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Acting AF Secretary Hails Gay Pride Month
Military.com | By Richard Sisk
The acceptance of gays and lesbians serving openly in the ranks has reached the point where acting Air Force Secretary Eric Fanning, the highest-ranking gay official in the Defense Department, can joke about the concerns of some about what color he'll paint the planes.
"The truth is, of course, I'll focus on my job," said Fanning, who took the post last week with the retirement of Michael Donnelly.
Fanning on Tuesday joined with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel – who initially opposed the ban on gays serving openly – and White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett at a Pentagon ceremony marking Gay Pride Month and honoring the military service of gays and lesbians.
Fanning noted that gay pride ceremonies were also being held at Kandahar and Bagram air bases in Afghanistan. "The military is no longer an institution that discriminated against people just like me. We are stronger as an institution," he said.
"It hasn't been easy, it's often been painful," Fanning said, but "today the Secretary of Defense is kicking off our pride celebration." Last June, the Pentagon's acknowledgment of Gay Pride Month was more subdued, with then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta issuing a statement.
In brief remarks, Hagel said the event marking Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Month was an opportunity for gay servicemembers to "take pride in themselves and their many achievements."
The event was organized by "DoD Pride," representing LGBT servicemembers, civilians, contractors and families in the Defense Department.
Gays serving openly "makes our military and our nation stronger, much stronger," Hagel said. The nation was also made stronger by "our ability to correct our course," Hagel said, apparently alluding to his previous opposition to ending DADT.
During his stormy Senate nomination hearings earlier this year, Hagel was the target of criticism from several gay groups before reversing course and stating that he was now "fully supportive of open service" by gays and "committed to LGBT military families."
In her remarks, Jarrett gave a "special shout out" to Army Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith, now the highest ranking openly-gay officer in the Army military, who was seated in the front row with her wife, Tracey Hepner.
Smith had been the highest-ranking openly gay officer in the military until the promotion this earlier this month to two-star rank of Air Force Maj. Gen. Patricia Rose, who is married to retired Navy Lt. Julie Roth.
Hepner and Smith "can breathe a little easier" since the repeal of DADT, Jarrett said, calling the end of DADT "one of the most significant civil rights achievements of the President's career."
After the ceremony, Smith said that Fanning's quip about painting the planes "totally shows how far we've come" in the long journey to gaining acceptance in the military. Many times in her 27 years of service "I couldn't have fathomed this day coming about" with a Defense Secretary leading a gay pride event, she said.
In a statement hailing the Pentagon's endorsement of Gay Pride Month, Allyson Robinson, an Army veteran and executive director of the OutServe-Servicemembers Legal Defense Network gay rights group, said that "Acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members sends an important message all the way down the chain of command."
Prior to becoming acting Air Force Secretary, Fanning was the under secretary of the Air Force and previously served as deputy under secretary of the Navy for management.
Fanning, a Dartmouth College graduate, also served from 2008 to 2009 as deputy director of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, and was also formerly a staffer on the House Armed Services Committee.
The 44-year-old Fanning has been picking up support in his home state of Ohio for his appointment as acting Air Force secretary to become permanent.
"His experience on Capitol Hill will help him lead the Air Force through unprecedented budget challenges," Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said of Fanning in a statement.
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mbg icon_planet-off-the-grid mbg_planet
This Activist Is Growing 100 Percent Of His Own Food This Year For An Important Reason
Image by Sierra Ford Photography
When I last caught up with environmental activist Rob Greenfield, he was about to dive into the 20 pounds of sweet potatoes he'd harvested from the garden the night before. He planned to season them simply, with oil from coconuts he'd collected on the beach and a dash of sea salt he'd made using ocean water. It was day 121 of his year of growing and foraging 100 percent of his own food.
Why Greenfield is embarking on a year of "food freedom."
You might recognize Greenfield's name from his previous green exploits—each more outrageous and seemingly impossible than the last. In the fall of 2016, he kept all the trash he had created for a month and physically wore it at all hours. All 84 pounds of it. In the middle of New York City. Before that, he cycled from Denver to Kansas City barefoot on a bamboo bike. He's gone over 1,000 days without showering and years living in an off-the-grid tiny home.
These publicity stunts are designed to not just get people talking but rethinking their own habits.
"The idea is that these campaigns are eye-catching to anybody—whether they're interested in the environment or not," Greenfield tells mbg.
He hopes his latest one empowers people to take back control over their food, for the sake of their health and the planet. "If I can grow 100 percent of my own food, hopefully that's inspiration to show other people that they can grow maybe 5 percent or 10 percent of theirs," he says.
To complete this challenge, Greenfield has had to uproot his life in more ways than one. He's spent months learning the ins and outs of farming and foraging in Orlando, Florida, where he's currently based. He's forgone dinners out in favor of his staple diet of some combination of carbs (sweet potato, yuca, and yams), greens, and fruits. And the 40 to 60 hours a week he spends in the kitchen or in the garden haven't exactly helped his social life.
"There are a lot of times I’d like to be out hanging out with friends—but instead I'm at home shelling pigeon peas." He laughs. "Every day I have to cook three meals, spend time in the garden planting and harvesting, and process food."
I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think it could help thousands of people grow their own food.
The work is time-consuming, but it hasn't been all bad. Cutting processed food has left Greenfield feeling healthier, and forgoing meals out has saved him money. "It was nine days into this when I noticed my digestion had changed," he says, adding that he's less bloated and more energized than he's been in years. He estimates he's now comfortably living on around $500 a month.
Not to mention, the challenge has brought him closer to his neighbors than ever before. Instead of living off his own isolated farm, Greenfield opted to do his growing in front yards around his neighborhood. In exchange for offering up some land, community members get free fresh produce, gardening classes, and seeds.
"I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it could help thousands of people grow their own food," says Greenfield, who also started gardens for single-parent households and community tree planting groups as an extension of this year of food freedom.
Why we can all benefit from connecting to our local food.
When I asked him what his first meal will be once his 365 days are up, Greenfield laughed and said, "I might just eat something from my garden." How's that for proof that taking back ownership of your food can be addicting?
By removing himself from the industrialized food system, Greenfield has fostered deeper love and appreciation for a resource that so many people take for granted. And that's something that anyone can do, whether it's through a blooming backyard farm or a tiny windowsill herb garden.
"We can't all produce 100 percent of our own food—but that's not the point," he says. "We can all start to grow a little bit more of our food or buy more from local farmers markets."
Want to learn how feng shui can help you create a high-vibe home and set powerful intentions to manifest your dreams? This is feng shui the modern way - no superstitions, all good vibes. Click here to register for a free session with Dana that will give you 3 tips to transform your home today!
#environmentalism #organic food #plants
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/rob-greenfields-year-of-food-freedom
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Interview with President Jimmy Carter: Cuba
Browse the article Interview with President Jimmy Carter: Cuba
Former US president Jimmy Carter (L) and Cuban President Fidel Castro listen to US National Anthems after Carter's arrival at the Jose Marti airport in Havana 12 May 2002. Carter is the first US president in or out of office to visit Cuba under Castro'
In the final episode of a five-part series, former President Jimmy Carter examines human rights and the United States, using Cuba as an example. Learn more about the United States and Cuba in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
Former US president Jimmy Carter (L) and Cuban President Fidel Castro listen to US National Anthems after Carter's arrival at the Jose Marti airport in Havana 12 May 2002. Carter is the first US president in or out of office to visit Cuba under Castro's communist rule. (ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images)
Announcer: Welcome to Stuff You Missed in History Class from howstuffworks.com.
Female Speaker 1: In celebration of the reopening of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum and the former president's 85th birthday, we sat down with Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter to talk about the highlights of his presidency and his hopes for the Carter Center. Human rights!
President Carter: Yes.
Female Speaker 1: How do you think we can honor human rights in tough economic and tough social times?
President Carter: Well, human rights has to be understood in its full meaning. The problem is that different nations have different definitions of human rights. If you walk through a college campus or walk down the street and you ask Americans, "Name the human rights that are important to you," they would say freedom of speech and freedom of religion and the freedom of assembly and the right to choose our own leaders. That would be natural for them to do because that's the basically the rights that are spelled out in the Constitution of the United States. That's what we think about human rights. If you go into a poverty stricken country like Ethiopia or Ghana or Mali or Burkina Faso and you say, "What are the most important human rights?" they would a right to a decent place in which to live, a right for my children to have enough to eat, a right for me to have a job, a right for my family to have healthcare, for my children to be educated, because those are the most important things to them that they don't have. So human rights have to encompass both sides: freedom, an absence of torture by one's government. And at the same time the right of people to have a decent life, so all of those are human rights, and that's the umbrella under which the Carter Center operates. We try to provide peace, which is a human right, by negotiating to prevent wars or to end wars. We try to provide freedom and democracy, an absence of torture in prison and at the same time to alleviate the suffering of people and to give them an ability to raise more food for themselves. Through programs like Habitat for Humanity, my wife and I build homes in partnership with poor families that have never had a decent place to live. We try to concentrate on the right of people to have freedom from unnecessary diseases, so that's what we consider to be the importance and the definition of human rights.
Female Speaker 1: In terms of working with difficult leaders and looking toward the future and your hope in the current administration, what do you think will happen with our relations with Cuba?
President Carter: When I became president, I immediately lifted all travel restraints so Americans could go to Cuba without any impediment because I have always felt then and now that we should lift the embargo against the Cuban people that turns 13 million people against us as the ogres, as the villains, and lets the dictators in Cuba blame the United States for all their problems, which they bring upon themselves. I believe that the future will bring about diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, preceded by an end to the embargo that hurts the Cuban people. It doesn't hurt the dictators and leadership capability and will provide a harmony between us and the nearest next door neighbor to us, just 90 miles from Florida, and that is the Cubans. My hope that we'll see reason prevail, and if we ever do treat the Cuban people as equals, I think that's the best step to bring about Cuban people demanding democracy and freedom and an end to military dictatorship in Cuba. That's the best way to bring freedom and democracy to Cuba is to quit punishing the Cuban people.
Female Speaker 1: I'm glad to end on an optimistic note.
Male Speaker: [Inaudible].
President Carter: Thank you all very much.
Female Speaker 1: Okay, thank you so much for your time, President Carter.
President Carter: I've enjoyed it. Thank you very much.
Female Speaker 2: Thank you, thank you.
Announcer: To learn more about the Carter center and its mission of waging peace, fighting disease and building hope, visit www.cartercenter.org. And as always, for more on this and thousands of other topics, visit howstuffworks.com.
View Transcript here.
Prev Episode
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All Categories Junior U18 Junior U18 Junior U18 Masters 45+ Open Open Open P&CU16 P&CU16 P&CU16
All Genders Male Mixed Female
Short Teams /
Short Teams: Male
1 Team BURKES BACKYARDS (#1384) 00:18:32 1 Junior U18 (1) 00:12:15 00:06:16
2 TEAM North Gong Cruisers (#818) 00:19:29 2 Junior U18 (2) 00:13:04 00:06:24
3 Team WGC (#1382) 00:20:38 4 Open (1) 00:13:33 00:07:04
4 TEAM Taylan&Will TIGS (#822) 00:20:40 6 Junior U18 (3) 00:12:39 00:08:01
5 Team CHICKEN PRINCESS (#1312) 00:21:19 7 Open (2) 00:13:29 00:07:50
6 TEAM Steve & Coop (#820) 00:21:25 8 P&CU16 (1) 00:13:09 00:08:15
7 TEAM Waetford Bros (#885) 00:21:44 10 Open (3) 00:13:37 00:08:06
8 Team CUTTERS (#1371) 00:21:46 11 Open (4) 00:14:44 00:07:01
9 TEAM Harry and Kye (#814) 00:21:48 12 Junior U18 (5) 00:14:02 00:07:46
10 TEAM Team Holdsworth (#884) 00:21:55 13 Open (5) 00:14:45 00:07:09
11 Team NOCTURNAL SQUIRRELS (#1385) 00:21:56 14 Open (6) 00:14:07 00:07:48
12 TEAM Jonnie & Jarod (#850) 00:22:10 15 Open (7) 00:12:59 00:09:11
13 Team SEDUCTIVE SQUIRRELS (#1345) 00:22:44 18 Open (8) 00:15:09 00:07:34
14 TEAM Guy and Jack (#847) 00:22:51 20 Open (9) 00:14:08 00:08:42
15 TEAM StarrMacK (#878) 00:23:00 23 Open (10) 00:15:26 00:07:34
16 TEAM Summer Squad Squirrels (#879) 00:23:03 24 Open (11) 00:16:34 00:06:28
17 TEAM Moore than just Greedy (#858) 00:23:17 28 Open (12) 00:15:16 00:08:00
18 TEAM Chodat Fitness (#832) 00:24:10 37 Open (13) 00:15:59 00:08:10
19 TEAM Slippery Squirrels (#874) 00:25:00 42 Open (14) 00:19:22 00:05:37
20 TEAM Harvey (#883) 00:25:16 45 Open (15) 00:15:55 00:09:20
21 TEAM Gibbos (#844) 00:25:31 48 Open (16) 00:16:03 00:09:27
22 TEAM Redgum Renegades (#863) 00:25:44 52 Open (17) 00:16:15 00:09:28
23 TEAM The Scorpions (#826) 00:27:28 66 P&CU16 (2) 00:18:50 00:08:37
24 Team TEAM KMLB (#1327) 00:27:45 69 Open (18) 00:17:18 00:10:26
25 Team NICHOLAS&NATHAN (#817) 00:28:09 70 Junior U18 (13) 00:20:02 00:08:06
26 TEAM The Two Amigos (#827) 00:29:44 80 P&CU16 (3) 00:20:02 00:09:41
27 TEAM Shitbags (#869) 00:31:12 87 Open (19) 00:23:44 00:07:27
TEAM MitchJamo (#815) DNF Junior U18 00:09:21
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HomeSoftwareA Brief History of Art
A Brief History of Art
Details About Tattoos Tattoos are really viewed to be bad before but it is different now. Tattoos will have different feedback from different people. But no matter how you put it, tattoos will always catch the attention of people. Memories like the where and when you saw your first tattoo personally will get stuck on your head. As a kid seeing someone with a lot of tattoos, you will certainly have a lot of questions. The reaction upon seeing the tattoo will depend upon the design on the tattoo that the person will have since there are a lot of tattoo designs that anyone can choose. But people will usually be amazed no matter what and you will end up saying that you will get one when you are already old enough. The first memory that you have of a tattoo will basically be a copy to the tattoo that you plan to get. You are lucky enough to be born in this era and having tattoo because decades ago, tattoos were not really accepted. But still, there are people who are not into marking their body with ink and to think it will last forever. There will be multiple issues, some will be about the religion. And some just have their own personal view about tattoos. But they can never deny that tattoos were a part of a lot of old civilizations, a tattoo is a civilization itself. The world tattoo came from the word “tatu”, word that means to mark or to touch something. In the year 1991, a group of people was even able to find the first tattooed person in the world and was called “Iceman”, he was found somewhere the Alps. He went through carbon dating and it was proven that he lived around 5,300 years ago. Scientists found around fifty-eight tattoos in his body. The “iceman” was considered to be one of the most important figure in his society. The materials used to make the tattoo were charcoal and water.
Where To Start with Art and More
Tattoos were used to ward off sickness and bad luck according to ancient cultures. The first civilization to use needles for tattoos were the Egyptians.
Lessons Learned About Tattoos
You should know that Japan used the tattoos to identify criminals. People in Japan who had criminal groups had the same tattoos. Like the Japanese mafia, they had tattoos to intimidate their opponents, making them know that they belong to a strong group. The rich history of tattoos are just wonderful, you can learn a lot of things from the history of tattoos and how they benefited the culture before, tattoos were considered to be scared. Choosing a tattoo design will not be easy, make sure to choose something that will express your personality.
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The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Quotes
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Gallery
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Cast
With a plan to exact revenge on a mythical shark that killed his partner, famed oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) puts together a...
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Details
With a plan to exact revenge on a mythical shark that killed his partner, famed oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) puts together a crew that includes his estranged wife (Anjelica Huston), a powerful journalist (Cate Blanchett), and a man who may or may not be his son (Owen Wilson).
Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, and Jeff Goldblum
Jane Winslett-Richardson: [about her baby] In twelve years, he'll be eleven and a half.
Steve Zissou: [pause] That was my favorite age.
Permalink: In twelve years, he'll be eleven and a half. That was my fa...
Festival Director: [translating] That's an endangered species at most. What would be the scientific purpose of killing it?
Steve Zissou: Revenge.
Permalink: That's an endangered species at most. What would be the scient...
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Photos
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NASA Aeronautics Research: An Assessment (2008)
Chapter: Front Matter
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2008. NASA Aeronautics Research: An Assessment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12182.
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NASA Aeronautics Researchâ An assessment Committee for the Assessment of NASAâs Aeronautics Research Program Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences The National Academies Press Washington, D.C. www.nap.edu
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS â 500 Fifth Street, N.W. â Washington, DC 20001 NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance. This study was supported by Contract No. NASW-03009 between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organiza- tions or agencies that provided support for the project. International Standard Book Number-13:â 978-0-309-11913-9 International Standard Book Number-10:â 0-309-11913-8 Available in limited supply from the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Wash- ington, DC 20001, (202) 334-2858. Additional copies of this report are available from The National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313 (in the Washington metropolitan area); Internet, www.nap.edu. Copyright 2008 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles M. Vest is president of the National Academy of Engineering. The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine. The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academyâs purposes of furthering knowledge and advis- ing the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. Charles M. Vest are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council. www.national-academies.org
COMMITTEE FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF NASAâS AERONAUTICS RESEARCH PROGRAM CARL J. MEADE, Co-chair, Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems, Santa Clarita, California DONALD W. RICHARDSON, Co-chair, Donrich Research, Inc., West Palm Beach, Florida RICHARD ABBOTT, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Palmdale, California MEYER J. (MIKE) BENZAKEIN (NAE), Ohio State University, Columbus JOHN T. (TOM) BEST, Arnold Engineering Development Center, Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee IAIN D. BOYD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor AMY L. BUHRIG, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Renton, Washington DAVID E. (ED) CROW (NAE), University of Connecticut, Glastonbury FRANK L. FRISBIE, Apptis, Inc., Washington, D.C. EPHRAHIM GARCIA, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York PRABHAT HAJELA, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York JOHN B. HAYHURST, The Boeing Company (retired), Kirkland, Washington NANCY G. LEVESON (NAE),1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge ELI RESHOTKO (NAE), Case Western Reserve University (emeritus), Denver, Colorado RAYMOND (RAY) VALEIKA, Delta Airlines (retired), Powder Springs, Georgia Staff ALAN ANGLEMAN, Study Director SARAH CAPOTE, Program Associate 1Dr. Leveson resigned from the committee in May 2007.
AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING BOARD RAYMOND S. COLLADAY, Chair, Lockheed Martin Astronautics (retired), Golden, Colorado CHARLES F. BOLDEN, JR., Jack and Panther, LLC, Houston, Texas ANTHONY J. BRODERICK, Aviation Safety Consultant, Catlett, Virginia AMY L. BUHRIG, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Renton, Washington PIERRE CHAO, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C. INDERJIT CHOPRA, University of Maryland, College Park ROBERT L. CRIPPEN, Thiokol Propulsion (retired), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida DAVID GOLDSTON, Princeton University, Arlington, Virginia JOHN HANSMAN, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge PRESTON HENNE (NAE), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Savannah, Georgia JOHN M. KLINEBERG, Space Systems/Loral (retired), Redwood City, California RICHARD KOHRS, Independent Consultant, Dickinson, Texas ILAN KROO (NAE), Stanford University, Stanford, California IVETT LEYVA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, California EDMOND SOLIDAY, United Airlines (retired), Valparaiso, Indiana Staff MARCIA SMITH, Director vi
Preface The U.S. air transportation system is vital to the economic well-being and security of the United States. To support continued U.S. leadership in aviation, Congress and NASA requested that the National Research Council undertake a decadal survey of civil aeronautics research and technology (R&T) priori- ties that would help NASA fulfill its responsibility to preserve U.S. leadership in aeronautics technology. In 2006, the National Research Council published the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics.1 That report presented a set of six strategic objectives for the next decade of aeronautics R&T, and it described 51 high-priority R&T challengesâcharacterized by five common themesâfor both NASA and non-NASA researchers. The National Research Council produced the present report, which assesses NASAâs Aeronautics Research Program, in response to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-155). This report focuses on three sets of questions: 1. How well does NASAâs research portfolio implement appropriate recommendations and address relevant high-priority research and technology challenges identified in the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics? If gaps are found, what steps should be taken by the federal government to eliminate them? 2. How well does NASAâs aeronautics research portfolio address the aeronautics research requirements of NASA, particularly for robotic and human space exploration? How well does NASAâs aeronautics research portfolio address other federal government department/agency non-civil aeronautics research needs? If gaps are found, what steps should be taken by NASA and/or other parts of the federal government to eliminate them? 3. Will the nation have a skilled research workforce and research facilities commensurate with the require- ments in (1) and (2) above? What critical improvements in workforce expertise and research facilities, if any, should NASA and the nation make to achieve the goals of NASAâs research program? 1National Research Council. 2006. Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics: Foundation for the Future. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press. Available online at <http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11664>. vii
viii PREFACE This report continues the good work begun by the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, and it expands that work to consider in more depth NASA aeronautics research issues related to the space program, non-civil applications, workforce, and facilities. Carl Meade and Donald Richardson, Co-chairs Committee for the Assessment of NASAâs Aeronautics Research Program
Acknowledgment of Reviewers This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the Report Review Committee of the National Research Council (NRC). The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report: Graham Candler, University of Minnesota Eric Feron, Georgia Institute of Technology Awatef Hamed, University of Cincinnati Pres Henne (NAE), Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Ilan Kroo (NAE), Stanford University Andrew Lacher, MITRE Corporation Lourdes Maurice, Federal Aviation Administration Edmond Soliday, United Airlines (retired) Dianne Wiley, The Boeing Company Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Martha Haynes, Cornell University, and Raymond S. Colladay, Lockheed Martin Astronautics (retired). Appointed by the NRC, they were responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution. ix
Contents SUMMARY 1 1 INTRODUCTION 9 Overview of the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, 10 Organization of NASAâs Aeronautics Research, 15 Resource Considerations, 17 Report Overview, 17 References, 18 2 CHALLENGES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR NASA AERONAUTICSÂ RESEARCH 20 Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics, 24 Propulsion and Power, 31 Materials and Structures, 37 Dynamics, Navigation, and Control, and Avionics, 45 Intelligent and Autonomous Systems, Operations and Decision Making, Human Integrated Systems, and Networking and Communications, 53 Space and Non-Civil Aeronautics Research, 59 Assessment of NASAâs Response to Recommendations in the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, 61 References, 64 3 WORKFORCE AND FACILITIES 65 Aeronautics Workforce Issues, 65 Aeronautics Facility Issues, 73 References, 80 xi
xii CONTENTS 4 BRIDGING THE GAPS 82 Gap Between Research Results and Application, 83 Gap Between Research Scope and Resources, 85 Gap Between Project Reference Documents and Project Structure, 87 Looking Forward, 90 References, 90 APPENDIXES A Statement of Task 93 B Biographies of Committee Members 95 C Validating the Ranking of the Research and Technology Challenges from the Decadal Survey 101 D Acronyms 106
Tables, Figures, and Box TABLES S-1 Comparison of the Strategic Objectives from the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics with the Principles from the National Aeronautics Research and Development Policy and the National Plan for Aeronautics Research and Development and Related Infrastructure, 2 S-2 Summary of How Well NASAâs Aeronautics Research Supports the 51 Highest-Priority Research and Technology (R&T) Challenges from the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, 5 1-1 Fifty-One Highest-Priority Research and Technology (R&T) Challenges for NASA Aeronautics, Prioritized by R&T Area, 12 1-2 Comparison of the Strategic Objectives from the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics with the Principles from the National Aeronautics Research and Development Policy and the National Plan for Aeronautics Research and Development and Related Infrastructure, 14 2-1 Summary of How Well NASAâs Aeronautics Research Supports the 51 Highest-Priority Research and Technology (R&T) Challenges from the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, 21 2-2 Grade Summary for the 51 Highest-Priority R&T Challenges in the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, by Area, 22 3-1a Changes in Engineering Employment Between 1996 and 2004, 66 3-1b Changes in Engineering Employment Between 2002 and 2004, 66 3-2a Changes in Annual Average of Employment Numbers and Weekly Earnings Between 2004 and 2005, 67 3-2b Changes in Annual Average of Employment Numbers and Weekly Earnings Between 2005 and 2006, 67 xiii
xiv TABLES, FIGURES, AND BOX 4-1 Associate Principal Investigator (API) Areas of Responsibility for Level 2 Research Areas for the Subsonic Fixed Wing Project, 88 4-2 Associate Principal Investigator (API) Areas of Responsibility for Level 2 Research Areas for the Supersonics Project, 89 C-1 Comparison of the Strategic Objectives from the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics with the Principles from the National Aeronautics Research and Development Policy and the National Plan for Aeronautics Research and Development and Related Infrastructure, 102 FIGURES 4-1 Subsonic Fixed Wing Project Level 1 to Level 4 integration diagram, 88 4-2 Supersonics Project Level 1 to Level 4 integration diagram, 89 BOX 1-1 Recommendations to Achieve Strategic Objectives for Civil Aeronautics Research and Technology, from the Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics, 13
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In 2006, the NRC published a Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics: Foundation for the Future, which set out six strategic objectives for the next decade of civil aeronautics research and technology. To determine how NASA is implementing the decadal survey, Congress mandated in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 2005 that the NRC carry out a review of those efforts. Among other things, this report presents an assessment of how well NASA's research portfolio is addressing the recommendations and high priority R&T challenges identified in the Decadal Survey; how well NASA's aeronautic research portfolio is addressing the aeronautics research requirements; and whether the nation will have the skilled workforce and research facilities to meet the first two items.
Front Matter i–xiv
Summary 1–8
1 Introduction 9–19
2 Challenges and Requirements for NASA Aeronautics Research 20–64
3 Workforce and Facilities 65–81
4 Bridging the Gaps 82–90
Appendix A: Statement of Task 91–94
Appendix B: Biographies of Committee Members 95–100
Appendix C: Validating the Ranking of the Research and Technology Challenges from the Decadal Survey 101–105
Appendix D: Acronyms 106–108
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Survey reveals drop in SELF-CONFIDENCE suffered by C-section mums
THE devastating drop in self-confidence suffered by C-section mums of all ages has been revealed in a new survey.
Almost 40 per cent admit they are less confident in their post-birth body – and 42 per cent now refuse to wear a bikini.
That figure hit around 60 per cent for those aged 18 to 34, while almost a third of the over 55s said the same.
The figures comes after it was revealed C sections are on the rise in the UK and now account for more than a quarter of UK births. In 2015-16 approximately 173,000 Caesareans were carried out.
In the survey one in five women confessed to being too self-conscious to get undressed in front of their partner or to wear tight clothes.
Around a third suffered upset or concern due to their scar’s appearance – a figure virtually as high in women aged 55-plus as with 35 to 44-year-olds.
The findings were revealed in a survey of 800 British women by Fagron UK, the manufacturer of silicone scar gel Nourisil™ MD Silicone Scar Gel.
Nourisil MD treats scars left by wounds, burns, cosmetic surgery, general medical procedures – and C-sections – with a unique blend of five silicones and vitamin E.
Peter Batty, Fagron UK’s general manager, said: “There are many reasons why a woman may undergo a Caesarean section.
“For those who do, there can be quite serious changes to the way their view their bodies afterwards.
“Of course, becoming a mum is a life-changing event, but the consequences of a C-section on self-esteem are not always considered until later.
“C-sections are becoming increasingly common in the UK and scars and pain following the surgery are obviously a concern for many mums.”
Nearly a quarter had taken steps to conceal their wound, with a sixth admitting to using a recovery gel at least three times a week.
The figure was highest in the 18 to 24 age group, where almost two-thirds revealed they tried to cover it up. Even in the over 55s, 12 per cent admitted to trying to hide their scar.
Peter continued: “While the mother and baby’s health are the clear priority, this survey shows women who have a Caesarean may be left with unexpected emotional scars.
“With around a sixth of women saying they use a recovery gel, it is important they choose the best available.”
Seventy-nine per cent of those surveyed said they had been left a post-surgery scar.
And 19 per cent – or 36 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds – had experienced complications due to the operation.
Even a year after their operation, 20 per cent of women said their scar still hurt.
That figure hit 36 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds, and 11 per cent of women aged 55.
Despite discomfort, just four per cent thought about their scar twice or more a day, with it crossing the minds of 14 per cent a few times a week.
Mums in Northern Ireland were most likely to dwell on it, with 23 per cent admitting to doing so at least twice a day.
The survey found women in the West Midlands were most concerned about the appearance of the scar, with almost half – 48 per cent – citing it an issue.
They were followed by those in Yorkshire and Humber, at 41 per cent, and London, at 33 per cent.
West Midlands women – at 52 per cent – were also the most like to suffer decreased body confidence, followed by 50 per cent in Northern Ireland.
Elective C-sections are planned, such as for a baby that is either in the wrong position or very large. Of these, there were 73,551 on the NHS in 2015-16, around 6,750 more than four years earlier.
In contrast, emergency caesareans are typically carried out because of complications during labour. Figures show an increase in these, from 97,054 in 2011-12 to 99,403 in 2015-16.
During the same period, conventional births dropped from 407,031 to 382,514.
Other common reasons for a C-section include the woman having a low-lying placenta or pregnancy-related high blood pressure, known as pre-eclampsia.
Nourisil™ MD Silicone Scar Gel contains five silicones and vitamin E which has been proven to fade, smooth and flatten scars while receiving associated pain and discomfort.
The gel includes polysiloxanes and tocopheryl acetate and works on all skin types by forming an invisible layer that hydrates and protects scars on all areas of the body, including the face.
After C sections wounds have fully healed and stitches have been removed, women are advised to gently massage Nourisil™ MD Silicone Scar Gel in twice a day.
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Diplomats Shaken for Now After Britain's US Ambassador Quits
Current and former diplomats say the leak of Ambassador Kim Darroch's sensitive reports is unfortunate and alarming, particularly given the apparent political motive behind it
By Matthew Lee
Published Jul 11, 2019 at 3:48 AM
Win McNamee/Getty Images
The residence of British Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch is shown July 10, 2019 in Washington, DC.
The abrupt resignation of Britain's ambassador to the United States over leaked cables critical of the Trump administration may have jolted official Washington, but it's unlikely to have a lasting impact on the U.S.-British relationship or diplomatic practice.
Current and former diplomats say the leak of Ambassador Kim Darroch's sensitive reports is unfortunate and alarming, particularly given the apparent political motive behind it. Yet, they believe any complications will be temporary even as they create short-term turbulence in relations.
"It's a problem, but I don't know that it has a chilling affect over time because in the end people have jobs to do and they do their jobs," said Ronald Neumann, a retired three-time U.S. ambassador who is the president of the American Academy of Diplomacy. "It's wrong and it's too bad. Still, you move on because there's work to be done."
Darroch, a well-known figure in Washington, resigned on Wednesday amid an uproar over the candid cables, saying "the current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like." The resignation followed President Donald Trump's furious caustic response to the leaked cables in which Darroch offered candid negative views of his administration.
Leaked Documents Show UK’s Top Diplomat to US Was Critical of Trump
The British government has launched an investigation into the source of leaked diplomatic cables that reveal Kim Darroch, Britain's ambassador to the Unites States, described President Donald Trump's administration as “inept” and "dysfunctional" “Insecure” while slamming the commander in chief as "insecure."
In the cables, Darroch called the administration's policy toward Iran "incoherent," said the president might be indebted to "dodgy Russians" and raised doubts about whether the White House "will ever look competent."
Trump's lambasting of Darroch on Twitter — he called the ambassador "a pompous fool" and "a very stupid guy" and criticized outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May — drew condemnation from both sides of the Atlantic.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who is in the running to replace May, replied: "Allies need to treat each other with respect."
Others suggested that Trump's reaction proved Darroch's point.
"Trump's petty and vindictive overreaction not only reinforces the accuracy of Darroch's portrait of him in his leaked cables, but further erodes an already complicated bilateral relationship," said William Burns, a highly respected retired career diplomat who served as deputy secretary of state during the Obama administration and is president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The State Department downplayed the fracas, saying: "The United States and the United Kingdom share a bond that is bigger than any individual, and we look forward to continuing that partnership. We remain committed to the U.S.-UK Special Relationship and our shared global agenda."
But Rep. Adam Schiff, the California Democrat who chairs the House intelligence committee, said Trump's comments make the work of American diplomats abroad harder than they already are.
"Diplomats the world over, including ours, are expected to provide candid assessments and advice to their home governments," he said. "If a foreign leader treated an American ambassador as President Trump treated the British ambassador, we would be up in arms, and justifiably so. "
In fact, U.S. diplomats have already felt the consequences of leaked cables that laid out unvarnished and often unflattering impressions of foreign leaders and governments.
The 2010 publication by WikiLeaks of tens of thousands of classified and sensitive documents had a direct impact on at least three U.S. ambassadors, including one, Carlos Pascual, who resigned as envoy to Mexico over fallout from cables critical of then-Mexican President Felipe Calderon. Pascual was traveling Wednesday and not immediately available to comment on any similarities between his resignation and Darroch's.
Carnegie's Burns, who was serving as the third-ranking U.S. diplomat at the time, recalled that the leaks had "negative practical implications" for the day-to-day conduct of embassies.
"The immediate impact was to make U.S. diplomatic missions more careful, so there is, at least initially, a dampening effect," he said. "But, we got over it in time."
In the long run, though, few believe damage to the "special relationship" caused this week will be severe or lingering.
"The state-to-state relationship is much more than one person, particularly with Britain," Neumann said. "This is probably one of the least ambassador-dependent relationships we have, which is why we are able to send whoever we want to London, including some who are not so able."
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Colorado woman whose dead son was encased in concrete told fellow inmate details, police said
The 7-year-old boy's body was discovered in concrete inside a Denver storage unit.
This undated file photo provided by the Denver Police shows Elisha Pankey.Denver Police via AP
March 20, 2019, 1:46 AM UTC
DENVER — A Colorado woman charged in the death of her 7-year-old son told a fellow inmate that the boy died in July, months before his body was discovered encased in concrete inside a Denver storage unit, according to court records unsealed Tuesday.
Authorities have released few details about the death of Caden McWilliams since his body was discovered in December.
Records involving the arrest of his mother, 43-year-old Elisha Pankey, had not been available to the public until Tuesday. She is charged with child abuse resulting in death and with the abuse of a corpse.
A woman whose name is redacted in court records told police that Pankey said she and her husband sometimes forced the boy inside an animal carrier.
The woman said Pankey told her that sometime in July they kept him in the carrier overnight despite his cries of being thirsty and hot.
Pankey said the boy was dead by morning and she believed he had suffocated, the records state.
The woman told police that Pankey said she and her husband took the boy's body — still inside the animal carrier —to the storage unit, poured concrete over him and wrapped the carrier in plastic trash bags.
Leland Pankey, the boy's father, has remained in jail since late December on an outstanding warrant. He has not been charged in connection with McWilliams' death.
The records show police began investigating the family in mid-December after Pankey reported that her husband had choked and threatened to kill her.
The records portray a chaotic life, with both parents living in hotels. McWilliams last attended school in late May. His mother unenrolled him from Denver Public Schools in the fall of 2018 and said he would be home-schooled.
She told investigators that Leland Pankey took their son and daughter to live with him in November and had been sending her threatening text messages. Within a week, police in suburban Aurora arrested Leland Pankey for outstanding warrants in the metro area.
But they could not find McWilliams or get more information from his parents.
During a search of Elisha Pankey's hotel room, police found a business card with a unit number from a public storage facility in Denver. They also found heroin and took the woman to Arapahoe County jail on suspicion of drug possession, the records state.
Denver police opened the storage unit and found a large chunk of cement inside an animal cage that had been wrapped in plastic sheeting.
Investigators say they discovered a decomposed child's body in the cement but could not immediately tell if the remains were those of McWilliams.
The Denver coroner's office later identified the body but could not determine how the boy died. An autopsy found signs that McWilliams was severely emaciated and evidence of injuries to his head, chest and limbs, some of which showed signs of healing.
Pankey has not entered a plea and is due back in court April 2. She is represented by the state public defenders' office, which bars its attorneys from commenting on individual cases.
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Full coverage of the race for the White House
Mike Huckabee Ends Presidential Bid
By Vivian Salama
Published Feb 1, 2016 at 10:34 PM | Updated at 11:25 PM EST on Feb 1, 2016
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee announced he was suspending his campaign on Feb. 1, 2016.
Mike Huckabee ended his second campaign for the White House on Monday amid a dismal showing in the Iowa caucuses that he won in his first bid eight years ago.
As caucus results were still streaming in, Huckabee wrote on Twitter that he was "officially suspending my campaign." He thanked his backers for their loyal support, adding the hashtag #ImWithHuck. Calls to the Huckabee campaign for comment were not immediately returned.
The former Arkansas governor announced his 2016 bid in May in the hometown he shares with former President Bill Clinton, joining what would become a crowded Republican field that included many political newcomers.
His campaign failed to take off early on, with candidates like billionaire Donald Trump, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio dominating the race.
2016 Candidates: Who's in, Who's Out
In 2008, he captivated evangelical Republicans but couldn't build wide enough support to win the Republican nomination. After ending his 2008 campaign, he took up hosting a weekend cable show on FOX News, but then stopped before announcing his latest White House bid.
A populist but no Democrat, he did not endorse a minimum-wage increase, instead calling for policies encouraging a "maximum wage" for workers. But he did align himself with labor interests in criticizing "unbalanced trade deals" and describing President Barack Obama's immigration policy as a way to "import low-wage labor, undercut American workers and drive wages lower than the Dead Sea."
The ordained minister — he was Arkansas Baptist Convention president before getting into politics — has played up the cultural conservatism learned in this small town where many of his relatives — and a few Clinton relatives — still live. He stood by his opposition to abortion rights and same-sex marriage, declaring that "the Supreme Court is not the supreme being, and they cannot overturn the laws of nature or of nature's God."
2016 Election: What to Look for in Iowa Caucuses
Huckabee has boasted that in Arkansas politics, he found success in "challenging the deeply entrenched political machine that ran this state. It was tough sledding, but I learned how to govern and how to lead." An introductory video about the governor who fought "the Clinton machine" made clear he meant Bill and Hillary. Bill Clinton was governor before Huckabee, while former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now vying for the Democratic nomination for president.
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Nat Rev Immunol. 2009 Sep;9(9):630-44. doi: 10.1038/nri2606. Epub 2009 Aug 21.
Rho family GTPases and their regulators in lymphocytes.
Tybulewicz VL1, Henderson RB.
Division of Immune Cell Biology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK. vtybule@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
Rho family GTPases, and the proteins that regulate them, have important roles in many cellular processes, including cell division, survival, migration and adhesion. Although most of our understanding of these proteins has come from studies using cell lines, more recent gene targeting studies in mice are providing insights into the in vivo function of these proteins. Here we review recent progress revealing crucial roles for these proteins in lymphocyte development, activation, differentiation and migration. The emerging picture shows that Rho family GTPases transduce signals from receptors for antigens, chemokines and cytokines, as well as adhesion molecules and pattern recognition receptors, and that they function as focal points for crosstalk between different signalling pathways.
10.1038/nri2606
Mouse Rho GTPases. Phylogenetic tree of 23 mouse Rho GTPases, showing how they cluster into different subfamilies, for example the Rac, RhoA/RhoB/RhoC and Rnd subfamilies. We note that it has been proposed that MIRO1, MIRO2 and RHOBTB3 do not belong to the Rho GTPase family.
Rho family GTPases and their regulators in lymphocytes
Nat Rev Immunol. ;9(9):630-644.
Regulation of Rho GTPases. This figure shows a generic Rho GTPase anchored to the membrane with a prenyl group near the C-terminus (zigzag line). The GTPase binds either GDP or GTP. Guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) catalyse the release of GDP from the GTPase, allowing GTP to bind. GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) increase the intrinsic GTPase activity of the Rho proteins, causing GTP to be hydrolysed to GDP and phosphate (Pi). GEFs and GAPs are often constitutively or inducibly associated with membranes. GDP-bound Rho proteins can be sequestered by Rho guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs), which bind to the lipid modification and thereby inhibit membrane binding of the GTPase. GTP-bound Rho proteins transduce signals by binding to effector proteins.
Role of Rho GTPases and their regulators in B cell development and function. The earliest B cell progenitors in the bone marrow, pro-B cells, rearrange immunoglobulin heavy chain genes. If they successfully generate a heavy chain, this assembles into the pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR). Signals from the pre-BCR allow cells to differentiate into pre-B cells and proliferate. Pre-B cells rearrange light chain genes, and if this process is successful, the light chain pairs with the heavy chain to generate cell surface-bound BCR in the form of IgM. These cells, known as immature B cells, exit the bone marrow and migrate through the circulation to the red pulp of the spleen, where we have recently described them as transitional type 0 (T0) cells (R. Henderson and V. Tybulewicz, unpublished observations). Chemokine-induced migration of T0 cells into the white pulp is accompanied by maturation into transitional type 1 (T1) and then type 2 (T2) cells, and finally into either follicular or marginal zone (MZ) B cells. Follicular B cells recirculate between secondary lymphoid organs, including spleen, lymph node, Peyer’s patches and bone marrow. B1 cells, a distinct lineage of B cells, which predominate in the peritoneal and pleural cavities, are derived from foetal progenitors (not shown). Activation of naïve follicular B cells (thick arrow) results in their movement into germinal centres (GCs) where, as GC B cells, with T cell help, they undergo somatic hypermutation, affinity maturation and class switching. Eventually the cells mature into antibody-secreting plasma cells and memory B cells. Points where roles for Rho GTPases or their regulators have been identified are indicated, and discussed more fully in the main text.
Signal transduction from the B cell receptor. Binding of antigen to the B cell receptor (BCR) leads to activation of the tyrosine kinase LYN, phosphorylation of the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) in the cytoplasmic domains of Igα and Igβ, recruitment and activation of the tyrosine kinase SYK (spleen tyrosine kinase), phosphorylation of the adaptor protein BLNK (B cell linker) and assembly of a complex including BTK (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase), VAV1 and PLCγ2 (phospholipase Cγ2). Activation of PLCγ2 leads to hydrolysis of the lipid phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (Ptd(4,5)InsP2) to the second messengers inositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). Ptd(4,5)InsP2 is synthesized by sequential phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) to phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (Ptd(4)InsP) and then to Ptd(4,5)InsP2 by phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase (PI4K) and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate-5-kinase (PIP5K) respectively. Both of these latter kinases are activated by RHOA. VAV1 may contribute to the activation of PLCγ2 through an adaptor function, and, via RAC1 lead to increased synthesis of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3, potentially by activating phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Increased levels of InsP3 lead to an increase in intracellular Ca2+ and eventually to activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). DAG activates the RAS exchange factor RASGRP, leading to activation of RAS and the RAF, MEK, ERK kinase cascade. Ca2+ and DAG may also contribute to activation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB) via PKCβ. PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 leads to activation of the kinase AKT which signals cell survival through inhibition of the FOXO transcription factors. Signalling from the BCR also activates αPIX, and hence RAC1 and PAK.
Signal transduction from G-protein-coupled receptors and integrins. Receptors for sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) are members of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, and signal through Gα12 and Gα13 proteins to LSC and RHOA activation. LSC inhibits Gα12/13 function through its RGS domain. Chemokine receptors signal through Gαi2 to DOCK2 and other guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) leading to the activation of RAC1 and RHOA. These GTPases transduce signals to integrin activation through phospholipase D (PLD) and PIP5K1C. Integrin signalling is inhibited by RHOH through an unknown mechanism. Integrin signalling leads to the activation of the αPIX GEF and thus the activation of RAC1 and PAK. In myeloid cells, integrin signalling also leads to activation of SRC family kinases which phosphorylate immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-bearing receptor subunits, such as Fc receptor γ-chain (FcRγ), leading to recruitment and activation of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK). SYK in turn phosphorylates SH2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa (SLP76) leading to assembly of a complex including PLCγ1, NCK and VAV1, and hence to activation of RAC1 and CDC42. It is not known if this latter pathway operates in lymphocytes.
Role of Rho GTPases and their regulators in T cell development and function. The earliest T cell progenitors, CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) thymocytes, rearrange T cell receptor β (TCRβ) chain genes. If they successfully generate a TCRβ chain, this assembles into the pre-TCR. Signals from the pre-TCR allow cells to differentiate into CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) cells and proliferate. DP thymocytes rearrange TCRα chain genes, and if this process is successful, the TCRα chain pairs with TCRβto generate cell-surface-bound TCR. Signalling from the TCR on DP cells results in positive or negative selection depending on avidity of binding to self-peptide MHC complexes. DP cells with a MHC class I-restricted TCR differentiate into CD4-CD8+ single positive (CD8 SP) cells, whereas MHC class II-restricted cells are directed into CD4+CD8- single positive (CD4 SP) cells. SP thymocytes exit the thymus, migrate through the blood to secondary lymphoid organs, and become either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. Activation of naïve CD4+ or CD8+ T cells (thick arrow) results in their proliferation and differentiation. CD4+ T cells can become T helper 1 (Th1), Th2 or Th17 cells, T regulatory (Treg) cells or memory T cells. CD8+ T cells differentiate into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and memory T cells. Points where roles for Rho GTPases or their regulators have been identified are indicated and discussed more fully in the main text.
Signal transduction from the T cell receptor. Binding of peptide:MHC complex to the T cell receptor (TCR) leads to activation of the tyrosine kinases LCK and ZAP70 (ζ-chain-associated protein kinase of 70 kDa), phosphorylation of the adaptor protein LAT (linker for activation of T cells) and assembly of a complex including the adaptors GADS, SLP76 and NCK, the ITK and PAK kinases, VAV1 and PLCγ1. Activation of PLCγ1 leads to hydrolysis of PIP2 to the second messengers InsP3 and DAG. VAV1 may contribute to the activation of PLCγ2 through an adaptor function, and, via RAC1 to increased synthesis of PIP3, potentially by activating phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K). Increased levels of InsP3 lead to a rise in intracellular Ca2+ and eventually to activation of the NFAT transcription factor. DAG activates the Ras exchange factor RASGRP, leading to activation of RAS and the RAF, MEK, ERK kinase cascade. DAG may also contribute to activation of NFκB via PKCθ. PIP3 leads to activation of the AKT kinase which signals cell survival via inhibition of the FOXO1 transcription factor. TCR signalling via IBP leads to CDC42 activation and increased intracellular Ca2+.
Publication type, MeSH terms, Substances, Grant support
B-Lymphocytes/enzymology
B-Lymphocytes/immunology*
Cell Movement/immunology
Cytoskeleton/immunology
Integrins/immunology
Integrins/metabolism
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/immunology
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
Signal Transduction/immunology
T-Lymphocytes/enzymology
T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
rho GTP-Binding Proteins/biosynthesis*
rho GTP-Binding Proteins/classification*
Integrins
Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
MC_U117527252/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom
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Police Investigate Disneyland Brawl After Video Surfaces
The video shows a woman appearing to spit in her brother's face in Mickey's Toontown
By Stefanie Dazio
Published Jul 9, 2019 at 11:01 AM | Updated at 11:19 AM EDT on Jul 9, 2019
MediaNews Group via Getty Images
In this Jan. 7, 2019 file photo, a fence surrounds Sleeping Beauty Castle during the first day of a $300,000, extensive castle refurbishment at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The Anaheim Police Department said it is considering filing criminal charges against members of a family who were caught on video in a violent brawl at Disneyland Saturday.
A newly released video capturing a family's brawl at Disneyland this weekend has prompted police to reopen their investigation into the fight, authorities said Monday.
Officers were called to the theme park on Saturday to help break up the melee, which began between a brother and sister but quickly involved other family members, Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt said.
The video, which was getting attention after being posted to YouTube on Sunday, shows a woman appearing to spit in her brother's face in Mickey's Toontown. It quickly escalated to blows and hair-pulling as several people were knocked to the ground over the course of nearly five minutes.
Others in the family intervened, as did bystanders who tried to break up the fight. It took Disneyland security several minutes to respond, the video shows. Parkgoers were calling for help amid children's screams and cries.
Anaheim police arrived after the fight was over, Wyatt said. The family members declined to cooperate with authorities and were escorted off Disneyland property.
"Any type of violence is inexcusable and will not be tolerated," Disneyland Resort spokeswoman Liz Jaeger said in an email. "Those involved were immediately removed from the premises and turned over to the Anaheim Police Department."
Police took an initial report but couldn't move forward without the family's cooperation, Wyatt said. Once officers saw the video, they reopened the case and will work with prosecutors to see if any charges should be filed, such as disturbing the peace, domestic violence and assault.
Mike Lyster, a spokesman for the city attorney's office, said it's too early to think about filing charges and the police department must finish its investigation.
Police do not know what prompted the fight. No injuries were reported.
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West Palm Beach, FL (Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C)
Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C
About West Palm Beach, FL (Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C)
Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C median real estate price is $60,943, which is less expensive than 97.2% of Florida neighborhoods and 96.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods.
The average rental price in Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C is currently $1,063, based on NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis. Rents here are currently lower in price than 87.3% of Florida neighborhoods.
Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C is a suburban neighborhood (based on population density) located in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C real estate is primarily made up of small (studio to two bedroom) to medium sized (three or four bedroom) apartment complexes/high-rise apartments and townhomes. Most of the residential real estate is owner occupied. Many of the residences in the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood are established but not old, having been built between 1970 and 1999. A number of residences were also built between 1940 and 1969.
Vacant apartments or homes are a major fact of life in Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C. The current real estate vacancy rate here is 44.6%. This is higher than the rate of vacancies in 97.9% of all U.S. neighborhoods. A relatively large percentage of housing here is seasonally occupied (36.0%). This can occur in vacation areas, and occasionally it is also found in neighborhoods that are primarily filled with college students, as some apartments could be vacant when school is not in session. If you live here year round, you may find that a number of buildings in your neighborhood are actually empty.
Notable & Unique: People
One of the unique characteristics of the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood revealed by analysis is that the per capita income of residents here is lower than that found in 97.6% of the neighborhoods in America. In a nation where 1 out of every 4 children lives in poverty, the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood also stands out as being ranked among the lowest 0.0% of neighborhoods affected by this global issue.
In addition, the types of households in a neighborhood can tell a lot about the character and lifestyle of those living here. NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis reveals that this neighborhood, above nearly every neighborhood in America, has a greater percentage of its residents living alone: 68.5%. This is a higher percent living alone than we found in 99.8% of all U.S. neighborhoods. Often residents who live alone are new arrivals to an area who are single, and often senior citizens who have lost a spouse.
Notable & Unique: Real Estate
The Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood is very unique in that it has one of the highest proportions of one, two, or no bedroom real estate of any neighborhood in America. Most neighborhoods have a mixture of home or apartment sizes from small to large, but here the concentration of studios and other small living spaces is at near-record heights. With 97.7% of the real estate here of this small size, this most assuredly is a notable feature that makes this neighborhood unique, along with just a handful of other neighborhoods in the U.S. that share this characteristic.
In addition, one of the really unique and interesting things about the look and setting of the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood is that it is almost entirely dominated by large apartment buildings, such as apartment complexes or high-rise apartments. 96.0% of the residential real estate here is classified as such. This puts this neighborhood on the map as having a higher proportion of large apartment buildings than 99.3% of all neighborhoods in America.
Furthermore, vacant homes and apartments are a significant characteristic of this neighborhood. In fact, with 44.6% of the residential real estate vacant, the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood claims the distinction of having a higher vacancy rate than 97.9% of the neighborhoods in America. This can either be because much of the property is seasonally occupied, like in many vacation areas, or that much of the real estate is more permanently abandoned.
Also of note, most neighborhoods are composed of a mixture of ages of homes, but the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C stands out as rather unique in having nearly all of its residential real estate built in one time period, namely between 1970 and 1999, generally considered to be established, but not old housing. What you'll sense when you look around or drive the streets of this neighborhood is that many of the residences look the same because of this similarity of age. In fact, 85.8% of the residential real estate here was built in this one time period.
Did you know that the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood has more Russian and French Canadian ancestry people living in it than nearly any neighborhood in America? It's true! In fact, 8.5% of this neighborhood's residents have Russian ancestry and 7.3% have French Canadian ancestry.
Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C is also pretty special linguistically. Significantly, 7.6% of its residents five years old and above primarily speak French at home. While this may seem like a small percentage, it is higher than 98.8% of the neighborhoods in America.
The neighbors in the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood in West Palm Beach are low income, making it among the lowest income neighborhoods in America. NeighborhoodScout's research shows that this neighborhood has an income lower than 97.6% of U.S. neighborhoods. In addition, 0.0% of the children seventeen and under living in this neighborhood are living below the federal poverty line, which is a lower rate of childhood poverty than is found in 100.0% of America's neighborhoods.
The old saying "you are what you eat" is true. But it is also true that you are what you do for a living. The types of occupations your neighbors have shape their character, and together as a group, their collective occupations shape the culture of a place.
In the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood, 46.9% of the working population is employed in executive, management, and professional occupations. The second most important occupational group in this neighborhood is sales and service jobs, from major sales accounts, to working in fast food restaurants, with 31.0% of the residents employed. Other residents here are employed in clerical, assistant, and tech support occupations (22.1%), and 5.3% in government jobs, whether they are in local, state, or federal positions.
The languages spoken by people in this neighborhood are diverse. These are tabulated as the languages people preferentially speak when they are at home with their families. The most common language spoken in the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood is English, spoken by 72.3% of households. Other important languages spoken here include Spanish, French and Italian.
In the Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood in West Palm Beach, FL, residents most commonly identify their ethnicity or ancestry as Italian (11.2%). There are also a number of people of Irish ancestry (10.5%), and residents who report Russian roots (8.5%), and some of the residents are also of French Canadian ancestry (7.3%), along with some German ancestry residents (7.2%), among others. In addition, 31.5% of the residents of this neighborhood were born in another country.
Even if your neighborhood is walkable, you may still have to drive to your place of work. Some neighborhoods are located where many can get to work in just a few minutes, while others are located such that most residents have a long and arduous commute. The greatest number of commuters in Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C neighborhood spend between 30 and 45 minutes commuting one-way to work (46.6% of working residents), which is at or a bit above the average length of a commute across all U.S. neighborhoods.
44 Vital Statistics. 11 Condition Alerts found.
AGE OF West Palm Beach, FL (Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C) HOMES
TYPE OF West Palm Beach, FL (Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C) HOMES
SIZE OF West Palm Beach, FL (Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C) HOMES
Employment Industries in Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C
in Okeechobee Blvd / Southampton C
in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach VIOLENT CRIMES
West Palm Beach Property CRIMES
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Palm Beach, FL Metro Area regional investment potential
Housing Affordability Trends: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Palm Beach, FL Metro Area
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70% Match ‐ West Palm Beach, FL (Century Blvd / Salisbury A)
65% Match ‐ West Palm Beach, FL (Century Village)
63% Match ‐ Delray Beach, FL (Kings Point)
60% Match ‐ West Palm Beach, FL (Oxford 100 / Oxford 400)
58% Match ‐ Delray Beach, FL (Linton Blvd / Sims Rd)
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Nestlé highlights climate change with ‘Science Express’ in India
To Press Releases listGurgaon,Jun 18, 2012
TOURING EXHIBITION: The 'Science Express' is the most visited science exhibition in India.
Students around India can get on board a specially designed train to learn about climate change with help from Nestlé.
The ‘Science Express’ is a touring exhibition that aims to raise more than 1.5 million young people’s awareness of the impact and challenges of global climate change.
The train, staffed by science graduate volunteers, will travel to more than 50 Indian cities until the end of the year.
The Indian government initiative is being supported by Nestlé India, Nestlé Research and Development Centre India, the Embassy of Switzerland and other companies.
Handmade bags and purses
The train will educate school age children about recycling and renewable energy through a series of interactive demonstrations, audio-visual tools and presentations.
Researchers at Nestlé R&D India have provided innovative exhibit ideas to help do this.
These include toy solar cars to demonstrate how solar power is a renewable source of energy and using old plastic bags to create new material for handmade bags and purses.
ON BOARD: Explaining science to young people in India through audio-visual exhibits and interactive tools.
The ‘Science Express’ is the most visited mobile science exhibition in India.
Launched in 2007 by the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, its goal is to explain science to young people through audio-visual exhibits and interactive tools.
Each year, the train’s exhibitions have addressed different themes. This year’s theme, backed by the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests, is 'Biodiversity Special’.
Nutrition and water
Nestlé India joined the initiative in 2009 to highlight the importance of nutrition.
Since then the company has also continued to extend its research and development expertise to the initiative, engaging millions of students on the issue of water as part of last year’s theme.
The initiative emphasised issues such as water depletion, the impact of agricultural use and water quality.
Nestlé India website
The Science Express
Read more about Nestlé in India:
Nestlé celebrates 100 years in India
Nestlé supports coffee farmers in India as demand for Nescafé grows
Outcome of the Board Meeting: Approval of Audited Financial Results for 2018; recommendation of final dividend of Rs 25.00 per equity share of Rs. 10.00 each and 60th Annual General Meeting on 25th April, 2019.
Annual report (pdf, 4.02Mb)
Nestlé in society report (pdf, 5Mb)
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The proposed Crossrail 2 project would add capacity and reduce rail journey times between south west and north east London
London is projected to grow by two million people by 2031. Along with Transport for London, we are making a significant investment in London’s transport infrastructure to accommodate this growth and avoid additional crowding on the network. The proposed Crossrail 2 would add much needed capacity to the rail network.
A number of options are being considered for Crossrail 2. These include a major new tunnel across London from Wimbledon to Alexandra Palace, with an option to connect to existing rail networks between south west and north east London. This would create routes from stations such as Kingston and Surbiton through central London to Tottenham Hale and beyond. Crossrail 2 would serve London Victoria station and the proposed new high-speed terminal at London Euston.
Beyond the South East, Crossrail 2 would bring more than 800 destinations around the country within one interchange of a Crossrail 2 station, including towns in the Midlands and the North, such as Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.
Crossrail 2 is at the proposal and consultation stage, which means that any stations and rail routes shown on proposed maps are just suggestions. You can find out more about the proposed project and benefits on the Crossrail 2 website.
Benefits to passengers
Crossrail 2 would make rail travel quicker and easier for passengers across London and the South West. This would be achieved with new capacity for up to 270,000 more people travelling into London in peak periods and by improving connections on London’s rail network to significantly reduce overcrowding on the Victoria, Northern and Piccadilly lines and on rail services into Waterloo and Liverpool Street.
New infrastructure would free up capacity on the rail network and allow towns and cities such as Cambridge, Southampton, Basingstoke, Woking, Guildford and Portsmouth to potentially benefit from more frequent services. Introducing larger, more frequent trains would also reduce journey times.
As part of the proposed Crossrail 2, new and improved stations would support economic regeneration in locations such as Wimbledon, Dalston and along the upper Lea Valley.
Crossrail 2 would also provide capacity and connectivity that supports plans for a new high-speed rail line (HS2)with links to Leeds and Manchester.
There have so far been three consultations on Crossrail 2 to understand people’s views and opinions on various aspects of the proposed project.
View the consultation reports
The 2015/16 consultation covered:
station locations, entrances and exits for the tunnelled section of the route
the location of ventilation shafts for the tunnelled section
the construction sites required to build and operate the tunnelled section of the scheme
proposed service patterns and changes to existing rail services.
The 2014 consultation covered:
the location of a station in Chelsea
an extension from Alexandra Palace to New Southgate
the route alignment in Dalston and Hackney.
the metro and regional route options, with nearly 14,000 responses received – more than 80 per cent of these supporting the regional option.
Crossrail 2 is in the early stages, so potential timescales for the works required have not yet been set out. If you have any questions about the Crossrail 2 project or the consultation process, you can email crossrail2@tfl.gov.uk or visit the Crossrail 2 website.
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Joplin man dies, others injured in 7-vehicle crash
A Joplin man died Friday in a seven-vehicle accident in Lawrence County on Interstate 44, the Missouri State Highway ...
Joplin man dies, others injured in 7-vehicle crash A Joplin man died Friday in a seven-vehicle accident in Lawrence County on Interstate 44, the Missouri State Highway ... Check out this story on news-leader.com: http://sgfnow.co/1bGixn7
Springfield Published 11:06 p.m. CT Dec. 14, 2013
A Joplin man died Friday in a seven-vehicle accident in Lawrence County on Interstate 44, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
Matthew W. Cozad, 44, was pronounced dead at 4:52 p.m., according to the highway patrol. Cozad was killed after his Chevrolet Corvette was stuck in the rear by a westbound semi driven by Julian Ragellie, 44 of Sherman Oaks, Calif. An 11-year-old boy in Cozad’s car, Collin Cozad, suffered minor injuries.
Traffic on the interstate was slowing or stopped at 4:50 p.m. because of another accident when the semi hit another car in the rear before hitting Cozad’s car, according to the highway patrol. Four other vehicles were also involved in the accident.
Ragellie was taken to Cox South with serious injuries, according to the highway patrol. Jeffrey Schmedeke, 48, of Silver Spring, Md., whose car was struck in the rear by the semi, and Phillip Freimuth, 28, of Green Bay, Wis., whose car was hit by Cozad’s car, were also taken to Cox South. The three were all treated at the hospital and released.
David McCorkle, 46, of Neosho whose car was hit by Freimuth’s car was taken to Mercy where he was listed in good condition. Sherry Spychalski, 44, of Neosho, a passenger in McCorkle’s car, was also taken to Mercy with minor injuries.
Read or Share this story: http://sgfnow.co/1bGixn7
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MARVEL STUDIOS Has Plans For 18 More Secret Films In Development
By Chris Arrant, Editor November 27, 2017 08:09am ET
Credit: Condé Nast
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has big plans for the Marvel Cinematic Universe following 2019's Avengers 4 - over a dozen, in fact.
"[Marvel is] 22 movies in, and we’ve got another 20 movies on the docket that are completely different from anything that’s come before- intentionally,” Feige told Vanity Fair.
Avengers 4 will be Marvel Studios' twenty-second film, and the end to the MCU's Phase 3. The previously-announced Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel would account for two of those 20 post-Phase 3 projects. Additionally, sequels for Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and the upcoming Captain Marvel can be safely assumed.
That still leaves 15 projects unknown - barring any surprise fourth film for Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, or Guardians of the Galaxy, or a fifth Avengers film.
But as Feige said, these films will be "completely different" from the previous MCU films - a statement that Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger illuminates - and possibly opens some doors to.
“We’re looking for worlds that are completely separate - geographically or in time - from the worlds that we’ve already visited,” said Iger.
Captain America: The First Avenger was a period piece - the 1940s - while 2019's Captain Marvel film will be set in the 1990s.
And following the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Feige and writer/director James Gunn have repeated used the term 'Marvel Cosmic Universe' when referring to that corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which could be tipping the hand on what's to come.
MARVEL COMICS APRIL 2018 Solicitations
DISNEY-FOX, MARVEL-X-MEN Merger: Let’s All Be Careful What We Wish For
Six Observations About THOR: RAGNAROK
GUNN: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 'Kickstarts the New Story' of the MCU
The Full COMIC BOOK SUPERHERO Movie Release Schedule
Six Lingering Questions About the MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
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How to understand the risk of a bacon sandwich giving you bowel cancer
Health 9 February 2011 , updated 17 April 2019
What’s the relative risk of eating that bacon sandwich?
Mint Photography/Stockimo/Alamy
By Marianne Freiberger and Rachel Thomas
This article was originally published in February 2011 and was updated with a new headline and image on 17 April 2019.
Is there anything that has not been claimed to cause cancer? In the past few years, we have learned, among other things, that drinking very hot cups of tea leads to an eightfold increase in the risk of developing oesophageal cancer; that a quarter of a grapefruit a day increases breast cancer risk by 30 per cent in post-menopausal women; and, most deliciously, that a daily bacon sandwich raises the likelihood of bowel cancer by 20 per cent. This last finding was encapsulated by the British tabloid The Sun in the headline “Careless pork costs lives“.
These assertions may or may not be valid, but hidden within them is a more important and insidious source of confusion. The figures quoted measure relative risks: how much more likely you are to get ill when indulging in the supposedly dangerous substance or activity compared with not indulging. But they tell you nothing about what that increase in risk amounts to in absolute terms, so there is no way of telling whether it is something worth being concerned about.
“For an average person, the chance of getting bowel cancer at some point in their life is around 5 per cent,” says Spiegelhalter. So a 20 per cent relative increase in bowel cancer risk translates to an absolute increase in risk from 5 per cent to 6 per cent – just 1 per cent. That’s big enough not to ignore, but less of a deterrent to those who like their daily bacon sandwich.
Journalists are by no means the only ones who exploit the greater headline-grabbing potential of relative risk; health professionals do it too. “One of the most misleading, but rather common, tricks is to use relative risks when talking about the benefits of a treatment, while potential harms are given in absolute risks,” says Spiegelhalter.
This technique is known as mismatched framing. In his book Reckoning with Risk, psychologist Gerd Gigerenzer of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, Germany, quotes the example of a patient information leaflet concerning hormone replacement therapy. It claimed that HRT cuts the risk of bowel cancer by 50 per cent (a relative risk), but leads to 6 extra cases of breast cancer per 1000 women (an absolute risk). At first glance, the benefit here seems to hugely outweigh the additional breast cancer risk of just 0.6 per cent.
But until we know the absolute rates of bowel cancer in the target population, we are none the wiser. Assuming that rate is 5 per cent, as it is in the general population, the reduction in risk is 2.5 per cent, putting the benefit to harm ratio in a very different light.
Once you are aware of this trick, it’s relatively easy to spot, but this doesn’t eradicate it even from peer-reviewed medical journals. According to a study published in 2007, one-third of papers reporting on the benefits and harms of medical interventions in the BMJ, The Lancet and The Journal of the American Medical Association presented them using a mixture of different measures (Medical Care, vol 45, p S23).
Read more: “Spin doctors: The truth behind health scare headlines“
Magazine issue 2799 , published 12 February 2011
US to curb 'rocket-fuel chemical' in water
Spin doctors: TV kills
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Cavaliers' pressure too much for Terps
Virginia limited the Terrapins to 16 baskets on 40 percent shooting and finished with a 34-22 rebounding advantage.
Cavaliers' pressure too much for Terps Virginia limited the Terrapins to 16 baskets on 40 percent shooting and finished with a 34-22 rebounding advantage. Check out this story on newsleader.com: http://www.newsleader.com/story/sports/2014/12/03/cavaliers-pressure-much-terps/19875381/
By David Ginsburg, AP Sports Writer Published 11:53 p.m. ET Dec. 3, 2014 | Updated 12:46 a.m. ET Dec. 4, 2014
Virginia guard Justin Anderson dunks over Maryland guard Dion Wiley during the first half of their ACC-Big Ten Challenge game Wednesday in College Park, Md.(Photo: AP)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Virginia used its standard formula for success to dismiss an old foe and remain undefeated.
Malcolm Brogdon scored 18 points, Justin Anderson added 16 and No. 7 Virginia turned up the defense to hand 21st-ranked Maryland its first loss, 76-65 Wednesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Virginia (8-0) limited the Terrapins (7-1) to 16 baskets on 40 percent shooting and finished with a 34-22 rebounding advantage. The Cavaliers, who came in ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense, never trailed and held Maryland 13 points below its season average.
"Nothing flashy, but it's our way," coach Tony Bennett said. "Our chance to be good is for us to be as close to great defensively as we can, and solid and sound offensively."
That's exactly what happened. Virginia lost Darion Atkins (back) and Anderson (ankle) to injuries during the game, but shot a solid 53 percent, committed only seven turnovers and allowed just three offensive rebounds.
"Our goal is to always try to take away the lane, really make them shoot contested shots and limit them to one shot," Bennett said. "You see only three offensive rebounds, that makes me smile. That's huge for us."
The Cavaliers and Terrapins played twice a year for decades when both were in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Now in its first year as a member of the Big Ten, Maryland fell behind early and never really made it interesting against its longtime rival.
"I thought Virginia was terrific from the beginning to the end," Terps coach Mark Turgeon said. "Their defense was what Virginia is about, and our defense wasn't good enough to beat a team like Virginia. We have to be a lot better defensively than we were."
Ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since the 2009-10 season, Maryland got 16 points from freshman Melo Trimble and 14 from Jake Layman. Trimble went 2 for 9 from the field but made 12 of 14 free throws.
"I thought Melo was terrific. I mean, it was 2-on-1 every time he had the ball," Turgeon said. "He got to the foul line 14 times against a team that was just trying to stop him. He just didn't have a lot of help on that end."
The Terrapins trailed 42-34 early in the second half before Anderson was fouled on a 3-point try and made two free throws to launch a 10-5 spurt that put the Cavaliers up 52-39.
After Maryland closed to 54-44, Anthony Gill sank two free throws, Marial Shayok drilled a 3 and Gill made a layup for a 17-point cushion with 7:48 left.
That all but assured the Cavaliers their first 8-0 start since the 2003-04 season.
Anderson scored eight of his 11 first-half points in the final 5 minutes to help the Cavaliers go up 37-29 at the break.
Virginia held Maryland to a pair of baskets over the first 8 minutes while building a 14-4 lead.
The Terrapins whittled the margin to five before Anderson took over. His alley-oop dunk made it 31-21, and he added a layup to give Virginia its biggest lead at 35-23.
Maryland went 7 for 19 from the field but stayed in striking distance with a 12-for-15 performance at the foul line, including 6 for 6 by Trimble.
Virginia: The Cavaliers are 75-107 against Maryland in a series that dates back to 1912-13. This was the first time since Jan. 5, 1953, that the teams met in a non-league game.
Maryland: The Terrapins were without injured starters Dez Wells (broken wrist) and Evan Smotrycz (sprained ankle). Wells is averaging 16.2 points and Smotrycz scored 12 points in two games after missing five games with a broken left foot.
FOUL MOOD
The Cavaliers committed 28 fouls and had four players with four apiece.
"I was thankful for the depth that we had," said Bennett, who had seven players with at least 22 minutes.
Maryland went 27 for 36 at the line.
"It's hard to do what we did," Turgeon said. "Nobody's going to shoot that many free throws on Virginia the rest of the year."
Virginia visits Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday.
Maryland hosts Winthrop on Saturday.
Waynesboro's James Washington on ESPN in national cornhole tournament
Local teams fall at state Babe Ruth tournaments
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Accomplishments to Date
Ministry of Energy
Green Button Initiative
Independent Electricity System Operator
Ontario Power Generation
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
Cap and Trade Website
Join OSEA Now
Reports, Tools, and Guides
Fundraiser for Flood Victims in Nigeria
Ontario Energy Board Submissions
OSEA advocates on behalf of its members for a prosperous Ontario with a thriving sustainable energy sector, good jobs, resilient communities and healthy environments powered, heated, cooled, and moved by portfolios of sustainable energy.
Our collaborative approach and ground breaking work on policy and regulatory best practices has resulted in successes that include:
OSEA initiated and led the highly successful campaign for a Green Energy Act for Ontario, which was passed in May 2009.
OSEA was also instrumental in the introduction in 2004 of the Renewable Standard Offer Program, the precursor to the current feed-in tariff program offered by the Ontario Power Authority
OSEA advocates community ownership of clean, green power
As an advocate of sustainable, clean energy generated and owned by communities throughout Ontario, OSEA acts on behalf of all residents of the province who want to breathe clean air and protect the environment. OSEA does this by educating people about the benefits of community power - skilled jobs, a source of local revenue and a reduction of greenhouse gases - and encourages to become actively involved by establishing or joining community power groups or working with their municipality or economic development organization. OSEA also advocates government policies and programs that will advance the generation of sustainable energy and resolve the administrative and regulatory hurdles that are obstructing the development of community-owned sustainable energy projects.
Funding and Financing
The Green Energy Act
On this front, OSEA has been extremely successful with the passage in 2009 of Ontario’s Green Energy and Green Economy Act. As a founding member of the Green Energy Act Alliance, OSEA played a major role in the creation of this legislation, which, with its program of advanced feed-in tariffs, is the most progressive in North America.
Feed-in Tariffs
In its campaign for a Green Energy Act, OSEA pushed hard for a system of feed-in tariffs. These premium prices for renewable energy are credited with spurring the rapid deployment of renewable energy in Europe. Characterized as the best mechanism for combating climate change, feed-in tariffs act as financial incentives for everyone to produce electricity from green energies such as solar, wind, biogas and run-of-the-river hydro power plants that is fed into the provincial electricity grid.
Transmission / Distribution
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Climate change | local | Environment | Energy | Renewable energy | News
Oregon’s Small-Scale Nuclear Company Looks To Build 1st Plant In Idaho
by Cassandra Profita Follow OPB March 11, 2019 4:45 p.m. | Updated: March 12, 2019 9:27 a.m.
As coal plants retire across the country, Portland-based NuScale Power wants to replace some of that electricity with its small-scale nuclear reactors.
An artist’s rendition of the NuScale nuclear power project planned for construction in Idaho
Courtesy of NuScale Power
needed to build it are moving forward at a good pace, though the plant isn’t scheduled to be operational until 2026 — even if everything goes according to plan.
“The first one is always the challenging one,” he said. “Once we get that first one done I think there’s going to be a huge demand for it.”
The plant would be owned by Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and operated by Energy Northwest, which currently operates the Columbia Nuclear Generating Station nuclear plant near Richland, Washington.
Colbert said the real excitement for NuScale will come when the group of utilities gets its license to build the plant around 2023.
He’s hoping the Idaho project will be the first of many as the country makes the shift away from coal plants and into carbon-free energy.
“Right now, I think there’s about 15,000 megawatts of coal plant retirements announced and it’s going to be replaced with something,” he said. “That something could be gas, wind, solar, hydro, battery storage or NuScale plants. What we’re looking to do is be part of that mix.”
NuScale builds small, modular reactors that produce 60 megawatts of electricity each. They can be combined to create a large-scale power plant with the waste stored on site in dry casks.
Doug Hunter, CEO of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, said the project fits well with their goal of replacing aging coal plants with clean energy.
“We have three coal plants and two of them already have closure dates,” he said. “Some of that coal generation will be replaced by energy efficiency, some will be replaced by renewables and the remainder we will replace with this.”
The Future Climate For Western Oregon? California’s Central Valley
Hunter said the project is a good deal for his group given the price of the power, the safety features that prevent the plant from melting down and ease of construction with the reactor being built by NuScale and shipped to the construction site.
“I would like to be able to get off of all carbon-based fuels 100 percent,” he said. “We do think this is achievable with this — without increasing our cost. A combination of solar, wind and reactors allows us to have 100 percent clean portfolio and have all the attributes of electricity on demand at a very affordable cost.”
The plant would be located at the Idaho National Laboratory site in a partnership between UAMPS and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Hunter said without the cost-sharing deal included in that partnership his group probably wouldn’t be taking the risk of buying the first-of-its-kind NuScale Power plant.
Altogether, he said, UAMPS is paying just 25 percent of the total cost of the project, but that still amounts to $2.8 billion. The group has had more than a hundred public meetings to discuss the decision with its members. After vetting the idea, 33 of the 46 member utilities of the UAMPS group have agreed to participate in the nuclear power plan.
The first of the 12 NuScale reactors will be used by Idaho National Labs for research, and the second will be used by the Department of Energy for electricity to power its operations.
NuScale is openly discussing future projects with two Canadian utilities and an energy commission in Jordan.
Green New Deal Aims To Address Climate Change. Would It Work Without Nuclear Power?
Regulators Discuss New Plans For Nuclear Waste At Hanford
OPB/EarthFix
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Middle East|Iran President Facing Revival of Students’ Ire
Iran President Facing Revival of Students’ Ire
By NAZILA FATHI DEC. 21, 2006
Protesters at Amir Kabir University mocking President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his visit there. Credit Iranian Student News Agency, via Agence France-Presse
TEHRAN, Dec. 20 — As protests broke out last week at a prestigious university here, cutting short a speech by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Babak Zamanian could only watch from afar. He was on crutches, having been clubbed by supporters of the president and had his foot run over by a motorcycle during a less publicized student demonstration a few days earlier.
But the significance of the confrontation was easy to grasp, even from a distance, said Mr. Zamanian, a leader of a student political group.
The student movement, which planned the 1979 seizure of the American Embassy from the same university, Amir Kabir, is reawakening from its recent slumber and may even be spearheading a widespread resistance against Mr. Ahmadinejad. This time the catalysts were academic and personal freedom.
“It is not that simple to break up a president’s speech,” said Alireza Siassirad, a former student political organizer, explaining that an event of that magnitude takes meticulous planning. “I think what happened at Amir Kabir is a very important and a dangerous sign. Students are definitely becoming active again.”
The protest, punctuated by shouts of “Death to the dictator,” was the first widely publicized outcry against Mr. Ahmadinejad, one that was reflected Friday in local elections, where voters turned out in droves to vote for his opponents.
The students’ complaints largely mirrored public frustrations over the president’s crackdown on civil liberties, his blundering economic policies and his harsh oratory against the West, which they fear will isolate the country.
But the students had an additional and potent source of outrage: the president’s campaign to purge the universities of all vestiges of the reform movement of his predecessor, Mohammad Khatami.
Last summer the newly installed head of the university, Alireza Rahai, ordered the demolition of the office of the Islamic Association, which had been the core of student political activities on campus since 1963 and had matured into a moderate, pro-reform group.
Since then, students say, more than 100 liberal professors have been forced into retirement and many popular figures have been demoted. At least 70 students were suspended for political activities, and two were jailed. Some 30 students were given warnings, and a prominent Ph.D. candidate, Matin Meshkin, was barred from finishing his studies.
The students also complain about overcrowded and crumbling dormitories and proscriptions against women wearing makeup or bright colors, rules that were relaxed when Mr. Khatami came to power in 1997.
Amir Kabir University of Technology, a major polytechnic institute, has been a hotbed of student activism since before Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution of 1979. Drawing on networks at universities around the country through an office that links their Islamic associations, students can organize large protests on a moment’s notice. There are also student guilds, which are independent, and more than 2,000 student publications.
Babak Zamanian, a student at Amir Kabir, in Tehran, is on crutches because of a beating earlier by supporters of President Ahmadinejad. Credit Newsha Tavakolian/Polaris, for The New York Times
Mr. Zamanian, the head of public relations of the Islamic Association at Amir Kabir, said that while the situation had not been ideal in the Khatami years, Mr. Ahmadinejad’s antireformist campaign had led students to value their previous freedoms.
They were permitted to hold meetings and invite opposition figures to speak, he said, and could freely publish their journals. Now, he said, their papers are forbidden to print anything but reports from official news agencies.
The students also complain about the president’s failure to deliver economic growth and jobs. At last week’s protest, which coincided with a now infamous Holocaust conference held by the Foreign Ministry, students chanted, “Forget the Holocaust — do something for us.”
A student who identified himself only as Ahmad, for fear of retribution, said: “A nuclear program is our right, but we fear that it will bring more damage than good.”
Another student said: “It is so hard and costly to come to this university, but I don’t see a bright future. Even if you are lucky enough to get a job, the pay would not be enough for you to pay your rent.”
Mr. Zamanian said that the protest had not been planned ahead of Mr. Ahmadinejad’s visit, but that students were further enraged when they saw supporters of the president being bused in.
Although the auditorium was almost filled with the president’s supporters by the time any students were let in, the protesters forced their way inside, chanted, “Death to the dictator,” and held banners calling him a “fascist president.” They also held up posters of the president with his picture upside down and set fire to three of them. Many of the students are now in hiding.
At one point, the head of a moderate student guild complained to Mr. Ahmadinejad that students were being expelled for political activities and given three stars next to their names in university records, barring them from re-entering. The president responded by ridiculing him, joking that the three stars made them sergeants in the army.
The president was eventually forced to cut his speech short and leave. But angry students stormed his car, kicking it and chanting slogans. His convoy of four cars collided several times as they tried to leave in a rush. Eventually the students were dispersed.
An entry on Mr. Ahmadinejad’s Web log, posted Wednesday, played down the scale and significance of the protest, writing that the president had a “good feeling when he saw a small group amid the dominant majority insulting him without any fear.”
A few days after the protest, former Amir Kabir students affiliated with the Islamic associations’ coordinating office wrote a letter to Mr. Ahmadinejad. In it, they turned down what they said was his invitation to share their problems with him, because they believed that he wanted to use the occasion to bolster his candidates in the local elections.
The students also wrote that the president had insulted their intelligence by talking to them in the same language he uses in remote villages on his provincial trips.
“You should know that what happened at Polytechnic University was the voice of universities and the real voice of the people,” they wrote. Tehran Polytechnic was the university’s name before the revolution.
A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A1 of the New York edition with the headline: Iran President Facing Revival Of Students’ Ire. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
U.S. and Britain to Add Ships to Persian Gulf in Signal to Iran DEC. 21, 2006
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Mercedes reveals most powerful S-Class ever
Fresh from introducing its range-topping S-Class Mercedes Benz has followed up with a high performance version.
The new S63 AMG is the most powerful high-performance saloon in the luxury segment, thanks to the 5.5-litre V8 twin turbocharged engine offering up 585 horsepower.
Perhaps more impressive is that the S63 AMG is up to 100 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, and combined with its efficient drivetrain offers combined fuel consumption of 27.4 to 27.9 mpg depending on the model.
Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes 4.0 to 4.4 seconds, depending on model variant, and the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
Making its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the S63 AMG will go on sale later in 2013.
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We might be playing games with ray tracing by the end of the year
Better looking games are on the way.
There has been a lot of discussion about ray tracing lately, stemming from Microsoft announcing the next generation of its DirectX API, called DirectX Raytracing (DXR), coinciding with Nvidia adding ray tracing features to its GameWorks technology. The assumption is that we are getting tantalizing close to ray traced gameplay, and according to Nvidia, it will happen before the end of the year, Fudzilla reports.
Fudzilla says it spoke with Toni Tamasi, senior vice president of content and technology at Nvidia, who confirmed that games with ray tracing will arrive in 2018. No small feat, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that ray tracing is the biggest thing for graphics in the last 15 years.
We've already seem some impressive glimpses of what to expect. Epic Games, for example, showed off a couple of real-time ray tracing demos during its annual State of Unreal presentation at GDC, including a Star Wars demo rendered with four Tesla V100 GPUs.
"A decade from now ... you won't be able to tell the difference between the real world and the virtual world," Epic CTO Kim Libreri said.
Other developers are on board as well, such as 4A Games, which showed off real-time ray traced illumination to Metro Exodus using Nvidia's RTX technology.
What's in store for gaming this year won't be quite as dazzling. Ray tracing is a computationally demanding technology, which is why it has eluded games for so long. What we'll see instead is a combination of traditional rasterization rendering with ray tracing bits sprinkled into scenes as needed, and where possible with today's hardware.
Fully ray traced games are still a long ways off, due to hardware constraints. But in the meantime, it looks like we'll get to experience a bit of ray traced gameplay relatively soon.
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Peace Country Hearing Care proudly supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Starkey Hearing Foundation uses hearing as a vehicle to reflect caring and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world, by helping them reach their full potential.
As proud members of the Starkey Hearing Alliance, our national network of hearing care professionals are leading the way in helping people experience healthier lives. Starkey Hearing Alliance Members specialize in fitting Starkey Technologies hearing instruments. These state-of-the-art hearing aids ensure you are receiving superior comfort, unmatched technology and best – in – class features.
Starkey Hearing Alliance members were thrilled to assist Starkey Hearing Foundation in giving the gift of hearing to more than 7,400 hearing impaired children and adults in Piedras Negras and Mexico City, Mexico and San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa and La Ceiba, Honduras.
Alliance Members raised $76,500 to help pay for one of their own to travel and work with the Foundation’s team of audiologists and staff as they fit each of the 7,400 recipients with their very own customized hearing devices.
Starkey Hearing Foundation’s Mexico and Honduras missions are two of dozens conducted each year by the Foundation, both domestically and internationally. Hearing missions are the primary way Starkey Hearing Foundation realizes its goal – So the World May Hear. Starkey Hearing Foundation fits and gives more than 100,000 hearing aids annually, and has pledged to fit one million hearing aids this decade. For more information about Starkey Hearing Foundation, visit
www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org.
When you get a Peace Country Hearing Care hearing aid, you're not only changing your life for the better, you're helping to improve – in some small way – the lives of millions of people in need.
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Anti-war actors get apology from Hall of Fame
May 7, 2003 7:32 AM CDT
After 28,000 people protested, Dale Petroskey, head of the Baseball Hall Of Fame, apologized for his cancellation of a celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Bull Durham.
The event was originally scheduled for this weekend to commemorate the baseball movie’s release, with Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon appearing at the showing in Cooperstown, N.Y. In early April, the two actors, who both had roles in the film, were notified that the event had been cancelled, due to their vocal stand against the Iraq war. The notification letter they received contained Petroskey’s idea that their anti-war comments “ultimately could put our troops in danger.”
Petroskey’s actions were immediately met with phone calls, faxes and e-mails to the Hall of Fame, protesting his move. In addition, author Roger Kahn, whose Boys of Summer is considered among the best baseball books ever, called off his scheduled August appearance to speak at the Hall in protest.
Petroskey claimed his concern was over “politicizing” baseball, though he himself has a very political background. Petroskey was a White House assistant press secretary under Ronald Reagan. Last year, he invited Ari Fleischer, President Bush’s press secretary, to give a non-baseball speech at the Hall.
In a release promoting Fleisher’s visit, Petroskey wrote: “We are thrilled to welcome him to Cooperstown and hear his perspective on life in the White House and the current political scene which, of course, includes the war on terrorism.”
In a letter responding to Petroskey’s original letter, Robbins and Sarandon expressed their outrage over his hypocritcal act. “You belong with the cowards and ideologues in a hall of infamy and shame,” they wrote.
“It’s interesting that we’re liberating Iraq and trying to give that country a democracy,” Sarandon said in an interview. “But in America, some would try to silence those who hold opposing views.”
In interviews, Robbins has said that they had planned on avoiding political remarks at the event. On April 15, in a speech at the National Press Club, he joked about Petroskey’s fears, saying, “I had originally been asked here to talk about the war and our current political situation, but I have instead chosen to hijack this opportunity and talk about baseball and show business.”
“I love the Hall of Fame and I love baseball,” Robbins said. “Our two boys wanted to tour the Hall, and visit the baseball card and memorabilia shops. It’s such a wonderful atmosphere. We wanted to watch the movie again, and reminisce. I didn’t want to talk about war and politics. I wanted to talk about baseball. It’s a beautiful film about a beautiful game.”
Petroskey’s letter of apology, in which he said, “I inadvertently did exactly what I was trying to avoid,” was released April 18. There was no word on any plans to reschedule the event.
“I appreciate Petroskey’s non-apology apology and his realization of the perils of paper trails,” Robbins said in a statement.
Robbins also noted that the debate over the action can be seen as a positive coming out of the flap. “Because Petroskey’s actions resulted in a bipartisan, nationwide affirmation of free speech and the First Amendment, he has inadvertently done us all a favor.”
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In accordance with the provisions laid down by Garante, the Italian Data Protection Authority (“Garante”), on 8th May 2014, containing identification of simplified methods for cookie policies and acquisition of consent for the use of cookies (the “Cookie Provision”), Immobiliare Verdemare S.r.l. wishes to inform its users of the following.
The website www.pettolecchialaresidenza.it uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure that procedures function correctly and to improve the user experience of online applications. This document provides detailed information on the use of cookies and similar technologies, on how they are used on www.pettolecchialaresidenza.it and on how to manage them.
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Comprehensive guide to identifying diseases caused by drug therapy
The Pharmaceutical Journal14 FEB 2019By Laurence A. Goldberg
Laurence A. Goldberg
Laurence A. Goldberg is a pharmaceutical consultant from Bury, Lancashire
Valuable, comprehensive coverage of a vital subject that fills a gap in current literature.
Drug-induced Diseases: Prevention, detection and management
Edited by James E Tisdale and Douglas A Miller. 3rd ed. Pp xxv+1399. US$225. Maryland: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2018. ISBN 978-1-58528-530-3
Drug therapy can improve and prolong a patient’s life, but it is important to remember that drugs are also capable of causing harm by triggering new ailments, or exacerbating those that already exist. The unintended effects of a drug may lead to a patient seeking medical attention or requiring hospitalisation, and could even lead to death. This book, now in its third edition, provides a detailed analysis of how to identify, prevent and manage these drug-induced diseases.
The book is divided into 58 chapters, most of which are dedicated to specific disease states. This structure allows the reader to easily find specific information relating to each disease. The chapters are grouped into 12 sections: the first offers a general overview of the magnitude and significance of drug-induced diseases in the healthcare system, epidemiology and the impact on public health, factors that may contribute to the development of these conditions, and the strategy of post-marketing surveillance for their detection.
The remaining sections are organised around specific organ systems and the diseases in which drugs have been implicated as the causative agents. As an example, the section on drug-induced dermatological diseases contains chapters covering drug allergy, cutaneous diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome, photosensitivity, alopecia, hirsutism and hypertrichosis. I do, however, take issue with the listing of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors as a cause of acne — these drugs cause rashes that can be described as acneiform eruptions but are not strictly acne.
Each chapter follows a consistent structure to describe a particular disease state and explore links to the medications that can cause the disease. Information relating to epidemiology, mechanisms of action, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, risk factors, morbidity and mortality is included, along with methods of prevention, management and information to patients.
The chapters also include a series of standard tables. The ‘agents implicated’ tables offer a useful indication of strength of evidence to associate a drug with a disease — level A from randomised controlled clinical trials, level B from non-randomised trials, cohort studies, meta analyses or post-marketing surveillance studies, or level C from case reports or case series.
Experts who are distinguished in their respective specialties have contributed these chapters, and each chapter is well referenced. But while this edition is comprehensive, it does not embrace the recent advances in personalised medicine. The book does not introduce advanced therapy medicinal products and their inherent risks are not covered. In addition, the section dealing with legal and regulatory aspects refers only to law in the United States and the US Food and Drug Administration.
Drug-induced Diseases: Prevention, detection, and management is a well-organised, easy-to-use reference source that fills a big gap in the current literature. It gives this vital subject the comprehensive coverage that it deserves. The book will be valuable to healthcare professionals working on the frontline, who, when confronted with a patient presenting with a new disease or an exacerbation of an existing condition, will ask the question: “Could this problem be drug induced?”
Laurence A Goldberg
Drug-induced Diseases: Prevention, Detection, and Management, edited by James E Tisdale and Douglas A Miller. 3rd ed. Pp xxv+1399. US$225. Maryland: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2018. ISBN 978-1-58528-530-3
Citation: The Pharmaceutical Journal, February 2019, Vol 302, No 7922, online | DOI: 10.1211/PJ.2019.20206137
Patient Care in Community Practice
Patient Care in Community Practice is a unique, practical guide for healthcare professionals or carers. Covers a range of non-medicinal products suitable for use at home.
Stockley's Herbal Medicines Interactions
An invaluable reference for interactions of conventional medicines with herbal medicines, dietary supplements and nutraceuticals.
Injectable Drugs Guide
A user friendly, single point of reference for healthcare professionals in the safe and effective administration of injectable medicines.
FASTtrack: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
A quick-start guide to all the main types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, providing both theoretical and practical information.
Aromatherapy Science
Science-based aromatherapy information for healthcare professionals. Includes monographs on the commonly used essential oils.
Comprehensive guide on handling hazardous drugs
Comprehensive reference on psychotropic medicines
Comprehensive drug reference resource from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Valuable and easy-to-use drug information resource
Pharmaceutical preparations
In Opinion
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Regulation of third party litigation funding in England and Wales Regulation of third party litigation funding in England and Wales
Regulation of third party litigation funding in England and Wales
Out-Law Analysis | 19 Jul 2018 | 12:36 pm | 2 min. read
ANALYSIS: Third party litigation funding is a growing industry in England and Wales, although the market remains largely unregulated.
Litigation funding has provided investors with a new opportunity which allows them to hedge market risk, as investments into litigation finance do not tend to follow general market trends. Market participants include specialist litigation funders as well as major global financial institutions, demonstrating that this type of funding is seen as a lucrative emerging industry.
What is third party litigation funding?
Third party funding is the funding of legal proceedings by an entity that is not involved in the dispute, typically in return for a share of the damages received or the settlement sum.
The amount of assets under management by the 16 main third party funders that operate in the UK is now over £1.5 billion based on figures which are publicly available, although the actual amount is likely to be much higher. This figure has grown by 743% from £180 million in 2009, the year of Lord Justice Jackson's review of civil litigation costs.
A wide range of disputes can be attractive to funders including share disputes, contractual disputes and enforcement of debt actions; and third party funding can be used for either court or arbitral decisions.
How is third party litigation funding regulated in the UK?
At present, there is no legislation regulating third party funding in the UK.
As of 2017, the government has no plans to formally regulate third party funders as the market "remains in a relatively early stage in its development". The government has, however, said that it is ready to investigate matters further should the need arise.
Third party funding in England and Wales is self-regulated by the Association of Litigation Funders (ALF). The ALF is a private company limited by guarantee, owned and directed by its member firms.
A voluntary code of conduct for litigation funders was first published in November 2011. It was developed by a Ministry of Justice working group on third party funding, which was set up in response to a recommendation by leading judge Lord Justice Jackson in his comprehensive review of civil litigation costs.
Although voluntary, compliance with the code is mandatory for funders which are seeking to become members of the ALF. Funders that agree to abide by the code are prevented from attempting to influence the litigation, and must agree to pay all debts when they become "due and payable". They must also ensure that they have enough capital to cover all the arrangements on their books for a minimum period of 36 months.
In addition, the code prevents funders from terminating a funding agreement "without good reason. Funders must also ensure that the party to the dispute "receives independent advice" on the terms of the funding agreement, usually from the party's own solicitor.
ALF members which fail to meet the requirements of the code may be subject to a fine of up to £500 and/or termination of their membership. However, termination of membership does not prohibit a funder from continuing to fund claims, and many active funders are not members of the ALF at all.
Professional third party funders are often staffed with solicitors which are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This means that they must follow the SRA Handbook which is made up of two parts: the SRA principles, which are mandatory and cover all areas of legal practice; and the SRA Code of Conduct.
As part of these requirements, solicitors have an obligation to advise litigants on funding options including insurance and third party funding. Failure to do so can result in sanction by the SRA, and potential liability for professional negligence.
Ben Wells is a civil litigation expert at Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com.
Commercial courts set out position on global enforcement
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Food trend
Half Of All Meals Served In This Californian School District Are Vegan
Many other districts are beginning to follow suit - starting with Meatless Mondays
Children enjoyed the meat-free meals
A staggering 50 percent of cafeteria meals served in the Santa Barbara Unified School District are vegan, according to the Santa Barbara Independent.
The schools started serving the meals after teaming up plant-based company Hungry Planet.
As a result of the partnership, on Earth Day 2017, schools in the district served a plant-based feast, including dishes like vegan meatball subs, chicken chile verde burritos, and double cheeseburgers from the company’s food truck.
The meals were popular - selling out in three days, tripling sales from previous years.
Vegan meals
After this success, Nancy Weiss, Food Director for the district, decided to offer the meals on a call-ahead basis.
She said: "I realized I really wanted everyone to be able to experience it.
"I just decided we would come up with a bunch of kid-friendly menu ideas and roll it out quietly. A lot of days they are running out of the Hungry Planet option."
Plant-based options are better for the planet
Hungry Planet was co-founded by brother and and sister team Todd and Jody Boyman, who spent more than 10 years developing their range.
They told the Santa Barbara Independent: "Our vision started 12 years ago, when the data started becoming more clear about what was causing some of the fundamental environmental and public-health challenges on the planet.
"It’s pretty clear that the root cause has to do with the food choices that we make. You can’t solve the problem without addressing our whole food system."
More than 50 school districts across the States currently offer some vegan options - with many observing Meatless Mondays.
In addition, schools outside the USA have also started dishing up plant-based meals. Next year, Mexico's second largest state is set to serve 925,000 vegan school meals in a year.
Schools in four Brazilian cities are moving to vegan meals over the next school year - and will be serving around 23 million plant-based plates in a year.
Some of our articles are published as a team, which means the article has been produced by a collection of people rather than one author. If you have any questions regarding what is written above please contact us.
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Yolanda stakeholders in Tacloban alarmed over water access and sanitation concerns in government housing program
September 8, 2016 – Nearly three years after the onslaught of Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), housing for more than 14,000 displaced families remains an issue. In a press conference held in Quezon City, typhoon survivors, local government officials, and advocates raised concerns on water access and sanitation in resettlement sites.
Despite concerted efforts by the government, civil society and international organizations, significant challenges remain in the recovery and rehabilitation of the affected communities. In Tacloban City, some 14,433 families, comprising 40 percent of the total affected families, were targeted for relocation by the national and local governments in the northern barangays. As of date, only 13 percent of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have relocated.
Meanwhile, families who have already relocated have to grapple with major problems like scarcity of water, the lack of waste water treatment facilities, inadequate livelihood opportunities, and unclear information on tenurial security.
“Until now, those of us who have resettled in Northern Tacloban still do not have access to potable water. The city government provides some through water trucks at two times a week. But this is not enough,” lamented Algina Lacaba, secretary of the Coalition of Yolanda Survivors Association of Tacloban (CYSAT).
According to the city government of Tacloban, the problem of water scarcity has been there even before Yolanda.
“For northern Tacloban, the problem is that there is no viable source of ground water in most of the areas. At the same time, the Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD) has imposed a one-subdivision, one meter policy, which effectively deprives northern Tacloban of water supply,” said Community Affairs Officer IV Tedence Jopson.
Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes (PhilNet-RDI) Operations Manager Emynita Tapiru explained that the lack of water has resulted to problems of malnutrition and poverty, inability of children to go to school, and conflicts within families.
She mentioned that, “Because of the lack of water, many families are forced to buy water elsewhere. This diminishes their capacity to buy food. Children’s opportunity to go to school is also reduced because they are asked by their parents to cue and fetch water when it is scheduled for water distribution.
Worse, the mothers often have quarrel with their husbands because they have to look all day for water that they can bring home and their spouses complain that there is not cooked steamed rice when they get back from work.”
On the other hand, Lacaba complained about the ineffective condition of their toilet facilities. She recounted that, “whenever it rains, there is flooding outside our houses. This causes the water to spill from our toilet bowls. The foul smell from the toilet bowls also comes out of our kitchen sinks. We’re afraid that we’ll all get sick soon if this is not addressed. ”
“Plans are underway to resettle more than 14,000 families in Northern Tacloban. Unless a sustainable water supply system is installed, and appropriate waste water treatment facilities are put in place, people’s health as well as mariculture-based livelihoods, will continue to be at risk” explained Leah Payud, Oxfam’s Tacloban Resettlement Program Manager
CYSAT and PhilNet-RDI are calling on the National Housing Authority (NHA) and its developers to improve the septic tanks for every household and to separate the storm drainage from the sewer lines. They are also recommending that secondary wastewater treatment facilities be installed and ensure that standard or stronger materials be used in the construction of houses.
At the same time the LGU of Tacloban City is calling on the national government and Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to facilitate the provision of water for the Yolanda Survivors. In particular, they are requesting for the immediate release of the remaining funds of the approved P527 million-budget to put up the water system in northern Tacloban. Lastly, they are proposing for the allocation of P116.6 million for the provision of a centralized sewage system for the entire city of Tacloban.
“It is high time that a legislation be passed to provide a national framework on resilient human settlements and adequate housing in order to address these problems and harmonize all existing policies on housing and integrate standards for resilience,” PLCPD executive director Romeo Dongeto added.
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Plymouth State University Sites > Faculty & Staff > Faculty Profiles > Kerry L. Yurewicz
Associate Professor of Ecology
BS, PhD, University of Michigan
Email: klyurewicz@plymouth.edu
Homepage: http://oz.plymouth.edu/~klyurewicz
Office: Boyd Science Center, Room 224
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 12:10-1:30 pm
About Professor Yurewicz
Kerry Yurewicz is a community ecologist interested in how species interactions affect the performance of individuals and shape patterns of abundance and diversity in nature. She has also studied the ecology of body size and its consequences to populations and communities. Most of her work on these topics has been in freshwater systems on amphibians and invertebrates, using approaches ranging from laboratory experiments on animal behavior to long-term surveys of natural habitats. For current projects, she is investigating the role of crayfish in the Squam Lake food web, as well as patterns in the distribution of aquatic insects in streams. She enjoys collaborating with both undergraduate and graduate students.
Kerry earned her B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan and held a postdoctoral research position at the University of Notre Dame before joining the faculty at Plymouth State University in 2004. She has served as Department Chair since 2010.
Selected publications/presentations
Ramberg Pihl, N. C., and K. L. Yurewicz. 2011. The influence of predatory smallmouth bass on northern crayfish: field distribution patterns and laboratory behavioral responses. Poster presentation, Annual meeting of the North American Benthological Society.
Hoverman, J. T., C. J. Davis, E. E. Werner, D. K. Skelly, R. A. Relyea, and K. L. Yurewicz. 2011. Environmental gradients and the structure of freshwater snail communities. Ecography 34: 1049-1058.
Werner, E. E., R. A. Relyea, K. L. Yurewicz, D. K. Skelly, and C. J. Davis. 2009. Comparative landscape dynamics of two anuran species: climate-driven interaction of local and regional processes. Ecological Monographs 79: 503-521.
Werner, E. E., K. L. Yurewicz, D. K. Skelly, and R. A. Relyea. 2007. Turnover in an amphibian metacommunity: the role of local and regional factors. Oikos 116: 1713-1725.
Yurewicz, K. L. 2004. A growth/mortality trade-off in larval salamanders and the coexistence of intraguild predators and prey. Oecologia 138: 102-111.
Awards or recognition
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Biological Science II (BI 1120)
Invertebrate Zoology (BI 2030)
Freshwater Ecology (BI 3260)
Biology Seminar (BI 4960)
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Plan launched to build Europe's largest green hydrogen plant
Dutch paints and chemicals maker Akzo Nobel and gas network operator Gasunie have announced a plan to build Europe’s largest green hydrogen production plant.
The facility, aimed at cutting CO2 emissions, is to be built in the northern part of the Netherlands and would use a 20 MW water electrolysis unit to convert sustainable electricity into hydrogen, reports Power Engineering International. That would mark an important step in scaling up the technology, which is seen as crucial for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the companies said.
Under pressure to meet strict CO2 emission goals, industrial companies and utilities hope to use excess wind and solar power to create hydrogen, which can then be stored for reconversion into power or for direct industrial use.
The planned installation would produce around 3,000 tons of green hydrogen each year, which can either be used by Akzo’s specialty chemicals division or be sold to third parties, such as public transport companies using hydrogen buses.
Both companies will look for potential buyers in the coming months and will make a final decision on the project next year, with the building costs expected to run into the “tens of millions” of euros.
The eventual aim is to convert and store sustainable energy in the form of hydrogen on a much larger scale, with plants of at least 100 MW. So far, the largest planned unit in the Netherlands has a capacity of 1 MW.
Industrial factories in the Netherlands currently use more than 800,000 tons of hydrogen produced by natural gas each year.
Akzo Nobel is one of the most energy-intensive companies in Europe. It says it currently uses renewable sources for 40 percent of its total energy need and aims to be CO2-neutral by 2050.
Topics: Building Owners and Managers, Energy Saving Products, Engineering Firms, Environmental Firms, Great Commercial Buildings, Industrial and Manufacturing Buildings, Technology
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May 16, 2017 by pumapix
Two new species of wild cat have just been classified by the Cat Classification Task Force! This brings the total number of wild cats up to forty species. The two new species are the African Wild Cat(Felis lybica) and Sunda Leopard Cat(Prionailurus javanensis).
The African Wild Cat (Felis lybica) was previously considered a subspecies of the European Wild Cat (Felis silvestris). It’s former scientific name was Felis silvestris lybica. It is found in Africa and Asia.
There are three tentative subspecies for this new species:
Felis lybica lybica – Found in east, west, and north Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Middle East, Corsica, Sardinia and Crete.
Felis lybica cafra – Found in southern Africa
Felis lybica ornata – Found in southwest and central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Mongolia, and China.
Sunda Leopard Cat
The Sunda Leopard Cat (Prionailurus javanensis) was previously considered a subspecies of the newly re-named Mainland Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). It’s former scientific name was Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis. It is found in Java, Bali, Borneo, Sumatra, Palawan, Negros, Cebu and Panay, Philippines, and possibly the Malayan Peninsula.
There are two two recognized subspecies for this new species:
Prionailurus javanensis javanensis – Found in Java and Bali
Prionailurus javanensis sumatranus – Found in Borneo, Sumatra, Palawan, Negros, Cebu and Panay, and the Philippines
It is important to recognize that these animals were not discovered in the traditional sense of finding previously unseen individuals in the field. Rather, taxonomists and geneticists determined through morphological, genetic, and biogeographical data that species previously thought to be the same, are in fact multiple species. With time, these findings may change again. Species may be lumped back into one, or split even further.
For the full list of the forty species of wild cat, including the two new additions, please see my list here.
Cat News, Special Issue, Number 11, Winter 2017: A revised taxonomy of the Felidae
Pumapix Photography | African Wild Cat, Felid, Feline, Felis lybica, Prionailurus javanensis, Small Cat, Sunda Leopard Cat, Wild Cat, Wildcat | 0
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Social Justice Gospel Coalition
Sep 05, 2018 · A La Carte: Social Justice and the Gospel / pastors should preach shorter / Kindle deals / a dream 30 years in the making / is it always God’s will to heal? /.
When, following the Great Depression, a Social Gospel movement arose to challenge this. we have witnessed the power of God to unite a diverse coalition of people committed to justice and mercy.
Protestants Social Gospel and Judaism call for respect of human life; Hinduism and Islam are based on equality. Rights related to the basic necessities of living a dignified life take center stage. Catholic Social Teaching (CST) evolved from all social justice proponents over time, in union, to help promote the building of a just society and.
Programs funded by CCHD provide lifelines to the poor and marginalized, work on behalf of immigrants, offer social. Gospel,” said Gehring. Sally Steenland is Director of the Faith and Progressive.
Apr 23, 2019 · You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address.
The Gospel Coalition, in turn, continued to block the men and women now demanding answers on social media. Detwiler’s knowledge. to remind us of an essential truth when it comes to justice: silence.
Escuela Academia Militarizada Mexico Tacubaya New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation The NH Charitable Foundation has a 'single online application' process. tuition assistance for Early Childhood Education courses offered through the CCSNH. Do not forget to check with your high school's guidance office, local clubs, Early data from Arkansas’ Medicaid work requirement program showed multiple problems, including lack of awareness
Archivists at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have preserved many of Traxler’s documents as a way to show the role of the Catholic Church in major social justice issues of. policies.
Name Of Ancient Greek Football Jan 23, 2014. ancient Greek names Have you ever wondered how many different names there are in use today all over the world? We may not have the. A service that offers a variety of boy & girl baby names, including greek boy & girl baby names with name, meaning, origin and gender. Sep 01,
The event was organized by the Influencer Coalition. Gospel Baptist Church), Nelini Stamp (Rise Up Georgia), Angele Karen (My Revolution Worldwide), India Shawn (My Revolution Worldwide), Taj Anwar.
From Kevin DeYoung at The Gospel Coalition, Is Social Justice a Gospel Issue? From Al Mohler, speaking on social justice at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel (37 minutes on YouTube). From Christianity Today’s Mark Galli, Evangelism Is a Work of Social Justice.
"I want us to work really hard to figure out and pursue justice, equality, love for neighbor. the Kainos Conference — which is organized by Loritts — and The Gospel Coalition. The conversation.
Coalition for Social Justice and the Marion Institute. “We’re trying to spread the gospel of a cleaner environment,” said Mitchell during his keynote address. He added that forums help foster the.
Jul 08, 2017 · How The Gospel Coalition is Killing The Gospel With “Social Justice”. evangelical organization called The Gospel Coalition would carelessly misuse the concept of justice. And yet that is precisely what they’ve done in the latest article by Greg Forster. Charity = Justice?
“social justice” book I know of. Justice skeptics and justice proponents alike will learn from Generous Justice.” — Kevin DeYoung, The Gospel Coalition.
Most of the centres in the United States belong to one of two national evangelical organisations, according to a 2014 study published in the Social Science & Medicine. of the Sexual and.
Jun 5, 2018. According to the text of the measure, “social justice by definition is based. “Most people in Gospel Coalition-affiliated churches have no idea.
Aug 30, 2017. The Gospel Coalition (TGC) is a fellowship of evangelical churches from. Christians and churches must be involved in social justice and.
Among those to praise the report are African American pastors on social media. Dwight McKissic. Thabiti Anyabwile, a Washington pastor and speaker at Gospel Coalition events, tweeted Dec. 12, "One.
Jun 25, 2018. How can the church do a better job of addressing social justice and racial. Collin Hansen serves as editorial director for The Gospel Coalition.
How do the Gospel, social justice ministry and meditation mix? Ask Joe Phelps. News Jeff Brumley | February 25, Phelps said, will go hand-in-hand with his ongoing role as co-chairman of Empower West Louisville, a justice-seeking coalition of African-American and white churches and religious groups, including the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Sep 25, 2012 · 18 Replies to “Tim Keller’s Social Justice”. IMHO he should resign from The Gospel Coalition. Thanks again for the many scriptural references that refute the socialist agenda. I will make good use of them when I discuss these issues with Christians. Sometimes I read comments from people who say they are Christian but the comment makes.
May 29, 2018 · Many members of Generation Z are choosing justice over the gospel, but they don’t have to. They can choose both. Generation Z—roughly those young people born between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s—is known for a lot of things: its technological savvy, its commitment to social justice, its loneliness, its online connectedness, and its seemingly endless quest…
Jul 31, 2017. Jonah Goldberg explains, “ultimately, social justice is about the state. From Christianity Today to the The Gospel Coalition, to the Ethics and.
How To Reach Out To Professors For Graduate School Here, you can take advantage of the wide variety of graduate programs and. and requirements for specific department GSAs and TAs, you can reach out to the. Digital Commons – Liberty students & faculty dissertations, peer-reviewed. They’re standing next to a 34 year old who’s doing one of our graduate certificates, which is stackable into
Conferences like MLK50 (sponsored by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC along with the Gospel Coalition), Together for the Gospel (with several message explicitly addressing social justice and racial reconciliation) and Revoice (a conference “supporting, encouraging, and empowering gay, lesbian, same-sex-attracted, and.
Following graduation, Wise pursued social justice as a youth coordinator and associate director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Racism and Nazism. Voices of Praise gospel choir, Oxappella and.
These efforts have been inspired by the Gospel, teachings of the various popes and Catholic Social Teaching. Working for the common good, these coalitions have been successful in achieving social and.
May 25, 2018. Generation Z, Justice, and the Gospel: A Call for Balance by Eric Metaxas, Stan. for a lot of things: its technological savvy, its commitment to social justice, Writing for The Gospel Coalition, Crowe says, “The fundamental.
Sep 10, 2018 · Agreeing with John Macarthur, Josh Buice says that social justice is the top issue for the church in the last 100 – 200 years (18m:25s). Small wonder then that John MacArthur, Josh Buice and eleven others wrote the Statement on Social Justice & The Gospel. Why the statement was written. John MacArthur in particular wants to protect the Gospel.
In a statement from NETWORK, the Sister Simone Campbell-led social justice organization denounced Rep. In a multi-state, grassroots effort against austerity cuts, a coalition of faith leaders have.
In April 2010, the coalition started work-study groups that explored any disconnect they saw between church practice and the Gospel message. The work-study groups looked at topics such as Catholic.
Learn Ancient Greek In Greece If you look closely, you can see a variety of similarities between the commemoration of the birth of Christ and the worship of Dionysus in ancient Greece. In December. According to Greek mythology, Alongside Latin, ancient Greek (sometimes called “Classical Greek”) is one of the professional. and the novel all have deep roots in the
Javax.naming.invalidnameexception Ldap Error Code 34 Invalid Dn Syntax The directory server returns the password status to pam_ldap, which in turn maps the status to the PAM error codes. A user might be rejected. updated in Solaris 9 OE 12/02 to support password. This document defines the base syntax for CMC, a Certificate Management protocol using the Cryptographic Message Syntax (CMS). This protocol addresses
The Commission will honor three distinguished citizens with the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission Distinction Award: Lisa Tepper Bates, executive director of the Connecticut Coalition to.
Wade, “‘Catholic Democrat’ was one word,” Muenster said, in part because the Democrats’ interest in social justice aligned closely with. of the canals and environmentalists who formed a coalition.
Sep 20, 2018. Don't the Scriptures Support a Social Justice Gospel?. The Gospel Coalition was adamantly criticizing Donald Trump up to his election and.
The Gospel Coalition, or TGC, is a network of "broadly Reformed" evangelical churches founded in 2005 by Christian pastors/theologians D. A. Carson and Tim Keller.The mission of TGC is to encourage and educate "current and next-generation" Christian leaders by advocating "gospel.
Aug 19, 2018. The Gospel Coalition, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. On Social Justice Madness. were marred by the same progressive, Social Gospel garbage that's reared its ugly head again within conservative circles.
In 2006, we began with sixteen coalition partners, and today we have over. He is the epitome of an agent for change implementing social justice with the social gospel of Jesus Christ and the unique.
Oct 04, 2018 · A Better Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel Last month’s intramural debate among evangelicals revolving around social justice seems to have died down for the time being. But it’s relevance has not. Have no doubt that the conversation will continue to play an important role in the American church for the years to come.…
The 8th Day Center, founded in 1974, is supported by some 39 congregations of men and women religious in a coalition effort for the communities to focus energy together on social justice work.
Transdisciplinary Background In Linguistics And Buisness Individuals are asked to answer numerical and linguistic questions. are likelier to be more appropriate for people with less privileged backgrounds. To avoid replicating the exclusivity of. Escuela Academia Militarizada Mexico Tacubaya New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation The NH Charitable Foundation has a 'single online application' process. tuition assistance for Early Childhood Education courses
Randy McGough, chairman of the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission’s Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition, believes people must. Regional performing artists will speak up and sing out on social.
Mar 13, 2019 · You can tell evangelical progressives are nervous about the critique of the Social Justice movement by the ludicrous strawman attack presented by The Gospel Coalition. TGC interviewer: Why do some evangelicals confuse social ministry with Marxism? Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Professor: Because they’ve bought into a cultural narrative that was shaped in the 20th century, when.
. Presbyterians like Tim Keller are using their parachurch organization The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and funding from “social justice” communitarian foundations.
Sep 01, 2008 · The social gospel is a deadly disease for "people of faith." It reinforces the belief that salvation can be attained by doing good works, putting aside differences for the common good, treating others the way we want to be treated, acting morally, ethically, and sacrificially—and that doing so will endear humans to God. No.
For example, was the social gospel’s primary objective to cast a wide ideological net to create a broad coalition of secular and religious. adopted a variety of social justice resolutions, and that.
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Portex Stacking Chairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1940s, Set of 12
No shipping price available Insured Delivery from Belgium to: Australia Austria Bahrain Belgium Canada Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Ireland Israel Italy Japan Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Qatar Singapore Slovakia South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States
This set of twelve model Portex stackable chairs was designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen and produced by Fritz Hansen around 1940.
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Vintage, Mid-Century, Industrial, Hand-Crafted, Minimalist, Modernist
Good — This vintage item remains fully functional, but it shows sign of age through scuffs, dings, faded finishes, minimal upholstery defects, or visible repairs.
Heavy signs of use, Patina consistent with age and use, Some veneer is missing off the seats of some chairs
IAW-231073
Beige, yellow
Standard — Between 40kg and 80kg
Hvidt & Mølgaard was a Copenhagen-based, Danish design and architectural firm which existed from 1944 until 2009. Founded by Peter Hvidt (1916-1986) and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen (1907-1993), the company was a pioneering force in Danish furniture design and industrialized production in the 1950s, creating furniture that was easy to mass-produce and economic to transport.
Danish architect-designer Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen was born in 1907. His formative years were spent in Copenhagen, studying at the Aalborg Technical School (graduating in 1924) and at the Art and Crafts School of the Design Museum (graduating in 1928). From 1931 until 1934, he continued his studies in furniture design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts under the instruction of Danish master Kaare Klint (1888-1954).
Danish architect-designer Peter Hvidt was born in Copenhagen in 1916. He studied architecture and cabinetry at the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. Subsequently, he worked at various design firms before establishing his own studio in 1942. From 1942 to 1945, Hvidt taught at the School of Arts and Crafts. In 1944, Hvidt designed the Portex Chair, which was one of Denmark’s first stacking chairs. Hvidt, whose design aesthetic was characterized as traditional throughout the 1940s, exhibited frequently at the Cabinetmaker's Guild exhibitions, as both a designer and architect. He also worked with the lighting manufacturer Le Klint on numerous lighting designs.
In 1944, the pair co-established Hvidt & Mølgaard Studio, which they ran together until 1975. During this time, the pair created designs for Fritz Hansen, France & Søn, and Søborg Møbelfabrik. In 1950, the pair designed the AX Chair, which solidified both of their careers as industrial designers and became an icon of Danish mid-century design. AX was inspired by the work of American design duo Charles and Ray Eames, and was the first Danish chair that was crafted with both a seat and back made of curved laminated wood. The chair utilized a laminated technique for production which was carried out by Fritz Hansen. The chair’s design allowed for mass production and easy packaging, opening a successful market for Danish furniture to be exported around the world. The AX Chair was eventually accompanied by the AX Table, which was exhibited in 1951 as part of the "Good Design" show sponsored by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Like many designers of the mid-century period, they also incorporated leather in their designs, as well as teak and cane, and created modular units such as bookcases and living room sets. Other designs by the pair include the FD134 Chair, FD145 Chair, Gateleg Dining Table, Minerva Sofa, and the Model 523—or Pinwheel—side table (all 1950s for France & Søn).
Hvidt & Mølgaard focused on architectural projects, which spanned office buildings and factories, such as the De Danske Sukkerfabrikker building in Copenhagen (1958), as well as collective housing projects in Søllerød, Hillerød, and Birkerød (1962–1970). They were known for their light, simple, and clear designs, which were carried out with precision. In 1970, Hans Kristensen (b. 1933) joined the firm, helping the pair to design the Little Belt Bridge (1965-1970) and the Vejle Fjord Bridge (1975- 1980).
Both Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen retired in 1975, designing over 256 pieces of furniture together over the course of their careers. Hvidt passed away in 1986 and Mølgaard-Nielsen in 1993. Hvidt received the Diplôme d'Honneur at Milan’s Triennale in 1951 and 1954. Mølgaard-Nielsen was jointly awarded an iF Product Design Award for the Safari lamp for Nordisk Solar Compagni (1981, Christian Hvidt, Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen). Their work can be found at New York’s MoMA, the National Gallery in Melbourne, and the Danish Museum of Art & Design in Copenhagen.
The company continued to thrive after the founders' retirement, and was run by Kristensen, Peter Holsøe (b. 1943), and Hvidt's son Henrik Hvidt (b. 1945). Later architectural works include, buildings for Nokia (1996) and DONG in Copenhagen’s South Docklands, and two masterplans for major harbor redevelopments in Estonia. In 2009, the company was split in two, forming Hvidt Arkitekter and Holsøe Arkitekter.
Danish cabinetmaker Fritz Hansen founded his eponymous furniture manufacturing company with his son Christian in Copenhagen in 1885. The first three decades were dedicated to hand-making wood and iron frames for upholstered furniture. In 1915, however, Christian began to introduce industrial processes, such as steam-bending wood, which enabled the family business to mass-produce at a larger scale.
In 1932, Christian brought in his own sons, Fritz and Søren, who updated the product line to include more modernist styles, like Søren’s Thonet-inspired DAN Chair (1930) and a cantilevered wicker and tubular steel chair by architect Mogens Lassen (1933). Other early classics in the Fritz Hansen catalog include Kaare Klint’s Church Chair (1936), Hans Wegner’s China Chair (1944), and Børge Mogensen’s Spoke Back Sofa (1945).
During the 1950s—thanks especially to the contributions of architect Arne Jacobsen—Fritz Hansen entered its golden era, creating some of the most iconic Scandinavian designs of the 20th century. Arne Jacobsen’s Ant Chair (1952), Swan Sofa (1958) and Egg Chair & Ottoman (1958), as well as later designs by Verner Panton, Piet Hein, and Grete Jalk, all helped to cement Fritz Hansen’s legacy as one of the most beloved producers of high quality, simple-yet-elegant, Danish modern furniture.
In 1979, after 107 years of family ownership, Fritz Hansen was bought out by Skandinavisk Holding and is now known as The Republic of Fritz Hansen. Pieces from the company’s long history can be found in nearly every design museum collection there is, from MoMA and Cooper Hewitt in New York to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. Arne Jacobsen’s collaboration with Fritz Hansen was the subject of the Siéntate Siéntete exhibition, hosted by the Chamber of Architects in Madrid in 2010.
* All images courtesy of Republic of Fritz Hansen.
AX Lounge Chairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard for Fritz Hansen, 1947
Portex Stackable Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1940s
Portex Armchairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1940s, Set of 2
Ax Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
Ax Bentwood Armchair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Møllgaard Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
AX Lounge Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1978
Ax Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
Ax Armchairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard for Fritz Hansen, 1960s, Set of 3
X-Chair FH 6135 by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1968
Model 6900/AX Coffee Table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1951
Portex Armchairs by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1945, Set of 2
AX Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
Vintage Ax Coffee Table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen
AX Lounge Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
AX Side Table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
AX Living Room Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
Model X Cognac Leather Chair by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1950s
X Lounge Chairs by Hvidt & Mølgaard for Fritz Hansen, 1950s, Set of 2
AX Table by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Fritz Hansen, 1951
Swedish Black Painted Stackable Chair by Sven Markelius, 1931
Tulip Candleholders by Pierre Forsell for Skultuna, 1980s, Set of 3
Rosewood Chest by Poul Hundevad, 1960s
Swedish Copper and Brass Candlesticks, 1960s, Set of 6
Crescent Carafe by Pierre Forsell for Skultuna, 1978
White Surrea Split Vase by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, 1936
Adjustable Brass Candlestick by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna, 1970s
Brass Crown Vases by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna, 1979, Set of 2
Brass Wall Candleholders by Pierre Fossell for Skultana, 1970s, Set of 2
Brass Wall Holder for Plant or Ashtray by Hans-Agne Jakobsson for Markaryd, 1960s
Tulip Candleholders by Pierre Forsell for Skultuna, 1985, Set of 3
Ceramic Vases by Bruno Karlson for Ego, 1960s, Set of 2
Swedish Theater Bar Stool by Sven Markelius, 1930s
Modernist Black & White Ceiling Lamp from Raak
Swedish Ceramic Vase by R. Pettersson, 1983
Vintage Finnish Brass Candleholders by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Design, Set of 2
Lunaria Glass Bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1970s
Danish 3107 Leather Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, 1962
Tableware Set by Arne Jacobsen for Anton Michelsen, 1958, Set of 50
Mid-Century Rosewood Floor Lamp by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus
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All Side Chairs
Vintage Side Chairs
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Side Chairs & Dining Chairs
Fritz Hansen Side Chairs & Dining Chairs
Mid-Century Side Chairs
Contemporary Side Chairs
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What Agreement Ended The American Revolution
To this end, the Trump administration has employed a variety of destabilizing. Virtually since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in January 1959, the United has unsuccessfully sought through a.
Colonial Militia American Revolution Jul 3, 2005. So when the American Revolution actually began, there was no way to make. But the Colonies were also important as a source of pride. April 19th, 1775; British troops firing on American militia at Lexington and Concord. This was the colonial militia. Minutemen came into being in the wake of the crisis
One of the most important events recorded in American history was the Patriot victory gained at the battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780.
What began as a revolt against Britain’s restrictive economic and political policies against the thirteen American colonies ended with a diplomatic agreement where Britain recognized the new nation.
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 formally ended the American Revolutionary War. American statesmen Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay negotiated the peace treaty with Great Britain. In the.
We tell ourselves that the American Revolution was all about “no taxation without representation. Against all the odds, a republic born in sectarian violence ended up becoming the first country on.
Jul 3, 2015. During the Revolutionary War, many loyalists were treated brutally. two centuries ago, when the Revolutionary War ended with an American.
Stephen R. Mackinnon & John Fairbank invariably failed to separate fondness for the Chinese communist revolution from fondness for Gong Peng, the communist fetish who worked together with Anneliese Martens to infatuate American wartime reporters. (More, refer to the Communist Platonic Club at wartime capital Chungking.)
How Many People Did Andrew Jackson Duel Andrew Jackson: Andrew Jackson, American general and seventh president of the United States (1829–37). He was the first U.S. president to come from the area west of the Appalachians and the first to gain office by a direct appeal to the mass of voters. His political movement became known as. Dear Sir: I am a
George Washington Year Of Presidency Funny American Revolution Political Cartoons A joke is a display of humour in which words are used within a specific and well-defined narrative structure to make people laugh and is not meant to be taken seriously. It takes the form of a story, usually with dialogue, and ends in a punch line.It is in the
The Museum of the American Revolution ended its months-long national search and will promote R. Scott Stephenson as its president and CEO, effective Nov. 1. Stephenson is currently vice president of.
The American Revolution was a political battle that took place between 1765 and 1783 during which colonists in the Thirteen American Colonies rejected the British monarchy and aristocracy, overthrew the authority of Great Britain, and founded the United States of America. See the fact file & timeline of key events below for more information on American Revolution or alternatively, you can.
At the end of the American Revolution, the new nation was still a loose. a trade agreement with Britain which–in effect–ended American trade with France.
The four-page document written by a member of Donald Trump’s transition team that one GOP congressman already has said isn’t an “end-all smoking gun” is “100 times bigger” than the abuses of power by.
Republican Achievements Vs. Democrat Achievements it ushered in actual achievements. Things got done. To see this, let’s explore two different “creation stories” about political modernity. The first one, I think, is accepted by most Democrats and. Start studying chapter 10 review. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. (republican) and john kerry (democrat) what was
After the fall of the iron curtain, the end of. in many Latin American countries, and will be even more so in the.
Every candidate who was asked (and a few who weren’t) promised to bring the United States back into the 2016 Paris climate agreement. the American dream a reality when we stop giving tax breaks to.
Just nine months earlier, Iran’s own deputy prime minister had led a contingent of Revolutionary Guards to end a similar.
photo: Daniel Case Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site Vails Gate, NY / ORANGE 845-561-5498 Georgian-style mansion built in 1754. Notable officers, including Generals Henry Knox, Nathanael Greene, and Horatio Gates, occupied the house several times during the Revolution.
The Stamp Act Congress issued a “Declaration of Rights and Grievances,” which, like the Virginia Resolves, declared allegiance to the king and “all due subordination” to Parliament but also reasserted the idea that colonists were entitled to the same rights as Britons.
How the Jews Saved the American Revolution By Jerry Klinger "They (the Jews of St. Eustatius, Caribbean Antilles) cannot too soon be taken care of – they are notorious in.
Nov 27, 2017. Great Britain Before the American Revolution:. Treaty of Paris and the Treaties of Versailles, officially ending the American Revolutionary War.
Although there were many causes for the American Revolution, it is important to note that the rebellion was a relatively perplexing one. While they certainly had grievances with Britain, the.
Part of our American Revolution Timeline. February 6, 1778 – American and French representatives sign two treaties in Paris: a. Carleton will implement the new British policy of ending hostilities and withdraw British troops from America.
Mar 5, 2019. American History: The Revolutionary War: Major Battles and. The Revolutionary War was officially ended by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Jul 3, 2016. The date was September 3, 1783 to be exact. The Treaty ended the raging war between America and Britain, giving America its freedom after.
This is understandable and appropriate, but there is another reason to want an end to this invasion of people. They are also in a trade agreement called the U.S.-Central American-Dominican Republic.
Funny American Revolution Political Cartoons A joke is a display of humour in which words are used within a specific and well-defined narrative structure to make people laugh and is not meant to be taken seriously. It takes the form of a story, usually with dialogue, and ends in a punch line.It is in the punch line that the audience
It is crucial that the ongoing trade negotiations between the US and China end in an agreement, primarily for the two countries. leader was supposedly asked about the impact of the French.
The American victory over the British army was made possible by the existence of an already- armed people. Just about every white male had a gun, and could shoot.
After the fall of the iron curtain, the end of. in many Latin American countries, and will be even more so in the foreseeable future. China has advanced decisively in cutting edge technology,
Most visibly, the market revolution encouraged the growth of cities and reshaped the lives of urban workers. In 1820, only New York had over one hundred thousand inhabitants.
While the previous explorations of African American and white female experience suggest both the gains and limitations produced in the Revolutionary Era, from the perspective of almost all Native Americans the American Revolution was an unmitigated disaster. At the start of the war Patriots worked hard to try and ensure Indian neutrality, for Indians could provide strategic military assistance.
John Adams Thomas Jefferson Death The West Front Exterior The Neptune Fountain;,Ethnological Heads, Portico Busts, Entrance Porch, Bronze Doors, Great Hall, East Mosaic Corridor, Main Reading Room, North Corridor, Northwest Corridor and Pavilion, Librarian’s Room, South Mosaic Corridor, Southwest Corridor, Members of Congress Reading Room, and Southwest Pavilion. The Jefferson Building (1886-1897) is a reflection of a time. Facts About
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ends. At 5 a.m. that morning, Germany, bereft of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an.
Many countries were caught off balance by the Iranian revolution but none got it as wrong as Iraq. Its response—war—led to decades of conflict which have yet to end. Ayatollah Khomeini. He was the.
The American Revolution officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris ( 1783). Not only did Britain acknowledge American independence, but the details.
When the peace treaty was written, France ceded their Louisiana Territory to Spain for their. There's also the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War.
The American Revolution was officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. This meeting brought the United States and Great Britain together at. See full answer below.
The Haitian Revolution (French: Révolution haïtienne [ʁevɔlysjɔ̃ ajisjɛ̃n]) was a successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection by self-liberated slaves against French colonial rule in Saint-Domingue, now the sovereign nation of Haiti.It began on 22 August 1791, and ended in 1804 with the former colony’s independence. It involved blacks, mulattoes, French, Spanish, and British.
May 22, 2013. The American Revolution had both long-term origins and short-term. The Treaty of Paris, which ended the war, demanded that British troops.
That safety has been provided by the landmark Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty of 1987 – known as the deal that ended the cold war. You can’t recover it if you lose it at sea. The American.
The 1975 Algiers Agreement (commonly known as the Algiers Accord, sometimes as the Algiers Declaration) was an agreement between Iran and Iraq to settle their border disputes and conflicts (such as the Shatt al-Arab, known as Arvand Rud in Iran), and it served as basis for the bilateral treaties signed on 13 June and 26 December 1975. The agreement was meant to end the disputes between Iraq.
After the Revolution, the Nation Faces a Weak Political System Download MP3 (Right-click or option-click the link.). Welcome to THE MAKING OF A NATION – American history in VOA Special English. I’m Doug Johnson with Richard Rael. This week in our series, we begin the story of a document that defined a nation: the United States Constitution.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador was sworn is as Mexico’s president at the end of last year. when Mexico joined the General.
Mini Biography Of James Buchanan Of Life Before Presidency
France And The American Civil War
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How much do first-time buyers need to earn to afford a home?
By Andi Michael
We all know that first-time buyers spend years saving deposits to get on the property ladder. But how much does the average first-time buyer actually need to be earning before home ownership becomes a realistic goal?
Recent research from property website Zoopla sought to answer this question. Below, we take a closer look at the findings as well as analysing the ways in which the government has tried to help this demographic to achieve their home-owning ambitions.
Nearly £55,000 to secure a home
The Zoopla research – a map which revealed the salaries needed to buy a first home across the UK – found that the average first-time buyer, or couple buying, requires a household income of £54,400 to secure a mortgage on their first property. The picture, however, varies considerably across the country – from an average of £84,000 in London to £26,100 in Liverpool.
The findings, which showed the typical income needed to purchase a home in 20 of the biggest UK cities, highlighted that the income needed to buy a property is nearly double the average yearly wage in Britain. As a result, many first-time buyers simply have no choice but to join together with a partner, relative, or even friend to purchase their first home.
What’s more, buying a first home isn’t getting any cheaper, according to the figures – in fact, it’s getting rapidly more expensive. Ever-rising house prices mean the deposits put down on a house and the salaries needed for a mortgage have both increased, too.
Now, for example, a prospective first-time buyer typically needs to earn at least 9% more than they did even three years ago to get on the housing ladder – with the required household income of £54,400 to buy a first home some £4,500 greater than in 2016. The average deposit required, meanwhile, currently stands at £38,418.
Despite the overall rise in household income needed to purchase a home, there are some places where this hasn’t been the case – with some locations witnessing a fall in the average salary needed to buy a property. This includes, perhaps surprisingly, London, where a combination of cheaper mortgage rates and a fall in prices has made matters slightly easier on first-time purchasers.
That said, however, first-time buyers in London are still at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to capitalising on these improved buying conditions given they need to raise a hefty average deposit of £119,000.
Have a look at our First Time Buyer Deposit Generator to show you just how many treats you'd have to sacrifice to save a deposit in your region.
Regional variations
There is a huge difference when it comes to the average income needed to buy a typical first-time buyer property in London and Liverpool, with Londoners needing over £57,000 more in salary than their counterparts in the North West.
However, despite it being the most affordable market for first-time buyers to enter in terms of salary, Liverpool has registered the highest price growth of all the areas analysed – suggesting that first-time buyers in the city might find it more difficult as the years pass by.
The level of income needed to buy, meanwhile, is increasing at its sharpest in the Midlands, with the average salary required in Nottingham rising to £32,900 – some 18% higher than in 2016. Similarly, in Birmingham buyers now need a household income of £35,200, 19% higher than three years ago.
In fact, the majority of the UK’s major cities now require a higher salary to get on the property ladder than they did in 2016, with Aberdeen, London, Oxford and Cambridge the only exceptions.
In the UK’s three most expensive cities – London, Oxford and Cambridge – the average salary needed to buy has decreased by an average of 5% since 2016, with Londoners now needing a household income of £3,250 less than three years ago to buy a home. Nonetheless, despite this fall – as well as slight price declines and weak growth in the capital – London is still a very expensive place to buy a home, as an average deposit of £119,000 and an average price of more than £471,000 attests to.
Likewise, the income required to purchase may have fallen in the famous old university cities of Cambridge and Oxford – down by 5% and 3% respectively – but these cities still required the highest incomes of anywhere outside of London and have relatively high average house prices.
Aberdeen, on the other hand, recorded the largest fall in the level of income needed to buy of 12% - mostly as a consequence of sharp price drops in the city since 2015. The city’s property market, which is highly dependent on the oil industry, has been badly affected by falling oil and gas prices in recent years. But it may represent an ideal opportunity for first-time buyers – with both cheaper house prices and a reduction in the income required to buy.
How has the government tried to help?
With figures suggesting that first-time buyers account for more than one in three sales, first-time buyers have become a key target for politicians and housebuilders in recent years – with successive governments vowing to improve this demographic’s chances of getting on the ladder.
A number of initiatives have been launched to offer assistance, including:
Help to Buy ISA
The Help to Buy ISA, introduced by the government in 2015, is offered by a large number of banks and building societies – offering a potential 25% boost to a first-time buyer’s savings.
For every £200 saved in a Help to Buy ISA, you receive a government bonus of £50. The maximum government bonus is £3,000 and the minimum is £400.
The ISA, which will only be available until November 30 2019, has been criticised for not allowing first-time buyers to access their bonus until after the house purchase has been completed – in other words not really helping buyers to buy at all, given it can’t be used towards a deposit.
Help to Buy: Equity Loan
In this scheme the government lends first-time buyers up to 20% of the cost of their newly-built home, meaning buyers only need a 5% cash deposit and a 75% mortgage to make up the rest. In London, reflecting the higher property prices at play, the upper limit for the equity loan is 40%.
Buyers are not charged interest on the 20% or 40% loan for the first five years of owning their home.
The scheme, launched in 2013, has faced criticism for artificially inflating house prices and the problems now being faced by the early adopters. It has also been criticised for not doing enough to help those from lower-income backgrounds.
It was recently revealed by the government that Help to Buy homes will no longer be sold as leasehold following outcry over the leasehold crisis which has come to attention in the last few years.
The scheme was originally supposed to end in 2021, but was last year extended to 2023 – however, from April 1, 2021 it will be restricted entirely to first-time buyers, with regional price caps also introduced.
Another part of the government’s overarching Help to Buy scheme, Shared Ownership offers first-time buyers who can’t quite afford the mortgage on 100% of a home to instead purchase a share in a home (between 25% and 75% of the property value) and pay rent on the remaining share.
First-time buyers are eligible if their household earns £80,000 a year or less outside London, or £90,000 a year or less in the capital.
All shared ownership homes are leasehold, but with the government’s recent announcements regarding a crackdown on unfair practices in this sector, buyers may not find themselves as affected. Our in-depth guide to Shared Ownership explains more.
Lifetime ISA
The Lifetime ISA (or LISA) was launched in April 2017 as a way of helping savers save for a first home or for their retirement.
A tax-free account that enables you to save £4,000 a year and receive a 25% state bonus at the end of each tax year until you reach the age of 50, the Lifetime ISA has still yet to be offered by any major lenders.
Only three regional providers – Skipton Building Society, Nottingham Building Society and Newcastle Building Society – currently offer a cash-only ISA, while other providers offer an investment Lifetime ISA.
But it’s failed to have the same mainstream impact as its sister Help to Buy version.
What can you do as a first time buyer?
Your annual wage needed to purchase a property will depend on two things:
how much the property costs
how big your deposit is
Mortgage lenders are usually happy to lend 4.5 times your annual income. If that isn't enough, you may need to consider moving to a cheaper area, increasing your deposit (so the amount you need to borrow is less) or using one of the government schemes.
Have a look at our guides to help increase your deposit:
- Starting Saving
- Sacrificing to Save
- Supersizing your savings
How to decide where to live: choosing your new neighbourhood
Ultimate First Time Buyer's Guide
Should I buy a house with friends?
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People You Should Know: Hanging Out With Petra Polakovicova
If you’ve seen the movie Somm, you know that the sommelier profession isn’t what it used to be.
Not too long ago sommeliers could be found only in the fanciest of restaurants, usually those of the French persuasion. Not anymore. In the last few years America’s love affair with wine has generated renewed interest in the profession, and today sommeliers can be found at restaurants all over the U.S. Many of these sommeliers got their training through professional schools and certificate courses, and more than a few have attempted the excruciatingly hard Master Sommelier Diploma Exam depicted in Somm. Our own Desi Echavarrie is one of the very few sommeliers who have passed this legendary exam. Today, more and more young people are becoming sommeliers. Which brings our story to Petra Polakovicova, a friend of Realm’s who is the Wine Director at Epic Roasthouse in San Francisco.
Juan met Petra at Epic about six years ago. She was the assistant sommelier and we were having a Release Party there. A native of the Slovak Republic, Petra grew up in a close-knit family that “valued meal times, proper dining etiquette and gracious hospitality.” Petra’s grandmother was a hotel cook, known all over town for her roast duck, and Petra spent many happy childhood hours as sous chef for her mother, herself a passionate hostess and cook. “We were always entertaining people in my house,” says Petra. “It was one of the ways my mom taught me to respect different cultures.”
Petra’s family also traveled extensively and Petra loved nothing better than to eat good food and explore the beautiful hotels where the family stayed. “My father always wanted me to try something new, caviar, sweetbreads. It was a great education.” She also gained an appreciation for locally-sourced, seasonal foods. “Everything my mother prepared was from scratch; we never had fast food. We even brought our own recycled bags to the market; I can’t believe that’s a “new” thing over here.”
When she was 18 Petra came to the U.S. and though she initially intended to become a translator (she studied four languages in high school), she fell into (and hard for) the California restaurant industry. “Hospitality was just in my blood,” she says. She spent several years at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, where she held every job from runner to server to bartender to hostess to assistant manager. Then it was on to positions at the W San Francisco and The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. Along the way, however, she developed a fascination with wine – “another way of exploring cultures” – and enrolled in the Professional Culinary Institute in Campbell, California.
In 2007, after earning her Sommelier Certification, Petra landed her first full-time sommelier job at Epic Roasthouse, where she was named assistant sommelier. Within a year and a half she was promoted to wine director and overseeing Epic’s 450-bottle wine list – a list that won the restaurant a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. It was a job she loved, in part because it put her directly in contact with people working in the wine industry. “I love every stage of the process, from the people who take care of the vines, to the winemaker in the cellar to the folks who shepherd the wine to restaurants and hotels,” says Petra. “I try to get that across to my customers, that a great bottle of wine is a result of many people’s hard work, of incredible teamwork.”
It was during her time at Epic that Petra started working toward the Court of Master Sommelier’s (CMS) Advanced Sommelier Certification, the third level of CMS’ Master Sommelier certification program. She had easily passed the first and second level exams, but the Advanced Sommelier exam was exponentially more difficult. In September 2014, having moved to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay to take a position as Lead Sommelier, Petra passed the exam, becoming one of only 325 Advanced Sommeliers in the U.S.
“(It)… was one of the most difficult things I have ever done,” said Petra, who moved back to Epic in March of 2015 to take the job as the Wine Director “When the Master Sommelier called me in and told me that I had passed, I was so excited. It was such an incredible feeling; it was like a dream. It took a few days for it to really sink in. I guess I am proof that if you really want something, you can achieve it with a lot of hard work and dedication.”
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In Russia, Activists Fear Cover-Up In ‘Prison-Riot’ Trial
By Aleksandr Valiyev
Robert Coalson
The defendants have been on trial for 18 months.
Russian officials describe the November 2012 disturbances at prison camp No. 6 in the Urals town of Kopeisk as a violent uprising.
Prisoners and their advocates say it was a desperate and peaceful protest against alleged torture and abuse.
Now, although 17 defendants have been on trial in Kopeisk for more than 18 months, activists say there is little expectation that the truth -- or justice -- will emerge.
“We believe that the accusations and the criminal prosecution of the prisoners is not justified because they were protesting to defend their rights, to protect themselves from torture and extortion, and they were doing it peacefully,” Aleksei Laptev, a Russian member of the European Prison Litigation Network who is monitoring the Kopeisk trial, told RFE/RL’s Russian Service.
“These facts have been established and have not, in principle, been contested. There are also two verdicts by the courts against the head of the colony, Denis Mekhanov,” he said. “Moreover, these facts have been established in a report by the presidential advisory Council on Human Rights and Civil Society.”
Former prison director Mekhanov was convicted in December 2014 of extorting prisoners and their relatives and abusing his position. He was given a three-year suspended sentence and sent home -- a verdict that activists saw as evidence of a conspiracy of prosecutors and the court to protect the defendant.
Moreover, two other former employees of the camp -- Viktor Krayev and Sergei Davletov -- were convicted on similar charges and fined 200,000 rubles ($3,100) and 300,000 rubles ($4,700), respectively.
'They Smashed My Car'
The events of late November 2012 at prison camp No. 6 (IK-6) remain murky. A tense situation in the prison had been building up for months. In June 2012, Gazeta.ru and other Russian media published scandalous reports of the alleged extortion and abuse, specifically implicating Mekhanov and former Chelyabinsk Oblast Deputy Governor Viktor Timashev, who is serving a 10-year term for bribery at IK-6.
Relatives of prisoners learned on November 25, 2012, that something bad was going on at the prison. When they tried to reach the site, they found the road blocked by a battalion of riot police.
Those who were stopped on the road to the prison say the police suddenly began to disperse them violently.
“They smashed my car; they beat me so much that I lost consciousness twice,” says Dmitry Kolomeitsev, who is now a defendant at the trial, accused of organizing an “uprising.” “My car was smashed into pieces -- hardly anything left untouched. They claim that I attacked them and tried to run them down, the riot police. Then I supposedly got out of my car and smashed it. Even though there are clearly traces of their rubber truncheons on the car. This is in the record.”
Oksana Trufanova is a local human rights activist who was at the scene that night.
“I fell to my knees on the ice,” she recalled. “And a red-headed riot police officer attacked me. Apparently in the excitement he’d forgotten to lower his visor. He was waving his truncheon. I showed him my identification card and told him who I was. He said, ‘Get the hell out of here, rights activist! F*** off.’ Then a call came over the radio and they all turned back.”
Police at the time said that eight officers were injured in the altercation and that most of the 38 people who were arrested were “drunk.”
Meanwhile, Russian social media were flooded with images of prisoners standing on the roof of a building in front of handmade banners crafted from sheets with slogans calling for protection from torture and extortion.
Inmates stand on the roof of the prison in Kopeisk in November 2012.
A few days later, Trufanova was allowed into the prison with a group of rights monitors, including representatives of the presidential council on human rights.
“Inside the prison, there was a protest going on,” she said. “It was spontaneous and clearly hadn’t been organized by anyone. There were no telephones there. The people who say the banners were prepared in advance are lying…. That idea also arose spontaneously.”
Of the defendants in the current trial, 12 were inmates at the prison and five were among those arrested on the access road.
One of the defendants, Oleg Loktionov, was in the prison hospital when the protest broke out, recovering from a suicide attempt. He had been serving his time peacefully until June 2012 when he witnessed the fatal beating of prisoner Nikolai Korovkin and sent a written account of the incident to government rights monitors.
Activist Trufanova says the charges against Loktionov and the other prisoners are retribution for their defiance.
“When the investigators came to the prison, Mekhanov hadn’t been fired yet,” she said. “When they said, ‘Guys, make a list of those who you think organized the protest and took part in it,’ the…prison officials just made a list of the ‘complainers’ and handed it over. Luckily, they didn’t charge all 200 ‘complainers,’ but just the most active ones.”
She notes that prisoner and now defendant Yevgeny Terekhin was among those charged, even though he was confined to an isolation cell at the time.
“They didn’t care that he was in solitary confinement at the time and had no idea what was going on,” Trufanova said. “When he heard that the guards were coming toward his cell, he thought they were coming to beat him again, so he slit his wrists.”
Terekhin was scheduled to complete his nine-year term for a nonviolent offense in 2015. Instead, he has remained in prison in pretrial detention. He has told activists that he has personally been subjected to torture and beating repeatedly during his time at IK-6.
“They picked Terekhin because he maintained active contact with [rights monitors],” activist Trufanova said. “He was one of the few who refused to recant his allegations.”
Charges of the rampant abuse of convicts in Russian prisons have again made headlines in Russia. Opposition activist Ildar Dadin last month published an open letter detailing torture and abuse at the prison where he is being held in Karelia.
“It is a system of torture,” said Trufanova. “And it still exists across the whole country. What happened in Kopeisk is exactly word-for-word what Dadin is saying.”
Aleksandr Valiyev
Aleksandr Valiyev is a correspondent for RFE/RL's Siberia Desk.
Robert Coalson is a senior correspondent for RFE/RL who covers Russia, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe.
CoalsonR@rferl.org
Jailed Russian Activist Placed In Stricter Conditions
Russian Woman Jailed For High Treason Wants To Appeal Sentence
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Sedona Public Library in the Village Awarded Prestigious LSTA Grant
The Arizona State Library has awarded a grant in the amount of $13,600 to Sedona Public Library in the Village (SPL-V). Funds from this grant were used to purchase a self-service Library Document Station (LDS), a laser printer, and software for wireless printing.
The volunteers and I listened to requests from our community and pursued funding to purchase this technology. I am very happy that SPL-V was named as a grant recipient. Thanks to funding from this grant, we can now offer new services.
With the self-service Library Document Station, you can fax, scan, and print documents. Because the LDS is self-service, your documents remain private. The technology is convenient, affordable, and easy to use.
Funds from the grant were also used to purchase software to offer mobile printing. With our new mobile printing service, you can use your personal computer or mobile device from anywhere to print to the printer at the Village library. Simply submit a document for printing and come to the Village library within two hours to pick up your print job. To access this service remotely, you will need an email address. Visit the SPL-V webpage to access directions for mobile printing at the Village library or call the Village library for more information.
SPL-V’s grant was made possible from federal funds received by the Arizona State Library under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. More than $800,000 was awarded on a competitive basis to libraries in Arizona, including SPL-V. The State Library also uses the federal funds to support statewide services, including family literacy and reading programs, electronic databases, digital government initiatives, and continuing education classes.
To learn more about the Library Document Station and wireless printing, attend our Open House on Wednesday, September 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Village library. We will be celebrating our one-year anniversary at Bell Rock Plaza. Enjoy light refreshments and enter our drawing to win prizes.
If you cannot attend the Open House, stop by the Village library for a demonstration of this innovative technology. Sedona Public Library in the Village is located at Suite 51 A in Bell Rock Plaza. Library hours in the Village are Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sedona Public Library’s main location for full service is at 3250 White Bear Road in West Sedona. Library hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may call the main Library at 928-282-7714 and SPL-V at 928-284-1603 for more information about exhibits and services that we offer.
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partially supported by the City of Sedona and Yavapai and Coconino Counties. We also require donations and grants to fund our operations. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to: Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336 or visit our website at www.sedonalibrary.org.
Column for September 16, 2016
Written by Cheryl Yeatts, Manager of Sedona Public Library in the Village
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Posted on 2012/09/02 by The Original Skeptical Raptor
Pseudoscience and vaccine denialism (updated)
We frequently use the term “pseudoscience” to describe the ideology of certain groups: antivaccinationists, evolution deniers (creationists), global warming deniers, HIV/AIDS denialism, and almost anything in the areas of parapsychology, alternative medicine, and sasquatch. The science denialists (broadly defined as any group who rejects the scientific consensus on any subject without valid scientific support) always seem to be insulted by the word “pseudoscience”, even though the name is given to them both as a pejorative, but also because its based on their non-scientific, but scientific-sounding method of providing information.
In fact, there are several hallmarks that indicate to most educated individuals as to what is or is not pseudoscience. Real science is a systematic and rational method to organize and analyze “knowledge” into testable explanations and predictions. Sometimes, it appears that the anti-science crowd believes that science is just a word, not a philosophy which is organized as the scientific method. It isn’t some magical system that only smart people in secret ivory towers practice. The scientific method is simply a set of logical steps:
Formulate a question: Based on observations of the natural world. Maybe you notice that sky is blue, and you ask “why is the sky blue?” Or “how do I design a vaccine to encourage the immune system to prevent a virus from causing a disease?” Of course, the questions can become much more complex as we make more detailed observations of the our world.
Hypothesis: An hypothesis is a conjecture, based on the knowledge obtained while formulating the question, that may explain the observed behavior of a part of our universe. The hypothesis may be broad or very narrow. One could make a hypothesis that life can evolve on many planets across the universe. Or one could make a hypothesis that a drug can cure a disease in a small population of individuals. A proper hypothesis must include a null hypothesis, that is, the scientist must be willing to test that the null hypothesis is also false (a sort of double negative). This null hypothesis is that the new vaccine does nothing and that any disease prevention are due to chance effects. Researchers must also show that the null hypothesis is false. A scientific hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning that one can identify a possible outcome of an experiment that conflicts with predictions deduced from the hypothesis; otherwise, it cannot be meaningfully tested. This all sounds complicated, but digested down to its simplest form, it means that a scientist is always willing to attempt to prove that the hypothesis is wrong.
Prediction: Once a hypothesis is developed, then the a prediction (or more than one prediction) is made based on the hypothesis. For example, if a vaccine is supposed to prevent a disease, then the prediction is made that it prevents some some amount of the disease above what would be assumed just by random chance. For example, without the vaccine it might be predicted that only 10% of individuals might be immune to the disease, but with the vaccine, it would be predicted that 85% would be immune. In all fields of science, the hypothesis leads to predictions which are different than what would be found simply by coincidence or randomness. Also, the hypothesis must be powerful enough to create more accurate predictions than alternative hypotheses.
Test: This is the conducting of experiments or investigations to determine whether the real world behaves as predicted by the hypotheses. These experiments are observations which will agree with or conflict with the predictions; if they agree, then the confidence in the hypothesis will increase. On the other hand, if there is conflict, the confidence will, of course, decrease. Experiments should be designed to minimize possible errors, especially through the use of appropriate scientific controls. Medical and drug experiments utilize double-blind clinical trials to limit confirmation bias, a tendency towards confirmation of the hypothesis under study.
Analysis: This involves determining what the results of the experiment show and deciding on the next actions to take. The predictions of the hypothesis are compared to those of the null hypothesis, to determine which is better able to explain the data. In cases where an experiment is repeated many times, a statistical analysis such as a chi-squared test may be required. If the evidence has falsified the hypothesis, a new hypothesis is required; if the experiment supports the hypothesis but the evidence is not strong enough for high confidence, other predictions from the hypothesis must be tested. Once a hypothesis is strongly supported by evidence, a new question can be asked to provide further insight on the same topic. Evidence from other scientists and one’s own experience can be incorporated at any stage in the process. Many iterations may be required to gather sufficient evidence to answer a question with confidence, or to build up many answers to highly specific questions in order to answer a single broader question.
For example, in the 150 years since Charles Darwin published his “Origin of Species” that proposed the theory we now call evolution, thousands, if not millions, of experiments, observations and publications have supported and, frankly, improved upon the original. Science isn’t hard to understand, but it is time-consuming. It is built to remove errors and intentional falsehoods. Important science is always repeated and falsified, because science is self-critical. One would be a hero if you could break apart the dogma with a new direction. A Nobel Prize would await someone who could take all the accumulated data and show how Darwinism is wrong. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
The problem with pseudoscience is that it attempts to masquerade itself as real science, thereby confusing the reader. Creationism has started to use “creation science” to establish itself as a “science” with scientific theories. But just by claiming it’s a science without actually employing the logic of science means it’s probably pseudoscience.
Denying the science of evolution and attempting to force the pseudoscience of creationism is annoying and damaging to biological research, but it does not immediately harm anyone. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the antivaccinationists, who employ pseudoscience to try to tell us that vaccines are unsafe or even not useful. The problem there is that it does cause immediate harm, by keeping young children from getting proper vaccinations.
Using vaccine denialism as our example, let’s review how it fits into the checklist of pseudoscience:
Use of vague, exaggerated or untestable claims. They make vague scientific claims to find the explanation for autism, or any other major side effect of vaccination, that requires extensive assumptions to make their conclusions. They lack boundary definitions for what effects vaccine side effects, preferring to just make every claim that they can. Essentially, it gets difficult to engage in any type of civil discussion, because nearly every day, a new invented claim is made. They totally lack any experimental evidence of any claim of their own, because they do not are incapable or unwilling to perform or fund research. They often criticize the quality of experimental evidence that vaccines are safe and efficacious with ad hominem arguments or data mining. More often than not, they ignore parsimony, creating long “connect-the-dots” logic that attempt to convince people that some sort of danger exists.
Over-reliance on confirmation rather than refutation. In other words, the anti-vaccine lunacy fail to accept the possibility that experiments or observations may show their theory to be false. Most scientists make no such absolutist claims. In fact, many researchers will state, that there might be a possibility that vaccinations cause autism, but they cannot find a mechanism for it to happen and they haven’t seen any results that support such a hypothesis. Scientists are completely open minded to any result (that’s good science), whereas the anti-vaccine league of undistinguished playboy playmates are completely closeminded to logic. Moreover, many of the vaccines cause XYZ (put anything in here) conspiracists are over-reliant on confirmation bias, that is, seeking the results that confirm the hypothesis (and ignoring the results that don’t), rather than using results to support or nullify a hypothesis.
Over-reliance on testimonial, anecdotal evidence or personal experience. This is the opposite of science, which publishes articles in peer-reviewed journals that are open to the bright, blinding light of criticism. Whenever someone states that they heard that some vaccine caused problems with someone’s kids, then you have to ask, really? Prove it. Can I see the medical files? What was the diagnosis? Who performed the diagnosis? Were there other pre-existing conditions? Have we seen this elsewhere? Again, real science uses statistical analysis over a large population
Lack of openness to testing by other experts. Evasion of peer reviewed publications and use of popular press is precisely the lack of openness that prevents discussion. Jenny McCarthy, Meryl Dorey, and company complain that science is hiding the truth. Nothing could be further from the truth. Scientists, despite the lack of a scientific foundation in the vaccine causes autism hypothesis, spent years trying to confirm Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent findings (and how much of that could have been spent actually uncovering the causes of autism). They found nothing that supports the link. And Wakefield has been accused of fraud and had his medical license revoked.
Absence of progress. Basically science evolves. As new results appear, science develops new theories and hypotheses that may modify or even replace the old one. As mentioned above, even the theory of evolution has evolved (pun intended). When I was working on my graduate degree in biochemistry, we did not know what caused AIDS. Every biochemistry lab in the world was trying to figure it out. There were a whole slew of theories on what caused it (some of them were laughable), but now we know that HIV infection causes AIDS. That’s how science works. It’s been over a decade since the debunked “vaccines cause autism” started, yet not one single bit of evidence has been provided to support anything about vaccines causing autism or any other neurological issue. Progress in the anti-vaccination lunacy is essentially trying to find a theory that sticks. Mercury. Aluminum. Too many injections. Destroying the immune system. Chemicals. What next, the glass vial in which the vaccines are stored?
Personalization of issues. Those vaccine denialists resort to name calling (we are all bought out by Big Pharma), appeal to authority or whatever other appeal that’s handy, and, of course, conspiracies. This article in the Age of Autism (should be named the Age of Anti-vaccination). It’s one giant article that personalizes the issue, and is filled with strawman arguments (and probably hits the logical fallacy bingo). I debunked most of the points. Orac does a better job of it in Yes, Virginia, there is an antivaccine movement (efforts to deny it notwithstanding).
Use of misleading language. Denialists of all sorts use scientific jargon to make superficial claims that the theory is scientifically sound. Like a couple of denialist comments here, there is a constant use of fancy terminology that makes no sense when read. The Age of Autism article mentioned in #6 above is a perfect example of it. Even claiming that it’s not “anti-vaccine” but are “people raising this important question would be consumer safety advocates, seeking informed consent, more research, product liability, and policy reform.” Sounds nice, except for the fact that they’re risking lives of kids for unsupported claims. These days, the vaccine denialists are trying to take over the word “skeptics” by calling themselves vaccine skeptics. Skepticism “is the noble art of constantly questioning and doubting claims and assertions, and holding the accumulation of evidence as of fundamental importance. It forms part of the scientific method, which requires relentless testing and reviewing of claimed facts and theories.” Back to that scientific method. But vaccine skeptics are really denialists or “pseudoskeptics”, “who declare themselves merely “skeptical” of a concept, but in reality would not be convinced by any evidence that might be presented.”
I can do the same thing for such failed therapies as orthomolecular medicine, homeopathy, and radionics. It’s not that science has the answer to every question. It obviously does not. But when a questioned is asked of science, it either agrees, disagrees, or says that more information is needed. It does not place a value on any particular answer, just that evidence supports it. It tries to find the answer. The great thing about science is that it gives you the tools to not be afraid of the unknown.
The problem is that pseudoscience pushers are loud and frightening, so the public gives equal weight to the comments of pseudoscience and real science, thinking that they have equal validity. The public needs to reduce the weight given to medical woo, but without further investigation, it sometimes becomes more difficult.
Taking the longer-term point of view, as science education becomes worse in the United States, sometimes, the pseudoscientific point of view wins easily. Vaccine ingredients just sound scary. Those childhood diseases weren’t that bad. Big Pharma just makes money off of the vaccines. The immune system is too complicated to understand. Frankly, only a tiny minority of people are not vaccinating their children, but that’s too many.
Ignore the vaccine denialists. They are wrong. They deny real science. They have no scientific background. They are totally lacking in scientific skill and knowledge. They pick and choose what they want through the use of pseudoscience.
So, let me yell loud. REAL SCIENCE SAYS VACCINES ARE SAFE AND PREVENT DISEASE. And they save lives.
CategoriesAIDS denialism, Andrew Wakefield, Anti-vaccines, Autism, Denialism, Evolution, HIV/AIDS, Homeopathy, Pseudoscience, Skepticism, Vaccines TagsAge of Autism, Charles Darwin, confirmation bias, creationism, Jenny McCarthy, pseudoskepticism, vaxfax
Previous PostPrevious Flu vaccinations for children with neurological disorders
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Granby sets sights on gun laws in wake of meeting incident
Tonya Bina
tbina@skyhidailynews.com
Granby, CO Colorado
GRANBY – The town of Granby is exploring gun laws after a meeting-goer accidentally dropped his loaded sub-compact semi-automatic pistol while publicly speaking to the board of trustees.
Ed Magee of Granby, himself a former planning commission and board of trustees member who ran for a seat on the town board as late as 2010, was standing at the podium sharing his concerns about a town donation to the East Grand Education Foundation when his loaded concealed weapon tucked in the waistband of his trousers fell onto the floor.
Trustees at the time were unaware of what had fallen out of view behind the podium, according to Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Raffety.
Magee then informed them it had been his gun that had dropped.
“It was just an unfortunate encounter with gravity,” Magee said on Monday. Magee, who is permitted to carry a concealed weapon under state law, said he had not intended for the gun to be exposed or for it to be in any way intimidating.
He had “rushed” to get to the meeting on time after having been in the Denver area all day, he said, and he hadn’t had enough time to stop at home to change clothes and put away the weapon.
“We were all upset when we found out what was going on. I was,” said Raffety, who presided over the meeting in Mayor Jynnifer Pierro’s absence that evening. “That’s not what I go to a board meeting for,” he said.
“I understand their concern,” Magee said.
The incident prompted town officials to instruct the town’s attorney to explore a possible amendment to the town code concerning “weapons in public buildings and places.”
This board agenda item is being discussed at 6 p.m. on Aug. 9, at the regular town board meeting at the Granby town hall.
“It’s disturbing,” Raffety said, “and we don’t want it to be a problem for the board in the future.”
According to Colorado law, for residents who have a permit to carry a concealed handgun, carrying such a gun in a public place is mostly a protected right, save for restrictions at schools and public buildings where there are security checkpoints, such as the Grand County Courthouse.
Tonya Bina can be reached at 970-887-3334 ext. 19603
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Director Matt Reeves Clarifies That ‘The Batman’ Will Be Part of the DCEU [UPDATED]
Posted on Thursday, August 24th, 2017 by Hoai-Tran Bui
Update: The Batman director Matt Reeves has clarified his remarks about The Batman not being “part of” the DC Extended Universe. He confirmed on Twitter that The Batman will still take place in the DC universe. See more below.
The state of The Batman movie has been in a state of flux since its inception. At first, Ben Affleck was set to direct, then not. Matt Reeves came on board and decided to throw out the original script in favor of his own. And most recently it’s been speculated that Ben Affleck won’t even end up starring in the film.
Now, it seems that the one thing that we thought was taken for granted that The Batman would fall under Warner Bros.’ growing DC Cinematic Universe, may not be true. Reeves confirmed that when he joined the project, Warner Bros. allowed him to approach The Batman as a standalone movie that he says won’t be connected to the larger DCEU.
Here Is What The Batman Director Matt Reeves Said
Reeves had been working on revamping The Batman after original director Ben Affleck stepped out of the director’s chair. Affleck and DC Films co-head Geoff Johns had worked on a script for The Batman, but Reeves has reportedly thrown that out to start from scratch, presumably to make his vision of a noir-driven, detective Batman film comes to life.
Now Reeves recently told radio station KRCW (via Batman-On-Film) that he may be working on more than just a rewrite of a Batman film, but an altogether separate Batman movie:
“Well I have a vision for a way to do something with that character [Batman] that feels like it resonates with me personally, and a perspective that can grow out into other things. When they [Warner Bros.] approached me, what they said was ‘look, it’s a standalone, it’s not part of the extended universe.’”
Now there are a lot of ways to read this statement: that Matt Reeves’ Batman film won’t take place in the DCEU at all, but maintain its own continuity. He’s already voiced enthusiasm for making his own Batman trilogy, perhaps in the vein of Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight trilogy, which existed in a universe of its own before the DCEU was launched with Man of Steel in 2013. Or: it could just mean that Matt Reeves is making a Batman movie that won’t be burdened by world-building or Justice League cameos.
UPDATED: What Reeves Meant By ‘Standalone’
Reeves posted on Twitter on Thursday, “OF COURSE Batman will be part of the D.C. Universe. Batman will be BATMAN,” clarifying that he meant The Batman will be a “standalone” in that it won’t interact frequently with other films or characters from the DCEU.
Jeez, what'd I miss, guys…? ????
Just to be clear: Of COURSE Batman will be part of the D.C. Universe. Batman will be BATMAN…
— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) August 24, 2017
In my comments from a while back about not being part of the DCEU, I was talking about The Batman being a story specifically about Batman…
…not about the others in the Universe. That it wouldn't be filled with cameos servicing other stories — that it would be a BATMAN story.
It goes with what I originally posited as the original comment just being a case of misleading wording. Rather than being indpendent of the DCEU, it would be part of the universe but not have to deal with world-building or extensive Justice League member cameos.
A “standalone” movie that’s “not part of the extended universe” could mean that Warner Bros. is letting Reeves off the leash and letting him do as he pleases — and why wouldn’t they? He has spearheaded the critically acclaimed Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy that has gone on to reasonable box office success. It’s also in line with Warner Bros.’ old mantra of letting a director with a distinctive vision take the reins on a superhero movie — though they’ve walked back on that since Suicide Squad bombed with critics and executives.
Not to pull from the other side of the aisle, but “standalone” films exist in the Marvel universe too. Films like Guardians of the Galaxy remained fairly unconnected to the rest of the MCU, allowing them to flourish creatively and not be weighed down by clunky world-building or foreshadowing. This may be the case for The Batman — which would be a relief, as some of the best Batman stories are the ones isolated to Batman and Gotham.
What Does This Mean for the DCEU?
On the other hand, this could potentially be the biggest news for the DCEU yet. If The Batman doesn’t fall under the DC universe umbrella at all, it could be a splintering off of the multiverse after Flashpoint.
When we were told that the script was going to be completely rewritten (months before Reeves confirmed our intel in interviews), we were also told that Reeves came on to the project because Warner Bros. assured him that they could do his own thing without having to be connected or determined by the other DCEU films. But we didn’t imagine that meant that WB was entrusting him in his own Batman universe independent of the DCEU. But if they were to set it independently of the Justice League storyline, could that confirm the steady stream of rumors that Ben Affleck won’t star in The Batman after all?
I can’t say for sure, though it’s entirely possible that this could be Warner Bros.’ way of harnessing the box office power of their most successful superhero without it being influenced by the embattled DCEU as it struggles to gets on its feet following the success of Wonder Woman and the sidelining of Zack Snyder. And it could be a simple way of letting Affleck leave the role he seems eager to be done with after Justice League.
Will This Be Related to the Joker Origin Movie?
As we recover from the shock of learning that a Joker origin movie was going to be directed by Todd Phillips of The Hangover fame and produced by Martin Scorsese and the guy who wrote 8 Mile (Scott Silver), I have to wonder whether its claims of a Batman Extended Universe being launched holds water. The initial reports claim that the Joker movie will exist outside of the current DCEU chronology (although the source, Deadline, isn’t the best to parse superhero beat, so who knows), which certainly opens the door for Matt Reeves’ The Batman to do the same.
Perhaps The Batman and the Joker movie could be related, and part of the same universe separated from the rest of the DCEU. Without Jared Leto‘s embarrassing performance as the Joker looming over Reeves’ Batman movie, this is actually a somewhat pleasant option. It could ruin any general audience member’s understanding of the sprawling DCEU and its offshoots, but hey, as long as we don’t have to deal with a Joker that has the word “Damaged” tattooed onto his forehead.
The Batman is projected for a 2019 release.
‘The Batman’ Isn’t an Origin Story, But is Set Very Early in the Dark Knight’s Career
‘The Batman’: Robert Pattinson Wins the Lead Role Over Nicholas Hoult
‘The Batman’ Villains Revealed: A Half-Dozen Bad Guys Rumored To Join Matt Reeves’ Reboot
3 Reasons Robert Pattinson is an Inspired Choice to Play Batman
Comic Book/Superhero, Warner Brothers, Ben-Affleck, DC Extended Universe, DCEU, Matt-Reeves, The Batman
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Encounters at the End of the World
Peter Zeitlinger
Documentary, Family
Rated G
Read the title of "Encounters at the End of the World" carefully, for it has two meanings. As he journeys to the South Pole, which is as far as you can get from everywhere, Werner Herzog also journeys to the prospect of man's oblivion. Far under the eternal ice, he visits a curious tunnel whose walls have been decorated by various mementos, including a frozen fish that is far away from its home waters. What might travelers from another planet think of these souvenirs, he wonders, if they visit long after all other signs of our civilization have vanished?
Herzog has come to live for a while at the McMurdo Research Station, the largest habitation on Antarctica. He was attracted by underwater films taken by his friend Henry Kaiser, which show scientists exploring the ocean floor. They open a hole in the ice with a blasting device, then plunge in, collecting specimens, taking films, nosing around. They investigate an undersea world of horrifying carnage, inhabited by creatures so ferocious, we are relieved they are too small to be seen. And also by enormous seals who sing to one another. In order not to limit their range, Herzog observes, the divers do not use a tether line, so they must trust themselves to find the hole in the ice again. I am afraid to even think about that.
Herzog is a romantic wanderer, drawn to the extremes. He makes as many documentaries as fiction films, is prolific in the chronicles of his curiosity and here moseys about McMurdo, chatting with people who have chosen to live here in eternal day or night.
They are a strange population. One woman likes to have herself zipped into luggage, and performs this feat on the station's talent night. One man was once a banker and now drives an enormous bus. A pipefitter matches the fingers of his hands together to show that the second and third are the same length -- genetic evidence, he says, that he is descended from Aztec kings.
But I make the movie sound like a travelogue or an exhibit of eccentrics, and it is a poem of oddness and beauty. Herzog is like no other filmmaker, and to return to him is to be welcomed into a world vastly larger and more peculiar than the one around us. The underwater photography alone would make a film, but there is so much more. Consider the men who study the active volcanoes of Antarctica, and sometimes descend into volcanic fumes that open to the surface, although they must take care, Herzog observes in his wondering, precise narration, not to be doing so when the volcano erupts. It happens that there is another movie opening today in Chicago that also has volcanic tubes ("Journey to the Center of the Earth"). Do not confuse the two. These men play with real volcanoes.
They also lead lives revolving around monster movies on video, and a treasured ice-cream machine and a string band concert from the top of a Quonset hut during the eternal day. And they have modern conveniences of which Herzog despairs, like an ATM machine, in a place where the machine, the money inside it and the people who use it, must all be air-lifted in. Herzog loves these people, it is clear, because like himself they have gone to such lengths to escape the mundane and test the limits of the extraordinary. But there is a difference between them and Timothy Treadwell, the hero of "Grizzly Man," Herzog's documentary about a man who thought he could live with bears and not be eaten, and was mistaken. The difference is that Treadwell was a foolish romantic, and these men and women are in this god-forsaken place to extend their knowledge of the planet and of the mysteries of life and death itself.
Herzog's method makes the movie seem like it is happening by chance, although chance has nothing to do with it. He narrates as if we're watching movies of his last vacation -- informal, conversational, engaging. He talks about people he met, sights he saw, thoughts he had. And then a larger picture grows inexorably into view. McMurdo is perched on the frontier of the coming suicide of the planet. Mankind has grown too fast, spent too freely, consumed too much, and the ice cap is melting, and we shall all perish. Herzog doesn't use such language, of course; he is too subtle and visionary. He is nudged toward his conclusions by what he sees. In a sense, his film journeys through time as well as space, and we see what little we may end up leaving behind us. Nor is he depressed by this prospect, but only philosophical. We came, we saw, we conquered, and we left behind a frozen fish.
His visit to Antarctica was not intended, he warns us at the outset, to take footage of "fluffy penguins." But there are some penguins in the film, and one of them embarks on a journey that haunts my memory to this moment, long after it must have ended.
Note: Herzog dedicated this film to me. I am deeply moved and honored. The letter I wrote to him from the 2007 Toronto Film Festival is at rogerebert.com
The Villain is You: Ralph Breaks the Internet and the Evolution of the Disney Villain
by Nathanael Hood
Nature is Monumentally Indifferent: Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer on “Into the Inferno”
by Matt Fagerholm
Home Entertainment Consumer Guide: October 21, 2016
by Brian Tallerico
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Joe Lederer/Netflix
'ASOUE' Season 2 Clues From Malina Weissman & Louis Hynes Hint At The Show's Fate
By Zakiya Jamal
(Warning: this post contains unfortunate spoilers from Episode 8.) The first season of Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events is finally here and fans are already begging for more. The show, which follows the unfortunate lives of orphans Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, was filled with many twists and turns, leaving fans wondering what will happen next. Fortunately, there are a few clues about a possible Season 2 of A Series of Unfortunate Events, which come right from the cast itself. Romper spoke to Malina Weissman and Louis Hynes, who play Violet and Klaus, the eldest and middle Baudelaire children, respectively, and though neither could confirm that there will be a second season, they are both definitely hopeful there is one.
"I think a lot of people are preparing for one," Weissman says, in regards to the possibility of another season. The first season ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. Mr. Poe dropped off the Baudelaire children at Prufrock Preparatory School, having exhausted all their guardian options. Along with the Baudelaire children are two of the Quagmire kids, who also recently lost their parents to a fire. Although the two groups of children haven't met yet, according to Weissman, fans will definitely see more of them next season.
If the show continues to stick as closely to the books as it has, fans can expect a team up between the two groups of orphans, although their lives probably won't get anymore fortunate than they currently are. Still, as Lemony Snicket said at the end of the episode, it's always nice to have friends who know what you're going through.
As for Hynes' take on the show's future, he too believes that a renewal is pretty much inevitable and admits that many are already preparing for a second season pick-up. "I think a Season 2 is looking hopeful at the moment," he reveals. "I know there are ideas and emails being passed around, but there hasn't been an official go ahead as far as I know." He adds, "I am certainly hoping for more deceit... there are so many more books to explore it would be a shame not to!!"
Besides seeing more of the Quagmires, Weissman and Hynes couldn't give us too much more info on what to expect in the next season. However, Weissman did say she's hoping for more costumes for herself and her fellow young co-stars in the future. "From reading the books, I know me [Violet], Klaus, and Sunny have a lot of costume changes, which is awesome because the first season we're ourselves the entire time," the 13-year-old actress remarks. "I'm excited to see if they continue having Violet, Klaus, and Sunny dress up more."
Meanwhile, Hynes is anxious to explore a particular storyline that takes place underwater, believe it or not. "In the books, there is a brilliant section based in a submarine that I would love to have a play around with," he says. "I am definitely looking forward to that." He would also be very interested to delve more into the backstory of the Baudelaire parents so that we can actually see what they look like — for real this time. "I would love to see the Baudelaire parents return in flashbacks or even a new plot line," he explains. "It could make for some great cameos and definitely add to the excitement and misfortune of the tale."
Costumes, submarines, and flashbacks would all be great additions to the show. One of the best parts of this series is how, even in the face of unfortunate circumstances, the imagery and storytelling has been stunning, along with the acting itself. (Seriously, you won't be able to stop yourself from falling in love with these characters. It's impossible.) So really, how could you not have a second season with such an incredible cast and crew? That wouldn't just be unfortunate — it would be downright criminal.
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William Hogarth, The March to Finchley, 1750.
412 mm x 545 mm. © Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Limited.
The March to Finchley, 1750
William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)
Etching after William Hogarth's painting The March of the Guards to Finchley (1749-50, The Foundling Museum, London), which alludes to march of troops to Finchley Common, north of London, in readiness to defend the capital, and proceed to Scotland, during the second Jacobite rebellion. The scene is the Tottenham Court Turnpike and shows a bustling and varied assembly typical of Hogarth, with soldiers mingling with their families, tradesen, drinkers and beggars. In the distance (the scene faces northwards) a disciplined line of soldiers can be seen proceeding towards Finchley.
Einberg suggests Hogarth's intention was to show that the seemingly disorganised force in the foreground was transformed into a model army once about its task, and one which accordingly secured a resounding victory over the Jacobites within a few months. The Jacobite rebeliion was frequently addressed in Hogarth's prints, for example in The Gate of Calais (17/3546) which shows exiled Scottish and Irish Jacobites in France, or his portrait of Simon, Lord Lovat on his way to trial (17/3542).
The print was engraved by Luke Sullivan and first published in 1750, with further impressions print in 1761 after Hogarth retouched the plate (the artist did this with many of his earlier plates during his final years). This impression is a rare example of the unfinished first state, before the image was finished and the lettering added below.
Artist profile William Hogarth
Died: 26 October 1764
The March to Finchley
Original attributed to
Engraved by
Luke Sullivan (1705? - April 1771)
This image is from a book
Hogarth's prints. Vol. I. - [s.l.]: [n.d.]
Click here to view the book
Associated works of art
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Protect the Snowies
Highlighting the National Park's Fight for Survival
With it’s rich history, Kosciuszko National Park is home to many plant and animal species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, over the years, the area has fallen victim to threats and negative environmental changes ranging from fires to feral animals, that have left it vulnerable and exposed. To raise awareness about these various threats, digital agency S1T2 worked with the NSW Government’s Office of Environmental Heritage to create an interactive website design that would educate the public about the vulnerability of the Kosciuszko National Park, starting conversations about how it can be protected into the future.
Using a creative approach to interaction design and web development, the goal of Protect the Snowies was to create an engaging, educational platform that could shed light on the Kosciuszko National Park’s ongoing fight for survival. In particular, the storytelling website design focused on raising awareness about the wild horses that continue to endanger the landscape’s future.
To do this, S1T2 designed a unique parallax website that offered a different approach to storytelling – where a user’s scroll served as the main function of revealing narrative. Throughout the site, audiences would be able to explore the national park’s history before being invited to take part in the conversation about it’s future.
Storytelling through an Interactive Web Experience
S1T2’s decision to use a parallax website design enabled the website to present a narrative-driven user experience, activated through either mouse scrolling or keyboard arrows. Thus, as users moved through the website, they were able to discover for themselves the tragic impact that fires and wild animals have had on the natural landscape. This unique navigational functionality, facilitated through an innovative approach to web development, serves as a fitting metaphor for time, slowly exposing the trials the Kosciuszko National Park has faced over the years.
The use of layering and colour throughout the website design allowed us present information in a visually appealing and interactive manner. By carefully crafting our design style, we were able to create a sense of depth and character that made the narrative both personal and engaging for users. The addition of beautiful imagery and embedded videos throughout the website further facilitated an interactive user journey that reflects the changing landscape of Kosciuszko National Park.
Apache,
CSS3,
HTML5,
jQuery,
PHP.
Wacom Cintiq.
Youtube API.
Parallax Experience
By embedding a statistical timeline into the website’s parallax feature, we were able to cultivate a uniquely engaging learning experience. As users moved through the website, they were able to see how the changes to the national park were aligned with the growth of the wild horse population from the early 2000’s and into the future towards 2020. Presenting this educational content in a visually appealing and interactive manner made it easier for users to understand the information and connect with the story being told.
It was this implementation of a unique parallax design that allowed the website to effectively tackle the controversial topic of wild horse management. Unlike other attempts to explain the issue, this story-based approach to web development was able to rationalise proposed management schemes and help audiences to understand the impact of both the wild horses and the suggested solutions. By offering a new way of looking at the issue, Protect the Snowies encouraged constructive conversations, provided a platform to facilitate gain feedback, and worked to generate public support for actions with the potential to make a substantial difference.
Learn more about Protect the Snowies
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Perhaps Bloom Boxes will provide clean, reliable power while reducing our carbon footprint. That'd be marvelous. If it comes to pass, Bloom Energy might want to thank Californians for their generosity.
In 2009, as Bloom's scientists honed the technology, Bloom's lobbyists shaped legislation at the Capitol and a key decision at the California Public Utilities Commission.
By the end of 2010, the commission had granted Bloom payments and commitments totaling $210 million to subsidize its fuel cell technology, PUC officials said.
Bloom was so effective that some legislators worried there would be no money left for other companies that might have innovative technology. Earlier this month, Public Utilities Commission President Michael Peevey issued an order suspending the program.
In many ways, Bloom is a feel-good and hopeful story. It's also a story about how Bloom has navigated the system and tapped into other people's money.
Bloom Energy had a minor presence in Sacramento until 2008, when it sponsored rather audacious legislation that sought to place a $2 billion bond on the ballot to fund energy research.
Although that measure failed, the company came back in 2009, setting its sights on a share of money paid by customers of PG&E and other private utilities in a program intended to foster alternative energy.
The Self-Generation Incentive Program has its roots in the energy crisis of 2000, when Enron was manipulating the grid, PG&E was mired in bankruptcy court, and legislators scrambled to replace traditional sources of electricity with alternative energy.
Legislators funded the program by allowing the PUC to collect $125 million a year paid by ratepayers. The program was supposed to disappear in 2004. It didn't.
Legislators carried bills to extend the program several times, culminating in 2009 when Sen. Christine Kehoe, a San Diego Democrat, carried Senate Bill 412.
The fund had been moribund. More than $100 million was unused. Kehoe's bill sought to expand the types of alternative energy producers who could apply for the money. She also sought to lower the annual amount to be collected to $83 million.
Several energy companies wrote letters supporting the bill. Bloom, which has retained some of Sacramento's most savvy operators, was not among the bill's vocal backers, though Bloom's Josh Richman, vice president of business development, said the firm did advocate for it.
The Legislature gave final approval to Kehoe's bill in September 2009. Two weeks later, the Public Utilities Commission approved a proposal by Bloom that shaped how money in the fund would be allocated. The ruling positioned Bloom to receive a greater share of allocations.
With Kehoe's legislation and the new regulation in place, Bloom launched a public campaign touting its Bloom Boxes. Bloom founder K.R. Sridhar was featured on the "60 Minutes" segment, showing off Bloom Boxes in use at iconic companies such as Google.
Next, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, burnishing his environmental credentials, attended a press conference at eBay headquarters, where he heaped praise on Sridhar as someone who was "shaping the future of energy not just for California but for the world."
In Peevey's view, California should help fund ventures such as Bloom's if the state is to cut greenhouse gases.
With the infusion of ratepayers' money, Bloom is able to lower the $800,000 cost of the refrigerator-sized units and make them economical for its customers.
"They have a great product," Peevey told me. "My hat goes off to them. They played by the rules."
Richman said he hopes the PUC suspension of the incentive program is short-lived. In his view, the program is working, as evidenced by Bloom's 70 percent growth last year.
"California is leading the way, and it is being successful. It has been a visionary program," Richman said.
Others are not so sure. Kehoe said Bloom no doubt has a promising product, but "there's a lot of good technology in California." Other companies should be receiving some of the money.
"What is the purpose of the program, to benefit one company?" asked Lenny Goldberg, lobbyist for the Utility Reform Network, a consumer-oriented organization that opposes requiring ratepayers to subsidize companies.
California supposedly is an unfriendly place to do business. In reality, the state finds many ways to help favored businesses. It uses tax breaks to encourage companies to hire and expand. It invokes its authority to funnel utility customers' money into subsidies for Bloom Energy fuel cells installed at Google, Wal-Mart and eBay.
Maybe Bloom's technology will transform electricity generation. Time will tell. But this is clear: This Silicon Valley startup has gotten golden, thanks in no small part to a lobby effort that helped win favorable legislation and regulations that helped it raise $210 million from you.
The moment Tony Mendoza is no longer in the photo gallery of senators
Getting to know Dr. Yona Barash, a Republican congressional candidate
Dan Morain
He used to take NRA money. Now, he leads efforts to pass gun control measures
By Dan Morain
Rep. Mike Thompson is a gun owner, hunter, and Vietnam veteran, and he recalls how in simpler times, the NRA made its name by teaching kids about gun safety. The Napa Valley Democrat is, in short, ideally cast to lead congressional Democrats’ efforts to push for gun control measures, a role he fully embraced after the slaughter at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012.
MORE DAN MORAIN
Sen. Tony Mendoza has no shame, but he does have plenty of campaign cash
What might not have happened at Douglas High if Florida had this law. We’ll never know
Gun maker Remington heads toward bankruptcy. California teachers were right
Can a wealthy ex-Republican win office in California? Steve Poizner will find out
Take a number: Why Rep. Devin Nunes doesn’t seem worried about the 2018 mid-term
Billionaires are running our elections. Is there no way out of this?
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Atlantic Cup
The year that was and wasn't
It says something about sailings prospects as a sport that 2008 left us with three round-the-world races under way at the same time. As we look to nail down just what that means, do keep your thumbs clear of the hammer.Certainly sailboat racing is as incoherent as ever in its public face. Hard-core fans have no trouble, or not so much, separating a crewed circumnavigation (the
Kimball Livingston
It says something about sailing’s prospects as a sport that 2008 left us with three round-the-world races under way at the same time. As we look to nail down just what that means, do keep your thumbs clear of the hammer.
Certainly sailboat racing is as incoherent as ever in its public face. Hard-core fans have no trouble, or not so much, separating a crewed circumnavigation (the Volvo, with eight entries and 10 legs) from the Eurocentric French-fueled singlehanded extravaganza (the Vende Globe, with 30 entries) going around nonstop. This becomes a complicated face for the public, however, even without adding six doublehanded and two singlehanded 40-footers participating in the inaugural Portimo Global Ocean Race.
As usual, American sailors have little presence in the Vende (best of luck, Rich Wilson, lone U.S. entry) but a strong, small presence in the Volvo. And, for once, there is an American-flagged entry, Puma. Under skipper Ken Read, Puma put points on the board, running second to Ericsson 4 and skipper Torben Grael in the opening leg from Spain to South Africa. Ericsson 4, meanwhile, set a new 24-hour monohull record of 602 miles. With the fleet arriving mid-December in Singapore and departing January 18 for Qingdao, is that a harbinger of things to come?
It is extraordinary to have three round-the-world races under way at once, yet somehow it’s typical in the way of a confusing message, and typical again for much of what we see, looking in the rear-view mirror at 2008.
There was the breakthrough Olympiad in China, where the breakthroughs were mostly about China. Safe to say, the British hosts for 2012 knew halfway through Beijing’s opening ceremonies they should not try to top that. Sailors, meanwhile, were quartered at a distance on the Yellow Sea, where the port of Qingdao had been laboriously cleared of a major invasion of algae in advance of (perhaps) the last Olympic Games to include Tornado catamarans. The algae made network news, the sailing only for the algae.
Think what you will of ISAF’s sustaining votes in 2008 to exclude cats from 2012, the voting process exposed a flawed system of self-interests woefully incapable of healing itself, of delegations no more capable of coming together for a common good than are nation states of agreeing to multilateral disarmament. Even more fundamental are two unresolved divides:
1.) There are those who think our sport would be better off without the Olympics (because it’s nothing but a shortcut career path to the pros, and that’s not “our” problem), while others treasure Olympic sailing for rewarding excellence.
2.) There are those who want Olympic sailing to represent the best existing elements of the sport, while others want Olympic sailing to be a driving force, reinventing the game with thrilling boats and compelling visuals.
The year produced plenty of heat but precious little light, and we did not move the ball, at all.
Closer to home, Team USA may have been transformed by the Qingdao Olympics. The one gold, one silver reprise of 2004 results balances against the results of new efforts in fund raising, coaching, and team building that led us out of Qingdao with a new sense of cohesion, young competitors bent on staying in the game, and a continuity of management. Olympic Sailing chair Dean Brenner says he cannot foresee a time when U.S. sailors would be professionalized along the British model, successful though it is at piling up medals. However, with so much emphasis now on competing internationally, we can’t help wondering if it isn’t time to revisit the question of selecting Team USA by means other than the “crucible” of the one-regatta system and making it more of a forward-looking squad.
But enough fustigation. Kudos to Anna Tunnicliffe-Funk for pulling out the gold medal we anticipated, also to Zach Railey for winning the silver he didn’t dare predict but quietly believed in. And of course in the Paralympics to doublehander John Ruf for achieving bronze, and to Nick Scandone/Maureen McKinnon-Tucker for thrilling us with a gold-medal win for the ages. And to Britain’s Ben Ainslie, rising above his contemporary Olympians with three golds and one silver and closing on Paul Elvstrm’s all-time medal record.
In the Mediterranean, where the TP52 class has reached critical mass, American Terry Hutchinson was on a roll. You might recall that Hutchinson came out of 2007 (America’s Cup tactician for Emirates Team New Zealand) with certain people claiming he had something to prove. So he made his point skippering Quantum Racing and won the hard-fought Audi MedCup and the TP52 Worlds. Then he went on to win the Melges 24 Worlds. We’re reminded of 2007 and the trash talking aimed at Kiwi skipper Dean Barker. Until he started winning. Then his man Hutchinson, asked for comment, chewed on the question and said, “All that stuff about Dean was crap.”
A quiet revolution in Maxi racing came to fruition as two late-2007 mini-Maxis, Dan Meyers’s Numbers and Roger Sturgeon’s Rosebud, established themselves and inspired imitators. Coming into 2009, a crowd of “mini-maxis” are online or coming. Perhaps the 30-meter maxi-Maxis bring shock and awe, but the smaller boats are the real deal for competition, and they had quite the showdown at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Sardinia in September. Numbers won, under charter to Ernesto Bertarelli and sailed by his Team Alinghi.
Oh yes, Alinghi. The America’s unCup. A different meaning for “Indecision ’08.” A year spent dragging through the courts of New York, punctuated by a late-season play on the part of the defender, working off the only movement then-to-date, a decision to launch a Louis Vuitton Pacific Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, in February. Louis Vuitton Pacific will share two matched Kiwi and two matched BMW Oracle boats among invited Cup teams.
With that plan taking off, Bertarelli made his own move. Alinghi announced that, court case or no, they were kicking off the next America’s Cup cycle in a type of boat to be negotiated with accepted challengers (with cost savings in mind), and everyone was welcome. The agenda, however, was designed to create a quandary for Oracle boss Larry Ellison and his allies at Mascalzone Latino, who had filed a Friend of the Court Brief on Ellison’s behalf. With a court ruling unlikely before spring, an entry cutoff in December meant that either they could play Alinghi’s game as a challenger (mooting their lawsuit against Alinghi), or Ellison could take his chances on winning in court, then take his chances of winning a Deed of Gift match in giant multihulls.
For the record, the disputed Challenger of Record, Club Nutico Espaol de Vela, was connected to a respirator in November to stage an “Annual Regatta” for AC boats, won by Alinghi. Also for the record, Ellison’s 90-by-90 trimaran, built to maybe-yes or maybe-no race for America’s Cup, is a fascinating beast and a thrill for its “riders.” Following a launch in the Pacific Northwest, the Deed of Gift match challenger (DOGzilla) was barged south to San Diego for development. Skipper Russell Coutts allowed, “When I’m on a horse I’ve got no control. A trained rider knows what to do, but that’s not me, and the horse pretty much knows it. When I first jumped on this boat, same thing.”
Racing milestones
Chicago Yacht Club’s Race to Mackinac was run for the 100th time, drawing a record 430 entries to this Midwest long-distance classic. The race had more lightning than your SAIL representative has ever seen from the deck of a boat, plus the predictable mix of umpteen different races in one, and the (not to be taken for granted) polished work of an experienced race committee that managed both ends of a 333-mile race to perfection. The 100th Mac was cool.
Down South, 231 boats sailed the 50th-anniversary Dauphin Island Race. That was nowhere near a record entry for this big season opener, but it was a comeback from the devastation of Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina. Welcome back, Mobile Bay.
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To Italy, with the literary A-list
Lily Burana
Paul McCartney, master of the live show
Kenneth Womack
16 times the Onion masterfully trolled American politics
The satire site is a national treasure and needs no introduction. Here are just a few of their very best pieces
Check out this article! https://www.salon.com/2015/10/16/16_times_the_onion_masterfully_trolled_american_politics_partner/
Kali Holloway
October 16, 2015 12:00PM (UTC)
This article originally appeared on AlterNet.
So much of our dumb cultural, political and social lives are just begging to be satirized. So in 1988, that’s exactly what the Onion started doing, launching a small weekly newspaper out of Madison, Wisconsin. From its humble beginnings, the satirical news site has grown into a media titan in its own right and serves as the direct antecedent of programs like the "Daily Show" and countless imitators such as the Daily Currant. The print edition is no more, but its multiple websites – including the “news” pages, video channels (including TED spoof “Onion Talks"), the A.V. Club, and ClickHole (aka the Onion does Buzzfeed) – attract 30 million unique visitors each month. Somehow, it’s not only kept its wits intact through all that growth, but its keen satirical eye has only grown sharper.
Wrangling the best political pieces from the Onion is pretty much an impossible task – there’s just too much good there to reduce it to a reasonably sized list. But we do have some favorites, nonetheless. Out of an almost limitless supply, here are just 16 of the Onion’s best political pieces.
1. ‘No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens
After the mass shooting in Oregon earlier this month, the Onion quietly reposted this article. It had run twice before: once after the racially motivated shooting in Charleston that left nine dead and, before that, after a mass shooting at the University of California in which seven were killed. On its own, it’s a fairly sublime bit of satire. But by posting the story repeatedly – to show how the details change with each tragic mass shooting, yet the circumstances remain the same – it’s an even more powerful indictment of our culture of gun violence and our country's refusal to do anything about it.
2. NRA Calls For Teachers To Keep Loaded Gun Pointed At Class For Entire School Day (Oct. 24, 2013)
After the Sandy Hook massacre in December 2012, National Rifle Association executive vice president Wayne LaPierre blamed the shooting on video games, music videos and “[p]eople...driven by demons” – but not, curiously, guns. In fact, LaPierre suggested what we need is more of those, and called on Congress to “put armed police officers in every single school in this nation.” This Onion article ran nearly a year later, after a 2013 Nevada school shooting– the 15th that year – left two injured and two dead. It effectively encapsulates the ridiculousness of the NRA position, and imagines La Pierre saying things you probably shouldn’t put past him in real life. (“The only way to ensure safety in our schools is to make sure teachers hold fully loaded firearms at students from the moment they walk into the classroom until the moment they leave.”)
3. New 'Anti-Abortion Pill' Kills Mother, Leaves Fetus Alive (May 10, 2006)
Finally, a pill that anti-reproductive justice activists will love. The Onion skewers not only the palpable misogyny of so much anti-abortion legislation, but also mocks the men who have so much to say about women having a say in what happens with their own bodies. "This is a step forward for equality," a men's rights activist says. "For too long, women have had an unfair advantage in the outcome of a pregnancy. UR-86 levels the playing field for husbands and boyfriends across America."
4. New Law Requires Welfare Recipients To Submit Sweat To Prove How Hard They’re Looking For Job (Aug. 6, 2014)
Despite all the evidence showing most welfare recipients are working poor, conservatives continue to push the idea that federal aid flows to the lazy and entitled. That way, instead of addressing issues of real consequence, conservatives can waste time and money on bills that serve no purpose other than making it even harder to be poor in this country. In an era in which more and more states are passing laws forcing welfare recipients to be drug-tested (and Kansas has even prohibited welfare recipients from using funds to “visit swimming pools [or] see movies”), reality is only slightly less ridiculous than satire.
5. Judge Rules White Girl Will Be Tried As Black Adult (Jan. 22, 2011)
A pretty brilliant satirical take on a devastating truth. In this Onion News Network clip, a blonde teenager collapses into tears when a judge hands down the “harshest possible sentencing from the judge”: being tried as a black adult. “We’re going to do our best to make sure that Hannah is treated with the sympathy and sensitivity that she as a photogenic white girl deserves,” the teen’s mother tells the press after they exit the court. “This is America,” her father adds. “Nobody deserves to be treated as a black man.”
6. Drugs Win Drug War (Jan. 10, 1998)
Before America conceded that the war on drugs has been a colossal failure, the Onion was already declaring the U.S. had long lost the battle. Bonus points to this vintage article for its photo, which features then-Clinton drug czar Barry McCaffrey holding a press conference with two of “the nation’s stoners” – one lighting a bong and both wearing tie dye – who will be assuming power.
7. Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job (Nov. 4, 2008)
Immediately after Barack Obama’s election, the Onion posted this article that played with the topic of race and foresaw the issues awaiting America’s first black president. “In his new high-stress, low-reward position, Obama will be charged with such tasks as completely overhauling the nation's broken-down economy, repairing the crumbling infrastructure, and generally having to please more than 300 million Americans and cater to their every whim on a daily basis.”
8. ‘98 Homosexual-Recruitment Drive Nearing Goal (July 29, 1998)
Way back in the late 1990s, the Onion was making fun of the conservative belief that most gays have dedicated their lives to spreading “the homosexual lifestyle.” Straight out of some paranoid homophobic nightmare, the Onion reports that the National Gay & Lesbian Recruitment Task Force is having unprecedented success with it's topsy-turvy conversion therapy. Fred Phelps, the late head of the Westboro Baptist Church, actually mistook this article for a real news item and posted it on his website to warn followers about the out-of-control gay menace.
9. Bush: 'Our Long National Nightmare Of Peace and Prosperity Is Finally Over’ (Jan. 17, 2001)
Within a few years of Bush’s election, this Onion article would seem almost eerily prescient, so accurately did it nail how 43’s term in office would look. "You better believe we're going to mix it up with somebody at some point during my administration," a newly elected Bush says. "Unlike my predecessor, I am fully committed to putting soldiers in battle situations...We must squander our nation's hard-won budget surplus on tax breaks for the wealthiest 15 percent. And, on the foreign front, we must find an enemy and defeat it."
10. Planned Parenthood Opens $8 Billion Abortionplex (May 18, 2011)
The Onion turns the conservative fever dream of Planned Parenthood as an abortion wonderland into a reality. Despite totally unbelievable details like the organization changing its slogan to “No Life Is Sacred” and a description of the Abortionplex as a “state-of-the-art fetus-killing facility” housing 2,000 rooms where abortions are performed, Republican Congressman John Fleming bought the story hook, line and sinker. Fleming posted it to his Facebook wall, where several people pointed out that the Onion is a satirical site. Elsewhere on the Internet, hundreds of users who got the joke have posted (mostly glowing) reviews of the Abortionplex on a Yelp page dedicated to the fictitious site.
11. Ho, Ho, Ho! 9/11 Was An Inside Job! (Dec. 12, 2012)
Rounds up every 9/11 conspiracy theory bit of “evidence” into an article from Santa Claus, who insists on making sure all of America’s little boys and girls know they’ve been duped. “The type of steel they used melts at a temperature of about 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit, and as I'm sure all you smart little boys and girls know, jet fuel burns at 1,500 degrees, tops,” Santa explains. Sits somewhere between embracing the paranoia and foreshadowing all those 9/11 truther memes.
12. U.S. Flag Recalled After Causing 143 Million Deaths (April 13, 2010)
Ronald Burman, the Onion’s fictional president of the flag manufacturer that issued the recall, sums up the problem with America’s flag. "Unfortunately, the practical applications of this product are far outnumbered by the risks it presents. Millions have died needlessly, and when you ask people why, they point to the flag...When combined with alcohol, excessive patriotism, grief, or well-intentioned but ultimately misguided ideals, U.S. flags transform into ticking time bombs, just waiting to go off.”
13. Marauding Gay Hordes Drag Thousands Of Helpless Citizens From Marriages After Obama Drops Defense Of Marriage Act (Feb. 25, 2011)
What better way to point out the absurdity of the idea that marriage equality is a threat to “traditional marriage” than to imagine gays on a rampage after DOMA’s repeal. The headline says it all, but the piece goes on to paint a scene in which “roving bands of homosexuals” terrorize straights, dragging “helpless Americans...from their marital unions.” Somewhere, someone’s great aunt is pasting this article into a group email as we speak.
14. Income Inequality Emerges As Key Topic To Avoid In 2014 Elections (May 5, 2014)
As the New Yorker notes, “[i]ncome inequality is greater in the United States than in any other democracy in the developed world.” The disparity betweenthose with the most and pretty much everyone else has been steadily widening over the last few decades, with no sign of change in the foreseeable future. It’s a highly relevant topic and, as the Onion points out, one most politicians will do their absolute best to avoid. “The well-documented and steadily increasing gap between the rich and poor has come to the fore as the hot-button issue that all congressional candidates will be dodging at town halls, in televised debates, and at voter meet-and-greets in 2014,” the publication has one political analyst state.
15. Candidate Turns To Focus Group For Position On Rape (Aug. 15, 2011)
Cowardly politicians are always a worthy target, and the Onion puts them in its satirical crosshairs with regularity. But what’s also notable about this particular piece is that it ran almost exactly a year before Republicans really started turning up the crazy in discussions about rape, a stretch that kicked off in 2012 with Todd Aiken’s “legitimate rape” comments. In any case, like so many Onion articles, it’s even more relevant today.
16. Experts Point To Long, Glorious History Of Successful U.S. Bombing Campaigns (Aug. 27, 2013)
Another story where the headline really says it all, but the article deserves a read, too. Mostly for gems like this: “The record clearly shows that, in every instance since the Second World War in which the U.S. government has launched strategic missile attacks on foreign soil, our military forces easily targeted enemy assailants with total precision, leaving no civilian casualties, collateral damage, or any long-term negative consequences for the affected country or region, American foreign policy, or international relations as a whole.”
Kali Holloway is the senior director of Make It Right, a project of the Independent Media Institute. She co-curated the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s MetLiveArts 2017 summer performance and film series, “Theater of the Resist.” She previously worked on the HBO documentary Southern Rites, PBS documentary The New Public and Emmy-nominated film Brooklyn Castle, and Outreach Consultant on the award-winning documentary The New Black. Her writing has appeared in AlterNet, Salon, the Guardian, TIME, the Huffington Post, the National Memo, and numerous other outlets.
MORE FROM Kali Holloway
Alternet Clickhole George W. Bush Gop The Onion
Trump's 2020 campaign raises $30M in Q1
Homophobic chants yelled at Mayor Pete
Democrats must act before it's too late
Is Sinema the Manchin of the West?
On parade at West Point 50 years later
Best Sex Ever advice: Break or breakup?
Our awakening to Marianne Williamson
"The Hot Zone" has viral potential
Jon Stewart, defender of American values
Why the data says Joe Biden would lose
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Herd immunity is achieved
By Seymour Telegraph
Caption Here: Jacob Pegler with his mum Nicole Pegler and Mitchell Shire Council’s maternal and child health nurse Kerrie Ormiston.
Residents in Mitchell Shire are protecting vulnerable community members from illness by achieving herd immunity.
Immunisation rates across the shire have hit 98 per cent for five-year-olds, surpassing the recommended 95 per cent rate from both Victorian and Federal governments..
Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm was extremely proud of his community and its efforts to protect those with vulnerable immune systems.
‘‘Our health services in the Mitchell Shire are doing a brilliant job of working with residents to get the best results for everyone who lives in the municipality,’’ he said.
‘‘It is tremendous we have reached herd immunity, it is a brilliant, co-operative effort.
‘‘While we are doing a great job, we need to make sure we continue to vaccinate and keep up-to-date with the latest information. This is the best way we can continue to protect the most vulnerable people in our shire.’’
Herd immunity is vital for those in the community who cannot be immunised against diseases such as measles, whooping cough , rotavirus , meningococcal and the flu.
Babies under six months old, who are yet to have their first round of needles, and the elderly are the most at risk of becoming ill and rely on herd immunity to avoid what can be life-threatening diseases.
People who have damaged or suppressed immune systems are also at risk as they often cannot be immunised.
Australia-wide, immunisation rates for one-year-olds sat at 94 per cent, 90.63 per cent for two-year-olds and 94.62 per cent for five-year-olds as recorded by the Federal Department of Health at the end of 2018.
Victoria fared only slightly better with 94.21 per cent of one-year-olds and 91 per cent of two-year-olds fully vaccinated, meaning the state average was below the recommended rate.
However, 95.48 per cent of five-year-olds were fully immunised, meaning herd immunity had been achieved in Victoria for that age group.
There have been multiple outbreaks of measles in Victoria, the most recent one across the Australia Day long weekend in Mildura with a baby being taken to the Mildura Base Hospital and diagnosed with the disease.
Measles is a highly infectious disease and can be fatal for babies.
Victoria’s acting chief health officer Brett Sutton said measles often first presented with cold-like symptoms.
‘‘The characteristic measles rash usually begins three to seven days after the first symptoms, generally starting on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body,’’ he said.
‘‘Anyone developing symptoms is advised to ring ahead to their general practitioner or hospital first and tell them that they may have measles so that appropriate steps can be taken to avoid contact with other patients.’’
Measles outbreaks are rare in Australia because of country-wide use of the measles vaccine but recently there has been multiple outbreaks, usually linked to someone who was visiting from overseas or an unvaccinated person returning from an overseas trip.
A Victorian Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson praised the Mitchell Shire community for its efforts.
‘‘Immunisations are safe, effective and save lives. Mitchell Shire has done a wonderful job promoting the importance of vaccination,’’ they said.
‘‘Immunising your child not only protects you and your family, but other children in the community.’’
Tears as family allowed to stay
Christine, Anthony and Darragh Hyde will remain in Australia after being granted permanent residency on Friday night.
Winter help
Almost 400 people from 208 different families came to Seymour’s St Vincent de Paul Society for assistance in the 2018-19 financial year.
David Rak
Council seeks asbestos dumpers
Mitchell Shire Council is calling on the community to help catch people responsible for dumping a large amount of industrial waste on one of its roadsides.
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Museums in Crete
Opening hours for all museums unless stated otherwise:
All year: Daily: 08.30 - 15.00, Monday: closed
The new Archaeological Museum of Chania is housed in the Venetian church of San Francesco. Its exhibits from western Crete and other areas date from the Neolithic to the Roman era, and include idols, statues, inscriptions, weapons, pottery, sealstones, coins, jewellery, etc.
Three-handled amphora (1420-1400 BC)
Tel. No.: 28210-90 334 Fax: 28210-94 487
The Historical Archives of Crete include a rich collection of folklore and material related to the history of the island. The archives are among the largest in the country, second only to General Archives of the Greek State. Open daily 8:00-13:00, except weekends and public holidays. Tel. No: 0821-22 606.
The Nautical Museum of Chania is located on the mole of the Venetian harbor.
The Museum was inaugurated on the 27th May 1973, date of the 32nd anniversaryof the Battle of Crete. It includes models of ships, various nautical instruments and objects such as range finders, barometers, wind-gauges, course and speed abaci, torpedo firing computer, magnetic boat compasses, meteorogical instruments, sextants, a planisphere, torpedo-boat steering gear, etc. There are also paintings, portaits, authentic historic photographs, such as the raising of the flag of the Union of Crete with Greece in the Firka fortress at Chania, on the 1st December 1913, etc. Also exhibited are relics such as uniforms and other memorabilia which belonged to the heroic dead of the Greek Navy, guns which had been used in the war of 1912-13, etc. All the exhibits from the naval tradition of Greece are classified according to their historical periods, that is:Bronze age-Classical and Hellenistic (2800 BC-6th century AD). Venetian period (1200 AD to the 17th century), Byzantine and post-Byzantine period (650 AD to the 18th century), the period of the Ottoman rule-the struggles for Independence (1650-1909), the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), World War II (1940-1944), the post-War period (after 1944).The museum is open 10:00-14:00, every day except Monday. From October to end of May, is open also 16:00-18:00, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays and 17:00-19:00 during the other months. Address: Akti Koundourioti, 731 36 Chania, Crete Tel. No.: 28210-26 437 Fax: (+30-28210) 27936
Historical and Folk Art Museum of Gavalohori. The Museum was founded in 1967 and was inaugurated in September 1993. It is housed in a building which is a characteristic example of local traditional architecture and stands on two levels. There is a ground floor with a verandah, an inside courtyard, an arched house proper, with its utility areas and a first floor with an "odas" or large room. Part of the building was built during the venetian occupation, while the first floor was built during the Ottoman rule. The building served as a private home until the end of the 19th century and was donated to the community of Gavalohori by George and Maria Stylianaki. The objects in it are displayed according to modern miseological concepts, with explanatory texts, photographs, drawings and models, and new exhibits are added each year. The Museum is divided into seven room, according to the following units: The Arched House, Silk, Pottery, Lace-making, Masonary and Stone carving, Church and Woodcarving. In the historical section of the Museum are exhibited guns and swords from the lengthy struggles of the Cretans for their freedom; also a small part of the collection of paintings and historical lithographs in which are depicted same of the most significant events of the history of Greece and Crete, coins (Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish, coins of the Cretan State and Syracusan coins from the period (405-345 BC). Also medals won on the fields of battle by the citizens of Gavalohori.
Address: village of Gavalohori Apokoronou, Chania
Tel.: +30-28250 22625
RETHIMNON
The Archaeological Museum of Rethimnon is housed in the Venetian Loggia. Among the exhibits of the museum. there are interesting archaeological finds from the region, as well as a fine coin collection. The museum contains the following collections: Late Neolithic (3500-2900 B.C.) and Early Minoan (2800-2100 B.C.) finds from the caves Gerani, Melidoni, Margeles and Helenes finds from the buildings at Apodoulou, Monastiraki and the peak sanctuary at Vrysinas, dated to the Middle Minoan period (2100-1600 B.C.) Late Minoan finds (1600-1100 B.C.) from the cemeteries, the most representative being that of Armenoi finds of the Geometric (1000-700 B.C.) and Archaic (700-500 B.C.) periods from Eleutherna and Axos finds from Stavromenos and Argyroupolis (ancient Lappa) dated to the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Tel.: 28310-54668.
The L. Kanakakis Gallery - Centre for Contemporary Art - was founded in 1992 by the Borough of Rethimnon. It houses a collection of approximately 200 pieces of modern Greek art, including around 70 painting by Lefteris Kanakakis, the Rethimno painter. In 1995 the gallery and the town of Rethimnon became part of the National Cultural Network set up to promote contemporary visual arts within an international framework.
Address: 5 Xanthoudidou Street 74 100 Rethimnon
Tel +30 28310 52530 52689
Fax +30 28310 52689
email rca@ret.forthnet.gr
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the most important museums in Greece. Here are assembled almost all the finds from the Minoan era. Pottery, stone carvings, sealstones, statuettes, gold, metalwork, the marvelous frescoes from the Royal and Little Palaces and villas of the wealthy, and finally, the unique painted limestone sarcophagus from the Agia Trias. It houses the most important and representative finds of the Minoan civilization. The foundation of the first museum (1904-1912) is owed to the efforts of two Cretan archaeologists, Joseph Chatzidakis and Stephanos Xanthoudides, Ephors of the Archaeological Service. It housed the valuable finds from Crete until 1937, when the construction of the modern, antiseismic building was begun. Thanks to the efforts of Prof. Nicolaos Platon, the treasures of the museum survived during World War II, although the building was seriously damaged.
Address: 1, Xanthoudidou str. Heraklion
Opening hours: From November 1st to February 29: Daily: 08:00 - 17:00, Monday: 12:00 - 17:00 From March 1st to October 31 : Monday: 12.00 -19.00 Tuesday - Sunday and Holidays 08:00 - 19:00
Tel. No.: 2810-22 60 92, or 22 46 30. Fax: +30-2810-241515
In the Historical Museum of Heraklion, exhibits from the Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish periods and historical documents of the more recent Cretan history are shown. Except these, a rich collection of folk art consisting of local costumes, textiles, wood carving and embroidery are exhibited here, as well as a representation of a tradition Cretan house. The Museum was founded in 1953 and includes the following collections of exhibits: 1. Byzantine-Mediaeval collection, Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish sculptures and inscriptions, wall paintings (13th-16th cent.), sacred vessels and vestments, coins, jewellery and miniature work of the Byzantine and Venetian period. Also the only existing painting in Crete by Domenicos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) entitled "View of Mount Sinai and the Monastery". 2.Historical Collection: Relics of the Cretan revolutions of the 19th century and of the Cretan State (1898-1913). Flags, arms, portaits of heroes of the patriotic struggles, jewellery, engravings, furniture, costumes, maps, memontoes. Also historic documents and a collection of photographs. 3. Folk art collection: Hundreds of representative samples of Cretan folk art(women and embroidered articles, Lace, costimes, jewellery, miniature work, musical instruments etc). Reproduction of the interior of an old Cretan rule house. 4. Nikos Kazantzakis Room: the desk, library, personal mementoes and manuscripts of many of the works of the great writer. 5. Tsouderos Room: the desk, library and personal mementoes of the Prime Minister of the Battle of Grete, engravings, maps, rare editions and a collection of Cretan postage stamps.
Address: Lyssimachou Kalokairinou str., 71202 Heraklion
Opening hours: Summer period: Every day: 9.00 - 17.00 , Saturdays: 9.00 - 14.00, Sundays - Holidays: closed.
Tel. No.: 2810-288708, 081-28 32 19. Fax: 2810 - 283754
KAZANTZAKIS MUSEUM. The Kazantzakis Museum is situated at Varvaroi, approximately 20 km. to the south of Heraklion. It was founded to preserve the work and to record the life of the Cretan writer. It includes some of the writer's personal belongings and those of his family, documents, letters, the first Greek editions of his books, and translations in 49 languages in 54 countries, photographs, busts, works of art, as well as documents referring to stagings of his theatrical works and of novels adapted for the theatre, photographs, posters, programmes, models of stage settings and costumes as they have been presented in performances all over the world. There is also radio and television material as well as a collection of press reviews which refer to Kazantzakis and have been published in Greek and foreign newspapers. Finally, there is an audiovisual presentation in five languages - Greek, French, English, German and Dutch to illustrate the development of this universal writer's life and career. ADDRESS: N.Kazantzakis Museum, Varvaroi (Myrtia), 701 00 Heraklion, Crete
Tel.: (2810) 742451, 741689
Collection of St Catherine of Sinai.The Monastery of St Catherine (Aghia Aikaterine), which is a metochi (dependency) of the monastery of the same name on Mount Sinai, was an important cultural and artistic centre from the 15th to the 17th century -the period between the fall of Contantinople and the capture of Chandax (Herakleion) by the Ottoman Turks (1669). The katholikon is preserved and now houses a collection of representative works of the Cretan renaissance, prominent amongst which are icons painted by Michael Damaskenos. The display also includes wall-paintings, manuscripts, religious vestments, liturgical vessels, and other treasures. There are the following collections: Collection of icons of the Cretan School. Collection of ecclesiastical books. Collection of vestments. Wall-painting fragments.
Tel.: +30-2810 - 288484, Fax +30-2810 - 242111
Municipal Museum of the Battle of Crete and the National Resistance. The Museum was created by the Municipality of Herakleion, following the organization of an exhibition of documents of the period 1941-1945, on the occasion of the celebration on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Crete(1941). It is housed in a large room in a building in the centre of the town. Among the Museum's exhibits are thousands of authentic photographs, paintings and drawings of the Battle of Crete and the national resistance, about two hundred books, monographs, essays on the historic events from 1941 to 1945, hundreds of documents and a great many newspaper cuttings. The Museum also includes a variety of objects related to the war (arms, accessories, uniforms, items of everyday use etc.). In addition, the museum also operates as a research centre thanks to a team of researchers and scientists who have undertaken to collect archival material from ten countries, to translate war documents of the 1940-1945 period, as well as to write about the Battle of Crete.
Address: Doukos Beaufort and I. Chatzidaki, 715 00 Heraklion
Tel.: +30-2810 221227
The Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC) offers the visitors a unique chance of a rich experience on the natural environment of Crete and its distinctiveness, as it reveals from the ecologically and culturally complex landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean. In suitably arranged exhibition area of 800 sq.m., with realistic models of biotopes, animal and plant collections, as well as plenty of photo material, the visitor discovers the natural beauty of Crete and continental Greece. Forests, phryganic and maquis vegetation, marshes, caves, rocky and sandy beaches, mountain massifs as well as special presentations on threatened animals (sea mammals, birds, etc), are some of the topics of the permanent exhibition.
Address: 157 Knossou Av., the road leading to the ancient palace of Knossos.
Opening hours: from Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm.
The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nicholaos contains a rich collection of finds from excavations in eastern Crete.
The Museum of Aghios Nikolaos was founded in 1970 in order to house the numerous new archaeological finds from eastern Crete, which until then, were housed in the Museum of Herakleion. Its collections include:
• Finds from the Early Minoan (3000-2000 B.C.) cemetery at Aghia Photia of Sitia
• Finds from the Early Minoan II settlement at Fournou Koryfi of Myrtos
• Finds from the Early Minoan II-III (2600-2200 B.C.) cemetery on the islet of Mochlos Finds from Middle Minoan (2000-1550 B.C.) peak sanctuaries: Petsophas, Modi, Traostalos, Kalamaki, Prinias, Etiani, Kephala
• Finds from the Late Minoan III (1400-1200 B.C.) tombs of Milatos and Kritsa
• Finds from the Geometric deposit at Anavlochos Vrachasiou.
• Finds from the Daidalic deposit at Seteia (beginning of 7th century B.C.)
• Finds from the Archaic deposit at Olous (end of 7th-6th centuries B.C.)
• Finds from Lato pros Kamara (modern Aghios Nikoalos) dated to Greek and Roman times Museum
Opening hours: Winter period : Monday: Closed, Tuesday - Friday: 08:00 - 14:30 Weekends and Holidays 08:00 - 14:30 From March 1st to October 31: Daily: 08.30 - 15.00, Monday: closed
Tel. No.: 28410-24 943.
Archaeological Museum of Ierapetra. The museum was founded at the end of the 19th century, during the Turkish occupation of Crete and was housed in several buildings in the past. Today it is housed in the building of the Commercial Ottoman School, which is protected by a preservation order, and has been ceded to the Ministry of Culture by the Municipality of Ierapetra. The collections include: Minoan art: painted sarcophagi, lamps, Late Minoan III (1400-1200 B.C.) vases, mostly stirrup jars and kraters. Geometric figurines and vases (9th-8th century B.C.) Archaic art (mostly figurines and relief plaques) of the late 7th-6th centuries B.C. Classical and Hellenistic vases and figurines (end of 1st century B.C. - 4th century A.D.) Roman reliefs and statues Funerary and votive inscriptions of Greek and Roman times.
Opening hours: Winter period : Monday: Closed, Tuesday - Friday: 08:00 - 14:30 Weekends and Holidays 08:00 - 14:30 From March 1st to October 31: Daily: 08.30 - 15.00, Monday: closed.
Tel.: +30-28420-28721
PREVELI
Museum of the Preveli Monastery. There are the following collections of the Preveli Monastery Collection of icons. Collection of ecclesiastical garments, collection of ecclesiastical vessels and collection of heirlooms.
FESTOS
Museum of Cretan Ethnology. Situated 2 km from the Minoan palace of Phaestos, in the traditional settlement of Voroi. The exhibition was inaugurated in 1988 and was awarded a prize in 1992 by the Council of Europe. The exhibition, which is based on the museological model of G. H. Riviere, includes objects pertaining to the traditional everyday life in Crete. It is divided into 7 sections under the following headings: Food, Architecture, Weaving, Production, Transport, Customs and Traditions, Social Organization. In the Museum a Research Centre of the Cretan ecosystem is in operation, studying the traditional human activities from the Middle Ages to our day, through the historical and social developments of Crete, the political history of the general area and the geophysical enviroment of the island. To date, 14 volumes have been published on subjects referring to the island's architecture, traditional crafts, economy etc.
Address: Voroi Pyrgiotissis, 702 00 Herakleion, Crete
Tel.: +30-28920 91392 Fax: +30-28920 91394
ASSI GONI
Museum of the Gonia Monastery. The Museum owns the following collections: Collection of icons. Collection of books and manuscripts. Collection of liturgical vestments and Collection of heirlooms.
Tel.: +30-2810 - 228 484.
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You are here: Home » MEDIA » Books » The Sixth Watch (Volume Six of The Night Watch Series) by Sergei Lukyanenko (book review)
The Sixth Watch (Volume Six of The Night Watch Series) by Sergei Lukyanenko (book review)
December 22, 2016 | By SueDavies | Reply More
Higher Light Magician Anton is on the case again. He is under attack from an unknown enemy and, after six books of this, he’s probably had enough. As a higher magician, Anton is sworn to protect humans. He represents the ‘good’ Others, the Night Watch who police the Dark Others who form the Day Watch. They are all able to enter the twilight which exists as several layers like a magical multiverse, where powers can be obtained but also lost. In our world, Dark Others such as vampires and shape-shifters are licensed and magic is controlled. All Others must choose a side. It is all to help us hapless humans who have struggled to survive through the ages as the opposing forces balance each other out.
Starting with an almost incidental incident of a vampire and a young girl who think tonight is the night to lose her virginity, the plot leads on to a complex series of events that show that Anton and the whole world is under threat. An old enemy who is supposedly vanquished appears to be an ally. Another must be secured if the threat to the world is to be neutralised. There is a problem deep at the heart of the Twilight and not just because it has its own sentient being known as the Tiger. The Sixth Watch has to save the world but has long been disbanded and nobody knows what it was or what it did. All in a day’s work then.
Anton must seek the help not only of his timeless boss Gesar but also the Dark side and the slightly mischievous Zabulon. Meanwhile, his domestic life must be protected at all costs as his wife and daughter are pretty powerful and, quite frankly, they are in charge of him. Anton gets it from all sides really and all he’s trying to do is save the world, daily…sometimes.
‘The Sixth Watch’ is the final book in ‘The Night Watch’ sequence about the twilight and it’s ending is very significant. The whole series has used both action and morality as a guideline and having Anton Gorodetsky, modern day hero at the centre of a loving family rather than an outsider, puts a completely different slant on these novels. The interactions he enjoys with his wife and daughter lift the story and offer some light relief, as does the dialogue he frequently enjoys with his boss, Gesar, and the occasional human.
As the series concludes It’s probably a good time to read the whole series again or. if you haven’t read them yet. it’s a good time to immerse yourself in the gloom of the twilight.
Sue Davies
(pub: William Heinemann/Penguin. 391 page hardback. Price: £16.99 (UK), $35.99 (CAN). ISBN: 978-1-78-51530-2)
check out website: www.penguin.co.uk
« After The Crown (The Indranan War book 2) by K.B Wagers (book review)
Star Wars: Rogue One (a film review by Laurence Boyce). »
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The 33-foot-deep Sunset Reservoir South Basin has been empty for the past two months for maintenance and inspection. (Théophile Larcher/Special to The Examiner)
Sunset Reservoir shut down for cleaning
Facility supplies drinking water to 43 percent of The City’s residents
Theophile Larcher
The Sunset Reservoir South Basin which delivers drinking water to 43 percent of The City, is empty for the first time since 2016.
But not to worry.
The 33-foot-deep, 270 acre-feet reservoir has been drained for the past two months as part of a maintenance and inspection operation by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commision and will be operational again by around mid-August.
The reservoir is “periodically cleaned every few years,” in an operation that involves around five SFPUC employees, according to Steve Ritchie, 64, Assistant General Manager for water at SFPUC.
“The work is about checking on sampling points, inspect the structure, and clean up the valves where the water is coming from,” said Bill Teahan, SFPUC’s Operational Manager.
An empty reservoir is an unusual sight, but Teahan has become accustomed to it.
“I think I’ve seen every one of these over the 40 years I’ve been working here,” he chuckled.
The Sunset Reservoir South Basin contains 87.3 million gallons of water pumped from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and the San Andreas and Crystal Springs reservoirs in San Mateo County, and delivers potable water to 43 percent of San Franciscans.
The reservoir takes about a week to fill but can take in up to 50 million gallons a day in the case of an emergency. It is normally filled only up to 27 feet, but can go up to a maximum of 31 feet.
While two recent earthquakes in Southern California — a 6.4 magnitude and a 7.1 magnitude near Ridgecrest on last Thursday and Friday — generated concern in San Francisco, Ritchie said he is confident in the City’s ability to handle incoming earthquakes or fires while the reservoir is shut down.
The City has multiple backups for water including fire hydrants, 229 cisterns and two other reservoirs within city limits in the case of a fire or earthquake.
“We have many programs to respond to any given emergencies and disasters,” said Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department.
The next reservoirs to be cleaned will be Summit Reservoir followed by Merced Manor.
SF police union pulls support for DA hopeful over ‘inconsistent’ remarks
Study finds firefighters had increased chemicals in their systems after Tubbs Fire
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https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/WINEMAKER-OF-THE-YEAR-And-five-vintners-worth-2791267.php
WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR / And five vintners worth watching
By Sam Whiting
Published 4:00 am PDT, Sunday, September 29, 2002
It's been 10 years since Jim Klein drove up, over and out Highway 128 to the deep end of the Anderson Valley to interview for winemaker at Navarro Vineyards.
He was coming from St. Helena, and he remembers two hours of winding road - past Jimtown, Healdsburg, Cloverdale, Boonville and finally Philo - with a queasy pregnant wife in the car.
When they arrived, Navarro owner Ted Bennett was conducting "a whole beauty parade of about 120 people," Klein, 46, recalls. "Ted asked each where they would live if they got the job. Most said Healdsburg or on the coast. He asked me and I said, "You know, Philo looks like a really nice little town.' "
That was the correct answer to the trick question. Klein won the "beauty parade," but he never followed through on Philo. A town three miles inland from Navarro turned out to be four miles too far away.
Navarro sits close to the Mendocino coast in "probably the coldest grape- growing region of California," Klein says. To stay on top of it, he rented a house on the ridgeline, in the coldest part of this coldest region. From his perch at 1,000 feet, he could look down on the rolling 110-acre domain that forms Navarro.
"If you live in the place where the grapes are growing, you have a much different feel for what's driving the vineyards," he says, sitting at a picnic table outside the winery, pointing to his speck of a house up on Whipple Ridge.
"I see the storms roll in. I know if there's fog down below and storms up above. I know when we've got frost coming," he says. "I really get a feeling for how the weather is affecting the grapes every day of the year."
Most days, the parking lot in front of the Navarro tasting room is so crowded it could use meters and an attendant. At any given time there are 50 tasters and 50 employees, and if you lined them all up and tried to pick out the Chronicle Winemaker of the Year, Klein would be the last one standing.
At 6-feet-2 and 162 pounds, with a freckled complexion and red hair offset by blue wraparound snowboard shades, Klein looks too pale to be a farmer, too tall to prune vines, and too skinny to drink much wine.
He doesn't even come from the Wine Country, having grown up in the gray smog and pavement of the San Fernando Valley in the 1970s. His first exposure to the culinary arts came by force when, at 10, he was recruited to be the family cook while his father worked as a pipe fitter and his mother as a bank teller.
"I could make chili rellenos pretty good when I was about 11," he recalls.
By 20 he was auditing the books for Bing Crosby Productions in Hollywood. Then he got a business degree from Cal State Northridge and was working for a major accounting firm. "Every Jewish mother's dream," he says, "having a son who is a CPA."
He was on his way, and it was right about then that he started making basement wine with his dad. The hobby took over his life. He quit the accounting job, stuffed his three-piece suits in a closet and drifted up to UC Davis, where he took classes in enology and viticulture. When he'd taken them all, he packed up and went winery to winery, looking for work.
"I .wasn't shy at all about that," he says. "I just walked right in."
He was rejected from the Oregon border down to the Central Coast before he caught on at the Brander Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, which in the early 1980s was like Anderson Valley in the early 1960s.
"They were just getting going down there," he says. "There were less than a dozen wineries, and there was a real strong camaraderie among the young winemakers."
He bottled the first two vintages at Brander, then packed up a dozen bottles of Sauvignon Blanc in one duffel bag and everything else he owned in another and took them for taste-and-tell to New Zealand, Australia and later the Golan Heights of Israel. There, he got a job as a winemaker, shortly before the Gulf War broke out.
"I was trying to launch the first Israeli mthode champenoise," he says. "It was more than a little surreal working on a wine associated with merriment while occasionally donning a gas mask and ducking into a sealed room."
His fears were soothed by Rinat, a 20-year-old foot soldier in the Israeli army who could break down her weapon in a minute flat. She got her discharge, they got married in the ancient city of Gamala, and they got as far from the Golan Heights as they could, which turned out to be that house on the ridge above Navarro. It is the only home their kids Noe, 10, Oren, 6, and Roe, 4, have ever known.
Twenty years to the month since he got his first job in a winery, Klein still gets up every morning eager to apply No. 45 sunblock "stem to stern" and get out to inspect his fields. During the harvest, which runs from now through Halloween, he is there at 6:30 in the morning and in the winery until 12:30 at night.
In his 10 years at Navarro, production has nearly doubled, from 390 tons to 740 tons. That bottles into 40,000 cases, which isn't enough to meet demand. Navarro wine is usually available only at the winery. This explains why customers drive three hours from San Francisco to taste the Pinot Noir and other Alsatian varieties that love the cold climate. At the recent Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition, Navarro won 22 medals including Best of Show White for the 2001 La Harvest Gewurztraminer and Best of Show Red for the 1999 Petite Sirah.
"The fruit really tastes like the place where they are grown" is as close as he'll come to bragging.
Klein comes by the tasting room about 1 p.m. every day, "just to see how people are reacting to the wines." He's easy to spot, in shorts and T-shirt with dust wafting off him.
Klein doesn't consider himself just a winemaker. He's worked for people who wear that title and never set foot in the vineyards. They are technicians. He is a "vigneron." He .can't spell it but he likes the translation.
"It means "wine grower,' " he says. "I consider myself more of a wine grower than a winemaker. I'm growing my wines in the field."
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Town Boards & Commissions L - Z
Shrewsbury Development Corporation
CenTech Park North is a 60 acre parcel formally known as the "Allen Property". Originally farm land established in 1725 by the Allen family, it remained the Allen Homestead until 2003.
In 2002, the Town of Shrewsbury voted to purchase the land under the auspices of the newly created Shrewsbury Development Corporation. Re-zoning of this parcel was also voted at this Town Meeting and the Shrewsbury Development Corporation began their efforts toward economic development of this prime piece of property.
Beginning in 2004, the real estate market in Massachusetts has been less than desirable and corporations have found it difficult to build at new locations. With many leases about to expire and a need to expand into larger more affordable flex-space, we believe this is changing.
Neighboring corporation, Charles River Labs, saw opportunity in Shrewsbury and successfully filed for a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) agreement with the Town of Shrewsbury through the State's Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) investing $67.4 million in their new location on South Street adjacent to the Allen property.
This beautifully wooded meadow is strategically located between routes 9 and 20 providing easy access to Shrewsbury's popular Lakeway Overlay District, the city of Worcester, neighboring towns of Northborough and Westborough, and Interstates 290, 190, and 495 with access to the Massachusetts Turnpike.
The property is zoned Office/Research and Flexible Overlay for best-fit uses of Office and Administration, Research and Development, Laboratory, Accessory Manufacturing, Training Centers, Healthcare, or Assisted Living and has been approved for expedited permitting not to exceed 6 months.
CenTech Park North is adjacent to the 400,000 square foot Charles River Laboratories Center of Excellence Office and Research Facility and across the street from the 500,000 square foot administrative offices of University of Massachusetts and the manufacturing facility of Seagate Technology. The property's newest neighbor is Valeritas, a developer of medical technologies such as insulin delivery systems.
With easy access to Route 9 restaurants and businesses and two mile proximity to the MBTA commuter rail, CenTech Park North is an ideal location for commuting employees. For employees looking to relocate, the Town of Shrewsbury is recognized as a premier place in which to live providing numerous town services, the recreational Lakeway district, and an award-winning highly performing school district.
Property marketed for sale or lease by
Kristen Las
Assistant Town Manager/ED Coordinator
Centech Park North Marketing Brochure
Why Choose Shrewsbury
Site Plans & Evaluations
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In 2011, Patrick Thomas (Vanderbilt) was getting the first big break of his career as one of the first blind auditions featured on the first season of the now hit TV show, The Voice. The song that earned him the attention of the judges and a spot on the show was a door- busting version of Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying.”
In the summer of 2012, he performed the same song for over 400 attendees at the 65th Grand Chapter in Dallas, Texas as Sigma Nu’s Talent of the Year. It was a well-deserved honor, and no one left the ballroom thinking that a mistake had been made in its selection.
Little did anyone in the room know that evening that, but singing was just the tip of the iceberg of what Thomas could, and would, accomplish. It’s been a whirlwind summer for him when we speak on the phone,
but his infectious positivity passes through the phone like a snappy melody you can’t shake from your head. He’s as down-to-earth about performing at Ryman Auditorium, the Mother Church of Country Music, as he is about his recent house purchase. For someone affluent with talent, he comes across as humble and grateful, which is to be expected for the journey he’s been on.
ACT I: THE BIG BANG
Following his appearance on The Voice, Patrick returned to Nashville, Tennessee with plenty of name recognition but some other obligations to get out of the way. For starters, he still had classes at Vanderbilt University and Sunday night chapter meetings to attend.
Fairly quickly he was scooped up by one of Nashville’s bread-and- butter industries, songwriting. He worked with Cornman Music/ Warner Chappell from 2011-2013, writing songs for other artists.
Most would imagine that country music songs follow a stereotypical framework. There are story songs like “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia” or “A Boy Named Sue.” Then there are songs that are formed from ideas, like heartbreak, first love, or settling down. In both cases, the words usually come first. However, Thomas’ take comes from the other end.
“For me it starts with an emotion, and an emotion is generally a melody,” he shares. “The way I like to write is from an event that made me feel a certain way. Most times I’ll sit down at the piano and I’ll just play. The melody will develop and the lyrics will just follow.”
While it may seem glamorous for most to spend your days crafting songs and playing music, the catch is that compensation usually comes from who buys your songs and how successful those songs are. It’s a process that can take thousands of hours of work. It is a lonely path that is often fraught with the unknown.
So, while Thomas was up writing songs every day at 10 a.m., he was usually doing so after a long night at Nashville’s The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar with the city’s other bread-and-butter industry: live music on the neon-and-honky-tonk-lined Broadway. It was a safe and steady gig. It had health insurance, a 401K, and it was a steady source of income thanks to two key demographics: tourists and bachelorette parties. “Truly, 30-40 bachelorette parties every night paying $40 minimum to get their bachelorette on stage.”
“It takes an immense amount of work,” he reminisces. “The hard part is memorizing the lyrics and knowing one or two songs by every possible artist you can think of. That took hours and hours of work.” Someone pays to hear Hall & Oates? You may not know “Rich Girl” but thankfully you know “You Make My Dreams Come True.”
But the gig also filled Thomas’ toolkit. It taught him stage presence, improv, work ethic, and musical talent range. Performing for a different audience each night meant bringing you’re best but also finding time to recuperate from four hours of non-stop singing. “I couldn’t speak Sunday and Monday just to rest my voice. It was brutal, and I respect anyone that does the downtown four-hour gig.”
ACT II: GOING ALL-IN
By the time 2017 rolled around, Thomas had ended his songwriting publishing deal but was still playing at The Big Bang.
He also picked up side-gigs in the music industry such as working with the Nashville Symphony, anything to expand his repertoire and bring in extra money. He wanted more than just writing other people’s songs.
Songs neatly packaged in what is commonly referred to as the “Nashville sound.” Country music blended with soft rock and pop, evolving from an earlier history of a rock, pop, and country fusion from the 1950s. While archetypical and successful, it wasn’t his sound.
So, in 2017 he began working on his own self-titled EP. The backer? Himself.
“It meant me putting money towards the album instead of a down-payment on a house. There’s an incredible amount of money involved in even five songs and an incredible amount of pressure to get it right.”
It took him weeks to get the song list right. He was only able to afford one day in the studio and so everything had to be right. Unlike a lot of albums, there wouldn’t be time to go back and do extra instrumental parts and if something extra did come up, it came out of his pocket.
The biggest pressure he faced, as if the money wasn’t enough, was to get the sound of the band right. “If I dropped their names anyone in Nashville would know who they are. The talent is absolutely there, but I still had to communicate to these guys what I want from them and what my vision is.”
“There’s no way I could be what Nashville wants me to be. It’s not me. Somehow, I have to take Nashville musicians and myself, as a Nashville artist, and not make a Nashville sound album.”
Having Grammy-award winning Producer Mark Bright certainly helped in that effort. Bright brought to the table a wealth of experience, including experience working with Carrie Underwood.
“Great guy to work with who gets my style of music. Large sound, big strings, big melodies.”
Dropping the album in September of 2017 meant even more, but exciting, work.
“That was the most exciting thing. Just touring, selling the record, and releasing the record.”
ACT III: RHINESTONE COWBOY
After dropping his album, touring, and promoting it, Thomas went head first into his next project.
“Both of my parents were Broadway performers and that’s always been there but never something I actively pursued.”
He signed with an agent and connected with Studio Tenn out of Franklin, Tennessee which was founded in 2009 by nationally recognized director and designer Matt Logan, Emmy Award-winning producer Philip Hall and Broadway and film actress Marguerite Lowell Hall. The connection led to two very different first steps into musical theatre.
The first started with a tribute to one of the forefathers of country music, Hank Williams. “The idea was to take the same Hank Williams songs and do different versions of them to highlight the power of songwriting and reimagine these songs to get to the heart of the lyrics and capture the essence of this incredible writer.”
The success of the Hank Williams tribute turned into a performance focused on Johnny Cash at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center where Thomas worked with the Cash family. His slowed-down performance of “Walk the Line” drew the attention of audience members like Reba McIntyre, Kix Brooks, and Ronnie Dunn.
“All these shows are a theatrical concert. It’s a jam session that’s meant to feel organic and like a tribute.”
They culminated in Thomas performing on a stage that Nashville artists dream of this past summer. The Mother Church of Country Music, Ryman Auditorium. It was the same stage Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and so many other artists stepped across, illuminated by its stage lights. Hank Williams also performed on the same stage, receiving an astounding six encores.
It was a tribute to Glenn Campbell, assisted by Campbell’s family and headlined by Steven Curtis Chapman. The band from Campbell’s final album were also present to perform. Thomas was to perform one of Campbell’s most well-known hits, “Rhinestone Cowboy,” a fact that wasn’t forgotten.
As Chapman finished a song, Thomas went to put on his rhinestone jacket. His hand was holding his Dad’s 1963 Gibson guitar and as he walked on stage the moment dawned on him.
“It’s a spiritual kind of feeling up there. In the moment, on that stage, all I felt was gratitude and some connection to this other worldly thing…to what music was, who came before me, and who would come after.”
The hours writing songs, the leap of faith funding his own album, the long nights in downtown Nashville playing for Wooo-ing bachelorette parties all seemed to converge into this magical moment.
“You think you know nerves, but you don’t until you follow Steven Curtis Chapman to play one of Glenn’s most famous songs, and the songwriter is in the audience,” he quipped.
ACT IV: THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN
The second project that came from his connection with Studio Tenn was in an entirely different direction but were familiar waters.
Working with local Franklin historians, Studio Tenn embarked on a journey to tell the story of the Battle of Franklin through musical theater. The battle was a pivotal moment for middle Tennessee’s role in the Civil War and the story centered on Tod Carter, a Confederate Army officer who would be mortally wounded less than 500 yards from his own home. The piece also told the story of the slaves seeking their freedom, the soldiers on each side, and the citizens of the town caught in the middle of the deadly clash.
If the name rings a bell with Sigma Nus, it’s because Founder Greenfield Quarles was also wounded at the Battle of Franklin not far from where Tod Carter was, although his wounds proved not to be mortal.
Thomas’ role with the production was not to perform someone else’s songs but to serve as the sole composer and lyricist for the musical.
“It was scary because it happened really fast. I had a couple of weeks to do the whole thing, so I immediately read the script and then sat down and started playing.”
He knew from his other experiences what kind of talent he was working with.
One actresses’ angelic and naturally country voice meant a high noted song for her arrangement.
“There are songs that tell you how to feel and songs that make you feel and I wanted to write songs that helped you share the emotions of the actors without painting it all out in the lyrics.”
Working with historians who had given their insight and input on the already written script meant he already had a library of language to work from and kept most of the pieces in the time period except for one.
“Run, Run, River” is a building anthem built on the foundations of a gospel. It changes key several times as various characters perform it speaking to different moments in the musical.
“It’s a big musical theater piece that kind of comes out of nowhere and I knew it had to come back three or four times, so basically I wanted to create a song that could work when sung at different parts in the story.”
The musical opened to rave reviews and sold out crowds, prompting additional showings and plans to bring it back in a future season. Studio Tenn artistic director Matt Logan included Thomas specifically in his appreciation saying, “Patrick Thomas has done a beautiful job. As with Pete, I trust him so much as an artist, and he’s surprised me entirely with what he’s done.”
ACT V: GRATITUDE
Amidst this long journey, Thomas has remained humble, an uncommon trait for some in the Nashville-area with similar success.
He regularly expresses his gratitude for the people that inspired him like his parents and the people who keep him grounded like his girlfriend and his Sigma Nu brothers.
“Sigma Nu is my support system still. My brothers are still my best friends,” he shares. “Really what Sigma Nu is to me, it’s the real life I need and the escape from music. Sometimes you don’t want to talk to talk about music or be around musicians. These guys are my break from the music life.”
With chapter brothers across the country, Thomas stays in regular contact with them. When his album first released, they were the first people to text him congratulations.
“It’s all about gratitude. Sometimes you ask yourself ‘how am I here?’”
EPILOGUE: A QUESTION
Singer, musician, songwriter, actor, composer. It’s easy to ask if there’s anything Patrick Thomas can’t do.
A guess? Fail.
The Delta Winter 2019,
Patrick Thomas,
Vanderbilt,
Current & Past Issues >
A Patrick-of-all-Trades
A Return to the Rock
Remembering the Great War
Honoring Benefactors of the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation
Fund for Continued Excellence
Cumulative Lifetime Giving
Get a Mirror
History of The Delta
Bring Back the Kegs?
150th Anniversary Celebrations Underway
Chapter & Alumni News
Jam for Cam
Chapter Charterings
Beta Theta Excelling in Leadership
Perspectives on Our Past
James Frank Hopkins, Alpha #1
The Student Debt Dilemna
Nu (Kansas) Commander Jacob Scott
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Posts Tagged ‘Mike Murphy’
Written by Karl Rademacher on March 19, 2018 . Posted in Issue 37, Issue 37 Stories
It was the morning of the 12th when 34-year-old Simon Baker first noticed The Change.
He was sitting on the toilet in his cramped upstairs bathroom when he saw a sudden flash of yellow in the vanity mirror to his left. He leapt to his feet, thinking a bumblebee had gotten into the house. He and his wife, Loretta, had been having problems with them lately. What he saw in the mirror stopped him in his tracks. For nearly a minute, he stared at his reflection.
The yellow he had seen was his own hair.
But how? His hair had always been black. He had never dyed it. Whenever Wendy, his stylist, suggested putting various lotions and potions on it, he always politely declined. “As long as it stays on my head,” he’d say, “just cut it.”
He rubbed his eyes in disbelief and ran his fingers through his hair. Yup, definitely blond. Even the stubble on his face was blond. His arms, his chest. . . everywhere . . . blond. Frightened, he ran down the hall to the bedroom. “Honey!” he called.
Loretta grumbled and pulled the comforter over her head. “Let me sleep,” she pleaded. “I told you that I don’t have to be at work until ten this morning.”
“But, sweetheart –”
“Go take your shower. I’m not ready to face the world yet.”
“But it’s important!” Simon pleaded.
Loretta unhappily poked her head out from under the comforter. “What?”
“Is that all you have to say?” he asked incredulously.
“What, honey?” she replied, sitting up in bed.
“Look at me!” He gestured at his entire body with his hands.
Loretta did so. “Yeah?” she asked.
“Don’t you see?”
“Simon,” she answered, after a yawn, “I’m in no mood for games.”
“I’m a blond!” he exclaimed.
“You just noticed this?” his wife replied.
“You’ve always had blond hair,” she returned. “Now let me sleep!” She settled down on the mattress and pulled the comforter back over her head.
“Loretta, please,” Simon pleaded.
“You’re talking to the dead,” she replied. “You’d better get ready for work.”
“Go!” Loretta exclaimed, her right index finger jutting out from under the covers like The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
Defeated, Simon gave up and shambled back to the bathroom. On the way there, he passed the series of pictures hanging on the wall, including the one from his and Loretta’s wedding day – when he had blond hair.
“I’m afraid you’re wrong,” Dr. Manderson said, opening Simon’s file and flipping to a certain page. “Look here,” he continued, pointing at a particular line. “Hair: Blond.”
“Are you saying I don’t know what color my own hair is?” Simon asked, squirming on the examining table.
“Are you saying my records have been wrong all these years?” Manderson countered.
Simon sighed. “I don’t know.”
“You’ve been a patient of mine since your twenties,” the doctor went on. “Don’t you think I would have noticed that mistake by now? Something simple like that. . . well . . . it’s Doctoring 101.”
“Can we assume for a moment that I’m right?” Simon asked.
“On a medical point?” Manderson replied.
“OK,” the doc answered after a pause, “but just to play devil’s advocate.”
“What could cause something like this to happen?” Simon asked, gesturing at his hair.
“Nothing I’m aware of.”
“How about that alo. . . Oh, what is it called?” Simon fumbled. “A guy in the office had it.”
“Alopecia?” the doctor suggested.
“Alopecia makes your hair fall out,” Manderson explained, “not change color.”
The next morning, The Change had continued.
“Honey,” Simon began, stomping into the bedroom.
“What is it this morning, dear?” Loretta asked, completing her work outfit by putting on her earrings in front of their dresser mirror.
“My eyes,” Simon continued, pointing at them.
She paused and turned to her husband. “What about them?”
“What color are they?”
“More of this?” Loretta said, getting exasperated.
“Come on!”
“They’re blue,” she answered. Ready for work now, she took a few steps forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Blond hair and blue eyes,” she continued seductively, giving him a peck on the cheek. “What girl wouldn’t have fallen for you?”
“But have my eyes always been blue?”
Loretta sighed and released him. “Honey,” she said, “you have nothing to worry about but, if you are concerned, maybe you should go see the doctor.”
“I saw Manderson yesterday.”
“I wasn’t talking about him.”
“Then who. . . You mean Segal, don’t you?” Simon asked.
“He could help.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me upstairs!”
“If you say so.”
“And I refuse to visit a psychiatrist,” Simon said adamantly.
After Loretta left for work, Simon started poking around the house. In every picture he found of himself – even from the days before he and Loretta met – he had blue eyes, not, as he recalled, brown. Even on his driver’s license, it said “Eyes: Blue.”
He grabbed a Coke out of the fridge, sat down at the kitchen table, and tried to think about his problem like it wasn’t his problem. If one of his pals came to him and mentioned that he had this weird problem, what would he advise him?
It occurred to him that The Change must be happening overnight, while he slept. Everything was as he remembered before he fell asleep: He had black hair; he had brown eyes. If he just stayed awake. . .
But how long could he do that? One night, maybe.
It turned out to be less than that and, when he awoke, he was taller.
He went to his toolbox and got out the tape measure. Measuring his height with the cranky metal thing wasn’t easy, but his best guess was six-foot-three. No one in his family had ever been over six feet tall.
Even stranger, when he got dressed without giving another thought to his new-found height, he discovered that all of his clothes still fit! How could they? He bought them for someone five-foot-ten. Had they grown with him? The tags on the clothing proved him wrong. They were all in sizes he had never purchased. . . sizes that would have been swimming on the five-foot-ten him.
Maybe he did need to see Dr. Segal after all.
“It’s like looking in a mirror.”
From his tattered clothing, dirty appearance, and the bedroll he was sitting on while leaning against the drugstore’s outside red brick wall, Simon assumed the grizzled old man was homeless. He approached him carefully. The old guy noticed his cautious footsteps and, amused, motioned him over with a cupped hand. “I won’t bite ya!” he said with a chuckle.
“What did you say?” Simon asked, standing in front of him at what he deemed a safe distance. “Something about a mirror.”
“I looked like you once.”
“Many years ago,” Simon added.
“Not as many as you’d think,” he continued. “Blond hair, blue eyes.” He looked Simon up and down. “I see she made you taller though,” he added.
“She?” a confused Simon inquired.
“The Mrs.,” the old man explained. “Loretta.”
“How can you –” Simon began, surprised.
“That is her name.”
“Who are you?” Simon asked.
The old man stood to face him. “Harold Dixon,” he answered, holding out his hand for Simon to shake. “I’m Loretta’s previous husband.”
Simon started laughing. “Did I say something funny?” Dixon asked, withdrawing his ignored hand.
“That’s a good trick.”
“Trick?”
“To get money out of me.”
“I don’t want your money,” Dixon told him.
“Right!” Simon replied with a chuckle. “And that bit about being her first husband. . .”
“I didn’t say first,” Dixon clarified, pointing at Simon. “I said I was her previous husband.”
“Oh,” Simon continued, amused. “How many husbands has she had?”
“I’m at least number 4, that I can prove,” he went on. “There may have been one or two more around the time of the American Revolution, but I couldn’t nail down those facts for certain.”
Simon laughed. “You are nuts!”
“I was married to your wife.”
“You’re more than twice her age.”
“And I’m 18,” Simon replied sarcastically.
“Does she still have that heart-shaped birthmark on her left shoulder?” Dixon asked. Simon was shocked. How could anyone else know that? “She did this to me,” Dixon continued. “I displeased her, and she did this. I swear,” he went on, “I’m not much older than you.”
“Loretta’s never been married before.”
“She told you that too, huh?” Dixon continued. “She never admitted it to me either, but, once I started doing some research, I learned the truth.”
“Which is?” Simon asked, prompting the old man to speak.
“That’ll cost you a cup of coffee,” the old man said after a pause.
“I knew it!” Simon replied, starting to pace. “You are trying to get money out of me.”
“Not money. Coffee.”
“Which costs money.”
Shaking his head, Simon stopped pacing and turned to walk away. “Aren’t you the least bit curious?” Dixon called after him.
Simon stopped in his tracks and turned to face the old man. “About?” he asked.
“How I knew your wife’s name, for one. How could I guess a name like ‘Loretta?’” he inquired. “It’s not like she’s named ‘Mary.’”
“OK,” Simon responded, taking a few slow steps closer to Dixon. “You got me there.”
“And the birthmark?”
“Yes,” Simon replied. “That too.”
“There are some other things that you really ought to know. . . things that could save your life.” Dixon motioned at the doughnut shop across the street. “Coffee?”
Simon returned to the table carrying two large, black coffees. Dixon thanked him as he put one down in front of the old man. Simon didn’t really believe him, but he was curious to see how far Dixon would carry on this charade and to learn what was behind it.
It reminded him of the old joke where the man invites two Jehovah’s Witnesses into his home. He makes them a nice lunch and then asks them what they want to talk to him about. The two Witnesses look oddly at each other. One of them replies, “I don’t remember. We’ve never gotten this far before.”
“So,” Simon said, sitting down across from Dixon, a small circular table between them. “Spill it.”
“I asked you here,” Dixon began, “for some privacy too. I didn’t want to tell you what I need to tell you out in the open.”
“Very considerate,” Simon said, amused.
Dixon took a big swig from his cup, as though to steel himself. “Loretta’s. . . a succubus,” he said.
“Is she?” Simon replied, smiling.
“Yup,” Dixon continued. “A demon who thrives on the strength and souls of young men.”
“Uh huh,” Simon continued.
“Is the sex good?” Dixon asked nonchalantly after a beat.
Simon practically spat his coffee. “What?” he said incredulously.
“Is the sex good?” Dixon repeated.
“That’s none of your goddam business.”
Dixon chuckled. “Yeah,” he said wistfully, “it was good for us too.”
“Mr. Dixon –”
“Some of the best I ever had,” he continued wistfully, though Simon didn’t want to hear. “A strong woman. Insatiable. Every time we finished, I felt like I had been hit by a truck! That’s how she first gets to you – saps your energy. . . and your soul.” Simon began to rise. “She’s everything you ever wanted in a woman, isn’t she?” Dixon asked quickly.
“She is,” Simon answered, sitting back down.
“It’s like God Himself made her for you?”
“Damn right.”
“And now, she’s re-making you for herself – making you into what she wants – her ideal man: Blond hair, blue eyes, tall. Every morning, it’s something different, isn’t it? I call it The Change.”
“You’re quite a storyteller.”
“That’s when she’s best able to take your life force. . . when you’re asleep. You’re the most vulnerable then.” Dixon reached forward and grabbed Simon by the shoulder. “Think about it, man!” he stressed. “These changes you’ve been going through, what’s the common element?”
Simon shook his head. “You’ve lost me.”
“You’re not changing yourself, right?”
“Hell no!” he answered.
“Then all that’s left is. . .”
“Loretta?” Simon offered.
Dixon took a big drink. “She can assume any shape she wants – whatever her victim finds attractive.” He removed his hand from Simon’s shoulder. “She’s using you and, eventually, she’ll drain you dry.”
“Then how are you still around?” Simon asked.
“I recognized what she was doing. I ran, but not fast enough. She was able to take some of me permanently.” He touched a hand to his chest. “This is all that remains,” he sadly said.
“Why would she have stopped?”
“I don’t know,” the older man continued after a sigh and a swig. “Maybe she figured she might need me again. Maybe she had you in the on-deck circle and saw no reason to kill me. Why waste energy, right?”
“Or,” Simon went on, “maybe you’re full of it.”
“You can think that if you like,” Dixon said, peering down sadly at the table. “I felt an obligation to tell you, and I’ve done that.” He drained his cup, rose from his seat, leaned on the table, and continued. “If you wake up tomorrow a. . . a ‘changed man,’” he said, “don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“If what you’re saying has the slightest bit of truth to it,” Simon asked, looking up at Dixon, “and that’s a big if, what would you have me do?”
“Run!” Dixon answered, slamming a palm down on the table and speaking a bit too loudly. “Run fast and far. Forget how good the sex is and run. . . before you end up old before your time – like me.”
Simon was glad Loretta wasn’t home from the market yet. He quickly Googled “succubus” on his laptop. A lot of what Dixon had told him was there; some of it wasn’t. He was reading the Wikipedia entry when he heard his wife’s car in the driveway. He quickly shut down his computer and went to the front door to meet her.
The last of the groceries put away, Loretta asked Simon, “So, what did you do today?”
“Nothing much,” he replied, closing a cabinet door. “Just some errands. The drugstore, stuff like that.”
She seductively walked up to him and slung her arms around his neck. “Your nurse is right here,” she whispered. “I’ve even got the uniform. Remember?” She started planting several small kisses on his chest.
“N-Not tonight, honey,” Simon stammered.
“I thought you’d liked my nurse’s uniform,” Loretta went on, pretending to be hurt.
“Oh, I do, I do,” her husband continued, chuckling uneasily. “There are a lot of good memories in that outfit!”
“Then what?” she asked insistently.
“I’m. . . just not feeling too well.”
“A cold coming on, I think,” he answered, throwing an errant sniffle in for good measure. “Achy and sniffly. Feeling. . . blah.”
“Anything I can do?” Loretta asked, concerned.
“Thanks, but I don’t think so,” Simon answered. “I’m gonna take a couple of aspirins and call it a night.”
Simon awoke with a start in the early morning light. He knew he’d had one of those can’t-get-away dreams. He wiped the beads of sweat from his brow and looked at the blankets-covered sleeping form of Loretta beside him.
His wife. His love. How could she be anything but the woman he had fallen for? Why did he allow himself to even think otherwise? He spooned into her, which always calmed him, and waited for sleep to return.
In an instant, he realized that something was very wrong. Loretta felt. . . different – hard and wrinkly. He boosted himself up on one elbow and slowly pulled the covers from her shoulder. “Honey?” he said, shaking her gently.
He had never screamed so loudly.
What he had been spooning to were the very dead remains of Harold Dixon.
All the “air” had been let out of him. He looked like one of those “Happy Birthday” balloons several days after the big event. His deflated face was contorted in the agony he must have felt at the moment of his death. Afraid to touch the man’s remains anymore, Simon kicked it from the bed with his bare feet. It landed with a squish on the hardwood floor.
Loretta walked calmly into the bedroom from the hall. She appraised the situation for a few seconds and looked pleased. “You really should delete your browsing history,” she said.
Simon sat up nervously, glancing alternately at Dixon’s corpse and his wife. “You mean
it’s. . . it’s. . .” he stammered.
“True?” Loretta suggested, walking toward their bed. “Yes.” She sat down on the corner of the mattress and reached out for him. Simon pressed himself against the wooden headboard. Loretta chuckled. “Are you afraid of me?” she asked.
“N-No.”
“You should be,” she said.
“Why did you. . .” Simon began, looking down at Dixon’s remains.
“Covering my tracks,” she explained. “When I saw what you were Googling, I knew you must have run into Harold. He was my only living ex-husband.”
“But you let him live.”
“Only because I had found you, and you could do whatever I needed. . . and more. . . better than he.” She sighed and added, “I’m not happy with what you did, sweetheart.” Her words visibly frightened Simon, who tried unsuccessfully to push back beyond the limits of the headboard. “But I’ll forgive you. . . this time.”
“Where. . . Where do we go from here?” he asked nervously.
“Just a few minor tweaks should be enough,” Loretta explained. “If I say ‘jump,’ I want you to say ‘how high?’”
“Of course,” Simon quickly answered.
“If I have some womanly needs to be satisfied, I’ll expect you to be there.”
“You should know,” she went on, “that I don’t have anyone else lined up. If you’re not good to me, you’re gone. I won’t be as lenient as I was with Harold here.”
“Not to worry.”
“I prefer to make the changes overnight,” Loretta continued. “But I can make them while you’re awake too. I’ve made you handsomer, lover. I can also make you uglier.”
“I’m. . . I’m sure you can.”
“How would you like to be the size of a garden gnome, to be covered in warts, to be a hunchback?” She reached out and cupped his blond, stubbly chin in her palm. “You’re so pretty now. Don’t make me angry.” She stood quickly and, looking down at Dixon’s deflated remains, said, “Now get out of bed and clean this place up.”
There has been no trouble at the Baker house for many months. Simon believes that his eyes have become bluer and his hair blonder, but he can’t be sure. There’s no sense in asking anyone. He’s begun doing little things for his wife that he never did before, especially if she doesn’t seem too happy in the morning when she leaves for work.
Loretta doesn’t have to tell him to be good. The slightly stinky garment bag hanging in his closet, which holds the decomposing remains of Harold Dixon, is reminder enough.
Whisper My Name to the Stars
Written by Silver Blade on December 31, 2017 . Posted in Issue 36, Issue 36 Stories, Short Stories
I’ve been visiting the Commonwealth Pub in Boston – whenever I’m on Earth – for about six years. A space jockey’s life can be pretty hectic, especially since the Oporians arrived. They took some getting used to – with their two heads, six eyes, and all – but they opened new vistas to vacation-hungry Earthers in need of my kind of transport.
I quickly spotted the man who had called me a few days ago and set up this meeting: Professor Douglas Pierce. I knew it was him because he was so out of place. He was wearing a three-piece suit, which no one does anymore, with a red tie. He was nursing a drink and glancing around. I think he was trying to spot me.
I approached him slowly and asked, “Professor Pierce?”
“Yes?” he answered, looking up from his chair.
“Ray Whitfield.”
“Pleased to meet you,” he said. “Have a seat.” I sat down across from him, the small table between us. “Would you like a drink?” he asked me.
“No thanks,” I answered. “I never drink when I’m talking business.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” he continued, holding up his glass reverently. “They make a gin and tonic here that is pure nectar.”
I chuckled and said, “I’ll take your word on that, Professor.”
“Please call me ‘Doug.’”
“OK, and I’m ‘Ray.’”
“I hear ‘Professor’ all day long from my students. It’s nice to hear my given name every once in a while.”
“If you don’t mind me cutting to the chase, I’ve had a long day,” I told him. “What’s on your mind?”
“I want to hire you.”
“What’s the destination?”
“The Wentek Cluster.”
“That’s pretty far away,” I said, telling him something he already knew. “Even at best speed, it’ll take about two weeks’ travel time.”
“Can you get me there?” he inquired.
“My ship can get anyone anywhere, but it won’t be cheap.”
“How much?” he asked. “Can you give me a ballpark?”
“I’d guess around. . . 30,000 new dollars.”
“Deal,” he said quickly, surprising me. “When can we leave?”
“That’s a new area of space to us Earthers,” I continued. “I’ll need to get some travel permits and check my ship’s systems. We’ll be far from any repair docks.”
“About a week,” I said.
“So we could arrive at the Cluster. . . three weeks from now?”
“Yeah,” I told him, “but you haven’t even seen my ship.”
“No need,” he added. “Your reputation precedes you.” He reached into his shirt pocket and removed his debit card. He scanned his thumbprint on the marker, and the tiny screen flickered on. He handed it to me. “I have more than enough for the trip.”
I quickly looked at the listed balance. “I never doubted you,” I said, handing him back his card.
“Then we have a deal?”
“You’ll get me a contract?” he asked.
“I don’t use anything like that,” I informed him, holding out my hand. “This is enough for me.” He had a firm handshake. “I’ll get started on the preliminary stuff in the morning,” I went on.
“Wonderful!” he said, taking a big, celebratory sip of his gin and tonic.
“How long will you want to stay at the Cluster?”
“You’re the boss,” I confirmed. “I’ll need half the money before we leave and the other half upon our return to Earth.”
“You’ll have it.”
“Say,” I continued after a brief pause, “you’re a smart guy.”
“The University likes to think so,” he responded.
“You don’t believe what some people say about the Cluster, do you? About it being the
. . . gateway?”
“No,” Doug said. “There would have to be a Heaven for there to be a gateway from here to there.”
I was surprised. “You don’t believe in Heaven?”
“In my 55 years on this Earth, Ray,” he explained, “I haven’t seen one scrap of scientific evidence to verify its existence.” He threw back the rest of his gin and tonic. “Now,” he went on, “since we’re done discussing business, how about that drink?”
It was the Oporians who first introduced us to the Wentek Cluster. In their language, they call it “pruftar.” Roughly translated, it means “the gateway to the souls.”
Earth’s leading scientists have focused their most powerful equipment on the Cluster, with no results worth mentioning. Some religious people believe it’s an intrusion into our space of Heaven, while other people say that is ridiculous.
The licenses were secured, and Esther was ready to fly. That’s the name of my ship – after my late mother. Doug met me at Platform C of the Mayflower Space Port the following morning at 8:00 a.m. He had a suitcase with him and a satchel holding term papers to grade. “A teacher’s work is never done,” he told me.
I showed him to his quarters. He was surprised that I was the crew. He handed me his debit card. I pressed my thumb against the marker, and half of my fee was transferred to my account.
We lifted off at 8:14 a.m. The Boston skyline vanished, and the black of space enveloped us. A ship-wide diagnostic showed all systems were functioning fine.
If I suspected what was going to happen when we arrived at the Cluster and how it would still haunt me today, I would have turned Esther around and forfeited the thirty grand.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the Cluster close up,” I said. “I hear it’s beautiful.”
“I’ve heard the same thing,” Doug responded.
“Esther is fully equipped for video and audio recording, you know.”
“Is she?”
“No extra charge.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said.
The trip proved uneventful. Esther performed as I knew she would. We arrived at the Cluster right on schedule.
Its billing was absolutely correct. It was an incredibly beautiful sight that filled the view screen. The Cluster was composed of seven separate stars swirling about each other in a random cosmic dance. As each star moved, it left a pink trail behind it. The trails coalesced into a great pink cloud in the center. The swirling cloud reminded me of a painting, with the dancing stars serving as the picture frame. I focused Esther’s sensors on the Cluster. None of the information we received back made any sense.
“May I use the communications system?” Doug asked as we both admired the celestial show.
“Sure,” I responded. “One problem though: We’re pretty far from Earth. Any message will take a while to get there.”
“I don’t want to send a message to Earth,” my passenger said.
“I want to send a message into the Cluster.”
I paused, trying to understand, but had to ask, “Why?”
Doug got a far-away look on his face. He was remembering something, something wonderful. “Ever been married?” he asked.
“Never,” I replied. “You?”
He nodded silently. “For more than twenty years. Karen was the joy of my life.”
“She died?”
“About seven years ago,” he answered, trying not to choke up.
I suddenly understood his motive behind this trip. “You believe what people say about the Cluster being a gateway to Heaven, don’t you?” I asked him.
“I’m not certain.”
“At the bar, you said you didn’t believe it.”
“Would you have brought me out here if you thought I was a religious kook?” he went on. “Can we fly Esther into that thing?”
“With the crazy sensor readings we’re getting, I can’t be sure,” I said. “It could be lethal.”
“I can’t let this opportunity pass!” he exclaimed. “If there’s any truth to. . .”
“There’s no harm in trying to contact her,” I told him. “We can go from there.”
Doug bent uneasily over the comm panel. His hands were quivering. He rubbed his eyes and squinted at the controls. He knew that this moment – right now – held the answer to his prayers or the dashing of his hopes. He shakily pressed a few buttons and turned some dials to focus the comm beacon at the Cluster.
At first, all that came out of the speakers was static. Then. . .
“This is Douglas Pierce,” he broadcast, spacing his words carefully. “I’m trying to reach my wife, Karen. If anyone can hear –”
A woman’s voice came on the speaker amid the undulating static. . . a voice that sounded familiar. “Is Ray with you?” she asked.
Doug was confused to have gotten a wrong number. “Yes,” he said, “he’s. . . right here.” He looked up at me. “It’s. . . uhm. . . for you.”
I moved closer to the mike. “This is Ray Whitfield,” I said. “Who’s this?”
“You don’t recognize my voice?” she asked, sounding a little hurt.
“Mom?”
“That’s right!” Esther replied.
“Where. . . Where are you?” I asked nervously.
“In the Cluster.”
“Then it is a gateway!” Doug exclaimed.
“It is,” Esther told him.
“Fantastic!” Doug responded.
“Mom, I. . . I don’t know what to say,” I stuttered.
“Are you well?”
“I’m OK,” I assured her, “but I’ve gotta go. I have a customer here who’s –”
“Someone’s looking for Mrs. Pierce right now,” Esther said. “Hold on a minute.”
The static rose to a crescendo and then started to slowly fade. Doug hunched over the comm panel, his face hopeful, but ashen. When a new female voice came over the speaker, tears began pouring down his cheeks. “Doug?” she anxiously asked through the static. “Doug, are you there?”
“Karen?” Doug choked out. “Is that you?”
“It’s me,” she said.
Doug was straining to hear her. “Is there any way to clean up the signal?” he asked me.
“I’m afraid not,” I told him. “There’s all kinds of interference coming from the Cluster.”
“Are you still there, dear?” Karen asked anxiously.
“I’m here,” Doug answered, choking up even more. “God, I miss you!”
“I miss you too, sweetheart, but we need to talk fast.”
“Why?” he asked.
“The Cluster’s intrusion into normal space is accidental,” Karen explained. “The powers that be in here are working on a way to close it off as soon as possible.”
“Why do that?” I asked.
“They say the Cluster provides proof of an afterlife and that faith can’t have proof.” The static began worsening. “I don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to talk.”
“Karen,” Doug asked anxiously, “do you have any idea what would happen if we piloted this ship into the Cluster?”
“Doug, we –” I began.
“No,” the voice told him. “It could be very dangerous.”
“Does anyone there know?”
The static grew very loud. If she was still talking to us, Karen’s voice was overpowered by it. Doug began randomly pushing buttons on the panel. “Help me, Ray,” he pleaded. “Get her back!”
I tried a few tricks, to no avail. “No good,” I said. “It’s like the signal’s being jammed.”
“That’s it!” he agreed. “No communications. That must be the bigwigs’ first step.”
I put one hand gently on his shoulder. “I’m glad you got to talk with her again,” I told him.
“What are you saying?” Doug continued, spinning about to face me. “This isn’t the end.”
“What more is there to do?”
He paced the deck briefly. “Do you have a lifeboat on this ship?” he asked.
“Why?” I replied, not liking where the conversation was going.
“I could fly it into the Cluster.”
“We don’t know if Esther can make it,” I said. “What chance would a lifeboat have?”
“I’m not asking you to join me,” Doug went on. “If there’s a chance it might work. . .”
I remember our brief struggle, followed by the deck rising up to meet me from Doug’s impressive left hook.
I’m not sure how long I was out. When my head cleared, I frantically searched for Doug. I couldn’t find him anywhere, but the lifeboat was still in its hangar. It was then that I noticed one of the EVA suits was missing from the locker.
After a quick scan around Esther’s exterior, I found him. He was suited up and floating slowly towards the Cluster. There was no lifeline connecting him to the ship.
“Doug!” I screamed into the comm mike.
His voice came faintly through the static. “I’m here,” he said.
“Are you crazy?”
“Sorry I had to hit you, but you never would have let me do this.”
“You’ll be killed!”
“We soon find out,” he told me. “I can feel the Cluster’s gravitational pull.”
“I can still get you a lifeline.”
“Don’t you worry about me.”
The static worsened. “Doug!” I said urgently, working the comm panel.
I’m not sure he was copying me. The static drowned out parts of what he said. “I’m getting closer. . . beautiful. . . Ray. . . can’t believe. . .”
The static overpowered his comm line.
I can only tell you what I said at Senator Butler’s hearing a few weeks later concerning the sudden and – to him – unexplained disappearance of the Wentek Cluster: “I saw. . . I saw a hand reach out from it,” I testified. “A human hand! Also, the faintest bit of a face was visible. Doug grasped the hand, which pulled him inside. Seconds later, one by one, the stars that made up the Cluster. . . vanished. The pink trails that had gathered together in the middle of the dancing stars disappeared like water going down a drain.
“For about thirty minutes, I tried to contact Doug. No luck. I pulled up the video that had been recording as he made his spacewalk. I was able to focus on the face. The computer searched its data banks for a match. There was one: The picture that accompanied Karen Pierce’s obituary.”
I checked my bank balance yesterday. Doug had transferred the 15,000 new dollars I would have received for bringing him back to Earth into my account before we even reached the Cluster. He knew all along it would be – for him – a one-way trip.
I’ve been asked to appear on several talk shows, and I’ve turned them all down. There’s not much new I can offer. . . aside from this: A freeze frame of Doug’s face at the moment he touched his late wife’s hand.
He was smiling.
Author Bio: Mike has had over 150 audio plays produced in the U.S. and overseas. He’s won five Moondance International Film Festival awards in their TV pilot, audio play, short screenplay, and short story categories. His prose work has appeared in several magazines and anthologies. In 2015, his script “The Candy Man” was produced as a short film under the title DARK CHOCOLATE. In 2013, he won the inaugural Marion Thauer Brown Audio Drama Scriptwriting Competition.
Mike keeps a blog at audioauthor.blogspot.com.
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Debating SIEV-X
September 23, 2002 — 10.00am
SIEV-X continues to intrigue many readers.
Barbara Andrews says Australians wouldn't care about the SIEV-X dead whatever the Government did or did not do. Mary Werkhoven wouldn't be concerned had the Government not exploited the issue at the election, Richard Goodwin warns us not to dismiss a "stuff up", and SIEV-Xers Kate Wildermuthand Kay Kan reply to Tam Long in SIEV-X: Truth is out there
Barbara Andrews
I begin by saying that this will be self-indulgent, and that I openly admit openly that, while not a Labor supporter by nature or nurture, I am extremely disappointed that Kim Beazley never became Prime Minister. I believe that having a decent, fat, nice, jolly bloke in The Lodge would have gone a long way towards removing the aggressive selfishness which most would admit is growing in our society.
That is not why the story of SIEV-X distresses me. On the same night I heard about the sinking, my then-1-year old son crawled up to me for the first time as I sat on the floor and gave me a hug. This brought home to me more strongly the anguish of watching my child drifting away on the water and then sinking beneath it, with me remaining above. I imagined losing this person who was my life.
Imagining it is bad enough, and you can only imagine it if you have a child. Parents may know what I mean, but I'm beginning to believe, having heard people's reactions to the story, that not all parents either feel the same, or ascribe their own feelings to other parents.
The government of this country does not care, because they know the people of this country do not care. Hit us with more proof of the lies we were told and wanted to believe, and we just dig in more. The Prime Minister knows his people rather better than we would care to admit.
As an example, try this. Please note, you who are of opposing mind, that this is not a conspiracy theory, and I do not suggest or believe the following is the case. I use it as an extreme example of what the Australian people would do.
Imagine that the impending surge of non-legal arrivals last year was known to Government intelligence, and was to be used as the lifeline for the Government. (In this case the Tampa incident would have been a lucky break allowing them to send in the defence forces in front of TV cameras.)
Imagine further that the Government expressly planned to allow these vessels to approach Australian territory in order to demonstrate just how much they had to be repulsed. Imagine again that the boat designated SIEV-X was, in fact, known to be coming, but surveillance was withdrawn so it could approach Christmas Island, thereby fulfilling its political purpose.
But then you-know-what happened, which would not have happened had surveillance been kept up or had the boat been turned back or its occupants rescued.
If this were the case, and it became public knowledge, I believe quite firmly that it would not sway the Australian people from their rejection of compassion for the victims, or from their rejection of any notion of the Government's responsibility . On the contrary, I believe we would block it out and solidify our support for the government in the same way that many people do when they see that any of their closely-held beliefs has been proved patently and unutterably wrong.
There is no point appealing to our sense of truth and justice; they are no longer as important to us as having someone to blame. This is what Australia has become.
Richard Goodwin in Narara
The labyrinthine goings-on reported in the SIEV-X are far too complicated for me to understand. (You've probably been told many times that many Aussies simply don't care anyway. I have spoken with plenty of people who seriously thought the whole Pacific solution/Tampa episode would have been better handled if the asylum-seekers had been left to drown, because "We don't want 'em here").
However there is still plenty of validity in your trying to cast light on what happened. I think this government has been particularly good at obfuscating and introducing red herrings and complications so difficult to follow that people give up trying to understand what happened. They are too bogged down in detail to see the whole picture (it happened with Reithy and the Patricks Stevedore affair).
It would not surprise me if there were a cover-up, but I always remember the old words of wisdom: "Never ascribe to malice that which can be explained by stupidity." You say that newly-released documents show that the government knew of the boat's location. This begs the question, "Who in the government knew?" and then we have to find out what they did about it, who was told, what they did about it, and so on.
If Ministers were involved, or even highly-ranked bureaucrats, we may never know. However, the procedure for someone knowing, and then action taking place to either aid or ignore the ship, is full of potential mishaps.
I wonder if we're talking about a balls-up in the bureaucratic process, and the cover-up is retrospective to hide the balls-up ...
Mary Werkhoven
Perhaps we Howardophobes would be less bothered if John Howard and his Howardophiles had not, and still did not, sound so much like guilty schoolboys saying "Oh, no Sir. It wasn't me, Sir. Those Indonesian kids did it. I knew nothing about it. I'm really offended that you are asking me about it."
When it was known back in October 2001 that SIEV-X had sunk, Howard should have expressed deep sorrow at the loss of life and a regret that our extensive surveillance had not spotted the foundering boat. He should have condemned Indonesian police and officials who collaborated with people smugglers and shown a determination to do everything possible to help the unfortunate survivors.
Instead he played politics and demonised these wretched people.
Phillip Ruddock, alone and palely loitering, seems to have had his soul stolen by a hobgoblin (or by the garden-gnomish John Howard).
Tam Long and others so keen to defend the indefensible should realise that Australians such as myself believe that we should do something about the "beam in our own eyes" before worrying about the "mote in the eyes" of others. Their neglect does not excuse our apathy.
Kay Kan in Sydney
I found Tam Long's article SIEV-X: Truth is out thereinconclusive. She says she keeps an open mind on all possibilities and seems to want the sinking of SIEV-X to be investigated, yet she seems more intent on criticising those who want that to happen rather than calling for all the facts to be made public.
Tam Long claims that we need to find out what happened with SIEV-X. If so, she would fully support the Senate committees' request for all the witnesses it requires, as well as the call for a judicial review to investigate all aspects of the people smuggling disruption task force. I do not see that call anywhere in her piece except for her statement that she is troubled that some senior officials were not allowed to give evidence.
Because she considers the reasons for their non-attendance as plausible, Tam Long is prepared to accept the gaps in our knowledge that these witnesses could have completed. Such gaps are not helpful in trying to get to the bottom of Australia's involvement in SIEV-X.
She claims that she does not exclude the possibility of some Australian involvement, (by omission or perhaps even commission) in the sinking of SIEV-X. Again, if this were so, she would support the attempts to investigate all aspects of Australia's involvement with SIEV-X and not condemn those who share this view.
Police investigating a crime consider all scenarios and all parties as potential suspects in their search for evidence. After all, when the claims about Justice Kirby met the light of day, they evaporated. If the claims about Australian involvement in SIEV-X are without substance, then they too will evaporate - but this can only happen when the Senate Inquiry or a judicial review has been able to pursue the matter as far as they can.
Tam Long claims that because Indonesia has an appalling human rights record we should prefer to assume they are responsible. This is dangerously close to the accusation that Tam Long has made of others when she says they search backwards to select and analyse evidence in light of predetermined guilt only. Without a questioning perspective, evidence will not present itself. Tam Long says she would be convinced by proper argument. How will that argument emerge if evidence is not sought?
She claims some of those who want to get to the bottom of the SIEV-X matter dislike John Howard and dismisses them as Howardophobes. This labelling is an attempt to discredit those who have serious concerns about SIEV-X. However, if we follow this logic, what are the Howardophiles doing in calling for the appearance of witnesses, evidence and a judicial review?
In fact Howardophiles and Howardophobes should both be calling for an investigation because then the evidence would then be available for all to see.
Tam Long says that the best way to prevent further tragedies is to look forward and stop the people smuggling, and that those who focus on SIEV-X choose to look backwards. This argument is a distraction and muddies the waters in the SIEV-X matter. Firstly, we can only look to the future successfully if we both understand and come to terms with the present and events leading to it, otherwise the future will simply be a repetition of the past.
Secondly, to focus on the future and ignore the present is like letting the pedestrian hit by a car on a busy road bleed to death while we discuss where the pedestrian crossing should be put to prevent further accidents. Saving the lives of people in immediate danger (eg calling an ambulance for the bleeding pedestrian) is a completely different issue to planning future policy (eg deciding where to put the pedestrian crossing). If the ambulance does not turn up, we ask why - and there have been investigations into this, including one in the last few days in NSW. So both issues need to be addressed, and not necessarily by the same people.
In the case of SIEV-X, the equivalent of the ambulance did not arrive despite calls from the Australian Federal Police, Coastwatch and ASTJIC. I would like to know why. Like Tam Long, I am troubled by the possibility that Australia may have contributed to the deaths of 353 people. The only way to deal with something that is troubling is to assess it, and understand it.
That is really moving on. Tam Long seems to think that when something is troubling, or counter-intuitive, then it either did not occur or should not be considered.
Kate Wildermuth
Disclosure: I have written to Webdiary and the SIEV-X site under the nom de plume Charles Diamond. I wish to put my real name to this response as well as future Webdiary contributions.
I have read and contributed to SIEV-X site www.sievx.com for months, and I can't let the latest piece by Tam Long in SIEV-X: Truth is out there go by without comment. It is full of personal attacks and exaggerations of the views held by the people I call SIEVXers.
1. The letter includes offensive comments such as "groupies". They tell much about Tam Long and nothing about SIEVXer's.
2. The SIEV-X site is not what Tam Long wishes it to be. The site is dedicated to the question "Did the Australian Government contribute to the deaths of 300 women and children?" Most people read that quote at the top of the home page and understand what the site is about. It is not about the UN, the general issue of refugees or the Indonesian Government. It never pretended to be.
I am an Australian citizen. I am interested in uncovering the truth in relation to the Australian Government and it's agencies about the unthrown children and SIEV-X. I want to know what was done by the Australian Government in my name. During the election campaign we were told that SIEV-X sank in Indonesian waters. If that was true SIEV-X would not have been examined by the Senate inquiry.
3. The recent allegations about the AFP disruption program in Indonesia raised by the Sunday program need to be investigated. At this point the accusations of the AFP paying to have boats sunk should be neither dismissed as a crazy conspiracy theory nor seen as proof SIEV-X was sunk by the Australian Government. The issues of the Australian Federal Police's Disruption Program are lengthy and still unfolding. I urge Tam Long and Webdiarists to read the transcript of the Sunday program as a starting point for understanding this issue. (sievx)
4. SIEVXers have been reading and researching SIEV-X since last year. Tony Kevin and SIEVXers have a wider general knowledge of the issue that goes far beyond one speech. Tam Long's pieces show a lack of knowledge in relation to SIEV-X. So go away, do a lot of research and reading, and catch up.
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by OpenBook Co. Ltd. on 1994-Nov-01
Syberia: Collector's Edition I & II
Hollywood Monsters 2
SimTower Game Story
SimTower: The Vertical Empire (known as The Tower in Japan) is a construction and management simulation video game developed by OpenBook Co., Ltd. and published by Maxis for the Microsoft Windows and Macintosh System 7 operating systems in November 1994. In Japan, it was published by OpenBook that same year and was later released for the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation in 1996. The game allows players to build and manage a tower and decide what facilities to place in it, in order to ultimately build a five-star tower. Random events take place during play, such as terrorist acts that the player must respond to immediately.
1994-Nov-01 - PC - Worldwide
OpenBook Co. Ltd.
Maxis Software
Construction and Management Simulation,Life Simulation,Sandbox
ESRB Age rating
OpenBook Co. Ltd.SimTower
SimTower Reviews
SimTower News
SimTower Walkthrough
SimTower Videos
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Authentic Colombia Soccer Jerseys by adidas - National Team
Official Colombia products as worn by World Cup 2014 Golden Boot Winner James Rodriguez. Colombia will be playing in their 5th World Cup Finals tournament in the nation's history this summer, with their best showing coming 4 years ago. With Falcao approaching the final years of his career and Russia 2018 likely to be his last World Cup, all eyes will be on the next generation to step up and continue to take the Colombian national team forward. Cheer on Los Cafeteros with official adidas Colombia Jerseys.
Sort By Position Name Price Color Date Added Default
1973 Colombia L/S Retro Shirt
Official adidas Colombia National Team Jerseys: Home & Away Kits
The now recognizable tri-color kit of Colombia has been in use since 1985. Colombia's best run in the World Cup came in 2014 when they were knocked-out in a controversial quarter final by Brazil.
Colombia: A Brief History of the Federation and Its Kit
The Colombian National team played their first official game at the 1938 Central American and Caribbean Games, winning the bronze medal. Later that same year they took part in the I Bolivarian Games where they finished fourth. For these two tournaments they wore a sky blue jersey, white shorts and white socks. Colombia did not play again until 1945, when they participated for the first time at the South American Championship, finishing in fifth place. Their kit was all white with a band of yellow, blue, and red to represent the national flag. Colombia's "Golden Era" was not to come until the 1990's, a decade in which they qualified for the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cup tournaments, but never made it past the group stage in the latter two. By then they had adopted the tri-color kit, yellow jersey, blue shorts and red socks. This earned the team the nickname La Tricolor (The Tri-Colors).
A Closer Look at the Colombia Jersey and Other Colombia Merchandise
Between 1938 to 1980 Colombia did not have an official kit supplier. Their kit has gone through many changes since their first match in 1938 in which they wore a sky blue jersey, white shorts and socks. In 1945, they changed to an all-white kit with a horizontal band of yellow, blue and red across the middle of the jersey. Between 1957 and 1971 they adopted a dark blue jersey with white shorts and dark blue socks. Between 1971 and 1985 they moved to an orange jersey and socks and briefly alternated between white and black shorts. 1985 saw Colombia first adopt the tri-color look that they are known for today. Originally a red jersey with yellow socks, they switched the color scheme in 1993 to the more recognizable yellow shirt and red socks.
Colombian Key Players
Colombia has had its share of greats: from Valderrama, to "El Loco" Higuita, and now Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez. We have immortalized these player with our range of Retake tees that can be viewed here
Colombia Jersey History
1938 to 1980: No Official Supplier
1980 to 1981: Le Coq Sportif
1985 to 1986: adidas
1987: Puma
1991: Kelme
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1993 to 1997: Umbro
1998 to 2002: Reebok
2003 to 2010: Lotto
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Not Player Related (1)
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Toggle navigation About Menu
Fiachra O Riordan
Fiachra is the CEO of the foundation and is a highly experienced Chief Executive Officer. Fiachra is committed to the promotion of philanthropy to support the work of St James`s Hospital and the future of health care in Ireland.
Prior to joining St James`s Hospital Foundation, Fiachra was CEO for 11 years of The Sunday Business Post, Ireland`s leading business newspaper devoted to business, politics and economic developments. In 2011 Fiachra pioneered Ireland`s first on-line breaking business news service, The Daily Business Post www.businesspost.ie with an associated iPad app and paywall for The Sunday Business Post.
Fiachra can be contacted at 01 410 3954 or fiachra@supportstjames.ie
Claire Holdsworth
Foundation Manager
Claire manages and provides support to donors, fundraisers and research fund holders on behalf of the Foundation.
Claire worked as a volunteer with Citizens Information and Failte Isteach (teaching English to new migrants) and, after over 15 years working in the commercial sector, decided to change direction to the social impact sector. Claire holds a degree in BSc (Hons) Social Sciences. Claire can be contacted at: 01 410 3157 or claire@supportstjames.ie
Jamie Conway
Fundraising Events Manager
Jamie Conway is the Foundation’s Fundraising Events Manager. Jamie is responsible for our various fundraising events as well as providing support & guidance to the individuals & groups around the country that wish to raise funds in support of St James’s Hospital.
Having joined the team from the foundation at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Jamie has a built up a wide range of experience working in both the not for profit and commercial sectors.
If you are thinking about fundraising for St James’s Hospital, get in touch with Jamie, jamie@supportstjames.ie or telephone 01 410 3936 / M: 083 477 7370
Laura Saunders
Marketing & Donor Care
Laura manages the marketing & graphic design for the foundation including the website, social media and printed materials. She also provides support for donors who wish to make gifts to St James’s Hospital Foundation and coordinates the Women’s Mini Marathon and Dublin City Marathon St James’s Hospital teams.
Laura has worked in the charity sector for over 10 years, has her degree in Fine Art and has also studied desktop publishing and design. Laura can be contacted at: 01 428 4766 or laura@supportstjames.ie
Samantha Windrum
Samantha has worked in the area of accountancy for over 20 years. She has worked in both the private sector and in a self-employed capacity. She has worked here in St. James’s Hospital in the Haughton Institute since 2005. In 2009, she accepted the role of financial controller/ accountant for the St. James’s Hospital Foundation and continues to combine both these positions along with her own private practice.
Samantha graduated from Dublin Business School and continues to take part in on-going training in accountancy as part of her continued professional development. She abides by the code of ethics of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, (A.C.C.A). Samantha is committed to providing a professional service in keeping with best practice accountancy guidelines. Samantha can be contacted at 01 410 3979
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Keynote & Conference Speakers
Dorian Dugmore
£3K - £5K
Dorian Dugmore is the Director of Corporate Wellbeing at the FA and Director of Beyond the Barriers. A world leader in cardiovascular health and wellness, his programs have won global and European awards for best practice in corporate health and wellness, and for improving the quality of life within the community.
Dr. Dorian Dugmore (PhD Cardiovascular Medicine), CEO of The Wellness Academy , is internationally hailed as an expert in cardiovascular health, preventative medicine and wellness. His programmes resulted in him winning World and European Best Practice awards for corporate wellness.
Having worked in the fields of Cardiovascular Medicine and Wellness for 30 years, Dorian has written extensively on health, exercise and heart disease. His U.K. doctoral research specialised in cardiovascular medicine and focused on the rehabilitation of post heart attack patients. This work was published in the prestigious journal ‘Heart’ (1999).
He was formerly the Director of the world famous Toronto Rehabilitation centre in Canada, which is considered the best in the world for Cardiac rehabilitation. Dorian also counts Secretary General of the World Council for Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation in his many accolades. Currently, he is on the nucleus for Sport Cardiology and Prevention, belonging to the European Society of Cardiology.
Consistently serving the community means Dorian has earned numerous awards for his work, including an MEB ‘Heart of Britain Award’, and a fellowship to the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for his outstanding work in cardiovascular medicine. Dorian was recently honoured with a Vistage Speakers Award, which recognised his 10 years of delivering value to Chief Executives.
As a sportsman he has achieved similar success, playing and coaching soccer at an international level, he boasts four consecutive international appointments as Great Britain’s Coach to the “World Student Games” soccer team. To date, he has successfully completed 23 full marathons. Dorian leads a unique programme at Wellness International monitoring the health and fitness of over 120 Football League Managers, this work has been featured on ‘Tonight with Trevor McDonald’.
His speaking topics include:
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO BOOK DORIAN DUGMORE, CALL US AT SPEAKERS CORNER ON +44 (0)20 7607 7070 OR EMAIL INFO@SPEAKERSCORNER.CO.UK
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Kirsty Gallacher
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Injecting Humanity Back into Business: A Q&A with Chris Barez-Brown
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Athletics: UAFS now a member of 19-team Lone Star Conference
By Buck RinggoldTimes Recordbringgold@swtimes.com
On Monday, the UAFS athletics program officially made the jump into what is now the largest conference in NCAA Division II.
UAFS officially began its new journey as a member of the Lone Star Conference after spending the past several years in the now-defunct Heartland Conference. The Lions and Lady Lions will be among 19 teams in the LSC, a league which dates to 1931.
"It's kind of been a historic day; I think the Lone Star Conference is considered one of the elite conferences in Division II, and we're really looking forward to competing in that environment," UAFS athletics director Curtis Janz said. "I'm really excited that we have that opportunity, especially in volleyball, men's and women's basketball and baseball, seeing the head-to-head competition against the country's best and I really, really believe that we're going to excel in that competition."
UAFS will be one of seven former Heartland schools absorbed into the expanded LSC.
"The Lone Star Conference actually reached out to most of the schools in the Heartland Conference to join and kind of build up what I would consider a little bit of a Division II super-conference," Janz said. "It's the largest conference in the country in Division II, and so the Lone Star reached out to us."
Other Heartland schools that will be in the LSC include Dallas Baptist University, Lubbock Christian University, Oklahoma Christian University, St. Edward's University, St. Mary's University and Texas A&M International University.
The expanded LSC will consist of 14 schools in Texas, two in Oklahoma, two in New Mexico and one from Arkansas.
"I am excited about moving to (the LSC); it's a bigger conference, a stronger conference, there will be a lot more great competition," UAFS women's basketball coach Tari Cummings said. "Recruiting-wise, we're wanting to get into Texas and I think that helps with us being in it and playing mostly against Texas schools.
"I'm excited about the competition level of it all. ... It's going to be a very good league, though, very strong and everything. Now as far as travel, it does extend a little bit more than what we had been in the Heartland, but there's always gives and takes of everything."
One person at UAFS already familiar with the ways of the Lone Star Conference is baseball coach Todd Holland, who both played and coached at new conference rival Cameron University, based in Lawton, Okla.
"I had played in (the LSC) and I was a coach in there for 11 years in the Lone Star, and it's a meat grinder over there," Holland said. "We thought the Heartland was a lot of travel, but the Lone Star can be a lot of travel.
"But it will be good; I think it's the most competitive Division II baseball conference in America. ... If you can win the Lone Star Conference, you can win the national title here."
Because of the number of teams in the conference, the UAFS baseball team will be playing strictly LSC games in next year's regular season, without any non-conference games. Holland said the Lions will play 50 conference games as part of a 14-team league, as several schools in the LSC don't field a baseball program.
"Coming from the Heartland, it's going to be a couple of years of transition and getting the feel (of the LSC)," Holland said. "We have 50 conference games scheduled in baseball, so we don't have any non-conference games, we roll right into it from the start."
There will also be a vast majority of conference games in the other regular-season schedules for the main sports at UAFS.
"For men's and women's basketball and volleyball, we are kind of in three divisions," Janz said. "In basketball, we'll play 22 conference games, so it will be a grind. ... Volleyball will be similar; we'll play twice within our division and we'll play some of the schools in the other (divisions), and again, a majority of the schedule will be Lone Star Conference games."
But Janz believes for the most part, playing in the LSC can only enhance the UAFS profile.
"When you play against the best, you tend to get better, and I really believe that will happen for us in the near future and in the long run," Janz said. "I believe it's going to make us much more viable in the region, especially in the state of Texas.
"(Having) a lot of the Lone Star schools in the state of Texas, that leads to a lot of opportunities in recruiting, athletically and for the university as a whole. We're still going to get to play some games in Oklahoma, which is a good thing, but I believe that regionally, it gets us a really, really strong presence athletically with the ability to get into regional tournaments, which we've been pretty successful in the past few years."
Janz added that the UAFS coaches have been positive regarding the move to the new conference.
"I think our coaches are really excited about it, they're really ready to get going," Janz said. "If you're a competitor, if you want to compete against the best, I think that's what we're doing and so our coaches are really excited about it.
"The good thing is most of the Heartland schools went in with us, and so we don't lose any of those rivalries, we just get a chance to build new rivalries."
Likewise, Janz believes the Lions' new conference opponents are excited about having UAFS join the LSC.
"We just got back from Lone Star meetings last Thursday, and I really, really like the camaraderie of all the athletic directors. ... The concentration is how can we do things the best and in athletics, that's really what you're looking for, people that are going to push you and compete with you and try to do things at a really high level and I'm really looking forward to it," Janz said.
Other schools in the LSC include Oklahoma school Cameron and two New Mexico schools, Eastern New Mexico University and Western New Mexico University. The other Texas schools are Angelo State, Midwestern State, Tarleton State, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas Woman's University, the University of Texas Permian Basin (whose men's basketball program is now led by former UAFS coach Josh Newman), the University of Texas at Tyler and West Texas A&M University.
The LSC conducts conference championships in 18 sports, nine men's sports and nine women's sports.
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Taj Jenkins Musco
When Taj was of a very young age, his parents told him a hard truth: their small town ice cream delivery man had been fired for embezzling cash, and they would no longer be getting Neapolitan at home.
In the aftermath, Taj knew he had to find a way to make sense of the world. He decided to tell stories.
The son of a homebuilder and a teacher, Taj grew up in a tight-knit New England hamlet. His childhood years exploring vast woods and tending moss gardens kindled his imagination. At age 14 Taj traveled to Alaska with his father to build a timber frame mansion. Surrounded by moose, volcanos, and the midnight sun, Taj met a vagabond millionaire who taught him crucial life lessons about what to do if he ever won the lottery.
Taj returned to Massachusetts with a new life goal.
He joined a lo-fi rock band to make his fortune and hit the road on a four-state tour, playing seaside dive bars and prominent middle schools. They broke up after a gig at the now-defunct CBGB. Without a record deal or any winning lottery tickets, Taj decided to make his millions the old fashioned way: he enrolled in film school.
He journeyed to SouthEast Asia to hone his skills at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. The experience exposed Taj to eye-opening cultures and otherworldly cities, but also sparked a renewed interest in his roots: a tiny town in the woods with a duplicitous ice cream man.
Taj returned to his hometown and began writing a body of work fusing the craftsmanship of his father’s timber frame homes with the reflection of his mother's nature poetry. Across genres, Taj writes dark, character-driven stories that illuminate the secrets lurking in small towns, big cities, and deep within ourselves.
Taj currently lives and works in Los Angeles. He now eats ice cream whenever he wants, but is still no closer to making sense of the world.
Header photos by Brian L. Kahn, Katrina Luong, and Lydia J. Musco.
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Former Players Welcomed Back to Club
Posted by Terry Bulloch | Oct 9, 2012 | News | 0
The club had great pleasure in welcoming 5 former players back to the club at our game against East Fife last Saturday.
The five players concerned are pictured above from left to right, Archie Rose, Ray Dunlop, Marty Boyle Billy Henderson and Billy Murdoch, who between them had played in more than Eight Hundred 1st team appearances for the club.
The players had the following careers with the club;-
Archie Rose (Defender) – Played 365, 1st team league games for us as well as numerous Cup appearances, having signed from the prominent West of Scotland U21 team, Campsie Black Watch, in 1969. Archie had 2 spells with the club during his playing career being transferred to Falkirk in 1980 and then again in 1981-82.
Archie went on to become the club manager in 1984 before joining St Mirren in 1987 as Reserve team manager.
Billy Henderson (Defender) – Signed from Kilmarnock and played 56, 1st Team games between 1971-74.
Billy came back to the club in 1984 as Archie's 1st Team coach before being appointed manager in 1987 on Archie’s departure.
Billy is now actively involved with the Scottish Schools FA National Teams at U15 & U 18 levels.
Billy Murdoch (Midfielder) – Signed from Bristol City in 1970 and made 161 1st team appearances in 2 spells with the club between 1970-76 when he was transferred to Kilmarnock and then again in 1980-81.
Billy is the brother of Celtic legend Bobby Murdoch.
Marty Boyle (Striker) – Also signed for us from Campsie Black Watch in 1969 and made 117 1st Team appearances before being transferred to Raith Rovers in 1974.
Ray Dunlop (Goalkeeper) – Signed from Yoker Athletic in 1972 and played 139 1st team games before being transferred to Hearts in 1977.
Ray was transferred to Hearts in 1977 for a £10,000 transfer fee, which at that time was a huge transfer fee for the club, in today’s terms it is reckoned it would be in the region of £70/90,000.
Archie, both Billys and Marty played in one of the most historic Warriors victories of all times when the club beat the then current European Cup Winners Cup holders, the mighty Glasgow Rangers by a 2-1 score line at Ibrox Park on 4th October 1972, which was the only time we had ever beaten them.
Honorary Club President, Donald Smillie, hosted the guest table and Archie thanked him for looking after them, saying he was brilliant and we all had a great laugh reminiscing and telling our old stories.
He went on to say that all agreed that although they all ultimately went to other clubs after the warriors, either by being transferred or freed, that their happiest and most enjoyable times were at Ochilview and as well as being in a not bad team they all appreciated the hard work and friendliness that went on behind the scenes and Saturday's result was icing on the cake.
PreviousOctober Holiday Programme 2012 and Stop and Start Date Information
NextDate Change – East Fife v Warriors in December.
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Stenhousemuir 2-1 East Fife – 16/02/2013 – Highlights & Post Match Online
Match Hilites+Post Match-Stenhousemuir 1-1 Brechin City-22/10/11
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Robert S. Strauss
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Jake Dizard
Jake Dizard is a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Central America/Mexico Policy Initiative at the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and will spearhead writings and events for the Mexico Security Initiative under CAMPI. He received his Ph.D. in 2018 from the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation focused on the militarization of public security and civil-military relations in Mexico and Colombia. Prior to his doctoral studies he worked as a Latin America political analyst at the NGO Freedom House, where he also managed a cross-national survey of democratic governance in developing countries and wrote pieces for outlets including the Miami Herald, Christian Science Monitor, and Harvard International Review. His research interests include security policy and rule of law systems in Latin America, accountability for state human rights violations, and civil-military relations in developing countries. He holds an MA in international relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Empowering Students – International Schools that produce ambitious graduates
By Study International Staff | November 23, 2017
In today’s increasingly competitive employment market, academic prowess is simply not sufficient. Employers now have their pick of graduates who have excelled in examinations, and are looking beyond transcripts for potential employees with ambition, initiative, and that little something extra. Parents of students approaching K12 are all too keenly aware of the demands that will be placed on their children to be not only academically strong, but also well-rounded, confident leaders. Families are understandably eager for schools to respond to this increased demand with development options beyond the traditional book-based curriculum.
An international school education, by its very nature, produces graduates who are well-rounded and culturally aware. Students who formerly attended an international school are often bilingual, and tend to have experienced a number of different cultures during their formative years – already standing a step ahead peers they will be competing against for jobs.
In addition to this, a number of international schools have shifted the focus of education to skills that go beyond classroom learning. The K12 programmes in many international schools now encompass modules that encourage the development of leadership expertise, maturity and confidence- attributes that are so attractive to today’s employers.
Here are three schools you should consider for your child’s international education…
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HO CHI MINH CITY (ISHCMC) – VIETNAM
Last summer, ISHCMC – the first international and IB world school in Ho Chi Minh City – renovated its campus; introducing a purpose-built Information and Media Center, plus new Grade Two and Three classrooms following from the delight of the new Grade Four and Five Classrooms redeveloped in the summer previous. Learning spaces at ISHCMC are designed to encourage the school’s ethos of inquiry-led learning, where students research topics of their own choice beyond a classroom curriculum.
There’s also the brand-new ISHCMC Secondary Campus. Opening January 10, 2018, this state-of-the art facility will encompass Vietnam’s first Innovation Center, plus the iLearn Center for collaboration and interaction between schools, as well as for students to engage with leaders and businesses in the commercial world. Other facilities include a theater, DT Suites, Science labs, a Community Garden, Music Suite and Recording Studio, Black Box Drama Studio, Mindfulness Zone, Rooftop Sports Field, Community Café and Food Tech Areas adjoining the Student Cafeteria.
This is a school that prepares students to excel in the DP, boasting a long history of graduating students whose results reside above the DP average to universities the world over. ISHCMC is renowned for its well-rounded approach to education and widely praised by world-class universities – including Harvard.
A holistic approach to education incorporates student wellness – including a minimum of ten minutes of structured mindfulness practice per student per day. In a working world where employee burn out and poor coping skills are increasingly problematic, learning emotional regulation and self-care skills at such an early life stage surely sets these graduates apart.
SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL (SAS) – SINGAPORE
Flexibility and academic program personalization are the hallmarks of an exemplary SAS education. Students get to merge their passions with academic learning and develop academically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. . Advanced placement options are available on top of regular courses, allowing students to sample college level curricula and be examined at a college level.
The school’s Catalyst programme allows students to focus on their area of passion, to undertake work experience in a chosen area, or complete an in-depth academic or artistic project on their topic of choice. Graduates leave high school with experience and knowledge, fostering ambition and understanding of their chosen field, making them more attractive to employers. One of the most unique components of the Catalyst programme is that it recognises talent beyond academic prowess—building confidence at an early age as students experience authentic guidance and real-world opportunities.
Additionally, SAS offers an Interim Semester program where students spend a week undertaking an experience abroad. The projects offered focus on three key areas—global studies, eco-adventure and service learning. From volunteering in children’s homes, to trekking in the Himalayas, learning about the history of Turkey, and more, these experiences expose students to new cultures, foster maturity, and develop a global mindset; while exposing them to new areas of potential interest and passion for a future career. Since 1973, SAS students have taken over 35,000 Interim Semester trips to different parts of the world!
BRANKSOME HALL ASIA – SOUTH KOREA
This all girls’ school located in Jeju, South Korea, also offers the renowned IB DP curriculum as part of its senior programme. With a focus on opportunities that develop leadership skills at both a local and global level, senior school students are expected to play an integral role in modelling the school’s values of ‘meeting life’s challenges with sensitivity, intelligence and courage’ to younger students. This fosters a sense of responsibility and pride that can be transferred to university, and eventually to the workforce.
The graduating class of 2017 earned a 100 percent pass rate in the bilingual IB DP programme. Proficiency in two or more languages is a highly sought-after attribute in an increasingly international workforce. Additionally, the class of 2017 had a 100 percent university acceptance rate from the world’s top 100 universities. These statistics speak for themselves in terms of the commitment of students and staff alike, and how highly-regarded Branksome alumni are across the world.
Individual University Counselling sessions and support with applications in K12 fosters a sense of focus and ambition in students, and helps ensure that they select a career path that falls in line with their passions and talents.
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (AIS) – SINGAPORE
Based in Singapore, students at AIS have the option to follow either the IB DP programme or the New South Wales Higher School Certificate programme, and also to undertake vocational training of their choice. This recognition that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to education fosters confidence in students of all abilities, and means that students and their families can take control of the decision of which curriculum best suits their own skillset and future ambitions. This system means that from the early stages, students are encouraged to take the initiative and make pro-active decisions about what educational path best suits their career goals.
This school places an emphasis on appreciating the creative professions as well as the traditional academic careers. A particular focus is placed on musicality, and students who intend to pursue a career in music will be happy to learn that higher level elective courses in music are available under both the IB DP and the NSW HSC curriculums.
The Inventors and Mentors programme at AIS sees students interacting with internationally-renowned leaders and experts, including Nobel Laureate for Physics Professor Paul Schmidt and Nobel Laureate for Peace Dr Mohamed ElBaradei. These unique opportunities to learn from the greatest minds of the adult generation is sure to inspire and instil ambition in the younger generation for what they, too, could achieve in their chosen fields.
Opportunities to learn multiple languages, and to undertake service learning projects in the local community, combined with the variety of available curriculums is certain to produce some of the most well-rounded and ambitious graduates on offer to employers.
Overall, it is evident that while the job market is growing increasingly competitive for new graduates, international schools such as those mentioned in this article, and indeed many more, are more than rising to the challenge. The next generation of graduates from these schools will certainly be well-rounded, focused, and confident in their abilities to lead both their own career paths and those of their peers. The future is certainly in safe hands.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
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Pursue excellence at these international schools in Asia
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Warden's Blog
Warden’s Thoughts: Racism and Diversity
The Warden’s latest thoughts, on racism and diversity:
It is very worrying that in the last year or two we have seen a rise in racist attitudes around Europe and in the USA. It is staggering that once again premier league footballers are being subject to racist chants and having bananas thrown at them. This kind of behaviour is redolent of the dark days of hooliganism in the 1970’s, but I guess it reflects a rise in nationalism in many countries, aided and abetted by the increase in migration and the toxic rhetoric of Brexit. When things are not going well the solution is easy: blame migrants and foreigners, or at least people who look different from the majority.
Today there were two news stories that illustrate my point. Firstly the non-white players of the Boston Red Sox, who recently won the Baseball World Series, are refusing to go to the traditional reception at the White House, because they think that the President is a racist. The last couple of years in the USA have, of course, seen the rise of players ‘taking a knee’ during the national anthem, in protest at what they see as a failure to root out racism in the police. It does not help when the President refuses to condemn far-right racist groups. The other incident today was the sacking of Danny Baker from the BBC after he tweeted a picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their new baby, who had been substituted for a chimpanzee! Yes, really! And he claimed it was just a silly error of judgment and that it was absurd to sack him. Having worked for four years in an all black school in South Africa, in a rural environment where there were many with ‘old-fashioned’ attitudes, I am more sensitive than most to anything that smacks of racism. Actually my closest encounter with racism was when I played a season of cricket in Australia and was stunned by the way that the locals spoke about the indigenous people of the country and also by the abuse that was hurled at the English players of West Indian origin.
Racism comes from ignorance, from not knowing the culture and context of the other person and not being prepared to find out by actually getting to know people outside one’s own ethnic group or social circle. I often say to parents who are contemplating boarding that there is no better preparation for life in the real world than living in a boarding house full of people who are different from oneself. A boarding house is a melting pot, in which young people learn to appreciate each other, those who have totally different interests, often those whom one might not naturally like! In work we all have to work with people who are different and who approach things in their own way, and that is not easy. However, we do it, like it nor not, and in doing so we learn to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of those others. I don’t know how many nationalities are represented at St. Columba’s, but our racial diversity is a strength. I would be devastated if any person of a different colour or culture did not feel fully accepted and cherished in the school. However, in a world in which tolerance is a rare commodity, we cannot take it for granted and we need to keep our antennae sensitive to anything that might creep in and seek to divide.
Mark Boobbyer, Warden, 9thMay 2019.
May 10, 2019 /by sccdublin
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Warden’s Thoughts on … Entitlement vs Service
One of the things that I have mentioned from time to time in my blog is my desire to impart into the Columban DNA an ethos of service, as opposed to an attitude of entitlement. I know I have written about this before, but someone said to me recently, ‘I am not sure that people know what you mean when you talk about service.’ In other words, it sounds good but it is in danger of being meaningless without some clarification.
Let me start by looking at entitlement, because the positive will make more sense in the light of the negative. Now I am not saying that I think our pupils here at St. Columba’s feel entitled, but it is a charge that is sometimes levelled at children from private schools in general. Whether or not this is true is irrelevant because it is still out there and maybe, sometimes, there is some truth in it. In the UK it is an accusation that is sometimes made against those from certain schools and backgrounds who seem to think that the world owes them a living, that they should get into the best universities and have the best of everything, simply because of their background and their education. It causes people to look down on others who are not from the ‘right school’ or do the right kind of work or wear the right kind of clothes. Now I obviously don’t think that there is anything wrong with having a fantastic education, but I do object if it instils arrogance. A great education is not about a string of top grades but about the development of character. It has been said, rightly, that ‘education is what you have left when you have forgotten everything you were taught.’ In other words it is about who you are, not what is on your CV.
Entitlement says, ‘what can other people do for me,’ or ‘why am I not appreciated as much as I deserve?’ It is the attitude of an American President who says, ‘I did not receive the appreciation I deserved for the John McCain funeral,’ as if somehow acting decently deserves a special mention. It says, ‘it doesn’t matter if I leave a mess because someone is paid to clear up after me.’ It says ‘there is no point in trying to do the right thing if no one is going to notice and thank me for it.’ It is unattractive and makes other people feel like second class citizens.
The spirit of service is very different. It says, ‘what can I do to make the life of other people better,’ or ‘how can I help other people to cope with the stresses and strains of life. How can I help them bear their burdens and their worries?’ It means one serves because it is the right thing to do, not because it gets one noticed. Service is not just about helping old ladies across the road, but rather an attitude to life. One of the great prayers in chapel says that we should ‘labour and ask for no reward, save that of knowing that we do Your will.’ Doing the right thing is its own reward. Character, as they say, is how you behave when no one is watching.
That is what I mean by ‘service,’ but because it is an impossible thing to measure it is also very difficult to instil. We do need to talk about it, but perhaps it is caught rather than taught. Our children here don’t have time to get involved in numerous service projects, although there is perhaps room for more, particularly in the ‘Transition Year.’ I hope, however, that they are developing an attitude that means they look out for those around them in their immediate community, while also taking a keen interest in the wider world. They should hurt when they see people being gunned down in New Zealand or trapped in floods in Mozambique. They should figure out how they can live a more sustainable lifestyle, rather than leaving it to others to make the changes needed to protect the future of the planet.
That might all sounds a bit woolly, but actually it is the most important thing our children can learn.
March 23, 2019 /by sccdublin
https://www.stcolumbas.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/about-us-collaboration-community-872955.jpg 854 1280 sccdublin https://enterprise55.fastsecurehost.com/~stcolumb/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/weblogo.png sccdublin2019-03-23 07:00:392019-03-22 19:41:54Warden's Thoughts on ... Entitlement vs Service
Warden’s Thought on … Resilience
We use the word resilience a lot more now than we used, perhaps because we see less of it in young people. To put on my Latin teacher’s hat, the word comes from the verb resilio, which is a compound of salio, meaning ‘I jump.’ So resilience, literally, is the property of someone or something to jump or bounce back to its original state. You suffer a setback and you need to bounce back, you respond to failure by learning a lesson, in the hope that maybe you can avoid the failure the next time. It’s obvious really…and of course each time you bounce back and learn a lesson you are a little bit stronger for the experience.
To learn resilience in life you need to be allowed to fail, which is a problem for some educational policy makers who would rather ensure that no one fails, in case their self-esteem suffers and they are deflated. Hence those politically correct school sports days on which there are no winners and losers. I remember one year in the UK when the pass mark for a C at GCSE Maths was 15%. But if you are never allowed to fail, to come second, to fall over, to get a low mark, then you can never learn resilience. I don’t believe that young people nowadays are snowflakes, as some would have it, but I do believe that they are sometimes deprived of the chance of learning from failure and that is not their fault. If they have not learned to fail from an early age, then the first time it happens – as happen it must in the big world – their self-esteem takes a hammering and it can take a long time to pick up the pieces.
We learn resilience from a very young age. Toddlers fall over and get up again and it would be odd if parents refused to allow their children to walk just in case they fell over and got discouraged. Schools are no different and need to provide opportunities for failure rather than remove them. We get better at Maths by getting the question wrong and being told how to do it correctly. If we persevere we will get it right and then we can go on to the next question. If we are told that the wrong answer we have come up with is actually right, or close enough, then we don’t need to strive to be better. We need resilience in every single aspect of life: in our academic work, in our relationships, in our search for a job, in our sport, in learning an instrument, even in personal sadness and disappointment. Those last two are part of life, whether we like it or not, and we deal with those major setbacks much better if we have had experience of dealing with minor setbacks along the way.
Some schools have even put resilience lessons on the timetable, which sounds to me like a scandalous misuse of teaching time, as if resilience is an academic subject which can be learned outside of the rough and tumble of life and without anyone’s feelings being hurt. You cannot remove opportunities to fail from the everyday life of a school and then try and reintroduce them in theory in the classroom. Some children have to be in the first team and everyone should experience the frustration of being dropped…it feels like the end of the world, but actually it isn’t. Some children will get lower marks than others because that is what happens when pupils are gifted in different ways. Some can turn a cartwheel, others can run fast. Please don’t patronise children by removing their chance to fail or their chance to shine. In the grown up world you won’t get the first job for which you apply, you will get passed over for a promotion, you will make a poor decision in a relationship or at work, you will not be able to benchpress 100 kgs first time and you will at some point turn up to a function in totally the wrong outfit. You will be better for it and you will make sure you check the invitation better the next time.
January 25, 2019 /by sccdublin
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Warden’s Thoughts … on Studying Arts
Recent statistics tell us that if you do an Arts degree you will end up earning considerably less in your lifetime than those who have done degrees in Science or Economics and those who have done a degree in the performing arts are right at the bottom of the ladder. So that means that an Arts degree is a mistake and a waste of money. Pupils should be advised to choose only those degrees that will maximise their lifetime earnings and they should be steered away from fluffy degrees in music, art, literature, languages and history, which will disadvantage them. Right?
Wrong! I did a classics degree, so you can work out where my sympathies lie. I had the privilege of studying some of the greatest literature of the western world, poets such as Sophocles, Virgil and Horace, historians like Herodotus and Tacitus; I dabbled in Plato and Socrates (not very successfully), two of the greatest philosophers of any age and I immersed myself in Latin and Greek, the languages that give us 50% of all words in English, the language that is now the most widely spoken and influential language in the world, the language of Shakespeare, of the King James Bible, of Austen, Dickens, Byron, Keats, Yeats, Joyce…I could go on and on and you can will be able to add your own names to the list.
I remember talking to some parents of a boy in my boarding house (who shall remain unidentifiable), who asked me what degree I had done. Classics, I replied. With a look of derision they replied that their son was going to do Business, ‘a proper degree!’
Is it the job of a school to maximise its pupils future earnings or to educate them? Western education has always given great weight to the study of the Arts in general, disciplines that train the mind, feed the spirit and help to give life meaning. Reading great literature, for example, gives one an empathy for the human condition and an understanding of love, despair, heroism, folly…and creates a sense of wonder and adventure. History gives us a context and helps us to understand our place in a much bigger context. It is also absolutely fascinating. Sir Seretse Khama, the first President of Botswana, said ‘a country without a history is a country without a soul.’
The Irish system, like the International Baccalaureate, insists on the need to keep studying a broad range of subjects right through school. The scientist has to study literature, the artist has to study calculus, the economist has to learn a language. I like that. It is a better system than the A Level, the system that I was brought up on and in which, in my last two years at school, I studied only three languages, no Science or Maths or Economics.
How can it be a mistake to develop a love for the great Renaissance painters or the great classical composers, or the modern artists and musicians who still explore the frontiers of creativity. Such people are rich indeed.
Of course I have no issue with Science or Maths or Business degrees…that would be silly. But let’s not pretend that the value of a discipline can be reduced to its earning potential. As far as I am concerned I pity you if you do not know the foundation myths of Greek civilisation and you cannot scan the elegiac couplets of Virgil’s Aeneid. You are much the poorer for it.
November 29, 2018 /by sccdublin
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General, Warden's Blog
Warden’s Reflections on the South Africa Expedition
From the Warden, 6th November 2018 (see below post for photographs of the Tiger Kloof expedition).
I have just returned from a week in South Africa, together my wife, Sean Duffy (Head of Geography), and 18 pupils from the 4thand 5th Forms. It was my first return to Tiger Kloof, where we spent four amazing years, and it was wonderful to see old friends. South Africa is a troubled country and it is a land of huge contrasts, with the worst and the best of everything: great wealth and great poverty, often side by side; great hope for the future and great fear of the future; increasing corruption and huge personal sacrifice and generosity.
The main purpose of the visit was to expose the Columbans to a side of life which they have probably never seen and to spend time working on service projects in the informal settlements which are the closest neighbours of Tiger Kloof and from where many of the children come. We spent three days in the soup kitchens, cooking and serving meals, as well as taking food out into the shacks. We also ran activities in the disabled centre in the township and taught in the primary school. But it is not fair to visit a country and see only the problems and the ugly side of life, so we also spent time on a farm, we visited a small game lodge and we went to the African market in Johannesburg. We also went to the Apartheid Museum, albeit too briefly, which is a very sobering experience.
On most evenings we spent time debriefing and talking through our reactions to what we had seen and I was so impressed to hear the pupils talk at some depth and with real mature response to what they had seen and experienced. It is that response that is actually the most important thing and the real reason for taking such a trip. There is always a possibility going on a service trip to a disadvantaged community that one can be accused of voyeurism, of making oneself feel good without making any difference to anyone. So were we just ticking the box so that we can move back into our cosy lives with a slightly clearer conscience? I hope not.
I also used to say to the schools that came to visit Tiger Kloof from around the world that service is not a week on a project, ‘doing Africa’, or wherever it may be, but service is actually a way of life and should permeate everything that one does. I said that their week at Tiger Kloof should not be the end of their service experience but the start of it and that they should inculcate and maintain that sense of service throughout their lives, in whatever profession they find themselves. It is the same for me…having spent four years out there it is tempting to pat myself on the back and say that I have done my bit, but how do I hold on to that spirit of service in the hustle of this relatively privileged existence?
I have written about service before and about the challenge of inculcating a service ethos in a school that is so busy. Where do we find the time? Well I guess that if we think it is important then we need to make time for it, but being a servant need not start in Africa or in an old age home or homeless shelter in Dublin…it can start right where we are now in our jobs, in our boarding houses and in our relationships. That is where to start and to build muscle, but I know that many of the pupils here have servant hearts and would thrive on the chance to get their hands dirty in a more practical way. Let’s see where we go from here. Tiger Kloof is a school known for its spirit of service. Wouldn’t it be nice for St. Columba’s to have a similar reputation?
Tiger Kloof expedition
November 6, 2018 /by sccdublin
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Warden’s Thoughts On Mental Health
In any profession, and teaching is no exception, one stays fresh by learning new things and taking on new challenges. I was 18 years at Wellington College in England but in that time I took on many different responsibilities. I then moved from a very enjoyable and comfortable existence there to a considerably more challenging environment in South Africa, Tiger Kloof, an old mission school serving a disadvantaged community in the boiling heat of the North West province. There I learned about abuse and rape and dysfunctional families and poverty and anger and the pain of history, including having to confront the fact that my own country had played a complicit role in that history. I also learned what a beautiful country South Africa is, with so many fantastic young people of all races. In the school there everyone had a story and many were heart-breaking to listen to. In a tough world where only the most resilient survive and thrive it is not easy to be vulnerable and so people bottle things up and live with their pain, which may result in their passing it on to the next generation. I decided to employ a counsellor, who came from Soweto two weeks during each term and made herself available to listen and support. She is an outstanding woman with a tough story of her own. Many pupils took advantage of her being around to have the chance to talk to someone for the first time in their lives. She used to stay with us and without breaking confidentiality in the evenings she used to tell us some of the things that she had heard during her day. It made one want to weep.
St. Columba’s is very different from Tiger Kloof and the socio-economic profile is definitely not the same. However in some ways young people are the same the world over, with the same hopes for life and the same insecurities. Domestic security certainly helps create confidence in young people but it is not a barrier against the pressures of being a teenager. I remember at Wellington, probably about ten years ago, when we employed a counsellor for the first time. She worked initially for just 8 hours a week – this in a school of 1000 pupils – but it was not long before she was full time and being supplemented by another one, such was the demand from the pupils to talk to someone about their problems, their angst about identity, their battle with relationships and the increasing pressure that they were feeling from school and home about their work. When I left Wellington mental health issues were increasingly on the agenda and that was at a time when social media usage was not at the level that it is now…all experts agree that social media puts huge pressure on young people, with the pressure to fit in and look the part, together with the vastly increased occurrence of online bullying and cowardly gossip, from which one cannot escape any more simply by going home.
I became a teacher because I loved coaching sport, enjoyed my subject and got huge satisfaction from seeing young people grow up through adolescence to make a positive contribution in society. It is the best profession in the world. I did not however learn about mental health in my teacher training and most teachers would I am sure say that are having to work beyond their comfort zones and their original professional training in the way they are needing to support children with mental health issues.
All pastoral leaders in schools, whether heads or housemasters or housemistresses, or even just form teachers, are needing to become experts in mental health issues, afraid that if they don’t make the right diagnosis or report things correctly to the right person or fail to recognise certain signs, that it will reflect poorly on them and could even have much more far-reaching consequences. It can be quite a heavy burden to carry.
Don’t get me wrong, we are not in a crisis here, but the mental health agenda is on the rise and we are having to adapt and learn. We have a fabulous team of very caring staff who support our pupils wonderfully well. As a school we are no different from all other schools in Ireland and the UK but because of our support networks we are probably better off than most. What does worry me however is the fact that an increasing number of young people are needing to seek help in the first place. What sort of society are we creating in which so many young people are brought to the point where they cannot cope? It makes me more determined than ever that here at St. Columba’s we create a community in which all the pupils feel cherished and valued and where their self-esteem can be built up. I am sure that all parents would agree that while they want their children to achieve as highly as possible both inside and outside the classroom they want them even more to be self-confident, to love themselves as well as loving their neighbours, to be supportive of others, to be kind and to develop the tools to cope with the slings and arrows of life without risk of breakdown.
That seems to be the greatest educational challenge of this generation.
October 12, 2018 /by sccdublin
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Warden’s Thoughts – Service & Leadership
Term is well under way and settling down into its rhythm. All seems to be going well…a few wobbly new boarders but that is nothing new! The weather is just about holding up, but the great memories of a long hot summer are fading.
On Saturday I was excited to be able to welcome to speak to the school one of my past pupils from South Africa. She is studying in the UK and she has a remarkable story to tell, one of resilience and faith and single-minded determination. She will go far. I was going to quote a few excerpts from her talk but it was all so good: you can read it all here or at the bottom of this page. Please take the time…it is worth it.
I am very excited that my wife and I are going to be taking a group of eighteen Form IV & V pupils back to Tiger Kloof over the October half term. Of course I am excited to be seeing old friends, but also excited to be able to introduce some of our amazing Columbans to some extraordinary young South Africans, both of whom have plenty to learn from each other. Many top schools from round the world have visited Tiger Kloof over the last 23 years because it is one of the iconic schools of South Africa: a producer of statesmen since 1904, alma mater of two national presidents and many struggle leaders, a school that chose to close itself down in 1955 rather than compromise with the racist educational policies of the apartheid government. The prime minister, Hendrik Verwoerd, the chief architect of apartheid, gave orders for the buildings to be bulldozed, but most of them survived and were restored when the school reopened in 1995. It is a great story.
The school now prides itself on its service of the local community, with its own soup kitchen and involvement in many other social projects and that is why other schools come to visit. Imagine a school having a reputation not for rugby or music or academic results, but for service. So our young Columbans are going to have a full immersion experience in serving other people, while at the same time spending lots of time with the young Tigers, many of whom come from very challenging backgrounds and from homes where the level of expectation and aspiration is very low. I hope that it will leave them a little shaken and uneasy…in a good way!
I spoke a lot when I first came here about service and about how it is not a box to tick for the Gaisce Award, or an experience that one can have on a one-off project, but about how service is a way of life, a thread that should run through everything. Last Friday we hosted a conference for 40 or so senior prefects from around Ireland on the theme of leadership and I was delighted that the team which facilitated the day focused on the idea of service leadership, which chimes with the ethos that I want to try and instil in our Columbans.
I love what Malebogo says in her talk when she challenges the pupils: ‘All of you seated here are so blessed to be equipped with the tools that will lead you exactly where you want to go. But what a lot of people fail to understand about education is that it’s a service. A service to yourself and the world you in live. We live to serve and we learn to serve people and to pursue a purpose that is bigger than ourselves. How are you using your gift of education and how do you intend on using it? Are you fulfilling the responsibilities that come with it?’
A challenge for all of us, for parents, teachers…a challenge for me.
Malebogo Modise
September 13, 2018 /by sccdublin
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Donegal to Iona 2018 – The 175 Pilgrimage
July 3rd 2018
Somewhere way back, when we were first putting together the plans to celebrate 175 years since the foundation of St. Columba’s College, I had the idea that after all the balls and receptions and drinking and partying we should finish it all off with something that reminded us of our very beginnings back in 1843 and take a pilgrimage to Iona, the place most closely associated with Columba himself, after whom the College is named. It all seemed like a good idea at the time!
Some people will know all about Columba, one of the three patron saints of Ireland, along with St. Patrick and St. Brigid. Many will not. Born into a royal family in 6thcentury Ireland, he gave up his royal position in order to become a monk at a time when Ireland was, for the only time in its history, the centre of scholarship, learning and spirituality in Europe, following the collapse of the Roman Empire. However, in 563 AD, a battle was fought following a copyright dispute over the ownership of a Bible, and Columba, ashamed that he had not prevented the bloodshed, imposed on himself a penance, to go into exile from his beloved Ireland and take the gospel to Scotland, then inhabited by the pagan Picts.
The story goes that he set off in a leather coracle from the north coast, probably from somewhere near Derry, where he had established a monastery, accompanied by a band of fellow-monks. He landed initially either on Islay or the Mull of Kintyre but as he could still see Ireland he decided to carry on and reached Iona, a tiny island off the shore of Mull. Here he was granted land to establish a new monastery, which became the epicentre of outreach into Scotland, where the monks travelled to convert the Picts and ultimately brought their faith right down into the north of England, where they founded settlements such as that on Lindisfarne, off the coast of Northumberland. As they say, the rest is history.
The plan therefore is to retrace the exile of Columba and sail from Ireland to Iona, where we will celebrate our heritage with a service in the Abbey, tour the island and experience a tiny slice of what inspired Columba and his early followers. As it happens, before anyone tells me that our voyage is not following the original route, we are sailing directly to Iona from Tory Island, on the northernmost tip of Donegal, a distance of about 100 miles and 24 hours, weather dependant…it could be shorter or a lot longer! When we arrive we will be met by a group of 25 fellow pilgrims, a mixture of staff, Fellows, Old Columbans and parents, who will be travelling by the land route, leaving on the following morning: fly to Glasgow, bus to Oban, ferry to Mull, bus to Fionnphort, ferry to Iona.
I am grateful to a few people as mad as myself for making this trip possible. My wife Cathy for planning the overland trip and the stay on Iona; Ted Sherwood, who has been just as enthusiastic about this caper as I am; and Dr. Michael Brogan, a wild-eyed doctor from Donegal, whose boat, the MacDuagh (named after Saint Colman MacDuagh – a contemporary and apparent friend of Columba), a 40 foot Galway hooker, is our own leather coracle for our exile. Luckily he is skippering the boat and bringing his own crew to guide us across the Atlantic.
Let me introduce my merry band of monks, 2018 style:
Ted Sherwood (Former Head of Geography at SCC)
Jenny Bulbulia (Old Columban and Current Fellow)
Trish Dunlop (Current Parent)
Ian Dunlop (Current Parent)
Jane Caldwell (Wife of the Chairman of the Fellows)
We meet tomorrow morning, Wednesday 4thJuly, at 9.30 a.m. to drive up to Donegal to meet the MacDuagh. In my luggage I will have three items: a bottle of whiskey to present to the King of Tory Island, who will then bless our voyage, a leg of lamb, to be roasted on the journey (don’t ask me how…), and the Mioseach. This last one needs an explanation.
In 1843, when the College was founded, one of the founding Fellows presented the College with the Mioseach, a very early Celtic Christian artefact, a book shrine, for holding a Bible or psalter. This box was so valuable that it was loaned to the National Archaeological Museum, where it still sits, while a perfect copy was made, which sits in the Warden’s study at the College. The original was sold to the Museum in 2004 for 1.5 million euros! The copy will be on board, not the original!
So there we are. I will send updates whenever possible and a few photos.
We meet at 9.30 a.m. by the sports hall for the off. Wonderful to be presented with a pennant by Terry and Rosie Johnson, with SCC 1843 on it, to be attached to the mast of the Mac Duagh. The drive through Donegal is glorious and we arrived at the Tory Island ferry in good time. We are met on Tory not only by the Mac Duagh and its crew but by the King of Tory himself. He does not disappoint. He has been King for 50 years and regales us with endless tales. He is delighted with his bottle of whiskey but disappointed that we are not staying for the craic in the evening, which is due to start at 10.00 p.m.
The Mac Duagh is a fantastic boat. Originally built about 140 years ago it was fully restored in the 1970’s by Dr. Michael Brogan and is one of the small remaining class of Galway hookers. He and the older two of his companions have negotiated the north west and the north east passages together so we are not in the hands of amateurs! As it turns out that is a good thing.
We set off at 7.00 p.m. and are soon joined a school of porpoises, who have come to check us out. At that point I begin to feel distinctly nauseous and continued to do so for the next 15 hours! My visions of sipping a cool drink on deck, while watching the sun set were dashed! It was not a happy night. Those early Irish monks must have been made of stern stuff and I am delighted that I did not follow through on my early plan to row a leather coracle across the Atlantic. In the morning I am told that the crossing has been surprisingly rough and I am not the only one to have been struggling. Perhaps everyone is trying to make me feel better! By the time I am feeling vaguely human again we are approaching Iona and for the last two hours it is a sheer joy to sit on deck watching the islands slide by and cruising gently into Iona. We arrive at about 1.00 p.m. but stay on board for a further three hours cooking the lamb and snacking on crabs claws and lobster. Thankfully they stay down.
Meanwhile the larger party meet at Dublin Airport in the wee hours and everything goes like clockwork. They arrive at about 4.45 p.m. on Iona and we are there to welcome them. We are staying in the St. Columba Hotel just by the Abbey, a hotel with a fantastic view of the sound. What a place this is! A lovely dinner, then an introduction to Columba himself from our very own Adomnan (Columba’s biographer), Richard Brett, who has set the scene for the two days ahead. Then impromptu music for a couple of hours in the lounge, with Michael Brogan on the fiddle, another of the crew on the squeeze box and one of the waiters joining in with his fiddle! A few contributions from the floor are also added. A great night and much to look forward to in the days ahead.
We meet mid-morning for a tour of the island, strolling off to the other side of the island. Some then choose to carry on to the far south to St. Columba’s Bay, where the saint is said to have first landed back in 563. Small green stones on the beach are said to be the tears of Columba, weeping for his beloved Ireland. Others return to the pier to have a ride out in the MacDuagh. A great day with lots of leisure time too. One of the dinghies coming in from the boat is accompanied by dolphins at touching distance. Another good dinner and then a singing competition between the tables. We rope in a couple of visitors to act as judges, much to their own astonishment and good humour. My table was definitely the best but some misses out on the big prize. The evening then turns quite lively and noisy and goes on and on…I am not sure when or if everyone gets to bed. Happily with a group of adults that is not my problem.
The next morning we meet early and get the boat to Staffa, a small island about 30 minutes up the coast, the home of the extraordinary Fingal’s Cave, immortalised by Mendelssohn. Again we are investigated by dolphins. The island has the most amazing basalt columns and massive caves, with nesting puffins as well. I hate to say it but it is much more spectacular than the Giants’ Causeway! A truly memorable visit in the most serene conditions. Wow, this place is beautiful! We can see north to Skye and south to Islay, west to Tiree and Coll, while everything to the east is Mull. But we could return a hundred times and never get the same benign conditions. We are truly blessed. In case one gets the impression that being a monk in the 6thcentury was a piece of cake in an idyllic paradise, it is worth remembering that for much of the year this place is bleak in the extreme and not for the faint-hearted. For now we are not complaining.
After lunch we all traipse off to the Abbey for a service of thanksgiving. The Abbey dominates the community, watching over the sound, while on the way one passes the graveyard which supposedly contains the graves of many of the kings of Scotland as well as some of the Norse kings. Macbeth is said to be buried there although it is impossible to know. A simple service, magical, simple, profound, a really special time, led by Daniel Owen, a short talk by Ninian Falkiner, lovely hymns. It has been good to remind ourselves of our spiritual heritage and our spirits have been uplifted and fed.
A few of us slope off to watch England beat Sweden in the World Cup quarter final…another spiritual experience.
Iona trip, July 2018
July 4, 2018 /by sccdublin
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Warden’s Thoughts … on Mobile Phones in School
There is a new question that prospective parents ask me almost without fail as I am taking them on a tour of the school: ‘What is the school’s approach to mobile phones and social media?’ When I go to conferences now there are speakers on the effects of social media and internet addiction. More and more studies are being done on the effects of obsessive gaming, the decline in ‘real’ communication due to social media, the release of dopamine that happens every time our phones ping. I am now reading ‘The Cyber Effect’ by cyberpsychologist Dr. Mary Aiken and apart from being a very good read and very interesting it is also extremely scary. It should be compulsory reading for all parents.
When our children were young my wife and I had discussions about how much TV time we should allow and when they should be allowed to watch videos. We disagreed at times as I was always inclined to be more lenient than she was, but at least we knew what they were watching and it was usually a choice between Disney videos or Thomas the Tank Engine. I think I can still recite the Disney version of Robin Hood off by heart. Those were discussions and challenges that our own parents did not have to face but ultimately we felt we had the tools to make those judgements, even though we made some mistakes. We learned to parent to a large degree by taking a cue from the way that we were parented ourselves. However what is true now is that the challenges facing parents are challenges that have never been faced before and they are not in the old textbooks. It is one thing to discuss whether to put on Robin Hood or Thomas the Tank Engine, another to feel totally as sea in a world of endless social media, internet pornography, cyber bullying, sexting, Netflix and trolling. Who knows who your children are talking to, who is grooming them, what sites they are on, when everyone has an extraordinarily powerful computer in his or her pocket and 24 hour access. As someone said, ‘if you want to teach your children to be safe on the road you can’t ban the cars. You have to teach them how to cross the road.’ True, but it is a very difficult road to cross.
Earlier this week I was interviewed on Newstalk, following an article in the Irish Times about boarding, in which St. Columba’s got some good coverage. I was asked why parents choose boarding nowadays and of course there are many different possible answers. I chose however to concentrate on the most topical one, that of being able to provide a safe space from the constant demands of the online world. It would not have figured in the past as a major consideration, but suddenly parents are looking for a place where their children can be children and escape the addictive demands of an online culture which is exposing them to goodness knows what and sleep-walking them into a mental health epidemic. Boarding school suddenly looks like a bit of a safe haven and we want to keep it that way.
At St. Columba’s we are still formulating our approach to all these things and it will continue to evolve, but what is true at present is that the youngest pupils are not allowed their phones at night, nor are any of the pupils allowed phones around school during the day. The 8.15 a.m. start and the busy day, running to at least 8.00 p.m. means there is very little time for smart phone usage and none for gaming. Pupils talk to each other and are not seen staring at screens as they interact with each other.
I have always been a big fan of boarding but I now have a new reason to champion the cause. For busy parents, who work hard and are not always around to monitor their children’s screen use of all kinds, it might be a blessed relief to delegate some of that responsibility to a school that limits such access and encourages genuine communication and relationships in a world where that is increasingly rare. We may not ban all the cars but we are trying very hard to teach the children how to cope with the traffic.
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Events, Warden's Blog
Warden’s Thoughts – A Letter to St. Columba’s 2118
Yesterday we celebrated the 175th anniversary of the day when St. Columba’s College actually opened in 1843. At the time there was a Warden and a few Fellows, but there were no pupils at all and the College was located in Stackallan House in County Meath. Things have changed. We had a relaxed and fun day, with a late rising, a special chapel service and the creation of a ‘175’ figure by the pupils on the cricket pitch, photographed by drone. Despite chilly conditions the arrival of an ice cream van after lunch was a major highlight! We finished off with a barbecue and a dance in the evening. (A collection of photos from the day’s activities are below). In the morning I and a group of Columbans, together with Mr. McCarthy and the Chaplain, buried a time capsule behind the chapel, to be opened on 25th April 2118. In it I enclosed a letter to those future Columbans:
Dear Columbans of 2118
I earnestly hope that this letter is being read for the first time on 25th April 2118 and that the box has not been opened in advance of that date.
Greetings to you from April 25th 2018, the year that Ireland won the Grand Slam in the 6 nations rugby and the country was brought to a standstill by extraordinary snow in early March. It has been a long, cold, wet winter and we are longing for the warmth of spring.
St. Columba’s is currently a school of 320 pupils, 75% of whom are boarding, 60% are from Ireland and 40% from overseas. While we have very high academic standards and expectations of our pupils we prefer to be known as a school which has the highest standards of pastoral care, where young people are nurtured and encouraged and where they learn to live together in a caring and supportive environment. Everyone here matters.
As the Warden of this College I have a vision of producing young people who aspire to be successful, while remembering that they are privileged and blessed to be receiving such a good education. They should always try to be servants to those around them at school, at university, in their families and in the jobs they get in the future. The world of 2018 needs unselfish and servant-hearted young people, who will make a positive difference in a troubled world. I am sure your world will be no different.
The Columbans of 2018 are special young people and I believe in them and their future. As the Warden I send my greetings to you, the Columbans of 2118, and urge you all to be true to the Christian values of this great College.
Floreat Columba et floreant Columbanenses!
175th Anniversary Celebrations - April 25th 2018
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Warden’s Thoughts: On Gratitude
We are nearly at the end of what has been quite a strange term. The term was short enough already, with plenty to pack in, without the flu epidemic in the first half and the Beast from the East, together with Storm Emma, after the mid-term break. That caused great disruption and broke the continuity of teaching and exams, but at least we managed to keep going, albeit in a limited way. I am very grateful to house staff and their tutor teams for managing to keep their charges happy, as well as fed and watered, in part due to the heroic catering staff who trudged through the drifts when they could easily have stayed at home, because they were concerned about the welfare of the pupils. One of the maintenance team even came into work on his own tractor to help clear paths. On the Friday evening I went round all the houses to see how everyone was getting on and to make sure that everyone had enough to eat. Everyone seemed very happy and they had all fed well, even if there was a large emphasis on pasta. No one went hungry and I think most appreciated the efforts of the staff to look after them. A lot of the house staff also had their own children running around at home unable to get to school, to add to their stress.
I guess it would have been easy to moan and we all have a tendency to that at times. It made me think about the importance of being grateful for what we have as individuals and also as a community. If anyone doesn’t agree with me just turn on the news and see the suffering and the injustice out there. We are very blessed here.
There is a story in the gospels where Jesus meets ten lepers, outcasts from their community. They would not just be disfigured but they had to ring a bell wherever they went so that people could avoid them and they had to live in colonies outside of towns, so the disease destroyed every aspect of their humanity. These ten men came to Jesus begging for him to heal them. He sends them off to the high priest and as they go they all realise that they are healed. However, while nine of them rush off home, only one of them bothers to turn round and return to Jesus to thank him for having mercy on him. What is more it turns out that that one is a foreigner. The locals obviously didn’t think that they owed any anything to Jesus at all or even if they did they did not think to thank him. It is almost as if Jesus is saying that physical healing is one thing but unless your heart is also changed that healing is incomplete. Being grateful makes us better people and that is where the real healing happens.
My parents always made me write thank you letters after Christmas and, although I cursed them for it at the time, it was a vital lesson for me to learn. I think it is very important that our Columbans learn to be grateful for what they have and also to express it. We all know how it makes us feel when we are thanked, because it makes us aware that we are not being taken for granted. So I want to make a point of reminding the pupils to thank their teachers, the office staff, the catering staff, the cleaners, the nurses, the bus drivers, even the staff at Lidl’s. It does something to people when they are thanked and it does something to us too when we thank others.
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Warden’s Thoughts – Coping With The Snow
I guess we will remember this academic year for Hurricane Ophelia, the Beast from the East and Storm Emma. It would be nice if we could also have a wonderful heatwave next term to round it off, but perhaps that is too much to ask. To be honest Ophelia was a bit of an anti-climax around here, bringing down a few branches and making a bit of a mess. However the Beast and Emma certainly did live up to their billing and last week was quite extraordinary. I think that it was the heaviest snowfall that I have experienced in my lifetime and, combined with the winds, we did have some remarkable conditions. Life in the College came to a standstill on the Friday, when the red alert was out, but other than that we ploughed on with our exams. The major issue was the lack of kitchen staff to prepare the food, but we managed, with a bit of ingenuity and a blitz spirit.
In times of adversity one finds out about community spirit. It was great to see the maintenance team still fighting their way into the College, clearing roads and gritting paths, while many of the kitchen staff also managed to walk in to make sure that the pupils were fed and watered. The house teams all pulled together and kept morale up, as was evident when I went round all the houses on Friday night and found the pupils cheerful and understanding.
A friend of mine runs a church in Rathmines and he has a wonderful story. On Saturday afternoon there was meant to be a wedding in the church, but the roads were so bad that most of the guests were potentially unable to get there under their own steam. There was a danger that the big day would be a huge disappointment. So that morning he went onto local radio and made a plea that if there were any listeners living nearby who had 4×4’s and would be prepared to run around the city collecting guests could they please come to the church. 15 4×4’s turned up, the Armada moved out over Dublin and the wedding went ahead, starting with a whiskey reception in the back of the church, with prayers and readings down by guests in wellies. He said it was one of the most memorable weddings he has ever been to or officiated at.
Things here are slowly getting back to normal, although our Arts Week has taken a bit of a hit, with a couple of key events having to be cancelled. There is still a lot going on. The snow is still lying deep on the pitches and we are still catching up on exams but no harm has been done and the pupils, the boarders at least, will probably have memories of the last few days for the rest of their lives. Seeing them sledging and snowballing and generally behaving like children was a great sight and hopefully a good reminder to them that there is plenty of fun to be had without social media.
March 6, 2018 /by sccdublin
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Sport, Warden's Blog
Warden’s Thoughts: ‘What is the Point of School Sport?’
Latest Thoughts from the Warden:
When I was a young teacher I used to think that whether my team won or lost on a Saturday was all that mattered and I would be depressed for a week if my team lost. It was what defined me as a teacher. As a Liverpool supported I quoted Bill Shankly:
Some people think that football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. It’s much more important than that.
Happily I grew out of that. But what is the purpose of sport in schools? Is it to hire in all the Ireland Under 16s into the 5th form in order to have an unbeaten season, to win at all costs, or is it to teach the importance of teamwork and to develop resilience of character? Does one develop resilience by being thrashed every week and getting demoralised? Or by trouncing the opposition every week and never losing a single game? How does one learn to treat the two great impostors of triumph and disaster the same if one only ever experiences victory or defeat? The Victorians who codified all the great team sports and introduced them to the public schools were under no illusions:
And it’s not for the sake of a ribboned coat
Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame
But the captain’s hand on his shoulder smote
‘Play, play up and play the game.’
It was not about personal glory but about something much greater…the team, the honour of the school, playing the game in the right way, rather than just to win. Unfortunately the next verse makes it clear that this was merely the ideal preparation for young Englishmen going out to slaughter natives in the colonies, so let’s not get too idealistic about it:
The sand of the desert is sodden red
Red with the wreck of a square that broke
The Gatlin’s jammed and the colonel’s dead
The regiment’s blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks
And England’s far and honour’s a name
But the voice of the schoolboy rallies the ranks
‘Play up, play up and play the game.’
(Sir Henry Newbolt)
One could argue that nowadays we live in an age of professional sport that could never have been envisaged by the Victorians and it is our obligation as educators to prepare our pupils as best we can for whatever careers they wish to pursue, including professional sport. They need to learn that success does not come without hard graft, that there is no gain without pain. They need to have an outlet for their aggression and energy and where better than on the sports field. They need to learn to work with the limitations of others and to work to the strengths of their team. Is there a better feeling in life than being part of a really good team? And if they happen to be good enough to turn their passion into a professional career, then surely that is a good thing.
Yes. But there is an increasing tension in school sport. Gone is the schoolmaster who taught Homer till lunch time, practised with the choir after lunch, then put on a tracksuit and ran a training session till dinner. He was competitive but still viewed the sport as part of the whole picture of educating a young person. Winning was great, but losing was not terminal. Now all good sports schools employ external professional coaches. They are not school teachers, with a wider perspective, and they want to win at all costs. They are not looking at the bigger picture but at winning the next match. How their team behaves is less important than the result. The crucial role of sport as a creator of character has been outsourced. It is bound to make a difference.
Captaining a rugger team at school is no longer considered a prerequisite for governing a large part of India or Africa. However being a team player is still seen as vital in almost every career that I can think of and that is why public schools have always placed a greater emphasis on the team sports than the individual ones. Playing in a team teaches you to work with others. That is a great thing.
Even in a cynical age, which justifies cheating to win, everyone loves it when someone displays true ‘sportsmanship.’ It is as if we all know, in spite of ourselves, that there is a better way to do it. Bunny Austin, who was the last Brit to reach the men’s singles final at Wimbledon prior to Andy Murray, was a friend of my parents. He told a story about playing in a big match, when he hit the ball onto the sideline. The umpire called it out but his opponent graciously intervened and said that the ball had been good and the umpire changed the call. After the game Bunny was furious with his opponent, despite the call having gone in his favour. He was angry because his opponent’s action had undermined the authority of the umpire and made him look silly. Really. Don’t you love it when a golfer calls a foul on himself, which no one else has seen, or when a batsman walks when he is give not out? And don’t we howl in derision when a penalty is given when the player dives. The TV pundit then says, ‘well he touched him, so he had every right to go down.’ We know what is right, even if we rarely see it. Just imagine if Thierry Henry had turned to the ref after his double handball against Ireland in that World Cup play-off and said that actually he had handled the ball and he did not want to win qualification in that way. He would have saved France total humiliation in the tournament and he would now be considered the greatest sportsman who had ever lived. But no…he didn’t. The end justifies the means.
So what is the end of school sport? I would argue that it is to play as hard as you can, to teach your pupils to respect the referee and the opposition, to be gracious in defeat and humble in victory, to make friends and to learn the importance of the team.
When I was taking the 1st XI cricket at Wellington College in the UK we played Rondebosch Boys from Cape Town. They were very strong and won comfortably. In the post-match speeches their coach said, ‘going on tour is all about beating people.’ I wanted to rebut him publicly but I was decent and gracious and congratulated him and his team. But he was wrong. Totally wrong. Going on tour is about making friends, having new experiences and learning.
One year I coached the 1st XI at Ivanhoe Grammar School in Melbourne. Before the first game there was a cap presentation ceremony and they were given out by a former Australian captain, Graeme Yallop. I can still remember what he said because it was so awful and so against everything that I believed in. He told these young boys that they should not let anyone get in the way of fulfilling their dreams…that they should elbow aside anyone who got in the way…that they should be utterly ruthless and selfish to get what they wanted, by whatever means. I wanted to object but as I looked around the room the parents were all nodding with approval and I was just a Pom on a gap year and I couldn’t afford to lose my job…so I kept quiet.
Sport at school is about many things, but above all it should be about teaching values, teamwork, resilience and respect for others. I may be very old-fashioned but I still think it is about learning to meet with triumph and disaster and to treat those two impostors just the same.
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Warden’s Thoughts 2
The Warden’s second blog-post of 2018 is about recent events in the world:
Every time that we think that Donald Trump cannot get any lower we are proven wrong. It would be funny if it were not for the fact that he is the most powerful man in the world. This time he has described Haiti, El Salvador and various non-specified African countries as ‘shitholes.’ (I don’t see the need to use asterisks to tone down the language.) I rather enjoyed the response of the Botswanan government who contacted the US embassy in Gaborone to ask whether Botswana was one of the shitholes to which the President was referring. I know Botswana well…it is a wonderful country, full of fabulous people. I also spent New Year’s Eve with a very good friend from El Salvador.
No one needs to be told that there are many countries in the world which are full of poverty, poor infrastructure and corruption. Sometimes those failures are due to no fault of their own and sometimes they are self-induced. A bit like all of us really. However for the loudest bully in the playground to start abusing the weaker ones says far more about the bully than it does about the bullied. It is good to remember that the USA is a country of immigrants, who often fled from poverty and persecution in their own countries. They are the lucky ones to live in a great and prosperous country, from which the indigenous population was ethnically cleansed to make way for them. It is also important to remember that much of the wealth of the United States was built on the backs of slaves from those shitholes, carried far from home against their wills and abused for generation after generation. Only in the last fifty years has the ‘Land of the Free’ ascribed civil rights to African Americans but there are still huge inequalities in the USA.
America itself was not a colonial power, at least not in the manner of the European powers, but many of the problems of Africa are the legacy of colonialism: random borders uniting traditional rivals and splitting traditional friends, uneducated people left after independence to run their ‘liberated’ nations, resources exploited by foreign powers and an understandable brain drain which has resulted in many of the outstanding people from African countries, unable to make a good living at home, nor give their families the security they wanted to moving abroad. Many work in top professions in the USA.
I am sure that I am not alone in seeing the USA as, in some way, the bastion and champion of the free world. I long to be able to look up to it and to its president. But what sort of America do I want to look up to? I want to see an America that is wealthy but does not want to hoard that wealth for itself; I want to see an America that is confident in itself and what it stands for, but does not despise those who are different from her; I want to see her setting an example in the harmony of relationships between ethnic groups.
One day, probably quite soon, the American people will look back at this time as an excruciating aberration. For now though it is just simply embarrassing.
Mark Boobbyer.
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Warden’s Thoughts
The Warden’s thoughts as the new term and year start:
‘There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.’ (John Adams, second president of the USA)
The best schools and colleges have always had a holistic view of education, believing that what goes on inside and outside the classroom are of equal importance in the development of young people. I am sure that one of the reasons why British and Irish boarding schools continue to be so attractive to parents and children from overseas is because in many developing countries the emphasis is all on academic performance, to the neglect of everything else. One hears stories of children in some places who get up early to study, attend school all day, come and home and have hours of tutoring before falling into bed and getting up to do it all again. Many parents want more for their children and that is what St. Columba’s and other such schools have always stood for.
I like the above quote by John Adams, who distinguishes between these different types of education. Academic achievement is of crucial importance in providing the tools for success. Public exam results open the doors to good university courses and university degrees equip young people either directly for a career, in the case of science or technology subjects, or indirectly, through the Arts, by enabling them to think clearly and understand and appreciate the world around them. Those exams are the markers that we have acquired the tools to earn a living and, however good our personal skills may be, without those markers it is harder to open doors to success later in life.
However, one can be successful in one’s career while failing in one’s life. As a wag once said, ‘on your deathbed no one ever says, “I wish I had spent more time at the office.”’ It is the experiences and relationships in life that give it value and also give value to the lives of other people. That is the other education, which St. Columba’s nurtures abundantly. Here we learn to live in community with other people, dealing with conflict, learning to respect others and learning to respect the differences in other people; we learn to play in teams, being part of something bigger than ourselves, knowing that in a team every member counts and that the strong need to look after the weak; we learn to appreciate art, music and other creative skills, which enrich life and give it beauty; we explore our faith, learning to serve those around us as an expression of that faith, as well as giving ourselves a foundation and a direction for our lives. Without that faith we can be like a rudderless ship, tossed about by every breath of wind and unable to steer itself.
Companies these days are keen to employ young people with a broad range of skills. It has long been an adage that those with third class degrees often end up employing those with firsts. Well I wouldn’t advocate settling for a third but it is true that those who get the best degrees have sometimes sacrificed the development of other skills in their pursuit of the prize and are less able to work in teams or lead others.
I am sure that in 2018 St. Columba’s will be providing two educations. As Aristotle said: ‘The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead.’ What a great blessing education is.
Mark Boobbyer
January 9, 2018 /by sccdublin
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Christmas Thoughts
The Warden’s final blog post of 2017 might also be titled “It’s not all about Santa”…
I always enjoy Christmas and most things that go with it. I love the music and I love singing Christmas carols. I love the food, particularly the turkey and the pigs in blankets, and I have a soft spot for the much-maligned brussel sprout, although it does need to be cooked right. I love the gathering of the family and I mostly enjoy the games, although there is only so much Monopoly you can play. We have quite a wide selection of family games, which keep us all amused. I am keen on word games. And I love getting presents too…who doesn’t like getting presents? Yes, of course Christmas is over-commercialised, but I don’t let that upset me.
One thing that does annoy me, however, is the prevalence of Father Christmas everywhere. An alien dropping down on the local high street could be forgiven for assuming that the Christian faith is based on an elderly fat man with a long white beard wearing a silly red and white costume, with a sack over his shoulder and mindlessly laughing at everything. Not that I have a problem with Father Christmas per se, just that he isn’t what Christmas is all about.
There is a magic about the Christmas story and a sense of wonder, which can be lost because of over-familiarity. Christians believe that God came to earth in the form of a helpless baby and that in itself is extraordinary. However the circumstances of that arrival that are equally amazing. In a very conservative society he was born to a young unmarried mother, in squalid conditions, so undoubtedly he would have been the subject of gossip. He was born in a country that was occupied by a ruthless military power and the king, who was a collaborator with the Romans, set off a massacre of young children in an attempt to kill him. His family had to flee into exile to survive, so Jesus was a refugee. When he was born the religious authorities ignored the signs and missed it altogether. There were only two groups of people who came to visit, one a bunch of shepherds, uneducated and simple peasants, and the other a group of weird foreign travellers, who did not share the Jewish faith and relied on astrology to show them the way.
Surely if you or I were making up the story of the birth of the long-expected Messiah we would put him in a palace, surrounded by fanfares and worshipped with great homage by all the religious leaders and political dignitaries. Despite his lowly background, throughout history Jesus has been expropriated by governments and leaders to keep people in their place, yet he is a character to whom, right from his birth, the marginalised can relate more easily than the ‘respectable’: those of questionable parentage, the homeless, the refugee and asylum-seeker, the foreigner, the uneducated…and of course the children, whom later he welcomes when his disciples try to keep them away, along with the sick and deformed who were rejected by society.
Jesus grew up to become a troublemaker, who tipped the social order on its head. He was a nuisance and a revolutionary whom the religious authorities could not handle and whom the military governor had executed in place of a convicted terrorist and murderer. I would suggest that all this makes him still a highly relevant figure and a rather more interesting and thought-provoking character than Father Christmas! I hope I never lose my sense of wonder over the real Christmas story.
Have a great holiday. And I hope that Santa visits you this Christmas.
Mark Boobbyer, Warden.
December 11, 2017 /by sccdublin
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Warden’s Thoughts: embracing the world
Last week my oldest son went to a meeting in the centre of London to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, which was the first step to the founding of the state of Israel. It was not a celebration but a public forum addressed by a variety of eminent politicians and rabbis and Palestinian campaigners from many different perspectives. I was delighted he went along and he was fascinated by it.
One of the things that I feel strongly about is making sure that Columbans do not live in a bubble, where the issues in the world and the suffering and injustice experienced by so many are not ignored. On one level I do want our pupils to be protected from the harsh world beyond our privileged gates, because childhood is precious and children need to feel safe…but on another level it must be right to take an interest in the wider issues in the world and I have written often about wanting to prepare children for a life of service as well as a life of success.
This week is a good example of the world coming into the school and I hope that the pupils will develop a fascination with the wider world. Today our Transition Year have a whole day of presentations on China, which will hopefully give them an understanding of the importance that China plays in the world today and the influence that it will increasingly have during their lifetimes. If they are like me I suspect that they are very ignorant of so many aspects of Chinese life and it will be good to at least get them thinking. Maybe it will inspire some to study Mandarin at university, as many of my friends did. That would indeed be a very good strategic move for their careers.
On Thursday we have a visit in the evening from the Mexican ambassador to Ireland, who will talk to the senior pupils in our latest ‘fireside chat.’ I also wonder what our pupils know about Mexico…what is it like to be a neighbour to the USA, to be told by Donald Trump that your country is full of rapists and that he intends to build that famous wall? I am sure it will be interesting to get a perspective from Mexico. It is an extraordinary country but I realise that I myself know almost nothing about it at all.
Then of course this week culminates in Remembrance Sunday, which will remind us again, in ways that I always find very moving, that many Columbans made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us from fascism and brutal racialism and anti-semitism. On Tuesday I’m going to a talk on the role of Ireland in the Great War, something else that I know very little about. We have to embrace the world and take time to understand those different from ourselves because so many of the conflicts in the world are caused by ignorance of other people…and ignorance leads to fear and fear leads to hatred. It is much harder to hate people when you really know them. Our school is very international and that is a great thing because it is preparing our young people for an international future where they will rub shoulders with people from every possible culture and ethnicity.
I wish I had taken more of an interest in the world when I was at school, but I want to make sure that at least some of the present day Columbans have their eyes opened to the needs of the world while they are still here.
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Warden’s Thoughts – Our Unique Boarding Experience
Earlier this week we hosted a small team from the Boarding Schools Association, a British based but international network, who oversee the standard of boarding provision in a huge number of schools. As an Irish school we do not sit under their jurisdiction in the sense that they cannot pass or fail what we do, but they are the best people to advise on boarding and that is why I invited them in to give us the once over. As I have made clear before I don’t want to benchmark ourselves against other Irish schools but rather against the very best anywhere. There is no boarding inspectorate in Ireland and that could be a dangerous thing, so we need to be proactive in seeking out the best practice.
I am still awaiting a full report but the initial feedback has been very positive. While there are known weaknesses in some of our provision of facilities, which will be addressed by our development plan over the next few years, it was obvious to them, just as it is to me, that we are blessed with some outstanding pastoral leaders in the school and the team were very impressed by the obvious dedication and care that is provided in our houses. I will feed back more in due course, when I have received a fuller report, but please be assured that our pastoral provision is excellent already and I hope to make it even better as we go forward.
It has made me think about the benefits of boarding and to try to verbalise what we mean when we talk about a ‘full boarding experience’. I think we in the College know what it means because we live it, but for an outsider, someone unfamiliar with boarding schools and who has perhaps never contemplated sending their child to one, it is probably not at all obvious. In Ireland there are few boarding schools and many of those that do exist are five day a week boarding, with a very limited weekend programme for those few who remain in. When we at St. Columba’s talk about a full boarding experience we are talking about something that we offer that is unique in Ireland and therefore is not easy to sell to people since they don’t see it elsewhere. Let me try and explain what I mean by it and why I think it is of value.
In my mind boarding gives young people the experience of learning to live alongside other people. In that environment they learn to appreciate those who are very different from themselves, people who may not share their interests, even people whom they may not naturally like. That is a great lesson for life, because in the future they will not always work or live with those they find easy or who are like themselves. And in that situation it so often happens that young people learn to find value in others, to respect their differences and ultimately to enjoy those differences. The rugby player appreciates the musician, the serious academic learns that others don’t find things as easy as she does, the gregarious extrovert comes to see that there is value in the quiet one. Friendships are formed and – and this is undoubtedly true and borne out by my experience and that of many others – they often last a lifetime. They will be at each other’s weddings, be godparents to their children and continue a lifelong journey together. A recent reunion of Columbans who left 20 years ago was very well attended by a large percentage of those who left in 1997. Say no more.
Our boarding is very full time and cannot be compared to the boarding provided by most Irish schools that have a relatively small number of boarders. That means that our boarders do not go out much, they have six days of school, six days of sport, they have things to do on a Saturday evening and often on a Sunday too, quite apart from chapel. And you can add to that something else that is unique to St. Columba’s in the Irish context, that the majority of our staff live on site, not just the boarding staff. That means that they are around in the evenings and at weekends, that they are seen with their wives and husbands and their children and their dogs. So the College is not just a school but a home for many, and that creates a very different atmosphere. There is a great African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and I think that that is what is great about boarding at its best. I also believe that the village atmosphere provides a very different experience for our day pupils too, as they absorb many of the same things that the boarders do. I think that the creation of a deep sense of community is what is special about what we do here and why we will remain committed to the full boarding experience, even in changing times and whatever other schools may choose to do.
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Paula Tomisaki works for an architectural company that specializes in designing houses. Her company was hired to build a gorgeous and luxurious home, and she wanted to ensure her vision was projected. "We had to present it to a board for review," Tomisaki noted. The success of this presentation was vital. Quality was naturally the priority for her 3d rendering, but Tomisaki needed to make deadlines as well. Luckily, VizSource was able to deliver on both. "I was very particular on how I wanted the rendering done, and I was happy with the customization. I was able to pick the [...]
“People were glad that the final renovation matched the 3D rendering so closely.”
Connie Fong is an Interior Designer at an Architectural Firm. When her company was hired to complete a "historic renovation" at a senior living community, the client requested a 3D rendering. "We wanted a company that could capture our vision in a 3D rendering," Fong noted. Her company came to VizSource for this purpose. Fong was pleased by the process, noting that everything went "just fine". She found that the 3D rendering matched her hopes for the project. The 3D rendering was presented to the residents awaiting the renovation. When it was completed some time later, the response was quite [...]
“Having a picture of the end result gave us some insight. We were able to tweak the design.”
Derk Mattocks is the C.O.O. of an executive coaching and professional development company. His son was working to renovate a kitchen, and Mattocks believed a 3D rendering would help. "My son wanted a visual of the potential outcome. We discussed it, and agreed to purchase a 3D rendering." Visualization of the plan was key. "I wanted to help him understand the plan and what the completed project would look like." As Mattocks had hoped, VizSource's 3D rendering pushed the process forward. "Having a picture of what the end result was, it gave us some insight. We tweaked the design a [...]
“The CEO has the Rendering Framed in his Office”
Jessie Kijowski was the marketing coordinator of a renovation company Mountain Star Capital. Although she has since moved on, her successor, Kelsey Knutson, spoke of the project Kijowski handled. "We were finishing a renovation job, and we wanted a 3D rendering to promote the project and celebrate," Knutson said. VizSource was chosen as the highest quality 3D rendering company for the lowest price. The visuals were important, as this 3D rendering would serve as the representation of the project. "We wanted to give it some nice visuals. The 3D rendering was accurate, and I was impressed by how quickly it [...]
“The clients loved the rendering. We’re very satisfied.”
Patrick Bianchi is the Vice President and Co-owner of Development Enterprises. Development Enterprises works on both residential and commercial construction projects. Bianchi was tasked with handling a modern-style home in Florida, and decided to seek VizSource’s help. “We like to illustrate the project as realistically as we can,” Bianchi said. For that end, a 3D rendering is ideal. Bianchi wanted a 3D rendering that was photorealistic, and completed in a reasonable time-frame for a cost effective price. VizSource was up to this task. “The turnaround time was impressive. It was done in a very timely manner.” Bianchi also noted the [...]
With VizSource, the Process Was Smooth – “It was very professional and well done. The owners were impressed.”
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Home / About Us / Leadership / Hal Levitt
Hal Levitt
Hal Levitt is Senior Vice President of Retail Store Operations for The Save Mart Companies. In this role, he is responsible for the store operations and retail execution teams, as well as central operations. Hal has a proven track record of delivering solid performance for the company while leading highly engaged teams. Under his leadership, the company has seen a consistent return on its substantial investment updating the Save Mart and Lucky stores.
Hal was hired bagging groceries for American Stores in Southern California in 1976 and was promoted to Store Manager in 1987. During his tenure, he became an HR Manager for Lucky, in addition to Process Improvement Manager, District Manager and Retail Support Manager before being transferred to Northern California as District Manager for Albertsons, Inc. in 2003. Hal joined The Save Mart Companies in 2007 with the acquisition of Albertsons, and worked his way through various leadership roles in Strategic Execution and Store Operations, and, before his current position, as Vice President of the Save Mart Banner Store Operations.
Hal has been married for almost 40 years, and has 2 daughters. In his spare time, Hal enjoys spending time with his family, vacationing, elk hunting, and riding his Harley.
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/ Opinion
Dykstra: Bullish on Varian Medical Options
Its reaction to recent troubles bodes well for the options.
Lenny Dykstra
With the dollar weak internationally, particularly compared with the euro, an effective investment strategy is to locate companies with growth potential abroad.
A common theme among the companies reporting strong profits recently is a strong presence in Europe. That's because the weak dollar makes American products more attractive to foreign buyers, while at the same time the revenue generated abroad has a corresponding effect on the earnings reports back home.
Adding this approach to my highly effective strategy of locating beaten-down stocks, I believe today's pick, Varian Medical Systems ( VAR - Get Report), makes for an excellent deep-in-the-money call play.
The stock had hard times this year, as earnings suffered and competitors moved ahead in technology. Varian designs and manufactures radiological equipment for the treatment of cancer. Recently the company announced that it is opening a new hub for its international locations in Switzerland. This provides for significant tax benefits, but additionally, it provides Varian Medical with a centrally located strategic base in Europe.
Varian has also made great strides in increasing the capacity of its own technology, while at the same time improving its bottom-line profitability. While the company increased its revenue guidance for the third quarter, the profit expectation decreased because of one-time tax charges.
Investors should note that revenue is on the rise, and future tax rates will be lower from the restructuring in Europe after the one-time charges. This now puts Varian Medical in the same ballpark with competitors such as Koninklijke Philips Electronics ( PHG - Get Report), an Amsterdam-based electronics company involved in health care, medical systems and technology, and Sony ( SNE - Get Report), which also competes in this area.
The company's stock has exceptionally strong fundamentals, including a 33% return on equity and an operating cash flow of $255.7 million. CIBC World Markets analyst Amit Hazan recently upgraded Varian, claiming that if orders are stable or increase, the company could very well beat analysts' expectations over the next few years.
With the moves Varian has made, I believe the company is once again in an excellent position to move back up. Varian closed Wednesday's trading session at $41.90, and I will place an order to buy 10 November 35s (VARKG) for $7.90 or better.
In major league baseball, inclement weather forced the postponement or delay of several games last night. Nonetheless, the Mets maintain a slim lead over the Phillies in the National League East with an important four-game series between the two coming this weekend. I would not be surprised if my two former teams produce some fireworks on the field, in addition to the postgame fireworks scheduled for Citizens Bank Park.
In the NL Central, the Brewers continue to enjoy a comfortable margin in a division in which the remaining five clubs are playing below .500 ball. It should be mentioned that the Chicago Cubs, riding a six-game winning streak, are now within one game of .500. The three-team race in the NL West between the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Padres continues to yield a different division leader every few days.
In the AL East, the Red Sox continue to maintain a double-digit lead over the Blue Jays, as the Yankees have begun to fade again. The AL Central has the Tigers leading the Indians by the slimmest of margins, half a game. The Angels lead the AL West with a five-game cushion over the resurgent Mariners, who have won five straight.
As we in the U.S. prepare to celebrate our Independence Day, our friends in England are enjoying the first week of Wimbledon. To date, there have been no major upsets; however, three-time champion Venus Williams had to go three sets and was down in the third set 4-5 to beat Russian teenager Alla Kudryavtseva, who was playing her first match at Wimbledon.
The locals were particularly enamored with the victory by Britain's own Tim Henman, who defeated Carlos Moya in five sets, winning the fifth set 13-11.
In the sport known as football all around the world, the U.S. defeated Mexico at Soldier Field on Sunday to win the Gold Cup final. The face of U.S. soccer, Landon Donovan, scored his 34th international goal to tie him with Eric Wynalda as the U.S.' career leader. Furthermore, it validated Bob Bradley, the first-year U.S. coach who has gone with youth and has been rewarded with a 10-0-1 start to help the Americans resurrect themselves after their first-round elimination from the World Cup last year.
As most of us know, Indianapolis is renowned for the greatest car race, the Indianapolis 500. Last weekend, speed of the two-legged variety took center stage at the USA track and field championships.
Tyson Gay, the new superstar of U.S. sprinting, doubled in the 100 and 200 meters, running the fastest single-meet 100-200 double in history by recording 9.84 seconds in the 100 and a 19.62 in the 200, the second-fastest 200 run ever, with only the great Michael Johnson's world record of 19.32 at the 1996 Olympics being better.
Tonight, NBA fans get to experience yet again the draft pundits who will analyze every aspect of the potential draftees in the NBA draft. It is a foregone conclusion that Greg Oden and Kevin Durant will be the first two picks in the draft. However, there remains some uncertainty as to which order they will go.
Thereafter, it is anticipated that there could be some draft picks traded in order to facilitate the trading of superstars such as Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. Moreover, it is always interesting to see where the foreign players will go in the draft. The wild card this year would seem to be Yi Jianlian, a seven-footer from China.
The Players Club appreciates the anticipation and excitement experienced by the draftees, as well as the anxiety and uncertainty of the teams picking them. After all, the team is making a substantial investment in a youngster who could potentially make or break their franchise.
Undeniably, despite the sophisticated tools available to teams today, there is no such thing as a guarantee on investment. In contradistinction, The Players Club, by guaranteeing recurring cash flow through our strategic partner, will ensure that our players' investment will be devoid of uncertainty.
Always Remember: Life is a journey; enjoy the ride!
At the time of publication, Dykstra had no positions in stocks mentioned.
Nicknamed "Nails" for his tough style of play during his Major League Baseball career, Lenny Dykstra was an integral member of the powerful Mets of the mid-1980s, including the world champion 1986 squad, and the Phillies in the early 1990s.
Today, Dykstra manages his own stock portfolio and serves as president of several of his privately held companies, including car washes; a partnership with Castrol in "Team Dykstra" Quick Lube Centers; a state-of-the-art ConocoPhillips fueling facility; a real estate development company; and a new venture to develop several "I Sold It on eBay" stores throughout high-demographic areas of Southern California.
InvestingOpinionOptions
From Catalogs to Catastrophe: A Sears Timeline
Sears was once an American icon Boy, have times changed. Watch this video rundown its fall from grace.
Shawn Elias
Schlumberger Is a Dominant Energy Player Patiently Waiting to Shine
Despite the usual short-term headwinds, Schlumberger seems to be one of the best-positioned players in the energy services sector. Once the macro environment improves, the stock could head substantially higher from its current, depressed levels.
Daniel Martins
Morgan Stanley: Now Could Be a Good Time to Buy Shares on the Cheap
The banking giant will be looking to regain investor confidence ahead of what could be a challenging quarter.
Apple Overhauls Its MacBook Lineup: 3 Key Takeaways
The tech giant cut the price of its latest MacBook Air and refreshed its cheapest MacBook Pro. It also discontinued a MacBook that felt strongly influenced by Jony Ive's design philosophy.
JPMorgan: A Good Way to Play Defense Ahead of Earnings Season
While JPMorgan stock remains relatively expensive, the valuation premium is probably justified by the quality of the company's fundamentals, particularly ahead of an earnings season that could prove turbulent for the banking sector.
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Trade-Ideas: PetSmart (PETM) Is Today's "Barbarian At The Gate" Stock
Trade-Ideas LLC identified PetSmart (PETM) as a "barbarian at the gate" (strong stocks crossing above resistance with today's range greater than 200%) candidate
TheStreet Wire and David M. Aferiat
Aug 19, 2014 3:38 PM EDT
Editor's Note: Any reference to TheStreet Ratings and its underlying recommendation does not reflect the opinion of TheStreet, Inc. or any of its contributors including Jim Cramer or Stephanie Link.
Trade-Ideas LLC identified PetSmart ( PETM) as a "barbarian at the gate" (strong stocks crossing above resistance with today's range greater than 200%) candidate. In addition to specific proprietary factors, Trade-Ideas identified PetSmart as such a stock due to the following factors:
PETM has an average dollar-volume (as measured by average daily share volume multiplied by share price) of $83.7 million.
PETM has traded 1.6 million shares today.
PETM traded in a range 320.1% of the normal price range with a price range of $3.46.
PETM traded above its daily resistance level (quality: 227 days, meaning that the stock is crossing a resistance level set by the last 227 calendar days. The resistance price is defined by the Price - $0.01 at the time of the signal).
Stocks matching the 'Barbarian at the Gate' criteria are worthwhile stocks to watch for a variety of factors including historical back testing and volatility. Trade-Ideas targets these opportunities because the stock is exhibiting an unusual behavior while displaying positive price action. In this case, the stock crossed an important inflection point; namely, 'resistance' while at the same time the range of the stock's movement in price is more than twice its normal size. This large range foreshadows a possible continuation as the stock moves higher.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get the inside scoop on opportunities in PETM with the Ticky from Trade-Ideas. See the FREE profile for PETM NOW at Trade-Ideas
More details on PETM:
PetSmart, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of products, services, and solutions for pets in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The stock currently has a dividend yield of 1.1%. PETM has a PE ratio of 16.8. Currently there is 1 analyst that rates PetSmart a buy, 1 analyst rates it a sell, and 17 rate it a hold.
The average volume for PetSmart has been 2.7 million shares per day over the past 30 days. PetSmart has a market cap of $6.8 billion and is part of the services sector and specialty retail industry. The stock has a beta of 0.31 and a short float of 17.5% with 10.11 days to cover. Shares are down 5.9% year-to-date as of the close of trading on Monday.
STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12 months. Learn more.
TheStreet Quant Ratings rates PetSmart as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, growth in earnings per share, notable return on equity, increase in net income and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins.
PETM's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 0.3%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues slightly increased by 1.1%. This growth in revenue appears to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, improving the earnings per share.
PETSMART INC has improved earnings per share by 6.1% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company has demonstrated a pattern of positive earnings per share growth over the past two years. We feel that this trend should continue. During the past fiscal year, PETSMART INC increased its bottom line by earning $4.03 versus $3.55 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($4.34 versus $4.03).
The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. Compared to other companies in the Specialty Retail industry and the overall market, PETSMART INC's return on equity significantly exceeds that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
The net income growth from the same quarter one year ago has exceeded that of the S&P 500, but is less than that of the Specialty Retail industry average. The net income increased by 1.3% when compared to the same quarter one year prior, going from $102.42 million to $103.77 million.
The current debt-to-equity ratio, 0.48, is low and is below the industry average, implying that there has been successful management of debt levels. Even though the company has a strong debt-to-equity ratio, the quick ratio of 0.47 is very weak and demonstrates a lack of ability to pay short-term obligations.
You can view the full PetSmart Ratings Report.
MarketsMergers and Acquisitions
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What Is Compression Molding and How Is It Used?
Jordanhill School D&T Dept/Flickr
by Todd Johnson
Todd Johnson has worked on the development, commercialization, and sales sides of the composites industry since 2004. He also writes about the industry.
One of several molding forms; compression molding is the act of using compression (force) and heat to shape a raw material by means of a mold. In short, a raw material is heated until pliable, while the mold is closed for a certain time period. Upon removing the mold, the object may contain flash, excess product not conformed to the mold, which can be cut away.
Compression Molding Basics
The following factors must be considered when using a compression molding method:
Part thickness
Plastics composed of both synthetic and natural materials are used in compression molding. Two types of raw plastics materials are most often used for compression molding:
Thermoset plastics
Thermoset plastics and thermoplastics are unique to the compression method of molding. Thermoset plastics refer to pliable plastics that once heated and set to a shape may not be changed, while thermoplastics harden as a result of being heated to a liquid state and then cooled. Thermoplastics can be reheated and cooled as much as necessary.
The amount of heat required and necessary instruments to produce the desired product vary. Some plastics require temperature in excess of 700 degrees F, while others in the low 200-degree range.
Time is also a factor. Material type, pressure, and part thickness are all factors which will determine how much time the part will need to be in the mold. For thermoplastics, the part and the mold will need to be cooled to an extent, so that piece being manufactured is rigid.
The force with which the object is compressed will depend on what the object can withstand, particularly in its heated state. For fiber reinforced composite parts being compression molded, the higher the pressure (force), often the better the consolidation of the laminate, and ultimately the stronger the part.
The mold used depends on the material and other objects used in the mold. The three most common types of molds used in compression molding of plastics are:
Flash - requires accurate product inserted in the mold, removal of flash
Straight-does not require accurate product, removal of flash
Landed-requires accurate product, does not require removal of flash
It is important to ensure that no matter what material is used, the material covers all areas and crevices in the mold to ensure the most even distribution.
The process of compression molding begins with the material being placed into the mold. The product is heated until somewhat soft and pliable. A hydraulic tool presses the material against the mold. Once the material is set-hardened and has taken shape of the mold, an “ejector” releases the new shape. While some final products will require additional work, such as cutting away the flash, others will be ready immediately upon leaving the mold.
Car parts and household appliances as well as clothing fasteners such as buckles and buttons are created with the help of compression molds. In FRP composites, body and vehicle armor is manufactured by means of compression molding.
Advantages of Compression Molding
Though objects can be made in a variety of ways, many manufacturers choose compression molding due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Compression molding is one of the least expensive ways to mass-produce products. Furthermore, the method is highly efficient, leaving little material or energy to waste.
Future of Compression Molding
As many products are still made using raw materials, compression molding is likely to remain in widespread use among those seeking to make products. In the future, it is highly likely that compression molds will use the landed model in which no flash is left when creating the product.
With the advancement of computers and technology, it is likely that less manual labor will be required to process the mold. Processes such as adjusting heat and time may be monitored and adjusted by the molding unit directly without human interference. It would not be far-fetched to say that in the future an assembly line may handle all aspects of the compression molding process from measuring and filling the model to removing the product and flash (if necessary).
What Are Epoxy Resins?
Definition and Examples of Plastic in Chemistry
Everything You Need to Know About Plastics
What Are PBT Plastics and How Are They Used?
Learn About the History of Fiberglass and How It Is Manufactured
The Starting Power of Diesel Engines: Compression Ignition
The History of Plastics From Photographic Film to Polyester Suits
Learn the Advantages of High Temperature Thermoplastics
How Is Carbon Fiber Made?
Just How Important Is Plastic?
Learn the Difference Between Thermoplastic and Thermoset Resins
Who Invented Glue?
Waste Disposal and Recycling
How to Recycle Different Types of Plastic
A Beginner's Guide to the Lightweight Composite Material Carbon Fiber
What to Know About Prepegs Before Committing to Them
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Sohn: Court says Trump's Twitter blocks violate the Constitution
July 10th, 2019 by Pam Sohn in Opinion Times
President Donald Trump, shown in June on the South Lawn of the White House, has violated the First Amendment of the Constitution by blocking Twitter users critical of him and his actions, according to a federal appeals court ruling Tuesday.(AP File Photo/Alex Brandon)
Photo by Alex Brandon
President Trump cannot have it both ways.
He cannot use Twitter as a government form of policy making or communications with the public one moment, and in the next claim it's his domain and block members of the Twitter public who are critical of him.
A three-judge federal appeals panel of the Second Circuit (two appointed by President George W. Bush and one appointed by President Barack Obama) ruled unanimously Tuesday to uphold a 2018 lower court ruling that Trump violated the First Amendment when he blocked Twitter users who were critical of him as president or of his policies. The case has implications for how elected officials nationwide interact with their constituents on social media.
In that first ruling, Judge Naomi Buchwald (appointed by President Bill Clinton) wrote that "No government official — including the President — is above the law."
We keep hearing that, but then Trump keeps acting above the law. Judges rule against him, and he may make a slight change, yet the flavor of his stubborn disdain for law, the Constitution and American tradition stays the same.
In this week's ruling, Judge Barrington D. Parker (one of the Bush appointees) wrote that public officials who take to social media for official government business are prohibited from excluding people "from an otherwise open online dialogue because they expressed views with which the official disagrees."
Parker continued: "In resolving this appeal, we remind the litigants and the public that if the First Amendment means anything, it means that the best response to disfavored speech on matters of public concern is more speech, not less.""
Justice Department lawyers defending the president said in court that @realDonaldTrump is a personal account on a privately owned digital platform and that Trump may block followers he "does not wish to hear." The president's lawyers drew parallels to the physical properties Trump and other presidents owned before taking office. A president's residence — or social media account — does not become government property when the president conducts government business there.
But attorneys from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, representing the blocked users, said Trump routinely uses his Twitter account, @realDonaldTrump, to announce government nominations, defend his polices and promote his legislative agenda. Last week he used it to announce (to his nearly 62 million followers) that the government would still seek to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, reversing what his administration officials had told a different court.
"Public officials' social media accounts are now among the most significant forums for discussion of government policy," said Knight Institute Executive Director Jameel Jaffer in a statement. Jaffer likened the comment sections on those social media platforms to traditional town hall meetings, and he said citizens must be allowed to respond directly to government officials and engage in public policy debates.
The trouble, of course, is that Trump' and too many other elected officials, don't understand the real meaning of free speech. They only want to hear their own voices — or praise of their own voices.
That seems especially true of Trump, who has no problem jabbing others and disagreeing with them in his posts, routinely generating tens of thousands of replies and online debates. Some of those replies prompted Trump to block those specific users — like Rebecca Buckwalter, a fellow at the liberal Center for American Progress, who responded to one of his routine "fake news" accusations.
"To be fair you didn't win the WH: Russia won it for you," she wrote. Then she was blocked by Trump's account.
"This decision will ensure that people aren't excluded from these forums simply because of their viewpoints," Jaffer said. "It will help ensure the integrity and vitality of digital spaces that are increasingly important to our democracy."
We're a bit more pessimistic. It will ensure the integrity and vitality of things increasingly important to our democracy until the next time Trump and his administration tramples our Constitution.
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Email: webeditor@timesfreepress.com
Some Hamilton County commissioners critique revised schools budget, deny budget 'cuts'
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Social media feeds are positively choked with fake news sources from all sides, leaving readers and viewers distrustful and confused. Now, a new app from the Microsoft Edge browser called NewsGuard claims to weed out the false news sources.
The app will use color coding, with “red” indicating a high probability of being a false news source and “green” being a safe site. The app will come pre-installed in its browser.
Fake news as a recognized term has only been around for a few years, but the concept of fake news predates the term by centuries. It has been known by the term “yellow journalism,” and has always involved spreading propaganda and self-serving information to the masses. In fact, yellow news has been credited with getting the US involved with the Spanish-American War.
The NewsGuard App
NewsGuard, according to Microsoft, isn’t intended to be a way to censor news or infringe on free speech. The intention is to give readers the information they need to properly understand the reliability of what they are reading and help them decide if they should share the news source on social media, per Microsoft’s corporate vice president of security and trust, Tom Burt.
The app itself isn’t new, but it was something that had to be manually downloaded and installed by its users. It allows flexibility for its users to set up their own filters while maintaining its warning color system. The app currently only works for US and large international news sources and sites.
Wall Street Journalist and publisher Gordon Crovitz is now a CEO of NewsGuard. He explains, “We’re delighted to be able to reach millions of people through Microsoft Edge for mobile, giving news consumers more information about the sources of news they see online based on basic journalistic criteria of credibility and transparency.”
NewsGuard uses experienced journalists to vet companies and their news articles. They work with The Information founder, Jessica Lessin, General Michael Hayden, former CIA director, and other highly seasoned professionals. The news sources are broken down and labeled according to their content, credibility, ownership, and sources of financing.
A few examples of how various cites would be labeled include:
RT: This Russian news site is a well-known source of Russian propaganda. NewsGuard will label this as “proceed with caution.”
The Daily Mail: This is a British news source, and NewsGuard warns its readers that it has had to pay damages for false reporting on several high-profile stories.
The New York Times: This is an American news source that is well known for having influence on public debate and will be labeled this way by NewsGuard.
This tool is one of the first of its kind, but with the bombardment of fake news all over social media, it’s likely that NewsGuard will be the prototype for many more.
Microsoft Brings An End To Fake News?
TooCool2BeTrue
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A beginner's guide to Tobago
Tobago Holidays
All Holidays (5)
Boutique Holidays (1)
Villa Holidays (2)
Why visit Tobago?
Tobago, 26 miles of action, culture and mystery
If you are an active person planning a holiday in Tobago, and fearing you might be bored to tears after a couple of days on the beach, then think again. Although the island is just 26 miles long, it packs in some fascinating plantation history, cultural attractions, a couple of small museums, four forts, a heritage park, some stunning waterfalls and several other fascinating landmarks which I will mention further on. After all, I don’t want to give away all Tobago’s secrets in the first paragraph! In fact, Tobago has so many worthwhile attractions that many visitors pop across for the day from Trinidad, just to see them.
Tobago’s main industry in the past was sugarcane, and one of the remaining relics is the Arnos Vale Waterwheel to the southeast of Plymouth. The former sugarmill and surrounding land has been converted into a Heritage Park and the estate house is now a luxury hotel. The landmark waterwheel, originally built in Scotland and shipped to Tobago, remains in surprisingly good condition despite being well over 100 years old.
Once you’ve take a couple of photos, pop into the local museum onsite to learn more about Tobago’s sugar production, watch an informative presentation in the theatre, wander around the local nature reserve and enjoy a spot of birdwatching. Nearby you can visit the mystery tombstone near the Slave Village, and two original Amerindian sites. Lunch and drinks are served in the upmarket restaurant of the rum house, which has superb views from the veranda.
Despite being one of the most enchanting natural attractions on Tobago, the Rainbow Falls remain relatively quiet and unspoiled, mainly due to them being about 20 minutes’ walk along a winding trail from the Old Cocoa House of Hugh and Shirley McKenna. The falls have a pleasant white-water cascade of 328 feet, which splashes down the rock face to the Goldsborough River. The rising spray and mist create rainbows, hence the name.
Fort King George is one of Tobago’s main landmarks. Located on the hilltop overlooking the capital, Scarborough, it offers panoramic views. There is a National Fine Arts Centre in the former military hospital building and several crafts stalls nearby. The nearby Tobago Museum is in the former military hospital and has a fine collection of local artefacts, Amerindian relics, pottery, colonial treasures, maps, coins and even a skeleton.
Stroll around the beautifully landscaped gardens of Fort Bennett which is in Black Rock, just off Grafton Beach Road. It is easy to see why this point was chosen as a lookout point. The fortress was built in the late 18th century and there are battery remains, cannons and a pretty pavilion for a shady rest.
Take a boat ride across Courland Bay to get the best views of another military stronghold - Fort James. The fort was built in the early 19th century alongside the well-established barracks.
Fort Milford, at Crown Point, is on the south coast of Tobago. All that remains of this 18th century fortification are the walls and some very large cannons, but what you can see suggests it was a grand and impressive edifice in its heyday. Nowadays, most visitors come to stroll around the peaceful gardens, which are well maintained, and enjoy the tranquillity and views.
After viewing all these forts, you may wonder which is the oldest. In fact, the Courland Monument marks the site of the oldest fort, built by settlers in the 17th century, next to the church. The monument was erected in 1978 and is named after the Duke of Courland, who was largely responsible for settling the island in the late 17th century.
Further reading: If you're looking to learn about the best activities and locations that you'll find when you arrive then check out the top 10 things to do in Tobago.
Tobago Travel Guides
Top 10 things to do in Tobago
Top 10 beaches in Tobago
The best birdwatching spots in Tobago
Getting around Tobago and where to stay
Turtle watching in Tobago
Discover Tobago - The authentic Caribbean island
The best dive sites in Tobago
How to beat expensive family travel in Tobago
The Flora and Fauna of Tobago
Tobago Beach Holidays
What Robinson Crusoe should have packed
Scuba diving in Tobago
Festivals and Events in Tobago
Need help finding your perfect Tobago holiday? Call our travel experts on
Go to Tobago Holidays
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DOYLE CUP SET: Vipers vs Saints
The Vernon Vipers open the Doyle Cup Friday night against the Alberta champion Spruce Grove Saints.
Apr. 14, 2010 3:00 p.m.
The Saints won the AJHL Enerflex Cup Tuesday night with a 6-0 victory over the visiting Fort McMurray Oil Barons in Game 7 before a sold-out crowd of 1,650 at the Grant Fuhr Arena.
Game two in the regional best-of-seven Doyle Cup also goes Saturday night in Spruce Grove. If the teams split the opening games, the third game will go Sunday in the Edmonton suburb. Vernon hosts the remainder of the series, starting either Tuesday or Wednesday. The winner advances to the Royal Bank Cup national Junior A hockey tournament, May 1-10, in Dauphin, Man.
This is the first AJHL championship for the Spruce Grove Saints. The Spruce Grove Mets won league titles in 1975 and 1976; the St. Albert Saints captured the AJHL crown in 1981, 1982, 1996 and 1998.
The Saints went 52-4-1-3 to earn the No. ranking in the Canadian Junior A Hockey League. The Vipers were rated No. 2. at 51-6-0-3.
Hometown hero Brett Cameron scored four goals Tuesday night, while Whitehorse product Adam Henderson pocketed 2+2 to lead Spruce Grove. Defenceman Wes McLeod, an all-star who the Saints obtained from the BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings at the Jan. 10 trading deadline, earned a pair of assists.
Vincenzo Marozzi posted the shutout in Game 7 and recorded all four wins in the series.
BCHL PLAYOFFS – Vernon Vipers win Fred Page Cup
Vipers even Doyle Series
Power out in large part of Vernon
Power went down around 4:30 p.m. in the middle of the city
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Their peers forgive, but DWIs haunt lawmakers
NewsGovernment & Politics
By Rachel E. Stassen-Berger | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED: May 27, 2007 at 11:01 pm | UPDATED: November 14, 2015 at 1:11 am
Shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday, Minnesota Senate President James Metzen was caught on a road Minnesota lawmakers have driven before: He was arrested for drunken driving.
South St. Paul police say they spotted him weaving between lanes on U.S. 52 Tuesday morning, two hours after the Legislature adjourned for the year. According to police reports, his blood alcohol level was 0.15, well above the state’s drunken-driving threshold of 0.08.
“I plan to be accountable for my actions,” Metzen, DFL-South St. Paul, wrote to Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller. “I am truly sorry for my lapse of judgment.”
If he is convicted, that accountability may last a while.
According to others in the Legislature who have been caught driving drunk, the aftermath is long and traumatic.
Former state Rep. Andy Dawkins, DFL-St. Paul, who pleaded guilty to drunken driving in 1990, heard about his charge for years afterwards.
“It has a lasting effect on your stature, on your ability to be able to command respect from the public,” Dawkins said.
Dawkins, now working at a Minneapolis law firm, said he believes the conviction played a role in his 1993 loss to Norm Coleman in the St. Paul mayor’s race.
Still, he said, voters in his House district were “very forgiving.” They re-elected him every two years until he voluntarily retired from the Legislature in 2003.
Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon was elected to her seat after her husband, Sen. Sam Solon, DFL-Duluth, died. They weren’t married when her husband pleaded guilty to drunken driving in 1982, but she knows his ongoing pain over the conviction.
“It was very traumatic for him, and he took it very seriously,” said Prettner Solon, DFL-Duluth. The arrest acted as a wake-up call – Solon had a problem with alcohol, she said, and stopped drinking completely after the arrest.
He was re-elected to the Legislature every four years, even after the arrest, until his death in 2001.
Prettner Solon said the conviction followed her husband throughout his life, particularly in the media. That was unfair, she said.
“People have problems in their lives. They use bad judgment …” she said. “Once you atone for it, it is time to move on.”
She said last week she planned to call Metzen to offer her help and support.
Solon and Dawkins are among 10 lawmakers picked up for driving drunk in the past three decades, according to public, newspaper and legislative records. In the general public, about one in eight Minnesotans with a driver’s license or a suspended license has been charged with driving while impaired, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. More than 80 percent of those charged are convicted.
“Legislators are, the last I checked, human. They make mistakes just like everybody else, and we’ve all made mistakes,” said former Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, DFL-Erskine.
But when lawmakers make those mistakes, they usually get far more attention.
Still, lawmakers tend not to get slapped by their colleagues with ethics complaints after a drunken-driving charge.
Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, said in a statement that Metzen will continue to serve as Senate president despite his arrest and that “no Senate ethics investigation is needed.”
Senate Republican leaders also said they weren’t planning to pursue an ethics investigation. But any senator can file an ethics complaint, so there’s still an outside chance there will be some legislative follow-up. If there were an ethics investigation, that might require some substitutions – Metzen is chairman of the Senate ethics subcommittee.
The Legislature did react – and react strongly – when Rep. Bob Johnson, DFL-Bemidji, was arrested for drunken driving three times during summer 1995.
Additionally, Johnson was accused of abusing his power by asking Capitol Security to provide him a ride from the Burnsville police department, requesting use of the State Patrol airplane and telling the Department of Public Safety commissioner he would be “crucified” by lawmakers and the department’s budget would be cut if Johnson didn’t get state transportation to the late Gov. Rudy Perpich’s funeral.
He also was accused of lying to police, the public safety commissioner, a physician, constituents, the Beltrami County sheriff and two judges.
In January 1996, the former House member announced he would not run for re-election, but his colleagues still considered expelling him from the House immediately.
As the legislative session opened in 1996, lawmakers decided, instead, to censure Johnson, demand repayment of his legislative salary for the time he served in jail, recommend he resign immediately. They also threatened to expel him if he ever failed required random drug and alcohol tests.
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger can be reached at rstassen-berger@pioneerpress.com.
HISTORY OF LAWMAKERS’ DWI
1974 – Rep. James Rice, DFL-Minneapolis, is fined $150 for careless driving after being charged with DWI. A 10-day jail sentence is stayed on condition of alcohol treatment.
1983 – Sen. Sam Solon, DFL-Duluth, receives a $550 fine and a suspended 60-day jail term after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated and having an open bottle in his car.
1989 – Rep. Joseph Begich, DFL-Eveleth, pleads guilty to drunken driving and is sentenced to a stayed 30-day jail term and a $300 fine.
1990 – Rep. Andy Dawkins, DFL-St. Paul, receives a $300 fine and a suspended 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to drunken driving.
1993 – Sen. Duane Benson, IR-Lanesboro, is placed on one year’s probation and fined $300 after pleading guilty to a charge of careless driving. An original charge of drunken driving was reduced in a plea agreement.
1995 – Sen. Don Samuelson, DFL-Brainerd, pleads guilty to drunken driving, is fined $465 dollars and receives a 30-day stayed jail sentence.
Rep. Bob Johnson, DFL-Bemidji, is arrested for driving while intoxicated three times in six weeks. He pleads guilty to habitual drunken driving and is sentenced to 60 days in jail. He later receives another 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine. He is censured by the House of Representatives.
2000 – Rep. Rob Leighton, DFL-Austin, pleads guilty to gross misdemeanor DWI, is fined $900 and sentenced to serve 30 days of a one-year sentence.
2004 – Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, pleads guilty to driving while impaired and is sentenced to the maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail, which is stayed for two years of probation.
2007 – Former Sen. Ted Mondale, DFL-St. Louis Park, pleads guilty to drunken driving. He receives a 30-day stayed jail sentence, a $500 fine and 48 hours of community service.
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger was a Minnesota Capitol reporter for the Pioneer Press from 2001 to 2009 and again from 2015 to 2017.
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Features » Religion » Cambodia
Former Khmer Rouge leader among Cambodia's new Christians
Many Khmer Buddhists have become Christians 'because they are looking for answers'
Pastor Sok Sophon reads the Bible in the conference room of the the Cambodian office of the Christian and Missionary Alliance at the outskirts of Phnom Penh. (Photo by Enric Catala Contreras)
Ate Hoekstra, Phnom Penh
Sok Sophon was a battle-hardened Khmer Rouge commander when he found Jesus.
The now 63-year-old Cambodian was visiting a refugee camp, when a wounded soldier gave him a Bible. At first he was reluctant but did take it.
Then after reading from the Bible the officer of the Pol Pot regime got interested and visited a church service. "I remember who the first time I made a detour to get to the church," he says. "I didn't want people to know. I felt ashamed for going there."
It took six weeks before Sophon, who once served as a Buddhist monk in his late teens, to believe in God.
"I had a mistress at that time, I smoked a lot, I had a drinking problem," says Sophon. "So I asked the pastor what I should do. He told me: 'Keep coming back to church and God will answer you.'"
"I prayed to God and felt the need to be pure and do what was good. So, I stopped smoking and drinking, and I said goodbye to my mistress."
These days the former commander works with the Cambodian office of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He also serves as a pastor in a church in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, a position he wishes to hold until his death.
Sophon is just one of thousands of Cambodians who has converted to Christianity.
As a traditionally Buddhist country, pagodas, monasteries and monks dressed in red or orange robes can be seen everywhere. But the country also has over 2,600 churches and just as with the number of Cambodians who have become Christians, that number is rising steadily.
According to Tep Samnang, executive director of the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia, missionaries have been coming to the country for generations. But it hasn't been easy, he says.
"First, Christianity was seen as something foreign, then all religion was banned by the Khmer Rouge. It all changed with the peace agreement in 1992," says Samnang. "Soon after that missionaries came to bring the good news."
Many Khmer Buddhists, especially those who suffered during the war, have become Christians because they are looking for answers, Samnang explains.
"Buddhism mainly means you need to follow your own path. But sometimes we need God to help us to find the way. And God forgives, while in Buddhism you need to solve your own problems," he says.
Erik Davis, a professor of Religious Studies at Macalester College in the United States and an expert on religion in Cambodia, says this explanation is common for people who have newly become Christians.
"Note the similarities with conversions in the West. Similar reasons are often provided, and they tend toward 'offering or not offering me enough answers,' instead of more traditional reasons as 'because it's true or sacred,'" he says.
In Takhmao, a city close to Phnom Penh, pastor Thyven Chak gives a similar explanation.
On a Sunday morning in April, Chak is leading a service in a small home church. About 30 Cambodians have gathered around him. They sit on the floor and pray to God with deep devotion. Worn out Bibles are resting on their laps.
"When I grew up as a Buddhist I prayed a lot, but I didn't know who God was," says Chak. "When I found Christ I finally had a God to pray to. For me that's the big difference between Buddhism and Christianity. As a Buddhist, you spend a lot of time praying and searching, but God can't be found. In Christianity, Jesus has come down to find us."
This is not the only reason Christianity is gaining popularity. After the horror of the Khmer Rouge — under which an estimated 1.7 million people died — and years of civil war, many Christian aid organizations came to the country. They became involved in education and health projects, and helped fight poverty. In the meantime, they tell those they encounter about the Bible and invite people to attend church.
But becoming a Christian isn't exactly painless, Chak says.
As a teenager, he fled from his alcoholic and abusive father and came to live with his relatives in Takhmao. That went well until he started going to church.
"My uncle and my aunt were very unhappy with it," Chak recalls. "When I continued going to the church, my uncle said: 'You need to choose. You either stay here or you sleep in the church.' When I chose the church, my uncle threw me out on the streets."
Chak isn't alone in this experience. Although the Cambodian constitution offers freedom of religion, people who turn to another religion often meet resistance in their private lives.
Many Khmer people see Christianity as a Western phenomenon that doesn't fit with their Cambodian identity. In families, when a person changes his religion, this frequently leads to discrimination, tension and mistrust.
For Chak the pain was worth it. He decided to devote his life to God and became a pastor. "Finding God has brought me so many good things in life. I want other people to experience the same," Chak says.
However, the number of Cambodians who have become Christians is unclear. The government estimates that about 2 percent of the population is Christian. Others believe the number is significantly higher.
What is certain is that every year new churches are being opened. That is largely thanks to a growing popularity among young people, says Samnang Tep. "The young generation didn't suffer during the war. They move to the city, looking for a good life. The church helps them with that," Tep says.
Chak is sure more Cambodians will turn to Christianity. In his church in Takhmao a group of people is listening carefully as he reads from the Bible. When the reading is over, musicians start a hymn. The young pastor jumps up. "We will sing and dance for our love of Christ!" he says. Moments later the church-goers are dancing in joy. A high-spirited 'Hallelujah' sounds through the air.
Forty years on, wide gulf remains between ex-Khmer Rouge, survivors
Genocide testimony begins at Khmer Rouge tribunal
Cambodia's scars of war linger
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FavoritesHistoryJournalsNotes
Resistance exercise versus aerobic exercise for type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Resistance and aerobic exercises are both recommended as effective treatments for people with type 2 diabetes. However, the optimum type of exercise for the disease remains to be determined to inform clinical decision-making and facilitate personalized exercise prescription.
Our objective was to investigate whether resistance exercise is comparable to aerobic exercise in terms of effectiveness and safety in people with type 2 diabetes.
PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and SPORTdiscus were systematically searched up to March 2013. The reference lists of eligible studies and relevant reviews were also checked.
STUDY SELECTION
We used the following criteria to select studies for inclusion in the review: (i) the study was a randomized controlled trial; (ii) the participants were people with type 2 diabetes aged 18 years or more; (iii) the trial compared resistance exercise with aerobic exercise for a duration of at least 8 weeks, with pre-determined frequency, intensity, and duration; and (iv) the trial provided relevant data on at least one of the following: glycaemic control, blood lipids, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fitness, health status, and adverse events.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
The assessment of study quality was based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. For effectiveness measures, differences (resistance group minus aerobic group) in the changes from baseline with the two exercises were combined, using a random-effects model wherever possible. For adverse events, the relative risks (resistance group vs. aerobic group) were combined.
Twelve trials (n = 626) were included. Following the exercise interventions, there was a greater reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin with aerobic exercise than with resistance exercise (difference 0.18% (1.97 mmol/mol), 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01, 0.36). This difference became non-significant with sensitivity analysis (p = 0.14). The differences in changes from baseline were also statistically significant for body mass index (difference 0.22, 95% CI 0.06, 0.39), peak oxygen consumption (difference -1.84 mL/kg/min, 95% CI -3.07, -0.62), and maximum heart rate (difference 3.44 beats per minute, 95% CI 2.49, 4.39). Relative risks for adverse events (all) and serious adverse events were 1.17 (95% CI 0.77, 1.79) and 0.89 (95% CI 0.18, 4.39), respectively.
Most included trials were short term (8 weeks to 6 months), and seven had important methodological limitations. Additionally, the meta-analyses for some of the secondary outcomes had a small number of participants or substantial statistical heterogeneity.
Although differences in some diabetic control and physical fitness measures between resistance exercise and aerobic exercise groups reached statistical significance, there is no evidence that they are of clinical importance. There is also no evidence that resistance exercise differs from aerobic exercise in impact on cardiovascular risk markers or safety. Using one or the other type of exercise for type 2 diabetes may be less important than doing some form of physical activity. Future long-term studies focusing on patient-relevant outcomes are warranted.
Publisher Full Text
Grapherence [↓25 ↑34]
Authors+Show Affiliations
Yang Z
Division of Epidemiology, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, zuyaoyang@cuhk.edu.hk.
Scott CA
Mao C
Tang J
Farmer AJ
Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) 44:4 2014 Apr pg 487-99
Cholesterol, LDL
Glycated Hemoglobin A
Oxygen Consumption
Pub Type(s)
Yang, Zuyao, et al. "Resistance Exercise Versus Aerobic Exercise for Type 2 Diabetes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), vol. 44, no. 4, 2014, pp. 487-99.
Yang Z, Scott CA, Mao C, et al. Resistance exercise versus aerobic exercise for type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2014;44(4):487-99.
Yang, Z., Scott, C. A., Mao, C., Tang, J., & Farmer, A. J. (2014). Resistance exercise versus aerobic exercise for type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 44(4), pp. 487-99. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0128-8.
Yang Z, et al. Resistance Exercise Versus Aerobic Exercise for Type 2 Diabetes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2014;44(4):487-99. PubMed PMID: 24297743.
TY - JOUR T1 - Resistance exercise versus aerobic exercise for type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AU - Yang,Zuyao, AU - Scott,Catherine A, AU - Mao,Chen, AU - Tang,Jinling, AU - Farmer,Andrew J, PY - 2013/12/4/entrez PY - 2013/12/4/pubmed PY - 2014/12/15/medline SP - 487 EP - 99 JF - Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) JO - Sports Med VL - 44 IS - 4 N2 - BACKGROUND: Resistance and aerobic exercises are both recommended as effective treatments for people with type 2 diabetes. However, the optimum type of exercise for the disease remains to be determined to inform clinical decision-making and facilitate personalized exercise prescription. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to investigate whether resistance exercise is comparable to aerobic exercise in terms of effectiveness and safety in people with type 2 diabetes. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and SPORTdiscus were systematically searched up to March 2013. The reference lists of eligible studies and relevant reviews were also checked. STUDY SELECTION: We used the following criteria to select studies for inclusion in the review: (i) the study was a randomized controlled trial; (ii) the participants were people with type 2 diabetes aged 18 years or more; (iii) the trial compared resistance exercise with aerobic exercise for a duration of at least 8 weeks, with pre-determined frequency, intensity, and duration; and (iv) the trial provided relevant data on at least one of the following: glycaemic control, blood lipids, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fitness, health status, and adverse events. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: The assessment of study quality was based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. For effectiveness measures, differences (resistance group minus aerobic group) in the changes from baseline with the two exercises were combined, using a random-effects model wherever possible. For adverse events, the relative risks (resistance group vs. aerobic group) were combined. RESULTS: Twelve trials (n = 626) were included. Following the exercise interventions, there was a greater reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin with aerobic exercise than with resistance exercise (difference 0.18% (1.97 mmol/mol), 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01, 0.36). This difference became non-significant with sensitivity analysis (p = 0.14). The differences in changes from baseline were also statistically significant for body mass index (difference 0.22, 95% CI 0.06, 0.39), peak oxygen consumption (difference -1.84 mL/kg/min, 95% CI -3.07, -0.62), and maximum heart rate (difference 3.44 beats per minute, 95% CI 2.49, 4.39). Relative risks for adverse events (all) and serious adverse events were 1.17 (95% CI 0.77, 1.79) and 0.89 (95% CI 0.18, 4.39), respectively. LIMITATIONS: Most included trials were short term (8 weeks to 6 months), and seven had important methodological limitations. Additionally, the meta-analyses for some of the secondary outcomes had a small number of participants or substantial statistical heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Although differences in some diabetic control and physical fitness measures between resistance exercise and aerobic exercise groups reached statistical significance, there is no evidence that they are of clinical importance. There is also no evidence that resistance exercise differs from aerobic exercise in impact on cardiovascular risk markers or safety. Using one or the other type of exercise for type 2 diabetes may be less important than doing some form of physical activity. Future long-term studies focusing on patient-relevant outcomes are warranted. SN - 1179-2035 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/24297743/Resistance_exercise_versus_aerobic_exercise_for_type_2_diabetes:_a_systematic_review_and_meta_analysis_ L2 - https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0128-8 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -
Unbound MEDLINE
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Donors pledge US$857 million to protect and assist refugees in 2018
05 December 2017 | Español | Français | عربي
Rohingya refugee Ara, 16, and her 11 month old daughter, Taslima, pictured in Balong Khali refugee camp in Bangladesh. © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
GENEVA – Donor governments on Tuesday pledged an initial US$857 million to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to fund operations destined to help some 67 million displaced or stateless people worldwide in 2018.
The pledges, made at an annual meeting in Geneva, amount to around 11 per cent of UNHCR’s total 2018 funding needs of over US$7.5 billion. This year’s pledges are considerably higher than those made at end 2016, when US$701 million was pledged.
While today’s pledges do not cover all of next year’s funding needs, they can be seen as a useful indication of the anticipated funding levels and of overall support, allowing the organization to plan and continue operations that provide life-saving assistance and protection, without interruption. These include operations in some of the biggest emergencies around the world such as those in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
While this figure represents the highest level of funds committed by States at this pledging conference, the gap between the funds received and the needs of refugees and other displaced people continues to grow, in a context of new crises and worsening displacement running at record levels.
“A year of no peace and much war is about to end,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. “Refugee crises grow. Refugee needs grow as well.” He stated that UNHCR is often asked what these figures mean and what the impact of funding gaps is. “It means that UNHCR has to prioritize, sometimes mercilessly,” he explained. “This can mean some (refugees) will be left to fend for themselves during the harsh winter months and others won’t get the assistance they need to reintegrate upon return.”
UNHCR’s work globally is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernmental institutions and, increasingly, from individuals, corporations and foundations. High Commissioner Grandi particularly thanked the countries and communities hosting refugees. “In terms of space, in terms of resources, in terms of the socio-economic and political cost of hosting refugees, they are some of the largest donors in support of refugees.”
For 2018, UNHCR appeals to donors to sustain and increase support, through flexible and early contributions that avoid uncertainty and enable it to channel funds where the needs are greatest.
In Geneva, William Spindler, [email protected], +41 79 217 30 11
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Telegraph View
My Telegraph
British patriotism is a loyalty rooted in democratic heritage
The Prime Minister says that Britons should "sign up" to "loyalty" to their country. His concrete proposals will be controversial. The sentiment, however, is about right
Home Secretary Theresa May is considering the idea of giving senior judges the right to sign off intercept warrants Photo: Alamy
By Telegraph View
6:35AM GMT 02 Jan 2016
An alien meeting the British for the first time might find their patriotism somewhat contradictory. On the one hand, we have historically prized individualism and been wary of the state. On the other hand, loyalty to the national community is expected and previous generations have taken it for granted. Today’s religious extremists, who benefit from the innate liberalism of Britain without feeling a sense of duty towards it, pose a complex new challenge.
Police escort an Islamist demonstrator marching to protest outside the US embassy in London
In his New Year message, David Cameron listed tackling extremism as one of his biggest priorities for 2016. This effort has been a long time in the making. In 2011, he said that “state multiculturalism” had failed and called for the promotion of a stronger sense of national identity. In 2015, he denounced the “passively tolerant society” that left people alone to nurse their prejudices. And now Mr Cameron has said that the Government will “take on their underlying poisonous narrative of grievance and resentment” and demand that people accept British values of “freedom, tolerance, responsibility, loyalty”. Of these, the word “loyalty” is perhaps the strongest, the word most likely to cause disquiet.
The “values” crisis is real: radicalisation is well documented. Police report that at least 700 people from the UK have travelled to support or fight for jihadist organisations in Syria and Iraq. The most notorious was Mohammed Emwazi, an executioner for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant who grew up in West London. Steps have to be taken to monitor suspects, control movement and – most importantly – stop the recruitment of future terrorists. For instance, in 2014 there were an estimated 70 events involving Islamist preachers on Britain’s campuses. Last September, a legal requirement came into force compelling universities and other education establishments to address the radicalising of students.
People who Mr Cameron probably does not mean to target with his agenda could be caught up in it because they fail to measure up to standards of political correctness
Some proposals are causing legitimate concern. Sir Peter Fahy, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester, has warned that extremism disruption orders risk turning officers into a “thought police”, while some Christian organisations fear that the definition of “extremism” is so vague that it could be applied to them. After all, some people dissent from contemporary definitions of tolerance – being, for instance, theologically opposed to gay marriage. If loyalty to Britishness is demanded, Britishness will obviously have to be defined, and defining something almost existential in nature is very difficult to do. People who Mr Cameron probably does not mean to target with his agenda could be caught up in it because they fail to measure up to standards of political correctness.
None the less, the Prime Minister is essentially correct: it is no longer enough just to require people to obey the law. There is now a small but dangerous group of people who exploit Britain’s relatively “light touch” to promote bigotry, and the silence surrounding this problem has become akin to condoning it. It is necessary, then, to explain again the rights and responsibilities of citizenship that flow from a particular historical and constitutional tradition, and which accompany and guarantee liberty. The Prime Minister deserves plaudits for contributing to that conversation.
Patriotism, wrote George Orwell, is a “devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force on other people”.
Of course, Mr Cameron is not calling for “loyalty” in the sense of blind obedience. On the contrary, he is talking about the mature variety of loyalty that emerges from a democratic heritage. It is a contractual loyalty that expects the state to keep its distance but be there in times of necessity, in exchange for taxes. But it is also an emotional, romantic loyalty that is bred of man’s instinct for fellowship and belonging. Patriotism, wrote George Orwell, is a “devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force on other people”. It is also, he added, an “inoculation against nationalism”. Hopefully it will prove a cure for religious extremism, too.
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One day on Earth captured on film
An ambitious film that has been three years in the making and was the inspiration for Ridley Scott's Life in a Day is beginning to take shape.
12:57PM BST 05 Aug 2011
Not to be confused with Hollywood's YouTube collaboration Life in a Day, One Day on Earth is backed 60 non-profit organisations including the United Nations, Red Cross and Oxfam.
The global documentary aims to showcase ordinary and extraordinary people and events from every country in the world through footage shot all on the same day, October 10, 2010.
Film producer Brandon Litman and the director and founder of the project Kyle Ruddick dreamt up the concept over three years ago, reaching out to filmmakers across the globe via social media websites.
While the premise is the same as Life in a Day - to create a time capsule, capturing scenes and perspectives from people around the globe on the same day - Litman and Ruddick's documentary is more culturally and environmentally minded than Ridley Scott's offering.
"One Day on Earth is a message of hope, but it also contains a very strong call-to-action that we need to address very important issues and make positive progress on those issues to sustain life," Litman said.
24 hours in the life of the world
Youtube’s top cultural contributions
Life In A Day: the best clips
"It is going to contain a very strong message of hope in that we're all in this together - and together, we'll be able to solve some of the bigger problems that are in front of us," he said.
One Day on Earth is planned for release in 2011.
How about that? »
Telegraph TV »
Earth »
Film Video »
FILM TRAILERS
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Joshua Rozenberg
What can sharia courts do in Britain?
Islamic judges can resolve disputes by agreement but cannot grant divorces or punish crimes.
By Joshua Rozenberg
10:02AM BST 14 Sep 2008
“Islamic law has been officially adopted in Britain,” claims a Sunday newspaper. The Government has “quietly sanctioned” powers for sharia judges to rule on divorce case, its report insists.
The truth is much more prosaic. The report produces no evidence to suggest that the Government has sanctioned any powers for sharia judges at all, quietly or otherwise. And a sharia court in Britain has no power to grant a divorce that is valid in English law.
Divorce is a matter of personal status. There is a fundamental difference between questions of status — which are for the state to decide — and disputes between individuals, which they may resolve as they wish.
If individuals or companies are unable to settle their differences and do not wish to begin legal proceedings, they can agree to have their disputes resolved by an arbitrator, a sort of private judge.
Unless there are procedural irregularities, the arbitrator’s decision — known as an award — will be enforced in the same way as a court ruling.
Muslim tycoon in divorce fight over 'lawful polygamy'
A Conservative government must exclude sharia 'courts' from British justice
Section 1 of the Arbitration Act 1996 says “the parties should be free to agree how their disputes are resolved, subject only to such safeguards as are necessary in the public interest”.
It follows that a dispute may be resolved by a sharia court, provided that the parties agree and that its procedures are fair. But this does not give sharia courts the power to resolve questions of personal status.
All this is made perfectly clear by the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal, the body referred to in the newspaper report. The tribunal, which was established in 2007, says it operates “within the legal framework of England and Wales”. When sitting, it must have at least two members, one a scholar of Islamic sacred law and the other a solicitor or barrister registered to practise in England and Wales.
The tribunal’s website explains in detail how it conducts arbitrations in cases or debt and other civil disputes and the status of awards under the Arbitration Act.
Turning to matrimonial disputes, the website deals first with the problem of “limping marriages”. A woman, it explains, can “get a divorce in the civil courts but her husband may continue to deny her the religious divorce. As a result she may feel unable to re-marry because the community still regard her as being married”.
The same problem can arise under Jewish law, where the woman is known as an agunah —meaning “chained” or “anchored” wife.
The Muslim Arbitration Tribunal says that many scholars consider that the Islamic marriage terminates along with the divorce in the civil courts. But, presumably for those who do not accept such a pragmatic approach, the tribunal, “along with other religious organisations in the UK, can grant a talaq to finish the limping marriage”.
It is entirely clear from this account that Muslims living in Britain must go to the ordinary civil courts if they wish to be divorced. The tribunal is not claiming any power to grant a divorce that would be recognised by the civil courts.
This important distinction is maintained when dealing with forced marriages. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 gives new powers to the civil courts. The Muslim Arbitration Tribunal promises to make an “Islamic decision quickly and cheaply” but accepts that its status in English law will be no more than “evidence before the civil court”.
On criminal matters, the law of England and Wales remains binding. “The Muslim Arbitration Tribunal is unable to deal with criminal offences as we do not have jurisdiction to try such matters in the UK,” it says. However, in cases of domestic violence where the tribunal has helped to bring about a “reconciliation” between the spouses, that information may be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service — which may reconsider criminal charges. “Note that the final decision to prosecute always remains with the CPS,” the tribunal stresses.
Finally, the Muslim Arbitration Tribunal acknowledges that it cannot make decisions in inheritance disputes that will be enforced under English law. If one party to a ruling by the tribunal chooses not to comply with it, the best that the other party can do is to “attempt to place the judgment of [the tribunal] before the civil court as evidence of what the deceased would have known and intended”.
There is certainly room for debate — and concern — about the growing influence of sharia law in Britain.
I would be concerned, for example, if a non-Muslim was put under pressure to agree that any dispute over a contract with a Muslim had to be resolved by a sharia arbitrator.
I would be alarmed if there was evidence that men were escaping prosecution for domestic violence because their wives were put under pressure to withdraw charges — although I can imagine that, in the case of a “first offence”, a warning might help save a marriage.
I am concerned to hear that, in an inheritance dispute, a sharia court might award larger sums to sons than to daughters — although I accept that a father could make just such a provision in his will.
Above all, I would be concerned at any attempt to extend sharia law, however indirectly, to those whose consciences are not bound by it — even if they happen to find themselves in areas that are predominantly Muslim.
That would include any attempt at imposing sanctions for failure to comply with sharia law. As Lord Phillips, the Lord Chief Justice, explained in a lecture he gave in July, to do so would conflict with English law.
“In some countries, the courts interpret sharia law as calling for severe physical punishment,” Lord Phillips noted. “There can be no question of such courts sitting in this country, or such sanctions being applied here. So far as the law is concerned, those who live in this country are governed by English law and subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts.”
That principle is so important that we should take great care before asserting that it has been breached.
And there are broader issues of concern here, reflected in some of the many responses from readers to the Telegraph's news report today. Readers are concerned that sharia is becoming a parallel jurisdiction in the United Kingdom and other western countries.
Leave aside the brutal physical punishments to which Lord Phillips refers and look instead at some of the principles of sharia law as it is understood by us in the west. That women are of lesser value than men. That homosexuality is a crime. That apostates — Muslims who renounce their faith — deserve punishment. That those who show disrespect to the Prophet may be put to death.
These principles are inimical to western values. Little wonder that people fear that the unitary nature of our state is at risk if these views become widely held by people in Britain. Little wonder that people fear that the principle stressed by Lord Phillips — that all who live in this country must be governed by English law — is at risk.
As I say, I am not persuaded that the Government has taken any steps recently to adopt sharia law. But neither have I seen any sign that it is prepared to enforce the most fundamental principle of all: that — except in matters of personal conscience — sharia law must always be subsidiary to the laws of the state.
First published September 14, 2008. Updated September 15, 2008.
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TSI Writing Practice Quiz 3
Please take a moment to complete this quiz.
The passage below will be used for 15 questions. Read the passage and answer question <1>
DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases. you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE".
While many people may get frustrated with train delays, Joanne Rowling turned her experience into a life-changing story. She began writing about a young wizard while delayed at a Manchester station stop, and brought Harry Potter to life <1>over the next five years. The Philosopher’s Stone was the first of seven children’s books published under her pen name J. K. The Harry Potter series has sold over 447 million copies worldwide and been translated into seventy-three languages, including Latin and Ancient Greek.<2>
When the Philosopher’s Stone was published <3>in 1997, the book industry had given up on young readers. It’s <4>first edition was a mere 500 books, and most copies were sent to public libraries across England. By the time Rowling’s seventh Harry Potter novel was published in 2007, Rowling had already become the woman who put a new face on children’s literacy. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, the final installation, has <5>a word count of nearly 1.1 million words, and sold 11 million copies in the first 24 hours of its release.<6>
Today, Rowling spends much <7>of her time working with her foundation, Lumos, which is named after a spell in the Potter series that brought light into darkness. <8>She founded <9>the nonprofit organization after seeing a photograph of a child in a caged bed who appeared to be screaming through its chain links. Rowling was overcome by the image that she <10>vowed to use her money and popularity to raise awareness of the 8 million children who live in such institutions globally. According to research, over 80% of orphaned children have living relatives which <11>cannot care for them because of poverty or disability. The staff at Lumos equip families with necessary resources to provide for their children rather than leaving them institutionalized. Lumos’ long-term goal is the closure of every orphanage around the world, by returning all children to live with its <12>families, either biological or adoptive.
Rowling once said, “Happiness can be found in the darkest places if one only remembers to turn on the light”. <13>J. K. Rowling has created happiness for millions of children through make- believe stories of triumph and real-life stories of hope.<15>
The underlined portion <1> most likely means
Rowling gave birth to a child who she named Harry Potter
Rowling created a story about a boy named Harry Potter
Rowling was the puppeteer for a marionette called Harry Potter
Rowling resuscitated a child named Harry Potter who was riding a train
The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test is a program intended to help your college determine if you are ready for college-level course work. The TSI test covers math, reading, and writing test areas.
The purpose of the TSI exam is to assess your readiness for college-level course work. Your scores on the TSI will affect the courses you will be placed in, as well as identifying whether any academic interventions are required.
All incoming college students in Texas are required to take the TSI assessment unless exempted (i.e., meeting ACT or SAT college readiness standards, successful completion of college-level english and math courses...).
The TSI test questions are multiple choice. In addition, many students will be required to write an essay for the writing portion of the test. The questions are aligned to the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards.
The TSI exam does not have a time limit. The number of questions on the exam vary because the TSI test is a computer-adaptive test. Computer adaptive tests change the difficulty and number of questions depending on how a student is responding. Scoring is immediate - after you finish your TSI assessment, you will immediately receive a score and information on your skill or proficiency levels.
Some questions are from the following sources:
Erik Jacobsen at www.erikthered.com/tutor
From the New York State Education Department. "High School Regents Examinations". Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org; accessed 8/29/2011.
CK-12 Foundation - www.ck12.org
BEHS Sat Prep - https://behssatprep.wikispaces.com/
PWN the SAT - http://blog.pwnthesat.com/
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No mail, stock trading Wednesday in honor of President George H.W. Bush
President Donald J. Trump has proclaimed Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, as a National Day of Mourning in remembrance of former President George H.W. Bush.
Out of respect for the 41st President of the United States and to honor his vast contributions to the country during his lifetime, the United States Postal Service said it will suspend regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity on Dec. 5.
In addition, major U.S. stock markets will close Wednesday in honor of former President George H.W. Bush, who died Friday at 94.
The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq said over the weekend that they will close trading Wednesday in observance of a national day of mourning for Bush. The federal government will also be closed.
The NYSE also said it will display the U.S. flag that flies above the New York Stock Exchange at half-staff in honor of the former president.
U.S. traders also observed a moment of silence before markets opened on Monday in honor of Bush.
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US March 31, 2018
Chris Enloe
Veteran who lost leg after combat injury has epic message for David Hogg: 'It's not a gun problem
An Army veteran amputee has a message for David Hogg — and it's wisdom the high schooler should listen to. (Image source: YouTube screenshot)
Army veteran Derek Weida delivered an epic message to David Hogg in a Facebook rant on Friday, dishing out some wisdom the high school senior could take to heart.
Weida is a 29-year-old veteran of the 82nd Airborn who lost his leg after he was shot during a mission in Iraq in 2007. Now, Weida is a social media personality and fitness guru.
What did Weida say?
Weida began by explaining that certain experiences don't make you an expert in what you experienced. For example, Weida noted that he's no expert in war, guns or house raids, despite the fact he served in the military and went to war.
"So, I empathize with you and your peers because whereas I signed up to be shot at, none of you did," Weida wrote.
"Now... Guns. Here’s my two cents: It’s not a gun problem, not a people problem, it’s a culture thing. Thing... Not problem. America loves guns. Accept that just like I had to accept that America loves God. Don’t ever be so quick to tell a whoooole lot of people how to live," he added.
Weida even admitted he's "actually kinda with the anti-gun folk," but wrote that he's learned a valuable lesson in life: it's not wise to tell others how to live.
"I’ve learned that the way I live and the things I believe have nothing to do with how others want to live or what they want to believe. I’m a well regulated idealist," Weida said.
"The people you’re arguing against... It’s not even about the gun. It’s about the freedom and the right... And you can’t win an argument against that, nor should you (In most cases)," he explained.
In the end, Weida told Hogg it's wise to think before you speak, and if you do speak, to not be a jerk.
"I guess I just want to say don’t be so quick to talk. Don’t be so quick to think YOU are somehow the ONE person who has things figured out. You want to make a change? Cool!! But... Try to be less of a c**t about it," he wrote.
Read the full post below:
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God of War: Ghost of Sparta Alternatives
God of War: Ghost of Sparta is an Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash, Open-World and Single-player video game developed by Ready at Dawn and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The gameplay of play is similar to its previous games in which the player can take on the role of a protagonist named as Kratos, the God of War… read more
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300: Seize Your Glory
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The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is an Action-Adventure, Role-playing, Hack and Slash and Single-player video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by 2k Games. It is the 4th edition to the series of The Elder Scrolls video game.
Risen 3: Titan Lords is a Brilliant, Open-World Action-Adventure, Role-playing, Hack and Slash, and Fantasy-based video game developed by Piranha Bytes and published by Deep Silver. The game features the new unnamed protagonist and enables you to assume the role of the unnamed character and begins your journey to locating the truth about the destruction and chaos that demolished everything in the Realm.
Lollipop Chainsaw is an Action, Role Playing, Hack and Slash, and Single-player video game created by Grasshopper. The story of the game revolves around the protagonist named as Juliet Starling, who is a cheerleader in a fictional school in California.
Dark Souls is an Action-Adventure, Third-person, Fantasy-based, Open-World, Role-playing, Single and Multiplayer video game by FromSoftware and Namco Bandai Games. The game takes place in the fictional and mysterious world of Lordran.
Darksiders is a Hack and Slash game with strong Action-Adventure, Third-person, Fantasy and Single-player elements. The game takes place in the Post-apocalyptic world and allows you to get into the role of the hero which is one of the four horsemen.
Prince of Persia offers Action-Adventure, Hack, and Slash, Platform and Single-player video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is a marvelous entry in the series of Prince of Persia.
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is an Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash, First-person Perspective, and Multiplayer video game developed and published by Tom Banner Studios. The game offers the combination of Medieval Combat, Exploration, and Team-based elements.
Bayonetta is an Action-Adventure, Role-playing, Hack and Slash, Third-person, and Single-player video game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Sega. The game lets you assume the role of the main protagonist named as Bayonetta.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an Action-Adventure, Fantasy, Role-playing, and Single-player video game developed and published by Bethesda Games Studios. The game offers the combination of Open World, First and Third-person Perspective, Sandbox and Exploration elements.
Devil May Cry is an Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash and Single-player video game developed and published by Capcom. The gameplay focuses on sword fighting and you can get access to new weapons after slaying the bosses of the game.
Mount and Blade is an Action Role-playing, Open World, Medieval, Female Protagonist and Single-player video game developed and published by TakeWorlds Entertainment. The game takes place in the Medieval Land known as Calradia and offers the combination of the sandbox, exploration, and quests elements.
Deadpool is an Action-Adventure, Beat-em-up, Hack and Slash with Shooting elements developed by High Moon Studios and published by Activision. It offers the combination of Superb Hero, Combat, Third-person perspective, and Open World elements.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is an Action Role-playing and Single-player video game takes place in the Universe of Star War. The game is available to play on Windows platform created by BioWare and published by LucasArts.
Bladestorm: Nightmare is an Action-Adventure, Hack n Slash, Strategy, Combat, Co-op and Single-player video game developed and published by Koei. It is a fantastic game that offers fast-paced, action-packed gameplay in which the player can play as mercenary and take the command of a multitude of the various squads.
Star Wars Jedi Knight
Star Wars Jedi Knight is an Action-Adventure, Shooter, Single and Multiplayer video game series developed and published by LucasArts. The series offers five exciting games as such as Star WarsL Dark Force, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Force II, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysterious of the Sith, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and last one are Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy.
Fable Anniversary is an Action-Adventure, Role-playing, Third-person, Fantasy-based and Single-player video game developed by Lionhead Studios and published by Microsoft. The game offers all new Heroic difficulty setting, new modes, upgrades and features.
THQ introduce another great game named as Darksiders II is an Action-Adventure, RPG, Hack and Slash and Single-player video game that is a sequel of Darksiders. In this competition, the player can take on the role of a Death, one of four Horsemen.
Ryse: Son of Rome is Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash, Combat, Open-World, Single and Multiplayer video game developed and published by Crytek. In this competition, the player can take on the role of Marius Titus a Roman general who start his epic adventure to avenge the murdered of his family.
Phantasy Star Zero
Sega Introduce another addictive, fast-paced game named as Phantasy Star Zero is an Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash, Single and Multiplayer video game. At the beginning of the game it allows the player to choose his one of many races, each one has its own unique abilities, weapons, and skills.
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is an Action-Adventure, Role-playing, Fantasy-based Open-World and Single-player video game developed and published by Bethesda Games. It is a third main game in the series of The Elder Scrolls that takes place in the on the Vvardenfell a fantasy island in the Dunmer province of Morrowind that lies the empire of Tamriel and far with the other civilized lands such as Arena and Daggerfall.
God of War is an Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash video game series developed by SIE Santa Monica Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The story of the game revolves around the protagonist named as Kratos a Spartan who is tricked into killing his beloved daughter and wife by his master who is a god of war Ares.
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More About God of War: Ghost of Sparta
God of War: Ghost of Sparta is an Action-Adventure, Hack and Slash, Open-World and Single-player video game developed by Ready at Dawn and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The gameplay of play is similar to its previous games in which the player can take on the role of a protagonist named as Kratos, the God of War. Kratos is able to explore the origin in order to find his mother Callisto who claim that his beloved brother Deimos is to still alive. The game focuses on a combo-based combat that activated the primary weapons of the players such as the Blades of Athena. The game offers a brilliant combination of Puzzle and Platform and allows the player to complete all the objectives of the game by eliminating the numbers of foes. It offers several missions with different problems such as finding objects, moving the box and unlock the door, etc. God of War: Ghost of Sparta also introduce lots of new features such a magical powers, new weapons, navigational abilities and new combo-based combat, etc. With enhanced game mechanics, excellent game controls and setting, brilliant visuals, and dynamic background music. God of War: Ghost of Sparta is an excellent game to play and enjoy.
3D Combat Exploration Hack and Slash Multiplayer NPC Open World Single Player Skill
UnMHT
CatchOfTheDay
Glide OS
Samorost
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Cateys 2016: Special Award
Friday, July 8th 2016, 12:22
Sponsored by Cartwheel Management Recruitment
Jill Stein and Rick Stein
When they launched their restaurant in 1975, our Special Award winners, Jill Stein and Rick Stein, had absolutely no inkling that they had created a business that would eventually be known the world over.
Fast-forward 41 years and, of course, Rick Stein is now a global brand, fuelled by a successful television and book career. The originally eatery has now been joined by a further eight restaurants, four shops, 40 bedrooms, a pub and a cookery school. And there are further plans on the horizon – a tenth restaurant will open in Marlborough, Wiltshire, later this year.
Now, one half of this famous duo remains one of Britain’s most identifiable chefs, a highly respected restaurateur and a hugely popular television presenter. The winner of the Catey Chef Award in 1999, Rick’s influence among chefs and consumers alike cannot be underestimated. With 20 years on our television screens in the UK and around the globe, and as the author of two dozen books – no doubt buoyed by his degree in English from Oxford University – his contribution to raising the profile of the British seafood industry has been colossal.
And while his career has seen his food evangelism trickle into homes the world over, Jill has slowly but surely garnered a reputation as a stylish and sympathetic interior designer, taking inspiration from her own global excursions in order to ensure their restaurants and accommodation always look fresh and inviting. Her talents led to her being recognised as one of the industry’s most influential women when she was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women 1st Shine Awards in 2012.
As success came their way, initially through awards for the restaurant and Rick’s books, and later through wider television exposure – the first BBC series, Taste of the Sea, was aired in 1995 – the couple remained grounded.
Today’s empire is a far cry from those early days when the main focus was on simply paying the bills while they jostled restaurant life with bringing up their three young sons.
Now, directly and indirectly, they are supported by those sons: the management team includes Jack, their middle son, as executive chef of the group, while Ed, their oldest, works alongside Jill, overseeing new outlet design and ongoing refurbishments. Charlie, their youngest, supplies the bulk of the wine list for the business in his role managing the on-trade at the Vintner wine company.
The strength of the team – and the unity following the public break up of Jill and Rick’s marriage – has enabled the business to grow into what it is today. Jill and Rick were initially cautious about expanding beyond Cornwall, but the inspired appointment of John Jackson as non-executive chairman of Seafood Trading, the operating company behind the business, led them to believe that they could spread their wings. First came Rick Stein in Winchester, Hampshire, in December 2014, followed a year later by Rick Stein in Sandbanks, Dorset.
And, of course, this inspirational company has provided a fantastic training ground for chefs and front-of-house staff, many whom now run businesses of their own the world over.
For creating an enduring business that has steadily expanded over more than 40 years; for propelling fresh, top-quality fish into the mainstream; for leading the way in the creation of what is now an exceptionally strong food-led tourism culture in Cornwall; and for encouraging a whole generation of exceptional hospitality professionals – Jill Stein and Rick Stein are the worthy winners of the 2016 Special Award.
The editorial team of The Caterer, with nominations from all the Cateys judging panels
Awards, Restaurants, Cateys, Rick Stein and Chef.
More Restaurants news
In this week’s issue: 12 – 18 July
Patisserie Valerie auditor to face tough...
How to…be an effective apprentice mentor...
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News Materials Nuclear Policy & business
Amec Foster Wheeler to lead nuclear research project
28th July 2017 11:59 am 28th July 2017 5:39 pm
Amec Foster Wheeler appointed to lead nuclear power research programme
Nuclear fuel rods
Amec Foster Wheeler has been awarded £2.9m by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to establish and manage the UK Digital Reactor Design partnership.
The partnership will use virtual engineering and high-performance computing to enhance the techniques used to design reactors and optimise their performance.
The project is part of a broader effort to put UK industry at the forefront of developing Generation IV and small modular reactors. The aim is to achieve a step change in the way that nuclear design, development and construction programmes are delivered.
Partners on the project include Liverpool University’s Virtual Engineering Centre, the Hartree Centre, National Nuclear Laboratory, Rolls-Royce, EDF Energy, Cambridge University, and Imperial College London.
This contract follows the recent award by Innovate UK to carry out research into manufacturing and materials technologies for the civil nuclear sector. The company will be working closely with Manchester University and Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre on themes relating to nuclear structural materials and design codes and standards.
Prof Eann Patterson, from Liverpool University, who is lead academic for the project, said: “We see the Digital Reactor Design programme as the first stage in transforming the way that the UK Nuclear industry will design and build new facilities and strengthen capabilities across the sector for the future.”
In March 2017, Aberdeen-based Wood Group announced that it was to merge with AMEC Foster Wheeler in a deal worth £5bn. The combined entity would provide services to the oil and gas, other energy, chemicals, and mining industries.
Wood group swallows AMEC Foster Wheeler
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Colin Megson 28th July 2017 at 1:08 pm
Professor Paul Howarth, CEO of the National Nuclear Laboratory [NNL] thinks it’s a done-deal to decarbonise our energy use by 2080, with a boost of the National Grid from the 80 GW now up to 320 GW, with 75 GW [or even 100 GW] of nuclear, 100 GW of renewables and 100 GW of fossil fuel with carbon sequestration. Speaking at the Advanced Nuclear Summit and Showcase in Washington, DC, earlier this year, he said:
“…Nuclear represents that nice, warm comfort-blanket that the Government is going to need in a Post–Brexit world, of a long-term, sustainable, engineering, science and technology-based industry sector….”
This is well worth 1 anybody’s time to take on board the way the Government might have to accept at least 100 GW of nuclear and if fossil fuel with carbon sequestration proves to be a non-starter, maybe double that. More here:
http://prismsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/we-uk-are-going-back-to-top-table-as.html
Nick 28th July 2017 at 2:24 pm
Why has EDF been allowed to infiltrate this project? The British government is using British taxpayers’ money to hellp a French company (controlled by the French government, to boot). Our treacherous politicians are now directly helping our foreign rivals! Absolute madness.
Al Smith 31st July 2017 at 7:34 am
As I understand it EDF have put up 66% of the money for Sizewell C and CGN have put up the remainder. The British government lack the intestinal fortitude to commit to any project lasting longer than 4 years. So unfortunately the options are outsource the work for construction or stick with fossil fuels.
Noel Wauchope 28th July 2017 at 10:40 pm
There’s a shadow over this deal, as Amec Foster Wheeler is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office over its dealings with Unaoil over possible bribery and corruption through payments to middlemen. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/07/11/serious-fraud-office-launches-probe-amec-foster-wheeler/
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News Energy & environment Policy & business Renewables
Wind energy for landfill sites
By Jason Ford 24th February 2010 12:59 pm 16th December 2015 12:06 pm
Spain’s Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (FCC) is investing £100m in the construction of 80MW of wind capacity at landfill sites across the UK.
The initiative brings together two FCC subsidiaries, FCC Energy (FCCE) and Northampton-based Waste Recycling Group (WRG), which are reviewing potentially suitable sites across the UK from WRG’s landholdings.
WRG already recovers the energy from the clean combustion of non-hazardous household, commercial and industrial wastes at its Energy from Waste (EfW) incineration facilities.
These include Allington EfW in Kent, which generates electricity for export to the local network, and the Eastcroft EfW, which generates thermal energy in the form of steam, for use by Nottingham’s district heating scheme to supply homes, offices, shops and public buildings in the city.
This FCC scheme aims to add wind energy to sites that are already generating energy from landfill methane and other sources of energy.
It is anticipated that planning applications for the first wind turbines will be submitted later this year.
Paul Taylor, chief executive of WRG, said: ‘Given the already extensive experience WRG has in recovering renewable energy from a range of waste treatment technologies, plus the experience FCCE has in the operation of wind assets, this latest venture is the next logical step for the group. We will also seek other opportunities to develop our wind energy activities beyond the programme we are announcing today.’
21st February 2010 12:00 am 16th December 2015 12:07 pm
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Interview: Marc Raibert of Boston Dynamics
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Fan blade funding
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Ian Uglow 3rd March 2010 at 5:46 pm
Wind turbines on a landfill….sounds like a good idea but has anyone considered the foundations and settlement. The Environment Agency get very upset if you start puncturing the landfill liner systems and to date have not entertained the idea.
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Karishma Sharma to play aspiring actress
🕒 3 months ago
April 9, 2019 IST
The Kashmir Monitor |1 Min Read
‘Ragini MMS Returns’ actress Karishma Sharma will play an aspiring actress in ALTBalaji’s upcoming show titled ‘Fixer’.
“Initially, I wasn’t sure about doing the show. But after reading the script and understanding my character, I was excited to be on board. My character is a small-town girl who goes to Mumbai to be an actress,” Karishma said in a statement.
She was also part of ALT Balaji’s ‘Ragini MMS Returns’ and ‘Hum – I am Because Of Us’. “I am once again happy to work with ALT Balaji. It’s like a home production to me, as my last few web series have been with them,” said Karishma.
‘Fixer’ is a story that focuses on the life of a tainted ATS officer from Delhi who is drawn into the murky underbelly of Mumbai’s movie mafia and industrialists, and soon becomes a fixer.
Related Topics:Tech-Film
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The Kashmir Monitor is the fastest growing newspaper as well as digitial platform covering news from all angles.
WhatsApp is the most popular instant messaging app in the world. Over the years, WhatsApp has continued to add new and interesting features without compromising on ease-of-use. The Facebook-owned firm is now working on more new features that are set to make the app more interesting and convenient.
Dark Mode is one of the most anticipated features on WhatsApp. The feature has been often spotted in the beta versions of the app. The Dark Mode inverts the colours to help reduce strain on eyes, especially after sunset. Google has already added the feature on some of its key applications including Chrome browser and YouTube. Apple introduced system-wide Dark Mode with iOS 13. WhatsApp is also expected to add the feature sooner or later.
Quick Edit Media
WhatsApp is working on a “quick edit media” feature. Spotted in the recent beta version of the app, the feature allows users to make changes to media files sent or received. Note the feature is different from the existing edit tools that WhatsApp provides. According to WABetainfo, a website that monitors the latest changes to WhatsApp, users can edit the media in-chat and share directly.
More forwarded info
In a bid to fight fake news and misinformation on its platform, WhatsApp last year added a “forwarded” label on messages that have been forwarded by the sender. The company is now going to improve this feature by adding a “frequently forwarded” label. Whatsapp is also working on a new feature that will tell how many times a message has been forwarded. The feature is expected to be part of the info section which tells when the message was delivered and when it was read.
WhatsApp is making it easier to add a new contact through QR codes. Expected to launch very soon, WhatsApp’s QR code is said to be very similar to nametags on Instagram. Each user will receive a unique QR code which can be shared with others. WhatsApp already uses QR code for WhatsApp Web that mirrors the phone version.
Hide muted status
Similar to Facebook’s unfollow, WhatsApp’s ‘hide muted status’ the feature doesn’t completely block a contact just hide from the Status feed. Right now, even if you mute a status, a faded version appears at the bottom of the feed. The company is reportedly improving the feature by removing the muted Status feed altogether.
Ayushmann Khurrana says for him more than his character, the story of a film and the message it leaves behind, is a bigger priority.
The 34-year-old actor said he does not mind playing an immoral character if the plot does justice with the fate of the part.
“I would love to do a variety of scripts and characters. If the story resonates with me, I would definitely do a character which is not moral.
“But at the same time, it has to be a message in the end, against a character or maybe whatever that character needs to learn eventually. For me the story matters above my character. I am obsessed with good stories,” Ayushmann told PTI.
The actor, who has made a mark for himself courtesy his unique choice of films, believes every performer has “different aspirations”.
“It also really depends on what your priorities are. Some scripts are to prove your acting abilities, some scripts are there to have a certain social responsibility and as I said everyone has different aspirations in life, so, being progressive and regressive is a very subjective thing,” he added.
Ayushmann has struck a chord with the audience, but the actor said there is no formula to maintain the connect.
“Anybody can go wrong. Whatever is relevant right now may be irrelevant five years from now. Our industry is ever-changing and our society is ever-evolving so I cannot be cocky and pompous enough to say that I have a great script sense. I hope my gut supports me in future as well,” he said.
His latest Article 15 has turned out to be the second-biggest opener of his career after Badhaai Ho! and the actor is elated with the overwhelming response from both the audience and critics.
The Anubhav Sinha-directed film, which released on June 28, has earned over Rs 70 crore worldwide.
“Commercial success is really important but at the same time, it has to be a mix of both critical and commercial acclaim. Credibility is the key for any artiste.”
Ayushmann will be seen next in Dream Girl and Bala – releasing this year while his other film Gulabo Sitabo with Shoojit Sircar will come out next year.
Oppo is set to launch its new mid-range smartphone, Oppo K3 in India on July 19. The company has now revealed that it is partnering with Amazon to launch the device. The e-commerce site has already started taking registrations of interest on its website with the Notify Me button on the device page.
Oppo will reveal the pricing and availability details on the launch date with the disclosure of a list of introductory offers. The device will be made available in Purple and Black gradient colour options.
To recall, Oppo K3 has already been launched in China and is priced at Yuan 1,599 (approximately Rs 16,000) for the 6GB RAM/64GB storage variant, Yuan 1,899 (approximately Rs 19,000) for the 6GB RAM/128GB storage variant and Yuan 2,299 (approximately Rs 23,000) for the 8GB RAM/256GB storage variant.
Oppo K3 sports a 6.5-inch full HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels. It also comes with the DC dimming feature and an in-display fingerprint sensor. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor paired with an Adreno 616 GPU.
The device runs Google’s Android 9.0 Pie operating system with the company’s own ColorOS 6.0 skin on top. All of this is backed by a 3,765mAh battery with support for the company’s own VOOC 3.0 Flash Charge technology.
Oppo K3 sports a dual camera setup on the back consisting of a 16MP primary sensor paired with a 2MP secondary sensor. On the front, it features a 16MP sensor to take selfies.
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Science Interviews
DNA Day: Hacking Genomes and Storing Data
Dr Johnathan Pettitt, University of Aberdeen, Dr Jossy Sayir, Cambridge University and EMBL-EBI
Part of the show Senses Month: Tackling Touch
DNA_IMAGE.jpg
NIH (CC BY-NC 2.0)
65 years ago the journal Nature published Watson and Crick’s historic paper revealing the structure of DNA or, as James Watson himself puts it “the secret of life”. Since the time when he famously raced into the Eagle Pub in Cambridge in 1953 to announce what he and Crick had found, the science of molecular biology as it’s known has taken the world by storm: the NHS is busy reading the genetic codes of 100,000 patients, and scientists in America have announced an ambitious plan to sequence the DNA of all life on Earth. Katie Haylor's been taking a look at two other recent DNA developments...
Katie - The iconic double helix: it’s like an extravagant staircase with phosphate sugar railings and steps made from bases; either C paired with G or A paired with T. These bases code for amino acids, which make up proteins and these have whole range of functions in the body. 65 years on from publishing The Structure of DNA, scientists are now using this amazing molecule in a number of different ways. One way is to go in and disrupt, modify, or make additions to existing genetic material and, as well as coding for you and me, DNA could soon be coding for music
It’s not just humans that have DNA: plants, animals, even microorganisms have it too. And once inside cells, viruses can hack into the replication machinery of other organisms to make many copies of their own DNA, or DNA’s chemical cousin RNA. Now bacteria have evolved a clever defence mechanism against this invasion; they chop up the viral DNA that’s starting to invade. Known as CRISPR, this DNa manipulation technique has now been harnessed by scientists and is having an incredible impact across biology. Here’s Jonathan Pettit from the University of Aberdeen…
Jonathan - CRISPR gives us the power, for the first time, to make changes at will potentially to anywhere in an organism’s DNA. It means that we can remove genes, we can modify genes, we can add in genes wo we could, potentially, modify an organism and give it a gene that it’s never had before.
The key thing behind CRISPR is that an enzyme, which cuts DNA at a specific point. It uses a programmable sequence that we can engineer to target it to a specific piece of DNA and it works, essentially, like molecular scissors; it goes to the place we’ve targeted it to and it makes a cut in the DNA. It’s having an enormous impact in basic biological research because questions that we previously wouldn’t have been able to attempt are now open to us. And my own research, for instance, I work on nematode C. elegans, and it’s a brilliant model organism for doing genetics but we’ve long wanted to be able to remove lots and lots of genes at once. Previously, that’s not be technically possible and now we can do that, and the key issue with that is that we know, for lots of animals, they have backup copies of given genes. So if you have say 11 genes doing the same thing or doing overlapping things, you often don’t see the effect of those genes until you’ve removed all 11, and we can do that now with CRISPR.
One of the things I haven’t mentioned is that all enzymes are error prone and so we know that it will cut most effectively in the region we’re targeting it to, but there are also off-target effects. And obviously, if we’re going to use it in a human scenario in therapeutics, that would need to be solved.
Katie - CRISPR can, in theory, be used in any situation where you’d want to study how genes work, and this is having an enormous impact on, for instance, research into cancer caused by mutated genes. But what about the molecule of DNA itself: could it serve another function?
DNA is kind of like a biological suitcase; it’s a great natural storage device. After all, everything that’s needed to make you is in it. So if this molecule can store one type of data - genetic data - what about other types? The modern world produces data at an incredible rate, from your phone, your laptops, spreadsheets. You name it, it all has to be stored stored somewhere, and having the capacity to do so is becoming a problem as we operate increasingly data hungry lives.
So could DNA be the new harddisk? Well, this week the word’s out that scientists in Switzerland are working to store Massive Attack’s album, Mezzanine, in DNA. But it’s incredibly expensive so is DNA data storage a realistic option for the non-famous as well as the famous? I spoke to information theorist Jossy Sayir from Cambridge University and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory…
Jossy - The main advantage of DNA is that you’re storing data at the atomic level, so you’re storing data in a much denser fashion. You can potentially solve the world’s storage problem and replace huge data farms that occupy whole city blocks.
Katie - You first need to repair the data in a way that will allow you to retrieve it from DNA storage. Then you send off your request to a specialised company and they’ll synthesise the DNA you’ve asked for and send it to you. Then, when you need to retrieve the data, you first amplify the DNA, sequence it, and this is where the data is read. And, hey presto, you’ve got back your photo, or word document or, if you’re a world famous music group - album.
Jossy - It is a gimmick technology, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but there is potential in the future for this technology to become extremely important and competitive. For that, there should be significant drops in the costs of storing DNA and improvements in the speed of storing it and retrieving it. When that happens, there is potential for a huge industry to develop.
In all the other forms of storage or communication I’ve worked on, when you send data in a certain order it’s retrieved in that same order. In DNA that’s not the case, you put the data in a certain order and then it’s all stuck into a soup and, when you retrieve it, it comes back in a random order so that’s the sort of challenges I face. How do I prepare data in a way that when I retrieve it in a random order, I will still be able to give you back your photo, for example, without the pixels being all shuffled into a random order.
Katie - So that’s one challenge. cost and time are others. But some people, Jossy says, think that DNa storage could, potentially, safeguard some of humanity’s most valuable data.
Jossy - It’s the technological apocalypse scenario where, essentially, mankind will somehow self-destroy or, at least, lose all technological ability. There'll be new middle ages where we’ll basically go back to basic technologies, maybe because of a war. And so maybe, in a thousand years, we’ll have a new technological civilisation, they’ll come up with new methods of storage but they won’t necessarily develop the same methods we had, so they’ll never be able to retrieve our magnetically stored, or optically stored information.
However, they will have an incentive to learn about DNA because that is present in nature; that’s not something we’ve come up with. And hence, if we store our data using processes that mimic what happens in nature, the thought is that if they want to archive something really important that might survive this apocalyptic scenarios, DNA storage is an option for this. Even though it’s costly and slow, it may be worth going through that for mankind’s really valuable data.
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Gene of the month - Musashi
Spying on single cells
Biology | Medicine
Epigenetics and Cancer
Is second hand smoke more dangerous than smoking a cigarette?
Re-imagining Our Relationship with Materials
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New details emerge about royal wedding
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. Picture: Twitter
by Ellen Whinnett in London
15th Sep 2018 7:57 AM
PRINCESS Eugenie and her fiance Jack Brooksbank will take a different route from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when they embark on a horse-drawn carriage ride after their wedding.
Royal aides have released some details of the planned wedding on Friday, October 12, between Princess Eugenie, 28, and her 32-year-old fiance, an alcohol brand ambassador.
The pair will wed in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, the same venue chosen by Eugenie's cousin Harry for his wedding to glamorous American actor Meghan in May.
But the royal family is seeking to avoid comparisons between the two big royal weddings of 2018.
Royal aides announced last night that Princess Eugenie's carriage would not travel up the Long Walk, the steep road through the park which leads to Windsor Castle, where tens of thousands of people watched Harry and Meghan make the journey back into the castle walls.
Instead, after their 11am wedding service, they will travel out of the castle through the Royal Mews and onto Windsor High Street. The public will be able to see them on the High Street, Castle Hill and Park Street.
This "echoes'' the journey taken by Eugenie's uncle, Prince Edward, when he married Sophie Rhys-Jones, now the Countess of Wessex, in 1999.
Buckingham Palace aides said more than 100,000 people had applied for the 1200 places available to the public inside the castle grounds to watch the guests arriving close-up.
"Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank have been touched by the many good wishes they have received in the run up to their wedding,'' a palace spokesperson said.
"They are looking forward to celebrating with their family, friends, and members of the public within the Castle grounds and in Windsor.''
More than 800 guests can be accommodated inside the medieval St George's Chapel.
As well, other guests in the castle grounds will include charities and organisations supported by Princess Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank, students from Princess Eugenie's old schools, and Windsor community members, as well as royal staff.
The Dean of Windsor David Conner will officiate at the wedding, with the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, leading the prayers.
Reverend Conner conducted Prince Harry's wedding, while the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby officiated.
Prince Eugenie's father Prince Andrew is the Duke of York, and she is officially known as Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York. She is ninth-in-line to the throne.
The Queen will host a reception for the wedding guests at Windsor Castle after the service. Possible invitees include celebrities such as George and Amal Clooney, Victoria and David Beckham, the singer Ellie Goulding and model Cara Delevingne.
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