after the match.
READ: K.L. Rahul: ‘Satisfied with my knock against Rajasthan’
About sending Axar Patel ahead of Manoj Tiwary – a move that didn’t work – he said: “Axar has been one of our best players in the last three years. He had bowled well in this game and he enjoys the pressure. So, the plan was to give him a chance under the circumstances.”
Rajasthan Royals’ bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said that his batsmen needed to build partnerships. “When we don’t have at least one big partnership, it becomes difficult. We were probably 20 runs short of a good total,” he said.
He complimented Rahul on his innings but felt that his bowlers gave away too many runs in the 17th and 18th overs. “Unfortunately, Jofra Archer and Jaydev Unadkat, who had bowled their three previous overs very well, gave KXIP those big overs. If we could take the wicket of Rahul, earlier, we would have been in a position to win,” Bahutule said.
Marcus Stoinis
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1024
|
__label__wiki
| 0.760188
| 0.760188
|
Jessica was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when she was 5 years old. In the early days she was struggling with everything that had changed in her life as a result as her diagnosis. She was receiving treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, but at the beginning she felt anxious and wasn’t confident around the hospital and the staff. Spread a Smile helped her feel more comfortable; her gran Louise said, “When Spread a Smile’s fabulous entertainers came in, she would start off smiling and end up roaring with laughter. Although she loves all the entertainers, Fairy Felicity is undoubtedly her favourite.”
Jess has two younger siblings, Taylor and Mia, who have also been affected by their sister’s illness. We are aware that siblings not only find it distressing seeing their sister or brother suffering, but also the time-consuming pressures of treatment can often mean some siblings feel ignored. Spread a Smile try to support Taylor and Mia too during this difficult time and have included them on VIP outings to the theatre and to our annual party. Louise said, “This has ensured Taylor and Mia do not feel forgotten or neglected; they always feel so special. They have been able to travel Jess’ journey with her, and they will always have the memories of doing things together. For this we will always be
grateful to Spread a Smile.”
Jess has been receiving treatment for three years now and the fight against cancer has been gruelling. During this challenging time, Spread a Smile visited her often. Her gran said, “Whilst Jess was struggling with her treatments and the physical side effects, her emotional and psychological well-being was being supported through love and laughter from the wonderful volunteers and staff of Spread a Smile. This support for children battling serious illness is invaluable. You will never realise how much of a difference you have made to Jess during the last three years.”
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1025
|
__label__wiki
| 0.613472
| 0.613472
|
‘Invisible’ ground-integrated 50kW residential solar system installed
A 50kW ‘ground-integrated photovoltaic’ (GIPV) residential solar system has been installed in Burnham Market, Norfolk.
The system sits in a trench in the land, making it invisible until around 7 metres away. It’s being lauded as the largest residential system in the UK and is expected to generate 50,000kWh a year. The project was led by local business The Solar Shed and took 19 months to complete from initial planning to the switch on in February.
Due to the “invisible” nature of the system, the natural landscape of a property can be preserved. Kevin Holland, managing director of The Solar Shed, says this makes it ideal for “organisations and trusts that had previously dismissed solar due to the sensitive nature of the site.”
The array spans 150 metres and curves to the west to allow for maximum generation throughout the day. To avoid the panels being obscured by leaves, the furthest point of where the leaves fall naturally was measured and trees cut back between twenty and thirty metres. Material from the trench was also used to weigh down the mounts and help obscure the system from view.
Read more: Solar Power Portal
By Repost|2019-04-29T15:36:36+00:00April 26th, 2019|Energy and Climate Change, News, Solar and Battery|
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1034
|
__label__wiki
| 0.721919
| 0.721919
|
Reviewed!: The Doubleman (1985) …
By Callum J. Jones
Author Christopher Koch is unknown to most people.
This is surprising, because he had a huge reputation in the literary world, and is considered Australia’s best writer of fiction ever (yes, even better than Richard Flanagan and Tim Winton).
All his books have sold well, especially the one that made him successful: The Year of Living Dangerously (published in 1979), which was adapted into a film starring Mel Gibson in 1982. Koch always wrote with great purity. His writing is never flamboyant, and he never showed off. Two of his novels won Australia’s top literary award, the Miles Franklin Literary Award.
One of these two novels, The Doubleman, was published in 1985. It’s mainly set in Tasmania and Sydney. Richard Miller works at the Australian Broadcasting Service and produces a successful electric folk group in Sydney.
The group consists of Richard’s cousin Brian Brady and friend Darcy Burr, and eventually Richard’s wife, Katrin. During their youth in Tasmania, Richard, Brian, and Darcy were influenced by a guitar teacher named Clive Broderick, who’s also an occultist. Clive frequently spoke to them about power, and a realm that exists beyond reality. Broderick’s influence and presence remains with the three of them, long after his death.
Like Koch’s other novels, The Doubleman is expertly written. Each sentence and paragraph flows irresistibly into the next. All the characters are believable, and the descriptions of places and landscapes were majestic. I never questioned any aspect of the novel: everything made perfect sense. It’s no wonder it won the Miles Franklin.
The Doubleman is a literary novel, so I wouldn’t recommend it to those who enjoy action-packed stories. But if you enjoy a good literary novel, are a history buff, or have a passion for folk music, give The Doubleman a read. I’d also recommend it to those who are fascinated with illusion.
I give it five out of five.
garrystannus@hotmail.com
I invite readers to read from the following link to the SMH of 2002:
https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/the-many-coloured-land-20021108-gdfsvo.html
Brian Mooney, a friend, of c. 88 years of age and a painter/folk-songster, still joins the sessions – eg these days at the Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston. Blessed with a voice to carry across the bar-room, he’s been singing the songs of Ireland for so many years. His trip with Christopher Koch to Ireland (Koch’s sub-title: ‘A return to Ireland’) reveals some of the ingredients, some of the source of the power, that that land and its people have over the hearts of us in the Irish diaspora.
One favourite is of course ‘Raglan Road’, though many will have others. ‘Carrick Fergus’ is one that we would all include. On a personal level, I love to hear Brian’s take on ‘Athen Rye’. Importantly, the song brings Ireland’s Great Famine to Botany Bay where, coincidentally, my father is buried at Foundation Park.
I hope Callum J. Jones will forgive my stepping around his review of ‘The Doubleman’. Koch’s account of his travels with Brian is not fiction and I recommend it as, at the very least, a means of coming to know Koch, the writer.
[ The Many-Coloured Land: A Return to Ireland: Christopher Koch:
https://www.amazon.com/Many-Coloured-Land-Return-Ireland/dp/0330363832
Australian novelist Christopher Koch and his friend Brian Mooney sets out on a journey through Ireland. Mooney is seeking an aspect of his past. He is returning … ]
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1037
|
__label__cc
| 0.507868
| 0.492132
|
Asian Development Bank Report Underscores Economic Need to Address Climate Change
Commentary World
Neil Bhatiya
The effects of climate change will “result in huge economic, social, and environmental damage” to countries in South Asia, according to a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ABD) on Tuesday.
The countries in question—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka—face negative consequences from warming temperatures across a variety of sectors:
in agriculture, from increasing crop failures,
on physical infrastructure, from sea level rise and more frequent and severe weather events,
in energy, from the need to transition to low- and zero-carbon generation sources,
and among ecosystems, especially forests.
The ADB warns that without corrective action, the total economic cost to the region over the next century will be unacceptably high.
Under a “business as usual scenario”—the carbon-intensive development path that the region has been following for decades—South Asian economies would lose 1.8 percent of its annual gross domestic product (GDP) by 2050, and a nearly 8.8 percent annual loss by 2100.
In contrast, a comprehensive effort to arrest climate change would likely result in a loss of only 1.3 percent of GDP by 2050, and only 2.5 percent by 2100. While these numbers would be a serious drag on the regional economy, they would avoid the catastrophic result of the business-as-usual approach.
Many of the worst effects of climate change can be avoided or reduced if countries in the region commit to spending not only on mitigation (reducing the aggregate amount of greenhouse gases emitted) but also adaptation—increasing the resilience of economies to absorb climate impacts.
The ADB estimates that the countries in question need to spend $40 billion per year on adaptation by 2050, and $73 billion by 2100. The report authors further note that spending immediately would be much more impactful than waiting to take action: “It is evident that adaptation needs depend on global mitigation progress. It will be more challenging and costly to adapt to climate impacts under the BAU scenario than to adapt to lower-emission scenarios.”
Such level of investment is a challenge for a region where so many people struggle with poverty, and where regional economic integration lags behind other parts of Asia (as I argued in Foreign Policy earlier this year). It is doubly difficult, given that aid from the international community for the developing world under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has not been forthcoming.
As the ADB report makes clear, this is a challenge that will dominate discussions of how to achieve economic growth and human development while balancing environmental responsibility in the region for decades to come.
Tags: climate change, india, climate change deniers, asian development bank, bangladesh, bhutan, maldives, nepal, sri lanka
TCF World Podcast: The Challenges of Defending Human Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy
December 4, 2018 By Thanassis Cambanis
The War in Yemen Is a Tragedy—and America Can End Its Complicity
October 24, 2018 By Thanassis Cambanis and Michael Wahid Hanna
TCF World Podcast: Basra Protests Shake Iraqi Status Quo
September 25, 2018 By Thanassis Cambanis
Neil Bhatiya, Contributor
Neil Bhatiya is a fellow at The Century Foundation.
Report World
A Return to American Restraint Begins in Syria
July 10, 2019 — By Thanassis Cambanis and Michael Wahid Hanna
Taking on Turkey’s Authoritarian President
July 1, 2019 — By Selim Can Sazak
TCF World Podcast: Defining a Progressive Middle East Policy
June 17, 2019 — By Thanassis Cambanis, Michael Wahid Hanna and Daniel Benaim
The UN Made a List of Hospitals in Syria. Now They’re Being Bombed.
June 13, 2019 — By Aron Lund
The Logic behind Israel’s Democratic Erosion
May 29, 2019 — By Dahlia Scheindlin
TCF World Podcast: America’s Blind Spot on Palestine
May 28, 2019 — By Michael Wahid Hanna and Khaled Elgindy
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1038
|
__label__wiki
| 0.777099
| 0.777099
|
Watch the event live below or on our UStream page at 6:00PM on July 24, 2013.
Century Foundation senior fellow Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Chatter: Dispatches from the Secret World of Global Eavesdropping, hosts his colleague, Century senior fellow Barton Gellman, who broke the NSA PRISM/Ed Snowden story for the Washington Post.
Barton Gellman, The Century Foundation senior fellow who broke the story about the NSA’s PRISM program and author of the bestselling book Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency.
Gellman is a critically honored author, journalist, and blogger. His professional distinctions include two Pulitzer Prizes (individual and team), the George Polk Award, and Harvard’s Goldsmith Prize for investigative reporting.
Patrick Radden Keefe, The Century Foundation senior fellow, author of Chatter: Dispatches from the Secret World of Global Eavesdropping.
Keefe holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, an M.Phil. in International Relations from Cambridge University, and an M.Sc. in New Media and Information Systems from the London School of Economics. Patrick’s articles and Op-Eds have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, Slate and other publications.
Online Ticketing for He Watches the Watchers powered by Eventbrite
The Century Foundation, 1 Whitehall St, New York, NY, 10004, United States
From 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
1 Whitehall Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY, 10004
Politics is Personal: An Evening of Policy Storytelling
Policy touches everything—from the train you take to work to the lunches children eat in the school cafeteria. There is rarely an aspect of life that is not somehow impacted by the laws of the land. Yet too often we forget to connect the dots between legislative win or loss and the smallest, most everyday...
Protected: “Fail State”: A Film Screening and Discussion on For-Profit Colleges
The Altman Building, 135 West 18th Street, New York, 10011
A Century Ahead: Celebrating the Next Generation of Policy Leaders
Join us as we commemorate 100 years of The Century Foundation and celebrate the next generation of policy leaders. For 100 years, The Century Foundation has been at the forefront of progressive policy movements, sweating the details today for policy progress tomorrow. As we turn the corner into our next century, we invite you to...
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1039
|
__label__wiki
| 0.56899
| 0.56899
|
Tag Archives: Three Worlds
On Being Represented
Posted on April 5, 2019 by Tyler F.M. Edwards
I’ve always been a big believer in the idea that representation matters in the media, but as a straight white guy, I’ve never really lacked for representation, so it’s a concept I mostly view in the abstract.
However, there is the one major way in which I’m not not like the average guy, so in that way I don’t get to feel represented. Autistic characters in the media tend to be pretty rare. It occurred to me it might be interesting to do an analysis of those characters I have encountered that are either canonically autistic or perceived that way by fans and see how well they represent me.
A few caveats:
This is hardly an exhaustive list of autistic/autistic-seeming characters in the media. They’re just the ones I know. I don’t generally go looking for them. I already live with autism every day; I don’t crave it in my entertainment.
Second, I can of course only speak for myself, and not everyone on the spectrum everywhere. My opinions may not be shared by others with my condition.
Finally, I do wish to state that I am not drawing a comparison between my situation and the challenges faced by women or ethnic or sexual minorities. I do not believe there is an equivalence. As a heterosexual cisgender white man who can pass for normal on a limited basis, I still enjoy a great deal of systemic privilege.
Sylvia Tilly (Star Trek: Discovery):
I don’t think Tilly is autistic?
Honestly, I was very surprised when I stumbled across this fan theory. I never got that vibe from her at all. Yes, she’s a bit socially awkward, but so are lots of people who aren’t on the spectrum, and aside from that nothing at all about Tilly points me in that direction.
She’s a fun character, and I like her, but I never saw her as autistic. It’s also worth noting neither the writers nor the actress see the character that way, either.
Cole and Sera (Dragon Age: Inquisition):
It quickly became clear to me when playing Inquisition that Cole was a stand-in for an autistic person, and upon doing some Google research I learned that yes, this was something the writers did deliberately.
This might be my overly literal autistic mind talking, but I feel that the fantasy element of Cole — that he’s a magical spirit and not a human — rather undermines any relevance he might have to real world people. He doesn’t feel representative of me or my experiences. He’s an interesting character, but not because of any parallels to the real world.
The one thing I will give credit to is that I feel they did a very good job of being even-handed around the story of whether to make Cole more human or more spirit, which is clearly meant to echo the real world debate over whether a hypothetical cure for autism would be ethical. Both options in the game are treated as valid and lead to happy endings for Cole, which I think is a good way to handle things. The debate gets pretty heated in reality.
Interestingly, while researching Cole, I discovered there’s a significant number of fans who also headcanon Sera as being on the spectrum. That thought had never occurred to me, but I can see the argument.
Personally, I would say that Sera is not autistic because I think her weirdness is more the result of her upbringing and mystical powers rather than any fundamental aspect of her nature. Autistic people are born odd, whereas Sera is odd because of the life she’s had. Nature versus nurture.
That said, I will say that as an autistic person I see myself in Sera far, far more than I ever did in Cole, to the point where I’ve adopted her as something of a personal hero.
Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory):
The Big Bang Theory is an absolutely despicable show.
Yes, I know the writers say Sheldon isn’t autistic, but he’s certainly coded as such, and it seems to be how most people see him. And regardless of any specific diagnosis, Sheldon and the series as a whole are pretty much entirely devoted to making a mockery of people with social impairments. It’s a monument to casual cruelty and punching down; it’s blackface for the neurodivergent.
It is not at all an exaggeration to say that Sheldon Cooper is one of the biggest reasons I’ve been afraid to tell people about my condition. I feel like he’s how people will see me, as some sad clown that’s only there to be mocked or pitied.
Now if you’re a fan of the show, you’re probably getting hackles up right now, but I will say that liking The Big Bang Theory doesn’t make you a bad person. I’ve known good people who enjoy it, and most all of us enjoy things that may have problematic elements (for me, Warcraft’s less than stellar treatment of many of its female characters comes to mind). It doesn’t necessarily reflect on you as a person. I would, however, ask that people acknowledge how hurtful and damaging stereotypes like this can be.
Now, writing for The Big Bang Theory? That probably does make you a bad person.
Gilhaelith, Ulii, and sensitives (Three Worlds Cycle):
Interestingly Ian Irvine has a number of characters in his Three Worlds books with some degree of autistic traits.
Most obvious is the mancer Gilhaelith, who fits the profile to a T (almost to the point of being too stereotypical, honestly). He’s intelligent but socially awkward, he has narrow obsessive interests, he’s a fussy eater with gut issues…
But there are other examples, too. The sensory issues of Ulii — to whom a whisper is a scream and a dim light is blinding — are very reminiscent of those people on the spectrum tend to experience. For a long time I couldn’t wear jeans because the fabric was so coarse to me it felt like wearing sandpaper pants. Meanwhile the extreme emotional states and intense imaginations of sensitives like Karan also have some familiarity for people like me.
I was curious if any of this was intentional, and then I realized that in this wondrous modern age it’s easy to get an answer to such a question. I messaged Ian Irvine on Facebook to ask if any of these characters were modeled after real world autistic people.
He told me that while none of his characters are written as autistic per se, he had done some reading on autism — such as the works of Temple Grandin — due to a family member on the spectrum, and that Ulii’s issues did draw some inspiration from that. Gilhaelith, meanwhile, is inspired by many of the scientists Mr. Irvine has worked with, some of whom may have been on the spectrum.
As for how I feel about these characters… it’s hard to say. I loved them at the time, but I hadn’t been diagnosed back then, so I might feel differently now. I should probably reread those books at some point.
I don’t expect my opinion would change too much, though. Especially where Ulii is concerned. I remember her being a really excellent character.
Sentinel Brin (Anthem):
Brin is not explicitly flagged as autistic in-game (I’m not sure Bastion even has the concept), but between her social awkwardness, her confusion around humour, her need for rules and structure, and her obsessive Crimson Lancer fandom, it’s pretty obvious. Also that thing she’s always doing with her hands is definitely a stim.
Part of me feels Brin is too much of a stereotype — she’s a bit of a caricature — but she’s also fairly adorable, and the game is quite good at making clear she’s a truly good person despite her odd mannerisms, so I’ll count her as a win overall. Whatever flaws her portrayal might have, she’s still easily my favourite Anthem character and the one that really makes me wish the game had romances.
Abed Nadir (Community):
Somewhat to my own surprise, I’m mostly okay with Abed.
He’s not perfect. In contrast to Sheldon Cooper, Abed tends to go to the opposite extreme and tend towards the “autism as a blessing in disguise” narrative, which I also loathe, and on the whole he does present a fairly sugar-coated view of the condition.
But it’s a comedy. A sitcom probably isn’t the place to look for a gritty, realistic portrayal of what living with autism is like. For a mainstream sitcom character, Abed does an admirable job of poking fun at our foibles without seeming mean or disrespectful, and sometimes the portayal is spot-on. Danny Pudi really nails the mannerisms.
“Your faces are changing. Are you angry or hungry?”
Lana Beniko (Star Wars: The Old Republic):
Lana Beniko is by far and away the best representation of an autistic person I have seen in the media.
This is despite — or more likely because of — the fact the writers don’t seem to have actually intended to write her as an autistic character. Certainly nothing in the game flags her as such. It’s not even hinted at. Nonetheless, she possesses a remarkable number of autistic traits.
I think most striking is her stoic manner. I’m no expert on Star Wars lore, but as I understand it power in the Dark Side comes from emotion. “Through passion, I gain strength.” Therefore to be as powerful of a Sith as Lana is, she’d have to be an intensely passionate person.
But you almost never see that. Only rarely do you get fleeting glimpses of the feeling underneath. Most of the time, she seems very cold, almost robotic.
This is something that’s very true of people on the spectrum. We struggle to express our feelings in appropriate ways, so we often come across as cold or emotionless, but our inner emotional landscapes are at least as varied as the general population. Personally I’m fairly convinced we actually experience emotions more intensely than the average person.
There’s other things, too. She has a very stiff, formal way of speaking and writing. Following the events on Iokath, we learn that she has a very regimented daily schedule that she never deviates from. If you romance her, her feelings for the player character are clearly very intense, but at times you almost have to remind her to be affectionate.
These are all classic autistic traits.
It’s funny because I took an instant liking to Lana the moment I encountered her, but for a long time I didn’t understand why. There are plenty of more likable or entertaining characters in SWTOR, after all. Eventually I realized that it was because I saw myself reflected in her, but even then it took longer than it should have for me to grasp why I saw myself in her.
She’s like me. Fictional or not, she’s still likely the closest thing to a real peer I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t say it makes me feel less alone per se, but there is something about adventuring alongside her that is very reassuring.
The other great thing about Lana is that — perhaps because she was probably not consciously written as autistic — she isn’t stereotyped as “the autistic character.” She’s allowed to be a three-dimensional person who is not defined by her condition.
Lana is one of the main reasons I’ve stayed as loyal to SWTOR as I have, despite its many, many flaws. It’s just about the only place I can go to see someone like myself represented as something other than a shallow stereotype or a cautionary tale.
Posted in Misc. | Tagged Anthem, books, Community, Dragon Age, fantasy, mental health, sci-fi, Star Trek, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Wars, Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Big Bang Theory, Three Worlds, TV, video games | 7 Replies
Review: The Gates of Good and Evil, book two: The Fatal Gate
Posted on August 29, 2017 by Tyler F.M. Edwards
Was hoping this would be a review of the Dark Matter season finale, but the app store is being uncooperative, so here’s a book review instead.
Following on the heels of The Summonstone, the second installment of Ian Irvine’s The Gates of Good and Evil series, itself the continuation of the massive Three Worlds Cycle, has at last been delivered into our grubby mitts.
This is a sometimes inconsistent book, which makes it a little hard to rate.
One thing I have found in my long career of reading fantasy novels is that every author whose series goes on for a very long time eventually falls into a formula that will feel increasingly tired. Stories become predictable, and every book starts to feel the same.
Being a writer of uncommon skill, Ian Irvine has done a better job than most of avoiding this pitfall, but I am starting to see elements of formula creep in. For example, much as I have long admired the intensity of his stories, I have found that more often than not I am now able to predict the outcome of any given situation by asking myself, “What’s the worst possible thing that could happen here?”
And it wouldn’t be an Ian Irvine book without a long, grinding escape through the wilderness in brutal conditions.
I find the cast a little hit and miss, too. As I’ve said before, I find Karan’s sensitive nature becomes rather exhausting after a while. Llian, on the other hand, has grown a lot as a character, and I actually quite liked him in this book. Peasant turned hero Wilm remains a gem, and the tormented double agent Ifoli grew on me a lot, but neither got enough attention.
And the story does take some odd turns at times. The whole “ghost vampire” thing sure came out of left field.
My biggest complaint, though, remains the villains, the Merdrun. They’re too inhuman to have any nuance, but still human enough to feel ordinary. They’re not as scary as the beasts of the Void, as grand and tragic as the Charon, or as viscerally vile as the God-Emperor. They’re just boring.
I have to say again that my expectation and hope had been that The Gates of Good and Evil would focus on the conflict between Karan’s family and Maigraith. Maigraith, to me, deserves the title of the greatest and ultimate villain of the Three Worlds saga, and hers is the story I want to read.
There is some attention in The Fatal Gate given to the threat she represents, and it’s by far the best part of the book, but it’s not enough.
The whole situation kind of reminds me of my continued desire for an Azshara expansion in World of Warcraft. Both incredible villains, both situations where I’ve spent years longing for the final confrontation, and both situations where I seem increasingly destined for disappointment.
That said, there’s also quite a lot about The Fatal Gate I do like.
While it’s still not quite as much of the story as I’d hoped, there is a lot more that bridges the gap between The View from the Mirror and later books in The Fatal Gate than The Summonstone, and some of them can be real “chills” moments. In a way it’s sort of heartbreaking to see the seeds of so much misery and destruction being sewn, but it’s a part of the story that needed to be told.
Formulaic elements notwithstanding, Irvine is still an absolute master at producing page-turners, too. You would think a 500+ page book might be a bit slow in places, but you’d be wrong.
The best part of The Fatal Gate, though, is its final few chapters, which unfortunately I can’t talk about in detail without all kinds of spoilers. Even there, there are a few things I’m not sold on, but the overall result was a fiercely exciting and often powerful ending that has me incredibly eager to read the next book.
As an aside, that there will be a next book cannot be doubted, but whether it will be a continuation of The Gates of Good and Evil or part of a new series is less clear. The back cover of The Fatal Gate declares it to be “the epic conclusion to The Gates of Good and Evil duology,” but the last page says that the series will continue, and the current direction of the story seems more suited to a continuation of the series rather than starting a new one.
It’s all a bit confusing.
Posted in Reviews | Tagged books, fantasy, review, Three Worlds | Leave a reply
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1042
|
__label__wiki
| 0.998116
| 0.998116
|
Česká republika Deutschland United States España France Magyarország Italia Nederland Polska Brasil Россия Türkiye 中国
Local nameContra Costa
LocationCalifornia, USA
Contra Costa County is a county in the state of California in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,049,025. The county seat is Martinez. It occupies the northern portion of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, and is primarily suburban. The county's name is Spanish for "opposite coast", referring to its position on the other side of the bay from San Francisco. Contra Costa County is included in the San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Tags County
Lafayette Reservoir -… @ Hno3
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_Costa_County,_California
Address 1238 Estudillo St, Martinez 94553, United States
Coordinates 38°0'50.016" N -122°8'1.923" E
Google Trips Alternative What to See in North America What to See in United States of America What to See in California Best Three Star Hotels in Contra Costa What to See in Alameda Best Hotels with Free Wifi in Solano What to See in Napa What to See in San Francisco What to See in Marin What to See in San Mateo What to See in Santa Clara What to See in Sonoma Best Motels in Yolo Best Hotels with Free Wifi in San Joaquin What to See in Sacramento Best Hotels with Free Wifi in Stanislaus Best Motels in Lake What to See in San Benito Best Hotels with Free Wifi in Placer
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1043
|
__label__wiki
| 0.947872
| 0.947872
|
Abu Dhabi’s cable car projects still under study
TravelWireNews EditorAugust 15, 2017 2:48 pm
Civic authority clarifies that projects at Al Maqtaa and Al Bahia Corniche not awarded to any contractors
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi’s municipal authorities said on Tuesday that the proposed construction of cable car projects at Al Maqtaa and Al Bahia Corniche is still under study and the project has not been officially given to any contractors.
Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADM) under the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport (DMAT) in the emirate said in a press release that it wanted to correct certain published reports about the project.
The DMAT said the cable car projects were revealed as part of a portfolio of proposed projects and future investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi. It is part of the futuristic vision of the capital city and suburban areas, which envisages modern structures as well as multiple recreational, residential and other facilities. When the project reaches final approval stage, it will be announced officially in the media.
The initial concept of the project indicates that it will span an area of 160,000 square metres with a total floor area of about 74,000 square metres. The Dh650-million project aims to transform Al Bahia Corniche into a premier entertainment destination for residents of the mainland [the suburbs of Abu Dhabi city], the press release said.
The estimated cost of Al Maqtaa cable car project is Dh350 million. The project links tourist and other key projects at Al Maqtaa, creating a superb transit in an area that facilitates picturesque views from a mobile car. The cable car project is expected to include five stations starting from Al Maqtaa Creek, parallel to Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road near Al Maqtaa Bridge. The second station will be at Khalifa Park, followed one at Shaikh Zayed Mosque and the fourth will be near Ritz Carlton hotel. The project then turns to the Arabian Gulf Street (Khaleej Al Arabi Street) on a route parallel to Musaffah Bridge and end at the fifth and final station at the Canal Project and Al Barri Souq. The projects aim to realise the aspirations of residents and visitors of the emirate, besides promoting the profile of Abu Dhabi as a global tourist hub and one of the best places to live, work and visit, said the press release.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1044
|
__label__wiki
| 0.603187
| 0.603187
|
Red Bank's St. James to mark 125 years with Mass
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will be principal celebrant of a Mass in St. James Parish, Red Bank, June 23 at noon. The Mass will mark the 125th anniversary of the laying of the church’s cornerstone. A reception will follow in the school cafeteria.
According to diocesan records, Father Thomas Killeen arrived in Red Bank in April 1863, as St. James Parish’s first resident pastor. He erected the parish’s first church and rectory. Construction of the second church, designed by Red Bank architect Joseph Scannell in the neoclassical tradition, began in the autumn of 1893, and the Most Rev. James A. McFaul, second Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, performed the dedication on Aug. 11, 1895.
Over its 125 years as a faith community, St. James Parish has divided to launch St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, in 1921; Nativity Parish, Fair Haven, in 1954, and St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, in 1958.
Born in Red Bank on May 13, 1922, the now late Bishop John Charles Reiss is the parish’s most famous native son. He attended St. James Grammar School and Red Bank Catholic High School, was ordained to the priesthood May 31, 1947, and was installed as the Diocese of Trenton’s eighth bishop April 22, 1980. He died March 4, 2012.
St. James Parish has 3,800 registered families; its grammar school enrolls about 300 children, and Red Bank Catholic High School about 800 students. Msgr. Philip A. Lowery has served as pastor since 1990.
For additional information on the Mass and festivities, contact the parish office at 732-741-0500. St. James Church is located at 94 Broad St., Red Bank.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1045
|
__label__wiki
| 0.681264
| 0.681264
|
If You Speak Out, You End Up Here: Hassan Karajeh at Ofer Prison
Anna Lekas Miller,
Ofer Prison, an Israeli prison in the West Bank. (Photo: Ariela R.)The recent case of Hassan Karajah is illustrative of how Palestinians whose only crime is speaking out against the Israeli occupation can be arrested, imprisoned and subject to continuing harassment for security violations.
It is raining outside of Ofer Prison – and the concrete walls and watchtowers that eerily mimic the infamous 14-foot concrete separation barrier that snakes its way through Palestinian villages and closes Palestinian citizens into the Bantustans of the West Bank look appropriately foreboding against the fog.
Even though Ofer Prison is located in the West Bank, Israeli flags perched atop the watchtowers are a reminder that this is an Israeli-administered facility, though not technically on Israeli land. Ofer is one of three Israeli prisons and two Israeli courts in the West Bank, where Palestinians who have been arrested by the Israeli military for “security violations” are processed, tried and sentenced.
It is the court hearing of Hassan Karajah – a Palestinian human rights defender who was arrested when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) raided his home at 2:30 AM on January 23. According to Addameer, the Palestinian Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, after 20 IOF soldiers kicked open the door and spent three hours ransacking his family home, breaking furniture and confiscating three personal laptops and five mobile phones as well as several personal files and reports, Karajah was identified, arrested, blindfolded and taken to an Israeli interrogation facility.
According to Israeli Human Rights organization B’Tselem, any political affiliation including nonviolent protest can be considered and treated as a security violation. Though the Israeli Prison Service declined to comment, a fact sheet produced by the American Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, titled “Administrative Detention of Palestinian Terror Suspects,” justifies these arrests as well as administrative detention without trial as a preventative measure for Israel’s safety and security.
In another report, titled “Prisoners of Peace: Administrative Detention During the Oslo Process,” B’Tselem comments, “If the same standards applied in Israel, half of the Likud party would be in administrative detention.”
Karajah’s most likely “security violation” is working as a youth coordinator at Stop the Wall, a Palestinian NGO that advocates against the construction of the separation barrier and draws attention to the companies that facilitate its construction.
“When Hassan’s sister called me and told me about the raid, I thought she was kidding,” Sundous, Hassan’s fiancée of one month told me. “Hassan’s work does not involve anything that should get him arrested, he focuses on peaceful resistance.”
At this court hearing, Karajah is supposed to learn whether or not his interrogation will be renewed or if his case will immediately go to trial. According to Israeli military law, an arrestee can be held for up to 90 days for interrogation and up to 60 days without access to a lawyer. Once his interrogation is over – though it is possible that he will be released – it is far more likely that he will either be tried in the military court or held in administrative detention. If he is tried in the military court, he will most likely be convicted, since, according to the 2011 Israeli Military Courts annual report, the conviction rate of Israeli military trials taking place in the West Bank is 99.74 percent. Alternatively, if he is held in administrative detention, he will be imprisoned without trial for three months – which can be renewed indefinitely.
At this point, Karajah is seven days into his initial 12-day interrogation period and has not been permitted to see his lawyer or his family. Without access to his lawyer, it is impossible for his family to know how he has been treated during his interrogation or the extent to which he has been tortured. Like many Palestinian prisoners before him, Karajah’s only human contact since his arrest has been his Israeli interrogators.
When Hassan’s lawyer asks the prosecution about Hassan’s charges, the prosecution lawyer responds, “He was arrested for something that we do not want to talk about.” According to Israeli military law, this is a legitimate response, because arresting someone without naming the charges is legal.
Even though there is no guarantee that they will see him today, Hassan’s mother and fiancée, Sundous, have been here since 8:30 in the morning, waiting outside in the rain for hours after going through multiple checkpoints to get into Ofer. However, once the court is in session, any time that Hassan is in the courtroom, his lawyer and family are ordered to step out, and ushered back in only when he is in another room.
I was at the court myself, though I was not allowed to officially enter as a journalist. To enter as a journalist, you need a GPO press card from the State of Israel and clearance from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson – meaning that any Palestinian journalist would most likely be denied entry to the court. Once I was finally permitted to enter, the Israeli prison security guards repeatedly questioned me to ensure that I was not attending the court as a journalist. Still, journalist or not, I was allowed to bring a blank notebook and a pen – though I was not permitted to have anything else on my person.
Like Hassan’s mother, fiancée and lawyer, I was ordered to step out of the court every time Hassan appeared before the judge.
“It was so sad to be so close to Hassan, but still not be able to see him,” Sundous told me later.
By the end of the day, there is still no ruling on whether or not Karajah’s interrogation period will be renewed.
What is remarkable about Hassan Karajah’s case is that it is not remarkable. In Karajah’s own family, his father and eldest sister have both been arrested and imprisoned, and one of his brothers is currently in prison at Ofer. In 2009, both Mohammad Othman and Jamal Jumaa – also activists with Stop the Wall – were arrested and imprisoned. Both Othman and Jumaa were held in administrative detention – meaning that they were arrested without charges, extensively interrogated and held without trial the entire length of their time in prison.
“No one knew anything about me for at least a month,” Othman told me, recounting his own interrogation experience with the Israeli military incarceration system.
In 2009, Othman, also a youth coordinator for Stop the Wall, was arrested by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) at the Israeli border on his way home from a prominent speaking tour in Norway. During his trip, Othman met with Norwegian finance minister Kristen Halvorsen, a meeting that later lead to Norway’s national pension fund divesting from the Israeli company Elbit – an electronics firm crucial in the building and maintenance of the separation wall.
“I knew it was coming,” he told me, now recounting his arrest. “My friends in Norway opened a bottle of champagne before I left, and I told them, ‘This is my last trip. They’re coming to get me.’ “
Sure enough, at the Allenby Bridge land crossing from Jordan – Palestinians are forbidden from flying into Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, and therefore they must cross into the West Bank via the Jordanian border – Othman was stopped, arrested, taken to and detained at an interrogation facility in Haifa, Israel. During his detention, he was interrogated for as many as 16 hours per day and finally locked in solitary confinement with no charges and no trial.
Four months later, after extensive international pressure, Othman was released. However, since his release, he has still faced enormous trouble from the Israeli authorities – such as periodic house arrests and severe restrictions on travel and freedom of movement.
“I know they’ll be back for me,” he said. “They never let those of us they held in administrative detention really go.”
Spending time with Palestinian activists, the common statistic that 20 percent of Palestine’s total population and 40 percent of its male population is, or has been, imprisoned in Israeli jails begins to come to life. According to the most recent report from B’Tselem, 4,517 Palestinian security detainees and prisoners are currently being held in Israeli prisons, with another few dozen Palestinians being held in facilities for shorter periods of time.
Many of these are not criminals, but ordinary citizens whose only crime is speaking out. However, according to the Israeli authorities, their actions constitute a “security violation,” meaning that they must be arrested, guaranteed imprisonment and locked away so that Israel can continue its occupation of Palestine with impunity.
Anna Lekas Miller
Anna Lekas Miller is an independent journalist, reporting on the Middle East, US foreign policy and Arab-America, among many other things. You can read more of her work on annalekasmiller.com and follow her antics on Twitter @agoodcuppa.
Israel Begins Deporting “Fly-In” Activists
Bethlehem, West Bank – Israel prevented a gathering of foreigners here on Friday by blocking, deterring or deporting hundreds of air travelers who had been invited by Palestinian…
Isabel Kershner
Palestinian Hunger Striker Wins Victory in Battle of Wills With Israeli Army
Palestinian political prisoner Khader Adnan ended his 65-day hunger strike in an Israeli prison last night, after Israeli authorities made a deal that he would be released in…
Richard Silverstein,
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1050
|
__label__wiki
| 0.766995
| 0.766995
|
March 6, 2019 Asianet Pakistan Asean, Press Releases
LONDON, March 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — French bank BNP Paribas, its Chairman Jean Lemierre, CEO Jean Laurent Bonnafé and the bank’s legal representative Valérie Lafarge-Sarkozy are the subjects of a lawsuit filed on behalf of Jacob Agam and Vertical Group Holding Ltd by Farrugia, Gatt & Falzon in Malta on 1st March 2019 with a claim for damages estimated to reach €1 billion. The bank and the other Respondents are specifically accused in the Claim filed, of having conducted an alleged smear campaign against the plaintiffs Jacob Agam and his company Vertical Group, violating amongst others, statutory banking and defamation laws. The bank and other Respondents are accused of spreading damaging statements to the world’s media, falsely claiming in 2017 that the Plaintiffs “wriggled out” of financial obligations, which, according to the claim, never occurred. The bank’s alleged smear campaign, it is claimed, has destroyed the Plaintiffs’ pending transactions, professional reputation and credit standing, resulting in severe loss of business and the termination of transactions causing direct losses and damages estimated to reach €1 billion.
The bank’s actions, the Plaintiffs claim, were a part of a long-running dispute between the parties after Mr Agam persistently challenged the bank over its admission of and criminal conviction for its alleged antisemitic stance, as well as having conducted financial transactions with terrorist organisations acting against the State of Israel. The Plaintiffs are the Malta-based Vertical Group Holding Limited and its chairman and founder Jacob Agam, with whom BNP Paribas still maintains a client relationship, with all the banking responsibilities attached. According to the claim, the Plaintiffs have honoured all of their obligations as clients of the bank.
According to the claim filed, in 2014, following Mr Agam’s challenges regarding its antisemitic actions and financial transactions with terrorist organisations, and with the subsequent support of European and Israeli parliamentarians, as well as having highlighted the bank’s $40 million settlement with a former employee who was subjected to viewing imagery of Hitler in a positive context as part of an internal training video produced by the bank’s management in Europe, the bank responded with the abrupt termination of his companies’ investment facilities. The claim states that despite the bank’s apparent breaches, those facilities were fully honoured and paid by the Plaintiffs, with the bank’s acknowledgement.
The claim states that the bank’s representative, Ms Lafarge-Sarkozy, then sought to seize Mr Agam’s and his sister’s properties, stating in front of several witnesses during an open court hearing in late 2016 that she regards Jews as “ces gens-là”, or “these people”, a highly derogatory antisemitic phrase in the French language, which, according to her, defines Jewish people as “parasites lounging around in luxurious estates living at the expense of the bank and a part of an international financial world”, echoing a dark chapter in history.
According to the lawsuit filed, Mr Agam claims that when he continued his challenge of the bank’s antisemitic actions, the bank unexpectedly chose, in late 2016, to engage a Jewish lawyer Jean Veil, from a known family of Holocaust survivors, who was instructed to solicit a written apology from Mr Agam for having challenged the bank over its pattern of antisemitic behaviour as a condition of reaching a settlement, or else the bank would exercise its power against him.
The bank’s CEO and Chairman, despite their knowledge of the case and multiple requests for their respective intervention, failed to act to, either condemn or prevent the alleged destructive smear campaign against the Plaintiffs and their respective assets and businesses, which led to a direct loss and damages estimated to reach €1 billion or more.
Jacob Agam commented: “As demonstrated in the past, the Respondents failed to see themselves accountable to the rule of law. The bank’s management must not and cannot hide behind its corporate veil to solicit and/or to condone all forms of racism. With its current misconduct, I fear a repeat of the bank’s past admissions, reaching new heights. I trust all relevant stakeholders, in particular the bank’s shareholders, will intervene to put a stop to the repeated misconducts by the bank and its management, which have been committed at the expense of the bank’s shareholders and clients.”
Dr. Pio M. Valletta of Maltese law firm Farrugia, Gatt & Falzon, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Mr Agam and his company Vertical Group Holding Limited, commented: “BNP Paribas has long been accused of a systematic pattern of antisemitism. In my long professional career, the behaviour of BNP Paribas against my client Mr. Jacob Agam, his family and his assets including Vertical Group Holding Limited, stands out as amongst the most destructive behaviour by a bank against its clients, with ample evidences to be presented to the court as to the bank’s racial motives.”
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ac74dc9-ad22-44c9-8d8b-707311060635
For all media enquiries, please contact:
Shimon Cohen, The PR Office scohen@theproffice.com
Shari Ryness, The PR Office sryness@theproffice.com
Previous Post:Myanmar Cease-fire Pact Groups Set New Meetings With Government Negotiators
Next Post:WillScot to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results on March 14, 2019
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1053
|
__label__wiki
| 0.985117
| 0.985117
|
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Expected to Work Its Magic at British Awards Show
The front of the Palace Theatre promotes its new show 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' in London on June 6, 2016.
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS—AFP/Getty Images
By Mahita Gajanan
The massively successful Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is expected to clean up at the Olivier Awards on Sunday.
J.K. Rowling’s stage play could make history at the Olivier Awards, which are the British equivalent of the Tony Awards and honor the best theater productions in London throughout the year. The play received a record-breaking 11 nominations including best actor and actress as well as best director.
Already, Anthony Boyle has scooped up the award for best actor in a supporting role at the awards, for playing Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Harry Potter’s childhood nemesis Draco Malfoy.
“I didn’t think I was going to win, so I didn’t even write a speech,” Boyle said after his win, according to the BBC.
The Cursed Child brought theatergoers back into Rowling’s magical wizarding world 19 years after the final book in the series, The Deathly Hallows, was released. The play centers on a middle-aged Harry Potter and his relationship with his youngest son, Albus, and was also turned into a book.
Write to Mahita Gajanan at mahita.gajanan@time.com.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1054
|
__label__cc
| 0.730676
| 0.269324
|
My mission from the Bishop of Oxford
March 6, 2018|News|
I met the right reverend Bishop Steven croft at Christchurch, Oxford to tell him of my big adventure.
Cycling over 3 countries to Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of St James. There’s a unique connection to the diocese of Oxford.
For 900 years the left hand of St James the apostle has been in the Thames valley.
William the Conqueror’s grand daughter Matilda was given it as a wedding present and offered it to her father king Henry 1 who put it in his new abbey at Reading.
There it stayed on display attracting pilgrims for over 400 years until Henry V111 and the dissolution of the monasteries.
To save it from destruction an enterprising monk bricked it into a secret hole in the wall of the abbey where it stayed for another 250 years…..
In the 1780s workmen clearing the ruins of the abbey (to make way for Reading prison) found it. It went to Reading museum and was sold for £30 to a collector. The collector put it into Danesfield manor and when that changed hands it was presented to the little church in Marlow where it remains to this day.
I shared my photos of it with bishop Steven who asked me to invite the Archbishop of Santiago to come and visit.
We ended with a blessing…..
← Gareth Malone in tune with my challenge! As the Bishop said to the TV presenter →
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0001.json.gz/line1055
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.