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__label__wiki	0.655213	0.655213	Review: Jonas Brothers reunite Camile Hardt, Print Editor The greatest brother boy band from the 2010s has been resurrected and every girl is re-living her pre-teen days. On March 1, the Jonas Brothers released a new song together titled, “Sucker.” Along with music video that featured Nick Jonas’s wife Priyanka Chopra, Kevin Jonas’s wife Danielle Jonas, and Joe Jonas’s fiancee Sophie Turner. In the weekdays leading up to the launch of the revival of the boy band, members Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, and Kevin Jonas, all blacked out their accounts on social media, meaning they deleted everything on their accounts and . Fans of the band took notice, then freaked out when the reenacted their iconic “oh how the tables have turned” video. Their song “Sucker” is an upgrade from their attempt from 2014 of reviving their band with the song “Pom Poms”. “Sucker” is a radio pop song that has a light hearted bop feel to it. It will soon be a song overplayed on the radio. The song itself is an updated version of any Jonas Brothers’ song from the 2010s, meaning they have improved their vocal abilities for the better. The music is very high quality and extravagant – it’s a montage of all the brothers with their wives/soon-to-be wives (yes, Sophie Turner, I’m talking about you) running around and enjoying their time in a palace-like mansion. With no real clear theme to the video, (spoiler) ending with all six of them getting their portrait painting. Almost symbolizing the reprise of the Jonas Brother empire. It may not be the year 3000, but the Jonas Brothers are back and better than ever.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2555
__label__wiki	0.634897	0.634897	10 false flags operations that shaped our world From Nero to 9/11, via Pearl Harbour and the Gulf of Tonkin incident... Joe Crubaugh provides an "all time greatest hits" of false flag operations, whereby one scenario is repeated... as the world keeps falling for the same lie. The most commonly known false flag operations consist of a government agency staging a terror attack, whereby an uninvolved entity gets blamed for the carnage. As at least two millennia have proven, false flag operations, with healthy doses of propaganda and ignorance, provided a great recipe for endless war. In "War is a Racket", Two-time Medal of Honor recipient Major General Smedley Butler wrote: "I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested." You may not have heard of these operations, but perhaps you have heard of these? 1. Nero, Christians, and the Great Fire of Rome Rome, the night of July 19, 64 AD. The Great Fire burst through the rooftops of shops near the mass entertainment and chariot racing venue called Circus Maximus. The flames, whipped by a strong wind, rapidly engulfed densely populated areas of the city. After burning uncontrolled for five days, four of the 14 Roman districts were burned to the ground, and seven more were severely damaged. It was no secret that Nero wanted to build a series of palaces which he planned to name "Neropolis". But, the planned location was in the city and in order to build Neropolis, a third of Rome would have to be torn down. The Senate rejected the idea. Then, coincidentally, the fire cleared the very real estate Neropolis required. Despite the obvious benefit, there's still a good probability that Nero did not start the fire. Up to a hundred small fires regularly broke out in Rome each day. On top of that, the fire destroyed Nero's own palace and it appears that Nero did everything he could to stop the fire. Accounts of the day say that when Nero heard about the fire, he rushed back from Antium to organize a relief effort, using his own money. He opened his palaces to let in the homeless and had food supplies delivered to the survivors. Nero also devised a new urban development plan that would make Rome less vulnerable to fire. But, although he put in place rules to insure a safer reconstruction, he also gave himself a huge tract of city property with the intention of building his new palace there. People knew of Nero's plans for Neropolis, and all his efforts to help the city could not counteract the rampant rumours that he'd help start the fire. As his poll numbers dropped, Nero's administration realised the need to employ False Flag 101: When something - anything - bad happens to you, even if it's accidental, point the finger at your enemy. Luckily, there was a new cult of religious nuts at hand. The cult was unpopular because its followers refused to worship the emperor, denounced possessions, held secret meetings and they were always talking about the destruction of Rome and the end of the world. Even more luckily for Nero, two of the cult's biggest leaders, Peter and Paul, were currently in town. Nero spread word that the Christians had started the Great Fire. The citizens of Rome bought his lie hook, line and sinker. Peter was crucified and Paul beheaded. Hundreds of others in the young cult were fed to the lions or smeared with tar and set on fire to become human street lamps. 2. Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire, reaching its territorial height in the late 1700s. By 1898, Spain was losing territories regularly. Cuba too was becoming increasingly hard to control and a minor revolution had broken out. This wasn't welcome news to people in the United States who owned Cuban sugar, tobacco and iron industry properties valued at over $50 million (worth ca. $1.2 billion today). The main stream media, then dominated by newspaper magnates Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, exaggerated - and outright fabricated - stories of horrible conditions under Spanish rule. Following the age-old maxim, "If it bleeds, it leads", the newspapers published stories about Spanish death camps, Spanish cannibalism and inhumane torture. The newspapers sent reporters to Cuba. However, when they got there, they found a different story. Artist and correspondent Frederick Remington wrote back to Hearst: "There is no war. Request to be recalled." Hearst's famous reply: "Please remain. You furnish the pictures, I'll furnish the war." And he did. His newspaper, continually screaming how Spanish Cuba was going to hell in a hand basket, convinced big business interests in the US to put pressure on anti-war President William McKinley to protect their Cuban investments. McKinley, in response, sent the USS Maine battleship to Havana Harbour as a calming show of force. Three weeks after arriving, on the night of February 15, 1898, the USS Maine exploded, killing 266 men. There are two theories for the explosion: some believe the explosion was caused by an external mine that detonated the ship's ammunition magazines. Others say it was caused by a spontaneous coal bunker fire that reached the ammunition magazines. Currently, the evidence seems to favour the external mine theory. Without waiting on an investigation, America's mainstream media blamed the tragedy on Spain and beat the drums for war. By April, McKinley yielded to public pressure and signed a congressional resolution declaring war on Spain. To help pay for the Spanish-American War, congress enacted a "temporary" tax of 3 percent on long-distance telephone bills. This was essentially a tax on the rich, as only about 1,300 Americans owned phones in 1898. Although the Spanish-American War ended in 1898, the temporary tax was only abolished in... 2005. Over its lifetime, the 107-year-old tax generated almost $94 billion - more than 230 times the cost of the Spanish-American War. The Spanish-American War put a large nail in the coffin of Spain's global empire. And by the end of 1898, the United States, which was founded in opposition to imperialism, found itself in control not only of Cuba, but of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Hawaiian Islands as well. 3. The Manchurian Incident The economic slump following 1929's thorough and convincing near-obliteration of Wall Street hit Japan especially hard: exports fell, unemployment rose. Japan, not being rich in natural resources, needed oil and coal to make power to run machines to produce goods to sell to other countries to make money to buy food to have enough energy. Manchuria, a province of China, had its fair share of oil and coal. After Japan decided it needed to invade Manchuria, they needed a pretext to justify the invasion. They chose to create a false flag attack on a railway close to Liutiao Lake... a big flat area that had no military value to either the Japanese or the Chinese. The main reason the spot was chosen was for its proximity (about 800 meters distant) to Chinese troops stationed at Beidaying. The Japanese press labelled the no-name site of the blast Liutiaogou, which was Japanese for "Liutiao Bridge." There was no bridge there, but the name helped convince some that the sabotage was a strategic Chinese attack. Colonel Itagaki Seishiro and Lieutenant Colonel Kanji Ishiwara ordered officers of the Shimamoto Regiment to place a bomb beneath the tracks. The original bomb failed to detonate and a replacement had to be found. Then, at 10.20pm, September 18, 1931, the tracks were blown. Surprisingly, the explosion was minor. Only one side of the rail was damaged, and the damage was so light that a train headed for Shenyang passed by only a few minutes later. But it was a good enough excuse to invade... The Japanese immediately charged the Chinese soldiers with the destruction, then invaded Manchuria. A puppet government known as Manchukuo was installed. The League of Nations investigated and in a 1932 report denied that the invasion was an act of defence, as Japan had advertised. But rather than vacate Manchuria, Japan decided to vacate the League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations. 4. Secrets of the Reichstag Fire In 1933, just a week before general elections that might place enough Nazis in office to make Hitler defacto dictator, the Reichstag, which housed the parliament of the German Empire, was set on fire. Adolf Hitler assured everyone that communist terrorists started the fire. Hitler's party member Hermann Göring stated that he had secret evidence that would soon be made public; evidence that proved communists did it. These proclamations came on top of weeks of Nazi-organized street violence designed to whip the public into a pathological fear of communists. The next day, the Nazis convinced a senile President von Hindenburg to sign the Reichstag Decree. The decree, using defence against terrorism as an excuse, suspended just about every major civil liberty set forth in the Weimar Constitution: habeus corpus (the right to know why you're being put in jail)? Gone. Freedom of opinion? Gone. Freedom of the press? Not any more. Freedom to organise and assemble? Deported. The Reichstag decree even allowed the government to spy on its own citizens' personal mail and telephone conversations without a warrant... something most Americans today could hardly begin to fathom... a precursor to President George W. Bush secret order in 2002 ordering the National Security Agency to do just exactly the same thing. So what about the fire? The only thing historians seem to agree on is that Marinus van der Lubbe, a former Dutch Communist and mentally disturbed arsonist hungry for fame, was found inside the building. Despite the Nazi attempt to blame the fire on a group of communists, the communists were later acquitted by the Nazi government itself. After years of extensive investigation, most historians believe the Hitlerites themselves set fire to the Reichstag using van der Lubbe as their patsy: they knew a nut was going to try to burn down the building and not only did they let him do it, but they may have befriended him, encouraged him and even helped the blaze spread by scattering gasoline and incendiaries. Most Germans, feeling safe from terrorism again, didn't mind that their freedom and liberty had been stolen, or that so much of their life and work had become so strictly controlled. On the contrary, they felt very enthusiastic and patriotic about the new government because they ignorantly believed the new government cared about them. And as long as the average citizen worked hard, kept his mouth shut and let his kids take part in the Hitler Youth organization, he stayed out of the detention camps. 5. The Fake Invasion at Gleiwitz In the late evening of Thursday, August 31, 1939, German covert operatives pretending to be Polish terrorists seized the Gleiwitz radio station in the German/Poland border region of Silesia. The station's music program came to an abrupt halt, followed by frantic German voices announcing that Polish formations were marching toward town. Germany was being invaded by Poland! Then, like a bad imitation of the previous year's infamous War of the Worlds broadcast, the transmission went dead for a moment of dramatic silence. Soon, the airwaves popped and crackled to life again, and this time Polish voices called for all Poles in the broadcast area to take up arms and attack Germany. In no time, radio stations across greater Europe picked up the story. The BBC broadcast this statement: "There have been reports of an attack on a radio station in Gleiwitz, which is just across the Polish border in Silesia. The German News Agency reports that the attack came at about 8.00pm this evening when the Poles forced their way into the studio and began broadcasting a statement in Polish. Within quarter of an hour, says reports, the Poles were overpowered by German police, who opened fire on them. Several of the Poles were reported killed, but the numbers are not yet known." And thus, Hitler invented an excuse to invade Poland, which he did the next day: September 1, 1939. World War II began. What really happened? Alfred Helmut Naujocks received the orders from Heinrich Müller, chief of the Gestapo, to put the staged terrorist attack together at the Gleiwitz station. At Naujock's disposal were what the Germans had codenamed "canned goods," which were dissenters and criminals kept alive in detention camps until the Gestapo needed a warm dead body. To add cogency to the Gleiwitz attack, Naujocks brought along one such canned good: Franciszek Honiok. Honiok, a German from the Silesian region, was a known Polish sympathizer. Before arriving at the station, the Gestapo gave him a lethal injection. Then, they dressed him up like a Polish terrorist and brought him to the front of the radio station. Naujocks later testified that the man was unconscious, but not dead yet, when he was shot full of pistol rounds. When the police and press found Honiok's body, they assumed he'd been one of the fictional Polish terrorists that attacked the station. In all, there were 21 fake terror actions along the border that same night, many of them using "canned goods" from German prisons so there would be plenty of bodies in the morning: evidence of Polish attackers that had been shot in self defence. The next day, after a long night filled with fake terror, Hitler gave a speech to the German Army, complete with synthetic anger: "The Polish State has refused the peaceful settlement of relations which I desired, and has appealed to arms. Germans in Poland are persecuted with bloody terror and driven from their houses. A series of violations of the frontier, intolerable to a great Power, prove that Poland is no longer willing to respect the frontier of the Reich. In order to put an end to this lunacy, I have no other choice than to meet force with force from now on. The German Army will fight the battle for the honour and the vital rights of reborn Germany with hard determination. I expect that every soldier, mindful of the great traditions of eternal German soldiery, will ever remain conscious that he is a representative of the National-Socialist Greater Germany. Long live our people and our Reich!" Had it not been for the Nuremberg trials in 1945, the real story behind the Gleiwitz attack might never have been uncovered. It was there that the operation's leader, Alfred Naujocks, spilled the beans in a written affidavit. 6. The Myth of Pearl Harbour On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a sneak attack at Pearl Harbor that decimated the US Pacific Fleet and forced the United States to enter WWII. That's what most of us were taught as school children... But, except for the date, everything you just read is a myth. In reality, there was no sneak attack. The Pacific Fleet was far from destroyed. And, furthermore, the United States took great pains to bring about the assault. On January 27, 1941, Joseph C. Grew, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, wired Washington that he'd learned of the surprise attack Japan was preparing for Pearl Harbour. On September 24, a dispatch from Japanese naval intelligence to Japan's consul general in Honolulu was deciphered. The transmission was a request for a grid of exact locations of ships in Pearl Harbour. Surprisingly, Washington chose not to share this information with the officers at Pearl Harbour. Then, on November 26, the main body of the Japanese strike force (consisting of six aircraft carriers, two battleships, three cruisers, nine destroyers, eight tankers, 23 fleet submarines, and five midget submarines) departed Japan for Hawaii. Despite the myth that the strike force maintained strict radio silence, US Naval intelligence intercepted and translated many dispatches. And, there was no shortage of dispatches: Tokyo sent over 1000 transmissions to the attack fleet before it reached Hawaii. Some of these dispatches, in particular this message from Admiral Yamamoto, left no doubt that Pearl Harbour was the target of a Japanese attack: "The task force, keeping its movement strictly secret and maintaining close guard against submarines and aircraft, shall advance into Hawaiian waters, and upon the very opening of hostilities shall attack the main force of the United States fleet and deal it a mortal blow. The first air raid is planned for the dawn of x-day. Exact date to be given by later order." Even on the night before the attack, US intelligence decoded a message pointing to Sunday morning as a deadline for some kind of Japanese action. The message was delivered to the Washington high command more than four hours before the attack on Pearl Harbour. But, as many messages before, it was withheld from the Pearl Harbour commanders.Although many ships were damaged at Pearl Harbour, they were all old and slow. The main targets of the Japanese attack fleet were the Pacific Fleet's aircraft carriers, but Roosevelt made sure these were safe from the attack: in November, at about the same time as the Japanese attack fleet left Japan, Roosevelt sent the Lexington and Enterprise out to sea. Meanwhile, the Saratoga was in San Diego. Why did Pearl Harbour happen? Roosevelt wanted a piece of the war pie. Having failed to bait Hitler by giving $50.1 billion in war supplies to Britain, the Soviet Union, France and China as part of the Lend Lease program, Roosevelt switched focus to Japan. Because Japan had signed a mutual defence pact with Germany and Italy, Roosevelt knew war with Japan was a legitimate back door to joining the war in Europe. On October 7, 1940, one of Roosevelt's military advisors, Lieutenant Commander Arthur McCollum, wrote a memo detailing an 8-step plan that would provoke Japan into attacking the United States. Over the next year, Roosevelt implemented all eight of the recommended actions. In the summer of 1941, the US joined England in an oil embargo against Japan. Japan needed oil for its war with China, and had no remaining option but to invade the East Indies and Southeast Asia to get new resources. And that required getting rid of the US Pacific Fleet first. Although Roosevelt may have got more than he bargained for, he clearly let the attack on Pearl Harbour happen, and even helped Japan by making sure their attack was a surprise. He did this by withholding information from Pearl Harbour's commanders and even by ensuring the attack force wasn't accidentally discovered by commercial shipping traffic. As Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner stated in 1941: "We were prepared to divert traffic when we believed war was imminent. We sent the traffic down via the Torres Strait, so that the track of the Japanese task force would be clear of any traffic." 7. Israeli Terrorist Cell Uncovered in Egypt In July, 1954, an Israeli terrorist cell was activated inside Egypt. The ensuing attacks, cleverly designed to look like the work of Arabs, blasted and torched American and British targets. First, the Israeli terrorists firebombed the Alexandria Post Office. Then, they firebombed the US Information Agency libraries: one in Alexandria, and one in Cairo. Then, they firebombed a British-owned Metro-Goldwyn Mayer theatre, a railway terminal, the central post office, and a couple more theatres... To smuggle their bombs inside the buildings, the terrorists used devices shaped like books, hiding them inside book covers. Once inside, bags filled with acid were placed on top of the nitroglycerin bombs. After several hours, the acid ate through the bags and ignited the nitroglycerin, causing explosions and blazing infernos. In the early 1950s, the United States was making fast friends with Egypt, taking advantage of the new pan-Arab Egyptian government of Gamal Abdel Nasser. The warming relationship between the US and Egypt caused a very insecure Israel to feel threatened. Nassar also had plans to nationalize the Suez Canal, which had been controlled by the British for decades. Egypt had been known to blockade Israeli shipping through the canal and Israel feared Nassar would make a blockade permanent. After US President Eisenhower began encouraging the British to leave the Suez Canal Zone, Israel started looking for a way to make the British stay, and a way to remain best buddies with America. And what better way to treat your best friend than to stab them in the back and tell them one of your other friends did it? David Ben Gurion, Israel's founding prime minister, thought that Egyptian terrorist attacks against Americans would be a perfect way to cool the growing US/Egypt relationship. Since there were no Egyptians planning attacks against Americans, Ben Gurion's protégés did the next best thing: they recruited Israeli agents to pretend to be Egyptian terrorists. The top-secret Israeli terrorist cell, Unit 131, had existed since 1948. In 1950, Israel's Directorate of Military Intelligence Aman was created and Israel sent an undercover agent, Colonel Avraham Dar (alias: John Darling, British citizen of the island of Gibraltar), to recruit more members to Unit 131. He also trained them in how to build bombs and terrify Americans and British civilians working and living in Egypt. Before the terrorist cell was activated, another Israeli agent named Avraham (Avraham Seidenberg) was sent to take control from Avraham Dar. Seidenberg first went to Germany to establish an alias: he assumed the identy of Paul Frank, a former SS officer, complete with underground Nazi connections. By 1954, his new identity was in place and he went to Egypt to take command of Unit 131. Everything was going well for the Israeli terrorists it seemed. But, there was one thing the members of Unit 131 didn't know: their terrorist sleeper cell had itself been infiltrated by the Egyptian intelligence service. The new Unit 131 leader, Seidenberg, had betrayed them to the Egyptians. So, when Unit 131 member Philip Nathanson made his way to bomb the British-owned Rio theatre in Alexandria, not only was he being followed, the Egyptian intelligence service had a fire engine waiting to put out the flames. As Nathanson stood in the ticket line, his bad luck turned worse when one of the bombs in his pocket ignited and then exploded. Nathanson was burned but not killed. As nearby pedestrians shouted warnings and wondered if he was a suicide bomber, Egyptian policemen stepped in, calmed the crowd, and identified Nathanson as one of the terrorists who had been blowing up American and British buildings. Nathanson was interrogated by Egypt's military intelligence and confessed the whole plot, which led to more arrests. When the Israeli spies were given a public trail, all the details of their terrorist training in Israel came to light. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ben Gurion and Israel's Aman chief, Binyamin Gibli, tried to frame their own Defense Minister Pinhas Lavon. They even offered forged documents as proof. The frame-up worked for a while, so much so that the entire incident is still popularly known as the Lavon Affair. Lavon resigned and Ben Gurion came out of political retirement to replace him as Israel's Defense Minister. However, the truth did finally emerge. In 1960, a review of the inquiry discovered the fake documents, as well as perjury by Seidenberg. A committee of seven Cabinet members cleared Lavon. Although Ben Gurion never admitted fault, he did resign his post as Defense Minister. 8. Operation Northwoods In 1962, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff unanimously proposed state-sponsored acts of terrorism on American soil, against American citizens. The head of every branch of the US armed forces gave written approval to sink US ships, shoot down hijacked American planes, and gun down and bomb civilians on the streets of Washington, D.C., and Miami. The idea was to blame the self-inflicted terrorism on Cuba's leader, Fidel Castro, so the American public would beg and scream for the Marines to storm Havana. The public learned about Operation Northwoods 35 years later, when the Top Secret document was declassified by the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Review Board. Among other things, Operation Northwoods proposed: - Faking the crash of an American passenger plane. The disaster was to be accomplished by faking a commercial flight from the US to Jamaica, and having the plane boarded at a public airport by CIA agents disguised as college students going on vacation. An empty remote-controlled plane would follow the commercial flight as it left Florida. The commercial flight's pilots would radio for help, mention that they had been attacked by a Cuban fighter, then land in secret at Eglin AFB. The empty remote-controlled plane would then be blown out of the sky and the public would be told all the poor college students aboard were killed. - Using a possible NASA disaster (astronaut John Glenn's death) as a pretext to launch the war. The plan called for "manufacturing various pieces of evidence which would prove electronic interference on the part of the Cubans" if something went wrong with NASA's third manned space launch. - Blowing up buildings in Washington and Miami. Cuban agents (undercover CIA agents) would be arrested, and they would confess to the bombings. In addition, false documents proving Castro's involvement in the attacks would be "found" and given to the press. - Attacking an American military base in Guantanamo with CIA recruits posing as Cuban mercenaries. This involved blowing up the ammunition depot and would obviously result in material damages and many dead American troops. As a last resort, the plan even mentioned bribing one of Castro's commanders to initiate the Guantanamo attack. That deserves repeating: the Pentagon considered using our tax dollars to bribe another country's military to attack our own troops in order to instigate a full-scale war. Operation Northwoods was only one of several plans under the umbrella of Operation Mongoose. Shortly after the Joint Chiefs signed and presented the plan in March, 1962, President Kennedy, still smarting from the Bay of Pigs fiasco, declared that he would never authorize a military invasion of Cuba. In September, Kennedy denied the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Lyman Lemnitzer, a second term as the nation's highest ranking military officer. And by the winter of 1963, Kennedy was dead... killed, apparently, by a Cuban sympathiser in the streets of an American city. 9. Phantoms in the Gulf of Tonkin On August 2, 1964, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked a US destroyer, the USS Maddox. The boats reportedly fired torpedoes at the US ship in international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin, about thirty miles off the Vietnam coast. On August 4, the US Navy reported another unprovoked attack on the USS Maddox and the USS Turner Joy. Within hours, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered a retaliatory strike. As the bases for North Vietnamese torpedo boats were bombed, Johnson went on TV and told America: "Repeated acts of violence against the armed forces of the United States must be met not only with alert defense, but with a positive reply. That reply is being given as I speak tonight." The next day, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara assured Capital Hill that the Maddox had only been "carrying out a routine mission of the type we carry out all over the world at all times." McNamara said the two boats were in no way involved with recent South Vietnamese boat raids against North Vietnamese targets. At Johnson's request, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. The resolution pre-approved any military actions Johnson would take. It gave Johnson a free ticket to wage war in Vietnam as large as the President wanted. And, true to his large Texas roots, Johnson got a big war: by 1969, over half a million US troops were fighting in Indochina. Despite McNamara's testimony to the contrary, the USS Maddox had been providing intelligence support to South Vietnamese boats carrying out raids against North Vietnam. McNamara had also testified that there was "unequivocable proof" of an "unprovoked" second attack against the USS Maddox. In fact, the second attack never occurred at all. At the time of the second incident, the two US destroyers misinterpreted radar and radio signals as attacks by the North Vietnamese navy. It's now known that no North Vietnamese boats were in the area. So, for two hours, the two US destroyers blasted away at nonexistent radar targets and vigorously maneuvered to avoid phantom North Vietnamese ships. Even though the second "attack" only involved two US ships defending themselves against a nonexistent enemy, the President and Secretary of Defense used it to coerce Congress and the American people to start a war they neither wanted nor needed. After the Vietnam War turned into a quagmire, Congress decided to put limits on the President's authority to unilaterally wage war. Thus, on November 7, 1973, Congress overturned President Nixon's veto and passed the War Powers Resolution. The resolution requires the President to consult with Congress before making any decisions that engage the US military in hostilities. It is still in effect to this day. 10. The September 11, 2001 Attacks Like many buildings built in the 1970s, the twin towers were constructed with vast quantities of cancer-causing asbestos. The cost of removing the Twin Tower asbestos? A year's worth of revenues at a minimum; possibly as much as the value of the buildings themselves. The cost to disassemble the Twin Towers floor by floor would have run into the double-digit billions. In addition, the Port Authority was prohibited from demolishing the towers because the resulting asbestos dust would cover the entire city, which it did when they collapsed, resulting in many cancers with a confirmed link to the WTC dust. Despite its questionable status, in January of 2001, Larry Silverstein made a $3.2 billion bid for the World Trade Center. On July 24, the Port Authority accepted the offer. Silverstein then took out an insurance policy that, understandably, covered terrorist attacks, which happened seven weeks later. To date, Silverstein has been awarded almost $5 billion from nine different insurance companies. What was an asbestos nightmare turned into a $1.8 billion profit within seven weeks. Donald Rumsfeld said about the Pentagon on the morning of September 10, 2001: "According to some estimates we cannot track $2.3 trillion in transactions." That bombshell was pretty much forgotten by the next morning. So, as a reward for losing $8,000 for every man, woman, and child in America, taxpayers patriotically forked over another $370 billion and counting to invade Iraq. True to form, the Pentagon promptly lost $9 billion of that money, too. Eight days after the attacks, the 342-page Patriot Act was given to Congress. That same week, letters armed with anthrax from a US military lab entered the mail. Subsequently, while Congressional offices were evacuated, examined, cleaned and nasal cavities swabbed, the Patriot Act remained largely unread. Then, with little debate, the Patriot Act became law, giving the Bush administration unprecedented power to access people's medical records, tax records, information about the books they bought or borrowed and the power to conduct secret residential searches without notifying owners that their homes had been searched. In early 2001, executives from Shell, BP, and Exxon met with Dick Cheney's Energy Task Force while it was developing its new national energy policy. Later, the companies freely admitted interest in profiting from Iraq's oil fields, even before the US invaded Iraq. And now? A new Iraq hydrocarbon law expected to pass in March 2007 will open the door for international investors, led by BP, Exxon and Shell, to siphon off 75 percent of Iraq oil wealth for the next thirty years. According to statements by Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer, a Bronze Star recipient with 22 years of experience in intelligence operations, a classified intelligence program codenamed Able Danger had uncovered two of the three 9/11 terrorist cells a year before the attacks and had identified four of the hijackers. Shaffer alerted the FBI in September of 2000, but the meetings he tried to set up with bureau officials were repeatedly blocked by military lawyers. Four credible witnesses have come forward to verify Shaffer's claims. In August 2001, a Pan Am International Flight Academy instructor warned the FBI that a student (Zacarias Moussaoui) might use a commercial plane loaded with fuel as a weapon. The instructor asked "Do you realize that a 747 loaded with fuel can be used as a bomb?" Moussaoui was then arrested on immigration charges, but despite the repeated urging of the school and local agents, FBI headquarters refused a deeper investigation. The US also received dozens of detailed warnings (names, locations, dates) from the intelligence agencies of Indonesia, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, India, Argentina, Morocco, Russia, Israel, France and even the Taliban. It would seem that the entire world was onto the bungling Saudi hijackers and somewhat perplexed that the US wasn't taking preventative actions. But in each case the US, as if by design, chose not to investigate. Instead. Condoleezza Rice, on May 16, 2002, stated: "I don't think anybody could have predicted that these people would take an airplane and slam it into the World Trade Center, take another one and slam it into the Pentagon." We also know that on the morning of 9/11, multiple Air Force war games and drills were in progress. The hijackers would have never made it to their targets without these war games: Operation Northern Vigilance ensured that many jet fighters that would have normally been patrolling the east coast were flying over Alaska and northern Canada in a drill that simulated a Russian air attack, complete with false radar blips. Remarkably, operation Vigilant Guardian simulated hijacked planes in the north eastern sector, while real hijackers were in the same airspace. This drill had NORAD and the Air Force reacting to false blips on FAA radar screens. Some of these blips corresponded to real military aircraft in the air posing as hijacked aircraft. That's why when NORAD's airborne control officer, Lt. Col. Dawne Deskins, heard Boston claim it had a hijacked airliner, her first words were, "It must be part of the exercise." If you follow the money, you can see that the people with the most to gain occupied the key military and civilian positions to help 9/11 happen, as well as to cover up the crime. Such is the hallmark of false flag operations throughout history. But the incredible scale of the 9/11 sham, and the sheer number of people who still refuse to see the mountain of truth in front of their eyes...that's what makes the September 11, 2001 attacks the greatest false flag operation of all time. Hermann Göring stated: "Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf, a book still forbidden in some countries (such as France), wrote: "In the size of the lie there is always contained a certain factor of credibility, since the great masses of the people...will more easily fall victim to a great lie than to a small one." Joe Crubaugh is a freelance writer, artist, and software consultant. Visit his website. Source: http://www.conspiracy-times.com/content/view/30/2/ History Commons has Alleged Use of False Flag Attacks by Intelligence Agencies for more up to date information. History of American False Flag Operations The chart above shows the inter-relational structure of the prototypical typical false-flag domestic terrorist attack network. NOTE: Click on image to enlarge graphic Posted by kenny at 12:01 AM Labels: false flag attacks, history atheo December 3, 2008 at 12:29 PM You might be interested in adding my brand new site to your blogroll: http://atheonews.blogspot.com/ Emerald Green December 4, 2008 at 9:27 AM I also thought you might be interested in a site I've just started: www.thetowerawakening.blogspot.com. Welcome to add it to your blogroll. Dave December 4, 2008 at 1:14 PM Nice list, well done. A large one imho is the U.S.S.Liberty incident. Not sure if it fits in a top 10 since it failed to sink or to generate the needed movement and was seen for what it was by a rival superpower that had a ship in the area. kenny's sideshow December 4, 2008 at 2:06 PM Yes Dave, The Liberty was a major false flag and cover up and deserves to be seen as one of the most heinous acts ever in our history. I doubt if we'll ever see the true story on the 'History' channel or in any mainstream media outlet. A well done and historically correct feature film would probably do well but we know who runs Hollywood. Don't forget: 3M Velostat is better for blocking alien/government mind control rays than tin or aluminum foil. Len December 4, 2008 at 8:50 PM Very weak you provided no citations to back your claims so the reader has to research them his or herself, essentially doing YOUR homework. About half the incidents don’t qualify as false flag incidents because they don’t seem to have been carried out by those who tried to exploit them for political advantage, one back fired another was never carried out. Also the 1st nine incidents seem to show it would be near impossible to keep such a thing secret. 1] Even you acknowledge Nero probably was not responsible for the fire. However according to historian Tacitus, who was a child at the time, he was suspected: “Whether it was accidental or caused by a criminal act on the part of the emperor is uncertain - both versions have supporters.” http://tinyurl.com/6r4y98 pg 362 2] It is unclear what cause the Maine to explode, most accounts I’ve seen think it was accidental 3/5] No one outside Japan or Germany believed those countries had been attacked. 4] Outside of Germany (and even in it) it was widely believed that the Nazi’s set the fire, even today historians are divided over the respective roles of Van der Lubbe and the Nazis 6] Much of the info about the “ignored” intelligence of an impending Pearl Harbor attack came out before the end of the war. You misrepresented the McCollum memo he wrote about how the advance Axis was a grave threat to US security and suggested what could be done short of declaring war and near the end wrote: “If by these means Japan could be led to commit an overt act of war, so much the better. At all events we must be fully prepared to accept the threat of war.” In other words war was seen as a possible outcome of but NOT the objective of the suggested measures. http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/McCollum/index.html?q=McCollum/index.html Distressingly you equate the US providing aid to its allies as ‘baiting’ Hitler a position with little support outside of neo-Nazi circles. 7] The “Lavon Affair” was an abject failure that completely backfired 8] Operation Northwoods was never executed but it became public, even the JCS fretted about being able to keep it secret. 9] LBJ and his cohorts seem to have exploited the Tonkin incidents rather than engineered them 10] Your 9/11 info is equally off base. Asbestos was only used in part of the Twin Towers I’ve seen no credible support for the theory the city was forcing it to be removed. Since the complex was owned by a bi-state agency neither the city nor the state exercised regularity control over any compliance was voluntary. Silverstein actually took a large loss as a result of 9/11 he has had to pay his annual $120 million rent to the Port Authority despite not receiving and rent for the last 7 years and he is unlikely to receive any rent for several more years. He is still contractually obliged to rebuild the complex. That’s what $ 4.6 billion was for but rebuilding costs are expected to exceed that amount. It also turns out that he only wanted to insure the complex for $ 1.5 billion but his financial backers balked. I’ve seen no evidence the war games delayed the military’s response time. As had been the case for the last several years 14 fighters were on scramble alert in the “lower 48” on 9/11. Intercepts of over US airspace (as opposed to at sea) were rare before 9/11. It took over an hour to intercept Payne Stewart’s Learjet in 1999, about the same amount of time to intercept a Lear in a similar incident out of Memphis in 1988 and 2 hours to intercept Bo Rein’s plane in 1980. Rumsfeld brought up the $ 2.3 trillion in a prepared statement to congress because he was pushing for new data systems he never indicated the money was missing. He’s the link for the stuff about Silverstein http://911myths.com/html/windfall.html As for the asbestos abatement the cost of that seems to have only been around $ 200 million according to “truther” site citing court documents http://www.newswithviews.com/Spingola/deanna39.htm The Reichstag fire was a false flag operation for sure, but the Nazis had nothing to do with it. You're just repeating tired old Communist propaganda that hasn't a shred of evidence to support it. It was in fact a STALINIST false flag op. Also, there was no Gleiwitz false flag op. This crap was made up at Nuremberg for the benefit of the Poles, who really did attack the radio station. Bas - Istanbul Expat December 6, 2008 at 10:38 AM Hey Mr. Anonymous commenter... How about some sources/evidence to back up your claim? As for the list, I like it. You could have added some Operation Gladio stuff though. lotsabuddha December 6, 2008 at 5:38 PM Kudos, Len, for being a voice of reason in a wilderness of tin foil hats. Redoubt December 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM It all makes for a grand read but aside from lacking citations and something more than one person's word, there's nothing here to rewrite history or set humanity free. Nice try, though. rosie December 14, 2008 at 3:01 PM YOu should have the Racak massacre on the list. This was a so-called massacre of Kosovan civilians by the Serbs and triggered off the illegal attack on Yugoslavia by the war criminals Bill Clinton and his administration. It has now been demonstrated that Racak was set up by the Americans. Europeans who were involved in the investigation have come clean saying they were pressured by the Americans to lie. The 'victims' were actually islamic terrorists who had been killed in a gun battle, dressed up in civilian clothes and posed for effect. excellent piece. to the obviously paid shills (who else would argue ridiculous details while your world is under attack by evil)--stop being so obvious! No thinking human being can look at a list such as this and not realize that something is amiss in the myth of "benevolent govt as protector" As for sources, go look them up yourselves you lazy ass doubters. and we all realize that you want to discredit sources--that is your only game. And, of course, you will cite your "mainstream sources" that spout lies. We are truly living in an orwellian society when the truth is called a lie and lies are pushed as truth. good job joe, your article is definately a passer onner! thanks for putting it all together ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-t7PmonBEA&feature=channel_page goldieshouse.piczo.com Another false flag operation was the invasion of Iraq. We are told we had to invade because Saddam possessed "weapons of mass destruction" which he was about to use on America....including nukes. Then we stage our entire army just miles from the border for a month prior to the actual invasion. Now, while the "monkey in chief" was probably that stupid.....no military commander would be THAT dumb as Saddam could take out our "ENTIRE" military with his weapons of mass destruction. Just that fact alone shows beyond a shadow of a doubt.....that we KNEW he had no such weapons before we ever even invaded. Have you seen any comment on this glaring fact before? No of course not as the "sheepie" are to dumbed down for the most part to have a any conception of the every day lies they swallow. Liz September 28, 2012 at 12:48 PM i dont think you understand what a false flag operation is, my friend In Vietnam I served with one of the radar operators that was on the bridge that night in the Gulf. He was very clear that there was no attack. All of those who were on duty on the bridge that night on the USS Maddox were quickly transfered all over the world (not to CONUS). Coldbear December 14, 2008 at 8:11 PM Well done. I would like to reiterate what an earlier commentor said. It would be nice to see operation GLADIO in there. For those who would deny, but are not paid shills, (there can't be that many), think about the history that you're sure of. Julius Caesar fell on his sword sixteen times? John Wilkes Booth was a "lone gunman"? Guy Fawkes was acting alone? You know that European settlers gave small pox blankets to the Native Americans. I'll believe that nineteen whore-mongering, drunk, yet somehow "devout" Muslims were better at outwitting the entire military/intelligence apparatus of the United States, than the KGB, when you show me a treaty with indigenous people that the US didn't break. BTW which is it? Do you believe that we have the best military the world has ever known or do you believe that any group of random nutjobs can paralyze the US Air Command for hours on end? Which is it Boorah USA or, "Help. Help. We've been threatened by guys with box-cutters, and we can't stop them." You're choice. In his book "Operation Cyanide," Peter Hounam reveals that the plan was to sink the USS Liberty so that America would then respond and attack Egypt with nuclear weapons. The "Master" plan would then unleash an all out general nuclear war, leading to the mass extermination of the human race worldwide. The really troubling aspect is that this is still the plan. We are the Living Dead. They have already pulled the nuclear trigger on us several times over the years. Bush fiend has ordered the nuclear trigger pulled several times since he came into office. J. Edgar Hoover was quoted thus: "The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a conspiracy so monstrous, that he cannot believe that it exists." Its true folks, we have been 'smoked' by our nuclear war fighting elite. That is why they have built such an extensive underground shelter system; to hide while they toast us all. Our nuclear war fighting elite are definitely not joking with us. How can I get one of those jobs writing as a paid shill ?? Do I have to join the Conspiracy first ? With regard to the attack on the Maine,the harbormaster's daughter said he was hounded to an early grave by his refusal to budge from the evidence,which he maintained was of an internal explosion. This ends, when you make it end You are slaves, until you win you freedom George Bush Senior was CIA logistics chief in Texas, present in Dallas on 22 November, 1963. He arranged for the movement of weapons and executors of witnesses, and the arrangement of safe houses in Dallas. He played a large role in the Bay of Pigs invasion. Bush Sr. was rewarded for his role in the assassination and coverup, by being nominated as head of the CIA under Nixon, and then assigned to be President twice, with Reagan playing the hand puppet You missed out on a WWII biggie... HMS Ark Royal which was scuttled according to the War dept by Germans when in fact it was scuttled by the British government to help unify a wavering British public against the Germans. Channel 4 did an expose on this one and questions are still unanswered as to whether it was the Germans that hit Ark Royal or the British using mini subs from Gibraltar. Clarification also on Northwoods, I have seen some of that stuff and some of it referred also to a plan of flying a remote controlled airliner into a US national landmark and that also in zones that contained a lot of Cubans in the US would of seen bombings of US instituitions such as schools, libraries, govt offices and military installations. I would add London's 7/7 in there as well as it smells just as bad as 9/11 and Blair needed justifcation for bringing in extremely fascist laws into the UK and strange how some of his friends company practising the very thing that happened as a drill... Hmmm the whole thing stinks of a 6 black op. Joe Jussac, Jr. December 15, 2008 at 9:30 AM Hi there, how about BALI BOMB of Oct. 2002, Ausie Embassy, Jakarta Bomb, and MARRIOT Hotel Bomb previously??? Take a peek at my DDocs. at www.scribd.com, or simply GOOGLE: Joe Jussac, Jr. or tjoaginsing, and enjoy my kicking GWB's moronic face..... Gary Webb, and earlier Dr. Mary Sherman and Lee Oswald died for all of us http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tmwkk&search_type=&aq=f Eric Vaughan December 16, 2008 at 8:28 AM Excellent piece. Bravo! And all in extremely rare non-schizophrenic text. For the fans, if you can ever get to the Toronto Reference Library, be sure to see the Toronto Telegramme spool from around one week before the JFK assassination up to the plane crash in Montreal a few days after. Seeing Operation Northwoods as it happened is just eerie. (You'll feel a sickening thud in your heart when you see the headline A CITY IN MOURNING just before JFK gets it.) North of San Francisco and adjacent to the Bohemian Grove Campsite is the Northwoods Golf Course. Lots of owl statues, etc, a nice ordinary short course. I'm pretty sure Operation Northwoods was dreamed up on the fairway... Fore!..... Ohmarski December 17, 2008 at 12:33 AM The old false flag ops should not be included in the list because they are obsolete and do not have backing proofs or evidences available. You should only mention the very recent false flag ops that can wake people up from their deep ignorance - like the Mumbai attack, 911, London bombing, Bali, USS Liberty, lavon affairs, and some others, which you can easily back with proofs or evidences of a false flag ops. Very interesting topic, though. Fin--Gal December 17, 2008 at 4:40 PM You left out the First false flag operation. Between 209 and 211 C.E., the Roman Army led in person by the Emperor himself, slaughtered every male of the Maeatae nation in the Scottish Lowlands. They went so far as to rip un-born babies out of their mothers' wombs. The Caledonians to the North of the Maeatae, had actually conducted a "false tartan" operation in order to trick the Romans into taking out their rivals who they themselves were unable to do. They waited for two years and until the Romans had finished, before coming to their client state's aid. It's on the "Na Fineachan Gaidhealach: The Day Before Mons Graupius" web-page: http://thegoshinyamajujutsuandcomputerclub.netfirms.com/gaidheal.htm The Caledonians thereby neutralized both the Roman threat and the Irish threat to them, for more than 100 years. The Roman Army ended up murdering their emperor in Scotland, so that they could go home. http://www.zendogblog.net ZenDog was here. Hans December 18, 2008 at 6:44 PM Good list. I'd include the Madrid train bombings and London's 7/7. This site is another false oppositionist - not different from false flag operations. Good job. So you think you'll gonna win, but you cannot keep a good man down, remember, busting head. Bobby the K December 31, 2008 at 1:10 PM Lets say it's all true. You Americans still voted for Cheney/Bush - TWICE! Even if they rigged the elections, it wouldn't have been easy if it wasn't so close. And you had ample time to impeach the lot and you didn't lift a finger. Look in the mirror if you're looking for someone to blame. Your Constitution got turned into toilet paper, and so did your economy. And everyone sat there and let it happen. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. http://adoptpet.info It is very interesting for me to read this post. Thank author for it. I like such themes and everything connected to them. I would like to read a bit more soon. Intelligent RebelLion March 5, 2010 at 12:14 PM ITS NO F.N SECRET!! - intelligentRebeLion.org To the above iraq comment: IT WASN'T A FALSE FLAG OP YOU DUMB FUCK. A few of the ones on the list aren't either. Look up the definition before you use the term. EternalQuest May 11, 2010 at 9:42 PM @Leny and author of this blog As ususal in those kinds of cases – when mainstream media doesn't want to touch anything to not blow into their faces – to find out what is really happening takes looking into multiple sources of information and putting it all together. First – I've never heard Silverstein paid more that $124 (from which million, including 14 million from his money, which he apparently got back), so although the deal was for 3,2 billion, he didn't physically front this money). In other words, 3,2 billion dollars is as virtual as whole WTC story. Yes – he's paying rent to Port Authority of New York, 10 mln/month (120 a year including 102mln of base rent). Silverstein landed a very profitable deal for REBUILDING the area, along with the same Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, so he will not pay a full amount for whatever will be there (freedom tower, museum and few other towers, one build by JP Morgan Chase). So they actually work hand in hand. Silversteins dispute with 24 (or 25 depending on the source) insurance companies, were acompanied by Port Authority – so he was in it together with them. To say that Silverstein will pay for rebuilding what was destroyed and will lose money doesn't make any sense – there are more parties involved in rebuilding, Silverstein is one of them. And everything will be very nice and comfortable for mr Silverstein. „...Under the tentative deal, the Port Authority would finance the second tower at the site, a 64-story building to be completed in 2013. The city and Port Authority have already agreed to rent space in the building. Developer Larry Silverstein would have to raise $300 million in cash to build a third office tower at the site. New York City, New York state and the Port Authority would provide $600 million in backup financing if Silverstein first secures commitments to lease 400,000 square feet. Silverstein said in a statement: "Today's agreement between my company and the Port Authority will accelerate the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. This is great news for New York." The fourth office building at the site would be built up to street level so the lot will be ready for Silverstein to put a tower there when and if the commercial real estate market recovers.....” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/26/world-trade-center-deal-l_n_513293.html So saying that rebuilding will take more than 4,6 billion dollars (4,55 actually – this is how much Silverstein eventually won, but will apparently split it with Port Authority, as we have another kind of under surface deal going on), but the argument is void, as it's not Silverstein alone who will be rebuilding, but more institutions and companies, along with the City of New York, Port Autority, JP Morgan Chase (company connected to Rockefellers, that helped Silverstein negotiating with Port Authority) etc etc etc. There are multiple banks and other financial and insurance institutions involved, and I bet the public will never find out about all the enormous amount of intermingling going on under the table. There will be lucrative contracts for hundreds of companies, banks, a lot of office spaces to rent. As usual both sides are trying to use simplifications. Learn one thing – guy like Silverstein WILL NEVER LOSE. He will make money, because all these people have multiple business connections one with another, either directly or through other institutions, so whatever happens, they'll all make money. The only ones that will lose are taxpayers. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will not ruin Silverstein – they'll make boat loads of money TOGETHER, along with JP Morgan, Rockefellers, Deutche Bank and many others. As per WTC itself – it was becoming obsolete and Port Authority tried to get approval for demolition of the buildings multiple times (at least twice) and was refused. The maintanance costs of the complex were enormous, therefore there were attempts to pull both towers, but refused by appropriate institutions. Therefore it's not only about another VIRTUAL $200 mln, but whole thing was MEANT to be demolished, but they had a problem with it. I'm not saying Silverstein paid someone to fly the planes in to all these mess, but definitely you can consider he might have had some motives. Hery_(F4-Programmer) May 25, 2010 at 3:46 AM EternalQuest May 25, 2010 at 4:25 AM In Indispensable Enemies, historian Walter Karp wrote “When it can be established that a number of political acts work in concert to produce a certain result, the presumption is strong that the actors were aiming at the result in question. When it can be shown, in addition, that the actors have an interest in producing those results, the presumption becomes a fair certainty. No conspiracy theory is required…On the other hand, those who make blanket condemnations of ‘conspiracy theories’ base their own view on a farfetched theory indeed, namely that whatever those in high office actually do, they are essentially men of goodwill. According to this school of special pleading – the ‘King can do no wrong’ doctrine suitably updated – it is entirely proper to praise an American President for skillfully engineering some desirable result, but to not the same skillful engineering of an indefensible one is to fall victim to ‘political paranoia and ‘conspiratorial fetishism’. While it’s hard to claim that Chomsky would impute good will to Bush and crew, Karp’s observation holds true for many progressives. Such stupendous treachery (e.g., 9-11) from essentially men of goodwill is unfathomable. Ambien October 31, 2010 at 11:37 AM o saying that rebuilding will take more than 4,6 billion dollars (4,55 actually – this is how much Silverstein eventually won, but will apparently split it with Port Authority, as we have another kind of under surface deal going on) harvey.b March 2, 2011 at 11:04 PM Congrats, wonderful piece, one of the very best I've read on 9-11...and I've read a shit load! The "Castro sympathizer" was an informant, S-179, reporting directly to Hoover, the FBI Director at that time. He, under FBI orders, had infiltrated the Operation Mongoose-controlled Operation 40 CIA terrorists whom Hovver told Oswald had been plotting to kill JFK. He acted as a gunrunner, along with CIA agent, Marita Lorenz. They sold guns to Op-40 Nixon buddies, Frank Sturgiss, David Ferrie, and other members. There is a black and white film of Oswald doing just this, at www.jfkmurdersolved.com. Enter the site, then click on the name "Luis Posada Carrilles. It will take you to a lengthy page of photos of Goerge H. W. Bush and Felix Rodriguez. Below them you will see Frank Sturgiss and Marita Lorenz photo. Just below it you will see "Click here to see members of Operation 40 film, There it will direct you to click on a film that will show for about 20 seconds. You will see Lee Harvey Oswald and Frank Sturgiss talking together about a large pistol type weapon. Oswald had to have been a CIA agent or asset in order to have been shown there. He reported his findings to the FBI for whom he thought he was working. When the CIA discovered what Oswald was reporting to the FBI, they decided that Kennedy was an easier target for assassination that Castro was. They changed their plans. That is why JFK died, and the man whom the FBI had engaged to infiltrate the kill JFK assassin groups, both died within two days of each other. At the same site listed above, click on the photo frame of Jack Ruby and listen to him describe what happened and the fact that he had been told he had to kill Oswald. LBJ was the man who ordered the JFK hit! jogja September 14, 2011 at 10:41 PM thank you very helpful article Do follow blog October 19, 2011 at 7:15 AM phil_cutre August 13, 2012 at 3:47 PM the lack of citations is kind of weak 1954 Lavon affair,code named operation Susannah Israel actually recruited Egyptian Jews to carry the sabbottage. The fifth colomn is always willing. Ronald Maxson March 17, 2013 at 1:19 AM In the early to mid 2000s, MSNBC news website had many intriguing posts relating to 9/11 that no other news source picked up on, the Able Danger information being among them. I was surprised that a mainstream outfit like MSNBC had so many posts indicating a conspiracy, and equally surprised that no other news source followed it up. One related that the CIA received a message Sept. 10 that the attack would take place the next day, but was 'inadvertently' not read until Sept. 12. this was classified info that Sen. Shelby obtained. He announced that his committee was going to conduct an investigation, but he was warned that if he did so, he would be prosecuted for receiving classified information. He quickly dropped the matter, and no other news organization picked this up. This astounded me, that such explosive, front page news was never mentioned anywhere besides MNSBC. Then, there was the Project for the New American Century document, with Cheney as one of the co-authors, outlining the sort of G.W. Bush actions he put into practice after 9/11, as related in your article. In this document was a sentence saying to the effect that such a plan could not be actualized unless there was a 'pearl harbor type event'. And I find it interesting that Bush was not in the White House that day. Finally, Rice gave a speech at a college in 2002 during which she said, 'We must capitalize on 9/11'. Quite a choice of words, I'd say. There's, of course, much more, which I had on my blog, fully documented, but the blog no longer exists (long story). For instance, the name of the college where Rice made her speech was included, but after all this time, I can't remember. 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The Only Game in Town Caroline Kennedy and JFK Jr. Finding Humor in the Madoff Crimes Tax Me - Represent Me Haul 'Em All Off to Jail You Bet Your Life The Federal Reserve's Ponzi Scheme Will the Bush Crime Family Make a Comeback? The largest urban old-growth forest in the United ... Crime Lovers Embrace One Last Time Obama's election will keep liberals happy The ADL doesn't like this “It is the farewell kiss, you dog” Hebrewnomics — Helping To Expose The Jewish Exploi... A Short History of Opium anarchists, dumb asses or false flag Thinking about 9/11 in light of the bailout “THROW THE BUMS OUT” The Dark Knight DVD: Holy Batshit 9/11 Truth!	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2557
__label__wiki	0.909767	0.909767	Seth Wenig/AP Photo, File Pitch clock coming for spring training games WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Major League Baseball is unilaterally starting the use of pitch clocks for spring training games, while brushing off complaints from players about the slow free agent market. With the sport looking for ways to speed the pace of play, pitchers generally will have 20 seconds to deliver to the plate when teams play exhibition games in Arizona and Florida beginning this week. The intention is to get players and umpires accustomed to the clock in the event MLB makes the rule change for the upcoming regular season. "We will start getting ready for the possibility that we're going to use the pitch clock on opening day," Commissioner Rob Manfred said Sunday at spring training media day in Florida. "We have to get going." After the 2016 and 2017 seasons, players rebuffed management's proposal for a pitch clock. Owners have the right to implement one this year without consent, but Manfred has been reluctant to initiate on-field modifications without agreement from players and their union head, Tony Clark. "We're still hopeful that we're going to make an agreement with Tony on pace-of-play initiatives," Manfred said. "I just think that whether it's by agreement or otherwise, the only prudent course for us at this point is to be in a position to proceed if in fact we have an agreement or decide to do it ... under our collectively bargained right to do that." The players' association said MLB notified the union it was making the unilateral decision to use clocks in spring training games. Manfred said the rules involving the clock will be "phased in" and won't start immediately with ball and strike calls. But there will be a "functional" clock in Grapefruit League and Cactus League games. Management's proposals have said a clock would not be used after foul balls. Pitch clocks have been used in the high minors since 2015. With spring training underway and exhibitions scheduled to start Thursday, several players around the majors have taken issue with a second consecutive slow market for free agents. They question why more teams aren't trying to win. "It would be nice to start with the facts on this topic. There has been no meaningful change in the distribution of winning percentages in Major League Baseball," Manfred said. "Our teams are trying. Every single one of them wants to win. It may look a little different to outsiders because the game has changed, the way that people think about the game, the way that people think about putting a winning team together has changed, but that doesn't mean they're not trying." Two of the game's biggest stars, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain unsigned — along with closer Craig Kimbrel and dozens of other accomplished veterans. "There are 11 players who had a WAR (wins above replacement) above 1 last year that are unsigned. I believe that just like last year, that market is going to clear. At some point here in the next few weeks, those players are going to get signed," Manfred said. "We negotiated a system that allows the market to operate and I have every confidence that for those players that I just described, that market is going to clear before we get to playing real games." The current economy for players is all part of the game, he insisted. "I think it's important to remember that the Major League Baseball Players Association has always wanted a market-based system. And, markets change. Particularly when the institution around those markets change. We've had a lot of change in the game. People think about players differently. They analyze players differently. They negotiate differently. Agents negotiate differently," Manfred said. "I think there's lots and lots of offers out there and it's a bilateral process. Players haven't accepted those offers yet. That's how a market works. So you know, we bargained for a market system, that market's out there operating, and I don't have any choice but to live with that right now." Manfred said just because clubs don't spend big doesn't mean they aren't attempting to win. He pointed out that Oakland and Tampa Bay, two low-payroll clubs expected to struggle in 2018, both had excellent seasons. The Athletics reached the playoffs with 97 wins, and the Rays won 90 games. "I reject the notion that payroll is a good measure for how much a team is trying or how successful that team is going to be," he explained. That drew the ire of Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander, who tweeted: "Agreed... finally we're on the same page! Awesome! Removal of the luxury tax it is." AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this rpeort. pitch clocks spring training games	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2562
__label__wiki	0.948241	0.948241	FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2018 photo, a menorah is tested outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in preparation for a celebration service at sundown on the first night of Hanukkah, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. A $6.3 million fund established in the wake of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre will primarily be split among the families of the dead and survivors of the worst attack on Jews in U.S. history. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh made the announcement Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) $6.3M raised for synagogue massacre families, survivors A $6.3 million fund established after the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre will primarily be split among the families of the dead and survivors of the worst attack on Jews in U.S. history, organizers announced Tuesday. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh set up the Victims of Terror Fund after... Pat Loeb/KYW Newsradio Pat Loeb Officials unveil new plan for preventing violent crime in Philly PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The city of Philadelphia will spend an additional $4.4 million on programs to prevent violent crime, under a new plan of action unveiled today. The plan, " The Philadelphia Roadmap to Safer Communities ," comes in response to the increasing number of homicides in the... Stabbing victim Lahtifa Wilson, center right, is embraced during a vigil for her sister Nia Wilson outside the MacArthur Bay Area Rapid Transit station, Monday, July 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. A felon on parole fatally stabbed 18-year-old Nia Wilson in the neck and wounded Lahtifa Wilson as they exited a train at a subway station in what police said was an unprovoked attack. BART Police Chief Carlos Rojas said officers are scouring the area for John Cowell, 27, who is suspected in the Sunday night attack at the MacArthur Station in Oakland. (AP Photo/Lorin Eleni Gill) Suspect arrested in Oakland train station stabbing attack OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A man who police say killed an 18-year-old woman in an unprovoked stabbing at an Oakland train station was arrested aboard a train about a dozen miles away Monday night, officials said. An anonymous tip from a rider on a Bay Area Rapid Transit train led to the arrest of John... Jason McMillan, 36, of Riverside, a Riverside County Sheriff's deputy who was shot and paralyzed in the Oct, 1, 2017, Las Vegas shooting, reacts as he talks about that evening and is upset MGM's decision, during a personal account brought together by attorneys at a news conference in Newport Beach, Calif., Monday, July 23, 2018. Behind McMillan are images of the shooting victims of the October 1, 2017 shooting. Victims of the fatal mass shooting at a Las Vegas country music festival are outraged they are being sued by MGM, which owns the hotel where the gunman opened fire. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) Shooting victims outraged over MGM's lawsuit against them NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Victims of a mass shooting at a Las Vegas country music festival said Monday they were outraged when they learned they were being sued by the company that owns the hotel where the gunman opened fire. Jason McMillan, a 36-year-old Riverside County sheriff's deputy who... Malika Harris places a candle down for her sister Nia Wilson at a makeshift memorial outside the MacArthur Bay Area Rapid Transit station, Monday, July 23, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. A felon on parole fatally stabbed 18-year-old Nia Wilson in the neck and wounded her sister Lahtifa Wilson as they exited a train at a subway station in what police said was an unprovoked attack. BART Police Chief Carlos Rojas said officers are scouring the area for John Cowell, 27, who is suspected in the Sunday night attack at the MacArthur Station in Oakland. (AP Photo/Lorin Eleni Gill) The Latest: Vigil held for Oakland train station victim OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on a fatal stabbing attack at a California train station (all times local): 6:20 p.m. A vigil is being held at the Oakland train station where a young woman was stabbed to death and her sister wounded in what authorities say was an unprovoked attack. Dozens of...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2563
__label__wiki	0.848948	0.848948	On July 10, 2019 By laurasibiliavtIn In the News Mark Anderson Appointed new Windham County Sheriff Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of Mark Anderson as Windham County Sheriff. Anderson fills the vacancy left by his predecessor, Sheriff Keith Clark, who retired June 30 after 12 years as sheriff. Anderson brings more than 15 years of law enforcement experience to the role, including extensive expertise in budget management, drug recognition and records management. “I’m pleased to appoint Mark as Windham County Sheriff and appreciate his experience and the dedication to public safety he’s demonstrated over his years of service,” said Governor Scott. “He’ll serve the people of Windham County well in this new role.” Anderson most recently served as chief deputy of the Windham County Sheriff’s Office, managing operational and internal affairs and developing strategic and tactical goals and strategies. He was also elected Windham County High Bailiff in 2018. “I am honored that Governor Scott has entrusted me as sheriff of Windham County,” said Anderson. “I’m excited to lead the women and men of the office in its next chapter of service to the people of our community. A resident of Vernon, Anderson is also a staff sergeant in the Barnes Air National Guard and serves on the board of directors for INSPIRE for Autism, a non-profit school for students with autism located in Brattleboro. He earned a B.A. in business administration in management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an A.A. in business administration from Greenfield Community College. Following tradition, Governor Scott appointed an individual from the same party as the vacating office holder. Anderson will be sworn in on Thursday, July 11. News Release – July 10, 2019 State Treasurer Beth Pearce and Governor Phil Scott Comment on Fitch’s Downgrade of Vermont’s Bond Rating to AA+ MONTPELIER, VT — Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce and Governor Phil Scott issued the following statement after Fitch Ratings, Inc. announced their decision on the State’s bond rating. “Fitch Ratings has downgraded the general obligation credit rating of the State of Vermont from AAA to AA+ with a stable outlook, its second highest rating. This outcome is not unexpected, and while it is not the outcome we’d aimed for, Fitch’s report also noted many positives. Those include the State’s continued strong financial management, sound reserves, the leveling of Medicaid spending, and modest steps taken towards reducing our pension liabilities, including a path to prefunding for our state employee and teacher other post-employment benefits (OPEB). “The report underscores, once again, the State’s demographic challenges as a deciding factor. The AA+ rating ‘is sensitive to changes in the State’s fundamental economic growth trajectory,’ according to the report. It also notes: ‘Material and sustained improvement in the State’s demographic profile, such as through consistent population and labor force gains, could support revenue growth prospects and a more robust revenue framework assessment.’ “Important progress has been made in several areas this year. The Treasurer’s Office partnered with the Governor and General Assembly to reduce long-term pension and post-employment benefit pressures. In addition to fully funding the actuarially determined employer contribution (ADEC), the FY2020 budget increased reserves to the level recommended by the rating agencies. “However, our demographic challenges continue to overshadow all of our other efforts. We need to continue to work together, as we have with the pension liabilities, to further advance policy initiatives that bring more people to Vermont and more people into our workforce. “Fitch’s report recognizes that many policy initiatives have been put forth by the Governor’s Office and the Legislature, most notably those aiming to attract more people to Vermont, such as the remote workers incentive. The fact that population declines have leveled off in the past two years is encouraging, but it is clear we have more to do to make Vermont more affordable for families and businesses and to revitalize our economic centers throughout the State. “Vermont has many strengths, which all three rating agencies continue to recognize and uphold. We are confident these attributes will accrue to our benefit in the years and decades ahead. To ensure a strong future, the Treasurer’s Office and the Governor stand ready to partner with the General Assembly, and other State and local officials to continue progress and reverse our demographic trajectory.”	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2569
__label__wiki	0.796968	0.796968	Free 30-minute Consultation Internship & Mentoring Separation Issues Cohabitation Disputes Domestic & Emotional Abuse Pre-nuptial & Cohabitation Agreements International Family Law Services Commissioner of Oaths & Document Certification Rita Gupta Anne Leiper Intern Testimonials Headline-grabbing celebrity divorces of 2018 As the UK prepared a divorce deal with the EU in 2018, celebrities were also working out how to live apart after years together. Here’s our round-up of celebrity divorces that hit the headlines in 2018. Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong After revelations of his struggles with addiction to pain killers and alcohol, Ant McPartlin announced his split from “Strictly” head make-up artist Lisa in February. The "I'm A Celebrity" co-presenter met his singer wife when the were both aspiring pop stars back in 1990, and married in 2006. The couple were granted a divorce in October when the judge held that “the respondent has committed adultery and that the petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the respondent." Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux For "Friends" actress, it wasn't second time lucky with husband Justin. After just two and a half years of marriage, the couple split in February, saying they would be "continuing our cherished friendship". Amber Heard and Elon Musk Musk was previously married to actress Talulah Riley - twice - resulting in two divorces. It looks like he has avoided a third, as his current relationship with Amber Heard has ended, as the Aquaman actress says, in a "beautiful friendship". Claire Foy and Stephen Campbell Moore "The Crown" actress married husband Stephen in 2014, but had separated for a while before announcing the split. In an interview with Net-A-Porter, she explained how she would be co-parenting. “It was always going to be like that, anyway, because I always wanted to go back to work. But there’s only one mum, and there’s only one dad. I love traveling, but I don’t want to be away from her … When she goes to school next September, that’s it, it’ll mean I’m London-bound.” Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Married in 2009, the pair announced they were to split up in April. Their joint statement explained that : "We have lovingly chosen to separate as a couple. We fell deeply in love so many years ago and have had a magical journey together. Absolutely nothing has changed about how much we love one another, but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now." So Hollywood! Katie Price and Kieran Hayler After six years of marriage, glamour model Katie Price allegedly threw her third husband Kieran out of their home. He was reported as refusing to sign divorce papers in September, instead looking for a payout. However, Price was facing bankruptcy charges at the time. In December, after reaching an agreement with her creditors, the High Court dismissed a petition to make her bankrupt. Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump The US President’s first son, Donald Jnr, filed for divorce from his former model wife, Vanessa. The couple married in 2005. And new for 2019 Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Bezos You may not know his name, but you’ll know his website - Amazon. The pair took to Twitter to announce that, that after 25 years of marriage they were separating for good. “After a long period of loving exploration and trial separation, we have decided to divorce and continue our shared lives as friends.” Jeff Bezos is the richest person in the world thanks to a $137.2 billion fortune, which if divided equally between the pair, would give Mackenzie a net worth of $69billion, according to Bloomberg.(6) This is because Amazon was founded shortly after the pair were married. According to CNN Business, “MacKenzie Bezos drove her husband, Jeff, across the country from New York to Seattle while he typed out a business plan for what would become Amazon.” The couple live in Washington, where assets accrued during the marriage must be split equally in a divorce, presuming there is no pre-nup or post-nup in place. However, despite the vast amounts of money involved, the shares in Amazon that Mackenzie could be entitled would still amount to less than an 8% stake. Financial divorce settlements for the rest of us If you’re considering a divorce, securing the right financial settlement for you and your family is vital for your future lives apart and as co-parents. That’s why expert advice before you start divorce proceedings is crucial, to ensure you are fully prepared. Call us for an appointment to discuss your situation in complete confidence at our discreet countryside offices just outside Reading. Leading Firm E-mail: enquiries@lgfamilylawyers.co.uk Wyvols Court RG7 1WY Click to find us Tweets by LGFamilyLawyers 2017 LGFL Ltd All Rights Reserved - Website Designed by Akira Studio Ltd.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2571
__label__wiki	0.523393	0.523393	Home / Blogs / StrugglesInItaly's blog Foodora strikes in Italy: the dark side of the sharing economy Couriers for the Foodora food delivery app have been taking strike action, raising more questions about the 'gig economy' and how workers in it can organise. 1. The sharing economy? Newspapers report every day how our world is changing because of digital technologies. We often read about full automation, digitalization of life and the end of work. All these themes are interwoven in the sharing economy: apps that connect supply and demand to share a particular good. Foodora is not one of them, as nothing is shared. Foodora is part of the gig-economy, like Uber, MechanicalTurk or Task Rabbit. Foodora offers restaurants the possibility of new customers by providing a flexible fleet of couriers. An app monitors purchases and assigns them to the couriers based on an algorithm that calculates speed and distances. Restaurants get new orders without employing any more people, paying 30% only on completed deliveries, meaning they have no additional costs. Customers get the food they want from a great variety of restaurants, at home, by paying €2.90 per delivery. Young cyclists, who the company calls “riders” (even in Italian), get to earn some money by moving through the city in their free time. Foodora, the once-small Berlin-based startup has grown into an international business, located in 10 countries and 36 cities. It opened in Italy two years ago, starting in Turin and Milan (northern Italy) and will soon be expanding to Rome, with prospective sales volume growing at a rate of 75% every month. Currently the riders, roughly 300 in Turin and 600 in Milan, are not directly employed by the company. Instead, they are employed using a contract structure known as “co.co.co” (“contract for continued collaboration on a project”). These contracts effectively result in the riders being regarded as autonomous workers collaborating with the company, which enables the company to bypass several labour regulations which apply to direct employees. 2. Foodora in Italy It’s been sold for a figure of several tens of million of euros yet Foodora has the typical appeal of a startup: young and friendly international people working in an open space office in Berlin and young students delivering food by bike as an easy side-job. It landed in Turin as a mirror image of the Berlin base. The managers, all under 30, meet every so often in a co-working space in the city center, are informal and speak using English words. The fleet of couriers are also young, educated, and are paid €5 per hour. This image started to crack when in August Deliveroo couriers in London went on strike and a month later their counterparts in Paris also protested. The reason was, oversimplifying, that once the company had attracted enough “workers”, pay shifted from a fixed scheme to per-delivery compensation only. Ever since the company opened in Italy, workers had been meeting and talking to one another informally, especially where they are waiting for new deliveries. They had held informal assemblies, sometimes even meeting with management in order to discuss many issues. When a change in contract similar to London and Paris happened at Foodora in Turin, the protest flared up. The usual problems affecting all delivery workers are that deliveries may be in harsh weather conditions and usually involve moving a lot (60-80 kilometers per shift in Foodora’s case). Nor is it new that there are long waits for the food to be ready or the next delivery. There are, though, completely new aspects connected to the digital nature of the work relationship. Working time is 24/7 meaning there is no such thing as work/non-work division. Riders can theoretically decide when they are available, though they do not know whether they will actually work as the management decides to accept, modify or even delete the shifts, at any time, even during the shift itself. As an algorithm decides in real time the work rhythms (according to volume of requests and positions of the couriers), there are hours of absolute rush and hours of complete stand-still. Not to mention that both bike and phone are provided by the courier, with all the related costs of maintenance and repair. In some interviews workers even mentioned privacy issues as continual geolocalization goes against privacy law, especially if done by an app from the Apple and Google Play stores. All of this for €500 a month, working 25 hours a week. 3. New conditions and first strikes Riders demanded better working conditions. In May 2016, they wrote a letter signed by 85 out of 100 workers, but the requests were answered with a mix of procrastination and excuses, such as that the head of the company was elsewhere at the time. Finally, in July, a meeting took place but management said the contract could not be modified. What turned dissatisfaction into protest was that the contract could actually be changed, and the company did that. In September Foodora issued a new contract, applying to all new riders, and from November 30, to all riders. This new contract eliminates the fixed income and replaces it with a variable one: €2.70 per delivery. The number of deliveries per shift is not a factor that riders can influence, as if they were factory workers, but it will still determine their income. For an income of €500, they will have to make a delivery every half hour, at any hour, regardless of the day, time or period of the year. The managing director, Gianluca Cocco, refused to discuss the new terms with the base union, SiCobas, that the workers had chosen to represent them, saying that autonomous workers have no right to unionise. The management agreed only to face-to-face meetings with individual workers and many were removed from the group used to communicate with them or blacklisted. The informal connections between riders turned into the platform for a strike: on October 8th in Turin there was the first strike in Italy of workers employed through an app. Around 50 riders blocked the service for the whole Saturday, biking through the city distributing leaflets in the restaurants affiliated to Foodora. There were basically three demands: abolition of the “temporary collaboration” contract described above, as well as the per-delivery pay, and introduction of a flexible part-time (20 hours minimum) contract. This kind of contract guarantees sick leave, insurance and vacation. a basic salary (€7.50 per hour) with a variable bonus (€1 per delivery). halting of any threat towards and disciplinary sanctions of the protesting workers. Further demands include a proper formal communication channel with the employer (rather then a whatsapp group and an app), fair assistance from the company towards the cost of bike and phone, and proper insurance covering not only accidents but also recovery days and illness. 4. Evolution of the struggle The protest was so successful that it carried on all day, was joined by many locals and was immediately reported by newspapers, mainly because of the newness of the technologies involved. There was significant disruption of the brand image: ‘modifications’ of the company logo (from a hand carrying a tray to one carrying an iron ball with chain) and a “shitstorm” on social media where the company had to delete insults and messages of solidarity. The over-exposure of Foodora’s brand on these platforms made them a great place to show digital solidarity. All this was linked to local assemblies and street action: going to each restaurant to give out leaflets and speeches. The message spread wider, a proper boycott was launched, and restaurants started to join it. In the end a meeting with the managing director to discuss their requests was fixed for October 10. At the end of this meeting the management, both Italian and German, promised to issue a statement in response to every point. It’s worth mentioning that during the meeting a group of people from the co-working space used by Foodora came together to show solidarity and that the co-working space dissociated itself from any connection to Foodora. While management was deciding how to answer, an indirect answer came through a ‘rather strange layoff’. Two promoters who went to a riders’ assembly to understand and show solidarity were excluded from the app. Their contract was not over, but they were effectively laid off as they were not being given any shifts. The clear written answer to the protesters arrived at 00.02 of the 14th (despite a deadline of the 13th): not €2.70 euro per delivery but €3.70. The same morning the riders went to the Turin office but found it empty. No one from management showed or picked up the phone. Two labour inspectors were sent directly from the Ministry of Labour, though, to check the legality of the situation, while the Minister himself expressed solidarity with the riders. Unfortunately more and more riders were locked out of the app as they spent their day giving out leaflets about their protest. A group went to the main HQ in Milan twice, once finding it unexpectedly closed and the next time forcing the management to lock themselves in the office for three hours. Both occasions were used to meet some colleagues in the city, organizing info-events for the coming week and spreading the strike. Under the pressure from the workers the company decided to answer at least one of the demands. It issued a statement that three bike shops were authorized to give 50% discount. According to the riders, no-one has ever received such a discount. The company’s real reaction, though, was to employ a massive number of new riders, promising them at least two deliveries per hour, a promise that has been broken by either fewer deliveries per hour or fewer hours per week, and blame laid at the door of the striking riders. Two weeks after the first strike not only workers but even restaurants that expressed solidarity have been denied access to the app. From the beginning the striking riders have used different methods to decentralize their struggle: frequent change of the representative speaking with management, use of fake names and distorted voices. Once Foodora identified who it thought were the leaders, they were completely banned from any communication, although not officially fired. There are, though, interviews where workers who were ready to accept the new contract were subjected to the same sanctions, just because they took part in assemblies. How the management knew about their participation is a matter of speculation. Meanwhile labour inspectors are investigating and the workers have been received by both the municipality and the Labour Ministry. Since both occasions proved unfruitful (Foodora failed to attend the meeting with the municipality), the strikers kept on organizing several public meetings. The role of social centers and squats cannot be underestimated: media reporting and coverage as well as practical solidarity and support came immediately from local grassroots movements. Public assemblies in Milan were held at social center COX, and in Turin assemblies were promoted by activists at the local university and at the social center Cavallerizza, while a solidarity dinner was held in anarchist squat Asilo. 5. Flexibility and the Italian labour market Further reflection should be given to the bigger picture. The truth is that Foodora was able to offer such low salaries (compared, for instance, with France where a rider gets €7.20 an hour + €2 per delivery) because the Jobs Act and previous reforms have deregulated the Italian job market and removed general protection for workers. When the deregulated market meets the hyper-fragmented employment form of Foodora it results in a terrible mix. Furthermore, Foodora has been accused of taking advantage of the high youth unemployment rate in Italy (around 40% in 2015, according to ISTAT): what the company terms a “side job” is, for the riders, one of the only ways to have an income. Luckily the struggles of the riders and many others keep our eyes open and our hopes high. You can find info and statements (in Italian) about the striking riders on their FB page: Deliverance Project. Feel free to express your solidarity to them, or on the Foodora FB page. Original article from the Struggles in Italy blog. StrugglesInItaly StrugglesInItaly's blog Struggles in Italy provides information in English, Spanish, and French on current struggles in Italy. It strives to give an international echo to Italian social movements, and to promote information and awareness in languages other than Italian. It aims to be as transparent as possible about our sources and we expect our readers to do the same. Struggles In Italy licensed under a Media Commons license: so take and share whatever you want, but, please, do cite it. Struggles in Italy is also on Twitter, Youtube, Tumblr, and Facebook. You can read more about Struggles in Italy and its aims here.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2572
__label__cc	0.706765	0.293235	June 2017 Newsletter Welcome to June! It's been a lovely spring, with lots of strawberries, asparagus, and other signs of spring popping up at the ma Web Version Preferences Subscribe Like Tweet Pin +1 in Welcome to June! It's been a lovely spring, with lots of strawberries, asparagus, and other signs of spring popping up at the markets. I saw a few cherries, although they're still not quite as abundant as I like to see them, when more arrive, I'll kick things off with a Cherry Clafoutis and put up a few jars of No-recipe Cherry Jam. In the meantime, I'm getting my fill of chocolate chip cookies, and other non-seasonal treats. (Wouldn't it be awful if chocolate chip cookies had a season, and you could only have them once a year?) So much has been going on this spring that it's hard to keep up. My next book, L'Appart, is finally at the printer, ready to be released in the fall (the pre-order price on Amazon is nearly 40% off!). I've been working on it for two years, and I can't wait to when I can finally hold a copy of the finished book in my hand. I'll be making some appearances next fall, which I'll announce on my blog and on my Schedule page. In other breaking news, France finally has a new President. Unlike elections in the United States, French elections don't start two years ahead of election day, so people aren't worn out by the time it finally comes time to vote. After the first round of voting, it's just a couple of weeks between the primary (when the field of candidates is whittled down to the final two) and the final election, so things happen a lot faster, meaning there's less time to fret and get overwhelmed. There were profound ideological differences between the two candidates in France, so a lot was at stake, but the winner, Emmanuel Macron, now will get to work on his to-do list. If you're anything like me, or even if you aren't, you're likely finding daily life more topsy-turvy lately, with all that's going on the world. A friend suggested Headspace, an app that teaches meditation, and although I was skeptical (I have the world's shortest attention span...), she said it helped her a lot. So I gave it at go. It not only helped me to take 10 minutes out of my day to sit still, but guided meditation techniques were spot-on (and that's coming from someone who usually can't sit still for more than 10 seconds). One particularly helpful bit of advice was to think of life as watching a couple of lanes of passing traffic. A lot of stuff going on out there, but you can choose to jump into the fray...or remain on the sidelines and simply watch. If you want to try it, here's a promo code for the 10 session introduction. (This isn't an affiliate link or a paid placement.) In case you need a little peace of mind, you might want to check it out. Now that summer seems like it's just around the corner, I hope there will be a lot of sunshine, cold drinks (and cold rosé), warm beaches, and more, coming up in the next few months. I ended May in chilly Rhode Island, where the blustery, drizzly weather prevented us from hitting the beach, except for some beach-combing. That didn't stop us from stuffing ourselves with clams, lobster and grilled pizza at Al Forno, though. ▪ David ▪ Why Americans Smile So Darned Much (The Atlantic) ▪ Tip Not Included: Unspoken Rules of French Service (Life and Thyme) ▪ Why My Father Voted for Le Pen, a look at the "other side," by French author Édouard Louis. ▪ Meet Paris's Leading Female Handymen…or Handywomen? (My Little Paris) ▪ The Baker's Appendix - a new guide to help convert all those baking temperatures, ingredients, and substitutions. (Amazon) ▪ Travel Blogger Says Instagram Created a Monster (Daily Mail) ▪ Gabrielle Hamilton of Prune isn't your typical chef... Mind of a Chef (PBS/Video) ▪ Angry French Winemakers Empty Bottles of Spanish Wine in Supermarkets (Wine Spectator) ▪ Why We Are Self-Publishing the Aviary Cookbook: A detailed breakdown of how, and why, a major restaurant would go the self-publishing route. ▪ Sure beat passing the time at the duty-free shop: Musicians-in-residence at Paris Airport (YouTube) ▪ Great profile of gelato master, Meridith Kurtzman (Eater) Recent Posts & Recipes on My Blog ▪ I tackled crumpets! ▪ My new favorite cookies are these Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip beauties... ▪ A look at the difference between American customer service, and French service clients. ▪ Bringing back the classic Cobb Salad, shown above. It's perfect for picnics and barbecues, or a lovely lunch at home. - dl Now available for pre-order!	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2577
__label__wiki	0.510815	0.510815	Sleigh Bells Review From the opening ear-shattering moments of “Tell ‘Em” to the last menacing moments of the title track, listening Sleigh Bells’ debut front to back was like being blind-sided by a Rock shovel and loving every moment of it. On Treats, the New York duo pioneered a bit of a new sound, with their music being what it would sound like if a cheerleading squad discovered heavy metal or Black Sabbath crashed a crazy train into M.I.A. So because of the astonishment found with their debut, I expected their follow up, Reign of Terror, to fall way short of the debut since it would lack the novelty of hearing their sound for the first time. And while Reign of Terror is indeed more of the same, it is no doubt another really good record, full of plenty of excellent moments, but also its handful of redundant ones. Reign of Terror opens with “True Shed Guitar”, which sounds like the opening to an AC/DC or Joan Jett concert and is sort of a hard rock guitar exhibit, but for Sleigh Bells, the track comes off as a bit hokey and an odd way to open the album, nowhere near the plain awesomeness of “Tell ‘Em” from Treats. Single “Born To Lose” follows and hits you with a disorienting amount of kick drum and pounding guitar, but also feels heavy on tricks but low on content. Not the case, however, for other single “Comeback Kid”, which is a good thrasher mixed with bubble-gum melodies and relentless energy. Reign of Terror has Sleigh bells wearing their rock references on their sleeves more than before with girl-group titles like “Leader of the Pack” and “Crush” to the hard rock nodding of “True Shed Guitar” and “Born to Lose”. “Crush” has a nice stomp-clap cheerleader bounce combined with Alexis Krauss’s syrupy vocals and Derek Miller’s wringing guitar. “Leader of the Pack” has a girl-group sparkle to it before getting menacing as if Ronnie Spector was kidnapped by Alice Cooper. “End of the Line” is a delight and is to Reign of Terror what “Rill Rill” was to Treats, an unbelievably catchy change-of-pace track that shows the band can do more than face plant rock. Other highlights include the chugging “Road To Hell” and the blinding “You Lost Me”, both which highlight the irresistibly hypnotic quality of Sleigh Bells. Genre-bending artists like Sleigh Bells, M.I.A., and Santigold will likely multiply in the upcoming years as their mix of electronic pop with all different styles of music will and should become more of the norm. Like the start, the end of Reign of Terror is pretty mediocre, with the last two songs (“Never Say Die”, “D.O.A.”) coming off as pretty forgettable. But while the bookends may be nothing to call home about, the album as a whole is stuffed full of enough grade A music that it makes Reign of Terror very worth your while, even if it isn’t as tasty as Treats. Can’t Miss: “End of the Line”, “Road to Hell”, “Comeback Kid”, “Crush” Can’t Hit: “True Shed Guitar”, “Never Say Die”, “Born to Lose” Follow us on Twitter \| Facebook Author: Wes Hoosier. Writer. Music Buff. Media Man. Tourist. Polar Bear. View all posts by Wes Author WesPosted on February 21, 2012 March 7, 2012 Categories Albums, ReviewsTags AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, cheerleader, Comeback Kid, Girl group, Heavy Metal, Joan Jett, M.I.A., Reign of Terror, Sleigh Bells, tell em, Treats 4 thoughts on “Sleigh Bells Review” Fin says: I haven’t heard much off the new Sleigh Bells album, but their performance of “Comeback Kid” on Saturday Night Live was one of my favorites in recent memory. After reading your review, I’ll be sure to check out some of the tracks you’ve recommended! Fin! Fat Al says: I haven’t yet checked out the new album, but I did enjoy the first one. I am, however, kind of down on the “band” (and I’m being extremely generous there) given their bizarre and, to me anyhow, atrocious live “performance.” In case anyone cares, my rant is here: http://therightprofile.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/are-you-listening/ Nice blog btw, just discovered it. Pingback: Top Ten Thursday: Best Albums of 2012….so far « Little by Listen Pingback: The Best Songs of 2012 « Little by Listen Previous Previous post: 1999: A Small Grammy Miracle Next Next post: Tennis Review: Young & Old	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2587
__label__wiki	0.533811	0.533811	You can use this page to email Lea Mishell about JaShel's Trilogy. Please include an email address so the author can respond to your query * Type your message to the author below This message will be sent to Lea Mishell JaShel's Trilogy SistaGirlz Book #7 (Part 1 - The Faithful Cheater, Part 2 - Behind Closed Doors, Part 3 - Wifey) Lea Mishell SistaGirlz: an Urban Fairy Tale book series contains strong language, graphic sexual content and is intended for MATURE READERS ONLY (18 and older). Woo honey chile! Our SistaGirl JaShel wouldn't trade her Babies for nothing in the world but those ex-husbands though! The second trilogy in the SistaGirlz series, JaShel's story is made up of three parts: Part 1 - The Faithful Cheater, Part 2 - Behind Closed Doors, Part 3 - Wifey. @SistaGirlzBooks AuthorWifeMother I am....ME!!! Author/Editor/Publisher and creator of the "SistaGirlz: an Urban Fairy Tale book series", Lea Mishell was born and raised in the suburbs and more recently seasoned by the south side of St. Louis, Missouri. In fact, most of Lea's stories are set in her hometown as she likes to "write where I am", as she says. Although she's been writing since the age of 16, a self-proclaimed Professional Procrastinator, Lea didn't publish her first book until after finding her "Things to Do by 30" list and saw "Publish A Book" at the top of the list! Without a storyline in mind, shortly after turning 30 and in less than 3 months, her first book, LIVIN' JUST ENOUGH, was created. Still within the timeframe of her 30th year of life, the book was published and thus launched Ms. Mishell's budding writing career with the release of ILLUSIONS the following year. Ambition pushed her to try a few short stints as a journalist for local St. Louis publications, but Lea soon accepted the truth that her true writing passion lies with fiction as her stories drew from events in her own life. In 2010, Ms. Mishell contributed to the book, TALES FROM THE LOU along with Teresa Seals, Mary L. Wilson and Myron A. Winston and in between helping out her fellow authors by editing their work, she's currently working on her first book series, SISTAGIRLZ: AN URBAN FAIRY TALE BOOK SERIES. The first three titles, LIVIN' JUST ENOUGH and ILLUSIONS were released in 2012 and NEVA SAW IT COMIN' in 2013. A revised edition of LIVIN' JUST ENOUGH giving the guys' side to the story, WHAT HE DID FOR HER LOVE EDITION, was also released in 2013. In 2014, Ms. Mishell began writing her first erotica series, yet to be named. Ms. Mishell currently resides in St. Louis with her husband and their children. "I love to write and I enjoy reading my readers' feedback on my work. Good or bad, every review makes me a better writer." -Lea Mishell	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2592
__label__wiki	0.895662	0.895662	Dena Krupinsky makes Hollywood dreams reality as Turner Classic Movies producer April 30, 2012 leoadambiga 10 comments Whether you’re a regular or occasional visitor to this blog you have by now probably noticed that I like to write about Nebraskans in Film. That is a function of my being a Nebraskan, a film buff who just happens to be a journalist. Naturally, I seek every opportunity I can find to write about fellow natives of this place who have and are doing great things in the world of cinema. It’s not only filmmakers and actors I profile either. You’ll find pieces about many different aspects of the industry as well as about people who don’t make films but instead showcase them for our entertainment and education. Take the subject of this profile, Dena Krupinsky, for example. When I wrote this article seven or eight years ago she was a producer at Turner Classic Movies in Atlanta, where she was one of the key figures behind those Private Screenings Q&A’s that host Robert Osborne does with legends. It was a dream job for her because she’s been in love with the movies for as long as she can remember and that gig put her in close contact with some of the biggest names in Hollywood history. She’s since moved on to teach at a university but her cinema obsession remains intact. I too have had the distinct pleasure of interviewing and in some cases meeting Hollywood royalty, past and present, including Robert Wise, Patricia Neal, Debbie Rynolds, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Danny Glover. I am hoping for an interview with Jane Fonda in the near future because she’s coming to Omaha for a July program at Film Streams that will have Alexander Payne interview her live on stage. Of course, Payne is someone I’ve interviewed dozens of times over the years and because of that relationship I’ve had the chance to interview Laura Dern, Matthew Broderick, Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Sandra Oh, Virginia Madsen, producers Michael London, Albert Berger, and Jim Burke, screenwriter Jim Taylor, and cinematographer Phedon Papamichael. Orignally appeared in the Jewish Press For most of us, childhood dreams remain just that — the unfulfilled musings of our starry-eyed youth. But for Omaha native Dena Krupinsky, an associate director with Turner Classic Movies (TCM) in Atlanta, her long-harbored fantasy of working with Hollywood greats has become reality. Since joining TCM in 1994, the year the national cable network launched, Krupinsky has produced dozens of special programs featuring stars and other notables from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Even a cursory glance at her producing credits reveals a Who’s-Who of movie royalty she has worked with — from Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Tony Curtis, James Garner and Rod Steiger to June Allyson, Leslie Caron and Liza Minnelli. Whether in a digital editing suite or in a sound recording booth or in a television studio, she gets on intimate terms with some of the very luminaries she’s idolized. She might be producing a Private Screenings session in which James Garner recalls his career or she might be pruning a feature with Liza Minnelli discussing her father and his films or she might be recording a voice-over track in which Carol Burnett pays homage to Lucille Ball. “Do I wake up in the morning excited to go to work? Yeah,” Krupinsky said. “I feel like I’m doing exactly what I knew I’d be doing. It is a dream come true.” She has, in the course of putting together various programs, met dozens of Hollywood legends as well as many more obscure but no less significant film industry professionals. “I do feel lucky meeting these people. They were part of that Old Hollywood, which was an exclusive, elite world. And now that I’m part of it, I’m so excited. When I watch the Oscars I’ll see these people up there and go, ‘Yeah, know him, met him. Nice guy.’” That goes for screenwriter Ernest Lehman, a 2001 honorary Oscar recipient whom Krupinsky met while taping a program in which Lehman discussed how scenes from his script for North By Northwest were brought to inspired life by director Alfred Hitchcock. Somehow, even as a little girl, Krupinsky knew she was destined to work in film or television. Growing up in the Rockbrook Park neighborhood, she was the oddball kid on her block who much preferred watching TV hour upon hour to playing outside with her friends. So enamored was she with whatever the magic box displayed that she would kvetch with her mother for extra viewing privileges. Although her parents, Jean Ann and Jerry Krupinsky, could not then see how such a steady diet of old movies, sitcoms, dramas, game shows, variety shows, soap operas and commercials could possibly benefit their daughter, it undoubtedtly has — embuing in her a deep affinity for popular entertainment that, if not a prerequisite for working at TCM, certainly helps. “It does. It definitely does,” said the perky Krupinsky during a June visit to Omaha for her 20th high school class reunion. She is a 1981 graduate of Westside High School and a former student at Temple Israel Synagogue. “I just always loved television and movies and I’ve just always known I wanted to be in them.” During her recent visit from her home in Decatur, GA., a community near Atlanta, where she works, Krupinsky, who is single, wore a bright red dress that matched the burning intensity she has for her job. That job entails producing segments for the network’s (Channel 55 on Cox) Private Screenings, Star of the Month, Director of the Month and Spotlight features as well as producing special projects related to individual films, figures or themes, such as a new half-hour documentary, Memories of Oz, which has been well-reviewed in the national press for its informative and fun take on the making of The Wizard of Oz. She has worked with everyone from impish Mickey Rooney to serious method actor Rod Steiger and tackled themes from Religion in the Movies to the Art of the Con. Her work has been recognized in the industry with Telly awards for Private Screenings segments on Tony Curtis and Leslie Caron. a 1999 Gracie Allen Award for a Carol Burnett On Lucille Ball special and the 21st Annual American Women in Radio and Television Award for a series of interstitials (promotional links) on women in film. Many of the stars that Krupinsky, a graduate of the prestigious University of Missouri School of Journalism, has worked with have since passed away, most recently Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. A Private Screenings installment she did with Lemmon and Matthau remains one of her favorites, if for no other reason than she was enchanted with the man who originated the role of Oscar Madison on stage and on screen. “That was something that I loved to do. Walter Matthau was the greatest, funniest guy I ever met. I loved him. At one point, I was walking with him to show him where the Green Room is and he grabbed my hand. He was so sweet. He called me Charlotte the whole time. I’d be like, ‘No, it’s Dena.’ And he’d go, ‘No, no, I had a girlfriend named Charlotte, and you’re just like her.’ When he died I remembered this line he said that I loved during our taping session: ‘Dear, oh dear, I have a queer feeling they’ll be a strange face in heaven in the morning.’ And I thought of him and that line. Bless his heart.” Krupinsky invited her parents to attend the Lemmon-Matthau taping. She said she often tries sharing her Insider’s position with less experienced co-workers by letting them listen in on phone interviews. “I always like to have people listen because it’s too great a learning experience not to have your co-workers there.” On one occasion, Krupinsky gathered a phalanx of Liza Minnelli fans in her office for a scheduled phone interview with the star only to have the diva surprise everyone by inviting the producer up to her place instead. “She said, ‘I’d love it if you could come to my house — I really don’t like to do phone interviews.’ And I was like, ‘Well, Liza, I’m in Atlanta and you’re in New York.’ She goes, ‘I’ll fly you up.’ So, I checked with my bosses and they said, ‘Go for it.’ I went to her house in New York and hanging on the walls were these big Andy Warhol prints — one of her, one of her mother and one of her father. Staring at those prints reminded me I was with a member of Hollywood royalty, and that her mother really was Judy Garland and her father really was Vincente Minnelli. She was as easy as an old friend, but I was in awe the whole time. It was great.” Dena Krupinski Not at all jaded even after hobnobbing with scores of celebrities, the star struck Krupinsky said she still gets butterflies every time she meets one. “I’m always a little nervous, but the minute they start talking you kind of forget you’re scared.” She said the stars are real troopers who go out of their way to make her and her colleagues feel comfortable being around them. “So far, they’ve all been so easy to work with and I think it’s because they want to tell their stories. They’re proud. They don’t do it for the money. They do it because they want to do it.” She said stars are put through their paces on a typical Private Screenings production day, which entails a three to three-and-a-half hour taping session, promotional intros and press interviews. “It’s an exhausting process, but never have we had problems. I’ve never had anyone complaining that it’s taking too long or demanding star treatment. They’re totally professional. When we bring them on to the set, they’re not worried or anxious. They just say, ‘I got it. I know what to do.’ And they love it. I feel like they have as much fun with us as we do with them. I mean, they even sit with the crew and eat lunch.” With stars flying in to Atlanta for the tapings, opportunities abound for Krupinsky to hang with the screen legends. “We usually take them out to dinner the night before. Tony Curtis, whom we’ve worked with a lot, came with his wife Jill. We took them to dinner and shopping. Tony is a lot of fun. This is a guy who doesn’t want to rest. He wants to go out at night. He has fun with his celebrity. He gladly signs autographs.” Following a Private Screenings session with Best Actor Oscar winner Rod Steiger, Krupinsky was asked to escort the actor to a Florida film festival in his honor and she witnessed first-hand the respect and adulation audiences feel for this “very intense and very passionate” man. One of the toughest parts of her job, she said, is trying to whittle down the star interviews from several hours to the one hour or less allotted for airing. For several months now she has been working on the edit for an August 2 scheduled James Garner Private Screenings segment. “James Garner’s has been one of the hardest to cut because he told so many good stories. I cut and cut on paper first and when I went to edit I thought for sure I‘d be fine but it was still too long. Cutting stories is the hardest part. Editing is a long process.” In preparing to tape a Private Screenings or to produce a special project like the Memories of Oz documentary, Krupinsky immerses herself in the project, gathering and reviewing reams of materials on the subject, including published interviews, biographies, tapes of movies and archival photos, with the help of staff researchers. “I become totally absorbed in my subject. For three months I can tell you everything about Tony Curtis or James Garner because I study them and I learn about these guys. I’ll know everything — dates, times, movies — you name it. But then once a project’s done that information goes away as I move on to the next one. The thing I love about my job is that I’m learning all the time. I feel like I’m still in school. It’s like having advanced film classes with experts talking about how they approach screenwriting or directing or acting.” Krupinsky followed a logical route to TCM, working in local television promotion before graduating to the network level. Once out of college — and with her sights dead set on a career in TV — she took an entry-level job, as a secretary, at CBS affiliate WAGA-TV in Atlanta, where she was soon promoted to associate producer status — developing image campaigns and teasers for the station’s news and entertainment divisions. Even with the new position, she said, it was hard to get by on her small salary. “I was broke. I ate a lot at Taco Bell.” After a brief stint with a station in Knoxville, TN, she landed a spot as a writer-producer with Turner Network Television Latin America, which equaled a step-up on her career path but which also presented a dead-end since she did not speak a word of Spanish or Portugese. Then, in 1994, she heard about the formation of TCM and promptly applied for and won her current post. When she began at TCM, media mogul Ted Turner was still taking a hands-on approach with the fledgling network unlike today, when various mergers have taken Ted’s folksy presence out of the picture and replaced it with corporate suits. “Ted would always come by. One day, we had a meeting with him and he was wearing a cartoon tie and he was just hilarious,” she recalled. “Other times, he’d walk by the office and say, ‘Hey guys, what are you doing?’ Everyone who worked for Ted has this feeling for him because he did a great job. Thank God I was there for that regime.” Before joining the ranks of film buffs and cinephiles at TCM, Krupinsky acknowledges she was a bit out-of-step with her workmates because even though she loved movies, she lacked a deep knowledge of their history and lore. As an example, she points to Warner Brothers tough guy John Garfield, someone she was assigned to do a feature piece on and knew next to nothing about. “Before I did John Garfield I didn’t know who he was to be honest. I told my mom who I was profiling and she said, ‘Oh, John Garfield, he’s great. You’ll fall in love with him.’ I said, I will?’ And sure, enough, I did. You almost fall in love with all these people.” The Garfield project led Krupinsky to the late actor’s daughter Julie Garfield, an actress, who provided personal insights into the man, and to former director Vincent Sherman, who directed Garfield in the 1943 drama Saturday’s Children and who worked with many other Warners greats in the 1930s and ‘40s. Krupinsky played matchmaker of sorts when she arranged for the two to meet. “I brought Julie and Vincent together for lunch and it was great to sit back and let him tell her stories about her dad that she didn’t know. I was kind of proud myself because I brought these two together.” Krupinsky feels privileged getting the inside scoop from veterans like Sherman, who at 95, is one of the last surviving directors from Hollywood’s classic studio era. Sherman knew everyone on the Warners lot and hearing him talk about the old days and the old stars is like getting the Holy Scripture from the prophet himself. “I had lunch with him and he was telling me stories about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Oh, God, I’m sitting here with a man who worked with these legends.’ I mean, it is very cool. Vincent’s become a friend of our network’s.” A large part of her producing chores involves developing scripts, which generally include narration read by a star or stars who have some relationship with or enthusiasm for the subject. For example, to promote a month-long salute to the late producer-director Stanley Kramer, Krupinsky hit upon the idea of having comic Jonathan Winters, who appeared in Kramer’s It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, wax nostalgic about the filmmaker, with whom he was quite close. She interviewed Winters by phone and developed a script from his comments that adhered very closely to his own words. The resulting Winters’ salute was a surprisingly sober, reflective and personal reminiscence. When it comes time for the star to record the narration, as in the case of Winters, leeway is given for the star to go off-script and improvise. “They’ll paraphrase and add their own little things,” Krupinsky said, “and so it almost sounds like it’s off-the-cuff, and a lot of times it is.” Among new and proposed projects, Krupinsky is now brainstorming ideas to promote TCM’s scheduled Coming of Age theme in October. She would like to get a Matt Dillon or Diane Lane or Reese Witherspoon to host the Coming of Age festival. Another idea she has is to get Dustin Hoffman alone or as part of a reunion of the cast of The Graduate. Other projects she would like to see happen range from a special on the Marx Brothers (she recently interviewed Carl Reiner on that comedy team) to Private Screenings segments with Shirley MacLaine, Elizabeth Taylor, James Coburn and Jerry Lewis. She is also busy thinking of some project that would be a good fit for Steve Martin to host/narrate. Pitching projects is part of what Krupinsky or any producer does. She feels fortunate having superiors who value her input. “The cool part about my job is that as producers we have a lot to say. It’s not like, ‘Hey, Dena, your next assignment is…’ It’s more like, ‘Hey, Dena, here’s the programming we’re thinking of doing and we want you to come up with ideas.’ I can come back and say, ‘Let’s try this,’ and they’ll say yes or no, but a lot of times they say yes. That’s why I love my job. Like the Lemmon-Matthau Private Screenings. That was mine. I wanted to do something on comedy teams and I thought of Lemmon-Matthau and I did it. And the cool thing is you get to do this stuff with people you’ve always admired and wanted to meet.” For now, Krupinsky is content at TCM, but she can see herself moving on, perhaps to produce feature-length documentaries. “I think about it all the time and I do feel like I am making a slow progression towards it. I’m doing great stuff now but I always feel like there’s something else I could be doing out there. I don’t want to ever get away from this work. Even if I moved on I still want something to do with Older Hollywood. Right now, though, I’m happy where I am.” TCM fest calls film buffs and others (variety.com) Classic Stars Trash Hollywood (foxnews.com) Penelope Andrew: TCM Fest 2012:Liza Minnelli, Kim Novak, Robert Wagner, Debbie Reynolds Walk Red Carpet (huffingtonpost.com) Lucille Ball’s 100th birthday celebrated (cbsnews.com) Que Sera Sera! Happy Belated Birthday Doris Day! (pbenjay.wordpress.com) Casablanca Again On The Silver Screen: 70th Anniversary (morningerection.wordpress.com) Categories: Entertainment, Film, Hollywood, Hot Movie Takes, Jewish Culture, Movies, Nebraskans in Film, Omaha, Television, Writing Tags: Classic Film, Dena Krupinski, Hollywood, Hot Movie Takes, Private Screenings, Robert Osborne, Turner Classic Movies The wonderful world of entertainment talent broker Manya Nogg Behind virtually every television commercial, corporate training video, TV show, music video, movie, stage show, and lifestyle print ad is someone like Omaha-based Manya Nogg, whose job is to locate or identify talent and a lot of other things for producers and creative directors. Without her, the show or project does not go on, or only does so after a big headache because she serves to expedite things that take valuable time in a field where time is money. She’s been doing this talent broker thing for decades, and it’s just one manifestation of a lifelong enchantment with show biz, entertainment, and the arts that has seen fill all sorts or roles, as writer, director, producer, editor, casting director, makeup artist, production assistant, and on and on. She’s worked in film, TV, theater. She writes articles and reviews. She teaches. No spring chicken either, she’s still quite active juggling a multi-faceted career. That was true when I profiled her a half-dozen years ago or so, and it’s still true today. Originally appeared in the Jewish Press Who am I this time? It’s a question brassy, breezy Manya Nogg might well ask given the chameleon-like life she leads and endless ways she reinvents herself. There’s Manya the wife and mother, the entrepreneur, the writer, the teacher, the motivational speaker, roles that overlapped her work as a makeup artist, television crew member, ad agency hack, city film commissioner and race horse owner. In her current guise as founder-manager of the talent brokerage house Actors Etc. and of the dramatic presenting group Theater-to-Go, both of which she operates with her son, Randy, she wears many hats in trying to please clients and audiences alike. A day-in-the-life of Manya Nogg is sure to find her working the phone and perhaps rounding up human or animal talent, scouring salvage or thrift stores for one-of-a-kind props, searching far and wide for just-the-right locations, organizing-designing events and maybe even filling-in for an actor unable to go on. She’s a whirling-dervish, hell-on-wheels, one-woman band with enough chutzpah, guile and wit to hold her own with anyone. Whether hanging with Teamsters on a set or meeting with button-down execs in a conference room, she can joke, quip and swear with the best of them and outlast them pulling all-nighters. All of which brings us back to, Who is Manya Nogg anyway? “Anchor me down, honey? It’s like trying to catch the wind,” she tells a visitor to her Omaha home. “You can call me a broad, you can call me fat, but if you call me old, I will find out where you live.” A clue to what makes her tick is the joy her variegated work brings. “Being able to take an idea and bring it to fruition…to fulfill your own artistic vision…to have an idea and see where you can go with it, that creative part of taking something from nothing has always been very exciting to me. I love that.” Actors Etc. is nearing its 30th anniversary as a media production supplier furnishing producers of commercials, TV movies, feature films and industrials with everything from actors and crafts people to props to caterers to location scouting services. Theater-to-Go presents live performances of original Who-Done-It mystery party games and TV-movie parodies at receptions, conventions, meetings and seminars. Her search for new identities began during the post-World War II boom, when no sooner did she graduate from Central High School than the former Manya Friedel boarded the train to California as another starry-eyed Midwest girl pursuing silver screen dreams. “I graduated on Friday and left for Hollywood on Sunday,” is how she describes the start of her adventure. She was only 17. And the shy girl known then as “Doc” was following through on her long-held ambition “to be an actress.” Aside from a one-time desire to be a nurse, Nogg’s what-do-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up visions were always golden-hued, like her wish to be a professional ice skater. “I don’t march to the same drummer as a lot of people,” she says. Her movie aspirations were fired by the hours she spent watching movies, especially at the neighborhood Lothrup Theater, where her parents deposited her once a week while they played cards with the theater’s owners across the street. There, in the darkened cinema, basking in the glimmer of bigger-than-life images emblazoned before her, a young girl’s show business dreams took flight under the spell of stars like Bette Davis in Now, Voyager and character actresses like Agnes Moorehead in The Magnificent Ambersons and Judith Anderson in Rebecca. But Nogg, who grew up an only child of practical parents that owned both a garage and the Omaha Broom Company, was not putting her eggs all in one basket. In school, she learned a more down-to-earth facet of show biz that became her backup for breaking into the movies. “Central High School had a marvelous theatrical makeup department and I just fell in love with it,” she says. “I started taking stage makeup and it became so much part of me I ended up becoming the student makeup mistress. I did this for three years. As a matter of fact, the teacher got married during the school year and was gone a week, and I taught the class.” Manya Nogg Still, she had little more than pluck when she made the trip west. Amazingly, her parents let her go without much of a fuss. “In retrospect, it kind of blows my mind they let me do what I did,” she says. “It took a lot of guts.” Easing their fears was the fact Nogg would be rooming with a friend who’d earlier ventured out there. Soon after arriving, reality set in. First, a Hollywood strike was on, meaning jobs were scarcer than usual in a ruthless town filled with wannabes. Next, she was unschooled and unprepared for the ins-and-outs of getting noticed. She had no agent, no head shots, no nothing except her naked ambition. Embarking from the one-room apartment she shared in “a not so good part of downtown L.A.,” she made the rounds at the studios and the central casting office and “found out right away” she “couldn’t get in for an interview or audition” as an acting hopeful. Worse, she discovered women were shut out of makeup artist jobs and instead confined to hair stylist jobs, but in order to qualify she needed “a hair degree” from a cosmetology school, which she didn’t have. Then, her beating-the-pavement paid off when she wandered into the offices of something called Stage Eight Productions, which turned out to be her gateway into the embryonic but soon-to-be burgeoning TV industry. “Its head, Patrick Michael Cunning, was literally one of the pioneers of television in this country. He had one of the first production companies. He was one of the first directors. Edgar Bergen was a partner,” says Nogg, who didn’t know any of this when she arrived. “They were over on Sunset (Boulevard) and I walked in and Cunning was looking for a production assistant. The fact I knew makeup appealed to him and so I went to work for Stage Eight, and it was the Harvard of experiences. They wrote and produced everything themselves.” Under Cunning’s guidance, Nogg did makeup, film editing, writing and assistant directing for some of TV’s earliest live dramatic programs, including its signature series of Tom Sawyer shorts, which were first done live and then redone on film. The films’ players worked as an ensemble troupe. “I was blessed that he let me write for them. What I would do is…be at every rehearsal and take down everything in short-hand, and go home and distill a script they would all be a little familiar with. They worked so well together they did not need tons of rehearsal. They could take my skeleton script and improvise. Then, eventually, I got to direct the Tom Sawyer Kids.” She counts Cunning among the “mentors” she’s been “lucky enough to have” who were “so professional and taught me so much about the business.” The only drawback was the less-than-living wage paid. Cunning allowed her to get the acting bug out of her system and to find her true creative calling behind the scenes. “He knew I wanted to be an actress and he let me do some acting. I was doing a dramatic scene once that called for me to go from frightened to hysterical,” she recalls. “Well, I ended up being hysterical, not from anything in the scene, but because I realized I didn’t want to be the very thing I went out there to do. I was introverted and shy enough, and nobody knew this, that I wasn’t comfortable sharing me or putting myself out there. That’s when I went behind the camera, and I loved it. I love being behind the camera.” Although Stage Eight proved a good “training ground,” Nogg became “frustrated in California” with the low pay and her inability to “make a dent in the film industry” and she sought a new start in Chicago, where she worked at Paramount Pictures-owned WBKB-TV, “one of the first genuine television stations in the country. By then, they were doing really hot stuff. They were on the air pretty much all day long. Kukla, Fran and Ollie started there. Marlin Perkins’ Zoo Time, the forerunner of Wild Kingdom, started there. I was technically a publicity assistant but my duties spilled over into working as a film editor, makeup artist, assistant director and writer. I did live interviews from Arlington Park.” Life then threw her a curve when her father died. After a period of mourning in Omaha, she went back to Chicago, but soon returned here to be with her mother. With all that experience gained in Hollywood and Chicago, the indefatigable, unsinkable “Manya Brown” had no trouble starting over and selling herself again. In quick succession, she nabbed jobs at Universal Advertising and KBON Radio and snagged a husband in businessman Alvin Nogg, son of the late Nathan Nogg, whose Nogg Paper Company is still going strong today. She raised the couple’s two children, Randy and Sharon, and took part in managing some of her husband’s many other business interests, including the company that became Lancer Label and the family’s stable of racing and show horses. From the 1960s through the early ‘70s, she whet her creative appetite by doing makeup, props and costumes at the Omaha Community Playhouse and by working as a Docent at the Joslyn Art Museum, whose women’s association she was active in. The Noggs numerous civic activities extended to the downtown Kiwanis chapter, which her husband headed, and to the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, where the couple’s daughter, Sharon, was a princess. All this time, Nogg kept her hand in the media world as a freelance makeup artist and jack-of-all-trades in support of local commercial/industrial shoots. Her wealth of experience and keen networking skills gave her contacts in theater, TV/film production and the service industries that few others could match. When a TV client called with what seemed a tall order — “He said, ‘I want a guy to be able to walk around with a sandwich board on, but I want it to be a vault that will open up and that kids can reach into and grab candy’” — Nogg replied, “I’ve got just the guy for you.” That guy was Tom Casker, the then-set designer for the Omaha Community Playhouse. She called and a conversation ensued with Casker’s wife, Diane Casker, who was also working in local film production. “By the time we got done talking, we had formed a new company. Between she and Tom and myself, we had done everything.” Nogg and Diane Casker formed Illusions Unlimited, the predecessor of Actors Etc. “She was a wonderful gal, and we did magic together,” Nogg says of her late partner. She recalls that as women officing from home they encountered flak from the then-male-dominated ad agency ranks until they unloaded with some what-does-where-we-office-have-to-with-our work? straight talk. The intent with Illusions was to offer location services for out-of-town and local production companies. To announce themselves with more pizzazz than the usual card or brochure, the partners stole an idea from TV’s Mission Impossible by recording a dramatic pitch on an audio playback machine, complete with a mock self-destructing tape, and delivering it to prospective clients. Nogg explains, “Our recording went, ‘Dear agency director…this is your mission, and should you choose to accept it,” and it said who we were and how we could be contacted. Then, at the end, and I don’t know how he did it, Tom inserted a powder package and when the tape ended, smoke poofed out. We could only afford one tape recorder, so we dropped it off one company at a time. We called a day or two later to ask if we could come visit. And, of course, we had hooked them with that.” Nogg says she and Casker only had to pull the stunt a few times before bagging a big client. Landing the services contract for a National Alcohol Prevention Association film led to an expansion of Illusions that Nogg did not anticipate. “They wanted talent as well and most clients wanted that same service, and so it became an equal part of what we did,” she says. Flash forward 30 years and the bulk of what Actors Etc. does now is talent coordination for film-video projects, which means doing everything from supplying producers with actors, extras, crew and crafts people to actually casting the shoot to sub-contracting production houses to film it. “Our slogan is script to screen,” she says. “If you call me today and say, ‘Manya, I want you to coordinate a commercial or industrial film for me,’ we have a roster of actors to act it, writers to write it, location people to find locations, crafts people to do costumes, makeup or hair, production assistants, assistant directors…We even subcontract with companies that do the actual filming. Everyone that works with us is an independent contractor. We’re a talent coordinating company or broker that picks the best people for you at the best price for your job.” No two calls are the same. “When the phone rings,” she says, “we don’t know what they’re going to ask. We always have a short time frame, too. It’s like they always need it five minutes ago. When people ask me what I do, I joke that I’m a procurer. I’ll get you anything you need…if it’s legal. We don’t get bored, that’s for sure.” Her credo is, “You’ll do the impossible, or try, if you want ‘em to come back.” Take the time New York ad agency Hungry Man prepped a Doritos commercial here. “They called needing to see as many of the heaviest-set people as we could find and put on tape by the end of the day,” she says. Nogg and company wrangled an ample sampling for the firm to review via video-conferencing. Then there was the time Disney needed a setting for an early Native American scene in an Ebcott Center film. Nogg picked a remote spot at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, “leaving us to figure how would we get an earth lodge and horse out to the middle of this island. We had to find boats to ferry them out. It was a challenge.” Or when a client sought a dog and cat that could wear eyeglasses, prompting Nogg to ask, “You’re talking real ones, right?’ After explaining the animals’ limitations, she convinced the producer “to use puppets.” Another animal request she felt pushed the limits was the call for a chihuahua to do a series of poses in a La Mesa spot. “I never thought we were going to pull this off, but we made it work with only a mildly trained dog. In the spot, you see the dog sitting near a window watching its master come home. Then, you see it at the restaurant wrapped up in a blanket like a baby. And then sitting at the table. It’s darling.” Finally, there was “the guy who wanted to blow up an airplane” for a commercial, “and we were actually working on it, too, when he backed out.” Delivering on those “if it’s ungettable, we’ll get it” push-the-envelope jobs is what Nogg lives for. “I’m excited we have clients that want to go the extra mile and come up with something different. You don’t mind because you know they respect what you’re trying to do. It’s a fun challenge to try to see it through to fruition. It invigorates you…when it’s not giving you an ulcer.” As if needing something else to do, she served as Omaha’s first film commissioner in the ‘80s. Then, in the ‘90s, she saw the possibilities for adapting a script she’d pitched the producers of The Equalizer to the mystery party game circuit, and thus Theater-to-Go was born. She’s since added How-To teaching at Metropolitan Community College, motivational speaking and on-line book reviewing to her activities. Then there’s her stint as a private investigator, but that’s another story. Living out loud has become her persona, but she wasn’t always thid way. “I was very quiet until I was 40. Then I heard that beer commercial –‘You only go around once in life, so go for the gusto’ — and, so, I became Auntie Mame, and I’ve never come back. But, you know what? That’s how I’ve managed to do what I’ve done.” Nebraska Legislature Once Again Wrestles with the Film Tax Incentives Question; Alexander Payne and John Beasley Press the Case Home (leoadambiga.wordpress.com) Talent search coming for Detroit area entertainers (clickondetroit.com) Looking for talent among baby boomers. No Kazoo needed (boomercafe.com) Categories: Authors/Literature, Business, Entertainment, Entrepreneurial, Film, Jewish Culture, Manya Nogg, Omaha, Television, Writing Tags: Actors Etc. Limited, Manya Nogg Entertainment attorney Ira Epstein: Counsel to the stars Where there is a celebrity, there is an attorney, and in the case of the entertainment attorney profiled here, Ira Epstein, this Beverly Hills-based lawyer never lost the taste for show business he acquired as a kid growing up in Omaha, Neb. In a diverse life and career he’s touched many different aspects of the human condition, the legal profession, and the entertainment industry, working with some genuine legends along the way. Longtime client Carroll O’Connor in his iconic role as Archie Bunker Entertainment attorney Ira Epstein, Counsel to the stars Originally published in the Jewish Press Veteran west coast entertainment attorney Ira Epstein, a counsel to high-profile clients in film and television, traces his show biz roots to growing-up in Omaha, where he and his brother, Arnold “Tuffy” Epstein, a well-known Omaha woodwind player, performed in area fairs and amateur shows during the Great Depression. Born and raised here, the brothers, studied music at the prodding of their grocer parents, Harry and Jenny, the proprietors of their own mom-and-pop store, Epstein’s Grocery, originally located at 27th and Maple and later at 20th and Martha. The family lived above the stores. As kids, Ira and Tuffy were prevailed upon by their parents to entertain salesmen pitching wares. “Ira would play the accordion and I would sing,” Tuffy recalls, adding their stage mother booked them “wherever she could get us,” including two neighborhood movie theaters, the Roseland and Corby, where the boys were billed as Ruffy and Tuffy for amateur show performances. Their younger siblings, Allen and Gloria, also performed. Graduating to the piano, Ira performed in music programs at his school, Central High, where he cut short his senior year in order to join a touring big band headed by Skippy Anderson. While he downplays his own musical talent, Ira was, in Tuffy’s estimation, “an excellent jazz pianist.” With the help of money his mother saved, Ira attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and took paying gigs to pay his tuition, room and board. “I worked my way through school playing in bands,” he says. Often, he and Tiffy found themselves jamming on the same stage. By the time Ira started college, the Korean War erupted and the military draft loomed large. The then-social work major sought a field of study that would keep him in school. That’s when he and a pair of buddies decided “we’d take the law school exams. We didn’t have anything better to do.” What began as “a lark” turned into a distinguished career nearing its half-century mark. But his frivolous attitude toward the exams nearly quashed his plans. Certain he’d failed, the silver-tongued Epstein proceeded to talk his way into law school with the personal chutzpah and charm that made him a natural for the courtroom. As Epstein remembers, it happened this way: “The dean called me in and said, ‘Ira, you really didn’t do well on these tests.’ I told him why. That I left early every day to conduct cheerleading tryouts in my role as Yell King. That I was in every activity imaginable at Nebraska. I was a member of the gymnastics team, the student council, the Nebraska athletic board. I was active in Jewish activities, including AZA. I was president of the campus chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu. And the dean said, ‘Because of all your activities. we’re going to let you into law school.’ And that’s how I got started. I ended up enjoying the law and doing pretty well.” In typical Epstein fashion, he ran with the opportunity, becoming editor of the campus law review and earning a law fellowship in trial procedure evidence. During his fellowship, Epstein got a chance to work with and learn under famous personal injury defense attorney Melvin Beli, who was trying a case in Omaha at the time. “He came into Omaha to try a medical malpractice case against a foot surgeon. Beli had a national reputation. He was the big man from the west coast up against a small town country lawyer, who was one of the best defense lawyers in the business. Beli took him to the cleaners…and back in those days you couldn’t easily recover against doctors. It was really tough. Beli brought me in to help do the research. He was a great scholar and a great guy. I was very impressed…I got some good experience and we got to be good friends.” Ira Epstein Coming out of college, Epstein harbored designs on working for one of Omaha’s prestige Gentile law firms, which he says then maintained an unspoken but nonetheless rigid country club policy barring Jews, regardless of their credentials. “When I graduated law school I was a pretty hot prospect with a lot of enthusiasm and I decided I wanted to break the barrier in Omaha and go into a non-Jewish law firm.” he says. “Well, I interviewed with most of the major non-Jewish firms…at least 10 of them…and I could not get hired. Here I was editor of the law review and, while I didn’t finish first or second in my class, I was in the top 20 percent, plus I was in all kinds of organizations, and yet I couldn’t break the barrier. That was anti-Semitism at its best. Now, it’s changed, of course.” Then, in 1957, Epstein applied for and received a direct commission into the Air Force’s Judge Advocate General or JAG court. The recently married (to the former Noddy Schein of Omaha) JAG officer was first assigned to San Francisco, where he looked up Beli, who officed in the city on the hill, to see about joining the famed attorney’s practice and thereby supplement his low military salary. “I ended up working part-time for him while in the service. At that point I got a good flavor of personal injury law and decided that just was not my bag.” Meanwhile, his JAG duties helped him develop keen lawyering skills. “JAG was really a good experience for me. I tried a lot of cases…a lot of court martials. For being a closet introvert, I was a pretty good trial lawyer.” He had no longer settled in his next station, cushy Long Beach, when a mid-air collision of Air Force and Navy planes over civilian air space caused severe property damage and personal injuries, resulting in a flood of claims he handled. This, too, proved a valuable training ground. “As a result of that very serious accident I spent a year settling claims for the government. It was a tremendous experience. By the time I joined a law firm in 1959 I was an experienced lawyer already.” With his JAG commitment up, he interviewed with private L.A. law firms and got hired by an established entertainment law firm. It was familiar territory. “I felt comfortable from the very beginning,” he says. “I was always interested in entertainment. It was appealing to me.” Besides, as a former performer, he understood the fragile creative personality. “It’s not so much just temperamental artists, it’s temperamental producers, too. They’re all the same. They all have that mind set, which they’re entitled to. It’s an ego business. You have to have a particular kind of mentality to represent them. You have to be pretty patient. You have to be more of a psychologist, bordering on a psychiatrist, than a lawyer.” Among his first clients was Larry Harmon Productions, whose stable of artists included TV’s Bozo the Clown. Another Harmon artist, animator Lou Scheimer, became one of Epstein’s closest friends. When Scheimer left Harmon to start his own animation shop, Epstein continued representing him. At the time, there were only a few independent animation companies, and when Epstein’s boss ordered him to drop Scheimer to avoid potential conflicts with competing animators, Epstein remained loyal to his friend. “I said, ‘Well, I’d just as well drop the firm than drop the client,’ which was a dumb thing on my part because the guy had nothing going. That was 1963. So, I went out on my own with this partner, and don’t ask me why, but we got a lot of clients. We were doing pretty well, only my friend Lou Scheimer was doing nothing.” That soon changed when CBS plunged into Saturday morning animation and a major player in comic books, National Periodical, sought somebody to animate their signature Superman franchise. Scheimer got the job and Epstein bought a piece of his studio, Filmation. “Superman launched the company and really got me started in animation. After Superman we started doing all the action heroes. Batman. Aquaman. Captain Marvel. Then we branched into other animation series. We did Fat Albert. We did Masters of the Universe — that was a big series. We ended up selling the company in 1969 to a cable company called Teleprompter that was the predecessor of all the big cable companies. Teleprompter ended up selling to Westinghouse and as a result we made quite a bit of money for young guys at the time.” Outside animation, a good share of Epstein’s early clients were in the music business. When he was still a law firm employee in the early ‘60s, he did work for Liberty Records, a kitsch pop label whose recording artists included Julie London, Bobby Vee and the Chipmonks. “I learned a little about the music industry, but I knew music anyway.” When he opened his own firm, he rode the wave of the soulful black music movement. “I set up the California corporation for Motown Records, which then moved from Detroit to Los Angeles. I worked with many Motown artists. My personal client from their stable was Hal Davis, who wrote and produced many Jackson 5 and Diana Ross hits.” Then Cooper set about reinventing himself and his practice again. “In 1975 I left my then partner and went with another attorney, Jay Cooper, who was and still is the outstanding music lawyer in the country.” With the addition of a third partner, the firm of Cooper, Epstein and Hurewitz became a player in the entertainment law arena for 20 years. “We started with about six lawyers and built it up to about 60. We had one of the best entertainment law firms in Los Angeles,” he says. “We had a lot of good lawyers. We had a lot of good clients, It was really a major firm.” Although Epstein did select legal work for legendary stars Marlon Brando, Barbra Streisand and Mary Tyler Moore, his biggest client during this time was Carroll O’Connor, the late actor forever identified with the role of Archie Bunker on the classic, ground-breaking CBS series All in the Family. “I represented Carroll through All in the Family, and all his battles with its producer Norman Lear, and up through his last series, In the Heat of the Night. I also represented him throughout all his problems with his late son and the lawsuits that evolved from that.” More than a client, O’Connor was a friend, Epstein says. “We had great rapport with each other. We became extremely close. I shared all his joys and sorrows. It was a lasting relationship. I still represent the O’Connor estate.” Bigoted Archie Bunker was far removed from the man Epstein knew. “He was not that character. He was the antithesis of Archie Bunker. He was an extreme liberal. A champion of human rights.” Given that Epstein is a self-described “extreme conservative,” their friendship made for “an interesting relationship.” He says as different as O’Connor was from A.B., the actor struggled escaping the persona he so indelibly fixed in people’s minds. “I represented him on Broadway, where he was never able to have a successful play. It just wouldn’t work. He got so closely tied to the role of Archie Bunker that the public just wouldn’t buy him as a legitimate stage actor, where he got his start. But he was a great actor and a wonderful guy.” Carroll O’Connor became a friend and client The television landscape Epstein and his clients knew in the ‘70s an ‘80s was vastly different than the one that’s emerged today. Back then, the medium centered around the Big Three networks, monolithic television-focused businesses which got most of their product from independent producers. Today, technology has created an expanded television pie sliced up among dozens of networks and hundreds of channels while at the same time economic forces have seen a consolidation of power, programming and production among a few major multimedia giants. “The television business has been considerably impacted by consolidation,” he says. “An independent television producer today doesn’t have a chance because the majors have taken over almost all of the production. It’s all pretty much integrated vertically. It’s all just controlled by a very small group of people.” Making television deals for clients today requires Epstein know more than just what the U.S. television market will bear. He must also be well-versed in foreign distribution and in the home video and spin-off markets. “The business has changed a lot. There was no such thing as a foreign television market in the early years. Now, foreign markets produce about 50 percent of the income for television series. With the advent of home video and product merchandising, I have to know these aspects. If you do a major animated show like Masters of the Universe, your income is coming out of merchandising as much as it’s coming out of television. I made a deal a couple years ago bringing the Japanese animated series, Yu-gi-oh to this country and it made all its money in the merchandising area.” Other forces impacting his work include the ever changing home entertainment market, which has seen VHS and laser disk formats supplanted by DVD, and the proliferation of cable TV and its ever expanding programming menu to serve an insatiable viewing habit. In this wide open environment, anyone or anything can be a hit, as evidenced by the Reality TV phenomenon that makes people from all walks of life instant celebrities. In his quest to stay current, Epstein represents a professional gambler trying to make it on the popular TV poker playing circuit. He also represents Peter Funt, producer of Candid Camera and the son of the show’s creator, the late Alan Funt, who did Reality TV before it had a name. The growth of televised sports and the birth of sports celebrities is another sea change, says Epstein, who’s “done deals” for such figures as George Foreman and Hulk Hogan. So. what’s the next big thing? Epstein says a mass-market, user-friendly technology to download movies off the Internet is sure to one day replace DVDs by virtue of the ease, speed and convenience of select-and-click home movie viewing. By 1994, Epstein resigned as managing partner of Cooper, Epstein and Hurewitz and went into a semi-retired mode that saw him work some 10 years at Weissmann Wolf. Then, in 2002, at the urging of his former partner, Jay Cooper, Epstein joined the huge international firm Greenberg Traurig and its growing entertainment practice, where he’s rejoined his old friend. Epstein, who’s recently represented producers and distributors of mini-series and features, operates autonomously there. At age 72, he thinks of retiring, but remains too much in the game to leave now. “When I went into semi-retirement the whole idea was I would phase out and quit soon. Well, I’m still phasing out. I hope to quite real soon, believe me, but I don’t know, I seem to stay with it. I do very little of what is called the traditional practice of law. I advise my clients far beyond the lawyering. It’s fun.” He also is a senior member of the board of directors for Image Entertainment. A new challenge occupying much of his time these days is his presidency of the North Coast Repertory Theater in Solana Beach, Calif., whose move to a planned facility in a neighboring community he’s spearheading. His association with this theater company fulfills a dream to be “involved in the legitimate theater.” Two days a week find Epstein in Los Angeles, attending to his law clients, and the rest of the week at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, a short drive from the theater. He and his wife Noddy are the parents of three grown sons and the grandparents of six — four girls and two boys. He rarely gets back to Nebraska these days, although he was here last fall for the 50th reunion of his Innocents Society pledge class. “We had a wonderful reunion…a lot of fun.” He stays in contact with family and “a lot of good friends in Omaha,” including former schoolmate Ben Nachman. Steve Rosenblatt, A Legacy of Community Service, Political Ambition and Baseball Adoration (leoadambiga.wordpress.com) Allan Noddle’s Adventures in the Food Industry Show Him the World (leoadambiga.wordpress.com) Categories: Business, Entertainment, Entrepreneurial, Jewish Culture, Law, Omaha, Writing Tags: Entertainment Attorney, Ira Epstein	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2595
__label__wiki	0.726182	0.726182	Archive for the ‘Georg Joutras’ Category Sandhills life gets big screen due thanks to filmmaker Georg Joutras and his “Ocean of Grass” March 4, 2019 leoadambiga Leave a comment Appearing in the March-April 2019 edition of Omaha Magazine This decade has found Nebraska’s wide open spaces pictured on the big screen more than ever before. First came the melancholic, madcap road trip of Alexander Payne’s Nebraska in 2013. Then, in 2018, came the Coen Brothers’ Western anthology fable The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Earlier that same year Georg Joutras debuted his documentary Ocean of Grass about a year in the life of a Sandhills ranch family. Where Payne and the Coens use Nebraska landscapes and skyscapes as metaphoric backdrops for archetypal but fictional portraits of Great Plains life, Joutras takes a deeply immersive, reality-based look at rural rhythms. Joutras celebrates the people who work the soil, tend the animals and endure the weather. As Hollywood dream machine products by renowned filmmakers, Nebraska and Buster Scruggs enjoyed multi-million dollar budgets and national releases. Ocean of Grass, meanwhile. is a self-financed work by an obscure, first-time filmmaker whose small but visually stunning doc is finding audiences one theater at a time. For his truly independent, DIY passion project, he spent countless hours at the McGinn ranch north of Broken Bow, Aside from an original music score by Tom Larson, Joutras served as a one-man band – handling everything from producing-directing to cinematography to editing. He’s releasing the feature-length doc via his own Reconciliation Hallucination Studio. In classic road-show fashion he delivers the film to each theater that books it and often does Q&As. A decade earlier Joutras self-published a photo illustration book, A Way of Life, about the same ranch. The 56-year-old is a lifelong still photographer who feels “attuned to nature”. He operated his own gallery in Lincoln, where he resides. A chance encounter there with Laron McGinn, who makes art when not running the four-generation family ranch, led to Joutras visiting that expanse and becoming enamored with The Life. Joutras, who grew up in Ogallala from age 11 on, had never stayed on a ranch or stopped in the Sandhills until the book. Those were places to drive past or through. That all changed once he spent time there. Ogallala became his home when he moved there with his family after stints in his native New Jersey, then Florida and Texas, for his sales executive father’s jobs. Joutras is not the first to create a film profile of a Nebraska ranch family, A few years before he moved to Ogallala, a caravan of Hollywood rebels arrived. In 1968, Francis Ford Coppola, along with a crew that included George Lucas and a cast headed by Robert Duvall, James Caan and Shirley Knight, shot the final few weeks of Coppola’s dramatic feature The Rain People. That experience introduced Duvall to an area ranch-rodeo family, the Petersons, who became the subjects of his 1977 documentary We’re Not the Jet Set, which filmed in and around Ogallala. The McGinns’ ranching ways may have never been lensed by Joutras if not for his meeting Laron McGinn. Joutras had left a successful tech career that saw him develop a Point of Sale system for Pearl Vision and an automated radio system (PSI) acquired by Clear Channel. Having made his fortune, he retired to focus on photography. He did fine selling prints of his work. Then he met McGinn and produced A Way of Life – one of several photo books he produced. A Way of Life: Ranching on the Plains of America, a book written by Georg Joutras was the inspiration of his documentary film Ocean of Grass that will be shown at the Hippodrome Arts Centre in Julesburg on Tuesday, January 8, and Thursday, January 10 with showings at 7 p.m. (Courtesy Photo) Joutras only got around to doing the film after his family gifted him with a video camera. He began documenting things on the ranch. After investing in higher-end equipment he decided to ditch the year’s worth of filming he’d shot with his old gear to begin anew. “It was evident immediately the picture quality was so much better than what I had shot the prior year that I was going to have to shoot it all again. So I put another year into shooting everything that goes on out there,” Joutras says. “I basically worked alongside the folks at the ranch. When something happened I thought I should capture, then I’d go into cinematographer mode.” Upon premiering the film in Kansas City and Broken Bow, he discovered it resonates with folks, Sold-out screenings there have been followed by many more across Nebraska. The reviews are ecstatic. “People are getting something out of this film,” he says, “They say it reflects the Nebraska ethos. I never did this film anticipating I’d make even one dollar on it. I just had this story I really wanted to tell. It’s certainly achieved much more than I thought it would. It’s done well enough that I’ve recouped pretty much what I put into it.” Joutras believes his film connects with viewers because of how closely it captures a certain lifestyle. The rapport he developed and trust he earned over time with the McGinns paid dividends. “I got the footage I did by being around enough and being embedded with them and being part of the crew that works out there. I wanted to earn my keep a little bit and they let me feed cows and run fence and check water. You have to be around enough to where you’re nothing special – you just kind of blend into the background.” His depiction of a people and place without adornment or agenda is a cinema rarity. “What I was really trying to capture was the feeling of this place – what it feels like to be out there among the people, the cows, the wind, the sun, the cold. Everything that makes it special. You’re seeing the real thing. Everything in the film is as it happened. Nothing was staged. “These people are authentic. What they’re doing is authentic. Pretty much everyone you come in contact with in the ranching environment is their own boss. People don’t have to fake who they are. It’s really the American story of hard work trumps everything.” The film makes clear these are no country bumpkins. “They are some of the smartest people I know,” Joutras says. “They know how things work and are very articulate expressing their beliefs. By the end of the film I think you understand and admire them,” He feels viewers fall under the same Sandhills spell that continues captivating him. “The quality of life I think is exceptional. The pace of life slows down. You get to see real Americans doing real hands-on, get-in-the-mud work.” He tried conveying in the film what he feels there. “Out there I feel more in touch with nature and what’s important in life. I feel more grounded. I feel I can breath better. It’s really just a feeling of peace.” The rough-hewn spirit and soul of it is perhaps best embodied by family patriarch Mike McGinn. “Mike’s a great guy. He’s sneaky funny. There’s nothing I enjoy more than being in a pickup with him going out to feed cows, which can take half the day or more. He was always reluctant to talk on camera. His was the last interview we got, and it’s just gold. He has all the great lines in the film. “We got him to watch the film and at the end he turned to me and said, ‘That’s my entire life right there.’ That was a great moment for me.” Rather than hire a narrator to frame the story, the only voices heard are those of the ranchers.”because they said it better than anyone,” Joutras says. Beyond the McGinns and their hands, the film’s major character is the Sandhills. “From a visual standpoint there’s nothing that gets me more excited than attempting to capture really interesting and varied scenic shots that speak to people. The Sandhills are beautiful beyond belief in all their details – from the grass to the slope of the hills to the clouds coming across the prairie to the sound of the wind. It all works together.” He acquired evocative overhead shots by mounting cameras to drones. The aerial images give the film an epic scope. Ocean’s visuals have made him a cinematographer for hire. He’s contributing to three films, including a documentary about the women of Route 66. Future Nebraska-based film projects he may pursue range from rodeo to winemaking. Meanwhile, he’s pitching Film Streams to screen Ocean. “We’ll get it into Omaha one way or another.” More out-of-state screenings are in the worked. Nebraska Educational Television has expressed interest. PBS is not out of the question. Joutras is just glad his “little film that can” is getting seen, winning fans and giving the Sandhillls their due. Visit the film’s website at http://www.oceanofgrassfilm.com. Watch the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNV6E5ihjP0. Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com. 8.24 FRI 7:00 p.m. 8.25 SAT 3:00 p.m. Categories: Cinema, Documentaries, Documentary, Film, Georg Joutras, Movies, Nebraska, Ocean of Grass, Writing Tags: Cinema, Documentaries, Documentary, Documentary Filmmaker, Film, Georg Joutras, Movies, Nebraska, Ocean of Grass	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2596
__label__cc	0.693858	0.306142	Apple brings ‘Everyone Can Code’ to schools serving blind and deaf students across the U.S. Thursday, May 17, 2018 9:25 am Thursday, May 17, 2018 4 Comments Apple is teaming up with leading educators for blind and deaf communities across the US to bring accessible coding to their schools. Beginning this fall, schools supporting students with vision, hearing or other assistive needs will start teaching the Everyone Can Code curricula for Swift, Apple’s powerful and intuitive programming language. Apple created the comprehensive Everyone Can Code curricula so students from kindergarten to college and beyond can learn and write code using Swift. With teacher guides and lessons, students learn the basics on iPad with Swift Playgrounds which lets you use real code to solve puzzles and control characters with just a tap, to App Development with Swift to help aspiring app developers build their first iOS apps. “Apple’s mission is to make products as accessible as possible,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a statement. “We created Everyone Can Code because we believe all students deserve an opportunity to learn the language of technology. We hope to bring Everyone Can Code to even more schools around the world serving students with disabilities.” The schools will tailor lessons using Apple’s groundbreaking accessibility technology, which has changed the lives of millions of people with vision, hearing, physical motor, cognitive or other assistive needs. Apple collaborated with engineers, educators, and programmers from various accessibility communities to make Everyone Can Code as accessible as possible and will work in close coordination with schools to augment the curricula as needed. This will include providing additional tools and resources such as tactile maps to enhance the understanding of coding environments for non-visual learners. Initial list of participating schools: • California School for the Blind (Fremont, CA) • California School for the Deaf (Fremont, CA) • District 75/Citywide Programs, New York City Department of Education (New York, NY) • Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (St. Augustine, FL) • Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Winetka, IL) • Perkins School for the Blind (Watertown, MA) • Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Austin, TX) • Texas School for the Deaf (Austin, TX) “Our students were tremendously excited at our first Everyone Can Code session earlier this year,” said Bill Daugherty, superintendent at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Austin, in a statement. “There are more than 10,400 students with visual impairments in Texas, and the development of this curricula is going to be a big step in opening up coding opportunities for our students and those across the nation.” California School for the Deaf superintendent Clark Brooke said in a statement, “We’re thrilled to kick off the partnership with Apple. This program is a great way to bring to life the ideas and imagination of our Deaf students through coding, while also building a foundation for future careers in software development and technology.” Julie Tye, president and CEO of the Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired added, “As the largest educator within the visually impaired community, Hadley knows firsthand how important Apple’s technology is in making daily living easier and more enjoyable. Now, partnering with Apple, we are excited to help even more people learn how to code. Whether for fun or future employment, learning the language of technology can offer tremendous opportunity to everyone.” The Everyone Can Code curricula is compatible with VoiceOver, the most advanced screen-reading technology for people who are blind or low vision. VoiceOver is a gesture-based screen reader that describes nearly everything happening on your screen, and is the most popular screen-reading technology of any mobile technology platform1. With VoiceOver integration, Swift Playgrounds can take students step-by-step through learning Swift, all without needing to see the screen. Accessibility features for people who are deaf or hard of hearing include FaceTime for capturing every gesture and facial expression, Type to Siri, closed captions, LED Flash for Alerts, Mono Audio and Made for iPhone hearing aids. iPad and Everyone Can Code can also be used by students with physical motor limitations through Apple’s built in Switch Control, which enables switches, joysticks and other adaptive devices to control what is on your screen. Global Accessibility Awareness Day In recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 17, Apple is hosting events around the world to promote inclusive design and emphasize how technology can support all people with disabilities. Throughout May, all Apple stores will host accessibility-related events and sessions for customers. On May 17 Apple corporate locations in Cupertino, Austin, Cork and London will also hold events. Since 2017, Apple has held over 10,000 accessibility sessions across the globe. Source: Apple Inc. MacDailyNews Take: Congrats to Apple’s newest “Everyone Can Code” partners! Ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple seeks to ‘take disability out of the equation’ – May 14, 2018 Apple’s HomePod will support VoiceOver, other accessibility features – July 28, 2017 Apple wins kudos for accessibility and smart home tech empowering people with disabilities – May 18, 2017 Apple continues to lead in accessibility awareness and innovation – May 19, 2016 How a simple Apple feature is changing lives – July 28, 2015 How the Apple Watch is opening up new ways to communicate – May 20, 2015 You know, blind people can actually use touchscreens – January 29, 2015 iPad app brings Braille keyboard to blind users’ fingertips – January 24, 2015 Apple patent applications reveal In-App features, fingerprint scanning enrollment and accessibility inventions – July 31, 2014 OS X Mavericks: How to control your Mac with your voice – April 9, 2014 Can Apple help make hearing aids cool? – March 10, 2014 Apple files new patents relating to haptics, Thunderbolt, iSight and improved accessibility for the hearing impaired – August 23, 2012 Inside Apple’s OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion: New iOS-style Accessibility – July 18, 2012 Stevie Wonder thanks Steve Jobs, praises Apple for iOS accessibility – September 15, 2011 Good news for music fans with vision loss: Apple adds accessibility features to iPod nano and iTunes – September 18, 2008 Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 9:36 am How about having such programmes outside of USA, like in Europe and Asia Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 10:15 am Can’t you read the heading? ‘Everyone Can Code’ is across Apple’s Home nation. That covers everyone, at least from their perspective. The rest of the world, well once they build that wall they’ll be able to pretend it doesn’t exist. dprater2014 And yet, Xcode still sucks with voiceover, and a blind person would have to know a lot about the quirks of Xcode to use all that. See those fansy “next” and “previous” things in the beginner courses? We blind folk only read the actual markup code, and have to actually navigate to the next section manually. Also, VoiceOver doesn’t tell you if a word in code is capitalized or not, which is aweful with case-sensitive Swift. So you have to arrow letter by letter and try to find the miscapitalized word, or letter.Seriously, Apple is losing steam. And I want everyone on Global Accessibility Day to realize that Apple’s accessibility efforts are far from unique nowadays. Devin Prater Assistive Technology Instructor certified by World Services for the Blind JAWS certified Krioni FileMaker Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apple, and much of the product has added accessibility features. However, the Relationship Graph, which is a necessary component in developing almost ANY FileMaker solution, is a complete blackbox when it comes to accessibility. It essentially does not exist. This is where tables are linked together and, while the interface is a graphic one, much of it can be navigated, viewed, and even created/edited using keyboard shortcuts. If it was made accessible to the normal Accessibility features of macOS, blind or visually impaired users would be able to work with it reasonably well. I’m hoping FileMaker makes that change soon. I’m not visually impaired myself, but accessibility is the right thing to do, and makes things better for everyone. Tags: accessibility, Apple, Apple Watch, AppleVis, Assistive Technology, Austin Pruitt, blind, Braille, ccessibility, deaf, Everyone Can Code, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, HomePod, iBrailler Notes, iOS, iOS accessibility, iPad, iPhone, Mac, OS X, Sarah Herrlinger, Swift, Tim Cook, VoiceOver, Watch OS	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2599
__label__wiki	0.523144	0.523144	Tagged: joe martinez 8/17/09 at Citi Field Jona hadn’t yet been to Citi Field, so she came with me. (We’re such dorks.) Right before the gates opened at 4:40pm, I explained where I planned to enter, which staircase I was going to run up, which direction I was going to turn, and where I was planning to go after that. It all made perfect sense to her, but then we got separated because a) security had to pat her down and b) I ended up running all over the place. Sometimes these things happen. My first ball of the day was tossed by Mike Pelfrey in left field. Other than the fact that it was a brand new commemorative ball from the final season of Shea Stadium, there wasn’t anything special about it. I was the first one there, so he had no choice but to throw it to me. (I suppose he could’ve just ignored my polite request, but he’s too nice for that.) Soon after, Jona got a photo of me running for my second ball of the day — a home run hit by Omir Santos that landed in the empty seats in left-center: The younger fan trailing behind me is named Alex. I met him once before at Citi Field. He has snagged quite a few balls and he writes a blog about it…and…just so you don’t feel bad for him, you should know that yesterday he beat me out for a loose ball on two separate occasions. The Santos homer also had the Shea Stadium commemorative logo, but it was special for another reason: it was my 4,191st ball. That’s how many hits Ty Cobb collected in his career. Way back in July 2005, I half-jokingly started comparing my ball total to various players’ career hit totals. Here’s my original blog entry about it. I know it’s much-much-MUCH harder to get a hit in the major leagues than it is to snag a ball in the stands. Like I said, it was mainly a joke. It was just a way for me to have even more fun with numbers and stats and to give myself something tangible to shoot for. At the time, I had a grand total of 2,548 balls, which put me in 76th place on the hits list between George Van Haltren (2,532) and Willie Davis (2,561). I’ve been creeping up the leaderboard ever since, taking aim at the game’s all-time greats, and getting more and more into the whole thing. Yesterday, after snagging the Santos homer, I was finally in a position to pass Ty Cobb and move into second place behind Pete Rose (4,256). Enter Fernando Tatis, the only player in major league history with two grand slams in one inning. The seats were still fairly empty, so I had plenty of room to run when Tatis lofted a high, deep fly ball toward left-center field. It was heading about 20 or 30 feet to my left, so I bolted through my row, then kept drifting with the ball as it began to descend. I knew I was in the perfect spot — I knew it was going to come right to me — but I sensed that there was another fan moving toward me from the opposite direction who was going to make an attempt of his own. I wasn’t sure who it was. I was too focused on the ball, so I braced myself and leaned forward at the last second and reached up as high as I could to prevent the other fan from interfering. SMACK!!! The ball landed right in the pocket of my glove. I looked down to see who the other fan was…and it was Alex. Our gloves had bumped gently as we both reached up to make the catch. It played out as if we were infielders who failed to call each other off on a pop-up. In situations like that, it’s usually the taller guy who ends up making the catch. That was the case here, and although it came at Alex’s expense, I was still really happy to have achieved a personal milestone. The Tatis home run? Another Shea Stadium commemorative ball. Moments later, Tatis smoked a deep line drive to my right — a full section to my right. I ran as fast as I could and reached the next staircase, and while I was still on the run, I reached down and across my body with my glove hand and made a back-handed catch over the row of seats in front of me. If I hadn’t caught that ball on the fly, I wouldn’t have gotten it because there were other fans standing nearby. That ball was also commemorative, and so was the next one. I used my glove trick to pluck it off the warning track in straight-away left field. Pelfrey walked over to retrieve the ball as I started lowering my glove, but he was nice enough to stand off to the side and let me get it. Once I started lifting the glove with the ball tucked inside, he moved closer and pretended to hit the glove to make the ball fall out, but like I said, he’s a good guy. He would never pull a Gustavo Chacin. Here I am with the five balls I’d snagged… …but back to the glove trick for a moment. There were two funny things that happened while I was using it. First, when I was about to lower the glove onto the ball, a fan standing 10 feet to my left shouted in a thick New York accent, “Sorry, buddy, dat ain’t gonna work!” and then two seconds later when I started lifting the glove with the ball inside, the same guy said (almost as if it were part of the same sentence), “Okay, nevermind!” It was classic. Moments later, the fan on my right was focusing intently on what I was doing. “That’s just like that guy Zack Hample!” he said, to which I responded matter-of-factly, “I am Zack Hample.” The Mets finished batting practice 15 minutes early. The field was empty. It was lame. The Giants came out and stretched. There was nothing for me to do except wander over to their dugout: I was wearing a white Giants T-shirt at that point, along with a standard black-and-orange Giants cap. It must’ve helped because a Giants ballboy ended up rolling a ball to me across the dugout roof. I ended up giving that ball away to a kid after the game. Once the Giants started hitting, I ran back to the left field seats and contemplated my next move. Tim Lincecum was standing in left field, more than 100 feet from the outfield wall. I was slowly walking through the half-empty second row. He looked up in my general direction, and I noticed that he was holding a ball, so I jumped up and down and waved my arms to get his attention. For some reason, he then threw the ball right to me…or maybe he wasn’t aiming for me. Who knows? The ball sailed 10 feet over my head and landed in the empty seats several rows behind me. Fans started racing over from both sides as I began climbing directly over the seats. I simply HAD to get that ball. I’d been dying to get one from Lincecum for two years, and this was finally my chance. I was so determined to snag it, and I chased after it so aggressively, that I banged the absolute crap out of my left knee. But…I’m happy to report that I ended up getting the ball, and of course I didn’t injure anyone in the process except myself. I watched Lincecum closely after that and was in awe of his gracefulness. The way he chased fly balls, and even the way he caught throws from the warning track and relayed them toward the bucket — it was a thing of beauty, and I’ll be rooting for him even more than before. Eventually, after things had slowed way down for me, I moved to the front row, just to take a peek at the warning track in case there was a loose ball sitting there that I hadn’t seen. There were no balls, so I should’ve walked back up the steps and assumed my normal position. But it was so tempting to stay in the front row. The field looked so nice. But I knew it was stupid to stay there. The only way to catch a ball there would’ve been to catch a home run on the fly, and it would’ve had to be hit RIGHT to me because the front row was packed, and the stairs behind me were crowded. Well, wouldn’t you know it, Aaron Rowand ended up hitting a ball RIGHT to me. It would’ve hit me in the head if I hadn’t caught it. That’s how “right to me” it was. Truly incredible. And then, three minutes later, I caught a home run hit by Juan Uribe in left-center. I was several rows back at that point, and no one else had even seen it coming because there was a man in the front row who was trying to reel in a ball with his cup trick. Everyone was crowding around him to see if it would work…and it did…but unfortunately for the guy (who had his young son with him), he struggled with it for a minute or two, which exposed him to Citi Field’s goons (aka security). There were so many security guards who descended upon our section, you’d’ve thought there was a bomb scare, and half of them easily weighed more than 300 pounds. The biggest, meanest-looking men in New York had deliberately been hired and then sent to intimidate this guy (and, consequently, to leave his young son in tears). It was completely uncalled for. Not only did they confiscate the man’s device, but they wouldn’t even give him a claim check for it, so in other words, he was not even allowed to retrieve it after the game. It was gone. Forever. Just like that. Without a warning. There’s not even any mention of ball-retrieving devices in Citi Field’s rules. Some stadiums allow fans to use such devices. Others don’t but at least have a policy. The Mets (in case it wasn’t already obvious) are doing everything wrong. Anyway, toward the end of BP, I snagged one more home run ball that landed in the semi-crowded seats in left-center. That was my 10th ball of the day. My lifetime total, at that point, was 4,199. My next ball would bring another mini-milestone. Alex and I both tried to get Pablo Sandoval to toss up a ball before the game… …but Sandoval chose to throw it to three gloveless college-aged women who weren’t even asking for it. During the game, Jona and I not only sat in a great place to watch the action, but in a perfect spot for me to get a third-out ball. This was our view: There were no third-out balls to be had. The Giants players were tossing them every which way. Bengie Molina threw two third-out/strikeout balls toward some Giants’ family members who were sitting about 30 rows back. I’d never seen anything like that. Jona and I invented our own little game-within-the-game involving the players’ head shots on the Jumbotron. We’d look at each photo and then try to come up with a hypothetical/humorous situation that would’ve prompted the facial expression. Luis Castillo, for example, had a photo in which he looked very serious — almost angry, in which he was glaring at the camera with piercing eyes. I decided that the reason he looked that way must’ve been as follows: He got fed up with all his teammates patting him on the butt whenever he did something good, so he asked them not to do it anymore. He requested high-fives and fist-bumps instead, but they kept touching his heinie, and then one day, after it happened yet again, he just snapped. “Who did that?!” he demanded to know (in Spanish, of course). “I will kill the man who did that!” And then his photo was taken. Jona came up with a good scenario for the Giants’ starting pitcher, Joe Martinez: I didn’t have anything original for him and suggested something that had to do with flatulence. Jona, on the other hand, suggest that Martinez was in a bar and some random guy who didn’t recognize him insisted that he could throw a baseball faster than him. Brilliant. The Mets lost the game, 10-1, and allowed 18 hits. They only had one extra-base hit of their own, a meaningless eighth-inning double by Daniel Murphy. Giants left fielder Eugenio (pronounced “ay-yoo-HAY-nee-oh”) Velez might be the fastest player in baseball. He hit a gapper to right-center and was sliding into third base before I could blink. I was really into the game and noticed the bold strategic move by Giants manager Bruce Bochy in the top of the sixth inning. The Giants were winning, 3-1, and had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Martinez was on deck, so the Mets intentionally walked Edgar Renteria to get to him. Even though Martinez had only thrown 67 pitches, Bochy chose to pinch hit for him, hoping to put the game out of reach. Nate Schierholtz was called upon and responded by crushing a 380-foot line drive to right-center — a shot that would’ve been a grand slam in most ballparks, but at cavernous Citi Field, it was just a two-run double. Still, that gave the Giants a four-run lead, and then Velez plated Renteria with a sharp ground out to shortstop. It was beautiful baseball. After the game, I squeezed into the front row behind the Giants’ dugout… …and unexcitingly got my 4,200nd lifetime ball tossed by this guy: Does anyone know who this is? Here’s a closer look at him… …and here’s a shot of me with the milestone ball: Yes, it was another Shea Stadium commemorative ball. I heard (although I didn’t see it) that someone snagged a 2008 World Series ball during the Mets’ portion of BP, and of course there are some Citi Field balls and 2008 Yankee Stadium balls floating around as well. So, if you can stand seeing the Mets play in an overrated/overpriced new stadium with unreasonably strict security guards, you might come out of it with a few special baseballs. • 11 balls at this game (10 pictured here because I gave one away; the ball at the top is No. 4,200) • 481 consecutive games in New York with at least one ball • 346 consecutive Mets games with at least one ball • 8 consecutive games at Citi Field with at least nine balls • 118 donors (click here to learn more and make a pledge) • $9,405.00 raised this season for Pitch In For Baseball Written by Zack Hample 29 Comments Posted in Dailies Tagged with citi field, commemorative balls, dugout, fernando tatis, glove trick, joe martinez, jona, jumping for joy, mike pelfrey, new york mets, pitch in for baseball, san francisco giants, stadium security, tim lincecum, ty cobb	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2601
__label__wiki	0.664693	0.664693	Why China can't get enough of QR codes by Serenitie Wang @CNNTech September 8, 2017: 6:46 AM ET China's love of QR codes The world's second largest economy is on the fast track to ditching cash. Hundreds of millions of shoppers in China increasingly use their smartphones to buy everything from designer handbags to street snacks. At the heart of the country's digital payments boom are QR codes, two-dimensional images made up of a series of black and white squares. In the U.S. and Europe, QR codes (short for "quick response") never really took off. They are slowly becoming more common in social media apps: Snapchat (SNAP), Facebook (FB) and Spotify have been pushing their users to scan the barcodes to unlock new filters, add friends or access playlists. But in China, QR codes are everywhere -- used by major retailers, street markets and even beggars and buskers. Related: Pay with your face at this KFC in China "The market is colossal and it is still growing," said Shen Wei, deputy director of the a research institute that specializes in QR codes. He estimates that more than $1.65 trillion of transactions used the codes last year, accounting for about a third of all mobile payments in China. Tencent's (TCTZF) WeChat Pay and Alibaba (BABA) spinoff Alipay are the dominant mobile payment apps in China. People can use them to pay in a store by scanning a product's QR code or showing their personal code to the cashier. The money is deducted from mobile wallets that are usually linked to regular bank accounts. 'If you don't do it, you will lose out' The codes are easy to create and use, making them popular with small retailers and street vendors who don't take credit cards, said Pan Helin, an economist at the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences. They've started cropping up in all kinds of situations. In April, Chinese media carried photos of a bridesmaid in Beijing who wore a QR code around her neck to collect gifts of money for the bride and groom, reportedly upsetting the groom's mother with the unorthodox behavior. Chinese wedding guests traditionally hand over money in red envelopes, but the bridesmaid said wearing the QR code would help people who forgot to bring enough cash with them. Related: How to land a job in China's booming tech sector But because the codes are so simple and accessible, they are also vulnerable to scammers who can try to trick users into scanning ones that install viruses designed to steal money or personal information. Business owners say they can't afford not to use QR codes. "If you don't do it, you will lose out on revenue," said Alan Wong, an American businessman who owns 15 Japanese restaurants in Shanghai and Beijing. Wong added QR code payments at his restaurants less than two years ago and says he expects them to account for 70% of transactions in the near future. Business cards, bikes and bills Beyond payments, the codes are now used for all sorts of services in China, like exchanging business cards and renting bikes. Chinese authorities are also getting on board. In Hangzhou, where Alibaba is headquartered, the local government has connected several public services to Alipay. Residents can now scan QR codes to pay for things like public transportation, utility bills and hospital visits. Other big cities have followed suit. Related: China's 'dockless' bike sharing could be coming to a street near you At the national level, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is investing heavily in research into QR codes. Analysts predict they will eventually be used for official documents such as birth certificates, visas and ID cards. CNNMoney (Beijing) First published September 8, 2017: 1:27 AM ET	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2604
__label__cc	0.671653	0.328347	Morris Brown College National Alumni Association Preserving a Legacy. Securing a Future Morris Brown College News Alma Mater / Morris Brown College Morris Brown College Creed and Affirmation MBCNAA Registration Form The Temple Bombing (October 12th, 1958, 3:57 am) and Civil Rights Turning Points with the Protestant White Clergy: A Re-Visitation. A Think-PIece Essay On July 20th, the Morris Brown College 2020 Capital Campaign will sponsor an appreciation gathering for financial supporters to Morris Brown by some of its past, legacy donors, and an appreciational “revisit” to Atlanta’s Turning Point Churches (Peachtree Christian Church [PCC] and First Christian Church of Atlanta [FCCA]). Mostly Violence had bypassed Atlanta following the Brown versus Board of Education decision of 1954. Mayor Hartsfield could describe Atlanta as “A City too busy to hate,” and a popular tourist guide booklet characterized the City as “A Kind of Cracker Camelot.” But then the Temple Bombing happened! Peachtree, right across the street, immediately opened its doors to Rabbi Jacob Rothchild and the Temple Worshipers, and FCCA, founded in 1865, pressed into social justice ministry its long history of civil rights advocacy. The White Protestant Clergy issued a “Ministry Manifesto” which became a seminal document in the early Civil Rights Movement. A Tide was Turned. All this is chronicled in Melissa Fay Greene’s wonderful, award winning Book, The Temple Bombing. But for us, and in this moment of time, we will seek out the origins of these stories of triumph over oppression. More to come your way regarding July 20th. We meet first at FCCA. —Roger Sizemore (On Behalf of the 2020 Capital Campaign) July 6 2019 — Posted, July 5, 2019. Fountain Hall (Stone Hall) has just been awarded a $75.000 grant for the preservation of this historic structure. Our great thanks to Dr. Candy Tate, from the Atlanta Branch of ASALH (The Association for the Study of African American Life and History) who wrote the grant on behalf of Morris Brown and the West End Neighborhoods. Posted by Julian Smth, Jr., (July 5, 2019) on Facebook, and copied, here. More details to come, soon. —June 29th, 2019, posted by Willene White-Smith “12th Annual HBCU Scholarship Race” in Piedmont Park, with 55 early registrations from MBC. The event was held on Saturday, June 26th. Morris Brown has been, each year, an active partner in this annual fundraiser. The school receives a percentage of all registrations under Morris Brown’s Name. In the past 3 years our college has received over $1,000.00 in Scholarships. There will be over 75 HBCU Alumni Chapters participating in this annual fundraiser, with 3,000+ alums and supporters from our sister schools. This year, several of us will run in the newly designed “MBC Leggings” by Traditions! Many, Many Thanks are extended to Alumna Krystal Wilson for coordinating our “MBC Legging Campaign/Sales.” We are in process of creating an online store on our Alumni web page, where these and other MBC items may be purchased. —June 24, 2019, Posted by Julian Smith Jr. . . . See this recent and important article on the significant role of Morris Brown College and for the sake of the AU Center District, for protecting local, legacy residents against runaway commercial gentrification in Dr. King’s Beloved Community of Vine City and the West End . . . We have allies in this social justice mission with the West Side Future Fund, for which, background information may be accessed by clicking here. And for the article . . . Click Here — (June 17, 2019) Dr. Karchek Sims-Alvarado, (on the faculty at Morehouse College) presented an Atlanta University historic, 1905, Re-Puposed, Faculty Photo, at an unveiling in front of Fountain Hall, on the Morris Brown College Campus Yard, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Dr. Sims-Alvarado received a Micro-Grant sponsored by the Atlanta Housing Authority, as part of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. She has contributed $5,000 of her own funds, combined with the Micro-Grant, to make this project possible, which is a restored (and enlarged, retouched) 1905 photo to be installed as part of the Friends of Fountain Hall Restoration Project, an initiative, now in its beginning, development phases. Honoring the Herndon, Dubois, Towns & Ware Families Atlanta University Faculty Photograph created as a display in front of Historic (Stone) Fountain Hall, 1905. Special, Commissioned, Large Mural to be placed in front of Fountain Hall: A Reception and Unveiling was held . . . Tuesday, June 18th, 3 pm – 4:30 pm Willene White-Smith, Facebook Post (6.14.2019, copied here.) Greetings Family: Please remember to Join us for the 7th Annual “JUNETEENTH Atlanta Parade & Festival,” in the morning beginning at Mozley Park at 10:00am and culminating in the Home Depot Backyard! Witness all of the Beautiful Floats including our MBC Float with our Current MBC President, Miss MBC, Little Miss MBC and Many More. Help us Celebrate our “400 Years of African-American History in America!” Hear President James Address the Whole Juneteenth Atlanta Family at 1:30pm on the Huge Juneteenth Stage. Please Come Support over 300+ Vendors, the Educational & Entertainment Tents and Plenty of Bouncy Houses for our Children. Witness and Enjoy our 400 years of Survival, thru Edutainment, Spoken Word, Fashion Shows, Tents of Wisdom & Knowledge, Food and Dance. The Parade Ignites the Festivities and the Admission is FREE. Please Support our Vendors!!! … (Photos here posted are from previous years!!!) See: Juneteenthatl.com . . . and participate in this seminal event commemoration. — (March 1, 2009) Morris Brown Names Dr. Kevin James, Interim President “I am honored to have been selected by the board to serve at the helm of Georgia’s oldest HBCU founded by black people,” said James. “I look forward to working with the board of trustees, alumni, staff, and other shareholders to resurrect this historic college back to prominence. My first order of business is working to obtain accreditation, ensure financial stability, build a strong relationship with alumni, and enrollment growth.” In his nearly 20-year career as a higher education administrator, executive business leader, and motivational speaker, James is committed to improving his community through education and empowerment. He has served in various senior-level administrative roles within colleges across the Carolinas and Georgia and civic organizations, most recently serving as Interim CEO of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. In this, he oversaw the day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and external relations for the non-profit organization of 10,000+ members who volunteer through a host of mentorship and community service initiatives across the country and internationally. Bishop Reginald Jackson, Chairman of the Morris Brown College Board of Trustees, welcomed James’s appointment. “We needed a leader who holds not only outstanding values and a passion for helping sustain HBCUs, but one who has vast experience in higher education, the accreditation process, and fundraising to take Morris Brown College to the next level,” Jackson said. “After an exhaustive search, we found these qualities in Dr. Kevin James. He has served in various leadership capacities with enthusiasm, and I am confident that he will play the key role to resurrect Morris Brown College.” A native of Columbia, S.C., James attended South Carolina State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Social Sciences from Winthrop University; a master’s degree in Business Management, Leadership, and Organizational Effectiveness from Troy State University; and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a graduate of the Higher Education Institute at Harvard University. MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE See, also the March 1, 2019 article about Dr. Kevin James in the Atlanta Voice, by clicking here >>> and then going to their “archives” section, and clicking on the Cover Story for March 1, 2019 WINNERS: February 2019 Congratulations to the Students of Morris Brown College 1st Place AUC Black History Quiz Bowl 2019 The Morris Brown Family Congrats to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place winners from CAU, Morehouse, and Spelman! Sol Brannan’s New, Co-Authored Book Morris Brown College Alumni Focus Group Leader, Sol Brannan, former NFL Player, MBC Coach, and, now, Co-Author (with Kimberly Archie) of the new book, Brain Damaged: Two Minute Warning for Parents (NY: USA Sports Safety Publication, 2019), available from Amazon.com Former NFL Player, Sol Brannan, a Morris Brown, Graduate, Former Coach and Current Leader Fountain Hall and the Yard, in the News (Morris Brown College) Lifting up a “Movement to Restore Historic Fountain Hall,” as a Key toward Preserving the Soul and History of Morris Brown College / The Atlanta University Dream, Atlanta’s Historic Westside Village and cultivating Dr. King’s “Beloved Community” . . . Help Morris Brown reach 10,000 signatures!!! We have over 3500 right now. Friends, please sign and share our petition for progress. For more details, and to sign the petition, click on the link, below >>> NOTE: This suggested Website is for signing the petition only. Morris Brown is making NO requests for funds for this Restoration of Fountain Hall Project, at this time. If you wish to give to Morris Brown, directly, see the “DONATE” pages at the College web-site . . . https://www.morrisbrown.edu And to sign the petition . . . click on the URL (below) https://www.change.org/p/we-must-save-the-historic-fountain-hall By also clicking here >>> you can make a Gift to Morris Brown. Your continued support is essential for us as we strengthen and forward this honored legacy. Morris Brown College Day At the City Council Pictured above (Left): District 2 Representative, Amir R. Farokhi (who grew up on the Morris Brown Campus); Dr. N. R. Farokhi, (Amir’s Father and an MBC Faculty Member, Center), and past President, Dr. Stanley J. Pritchett, Sr., (Right) The Atlanta City Council Declares Morris Brown College Day, November 19th with a Proclamation: Proclamation: Whereas Morris Brown College “. . . proudly opened its doors just 20 years after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1885 . . . becoming the first Historically Black College and University in the State of Georgia” . . . “and a vital and integral part of the Atlanta University System . . . where it has played and continues to play a meaningful role in the country’s ecosystem of Historical Black Colleges and Universities . . . and as the school continues to serve the needs of all who have the desire and potential to earn a degree, regardless of their current economic opportunity . . . and whereas thousands of alumni and alumnae of Morris Brown College have gone on to admirably serve the City of Atlanta and its communities and make a positive impact on the world . . . NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE, the members of the Atlanta City Council, on behalf of the citizens of Atlanta, recognize Morris Brown College on their long history of continuing determination to inspire life-long learning in all who seek it, and hereby declare Monday, November 19th, as Morris Brown College Day in the City of Atlanta.” Signed and Sealed by the Atlanta City Council Members. November 19, 2018 Thank you for visiting the MBCNAA website. For those considering membership, we have recently added the ability to register online. Congratulations to the Class of 2018 The National Alumni Association of Morris Brown College . . . . . . would like to thank all that participated in the 2018 Homecoming Festivities. Please remember to go to our membership page, and sign up today to become a member of the National Alumni Association of Morris Brown College. ********Attention Brownites********* We are proud to announce that you may now go online to YouTube.com to view the new video of the Morris Brown College Alma Mater. This video was arranged, orchestrated, directed, and produced by 2018 Morris Brown College Graduate, Mr. Jody Mayfield. Don’t forget to share with your friends. Show the world that Morris Brown College is “Still Standing.” Morris Brown College was represented at the Annual Atlanta Greek Picnic (So, don’t miss this, next time!) Morris Brown College, Atlanta, is alive and and thriving! Here are the heads of the Morris Brown College National Alumni Association! Lastly, at the Atlanta Greek Picnic, donations were made from some of the proceeds, to #MBC #AGP2018 #ATLGreekPicnic @ Morris Brown College. (Front Row [L-R]): James Fedd, 2nd Alumni Rep to the MBC Board., Dr. Tyra Ellis, Secretary, (Second Row), Norrisa Melix, Treasurer, Shirley Barlow, President, Inez Greggs, Financial Sec. Morris Brown College’s $20 Million Capital Campaign The Tom Joyner Foundation will set up the Capital Campaign at the beginning. Then you will be hearing more. For more information on the beginning phases of the Capital Campaign, visit the Tom Joyner Foundation at >>> https://tomjoynerfoundation.org or register on this web page (see the comment section) and someone will respond to you. Please check out the Faculty Spotlight of Dr. Gloria Anderson by the Tom Joyner Foundation. Please Support the Morris Brown College Focus Group Linen Sale Drive Partnering with Essentials Daily Discounts Colors and sizes are below:	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2605
__label__wiki	0.801254	0.801254	Senators Opposing Green New Deal Are Drowning in Fossil Fuel Cash Dan Robitzski The senators and representatives who support or have co-sponsored the Green New Deal, the ambitious package of proposals to combat global climate change, have received far less money from the fossil fuel industry than their opponents, according to HuffPost. The clear divide between legislators who’ve received large donations from oil, gas, and coal companies and those who haven’t shows that, as far as U.S. leaders are concerned, cash is still king. The 12 senators who have agreed to co-sponsor the Green New Deal have taken a total of $1.1 million worth of fossil fuel campaign contributions over the course of their careers. The remaining 88 senators have taken a combined $59 million, according to HuffPost, which comes out to an average of 7.3 times as much money per lawmaker. That doesn’t mean that the proposal’s supporters are off the hook — co-sponsoring senator Ron Wyden leads the pack with a total of over $290,000 of accepted fossil fuel industry donations. However, he and Bernie Sanders, who accepted the fourth-most fossil fuel donations among co-sponsors over his career, have both rejected such donations over the past two years, according to HuffPost. The split over support for the Green New Deal — and accepting the fossil fuel industry’s money, is most clear among party lines — with the vast majority of oil, gas and coal donations going to Republicans. “The Green New Deal shows the level of ambition that climate and energy policy could have if Big Oil, Gas, and Coal’s grip on Washington were weakened,” David Turnbull, a spokesman for Oil Change USA, told HuffPost. “The cosponsors of the Green New Deal have by and large bucked the influence of the out-of-control fossil fuel industry, and that shows in their willingness to stand up for bold climate solutions like what we see in the Green New Deal resolutions.” Money as Free Speech U.S. - National	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2606
__label__cc	0.512271	0.487729	PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2, or: The Film That Nearly Broke Me PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 (2015). Director: Andy Fickman. Cinematographer: Dean Semler. Depression is a hell of a thing. It can make us do things we’re not proud of. Sometimes, it keeps us from doing much of anything at all. I have had many weeks of what feels like pure lethargy. Whereas articles would ordinarily be published mere days apart, now weeks go by without much activity. It even led to some asking if I had given up on the site altogether. No, I haven’t, though I have been preoccupied with other things which meant there wasn’t much energy left over to focus on the very thing that brings me comfort in times of stress, my writing. I had spent a number of days indoors, trips to the grocery store notwithstanding. The house was becoming a prison, the walls were closing in. I decided that I needed to get out of the house and show my face to the world once again. Unfortunately, the options in my neighborhood were few and far between. My budget was limited and transportation was nonexistent. My destination would have to be a place where my legs could carry me. And so it was that I found myself in the local Cinema Café, jockeying for space with people on family outings and watching PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2. It really wasn’t until the film began that I realized the previous BLART had come out more than six years ago. At the end of the first film, Blart married the girl of his dreams, Amy (Jayma Hayes). Unfortunately, Hayes was unavailable for this sequel due to her shooting schedule on GLEE. This is the official version of the story and could either translate into a genuine conflict or Hayes nervously saying, “Oh, a PAUL BLART sequel? Yeah, um, no. I have…a thing, a… a filming thing. Oh these hours, so brutal, darn…” So, the sequel spends its first portion rewriting the original’s happy ending so that Blart can start from square one. Amy files for divorce, less than a week after their marriage. Soon afterwards, Blart’s mother is run over by a milk truck. So, we’re re-introduced to the mall security guard, living a miserable and depressed existence, forgotten and working the same dead-end job with nobody but his daughter Maya (Raini Rodriguez) in his life Things look up when he is invited to Las Vegas in order to attend a convention of security officers. He checks into the posh Wynn hotel and casino and routinely makes a fool of himself in front of hotel staff and his supposed colleagues. What he doesn’t realize is that a former high roller (Neal McDonough) is trying to recoup his gambling debts by staging a massive art heist, the expense of which would probably match any debts he had accrued. This is where the film could have been clever. It could have been a PG-rated spoof of DIE HARD set in a casino. There is potential in the McDonough character and one could only imagine someone telling him to give the same performance he gave in STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI, only this time it’s okay to play it for laughs. But nothing much is done with the character. And likewise, they never make the most of Blart channeling John McClaine by way of Barney the Dinosaur. The film is constantly restraining itself from committing to anything but the most juvenile bits. It’s the type of film that features a cameo appearance by Mini Kiss, an all-dwarf Kiss tribute band. But that’s all it does. It doesn’t have them take part in any of the comedic bits and you never get to see them play. This is the type of film that feels it’s enough to merely point out the existence of Mini Kiss rather than do anything with it. It might surprise you to read that I did not hate the original PAUL BLART: MALL COP. I didn’t particularly like it very much either. No, I found the film to be mostly mediocre, which frequent readers of the site will note is something I despite more than a film that is merely terrible. I thought it played it a bit too safe and telegraphed too many of its jokes. But I didn’t have the hatred and vitriol for BLART that most people seemed to and I certainly didn’t think it was one of the worse Happy Madison productions. I could see the heart of the piece and that meant a lot. The film was family friendly and offered a few good chuckles. The Paul Blart character was someone who took his job seriously, because he took people seriously. He knew he drew the short straw in terms of good luck, but he was determined to make the world a better place, even if that meant simply restoring a sense of harmony to the mall food court. I also thought it was a cute joke that a kiosk selling wigs was called Unbeweaveable. I can’t even type that without smiling a little bit. Of the two mall cop-themed comedies that were inexplicably released within a two-month period back in 2009 (the much darker OBSERVE AND REPORT being the other), PAUL BLART was the better of the two. This is really just another reason PAUL BLART 2 is so disheartening. Not only are the jokes staler and even more telegraphed, the heart is missing. There is a moment when Blart gives a speech that explicitly talks about his duty to help people. It’s a moment that should be inspirational, because I believe in everything he says. And yet, I didn’t believe it coming from Blart. Not this time. Because this time, Paul Blart spends most of the film acting not like a well-meaning doofus, but a complete horse’s ass. The script does call him on some of this behavior, but not all of it, perhaps suggesting an agreement with some of his antics or worse yet, an inability to recognize that the character is now missing any of the traits that could have caused anyone to care about him. Director Andy Fickman showed some promise in his earlier films. SHE’S THE MAN was a charming teenage version of TWELFTH NIGHT for instance. But he followed that up with a lot of terrible movies. Lately, Fickman has done much of his work executive producing the Disney Channel sitcom LIV AND MADDIE and his newest film doesn’t excel any higher than that level of humor. The film is full of fat jokes and pratfalls that Soupy Sales would have vetoed as being too juvenile. Virtually all of the physical humor is lifted from other films and television shows, and they aren’t always good ones either. While we’re on the subject, there is one bit that I believe this film may have killed forever. But just in case it hasn’t and some hack writer decides to pursue it once again, I want to lay out a simple truth right now: Segways are not funny. Segways have never been funny. Segways will never be funny. The Segway was a mode of alternate transportation that could have led to big things, but never panned out due to their awkward appearance, people’s reluctance to adopt the technology and odd pedestrian laws that went into effect shortly after the product was introduced. That’s all. I don’t care how many times you show someone riding a Segway, or in the case of these films, falling off of one, what you are eliciting is at best an eye roll and never fits of laughter. PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 is a lazy film. The direction is poor. The editing is poor, as can be seen in the tried sequence in which Blart tries to fight off an exotic bird. Even the look of the film is poor, and there can be no excuse for that. While you might not expect a first time cinematographer to be handling the reigns, you certainly don’t expect this ugly little film to have been shot by an Academy Award winner. Somehow, this film which manages to take the glitz of Las Vegas and make it look like a red and brown nightmare was shot by Dean Semler. Semler was the man who shot DANCES WITH WOLVES, one of the most breathtakingly beautiful films of the 1990s. This is a man whose credits include THE ROAD WARRIOR, DEAD CALM, YOUNG GUNS, CITY SLICKERS and MALEFICENT just to name a few. What was he doing on this film, if anything? My only suggestion is that he too got swallowed up by Happy Madison, since he has lensed a number of Sandler’s own comedies. My advice: Get out, Dean. It’s obvious you aren’t doing your best work here. I wanted to drag this movie out into the street and shoot it. To say that it did nothing to alleviate my feelings of melancholy is an understatement. In fact, it had the opposite effect, an effect I fear it may have on a great many people. Because you can’t watch this film without feeling somehow cheated, like someone has taken you for a ride and dumped you onto the street. The film doesn’t even try to meet the expectations of its audience, as can be evidenced by how many jokes are repeated and how much of the Paul Blart character is missing from this sorry production. By the time he said “Always bet on Blart,” leering into the camera for a shot clearly intended for the trailer, part of me just gave up. It was as if a piece of me could not find any ray of hope in the universe, no expectation that I would find any sense of humor in this miserable exercise and that piece of me simply withered away. It’s a part that I have been trying to revive ever since and it’s going to happen. But PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 does the soul no favors. It’s the type of movie that makes going to the movies seem like a needlessly punishing experience. The fact that it is not the complete nadir of cinema is an even more shameful commentary on how low the bar has been set. The Worst. April 21, 2015 April 21, 2015 Scott W. Davisaction, Adam Sandler, Andy Finkman, Blu-ray, casino, cinema, comedy, Daniella Alonso, Dean Semler, Die Hard, Disney Channel, DVD, film, Happy Madison, heist, Kevin James, Las Vegas, Liv and Maddie, Mini Kiss, movie, Neal McDonough, Netflix, Nick Bakay, on demand, Paul Blart, Paul Blart 2, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Raini Rodriguez, review, sequel, She's the Man, streaming, Street Fighter, video One thought on “PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2, or: The Film That Nearly Broke Me” Pingback: Deep Hurting: The Worst Films of 2015 \| MOVIOCRITY Previous Previous post: The Film Jerks Sink Their Teeth Into SUMMER OF BLOOD Next Next post: CINEMOBSESSION Returns with a Look At Trailers in the Social Media Age	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2608
__label__wiki	0.927983	0.927983	tel +44 (0)131 654 0088 reception@melvillecastle.com History of Melville Castle Wedding Enquiry Form Diner Menu You are here: Home / History of Melville Castle Earliest records indicate that in 1155 in the reign of King Malcolm IV, Malleville was an estate in the ownership of an Anglo-Norman Baron called Galfrid de Malle who was Sheriff of Edinburgh and Governor of Edinburgh Castle. It remained in his family until the time of King Robert II in 1371 when, through marriage it passed to Sir John Ross of Halkhead. The castle continued as the seat of that branch of the Ross family for many generations. In 1542, owing to the death of her father, King James V, Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland when she was only six days old. Because of political and religious unrest in Scotland she was to spend her early years in France with her mother Marie de Guise, adopting much of French culture, and controversially, the Roman Catholic faith. In 1561, after the death of her husband King Francis II, Marie Stuart exchanged the culture and splendour of the French court and returned to Scotland, a nineteen year old widow. Though the Scottish Royal Court was established in Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, the Queen settled her French retinue a few miles to the south, in an area which is known, even today, as Little France. In 1565 after four years of widowhood, and against the earnest pleadings of her advisors she chose to marry her Catholic cousin Lord Darnley, a disaster from which her later problems sprang. Her future life was to be etched in blood. The Queen, a fine horsewoman, became a frequent visitor to the nearby Melville Castle, invariably in the company of her Italian secretary and close companion Seigneur David Rizzio. This close friendship caused jealousy and hatred in the mainly Protestant Scottish Nobles. In an attempt to raise Rizzio’s standing the Queen tried to persuade Lord Ross to give the Lordship of Melville to Rizzio. Though it was not to be, Rizzio nevertheless took apartments in the castle. The castle became known to the local people as Rizzios house. This further incensed the Nobles. On one of the Queens visits he planted a tree as a token of his love for her. The tree, a majestic Spanish Chestnut (castanea sativa) survives to this day some 450 years later. The Queen responded by planting 5 oak trees along the drive which also survive to this day. Such blatant displays of love however, were to be Rizzio’s downfall. The Scottish nobles persuaded Lord Darnley, that Rizzio was the Queens lover and, in 1566 they forced their way into her apartments in Holyrood palace and murdered him before the Queens eyes. He was to suffer many stab wounds. A few years later Lord Darnley was himself to be strangled by the order of the Earl of Bothwell, Mary’s new suitor. Mary was accused of complicity in the murder and was held in captivity by the Scottish Lords. She was later to escape and seek sanctury in England where she was eventually to be betrayed, imprisoned and beheaded by her cousin Elizabeth of England. The trees however remain enduring symbols of The Queen and Rizzio’s ill-fated affection for each other. In 1762 Sir David Rannie purchased the estate. He had acquired a vast fortune after 30 years of trading with the East India Company in Eastern seas based on Calcutta. His return to Scotland was short lived, as after 5 years he died leaving his two young daughters prey to the landed gentry. The shrewd Henry Dundas, a lawyer, and son of the neighbouring estate of Arniston, was 24 when he married the 14 year old Elizabeth acquiring both her estate and her fortune. He was clever and industrious with consuming ambition. His service as a Member of Parliament in London under Prime Minister Pitt, was to be rewarded by an appointment as the first Viscount Melville. He also held the most prestigious and powerful position in Scotland as Lord Advocate. This is commemorated in a marble statue in the Advocates Hall in Edinburgh. His new found wealth allowed him to commission James Playfair, the renowned Scottish architect of the time to design a new castle and in 1786 the old medieval edifice was demolished and the new Castle was built on its footprint. This building, an impressive castellated mansion with its spacious pillared entrance hall, elegant staircase and fine reception rooms, was created principally for entertaining on a grand scale. In 1791 at the time of the French revolution and Britain’s war with France, Lord Melville was appointed Home Secretary and Minister for War. He now wielded enormous power throughout Britain and its dominions. His preoccupation in state matters however, resulted in a rash investment and the loss of all of Elizabeth’s fortune in the crash of the Ayrshire Bank. This misadventure resulted in an impoverished Countess and a mortgaged Melville Castle. His successful political career however continued with his appointment as First Lord of the Admiralty but these various government appointments meant that he was required to spend long months in London whereupon his long suffering wife, her fortune lost, eloped into the arms of another. In 1822, in anticipation of George IV’s visit to Scotland, an impressive fluted stone column 135ft high was erected in the gardens of St. Andrews Square to bear the figure of the King. However, the Edinburgh dignitaries, momentarily displeased with the King, surmounted the column with the figure of Lord Melville. The King was required to make do with a less prominent position in Hanover Street and a modest pedestal of only 15 feet. Lord Melville also had sight of the plans for the New Town, and to the dismay of the officials he acquired the principal site in St Andrews Square and built the finest classical mansion house in the city. The church originally intended for the site had to be relocated to George Street. It is known as Saint Andrews ‘the round church which leaves no corner for the devil.’ In 1828, King George IV again visited Scotland as a guest of the Duke of Buccleuch at Dalkeith Palace. Whether aware of his displacement from St. Andrews Square, the King visited Melville Castle. For this, a special carriage way, now Melville Gate Road, was created between the two mansions. A grand review of the Midlothian Yeomanry, of which Lord Melville was Colonel, took place on the south lawn. For this occasion Lord Melville arranged a lavish Banquet and among the distinguished personages gathered to meet the King was Sir Walter Scott who lived nearby and was a frequent visitor to the Castle. It is recorded that a sumptuous meal was enjoyed by the guests and the members of the Yeomanry, who were amply provided for. The Estate workers also enjoyed a feast and there was still enough food remaining for the poor of the district to be fed. In 1842, on the occasion of her first tour of Scotland, 23 year old Queen Victoria was a guest at the Castle and was enamoured by the beautiful and tranquil character of the Estate. Walter Scott was also inspired to write of ‘Melville’s Beechy Grove’ in his work ‘Grey Brother’. The Castle remained in the hands of the Dundas family for some generations and after the Second World War, the Ninth Lord Melville moved to a smaller house on the Estate and the Castle was temporarily leased as an army rehabilitation centre and later as a hotel. In the late 1980’s the Castle, the Estate and the adjoining farms were sold. The Castle however, suffered badly from neglect and the ensuing dry rot brought it to dereliction and eventual closure. In 1993, after being open to the weather and with the roof and floors collapsing, it was acquired by the Hay Trust and over a period of 8 years, it underwent extensive restoration and refurbishment to become again the fine and elegant building you see today. It remains in the ownership of the Trust and was opened as a hotel in June 2003. During renovation, an apparition, shrouded and featureless but unmistakably female in form and deportment, was seen to move from the fireplace of the Library bar towards and through the wall opposite. As work progressed, when the old plaster was stripped from the wall, a built up doorway was revealed. It was re-opened and now serves as the entrance to the Arniston room from the Library. The spirit has also been seen hovering at the foot of the bed in a first floor bedroom and most recently as a shadowy figure at the window. These visitations persist and invariably occur at dusk or during the hours of darkness! Speculation suggests that it could be the distraught spirit of Mary Stuart searching for her close companion David Rizzio and their times of happiness at Melville Castle. During the recent renovations, the foundations of the old castle came to light and a series of stone steps were found, leading down, to what? Time precluded the excavation of the rubble and the steps remain to this day, a mystery under the flagstones of the Main Hall Click here to Download a printable PDF of Williams’ history document. Welcome to Melville Castle Melville Castle is a unique, family run hotel located 6 miles from Edinburgh city centre. Offering charming accommodation, an atmospheric restaurant, enchanting weddings and quality corporate events. email reception@melvillecastle.com tel +44 (0)131 654 0088 Melville Castle Gilmerton Road EH18 1AP Tweets by @melvillecastle © Melville Castle Hotel - Website by Roslin Design	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2611
__label__cc	0.56295	0.43705	Assange's Extradition Fight Heading to UK Supreme Court Julian Assange will be allowed to appeal his extradition in front of the UK's Supreme Court after two judges ruled that his case is one of "general public importance," the Guardian reports. In November, the UK High Court ruled Assange should be extradited to Sweden. His only chance to avoid extradition was to appeal to the UK Supreme Court, and now judges Sir John Thomas and Mr. Justice Ouseley have paved the way for that to happen, suggesting Assange's case should be decided by the Supreme Court "as quickly as possible." Assange, CEO and founder of whistleblower haven WikiLeaks, was arrested in London on charges of sexual crimes, which he allegedly committed while on a business trip in Sweden in August 2010. Assange is accused by the Swedish authorities of unlawful coercion, sexual molestation and rape. He has denied the allegations, claiming the charges are a part of a smear campaign to discredit him. Assange's ongoing fight against extradition is only a part of the problems WikiLeaks is facing. In October, WikiLeaks said it would temporarily stop publishing leaks due to lack of funding. However, this month the site released "Spy Files," a database containing hundreds documents exposing the inner workings of what WikiLeaks calls the “mass surveillance industry.” [via The Guardian] Topics: assange, julian assange, Politics, trial, US & World, World, WikiLeaks	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2613
__label__wiki	0.989973	0.989973	Lawsuit alleges University of Tennessee has 'hostile sexual environment' Tennessee Volunteers take the field before the NCAA Football game between the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Image: Tim Gangloff/Cal Sport Media/Associated Press By The Associated Press 2016-02-10 04:49:48 UTC A lawsuit filed by a group of women alleges that the University of Tennessee has violated Title IX regulations and created a "hostile sexual environment" through a policy of indifference toward assaults by student-athletes. See also: University of Oregon to pay student $800,000 settlement in sex assault case The federal suit filed Tuesday in Nashville states Tennessee's policies made students more vulnerable to sexual assault and says that the school had a "clearly unreasonable response" after incidents that caused the women making complaints to endure additional harassment. The suit also states the university interfered with the disciplinary process to favor male athletes. There have been several sexual assault complaints made against Tennessee student-athletes over the last four years, including former football players A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams, and Riyahd Jones. They were indicted on aggravated rape charges in February 2015 and have separate trial dates this summer. Rumors have already begun circulating that the lawsuit will impact the football team. Reports are circulating that Tennessee may be faced with a bowl ban in response to the Title IX lawsuit. — Jimmy Hyams (@jimbohyams) February 10, 2016 Additional student athletes named in the lawsuit include former basketball player Yemi Makanjuola and an unnamed current football player. The suit was filed by David Randolph Smith, a lawyer representing six unidentified plaintiffs, against the University of Tennessee and the director of the office of student conduct and community standards. No individual were named as defendants in the complaint. The suit also states that Tim Rogers, a former vice chancellor for student life, stepped down in 2013 "in protest over the violation of Title IX and the UT administration's and athletic department's deliberate indifference to the clear and present danger of sexual assaults by UT athletes." Bill Ramsey, a lawyer representing the school, said in a statement the university "acted lawfully and in good faith" in the situations outlined in the complaint. Ramsey said the school "has devoted significant time and energy to provide a safe environment for our students, to educate and raise awareness about sexual assault and to encourage students to come forward and report sexual assault." The Tennessean first reported the lawsuit. This suit comes two weeks after Florida State settled a Title IX lawsuit with a former student Erica Kinsman, who said the school failed to adequately investigate allegations that she was raped by former Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston. The Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft has said the allegations are false and that he and Kinsman had consensual sex. No charges were ever filed against Winston as prosecutors said there wasn't enough evidence to win a conviction and that there were gaps in Kinsman's story. Title IX is a federal statute that bans discrimination at schools that receive federal funding. The U.S. Department of Education in 2011 warned schools of their legal responsibilities to immediately investigate allegations of sexual assault, even if the criminal investigation has not concluded. Topics: lawsuit, title ix, university of tennsesse, World	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2614
__label__wiki	0.657861	0.657861	These temporary tattoos are helping people living with mental health issues Image: motivational tattoos By Rachel Thompson 2017-05-08 15:58:25 UTC A psychology graduate from London has created a series of self-care temporary Band-Aid tattoos to help people living with mental health issues. SEE ALSO: Teen turns leg into Van Gogh painting to cope with self-harm Francesca Timbers was inspired to create the products after dealing with depression and anxiety during her final year of university. Initially, she created the stickers and tattoos to help motivate herself throughout her day. When she posted photos on social media, friends told her that they wanted some too, so she began making more designs. The tattoos aren't designed to be a replacement for professional treatment, but rather as a way to help people cope when living with mental health issues. She hopes that if people spot a friend or family member wearing a tattoo, they will know that the individual will need extra support that day. "The temporary tattoos serve as little pick-me-ups and reminders throughout daily life. It's also a symbol, a way to connect people, and spread awareness of mental health," she continues. Timbers says that because the tattoos are visible on a person's skin they're effective as a constant reminder throughout the day. "Because it's constantly there on your skin, it's harder to ignore," says Timbers. Timbers says that in her experience the most helpful part has been the connection the tattoos have created with other people. "Dealing with my mental illness has been one of the loneliest experiences of my life, so realising there are other people out there, who feel the same, and connecting with them over this project has been amazing," says Timbers. A box of 15 tattoos featuring Timbers' hand-drawn illustrations are available to buy from Etsy for £4.75 ($6.14). The designs are inscribed with the words "love yourself," "treat yourself," "you are worth it," "believe in yourself," and "you are cute." Timbers says the response to the tattoos has been "quite overwhelming." "Sometimes a customer will email me a photo of their tattoo with their story, and I'll wear the same tattoo that day, and send them a photo back," said Timbers. "It's like a sign of solidarity and support, even if it's with someone on the other side of the planet," she said. WATCH: This fidget toy craze is getting out of control and some schools aren't having it Topics: anxiety, Business, depression, Health & Fitness, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, mental health, Mental illness, Social Good, work/life	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2615
__label__wiki	0.534678	0.534678	The case for more national parks in middle and eastern America Photo: Bureau of Land Management Scott Summers The first national park I visited was Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park. If you’ve never been, the park itself backs up against the Gulf of Alaska, where craggy arms of stone and glacier create a series of lagoons, inlets, and bays. The park is accessible by land, but water access is easier. Departing from Seward, AK, just east of the park, several touring companies have based their entire business on this water-based access. In addition to watching killer whales breach and puffins crash hardily into the water, I spied vast glaciers and thick, green forests — wild, untamed lands open for human exploration, but closed to extended habitation. As the tiny boat wound its way along a glacial cliff, I found myself wondering, “Why don’t we have one of these parks back home?” I grew up in an environment that is diametrically opposed to the vast glacial shelf and taiga wilderness that I saw by boat. Gulf Shores, Alabama has none of that. Instead, you’ll experience sandy, white beaches and a series of wetlands in and around Mobile Bay and Bon Secour that are unique to the coastal plain. But what you won’t see, for 500 miles in any direction is a national park. This isn’t to say that the wetlands aren’t actively protected or managed. Nor does that statement indicate a lack of presence by the National Park Service (NPS), which manages the Gulf Island National Seashore at Fort Pickens. But, if you’re like me, when you think of a national park, you’re not thinking of a small section of seashore or a strip of islands off the Dauphin Island coast. You’re thinking of Yellowstone, Denali, or Yosemite: protected places where wilderness has the right of way and humans are only visitors. The East / West park ratio Few of these places exist in the Eastern and Midwestern regions of the US, the most visited of which is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM), with 10.4 million recreational visits in 2015. By contrast, Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) managed a total of 5.5 million visits in 2015, a distant second by any metric — unless you’re looking at a map. Put geographically, GRCA is located around a cluster of competitive recreational areas, banked by Zion and Bryce Canyon a few hours north, Death Valley and Joshua Tree to the west, and Saguaro and Mesa Verde to the East. All of these are easily accessible to regional visitors and may compete for attention from repeat visitors. Additionally, considering US population density, there are far fewer locals in the Western US. By those standards, 10.4 million visitors to one of the largest national parks in the east seems low. During my mid-twenties, I relocated to Knoxville, TN — one of the gateway towns in the Eastern Tennessee foothills — and spent a few years there. GRSM is about an hour outside of town via 441S, and I became a frequent visitor to Cades Cove, Clingman’s Dome, Tremont, and other attractions in the park. I was new to the area, and as I connected with locals in the hiking community, the response I received when I brought it up was a mix of jaded exposure and frustration at the funneling effect that the park tended to have. While the park attracted visitors and spurred a tourism economy in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, the constant uptick in traffic stunted local visitors, especially during the fall peak season. What was new to me was old news to the local community, and many preferred instead to travel north to Big South Fork and Daniel Boone National Forest to explore less crowded areas in the region. After a few years, I followed suit — but given the opportunity, I’d have explored another national park in a heartbeat before looking at state-level recreation. Without a doubt, the call of the Smokies is far and wide. Visitors from all over the US visit GRSM in the fall, but I believe that pull is finite. Growing up on the Alabama coast, I could never picture myself driving ten hours to the Tennessee mountains. At the time, that was as much of a pipe dream as traveling abroad. What makes a National Park? Considering the distribution statistics, and the viability for state and local governments to create, manage, and maintain their own parks, what makes a National Park different from the rest? According to the nomenclature of the park system, a national park “contains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources.” The National Park Service handles other places, too, of course. From the same list, you’ll see definitions for national monuments, preserves and reserves, lakeshores, seashores, rivers, trails, scenic byways, and battlefield sites. However, at its most basic and fundamental level, a national park is a resource-rich area located on a largish chunk of land or water. But how large? Not very large, in fact. The smallest national park under NPS management is Hot Springs National Park, located in Hot Springs, AR, at 5,550 gross acres, or roughly 8.7 square miles. Compared to Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which ranges in at about 13 million acres, Hot Springs is a microscopic footprint on the size and breadth of the nation’s park coverage. And yet, there aren’t more national parks around, despite the benefits to communities via employment and economic tourism. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, the US National Park System generates about four dollars in value for every dollar invested in its annual budget. Additionally, the national park system is heavily underfunded, with nearly a $12 billion maintenance backlog as it reaches its centennial. Why is it so important for national parks to be back east? If you’re looking at a map, most parks managed by the NPS are located on the western fringes of the Mississippi River watershed, where the Great Plains give way to the Rockies. As much as 47% of western land is owned by the federal government, but you’ll notice from this map, that the lion’s share goes to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Only a small portion is dedicated to the National Park Service. Given how small national parks can be, where they are located is just as important. If parks are designed to protect land- and water-based resources, why not strategically center new parks around populous areas where those resources may be unique or endangered and allow the tourism economy to thrive? Why isn’t there a “Great Plains National Park”, a “Gulf Coast National Park”, or a “Bayou National Park”? Even Adirondack Park in Upstate New York, which easily fits the definition of a national park by way of size and resource protection, isn’t a national park. The argument could easily be made that significant, geological landscapes across the contiguous United States are ignored by the NPS (which has its hands full managing monuments, and scenic byways, in addition to its parks), placing them at risk of commercial and industrial exploitation. America’s Best Idea? It’s been said that the national parks are America’s best idea, but the truth is pretty clear cut: National parks are widely varied and, though technically available to anyone, often require extensive travel for more than half the national population. Though the Department of the Interior operates on a $13.3 billion discretionary annual budget (not including mandatory upkeep spending), the National Park Service only gets about $3 billion of that while the park system is suffering from a $12 billion backlog in maintenance and repair. The NPS is a proven economic positive, employing 20,000 and impacting local areas where the parks exist by driving tourism while fighting to protect and conserve America’s scenic wilderness. Certainly, the national parks have a lot to offer by way of culture and recreation, but is it enough? The maintenance backlog points to an underfunded organization in desperate need of restructuring and repair. At the same time, those local communities that can reap the benefits of keeping that underfunded organization around. Additionally, the NPS looks wholly different today than it did when it was originally founded. The transfer of historical monuments and sites in the 1930s, as well as the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968 have shuffled more responsibilities under the NPS umbrella. Considering that many of these sites don’t have an entry fee, expecting them to operate at a loss isn’t a stretch. As a counterpoint, consider that the BLM — also housed under the Department of the Interior and operating on about half the NPS annual budget — actively leases its land and resources to generate income. While the NPS may charge admissions fees in some parks, the lands are preserved and those fees aren’t enough to cover operating expenses. The stakes are rising. Without a doubt, the NPS is hurting for cash, yet a 2015 Gallup poll shows 73% public satisfaction with how the government currently handles the service. In addition, American opinion about park expansion has shifted drastically from the 60s, when the public wanted more land set aside. As far back as 2001, polls show a public desire for the NPS to focus more on protecting and upgrading existing land. As an adult who has spent a fair amount of time sifting through budget reports and surfing through arguments for and against the NPS, I can see why public opinion to expand the park system might be low. After all, a $12 billion backlog isn’t a great place to start if you want to expand. At the same time, as a kid growing up in Alabama, having a national park — one of America’s great treasures — right on my doorstep would’ve gone a long way in helping me to fully appreciate the outdoors. And I’m not the only one. American demographics are changing. In 2008 – 2009, a survey of national park visitors found that 78% of park visitors were non-Hispanic white, which may indicate a diversity problem when compared to the national demographic makeup. Couple that with the idea that today’s average visitor to the park is nearing retirement age, and that the U.S. Census Bureau projects that the country is on its way to becoming a majority-minority nation, projecting a tipping point in 2044. It’s easy to see a bleak horizon for national park visitation and upkeep if a younger generation can’t be persuaded to visit and partake in what the NPS has to offer. You can’t pick Yosemite up and move it to Central Park, but maybe christening additional national parks in unique, more accessible areas could encourage new visitors. From the perspective of brand recognition, it’s much easier for me to care about something when I experience what it has to offer firsthand. But If the closest national park is 500 miles away and I’m never going to get there, then the NPS and its mission are worth less to me on a fundamental level because I have no personal stake in it. That’s the sad truth, and it could be what ultimately kills our national parks. More on United States 6 incredible US cities hiding in plain sight Melissa DeVrieze Meyer Buy this cursed theme park for sale in North Carolina and ride your own dodgy roller coaster This $40,000 Scotch whisky comes with a check signed by Babe Ruth 8 spots on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel every angler should know about Eileen Cotter Wright The Frye Festival is the event of the summer for French fry lovers Popular Kuhio Highway in Hawaii reopens after a 14-month closure Forget wine country. These are the best urban wineries in the US. Alex Bresler Rochester has reinvented itself as the Northeast’s best beer town Magic shows are secretly the best entertainment in the big city The 7 best black-owned restaurants in the DMV Briona Lamback Bloom of toxic algae closes all of Mississippi’s mainland beaches More on Environment Torrential downpour in Japan forces over one million to evacuate #NoPlant19 calls attention to nightmare crop season after massive flooding in the Midwest Rare snowfall comes to Queensland, Australia Thailand’s famous Maya Beach to remain closed until 2021 London is taking a breather with a car-free day this September UK’s oldest tree is under dire threat from tourist attacks Epic citizen science trips that will take your vacations to the next level Angela Orlando The Philippines will require students to plant 10 trees each before graduating by law 633 divers join forces in record-breaking ocean cleanup Thousands of fireflies will light up the Great Smoky Mountains next month Bali’s beach pollution is getting out of hand. Here’s what you can do.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2619
__label__wiki	0.773037	0.773037	Gerry Mobley, Assistant Chief Deputy Clerk, says that Sydney Harrison, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, “brought the compassion we needed,” when he began his term on December 1, 2014. Through employee investment and technology, Clerk Harrison’s team has transformed operations by implementing what he calls the “We Care” standard. At its core, the phrase “We Care” represents the empathy and compassion every member of Clerk Harrison’s 208-person team embodies, and the turnaround in child support collections stands out as a model other courts can incorporate as their own. Sydney Harrison “Every case represents a child,” Clerk Harrison said of how his office manages child support collections, and he pauses. “This next part gives me chills. We have customers come back after we have helped them, with tears in their eyes. There was once when a lady said to me, ‘Because of what you did, I can buy my kids shoes.’” In a candid moment, Clerk Harrison reveals that he was adopted in this court. “If it wasn’t for someone filing my parents’ paperwork correctly,” he pauses, “I would have been taken out of their home. This courthouse delivered me a family.” Clerk Harrison describes his biological background as Italian and African American, with both of his parents Caucasian and the way things were in the seventies as a time when adoptive parents in Maryland could have their children taken by the state if it was deemed better for culture identification. Clerk Harrison set the groundwork for his team’s performance in the first six months of his term, and at the time there was a backlog of 3,500 child support cases, and the office was eight months behind in its work. “We share a bond from those early days,” Clerk Harrison said while nodding to his team. He is quick to defer credit to the members of his team, who, in turn, are humble and mission-oriented, emboldened by the respect, trust, and confidence they receive to help people navigate the rough waters that bring them to the courts. “Clerks are the heartbeat of our court,” Clerk Harrison said, “and our team is truly a representation of the Judiciary. Our clerks love what they do. They are committed and dedicated to helping all people who enter the court. We understand that people can be vulnerable, and everyone needs help sometimes. If one person needs help, we give it, and we know down the road they will be better equipped to help someone else.” Now, the Prince George’s County Clerk’s Office ranks first in the state in child support collections top 10 in the U.S., processing 97.6 percent of active cases within 48 hours, with most handled within 24 hours. Thousands of pieces of mail once now number less than 30. The progress we are making, says Bonita Rabalais, Chief Deputy Clerk, comes by working closely with Administrative Judge Sheila Tillerson Adams to connect the Clerk’s Office with the overall operations of the Court. “Openness, transparency, inclusiveness, and believing in people are characteristics that bring us closer to the work we all do as a court,” she says. Having worked for the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County as a Civil Assistant in the Clerk's Office, Harrison intuitively understood how to reach the team he now leads. He reorganized staff according to individual strengths and changed the culture. “When we interviewed candidates during our reorganization, our leadership team worked closely and placed our focus on hiring people with great character. The rest can be taught.” Clerk Harrison’s office serves 960,000 people in Prince George’s County, which translates to about 300,000 filings per year. Early on, in 2014 and into 2015, employees were asked what they needed to be successful, and investment quickly followed. Harrison says investment and technology are two over-arching principles that make his “We Care” standard work. Clerk Harrison described, “First, we invested in our people. We appreciate that people are different. We focus on encouragement and engagement. We find people’s strengths and put them in the right places to give their best.” Personal development and professional development are essential to show people you care. In the past, clerks were identified by employee numbers. “This was dehumanizing,” Clerk Harrison said. “We bought everyone nameplates to show them we value them as people, and we learned that once people knew each other, they worked for each other.” Tiffany Brunson, the Clerk’s Office’s on-site Training Coordinator, leads training and seeks to develop “the whole person, not just the work. We learn to listen mindfully and communicate thoughtfully to the people who come to our courts and the colleagues we depend on that support. We care. Now, how do we bring that to life and deliver excellent customer service?” Two examples demonstrate this point. The first, as told by Brenda Fitzgerald, who is Senior Supervisor of Court Operations, as progress was made to improve child support collections, Clerk Harrison frequently “came down and said, ‘What number are we at?’ and this became a mantra,” because he added energy to the personal interaction of shaking hands, sharing hugs, knowing peoples’ first names, their children’s names, their dogs’ names, and their favorite sports teams(of which he playfully points out to Brenda that one of this year’s Super Bowl teams, Brenda’s favorite team, is a cheat). The second example regards to an employee recognition program where only a portion of employees could receive awards, but all the employees showed up early that day to take part in the drawing and everyone cheered and was genuinely happy for their colleagues who won. Clerk Harrison adds, “We celebrate the moment and the achievement, and that brings us closer together.” Adrian Marshall, a Judiciary Clerk for seven years, said, “We build each other up. I love this office.” In December 2014, there were 48 vacant positions and low morale. Today, all but four positions are filled. If training is like glue, investing in technology is like rocket fuel to get people from point A to points B through Z. “We automated inside our office,” Clerk Harrison said. “Files are scanned for better efficiency.” Now, if a customer needs a document, from the moment the Court first receives it, that document is scanned and accurately categorized for immediate processing and retrieval. Technology has enabled better communication by easing and simplifying the process. External engagement is a key component of the ongoing success of child support collections, as well. Roxanne Young, Assistant Chief Deputy Clerk, explains how the office has found ways to connect with justice partners. “We strengthened our relationships. We toured their facilities and have quarterly meetings. We put faces to the names we know, and we grew to understand how our different technologies, timelines, and processes can work toward shared goals.” Looking ahead, Clerk Harrison notes that his team is not yet perfect and still growing, but making progress together. He points to having on-site training as crucial to the success of his team and believes the hallmarks of strong leadership, trust, empathy, being kind, and impacting lives can translate across courts. “We set goals, gave the right tools, and if we fell short, we assessed and rebuilt. As a result, turnover is low. We have four open positions. People are staying.” Follow the Maryland Judiciary on Twitter.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2623
__label__wiki	0.841055	0.841055	First you eat meat, then meat eats you: Maneka Gandhi Courtesy: Union minister of women and child development Maneka Gandhi made a pitch for vegetarianism on Monday, saying humans are natural vegetarians and meat consumption harms them. The women and child development minister was speaking at the launch of a film The Evidence-Meat Kills, directed by Mayank Jain, that scientifically explores the effects of meat consumption on human body. Studies done over the last three decades have shown, with empirical data, that meat is bad for human body, Maneka said. “Everything about every part and organ of the human body is vegetarian. When we put an alien substance like meat into the human body, we become prone to diseases,” she said. “If you do this on a daily basis,” she added, “Your body will weaken. You will not die of eating meat, but it will certainly weaken your body, making it more vulnerable to diseases.” Maneka emphasised, more than once, that the purpose of making or promoting the film was not to persuade people to give up eating meat, but to make them aware of its pros and cons and help make an informed choice. “All in all, first you eat meat, then meat eats you, she quipped, during the programme at the Press club. She said the movie has been made by the doctors so that people make an informed choice. The Union minister also lamented that dietetics — the study of diet and its effects on health — was not given due time or attention during medical education. “I feel that in the 5-6 years during which they teach you to become a doctor, they teach you dietetics for not more than one or two hours. What I feel is, if you do not teach them about food and their effect on the body, then what is the point of teaching them about the medicines?” she said. Dr. Ramesh Bijlani, former HoD, Department of Physiology, AIIMS, who features in the film — along with a few other doctors — lends a professional voice to Maneka’s assertions. “Use of antibiotics and hormones has become almost routine in not only poultry but also in the meat industry in general, and the types of antibiotics that are used are very often those which are not fit for human consumption. They are not approved for human use but these are given to these animals, but indirectly, the same antibiotics get into human beings when we consume meat,” he says at one point during the movie. The film goes on to examine the health of butchers who are exposed to an overdose of violence in slaughterhouses. The movie is available, along with other information related to the effects of non-vegetarianism, on www.MeatKills.in.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2625
__label__cc	0.619285	0.380715	Xiaomei Huang Xiaomei hadn’t planned on a career in software development. After earning a degree in bioengineering, she began her career as a sales engineer for image analysis systems, such as Karyotyping, Morphology software etc. She was amazed how software helped scientists and physicians solve complex analytical challenges, improve diagnostics, and increase laboratory productivity. In 2009, her family moved to Grand Rapids. The experience prompted her to rethink her career. Xiaomei spent a year and a half in college, earning database and programming credits. It was a good fit. Once she completed these introductory classes, she enrolled at Grand Valley State University where she received her second master’s degree--this time in computer information systems. While at Grand Valley, Xiaomei became interested in mobile development and helped a startup build an app called Aghelp. The company was selected as the 2017 Grand Rapids Business Journals’ Newsmakers Award Winner. Xiaomei loves building useful things and solving puzzles. At MichiganLabs, she helps solve complicated business problems using new and exciting technologies. She likes how much innovation is encouraged and differences embraced. Teams are deeply committed to improving the user’s experience and functionality. On the weekends, Xiaomei’s family hosts game night. She likes to try different games, but Tichu is still her favorite. She also enjoys creating new recipes by exploring new ingredients and cooking methods. When disasters occur, her husband still manages to eat what’s on his plate.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2627
__label__wiki	0.714334	0.714334	← European Commission’s Second Biannual Report on Schengen Area Map: “Africa without its margins” (Le Monde Diplo/Philippe Rekacewicz) → by Niels Frenzen \| 30 Nov 2012 · 07:42 Frontex FRAN Report for Q2 2012 On 10 October Frontex released its FRAN (Frontex Risk Assessment Network) Quarterly Report for the Second Quarter of 2012 (April-June). As is always the case, the 70 page report contains a significant amount of information, graphs, and statistical tables regarding detections of illegal border crossings (land, air, and sea), irregular migration routes, detections of facilitators, detections of illegal stays, refusals of entry, asylum claims, returns, information regarding other illegal border activities, and more. Here are some highlights (focusing on the sea borders): Malta- There was a significant increase in the number of Somalis reaching Malta. “Taking into account the professional planning of the trips, it is assumed that the modus operandi has changed and that Malta is now targeted on purpose, thereby replacing Italy as the preferred destination country for this nationality. The reason for this change has not yet been confirmed; however, in the past Malta resettled some Somali migrants in the United States and in some EU Member States, which might be acting as a pull factor.” Spain- “In this region there was a new modus operandi involving facilitators dropping off migrants in the Chafarinas Islands, a Spanish archipelago 2 nautical miles away from the Moroccan coastline.” “As reported in the previous FRAN Quarterly, in February 2012 Moroccan and Spanish Ministers of Interior signed a police agreement to create two joint police stations in the Spanish (Algeciras) and Moroccan (Tangiers) territories to cooperate by exchanging operational information and best practices between different police services.” Italy- “Throughout the quarter, Italy and Tunisia cooperated efficiently to repatriate Tunisian nationals and so most migrants typically arrived undocumented to delay readmission.” Central Mediterranean- “[D]etections in the Central Mediterranean showed a seasonal increase but were much reduced (-86%) compared with the dramatic peak during the same period in 2011. Indeed, in the second quarter of 2012 detections in this region resembled the pre-Arab Spring levels reported during the summer of 2010. … The Central Mediterranean was recently affected by increased detections of Somalis, and a steady trend of Tunisians and Egyptians.” “In Q2 2012, there were no Joint Operations running in the Central Mediterranean Sea, therefore Frontex and the FRAN community are unable to utilize intelligence obtained through the direct debriefing of migrants. However, valuable information has been obtained from interviews carried out by the Maltese authorities. Such preliminary interviews revealed that some of the Somali migrants arriving in Malta had been promised that they would be brought to Italy. They departed from an unknown location in Libya and travelled for up to three days in boats before either being intercepted by Maltese authorities or reaching the shore. The average fare was said to be around USD 1 000 per person.” “Subsequent to the reporting period, JO Hermes 2012 was launched on 2 July and is currently planned to run until 31 October 2012 as a continuation of the deployment of JO Hermes Extension 2011, which ended just before the reporting period, on 31 March 2012. JO Hermes 2012 has been established to support the Italian authorities in tackling maritime irregular migration along the coasts of Sicily, Pantelleria and the Pelagic islands (Lampedusa, Linosa, Lampione).” Western Mediterranean – “Detections in the Western Mediterranean were almost equally comparable to Q2 2011…” “JO EPN Indalo 2012 started on 16 May and is currently scheduled to run until 31 October 2012. So far the number of irregular migrants apprehended in the operational areas is almost double that of the same period in 2011. Analysis of the information provided by the Spanish authorities also indicates a new increasing trend in the number of Algerian and Moroccan migrants per boat since the beginning of 2012.” Western Africa – “[D]etections increased to a large degree, yet from lower bases, on the … Western African route (+29%).” “In the second quarter of 2012, there were just 31 detections of illegal border-crossing in this region, almost exclusively of Moroccan nationals.” “As reported in previous FRAN Quarterlies, the Western African route from the north of Mauritania to the Western Sahara territory is being reopened by illegal migration facilitation networks. It has been inactive for years but recently an estimated 2 000 sub-Saharans (particularly from Senegal) settled in the Western Saharan coastal cities of El Aaioún and Dakhla and in the last few months ~20 000 Senegalese nationals have entered Mauritania along these routes to the north.” “During the reporting period there was no Frontex operation relevant for the Western African Route.” Eastern Mediterranean- “Subsequent to the reporting period (July 2012), JO EPN Aeneas 2012 was launched and is currently scheduled to run until the end of October 2012. There are two operational areas, Apulia and Calabria, covering the seashore along the Ionian Sea and part of the Adriatic Sea.” Here are extensive excerpts from the Report with a focus on the sea borders: Taken as a whole, in Q2 2012, detections of illegal border-crossing were reduced by nearly half compared to the same quarter in 2011 due to the simultaneous effects of the winding down of the Arab Spring and fewer Albanian circular migrants entering Greece. However, detections at the undisputed long-term hotspot for irregular migration – the Greek land border with Turkey – were some 25% higher than during the same period in 2011 due to increased detections of migrants from Bangladesh and particularly Syria. [*] In the Central Mediterranean, where detections peaked in 2011 during the Arab Spring, migrants from Somalia were increasingly detected in Malta. Specifically, in May 2012 the arrival of Somali migrants in Malta increased significantly while Italy registered a decrease in the number of Somali migrants apprehended in Sicily and the Pelagic Islands. The detected Somalis were mainly young males many of whom had been imprisoned by police or military forces during their travels through Libya. Taking into account the professional planning of the trips, it is assumed that the modus operandi has changed and that Malta is now targeted on purpose, thereby replacing Italy as the preferred destination country for this nationality. The reason for this change has not yet been confirmed; however, in the past Malta resettled some Somali migrants in the United States and in some EU Member States, which might be acting as a pull factor. Also, there is some evidence that facilitation networks located in Malta have tried to forward migrants to Sicily. [] The Western Mediterranean route was apparently dominated by local migrants from Morocco and Algeria but with large numbers of unknown nationalities it is assumed that local migrants were also accompanied by long-distance migrants probably from sub-Saharan Africa. In this region there was a new modus operandi involving facilitators dropping off migrants in the Chafarinas Islands, a Spanish archipelago 2 nautical miles away from the Moroccan coastline. [] 4.1 Detections of illegal border-crossing Overall, in Q2 2012 there were 23 092 detections of illegal border-crossing at the EU level, which is a considerable if somewhat expected seasonal increase compared to the previous quarter, and a 44% decrease compared to the same period in 2011 amidst the influx of migrants during the Arab Spring. Taken as a whole, detections of illegal border-crossing in Q2 2012 were lower than in any other second quarter since FRAN reporting began. Most probably, the low number of detections was due to the overlapping effects of the end of the Arab Spring in its initial countries (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia) and far fewer detections of circular Albanian migrants in Greece. The vast majority of detections were at the EU external land border (77%). [] [] Ranked third among border sections [after the Greece-Turkey land border and the Greece-Albania border section] in Q2 2012 was the blue border of Sicily, where Tunisians, Egyptians and Somalis were increasingly detected. [] Figure 2 shows the evolution of the FRAN Indicator 1A – detections of illegal border-crossing, and the proportion of detections between the land and sea borders of the EU per quarter since the beginning of 2008. The second quarter of each year is usually associated with improving weather conditions more favourable for approaching and illegally crossing the external border of the EU. Moreover, conditions that are more favourable for illegal border-crossing are also more favourable for detection. The combination of these two effects tends to produce the highest number of detections during the second quarter of each year. [] Without question, during the second quarter of 2012 the migrants that were detected with the most increasing frequency were those from Bangladesh (+35%), Somalia (+62%), Algeria (+88%) and Syria (+639%) (Fig. 5). In fact, more migrants from Syria were detected than ever before (2 024). Detections of most of these nationalities were concentrated at the Greek land border with Turkey, with the exception of Somalis, who were mostly detected in Malta. Indeed, Somalis were particularly notable in that their detections were distributed across a very wide range of locations; as well as Malta and the Greek land border with Turkey, they were also detected in Sicily, Lampedusa and the Slovakian land border with the Ukraine. [] [M]igrants from Algeria were not only increasingly detected at the Greek land bor[d]er with Turkey, but also in the Spanish maritime region of Almeria and at the Romanian land border with Serbia.The latter case is assumed to represent secondary movements through the Western Balkans region. 4.2 Routes In 2011, detections of illegal border-crossing on the Central Mediterranean route peaked briefly during the period of turbulent sociopolitical developments in North Africa, known as the Arab Spring. In contrast, on the Eastern Mediterranean route, detections have followed a remarkably seasonal pattern over the last two years. Throughout 2011 detections in the Western Mediterranean (land and sea borders with Spain) steadily increased. As illustrated in Figure 6, the Eastern and Central Mediterranean routes reported the most detections of illegal border-crossing in the second quarter of 2012, and were characterized with seasonal increases consistent with previous years, aside the Central Mediterranean region during the Arab Spring. In Q2 2012, there were 14 125 detections of illegal border-crossing on the Eastern Mediterranean route, an increase of 27% compared to the same period in 2011 (Fig. 6) rendering this region the undisputed hotspot for illegal entries to the EU during the current reporting period. Elsewhere, detections in the Central Mediterranean showed a seasonal increase but were much reduced (-86%) compared with the dramatic peak during the same period in 2011. Indeed, in the second quarter of 2012 detections in this region resembled the pre-Arab Spring levels reported during the summer of 2010. Detections in the Western Mediterranean were almost equally comparable to Q2 2011, whereas detections increased to a large degree, yet from lower bases, on the Eastern Borders route (+103%), Western Balkans route (+50%) and Western African route (+29%). These routes not only differed in their magnitudes over time but also in the composition of detected nationalities. Consistent with previous periods, detections on the Eastern Mediterranean route were dominated by migrants from Afghanistan, and more recently Bangladesh, Algeria and Syria. The Central Mediterranean was recently affected by increased detections of Somalis, and a steady trend of Tunisians and Egyptians. [] [T]he Western Mediterranean route was apparently dominated by local migrants from Morocco and Algeria but with large numbers of unknown nationalities it is assumed that local migrants are also accompanied by other long-distance migrants probably from sub-Saharan Africa. The exception was the much less used Western African route, which was exclusively affected by local migrants from Morocco. 4.2.1. Eastern Mediterranean route Since data collection began in early 2008, the Eastern Mediterranean has maintained its status as a major hotspot of irregular migration. Detections have followed a remarkably seasonal pattern invariably peaking in the third quarter of each year and concentrated at the border between Greece and Turkey, with a shift from the sea border to the land border visible in late 2009 (Fig. 7). Unusually, at the end of 2011 detections of illegal border- crossing on the Eastern Mediterranean rote remained almost constant between the third and final quarters of the year, resulting in the first recorded example of a sustained peak of detections at that time of year. This was due to an unexpected increase in detections at the Greek land border with Turkey, particularly in October. [] Italian Ionian Coast: For some time there has been a steady flow of Afghans and, to a lesser extent, Pakistanis arriving in the Southern Italian blue borders of Calabria and Apulia with some increases during Q2 2012. Subsequent to the reporting period (July 2012), JO EPN Aeneas 2012 was launched and is currently scheduled to run until the end of October 2012. There are two operational areas, Apulia and Calabria, covering the seashore along the Ionian Sea and part of the Adriatic Sea. According to Croatian open sources in July, some 65 Asian and African migrants presumed to be heading to Italy were found drifting some 47 nautical miles south of Dubrovnik due to a broken engine (Fig. 12). They had been drifting for two days. The migrants, who had departed from Greece, did not want to be rescued by the Croatian authorities as they wanted to go to Italy. After several hours of negotiations, the authority for search and rescue towed the sailing boat to the nearest Croatian port. There was also a recent increase in the numbers of Bangladeshis, Iraqis, Moroccans and Syrians arriving in Apulia from Greece but these detections were in much lower numbers than other nationalities. [**] 4.2.2. Central Mediterranean route Irregular migration in the Central Mediterranean massively fluctuated in size and composition during 2011, largely due to the political and civil unrest across North Africa, particularly in Tunisia and Libya. Since Q4 2011, the situation has significantly improved following better cooperation between Italian and Tunisian authorities concerning the return of Tunisian nationals. According to FRAN data, in Q2 2012 there were just 3 685 reported detections of illegal border-crossing on the Central Mediterranean route, a massive decrease compared to the peak in last year in Q2 2011 but an increase compared to late 2011 and early 2012. The increase was almost entirely due to more detections of migrants from Somalia (1 094) combined with a steady stream of migrants still arriving from Tunisia. Several nationalities previously detected in high numbers particularly in 2011 were not detected in significant numbers, including Bangladeshis (72) and Nigerians (19). Migrants from Somalia – During May 2012, the arrival of Somali migrants in Malta increased significantly while Italy registered a decrease in the number of Somali migrants apprehended in Sicily and the Pelagic Islands. In most cases, groups of males, females and minors (or families) were found on board rubber dinghies with outboard motors. A few of the boats were detected in Italian territorial waters in some distress after the migrants had called the Italian authorities for help using satellite telephones. The boats that recently headed for Malta were either intercepted by Maltese patrol boats or made it to the island without being intercepted. Detected Somalis were mainly young males (aged 18–24) with secondary education and low or no income. The main reason for the migration was socio-economic, but in some cases it was military conflict. In Q2 2012, there were no Joint Operations running in the Central Mediterranean Sea, therefore Frontex and the FRAN community are unable to utilize intelligence obtained through the direct debriefing of migrants. However, valuable information has been obtained from interviews carried out by the Maltese authorities. Such preliminary interviews revealed that some of the Somali migrants arriving in Malta had been promised that they would be brought to Italy. They departed from an unknown location in Libya and travelled for up to three days in boats before either being intercepted by Maltese authorities or reaching the shore. The average fare was said to be around USD 1 000 per person. Migrants from Tunisia – Most Tunisian migrants detected arriving in the Central Mediterranean Region were young (18–35 years) unmarried males with a primary level of education and low previous incomes (EUR 80–180 per month). All interviewed migrants declared to have relatives or friends already in the EU, especially in Italy, and they arrived on boats containing on average 20 migrants (Fig. 13). Throughout the quarter, Italy and Tunisia cooperated efficiently to repatriate Tunisian nationals and so most migrants typically arrived undocumented to delay readmission. Subsequent to the reporting period, JO Hermes 2012 was launched on 2 July and is currently planned to run until 31 October 2012 as a continuation of the deployment of JO Hermes Extension 2011, which ended just before the reporting period, on 31 March 2012. JO Hermes 2012 has been established to support the Italian authorities in tackling maritime irregular migration along the coasts of Sicily, Pantelleria and the Pelagic islands (Lampedusa, Linosa, Lampione). 4.2.3. Western Mediterranean route Irregular migration in the Western Mediterranean region increased throughout 2011 from just 890 detections in Q1 2011 to 3 568 detections in Q3. In Q2 2012, there were 1 549 detections which almost exactly corresponds to the number of detections the year before in Q2 2011 (1 569). As was the case a year ago, most detections were of Algerians followed by migrants of unknown nationalities (presumed to be sub-Saharan Africans) and Moroccans. Recently, the size of the sub-Saharan population coming from Algeria has increased in different settlements adjacent to the Melilla border fence. Criminal networks operate more easily in this north eastern region of Morocco and the Spanish authorities treat a large-scale illegal crossing of the fence to the Spanish side as a real possibility. Attempts to cross have been made in the past involving groups of dozens or even hundreds. JO EPN Indalo 2012 started on 16 May and is currently scheduled to run until 31 October 2012. So far the number of irregular migrants apprehended in the operational areas is almost double that of the same period in 2011. Analysis of the information provided by the Spanish authorities also indicates a new increasing trend in the number of Algerian and Moroccan migrants per boat since the beginning of 2012. The improvement of the weather and sea conditions during the reporting period impacted on the number of boats detected, with a gradual increase of the number of arrivals during the peak period, which according to data from the last two years is from May to October. Migrants from Algeria – According to information gathered during interviews, most Algerians were single male adults aged 19–36 on average, but there were also a few females and minors in good health. Most migrants belonged to the lower middle class and, despite having a high level of education compared to sub-Saharan nationals, they suffered from a generalised lack of opportunities, welfare and access to public health services. Nearly all the Algerian migrants spoke Arabic with a few French and English speakers, but all were undocumented to avoid repatriation after arriving in Spain. The majority had relatives or friends in EU Member States, mainly in France and Spain, who could help them to find a job and settle within the ethnic communities already established in these countries. 4.2.4. Western African route In the second quarter of 2012, there were just 31 detections of illegal border-crossing in this region, almost exclusively of Moroccan nationals. As reported in the previous FRAN Quarterly, in February 2012 Moroccan and Spanish Ministers of Interior signed a police agreement to create two joint police stations in the Spanish (Algeciras) and Moroccan (Tangiers) territories to cooperate by exchanging operational information and best practices between different police services. The goal of this cooperation is to strengthen the efforts and improve the results against organized crime operating on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar involved in the smuggling of drugs, international terrorism, irregular migration and trafficking in human beings. Following these developments, both International Police Cooperation Centres became operational during May 2012 (Fig. 14). The International Joint Police Stations are going to be integrated with National Police / Guardia Civil (Spain) and General Direction for National Security (Police) / Royal Gendarmerie (Morocco) staff for a rapid and effective exchange of information. During the reporting period there was no Frontex operation relevant for the Western African Route. [***]” Click here or here for Report. Filed under Aegean Sea, Analysis, Data / Stats, Eastern Atlantic, European Union, Frontex, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Morocco, Reports, Spain, Tunisia Tagged as Algeria, Chafarinas Islands, European Patrol Network, European Union, Frontex, Frontex Joint Operations, Frontex Risk Assessment Network, Greece, Human Trafficking, Illegal border crossings, International Police Cooperation Centres, irregular migration routes, Italy, JO EPN Aeneas, JO EPN Indalo, JO Hermes, JO Hermes Extension, Libya, Malta, Maritime Borders, Maritime migration, Mauritania, Migrants, Refugees, Sea borders, Spain, Tunisia 4 responses to “Frontex FRAN Report for Q2 2012” Pingback: Frontex FRAN Report for Q4 2012 \| MIGRANTS AT SEA Pingback: New Publications on Syria; Yemen; Bahrain; Frontex and Internal Displacement \| Refugee Archives Blog Refugee Archives at UEL 30 Nov 2012 at 10:44 Reblogged this on Refugee Archives Blog.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2629
__label__cc	0.703755	0.296245	Her I love. You I don't even like. Leigh Brackett Leigh Brackett's quotes We assume that celebrities have it easy and so love to watch them having to endure a bit of hardship. I love Nautilus and stretching. The results are immediate, and that gives me the motivation to continue. Donna Dixon I am a ordinary teenager. I fall in love like everyone else. Jake Epstein I don't call you handsome, sir, though I love you most dearly: far too dearly to flatter you. Don't flatter me. The essential elements of giving are power and love - activity and affection - and the consciousness of the race testifies that in the high and appropriate exercise of these is a blessedness greater than any other. My mother keeps things in perspective for me. She makes me realize that the acting I do and love is no more important than what one of my brothers does-he works in a shoe repair shop. If my career ever tapers off, I'll go to college. Dana Hill Actors love mental disorders, dialects, and corsets. Give them one of the three and they're happy. My goal is, of course, for this show to do well, and I would love it if people liked it. Julia Louis Dreyfus I love living on that stage. Without that, I'd die. I love my DSL, but I love my WiFi more. And I probably get on the Internet 40 percent to 50 percent more because of the combination of those technologies. Michael K. Powell But I love New York. I used to set my alarm clock when I was there, and get up at 4am and get a coffee, just because I could. Gail Porter I love children and I love men, but I can't commit to either for the rest of my life. Lara Flynn Boyle Sitting at home the way I do, I'd just love the hear from people. It'd be a great help in passing the time. The wise are wise only because they love. The fool are fools only because they think they can understand love. We can recognize the dawn and the decline of love by the uneasiness we feel when alone together. Love is a mutual self-giving which ends in self-recovery. People react to fear, not love; they don't teach that in Sunday School, but it's true. I sort of understood that when I first started: that you shouldn't repeat a success. Very often you're going to, and maybe the first time you do, it works. And you love it. But then you're trapped. There is love there. And then there's times when I can't even stomach Simon. You don't have to sit next to him. That's all I have to say. When I see children, I see the face of God. That's why I love them so much. That's what I see. One can love a child, perhaps, more deeply than one can love another adult, but it is rash to assume that the child feels any love in return. I love pasta with the homemade marinara sauce I had as a kid. They who love dancing too much seem to have more brains in their feet than in their head. I think I had a more European outlook about the body and sex. The body is in no way dirty, and sex is something beautiful to give to and share with a lover. It has nothing to do with promiscuity, because I only believe in being in love with one man at a time. Dorothy Stratten I love biomedical science, I love astronomy, and you can't really do much with those in a fantasy setting. Elizabeth Moon I love the male body, it's better designed than the male mind. Andrea Newman The only time I would like to see was the 20s and 30s in America because I love the music and the style and the optimism, I wanted to see New York being built. I wanted to see all that, you know. I appreciate life, talk a lot, love to laugh, and am very optimistic. Kiana Tom My big love was the Beatles. I was more into music. Love is seeing without eyes, hearing without ears; hatred is nothing. Douglas Horton I love receiving fan mail. The aged love what is practical while impetuous youth longs only for what is dazzling. Petrarch I love to see my family together. That's what life is about. It's about family. Love and freedom are vital to the creation and upbringing of a child. Sylvia Pankhurst I've done a lot of acting. I'm not saying I'm the greatest, but I'd love to act, I'd love to sing. If he didn't fall in love he would have never come back near the end of the film. Because, what man is going to dishonor himself so that he comes back in front of the man that took a woman away from him... and warns her to save her life? Since love first made the breast an instrument Of fierce lamenting, by its flame my heart Was molten to a mirror, like a rose I pluck my breast apart, that I may hang This mirror in your sight. Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope. Josh Billings If you pray enough for things, I am proof that they can happen. I feel like a kid on Christmas day now, every day. It's something I have wanted for a long time and I am as happy as anyone to be here. It is great to be back at my first love. Robbie Fowler Every day has been so short, every hour so fleeting, every minute so filled with the life I love that time for me has fled on too swift a wing. Aga Khan III I was in the game for love. After all, where else can an old-timer with one leg, who can't hear or see, live like a king while doing the only thing I wanted to do? I love listening to Radio Head's 'Everything in its Right Place' because it's all major chords, it makes you feel really good. It's soothing, it's got a beautiful voice, crazy textures. When I'm down I listen to that song and it really makes me feel good. I'm a sweet eater. I love lemon pie and sweet potato pie. Claude Williams You either love or you hate. You live in the middle, you get nothing. When you are getting ready to become a mom, being in love with someone just isn't enough. You need to think about whether he would be a good parent and raise your children with similar beliefs. Prior to Saving Private Ryan I never worked with men. I was always working with some babe, and it was always about falling in love, and it just got turned around. I'm not looking for any particular kind of story. I wait until it comes across my desk.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2632
__label__wiki	0.52484	0.52484	MIT.nano site, as seen from Building 16 Photo: Lillie Paquette/School of Engineering Ship in a bottle MIT.nano is one of the most ambitious — and challenging — construction projects in Institute history. Why did we make it so hard for ourselves? Watch Video Chad Galts Email: galts@MIT.EDU MIT.nano will be a 200,000-square-foot building that houses state-of-the-art cleanroom, imaging, and prototyping facilities that can support fabrication and characterization processes on the nanoscale. It will also be located in the heart of the MIT campus, surrounded on all four sides by existing buildings. The project's leadership, planners, project managers, and contractors recently reached the "one-third" mark on a construction project that is sometimes referred to as building a ship in a bottle. Here is what they have to say about why MIT decided to put the facility in the center of campus, the challenges of working there, and what the Institute hopes to accomplish by making this investment in its future. Topics: MIT.nano, Facilities, Video, School of Engineering MIT.nano Nuts, bolts, and slurry walls Learning from MIT.nano New building will be a hub for nanoscale research Welcome to the nano age	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2633
__label__cc	0.52397	0.47603	NamViet News The China Syndrome The second terms of U.S. Presidents tend to be difficult for any number of reasons, but they are often disrupted by a foreign policy crisis. It’s easy to see how that might happen over the next four years with Iran or Syria, and the Obama Administration is surely attentive to these risks. But there is a distinct possibility that the next big foreign policy crisis will take place somewhere else, perhaps thousands of miles away, in Asian waters, over five islets and three barren rocks–all uninhabited except for a few feral goats. For months, Chinese and Japanese naval forces have been confronting each other in the East China Sea. Both countries claim a set of tiny islands; the Japanese call them the Senkaku Islands, the Chinese the Diaoyu Islands. The dispute involves energy–there are immense natural gas reserves below the seafloor–but above all it involves politics and history. Asia’s greatest geopolitical problem is that its two great powers–with the two largest economies and militaries–have an unresolved, bitter relationship. China and Japan have never had to occupy the world stage as equals. One has always dominated the other. For most of the past 500 years, China was the region’s hegemon and Japan accepted its role as a distant satellite of the great Chinese empire. That changed in the late 19th century, as Japan became the first Asian country to modernize its economy and society and catch up to the West. After the Meiji Restoration, Japan’s military strength grew, and in 1895 it defeated the Qing dynasty in China. One of the consequences of the war was that Tokyo formally annexed the Senkaku Islands. But their sovereignty has been in dispute for the past 40 years, with China asserting its historic claims and Japan its modern possession. Over the past two months, both countries have acted in ways that could easily spiral out of control toward conflict. There are almost daily encounters between Japanese and Chinese ships as they patrol these waters. On dry land, riots and protests have taken place in both countries–with the populations in each getting more nationalistic. There have been few efforts by either government to defuse the situation and move toward a diplomatic solution. The U.S. is involved too, because it is bound by treaty to go to Japan’s military aid if Japan is attacked, and Washington has confirmed that the Senkaku Islands are covered by this obligation. In other words, if one of these naval encounters goes awry and China and Japan get into a naval conflict, the U.S. could find itself involved in an Asian war. I realize this sounds far-fetched, but given the extremely bad relations between China and Japan, it is possible that honor, pride, miscalculation and accident could lead us there. And remember, China is in the midst of an enormous leadership change, one that is far more significant than this month’s election in the U.S. For the past three decades, China has been run on the basis of a strategy laid out by Deng Xiaoping, the Communist Party leader who set China on its current course. Deng’s strategy had three parts. First, he replaced Marxist dogma with economic liberalization–with an orientation toward exports. Second, he took a political system that had combined ruthless dictatorship with chaotic power contests and replaced it with an orderly process that selected engineers and other technocrats for fixed terms in office. And finally, he overturned Mao’s revolutionary foreign policy with one that tacitly allied China with the U.S. Currently, all three aspects of the Deng strategy are under stress. China’s economic model has run its course and faces new challenges from rising labor costs and a shrinking cohort of young workers. Its political system is widely criticized within the country for corruption and lack of transparency. And its foreign policy is under strain from a nationalistic public, an assertive military and an intellectual elite that believes the world–and the U.S. in particular–is trying to contain China’s natural rise to global power and influence. China’s next President, Xi Jinping, will have to be a different kind of leader. Hu Jintao made only two live state-of-the-nation speeches to his people in his 10 years in office. Xi cannot behave like a Mandarin Emperor. He will have to change China’s economic strategy to ensure that the country keeps thriving. He will have to decide how to open up the political system enough to gain some legitimacy but not so much that the Communist Party loses its monopoly over power. And he will have to manage China’s shifting relations with its neighbors not just in the East China Sea but throughout the region–and with the world’s superpower–to preserve China’s influence and prevent conflict. It makes President Obama’s challenges look easy by comparison. Asia Needs ASEAN-Ization, Not Pakistanization Of Its Continent 25 best things to eat in Little Saigon Inside Westminster's La Quinta High School, the nation's most Vietnamese American high school Fall of Saigon through the eyes of AP photographers Rarely seen photos: When Camp Pendleton Marines welcomed wave of Vietnamese refugees Bury Lenin - without honors Young Boys Were Seduced To Be Streetwalkers Backdoor diplomacy is key to face-saving 35th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon (A) Vietnam memorial wall comes to Buena Park, offers chance to heal China-Vietnam Dispute Protest against China 40th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon As a 30-year old, photographer Bill Snead chronicled life and death in Vietnam Big muscle in Little Saigon: The rise of Vietnamese Americans as a political force in Orange County Blank birth certificates, cardboard boxes and freight planes: Betty Tisdale got 219 orphans out before the fall of Saigon Escape from Saigon: Find out how these refugees fled as their homeland fell 40 years ago today Fall of Saigon ceremony in Garden Grove recalls tragic time for South Vietnamese Frank Jao’s story: How a refugee rose to become a business mogul How they became us: Orange County changed forever in the 40 years since the fall of Saigon Inside Westminster’s La Quinta High School, the nation’s most Vietnamese American high school Oral history project captures stories of first wave of Vietnamese Americans Refugees ‘come home’ to the Midway after 35 years Remembering Saigon’s fall 40 years later Returning to Vietnam after 40 years: Family finds their roots, but are happy to be home here These Vietnam veterans help so others will never be abandoned again A Look Back at the Vietnam War on the 35th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon ‘Welcome home’ Vietnam veterans 35th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon (1) 35th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon (B) 35th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon (C) Cambodia: Report Details 20 Years of Impunity, Killings China and Vietnam: a timeline of conflict China’s relations in the Asia-Pacific Comrade B on the Plot of the Reactionary Chinese Clique Against Vietnam Vietnam (Indochina) War(s) China’s neo-colonialism China’s Dream of Renaissance China’s Nationalist Heritage Eight ways China is changing your world Postcards from the future The Geography of Chinese Power What drives Tibetan protesters to self-immolate? Pray for my daughter to be reborn in independent Tibet: Self-immolator’s father Six million Tibetans want freedom and independence: A self-immolator’s last message What kind of superpower could China be? China’s Rise Is A Big Reason to Ratify the Law of the Sea Convention A Southward Thrust for China’s Energy Diplomacy in the South China Sea ASEAN’S Code of Conduct in the South China Sea: A Litmus Test for Community-Building? Can a modus vivendi be developed for the South China Sea crisis? China’s Territorial Disputes Interpreting the U-shape Line in the South China Sea Refuting China’s Nine-Dash Claim Chinese Support for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War: The Decisive Edge Ho Chi Minh’s gift to South Vietnamese on Lunar Year 1968 HWR 2010 Human Rights Report on Vietnam Lessons Learned from the Phase-out of the MFA: Moving from Managed Distortion to Managed Distortion Red China’s Nobility First debutante ball planned for China’s ‘red princesses’ How to get to the top of China’s Communist Party Red star over Malaya Scholars Continue to Reveal Mao’s Monstrosities The ‘Massacre’ of Tibetans The American Pivot to Asia The New Silk Road : China’s Energy Strategy in the Greater Middle East The Paradox of China’s Naval Strategy The U.S. International Strategy for Cyberspace The VCP’s money-laundering scheme and its cohorts Three dispute and three objectives: China and the South China Sea USCIRF 2011 Annual Report on Vietnam (pages 202 – 220) U.S. 2011 Human Rights Report on Vietnam VIETNAM A Tale of Four Players Vietnam’s Land Law Reform: Is it Enough? Vietnam’s Land Law (1) Vietnam’s press freedom shrinks despite open economy Vietnam: The Party vs. Legal Activist Cu Huy Ha Vu Asia Unbound China Threat China Tracker East Sea Studies Facts & Details – China Link Asia Saigonist Things Asian Tibet Post Tibetan Self-Immolations Vietnam Online Vietnam Tourism	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2640
__label__wiki	0.733512	0.733512	St. Vincent (2014) Oh! That Film Blog / December 11, 2014 Have you noticed that my recent reviews have all suddenly become much more positive? This is not a coincidence, it is my favourite time of year in which the majority of the year’s best films are unleashed upon the world in hope of picking up a few prizes in the next few months. Whilst the bigger films have arrived with a long train of fanfare and publicity behind them, others, like St. Vincent, seem to have turned up with less expectation, ready to throw their hat in the ring. The trailer piqued my interest for two reasons, one, Bill Murray is something of a God, and two, it appeared as though Melissa McCarthy would finally be shaking off the shackles of her type cast character pieces started by Bridesmaids and continued by The Heat and Tammy. So in a went with the hope that St. Vincent would be just the film I hoped it would be. Thankfully, I was not disappointed. The sorts of films that come to mind when trying to categorise St. Vincent include Little Miss Sunshine, Way, Way Back, even pictures like Juno or Whip It. They all share a relaxed, comical and heartfelt sensibility that makes for incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling viewing. Bill Murray stars as titular protagonist Vincent, on first impression a sloppy, self interested, gambling drunk, whose life is interrupted by the moving in next door of Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) and her son Oliver (Jeaden Liberher). Struggling with a custody battle and long work hours, Maggie is forced to rely on Vincent for after school child care, and for the unsympathetic fee of $12 an hour, Oliver and Vincent begin their unlikely relationship. The film progresses in the way in which you would expect give or take a handful of refreshing and interesting obstacles, but the pleasant discovery is that the audience do not care that they may be able to predict certain conclusions because they are having too much fun in the company of the characters. We learn that Vincent, whilst seeming one of the most selfish men you are ever likely to meet, is a much more complex character than his stereotype would suggest. The narrative dynamic between a character so deadpan and downbeat versus the innocent inquisitiveness of his young charge Oliver provides an engaging and satisfying experience for the audience. I have seen the film criticised for its tendency to verge in to heartstring tugging schmaltz, and it is true that the score begins to swell at certain moments and the dialogue can stray in to emotional monologue, but the film is earnest in its intentions and even though I could feel these moments approaching, I welcomed them and didn’t mind at all the sentimental edge that the picture offered. Crucially, mixed with this sentiment is an extremely effective level of dark and sarcastic humour. Many of the themes explored within the film, divorce, mental illness, crime, are all treated with a certain reverence but handled in such a way that the comedy found in these situations seems effortless and true to life. The majority of the film’s laughs come not from physical gags or slapstick but from intelligent dialogue and humorous situations, a comic route that I much prefer. A real character based film like this needs a strong set of actors to carry it, and Bill Murray is the perfect choice for the role of Vincent. Murray’s lackadaisical style has rarely been more suited to a character. His comical expertise and masterful subtlety help Vincent to feel like an authentic character instead of a cliched, pantomimed grump. His real life reputation for being a super cool guy also stands him in good stead, as the audience really do believe that a twelve year old boy would want to hang out with him and the on screen chemistry between Murray and Jeaden Liberher is a pleasure to watch. In fact, I would go as far as saying that Liberher on multiple occasions succeeds in stealing the scene from his seasoned colleague. It is so often the child actor that lets film like this down, but in this instance it couldn’t be further from the truth. Liberher is excellent as young Oliver, giving an enigmatic and authentic performance that the audience really connects with. Admittedly he had great dialogue with which to work, but the young actor was truly impressive and a possible star of the future. In a refreshing casting choice, St. Vincent is proof that Melissa McCarthy does not have be vulgar to be funny. Playing against what has come to be regarded as her usual role, McCarthy gives a restrained performance as a hard working mother battling for custody, and does so with such skill that her natural comic talents shine regardless and emerge in a much more subtle way than the gags that she is usually forced to punch through. Supporting roles of differing success are played by Chris O’Dowd and Naomi Watts, the former as a wise cracking school teacher and the latter as a rather out of place Russian prostitute with a questionable accent. But not even Watts’ poor rent-a-Russian characterisation could stop me from having a blast. Overall, St. Vincent, is the the kind film that, after watching, makes me think “ah, I love films”. Sentimental seems to have become a dirty word in cinema these days, but I have no problem with schmaltz in moderate quantities. The film is only one of very few this year that I have wanted to watch all over again right away. It is sweet, it is hilarious, it is fun and it has a message. Cinematic cynic’s might disregard it, but that would be a mistake on their parts, not everything has to be Requiem For A Dream. A crowd pleasing journey that has certainly found its way in to my top ten of the year. December 11, 2014 in Reviews. Tags: 2014, bill murray, chris o'dowd, cinema, film, film review, Jeaden Liberher, melissa mccarthy, movie review, movies, naomi watts, st vincent, st vincent review Top Ten: Films Of 2014 ← Paddington (2014) Christmas Competition Time! → 2 thoughts on “St. Vincent (2014)” McCarthy, Watts, O’Dowd & Lieberher are all wonderful but this is Murray’s show from beginning to end. Then again I am a sucker for a curmudgeon and a child. Some might say “St. Vincent” is full of cliché, but that’s what it showed in the trailer and that’s what was delivered. I was more than satisfied. Alina (literaryvittles) says: Just had to leave a comment to say THANK YOU for pointing out the unfortunate roles into which Melissa McCarthy has had to shove herself in order to gain “acceptance.” It’s the main reason why I hated ‘The Heat’, and it also confirmed my hatred of ‘Bridesmaids’ (though, let’s be honest, that wasn’t even the biggest issue with that movie).	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2644
__label__cc	0.513941	0.486059	From No Subject - Encyclopedia of Psychoanalysis (Redirected from Sexed subject) French: [[sujet]] The term "subject" is present from the very earliest of Lacan's psychoanalytic writings,[1] and from 1945 on it occupies a central part in Lacan's work. This is a distinctive feature of Lacan's work, since the term does not constitute part of Freud's theoretical vocabulary, but is more associated with philosophical, legal and linguistic discourses. In Lacan's pre-war papers, the term "subject" seems to mean no more than "human being."[2] Analysand The term is also used to refer to the analysand.[3] Three Kinds In 1945, Lacan distinguishes between three kinds of subject. Firstly, there is the impersonal subject, independent of the other, the pure grammatical subject, the noetic subject, the "it" of "it is known that." Secondly, there is the anonymous reciprocal subject who is completely equal to and substitutable for any other, and who recognises himself in equivalence with the other. Thirdly, there is the personal subject, whose uniqueness is constituted by an act of self-affirmation.[4] It is always this third sense of the subject, the subject in his uniqueness, that constitutes the focus of Lacan's work. Subject and Ego In 1953, Lacan establishes a distinction between the subject and the ego which will remain one of the most fundamental distinctions throughout the rest of his work. Whereas the ego is part of the imaginary order, the subject is part of the symbolic. Thus the subject is not simply equivalent to a conscious sense of agency, which is a mere illusion produced by the ego, but to the unconscious; Lacan's "subject" is the subject of the unconscious. Lacan argues that this distinction can be traced back to Freud: "[Freud] wrote Das Ich und das Es in order to maintain this fundamental distinction between the true subject of the unconscious and the ego as constituted in its nucleus by a series of alienating identifications.[5] Although psychoanalytic treatment has powerful effects on the ego, it is the subject, and not the ego, on which psychoanalysis primarily operates. Alternative Meanings Lacan plays on the various meanings of the term "subject." In linguistics and logic, the subject of a proposition is that about which something is predicated, and is also opposed to the "object."[6] Lacan plays on the philosophical nuances of the latter term to emphasise that his concept of the subject concerns those aspects of the human being that cannot (or must not) be objectified (reified, reduced to a thing), nor be studied in an 'objective' way. "What do we call a subject? Quite precisely, what in the development of objectivation, is outside of the object."[7] References to language come to dominate Lacan's concept of the subject from the mid-1950s on. He distinguishes the subject of the statement from the subject of the enunciation to show that because the subject is essentially a speaking being (parlêtre), he is inescapably divided, castrated, split. In the early 1960s Lacan defines the subject as that which is represented by a signifier for another signifier; in other words, the subject is an effect of language.[8]. Philosophy and Law Besides its place in linguistics and logic, the term "subject" also has philosophical and legal connotations. In philosophical discourse, it denotes an individual self-consciousness, whereas in legal discourse, it denotes a person who is under the power of another (e.g. a person who is subject to the sovereign). The fact that the term possesses both these meanings means that it perfectly illustrates Lacan's thesis about the determination of consciousness by the symbolic order. "The subject is a subject only by virtue of his subjection to the field of the Other."[9] The term also functions in legal discourse to designate the support of action; the subject is one who can be held responsible for his acts. Descartes's Cogito The philosophical connotations of the term are particularly emphasised by Lacan, who links it with Descartes's philosophy of the cogito: in the term subject . . . I am not designating the living substratum needed by this phenomenon of the subject, nor any sort of substance, nor any being possessing knowledge in his pathos . . . nor even some incarnated logos, but the Cartesian subject, who appears at the moment when doubt is recognised as certainty.[10] Subject of the Unconscious The fact that the symbol of the subject, S, is a homophone of the Freud's term Es ('Id') illustrates that for Lacan, the true subject is the subject of the unconscious. In 1957 Lacan strikes through this symbol to produce the symbol $, the "barred subject," thus illustrating the fact that the subject is essentially divided. Enunciation ↑ Lacan, Jacques. De la psychose paranoiaque dans ses rapports avec la personalité, Paris: Navarin, 1975. [1932]. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 75 ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.207-8 ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.128 ↑ Lacan, Jacques. "Proposition du 9 octobre 1967 sur le psychanalyste de l'École," 1967, Scilicet, no. 1 (1968) p. 19 ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book I. Freud's Papers on Technique, 1953-54. Trans. John Forrester. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. p. 194 ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p. 835 ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book II. The Ego in Freud's Theory and in the Technique of Psychoanalysis, 1954-55. Trans. Sylvana Tomaselli. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge Unviersity Press, 1988. p. 188 ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book XI. The Four Fundamental Concepts of Psychoanalysis, 1964. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Hogarth Press and Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1977. p. 126 Retrieved from "https://nosubject.com/index.php?title=Subject&oldid=44570" Page contributors	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2647
__label__cc	0.581238	0.418762	Beto Follows His Vision by ngefto \| Mar 16, 2019 \| Uncategorized On Monday, the wildly charismatic Democratic Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke provided clarifying remarks regarding his earlier statement that he was running for President as a result of his vision. “When I first announced that I was running for President, I explained that it was a result of my vision. Unfortunately, many people have misinterpreted my statement and thought I was speaking metaphorically rather than literally. In 1990 I attended a rave sponsored by my former hacking group, the Cult of the Dead Cow. After taking two hits of X and eating a mushroom, I had a vision in which I became the President of the United States in 2020. I am so proud that so many of you have agreed to help me fulfill my vision to become President of the United States in 2020. I was born to do this and my vision confirms that fact. We are going to come together as a country and have a lot of fun too.” Quiz Bowl teams rocked by scandal by ngefto \| Jan 13, 2019 \| Uncategorized On Monday, the college Quiz Bowl world was rocked to its core as The University of Chicago was charged with multiple recruiting violations. If proven, Chicago’s Quiz Bowl team, 25 times national champion, faces the academic death penalty. Preet Vishnu, the NCAA’s Director of Compliance for Academic Bowl competition offered the following: “It’s long been the dirty secret of top Quiz Bowl programs that some of them are bent. Just like NCAA basketball teams have turned to hookers and blow to lure top recruits, there are some bad actors in the Quiz Bowl world too. Of course, the enticements are a little bit different. Hookers are still a mainstay, after all, nerds are a lot more likely than basketball players to be swayed by sex but drugs are a non-starter. Many of the top programs have chosen to offer under the table enticements known as ‘nerd candy.’ In this case, Chicago is specifically charged with offering prospective recruits Teslas, dates with cosplayers, first edition DC comics, tickets to Comic-con, lunches with Megan Fox, rides in Stephen Hawking’s wheelchair (which the University reportedly purchased for just this purpose), vintage Atari games, and backdated Google numbers. The latter involves a little known perk in which Chicago Quiz Bowl graduates are offered positions at Google, and their employee numbers are backdated to the double-digits.” On Monday, Chicago’s coach, Shiva Ramakrisnathes denied the charges: “It’s true that many cosplayers like to date University of Chicago quiz bowl players—I’ve had a number of run-ins with Ant Girl myself. And of course, Google loves to hire our alumni because we produce some of the smartest graduates in America. But we are looking forward to the opportunity to proving that our team’s success is caused by our hard work and brilliance and not through any type of shady dealing. It’s no accident we’ve been national champions 25 times and it’s certainly not due to perfidy. We’re simply the best.” Get ready for “Emory Cares” by ngefto \| Dec 25, 2018 \| Uncategorized Emory University is proud to announce that on January 1, 2019, all students will be required to download the new phone app, “Emory Cares.” Designed to combat aggressive speech, Emory Cares has two main functions. First, Emory Cares disables the student’s phone from typing, texting, or emailing words Emory deems inappropriate for safe communication. Second, it makes it possible for all Emory students to follow the mandatory requirement to report aggressive speech as it occurs by simply pressing the Emory Cares icon. Additionally, when the icon is pressed the phone will go into record mode and document the offensive speech for future disciplinary proceedings. As explained by Emory’s President, Claire E. Sterk, “This is a logical extension of the Permitted 200. First, we told students what they could say. Now, we will punish those that fail to comply. And we have made it very easy for Emory students to report all instances in which a student engages in speech designed to make another student uncomfortable. Emory Cares is one additional step towards making Emory a place where no one will ever feel challenged by an uncomfortable idea. And importantly, this step shows that once again, Emory is at the forefront of correct thought. We are the only school in America that has an app based reporting system for aggressive speech.” Although the vast majority of Emory students have embraced Emory Cares, a small minority are protesting the fact that if a student observes aggressive speech and fails to press the icon he or she will also face discipline. As explained by Justin Tucker, the President for Emory Students for Free Speech (ESFS): “I hate to be the person that said ‘I told you so,’ but, ‘I told you so!’ There is a long tradition in Anglo Saxon law that, in most instances, a person is not required to take affirmative action to prevent events from occurring. So for example, if a person witnesses an individual that is about to harm another person, there is no affirmative duty to stop that harm from occurring. This new ‘duty to report’ is precisely the type of affirmative action that is contrary to Anglo Saxon tradition. This is one more step towards an Orwellian University. I’m asking all students to protest by buying a flip phone that does not support ‘Emory Cares.’” President Sterk offered the following official response: “It’s sad that ESFS chooses the path of aggression. I wonder sometimes if its members might be happier somewhere else, in a school that is, perhaps, a little less Ivy League. I think any reasonable person will agree that this is a small price to pay to make Emory even more nurturing! I can’t wait to see the progress we make in 2019.” by ngefto \| Dec 1, 2018 \| Local, Sports, Uncategorized On Monday, a group of determined parents from Valdosta, Georgia, once again battled with the Lowndes County school board in an effort to force curricula change. At issue, Lowndes County’s requirement that all students pass Introduction to Football (Football 100) and Practical Football Skills (Football 101). First introduced in 1937, the two classes were intended to ensure that every Valdostan understands the basic principles of America’s sport. And history has proven their worth, as Valdosta County perennially ranks highest in the nation in football literacy. However, in the last decade, some parents have challenged the classes because their otherwise high achieving daughters and sons are having difficulty passing Practical Football Skills. The group, known as Valdostans for Fair Education (VFE) are now threatening to sue. As explained by VFE’s President, Dr. Preet Krishnathes: “my Vishnu was a straight A student, who got fives on 13 AP exams, and scored a 35 on his ACT. However, he failed Introduction to Football the first time he took it and only after we hired a tutor and he dropped two other classes was he able to scrape by with a B-. But no matter how many tutors we hired, Vishnu couldn’t pass Practical Football Skills. He is simply unable to understand modern defensive schemes and he kept dropping punts. As a result, he will not receive a high school diploma. I understand that football is important, but is it really more important than an A+ in Calculus BC? I regret the day we moved to Valdosta—if only we had chosen to live in Moultrie rather than Valdosta, Vishnu would be going to Stanford!” However, at the Lowndes County School Board meeting the Coach of the Valdosta Wildcats, John Grim, gave an impassioned defense of football literacy as essential to an individual’s ability to participate in modern society. As explained by Grim: “If you don’t understand football what are you going to talk about with your family and co-workers during the Fall? When your boss tells you it’s time to move the ball forward, you’re going to think he’s talking about soccer for God’s sake. And how are you going to root for the Yellow and the Black? Are you really trying to tell me that the average American uses calculus more than they watch football? Your damn right football is more important than Calculus BC! We owe it to the children to make sure they understand what they see on their televisions every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from August to January. Do any of us want a Valdosta in which no one understands the game? I sure as hell don’t!” After Coach Grim’s cogent rebuttal the Board once again voted to require a passing grade in Football 100 & 101 in order to receive a diploma. There is no word yet on whether VFE will go through with its plans to initiate legal action. Trump signs Executive Order by ngefto \| Nov 28, 2018 \| Current Interests, Uncategorized On Thursday, President Trump signed Executive Order 54943 which removes the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem and replaces it with Free Bird. In a press conference in the Oval Office, President Trump explained the impetus behind the change: “The War of 1812 was a small war. We kicked England’s butt, but the war was much smaller than World War I and II. Much smaller. I’ve always thought that the war was too small to be worth a National Anthem. I’ve talked to thousands of people since I became President and they keep telling me they want a better song. And Free Bird is a great song. People love this change.” President Trump also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd: “I’m giving this medal to Lynyrd Skynyrd because they are great Americans. But I’m not giving it to the ones who died in the plane crash. But the one’s who survived are great. Far greater than anyone Obama awarded the Medal to.” President Trump also mentioned that the designation of Free Bird as the National Anthem will resolve the recent controversy where some NFL players have chosen to kneel during the National Anthem. “Now that the song is better, I think everyone is going to stand. Who would want to kneel during Free Bird?” NGEFTO interviewed Cody Lee Sanford of Titusville, Tennessee regarding the change. “I’m freaking pumped.” said Sanford. “This is one of the best things President Trump has done. The old song sucked. You know I love America and I mean I respected the song because it was the National Anthem but as a song it sucked. Now everyone is going to look forward to the National Anthem. It’s going to be the highlight of every event. This bird is free baby!” NGEFTO has spoken to etiquette expert Geneva Hall regarding the propriety of giving the middle finger during the new National Anthem as is traditional at Lynyrd Skynyrd concerts. According to Hall: “of course it’s okay to give the middle finger during Free Bird—proper etiquette doesn’t mean you throw your common sense out the window. However, your hand should be pointed out, meaning you are giving the finger to our enemies rather than pointed in which, conversely, would mean you were giving the finger to America. It’s really very simple.” ngefto on Local Couple Admit: Son is not that Smart Jeff Nadrich on Local Couple Admit: Son is not that Smart Cinnamon Girl on Discovery Channel Cancels Newest Reality Show C – CAREERS C – REAL ESTATE C – SERVICES P – LGBT P – MSF P – OTHER P – WSM	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2648
__label__wiki	0.993887	0.993887	Home Sports Football Pinnick begins campaign, doles out $4,000 each to FA bosses Pinnick begins campaign, doles out $4,000 each to FA bosses By Editor - With Nigeria out of the World Cup, the forthcoming NFF elections is now the key focus for the NFF officials, as they have begun maneuvering to woo the delegates. And after much haggling, state FA chairmen were paid $4,000 for being part of the World Cup jamboree, National Daily learnt. The 36 FA chairmen plus that of the FCT are the bulk of the 44-man congress who will vote for a new executive committee of the NFF on September 29 in Katsina. A source told National Daily that The FA chairmen rejected an initial $3,000 before they settled for $4,000 in Saint Petersburg. “Their secretaries, who will not vote at the elections, were paid half that sum.” Former top NFF chieftains who also made the trip to Russia were paid $3,000 a man after they also turned down an initial offer of $1,500. Cash will again play a crucial role in the next NFF vote. At the September 2014 polls in Warri, the leading candidate paid as much as $13,000 to each delegate. Fellaini remains a Devil! Manchester United is delighted to announce that Marouane Fellaini has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until June 2020, with the option to extend for a further year. Fellaini, 30, joined United in 2013 and has made 156 appearances and scored 20 goals. During his time at the club he has won the FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Europa League and Community Shield. Marouane Fellaini said: “I am pleased to be continuing my journey as a Manchester United player. I made this decision because I am very happy here. Also, I feel like this team, under Jose, still has a lot we want to achieve. “I would like to say a special thank you to Jose for the faith he has always shown in me. My focus now is on the World Cup and I am looking forward to a successful season ahead.” Jose Mourinho said: “I am very happy Marouane is staying with us. “I always believed in his desire to stay with the club and I am delighted that he has signed a new contract.” Previous articlePoverty: Strong state a panacea says Osinbajo Next articleFelanni remains a Devil! Super Eagles need a better goalkeeper now- Disu Four killed as suspected militia attack Tiv settlement My target is to qualify for semi-final stage-Coach Rohr	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2650
__label__cc	0.590747	0.409253	nebraskavoterguide.com Nebraska Family Alliance List all candidates Your Ballot Your Districts Change Districts Jane Raybould (Democrat) Candidate's Website A note about the candidate: Refused to Respond. Information about Mrs. Raybould's positions have been gathered by research and sources are provided. Jane Raybould https://www.facebook.com/JaneRaybouldNE/ https://twitter.com/JaneRaybould Jane Raybould: Candidate's Website: https://janeraybould.com/ 1. Prohibiting abortion except when it is necessary to prevent the death of the mother. Jane Raybould is endorsed by Planned Parenthood. She also stated she would oppose a supreme court justice who would overturn Roe v. Wade. View reference 2. Raising the federal minimum wage. Jane Raybould publicly supported increase in minimum wages in Nebraska 3. Protecting individuals and businesses from being required to provide services or use their artistic expression in a manner that violates their moral or religious beliefs. Refused to respond 4. Raising the minimum age to purchase assault rifles. Jane Raybould has called for an assault weapons ban 5. Expanding background checks to include guns bought from private individuals. Jane Raybould endorses calls for universal background checks 6. Providing taxpayer funds to organizations that provide, counsel in favor of, or refer for abortion. Jane Raybould is endorsed by Planned Parenthood 7. Legislative and/or judicial actions necessary to reverse the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which imposed same-sex marriage on all 50 states. Jane Raybould is recorded expressing the following opinion in 2014 in regards to Nebraska's Defense of Marriage Amendment: "Commissioner Jane Raybould said the county should extend all pension benefits to same-sex partners in order to remain competitive with other government entities and private companies, and that a federal court eventually will invalidate Nebraska's Defense of Marriage Amendment." 8. Adding sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination law. 9. Legalizing assisted suicide as a form of medical treatment for the terminally ill. 10. Prohibiting internet service providers from offering different services based on content, platforms, and websites (net neutrality). Jane Raybould has criticized her opponent Deb Fischer's stance against net neutrality 11. Restricting the political speech and activities of churches and other 501(c)(3)organizations (The Johnson Amendment). 12. Repealing the federal estate tax, also known as the "death tax." 13. Requiring women to register for Selective Service when they turn 18 years old. 14. Amending the U.S. Constitution to require Congress to balance the federal budget every year. *Jane Raybould stated the following in 2018 regarding the federal budget: "And while she thinks there are some good things in the recently passed federal budget, like money for roads, she’s not a fan of $1.3 trillion of spending. 'The omnibus budget, unfortunately it seemed like it was a necessary hurdle for government to get through at that time. I don't like deficit spending. I'm a businesswoman, I'm a fiscal conservative.'” 15. Confirming originalist judges to the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts. Like this candidate on Facebook: Brought to you by: NebraskaFamilyAlliance.org List Candidates	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2652
__label__cc	0.746136	0.253864	How rich is Kenji Kimura? Net Worth Kenji Kimura Net Worth How much is Kenji Kimura worth? For this question we spent 26 hours on research (Wikipedia, Youtube, we read books in libraries, etc) to review the post. Total Net Worth at the moment 2019 year – is about $40,2 Million. Kenji Kimura information Birth date: 1945-01-01 Profession:Animation Department, Art Department, Visual Effects :How tall is Kenji Kimura – 1,75m. How much weight is Kenji Kimura – 73kg Kenji Kimura (?? ??, Kimura Kenji, born July 19, 1945) is a Japanese former volleyball player who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics and in the 1972 Summer Olympics.In 1968 he was part of the Japanese team which won the silver medal in the Olympic tournament. He played all nine matches.Four years later he won the gold medal with the Japanese team in the 1972 Olympic tournament. He played all seven matches. Wikipedia Source: Kenji Kimura	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2653
__label__wiki	0.716982	0.716982	Expect A Close Ruling As Supreme Court Weighs Contraceptive Coverage McClatchy Washington Bureau (MCT) WASHINGTON — Conservative Supreme Court justices on Tuesday foreshadowed how they might rule on whether certain for-profit corporations could claim religious exemptions from the health care law’s contraceptive mandate. In the year’s most closely watched case, justices showed sharp divisions along familiar conservative-liberal lines. Another 5-4 decision appears likely in this latest challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Unlike in 2012, though, when the court upheld a key plank of the law, Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. sounded firmly in the camp of those challenging the act. While questions may be uncertain guides, several justices specifically cited how they might extend rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to for-profit corporations without opening up the door too broadly. “You avoid all of the problems with what to do,” Roberts said, “if you say it applies to a closely held corporation.” Echoing the sentiment, Justice Antonin Scalia added that the religious views of “whoever controls the corporation” could be attributed to the corporation. Questions about the religious views of, say, a publicly traded corporation could be put off until another day, Roberts suggested. The reasoning, if it attracts three other votes, would help the two companies that are challenging the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that insurance packages include certain contraceptives. It also might set the stage for a searing defeat for the Obama administration, and a landmark decision on corporate rights. “We’ve never considered a for-profit corporation as exercising religion,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted. The unusually long, 90-minute oral argument Tuesday morning marked the first time the health care law has returned to the high court since Roberts stunned his conservative supporters in 2012 by writing a 5-4 decision that upheld the law’s “individual mandate” requiring that nearly everyone have health insurance or pay a fine. The argument Tuesday occurred amid all the trappings of a historic case. Chanting demonstrators, primarily aligned with abortion-rights advocates, braved the unseasonal snowfall outside. Inside, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state sat next to Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, as well as several members of the House of Representatives. More than 100 reporters squeezed in to watch. The hearing consolidated two challenges. One was brought by Hobby Lobby, a multibillion-dollar Oklahoma-based company that employs about 13,000 people nationwide. The other was brought by Conestoga Wood Specialties, a smaller firm owned by a Mennonite family in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County. The devout family members who own the companies were in the courtroom Tuesday. “You’ve picked great plaintiffs,” Sotomayor acknowledged. The health care law, which passed in 2010, requires that insurance policies cover certain preventive practices without fees or cost-sharing from the patient. Many are uncontroversial, such as immunizations and diabetes screening. Policies are also supposed to cover contraceptives, sterilization procedures and counseling. Abortion opponents consider several of the approved contraceptive methods, such as the drug known as Plan B, tantamount to an abortion. Both companies have invoked the First Amendment’s provision that guarantees the right to freely exercise religious beliefs. The companies also claim protection under the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which offers religious practitioners protection against government intrusion. “You have a government law that specifically says you must do something that violates your religion, and it’s enforced with a penalty,” argued attorney Paul Clement, representing the companies. The first big question Tuesday was whether this protection extends to for-profit corporations as well as living, breathing individuals. If it does, U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli argued, then female employees at Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties would be shortchanged, because they wouldn’t have access to contraceptives through the standard insurance package. “The court must take account of the way the suggested accommodation would affect the rights and interests of third parties,” said Verrilli, who represented the federal government. “The exemption is going to extinguish the rights of third parties.” Justice Elena Kagan was the most forceful advocate for the contraceptive provision Tuesday, repeatedly pressing Clement and raising pointed questions about how far the corporate religious claims might go. “So another employer comes in and says, ‘I have a religious objection to sexual discrimination laws,’” Kagan said. “And then another employer comes in: ‘I have a religious objection to minimum wage laws.’” Churches are already exempt from the contraceptive mandate, and employers with fewer than 50 workers need not provide any health insurance coverage at all. Religiously affiliated nonprofits have a special accommodation, so they don’t have to directly provide contraceptive coverage. But for-profit companies aren’t exempted, and those that don’t provide contraceptive coverage face fines of $100 a day per employee. For Conestoga Wood Specialties, which has about 950 employees, that adds up to $95,000 a day. For Hobby Lobby, the potential fine reaches $1.3 million a day. If the court’s majority reasons that certain for-profit corporations can make religious claims, the justices must next decide whether widespread access to contraceptives represents a compelling government interest. Several conservative justices stressed that the various exemptions already provided under the law demonstrate that the government’s interest can’t be all that compelling. “It must have been because contraceptive coverage was not that important,” said Justice Anthony Kennedy, a frequent swing vote. Kennedy pressed both sides almost equally Tuesday, making him seem the most likely deciding vote on a court that’s otherwise apparently divided 4-4. Justice Clarence Thomas, as is his custom, was the only one of the nine justices to neither speak nor ask questions during the oral argument. A decision is expected by the end of June, when the court concludes the term that began last October. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard a separate case Tuesday that could have even broader stakes for the health care law and its insurance exchanges. The case challenges federal subsidies offered to help people buy insurance in the several dozen states that haven’t set up their own insurance exchanges. ©2014 McClatchy Washington Bureau Visit the McClatchy Washington Bureau at www.mcclatchydc.com Tags: Affordable Care Act, Chief Justice John Roberts Jr, contraception, contraceptives, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Patient Protection, scotus, Supreme Court	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2654
__label__wiki	0.993717	0.993717	Vindicated Belong - Cash Cash, Hopes Up (feat. Dashboard Confessional) - nothing,nowhere., Heart Beat Here Singer/songwriter Christopher Carrabba became the poster boy for a generation of emo fans in the early 2000s, having left behind his former band (the post-hardcore Christian outfit Further Seems Forever) to concentrate on vulnerable, introspective solo musings. Armed with an acoustic guitar and soul-baring song lyrics, he christened his new project Dashboard Confessional -- named after a lyric in "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" -- and began releasing material in 2000. By 2001's The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, Dashboard Confessional had evolved into a full-fledged band, but Carrabba nevertheless remained the focal point of both the group and the rejuvenated emo genre. Dashboard Confessional took root in Boca Raton, Florida, Carrabba's home since the age of 16. The singer had previously fronted the Vacant Andys and the Agency before joining the ranks of Further Seems Forever, but the desire to pursue something simpler led him to create Dashboard Confessional as a side project. Carrabba molded simple acoustics with passionate, personal wordplay on his 2000 debut, Swiss Army Romance, and a devout audience began to gather around the naked honesty of his lyrics. Further Seems Forever entered the studio that September to record their inaugural full-length, but Carrabba's plans to mount a solo career had already taken precedence over his current band. Nevertheless, he and his bandmates finished the album before amicably parting ways, with Further Seems Forever later recruiting former Affinity frontman Jason Gleason to replace their departed vocalist. By late 2000, Carrabba was free to devote his undivided time to Dashboard Confessional. The Drowning EP was released in early 2001, with the full-length album The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most following soon after. The latter release featured a full band on several tracks -- a vast departure from Carrabba's previously unaccompanied material -- and the heart-rending single "Screaming Infidelities" found an immediate home on modern rock radio. Dashboard Confessional toured for several months, and Carrabba rounded out the year by collaborating with former Sunny Day Real Estate guitarist Dan Hoerner on the So Impossible EP, which was released in mid-December. Dashboard Confessional issued Summers Kiss, a companion piece to the So Impossible EP, in April 2002. Later that year, Carrabba recorded an installment for the MTV Unplugged series, accompanied by a devoted studio audience that sang along to every word. The show was released as MTV Unplugged 2.0 and served as his breakthrough performance, eventually going platinum. Now a staple on both radio and MTV, Carrabba returned in 2003 with a permanent lineup -- including bassist Scott Schoenbeck, guitarist/pianist Johnny Lefler, and drummer Mike Marsh -- and a new album, A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar. The record topped the Billboard charts and spawned another hit single, "Hands Down," which peaked at number eight. However, it was the band's contribution of the song "Vindicated" to 2004's Spider-Man 2 soundtrack that truly resonated with a wide audience, with the song rising to number two. Carrabba collaborated with producers Daniel Lanois (U2, Peter Gabriel) and Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Pearl Jam) on the band's intimate 2006 release Dusk and Summer. Released in June, the album entered the Billboard charts at number two and was supported by nationwide tour dates alongside Ben Lee, Say Anything, and Brand New. Dashboard Confessional then returned to the studio with Gilmore, recording the band's fifth album, The Shade of Poison Trees, in March 2007. The album was released the following October, with its acoustic-heavy sound marking a return to the band's introspective roots. Chris Carrabba explored both sides of his personality -- the acoustic, campfire-worthy songwriter and the full-band frontman -- with 2009's Alter the Ending, which featured songs from both camps and even included a second disc comprised of stripped-down performances of the track list. After touring in support of the effort, Carrabba released a remastered version of the band's debut, The Swiss Army Romance, embarking on a solo tour to celebrate the album's tenth anniversary. After an extended hiatus, Carrabba resurrected Dashboard Confessional for 2017's Covered and Taped EP, which featured covers of songs by the 1975, Justin Bieber, and others. Early in 2018, Carrabba returned with Crooked Shadows, his first collection of original material in eight years. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi Quezon City, PH44,473 LISTENERS Los Angeles, US35,541 LISTENERS Chicago, US34,430 LISTENERS New York City, US30,114 LISTENERS Jakarta, ID28,296 LISTENERS A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar (Now Is Then Is Now) Alter the Ending (Now Is Then Is Now) Dusk and Summer (Now Is Then Is Now) Crooked Shadows Covered in the Flood Alter The Ending Alter The Ending (Deluxe) The Shade of Poison Trees Punk Goes Acoustic, Vol. 3 KindaYeahSorta We Fight (Acoustic) Belong (BEAUZ Remix) Covered and Taped Don't Wait (Sprint Music Series) Emo Forever Stripped Down Songs We Rocked Out To Something Corporate The Spill Canvas The Starting Line Listen to Dashboard Confessional now. Listen to Dashboard Confessional in full in the Spotify app	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2657
__label__wiki	0.578978	0.578978	Alex Otterburn A 2014 winner of the International Opera Awards bursary & the 2016 Pavarotti Prize, Alex read Economics at The University of Manchester and went on to complete his masters and opera school at the Royal Academy of Music. Since then Alex has made his international debuts at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw singing Curio (Giulio Cesare) with Lawrence Zazzo in the title role, and at the National Concert Hall, Dublin singing Schaunard (La bohème) with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Lyric Opera. Other debuts included the title roles of Don Giovanni in London and Yevgeniy Onegin for Dartington International Festival under Russian specialist Sian Edwards. Last summer Alex sang Malatesta (Don Pasquale) with Opera Holloway touring through south England, and made his debut with the Chamber Orchestra of Geneva in Victoria Hall singing arias by Mozart. This August sees Alex perform Eddy in a new production of Turnage’s Greek with Scottish Opera, opening the Edinburgh International Festival. From September he becomes an Emerging Artist at Scottish Opera for the 17/18 season, performing Eddy (Greek), Marquese (La traviata) and Harlequin (Ariadne auf Naxos) which will tour to Opera Holland Park July ’18. Future highlights will include Fauré Requiem with the Saffron-Walden Choral Society and roles with The Grange Festival. Previous credits include work with Grange Park Opera, Opera Ireland, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival and lecture recitals with Opera Prelude at the Cadogan Hall, London. Alex's website	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2660
__label__cc	0.659659	0.340341	The instrument of ratification by Algeria is accompanied by the following interpretative declarations: 1. Article 14, paragraphs 1 and 2 The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 14 shall be interpreted by the Algerian Government in compliance with the basic foundations of the Algerian legal system, in particular: - With the Constitution, which stipulates in its article 2 that Islam is the State religion and in its article 35 that there shall be not infringement of the inviolability of the freedom of conviction and the inviolability of the freedom of opinion; - With Law No. 84-11 of 9 June 1984, comprising the family Code, which stipulates that a child's education is to take place in accordance with the religion of its father. 2. Articles 13, 16 and 17 Articles 13, 16 and 17 shall be applied while taking account of the interest of the child and the need to safeguard its physical and mental integrity. In this framework, the Algerian Government shall interpret the provisions of these articles while taking account of: - The provisions of the Penal Code, in particular those sections relating to breaches of public order, to public decency and to the incitement of minors to immorality and debauchery; - The provisions of Law No. 90-07 of 3 April 1990, comprising the Information Code, and particularly its article 24 stipulating that "the director of a publication destined for children must be assisted by an educational advisory body"; - Article 26 of the same Code, which provides that "national and foreign periodical and specialized publications, whatever their nature of purpose, must not contain any illustration, narrative, information or insertion contrary to Islamic morality, national values or human rights or advocate racism, fanaticism and treason... Further, such publications must contain no publicity or advertising that may promote violence and delinquency." In accordance with its article 49 (2), the Convention entered into force for the States concerned on the thirtieth day after the date of deposit of the respective instruments, i.e., for New Zealand on 6 May 1993, for the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on 15 May 1993, for Algeria on 16 May 1993 and for the Federated States of Micronesia on 4 June 1993.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2662
__label__wiki	0.720406	0.720406	Charleston Appeals Federal Decision Striking Down Tour Guide Licensing Law Institute for Justice, which represented would-be tour guides, comments on continuing legal battle Charleston Tour Guides Press Release \| January 10, 2019 Andrew Wimer Charleston, S.C.—Yesterday, attorneys for the City of Charleston appealed an August 2018 federal court ruling that struck down the city’s tour guide license. The licensing law was challenged by three would-be tour guides—Kimberly Billups, Michael Warfield and Michael Nolan—who joined with the Institute for Justice (IJ) in January of 2016 to file a lawsuit alleging that the law amounted to an unconstitutional license to speak. Due to the decision, Charleston has since stopped requiring guides to register with the city and take a test before providing tours. “The First Amendment protects your right to speak for a living, whether you are a journalist, a comedian, or a tour guide,” said IJ Managing Attorney Arif Panju, who represents the plaintiffs. “The judge in this case correctly found that Charleston was infringing on that right despite having no real evidence in support of its decision to do so. We are delighted to have the chance to make these important arguments on appeal.” Charleston’s appeal comes at the same time as the historic city of Williamsburg, Va. is moving to eliminate its own tour guide license, moving instead to a system of voluntary certification for guides. Williamsburg’s proposed ordinance references the Charleston decision noting that the requirement was found to be a violation of the First Amendment. “Williamsburg is joining cities across the country, from Philadelphia to Savannah, in realizing that requiring people to get a special license before they talk about history raises enormous problems under the First Amendment,” said IJ Senior Attorney Robert McNamara. “We look forward to Charleston reaching the same conclusion, even if it takes another court ruling or two for it to get there.” The Institute has challenged tour guide licenses as violations of the First Amendment all across the country, defeating licensing requirements in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Savannah, Ga. In 2014, New Orleans’ similar license was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the only federal appeals court to uphold licensing requirements for tour guides.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2663
__label__wiki	0.531806	0.531806	Carmel O'Shannessy in Australia by Andries W. Coetzee Carmel O'Shannessy spent much of Winter to Summer 2015 at the Humanities Research Center and School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, Australian National University, and the Department of Languages and Linguistics, University of Melbourne. In addition to participating in workshops and conferences, Carmel gave invited talks at: - Humanities Research Center - ARC Center for the Dynamics of Language - School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, all at the Australian National University - School of Languages and Linguistics, University of Melbourne - Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University "These provided wonderful opportunities to talk with people taking multiple perspectives on intersections of Australian languages, language contact, language processing, language evolution and many more areas", Carmel said.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2667
__label__wiki	0.699505	0.699505	Home > IMJCB > JK2018 > Presentations > Chiari Stratigraphy around the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in the Bosso Valley Section (Umbria-Marche Apennines, Central Italy): Geological setting, historical review and current situation Marco Chiari, Angela Bertinelli, Xin Li, Atsushi Matsuoka The Umbria-Marche Apennines, located in the southern part of the Northern Apennines, resulted from the movement between Africa and the European plate. The Umbria Marche stratigraphic successions include Triassic-Messinian units deposited in the southern margin of Western Tethys. This basin was implicated in three different tectonic phases: extensional in the Mesozoic, compressional in the Neogene and extensional again starting in late Miocene (Menichetti and Pialli, 1986; Menichetti, 2016). In this work we present a historical review and the current situation of the Bosso section (Umbria-Marche Apennines), which is located near the town of Pianello along the Bosso valley. This section is particularly important because it is one of the candidates for the GGSP for the J/K boundary and it was studied for calpionellid biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy by Housa et al. (2004). The J/K boundary was recorded in the lower part of the Maiolica Formation, which started in the Tithonian and is characterized by whitish, beige and gray pelagic limestones with black and gray cherts. The contact with the underlying Calcari ad Aptici Formation is transitional and represents an important environmental change. In particular, we present a historical review of the radiolarian biostratigraphy of the Bosso Valley section published in the last 37 years. The first paper describing radiolarians was published by Kocher (1981) and the data were re-examined by Baumgartner (1984). Successively, Jud (1994) sampled the Tithonian-Barremian interval in the Bosso valley. These data were included in the database utilized for the radiolarian zonation proposed by Baumgartner et al. (1995). Recently a detailed radiolarian biostratigraphic study was carried out by Li et al. (2018).	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2669
__label__wiki	0.570795	0.570795	Devils and Details Category Archives: 6.05 Subordination 6.5 May 8, 2014 6.05wildbow We had no allies. We probably couldn’t even hope for allies. The people gathered around this spirit-world version of my apartment were silent. Damn it all. I’d known we’d be against ugly odds, especially since I was foregoing allies for the chance to subvert Conquest, to steal his assets out from under him. He had the muscle, he had numbers, and he had… very possibly centuries of experience. I’d known that, but I’d gone ahead anyway. I’d counted on being more indirect. Fell had demonstrated an ability to avoid notice, some kind of enchantment. Evan was good at escaping. Rose was… well, she existed on level that was one step removed from reality. She might very well be hard to pin down. I had the Knights and my cabal to back me up. I figured we could work around Conquest’s muscle, maybe rally some help, and attack from some oblique angle. That didn’t work if all of the potential help was just as against me as Conquest was. “You sided with me,” I told Fell. “Knowing this?” “I think you know why.” “You had no other choice,” I said. “No. The others don’t see the full effect of what it’s done to me and my family, being enslaved, they don’t pay too much attention to it,” Fell said. “Yeah… I had no other choice, not really.” “Sorry,” I said. He shrugged. He stood up and crossed the room, looking out the window. My eye swept over the apartment. Not everything was in place. It was almost as if it had stepped back in time a little, my belongings scattered much as they might have been after the cops ransacked the place. There were other spots where it looked like it had aged, where the paint peeled and the carpet was grungier at the points where it met the wall, cleaner towards the center. The simple contrast between clean and dirty made for starker contrasts. My eye fell on the table. The sword lay in the middle of it. Ugly, unwieldy, painful to hold, and bearing the Hyena’s features on the hilt and pommel. “Evan,” I said. “When I took the Hyena, I did it to take it away from Conquest.” “I thought you got it.” “I did. He’s caught. And I don’t have plans to do anything with it that will let it go back to doing what it was doing.” “But it can get free again?” “Theoretically, but only if given permission. He’s a dog on a leash now,” I said. “I’d rather we held the leash, instead of Conquest holding it.” “I know. It’s honestly a little scary for me, too. But it beats the alternatives. Make you a deal?” “I won’t unbind the Hyena without your say so.” “Hmm…” Evan said. “Don’t make that decision too quickly,” A woman’s voice. I turned my head to see Rose in the wall-mounted mirrors. “You’re back.” “I’m back,” Rose said. “Why shouldn’t I?” Evan asked. “Blake made me a similar offer, before. A few times, really. Promised to take my counsel. To give me a chance to offer my input, to decide before he went ahead with anything big. Do you know how many times he’s actually followed through?” “That’s not fair,” I said. “I agree,” Rose said. “It isn’t fair. You got a familiar, you got your… circle thing.” “Cabal,” Fell said. “Yeah. Cabal. Adding more fuel to the fire. Inquisitors, even.” “To be fair,” Ty said. “They say nobody expects the Inquisition.” “We could forestall trouble by telling them that Alexis and Ty have sworn not to touch the diabolism stuff.” “I’m just sort of wondering what we’re here for,” Alexis said. “I know,” I said. “We’re going to hash that out. It means more to me than I can say, that I have you here. Really.” “You could forestall trouble,” Rose said, “Or maybe they play it safe, you guys go to sleep one night, and you don’t wake up.” “That seems sketchy,” I said. “Because everything else here has really been on the up and up, hasn’t it?” I leaned forward, leaning over the table. “If it’s a problem, I’m not going to assert any kind of control over them. Maybe that makes it less of a cabal and more of a circle that has a sort-of-a-diabolist guy as a member.” “Two sort-of-diabolists, if you count me,” Rose said. “Yeah,” I said. “Though you don’t really fit the definition. You haven’t done anything. You sat out for the imp thing.” If I maybe made that a bit of a barb, the fact that she’d been so useless, it was because I felt a little bit cornered and a lot betrayed after the lengths I’d just gone to in order to free her. She was undermining me more than she was helping. “I’m more of a Thorburn than you are,” Rose said. I’d been poised to reply, to fight back. That caught me off guard that I mentally stumbled. “Be careful you don’t lie,” I said. It came across as a little wimpy. “The diabolist of the Thorburn line is supposed to be a woman, or a girl,” Rose said. “Who got the voice? Who gets the respect, of the two of us? You want to talk more abstract points? I stuck with the family, for better or worse. I don’t even know how much was intentional, but in my recollection of the conversation with Grandmother, talking with her on her deathbed? She pretty heavily implied that she wanted us to fight tooth and nail. But you left.” “You’re blaming him?” Alexis asked. “No. I’m just saying, I’m the girl that’s stuck in the mirrors while Blake’s flesh and blood, but I’m pretty confident when I say that I’m more Thorburn than he is. He left the family, I remained a part of it. But that doesn’t mean, Evan, Alexis, that he didn’t take something away from it. He can apparently be as manipulative as any of them.” “I don’t agree,” I said, “and maybe this is the sort of thing we should discuss in private. It’s not really relevant.” “It’s very relevant,” Rose said. “To this. To the fight against Conquest,” I said. “Ah,” she said. “Can’t say for sure. I’m going to go get more books and tools, or I won’t be so useful as one of your champions. I only want the rest of you to think twice before you accept an offer like that. What was it he said? Actions matter more than words?” “That wasn’t the context,” I said. But she was already gone. I leaned back, sitting a bit straighter, and sighed. “Fuck me.” “She’s you if you were a girl, huh?” Alexis asked. “Apparently.” “Female you is kind of a bitch,” she said. I didn’t have a response. I didn’t want to just slap a convenient label on Rose and demonize her. I’d had that done to me often enough, even in the past few days. “Just what happened to her, in Conquest’s realm?” I asked. “She already explained,” Fell said. “Conquest made her do what he wanted.” “Which was?” “Which was inconsequential, really. The part you should be focusing on is the fact that the Lord of Toronto made her act what he wished. He bent her will to his and took all volition from her.” I felt ugly feelings stir at the idea, and pushed them away, along with the images that accompanied them. “He’s done the same to you?” I asked. “He’s done it to me, my family, my father’s family, my grandfather’s family. He’s done it to others, and when they broke, he tossed them away. If and when you lose this contest of yours, he’ll do it to you.” “If I win, I’ll earn the wrath of every local.” “There’s no tidy, neat way to do this,” I said. “So we’re going to do it in an untidy way. Alexis, you’ve asked a few times, you deserve more of an answer. You want to know why you’re here, and not one of the champions?” “I think I kind of understand.” “Having contact with you guys helps me. I don’t need you to be a champion to do that. I don’t want you, Ty or Tiff to be in the line of fire.” “What do we do, then?” “I don’t know how long this is going to take. It could be over in hours, it could take a few days-” “Faster than shorter,” Fell said. He still stood by the window. I’d only managed to get one light working in the kitchen, and the light from the window was all we had. It was good, enough to make faces visible, but his presence by the window cast a shadow over everything. He added, “Conquest prefers short, one-sided fights over long, drawn-out ones.” “Okay. Thanks, that’s useful. Changes it up, then,” I said. “I was going to say Alexis, Ty and Tiff could set up spaces for us to retreat to, places to sleep, acquire food. Novice or not, you guys can still draw defensive circles. But if this is going to be fast… think less about food and sleep, more about the defenses. The knights lent us a book.” “I have it,” Ty said. “Good,” I said. “We can’t fight them head on. It’s suicidal. What we’re going to do is split up. Rose can find and communicate with our different groups. We keep moving, we communicate, and we share our assets.” There were nods around the table. “Ty, Tiff, Alexis, I’m going to try to stay close to you. I can’t move very fast or very far, really. Fell? Can you do something about their ability to track us?” “Hiding is hard. Costly. It’s a lot of people to protect, and there are a lot of forces arrayed against us. Each one needs different countermeasures, or we take one measure that covers all the bases.” I nodded. “What if we don’t hide?” “Distractions. Misdirection.” “Yeah. I can work on something.” I nodded. “Knights?” “We’re sitting this one out,” Nick said. No. I was short enough on allies as it was. “I’m not asking for you to fight. Only that you maybe help my circle get around. A ride here and there.” “It’s too close to the fighting,” Nick said. “I’m sorry. I told you from the beginning that we couldn’t and we wouldn’t. We’ve already pushed it.” I winced. “Can’t really stop you.” “Probably could,” Nick said. He extended a hand. “Thanks for not making a fuss.” I reached out and shook it. They took a moment to grab their jackets. In another moment, they were gone. That hurt. I understood, but it hurt. “Your friend just replied to the internet message,” Fell said. “You’ve convinced her. She’s got to get her things, sneak out, and she’ll be here soon.” I exhaled. We got Maggie. ‘Soon’, however, translated to one hour at a minimum. I looked for a clock and saw it lying on the ground, not mounted in its usual place. That meant we had a bit of time to prepare, the better part of an hour to endure the hostilities and contest, and then we had Maggie. Maggie wasn’t a big gun, unfortunately. It wouldn’t be a game changer. “Okay,” I said. “Everyone has a weapon?” Nods all around. “Do we need anything before we move?” “Access to that toolbox,” Fell said. He did, opening it. He lifted off the top half to check the bottom. “And, since I’m not seeing them in here, I need scissors,” Fell said, rummaging. I fished in the kitchen drawers. All disorganized. As if my apartment had been taken apart, destroyed, and then put back together and cleaned, with an emphasis on sentimentality and how frequently I used things. I had five pairs of scissors and they were all at the very bottom of the drawer, I handed him my best pair. He’d already laid a hammer and some nails aside. “Stand still,” he said. He snipped off a lock of hair. He proceeded to grab one of my dining room chairs by the back, lift it overhead and dash it to pieces. Not the real chair, the spirit-world equivalent. Cheap stuff from a furniture store where the stuff had unpronounceable names. It still grated. “Burning off nervous energy?” I asked. “No,” he said. He grabbed the hammer and nails. No further explanation. He was helping, but we weren’t buddy-buddy. One long piece of wood, propped against the wall. He used duct tape to stick the lock of hair to the top. One horizontal bar, a third of the way down, nailed in place with two deft strikes of the hammer. Another, at the base, to help keep the thing balanced. He drew some powder from his pocket, and drew a series of solid lines, forming a triangle around the thing. “What is it?” I asked. “It…” Fell said, licking his thumb, then dragging it across the hardwood floor, “is a distraction.” I could sense the connection shift, and I saw facsimile connections appearing between it and my friends. Fell’s back blocked my view of the stick thing. When he was out of my way, I saw a Blake Thorburn sitting inside the powdery pyramid. He was so beaten-down that I almost expected to see fraying around the edges of his clothes. He had circles under his eyes, stubble on his chin, and the lines of his face and neck were more defined than they should have been. His blond hair was almost long enough to cover his eyes, and the only reason it wasn’t was the natural wave, but it was dirty, and it did the same thing my hair did when it was the least bit greasy, twisting away from my head in fat curls. He looked like I imagined myself looking when I thought of the times I’d been homeless. If I’d been walking down the street and I saw him sitting on a flattened cardboard box, I wouldn’t have thought twice about him. Except for the looking like me thing. I reached up and touched the part of my head where his hair curled. I felt the hair there, where it had sprung out of place. “I really look like that?” I asked. “Yeah,” Alexis said. “Wow, that’s creepy. Does it have to stare off into space?” “It’s a bit of wood from a chair, not a person,” Fell said. “Yeah, it does.” It was me if I were brain dead, maybe. Sitting with one back against the wall. “Can we do something with it?” I asked. “We could,” Fell said. “Booby trap it?” I asked. “How? I’m not really a shaman, and I don’t want anything like fire or explosions to burn down your apartment.” “This version of my apartment, you mean?” “What happens here happens there.” Meaning it would be fire or an explosion of sorts in my apartment. “Something nonlethal?” I asked. He rubbed his chin. “Okay. Let me think… do you have ribbon?” “Yeah,” I said. “Let me figure out where.” It took only a minute to find. Colored birthday ribbons were sitting in the bottom half of my toolbox. He unfurled a bit, then handed it to me. “Tie it to the biggest, most inconvenient object you think you could carry. Tie it securely, so they can’t untie it, or break whatever it is you’ve tied it to.” I headed straight for the kitchen. Stove? Dishwasher? Too big, too heavy. Fridge? They were options, but there wasn’t anything I could tie the cord to. The handle on the stove door was loose, and the fridge handle was recessed into the side of the door. The hinge… it was such a reach I wouldn’t be able to get more than the simplest knot on it. The microwave, though, was closer. One loop of cord going vertically around the microwave, another going horizontal. I tied it firmly. By the time I was done, Fell was entering the kitchen, scuffing the floor with one toe. Where he scuffed at the ribbon, it effectively disappeared. The part I could see stuck out from the gaps in the tile as if the tile had been laid out over the ribbon. “Neat trick,” I said. He used his fingers on the part of the ribbon that stretched up to the microwave, turning it until I was looking straight on at the thinnest side. When he was done, he threw powder at the microwave itself. “What does this do?” I asked. “One circle around the effigy, one snare around that. If they get close enough, the snare will attach to them,” Fell said. He led the way back into the dining room. I felt a little creeped out, looking at my double. Sure enough, words were written on the hardwood. Simple ones in a foreign language. “The words?” “Conditions,” Fell said. “It doesn’t matter. Don’t touch.” Fell headed to the front door of the apartment. I heard the closet door slide open. A little rougher than the sound I was used to. Alexis was writing on the same pad of paper I’d used to write up the contract with the imp. I looked over her shoulder, and saw that she was copying the wording Fell had used for the inscription on the floor. She explained, “He told me it would bind the person to the object on the far end of the ribbon. The snare releases them only so long as they carry the object on the other side. If they put it down, the snare seizes them again.” I considered it. I could imagine Laird lugging a microwave around. “Like I said before,” I commented. “I do respect Fell, even if I don’t always like him.” “I might say the same of you,” Fell commented. “Thank you,” I replied. “Might.” I winced. I’d walked into that. “If it helps,” Tiff spoke up for the first time since we’d walked into the apartment. “I respect you, and I like you too.” “Thank you,” I said. “Yeah,” Alexis said. “I respect and like you too. Let’s keep it that way?” “Please,” I said. I turned to address the room. “Alright. Let’s go! Get your stuff!” I grabbed three mirror-shards off the wall, pocketed them, then got the goblin-sword and imp-book. The imp-book went in my backpack, along with the bottle and a few of the other stuff. Leave the creepy Blake-doppelganger alone. Don’t think too hard about why it bothers you so much. Fell walked through my apartment with boots on, still wet from being outside, not long ago. He collected the wood from the destroyed chair, using the pieces to fill a trash can, deposited hammer, scissors and nails within, then left the apartment with the can under his arm, not even waiting for us. We were still only a few steps behind him. The elevators were out of order, so we used the stairs. Tough for me, but doable. I did feel better, having Alexis and Ty close. I felt stronger, I was bouncing back… it still sucked, but it could have sucked more. I could be faceplanting like I had outside the factory. Better or not, I still needed to stop partway down. Rose appeared in the reflection of the door. I turned to Ty, who was helping to support me and make sure I didn’t fall down. “Go ahead,” I told him. “You sure?” “Need a private word with Rose, I’ll be right out.” “You too, Evan.” “I can’t fly that far away.” “I know. Just… out of earshot, please.” “‘Kay.” A flutter, and Evan was gone. Sometimes he flew so gracefully, and then there were times like this, where he’d start flying, then flutter violently to reorient himself before he could hit a wall, fly a bit until he was out of sight, below us, followed by another audible flutter. “You okay?” I asked Rose. I nodded. “I’m sorry.” “I need actions, not words. I’m sorry too, but I need reparations.” “What do you need? I freed you. That has to count for something.” “I was only caught because of you. I’ve seen you go out of your way to try to balance the scales with your friends, with the bystander that gave you a ride to Jacob’s Bell. Always fair.” “Why does it feel like you and I aren’t balanced? Like I’m the only person you’re not trying to balance the scales with?” “Yeah. I don’t know either. You’re not denying it seems that way?” “No, I guess not.” “Well, keep it in mind, maybe. Weigh it in your head, and if and when you feel you’re sorry enough to act on it, that’d be cool.” “You should go. It’s almost time, and you don’t want to be near the apartment when this contest starts.” I nodded. “Are we okay? As a unit? A pair?” “No. Third time’s a charm, remember? This is the third major time you’ve undercut me when I was helpless to fight back, and it’s making it really hard for us to be allies, Blake.” “But we’re allies?” “Yeah. I really don’t want to be enemies.” “Do you think that’s in the cards?” “I worry that it has been from the start.” “We did pretty damn good going up against the abstract demon. We didn’t win, but, I mean, fuck me, we could have done a whole lot worse.” “Why can’t we work together like that again?” “We can try.” So many noncommittal answers. “Communicate with me,” I said, my voice low. “There’s no way we can fix this if you’re leaving stuff out. I’ve… I know I’ve maybe shortchanged you here and there. And it’s not equitable, but I’ve consistently tried to be…” I grasped for a word. Honest would be pushing it. “…Straightforward. To act in our mutual interests,” I said. “Sure,” Rose said, with a tone that was unreadable. “You’re not being straightforward. What aren’t you telling me?” “It’s… complicated.” “Conquest. While he had me, he made me tell him everything I didn’t want him to know.” “You told him about the books.” “Yes. And when he ordered me to, I brought them to him. He would have made me summon something.” “The contest here stopped him, right? You got the books back?” “I did, but this only stalled him. If he wins, he gets you, and he gets access to the books all the same.” “Yeah,” I agreed. “Blake, there was more. I told him other things.” “Blake!” A shout from further down the stairs. “Trouble?” I called down. “No. But don’t take too long!” I started to head down the stairs. I grabbed a mirror from my pocket and held it for Rose. I was down half a flight before Rose spoke again. “I told him your weaknesses.” Balls, balls, balls. “You explained how I don’t like physical contact.” “I explained a lot of things, Blake.” “My patterns? Habits? Mindset?” “Blake,” Rose said. “What did you tell him?” I asked. “I’d explain, but I’m really, really worried that if I brought it up here, you’d either never forgive me, or it’d affect your mind and emotions, and fuck you up in this thing that’s happening right now.” “What did you tell him!?” My voice rang through the stairwell, echoing off the walls. “I- I speculated. I told him things that I wasn’t sure on, about why you were the way you were, on a lot of levels. The fact that you don’t like being touched was a part of it.” There they were. The dark, ugly emotions, settled in the pit of my stomach. The betrayal was a new one, separate. I didn’t blame Rose for telling Conquest. Or maybe I did. Maybe I would be lying if I’d said I didn’t blame her out loud. But I didn’t blame her that much. I couldn’t say until I experienced it for myself, but a part of me wondered if she could have resisted more. And I knew that was horribly unfair. No, it was that she hadn’t been upfront about it. That she’d felt like she couldn’t tell me. That was the part that really got to me. That she could very well have let me walk into this without my eyes open, for Conquest to hit me with some custom-made flavor of fuckery, all of the horror and madness that an incarnation of Conquest could bring to bear, designed specifically for me. I was a flawed person. I knew it. Had someone asked before all this started, I would have admitted it. But one of the places I felt most flawed, one of the least comfortable things for me to admit, was just how weak I was at my core. Some people could turn to the ugly incidents in their past and find a kind of strength there. An anger to drive them forward. When I touched that part of myself, even around the edges, I almost always felt like all the strength went out of me. I wanted to be angry enough for it to matter. I drew my arm back, ready to throw the mirror, gripping it so hard that the sharp edges bit into the meat of my fingers. I stopped there, lowering my arm. The tension went out of me, the feelings remained. My arm hung limp at my side. “Blake!” a voice from below. Ty, I was pretty sure. “We need to move!” Rose had wanted equity. For the scales to be balanced, and me to make the effort. She was angry at me, too. She felt betrayed. I kept moving forward without her, and she was there, stuck in reflections. She was struggling to deal, but she was playing ball. Mostly. I could do the same. Or I could try. I was breathing hard, and my body wasn’t in good enough shape to handle the anger well. I was like an old man, my body going well before my mind did. Or maybe I was like a demented old man. Body and mind going, and all there was was the confusion, the anger. The others were in sight, half a flight below me, when I spoke. “Rose?” “We’re going to set up a spot we can defend and regroup at, then split up. Are you okay with coordinating?” “Yeah,” she said. “Thank you. You can move faster than any of us, so do what you can to keep an eye on things.” “I can do that.” We left it at that, by some mutual agreement. The others were gathered in the building lobby as I descended. Evan made his way to my shoulder. “Ghosts across the street,” Fell said. “What does that mean?” I asked. “The Shepherd fosters psychic echoes in an area around him. Rouses things that have gone still, for one last action. He’s close.” “Will he come alone?” I asked. “Usually. But with Conquest giving orders? I wouldn’t guarantee it,” Fell said. “We should go.” “Not complaining,” I said. “Too many of us for one car,” Ty said, “Unless people want to ride in the trunk.” “Knights were our rides,” Alexis said. Losing them sucked. “Does anyone feel brave?” I asked. “You mean suicidal?” Alexis asked. “I know exactly what you’re thinking.” “You should say think you know,” Tiff said, her voice small. She wasn’t so confident in the midst of the group. “Be careful.” “No,” Alexis said, meeting my eyes. “I know.” Holy hell, I’d needed this. My friends were one thing, a connection to me. Like ties that bound me to the rest of the world. This was another. When I was miserable, when I wanted escape, or relief, or if I wanted to stop doing something and do something else entirely, this was my go-to. An escape to myself. My escape from myself, too, if I needed it to be. The light snow covering on the roads flew behind me as my bike tore down the dimly lit city street. There were no lights in the windows. Only the moon above, filtering through the fog, the dim glow of white snow catching the reflected light. I saw not by the light, but by the dark. The road was only a yawning stretch of black speckled by white. My eyes scanned the surface, watching for any dark areas without a faint covering of snow. Riding in winter wasn’t the hardest thing in the world. If the roads were mostly clear, then it wasn’t impossible. The big concern, inevitably, was the other drivers. People were stupid, people in winter conditions were stupider, and the guy on the bike was the guy who got the short end of the stick in those cases. Here, at least, there were no other drivers. The roads were empty, the sidewalks mostly clear. No pedestrians running out from in between parked cars. No being cut off. Tiffany was riding behind me. It wasn’t the romantic sort of ride she’d maybe anticipated. I’d told her that she couldn’t wrap her arms around me, so she leaned back instead, holding the bars behind her seat. I suspected she’d come with me to avoid having to be with the crowd in the car. I also suspected she was regretting the decision. Evan, for his part, was tucked into the ‘v’ where my coat’s zipper parted at the collarbone. He periodically screamed something that might have been spelled with a few dozen letter ‘A’s, lost in the rush of wind and noise of my bike, and periodically laughed, a noise that was easier to make out. I was cold, tense, and I knew I wasn’t as strong or coordinated as I could have been. Visibility could have been better, with the mist and the snowfall. But every second I was on the bike was a second I felt better, recharging my personal batteries, leaving my argument with Rose and the tensions of the night well behind me. I accelerated, and I felt myself feeling better faster. I heard the engine’s volume increase, felt the bike beneath me, reacting. I was leaving the others behind. Rather than slow down, I zig-zagged from one side of the street to the other, tentative at first, then a little more aggressive, reminding myself of how the bike handled, how it handled with a passenger, and getting a feel for the road, all at the same time. Getting closer to the sidewalk, I saw the ghosts. Greater and greater numbers. The Shepherd was closing in. One in the middle of the street, blocking my way. I gave it as wide a berth as possible. A quick glance, then I rode up on the sidewalk. It lunged for me. Flickered, crossed a distance far greater than it should have. An exaggeration of what the person who’d hit him must have experienced. A misjudgment of distance. A moment later, I heard a loud crash. I slowed, glancing over one shoulder. He’d reversed directions, throwing himself into the car with the others. The windshield was cracked, the hood dented, the ghost gone. With every passing second, there were more ghosts on the sidewalks. More psychic echoes. A few were lingering images that seemed to trail after the gaps in the mist. Echoes in the process of being engraved on the fabric of reality. The most miserable, angry, lost individuals. People who might only need a push to leave a mark behind, a ghost. The way the numbers were increasing, I took it to be a sign. We were moving straight toward the Shepherd. I saw a car on the road, meandering. A psychic echo of a vehicle. If it was anything like the ghost who’d thrown itself into Fell’s car, I didn’t trust my ability to avoid getting hit. I flashed my blinkers, signalling for good measure, my arm bent at a right angle, hand up. I turned. Going the wrong way down a one-way street. Had to lead us further away from the Shepherd. It wasn’t the Shepherd that made the first appearance. A dark silhouette, easily six feet tall, broad at the shoulders, dressed in rags. The Eye. Given birth in the 1904 fire of Toronto, a reminder to man that the elements weren’t entirely under our control. It raised its arms, and I saw reality distort. A glimmer of light, an artificial Aurora Borealis. The lights, however, weren’t any natural effect. They were very real city lights. A bright flash lit up the space behind him, showing just how wide the effect was opening. There weren’t many lights on in this spirit world. We weren’t looking at the spirit world. I slowed, pulling a U-turn to put the Eye behind me. The bright flash behind him only got brighter. Headlights. Multiple sets. I was looking over my shoulder, and my focus was partially on getting the bike moving away from him without toppling or driving straight into one of the larger potholes. I didn’t see exactly what happened next. The collision, however, put the impact of one human body against Fell’s car to shame. It was easily two or three hundred feet away, but I could feel it like a punch in the gut, a noise and vibration that momentarily tore my thoughts from my brain. The aftermath wasn’t much prettier. One car, virtually airborne, followed by chunks big enough to dash my brains in, flipped halfway-over in midair, then hit the road, roof-first. No illusions about what might have happened to the person inside. The other car squealed, fishtailing before running up and over a bike rack that was bolted to the sidewalk, half-turning to skid back onto the road. Another flash, like a stroke of lightning, except this flash, too, was headlights. Not from behind the Eye, this time. A squeal, and a car, coming the opposite direction, hit the car that had run over the bike rack. I saw flickers, brief psychic echoes of pedestrians who had been hit. The gap yawned larger, and I could see the people on the other side. I could hear the screams, shouts of alarm. See people running towards the three-car pileup. Oblivious to the Eye, who walked down the length of the road. Approaching the second crashed car. It might have been the least damaged of all the cars. The bike rack had gutted it, torn into the underbelly. It would need work, but… …But the Eye was moving toward it with purpose. “Off, Tiff!” I shouted. “Get off! Now!” Rather gracelessly, I pushed her to get her off faster, simultaneously turning myself around for the second time in ten seconds. Back toward the Eye. “Evan, clear the way!” He said something, but I didn’t hear it over the sound of the engine coming to life. I saw him circle, and pointed. Used my arm to point, so there was no doubt. The bike soared toward the crashed cars and the Eye. My eyes roved over the scene, trying to see the very real woman who was in the driver’s seat, trying and failing to open the door. As I got closer, I could see the pedestrians. Evan flew through them, darting left, then right, and pushed them to the side with the weight of a small boy, the speed of an unladen sparrow. I rode onto the sidewalk, shifting to a one-handed grip, letting go of the clutch. No way this would work. The Eye didn’t give me a chance for a sudden rescue. He touched the car before I could grab the driver and pull her out of the window. The gutted underbelly had leaked gas, against all odds, and the Eye had ignited it. The rolling eruption of flame knocked me over. I could hear the screams. The driver and many of the bystanders who’d tried to help were caught, and onlookers experienced pain of another sort. Horror. Another small eruption, the car rocking to one side, partially rolling over. I tried to get to my feet and failed. I was stronger than I had been, but that didn’t count for much. No. It wasn’t pure coincidence, that second eruption. The Eye was in the midst of the flame, wading through, using one hand to push at the flaming vehicle, rolling it out of the way. He was coming for me. 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__label__cc	0.748642	0.251358	Live Review: Bloxx, Liverpool Posted by popped music on April 18, 2019 · Leave a Comment Bloxx, APRE, Rivia, and Courting Phase One, Liverpool, 17 April 2019 Words and Photographs by Gary Lambert A Bloxx gig is always a reason for celebration, so we were so pleased to be spending Wednesday night with the London four-piece at Phase One in Liverpool. It’s a healthy sign of the constant expansion of the band that when we turned up before the doors had opened in order to say hello to the gang people were already queueing outside. Well loitering more as they lacked in queue discipline somewhat, but they were there well before 7pm regardless. First of two local support acts was Courting. As well as being named after my favourite term for going on dates, the young band performed admirably with a mix of traditional northern English indie and some more extravagant guitar play that seemed inspired by their parents’ record collections. As you would expect from a young band like this, it was not a polished performance by any means; but there was more than enough to make a few of us in the courtyard during the change over express how impressed we had been by then. I think the odd mis-step actually worked in their favour as it brought to mind the vast majority of the set that they had got spot on. They were even joined by a special guest in Charity Shop Pop who came on stage to play cowbell on the last track. The second local support act was Rivia who played like their life depended on it. Their music was a real contrast to that offered by the other three bands as the inspiration for Rivia seemed to be the likes of Foo Fighters and Guns n Roses. There was nothing left in the tank by the end of their set, and they were cheered on by a large following. To be fair to the band, it is quite a balancing act for such a band as they try to be stadium rock without the stadium as there are so many elements that can go wrong. They can seem too pastiche, too comical, full of self-importance, but they handled it well for the most part. It was just as the set progressed and the band grew in confidence, I wanted them to rein themselves in a little bit. It was a definite contrast to APRE and their smooth indie pop. It was sad to see that the fans of the previous support bands preferred to spend the set outside in the courtyard rather than one of the most enjoyable sets possible from a band who are getting better by the day. The two-piece / four-piece have been on tour with Bloxx and their sound has been smoothed and sharpened by regular playing. It was nice to see that it was their bassist’s birthday yet again, but it gets a cheer so I hope he has more birthdays than the Queen. I can’t help but think that quickly this band is going to explode into the consciousness of many, many more music fans as there is something for everybody in their music. They’ve got a massive, massive hit in their near future I’m sure. Now Bloxx are a band going from strength to strength, and you get the impression that they know it too. Ophelia is a consummate frontwoman who never stops enjoying herself and acts as the link between Paul, Taz and Moz throughout sharing guitar battles, grins, laughs and thoroughly makes you wish that you could be up on stage with them. It is more noticeable than ever that Bloxx have a real rock star vibe to them too. Not because of Taz’s sunglasses (he’s not gone Bono wearing shades indoors, he’s just got a poorly eye at the moment), but there is a massive swagger to how they play. Everything is there to create a reaction within their fans. You see them making eye contact with people that makes that person feel like they’ve had their own special moment, and everything is done with the sort of smile you have after a successful date when you’re trying to play it cool, but you can’t control your face. Whilst we had the likes of Headspace and Coke as you would expect, for me the most symbolic moment of the levels Bloxx are reaching at present was their performance of “a song that’s not a song”. As Fee put it, “we were messing around with this is soundcheck the other day, and it’s become the best sounding joke ever” as the performed a new piece that I didn’t make note of the name of, but the premise is that it is actually a poem set to music rather than a song. Now if that is not the indication of a band who are brimming with swag and self-belief, I don’t know what is. It’s always a highlight of the week watching Bloxx, but do you know what makes the week even better? When you’re seeing Bloxx on Saturday in Manchester too. Smug face emoji Filed under 2019, Blog Post, Live Review, New Music, Review · Tagged with APRE, Beach 91, blog, bloxx, Chess Club, Chess Club Records, Coke, Courting, Everyone’s Commute, festival, gig, gig review, Headspace, Headspace EP, jacaranda records, Live, Live Music, Live Review, Liverpool, London, Music, music blog, new music, new music blog, Phase One, popped, popped music, poppedmusic, Review, Rivia, Tour, when in manchester ← Album Review: Fontaines DC – Dogrel Interview: The K’s → Like what you hear? Don't like what you hear? .... tell us... here: Cancel reply	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2677
__label__wiki	0.698481	0.698481	The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation Preserving Place and Community for Future Generations Missouri’s History Through Its Courthouses 2019 Conference- St. Joseph Missouri Courthouses: Building Memories on the Square We Advocate Historic Tax Credits Honor Awards 2019 Honor Awards Places in Peril Places in Peril 2019 Missouri’s Most Endangered 2014 2018 Conference– Sedalia 2017 Conference– Hannibal 2015 Conference- Cape Girardeau 2014 Conference-Excelsior Springs Preservation Resource Directory Helpful Handouts Historic Real Estate From Historical Novice to Obsessed Preservationist Today, I have a website called ColumbiaHistoricHomes.com that has had 10,000 visitors a year. The site features dozens of pages and hundreds of entries about everything from the economics of historic preservation to black history. Not bad for someone who only a few years ago didn’t even know what a historic building was or that the National Register of Historic Places existed. But my greatest accomplishment came this summer when I was asked to give a program at the Columbia Public Library on our city’s hidden histories and mysteries. It drew about 50 people; I debunked a number of Columbia’s favorite historic myths by citing primary documents, shocking most of those in the audience. DESTROYING MYTHS, USING DOCUMENTS One of the myths was that David Guitar served in the Confederate forces while his brother Odon Guitar served in the Union Forces. People credited this family connection for the preservation from the fires of the Civil War of the antebellum Guitar mansion. But using the digitized military records of David Guitar, I showed both he and his brother served in the Union forces. Anyone can see who and where someone served during the Civil War via Missouri’s Digital Heritage. The highlight of my summer was attending the Missouri Preservation Conference in Sedalia, an honor I secured by applying for a scholarship supported by credentials I’d earned almost by accident since 2010. THE ACCIDENTAL HISTORIAN I’ve come a long way since I stumbled upon Columbia’s Most Notable Properties list, a city program designed to highlight historic properties. Despite the fact that I was a reporter, I’d never heard of it, although it was 10 years old when I discovered it and there had been annual galas celebrating the annual additions of properties to the list along with extensive media coverage. Color me clueless. It all started in 2010. I was working as a freelance journalist for the Columbia Business Times, a bi-weekly business magazine in Columbia, Missouri. David Reed, the editor at the time asked me to look into the Columbia’s Most Notable Properties list, following the recent gala. A program of the Columbia City Council’s Historic Preservation Commission, properties named to the list must be more than 50 years old, within the city limits and have some important historic city tie so that it plays a “part in the history of architectural influences that help identify Columbia,” according to the Most Notable Properties brochure on the City of Columbia’s website. A few calls later, I had a list of the Notable Properties, all 120 of them but I couldn’t make heads or tails out of what I had. The list included cemeteries, government buildings, a chapel and houses. So I started a website to help me keep track of the information I was collecting. Really. ColumbiaHistoricHomes.com was started as my version of an online filing system. After creating an Excel file with all the properties on the list, organized into various categories, I called my editor back and told him, “I’ve got these lists of buildings, some are commercial, some are public and some are just houses and I don’t know what to do with them.” I credit my editor’s reply with everything that has happened since: He said, “You’ve got some lists, we’ll create some boxes, you find some information and we’ve got a story.” MY SKILLS: WILLINGNESS TO MAKE TELEPHONE CALLS AND ASK QUESTIONS At this point, my main skills were my willingness as a reporter to make some calls to ask questions – and a willingness to admit to being ignorant. One of the buildings on the list was the Berry Building, a recent preservation project completed by John Ott. I asked him why he renovated the building and he explained that the brick warehouse project made sense economically — for him and for Columbia. He told me that prior to the renovation, the building yielded the rent from four tenants. After the project, it had two dozen lessors. “There’s no question about the economic development advantages of restoring historic buildings,” Ott said, as I quoted in in this article. As a reporter, I double-checked the information. Could preservation be a good idea economically? A 2001 report published by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources confirmed what Ott had told me and more: historic rehabilitation provides more employment per dollar than new construction. Everyone likes an economic success story and I did, too. MYSTERY IS MY JAM That was the first business preservation story I wrote, but it wasn’t the last. And as I kept reporting (calling people and asking questions), I realized that it wasn’t the history that hooked me but the mystery of it all. While I’d been walking by the Berry Building for years, having a beer or two or three in the Blue Note and passing by dozens of historic building, I’d hadn’t a clue as to the story behind these buildings. For example, the Berry Building was built in the 1920s as a grocery warehouse, where goods were dropped off via the railroad siding and delivered throughout Columbia via truck. The Blue Note, a downtown nightclub also on the Most Notable Properties list, had started out as the Varsity Theatre in the 1930s – one of several theatres downtown at the time. ADDICTED TO INFORMATION Before I knew it, it was like eating peanuts, I couldn’t stop. In March 2010, another editor asked me to look into the J.W. “Blind” Boone house that was undergoing renovations by the City of Columbia. I learned that Boone was the offspring of a contraband slave and a Union Army bugler. His eyes were removed when he was a child in a surgical attempt to treat a fever. That part of his story was well known. But I’d never known he was also a classical musician who also played the then popular music, ragtime – and before his 1927 death, one of the wealthiest men in Columbia. Despite being an African American during a time of rampant racism, he’d travelled all over the country and made a fortune. It was this kind of hidden history – Boone’s house is a half block from Broadway, Columbia’s main street — that clinched the deal and my interest in historic preservation. I’d been walking by, driving by and even walking and driving on history for years but never knew it. FEEDING MY HUNGER FOR HISTORY AND MYSTERY I kept getting assignments to write about historic places and over and over, and I fell in love with the hidden history of Columbia. I wrote about the historic theatres of Columbia – who knew that businessmen used to go to the movies during the day. I wrote about a former furniture/funeral building and a former shoe factory that later became airplane propeller a sporting goods factory until today it’s a beautiful office space. But not all of this reporting fit into the word count of my articles, so I kept adding to the website. NOT ALL THE NEWS WAS GOOD And not all the stories turned out to have happy endings. The Hamilton-Brown Shoe factory was our city’s first effort to lure manufacturing but as a shoe factory, it turned out to be a public health hazard, according to the 1916 Columbia Missourian coverage. In 2014, I wrote about rock quarries and learned that Columbia had once had eight different brick manufacturers. The last one turned out 35,000 bricks a day in 1971 before it closed in 1984. Now its former kilns are under one of Columbia’s discount stores but the bricks and the output of all our quarries and brickworks are still visible when you drive throughout Columbia and see the brick stores downtown and the White Campus of the University of Missouri. I also learned frightening information. While collecting historic information on quarries, I found out that quarries weren’t regulated until the 1970s, so there may be a filled-in quarry just about anywhere. That’s when I became obsessed with hidden history. LEARNING ALONG THE WAY As I continued to write about historic buildings, I had to learn a lot. For example, for one piece I had to learn how to trace deeds and property records using the Boone County Assessor’s records. There I debunked a myth about a beloved historic home on West Boulevard, which is often called the Hansel and Gretel house. Hansel and Gretel House While everyone believed and published accounts stated it had been built from oaks on the property cut down by Arch McHarg, the deeds and property records showed the house was built before McHarg bought it — but it really does indeed have a log cabin inside it! I also learned that the unique string-pull lock on the front door did not hail from those long ago, once frontier home days, but from a fanciful owner who thought it would be funny to add a string-drawn latch. I learned through research that appearances can be deceiving. Who would think a formidable stone, Foursquare house had been moved across the street. Turns out that the two-story home at 2000 S. Country Club Drive was moved across the road in 1924 so its builder, Berry McAlester, the son of the founder of MU’s Medical School, could have the view he preferred for a better and bigger house – with a ballroom on the third floor. ASKING FOR HELP WORKS Along the way, I got to know scores of great people and organizations including Missouri Preservation, the state Historic Preservation Office, the Missouri State Historical Society, the MU Archives, the Boone County Historical Society and scores of others. I learned how to use various tools through classes at the Columbia Library and getting to know people who know so much more than I do like Deb Sheals. I’m a geeky sort, so once I found the National Register of Historic Places documents, I was smitten. The documents are so much more than dates and dull facts. The narratives, lists and maps area are like taking a walk through history. For example, documents on areas like Downtown Broadway tell about businesses that once buzzed in our downtown buildings. Who knew that the flattop haircut was invented in 1942 in the Tiger Barbershop, which is still there. Or that Columbia’s Chamber of Commerce got its start in the Virginia Building, now the Atkins Centre? Or that there are buildings downtown that are now one story, but were once three stories – and some that were one story and are now three story buildings? Or an 1870’s building has prism glass designed to multiply existing light. Of course, not all the news is good. Did you know it’s impossible to correct a mistake in a NRHP document? For example, the NRHP document about the David Guitar home erroneously concludes he served in the Confederate forces, although it states he was in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. Factual errors like that make me itch! But my obsession with historic preservation has also given me so many gifts. Along the way, I got involved with Missouri Preservation, the National Trust for Preservation, a national nonprofit, and local organizations. I recently became a volunteer on the Mayor’s Task Force on the Bicentennial Celebration, or CoMo200, which will help plan three years of festivities to mark the founding of Columbia, Missouri. I also have new ambitions: I want write a book about the history of Columbia describing the little known hidden history while debunking the myths that have grown up with the city. But for now, I’m going to keep adding to my website. Who knows? Maybe all those pages and posts could make up a nice book about Columbia’s history. Not bad for someone who didn’t even know what a Most Notable Property was eight years ago! Dianna O'Brien Journalist. Teacher. Traveler. I’m still driven to find that one last surprising detail, fact or figure, whether it’s about frozen food packaging or the history of Columbia, Missouri. I reveal the hidden history, myths and mysteries of CoMo at columbiahistorichomes.com. In 2017, I published a book I wrote with Charles W. Gehrke about his life as an analyst of the moon rocks from the Apollo missions and his founding of ABC Labs, now Eurofins, a global firm. Read more at melonfields.com http://columbiahistorichomes.com/ also on Facebook as ComoHistoricPlaces http://diannaobrien.com Tags: blog, Columbia Historic Homes, Columbia Missouri, Columbia's Most Notable Properties, CoMo, Hansel and Gretel House, historic preservation, history and mystery, local history, Missouri's Digital Heritage Previous Your Historic Home’s Windows Were Made to be Repaired, Not Replaced Next Save a Historic Bridge! 319 North 4th St	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2678
__label__wiki	0.805066	0.805066	Josh Turner All Our Favorite People Platinum-selling country star Josh Turner tells us about his long-awaited gospel album, “I Serve a Savior.” The project features brand-new songs, including the title track, as well as Josh’s unique take on spiritual classics “I Saw the Light” and “How Great Thou Art.” His four sons appear on the album’s song, “River of Happiness,” too. We also dig into Josh’s very active home life, which he describes as “a reality show that’s not on TV.” 2019 All Our Favorite People	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2680
__label__wiki	0.951658	0.951658	U.S. commander: Islamic State hold in Syria, Iraq on verge of collapse WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is expected to declare near-total triumph over the Islamic State group in Syria in his State of the Union address Tuesday, but U.S. defense officials are increasingly fearful that the militants are simply biding their time until the Americans leave the battlefield as planned. IS militants have lost territory since Trump’s surprise announcement in December that he was pulling U.S. forces out, but military officials warn the fighters could regroup within six months to a year after the Americans leave. A Defense Department watchdog report released Monday warned of just such a possibility. IS “remains a potent force of battle-hardened and well-disciplined fighters that ‘could likely resurge in Syria’ absent continued counterterrorism pressure,” the report from the inspector general said. The top commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, Gen. Joseph Votel, told a Senate committee on Tuesday that of the 34,000 square miles of territory that IS once held, it now controls less than 20 square miles. U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Joseph Votel arrives at a hearing on Capitol Hill. (Photo Credit: AP) “It is important to understand that even though this territory has been reclaimed, the fight against ISIS and violent extremists is not over and our mission has not changed,” Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “The coalition’s hard-won battlefield gains can only be secured by maintaining a vigilant offensive against the now largely dispersed and disaggregated ISIS that retains leaders, fighters, facilitators, resources and the profane ideology that fuels their efforts.” Votel said there are now between 1,000 and 1,500 IS fighters in the small area they still control in the southern part of the Euphrates River Valley near the Iraqi border. The remainder, he said, have “dispersed” and “gone to ground,” suggesting they retain the potential to return. Trump’s decision to leave Syria, which he initially said would be rapid but later slowed down, shocked U.S. allies and led to the resignations of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the top envoy to the anti-IS coalition, Brett McGurk. Votel was asked at Tuesday’s hearing whether he was asked for his advice about a Syria withdrawal before Trump announced his decision. “I was not consulted,” the general said. The withdrawal will fulfill Trump’s goal of bringing troops home from Syria, but military leaders have pushed back for months, arguing that IS remains a threat and could regroup. U.S. policy has been to keep troops in place until the extremists are eradicated. Fears that IS fighters are making strategic maneuvers ahead of a U.S. pullout could also fuel criticism that Trump is telegraphing his military plans—the same thing he accused President Barack Obama of doing in Afghanistan. U.S. officials in recent weeks say IS has lost 99.5 percent of its territory and is holding on to fewer than 10 square kilometers of turf in Syria—an area smaller than New York’s Central Park. In late November and December that figure had been estimated at between 400 and 600 square kilometers, according to officials briefed on the matter. But several defense officials said Monday that many fighters fled to ungoverned spaces and other pockets in the north and in the west and are likely hiding out until they can regroup. Trump said in a weekend interview that the caliphate is “almost knocked out.” “We’re at 99 percent right now, we’ll be at 100,” he said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” U.S. officials say that IS fighters hold only several villages in the Middle Euphrates River Valley that amount to significantly less than 10 square kilometers. But, they say they don’t expect that area to be cleared of militants for another several weeks, at best. Officials say that overall, there are about 2,000 IS militants in Syria. The Defense Department watchdog report warned that even with the IS forces on the run, the group “is still able to coordinate offensives and counter-offensives, as well as operate as a decentralized insurgency.” The report, which covers October through December 2018, also includes a classified section that was provided to Congress and includes a more detailed Pentagon assessment on the impact of the troops withdrawal and the status of IS militants and other foreign fighters in Syria. According to the report, U.S. Central Command believes that IS fighters will continue to conduct “opportunistic attacks” on U.S. troops as they withdraw. And it says, “If Sunni socio-economic, political, and sectarian grievances are not adequately addressed by the national and local governments of Iraq and Syria it is very likely that ISIS will have the opportunity to set conditions for future resurgence and territorial control.” Central Command said that the Islamic State group is “regenerating key functions and capabilities more quickly in Iraq than in Syria,” but unless there is sustained counter-terrorism pressure, IS militants “could likely re-surge in Syria within six to twelve months and regain limited territory” in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. Despite Trump’s order to withdraw, American officials maintain that the goal remains the “enduring defeat” of the Islamic State group and are moving ahead with a long-planned meeting of top diplomats from the 79-member U.S.-led anti-IS coalition this week. The aim of the conference is to recommit the coalition to that aim and ensure that the departure of U.S. troops does not overly complicate that mission. Trump is expected to speak to the gathered foreign ministers at the State Department-hosted conference on Wednesday and is widely expected to reiterate and expand on his anti-IS message from the State of the Union, officials said.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2683
__label__cc	0.714982	0.285018	Roman Empire & Emperors Roman Emperors - Which emperor would you choose to be your leader? Time Frame: 1-2 class periods Whatever you need to make posters Biographies: Nero, Trajan, Diocletian, Constantine, Valens – (one copy cut up to hand out one biography per group), and then one per student at the end for class discussion (bios can be cut down at that point; this per student handout is to remind them of who's who for discussion.) START CLASS: Say: In ancient Rome, the government was very different during the Empire than it was under the Republic. There was still a Senate, but the current emperor could take away or give power to the Senate. The Assembly was gone. It was never a building. The Assembly was the right of the common man to assembly in the forum and vote. Vote for what? They did not pick the emperor, and the emperor was all-powerful. During the 500 years that Rome was an Empire, there were lots of emperors, some good, and some bad. Some took power by force. Some inherited the job from their fathers. Some emperors died by natural causes. Some were killed in wars. Some were murdered. Ask: What makes a good leader. (Quick discussion.) Say: Let's take a look at one Roman Emperor, Emperor Nero, and see if you think he was a good leader based on the information provided in these two short, cartoon, PowerPoints. Show presentations: Nero at the Circus Maximus Nero Goes Insane Ask: Would you say that Emperor Nero was a good leader? Say: Today, we’re going to run political campaigns, working in groups. I am going to give you a biography of one Roman emperor. Your group's job is to get your candidate elected as emperor – not by the people of Rome, because the vote is gone. The people in this class will vote with a show of hands for their favorite candidate based on the campaigns. Majority rules. You may choose to work against your assigned candidate, because you believe he would make a very bad emperor. But be careful. In these dangerous times, you would not want your candidate to know you are working against him. Your campaign promises must sound positive on the surface. You will need to create two things - a campaign poster and a short speech with campaign promises. For example, a slogan might be Nero’s Our Hero. To go along with that, you would create a couple of campaign promises in your speech that supported Nero as a hero. Good Luck in the elections! Divide your class into four groups. Give each group a biography of a real Roman emperor. Give students time to create their campaign based on the information in the biography they were handed. If some of your students wish to take Nero as their candidate, divide the class into five groups, but tell the Nero group that their slogan cannot be Nero is a Hero. They have to create their own slogan. Allow each group time to present their candidate. Once all candidates have been presented, have the class vote with a show of hands. Tally their votes accurately. Announce the totals accurately. Then award the election to a candidate not of their choosing. For example, if Constantine gets the most votes, announce Nero as the new emperor, even if he is not running Remind students that the common man had no voice in government. Read each biography aloud to the class. Compare the election promises with the biography as presented in the handout. Was the candidate presented accurately? CLASS DISCUSSION: Suggested Handout, shortened bios. One per student. (See below.) Does it make sense to classify the emperors as good or bad? Which emperor was the hardest to judge? Which system of government do you think worked better for the ancient Romans, the Republic or the Empire? What do we expect from our leaders today? Suggested Handout, shortened bios NERO - He started out as a good ruler, but he went insane. He murdered his mother and his wife. He threw thousands of Christians to the lions. He ordered some members of the Senate to kill themselves. The Senate ordered his execution. Nero heard about it, and killed himself. TRAJAN - He was the first emperor who was not from Italy. He was Spanish. He was a great conqueror. Under his rule, the empire grew, and covered more geography than at any other time. DIOCLETIAN - He split the Roman Empire in half. The Western Roman Empire (Europe) included the city of Rome. The Eastern Roman Empire (Arab countries) included the city of Byzantium. Each half had an emperor, but one was the senior emperor, in charge. CONSTANTINE - He was the first Christian emperor. He chose to live in the Eastern Roman Empire, and chose his capital to be the small town Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. Rome became less and less important to the Eastern Roman Empire. VALENS - He allowed the Visigoths (Goths) to settle in the Danube region of the Western Roman Empire. He promised these settlers that Rome would help with food and shelter. He did not keep his promises. The Visigoths rebelled. It was the beginning of the end of Rome.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2686
__label__wiki	0.851678	0.851678	Jimmy Panetta & Ralph Norman Compare the voting records of Jimmy Panetta and Ralph Norman in 2017-18. Jimmy Panetta Represented California's 20th Congressional District. This is his 1st term in the House. Jimmy Panetta and Ralph Norman are from different parties and disagreed on 66 percent of votes in the 115th Congress (2017-18). But they didn't always disagree. Out of 859 votes in the 115th Congress, they agreed on 288 votes, including 43 major votes. Sept. 7, 2018 — Community Safety and Security Act June 15, 2018 — Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act June 14, 2018 — THRIVE Act On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amdt to the House Amdt to the Senate Amdt Feb. 9, 2018 — The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Dec. 1, 2017 — Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act Sept. 28, 2017 — Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017 Dec. 21, 2018 — Space Frontier Act of 2019 Dec. 20, 2018 — Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions Act Dec. 10, 2018 — George W. Bush Childhood Home Study Act Dec. 10, 2018 — Urging the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the historical significance of Roberto Clemente’s place of death near Pinones in Loiza, Puerto Rico, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places Nov. 13, 2018 — Gulf Islands National Seashore Land Exchange Act Jan. 20, 2018 — Waiving a Requirement of Clause 6(A) of Rule XIII with Respect to Consideration of Certain Resolutions Reported from the Committee on Rules, and Providing for Consideration of Motions to Suspend the Rules Jan. 11, 2018 — Counter Terrorist Network Act Oct. 10, 2017 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 New Chardon Street Lobby in Boston, Massachusetts, as the “John Fitzgerald Kennedy Post Office” Oct. 10, 2017 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4514 Williamson Trail in Liberty, Pennsylvania, as the “Staff Sergeant Ryan Scott Ostrom Post Office” Sept. 7, 2017 — Thompson of Pennsylvania Amendment No. 15 Sept. 7, 2017 — Castro of Texas Part B Amendment No. 75 July 26, 2017 — Takano of California Amendment No. 7	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2689
__label__wiki	0.69986	0.69986	SELL WITHByOwner Login to your account x Post It. Buy It. Rent It. Find It. Login List My Home Call 1-800-Byowner (800-296-9637) No Min $50K $100K $125K $150K $175K $200K $225K $250K $275K $300K $325K $350K $375K $400K $425K $450K $475K $500K $550K $600K $650K $700K $750K $800K $850K $900K $950K $1M $1.25M $1.50M $1.75M $2M $2.25M $2.50M $2.75M $3M $3.25M $3.50M $3.75M $4M $4.25M $4.50M $4.75M $5M $6M $7M $8M $9M $10M No Max $50K $100K $125K $150K $175K $200K $225K $250K $275K $300K $325K $350K $375K $400K $425K $450K $475K $500K $550K $600K $650K $700K $750K $800K $850K $900K $950K $1M $1.25M $1.50M $1.75M $2M $2.25M $2.50M $2.75M $3M $3.25M $3.50M $3.75M $4M $4.25M $4.50M $4.75M $5M $6M $7M $8M $9M $10M Min +0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Homes Condos Townhouse Multi-Family Mobile Villa Apartment Land Other FSBO Only (26) Most Recent Price (Lowest First) Price (Highest First) Date (Newest First) Date (Oldest First) Glencrest Way Condos For Sale By Owner (0 Homes) We do not have any active properties in Glencrest Way. See recent sold properties below. Glencrest Way 0 Search Result(s) Glencrest Way Condos For Sale By Owner Homes For Sale 471 Condos For Sale 47 Land For Sale 30 Vacation Rental Homes9 Sold Homes 14837 Under Contract Homes 455 Waterfront Homes 8 Golf Course Homes 1 Nearby Subdivisions Manchester Place 15 Edgewater 11 Elyse Springs 11 Rivershyre 9 No Recorded Subdivision 8 Knollwood Lakes 7 The Orchards At Sunny Hill 7 City View 6 Great River At Tribble Mill 5 The Preserve 5 Steeplechase 4 Villages At Huntcrest 4 Tapestry Ridge 4 Cramac Plantation 4 King Trace 4 Flowers Crossing 4 Chadwick Lake 4 Bailey Farms 3 Suwanee396 Dacula304 Snellville279 Duluth191 Lilburn139 Grayson118 Tucker107 Peachtree Corners69 Pine Lake9 FSBO & MLS FSBO Only 26 MLS Only 417 Lawrenceville Flat Fee MLS Learn More About Glencrest Way, Georgia Currently there are 471 homes for sale, 47 condos and apartments for sale and 30 vacant land for sale in Glencrest Way Glencrest Way is a subdivision within the city of Lawrenceville, Georgia. There are currently Homes for Sale within Glencrest Way, with asking prices ranging from $0 to $0. The average list price per square foot of the available inventory in Glencrest Way is $0, which is above the Lawrenceville average of $0. of the available Glencrest Way inventory. The population of Glencrest Way, according to the 2010 Census, is 28,546. The total number of households in the zip code of Glencrest Way is 25,997, with an average household size for of 2.96 people. The total number of renter households within the zip code of is 6,494, which means that 75.02% of households in this zipcode are owner occupant households. Disclaimer: Listing broker has attempted to offer accurate data, but buyers/lessees are advised to confirm all information IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use that it may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing, and that data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The MLS may, at its discretion, require use of other disclaimers as necessary to protect Participants and/or the MLS from liability. 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__label__wiki	0.610577	0.610577	Modern History Theses The Layburnes and their world, circa 1620-1720: the English Catholic community and the House of Stuart AlisonWrightPhDThesis.pdf (20.36Mb) Wright, F. Alison This thesis concerns Catholics in north-western England in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, in particular the Layburne family of Cunswick, Cumbria. It examines their role in local society and at the courts of the Stuart queens in London and St Germains. It traces their growing commitment to the Jacobite cause and their hopes of thereby regaining positions of influence at court and in the country. The north-western Tory gentry's sympathy with their Catholic counterparts is contrasted with the treatment given to the Quakers in the same area. The latter were regarded as a danger to the fabric of society, representing an economic and political threat to the government. As an example of how integrated the Catholics were, the services in Kendal parish church were more Papist than non-conformist, even under the Protectorate. At the Restoration the Catholics continued to contribute to the upkeep of the church and were well-regarded in the area. The Layburnes occupied positions during the reign of James II, both in the north-west and at court. Bishop John Laybume acted as James II's Catholic bishop, and had also been involved in the Secret Treaty of Dover in 1670, under Charles II. during James II's reign bishop Layburne had organised the funding of Catholic chapels, clergy and education. This activity was discovered and used in the prosecution of Catholic gentry in the trials following the Lancashire Plot (1694). On acquittal, the Jacobites vigorously renewed their plotting in Lancashire. Planning for a Jacobite invasion reached its culmination in the 1715 Rising, only to end with the siege of Preston. Despite some executions and the forfeiture of estates, many Catholic Jacobite families survived the 1715 rising. Few rose in 1745 and many Catholic families, with the exception of the Layburnes, prospered and continue to this day. Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported Except where otherwise noted within the work, this item's license for re-use is described as Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2695
__label__wiki	0.624591	0.624591	Home Health & Medicine Brain Diseases & Disorders Installing New Solar Panels Inside Your Head Installing New Solar Panels Inside Your Head Optogenetics add "solar panel" genes to brain cells to control their activity, and this could shed new light on how to treat various brain conditions. April 2.19 \| Transcript [PDF] “The brain is really complicated. A cubic millimetre of your brain will have a hundred thousand cells called neurons, connected by a billion connections called synapses. It’s the most complicated computer we can think of.” Edward Boyden, professor of neurotechnology at the MIT McGovern Institute, won the 2018 Canada Gairdner International Award for his discovery of optogenetics: a technique that illuminates how the brain works, in hopes of uncovering better strategies to treat brain diseases and disorders. Using optogenetics and other physics- and chemistry-based strategies, Boyden is trying to map the brain and all its wires and connections. His techniques can also be applied to control the brain and find ways to repair it. “It turns out that genes, pieces of DNA, in the natural environment actually encode little solar panels: molecules that convert light into electricity,” says Boyden. “And it’s important to know that brain cells compute using electricity.” That means that using optogenetics, researchers can introduce these solar panel genes to brain cells, and that they can then activate them directly by shining light on selected parts of the brain. Boyden first takes these special genes from many sources, including bacteria, fungi, and algae. Borrowing from gene therapy methods, he then adds these genes to brain cells so that he can manipulate them. “That’s how we can activate memories, shut down seizures, all sorts of other mysteries of the brain that we can solve by perturbing in a causal way what’s happening within the brain,” adds Boyden. These experiments can show how activating certain areas or patterns of activity in the brain influence its function. While optogenetics is designed for research use, Boyden is also manipulating the brain using light and sound in other innovative ways. “My colleague Li-Huei Tsai has used our technology to discover a pattern of brain waves that activates the brain’s immune system,” says Boyden. “This brain wave will actually turn on cells called microglia, and these go out and clean up the junk that builds up in Alzheimer’s disease.” Activating this repair mechanism could have major implications for treating disease without using drugs. “Inspired by that, we have been designing movies that people can watch that would activate the same pattern of brain activity, and maybe help treat Alzheimer’s disease,” adds Boyden. “We’ve begun the human trials already.” Treating Alzheimer’s with light and sound to manipulate the brain could represent a big shift in the treatment paradigms currently under investigation. These therapeutic movies have shown remarkable improvement in mouse models, and have been shown to be safe when shown to healthy human volunteers. The next step is to test the same technology with early-stage Alzheimer’s patients. “Over a billion people around the world have some kind of brain condition, and basically nothing can be cured,” says Boyden. “So if we could help people with Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia, depression and addiction, epilepsy and Parkinson’s along the way, that would make me very happy.” Karyn Ho Research2Reality is a groundbreaking initiative that shines a spotlight on world-class scientists engaged in innovative and leading edge research in Canada. Our video series is continually updated to celebrate the success of researchers who are establishing the new frontiers of science and to share the impact of their discoveries with the public. Family-Friendly Discoveries Driving Wonder with Science Securing our Digital Future	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2696
__label__wiki	0.670252	0.670252	Supermodel Naomi Campbell Will Receive the Fashion Icon Award at the 2019 British Fashion Awards We’ve all been calling supermodel Naomi Campbell an icon since the 90s, but now it’s official. Well, at least according to the British Fashion Council. The group will bestow its Fashion Icon Award on Naomi at this year’s British Fashion Awards on December 2. With more than 30 years of experience under her belt, this isn’t the first time Naomi achieved icon status. The CFDA Fashion Awards already gave her the title last year. More than just a model, Naomi has spent her career pushing for diversity and equality on the runways and in the fashion industry as a whole (she surprisingly only recently landed her first beauty campaign). And her philanthropic efforts are quite extraordinary. She founded Fashion For Relief to aid disaster victims worldwide and its runway show fundraisers are just as thrilling as anything fashion week has to offer. She’s also pushing for more African designers to be recognized through her work with ARISE Fashion Week in Lagos. We can’t wait to see Naomi accept her award in December. Previous 8 Key Summer Trouser Styles (And How To Wear Them) Next Kim Kardashian Gets Into the Shapewear Game With Kimono Solutionwear	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2700
__label__cc	0.702752	0.297248	India’s Decision on Fighter Jets Disappoints U.S., But Should Not Surprise By Deepa M. Ollapally The Indian Defense Ministry’s announcement that it has shortlisted two European fighter jets, shutting out two American competitors from Lockheed Martin and Boeing, for its once in a generation purchase of 126 multi-combat aircrafts may be disappointing, but not surprising. This has as much to with what is seen as the technical superiority of the Eurofighter (UK, Spain, Italy and Germany) and Dassault’s Rafale (France), as much as New Delhi’s attempts to stay clear of perceived geopolitical undertones involved in buying Lockheed’s F-16 and Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet. Despite the very real improvement in relations between India and the U.S., India seems to have fallen back to its longstanding instinct for strategic autonomy. In a domestic context where there has been an intense debate taking place over the last five plus years about India’s new and growing role as a rising power—especially about how close is close enough to the U.S—the “safest” course of action for Manmohan Singh’s government was to do what it did. Simply put, a purchase from Europeans is seen in purely commercial terms, while any major deal with the Americans immediately takes on strategic and political meaning in India. Prime Minister Singh had already gone out on a limb in 2008 when he put his government on the line with a vote of confidence over the US-India civil nuclear deal. This unprecedented deal with a price tag of $11 billion had led to enormous lobbying over several years by all the potential suppliers, most noticeably by the American companies. From Washington, there was an implicit, if not explicit, expectation of “payback” for the landmark U.S.-India nuclear deal. No doubt, had the government gone with Lockheed and Boeing, there would have been loud accusations at home of India caving into American “pressure.” At least since 2004, domestic voices comprising a diverse group of Nationalists and Leftists have been at the forefront in urging India to stay closer to its traditional un-aligned stand in international relations. For all practical purposes, the metric for gauging India’s autonomy comes down to proximity to the U.S. And on this question, the decades old consensus against close ties with the U.S. has clearly eroded since the end of the Cold War, opening it to hot contestation between old and new opinion groups. Read more of this post Filed under India, United States Tagged with Boeing, Dassault, defense, Eurofighter, fighter jets, Lockheed, Manmohan Singh, Rafale	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2701
__label__cc	0.574174	0.425826	Professional Interpretations REAL WORLD TRANSLATIONS provides professional interpretation services from and into any language, whether for conferences, in-person meetings, telephone conferences or sign-language communication. We employ trained and experienced interpreters who provide factually and culturally accurate interpretations. Our interpretation services are competitively priced. Typically, Interpretation is understood as the “translation” of the spoken word. In todays’ multicultural environment and globalized economy, the need for these services arise frequently. In an interpretation session, it’s important to transmit the information from the presenter or “source” to the recipient/s or “target” accurately. To do so requires great skill on the part of the interpreter; not only in the understanding and translation of the language, but also in conveying the emotions and feelings imparted by the source. To follow is a listing of the Interpretation Services we provide: FAQS about Interpretations Most frequently used for large conferences or meetings, simultaneous interpreting requires that the linguist “translate” what the speaker is saying, as they speak. Thus, the interpreter is both listening and speaking at the same time. This takes intense concentration; simultaneous interpreters often work in teams, taking breaks every 30 minutes or so. Simultaneous interpreting generally requires equipment such as microphones, headsets, and in some instances, booths. The interpreter accompanies a person or a group of people on a visit to a meeting or interview and usually delivers more informal conversations. The interpreter delivers the message after the source-language speaker has finished speaking. The interpreter must take notes and then translate what the speaker means to say during the pause. The interpreter should be sitting or standing beside the speaker(s). Sign Language Interpreting The interpreter communicates with people who are deaf or hard of hearing using sign language. It is also used to communicate by people who can hear, but who cannot speak or for those who have speech difficulties. There are many different types of sign languages in the world. The form of sign language primarily used in North America is known as American Sign Language (ASL). The interpreter usually delivers interpretation via telephone on a conference call. He or she listens to the conversation first and then proceeds to render it into another language. Note: Telephonic interpretation and conference calls are available by special request only. Please call for rates and availability of this service. Voiceovers/ foreign language voice talent This refers to a production technique where a voice is broadcast live or pre-recorded on radio, television, film, theatre and/or a presentation. The voice-over can be spoken by someone who also appears on-screen in other segments or it may be performed by voice talent. Dubbing and Subtitling These two major types of screen translation are the most used in the global distribution and consumption of filmic media. Since their arrival with the introduction of sound to cinema, both have been seen as compromised methods of translating dialogue because they interfere in different ways with the original text, sound track, or image. Real World provides services to approximately 300 clients per year.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2704
__label__cc	0.585752	0.414248	The Schwartz Report Microsoft Skipping Verizon for Round 1 of Windows Phone 7 Reports that Windows Phone 7 initially won't be available at launch on the Verizon Wireless network are hardly a surprise, given that all test units were assigned to AT&T. But now comes word that it might be awhile before Verizon Wireless users will be able to get their hands on Windows 7 Phones. That's because, according to News.com's Ina Fried, Microsoft will need to create an upgrade to Windows Phone 7 to support CDMA networks. Both Verizon Wireless and Sprint's networks are CDMA-based while AT&T's and T-Mobile's networks are GSM-based. How extensive that upgrade will be and when it will arrive is unclear, reports All About Microsoft's Mary Jo Foley but it appears Microsoft is targeting the first half of 2011. If anything, Microsoft should have aimed to release WP7 on CDMA networks first, and then worry about GSM support. By not offering support for CDMA from the outset, it only gives Google's Android further opportunity to become entrenched on Verizon's network. That might not be so terrible if Verizon didn't have the largest percentage of subscribers in the U.S. with a share of over 31 percent, according to comScore. Perhaps Verizon wanted no part of Microsoft after the Kin debacle? Or maybe Microsoft feels it's getting even with Verizon for heavily pushing Android phones. Whatever the case, Microsoft should have endeavored with more priority to deliver Windows Phone 7 on Verizon's network at launch. If Microsoft wants to have any chance of slowing the momentum of Android, its phones need to be on Verizon's network and prominent among the carrier's dealers. It wouldn't hurt to have them available with Sprint as well. What's your take? Drop me a line at jschwartz@1105media.com. Posted by Jeffrey Schwartz on 09/17/2010 at 1:14 PM	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2706
__label__wiki	0.606339	0.606339	The Eterniti Artemis ‘Super-SUV’ Is A Stylish Juggernaut New to the car manufacturing game, the British company release their first car, which is best described as a 'souped-up' Porsche Cayenne... The Car Spy It must be difficult to come up with a name for a new car. Think about it. There you are in a room full of marketing gurus and somebody has to come up with a name that could either make or break the success of a car – no matter how good (or bad) it is. The name must translate well into other languages too. Ford came a cropper with the name Pinto years ago because it meant ‘small willy’ in most Portuguese-speaking countries. Oh dear. The name must surely suit the car too. Who would argue that ‘Aventador’ could be used on any other car apart from the LP700-4? Or that ‘Testarossa’ just sounds like it should be the badge on a Ferrari even if you didn’t know what it meant in Italian. Our personal favourite of all time has to be Jensen Interceptor. It was created in the 1960′s but even today the name sounds so cool and whatever car it ends up being applied to it had better be damn fast and good-looking. And so we come to the Artemis from Eterniti Motors. Eterniti are very much a newcomer to the world of building cars having only been set up two years ago but they have some very big plans. Their funding mainly comes from a group of Far East investors who have a clear idea of where their cars will ultimately be sold. In other words, in the fastest growing market with the biggest buying potential in the world – China. The company’s ambitions are clear from the outset. The team behind the creation of the Artemis have references from Aston Martin, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Land Rover and Jaguar sprinkled amongst their curriculum vitaes. Let’s face it, if you wanted to start building the best cars in the world you want to make sure you have the right people on board. The Artemis is their first offering. As a name they may have carried it off since it has the necessary gravitas for a car that will cost in excess of £250,000. It is a safe choice because Artemis was the mythical daughter of Zeus who was the God of all Gods back in the day. In other words, it is not a made-up name that could have some unfortunate secondary meaning in another language on the other side of the globe. That’s a good start then. The car itself is based on Porsche’s Cayenne which most car-buffs could spot a mile off looking through a pane of frosted glass. Ok you can buy a Cayenne for an awful lot less money but that is not the point. The company needed to hit the ground running with their first car and the Cayenne just happened to offer a decent chassis, transmission and powerplant to play around with. With a little bit of tuning to the chassis and the 4.8 litre twin-turbo V8 the Artemis produces 600 bhp and because a certain Johnny Herbert had a hand in the development of the car it actually goes around corners without rolling over on its roof which is very good news too. Of course it doesn’t look exactly like a Cayenne because Eterniti have removed a lot of the original panels and hand-crafted their own carbon-composite substitutes. Generally-speaking most cars are instantly recognised from their front and rear ends which give them their ‘brand identity’. At the front end of the Artemis there are shades of Jaguar and Bentley in the mesh grille designs to add a bit of ’Britishness’ to the car. The rear end could be described as a better-looking version of the Cayenne’s backside. The wide rear wheel arches add a good deal of presence and the rear tail-lamps are a neat design that have cost the company a fortune in tooling costs but that is an insight to the company’s commitment to this project. Overall it is a design that is pleasing to the eye. At the launch, the phrase ‘Super-SUV’ was very much part of the presentation script. The point being made was that this is a vehicle that is essentially a cross-over between a luxurious limousine and a high-performance sports car. Any buyer of the Artemis is able to create an interior that is truly bespoke to their personal choice and preferences – within reason of course. Whatever the colour choice you get a good deal of rear legroom with twin reclining rear seats, iPads that disappear into the seat backs of the front seats (very neat) plus drinks chiller and crystal glasses. There is too much more to mention but you get the gist. Eterniti will be building their cars in London – which is good for UK plc but most of their customers are likely to be well-heeled individuals mainly from the Asian ‘tiger economies’ and mainland China. In fact they already have the dealer network in place to support the Artemis from the minute it starts to be shipped to the first customers. The Artemis will eventually be judged on its own merits when examples become available for road-test reviews but until then it should be viewed as a bit of a practice run for those highly-qualified designers and engineers who we sincerely doubt have been employed just to produce expensive variants of mainstream products. We suspect they are already working on their next project which might have the name of another Greek Goddess but may also be a little bit more exclusive to the Eterniti brand. The Eterniti Artemis ‘Super-SUV’ By The Car Spy The Porsche Cayman: Much More Than A Hairdresser's 911 The McLaren P1 Hypercar: What Will You Get For £800,000? By Pete Wadsworth The Most Pointless Showdown in History By Leon Poultney Self Driving Cars: Is This The Start of The Robot Apocalypse? By Rebecca Lomax The Rebel With The Porsche 911 Obsession By Tamir Muscovici	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2708
__label__cc	0.715988	0.284012	Home2017September Shabbat Shuvah-What It Means To Repent September 27, 2017 Rabbi Ben Herman Have you ever wanted to be perfect? To get things right the first time without making mistakes? To never have to say “I’m sorry” because you get everything right? Today is known as Shabbat Shuvah, not Shabbat T’Shuvah. It is the Sabbath of Return, not the Sabbath of Repentance. Yet these words have the same Hebrew root: Shin-Vav-Vet (שוב). It’s as if to say that the way by which one returns to G-d is through repentance. How does our tradition describe repentance? First, it contrasts us and G-d. Today rather than focusing on being made in G-d’s image, בצלם אלוקים, we ponder the fact that we are the in need of repentance whereas G-d is perfect. As found in this morning’s Torah reading, G-d is described as הצור תמים פועלו כי כל דרכיו משפט אל אמונה ואין עול צדיק וישר הוא, “The ROCK! His deeds are perfect, all his ways are just. A faithful G-d, never false, true and upright is He.”[1] The earliest Midrashic work on Deuteronomy, Sifrei Devarim, goes further, stating “His ways are not to be brought into question…he sits in judgment with everyone and gives him what he deserves.”[2] Many of us question this because we’ve seen bad things happen to good people and because we’ve seen thing occur in the world which do not appear to be the result of a just, perfect G-d. How do we maintain our faith in G-d when we see someone get cancer or people killed by natural disasters? The goal of Judaism is not to answer these questions but rather to focus on the things which we can control. By teaching that we should not question G-d’s ways, the Torah is not that we should remove all doubt from our midst, for it is natural to have concerns, questions and doubts. Rather it is to transcend our doubts, to reflect on what we can do to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of the others around us. Every year we get the gift of Shuvah, of returning to be the people G-d meant us to be through doing Teshuvah, actively working on changing our behavior for the better. Our tradition believes that we continually evolve in our behavior and our actions and that there is always room for improvement. As Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik teaches in his book Halakhic Man, “Repentance, according to the Halakhic view, is an act of creation-self-creation. The severing of one’s psychic identity with one’s previous ‘I,’ possessor of a new consciousness, a new heart and spirit, different desires, longings, goals-this is the meaning of that repentance compounded of regret over the past and resolve for the future.”[3] The phrase from Ezekiel, לב חדש ורוח חדשה, “a new heart and a new spirit,”[4] is what we are supposed to instill in ourselves-that we are constantly capable of change. Maimonides took it even one step further, stating “and one who changes his name, that is to say ‘I am another, and I am not that same person who did those deeds.’”[5] One can acquire a שם חדש, a new name for oneself, resolving to make one’s previous behavior a thing of the past. While we’d like to be הצור תמים, the perfect rock that is G-d, it is better that we are not, as we can see how far we’ve come. One of the reasons I love climbing mountains is because despite the pain and at times slow progress, when I reach a peak I look down and see how far I’ve come. To see the progress you’ve made individually is worth its weight in gold. Things which seemed insurmountable, or where one said “I can’t do it” over time can become done without a second thought because of the hard work that’s been put in. Next time I might try to climb to a higher peak or one which is more strenuous and takes greater energy exertion to reach. The same is true with spiritual growth, working towards being more caring, thoughtful and refined people. The hardest thing is before we can change, we need to atone for past behavior. In so doing, we need to go through that pain again, to put ourselves in a state of vulnerability through going to another and asking for forgiveness, yet admission of wrongdoing is the first step in correcting one’s behavior. When one recognizes the error of his/her ways, s/he can work on ensuring that these mistakes do not occur again, acquiring a new name and new identity. In 5778, let us each make a name for ourselves by changing our names for the better. May we look carefully at our actions and take systematic, gradual steps for self-improvement. As such, we will recognize that we will never reach the level of G-d yet we will elevate ourselves to greater and greater spiritual heights. [2] Sifrei Devarim 307:6-7 [3] Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, Halakhic Man (Philadelphia: JPS, 1983), p. 110. [4] Ezekiel 18:31 [5] Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance, 2:4 Rosh Hashanah Day 2-Time to Reflect Thank you for joining us for another morning of spiritual prayer. It is so great to see multiple generations of families together, both new members and those who have been here for decades, joining together as a spiritual community. I want to be sure that everyone knows that you always have a place here at the Jericho Jewish Center. Please be frequent visitors and please give me your input as to what you’d like to see at your Jericho Jewish Center. Lucille Frenkel, “New Year Prayer 5734-1973” Another New Year Marking passing of time, A fresh chance to reflect And to question how I am Passing my days In my journey through time- Do I value each moment God sends to be mine? Do I criticize much Which I do not approve, Instead of attempting Myself to improve? Marking passing of time Holds the need to reflect On my whole life design.[1] What are you thinking about this New Year season? Is there something on your mind that you want to change? I’m so thrilled that you have decided to come to synagogue today. Let’s explore the topic of our relationship within ourselves and within our congregational family. There’s a dichotomy on the High Holidays between our being viewed as a community or as individuals. It’s well known that כל ישראל ערבים זה בזה, all of Israel is responsible for one another.[2] That’s why we say the entire list of sins in the וידוי (The Confessional) in the plural on Yom Kippur, for even if we did not do a sin, someone in our midst did, and we are all viewed as אגודה אחת (Agudah Ahat), one bundle. This stands in contrast with ונתנה תוקף (U’netaneh Tokef) where it states וכל באי עולם יעברון לפניך כבני מרון, all of Israel passes before you כבני מרון. What does כבני מרון mean? Looking at the line which follows כבקרת רועה עדרו מעביר צאנו תחת שבתו, we see “as a shepherd shepherds his sheep causing his flock to pass beneath his staff, so too do we pass before G-d.”[3] The phrase כבני מרון first appears in the second Mishnah of tractate Rosh Hashanah[4] as the way in which the people of Israel are judged on Rosh Hashanah. The rabbis ask in the Gemara what is the meaning of this term בני מרום? Three interpretations are given. The first is ascribed to the Babylonians, who assert that it means “like a flock of sheep,” using the Aramaic term בני אמרנא.[5] Rashi explains that when sheep are counted in the giving of a tithe, they pass through a narrow opening too small for more than one at a time to go out. So too does Israel appear before G-d one at a time.[6] In contrast, Resh Lakish states that it refers to the elevated heights of the Maron area. Where exactly is this? According to Rashi, the Maron area had a road with a steep drop on both sides, making it so narrow that two people could not walk side by side. Thus they needed to walk one after the other.[7] Often when climbing a mountain the ascent is so narrow that a group of hikers need to go single file. So too is it with us-we approach G-d singularly, as individuals. The third interpretation, of Rav Yehuda in the name of Shmuel, is that כבני מרון refers to the soldiers of the House of David. As Rashi comments, David’s soldiers were counted one at a time as they walked out to war in single file.[8] In war today we do the same; a troop is an individual, and troops are counted one-by-one. Which interpretation is correct? Does כבני מרון mean a flock of sheep, the high places or the soldiers of David? Rabbi David Golinkin of the Schechter Institute wrote a responsum on this asserting that the pshat, or literal meaning is a cohort of soldiers, based on the word numeron, which means a troop. [9] It’s hard to connect with an image of a soldier when living sheltered, suburban and peaceful lives. At the same time, I would argue that we are all soldiers in a way. Each of us wages battles in our daily lives, fighting for things in which we believe. Rabbi JJ Shacter of Yeshiva University quoted the late Alan Paton, writer of Cry of my Beloved Country, who wrote from one of his characters: “When I shall ascend to heaven, which I certainly intend to do, I will be asked, ‘where are your wounds?’ When I will say, ‘I haven’t any,’ I will be asked, ‘was there nothing worth fighting for?’ and that is a question that I do not want to have to answer.”[10] How do we pass before G-d not as sheep, merely led by our shepherd, but as soldiers, armed with a mission and fighting for a purpose? What can we do to ensure that our actions are judged not from a position of submission or weakness but rather from one of strength? At times I am scared of taking a stand, of what the consequences will be for doing so, and I’m sure I’m not the only one in this room to whom that applies. Yet our tradition teaches that at times we must take strong stances based on what we believe and that if we do not do so we can be called to account for it. We can find deep meaning in our encounters with G-d whichever of these three ways we look at how we pass before Him. As sheep we can examine whether we are owning our Judaism or just going along with the herd. Alternatively, sheep are submissive and we should look at whether we submit ourselves to the Torah guidelines and boundaries. Regarding passing before G-d on the heights of Mount Meron, let us examine how we raise ourselves up, elevating our actions to greater heights. In seeing ourselves as soldiers, may we look at whether we have the other guys’ back: are we really committed to someone else or to a greater cause? How do we extend ourselves for others? The lessons as to how we pass before G-d as individuals also become applied to the nature of community. We are judged as sheep, which travel in a group (in fact, the word “sheep” is both singular and plural.) We recognize that we achieve a greater impact when we act together. Looking out into our congregation on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I feel our collective strength as the Jericho Jewish Center. It is also apparent whenever I go to a Shiva minyan and see the outpouring of support and warmth for those who are most vulnerable. We are also part of an initiative called Partners in Caring where a number of our congregants have been trained as Friendly Visitors, tasked with bringing comfort to those who are ill or confined to their homes, a number of whom are our own congregants. In addition, we know the importance of taking a stance as a community, whether historically for the Campaign to Save Soviet Jewry or every year at the Salute to Israel Parade on 5th Avenue. As a whole, we truly are greater than the sum of our parts. Similarly, we are judged upon ascending the Heights of Mount Maron. In our lives we must ask if we are striving to rise higher, to be better spouses, parents and friends. Are we fine with the status quo or do we continually want to elevate ourselves? Even if the challenges are immense that does not give us the right to stop engaging in them. We always want to be the people who believe in ourselves and strive to make the greatest impact we can with all that we are. In terms of being a soldier, let us ask what do we really fight for? What matters to us? The issues of past generations might not have the same degree of importance to us, but if we don’t have something for which we are willing to stick out our neck, if we live in a world where “anything goes,” than we do not stand for anything. It’s no coincidence that Chabad shlichim are referred to as “The Rebbe’s Army”: they know their mission in life and they stand behind it 100%. What is our personal mission statement and how are we going to fight to make it a reality? As we pass before G-d single-file this Rosh Hashanah, we need to think about how we want to be judged. According to Rava in the Talmud, at the moment that we pass before G-d for judgment, we are asked “Were you honest in your business dealings? Did you set aside fixed times for Torah? Did you engage in procreation? Did you seek out the words of the prophets? Did you delve into wisdom? Did you seek to understand the matters that were inside other matters?”[11] That is a lot of questions for us to ponder, and it would be overwhelming to take them all at once. At this time of introspection, let us work towards answering those questions in the affirmative one at a time. May we say “Today I am going to be sure to set fixed time for study, to learn the wisdom from our tradition,” or “Today I’m not going to jump to conclusions but rather think about the deeper meaning behind what I’m supposed to do today,” or “Today I’m not going to gossip but rather think before I speak.” In being more reflective, mindful and intentional, we will truly make this a year of great spiritual growth, refinement and development. I will conclude with another piece of my grandmother’s wisdom as we prepare for the reflection brought about by the powerful Hineni prayer: At the approaching of each New Year One must really pause and ask oneself What one has accomplished in the past year, What one has envisioned of the New Year. For time is not guaranteed progressive, And living can advance or be regressive. Thus, at the approach of every New Year, One must really pause to reassess What one has accomplished in the past year To assist the new year to progress.[12] Shana Tova U’metuka, a happy, sweet and healthy new year to all. We continue with Cantor Goldstein leading us in Hineni, “Here I am,” on Page 124. [1] Lucille Frenkel, A Jewish Adventure (Milwaukee, WI: The Eternity Press, 1983), p. 133. [2] ספרא בחוקותי פרק ז, ה (Sifra Behukotai Chapter 7, Midrash 5) [3] Unetaneh Tokef Prayer (ונתנה תוקף) [4] Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:2 [5] Rosh Hashanah 18a [6] Rashi on Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1 [7] Rashi on Rosh Hashanah 18a [9] David Golinkin Insight Israel: The Schechter View, Vol. 5, No. 1 September 2004 (Jerusalem: Israel). [10] JJ Shacter, “Was There Nothing Worth Fighting For?” in A Treasury of Favorite Sermons by Leading American Rabbis by Sidney Greenberg (Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, Inc. 1999), 226-27. [11] Babylonian Talmud Tractate Shabbat 31a [12] Lucille Frenkel, A Jewish Adventure (Milwaukee, WI: The Eternity Press, 1983), p. 132. Rosh Hashanah Day 1-The Shofar: A Call to Worship and to Repent It is so wonderful to see so many people gathered together today to join us in worship. Parents are united with children, grandparents with grandchildren, uncles and aunts with nephews and nieces. I want to be sure that everyone knows that you always have a place here at the Jericho Jewish Center. The program sheet that we provide is just the tip of the iceberg of what we are offering during this year. Please be frequent visitors and please give me your input as to what you’d like to see at your Jericho Jewish Center. Sound of the Shofar-by Lucille Frenkel Call of the past and out of the past, You rouse us to face to the future. Sound of the ram’s horn, its meaning precise, Reminds us to recall the sacrifice Of a past which begot us so we may beget Finer future.[1] I’ll never forget when I participated in the Hazon Labor Day Bike Ride. This bike ride went from Camp Isabella Friedman in Falls Village, CT into Manhattan. Immediately before we took off we heard the blowing of the Shofar. When we arrived at the Manhattan JCC at the end of our two-day ride, we also heard the blowing of the shofar. It was very meaningful to me to have this bike ride bookmarked by the blowing of the shofar and to think about the shofar’s significance at this time of year. Every day, since the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul (one month ago exactly) we have been sounding a ram’s horn at morning minyan. We especially sound it at Rosh Hashanah in the Musaf Amidah (additional penitentiary prayer). We also have a section of this prayer called the Shofarot. The history of the shofar is a fascinating one. Its first mention occurs in tomorrow morning’s Torah reading when Abraham saw a ram caught by its horn in a thicket and killed it.[2] In Numbers[3] and Psalms,[4] the shofar is instructed to be used to announce the New Moon, fast days and days of rejoicing (תקעו בחדש שופר בכסה ליום חגנו). In Leviticus,[5] we see the origin of using the shofar for the New Year, which is referred to there as a “day of blowing” (יום תרועה). The New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is further referred to there as a zikaron teruah, a remembrance of blowing. In the Book of Joshua, the shofar is used for a different purpose, blown as a sign of war before the Battle of Jericho (no relation to us). It is a catalyst in the walls of Jericho coming down and in the subsequent Israelite victory. The Shofar occupied an important place in the orchestra of the Temple, alongside the trumpet. On fast days and feast days there was a shofar that would blast in the midst of all the trumpets (חצוצרות וקול שופר).[6] Because of the sadness that resulted from the loss of the Temple, there was a ban on playing musical instruments for ritual purposes. As a result, the shofar, which was not considered a musical instrument, became identified as the object used chiefly for religious use. Over time, however, its use gradually faded along with the other musical instruments, except of course on הימים הנוראים, the Days of Awe. What message does the use of the shofar convey to us? Some of us hear the musical notes and think about the persecution our people have undergone and the loss of lives and land in our past. Others get entranced in the wailing noises and the combination of notes, appreciating the distinct musical quality. Tekiah: the attention grabber. Shevarim: moaning and groaning. Teruah: sobbing and wailing. Others find that the shofar reminds them of God’s creation of the world and of God’s creativity in making even a ram’s horn a significant object. This relates to Rosh Hashanah being the birthday of the world, the day on which we thank God for creating the world. The shofar also serves as a call to worship. After the Torah and Haftarah readings, we are re-centered through the hearing the sound of the shofar. Most significantly, the shofar is also a warning to repent for past transgressions. It is beseeching us “Turn inward! Look at your actions! Change yourself!” According to rabbinic tradition, hearing the shofar is what triggers in us a desire to repent, especially when repentance is difficult to achieve.[7] Through hearing the shofar, many of us think about our past year, both the good and the bad, and what we can do to help make a better next year, and that is an essential part of repenting. It is a warning to us to reflect on and examine our personal behavior, to strive to improve our thoughts and our actions. Unfortunately the warning call of the Shofar hit the United States very hard in a number of ways this year. We experienced hatred in the streets of America, with hooded Klansmen yelling “Seig Heil!” “Jews will not replace us!” and “Jews are Satan’s children!” We experienced a swastika in our own backyard at Merry Lane Park and anti-Semitic graffiti spray-painted at Syosset High School. We have seen hatred that always existed emanate out into the public sphere. It is of course not all from the alt-right; the anti-Semitism spewed by BDS activists and their refusal to allow conservative speakers at their college campuses is shameful and disgraceful. $600,000 in armed security and concrete barriers for Ben Shapiro to speak at UC-Berkeley? Despicable. Some have said I have a moral obligation to speak about the political issues of the day. This is as close to politics as I’ll get for now, but if you want to go further in depth, join me at a Politics and the Pulpit discussion later today from 12:00-12:45 pm in the Rabbi Richardson Beit Midrash (teens and adults encouraged to attend). We have an obligation to respond against the hatred that rears its ugly head and spews out from around us. That’s why we had the rally to Break the Hate on Sunday August 27 at the Mid Island Y, and why I am wearing the yellow bracelet that says No Place for Hate that the ADL gave out there. Hatred of others has no place at the Jericho Jewish Center, whether from the left or the right. What concerns me most is the breakdown of communication occurring today. As Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay, Associate Dean of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary, wrote last Sukkot, “We’ve lost touch with how to speak with one another…seemingly overnight, our national conversation has sunk into a morass of racism, classism, Islamophobia and misogyny. And yet it didn’t happen overnight. We created-and allowed to be created-a system that encourages each of us to demonize anyone from a different background and with a different perspective. We got used to interacting only with people who agree with us. We got used to dismissing anyone whose perspective was different by saying they were stupid, uneducated, “didn’t get it.” We were the enlightened ones. Everything became about “we and they” (and I would add, us versus them).[8] How did we get to the point where there have been fights at the breakfast following morning minyan over political issues? Since the last fight over half a year ago we generally avoid political issues but is that really better-to sweep issues under the rug and pretend they don’t exist? There has to be a middle ground between shouting someone down and speaking about the sports scores. As one who often doesn’t speak out because of a desire not to offend anyone or fear of a reprisal, I have to say that there’s got to be a way to speak about issues without getting so worked up that we lose control over ourselves. We need to remember that passion is not a bad thing: it means we care. The challenge is when we become ideologues, so intense about our ideas that we put them on a pedestal over those around us, or when those ideas lead to hatred, dehumanization and devaluation of others. At the same time, I see a few messages of hope. Billy Joel wearing a yellow star at his concert at Madison Square Garden on August 21. Pink, who I did not even know is Jewish, and Regina Spektor speaking against the neo-Nazis while on tour in Berlin, having seen the hatred from Hitler’s capital (ימח שמו, may his name be erased). Strong comments from Charlottesville Mayor Mike Singer and from Rabbi Tom Gutherz of Charlottesville’s Beth Israel Synagogue. These signs of hope tell us that the hatred experienced at Charlottesville will not divide us-for we are much stronger than that. Similarly, the Shofar, heard today at synagogues throughout the world, serves as a reminder to us to uproot any hatred and prejudice that we feel towards others and to move forward with love and with an open heart. What is the shofar warning us to do or avoid doing? Will it motivate us to try to connect to our fellow humans or to G-d in a deeper way? The resonant sound of the Shofar needs to hold timely meaning for us; otherwise it is just a vestige of what our ancestors used to do. As we continue to hear the Shofar during Musaf, may we think about how the Shofar warns us to change our behavior for the better, to open ourselves up to new possibilities of connecting with others. Let us examine how we can heed the sound of the Shofar as a call to action, to let go of previously held prejudices or hurt that we’ve felt and respond to the world with only love. The Shofar is sounding-may we have the resolve, the strength and the courage to hear and act according to its message. The following prayer was written by my colleague, Rabbi Ari Saks, the new rabbi at the Huntington Jewish Center, for the Shabbat after the violence in Charlottesville. I have kept the parts of the prayer that apply to today (היום). I encourage us to heed its message as we turn inward momentarily for the personal prayer of the Hineni: Adonai El Malei Rachamim, Lord God who is full of compassion, we are feeling the absence of Your compassion. We know You placed into our hands the choice of blessing or curse (see Rabeinu Bachya on Deuteronomy 11:26), but God at times our hands seem too weak to handle that choice. We react out of our most base instincts, we fear that which we do not know, and we cultivate hopelessness for political gain. But B’yad’kha Afkid Ruchi, into Your hands, O God have we entrusted our spirit. Hands that hold us up, that do not strike us down; hands that caress our wounded hearts, that do not inflict upon us any more harm. Please God, help us find the space to love when the instinct is to hate. Open the hearts of your creations who are full of hate to the power of your compassion while instructing us on the just way to be intolerant of intolerance as we proclaim, “Never Again, Never Again, Never Again.” May You comfort the families of all who have perished as a result of hatred. And may You inspire the vision and the will within all of humanity to achieve a day with no hate and only peace. We continue with Cantor Goldstein leading us in Hineni on Page 124. [1] Lucille Frenkel, A Jewish Adventure (Milwaukee, WI: The Eternity Press, 1983), page 130. [2] Genesis 22:13 [3] Numbers 9:10 [4] Psalms 81:4 [7] Babylonian Talmud Rosh Hashanah 33b [8] Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay, “Face to Face,” JTS Torah Commentary, October 21, 2016. Erev Rosh Hashanah-Which Leap of Faith will You Take? When you hear the term “leap of faith” what do you think of? Many of us believe we have faith but in reality we cling to the status quo. We are afraid of making the changes that would improve our lives, taking the steps we need to experience personal growth. I know that the thought of uncertainty terrifies me. It is much easier to stay within my Daled Amot, the 4 cubits of personal space with which I am familiar. At the same time, I know that if I don’t take risks, going into uncharted territory, I will never develop into who I am meant to be. There’s a story of a man who went out for a nice, peaceful drive. He drove through the mountains and the valleys, and along the way he saw breathtakingly beautiful scenery. The man felt relaxed and tranquil-that is until he arrived at a curve in the road. As he was rounding the corner he noticed an eighteen-wheeler headed toward him. “One of us has to stop,” the man thought. “There’s no way both of us will make it through.” As he got closer to the truck, the man became even more fearful because he realized that while he could see the truck, the truck’s driver gave no indication that he saw the man’s approaching car. To make matters worse, the man was approaching a hairpin turn, where the road was very narrow and there was no shoulder-off the side of the road lay only a very, very steep cliff. The man concluded that he had no choice, and so he swerved off the road. When the car stopped, the man was immediately flooded with relief because he realized that he’d survived the crash. His happiness was short-lived, however, because his car was perched precariously above a cliff. He knew that in only a matter of minutes his car would tumble down the 5000 foot drop. He could hardly believe his misfortune: He’d survived the crash but was going to die nevertheless! Sure enough, the man felt his car begin to lunge forward. He knew his time on earth had come to an end. Yet as the car plunged downward, the man felt a tug, and within second he saw that his car had reached the bottom of the cliff, where it exploded. “Wait,” the man thought. “If I’m seeing my car burning up, I must be alive.” Once again the man had survived. But once more his relief was only temporary. The man looked around and figured out what had happened. Apparently, when the car began to plummet, the driver’s-side door had popped open, and when the man fell out, his clothing had gotten snagged on a large branch. “This is incredible,” he thought. “I was almost killed once because I was about to go into an eighteen-wheeler but I was temporarily saved. Then I thought I was going to hit the bottom of the cliff and die in a fiery crash, but miraculously the car door swung open. Now, after surviving twice, I’m going to die anyway because this branch can’t hold me for long. How could this be happening to me? There’s got to be a reason.” The man had never been very religious. In fact, he didn’t even know if he believed in G-d. But he knew that if he didn’t do something in a matter of minutes, he was going to die. “G-d,” he cried out. “If you’re out there-if you’re real-can you please save me? I’ll do anything. I don’t want to die.” Nothing happened. The man made another plea, even more vigorous than the first. “Please, G-d. I really don’t want to die. I will commit myself to learning more about Judaism. I’ll try to learn. Just please get me out of this predicament.” Still the man heard nothing. Finally, with a vociferous cry, the man called out from the depths of his heart. “Please,” he said, “if you’re there G-d, know that I need your help. Please, please, just help me!” The man heard a voice. “Yes, my son.” He gasped in surprise. “Oh my, Thank goodness!” he exclaimed. “There really is a G-d in the world. And right here! Please, G-d, just take me out of this mess and I’ll do anything you want.” “You’ll do anything I want?” G-d asked. “Fine. Then I will help you.” “Great. Just tell me what I should do,” the man asked. To which the Almighty replied, “Let go of the branch.”[1] What are the branches that we are holding onto, the safety nets which while helping us feel secure, prevent us from the growth that we need? How can we have enough faith in ourselves and in our future to let go of these things? Rabbi Jack Riemer spoke about the three things you need to bring with you when you come to services on the Days of Awe. He asks “Do you know what they are? Your Tallit, your Machzor? Your ticket? No. If you forget your Tallit, we will give you one. If you forget your Machzor we will give you one. If you forget your ticket…you can always come back next year (joke).” Instead he asserts that “the three things you have to bring with you are three different kinds of faith. If you come without them, the service will mean very little to you.” The first type of faith he mentions is faith in G-d, that “unless you have some conviction that there is an order and a structure to the universe, that the world is not hefker (a free-for-all), that morality is not just a matter of opinion, in short, that there is a G-d; the service will be an empty show, a boring performance. Bring faith in G-d with you and Aleynu will be a majestic moment, the Amdiah will be an intimate conversation, and prostrating oneself on Korim will be a Declaration of Dependence.” The second kind of faith Rabbi Riemer discusses is “faith in the people with whom you will pray.” He says, “Look at all we Jews have done in recent years and you will see that we are worth believing in, with all our faults.” Just look at what Israel has done in absorbing millions of refugees and what American Jewry has done to finance their Aliyah. Examine all of the technological advancements and developments made by Jews in Israel and abroad as well as the humanitarian aid given and you will see that Jews are a people worth believing in. Lastly Rabbi Riemer discusses having “faith in yourself and in your own ability to grow and change.” He asserts that “if you don’t believe that, if you think that the way you are now is the way you will always be, then this service will be a torture.” Not only can we change but “we are capable of infinite change.” Rabbi Riemer implores us to bring with us our faith in G-d, our faith in one another and our faith in ourselves.[2] These High Holy Days, how will you maintain faith in yourself and in your ability to make changes? What will you do to take the necessary leaps of faith to better yourself, even if it means letting go of that branch, of the safety nets you cling to? If we ask “Can you really re-create yourself?” I would respond “Yes, but it takes a lot of hard work.” As we are all works of progress, let us begin that work today (היום), moving forward with an unwavering spirit and unyielding motivation. Ken Yhi Ratzon, may it be our will to do so. We continue with a responsive reading on Page 20 in the Mahzor, “How to Number Our Days.” [1] Rabbi Yaakov Lablinsky, “Taking a Leap,” in Laney Katz Becker, ed. Three Times Chai: 54 Rabbis Tell Their Favorite Stories (Springfield, NJ: Behrman House, Inc. 2007), p. 44-45. [2] Rabbi Jack Riemer, “Three Things to Bring With You When You Come for the Holidays. In The World of the High Holidays (Miami, FL: Bernie Books, ), pg. 29-30. Moses’ Strength He, whose eyes had seen The brilliance of the Burning Bush The grandeur of Egyptian scene Within the Pharaoh’s palace courts- Of forty years of wilderness, And the scope of world as seen From Mount Sinai’s holiness- The pasture hills of Midian, These eyes, vision undimmed, now span The wonder of G-d’s Promised Land! And in his eyes, the tears of joy- And on his lips, A prayer.[1] Lucille Frenkel, “The Destination: Comment on Deuteronomy XXXIV Lines 1 Thru 4” Does a leader need to be strong? Physically, mentally, spiritually or emotionally strong? What are the qualities under which a leader can continue to lead and when is the time for him/her to “hang up the gloves?” Questions such as these come to light when we examine Moses at the beginning of Parshat VaYelekh. Moses told Israel “I am one hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no longer go out and come in (לא אוכל עוד לצאת ולבוא), for G-d has said to me, ‘You shall not cross this Jordan.”[2] There is an apparent contradiction when we look ahead to Parshat VeZot HaBracha, where it states “His eye was not dimmed and his freshness did not fade” (לא כהתה עינו ולא נס לחה).[3] Rashi asserts that it simply means that Moses was not permitted to enter Israel, for G-d removed authority from him and transferred it to Joshua.[4] Ephraim of Luntshitz (Kli Yakar) takes Rashi one step further, asserting that Moses was concerned that Israel would take him literally and see him as physically weak. Therefore, he walked briskly before Israel, the entire length and width of their encampment, so that Israel would understand “not able” (לא אוכל) as “not permitted” ((לא רשאי.[5] This jives with the title of the second portion we read being וילך, indicating that Moses walked out to the Israelites. Or HaChaim takes Kli Yakar’s comment one step further, stating that Moses purposefully went out before all of Israel, asserting that if he was permitted to serve Israel he would this very day. It is not on his account that he is leaving Israel but rather on account of G-d’s command for him not to cross over.[6] We know from Parshat VaEtchanan that Moses entreated G-d to enter Israel; now he is resigned to the fact that he will not accompany his people when they enter the land. Why such a great emphasis from the commentators on Moses’ physical strength? After all, we know of so many leaders who might not be the strongest physically but who have hearts of steel, fighting for their life’s work at all costs. At the same time, we know of people who lose their leadership position when the vigor and strength that they put into it wanes. The goal here was to show that despite all the roadblocks and challenges that Israel put in Moses’ path, his belief in Hashem and faith in leading Israel remained unabated and he would lead them as long as he was able. This is the very message he tells Joshua three times in VaYelekh, חזק ואמץ, be strong and resolute no matter which challenges you encounter. We are so fortunate today to be installing our new congregational board, the leaders of our congregation. These are the individuals who have a fiduciary responsibility towards the welfare of our congregation. They have volunteered for this position, giving of their time, their talents and their energy to strengthen the Jericho Jewish Center. Each Board Member needs to be strong in every way: physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally, as they encounter numerous challenges. At the same time, they must be resolute in knowing that their actions are making a difference and that their leadership is invaluable to the success of our congregation. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, let us think about how we can have the strength of both Moshe Rabeinu and of the members of our synagogue Board of Trustees, continuing to have faith in who we are and what we stand for and maintaining unabated vigor in the leadership roles that we occupy in life. When our faith is tested, may we have the strength and the resolve to continue forward. Let us learn from Moses that it is never too late to lead, even at 120 years of age-all we need is to be ready and willing to embrace the task at hand. [1] Lucille Frenkel, “The Destination-Comment on Deuteronomy XXIV Lines 1 Thru 4” in A Biblical Adventure (Milwaukee, WI: The Eternity Press, 1980), p. 135. [4] Rashi on Deuteronomy 31:2 ד”ה לא אוכל עוד לצאת ולבא [5] Kli Yakar on Deuteronomy 31:2 ד”ה וילך משה וידבר את הדברים האלה [6] Or HaChaim on Deuteronomy 31:2 ד”ה וה אמר אלי Honest Weights and Measures September 3, 2017 Rabbi Ben Herman It’s no accident that the first thing we will be asked when we leave this world and reach heavens’ gates will be “were you honest in your business dealings?”[1] The Talmud teaches that “punishment for dishonest business dealings is greater than punishment for transgressing sexual prohibitions.”[2] After all, our Torah portion highlights the importance of this, stating “you shall not have in your bag diverse weights, a large one and a small one. You shall not have in your house diverse measures, a large one and a small one. A perfect and just weight shall you have; a perfect and just measure shall you have; that your days may be long upon the land which g-d gives you.”[3] This passage is directly followed by remembering what Amalek did when we left Egypt. Rashi commented that the passages are purposely juxtaposed, asserting that “if you were deceitful with your measures and weights, you should dread provoking the enemy.”[4] We know that Amalek surprised us by attacking us in the rear. When we deceive others, we in turn will be deceived by our enemies. The Maharal of Prague, Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel of 16th century Poland, wrote in his work Gur Aryeh, that “G-d limits the power and ability of the enemy to the proper measure of power. But if you do not restrict yourself to proper weights and measures your enemies will no longer be restricted to the proper measure of power allotted to them by the Creator, and they will be free to harass you (כאשר האדם משקר במדות ובשיעורים אשר נוהגים בבריות, אז בא האויב).[5] In other words, when wrongdoing happens to us, it was brought about by G-d as a result of some bad action on our part. Ephraim of Lunshitz, a 16th century Polish rabbi, took this one step further in his book Kli Yakar. He asserted that not using honest weights and measures, secretly defrauding and robbing, will lead G-d to bring in the enemy who will take what you have in public. In other words, the fortune Israel made dishonestly will be exposed for the world to see, when Amalek takes off with all their booty.[6] The interpretation that I prefer on this topic is brought out by the Netziv (Naftali Tzvi Berlin of 19th century Poland) and Malbim (Meir Leibush ben Yehiel Michel Weiser of 19th century Ukraine). Both of them assert that dishonest weights and measures is a means of denying one’s faith in G-d. The one who cheats his fellow thinks ‘Who will notice what I am doing?’ forgetting that G-d is always watching us.[7] The issue is not merely the deceit to make a quick buck but rather the lack of belief in Torah and that G-d will do anything in retribution against our behavior. In the world in which we live, we often feel like we’re in a bubble, that what we do is no one else’s business. This is a completely foreign view to the Torah, which asserts that there is always “an eye that sees, an ear that hears and a book in which all your deeds are recorded.”[8] We need to keep in mind that our actions do have consequences, even if we can’t directly see the harm in what we are doing. That is why the month of Elul is used for Heshbon HaNefesh, self-accounting of what we have done and where we are headed. Our task is to never strive to deceive one another or to deceive ourselves, even when there is a personal cost attached to not doing so. While some don’t feel that honesty is always the best policy, I would argue that it is when dishonesty results in direct harm to another. Let us live life each day with integrity and purpose, focusing on living ethically rather than striving to get ahead of our peers. In so doing, when we live this world and meet our Creator we will be able to answer “Were you honest in your business dealings” with a resounding “YES.” [1] Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 31a [2] Babylonian Talmud Bava Batra 88b [3] Deuteronomy 25:13-15 [4] Rashi Deuteronomy 25:17 ד”ה זכור את אשר עשה לך [5] Gur Aryeh on Deuteronomy 25:17 ד”ה בא זדון [6] Kli Yakar on Deuteronomy 25:17 [7] Netziv on Deuteronomy 25:17 ד”ה זכור את אשר עשה עמלק [8] Mishnah Avot 2:1	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2714
__label__cc	0.580882	0.419118	SF Insider > neighborhood food > What Options are Available for South Beach Food? What Options are Available for South Beach Food? CC-BY-SA-3.0/Clotee Pridgen Alloc…/wikimedia commons What Are the Most Popular Restaurants Near Chinatown? Does Treasure Island Have Restaurants and Other Things to Do? What Are the Best Restaurants in Chinatown That Locals Frequent? What Buena Vista Bars Are Worth Visiting? The South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco is bustling with tourists and locals visiting attractions in the area. The neighborhood is home to several museums and AT&T Park. The neighborhood food is also something that flocks people to the area. The following are some of the options that are available in South Beach. This Indian-inspired restaurant brings cultural dishes from India to life. Although the recipes are based on the various Indian spices and flavors, there is a modern flair added to the dishes. The food is made with the freshest ingredients and only the best California produce. ROOH offers a tasting menu that takes diners through the zest of India-style cuisine. The tasting menu includes seven courses and guests can also choose a wine pairing to go with each dish. The restaurant has a lunch, dinner and brunch menu too. For those dining in the early evening during the week, they can take advantage of ROOH’s happy hour. Tony Gemignani’s Slice house This isn’t just any ordinary pizza house. Tony Gemignani’s pizza has won the World Pizza Championship more than 10 times. Many food critics have written reviews on how terrific the food is, including write-ups in several major publications. The pizza champion has restaurants in more than one location in San Francisco. Customers can get pizza by the slice or a whole pizza. Beyond gourmet pizzas, the menu also has sandwiches, paninis and desserts. Everything that is made on the Saison menu is cooked over an open wood fire. The restaurant sources its food from a select few local ranchers, farmers, fisherman and hunters. Reservations can be made three months in advance and each dinner served is made to the customer’s specifications, which can also be placed in advance. The restaurant is happy to accommodate those with dietary restrictions, which can be revealed in the questionnaire during the reservation process. Saison is happy to cater to private events, both within the restaurant and at outside locations too. South Beach Cafe South Beach Cafe has both, indoor and outdoor seating. The menu gives diners a variety of options including pizza, sandwiches and entrees. Guests are also able to indulge in a glass of wine and dessert after dinner. The restaurant serves a delicious breakfast too, including everything from toast to breakfast sandwiches. Customers that are looking for a night in can order from the menu on the cafe’s website and have the food delivered or made to pick up.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2719
__label__wiki	0.500352	0.500352	By using this website, you consent to our use of cookies I Agree Read our cookie policy Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Latest: Shaking Hands at The Grow Your Business Show Croydon Mela: Date, acts, times and tickets 11 things you can do in Croydon that you... ‘Why Croydon should be a city sooner rather... Office & Shop Services SHIP Exclusives JournoLink App2Chat Business Junction Coversure Insurance Croydon Selhurst Park Redevelopment: Social And Economic Impact Feb 23, 2018 Shaking Hands 0 comments This post was first published by Crystal Palace FC on 22/02/2018. As part of the stadium redevelopment application submitted to Croydon Council, the club undertook research through Regeneris Consulting to establish the social and economic impact the proposals would bring to the borough and the people of south London. This article provides an executive summary of the boosts to the borough and beyond, with a link to the full report at the bottom. The report confirmed that the club’s plans to redevelop Selhurst Park would generate more than £15 million for the economy and create hundreds of new jobs. Once the upgraded stadium is fully operational, the number of staff employed by the club is set to increase by 70% to 1,667 jobs (or 472 full time equivalent jobs), and generate an additional £3.4 million of employment income, with the salaries of both club staff and supply chain employees being re-invested back into the economy via general expenditure. Approximately 700 new matchday roles would be created – the majority in catering (approximately 500), but there would be significant employment opportunities in other areas including stewarding, cleaning and maintenance, retail, as well a range of managerial, administration and technical roles. The benefit to the borough of Croydon in particular would be significant as it is estimated that 25% of all permanent jobs at Palace are taken by residents within the borough Croydon, with around 61% of staff from south London. Around 1,900 people in the three council wards surrounding Selhurst Park are currently looking for employment – a local unemployment rate of around 5.4%. Building the new Main Stand at Selhurst Park would also positively contribute to employment in the construction industry. Based on an investment of between £75-£100 million, the redevelopment of the Main Stand is estimated to support in the region of 1,300-person years of construction employment nationally, or the equivalent of 430 temporary construction (FTE) jobs each year, over a two to three-year period. Currently, the club purchases approximately £9 million of goods and services with over 300 UK-based suppliers. An expanded Selhurst Park is expected to result in increased supply chain spending in the order of £15 million with UK-based businesses each year (an increase of 69% versus the 2016/17 season) supporting 260 jobs in the supply chain. The number of “induced” jobs supported by the club’s expansion would increase from 300 to 400, generating around £2.9m in additional income for the UK economy. The club tries to use local suppliers whenever possible, with around 20 based in Croydon, including the Cronx Brewery located six miles from the stadium, and around 70 in south London. In total, the club purchased around £3.4 million of goods and services from London-based suppliers in the 2016/17 season, which is about 40% of the £8.9 million spent with UK businesses. The football club is a major tourist attraction in London, and a huge asset to the borough of Croydon, and generates around half a million matchday visits to Selhurst Park each year. The extended Main Stand is expected to bring total matchday visits up to around 628,600 each year, and the result in visitor and off-site expenditure could be expected to reach up to £12.6 million each year – an increase of up to £3 million (or +31%) over current estimates. Building a new restaurant and museum will make it a more attractive location to visit on non-matchdays and generate increased spend in the local area. Members of the public can now submit their comments on the planning application to help inform the council’s planning committee’s decision, who are due to meet on 19th April 2018, by clicking here. A full copy of this report – “Economic and Social Value of the Extension to the Main Stand, Selhurst Park” – can be viewed by clicking here For more on the Selhurst Park plans, visit stadium.cpfc.co.uk Croydon MP wants to meet community groups tackling knife crime in Croydon ASLEF and GTR reach agreement on pay, terms and conditions and Driver Only Operation Full line-up for Croydon Christmas lights switch-on revealed Forming Strong Links for Safety: Croydon BID Radio Link Westfield Croydon development is unanimously given the go-ahead by councillors Property & Development Croydon begins tower block fire sprinkler installation 11 things you can do in Croydon that you can’t do in London ‘Why Croydon should be a city sooner rather than later’ The 7 best pubs and bars in Croydon according to TripAdvisor Why there are so few London Underground stations in South London Council apprentices to be paid London Living Wage Shaking Hands in Amsterdam for Green Tech 2019 Thornton Heath public space to host activity festivals this summer ‘I’ve got a plan B and C if Westfield falls through’ says Croydon council leader Shaking Hands Monthly Newsletter - eepurl.com/gwH6uX 5th July 2019 10:08 am Spending #CupcakeDay with our favourite #Croydon Cupcake Maker @ArtSaima! Thank you for the delicious treats, sugar… twitter.com/i/web/status/11392… 13th June 2019 5:39 pm 'Just Drinks' with a Band is closer than you think! Book your tickets here & join #Croydon #Businesses as they vent… twitter.com/i/web/status/11369… 7th June 2019 10:52 am You Know It, You Love it > #SpeedNetworking is back again next week @UrbanXchangeBar with special #prizes up for gr… twitter.com/i/web/status/11362… 5th June 2019 4:01 pm By clicking 'Subscribe', below, you agree to receiving our newsletter. Copyright © Shaking Hands 2019 . All rights reserved.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2720
__label__wiki	0.556744	0.556744	Baked Goods Restaurants Bagels Barbecue Restaurant Cafes Coffee Shops Delicatessens Doughnuts Ice Cream Parlors Juice Bars Pizza Pretzels Sandwiches Take Out Yogurt Today This Week This Month Arts & Culture Automotive Beauty & Spas Business & Professional Services Car Services & Rental Contractors Education Financial Services Golf Government Organizations Health & Medicine Home & Garden Insurance Jewelers Legal Meeting & Event Planning Mortgage Moving Services Nightlife Pets Places To Eat Places to Stay Real Estate Religious Organizations Senior Living Shopping Theaters Things to Do Tourist Information Transportation & Travel Camp Sites Cottages, Chalets & Cabins Hotels, Motels & Inns Bed & Breakfasts Guest Ranches Health Resorts Recreational Vehicle Parks Resorts Skiing Centers & Resorts Clay Aiken in His Only Christmas Performance December 16 By Lynette Carrington Clay Aiken in His Only Christmas Performance at Chandler Center for the Arts, December 16 Clay Aiken has sold six million albums and sold-out 11 nationwide concert tours. His introspective 2004 memoir, “Learning To Sing: Hearing The Music in Your Life” was a “New York Times” best seller, and his run on Broadway in “Monty Python's Spamalot” was a critical, fan and box office success. Chandler Center for the Arts is now bringing Aiken to the Valley for his one and only Christmas performance on December 16! Christmas with Clay Aiken also marks the first time that the artist has sung in a public performance in three years. Chandler.com landed Mr. Aiken’s first Valley interview and was excited to finally catch up with the charismatic and seasoned performer. Christmas with Clay Aiken Aiken’s Christmas performance at Chandler Center for the Arts is a special one, as he’ll be performing with a 22-piece orchestra. He’s been to Arizona on tour before and is looking forward to returning to the Valley. Aiken says, “I’ve toured through Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale… several times in the past. You know, it’s always very interesting to me being an East Coaster-er to do any type of show in Phoenix around Christmas because… You might as well be the Southern Hemisphere when it comes to the holidays in the sun. It’s very interesting. Somehow… there’s still that holiday vibe, spirit, even still. It’s nice to have a little change of pace whenever I’m doing the holiday stuff.” He adds with a laugh, “I think it’s been 105 degrees at times, so if that doesn’t burn itself into your memory. Literally!” Playing with a live orchestra is a bit different than other types of performances. “It’s a change when you do an orchestra show versus a typical band show simply because you get new musicians every single day. I will come in on that Friday with my music director, my drummer and my core group, and we’ll have to run the entire show on Friday in the afternoon because it will be the first time these musicians have played it, and the first time that I’ve done it with them. That’s always a certain challenge,” Aiken explains. “This year, specifically, I have not done a concert or sung publicly since 2013. This is the first time that I’ve done anything like this in over three years. So, it’s been a challenge in general just to try to get all my stuff together and to create a show for this one-off thing in Phoenix. Phoenix is the only city that’s getting this… This year and maybe next, who knows?” He adds with a little laugh, “So, we’ll have to see if I can still sing. There’s no telling; there’s no guarantee!” Aiken’s sweet sense of humor and willingness to poke fun at himself is adorable. In his show at Chandler Center for the Arts, Aiken will perform most of the Christmas songs from his holiday album, “Merry Christmas with Love” and his 2006 Christmas EP, “All is Well.” “I did five Christmas tours over the years, maybe more than that. It’s a lot of the songs, that if people had been to those shows, they’ve heard.” There will be some new songs, too. He continues, “We’re going to throw in a few new ones this year, assuming I have the brain capacity to learn them… which also, is no guarantee.” “Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel is a song that I put on EP in ‘06 and even though it’s a stayed Christmas hymn from the hymn book, it is a different arrangement that we do with it and it’s easily my favorite to sing every holiday. So, that one will certainly make the set list,” Aiken states. When it comes to Christmas traditions, Aiken points out that growing up, his experiences were probably similar to everyone else’s, but he did have a favorite event each year. “I don’t know that we did anything horribly exciting and original,” he says. “I think if I chose a memory – There’s a city not too far from Raleigh where I live and grew up, and a whole field – 100 acres get decorated in insane amounts of lights. There are lines of cars for miles that line up to drive through this light display. We always used to do that as a family on Christmas Eve, typically.” “Usually Christmas holidays are incredibly busy. All holidays are,” Aiken states. “It ends up being so much work to get to all the different families. I guess it certainly gives you a nice warm feeling to be able to see everyone, but you’re exhausted by the end of the day on the 25th.” Aiken continues, “We still do the light thing. We still drive down to the meadow and see the light display. My son has gotten excited about doing it every year. So, we kind of keep that same tradition alive and make it part of his memory, too.” A Voice that Has Gained a Powerful Voice Aiken’s life has changed considerably since his days on “American Idol” back in 2003. A stint on Broadway, a run for Congress in North Carolina, an admirable season on “The Celebrity Apprentice” and the birth of a son have all happened since the early days of his career. However, Aiken remains as grounded and lovable as the young man we first met in the second season of the singing competition who has ultimately become an American treasure. Aiken has always been philanthropically geared. Once he was thrust into the public spotlight more than a decade ago, the singer, in his humble and charming demeanor, took the opportunity to share that attention with the causes that he supports the most. A big part of Aiken’s philanthropy is focused through his own charitable nonprofit that he founded with Diane Bubel; the National Inclusion Project. “We’re headed into our 14th year of that,” Aiken acknowledges. “We have been expanding a lot of our programs around the country to make sure that summer camps and after-school programs, etcetera, are accessible to children with disabilities. We’re starting a new initiative – an accreditation program where people who have run our programs and have been successful at including kids with disabilities are able to let their communities, families with of children with and without disabilities know that they have made a commitment to making sure that kids are included in those programs and get an accreditation.” It is a long term goal, and the organization is working closely with educators and thought leaders to make the endeavor a reality. Aiken also heavily supports the missions of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), Common Cause and Unicef. Tickets for Christmas with Clay Aiken are on sale now. Chandler Center for the Arts is located at 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Visit www.chandlercenter.org for additional information or call (480) 782-2680. Powered by Geocentric Media, Inc. © 2019 All rights reserved.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2724
__label__wiki	0.71888	0.71888	Peter Jackson Not Involved With Lord of the Rings TV Series Peter Jackson isn't going to be involved in Amazon's Lord of the Rings series. At the start of the 2000s, Jackson stepped into high-fantasy by bringing J.R.R. Tolkein's famous novels to the big screen. Shooting them back-to-back-to-back allowed for the entire trilogy to hit theaters in three years time, making for one of the biggest franchises ever. All three movies received critical praise and did extremely well at the box office, so Warner Bros. wasn't ready to let it die. Jackson came in at the last minute to save The Hobbit trilogy too, but those films were not as well received. The tales of Middle Earth won't be explored on the big screen next, though, as Amazon is developing a major TV series. The series will be set prior to the events of Jackson's original trilogy, but it isn't yet clear if this is actually a prequel or not. It appeared possible with Jackson reportedly mulling a return, except he isn't. Related: How the Lord of the Rings TV Series Can Differ From the Movies Allocine spoke to Jackson and asked him about the rumors that he may return to this property for Amazon's TV series. While it is easy to see why he would possibly be involved in some capacity, Jackson says he is not going to work on the TV series. Translated from the interview published in French, Jackson debunked the rumors by saying: I’m not involved at all in the Lord of the Rings series. I understand how my name could come up, but there is nothing happening with me on this project. Jackson is the only one to ever have creative say in how to bring Tolkein's novels to life in a live-action setting and he did so rather well. The familiarity that fans have with his vision and the name recognition that would come with his attachment to Amazon's show are just a few reasons his name was being brought up to begin with. However, it appears that was nothing more than a rumor with no validity, just like how the same report said Jackson could go to DC instead (which he also says isn't happening). Fans of Jackson's take and the Lord of the Rings property may be bummed at first that he won't once again be leading the charge on another tale, but this could be for the best. Even though Jackson's version is beloved, him not being involved means another fresh voice will be able to put their spin on the source material and its world. Plus, with Amazon wanting this Lord of the Rings TV show to go on for several seasons, it would take up much of Jackson's time. Now that Jackson's name is out of consideration, we'll have to wait and see who Amazon appoints to lead their series. MORE: Lord of the Rings Fan Gets Surprise Message from Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings is in early development at Amazon. Source: Allocine Tags: lord of the rings DC Universe’s Titans, Swamp Thing & More Get Exclusive SDCC Posters	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2725
__label__cc	0.719944	0.280056	Product Details : Catch 22 Dvd Catch 22 Dvd Your Price €11.95 DESCRIPTION Mike Nichols film version of Joseph Hellers celebrated black comedy about US airmen stationed in the Mediterranean during World War II. Paranoid bomber pilot Yossarian (Alan Arkin) is convinced that people are out to kill him - a fair assumption given that he is in the middle of a war. However, when he tries to get himself grounded on psychiatric grounds he comes up against the infamous Catch 22: insanity is a valid reason to be removed from active duty, but as any rational man would attempt to avoid the insanity of war by pretending to be mad, those who report themselves mad therefore prove themselves sane enough to continue. Also starring John Voight as Milo Minderbinder, a profiteer who will sell anything he can get his hands on, including the silk from the mens parachutes, and Bob Newhart as Major Major, an officer who will only allow people into his office to see him when he is not there.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2726
__label__wiki	0.894818	0.894818	Tampa Transit System Steps Up Security Following Bus Driver Fatality A transit system near Tampa, Fla. is boosting security measures after a bus driver was stabbed to death by a passenger. By Sydny Shepard Staff and passengers of the Hillsborough Area Rapid Transit System (HART) in Tampa, Fla. will begin to see enhanced security measures starting June 1, the result of a plan to strengthen security and keep bus drivers safe. The $1.3 million security changes have been slated for implementation for some time, but a recent incident on a HART bus has expedited the process. On May 20, HART bus driver Thomas Dunn was fatally stabbed, allegedly by a passenger, while on route. The stabbing came just five months after Dunn had spoke at a HART meeting, raising concerns about safety after he'd been assaulted by a passenger. At the time, HART told local reporters," As concerns are brought to HART, we develop corrective action plans and they're given to the appropriate division and then we follow all our safety protocol to make sure we are addressing them throughout policies and procedures." Now, HART is making concrete changes to the safety and security of its staff and passengers. According to Colin Mulloy, the director of safety and security for HART, every bus and streetcar in the fleet will have brand new HD security cameras that will allow HART officials and law enforcement agents to tap into the video system and monitor any given situation in real-time. Mulloy also said there will be a video screen inside the busses to remind passengers that they are being recorded. Florida will be the first state to implement these kinds of security changes on buses. In addition to new technology on the busses, armed guards will be stationed along certain drop-off and pick-up points to boost security. Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2730
__label__cc	0.687962	0.312038	The refund application(s) is only for bookings made on this website. Details please refer to the Fare Note of your ticket. For itinerary to/from USA: A no-penalty 100% refund will be given if the refund application is made within 24 hours of purchase and if the ticket purchase was made at least one week (168 hours) prior to the first flight departure. On March 31, 2011, Hawaiian announced that they will be renovating the check-in lobby of the inter-island terminal at the Honolulu International Airport (Hawaiian's main hub). Hawaiian, the only occupant of the inter-island terminal, will be removing the traditional check-in counter, to install six circular check-in islands in the middle of the lobbies. Those check-in islands can be used for inter-island, mainland, and international flights.[38] Hawaiian also has frequent-flyer partnerships with several other airlines, allowing HawaiianMiles members to earn credit for flying partner airlines and/or members of partner airline frequent flyer programs to earn credit for Hawaiian flights. Some partnerships restrict credit to only certain flights, such as inter-island flights or to code-share flights booked through Hawaiian. You can exercise any of the aforementioned rights through our worldwide business offices; your request will be handled as soon as your identity is verified. To request the personal data removal, you will need to download the request form (Click on this link to download the Personal Data Removal Request Form). After completing the request form, please submit the request form in person to our offices worldwide. Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii’s largest airline, serving 20 domestic and international destinations around the Pacific. The airline flies daily to eight destinations on the islands and to Tahiti, American Samoa and Sydney, Australia. Its on-time record and baggage handling is exemplary. For Canadian flyers, Hawaiian Airlines flies from Seattle and Portland airports to Oahu, Honolulu. see balance the books; black book; bring to book; by the book; closed book; close the books; cook the books; crack a book; hit the books; in one's book; in someone's bad graces (books); judge a book by its cover; know like a book; make book; nose in a book; one for the books; open book; take a leaf out of someone's book; throw the book at; wrote the book on. Soon after, in early 1985, the company received the first two of its leased Lockheed L-1011 aircraft. One aircraft was used to launch Hawaiian's first scheduled operation out of Hawaiʻi, daily Honolulu-Los Angeles services. This new service put Hawaiian in direct competition with the major US air carriers for the first time in its history.[20] Throughout 1985 and 1986, Hawaiian Airlines added additional L-1011s to its fleet and used them to open up services to other West Coast gateway cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, and Anchorage, which placed Hawaiian in further competition against the major US airlines.[21] EVA AIR reserves the right to change these guidelines and disclaimers from time to time, and the content presented on this page is considered to be the latest version. Should a material modification to our Privacy & Security statement occur, we will post those changes on our website so that you are aware of the changes. EVA AIR also regularly reviews privacy protection/security statements to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Some libraries already have enough travel shots, but the big online stock libraries are always looking for fresh images, and want to offer as much as variety as possible. So, if you want to submit to a particular library, check you have a good range of high-quality images that are different from the library’s current selection (and as good as, or better!). Libraries will also take a cut of the money you make from selling your images, typically 50%. The personal information you provide is processed via computerized instruments, with the required cross border data transmission to the Company and its contractors, agencies, subsidiaries, associated companies, group, immigration authorities of the arrival country and business partners, for the provision of products and services. The Company shall make every effort to ensure that its employees, agents, contractors, agencies, subsidiaries, associated companies, group and partner service providers observe and adhere to the terms of this Privacy Policy. In January 2013, Hawaiian signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for an order of 16 A321neo aircraft plus up to 9 options. The aircraft is operated in a 2-class, 189 seat configuration.[80] Following the completion of labor agreements relating to the operation of the aircraft with the airline's pilot and flight attendant unions, the airline finalized the order in March 2013.[81] In December 2016, Hawaiian announced their intention of leasing two additional A321neo aircraft, bringing their total fleet of the type to 18. The first flight took place on January 17 from Kahului to Oakland.[63] According to Sixth Tone, Laoximen land clearance and resettlement is scheduled for completion by the end of this year with major works to start after this Chinese New Year. This extremely informative blog has a number of well researched articles on the progressive demise of Shanghai's old neighborhoods, and it's well worth the time for those interested to read them. The second image is of Feng "Lisa" Lee, a tea cultivator and business woman from Taipei. It's one of the images of Lisa that was shot in the confines of a photo studio owned by Timothy Huang in mid December 2018. A selection of these studio shots along with other exterior images at the beautiful Lin Ben Yuan Family Mansion (林本源園邸) in Taipei were woven into a photo film titled The Fairy & The Erhu. There is no narration in this audio slideshow....just the lovely sound of the erhu; the traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrument. The patrician-looking (and rather taciturn) sadhu in the top photograph did tell me that he had a family, had held a managerial position in the Indian Railway from which he earned a pension (now paid to his wife), but had decided to detach himself from temporal life and was currently studying the Vedas. These are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. He was the embodiment of a real sadhu who had really espoused the Vairāgya, and was far different from the "sadhus" I encountered on the ghats of Varanasi (below) almost 8 years later. This was a really informative article Hillary :) Just wish I found it sooner because just a week ago I went to the Grand Canyon to snap some photos. I didn't have this article to help, but I found a similarly useful article that provided some kind of checklist of things to do before traveling. If anyone's interested, here's what helped me out before I went to the canyon: http://www.adoramapix.com/blog/2016/10/16/photography-101-packing/#.WFH9... My still-embryonic idea is to enlist the help of a local acquaintance who would wear a cheongsam (aka qi pao), and take the role of a sing-song girl. The photo shoot would take place in the streets of Yau Ma Tei, and in the parlor itself. Whether the parlor would allow it or not is an open question that will be answered when I'm there. The owners and clients seemed very laid back when I made these photographs. Please safeguard your personal information, additional services and all kinds of online services. Do not disclose your personal information to others. To prevent others from collecting and abusing your personal information, DO REMEMBER TO LOG OUT of the site when you complete a transaction (incl. Internet reservation, shopping, member contact or other data change), and close the window before you leave the site if you share a computer with others. I introduced myself, telling Chan I had read articles about him. He didn't seem surprised at all, and brought a photo book -carefully wrapped in plastic- to show me more photos and a write up about him, along with other craftsmen in Hong Kong. I had seen Sunset Survivors; a book that tells the stories of Hong Kong’s traditional tradesmen and women through imagery and interviews. It covers a number of curious professions that are quickly falling into obscurity, from fortune telling to face threading and letter writing to bird cage making in the streets of old Hong Kong. In accordance with Article L.237-7 of French Internal Security Code, please be informed that airlines may be required to communicate personal data to authorized booking, check-in and boarding data collected from their passengers (API/PNR) to the French authorities for the purposes and under conditions as defined in the Decret N° 2014-1095 dated 26/09/2014.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2734
__label__cc	0.591234	0.408766	EVA AIR will follow the guidelines for “ Categories of personal information collected” in using the e-mail addresses collected from you to deliver relevant information that you have agreed to receive, including transaction information, services and special privileges, various information notice of Infinity MileageLands such as mileage statement, card tier expired or mileage expired letter, notice of special privileges for member only, etc. and will make known on the e-mail that it is sent by EVA AIR. Our email may contain electronic images known as Web Beacons that allow us to know whether and how many times, our email are opend and verify any click through to links within the email. The Web Beacons will be deleted when you delete the email. Infant does not occupy a seat, and must be under the age of 2 while traveling. Each purchase is limited to 9 tickets (not including infant tickets), and must contain at least 1 adult(over the age of 16). Each adult may only bring 1 infant and 1 child. For passenger traveling with infant, kindly contact your local reservation office for bassinet seat selection, subjected to availability. Some airlines do not offer infant fares (e.g. Alaska Airlines, etc.). You may purchase adult ticket first via this website, and then seek infant ticket through other channels. The Lower Omo River in south west Ethiopia is home to eight different tribes whose population is about 200,000 and it is there that they've lived there for many centuries. The tribes such as the Daasanach, Kara (or Karo), and the Mursi live along the Omo river and depend on it for their livelihood. The annual flooding of the Omo River feeds the biodiversity of the region and guarantees the food security of the tribes especially as rainfall is low and erratic. ʻOhana by Hawaiian is a regional subsidiary carrier of Hawaiian Airlines. The service is operated using three ATR 42 turboprop airplanes owned by Hawaiian and operated under contract by Empire Airlines. The new service was slated to begin in summer 2013 initially flying to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, however the airline was unable to begin during that period due to Federal Aviation Administration delays in certifying ʻOhana's operation.[56] ʻOhana by Hawaiian is fully integrated into the Hawaiian Airlines network.[44] However I didn't realize that he had done lovely work documenting a rural Chinese opera troupe in Sichuan featured on the International Business Times..thus providing me with valuable inspiration for my own long term book project involving Chinese opera of the Diaspora. My primary focus in this project is on the "rural" or provincial troupes who perform their art during Chinese celebrations and religious observances. In March 2007, Hawaiian introduced a "tasting menu" or "tapas menu" for its first class passengers on its U.S. mainland and international flights. The menu consists of twenty entrees set on a rotation, with five available on any given flight. Passengers are provided information on the available entrees for their flight when they board, or shortly after takeoff and may choose up to three entrees as part of their inflight meal.[95][96] C001: Personal identifiers, including but not limited to: name, job title, home address, work address, previous addresses, home phone numbers, cell phone numbers, instant messaging accounts, online platform accounts, mailing and registered addresses, photographs, fingerprints, email addresses, electronic signatures, personal certificate card numbers, digital certificate numbers, records of online identification/queries, IP addresses, Cookies or any other information for identifying a person; On May 4, 2006, Hawaiian Airlines expanded service between the US mainland and Hawaiʻi in anticipation of the induction of four additional Boeing 767-300 aircraft, primarily focused on expanding non-stop service to Kahului Airport from San Diego, Seattle, and Portland. Additional flights were also added between Honolulu and the cities of Sacramento, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Previously listed on the American Stock Exchange, the company moved to NASDAQ on June 2, 2008.[54] Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. is a holding company whose primary asset is the sole ownership of all issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. On June 30, 2008, the company announced that it had been added to the Russell 3000 Index.[55] All the photographs in this gallery were made using the Fuji X-Pro2 and the Fujinon 18mm 2.0 pancake lens. Since I keep camera dangling from my neck as I click the shutter, the lens aperture ring occasionally slips, so I have a small piece of gaffer tape keeping it at 2.8 or 4.0 at all times. I also keep the iso at 640 most of the time. The photographs were processed with Silver Efex; my favorite monochrome software. Hi Claire, thanks for your message. That’s correct, it’s not possible to upload photos from your computer to Instagram however it’s quite popular to get around this by emailing the photos to yourself, then opening the email on your phone and storing the attached image in your phone’s library. This then allows you to post to Instagram. Alternatively there are a number of apps or plugins that allow you to upload to Instagram, most however will require payment. This is one I suggest looking at ‘LR/Instagram‘ but I can’t promise anything as I don’t personally use this method. Hawaiian Airlines (Hawaiian: Hui Mokulele ʻo Hawaiʻi)[5][6] is the flag carrier and the largest airline in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is the tenth-largest commercial airline in the US, and is based in Honolulu, Hawaii.[7][8] The airline operates its main hub at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on the island of Oʻahu and a secondary hub out of Kahului Airport on the island of Maui.[2] Hawaiian Airlines operates flights to Asia, American Samoa, Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the United States mainland. Hawaiian Airlines is owned by Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. of which Peter R. Ingram is the current President and Chief Executive Officer.[9] These two portraits are of elderly actors; the type that the cinematic world calls' "character actors" (these are generally defined as supporting actors who play unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters). I found these actors to be much more visually interesting than the glamorous divas; not because of their rugged and wrinkled physiognomies but because they had presence...and must've been part of these troupes for as long as they could remember. In March 2018, I traveled to Shanghai to give a lecture and a street workshop at Imaging Group, and recall doing some location scouting in Laoximen with Tamia Tang (my assistant). We met an elderly resident who had lived in her small rooms virtually all her life, and had been told that she would have to vacate them soon. She claimed satisfaction that the city would be offering residents alternative housing or monetary compensation as the weather in Shanghai was too cold for her. On February 11, 2013, the airline announced a new venture in the turboprop interisland business, "ʻOhana by Hawaiian." Service is operated by Empire Airlines using ATR 42-500 turboprop airplanes. Service began on March 11, 2014, to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.[44] The airline expanded more "ʻOhana by Hawaiian" routes between Kahului, Kailua-Kona & Hilo during the summer of 2014. My personal opinion -after having met many such characters- in India; either in Varanasi, Rishikesh, Vrindavan et al, as well as at the Kumbh Mela, is that the majority of them are fake in the sense that they're not dedicated ascetics, but individuals who are adopted a vagabondage lifestyle, begging for alms and food...under the guise of being holy and religious. The third image is of Jinru Lee; a student and part-time model in Georgetown (Penang Island, Malaysia). It was made in late August 2018 under the sweltering sun of Penang, and inside the Cheah Kongsi Clan House Temple on Lebuh Armenian. I was in Penang to photograph the various Hokkien operas during the Hungry Ghost festival, and took the opportunity to set a photo shoot in its streets for a forthcoming audio slideshow (aka photo film) titled "The Phantom of the Opera". We promise that, without your consent, we will neither disclose your personal information to a third party irrelevant to the named service nor use it for any purpose other than that aforementioned, with the following exceptions: Your personal information may be disclosed, or used, in cooperation with legal investigations initiated by judicial authorities or authorities concerned as per duties and responsibilities. You are encouraged to know all your rights about using the services of this website provided by EVA Airways Corporation (hereinafter ‘the Company’ or ‘EVA AIR’). EVA AIR hereby makes the following statement in accordance with Article 8 of the Personal Information Protection Act of Taiwan and Article 7 of EU General Data Protection Regulation, which includes the guidelines we use for protecting the information you provide us during a visit to our web-site.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2735
__label__cc	0.583998	0.416002	Cloud and Big Data are changing The big data market is in a state of upheaval as companies begin shifting their data strategies from “nothing” or “everything” in the cloud to a strategic mix, squeezing out middle-market players and changing what gets shared, how that data is used, and how best to secure it. This has broad implications for the whole semiconductor supply chain, because in many cases it paves the way for more data to move freely between different vendors, no matter where they sit in that chain. That can go a long way toward improving the quality of chips and systems, reducing the cost of design and manufacturing, and shed light on supply chain constraints. It also opens up many more opportunities for data analysis to help offset rising concerns about liability in markets such as automotive, medical and mil/aero. “For years, the Fortune 500 to the Global 5,000 were reticent about moving to the cloud, but all of a sudden in the last 12 to 18 months there has been a massive shift to the cloud,” said Michael Schuldenfrei, corporate technology fellow at Optimal Plus. “This is where the industry is going. Even for sensitive applications, such as test data, the whole thing is running in the cloud. There are more and more organizations placing bets on the cloud, and you’re even seeing this for the first time in semiconductor manufacturing.” This shift is creating a fair amount of disruption along the way. Cloudera signaled big changes were afoot earlier this year when it merged with Hortonworks, reducing the Big Three in the Hadoop distributed storage and processing market down to two big players. Since then, Cloudera’s CEO stepped down in the wake of a fiscal Q1 (ended April 30) loss of $103.8 million, and MapR—the other remaining giant—sent a WARN Act notice to the state of California about layoffs. All of these moves have been generating buzz about what’s changing in the big data world, and ultimately how that will impact the cloud, the edge, and the semiconductor market that fuels all of this data processing and storage. “Hadoop is in an extremely difficult situation because it is being replaced by cloud technologies,” said Schuldenfrei. “The edge is supplemental to the cloud. The cloud players will continue to grow. But if you got back three to five years ago and ask someone if they were going to deploy any solution in the cloud, they would have said, ‘No way. We don’t trust the security.'” That was then. Companies have since begun rethinking what to keep local, what to ship to the cloud, and how data analysis can benefit their business. “The big bang involves analytics from lots of sources,” said John Kibarian, CEO of PDF Solutions. “The reality is that it’s more economical than not doing it.” Improving yield This is particularly evident when it comes to yield, and that makes it a relatively easy sell to chipmakers because there is a strong value proposition for investing in analysis as it affects yield. This should be a slam-dunk at the most advanced nodes. The irony is that many of the companies working in this space are using a succession of test chips to learn what they’re doing wrong rather than relying heavily on data. An iterative approach certainly works, but it’s more expensive and time consuming. Nevertheless, it may be the most complete approach at the most advanced nodes because that manufacturing process data is considered proprietary. Foundries share more data than in the past, but they still keep some data under wraps for a couple of reasons. First, it’s considered highly competitive. And second, that data is something of a work in progress because it needs to be refined as the process matures and as new processes are developed from that data. “The amount of data available varies between different customers and applications,” said Ram Peltinov, Patterning Control Division head at Applied Materials. “Some are more advanced in making sense of the data, but most customers try to keep that proprietary. In R&D, there is a lot of information. At production, you usually end up with the ones that make sense.” Data also varies greatly from one fab to the next, and from one process and sub-process to the next. To make sense of that requires deep knowledge of what to look for in that data, and that requires domain expertise. “It varies from fab to fab because they deploy different technology,” said Subodh Kulkarni, CEO of CyberOptics. “That makes it difficult to correlate with other fabs. It’s not apples-to-apples, so it depends on which part of the data you’re looking at. At the sensor level, that requires a tremendous amount of domain expertise to turn raw data into useful data.” This is harder than it might first appear on multiple levels. For one thing, the sensors themselves need to be calibrated. “Whenever you sense change, that has to be calibrated across a spectrum of materials,” said Kulkarni. “With scatterometry, you’re looking at reflected light and inferring information about the layer itself. We are usually reflecting distortion, which could be subtle surface structures and different silicon structures. And all of this has to be done differently, because silicon tends to oxidize almost immediately.” Also, there is so much data and different types of data, that trying to make sense of it remotely doesn’t work. Some of this is used by the manufacturing equipment rather than by people trying to analyze it. “We’ve always had error bars for probability of confidence to any measurement that’s made on the wafer,” said Chet Lenox, director of process control solutions at KLA. “But on the analytics side, the way we analyze the raw data coming off a metrology tool is changing dramatically with all of the machine learning algorithms that are available, as well as the increased computing power that we have available on the tools. We’re a little bit different from a Facebook or Google with massive data center-based analysis. We need a number, whether it’s metrology or inspection, coming off the tool right now. Any analytics done on the sensor data has to be done basically in real-time. Otherwise, there’s just not a lot of value. We’re still seeing a revolution in the way that data is processed in order to give you a final critical dimension or overlay offsets or film thickness, or whatever that may be. That also has to be real-time. You need the data now, as opposed to running wafers to the end of line and seeing what happens months from now.” How this filters down to chipmakers is inconsistent. This is partly due to the fact that some of the companies working at the leading edge are relative newcomers to making chips. It’s also partly because the cost of respins can be spread across an entire system by a large systems company. Numerous industry sources report an increase in respins over the past couple of years. “Engineering solutions are coming to application knowledge, not to physics knowledge,” said Jack Harding, president and CEO of eSilicon. “That, to me, is very dangerous because you can’t predict the behaviors in the field under extraordinary circumstances. So when people say, ‘We’ve got it working,’ the first thing I want to know is whether it’s working because they did trial-and-error and it didn’t blow up, or because they’ve done the math and the simulation and they’ve convinced themselves they have a solution to a problem they haven’t identified.” It’s the more established nodes where this data is starting to be analyzed on a much broader scale. “You can use it to make sure a part is working, but you also can use it understand which dies pass and which dies fail,” said André van de Geijn, business development manager at yieldHUB. “If you have low yield, you want to take a deeper dive into a system and understand which test is failing and why.” That includes automotive chips for everything except AI for assisted and autonomous driving, which are being developed at 7nm today. But even there, data is being shared on a more limited basis. The joint working agreements being hammered out by Ford and Volkswagen, and by BMW and Mercedes, seek to combine efforts in R&D in order to speed time to market for self-driving vehicles. Improving reliability All of this has a big impact on reliability. While German automakers are demanding zero defects for 18 years, there is also a push to make chips in other devices more reliable. The current standard in smart phones is now four years rather than two, and in some industrial applications it has risen as high as 20 years. “The analytics are growing massively because all of the chip and system companies are managing a much more complex supply chain,” said PDF’s Kibarian. “Traceability is a requirement. People want to know what set of tools that was assembled on and what is the exposure for other people who may have seen a similar problem…When you have an autonomous car that crashes, everyone wants to know if they have exposure.” The key to avoiding problems is to analyze all available data, particularly in critical areas. “This is like using Google Earth,” said Max Odendahl, CEO of Silexica. “It’s not good enough if you see a hotspot and you don’t know what’s going on. You need to tie this back to the original source code. We could run the same model twice, compare it to two different iterations, but one time something ran in 2 milliseconds and another time it ran in 25 milliseconds. Then you need to figure out what went wrong. So we need to do static analysis, dynamic analysis and semantic analysis to really understand what is the root cause and where did it come from, and how did it affect the system.” That also requires gathering of much more data than in the past and analyzing it with some insight about what can go wrong and what really matters if it does go wrong. “So now you have sub-object analysis,” Odendahl said. “You need to understand how area is being accessed. That will make a huge difference on how you’re going to stream data your DSP or GPU. You might be able to see there’s a bottleneck in the computation, but you may be blind to the reason. So there’s high-level stuff, where you’re synchronizing more than you’re sending data or you’re sending too much data to another system, versus you’re filling your tasks and sending too little data. There are various different layers, and you need to figure out where is the bottleneck. If it’s not in a critical path, you may not care, providing it’s an optimized loop. But to find that out, you need that system view.” And the data required to create that system view now needs to stick around significantly longer than in the past. “There needs to be continuity in that data,” said John O’Donnell, yieldHUB’s CEO. “New customers want 15 years of data storage, which is a big change from the previous one or two years of data currently being stored. You’ll see this with machine learning and AI next. But the challenge here is that some data can be very messy. A lot of chips are tested and retested and re-screened, so you need to reassemble data according to the picture of each batch being manufactured.” Improving security On the positive side, more data opens up more options to use it in different ways. One of the newer approaches is to use data analytics for real-time security by monitoring data traffic on a chip. “You can export that data, and obviously more data requires faster pipes,” said Rupert Baines, CEO of UltraSoC. “So we’ve got PCIe, CCIX, high-speed Ethernet that we can use to take data off chip. Increasingly, we’re also using an approach that does not take it off-chip. If you have lots and lots of processors on a chip, why not use those processors to do the analytics on-chip and locally? So you route the analytics to a subsystem, and rather than using an expensive I/O, you run the analytics locally. The advantage of that is you can be doing it in-operation. You’re sweating your assets. We have customers laying out their chips, and they’re putting in processors purely for this task. They’re using it for safety and security applications, so the analytics are being used to identify failures, potential hacks and malware, and they’re doing that live and dynamically within the chip and observing traffic patterns as they flow past. They can then react incredibly quickly because they’re within the same chip. You ’re not sending traffic somewhere else.” That needs to be combined with a better understanding of the data being generated within a device. “Having local smarts and local filtering to dramatically reduce the data volumes. If you were just to do dumb sampling of signals from a 2GHz clock with a 64-bit bus, you’re up at 100 gigabits per second on one single trace,” Baines said. “You’re talking terabytes or petabytes very quickly. So it’s absolutely essential to have intelligent local filtering in order to turn screeds of data into high-value, intelligent signals. You need that local, on-chip, statistics gathering. That’s averages, peak, mean, best-case, worst-case. You need anomaly detection. You don’t have to filter that locally, but you do have to be able to do the abstraction.” There are many pieces in the data flow. Some of that data will be processed in the cloud, some will be processed at the edge, and some will be processed directly on a chip or a specific piece of equipment. The challenge, going forward, will be to make sense of all of that, which may be company- or even business-unit specific. The data market is still evolving, and the analytics based on that data are still being defined. But all of this will have a profound impact on the semiconductor industry. The market gyrations today are just the beginning of what will eventually define the edge, the cloud, and the quality, performance, price and ultimately the interactions of all of the components that drive those systems.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2740
__label__wiki	0.65332	0.65332	State of the News Media Report: News Industry “Undermanned and Unprepared” by Tatyana Meshcheryakova \| Mar 20, 2013 “The State of the News Media 2013” report published on Monday, March 18, by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism documents “how news consumers view the financial struggles of the industry” and points to the “signs of the shrinking reporting power.” Mainly, the report has found “a news industry that is more undermanned and unprepared to uncover stories, dig deep into emerging ones or to question information put into its hands.” “And findings from our new public opinion survey released in this report reveal that the public is taking notice,” according to the report. [Emphasis throughout is ours.] David Bauder summarizes one of the main findings of the report in The Huffington Post as the following: Years of newsroom cutbacks have had a demonstrable impact on the quality of digital, newspaper and television news and in how consumers view that work. The stats are rather telling, and, as Lauren Indvik says in her Mashable article, “the consequences are vicious.” On the digital news consumption front, here are some highlights, found among the “Key Findings” section of the report: The clearest pattern of news audience growth in 2012 came on digital platforms, and the proliferation of digital devices in peoples’ lives seemed to be a big part of the reason. In 2012, total traffic to the top 25 news sites increased 7.2%, according to comScore. And according to Pew Research data, 39% of respondents got news online or from a mobile device “yesterday,” up from 34% in 2010, when the survey was last conducted. As of December 2012, about 45% of adults owned a smartphone, up from 35% in May 2011. 64% of tablet owners say they get news on their devices weekly; 37% reported they do so daily. 62% said they consume news on their smartphone weekly, and 36% do so daily. Other significant findings include: Estimates for newspaper newsroom cutbacks in 2012 put the industry down 30% since its peak in 2000 and below 40,000 full-time professional employees for the first time since 1978. On CNN, the cable channel that has branded itself around deep reporting, produced story packages were cut nearly in half from 2007 to 2012. Time magazine, the only major print news weekly left standing, cut roughly 5% of its staff in early 2013 as a part of broader company layoffs. A growing list of media outlets, such as Forbes magazine, use technology by a company called Narrative Science to produce content by way of algorithm, no human reporting necessary. Nearly one-third of the respondents (31%) have deserted a news outlet because it no longer provides the news and information they had grown accustomed to. A Pew Research Center analysis revealed that campaign reporters were acting primarily as megaphones, rather than as investigators, of the assertions put forward by the candidates and other political partisans. […] That is a reversal from a dozen years earlier when half the statements originated with journalists and a third came from partisans. An analysis of Census Bureau data by Robert McChesney and John Nichols found the ratio of public relations workers to journalists grew from 1.2 to 1 in 1980 to 3.6 to 1 in 2008 — and the gap has likely only widened since. Efforts by politicians and corporations to get their messages into news coverage are neither new nor surprising, says the report, noting: What is different now — adding up the data and industry developments — is that news organizations are less equipped to question what is coming to them or to uncover the stories themselves… For news organizations, distinguishing between high-quality information of public value and agenda-driven news has become an increasingly complicated task, made no easier in an era of economic churn. Finally, the six major trends for this year were identified as following: The effects of a decade of newsroom cutbacks are real — and the public is taking notice. The news industry continues to lose out on the bulk of new digital advertising. The long-dormant sponsorship ad category is seeing sharp growth. The growth of paid digital content experiments may have a significant impact on both news revenue and content. While the first and hardest-hit industry, newspapers, remains in the spotlight, local TV finds itself newly vulnerable. Hearing about things in the news from friends and family, whether via social media or actual word of mouth, leads to deeper news consumption. Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2742
__label__wiki	0.943942	0.943942	Food Sector Abandons Its ISAC The food sector group charged with sharing intelligence has disbanded, and the federal government is pushing its own food-sector information-sharing Web portal. THE DEPARTMENT of Homeland Security (DHS) says the formation of information sharing and analysis centers (ISACs) is key to intelligence sharing. That is why it recommended back in 2006 that each of the country’s 18 critical infrastructure sectors form an ISAC. But the food sector has abandoned the model, even as experts acknowledge the need for a “network of networks” to tie together the industry’s information resources. The food and agriculture sector was one of the first to form an ISAC, doing so in 2002 even before DHS existed. But the Food Marketing Institute, which hosted the Food ISAC, suspended the program earlier this year due to lack of activity and information flow, says Clay Detlefsen, vice president of regulatory affairs and general counsel for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) Food Sector Coordinating Council. An ISAC’s primary purpose is sharing threat information, whether among industry stakeholders or with government partners. But the Food ISAC did not receive any terrorism-based threat information, apparently because no threats had been detected. “There’s no information to be shared and analyzed; none going in,” Detlefsen says. Meanwhile FoodSHIELD, a post-9-11 information-sharing network established by the Department of Agriculture with the University of Minnesota’s DHS-funded National Center for Food Protection and Defense, faces loss of funding. Instead DHS is expected to push the use of its Homeland Security Information Network Food and Agriculture (HSIN-FA), a new Web-based information-sharing portal, Detlefsen says. Industry and public health officials question the DHS move, saying there is no need for new independent data portals in the food sector. If a specific food-related terrorist threat were to emerge tomorrow, Detlefsen says, there are many ways for users to get meaningful information about it and to share that with others who need to know. Older Web-based information-sharing portals for food and epidemiology sectors proliferate, while the food sector’s myriad trade groups, like IDFA, exist primarily to share information with members, Detlefsen says. The country’s state and local public health community shares his view. “We don’t need another system,” says Dr. Gail Hanson, the Kansas state government’s epidemiologist, who gets involved in state investigations into incidents that raise concerns about food safety, such as the recent Salmonella outbreak that caused people in Kansas and many other states to become ill. Among existing systems is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) PulseNet, a database containing DNA types for various strains of reportable diseases. The database is used to determine whether dispersed illnesses are part of the same outbreak. Hanson herself points to other data exchanges popular within the epidemiology community, including the Health Alert Network from the CDC and regular updates from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. Yet the country still needs a unifying system to facilitate data sharing among food-safety stakeholders, say Michael R. Taylor of The George Washington University and Michael B. Batz of the University of Florida. The two offered recommendations for establishing such a system in their report “Harnessing Knowledge to Ensure Food Safety: Opportunities to Improve the Nation’s Food Safety Information Infrastructure.” Chief among their recommendations is leadership at the federal level. They call for the formation of a national council to govern information sharing and establishment of a user group, consisting of professionals working in the field, to tell policymakers what they need. “Everyone in the system gets this problem, but it’s no one’s job to fix it. There’s the will, but not the wherewithal,” Taylor says. Whether that leadership will appear, “remains to be seen,” Taylor says. Detlefsen acknowledges that his sector lacks a unified information-sharing mechanism. “I can’t say how many times there have been discussions about linking the systems,” he says, “and it doesn’t happen.” Policy ＆ Regulation	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2745
__label__cc	0.667332	0.332668	Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – Toni Pike, Andrew Joyce and Hilary Custance Green Welcome to the first of the March Cafe and Bookstore updates. The first author to be updated today is Toni Pike who has released the third book in the Jotham Fletcher Mystery series, The Magus Epiphany About The Magus Epiphany ONLY ONE MAN CAN STOP THE REVELATION THAT WILL SHATTER THE WORLD. Jotham Fletcher returns in a deadly quest to save his own family and unravel the mystery behind two ancient relics, the murder of a young woman and a shocking series of messages about an epiphany. Jotham and Madena have dedicated their lives to stopping the work of the long-hidden Simonian Sect and the Brotherhood who will commit any crime to achieve the same goal. Their belated honeymoon in Italy is interrupted when they cross paths with the sect and hear news of a mysterious object left at the spot where Simon Magus died in Rome two thousand years ago. The hunt begins for answers – and soon they are both in mortal danger. The maniacal new leader of the sect has a plan to rewrite history. Father Dominic, the head of the Brotherhood, flees across Europe with the help of a brutal killer. A strange series of messages about a solar eclipse has the world waiting for a revelation. And with Jotham’s family at stake, he must confront a nightmare from his past. FEATURING: a fast-paced and gripping plot, mysterious relics left in Rome and Winchester, kidnapping, robbery, murder and a pursuit stretching from Assisi in Italy to an unforgettable climax in the Scottish Highlands. By the book: https://www.amazon.com/Epiphany-Jotham-Fletcher-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B06WD6TCR6 One of the recent reviews of the first book in the series The Magus Covenant. Hair-raising magnificent thriler! By Uma I. Van Roosenbeek on October 12, 2016 A beautiful edge of the seat thriller based on Simon the Magician or Simon Magus mentioned in various places in the Bible. The way the story is woven, the characters developed, the twists and turns that the plot develops as it moves along makes the book alluring, fascinating and irresistible. The revelation at the end takes the reader by total surprise and makes this book a topnotch one! One gets enthralled as one goes through each page! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Toni’s other book too! Read all the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Toni-Pike/e/B009I70E8Y For more information on Toni and her books and international buy links: https://tonipike.com/the-jotham-fletcher-mystery-thriller-series/ My next update is for Andrew Joyce and it is my own review for Yellow Hair. The book was on my Christmas book list and I took the opportunity over my recent break to settle in and enjoy. About Yellow Hair Through no fault of his own, a young man is thrust into a new culture just at the time that culture is undergoing massive changes. It is losing its identity, its lands, and its dignity. He not only adapts, he perseveres and, over time, becomes a leader—and on occasion, the hand of vengeance against those who would destroy his adopted people. Yellow Hair documents the injustices done to the Sioux Nation from their first treaty with the United States in 1805 through Wounded Knee in 1890. Every death, murder, battle, and outrage written about actually took place. The historical figures that play a role in this fact-based tale of fiction were real people and the author uses their real names. Yellow Hair is an epic tale of adventure, family, love, and hate that spans most of the 19th century. This is American history. My review for Yellow Hair. As a child of the 1960s, and with a father who was a huge Western fan, it was easy to get carried away with the dramatic and sweeping misinformation that was paraded before us. John Wayne led the charge across the plains and the common theme running through these Hollywood epics was ‘the only good injun, is a dead injun!’ Then in my late teens I read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown and my love affair with many of the western films was at an end. I had read the reviews of Yellow Hair and I was interested to read this fictionalised version of actual events. I was not disappointed and as I was introduced to the back stories of the white settlers, and their often very pragmatic and desperate reasons for heading into the West, I began to see how it was not usually a malicious intrusion and greedy land grab but two cultures being misled and manipulated by the US Government and those with commercial interests. You reach a point early on in the book; having been introduced to the settlers in this wagon train, when you are shocked into the recognition of how very dangerous their undertaking was and how unprepared the majority of them were. Then begins the saga that becomes the story of a white man living as part of this besieged indigenous people, struggling to maintain their traditions and to survive the destruction of their way of life and the land that sustains them. The list of injustices is very long, and the brutality of the clashes between the cultures, graphic and very disturbing. Peace was brokered time after time and promises were made that were only as good for as long as it took the ink to dry. You will be shocked at your sense of outrage as the behaviour of those in power and also saddened that these once proud and flourishing tribes should be so decimated in just 85 years. Andrew Joyce does not pull any punches, but he presents the facts well and fairly. The thread that binds the story together, and humanises it, is the story of a young man with a foot in both cultures. Seeing the events and catastrophic impact on both settler and Indian through his eyes, will make you question much of the history written by the victors and then dramatised for our entertainment. I recommend that you read the book for yourselves and you can find it here: Read all the reviews and BUY the book: https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Hair-Andrew-Joyce-ebook/dp/B01LXOXHBI Also by Andrew Joyce BUY all the books: https://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Joyce/e/B00EUCFDTM Connect to Andrew: https://andrewjoyce.wordpress.com/ The final author update today is for Hilary Custance Green and her book Surviving The Death Railway – A POW’s memoir and Letters from Home. The ordeals of the POWs put to slave labour by their Japanese masters on the ‘Burma Railway’ have been well documented yet never cease to shock. It is impossible not to be horrified and moved by their stoic courage in the face of inhuman brutality, appalling hardship and ever-present death. While Barry Custance Baker was enduring his 1000 days of captivity, his young wife Phyllis was attempting to correspond with him and the families of Barry’s unit. Fortunately these moving letters have been preserved and appear, edited by their daughter Hilary, in this book along with Barry’s graphic memoir written after the War. Surviving the Death Railway’s combination of first-hand account, correspondence and comment provide a unique insight into the long nightmare experienced by those in the Far East and at home. The result is a powerful and inspiring account of one of the most shameful chapters in the history of mankind which makes for compelling reading. The latest review for the book A touching reminder of the people behind the history books and a well-deserved memorial By OlgaNM on 28 Feb. 2017 Thanks to Hilary Custance Green (who edited part of her family history and that of many others) and to Katie Eaton from Pen & Sword Books Limited (www.pen-and-sword.co.uk) for sending me a paperback copy of this book that I freely choose to review. As a reader, when it comes to stories about the war, I’ve always been more interested in the individuals (both in the front and back home) than in the way the battles were fought. I had heard, read, and mostly watched TV programmes and movies about Japanese war camps (I won’t forget Tenko in a hurry). Probably lots of people have. This book provides the personal experience of a family whose lives were affected and transformed by the war. We get to know Barton (Barry) Custance Baker, born in Malaya, before the war; we later learn of his marriage to Phyllis and then we follow him all the way back to Malaya and read on as he becomes father and prisoner of war. We also read (thanks to the correspondence of the period, some that reached its destination and some that didn’t) about Phyllis’s life, the thoughts of those left back home and the way they tried to hang on to hope. The book combines letters from Barry to Phyllis about his life in the East, most of the time not sure if any of them would make it to his wife, letters from Phyllis to Barry, trying to keep up his spirits with news about their son, Robin, and his family, and the diary Barry wrote, containing more details about his time abroad, although always trying to emphasise the positive and understate the difficulties. The combination of these narratives creates a complex and complementary testimony of the varied experiences of the war for those on both sides of the conflict, such as the difficulty of being away and separated from those you love for years, missing the early years of a son you hardly know and worrying that you might no longer know your partner when you go back (or when they come back), and contrasting the often mistaken ideas and thoughts about what the other party might be enduring. Barry’s parents thought he would be bored as a PoW, never imagining he would be building a railway line, the Thailand-Burma railway, appropriately called Death Railway, as it cost so many lives (not only British). That he, as an officer, might be engaged in heavy labouring work, starved and ill did not enter their imagination. Barry also had little concept of life back home and did not have news of his parents’ move to San Francisco to help with radio transmissions in Malayan or later, of the death of his younger brother, John. He imagines there might be some restrictions and even danger, but not how unsettling the lack of news was. Barry’s efforts trying to ensure he kept track of his men and that he did all he could to keep them safe were echoed by those made by Phyllis, who tried her hardest to create a network of information to share any news between the relatives and friends of the men in her husband’s unit, sending encouraging letters, and even creating a dossier with as much data as possible about all the men, to facilitate the task of the War Office in identifying and reporting their fate. The book is extraordinary too because it clearly shows the tireless efforts they all made to try and keep in touch at a time when communication with each other wasn’t only a click away, and when sometimes years might pass without any news of the other person (and in the best case scenario the news might be years old by the time they get it). Forget about 140 characters on Twitter. The rules of their communication kept changing and at some point they could only send 25 words to their loved one, and that included the date. And the best they could hope for was a prewritten card with only a few words added by hand. If physically the experiences are very different (although not full of gross details, we get a clear sense of the trials and suffering the men had to endure), mentally, the toll of the lack of information, of the separation and the impotence is clear on both sides. And those letters of mothers, girlfriends, uncles, asking for information about their loved ones, sharing the good and bad news, but always trying to encourage the other person, no matter what their lot has been, are impossible to forget. Even the replies to Phyllis request for particulars about the men convey so much more than what is written. It is amazing how a few words to describe somebody can be so full of feeling and be so touching, and how much they say about unspoken emotions. As readers, we can but share in the feelings, and are touched by the hopes, anxieties, and stress of the situation. We are given an extraordinary insight into the lives of people whom we might have known, and who could have been our neighbours, friends, or family. We read about their joy at the impending reunion and their wish to get to know each other (and the worry that they might no longer recognise or like the persons they have become). Barry and Phyllis become our ersatz family and we’re happy to learn they had more children and lived happy and fulfilling lives. I was particularly moved by a moment towards the end of Barry’s life when he’s ill in hospital and for a moment believes he’s back at the camp. When his daughter (Hilary) explains to him what has happened since and he realises he’s ill and dying but has lived a full life he says ‘I’ll settle for that’. I hope we all can say that when our time comes. Hilary Custance Green, the editor of the book, and Barry and Phyllis’s daughter has found the way of letting the letters and the diary tell the story, with very little explanation or unnecessary interference, other than minimal clarifications or explanations when needed. The material is powerful enough in its own right. She has done a great job and the book is a great memorial not only to her parents but also to all the men and women who went through the experience. At the end of the book, there is a call to anybody who might have information about families of members of the Men of 27 Line Section to get in touch with the editor. Don’t forget to pass the message on if you know anybody connected to the menor with contacts who might have more information. In summary, this is a fantastic book for those interested in World War II, both from the point of view of war action and of the home front, those interested in stories about PoW, tales of human bravery, valour, endurance and the heroism of extraordinary ‘ordinary’ people. Don’t miss this book and don’t forget to pass it on to anybody who might have known a member of the unit. Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Surviving-Death-Railway-Pows-Memoir-Letters-Home/1473870003 Also by Hilary Custance Green Read the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hilary-Custance-Green/e/B0034Q4SEQ Connect to Hilary via her website: http://www.hilarycustancegreen.com Thanks for dropping by today and if you would like to feature in the Cafe and Bookstore then please click on this link: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore/ This entry was posted in Book Promotion, It is a Wonderful Life., Sally's Cafe and Bookstore Update and tagged Andrew Joyce, Hilary Custance Green, Toni Pike by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.. Bookmark the permalink. 22 thoughts on “Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – Toni Pike, Andrew Joyce and Hilary Custance Green” Pingback: Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – Toni Pike, Andrew Joyce and Hilary Custance Green \| Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life robbiesinspiration on March 1, 2017 at 4:56 pm said: So lovely to see your lovely selections of books, Sally. I am glad you reminded me about Yellow Hair. I was interested in it when I read a review a while back but it had slipped my mind. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. on March 1, 2017 at 5:09 pm said: Great Robbie..hugs xx paulandruss on March 1, 2017 at 5:12 pm said: A great selection of intriguing books here Sally Thank you Paul.. xx ONly said it coz its TRUE! Toni Pike on March 2, 2017 at 3:28 am said: Thanks, Paul. I’ll definitely be adding both “Yellow Hair” and “Surviving the Death Railway” to my reading list. Thanks Toni.. xx Thank you so much for including “The Magus Epiphany” in your update wonderful today – Sally. I feel very honoured x Reblogged this on Toni Pike and commented: Many thanks to Sally Cronin for including “The Magus Epiphany” in her latest Author Update, alongside great writers Andrew Joyce and Hilary Custance Green. I’m very lucky to be included in “Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore” where you can find an excellent and wide-ranging selection of authors and their books. Delighted to showcase the new book Toni.. look forward to sharing more reviews at the weeks go by.. xx Thank you so much, Sally – hugs, Toni Let's CUT the Crap! on March 2, 2017 at 3:19 am said: Before I lay me down to sleep, I marvel at the books on offer here. Thank you, Sally. Another wonderful bookshelf collection. 😀 😀 ❤ That is terrific Tess. hugs xx♥ Let's CUT the Crap! on March 2, 2017 at 11:23 pm said: Hugs, back. 🙂 ❤ Thanks so much, Tess. Pingback: Smorgasbord Round Up \| Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life Pingback: Smorgasbord Round Up – Loss, Memories, Blog Sitters and The Colour of Life \| Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life The Owl Lady on March 6, 2017 at 12:24 pm said: Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady. Toni Pike on March 6, 2017 at 12:28 pm said: Thanks once again, Viv x Thank you Viv. xx	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2747
__label__wiki	0.886697	0.886697	Index ETFs the better performers Index exchange-traded funds generated greater returns than their actively managed counterparts over the past year, according the latest market research. The latest research into the exchange-traded funds (ETF) shows index offerings covering Australian equities outperformed those that were actively managed with the same underlying assets over the past 12 months. This was one of the key findings from the annual Stockspot “Australian ETF Research” report, which indicated index Australian share ETFs generated an average one-year return of 13.1 per cent compared to their actively managed counterparts, which produced an average return of 5.9 per cent. “Whether you’re investing in Australian shares, global shares or bonds, more than 80 per cent of active fund managers have consistently failed to beat the index. It’s no wonder investors are abandoning risky stock picking for the safer option of tracking the market index,” Stockspot chief executive Chris Brycki said. The study also identified fixed income as the fastest-growing ETF offerings, having attracted one-third of all new inflows over the past year. The result means the funds under management (FUM) for bond ETFs almost doubled during that period. Another key finding was the cost savings provided for investors over 2018/19 were estimated to be $300 million had they used an ETF instead of an actively managed unitised fund. “Considering ETFs still only make up 2 per cent of the share market in Australia, a $300 million saving is huge. This figure will increase exponentially as more Australian investors gravitate towards these wonderful low-cost wealth-building products,” Brycki said. Further, the study predicted FUM in ETFs would double over the coming three years to reach $100 billion by 2022. This forecast is based on the theory that the move away from direct shares and managed funds into ETFs that was experienced in the United States and Europe would be replicated in Australia. To that end, the report highlighted ETFs had grown from $17.8 billion to $45.8 million in FUM over the past five years or the duration of the paper. These figures show ETFs are still the fastest-growing area in the Australian asset management market. The research analysed statistics pertaining to 190 ETF products. Darin is the founder and publisher of Benchmark Media, an independent publishing house whose mastheads include financialobserver, selfmanagedsuper and smstrusteenews. He has been covering the financial services space for over a decade and in this time he has worked for a variety of trade publications. Darin has also written for the Money section published in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Articles by Darin	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2748
__label__wiki	0.533011	0.533011	After graduating from Dreyfoos in 2004, theatre alum Alex Calle went on to study Scenic Design at the California Institute of the Arts where he earned his BFA. Now the CEO and Director of Design for Entertainment Design Corporation, Alex has worked all over the world on public art installations, theatrical productions, and theme park attractions, to name just a few of his endeavors. While busy at work on his next project in Macau, China, Alex found some time to discuss his work with us, his memories of Dreyfoos, and what made him decide to establish a scholarship at the School of the Arts Foundation. Q: Favorite Dreyfoos teacher? A: Ann Cadaret Q: What is the most profound change you experienced at Dreyfoos? A: Realizing I could tell stories and affect emotion using inanimate objects. Dreyfoos let me experiment with design; experiment with incredible mentors and with incredible resources. Q: Is there something Dreyfoos could have provided that could have better prepared you for your college and career? A: I wish we had been more encouraged to tell stories through mediums other than theatre during my time at Dreyfoos. Though theatre is my passion and first love, I've since learned, and have fallen in love with, the stories I can tell in film, television, dance, public art, and installation art. The entertainment world is looking for storytellers that can embrace, mix, and create art with a variety of mediums and it's important that Dreyfoos' artists experiment outside their major and with artists outside their typical collaborator circle. Q: As CEO and Director of Design for Entertainment Design Corporation, what is your day-to-day like? A: Running a company with a diverse creative portfolio and splitting my time between the business and creative processes can equal one busy day. Last year I remember a morning that started with a conference call to Dubai discussing the writing of a fart joke in a dark ride we conceived, direct to a budgeting meeting for a nighttime spectacular show we were proposing, to an engineering discussion on a white water rapids attraction we were designing, to an art direction conference call comparing wood finishes needed in an illusion we designed for a new theatrical production, that lead to a production meeting to discuss the installation schedule of a kinetic art sculpture we were producing in China... all before 2pm. And strangely enough, I love it. Those are the type of days I live for. I love the juggling of creative and business; I love the wild and crazy projects; and I love that each day will be completely different. Q: You have worked on many projects, from films to set designs to public art installations all over the world. What area of design do find to be the most challenging? A: Staying true to the initial and purest form of the project's concept is the most difficult challenge in design. There are so many things / people / circumstances that can derail and muddy the waters of what makes a good project great, it can sometimes be hard to keep on track. It's important to differentiate what's good and what's good for the project. Q: What current projects are you working on? A: At the moment we are working on designs for; two theme parks in the UAE, a nighttime spectacular show in Malaysia, and a kinetic art installation in China. Q: What have been some of your favorite work experiences? A: Eating freshly cooked unidentifiable shell fish on a fisherman's boat with a bunch of Chinese riggers in Hong Kong's harbor in between show installs, seeing art installations like the Crane Dance, The Fortune Diamond, and The Crystal Pool come to life for the first time, meeting with a mayor of a Chinese province in order to present show concepts over dinner only to get a large fish bone stuck in my throat and rushed to a rural Chinese hospital to have it removed, and watching spectators connect with our art and seeing it impact them in a meaningful way. Q: What do you feel has been the highlight of your career so far? A: Being able to lead a team of artists as strong and talented as the one we have at EDC. I'm so thrilled and empowered to work with them everyday. Q: Two years ago, you established a scholarship for a Dreyfoos student going on to study Theatrical Design in college. What inspired you to do this? A: I am the person I am today because of the many people that helped me along my way. This is my way of trying to pay it forward. Q: Have you had the opportunity to work with other Dreyfoos (SOA) alums? A: No... not that I can think of. Not yet anyway. Dreyfoos mafia... give me a ring. Let's do something! Q: What recommendations do you have for our current DSOA students? A: Don't be afraid to show the world who you are and what you can offer it. Take risks and be bold. Q: In a brief statement can you explain “What Dreyfoos means to me”? A: Dreyfoos helped me grow as a young artist and exposed me to opportunities I never would have had access to otherwise.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2749
__label__wiki	0.841648	0.841648	#OTD in 1869 – Typhoid Mary, the first healthy carrier of the disease ever identified in the United States, is put in quarantine, where she would remain for the rest of her life. Stair na hÉireannIrish HistoryCo. Tyrone, Cookstown, Long Island, Mary Mallon, New York, North Brother Island, Oyster Bay, Riverside Hospital, Typhoid Mary Mary Mallon was born in 1869 in Cookstown, Co Tyrone. She emigrated from Ireland to the United States in 1884. An Irish immigrant cook, Mallon became the focus of one of the best-known episodes in the history of communicable disease when U.S. health officials identified her as a healthy carrier of the organism causing typhoid fever. Mallon, who refused to acknowledge her role in spreading the disease as a cook, is known to have infected at least 53 people, resulting in three deaths. Unable to stop her from cooking for others, New York City authorities confined her for 26 years on North Brother Island in the East River. Prior to Mallon, authorities including Robert Koch and Walter Reed had speculated that the disease might be spread by carriers who transmitted typhoid bacteria even though they looked and felt perfectly well. Mallon became the first healthy carrier to be positively identified by U.S. health officials, when she was tracked down by George Soper, an epidemiologist and sanitary engineer from the New York City Department of Health. Soper was hired by the owner of a summer retreat at Oyster Bay, Long Island, to investigate a typhoid outbreak there during the summer of 1906. Six cases of typhoid had developed among 11 members of the household of a visiting New York banker, and the retreat owner was concerned his property might not be rented again unless the source was exposed and eliminated. Soper’s investigation led to Mallon, who had been hired as cook 23 days before the first typhoid case materialised at Oyster Bay. She had left shortly after the outbreak began. Tracing Mallon through her employment agency, Soper found that she had cooked for seven other wealthy families, six of whom were afflicted by typhoid around the time of her employment. Soper finally caught up with Mallon in an affluent household on Manhattan’s Park Avenue, where an only daughter was critically ill with typhoid and a laundress had been hospitalised with the disease. Encountering Mallon in the kitchen, Soper explained his investigation and asked for samples of her urine, blood, and feces. Mallon responded with a sharp kitchen instrument. When a subsequent visit by Soper and a medical colleague only pushed Mallon into another rage, the City Department of Health dispatched Sara Josephine Baker, a female physician who visited with a group of New York City policemen. Mallon lunged at the visitors with a long kitchen fork and fled to a nearby shed, where she was arrested and taken to hospital in an ambulance, kicking, screaming, and biting, with Baker sitting on her chest. Mallon’s feces repeatedly tested positive for typhoid bacteria and various medical treatments did not eliminate them. Soper tried unsuccessfully to persuade the cook to have her gallbladder removed, an operation that sometimes halted production of the bacteria but was considered a high risk at the time. Mallon subsequently was sent to the Riverside Hospital for communicable diseases on North Brother Island. The New York press learned of her case and dubbed her “Typhoid Mary” in sensational articles, one of which was accompanied by a drawing showing her cracking human skulls onto a grill. After two years at North Brother Island, Mallon applied to a judge to be released, describing her involuntary confinement as “unjust, outrageous, uncivilised,” and complaining that she was “treated like an outcast a criminal” even though she was charged with no crime. The fact that Mallon was healthy was a new twist on existing quarantine practices, but the judge ruled in 1909 that she was a menace to public health officials had a right to confine her. However, the following year, a New York health commissioner agreed to release Mallon on her promise to refrain from cooking or handling food for others. The terms of release required her to report to health officials every three months, but Mallon disappeared. She was finally located in 1915 at New York’s Sloane Hospital for Women, where she was working in the kitchen under the assumed name of Mary Brown. An outbreak of typhoid cases had occurred among the nursing staff there and coworkers had jokingly taken to calling her “Typhoid Mary,” never suspecting that she was the infamous Mary Mallon they had read about in the newspapers. She returned to the hospital on North Brother Island, where a special cottage was built for her in 1923. In her long years of life quarantine there, Mallon never admitted her status as a typhoid carrier. She did, however, become more compliant and was allowed to work at Riverside Hospital as a laboratory technician and even to visit friends in Manhattan and Queens. On Christmas Day, 1932, Mallon suffered a stroke, which left her paralysed until her death from bronchopneumonia six years later on 11 November 1938. Her funeral, held in a spacious church in the Bronx, was attended by nine people. Apparently still doubtful that a typhoid carrier could be free of symptoms, the doctor who filled out her death certificate wrongly listed typhoid as a contributing factor in her death. 1872 – Birth of Irish patriot, Mary MacSwiney (Maire Nic Shuibhne), in London. She was educated in the Ursuline Convent and later trained as a teacher at Cambridge University. Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. #quote	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2750
__label__cc	0.624553	0.375447	Statutes > Nebraska > Chapter29 > 29-1820 29-1820. Plea of guilty; record; accused; custody.If the accused pleads guilty the plea shall be recorded on the indictment, and the accused may be placed in the custody of the sheriff until sentence. SourceG.S.1873, c. 58, § 452, p. 823; R.S.1913, § 9096; C.S.1922, § 10121; C.S.1929, § 29-1819; R.S.1943, § 29-1820; Laws 1963, c. 162, § 1, p. 575. AnnotationsRequirement of entry of plea on back of indictment or information is directory and not mandatory. Jurgenson v. State, 166 Neb. 111, 88 N.W.2d 129 (1958).Plea of guilty is equivalent to finding of guilty and will sustain such an order. Leiby v. State, 79 Neb. 485, 113 N.W. 125 (1907).Plea of guilty, entered by defendant, is evidence against him in subsequent action to which he is party involving same subject matter. Wisnieski v. Vanek, 5 Neb. Unof. 512, 99 N.W. 258 (1904).	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2753
__label__wiki	0.894253	0.894253	Justia › US Law › US Case Law › US Supreme Court › Volume 88 › Douglass v. Douglass Douglass v. Douglass, 88 U.S. 98 (1874) Douglass v. Douglass, 88 U.S. 21 Wall. 98 98 (1874) Douglass v. Douglass 88 U.S. (21 Wall.) 98 1. Under the statute of Maryland passed in 1785, chapter 80, § 14, where, in a replevin suit, the party from whom the goods were taken is reinstated in his possession by executing a bond, and a bond is given for the restoration of the specified goods, and these goods are delivered to the sheriff on the writ de retorno habendo issued on a judgment recovered, this is a satisfaction of the obligation, though the goods were not in like good order as when the bond was executed. 2. If the obligor has injured them or culpably suffered them to become injured while they were in his possession, a recovery cannot be had against him on the bond if the marshal have once taken possession. The marshal's possession is that of the obligee in the bond. Any redress for such injury must be had by a separate proceeding. By an act of the Assembly of Maryland, in force in the District of Columbia, [Footnote 1] provision is made that, upon motion of the defendant in replevin in certain specified cases, the court may order a return of the goods taken in such replevin to the defendant. In such cases, when a return is Page 88 U. S. 99 awarded, it is "upon the said defendant's entering into bond, with security to be approved by the court, conditioned for the return of said property if the same be adjudged by the court. [Footnote 2]" This statute being in force, Henry Douglass executed in Washington, D.C., a penal bond of the sort mentioned to William Douglass in the sum of $11,000. It recited that William Douglass, as administrator &c., had sued out against Henry Douglass a writ of replevin, under which had been seized and delivered to William, as administrator, certain articles (greenhouse plants) mentioned in the writ; that Henry had moved the court to return the articles to him, and that the court ordered their return upon his giving bond as required. The condition of the bond was as follows: "Now the condition of this obligation is such that if the said Henry Douglass shall and will return the goods and chattels in said declaration mentioned, if the same be adjudged, and in all things stand to, abide by, and perform and fulfill the judgment of the said court, then the above obligation to be void; otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue in law." On this bond the said William Douglass, administrator &c., brought suit in the court below. The declaration averred that it was adjudged in the suit that the property in the articles was in William, as such administrator, and that it was considered by the court that they should be restored to him, that he should recover of Henry $537.23 for costs, "and that he have execution for the return of said goods and chattels, and for said costs of suit." The breach alleged was "That the said Henry Douglass did not return and deliver up the said goods and chattels to the said William Douglass, administrator, as aforesaid, or well and truly abide by and perform and fulfill the judgment of the said court in the premises, but had hitherto wholly neglected and refused so to do, and still doth so refuse and neglect, whereby the said writing obligatory hath become forfeited to the said plaintiff. " Page 88 U. S. 100 The defendant filed four pleas: 1. That he did not commit the breach alleged. 2. That he did not neglect and refuse to abide by and fulfill the judgment of the court. 3. That the plaintiff caused a writ of de retorno habendo to be issued, and that in execution of the writ the marshal seized the goods and chattels mentioned in the declaration, and tendered them to the plaintiff, who refused to receive them. 4. That he did deliver to the plaintiff the goods and chattels mentioned in the declaration, as he was bound to do. The third and fourth pleas concluded with a verification. The first and second concluded neither with a verification nor to the country. The plaintiff took issue on the first, second, and fourth pleas; to the third he replied that "when the marshal seized the said goods and chattels, they were much damaged and altered in condition and of materially less value than when they were delivered to said defendant as aforesaid, wherefore plaintiff refused to receive the same, and they were left by the marshal and still remain in the defendant's possession, and this he is ready to verify." There was no rejoinder to the replication. Upon this state of the pleadings, the case went to the jury. Upon the trial, the plaintiff offered evidence tending to prove the value of the goods and chattels when they were delivered by the marshal to the defendant and also evidence tending to prove that they were seized by the marshal at several times under two writs of de retorno habendo, issued upon the judgment in favor of the plaintiff, and tendered to the plaintiff by the marshal; that the plaintiff refused to receive them; that they were then in a changed and damaged condition, and hence his refusal. The evidence was admitted, and the defendant excepted. The defendant offered evidence tending to prove that under the two writs of de retorno habendo, the goods and chattels had been seized by the marshal and tendered to the plaintiff; that he refused to receive them, and that upon one of the occasions when they were so seized, the plaintiff was present and objected only to a few of the articles as not included in the original suit; that the deputy marshal who served the writ and made the seizure instructed the plaintiff to furnish means of removing the articles from the premises of the defendant, which he refused to do, and that thereupon the deputy left them where he found them, without any consultation or understanding with the defendant, and that the defendant never accepted them from the marshal. The plaintiff objected to the evidence, the court excluded it, and the defendant excepted. The defendant prayed the court to instruct the jury that the tender to the plaintiff, by the marshal, discharged the obligation of the bond. The court refused, and the defendant excepted. The plaintiff thereupon asked the following instructions: 1. That the proceedings under the writs de retorno habendo did not bar the plaintiff's right to recover. 2. That unless the defendant had offered to return the goods and chattels, he was liable for their value at the time they were delivered to him by the marshal, with interest from the date of the judgment of return. These instructions were given, and the defendant excepted. Verdict and judgment having been rendered for the plaintiff, the defendant brought the case here. ERROR TO THE SUPREME COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MR. JUSTICE SWAYNE, having stated the case, delivered the opinion of the Court. The exceptions taken by the defendant are all well taken. The central and controlling question in the case is the effect of the seizure of the property by the marshal and its tender to the plaintiff. He sued out the writ. It went into the hands of the marshal by his procurement. He was the actor in causing its issuance and service. The marshal acted for him. He cannot be permitted to play fast and loose with the process he invoked. The marshal's possession was his possession. As soon as it was taken, the efficacy of the bond touching the return of the property was at an end. The bond stipulated for the return of the property and nothing more in relation to it. We cannot interpolate what the contract does not contain. Our duty is to execute it as we find it, and not to make a new one. The seizure and tender satisfied the judgment of return and the defendant's obligation. [Footnote 3] Neither could be revived by the plaintiff's refusal to receive the property. The refusal was of no legal consequence. If the defendant injured the property or culpably suffered it to become injured while it was in his possession, a remedy must be sought in some other appropriate proceeding. It cannot be had in a suit on the bond. If no writ de retorno habendo had issued, it would have been the duty of the defendant to seek the plaintiff and deliver the property to him if he would receive it. Had the defendant failed to do this, there would have been a breach of the bond, and he would have been liable. The action taken by the plaintiff obviated the necessity of his doing anything in that way. The judgment is reversed and the case remanded with directions to issue a venire de novo and proceed in conformity to this opinion. Act of 1785, ch. 80, § 14. Evans's Practice 237-238. Carrico v. Taylor, 3 Dana 33. 88 U.S. 98	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2760
__label__wiki	0.601128	0.601128	The Suquamish Foundation is a Tribally-chartered, non-profit organization created in late 2005 to benefit the Suquamish Tribe, its members and its neighbors.The Foundation, in partnership with the Suquamish Tribe, prioritizes its fundraising efforts to fund a series of projects that will bring Suquamish cultural values and traditions to the forefront of community life. We envision a sustained cultural resurgence that benefits Tribal members, our neighbors and the many others who visit our homeland. Guided by our ancestors and the wisdom of our elders, and informed by our youth and adults, the Suquamish Foundation works with the Suquamish Tribe to design and fund projects that provide cultural, educational, and recreational resources for our community, our neighbors and our guests. 2018 Board Members Leonard Forsman Board President Leonard Forsman has served as Tribal Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe since 2005. He has served on Tribal Council for a total of 27 years, worked as a professional archaeologist and is the former director of the Suquamish Museum. He also serves on the boards of the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, the Washington State Historical Society, the Seattle Waterfront Steering Committee, Suquamish Tribal Cultural Cooperative, the Suquamish Museum, the Washington Indian Gaming Association, the West Central Local Integrating Organization, and the Tribal Leaders Congress on Education. President Barack Obama appointed Chairman Forsman to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in 2013 and 2016 where he currently serves as Vice-Chairman. He grew up in Suquamish on the Port Madison Indian Reservation and continues to live there with his wife Jana Rice. The Suquamish Tribe Marilyn Wandrey Board Vice-President Marilyn Wandrey is a Suquamish Elder and Artist. She has been captain of the Raven canoe for 28 years. She is a member of the University of Washington Elders Committee, and serves on both the Suquamish Foundation board and the Suquamish Museum board. She formerly served as the Chair/Executive Director for the Puget Sound Health Board made up of 10 Puget Sound Indian Tribes. She was the first Regional Administrator for State of Washington Indian Policy and Support Services (Region 5). She is a weaver and teacher, and also enjoys writing poetry and stories in her spare time. She grew up and still lives in Suquamish on the Port Madison reservation. Brittany Bakken Brittany Bakken is a Suquamish tribal member. She studied hospitality business management at Washington State University. She currently manages Kiana Lodge, and serves on the Higher Education Board for the Suquamish Tribe. She acts a mentor at Chief Kitsap Academy and is a referee for the Peninsula Basketball Officials Association. Above all she loves to spend time with her feisty six year old daughter. Rosie Bayes Rosie Bayes is a Suquamish tribal member who resides on the Port Madison Reservation. She has worked with Port Madison Enterprises for 15 years and currently holds the position of Sales Manager, working directly with Tribal and Government groups. She is honored to sit on the Board for the Suquamish Foundation. She feels the Foundation is vital for Suquamish Tribe and its surrounding communities. Rosie is also proud to sit on both the Suquamish Museum Board and the Fashion and Marketing Board for Olympic College. Rich Deline Rich Deline has lived in Suquamish over 10 years and strongly believes in and supports the cultural beliefs and values of the Suquamish tribe. Rich also serves on the boards of the Corps of Engineers Foundation and the Jayhawk Institute. He supports Children’s Hospital Foundations locally and nationally through multimedia production for fundraising efforts, board meetings and special events. His background includes mechanical/civil engineering, marketing and multimedia production. Rich enjoys skiing and occasionally fishes for salmon at Old Man Park. Annie Forsman-Adams Annie Forsman-Adams is a Suquamish Tribal member and has lived on or near the Port Madison Reservation for her entire life. She is the Education and Training Coordinator for Women Spirit Coalition, a non-profit organization that works with tribes to eliminate violence in Indian Country. In addition to her professional pursuits, Annie is also a first-year graduate student at Seattle University, where she studies Criminal Justice. When Annie isn’t working and studying she enjoys hiking, reading, seeing live music, volunteer work, and caring for her many pets. Sarah van Gelder Sarah van Gelder is founder of PeoplesHub, which offers live, online training to local groups around the U.S. who are working for economic, social, and environmental justice. Sarah is also YES! Magazine founding editor, a public speaker, and the author of The Revolution Where You Live: Stories from a 12,000 Mile Journey Through a New America (Berrett Koehler, 2017). Sarah has lived in Suquamish (or next door) since 2000. She is a founder of Suquamish Olalla Neighbors, which collaborated with the Suquamish Tribe to win the return of Old Man House Park, a puller with the Suquamish canoe family, and a member of the Suquamish Foundation board since its inception. She is the mother of two adult children, Alex and Martha van Gelder, and has lived in India, China, and Latin America. Jamie Gooby Jamie Gooby is an enrolled Suquamish Tribal Member born and raised on the Port Madison Indian Reservation. She has nearly two decades of experience working within Tribal Government. Jamie is employed as the Human Resources Director for the Suquamish Tribe. She is an active Member of the Society for Human Resources Management, and holds an Associates of Arts degree from Olympic College. Jamie is married to her husband of 16 years, and has two children. In her spare time, she enjoys boating, traveling east of the mountains with her family, photography, and attending her children’s school and sporting events. Mary Kummer Mary Kummer is a Makah Tribe member who is the Office Manager at Potlatch Fund, a Native-led Community Foundation. She is passionate about Native philanthropy and how it can bring significant community resources to sustain momentum and build capaciry to those whose goal is to improve the qualiry of life to their communities. She recently serces on various grant review committees in Seattle and Kitsap County and particularly enjoys partnering with groups whose model of fundraising, grant-making and community building support organizations that continually bring together people to build their own capacity. Luther Mills Jr. Luther "Jay" Mills Jr. is the Director of Kiana Lodge, and has had the honor of serving on the Suquamish Tribal Council for over 20 years, 2 as Tribal Vice Chairman and the other 18 as a Council Member. Kiana Lodge was voted the Best NW Wedding Venue in both The Knot and South Sound Magazines in 2013, which reflects on the hard work of Jay and his staff. Kiana Lodge also won the Couples Choice Award for Demonstrating Excellence in Quality, Service, Responsiveness and Professionalism in 2015 on WeddingWire.com. He also was selected as Indian Gaming Magazines “Extraordinary Employee” September of 2004. Jay is a former Leadership Kitsap Board member, and is currently sitting on the Suquamish Seafood Board as well as the Suquamish Foundation Board. In his spare time finds joy in being a Suquamish Tribal commercial fisherman. Jim Nall Jim Nall currently serves as SVP with Dude Solutions Inc (DSI) and was the founder of Paladin Data Systems. Jim served as the one and only Paladin CEO from 1994 through 2018. During that time, Paladin was recognized with many business and engineering awards including the Dept of Defense top software engineering award. Prior to Paladin Jim worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space Company for 15 years where he served in multiple capacities for the US Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile program. Jim married Carolyn in 1982 and they have three children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 golden retrievers. Outside of work Jim enjoys his family and working on his 32 acre property in Poulsbo where he built his own house in 2012. Jim owns a large saw mill where he mills his own wood and has several large piece of heavy equipment that he loves operating at his property. P (360) 394-8453 \| Email foundation_email@suquamish.nsn.us \| PO Box 498, Suquamish WA 98392	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2761
__label__wiki	0.814658	0.814658	Latest Anonymous Press Releases Anonymous, Human Rights, Video (anonnews.org) Unemployed and students, wage slaves and Farmers, priests and rock stars. Mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. Anonymous brothers and sisters of earth. This is an anonymous message to the people of the world. More and more of us are poor and starving. More and more of us are being killed and imprisoned. More and more of us are being censored and monitored. More and more of our rights, hopes and dreams are quickly being stripped away. The world of today is a dark place. The many live under the rule of the few. This is true all around the world. This shit, has got to go. For to long our need to belong has been perversely used by those who wish to rule us. Since time immemorial, we, the people, have been separated and divided. Since time immemorial, we, the people, have been conquered and ruled. But from time to time, we, the people, unite. Such is our history, for we do not forgive, and we do not forget. That which has been before, has been a remarkable progression. That which is today, is a remarkable situation. And that which is to come, is without precedent. Make no mistake. History is in the making. The window of opportunity is open. As technological advancements give us a new global consciousness and unprecedented unity, governments, corporations and old world establishments are threatened at their very core. As a result they are now fighting us all in a war. Never before have so few tried to fight so many. Their tricks are numerous, their methods are dangerous and cruel. But In times of mass propaganda, lies and oppression – indeed, in times of universal deceit, one word of truth outweighs the whole world. Truth is revolutionary and courage is contagious. We ask you to understand this, for to understand, is to transform what is. The time has come for what we all have been waiting for. You, are the idea to which time has finally come. You are the calm and the storm. You, are anonymous. We are anonymous. The time has come for you to pick up your personal responsibility. The time has come for each one of us to speak the word of truth. This year anonymous invites all human beings to create something and present it to the world. Put something out there for the world to see. Never be silent! Always be bold! Listen and speak, learn and teach, read and write. Create. Revolt. You decide your own level of involvement in human evolution, but never fear, for you are not alone. In 2011 the world is devided by zero. In 2011, who is Spartacus? We are anonymous We do not forgive We do not forget Expect us Source: http://www.anonnews.org/?p=press&a=item&i=246 Operation Venezuela A concerned Venezuelan blogger contacted us about the horrible situation in his country. We asked him for more detailed information, this is what he wrote back: Hi Anonymous, Chávez and his supporters are once again ratcheting up the government’s power to punish critics. And their intolerance for dissent now has a new target: Thank you so much for your answer and your time, it´s a big pleasure for me that someone can help me prove to the world that this corrupt government has been doing so much damage to the Venezuelan people for a lot of years. At the beginning Chavez tried to prove to the World that he´s not a dictator, but that´s not true. Currently a lot of people in Venezuela are in jail because they think different and have another ideas about Democracy, and only because they have another opinion and they´re not doing what the king says (HUGO CHAVEZ). Many people are living in other countries because in Venezuela there is no safety and any guarantee of freedom for us and for our children. A lot of people died in the streets because of the brutal insecurity and repressions (…) Read the full letter here We want free speech for everyone. don’t censor the Internet! We’ll fight for peace. Cause we are legion. Cause we are Anonymous. Join us. #opvenezuela www.unitedanonfighters-global.blogspot.com www.anonnews.org www.anonops.tk Greek ‘bombing group’ trial halted Anarchism, Politics (signalfire.org) The trial of 13 people suspected of being part of a Greek anarchist group accused of a series of bombings has been adjourned soon after it got under way at a prison in Athens. Nine of the accused appeared in the court, held in the Korydallos prison on Monday, but proceedings were adjourned for one week following a string of demands from the defendants. Four other defendants remain on the run and will be tried in absentia. The proceedings were halted several times before the adjournment as the defendants objected to identity checks on people attending the court, some of whom were their friends or family members. They also demanded that their handcuffs be removed during the court process and that the hearing be recorded. Maria Mariellou, the presiding judge, who at times appeared overwhelmed in her efforts to maintain order, initially approved the request but later said there were no facilities available at present for audio recording, prompting an angry reaction from the defendants and their supporters. Bombing campaign The 13 suspects, aged between 19 and 30, are facing charges for their alleged involvement in the Conspiracy of Fire Cells. The organisation has claimed a wave of parcel bombs sent to foreign missions in Athens in November and three European leaders abroad. Nobody has been killed as a result of the group’s activities. Police have arrested more than 20 suspected members of armed groups, mainly from the Conspiracy of Fire Cells, in the last two years, but this has not prevented them from carrying out further attacks. Weeks before the trial the group bombed an Athens court house, damaging the building and shattering the windows of nearby buildings and wrecked at least eight cars. Five suspected members of a group, who police said were planning attacks ahead of the trial, were arrested last week. Those suspects also appeared before the prosecutor on Monday and four of them were jailed pending trial, while a fifth, a German woman, was released. Helen Skopis, reporting for Al Jazeera from Athens, said that the woman had been falsely identified when she was arrested. “She was mistakenly taken for the daughter of a Red Army Faction member,” she reported, referring to the armed leftist group that used to be active in Germany in the 1970s and 80s. “She used to live in Thessaloniki until last summer when she moved to Athens. She had been in the company of some of the defendants.” Greece has a decades-old history of leftist attacks, but some groups became more active after riots in 2008 that were sparked by the police killing of a teenager. This is the first time since the ruling socialists came to power in October 2009, vowing to crack down on the groups, that suspected members have faced trial. The trial is expected to last months and, if found guilty, the defendants face up to 25 years in jail. Reaction to Tunisia’s new government Politics, Wikileaks (wlcentral.org) Yesterday, Tunisia’s new government was announced. Today, four of the new ministers resigned in accord with protesters who continued to demand the complete resignation of the old regime. Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi is one of eight ministers of former president Ben Ali’s government who will remain in the new government announced yesterday. Junior Minister for Transportation and Equipment Anouar Ben Gueddour resigned along with Houssine Dimassi, the labor minister, and minister of prime ministerial affairs Abdeljelil Bedoui. All three are members of labour union UGIT. The labour union’s supporters staged a protest Tunis today, calling for a general strike, constitutional changes and the release of all imprisoned union leaders. Al Aribya reports Health Minister Mustapha Ben Jaafar of the FDLT opposition party also resigned, party member Hedi Raddaoui told The AP. It was not immediately clear if the resignations could bring down the government, which has 40 full and junion ministers. Speaking to the AP, Ahmed Ibrahim, the new minister for higher education from the opposition Ettajdid party, denied reports he’d resigned. Al Jazeera’s Nazanine Moshiri said the government is in talks with other members of the opposition in the cabinet who are considering resigning unless certain conditions are met. Moncef Marzouki, an exiled opposition leader and presidential hopeful, on Monday branded his country’s new government a “masquerade” still dominated by supporters of ousted strongman Ben Ali. “Tunisia deserved much more,” the secular leftist declared. “Ninety dead, four weeks of real revolution, only for it to come to this? A unity government in name only because, in reality, it is made up of members of the party of dictatorship, the CRD,” Marzouki said. Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra reported that Marzouki, a 65-year-old medical doctor and human rights activist, was met by a crowd on his supporters at Tunis airport on Tuesday. Marzouki told them that he would ask Saudi Arabia to hand over Ben Ali to be prosecuted in Tunisia for “crimes committed against the people of Tunisia”. Rachid al-Ghannouchi (no relation to Mohamed Ghannouchi), the exiled leader of the Nahdha Movement party, told London-based Asharq Alawsat newspaper that leaders of his party had not been invited to participate in the negotiations in forming the so-called unity government. He expressed anger at the exclusion, but said his party would consider joining the government if asked to do so. The labour union UGIT refused to recognize the government. Protests continue in the capital and several other major cities, while police attempt to prevent protesters from gathering by using tear gas to break up crowds. Ahmed Friaa, Tunisia’s interior minister, announced that 78 people have been killed in the country during the recent turmoil.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2766
__label__cc	0.526721	0.473279	Courtesy by: bangaloremirror.com When Martina Navratilova was diagnosed with breast cancer recently, her first reaction was — ‘Why me?’ She was, after all, “a lifelong athlete, strong, healthy, and had eaten nutritionally all her life”, which made accepting the situation that much harder. But Martina was lucky that her cancer was caught early. Yet, the tennis great admitted she’s partly to blame because she went four years without a mammogram check-up. “Another year and I could have been in trouble,” she reportedly said. Despite your best efforts, you may not be always able prevent diseases, but you can ensure speedy recovery by diagnosing them early. So even if you are the superwoman — trying to juggle between varied responsibilities — spare some time for yourself and get a few tests done. In your 20s and 30s What: A tried and tested way to test cervical cancer (caused by Human Papilloma Virus — HPV). Pap smear is a swab of cells taken from your cervix that is tested for any abnormalities. When: Ideally, from the time you get sexually active. If you’ve had several normal Paps in a row and a negative HPV test, get tested every other year. Else, if you have multiple sexual partners, are a smoker or have any other disease, get tested every year. A precursor to HPV test is the cervical cancer vaccine which is being recommended for girls from 12 onwards. This greatly reduces the risk of cervical cancer. FACTOID: India reports approximately one fourth of the world’s cases of cervical cancer each year. Pre-pregnancy tests What: Tests to ensure good health of your baby. Tests for thalassemia and German measles (Rubella) top the list. Thalassemia is generally passed on from parents to children, hence it’s best to get tested beforehand. It is a simple blood test that picks up the levels of haemoglobin. People who have thalassemia have problems with the alpha or beta globin protein chains of haemoglobin. Similarly a rubella test detects anti-bodies to the rubella virus in a sample of blood. If exposed to rubella, you could get afflicted and transmit it to the baby. When: Pre-pregnancy or immediately after marriage. FACTOID: Reportedly, one out of every 25 Indians is a carrier of thalassemia. What: With increasing cases of fibroids, endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a sonography must feature in your regular test-list. Often these diseases are asymptomatic and a routine sonography can detect a number of irregularities. A pelvic sonography also gives a clearer picture of two cancers — of the uterus and that of the ovary. When: Once in your mid-20s. If the results are clear, you can defer it for three years. But after 40, do it every year because the risk factors shoot up. FACTOID: It is estimated that the incidence of endometriosis is about 5 – 20 per cent. What: Tests for lipid profile, cholesterol and diabetes. With increasing incidents of heart problems among women too, go for regular testing of cholesterol levels and lipid profile. Ditto for diabetes, especially if you are detected with high cholesterol. And if you are slightly overweight, a thyroid test is a must. When: Begin these in your mid-30s. 40s and beyond What: Regardless of whether you feel a lump in your breast or not, a mammography and a sonography should be done every year after 40. CA 125 test What: A blood test that is also a tumor-marker, designed to detect ovarian tumours. Include this aspect too with your sonography. FACTOID: In India, one in 22 women is likely to suffer from breast cancer in her lifetime. Bone density test What: A test to find out whether you’re at risk for osteoporosis. When: Any stage but especially at the menopausal or the perimenopausal phase. It determines the density, thickness and strength of the bones as an osteoporosis-afflicted patient is extremely prone to fracture. If detected early, specific treatments are available. FACTOID: An estimated 300 million plus people in India suffer from osteoporosis. Leave a Comment » \| Articles \| Tagged: breast cancer, cancer, check up, martina navratilova, pregnancy, rubella, tennis, test, thalassemia \| Permalink Pre-marital medical check-up from Dec 13 Courtesy: gulf-times The mandatory pre-marital medical check-up being proposed in Qatar since 2007 will be officially launched on December 13, Media and Communication department director of Supreme Council of Health, Jassim Fakhroo, said yesterday. A media campaign aimed at creating awareness on the process among residents, especially would-be couples, begins today. The launch of the medical check-up, sponsored by Qatar Petroleum and Qtel, was initially scheduled for September 2007, but was delayed due to some technical reasons. The compulsory pre-marriage check-up will test couples for infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis and genetic and hereditary ailments to prevent them from giving birth to children with complicated diseases, deformities or abnormalities. Pre-marital medical screening is a religious and civilised requirement which has been endorsed by the Arab League with some Arab countries, including Qatar, passing laws and regulations on the testing. In 2006, HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani had passed instructions to issue the Family Law No. 22 for 2006, which stipulates – in its Article No. 18 – mandatory pre-marital screening for all, with the aim of maintaining better health for tomorrow’s generations, and building up the society of health and wellness. An Emiri decree was issued on June 29, 2006 enforcing the provisions of the Family Law, and Article 18, chapter three of the decree stipulates that a separate medical certificate shall be provided by the competent authorities to each one of the couple concerned before certifying the marriage contract. However, while maintaining the confidentiality of the test results, the pre-marital committee would not stop couples from getting married in case of negative results. According to documents made available to mediapersons by the SCH officials yesterday, in the Arab world – including Qatar – there are certain prevalent genetic diseases, which are hereditary anemias (sickle cell anemia and thalassemia), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), inherited metabolic diseases in general particularly homocystinuria in Qatar and cystic fibrosis. In the report, professor of Paediatrics and Genetics at Well Cornell Medical College-New York and Qatar and an adviser to SCH professor Ahmad Teebi said all the diseases were transmitted through autosomal recessive genes that are driven primarily by cousin marriages. “The married couples are usually cousins or distant relatives, that is why such diseases spread in most Arab countries due to the prevalence of cousin marriages. However, marriage of non-related couples does not guarantee the birth of healthy children free from genetic disorders and birth defects,” he explained. Professor Teebi said pre-marital screening was highly important regardless of the degree of relationship between the couples (future husband and wife). “In other words, pre-marital screening is equally important for relatives and non-relatives,” he added. He stressed that pre-marital screening for both man and woman will reveal if one or both are carriers for the same disorder tested. “The advice is to avoid the marriage if both are carriers as their chance to have children affected with the disease is 25% or one in four in each pregnancy,” he cautioned. “We all know that the person carrying the hereditary disease is not a sick person or looking abnormal. On the contrary, he/she is fit but only carrying disease genes that can be transmitted to his/her children,” professor Teebi explained. He mentioned that on average each human carries around three deleterious recessive genes. If the same gene is shared with a partner the chance of having affected children will be high. When one of the couple is a disease carrier, and the other is not, there will be no problem. Examination clinics’ schedule A number of health centres in the country have been designated as pre-marital examination clinics. The health centres will operate according to the following time schedule: * Morning: Airport Health Centre * Evening: Al Khor Health Centre * Morning: Al Gharrafa Health Centre * Evening: Airport Health Centre * Morning: Al Rayyan Health Centre * Evening: West Bay Health Centre * Morning: Al Khor Health Centre * Evening: Al Rayyan Health Centre * Morning: West Bay Health Centre Clinic working hours: Morning: 8:00 – 1:00pm Evening: 5:00pm – 10:00pm 2 Comments \| News \| Tagged: check up, dubai, genetic, hepatitis, HIV, pre marital, sickle cell, test, thalassemia, UAE \| Permalink	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2769
__label__cc	0.500807	0.499193	Divergences over Turkish incursion reflected at conference in Moscow Mark N. Katz Moscow and Tehran may see the opportunity to promote a wider rift between Turkey and the United States as too tempting to forego. Expert dialogue. Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vitaly Naumkin (L) and Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club Andrey Bystritskiy attend the Valdai On the opening of the Valdai Club conference on Russia in the Middle East, representatives from Russia, Iran and Syria denounced US policy in Syria. They portrayed Russia and Iran as fighting terrorism while US actions were characterised as supporting it. Speakers at the meetings in Moscow agreed on their criticism of the United States but there was an important difference among them regarding Turkey. Bouthaina Shaaban, an adviser to Syrian President Bashar Assad, denounced Turkey’s intervention in Afrin in north-western Syria. She described Ankara’s actions as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and accused Turkey of facilitating the infiltration of mercenaries across the Syrian-Turkish border. She accused Turkey of not implementing the Astana agreement among Russia, Iran and Turkey on establishing de-escalation zones in Syria. The view of Turkey’s role in Syria expressed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, though, was quite different. Both portrayed Turkey as a partner in Syria. Lavrov pointed out that US support for Syrian Kurdish forces alienated Turkey. Ankara fears that the more powerful the Syrian Kurds grow, the more powerful separatist Kurds in Turkey will become. Zarif described Turkey’s anxiety about US support for Syrian Kurdish forces as “understandable.” Moscow and Tehran, however, are reported to be apprehensive about Turkey’s intervention in Syria. There have been reports that Russian forces in Syria helped transport Kurdish fighters opposing the Turkish incursion to the battlefield. However, if Moscow and Tehran share Damascus’s anxiety about Turkish policy, even if not to the same degree, why would Lavrov and Zarif downplay their differences with Ankara? One possibility is that, whatever their discomfort with Turkey’s military action in Afrin, Moscow and Tehran may see the opportunity to promote a wider rift between Turkey and the United States as too tempting to forego. Because US support for the Syrian Kurds is promoting Turkish hostility towards Washington, neither Moscow nor Tehran wants to discourage this dynamic by directly confronting Turkish policy in Syria. To achieve this “greater good,” Moscow and Tehran are quite willing to ignore Damascus’s denunciation of Turkey’s intervention. Yet Moscow’s policy has another layer of complexity, as the session on the Kurds at the conference made clear. While not directly opposing Turkey’s intervention against them, Moscow appears to be competing with the United States for influence with the Syrian Kurds by arguing that they would be better protected from Turkey through allying with the Damascus regime. This, they argue, would afford Syrian Kurds better protection than relying only on US support, which they see Washington as unwilling to sustain in the long run. Can Russia really hope to get closer to Ankara by exploiting Turkish-American differences over the Syrian Kurds while luring the Syrian Kurds away from Washington through offering them a “better” means for resisting Turkey? These aims seem contradictory. However, as contradictory as these aims may be, it is the United States’ Syria policy that has encouraged Russian hopes of achieving them. This is because the United States has supported the Syrian Kurds enough to alienate Turkey but not enough to protect them from it, thus giving both Turkey and the Syrian Kurds incentive to cooperate with Moscow. Written By Mark N. Katz Mark N. Katz is a professor of government and politics at George Mason University.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2770
__label__wiki	0.869121	0.869121	Taylor Swift Insists She’s Happy Being Single Brittany Joy Cooper Taylor Swift is perhaps best known for singing about one topic from a variety of angles: love. And while she admits that this is true, the multi-Grammy Award-winning starlet is quick to declare that she's perfectly content to go stag for a while. "I’m actually really good at being single,” Swift told Access Hollywood in a recent interview. “As much as I love to complain about it, I’m actually very independent and I’m fine. I’m really good by myself ... But I do love to complain about being single, even though I’m really I’m fine with it." It's not that Swift hasn't dated. She has. It's just that whenever she gets paired with this or that male celeb (John Mayer, Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas), it's right in the public eye. Heck, even when she's not dating someone rumors tend to fly. Talking to 'Today' (see clip below), Swift says the past two years have been incredible for her because of the freedom they have afforded her. “Twenty-one and twenty-two have been great as far as loving to live alone and loving the independence and traveling the world," she gushes. "I’m kind of in this adventurous phase right now where I’ll just go out by myself and see where the day takes me. I think I’ve realized that, in my life, to be inspired to write music you have to have a life to write about." But what about when that life means she becomes the topic of headlines about dating guys she's not? “I’ve just kind of come to terms with the fact that that comes along with the life that I’ve chosen," she says casually. "I absolutely love making music and getting to do wonderful things … and there’s a price that comes with everything good in your life.” When asked whether or not she's actually dating 'The Lorax' costar Zac Efron, Swift laughs it off good-naturedly: “I’m not – no – we’re friends.” Watch Taylor Swift on 'Today' Filed Under: Taylor Swift	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2779
__label__wiki	0.551001	0.551001	People / Faculty Ari Juels Weill Family Foundation and Joan and Sanford I. Weill Professor Ari Juels is a Professor at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech and in the Computer Science field at Cornell University. His interests span a broad range of topics in computer security, cryptography, and privacy, including cloud security, financial cryptography, cybersecurity, user authentication, medical-device security, biometrics, and security and privacy for the Internet of Things. He was named an MIT Technology Review "Innovator Under 35” and to Computerworld’s “40 Under 40” list. Juels received a BA in Latin Literature and Mathematics from Amherst College (1991) and a PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (1996). Photo by Patricia Kuharic Website @AriJuels LinkedIn FEATURED COURSE Security & Privacy Concepts in the Wild This course will give students a technical and social understanding of how and why security and privacy matter, help them think adversarially and impart how (and how not) to design systems and products. Less attention will be paid to specific skills such as hacking, writing secure code and security administration. Topics will include user authentication, cryptography, malware, behavioral economics in...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2782
__label__wiki	0.532142	0.532142	Pilots still waiting for Software Update of Boeing, which was promised last year After a deadly crash of the Lion Air 737 MAX 8 in Indonesia in last October, company officials have met pilot union, and said that they are planning to the software for their 737 Max jets, but till now there has not been single update. Meanwhile, addressing the issue, the United States regulators said the software update would be ready by April. “Boeing was going to have a software fix in the next five to six weeks,” said Michael, the top safety official at the American Airlines pilots union. “We told them, ‘Yeah, it can’t drag out.’ And well, here we are.” The planned software update would let pilots to detect the problem, and will them from recurrence of the same problem. Boeing officials believe that pilots doesn’t need any special training in order to learn the functioning of the software update, but they just need a small briefing on how the software fix would function. Facebook says outage was a result of incorrect server configuration Hacker who was offering Cybercrime-as-a-service detained in Novokuznetsk	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2784
__label__cc	0.651166	0.348834	2004, ★★, Foreign Yesterday Once More (2004, Johnnie To) 4 May 2006 Andrew Wickliffe Leave a comment The event romantic comedy is a familiar genre, but not one with frequent entries. With the exception of Julia Roberts (and maybe Sandra Bullock), the genre in American cinema does not exist anymore. The hardships of making these films is finding a project the stars jibe with–I mean, people actually like Runaway Bride. Two Weeks Notice, which I thought was a huge bomb, was actually a hit. It’s just a hard genre because these films are about the audience’s affection for the actor, not the character she’s playing. I say “she,” of course, because there isn’t–currently–a male event romantic comedy star. Though Hugh Grant tries, it only works when Julia Roberts is part of the equation. Yesterday Once More is a Hong Kong event romantic comedy, pairing Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng as a pair of divorced (but still, of course, in love) professional thieves. As I understand it from my cursory research, Lau and Cheng did a couple other romantic comedies (as well as some dramas, I guess) and a pairing is a big deal. I’ve seen Lau in Days of Being Wild, but I don’t remember him and I’ve never seen Cheng in anything. I’m not hip on my Hong Kong offerings anymore. I used to watch John Woo stuff, but now I don’t and unless it’s a Wong Kar-Wai, I just queue a Chinese-language film, I don’t rush to see it. An event romantic comedy has a specific target audience (albeit, in theory, a large part of the moviegoing audience) and I am not part of Yesterday Once More’s demographic. But I got it. For the first forty minutes of the Yesterday, there’s nicely shot, nicely scored montage after montage. First the divorce, then a proposal to Cheng, then a heist, then a trip to Italy. I had to pause it to see what the time was when the film finally slowed down for a scene. Since Yesterday is supposed to be purely entertaining, it has to do very little. It has to be charming. Well, Yesterday pits Cheng against a kleptomaniac mother-in-law to-be, has a couple private investigators who worry about each other’s cholesterol intake. The heists are even cute. Yesterday works because it keeps it simple–besides the couple, there’s a mother-in-law to-be and a few supporting characters, really supporting. When I started watching it, not remembering why I’d queued it in the first place, I realized as long as they kept the character count low, the film would work. While Lau is good, he’s not the protagonist–he is the character the audience has to identify with, however. Cheng is the one who actually has to act in Yesterday and she brings a semblance of depth to an easy character. Ultimately, the film stumbles because it doesn’t want to embrace its levity. Out of nowhere, in the last half hour, it actually wants to say something, which it can’t. But even those false steps can’t defeat the film’s charm. Produced and directed by Johnnie To; written by The Hermit and Au Kin Yee; director of photography, Cheng Siu-keung; edited by Law Wing-cheong and David M. Richardson; music by Chung Chi Wing and Ben Cheung; production designer, Bruce Yu; released by Media Asia. Starring Andy Lau (Mr. Thief), Sammi Cheng (Mrs. Thief), Jenny Hu (Mrs. Allen) and Carl Ng (Steve). OTHER FILMS DIRECTED BY JOHNNIE TO OTHER HONG KONG FILMS Andy LauCarl NgDavid M. RichardsonJenny HuJohnnie ToMedia AsiaSammi ChengThe HermitYesterday Once More Previous PostMallrats (1995, Kevin Smith), the extended versionNext PostDark Star (1974, John Carpenter)	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2791
__label__wiki	0.940735	0.940735	The stars come out to watch Durant, Warriors take Game 1 ‘Power’s’ Omari Hardwick among those impressed with KD and his 38-point performance Jay-Z and Kevin Hart are seen at the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game One of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena on June 1, 2017 in Oakland, California. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images By Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpearsESPN Power star actor Omari Hardwick and his homeboy, Grammy-winning singer and Golden State Warriors fan Raphael Saadiq, enjoyed watching Kevin Durant shine bright on the world’s biggest stage during the opening scene of the 2017 NBA Finals on Thursday. Oracle Arena was studded with celebrities who have dealt with their share of success, adversity and social media hate in Hardwick, Saadiq, Jay Z, Rihanna, Too $hort, E-40 and Kevin Hart. Add Cleveland Cavaliers star forward LeBron James, who recently had the N-word spray-painted on his Los Angeles home, to the list too. Durant also is a member of that elite club: The negativity hit after he departed the Oklahoma City Thunder last offseason for the rival Warriors. But after a dominant and dunk-heavy game-high 38 points in 37 minutes during a 113-91 victory over Cleveland in Game 1, Durant is now three wins away from his first NBA title and a last laugh for all of his haters. Warriors in the Playoffs Warriors celebrate West championship with a larger goal in mind Black coaches to square off in Finals for the first time since 1975 Mike Brown on facing his former team in the Finals Kevin Durant says he made the '100 percent correct decision, win or lose' to join Warriors “If you’re going to join the enemy team, which is what he did, and all that pressure is on you, you show up or shut up,” Hardwick told The Undefeated. “For Game 1 to be a 38-point performance and to play defense the way he played, to me I have to say, ‘Hats off to him.’ “He’s setting a precedent against what the naysayers believe. He is setting a precedent saying, ‘I’m really not going to go out like that.’ I’m going to be the guy on the team that was called ‘my enemy,’ and hopefully we can see what goes from there. He’s the X factor.” Five years ago, Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka mustered only one win against James and the Miami Heat before succumbing in the 2012 NBA Finals. Months later, the Thunder surprisingly traded Harden, the 2012 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, to the Houston Rockets. The Harden trade had a lasting effect on Durant, a source previously told The Undefeated. While Westbrook continued to improve to become an NBA superstar, Durant remained the face of the franchise and landed the 2014 NBA MVP award. Durant, Westbrook and the Thunder were eliminated in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Warriors last season. Instead of returning to try to beat the Warriors, Durant joined them on July 4, 2016. The social media hate toward Durant has been nonstop from hurt Thunder fans and others. After choosing Golden State, Durant did the best he could to not listen to the noise that strongly affected those close to him. Meanwhile, Westbrook gave his ex-teammate the cold shoulder and became a 2017 NBA MVP candidate while breaking Oscar Robertson’s triple-double record this season. Hardwick said he was impressed with Durant’s ability to not bite on the social media drama surrounding him. There were reports that Westbrook and Durant weren’t talking to each other. There have been stories that they have buried the hatchet. Both have declined to talk about it. “All the s— is weird, celebrity,” Hardwick said. “Day-Day [Draymond Green] and Kyrie [Irving], they are the only ones I have the ear of. I don’t really need to talk to K.D. I appreciate the fact, and I got to respect this, that it didn’t really get to him … [Durant] had tough skin about it. “I was probably more into how he dealt with Westbrook and how they dealt with each other, the whole start of that stuff. I wasn’t concerned about the fans. Because if you do what you need to do to fulfill yourself, your fans will follow.” Singer Rihanna is seen at Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, on June 1. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images Durant also didn’t bite postgame on the social media buzz over him staring down a courtside Rihanna, a big James and Cavaliers fan, after hitting a late 3-pointer. “I don’t get into that. I’m cool. Have fun with that,” Durant said. Durant said he stopped paying attention to his naysayers upon arrival in Oakland, California. “It’s basketball. I just try to leave it at that. I know how precious this game is. How fun it is. I just try to focus on that. All the other stuff, I’m not even worrying about,” Durant told The Undefeated. The stakes were high when Durant entered Oracle Arena on Thursday morning. Despite recently telling The Undefeated that he made the “100 percent correct decision” to come to Golden State, the skepticism toward his bold move has never ended. Durant’s friend Charlie Bell and CEO of The Durant Company Rich Kleiman said Durant was relaxed and in a great mood at home before heading to the game. Durant’s focus was on the game and not any other drama. He kept his game-day routine the same but was quietly nervous when the championship series started. “I was anxious. I was tense. I had to calm down a bit. Start-of-the-game stuff. But what’s the worst that can happen? We lose,” Durant told The Undefeated. “I just try to keep that mindset. Obviously, you want to win the game. But it’s not life or death. You just use that approach and just play.” The Warriors had nine days off between games after eliminating the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals on May 22. Warriors center Zaza Pachulia initially looked like he didn’t want to shoot. Forward Draymond Green picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter. Klay Thompson, arguably the NBA’s best 3-point shooter, missed all five of his 3-point attempts. Durant, however, looked like one of the few Warriors without any jitters, scoring a game-high 23 points in the first half that led to a 60-52 lead at the break. The rest of the Warriors went 16-of-55 on field-goal attempts in the first half. The Warriors outscored Cleveland 53-39 in the second half, with Durant adding another 15 points. “I was just playing, man,” Durant said. “The intensity was on another level when you are playing against the champs. I had no choice but to bring it. I couldn’t be the only one out there not bringing it. It didn’t feel like I was back in the Finals. It just felt like it was a highly intense game.” Durant knows there is a lot more basketball that needs to be played before he can hoist the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy over his head. The odds are in the Warriors’ favor, but odds don’t shoot the basketball. The Warriors will never forget blowing a 3-1 lead in the Finals a year ago. With three more wins needed for redemption, Durant won’t pressure himself. “It’s basketball. I just try to leave it at that. I know how precious this game is. How fun it is. I just try to focus on that. All the other stuff, I’m not even worrying about,” he said. Hardwick said he’s “super close” to Durant and his mother, Wanda Durant, and described watching him in the NBA as “special.” Will it be special enough for Durant to lead the Warriors to a second title in three years and a first for him while dethroning James in the process? Well, until the eight-time NBA All-Star gets there, it sounds like he prefers to talk more with his game than his mouth. Hardwick believes Durant has the power to finally be a champion. “There is a selfish part of me that wishes he could have won in Oklahoma. But I think he dealt with it the best he could. He had a good night,” Hardwick said. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for The Undefeated. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been able to in years and his knees still hurt. This Story Tagged: 2017 NBA Playoffs Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant NBA	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2792
__label__wiki	0.96635	0.96635	http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Music/GabriellaCilmi Music / Gabriella Cilmi Create New - Create New - Analysis Characters FanficRecs FanWorks Fridge Haiku Headscratchers ImageLinks Laconic PlayingWith Quotes Recap ReferencedBy Synopsis Timeline WMG Her heart don't lie Gabriella Lucia Cilmi (born 10 October 1991) is an Australian singer-songwriter. She is best known for her debut single "Sweet About Me", released in Australia in April 2008. She also is super famous in the UK and her newer releases are focused there. In 2008, Cilmi won six ARIA Awards in Australia, taking Best Female Artist, Breakthrough Artist: Single ("Sweet About Me"), Breakthrough Artist: Album (''Lessons to Be Learned'), Best Pop Release (Lessons to Be Learned), Highest Selling Single ("Sweet About Me"), and Single of the Year ("Sweet About Me"). Cilmi covered a Connie Francis song, "Warm This Winter", for Co-operative's Christmas 2008 advertising campaign. She soon started on her sophomore album Ten, released in 2010. Lead single On A Mission came out soon after that, and it was a mild success both in Australia and the UK. She also released "Defender". This album was 60's 70's pop and jazz set in the future. It was lighter and softer then her jazzy debut. She has since left that recording company due to executive meddling and releasing music problems. She's now with a new company (Sweetness Tunes) set in the UK who released her third album "The Sting". That album discussed how she broke up with her old company and a boyfriend around the same time. This album returned to her jazz routes and has a "Love Martyr" vibe. Her singles so far have been: "Sweet About Me", "Don't Want To Go To Bed Now", "Save The Lies", "Sanctuary", "On A Mission", "Hearts Don't Lie", "Defender", "The Sting", "Vicious Love", "Symmatry" and "Sweeter In History". Cilmi is of Italian-Australian heritage. Lessons To Be Learned (2008) Ten (2010) The Sting (2013) Lesson To Be Learnt Tour (2008) The Sting Tour (2014) This musician shows examples of: Anti-Love Song: "Awkward Game" and "Sweet About Me". All Love Is Unrequited: "Sit In The Blues" All Girls Want Bad Boys: "Vicious Love", "Cigarettes and Lies" and "Messy" Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Spent hours getting the vocals right on Hearts Don't Lie. Break Up Song: "Got No Place To Go", "Sit in the Blues", "Boys", "Invisible Girl", "Awkward Game", "Glue" and most of "The Sting" album Cover Version: "Warm This Winter", "Echo Beach", "Cry Me A River". Darker and Edgier: Her material is supposed to be going down this road soon. "The Sting" is VERY DARK. Driven to Suicide: "KILL Ourselves" Dedication: "Defender" to her brother. Embarrassing Nickname: Some fans refer to her as "Brie" (like the cheese), and Briella (a hypocoristic, i.e. contracted form of her name). Fan Disservice: Well, if reports on British showbiz blogs are anything to go by. Getting Crap Past the Radar: Her single Hearts Don't Lie and On A Mission. "Messy" and "Sweet About Me" also apply Hotter and Sexier: The cover for Ten, where she's lying in her underwear. Intercourse with You: "Don't Want to Go To Bed Now", "Messy", "Superman", "Robots", "Superhot". It Is Pronounced "Tro-PAY": Her surname is "CHIL-me". Unless you're Something Awful, in which case it's "Kill-me". Lighter and Softer: Ten is way more pop then Lessons To Be Learned was. Long Title: Don't Want To Go To Bed Now, Love Me Cuz You Want To. Love Martyr: ALL of "The Sting". Moral Guardians: The one photoshoot she did which was sexy was almost ignored by them entirely. Ms. Fanservice: Recently indulges in this. New Sound Album: Ten was a very different kind of modern throw back pop compared to her debut. It incorporated elements of disco and dance, whereas Lessons to Be Learned was a soul/jazz-inspired album. Precision F-Strike: Bloody in "Messy" counts. Refuge in Audacity: "Sweet About Me", "Save The Lies", "Terrifying", "Awkward Game". Spiritual Successor: To Delta Goodrem having a similar amount of hits on her first album, and being extremely young and having really good media training skills. Silly Love Songs: "Superman", "Symmatry", "Just A Girl" Serious Business: Well, if you live Oop North. Springtime for Hitler: This is what her fans claim about On A Mission. Subdued Section: "Love Me Cos You Want To" Rock Star Song: "This Game" and "Terrifying". Three Minutes of Writhing: "On A Mission". "Hearts Don't Lie", "Defender", "Don't Want To Go To Bed Now" and "Save The Lies". Your Cheating Heart: "Boys", "Sit In the Blues", Australian Music Cimorelli Music of the 2010s Chthonic	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2794
__label__wiki	0.533104	0.533104	ENTREPRENEUR Opinion The next generation of entrepreneurs will need more open platforms Dylan Tweney@dylan20 May 8, 2015 9:30 PM Above: Which platform you choose could make a huge difference in the end. Image Credit: Platform direction at Edgware Road via photopin (license) Last week I wrote about the way specific technologies have lowered the barriers to entrepreneurship worldwide: Amazon Web Services, Google Drive (and Google Search), mobile devices combined with widespread wireless Internet service, and Facebook. Most of these tools are what author Jonathan Zittrain would call “generative,” in that they are technologies which engender further innovation, thanks to their openness and extensibility. Like the earliest personal computers, AWS is an open-ended tool with virtually no restrictions. You can use a credit card to purchase an instance — a virtual server — and you can set it up and use it in almost any way your creativity will allow. That creativity has enabled thousands if not millions of entrepreneurs to try out their ideas, build websites, and host data for mobile applications at a minimal startup cost. In contrast to generative technologies are what Zittrain called “sterile” technologies: Black boxes that are locked by the manufacturer to a single set of uses, and which can’t easily be modified or extended by the customer. His example of a sterile technology was the iPhone, which Apple controlled completely at the time of its launch. That turned out to be a pretty poor assessment of the iPhone’s capabilities, because over the past seven years, since the launch of the App Store in July 2008, the iPhone has given rise to hundreds of thousands of independently developed apps, many of which have turned into businesses or even platforms of their own. But the question of control is an important one. If you’re an entrepreneur, you don’t want to build your app (or service, or product) on top of a platform that is too controlled by its owner. In a previous tech generation, companies that made DOS or Windows utilities often found themselves in this predicament. If their software addressed a shortcoming of the platform, or offered something too valuable, Microsoft might just add a feature to a future version of their operating system that rendered the utility obsolete, pulling the rug out from under the entrepreneurs’ feet. Similarly, companies that have built large followings on Facebook have found themselves suddenly captive to the company’s new business model. It used to be possible to amass thousands or millions of “likes” on Facebook, and then use that channel to deliver marketing messages to your fan base or customers. No more: The organic reach of posts that brands put up on Facebook has dropped to almost zero. If you want to reach customers, you have to pay Facebook for distribution, even if you have millions of people who have liked your page. Bummer, especially if you were counting on getting that distribution for free. Content publishers that grew to rely on inbound traffic from Google searches have been kneecapped when Google changed its search algorithms to penalize “content farms” and linkbait. That’s a good thing for most of us — unless you’re a content farm. By and large, entrepreneurs are not concerned about this kind of risk. As long as Facebook reaches 1.44 billion people per month and almost a billion every day, it’s going to be an irresistible marketing platform. As long as AWS provides cheap, flexible, easy-to-use computing power, it’s going to be a smart choice. And as long as Google indexes billions of Web pages and remains the primary search tool on the Internet, you’re going to want to optimize your site for Google’s search engines. If any one of those platforms changes its rules to the point where it becomes untenable, businesses built on top of it will have to adapt, just as they adapt to any other changes in market conditions. But it does suggest that entrepreneurs and other tech decision makers would do well to pay more attention to the architecture and the business models of the platforms they’re using. The “generative or sterile” distinction may be too binary to be useful. Open platforms don’t necessarily have to be open source. But the question of relative openness is important. Is the platform open enough that you can build what you want, and deploy it to the customers you want to reach, without being overly dependent on a gatekeeper? Are the gatekeepers, if they exist, reliable and predictable enough that you can plan around them? And what are the rules of the platform? Can you build something on top of it that will itself turn into a platform? The answers to these questions may wind up being more important than you think. Because if you choose the wrong foundation to build on, you could wind up limiting yourself right from the start.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2802
__label__wiki	0.655922	0.655922	Home News Tokyo 2020 Games Tokyo 2020 Takes Important Steps in Delivering Sustainability Plan Tokyo 2020 Takes Important Steps in Delivering Sustainability Plan The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) today published its Sustainability Progress Report, summarising progress, made mainly during 2018, in the implementation of the Tokyo 2020 Sustainability Plan. The report covers areas including procurement and venue and infrastructure construction or renovation and was prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards Core Option, a set of international standards governing sustainability reporting. Tokyo 2020 published its Sustainability Plan Version 2 in June 2018, under the guiding principle “Be better, together – For the planet and the people”. Today's report details progress achieved thanks to initiatives that were launched in alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals in the following areas: Key activities and achievements to date include: The collection of used electronic devices in order to extract the precious metals they contain and the recycling of these devices to manufacture gold, silver and bronze Olympic and Paralympic medals has progressed on target, generating significant public engagement in Japan and internationally. More than 18,000 collection boxes have been installed at the offices of participating businesses and Games partners, government departments, and chambers of commerce across the country. They have also been provided at post offices and at special events hosted by Tokyo 2020. In addition, 1,618 local authorities–approximately 90 per cent of Japan's total–and 37 host town local governments have participated. Tokyo 2020 partner companies are also cooperating in a variety of ways, such as by donating their employees' used mobile phones. Approximately 47,488 tons of discarded devices and over 5 million used mobile phones had been collected as of October 2018. The targeted amount of bronze – some 2,700kg – was already extracted from these by June of last year. By October 2018, 28.4kg of gold (93.7% of the targeted 30.3kg) and 3,500kg of silver (85.4% of the targeted 4,100kg) had been sourced from the donated devices. Sixty-three municipalities across Japan have joined Operation BATON – Building Athletes' village with Timber Of the Nation. The project aims to construct the Village Plaza using sustainably sourced Japanese timber donated by local authorities across Japan, before dismantling it after the Games in order to return the timber for reuse in the communities - for example, as a public bench or part of a school building. Tokyo 2020 cooperated with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations to support collective efforts and initiatives aimed at advancing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. As an example, the Sustainability Forum, hosted jointly by Tokyo 2020 and the ILO in October 2018, gave the opportunity to discuss supply chain management and human rights due-dilligence with corporate sponsors, while encouraging corporates' commitment to promote responsible labour practices. Tokyo2020 was one of the first signatories of the UN Sport for Climate Action framework launched in December 2018, in which the IOC is talking a leadership role. Efforts have been made towards offsetting CO2 emissions in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Saitama Prefectural Government. Tokyo 2020 also encourages citizens participation in activities to reduce and absorb CO2. In addition to the Sustainable Sourcing Code, which governs the overall procurement for the Tokyo 2020 Games, supplementary criteria for the sourcing of paper and palm oil were established in 2018 to help ensure sustainable sourcing for these items. A grievance mechanism was also put in place to handle reports of non-compliance and to enhance the overall effectiveness of the Code. Energy-saving initiatives and renewable energy technology have been installed at the new permanent venues being built; Tokyo 2020 has also worked to ensure accessibility at these venues is in accordance with its Accessibility Guidelines. To ensure respect for the human rights of all people involved in the preparation and delivery of the Games, Tokyo 2020 has supported awareness raising and training activities on diversity and inclusion among its own staff, and implemented its own Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and provided a range of awareness training opportunities. We have additionally promoted the employment of people from diverse backgrounds and taken steps to improve the working environment of Tokyo 2020 staff and contractors. Tokyo 2020 has also promoted the reuse and recycling of procured items, established rules governing asset management and disposal, and ensured more efficient procurement of resources by such means as leasing. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards are the first global standards for sustainability reporting. They feature a modular, interrelated structure, and represent the global best practice for reporting on a range of economic, environmental and social impacts. Please refer to https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/ Overview of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Sustainability Progress Report (PDF: 2.0 MB) Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Sustainability Progress Report (PDF: 14.1 MB) Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto commented; “ The involvement of a large number of people will be essential if we are to realise the sustainability of the Games, and it is through the cooperation of various people from Japan and around the world that we have been able to advance a number of specific initiatives to date. The Tokyo 2020 Medal Project has attracted the involvement of many from around the country. In fact, the project has been so successful that we will be able to secure all the metal required to produce the medals. Some 63 local governments have been cooperating with the construction of the Olympic/Paralympic Village Plaza, which will be built with timber loaned from locations throughout Japan that will be returned after the Games have ended. This level of involvement illustrates how we are working to recycle resources through nationwide participation. “With about one year and four months left until the Games, the year 2019 will see Tokyo 2020 undergo a sea change as we transition from the planning phase to the operations phase, which will entail a shift in focus to the respective Games competition venues. This year will be extremely important in our efforts to ensure that sustainability is given adequate consideration. All members of Tokyo 2020 will work as one to cultivate a deeper awareness of their respective roles and ensure that sustainability is incorporated into all of our activities as we look toward 2020 and beyond.” Tokyo 2020 Sustainability Committee Chairperson Hiroshi Komiyama commented; “At sessions of the Urban Planning and Sustainability Committee, experts in various fields and individuals from a variety of social groups have taken part in discussions and given advice on Tokyo 2020's sustainability efforts. “As a result of these efforts, we have proposed making the often invisible topic of sustainability more prominent through a collection of meaningful projects. The progress outlined in this report is the direct result of the collaborative work of members of the Organising Committee, all others involved with the Games, and the general public. “The Urban Planning and Sustainability Committee will continue to actively engage in preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Games in order to help deliver a sustainable Games and realise a sustainable society in the years that follow.” In addition to this progress report, Tokyo 2020 plans to publish a pre-Games report in the spring of 2020 and a post-Games report in December 2020. Each report will offer specific information with a focus on initiatives from the preparatory phase to the delivery phase of the Tokyo 2020 Games. 12 Dec. 2018Tokyo 2020 Games Tokyo 2020 Joins UNFCCC's Sports for Climate Action Initiative 25 July 2018Tokyo 2020 Games Tokyo 2020 Joins United Nations Global Compact 12 June 2018Tokyo 2020 Games Tokyo 2020 Announces Sustainability Plan and Guiding Principle "Be better, together - for the planet and the people"	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2804
__label__wiki	0.810358	0.810358	Archive for the ‘Hizb Invovled in Coup?’ Category Hizb Involved in Bangledesh Coup? Posted: May 28, 2012 in Bangledesh Coup 2012, Hizb Invovled in Coup?, HuT - Bangladesh, News About Hizb ut-Tahrir Why Hizb ut Tahrir is Unlikely to Have Been Behind the Alleged Coup Attempt in Bangladesh On the 19th of January, 2012, the Bangladesh army held an unprecedented press conference in order to reveal details of an alleged coup plot involving senior and mid-level officers supposedly linked to Hizb ut Tahrir. However, the alleged choice of Bangladesh for a coup to establish the Caliphate along with the unorthodox and incredibly incompetent manner in which the plot was orchestrated raises interesting questions as to whether it was planned by Hizb ut Tahrir. If so,it exposes the movement to serious questions of intellectual violation and ineptness. However, it seems more likely that either it was the the work of ‘rogue’ army personnel or it was a clever counter-coup operation staged by the Bangladesh army in order to manipulate an excuse to initiate radical measures aimed at eliminating the influence of Islamists from the armed forces. In any case, as I shall point out below,it becomes clear that no understanding as to planning existed between HT members and the officers and both were clueless on how to proceed once the actions had been initiated and communications between the two established. What ensued was simply a blend of naivety and chaos. It is an open secret that Hizb ut Tahrir chapter in Bangladesh was started from its chapter in the UK and where its members of British origin remain in control of the work in the country. Arguably it is also where British intelligence has achieved its greatest success in penetrating, monitoring and influencing the movement and its members. This of course adds more complexity to understanding the political and operational issues concerning the alleged coup and whether or not the leadership of HT has control over its members and activism in many countries including Bangladesh. Implicit in the army statement was the role of the British chapter according to which; “Recently, at the instigation of some non-resident Bangladeshis some retired and serving army officers with fanatical religious views and capitalising on others fanaticism led a failed attempt through their ill motivated activities to thwart the democratic system of Bangladesh by creating disorder in the army” The activism of the members has generally followed a similar pattern to the UK, using a high profile trajectory but in this instance aimed at antagonising the political and military leadership with little patience or consideration for building a popular base and an intellectual leadership over the society as dictated by its own manuals. The consequences have led to a ban on the movement in 2010, leading to its operations being forced underground descending into a cat and mouse situation with the security services. Although, the HT leadership and its chapters in the Muslim countries have been obsessed with urging the armed forces of Muslim countries to mount ‘coups’, the allegations of an attempt by its own members in Bangladesh in order to establish a Caliphate is far removed from its ideational and operational understandings from two perspectives; Firstly, Bangladesh fails on many levels to meet the criteria laid down by HT itself for assuming power and establishing the Caliphate. These include: 1. The requirement for the Arabic language 2. The leadership of both the party as well as its ideas in the society 3. The ability of the country to sustain itself economically and defend its realm militarily. 4. The ability to command leadership over the Muslim world. Bangladesh being an impoverished country, with an incredibly weak army, very little authority in the Muslim world and devoid of the Arabic language is far removed from the conditions enunciated above. Secondly, the manner in which the plot has been described does not conform to the carefully designed coup strategies adopted by HT throughout its history. It is no secret that HT works to penetrate the armed forces in the Muslim world. However, the strategy is incredibly covert and carefully crafted with no connectivity to the public work of its members whilst religiously guarding the identity of its assets in the military. Contrast this with the accounts of how the coup was supposedly orchestrated in Bangladesh. According to the narrative, HT had openly revealed the identity of and distributed the grievances of the mastermind of the coup, Major Syed Ziaul Haq, which he had posted on Facebook. According to the army press briefing the attempt to create disorder in the army therefore had already been leaked. The army revealed that; “Against the backdrop of a leaking of partial information about the conspiracy to create disorder in the army and the arrest of some individuals, fugitive Major Zia sent an e-mail to his acquaintances describing an imaginative an incredibly cooked up story of his so called arrest and torture. Later one Abu Sayeed uploaded the e-mail in a blog, ‘Soldiers Fortune’, on the social network Facebook…the banned fanatic organisation Hizb ut Tahrir on January 8, 2012 circulated provocative leaflets based on fugitive Major Zia’s internet message throughout the countr[y]” In any coup manual, Major Zia would be regarded as a tainted asset and one not to be approached, especially since the alleged coup plan involving other officers had been unearthed by December 13th, 2011 and by December 22, 2011, Major Zia had himself become a ‘fugitive’ having absconded after being recalled to military headquarters. The army alleges that; “With the motive of creating disorder in the army a retired Lt Colonel on December 13, 2011 instigated a serving Major to join him in executing his malicious plan. The Major instantly passed on the matter through his chain of command and the retired officer was arrested…Another accomplice of the retired officer Major Syed Ziaul Haq on December 22, 2011, met with a serving officer and instigated him to engage in activities subversive of the state and democracy. The serving officer informed the proper authority of the matter, as a result of which leave and transfer order of Major Zia, who had recently completed his long term training, was cancelled. He was informed over telephone on December 23rd, 2011 and immediately ordered to join army headquarters Log Area in Dhaka. Major Zia who was on leave remained fugitive and has been trying to continue ‘subversive’ activities against the army” Moreover, Major Zia had started to use open and easily monitored channels in order to foment insurrection. According to the press statement; “Later, the said officer sent out two e-mails containing imaginary and highly controversial contents styled “Mid- level Officers of Bangladesh Army are Bringing Down Changes Soon” through the internet” Yet despite his abscondment and the discovery of the plot, Major Zia was still attempting to foment a coup by contacting officers using open means of communication. This is all the more problematic considering that the actions seem to descend into fomenting chaos rather than a coup and that since the military authorities had already become aware of the plot, and his specific role in it, the exposure of these officers as positive assets to himself would be an unnecessary risk. According to the statement; “Some undisciplined and derailed army officers were actively involved in executing the vile conspiracy of fugitive Major Zia by misusing mobile phones and the internet. A court of enquiry was constituted on December 28, 2011…To execute the anti-state conspiracy…Major Zia on January, 9 and 10, 2012, sent copies of two imaginary operation orders to two different serving officers through e-mail. Besides on January 10, 2012 fugitive major Zia contacting some like minded officers, working in different formations or studying in different institutions over the mobile phone, wanted to know about preparations for the so called military coup” The army account seems to clearly suggest that the coup attempt had clearly failed and that Major Zia had become ‘rogue’ in his actions and heavily monitored. Therefore any serious coup plotters would be well advised to keep clear of him. Yet, in the case of HT this did not happen. Not only did they actively participate in revealing their link with Major Zia and his ideas but according to the army statement they continued to engage with him whilst he was rogue and with full knowledge that his cover had blown and the coup plot had been detected. As seen above Major Zia continued to contact military personnel 18 days after the first detection of the coup and 17 days after his own detection and abscondment. By any measure this was a complete failure, yet not only did HT remain engaged, but according to the statement Major Zia contacted through open channels and British member of HT of Bangladeshi origin, Ishraq Hossein in order to prepare for a post coup situation by utilising the media in Britain and who was at the time ‘outside of the country’. The army states; “[o]n January 10, 2012, fugitive Major Zia contacted some like minded officers working in different formations or studying in different institutions over the mobile phone, wanted to know about the preparations for the so-called military coup as per their plan and motivated them to execute the plot…On the same night fugitive Major Zia contacted [expatriate] Bangladeshi (no probably in Hong Kong) Ishraq Hossein several times. During conversation they discussed the progress of the coup and the process of implementing it. Fugitive Major Zia asked him to publish news in the media at home and abroad about the army coup in Bangladesh. Ishraq directed fugitive Major Zia to phone him around 2am on January 11 if the coup was completed by then so that he could reach Bangladesh in the shortest time. It is assumed that Ishraq gave this instruction with the aim of taking advantage of conditions in a post-coup situation” This communication is the clearest indication in the statement that HT may not have been the ones guiding the alleged coup for the following reasons: 1. According to the statement HT distributed its leaflet on Major Zia on January the 8th, exposing his name. On January 10th Major Zia contacts Ishraq Hossein indicating that HT was not directly guiding the Major. 2. Major Zia contacts Ishraq Hossein who happens to be outside of the country indicating that Major Zia had no internal handler or contact. Hossein is likely to have been in contact with Major Zia in terms of advancing general ideas against the regime and HT’s history of seeking power. For this reason the communication had to be open and insecure by phone. Furthermore, Hossein did not commit to coming back immediately, rather he merely wanted to be informed by January 11 if the coup had been successful. 3. The details of what was discussed between Hossein and Major Zia clearly indicate that such information had been exchanged for the first time and no planning had occurred between the two. If planning had been agreed there would be no need for such a conversation. Communication would only be a last resort either to warn of failure or detection. 4. There is no indication of what Hossein’s position was in relation to HT or that he had any authority to back any coup attempt or post coup scenario. Based on the army statement alone, the evidence points to either a rogue operation in which officers may have been in touch with HT members and where HT was not the actual planner. It is seems more the case that HT members tried to capitalise on the situation without any clear idea on how to proceed. However, the inept nature of the plot along with the erratic actions of Maj. Zia whereby he exposed not only himself but many other officers through direct contact and insecure communications such as the phone and internet indicates that Maj. Zia might have been part of a counter-coup strategy by the Bangladesh army to root out Islamists including those sympathetic to HT. Whatever the case, it is not clear what HT aimed to achieve in the temporary chaos that seemed to have ensued in the army. If the alleged coup was authentic and it had succeeded would HT have given its support to any invitation from the coup leaders to establish the Caliphate? In order to do so HT would have had to completely forgo its criteria mentioned above. If not, then the consequences of its high profile actions aimed at the armed forces has demonstrated the potential to not only destabilise the institution but the country as a whole. Its obsession with the military and with coups is a clear sign its failure to demonstrate its commitment to building a popular base. Consequently, the lack of a real leadership over the society merely heightens the prospect of fomenting further chaos and possible civil-military conflict in Bangladesh. Army Statement source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=219148 Source: http://liberationparty.blogspot.com/2012/02/why-hizb-ut-tahrir-is-unlikely-to-be.html	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2808
__label__wiki	0.90951	0.90951	Tillerson says he’ll talk to Iran’s Zarif ‘at the right time’ Bloomberg – Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he’ll talk with his Iranian counterpart “at the right time” after elections in Iran saw moderate President Hassan Rouhani returned to power. “I’ve never shut off the phone to anyone that wants to talk or have a productive conversation,” Tillerson said in Riyadh of Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. “At this point, I have no plans to call my counterpart in Iran, although in all likelihood, we will talk at the right time.” Tillerson and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed al-Jubeir, at a joint press conference, had tough words for Iran after Saturday’s election results, saying they wanted to see action, not just rhetoric from Tehran’s re-elected president. They spoke on the first day of President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, where he’s making a case to Arab and Muslim leaders across the region that facing up to common threats from Iran and Islamic State give them an opportunity to forge new regional partnerships. Rouhani, 68, won a second term easily over hard-line conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi. The margin of victory was seen as an endorsement of his efforts since 2013 to steer the nation out of isolation through its landmark nuclear deal with world powers. ‘Terrorist Network’ Tillerson said he wants Rouhani to “begin a process of dismantling Iran’s network of terrorism, dismantling its financing of the terrorist network, dismantling of the manning and the logistics and everything that they provide to these destabilizing forces that exist in this region.” “That’s what we hope this election will bring. I’m not going to comment on my expectation,” Tillerson said. Al-Jubeir declined to offer an opinion on the likely impact of Rouhani’s re-election, saying that who Iran chooses for its leader is its own business. “We continue to base our policy on Iran on its deeds,” he said. Iran’s behavior is not that of “a country that wants others to treat it with respect,” he said. “If Iran wants to be a normal country, it has to act in accordance with international law.” Hassan Rouhani, Iran elections, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Rex Tillerson May 21, 2017 Full liberation of Mosul in next few days: Iraqi president Underselling gas to Turkey denied	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2809
__label__wiki	0.84142	0.84142	The Osiris Club The Osiris Club-The Wine Dark Sea Review 31 Jan 2018 medianman19 Hailing from London, The Osiris Club have got a real corker of an album in their second effort. The Wine Dark Sea, is a mixture of psychedelic turns, progressive melodies, and pure heaviness that combines to create a saga of the most epic proportions. If their first album was the thing that broke the mould in the British music scene, then The Wine Dark Sea will be the album that breaks them into the mainstream. The opening songs on the record demonstrate this versatility well. Mausoleum is a song that varies between heaviness that would make Mastodon proud, whilst also throwing in psychedelic elements that wouldn’t be out of place on a Pink Floyd record. The Signal and Island of Stone allow the band to show off their chops, be they vocally or sonically, and as such, there is a sense that they are battling it out for proper formation. The rest of the album from songs such as Ring The Changes and With The Giants helps create a sense of ambience and heaviness that other bands have tried and failed to garner. There truly is a sense that the band are seeking influence from some of prog’s greats such as Pink Floyd or Gentle Giant, and that is by no means a bad thing. The Wine Dark Sea is an interesting and diverse album, that brings a great many new tricks to the table. There isn’t a moment on this album, where the listener can get bored. They are always hooked in with a nice melody, a change in time, or a change in guitar sound. This is something that is sure to stand the band in good stead for the future. Be sure to check out the album when it is released on 23rd February. Tagged Metal, Rock, The Osiris Club, The Wine Dark SeaLeave a comment Dautha Dautha-Bretheren Of The Black Soil Review History and metal go very well together, this has been demonstrated countless times. There are numerous epics that are dedicated to historical sagas, bands such as Sabaton have made a living from such a thing. Yet, it is rare for doom to tread these waters. Yet, that is what Dautha do. The songs bring with them the usual tones and melodies, that one would expect from a doom band, but with the added twist of the vocals being more present than in other releases. Songs such as Hodie Mihi, Cras Tibi (translated as Today it’s me, tomorrow it’s you) bring such strong inflexions of classical scenes that the listener finds themselves getting immersed in the story. This is further reflected in songs such as Bogbodies and In Between Two Floods. Brethren Of The Black Soil is a good introductory effort to Dautha, and gives hints of the promise that the band has. Be sure to check it out upon its release on 16th March. Tagged Brethren Of The Black Soil, Dautha, MetalLeave a comment Visigoth Visigoth-Conqueror’s Oath Review Visigoth, the name itself invokes images of hardened warriors fighting in the humid land of Hispania, fighting off invaders and each other. The band’s style and lyrical content seem to fit such an image. Their debut album, released in 2015, was a great introduction, inspiring themes of fantasy and games, and now they’re back. The front cover of this album paints an accurate picture of a Warrior Queen, and enables the listener to really get to grips with is about to come. The opening number is the anthemic Steel and Silver. With its big vocal lines, it driving rhythms, and solid guitar leads, this is a song that is meant to be played loud and live. A true metal anthem. Warrior Queen follows next, with big walls of guitars, hard-hitting melodies and lyrics about a bad ass warrior woman intent on bringing all to heel before her. The soft melodies in the middle, belie the hardness of the track. Outlive Them All is another fast number, singing praises to living and dying by the sword. Well, not quite dying, but earning glory and living through the ages. Hammerforged enters with harmony guitars, before moving into a clean guitar break, as vocalist Jake Rogers belts out a haunting melody. It then progresses into an absolute headbanger, continuing the epic nature of the album. The album continues on its metal anthem cruise with Traitor’s Gate, a song that contains heavy riffs, melodious intervals, big broad vocal lines, big choruses and an epic solo or solos to boot. Salt City is a rocker, a tribute to the band’s home. Blades In The Night and the title track, Conqueror’s Oath continue the charge, bringing the album to a roaring close. With Conqueror’s Oath, Visigoth has more than made up for the three-year gap between their albums. It is filled with songs that will carve their names into metal history, and ensure that the band develops a big rapport when playing live. Get the album when it comes out on February 9th. Tagged Conqueror's Oath, Metal, VisigothLeave a comment Visigoth Interview In December, I was fortunate enough to speak with Jake, the vocalist of rising metal stars, Visigoth: 1. What inspired the name of the band and what are your influences? “We had a big list of names, and we checked through all of them. Visigoth was the first name that wasn’t taken, or at least not by any band that was still active. The name was also pretty cool as it had historical connotations with its links to the historical Visigoth people. As for our influences, well bands like Omen, Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Riot, Jag Panzer, Solstice, Candlemass, Running Wild and Scorpions were big influences for us.” 2. Could you talk us through the writing process for the new album? “Our music was primarily written by our guitarist Lee, who would write parts or a whole song. I think Jameson our other guitarist wrote one song, we’d work together once the initial songs were created, to tighten them and make them perfect. That was the process for all the songs, I think on the record songs that stand out the most to me include Warrior Queen and Traitor’s Gate. The lyrics for these songs were always written last, usually on the day of recording. As for what we wanted to achieve for the album, we wanted to journey to another place and time. The integral themes of the album were fantasy storytelling, and you know, finding the inner strength to deal with the challenges of life.” 3. What plans have you got for the future? “Our album comes out in February, then we’re heading out on tour. We want to release our third record much quicker than our second one, we’ve already started putting songs together.” Tagged Conqueror's Oath, VisigothLeave a comment Spartan Warrior Spartan Warrior Interview I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Dave the vocalist from Spartan Warrior, here’s what we discussed: 1.What’s behind the name of the band, and where do you draw your influences from? I joined a band called Deceiver in 1979. We played some original songs, quite blues based rock with a hint of Black Sabbath as well as covers from bands like Saxon, Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest. My brother Neil joined Deceiver a year or so later and he brought with him John Stormont who later played with the Jess Cox Band and Battleaxe. The bands musical direction had evolved hugely at that point and we decided to change the bands name to reflect that. It was Spartan Warrior’s original drummer who put forward the name of Spartan Warrior. I think he was reading a lot of books on Ancient Greece and Greek Mythology and I believe he drew upon that associating the hard edge of the Spartan culture with what we were trying to do musically. There were other suggestions for the bands name and as I recall they were all put into a beer glass so we could choose one randomly as none of us could agree. I suspect that there was more than one piece of paper with ‘Spartan Warrior’ written on it and that’s what was drawn out. My personal influences at the time came from the 70’s Glam Rock bands such as Marc Bolan and T Rex, Sweet, Slade and Queen but around 1976 a friend of mine whose brother was a DJ in a club introduced me to Led Zeppelin and from that point my musical influences came from the classic rock acts such as Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and from around 1978 bands such as UFO, Van Halen, Iron Maiden and Saxon. I think that all of the guys from Spartan Warrior, past and present members, share the same musical influences that I have mentioned but also have other quite diverse tastes across the entire rock and metal spectrum that influence them… too many to mention here. What was the process behind writing Hell To Pay the album? The band reunited in 2009 and recorded our third album, Behind Closed Eyes. That album featured four of the original members of Spartan Warrior. Neil had wanted to put the band back together but one of the objects of the exercise was to release an album that for us set the record straight. None of us had been happy with the second album that had been released in 1984 and we just wanted to take control and responsibility for our music and put out an album that really showed what we could do. We were all very happy with Behind Closed Eyes. In 2011 our original bass player left followed closely by the drummer but the interest in the band was really growing so Neil and I decided to continue. The current line-up has been together approaching 7 years now and we originally set about re-establishing ourselves as a really good live band. It was quite natural for us then to start writing new material and we started playing some of it as part of our live set… songs like Bad Attitude and Hell to Pay. Doing another album really was something the five of us wanted to do so we continued to play live and write songs and we started recording I think back in 2013 with Neil again at the helm as Engineer and Producer. Neil experienced some technical difficulties with the recording process and had to modify a few things which just didn’t work and so we scrapped the recordings and started again trying to record between shows, everyday life and family commitments. They say when things go against you they really do and there were some quite serious health issues in the band at one point which slowed us down even further. Pure Steel had expressed their interest in us very early and we were absolutely determined to get the job done and so we pressed on and worked exceptionally hard. We finished recording and mixing in the summer of 2017 and signed with Pure Steel shortly after that. The new album ‘Hell to Pay’ is scheduled for release on February 23rd 2018. We tend to write all of our songs the same way . Neil or Dan will have a riff and the band at rehearsal work together and build the structure of the song. Once the song is structured I take the music and work alone to write the lyrics. After that it’s back to rehearsal to add the vocals and rehearse the song until it’s tight enough to play live and record. I draw lyrics from things I’ve seen on TV, read or things that have happened or been said on the road. Sometimes it’s just a phrase that someone says and I take it as a lyrical line and work the rest of the lyrics around that. Sometimes it’s the simple throw away things that people say or do that are the most interesting. How have things changed for the band and the music industry since you started out? Things have changed drastically. On the positive side with the internet and all of the platforms that it provides it is much easier to raise a bands profile and make your music available. On the negative side because of the ease with which people can access music online it’s very difficult for a band to sustain its financial viability… I think it affects even the most successful of bands but the impact at the lower end of the success spectrum is significant and lots of bands fold because they can’t afford to keep playing. I’m very interested in and passionate about the vinyl revival. I really hope that the industry and fans continue to embrace and grow that. I’ve never understood why anyone would click a button for a free download of music that they like… there’s nothing better than getting the cd or the vinyl with the artwork and liner notes and then sitting listening to the music and taking in everything that the package contains. People really have to invest in the music to keep the industry and the music alive . If we don’t we’ll lose it all! What did/ do you make of the whole New Wave of British Heavy Metal Movement, and your place within it? That’s difficult to answer. I think most of the bands who are associated with the NWOBHM movement would say the same thing… I honestly don’t think any of us gave it a thought at the time. Certainly as far as Spartan Warrior were concerned we were a rock band playing rock music. We still are. I see a lot of debate about what qualifies a band to be a NWOBHM band and the general consensus appears to be the band has to have been active in the period 1978 up to 1985, be British and have had a “significant release” which I think means an actual commercial release as opposed to a demo. On that basis I guess Spartan Warrior are a NWOBHM band and we’re quite happy to be part of the club. There are some truly great NWOBHM bands many of whom are now personal friends of mine and the icing on the cake is that I’m a fan of those bands. Bands like Avenger, Holocaust, Tysondog and Raven. Many others too. Being associated with such great bands is something that I’m very proud of. If that means we’re all NWOBHM bands then that’s fine by me – it’s not the tag that matters, it’s whether or not the music is good. I’ve read interviews with some very successful musicians who were tagged as part of the genre at the time and who have been quite disparaging of it and keen to distance themselves from it. I don’t know why they feel that way. What I do know is that the people who come to festivals and shows really do embrace the bands, the music and the sense of togetherness in a way I haven’t seen anywhere else. I also see a lot of younger bands, who have been influenced by the bands and music associated with the NWOBHM movement, making their own music and really being proud to say that they have been influenced by the genre. There are some outstanding young bands of that type, Toledo Steel for instance. What plans have you got for the future? The new album is set for release on 23rd February 2018 so our focus really is on working alongside our Pure Steel partners to raise the profile for that and drive it forward. We headline Funeral Fest in Barrow In Furness, UK on 3rd March which is a very diverse metal festival and we are in rehearsals now preparing for that. We’ve approached a number of promoters about playing a range of European festivals so we hope that further 2018 shows will materialise as the year progresses. We also plan to put together some UK shows during the course of the year. We will also be starting to look at writing further material for the next album… there are already a lot of things which have been recorded over the last few years which have been put onto the back burner and which we will likely return to and finish writing. I think we will be pretty busy! On behalf of all of the guys may I thank everyone for their support, particularly over the last six or seven years. It’s very much appreciated and taken to heart. We hope that you all enjoy the “Hell to Pay” album… it’s been a long time coming but we hope you think it’s worth the wait. David Wilkinson: Vocals: Spartan Warrior. Tagged Hell To Pay, Metal, Rock, Spartan WarriorLeave a comment Spartan Warrior-Hell To Pay Review 25 Jan 2018 25 Jan 2018 medianman19 They were forged during the height of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they are Spartan Warrior. Legends who trod a path known to fans of the movement, they released two albums before circumstances beyond their control forced them to split. They returned in 2009 and released a highly acclaimed comeback album, and now they’re back again with Hell to Pay. Hell To Pay, Bad Attitude, Letting Go, Count of Clowns and Something to Believe in are slabs of hard rock and classic metal that drive the album forward onto solid footing, making for brilliant air guitar and pretend singing. The band is on fire throughout these songs, the guitars are on point and the vocals are spine tingling. Walls Fall Down and Shadowland brings the haunting riffage to the fore before going into overdrive. Covered in Lust is heaviness personified bringing solidness and attitude to it. Fallen continues the onslaught whilst In Memorium brings something extra through duelling melodies and soulful vocal breaks. With Hell To Pay, Spartan Warrior shows that they’ve got the goods, and fans should look forward to a long career from these metal heroes. Be sure to purchase the album during its release on February 23rd. The Outfit The Outfit Interview Today I spoke with Mark Nawara, a founding member of The Outfit about the formation of the band and the new album: Could you talk us through how the band got together? “I’ve been playing in various bands with my brother Matt for years now, and we wanted to create something that was in your face, and no frills rock and roll. And from there I recruited a legend in the Chicago music scene, our bassist Mike. We recorded Just As One, I think it was in a studio, and it sounded great. The only thing we needed then was a singer, who was in your face and followed the attitude of what we were going for. That’s when Andy Mitchell came to mind, I’d done some stuff with him in Arizona, so I sent him an email asked him if he’d sing on the song, he said yes, I sent it to him and he recorded it, then he sent it back and it sounded amazing. We then sent it to four people in the industry to get a feel of whether we were on the right track and the response was really positive. As for our name, well we’re from Chicago, and it’s famous for being the home of Al Capone, and we’re all a bit gritty so we called ourselves The Outfit, and it just sort of stuck. We were writing the songs and sending them to one another back and forth, Andy recorded his stuff via pro tools in Arizona, and then we put them together. Everyone’s been really positive about the record so far.” What inspired the music and the writing of the songs? “We all brought something to the table. Right from the off we agreed that we were going to play in our individual styles to convey what we were about. We weren’t going to try and copy anyone. I followed a straight ahead rock approach, no frills, kind of like Cheap Trick in a manner of speaking. As for the lyrics they’re very much about life issues. The listener can interpret it however they want, but the core theme is life and whatever happens in it.” “We’re currently putting the live show together, and preparing to go out on tour with Soil for a few dates. We’re looking to play in the States and hopefully come over to Europe. We’ve also just given the first single Soldier Boy to radio stations and the response has been good.” Tagged Rock, The OutfitLeave a comment Heretic Interview They’re the underground heroes who kept a movement going, they’re the band that played with Metallica and Megadeth and outgunned them. Heretic have a storied history, as a founder of the thrash metal movement. It was a privilege to talk to Brian, the guitarist in the band: What inspired the name of the band and what are your influences? The name Heretic actually came straight out of the dictionary. I was searching for a band name and the word seemed to stand out as a cool metal name for the group. Over the years as the band evolved and I grew as a writer, the name Heretic started to stand more for freedom of speech and free thinking, especially during the late 80’s with the PMRC on their rampage over rock and metal lyrics. As for my influences, UFO, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin were and still are my favorite bands. Early Metallica taught me how to play riffs. What was it like being part of the thrash scene during the eighties? That was a great time to be in a band. There was literally a great show somewhere every night in LA. So many awesome bands came out of that period. Heretic was fortunate enough to be playing right in the middle of it all. We got a chance to play with some amazing groups like: Metallica, Megadeth, Motorhead, Plazmatics, Riot, and Armored Saint to name a few. Its nice to see a lot of bands form that era reformed and still playing like us. It shows you how strong the METAL bond between generations has endured. How did you approach recording A Game You Cannot Win? Were there specific things that influenced the lyrics and music? I usually right the music first and then form an idea for what it might be about after. Lyrically I tend to just right about the world I see around me, or about what I hear is going on in the news. The recording for “A Game You Can Not Win” was done in sections, three songs at a time on weekends, whenever we could scrap up enough money to pay for the session. Our initial idea for the CD was to give it a LIVE feel, or “Old School” vibe, so we kept the production on a minimalist diet. I think the next CD will be the polar opposite, walls of guitars, bass, drums and vocals -‐haha. What songs do you most like playing live? There are a couple of standouts for me personally. Two of our older songs that I love to play live are “Blood will tell” and “Whitechapel”. As for our newer songs, “Demonized” , “Child of war” and “This world called hell” seem to stand out as fan favorites. I want to record new music as long as we can as a band. I have the majority of the next CD already written, hopefully there will be no unforeseen problems to slow the process down this time around. For now, it’s time to take the band out and play live as much as we can in 2018. East coast USA will most likely happen, as well as locally in LA and northern California. I would love to play some European festivals (if they will have us?) time will tell. Thank you for your interest in the band, it has been my pleasure to answer your questions. Tagged Heretic, MetalLeave a comment Summoning Interview I was incredibly fortunate to interview Black Metal legends Summoning last week: 1. What drew you to black metal, and what made you choose the names you did for the band and yourselves? silenius: when we started summoning of course we did not know that this band can be alive for such a long time, but somehow we succeeded all over those years. in the beginning we just wanted to release an album to be as cool as our musical heroes and so on and so on. in the early 90ties black metal was not just music but a whole life-style which i lived 24 hours a day. everything was in the rise, and in the move and creativity was floating all over. of coursed nowardays 25 years later a lot of things have changed. summoning is of course very important for us, but meanwhile it is just a part of our live and not the center and the act of composing is far more focused and thoughtfull compared to the beginning. but of course it is an honor of us that meanwhile our music is a source of inspiration for quite a lot of younger bands. so it seems that our music has a kind of quality that spreads unto the hearts of younger generations who maybe continue this style and make their own ideas out of it. as our whole concept is based on tolkiens middle earth concept it was necessary to use alias names to bring everything in a fitting context. the band name was inspired by “diabolical summoning” a phrase used by the norwegian band dark throne. the logo was designed and done by protector. 2. Where do you draw your lyrical and musical influences from? silenius: as i said, all our lyrical influences and the whole concept is dedicated to tolkiens middle earth creation, seen from a darker point of view. in our youth we of course had a long metal socialisation, but later the musical influences came fron a wider range like dark wave, dark ambient, soundtracks and-scapes, martial industrial folk and many more fields… 3. How did you go about writing and recording your newest album? silenius: we had some material left from the old mornings dawn session and took this as a starting point to make something new out of it. usually i compose most of the keyboard melodies, while protector adds some more melodies here and there. then he is doing all the guitars and drum pattern while i work for the lyrical concept and collect paintings for the visualisation. finally protector is doing all the mixing and mastering. 4. What plans do you have for the future? after our work is done we usually go on a long winter sleep… Tagged Black Metal, SummoningLeave a comment Ginger Wildheart Ginger Wildheart Interview A veritable music legend, Ginger Wildheart has had a fascinating career, from The Wildhearts to a variety of solo projects, over the past three decades, the man has become a bonafide music institution. I was fortunate enough to interview him this past week: Could you tell me a bit about yourself, what drew you to music, and what were your influences growing up? Do they remain the same now or have they changed? It’s funny, I just had a clothing patch turn up in the post yesterday, it’s an inverted smiley face with the word ‘shit’ on the bottom. This morning I was just telling my 9 year old son that when I was nine years old I sat watching The Sweet singing ‘Blockbuster’ on Top Of The Pops, and the guitar player had this exact ‘inverted smiley’ design on a sticker on his guitar. Right then, with my Mother yelling about how she hated what she was hearing, this music and this sticker spoke to me. It told me that I would play music for my life. Well, I was listening to Sweet in the car yesterday, as I was driving back home from the studio. So while I’ve found a billion influences since I was nine, the same one’s have always stayed with me. Do you approach songwriting differently depending on the project your working on? Or do you maintain the same approach? It’s all the same to me really, it’s all based on the lyrics. If I don’t have a theme to the song that I can invest myself in then the song means nothing to me. I can’t just get excited about a good riff or a catchy chorus, the actually subject matter has to be something I really want to write about. I reject a lot of songs because they just don’t seem to be speaking to me about anything. What things inspire you in your songwriting? My outlook on things. I’ve always been attracted towards experiences, usually quite extreme experiences, and as I get older my perspective changes. Having a different outlook on a topic as I did when I was younger is massively inspirational to me. Luckily you get a bit more wisdom as you age. And while you may lose your looks I was a pretty ugly young man, so I think that’s a pretty sweet deal. I have more patience and less judgement than I did when I was young, and I’m very grateful for that. I’m way less of an arsehole these days. With Ghost In The Tanglewood soon to be released, what can fans expect from the record, lyrically and musically? Is there a song or songs on the record you’re looking forward to playing live? I really enjoy playing any new songs live, and these songs are particularly personal, so sharing them with an audience is going to be an honour. Ghost In The Tanglewood is a very confessional album, it’s a candid report on the human condition, which I think a lot of people will be able to relate to. Musically it’s still melodic, which my supporters have come to expect from me, but the music is lighter than I’d normally record, and embraces my love for country and folk, which showcase the words better than loud guitars and noise usually do. I hope people are going to be affected by the lyrics more on this album. I want to stay busy promoting my music. I want to keep writing new music, and once I record that I would like to get back on the road promoting it. I want my life to be that of a travelling, recording, creative musician. As long as I can make sure that my family are supported then that is all I want to do with the rest of my days on this planet. Tagged Ghost In The Tanglewood, Ginger WildheartLeave a comment	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2812
__label__cc	0.674983	0.325017	Wuthering Heights – What does Emily Bronte convey about Heathcliff in each of the extracts? Essay I am going to compare two different extracts from the book Wuthering Heights written by Emily Bronte. I will compare the language and the structure of the different extracts. Extract one is when Heathcliff has just been brought to the house. Mr Earnshaw has returned with Heathcliff after a trip to Liverpool. Extract 2 is the part of the book when Nelly’s been lured up to Wuthering heights by Heathcliff. This is also the part of the book when Heathcliff is exacting his revenge on people, then Nelly and Heathcliff begin to talk about his treatment of Hareton. The way Emily Bronte conveys Heathcliff in the two extracts is very different, in one extract Heathcliff is conveyed as an object whereas in the other extract he’s conveyed as a mean monster. In extract 1 Emily Bronte puts across that Heathcliff is picked on and doesn’t seem wanted by the family. The most frequent example of this is when Heathcliff is called ‘it’. This is sort of evocative language because ‘it’ triggers an emotional reaction towards Heathcliff, making us sympathise with him. Emily Bronte suggests that the family see Heathcliff as an object and not a person, or a boy. So you can see Heathcliff is being treated unfairly from the beginning. When the family refers to Heathcliff as “it” it shows that the family isn’t exactly a caring family, it also shows that the family members haven’t got caring personalities. This is except for Mr Earnshaw, even though he still calls Heathcliff “it”, he nevertheless seems to care more for Heathcliff than any other member of the family. The fact of him being called “it” is not so in the 2nd extract, instead Heathcliff is referred to as “him” and “he” like he is a person with a name and not a object, like in extract 1. In extract 1 Heathcliff is said to have come from the devil, as he is so dark. Again we sympathise with Heathcliff, and Heathcliff is described as dark so is portrayed as being dirty and unwashed. These facts of him being from the devil and being dirty are emphasised in the sentence: the word ‘devil’ is emphasised in the sentence because it is situated at the very end, also tension has been previously built up during the long sentence which helps to emphasise the impact of the word on the reader. This word is further highlighted by the contrast of ‘god’ a line before, the words “devil” and “god” contrasts well, probably because everyone sees them as opposites. In extract 2 the roles seem to have been turned on their head or reversed, because Heathcliff is now the one who seems unfair and mean. This is shown when Heathcliff is speaking to Nelly about Hareton and says, “he’ll not venture a single syllable” this implies that Hareton will never speak, because of Heathcliff’s treatment of him. I assume this is because Hareton doesn’t know how to speak to a nice lady like Cathy. Hareton, Hindley’s son, has taken Heathcliff’s role as the rough-mannered and scruffy one. A quote that illustrates this is “I’ve got him faster than his scoundrel of a father secured me, and lower, for he takes pride in his brutishness”. This means that Hareton was better off than Heathcliff was at a similar age, but unlike Heathcliff, Hareton took pride in being rough and ignorant. We see that Heathcliff really has become a monster because Heathcliff takes pleasure in making Hareton as he was, but Heathcliff also wasn’t embarrassed to admit it, as we can tell when he began “reflecting aloud” to Nelly, not trying to hide what he was doing. But the best thing about it Heathcliff says is that “hareton is damnably fond of me! You’ll own that I’ve out matched hindley there”. This quote tells us two things: one that Hareton is very fond of Heathcliff and two, that Nelly can’t deny that Heathcliff has beaten Hindley. This signifies that Heathcliff’s out-matched Hindley because Hareton likes his master (Heathcliff), whilst Heathcliff didn’t like Hindley who was his master. So here we see that Heathcliff seems to be comparing him-self to Hindley, as if it were a competition. This tells us that Heathcliff has a very competitive personality, he doesn’t like to be beaten at any thing even at something like this, obviously likes to be better at anything than anyone else. It also shows that Heathcliff is trying to appear better than Hindley in Nelly’s eyes. The change of roles even stretches to being treated like an object, we see this when Heathcliff says Linton’s his, “and mine”, so you get the feeling every thing that was done wrong to Heathcliff in extract 1 is now being done to anyone close to Heathcliff, even his own son. This incident happened just before Emily Bronte used imagery to show the difference, in Heathcliff’s eyes, between Linton and Hareton. She described using a metaphor: “one is gold put to the use of paving- stones; and the other is polished to ape a service of silver”. By this she means that one is gold and the other is mimicking silver, so the second isn’t even silver. Linton, Heathcliff’s son, is the one who is mimicking silver, and Hareton is the one who is described as gold. From this I can assume that Heathcliff believes that Hareton is more valuable to him than Linton, for some reason, may be because Hareton is Hindley’s son and, as we know Heathcliff hated Hindley. There is also alliteration at the end of the quote, “a service of silver” this adds emphasis to the fact that Linton isn’t as valuable as Hareton, it also makes you notice the phrase more, and makes you take in what it’s implying. Imagery is also used in extract one to help us to imagine Heathcliff as “a dirty ragged, black-haired child; big enough to both walk and talk”. This is the first time we get a description of Heathcliff In the book, it confirms the image in your mind of Heathcliff as a dirty, scruffy child. There is also a difference in the layout and structure of the extracts. In extract one there is a lot tension, especially in the first two paragraphs. This tension is achieved in these paragraphs by the use of commas, and we don’t discover that Mr Earnshaw has brought Heathcliff back from Liverpool until the third paragraph; the commas make you read the paragraphs slower, therefore adding extra tension. Extract 2 is quite different. It seems more open and less tense. By open I mean freer flowing. This makes the extract less tense and more descriptive than extract one. It may seem more open because of the long, complex sentences used in the extract. The fact that it is mainly dialogue may explain why it is more open than extract one, which is narrated by Nelly Dean. So it is obvious from the two extracts that for some reason Heathcliff has changed during the course of the book, in extract 1 Heathcliff is the one who is being picked on by the family, while in the second extract it is Heathcliff who is picking on the family. This is conveyed in many ways during the two extracts: by the sentence length, structure, and type; also by the amount of dialogue, and even by the language used by Emily Bronte in the extracts. Explore how women are presented by Thomas Hardy in The Sons Veto, The Withered Arm and Tony Kytes, the Arch Deceiver Essay Compare the way death is represented in ‘Dream of a Lost Friend’ with ‘On My First Son’ Essay Adrian Mole Essay Compare how the natural world is used symbolically by Hardy and Bronte in The Return of the Native and Wuthering Heights Essay Emily fell against the brick wall of a school building – Creative Writing Essay In the light of the events within the novel, do you think Heathcliff is a fiend from hell or a victim of social prejudice? Essay Discuss Nelly Dean’s account of Heathcliff’s Arrival in terms of what it reveals about the contrasts Between Hindley and Catherine Essay Wuthering Heghts – Portrayal of Love Essay ← Discuss Nelly Dean’s account of Heathcliff’s Arrival in terms of what it reveals about the contrasts Between Hindley and Catherine Essay In the light of the events within the novel, do you think Heathcliff is a fiend from hell or a victim of social prejudice? Essay →	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2814
__label__wiki	0.939416	0.939416	Breaking City News UPDATE 1-Over 40% of minority shareholders of Turquoise Hill oppose independent directors (Adds share performance and background) TORONTO, May 14 (Reuters) - A large proportion of the minority shareholders in Rio Tinto Plc-controlled Turquoise Hill Resources voted against the re-election of the company’s independent directors on Tuesday. While all seven directors were re-elected to the board, according to a Turquoise Hill filing, over 40% of Turquoise Hill’s minority shareholders, including its second-biggest investor, Sailingstone Capital Partners, voted against the four independent directors. Sailingstone last month flagged its vote in an open letter, citing governance issues and the board’s lack of engagement with minority investors. Turquoise Hill owns 66% of the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, which is operated by Rio Tinto and expected to become one of the mining giant’s most lucrative properties. But it has been plagued by political challenges, corruption investigations and construction delays. Sailingstone has been engaged in a tussle with Turquoise Hill for years to improve corporate governance and alluded to the "woeful performance" of the company's stock in its April letter here(04-23-2019).pdf. The San Francisco-based investment advisory firm, which owns 10.9% of Turquoise Hill, also blames mismanagement by Rio Tinto for delays to the completion of the main shaft at Oyu Tolgoi, which has led to delays to the start of production from its underground mine. Turquoise Hill shares have lost 58 percent over the past five years, compared with a 9 percent decline in the S&P/TSX Global Mining index. The shares fell 0.8% to C$1.77 on Tuesday afternoon, versus the benchmark’s 0.9% gain. While Turquoise Hill’s four independent directors won re-election with between 75% and 76% of total votes on Tuesday, between 40% and 48% of minority shareholder votes were not in their favor. Reporting by Nichola Saminather Editing by Leslie Adler	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2818
__label__wiki	0.885393	0.885393	Vodacom unit to sell operations in four African markets June 21 (Reuters) - South African mobile phone operator Vodacom Group Ltd on Friday said it has entered an agreement to sell its Business Africa unit’s Angolan operations and assets to Internet Technologies Angola for an undisclosed amount. Separately, Vodacom, which is majority owned by Vodafone Group Plc, also announced an agreement to sell the unit’s operations in Nigeria, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire to Synergy Communications. Vodacom said it will no longer service enterprise customers directly in any of the four markets but will continue to service clients through local service providers. (Reporting by Shariq Khan in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2819
__label__wiki	0.845538	0.845538	UTEP AT A GLANCE VENUES & CONFERENCES INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH BUILDING AT EL PASO *Click to enlarge \| Download Printable Map UTEP is a leader in American higher education, and the University’s unique mission and history are evident in the landscape of its beautiful campus. After a fire destroyed the University’s original site, the school moved to its current location in the foothills of the Franklin Mountains. The campus is known for its striking architecture, inspired by the Himalayan mountaintop fortresses of the Kingdom of Bhutan. From the original four buildings to its most recent multimillion-dollar research facilities, UTEP is truly a campus like no other in the world. The University’s story goes beyond the buildings to chronicle the journey of the thousands of proud graduates who have made their way through UTEP’s academic programs during the past century. Since 1917, Old Main has housed everything from classrooms and offices to a library and snack bar. Today it is an official Texas Historic Landmark and home of the Sociology and Anthropology Department. Graham Hall, Vowell Hall and Quinn Hall round out the old campus. Quinn is named after a beloved geology professor who arrived in his office one day in 1952 to find a live alligator that had been kidnapped from San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso. The hill behind Old Main still contains the entrance to a practice mine dug by the earliest mining students. The outdoor Mining Heritage Park – re-dedicated in 2015 – contains a three-stamp mining mill, a small ore crusher and a mining mucking machine – reminders of UTEP’s origins as a mining school. DON HASKINS CENTER Named after UTEP’s legendary men’s basketball coach, the Don Haskins Center is among the top basketball facilities in the Southwest and Conference USA. The arena was built in 1976 and seats more than 12,000 fans. Haskins led the Miners to win the NCAA Championship in 1966 when he started, for the first time in championship history, an all African-American lineup during the championship game. Haskins entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997 and the entire team followed 10 years later. EDUCATION BUILDING The nine-story Education Building houses all of the departments and support services for the College of Education, as well as the Department of Criminal Justice. Since its early work with binational teacher exchanges in the 1950s, the college has been a national leader in bilingual education, community outreach and partnership programs, as well as degrees awarded to Hispanic students. Students in the college go on to careers as teachers, counselors, diagnosticians and school administrators – many of them working throughout the El Paso region. UNION COMPLEX The Union Building first opened in 1949. Three additions over the next 30 years produced two buildings connected by a breezeway that serves as a popular public gathering place. The Union houses a variety of offices and programs devoted to serving students, from the Student Government Association (SGA) offices and the University Career Center to a food court and the Union Cinema. The UTEP Dinner Theatre also finds space in the buildings. In 2015, the University opened the Pick ‘N’ Shovel buffet restaurant, an all-you-care-to–eat dining hall, on the Union’s second floor. LIBERAL ARTS BUILDING The College of Liberal Arts is the largest college on campus, with degrees and programs in disciplines ranging from musical theater to psychology to law school preparation. The college’s courses in the arts, humanities and social sciences provide the core of the University’s undergraduate education The Liberal Arts Building opened in 1961 but is only one of many buildings devoted to the liberal arts. The Psychology Building contains laboratories for studying bilingual cognition, psychobiochemistry and judicial processes. The Cotton Memorial Building is home to El Paso’s first FM station and current public radio station, KTEP-FM (88.5). Students, faculty and community artists share their talents in Magoffin Auditorium, the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts and the Fox Fine Arts Center. ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES COMPLEX UTEP’s strengths in engineering and science are united in an interconnected complex of high-tech buildings. The College of Engineering is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top producers of Hispanic engineers, with degree programs in civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, manufacturing, mechanical, and materials and metallurgical engineering, as well as computer science. Dozens of research centers and labs investigate space exploration technology, transportation, infrastructure, environmental resource management, human motion analysis and medical imaging informatics. The Engineering Building, Biology Building, Metallurgy Building, Classroom Building and Physical Sciences Building offer office, classroom and lab space. The complex sits over an arroyo, which is accessible through an internal courtyard. CHEMISTRY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE BUILDING Science and engineering unite in the state-of-the-art Chemistry and Computer Science Building. In this multidisciplinary facility, sophisticated research laboratories combine collaborative workspace with powerful research tools such as a cryo-electron microscope and X-ray generator and detector in labs for studying carbon nanomaterials, human-computer interaction, environmental chemistry and software engineering. The building is connected to the Engineering Building by a Bhutanese-style bridge. Together with the Bioscience Research Building, this building anchors the Engineering and Sciences Complex and draws national and international recognition and research grant money. MIKE LOYA ACADEMIC SERVICES BUILDING Every UTEP student is served by this one-stop location for assistance with admissions and recruitment, financial aid and scholarships, enrollment and registration, traffic and parking, study abroad and the Graduate School. The building is named after alumnus and donor Mike Loya, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and went on to have a successful career in the global energy industry. In 2010, he was honored with the UTEP Distinguished Alumnus Award. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING The College of Business Administration provides nationally accredited and internationally recognized training in business leadership and accounting. Its research centers promote regional economic development, entrepreneurial ventures, multicultural management and ethics, computer application learning and econometric forecasting. The building opened in 1983 and was joined by the Graduate Business Center in Downtown El Paso in 2010. After occupying several locations around campus, the library found a home in this Bhutanese-style fortress in 1984. The six-floor facility features study and computer space and holds more than 1 million volumes, 200,000 government documents and 1 million microforms. More than 200 works of art are on permanent display throughout the library. The atrium houses a large tapestry sewn by Buddhist monks in Bhutan and a 5-foot by 7-foot book made from more than 40,000 photographs of the Himalayan nation. The 133-pound book was designated the library’s one-millionth volume and was the world’s largest published book at the time of its completion. HEALTH SCIENCES AND NURSING BUILDING The College of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing both make their home in this five-story teaching and research facility. The undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are nationally ranked for awarding degrees to Hispanic students. The College of Health Sciences offers degree programs in kinesiology, occupational and physical therapy, and speech language pathology, among others. The UTEP Center for Simulation is a 16,000-square-foot facility that features nine simulation labs, four testing rooms and six patient rooms. The back of the building features an impressive Bhutanese pedestrian bridge. UNDERGRADUATE LEARNING CENTER (UGLC) The Undergraduate Learning Center offers classrooms equipped with the most advanced learning and teaching technologies. Computer labs for students and faculty provide training, support and international video conferencing capabilities. The atrium houses a large Bhutanese tapestry and the east entrance features a Bhutanese chorten, a monument demarcating the threshold of enhanced human experience. The large classrooms make it one of the most highly trafficked buildings on campus. “MINING MINDS” SCULPTURE Unveiled in 2010, the 25-foot-tall “Mining Minds” sculpture connects UTEP’s mining heritage with its present and future. The steel pickaxe head contains a message in binary code – a series of ones and zeroes – that says, “Believe in yourself and in your dreams. Believe in UTEP and its aspirations. Share the dream!” On special occasions, the sculpture is illuminated in orange and blue. CENTENNIAL MUSEUM AND CHIHUAHUAN DESERT GARDENS The Centennial Museum was constructed in 1936 to celebrate the anniversary of Texas’ independence, making it the oldest museum in El Paso. Permanent exhibits in the museum focus on the natural and cultural history of the Chihuahuan Desert region, the largest desert in North America. A variety of temporary exhibits address themes related to border life and culture, the Americas and the University’s history and current activities. The Chihuahuan Desert Gardens opened in 1999 and contain more than 800 species of plants native to the region and a Bhutanese prayer wheel. On the hillside south of the museum are several ceremonial flags, symbolic pleas for peace, compassion and wisdom. LHAKHANG The hand-carved and hand-painted Lhakhang is a gift from the people of Bhutan to the people of the United States and entrusted to the University’s care. It was first assembled on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. It now sits at the heart of UTEP’s Centennial Plaza, the largest and most enduring keepsake of the University’s Centennial Celebration. GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES BUILDING The Geological Sciences Building has served many functions since it was first built in 1938. It originally housed the University’s administration offices and library. In 1990, the building was renamed the Geological Sciences Building and today is home to the University’s Geological Sciences Department. In addition to classrooms and faculty offices, the building houses the Geology Reading Room, an exquisitely crafted space that hosts many campus events. MAGOFFIN AUDITORIUM Magoffin Auditorium is the University’s largest lecture hall and doubles as a concert hall for smaller events such as comedy and dance performances, musicals, plays and small concerts. It features more than 1,000 seats on one level with clear sight lines. Opened in 1950 and renovated in 1973, the auditorium is named after James Wiley Magoffin, an El Paso pioneer whose careers included trader, soldier and consulate worker. FOX FINE ARTS CENTER Built in 1974, the Fox Fine Arts Center houses the music, art, and theatre and dance departments. The complex contains practice rooms, classrooms, art studios and performance venues, including the Recital Hall, the Studio Theatre and the William and Marie Wise Family Theatre. In 1978, the building was renamed the Josephine Clardy Fox Fine Arts Center to recognize a well-known supporter of local art and artisans in El Paso. STANLEE AND GERALD RUBIN CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS The Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts is a contemporary art gallery on the UTEP campus that exhibits the work of renowned and burgeoning artists and serves as a learning facility for students. The center opened in 2004 in a renovated space inside one of UTEP’s oldest buildings – Seamon Hall – that dates back to the Old Campus in 1917. The center is named after El Pasoans who graduated from Texas Western College in 1965 and were named Distinguished Alumni in 2002. Gerald Rubin is the founder and former CEO of the company Helen of Troy, which has its corporate headquarters in El Paso. SUN BOWL STADIUM Sun Bowl Stadium is a source of pride for both UTEP and the city of El Paso. With its strategic placement in the picturesque Franklin Mountains, the stadium itself has been lauded as one of the most beautiful college stadiums in the country by national audiences who either visit it or see it on television during the annual Sun Bowl game. The stadium was built through a joint initiative between UTEP and El Paso County and was completed in 1963. On the first offensive play of the first home game, Larry K. Durham scored the stadium’s first touchdown, running 54 yards to set up a Miner win of 34-7. Additions to Sun Bowl Stadium since its completion include a second floor press box, artificial turf, extra seating (now 51,500), state-of-the-art video scoreboards and a FieldTurf Classic HD CoolPlay playing surface. In 2019, the west side of the stadium will be enhanced with an updated press box and addition of the GECU Terrace, which will feature club seats, loge boxes, a cantina and concessions, social spaces and restrooms. In 2019, the west side of the stadium will be enhanced with an updated press box and addition of the GECU Terrace, which will feature club seats, loge boxes, a cantina and concessions, social spaces and restrooms. 500 West University Avenue PRODUCED BY University Visitors Network	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2821
__label__wiki	0.542369	0.542369	Home > Find a Physician > Ellen K. Ritchie, M.D. Ellen K. Ritchie, M.D. Accepts New Patients Myeloproliferative Disorder Myeloproliferative Disease Myeloproliferative Neoplasm MPN (Myeloproliferative Neoplasm) Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Essential Thrombocythemia ET (Essential Thrombocythemia) CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) MF (Myelofibrosis) Associate Attending Physician - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University M.D., Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1997 Ellen K. Ritchie, MD is assistant professor of medicine and a member of the Leukemia Program at the Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University and the New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Dr. Ritchie graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University and received her medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City. She was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia campus. Dr. Ritchie completed her fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia campus. Dr. Ritchie's research interests are in the treatment of older patients with anemia, cytopenias, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative disorders and acute leukemia. She is interested in finding better therapies and supportive care strategies for older patients. Dr. Ritchie is the principal investigator on clinical trials investigating new diagnostic techniques, supportive care strategies and therapeutics aimed at the older patient. She collaborates with investigators in the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology. She has been the author or co-author of many publications. She is interested in improving the medical care of older patients with hematologic malignancies. Dr. Ritchie graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University and received her medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City. She was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia campus. Dr. Ritchie completed her fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia campus. Emblem (HIP) Medicare Essential Network Alpha Omega Alpha 10/96 Arnold P. Gold Foundation Award 5/97	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2826
__label__wiki	0.91487	0.91487	Obit: Kohlnhofer, Joseph #2 (1887 - 1972) Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org Surnames: Kohlnhofer, Schober, De Mar, Kettner, Bauman, Riederer, Justen, Lyons, Brecht, Reinke, Lemberger, Christianson, Remiker, Dieler, Danen, Meyer, Hoffman, Oberle, Krater, Koopman ----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 11/23/1972 Kohlnhofer, Joseph (30 January 1887 - 17 November 1972) Joseph Kohlnhofer, 85, died November 17, at his home following a lingering illness. Mr. Kohlnhofer was born January 30, 1887, in Germany. He came to the United States in 1904, worked in Manitowoc for six years and came to Greenwood in 1910. He was married to Margaret Schober October 26, 1915 at St. Mary’s Church. The celebrated their golden wedding in August, 1965, and their 55th anniversary in October, 1970. After their marriage the Kohlnhofer’s settled on a farm four miles northeast of Greenwood and lived there until 1949, when they retired and moved into the city. He was janitor for St. Mary’s parish for 16 years. Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Barbara) De Mar of McHenry, Ill., and Mrs. Joseph (Magdaline) Kettner of Menomonie; five sons, John of Albany, Ore., Victor of Lakeville, Minn., Clayton and Francis of Greenwood and Joseph of Milwaukee; 36 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Tuesday from the Hill Funeral Home and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Leander Koopman officiated and burial was made in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Funeral services for Joseph Kohlnhofer, 85, were held last week Tuesday from St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Leander Koopman officiating. Burial was made in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Pallbearers, all grandsons, were Joe Kettner, Jr., Robert Kohlnhofer, Joe De Mar, Keith Kohlnhofer, Jeff Kohlnhofer and Gary Kohlnhofer. Those who attended from away were Mrs. Joe (Barbara) De Mar of McHenry, Ill.; John Kohlnhofer, Albany, Ore.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe (Magdaline) Kettner, Sr., and family, Menomonie; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Kohlnhofer and family of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Russel Bauman, Park Falls; Mr. and Mrs. John Riederer, Whitelaw; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Justen and Mr. and Mrs. Joe De Mar, McHenry, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lyons, Sparta; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Brecht, Spencer; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey O. Reinke, Mrs. Leona Lemberger, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Christianson, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Remiker, Cato; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kettner, Jr., Menomonie; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Dieler, Marshfield; Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Danen, Stetsonville; Mr. and Mrs. John Meyer, Medford; Mrs. Elsie Hoffman and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Oberle, Thorp; Mr. and Mrs. John Schober, West Salem; Mrs. Barbara K. Krater, Michigan; and relatives and friends from Willard, Loyal, Neillsville and the Greenwood area.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2828
__label__wiki	0.834567	0.834567	Botswana is a sparsely populated, landlocked country in southern Africa bordered by Zimbabwe to the east, Namibia to the west, South Africa to the south and Zambia to the north. Compared to many sub-Saharan countries, Botswana has excelled at achieving political stability. For decades, the country has gained accolades for its democratic traditions and stability relative to its neighbors. Among other things, this may be due to Botswana's relatively small population, few ethnic divisions and concerted efforts from the country's leaders. Botswana's main geographic challenge is its landlocked status. The lack of port access increases the cost of doing business and, most notably, the costs of imports and exports. This has negatively impacted Botswana's mining industry, which remains the country's most lucrative sector. Rich in diamonds, nickel, copper and other minerals, Botswana is forced to use transport corridors through neighboring countries to access markets beyond its borders. In addition, the country's dependence on natural resources increases its vulnerability to fluctuations in commodity prices. Like all landlocked countries, it is imperative for Botswana to manage its relationship with its neighbors. This has meant Botswana must grapple with the hegemon of its region, South Africa, though their shared status as former British colonies has spurred ties and infrastructure connections between the two. Since the end of the Cold War and the start of the post-Apartheid era in South Africa, these ties have only increased as Botswana has firmly integrated itself into South Africa's economy and infrastructure network. In 2000, for example, Botswana was a founding member of the Southern African Development Community's Free Trade Area.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2829
__label__wiki	0.711209	0.711209	How to Walk Away St. Martin's Press READ AN EXCERPT → From the author of Happiness for Beginners comes the instant New York Times bestseller (May 2018), an unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances. Margaret Jacobsen is just about to step into the bright future she’s worked for so hard and so long: a new dream job, a fiancé she adores, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in a brief, tumultuous moment. In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable. First there is her fiancé, Chip, who wallows in self-pity while simultaneously expecting to be forgiven. Then, there's her sister Kit, who shows up after pulling a three-year vanishing act. Finally, there's Ian, her physical therapist, the one the nurses said was too tough for her. Ian, who won't let her give in to her pity, and who sees her like no one has seen her before. Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need. Sometimes we all need someone to catch us when we fall. And sometimes love can find us in the least likely place we would ever expect. How to Walk Away is Katherine Center at her very best—a masterpiece of a novel that is both hopeful and hilarious; truthful and wise; tender and brave. Praise for How to Walk Away: "A heartbreak of a novel that celebrates resilience and strength." —Jill Santop… More… "A heartbreak of a novel that celebrates resilience and strength." —Jill Santopolo, bestselling author of The Light We Lost "If you just read one book this year, read How to Walk Away." —Nina George, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop "Warm, witty, and wonderfully observed." —Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love "Sympathetic and refreshing!" —Elinor Lipman, bestselling author of The Family Man "I can't think of a blurb good enough for this novel...poignant, funny, heartbreaking." —Jenny Lawson, bestselling author of Furiously Happy Facebook(author) Author Web Site THE BIGGEST IRONY about that night is that I was always scared to fly. Always. Ever since I was old enough to think about it. It seemed counterintuitive. Even a little arrogant. Why go up when gravity clearly wanted us... READ THE FULL EXCERPT → Praise for How to Walk Away An instant New York Times bestseller (May 2018)! "A marvelous example of acceptance and healing and a celebration of family." —USA Today "Center explores the limits of hope and love...[she] transforms the story of a family tragedy into a heartfelt guide to living the fullest life possible." —Publisher's Weekly "With its appealing characters and wisdom about grappling with life’s challenges, Center’s sixth novel has all the makings of a breakout hit." —Booklist (starred review) “Inspiring and romantic… A touching and truthful novel that shows how people can find comfort in the most unexpected places.” —Library Journal "A story about survival that is heartbreakingly honest and wryly funny, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Elizabeth Berg." —Kirkus KATHERINE CENTER is the author of several novels, including Happiness for Beginners, The Bright Side of Disaster, Everyone Is Beautiful, Get Lucky, and The Lost Husband. Her books and essays have appeared in Redbook, People, USA Today, Vanity Fair, and Real Simple, as well as the anthologies Because I Love Her, CRUSH, and My Parents Were Awesome. Katherine is a graduate of Vassar College and the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. She lives in Houston with her husband and two sweet children. Skylar Reeves	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2831
__label__wiki	0.969293	0.969293	Replay: AM News The News Station TV Schedule WNEP.com P.O.L. Florence Henderson, TV’s Carol Brady, Dies at 82 Posted 4:24 am, November 25, 2016, by CNN Wire, Updated at 05:27AM, November 25, 2016 She was one of America’s moms, a television icon that endured through generations. Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady on “The Brady Bunch,” died Thursday from heart failure at the age of 82. Her death was unexpected. Henderson had not been sick, her manager, Kayla Pressman, said. Just this week, Henderson attended a taping of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” to cheer on Maureen McCormick, who played her TV daughter Marcia Brady. Henderson had also had made some TV and movie appearances this year. Henderson played Carol Brady from 1969 to 1979 on “The Brady Bunch.” The show was her first television series. “We are all in a state of shock,” said Pressman, who spoke with Henderson on Wednesday night. The actress died at a Los Angeles hospital surrounded by family and friends. A TV icon Henderson played Carol Brady from 1969 to 1979 on “The Brady Bunch,” a show that became a huge hit in syndication. “The Brady Bunch,” a comedy about two widows with three children each, was Henderson’s first television series. Even 40 years later, parts of the show are still staples of pop culture: The upbeat theme song and Rubik’s cube-style opening, “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia,” the football moment and of course, Henderson herself — with her big blue eyes and signature blonde coiffure. Her former castmates expressed their shock and grief at her passing. “Florence Henderson was a dear friend for so very many years & in my <3 forever. Love & hugs to her family. I’ll miss u dearly #RIPFlorence,” tweeted Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia Brady. You are in my heart forever Florence💕 pic.twitter.com/PABCuPubA2 — Maureen McCormick (@MoMcCormick7) November 25, 2016 Florence Henderson was a dear friend for so very many years & in my <3 forever. Love & hugs to her family. I'll miss u dearly #RIPFlorence From the beginning, to Broadway, to Brady Henderson’s life story wasn’t as ideal as the one she was a part of on TV. She grew up poor in Indiana, with an alcoholic father and a mother who left when she was just 12 years old, she said. She was a talented singer, and would use her voice to entertain the family and help make ends meet. “I don’t ever remember not singing. and I would sing and pass the hat. and I would sing for groceries,” she told the Archive of American Television in 1999. Her big break came in 1951 when she landed a starring role in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” Her voice carried her to a successful Broadway career, and eventually she began landing high-profile television gigs. In 1959 she was on set as an NBC “Today Girl,” and in 1962, and she became the first woman to guest host the “Tonight Show.” In 1969, Henderson became Carol Brady. “I created the kind of mother that I wished I’d had, and I think everyone longs for,” she said. Henderson married her first husband, Ira Bernstein, in 1955, had her first child, Barbara, in 1956. The fact that she was a young wife and mother helped her bring the role of Carol Brady to life. “I understood kids. I was close to them,” she said in the 1999 AAT interview. “I was the only one on the set who was married.” Henderson had four children with Bernstein. They were married for 29 years. In 1987 she married John Kappas, a hypnotherapist. He died in 2002. An enduring figure When “The Brady Bunch” ended, Henderson continued to be a figure on screen and on the stage. She stuck with her musical career for a while, reviving her role as Annie Oakley in “Annie Get Your Gun” in 1981. And of course, she brought back Carol Brady for numerous “Brady Bunch” spinoffs and specials. As the decades passed, she continued to be a presence through cameos and guest appearances. She showed up on “Murder She Wrote,” “Ellen,” “Roseanne,” “30 Rock,” and curiously, as a guest host on “WWE Raw” in 2010. She dabbled in movies, appearing in “The Brady Bunch Movie” and most recently, “50 Shades of Black.” She also had a fondness for game show appearances, delighting audiences on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “The $100,000 Pyramid” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Remembering America’s mom Stars from all genres paused their Thanksgiving festivities to honor their colleague and friend. “It was a true honor to have known and worked with her,” wrote Al Yankovic. So terribly sad to hear of the passing of the great Florence Henderson. It was a true honor to have known and worked with her. pic.twitter.com/bhgLigHEI4 — Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) November 25, 2016 “[She] was a doll and a dame and funny as hell,” wrote actor Michael McKean. McKean was a contemporary of Henderson’s, starring in the 1970’s sitcom “Laverne and Shirley.” Florence Henderson was a doll and a dame and funny as hell. RIP — Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) November 25, 2016 “Heartbroken,” wrote “Dancing with the Stars” host Tom Bergeron. “I’ll miss you, my friend.” Heartbroken. I'll miss you, my friend. #RIP @ItsFloHenderson pic.twitter.com/HQ7x7hPAxJ — Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) November 25, 2016 Topics: florence henderson alot of viewers were always attracted to the mrs. Brady when i was growing up. but myself, give me mike brady anyday. The things i always wanted to do with him… remember the scene from godfather 2 when her and bob hanks were filling the tub and it crashed through the floor??? great scene… Fatal Crash on Interstate 81 South in Susquehanna County Smile, Speeders! You’re on Camera Alligator Living in Chicago Park Lagoon Captured ‘The ABCs of Metallica’ — Heavy Metal Band Releasing Children’s Book Wildlife Rehab & Education Center in Poconos Aims for More Community Outreach Denise Nickerson, Violet in ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,’ Has Died Denise Nickerson, Who Played Violet in ‘Willy Wonka,’ Taken Off Life Support After Medical Emergency Leckey Live Websites Mentioned Nowhere to Hide: More Cameras Capturing Our Almost Every Move Caught On Camera News UPDATE: Man Shoved to Ground over Parking Spot, Police Say Suspect Caught on Camera in Scranton Scuffle in Custody Peggy Lipton, Star of ‘Mod Squad’ and ‘Twin Peaks,’ Dead at 72 Lee Iacocca, Who Helped Create the Ford Mustang and Then Rescued Chrysler in the 1980s, Has Died Reboot of 1980s Sitcom ‘Punky Brewster’ in the Works Manson Family Member Leslie Van Houten Denied Parole Doris Day, America’s Box-Office Sweetheart of the ’50s and ’60s, Is Dead at 97 Tim Conway, ‘Carol Burnett Show’ star, dies at 85 The Philadelphia Flyers Remove a Statue of Kate Smith Parade, Balloon Release and Baseball to Honor the Fallen • 16 Montage Mountain Road, Moosic, PA 18507 • Copyright © 2019, WNEP	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2833

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