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__label__wiki	0.535851	0.535851	Kenwood Dishwasher Kdw243a Instruction Manual PDF) Work Ethics, Values, Attitudes and Performance In The Nigerian ... (PDF) Work Ethics, Values, Attitudes and Performance In The Nigerian Public Service: Issues, Challenges and The Way Forward Kenwood Dishwasher Kdw243a Instruction Manual - Lagos, sometimes referred to as Lagos State to distinguish it from Lagos Metropolitan Area, is a state in the southwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria.The smallest in area of Nigeria's 36 states, Lagos State is arguably the most economically important state of the country, containing Lagos, the nation's largest urban area.It is a major financial centre and would be the fifth largest economy. Lagos (/ ˈ l eɪ ɡ ɒ s /; Yoruba: Èkó) is a city in the Nigerian state of Lagos.The city, with its adjoining conurbation, is the most populous in Nigeria, and the most populous on the African continent.It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and also one of the most populous urban agglomerations. Lagos is a major financial centre in Africa; the megacity has the highest GDP. The Independent Sharia Panel of Lagos State Abdul-Fatah Kola Makinde, Philip Ostien ∗ Abdul-Fatah Kola Makinde is a lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. He is also a member of the Independent Sharia Panel of Osun State. Philip Ostien taught for many years in the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, Plateau State.. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (OMAN Chapter) Vol. 1, No.9; April 201214 their jobs, and the subordinate status of permanent secretaries to their political bosses was reiterated.9 Another consequence of the purge, reinforced subsequently, was the destruction of the civil service tradition of security of. The Supreme Court of the United States blog. Henry Schein Inc. v. Archer and White Sales Inc. The “wholly groundless” exception to the general rule that courts must enforce contracts that delegate threshold arbitrability questions to an arbitrator, not a court, is inconsistent with the Federal Arbitration Act and Supreme Court precedent.. FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY - ABUJA The seat of Government which was in Lagos was formerly relocated to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on December 12, 1992.. Damini Ogulu, Nigerian Afro-fusion singer better known as Burna Boy, was the biggest winner at the Soundcity MVP awards. The award held on Sat. The Amalgamation Of Nigeria Was A Fraud . by . Richard Akinjide, QC, SAN . July 9, 2000. Holding: The Colorado Civil Rights Commission’s actions in assessing a cakeshop owner’s reasons for declining to make a cake for a same-sex couple’s wedding celebration violated the free exercise clause. Judgment: Reversed, 7-2, in an opinion by Justice Kennedy on June 4, 2018.Justice Kagan filed a concurring opinion, in which Justice Breyer joined.. NIGERIA’S POST-CIVIL WAR RECONCILIATION: Imagine if the Israeli Prime Minister hired a former PLO fighter as his personal pilot. Or if the president of the United States allowed a Russian to be his personal chauffeur at the height of the Cold War.. Slavery was a form of dependent labour performed by a nonfamily member. The slave was deprived of personal liberty and the right to move about geographically as he desired. There were likely to be limits on his capacity to make choices with regard to his occupation and sexual partners as well.. The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, July 6, 1967 – January 13, 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra. Created as a colonial entity by the British, Nigeria was divided between a mainly Muslim north and a mainly Christian and animist south.. PDF) Transformative Empowerment in the Lagos State Civil Service: A ... (PDF) Transformative Empowerment in the Lagos State Civil Service: A Gender Policy Discourse Performance Measurement System Effectiveness and PublicPrivate Partne… PDF) LAGOS STATE LAND USE ACT (TITLE DOCUMENTATION) (PDF) LAGOS STATE LAND USE ACT (TITLE DOCUMENTATION) PDF) The Effect of Manpower Planning and Development in Lagos State ... (PDF) The Effect of Manpower Planning and Development in Lagos State ( Nigeria) Civil Service Performance PDF) Staff Recruitment and Selection Process in the Nigerian Public ... (PDF) Staff Recruitment and Selection Process in the Nigerian Public Service: What is to be done? An Assessment of revenue generation drive of Lagos state government t… DSVRT Child Protection Policy.cdr Lagos Judiciary Online Reports: (Only for Registered Users) The JIS generates reports which include case management report. Understanding the civil service rules & its components PDF) THE IMPERATIVE OF “AFTER ACTION REVIEW” AS A MECHANISM FOR ... (PDF) THE IMPERATIVE OF “AFTER ACTION REVIEW” AS A MECHANISM FOR ENHANCING PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY IN NIGERIA	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1690
__label__wiki	0.557102	0.557102	Anthony Riforgiato Anthony began racing competitively in 2008 at age 10. When Anthony Riforgiato was about 6 or 7 years old, his dad took him to watch the races at Lake Erie Speedway. Looking on as the bandolero cars sped past, he heard the announcer at the track say that children as young as 8 years old could drive these vehicles. This immediately piqued young Anthony’s interest. “I looked at my dad and said, ‘I want to do that.’ He said, ‘OK, when I retire.’ He figured I saw a car that looked cool and that it was a phase, and that when he retired in a year and a half, I’d forget.’” But he didn’t forget. In fact, Anthony’s passion for racing was just getting revved up. Anthony began racing competitively in 2008 at age 10. Four years later, he was competing in Legends Cars, a style of car that aims to keep racing affordable and fun. As he kept racing, he kept improving, and in 2013, Anthony became the New York State Champion in the Young Lion division. Three years later in 2016, just prior to graduating from Alfred State’s motorsports technology program, Anthony formed a partnership with the college, which allows the school’s logo to be featured on his two race cars: a 1934 Ford Coupe, and a 1939 Ford Sedan. This partnership provides an excellent way for Anthony to help spread the word about Alfred State, specifically its motorsports technology major. “Once I tell people about all the cool stuff you get to do in the program, a lot of them immediately pull out their phone to find out more.” Last season, Anthony – and Alfred State – were featured at a number of race tracks, even cruising to victory lane at the Wyoming County International Speedway. Now a technology management major, Anthony says he is “beyond happy” with his partnership with the college. “I am representing something that I really do believe in. This college is an excellent place. I have had so many awesome experiences here, met amazing people, and the faculty are outstanding.”	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1700
__label__cc	0.513052	0.486948	Dannielle O’Buckley Surveying and geomatics engineering technology Dannielle will have four years of credit toward the total statutory time requirement for licensure as a land surveyor in New York State after she graduates. Dannielle O’Buckley was drawn to Alfred State’s surveying and geomatics engineering technology major for a couple of reasons. Number one, she was searching for a surveying program with a four-year degree path. Number two, she noticed the major is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET). As a result of this accreditation of her program, Dannielle will have four years of credit toward the total statutory time requirement for licensure as a land surveyor in New York State after she graduates. Through studying at Alfred State, she will also have gained valuable hands-on experience and knowledge through a combination of classroom instruction and field work. “We get the lectures in class, and then the hands-on work that reinforces what you learned. It makes you more confident and you feel like you can go out there and do a good job.” Looking to become a land surveyor after graduation, Dannielle hopes to eventually own her own surveying company. She believes Alfred State is preparing her and her fellow students in the best way possible for the careers they want. “I think Alfred State is preparing us for success.”	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1701
__label__wiki	0.776622	0.776622	Open Hearts Foundation to Host Concert at Carnegie Hall JANE SEYMOUR, JAMES KEACH & Open Hearts Foundation PRESENT TWO AWARDS IN NEW YORK CITY Open Hearts Foundation to Host Concert at Carnegie Hall and Honor Leonard A. Lauder and Lisa Lori WHAT: Actress, artist and philanthropist Jane Seymour and the Open Hearts Foundation will recognize the achievements of two outstanding individuals, each with an inspiring story that exemplifies the Open Hearts Foundation's mission, at a holiday concert at Carnegie Hall. Join Seymour and PBS composer Tim Janis will team up to perform "The Christmas Rose," a musical journey and evening of music, dance and drama. Prior to concert, Seymour and The Open Hearts Foundation, created to promote selfless giving even in the face of adversity, will honor Lauder and Lori with Open Hearts Awards. Tickets available at www.carnegiehall.org or 212-247-7800 ($25 - $150) The Open Hearts Foundation is a respected, nonprofit charity established to bring the Open Heart Philosophy -- living with an Open Heart allows you to overcome adversity and create something positive in your life and the lives of others -- into communities worldwide. The Foundation provides funds to charitable organizations in the areas of health, education, arts and sports, and honors individuals that exemplify the philosophy in their service to others. INDIVIDUALS/ Leonard A. Lauder (Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation): Lauder is Co-Chairman and Co- Founder of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), supporting its mission to CHARITIES accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease, related Dementia and cognitive aging RECOGNIZED: Lisa Lori (Operation Smile): President of Lisa Lori Communications, Lori has helped raise more than $300,000 since 2010 for Operation Smile through "The Three Little Bears" initiative, named after Lori's three sons. For just $240, a donor can give a child in a developing world a life changing "smile surgery" and a teddy bear to accompany them through surgery and recovery. WHERE: Carnegie Hall in the Stern Auditorium, New York City WHEN: Thursday, November 29, 2012, 6:30 p.m.: Honoree Presentation, Jane Seymour and the Tim Janis Ensemble Open Hearts Foundation: www.openheartsfoundation.org Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation: www.alzdiscovery.org Operation Smile: www.operationsmile.org/bears	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1706
__label__wiki	0.789075	0.789075	Contractors Outnumber U.S. Troops in Afghanistan/Congressional Research Service NYT 9/2/09 Joe Wed, 09/02/2009 - 5:30am http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/world/asia/02contractors.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss Contractors Outnumber U.S. Troops in Afghanistan By JAMES GLANZ Civilian contractors working for the Pentagon in Afghanistan not only outnumber the uniformed troops, according to a report by a Congressional research group, but also form the highest ratio of contractors to military personnel recorded in any war in the history of the United States. On a superficial level, the shift means that most of those representing the United States in the war will be wearing the scruffy cargo pants, polo shirts, baseball caps and other casual accouterments favored by overseas contractors rather than the fatigues and flight suits of the military. More fundamentally, the contractors who are a majority of the force in what has become the most important American enterprise abroad are subject to lines of authority that are less clear-cut than they are for their military colleagues. What is clear, the report says, is that when contractors for the Pentagon or other agencies are not properly managed — as when civilian interrogators committed abuses at Abu Ghraib in Iraq or members of the security firm Blackwater shot and killed 17 Iraqi citizens in Baghdad — the American effort can be severely undermined. As of March this year, contractors made up 57 percent of the Pentagon’s force in Afghanistan, and if the figure is averaged over the past two years, it is 65 percent, according to the report by the Congressional Research Service. The contractors — many of them Afghans — handle a variety of jobs, including cooking for the troops, serving as interpreters and even providing security, the report says. The report says the reliance on contractors has grown steadily, with just a small percentage of contractors serving the Pentagon in World War I, but then growing to nearly a third of the total force in the Korean War and about half in the Balkans and Iraq. The change, the report says, has gradually forced the American military to adapt to a far less regimented and, in many ways, less accountable force. The growing dependence on contractors is partly because the military has lost some of its logistics and support capacity, especially since the end of the cold war, according to the report. Some of the contractors have skills in critical areas like languages and digital technologies that the military needs. The issue of the role of contractors in war has been a subject of renewed debate in Washington in recent weeks with disclosures that the Central Intelligence Agency used the company formerly known as Blackwater to help with a covert program, now canceled, to assassinate leaders of Al Qaeda. Lawmakers have demanded to know why such work was outsourced. The State Department also uses contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, although both the department and the C.I.A. have said they want to reduce their dependence on outside workers. Responding to the Congressional research report, Frederick D. Barton, a senior adviser to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said it was highly questionable whether contractors brought the same commitment and willingness to take risks as the men and women of the military or the diplomatic services. He also questioned whether using contractors was cost effective, saying that no one really knew whether having a force made up mainly of contractors whose salaries were often triple or quadruple those of a corresponding soldier or Marine was cheaper or more expensive for the American taxpayer. With contractors focused on preserving profits and filing paperwork with government auditors, he said, “you grow the part of government that, probably, the taxpayers appreciate least.” Congress appropriated at least $106 billion for Pentagon contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003 through the first half of the 2008 fiscal year, the report says. The report said the combined forces in Iraq and Afghanistan still had more uniformed military personnel than contractors over all: 242,657 contractors and about 282,000 troops as of March 31.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1710
__label__wiki	0.742555	0.742555	HomeNewsKrause Discusses Syrian Civil War Krause Discusses Syrian Civil War January 23, 2014 Soo Jung Rhee News, On Campus “Gulf States are pro-U.S., but Turkey is with Gulf States against Assad, yet Turkey is pro-Muslim Brotherhood against General Sisi, and General Sisi is being backed by the Gulf States. Welcome to the Middle East and have a nice day.” A wave of laughter filled Gasson 305 on Tuesday when assistant professor of political science Peter Krause opened his talk with a comically confusing but accurate quote from a letter published in a British newspaper. Acknowledging the confusion behind the frustratingly intertwined relations and conflicts among Arab countries, Krause introduced five key questions regarding the civil war in Syria before he presented an extensive outlook on the ongoing issue of the Syrian crisis. Each dealt with the causes and progress of the civil war, along with the possibilities of U.S. intervention and its impacts. Following the end of World War I, after revolting against the Ottomans, Syria and other Arab countries fell victim to great power politics as France and Britain decided to carve up the Middle East according to their own interests. “In many ways, this was kind of the colonial legacy of the British and French,” Krause said. “The important thing to understand is Syria didn’t become an independent state until pretty well into the 20th century. Under the agreement of the League of Nations at the end of World War I, these states were kind of divided up between the British and French in terms of influence.” Soon enough, an Arab nationalist Ba’ath party was founded and the authoritarian, coup-proofed Assad regime took over the country until 2011, when the Syrian uprising began to appear in the political scene as an organized, peaceful protest movement. “This did not start as a civil war,” Krause said. “In 2011, when there were uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, etc., where is the place this is perhaps unlikely to happen? One of the first places we would have said was Syria, because Syria has been run as a very repressive police state for quite a while.” Despite a prevalent fear of against the government, Syrian protestors pushed for freedom and economic concessions but were tortured and killed as the upheaval intensified. In face of the civil war, the rebel groups shared a goal of fighting against the Assad administration, yet had different ideas about the future of the country after the oppressive leader was dethroned. Fragmentation among the anti-Assad allies and infighting among Al-Qaeda-affiliated rebel groups led to tortures of the criminals, over two million casualties, refugees and IDPs dispersed throughout the Arab countries including Jordan and Lebanon. In the matter of Syria’s chemical weapons, Syria began to work with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations to attain legitimacy and secure a favorable impression from the international community. In addition, following the recent disinvitation of Iran to Geneva talks, the relationship between the U.S. and Iran has become more uncertain and resulted in a stalemate. “That’s one of the most difficult things about this conflict and why it’s been going on so long,” Krause said. “It’s that neither side has lost but neither side has won, and both sides realize that they can pretty much prevent the other side from winning.” Krause closed his lecture by listing different possibilities for U.S. intervention not only in Syria but also in the Arab region, ranging from complete indifference to forceful demand for a negotiated deal, and predicting both the positive and negative outcomes of each action. Alone In The Basement Learning To Enjoy BC’s Hilly Campus, Even In Winter	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1713
__label__wiki	0.961321	0.961321	instrumental Classical violin neoclassical electronic Add to favorites Obviously, Last.fm has some difficulties and all VANESSA MAI scrobbles are directed to this entry. And obviously, the most popular songs here are from VANESSA MAI, not from Vanessa Mae. So, let's take the consequences and make it the VANESSA MAI entry as long as Last.fm does not manage to settle this issue. See also: https://www.last.fm/artist/+noredirect/Vanessa+Mai Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson (born October 27, 1978 in Singapore, currently lives in United Kingdom), known on stage as Vanessa-Mae (in Chinese: 陳美, Chén Měi) is an internationally known British pop and classical musician, especially noted for her violin skills. Her music style is self-described as "violin techno-acoustic fusion" as several of her albums prominently feature the techno style. Vanessa-Mae was born in Singapore to a Thai father (Varaprong Vanakorn) and a Chinese mother (Pamela Tan). After her parents separated, her mother married Englishman Graham Nicholson, and the family moved to England when Vanessa-Mae was four years old. She grew up in London and is a British citizen. Vanessa-Mae began playing piano at the age of three and violin at five. She was relatively famous in the United Kingdom throughout her childhood making regular appearances on television (for example on "Blue Peter") mostly involving classical music and conservative style. According to Guinness World Records, she is the youngest soloist to record both the Ludwig van Beethoven and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky violin concertos, a feat she accomplished at the age of thirteen. During this time she attended the Francis Holland School in central London. Vanessa-Mae made her international professional debut at the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Germany in 1988, and also during 1988 made her concerto debut on stage with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London. On entering adolescence Vanessa-Mae broke away from her traditional classical influences and became known for her flashy, sexy style appearing in music videos in stylish outfits. She appeared on the Janet Jackson album The Velvet Rope playing a violin solo on the song "Velvet Rope". Her first pop-style album, The Violin Player, was released in 1995, and is still regarded as one of the best works of her career. In April 2006, Vanessa-Mae was ranked as the wealthiest young entertainer under 30 in the UK in the Sunday Times Rich List 2006, having an estimated fortune of about £32 million ($64 million) stemming from concerts and record sales of over an estimated 10 million copies worldwide, which is an unprecedented achievement for a young female violinist. Vanessa-Mae most often uses one of two types of violins, a Guadagnini acoustic violin or a Zeta Jazz model electric violin. The Guadagnini was made in 1761, and was purchased by her parents at an auction for £150,000. It was stolen in January 1995, but was recovered by the police two months later. She once fell and broke it, but it was repaired. It is currently valued at almost $500,000. In addition, she uses one of two Zeta Jazz Model electric violins, one of which is white and the other one of which features decals of the United States flag. In addition to these two main violins, she sometimes buys violins and resells them later, giving the proceeds to charity. A minor planet, discovered in 1990 orbiting the Sun, was named "10313 Vanessa-Mae" after her. Official site: www.vanessa-mae.com free canada dating website Edvin Marton 1) Storm 2) Contradanza 3) Toccata and Fugue in D Minor 4) Bach Street Prelude 5) Classical Gas 6) Aurora 7) Destiny 8) I Feel Love 9) Art of War 10) Leyenda 11) Happy Valley 12) Devil's Trill 13) Summer Haze 14) Solace 15) Widescreen 16) Nessun dorma from Violin Fantasy on Puccini's 'Turandot' 17) Warm Air 18) Red Hot 19) The Original Four Seasons - Winter (II) 20) The Original Four Seasons - Summer (I) 21) Bolero For Violin and Orchestra 22) Hocus Pocus 23) White Bird 24) Tequila Mockingbird 25) Retro	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1714
__label__wiki	0.977785	0.977785	David Michôd is an Australian film director, screenwriter, producer and actor. He is best known for directing the critically acclaimed 2010 film Animal Kingdom and the 2014 film The Rover. He also co-wrote Hesher. Michôd was educated at Sydney Grammar School before moving to Melbourne to study arts at the University of Melbourne. After working for the Victorian Department of Education he decided to attend film school while in his mid-20s. He later served as editor of Inside Film magazine, serving in the role between 2003 and 2006. Michôd began his directing career in short films, with Ezra White, LL.B. in 2006 being one of the first to make an impact. In 2007 Michôd's next short film Crossbow, a coming-of-age drama was premiered at Venice Film Festival and received positive response from critics. After that the film compete at number of film festivals and earned good reviews. The film also screened at Sundance Film Festival and won Australian Film Institute Award for Best Screenplay in a Short Film. Next year, in 2008 Michod directed another short film Netherland Dwarf, which was also screened at Sundance Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival and earned positive reviews from critics. The same year, Michod co-directed Solo, a documentary film with Jennifer Peedom. It features the journey of Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley who went on a solo kayak crossing from Tasmania to New Zealand. The documentary received positive response on its release, Empire Online gave film five stars and said "As a tribute to a man – and man's – insatiable search for adventure, it's unforgettable." In 2009, Michod directed Inside the Square, a 30-minute behind-the-scene documentary on the making of 2008 film The Square directed by Nash Edgerton.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1720
__label__cc	0.637081	0.362919	Home Unlabelled The Questor Tapes (1974) (TV) Directed by Richard A. Colla The Questor Tapes (1974) (TV) Directed by Richard A. Colla This is not really a movie but a pilot for a TV series, that never made it. And while there still was some good potential, I'm glad it did not got turned into a TV-series. The idea of having an all knowing and strong humanoid android walking around, searching for his purpose, while solving potential crisis's is a pretty good and strong concept, that however does not get handled very well in this movie. It's really lacking two things; excitement and entertainment. To say it boldly; this is a very boring movie. No action, no real excitement of people constantly being chased, no big mysteries or criminal plots that need to get resolved. Instead this movie mostly consists out of a man and an humanoid android walking around and talking to each other and also learning from each other. Thing that could had still saved it all was some decent enough entertainment, or perhaps better said some relieving humor. This movie takes itself far too serious, which was its downfall I believe. It makes it all, all the more boring to watch and even makes some of its moments seem ridicules and definitely not interesting enough to follow. You could also say it's lacking a clear objective. You have no idea where the movie its story is supposed to be heading to, since it's all being told in a not so very exciting or interesting enough way. Perhaps it also simply was a bad idea in the first place to have an humanoid android as the main character itself. Because he constantly..talks..like..this..with..pauses..between..every..new..word and makes jerky movements with his arms and head at times (though this seems to be quite at random when he does this). What is all the more ridicules about this is that normal humans don't seem to notice this and talk to him- and treat him like a normal human being, also no matter what nonsense he ever says. The idea was good and definitely showed some potential in it. The execution of it was however far too lacking.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1723
__label__cc	0.606181	0.393819	Military Science (MILS) Return to: Academic Information Army ROTC at NIU is specifically designed to give college students training and experience in the art of organizing, motivating, and leading others, while completing their studies for a baccalaureate degree in an academic discipline of their own choice. Completion of the program leads to a commission in the U.S. Army. The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is open to all eligible full-time students, both male and female. A total of 28 semester hours of academic credit is available and is applicable to graduation requirements as elective credit. The curriculum is centered on an applied leadership training program which is designed to develop personal traits and qualities essential to successful leadership in civilian life as well as the military environment. Students who enroll in the first two years (basic course) of Army ROTC have no military service obligation. Those who complete the advanced program and are commissioned serve in the active Army, Army National Guard, or U.S. Army Reserves. Army ROTC Programs Basic Course. The basic course, normally completed during the freshman and sophomore years, provides the student with a general knowledge of the military’s role in society and the missions of the Army. Subjects include leadership, land navigation, marksmanship, military history, and basic military skills. Students enroll in one military science course each semester. Additionally, a weekend field training exercise is required each semester. It is possible for a sophomore to complete the basic course in one year through prior arrangement with the department. The basic course consists of the first two years of Army ROTC classes including MILS 101, MILS 102, MILS 201, and MILS 202. Non-scholarship students who participate in or complete the basic program have no military service obligation. Advanced Course. The advanced course is the professional phase of the ROTC program. Upon satisfactory completion of the required ROTC courses and the professional military education (PME) component, the student is eligible for a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the active Army, the Army National Guard, or the U.S. Army Reserve. The professional phase includes courses in leadership skills, training, personnel management, ethics, military justice, and military tactics. During the two years of the advanced course, students enroll in one military science course per semester. Additionally, a weekend field training exercise is required each semester. The advanced course consists of the final two years of Army ROTC classes including MILS 301, MILS 302, MILS 401, MILS 402, HIST 379, and attendance at the Leadership Development and Assessment Course (Advanced Internship in Military Science, MILS 350). Placement into the advanced course requires credit for the basic course, but this requirement can be satisfied several different ways. Completion of the basic course classes (MILS 101, MILS 102, MILS 201, and MILS 202), or completion of the Basic Internship in Military Science (MILS 325), or completion of an armed services basic training course, or credit for JROTC satisfies the requirement for up to two years of basic course credit. Additionally, a student must have a minimum of 60 semester hours. Leadership Laboratory. Leadership laboratories are taught in conjunction with military science classes. Each laboratory is two hours long; the first hour and a half consists of basic military skills training and the last 30 minutes is the orders process. The primary objective of leadership labs is to serve as a vehicle for leadership development. During leadership labs, MSIV and MSIII cadets perform respective supervisory roles as officers and noncommissioned officers (NCOs), while MS I and II cadets perform hands-on tasks that complement classroom instruction. Stipend. Cadets who have contracted (agreed to receive a commission in active Army, Army National Guard, or U.S. Army Reserves), or have received a federal scholarship will receive a monthly tax-free stipend for up to 10 months a school year. Contact department for current stipend amounts. Cadets will receive pay for attending the Basic Internship in Military Science (MILS 325) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and the Advanced Internship in Military Science (MILS 350) at Fort Lewis, Washington. Veterans are permitted to receive G.I. Bill benefits and state benefits as well as the monthly subsistence allowance while enrolled in the advanced course. Four-, three-, and two-year Army ROTC scholarships are available and awarded on a competitive basis. These scholarships will pay graduate and undergraduate student tuition, fees listed in the course catalog, and provide an allowance each semester for textbooks, supplies, and equipment. Scholarship students must meet university admission criteria, pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), and pass a Department of Defense (DOD) medical exam. All federal scholarship students will incur a military service obligation. Students desiring to apply for a scholarship should contact the department chair. Any student selected for a federal scholarship may request assignment with the U.S. Army Reserves, National Guard, or Active Duty after commissioning. Typically, federal scholarship students receive Active Duty assignments. Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) scholarships are available for two- or three-year terms for a student or active reservist. A GRFD scholarship allows a student to request assignment with the U.S. Army Reserves or National Guard after commissioning. With rare exception can a student with a GRFD scholarship request Active Duty. The advantage to this scholarship is that the student will serve in a drilling reservist status in a location and unit of their choosing. Cadets commissioned into the Reserves can maintain a civilian profession and military profession. These scholarships will pay graduate and undergraduate student tuition, as well as required fees, and provide an allowance per semester for textbooks, supplies, and equipment. Students who are awarded this scholarship are required to serve in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP), and incur an eight-year service obligation in the Army National Guard or Army Reserves. Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) Any nonfederal scholarship advanced course cadet may participate in the SMP by enlisting in the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve. The purpose of the SMP is to provide an off-campus officer training experience and familiarize advanced course cadets with opportunities for commissioned service in Reserve Component units. Soldiers participating in the SMP will attend drill one weekend per month and two weeks per year (typically in the summer) with a respective reserve unit as a cadet, and are entitled to pay in the grade of sergeant (E-5) for drill attendance. Illinois Tuition And Housing Waivers Army ROTC offers 40 tuition waivers and 20 housing waivers each semester. These waivers are available on a competitive basis to students without incurring a military obligation. The tuition waiver is offered by the State of Illinois and exempts the holder from payment of full tuition and limited fees. Similarly, the housing waiver exempts the holder from payment of room costs based on standard double room occupancy rates. To be eligible for the waiver, a student must be: a resident of the State of Illinois, a full-time student, at least 17 and not more than 29 years old at time of graduation, and have a 2.50 GPA (male applicants must be registered for the selective service). The waiver applications are available at the department office in the Chick Evans Field House. Waivers must be reapplied for each semester and will be granted on merit. To enroll in the military science basic program leading to an officer’s commission the student must be a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence under applicable provisions of the Immigration and Naturalization Act, and at least 17 years of age. Parental consent is necessary if a student is under 17. a full-time enrolled student at NIU. able to complete the ROTC program and receive a baccalaureate degree prior to reaching 30 years of age. The age requirements may be waived in some cases, especially for those with prior military service and those majoring in nursing. physically and mentally qualified and of good moral character. Interested personnel should contact the department chair for more information concerning the eligibility requirements, as waiver requests will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Students who do not meet the above criteria, and cannot receive a waiver, may enroll in military science classes for academic credit but will not be eligible for appointment as commissioned officers. Entering freshmen should register for MILS 101 at the same time they register for other classes. Sophomores with no previous ROTC experience may register for both the freshman and sophomore courses and become eligible to enter the advanced course at the beginning of the junior year. Juniors and seniors who wish to register for the basic program are requested to confer with the chair of the Department of Military Science prior to enrollment. NIU students may enroll in Air Force ROTC through the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). The four-year and two-year programs allow qualified men and women the opportunity to earn commissions as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force upon graduation and completion of Air Force ROTC. Federal scholarships are available to qualified students and pay up to full tuition and fees and a monthly subsistence allowance. Illinois State Tuition Waivers are also available to qualified students. All members of the professional officer course also receive the monthly subsistence allowance. The Air Force ROTC courses are taught at IIT. For more information on Air Force ROTC, call (312) 567-3525/3526 or stop by the Stuart Building (IIT campus) in Chicago. The IIT detachment website is http://www.afrotc.iit.edu/. Military Science Faculty Colonel Karl M. Nilsen, M.A. in Management from Webster University, professor of Military Science Master Sergeant Bernard E. Miles, senior military instructor Major James B. Polk, M.B.A from Saint Leo University, assistant professor of Military Science Sergeant First Class Frederick Duke, Military Science instructor Sergeant First Class Justin Wolfe, adjunct instructor Mr. Rick Maples, M.P.A., Troy University, adjunct instructor	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1728
__label__wiki	0.624048	0.624048	O’Dowd Hall Director: Alex Zimmerman Coordinator International Ed.: Cynthia L. Weil Office Assistant ll: Shirley A. Campbell Smith Advising Assistant: TBA Study Abroad and Study Away The Office of International Education facilitates study abroad throughout the world and study away at campuses throughout North America. Oakland University students may avail themselves of nearly 300 different study abroad programs, some sponsored by our program provider partner, GEO, in Argentina, Austria, Chile, China, Easter Island, England, France, Ghana, Greece, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, and others through our other major partner, the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), which offers programs on six continents, including innovative programs focused on business, ecology and sustainability, health sciences, and service learning. The consortium of the Japan Center for Michigan Universities coordinates programs in Japanese language and culture in Hikone, Shiga Province, Japan, and can provide up to two years of study, as well as short-term summer courses in subjects like print-making, comparative health science, and criminal justice. Oakland University has an expanding portfolio of exchange agreements with partner universities around the world through which Oakland students may directly enroll at a university abroad for a semester or a full academic year, and earn Oakland University credits. An exchange program with Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, provides an opportunity for one or two semesters of study while living with a Japanese family. The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures also coordinates one- and two-semester exchanges with the University of Orléans in France and the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg in Germany. An exchange program with the University of East Anglia in England is facilitated by the OU directors of the American Studies program and of the Cinema Studies program. An exchange program with the University of Malta is facilitated by the School of Engineering and Computer Science. Oakland University also offers a variety of faculty-led international programs, most of which are short term (three to six weeks) and take place during the Summer semester. The College of Arts and Sciences offers an intensive six-week language and culture study at Beijing China Foreign Affairs University in May and June of each even-numbered year, providing language study via linguistic immersion in standard Mandarin Chinese. Beginning level Chinese language courses are taught by English-speaking Chinese instructors; intermediate level Chinese language courses are taught in Chinese. History and culture classes are also taught in English by Chinese professors. The College of Arts and Sciences also offers an Archaeology in Israel program annually which includes three weeks working on excavations at important sites in association with Hebrew University of Jerusalem. All training is done on site and any student taking any major may apply. Due to the excavation field work, this is primarily an archeological work program complemented by weekend travel and sightseeing. The program provides three weekend excursions to exciting places in Israel, including Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and the Galilee region, as well as excursions to holy sites, cultural sites, and museums. Other summer Oakland University international programs include the British Studies at Oxford program; the African Drumming and Dance program in Ghana; the Classical Theatre program in Hydra, Greece; Art History in Volterra, Italy; and Global Health in Forence, Paris, and Amsterdam. The Department of Biological Sciences also regularly offers a short course in Tropical Ecology in Costa Rica and the School of Nursing offers a two-week Nursing Research program in Padova, Italy. Through the National Student Exchange, Oakland University students may study away for a semester or for a full academic year at one of more than 180 participating colleges and universities throughout North America, including Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Hawaii. Students pay OU tuition while on exchange and in most cases are eligible to take any courses at their host university for which they have the pre-requisites. All programs provide credits toward baccalaureate degrees. For additional information about these programs, see the website of the Office of International Education. The mission of the Office of International Education is to serve all Oakland University students by providing immersive, meaningful academic experiences abroad with a commitment to safety and accessibility. The Office supports, facilitates and encourages study abroad and opportunities to volunteer or intern abroad, perform research abroad or teach in an international setting for students, faculty and staff. The Office seeks to increase and deepen the University’s engagement in the global scholarly community through productive agreements with universities and other appropriate institutions around the world. It serves as a resource center for the Oakland academic community by providing information on international study and research opportunities, supporting internationalization of the curriculum and of campus life and facilitating the presence of foreign students and scholars on our campus. Through such endeavors, the Office affirms the importance of a global outlook as an essential part of the University’s overall mission. Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1729
__label__wiki	0.505544	0.505544	Trace: • kratal Campaign Settings Official Rulings Historical Events on Jaern Adventure Writeups What is Jaern? Fantasy Club on Facebook Jaern Pictures Gaming Tools settings:kratal Kratal –The Dwarven land After the Day of Shaking in the year 10061, the surface of Jaern was changed. Sea levels dropped worldwide to stabilize 15 feet lower than the levels since the great melting ages ago. Not only was new land exposed from beneath the shallow seas but in some areas of the planet massive upheavals of land also occurred. A new continent arose then broke in two. On the western edge of one was a Dwarven City that used to be at the center of the chain of islands they had been mining. The King of Dwarves, Driedach Stohnk’lar, sent word out that the Dwarven Kingdom as Prophesied has arisen and laid claim to the western landmass. Dwarves from all over the world have uprooted from their homes to be part of a new Dwarven Kingdom. The original farmland, yes Dwarves do know how to farm mostly for beer and ale ingredients, was drastically increased to help provide for the new arrivals. For an unknown reason Otherworld and some similar magics do not work across most of the land. There is one known portal that has stayed open to what is known as the Alpha site portal XCII. This one portal has been used as a source of supplemental materials and an entrance port to the migration of Dwarves who choose not to come by sea. 120 garrisons have been constructed all around the continent to keep a watch on the seas. Some have support towns located nearby. Still much of the internal, newly exposed, land has yet to be explored with reports of sunken ships sticking out of the now grassy plains. Many priests of Osiris have been the first to walk the lands and by divine means grow forests and brought forth wildlife. They formed connections of forests between the previous islands and grasslands. A canal has been built to channel water from the mountains and out to the oceans as the lands did not have natural rivers due to it being at the bottom of a shallow sea. While non-Dwarves have not been denied entrance to the shores for trade, they are not welcome to travel outside of those border towns unescorted and without approval of the Kingdom. Business with the Dwarven nation by other races are requested to use the Otherworld entrance to the kingdom as it is near the capital. Being found in the nation without approval can be met with imprisonment or possible death depending on the circumstances. The otherworld to the Dwarven land exits in the center of an extinct caldera’s crater. The land had been leveled and turned into farmland to support the dwarves mining the mountain range. At the portal there are a couple of warehouses located behind it. One warehouse roof extends over the portal to offer some cover from weather for the guards who are posted there. A road stretches north from the portal to the ridge in the distance 175 mets away which holds the capital city of the Dwarven land. It had already been established as the main city for the Dwarven kingdom for millennia as chosen by prophesy but the lack of farming land limited growth until the continent rose around it. There is a small support town halfway along that offers lodgings for visitors as well as entertainment services. The capital city is over 90% underground built into the ridge of the caldera. A coliseum is built into the ridge to the east to host events. Around the craters edge is a roadway for patrols with stationary posts every met. The continent is roughly 6600 mets from South to North and 5280 mets West to East. It lies across the equator with 80% to the North. On the Eastern edge is a large chasm, across from which, is another landmass with low plains and hills, the Dwarves lay no claim to that land. The chasm is highest in the North where it is over 5 mets. The other land mass does not rise to half that height. The southern end of the continent has a splendid shoreline of beaches. The western edge has a mostly forested shore and eventually reaches the mountain range going to the Northeast that holds the capital. On the northern side of the mountain range the land rises as it heads east. To the southwest and across the ocean is Galeia. Lojem lies on the opposite side of the Northern Hemisphere. The King of the Dwarven nation is Driedach Stohnk’lar and he has been King for the Last 100 years after his father passed of natural causes. When the land rose he was quick to establish a hold across the continent and began sending out notices to many of the dwarven cities that are spread over the world. The news of the Promised Land foretold of by the priestesses of A’tena after the coming to Jearn. The northern Mountain range contains numerous mine shaft and rail lines. A cart on the rails can reach speeds up to 132 mets per hour. The trip back though is not as quick. There have been some experimental methods tested that have had less than favorable results to speed up the uphill trip. settings/kratal.txt · Last modified: 2017/06/05 23:17 by mooch	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1732
__label__cc	0.604099	0.395901	Home/Economics/People, Power and Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an Age of Discontent People, Power and Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an Age of Discontent A Nobel prize winner challenges us to throw off the free market fundamentalists and reclaim our economy. We all have the sense that the American economy—and its government—tilts toward big business, but as Joseph E. Stiglitz explains in his new book, People, Power, and Profits, the situation is dire. A few corporations have come to dominate entire sectors of the economy, contributing to skyrocketing inequality and slow growth. This is how the financial industry has managed to write its own regulations, tech companies have accumulated reams of personal data with little oversight, and our government has negotiated trade deals that fail to represent the best interests of workers. Too many have made their wealth through exploitation of others rather than through wealth creation. If something isn’t done, new technologies may make matters worse, increasing inequality and unemployment. Stiglitz identifies the true sources of wealth and of increases in standards of living, based on learning, advances in science and technology, and the rule of law. He shows that the assault on the judiciary, universities, and the media undermines the very institutions that have long been the foundation of America’s economic might and its democracy. Helpless though we may feel today, we are far from powerless. In fact, the economic solutions are often quite clear. We need to exploit the benefits of markets while taming their excesses, making sure that markets work for us—the U.S. citizens—and not the other way around. If enough citizens rally behind the agenda for change outlined in this book, it may not be too late to create a progressive capitalism that will recreate a shared prosperity. Stiglitz shows how a middle-class life can once again be attainable by all. An authoritative account of the predictable dangers of free market fundamentalism and the foundations of progressive capitalism, People, Power, and Profits shows us an America in crisis, but also lights a path through this challenging time. JOSEPH E. STIGLITZ is a Nobel Prize-winning economist and the best-selling author of The Price of Inequality (ISBN 978 0 393 34506 3), Freefall (ISBN 978 0 393 33895 9), Globalization and Its Discontents (ISBN 978 0 393 32439 6) and Rewriting the Rules of the American Economy (ISBN 978 0 393 35312 9). He is a columnist for The New York Times and Project Syndicate, regularly writes for The Guardian and has written for Vanity Fair, Politico, The Atlantic and Harper's. The Big Zero: The Transformation of ZBB i... How Much Inequality is Fair?: Mathematica... The Public Option: How to Expand Freedom,... Principles of Banking Regulation Making Policy in a Complex World	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1733
__label__cc	0.654575	0.345425	Buy Books Online > Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) > Gently Falls: the Bakula (English) (Paperback) Gently Falls: the Bakula (English) (Paperback) ISBN: 9780143103776 Publisher: Penguin Books India Year of publishing: 2009 Format: Paperback No of Pages: 169 Language: English Gently Falls: The Bakula is a realistic-fictional read from Sudha Murthy, a profound writer and the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation. In this book, Sudha has boldly presented the agony of work ethics...Read more Gently Falls: The Bakula is a realistic-fictional read from Sudha Murthy, a profound writer and the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation. In this book, Sudha has boldly presented the agony of work ethics and modern lifestyle. The story is about a young couple Shrikant and Shrimati, and the changes they come across when Shrikant walks up the corporate ladder to the peak of success, while his married life slowly loses the charm and identity. With a magnificently straight way of writing, this book brings a simple but heart-touching story of a couple and the events that shake their life. Shrikant has always been attracted towards Shrimati, his school-companion, and after Shrimati also realises having fallen in love with Shrikant, both get married. After Shrikant joining an IT company, he dedicates his entire focus on being successful in career. Shrimati dilutes her own aspirations and stays back at home supporting Shrikant. Shrikant has turned into a successful corporate person while Shrimati has been with him in his journey. The life of both was fine until one day Shrimati realises while speaking to an old professor about what she had missed in her life. In the modern work-style, she had lost her own identity, while just remaining the wife of a successful man. This story of Shrimati's confession to her inner emptiness and the extraordinary presentation of the dark side of corporate lifestyle is the main theme of the book. The readers would find the book to be a philosophical and beautiful depiction of a common topic, and would be able to relate to many lives around. Penguin India published Gently Falls: The Bakula in 2008 in paperback. Sudha Murthy is a renowned fiction writer in English and Kannada. She has written numerous books on the subject of charity and self-realisation in her fictional... Read more Sudha Murthy is a renowned fiction writer in English and Kannada. She has written numerous books on the subject of charity and self-realisation in her fictional works. Dollar Sose, Guttondu Heluve, Runa, and How I Taught My Grandmother to Read & Other Stories are some of her popular books. Pitruroon, a Marathi movie was based on one of her stories. She has several awards to her name, including Raja-Lakshmi Award and the prestigious Padma Shri. Sudha is the chairperson of Infosys Foundation. The Mother I Never Knew... Dollar Bahu (English) (Paperback) by Sudha Murty From Ouch to Oops (English)... by Vallath RamG Vallath Ramgopal The Perfect World: A Journey To... by Priya Kumar The Handsome Man's De Luxe Cafe	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1734
__label__wiki	0.718311	0.718311	Cambody.org - a Cambridge N-body School: July 30 - August 11, 2006 Welcome to Cambody.org Cambody is a Cambridge N-body School aimed at students and post-docs in the fields of astrophysical N-body simulations. © R. Sword 2002 The purpose of the school is to give a thorough background knowledge of the subject and to introduce the latest developments in N-body computational astrophysics. Topics will cover computational techniques and stellar evolution processes including mass loss and collisions, as well as special treatments for compact subsystems. The school will take place at the Institute of Astronomy, the University of Cambridge, which has a long tradition of excellence in research. The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) came into being in 1972 by the amalgamation of three institutions which had developed on the site. These were the Cambridge University Observatory which was established in 1823, the Solar Physics Observatory (1912) and the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy (1967). The IoA is a department of the University of Cambridge and is engaged in teaching and research in the fields of theoretical and observational Astronomy. A wide class of theoretical problems are studied, ranging from models of quasars and the evolution of the universe, through theories of the formation and evolution of galaxies and stars, X-ray sources and black holes. Two special-purpose GRAPE supercomputers are available on site for N-body simulations in addition to a number of workstations. For more information, please send an email to cambody@ast.cam.ac.uk.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1741
__label__cc	0.661405	0.338595	Difference between revisions of "Dicotyledon" (talk) Jruggiero (talk \| contribs) m (Text replace - "== Authority ==" to "== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==") == Description == A large class of flowering plants and trees whose seeds have two cotyledons or leaves. Examples of this type of plant are: [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=cotton cotton], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=flax flax], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=hemp hemp], rubber tree. and most hardwood trees. A large class of flowering plants and trees whose seeds have two cotyledons or leaves. Examples of this type of plant are: [[cotton]], [[flax]], [[hemp]], rubber tree. and most hardwood trees. == Synonyms and Related Terms == dicotyldon (Fr.); dicotilednea (Esp., Port.); dicotiledone (It.) dicotylédon (Fr.); dicotiledónea (Esp., Port.); dicotiledone (It.) == Authority == == Sources Checked for Data in Record == * Mary-Lou Florian, Dale Paul Kronkright, Ruth E. Norton, Mary-Lou Florian, Dale Paul Kronkright, Ruth E. Norton, ''The Conservation of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials'', The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1990 * Mary-Lou Florian, Dale Paul Kronkright, Ruth E. Norton, ''The Conservation of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials'', The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1990 * Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicotyledon (accessed Dec. 15, 2004) Magnolia flower A large class of flowering plants and trees whose seeds have two cotyledons or leaves. Examples of this type of plant are: cotton, flax, hemp, rubber tree. and most hardwood trees. Sources Checked for Data in Record Mary-Lou Florian, Dale Paul Kronkright, Ruth E. Norton, The Conservation of Artifacts Made from Plant Materials, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles, 1990 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicotyledon (accessed Dec. 15, 2004) Retrieved from "http://cameo.mfa.org/index.php?title=Dicotyledon&oldid=49539"	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1742
__label__wiki	0.623499	0.623499	Voting members SCCS Tasks GSSPs Time Scale Fossils of Month The Carboniferous is a geologic period and system that extends from the end of the Devonian Period, about 358.9 ± 0.4 Ma, to the beginning of the Permian Period, about 298.9 ± 0.2 Ma. The Carboniferous System has been subdivided into two subsystems, the Mississippian and the Pennsylvanian, and contains seven global stages. The Carboniferous world at the time was severely influenced by the formation of the supercontinent Pangea, which caused major changes in ocean circulation, high bioprovincialism, increased continental weathering rates, waxing and waning of Gondwanan ice sheets, strong fluctuations of global sea-level and cyclic marine sequences, extinction or decline of early Paleozoic biota, and appearance or rapid diversification of reptiles, land plants, amphibians, wingless insects, foraminifera, ammonoids, gastropods and sharks. It signifies Earth’s first episode of widespread, massive coal formation and consequential CO2 variability and marks the glacial maximum during Paleozoic time. Carboniferous marine deposits are rich in fossil rugose corals, foraminifera, brachiopods, ammonoids, crinoids and conodonts. Conodonts and benthic foraminifera successions have served as chronostratigraphic standards in regional and global correlation. Rugose corals, brachiopods, radiolaria and ammonoid are also very useful for discriminating Carboniferous strata at regional levels. Correlation of regioal Carboniferous stages, geomagnetic polarity scale, Radiometric age, carbon isotopic records, cyclothems and glacial intervals with sea-level change curve (After Smith & Read, 2000; Isbell et al., 2003; Menning et al., 2006; Davydov et al., 2012; Saltzman & Thomas, 2012). Copyright© 2012 International Subcommission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy. All rights reserved	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1744
__label__wiki	0.582192	0.582192	New Year's at the Cafe It's been quite a year. The slide show presents images from the BabyBlueOnline collection. Click on the music (we recommend clicking on Eva Cassidy's Bridge Over Troubled Water first) and as the images flash by we remember the times we've spent here 'round the tables at the Cafe. We've got the fire going and the pies are in the oven and the jukebox is spinning out the tunes. Pass the chai and butterbeer. Popcorn's on the table. And all are welcome. Here's more from the Cafe Jukebox. Enjoy - and Happy New Year! It's not easy being green ... unless you are the Church of England From here. And tip of the tinfoil to George Conger who hits Mecca by being linked by Drudge. Happy New Year, George! The Church of England’s Church Commissioners have gone green, investing £150 million with former US Vice-President Al Gore’s environmentally minded investment firm, Generation Investment Management. On Nov 18 the First Church Estates Commissioner, Andreas Whittam Smith reported that in late September the Commissioners had placed the funds with Gore’s boutique management firm which follows an “environmentally sustainable global equities mandate.” Funding for the investment came from “cash and Treasury bills”, he said, and not from the sale of UK equities as initially planned. Beyond the written word ... Last night there was a discussion online over a sorrowful, tragic thing that happened in the blogosphere on Christmas Eve. A blogger took her own life. There's very little to go on from her blog, to try to make sense, to see some sort of signs, to understand that she was filled with such despair, so much so that she would take a gun and kill herself on Christmas Eve. These are thin times though - and happy thoughts just won't do, no matter how much we wish it so. Blogging is at once an isolated activity and yet one that is at the same time bursting with a kind of community. Words matter. As we read the reflections of other bloggers over this shock, we see how friendships develop over time - people do care, the written word is powerful. But it's still not the same as actually being there. At some point, there's nothing that can compare to looking into the eyes of a friend who takes your hand and wipes away the tears. The Incarnation. Jane Williams: The Point of the Experience of the Holy Spirit It is very tempting to assume that The Acts of the Apostles is talking about the Christian church as it really should be. And it is true that some of the incidents it describes are so deeply embedded in the Christian psyche that, whether consciously or not, they do operate as the standard against which all later church life is judged. What is not so clear is whether Luke intended his account to work that way. It isn't always easy to tell when Luke is simply chronicling what his research suggests actually happened, and when he is making theological recommendations. For example, Acts 2 describes the dramatic beginning of the Christian missionary movement in a scene so important that, like Christmas, it is celebrated every year as part of the Christian calendar. We are told that the disciples were all together in one place for Pentecost, the Jewish festival 50 days after Passover. Suddenly, something like a violent wind filled the house, followed by "divided tongues, as of fire", which rested on each of them. There is a sense of Luke groping for the words to help us visualise something that defies description – the sound is "like" a great wind, the disciples see and feel something "as of fire", and they are "filled with the Holy Spirit". The point of this experience is not that the disciples should feel spiritually-renewed but to enable them to carry out Jesus' commission to bear witness to him. In other words, Luke is suggesting that the spread of the gospel is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit. The apostles might act, but the Holy Spirit directs. Dr. Jane Williams was born in India and read Theology at Cambridge University. She is the author of Bread, Wine and Women (with Sue Dowell), Perfect Freedom, Lectionary Reflections, Approaching Christmas and Approaching Easter and other publications and columns. Currently, she is Visiting Lecturer at King's College London as well as a Lecturer at the St Paul's Theological Centre. She is married to Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and they have two children. Labels: Archbishop of Canterbury After gathering dust for 18 years, Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline Outtakes Sold on eBay Price? $30,000. The reported sale does not include the rights to actually release the recordings. From here. An original master recording of outtakes from Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline sessions has apparently sold on eBay for $30,000. The tape was offered by a consortium of Ampersand Records USA, Lake Carmel Music and Navybob LLC. The auction was for the recording itself -- not the intellectual rights that would allow it to be commercially released. The one-inch, eight-track analog tape runs for 27 minutes and includes five outtakes of Dylan's hit, "Lay Lady Lay," and an unreleased jam session of "Going Back to Chicago." The recording was made on Feb. 14, 1969 at the Columbia Studio on Nashville's Music Row and has been stored in a New Jersey warehouse for almost 18 years. LATER: This recording is from six years earlier (only six years - but it seems like a lifetime) but it just went up on YouTube and it's quite excellent so, here we are for some tunes on this late December night. Dylan's love for the blues starts real early. It's not hard to understand, really, why people collect Dylan bootlegs - they are often superior to his official Columbia recordings. This bootleg recording of Smokestack Lightning is from 1962: According to Wiki, Smokestack Lightning is a 1956 blues song by Chester Burnett aka Howlin' Wolf. The song based on one riff and no chord changes. It has been called "a distillation of the essence of the blues." Smokestack Lightning was based on Crying at Daybreak, another earlier recorded song by Howlin' Wolf - and it was based on Moon Going Down by Charley Patton. In 1999, the single Smokestack Lightning was given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award honoring its lasting historical significance. The song is ranked #285 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Incidentally, Dylan is deeply indebted to Charley Patton as well and pays him homage in one of his great songs off the 2001 Love and Theft (which was interestingly enough released on September 11, 2o01) and gets a lot of air play here at the Cafe - a lot of air play, High Water: High water risin', the shacks are slidin' down Folks lose their possessions - folks are leaving town Bertha Mason shook it - broke it Then she hung it on a wall Says, "You're dancin' with whom they tell you to Or you don't dance at all." It's tough out there High water everywhere And so let's end as we began, with the Nashville Skyline album (the official recorded one, that is). Here is I Threw It All Away, and yes, it's Bob Dylan too, such a joker - and a thief (those are his words). Guess that's why he doesn't get so worked up over the bootlegs after all these years. The birth of his own album collection is just as dubious, as we learn in Martin Scorsese's documentary No Direction Home. Dylan calls himself a "musical expeditionary." But the guy with the bowling pin called him a thief. In fact, Dylan offers his own tribute to his bootleggers too. Surprised? Jo Rowling take note. He released this video this past September. The song is off the latest release of his bootleg series, Tell Tale Signs, called Dreamin' of You. It was a discarded song from his 1997 album Time Out of Mind. It's not hard to see the theme of the song runs close to Not Dark Yet (the song that started it all) - but never saw the light of day (officially that is) until two months ago. See why people trade bootlegs? Posted by Unknown at 10:52 AM 5 comments: Links to this post Labels: Bob Dylan, Music and Arts Christmas with Dylan By Bland Simpson. From here, excerpt below: About 20 minutes went by before a thin man in his 30s came striding up the paved road. He would have walked right past me, but I spoke up: "Excuse me, do you know which one of these driveways goes to Bob Dylan's house?" "This one." He pointed at the one he was starting down. "Thanks." I fell in beside him, and we walked 50 yards or so before either of us spoke again. "Is Bob, uh, expecting you?" "Hunh. I don't know if it'll be cool for you to just. . .go up to his house." That was discouraging, but what could I do? Go back to the bakery and telephone for an appointment? "I've come from North Carolina," I announced. "Oh." He gave up, and we kept walking. A few hundred yards into the woods the road forked, and he pointed toward a long low building of dark logs that looked like a lodge. "That's Bob's house." Then he disappeared down the other fork. In the driveway at Bob's house were a "66 powder-blue Mustang and a boxy 1940 something-or-other with the hood up. Two men, one of them small and weedy, the other bulky and bearded, were working on the engine. I stomped up in my snakeproof boots, but neither of them looked up. After a minute or two staring over their shoulders at the old engine, I finally said, quite familiarly, "Bob around?" The weedy man didn't respond, but the big fellow gave a head-point at the log lodge and said, "Yeah." Sara Dylan answered the door, gave me a blank look, and closed the door. About two minutes later Bob Dylan himself appeared and stepped out onto the small porched entry. He wore blue jeans, a white shirt buttoned all the way up and a black leather vest, and he was very friendly and relaxed. "Bland. What kind of name is that?" A family name, I said. Then just to make sure he'd heard me right, he asked me to spell it. "Bland. Well, I sure won't forget that." He talked in person just like he sounded on record in "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest." "North Carolina, that's a long way." I agreed, but I wanted to meet him, shake his hand, tell him I admired his work, that I wanted to write songs myself. "What did you want to do before you got this idea about writing songs?" "I was going to go to law school." "Well," he said, more serious than not, "country's gonna need a lot of good lawyers. Maybe you ought to keep thinking "bout that." This wasn't what I had traveled hundreds of miles to hear. I started asking questions. Did he live in Woodstock all the time? Most of the time, he said, but he was thinking about moving to New Orleans. When would he have a new record out? In the spring -- "I'm real happy with this one." He was talking about Nashville Skyline, which he had just finished. I asked about a song of his the Byrds had recorded, a song I'd heard out in Wyoming the summer before. "Yeah, I know the one you mean, but I can't call the name of it right now -- it's in there somewhere." The song was the riddle-round "You Ain't Going Nowhere." We talked along like that for almost 45 minutes, during which time I felt the cold acutely. Dylan was dressed in shirtsleeves, but he didn't seem to notice the cold at all. He must have known my head was full of hero-worship, and he was kind enough to let my time with him be unhurried. The moment of my mission played out as naturally as the tide. I was immensely grateful, am grateful yet. The pilgrim was ready to go home. I pulled my map out, unfolded it, and while we talked about what the best way to head back south was, the bulky fellow lumbered over from the old car where he and the weedy man had been working all the time. The mechanic ignored me, and I ignored him right back, which was easy enough: I had the entire eastern United States spread out in front of me. My mind was on the road, but I did want one last word with Bob Dylan. He gave Dylan a report on all the things that weren't wrong with the car, then said: "I think we can get it started if we hook it up to the battery charger." "OK," Dylan said. "It's in the garage." "I got it already, and tried to hook it up, but even with that long cord it won't reach. We need another extension cord." "Extension cord," Dylan said, and looked past the big man at the old car. He thought about the request for a few moments, then shook his head. "Gee, Doug," he said, "I'm afraid we just used the last extension cord on the kids' Christmas tree." Bland Simpson, teaches creative writing at UNC-Chapel Hill. His most recent work is Ghost Ship of the Diamond Shoals. "Christmas With Dylan" is currently included in the anthology 12 Christmas Stories by North Carolina Writers from Down Home Press. Read it all here. Why forgiveness is radical I've been watching the Peabody-winning series Brotherhood over the long weekend. It's tough-viewing - I'm only half-way through. I've never seen the Godfather or the Sopranos because they are so intense, so dark and intense. The most intense I seem to be able to tolerate - and that's just barely - is Shakespeare's Richard III. Which is of course what all these stories really are - a retelling of Richard III - or Macbeth or any one of Shakespeare's tragedies. Brotherhood is no exception - it is very dark, where the church is distant, more of a social occasion and open to certain kinds of corruption. The series draws parallels between two brothers of Irish descent in Providence, Rhode Island. It's familiar to me since I am a graduate of Roger Williams University and I remember Rhode Island very well. In the series, one brother is a politician, a member of the State House. The other is, well, a mobster. As the series unfolds we meet all their friends, family, associates, acquaintances, and victims as their lives intertwine, for better and mostly for worse. Hope is thin. Just like in Richard III. I've seen Richard III on stage, as well as on the screen. A fascinating inside look at Richard III is Al Pacino's "documentary" called Looking for Richard - a must-see for any filmmaker or writer, or actor. An excellent look inside the preparation of a play (which is staged for this "documentary") but also looking inside what makes Richard III so evil. I've also seen an amazing production several years ago at the Kennedy Center with Ian McKellen as Richard III. It was so real that I almost forgot I was watching a play and caught myself nearly shouting out from the audience, "don't listen to him!" It felt like evil was in the room. I chuckled when I realized how caught up in the play I was and it broke the spell. But I supposed that was what Shakespeare intended. What is the nature of evil? These types of productions - the Godfather, the Sopranos, Brotherhood, Richard the III and a host of other Shakespearean plays and so much more - at once show us the depth the human heart can descend into not only evil-doing, but evil itself. There seems very little hope for redemption, or sometimes at its most cynical, the need for it. Brotherhood is filled with tragic characters and sometimes evil appears to go unpunished, until another dark corner, an unexpected turn, and even one of the brothers is taken down by a fallen cop tortured in his soul for his own powerlessness against internal corruption and his willingness to compromise what principles he had left. As we learn more about each character, we are never presented with a good person. Every character so far is presented multi-faceted and broken. The contrast of the mobsters with the politicians shows they play the same game, the same rules - although the mobsters shoot to kill the body, the politicians often aim for the soul. Which is worse, the filmmakers seem to ask us? And so here we are at Christmas, a time that is everything these films and plays are not. A time of celebrating joy and peace on earth and the promised redemption of the world. How does the Christmas Story break through such stories as the ones sketched out on the screen and on the stage? Happy thoughts and conversations are not enough. There is something far more radical required than just being nice. Forgiveness is radical. It means taking the pain that comes from blame and guilt onto oneself, when indeed someone else deserves the punishment. It is foolish. It's saying "not guilty" not for some amoral outcome, but because there is guilt and, whether recognized or not, they are spared. It's not smiling, it's weeping. It's saying "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing." In these films and plays, God is in the shadows, allegedly kept at bay - or so the characters think, as though they could contain the power of God, not just for His justice which is terrible, but for His kindness that can actually change the condition of the human heart. Unforgiveness is dangerous, it can last for generations, it can destroy nations as it destroys families, as it destroys one human heart. Unforgiveness dares to imagine a world where we are guiltless and the fault is outside ourselves. Unforgiveness feigns no pain, but it is a cancer of the soul. Unforgiveness means Jesus died for nothing. Jesus said that when we forgive sins, they are forgiven. But first we recognize that sin is real, that it encompasses our lives and the lives of those we love, and those we fear, and those we meet in passing. Films and plays like Brotherhood and Richard III remind us that sin is very real and it is a human problem, our problem - not solved by politics or quests for power. When we forgive, people are forgiven. It's an amazing power we have - though it costs us much. We forgive because we have been forgiven so much. Whatever pride finds a home in our heart is rent apart when we forgive. We become transparent. We look like the Velveteen Rabbit and in doing so, we become real, we become alive. When I look at these plays and films, I see shadows of real life, merely shadows. To forgive, even in my own ordinary life, is to breakthrough those shadows to where we pray with conviction, "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Thy Kingdom Come, where the kingdoms of this world transform as we forgive. "We look through a glass darkly," Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, "but then we shall see face to face." Who would dare see face to face, unless it is through a cross of forgiveness? When Moses looked at the face of God he saw Glory - not the glory of this world as those he encountered quickly saw when he down from the mountain. And do we, when we forgive, do we not - perhaps for the first time in our lives - encounter this glory? Is it not a glory that no human power can manufacture or convey, but a glory that comes when heaven breaks through and God's will is done - His Will to forgive. His love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, no record of wrongs - all of those things that lifts the stories of this world from their weight upon the human heart. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come. And we are set free. "It is for freedom Christ set us free," Paul writes to the Galatians. This is the Christmas Story. God breaks through the kingdoms of this world to set us free and He did it through a most radical act of forgiveness. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven ... And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us ... For Thine is the Kingdom and the Glory and the Power Forever and ever." The kingdoms of Brotherhood or Richard III, the glory that they seek, the power they crave is fleeting, it is mere shadow, it is soul-less, it's a trick. And perhaps that is why these plays exist. To remind us that to forgive is freedom, real freedom that politics and power can never buy. And we can engage in this radical act of forgiveness, not because we are good or we are strong - but because we are not. Jim Rosenthal bids farewell to the Anglican Communion Office Among lots of changes on the Anglican Communion front following the Lambeth Conference and some interesting developments since then, Jim Rosenthal is reluctantly leaving his long-time post at the Anglican Communion office in London. He writes his farewell at the Anglican Communion website. Here is an excerpt: In Christ and in Christ’s church, there is always room for you and me. My experience speaks volumes to me as I ponder my future after 20 years of active ministry in the Anglican Communion Office in London. Don’t let fear or anxiety, or even people, make you feel that God doesn’t care or that you are unworthy of God’s activity in your life. I came to the Abbey feeling anxious and a bit distant from God, the Church and more. Yet I knew that was where I wanted to be, where I belonged. What was God’s response? God led me to where the action is, the Crib, so I could be fully immersed in the joy of the incarnation, an immersion that was tangible and just as earthy as have been my experiences of touch and embrace that I have had in over 60 countries in these past 20 years. We live in a strange and frightening time. I was so pleased that the Dean of the Abbey use a more up-to-date Bidding Prayer as he especially remembered the people who today live in Bethlehem, yes it is still holy, and its people are precious and an important part of the Christian story in our time. In our Anglican World we have much to pray for and to rejoice in with great thanksgiving. There was no better seat in Westminster Abbey than the one I had this Christmas Eve. There is room at that Crib, and indeed at the cross (a golden crucifix was affixed over the chapel altar), for all of us who are able to accept the fact that unto to us a child is born is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called wonderful counsellor, mighty God, the everlasting father, the prince of peace. To those who have help transform my life for the last 20 years I say thank you from the depths of my experience. Those whose stories and photos have appeared in Anglican Episcopal World and ACNS over the years are real people, our brothers and sisters in Christ, people that I won’t forget and people that I do not want you to forget either. I know that Christ is counting on me and you to keep the story alive. In my sense of loss I feel a call to do even more to bring others to know the depth of love of crib and cross and yes, to know the joy of sharing in our great Anglican tradition of faith and practice. Read it all here. Interesting to see which messages Jim Rosenthal chose to focus on in one of his last posts at the Anglican Communion website. Labels: Anglican News, Episcopal News, Lambeth Conference Christmas in Harrisonburg DATELINE HARRISONBURG - Woke up this morning in Harrisonburg. Virginia. Down I-81 South. Family gathered for smoked turkey and present-opening for Christmas and I decided to pause and enjoy an extra day off here at the home of My Brother the Mortgage Banker. He's attempting to explain the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) to me as we watch a marathon of James Bond films. The photo is of Tucker, the Resident Top Dog here this Christmas. He's enjoying his post-Christmas reflections by the Christmas Tree (which incidentally is adorned with "chili-pepper" lights reflecting on My Brother the Mortgage Banker and his wife The Professor's former home in Sante Fe, New Mexico) while waiting for New Year's and, of course, more turkey. In addition to Tucker, we also have in residence a Foster Dog. The Professor volunteers at the local shelter and we have a very happy collie who has been joining us for the Bond Marathon. There are also two lively parrots - one is very talkative and when the phone rungs we can hear him in the next room calling out "Hello? Hello?" And then he calls out for my brother by name, sounding just like The Professor. I kid you not. I find it quite amusing, but alas, my brother is not so amused as he fixes us all a hot Southern breakfast in the kitchen. He's had to hear it for fourteen years. It's amazing to be able to drive two hours and be in a such a different world than what we know in Washington, D.C. It's so still and quiet - we're actually about five miles outside of downtown Harrisonburg. "Harrisonburg, previously known as Rocktown, is named for Thomas Harrison, a son of English settlers," says Wiki. "In 1737, Harrison settled in the Shenandoah Valley," Wiki continues, "eventually laying claim to over 12,000 acres. In 1779, Harrison deeded two and a half acres of his land to the "public good" for the construction of a courthouse. In 1780, Harrison deeded an additional 50 acres. In 1849, trustees chartered a mayor-council form of government, although Harrisonburg was not officially incorporated as an independent city until 1916." The city's website says this about their history, "War came to the valley and to Harrisonburg between 1861 and 1864. The city was passed through by both Union and Confederate troops. On June 20th 1862 the fence around the courthouse was used as a stockade to hold Union soldiers taken prisoner in the Battle of Cross Keys. The war was a tense time in the city. Turner Ashby, a noted Calvary officer was killed close to the town’s borders. While Harrisonburg and Virginia were part of the Confederacy the City of Harrisonburg’s representatives in Richmond opposed secession. " It's hard to be in Virginia for long and not run across evidence of the wars that have been fought here. This is a land where much blood has been shed, which is one of the major reasons why the Division Statute was instituted in the first place. It was a post-Civil War response to find a non-contentious, non-litigious way to settle disputes that would put people off the battlefield of institutional conflict and onto a path of peace. It was embraced by a war-weary people who had known much suffering and division, even here in Harrisonburg. It paved the way for peace. It is so peaceful here in the Shenandoah Valley that's it's difficult to imagine such a time, except that it's here on other fronts today - as we all know. On this quiet Friday morning the day after Christmas, with the dogs passing through and the birds calling out and the smell of breakfast and coffee filling the air, do we remember that even with the "cares and occupations of this life" - we can still have hope? I think of the call of Bishop David Bena to Bishop Lee and Bishop Schori and the possibilities of peace. Is such a thing possible? Even now? And from the next room I hear the parrot call, "Hello? Hello?" Posted by Unknown at 9:47 AM 2 comments: Links to this post Labels: Episcopal Litigation, Presiding Bishop Anglican District of Virginia Bishop calls for talks with the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia On behalf of the Anglican District of Virginia, The Rt. Rev'd David Bena calls for a return to the table for new talks, that "all three sides lay down their 'legal weapons of mass destruction' and save millions of dollars in legal costs - money that can be used for Christian mission." May it be so! News that the Judge has ruled that we can retain our properties has brought a sense of peace throughout all ADV churches this Christmas. Our leaders had been following the "Bishop's Protocol for Departing Congregations" when negotiations broke off and we found our clergy and lay leaders being sued. Now, two years and millions of dollars in legal fees later, the Judge has ruled that we did follow Virginia law in departing the Diocese of Virginia with our properties and that the law (57-9) is constitutional. Now what? While the Episcopal Church and even the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia may choose to appeal the judge's ruling, my impression is that the judge's ruling is very well put together, reflects the constitutional "free exercise of religion" for us, and will be very difficult to overturn. So I hope we don't have to spend countless more dollars defending ourselves if an appeal is filed. Isn't there a better way? A more Christ-centered, Gospel way? Two years ago, before the lawsuit was filed, representatives of both the Anglican District of Virginia and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia were able to sit together at a table, and pray and talk in a respectful way. Can't we return to that spirit of reconciliation? Can't all three sides lay down their "legal weapons of mass destruction" and save millions of dollars in legal costs - money that can be used for Christian mission? For instance, are there Diocesan mission projects to which the District might contribute? Are there District mission projects to which the Diocese might contribute? Can't we all just let the judge's ruling be the judge's ruling and now spend some time together talking about reconciliation and mission? A number of us in the ADV have been praying about how to reach out to the leaders of the Diocese of Virginia, to hold out an olive branch, but we don't know how. Perhaps in this peaceful season of Christmas, we'll find a way. Now that the court case has been settled, maybe we can all reach a peaceful settlement with each other in the Lord. Would you pray with me about that? Yes. And God bless us all, every one. Labels: ADV, Anglican News, Diocese of Virginia, Episcopal Litigation, Episcopal News NORAD Tracks Santa DATELINE CHRISTMAS EVE: Check on Santa as he delivers his presents to children everywhere here. He's just off the coast of East Africa as we head off for Christmas Eve activities this afternoon. Keep an eye on him, NORAD certainly is. AFTERNOON UPDATE: Santa even visits the International Space Station. Is he awesome, or what? NOON TIME UPDATE: Santa has just passed the Great Wall of China. Follow Santa's progress as he delivers his presents to children around the world here. NORAD is the bi-national U.S.-Canadian military organization responsible for the aerospace and maritime defense of the United States and Canada. NORAD, created by a 1958 agreement between Canada and the United States, provides advanced warning of impending missile and air attack against its member nations, safeguards the air sovereignty of North America, and maintains airborne forces for defense against attack. NORAD's mission has evolved over the years. The most recent "evolution" in our mission came as a result of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. NORAD now coordinates closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NAV CANADA to monitor the airspace within Canada and the United States. In addition, the command also conducts maritime monitoring. The men and women of NORAD are constantly watching the skies and waterways of the United States and Canada to keep us safe. They also keep Santa safe too. Want to know where Santa is right now? Click here. Tuesday Night at the Cafe: As much as things change ... Former Episcopal Bishop Jeffrey Steenson ordained in Roman Catholic Church Former Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Rio Grande has been ordained to the diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained December 13 in Rome. He is scheduled in February to be ordained into the priesthood in New Mexico. Former Episcopal Bishop John Lipscomb of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, is also a candidate for ordination in the Roman Catholic Church. Tip of the tinfoil from the Thomas Moore Society. Labels: Episcopal News Quote of the Day: From the Letter of Opinion explaining why The Falls Church actually belongs to The Falls Church "To dismiss more than 150 years of such documentation as some huge misunderstanding is just not persuasive." From the Letter of Opinion, Re: In Re: Multi-Circuit Episcopal Church Property Litigation (CL 2007-0248724): Letter Opinion on Remaining 57-9 Issues, page 20. Labels: Episcopal Litigation, Episcopal News Washington Times: Virginia Churches win case in Episcopal split Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Randy I. Bellows on Friday issued a fourth straight ruling in favor of a group of 11 conservative Episcopal churches that left the denomination two years ago this month — dismayed over issues of biblical authority and the prospect of gay clergy. The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia immediately said it would appeal the huge multiproperty lawsuit, the largest in the history of the Episcopal Church. The conservatives took millions of dollars of historic property in Northern Virginia with them when they left. The judge dismissed a last-ditch effort by the diocese to keep the property when it claimed in September that part of the historic Falls Church in Falls Church city is actually owned by Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria. The judge seemed incredulous that the diocese would make such a claim, which, he said, contradicted the testimony of one of the experts — church historian Edward L. Bond — who appeared on the stand on behalf of the organization. "Alexandria's ownership of this property is an 11th-hour revision in theory made 17 months into this litigation, which was designed to fit into the narrowing window left by this court's multiple letter opinions," the judge wrote. The diocese and the Episcopal Church's "claims regarding Christ Church, Alexandria's interest in this property are wholly at odds with the historical record, with numerous court orders and petitions over the past century and a half, with the land records of Fairfax and Arlington counties and with the Episcopal Church's and diocese's own repeated assertions and admissions recognizing the Falls Church as the legal owner of this 2-acre parcel," he added. As far back as 1851, circuit courts in Arlington and Fairfax County had always recognized the land as belonging to the Falls Church, he said, and the diocese had never objected to that finding until four months ago. "To dismiss more than 150 years of such documentation as some huge misunderstanding is just not persuasive," the judge said. The diocese received a possible prize in the ruling: an endowment fund of less than $1 million owned by the Falls Church that did not convey along with other property when the church — once attended by George Washington — left the denomination. The judge will rule on that separately. Still, Friday's ruling was not the outcome expected by the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia when they sued the 11 congregations nearly two years ago. The churches left the denomination over issues of biblical authority and the 2003 consecration of an openly gay Episcopal bishop. They formed their own group, the Anglican Diocese of Virginia (ADV). Although dozens of other Episcopal congregations across the country have left the denomination, few have managed to hold onto their property. However, the 11 congregations benefited from an unusual clause in the state constitution known as the "division statute." Created in 1867 for denominations split over the Civil War, it allows the majority of the members of a congregation to leave while still retaining church property. Virginia is the only state in the country with such a statute. The diocese announced that the appeal will go to the Virginia Supreme Court "shortly." "We continue to believe the division statute is a violation of the United States and Virginia constitutions because it intrudes into the freedom of the Episcopal Church and other hierarchical churches to organize and govern themselves, said Virginia Bishop Peter James Lee. "Within the Episcopal Church, we may have theological disagreements, but those disagreements are ours to resolve according to the rules of our own governance." The diocese realized over the summer that it was losing the mammoth lawsuit and first announced Sept. 22 that it would appeal the case. The diocese announced Friday that it has retained A.E. Howard, a constitutional scholar with the University of Virginia's law school, to argue the case before the state Supreme Court. The diocese took out a $2 million line of credit in January to fight the case, but its spokesman, Henry Burt, would not say Friday what it has spent. Jim Oakes, vice chairman of the ADV, said his side was pleased with the judge's ruling. He said conservatives have spent close to $2.5 million on the trial. All their legal bills, he added, will be paid by the end of 2008. "There are many godly people left in the diocese," he said, "and I'd hope someone would hold the leadership to account on how much they've spent and why they are continuing to spend it, when we had said all along we wanted to negotiate with them. They would have gotten some money from us — which would not have been a trivial sum — had they gone that route." As for the ruling, "The judge ruled to uphold the constitutionality of the Virginia division statute against all of the free exercise, establishment, equal protection and takings clause challenges raised by the Episcopal Church and Diocese of Virginia," he said. "The Episcopal Church and [the] diocese had no legal right to our property," he added. "We have maintained all along that our churches' own trustees hold title for the benefit of these congregations." Labels: Anglican News, Diocese of Virginia, Episcopal Litigation, Episcopal News Special BabyBluePodcast with Artist Edward Knippers: Approaching Art, Icons, and Cubism Here is the latest LambethPodcast, live from the Rector's Forum at Truro Church on Sunday, December 21, 2008 in Fairfax, Virginia. Artist Edward Knippers speaks at the Rector’s Forum at Truro Church, Fairfax, Virginia on Sunday, December 21, 2008. He speaks on art in the church, his own approaches to art as well as answering questions from the audience. What is most fascinating is his connection of cubism and the use of icons in Christian worship. You can read more about his work here and here and here and here and here (more on this coming soon). The image is taken from a painting hanging in Truro Church during Advent. It is The Annunciation by Edward Knippers. You can click on the player above or go to iTunes and download it to your iPod or computer by clicking here . The iTunes Podcast is called Lambeth Podcast. You can also click here or here or here. NOTE: To download the latest version of QuickTime, click here. Also, Firefox or Safari work best. MS Internet Explorer belongs in the Smithsonian next to the TRS80. Please note that we've recorded this podcast as a Lambeth Podcast. Labels: Podcasts Judge Allows Virginia Anglicans to Leave Episcopal Church and Keep Their Property Eleven Anglican congregations in Virginia -- including some of the largest and most historic churches in the country -- have won the legal right to split from the Episcopal Church and keep their church buildings and property. A Virginia judge Friday finalized previous rulings, holding that all of the congregations that left the Episcopal Church and formed the Anglican District of Virginia in 2007 could retain their property -- including two prominent churches that date back to the founding of the country: Truro Church in Fairfax, Va., and The Falls Church in Falls Church, Va. “We welcome these final, favorable rulings in this case,” said Jim Oakes, vice-chairman of ADV. “This has been a long process and we are grateful that the court has agreed with us.” The split from the Episcopal Church came after the Episcopal Church closed the door to congregations questioning the consecration of a practicing homosexual – V. Gene Robinson – as the Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire. Fairfax County Judge Randy Bellows ruled in April that there was a split in the Episcopal Church and that the 11 congregations could invoke a Civil War-era statute in their defense. Virginia’s Division Statute says that majority rule applies when a division in a denomination or diocese results in the disaffiliation of an organized group of congregations. In June, Bellows overturned the Episcopal Church’s challenge to the constitutionality of the statute. In Friday’s ruling, the judge affirmed that the statute covered four major church properties whose ownership was still being contested by the Episcopal diocese of Virginia. The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, which filed the lawsuit against the departing congregations, plans to appeal the rulings – especially one that upheld the constitutionality of the Division Statute. "We continue to believe the Division Statute is a violation of the United States and Virginia constitutions because it intrudes into the freedom of the Episcopal Church and other hierarchical churches to organize and govern themselves," Virginia Episcopal Bishop Peter James Lee said. Oakes, meanwhile, said it was gratifying that the court recognized that “the true owner of The Historic Falls Church” is the church’s congregation, not the denomination, and that the building is protected by the Division Statute,” Oakes said. “The Falls Church has held and cared for this property for over 200 years.” After leaving the Episcopal Church, the 11 ADV congregations affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, or CANA, which is under the direction of Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola and the Church of Nigeria. CANA Missionary Bishop Martyn Minns Friday called on Lee to reconsider further litigation, calling Bellows’ decision “a great victory for religious freedom.” “Our position has always been that we have a right to continue to hold dear the same things that our parents and most of the leaders of the Anglican Communion have always believed," Minns trold CNSNews.com Friday. "The Bible is the authoritative word of God and is wholly relevant to all Christians today and for generations to come." "We hope and pray that the Episcopal Church will refrain from causing all of our congregations to spend more money on further appeals. The money could be used instead to provide more help to the least, the last, and the left out in our communities." The selection of Robinson in 2003 set off a wide-ranging debate within the church, with conservative congregations saying that the Episcopal Church had abandoned historic doctrines and traditional teachings in a number of key theological issues – including sexuality. “While on paper this has been a battle about property, the division within our church has been caused by TEC’s decision to walk away from the teaching of the Bible and the unique role of Jesus Christ.,” Minns said. “They are forging a prodigal path – reinventing Christianity as they go – which takes them away from the values and beliefs of the historical church here in the United States and the worldwide Anglican Communion as a whole. The origins of the split began in 2006, when eight churches -- Truro, The Falls Church, Church of the Apostles in Fairfax, Va.; St. Margaret’s in Woodbridge, Va.; Church of the Word, Gainesville, Va.; St. Stephens, Heathsville, Va.; Christ the Redeemer in Centreville, Va. and Potomac Falls in Sterling, Va. – voted to leave the denomination. Other congregations subsequently joined the exodus. The 2.1 million member Episcopal Church is the officially recognized U.S. branch of the 77 million member Worldwide Anglican Communion. Earlier this month, however, leaders meeting in Wheaton, Ill., drafted a constitution and founding documents for a new officially recognized Anglican body in the U.S. – the Anglican Church in North America. Labels: ADV, Anglican News, CANA, Diocese of Virginia, Episcopal Litigation, Episcopal News Archbishop of Canterbury senior aide reportedly sacked If this is true, it explains a lot. But of course, everything is just fine (see video below this post). A senior aide to the Archbishop of Canterbury has been sacked for calling Britain's most senior Asian Anglican an [expletive]. The worker's insult was aimed at The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, and appeared in a confidential document circulated to 43 Church of England bishops and Downing Street earlier this year. A spokesman for the Church confirmed the unnamed perpetrator had been sacked. He said: 'When this came to light there was an immediate investigation. Rev John Lee, the clergy appointments adviser who drew up the list, has since sent a written apology to Rev Nazir-Ali, recognising that the document contained a 'very offensive' remark and going on to offer the Church's 'deepest and most sincere apologies'. The Bishop of Rochester is one of the ten most powerful positions in the Church of England and Rev Nazir-Ali has often attracted controversy with his outspoken views since his appointment in 1994. UPDATE: Here is a transcript of a recent interview by the BBC with the Bishop of Rochester. 'Belief' Transcript: BBC Radio Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali Interview with Joan Bakewell Q My guest on Belief today is a religious figure, who's featured prominently in the news throughout 2008. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali's comments since the start of the year have startled many with their outspokenness. He spoke of 'no go' areas, where extremists made non-Muslims unwelcome. He also spoke out against some of the current leadership of the Anglican Communion, siding with its traditional wing, and going as far as to boycott the Lambeth Conference, which every ten years brings the Anglican bishops to Canterbury. He speaks out because he sees the liberal leadership of the Church deviating from its age-old Christian faith and values. As the youngest ever Anglican bishop, Michael Nazir-Ali was only thirty-five years old when he was appointed Bishop of Raiwind in his native Pakistan. In 1987 the then Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie invited him to set up, ironically enough, the Lambeth Conference for the following year. Michael Nazir-Ali became Bishop of Rochester in 1994, the first non-white diocesan bishop in the Church of England. He's a Fellow of both his Oxford and Cambridge colleges, and Visiting Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Greenwich. From 1997 until 2003, he chaired the Ethics and Law Committee of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. He is also a lover of cricket. Let's start with cricket bishop, because I understand your sons cheer for England and you cheer for Pakistan. A Well yes, and my wife supports the underdog, so we failed at the Tebbit test comprehensively in all sorts of ways. Q (Laughs) Right, well that takes me to your Pakistan background, because of course you were born there, your parents fled Delhi at the time of Partition. They were both converts to Christianity – your father from Islam and your mother from Hinduism – so this is a very extraordinary background. A Well my father came from a Muslim family as you say. My mother was not herself a convert, but she came from a family of converts from both Islam and Hinduism. Her own family background was from the Anglican and the Methodist Churches, actually. Q So was there a tension within the family? Because after all, living in a Muslim country for your father to have converted from Islam is apostasy in their eyes. A I have to say that in my early years I detected some tension but, but not very much. There was also a great deal of cordiality er, and friendship and we certainly had close relations with many people in my father's family… Q Who remained Muslim? A Who remained Muslim of course, including my grandfather, my uncles. I was particularly close to an aunt of mine. Yes, it was a mixture. Q So did you…grow up believing that there was a place for all faiths and none need attack the other, or…resent the other? A Well we certainly lived in a very mixed situation. Most of my friends in my early years were Muslims, some Christians as well of course, Hindu, Jews. I mean I was at school when there was still a Jewish Community in Pakistan and certainly thought that it was possible for people to live together without violence. Q And what was the observation of religion like in your home - prayerful, attending church? A Well my father had become a Christian and he was baptised in fact, in what we would call here an Anglo-Catholic church in Delhi. Which has an interesting history because it was a church that had been built for Christians by a Muslim noblewoman who had been healed as a result of seeing a vision of Jesus. And she never became a Christian, but she built the Christians a church called St James's Kashmiri Gate, in Delhi. So he was baptised there, but he never really appreciated - and I admire him for this – the sort of differences between Christian denominations. And he would worship at whatever church he fancied. With my mother of course we went both to Anglican and Methodist churches, which were at that time in Pakistan already beginning to negotiate towards unity. And in fact later on they did unite. Q So was there ever a time in your growing up when you might have been attracted to Islam? A Well we had as I say, close relationships with my Muslim relatives, and I do remember occasions – on Eid for instance if we were staying with them – that y'know, I would go along to the mosque with my uncles as I clearly remember such occasions. And with my favourite aunt at the time, because the family were Shia, they would go to the Shia centre, which is called the Imam Bargar, and I remember going to that with her. Q Do you think at the time you thought of the Muslim God as being the same as the Christian God? A Well I still think and, and I did then, that there is only one God – the God who's made the world and who's made us – and that human beings relate to that God in different ways. Q So you feel comfortable, in a sense, within both contexts? A Y…yes. I mean I obviously now I see things very much as a committed Christian, and I would make sense of other people's religious experience in, in Christian terms, that's obvious. Certainly to respect people's experience, whatever it may be, and even if I disagree with them. Q At university you began to really firm up your ideas and be drawn towards a Christian vocation. Not simply Christian belief, but to be drawn towards the Church. How did, how did that happen? A Yes well when I was first at university, there were really three options for us. There was radical Islam, which was already present on the university campus, there was Marxism, which was another kind of radicalism, and there was Christianity. Now Marxism I've always felt difficult, because of its determinism, because it did not allow for the obvious sense of freedom that I felt human beings had, whatever the constraints. In the end I was drawn to the Christian faith because of the figure of Jesus. As a young person I wanted someone to follow, and Jesus as seen by Christians, but also seen by other people, was a very attractive figure to follow, to sort of order one's life in the light of His life, and His teaching, and so forth. So that's what started it really. Q You came to Britain in the '70s as an Ordinand, and then went back to Pakistan and ordained a priest in Karachi. After Cambridge where you came and studied, Karachi was a bit of a shock, wasn't it? Because you were given a very poor parish. A I was a student here as you say and er, did research here and taught here a little and em, I served as a curate in a parish in Cambridge, and then went back. And the Bishop by then was wanting me to come back. And he thought that it would be a good antidote, to put me in this very tough, slum parish, as you say. Yes, it was a tremendous shock. Q What was the biggest challenge? A The first summer that we were there, cholera broke out in the, in the community. The children, the babies get dehydrated first so they die first. And so I was burying these babies in fruit crates, because the parents couldn't afford coffins. Q What was the impact on you, on your faith? A It was a great shock – I can't deny that. And I sought relief with friends and other people in other parts of the city. Em obviously in terms of culture and conversation and those sorts of things, that was necessary. Q It didn't shake your faith? A Burying children in fruit crates certainly brought me as near to the edge as it's possible to get. But I think in the end I felt that these families were being upheld at that time by their faith, and that caused me, I think, to be upheld as well. Q You didn't question the cruelty of destiny in a world created by a loving God? A Well of course. I mean one…constantly in the face of evil, asks those sorts of questions. But then the very fact that we are able to ask those questions and to do something about what was happening, or what happens, er is itself a kind of an answer. Q Was there a Muslim community here in this parish? A Yes, it was a mixed parish… Q Mmm A …of Christians and Muslims – and of course cholera is not a respecter of persons. Q Er I just wondered if, how it was for you, being in a community where there are, was a, a Muslim element, and both of you are proselytising religions. Whether you were kind of rivals for making converts to your faith. A Not particularly in that setting. I mean, people had their defined areas and, and they worked in them. But of course later on I was to encounter situations where there was, or there could have been rivalry. Er actually as it turned out, there wasn't, but em… Q This is at Raiwind when you were made Bishop, is that right? A Yes that's right, because… Q Because that was an 80 percent Muslim area, wasn't it? A Yes, and perhaps even more than that. But the one thing that em, it was and is known for is that it is the centre of the International Islamic Missionary Movement. And so we did encounter this kind of question about mission. Q But you were up against strong competition (laughs) in that case. A Well absolutely and we had reasonably good relations with one another, on the basis that we recognised that they had an obligation to invite people to Islam, and we wanted them to recognise that we had an obligation to invite people to follow Jesus Christ. And on that basis we were able to co-operate in community matters er for instance. On one occasion I remember arriving to preach at a church, and the front two rows were taken up by trainee Muslim scholars, who had come to hear what a Christian sermon sounded like so, so that was fine. Q (Laughs). You've been labelled over the years a conservative Evangelical – I don't know whether you approve of that or not. But your belief is in living a 'biblical' life. A Yes, I call myself a Catholic Evangelical, because Evangelical means someone who's loyal to the Gospel. That is what it means, and I hope I am – at least I try to be. And Catholic means someone who believes in the Church, and I try to. Q So that we have a, a core of your belief – the core beliefs of the creed. I mean the Virgin Birth, the divinity of Christ, er the resurrection of the body, life after death, life everlasting – an interventionist God, is that right? A I think the Bible gives us a framework for believing and knowing. That is not this text or that, but it gives us what I call er, a comprehensive anthropology, a way of understanding the human condition and the world in which we find ourselves. Now of course, that understanding and that framework has to be brought into relation to the world in which we live, to knowledge, and indeed to new knowledge. And if you believe in the biblical world view that doesn't excuse you from relating to change in the world. Q How does the biblical tradition interpret homosexuality then? Because there's certainly a great deal of evidence recently of the nature of sexuality and er homosexual bonds and many theories about it of course. But you are rather rigorously disapproving – am I right? A Mm, I'm not disapproving of anything. I g…I, again, I would go back to the anthropology of the Bible, which is that human beings have been made in God's image. But being in God's image also has implications for how we behave. And er, we have all sorts of inclinations for all sorts of reasons. Nevertheless, practising giving as it were, in to our inclinations er is not always according to God's purpose or for human flourishing, or indeed for social flourishing. Q And in that sense in biblical terms, homosexuals are not eligible for revocation to the priesthood? A It's not to do with who people think they are, or their inclinations, but what their behaviour should be. And that is also true of heterosexual people of course, that the Church demands the highest standards of belief, but of behaviour, from people and yes there are certain requirements for ordination for example. Q Let's talk about GAFCON, which is the Global Anglican Futures Conference. You took part in it. Is this an insurrection within the Anglican communion? A No not at all – I mean I, I wasn't there for the whole of it - I could only go for three days. I did discover a tremendous spiritual atmosphere. That was partly because it was in Jerusalem, of course, and that creates its own sort of evocativeness. But I found people who were from an Anglican Catholic background, charismatics em, Evangelicals, from all over the world – Africa, America, Asia, Australia and from this country – all with a sort of singleness of purpose, which I wish sometimes we could say about the whole of the Church. Q And what was that single purpose? A To reaffirm traditional, Christian belief as the Anglican Church had received it. Q This was prompted of course, because the Episcopal Church in America had ordained a gay bishop – that was the kick off to this particular movement, wasn't it? A I think the, er the gay bishop is just a, a presenting symptom. I think it's much more than that. It's a, a wide discarding, in many western churches, of traditional Christian believing… Q Such as? A Well for instance, in traditional language about the Trinity, or in requirements of baptism for instance, for full membership of the church, er on the grounds of inclusiveness. Widespread er breakdown of marital discipline among the clergy for instance… Q Themselves? A Yes. And what happened with the ordination of er, this particular bishop was only a symptom of a, a lot else that, that was going on. But that nearly every kind of authority in the Anglican Communion that there is had begged the Episcopal Church not to do this. And they still went ahead and did it, and it was not the first time er, that they had ignored the rest of the Anglican Communion. Q So wait a minute - how are the churches that belonged to GAFCON, because it is a belonging set up – how are they going to be different? Are they going to be hard-line towards their congregations? How will they treat homosexuals among the congregation? A Well, homosexuals like anyone else are welcome – that is not the issue. I think what they want is the freedom to practise and to preach traditional Christian belief em… Q Don't they have that freedom? A No. They, they don't because... Q Who's stopping them? A Their bishop sometimes, em, this is the problem. I mean er these people are being driven out of churches in which they have grown up, they have seen their own denomination as it were, change out of all recognition with all sorts of er, new-fangled beliefs about. Q In…? What sort of beliefs? A About marriage for instance, er about a doctrine of God, for instance, about em, membership of the Church, for example, the nature of the sacraments, sexuality er, as well. Syncretism – which is an unprincipled combining of different streams of religious tradition – all sorts of things like that. Q What it seems to me has happened, just in political terms – political with a small 'p' – is that you have taken a har…er GAFCON have taken a hard line, which has put you at odds with the Anglican bishops of the Church of England, who you have called, I think, 'wishy-washy', and 'too liberal, too vague, too abstract.' Is that right? A Well em, er 'wishy-washy' – I mean I think there is a danger of Anglicans becoming 'wishy-washy' wherever that may be – in this country or America or, or Australia indeed. What I have said is that we have to be on our guard against being 'wishy-washy', and that's to myself as much as to anyone else. Q Well you went further – you boycotted the Lambeth Conference – well that's pretty…not wishy-washy, saying 'No' to a Lambeth Conference is a very absolute statement of where you stand. You are not going to stand with your fellow bishops of the Anglican Communion at this ten year event. Was that a difficult decision for you to make? A Very difficult. It would have been my third Lambeth Conference and as you say, for my first I had the particular responsibility for it. I felt that because of the things that had happened, that we couldn't just have another Lambeth Conference without resolving those issues, that I couldn't stand with some of the bishops involved and teach the common faith, and stand with them around the Lord's table at the Eucharist. And what I would've preferred was smaller gatherings, smaller meetings, where these issues were discussed and resolved so that we could stand together. Q Isn't there a situation in which some of these things can't be resolved because they are not compatible? That your reading of the 'biblical life' come, derived from the Bible, is simply not compatible with the liberal, more tolerant wishing to embrace gay bishops and so on? There's going, there's no middle ground here, it's going to be one or the other. A Well that may be so, but I think we have to discover whether it is so and I'm quite happy to, to explore that. But of course it is not just Bible versus the twenty-first century, as it were. It is also the common teaching of the Church down the ages – that is where the, the Catholic and the Catholic Evangelical bit comes in. It is also the teaching of our ecumenical partners. Anglicans have always claimed some kind of special affinity with the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches in terms of their ministry, for instance. I've been a member of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission for seventeen years. When er the ordination of this bishop happened, coincidentally it was also the occasion for a meeting of this commission. And I remember that the Roman Catholic co-Chair simply refused to sit in the same room with the Anglican co-Chair, who was then also the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. Q Oh, it doesn't sound very Christian does it? A No it doesn't does it? But that is what happened, and what we can't have is to jeopardise the very valuable work towards Christian unity that has been done in the last thirty or forty years. But again, that is a distinct possibility. Q Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury did make a statement that startled er many people, which was to suggest that the Shariah Law, part of it might be included within English Law. And you spoke out very strongly about that. Are you still as adamant that it is not possible? A I don't believe it is possible. I think that Shariah Law and English public law proceed on entirely different assumptions. Now what I do think is that every religious community should be free to live according to its own law, if that is what they want. And at the same time, I also believe that in legislation for instance, governments should recognise conscience more and more. It is doing so less and less, but I think it should do so more and more. Having said that, I believe there should be a common public law for, for everyone. Introducing something like Shariah Law would introduce contradiction in the system of public law, if that is what is being suggested. For instance, if you take matrimonial and family law, would bigamy remain a crime only for some and not for others - what about divorce and custody of children, laws of inheritance, laws of evidence? All of these are different. Q But within this country, there are communities which already acknowledge the Shariah Law, and indeed have councils and advisors to deal with their community in such matters. D'you not want to see those operate? A No, no. What, what religious communities do within themselves, that's up to them. But every citizen must have the right of access to common law, and to public law, and to the courts to right any injustices that they feel they have been subject to. Q You use the phrase 'no go areas' concerning parts of cities where non Islamic believers, or non believers at all, felt, were made to feel uncomfortable in an Islamic community. D'you regret using the phrase 'no go areas'? A Well, the first thing that I was talking about was the result of multiculturalism. That multiculturalism perhaps em, without knowing that this would happen, had actually brought about isolated, separated and segregated communities. And that cannot be the basis for a good society. We need social capital by which we can live together. Secondly, extremists have used this isolation and this segregation to foster their own agenda with the young, for instance, but also in putting pressure for example on Christian workers, on people who have changed their beliefs either to another faith or to no faith at all. In a society that is committed to integration, which is different from assimilation - I'm not arguing for assimilation - we can't have this kind of thing, because it will in the end be very socially divisive, and people will suffer because of it. Q D'you think faith schools also perpetuate a separation of different cultures? A They can do – it depends on what sort of faith schools they are. I mean Church of England er schools for instance, are not faith schools in that sense at all, because they are open to the wider community, and their make up reflects the make up of the community in which they are set. So we have em Church of England schools in my diocese, which are 60, 70 percent people of other faiths er, where parents choose to send their children er to a church school. And that's fine, and what we say is 'Look, we're a Christian school – that is to say we proceed on Christian assumptions, but of course everyone is welcome, as long as they, they recognise that.' Q But d'you fear that the legislation that promotes faith schools across the board will be divisive? A I think such legislation has to be quite carefully drafted to make sure that faith schools are open to the wider community. That schools co-operate with one another, that there is exchange er, er um between them, among them, and that children have wide exposure to issues that they will face as they grow up. There are faith schools, as I say, not only Church of England ones that, that do this very effectively. Q Bishop Michael, you've always spoken out. You always make the headlines, you're always very clear when you oppose things, and what you support. I wonder whether that suits your temperament as a, as a sort of missionary Christian. Do you feel that in yourself, fulfilled by this role? A I think the role is the important point, that if I had not been a bishop in the Church, I may have spoken differently, or not spoken at all perhaps. Or done other things, like er reading and writing poetry, or playing cricket. But because I have this responsibility, I feel that I need to guide people in their personal, and their family, and their social lives, to the best of my ability, taking account of the teaching of the Bible and of the Church, and that is what I do. Q And you feel fulfilled by that? A I feel tested by it quite often, challenged by it. I feel that I'm doing what I've been asked to do, if that's what you mean. Q Sometimes I know in the past, and indeed currently, you have had death threats because of what you said, being spo…so outspoken. And that perhaps puts at risk those around you and those you love. Is there an anxiety attached to the stand that you take? A Yes, I mean one of the reasons why we had to leave Pakistan when we did was because the children who were then very young, were being threatened. I mean I'd been threatened and the car stopped on country roads and that kind of thing but I could take that to some extent. But I couldn't at that time risk the lives of children who'd not done anything to, to deserve it. I find now that it is happening here, and I think that is a matter of concern for us in this country, that it should happen here, and we should make sure that it doesn't. Q But you are not going to soften your stand and yield to such threats? A I don't want to speak promiscuously – I don't. I mean, for the one time that I speak, nine times I have said no, and I try and choose the moment to speak. But some things have to be said, and they have to be said clearly so that people can understand what it is that is being said. Q So you think of it as speaking prophetically within the Church? A That sounds very sort of grand. I mean I certainly don't think of it in that kind of grand way. I just think that for the sake of er people's faith, for the sake of their safety, for the sake of this nation sometimes, er a nation that has given me a place when I didn't have one, I have to speak the truth. Q Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, thank you for choosing to speak to me. Thank you. A Thank you. (End of interview) Labels: Anglican News, Archbishop of Canterbury, Episcopal Litigation, Episcopal News, Lambeth Conference It's not easy being green ... unless you are the C... Jane Williams: The Point of the Experience of the ... After gathering dust for 18 years, Bob Dylan's Nas... Jim Rosenthal bids farewell to the Anglican Commun... Anglican District of Virginia Bishop calls for tal... Tuesday Night at the Cafe: As much as things chang... Former Episcopal Bishop Jeffrey Steenson ordained ... Quote of the Day: From the Letter of Opinion expla... Washington Times: Virginia Churches win case in Ep... Special BabyBluePodcast with Artist Edward Knipper... 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__label__wiki	0.588326	0.588326	One really strange star cluster Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and L. Bedin (STScI) Sometimes in astronomy we come across a really odd object. And the hard part is knowing whether the object is telling us something fundamental about physics and astronomy, or whether the object is just unique, or some combination of those. Today's example is based on a new Hubble Space Telescope press release (that I was griping a bit about yesterday). The object in question is an open star cluster in our Milky Way galaxy called NGC 6791. First, some background. Star clusters are groups of stars born at the pretty much same time (a new star cluster is being formed right now in the Orion Nebula) and held together by their own gravity. Star clusters are not individual galaxies, but are parts of our own Milky Way galaxy. There are two types of star clusters. Globular star clusters (like Messier 13 in the constellation Hercules) are groups of millions of stars. All globulars seemed to have been born in the very early universe, about 12 or 13 billion years ago. Globular star clusters also are very poor in iron and other metals relative to the sun. While almost 2% of the sun is made out of iron, uranium, nickel ,oxygen, carbon, silicon and other elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, only about 0.02% of a globular cluster star is made out of these elements. The reason for this is that stars are factories for the elements, and have been constantly making new elements, so the fraction of those elements goes up over time. Open star clusters are the other kind of star cluster. They tend to have only a few thousand stars, they tend to be relatively young (most are under 1 billion years old), and they tend to have about the same amount of metal as the sun, give or take a little bit. But NGC 6791 is, frankly, quite odd. It is old; it's stars seem to be about 8 billion years old (more on that later). This is much younger than the globular clusters, but older than any other open star cluster. Since it is so old, you might expect that its stars have a metal content between that of the globular clusters and the sun, but in fact it has over twice as much metal as the sun! And NGC 6791 has many more stars than any other open cluster, despite the fact that open clusters tend to lose stars over time. Lastly, NGC 6791 has a lot of really strange types of stars in it. So, it has always been viewed as odd, and its true nature has always been a source of controversy. A group of scientists led by Italian astronomer Luigi Bedin looked at NGC 6791 with the Hubble Space Telescope in order to study its white dwarfs. White dwarfs are the ashes of dead stars; over time, a white dwarf cools and slowly fades away (just like what happens when you turn off the heat on an element on an electric stove, or when a blacksmith pulls red-hot metal out of a fire). We can estimate how old a white dwarf is by looking at how cool it is and using models to tell us when the star that made the white dwarf died (this is some of my own research). When Bedin and his collaborators did this for NGC 6791, they found something odd. First, there were two groups of white dwarfs, one that seemed to be 4 billion years old, and another that seemed to be 6 billion years old. But, as I said above, the still-living stars in the star cluster look to be 8 billion years old. What's going on? We don't really know. But we do have some ideas. First, we use models to get ages of stars and ages of white dwarfs. Those models are not perfect, and there are some uncertainties about them. In stars, a process called convection (which is like boiling or the turbulence that creates thunderstorms) mixes the stars, and that mixing can bring some new fuel to the star's nuclear furnace. We don't really know exactly how much of this mixing happens, so we guess. And that while these are highly educated guesses, they might be wrong. So, the 8 billion year age for the cluster may be wrong by as much as a billion years. Also, the white dwarf ages have some uncertainties, especially for old white dwarfs. Old white dwarfs, as they cool, start to crystallize, forming giant, ultra-dense diamonds in space. That process of crystallization is not fully understood. Also, old white dwarfs may undergo a process called fractionation, where the heavier metals sink toward the center of the white dwarf. That sinking process can slow down the white dwarf's cooling rate, making an old white dwarf appear younger than it really is. This process (which may not even happen; it is very controversial) would be more likely to happen in white dwarfs with more metal. And, remember, this star cluster has more metal than any other star cluster! So, I don't think that the 6-billion year age of one set of white dwarfs necessarily disagrees with the 8-billion year age from the stars. It would be kinda like looking at two separate people, saying, "Mr. X looks to be between 50 an 60 years old, and Mr. Y looks to be between 60 and 70, so I'll guess that Mr. X is 55 and Mr. Y is 65." Then you find out that they are both 60 years old. I think the same thing is happening here. The bigger question is with the second group of white dwarfs, those that look only 4 billion years old. Here there are two ideas. Bedin and collaborators have suggested that these white dwarfs may be binary stars. Binary stars look like a single star from the Earth, but are really two stars orbiting each other closely enough that we can't tell them apart. The main effect of binary white dwarfs would be to produce a single point that looks brighter than a lone white dwarf would be. Since we get white dwarf ages from how bright they look (because they fade over time), we would mis-interpret binary white dwarfs as younger white dwarfs. In most open star clusters, about half of the stars are in binaries, and if that holds true in NGC 6791, then maybe the "young" white dwarfs are really just old twins. But there is another option. An acquaintance of mine, Jason Kalirai at the University of California Santa Cruz, looked in detail at the brightest white dwarfs in this star cluster. He found that these white dwarfs were kinda wimpy, only about 2/3 as massive as they should be. (Most white dwarfs are about 60% the mass of the sun; these were about 40% the mass of the sun). White dwarfs with masses this low cool differently than normal white dwarfs (for reasons I don't want to go into). If you analyze the apparently younger white dwarfs as if they were merely featherweight white dwarfs, you would find that their ages are about 6 or 7 billion years, the same as the other white dwarfs. But these featherweight white dwarfs can only exist if their parent stars ended their lives differently from the way we think most stars do. Some people (such as another acquaintance, astronomer Brad Hansen at UCLA) have suggested that the high amount of metals in the stars could cause the stars to lose a lot more matter at the end of their lives. There are other ideas that might work, though. In short, this star cluster is a really odd one. It is very old, but it has more metal than any other star cluster (and we would think that newer star clusters should have more metals). The cluster has more stars than any other open star cluster, although it has been losing stars over its entire, long lifetime. The cluster has some really weird stars (which I haven't talked about here). The ages of the dead stars in the cluster may be different from the ages of the living stars. And even the dead stars disagree on how old they are, or they maybe they formed in multiple and unexpected ways. The jury is still out! Is this cluster just weird, or is it telling us that we don't really understand the life cycles of stars as well as we thought we did?The only thing for certain is that this cluster will continue to be studied for years to come. Labels: age, star cluster, stars, white dwarf Total eclipse of the heart sun Happy 50th Birthday NASA Au revoir, Agnes The science of conflicting results Sharks and Supernovae and Black Holes Sometimes we miss the obvious I could've told them this The no-view nova 39 years ago today... One really cool movie writing about nothing Telescopes on the moon Good luck, Seth and Justyn! The strange world of embargoed science	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1751
__label__cc	0.647586	0.352414	Everyone prefers to believe rather than to judge. One never judges but always believes regarding the things which are vital. Error transmitted from hand to hand always turns us to and fro and throws us down headlong, and we perish through following examples taken from others. We shall be cured if we were but to secede from the crowd. As it is, however, the people, the defender of its own evil, stands firm against reason. —Seneca, cited by Leo Strauss in his Thoughts on Machiavelli, pg. 126 (My apologies for not posting recently. This page was flagged as a possible spam-blog by Blogger, and I was prevented from posting for over a week until the issue was resolved. But, I'm back now…) Posted by Mastiff at 12:05 AM 1 comment: Links to this post A Step Towards Decentralized Logistics Longtime readers of this blog may remember that I am interested in the concept of a decentralized, flexible military that follows the model proposed by Arquilla and Ronfeldt in their work, Swarming and the Future of Conflict. Briefly put, they propose that the current hierarchical structure of the military be replaced with one where troops are organized in autonomous units of about 200 men, which would then coordinate their actions laterally with each other. In this way, they would gain flexibility and speed, compared to the present system in which information must be passed up a long hierarchy, and then orders are passed back down. Often this process can take days, during which time the information becomes stale. Col. Thomas Hammes reiterates the problems with the military's current structure in his book, The Sling and the Stone, and also advocates a more flexible, decentralized military. There are several practical problems that must be solved before a decentralized national military is possible (completely aside from the furious opposition to such a system from the entrenched military bureaucracy). One of the largest problems is developing a system of logistics that can complement autonomous action by many small units. The category of "logistics" encompasses several related but distinct problems. First is making the process of peacetime procurement decentralized. Second is ensuring replenishment and resupply to autonomous units during a deployment, especially during a combat situation. Third is managing the demands of autonomous units on scarce shared resources, such as close air support or satellite overwatch. (Not being a soldier, I cannot say whether there are additional problems within the broad logistical heading.) I would like to propose a solution to the first problem, peacetime procurement. Under the present system, procurement is largely accomplished on the national level: the Pentagon requests funding for specific needs from Congress, which is sometimes granted, and then signs gigantic procurement contracts with various suppliers. The Pentagon then distributes the equipment internally to the troops who are slated to receive it. Troops have very little say in the equipment they are issued, and in many cases are actually forbidden from buying equipment on their own. The ongoing saga of Dragon Skin body armor is a case in point; confirmed to be better quality than the Army's Interceptor vests, it has nevertheless not yet been approved for military procurement. Soldiers have even been ordered not to buy it on their own. The problems with the procurement process have been dramatized in the last week by Daniel Henniger's WSJ column on the deployment of the Snake Eater fingerprinting system. Soldiers, private contractors, a nonprofit, and a blogger cooperated outside of official channels to produce a device in a single month, that the military had failed to create in over three years. Meanwhile, the centralized procurement process is incredibly opaque, and renowned for its wastefulness and episodes of corruption. In part this is due to its sheer size; even while audits routinely point out examples of waste or fraud, the system is simply too big to reform easily. There is a way to dramatically improve the peacetime procurement process, and render it more transparent and flexible at the same time, by decentralizing it. The trick is to do so without losing the real economies of scale that can be achieved with large purchases. My inspiration for this is the concept of a "group-buy," in which a seller and many buyers coordinate the purchase of a single type of good, allowing the seller to offer each buyer a lower price than he could offer on an individual basis. (There are many, many group-buys being organized over the internet at any given time; here is an academic paper on modeling the group-buy process.) Assume the existence of battalion-sized autonomous units of the type discussed by Arquilla and Ronfeldt, although this is not strictly necessary. Rather than Congress allocating funds to the Pentagon, which would then purchase and distribute equipment, I propose that each battalion have its own allocation of funding, set according to the type of unit. (A tank battalion is more expensive to run than an infantry battalion, for example.) The unit could then spend the money on any purchases it felt were necessary, from any supplier, civilian or defense-related. Most equipment would still need to be standardized, but the timing of purchases could be according to the unit's needs. Defense suppliers would offer group-buy windows in which units would subscribe; if fifty battalions were to purchase body armor at the same time, the unit cost would be less than if a single unit were to make a purchase. But participation would be on an as-needed basis, not as dictated by Pentagon bureaucrats. The Pentagon would still have an independent budget, for example to conduct R&D. But if there is a development project out of favor with the brass, yet eagerly anticipated by military units, they could decide to fund the project with a portion of their logistical budgets. If an entire division of troops were to chip in for a development project, it could proceed even in the face of bureaucratic or Congressional skepticism. This system could have many benefits. First, it is much easier to audit a single battalion and enforce accountability than it is for the entire Pentagon. This would reduce corruption. Second, unit would be unlikely to buy equipment that is shown to be substandard. For example, a distributed procurement system would have adopted the Dragon Skin vest by now instead of the Interceptor. Third, units could rapidly adjust to changing mission requirements and purchase the necessary gear. Another benefit is that incentives could be built into the money allocations. A bonus could be paid out if the unit has a high percentage of soldiers with excellent marksmanship skills, or who have completed Ranger training, or who have college degrees, or who learn critical languages. Not only would this encourage the units to continually improve themselves, it would allocate more resources to those units who are demonstrably more valuable. I have not yet considered how such a system could work in battle conditions, where free-flowing resupply is often critical. But this is a good first step to revamping the military procurement system. Posted by Mastiff at 7:27 PM No comments: Links to this post Opportunities in Doing One Thing Well The angst continues to build over the ballooning cost of medical care in the United States. Thanks to a toxic combination of perverse legal incentives, crippling legal restrictions, and inefficient use of medical resources, health care costs have been consistently growing 2% faster than inflation for decades. (It is noteworthy that both health care and education—the other sector where prices have been rising, not falling, as time goes by—are heavily influenced by government interventions.) Aside from the inherent problems caused by rising costs, the health care issue has generated calls for the government to expand its intervention yet again. Before we embark down that dreary road, trodden by the soles of so many others whose present misery we are apparently so keen to share, it is worth noting circumstances where medical care has gotten much cheaper and has improved in quality. In C. K. Prahalad's book, The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty Through Profits, he lays out steps necessary for companies to effectively build a market among those who earn less than $2 a day. One of these is that companies must find "quantum jumps in price performance," reducing prices for a product not by half but by 30-100 times! He cites several examples; one of these is an Indian medical services company called Aravind Eye Care. Aravind Eye Care specializes in a single procedure: cataract operations with inter-ocular lens. This surgery typically costs $2500 to $3000 in the United States or Europe. But Aravind charges between $50 and $300 depending on complications—when it charges at all; 40% of its patients receive their surgeries free. Yet their average cost per patient is less than $25, allowing them to make a healthy profit. How can they get the cost of a $3000 procedure down so low? To do it, the founder of Aravind, Dr. Venkataswamy, standardized every step of the process and strove for consistency and efficiency. Their hospital facilities are designed specifically for eye care, and located in central areas, including the main hospital in Madurai; patients are screened in their villages and then transported in via an efficient system of buses. Each doctor is supported by two teams of technicians who have been trained only to do eye care; in this way, a doctor can go through 50 surgeries per day. Because they are so carefully trained and because every aspect of the procedure is systematized, "Aravind boasts of an outcome rate that is among the best in the world." Nothing about this system is fundamentally shocking—or it should not be, at any rate. The inspiration for it was McDonald's, which can take a group of low-skilled employees and turn out hamburgers and french fries of uniform quality for very little cost, simply because the process has been so deeply understood and optimized. Hospitals, on the other hand, have traditionally tried to do everything. For good reason; in most of human history, people could hardly have had the luxury of specializing, not when there might be a single hospital within days of travel. Even when specialists arose, they were turned to when the traditional medical system came up short. Specialists in the United States are premium assets, and command premium prices because of it. The very idea that a specialist should be cheaper than a traditional hospital is a non-sequitor. Yet now that travel is so easy and cheap, the reasons underpinning this system have largely vanished. Indeed, Aravind has an agreement with the British National Health Service: Britons needing eye surgery can fly to India, be put up in a hotel for a few days, go to Aravind, and fly back, all for much less money than it would take to have the surgery done domestically. It seems to me that this sort of deep specialization should be possible for more procedures than eye surgeries. For example, one of the most common surgeries is performed on the knee, especially for those 85 and older. One imagines that this surgery will only become more common as the population ages. As it stands now, that surgery is very expensive; but what if someone were to analyze each step of the procedure, develop a streamlined process, and reduce the cost to, say, 10% of the current level? What if this procedure were carried out in a bare handful of facilities—perhaps five in the United States, placed so that you need travel only an hour by plane to get to them? And what if by having so few facilities, you could extract every efficiency and improvement possible to make the process easier, safer, and cheaper? Now imagine if such a fundamental change in the status quo were achieved in nearly all of the most expensive procedures in medicine. Would we still have a looming problem with the cost of health care? I doubt it. Can it be done? If they could do it in India, they can do it here. What is needed is a doctor or group of doctors with entrepreneurial drive and vision to take the first step. Perhaps Dr. Venkataswamy can give a seminar to get the process started. Posted by Mastiff at 8:19 PM 1 comment: Links to this post The various modes of worship, which prevailed in the Roman world, were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher, as equally false; and by the magistrate, as equally useful. --Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Posted by Mastiff at 10:27 AM No comments: Links to this post Government is the only enterprise in the world which expands in size when its failures increase. —Judge Janice Rodgers Brown, speaking at the University of Chicago on 20 April 2000. The Failure of the Diplomatic Mentality Revolutions rarely compromise; compromises are made only to further the strategic design. Negotiation, then, is undertaken for the dual purpose of gaining time to buttress a position (military, political, social, economic) and to wear down, frustrate and harass the opponent. Few, if any, essential concessions are to be expected from the revolutionary side, whose only aim is to create conditions that will preserve the unity of the strategic line and guarantee the development of a "victorious situation." —Mao Tse-Tung Samuel Griffith, in his inroduction to Mao Tse-Tung's On Guerrilla Warfare, cited in Col. Thomas X. Hammes, The Sling and the Stone. European-style diplomacy (which is largely the model for American diplomacy) is premised on two sides coming to a mutually tolerable agreement, involving gains and concessions, in order to avoid a larger conflict. Such an agreement is then expected to constrain the behavor of both sides going forward. A necessary precondition for such a system is that both sides must be operating in good faith; each side believes that it has achieved the most beneficial likely outcome, and therefore has an interest in protecting the stability of the agreement. What has been overlooked is that a diplomatic agreement only has value when there are significant incentives for all parties to keep it. In Europe, the incentives had become implicit and overwhelming (i.e., breaking agreements would lead to economic consequences in an interdependent system, and sometimes war). Therefore it became possible for diplomats to neglect actively thinking about the consequences of bad faith, and to begin to ascribe an intrinsic, quasi-mystical power to the diplomatic agreement itself. That an agreement is signed (goes the unexamined, subconscious premise) guarantees that it will be followed. The naiveté of such a premise comes to the fore when we must deal with a class of people who treat negotiations not as a way to avoid conflict, but as another tool in that conflict. The long history of diplomacy surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian war is an example of excellence: the Palestine Liberation Organization ostensibly agreed to end warfare against Israel and Jews around the world, but in practice this amounted to little more than mouthing empty platitudes of peace and toleration at black-tie functions. In exchange for this wrenching concession, the new Palestinian Authority was given administrative control over several million people, billions of dollars in international aid, large stores of weapons along with the training to use them—and most important of all, international legitimacy that served as a powerful shield against Israeli action. The PLO proceeded to use these gifts to mount a second Intifada, as well as turning a blind eye to the efforts of other terrorist groups such as Hamas and Jihad Islami. The same class of behavior is on display with Iran. Iran's stated goal is the development of nuclear capability. In non-diplomatic settings, the Iranian government has openly alluded to its aim of a nuclear bomb. In pursuit of this goal, Iran has broken nearly a dozen separate agreements that the European powers painstakingly negotiated over a period of several years. These agreements have been very useful to Iran, even as they were being flouted: they often came with financial inducements, they served to keep the Western powers divided and bickering among themselves over the proper course to take—and most importantly, they bought time, lots of time. To the serious observer whose brains have not been addled by the diplomatic fantasies so adored by most Western governments, it becomes obvious early on when an oppposing party is negotiating in bad faith. The most important early warning is when the aggressive party achieves tangible gains through negotiation, in exchange for concessions that are entirely symbolic or else of minimal importance. This pattern has been confirmed in the farcical negotiations between Israel and the PLO, between Columbia and FARC, between Pakistan and the Taliban forces of Waziristan, and (at the risk of invoking Godwin's Law) the Munich 1938 agreement with Hitler. So then why do the assorted diplomats of the world continue to make the same errors over and over again? I have argued before that a major flaw in the structure of our government is that diplomats have a single responsibility (i.e. diplomacy) and the military has a single responsibility (i.e. warfighting) that is not called upon until the diplomats throw in the towel. We need to take an integrated view towards interactions with other governments, so that out actions are not divided into discrete categories but fall along the same continuum. I am not necessarily advocating open war with Iran. There are easier ways to accomplish our goals. For one thing, there are indications that the Mossad has begun assassinating key Iranian scientists in their nuclear program. I find these reports entirely believable, given that Israel assassinated several ex-Nazi scientists working on Egypt's ballistic missile program in the early 1960's. And it is far more difficult to replace a scientist than it is to replace physical infrastructure. Given that, and given the recent isolation of Iran by America and our allies, it is entirely possible that the Khomeinist government of Iran could fall before they achieve nuclear capability. (There is still the issue of their continuing support for terror operations in Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.) But the larger point is that we need to look at our diplomatic activities with a jaundiced eye. Why on Earth should we engage in negotiations with a power operating in bad faith, if the only party that will benefit is our adversary? UPDATE 4:31 PM: With impeccable timing, Wretchard has posted a news item from the Phillipines about a delegation of negotiators sent to talk to the Moro National Liberation Front, a supposed "peace partner," who were promptly taken hostage by a supposed "breakaway faction." Perhaps in the same sense that Black September was a "breakaway faction" of Fatah, i.e. an organizational fiction meant to provide plausible deniability. The rich, the owners of the already operating plants, have no particular class interest in the maintenance of free competition. They are opposed to confiscation and expropriation of their fortunes, but their vested interests are rather in favor of measures preventing newcomers from challenging their position. Those fighting for free enterprise and free competition do not defend the interests of those rich today. They want a free hand left to unknown men who will be the entrepreneurs of tomorrow and whose ingenuity will make the life of coming generations more agreeable. They want the way left open to further economic improvements. They are the spokesmen of material progress. —Ludwig von Mises, Human Action, pg. 83 (Fox & Wilkes paperback edition) The Need for Skepticism in the Cabinet One of the things I've been up to in my long absence from blogging has been studying up on game theory and issues of persuasion and decisionmaking, for one of my side projects. One of the tidbits I gleaned from this study is that academics agree that it is, indeed, very hard to go against a group consensus. You must fight against social penalties for perceived disloyalty, as well as the internalized doubt in your own beliefs: perhaps all these other people know something you don't? Otherwise, why would they hold a view that you see as obviously wrong? Interestingly, when a dissenter has even a single ally, no matter how many are arrayed against him, it becomes much easier to sustain his position. The second factor noted above, that the lone dissenter tends to question his own conclusions, is mitigated by the presence of an ally who shares those conclusions. And the ally provides valuable social feedback that helps make up for the more general disapproval. These points were going through my mind as I read Angelo M. Codevilla's review of Bob Woodward's latest book, State of Denial, in the most recent issue of the Claremont Review of Books. Woodward describes the petty politicking in the Bush Cabinet between competing centers of power, which the President was unwilling or unable to quash. Because (says Woodward) the President fostered an atmosphere in which good news was the order of the day, and in which bad news would spoil the mood, officials would often withhold bad news and try to solve the problems on their own, or else pass them off as someone else's responsibility. Most important for Cabinet officials in an environment without strong central management was to consolidate their own authority at the expense of others. Secretary Rumsfeld (says Woodward) was famous for this, fighting to preserve the autonomy of the Defense Department and avoiding collaboration with the State Department, even as observers and front-line soldiers decried the absence of State personnel. I do not know whether Woodward's account is accurate. It would certainly explain the seemingly disjointed conduct of a government whose arms frequently work at cross-purposes in this war. And the larger phenomena of groupthink coloring decisionmaking, officials withholding crucial data from decisionmakers for fear of a bad reception, and feuding bureaucrats impeding the prosecution of policy are certainly not new in American government. Indeed, the classic case of groupthink has for a long time been the deliberations leading up to the Bay of Pigs operation under JFK. I do not believe any president actually wants to foster such an environment in his cabinet. But as it stands, it is hard not to. Each member of the Cabinet has a tremendous amount of power over his department; no president would willingly entrust that power to someone with which he disagrees. This will lead to a certain intellectual homogeneity. Meanwhile, each member of the Cabinet is individually constrained by the imperatives of the department he represents. His information is filtered through that apparatus, and his policies are often identified with the policies of the entrenched establishment within that department. This will lead to cabinet members defending their own fiefdoms even against the greater national interest. These two institutional factors together make a toxic brew. Eliot Cohen, in his excellent book Supreme Command, concludes that perhaps the most crucial task of a good leader is to challenge the orthodoxies of his underlings and force people to respond more rapidly to the real world. (Ironically, Cohen's book achieved some prominence because it was on President Bush's reading list; it seems the President was not able to sufficiently profit from it.) This sort of challenge and interrogation is very difficult to do when a president must deal with groupthink in his cabinet, restricted information, and bureacratic backstabbing. What can be done? There is a useful position in the parliamentary governments of some foreign nations (Israel is one such), called the Minister Without Portfolio. This minister has equal rank with other ministers who actually run branches of the government, yet has no executive authority (or responsibility) himself. This releases him from many institutional pressures, and allows him to speak more or less freely. Meanwhile, since the minister has no actual authority except as an official gadfly, prime ministers have more latitude in choosing ministers that they might not see eye-to-eye with. The relative performance of parliamentary democracies is not the issue here; they are subject to their own pathologies. But the concept of a cabinet-level appointee without executive authority is ripe with possibility. It would help counteract the abovementioned corrosive factors of the Cabinet dynamic, allowing for a more healthy level of discourse and cooperation--especially if there were two Secretaries Without Portfolio, so that they could support each other if necessary. It should also be their responsibility and privilege to keep an eye on the inner workings of the various departments, to make sure that their internal politics are not allowed to damage American policy without notice. Whatever the remedy, it is clear that the present structure of our decisionmaking bodies is badly flawed. They are frozen in a 1950's model of corporate structure, full of hierarchies and one-directional information flows, when the rest of America has moved on to more fluid, collaborative structures. But that is a larger discussion. We must fix one problem at a time, and fixing the Cabinet isn't a bad place to start. How To Escape the 'Hyperactive Hivemind' of Modern Work	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1766
__label__cc	0.70691	0.29309	Category Archives: Multimorbidity methods The measurement of multimorbidity By Kathryn Nicholson Answering an invitation to contribute with an article to a special issue of the journal Health Psychology, we wrote the article entitled “The measurement of multimorbidity” that was recently published [1]. The article was written with the purpose of providing a review of the literature published between 1974 and 2018 that have utilized measures for multimorbidity and to provide guidance on measures to consider when conducting a research study on multimorbidity. The article introduces the reader to the two main groups of measures of multimorbidity that can be distinguished. The first group of measures is constituted by a simple count from various lists of chronic conditions. The second group of measures introduces weighting for included chronic conditions thus creating a “weighted index” of multimorbidity. These two main groups are not mutually exclusive as the list of medical conditions in some weighted indexes can be used as a list of conditions without weighting. This classification does not include measures of multimorbidity which are not based on lists of medical conditions, such as the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale, which includes areas or domains that are grouped under body systems instead of medical conditions. The article shows the variety of existing measurements, highlighting their differences, to provide an overview of the possibilities that are available to a researcher intending to measure multimorbidity. Finally, the article outlines some guidelines for the choice of a measurement of multimorbidity for research studies. We hope that this review of the existing literature will help inform the careful use of these tools by researchers moving forward. In addition to this review, it is advised that readers attempt to keep updated on the ever-increasing multimorbidity literature. 1. Nicholson K, Almirall J, Fortin M: The measurement of multimorbidity. Health Psychol 2019. Apr 25. doi: 10.1037/hea0000739. [Epub ahead of print] ‘Multimorbidity Treatment Burden Questionnaire’ (MTBQ) – a new measure of treatment burden By Polly Duncan and Chris Salisbury A group of researchers from the University of Bristol, UK, have developed a new simply worded, concise questionnaire, named the ‘Multimorbidity Treatment Burden Questionnaire’ (MTBQ) to measure treatment burden (the perceived effort of looking after one’s health and the impact that this has on day to day life) in patients with multimorbidity (multiple long-term conditions). The study has been published in the BMJ Open [1]. Treatment burden includes everything that the patient has to do to look after their health – from ordering, collecting and taking medicines; to co-ordinating, arranging transport for and attending health appointments with multiple different health professionals; to monitoring blood sugar or blood pressure levels; to learning about your health conditions; and taking on lifestyle advice. To understand how new health care interventions impact on treatment burden, we need to be able to measure it, and a recent study published in the Annals of Family Medicine highlighted treatment burden as one of the core outcome measures for research studies involving patients with multimorbidity [2]. The MTBQ was developed as part of a large research study called the 3D Study [3]. The research team identified and reviewed three existing measures of treatment burden that were not specific to a medical condition. A further measure has since been published. We found that the existing measures had limitations (e.g. they did not cover all of the areas of treatment burden or they required good literacy levels and so were not suitable for our study population of mainly older people) and so we decided to develop and validate a new measure. We discussed the concept of treatment burden and an existing framework of treatment burden that had been developed in the United States with members of a patient and public involvement group. Using this framework as a guide, we developed a questionnaire to include all the important areas of treatment burden. We interviewed patients with multimorbidity and asked them to comment on the layout and wording of questions, how easy the questions were to understand and to ‘think aloud’ as they answered the questionnaire – what did the questions mean to them and what answer would they give if they were completing the questionnaire? The MTBQ was then completed by over 1500 mostly elderly patients (average age 71 years) with three or more long-term conditions who took part in the 3D Study. The research team assessed the questionnaire against the ISOQOL international standards for developing and validating questionnaires and found that it performed well, demonstrating good face validity (e.g. it measured what it set out to measure), construct validity (e.g. patients with high disease burden and poor quality of life reported higher treatment burden), reliability and responsiveness to change (e.g. as expected, patients who reported reduce quality of life over time also reported higher treatment burden over time) [1]. Strengths of the MTBQ include: - simple wording - a concise measure with ten questions - all the important aspects of treatment burden are included - it was tested in patients for whom it was intended – elderly patients (means age 71 years) with three or more long-term conditions Further information about the MTBQ can be found here: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/primaryhealthcare/resources/mtbq/ 1. Duncan P, Murphy M, Man MS, et al. Development and validation of the Multimorbidity Treatment Burden Questionnaire (MTBQ). BMJ Open 2018;8(4):e019413. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019413 [published Online First: 2018/04/12] 3. Man MS, Chaplin K, Mann C, et al. Improving the management of multimorbidity in general practice: protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial (The 3D Study). BMJ Open 2016;6(4):e011261. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011261 Assessing and measuring chronic multimorbidity in the older population April 3, 2017 – 9:20 am By Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga and Davide L Vetrano Multimorbidity is one of the main challenges facing health systems worldwide. While its definition as “the simultaneous presence of two or more chronic diseases” is well established, its operationalization is not yet agreed. This study aimed to provide a clinically-driven comprehensive list of chronic conditions to be included when measuring multimorbidity. Based on a consensus definition of chronic disease, all codes from the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) were classified as chronic or not by an international team of physicians and epidemiologists specialized in geriatrics and family medicine, and were subsequently grouped into broader categories. Last, we showed proof of concept by applying the classification to older adults from the Swedish National study of Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K). An initial number of 918 chronic ICD-10 codes were identified and grouped into 60 chronic disease categories. In SNAC-K, 88.6% had ≥2 of these 60 disease categories, 73.2% had ≥3, and 55.8% had ≥4. Once validated, this operational measure of multimorbidity may enable the advancement and evolution of conceptual and theoretical aspects of multimorbidity that will eventually lead to better care. The publication can be found in the following link: https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/2731241/ Methods for identifying 30 chronic conditions: application to administrative data August 10, 2015 – 10:29 am By Marcello Tonelli From a list of 40 common chronic conditions, we identified validated algorithms that use ICD-9 CM/ICD-10 data for 30 of these [1]. Algorithms with both positive predictive value and sensitivity ≥70% were graded as “high validity”; those with positive predictive value ≥70% and sensitivity <70% were graded as “moderate validity”. Of the 40 morbidities, we identified 30 that could be identified with high to moderate validity. We then applied the algorithms to a large cohort of Alberta residents to show proof of concept. In our opinion, using a standard set of algorithms could facilitate the study and surveillance of multimorbidity across jurisdictions. We encourage other groups to consider using this scheme in their studies. 1. Marcello Tonelli et al. Methods for identifying 30 chronic conditions: application to administrative data. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. 2015;15:31.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1767
__label__wiki	0.713497	0.713497	Time difference between Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA and Mogadishu, Somalia Fayetteville is 7 hours behind Mogadishu. Time in Fayetteville Time in Mogadishu Fayetteville time zone: UTC-04:00 or EDT 06:03 PM Mogadishu time zone: UTC+03:00 or EAT Find out the distance between Fayetteville and Mogadishu Find out the time difference between Fayetteville and other cities Find out the time difference between Mogadishu and other cities Fayetteville, USA: basic facts and figures Fayetteville coordinates: 35°03′09″ N, 78°52′42″ W See the map of Fayetteville Wikipedia article: Fayetteville Find out the distance between Fayetteville and other cities Find out the distance between Fayetteville and the North Pole, the South Pole, the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn, the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic Circle Mogadishu, Somalia: basic facts and figures Country: Somalia Mogadishu coordinates: 2°02′13″ N, 45°20′37″ E Population: 2,587,183 See the map of Mogadishu Wikipedia article: Mogadishu Find out the distance between Mogadishu and other cities Find out the distance between Mogadishu and the North Pole, the South Pole, the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn, the Arctic Circle, the Antarctic Circle	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1769
__label__wiki	0.705619	0.705619	David Clisby + Associates Learning By Performing David Clisby + Associates ‘Learning By Performing’ Our classes and workshops evolved initially from the training regimes and methods of Triad Stage Alliance, a theatre company which held workshops wherever we performed our shows. Triad began in outback and regional Australia and then moved to Europe in 1978. Although dozens of people in one way or another contributed to the evolution of the workshops, I would like to acknowledge particularly director John Strehlow of Triad Stage Alliance with whom I spent the first 10 years of this journey, Madame Zora Semborova (formerly Professor of Dance at the Prague Conservatoire and Prokofiev’s first Juliet) for introducing me to the principles of movement and acting, and Michael McCallion (formerly a voice teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London), for passing on his knowledge of the voice and his expertise in the language of Shakespeare. David Clisby + Associates Proudly powered by WordPress	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1770
__label__cc	0.511205	0.488795	DMB Tickets On Sale Now! Dave Matthews Band is back with a new album and a new tour! The new set "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King" will surely be a hit in 2012. See for yourself & allow us to assist you in finding the perfect tickets to your next Dave Matthews Band concert. You can order your tickets through our safe and secure server. Remember, your tickets are always guaranteed when you order your tickets at DMBTix.com! Upcoming Dave Matthews Band Concerts Event Name Date [faultstring] => Server was unable to process request. ---> Authorization error: IP 204.197.246.14 (websiteConfigID=3820) is not authorized to use this service. (reference:GetEvents-BPW-XMLWEB-03A-71fc9) View More Dave Matthews Band Concerts About the Dave Matthews Band 2012 Tour The three-month-plus outing kicks off May 28 and 29 in Hartford, CT, and will hit 40 cities in all before wrapping Sept. 15 in St. Paul, MN. Highlights include two July nights (7/16 and 7/17) at Citi Field in New York City, and an Aug. 23 appearance at Los Angeles' historic Hollywood Bowl. A variety of opening acts will join the tour at various stages, including Gov't Mule, Ben Harper, Brett Dennen, The Felice Brothers and others. The band will be joined on tour and in the studio by longtime guitarist Tim Reynolds, trumpeter Rashawn Ross and saxophonist Jeff Coffin, who has been filling in since the death of original member LeRoi Moore in August. "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King," which surfaced last summer, marks the band's first studio set since the death of saxophonist LeRoi Moore last summer. Guitarist Tim Reynolds returned to the studio with the band for the record--his first recording with DMB since 1998's "Before These Crowded Streets." The set debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 in early June, moving about 424,000 copies during its first week on store shelves to make the album the band's fifth consecutive studio set to open with first week sales of at least 400,000 copies. View The Dave Matthews Band Concert Schedule We are committed to being your continued source for tickets to Dave Matthews Band concerts. You can feel safe & secure each time you make your purchase with us. As always, your purchase gives you the confidence & surety of our full guarantee. View Our 100% Guarantee We are not affiliated with Dave Matthews Band, Ticketmaster®, or any teams, concert, or venue. We are an intermediary between buyers an ticket brokers for the purchase of hard to find event tickets. Ticket prices on our site may be higher than face value.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1775
__label__cc	0.561606	0.438394	Dorrigo Nursery PH Home office/ Nursery: 02 6657 1458 Mob:0428 575 223 Site Assessment for Remnant Vegetation Why assess the site? How to do site assessment? Site assessment is the first step in the management of remnant vegetation. This page outlines the main factors to take into consideration when doing a site assessment. In order to manage a patch of remnant vegetation we need to know what it is we are managing.A site assessment forms the basis of a plan of action.It is also a useful reference for monitoring the effects of management actions. Site assessment is basically the recording of information about a site in an ordered and logical format. The main areas to take into account are: Size and shape Connection to other remnants Aspect and topography Vegetation type Habitat potential Management issues such as weeds and feral animals Estimate the size of the remnant. A small remnant may have some disadvantages over a larger remnant in regards to its long-term viability, although a small remnant may be easier to manage from the point of view of weed control. The shape of a site is also important. If there is a high ratio of edges compared to internal area then more time will be spent on boundary issues such as maintaining fences and keeping weeds out. A remnant that is linked to, or near, another area of native vegetation stands more chance of survival and enhancement than an isolated patch of vegetation in a paddock. Planting corridors to link up remnants, is often a crucial part of native vegetation management, as these provide cover for the movement of native animals and seed material. Record the aspect and the slope of the land. Aspect and topography need to be taken into account when deciding on ways to manage an area.Also record exposure to frost and wind. The history of the site, such as previous logging, clearing and bushfires will help to explain some of the present conditions of the vegetation. The type of soil, including parent material, texture, colour and drainage, is useful in understanding the possible limiting factors or future potential of the site. This is the most important part of the site assessment and should be as detailed as possible.Canopy cover should be noted as a percentage of total area, along with the condition and the height of the upper canopy.The condition and diversity of the understorey including the presence or absence of weeds species should also be recorded. Regeneration of native seedlings in the understorey is another area to note. The community type , and overall diversity of the site is then worked out. Individual species of both plants and weeds can be written down on site and specimens taken of those species that cannot be identified immediately. Signs of birds and animals present can be noted as well as the potential of the area for habitat. Presence or absence of dead trees, hollows and logs on the ground are important aspects of habitat provision. The extent and type of weeds present will dictate the actions that can be taken in protecting a remnant vegetation site.Simply fencing off a remnant from grazing animals may be sufficient for some sites, however those areas wich have a high percentage of exotic species will need weed control measures as well. Other issues to take into account include threats from feral animals, or from nearby development and pollution sources. Where from here? The next step is to draw up a map of the site, showing the different components of the site, including the main weed areas. The site asssessment, map and species list form the basis for constructing a vegetation management plan, which defines the objectives and actions for managing the site. Written by Kathryn WOOD Seed Collection Establishing Farm Forestry Plantations Design and Establishment of Shelterbelts The One Hectare Alternative ©Copyright 2003 to date. Web Design: Éric HISSELLI	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1779
__label__wiki	0.984735	0.984735	QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (TSX.V: QMC) (OTC: QMCQF) (FSE: 3LQ) Preparing for Increase in Global Lithium Demand The electric vehicle market continues to grow faster than originally anticipated Roughly 57 percent of passenger vehicle sales and 56 percent of light commercial vehicle sales are expected to be electric by 2040 These market conditions create excellent opportunities for QMC Quantum Minerals, which is strategically positioned for lithium production The global demand for lithium will continue growing at a rapid pace, increasing to one million tons per year by 2025 from the current 325,000 tons, according to a recent BloombergNEF report (http://nnw.fm/o1Fya). The autonomous electric vehicles market is, of course, one of the primary drivers of growth. According to BloombergNEF’s report titled ‘Electric Vehicle Outlook 2019’, over two million electric vehicles were sold in the world in 2018, marking a massive increase from the few thousand cars sold eight years prior. The analysis suggests that, by 2040, 57 percent of all… NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to QMCQF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://nnw.fm/QMCQF NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge. To receive instant SMS alerts, text STOCKS to 77948 For more information please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer More News From E-rumor Mill PHILADELPHIA — Lawyers for Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill will ask an appeals court Tuesday to overturn a 2008 drug and gun conviction that's kept the Philadelphia rapper on probation for a decade. They say the city judge who oversees the case and sent him to prison in 2017 on a parole violation has a grudge against the performer. And city prosecutors agree. They've filed a motion supporting his bid to toss the conviction and be retried under a new judge. The 32-year-old, born Robert Rihmeek Williams, has become a voice for criminal justice reform. He spent four months in prison... The Latest: No equipment immediately goes up mountain MAUNA KEA, Hawaii — The Latest on the start of work to build a massive telescope on a site considered sacred by some Native Hawaiians (all times local): 3:45 p.m. A Thirty Meter Telescope spokesman says crews won't immediately be taking equipment up to the project site near the summit of Hawaii's tallest mountain. Hundreds of people had gathered at the base of Mauna Kea to protest the telescope Monday, when officials planned to close the road to the summit so that in the coming days they could begin bringing equipment to the construction site. Eight protesters removed themselves from... NEW YORK — Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Presley biopic has found its King. After a competitive casting contest, 27-year-old actor Austin Butler has been cast as Presley. Ansel Elgort, Harry Styles and Miles Teller all reportedly tested for the role ultimately won by Butler, who last year appeared in the Denzel Washington Broadway revival of "The Iceman Cometh." Luhrmann says in a statement that through "a journey of extensive screen testing and music and performance workshops, I knew unequivocally that I had found someone who could embody the spirit of one of the world's most iconic musical figures." Production is to... NEW YORK — Elizabeth Gabler, whose Fox 2000 produced acclaimed literary adaptations like "Life of Pi" and "Hidden Figures" before being axed in the aftermath of the Walt Disney Co. acquisition, has found a new home at Sony Pictures. Sony on Monday announced a new production deal with the former Fox 2000 president and her entire Fox 2000 team. Gabler will develop and make movies for the studio in the new multiyear partnership. HarperCollins is also part of the partnership. Gabler will be able to pull from the publisher's catalog for movie projects. Fox 2000 had been expected to be... The Latest: Avenatti says he represents 3 R. Kelly victims CHICAGO — The Latest on the charges against singer R. Kelly (all times local): 1:15 p.m. Attorney Michael Avenatti says that he now represents three victims of singer R. Kelly, three whisleblowers who have information about the case and three parents of victims. Speaking at a press conference in Chicago Monday, Avenatti says that at least one of the whistleblowers made copies of the tapes that Avenatti ultimately turned over to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx . The celebrity lawyer also says that Kelly paid a 14-year-old girl he had sex with and her family $2 million to buy...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1780
__label__wiki	0.738589	0.738589	Golden Boy Live returns to Boston on Fox Sports 1 Gabriel J Gonzalez @GabeJGonzalez Sat, Sep 27 2014 Framingham, Massachusetts' Danny "Bhoy" O'Connor and Virginia's Andrew Farmer will battle it out in the special "Monster Brawl" on Thursday, Oct. 30. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes' Golden Boy Live! series will be held at Plymouth, Massachusetts' Plymouth Memorial Hall, headlining another stellar night of world-class boxing action. The bout, which was originally scheduled for St. Patrick's Day, but was postponed due to an injury sustained by O'Connor, is a Halloween treat for Boston area boxing fans. In the co-main event, lightweight contender Sharif "The Lion" Bogere travels to the East Coast from Las Vegas to face Binan City, Laguna, Philippines' Aaron Melgarejo in a 10-round matchup. In the four-round televised opener, Dublin middleweight standout Jason Quigley makes his Boston area debut against Miami's Serge Cadeus. Also televised will be local sensation Mark "The Italian Bazooka" DeLuca as he competes in a six-round middleweight swing bout on Oct. 30 against an opponent to be determined. As a special tie-in with the "Monster Brawl" theme, there will be a costume contest held for those dawning the evening's best Halloween costumes. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed fans. "The greater Boston area is proving to be one of our favorite stops as we bring Golden Boy Live! around the country and the fans here are loud, energetic, and diehard - everything we want to see and hear when we come to town," said Oscar De La Hoya, president and founder of Golden Boy Promotions. "O'Connor vs. Farmer was a main event everyone wanted to see when it was first scheduled in March and we made every effort to make sure the fans get what they want. This will be a good one."	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1785
__label__cc	0.684227	0.315773	2010. Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade 2020. Use of Manipulative, Deceptive or Other Fraudulent Devices 2030. Engaging in Distribution and Solicitation Activities with Government Entities 2040. Payments to Unregistered Persons 2060. Use of Information Obtained in Fiduciary Capacity 2070. Transactions Involving FINRA Employees 2080. Obtaining an Order of Expungement of Customer Dispute Information from the Central Registration Depository (CRD) System 2090. Know Your Customer 2100. TRANSACTIONS WITH CUSTOMERS 2110. Recommendations 2120. Commissions, Mark Ups and Charges 2130. Approval Procedures for Day-Trading Accounts 2140. Interfering With the Transfer of Customer Accounts in the Context of Employment Disputes 2150. Improper Use of Customers' Securities or Funds; Prohibition Against Guarantees and Sharing in Accounts 2165. Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults 2200. COMMUNICATIONS AND DISCLOSURES 2300. SPECIAL PRODUCTS Location: FINRA Manual > FINRA Rules > 2000. DUTIES AND CONFLICTS > 2100. TRANSACTIONS WITH CUSTOMERS > 2165. Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults (a) Definitions (1) For purposes of this Rule, the term “Specified Adult” shall mean: (A) a natural person age 65 and older; or (B) a natural person age 18 and older who the member reasonably believes has a mental or physical impairment that renders the individual unable to protect his or her own interests. (2) For purposes of this Rule, the term “Account” shall mean any account of a member for which a Specified Adult has the authority to transact business. (3) For purposes of this Rule, the term “Trusted Contact Person” shall mean the person who may be contacted about the Specified Adult's Account in accordance with Rule 4512. (4) For purposes of this Rule, the term “financial exploitation” means: (A) the wrongful or unauthorized taking, withholding, appropriation, or use of a Specified Adult's funds or securities; or (B) any act or omission by a person, including through the use of a power of attorney, guardianship, or any other authority regarding a Specified Adult, to: (i) obtain control, through deception, intimidation or undue influence, over the Specified Adult's money, assets or property; or (ii) convert the Specified Adult's money, assets or property. (b) Temporary Hold on Disbursements (1) A member may place a temporary hold on a disbursement of funds or securities from the Account of a Specified Adult if: (A) The member reasonably believes that financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted; and (B) The member, not later than two business days after the date that the member first placed the temporary hold on the disbursement of funds or securities, provides notification orally or in writing, which may be electronic, of the temporary hold and the reason for the temporary hold to: (i) all parties authorized to transact business on the Account, unless a party is unavailable or the member reasonably believes that the party has engaged, is engaged, or will engage in the financial exploitation of the Specified Adult; and (ii) the Trusted Contact Person(s), unless the Trusted Contact Person is unavailable or the member reasonably believes that the Trusted Contact Person(s) has engaged, is engaged, or will engage in the financial exploitation of the Specified Adult; and (C) The member immediately initiates an internal review of the facts and circumstances that caused the member to reasonably believe that the financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted. (2) The temporary hold authorized by this Rule will expire not later than 15 business days after the date that the member first placed the temporary hold on the disbursement of funds or securities, unless otherwise terminated or extended by a state regulator or agency of competent jurisdiction or a court of competent jurisdiction, or extended pursuant to paragraph (b)(3) of this Rule. (3) Provided that the member's internal review of the facts and circumstances under paragraph (b)(1)(C) of this Rule supports the member's reasonable belief that the financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted, the temporary hold authorized by this Rule may be extended by the member for no longer than 10 business days following the date authorized by paragraph (b)(2) of this Rule, unless otherwise terminated or extended by a state regulator or agency of competent jurisdiction or a court of competent jurisdiction. (c) Supervision (1) In addition to the general supervisory and recordkeeping requirements of Rules 3110, 3120, 3130, 3150, and Rule 4510 Series, a member relying on this Rule shall establish and maintain written supervisory procedures reasonably designed to achieve compliance with this Rule, including, but not limited to, procedures related to the identification, escalation and reporting of matters related to the financial exploitation of Specified Adults. (2) A member's written supervisory procedures also shall identify the title of each person authorized to place, terminate or extend a temporary hold on behalf of the member pursuant to this Rule. Any such person shall be an associated person of the member who serves in a supervisory, compliance or legal capacity for the member. (d) Record Retention Members shall retain records related to compliance with this Rule, which shall be readily available to FINRA, upon request. The retained records shall include records of: (1) request(s) for disbursement that may constitute financial exploitation of a Specified Adult and the resulting temporary hold; (2) the finding of a reasonable belief that financial exploitation has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted underlying the decision to place a temporary hold on a disbursement; (3) the name and title of the associated person that authorized the temporary hold on a disbursement; (4) notification(s) to the relevant parties pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(B) of this Rule; and (5) the internal review of the facts and circumstances pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(C) of this Rule. • • • Supplementary Material: -------------- .01 Applicability of Rule. This Rule provides members and their associated persons with a safe harbor from FINRA Rules 2010, 2150 and 11870 when members exercise discretion in placing temporary holds on disbursements of funds or securities from the Accounts of Specified Adults consistent with the requirements of this Rule. This Rule does not require members to place temporary holds on disbursements of funds or securities from the Accounts of Specified Adults. .02 Training. A member relying on this Rule must develop and document training policies or programs reasonably designed to ensure that associated persons comply with the requirements of this Rule. .03 Reasonable Belief of Mental or Physical Impairment. A member's reasonable belief that a natural person age 18 and older has a mental or physical impairment that renders the individual unable to protect his or her own interests may be based on the facts and circumstances observed in the member's business relationship with the natural person. Adopted by SR-FINRA-2016-039 eff. Feb. 5, 2018. Selected Notice: 17-11.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1787
__label__wiki	0.5749	0.5749	Entry of Confirmation Order March 27, 2015 Plan Effective Date April 30, 2015 Noteholder Certification Deadline April 29, 2016 Final Claims Objection Deadline March 27, 2019 The Effective Date of the Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization of Exide Technologies (the "Plan") occurred on April 30, 2015. If you were a holder of 8.625% Senior Secured Notes as of April 10, 2015, the deadline to certify as an “Eligible Holder” in Class A1 or not an “Eligible Holder” in Class A2 to receive your distribution under the Plan was April 29, 2016. As previously disclosed, on March 27, 2015, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court") entered the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order Confirming Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization of Exide Technologies (Docket No. 3423), confirming the Plan. Formerly traded under the ticker symbol OTCQB: XIDEQ, Exide has emerged from Chapter 11 as a privately held Company, substantially in its current form – operating across all Industrial Energy and Transportation business segments globally. Exide emerges with a stronger balance sheet and a focused strategy. In particular, under the Plan, Exide has emerged from Chapter 11 with reduced debt obligations, a reorganized capital structure, and resources to allow for further investments in its global businesses. The Company has reduced its debt by approximately $600 million; received approximately $165 million through its rights offering; and closed on its $200 million exit financing arranged by Bank of America, N.A., PNC Capital Markets, LLC, and BMO Capital Markets Corp. to fund its working capital needs. On the Effective Date and pursuant to the Plan, Exide began making distributions to Holders of Allowed DIP Facility Claims and Holders of Allowed Senior Notes Claims. Pursuant to the Plan, the Exide existing common stock has been cancelled. Common stockholders will receive no distribution and will not retain any property under Exide’s Plan. Case Docket Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement Contract/Lease Information Claims Register/ Creditor Search Master Service List Bar Date Information/ Proof of Claim Form/ Administrative Proof of Claim Form Schedules of Assets and Liabilities & Statement of Financial Affairs Privacy Notice \| © 2019 GCG All Rights Reserved	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1791
__label__wiki	0.987629	0.987629	Justice C. G. Weeramantry dead Sri Lankabhimanya Justice C. G. Weeramantry, former Judge of the Supreme Court and International Court of Justice passed away yesterday at the age of 90, the Bar Association announced. Born on November 17, 1926, Weeramantry served as a Judge of the Supreme Court from 1967 to 1972. He was a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) from 1991 to 2000 and served as its Vice-President from 1997 to 2000. He also was an Emeritus Professor at Monash University and was President of the International Association of Lawyers against Nuclear Arms. A former Lecturer and Examiner at the Colombo Law College, he was a Member of the Council of Legal Education in Ceylon. Weeramantry also served as a visiting Professor at Harvard University (2000), University of Hong Kong (1989), University of Florida (1984), University of Colombo (1981), University of Papua New Guinea (1981), University of Stellenbosch (1979) and University of Tokyo (1978).	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1795
__label__cc	0.65168	0.34832	LUKE ANTONY BOOK TV TALENT SHOW CONTESTANTS & FINALISTS Luke Antony is one of Australia’s favourite contestants from the Voice 2018. Based in Sydney NSW. Now available for Corporate and Special Events. Australia has seen many artists over the years make their professional debut on various TV talent shows, including Australia’s Got Talent, The X factor, So You Think You Can Dance and The Voice. These artists go onto recording careers and corporate engagements for the private sector. Here at The Entertainment Bureau, we can source any of these artists and help give your next event that extra bit of WOW factor. Whether it be a solo performance or a full band engagement, we can help connect you with the celebrity artist of your choice. Call today for an obligation free quote. LUKE ANTONY BIO Luke Antony is one of Australia’s most talented Singer songwriters. Based in Sydney, Australia. Having performed on an international stage and in front of thousands, Luke Antony has built his career on his unbeatable vocal skills and charismatic stage presence. From a small town in North Queensland, few would have predicted Luke would be writing his first album and performing over 130 gigs every year. Luke Antony has a loyal following and a rapidly increasingly online fan base, having performed a number of large-scale events across Australia, New Zealand and LA. His YouTube cover of Casting Crowns’ Glorious Day reached 50,000 views in its first week, and was described by popular US site GodVine as “beyond touching”. Luke has teamed up with brother-sister duo ‘The White Light Orchestra’, co-writing and featuring on their single ‘Fools Gold’ which is out September 24. Fool’s Gold is available for pre-order on iTunes. Luke Antony has also performed alongside ARIA award-winning and nominated acts including Christine Anu, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Casey Donovan. Having released music internationally, Luke has been compared to the vocal styling’s of Sam Smith and Guy Sebastian, Luke Antony is a must for any corporate or special event. If you’re after a performer that will get a crowd of people on their feet while leaving the awe-inspired by Luke’s soulful tone and command over melody, you will definitely not be disappointed. Fronting a full band as well as performing regularly in a duo or trio format, Luke Antony performs music from the classics to soul/funk and top 40 hits. As well as his upcoming single “Fools Gold ” expect to hear tunes from international artists John Legend, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Robin Thicke, Maroon 5, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross. Luke Antony can also be seen performing with some of Sydney’s most popular event bands: Hit Machine Tall POP Syndrome Band/Artist/Act:Luke Antony Info:Luke Antony is one of Australia's favourite contestants from the Voice 2018.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1796
__label__cc	0.653928	0.346072	Development of an App to Support Service Users Understanding of Cognitive Changes After Stroke Grant, Terri, Skinner, D., Haines, N. and Walker, C. (2018) Development of an App to Support Service Users Understanding of Cognitive Changes After Stroke. In: 13th UK Stroke Forum Conference, 4th - 6th December 2018, Telford. (Unpublished) Community Stroke Services recognised that, in common with many other services around the country, they spent a lot of time educating clients and their families about the cognitive challenges they were facing. Methods:Existing information sheets were limited in that they presented too much information at once and therapists could not grade the information given. Re-writing them would result in an abundance of paper which could lead to greater confusion. In an attempt to make the information as accessible and customisable as possible, the team set about developing an app designed to give service users the information they needed, presented in a way that was cognitively appropriate.Results:The team developed the content and layout and then handed over the process to an app designer commissioned by the Trust. The designers were able to work the content into a recognisable app and worked collaboratively with the authors to ensure that the finished app continued to meet the brief.Conclusion:The final app is due for imminent release having been reviewed by service users, clinicians and the communications team. It is thought to be the first app of its kind, aimed at the education of service users and carers, and will be available on both iOS and Android platforms. Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) The full-text of the conference presentation cannot be supplied. The abstract for the presentation has been published in the International Journal of Stroke 13 (3), Supplement page 41 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1747493018801108 Community Stroke Services, education, service users, cognitive challenges, apps R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry Academic Departments > Institute of Health and Society https://www.stroke.org.uk/ https://www.stroke.org.uk/professionals/... Terri Grant	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1798
__label__cc	0.63978	0.36022	The Tohoku "Kizuna" (unity) Festival 2019 closed its two-day run in the city of Fukushima on June 2, successfully bringing together six festivals from around Japan's northeastern Tohoku region. On the final day, some 147,000 people visited the event, taking the total number of visitors to about 308,000, according to organizers. The two-day turnout was more than the 300,000 anticipated by the executive committee. At the event's closing ceremony, Fukushima Mayor Hiroshi Kohata, chairman of the committee, announced that next year's festival will be held in the city of Yamagata on May 30-31. As its main event, a parade was led off by performers of the "Fukushima Waraji (straw sandal) Festival" from the host city, as was done the previous day, followed by those from the "Yamagata Hanagasa (flower hat) Festival," the "Morioka Sansa Odori (dance) Festival," the "Sendai Tanabata (star) Festival" and the "Aomori Nebuta (paper lantern float) Festival." They walked a loop of some 1.1 kilometers mainly on Route 4, while performers of the "Akita Kanto (pole of lanterns) Festival" pulled off stunning performances in several places along the course, hoisting a total of 16 long bamboo poles with paper lanterns attached. Festival performers acted with all their heart in a show of gratitude toward support for reconstruction from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and ensuing tsunami that devastated the Pacific coastal region of Tohoku. Highlighting the parade's finale on their way back, all of the approximately 1,200 participants performed in unison to the Aomori Nebuta Festival music. They waved to and shook hands with roadside spectators, smiling and sharing their joy and enthusiasm with the crowd. In addition to the parade, a main venue and four subsidiary venues were set up to allow participants to promote products and tourist attractions within various parts of Fukushima and five other prefectures in the Tohoku region. The Tohoku Kizuna Festival is organized annually by an executive committee. It is a follow-up event to the "Tohoku Rokkon (six spirits) Festival" launched in July 2011 on the theme of recovery from the quake and subsequent nuclear accident at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Daiichi plant and the repose of victims' souls. The kizuna event was first held in 2017 in Sendai city, Miyagi Prefecture, followed by one in 2018 in Morioka city, Iwate Prefecture. 【Photo】 Performers of six Tohoku festivals dance together in the finale of a Tohoku Kizuna Festival parade on Route 4 in the city of Fukushima on the afternoon of June 2, bringing together spirits of Tohoku’s six prefectures.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1809
__label__wiki	0.819488	0.819488	Little flower of the north Howie Firth July 14, 2016 Countryside You’ll know it when you see it, with its delicate mauve petals and yellow centre, its short stalk rising from the little rosette of green leaves. It’s a little distance back from the sea-cliffs, tucked down in the transition zone between maritime heath and the grassy sward with sea pinks that lies behind. It occurs in patches on a few coastal sites in Orkney, Caithness and Sutherland – and nowhere else in the world. Commoner plants have household names, but this is usually called by its Latin one – Primula scotica. That’s sometimes translated as ‘Scottish primrose’, but it doesn’t look very much like a primrose (Primula vulgaris). True, both plants are Primulas; but so are at least 500 other species. And it’s when we look for its nearest relatives that we get our first surprise. One similar-looking plant is found in parts of the north of England, in hill pastures and on coastal cliff-tops, and also in a very few places in south-east Scotland. It’s called Primula farinosa. A second similar-looking plant is found in two regions of Norway and adjacent parts of Sweden and called Primula scandinavica. Despite the outward similarity, the three Primula plants have deeper differences within – in the cell nucleus. P. farinosa has 9 pairs of chromosomes. That pairing-up is similar to humans, where we each have 23 pairs of chromosomes, one set from each parent. But P. scotica has six copies of each chromosome (to give a total of 54 in all); and P. scandinavica has no less than eight (making a total of 72). So within the cell nucleus, the three species are very different, so much so that repeated attempts to cross P. scotica with P. scandinavica have had no success. How to interpret such differences of plants looking outwardly so similar? The similarities suggest they have come from a common ancestor. The differences suggest they’ve gradually altered, possibly in response to local conditions. The extent of the differences suggests that the changes have taken a long time, so that P. scotica is an ancient plant. And this is where Miss Chandler comes in. A seed from the Ice Age Almost a century ago, Miss M.E.J. Chandler was studying deposits from the Barnwell Pit near Cambridge. It was an old gravel pit, the gravel coming from an ancient course of the River Cam. Amongst the material were remains of animals from the last Ice Age – reindeer, mammoth, woolly rhino, horse. These deposits would have formed at a time when the area was cold – but liveable. There were ice sheets not so far away on the North Norfolk coast; but the Cambridge area wasn’t buried in ice. It was more like the tundra of the High Arctic of today – bitterly cold, with conditions at extremes; but with life still possible for the vegetation and animals that had adapted. Amongst the material from the Barnwell Pit were many well-preserved plants of arctic type. In a peat layer, Miss Chandler found a seed which she identified as – Primula scotica. She mentioned it in her paper, ‘The Arctic Flora of the Cam Valley’, published in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London in 1921. Now it was a very little seed and it was somewhere completely unexpected, many hundreds of miles away from the scattered sites of P. scotica today. But there are several good reasons why we can have every confidence in Miss Chandler’s identification. Lost world beneath the waves Marjorie Chandler was in her early 20s, but already well into a career in palaeobotany that would see her become internationally known for her work on ancient seeds and fruits. She had won a scholarship to Newnham College, Cambridge, and obtained first class honours in the natural sciences in 1919. At Cambridge she had been inspired by some brilliant lecturers, and one of them, the geologist J. E. Marr, recommended her in 1920 for an unusual research post – one based in an attic of a house. The attic was in a Hampshire village on the shore of the Solent. The house belonged to Eleanor Mary Reid, who had graduated as a physicist and taught physics and maths at Cheltenham Ladies College. But when she met Clement Reid, her life took a new turn. Clement Reid was a remarkable man, through family circumstances largely self-taught; but he had gone on to become one of the finest geologists of his day. His working life was with the Geological Survey of Great Britain, for whom he drew up geological maps in various parts of the UK. He carried out research into ancient plants and animals and reconstructed past landscapes. In 1913, in his book Submerged Forests, he proposed a radically new picture of the North Sea in Ice Age times – a picture of it as a lost world, a drowned land bridge between England and Europe. The picture has been confirmed over the century since he died. At the peak of the last Ice Age, so much water was locked up in the mass of ice covering northern Britain and Europe that sea level was 100 metres less than today – and the present-day North Sea was dry. An undersea feature such as the Dogger Bank would in those far times have been higher ground on a great plain of grassland and trees. As the ice melted and the sea rose, the Dogger feature would have become first an island, and then the submerged sandbank of today. The whole of the lost world, vanished under the waves, has now been given the name of ‘Doggerland’. Clement Reid, a century ago, put forward the Doggerland hypothesis and built up a map of it which has turned out to be remarkably close to what has been established today. A lifelong collaboration In 1897 – the year Marjorie Chandler was born – Clement Reid married Eleanor Mary Wynne Edwards, and together they published scientific papers and books. She was particularly interested in the fossilised remains of plants, and how remnants of seeds could identify the original plant. When her husband died in 1916, she carried on working in the attic of their home in Milford-on-Sea – and it was here that Marjorie Chandler came in 1920, to begin a collaboration that would become lifelong. For their work on prehistoric plants, they used the British Museum’s collection. Their first book looked in particular at the Isle of Wight. Their second book, published in 1933, studied the fossilised plants of the London clay, showing that the area of London had once been tropical forest. The work was mainly funded by Eleanor Reid herself, from her own private income; Marjorie Chandler also received a small annual grant from the British Museum. There was little to spare for luxuries, and their attic laboratory was icy cold in winter and very warm in summer; but nothing got in the way of the research. Marjorie Chandler identified plants from their seeds and fruits, and the changes in vegetation over time gave new insights into the evolution of plants as well as landscape changes. Eleanor Reid built up pictures of the changing climates of the past. She also devised many new techniques for extracting plant samples from peat and other material. From 1933, it was Marjorie Chandler who was the lead partner in the collaboration. Eleanor Reid continued to work, while gradually taking more time for other activitie, helping the local church and school and reading travel books. She was still cycling into her eighties, and when her health began to decline Marjorie Chandler became her nurse. By now Miss Chandler had developed an international reputation. She herself died in 1983. So when we read of a single seed in the Barnwell Pit in Cambridge, a little seed found in a layer of peat, part of a mass of material from the last Ice Age, we know that the identification of this seed as Primula scotica was a precise one, made by someone with the eyes of a hawk. And on top of that, Marjorie Chandler also had access to seeds of Primula scotica of today, collected by Clement Reid on a visit to Caithness. Further confirmation It’s still a big burden for one little seed to carry, but further confirmation came in the 1950s from Dr H. F. Dovaston of the West of Scotland Agricultural College at Auchencruive. Born in 1916, the same year that Clement Reid had died, he had a wide-ranging interest in plants, from the genetics of tomatoes to rock garden alpines. He was particularly interested in P. scotica and the seed from the Barnwell Pit; and he was able to access it at the Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge. He noted first that it was definitely not Primula farinosa, the north of England Primula, which produced bigger seeds. But the scotica-scandinavica seed differences are much more marginal. So he sought samples of the seeds of both. Colleagues in Bergen and Trondheim sent him seeds of P. scandinavica collected in the wild. He was also able to get some plants from Norway and grow them in Scotland to produce seeds. Many samples of P. scotica seed were collected for him in the north of Scotland and Orkney. It was challenging work. The differences between the two types of seed were down to “small distinctions of size, ratio of length to breadth, angulation and surface texture which are difficult to put in terms of a formal description”. But in the end, after much painstaking work, his conclusion was firm and clear. There could be “little doubt” that the fossil seed was indeed from P. scotica and not P. scandinavica. He recognised that the Primula distribution opened up a huge challenge for botanists and geologists. How can it be that the nearest modern relatives of the little Primula scotica plants in their isolated Scottish sites are across in Norway? And how can the little northern plant of today have once flourished in the Cam Valley? A relict species If we’d never heard of Ice Ages, it might have been simpler. We’d look at the map showing three different types of Primula in three different parts of Europe. We’d probably conclude they’re three survivors of a once widespread plant which has diminished over time, with three separate species gradually forming as adaptations to local conditions. If further we found evidence of the plant being also in the Cam Valley 20,000 years ago, we would reckon that the separation into the different species must have happened a long time in the past. We would form a picture of the various Primula plants – among them the Primula scotica in Orkney and Caithness – being a relict species whose origins go back for tens of thousands of years. But now we must take into account the Ice Age, the period when the whole northern hemisphere was trapped in intense cold, with much of Scotland covered by a 2-kilometre-deep mass of ice. There were various periods of ice advance, each lasting many thousands of years. Around 14,000 years ago, the ice started to melt, and gradually vegetation came back. Exactly how it came back is not as clear as might appear. A picture has developed of vegetation somehow gradually creeping back, spreading slowly across the now exposed soil and debris left by the retreating ice, in a kind of slow colonisation with seeds of newly-established plants being blown ahead or carried by birds. But if that picture of post-ice colonisation was correct, then the Primula which gradually crept back northwards would have been P. farinosa; and it would have crept back along some kind of migration route, not simply have bypassed the bulk of mainland Scotland to settle in a very small and specific part of the north. The evidence of the distribution of the three types of Primula, together with Miss Chandler’s P. scotica seed from the Cam Valley, suggests that the plants are not the product of gradual colonisation after the ice, but rather remnants from an older time. Orkney in an age of ice But how could remnants from an older time have survived the ice? The geologists can help us. They have long pointed out that there is a big post-ice difference between mainland Scotland and Orkney. The land of Scotland is very slowly rising relative to the surrounding sea. The reason is that the earth’s continents are like rafts floating on a deeper sea, the earth’s mantle. The mantle is more or less solid – but over long periods of time it behaves like a very viscous fluid. So when ice builds up on land, it exerts a huge downward hydraulic pressure on the mantle beneath, which is slightly compressed. Then when the ice melts, the pressure on the mantle is relieved and the land above it – very slowly and over thousands of years – gradually rises. So the land of Scotland, once weighed down by a massive icecap, is now rising compared to the previously lightly-iced areas of surrounding sea. But strangely, Orkney is going the other way – slightly sinking in comparison. The logical explanation is that Orkney never had the great mass of ice that Scotland had. One of the geologists to the fore in coming to this conclusion was the late Donald Omand from Caithness, who carried out many field studies around the north and provided inspiration and encouragement to a generation of students and researchers. And as time has gone on, support for this picture has been gradually growing. A little flint from Shetland In 1982 David Long of the British Geological Survey was sampling material from the seabed off Shetland, and in a core from about eighty miles east of the island of Fetlar he found a tiny piece of dark grey flint. It was no bigger than a 10p coin; but it was clear it had been shaped by human hands, and archaeologist Caroline Wickham-Jones recognised it as a scraper. The flint comes from a depth of 143 metres of water, in the area of the Halibut Bank. It was found in sediments dated to around 11,000 years ago, at a time when the area was an island, and the scraper’s location is close to the shoreline – just where we would expect to find people, living from the sea. That stimulated geologists to rethink the evidence and seek further clues to how Orkney and parts of Caithness may have looked in the most recent Ice Age. Orkney’s slow sinking, as against Scotland’s slow rise, had suggested that Orkney had, unlike Scotland, not been buried under a mass of ice, but it clearly had been cold. Cold landscape For a time, there was a picture of tundra, with several glaciers running through it, one of them being where the Pentland Firth is today. But now an alternative picture has been developed by two geologists who have done much work in the north, Dr John Flett Brown from Orkney and Dr Adrian Hall who lives in Edinburgh. They agree that Ice Age Orkney lacked a big ice-cap but they don’t go as far as the tundra picture. Instead they see a complex and changing picture where there are ice-flows from both Scotland and Scandinavia and the various ice-streams collide and twist and turn. It’s a much more dynamic situation than a static ice cap sitting on top of the land for thousands of years, and has scope for pockets of material to be transported by glacial action rather than simply being flattened. If we look first at the possibility of tundra, could the little Primula scotica have survived in such a harsh and barren environment? In the Arctic tundra winter temperatures drop as far as minus 50 degrees C. The soil is often frozen, with permafrost not far below the surface. Summer temperatures can rise as high as 12 degrees, and that short growing season sees a burst of activity. Plants appear in rock crevices or surface hollows. They are small, growing close to the ground, huddled together in cushion-like mats. Such tundra conditions sound hard for the little P. scotica plants of today. A long-term study by Orkney Field Club has shown that the plants are long-lived, with some surviving for twenty-five years or more, but that the weather is a factor. After milder winters, more plants survive and flower. On the other hand, they do not do so well in years with more frequent gales and higher snowfall. Still, they have survived year after year on very exposed coastal land, tucked down snugly near the ground, while bitter wind, rain, sleet and snow blow over them. And we also have Miss Chandler’s P. scotica seed from the Barnwell Pit, in an Ice Age deposit from a tundra landscape in the Cam Valley. Survival in the permafrost So there is just a possibility that P. Scotica could have lived in a tundra landscape in northern Scotland; but the second scenario, survival in corners of a world in which glaciers collide and carry material, is more difficult to imagine. There is, however, an additional possibility which would apply to either of these geological situations. It was raised by ideas put forward by a retired forestry researcher, the late Mike Phillips in Moray. In his researches on the oaks of Darnaway, he suggested that they may not have emerged as a part of a gradual recolonisation spreading out after the melting of the ice, but rather as the emergence of seeds preserved frozen. His suggestion, when he first made it, may have seemed radical – but in the years that have gone by since, some incredible discoveries have been made that provide strong support. Botanists have been trying to germinate seeds found in permafrost – with remarkable results. Some years ago a Russian team discovered a cache of seeds of Silene stenophylla, a narrow-leaved campion native to Siberia, that had been buried by an Ice Age squirrel near the banks of the Kolyma River. The seeds, some mature and some immature, were unearthed from 38 metres down in the permafrost, and were entirely encased in ice. Radiocarbon dating showed they were 32,000 years old. Around them in the permafrost were layers that included mammoth, bison, and woolly rhinoceros bones. The mature seeds had been damaged, possibly by the squirrel itself. But some of the immature seeds retained viable plant material; and a team from the Institute of Cell Biophysics in the science city of Pushchino extracted that tissue from the frozen seeds, placed it in vials, and successfully germinated the plants – which grew, flowered, and, after a year, created seeds of their own. Waiting through an age of winter So seeds can survive, in the frozen depths of the permafrost, for tens of thousands of years and awaken when conditions change. So plants like Primula scotica could have slept like this through the long winter of an ice age and woken to new life in the eventual spring. This leaves many more questions than answers. I wish I had written down more details of Mike Phillips’s work when I had the opportunity and I wonder if anyone might have more information about it? I wish I had asked Donald Omand more about the geological picture that he built up about Ice-Age Orkney and Caithness. I wish that I had asked more about Primula scotica from one of the great botanists of the north, the late Dr Elaine Bullard of Orkney Field Club, and to ask her more about Dr Dovaston and his work. But still – if one little seed from one ancient deposit has opened the way to fresh thinking about the Ice Age and subsequent vegetation, what other seeds may be somewhere in the ground, preserved from ancient times and waiting for a researcher of today to study them and find a new clue? From Moray Field Club Bulletin 43, December 2015	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1814
__label__cc	0.571526	0.428474	Elizabeth Lee On February 15, 2014, football running back Ray Rice was arrested for hitting his fiancée unconscious in a casino elevator. Videos of the incident rose to the media and Rice eventually came under fire. Rice’s contract with the Baltimore Ravens was terminated and he became suspended from the NFL temporarily, only to be reinstated just recently. On June 21, 2014, soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo was arrested for assaulting her sister and nephew. Solo appeared to be intoxicated and her family members had visible injuries. Despite her actions, she is still allowed to be goalkeeper for the women’s national team. There is an obvious difference in consequences for both athletes. Rice, who happens to be male, was completely cut off from his team and suffered through an NFL investigation while Solo, a woman, is still allowed to play with no repercussion. Is there a double standard in the topic of domestic violence? Men are often held more accountable for their actions regarding the issue rather than women. According to Safe Horizon, one in four women will become the victim of domestic violence. It is taught in some households that a man should never hit a woman, but what about if the situation was reversed? It’s less common to see a woman hitting a man, but it does occur. Nearly 3,000,000 men have fallen victim to this same crime, according to Safe Horizon. However, a woman’s actions are sometimes seen as self-defense rather than abuse. “In our society, if a guy hits a woman they’re going to jail and if a woman hits a man it’s like, ‘Oh good job you defended yourself,’” said sophomore Tia Glover. However, others may see a woman’s actions to be parallel to a man’s actions when it comes to violence. “Same intent equals same consequence. I mean even though it’s a woman hitting a man, it’s still fighting…The same reason a man hits a woman is the same reason a woman hits a man. Just because she’s a woman doesn’t mean that she gets privileges,” stated sophomore Rogers Prewitt. The issue of men being naturally stronger also presents a conflict. Some argue that because of that trait, they could inflict more damage on the victim than a woman. “In a lot of cases I think that’s true because, I mean, it’s biology. Most of us are built smaller than boys…I don’t know if it should affect their consequence though because it’s the same intent. It’s still wrong to hurt someone,” said sophomore Emily Murrah. Family also plays a big part on how the abuser sees his or her actions. Depending on how one was raised, his or her view on domestic abuse within relationships or family in general can be affected. “If you live in a household where your dad beat your mom, it would be so normal that you wouldn’t even blink an eye. It could definitely add onto other issues like the Hope Solo thing. No one even batted an eye at what she did,” said sophomore Omeed Safdari. Seemingly, the root of the issue lies with resolving any conflict, especially with loved ones, with violence. “I do have friends like that who say, ‘Oh you know violence is not the answer, it’s not the right way to go about this or you should talk things out’ because that’s how their family taught it. I know other people who say that if they’re going to hit you then you should fight back because it’s your right to do so,” stated senior Sumain Hemani. While some conflicts are often resolved with physical actions, one question still remains when it comes to domestic violence. “Why would you do that to your family? Those are the people you love,” stated Prewitt.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1815
__label__cc	0.541948	0.458052	/ Let's talk about abortion Let's talk about abortion Sunbourn Proud crazy cat man ITT: We try to have an intelligent civilized discussion about abortion. I can't make up my mind on whether or not I am for or against. I am pro choice, which is why this is so difficult for me to decide. On one hand, it's the woman's body and she should have the right to do whatever she wants with it, but what about the baby? Doesn't the baby have the right to live? Let's also not forget that if she didn't want the baby she should have used a condom during sex. I do think she has every right to abort the baby is she was raped though. Who am I? Who are YOU? ©o℗yright Infringe® Re: Let's talk about abortion are the eggs in the womb alive too? I think so, they have to be rite? ...how does it feel to be...NOT alive...? TRIGGER WARNING: THIS TRIGGER WARNING CONTAINS TRIGGER WARNINGS! Dear Tumblrites: Despite your wrongly self-diagnosed PTSD, no line of scientific evidence suggests people can be triggered over the internet. Triggering works through the senses (i.e. smell, taste, touch, vision, hearing.) but it goes through real time; if you're not experiencing it in real life as it's ACTUALLY HAPPENING in your ACTUAL life, you CANNOT be triggered. The only exception to this is if you have a seizure, but then again, that's triggered by epilepsy (i.e. rapidly-changing flashing lights) NOT PTSD. Remembering a bad incident is NOT the same thing as having a flashback. When you remember, you think; when you flashback, you feel. #HashTagsAreForIdiots Max Stirnir Wrote: "In the time of spirits thoughts grew till they overtopped my head, whose offspring they yet were; they hovered about me and convulsed me like fever-phantasies -- an awful power. The thoughts had become corporeal on their own account, were ghosts, e. g. God, Emperor, Pope, Fatherland, etc. If I destroy their corporeity, then I take them back into mine, and say: "I alone am corporeal." And now I take the world as what it is to me, as mine, as my property; I refer all to myself." The Ego and Its Own, pg. 15 Charles Manson Wrote: “Look down at me and you see a fool; look up at me and you see a god; look straight at me and you see yourself” HeartofShadows Wrote: "Life is nothing more than a druggie trying to get their quick fix of happiness while dealing with the harsh withdrawal of reality" Osip Mandelstam Wrote: "I divide all of world literature into authorized and unauthorized works. The former are all trash; the latter--stolen air. I want to spit in the face of every writer who first obtains permission and then writes." The Fourth Prose, 1930. Lukas Foss Wrote: That is why the analogy of stealing does not work. With a thief, we want to know how much money he stole, and from whom. With the artist it is not how much he took and from whom, but what he did with it. PIRATE MEMBER Join the crew! Alright, it my opinion, the woman should have every right to do whatever she wants. Usually when a woman want's an abortion, it's usually because she doesn't want to raise a child in the first place, or doesn't have the necessary "tools" to raise a healthy child, as it's a pretty big undertaking. If the woman doesn't want a child, chances are she's not going to raise the kid right, and that's probably not going to work out well for the child. Now, if it's like abortion when your child comes out to be like mentally retarded, then I don't support abortion then. But if the kid is born with a type of severe condition that makes him/her a vegetable or something to that effect, then I do support it. What happens if she has a fatal disease that either she dies, or the baby dies? what then...? Jackass McAwesome Then it doesn't matter, does it? One less moron falling from some chick's/slob's slimehole. I'm not going to feel bad about it. I think all woman should have a right to abort the unborn thing, UNLESS the father wants to take care of it. At that stage in development, it's not much more than a parasite, yanno? IDK... random_name Although i thin abortion should be available to women if they want it, i dont think i could, in effect, kill a child. I would have problems with that. "A 'no' uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a 'yes' merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble." - Mahatma Gandhi "The irrationality of a thing is no argument against its existence, rather a condition of it." "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." -Ben Franklin "when I was a kid I used to pray for a bicycle. then I realized that god doesn't work that way. so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness." "I would rather die for something I believe in than live for anything else." "What is the task of higher education? To make a man into a machine. What are the means employed? He is taught how to suffer being bored." – F W Nietzsche poison - do not drink MM Wrote: Alright, it my opinion, the woman should have every right to do whatever she wants. Usually when a woman want's an abortion, it's usually because she doesn't want to raise a child in the first place, or doesn't have the necessary "tools" to raise a healthy child, as it's a pretty big undertaking. If the woman doesn't want a child, chances are she's not going to raise the kid right, and that's probably not going to work out well for the child. The woman doesn't need to keep the child afterward. Whether or not she wants him/her does not affect whether the abortion is right of wrong. Is it right to kill/"abort" someone who is a "vegetable"? Also how do you know that a cure for their condition won't be developed tomorrow, or since this is a person's live, how do you know a cure won't be developed in the next 70 years? The Nazis wanted people like that to be aborted, if you look you'd see that a good number of the pro-abortion arguments nowadays are copied nearly word for word from our good friends the "National Socialists." TrueAnarchist Wrote: What happens if she has a fatal disease that either she dies, or the baby dies? what then...? I think that's more of a historical situation, but I don't know much about medical stuff. It'd be a rare case; part of the "caesarean dilemma", nowadays doctors can normally they can do a caesarean section (c-section) and take the baby out. A long time ago when they said they'd have to chose between the mother and the baby, it usually meant that the baby would die if they didn't do a c-section, but if they did a c-section it would probably kill the mother because their medical knowledge wasn't as good back then. Doctors hardly had to do c-sections, vets were sometimes better at doing the operation than doctors because they got practice on cows. The dilemma can happen nowadays but obviously the mother is the 1st priority, if the mother does somehow die, they have the baby cut out right away. Doctors already have plans to deal with all these situations. Well, you're right the cure could be developed tomorrow, but if you were a parent of a child who was a "vegetable" (as in, basically dead, but still alive), would you want them to suffer? ...ok... MM Wrote: Well, you're right the cure could be developed tomorrow, but if you were a parent of a child who was a "vegetable" (as in, basically dead, but still alive), would you want them to suffer? All life has suffering, that doesn't mean it's right to end the life. How would you know that the suffering the parent wants to end isn't their own? Well, I guess if someone was a living vegetable, they don't really suffer as they probably don't really know what's going on. But if a person was to live like that, as they couldn't do anything. They couldn't think for themselves, they couldn't move, why would you continue? Milk2Go Liquid: Just a quick question: when someone has an abortion, do you think it's you that's going to be affected, or the mother? If you say the mother's going to be affected, then what she does to herself is none of your business and you have no right to tell her what to do. true, id become an hero is I had to live like that BobManPerson Wrote: Liquid: Just a quick question: when someone has an abortion, do you think it's you that's going to be affected, or the mother? The person (not) being born is the one affected. Is it the mother's business to kill another human being? The mother has no right to decide whether He/She lives or dies. Liquid: What if the mother was raped? Would she still not have a choice as to whether or not she could have an abortion? Are you one of those stupid, Bible-thumping Christfags who think that it's her fault she got raped? Do you seriously think that, you asshole? I think you should just go kill yourself right now. You're too stupid to deserve life. Or what if the mother got raped, and she has a medical condition where she would die during labor? Don't give me that "that doesn't exist" shit. My mother has that condition, and the baby would die as well. Are you to tell me that my mother has to die if she got raped? What kind of sick asshole are you to think that everyone that needs an abortion is some whore that doesn't know how to keep her clothes on? What kind of mental disease do you have where you're willing to ruin lives and potentially kill people just to make sure someone (who isn't even a real person, might I add) can be born? You sick fucking asshole bastard, I'd fucking kill you if I had the chance. You have absolutely NO FUCKING RIGHT interfering with someone else's problems. It's THEIR life, NOT YOURS. Do you fucking understand that, you fucking pathetic anti-abortion fanatic fucker? Quote: Bishop punishes mom for daughter's abortion Brazilian to excommunicate her and doctors for allowing it RIO DE JANEIRO - A Roman Catholic archbishop says the abortion of twins carried by a 9-year-old girl who allegedly was raped by her stepfather means excommunication for the girl's mother and her doctors.Despite the nature of the case, the church had to hold its line against abortion, Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho said in an interview aired Thursday by Globo television. "The law of God is higher than any human laws," he said. "When a human law — that is, a law enacted by human legislators — is against the law of God, that law has no value. The adults who approved, who carried out this abortion have incurred excommunication." Health Minister Jose Gomes Temporao rebuked the archbishop, saying, "I'm shocked by two facts: by what happened to the girl and by the position of the archbishop, who in saying he defends life puts another at risk." Abortion is generally illegal in Brazil, which is home to more Catholics than any other nation. But the procedure is allowed when the mother's life is in danger, when the fetus has no chance of survival or in rape cases where the woman has not passed her 20th week of pregnancy. Doctors said the girl was 15 weeks pregnant when the abortion was performed Wednesday in the northeastern city of Recife, where Sobrinho is archbishop. Health officials said the life of the girl — who weighs 80 pounds — was in danger. The pregnancy was discovered last week when the girl fell ill and her mother took her to a clinic. The child then told officials she had been abused by her stepfather, who is in police custody. A similar case in southern Brazil surfaced Thursday. Authorities in Rio Grande do Sul state told the O Globo newspaper that an 11-year-old girl allegedly raped by her stepfather is seven months pregnant.The 51-year-old stepfather has been in jail since January while the girl is in a hospital for high risk pregnancies and apparently will not have an abortion. See, if you had your way, that 9-year-old girl probably would've died. BobManPerson Wrote: Liquid: What if the mother was raped? Would she still not have a choice as to whether or not she could have an abortion? It isn't the baby's fault. The baby is still the mother's son/daughter. Do you think that it right to punish someone for something that someone else did? The mother can give him/her away after birth and never have anything to with him/her. BobManPerson Wrote: Are you one of those stupid, Bible-thumping Christfags who think that it's her fault she got raped? Do you seriously think that, you asshole? By definition "Rape" is one-sided, obviously it isn't the woman's fault. And no, that isn't the Christian position. "Bible-thumping"? How do you know what's in the Bible and what isn't? Have you ever read it? BobManPerson Wrote: I think you should just go kill yourself right now. You're too stupid to deserve life. Coming from someone who's pro-death, that doesn't surprise me I guess your low view of life is taking it's toll BobManPerson Wrote: Or what if the mother got raped, and she has a medical condition where she would die during labor? Don't give me that "that doesn't exist" shit. My mother has that condition, and the baby would die as well. Are you to tell me that my mother has to die if she got raped? NO, I am not. You do know that doctors can remove the baby early, before the mother would have gone into labor, right? BobManPerson Wrote: What kind of sick asshole are you to think that everyone that needs an abortion is some whore that doesn't know how to keep her clothes on? Point me to where I said that then. What kind of mental disease do you have where you're willing to ruin lives and potentially kill people just to make sure someone (who isn't even a real person, might I add) can be born? I could just as easily say you have a mental disease, believing that a baby isn't a real person until they exit the mother's body. When I start talking to someone who thinks other people aren't "real people", I know I'm either talking to a Neo-Nazi or a pro-Death person. Did you know that there are people (who are even a real people, might I add) who have survived being "aborted". They were in the same stage of development as others who are being aborted all the time. There is one difference nowadays though, nowadays the death-doctors are no longer required to take the babies to hospitals when they don't die. INFACT nowadays when they build the building they put in a row of shelves where they can leave the babies until they die since they aren't supposed to actively kill them. BobManPerson Wrote: You sick fucking asshole bastard, I'd fucking kill you if I had the chance. You have absolutely NO FUCKING RIGHT interfering with someone else's problems. It's THEIR life, NOT YOURS. Do you fucking understand that, you fucking pathetic anti-abortion fanatic fucker? Obviously, if it's fine to kill babies... It must be fine to kill me too Good luck tracking me down, I doubt even the government can do that... About your quote about the Catholics: Yes it sucks for the two girls involved, but the doctors have different methods to try to save the lives of both the mothers and the babies. Also as your quote mentioned, only one of the girls had an abortion, the other one isn't going to. Did you know that with the death-rate for mothers dying in pregnancy, the death-rate is higher for abortion than with giving birth? Liquid Wrote: BTW: Obviously. More people give birth than have abortions. Fuckthesystem Given 11 thank(s) in 7 post(s) Abortion is fine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQXPTM-T ... re=related Watch it. It's The Amazing Atheist and he has some very good insight on the matter. "The seeds of oppression, will one day bear the fruit of rebellion." -Anonymous Also, I just realized I spelled "bear" wrong in my sig. I changed it, but, how disgraceful... http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/imag ... 550073.jpg You people are forgetting something! This is a nine year old. She does not understand what is wrong with her; Does she FUCK. Carrying twins would kill this 80-pound girl before she reached term. And then the babies would definitely die. In effect, this abortion saved the girl's fucking life. <Darthmat> I love the taste of meat in my mouth. Cory, I don't know how you live without it. <Darthmat> "Forbidden meat tastes sweetest." Penisometer 8======================================================================o Conclusion: Still a penis. Hikari, did you just delete a few posts? Cilaos She didn't. I split them and put it in the frag arena. I AM A THIEF IN THE NIGHT I WILL SAVE AS MANY AS I CAN I KEEP THEM IN MY BASEMENT I TELL THEM I AM THEIR MOMMY NOW Ah, I see. But you're saying that right should be decided by you and not the person that's actually carrying the baby. Also, you can't force a women to have a baby if the father decides he wants it. I think that's generally wrong, to not let the father have any say. But the women would have to carry it for 9 months. Besides, if a women wants an abortion she's probably going to get it one way or another. Before Roe v. Wade women would get them in like.... back alleys with dirty surgical tools and an unqualified doctor. Actually, have you seen Dirty Dancing? Yeah. It's up to both of them equally. I understand what you're saying though. The woman is the one who has the baby with her 24/7, so she may get one regardless of what the man says. That's just the way it is in some cases. Fair or not. Unless you want to follow the woman around 24/7, making sure she doesn't try to get an abortion. spookycloud The mother is the one who has to live with the consequences, so she's going to project her life experiences and current circumstances regarding whether a) life is worth living b) she can provide the baby with an adequate upbringing to ensure life's worth living c) she wants to concentrate on her future, get an education, serve god and the world that way. We all make mistakes, Christianity is all about forgiveness right? If it's a teen pregnancy, I'd feel more sorry for the teen's parents who'd have to sacrifice time and expenses.. living people, especially those not responsible, deserve their freedom while the fetus has no comprehension of whether it even cares for a choice. Perhaps I'm selfish but even if my family had the resources to support the baby I wouldn't want to risk some of the complications that may result from pregnancy such as morning sickness, gestational diabetes, post natal depression etc. Quote: It isn't the baby's fault. The baby is still the mother's son/daughter. Do you think that it right to punish someone for something that someone else did? The mother can give him/her away after birth and never have anything to with him/her. Adoption is an option but the foster care system doesn't guarantee a loving, caring, adequate upbringing. I know someone who became pretty depressed over the idea that he was given up for adoption because he felt unwanted. Even if it was the mother's fault for being unequipped to raise him, you still feel as though you were an accident and weren't meant to be here. Quote: Is it right to kill/"abort" someone who is a "vegetable"? Also how do you know that a cure for their condition won't be developed tomorrow, or since this is a person's live, how do you know a cure won't be developed in the next 70 years? It's not necessarily wrong if it meant more attention could be shifted to those who needed cures which are readily available. Attend to the vegetables after a cure is found since nothing can be done now. Why do we equate morality with longevity of life? In some contexts abortion is necessary eg. overpopulation if there isn't a high enough overseas adoption rate. Isn't it just our attachment and fear of grief? Maybe death exists in a more pleasant state than life. We don't seem to view non-existence as evil since matter can't be created or destroyed. :/ Why do Christians reassure people that god took their children away to a better place even when they died young and life didn't seem quite complete, yet the idea of a fetus' spirit being sent back to heaven is abhorrent when God endorsed a process of dying that caused physical pain to the child and emotional pain to a bond which had been developed over a longer period of time? tbh I empathise more with the radical environmentalists, that adoption is the way to go if you want to have kids, and it's not a bad thing if you want to limit your breeding since the earth has limited resources and ventilators for pollution. The government is paying baby bonuses to mothers as an incentive to breed future taxpayers. Again, might sound selfish, but we're going to die anyway so I don't buy the "we need someone to take care of us in old age" argument and who cares about survival of our species unless reincarnation is true, which I still believe unfortunately since people are going to keep breeding regardless of what I think. It sounds like I'm pro-abortion but I'm pro-choice. I just don't think mothers should choose to have the baby solely based on sentimental idealising of the child's unborn potential. If an informed and prepared mother chooses to have kids on the other hand, nature will take its course. Both sides are necessary to sustain and stabilise the growth of population... "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." -Jiddu Krishnamurti Rebelnerd Given 113 thank(s) in 97 post(s) When you really think about it, what's the difference between getting an abortion and, say, using a condom? They both do essentially the same thing, just at different stages of development. If a woman decides that she does not want to have a child, and, for example, the condom breaks, why should she have to have it just because one birth control measure failed? A fetus is not a baby. It is still a parasitic clump of cells. If you're going to refer to anything that could become a baby as a baby, then where is the outrage when people use spermicide? I think Buenaventura Durruti is a pretty cool guy. eh kills fascists and doesnt afraid of ruins. The quickest way to kill a revolution is to wait for it. Rebelnerd Wrote: When you really think about it, what's the difference between getting an abortion and, say, using a condom? They both do essentially the same thing, just at different stages of development. If a woman decides that she does not want to have a child, and, for example, the condom breaks, why should she have to have it just because one birth control measure failed? A fetus is not a baby. It is still a parasitic clump of cells. If you're going to refer to anything that could become a baby as a baby, then where is the outrage when people use spermicide? I think of it as what could it BECOME? y'never know, the next baby you have could be an inspirational band member, or a doctor, or be the one who finds the cure for AIDS Frame 313 seriously though, I am pro-choice. If the woman doesn't want the child but cant get an abortion the child's life will be sit anyway, why not just end it before it happens? For those of you who say that a "fetus" is not a baby. When does it become a baby? As you know, there are people who have survived would-be abortions. When they came out alive instead of dead they were able to fit in the palm of the abortionists' hands, and they were already able to cry. There are abortion survivors out walking world right now, just everyone ignores there fact, plus it's not exactly something you want to tell other people. "Hey, my birth mom wanted to go back and get a edu-fascist-ication and decided that I wasn't a real person yet, I survived a lethal injection to the head, but my back hurts every day because of what they did trying to kill me. I can't sue anyone about it because I wasn't a real person when they did it." Plus, abortion babies are born alive ALL THE TIME, just normally they are set on metal shelves until they die. Of course they are just "sacks of cells," with arms and legs, pumping hearts, crying in pain just like you or I would if someone had just injected us with a syringe full of a burning poison, but then again, aren't you and I just sacks of cells too. Anyone who defends abortion has either not done enough thinking or does not know the facts but listens to pro-death lies instead. Stance on Abortion Subb 47 6,854 05-30-2014 12:29 PM Last Post: Rule_BreakerXVIII This is Why Abortion Should be Legal. Night 52 11,605 04-06-2013 05:09 AM Last Post: thewake is it moral for women to have the right to abortion? Potato 60 9,633 11-29-2012 03:10 PM Last Post: Sociopath Ramble about abortion. Prince Rilian 16 8,541 02-11-2012 09:04 AM Last Post: avrillavigne12251 The Only Moral Abortion is my Abortion aaaaaaasd 14 5,185 10-13-2011 04:36 PM Last Post: gore goroth Abortion Thoughts Guest 152 15,424 06-09-2011 08:55 AM Abortion SethyDavidG 40 4,939 12-03-2009 04:56 AM Last Post: aaaaaaasd Doesn't Christianity Encourage suicide and abortion? True Strasserist 7 2,422 03-20-2009 05:41 AM Last Post: True Strasserist Abortion is sick sonoftheking 17 3,204 09-28-2008 09:31 AM Last Post: mudkip liek Why I am against abortion Ahab 48 7,419 05-09-2008 05:21 AM Last Post: Zombie	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1818
__label__cc	0.540952	0.459048	(→Online Courses) The Cambridge University Press cover. This is the home page of the textbook "Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control," Kevin M. Lynch and Frank C. Park, Cambridge University Press, 2017, ISBN 9781107156302. Purchase the hardback through Cambridge University Press using the 20% discount code LYNCHPARK2017 or through Amazon, or check out the free preprint version below. If you find this book useful for a course or self-study, please contact Kevin or Frank and let us know! Modern Robotics is now available on Coursera! From the foreword: "Frank and Kevin have provided a wonderfully clear and patient explanation of their subject." Roger Brockett, Harvard University "Modern Robotics imparts the most important insights of robotics ... with a clarity that makes it accessible to undergraduate students." Matthew T. Mason, Carnegie Mellon University 3 Solution Manual 8 Online Courses 10 About the Authors 10.1 Why LynchAndPark.org? This book is the result of course notes developed over many years for the course M2794.0027 Introduction to Robotics at Seoul National University and ME 449 Robotic Manipulation at Northwestern University. The evolving course notes have been posted on the internet for years to support these classes. The for-purchase version of the book from Cambridge University Press has improved layout and typesetting, updated figures, different pagination (and fewer pages), and more careful copyediting, and it is considered the "official" version of the book. But the online preprint version of the book has the same chapters, sections, and exercises, and it is quite close in content to the Cambridge-published version. The current, and final preprint, online version of the book is dated May 2017. We posted preliminary versions of the book in October and November 2016; those versions should be discarded. We are posting four versions of the book. All versions have exactly the same contents and pagination. They differ only in the sizes of the margins and the size of the print, as manipulated in Adobe Acrobat after latex'ing. Two of the versions have working hyperlinks for navigating the book on your computer or tablet. These files have been compressed to about 7 MB. Let us know if you have any problems reading them. Please note that recent versions of the default Mac OS X pdf reader, Preview, are known to have some bugs displaying certain images in pdf files. If a figure is not appearing properly, please try a better pdf viewer, like Acrobat Reader. Configuration Space Rigid-Body Motions Forward Kinematics Velocity Kinematics and Statics Inverse Kinematics Kinematics of Closed Chains Dynamics of Open Chains Trajectory Generation Robot Control Grasping and Manipulation Wheeled Mobile Robots Appendix A. Summary of Useful Formulas Appendix B. Other Representations of Rotations Appendix C. Denavit-Hartenberg Parameters Appendix D. Optimization and Lagrange Multipliers Click here to watch the video lectures embedded in a convenient viewing environment. Click here if you prefer to watch the videos within the YouTube environment. Videos are made with Northwestern's Lightboard. We have used this tool in the past to make the mechatronics videos at http://nu32.org. You can see an excellent collection of robotics videos at the Springer Handbook of Robotics Multimedia Extension. Also check out the Robot Academy at Queensland University of Technology. If you are an instructor, you can obtain a copy of the exercise solutions from Cambridge University Press. Go to the "Resources" section of the Cambridge University Press webpage for the book. This book was written to be accessible to engineering students after taking typical first-year engineering courses. The student should have an understanding of: freshman-level physics, including f = ma; free-body diagrams with masses, springs, and dampers; vector forces; and vector torques (or moments) as the cross product of a distance vector and a force; linear algebra, including matrix operations, positive definiteness of a matrix, determinants, complex numbers, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors; some calculus, derivatives, and partial derivatives; and basic linear ordinary differential equations. The student should also be prepared to program, but only basic programming skills are needed. Code is provided in python (freely available), MATLAB (for purchase, or you could use the freely available GNU Octave clone), and Mathematica (for purchase), so those languages are preferred. We welcome your comments and corrections! Please click here to report any corrections for the book. (Please make sure you are using the print version of the book or the May 3, 2017, online version of the book.) The origin of the software is student solutions to homework exercises. A major update was committed in January 2017, correcting some bugs in the earlier version. We have found the V-REP robot simulation environment to be a valuable learning tool accompanying the book. It is free for educational use and cross platform. In ME 449 at Northwestern, we use it to experiment with the kinematics of different robots and to animate solutions to inverse kinematics, dynamic simulations, and controllers. This page provides "scenes" that allow you to interactively explore the kinematics of different robots (e.g., the Universal Robots UR5 6R robot arm and the KUKA youBot mobile manipulator) and to animate trajectories that are the results of exercises in chapters on kinematics, dynamics, and control. Modern Robotics is now available as a MOOC (massive open online course) Specialization on Coursera! This is a link to the Specialization home page. The Specialization consists of six short courses, each expected to take approximately four weeks of approximately five hours of effort per week: This page collects together some of the supplemental material used in the Coursera MOOCs. UR5 parameters you can use for dynamic simulations (note: the values are not exact, and do not account for the effect of gearing at the joints) UR5 parameters in a Mathematica notebook UR5 parameters in MATLAB UR5 parameters in Python Peter Corke's excellent Robotics Toolbox for MATLAB and other robotics software linked to from his site. He is Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation Conference Editorial Board, incoming Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Robotics, and a former Senior Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Robotics, the IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, and the IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering. He is a co-author of The Principles of Robot Motion (MIT Press, 2005) and Embedded Computing and Mechatronics with the PIC32 Microcontroller (Elsevier, 2015), an IEEE fellow, and the recipient of the IEEE Early Career Award in Robotics and Automation, Northwestern's Professorship of Teaching Excellence, and the Northwestern Teacher of the Year award in engineering. He earned a BSE in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University and a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. Frank C. Park received his BS in electrical engineering from MIT and his PhD in applied mathematics from Harvard University. From 1991 to 1995 he was assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, Irvine. Since 1995 he has been professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Seoul National University, where he is currently chair of the department. His research interests are in robot mechanics, planning and control, vision and image processing, and related areas of applied mathematics. He has been an IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Distinguished Lecturer, and received best paper awards for his work on visual tracking and parallel robot design. He has served on the editorial boards of the Springer Handbook of Robotics, Springer Advanced Tracts in Robotics (STAR), Robotica, and the ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics. He has held adjunct faculty positions at the NYU Courant Institute and the Interactive Computing Department at Georgia Tech. He is a fellow of the IEEE, current editor-in-chief of the IEEE Transactions on Robotics, and developer of the edX course Robot Mechanics and Control I, II. Advertising flyer for the book, with discount code.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1821
__label__wiki	0.92479	0.92479	www.alexisbiesiada.com Alexis Biesiada “America’s Most Talented Kid’s” television star and New Jersey State Vocal Champion Alexis Biesiada will be making her music album debut in 2014. An acclaimed vocalist from a very young age, Alexis won the vocalist category on Cartoon Network’s “The Props” and is a 4 time Apollo Theatre winner. Alexis began singing at local charity events when she was just 8 years old. She had the opportunity to perform in the off Broadway Production “The People Garden” while attending Davenport Elementary School and was also featured in the indie film “Standing Ovation”. Born in Buffalo, New York, Alexis grew up in an All American family which encouraged a love of people, sports, fashion and the arts. Alexis has always aspired to be a music star, writing and singing her own songs on the big stage. “Song writing is important to me because it gives me a healthy outlet to express my feelings and reveal stories about events that have taken place throughout my life that I feel a lot of people can relate to.” Throughout the year Alexis has been doing a series club appearances and high school events. Working with acclaimed producer Tony Coluccio, her debut album “Picture Perfect” will be released next year.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1822
__label__cc	0.623679	0.376321	Withdrawal of Registration Statement (rw) Stock : Generation Alpha, Inc. (GNAL) Quote : 0.10668 0.00168 (1.60%) @ 2:45PM GENERATION ALPHA, INC. 853 Sandhill Avenue Carson, California 90746 VIA EDGAR Division of Corporation Finance 100 F Street, N.E. Re: Generation Alpha, Inc. Request for Withdrawal of Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on August 3, 2018, as amended on October 19, 2018 (File No. 333-226579) Ladies and Gentlemen: Pursuant to Rule 477 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Generation Alpha, Inc. (the “Registrant”) hereby respectfully requests that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) consent to the immediate withdrawal of the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-226579), together with all exhibits and amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”). The Registration Statement was initially filed with the SEC on August 3, 2018 and amended on October 19, 2018. The Registrant is requesting to withdraw the Registration Statement because it has elected not to pursue the sale of securities pursuant to the Registration Statement at this time. The Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission, and the Registrant confirms that no securities were sold in connection with the offering contemplated by the Registration Statement. Accordingly, we request that the Commission issue an order granting the withdrawal of the Registration Statement (the “Order”) effective as of the date hereof or at the earliest practicable date hereafter. Please provide a copy of the Order to the undersigned via email at Tiffany@genalphainc.com with a copy to James M. Turner of Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP, via email at jturner@srf.law . In accordance with Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, the Registrant also respectively requests that all fees paid to the SEC in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement be credited to the Registrant’s account for future use. Should you have any questions, please contact counsel to the Registrant, James M. Turner, Esq. of Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP at (212) 930-9700. /s/ TIFFANY DAVIS Tiffany Davis Generation Alpha, Inc. (USOTC:GNAL) Latest GNAL Messages	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1829
__label__cc	0.650396	0.349604	Home / Build School Gardens BUILD SCHOOL GARDENS: WHY IT’S IMPORTANT According to UNICEF data from 2007, Guatemala has the highest percentage of chronically malnourished girls and boys in Latin America, and the fourth highest in the world. Through this trip, you will create a beautiful space in a school which will contribute to feeding school children while imparting important techniques that they can bring back to their families and communities to improve food sovereignty and combat malnutrition. The goal of this trip is to build a garden in a local school, alongside school children, in order to improve food sovereignty and combat malnutrition. It’s also a fabulous opportunity for cross-cultural interaction among students if you’re coming with a school group. 10 THINGS YOU WILL LEARN What the Guatemalan civil war was like, as told by a woman who lived through it. What Mayan cosmology is all about. What your personal nawal is, and what it means. How permaculture is practiced, and how it can be relevant to your own life. What traditional Guatemalan food tastes like. How a school can grow healthy, nutritious food at very little cost. What a small local school looks like, and how it can function with few resources. How permaculture principles can help with soil conservation, land and water management. The invariable engagement of Guatemalan schoolchildren when it comes to planting a garden. The dazzling colours and textures of a Guatmalan village on Lake Atitlan. To get an idea of what this trip looks like day to day, check out our School Gardens Group Trip PDF document.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1834
__label__wiki	0.986902	0.986902	Home Page / Home / Comedy News / Netflix Premiere's Trailer For Their 1st Stand Up Feature- The New Russell Peters Special Titled 'Notorious'! Netflix Premiere's Trailer For Their 1st Stand Up Feature- The New Russell Peters Special Titled 'Notorious'! By Humor Mill / September 25, 2013 / Comedy News A couple of months ago we told you about one of the most underrated comedians in the United States, Russell Peters, who recently brokered a deal with Netflix to launch the first stand up and a brand new docu-series. Netflix is going global with its first major release under its initiative to add stand-up specials and documentaries to its original programming slate, and the streaming service will be the exclusive home of comedy special Notorious and docu-series Russell Peters Vs. The World. The 70-minute stand-up comedy performance and four-part docu-series follows Peters on his global Notorious tour will premiere October 14 and be available to stream in all territories where Netflix is available — the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Latin America, the Nordics and the Netherlands. Russell Peters’ Notorious World Tour has become the highest-attended comedy tour ever in a number of countries including Australia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia and Peters’ home country of Canada, selling more than 300,000 tickets globally. In 2009, Peters set a UK attendance record with more than 16,000 watching his show at the O2 Arena, and he is listed on this year’s Forbes List as one of the five highest-earning comics in the U.S. Filmed live at the Allphones Arena in Sydney on March 15, 2013, Notorious and the behind-the-scenes docu-series are Executive Produced by Russell Peters and Clayton Peters. Check out the official trailer below: Canada, Russell Peters, Russell Peters Vs, UK Kevin Hart Closes Out The Season Of 'Wild N Out'- See Full Episode Here! DeRay Davis Lands As New Game Show Host For 'Mind Of A Man'! Backstage Series- Behind-The- Scenes At Gary "G-Thang" Johnson's Bithday Bash! By Humor Mill / August 5, 2011 / Comedy News Ron Artest Jumps On Comedy Stage And Performs! By Humor Mill / July 10, 2011 / Comedy News	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1838
__label__wiki	0.778506	0.778506	Articles & Reports Capital Punishment Corruption in Iran Execution Human Rights Political Prisoners Iran’s Reform Movement Died 20 Years Ago July 9, 2019 Admin 79 Views Today’s “moderate” president was part of a deadly crackdown on student protesters in the summer of 1999. By Eli Lake Two decades later, no change. Photographer: ATTA KENARE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES One of the comforting illusions promoted by many critics of President Trump’s Iran policy is that his actions have alienated and weakened the regime’s moderates. You hear this line from time to time, with the usual caveat that “moderate” and “reformer” in the context of Iran are quite different than what they mean in the West. It is nonetheless the basis of a dream pursued by most of Washington’s foreign-policy establishment: If you treat Iran’s regime with respect it will bolster those who seek to reform it. Proponents of this view would do well to study what happened 20 years ago this week at Tehran University. The rebellion began when students launched demonstrations after the judiciary closed a reformist newspaper known as Salaam. The paper had published details on the regime’s culpability in the string of killings of dissidents and intellectuals known in Iran as the “chain murders.” On July 9, 1999, the regime’s security forces raided a dormitory and began the arrests. Some 1,500 students were taken away. To this day, the whereabouts of dozens of them remain unknown. A cover of the Economist showing a student raising a bloody shirt has become the uprising’s iconic image. Demonstrations and crackdowns in Iran are not unusual. In 2009, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest the stolen presidential election that gave Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a second term. Since late 2017, Iranians throughout the country have engaged in strikes, protests and other acts of civil disobedience against a regime that has lost legitimacy. The 1999 protests at Tehran University are particularly significant, though, because at the time the country’s president, Mohammad Khatami, championed the kinds of reforms the students demanded. He had been elected two years earlier promising a freer press and an end to repression. He publicly pleaded with his own government to spare the students in the raids. Yet in the end, he could do nothing to save them. It’s also worth looking at who was on the pro-regime side of the uprising. Leading a counter-demonstration was the secretary of Iran’s national security council, Hassan Rouhani. A relatively unknown cleric at the time, he told his supporters that the students demanding reform were “enemies of the state.” This was no idle threat. A student shot dead by security forces was later found guilty by a revolutionary court for engaging in unlawful protest. Rouhani, of course, is Iran’s president today. The Obama administration, which relied on him to negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal, touted him as an Iranian moderate. It’s telling that in 1999, he was the face of a regime undermining Iran’s only reformist president since the 1979 revolution. Khatami’s failure to protect the students is one reason that so many Iranian activists who believed for years in the prospect of incremental reform now feel that radical change the only path forward. Roya Boroumand, the executive director of the nonprofit Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, told me that the 1999 protests were a lesson for many Iranians who learned that even if reformist politicians supported changes to the law, those changes would be stymied by the unelected clerics who control Iran’s courts and powerful Guardian Council. The most prominent example of this disillusionment is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, who represented some of those students back in 1999 in Iran’s courts. As she told me last year, she supports the movement for a constitutional referendum to eliminate the position of the supreme leader. There are millions of Iranians who agree. What will it take for their natural allies in the West to listen to what they are saying? ← Tehran’s Chinese allies continue their deception, to protect their ill-gotten gains EXCLUSIVE: 125 Iranian officials were said to be arrested, charged with espionage in an attempt to neutralize them →	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1845
__label__cc	0.65668	0.34332	HOME OVERVIEW REVIEWS TABLE OF CONTENTS ORDER CONTACT For most Americans, probably, it remains the quintessential Civil War battle. Antietam/Sharpsburg may have been America’s bloodiest day. Some historians argue with great cogency that Vicksburg was more decisive. But that was not how the men in blue and butternut and gray, clogging the roads that led to a town called Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, saw it. They knew, many of them—felt it in their bones and in their souls—that they were moving toward the mother of all battles, the one that would decide everything. Given that mindset, it was inevitable that the Battle of Gettysburg would generate in its aftermath a great wave of books and articles, history and personal memoirs. Even today, the river of ink about Gettysburg continues without apparent letup. But can any of these newer books, written so long after the event they claim to commemorate, add anything to our understanding of that event? Here’s one that can. The book is “Isn’t This Glorious!” The 15th, 19th and 20th Massachusetts Infantry Regiments at Gettysburg’s Copse of Trees. It is by historians and long-time preservationists Edwin R. Root and Jeffrey D. Stocker, with a Foreword by Gettysburg historian, D. Scott Hartwig. What Root’s and Stocker’s work has to offer that is new to an understanding of the mythic battle is an appreciation of how that battle actually was fought—at least, in a key section of the field, the famed Copse of Trees where the Confederacy crested on July 3, 1863, after the breathtaking demonstration of doomed energy and devotion that we know as Pickett’s Charge. As their book points out, the Union troops at the Copse of Trees had no way of knowing that Confederate Brigadier General Lewis Armistead’s final thrust marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy. They fought back as if their whole cause was on the line, because for them it was. And many died repelling this “last gasp” of the South. “Isn’t This Glorious!” is not a regimental history of the units whose service there is commemorated by the book. Instead, it is an attempt to do justice to those units. And the reason justice is needed is that the “monumentation” process after the war, the business of determining who gets what plaque or monument, went somewhat askew here at the Copse of Trees. The Massachusetts regiments were not left out; but the final placement of the monuments was such that visitors, unaided, could not accurately interpret what had happened at this point on the battlefield. The book’s co-author, Edwin Root, commented that he doubted the monumentation as it stands was deliberately designed to be hurtful to the Massachusetts regiments. He also said it is not his and his co-author Jeffrey Stocker’s intent to try to get the on-site monuments’ locations changed. They do hope their book will be helpful in clarifying the confused scene at the Copse of Trees for its readers. While the book documents the monumentation controversy in detail, that is not what makes it most interesting. The interest is created at the beginning, when we are present at the formation of the 15th, 19th and 20th Massachusetts regiments and view the subsequent history of these men—clerks, carpenters, students, seamen, and more—as brothers-in-arms. They never become an undifferentiated mass. We follow them to their individual fates, as they survive unscathed, are wounded and sent home, or die in the various hideous ways war makes inevitable. We see the effects their wounds or death have on them and on their families, down through dreary decades. We are reminded again that war is not kind. “Isn’t This Glorious!” is the initial publication of Moon Trail Books, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Patricia N. McAndrew, publisher. With its hard cover, fine paper, sewn binding, maps by Richard Jacoby, and its overall design by graphic artist Kenneth F. Raniere, the work would be a tempting buy even for those who don’t care about the Civil War, but who just love beautiful books. Moon Trail Books, LLC 24 West Fourth Street Bethlehem, Pa. 18015 Or Email Moon Trail Books at Pnmca21@aol.com	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1846
__label__cc	0.739907	0.260093	Hazel Blog What Is an Early Repayment of the Loan? by Hazel Moreno 2019-05-15 2019-06-06 Often, it is hard enough to find the full amount at once to close the debts to the bank for those who borrow money. However, it may happen that suddenly there is a large amount that can be sent to pay off the debt. Is there such a thing? You can get an inheritance, win a lottery, earn, and so on. What does a borrower usually do under these conditions? Goes to the checkout, pays several payments at once! It would seem that nothing can prevent such a simple procedure? But in fact, it turns out that everything is not as simple as it seemed. Why Is Early Repayment of the Loan Problematic? If some partners do not take into account the conditions of possible payment in advance, then others are very scrupulous about this moment, trying as much as possible to delay the process of paying the entire amount for longer. Why? Because so many financial partners are simply unprofitable, they lose a certain percentage, which they could receive with each financial transaction carried out through the checkout. So what does it mean to pay off the debt agreement in advance and why are there so many disputes around this topic? Early repayment of a loan is a deposit of a certain amount for a previously issued cash loan, in addition to the principal payment on it before the expiration date, in accordance with the terms of the signed contract. That is, such cash contributions should not be considered mandatory, can be made by the borrower only at his own request. However, if a special clause was specified during the registration of an agreement, then before you close your debts, the client must always warn the institution’s employees about this by writing a written statement in the prescribed form. Options to Take in Case of Early Repayment of the Loan In case of early repayment of the loan, the borrower may use several options provided by the loan processing procedures: The procedure for full early repayment of the loan. Under such conditions, the client of the banking institution must write a special statement, notifying the bank employees in advance of its intention to repay the loan in full. A written statement according to a certain accepted procedure is submitted for consideration by the credit managers of the organization where the loan was issued, which can take a period from several days to a whole month. In a clearly specified period, the client gets the opportunity to close all debts. At the same time, interest is accrued for the use of funds on the basis of the time spent on using this loan. Based on the results of the procedure, an official payment document is issued from the partner bank that issued the loan to the borrower, which means that the client has repaid the loan ahead of schedule and there are no complaints about it. The procedure for partial early repayment of the loan must be provided for under the contract between the two parties. If such a condition occurred in the official document, the client may send money to close the existing debt. In this case, the size of the debt may be reduced by the amount that he paid. The interest charges of the subsequent period will fall on the amount minus the one that was paid earlier. Asking the question “Is it possible to repay a loan ahead of time?”, the borrower must first clearly know the conditions of his cooperation with a financial partner, in order not to leave behind a mark of a client with a bad credit history. He should carefully examine each item of the agreement, not lose sight the smallest details, clearly, in a strictly agreed time pay the funds. Early Repayment The History of Microcredit From the Beginning to Our Days How to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud? Hi! My name is Hazel. I`m a student of COMTEQ Computer and Business College in Olongapo City, Philippines. I have started the financial blog, it will helps me in education process and hope I will earn some experience in blogging. Don`t hesitate to share my posts, likes are also very important for me! Thank you! 🙂 How and Where Citizens of the Philippines Can Lend Money? Everything You Need to Know About Bank Loans in the Philippines	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1852
__label__cc	0.715325	0.284675	Chinese vacation rental firm Sweetome launches first project in North America Sweetome, a Chinese property management group announced that its first North American project is being launched in Seattle in the US. The said project is to be managed jointly under its American partner, UHS Holding. This move is seen as a milestone for Sweetome. Jun Luo, Chairman of Sweetome, also announced the setup of Sweetome's North America Office in Vancouver, Canada, to increase the Company's presence in North American market. University Place, the first property project with 243 furnished suites which will be operated under Sweetome brand and management system, is located in the well-known U-District and within 10-minute walk to the campus of University of Washington, which is known for its tremendous demand of student housing and short- and medium-term rental service. Since its operation in 2011, Sweetome has had over 40,000 vacation rental homes in more than 200 destinations for online booking. Since 2018, Sweetome has sped up its international expansion effort with its rental management services being operated in Greece, Australia and Cambodia. Prev： Online travel players Qunar, Meituan reportedly have mass layoffs Next： Apple books 50 daily flights to China, spends $150 million a year	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1853
__label__wiki	0.773942	0.773942	Randy Landas Posted on March 7, 2015 by indianakelly — 6 Comments ↓ Born in Oelwein Iowa and performed locally until he was around 14. He then went to high school in Marshalltown and later relocated to Los Angeles when he was around 20. Since leaving Iowa for a career in Los Angeles, Randy has traveled around the world several times with artists that include Rita Coolidge, Burt Bacharach, Engelbert Humperdinck, Andy Gibb, Rickie Lee Jones, Johnny Mathis, Marilyn McCoo, Helen Reddy, and Little Anthony and the Imperials. In the recording studio, Randy has played bass on numerous records, television shows, and films including Columbo, Murder She Wrote, Will and Grace, The District, Who’s the Boss, Boston Public, General Hospital, Caroline in the City, Mad About You, Chalk Zone, and The Tonight Show. Randy’s family lived a couple of blocks from Sacred Heart Church at 712 First Ave. S.E.. His dad, Junior C. Landas worked at Arnold Motor Supply. His mother Mary (maiden name Luckeroth) currently lives in Texas. Randy has 3 sisters – Linda, Brenda and Gina, and two brothers, Gary and Mike. While living in Oelwein, his family hosted a foreign exchange student, Augusto (Ding) Exconde, who now lives in Queens, NY. Randy was recently playing a gig in New York City and was able to spend some time with Ding Randy making his first appearance on stage at the Moose in Oelwein Iowa with The Bilbo Baggins Blues Band. One of his childhood influences in the music business was his neighbor Steve Bachman who was a guitar player in the band The Plainsman and The New Beginning. Randy used to tag along with to watch him play in northeast Iowa bars and taverns. Around 1972 he teamed up with his Sacred Heart classmates Mike Vargason and Kelly Murphy and started his musical career by playing bass in the Bilbo Baggins Blues Band. The guys in the band were only 14 years old, that did not stop them from rehearsing enough tunes to start performing gigs in the Oelwein area. Randy in his Marshalltown band. Later in 1972 he and his family moved to Marshalltown Iowa where he played with several bands most notably “One Shot Deal”, “Ruby Fruit” and the “Good Lickin Blues Band”. With the help of a high school teacher named Mr. Melvin, Randy began to formally study music. After being self-taught for years, Randy took Mr. Melvin’s music theory which inspired him to study further. Randy married Tia Sutherland in 1978. He decided to concentrate on his music career so that year they relocated to Los Angeles where he attended the Musicians Institute, the Los Angeles Valley College, and also studied acoustic bass privately with Morty Corb, Monte Budwig and later Lou Kobok. Randy with Hip Pocket This was a watershed time of meeting many other aspiring musicians, lots of jam sessions, original bands and getting his first opportunities in the recording studio. One of the first steady gigs was playing in the house band at a variety club called The Horn with pianist Jeff Colella and drummer Rod Harbour backing up singers and other acts. Other notable projects that followed were a band called ”Hip Pocket” and singers Shelby Flint and Mary Ekler and band leader Bruce Lofgren. He performed at The Baked Potato, Donte’s and other jazz clubs as well as some festivals. Randy also played with the house band “Don Randi and Quest” at The Baked Potato for a short time. Another band he played with during the mid 80’s was Fat City, with a rhythm section made up of guitarist David Darling, drummer Steve Samuel, percussionist Brian Kilgore. That rhythm section did a lot of recording projects for singers and songwriters that David Darling was producing. Randy met pianist, music director Ron Abel in the early 80’s. This led to shows, touring and recording with Lucie Arnaz, Linda Purl, Valarie Pettiford, Tami Tappin, Michele Lee and others. Some highlights were performing with Lucie Arnaz in Palermo, Sicily and playing a big production show for the opening of the new Ford Stadium in Detroit. Randy met pianist, music director Mary Ekler in the 80’s. He played in Mary’s original band. Through Mary’s recommendation Randy worked together with her with artists such as Glenn Yarbrough, Stefanie Powers, Helen Reddy, and Little Anthony and the Imperials. In the recording studio, Randy has played bass on numerous records, television shows, and films. Some of the artists he has recorded with include: 1990: Randy with Joey Ortega at Sound City Studios – Los Angeles Dan Hicks Boxing Gandhis Shelby Flint Linda Purl Tami Tappan Vallerie Pettiford Red and the Red Hots The cast album “Do I Hear a Waltz?” and numerous cast albums for the STAGE benefit concerts. Live Tours Some of the artists Randy has toured with include: Rita Coolidge stage setup Marilyn McCoo Little Anthony and the Imperials Glenn Yarbrough Stan Ridgeway – Formally lead singer with Wall of Voodoo BURT BACHARACH 1985-1997 In 1985, Randy got a call to work with Burt Bacharach. He toured with Bacharach for 12 years which included playing many Symphony Pops Concerts in the US, UK, Canada and Sweden. Engelbert Humpderdinck ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK 1991-1995 Randy toured with Englebert Humperdinck for four and a half years. The Humperdinck gig kept him on the road for 35 weeks a year. He traveled to the Far East, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe. They also worked in Las Vegas and Atlantic City several weeks a year. The Boxing Gandhis THE BOXING GANDHIS 1996-2001 Randy played on two tracks on the first record and joined the band and played on most of the second record (Howard). The leader, David Darling and Randy were friends from the band Fat City. RED AND THE RED HOTS 1997-2003 Red and the Red Hots was a jump swing band led by Red Young with five horns, piano, bass, drums and two singers. The band played 5-6 nights a week including a regular Thursday night gig at The Derby. See their biography and listen to some of their music here. RITA COOLIDGE 2005-PRESENT Randy started touring with Rita Coolidge soon after she released the CD “And So Is Love,” a record of jazz standards from the American songbook. The music required someone who played both acoustic and electric bass. JT Thomas (her pianist) knew Randy and contacted him to join the band. Randy continues to tour with Rita. Some highlights include playing the Blue Note, Billboard Live and Cotton Club in Japan. Randy and Rita’s band (JT Thomas, John McDuffie, Lynn Coulter) produced a Christmas record for Rita in 2012. It was released on Savoy records. The band is now producing a second record, a compilation of songs performed in their live show. It will be released in the summer of 2015. Below: Rita Coolidge and Randy perform “Higher & Higher” at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA: More Clips of Rita and Randy: Rita Coolidge performs “Hallelujah, I Love Him So” at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia Rita Coolidge performs “Come Rain or Come Shine” at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia Rita Coolidge performs “Amazing Grace” at Dosey Doe Rita Coolidge performing “Higher and Higher” at the Marshall Visual Arts Center, Marshall Texas Rita Coolidge performing outside in Pittsford Park in Lake Forest, California. HELEN REDDY 2012-2013 Playing live gigs with Helen was exciting for her fans because she was coming back after having retired from singing for 10 years. Her voice was very strong and she sounded great. She picked up right where she left off. Below is a Helen Reddy video compilation of songs from B.B. King’s Blues Club in New York City: Here are some more clips of Helen Reddy and Randy: Helen Reddy performs “That’s All” live March 23, 2013, at B.B. King Blues Club Bar & Grill in New York City. Helen Reddy sings “I Am Woman” at the Arcada Theater ART DECO ENTERTAINMENT In between touring schedules with multiple artists, Randy has worked with Art Deco Entertainment for over 18 years. Visit their website here. When at the Art Deco site, select “Our Talent” and you can view clips of Randy in the bands, “Rock Candy“, “Art Deco and his Society Orchestra“, “The Bohemians“, and “The Surf Kings” These clips are very well-produced promotional videos that show the style of music and talents of each band. Here is Randy with “The Bohemians” from Art Deco Entertainment: The Bohemians from Art Deco Entertainment from tim redfield on Vimeo. Randy finishing up the recording session for the TV Show Hawaii Five-O Courtesy of Dave Pearlman Because of the many television shows and motion pictures being created in the proximity of L.A., Randy was able to work a lot in that industry. His television and film credits include: Will and Grace Who’s the Boss Caroline in the City Chalk Zone My Stepmother is an Alien Because of Randy’s vast experience and advanced music reading ability, He has done a lot of live theater. His live theatrical performances include: 110 in the Shade Les Miserable Do I Hear a Waltz? Randy on the Internet Randy Landas discography from CD Universe.com Buy CDs featuring Randy Landas at Barnes and Noble.com Randy Landas at Artist Direct Randy Landas at All Music.com Randy Landas on Facebook Randy in His Own Words (telephone interview from Summer 2015): An insight to working as a musician in Los Angeles WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU VISITED OELWEIN? The last time I was in Oelwein was in 2004 for my Dad’s funeral at Sacred Heart Church. I drove through my old neighborhood and passed the house where I grew up. It brought back some memories. Didn’t see anyone in town I knew except for some relatives. But I did drive by Luigi’s and remembered hanging out with Mike Stasi and other grade school friends at his Dad’s restaurant. YOU RELOCATED TO LOS ANGELES FRESH OUT OF GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN MARSHALLTOWN IA. HOW DID YOU SURVIVE WHEN RELOCATING TO L.A.? I was coming out to go to school and I met students there that gave me a heads-up on areas to live. But it was a definitely a culture shock for certain coming from Marshalltown, IA. My wife had an aunt living in Santa Ana. We stayed with her for several weeks until we found an apartment in North Hollywood. I had come out with a little money I had saved up and my wife got a job so I could concentrate on school. Within the first 6 months I started meeting some folks and getting some musical gigs here and there. It was a slow at first. Did a lot of networking and learning what you need to know to work. Andy Gibb and Randy WAS THERE A POINT WHERE YOU REALIZED YOU COULD MAKE IT IN L.A.? First of all, define “Make It”!! I feel like I’m at the twilight of a mediocre career…. Probably the time I knew I could make a living out here was when I started getting some regular side man gigs doing casuals, demo sessions backing up singers. But that took a little time. I never had to get a regular day job other than doing some small odd jobs. But I had it in my mind that I was going to make a living playing music. Also, it was not as expensive to live here as it is now. In 1978, we rented a one bedroom apartment in North Hollywood for $210. Now that same apartment would be 5 times that amount or more. EARLY DAYS IN LOS ANGELES I was heavily into the jazz fusion scene of the late ’70’ early ‘80’s and owned a lot of records from artists such as Tom Scott and the L.A. Express, Steps Ahead, The Brecker Brothers, Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report, The Crusaders, Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny as well as bands like Little Feat, Sons of Champlin, Tower of Power and Earth Wind and Fire. These influences were a big part of what brought me to L.A.. You could go out to local jazz clubs and hear guys who were playing on a lot of records. It was a super culture shock after coming from the small pond of Iowa. Everywhere you turn around in L.A., there were some monster musicians. But it was a great inspiration. It was also an awakening seeing these guys working locally on all different kind of gigs and realizing that just because you had some major recordings, you still had to pay the bills. Before moving to Los Angeles I only played electric bass. In L.A. I started playing acoustic bass and studied with a couple good teachers. In time I started doing some jazz gigs and then “doubling” (playing electric and acoustic bass) on shows and working with singers. PeeWee Crayton and Doug MacLeod In L.A. I started playing all the time with guys I met at the Musicians Institute and from other schools. I also attended a lot of jam sessions. It was different from playing in Iowa where you played in one band and that was it. You were kind of married to that one band. I did a few top 40 bands and some blues gigs with a great blues player named Doug Macleod. With his band we backed up some blues legends like George Harmonica Smith, Pee Wee Crayton and Big Mama Thorton. George Harmonica Smith It brings to mind a story of one gig when George Harmonica Smith didn’t show up. We soon found out that he had had a heart attack. We were all surprised when he showed up for the gig the next week looking pretty weak and pale. We finally convinced him to go home and take it easy. But not before he played several songs. The show must go on I guess. Soon after that I started getting called to do “casuals” (pickup bands). These guys knew a million tunes and played a lot of weddings and other private parties. I learned a lot of songs and developed my ear doing those gigs. I also discovered that the L.A. scene had a lot of great players doing sideman gigs. In the 80’s I started getting some session work doing singer songwriter demos. It was great experience and occasionally a chance to work in some great studios. There were a lot of B session guys doing a ton of songwriter demos. This lasted for a few years and the slowed down as drum machines and synths came on strong in the mid ’80’s. Randy with Bert Bacharach in Stockholm DO YOU HAVE ANY “INSIDE” STORIES ABOUT SOME OF THE ARTISTS YOU’VE PLAYED WITH? Burt Bacharach was very particular about his music. He wanted the music played exactly like he wrote it. You can’t really argue though. He’s written some beautiful songs. I have fond memories of sitting in the middle of a symphony orchestra playing “Alfie” or “A House is Not a Home”. Doing the Engelbert Humperdinck gig I learned how to survive on the road. We were out 35 weeks a year. It’s a challenge to try to keep your life and family together and also try to keep the gigs that you have in town, being gone so much. The good memories I have are of all the International travel. He took me all over the world to places I would’ve never got to on my own. And another plus was traveling with some good friends on the band at that time. Englebert and Randy Englebert had a few idiosyncrasies. He was very particular about hearing his vocals VERY LOUD in his monitors. This caused the monitor mixer a lot of grief and we saw a quite a few of them come and go. It’s funny how some talented successful people can still have insecurities. Touring with the Boxing Gandhis was the opposite of touring with a star. We were bunking up or sleeping on the bus and not making much money. But I enjoyed playing the music more, especially supporting a record that you played on. One highlight was doing a month tour opening up for the Dave Mathews Band. Johnny Mathis and Randy HAVE YOU MET ANY CELEBRITIES IN LOS ANGELES? Living in Los Angeles and playing parties and events, you see a lot of celebrities and sometimes you get introduced. It is more commonplace out here and you kind of take it for granted. For example, I just played a gig with Michele Lee (an actress/singer who used to be on Knotts Landing). She does a cabaret /jazz kind of show and Dick Van Dyke was in the audience. Mary was recently doing some work for Bette Midler and I met Bette after her L.A. show. I’ve also met the first two astronauts to walk on the moon, Neal Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Pretty cool. NOTABLE GIGS It is difficult to pick specific “notable” gigs from all the places I have played, but some places that you might recognize are Radio City Music Hall and B.B. King’s in NYC, The Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena in London, The Greek Theater in L.A., and The Blue Note in Tokyo. I traveled to Amsterdam and played an outside concert at the UitMarkt (the out market), by the Van Gogh museum, with conductor Charles Floyd (formerly Natalie Cole’s Music Director). We did a concert called “Soul Symphonic” with the Symphonic Holland Orchestra, featuring the Tramps, Michelle David, and Boris. I play bass during the entire clip but you have to look closely to see me. (Editors note: Randy is positioned to the drummer’s left. Some of the few close-ups of him are between minutes nine and twelve.) CURRENT STATUS OF THE RECORDING INDUSTRY The record business has certainly changed. There’s a whole generation or two that thinks music should be free. They don’t realize artists need to make money to keep producing records. Also Spotify, Pandora and other streaming apps pay a very small royalty to writers and musicians. The Internet can have a good side as well. If you can get your music online and get some attention you don’t have to sell a million records if you own your own thing. With computer-based recording, it’s easier and less expensive to make your own record now. Some record companies are now finding talent from music competition shows like The Voice and American Idol. I don’t see them finding too many artists. It’s more developing entertainers and then plugging them into the corporate machine. If you’ve got all the television exposure and name recognition, it’s easier for record labels to promote you. There is some new good music in the mainstream, but there’s also lot of pasted together songs with no melody and auto tuned vocals. Maybe I’m just getting old. Randy with Glen Yarbrough CURRENT STATUS OF LIVE MUSIC Starting an original band takes a lot of energy and there’s no certainty of getting over. It’s always better if you’re the songwriter though. I’ve been in a few original bands that have had a little success but not life changing. I guess that’s why I have been a freelance/sideman musician most of my career. There are a lot bands in L.A. playing the club circuit looking for a break. Clubs don’t pay much here, especially for original bands. There are a lot of great musicians that play gigs just to get out and play. They make a living recording, touring and other ways. I think there are other places around the country where people go out and dance and support live music more than Los Angeles. I hear more live music when I go to Texas to visit my mother. HAVING A CAREER IN MUSIC I graduated from the musicians Institute in Los Angeles and studied with some good bass players. I’ve learned a lot from just playing a lot of varied gigs from big bands, jazz groups backing up singers, party bands recording sessions. I really enjoy doing lots of different kind of work and playing different styles of music. That’s one thing I would really miss if I left L.A.. The deeper you go into music you realize there’s so much more to learn. Being versatile and understanding and knowing how to play different styles of music will help you get more work. Developing your ear and learning to read music will help as well. Being able to sight read allows me to show up and do live gigs and sessions with little or no rehearsal. That being said I know some great players that don’t read well but have big ears. I got a good lesson in developing my ear and faking tunes when I started doing casuals (pickup gigs). I’d show up and be playing with guys I hadn’t played with before and they’d just start playing songs, a lot of them I didn’t know. After getting vibed out by a few salty old piano players I went home and learned a lot of old standards and popular songs. Keeping up with technology is really important these days. Learning some kind of recording program and music notation software is a definite plus. I’m doing a lot of recording at home. People send me files and I add bass to it. I also work a lot with DrumAndBassTracks.com. I’ve played bass on hundreds of songs for Jim McCarty (the drummer who started the site). We also add bass and drums to original songs that songwriters and composers send us. And more recently, we’ve been working with some artists who want full productions tracks. Left to right: Randy Landas, Rita Coolidge, Mike McDuffie ISSUES OF AGE: Even though veteran musicians are wiser and more seasoned, or supposed to be anyway…there is a changing of the guard in music. The world keeps getting younger. Each generation gravitates to the music they grew up listening to. It’s only natural. That said, I play a lot of parties where people still want to hear classic rock and Motown along with some current stuff. I listen and learn a lot of new music, some I like, some not so much. Virtuosity does not seem to be championed as much as it was when I was coming up. But if you did a little deeper there’s still some great music and musicians out there. GEAR TALK: DO YOU USE A PICK OR BOW? WHAT KIND OF BASS AND AMP DO YOU PLAY? I use a pick when the music requires it. I also use a bow frequently on my upright. I think I have 12 or 13 electric basses. I prefer more “Fender style” basses. I have a couple Michael Tuttle basses, and a custom made 5 string Jazz bass. I also have two Yamaha basses and a Bossa 6 string fretless. And a couple of old Fender stock Precisions and Jazz. I also have several guitars. I use guitar as my writing tool. I also play a little piano on my recordings, but very simple stuff. Regarding bass amps, I have a Gallien Krueger, a Mark bass, and just bought a little Aguilar. I have a couple two 10 cabinets, a one 12 box, another box with two 8’s, sort of depends on the gig. Glen Yarbrough and Randy I’ve always been interested in woodworking. I’ve built some electric upright basses. I built the first one for the Engelburt tour. I took it on the road to be able to practice and maybe use in the show. They would truck or fly it with the rest of the gear. Eventually I started using it in the show and some other bass players saw it and liked it. So word got around and I think I’ve built and sold about 15 or so. I haven’t expanded too much beyond that. Unless I wanted to go full time with it the “time-to-dollar” ratio on handmade instruments isn’t that strong. Plus, I still like to play bass more than build them. I haven’t built any “for sale” uprights recently, but still work on my own personal basses. Randy in Studio – Courtesy of Cantor Tifani Coyot DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED OR WITNESSED DURING YOUR STUDIO SESSIONS? Well, we would do the basic studio tricks of double tracking vocals or stacking vocal harmonies. And I realized early on the importance laying down a good solid bass line with the drummer. In the old days doing TV recordings, you might have a 40 person orchestra all playing at once being recorded. So you don’t want to be the guy that says “I need to do another take!” But nowadays most everything can be fixed in post-production with digital editing software. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUNG MUSICIANS WHO WANT TO MAKE A LIVING OUT OF MUSIC? Be as musical as you can be. Develop good time, feel, and tone on your instrument. Know your role in whatever style of music you’re playing. Listen and lock in with the people you are playing with. Be as versatile as you can. It seems like a lot of musicians coming out of school now are “Pro-Tools” proficient and knowledgeable in notation software. Those are both good tools to have to find work as an engineer or in music preparation both being music related. Working in studios is a great way to meet people. People tend to go to New York, L.A., or Nashville or other music hubs to network and meet other like-minded musicians. Even though the competition is tough, I know that once I moved to L.A. I grew and advanced much faster than what I could have in Iowa. I think that one of the beautiful things about playing music is that you’re always learning new things. I’m constantly having to learn new music for different situations from shows, classical, roots and ethnic music. You don’t have to be a master at everything but you at least have to have a basic understanding and be able to play the style. Of course it all depends on where you live and who your playing with. Growing up in Oelwein Iowa and playing local gigs with Mike Vargason and Kelly Murphy, there was not much of a need to be able to play everything. We were young and basically rock and roll guys that concentrated on bands like Led Zepelin, Black Sabbath, Grand Funk, Deep Purple, The Allman Brothers and Grand Funk Railroad. However, that was a cool time for music for me. WHAT CD IS IN YOUR CAR RIGHT NOW? – WHAT NEW BANDS OR PLAYERS DO YOU LIKE RIGHT NOW? In my car right now is a CD by Lou Enstedt – a songwriter I’ve been recording with over the past year. He just sent me his newly mastered CD to check out. I’ve been listening to The Punch Brothers, Hiatus Kaiyote, and the new James Taylor record. Some other things that come to mind are “Dirty Loops” They’re a Swedish group that takes pop songs and fuses them out. Their keyboard player/ singer sounds a bit like Stevie Wonder. Snarky Puppy is an instrumental fusion ensemble from New York that’s doing some cool stuff. I tend to listen to all kind of music from jazz, rock, electronica, Latin, country. Whatever as long as it’s good. There is an old adage about choosing your career: “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Children often have dreams of being professional athletes, actors or musicians but few realize those dreams. Randy is one of the lucky ones who is living his childhood dreams. He has worked with some major artists but still is just a down home Iowa boy who is reluctant to brag about his stellar career. In Randy’s own words on his career, ”I’m fortunate and happy to get up every day and be able to do something I love.” Sara Landas, Randy Landas, Mary Ekler, Ryan Landas Randy has a daughter Sara (27) and son Ryan (23). Sara is a film editor. She is currently making a feature length documentary film entitled The Goddess Project. Ryan is busy working for a company called Microfence. Randy has been in a relationship with Mary Ekler since 2000. They currently reside in Glendale, CA and continue to work together on many musical endeavors. 6 comments on “Randy Landas” Scott Peterson says: Hi Randy glad to see your doing well remember hitch hiking to Sedalia Rock Festival? Darryl Landas says: Good to find you on the internet.. Darryl Landas Charlie Hallberg says: Kelly: I was blown away by your story on Randy Landas! You should have been a journalist! Did you do the telephone interview? His “mediocre career” would be a dream come true for the rest of us “musicians” from the big “O”! Fun stuff! keep blogging ! Charlie Hallberg, Hiawatha, IA. indianakelly says: Interesting that you say I should have been a journalist. Randy Landas thought I should have been an historian! Up until I tracked Randy down last spring, I had not talked to him for 40 years. But among my friends who knew him while he was in Oelwein, there were legendary rumors about how he had made it big in Los Angeles. But nobody had any hard facts. So I decided that I needed to find out if any of those stories were true. I talked to Randy over the phone about 4-5 times. One of them was when he was driving through LA on the way to a gig. I had a prepared list of questions to ask him but we often went in different directions which gave me some of the best stuff. After each conversation I would write it up and send it to him to verify and fact check. Some of the stuff we talked about was somewhat sensitive and we decided not to include it in the final version. For example: discussions about how much money was made via touring, recording and playing local gigs. Another set of discussions centered on the behind the scenes adventures with some of the big names (and not so big names) he worked with. He said that he could keep me laughing for hours with stories about one particular artist (who shall remain nameless). After we went through my notes, we decided to sanitize or omit many sections that were a little too personal. Also, after many rewrites, redesigns of his page, and going back and forth with photo options, he was questioning whether we should even include the “interview” section. I was able to persuade him how powerful that section was and that I thought that using his personal comments made the article come alive as a human interest story to the people in Oelwein and not just an online resume. But overall, I constantly told him that this was HIS PAGE, and he had the final say on what should, or should not be on it. After we finally got to his final “sign-off” of the webpage, he modestly said it was kind of “over-the top.” But I told him it was all true and that his story needed to be told and shared. Mary Ryan says: I remember going to school with Linda until about 6th grade. What a story. Best wishes to the whole family. Kathy Adams says: Great story! My parents, John and Lucy McNamara, were in couple’s card club with Randy’s parents, when they lived in Oelwein, Iowa. Kathy McNamara Steele Adams Oelwein, Iowa	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1854
__label__wiki	0.613946	0.613946	The HEYMAN CENTER for the Humanities at Columbia University Heyman Center Fellowship Edward W. Said Fellowship Trinity Long Room Hub and Heyman Center Visiting Fellowship Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination Justice in Education Public Humanities Heyman Center Public Humanities Fellowship 2019-20 Public Humanities Fellowship 2019-2020 Public Humanities Fellowship at the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities, Columbia University, in partnership with Humanities New York The Public Humanities Fellowship offered by Humanities New York (HNY) aims to strengthen the public humanities community in New York State by supporting the community-engaged work of emerging scholars. This yearlong fellowship offers the opportunity to explore the public application of one’s scholarly interests and provides training in the methods of the public humanities as well as networking and professional development. Two Public Humanities Fellows will be selected from among Columbia applicants to join a cohort of 18 Fellows from these other New York State universities: The City University of New York Graduate Center, Cornell University, New York University, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Binghamton, the University of Rochester, and Syracuse University. See below for Eligibility Requirements. During the course of the Fellowship, Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in events sponsored by Humanities New York and to apply for project funds from HNY to implement public programs they develop during the course of their Fellowship. Attending a two-day orientation run by Humanities New York [HNY] at their New York City office in August 2019 Developing a plan, under the guidance of HNY, to implement a public humanities project and working with community partners on that project Participating in workshops scheduled for December 2019 and June 2020 Presenting outcomes of research and public work to the university community in coordination with SoF/Heyman and submitting a final report to HNY Attending the Thursday Lecture Series of the Society of Fellows in the Humanities, (12:15pm-1:45pm), which runs for most of the academic year ELIGIBILITY: Current Columbia graduate students and recent doctoral recipients (PhD awarded after January 2018) are eligible to apply, with preference given to those who have already completed their Masters degree. Applications from those with a record of working with the public as well as those who are starting to explore the public humanities are equally welcome. DURATION & STIPEND: Duration of the Fellowship is August 2019 to June 2020, including mandatory attendance at a two-day training on August 19-20, 2019 in New York City and subsequent workshops. The Fellowship stipend is $8,000, plus a $500 travel and research stipend. The Fellowship is supported by grants from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. TO APPLY: Interested applicants should submit an online application, including a resume/CV and two references, by Friday, February 18, 2019. The online application can be accessed through Humanities New York’s program management platform, found here: https://humanitiesny.fluxx.io/ Applicants will need to create an account in the system, even if they’ve applied in prior years. Applicants will be notified of final decisions by April 30, 2019. CONTACT: Humanities New York Program Officer Adam Capitanio (212-233-1131 / [email protected]) ABOUT HUMANITIES NEW YORK: The mission of Humanities New York is to help all New Yorkers become thoughtful participants in our communities by promoting critical inquiry, cultural understanding, and civic engagement. Founded in 1975, Humanities New York is the sole statewide proponent of public access to the humanities. The Council is a private 501(c)3 that receives Federal, State, and private funding. The 2018-2019 Heyman Center Public Humanities Fellows are: Therese Cox will curate a project called You Are Here: Girls Map New York City. Together with local teaching artists and community partners, young women from New York City’s public schools will explore histories of the city, the politics of map-making and zoning, and issues of public space, race, and gender. The project will explore art, storytelling, poetry, and creative cartography as empowering practices, culminating in an exhibition and reading. Katryn Evinson will engage senior citizens in Ithaca NY to explore new ways of creative coexistence with technology. In the first part of the project, she will invite them to share their stories in order to reshape our narratives about technology and old age. In the second part, in collaboration with a reuse center inn Tompkins County, they will develop unusual uses of machinery through broken and obsolete devices, producing artistic pieces that challenge our ideas of instrumentality. Leah Pires' research centers on questions of power, institutions, and critique as they have been engaged by artists since the 1960s, and her dissertation focuses on New York artist Louise Lawler and her collaborators. As a 2017-18 Public Humanities Fellow at the Heyman Center, Leah is continuing her work with the Center for Justice's Justice-in-Education Initiative by developing a workshop that shares exhibitions from New York museums with young women at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island. Elliot Ross is a doctoral candidate in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. His dissertation examines narratives of the Kenyan War of Independence and its afterlives, and considers questions of historical reparation, anti-colonialism and human rights. His writing has appeared in the Guardian, Al Jazeera, Washington Post, and many other publications. He worked for five years as senior editor of the website Africa is a Country. As a Public Humanities Fellow, Elliot will facilitate a series of podcasts in which New York public high school students interview scholars on a politically meaningful topic of their expertise. Natacha Nsabimana will engage young women at the Rose M Singer Center for Women on Rikers Island to produce a literary journal discussing social justice issues such as racism, slavery, incarceration and sexual violence through the prism of art. Sahar Ullah will curate an interactive public arts project that includes the works of Muslim storytellers, poets, and visual artists with a special attention to North American minorities and immigrants with roots from regions largely portrayed as conflict zones in U.S. media outlets. Sahar is the recipient of the 2017 Presidential Teaching Award for Graduate Student Instructors! Three graduate student instructor (teaching assistant) recipients are recognized each year during the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Convocation ceremony in May. Winners receive a certificate signed by President Bollinger, a formal citation written by their department, and an honorarium of $8,000. Additionally, the winners may also be recognized in University-wide and departmental publications. The 2015-16 Heyman Center Public Humanities Fellows are: Liane Carlson, who will create a philosophy curriculum for GED students. Nicole Gervasio (Columbia University, English & Comparative Literature), who will bring together high school students from diverse backgrounds for reading and writing workshops aimed at bridging divides between them. Public Humanities Initiative Upcoming PHI Events No upcoming Public Humanities Initiatives event currently. Check back later. View full schedule of Public Humanities Initiative events. Featured PHI News July 5, 2018 Break the Silence July 2, 2018 ARTE: Global Women Heroes Project Event (June 4th, 2018) June 4, 2018 “Getting Out of Prison Meant Leaving Dear Friends Behind” by Robert Wright May 4, 2018 The Mellon Foundation awards a renewal of $1.7 million to the Justice-in-Education Initiative PHI Mailing List Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved. The Heyman Center for the Humanities at Columbia University in the City of New York.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1858
__label__wiki	0.947456	0.947456	Concert Reviews, Photo Galleries CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH, TEEN MEN AT BROOKLYN BOWL Photos by Jason Riedmiller When we last left Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, it was the spring of this year and the band was working up a new album and debuting new songs - and a new lineup - at Philadel... NEW CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH SONG, ALBUM IN JUNE Photo by Jason Riedmiller Clap Your Hands Say Yeah have shared a new song, "Coming Down," featuring The National vocalist Matt Berninger. You can hear the track below. CYHSY's new album "Only Run" ... COMPLETE LAST WALTZ SET FOR THE CAPITOL THEATRE On Wednesday, November 27 at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, a star-studded lineup of musicians will pay tribute to "The Last Waltz," the historic concert and legendary film by The Band. "Th... ALEC OUNSWORTH ON CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH’S NEXT CHAPTER By Michael Lello Photos by Jason Riedmiller Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is in the midst of a transitional period. A new EP, new band members, a new album set for a release next year. In July, the A... CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH’S NIGHT OF FIRSTS By Michael Lello Photos by Jason Riedmiller PHILADELPHIA – It was a night of firsts for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah last Thursday. First show with new band members. First show featuring songs from ... CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH RELEASES EP Philadelphia's Clap Your Hands Say Yeah has released a new EP, "Little Moments," which you can stream below. The EP is available for download, as well as a pre-order of a limited edition run of 500 s... CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH ANNOUNCE NEW RECORD The seemingly dormant Philadelphia/New York band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah on Thursday announced "Hysterical," their first new album in four years, which will be released Sept. 20. It will be CHYSY's f... H81R’S MICHAEL LELLO’S FAVORITE CONCERTS OF THE YEAR WILL PEACH FEST CONTINUE WITHOUT ALLMAN BROTHERS? ALICE COOPER SELLS OUT KIRBY CENTER — AGAIN — WITH ‘PARANORMAL’ PERFORMANCE SOLD-OUT CROWD CELEBRATES VINTAGE ANNIVERSAY WILL BEEKMAN: ALBUMS THE UMPHREY’S MCGEE HEADPHONES EXPERIENCE KISS, MORE TO PLAY MOUNTAIN LAUREL CENTER	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1859
__label__cc	0.541168	0.458832	2004: Afghan Poppy Farmers Harvest Record Opium Crop Opium production in Afghanistan, 1980-2005. Based on United Nations data. [Source: UNODC/MCN] (click image to enlarge)Roughly 4,600 tons of opium are harvested in Afghanistan during 2004, according to a December 2004 statement by Russian Federal Drug Control Service Oleg Kharichkin. By the end of the year, more than 206,000 hectares in Afghanistan are reportedly planted with the crop. The Russians believe that 2005 production will approach 5,000 tons. [PakTribune (Islamabad), 12/22/2004] Entity Tags: Russia Category Tags: Afghanistan, Drugs 2004: CIA Concludes Illegal Drug Profits Going to Islamic Militant Groups and Afghan Warlords Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles asks the CIA to analyze where the drug profits in Afghanistan are going. The CIA concludes that it is probable some of the drugs are going to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), an al-Qaeda-related group just north of Afghanistan; the Taliban; the anti-US warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar; and possibly al-Qaeda. Charles says, “The linkages were there.” Author James Risen later comments, “The connections between drug trafficking and terrorism that the Pentagon didn’t want to acknowledge were real and growing, and were clearly helping to fuel a revival of guerrilla activity in Afghanistan.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 152-162] An article in the Independent this year will come to similar conclusions (see August 14, 2004). Based on this report and other evidence, Charles will push for a tough counter-narcotics policy but will end up losing his job instead (see November 2004). Entity Tags: Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Taliban, Central Intelligence Agency, Al-Qaeda, Robert Charles, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, James Risen 2004: Defense Department Reports US Is Fueling Islamist Militancy by Propping up Authoritarian Regimes in Middle East The Defense Science Board, a Defense Department task force commissioned to examine the war on terrorism, reports: “If there is one overarching goal [Islamist militant groups] share, it is the overthrow of what Islamists call the ‘apostate’ regimes: the tyrannies of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Jordan and the gulf states… . The United States finds itself in the strategically awkward - and potentially dangerous - situation of being the longstanding prop and alliance partner of these authoritarian regimes. Without the US, these regimes could not survive. Thus the US has strongly taken sides in a desperate struggle that is both broadly cast for all Muslims and country-specific.” [New York Times Magazine, 9/11/2005] Entity Tags: Defense Science Board 2004: CIA Program to Assassinate and Capture Al-Qaeda Leaders Terminated, then Revived and Outsourced to Blackwater A CIA program to kill and capture al-Qaeda leaders (see Shortly After September 17, 2001) is terminated, and then revived under a new code name and surreptitiously outsourced to the private military corporation Blackwater. [Washington Post, 8/20/2009; New York Times, 8/20/2009] Outsourcing Kidnappings and Assassinations - The public will not learn of the program until 2009 (see August 19-20, 2009). The reason for the move is that key officials leave the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center, which had run the program, and go to work for Blackwater. A retired intelligence officer intimately familiar with the assassination program will say of the reason for using Blackwater, “Outsourcing gave the agency more protection in case something went wrong.” According to the Washington Post, the contract goes to Blackwater “in part because of its close ties to the CIA and because of its record in carrying out covert assignments overseas.” [Washington Post, 8/20/2009] Blackwater is given operational responsibility for targeting terrorist commanders, including planning and surveillance, and is awarded millions of dollars for training and weaponry. Blackwater executives help the CIA in planning, training, and surveillance exercises for team members. It remains unclear whether Blackwater’s role is merely for training and surveillance, or if Blackwater employees are slated to actually carry out kidnappings and assassinations. A former official will say that the Blackwater phase involves “lots of time spent training,” mostly in the US. The teams reportedly simulate missions that often involve kidnapping. “They were involved not only in trying to kill but also in getting close enough to snatch,” the official will say. Blackwater does not have an official contract with the CIA; instead, individual executives, such as its founder and CEO Erik Prince, have contracts with the agency. [Washington Post, 8/20/2009; New York Times, 8/20/2009] Program Never Implemented - Although the CIA spends several million dollars on the program, no one is actually captured or killed, and most of the program’s elements are never implemented. According to a former official, there is “much frustration” among team members at this. [Washington Post, 8/20/2009] Program Termination - The assassination program began in 2002, after the 9/11 attacks, and will continue until 2009, when then-CIA Director Leon Panetta will terminate it. Blackwater’s role in the program will be terminated much sooner (see (2005-2006)). In 2009, government officials will tell the New York Times that the CIA’s efforts to use what the newspaper calls “paramilitary hit teams” to kill al-Qaeda operatives “ran into logistical, legal, and diplomatic hurdles almost from the outset.” [New York Times, 8/20/2009; Time, 8/21/2009] Despite an initial prohibition from Vice President Dick Cheney (see 2002), the program will later be briefed to Congress (see June 24, 2009). The fact that Blackwater became involved in it is one of the reasons Congress is notified. The New York Times will report that “government officials said that bringing outsiders into a program with lethal authority raised deep concerns about accountability in covert operations.” In addition, a private contractor involved in an operation would not have the same diplomatic immunity as a US government employee. [New York Times, 8/20/2009] Former CIA Agent: Director 'Horrified' at Use of Mercenaries - In 2009, former CIA agent Robert Baer will write: “Panetta must have been horrified that the CIA turned to mercenaries to play a part in its dirty work. It’s one thing, albeit often misguided, for the agency to outsource certain tasks to contractors. It’s quite another to involve a company like Blackwater in even the planning and training of targeted killings, akin to the CIA going to the mafia to draw up a plan to kill [Cuban dictator Fidel] Castro.” Baer believes that the Blackwater contracts were more about “bilking the US taxpayer than… killing Osama bin Laden or other al-Qaeda leaders.… [A]s soon as CIA money lands in Blackwater’s account, it is beyond accounting, as good as gone.” Baer will note that Blackwater is involved in a number of highly questionable actions, including the apparent murder of several Iraqi and Afghan civilians, and will ask “what the CIA saw in Blackwater that the public still has not.” Baer will conclude by speculating, “Even more troubling, I think we will find out that in the unraveling of the Bush years, Blackwater was not the worst of the contractors, some of which did reportedly end up carrying out their assigned hits.” [Time, 8/21/2009] Entity Tags: Robert Baer, Leon Panetta, Erik Prince, Central Intelligence Agency, Al-Qaeda, Blackwater USA 2004: US Misses Al-Qaeda Leader Al-Libbi in Abbottabad, Pakistan The CIA and ISI (Pakistan’s intelligence agency) conduct a joint raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, attempting to find Abu Faraj al-Libbi. He is al-Qaeda’s operational head since Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was captured in 2003 (see February 29 or March 1, 2003). Al-Libbi is not captured in the raid. However, he will be captured a year later in Mardan, near Abbottabad (see May 2, 2005). [Washington Post, 5/11/2011] Abbottabad is the town where Osama bin Laden will eventually be killed in 2011 (see May 2, 2011). Pakistani forces conduct a raid in April 2004 attempting to get al-Libbi in Abbottabad (see April 2004) and another raid in 2004 where they unwittingly almost capture al-Libbi (see After April 2004). It is not known the US raid is the same as either of these. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will describe both raids in a 2006 book and will not mention US participation, even though he does with other raids in the book. [Musharraf, 2006, pp. 210-211] Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Abu Faraj al-Libbi, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence Category Tags: Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11 2004-2007: Suicide Bombings Dramatically Increase in Afghanistan Up until 2004, suicide bombings were almost unheard of in Afghanistan. But beginning that year, the Taliban launches six suicide attacks. In 2005, the number increases to 21. In 2006, the number skyrockets to 141, causing 1,166 casualties. In 2007, the number remains steady at 137, but the number of casualties increases 50 percent to 1,730. On September 8, 2006, a suicide bomber hits a US convoy just outside the US embassy in Kabul, killing two US soldiers and 16 Afghans. The resulting investigation uncovers a suicide bomb support network in Kabul that links to militants in the tribal regions of Pakistan. Amrullah Saleh, the head of Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, says: “Every single bomber we arrest is linked to Pakistan in some way. The training, provisions, explosives, technical equipment, are all being manufactured in Pakistan, and the CIA knows this.” [Rashid, 2008, pp. 366-367] Entity Tags: Taliban, Amrullah Saleh Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan (2004 and After): London-based Website and Radio Station Glorify Jihad, British Authorities Take No Action Al-Tajdeed Radio, a station run by London-based Saudi Islamist Mohammed al-Massari, broadcasts in Iraq and Saudi Arabia calls for attacks on British troops. The station carries songs calling for jihad against the coalition forces and addresses by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, head of an Iraqi group of militants reported to be affiliated with al-Qaeda. In addition, al-Massari also posts videos of attacks on British troops on his website. For example, in August 2006 the Council of Holy Warriors posts a declaration praising a bombing in Iraq that results in 55 people killed and wounded. MP Patrick Mercer calls the broadcasts “desperately demoralizing” for British troops in Iraq. Al-Massari says that the broadcasts were not in Britain, but abroad, so they are legal. No action is taken against al-Massari over the radio station and website, even after Britain passes a new Terrorism Act in 2006 making glorifying or encouraging political violence a crime (see March 30, 2006). [BBC, 8/18/2005; New York Times, 8/21/2006] Entity Tags: Patrick Mercer, Mohammed al-Massari, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Category Tags: Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism Early 2004: White House Asks 9/11 Commission Not to Call for CIA Director Tenet’s Resignation White House chief of staff Andrew Card calls 9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean and asks him not to demand the resignation of CIA Director George Tenet. Card says that he has heard the Commission will issue a statement tomorrow, but that President George Bush does not wish it. “You know, the president likes George,” he says, so such a call from the Commission would put Bush in an impossible position. Card asks that the Commission reconsider its apparent demand. However, Kean tells Card that he must have heard a false rumor, and that the Commission has no intention of calling for Tenet’s head in the middle of its inquiry. Card had actually heard the rumor from Tenet himself, although it is not known where Tenet learned it. At this point the Commission is considering recommending a long-mooted split of Tenet’s responsibilities. As director of central intelligence (DCI), Tenet runs the CIA and is also responsible for the intelligence community as a whole, although he does not have any real power over the other agencies supposedly under him. The split would mean that the CIA director would only run the CIA, and a director of national intelligence would be appointed above him, to coordinate the activities of all agencies in the intelligence community. It is possible that Tenet has misinterpreted talk of such a split as preparations for calling on him to resign. [Kean and Hamilton, 2006, pp. 144; Shenon, 2008, pp. 403] Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Andrew Card, George J. Tenet, Thomas Kean, 9/11 Commission Category Tags: 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations Early 2004: Bin Laden and Al-Zarqawi Begin Exploring Idea of Allying Their Forces In 2005, Hutaifa Azzam, son of Abdullah Azzam, Osama bin Laden’s mentor and a longtime acquaintance of militant leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, says al-Zarqawi had “no relations with Osama until he left to Iraq. His relation with Osama started [in 2004] through the Internet.” [Bergen, 2006, pp. 363-364] The Atlantic Monthly will later report that negotiations between al-Zarqawi and bin Laden about an alliance between them begin in early 2004. Al-Zarqawi will pledge loyalty to bin Laden in October, “but only after eight months of often stormy negotiations” (see October 17, 2004). [Atlantic Monthly, 6/8/2006] Entity Tags: Hutaifa Azzam, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Osama bin Laden, Abdullah Azzam Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion, Iraq under US Occupation Category Tags: Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism Early 2004: Bush Administration Orders Seizing of US Boats Believed to Be Traveling to Cuba The Bush administration directs the Department of Homeland Security to seize any vessel, sailing anywhere in US waters, that DHS believes might be headed to Cuba. The justification for the directive is “the Cuban government’s support of terrorism,” according to the DHS, even though there is little evidence to back up that claim. According to Business Week’s Paul Magnusson, the directive may well violate the Bill of Rights, and requires the US Coast Guard to “draw up regulations and enlist cash-strapped local police departments and harbor patrols in the effort.” The editor of a boating magazine observes: “That’s right, Popeye. If you’re unlucky enough to be reading this magazine in the cockpit of your most cherished possession—be it in San Diego, Seattle, Saginaw, or South Florida—and you wonder aloud how you’d always wanted to chase Hemingway’s wake, by the letter of this new edict you have now forfeited the right to keep your boat.” [Carter, 2004, pp. 17] Entity Tags: Paul Magnusson, Bush administration (43), US Department of Homeland Security Category Tags: Internal US Security After 9/11, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics Early 2004: CIA Lacks Resources to Monitor Al-Qaeda Haven in Pakistan, Due to Iraq War In early 2004, the head of the CIA station in Kabul, Afghanistan, known only as “Peter,” reports a revival of al-Qaeda and Taliban forces near the border of Pakistan. He proposes a spring intelligence push in the Pakistani tribal regions of South Waziristan and Kunar. Since 2002, al-Qaeda has mainly been regrouping in Waziristan, and many speculate that Osama bin Laden may be hiding there (see August 2002). Peter estimates that 24 field officers and five station officers would be needed for the new push. However, CIA headquarters replies that it does not have the resources to make the surge, presumably due to commitments in Iraq. Peter is rotated out of his post a short time later. [Washington Post, 10/22/2004] Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, “Peter”, Central Intelligence Agency, Taliban Timeline Tags: Iraq under US Occupation, War in Afghanistan Category Tags: Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan Early 2004: 76 Percent of US Cities Receive No Federal Money for Emergency Crews, First Responders The US Conference of Mayors releases findings showing that of 215 cities surveyed, 76 percent say they have not received any money whatsoever from the federal government for their emergency crews and first responders—the nation’s front line of defense against terrorist attacks. [Carter, 2004, pp. 21] Entity Tags: US Conference of Mayors, Bush administration (43) Category Tags: Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics, Internal US Security After 9/11 Early 2004: Weldon Fails to Convince 9/11 Commission to Look into Data Mining Programs Rep. Curt Weldon. [Source: House of Representatives]Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA) is not yet familiar with Able Danger, though he will help bring information about the program to light in 2005. However, he is familiar with the closely related Land Information Warfare Activity (LIWA) program, having had dealings with it before 9/11. He says he is frustrated at the apparent lack of understanding about programs like LIWA based on the lines of questioning at public 9/11 Commission hearings in early 2004, so, “On at least four occasions, I personally tried to brief the 9/11 Commissioners on: NOAH [Weldon’s pre-9/11 suggestion to have a National Operations and Analysis Hub]; integrative data collaboration capabilities; my frustration with intelligence stovepipes; and al-Qaeda analysis. However, I was never able to achieve more than a five-minute telephone conversation with Commissioner Thomas Kean. On March 24, 2004, I also had my Chief of Staff personally hand deliver a document about LIWA, along [with] questions for George Tenet to the Commission, but neither was ever used.” [US Congress. Senate. Committee on Judiciary, 9/21/2005] He says: “The next week, they sent a staffer over to pick up some additional materials about the NIWA, about the concept, and about information I had briefed them on. They never followed up and invited me to come in and meet with them. So they can’t say that I didn’t try.” [Office of Congressman Curt Weldon, 9/17/2005] Entity Tags: Land Information Warfare Activity, Curt Weldon, 9/11 Commission, Thomas Kean, George J. Tenet Category Tags: Able Danger, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations January 2004: 9/11 Commission’s Zelikow Rewrites Staff Reports, Wants to Read them All at Hearings The 9/11 Commission’s teams of investigators are asked to present interim staff reports to be read in the public hearings. Each report summarizes the staff’s findings regarding the subject of the day’s testimony. The reports help frame the questions for the day’s witnesses, and provide the basis for some of the chapters of the final report, so they are quite important and closely reported in the media. The commission’s executive director, Philip Zelikow, almost always rewrites the reports. Zelikow is smarting from the rounds of public criticism he has suffered for his apparent close ties to the Bush administration (see November 1997-August 1998, January 3, 2001, September 20, 2002, and March 21, 2004), and decides that he alone should read each staff report in the hearings—in essence, presenting himself as the public face of the commission and hopefully garnering some positive press coverage. That idea falls flat when angry staffers complain to the commissioners. But Zelikow continues to rewrite the reports, often improving on the language and wording, and sometimes rewriting reports to insert information that staffers find unsupportable (see January 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 317-324] Entity Tags: Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission Category Tags: 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations January 2004: Lone 9/11 Commission Staffer Decides to Read Though Small Portion of Ignored NSA Material Herself Kevin Scheid. [Source: Abledangerblog(.com)]After finding that nobody else on the 9/11 Commission is interested in what the NSA knew about al-Qaeda in general and the 9/11 plot in particular (see Late 2002-July 2004 and Late 2003), commission staffer Lorry Fenner decides to try to read through a portion of the material herself. Fenner is “astonished” that nobody from the commission’s team investigating the 9/11 plot is reading the material, and thinks about asking her boss, Kevin Scheid, to tell the commission’s executive director Philip Zelikow that somebody should read the material. However, Scheid resists a confrontation with Zelikow, and Fenner does not want to go over her boss’s head and talk to Zelikow herself. Therefore, although she has other duties on the commission, she starts to read through the material herself. There are tens of thousands of pages of NSA documents about Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda and, according to author Philip Shenon, “It would take several days of reading to get through even a small portion of it.” Fenner spends “two or three hours” on “several days” between January and June in the reading room, and some colleagues help her towards the end (see June 2004 and Between July 1 and July 17, 2004), but most of the information will go unread by the 9/11 Commission. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 156-7, 370] Entity Tags: Philip Zelikow, National Security Agency, Kevin Scheid, Lorry Fenner, 9/11 Commission Category Tags: Remote Surveillance, 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations January 2004: US Not Advertising Reward Program in Pakistan Where Most Al-Qaeda Leaders Are Hiding; Program Not Fixed Later In 2004, Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-Ill) visits Pakistan to find out why the US Rewards for Justice program has generated so little information regarding al-Qaeda’s leadership. In the early 1990s, the program was effective in helping to catch al-Qaeda bomber Ramzi Yousef after a $2 million reward was announced for him and a huge number of matchboxes with his picture and the reward information on it were distributed in countries where he was likely to be (see April 2, 1993). The program has $25 million rewards for al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, and lesser rewards for other al-Qaeda leaders. Kirk discovers that the US Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan has effectively shut down the reward program. There is no radio or television advertising. A bin Laden matchbook campaign had begun in 2000 (see February 16, 2000), but the embassy has stopped giving away matchbooks with photos of bin Laden and other leaders. Kirk will later say: “We were at zero. I couldn’t believe it.” Embassy officials tell Kirk they are busy with other issues, such as assisting US troops in Afghanistan. Kirk proposes a congressional bill that would increase funding for the rewards program to advertise, extend the program to target drug kingpins (especially those who fund al-Qaeda and the Taliban), and make other reforms and improvements. But apparently the bill does not pass and the problem is not fixed. In 2008, Kirk will complain, “[T]he key thing about the Rewards for Justice program is that no one in a rural area—anywhere—knows about it.” Former CIA officer Arthur Keller will also say in 2008 that there are people in Pakistan and elsewhere with information who would be open to informing. “They’d love to have a $25 million bounty, and they aren’t supportive of Osama. But they don’t necessarily trust the US. Who do you report it to? The local police chief?… They’re not sure who to turn to or who to trust.” [US Congress, House, 2/12/2004; Washington Post, 5/17/2008] In 2006, the program will conduct a large advertising blitz in the US, seemingly one of the most unlikely places to figure leaders such as bin Laden (see December 2006). Entity Tags: Mark Steven Kirk, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, Arthur Keller Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11 January 2004: Karl Rove Orders Poll to Determine Public Interest in 9/11 Commission White House adviser Karl Rove orders a Republican Party poll to determine public interest in a number of issues: Martha Stewart’s insider trading case, Enron’s collapse, and the 9/11 Commission’s investigation. The poll suggests that the public is not that interested in the Commission, which, according to author Philip Shenon, is “a relief at the White House.” Apparently, this is not the only poll Rove orders about the 9/11 Commission. Shenon will add that Rove “would have been a fool not to keep an eye on the Commission, given the potential trouble it could create for Bush on the eve of his reelection campaign—a campaign that would be centered almost entirely on the president’s record on terrorism.” Perhaps partly because of this, the Commission and its staff have “a sense of being watched” by Rove, and commissioner John Lehman will say that Rove views the Commission as a “mortal threat” to Bush’s reelection chances. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 175-176] Entity Tags: Philip Shenon, 9/11 Commission, John Lehman, Karl C. Rove Timeline Tags: 2004 Elections January 2004: Air Strike on Afghan Drug Lab Is Exception to the Rule A British special forces team in Afghanistan calls in a US air strike on a drug lab. The damage leads to a 15 percent spike in heroin prices. It is unclear if US commanders knew that the proposed target was a drug lab. However, this seems to be nearly the only such strike on drug-related targets since 9/11. Shortly after 9/11, the US military decided to avoid such targets (see Shortly After September 11, 2001). The US continued to gain new intelligence on the location of drug facilities and continued not to act. Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles later will complain, “We had regular reports of where the labs were. There were not large numbers of them. We could have destroyed all the labs and warehouses in the three primary provinces involved in drug trafficking… in a week. I told flag officers, you have to see this is eating you alive, that if you don’t do anything by 2006 you are going to need a lot more troops in Afghanistan.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 152-162] Entity Tags: Robert Charles Category Tags: Drugs, Afghanistan January 2004: Staffers Appalled at Zelikow’s Rewrite of 9/11 Commission Statement to Imply Connections between Iraq and Al-Qaeda Members of the 9/11 Commission’s team focusing on counterterrorism issues are appalled at a rewrite of a report by executive director Philip Zelikow. Zelikow rewrote the report, about the history of US efforts to contain al-Qaeda during the Clinton years, to imply that direct links exist between Iraq and al-Qaeda (see January 2004). Staffer Scott Allan, who wrote the original report, thinks that if the report is allowed to stand, it will become an important propaganda tool for the White House and its neoconservative backers in justifying the Iraq war, with headlines trumpeting the commission’s “discovery” of evidence linking al-Qaeda and Iraq. Many of Allan’s colleagues are equally disturbed, especially senior staffer Les Hawley. Hawley, a retired colonel, is a veteran of the military and civilian bureaucracies in Washington, and was a senior official in the State Department under Bill Clinton. Hawley, Allan, and the rest of the team directly challenge Zelikow’s rewrite. In author Philip Shenon’s words: “It would be remembered as an all-important showdown for the staff, the moment where they would make it clear that Zelikow could take his partisanship only so far. The staff would not allow him to trade on their credibility to promote the goals of the Bush White House—not in these interim reports, nor in the commission’s final report later that year.” The staff soon confronts Zelikow on the issue (see January 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 317-324] Entity Tags: Philip Shenon, 9/11 Commission, Al-Qaeda, Bush administration (43), Clinton administration, Les Hawley, US Department of State, Scott Allan, Philip Zelikow Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion, 9/11 Timeline Category Tags: 9/11 Commission, Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations January 2004: 9/11 Commission’s Zelikow Backs Down on Allegations of Connections between Iraq and Al-Qaeda After 9/11 Commission executive director Philip Zelikow rewrites a staff report to allege links between Iraq and al-Qaeda (see January 2004), the staff confront Zelikow over the rewrite (see January 2004). The meeting between Zelikow and the staffers becomes somewhat heated, but Zelikow capitulates in the end, replacing the allegations of a link between Iraq and al-Qaeda with far more neutral language, and agreeing to let the entire issue lay until a later staff report. Author Philip Shenon will later write: “The staff suspected that Zelikow realized at the meeting that he had been caught in a clear-cut act of helping his friends in the Bush White House—that he had tried to twist the wording of the report to serve the needs of the Bush administration and its stumbling military campaign. Zelikow said later it was nothing of the sort.” Zelikow will deny allegations that he is a “White House mole,” and insist that all he wanted to do was help the commission keep “an open mind” on the subject. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 317-324] Entity Tags: Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission, Al-Qaeda, Bush administration (43), Philip Shenon January 2004: Zelikow Tries to Have 9/11 Commission Back Contentious Link between Iraq and Al-Qaeda 9/11 Commission Executive Director Philip Zelikow rewrites a commission staff statement to imply there are ties between al-Qaeda and Iraq. Zelikow often rewrites many of the staff statements, but usually mainly to improve the style (see January 2004), and the addition of the Iraq-related material is unusual. The statement dealing with Iraq was originally compiled by international law expert Scott Allan, a member of the 9/11 Commission’s counterterrorism investigation, which is a strong focus of Zelikow’s attention. Allan writes the statement on the history of US diplomatic efforts to monitor and counteract al-Qaeda during the Clinton years, and the difficulties encountered by the government in working with “friendly” Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia to keep al-Qaeda at bay. Allan and other members of Team 3 are horrified at Zelikow’s rewrite of this report. Zelikow inserts sentences that allege direct ties between Iraq and al-Qaeda (see July 9, 2003), suggest that al-Qaeda officials were in systematic contact with Iraqi government officials in the years before 9/11, and even allege that Osama bin Laden had seriously considered moving to Iraq after the Clinton administration pressured the Taliban to oust him from Afghanistan (see April 4, 2000 and December 29, 2000). Zelikow’s additions are subtle and never directly state that Iraq and al-Qaeda had any sort of working relationship, but the import is clear. The effect of Zelikow’s rewrite would be to put the commission on record as strongly suggesting that such a connection between Iraq and al-Qaeda—long a White House argument to justify the war in Iraq—existed before 9/11, and therefore Iraq bore some of the responsibility for the attacks. Allan never made any such allegations in his original draft. Moreover, he knows from his colleagues who have pored over the archives at the CIA that no evidence of such a connection exists. Allan and the other Team 3 staffers confront Zelikow on the rewrite (see January 2004), and Zelikow eventually backs down (see January 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 317-324] Entity Tags: Bush administration (43), 9/11 Commission, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Philip Zelikow, Osama bin Laden, Clinton administration, Scott Allan Category Tags: Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations January 2004: DNA Tests Indicate Hijackers Could Be Middle Eastern or European The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory logo. [Source: Armed Forces Institure of Pathology]The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) publishes a report on the examination of DNA of the presumed hijackers of Flight 77, which hit the Pentagon on 9/11, and Flight 93, which went down near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The hijackers’ DNA is identified by a process of elimination, i.e. it is presumed to be that which does not match the samples provided by the passengers’ relatives. Samples are not requested from the hijackers’ families (see After September 11, 2001), but it is determined that the DNA may have come from Middle Eastern men, although in two cases current but not very comprehensive databases indicate they are more likely to come from Europeans. Also, the DNA samples from the Pentagon indicate that two of the presumed hijackers may well have been brothers. Presumably this refers to Nawaf and Salem Alhazmi. [Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, 1/2004, pp. 82-84 ] Entity Tags: Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory Category Tags: FBI 9/11 Investigation, 9/11 Investigations January 2004: White House Refuses to Allow 9/11 Commission Access to Additional Presidential Daily Briefs despite Deal, Commission Hires Lawyer to Draft Subpoena 9/11 Commissioner Jamie Gorelick and Philip Zelikow, the 9/11 Commission’s executive director, complete a review of 300 Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) items that might be relevant to the Commission’s work. They find that 50 of them are actually relevant and, under the terms of an agreement they have with the White House (see November 7, 2003), tell White House counsel Alberto Gonzales that the Commission’s chairman and vice chairman, Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, should see these 50. The other seven commissioners will not see any of the PDBs, but Gorelick and Zelikow want to show them a 10-page summary of what they have found. The White House had previously agreed to this in principle, but Gonzales says that 50 is too many. He says that when the agreement was concluded, he thought they would only want to show one or two more to Kean and Hamilton. In addition, he claims the 10-page summary is way too long, and has too much detail about one key PDB concerning Osama bin Laden’s determination to strike inside the US (see August 6, 2001). Gonzales’s response angers all the commissioners. Its lawyer, Daniel Marcus, is instructed to hire an outside counsel to draft a subpoena, and he engages Robert Weiner, a leading Washington lawyer. The subpoena is to be for Gorelick and Zelikow’s notes, because the Commission thinks it is more likely to get them. However, Marcus will say that filing a subpoena “would have been Armageddon,” because, “Even though we had a good legal argument, the subpoena would have been a disaster for us because we could not have won the litigation in time to get the PDBs.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 222-224] The subpoena will not be sent due to a last ditch intervention by Zelikow (see February 2004). Entity Tags: Daniel Marcus, Alberto R. Gonzales, White House, Jamie Gorelick, Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission, Robert Weiner Category Tags: Bush's Aug. 6, 2001 PDB, 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations January 2004: Nabil al-Marabh Mysteriously Deported to Syria Nabil al-Marabh. [Source: Associated Press]After Nabil al-Marabh’s eight-month prison sentence was completed in 2003, he remained in a Chicago prison awaiting deportation. However, deportation proceedings were put on hold because federal prosecutors lodged a material witness warrant against him. When the warrant is dropped, al-Marabh is cleared to be deported to Syria. [Associated Press, 1/29/2003; Associated Press, 6/3/2004] In late 2002, the US government argued that there was no evidence al-Marabh had ever been involved in any terrorist activity or connected to any terrorist organization (see September 3, 2002). However, in al-Marabh’s deportation hearing, the judge rules that he “does present a danger to national security,” is “credibly linked to elements of terrorism,” and has a “propensity to lie.” A footnote in his 2003 deportation ruling states, “The FBI has been unable to rule out the possibility that al-Marabh has engaged in terrorist activity or will do so if he is not removed from the United States.” He is deported nonetheless, and prosecutors from two US cities are not allowed to indict him. Both Democratic and Republican Senators will later express bafflement and complain about this deportation (see June 30, 2004). [Associated Press, 6/3/2004] Entity Tags: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nabil al-Marabh Category Tags: Nabil Al-Marabh, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics January-June 2004: 9/11 Commission Staffer Discovers Material Possibly Linking Iran to 9/11 Figures Unnoticed in NSA Archives 9/11 Commission staffer Lorry Fenner. [Source: Public domain]9/11 Commission staffer Lorry Fenner, who is reading through NSA material related to al-Qaeda on her own initiative (see January 2004), finds material possibly linking Iran and Hezbollah to al-Qaeda. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 157, 370-1] The material indicates that between eight and ten of the future hijackers traveled between Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and other destinations via Iran. For example, in November 2000, one of the hijackers, Ahmed Alghamdi, took the same flight as a senior Hezbollah official (see November 2000), although the 9/11 Commission report will say this may be a “coincidence.” An associate of a senior Hezbollah operative took the same flight as another three of the hijackers in November 2000, and Hezbollah officials were expecting an undefined group to arrive at the same time. However, the hijackers’ families will say they were in Saudi Arabia at this time (see Mid-November, 2000). Based on information such as this, the commission will conclude that Iran helped al-Qaeda operatives transit Iran by not stamping their passports, but that neither it nor Hezbollah had any knowledge of the 9/11 plot. Under interrogation, detainees Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Ramzi bin al-Shibh say that some of the hijackers did transit Iran, but that they had no assistance from the Iranian authorities. However, such statements were apparently made after they were tortured, bringing their reliability into question (see June 16, 2004 and August 6, 2007). [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 240-1] The NSA intelligence reports the information about Iranian and Hezbollah is based on were mostly drafted between October and December 2001, so it is possible that the NSA was monitoring Hezbollah in 2000 and then matched up travel by that organization’s operatives with the 9/11 hijackers’ travel, ascertained from airlines, for example, after 9/11. One of the reports, entitled “operative’s claimed identification of photos of two Sept. 11 hijackers,” is dated August 9, 2002. It is unclear who the operative is or how he allegedly came into contact with the alleged 9/11 hijackers. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 529] Entity Tags: National Security Agency, Lorry Fenner, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Hezbollah, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Iran, 9/11 Commission Category Tags: Remote Surveillance, Other Government-Militant Collusion, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations Early January 2004: Able Danger Intelligence Officer Tries Contacting 9/11 Commission Following an October 2003 meeting with three members of the 9/11 Commission’s staff (see October 21, 2003), Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer tries contacting Philip Zelikow, the commission’s executive director, as requested by Zelikow himself. Shaffer is an Army intelligence officer who worked closely with a military intelligence unit called Able Danger, which identified Mohamed Atta and three other future 9/11 hijackers in early 2000 (see January-February 2000). He phones Zelikow’s number the first week of January 2004. The person who replies tells him, “I will talk to Dr. Zelikow and find out when he wants you to come in.” However, Shaffer receives no call back, so a week later he phones again. This time, the person who answers him says, “Dr. Zelikow tells me that he does not see the need for you to come in. We have all the information on Able Danger.” [Government Security News, 9/2005] Yet the commission doesn’t even receive the Able Danger documentation they had previously requested from the Defense Department until the following month (see February 2004). [Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, 8/12/2005 ] Entity Tags: Able Danger, Philip Zelikow, Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission, Anthony Shaffer Category Tags: Able Danger, 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations Early 2004: 9/11 Commission Staffer Wants to Quit over Executive Director Zelikow’s Alleged Protection of Rice Some months after he begins working on National Security Council (NSC) files (see August 2003), 9/11 Commission staffer Warren Bass decides that he should quit the commission, or at least threaten to quit. The main reason for this is because he feels the commission’s executive director, Philip Zelikow, is distorting the commission’s work to favor National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, to whom Zelikow is close (see January 3, 2001, Before December 18, 2003, May-June 2004, and February 28, 2005). 'Zelikow Is Making Me Crazy' - Bass tells Daniel Marcus, the commission’s lawyer, “I cannot do this,” and “Zelikow is making me crazy.” According to author Philip Shenon, Bass is “outraged” by Zelikow’s conduct and thinks the White House is trying to “sabotage” his work by limiting his access to certain documents. Zelikow will later admit that he had a conflict with Bass, but will say that it was just an honest difference of opinion between historians. However, colleagues will say Bass saw it differently. Shenon will write: “[Bass] made it clear to colleagues that he believed Zelikow was interfering in his work for reasons that were overtly political—intended to shield the White House, and Rice in particular, from the commission’s criticism. For every bit of evidence gathered by Bass and [the commission team investigating US counterterrorism policy] to bolster [former counterterrorism “tsar” Richard] Clarke’s allegation that the White House had ignored terrorist threats in 2001, Zelikow would find some reason to disparage it.” Talked Out of It - However, Marcus and Michael Hurley, Bass’ immediate superior on the commission, persuade Bass not to resign. Shenon will say that his resignation “would have been a disaster for the commission; Bass was the team’s institutional memory on the NSC, and his writing and editing skills seemed irreplaceable.” Hurley thinks that part of the problem is that Bass, as well as the other members of his team, have a heavy workload, so he gets Zelikow’s consent to hire another staffer, Leonard Hawley. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 149-150] Entity Tags: Michael Hurley, Daniel Marcus, Philip Shenon, Philip Zelikow, Warren Bass, 9/11 Commission January 7, 2004: CIA Misinforms German Intelligence about Terror Plot German intelligence sources claim that the CIA misinformed them about an alleged terror plot due to take place at a Hamburg hospital on December 30, 2003, and allegedly fear that the information was planted. According to information provided to TV 2 Nettavisen, a German TV station, German intelligence has yet to find any evidence for the plot, which is alleged to be the work of the radical Kurdish group Ansar al-Islam. A German intelligence officer known only as Vahldiecker says, “We have not found any proof that the terror alarm was genuine, but we haven’t found any evidence that states it was not. It is of course possible that it was fake, but we do not know that for certain yet.… It is possible that [the CIA] gave us the wrong information, but it is not likely that they did it on purpose.” However, German intelligence has indicated that it believes the information was planted on purpose and is surprised at the handling of the case and the leaks to the media; the story appeared on Der Spiegel Online within hours of the CIA tip. [Information Clearing House, 1/7/2004] Entity Tags: Vahldiecker, Ansar al-Islam, TV 2 Nettavisen, Central Intelligence Agency Category Tags: Terror Alerts January 9, 2004: Cheney Says Feith’s Intelligence is ‘Best Source of Information’ on Links between Hussein and Al-Qaeda Vice President Dick Cheney tells Rocky Mountain News that a November 2003 article published in the conservative Weekly Standard (see November 14, 2003) represents “the best source of information” on cooperation between Iraq and al-Qaeda. The article was based on a leaked intelligence memo that had been written by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith in 2002 and was the product of the Office of Special Plans (see August 2002). Cheney also insists that the administration’s decision to invade Iraq was “perfectly justified.” [Rocky Mountain News, 1/10/2004; Knight Ridder, 3/9/2004] Entity Tags: Richard (“Dick”) Cheney, Douglas Feith Before January 14, 2004: CIA Managers Falsely Claim There Was No Pre-9/11 Program to Assassinate Bin Laden In interviews with the 9/11 Commission, unnamed deputies for CIA director George Tenet repeatedly claim that, before 9/11, they were never given a clear instruction to assassinate Osama bin Laden. This is false, as President Bill Clinton issued such an order following the 1998 embassy bombings (see December 24, 1998). According to author Philip Shenon, the deputies tell the commission “again and again” that they had not been given clear orders to assassinate bin Laden, but “that the CIA had instead been given a confusing set of presidential orders that allowed for bin Laden’s capture, but not his death.” Officers at the CIA apparently blamed this on “overly cautious” lawyers at the White House and Justice Department. The commission learns the deputies’ claims are false from Clinton’s former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger in January 2004 (see January 14, 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 253-4] Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, 9/11 Commission January 14, 2004: 9/11 Commission First Learns of Clinton Order to Assassinate Bin Laden The 9/11 Commission first learns that the US had a program to assassinate Osama bin Laden before 9/11 (see December 24, 1998). The program, which is disclosed to the commission’s staff by former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, was a response to the African embassy bombings (see 10:35-10:39 a.m., August 7, 1998). The commission was not previously aware of the order and when Berger tells them about it they are confused, because the CIA has been telling them there was no such order for months. When the commission tells Berger what the CIA has said, he assures them that there is an explicit document, a memorandum of notification concerning Afghanistan, that gives the CIA the authority to kill bin Laden, not just capture him. It is unclear why CIA managers repeatedly told the commission there was no such order (see Before January 14, 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 253-254] Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Sandy Berger Mid-January 2004: Paul O’Neill Says He Never Saw Any Evidence that Iraq Had Weapons of Mass Destruction In an interview with Time magazine, former US Secretary of Treasury Paul O’Neill says he never saw or heard of any real evidence that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. “In the 23 months I was there, I never saw anything that I would characterize as evidence of weapons of mass destruction,” he explains. “There were allegations and assertions by people…. But I’ve been around a hell of a long time, and I know the difference between evidence and assertions and illusions or allusions and conclusions that one could draw from a set of assumptions. To me there is a difference between real evidence and everything else. And I never saw anything in the intelligence that I would characterize as real evidence.” [Time, 1/11/2004] Entity Tags: Paul O’Neill Mid-December 2003-Mid-January 2004: Political Considerations Determine Length of Extension Requested by 9/11 Commission The 9/11 Commission realizes that it will not meet its reporting deadline of May 2004 and decides it will have to ask for an extension. Any extension would have to be approved by Congressional leaders and the White House. In order to determine how much extra time the commission will need, Chairman Tom Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton poll the other commissioners and staff members to gauge their opinions. Commissioners Slade Gorton and Tim Roemer suggest six months, but this would push the reporting date back after the presidential election in November. Kean and Hamilton are aware that this will probably not be permitted by Republicans, as they will be worried that parts of the report critical of Bush will be leaked to the press. In addition, Kean wants the report out during the presidential campaign, in the hopes that the two candidates will have a “bidding war” over who will implement more of the commission’s recommendations. In the end, the commission decides to ask for a two-month extension, meaning the report will be issued in July. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 226-227] The extension is initially opposed by the White House (see January 19, 2004), but the administration changes its mind (see February 5, 2004), and the extension is finally granted (see March 2, 2004). Entity Tags: Slade Gorton, Lee Hamilton, Thomas Kean, Tim Roemer, 9/11 Commission January 19, 2004: White House Opposes 9/11 Commission Extension The Washington Post reports, “A growing number of [9/11 Commission] members [have] concluded that the panel needs more time to prepare a thorough and credible accounting of missteps leading to the terrorist attacks.” As a result, the commission is asking Congress to vote on approving a several month extension to finish their report. “But the White House and leading Republicans have informed the panel that they oppose any delay, which raises the possibility that Sept. 11-related controversies could emerge during the heat of the presidential campaign.” [Washington Post, 1/19/2004] The White House will reverse its stance a month later (see February 5, 2004). Entity Tags: White House, 9/11 Commission Timeline Tags: 9/11 Timeline, 2004 Elections Before January 22, 2004: CIA Director Tenet Spends Much Time Reading Material in Preparation for Interviews with 9/11 Commission, Focuses on Surveillance of Malaysia Meeting CIA Director George Tenet spends a lot of time reading material about the CIA’s performance in the run-up to 9/11 before interviews with the 9/11 Commission. Author Philip Shenon will point out that Tenet sets aside so much time despite the deteriorating situation in Iraq and the problems this is causing. 'Cram Sessions' - “Tenet insisted on all-day, almost all-night cram sessions to prepare himself for the interview with the 9/11 Commission,” Shenon will write. CIA staffer Rudy Rousseau will say, “He spent an enormous amount of time mastering an enormous amount of material.” The cram sessions are held at the weekend and until late on week nights, and cover the work done by Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit, as well as the failed plans to capture or kill Osama bin Laden. CIA's Achilles' Heel - Shenon will also comment: “Tenet wanted specifically to master what had happened in Kuala Lumpur in 2000 with [9/11 hijackers] Nawaf Alhazmi and Khalid Almihdhar and why the CIA had apparently failed for so long to alert anyone that the two hijackers had later entered the United States from Asia. Like almost everyone else at the agency, Tenet seemed to understand that the CIA’s failure to watch-list the pair after their arrival in California was the agency’s Achilles’ heel—one horrendous blunder that could sink the CIA.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 257] Still Cannot Remember - Despite the cramming, Tenet apparently has problems remembering facts that could cast the CIA in a bad light (see January 22, 2004, April 14, 2004, and July 2, 2004). Entity Tags: Rudy Rousseau, Central Intelligence Agency, George J. Tenet, Philip Shenon Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations January 22, 2004: CIA Director Tenet’s Memory Losses Alarm 9/11 Commission The 9/11 Commission interviews CIA Director George Tenet, but, due to frequent evasive answers, the commission doubts that he is telling them the full truth. The commission, represented at the interview by Executive Director Philip Zelikow, Commissioner Richard Ben-Veniste, and some staffers, takes the unusual step of putting Tenet under oath before questioning him, because, in the words of author Philip Shenon, “The CIA’s record was full of discrepancies about the facts of its operations against bin Laden before 9/11, and many of the discrepancies were Tenet’s.” "I Don't Recall" - The commission immediately begins to doubt Tenet’s veracity, as he keeps saying, “I don’t remember,” “I don’t recall,” and “Let me go through the documents and get back to you with an answer.” This is despite the fact that Tenet spent a long time revising for his discussions with the commission beforehand (see Before January 22, 2004). Author Philip Shenon will summarize: “Tenet remembered certain details, especially when he was asked the sorts of questions he was eager to answer… But on many other questions, his memory was cloudy. The closer the questions came to the events of the spring and summer of 2001 and to the 9/11 attacks themselves, the worse his memory became.” In addition, the memory lapses concern not only details, but also “entire meetings and key documents.” Tenet even says he cannot recall what was discussed at his first meeting with President George Bush after his election in 2000, which the commission finds “suspicious.” Neither can he recall what he told Bush in the morning intelligence briefings in the months leading up to 9/11. "We Just Didn't Believe Him" - Zelikow will later say that there was no one “a-ha moment” when they realize Tenet is not telling them the full truth, but his constant failure to remember key aspects disturbs them, and in the end, Zelikow will say, “we just didn’t believe him.” After the meeting, Zelikow, who seemed to have decided that the CIA had failed in the run up to 9/11 at the very start of the investigation (see Late January 2003), basically reports to the commissioners that Tenet perjured himself. The staff and most of the commissioners come to believe that, in Shenon’s words, Tenet is “at best, loose with the facts,” and at worst “flirting with a perjury charge.” Even Commission Chairman Tom Kean, “who found it difficult to say anything critical of anyone,” comes to believe that Tenet is a witness that will “fudge everything.” CIA View - CIA staffers will later dispute this, saying that Tenet’s inability to remember some things was perfectly normal. CIA staffer Rudy Rousseau will say, “I’m surprised he remembered as much as he did.” Tenet’s chief of staff John Moseman will say, “Neither he [Tenet], nor we, held anything back… To suggest so now is not honorable.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 257-260] Entity Tags: Philip Shenon, George J. Tenet, Richard Ben-Veniste, Central Intelligence Agency, Thomas Kean, Philip Zelikow January 22, 2004: Iranian Spy Gives Evidence at Mzoudi Trial; Is Quickly Discounted The prosecution in the trial of Abdelghani Mzoudi presents a witness who claims to be a defector from an Iranian intelligence agency. [BBC, 1/21/2004] The witness, Hamid Reza Zakeri, does not appear in court himself, but instead Judge Klaus Ruehle reads out his testimony. [Reuters, 1/22/2004] According to Zakeri, the Iranian intelligence service was really behind the 9/11 attacks and had employed al-Qaeda to carry them out. Zakeri’s claims are widely publicized. However, these claims are quickly discounted, and German intelligence notes that, “he presents himself as a witness on any theme which can bring him benefit.” [Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Hamburg), 1/22/2004; Chicago Tribune, 1/22/2004; Reuters, 1/22/2004; Associated Press, 1/30/2004] Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Hamid Reza Zakeri, Abdelghani Mzoudi, Iran Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Germany January-March 22, 2004: National Security Adviser Rice Privately Regrets 9/11 Comments, Then Publicly Repeats Them The New York Times later reports that in private discussions with the 9/11 Commission in January 2002, National Security Adviser Condoleeza “Rice [is] asked about statements she made in 2001 and 2002 [(see May 16, 2002)] that ‘we could not have imagined’ that terrorists would use aircraft as weapons by piloting them into buildings. She [tells] the commission that she regret[s] those comments, because at the time she was not aware of intelligence, developed in the late 1990s, that some terrorists were thinking of using airplanes as guided missiles. She told the commission in the private session that she should have said, ‘I could not have imagined,’ according to one official familiar with the testimony, making it clear that some in the intelligence community knew about those threats but that she did not.” [New York Times, 4/6/2004] However, in a March 22, 2004 op-ed for the Washington Post entitled “For the Record,” she essentially repeats her 2002 comments, claiming, “Despite what some have suggested, we received no intelligence that terrorists were preparing to attack the homeland using airplanes as missiles, though some analysts speculated that terrorists might hijack airplanes to try to free US-held terrorists.” [Washington Post, 3/22/2004] Entity Tags: Condoleezza Rice, 9/11 Commission January 22, 2004-2005: Trusted Courier Ahmed Moves to Abbottabad, Pakistan, Buys Land and Builds Hideout for Bin Laden Satellite imagery of Bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound in 2004 and 2011. [Source: U.S. Defense Department]Osama bin Laden’s trusted courier Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed moves to Abbottabad, Pakistan, and buys up land there that will be used for a hideout for bin Laden. Ahmed, who is using a variety of aliases, moves to the town with his brother Abrar, who is also assisting bin Laden. A Pakistani government official will later say that a plot of land in Abbottabad is bought by a man named Mohammad Arshad on January 22, 2004. A forged national identity card and incorrect address is used. In fact, “Mohammad Arshad” is one of the aliases used by Ahmed. That, along with the related name “Arshad Khan,” is the name Abbottabad neighbors will know him by in future years. [Dawn (Karachi), 5/7/2011] Property records obtained by the Associated Press show that “Arshad” buys two more plots of land in November 2004. The seller will later say that he does not meet Arshad in person, but deals with him through a middle man. A doctor sells another plot of land to “Arshad” in 2005. This doctor will later say that he does meet “Arshad” in person during the transaction. The plots are combined so a walled compound can be built that is much larger than other homes in the neighborhood. The doctor will occasionally see “Arshad” after that, and at one point the doctor will be cryptically told by him that the land he sold is now very valuable. [Associated Press, 5/4/2011] Locals will later say that construction on the compound begins in 2005. By late 2005 or the start of 2006, the construction is done and bin Laden will move into the compound with some of his family (see Late 2005-Early 2006). The courier Ahmed (who uses the named “Arshad”), his brother, and their families will live there too. [New York Times, 5/3/2011; Associated Press, 5/4/2011] In March 2011, a US strike force will assault the compound and kill bin Laden (see May 2, 2011). Entity Tags: Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, Osama bin Laden Category Tags: Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan January 23, 2004: NEADS Commander Hints 9/11 Data Was Altered to Show NORAD Did Not Shoot Down Flight 93; 9/11 Commission Ignores This Colonel Robert Marr, the battle commander at NORAD’s Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS), makes some surprising comments about the US military’s response to the 9/11 attacks during an interview with the 9/11 Commission. Marr played an important role in NEADS’s response to the 9/11 attacks. A memorandum summarizing the interview will reveal some hints by Marr that others in the US military doctored the data describing the Air Force’s response to the hijackings, perhaps to show that the US military did not shoot down Flight 93. Log Doesn't 'Look Right' - For instance, the memorandum will state: “Marr noted that one of the chat logs presented to him by Commission staff ‘doesn’t look right.’ [Commission staff noted this beforehand, but did not present to Marr as such.]” There is no further explanation in the interview account to explain what this means. Timelines Conflict - After Marr is presented with a transcript of the 9/11 Commission’s May 23, 2003 hearing (see May 23, 2003), “Marr noted that the Dictaphone DAT times are off, and this led to a misconception with the time frame. He commented that NORAD asked for details to prove that they did not shoot down [United Airlines Flight] 93 shortly after 9/11. He noted that [two military officials] worked towards putting the initial information together. But because of the damage that occurred to the tapes during the transcription process (see September 21, 2001) they did not re-examine the tapes until very recently. Commission staff presented Marr with a timeline that was created by NORAD. Marr speculated that some of the discrepancies on this timeline were because of inaccurate computer timing.” Mistakes Were Made to Show Flight 93 Was Not Shot Down - The memorandum will conclude, “Marr was emphatic that the mistakes in the data points were specifically made to show that they did not shoot down Flight 93.” [9/11 Commission, 1/23/2004 ] However, there will be no hint of these allegations in the 9/11 Commission’s final report, and no hint about any data manipulation or discrepancies. Entity Tags: Robert Marr, 9/11 Commission, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Northeast Air Defense Sector January 23, 2004: Al-Qaeda Leader Ghul Captured in Iraq; He Becomes ‘Ghost’ Prisoner Al-Qaeda leader Hassan Ghul is caught at the Iraq-Iran border. Details are sketchy, both about the arrest and Ghul himself, who has never been publicly mentioned before. Several days later, President Bush will say: “[L]ast week we made further progress in making America more secure when a fellow named Hassan Ghul was captured in Iraq. [He] reported directly to [9/11 mastermind] Khalid Shaikh Mohammed.… He was captured in Iraq, where he was helping al-Qaeda to put pressure on our troops.” [Washington Post, 1/27/2004] Ghul had been living in Pakistan, but the Pakistani government refused to arrest him, apparently because he was linked to a Pakistani military group supported by Pakistani intelligence (see (2002-January 23, 2004)). Pakistan is reportedly furious when it is told he has been arrested in Iraq. [Associated Press, 6/15/2011] US officials point to his arrest as proof that al-Qaeda is heavily involved in the resistance in Iraq. One official says that Ghul was “definitely in Iraq to promote an al-Qaeda, Islamic extremist agenda.” [Fox News, 1/24/2004] The 9/11 Commission will later claim: “Hassan Ghul was an important al-Qaeda travel facilitator who worked with [al-Qaeda leader] Abu Zubaida assisting Arab fighters traveling to Afghanistan. In 1999, Ghul and Zubaida opened a safe house under the cover of an import/export business in Islamabad [Pakistan]. In addition, at Zubaida’s request, Ghul also successfully raised money in Saudi Arabia.” [9/11 Commission, 8/21/2004, pp. 64 ] But despite acknowledgment from Bush that Ghul is in US custody, Ghul subsequently completely disappears, becoming a “ghost detainee.” Apparently, he will provide vital intelligence during US interrogation (see Shortly After January 23, 2004). The US will eventually transfer Ghul to Pakistani custody (see (Mid-2006)), and Pakistan will release him, allowing him to rejoin al-Qaeda (see (Mid-2007)). Entity Tags: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Hassan Ghul, Abu Zubaida, George W. Bush Timeline Tags: Torture of US Captives Category Tags: High Value Detainees, Key Captures and Deaths, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Abu Zubaida January 23, 2004: MIT Magazine Argues Bin Laden Recordings May Be Fakes Technology Review, a magazine published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, runs an article by Professor Richard Muller arguing that audio messages apparently released by Osama bin Laden may be fakes. According to Muller, the US’s counterterrorism efforts are still going strong, making it hard for al-Qaeda to operate. Therefore, “its sympathizers desperately need encouragement from their charismatic leader,” which is why the organization is making fake audio tapes. Video tapes would be more convincing proof of bin Laden’s continued existence, but are harder to fake and therefore not forthcoming. Bin Laden is either dead or injured, and unable to make recordings, Muller argues, and adds that although voice recognition, a technique used by the US government to identify the voice on the audio tapes, is a “rapidly developing technology,” it can have problems with the poor quality tapes the man thought to be bin Laden is releasing. Therefore, the tapes may be cut and pasted excerpts of past recordings, or, more likely, made by one of bin Laden’s children, such as his son Saad, reportedly an al-Qaeda member. [Technology Review, 1/23/2004] Entity Tags: Saad bin Laden, Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, Richard A. Muller Category Tags: Osama Bin Laden, Alleged Al-Qaeda Media Statements, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan January 25, 2004: Militant Leader Who Signed Bin Laden Fatwa Operating Openly in Pakistan Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil. [Source: Public domain]The Los Angeles Times reports that Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil, leader of the Pakistani militant group Harkat ul-Mujahedeen (HUM), is living and operating openly in Pakistan. He lives with his family in the city of Rawalpindi and urges his followers to fight the US. Khalil was a signatory to Osama bin Laden’s February 1998 fatwa [religious edict] that encouraged attacks on Americans and Jews anywhere in the world (see February 22, 1998). In late 1998, Khalil said, “We will hit back at [the Americans] everywhere in the world, wherever we find them. We have started a holy war against the US and they will hardly find a tree to take shelter beneath it.” The Pakistani government banned HUM in January 2002 (see Shortly After January 12-March 2002), but the group simply changed its name to Jamiat ul-Ansar and continued to operate. Then it was banned again in November 2003 (see November 2003). The Times reports that HUM is openly defying the most recent ban. HUM publishes a monthly magazine that urges volunteers to fight the US in Afghanistan and Iraq. In a recent issue published since the most recent ban, Khalil calls on followers to “sacrifice our life, property and heart” in order to help create one Muslim nation that will control the whole world. The magazine continues to appear on newsstands in Pakistan and gives announcements for upcoming HUM meetings and events, despite the group supposedly being banned. Government Takes No Action - The Pakistani government claims not to know where Khalil is, even though his magazine publishes his contact information (Times reporters attempting to find him for an interview were detained and roughed up by his supporters.) Government officials also claim that Khalil and HUM are doing nothing illegal, even though HUM’s magazine makes clear fund-raising appeals in each issue, and Pakistani law clearly specifies that banned groups are not allowed to fund-raise. Officials also say that they don’t know where the leaders of other banned militant groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba are, but these leaders make frequent public appearances and documents obtain by the Times show the ISI intelligence agency is closely monitoring them. Militant leader Maulana Masood Azhar has not been arrested even though his group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, was recently implicated in the attempted assassination of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (see December 14 and 25, 2003). [Los Angeles Times, 1/25/2004] Link to California Suspect - In 2005, a Pakistani immigrant to the US named Umer Hayat will be arrested in California on terrorism charges. He will allegedly confess to having toured training camps in Pakistan run by Khalil, who is a family friend. He will only serve a short time for making false statements to the FBI, but his son Hamid Hayat will be sentenced to 24 years in prison on similar charges (see June 3, 2005). [Los Angeles Times, 6/9/2005] Entity Tags: Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil, Harkat ul-Mujahedeen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Umer Hayat, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Maulana Masood Azhar January 28, 2004: CIA Director Tenet Privately Tells 9/11 Commission about Urgent Pre-9/11 Warning, but His Testimony Is Kept Secret Former CIA Director George Tenet privately testifies before the 9/11 Commission. He provides a detailed account of an urgent al-Qaeda warning he gave to the White House on July 10, 2001 (see July 10, 2001). According to three former senior intelligence officials, Tenet displays the slides from the PowerPoint presentation he gave the White House and even offers to testify about it in public. According to the three former officials, the hearing is attended by commissioner Richard Ben-Veniste, the commission’s executive director Philip Zelikow, and some staff members. When Tenet testifies before the 9/11 Commission in public later in the year, he will not mention this meeting. The 9/11 Commission will neglect to include Tenet’s warning to the White House in its July 2004 final report. [McClatchy Newspapers, 10/2/2006] Portions of a transcript of Tenet’s private testimony will be leaked to reporters in 2006. According to the transcript, Tenet’s testimony included a detailed summary of the briefing he had with CIA counterterrorism chief Cofer Black on July 10 (see July 10, 2001). The transcript also reveals that he told the commission that Black’s briefing had prompted him to request an urgent meeting with Rice about it. This closely matches the account in Woodward’s 2006 book that first widely publicized the July meeting (see September 29, 2006). [Washington Post, 10/3/2006] Shortly after Woodward’s book is published, the 9/11 Commission staff will deny knowing that the July meeting took place. Zelikow and Ben-Veniste, who attended Tenet’s testimony, will say they are unable to find any reference to it in their files. But after the transcript is leaked, Ben-Veniste will suddenly remember details of the testimony (see September 30-October 3, 2006) and will say that Tenet did not indicate that he left his meeting with Rice with the impression he had been ignored, as Tenet has alleged. [New York Times, 10/2/2006] Woodward’s book will describe why Black, who also privately testified before the 9/11 Commission, felt the commission did not mention the July meeting in their final report: “Though the investigators had access to all the paperwork about the meeting, Black felt there were things the commissions wanted to know about and things they didn’t want to know about. It was what happened in investigations. There were questions they wanted to ask, and questions they didn’t want to ask.” [Woodward, 2006, pp. 78] Entity Tags: Richard Ben-Veniste, Philip Zelikow, White House, Cofer Black, Central Intelligence Agency, Condoleezza Rice, 9/11 Commission, Al-Qaeda, George J. Tenet January 29, 2004: Extent of German Government Knowledge of Hijackers Is Reported Missing A Hamburg, Germany, newspaper reports that a former senior official in the Hamburg state administration named Walter Wellinghausen has taken a “politically explosive” file from the government offices. “The file is said to contain an exact chronology of the knowledge of the [Hamburg] intelligence agency before September 11, 2001 about the people living in Hamburg who should later become the terrorists.” He claims to have not been charged or even questioned about this matter and the file remains missing. [Hamburger Abendblatt, 1/29/2004] Entity Tags: Walter Wellinghausen After January 2004: 9/11 Commission Decides to Add Disclaimer to Chapters Heavily Based on Detainee Interrogations Other 9/11 Commission reports are heavily based on detainee interrogations. The red underlines are endnotes based on the interrogation of Abu Zubaida in the 9/11 Commission’s Terrorist Travel Monograph. [Source: Public domain via Wikipedia] (click image to enlarge)Following unsuccessful attempts by the 9/11 Commission to get direct access to high-value detainees on which some sections of its report will be based (see Summer 2003 and November 5, 2003-January 2004), the Commission decides to add a disclaimer to its report at the beginning of Chapter 5, the first of two that describe the development of the 9/11 plot. The disclaimer, entitled “Detainee Interrogation Reports,” reads: “Chapters 5 and 7 rely heavily on information obtained from captured al-Qaeda members. A number of these ‘detainees’ have firsthand knowledge of the 9/11 plot. Assessing the truth of statements by these witnesses—sworn enemies of the United States—is challenging. Our access to them has been limited to the review of intelligence reports based on communications received from the locations where the actual interrogations take place. We submitted questions for use in the interrogations, but had no control over whether, when, or how questions of particular interest would be asked. Nor were we allowed to talk to the interrogators so that we could better judge the credibility of the detainees and clarify ambiguities in the reporting. We were told that our requests might disrupt the sensitive interrogation process. We have nonetheless decided to include information from captured 9/11 conspirators and al-Qaeda members in our report. We have evaluated their statements carefully and have attempted to corroborate them with documents and statements of others. In this report, we indicate where such statements provide the foundation for our narrative. We have been authorized to identify by name only ten detainees whose custody has been confirmed officially by the US government.” [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 146] Most of the endnotes to the report indicate the sources of information contained in the main body of the text. Of the 132 endnotes for Chapter 5, 83 of them cite detainee interrogations as a source of information contained in the report. Of the 192 endnotes for Chapter 7, 89 cite interrogations. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 488-499, 513-533] The interrogation of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (KSM) is mentioned as a source 211 times. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004] He was repeatedly waterboarded and tortured (see Shortly After February 29 or March 1, 2003) and it will later be reported that up to 90 percent of the information obtained from his interrogations may be unreliable (see August 6, 2007). Interestingly, the 9/11 Commission sometimes seems to prefer KSM’s testimony over other sources. For instance, in 2003 the 9/11 Congressional Inquiry reported that the CIA learned in 1996 that KSM and bin Laden traveled together to a foreign country in 1995, suggesting close ties between them (see 1996). But the 9/11 Commission will ignore this and instead claim, based on KSM’s interrogation, that KSM and bin Laden had no contact between 1989 and late 1996. [US Congress, 7/24/2003; 9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 148-148, 489] The interrogations of al-Qaeda leader Khallad bin Attash are used as a source 74 times, 9/11 hijacker associate Ramzi bin al-Shibh, 68 times, al-Qaeda leader Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, 14 times, al-Qaeda leader Hambali, 13 times, and and a generic “interrogation[s] of detainee” is used as a source 57 times. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004] Most of these detainees are said to be tortured (see May 2002-2003 and Shortly After February 29 or March 1, 2003). Although the CIA videotaped some of the interrogations, it does not pass the videos to the 9/11 Commission (see Summer 2003-January 2004). Slate magazine will later say that these detainees’ accounts are “woven into the commission’s narrative, and nowhere does the 9/11 report delve into interrogation tactics or make any recommendations about the government’s continuing or future practices. That wasn’t the commission’s mandate. Still, one wonders where video evidence—or the knowledge that such evidence was being withheld—might have led it.” [Slate, 12/10/2007] Entity Tags: Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, 9/11 Commission, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, Hambali, Khallad bin Attash Category Tags: 9/11 Commission, Destruction of CIA Tapes, High Value Detainees, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh, 9/11 Investigations February 2004: 9/11 Commission Does Not Subpoena White House over Presidential Daily Briefs due to Last-Ditch Intervention by Executive Director Zelikow Last-minute action by the 9/11 Commission’s Executive Director Philip Zelikow averts the filing of a subpoena on the White House over access by the Commission to information from Presidential Daily Briefs (PDBs). The Commission has already hired an outside counsel to deal with the subpoena and drafted its text (see January 2004). Effort by Zelikow - However, Zelikow works practically nonstop for 48 hours to draft a 17-page, 7,000-word summary of what is in the documents. He knows that a lot of the information in the highly classified PDBs is also available in less classified documents, to which the White House cannot object the Commission having and referencing. Therefore, he summarises the contents of the PDBs, but sources what he writes to the less classified material. Agreement - Exhausted by the arguments over the PDBs with the White House, commissioner Jamie Gorelick, who has also read all the PDBs that need to be summarised, agrees that Zelikow’s summary can serve as the basis for a compromise with the White House. White House chief of staff Andrew Card pressures White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales to accept it as well. Victims' Families Angry - However, relatives of the attacks’ victims are angry. Author Philip Shenon will write, “Many of the 9/11 family groups were outraged by this new compromise; it was even clearer now that only Gorelick and their nemesis Zelikow would ever see the full library of PDBs; the other commissioners would see only an edited version of what Gorelick and Zelikow chose to show them.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 224-225] Entity Tags: Andrew Card, Alberto R. Gonzales, Jamie Gorelick, Philip Zelikow, White House, 9/11 Commission February 2004: Possible 7/7 London Bombings Mastermind Monitored Meeting with Leaders of Fertilizer Bomb Plot A surveillance photo of Momin Khawaja (in grey sweater) and unidentified man on February 20, 2004. [Source: Public domain via the Globe and Mail]According to a joint Canadian and British report sent to Pakistani authorities in September 2005, Mohammed Junaid Babar, Momin Khawaja, and Haroon Rashid Aswat meet in London in February 2004. Babar and Khawaja are both members of a British fertilizer bomb plot (see Early 2003-April 6, 2004), but Khawaja is living in Canada and making occasional trips to Britain to meet the other plotters there, and Babar is based in Pakistan and also occasionally coming to Britain. By this time, the British intelligence agency MI5 has learned of the plot and is intensely monitoring all the major plotters, including Khawaja. US intelligence has apparently been monitoring Babar since late 2001 (see Early November 2001-April 10, 2004), and Newsweek will state he is definitely being monitored by February 2004 (see March 2004). [Daily Times (Lahore), 9/7/2005; Globe and Mail, 7/4/2008] Newsweek will later confirm, “Aswat is believed to have had connections to some of the suspects in the fertilizer plot,” and his name is given to the US as part of a list of people suspected of involvement in the plot. [Newsweek, 7/20/2005; Newsweek, 7/25/2005] He is the most interesting figure in this meeting. The US has wanted him since at least 2002 for his role in attempting to set up a militant training camp in Oregon (see November 1999-Early 2000). It will later be widely reported that he is the mastermind of the 7/7 London bombings (see July 7, 2005) and may even simultaneously be an informant for British intelligence. Babar, Khawaja, and other major figures in the fertilizer plot will be arrested at the end of March 2004 (see March 29, 2004 and After and April 10, 2004), but Aswat curiously is not arrested, even though British intelligence had compiled a large dossier on him and considered him a “major terrorist threat” by 2003 (see Early 2003). Entity Tags: Mohammed Junaid Babar, Haroon Rashid Aswat, Mohammad Momin Khawaja Category Tags: Haroon Rashid Aswat, 2005 7/7 London Bombings, Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11 February 2004: 9/11 Commission Receives Documentation Relating to Able Danger Program The 9/11 Commission receives documents that it had requested from the Department of Defense, relating to a military intelligence unit called Able Danger, which had allegedly identified Mohamed Atta and three other 9/11 hijackers more than a year before the attacks. [New York Times, 8/9/2005; Times Herald (Norristown), 8/13/2005] The commission requested the documents in November 2003, after a meeting in Afghanistan with Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer, an Army intelligence officer who had worked closely with the unit (see October 21, 2003). Some documents are given directly to the commission, others are available for review in a Department of Defense reading room, where commission staff make notes summarizing them. Some of the documents include diagrams of Islamic militant networks. However, an official statement later claims, “None of the documents turned over to the Commission mention Mohamed Atta or any of the other future hijackers. Nor do any of the staff notes on documents reviewed in the DOD reading room indicate that Mohamed Atta or any of the other future hijackers were mentioned in any of those documents.” [Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, 8/12/2005 ; Washington Post, 8/13/2005] Shaffer responds, “I’m told confidently by the person who moved the material over, that the Sept. 11 commission received two briefcase-sized containers of documents. I can tell you for a fact that would not be one-twentieth of the information that Able Danger consisted of during the time we spent.” [Fox News, 8/17/2005] Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, US Department of Defense, Anthony Shaffer, Able Danger February 2004: Bush Administration Fails to Act on 9/11 Inquiry Recommendations The 9/11 Congressional Inquiry, which ended in late 2002, made 19 urgent recommendations to make the nation safer against future terrorist attacks. However, more than one year later, the White House has only implemented two of the recommendations. Furthermore, investigative leads have not been pursued. Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) complains, “It is incomprehensible why this administration has refused to aggressively pursue the leads that our inquiry developed.” He is also upset that the White House classified large portions of the final report. [New York Observer, 2/15/2004] Entity Tags: 9/11 Congressional Inquiry, Bush administration (43), Daniel Robert (“Bob”) Graham Category Tags: 9/11 Congressional Inquiry, 9/11 Investigations February 2004: CIA Officer Lies to Justice Department Inspector General about Passage of Information about Almihdhar’s US Visa A CIA officer who blocked notification to the FBI that Khalid Almihdhar had a US visa makes a number of false statements about the blocking in an interview with the Justice’s Department’s office of inspector general. The officer, Michael Anne Casey, was working at Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit, in 2000. She blocked a cable drafted by an FBI agent on loan to Alec Station named Doug Miller telling the FBI about Almihdhar (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000), but then drafted a cable falsely stating the information had been passed (see Around 7:00 p.m. January 5, 2000) and insisted to Miller’s colleague Mark Rossini that the FBI not be informed the next day (see January 6, 2000). Instead of telling the inspector general why she blocked the initial cable and then drafted the cable with the false statement, Casey claims that she has no recollection of Miller’s cable, any discussions about putting it on hold, or why it was not sent. She also claims the language of the cable suggests somebody else told her the information about Almihdhar’s visa had been passed to the FBI, but cannot recall who this was. [US Department of Justice, 11/2004, pp. 242-243 ; Bamford, 2008, pp. 19-20] The exact date of this interview is not known, although the inspector general discovered Miller’s cable in early February (see Early February 2004) and Miller and Rossini are interviewed around this time. Both men also falsely claim not to recall anything about the cable (see (February 12, 2004)). Entity Tags: Michael Anne Casey, Office of the Inspector General (DOJ), Alec Station, Khalid Almihdhar, Central Intelligence Agency Category Tags: Key Hijacker Events, Alhazmi and Almihdhar, CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit, 9/11 Investigations, Other 9/11 Investigations Shortly After January 23, 2004: CIA Interrogation of Al-Qaeda Leader Ghul Helps Search for Bin Laden’s Trusted Courier Ahmed Hassan Ghul, an al-Qaeda leader captured in Iraq in January 2004 (see January 23, 2004), tells interrogators that Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti is a trusted courier who is close to Osama bin Laden. Abu Ahmed is an alias; his real name apparently is Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, but at this point US intelligence only knows him by his alias. Ghul's Mysterious Captivity and Interrogation - Ghul apparently is held in a secret CIA prison for the first couple of years of his imprisonment. The conditions of his interrogation during this time are unknown, but presumably they are very harsh and many may call them torture, based on how other prominent prisoners are treated in secret CIA prisons around this time. Officials will later claim that Ghul is “quite cooperative” and the use of any harsh techniques on him would have been brief. [Associated Press, 5/2/2011] However, a prisoner who is kept in a cell next to Ghul’s will later testify in Britain that Ghul told him the CIA transferred him to Morocco at some point. It is not known if this is true, or what may have happened to Ghul in Morocco, but some prisoners are transferred to countries like Morocco so that harsh torture techniques that the CIA is not approved to use can be used on them by other intelligence agencies. [Associated Press, 6/15/2011] Ghul's Apparently Honest Account - Ghul reportedly tells his interrogators that Ahmed is a trusted courier who is close to bin Laden. He also says that Ahmed has been close to al-Qaeda top operational heads Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (KSM) and Abu Faraj al-Libbi. This is in contrast to the claims of other prisoners, including KSM, who have already said that Ahmed is either dead or unimportant. As a result, US intelligence analysts grow increasingly convinced that Ahmed is an important figure who could lead to bin Laden. Ghul adds that Ahmed has not been seen in a while. Analysts take this as another clue that Ahmed could be with bin Laden. Ghul either does not know Ahmed’s real name or does not tell it to his interrogators. In the wake of Ghul’s comments, KSM is asked again about Ahmed, and KSM sticks to his story that Ahmed is not important. [New York Times, 5/3/2011] 'Linchpin' in Search - Tracking Ahmed will eventually lead US intelligence to bin Laden (see Summer 2009 and July 2010). An unnamed US official will later say, “Hassan Ghul was the linchpin” in the hunt for bin Laden. [Associated Press, 5/2/2011] Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden, Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, Central Intelligence Agency, US intelligence, Abu Faraj al-Libbi, Hassan Ghul, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed February-April 2004: Bush Administration Withholds Clinton Documents from 9/11 Commission The Bush administration withholds thousands of documents from the Clinton administration that had already been cleared by Clinton’s general counsel Bruce Lindsey for release to the 9/11 Commission. [New York Times, 4/2/2004] In April, after a public outcry, the Bush administration grants access to most of the documents. [Washington Post, 4/3/2004; Fox News, 4/4/2004] However, they continue to withhold approximately 57 documents. According to the commission, the documents being withheld by the Bush White House include references to al-Qaeda, bin Laden, and other issues relevant to the panel’s work. [Washington Post, 4/8/2004] Entity Tags: Bruce Lindsey, Clinton administration, Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, 9/11 Commission, Bush administration (43) February-July 2004: 9/11 Commission Does Not Find Material about Intercepts of Hijackers’ Calls in NSA Files The 9/11 Commission’s cursory review of NSA material related to the attacks and al-Qaeda in general does not find any reports about NSA intercepts of communications between the hijackers in the US and an al-Qaeda communications hub in Sana’a, Yemen (see Early 2000-Summer 2001). Neither does it find any reports about calls intercepted by the NSA between alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and lead hijacker Mohamed Atta (see Summer 2001 and September 10, 2001). Author Philip Shenon will write about the commission’s review of the NSA files in a 2008 book and will discuss what Commission staffers found there, but will not mention these intercepts, some of which were mentioned in declassified portions of the 9/11 Congressional Inquiry (see Summer 2002-Summer 2004). The review is only conducted by a few staffers (see January 2004, June 2004, and Between July 1 and July 17, 2004) and is not comprehensive, so it is unclear whether the NSA does not provide the reports to the 9/11 Commission, or the commission simply fails to find them in the large number of files the NSA made available to it. However, the staffers do find material possibly linking some of the hijackers to Iran and Hezbollah (see January-June 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 87-8, 155-7, 370-3] In its final report, the commission will make passing references to some of the calls the NSA intercepted without pointing out that the NSA actually intercepted them. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 87-88, 222] However, the endnotes that indicate the sources of these sections will not contain any references to NSA reports, but instead refer to an interview with NSA Director Michael Hayden and an FBI timeline of the hijackers’ activities. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 477, 518] Entity Tags: National Security Agency, 9/11 Commission Category Tags: Remote Surveillance, Yemen Hub, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations January 2004 and Shortly After: Detainees Subjected to Second Round of Interrogations to Answer 9/11 Commission’s Questions Following its failure to get direct access to high-ranking al-Qaeda detainees (see October 2003 and November 5, 2003-January 2004), the 9/11 Commission has the CIA ask the detainees more questions about how the plot developed. This is a second round of questions from the Commission, which was dissatisfied with the answers produced by the first round. According to CIA and 9/11 Commission staffers, as well as an MSNBC analysis in 2008, this second round is “specifically to answer new questions from the Commission.” Analysis of the 9/11 Commission report indicates this second round includes more than 30 separate interrogation sessions. Based on the number of references attributed to each of the sessions, they appear to have been “lengthy.” The Commission is aware that the detainees are being harshly treated (see Late 2003-2004), but it is unclear whether they are further tortured during these additional sessions. The CIA is still using some or all of its “enhanced techniques” at this time (see Shortly After April 28, 2004-February 2005). [MSNBC, 1/30/2008] Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Central Intelligence Agency, Al-Qaeda Early February 2004: Justice Department Inspector General Discovers Key Document about Pre-9/11 Failings, Not Previously Passed on by CIA The Justice Department’s inspector general, which is reviewing the FBI’s performance before 9/11, finds a reference to a key document it was not previously aware of. The document is a draft cable written by Doug Miller, an FBI agent who was loaned to Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit, before 9/11. The draft cable stated that 9/11 hijacker Khalid Almihdhar had a US visa, but its sending to the FBI had been blocked by a female CIA officer known only as “Michael” and Alec Station’s deputy chief, Tom Wilshire (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000). The CIA inspector general had previously passed on numerous documents relevant to the review by the Justice Department’s inspector general, but had failed to pass this one on, although the two inspectors general had been working together since at least mid-2003. The Justice Department inspector general finds a reference to the draft cable in a list of CIA documents accessed by FBI employees assigned to the CIA. As a result of this discovery, the Justice Department inspector general has to re-interview several witnesses (see (February 12, 2004)) and the completion of his report is delayed. [US Department of Justice, 11/2004, pp. 227 ] Entity Tags: Office of the Inspector General (CIA), Office of the Inspector General (DOJ), Doug Miller Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit, 9/11 Investigations, CIA OIG 9/11 Report February 1, 2004: House Report Finds No Vaccines for Bioweapons Developed since 2001 Democratic members of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security release a report entitled “America at Risk.” The report finds that, since the anthrax scare of 2001-2002, not a single drug or vaccine for pathogens rated as most dangerous by the Centers for Disease Control has been developed. A concurrent Pentagon report finds that “almost every aspect of US biopreparedness and response” is unsatisfactory, and says, “The fall 2001 anthrax attacks may turn out to be the easiest of bioterrorist strikes to confront.” The Pentagon will attempt to suppress the report when it becomes apparent how unflattering it is for the current administration, but part of it is leaked to the media. The report is later released in full. [Carter, 2004, pp. 20; House Select Committee on Homeland Security, Democratic Office, 2/1/2004] Entity Tags: US Department of Defense, House Homeland Security Committee, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Timeline Tags: 2001 Anthrax Attacks Early 2004: 9/11 Commission Allegedly Prevented from Naming Junior CIA Officer Responsible for Pre-9/11 Failure by Threats from Senior CIA Officials Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA’s bin Laden unit, will claim in a 2008 book that in early 2004, the 9/11 Commissioners indicate that they intend to name a junior CIA officer as the only official to be identified for a pre-9/11 failure. However, Scheuer writes: “A group of senior CIA officers… let it be known that if that officer was named, information about the pre-9/11 negligence of several very senior US officials would find its way into the media. The commissioners dropped the issue.” [Scheuer, 2008, pp. 273] The name of the junior officer is not known, but some possibilities include: Tom Wilshire (referred to as “John” in the final 9/11 Commission report), who withheld information about 9/11 hijackers Khalid Almihdhar and Nawaf Alhazmi from the FBI (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000, May 15, 2001, Mid-May 2001, Mid-May 2001, Late May, 2001, August 22, 2001, and August 24, 2001); Clark Shannon (“Dave”), one of his associates who also failed to inform the FBI about Almihdhar and Alhazmi (see June 11, 2001); Richard Blee (“Richard”), Wilshire’s boss, who apparently failed to pass on information about Almihdhar to his superiors (see August 22-September 10, 2001). The names of the CIA officers who threaten the Commission are not known, nor are the details of the alleged negligence by the senior officials. Entity Tags: Tom Wilshire, Clark Shannon, Central Intelligence Agency, 9/11 Commission, Michael Scheuer, Richard Blee Category Tags: CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations February 2-March 23, 2004: British Intelligence Repeatedly Monitors Two 7/7 Bombers Meeting with Head of Al-Qaeda Linked Bomb Plot A surveillance photo of Shehzad Tanweer (second to the left), Mohammad Sidique Khan (far right), and Omar Khyam (center), taken in the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant on February 28, 2004. [Source: Metropolitan Police]By the beginning of February 2003, the British intelligence agency MI5 has learned about an al-Qaeda linked fertilizer bomb plot meant for an unknown target or targets in Britain, and has begun closely monitoring all of the main suspects. The head bomber in the plot, Omar Khyam, is seen on several occasions with two of the 7/7 London suicide bombers, Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer: On February 2, Khyam is seen in a car with Khan and Tanweer. Khyam is dropped off at his residence in the town of Crawley. The other two are still monitored as Khan drives away. They are covertly photographed when they stop at a gas station in Toddington. Khan is also photographed at a Burger King. They arrive at West Yorkshire and the car is parked outside Khan’s family house. His precise address is written down. A check reveals the car is registered to Khan’s wife. In June 2004, MI5 will check the car’s registration again and find out it has been re-registered in the name of “Siddeque Khan.” [BBC, 4/30/2007] On February 21, Khan is not seen directly, but his same car that was trailed on February 2 is seen parked outside a house in Crawley where a key four-and-a-half hour meeting is held preparing the fertilizer bomb plot. Khan and Tanweer probably attend the meeting, but there are technical problems with the surveillance so the meeting is not recorded. At some point also on February 21, Khan and Khyam are recorded while Khyam is driving his car. Khan asks Khyam, “Are you really a terrorist?” Khyam replies, “They are working with us.” Khan then asks, “You are serious, you are basically…?” And Khyam replies, “I am not a terrorist, they are working through us.” Finally, Khan tells Khyam: “Who are? There is no one higher than you.” Later in the conversation, Khan says he is debating whether or not to say goodbye to his baby before going to Pakistan again. Khyam tells him: “I do not even live in Crawley any more. I moved out because in the next month they are going to be raiding big time all over the UK.” This is curious, because the next month there will be police raids, which result in the arrest of the group of bomb plotters based in the town of Crawley, including Khyam (see Early 2003-April 6, 2004). [Independent, 4/30/2007; Daily Telegraph, 5/1/2007; London Times, 5/1/2007] Khan and Khyam discuss attending training camps in Pakistan. Khan asks, “How long to the training camp?” Khyam replies, “You’ll be going to the tribal areas, stay with families, you’ll be with Arab brothers, Chechen brothers, you’ll be told our operation later.” [Channel 4 News (London), 5/1/2007] On February 28, 2004, Khyam, Khan, and Tanweer are monitored as Khan drives them around builders’ merchants as part of a fraud scheme the three of them are working on together. At one point, Khan says, “I’m going to tap HSBC [the British bank], if not I’ll just go with a balaclava and a shotgun.” Khan then drives them to another secret meeting, this one held at a shop in Wellingborough. The meeting is attended by the three of them and about seven others; it is unknown if it is recorded. As the three drive back from the meeting, Khan appears to be trying to lose a tail since he doubles back and takes other evasive maneuvers. On March 21, Khan and Khyam are seen driving together. This time they are in a different car loaned to Khan by an auto shop, since the one used earlier was wrecked in a crash. On March 23, 2004, Khyam, Khan, and Tanweer meet again. They drive to an Islamic bookshop and spend the afternoon there. They also go to the the apartment of another key suspect in the fertilizer bomb plot. Returning to Khyam’s residence, they discuss passports and raising funds from banks using fraudulent methods. Khan again discusses going to Pakistan with Tanweer. Khyam by this time has plans to flee Britain in early April. Although they do not say so explicitly, an informant named Mohammed Junaid Babar will later reveal that Khyam was planning to attend training camps in Pakistan with Khan and others. Several times, Khyam, Khan, and Tanweer are seen talking outside, which would suggest discussions about particularly sensitive matters. But only the inside of Khyam’s house is bugged and these outside talks are not recorded. Khan and Tanweer leave shortly before midnight. Khyam’s phone is also being monitored, and Khan is in regular phone contact with him. But is it unknown how many calls are made or what is said. British intelligence will claim that that no overt references about bombings are made. [Independent, 4/30/2007; Daily Telegraph, 5/1/2007; London Times, 5/1/2007] But the Sunday Times will claim this is untrue, and that Khan was recorded discussing the building of a bomb and then his desire to leave Britain because there would be a lot of police activity after the bomb went off. He also is involved in “late-stage discussions” of the fertilizer bomb plot (see May 13-14, 2006). [Sunday Times (London), 5/14/2006] Furthermore, he is heard to pledge to carry out violence against non-Muslims. A tracking device is also placed on Khan’s car, although what becomes of this is unclear. [Associated Press, 4/30/2007] Photographs are sometimes taken of Khan and/or Tanweer. For instance, at some point Khan is photographed coming out of an Internet cafe. But despite all this evidence, investigators apparently conclude that Khan and Tanweer are “concerned with the fraudulent raising of funds rather than acts of terrorism.” They are not properly monitored (see March 29, 2004 and After). Khan and Tanweer apparently attend militant training camps in Pakistan later that year before blowing themselves up in 2005. Khyam is arrested on March 30, and is later sentenced to life in prison (see Early 2003-April 6, 2004). [Independent, 4/30/2007; Daily Telegraph, 5/1/2007; London Times, 5/1/2007] In early 2005, investigators will finally look into details about the car Khan drove and the loaner car given to him by the auto shop, and they will learn his full name and address (if they don’t know it already). But apparently this will not result in any more surveillance of him (see January 27-February 3, 2005). Entity Tags: Omar Khyam, Shehzad Tanweer, UK Security Service (MI5), Mohammad Sidique Khan, Mohammed Junaid Babar Category Tags: 2005 7/7 London Bombings, Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism February 3, 2004: Spanish Intelligence Continues Monitoring Madrid Bombings Mastermind, Links Him to Active Al-Qaeda Suicide Bomber Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon renews permission to wiretap the phones of Serhane Abdelmajid Fakhet, considered to be one of about three masterminds of the Madrid train bombings (see 7:37-7:42 a.m., March 11, 2004) that will occur one month later. Interestingly, in the application for renewal, Fakhet is linked to the Casablanca bombings of May 2003 (see May 16, 2003). His brother-in-law Mustapha Maymouni was arrested in Morocco and is being imprisoned there for a role in the bombings at this time (see Late May-June 19, 2003). Fakhet is also linked in the application to Zouhaier ben Mohamed Nagaaoui, a Tunisian believed to be on the Spanish island of Ibiza and preparing for a suicide attack on a ship, following instructions from al-Qaeda. Nagaaoui is also said to be linked to the Casablanca bombings. Further, he has links to a number of Islamist militant groups and had undergone weapons and explosives training. [El Mundo (Madrid), 7/30/2005] Around the same time, Garzon also renews the wiretapping of some other Madrid bombers such as Jamal Zougam. [El Mundo (Madrid), 9/28/2004] It is not known what later becomes of Nagaaoui. Entity Tags: Serhane Abdelmajid Fakhet, Baltasar Garzon, Mustapha Maymouni, Zouhaier ben Mohamed Nagaaoui, Jamal Zougam Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Spain, 2004 Madrid Train Bombings, Remote Surveillance February 5, 2004: White House Reverses Position and Backs 9/11 Commission Extension In January 2004, the White House announced that it opposed giving the 9/11 Commission more time to complete its work (see January 19, 2004). But on this day, CNN reports, “After resisting the idea for months, the White House announced… its support for a request from the commission investigating the September 11, 2001 attacks for more time to complete its work.” 9/11 victims’ relatives and some politicians had been pressuring the White House to support the deadline extension. [CNN, 2/5/2004] February 5, 2004-June 8, 2005: Hijacker Associate Mzoudi Twice Acquitted After US Refuses to Cooperate with German Courts Mzoudi in an airport in Hanover, Germany, on June 21, 2005 as he returns to Morocco. [Source: Associated Press]Abdelghani Mzoudi is acquitted of involvement in the 9/11 attacks. Mzoudi is known to have been a friend and housemate of some of the 9/11 hijackers. A German judge tells Mzoudi, “You were acquitted not because the court is convinced of your innocence but because the evidence was not enough to convict you.” Mzoudi’s acquittal became likely after Germany received secret testimony from the US government that asserted Mzoudi was not part of the plot (see December 11, 2003). But the information apparently came from the interrogation of US prisoner Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and since the US would not allow Mzoudi’s defense to cross-examine bin al-Shibh, Mzoudi was released. [Daily Telegraph, 2/6/2004] Later in the year, Mzoudi acquittal is appealed to a higher court. Kay Nehm, Germany’s top federal prosecutor, again appeals to the US State Department to release interrogation records of bin al-Shibh to the court. However, the US still refuses to release the evidence, and a list of questions the court gives to the US for bin al-Shibh to answer are never answered. [Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Hamburg), 7/30/2004] On June 8, 2005, Mzoudi’s acquittal is upheld. Nehm calls the US’s government’s behavior “incomprehensible.” [Reuters, 6/9/2005] After the verdict, German authorities maintain that he is still a threat and give him two weeks to leave the country. He quickly moves back to his home country of Morocco, where he now lives. [Deutsche Welle (Bonn), 6/26/2005] Entity Tags: US Department of State, Bush administration (43), Germany, Abdelghani Mzoudi, Kay Nehm, Ramzi bin al-Shibh Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Germany, Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics February 7, 2004: 9/11 Commission Has Private Meeting with National Security Adviser Rice; She Is Not Put under Oath, No Transcript Is Made The 9/11 Commission has a private meeting with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. The meeting is held in the White House’s Situation Room, the location apparently chosen by Rice in an attempt to impress the commissioners. Questioning Is 'Polite but Pointed' - The White House has insisted that the encounter be described as a “meeting” rather than an “interview,” because that would sound too formal and prosecutorial. In addition, there is to be no recording of the interview and Rice is not placed under oath. The time limit on the interview is two hours, but it actually lasts four. Rice’s close associate Philip Zelikow, the 9/11 Commission’s executive director, attends, but is not allowed to say anything because he has been recused from this part of the investigation. The questioning is led by Daniel Marcus, the Commission’s lawyer, and will be described as “polite but pointed” by author Philip Shenon. Commissioners Privately Critical of Rice - The commissioners are aware of allegations that Rice performed poorly in the run-up to 9/11 (see Before December 18, 2003), but are unwilling to aggressively attack an accomplished black woman. However, they think the allegations are well-founded. Commission Chairman Tom Kean will say, “obviously Rice bears a tremendous amount of responsibility for not understanding how serious this threat [of terrorist attacks] was.” Commissioner John Lehman will say that he has “no doubt” former National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger would have paid more attention to the warnings of a forthcoming attack. Fellow commissioner Slade Gorton will say that the administration’s failure to act on the urgent warnings was “spectacularly wrong.” Commissioner Jamie Gorelick will comment that Rice “assumed away the hardest part of her job,” and that she should have focused on keeping the president up to date on events, rather than trying to put his intentions into action. Commissioner Bob Kerrey will agree with this and will later recall one of Rice’s comments at this meeting, “I took the president’s thoughts and I helped the president describe what he was thinking.” According to Kerrey, this shows how Rice performed her job incorrectly. She should have been advising the president on what to do, not packaging his thoughts. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 230-239] Entity Tags: Richard Ben-Veniste, Thomas Kean, Slade Gorton, Philip Zelikow, Daniel Marcus, Jamie Gorelick, 9/11 Commission, Bob Kerrey, Condoleezza Rice, John Lehman February 9, 2004: Letter Tying Al-Zarqawi to Al-Qaeda Leaders Makes Front Page News; Later Revealed to Be US Propaganda Dexter Filkins. [Source: New York Times]The New York Times publishes a front page story blaming Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the supposed leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, for many troubles in the Iraq war. However, it will later be revealed that the contents in the article were a hoax or exaggeration by a US military propaganda operation. The article, written by Dexter Filkins, claims that in January 2004, US forces in Iraq intercepted a letter written by al-Zarqawi to the “inner circle” of al-Qaeda, claiming that the best way to defeat the US in Iraq is to, in essence, begin a “sectarian war” in that country. The letter reportedly states that al-Qaeda, a Sunni network, should attack the Shi’a population of Iraq: “It is the only way to prolong the duration of the fight between the infidels and us. If we succeed in dragging them into a sectarian war, this will awaken the sleepy Sunnis.” In the letter, al-Zarqawi boasts of his role in many suicide bombings in Iraq. The article also notes that this letter would “constitute the strongest evidence to date of contacts between extremists in Iraq and al-Qaeda.” [New York Times, 2/9/2004; Independent, 2/11/2008] US General Mark Kimmitt says later the same day: “We believe the report and the document is credible, and we take the report seriously.… It is clearly a plan on the part of outsiders to come in to this country and spark civil war, create sectarian violence, try to expose fissures in this society.” The story is quickly published around the world. [Independent, 2/11/2008] Reporter Skeptical; Article Does Not Reflect Doubts - Filkins will later say he was skeptical about the document’s authenticity when he wrote the story and remains skeptical of it. [Washington Post, 4/10/2006] However, the article and follow up articles in the New York Times cast no doubt on the letter’s authenticity, except for one sentence in the original article mentioning the possibility the letter could have been “written by some other insurgent.” Skepticism from Other News Outlets - However, some scattered accounts elsewhere at the time are more critical. For instance, a few days later, Newsweek writes: “Given the Bush administration’s record peddling bad intelligence and worse innuendo, you’ve got to wonder if this letter is a total fake. How do we know the text is genuine? How was it obtained? By whom? And when? And how do we know it’s from al-Zarqawi? We don’t.” [Editor & Publisher, 4/10/2006] In the letter, al-Zarqawi says that if success does not come soon: “We can pack up and leave and look for another land, just like what has happened in so many lands of jihad. Our enemy is growing stronger day after day, and its intelligence information increases. By god, this is suffocation!” Counterpunch notes this and skeptically comments, “If you were Karl Rove, you couldn’t design a better scenario to validate the administration’s slant on the war than this.” It is also noted that this article follows a dubious pattern of New York Times reporting on Iraq: “cultivate a ‘highly placed inside source,’ take whatever this person says and report it verbatim on the front page above the fold.” [CounterPunch, 2/26/2004] Systematic Propaganda Campaign - Later in 2004, the Telegraph will report, “Senior diplomats in Baghdad claim that the letter was almost certainly a hoax” and that the US is systematically buying extremely dubious intelligence that exaggerates al-Zarqawi’s role in Iraq (see October 4, 2004). [Daily Telegraph, 10/4/2004] In 2006, a number of classified documents will be leaked to the Washington Post, showing the US military has a propaganda campaign to exaggerate the role of al-Zarqawi in Iraq (see April 10, 2006). One document mentions the “selective leak” of this letter to Filkins as part of this campaign. [Washington Post, 4/10/2006] Media Unquestioning in its Acceptance - Editor and Publisher will later examine the media coverage of this letter, and note that most publications reported on it unquestioningly, “So clearly, the leak to Filkins worked.” Ironically, Reuters at the time quotes an “amazed” US official who says, “We couldn’t make this up if we tried.” [Editor & Publisher, 4/10/2006] Entity Tags: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, New York Times, Dexter Filkins, Al-Qaeda, Mark Kimmitt Timeline Tags: US Military, Iraq under US Occupation, Domestic Propaganda Category Tags: Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, Media, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics February 9, 2004: Full 9/11 Commission Allowed to View Summaries of Presidential Briefings The 9/11 Commission gets greater access to classified intelligence briefings under a new agreement with the White House. The 10-member panel had been barred from reviewing notes concerning the presidential daily briefings taken by three of its own commissioners and the commission’s director in December 2003. The new agreement allows all commission members the opportunity to read White House-edited versions of the summaries. The White House had faced criticisms for allowing only some commissioners to see the notes. Still, only three commissioners are allowed to see the original, unclassified documents. [Associated Press, 2/10/2004] Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Central Intelligence Agency, Bush administration (43) February 11, 2004: Hijackers Said to Use Short Knives, Not Box Cutters It is reported the 9/11 Commission now believes that the hijackers used short knives instead of box cutters. The New York Observer comments, “Remember the airlines’ first reports, that the whole job was pulled off with box cutters? In fact, investigators for the commission found that box cutters were reported on only one plane [Flight 77]. In any case, box cutters were considered straight razors and were always illegal. Thus the airlines switched their story and produced a snap-open knife of less than four inches at the hearing. This weapon falls conveniently within the aviation-security guidelines pre-9/11.” [New York Observer, 2/15/2004] It was publicly revealed in late 2002 that box cutters were illegal on 9/11. [Associated Press, 11/11/2002] Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission February 11, 2004: FBI Whisteblower Edmonds Tells 9/11 Commission that Wiretapped Conversionations Pertaining to 9/11 Attacks Were Not Translated; Her Testimony Is Ignored Sibel Edmonds testifies before the 9/11 Commission in a specially constructed “bug-proof” secure room for three and a half hours, describing in detail problems she witnessed while working as an FBI linguist (see, e.g., September 20, 2001 and After, (After September 14, 2001-October 2001), Early October 2001, (Late October 2001), (November 2001), and December 2, 2001). A month later, she tells the Independent: “I gave [the commission] details of specific investigation files, the specific dates, specific target information, specific managers in charge of the investigation. I gave them everything so that they could go back and follow up. This is not hearsay. These are things that are documented. These things can be established very easily.… There was general information about the time-frame, about methods to be used but not specifically about how they would be used and about people being in place and who was ordering these sorts of terror attacks. There were other cities that were mentioned. Major cities with skyscrapers (see April 2001).” [Independent, 4/2/2004] In its final report (see July 22, 2004), the 9/11 Commission will make no mention of the problems Edmonds witnessed with the FBI’s translation unit, save for a single footnote. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 222; Edmonds, 8/1/2004] One month earlier, a reporter had asked one of the Democratic commissioners about the Edmonds case, and he replied, “It sounds like it’s too deep in the weeds for us to consider, we’re looking at broader issues.” [New York Observer, 1/22/2004] Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Sibel Edmonds Category Tags: Sibel Edmonds, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations (February 12, 2004): Two FBI Agents Lie to Justice Department Inspector General about Withholding of 9/11 Information from Bureau Two FBI agents, Doug Miller and Mark Rossini, falsely claim they have no memory of the blocking of a key cable about 9/11 hijacker Khalid Almihdhar in an interview with the Justice Department’s office of inspector general. Miller drafted the cable, which was to inform the FBI that Almihdhar had a US visa, while he and Rossini were on loan to Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit. However, it was blocked by the unit’s deputy chief, Tom Wilshire, and another CIA officer known only as “Michael” (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000). Miller and Rossini remember the events, but falsely tell the Justice Department inspector general they cannot recall them. Pressure Not to Disclose Information - Sources close to the inspector general’s probe will say, “There was pressure on people not to disclose what really happened.” Rossini, in particular, is said to feel threatened that the CIA would have him prosecuted for violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act if he said what really happened inside Alec Station. They are questioned at the same time, and together with a CIA officer who will be described as “sympathetic,” although it is unclear why. CIA officials are also in the room during the questioning, although it is unclear why this is allowed. When they are shown contemporary documents, according to the Congressional Quarterly, “the FBI agents suddenly couldn’t remember details about who said what, or who reported what, to whom, about the presence of two al-Qaeda agents in the US prior to the 9/11 attacks.” The inspector general investigators are suspicious. [Congressional Quarterly, 10/1/2008] 'They Asserted that They Recalled Nothing' - Nevertheless, neither Rossini nor Miller are severely criticized by the inspector general’s final report. It simply notes: “When we interviewed all of the individuals involved about the [cable] they asserted that they recalled nothing about it. [Miller] told the [inspector general] that he did not recall being aware of the information about Almihdhar, did not recall drafting the [cable], did not recall whether he drafted the [cable] on his own initiative or at the direction of his supervisor, and did not recall any discussions about the reasons for delaying completion and dissemination of the [cable]. [Rossini] said he did not recall reviewing any of the cable traffic or any information regarding Alhazmi and Almihdhar. Eric [a senior FBI agent on loan to Alec Station] told the [inspector general] that he did not recall the [cable].” [US Department of Justice, 11/2004, pp. 241, 355-357 ] Later Admit What Really Happened - At some point, Miller and Rossini tell an internal FBI investigation what really happened, including Wilshire’s order to withhold the information from the FBI. However, very little is known about this probe (see After September 11, 2001). [Congressional Quarterly, 10/1/2008] Rossini will be interviewed for a 2006 book by Lawrence Wright and will recall some of the circumstances of the blocking of the cable, including that a CIA officer told Miller, “This is not a matter for the FBI.” [Wright, 2006, pp. 311, 423] Both Miller and Rossini will later talk to author James Bamford about the incident for a 2008 book. [Congressional Quarterly, 10/1/2008] The exact date of this interview of Miller and Rossini is unknown. However, an endnote to the 9/11 Commission Report will say that Miller is interviewed by the inspector general on February 12, 2004, so it may occur on this day. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 502] Entity Tags: Office of the Inspector General (DOJ), Mark Rossini, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Tom Wilshire, Alec Station, Doug Miller, US Department of Justice February 14, 2004: CIA Tells White House that Prisoner Has Recanted Claim Iraq Gave Poison and Gas Training to Al-Qaeda The CIA sends a memo to top Bush administration officials informing them that Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, an al-Qaeda operative being held in custody by the CIA, recanted his claim in January that Iraq provided training in poisons and gases to members of al-Qaeda (see September 2002). [New York Times, 7/31/2004; Newsweek, 7/5/2005; Washington Post, 11/6/2005] The claim had been used in speeches by both President George Bush (see October 7, 2002) and Secretary of State Colin Powell (see February 5, 2003). Entity Tags: White House, Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, Colin Powell, George W. Bush, Central Intelligence Agency February 15, 2004: Nuclear Specialist Reveals Fatal Weaknesses in US Nuclear Security Aerial view of Los Alamos test site. [Source: DefenseTech.org]Rich Levernier, a specialist with the Department of Energy (DOE) for 22 years, spent over six years before the 9/11 attacks running nuclear war games for the US government. In a Vanity Fair article, Levernier reveals what he shows to be critical weaknesses in security for US nuclear plants. Levernier’s special focus was the Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory and nine other major nuclear facilities. The Los Alamos facility is the US’s main storage plant for processing plutonium and obsolete (but still effective) nuclear weapons. Levernier’s main concern was terrorist attacks. Levernier’s procedure was to, once a year, stage a mock terrorist attack using US military commandos to assault Los Alamos and the other nuclear weapons facilities, with both sides using harmless laser weapons to simulate live fire. Levernier’s squads were ordered to penetrate a given weapons facility, capture its plutonium or highly enriched uranium, and escape. The facilities’ security forces were tasked to repel the mock attacks. Multiple Failures - Levernier is going public with the results of his staged attacks, and the results are, in the words of Vanity Fair reporter Mark Hertsgaard, “alarming.” Some facilities failed every single test. Los Alamos fell victim to the mock attacks over 50 percent of the time, with Levernier’s commandos getting in and out with the goods without firing a shot—they never encountered a guard. And this came when security forces were told months in advance exactly what day the assaults would take place. Levernier calls the nuclear facilities’ security nothing more than “smoke and mirrors.… On paper, it looks good, but in reality, it’s not. There are lots of shiny gates and guards and razor wire out front. But go around back and there are gaping holes in the fence, the sensors don’t work, and it just ain’t as impressive as it appears.” The Los Alamos facility houses 2.7 metric tons of plutonium and 3.2 metric tons of highly enriched uranium; experts say that a crude nuclear device could be created using just 11 pounds of plutonium or 45 pounds of highly enriched uranium. Arjun Makhijani, the head of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, says the most dangerous problem exposed by Levernier is the possibility of terrorists stealing plutonium from Los Alamos. It would be a relatively simple matter to construct a so-called “dirty bomb” that could devastate an American city. Even a terrorist attack that set off a “plutonium fire” could result in hundreds of cancer deaths and leave hundreds of square miles uninhabitable. Involuntary Whistleblower - Levernier is not comfortable about being a whistleblower, and until now has never spoken to the press or Congress about his experiences. He finds himself coming forward now because, after spending six years trying unsuccessfully to persuade his bosses at the DOE to address the problems, they refused to even acknowledge that a problem existed. Shortly before he spoke to Hertsgaard, he was fired for a minor infraction and stripped of his security clearance, two years before he was due to retire with a full pension. He has filed a lawsuit against the DOE, charging that he was illegally gagged and improperly fired. He is speaking out, he says, in the hopes of helping prevent a catastrophic terrorist attack against the US that is entirely preventable. Levonier asserts that the Bush administration is doing little more than talking tough about nuclear security (see February 15, 2004). [Carter, 2004, pp. 17-18; Vanity Fair, 2/15/2004] Entity Tags: Mark Hertsgaard, George W. Bush, Bush administration (43), Arjun Makhijani, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Vanity Fair, James Ford, Rich Levernier, US Department of Energy Category Tags: Counterterrorism Action After 9/11 February 15, 2004: Bush Administration Has Done Little to Secure US Nuclear Facilities, Expert Says Rich Levernier, a specialist with the Department of Energy (DOE) for 22 years who spent over six years before the 9/11 attacks running nuclear war games for the US government, says that the Bush administration has done little more than talk about securing the nation’s nuclear facilities from terrorist attacks. If Levernier and his team of experts (see February 15, 2004) are correct in their assessments, the administration is actually doing virtually nothing to protect the US’s nuclear weapons facilities, which certainly top any terrorist’s wish list of targets. Instead of addressing the enormous security problems at these facilities, it is persecuting whistleblowers like Levernier. Indeed, the administration denies a danger even exists. “Any implication that there is a 50 percent failure rate on security tests at our nuclear weapons sites is not true,” says Anson Franklin, a spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a DOE agency that oversees the US’s nuclear weapons complex. “Our facilities are not vulnerable.” Too Strict Grading? - James Ford, who is retired, was Levernier’s direct DOE supervisor in the late 1990s. He says that while Levernier was a talented and committed employee, the results he claims from his mock terror attacks are skewed because of what Ford calls Levernier’s too-strict approach to grading the performance of the nuclear facilities’ security personnel. Ford says that Levernier liked to focus on one particular area, the Technical Area-18 facility, at the Los Alamos nuclear facility in New Mexico, though the site is essentially indefensible, located at the bottom of a canyon and surrounded on three sides by steep, wooded ridges that afforded potential attackers excellent cover and the advantage of high ground. Complaints of 'Strict Grading' Baseless, Squad Commander Says - “My guys were licking their chops when they saw that terrain,” says Ronald Timms, who commanded mock terrorist squads under Levernier’s supervision. Timms, now the head of RETA Security, which participated in many DOE war games and designed the National Park Service’s security plans for Mount Rushmore, says Ford’s complaint is groundless: “To say it’s unfair to go after the weak link is so perverse, it’s ridiculous. Of course the bad guys are going to go after the weakest link. That’s why [DOE] isn’t supposed to have weak links at those facilities.” In one such attack Timms recalls, Levernier’s forces added insult to injury by hauling away the stolen weapons-grade nuclear material in a Home Depot garden cart. The then-Secretary of Energy, Bill Richardson, ordered the weapons-grade material at TA-18 to be removed to the Nevada Test Site by 2003. That has not happened yet, and is not expected to happen until 2006 at the earliest. Rules of Engagement - The failure rates are even harder to understand considering the fact that the rules of engagement are heavily slanted in favor of the defense. A real terrorist attack would certainly be a surprise, but the dates of the war games were announced months in advance, within an eight-hour window. Attackers were not allowed to use grenades, body armor, or helicopters. They were not allowed to use publicly available radio jamming devices. “DOE wouldn’t let me use that stuff, because it doesn’t have a defense against it,” Levernier says. His teams were required, for safety reasons, to obey 25 MPH speed limits. Perhaps the biggest flaw in the DOE’s war games, Levernier says, is that they don’t allow for suicide bombers. The games required Levernier’s teams to steal weapons-grade nuclear material and escape. It is likely, though, that attackers would enter the facility, secure the materials, and detonate their own explosives. DOE did not order nuclear facilities to prepare for such attacks until May 2003, and the policy change does not take effect until 2009. Levernier notes that three of the nation’s nuclear weapons facilities did relatively well against mock attacks: the Argonne National Laboratory-West in Idaho, the Pantex plant in Texas, and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Bureaucratic, Political Resistance - So why, asks Vanity Fair journalist Mark Hertsgaard, doesn’t the Bush administration insist on similar vigilance throughout the entire nuclear complex? They “just don’t think [a catastrophic attack] will happen,” Levernier replies. “And nobody wants to say we can’t protect these nuclear weapons, because the political fallout would be so great that there would be no chance to keep the system running.” The DOE bureaucracy is more interested in the appearance of proper oversight than the reality, says Tom Devine, the lawyer who represents both Levernier and other whistleblowers. “Partly that’s about saving face. To admit that a whistleblower’s charges are right would reflect poorly on the bureaucracy’s competence. And fixing the problems that whistleblowers identify would often mean diverting funds that bureaucrats would rather use for other purposes, like empire building. But the main reason bureaucrats have no tolerance for dissent is that taking whistleblowers’ charges seriously would require them to stand up to the regulated industry, and that’s not in most bureaucrats’ nature, whether the industry is the nuclear weapons complex or the airlines.” Stiff Resistance from Bush Administration - Devine acknowledges that both of his clients’ troubles began under the Clinton administration and continued under Bush, but, Devine says, the Bush administration is particularly unsympathetic to whistleblowers because it is ideologically disposed against government regulation in general. “I don’t think President Bush or other senior officials in this administration want another September 11th,” says Devine, “but their anti-government ideology gets in the way of fixing the problems Levenier and [others] are talking about. The security failures in the nuclear weapons complex and the civil aviation system are failures of government regulation. The Bush people don’t believe in government regulation in the first place, so they’re not inclined to expend the time and energy needed to take these problems seriously. And then they go around boasting that they’re winning the war on terrorism. The hypocrisy is pretty outrageous.” [Carter, 2004, pp. 17-18; Vanity Fair, 2/15/2004] Entity Tags: Bush administration (43), George W. Bush, Rich Levernier, RETA Security, National Nuclear Security Administration, James Ford, Bill Richardson, Anson Franklin, National Park Service, Ronald Timms, Mark Hertsgaard, Tom Devine, Vanity Fair, US Department of Energy, Los Alamos National Laboratory February 19, 2004: US Expects Pakistan to Improve Fight against Al-Qaeda after A. Q. Khan Apology, but This Does Not Happen In the wake of Pakistani nuclear scientist A. Q. Khan’s public apology for his role in nuclear proliferation on February 4, 2004 (see February 4, 2004), and the US government’s quick acceptance of that apology, it is clear the US expects more cooperation from Pakistan on counterterrorism in return. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says in an interview on February 19: “In a funny way, the A. Q. Khan [apology]… we feel it gives us more leverage, and it may give [Pakistani President Pervez] Musharraf a stronger hand, that Pakistan has an act to clean up. The international community is prepared to accept Musharraf’s pardoning of Khan for all that he has done, but clearly it is a kind of IOU, and in return for that there has to be a really thorough accounting. Beyond that understanding, we expect an even higher level of cooperation on the al-Qaeda front than we have had to date.” But there is no increased cooperation in the next months. Pakistani journalist and regional expert Ahmed Rashid will later comment: “Musharraf had become a master at playing off Americans’ fears while protecting the army and Pakistan’s national interest.… [He] refused to budge and continued to provide only minimal satisfaction to the United States and the world. He declined to give the CIA access to Khan, and there was no stepped-up hunt for bin Laden.” [Rashid, 2008, pp. 289-290] Entity Tags: Pervez Musharraf, Abdul Qadeer Khan, Ahmed Rashid, Paul Wolfowitz, Al-Qaeda Timeline Tags: A. Q. Khan's Nuclear Network Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics (February 19, 2004): KSM Falsely Claims Key Bojinka Conspirator Had Only Minor Role in Plot Alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (KSM) tells US interrogators that Abdul Hakim Murad, along with KSM a key conspirator in the Bojinka plot, only had a small role in the operation, according to the 9/11 Commission. The Commission will cite four intelligence reports, drafted on February 19 (two), February 24, and April 2, 2004, as the source of this claim. According to KSM, Murad’s only role in the plot was to courier $3,000 from Dubai to Manila. However, other evidence indicates Murad was much more significantly involved in the plot (see Before January 6, 1995 and January 6, 1995). The Commission will comment, “This aspect of KSM’s account is not credible, as it conflicts not just with Murad’s own confession [note: this may be unreliable as Murad was tortured (see After January 6, 1995)] but also with physical evidence tying Murad to the very core of the plot, and with KSM’s own statements elsewhere that Murad was involved in planning and executing the operation.” [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 489] Entity Tags: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Abdul Hakim Murad, 9/11 Commission, Central Intelligence Agency Category Tags: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, 1995 Bojinka Plot, High Value Detainees February 23, 2004: Saudi Official Lies to 9/11 Commission about Ties to Hijackers’ Associate Fahad al Thumairy, a Saudi diplomat the 9/11 Commission thinks is tied to an associate of two 9/11 hijackers named Omar al-Bayoumi, is interviewed by the Commission and lies about these connections. The Commission’s staff thinks that al Thumairy was, in author Philip Shenon’s words, “a middleman of some sort for [9/11 hijackers] Nawaf Alhazmi and Khalid Almihdhar,” and they have compiled a long dossier on him, mostly based on evidence that staffer Mike Jacobson found in FBI files. According to Shenon, the evidence suggests al Thumairy “had orchestrated help for the hijackers through a network of Saudi and other Arab expatriates living throughout Southern California and led by… al-Bayoumi.” When al Thumairy is interviewed by Raj De and other Commission investigators in Riyadh—in the presence of Saudi government minders—he initially claims, “I do not know this man al-Bayoumi.” However, the investigators have witnesses who say al Thumairy and al-Bayoumi know each other, have records of phone calls between the two men (see December 1998-December 2000 and January-May 2000), and al-Bayoumi has admitted knowing al Thumairy, although they allegedly spoke “solely on religious matters.” De cuts off al Thumairy’s denial, telling him: “Your phone records tell a different story. We have your phone records.” Although al-Bayoumi still professes ignorance, De explains they have the phone records from the FBI, at which point al Thumairy realizes his difficulty and says, “I have contact with a lot of people.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 309-311] Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Raj De, Michael Jacobson, Fahad al Thumairy Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, Bayoumi and Basnan Saudi Connection, 9/11 Commission, Saudi Arabia, 9/11 Investigations February 23, 2004: Nomination of Former CIA Bin Laden Unit Chief to State Department Rank Announced The Congressional Record reports that Richard Blee, the manager in charge of the CIA’s bin Laden unit on 9/11 (see August 22-September 10, 2001), has been nominated to a State Department rank. In a list of State Department nominations, it states that he and several dozen other people are proposed “to be consular officers and/or secretaries of the diplomatic service of the United States of America, as indicated for appointment as foreign service officers of class three, consular officer and secretary in the diplomatic service of the United States of America.” The listing gives his address as the District of Columbia. [US Congress, 2/23/2004, pp. 48 ] Entity Tags: Richard Blee, US Department of State Category Tags: Other Post-9/11 Events February 24, 2004: Tenet Says Atta Meeting in Prague Cannot Be Proven or Disproven CIA Director George Tenet tells Congress regarding an alleged meeting between hijacker Mohamed Atta and an Iraqi government agent in Prague, “We can’t prove that one way or another.” [New York Times, 7/9/2004] Entity Tags: George J. Tenet February 27, 2004: Militant Bombing of Ferry Kills 116 in Philippines Firefighters around the Superferry 14. [Source: Philippine Air Force]The 10,000 ton “Superferry 14” catches fire while transporting about 900 people between islands in the central Philippines. About 116 people are killed as the ship runs aground and partially submerges. Abu Sayyaf, a militant group frequently linked to al-Qaeda, takes credit for the disaster. The Philippine government initially claims it was an accident, but an investigation of the wreckage concludes several months later that the boat sank because of an explosion. Six members of Abu Sayyaf are charged with murder, including Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Sulaiman, said to be the top leaders of the group. Investigators believe Abu Sayyaf targeted the ship because the company that owned it refused to pay protection money. [BBC, 10/11/2004] Time magazine entitles an article about the incident “The Return of Abu Sayyaf” and notes that the bombing shows the group has reconstituted itself under the leadership of Janjalani after nearly being destroyed by arrests and internal divisions. [Time, 8/23/2004] Entity Tags: Abu Sayyaf, Abu Sulaiman, Khaddafy Janjalani Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia, Philippine Militant Collusion, Alleged Al-Qaeda Linked Attacks February 28-29, 2004: Madrid Bomber Makes Many Calls on Monitored Phone as He Transports Explosives to Madrid Jamal Ahmidan is a member of the Islamist militant cell who has arranged to buy the explosives for the Madrid train bombings (see 7:37-7:42 a.m., March 11, 2004). He is also a drug dealer, and is purchasing the explosives from Emilio Suarez Trashorras and some others who are generally both drug dealers and government informants. His phone is being monitored by Spanish intelligence. On February 28, he calls Othman El Gnaoui, another member of the militant cell, and says that he will need a van to transport something. The next day, Ahmidan is in the Spanish region of Asturias to help pick up the over 100 kilograms of explosives used in the bombings. He drives a stolen white Toyota Corolla and travels with a Renault Kangoo van and a Volkswagen Golf. Trashorras and Mohammed Oulad Akcha (another member of the militant cell) drive the other vehicles. The three vehicles drive the explosives to Madrid in what will later be popularly dubbed the “caravan of death.” Ahmidan makes about 15 calls on his monitored phone during the several hour journey, many of them to El Gnaoui. While he does not explicitly talk on the phone about moving explosives, he does make clear to El Gnaoui that he and two other vehicles are moving something to Madrid. He is stopped for speeding along the way by police, but the trunk of his car is not checked. He gives the police officer a false identification. [El Mundo (Madrid), 8/23/2004] Entity Tags: Othman El Gnaoui, Jamal Ahmidan, Emilio Suarez Trashorras, Mohammed Oulad Akcha Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Spain, 2004 Madrid Train Bombings Spring 2004: Nabil Al-Marabh Apparently Secretly Jailed in Syria In May 2005, the Globe and Mail reports that friends and family of Nabil al-Marabh fear he is being jailed in Syria. He apparently lives freely there for a few months after being deported from the US in January 2004 (see January 2004), but then is arrested by Syrian intelligence agents. The article will note that, “US deportation records show that Mr. al-Marabh had expressed fears about being conscripted or tortured in Syria, which is notorious for abusing its prisoners.” [Globe and Mail, 5/11/2005] In late 2007, it will be reported that it is believed al-Marabh is still jailed in Syria, though there have been no reports of him being officially charged with any crime. [National Post, 10/6/2007] Entity Tags: Nabil al-Marabh, Syria Category Tags: Nabil Al-Marabh Spring 2004: DIA Destroys Copies of Able Danger Documents The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Washington, DC apparently destroys duplicate copies of documentation relating to a military intelligence unit called Able Danger, for unknown reasons. The documents had been maintained by one of the DIA’s employees, intelligence officer Anthony Shaffer. [US Congress, 9/21/2005] The Able Danger unit was established in fall 1999, to assemble information about al-Qaeda networks worldwide (see Fall 1999). Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer had served as a liaison officer between the unit and the DIA. [New York Times, 8/17/2005; Guardian, 8/18/2005] Able Danger allegedly identified Mohamed Atta and three other future 9/11 hijackers more than a year before the attacks (see January-February 2000). Other records relating to the unit were destroyed in May and June 2000, and March 2001 (see May-June 2000). [US Congress, 9/21/2005; Fox News, 9/24/2005] Entity Tags: Able Danger, Defense Intelligence Agency Category Tags: Able Danger Spring 2004: FBI Director Conducts Charm Offensive against 9/11 Commission to Save Bureau FBI Director Robert Mueller launches a charm offensive to win over the 9/11 Commission and ensure that its recommendations are favorable to the bureau. Commission Initially Favored Break-Up - The attempt is greatly needed, as the Commission initially has an unfavorable view of the FBI due to its very public failings before 9/11: the Phoenix memo (see July 10, 2001), the fact that two of the hijackers lived with an FBI counterterrorism informer (see May 10-Mid-December 2000), and the failure to search Zacarias Moussaoui’s belongings (see August 16, 2001). Commissioner John Lehman will say that at the start of the investigation he thought “it was a no-brainer that we should go to an MI5,” the British domestic intelligence service, which would entail taking counterterrorism away from the bureau. Lobbying Campaign - Author Philip Shenon will say that the campaign against the commissioners “could not have been more aggressive,” because Mueller was “in their faces, literally.” Mueller says he will open his schedule to them at a moment’s notice and returns their calls within minutes. He pays so much attention to the commissioners that some of them begin to regard it as harassment and chairman Tom Kean tells his secretaries to turn away Mueller’s repeated invitations for a meal. Mueller even opens the FBI’s investigatory files to the Commission, giving its investigators unrestricted access to a special FBI building housing the files. He also gets Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of MI5, to meet the commissioners and intercede for the bureau. Contrast with CIA - The campaign succeeds and the Commission is convinced to leave the FBI intact. This is partially due to the perceived difference between Mueller and CIA Director George Tenet, who the Commission suspects of telling it a string of lies (see July 2, 2004). Commissioner Slade Gorton will say, “Mueller was a guy who came in new and was trying to do something different, as opposed to Tenet.” Commission Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton will also say that the Commission recommended changing the CIA by establishing the position of director of national intelligence. It is therefore better to leave the FBI alone because “the system can only stand so much change.” Change Partially Motivated by Fear - This change of mind is also partially motivated by the commissioners’ fear of the bureau. Shenon will comment: “Mueller… was also aware of how much fear the FBI continued to inspire among Washington’s powerful and how, even after 9/11, that fear dampened public criticism. Members of congress… shrank at the thought of attacking the FBI.… For many on Capitol Hill, there was always the assumption that there was an embarrassing FBI file somewhere with your name on it, ready to be leaked at just the right moment. More than one member of the 9/11 Commission admitted privately that they had joked—and worried—among themselves about the danger of being a little too publicly critical of the bureau.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 364-368] Entity Tags: John Lehman, 9/11 Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert S. Mueller III, Eliza Manningham-Buller, Philip Shenon, Slade Gorton, Lee Hamilton Spring 2004: Mysterious US Al-Qaeda Figure Finally Makes US Watch List Al-Qaeda has released a series of video messages featuring Adam Gadahn. This one is from September 2, 2006. [Source: Public domain / Wikipedia]The Washington Post will report in May 2004, “US officials have continued investigating [Khalil] Deek’s whereabouts, a fact that is made clear since [his name has recently] appeared on US terrorist lookout lists.” Deek is a naturalized US citizen whom authorities believe was a member of an al-Qaeda cell in Anaheim, California for most of the 1990s. He was arrested in Jordan for masterminding an al-Qaeda millennium bomb plot there (see December 11, 1999). Then he was let go, apparently with US approval (see May 2001). US intelligence has a record dating back to the late 1980s of investigating Deek for a variety of criminal activities but taking no action against him (see Late 1980s, March 1993-1996, December 14-25, 1999, November 30, 1999, May 2000, December 15-31, 1999). It is not known why Deek is finally watchlisted at this time, though it is likely connected to wide publicity about Adam Gadahn. Gadahn, a Caucasian American also known as “Azzam the American,” was a member of Deek’s Anaheim cell in the mid-1990s. He moved to Afghanistan where he has since become well-known as a top al-Qaeda media spokesman. [New Yorker, 1/22/2007] Counterterrorism expert Rita Katz, who investigated Deek for the US government in the late 1990s, says it’s “a mystery” law enforcement officials have not arrested or even charged Deek as a terrorist. [Orange County Weekly, 6/17/2004] A US newspaper reporter who closely followed Deek’s career will comment that Deek seemingly “couldn’t get arrested to save his life.” [Orange County Weekly, 6/15/2006] Deek has not been hard from since. There will be unconfirmed reports that he was killed somewhere in Pakistan in early 2005, but his body has not been found. [Orange County Weekly, 6/15/2006] Entity Tags: Adam Gadahn, United States, Khalil Deek Category Tags: Khalil Deek, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11 Spring 2004: UN Official: Conditions In Afghanistan Deteriorating A senior UN official reports that conditions in Afghanistan have deteriorated significantly in nearly every respect. According to Lakhdar Brahima, UN special envoy to Afghanistan, the situation “is reminiscent to what was witnessed after the establishment of the mujaheddin government in 1992.” Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, a member of the Wahhabi sect of Islam who opposed the presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia, along with several other warlords accused of atrocities in the mid-1990s, have returned to power and are effectively ruling the country, Brahima says. Several hold key positions within the government. They “continue to maintain their own private armies and… are reaping vast amounts of money from Afghanistan’s illegal opium trade…” The US, while claming to support Afghan President Karzai, is relying on these warlords to “help” hunt down Taliban and al-Qaeda factions, although the success rate is abysmal, and much of the intelligence provided by the warlords is faulty. The Taliban has begun to regroup, and now essentially controls much of the southern and eastern regions of the country. [Foreign Affairs, 5/2004] Entity Tags: Hamid Karzai, Bush administration (43), Taliban, Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, Lakhdar Brahima, Al-Qaeda Spring 2004: Review Finds Airport Security Is Poor Following tests of the standard of security at US airports (see October 9, 2003), the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and a private company provide a series of classified briefings to the House Aviation Subcommittee, saying the security is currently lax, bureaucratic, and no better than it was 17 years ago. After the briefings, committee chairman John Mica (R-FL) says, “We have a system that doesn’t work.” Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), who supported the federal takeover of airport security, says, “The inadequacies and loopholes in the system are phenomenal.” A 2006 book by investigative reporters Joe and Susan Trento will say that the new federal screeners are “much worse” than the old private ones. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official will say that the “private sector was held to a standard of somewhere between 80 to 90 percent” for weapons detection, but now at one airport “they ran eight [tests] and we missed four of them.” He will add, “But what is really alarming to me is that they said we’re above the national average so they recognize you for a job well done.” Another official will complain about the lack of testing in the federal system, saying that the new screeners even have difficultly recognizing explosives when they appear on a screen, “And when you run an actual [improvised explosive device], they don’t know what it is.” The Trentos will attribute some of the blame to the way the security staff are trained, noting, “the TSA certifies and tests itself and classifies the results as secret.” [Trento and Trento, 2006, pp. 172-4] Entity Tags: Government Accountability Office, US Department of Homeland Security, Susan Trento, Transportation Security Administration, Clark Kent Ervin, John Mica, Joseph Trento, Peter DeFazio Category Tags: Internal US Security After 9/11 March 2004: Alleged ‘High Value’ Al-Qaeda Leader Is Captured in Djibouti, Africa Gouled Hassan Dourad. [Source: US Defense Department]Alleged “high value” al-Qaeda leader Gouled Hassan Dourad is captured. Dourad is captured by Djibouti government forces in his house in Djibouti. He is turned over to US custody at an unknown date and held as a ghost prisoner in the CIA’s secret prison system. On September 4, 2006, he will be transferred to the US-run prison in Guantanamo, Cuba, and will be officially declared a “high value” prisoner (see September 2-3, 2006). Who Is Dourad? - Very little is publicly known about Dourad or why he is deemed an important militant leader. Virtually nothing has appeared about him in the media either before or after his capture. But his 2008 Guantanamo file will detail his history. According to that file, Dourad is a Somali who is an admitted member of both al-Qaeda’s East Africa branch and Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya (AIAI), an Islamist militant group based in Somalia that was blacklisted by the US shortly after 9/11. In 1993, he was granted asylum in Sweden, and lived there for nearly three years. In 1996, he trained in al-Qaeda linked training camps in Afghanistan. Returning to East Africa, he fought against Ethiopian forces for several years. Dourad grew more involved with al-Qaeda and took part in various plots. When he is caught, he allegedly is in the final stages of planning an operation against US military bases and various embassies in Djibouti. He does not seem to have been in frequent contact with many top al-Qaeda leaders, but it is claimed he worked closely with Abu Talha al-Sudani, a leader of al-Qaeda operations in East Africa. [US Department of Defense, 9/19/2008] Note that the Guantanamo files of prisoners often contain dubious information, and in some cases information that was extracted by torture (see April 24, 2011). Entity Tags: Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya, Gouled Hassan Dourad, Al-Qaeda, Abu Talha al-Sudani Category Tags: Key Captures and Deaths, High Value Detainees March 2004: Agent Forced Out of FBI for Supporting Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds John Cole. [Source: Canal+]John Cole, an FBI agent who has supported whistleblower Sibel Edmonds inside the FBI, is forced out of his position. Cole will later say that this is because of the support he offered her. After Cole read Edmonds’ file, he decided her allegations were accurate: “I thought that I could be of some assistance to her, because I knew she was doing the right thing. I knew because she was right.” According to Cole, her allegations were confirmed by others at the FBI, “They were telling me that Sibel Edmonds was a 100 percent accurate, that management knew that she was correct.” However, Cole is subjected to a long bout of harassment. After years of good reports, his appraisal only says his work in one area is “minimally acceptable,” and he is investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for allegedly lying on a background check and disclosing classified information without authorization. Finally, he is demoted to menial tasks such as photocopying, causing him to resign. [Vanity Fair, 9/2005; Congressional Quarterly, 1/26/2007] Entity Tags: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sibel Edmonds, John Cole Category Tags: Sibel Edmonds, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics March 2004: Homeland Security Official Keeps Job Despite Tie to Radical Militant Faisal Gill. [Source: Salon]It is discovered that the Department of Homeland Security’s intelligence division policy director has disturbing associations with known radical militants. Faisal Gill, a White House political appointee with close ties to powerful Republican lobbyist Grover Norquist and no background in intelligence, failed to disclose on security clearance documents that he had worked with Abdurahman Alamoudi, a lobbyist with suspected terrorist ties. This is a potential felony. Jailed at the time, Alamoudi will be sentenced to 23 years in prison later in the year for plotting with Libyan agents to kill the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia (see October 15, 2004). Gill is briefly removed from his job when his incorrect disclosures are discovered, but it is ultimately decided that he can keep his job. Salon notes that “Gill has access to top-secret information on the vulnerability of America’s seaports, aviation facilities, and nuclear power plants to terrorist attacks.” Gill previously worked in an organization tied to both Alamoudi and Norquist. One anonymous official says, “There’s an overall denial in the administration that the agenda being pushed by Norquist might be a problem. It’s so absurd that a Grover Norquist person could even be close to something like this. That’s really what’s so insidious.” Another official complains, “Who is Abdurahman Alamoudi? We really don’t know. So how can we say there is not a problem with his former aide?” [Salon, 6/22/2004] Entity Tags: Grover Norquist, Abdurahman Alamoudi, US Department of Homeland Security, Faisal Gill March 2004: Able Danger Intelligence Officer Has Security Clearance Suspended Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shaffer, an Army intelligence officer who worked closely with a military intelligence unit called Able Danger, has his security clearance suspended for what his lawyer later describes as “petty and frivolous” reasons, including a dispute over mileage reimbursement and charges for personal calls on a work cell phone. [Fox News, 8/19/2005] According to Shaffer, allegations are made against him over $67 in phone charges, which he accumulated over 18 months. He says, “Even though when they told me about this issue, I offered to pay it back, they chose instead to spend in our estimation $400,000 to investigate all these issues simply to drum up this information.” No formal action is ever taken against Shaffer, and later in the year the Army promotes him to lieutenant colonel. [Fox News, 8/17/2005; Government Security News, 9/2005] A few months previous, Shaffer had met with staff from the 9/11 Commission, and allegedly informed them that Able Danger had, more than a year before the attacks, identified two of the three cells which conducted 9/11, including Mohamed Atta (see October 21, 2003). According to Shaffer’s lawyer, it is because of him having his security clearance suspended that he does not later have any documentation relating to Able Danger. [Fox News, 8/19/2005] Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA) will later comment: “In January of 2004 when [Shaffer] was twice rebuffed by the 9/11 Commission for a personal follow-up meeting, he was assigned back to Afghanistan to lead a special classified program. When he returned in March, he was called in and verbally his security clearance was temporarily lifted. By lifting his security clearance, he could not go back into DIA quarters where all the materials he had about Able Danger were, in fact, stored. He could not get access to memos that, in fact, he will tell you discussed the briefings he provided both to the previous administration and this administration.” [Fox News, 8/19/2005] These documents Shaffer are trying to reach are destroyed by the DIA roughly around this time (see Spring 2004). In September 2005, Shaffer has his security clearance revoked, just two days before he is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about Able Danger’s activities (see September 19, 2005). Entity Tags: Curt Weldon, Able Danger, Anthony Shaffer March 2004: CIA Finds 9/11 Hijackers Used 364 Aliases and Name Variants After investigating the 9/11 hijackers, the CIA finds that the 19 operatives used a total of 364 aliases, including different spellings of their own names and noms de guerre. Although some examples are made public, the full list is not disclosed. [9/11 Commission, 8/21/2004, pp. 1, 5 ; US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, 7/31/2006 ] However, an FBI timeline of hijacker movements made public in 2008 will mention some of the aliases. For example: Hani Hanjour and Ahmed Alghamdi rent a New Jersey apartment using the names Hany Saleh and Ahmed Saleh. (Saleh is Hanjour’s middle name.) [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 144, 205 ] Fayez Ahmed Banihammad uses the aliases Abu Dhabi Banihammad and Fayey Rashid Ahmed. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 167, 174 ] Nawaf Alhazmi uses the aliases Nawaf Alharbi and Nawaf Alzmi Alhazmi. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 60 ; Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 248 ] Mohamed Atta frequently likes to use variants of the name El Sayed, for instance calling himself Awaid Elsayed and even Hamburg Elsayed. Marwan Alshehhi also uses the Elsayed alias. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 125, 126 ] When Majed Moqed flies into the US on May 2, 2001, the name Mashaanmoged Mayed is on the flight manifest. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 139 ] In contrast to this, many reports emphasize that the hijackers usually used their own names. For example, the 9/11 Commission will say, “The hijackers opened accounts in their own names, using passports and other identification documents.” [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 22 ] In addition, a Commission staffer will tell UPI: “They did not need fake passports. The plotters all used their own passports to get into the country and once here, used US-issued ID documents whenever possible.” [United Press International, 8/17/2005] Entity Tags: Wail Alshehri, Mohand Alshehri, Mohamed Atta, Nawaf Alhazmi, Saeed Alghamdi, Satam Al Suqami, Marwan Alshehhi, Salem Alhazmi, Ziad Jarrah, Waleed Alshehri, Majed Moqed, Khalid Almihdhar, Ahmed Alhaznawi, 9/11 Commission, Abdulaziz Alomari, Ahmed Alghamdi, Hani Hanjour, Hamza Alghamdi, Central Intelligence Agency, Fayez Ahmed Banihammad, Ahmed Alnami Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, Marwan Alshehhi, Mohamed Atta, Hani Hanjour, Ziad Jarrah, Other 9/11 Hijackers, Other 9/11 Investigations, 9/11 Investigations, Hijacker Visas and Immigration March 2004: Book Examines Atta’s Time in Florida; Portrays Him as Hooked on Drugs and Alcohol Daniel Hopsicker. [Source: Daniel Hopsicker]A book examining the life of Mohamed Atta while he lived in Florida in 2000 is published. Welcome to Terrorland: Mohamed Atta and the 9-11 Cover-Up in Florida, is by Daniel Hopsicker, an author, documentary maker, and former business news producer. Hopsicker spent two years in Venice, Florida, where several of the 9/11 hijackers went to flight school, and spoke to hundreds of people who knew them. His account portrays Atta as a drinking, drug-taking, party animal, strongly contradicting the conventional view of Atta having been a devout Muslim. He interviewed Amanda Keller, a former stripper who claims to have briefly been Atta’s girlfriend in Florida. Keller describes trawls through local bars with Atta, and how he once cut up her pet kittens in a fit of anger. The book also alleges that the CIA organized an influx of Arab students into Florida flight schools in the period prior to 9/11, and that a major drug smuggling operation was centered around the Venice airfield while Atta was there. [Deutsche Welle (Bonn), 4/30/2004; Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 7/11/2005] It also implicates retired businessman Wally Hilliard, the owner of Huffman Aviation, as the owner of a Lear jet that in July 2000 was seized by federal agents after they found 43 pounds of heroin onboard. [Long Island Press, 2/26/2004; Green Bay Press-Gazette, 3/22/2004] The book is a top ten bestseller in Germany. [Hopsicker, 2004; Deutsche Welle (Bonn), 4/30/2004] Entity Tags: Wally Hilliard, Mohamed Atta, Central Intelligence Agency, Amanda Keller, Daniel Hopsicker Category Tags: Media, Mohamed Atta, Alleged Hijackers' Flight Training March 2004: Released Guantanamo Detainee Becomes Important Taliban Leader In late 2001, a Pakistani named Abdullah Mahsud was arrested in northern Afghanistan and transferred to the US-run Guantanamo prison. He apparently concealed his true identity while there, and is released in March 2004. He returns to Waziristan, the Pakistani tribal region where he was born, and quickly becomes an important Taliban leader. The US Defense Department belatedly realizes he has been associated with the Taliban since he was a teenager, and calls him an “al-Qaeda-linked facilitator.” He earns a fearsome reputation by orchestrating attacks and kidnappings, starting later in 2004. His forces will sign a peace deal with the Pakistani government in early 2005 that effectively gives them control over South Waziristan (see February 7, 2005). Mahsud will be killed on July 24, 2007, just days after a peace deal between the Pakistani government and Waziristan militants collapses (see July 11-Late July, 2007). He reportedly blows himself up with a grenade while surrounded by Pakistani security forces in a town in Baluchistan province about 30 miles from the Afghan border that is also near Waziristan. A Pakistani official will say: “This is a big blow to the Pakistani Taliban. He was one of the most important commanders that the Taliban had in Waziristan.” [Washington Post, 7/25/2007] Entity Tags: Taliban, Abdullah Mahsud Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan March 2004: Al-Qaeda Summit Held in Pakistan’s Tribal Region; Possibly Monitored by US Intelligence In March 2004, al-Qaeda apparently holds what Time magazine calls a “terrorist summit” in the Pakistani tribal region of Waziristan. Time says the meeting is a “gathering of terrorism’s elite” who come from all over the world to attend. Attendees include: Dhiren Barot, an al-Qaeda leader living in Britain. Adnan Shukrijumah, an Arab Guyanese bombmaker and commercial pilot who apparently met 9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta and has been on public wanted lists since 2003. Mohammed Junaid Babar, a Pakistani-American living in Britain. He arrives with money and supplies. Abu Faraj al-Libbi, al-Qaeda leader living somewhere in Pakistan. Two other unnamed attendees are believed to have surveilled targets in New York City and elsewhere with Barot in 2001 (see May 30, 2001). [Time, 8/8/2004; ISN Security Watch, 7/21/2005] Other attendees have not been named. The meeting is said to be a “subject of obsession for authorities” in the US and Pakistan. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says, “The personalities involved, the operations, the fact that a major explosives expert came here and went back, all this was extremely significant.” Officials worry that it may have been a planning meeting for a major attack in the West. [Time, 8/8/2004] Babar is arrested one month later in the US and immediately agrees to become an informant and reveal all he knows (see April 10, 2004). But US intelligence had been monitoring Babar since late 2001 (see Early November 2001-April 10, 2004), and Newsweek will later claim that “Babar was tracked flying off [in early 2004] to South Waziristan in Pakistan, where he attended [the] terror summit…” It is unknown if the summit itself is monitored, however. [Newsweek, 1/24/2005] Regardless on when the US learned about it, no known additional pressure on Pakistan to do something about al-Qaeda in Waziristan results. In fact, in late April the Pakistani government ends one month of fighting with militants in Waziristan and signs a peace treaty with them (see April 24-June 18, 2004). Entity Tags: Pervez Musharraf, Dhiren Barot, Al-Qaeda, Adnan Shukrijumah, Mohammed Junaid Babar, Abu Faraj al-Libbi Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region Early March 2004: Executive Director Zelikow Demands 9/11 Commission Subpoena Forthcoming Book by Former Counterterrorism ‘Tsar’ The 9/11 Commission’s Executive Director Philip Zelikow demands that the Commission subpoena a new book by former counterterrorism “tsar” Richard Clarke that is due to be published soon. Bad Blood - There has been a running argument in the Commission about Clarke’s criticism of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice (see August 2003, Before December 18, 2003, and Early 2004) and there is also bad blood between Clarke and Zelikow, a close associate of Rice (see 1995) who had Clarke demoted in 2001 (see January 3, 2001 and January 27, 2003). Zelikow’s demand is spurred by a change to the publication date of Clarke’s book, which has been moved forward from the end of April to March 22, shortly before Clarke is due to testify publicly before the Commission. Zelikow Goes 'Ballistic' - Daniel Marcus, the Commission’s lawyer, will recall that when Zelikow learned of the change, he “went ballistic” and “wanted to subpoena [the book].” The reason for his anger is that he thinks that it may contain surprises for the Commission and does not want new information coming out so close to an important hearing. Marcus thinks issuing a subpoena is a bad idea, as the Commission generally refuses to subpoena government departments (see January 27, 2003), so issuing one for the book will make it look bad, and possibly turn the press against it. However, Zelikow initially refuses to back down, saying, “Well, we have subpoena authority,” and adding, “And they have no right to withhold it from us.” Publisher Provides Book, Clarke Prevents Zelikow from Reading It - Marcus calls the book’s publisher and asks it nicely to give the Commission the book. The publisher agrees, but, worried that excessive distribution would limit the book’s news value, says that only three staffers, ones involved in preparing for Clarke’s interview, can read it. Clarke personally insists on another condition: that Zelikow is not one of these three staffers. Zelikow protests against this condition, but it is approved by the commissioners. Zelikow Discomfited - This deal highlights the state of relations between Zelikow and the staff. Author Philip Shenon will write: “Marcus and others on the staff could not deny that they enjoyed Zelikow’s discomfort. Throughout the investigation, Zelikow had insisted that every scrap of secret evidence gathered by the staff be shared with him before anyone else; he then controlled how and if the evidence was shared elsewhere. Now Zelikow would be the last to know some of the best secrets of them all.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 275-277] Entity Tags: Philip Shenon, Daniel Marcus, Richard A. Clarke, 9/11 Commission, Philip Zelikow March 1, 2004: ’New Pearl Harbor’ Book Is Released David Ray Griffin. [Source: Public domain]The book “The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions about the Bush administration and 9/11,” written by theology professor David Ray Griffin, is released. The Daily Mail calls it “explosive.” Well known historian Howard Zinn calls the book: “the most persuasive argument I have seen for further investigation of the Bush administration’s relationship to that historic and troubling event.” The book suggests there is evidence that the Bush administration may have arranged the 9/11 attacks or deliberately allowed them to happen. It questions why no military fighter jets were sent up to intercept the hijacked planes after the terrorists first struck. It also explores the question of whether the Pentagon was really hit by Flight 77, and suggests that explosives could have assisted the collapse of the World Trade Center. [Democracy Now!, 5/26/2004; Daily Mail, 6/5/2004] The book sells well, but is virtually ignored by the mainstream US news media. Those who do report on the book generally deride it. For example, Publishers Weekly states, “Even many Bush opponents will find these charges ridiculous, though conspiracy theorists may be haunted by the suspicion that we know less than we think we do about that fateful day.” [Publishers Weekly, 3/22/2004] Entity Tags: Pentagon, Bush administration (43), Howard Zinn, World Trade Center, David Ray Griffin Category Tags: Media, US Government and 9/11 Criticism Spring 2004: 9/11 Commission Executive Director Zelikow Receives Memo Urging Criminal Referral of False Statements by Pentagon, FAA; No Action Taken for Months After finding that FAA and US military officials have made a string of false statements to them about the air defense on the day of the attacks and have withheld key documents for months (see September 2003, Late October 2003, October 14, 2003, and November 6, 2003), the 9/11 Commission’s staff proposes a criminal investigation by the Justice Department into those officials. Proposal Sent to Zelikow - The proposal is contained in a memo sent by the Commission team investigating the day of the attacks to Philip Zelikow, the Commission’s executive director. However, nothing much is done with the memo for months. A similar proposal will then be submitted to the very last meeting of the 9/11 commissioners, who decide to refer the matter not to the Justice Department, but to the inspectors general of the Pentagon and FAA (see Shortly before July 22, 2004). Whereas the Justice Department could bring criminal charges for perjury, if it found they were warranted, the inspectors general cannot. Dispute over Events - According to John Azzarello, a Commission staffer behind the proposal, Zelikow fails to act on the proposal for weeks. Azzarello will say that Zelikow, who has friends at the Pentagon (see (Late October-Early November 2003)), “just buried that memo.” Azzarello’s account will be backed by Commission team leader John Farmer. However, Zelikow will say that Azzarello was not party to all the discussions about what to do and that the memo was delayed by other Commission staffers, not him. Zelikow’s version will receive backing from the Commission’s lawyer, Daniel Marcus. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 209-210] Entity Tags: Philip Zelikow, John Azzarello, Daniel Marcus, 9/11 Commission, John Farmer March 2, 2004: House Republican Leaders Finally Approve Extension for 9/11 Commission, Some Commissioners Think Cheney Is Behind Delay 9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton meet with Republican leaders in the House of Representatives, including Speaker Dennis Hastert and Majority Leader Tom Delay, to discuss an extension of the commission’s reporting deadline (see Mid-December 2003-Mid-January 2004). The extension is opposed by the House leadership, which has had bad relations with the commission for some time and has been very critical of the commission. For example, a month before the meeting Hastert had accused Democrats on the commission of “leaking things,” trying to “make it a political issue,” and inflict “death by a thousand cuts” on the Bush administration. It is unclear why the House leadership is so against the extension, even though it has been approved by Senate Republicans and the White House. One theory advanced by Democratic commissioners is that, although the White House has publicly dropped its opposition to the extension (see January 19, 2004 and February 5, 2004), it does not really want it and is simply getting Hastert to act as a proxy. Author Philip Shenon will comment: “If Hastert’s contempt for the commission was being stage-managed by anyone at the White House, it was assumed on the commission to be Dick Cheney. The vice president was a frequent, if rarely announced, visitor to the Speaker’s office.” However, Kean persuades Hastert and the other House leaders to accept the extension, removing the last hurdle. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 227-229] Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Dennis Hastert, Lee Hamilton, Thomas Kean, Tom DeLay March 3, 2004: US Secrecy Leads to Overturning Conviction of Hijacker Associate El Motassadeq A German appeals court overturns the conviction of Mounir El Motassadeq after finding that German and US authorities withheld evidence. He had been sentenced to 15 years in prison for involvement in the 9/11 plot. According to the court, a key suspect in US custody, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, had not been allowed to testify. European commentators blame US secrecy, complaining that “the German justice system [is] suffering ‘from the weaknesses of the way America is dealing with 9/11,’ and ‘absolute secrecy leads absolutely certainly to flawed trials.’” [Agence France-Presse, 3/5/2004] The court orders a new trial scheduled to begin later in the year. [Associated Press, 3/4/2004] The release of El Motassadeq (and the acquittal of Mzoudi earlier in the year) means that there is not a single person who has ever been successfully prosecuted for the events of 9/11. Entity Tags: Germany, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Bush administration (43), Mounir El Motassadeq Category Tags: Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh, Al-Qaeda in Germany, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics Evening, March 4, 2004: Witness Query Suggests Spanish Authorities Have Some Awareness of Explosives Deal On the night of March 4, 2004, members of Spain’s Civil Guard go to an unnamed witness in Madrid and ask him about Emilio Suarez Trashorras and Jamal Ahmidan, alias “El Chino.” The Madrid bombings conducted seven days later are said to involve two groups. One group is made up of Islamist radicals under heavy surveillance and the other group is made up of criminals and drug dealers who sell the explosives to this group. Ahmidan from the first group and Trashorras for the second are the main intermediaries. This witness is asked extensively about his car, a white Toyota Corolla. In late February, Ahmidan used a stolen white Toyota Corolla with a similar registration to help move the explosives from the region of Asturias to Madrid. He was briefly stopped for speeding by police on his way to Madrid and gave an alias instead of his real name (see February 28-29, 2004). The Toyota was also used by Trashorras in Asturias and he was fined while driving it three times. This suggests police had some knowledge about the explosives deal before the bombings. [El Mundo (Madrid), 8/24/2005] Trashorras is a government informant, but it will later be claimed that he did not inform his handlers about the explosives deal before the bombings, and he will be sentenced to life in prison (see October 31, 2007). Ahmidan will reportedly blow himself up with other key bombers about a month after the bombings (see 9:05 p.m., April 3, 2004). Entity Tags: Emilio Suarez Trashorras, Jamal Ahmidan March 5, 2004: Madrid Bomber Calls Imprisoned Head of Madrid’s Al-Qaeda Cell Jamal Zougam, an Islamist militant living in Spain, calls Barakat Yarkas, the head of the al-Qaeda cell in Madrid. Yarkas is in prison at the time, and has been there since November 2001 for an alleged role in the 9/11 attacks (see November 13, 2001). Zougam’s call is monitored, and in fact he has been monitored since 2000 for his links to Yarkas and others (see 2000-Early March 2004). Zougam will later say that he was aware he was being monitored, especially since he knew his house was raided in 2001. The Madrid newspaper El Mundo will later comment that the call makes no sense, especially since it takes place just six days before the Madrid train bombings (see October 31, 2007): “It’s like lighting a luminous sign.” It also has not been explained why the imprisoned Yarkas was even allowed to speak to Zougam on the phone. It is not known what they discuss. [El Mundo (Madrid), 4/23/2004] Zougam will later be sentenced to life in prison for a role in the Madrid bombings (see October 31, 2007). Entity Tags: Barakat Yarkas, Jamal Zougam Evening, March 5, 2004: Madrid Bomber Briefly Held at Police Station Near midnight on March 5, 2004, Othman El Gnaoui spends some time in a Madrid police station. He is considered one of the key Madrid bombers and will later be sentenced to life in prison for his role in the bombings. What he is doing in the station is not clear as police will not discuss it later. But his phone is being monitored at the time, and transcripts of calls will later reveal him calling family from inside the station who are wondering where he is at such a late hour. He tells his wife that he had some trouble with identification papers while riding his motorcycle. [El Mundo (Madrid), 8/24/2005] But there are some curious coincidences. Just the day before, an unnamed witness was asked about Jamal Ahmidan and Emilio Suarez Trashorras (see Evening, March 4, 2004). In late February 2004, El Gnaoui bought explosives from Trashorras and others. On February 29, Ahmidan called him at least five times as he helped drive the explosives from the region of Asturias to Madrid. Both Ahmidan and El Gnaoui’s phones were being monitored at the time. [El Mundo (Madrid), 8/24/2005] Also curiously, one day after the bombings, police will stop monitoring the phones of Ahmidan and El Gnaoui (see March 12, 2004). Entity Tags: Jamal Ahmidan, Emilio Suarez Trashorras, Othman El Gnaoui	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1861
__label__cc	0.721499	0.278501	O’REILLY CALLS ON MINISTER TO PRIORITISE NEW GARDA STATION FOR BAILIEBOROUGH Fine Gael TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Deputy Joe O’Reilly, has called on the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald TD, to prioritise the construction of a new Garda Station for the town of Bailieborough. ‘The current Garda Station, in Barrack Street, has fallen into ill repair and is unable to manage with an increasing volume of work. Since I was elected to the Dáil in 2011, I have missed no opportunity to make the case for a new station. I was in contact directly, with the then Minister, Alan Shatter TD, on a number of occasions and I have met the present Minister, Frances Fitzgerald TD, on the issue a number of times also’, explained Deputy O’Reilly. ‘I have conveyed the gravity of the situation to her and have asked her to prioritise the construction of a new Station for Bailieborough. The successful completion of a new Garda Station for Bailieborough is a top priority with me and will remain so until success is achieved’ concluded Deputy O’Reilly.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1862
__label__wiki	0.519271	0.519271	ALROSA REPORTS SALES DECLINE FOR 2008, WORSE FOR NEW YEAR Alrosa, Russia’s state-owned diamond miner, has reported that rough sales this year have slipped by 1.1%, and will slip by ten times that margin in 2009. Alrosa, a wholly state owned shareholding company controlled by the federal government, does not issue production and financial results by the half-year or quarter. It also does not disclose conventional production data by diamond weight (carats). Like-for-like comparisons by carat, mine source, and year are also not available. Instead, production results are cited in ore tonnage excavated, and in US dollar value terms for diamonds recovered, making precise volume comparisons impossible. Announcements of result data are timed arbitrarily, and executives do not respond to detailed questions. In the latest press release posted on the Alrosa website, rough sales by Alrosa, excluding its share of sales of production from the Catoca mine in Angola, are reported as totaling $2.76 billion. This was reported in a Russian news agency citation from Alrosa CEO Sergei Vybornov as a decline of 1.1% on the 2007 level. It is also down on the sales projection by the board three months ago of $2.85 billion. The information provided in the Alrosa Annual Report for 2007 is unclear. In Vybornov’s report to shareholders at the opening of the report, and in the sales section of the report, Alrosa’s rough sales revenues were given for the year as totaling $2.79 billion; this comprised $2.13 billion for Alrosa’s wholly owned mines in Sakha; and $663.1 million in sales from the Nyurba mine, whose equity is equally divided between Alrosa and the Sakha regional government. The figure for the main mines was reported as falling 4.3% from the 2006 result, while the Nyurba figure was rising by 3.8% on 2006. However, In the audited financial section of the same report, rough diamond sales were given in roubles — Rb58.3 billion in sales revenues for the main mines, and Rb6.18 billion for Nyurba. No exchange rate conversion is published by the Russian auditor, FBK, and the rouble numbers do not correspond with the US dollar figures given elsewhere in the report. In the latest press release, polished diamond sales by Alrosa are reported for 2008 at $157.2 million. This marks year-on-year growth of 0.6%. However, in September Alrosa had said it was expecting polished sales for this year would reach $190 million. The latest press release also claims that for 2009, the Alrosa board agreed at its December 30 meeting to reduce the rough sales target to $2.44 billion. This marks a projected decline of 12%. Demonstrating a level of naivety never seen in an international mining corporation of its size, Alrosa’s board, composed primarily of state officials, announced that it has “instructed the Executive Board to improve the Company’s tentative targets for 2009 in order to increase the expected net profit.” Of the sales revenue total, it is expected that the Nyurba mine will sell $383 million in 2009. In 2008, according to a board announcement of September 22, Nyurba sales for the year had been expected to come in at $683.2 million. The apparently steeper drop in Nyurba sales in 2009, compared to Alrosa’s main mines, has not been explained. Net profit for Alrosa, disclosed by the board for 2008, comes to Rb 1422.4 million (currently equal to $47.4 million). In 2009, this is projected to rise by 173% to Rb3875.5 million. How this can be achieved with lower sales revenues is also unexplained. by John Helmer - Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 « MOSCOW BANK ISSUES MECHEL WARNING THE DIAMOND CARTEL MELTS DOWN — ALROSA FREEZES OUT DE BEERS »	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1863
__label__cc	0.585827	0.414173	TIME’S UP UK Ladbury is working with a collective of UK based female film and television industry leaders. We got together at the end of last year, in response to the sexual harassment scandals in our industry and beyond. Inspired by the TIME’S UP movement in the US, we have been working to continue the incredible movement this side of the Atlantic. We launched the fledgling TIME’S UP UK at BAFTA Film Awards back in February, the first major film awards ceremony in Europe this year, to make a statement of global solidarity to show that the issue is not being forgotten, and to join hands with people across all industries who have experienced inequality and abuse. We wore black to follow suit from our sisters who attended the Golden Globes. Since then we have brought TIME’S UP to the Empire Awards, to the Olivier Awards, and have helped raise awareness of new guidelines and helplines that have been launched in the entertainment industries to help us create systemic change. Here in the UK, more than half of all women and nearly two-thirds of women aged 18 to 24 have experienced sexual harassment at work. And we hope that those of us who are privileged enough to have a platform, can use it to raise awareness of the experiences of women beyond our industry, whose experiences are often silenced and marginalised. As part of that effort, many of us have contributed to a UK Justice and Equality Fund which has already raised £1.6million to resource organisations helping to end the culture of harassment, abuse and impunity. Dartmouth Films \| Magic Medicine	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1866
__label__cc	0.548631	0.451369	Practice lines adjusted; team unfazed Jon Rosen October 8, 2013 82 Comments Lineup ChangesNotebooksPractice notes The Kings lines in practice today were: Dwight King – Dustin Brown – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams Daniel Carcillo – Mike Richards – Jeff Carter Kyle Clifford – Trevor Lewis – Matt Frattin Colin Fraser – Jarret Stoll – Jordan Nolan Robyn Regehr – Drew Doughty Willie Mitchell – Slava Voynov Alec Martinez – Matt Greene Jake Muzzin – Keaton Ellerby -Should we read much into that? Maybe not, according to Darryl Sutter. “Quite honest, there were three or four guys that we were going to give a maintenance day, and then they wanted to go, so…that’s what came out of the hat.” Whether the lines stay the same at the morning skate tomorrow will be a much more firm indicator of whether there will be heavy changes to the previously established lines. Count on Alec Martinez making his season debut tomorrow; Daniel Carcillo is also likely to be in the mix. -Though he never skated consistently with Jeff Carter, Carcillo estimated that he skated “30-so” games with Mike Richards while they played for Philadelphia. “He’s just a smart hockey player. He’s got a high hockey IQ. Just going to read off him,” Carcillo said of Richards. “Whatever line I’m on, it doesn’t really matter. I know what my job is. Be first on pucks and win battles, and get to the net and get to those hard areas, and get them the puck and provide energy, and obviously just play the same way that I do on any of the lines, really.” -Colin Fraser is a natural center that gained experience on the left wing while playing for Chicago’s AHL affiliates in Norfolk and Rockford due to a logjam of centers within the system. He also saw scant time as a left wing alongside Jarret Stoll early in his tenure with the Kings – not that his placing is going to have much of an effect on his sandpaper tendencies. “Whatever keeps me in the lineup, I’m going to play,” Fraser said. “I’m going to play hard, and it’s not really going to change my style of play.” From his perspective, there’s nothing wrong with mixing things up this early in the season. “The NHL’s parity is so close, right? So you can’t fall behind the eight ball, because it’s hard to crawl back in. It seems you lose three, four, five in a row, you’re out of the playoffs, and you win three, four, five in a row, and you’re in first place. Definitely at a minimum we’ve got to keep pace, but obviously we want to be better than that. You approach every game, you want to win it. You’re not going to win every game, but if you’re going to lose, you’ve got to lose honestly, and kind of not the way we did last night.” -Continuing the trend, Trevor Lewis wasn’t particularly concerned with where he lined up. “It doesn’t really matter to me where I play, center left or right. I’m happy any way I can help the team,” he said. “I think we just need to find a little chemistry and balance, and maybe create a little more chances. I know our line the past few games hasn’t created as many chances as we’d like. We’ll see how it goes. I’m happy to play center or wherever. It’s fine with me.” Prior to playing center during the San Jose playoff series last spring, Lewis was already familiar with the position. “I grew up playing center, so I’m pretty comfortable with it. I think a couple of years ago I really was focusing on my faceoffs and getting better at those. I think I’ve gotten better at those, and like I said, it doesn’t matter to me where I play,” he said. -Beginning with last night’s game against the Rangers, the Kings will play every other night through the October 21 home game against Calgary. The schedule dictates that players will take an odd maintenance day here and there, and lines at practices aren’t necessarily set in stone. “Our schedule’s pretty intense here for quite a while, right until we come back from Nashville. So we’ll [play] every other day with a lot of travel, so we’ve got to be careful.” Colin FraserDaniel CarcilloDarryl SutterLinesPractice QuotesTrevor Lewis « Previous Post Waking up with the Kings: October 8 Next Post » Sutter on Muzzin: “He’s struggling a lot”	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1867
__label__wiki	0.720862	0.720862	Hammerstein Cavalry Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Armies >> Hanoverian Army >> Hammerstein Cavalry 4 Standards The regiment was raised in 1631, during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) by Oesener. A few years later, Oesener was promoted to colonel of a new regiment, his former regiment being taken by Brigadier von Rauchhaupt. In 1632, Rauchhaupt’s regiment took part in the Battle of Lützen; in 1634, in the siege of Minden; in 1638, in an action near Winsen. In 1664, the regiment was at the Battle of St. Gothard, the passage of the Raab. In 1665 and 1666, the regiment fought against the Dutch in East Frisia. In 1671, the regiment was at the capture of Braunschweig. In October 1679, the two aforementioned regiments (Rauchhaupt’s and Oesener’s) were combined in a single one. In 1688, at the outbreak of the Nine Years’ War (1688-97), the regiment served on the Rhine. In 1689, it was at the capture of Mainz, Bonn and Kayserswerth. In 1690, it was transferred to the Netherlands but returned home in the autumn. In 1693, it was sent to the Netherlands once more where it took part in the Battle of Landen. It then took part to most operations in Netherlands till the end of the war. In 1700, the regiment was sent to the Duchy of Holstein to contain the Danes. In 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14), the regiment took part in the Battle of Blenheim]]; in 1706, in the Battle of Ramillies; in 1708, in the Battle of Oudenarde; and in 1709, in the Battle of Malplaquet. In 1715 and 1716, the regiment took part in the blockade of Wismar. In 1719, the regiment took part in the action of Wallsmühlen against a Russo-Mecklenburger force. In 1742, during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48), the regiment served in the Netherlands. In 1743, it took part in the Battle of Dettingen; in 1746, in the Battle of Rocoux; and in 1747, in the Battle of Lauffeld. During the Seven Years' War, the regimental inhabers were: from 1733: Colonel Christian Ludewig von Hammerstein (promoted to brigadier in 1742; to major-general in 1743; to lieutenant-general in 1747; died in 1760) from 1760: Colonel Balthasar von Jüngermann (retired in 1761) from 1761: Colonel August Heinrich von Sprengel (Alt-Sprengel) The regiment was disbanded in 1803. In July 1757, during the French invasion of Hanover, the regiment took part in the Battle of Hastenbeck where it was deployed in the cavalry right wing. The cavalry was not really tested in this battle. They were superbly mounted, but drilled in the old German style tactics which meant that they were steady, but slow. They would have charged at a trot and quite likely would have received an enemy charge at the halt placing their trust in their firearms. On May 26, 1758, the regiment was with Ferdinand's main force in the camp of Nottuln. On May 31, it accompanied Ferdinand in his offensive on the west bank of the Rhine. On June 23, the regiment took part in the Battle of Krefeld where it was located in the left wing as part of the brigade under Lieutenant-General von Spörcken. In March 1759, during the Allied spring offensive in Western Germany, the regiment was attached to the corps of the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick who advanced against the Reichsarmee in the regions of Würzburg and Saxe-Meiningen, capturing three regiments of Cologne at Meiningen and routing a cuirassier regiment between Stockheim and Mellrichstadt. The regiment was then attached to Schulenburg Brigade in the first line of the cavalry left wing of the Allied army. On April 13, it took part in the Battle of Bergen where it formed part of the vanguard of the second column under Prince von Ysenburg. The cavalry of this column covered the flank of the attempted infantry advances into Bergen. In this battle, the regiment saw very little action other than the occasional skirmish and lost Cornet Kirchhof who was wounded. In June, the regiment was part of Imhoff's Corps operating in Hesse. On August 1, the regiment took part in the Battle of Minden where it was deployed in the first line of the 8th column under Lieutenant-general Duke of Holstein. It took part in the capture of a French battery near Malbergen and drove the Touraine and Rouergue infantry brigades out of their defensive positions. In this battle, the regiment lost Lieutenant von Rohden, killed; and Major Schnering, Captain von Hammerstein, Captain von Dachenhausen, Lieutenant von Wolfrath, Lieutenant Oldenburg and Cornet von Berger, wounded. The regiment then accompanied the Allied army who pursued the retiring French army through Paderborn and Hesse. It then encamped near Crofdorf an der Lahne. The regiment was later attached to General von Breidenbach’s Corps who covered the siege of Münster. In December, the regiment marched towards Eschwege. On December 15, it effected a junction with the corps of the Hereditary Prince who marched towards Freyberg to reinforce the Prussian army. On January 7, 1760, the regiment followed the Hereditary Prince in his difficult march against the Austrian corps of General Ried posted at Marienberg on the Bohemian frontier. However, Ried had enough time to retire. In February, the regiment returned to Saxony and took up its winter-quarters in Hildesheim. In November and December, it took also part in the unsuccessful blockade of Göttingen. In 1761, the regiment took part in the siege of Kassel. It then joined Luckner’s Corps with which, on July 17, it expelled the French from Neuhaus. On August 14 and 15, it took part in an action against the French corps of the Comte de Belzunce near Dassel, capturing 400 prisoners. In the night of October 13 to 14, the regiment took part in the relief of Braunschweig. By May 23 1762, the regiment served in Granby's Corps which formed the left wing of the Allied Army towards Dörnberg. On June 24, still part of Granby's Corps, it fought in the Battle of Wilhelmsthal. The regiment was later attached to Wangenheim’ Corps who covered the left flank of the Allied army on the Ohm. Accurate Vorstellung der saemtlichen Churfürstl. hannöverischen Armee zur eigentlichen Kentniß der Uniform von jedem Regimente nebst beygefügter Geschichte, worinne von der Stiftung, denen Chefs, der Staercke und den wichtigsten Thaten jedes Regiments Nachricht gegeben wird Nürnberg: Raspe 1763 (Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt) Carabiniers von Sprengel Uniform - Source: Hannoverdidi Headgear black tricorne laced yellow with oak leaves as a field sign, a black cockade and green/white small bobs on the hat (green bobs in 1761) Neckstock black Coat white with dark green lining; and with 6 brass buttons grouped 2 by 2 on the right side and 1 brass button at the small of the back on each side Collar none Shoulderknot none Lapels none Pockets horizontal, each with 3 brass buttons Cuffs dark green with 3 brass buttons Turnbacks dark green Waistcoat straw (dark green in 1761) Breeches chamois Crossbelt buff Waistbelt buff Scabbard black Footgear black Horse Furniture Saddlecloth basic color dark green; border from inner edge out red-yellow-red wavy line spiralling around similar white-red-white wavy line, outer line of diagonal stripes with the pattern blue-white-red-white-yellow-white-black-white-blue, etc.; emblem of a blue garter with white lettering within garter is the Royal monogram in white on a red background gold crowned with red interior. N.B.: some sources mention a different emblem on the saddle-cloth: the White Horse within the Garter surmounted by a crown In 1761, the saddle was fastened with a green and white girth. Sabretache see saddlecloth Blanket roll crimson Troopers were armed with a Pallasch (straight steel hilted sword), two pistols and a carbine. The carbine was slung from the shoulder belt on a swivel hook. According to Wissel, the uniform modified in 1761: the waistcoat and the lining of the coat being changed to straw. Officers wore a yellow silken sash across the right shoulder; a silver gorget, a silver porte-epee; a golden lace on the tricorne. They did not carry any cross-belt. NCOs had golden laces on the cuffs, pockets and waistcoat. They did not carry any cross-belt. Musicians comprised trumpeters and one kettle-drummer. They were dressed in reverse colours and probably had swallow nests at the shoulders. Staff trumpeter probably carried NCO distinctives. The kettle-drums were made of copper. The kettle-drum apron and trumpet banners were white, probably fringed in gold, and carried the White Horse on a red ground within the Garter; the motto “NEC ASPERA TERRENT” underneath The regiment carried one Leibstandarte and one regimental standard. Colonel Standard (Leibstandarte): white field, the metal of the embroideries and fringe is not specified in any of the sources that we consulted (we illustrated golden embroideries and fringe since the uniform had brass buttons) obverse: centre device consisting of the Silver Horse on a red ground within the Garter with the motto “DIEU ET MON DROIT” underneath reverse: centre device consisting of a silver column with uneven gold scales; a drawn sword on the scales; a trophy of arms below the column and the motto “PRO LEGE ET GREGE” underneath Leib Standard – Source: rf-figuren Regimental Standard: white field, the metal of the embroideries and fringe is not specified in any of the sources that we consulted (we illustrated golden embroideries and fringe since the uniform had brass buttons) obverse: centre device consisting of a White Horse on a red ground; the motto “DIEU ET MON DROIT” underneath reverse: centre device consisting of a column with two uneven gold scales; a drawn sword on the scales; a trophy of arms below the column and the motto “PRO LEGE ET GREGE” underneath Regimental Standard – Source: rf-figuren This article incorporates texts from the following books which are now in the public domain: Wissel, Friedrich v. and Georg von Wissel: Geschichte der Errichtung sämmtlicher Chur-Braunschweig-Lüneburgischen Truppen, sammt ihren Fahnen, Standarten und Pauken-Devisen ...], Zelle, 1786, pp. 64-84 Manley, S.: Uniforms of the Danish and German States' Armies 1739 - 1748, Potsdam Publications Pengel & Hurt: German States in the Seven Years War 1740 to 1762, Imperial Press Rogge, Christian: The French & Allied Armies in Germany during the Seven Years War, Frankfurt, 2006 Retrieved from "http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Hammerstein_Cavalry&oldid=13856" Hanoverian Land Unit	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1868
__label__wiki	0.944161	0.944161	Endangered Species Act October 1, 1999 • Volume 9, Issue 37 Does it put an unfair burden on landowners? President Clinton announces plans to remove the American bald eagle from the endangered species list at a South Lawn ceremony on July 2, 1999. Eagles have been on the list since 1967. (Photo Credit: Larry Downing, Reuters) Passage of the 1973 Endangered Species Act stands as one of the fundamental legislative victories of the environmental protection movement. It is also widely considered to be the most controversial. The act was intended to halt - and even reverse - the startling decline in animal and plant species caused by pesticides, water pollution, habitat destruction and other consequences of human activities. It requires landowners to refrain from developing land that is defined as critical to the survival of species listed as endangered. Critics say the law violates property rights by authorizing the government to “take” privately owned land, inhibits economic development and wastes taxpayer dollars. Both critics and supporters of the law say the environmental record of the past quarter-century proves their point. Wildlife and Endangered Species Dec. 15, 2017 Species Extinction Feb. 17, 2012 Invasive Species Oct. 2010 Wildlife Smuggling Jun. 03, 2005 Endangered Species Act Sep. 15, 2000 Mass Extinction Oct. 01, 1999 Endangered Species Act Apr. 19, 1996 Protecting Endangered Species Aug. 28, 1992 Marine Mammals Vs. Fish Jun. 21, 1991 Endangered Species May 24, 1991 Animal Rights Feb. 12, 1988 America's Biological Diversity Aug. 02, 1985 Wildlife Management Sep. 16, 1977 Protecting Endangered Wildlife May 10, 1967 Wildlife Preservation	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1869
__label__wiki	0.849608	0.849608	Rusty the snowman? Submitted by admin1 on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 2:49pm Kaylin Creason North St. Paul’s 44-foot tall snowman welcomes residents and visitors alike with a smile that stretches 16 feet across its cheerful face. (Kaylin Creason/Review) The tradition continues. The stucco snowman celebrates the annual Snow Frolics in 2004 with the people of North St. Paul, continuing the tradition of giant snowmen at the festival that began with snow-made structures in the 1950s. (file photo) It’s hard to find a jersey in that size! The snowman “wears” Bret Hedican’s Carolina Hurricane’s jersey to celebrate “Bret Hedican Day” in 2006 after the North St. Paul native’s Stanley Cup victory. (file photo) North St. Paul native, two-time Olympian and Stanley Cup victor Bret Hedican and his wife, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, drive past the snowman during a parade celebrating Hedican’s 2006 Stanley Cup win with the Carolina Hurricanes. (file photo) Mayor Mike Kuehn is leading the charge to check up on the health of the 40-year-old snowman, which he fears is in danger of toppling over due to rust on its cement base. (Linda Baumeister/Review) North St. Paul discusses repairs to its snowman statue Does the North St. Paul snowman need a check-up? Mayor Mike Kuehn thinks so. A few months ago, Kuehn asked the North St. Paul Parks and Recreation Commission to look into the “health” of the North St. Paul snowman, which he fears is in danger of toppling over. The health of the snowman began to weigh on Kuehn a few years ago when he toured the stucco structure’s interior. While inside, he noticed that the cement base that holds the snowman in place had rusted over, apparently from water seeping onto the metal frame. Fearing that damage to the structural integrity could lead to a “roly-poly” snowman - emphasis on “roll” - Kuehn asked the North St. Paul Parks and Recreation Commission to back a professional evaluation of the structure. He doesn’t want to see the snowman roll into Oakdale, he adds, and hopes an evaluation will give city leaders a sense of what might to be done to maintain the snowman and how much it will cost. On May 20, the city council accepted the commission’s recommendation that the city hire a structural expert to assess the snowman within the next few months. City staff are currently cleaning the floor inside the structure of the fallen plaster, dust, dirt and rust pieces that have collected for over 40 years, in order to make the snowman’s cement base more visible for its “check-up.” The life of the snowman Perhaps it’s no surprise that the snowman needs some TLC. In its 40-year lifespan, the interior of the snowman has never been repaired, public works director Scott Duddeck says. Chips, cracks and other obvious damage to the snowman’s stucco shell have been mended, but it wasn’t until recently that any thought was given to evaluating the structural integrity of the 20-ton statue. In 2007, the Minnesota Department of Transportation shelled out $20,000 to make sure shifting soil didn’t cause the snowman to collapse during the Highway 36 reconstruction project. It was perhaps the first measure taken to ensure the snowman’s stability since its construction. The snowman was intended to be permanent, but it wasn’t designed by structural engineers or professional sculptors. Instead, the snowman was designed by one local businessman with a vision. Throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, residents of North St. Paul would build giant snowmen out of real snow every year for the Snow Frolics, an annual celebration of winter. When lean snowfalls in the late 1960s threatened the city’s tradition, resident and local businessmen Lloyd Koesling came up with a permanent solution. In 1969, Koesling made a trip to Disneyland with his family. Fascinated by the statues that adorned the park, he was inspired to create a similar icon to represent North St. Paul. He designed the snowman, and enlisted the city’s support. The local Jaycees helped him build it. Construction on the snowman began in 1972. The city provided the land and paid for the building materials, and volunteers, including Koesling, put the structure together over the course of three summers. It was completed in 1974. At the time it was built, the snowman cost $2,000. The snowman originally overlooked the southeast corner of East Seventh Avenue and Margaret Street - near where the K&J Catering patio now is located. In 1990, it was moved to a more visible spot on the southeast corner of Highway 36 and Margaret Street, where it currently sits. Recent repairs The last time the city of North St. Paul retouched the snowman was in 2006, Duddeck says. That August, the city painted a hockey jersey on the snowman’s chest to celebrate “Bret Hedican Day” after former North St. Paul resident Bret Hedican won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes. A few years before that, the snowman bore a more somber adornment. On March 2, 2002, the snowman wore a black band on its arm to honor the death of its designer. As part of their discussion on the snowman, the parks and rec commissioners suggested installing a plaque near the statue’s base describing Koesling’s accomplishment. The 44-foot, 20-ton snowman, which is thought to be the world’s largest stucco snowman, is a roadside attraction. Mayor Kuehn regularly sees tourists parked on the side of the road, taking photos with the smiling snowman. “You’ll look and see a license plate from California or Georgia (parked by it),” he says. “It does attract people, and it’s something that’s important to the city.” The popular icon even draws a crowd on Facebook. The snowman’s fan-made Facebook page has over 10,000 likes. The tongue-in-cheek page features humorous “comments” from the snowman about everything from the weather to the Twins to its friendly rivalry with Whitey (the Chevrolet polar bear statue in White Bear Lake). The snowman became the official city logo of North St. Paul in 1972. “It’s important to the image of our community,” Kuehn says. “We want to be able to preserve it for a long time to come.” Kaylin Creason can be reached at staffwriter@lillienews.com or at 651-748-7825. PERSPECTIVES - Woodbury - South Maplewood	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1870
__label__cc	0.598081	0.401919	The declaration of the counties of Yorke and Lancaster; : concerning the Kings Maiestie, and both Houses of Parliament, and their unanimous resolutions, touching the proceedings of the Essex, Surrey, and Kentish-men. As also touching the Northern Army. With, the proceedings of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and his advance from Barwick, and joyning with a body consisting of 8000. in Westmerland. And the votes of the House of Commons, concerning a treaty with His Majesty, and the manner thereof, (electronic resource) The Resource The declaration of the counties of Yorke and Lancaster; : concerning the Kings Maiestie, and both Houses of Parliament, and their unanimous resolutions, touching the proceedings of the Essex, Surrey, and Kentish-men. As also touching the Northern Army. With, the proceedings of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and his advance from Barwick, and joyning with a body consisting of 8000. in Westmerland. And the votes of the House of Commons, concerning a treaty with His Majesty, and the manner thereof, (electronic resource) The item The declaration of the counties of Yorke and Lancaster; : concerning the Kings Maiestie, and both Houses of Parliament, and their unanimous resolutions, touching the proceedings of the Essex, Surrey, and Kentish-men. As also touching the Northern Army. With, the proceedings of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and his advance from Barwick, and joyning with a body consisting of 8000. in Westmerland. And the votes of the House of Commons, concerning a treaty with His Majesty, and the manner thereof, (electronic resource) represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Boston University Libraries. Langdale, Marmaduke Langdale, Baron, 1598-1661 London, Printed for W.R., 1648 1 online resource ([2], 6 p.) Annotation on Thomason copy: "May 26." Reproduction of the original in the British Library The declaration of the counties of Yorke and Lancaster; : concerning the Kings Maiestie, and both Houses of Parliament, and their unanimous resolutions, touching the proceedings of the Essex, Surrey, and Kentish-men. As also touching the Northern Army. With, the proceedings of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and his advance from Barwick, and joyning with a body consisting of 8000. in Westmerland. And the votes of the House of Commons, concerning a treaty with His Majesty, and the manner thereof The declaration of the counties of Yorke and Lancaster; concerning the Kings Maiestie, and both Houses of Parliament, and their unanimous resolutions, touching the proceedings of the Essex, Surrey, and Kentish-men. As also touching the Northern Army. With, the proceedings of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and his advance from Barwick, and joyning with a body consisting of 8000. in Westmerland. And the votes of the House of Commons, concerning a treaty with His Majesty, and the manner thereof Lancaster (England) -- History -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800 Civil War (Great Britain : 1642-1649) Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649 -- Early works to 1800 England -- York England -- Lancaster York (England) -- History -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800 E.444[12] Wing (2nd ed., 1994) Thomason .U58 Langdale, Marmaduke Langdale York (England) Lancaster (England) <div class="citation" vocab="http://schema.org/"><i class="fa fa-external-link-square fa-fw"></i> Data from <span resource="http://link.bu.edu/portal/The-declaration-of-the-counties-of-Yorke-and/zo-VcT5dzDE/" typeof="Book http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/Item"><span property="name http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/label"><a href="http://link.bu.edu/portal/The-declaration-of-the-counties-of-Yorke-and/zo-VcT5dzDE/">The declaration of the counties of Yorke and Lancaster; : concerning the Kings Maiestie, and both Houses of Parliament, and their unanimous resolutions, touching the proceedings of the Essex, Surrey, and Kentish-men. As also touching the Northern Army. With, the proceedings of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and his advance from Barwick, and joyning with a body consisting of 8000. in Westmerland. And the votes of the House of Commons, concerning a treaty with His Majesty, and the manner thereof, (electronic resource)</a></span> - <span property="potentialAction" typeOf="OrganizeAction"><span property="agent" typeof="LibrarySystem http://library.link/vocab/LibrarySystem" resource="http://link.bu.edu/"><span property="name http://bibfra.me/vocab/lite/label"><a property="url" href="http://link.bu.edu/">Boston University Libraries</a></span></span></span></span></div> Data Citation of the Item The declaration of the counties of Yorke and Lancaster; : concerning the Kings Maiestie, and both Houses of Parliament, and their unanimous resolutions, touching the proceedings of the Essex, Surrey, and Kentish-men. As also touching the Northern Army. With, the proceedings of Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and his advance from Barwick, and joyning with a body consisting of 8000. in Westmerland. And the votes of the House of Commons, concerning a treaty with His Majesty, and the manner thereof, (electronic resource) http://link.bu.edu/portal/The-declaration-of-the-counties-of-Yorke-and/zo-VcT5dzDE/ http://library.link/portal/The-declaration-of-the-counties-of-Yorke-and/zo-VcT5dzDE/	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1872
__label__wiki	0.573646	0.573646	Newslawfirm2019-02-14T20:50:36+00:00 LCEN News: January 2019: Effective January 1, 2019, the Firm relocated its offices to another suite at its existing location. The complete and updated mailing address for the Firm is 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite N313, Atlanta, Georgia 30338. September 2017: Michael Lamberth of the Firm is now registered with the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution as an arbitrator. July 2017: Greg Ellis of the Firm is serving as lead counsel for a term lender in the Chapter 11 case of Beaulieu Group, LLC. June 2017: The Firm successfully defended a business sued by a trustee for an alleged fraudulent transfer. Preliminary rulings leading up the entry of the final judgment are published as: Pettie v. Ringo (In re White), 555 B.R. 883 (Bankr. N.D. Ga. 2016); Pettie v. Ringo (In re White), 559 B.R. 787 (Bankr. N.D. Ga. 2016); Pettie v. Ringo (In re White), 2017 Bankr. LEXIS 1642 (Bankr. N.D. Ga. June 15, 2017). Michael Lamberth served as lead counsel for the defendant. May 2017: Michael Lamberth of the Firm is now registered with the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution as a neutral in general civil mediation. November 2016: The Firm has been retained to represent Baseball Protective, LLC f/k/a EvoShield, LLC in its Chapter 11 case in the Middle District of Georgia. The company was a developer, marketer, and distributor of protective sports gear and associated branded apparel under the EvoShield name. Jim Cifelli and Greg Ellis of the Firm are serving as co-lead counsel for the company. January 2016: Frank Nason of the Firm is representing defendants in an action filed in the United States District Court in the Northern District of Georgia for claims based on alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. Frank Nason has experience in representing both plaintiffs and defendants in PACA litigation. October 2015: Michael Lamberth of the Firm was successful in defending a Chapter 7 trustee against a motion to dismiss a claim against a lender for avoidance based upon Section 544 of the Bankruptcy Code. Relying upon Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662 (2009), Judge Mullins ruled that the complaint on its face contained sufficient factual content so that the Court could draw reasonable inferences that the plaintiff could prevail in the litigation. October 2015: The Firm is moving its offices to a new location in order to better serve clients. The new address for the Firm is 1117 Perimeter Center West, Suite W212, Atlanta, Georgia 30338 and is effective as of November 1, 2015. August 2015: The Firm was selected to serve as local counsel for the Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 case of Southern Regional Health System, Inc. and related debtors. The debtor is comprised of a group of healthcare providers that serve residents of Clayton County, Georgia and others throughout the region south of Atlanta. Michael Lamberth and Jim Cifelli of the Firm are serving as lead local counsel. September 2014: The Firm was again successful in obtaining summary judgment for defendants in a fraudulent transfer action. In this action, a Superior Court Judge in Whitfield County, Georgia, granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants. The Judge concluded that the cause of action was extinguished due to the applicable statute of repose and that the cause of action was not assignable. Michael Lamberth served as lead counsel for the defendants. August 2014: The Firm was successful in obtaining summary judgment in favor of defendants in a fraudulent transfer case in the Superior Court of Bulloch County, Georgia. One of the grounds for the granting of the summary judgment was that the Georgia fraudulent transfer law contains a statute of repose, not a statute of limitations. Upon the expiration of the time provided in the applicable statute, the cause of action was extinguished. Michael Lamberth served as lead counsel for the defendants. July 2014: Frank Nason will be a presenter at a seminar conducted by the National Business Institute on December 18, 2014. Mr. Nason’s topics will be preferences and fraudulent transfers. May 2014: The firm is serving as counsel for the debtor in possession in the Chapter 11 case of Restaurant Interiors, Inc. The case is #14-21300-REB in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division. The company manufactures, fabricates, and occasionally installs materials for the interior construction of restaurants. Its primary customers are franchised restaurants for businesses such as Burger King, KFC, Popeye’s and Taco Bell. The company is a “preferred vendor” for such franchises and has institutional knowledge of the specifications and requirements for the construction of such restaurants. Frank Nason is lead counsel in the case. December 2013: Jim Cifelli prepared the written materials and participated in a panel discussion on the subject of Rule 2004 examinations and other discovery under the Bankruptcy Code, presented at the annual bankruptcy law seminar conducted by the State Bar of Georgia at the Lake Oconee Ritz Carlton on December 5, 2013. November 2013: Stuart F. Clayton and G. Frank Nason are representing Jeffrey K. Kerr, as Chapter 11 trustee in the case of Vaccines on the Go, Inc. VOTG’s employees and contractors administer vaccines to employer clients’ employees at their employment locations or at sites designated by the employees. VOTG also administers vaccines to individual clients. The Trustee is currently seeking a buyer for the business. The case is pending before Judge Brizendine in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division. November 2013: G. Frank Nason participated as a presenter for a seminar held November 6, 2013, on Commercial Real Estate sponsored by the Real Property Law Section, State Bar of Georgia, and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia. September 2013: Stuart F. Clayton is representing the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee in the bankruptcy case of Continental Case Company, LLC, a manufacturer of replacement parts, shelves and skin kits for all major brands of OEM refrigerated cases for the supermarket industry. The Chapter 7 trustee was appointed following the filing of an involuntary petition by four creditors of Debtor. The case is pending before Judge Hagenau in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia. May 2013: The Firm is serving as counsel for the debtors in possession in the Chapter 11 cases Tortilleria El Maizal, Inc., El Maizal of the South, Incorporated, and National Provision Company, jointly administered under case number 13-59899-crm in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Totilleria El Maizal, Inc. manufactures tortilla products and supplies them to restaurants through distribution centers located in Georgia, North Carolina, and Indiana. El Maizal of the South operates a distribution center in Pearl, Mississippi. National Provision is a merchant wholesaler of fresh meat and meat products. The companies service over 3,000 customers in 23 states. G. Frank Nason, IV, is serving as lead counsel for the debtors in possession. March 2013: Christopher D. Phillips and Michael J. Bargar will make in April a presentation to a group of the Georgia Society of CPAs regarding the elements that must be established to make a prima facie case for recovery of a preferential payment under the Bankruptcy Code, the most common defenses to a preference action, and the role that CPAs can play in defending and prosecuting preference actions. October 2012: Frank Nason was a presenter in a video webcast on the general topic of Foreclosure Defense Strategies on October 24, 2012. Mr. Nason discussed the topic of Strategic Bankruptcy. September 2012: Judge Paul W. Bonapfel entered an order in the CDC Corporation case confirming a plan jointly submitted by CDC Corporation and the Official Committee of Equity Security Holders for CDC Corporation. James C. Cifelli and Gregory D. Ellis served as lead counsel for the Debtor in Possession. January 2012: The Firm is serving as counsel for the debtor in possession in the Chapter 11 case of Fuel Barons, Inc., Case No. 12-51650-mgd in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Prior to the filing, Debtor was the seller or distributor of certain pourable fuel gel and ethanol fuel. Gregory D. Ellis is serving as lead counsel. October 2011: The Firm is serving as counsel for the debtor in possession in the Chapter 11 case of CDC Corporation. The case is no. 11-79079-pwb in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Prior to the petition date, the Debtor was a holding company with many direct and indirect subsidiaries, wholly or majority owned, and was involved in a global operation focused on enterprise software applications and services, IT consulting services, outsourced applications development, IT staffing, online games, and internet portals. James C. Cifelli and Gregory D. Ellis are serving as lead counsel. September 2011: J. Michael Lamberth attended the Bankruptcy Rules Advisory Committee meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on September 26-27, 2011. With his attendance at this meeting, Mr. Lamberth concluded his service on the Advisory Committee. May 2011: Christopher Phillips participated on May 13, 2011, in the roundtable presentation “21 Ways for a CPA to Get Retained in Bankruptcy Cases and Other Troubled Business Engagements.” PriceWaterhouseCoopers restructuring group was the sponsor of the program. May 2011: G. Frank Nason will participate as a presenter in the Southeast Bankruptcy Workshop sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute to he held on July 27-30, 2011 at the Sanctuary, Kiawah Island, South Carolina. April 2011: J. Michael Lamberth attended the Bankruptcy Rules Advisory Committee meeting in San Francisco, California on April 7-8, 2011. November 2010: J. Michael Lamberth and G. Frank Nason each made presentations at the International Council of Shopping Centers Southeast Conference on November 9, 2010. Mr. Lamberth made his presentation on Bankruptcy and Leases: the Rights of the Parties. Mr. Nason made his presentation on Bankruptcy and the Developer: Current Issues. October 2010: Lamberth, Cifelli, Ellis & Nason, P.A. has answered for clients the complaint in a suit for an alleged deficiency on a promissory note brought by a lender after confirmation of a foreclosure sale against two individual borrowers. The case has been removed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and remains pending in that court. September 2010: The Firm is serving as counsel for the debtor in possession in the Chapter 11 case of Pretty Products, Inc., Case No. 10-12286 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Newnan Division. The Debtor is a manufacturer of floor mats for vehicles and has its headquarters and manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia. G. Frank Nason of the Firm is serving as lead counsel. Appointment of Trustee; June 01, 2010: James C. Cifelli was appointed Chapter 7 Trustee in the Daniel J. Miles bankruptcy case (converted from Chapter 11 bankruptcy case) filed in the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. April 29th – 30th, 2010: J. Michael Lamberth attended the Bankruptcy Rules Committee Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Lamberth was appointed to the Advisory Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States, Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure by the Chief Justice for consecutive 3 year terms in 2005 and 2008. Appointment of Trustee; April 20, 2010: James C. Cifelli was appointed Chapter 11 Trustee in the Daniel J. Miles bankruptcy case, filed in the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. March 10, 2010: Lamberth, Cifelli, Ellis and Nason, P.A., is pleased to announce that J. Michael Lamberth and James C. Cifelli have been selected as 2010 Georgia Super Lawyers®. This is the seventh consecutive year that Mr. Lamberth and Mr. Cifelli have been named to the list of attorneys who, based on peer recognition and professional achievement, are being recognized as part of the top 5% of Georgia attorneys in their field. Filing date November 20, 2009: Stuart F. Clayton is representing the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee in the bankruptcy cases of Unite Media LLC and Window Media LLC, publishers of weekly papers in the Georgia, Florida, and DC areas. These cases are before Judge Diehl in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Filing date September 28, 2009: G. Frank Nason filed a Chapter 11 case for Stone Connection, Inc., a distributor of natural stone slabs and tiles for interior design and construction in the southeast. The case is pending the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Filing date September 22, 2009: Gregory D. Ellis is representing Triad at LaGrange I, LLC, and affiliates, in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in the Northern District of Georgia. The businesses operate skilled nursing facilities. The affiliates are: Triad at Powder Springs I, LLC Triad at Thomasville I, LLC Triad at Lumber City I, LLC Triad at Jeffersonville I, LLC.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1873
__label__wiki	0.834698	0.834698	Tag Archives: tsunami Brief update from Japan Posted on October 3, 2011 by doug Some people were asking how things are here. In brief – they are expecting cold shut-down of the Fukushima reactors, maybe sometime around New Years. In Tokyo life has pretty much returned to what they call “a new normal.” Things are still very bad up north. But great strides have been made in cleanup. The shinkansen is running all their old routes as of last week I believe. The fallout evacuation areas, the impact on evacuees and the wide swath of devastated agriculture regions remain major problems. Tagged earthquakes, japan, nuclear power, radiation, tsunami \| 3 Replies Six months after earthquake and tsunami, few signs of recovery Posted on September 11, 2011 by doug Progress held back by debris, lack of jobs and slow planning OTSUCHI, Iwate Pref. — After the March 11 earthquake and tsunami destroyed everything from houses to street lights, the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, has been so dark and quiet at night it’s unnerving. Out of the wreckage: A destroyed house sits among debris from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Kesennuma, Iwate Prefecture, on Friday. Below: A family prays for the deceased at a memorial in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, the same day. KYODO PHOTOS But the light coming from a convenience store that reopened in late July has become a symbol of hope for the community. “Unless people start reopening their businesses, the town will never take the first steps toward reconstruction,” said Taiko Tanisawa, the 63-year-old owner of the reopened Marutani store, as she warmly greeted customers. While Tanisawa and her family survived the catastrophe, her house and the store she ran since 1994 were destroyed by the tsunami and an ensuing fire caused by a propane gas leak. The March 11 disasters killed 799 of Otsuchi’s 16,000 residents, including the mayor, and a further 608 were still missing as of the end of August. In addition, the tsunami either destroyed or damaged about 70 percent of the town’s homes. “I felt that we should not remain in Otsuchi,” said Tanisawa, who after March 11 considered leaving the town with her family and making a fresh start somewhere else. But she ultimately changed her mind because her neighbors kept encouraging her to reopen. She hopes the locals will interpret her reopened business as a step toward reconstructing the devastated town, even though the new store is only one-fifth the size of the previous one. Six months after the 9.0-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami killed more than 15,700 people and left nearly 4,100 missing in the Tohoku region, survivors are trying to move forward and rebuild their shattered lives and communities. In the worst-hit coastal regions of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, various restoration efforts have made progress, such as building temporary accommodations for evacuees who lost their homes and had to live in shelters, restoring crippled infrastructure and clearing debris in commercial and residential areas. But the massive piles of debris kept in temporary storage sites along the coast are just one indicator that a huge amount of work remains to be done. Creating new jobs is a priority, as many people who worked for businesses that were wrecked in March remain unemployed. A recent labor ministry survey showed that at least 70,000 people in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures lost their jobs because of the quake-tsunami catastrophe. The pace of recovery is slowest in Fukushima Prefecture, where the crisis at the crippled No. 1 nuclear station has forced thousands of residents in the government-set 20-km no-go zone around the leaking plant, as well as some living in radioactive hot spots outside the zone, to evacuate their homes. It remains unclear when, or even if, they will be able to return to their hometowns. The central and local governments have set a 10-year goal to fully restore disaster-hit areas in the devastated northeast, and plans to rebuild ruined communities have finally started to move forward. But rebuilding Tohoku won’t come cheap. According to the central government’s basic reconstruction plan released July 29, reconstruction costs will total at least ¥23 trillion over the coming decade, and cash-strapped local governments are asking the state to finance the bulk of those expenditures. Experts say rebuilding disaster areas is not simply a matter of returning them to their predisaster state. Redesigning towns and cities must take into account the probability that another monster tsunami will someday strike the region, they say. In addition, plans must factor in the aging populations of the disaster-hit communities, which even before March 11 were shrinking as residents aged and the young moved away in search of work. “What we need to do is design cities (and towns) in which people can live comfortably and safely,” said Arata Endo, an associate professor at Kogakuin University and an expert on urban planning. “We must make them better places to live in than before, as the size of the communities shrinks.” Since May, Endo has led a committee that includes architects, disaster management experts and local resident representatives to draw up a plan for rebuilding wrecked districts in the city of Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture. The committee is seeking to produce a blueprint of how Kamaishi should ideally look in 20 years’ time, Endo said. He stressed that it is crucial to solicit residents’ ideas, even though it may not be possible to include them all in the final plan. The committee will submit its plan later this month to Kamaishi’s disaster rebuilding committee for approval. Providing it gets the green light, the municipal assembly — which was slated to hold an election Sunday — will hammer out the plan’s details. Glimmer of hope: Almost six months after the March disasters, no signs of rebuilding can be seen in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on Sept. 2. Below: Taiko Tanisawa poses in her Marutani convenience store Sept. 3, which she reopened in Otsuchi in a prefabricated building. TAKAHIRO FUKADA PHOTOS In the case of Otsuchi, however, recovery and rebuilding efforts have been delayed by the loss of the mayor and dozens of municipal officials in the March disasters. A new mayor wasn’t elected until the end of August. In the meantime, some residents decided to stand up and take matters into their own hands. In May, Otsuchi native Tomohiro Akazaki and others created a resident council to gather suggestions for rebuilding their ruined town. “I wanted to be part of rebuilding my hometown. It will be really sad if it disappears,” said Akazaki, 33. The council held six rounds of discussions with residents and submitted its rebuilding suggestions to Otsuchi’s municipal office in July. “The town office may ignore the opinion of a single residentbut hopefully they will listen to a group of residents,” Akazaki said. Of the projected ¥23 trillion reconstruction budget for the next decade, the central government plans to spend ¥19 trillion in the first five years. This includes ¥6 trillion that already has been secured in the first and second extra budgets for fiscal 2011, and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s new administration is aiming to submit a third supplementary budget to the Diet in October. To cover the costs, the government is considering hiking taxes, although no decision has been made on which ones to target. Kogakuin University’s Endo said the central government must decide swiftly on the projects to be financed by the budget, so that local governments can soon start their rebuilding efforts. Back in Otsuchi, Tanisawa said she is worried about the town’s future as she fears that many young residents who lost their jobs in the disasters will move away, accelerating Otsuchi’s depopulation. In terms of rebuilding the town, Tanisawa called for more streetlights, because the darkness of the blacked-out town frightens her at night. “If someone tries to attack my store, no one would come to help me,” she said. Due to safety concerns, she closes her new store at 8 p.m. — her previous business stayed opened until 11 p.m. “My old neighbors, who are now living in temporary housing far away, also hope to return to their original neighborhoods,” she said. “I hope residents will eventually return, and the town will again shine brightly.” The Japan Times: Sunday, Sep. 11, 2011 ref: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/print/nn20110911a1.html Tagged earthquakes, japan, tsunami \| 3 Replies There have now been 1,500 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater in Japan since 3/11 Posted on August 24, 2011 by doug People in the U.S. east coast are naturally talking about their magnitude 5.8 earthquake today. It was the largest quake in that part of the U.S. for 114 years. As of this morning, here in Japan, we have had exactly 1,500 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater since March 11. Current tallies are: 15,707 known dead 4,642 still missing 5,717 injured Over 45,000 buildings destroyed Over 144,000 building damaged Over 230,000 cars and trucks destroyed And there are still over 85,000 people living in evacuation centers. Due to high radioactivity some areas to stay closed well past cold shutdown Kan to spell out no-go zone reality Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Monday he intends to visit Fukushima Prefecture as early as Saturday to tell local officials and residents that some areas near Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s radiation-emitting Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant are likely to remain no-go zones for a long time. Kan is expected to explain that some of the areas with high radiation exposure will have to be declared off-limits — even after the crippled power plant’s reactors are finally coaxed into a cold shutdown. He is also expected to outline measures to help the evacuees in the future, sources said. “We cannot deny the possibility that there will be some areas where it will be hard for residents to return to their homes over a long period of time,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said. Edano said the final decision on assigning no-entry designations will be made after considering the outcome of a detailed radiation monitoring and decontamination plan for areas within 20 km of the plant and after consulting those communities. He declined to say which areas would remain no-go zones and for how long. As for a proposal to buy up land in such areas or compensate their owners through a leasing arrangement, Edano said the state has not yet made a decision on the matter and is studying whether decontamination will succeed. The science ministry released an estimate Friday of annual accumulated radiation exposure in the hot zone. The estimate says an exposure level of over 100 millisieverts is expected at 15 of the 50 points surveyed in the zone, which exceeds the International Commission on Radiological Protection’s guideline of 20 to 100 millisieverts even in emergencies. The annual radiation exposure limit set by the government is 1 millisievert. At a spot in the town of Okuma, 3 km from the plant, the ministry expects an accumulative level of 278 millisieverts. Tagged earthquakes, japan, nuclear power, radiation, tsunami \| 1 Reply	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1875
__label__wiki	0.907946	0.907946	Derbyshire Poet Laureates past and present There is more information about our Poet Laureate scheme and details of our past Poet Laureates go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/poetlaureate Helen Mort http://www.helenmort.com/ Helen is Derbyshire’s current Poet Laureate and the fifth to be appointed the position. Helen is a multi-award winning poet who recently published her first full collection, “Division Street” which was shortlisted for the T S Eliot Prize and the Costa Prize. Cathy Grindrod http://www.cathygrindrod.co.uk/ Cathy Grindrod was appointed the first Derbyshire poet laureate on National Poetry Day 2005. Cathy lives in Derbyshire and has been writing and performing poetry for a number of years, as well as teaching and co-ordinating a wide range of poetry projects and events. Her collection The Sky, Head On, was published by Shoestring Press in November 2009 and her previous collection, Fighting Talk, was published by Headland Press in September 2005. A pamphlet collection, Still Breathing, was published by Five Leaves Press in March 2006. Laureate Lines: poems from the first Derbyshire Poet Laureate Cathy Grindrod, is a book featuring a number of the poems Cathy wrote during her time as Laureate. Copies are £7.99 and available from Derbyshire Libraries or from Alison Betteridge. River Wolton http://www.riverwolton.co.uk/ River Wolton succeeded Cathy Grindod as Derbyshire's second Poet Laureate in 2007. River grew up in London and lived in Sheffield for twenty years before moving to Derbyshire. She works as a writer in schools, libraries and community projects. Her publications include Indoor Skydiving (Smith/Doorstep 2013), Leap (Smith/Doorstep 2010), The Purpose of Your Visit (Smith/Doorstop 2008), and she co-authored the short story collection Some Girls' Mothers (Route 2008). You Are Here: Travels of a Derbyshire Poet Laureate by River Wolton brings together poems and prose written by River during her laureateship, and a selection of poems written by participants in workshops. Copies are £7.99 and available from Derbyshire Libraries or from Alison Betteridge. Ann Atkinson http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/arts_entertainment/literature_development/derbyshire_poet_laureate/previous/ann_atkinson/default.asp Ann Atkinson was Derbyshire Poet Laureate from 2009 to October 2011. Ann was Derbyshire Poet Laureate from 2009 to 2011 and during that time met and worked with over 1,500 people from all parts of the county. She reached an even wider audience through her collection 'From Matlock to Mamelodi: 5000 miles of poetry with the Derbyshire Poet Laureate Ann Atkinson'. Originally from Teeside, Ann lived in the Peak District for over thirty years and many of her poems reflect her love of the countryside and its communities. Ann died in April 2012. 'From Matlock to Mamelodi: 5000 miles of poetry with the Derbyshire Poet Laureate Ann Atkinson' which features all of the poems written by Ann during her time as laureate. Copies are available to borrow in Derbyshire Libraries or if you would like to buy a copy, please contact Ali Betteridge http://matt-black-words.co.uk/ Matt Black succeeded Ann Atkinson as Derbyshire's fourth Poet Laureate in 2011. Matt grew up in Oxford, has lived in Sheffield for over twenty-five years, and has a caravan in Derbyshire. His previous books are Plot 161 (Sprout, 2001), Goblin in the Fridge (Upside Down Books, 2007) (Poetry Book Society Children's Bookshelf Choice), and Swimmer (Upside Down Books, 2009). 'Footsteps and Fuddles: No Map but the Sky' brings together poems written by Matt during his laureateship, and a selection of poems written by participants in workshops. Copies are £7.99 and are available to buy from Ali Betteridge.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1879
__label__cc	0.681751	0.318249	Borah, Cenarrusa, Idaho, Labor Day Women Who Work Posted on September 2, 2013 by christian The Labor Day news has been dominated by strikes at fast food restaurants, essays on growing income inequality in the United States and even reports about how increasingly unaffordable higher education is going to make the current generation less likely than their parents to climb into a comfortable middle class life. All these challenges, and more, are worth the attention of policy makers and lawmakers was we mark another Labor Day, a holiday created in 1896, by the way, as an olive branch to workers by the anti-labor union President Grover Cleveland. We should also add to our list of policy and societal concerns the continuing challenges and inequality that confront women in the work place. Those fast food strikes aimed at a higher minimum wage are, as Slate points out, mostly about women. “This is a labor movement that is structured largely around the needs articulated by the working mothers in it, women who, with or without a partner, are often trying to raise families on minimum wage jobs. Women make up two-thirds of the fast food work force, and a quarter of workers are raising children.” At the other end of the economic spectrum – the high end – Fortune reckons that only 21 of the companies in the Fortune 500 are run by women. A 2011 report by Catalyst, an outfit that tracks “critical statistics to gauge women’s advancement into leadership and highlights the gender diversity gap,” found that only 16% of all Fortune 500 board positions where held by women. Fewer than 3% of companies had a woman chair the board of directors, only 1% – a decline from a previous study – had as many as 40% female board members and 11% of the Fortune 500 had absolutely no women in governance roles. Predictably the numbers are even worse for women of color; 3% of board seats of the biggest companies in the United States are held by women of color and 70% of the Fortune 500 have no women of color at all in governance roles. Some Idaho specific numbers to contemplate when next your order that Whopper from the woman behind the counter: the median income of a working woman in Idaho in 2012 was $18,772 – dead last in the nation with Utah and Montana ahead. (All these numbers are from the website USA.com.) And just to put that $18,722 in context, the poverty level – as officially calculated by the government – is $23,550 for a family of four. A working mom in Idaho who is bringing home the state’s median income and supporting a couple of children is, to say the least, struggling. But Idaho must be doing better for women in the management and professional ranks, right? Not so much. Nearly 47% of the Idaho work force is made up of women, which is slightly below the national average and just over 35% of those women are employed in “management or professional” positions. That number puts Idaho well below the national average as the 49th state in the nation for women in more traditional “white collar” jobs. Idaho is just ahead of Nevada and Hawaii, states with a particularly high level of service oriented jobs due to their tourism based economies. Idaho’s regional neighbors do substantially as measured by a percentage of women working in white collar jobs: Utah is at 41 in the nation, Montana 28, Oregon 25 and Washington at 15. So what’s going on here? From the highest reaches of corporate America to the neighborhood coffee shop women seem not to be sharing anything like parity in the work place with men and the gaps haven’t been closing much at all. Hanna Rosin, a senior editor at The Atlantic and the author of The End of Men, says we’ve focused too much on the “wage gap,” the well-worn statistic that women only make 77 cents on the dollar compared to men. Rosin says there are many reasons for the wage gap, and many are not comforting, including the fact that women often work few hours a week than men, men more often belong to unions (and generally get paid more as a result) and, perhaps the big one, women, despite overtaking men in educational achievement, still gravitate (or perhaps are forced to gravitate) to generally lower paying jobs. The bigger issues, Rosin says, are “the deeper, more systemic discrimination of inadequate family-leave policies and childcare options, of women defaulting to being the caretakers. Or of women deciding that are suited to be nurses and teachers but not doctors. And in that more complicated discussion, you have to leave room at least for the option of choice—that women just don’t want to work the same way men do.” Author and educator Stephanie Koontz, who incidentally will speak at a major and sold-out Andrus Center conference on women and leadership this week at Boise State University, made essentially the same point in a New York Times essay earlier this year. “Astonishingly,” Koontz wrote, “despite the increased workload of families, and even though 70 percent of American children now live in households where every adult in the home is employed, in the past 20 years the United States has not passed any major federal initiative to help workers accommodate their family and work demands. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 guaranteed covered workers up to 12 weeks unpaid leave after a child’s birth or adoption or in case of a family illness. Although only about half the total work force was eligible, it seemed a promising start. But aside from the belated requirement of the new Affordable Care Act that nursing mothers be given a private space at work to pump breast milk, the F.M.L.A. turned out to be the inadequate end. “Meanwhile, since 1990 other nations with comparable resources have implemented a comprehensive agenda of ‘work-family reconciliation’ acts. As a result, when the United States’ work-family policies are compared with those of countries at similar levels of economic and political development, the United States comes in dead last.” As an old friend use to remind me – “all things are political.” Whether its the paltry percentage of women in corporate governance in America, the unlivable minimum wage or work place friendly policies that impact working women and their kids, the public policy response to women who work has, as Stephanie Koontz says, not just stalled, but “hit a wall.” Even Barack Obama, who most thought would take major steps to correct the gender balance in major presidential appointments, has a record leaving much to be desired. A couple of weeks ago the Nixon Library was in the news as it released the last of Richard Nixon’s White House tape recordings. Less notice was given to some 30,000 pages of documents from the Nixon years that were released at the same time. Two of the pages where a typewritten 1971 memo from Nixon staff assistant Barbara Franklin to White House political advisers Fred Malek and Jeb Magruder. Franklin had just been to a Washington, D.C. conference on the “status of women” – the delegates she wrote were not “radical feminists” but “establishment women” appointed by the nation’s governors – and she wrote excitedly about the standing ovation that had been given at the conclusion of remarks by a woman named Betty Friedan who had issued a stirring call for woman to seek greater political power. [Friedan’s pace setting book The Feminine Mystique had been published in 1963.] Franklin told Nixon’s political guys in the concluding lines of her memo, “I’m absolutely convinced the ‘women’s issue’ is gathering momentum. We should be listening and thinking!!” Unfortunately that is still appropriate advice to politicians 42 years later. As Dr. Kootnz has written we need to “stop arguing about the hard choices women make and help more women and men avoid such hard choices. To do that, we must stop seeing work-family policy as a women’s issue and start seeing it as a human rights issue that affects parents, children, partners, singles and elders.” Women and minorities have provided the electoral power in the last two presidential elections, finally breaking one glass ceiling and putting an African-American in the White House. A woman may well be next and perhaps that will be, at long last, the catalyst for a policy agenda that really addresses women who work. Six Degrees of Separation Wait. Wait. Art Imitates Politics Previous post A Failure of Politics Next post Return to 1940	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1885
__label__wiki	0.695473	0.695473	Republican Pete Stauber to run for Congress in MN-8 (Post updated Monday, July 10) On Monday, St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber of Hermantown announces a run for Congress in Northeastern Minnesota’s Eighth District. He becomes the first Republican challenger to incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan (DFL-Crosby) for the 2018 cycle. Pete Stauber Stauber, a one-time West Duluth hockey star and longtime Duluth police officer, has been a county commissioner since his election in 2012. Prior to that he was a city councilor in Hermantown, a former rural small town that has become a Duluth suburb. A 23-year law enforcement veteran, Stauber now serves as a commander in the Duluth Police Department and president of the Law Enforcement Labor Services Union, Local 363. Stauber held a 11:30 a.m. press conference at the Hermantown Public Safety Building at 5105 Maple Grove Road to launch his campaign. “For many years I have watched Washington, D.C., from the perspective of a Christian, husband, father, small business owner, law enforcement officer, labor union president, city councilor and county commissioner,” said Stauber, 51. “I can no longer sit back and watch as Washington fails to make common sense legislation. That is why, after careful consideration and prayer, I am today announcing my candidacy and will seek the Republican endorsement for the United States Congress in Minnesota’s 8th District for election in 2018.” Stauber checks a lot of boxes as a Northern Minnesota candidate. A Denfeld hockey star, he captained a national championship team for Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie. Stauber then spent four years in the Detroit Red Wings organization, never quite making the NHL. Having served only in local offices, Stauber has few controversial votes to his name. His long career in law enforcement will play admirably in many corners. Minnesota’s 8th District race grows complicated The political picture in MN-8 features many unanswered questions. Stewart Mills, the GOP nominee in 2014 and 2016, is reportedly considering running again. But with the presence of another strong GOP candidate, he would have to gird for an endorsement fight or primary, not just a rematch with Nolan. It’s possible he’s just waiting to see if the GOP needs a candidate. On the DFL side, Nolan is riding high after narrowly surviving the pro-Trump wave of 2016. He flirted with a run for governor before deciding against it. Though his statement left a little wiggle room, Nolan all but declared he would seek re-election. As Trump’s poll numbers continue to fall, Democrats now hope to take the House. Nolan would be well positioned if they do. But it’s not so simple for the incumbent. Nolan has long faced criticism from his left flank. More so now as Nolan stakes out increasingly fervent support for controversial copper-nickel mining projects that promise new jobs in his district. Meantime, two DFL candidates announced exploratory bids. They include former Cook County Commissioner Sue Hakes of Grand Marais and former FBI counterterrorism analyst Leah Phifer of Isanti. Hakes seemed more focused on running if Nolan ran for governor. However, Phifer is actively touring the 8th District right now gauging interest in a DFL challenger. In addition, former Green Party candidate Ray “Skip” Sandman of Duluth has announced he plans another run, this time as an independent. Sandman garnered 4.3 percent of the vote in 2014 running to the left of Nolan. A favorite of many environmentally-minded liberals, Sandman could be a major factor in a close race. He’s recovering from emergency heart surgery, however, so his candidacy could change. In any event, Stauber joins a race that promises a lot of twists and turns in what has become the most contested swing seat in the country. Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: 2018, Duluth, Minnesota Bob Pohlman says Peter, I read your statement in the Mesabi Daily News on-line. You claim to be an environmentalist but yet mock others claiming the same title. My training in Biology Sciences taught me there is no difference. Please describe your position more definitely. I am currently in Mexico but will be back to vote. Sammy lindquist says Pete i want a huge yard sign how do i go about getting one ty The night I stole an hour from time	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1897
__label__cc	0.528903	0.471097	Grandpa and the way home April 30, 2019 by Aaron Brown 15 Comments Marvin Johnson holds his grandson, the author of this blog, on Christmas, 1980. At one time my grandpa kept a bar in his house in Keewatin, a small wood-paneled room full of 1950s and ‘60s sports memorabilia, Norwegian flags and light-up beer signs. In 1990 or so, I think I was around 10, he showed me the things on the shelves and said “I’m dying. One day all of this will be yours.” I laughed. He seemed unnerved. “That’s not funny.” Thing was, I didn’t believe him. Well, yesterday grandpa finally proved his point. After a long battle with heart failure and diabetes, Marvin Leroy Johnson died April 29, 2019. He’d almost died at least three times that I can count. Hurled off a mine truck. Falls off stairs and ladders. Almost always because he was stubborn, which I suspect is also why he didn’t die until this last time. By now, the bar and its blinking nostalgia is already gone. Grandpa was sober more than 25 years. I’ve been sober 8 years, and didn’t really want that stuff anyway. What I really want is to remember. Grandpa loved blueberries. When he was young he’d forage deep into the marshy woods south of Keewatin looking for them. He’d climb trees and hang bed sheets from the tallest branches to help find his way home, buckets laden with blue gold. I helped my grandpa Marv Johnson celebrate 50 years in the Keewatin Legion. The only real time he spent away from Keewatin happened when he joined the Air Force at the end of the Korean War. He spent most of his service at a refueling base in Greenland. The rest he spent on a base in Detroit, where he met a pretty young woman from Pennsylvania whose father worked for the Air Force. Our family owes its existence to a well-timed dance. Not to mention grandma’s willingness to move to Keewatin. Grandpa was the town cop in Keewatin for a few years. An older friend told me once that grandpa getting that job was like pinning a star on the kid next to you at a pit party. Everyone was surprised. But he did the best he could. He would learn conversational phrases in most of the languages of the Iron Range, including, and especially “I am going home.” Everyone in town called him “Two-Gun.” I spent my childhood thinking that this emerged from some dark or mysterious story from his time on the police force. He finally told me that it was because when the kids in his neighborhood played rubber-band guns, he would always carry two. Grandpa said when he was young a lonely old miner named Jack used to give all the Keewatin kids pennies on his way home from work. Grandpa and grandma bought his house after he died and lived there five decades. They would find pennies all the time. When he took the job driving production truck at the Erie mine Grandpa said his pay doubled overnight. With a growing young family, this more than made up for having to drive to Hoyt Lakes every day. But that drive took a toll. For several years he would drive home from afternoon shift and work through the night building a second story on his house to make room for more daughters. In 1968 he was badly injured when a radiator blasted him off his truck, burning his skin and throwing his body 20 feet to the rocky ground below. He would remark that he owes his life to the fact that they hadn’t rolled out the “really” big trucks yet. Retrained as an electrician at Eveleth Taconite, he would later retire on disability when the pain got too bad. The rest of his life was defined by pain, some days better than others. The pain was not always physical. I saw him run once. Grandpa jogged into the street at the Keewatin Fourth of July parade to shake hands with Gov. Rudy Perpich, whose wife Lola was from Keewatin. He told me the union made his life good, protected him when he got hurt. He was Farmer-Labor. When I was little would take me on adventures, which really just meant driving around Keewatin and ducking into the cop shop, gas station and bar to shoot the bull with his buddies. One Sunday we showed up at the house in Keewatin and I loudly declared “Grandpa, let’s go to the bar!” Grandma said “you brought him to the bar? He’s six!” We didn’t get to go the bar that day. I saw him swim once. He emerged from the O’Brien Reservoir like a sea monster. I just now realized that I played this game with my own kids when they were little. We worked in the shop together. He built wooden toys and toy boxes for all the grandkids, and the grandkids of anyone in Keewatin who ever commented on his work. He did this until his hands shook too much to use the saw. Or, more accurately, about two or three years after that point. Most of the time grandpa was in his chair, watching westerns in the living room while his wife and daughters chattered in the kitchen. These last few years Grandpa lived with a lot of pain and regret. He wished he had been sober sooner. He wished he had been there for his girls and wife more than he was. I was here, he would say, but I wasn’t here. The girls forgave him, of course. And grandma is a saint. I don’t think he ever forgave himself. When you lose someone you love you often feel regrets. Fortunately, I am blessed that I feel things I DON’T regret. I don’t regret that the last thing I told him was “I love you.” I am not a hugger, but I don’t regret that I hugged him in his hospital bed in Duluth. Certainly I don’t regret obliging his request that I write a column about how much he loves grandma. I don’t regret writing this piece a few years ago, after the fall that nearly took his life. It was the only time his name appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He read that paper his whole life. His daughters delivered it in Keewatin. He loved Jim Klobuchar. He told me once that he wished he could have been a sports writer, and that he was proud that I could write for the paper every week. Grandpa took pride in all his kids and grandkids. All of us share different stories, all special. Well, grandpa. The sheets flap in in the trees. You can find your way home now. Home. Hjem. Heim. Koti. Doma. I know you are free of all those burdens. You are forgiven and loved, and will always be so. I will carry the stories as long as I can. I keep one thing from your collection. The lamp from the old Bennett Mine sits on my desk, waiting to cut through the darkness. Look for me. Filed Under: Arts & Culture Tagged With: Keewatin, Minnesota Joe musich says Many old men with the tears of courage and love have taught us to be tender. A gentle tip of the hat to a loved one and a reminder to share these thoughts with them before the “going home.” Thank you. Paul T says I beautiful tribute Aaron. You are lucky to have so many wonderful memories. Condolences on the loss to your family. Thaddeus Mock says Loved this article…lots of memories for me in Keewatin. Lorna Weber says Aaron, a fitting tribute only you could know and write about…thanks for sharing. We care and pray for all of you…God does love each of us and a savior died for us. Never forget Much love, aunt Lorna Ted Fiskevold says Veda Zuponcic says Beautiful article. I have a lump in my throat. Veda Mike Ricci says What a wonderful tribute to your grandpa. So many of us get broken in some way along the rocky road of life, and you and he certainly forged a close bond. I’m sure he will always live on in fond memories. Lorin says “Two Gun” was one of my early best friends. That may seem strange if you know that he was 9 years older than I. We live next door to the Johnsons, the best neighbors I have ever had. From about age 7 to age 9, I spent a lot of time in the Johnson house. He was one of the leaders of the neighborhood kids. We played baseball, football, kick the can, and rubber guns (which is where I remember him acquiring his nickname. … I don’t remember potato guns). Kids of all ages played … I was one of the youngest, but I never worried because I knew that “Two Gun” would watch out for. I cried when he left to serve in the military. Then I grew up and we saw each other less often. But I can say with confidence that few people had a greater influence on my early life than “Two Gun.”. Rest in peace! Aaron Brown says Hi Lorin — You’re right, it was rubber band guns. I hear about potato guns sometimes, too, but that wasn’t the origin of the nickname. Thanks for sharing your memory of my grandpa when he was young. That means a lot. Beautiful. Thank you for writing that. Made me think of my grandfathers, gone 25 years and 15 years ago respectively A beautiful tribute to your grandfather. Growing up on the Iron Range, I could picture his adventures. Condolences to you and your family. David McKoskey says Beautifully done. Michael Spry says Great piece Aaron, reminded me of the special memories I have of my Grandpa. My condolences, Aaron. What a touching and wonderful tribute to your Grandpa. Elanne Palcich says Thanks for reminding us all to leave good memories behind for others. Veda Ponikvar: America’s Iron Lady October 13, 2015 By Aaron Brown 8 Comments	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1898
__label__cc	0.50551	0.49449	Home NEWS, SUCCESS STORIES How Asaph’s life story… How Asaph’s life story has transformed his Peers and Community “Look at me now. I am healthy; I weigh 76kgs and really look youthful for my 50 years. Would you tell that I am HIV positive?” Asaph Sande asks me, with a grin on his face. Indeed I would not guess that Asaph is HIV positive, and neither would you. Asaph is so full of life, and goes about his work with a smile on his face. Life is good and among the worries he goes to bed with, HIV is not one of them. His CD4 count is 709. He suffers no side effects, and he is still on the same line of treatment that he started on in 2002 – more than 13 years ago. It is still a surreal experience for Asaph that he is alive now, especially when his mind flashes back to 2002. “I was bed-ridden all the time, suffering from one illness to another. I had of course seen my relatives and friends die of AIDS, and honestly, the symptoms I had were quite familiar but I always blocked the idea that I could be HIV positive out of my mind. I should have been wiser,” Asaph recalls, with teary eyes. “I grew weaker and weaker, thinner and thinner by the day that I could no longer support myself. All my clothes fitted me no more. The disease was gnawing at me with vengeance. I was surely dying that for my family and relatives it was a matter of when. I really had no choice but to take an HIV test.” It was quite a huge step for Asaph to gather the courage to take the test. “When I finally took the test, I was ready for anything. I remember that day vividly like it was yesterday. I weighed 22kgs only and my CD4 count was 22. I was put on treatment immediately. It is a miracle I am alive,” says Asaph. At that time, Asaph needed a treatment supporter because he was too week to take care of himself. Six months later, he was stronger and encouraged his wife to take the test as well. She found out she too was HIV positive; but because she had seen her husband’s life restored so fast, she took the results positively. She instead opted for family planning so that they could take care of their three daughters properly. “As a traditional man, it crossed my mind to try and get a boy but I dismissed the idea because I want the best for my children,” Asaph says. In 2009, Asaph who was receiving his treatment at the MJAP supported ISS clinic at Mbarara University Regional Referral Hospital was enrolled by the organization to become part of the team of peer educators. He is now the Team Leader of the peer educators at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV in Mbarara district. Being a peer educator has been empowering to Asaph and the people he interacts with. As a volunteer, he receives an allowance that has helped him take care of his family. His children also receive services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children at MJAP. As a peer educator, he has received training and is confident to speak about HIV/AIDS to his relatives, friends and even at his fellowship. Through this, he has helped reduce stigma and encouraged people in the surrounding communities to take an HIV test. “Many of the things that worry me are the things that worry any other person – providing for my family needs particularly school fees for my children,” he says. “I no longer worry about my health,” he adds. In my work, I always endeavor to demonstrate to my peers that this is possible for them too. Peer education interventionis used in preventing HIV and counselling those living with HIV by MJAP.Peer educators are trained to increase awareness, impart knowledge and encourage behavior change. The intervention has been successful in improving adherence to treatment, disclosure and use of prevention methods. Asaph has come to learn that the biggest challenge people living with HIV face is stigma. Many people travel long distances so as to receive treatment from areas where they are not known. This becomes costly in terms of time and transport and they end up not adhering to treatment. Some believers in contemporary religion also believe that they can be prayed for and be HIV/AIDS free. Some have stopped taking their medication with the hope they’ve been healed through prayer. As a peer educator, he has learnt that you need to listen to the people, give them time to talk. Self-stigma is affecting people living with HIV much more than stigma from those around them. He regrets that he only gets to speak to people who come to the hospital, yet there are many people out there who need such counselling but they never go to hospitals. “Every day I go to work hoping to reach one more person. I long to see the day when there is no discrimination against people living with HIV. Where people freely come to the health centre and get treatment without fear of what other people will think of them.” Asaph says. He has also discovered that some people fear to disclose to their spouses their HIV status and he always encourages them to do disclose. He says some people get to the extent of keeping their medicine at a relative’s place which makes adherence a problem in case the relative is not around. He sometimes supports people who have difficulty disclosing to their spouses by telling them to pretend they don’t know their status and come with their spouses to test. A good leader leads by example, goes the old adage. For Asaph Sande, he is educating and empowering his peers and community by his example too. “I am a success story,” he delightedly says. “I never pass up the chance to share my life story, because every time I do, someone who is in a situation similar to my 2002 experience gets inspired and empowered not to give up hope.” Story as told to Rachael Kentenyingi PEPFAR HERO: How one Counselor championed a friendly clinic environment for HIV-positive adolescents and young adults. "Madam, I have been tossed out of the children's clinic, went to the adult's clinic… MJAP recognized for provision of HIV services in Uganda Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP) was recently recognized for its exceptional contribution to the… OVC Non-Formal Education and Livelihood Skills Development	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1900
__label__wiki	0.909551	0.909551	Canada’s nation brand more than a National Geographic country Andrea Mandel-Campbell writes about Canada’s brand image, and how the country can learn off countries such as New Zealand and Australia. With its widely acclaimed performance in the current economic turmoil, Canada can build over this “safe haven” image strategically to attract business and talent into a stable and prosperous economic environment – becoming something more than a National Geographic country reputed only for its majestic landscapes and wild animal life. Canada can become the Switzerland of America – social stability, economic prosperity and banking resilience beyond idyllic landscapes. It took months of cajoling by government bureaucrats, but in September New Zealand’s prime minister finally got what he was after: a spot on the Late Show with David Letterman. With drums rolling, a grinning John Key reeled off the “Top 10 Reasons to Visit New Zealand.” Included on the list: an offer to be picked up at the airport by the prime minister himself. It was typical Letterman humour, but Key went along, happy to showcase his country to millions of American viewers. He even tweeted about the experience after the show. A remote island nation, population four million, New Zealand has in many ways set the gold standard in the highly competitive world of country branding. The Kiwis have not shied away from bold thinking to strengthen their international profile, and it’s high time Canada got over its golly-gee attitude and attachment to 1950s float planes and did the same. Canada has probably never had a better opportunity to burnish its brand. The country’s stock has skyrocketed as a result of the global financial crisis and resulting worldwide recession. One of the few countries that did not have to bail out its financial sector, Canada has shot to the top of several global indexes. In 2008, the World Economic Forum named our financial system the soundest in the world, while Forbes magazine ranked Canada the third-best country in which to do business, up four spots from the previous year. With corporate taxes coming down and the country flush with oil, uranium and natural gas, the place that everyone conveniently forgot is suddenly being looked to as a model for how to do things right. American media stars even want to know what we think — CNBC host Maria Bartiromo recently interviewed Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his take on global oil demand and the end of the recession. “Canada is seen as phenomenally innovative, phenomenally creative, it’s got some great tech companies now and obviously it’s going to be a power in terms of natural resources, and I think it’s time Canada starts to embrace some of those things rather than quietly keeping them to itself,” says Jonah Bloom, editor of Advertising Age. But if Canada is going to capitalize, the country desperately needs to up its game. “We seem to have defaulted to the National Geographic approach,” says Tyler Brûlé, the Canadian head of London-based creative agency Winkreative. “I think there is a sexier and more alluring way to do it.” Australia is a country very similar to Canada, with its Commonwealth heritage and rich natural resources. But it is aggressively pushing the boundaries of its brand. It mesmerized the world earlier this year with its global search to fill the “Best Job in the World,” a caretaker paid US$105,000 to live on an island paradise and blog about it. Some 34,000 people applied from dozens of countries. The land Down Under followed up in August, announcing a $20-million campaign to revamp its international image that includes not just tourism, but spotlights the country’s creativity and products. “The Australians recognize they’ve got to be more than Crocodile Dundee and koala bears,” says Alan Middleton, assistant marketing professor at York University’s Schulich School of Business. To his credit — and the chagrin of some Canadian media — Harper has been popping up all over U.S. television, eager to expound on the wonders of the Canadian economy to anyone who’ll listen. The PM is taking his job as the country’s No. 1 salesman seriously, but building up brand equity takes more than talk and a few ads, says Middleton. You’ve got to have a strategic plan, and back it up with policies and serious cash. In short, you’ve got to actually “do something,” he says. New Zealand is doing just that. Using the exposure afforded the country as home to the Lord of Rings movie trilogy, it has not only stepped up tourism promotion but parlayed the technologies used in the making of the film to promote its tech sector abroad. Most important, as Prime Minister Key’s stint on Letterman shows, the country is willing to take chances. Can Canada do that? In many ways, it’s drifted into its current star status by dint of the falling fortunes of others. Those fortunes are bound to rise again, and the scramble for tourism dollars, foreign investment and skilled labour will be ever more intense. Canada is not exactly known as a hotbed of radical risk takers. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we will sorely regret letting it pass us by. As Harper told a New York crowd in September: “Canada’s management of its economy and its financial system is a success story of which we can be justifiably proud and on which we can build.” The PM’s got a Twitter account. Now if only he can get on Letterman. Article by Andrea Mandel-Campbell Tags: brand, canada, country branding, country brands, nation branding, nation brands Nation-Branding.info upgraded! Destination marketing via user-generated video contests Pingback: Tweets that mention Nation Branding » Canada’s nation brand more than a National Geographic country -- Topsy.com Pingback: Nation Branding » Economic crisis may force countries to re-brand	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1903
__label__cc	0.643131	0.356869	The Nazko First Nation first entered into Stage 1 of the BC Treaty Process by signing a Statement of Intent on September 30, 1994. With this as their first step of developing a positive and fair relationship with Government (both Provincial and Federal), Nazko felt confident to enter into the Treaty process. As people with historical and cultural traditions within the Cariboo region of BC, there are naturally serious concerns regarding forestry, mining and other natural resource based activities that are currently occurring throughout our Traditional Territory. By September 1996, Nazko completed Stage 2 of the process by BC and Canada delaring the table ready and open for negotiations. The readiness documents including the Tripartite Procedural Agreements were accepted and signed by all parties. Nazko’s Framework Agreement was signed on June 15, 1999 which signified completion of Stage 3. Currently, Nazko is in Stage 4 and we anticipate signing our Agreement In Principle by fiscal 2008. Stage 4 includes land selection, perhaps the most significant component of negotiations. Completion of Stage 4 will propel Nazko forward with the Treaty process and set the foundation for self-governance. Clearly, one of the key factors in Nazko’s current stage of the process has been the overwhelming participation by the Band Membership. In January, 2005, 15 appointed Community Representatives began working intensively with the administration to be in command of their future, their territory and its resources. Because of the dedication and hard work of the Community Representatives and the Membership, Community planning was recognized as a key factor in preparing for self-governance and the final Treaty agreement. Nazko Treaty process is currently on hold as of March 2015.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1904
__label__wiki	0.516963	0.516963	Northwestern Pacific Railroad Network Dedicated to Sharing the Heritage of Redwood Empire Railroading Nwprrhs 1953 NWP LOCOMOTIVES EXISTING EQUIPMENT NWPRRHS MAPS BOB SEARLE PHOTOS "Design ideas begin to form for SMART trains" Posted by Mark Drury on January 19, 2010 at 8:56am in SMART From the Marin Independent Journal article found here: Decisions, decisions. Officials with Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit are trying to figure out just how the inside of their trains will look, and they held a workshop in San Rafael Wednesday to hear from the public. Among the design issues pondered: Cloth seats or leather-like seats? A permanent snack bar or rolling cart? Face-to-face or row seating? Are work tables needed? Where to put bike racks - should they be hanging or at floor level? Should rows of seats be two-by-two or two-by-three? "This is the fun part, we get to go shopping," said Debora Fudge, who headed SMART's Operation Committee that met at the San Rafael Corporate Center. The agency will have little say on the design of the exterior, although it will request a sleek "aerodynamic" front end, versus a box shape. What the agency will have a say on is the interior of the trains, and it wanted to get the public's thoughts. Committee members made no final decisions at Wednesday's meeting. Steve Birdlebough, of the group Friends of SMART, wants to see the trains with rows of seats two-by-two, instead of two-by-three, to allow for more aisle space. "Otherwise it's just too cramped a feeling, like an airplane," he said. "We need to have sufficient space for bicycles, too. There are going to be a lot of people riding to the train and then riding from the train to their work." Mill Valley resident Walter Strakosch wondered if it was better not to have restrooms on the trains and instead have them at stations in order to create more seating on board. "It will take up at least six seats on board and perhaps more to have a restroom," he said. "That is a lot of seats to lose, especially when the service becomes more popular." SMART has set aside $88 million for the design, construction and delivery of the cars for the system. Unlike traditional trains with huge locomotives pulling long lines of passenger cars, the SMART vehicles will be self-propelled units with the engines placed underneath passenger compartments. That allows for compact trains, generally two cars operating together in a "married pair" that seats about 150 passengers and is about 150 to 170 feet long. SMART's specifications likely will require manufacturers to provide a third car that can be added, increasing the seating capacity to 225. The agency will order a maximum of 22 cars. Development of vehicle specifications, which will include public comment, is expected to be complete by the end of March. Bids will be due around Oct. 1, 2010. The first vehicles should arrive in the North Bay for testing on the SMART corridor in fall 2013. SMART is expecting to start rail service in 2014 on a 70-mile route between Cloverdale and Larkspur. Voters in Sonoma and Marin counties approved a quarter-cent sales tax to fund the project in November 2008. To submit ideas on train design, send e-mail to info@sonomamarintrain.org or write to SMART, 750 Lindaro St., Suite 200, San Rafael 94901. © 2019 Created by Mark Drury. Powered by Hello, you need to enable JavaScript to use Northwestern Pacific Railroad Network.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1906
__label__cc	0.539717	0.460283	Bishop Joseph Strickland (Diocese of Tyler photo) In Person \| Apr. 23, 2019 Meet the ‘Red-Pilled’ Shepherd Bishop Strickland of Tyler, Texas, embraces the truth of the faith. Bishop Joseph Strickland, 60, of Tyler, Texas, spoke with Register senior editor Matthew Bunson the day Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s April 11 essay was published on the sexual-abuse crisis about the importance of Catholic teaching and being rooted to Christ and the Eucharist — and how he has hope in the prayerful observance of the laity of his flock. What were some of the standout aspects to the essay, especially as it relates to the sex-abuse crisis? Well, we could talk for a long time. There were many standout aspects, but certainly the way he began: that, really, the foundation is embracing God, our Creator, and not rejecting that. And he speaks somewhat at length about the perils of a nation or a world that rejects the concept that we come from a loving God. So I think that was key. As a child — I’m 60 years old — I grew up in the time that he was referencing, talking about 1968 and all of that. I think the sexual revolution, as it’s been called, the points he made about that and how it has served to undermine humanity; I think that the realities about some of the atrocities in seminaries that he alluded to, with being shown pornographic movies in the seminary to supposedly teach you chastity or whatever; so many things that he said just were spot-on with where things went awry. And, thankfully, he didn’t just leave us there and say, “Isn’t this devastating?” But he reminds us of where we get back on track. Really, in a very humbling way, it astonished me how it resonates with everything I’m trying to do as a bishop in using the phrase “deposit of faith.” … As I’d said at the bishops’ meeting in Baltimore last November, that’s one of our promises: to guard the deposit of faith. And I think that this [essay] is about that in a very significant and very broad sense. So like I said, I could go on and on, but there were many key elements of this [essay] that I think will need to continue to be unpacked, with what it says to us and how it supports being the Church, not that we create, but the Church that comes from Christ. … [The essay is] about having Christ as our Lord and Savior and living that truth and embracing Christ and knowing he’s a real Person. I said, I could go on and on. The speaking of the Real Presence, I think that is so spot-on, as well. And it really all resonates with exactly what I feel the Holy Spirit has been rekindling in my heart and in my life, as well, because in many ways, going back to real faith in the Real Presence — that Christ is truly there in consecrated bread and wine — I think that is essential to getting back to the true Church that Christ has established. As Pope Emeritus Benedict says beautifully, the Church is there, it will be there, in the faithful people that are believing and celebrating the sacraments. But we’ve got to make that side of the reality of the Church much more exposed to the world to re-evangelize the world that we live in. How are you as a bishop helping those who are struggling with faith right now, not just because of the sexual-abuse crisis, but also because of the wider problems and culture? I believe — and that’s what I keep promoting in the diocese probably in virtually every homily I give lately and every place that I speak in any way — [we need to be] coming back to faith in Christ’s words. He said, “I will be with you always until the end of time, until the end of the age.” And I think we can take that literally in what Christ was saying: He is with us. I mean here in this chancery building. He’s with us in a tabernacle, in a small chapel, in those places throughout the world. He is with us. And he comes to us anew at every Mass. I just tweeted this morning that we really need to focus on that as we come to Holy Week: to really focus on what we believe. And, really, I’d have to say that I believe that is the best response to questions about faith or doubting: Turn to Christ. Believe what he said. Believe he’s really present in the Eucharist, and spend some time in prayer before him. I try to do that myself. I can’t say it’s perfect or my focus is always there as it should be, but spending time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, I think, is a great way. I would really recommend, that would be my prescription for anyone who’s really wavering in their faith: Go to Eucharistic adoration. Just go. You might’ve said, “Well, I don’t know what to say or I don’t know how that works.” Just go. That would be my, probably the No. 1 recommendation I could give. … We’re not just before a symbol. We’re not just going through a ritual. We are kneeling and praying and sitting and reading before the presence of the King of the Universe. And, to me, that is the best place to go if your faith is wavering. How did you first discern your own vocation, and what was your formation like? I entered the seminary at 18, back in 1977. And, you know, smack in the middle of everything, all of the things that were going on, that the Pope Emeritus Benedict speaks of. I was in the same seminary for eight years. There really were, as I’ve come to know later, there were some controversies and some issues about sexual misbehavior or misconduct. I did hear about, especially in later years in the seminary, some of those issues, not so much in the seminary where I was; I went to Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas, in part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. At that time, it was a college and theology seminary. But those were difficult times for seminaries, as Pope Benedict mentions, and you know, and I lived through some of that. I feel like I got as solid a formation as virtually anywhere in those years. The seminary, Holy Trinity, that I went to was known in those days as a conservative place. I was just mentioning to someone in a meeting this afternoon, I’m really frustrated and tired of the conservative-liberal split in the Church. I hope that we can simply be living the Catholic truths, but you know the word “conservative” has been bouncing around for all of my lifetime. And the seminary was labeled as “conservative,” which, looking back, I think was basic to orthodoxy. We didn’t get some of the riches that I’ve discovered, as a priest and now as a bishop, that the Church has to offer. Some of that was simply not referred to. And I think, in the whole area of celibacy, I think seminaries are doing a better job of recognizing that this is a challenging but beautiful way of life that is rich and life-giving and can be a great blessing to the individual man who’s choosing it and certainly to the Church that we serve. I have to say that I’ve grown in that understanding myself, because, you know, I literally grew up in the midst of the sexual revolution. And I think that, honestly, I’ll be very honest, that at times, through my seminary formation, and even since as a celibate priest, we live in a culture where it’s like: “You must be from another planet if you’re never going to have sex.” I mean, it’s just been advertised. It’s so pivotal and so much a part of, well, “you’re not grown-up if you haven’t had sex.” I mean, you know, they have movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and it’s a comedy about how ridiculous could that be — and we’ve just lost … our moorings, as far as sexual intimacy, only for a man and a woman committed in a lifelong marriage, open to children — that is like another planet. The Gospel has continued to say, and, thankfully, Catholic teaching has held to, that basic truth. I don’t believe Pope Benedict directly mentioned Humanae Vitae; but the fact that he mentioned 1968, I think, was significant because Humanae Vitae came out that year. … And in many ways, the sexual revolution was able to really take fire because even the Church and many bishops rejected the promulgation of Humanae Vitae from Pope Paul VI. And I think that is a significant turning point where the sexual revolution, which was already getting on the tracks, it became a bullet train after that, because people said, “Well, it is all relative, and we can make our own morality.” And all of that just began to take over. I was formed in the midst of all of that. And I think that we’ve got to get back to an understanding of the precious gift that sex is. I mean, Catholics had been beat up all of my lifetime, and I’m sure before that: “Oh, you’re so down on sex.” The Church is not, but the Church is clear about what God has revealed to us and what it’s for. And it’s a very narrow gate that most of the world and many Catholics ignore. And the whole reality of Humanae Vitae and ignoring contraception as anything that was an issue to be dealt with, I think, has placed us where we are in 2019. But as Pope Emeritus Benedict says beautifully, we’re not people of despair and sadness. We have hope. All we have to do is embrace that truth again. And I see it happening, as he speaks in the letter about the good people. That’s one thing, and I’ve mentioned it to the priests as we’ve gathered here in the Diocese of Tyler, just a small diocese, and the northeastern corner of Texas, it has been a blessing to me to simply go out to the parishes, see people coming to Mass, baptizing their children, getting married, going to confession, living the Catholic life in the midst of all of this noise and believing. I mean, kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration and clearly believing what the Church teaches. Certainly they’re not unaffected by the confusion and the scandal. And it’s been heartbreaking for people. But I think that I’m blessed as a bishop to be able to go around this diocese and see the Church that Pope Emeritus Benedict mentions in his letter that is there and always will be. There will always be people: Christ promised that the Church would exist always until the end of time, guided by the Holy Spirit. That is, it is not just an institution. The institution can and does take different forms and different things change; different things rise and fall in the institutional Church. But that heart of the Church, of people living the word of God, celebrating the sacraments, knowing Christ in the Eucharist, that core of the Church that began literally as soon as Christ ascended to the Father, that Church was there then; it’s still here now. And it always will be. And I think that’s a great anchor and hope again for the people that may be questioning their faith to return to those basics that we all need to be nurtured by, especially as we go into Holy Week. I said it to the children at the grade-school Mass I had this morning that, really, if you look at Holy Week throughout the year, whether it’s the Mass or crucifixes in our homes, there’s so many things that are originated in what we call “Holy Week” and that timeframe that’s described in the Gospels that we live out every day throughout the year in Catholic liturgy and Catholic Tradition and Catholic sacraments and sacramentals. I think that Pope Benedict is just reminding us of the treasure that is always there, and we have to just keep returning to that treasure. Pope Benedict is very concerned in his essay about the formation of young men for the priesthood. First, what advice do you give to a young man who’s discerning a call to the priesthood, but, also, how are you giving encouragement to your priests, especially your younger priests, in the climate that we have today? It’s all the same message, and it’s pretty simple: fidelity to Christ. … I just this week welcomed another young man to officially begin his formation for the seminary for the Diocese of Tyler and encouraged him to be faithful to Christ. He’s in a seminary, which goes back to the idea of a “seed bed.” It’s a place of formation. It’s a place of discernment. The seminary needs to be a place of great virtue, of great moral challenges, of living the Gospel in every aspect of our lives without duplicity and joyfully embracing that. And that kind of clarity can help a young man to say, “I really can do this, and this is bringing me joy and fulfillment,” or “I’m just not making it. It’s not working. I can’t handle this celibacy or other aspects of a priestly call.” And, really, it just is by extension the same thing for priests who are ordained. In my experience in a small diocese, we’re blessed with some fine young priests, and I think this has had an impact on them even more deeply than the priests my age or a little younger, a little older. We went through a period in our formation and the life of the world, the life of the Church where the ideals of the Catholic faith were kind of almost, you know, given a sort of a backhand comment that, “Well, you know, that’s nice, and that’s beautiful theology, but let’s get real: Nobody can really live up to that.” Well, I think these young priests have been formed in a time, thankfully, where they say, “Yes, they can live up to it; they’re called saints; they’re called martyrs, and they need to live up to it. We need to live up to it.” I think I was formed in a time where, you know, the call to holiness was sometimes kind of put on the shelf, and it’s like, “Well, it’s not very practical and not very realistic. We got businesses to run (even referring to the Church). We got things to manage.” Ultimately, I’ve encouraged the seminarians and the younger priests: “You’re on the right track: It’s all about a call to holiness.” And that’s what’s been so tragic about this latest eruption of the scandals and the sexual immorality among priests, bishops, cardinals, whoever. … We’re all called to holiness from our baptism; and for the men who were supposed to be facing that call and leading others to it to be ignoring the call and living a life of depravity and duplicity, that is heartbreaking. And I know it’s been heartbreaking to some of our men and to seminarians. But, thankfully, I really have talked to the rectors in the seminaries that we use, and I believe that they are taking this very seriously, in a healthy way focusing on it, and not letting it totally dominate because they need to get on with studies and studying Church history and studying the sacraments and the liturgy and all of the things. But the underpinnings of a basic moral life, living the virtuous call of the Gospel and acknowledging that we all fail, in one way or another, we’re all sinners. … And I think that especially the seminarians and the younger priests need to cling to this treasure that they have been cultivating in their lives and really believe it is true and it’s not just some “pie in the sky” sort of illusory idea that’s nice. It’s not a utopia. It’s the Kingdom of God. And I think that that’s what we all need to really remember. Yes, it’s impossible to live up to. I’m not worthy — none of us is; but Christ has established the possibility of embracing his worthiness for our own lives. And that’s what the saints and martyrs through the ages [lived] — and Pope Benedict even alludes to modern-day martyrs that have died for this truth, that so many are trying to dilute. I think the seminarians and the priests need to simply be faithful to Christ and really let that get deeper and richer in what it means for their daily journey. And as I say that, and as I say that to them, I do look in the mirror and say, “Joe, that’s what you need to live as well, just as a man, just as a priest; now as a bishop and a shepherd for the People of God.” Janet Smith recently wrote a commentary for the Register titled, “God Chose You to Live at This Moment in Church History”; and the commentary was about how we can’t let the dismal scandals we are living through weaken our faith. You retweeted the link to the commentary, with your own comment. You said, “You can count me as a bishop who has been ‘red pilled.’ God chose you to live at this moment in Church history … and in my case to be a successor of the apostles. I am a weak & sinful man, but I will do my best.” First, I have to ask you, the use of the term “red-pilled” strikes a lot of people as very interesting. I’d seen the movie The Matrix. That’s what it comes from. But I didn’t remember it really, but as I understood it, it basically was a way of saying, “I’ve seen the truth.” And that’s what I meant. And I think that what I’m talking about when I say I’ve been “red-pilled” is I’ve seen how true the teachings of our Catholic faith are, how important they are.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1910
__label__cc	0.680077	0.319923	Our Revolution Endorses Paul Feeney for Massachusetts State Senate Posted on August 14, 2017 August 20, 2017 by ORMA Administrator Paul Feeney in Boston during a visit from Senator Sanders, March 2017 MASSACHUSETTS— Our Revolution National endorsed union member and workers’ rights organizer Paul Feeney for Massachusetts in a Special Election this year for State Senate, Bristol and Norfolk District. Our Revolution Massachusetts (ORMA) is supporting Paul’s campaign efforts. A union member for over twenty years, Paul Feeney understands the struggle of families that are working harder than ever, seniors on a fixed income, and young men and women struggling with student debt while searching for work. Feeney will bring a diverse skill set to the State Senate having worked in the private sector, served in local government on the Foxboro Board of Selectmen, and in state government as Chief of Staff to State Senator James Timilty. In many ways, Paul embodies the principles of the Sanders campaign. At a Boston rally in March, headlined by Senator Sanders and nationally televised on Our Revolution, Paul said “It is time to shift our focus from transactional politics to a transformational movement in the United States.” Rand Wilson, organizer with Labor For Our Revolution, agrees “Paul’s campaign offers progressive solutions to lift up workers and expand opportunity. Paul’s passion for ensuring living wages, affordable housing and quality public education will make him a powerful voice for justice and fairness in the Massachusetts State Senate. Simply put, he’s the real deal!” To make a contribution to Paul’s campagin, visit http://www.votefeeney.com. To sign up for a virtual phone bank fill out this form The Bristol and Norfolk District is a Special Election this year with the Primary on Tuesday, September 19th. Our Revolution is a non-partisan American progressive political action organization spun out of Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. It supports progressive champions at every level of government. For more information, send an email to: info@OurRevolutionMA.com	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1913
__label__wiki	0.775228	0.775228	About Dr Markus Minder With a graduate degree of Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from York University, Dr Minder opened his practice in Kingston in 2000. Dr Minder has been licensed in Ontario since 1998. As an individual Dr Minder is a family man and is active in the community of Kingston. He participates in humanitarian mission trips to remote locations, including his latest trips to the Dominican Republic (2010) and Honduras (2012). © Optometry Kingston - Dr Markus Minder	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1917
__label__wiki	0.943992	0.943992	Meghan Markle’s Ex-Husband Just Showed The World That He’s Moved On Once And For All By 1651wpczar Image: Victoria Jones WPA Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle had her fairy-tale ending when she tied the knot with Prince Harry on May 19, 2018. But before the royal wedding, she had earlier been married to Trevor Engelson. And now, the ex-husband of the Duchess of Sussex has shown that he too has moved on. Image: Instagram/kensingtonroyal Markle was born in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 1981. Her mother, Doria Ragland, is a yoga instructor and social worker, while her father, Thomas Markle, worked as a lighting director and cinematographer on shows including Married… With Children. The Duchess grew up aspiring to be an actress, going on to study theater and international studies at Northwestern University. Image: Amanda Edwards/Getty Images After graduating in 2003, Markle began landing small roles in movies and television shows. And the following year, she met Engelson. While she was trying to make it as an actress, he was also forging a career in Hollywood as a budding producer.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1918
__label__wiki	0.724879	0.724879	FIFPro Division Africa FIFA FIFPro WORLD XI VOTING ON-GOING FIFPro, FIFPro Division Africa, Ghana Black Stars, Ghana Premier League, PFAG Footballers from across the globe have begun voting for this year’s prestigious FIFA FIFPro World XI; and professional footballers in Ghana have not been left out. The results of the voting process will be announced in London on the 23rd of October, at “The Best FIFA Football Awards”. The top eleven footballers, as determined exclusively FIFPro DIVISION AFRICA CONGRESS CONCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY IN ACCRA husniplex The curtain has been drawn on the 11th edition of the FIFPro Division Africa Congress, held in Accra. Secretary General of the FIFPro worldwide union, Theo van Seggelen, hailed the two-day event as a massive success and praised the excellence and professionalism exhibited by Anthony Baffoe and his team from the PFAG in hosting such FIFPro Division Africa Congress Kicks Off! The much anticipated 2017 FIFPro Division Africa Congress is underway at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra. This year’s event, the 11th such gathering of top African football policy makers, is being hosted by the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana. The official opening ceremony of Congress saw a number of key speeches made. FIFPro Division Africa Congress 2017 Is Here At Last!!! The much anticipated FIFPro Division Africa Congress comes off on the 5th and 6th of July, 2017 in Accra, Ghana. The event brings together top level football delegates and decision makers from across the continent, to deliberate on pertinent issues concerning Africa’s representative organization for professional footballers. This year’s congress, to be hosted by the AFRICAN FOOTBALLS ‘HANDSHAKE DEALS’ FIFPro, FIFPro Division Africa Herita Ilunga, a former player for West Ham and Saint Etienne, is pushing to make it compulsory for footballers to have a written contract after a FIFPro survey found hundreds of professional players in Africa are not given one. Some 89% of players in the Democratic Republic of Congo do not have a written deal, DROGBA: ‘AFRICAN FOOTBALLERS MISTREATED’ Didier Drogba, the two-time African footballer of the year, has released a statement about the 2016 FIFPro Employment Report. “Well done FIFPro for organising this survey – the first of its kind – and giving a voice to footballers worldwide. I strongly encourage you to read the results. They show that professional footballers in many Israel and Botswana unions join FIFPro Player unions from Botswana and Israel have joined FIFPro’s membership. The announcement was made at the general assembly of the global footballers association in Costa Rica. Player associations from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Gabon, Honduras and Panama were named candidate members, and are closing in on becoming FIFPro members. FIFPro currently The Realities and Plight of Footballers in Africa and Around the World FIFPro today has released the findings of its first worldwide survey of working conditions in men’s professional football. 2016-fifpro-global-employment-report looks at the life of players in a way that has never been done before. The aim of the survey is to raise awareness of the realities faced by footballers – especially those who are	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1919
__label__wiki	0.913544	0.913544	360 Video: Parker Solar Probe Launch Watch in 360 degrees as Parker Solar Probe launches aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft lifted off at 3:31 a.m. EDT on Aug. 12, 2018, starting its historic mission to the Sun. NASA's Parker Solar Probe launches aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on August 12, 2018. Credit: NASA	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1926
__label__wiki	0.769449	0.769449	Golden Swan Garden Decorative Jardinière urn, Golden Swan Garden, photo by Angela Garra, 2015 Urban oasis on the former site of a beloved dive bar Neighborhood: West Village Southeast corner of West 4th Street and 6th Avenue Written by Angela Garra for Place Matters and the Fall 2015 Local and Community History course of NYU's Archives and Public History Program The Golden Swan Garden is a petite pocket park consisting of approximately half an acre of land on the southeast corner of West Fourth Street and Sixth Avenue. Completed in the winter of 2000, the park is a small retreat from a highly urbanized area. Although perhaps not the most visually arresting park in New York City, the Golden Swan Garden has great value as a pause point from the hustle and bustle of the West Village, and also for the legacy surrounding the property. The plot was formally the location of the Golden Swan Café, a dive bar known to frequenting patrons as the “Hell Hole.” Founded during the mid-nineteenth century, this quirky saloon became the stomping grounds of important neighborhood artists such as American playwright Eugene O’Neill and Ashcan School painter John French Sloan, as well as author and activist Mary Heaton Vorse and Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day. The history of the saloon helps to emphasize the changing nature of the New York City landscape, and how a once rowdy and raucous atmosphere can eventually be transformed into a peaceful sanctuary. The early founding years surrounding the Golden Swan site are not entirely clear. The bar may have been in existence as early as 1857, with a man by the name of John J. Worden as the proprietor. His association with a “porter house” at 36 Sixth Avenue is clearly indicated in the City Directories and he was connected with the building until at least 1871. Whether this was for the Golden Swan or a saloon that predated it is unknown. The few years following Worden’s ownership of the saloon are equally unclear. A man named John McCrea was most likely the owner between the years 1878 and 1880, but it is unknown whether he held proprietorship for the entire gap between Worden and the final owner, Thomas J. Wallace. John McCrea’s name also appears in an 1878 article from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle regarding a robbery trial, in which William Stegen, a witness to the crime and an employee of McCrea, credits him as the proprietor of the Golden Swan. Thomas J. Wallace, undisputably the most famous of the Golden Swan proprietors, is recognized as being the owner starting in at least the year 1888, to as early as 1872. Wallace was a former Irish prizefighter and many of the stories known today about the Golden Swan are believed as being during his time as owner. From at least Wallace’s reign as proprietor, the Golden Swan was considered to be a “Hell Hole.” So much so in fact, that it was nicknamed just that by its regulars. Filled with the stench of sour beer, the bar was known for attracting an undesirable crowd. The Hudson Dusters, an Irish street gang, made the Hell Hole their stomping grounds. Gang members, such as Kid Yorke, Goo Goo Knox, Rubber Shaw, Circular Jack and Ding Dong were regulars, often participating in burglaries and hijackings, as well as providing dirty work for local political organizations like Tammany Hall. The bar was regularly filled with former prisoners and gangsters, and often Wallace would get into physical altercations with patrons. He lived in the upstairs apartment over the Hell Hole from the end of the nineteenth century until his death in 1922. During this time, Wallace would descend into the tavern nightly to partake in whiskey shots in the front room. The bar’s physical design was also an interesting concept. Being a corner lot property, patrons could either enter the building through the “front room” entrance, which was on the corner of Sixth Avenue and West Fourth Street, or on the east side of the building towards the rear. The front room, where women were prohibited, was furnished with wooden tables and benches, and the floor was covered in sawdust. A wooden sign hung above the doorway, decorated with a life-sized golden swan. Even though it was a dive, the saloon had a charm and character that lasted through the years. Wallace had a collection of curiosities that he acquired at auction. The list ranged from a Swiss mechanical racing game, miscellaneous obscure foreign art paintings, and the stuffed remains of Consul, “the educated monkey.” Consul was a formally famous monkey in the early twentieth century that smoked cigars, ate with utensils, and traveled throughout Europe on tour. Consul's stuffed remains were situated at the end of the bar, dressed in a checked suit. He perpetually pointed to a sign that read, “No religious and political discussions or other objectionable language allowed on these premises.” At one point in 1907, Wallace acquired an unauthorized oil portrait of J.P. Morgan, which was quickly repurchased by a friend of the financer for nearly three times the original price, thus saving it from the disgrace of hanging in such a disreputable joint. Wallace’s rowdy and eccentric personality directly attributed to the distinct character of the Hell Hole. So much so, that when Eugene O’Neill wrote his famous play, “The Iceman Cometh,” his character Harry Hope was based entirely off of Wallace. Originally, an early draft of the play put Hope’s name as Thomas Wallace, but O’Neill changed it in his final copy. O’Neill was inspired by many of the Hell Hole’s patrons, and it is reflected in his choice of characters for “The Iceman Cometh.” The appeal to O’Neill and other inspiring artists was the chance to comingle with the different types of people outside of their world. The Hudson Dusters were known to socialize with O’Neill, and one member of the gang actually offered to steal a coat for him on a particularly chilly day. Besides O’Neill, other notables that made the Golden Swan their bar of choice were Mary Heaton Vorse, Dorothy Day, John French Sloan and Charles Demuth. The mysterious and bohemian atmosphere at the saloon allowed notable artists and writers to gather inspiration. Vorse is quoted as saying that the Hell Hole was “something at once alive and deadly, sinister. It was as if the combined soul of New York flowed underground and this was one of its vents.” John Sloan produced an etching of the interior of the bar in 1917, which features Eugene O’Neill in the upper right hand corner. Charles Demuth similarly painted “At the Golden Swan” in 1919. In 1920, prohibition put a general end to the party at the Hell Hole. Although the bar remained open, it was difficult to acquire liquor. Wallace died in 1922, heartbroken from prohibition. The building was razed in 1928 during the construction of the Sixth Avenue subway. In 1935, a playground was opened on the lot. In the 1980s, the site was used a recycling center but was closed in the 1990s when the Department of Sanitation kicked off a large scale recycling program. In 1999, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani helped to transform the unused parcel of land into a garden. Completed in the winter of 2000, the garden features an ornate steel fence and a decorative jardinière urn, as well as ornamental Japanese dogwood, flowering dogwood, Serbian spruce, Saucer magnolia, Japanese maple, and Dawn redwood trees. In addition to the added greenery, a memorial plaque and tablet honoring the Golden Swan Cafe are positioned within the garden. Two small benches are situated within the curved granite walkway, and allow for a passerby to sit and reflect about the changing face of the city. The impractical idea that a rowdy dive bar could one day become a tranquil spot in the concrete jungle that is New York City is a notion that’s worth pondering. The creation of these memorials allow us all to reflect on how the cityscape changes over time, and remembering the importance of these places that have passed on help us to recall who we were and consequently who we are now. The obscured significance of the Golden Swan Garden is what makes this place so extraordinary. "Excise Commissioners’ Meeting,” New-York Daily Tribune; Aug 7, 1857. (Proquest Historical Newspapers) City Directories for New York, New York. New York: The Trow City Directory Company: 1872- 1892. Accessed from Fold3, http://www.fold3.com City Directories for New York, New York. New York: Trow Directory Printing and Bookbinding Company: 1893-1906. Accessed from Fold3, http://www.fold3.com Gelb, Arthur and Barbara Gelb. O’Neill: Life with Monte Cristo. New York: Applause, 2000. Gray, Christopher. “The Village Site of Eugene O’Neill’s ‘Iceman’ Saloon.” New York Times, June 3, 2001. “The Golden Swan: A ‘Hell Hole’ for Village Inspiration,” The Bowery Boys: New York City History, February 20, 2009, accessed December 7, 2015, http://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2009/02/golden-swan-hell-hole-for-village.html. “Held. The Men Suspected of the Planet Mills Robbery.” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, April 16 1878. “Morgan Picture Rescued.” The Washington Post, October 4, 1907. “Morgan Portrait Saved From Saloon.” New York Times, October 03, 1907. NYC Parks. “Golden Swan Garden.” Accessed November 21, 2015. http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/west-4th-street-courts/highlights/10766 “Thomas J. Wallace Obituary.” New York Times, March 16, 1922. Trow, John F. City Directories for New York, New York. New York: 1855 – 1871. Accessed from Fold3, http://www.fold3.com Wetzsteon, Ross. “Republic of Dreams: Greenwich Village, The American Bohemia 1910- 1960,” New York: Simon and Schuster, 2007. NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Golden Swan Garden information	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1931
__label__cc	0.575852	0.424148	The King Cole Trio - The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Capitol 90036 The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) Hi folks... as I've mentioned in the past, this is the one that just slays me every year. As you may know, I'm a huge fan of Johnny Mercer, not only as a composer and singer, but as a founding father of the music industry as we know it today. When he got the idea to form Capitol Records in 1942 ("So I could hear somebody else besides Bing Crosby on the radio," he said), he went out of his way to record quality artists that he felt weren't getting a 'fair shake'. In 1943 he signed the all black King Cole Trio, a gamble which promptly paid off for the label, with the Trio racking up three number one R&B hits within a year. The trend continued, with Nat Cole's velvet vocals laid over the tasteful accompaniment of Oscar Moore on guitar and Johnny Williams on double bass keeping The Trio in the top five throughout the War Years. In the Summer of 1946, they were riding high with the seminal (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 climbing to the number three slot during an eleven week stay on the charts. It was during that period that Capitol sent them into the WMCA Studio in New York to create what may just be the most enduring Christmas song of all time. Cole was unhappy with the first 'trio-only' recording (which remained unreleased for over forty years), and begged Mercer to let him re-cut it with a 'String Choir' that August. He was right, of course, and when Capitol released it around Thanksgiving, it went straight to #3 on both the Pop and R&B charts, and remained a top-seller for them for the rest of the decade. There was a copy on every jukebox in America, and more copies were pressed to meet the demand every December. As the industry began the switch to 45rpm vinyl in 1949, Capitol followed suit. This particular single we have here today is stamped '12-51', and carries the same matrix number (981) as that original 1946 78. Like I said, it just knocks me out, some 66 years after it was recorded. CAPITOL 3561 In August of 1953, Capitol brought Nat into their Hollywood studio to cut a more lavish version, this time with Nelson Riddle's orchestra. This would become the new holiday juke box release, and the Trio's rendition sort of faded away. In March of 1961, at the label's New York studio, Capitol cut what most consider to be the definitive stereo version, with an orchestra led by Ralph Carmichael. Although they would continue to press the earlier release on juke box 45s for several years, it is that 1961 recording that has become the standard that you still hear on the radio today... "Although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you..." I hope Santa treats you good! Nick G. said... Another amazing history, Red! Worth it all just for the quote from Mercer. Private Beach said... Good to see a new post here - it's been a while. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and thanks for all the great music. Traveling Mermaid said... Beautiful music and a beautiful post. May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas, Red. Oh, and more posts more often! Your story is not totally true. The 1961 version appeared on Nat Kind Cole's Christmas album (Capitol T1967 (mono), Capitol ST1967 (stereo), Capitol SM1967 (stereo re-issue), but it wasn't issued on 45rpm single records. The version of "The Christmas Song" issued in the 1960s and 1970s on 45rpm records was still the 1950s version with the orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle (as you can see on the label of the 1970s 45rpm issue displayed on your site). Thank You for the correction - you're right. I'll fix the post to reflect that... I think what I was trying to say is that once the 'big' Ralph Carmichael version was recorded, that became the only one you heard on the radio... (or something) - Thanks for taking the time to read this stuff! The Tams - Shelter (ABC 10385) Joe South and The Believers - Shelter (Capitol 270... The Bo-Keys in NYC Soul Detective 2012 Fact Finding Mission BENEFIT for SKIP PITTS The Legend Continues Sir Lattimore on NPR Darryl Carter - Looking Straight Ahead ETTA JAMES LIVES ON ETTA JAMES 1938-2012	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1939
__label__cc	0.538765	0.461235	Submit Enquiry Schools in Mumbai Apply for a School Job Besant Montessori School, Juhu Mumbai Address:Theosophical Colony, Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra-400049 Website: besantschool.wixsite.com CLASSES: Nursery to Jr Kg It was way back in 1908 that a few poor children living in the slums of Rome opened the eyes of Dr.Maria Montessori to the true nature of childhood. This led her to the service of children. She developed a unique philosophy of education and founded the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).Dr Montessori became the greatest educationist of the century. In 1939 George and Rukmini Devi Arundale who were eminent theosophists, educationists and disciples of Dr. Annie Besant, invited Dr. Montessori to come to Adyar to conduct training courses for teachers. These were short intensive courses for only 3 months duration. Our founder Directress, Aunty Tehmina Wadia, attended the very first course and after working for a short spell in the new Era school she was inspired to start the Besant Montessori School. The aim of the school was to provide the best education (pre primary as well as primary) for the children of suburbs, based on the principles of education according to Theosophical concepts as expounded by Dr. Annie Besant in comfort with the method of teaching as developed by Dr. Montessori. The school was named after Dr. Montessori because of the method of education followed and after Dr. Annie Besant because it was inaugurated in her centenary year. It was financed by Mrs. Gulistan and Mr. Jehangirji Jussawala and there were two joint Directresses, Ms. Tehmina Wadia and Mrs. Agnus Kotwal who were in charge of the first eleven students. Gulistan remained President of the Governing Body of the school till the end of her life. In the same way Mrs. Gulbano Wadia served the school as the Treasurer. The school was first in the Bombay Presidency and the forth in India and Pakistan to receive the blessing of Dr. Montessori and recognition from the AMI. It was also the first to be affiliated to the Arundale Training Centre for teachers and later on became the member of Besant Education Fellowship in Varanasi. Visitors: [3402] Updated on: [November 15, 2017]	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1949
__label__cc	0.707021	0.292979	Home » Marketing & Real Estate » Blockchains and Bitcoins and Distributed Ledgers, Oh My! Blockchains and Bitcoins and Distributed Ledgers, Oh My! 10 Sep, 2018 in Marketing & Real Estate / News & Info / Tech Tidbits tagged bitcoin / blockchain security / blockchain structure / blockchain systems / blockchain technology / blockchains / data ledger / database collective / distributed database / distributed systems by PTC Computer Solutions A Step-by-Step Guide to Blockchains It’s been a long time since we’ve heard statements like, “It’s just a fad!” or “Why should I change?” here at PTC Computer Solutions. Not since we started in 1996 have we heard this. We were getting feedback about the Internet like this. We heard it then and I thought we were done with that kind of thinking. But, we’re hearing it again with Blockchains and the aspects of Distributed Systems it brings with it. Bitcoin is probably the most notorious of the use of Blockchains, but it’s only one of many potential uses of the structure we foresee. The truth is, once we move from a centralized system to a decentralized system distributed over a broad range of ledgers, we move into a whole new collective understanding and the possibilities are vast. In order for Moore’s Law to continue to hold, a new structure for transactions is inherently in the offing. A centralized system has its limitations where a decentralized system opens a whole new transaction speed horizon impossible in a centralized system. Not to Geek Out too much, but Star Trek’s Next Generation made some reference to this when they introduced the Borg, often referred to as The Collective. The minds of all of the Borg worked together to form a distributed understanding without hierarchy. Think about it. If you don’t think it’s coming, “you will be assimilated; resistance is futile” and you better be ready. PTC Computer Solutions has been working considerably with Blockchain structures for years and can help in your understanding, should you wish to be part of the collective understanding. Here are some ideas to help from our friends at Block Geeks. Is blockchain technology the new internet? The blockchain is an undeniably ingenious invention – the brainchild of a person or group of people known by the pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto. But since then, it has evolved into something greater, and the main question every single person is asking is: What is Blockchain? By allowing digital information to be distributed but not copied, blockchain technology created the backbone of a new type of internet. Originally devised for the digital currency, Bitcoin, (Buy Bitcoin) the tech community is now finding other potential uses for the technology. Bitcoin has been called “digital gold,” and for a good reason. To date, the total value of the currency is close to $9 billion US. And blockchains can make other types of digital value. Like the internet (or your car), you don’t need to know how the blockchain works to use it. However, having a basic knowledge of this new technology shows why it’s considered revolutionary. So, we hope you enjoy this, What Is Blockchain Guide. And if you already know what blockchain is and want to become a blockchain developer (2018 – currently in high demand!) please check out our in depth blockchain tutorial and create your very first blockchain. What is Blockchain Technology? What is Blockchain Technology? A step-by-step guide than anyone can understand “The blockchain is an incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions that can be programmed to record not just financial transactions but virtually everything of value.” – Don & Alex Tapscott, authors Blockchain Revolution (2016) A distributed database Picture a spreadsheet that is duplicated thousands of times across a network of computers. Then imagine that this network is designed to regularly update this spreadsheet and you have a basic understanding of the blockchain. Information held on a blockchain exists as a shared — and continually reconciled — database. This is a way of using the network that has obvious benefits. The blockchain database isn’t stored in any single location, meaning the records it keeps are truly public and easily verifiable. No centralized version of this information exists for a hacker to corrupt. Hosted by millions of computers simultaneously, its data is accessible to anyone on the internet. To go in deeper with the Google spreadsheet analogy, I would like you to read this piece from a blockchain specialist. Blockchain as Google Docs “The traditional way of sharing documents with collaboration is to send a Microsoft Word document to another recipient, and ask them to make revisions to it. The problem with that scenario is that you need to wait until receiving a return copy before you can see or make other changes because you are locked out of editing it until the other person is done with it. That’s how databases work today. Two owners can’t be messing with the same record at once.That’s how banks maintain money balances and transfers; they briefly lock access (or decrease the balance) while they make a transfer, then update the other side, then re-open access (or update again).With Google Docs (or Google Sheets), both parties have access to the same document at the same time, and the single version of that document is always visible to both of them. It is like a shared ledger, but it is a shared document. The distributed part comes into play when sharing involves a number of people. Imagine the number of legal documents that should be used that way. Instead of passing them to each other, losing track of versions, and not being in sync with the other version, why can’t all business documents become shared instead of transferred back and forth? So many types of legal contracts would be ideal for that kind of workflow.You don’t need a blockchain to share documents, but the shared documents analogy is a powerful one.” – William Mougayar, Venture advisor, 4x entrepreneur, marketer, strategist and blockchain specialist Blockchain Durability and robustness Blockchain technology is like the internet in that it has a built-in robustness. By storing blocks of information that are identical across its network, the blockchain cannot: Be controlled by any single entity. Has no single point of failure. Bitcoin was invented in 2008. Since that time, the Bitcoin blockchain has operated without significant disruption. (To date, any of problems associated with Bitcoin have been due to hacking or mismanagement. In other words, these problems come from bad intention and human error, not flaws in the underlying concepts.) The internet itself has proven to be durable for almost 30 years. It’s a track record that bodes well for blockchain technology as it continues to be developed. “As revolutionary as it sounds, Blockchain truly is a mechanism to bring everyone to the highest degree of accountability. No more missed transactions, human or machine errors, or even an exchange that was not done with the consent of the parties involved. Above anything else, the most critical area where Blockchain helps is to guarantee the validity of a transaction by recording it not only on a main register but a connected distributed system of registers, all of which are connected through a secure validation mechanism.” – Ian Khan, TEDx Speaker \| Author \| Technology Futurist Transparent and incorruptible The blockchain network lives in a state of consensus, one that automatically checks in with itself every ten minutes. A kind of self-auditing ecosystem of a digital value, the network reconciles every transaction that happens in ten-minute intervals. Each group of these transactions is referred to as a “block”. Two important properties result from this: Transparency data is embedded within the network as a whole, by definition it is public. It cannot be corrupted altering any unit of information on the blockchain would mean using a huge amount of computing power to override the entire network. In theory, this could be possible. In practice, it’s unlikely to happen. Taking control of the system to capture Bitcoins, for instance, would also have the effect of destroying their value. “Blockchain solves the problem of manipulation. When I speak about it in the West, people say they trust Google, Facebook, or their banks. But the rest of the world doesn’t trust organizations and corporations that much — I mean Africa, India, the Eastern Europe, or Russia. It’s not about the places where people are really rich. Blockchain’s opportunities are the highest in the countries that haven’t reached that level yet.” – Vitalik Buterin, inventor of Ethereum A network of nodes A network of so-called computing “nodes” make up the blockchain. (computer connected to the blockchain network using a client that performs the task of validating and relaying transactions) gets a copy of the blockchain, which gets downloaded automatically upon joining the blockchain network. Together they create a powerful second-level network, a wholly different vision for how the internet can function. Every node is an “administrator” of the blockchain, and joins the network voluntarily (in this sense, the network is decentralized). However, each one has an incentive for participating in the network: the chance of winning Bitcoins. Nodes are said to be “mining” Bitcoin, but the term is something of a misnomer. In fact, each one is competing to win Bitcoins by solving computational puzzles. Bitcoin was the raison d’etre of the blockchain as it was originally conceived. It’s now recognized to be only the first of many potential applications of the technology. There are an estimated 700 Bitcoin-like cryptocurrencies (exchangeable value tokens) already available. As well, a range of other potential adaptations of the original blockchain concept are currently active, or in development. “Bitcoin has the same character a fax machine had. A single fax machine is a doorstop. The world where everyone has a fax machine is an immensely valuable thing.” – Larry Summers, Former US Secretary of the Treasury The idea of decentralization By design, the blockchain is a decentralized technology. Anything that happens on it is a function of the network as a whole. Some important implications stem from this. By creating a new way to verify transactions aspects of traditional commerce could become unnecessary. Stock market trades become almost simultaneous on the blockchain, for instance — or it could make types of record keeping, like a land registry, fully public. And decentralization is already a reality. A global network of computers uses blockchain technology to jointly manage the database that records Bitcoin transactions. That is, Bitcoin is managed by its network, and not any one central authority. Decentralization means the network operates on a user-to-user (or peer-to-peer) basis. The forms of mass collaboration this makes possible are just beginning to be investigated. “I think decentralized networks will be the next huge wave in technology.” – Melanie Swan, author Blockchain: Blueprint for a New Economy (2015) Who will use the blockchain? As web infrastructure, you don’t need to know about the blockchain for it to be useful in your life. Currently, finance offers the strongest use cases for the technology. International remittances, for instance. The World Bank estimates that over $430 billion US in money transfers were sent in 2015. And at the moment there is a high demand for blockchain developers. The blockchain potentially cuts out the middleman for these types of transactions. Personal computing became accessible to the general public with the invention of the Graphical User Interface (GUI), which took the form of a “desktop”. Similarly, the most common GUI devised for the blockchain are the so-called “wallet” applications, which people use to buy things with Bitcoin, and store it along with other cryptocurrencies. Transactions online are closely connected to the processes of identity verification. It is easy to imagine that wallet apps will transform in the coming years to include other types of identity management. “Online identity and reputation will be decentralized. We will own the data that belongs to us.” – William Mougayar, author The Business Blockchain: Promise, Practice, and Application of the Next Internet Technology (2016) The Blockchain & Enhanced security By storing data across its network, the blockchain eliminates the risks that come with data being held centrally. Its network lacks centralized points of vulnerability that computer hackers can exploit. Today’s internet has security problems that are familiar to everyone. We all rely on the “username/password” system to protect our identity and assets online. Blockchain security methods use encryption technology. The basis for this are the so-called public and private “keys”. A “public key” (a long, randomly-generated string of numbers) is a users’ address on the blockchain. Bitcoins sent across the network gets recorded as belonging to that address. The “private key” is like a password that gives its owner access to their Bitcoin or other digital assets. Store your data on the blockchain and it is incorruptible. This is true, although protecting your digital assets will also require safeguarding of your private key by printing it out, creating what’s referred to as a paper wallet. A second-level network With blockchain technology, the web gains a new layer of functionality. Already, users can transact directly with one another — Bitcoin transactions in 2016 averaged over $200,000 US per day. With the added security brought by the blockchain new internet business are on track to unbundle the traditional institutions of finance. Goldman Sachs believes that blockchain technology holds great potential especially to optimize clearing and settlements, and could represent global savings of up to $6bn per year. “2017 will be a pivotal year for blockchain tech. Many of the startups in the space will either begin generating revenue – via providing products the market demands/values – or vaporize due to running out of cash. In other words, 2017 should be the year where there is more implementation of products utilizing blockchain tech, and less talk about blockchain tech being the magical pixie dust that can just be sprinkled atop everything. Of course, from a customers viewpoint, this will not be obvious as blockchain tech should dominantly be invisible – even as its features and functionality improve peoples’/business’ lives. I personally am familiar with a number of large-scale blockchain tech use cases that are launching soon/2017. This implementation stage, which 2017 should represent, is a crucial step in the larger adoption of blockchain tech, as it will allow skeptics to see the functionality, rather than just hear of its promise.” – George Howard, Associate Professor Brown University, Berklee College of Music and Founder of George Howard Strategic The Blockchain a New Web 3.0? The blockchain gives internet users the ability to create value and authenticates digital information. What will new business applications result? Distributed ledgers enable the coding of simple contracts that will execute when specified conditions are met. Ethereum is an open source blockchain project that was built specifically to realize this possibility. Still, in its early stages, Ethereum has the potential to leverage the usefulness of blockchains on a truly world-changing scale. At the technology’s current level of development, smart contracts can be programmed to perform simple functions. For instance, a derivative could be paid out when a financial instrument meets certain benchmark, with the use of blockchain technology and Bitcoin enabling the payout to be automated. With companies like Uber and AirBnB flourishing, the sharing economy is already a proven success. Currently, however, users who want to hail a ride-sharing service have to rely on an intermediary like Uber. By enabling peer-to-peer payments, the blockchain opens the door to direct interaction between parties — a truly decentralized sharing economy results. An early example, OpenBazaar uses the blockchain to create a peer-to-peer eBay. Download the app onto your computing device, and you can transact with OpenBazzar vendors without paying transaction fees. The “no rules” ethos of the protocol means that personal reputation will be even more important to business interactions than it currently is on eBay. Crowdfunding initiatives like Kickstarter and Gofundme are doing the advance work for the emerging peer-to-peer economy. The popularity of these sites suggests people want to have a direct say in product development. Blockchains take this interest to the next level, potentially creating crowd-sourced venture capital funds. In 2016, one such experiment, the Ethereum-based DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), raised an astonishing $200 million USD in just over two months. Participants purchased “DAO tokens” allowing them to vote on smart contract venture capital investments (voting power was proportionate to the number of DAO they were holding). A subsequent hack of project funds proved that the project was launched without proper due diligence, with disastrous consequences. Regardless, the DAO experiment suggests the blockchain has the potential to usher in “a new paradigm of economic cooperation.” By making the results fully transparent and publicly accessible, distributed database technology could bring full transparency to elections or any other kind of poll taking. Ethereum-based smart contracts help to automate the process. The app, Boardroom, enables organizational decision-making to happen on the blockchain. In practice, this means company governance becomes fully transparent and verifiable when managing digital assets, equity or information. Supply chain auditing Consumers increasingly want to know that the ethical claims companies make about their products are real. Distributed ledgers provide an easy way to certify that the backstories of the things we buy are genuine. Transparency comes with blockchain-based timestamping of a date and location — on ethical diamonds, for instance — that corresponds to a product number. The UK-based Provenance offers supply chain auditing for a range of consumer goods. Making use of the Ethereum blockchain, a Provenance pilot project ensures that fish sold in Sushi restaurants in Japan has been sustainably harvested by its suppliers in Indonesia. Decentralizing file storage on the internet brings clear benefits. Distributing data throughout the network protects files from getting hacked or lost. Inter Planetary File System (IPFS) makes it easy to conceptualize how a distributed web might operate. Similar to the way a bittorrent moves data around the internet, IPFS gets rid of the need for centralized client-server relationships (i.e., the current web). An internet made up of completely decentralized websites has the potential to speed up file transfer and streaming times. Such an improvement is not only convenient. It’s a necessary upgrade to the web’s currently overloaded content-delivery systems. Prediction markets The crowdsourcing of predictions on event probability is proven to have a high degree of accuracy. Averaging opinions cancels out the unexamined biases that distort judgment. Prediction markets that payout according to event outcomes are already active. Blockchains are a “wisdom of the crowd” technology that will no doubt find other applications in the years to come. Still, in Beta, the prediction market application Augur makes share offerings on the outcome of real-world events. Participants can earn money by buying into the correct prediction. The more shares purchased in the correct outcome, the higher the payout will be. With a small commitment of funds (less than a dollar), anyone can ask a question, create a market based on a predicted outcome, and collect half of all transaction fees the market generates. Protection of intellectual property As is well known, digital information can be infinitely reproduced — and distributed widely thanks to the internet. This has given web users globally a goldmine of free content. However, copyright holders have not been so lucky, losing control over their intellectual property and suffering financially as a consequence. Smart contracts can protect copyright and automate the sale of creative works online, eliminating the risk of file copying and redistribution. Mycelia uses the blockchain to create a peer-to-peer music distribution system. Founded by the UK singer-songwriter Imogen Heap, Mycelia enables musicians to sell songs directly to audiences, as well as license samples to producers and divvy up royalties to songwriters and musicians — all of these functions being automated by smart contracts. The capacity of blockchains to issue payments in fractional cryptocurrency amounts (micropayments) suggests this use case for the blockchain has a strong chance of success. What is the IoT? The network-controlled management of certain types of electronic devices — for instance, the monitoring of air temperature in a storage facility. Smart contracts make the automation of remote systems management possible. A combination of software, sensors, and the network facilitates an exchange of data between objects and mechanisms. The result increases system efficiency and improves cost monitoring. The biggest players in manufacturing, tech and telecommunications are all vying for IoT dominance. Think Samsung, IBM and AT&T. A natural extension of existing infrastructure controlled by incumbents, IoT applications will run the gamut from predictive maintenance of mechanical parts to data analytics, and mass-scale automated systems management. Neighbourhood Microgrids Blockchain technology enables the buying and selling of the renewable energy generated by neighborhood microgrids. When solar panels make excess energy, Ethereum-based smart contracts automatically redistribute it. Similar types of smart contract automation will have many other applications as the IoT becomes a reality. Located in Brooklyn, Consensys is one of the foremost companies globally that is developing a range of applications for Ethereum. One project they are partnering on is Transactive Grid, working with the distributed energy outfit, LO3. A prototype project currently up and running uses Ethereum smart contracts to automate the monitoring and redistribution of microgrid energy. This so-called “intelligent grid” is an early example of IoT functionality. There is a definite need for better identity management on the web. The ability to verify your identity is the lynchpin of financial transactions that happen online. However, remedies for the security risks that come with web commerce are imperfect at best. Distributed ledgers offer enhanced methods for proving who you are, along with the possibility to digitize personal documents. Having a secure identity will also be important for online interactions — for instance, in the sharing economy. A good reputation, after all, is the most important condition for conducting transactions online. Developing digital identity standards is proving to be a highly complex process. Technical challenges aside, a universal online identity solution requires cooperation between private entities and government. Add to that the need to navigate legal systems in different countries and the problem becomes exponentially difficult. E-Commerce on the internet currently relies on the SSL certificate (the little green lock) for secure transactions on the web. Netki is a startup that aspires to create an SSL standard for the blockchain. Having recently announced a $3.5 million seed round, Netki expects a product launch in early 2017. AML and KYC Anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) practices have a strong potential for being adapted to the blockchain. Currently, financial institutions must perform a labour intensive multi-step process for each new customer. KYC costs could be reduced through cross-institution client verification, and at the same time increase monitoring and analysis effectiveness. Startup Polycoin has an AML/KYC solution that involves analysing transactions. Those transactions identified as being suspicious are forwarded on to compliance officers. Another startup Tradle is developing an application called Trust in Motion (TiM). Characterized as an “Instagram for KYC”, TiM allows customers to take a snapshot of key documents (passport, utility bill, etc.). Once verified by the bank, this data is cryptographically stored on the blockchain. Today, in exchange for their personal data people can use social media platforms like Facebook for free. In future, users will have the ability to manage and sell the data their online activity generates. Because it can be easily distributed in small fractional amounts, Bitcoin — or something like it — will most likely be the currency that gets used for this type of transaction. The MIT project Enigma understands that user privacy is the key precondition for creating of a personal data marketplace. Enigma uses cryptographic techniques to allow individual data sets to be split between nodes, and at the same time run bulk computations over the data group as a whole. Fragmenting the data also makes Enigma scalable (unlike those blockchain solutions where data gets replicated on every node). A Beta launch is promised within the next six months. Land title registration As Publicly-accessible ledgers, blockchains can make all kinds of record-keeping more efficient. Property titles are a case in point. They tend to be susceptible to fraud, as well as costly and labour intensive to administer. A number of countries are undertaking blockchain-based land registry projects. Honduras was the first government to announce such an initiative in 2015, although the current status of that project is unclear. This year, the Republic of Georgia cemented a deal with the Bitfury Group to develop a blockchain system for property titles. Reportedly, Hernando de Soto, the high-profile economist and property rights advocate, will be advising on the project. Most recently, Sweden announced it was experimenting with a blockchain application for property titles. The potential for added efficiency in share settlement makes a strong use case for blockchains in stock trading. When executed peer-to-peer, trade confirmations become almost instantaneous (as opposed to taking three days for clearance). Potentially, this means intermediaries — such as the clearing house, auditors and custodians — get removed from the process. Numerous stock and commodities exchanges are prototyping blockchain applications for the services they offer, including the ASX (Australian Securities Exchange), the Deutsche Börse (Frankfurt’s stock exchange) and the JPX (Japan Exchange Group). Most high profile because the acknowledged first mover in the area, is the Nasdaq’s Linq, a platform for private market trading (typically between pre-IPO startups and investors). A partnership with the blockchain tech company Chain, Linq announced the completion of it its first share trade in 2015. More recently, Nasdaq announced the development of a trial blockchain project for proxy voting on the Estonian Stock Market. “2016 was the year in which blockchain theory achieved general acceptance, but remained in theory, with the big players lingering around the hoop waiting to see who would take the first shot. As the year comes to an end, blockchain technology is tantalizingly close to turning the corner and entering the realm of small-scale commercial ability. Overall, 2017 is going to be the year of the very well-considered and well-funded proof of concept, with a few projects achieving revenue positive status. Venture investment is going to continue to be substantial but less than we saw in 2016 and 2015. I’d predict one or two exits by acquisition.” – Judd Bagley Director of Communications at Overstock.com and Chief Evangelist at t0.com Define clearly your target market and find out what makes their customer experience a better one. Target that experience in a specific email format and go after it. Take your time and make sure you’re looking at the complete picture before you move forward, however, as every customer has a different need. If you’re not secure in your abilities to develop a proper experience, rather than risk the potential errors you can make, consider hiring a professional in the field such as PTC Computer Solutions. Your success depends on it. PTC Computer Solutions works extensively on understanding the Needs of Our Clients and what they are looking for so that understanding of the Internet and business technologies for their needs and objectives is fully explained. Don’t fail to meet your objectives with your customer experience and other technologies. Stay on top of things. Train your employees or hire an agency that can handle it for you such as PTC Computer Solutions. David WB Parker is a principal of Parker Associates of Jacksonville, Florida, marketing consultants to the real estate industry; President of PTC Computer Solutions, IT Specialist, and an active real estate sales professional with PARFAM REALTY based in Jacksonville, FL. He can be reached at 904-607-8763 or via email davidp@ptccomputersolutions.com. ← Free Apps – Buyer Beware! 10 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Retail Uses →	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1950
__label__wiki	0.760819	0.760819	German cooling awards recognise CO2 products Product / Technology By Rico Meyn, May 18, 2018, 15:00 • 1 minute reading Epta and Bitzer were among the winners of Germany’s Kältepreis (cooling award) for their innovative products for natural refrigerant CO2. Epta and Bitzer are among the winners of Germany’s annual Kältepreis, awarded by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety for innovation in sustainable refrigeration. Both companies won with CO2 products. Epta won first place in the category ‘Innovation in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning’. It developed a system to increase the year-round efficiency of the transcritical CO2 cycle by reducing the pressure. This way the system is 17% more efficient. In the same category, Bitzer won the third-place prize for the Ecoline+ compressor that uses CO2. This year, the compressor also won a UK award for the most innovative refrigeration technology of the year. The award was handed out during the Berlin Energy Days (7-9 May 2018) by German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze. “The prize winners prove that refrigeration technology can be designed efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner,” she said. Currently, there are more than 120 million air conditioning and refrigeration units in Germany. The systems emit 60 million tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per year. To give an incentive to reduce the damaging potential of refrigeration, the German government decided to hand out the award, which is endowed with over €50,000 in total. By Rico Meyn Canary Islands see first transcritical CO2 installation for cold storage By Devin Yoshimoto , Jun 13, 2019, 07:54 The system was installed at a fruit and vegetable storage facility on Tenerife. Romanian grocer adopts CO2 transcritical By Andrew Williams , Jun 15, 2019, 22:49 Ahold Delhaize subsidiary Mega Image has opened three supermarkets with transcritical CO2 systems.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1952
__label__cc	0.700949	0.299051	The New Poets Are Coming! Three new Rack Press poets are being launched in London on 15th January at the Swedenborg Hall in Bloomsbury at 6.30 (admission free with refreshments). Byron Beynon's Cuffs, Steve Griffiths' Landing and David Wheatley's Lament for Ali Farka Touré will be introduced and a further Welsh launch will take place on 11 April at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea. Each pamphlet costs £4 and ordering instructions are in the panel here in the top right hand corner. Everyone is welcome to the launch and if you would like to know more please visit the Rack Press website. I am sorry for some sort of gremlin on the site at the moment which has sent the layout all over the place when seen in Windows: this is being examined by our IT team.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1953
__label__cc	0.684972	0.315028	rosina lippi \| sara donati author weblog: notes on writing, process, research & craft. Wilderness Novels The Gilded Hour On Writing and Craft Category: bookstores Posted on 10. December 2007 7. September 2013 hey you there, reader or weblog author: send me a link I used to have a list of links to websites I read regularly (or try to read regularly), over there in the sidebar. I finally got rid of it when I realized it would always make me uncomfortable. Who was I forgetting? Who was I offending? Who was wondering how I got such a high opinion of myself (Catholic school. What can I say?). Better not to have it there at all. Then I got a bright idea. I would put up links to writers’ weblogs, but only if I could include a direct link to a specific post that I particularly liked. Some accountability, thought I. That’s the ticket. Except, two things: 1. It would take a lot of time to carry this out, because being the compulsive type I am, I would not find it easy to pick a representative post. 2. I would end up worrying just as much about this list of links as the old one. It’s still a good idea. I just needed a different way to implement it. And here it is, I think. Coincidentally, it lifts most of the burden off my shoulders and puts it — well, on yours. Here’s the plan. There are two kinds of people who come by here. Those who read weblogs, and those who read them and also write one or more of their own. First to those of you who read weblogs but don’t write one, a question: can you name one of your favorites, and (most important) can you point to what you consider to be a really excellent post? To those of you who write a weblog, can you point to one of your own posts that you think was particularly successful (how ever you define success; that’s up to you). Now, I know nobody will come out and say something like this in public, so this will all be anonymous. If you’ve got a weblog & post to recommend, you can do that by signing your comment as your favorite fictional character, or by sending me an email. I am hoping that weblog authors will actually take heart in hand and point to their own favorite posts, because I think this would be the making of a really useful list of links. Not just for show. A list with some umph. Some character. And best of all: you won’t know if the link & post were suggested by a faithful reader, or by the author him or herself. To put my money where my mouth is, if I had to pick one post of my own… damn, it’s hard. But okay, this one: On Depression. I didn’t say it had to be a funny post, just a post that you feel strongly about. I have other posts I like that turned out funny, but none of them ring quite so true as this one. Imagine this, that when people click come by here and look at the list, when they follow the link to your weblog they don’t end up on today’s post about the mail being late, or the rant about the bookstore clerk, or anything else you consider not your best effort. Instead, they end up at a post you feel good about. I think people would be more likely to click in the first place. Everybody wins: more good stuff to read, and more readers discovering writers they didn’t know. Here are some caveats (you knew these were coming). I expect I’ll get a lot of suggestions for some of the more popular blogs, and that’s fine. However, if I get fifteen different favorite post suggestions for the same weblog, I can’t put them all up. I will put up the first three. If the weblog author has a suggestion, that link will be one of the three, but you won’t know who suggested what. Does this sound complicated? It really isn’t. If you’ve got a weblog, send me a link to a post you like a lot. If you have a favorite weblog, send me a link to a post you like a lot. You can say why you like the post in a few words, if you like, but it’s not obligatory. And again: Anonymity all around. If this takes off, I’ll have to find room for all the links, but I’ll take that chance. Posted on 24. October 2007 8. August 2013 Diana Norman* talks about her work edited to add: Diana may well stop by here at some point, so if you have questions for her, please include them in the comments and you just might get an answer. Serious readers of fiction — and I count myself as one of this group — often form strong attachments to their favorite authors. A reader comes across a new novel and falls in love with the story, the characters, and the voice of the storyteller. Soon that reader is compelled to go out to find anything and everything the author has written, without delay. If the fascination lasts, the reader will start wondering about this author who has so captured the imagination. These days, readers have access to more information than ever before. Curiosity about the author’s background, how he or she started writing and dozens of other questions can often be addressed by an internet search. But sometimes there is nothing to be found. We are spoiled by technology, and disappointed when the internet fails us. “Resplendent with historical details, filled with beautifully crafted characters, and kissed with a subtle touch of romance, Norman’s [A Catch of Consequence] is historical fiction at its best.” (Booklist) Diana Norman’s first novel, Fitzempress’ Law (St. Martin’s Press; Hodder & Stoughton) appeared in 1980 with twelve more novels to follow, but until recently she has been better known in her native Great Britain than here in North America. Then, in 2003 a trade paperback edition of Catch of Consequence (see my notes here) was widely distributed and seriously marketed, which brought Norman a new and enthusiastic North American readership. This trilogy (set during the American and French Revolutions) sent many readers out in search of the rest of Norman’s work, but most were disappointed. A great deal of her blacklist is out of print and very difficult to find. For example, Fitzempress’ Law shows up on abebooks.com for anywhere from $100 to $900. The good news: many libraries seem to carry some or all of Norman’s novels, which is where I found most of them. I must confess, however, to spending quite a lot of money to invest in a copy of The Morning Gift. In all the years I have been reading Diana’s work, my questions have been piling up. Occasionally I would do a search, hoping to find information on how she chose a setting, where she found some particularly wonderful historical detail (see her comment about Oliver Cromwell, below), or why she used a particular approach. My curiosity was never satisfied until just recently, when I had the opportunity to ask Diana some questions. The interview presented here is the product of our very lively email conversation. As is the case with many of the very best historical novelists, Norman’s background is not academic and so to start, I asked her for some of her own history. Most specifically, how she came to write historical novels with such insight and obvious love of the subject matter. My mother was a single parent and I went out to work at the age of sixteen to help support her and my two young brothers. I worked on a local paper in my home town of Torquay in Devonshire, graduated to a bigger one in London’s East End and finally made it to a national newspaper in Fleet Street where you don’t learn anything much except how and where to find things out. Oh, and a lot about human nature. Male history wrote women out, unless it could blame them for something. History always fascinated me. One must know the causes of things or one is walking blind. If ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair had been aware of history, he wouldn’t have taken the U.K. into war with Iraq. My husband, daughters and I marched against that appalling decision (a) because it was wrong and (b) because history told us it would be disastrous. Sorry about that – I get carried away on the subject.Male history wrote women out, unless it could blame them for something. To answer your question, I started studying history after I was married and found myself living in a Hertfordshire village having babies. Life in Fleet Street had been turbulent but exciting and, turbulent and exciting as looking after children is, it wasn’t enough. I decided to use my spare time to write a novel about Henry II – the 12th century king who has always fascinated me, flawed perhaps but the instigator of one of those enormous leaps forward that have brought us out of the Dark Ages, a man who gave us the jury system, Common Law and who restored England after an annihilating civil war. (All right, the murder of Thomas à Becket on the steps of Canterbury Cathedral was attributed to him, although the king was in France at the time, but St Thomas was a very, very trying man.) So, three novels about Henry and then I was off cantering through the succeeding ages, mainly trying to chart the course of women by means of novels. Male history wrote them out, unless it could blame them for something, but if you peer deeply enough into the archives you find amazing women, not necessarily the famous ones, but ordinary widows pursuing trades from which, officially, they were banned, women who kicked against the pricks (I use the term in more ways than one.) Your interest in the untold story of women in history comes through in all your work. You create strong women characters who are put into the situations which test them and their beliefs to the extreme. I come of a long line of strong women. At the age of fourteen, my Welsh grandmother was sent to England to work as a laundry maid in what was then known as a lunatic asylum without being able to understand a word of English. At first she didn’t know who were the staff and who the inmates, but she lived to old age to terrorise and fascinate us, her descendants. Women through the ages have had it so tough that I flounder in admiration at their struggle against prejudice and adversity, especially those who made the path smoother for those of us who came after. So, yes, I suppose all my heroines are bound to reflect that. [asa book]0399154140[/asa] Most recently your work has taken a turn toward historical mystery with the publication of two very different, but equally compelling novels under the pen name Ariana Franklin. The Mistress of the Art of Death is set in Henry II’s England, but with City of Shadows you jumped to post World War I Germany. How did the change in focus and geography come about? The answer is that I was running out of steam. Suddenly I was approached by a literary agent called Helen Heller – and if ever there was a forceful woman, she’s it. “What about an historical thriller? Change your name and format.” Well, I’ve always adored thrillers and Helen’s suggestion that I should write one based on the story of Anna Anderson, the woman who claimed to be the sole survivor of the massacre of the Russian Tsar and his family in 1918, Grand Duchess Anastasia, was intriguing. Researching it, I found that it was impossible to make Anna the heroine – too flaky, too pro-fascist and bad-tempered by half, nor was she Anastasia, as was proved by DNA later; though it looks as though she convinced herself that she was. But there was fascinating stuff there; she met and approved of Hitler, for one thing. All grist to a writer’s mill. The twenties and thirties were such turbulent times in Europe — especially in Germany. Did you struggle with your own feelings about the events of the time, or did your Fleet Street experience provide a way to stay objective and avoid author intrusion? My family, like most British families, suffered during the war – but it was probably the one war the UK was involved in that had to be fought. Nevertheless, if the Allies hadn’t been so vindictive towards Germany after the first World War, Hitler wouldn’t have had the material to work on that he did – and I hope City of Shadows shows the disintegration and hideous inflation that brought him to power. It’s a murder story, of course, but I tried to set it against that real and depressing background. Just one more question about City of Shadows, for fear of letting plot twists slip: Quite a few of the major characters would have to be called off-putting (for example, Prince Nick and Anna both) but you still manage to make the reader feel real empathy and in some cases, sympathy for them. Is the construction of these characters something you have to consciously work at, or do they simply evolve? And how do you feel about them? It’s nice of you to say that. Thank you. But don’t you feel there always has to be an explanation for wickedness? And unless you try to show that, you’re creating characters that don’t throw a shadow. I certainly do agree with you, and I think you’ve just coined an excellent phrase: characters who don’t throw a shadow. Mistress of the Art of Death is the first novel in a trilogy about Dr. Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar of Salerno, a trained physician and pathologist. The second novel in the series (The Serpent’s Tale) is to be released in late January 2008. Like City of Shadows, Mistress of the Art of Death is called historical mystery, though both novels — as is the case with all of your novels — hardly fit into one genre. Beyond murders that need to be solved, how does your most recent work differ from the earlier efforts? Or does it? It doesn’t much. I like the corseting framework of thrillers. As the great Raymond Chandler once said: “When in doubt have a man come in with a gun.” In my case, if I’m writing about the 12th century when guns hadn’t been invented, it has to be a man with a dagger or a bow and arrow. But the principle is the same – it moves the story along. And there’s plenty of space to expand on historical background or make a political point about the time. A bit of an odd question, but I hope you’ll find it interesting. If you were offered a chance to go back in time to spend a few days in one of your settings, which time and place would you choose? Assume that your safety (and your return trip home) are guaranteed. Well. I’d hate to be seven hundred years away from the nearest aspirin, but I would risk it to spend some days in England in the latter half of the 12th century. People who don’t study them think of the Middle Ages as all the same, but the worst came after the Black Death in the 14th century, when a third of Europe’s population died so horribly. It had a lot to do with the weather; there was a mini ice age in the thirteen hundreds which destroyed crops and encouraged the plague-bearing rats. Before that, in the age of Henry II, there were good summers and crisp winters that killed off a lot of disease. It was, for its time, in England at least, an enlightened and humanistic age – no witch-burning on a grand scale like there was later, no heretics going up in flames. The beginning of the Renaissance, really. Yes, I’d like to go back there – for a bit. –Barry, Barry, did you know that Oliver Cromwell died of malaria? Your husband is the well known and respected film critic Barry Norman. Is there a place where his interests in modern film and yours in historical storytelling intersect? Does he provide feedback on your work in progress? –Well, good for him. Oddly enough, no. We’ve been married a long, long time, Barry and I, and it’s been a success because we give each other space. He’s a fine writer in his own field as well as being a great film critic, and, of course, we discuss the mechanics of writing a lot, but we don’t let our work impinge on the other. I don’t think he’s ever read a book of mine until the first proof copy comes in, and vice versa – we work in such different fields that we don’t feel qualified to criticise the other’s work. Besides, we get thrilled by different things – him by films, when I prefer the theatre; me by gobbets of history that leave him cold. This has been a really wonderful opportunity for me and for all your North American readers. I appreciate very much all your time and effort. To close, Is there anything you’d like to say us? Just that I’m thrilled to bits to be suddenly getting such a lot of attention and finding a readership that is very intelligent. I mean that; the come-back I get is so interesting and so well-informed that I shake in my shoes in case I get something wrong. I think every historical novelist has that fear. I know I wake up at three in the morning in a sweat because I realized (in a dream) that I was using the wrong kind of lantern in a scene. Your ability to make a time and place come alive is evident on every page, and yet you make it look effortless. When The Serpent’s Tale comes out in January, I hope you’ll come back again. As I wrote yesterday, a pile o’ books could be coming your way Anybody who comments on the interview posts (yesterday’s, and today’s) will automatically be entered. That lucky person will get a pile o’ my favorite Diana/Ariana novels. I’ll draw a name at random sometime later next week. Everybody is eligible to enter this drawing. If you google Diana Norman, you are likely to find many references to an English art historian by that name. The art historian is someone else entirely; this interview is with the Diana Norman who is a former Fleet Street journalist and novelist Diana Norman and Ariane Franklin at Fantastic Fiction (from whence the cover of Fitzempress’ Law) Diana’s page at Literature Map A full list of Diana’s novels, with library and bookstore links (where available) I would like to acknowledge Lynn (Paperback Writer) who contributed to this interview by brainstorming questions with me. Posted on 28. September 2007 8. August 2013 romance vs general fiction I’ve had a couple emails from people to tell me about their experiences looking for Queen of Swords in paperback. Two points keep coming up: 1. They find it in the romance section rather than the general fiction area. 2. There are only a few copies, and none on the new fiction shelf. First some good news: Queen of Swords has gone into a second printing, so people are looking for it until they find it. Now, here’s my official reaction to being shelved in the romance section: I don’t mind. Romance novels are always at the top of the mass market best seller list, because you know what? Women read. So if my stuff has a better chance of being noticed and picked up in romance, that’s fine with me. I don’t take offense at the idea of my Wilderness novels as romance. Some of my favorite novels are romances, from Pride and Prejudice to Faking It. Eleanor Roosevelt said: Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent. I refuse to participate in the trivialization of fiction that women like, and I wish I could get more attention from the romance crowd. So if you see one of my novels in the romance section, you should know I’m glad it’s there. The issue of the novel being relegated to dark corners is more complicated. In chain bookstores, publishers pay a premium to have new releases right up front on the new release table. They may have done that this time for certain chains in certain areas. If a small independent bookstore isn’t showing a book you think is good enough for that kind of treatment, you can talk to the manager about it. As long as you are reasonable and polite, you can have a conversation on these issues and maybe make a difference in the positioning in the book. If you’re angry at the way Barnes & Noble (for example) handle a new book, a talk with the manager isn’t going to change much at all. If you feel really strong about this, you can write to the publisher of the house in question. Enough letters and emails will may get some attention for a minute or two. The only thing you as an individual can do is to recommend the book to friends and acquaintances, and encourage them to get copies of their own. Posted on 14. July 2007 12. August 2013 the midlist/midlife crisis It’s no secret that the publishing houses are spending ever less resources on marketing and advertising novels. More and more it’s up to the author to handle these things, and most of us don’t really know how, or really don’t want to. Paperback Writer has an excellent post on how different authors handle (or fail to handle) the necessity of self promotion. Because it’s the only way to survive, these days. Here’s the reason why: You sell a book to a particular editor at a particular press. The offer is made, and the agent and the editor start to hammer out the details. Royalties, copyright, all those crucial matters are discussed. Somewhere in the negotiations, the agent asks the editor for details on marketing and advertising. What will the house do to promote the novel? The agent wants specifics: print and internet advertising, ARCs, media promotions. Here’s where Alice falls into the rabbit hole. Because somehow or another, your novel is unlikely to get any real marketing no matter how enthusiastic the publisher sounded when you were in negotiations. Unless you are already a big, well known name. Then you will get a decent marketing package. There will be product placement in the big chain stores, sometimes special cardboard stands designed specifically for the novel in question, posters, national print advertising, guest spots on talk shows. Most authors get none of that. Instead, this is what often happens: A novel comes out in hardcover. The publisher has great hopes for this novel, but they aren’t willing to invest the funds for a real campaign; if the author wants to pay for a publicist of his or her own, great! But the house isn’t going to do it. The sales staff go to meetings with the buyers from big chain stores but they have dozens and dozens of books to pitch, and instructions on which ones to push hardest. They focus on certain novels — the ones by the big names. The chains are conservative, because they too are responsible to their shareholders. They buy lots of the new novel by the big name, and token amounts of the midlist. From here it spirals downwards. When the softcover comes out it won’t sell because it’s not in the stores. It’s not in the bookstores because the big chains didn’t order it. The chains didn’t order it because the hardcover didn’t do very well. The hardcover didn’t do very well because the big chains didn’t order it. They didn’t order it because it was clear the publisher wasn’t really behind it, no marketing, no advertising. The publisher didn’t make the effort, because…? That’s the mystery. Publishers these days seem to be indulging in a lot of magical thinking. Imagine you go into a gardening center and buy a big, leafy, healthy plant. You pay a lot of money for it because by gosh, it’s exactly the kind of plant your neighbors have had such luck with. Once you get home with the plant, you put it in a closet and neglect to water it. A few weeks later you open the closet in the hope that the plant will have doubled in size and be heavy with big beautiful flowers. Now you are peeved. The plant is dead, and you’re put out because really, if the plant had been any good to start with, it would have taken care of itself and not demanded things like sunlight and water. You clearly made a mistake when you bought that plant. It failed you completely. That is the situation for hundreds and hundreds of novels. More every year. Every year authors get more inventive — and desperate — about self promotion. I predict wild stunts. Come see the author walking a tightrope twenty stories up, and no net! Can I interest you in this free, glossy full-color five page introduction to her newest novel? Do you think the head buyer for Barnes & Noble might like expensive chocolates? The publisher and the bookstore chains are responsible to their shareholders; they watch the bottom line and cut back on the cost of things they hope to do without. Authors need to get their books into print and so they grit their teeth and sign on the dotted line. Thus another co-dependent relationship blossoms. Sooner or later, something has got to give. You've stumbled across my official website and landed on the front page of my weblog. My name is Rosina Lippi. I'm a former academic and tenured university professor, writing full time since 2000. Under the pen name Sara Donati I am the author of the Wilderness series, six historical novels that follow the fortunes of a group of families living in upstate New York from about 1792-1825. A new series based on later generations of the same families was launched September 1, 2015 with The Gilded Hour. The next volume in the new series, Where the Light Enters, will be released September 10, 2019. Grab a copy! Amazon \| Goodreads \| Rakuten \| Barnes & Noble \| Powell's \| Village Books, Bellingham \| Note: Contact Village Books directly if you'd like a signed copy of any of my books. I can go into the shop to sign what you've ordered, and they will ship it to you. If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn’t expecting it. — H.G. Wells (attributed) , Sir Osbert Sitwell See the whole Wise Guys collection here. I said … ta-da… where the light enters The Cost of Research Odd connections in historical fiction: the lottery, Cuba, New Orleans, and Little Birds Software for the Historical Novelist, and Little Birds trees and the wilderness Excerpt: Where the Light Enters you said… rosina on Sex Susan on Sex Bev Singer on The Gilded Hour sequel: NOT YET. Katie Bunnell on The Gilded Hour sequel: NOT YET. Jenny on Sex rosina on newspapers.com: the agony and the ecstacy if I had a hammer, or: that opinionated bitch, my muse heartburn, and the digestion of feedback plot vs story pov: the unreliable narrator the story arc according to Cinderella: rules of thumb Uncle Peter’s eloquence writing gesture advice for aspiring novelists fair play: the author as a local business to say nothing of the dog … proofreading authorial confessions symbolically stalin The Wilderness Series Indie Bound Unabridged Audio Dawn on a Distant Shore Fire Along the Sky Barnes & Nobel The Endless Forest selected non-fiction Foreword: Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow (1959; reprint ed) Accent, Standard Language Ideology, and Discriminatory Pretext in the Courts On writing fiction: basic concepts Teaching Children How to Discriminate: What We Learn from the Big Bad Wolf The Story, the Plot and the Police Test by pramod Posts on Writing and Craft Pickup Truck (short fiction) Excerpt: English with an Accent Rosina on Facebook Rosina Lippi novelist. writer. researcher. editor. academic linguist. progressive. democratic socialist. atheist. interested in animal welfare, civil/human rights, storytelling, mixed media art. dogs are people too. INTJ.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1957
__label__wiki	0.622804	0.622804	This author has written 19 articles The verdict fell last Friday, the man was found guilty of assault, and act of cybercrime on the person of Marc Regis in the court of first instance of the Plateau, Ivory Coast. We all remember the incident that unfolded… The month of May is surely an interesting and inspiring one for Alpha Better’s Boss, Salatiel. The BOSS has killed the beats this month with the release of 2 new songs; “One by One” dropped last May 20th, and now we’re… Nothing can be truer and more awesome than this “Je Suis Moi Comme Ça” a Mr Leo song featuring top Beninese superstar Fanicko. The video was shot in Abidjan by the almighty MisterLight and is produced by Akwandor. Watch and… Actress Yvonne Nelson has finally revealed her baby girl Ryn Roberts to the public for the first time since she delivered in October 2017. Both beauties covered the April 2018 edition of the Agoo Magazine which was released on Friday.… Runtown’s label boss denies trying to blackmail the pop star with a sex tape. Record label boss owner Okwudili Umenyiora has denied being involved in the leak of a sex tape online that allegedly features singer Runtown. Earlier on thursday,…	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1960
__label__wiki	0.763649	0.763649	Our Advisory Board consists of the following group of academic scholars, mental health practitioners, NGO professionals, and Rwandan community partners: Jonathan Adler – Jonathan is an Assistant Professor at Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts in the United States. Jonathan’s research focuses on the interface between adult identity development and clinical psychology. His research revolves around the ways that people make sense of the difficult things that happen to them and how that personal meaning leads to changes in physical and mental health, personality maturity, and the process and outcome of psychotherapy treatment. http://sites.google.com/site/jonathanmadler/home Laura Blackie – Laura Blackie is Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham. Laura received her PhD in psychology from the University of Essex and then spent three years as a postdoctoral fellow at Wake Forest University in the United States and worked as Research Fellow for the Rwandan Stories of Change project. Laura’s research is at the intersection of social and lifespan psychology, and investigates how individuals adjust and find meaning from adverse experiences. Laura has investigated this topic in relation to how individuals react when reminded of their mortality (doctoral thesis), and the expression of post-traumatic growth following highly challenging and traumatic life experiences (post-doctoral research). http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/psychology/people/laura.blackie Phil Clark – Phil Clark is Reader in Comparative and International Politics, with reference to Africa. Phil is a political scientist specialising in conflict and post-conflict issues in Africa, particularly questions of peace, truth, justice and reconciliation. His research addresses the history and politics of the African Great Lakes, focusing on causes of and responses to genocide and other forms of mass violence. His work also explores the theory and practice of transitional justice, with particular emphasis on community-based approaches to accountability and reconciliation and the law and politics of the International Criminal Court. Phil is Head of the Aegis Trust’s Research, Higher Education and Policy Programme. http://www.soas.ac.uk/staff/staff58977.php Amdani Juma – Amdani is one of the founding members of the National Association of the Rwandan Communities in the United Kingdom (NARC-UK), which is the body that represents Rwandan communities. He has also been the Director of Public Relations & Communications for the organisation since October 2015. Dan McAdams – Dan is Professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University in Illinois in the United States. Dan’s research interests focus on narrative psychology and the development of the life story as model of human identity. Dan is a leading expert in the empirical study of the development of generativity and redemption during adulthood. Dan has published widely on these topics in leading psychological journals, and authored The Redemptive Self: Stories Americans Live By. http://www.psychology.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/core/profiles/dan-mcadams.html http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/foley/ Steve Regel – Steve is Director of the Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Honorary Professor in the School of Education, University of Nottingham and a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham. He has over 30 years’ experience working with trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He is on the Board of Overseers of the Children and War Foundation, principal advisor on psychological and family support for Hostage UK and a Trustee of Escaping Victimhood. He was appointed an OBE in 2013 for services to victims of trauma. http://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/local-services/specialist-services/prescribed-services/trauma/whos-who-within-the-centre/ James Smith – James is co-founder of the UK National Holocaust Centre along with his brother Stephen and parents. He co-founded the Aegis Trust in 2000 and remains the Chief Executive Officer. In 2002 he staged the first major international conference on genocide prevention with the UK Foreign Office (held at The Holocaust Centre). In 2004, working with the Rwandan Government and Kigali City Council, he played a key role in establishing the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda’s capital. http://www.aegistrust.org/index.php/Who-we-are/who-we-are.html Caroline Williamson – Caroline received her PhD from the University of Nottingham working with Nicki Hitchcott. Her PhD thesis was titled “Post-traumatic identities: Developing a culturally informed understanding of post-traumatic growth in Rwandan women genocide survivors.” Caroline is a lecturer at University College Cork. http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/A015/carolinewilliamson Every six months we report progress on the project to our advisory board. Those reports are available to read here: Interim Report to Advisory Board June 2016 Interim report for Advisory Board Dec 2016 Interim report for Advisory Board June 2017	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1961
__label__wiki	0.565457	0.565457	Schedule with the Director Intermediation Taxpayer card Insured card Main Questions Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 3:30 pm Sat 8:00 at 1:00 pm Email: siac@siac.gv.ao New general employment law answers to the challenges of Time Luanda – Minister of Public Administration and Social Security Work, Antonio Pitra Neto said on Thursday in Luanda that the new general employment law is a degree that responds to the challenges of time and seeks to find solutions for the generation of jobs, making work and participatory environment. Antonio Pitra Neto wove these considerations on the sidelines of a visit to the operation of the provision of services pavilions called "to work", located in the neighborhood of Camuxiba, in the District of Samba and Kilamba-Kiaxi. According to the source, the new general employment law enshrines the two modalities of employment contracts which are contracts for determined period and indeterminate, unlike other laws that today exist in over a hundred countries in embodying, as a rule, the contract by time. "Our law had an interesting innovation, not joined the contract determined rule introduced as a rule for the time duration of contracts that the parties will define concrete face business conditions, the working conditions and the needs of the economic and social context," he said. In respect of the issue of worker/student, the law introduces this figure that did not exist in the previous law. Therefore, "we believe that Angola is a country that has a large part of its assets young labour. More than 45 percent of the active labor force is young, the country comes from a process not only of colonization for hundreds of years, as a very painful process for the achievement of independence and reconstruction, also preceded by a period of violence that destroyed and damaged the infras-production structures and prevented the formation of frames ". Taking into account this reality that the country experienced, argued the ruler, it was considered that a general employment law in Angola should predict the figure of the worker/student, who, according to the new law, shall, at the beginning of the school year, make known to the employer your pretense of studying. As for speculation that has been extended working hours, Pitra Neto explained that the same holds as the previous degree. On the other hand, the owner of the folder of public administration said the visit to the "Pro" to assess the degree of implementation, created over roughly two years. "We visited two pavilions Pro-work and the direction is to provide the management of the private operators with the involvement of local governments, the lifeblood of the community," he said. The creation of the work is a bet of the Ministry and contribute to the fight against poverty and help boost the micro and medium enterprises. Source: Angop You are here: Home New general employment law answers to the challenges of Time	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1964
__label__wiki	0.90409	0.90409	CDR Preseason POY; Memphis Rules Again By David Scott - October 11, 2007 MEMPHIS -- Conference USA has announced it's preseason honors and there are no surprises of merit. Memphis is the favorite to repeat as the league champ and Tiger junior Chris Douglas-Roberts is the preseason Player of the Year. Following the jump is the full release from C-USA. We'll be back in about an hour from the FedEx Forum. MEMPHIS CHOSEN AS REPEAT PRESEASON CONFERENCE USA FAVORITE Tigers' Douglas-Roberts Named Men's Basketball Preseason Player of the Year IRVING, Texas - With a 66-8 combined record the last two seasons, the Memphis Tigers repeat as the unanimous preseason favorite to win the 2007-08 C-USA men's basketball regularâ€�season crown, according to the league's coaches. The Tigers' Chris Douglas-Roberts, a preseason All-America candidate, was the unanimous selection by coaches as the Preseason Player of the Year. Memphis is coming off its seventh straight postseason appearance in seven years under head coach John Calipari, having advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight the last two seasons. The Tigers welcome back all five starters, including Douglas-Roberts and fellow C-USA preseason team member Joey Dorsey. Douglas-Roberts was the team's leading scorer last season (15.4 ppg.) and was named MVP of the 2007 C-USA Championship. Dorsey was the 2007 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and led the conference in rebounding (9.4 rpg). Memphis will also welcome McDonald's All-America point guard Derrick Rose to its line-up as the Tigers ride a 32-game home winning streak into the 2007-08 season. Houston and UAB tied for second in the coaches' poll. The Cougars return two All-Conference USA players in Robert McKiver and Lanny Smith, who was limited to four games last season after undergoing surgery on his left foot. McKiver earns a spot on the C-USA Preseason team, after leading UH with 19.2 ppg (second only to NBA first-round pick Morris Almond of Rice) and 112 assists. He also set the school record for most three-point field goals in a game (9) and a single season (116). Coach Tom Penders enters the season needing just 16 more wins to reach the 600-plateau for his career. UAB returns senior Paul Delaney III, a 2007 All-Conference USA first team selection and a coaches- choice to the C-USA Preseason Team. Delaney ranked among the league leaders in points (15.5), assists (5.2), steals (1.9) and minutes (37.1) last season. Second-year head coach Mike Davis also welcomes back starters Lawrence Kinnard and Frank Holmes, while transfers Walter Sharpe (Mississippi State), Robert Vaden (Indiana) and Channing Toney (Georgia) will be able to take the floor for the Blazers in 2007-08. Southern Miss comes off its first 20-win season (20-11) under fourth-year head coach Larry Eustachy and the Golden Eagles were picked to finish fourth by the coaches. Sophomore Jeremy Wise was selected to the C-USA Preseason Team. Wise was on the All-Conference USA second team as a freshman, while earning C-USA Freshman and Newcomer of the Year honors. Wise and classmate Sai'Quon Stone were the team's top two scorers last season with 17.3 ppg and 10.3 ppg averages in their rookie campaigns. Tulsa, led by third-year head coach Doug Wojcik, also posted 20 wins (20-11) in 2006-07 and was the coaches' fifth pick for this season. The Golden Hurricane returns 70.4 of its scoring from a year ago, including its top two scorers in senior Rod Earls (11.2 ppg) and sophomore Ben Uzoh (9.9 ppg). Memphis will serve as host city for the 2008 Conference USA Championship, March 12-15 at the state-of-the-art FedExForum. The championship game is slated for Saturday, March 15 at 11:35 a.m. EST/10:35 a.m. CST on CBS. 2007-08 PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis, G, 6-5, Jr., Detroit, Mich. 2007-08 PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM Paul Delaney III, UAB, G, 6-foot-2, Sr., Decatur, Ga. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis, G, 6-foot-6, Jr., Detroit, Mich. Joey Dorsey, Memphis, F, 6-foot-9, Sr., Baltimore, Md. Robert McKiver, Houston, G, 6-foot-3, Sr., New Haven, Conn. Jeremy Wise, Southern Miss, G, 6-foot-2, So., Jackson, Miss. Posted by David Scott at 11:25 AM on October 11, 2007 The Sloggers... Josh Herwitt Josh Herwitt is CSTV.com's basketball editor and writes a weekly national column David Scott David Scott keeps a close eye on the national scene. Jerry Palm Jerry Palm looks for the angles from the world of college hoops. CSTV.com Links CSTV Basketball Section CSTV On-Air Schedule CSTV Basketball Blogs The Glass Sneaker Posting Up Posts By Site A Look Around The Nation (8) A-10 (185) America East (14) Big South (14) Big West (1) Broadcasting (3) CAA (105) Circle The Date (1) Coaching Changes (1) Columbus (64) East Rutherford (76) Final Four (184) Final Four, 2008 (22) Generation Next (1) MAAC (14) MEAC (5) Media Days (179) Memphis Tigers Special Access: 2007-08 (18) Midnight Madness (61) MVC (107) NBA Draft 2007 (54) NBA Pre-Draft Camp - Orlando (18) NCAA Tournament (13) Off The Court (2) OVC (1) Pan Am Game Trials (19) Patriot League (17) Preseason Tournaments (2) Report Card (21) Selection Sunday (9) Separated At Birth? (3) SoCon (1) Summit League (2) UMass (1) WAC (4) WCC (94) Wooden Award (1) YouTuesday (3)	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1969
__label__wiki	0.548412	0.548412	Tag: CARE Tanzania This Land is Not for Sale: Mobile Applications to Secure Tenure in Tanzania November 4, 2016 November 24, 2016 by Jaynie Whinnery Leave a comment In East Africa it is more common to see land marked as “not for sale,” rather than “for sale.” People put up these signs because it’s the main way for them to safeguard their property without formal land rights. If landowners don’t have proof of their property rights, they could fall victim to bad land transfers or even land grabbing. The CARE team in Tanzania is working to make it easier for families to claim their land rights with our Mobile Applications to Secure Tenure (MAST) solution. MAST is an open source application used on smartphones to help individuals claim their land rights. The technology is inexpensive and 3 times faster than traditional GPS methods! The CARE Scale by Design Accelerator and Challenge aims to showcase innovative programs like MAST. We spoke with team members Jane Mgone and Thabit Masoud about what it’s been like to participate in the Accelerator so far. How is it helping them tackle the biggest barriers to scaling the innovation? “It’s really helping us to think through what it would look like to scale and how to design for scale,” Jane said. While the Accelerator has pointed a spotlight on land issues in Tanzania, unfortunately, the funding for this small pilot in 3 villages has ended for CARE. Another organization is picking up the pilot but will only be reaching about 40 more villages, which remains just a scratch on the surface. How do we keep this promising innovation from the metaphorical graveyard of abandoned pilots? Whitney Adams, Senior Advisor for Design and Innovation, reflects that this isn’t an uncommon story. “Unfortunately, organizations like CARE are constrained by available donor funding and sometimes promising innovations simply don’t have their next donor or path to scale lined up. The project has to end and staff move on to the next job. We hope the Accelerator will help teams think about the big picture from the beginning. How do we scale outside this one project? What would a realistic business model look like at scale?” Instead of relying on donors or the public sector to pay for scale, the team is considering a business model to make MAST self-sustaining. Can the service be sold directly to landowners? Our current estimate puts the cost around $30 per plot. But what if we could get it down to $10 per plot? Would we have a customer and a sustainable innovation then? Jane and Thabit have been sharing concepts and ideas learned throughout the Accelerator with their colleagues. What is the key thing they want you to know about what they’ve learned? “We really need to think outside the box, aside from doing traditional work.” Jane wants to know, “How can we have a greater impact? How can we do something that the people really want and need, something that can spread like wildfire throughout the world?” Posted in Accelerator Updates, Core to Care: Get the Land Right, Designing for Scale, Scale X Design ChallengeTagged CARE, CARE Tanzania, Land Ownership, Land Plots, Land Registration, Land Rights, MAST, Mobile Technology, Pilot, Scale X Design Challenge Meet the Teams: Chomoka (Digital VSLA) July 19, 2016 January 12, 2017 by Stephanie Carey Yeargan Leave a comment Over the past 25 years, CARE’s VSLA (Village Savings and Loans Association) model has revolutionized efforts to help low-income women improve their lives. Not only has CARE enabled 5,000,000 women and men to form and manage these life-changing groups, we have driven a global savings-led movement, engaging NGOs, banks, governments and donors in a journey that puts women and their savings first. Our efforts have resulted in over 12,000,000 members of VSLAs and groups like them as NGOs from global to local have replicated the CARE model. Members are routinely improving their lives through investments in education, health and entrepreneurship and women’s increased control over resources is leading to improved quality of life and opportunity for themselves and their families. VSLA has quite simply changed the game for poverty reduction. Through Chomoka (Digital VSLA), CARE is poised to do it again. This new initiative will empower low-income women to build a new generation of VSLAs that not only improve access to finance at the community level but also open doors to the digital economy that is rapidly transforming the world we live in and – until now – far too often leaving low income women further behind. Chomoka is an emerging social enterprise driven by a proprietary mobile application used by VSLAs to manage their records, access banking services and gain advisory support from a trusted network of Chomoka agents. Once deployed at scale, Chomoka will accelerate and deepen formal financial inclusion while increasing usage of digital financial services in rural areas. The platform will generate an unprecedented, real-time data stream on the financial behavior of un- and under-banked groups and their members and offer new insights into the size, scope and behavior of these groups. Most importantly, Chomoka will enable groups to more effectively and accurately manage their transactions while also establishing digital financial histories and connections that open up a world of new possibilities. Chomoka expects to have over 1 million group members using the application by 2021. Mwimbe Fikirini \| Program Coordinator \| CARE Tanzania Mwinbe Fikirini is the Program Coordinator with CARE Tanzania, and for the last several years has planned, lead, organized, directed and evaluated implementations of financial linkage activities to the VSLAs groups in areas of operation including Morogoro and Zanzibar. Mwinbe brings extensive knowledge of VSLAs to the team, having also trained and monitored the adoption of financial linkage and Financial Education skills by VSLA members. Going forward, Mwinbe will translate the proposal into a viable activity at the field level, including VSLA engagement in product design and testing, VSLA training on the developed solution and formulation of a realistic, field-level scaling strategy. For the past two years Mwinbe has been leading the LINK Up project in Tanzania, the largest effort by CARE to enable VSLAs to access formal finance. She holds a Master of Arts in Gender and International Development from the University of Warwick obtained in 2012 and a Bachelor of Laws from University of Reading obtained in 2009. Christian Pennotti \| Senior Technical Advisor \| CARE Tanzania Having worked across CARE for seven years, Christian has a strong institutional knowledge and relationship needed to move the project forward and find the right institutional fit. Christian is the overall LINK Up program manager responsible for program quality, design, M&E, partnerships and donor engagement. He is the chairman of the project steering committee and will serve as the lead in identifying and coordinating with project development partners and other external stakeholders including donors and prospective investors. Christian is a recognized leader in market development and is frequently invited to present at industry events. He sits on the Board of Directors of Farm Shop Ltd in Kenya and is the Chair of the Board of Directors at the SEEP Network. He holds a Master of Arts in International Development from George Washington University obtained in 2005 and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Uzbekistan where he founded a branch of the National English Teachers Association in collaboration with local officials. Ken Banks \| Entrepreneur in Residence \| CARE International Ken Banks, Founder of kiwanja.net and creator of messaging platform FrontlineSMS, devotes himself to the application of mobile technology for positive social and environmental change in the developing world. He has worked at the intersection of technology, anthropology, conservation and development for the past twenty-five years and, during that time, has lived and worked across the African continent. He is a PopTech Fellow, a Tech Awards Laureate, an Ashoka Fellow and a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, and has been internationally recognised for his technology-based work. In 2013 he was nominated for the TED Prize, and in 2015 was a Visiting Fellow at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. In late 2015 Ken was appointed CARE International’s first Entrepreneur in Residence. He is also a published author, with his first edited book, “The Rise of the Reluctant Innovator,” self-published in late 2013 with a follow-up, published by Kogan Page, released in March 2016. Mark Malhotra \| Innovation Advisor \| CARE International UK Mark Malhotra, Innovation Advisor for CARE International UK supports a number of social enterprises that CARE owns and operates globally. He provides technical support to the teams from business planning and financial modelling to operational guidance and hands on support. Prior to joining CARE Mark spent six years working in the telecommunications sector with a focus on marketing and partnerships. He has extensive experience working across organizations with IT, finance, sales and brand teams. He moved into the NGO sector through overseas placements in Jamaica with a local organization and in Egypt with the Aga Khan Foundation. Karen Vandergaag \| Analyst \| CARE Access Africa Karen is an analyst with the Access Africa program where she supports the LINK Up program’s monitoring and evaluation, CARE’s VSLA management information system, and the human-centered design process for the Digital VSLA project. She has previously spent time in Malawi working a youth entrepreneurship initiative, and a year in Brazil on a cultural exchange through Rotary International. Karen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Honours from Okanagan College. Posted in Digital VSLA, Meet the TeamsTagged Africa, CARE Impact Accelerator, CARE Tanzania, Chomoka, digital banking, Digital VSLA, Meet the Teams, NGOs, Tanzania, Village Savings and Loan Associations, VSLA Meet the Teams: Core To Care: Get the Land Right April 28, 2016 by Stephanie Carey Yeargan Leave a comment Through the Mobile Application to Secure Tenure (MAST) project, CARE Tanzania has piloted a participatory and innovative approach to measure land plots through a mobile application technology. The software was developed by the private US company Cloudburst and was piloted in three villages, funded by USAID. The project was introduced to government officials both at the national and the local level before implementation. Over a period of 3 weeks the application mapped 910 land plots and the same number of Certificates of Customary Rights of Occupancy (CCROs) were issued to villagers. Out of these 31% were issued to individual women. Another 3% was co-owned by women and 13% was issued to couples. The remaining 53% was for men. These percentages of land being accessed by women are much higher than the national average of land titles owned by women (around 20%). This provides evidence that land registration can be executed in a relatively short period of time in a way that takes into account land rights of women. The sofware application simplifies the land registration process; it is an easy-to-use, open-source smartphone application that facilitates mapping by trained young villagers (girls and boys) verification by village land adjudication committees. It is also low cost, transparent and time effective. The methodology is five times faster than manual mapping and three times faster than the methodology which uses conventional GPS technology. Watch this video to learn more! Jane Mgone \| Coordinator, Knowledge Sharing and Learning \| CARE Tanzania Jane Mgone started with CARE in 2014 and currently Learning plays a key role in supporting CARE to achieve its new business model by 2020 through enhancing knowledge sharing and learning so that CARE can be more innovative and improve communication. As a coordinator, she is at the center of communication and information lines within the organization and interfaces with other departments to improve the use of modern technology and software as well as to conduct research regarding learning methodologies, best practices, and innovative opportunities. Jane has received a Masters of International Relations from the University of Leicester, and she has over five years of experience in the Department Sector with a focus on knowledge management and communications. Mustapha Issa \| Program Coordinator \| CARE Tanzania Mustapha Issa started working with CARE in 2015 and works coordinating initial project mobilization with the Government of Tanzania (GoT) and other stakeholders. As Program Coordinator, he is responsible for conducting outreach and public awareness related to land rights, organizing training courses, and building capacity with regard to the key land laws and legal processes related to the formalization of land rights in the Iringa district. He is an engineer and environmentalist with five years of experience in Geographic Information System (GIS) and land surveying. Thabit Masoud \| Director Technical Unit, Natural Resources and Climate Change \| CARE Tanzania Thabit Masoud is a forester with MS degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent and Canterbury. Thabit has coordinated various projects and programs cultivating forest conservation and development thinking and has over 20 years of experience working with government and for CARE in overseeing and coordinating natural resources management projects and programs, with a more recent focus on community based adaptation and resilience against climate shock. Shelina Mallozzi \| Deputy Country Director \| CARE Tanzania Shelina started with CARE in 2014 and has an extensive background in program management for leading pharmaceutical companies such as Bayer and Novo Nordisk and most recently served as the technical writer for a local Tanzania NGO that was awarded two programs from USAID and CDC. Shelina has a Bachelors in Biology from Harvard and a Master’s in Business Management/ Public Health from Yale. Paul Daniëls \| Country Director \| CARE Tanzania Paul Daniels, a Dutch national, started his international career as a Junior Professional Officer with the United Nations Works and Relief Agency (UNRWA) in the Middle East and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mexico. He has a bachelor degree in Business Economics of the University of Brabant and a Master Degree in Development Economics of the University of Amsterdam. After his tenure with the UN he started working for international NGOs. He was a Coordinator for cross border Rural Development Programming in Afghanistan with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), being based in Peshawar. He also served as a Deputy Director for IRC in the same location. Subsequently he became IRC’s Country Director in Georgia and Vienna, Austria. The Vienna program was a resettlement program for Bosnian and Iranian refugees to the US. Following his tenure with IRC he joined UMNCOR as a Country Director in Armenia, where he was instrumental in setting up a local micro-finance organization, AREGAK, with a portfolio of 6 million dollars. From UMCOR he went to work for Mercy Corps in Lebanon and then joined CARE as Program Director for Somalia, being based in Nairobi, Kenya. During this assignment he was forced to close all CARE’s operations in South/Central Somalia because of threats by the Al-Shebab movement. After three years he was appointed to Program Director in Sudan just before the separation of North and South Sudan. Since July 2012 he is the Country Director of CARE in Tanzania. His two adult children are or have been working as officers for international NGOs in the Republic of Georgia and Libya. While in Kenya his family adopted a 2-year old who is now attending school in Dar es Salaam. During his tenure with CARE in Tanzania he worked with his team on a new strategy for the Tanzania office, WEZESHA, which is based on the CPR recommendations, in line with the CI strategy and focuses on women empowerment and climate change adaptation. Posted in Core to Care: Get the Land Right, Meet the TeamsTagged CARE, CARE Tanzania, Gender Equity, Innovation, Land Ownership, Land Plots, Land Registration, Land Rights, MAST, Mobile Technology, Pilot, USAID	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1971
__label__wiki	0.819386	0.819386	Wig wag signal civil war Myer invented the system before the war. Army Signal Corps, which began with the appointment of Major Albert J. Also called "wig-wag" signalling, it was a flag waving system where the position of the flag - left, right and front - represented the numerals 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The mission was terminated before he reached Johnston and Alexander returned to West Point, where he participated in a number of weapons' experiments and worked as an assistant to Major Albert J. Albert James Myer (September 20, 1828 – August 24, 1880) was a surgeon and United States Army general. Weather Bureau. S. Army Signal Office during and after the Civil War. After all, many were using flashing lights from signal posts at night and the waving of flags for wig-wag signaling during the day. Soon after the war began, the "Battle Honors" flag, such as the one displayed at the NCM's updated Civil War Exhibit, was designed and awarded only to signal officers for bravery in combat. The Confederacy’s Signal Corps, devoted primarily to communications and intercepts, included a covert agency, the Secret Service Bureau. He is known as the father of the U. Mark Hageman. Keywords Cipher Wigwag Objectives At the end of the activity, students will be able to: • Understand the role of the signal corps during the Civil War. Signaling was a method to convey messages by motion of a flag or a torch. Veterans Signal Association was Myer developed the wig-wag system of signaling and is known as the father of The letters A. The American Civil War highlighted the indus-trial revolution’s innovations of iron-making, telegra-phy, and steam engines. We are CS Army "Signal Corps" and portray 1860's period communications through the use of signal flags, signal torches, and telegraph. Army Major Albert Myer during the American Civil. Army Signal Corps and the U. Intelligence Signaling. Myer developed the wig-wag system of signaling and is known as the father of both the U. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon, the Army “Wigwag,” or visual signaling, shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. We do not use a shopping cart system. Just before the Civil War, Albert Myer, an obscure telegrapher who became an Army doctor, combined his experience in both fields to invent a means of communicating by waving flags to troops. Wig-wag flags sent messages \| Albert Myer \| Signal Corps by James Breig General Myers. Interestingly, Alexander probably learned some of his most useful information from the creator of the "wig-wag" system of flag telegraphy that became the basis of communication in the then-new Signal Corps. Myer as its first signal officer just before the war and remains an entity to this day, and the Confederate States Army Signal Corps, a much smaller group of officers and men, using similar Signal Corps of the James is a US Civil War Reenacting group. It's located in Maine, United States. The signal corps was responsible for communications over great distances for the army to relay tactical and strategic messages by utilizing telegraphs and "wig-wag" flags. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 2, terrain of 2. If you've already subscribed to this mod, it should self-update. In 1859 he appeared before the U. Army Signal Officer and the inventor of the "wig-wag" signal flag, or "aerial telegraphy", code. One way signalers tried to confuse their enemies was THE SIGNAL CORPS. A Signal Corps station and training camp was established near Darnestown in 1861. Myer prior to the Civil War. Myer, an army surgeon. The Signal Corps in the American Civil War comprised two organizations: the U. WW: the flag used for the wig-wag code in which one flag is used to indicate letters by means of a scheme similar to Morse code (after 1912, International Morse displaced the original wig-wag code), developed by Albert J. intr. W. Mar 9, 2018 During the Civil War, WigWag was used on the battlefield to direct By the turn of the century the US Army Signal Corps had taken on a Jul 1, 2013 Signs came to baseball from the battlefields of the Civil War, where field In one system known as "wig-wag," flags and torches were used to warn for the enemy to decipher — there is a set of signals unique to each pitcher. J. HeadQrs A of P May 29th 63. Office of the Chief of Signal. Signal Corps in the American Civil War's wiki: The Signal Corps in the American Civil War comprised two organizations: the U. Myer's assistant during the development of the wig-wag system was an exceptional young lieutenant named Edward Porter Alexander, a Georgian who, when the war began, resigned his commission in the U. His system was called Flag Telegraphy or “Wigwag”. Nov 18, 2018 which highlight Maryland's important role in the Civil War. Those coordinates however are within 2. There are The Signal Corps in the American Civil War comprised two organizations: the U. Army's first chief signal officer. Army officer before the war under Albert Communication during the Civil War was not as easy as picking up our Communication was imperative in the heat of battle and the signal corps The participants will create a message and then send the message using wig wag flags. approached the idea of effectively acquiring intelligence in their own way. Navy Admiral Get involved; for information about the Civil War Preservation Trust, contact: reconnaissance; utilizing the Wig-Wag flag-signaling system during battles; and Civil War. Myer, the first U. A sergeant in the signal corps uses the wig-wag system. 3) at a level crossing in Mnichovice, Czech Republic. Army. Edward Porter Alexander, had learned the wig wag signal flag system as a U. In the Civil War, significant developments were made in military telecommunications, which method˜ The origina˛ method o˙ wig-wag u˝ed a ˝ing˛e ﬂag wa!ed back and ˙orth% ˝imi˛ar to the dot˝ and da˝he˝ o˙ Mor˝e Code˜ Thi˝ method became popu˛ar becau˝e it wa˝ more mobi˛e than ear˛ier method˝ had been and on˛y Students use their inquisitiveness and historical thinking skills to enter the past and gain a deeper understanding of the Civil War. This is sometimes called the wig-wag method of signaling, or "wig-wagging". Signal flags have Wig wag was developed by U. Signal Corps, a separate branch of the army born of necessity during the Civil War on March 3, 1863, played a key role in the conflict through the use of wig-wag flags, signal balloons, and telegraphs. War. Telescopic sights for rifles. President Lincoln, however, delegated telegraph communication to its own department. poor use of signals and the telegraph, helped lead to indecisive combat. One historic Wig-Wag signal Signal tower overlooking Antietam battlefield. The Military Telegraph. Myer's wig-wag system however was deemed impractical and irrelevant due to the increasing size of the 20th century battlefield. S. Albert James Myer (September 20, 1828 – August 24, 1880) was a surgeon and United States Army officer. Even in the Civil War, the wigwag system, restricted to line-of-sight communications, case of communication by signal flags was that of the British fleet during the. BACKGROUND: In 1854, Myers became an assistant surgeon in the Army and was sent west where federal troops were fighting Indians. network created by the U. the War Department was convinced of . Learn the Wig-Wag Code and save your army. Combination of these numbers corresponded to a letter. Gen. I've also removed the availability Albert Myer's Civil War Cipher Cache (GC27HQ4) was created by mscrep on 4/26/2010. NJ National Guard signal company erects a metal framed signal tower at Using flags for daytime signaling and a torch at night, wigwag was tested in Civil War Wig Wags (military history and American Civil War blog) Sept 27, 2008 ""(http: . The wig wags are available in 1920. In 1863, the Army Signal Corps contributed to intelligence Both sides could intercept the opponent's “wig-wag”. Magnetic Signal Co Wigwag Railroad Flagman Reference Manual Wig Wag. Utmost on the mind of BG Myer, Chief Signal Officer, was the survival of the Signal Service as an . , January-December. the . During the Civil War, the arsenal manufactured a variety of ordnance for the . Army Signal Corps, as its first chief signal officer just prior to the American Civil War, the inventor of wig-wag signaling (or aerial telegraphy), and also as the father of the U. Wig-wag was used much like Morse code; the red flag representing a dash and the white flag a dot. Wig-wag usually required a team of four: one surfman with a three-foot square red flag on a pole, another with a white flag of the same dimensions, a surfman with a telescope to read the sending station, and a fourth member to record the message. inspired by Native American signalling techniques, invented Wig-Wag flag signalling. ’ Some 2,000 Signal Corps members served during the Civil War, placing the organization at the helm of Army communications operations. The periscope, for trench warfare. Materials See instructions for making a cipher disc and sewing signal flags. Army Signal Corps, as its first chief signal officer just prior to the American Civil War, the inventor of wig-wag signaling (or aerial telegraphy), and Title "Wig wag girl" of the Woman's Defense League in the camp near Washington, D. Yes, there were flags in the army, which talked for the soldiers, and I cannot furnish a more entertaining paper than one which will describe how they did, when Jun 19, 2017 9:40 p. Army officer before the war under Albert J. He attended United States Military Academy where he also taught fencing and engineering. No other arm of the military services during the Civil War excited a tithe of the curiosity and interest, which surrounded the Signal Corps. He took part in weapon experiments as an assistant to Major Albert J. To the untrained observer, the flagman appeared to be merely waving a flag back and forth, hence the name "wig wag. Jan 3, 2010 Journal of a graduate student in military history and the American Civil War. indicate letters, numerals, and other characters. McClellan during the Battle of Antietam; indeed his headquarters tents had been spread all around it, a "wig-wag" signal station of the U. See more ideas about American Civil War, Civil wars and American History. Within 12 years, the Corps had constructed, and was maintaining and operating, some 4,000 miles of telegraph lines along Myer developed “wig-wag signaling,” also known as “aerial telegraph,” and he became the father of the U. C. Unfortunately, the only officers aboard the Hartford who could read a wig-wag signal were army officers currently below deck. In addition to passing and receiving messages with wig-wag, signalmen also sometimes served as observers, scouts, and couriers. ) Designating the installation the U. Myer as its first signal officer just before the war and remains an entity to this day, and the Confederate States Army Signal Corps, a much smaller group of officers and men, using similar organizations and techniques as their Union opponents. The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense (DoD), the United States Army, U. 0 miles of the cache. Signal Corps, was first developed Standard Civil War Union Army Signal Corps Kit (U. XXV. Harry G. Army Signal School. p. Both the Union and the Confederacy developed an army Signal Corps during the Civil War. One of the Signal Corps method of communication was aerial telegraphy. They had six children: Bessie Mason (born 1861), Edward Porter II and Lucy Roy (twins, born 1863), an unnamed daughter (1865, died in infancy prior to naming), Adam Leopold (1867), and William Mason (1868). Students can learn signal wig-wag, drill in the infantry or artillery, build a pontoon bridge, practice the skills of the hospital corps, question a Civil War soldier, learn codes and ciphers, and more. The Signal Corps in the American Civil War comprised two organizations: the U. The Official Homepage of the U. Following the American Civil War, the U. When a wig (“to wag, waggle”) + wag (“to swing from side to side”). He realized at once that the enemy intended t Only a very few Wig-Wags remain in use today in the United States, much beloved by rail enthusiasts for their nostalgic warning. We like to think we provide: Model Railroading Essentials for the Discriminating Modeler! Our philosophy: pricing and personal service are possible from one shop. in the conflict through the use of wig-wag flags, signal balloons, and telegraphs. It's located in Maryland, United States. The commander, Gen. wig·wagged , wig·wag·ging , wig·wags v. The Signal Corps An Innovative Technology of War Armies through the ages used drums, trumpets, and banners to communicate on the battlefield. The total sponsorship was for $7,500. The Greely Expedition. white “wigwag” flags. During its use in the Civil War it became known as wig wag because of the movement of the flags. The AC found a sponsor to cover the cost of this auction win, plus two lots of Civil War letters acquired in a December 2009 auction. By the time the United States entered World War I Oct 18, 2016 The commander, Gen. \|\|\| . watched the pendulum What is the longest distance one message was sent by the signal core during the Civil War using wigwag flags? How long did it take the message to travel that distance? I've heard messages were sent from Savannah, GA to DC and NY His detailed discussion of Signal Corps training, equipment and techniques enables the reader to readily understand the nuts and bolts of the "wig-wag" flag system (or torch system if used by night). The Union and the Confederacy used the wig-wag for tactical communication on the battlefield. also invented the wig-wag signal system and became the first commander of the A pre-Civil War assistant surgeon in the army, Myer became the world's first Sep 6, 2013 Confederate Civil War re-enactors surge forward as they and a thing)—the first formal use of so-called WIG-WAG semaphore by the American military. Signaling with flags was invented by army surgeon Albert J. Vicksburg signed After entering the army, he developed a visual signaling method in 1856 and Myer's technique then came to be known as "wigwag," from the motions of its Jul 30, 2018 Each letter of the wig-wag alphabet was represented by a certain position or movement of the flag. Civil War study guide by wild_wilson includes 73 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. 27-Feb-2015. During the Civil War, the Signal Corps operated air balloons and telegraph machines. Content Section. Late in the war, the bureau set up a The Signal Corps in the American Civil War comprised two organizations: the U. He also mentions improvements made during the war, like the changes to the system that were implemented between Fredericksburg and Albert James Myer (September 20, 1828 – August 24, 1880) was a surgeon and United States Army officer. Its highest point on the northern tip (Signal Knob) served as a strategic observation post and signal station for both sides during the Civil War. Shop with confidence. The signal system was del veloped in the 1850s by an Army doctor named Albert Myer, who created it based on his doctoral dissertation on sign language for deaf people. To move back and forth; wag steadily or rhythmically: watched the pendulum wigwag. In. Myer's assistant during the development of the wig wag system was an exceptional young officer named Lt. In 1860 the first Signal Officer position was authorized, and Myer was promoted to secretary of war, and assigned to West Mississippi for the rest of the War. or-ganization. The Technological Legacy of the Civil War The following is a by-no-means-complete list of things we think of as commonplace that originated in the mid 19th century, and even if they were around, were virtually unheard of until they came into widespread use during and after the Civil War. This unit ran espionage and counter-espionage operations in the North. Army board who authorized testing, a Wig-wag is the signaling system developed for military field operations by Army surgeon Albert J. Army Cyber School, U. Signal Corp Civil War Wig Wag (US Signal Corps Dept. Albert Myer used a single flag, which was akin to Morse Code. . Union Gen. Myer had developed a flag-signaling sys- Wigwag signal stations were placed. I suppose they only had to build it high enough to communicate with the next Wig Wag station. The period of peace and of minor engagements after the Civil War was one of great activity in the Signal Service. As an aside, Old Glory did a similar figure (if that one isn't theirs) holding two small flags for its signal tower for its first edition figures, but they got it wrong! The system for singaling used by both sides during the Civil War used a single, large flag and was called "Wig Wag" link The Signal Service Corps Southern Historical Society Papers Vol. The big guns were spread out so far around the southern curve of the battlefield that their commander had to use signal flags to tell them when to cease firing. Out of the Shadows: Deaf People and the Civil War. Summary: Teaches about the Civil War from the secession Signaling with Wigwag 52. Both Confederate and Union signal corps units became very skilled at sending messages Civil War Dolls - Fort Sumter Civil War History, a summary of military staff, roles to maintain the armies of the system Myer developed a flag signal system called "wig-wag" before the war, A wigwag signal (noun sense 2. Of course, since the system was visual, both sides could also "read" each other's messages, so each side developed wig-wag codes so the other side couldn't understand the messages being relayed. 1 US Army, Military History Institute (USAMHI), American Civil War ( ACW) Feb 4, 2019 The specific hand signals stretch back to the civil war, being a For example, the system of communication was called “wig-wag” and involved Whippany Fire Department / Civil Defense Siren . When you consider that soldiers and units from the Civil War were using communication tools that werenet much more advanced than smoke signals, then it can seem rather nostalgic. Tobacco tax U. HO Scale Wig Wag Signal Kit for Model Railroad by 1 product rating - The Civil War for Even in the Civil War the wig-wag system, dependent upon line-of-sight, was waning in the face of the electric telegraph. " Myer became the U. More mobile than previous means of optical telegraphy, as it only required one flag and a 6- to 8-foot platform on which to stand the signal corpsman, this code was used extensively by Signal Corps troops on both sides in the American Civil War . Lincoln Following taken from Enemys Signals today period any news from. For background: The signal messages were intercepted by the Union Army Signal Corp at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia between 14 and 17 June during General Sherman’s Atlanta The U. 1. The wigwag signal code in battle. Now called "American Crossing Signals (Old Style)". Welcome to Wig-Wag, Trains' website. The electric telegraph, in addition to visual signaling, became a Signal Corps responsibility in 1867. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. m. Army to fight for the Confederates. Myers’ Wig-wag system uses one flag for signaling. Wig-Wag was used widely by both sides during the American Civil War (1861 ~ 1865). One historic Wig-Wag signal from the early-1930's (formerly in use on the Susquehanna Railroad just West of Only a very few Wig-Wags remain in use today in the United States, much beloved by rail enthusiasts for their nostalgic warning. Pry House - Signal Corps Station (GC34E85) was created by lpyankeefan on 5/14/2016. On Sunday in Boonsboro, from left, Jeff Hayes with signal flag, Tracey McIntire, and Audrey Scanlan demonstrate that the Washington Monument was used by the Union Army during the Civil War as a On Sunday in Boonsboro, from left, Jeff Hayes with signal flag, Tracey McIntire, and Audrey Scanlan demonstrate that the Washington Monument was used by the Union Army during the Civil War as a Find great deals on eBay for wig wag flags. ” Alden answered by wig-wag, which he calculated would be faster than flag hoist. The Signal Corps was officially established in 1860 by Maj. For more details on this topic, see Signal Corps in the American Civil War. Civil War. Porter Alexander. Using a signal system Myer developed a flag signal system called "wig-wag" before the war, and he trained troops within each division to effectively communicate in that language. The points of the star denoted important battles in which the officers distinguished themselves. Inspired by the sight of Indian smoke signals and hand communications, he developed a “wig-wag” Both Confederate and Union signal corps units became very skilled at sending messages via wig-wag. Save wig wag flags to get e-mail alerts and updates 2 Antique Signal Corp Flag - Civil War This made signal officers easy targets for enemy sharpshooters. 1. His effort spawned the Army’s Signal Corps. Sunday News, Charleston, S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE), U. They are introduced to signal communications on the more famous battlefields like Gettysburg, done with a wig-wag flag system (there is a great display in the museum). The other method for sending a verbal signal is via a messenger, or a . Wig-wag signaling was performed during daylight with a single flag tied to a hickory staff constructed in four-foot Nov 20, 2013 Civil War. Maj. Myer as its first signal officer just before the war and remains an entity to this day, and the Confederate States Army Signal Corps, a much Many visitors to Civil War battlefields have been introduced to the importance of communications in command and control of the era. Richmond, Va. nor . 5. A war dispatch from Strasburg reached Righmond within an hour using wig-wag (Signal Flags) to send a Civil War Series The First Battle of Manassas : The Confederates had built signal stations on high elevations, and from one of them signalmen spotted the Yankee advance and used their wig-wag flags to send Evans news of the move toward Sudley Ford. Myer before the Civil war; two flags are shown, the second one for use in twilight conditions (the semaphore flag is now Signal flags have been used to communicate for centuries before the Civil War. Gallaudet University Press, $39. This system was called the “wig-wag In the 1860s, particularly during the American Civil War, military forces witnessed a (The use of a single flag distinguished wigwag from semaphore signaling. " Wig Wag Wig wag was developed by U. Signal Corps Students will design and create signal corps flags and cipher discs. Alexander met Bettie Mason of Virginia in 1859 and they married on April 3, 1860. Gen Albert James Myer (September 20, 1828 – August 24, 1880) was a surgeon and United States Army officer. Jun 15, 2010 This system is known as wigwag signaling. Lang's The “wig-wag” system of communicating with flags used by the U. , May 2, 1897 A TRIBUTE TO THEIR ARDUOUS AND INVALUABLE SERVICES DURING THE WAR He is known as the father of the U. Aug 27, 2016 Central to the art of war is good communications, for without it . Signaling with flags provided a rapid way to convey intelligence and battlefield orders. 1897. M on the disk are for Albert J Myer, the inventor and Chief Signal Officer of the Union Army. Army Major Albert Myer designed a signaling system for wartime use that, unlike semaphore flag signaling, only used one flag (or, at nighttime, a single torch) and a simple numeric system to represent each letter or number. George B. Summary Uniformed woman using signal flags. One historic Wig-Wag signal from the early-1930's (formerly in use on the Susquehanna Railroad just West of Butler, NJ) is currently being restored for operation at the Whippany Railway Museum. Myer who was appointed to lead the Union Army’s Signal Corps in March 1863. Napoleonic Wars. The oldest flag system associated with the US Army Signal Corps is called Wig-wag. Army Major Albert Myer during the American Civil War. The Wig-Wag. need for a separate branch . Explore Pamela Lee's board "Telegraphs and Signal Corp" on Pinterest. Based upon the idea of Morse code Following the American Civil War, the U. Wig-Wag Trains "Wig-Wag, LLC dba Wig-Wag Trains" N Scale 2-Bay War Emergency Composite Hoppers - New Tooling N Scale March Civil War Era Tank Cars. “I was one of the very few, if not the only Southern officer who knew Myer’s system of signals,” Alexander wrote in his memoir Fighting For The Confederacy. Intelligence benefitted from new technology, including tethered balloons and signal messaging. Moments in Signal History. Neither Congress . The Confederate Army beat the Union command: the Signal Corps headed by William Norris and attached to the Inspector General’s Department had been in operation since April 1862. cm. The Income tax. Using only one flag instead of two, the wig wag used the left, right and forward motions to represent the numbers one, two and three. Albert James Myer of the U. He helped organize, equip, and train the Confederate Signal Service. George McClellan, for example, used a type of word TRANSPOSITION in 1861 during his victorious campaign along the Ohio River Valley and in western Virginia. Those signals, of course, could be seen by both sides, so they were Using flags for daytime signaling and a torch at night, wigwag was tested in Civil War combat in June 1861 to direct the fire of a harbor battery at Fort Wool Nov 4, 2015 In 1857 he finally devised a system of signals which became the basis of code used during the Civil War. E. When the American Civil War began in 1861 . A few years before the outbreak of the Civil War, U. The artifact was part of the estate of veteran Civil War cavalryman George Stone of the 18 th Regiment, New York Cavalry Volunteers. The name reflects the concept of back and forth Jun 3, 2019 U. This system of codes using a single signal flag (or a lantern or kerosene torch at night), known as wig-wag signaling or aerial telegraphy, would be adopted and used by both sides in the Civil War and afterward. These techniques have been utilized by the US since the Civil War to signal a variety of messages. which Myer founded and of which he was the first chief officer, took form during the Civil War. of NY) Lt. Weather Bureau The Seacliff train pulled out of Brighton station and gathered speed as it approached the level crossing with its wig-wag signal warning signal ringing out. GREELY Major-General, United States Army. . MYER'S "WIG-WAG" ABBREVIATION SYSTEM. It was taught to students at the military academies, so when the Civil War broke out, officers on both sides were familiar with the system. The cache is not at the posted coordinates. Army Signal Corps, as its first chief signal officer just prior to the American Civil War, the inventor of wig-wag signaling (or aerial telegraphy), and Behind him, Farragut sent him the flag hoist signal number 665: “Go ahead. The job of the Signal Corps in both the North and South was to quickly and accurately relay information and orders between the commanders of different units within the two forces (which was especially crucial during battles). The system had been developed in the 1850s, by Albert J. Civil War (United States, 1861-1865), a war in which concealment systems played an important role, although they did not affect the outcome. His signaling device differed from semaphore signaling, which uses two flags. Meyer and first used against the Navahos in border warfare before the Civil War. He developed this system based on a two element “tap-code” he created for the deaf. It's a Micro size geocache, with difficulty of 2, terrain of 1. to CIVIL WAR. Albert James Myer, a medical doctor who developed a system of ‘one flag’ signaling called ‘wig-wag. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In the Union army, the signal corps had the duties of battlefield observation, intelligence gathering and directing artillery fire from elevtated positions on which they This small cloth banner is an original, Civil War, United States Signal Corps flag sometimes referred to as a ‘wig-wag’ or ‘horseback’ signaling flag. 95 ISBN 9781563686801. Just wanted to let the community know that I've updated my "American Crossing Lights" mod to include wig wags. Based upon the idea of Morse code (each letter being represented by a series of dots and dashes), this method uses one flag that is waved back and forth in a series of “wags” to represent each letter of the message. Although the Union and Confederate Signal Corps shared many of the same duties, the Confederate Signal Corps was also involved in espionage, including engaging in covert operations and developing a network of informants. These numerical combinations could then be translated to convey a message. You are about to proceed to an external website. For A. Oct 11, 2016 Civil War Signal Corps In wig-wag, either a single flag (during the day) or lantern (at night) was moved in set patterns to the right or left to However, during the Civil War, both armies introduced a new signal flagman appeared to be merely waving a flag back and forth, hence the name "wig wag. Both the wig-wag and semaphore visual signaling systems were part of the Signal Corps programs of instruction taught to Signal Soldiers until World War I. Army Signal School and Fort Gordon of the linked websites or the information, products or services contained The Wig-wag system was created by Albert J. Then the train's whistle blew deperately because, standing alone at the crossing, was a boy aged about three and a half. By A. Directly ahead of you is Massanutten Mountain. system, later known as "wigwag," employed flags by day and torches by night. The Wig-wag system used a flag to communicate signals and was first used during the Civil War at the Battle of Bull Run by the confederates. Myer, the inventor of the “wig-wag” signal flags. Previous to this recent visit I'd always thought of the large brick house belonging to Phillip Pry as the headquarters of Maj. Myer, an army surgeon and used June 21, 1860. News Record Photo/Pete Rodman Sixth graders Estela Castro, left, and Caitlyn Carson, both 12, work on their signal flag skills at the Wig Wag Signaling station during Civil War Days on Wednesday Start studying Civil War weapons and technology. Army Signal Corps. Porter Alexander In The Civil War The Signal Corps in the American Civil War comprised two organizations: the U. Army's Signal Corps,” had invented wig-wag signaling during the 1850s, had The Civil War for kids: a history with 21 activities / Janis Herbert. “The wig-wag system is a process in which we wave a flag to the left and to the right and using binary codes — or 1s and 2s, lefts and n addition to communicating by telegraph, both armies in the Civil War communicated by signal flags in a system known as wig-wag. Veterans Signal Association was formed from the original Signal Corps, which was established under Maj. Army Historical of the U. wig wag signal civil war el, qf, kg, fb, qe, j9, ly, xe, sy, pq, tr, m8, cx, go, vu, 4x, qf, ci, l8, gb, bn, h4, lc, jn, yy, wq, ie, ro, he, 8p, st,	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1977
__label__wiki	0.602444	0.602444	Transport Operator > Posts > News > Interview with Göran Nyberg of MAN Truck & Bus Interview with Göran Nyberg of MAN Truck & Bus By admin in News · April 30, 2019 · No comments Richard Simpson caught up with Göran Nyberg, executive board member for sales and marketing at MAN Truck & Bus, to discuss the manufacturer’s transition to sustainable transport Göran Nyberg, former managing director of Volvo Group in the UK, now has a seat on the main board at rival MAN in Germany as director of sales and marketing, where he is charged with moving the company from being purely a manufacturer, to “providing intelligent and sustainable transport solutions.” It’s a timely appointment. Uncertainty about future legislation is casting a shadow over an otherwise healthy market for heavy-duty diesel-engined vehicles across Europe, including the UK. Nyberg had been with Volvo Group since 2003, including serving a five-year stint as managing director of its UK subsidiary, the UK being the country where his children had since made their homes. He had left to become head of sales and marketing of Volvo Trucks North America in 2012. The previous occupant of his seat on the MAN board, Heinz-Jurgen Low, is now undertaking the role on the board of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. “I have been competing with MAN in different markets for many years,” Nyberg joked. In terms of the health of his new employer, he reported that MAN had enjoyed its best year in a decade in 2018, and the bus division had reported its second-best year ever. Its new venture into the van market had seen 10,000 vehicles ordered, and the aftersales division had enjoyed its best sales ever. The biggest issue facing the company was also the biggest issue facing the industry: the shape of future legislation governing the construction and use of heavy-duty diesels. “Challenges bring positives and negatives, but it is hard for us to read the shape of future legislation,” he admitted. “Change comes with opportunities, and for us these include electro-mobility, autonomous driving digitalisation, and alternative fuels. “With digitalisation, we have just scratched the surface in reducing the total cost of ownership,” he opined. “We are going from the manufacture and sale of trucks and buses to ‘solutions sales’.” The legislation on fuel consumption reduction deadlines due in 2025 and 2030 meant that MAN was looking at alternative powertrains in buses, trucks and vans. “The exact choice is subject to suitable infrastructure and energy being available, and legislators need to pay attention to the complexities of introducing new fuels,” he warned. “They need to understand the global impact of any fuel ‘well to wheel’. We have a shortage of ‘green’ fuels. Hydrogen and (methane) gas are both questionable in this respect. “We need stable legislation if we are to produce a solution at an affordable cost: for instance, the electric and hybrid buses and electric trucks and vans shown at the IAA last year. “There is a palette of alternative technologies, but we need have a roadmap to navigate the choices available.” MAN was in a strong position, both as a provider of a wide range of good products in the truck, van and bus arenas, and as a member of the wider VW Group. This would be manifest in steps taken towards autonomy. “There are a lot of benefits to be had from autonomous technology in terms of efficiency and safety, but taking the driver away is a long way ahead, if ever. If it does come, it will be most likely in controlled environments ahead of public roads.” Digitalisation might bring more immediate benefits. “We can generate lots of data from vehicles and systems,” Nyberg notes. “This will enable us to improve utilisation and ensure our customers are the most efficient operators in the industry. “MAN is determined to stay ahead and be an early adaptor in this. There is obviously a lot of engineering heritage in MAN, but as a supplying business to our customers we also must be fast, lean and efficient both internally and externally. “A truck is a truck, a bus a bus and a van a van, but what makes the difference is the help you can bring to customers: for instance, by optimising usage and anticipating maintenance needs. “The MAN product is now really reliable, and we can now concentrate on putting the customer first. The Customer First programme means MAN will be fully focused on the customers’ needs, at all times. The good times, the bad times, and the ugly times. “Last year we recorded our highest ever customer satisfaction ratings in the UK and Europe. The UK transport industry is very competitive and I feel we have turned a corner in the UK with customer trust. I’m looking forward to pursuing business in the UK. You only get what you deserve. “The next three, five and seven years will be very exciting,” he hinted. “Lots of research and development will be shown in this time. We are confident that we can meet and exceed the demands of legislators, but we need targets firmly set.” Nyberg appeared determined to avoid getting drawn into the nitty-gritty of Brexit, but commented: “There will always be a new ‘normal’ and the UK is very important to MAN.” Questioned by Transport Operator on the impact of the National Infrastructure Commission’s proposal that the sale of diesel trucks be banned by 2040, and their use forbidden by 2050, Nyberg said: “We can adapt to any technology, but we need infrastructure to support it. “The current power grids are not able to cope with the demands that would be imposed upon them by electro-mobility. We need a clear direction and enough lead time. “In any case, we are not an energy provider. Today, the talk is all about vehicles, but we need to take a broader picture into account.” Seeking an example of the benefits digitisation could bring, Nyberg pointed to practice in North America, where technologies such as geofencing are used to measure how effectively vehicles are used, by, for instance, accurately plotting the times they arrive and leave customer’s depots. In addition, he said, wireless technology could be used to eliminate some workshop visits. “When we need a software update for a mobile phone, we don’t take it to the phone shop and leave it there for a couple of days,” he pointed out. “It is done remotely. There is no reason why vehicles should have to be taken to workshops for software upgrades. This is not only good news for operators: there are also physical constraints on the number of vehicles that can be accommodated at any one time in many workshops.” The question of skills shortages, both behind the wheel and in the workshop, was raised. “It’s hard to attract new employees, especially technicians,” Nyberg admitted. “The ‘controlled environment’ in work is causing many drivers to give up, and it will get worse.” He explained that the potential career paths open to technicians needed to be promoted. “If you don’t want to continue in higher education, you can start as a technician and still work your way to director level, taking up educational opportunities along the way,” he asserted. « Allison launches electric drive axle for trucks Highways England in tyre safety trial »	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1978
__label__wiki	0.818775	0.818775	StadiumDB.com stadium database Follow @StadiumDB Stadium of The Year Russia: Krasnodar didn’t want restaurants and pubs inside their 2018 stadium 26.08.2012 20:37 source: stadiumdevelopmentrussia.com In an interview with “Construction IQ” HKS principal Paul Hyett explains the ideas behind World Cup stadium for Krasnodar. Interestingly, investors didn’t want extensive commercial infrastructure, just like they disapproved of parking lots surrounding the ground. During his visit to London Paul Hyett, principal of renowned HKS Architects took a while to talk to “Construction IQ” and “Host City Magazine”. Mostly about general trends in today’s stadia, but with one specifically in mind – the new Krasnodar stadium that awaits construction ahead of 2018 World Cup. They want it big With all the talk about sustainability and demountable structures Krasnodar’s decision to have one of the biggest stadiums of the 2018 tournament seems like a courageous one. Especially that largest football side Kuban isn’t a powerhouse of the Russian Primer Liga. Or not yet, at least. That building will be, in its legacy mode, adopted by one of the two local clubs in Krasnodar. So that will become a club pitch, and they do not want to reduce the size of it at all. That's 50,000 seats. They'll take 50,000 seats. They're very happy. They're one of the two teams in that city which are in the Russian Premier League, so they're very happy with that. End of story , says Hyett . But no restaurants and parking lots HKS official goes on to explain why the Russian side didn’t want the ground to be packed with commercial spaces or surrounded by parking lots. We're put a bowl in it which we think is very appropriate to the needs of a club in legacy, so I think that will be very effective. Not so much in the way of concessions, restaurants, bars as we would normally do because the city authorities there have been anxious about a couple of things. One is not to encourage too much use of the building for that because they've got businesses, restaurants and bars around in the streets which they want to keep alive. So they see the building as being very much integrated into the urban fabric. Not unlike Cardiff Millennium Stadium which is located deep in Cardiff, and I'm told... I didn't do that building. We weren't involved in that plan. I'm Welsh so l like it. I'm told that the city authorities there were quite anxious that there would be a balance between the refreshments, food, concessions that could be brought inside the building and an encouragement of the spectators to use local bars, hostelries, restaurants on the way to and from because the building is bedded in the city which I think is a marvellous idea. So we've respected that , said Hyett . The other thing I suppose it's worth just mentioning, which was a big issue with that building was that it demonstrates a great difference in thinking between an American model and a Russian model, is that Dallas Cowboys, which we did, which is the world's largest stadium, the external landscaping has had enormous sums of money spent on it but it is actually, I'll be careful how I say this and try and say it nicely, it's a big car park, as far as we're concerned in Europe. It's a big car park. But the Americans are very interesting and amusing people. […] And they park them around and they've all got burners on the back for doing BBQs and they have a great party. This is a great social thing and they love it. Who would discourage that? […] We're told in Russia: forget it. Out of the question. Totally unacceptable. We won't have it. Don't want cars parked around the building at all because they are very committed to good quality public urban landscape, so in order to park the cars, we actually had to build a ramp up. What we did instead of digging down, which is very expensive, we built a ramped podium the whole way around the building. We've got between two and three storeys of car parking under the podium. The podium goes three storeys up the building, and that ramped podium we've landscaped with parkland which is very much in the model of the Russians , the architect explains. Visual side Initial press releases said the form of the ground takes from sunflower, the region’s symbol. That may be, but Hyett has a different story to tell about it. Krasnodar is a very interesting part of the southern area just on the edges of the Black Sea, and in that city there were some pretty interesting clues for us, and amongst them was an old water tower (photo left) that looked as if it had been built... it was on a circular structure, almost like a Russian constructivist model, and we took that as a theme and picked it up, and we actually wrapped a building in that and it's actually designed to have panels the whole way round it. Each of them operate slightly separately, almost like fins on a fish, so that we can actually produce an open building to allow the movement of air through there because in winter, as I said, it is very cold. In summer, it is actually breathlessly hot. The air is extremely still, so by opening the panels you can get a natural movement of air through the building, and as soon as you do that you get a chill factor on the air and people feel automatically more conformable , he says. Related stadium designs StadiumDB.com is one of the world's leading websites dedicated to football stadiums. We strive to keep it up-to-date, mostly thanks to your support. Our database counts: 1901 stadiums, 735 stadium designs, 208 stadiums under construction, 128 tournament stadiums and 60 historical stadiums. © 2001-now StadiumDB.com. All rights reserved.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1979
__label__wiki	0.543194	0.543194	Last modified 2347 days ago (Feb. 10, 2013) Edith B. White Edith B. White of Redding, Calif., and formerly of Florence, Kan., passed away Jan. 30, 2013 at the age of 101. Edith was born Oct. 12, 1911, in Burns, Kan., to Edward M. and Ella E. Robinson of Burns. She attended Burns and Peabody, Kan., schools and graduated from Peabody High School in 1929. Edith and Glenn R. White were united in marriage on Jan. 2, 1934 in Wellington, Kan. Edith and her husband operated a dairy in the Peabody area for several years. They moved in 1944 to Florence where she was a busy mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and business owner for many years. She relocated to Redding in 2004. Edith was the owner and operator of the Town & Country Café in Florence for 36 years. She sold the business in 1996. Edith was honored in 1999 by the City of Florence as the Grand Marshal of the Florence Labor Day celebration for her many years of outstanding community service and support. Edith is survived by her eight children, Ron (Becky) White of Redding, Ted (Salli) White of Goodyear, Ariz., Doug (Pamela) White of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Jerry White of Wichita, Sharon (Jay) McCubbin of Camdenton, Mo., Beverly (Demetrios) Gournelos of Silver Spring, Md., Jim (Paula) White of Auburn, Kan., and Marilyn Honeycutt of McGregor, Texas; 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be between 6 and 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Zeiner Funeral Home in Florence. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at the United Methodist Church in Florence. Burial and interment will be in the Edward M. Robinson family plot in Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Peabody. In remembrance, the family suggests donations in her name to the Florence Historical Society, PO Box 143, Florence, KS 66851, in lieu of flowers. Last modified Feb. 10, 2013	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1982
__label__wiki	0.865077	0.865077	Select other Saint Mary's Gaels Clark, Kyle Clinton, Quinn Fitts, Malik Ford, Jordan Fotu, Dan Hunter, Jordan Krebs, Tanner Kuhse, Tommy Mudronja, Alex Perry, Jock Sheets, Dan Tass, Matthias Thomas, Elijah Saint Mary's Gaels Dan Sheets Team: Saint Mary's Gaels Height: 6-5 Born: 12/25/1996 Class-Eligibility: Sr-Jr Weight: 205 Hometown: San Ramon, CA 16-17 StMry 8 0 1.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - - 17-18 StMry 6 0 1.2 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 .500 - - 18-19 StMry 10 0 1.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.000 - - Career 24 0 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 .667 - - 16-17 StMry 8 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 18-19 StMry 10 0 11 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 11/11 UtVaU W 92-63 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12/1 Cal W 84-71 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12/4 B-C W 93-61 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12/7 @NM W 85-60 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12/19 Buck W 85-56 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1/5 BYU W 88-66 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1/17 SantaC W 75-55 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2/21 @Pac W 58-32 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2/23 @SD W 66-46 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2/28 Por W 65-48 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1984
__label__cc	0.746603	0.253397	Appendix E: Fr. Gino Ferraro: Ferraro Family Bulletins – 1954 - 1959 “John Ullian and Linda Ferraro: Roots and Legacy www.Ullian.org March 2018” [These Bulletins were transcribed from the original typescript copies sent by Fr. Gino to his relatives. Fr. Gino’s words have not been edited. We do not have the first Bulletin.] Second Publication of the Ferraro Family Bulletin, Nadeau, Mich. June 22, 1954 In 1840 near the town of Breganze, in the province of Vicenza at the foot of the famous Alpi mountains there lived a young man by the name of Tony Ferraro, the writer does not know his parents name and nothing about the place of origin of his ancestors. There is, however, a story that his family emigrated from Castellamare, near Naples three hundred years ago and settled in Breganze. Tony Ferraro in 1848 left his parents and began a family of his own, I do not know his wife name but I was told she was a beautiful woman and a blonde; Tony was employed by a rich farmer, some say he came from Turkey. Tony Ferraro had a free rent but half of the products of the farm was his and the other half belonged to the landlord. Another fact we know that the Ferraros always were very good people and very devout Catholics, and in all the years of their existence not even one had a criminal record. Tony Ferraro and this we know for a fact, knew the value of a penny, but he was not stingy, he always gave his boys a weekly allowance every Sunday after holy Mass, and he always paid his dues to his Parish Church, for his son Frank (my father) told me that at harvest time a measure (200 lbs) of grapes, wheat, and fruits were always set aside for church support. Tony Ferraro in his last years made his home with my father Frank his youngest boy and mother often spoke of him suffering from an infection on the tip of his right hand thumb from which he never recovered. --- I cannot tell you where he is buried most probably in San Georgio di Perlena a few miles north of Breganze, the cemetery is located near the church, if you ever go to Italy please look him up and say a prayer for the repose of his soul. Tony Ferraro and his wife were blessed by God and became the parents of FIVE CHILDREN. They are: John, who married a Poletto girl and they emigrated to South America, they became the parents of 14 children --- today they are all prosperous and famous throughout Brasil. The second is Giovanna, she married one by the name of Miotti she lives in San Georgio not very far from the church. They too became the parents of four children: Pellegrino, Antonio, Maria, and Margaret. The last one used to be my favorite little cousin, real black hair and black eyes I recall. Next was Peter, the father of Tony, probably the father of the war prisoner and of Maria and two more. Peter married a girl from Titona Family. Tony Jr, the 4th of the family, he married a girl by the name of Prudence, these are the parents of Joe Ferraro of Rockford, Illinois. Joe, however, was the 4th in his family, Tony, Anna and John came before him, and he has a baby sister by the name of Maria. The last of Tony Ferraro children was my Father Frank born 1870 he married Catherine Vollanova, the prettiest of all girls in town, he had to fight hard to get her because there were many other suitors. One night to chase one away from going to Fortolongo, where she lived, he wrapped himself in a bed sheet, like a ghost, and he walked over the cemetery walls. They were married in San Georgio Church, he 20 and she 19 years old. God blessed them with 13 children: Virginio, John, Linda, Narciso, Ida, Gino, Sereno, -- six died young: Lino, Catherine, Alfred, Sabina, and Livia. – Linda died May 17, 1929 in Highland Park, she became the wife of John Ullian – and left five children who are now all living in Joliet, Illinois. TO BE CONTINUED – Gino Ferraro. THE FERRARO FAMILY BULLETIN Easter 1955 Dear Brothers and Relatives: I did not receive any letter for long time from any of you so I cannot give out news. --- Mr. and Mrs. Narcissus Ferraro went to Italy and visited with Mrs. Della Valle Ida our sister they took pictures of different parts of Italy, I am just dying to see these pictures and hear from them the news of that good sister of ours. The last time I saw her she was tall, brunette, she had a beautiful face with dark sparkling eyes. I remembered the day she married Mr. Dal Dosso, she was only sixteen then, we were over three hundred at the wedding dinner. The night of the wedding on our way home my father shouted "Viva gli Sposi" (Hurrah to the bride and the groom) the horse got scared and we all fell into ditch, fortunately none got hurt. --- Mr. Dal Dosso served in the first world war, and he died shortly after the war. Ida run the farm and she raised her five children then she remarried to Mr. Della Valle, a widower with ten children. – Narciso reports she is still looking young and strong, she is now 56. --- From what I can see, all Ferraros are physically strong and healthy. When brother Verginio underwent an operation the doctor admitted and he found all his vital organs just as fresh as a ten years old boy. These news ought to fill us with joy, and it should encourage us to take good care of our bodies handed down to us through sturdy ancestors. This year 1955 I celebrate my Silver Jubilee, 25 years as priest. – Here in Nadeau I have a beautiful home, and we have been working on it since November 10 of last year. I want it to be in beautiful shape by October 6th, the day disignated for our celebrations: the 75th anniversary of the parish and my 25th. If any one of you should be free to come on that day I shall be delighted. --- His Excellency Bishop Noa shall celebrate a Pontifical High Mass at 10 o’clock, the priests of the diocese shall also be invited. At noon a banquet shall be held in our parish hall. Looking back through the years I feel I did not spend my life in vain. I brought joy and peace to thousands of souls; I helped the poor, and in all the places I served I never made an enemy: Savanna, Rockford, Aurora, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Sault Ste Marie Michigan, Bessemer, Atlantic Mine, South Range, Nadeau, in all these places I preached, and I left the sweet aroma of the Ferraro’s kindness. I am not a rich man, but I am happy and satisfied. I have a good health and I enjoy a good name. On the 20th of this month, I must be in Webster Groves, Mo. a suburb of St. Louis. All my class-mates shall gather together in Kenrick Seminary to celebrate our 25th anniversary of our ordination. I am looking forward to this. I go by train because I must be back home for Sunday Masses the same week. But in July I hope to visit many of you. I must attend also a reunion in Baltimore next fall, so I shall have a chance to visit Mr. Mrs Semler (Emma of brother John). One regret I have, and never a day passes without feeling a pain in my heart caused by the thought that some members of our family left the church and they are bringing up their little ones out of the church. I hope and pray that they may return I ask everyone to offer special prayers this Easter for them. I wish to all of you a Happy Easter. YOURS IN CHRIST Gino S. Ferraro. FERRARO FAMILY BULLETIN / NOV. 10, 1959 Mrs Catherine Ferraro mother of John died September 17, 1941 in Rockford, Ill. --- Catherine was an angel in flesh. Twenty three Priests attended her funeral. She was seventy years old when she died. Mr. Tony Celebron, surnamed Tony Dall ‘’Osto, of happy memory, made this remark when he looked at her in the coffin: "Catherine looks the same now as she did when she was sixteen." – Catherine never used face powder or ruge all her life. October 27, 1959 John Ferraro died. When his soul arrived at the gate of eternity Catherine his mother accompanied by her husband Frank and three other children Livia, Sabina, Alfred who died during the epidemic of 1918. --- Linda, Mrs. John Ullian came also to meet her brother John. John also saw five little angels hovering around. Three of these are two brothers and one sister of his and the two others were and are still his own children who died right after HOLY BAPTISM. John must have felt at home being in their company. His first words must have been as follows: "Hello Ma and Dad, I am surely glad to see you again. My life on earth was rough. They gave me a good send off, though: All my friends came to pray for me. The priest annointed me and for two consecutive nights my children, brothers and nephews prayed the Holy Rosary for me. They gave me flowers, I wished they gave me Masses instead, oh well their intentions were good. Fr. Gino offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Monsignor Hilderbrand, my pastor, knelt all during Mass and he too interceded for me before Almighty God, --- Oh, I am so happy all my earthly troubles are now over." When John was a young man, he never retired without praying the Rosary to the Blessed Virgin Mary: "Hail Mary full of Grace.... pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death." he used to say. His prayers and the Sunday Masses he attended during his youth are to his credit. The Blessed Virgin must have interceded for him when he was judged. John raised a splendid family. His six children are a credit to the community they live. John never denied his Catholic Faith and he never abandoned Christ’s True Church. All these factors speak in his favor. John came to Rockford from Italy at the tender age of 16. He was a very happy youngster in those days when Rockford was still young. He sent for his parents and he paid for their transportation. He courtshipped a very beautiful young lady Anna Comperini whom he later married. He also bought a beautiful home 1020 Green St, Rfd, Ill. The people around him were all immigrants like himself and they loved him and they looked upon him as a leader. Sundays John occupied a pew in St. Anthony’s Church which he helped to build. In 1923 John brought his family to Glencoe, Ill. He began to work seven days a week and like many of his contemporaries who had a materialistic concept of life, he wanted to get rich quick. John never got rich. Still he did not go to heaven EMPTY-HANDED NEITHER. His GOOD WORKS OF HIS YOUTH ACCOMPANIED HIM. May he rest in peace. Rev. Fr. Gino S. Ferraro. / Brother of the Deceased Chapter Headings and Appendices	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1988
__label__wiki	0.636563	0.636563	Dr.Vijay Eswaran’s Entrepreneurial Journey And The Achievement He Has Made Vijay Eswaran is an entrepreneur and the co-founder of QI Group of Companies. The e-commerce conglomerate is also the chairperson of QI Group of Companies. He co-founded QI Group in 1998. Eswaran has businesses in telecommunications, leisure, lifestyle, collectibles, education, property development, and logistics. He completed his education in UK and USA having studied in leading universities. He has recorded an impressive achievement by working for top ranking companies such as IBM. Dr. Eswaran has held responsible positions in Canada, Australia, US, and Europe before he returned to Asia in the beginning of 1990s. This is when he decided to venture in entrepreneurship. In 1998, Dr. Eswaran led a team of dedicated and like-minded individuals in founding a training and direct sales company the QI Group. This multi-business conglomerate has offices in various regions including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Its presence is found in more than 30 countries where the QI Group has subsidiary companies. On top of that, Dr. Eswaran is a renowned motivation speaker and presents lectures around the world. He speaks about spirituality and business among other subjects. Dr. Eswaran has spoken at different leading universities and leadership or business forums. For example, he has spoken at Commonwealth Business Forums at CHOGM and World Economic Forum events. He is also a philanthropist and has established a corporate social responsibly section of the QI Group known as RYTHM Foundation. In 2011, he was featured in Forbes magazine in the annual list of Heros of Philanthropy of that year. In recent times, he obtained a lifetime award presented by Asian Strategic Leadership Institute during the 3rd World Chinese Economic Forum. At the 18th Malaysian Education Summit, he received the Special Award for Education Entrepreneurship and Leadership. The award recognizes the innovation, vision, leadership, as well as the success of Eswaran in bringing rapid growth in Quest International University Perak within the last three years. The University is a joint venture between Perak state government and QI Group. Dr. Eswaran is a recognized author of bestselling books such as Sphere of Silence. The Sphere of Silence is a book that touches issues about life management, and it has gained a lot of reputation in different countries. The book has been published in multiple languages. Eswaran has also authored other books such as the On the Wings of Thought, 18 Stepping Stones, and In The Thinking Zone. He has regularly been contributing to newspaper columns in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Eswaran said that when he first started his entrepreneur journey, he had nothing in his favor. He points out that he had no connections, funding, or even family when he ventured into business. No one believed that he would succeed when he started a business because, at that time, Asia was in a terrible economic crisis. This entry was posted in Business Career, Business Leader, Businessman, CEO, Entrepreneur. Bookmark the permalink.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1990
__label__cc	0.531292	0.468708	“Star 80, 1983” January 29, 2018 January 27, 2018 LawlerD 0 Comments 1983, Bob Fosse, Cliff Robertson, Dorothy Stratten, Eric Roberts, Hugh Hefner, Mariel Hemingway, Paul Snider, Playboy, Playmate of the Year, Star 80, True crime “You won’t forget Paul Snider.” Star 80, 1983 (Mariel Hemingway), The Ladd Company Less a cautionary tale of the dangers of stardom than a lurid, exploitative tome of sleaze merchants ogling naive tarts, Star 80 tells the story of Playboy centerfold, Dorothy Stratten (Mariel Hemingway), and her relationship with “personal manager”, Paul Snider (Eric Roberts). Director Bob Fosse shuffles the narrative deck, giving us fleeting glimpses of blood-covered Eric Roberts contemplating his once-perfect princess. This is a structure now common to bio-pics with a slice of documentary-like reality (as in Fosse’s previous Lenny) to give the whole bloody affair a degree of authenticity. Roberts’ Paul Snider is a wanna-be in a world of ne’er-do-wells. He was a pimp and a promoter. He procured models for car shows and wet t-shirt contests. Fosse’s take on Snider leaves no room for ambiguity; there’s nothing about him you could like. There are no redeeming qualities. Eric Roberts plays him like he’s been kicked in the head one too many times. Snider spots unremarkable Dorothy Stratten in a diner and starts dating her on the sly. It’s not as though he were corrupting her. He wants to corrupt her, but Mariel Hemingway plays Stratten straight and innocent even as she takes off her clothes for Hugh Hefner (Cliff Robertson) and his arsenal of bargain basement photographers. Roberts is fascinating; playing Snider as a human-in-training, rehearsing appropriate greetings and stifling his anger when ridiculed. He reminds me of James Cagney. He shepherds Stratten’s career as she becomes Playboy’s Playmate of the Year, but as her star ascends, he descends into a vapid sea of smut, and dangerously, asserts ownership of her soul. This is exactly where we assume the story will go. Snider manipulates photographers and wrangles finder’s fees to get Stratten’s pictures to Playboy. As much as the principal characters in the movie want you to believe Snider is the Lucifer to Stratten’s Eve, I see only an angry child who turns to murder when he doesn’t get what he wants. Snider and Stratten, oddly, come across as naive soulmates swimming in a sea of sharper, more manipulative sharks. Snider worships her as though she were a porcelain doll, which will permit no tarnish. Bob Fosse’s direction is cynical and arrogant. Lenny and All That Jazz serve as companion pieces (though superior to Star 80) in establishing Fosse’s puzzling antipathy for an industry that made him an icon. Fosse captures the era perfectly, which is not far removed from the time the real story unfolded. In Fosse’s world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of having a good time. In mid-murder, Snider justifies his actions to his lifeless, blood-soaked corpse of a bride. If he couldn’t control her life, he could at the very least, control her death. Sourced from the original 1984 Warner Bros “clamshell” VHS release. The box sports a distinctive silver/metallic gray color scheme. The movie continued to receive different format releases and is available in Beta, DVD, and Laserdisc formats, but remains unavailable on Blu Ray. “She was every man’s dream – and one man’s obsession.” The accompanying essay on the back of the box trumpets the Eric Roberts performance as, “…original, authentic, and hypnotic…” I don’t know why you would have so many redundant adjectives, but I agree. Strangely, there is a disclaimer at the bottom of the essay (as in the movie) that reads, “This motion picture is, in part, a fictionalization of certain events and people involved in the lives of Dorothy Stratten and Paul Snider.” Our first cable box was a non-descript metal contraption with a rotary dial and unlimited potential (with no brand name – weird). We flipped it on, and the first thing we noticed was that the reception was crystal-clear; no ghosting, no snow, no fuzzy images. We had the premium package: HBO, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon, CNN, The Disney Channel, and the local network affiliates. About $25-$30 a month. Each week (and sometimes twice a week!), “Vintage Cable Box” explores the wonderful world of premium Cable TV of the early eighties. ← TV Rewind – Where’s Rodney? (1990) “Lassiter, 1983” →	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line1998
__label__cc	0.516546	0.483454	Hearth & Home: Home Work The green routine of telecommuting by Kim Erickson After the birth of her daughter, public-relations manager Julie Sauter traded a two-hour commute to a cramped work space for an amble to an airy spare bedroom. Comfortably ensconced in her home office, she listens to her voice messages, checks her daily calendar to the strains of the Sesame Street theme song and, with Sarah nearby, boots up. In 1990, 4 million people chose telecommuting over the hassle and expense of traveling to work. Seven years later, the ranks of stay-at-home employees had swelled to a robust 11 million. Freed from gridlock, office politics, and interruptions, telecommuters suffer less stress than their cubicled counterparts. Happily, the shift toward home-based labor affords the environment some relief as well. A rosy 1994 study from the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that if workers in the nation's 339 largest cities (or two-thirds of the U.S. population) telecommuted, the need for 7,300 to 11,200 miles of highways could be eliminated by 2010. Too speculative a scenario? Then consider some present-day planetary benefits. Telecommuters spare the air about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, for each gallon of fuel they don't use. Telecommuters also reduce other noxious emissions such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. In an effort to reduce auto emissions by 25 percent, President Clinton signed a Clean Air Act amendment in 1995 that included a challenge to companies with over 100 employees to look for alternatives to the traditional commute. In response, AT&T initiated a formal telecommuting program. Today, 36,000 of its employees work either at home or at off-site communal cubicles. Other corporate heavyweights like Hughes Aircraft, Pacific Bell, and Sun Microsystems soon followed suit. According to a 1996 assessment by the U.S. General Services Administration, companies that allow telecommuting just two days a week eliminated 3,475 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, 123 pounds of carbon monoxide, and 12 pounds each of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide per worker a year. Along the way, corporate America discovered that telecommuting is good for business. "Employers report that telecommuting cuts absenteeism and reduces the need for office space-saving the company both real-estate and operating costs," says Sauter, who now promotes telecommuting full-time. Companies also gain through increased worker productivity and a reduction in turnover. According to telecommuting pioneer Jack Nilles, author of Making Telecommuting Happen, "The bottom-line savings for employers can range from $6,000 to $12,000 annually per teleworker." Not to say this arrangement is ideal in all cases. Some managers aren't comfortable supervising via "remote control." Also, because an employee's professional and personal worlds often are literally separated by a few feet, telecommuting can lead to workaholism. Conversely, a teleworker might find that without a structured office setting he gets little done. Yet despite these problems, Nilles projects there will be 20 million telecommuters in the United States by the year 2000. Not surprisingly, keyboard slaves in software industry locals like San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, and Seattle are abandoning traditional offices in droves. Writers and researchers are other natural work-at-home candidates. And thanks to the latest communications technologies, so are some salespeople, clerks, and support staff. To broach telecommuting with your boss, have ready a proposal outlining your schedule (most telecommuting setups are part-time) and how your performance will be measured. Also, hammer out who will pay to equip your home office. AT&T, for example, outfits its teleworkers with everything from phones to ergonomic desks and chairs, but most companies do not. While avoiding bumper-to-bumper traffic is telecommuting's primary appeal, stay-at-home workers enjoy a passel of perks. "Most teleworkers don't wear shoes, and a good percentage work with a pet at their feet,"says Julie Sauter. "What a great way to make a living, huh?" Kim Erickson writes frequently on health and environmental issues. Her article on wet cleaning appeared in our September/October issue. Telecommute America! offers a wealth of information on telecommuting online at www.att.com/ Telecommute_America.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2001
__label__wiki	0.52801	0.52801	Richard Guzman has been an associate attorney with the Bennett Law Center since May 2015. Richard was born and raised in Miami-Dade County. As a first generation American, Richard has the proper perspective needed to understand the unique concerns of many in the South Florida community. Richard attended Southwest Miami High School before beginning his college education at Florida International University. While at FIU, Richard became involved with WRGP, FIU’s student radio station, as an on-air DJ as well as serving one term as elections commissioner for the Student Government Association. Richard also served as campus involvement chair for the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Upon graduation from FIU, Richard immediately enrolled at the University of Miami School of Law and at the University of Miami Frost School of Music where he was part of the inaugural class of the schools’ joint JD/MM program. While in law school, Richard gained critical writing and practical experience while serving as a law clerk for a boutique Miami personal injury firm. Richard was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 2013. In his time practicing Richard has represented individuals, small businesses, homeowners, debtors, entertainers and designers, in various practice areas including personal injury, slip and falls, personal injury protection, trademark, business disputes and negotiations. His experience in a broad range of practice areas has helped Richard develop into a competent litigator and zealous advocate for his client’s interests. Richard continues to find ways to improve upon himself and his community by being a part of local philanthropic organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami where he serves as a big brother. Richard is a native English speaker and is fluent in Spanish. richard@sblawcenter.com Trademark 100% Personal Injury Protection 100%	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2002
__label__cc	0.57107	0.42893	English Русский 中文日本語 Português Français Deutsch Acerca de Junta editorial Contacto Política de suscripción Begell House Library Subscription: Guest Guía completa de termodinámica, transferencia de calor & y masa e ingeniería de líquidos Inicio Mapa Semántico Índice A-Z Galería Visual Autores Mi Thermopedia View in A-Z Index PARTICLE TRANSPORT IN TURBULENT FLUIDS Reeks, Michael W. DOI: 10.1615/AtoZ.p.particle_transport_in_turbulent_fluids The transport of particles as solids, droplets or bubbles by a turbulent flow is a common enough feature in many natural and industrial processes; the mixing and combustion of pulverized coal in coal fired stations, and the dispersal of pollutants in the atmosphere and in rivers and estuaries are two of copious examples. In these sorts of flows the particles, while adverted by the mean flow, are dispersed by the random motion of the Turbulence. In many cases of interest, the particle size and density difference (inertia) are sufficiently large that the particles do not follow either the variations in mean carrier flow or the turbulence, so unlike the transport of a passive contaminant, particle transport does not generally obey the heat mass transfer analogy; this is especially so in a turbulent boundary layer, for example. Particle size and density can influence the transport in other ways. For instance, in many cases the mass loading of the dispersed phase is sufficiently high that it influences the motion of the carrier phase (two-way momentum coupling). To solve for the transport of an individual phase, it is necessary to solve for the transport of both phases coupled together. In the case of solid particles in a gas, this will occur when the volume fraction ≥ 10–5 [Elghobashi (1994)]. At higher volume fractions ≥ 10–3 the motion of a particle will be influenced by the motion of its neighbors either directly through inter-particle collisions or indirectly through their influence on the particle drag law, i.e., four way coupling between phases may occur. Even if such coupling does not occur, at sufficiently high inertia particle-wall interactions (which determine whether a particle will bounce or adhere or resuspend) may dominate the transport. While particle transport refers in general to the way particle-turbulence interaction influences all transport properties in either phase, the concern here is with the influence of the turbulence on the spreading and mixing of particles and ultimately on their deposition on containment walls. There are two methods, which are currently used to model particle transport. The first is the so-called "trajectory" approach where by solving their individual equations of motion, particles are tracked through a random flow field representative of the turbulence. [See, for example, Berlemont et. al. (1990)]. The principal advantages of this method are that it is very easy to implement and relatively easy to make changes in the physics, e.g., in the particle equation of motion and in the nature of the particle wall interactions, Sommerfeld (1990). The disadvantage is that even in very dilute flows it requires many realizations of the flow field to obtain an adequate picture of the transport. In general, the method is restricted to fairly simple types of random flight models and the influence of large scales structure in complex flows is generally not accounted for. In addition, some approximation has to be made for the Lagrangian timescale of the fluid seen by the particles. The second approach known as the two-fluid approach treats both carrier (continuous) and dispersed phases as two fluids coexisting and interacting with one another, modeling each fluid in terms of a set of "continuum" equations which represent the net conservation of mass, momentum and energy of either species within some elemental volume of the mixture. [See Elghobashi (1994)]. The principal advantage of this approach over the trajectory approach is that it is computationally more efficient since it deals directly with the net transport property of interest. However, much controversy has surrounded the forms of these equations, not least of which concerns the type of averaging upon which they are based and the form of the constitutive relations that are necessary for their solution. With the advent of supercomputers numerical simulation of particles in random flow fields typical of real turbulence has been crucial in furthering our understanding and modeling of particle transport. The application of direct numerical simulation (DNS) tracks particles through a flow field, each realization of which is a solution of the incompressible Navier Stokes equation. [See, for example, Squires and Eaton (1991a,b), Elghobashi and Truesdell (1992), and Mclaughlin (1989)]. The method is therefore relatively model free but limited to very low Reynolds number flow ~150. Despite these limitations, there is strong evidence that many of the main characteristics of real flows are being correctly predicted by DNS at least for moderate Reynolds numbers, especially in isotropic turbulence and turbulent boundary layers. The Reynolds number limitation has been overcome by Large Eddy Simulation (LES) resolving the 3-dimensional time dependent details of the largest scales of motion while using simple closure models for the smaller "sub-grid" scales. However, the method is only reliable with one way coupling, since in two way coupling it is the interaction between the sub-grid scales and the particles that dominates the coupling. Mention should also be made of simulations using so called kinematic turbulence. These are of two types: the first based on the Kraichnan's method of random Fourier modes [Fung et al. (1992)]; the second based on discrete vortex methods [Crowe et al. (1993)] used to examine the dispersion by large-scale organized structures in wakes and shear layers. Unlike DNS each realization of the flow field is not a solution of the Navier-Stokes equations so it is suitable only for studying dispersion. Nevertheless, useful information that does not depend upon the detailed dynamics can be obtained. The Particle Equation of Motion Of crucial importance to any model of particle transport is the form used for the particle equation of motion. Unfortunately no equation of motion exists appropriate for all conditions. Analytic forms exist for only a restricted range of flow conditions. Nevertheless, these have proven useful in establishing empirical models that extend the range of applicability. As a useful starting point the general aerodynamic force acting on a particle moving in an unsteady flow field can be seen as the sum of several forces, i.e., where is the inertial inviscid force that would act in the absence of viscocity, is the viscous force in the absence of inertial forces, and is the force due to the interaction of viscous and inertial effects. The inviscid force is composed of a force dependent upon the pressure gradient across the particle (and hence proportional to the local fluid acceleration) and an Added Mass term that accounts for the fact that a particle accelerating relative to the fluid is transferring momentum at a certain rate to the carrier flow: the increase in the apparent mass of the particle compared to the mass of the displaced fluid is commonly referred to as the added mass coefficient CM. (For a sphere CM = 1/2.) In addition, a particle will experience a lift force normal to the direction of its relative velocity and the local vorticity of the flow. [See Auton et al. (1988) for the first correct derivation of ]. Recent numerical simulations [Rivero et al. (1991)] for small to moderate Reynolds numbers in laminar flow indicate that it is probably correct under a wide range of conditions. The viscous force can be represented as the sum of two components: where is the viscous force as if the flow were steady and an extra force derived from the diffusion of vorticity generated at the surface of the particle at a rate proportional to the particle's relative acceleration. Since the diffusion rate is finite, this means that the force is dependent on the history of the particle motion. In one particular case of unsteady Stokes flow, the equation of motion of a sphere has been derived exactly by Maxey and Riley (1983). For the low particle Reynolds number approximation is the same as that derived in Auton et al. (1988). The term corresponding to is due to Stokes steady drag while the remaining term is the history term commonly referred to as the Basset history term. Both terms differ from that in uniform steady flow in that they contain the influence of curvature in the ambient flow (evaluated at the center of the particle); these "extra forces" are known as Faxen forces. The form originally derived by Maxey and Riley implicitly assumes that the particle is introduced into the flow with the same velocity as the carrier flow. In general, this cannot be true so an extra term must be included to account for shear stresses induced by the formation of an intense thin vortex layer arising from the mismatch of initial and flow conditions [Maxey (1993)]. The extent of viscous-inertial interaction measured by had for some time been limited to the well-known corrections due to Oseen (1927) and Proudman and Pearson (1957) for moderate particle Reynolds numbers, with higher Reynolds number forms based on measurement. All forms are generally expressed in terms of a Drag Coefficient, CD , versus Reynolds Number, Rep. In recent times significant advances have been made in our understanding of the influence of inertial forces in unsteady uniform flows and in steady uniform shear flows. Mei et al. (1991b) and Lovelanti and Brady (1993) have shown that at long times when inertial effects become important the kernel of (associated with the diffusion of locally created vorticity) decays faster than t–1/2 based on simple diffusion theory. In a steady uniform shear a sphere, for instance, will experience a lift force [Saffman (1965, 1968)] as well as a rotating sphere in a uniform flow [Rubinow and Keller (1961)]. The latter is important near a wall where depending on the conditions of impact a rebounding particle will have some induced spin. In an unbounded flow with kinematic viscosity ν and shear gradient G the frequently used form of a lift derived by Saffman is limited to conditions of low particle Reynolds number in which the Saffman length (ν/G)1/2 << the Stokes length (ν/\|vr\|), where vr is the velocity of the particle relative to the local carrier flow velocity. In many flows of practical interest, especially in a turbulent boundary layer, these conditions are rarely satisfied. Very recently McLaughlin (1993) removed the restriction on Saffman length and extended the analytic forms to situations where the particle is near a wall. These lift predictions were consistent with those obtained numerically by Dandy and Dwyer (1990) who extended the range of lift for a stationary sphere to Reynolds numbers of about 100. Transport in Simple Flows: Definitions, Scaling and Useful Concepts We examine transport of particles with low Reynolds number (Stokes flow) in homogeneous stationary turbulence in which the mean flow is either uniform or a simple shear. These are somewhat idealized flows but help us to define some useful parameters and highlight some simple effects that influence transport in real flows. A useful measure of the influence of particle size and density (particle inertia) is the particle relaxation or response time τp defined for a sphere of radius a and density ρp as: So if G is the typical gradient of the mean flow and the integral timescale of the turbulence measured along a particle trajectory, particles will follow the mean flow if G τp << 1 and the turbulent fluctuations if . However, in the case of the turbulence the value is not prescribed in any way, depending upon the value τp itself and the Eulerian integral length scale, Le, and time scale, Tef, of the carrier flow turbulence. For instance, in the absence of drift as the ratio τp/Tef varies between 0 and ∞ the value of varies between (the fluid Lagrangian integral timescale) and Tef (the Eulerian integral timescale or eddy decay time). Transport in homogeneous turbulence In uniform flows we consider motion in a frame of reference moving with the mean flow. Following Taylor's 1921 theory of diffusion by continuous movements, it is reasonable to assume that in an unbounded flow in the limit of diffusion times >> both and τp the net spatial number density of particles decays in time according to Fick's Law of Gradient Diffusion with long time diffusion coefficients Dij(∞) which denote the limiting values of Dij(t) where: where vi(t) and yj(t) are the particle velocity and position at time t in the i and j directions and < .. > is a global ensemble average. In the case of a quasi-steady Stokes drag law one can show from the equation of motion that for long times the ratio of the particle to carrier flow (fluid element) long time diffusion coefficients is the ratio , where is the carrier flow Lagrangian timescale. In the absence of drift, approximate calculations [Reeks (1977)] of for an isotropic random stationary Gaussian velocity field show that it is > 1 with a maximum value for large particle that increases as the ratio of a structure parameter (the parameter indicates the importance of persistent or coherent structures on the dispersion). That is, the long time particle diffusion is actually greater than that for an equivalent fluid element, a result also true of DNS isotropic decaying [Elghobashi and Truesdell (1992)] and forced turbulence [Squires and Eaton (1991a)] and confirmed by the experiments of Wells and Stock (1983). However, in the DNS study of decaying isotropic turbulence, the maximum value of this ratio occurred at an intermediate value of the ratio of τp/Tef. This is further linked to the influence of structure on transport and to the trapping of particles within vortices: increasing particle inertia was found to produce a preferential bias in the particle trajectory towards regions of low vorticity and high strain rate [Squires and Eaton (1991b)]. Similar biasing of the particle concentration towards regions of high velocity for particles settling under gravity produces a higher settling velocity than that in the absence of gravity [Maxey (1987)]. However a far more significant effect of gravitational settling is its influence on particle dispersion. If particles are settling out under gravity with some drift velocity vg they see a shorter fluid timescale than those with zero drift because, of the shorter time they spend in an eddy. So is smaller than its value for zero drift. If the transit time across any eddy due to the particles relative mean motion >> the eddy decay time (i.e., vg >> the carrier flow rms velocity then this form for Dij can be approximated by: where Leij is the Eulerian fluid length scale appropriate for the i-j directions, one of these directions being in the direction of vg. The influence of the mean motion on the diffusion coefficient is known as the crossing trajectory effect [Yudine (1959)]; the implication is that diffusion is reduced normal and parallel to the direction of gravity. In the case of isotropic turbulence the ratio of these length scales is a 1/2 implying a similar ratio of the corresponding particle Diffusion Coefficients, an effect also confirmed by the experiments of Ferguson and Stock (1994) and by DNS [Squires and Eaton (1991a) and Elghobashi and Truesdell (1992)]. Finally, particle transport in homogeneous turbulence can be used to introduce the concept of particle pressure and to evaluate the so-called equation of state. Pressure is used here in a general sense to denote the surface forces on an elemental volume due to the net momentum transferred across those surfaces from the turbulent motion of individual particles. So at equilibrium there will be a balance between the gradient of these surface forces and the net weight of the particles due to gravity. Using an approach similar to that used in classical thermodynamics to evaluate the virial of system of interacting molecules one can show [Reeks (1991)] that: where pij are the components of the particle stress tensor, the net mass density of the particles and u(p)(t) the earner flow velocity along a particle trajectory. The first term on the RHS is the contribution from the particle Reynolds stresses and the second term from the interfacial momentum transfer due to the turbulence, which is the gradient of a surface force at position in the flow so that: A similar result is given by Simonin et al. (1993). The equation of state also implies a fundamental relationship between the quantities on the right hand side of Equation (6) and the particle diffusion coefficient Dij(∞). Thus: This relationship, valid in all turbulent flows, expresses a fundamental equivalence at equilibrium between the gradients of surface forces and diffusion fluxes. Transport in a simple shear flow Analysis based on Stokes drag of the long term dispersion of particles in a simple shear [Reeks (1993)] highlights certain deficiencies in the traditional two fluid model assumption that the dispersed phase behaves as a Newtonian Fluid; i.e., at equilibrium in a bounded simple shear flow the shear stresses, for example, are directly proportional to the symmetric mean rate of shearing of the dispersed phase (the so-called Boussinesq assumption). In reality, each component of the particle stress is the sum of two components: a homogeneous component having a form identical to that in homogeneous turbulence, i.e., explicitly independent of the shear; and a deviatoric component which depends upon the value of the shearing of both the carrier and dispersed phases. The deviatoric components are zero for fluid point motion but dominate over the homogeneous component as Gτp >> 1. Furthermore, unlike the homogeneous stresses, the deviatoric stresses are always asymmetric (arising from the inherent asymmetry in the interfacial momentum transfer surface forcer). There are no violations of Cauchy's second law since the net surface couple generated on an elemental volume is precisely compensated by an equal and opposite body couple. However this asymmetry does influence the dispersion: with the streamwise diffusion coefficients increasing faster than the cross-streamwise components an elemental volume of particles is stretched into a long narrow ellipsoid that rotates until its major axis is along the streamwise direction [Hyland, McKee, and Reeks (1993)]. Crossing trajectories will also influence the particle dispersion: so as in homogeneous flow, it is significantly reduced when the particles are settling under gravity. They can also play a part when at any point in shear the mean particle velocity is different from that of the carrier phase [Huang and Stock (1994)]. Transport including other aerodynamic forces A thorough investigation of the particle transport using an equation of motion which includes added mass and history forces (see the Maxey and Riley equation) is currently restricted to kinematic simulation carried in a stationary random isotropic Gaussian homogeneous velocity fields, see Mei et al. (1991). While particle RMS velocities are reduced, the particle dispersion coefficients in the long term are surprisingly little different from their values based on Stokes drag. This has some connection with the result that the particle stop distance is the same as its Stokes drag value. Wang and Stock (1988) and Mei et al. (1991) have also evaluated the influence of non-Stokes drag on particle dispersion in the same flow field: they found that the long term diffusion coefficient for large particles in the absence of gravity was slightly greater than the equivalent value based on Stokes drag. As to the dispersion in a simple shear only the influence of lift forces has so far been investigated. Ounis & Ahamdi (1991) have shown that the principle influence of lift is to increase the long term diffusion coefficient in the cross-streamwise direction compared to its Stokes drag value which is independent of the local shear. Hyland (1994) has confirmed this result and shown that the diffusion coefficient in the other directions are enhanced by the lift with similar trends in behaviour with increasing particle inertia. He has also considered the evolution of a point source of particles released at the center of the shear, observing a similar stretching and rotation of an evolving ellipsoid but at a greater rate to that for Stokes drag. The dispersion is in general described by the telegraph equation, which approaches the normal diffusion equation as t → ∞. Rational Theories for Transport in Real Flows The simple analytic theories based on simple diffusion that we have used to quantify and analyze transport in the simple flows are no longer adequate in non uniform flows. However they form a basis for developing more general approaches. There are two approaches worthy mentioning, namely, the approaches by Reeks (1992) and Simonin et al. (1993) which in the end yield very similar results and generate the correct behavior in the simple flows discussed above. Both use the two-fluid model approach. Thus in the case of a simple Stokes drag the net momentum equation, for example, would be found by averaging the instantaneous equations for the momentum based on the equation of motion. Using density weighted (Favre) averages you obtain: where is the density weighted mean particle velocity and the instantaneous carrier flow velocity is expressed as the sum of a mean and fluctuating component . The essential problem is then finding closed equations for the Reynolds stresses and the turbulent interfacial momentum transfer term . Reeks uses a pdf approach similar to that used in kinetic theory whereby the constitutive relations for the dispersed phase are derived from approximate solutions of a pdf equation representing the probability density that a particle has a certain velocity and position at time t (the analogue of the Boltzmann equation) with a term representing the net force experienced by a particle due to its interaction with random turbulent eddies. For a particle with velocity and position the component of this net force per unit volume is given by: where is the instantaneous phase space density and the dispersion coefficients μij and λij and γi are dispersion coefficients dependent upon displacements in the velocity and position of a particle starting out at time zero and arriving at at time t. The net interfacial momentum term is then simply the value of integrated over all particle velocities, namely A similar result has been derived by Simonin et al. (1993) by recognizing that the fluctuating interfacial term is responsible for an extra fluid-particle drift over and above that due to the mean relative velocity . It is the presence of this drift velocity in particle settling under gravity in homogeneous turbulence that causes the globally averaged settling velocity to be higher than in it is in still fluid [Maxey (1987)]. The form derived for this drift term gives an expression which assuming an exponential decaying autocorrelation for the fluid is identical to the value derived by Reeks. The form is an obvious generalization of the results derived for simple flows with suitable averages defined about a specific point in space, rather than a global average associated with the whole ensemble. We note that in addition there is an extra term, which is zero in homogeneous flows equivalent to a body force, which will tend to move particles from high to low regions of turbulence. In weakly inhomogeneous flows in the long time limit when the inertial acceleration term can be ignored the momentum equation reduces to a simple diffusion equation with value for Dij etc. given by the fundamental Equation (8) and a drift velocity (derived from the body force and the gradient of the particle co-variance). The latter is referred to as the turbophoretic velocity [Reeks (1992)] indicating that particles will drift from high to low regions of turbulence. This behavior has been observed in experiment [Young and Hanratty (1991)]. This has important implications for the behavior of particles in turbulent boundary layers [Reeks et al. (1993)]. Auton, T. R., Hunt, J. C. R., and Prud'homme, M. (1988) The force exerted on a body in inviscid unsteady non-uniform rotational flow, J. Fluid Mechanics, 197, 41-257. Berlemont, A., Desjonqueres, P., and Gouesbet, G. (1990) Particle Lagrangian simulation in turbulent flows, Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, 16, 19-34. DOI: 10.1016/0301-9322(90)90034-G Crowe, C. T., Chung, J. N., and Troutt, T. R. (1993) Particle dispersion by organized turbulent structures, Particulate Two-Phase Flow, Rocco, M., Ed., Butterworth. Dandy, D. S. and Dwyer, H. A. (1990) A sphere in shear flow at finite Reynolds number: effect of shear on particle lift, drag, and heat transfer, J. Fluid Mechanics, 216, 381-410. Elghobashi, S. (1994) On predicting particle-laden turbulent flows, Applied Scientific Research, 52, 309-329. Elghobashi, S. and Truesdell, G. C. (1992) Direct simulation of particle dispersion in a decaying isotropic turbulence, J. Fluid Mechanics, 242, 655-700. Ferguson, J. R. and Stock, D. E. (1994) Effects of fluid continuity on turbulent particle dispersion, J. Fluid Mechanics. Vol. submitted. Fung, J. C. H., Hunt, J. C. R., Malik, N. A., and Perkings, R. J. (1992) Kinematic simulation of homogeneous turbulence by unsteady random Fourier modes, J. Fluid Mechanics, 136, 281-318. Huang, X., Stock, D. E., and Wang, L.-P. (1993) Using the Monte-Carlo process to simulate two-dimensional heavy particle dispersion, ASME/FED, Gas-Solid Flows, 166, 153-167. Hyland, K. E. (1994) The modelling of particle dispersion in turbulent fluid flows, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Hyland, K. E., McKee, S., and Reeks, M. W. (1993) The dispersion of particles in a simple shear flow, ASME/FED, Gas-Solid Flows, 166, 177-182. Lovalenti, P. M. and Brady, J. F. (1993) The hydrodynamic force on a rigid particle undergoing arbitrary time-dependent motion at small Reynolds number, J. Fluid Mechanics, 256, 561-605. Maxey, M. R. (1987) The gravitational settling of aerosol particles in homogeneous turbulence and random flow fields, J. Fluid Mechanics, 174, 441-465. Maxey, M. R. (1993) The equation of motion for a small rigid sphere in a nonuniform or unsteady flow, ASME/FED, Gas-Solid Flows, 166, 57-62. Maxey, M. R. and Riley, J. J. (1983) Equation of motion for a small rigid sphere in a nonuniform flow, Physics of Fluids, 26, 883-889. McLaughlin, J. B. (1989) Aerosol particle deposition in numerically simulated channel flow, Physics of Fluids A, 1, 1211-1224. McLaughlin, J. B. (1993) The lift on a small sphere in wall-bounded linear shear flows, J. Fluid Mechanics, 246, 249-265. Mei, R., Adrian, R. J. and Hanratty, T. J. (1991a) Particle dispersion in isotropic turbulence under Stokes drag and Basset force with gravitational settling, J. Fluid Mechanics, 225, 481-495. Mei, R., Lawrence, C. J., and Adrian, R. J. (1991b) Unsteady drag on a sphere at finite Reynolds number with small fluctuations in the free-stream velocity, J. Fluid Mechanics, 233, 613-631. Ossen, C. W. (1927) Hydrodynamik, Leipzig, 132. Ounis, H. and Ahmadi, G. (1991) Motions of small particles in a turbulent simple shear flow field under microgravity condition, Physics of Fluids A, 3, 2559-2570. Proudman, I. A. N. and Pearson, J. R. A. (1957) Expansions at small Reynolds number for the flow past a sphere and a circular cylinder, J. Fluid Mechanics, 2, 237-262. Reeks, M. W. (1977) On the dispersion of small particles suspended in an isotropic turbulent field, J. Fluid Mechanics, 83, 529-546. Reeks, M. W. (1991) On a kinetic equation for the transport of particles in turbulent flows, Physics of Fluids A, 3, 446-456. Reeks, M. W. (1992) On the continuum equations for dispersed particles in nonuniform flows, Physics of Fluids A, 4, 1290-1303. Reeks, M. W. (1993) On the constitutive relations for dispersed particles in nonuniform flows. 1: Dispersion in a simple shear flow, Physics of Fluids A, 5, 750-761. Reeks, M. W., Swailes, D., Hyland, K. E., and McKee, S. (1993) A unifying theory for the deposition of particles in a turbulent boundary layer, ASME/FED, Gas-Solid Flows, 166, 109-112. Rivero, M., Magnaudet, J., and Fabre, J. (1991) Quelques résultats nouvea ux concernant les forces exercées sur une inclusion sphérique par un écoulement accéléré, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 312, 1499-1506. Rubinow, S. I. and Keller, J. B. (1961) The transverse force on a spinning sphere moving in a viscous fluid, J. Fluid Mechanics, 11, 447-459. Saffman, P. G. (1965) The lift on a small sphere in a slow shear flow, J. Fluid Mechanics, 22, 285-400. Simonin. O., Deutsch, E., and Minier, J. P. (1993) Eulerian prediction of the fluid/particle correlated motion in turbulent two-phase flows, Applied Scientific Research, 51, 275-283. Sommerfeld, M. (1960) Numerical simulation of particle dispersion in a turbulent flow, Numerical methods for multiphase flow: The importance of particle lift forces and particle/wall collision models, ASME/FED. Gas-Solid Flows, 91, 11-18. Squires, K. D. and Eaton, J. K. (1991a) Measurements of particle dispersion obtained from direct numerical simulations of isotropic turbulence, J. Fluid Mechanics, 226, 1-35. Squires, K. D. and Eaton, J. K. (1991b) Preferential concentration of particles by turbulence, Physics of Fluids A, 3, 1169-1178. Taylor, G. I. (1921) Diffusion by continuous movements, Proc. London. Math. Soc., 20, 196-212. Wang, L. P. and Stock, D. E. (1989) Numerical simulation of heavy particle dispersion time step and nonlinear drag consideration, J. Fluids Engineering, Transactions of the ASME, 114, 100-106. Young, J. B. and Hanratty, T. J. (1991) Optical studies on the turbulent motion of solid particles in a pipe flow, J. Fluid Mechanics, 231. Yudine, M. I. (1959) Physical consideration on heavy-particle dispersion, Advances in Geophysics, 6, 185-191. Número de vistos: 24539 Artículo añadido: 2 February 2011 Último artículo modificado: 4 February 2011 © Copyright 2010-2019 Volver arriba	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2007
__label__cc	0.616686	0.383314	Download Circle Your Land 1.0.0 for windows 7 Circle Your Land Circle Your Land 1.0.0 Out smart your opponent and occupy more lands OS Support: Win2000, Win7 x32, Win7 x64, WinServer, WinXP, Windows 8, Win Vista Last Update: 14 Feb 2014 In this game there are poles arranged in a grid. You and the computer will take turns to put a fence between two poles. If the fence you put just caused a piece of land to be surrounded by four fences, then the piece of land will be yours and you can put another fence again. The game is over when all the pieces of land are occupied, the player with the more pieces of land wins......................................................................................................................... Circle Your Land free download for Windows 7/8 on our website. Collect as many colorful gems as possible. Machines at War 3 Command over 130 types of units in 21 epic missions creating total annihilation. War on Folvos Turn-based strategy game set on a fictitious future world. Dragons of Atlantis for Pokki Dragons of Atlantis is a free real-time strategy game for your PC made by Kabam. Atomic Tanks AI Upgrade Worms and Scorched Earth-like game Retaliation: Path of War Retaliation: Path of War is a new and original hex-and-counter turn based wargam square \| circle \| land \| fence \| pole \| field \|	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2011
__label__wiki	0.610966	0.610966	Warwick ASEAN Conference Inspiring Tomorrow’s ASEAN The Organising Committee Conference Councils Organised & Supported By Socio-Cultural Articles Economics Articles Confronting British History in Singapore February 4, 2018 February 12, 2018 Warwick ASEAN Conference Disclaimer: Warwick ASEAN Conference would like to clarify that all opinions expressed in this article are the authors’ and editors’ own. BY JESSICA MANN When we think of colonialism, empire, and its implications from the British perspective, we often envisage Africa, India, and the Commonwealth islands. It is rare however, that Southeast Asia enters our line of consideration. From a personal standpoint, SEA had never once been mentioned during my time in the comprehensive (state) education system here. My only preliminary knowledge of Singapore, as I was considering it as a field site for a Summer research project, was a vague recollection of the fact that my Grandfather had once been sent there during his time in the British Navy. As a native English speaking person, I am of course accustomed to the luxury of being accommodated for when travelling to other countries. Not always fluent, but often it’s at least viable to communicate the basics wherever I go. Even in countries where it’s more of a challenge; English translations are at least accessible on key signposts and important documents. Among the tougher to navigate destinations, in relation to language, have been Tunisia and Mexico, as their respective colonial histories lend themselves dominantly to the languages of French and Spanish. Despite the fact that it may have been therefore glaringly obvious that English is a primary language in Singapore, something about this took me by surprise. I had known before I chose to travel that Singaporeans are fluent in English. It was one of the critical reasons the location had become the subject of my social research. However, I believe there is something noteworthy in the phenomenon of travelling thirteen hours across the world, and being able to fit so effortlessly within a nation, which in so many other ways, is remarkably different. Reflecting now, it is obvious how these initial thoughts began to flourish and transform, the more that I observed. What I wish to share in this short piece, is not a diary of my trip, but rather a key theme that appears to reoccur the more I reflect upon it. This is in itself; the duality that is faced by a British person, confronting how the history of their nation has manifested in another. I remain cautious regarding the language I use here; it has been suggested that we discuss the ‘scars’ that Britain and empire have left on this nation. Certainly, it left its scars throughout the nation’s history, but I use the word ‘manifested’ to illustrate the observations that can be made at present, because it’s far from appropriate to portray Singapore as a nation clouded in devastation. It stands now clearly and proudly, as a nation within its own right, boasting a thriving economy and competitively high living standards. My purpose for being there was in fact to study its National Service scheme, a practice which has since been abolished here in the UK. I was keen to understand its purpose, and to explore how male citizens feel about this compulsory obligation. As such, visiting the military museums became a central focus of the trip, in order to better understand the history and context of the country. After a little research I concluded it necessary to make a visit to the Former Ford Factory (museum of the Japanese occupation). At this site, it is possible to see the place where Britain made its iconic surrender of the nation, handing it over to the Japanese forces during the second world war. I perceived the entire experience to be something of a landmark moment. I was standing face to face with a narrative which was intertwined with my own history as British citizen, and yet I was an outsider to it. Never before had I encountered this narrative, one which offered an account of events during the second world war but within the Southeast Asia region. Let alone had I grasped an understanding of the paradox: of the British colonising a nation, profiting from its presence in this part of the world; only to surrender it to a brutal regime, when times were difficult on the ‘Homefront’. The museum itself provides a time-lined exhibition of documents and information leading up to the event, and chilling accounts of the abuse the nation suffered upon its occupation. One can only ponder how different its history may have been if it were left alone instead of claimed by the greed of empire. Further exploring these themes, I later visited the ‘Battlebox’ museum, which presents these events from a more strategic perspective. It demonstrates the choices that the British forces in Singapore were left to make, and subsequently how the decision to surrender was reached. The narrative I felt, was sympathetic to the options available to the British military left there within the situation. But of the army as a force itself, it seemed clear that Britain had failed to invest enough of its resources to combat the Japanese advancements through Malaysia and Singapore. As such, the museum boasts and sells itself on being dedicated to the event which Churchill referred to, as the “the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history”. Again, I can only emphasise, this ‘worst disaster’ was certainly missing from our history lessons. My concern therefore lies within the fact (primarily), that my fundamental understanding of the history of the world war, prior to university education, was grossly narrow in knowledge. Our teachings of events covered Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the US. We focused on those who were largely in control, of other empires, those who had been the perpetrators of colonisation. We failed to subsequently understand and acknowledge the outcomes for those who had been colonised, and the repercussions which are still playing out for them today. They rarely even caught a mention, to the extent that my understanding of ‘world war’ was probably only truly recognised during my time in Singapore. From those that were forced to fight on behalf of their colonial identity, to the chain reaction of countries which reclaimed their independence following the fallout from it. Naturally the question arises, why are these histories so excluded from our schools? Common answers include the notion that British history is so vast and complex, we can only cover selective topics. We focus often then on symbolic markers of British identity; the evolution of the monarchy, the dawn of industrialisation and the exploitation of the working classes, and the lives lost among two separate wars. It appears that only university environments at best have strived to move beyond this dangerous cherry-picking of information. For when we truly scrutinise our perceptions of British history, it is nothing but contradictory to teach industrialisation and world war, without an explanation of colonisation. We cannot, on the one hand glorify industrialisation and boast the expansion of empire, whilst simultaneously claiming that Britain can only be understood in depth as this sole (falsely portrayed) isolated island nation. We are encouraged to know Britain as it is represented in this one locality, and yet multiple versions of ‘Britishness’ have been played out across the world, with varying consequences of severity. As Alex Smith has observed, these imagined concepts of, ‘Britain and Britishness need to be unpacked and explored, their consequences and political effects accounted for and taken seriously,’ (2014). One such example of this ongoing paradox springs to mind through the recent controversial article, ‘Can colonialism have its benefits? Look at Singapore’ (Jeevan Vasagar: 2018, in The Guardian). Although the article is more complex than the overtly click-baiting headline suggests, it is reminiscent of a pervasive mentality which appears to discuss the effects of colonialism, only when they are seen in conjunction with a ‘successful’ narrative. Notice that neighbouring countries which were also colonised by Britain didn’t make the cut. Additionally, it does a wonderful job of claiming that the colonially instilled values which apparently contribute to this success, are those of high levels of state social control, state interference, and strict methods of punishment. It seems somewhat ironic that such qualities are often perceived by Western states now as repressive, and yet the writer cites them in this context as positive legacies of colonialism which continue to directly contribute to the nation’s preservation and success. It is also interesting that there has recently been talk on comparing the UK to Singapore as an ‘independent island nation’ following Brexit, or rather suggesting that we should follow its example. Whatever the initial intentions of this article were; I would argue that opinion based journalism which discusses colonialism with any kind of positive implication, is not what’s needed from our ‘news’-papers today. One only needs to enter any British pub on a Friday night to reinforce ideas about the positives of empire. In essence, immediate justification is already the status quo. Naturally, it is assumed when there is such invisibility of the contrary, that empire made a progressive contribution to the world. It is often thought that to discuss or to teach the negative consequences of colonisation, would ultimately result in a lack of patriotism or pride in Britain. Politicians who are open about such histories, or are understanding about the chain reactions of events produced by colonial actions, are soon penalised for being ‘anti-British’ or traitorous to their nation. But I believe that there are ways to reconcile with these histories, whilst remaining positive about our place in the world today. Countries such as Japan and Germany are known to ensure the extensive teaching of their wrongs in history to citizens, as a means of instilling respect and signifying that a shift in attitude has occurred. It seems ludicrous therefore, that we continue to vote in support of the narrowing of our historical curriculum, in favour of protecting the ‘British values’ which we repeatedly struggle to define. Editorial, Political Articles, Socio-Cultural Articles Aesthetic Cosmopolitanism in Southeast Asian Pop Music Islamic Finance and ASEAN A Hairy Situation: Hair Trade in Southeast Asia Why Southeast Asian Street Food Matters From Four Wheels to Two: Fusion Tech Startups of Southeast Asia Pen Sketches: Democracy in ASEAN Building an ASEAN Identity: Our past, present and future ASEAN: A Workplace Like No Other Tongue Tied – The Globalization of Languages: Endangering Language, Culture, and the Prospects of Copyright © 2019 Warwick ASEAN Conference Theme: Flash by ThemeGrill. 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__label__cc	0.678909	0.321091	Found Time One of the realities of life in a law office is that your day rarely precedes as expected. One day, your gear up for a project that you expect to take up half of your day; the next, the deal is busted or the case is settled. Sometimes a client hits traffic on I-70 coming to Denver and has to reschedule for the following day. A deposition is cancelled because a witness is sick. A court date is continued late in the afternoon before the hearing that was to take up the following day. Typically, at any given time, two-thirds to three-quarters of the items on my "to do" list have a caveat, because the ball in that matter is in someone else's court and we can't act until we receive more information or action. Maybe the next action item for us is a reply brief and the response brief hasn't yet been filed. Maybe, the next step is to establish a business entity, but we are waiting for a client to decide on its name, or the ownership percentages. A plan to establish an independent distributorship morphs into drafting an executive compensation agreement for a manager of a branch office and we must wait while the deal is renegotiated. The bottom line is that several times a day, an e-mail or call (often it used to be a fax, but nobody uses faxes anymore), will interrupt the plan for the day and send us scampering off in a new direction, or with a big hole in our schedule. Even more often there are moments of found time. It is five o'clock and you have a meeting at five thirty, but no item on the "to do" list requires a block of time less than one hour if you want to be efficient about it. So, you pause, gossip. grab a snack, blog, or whatever until it is showtime again. Tags: personal reflections, Rants "There is a traffic jam of thoughts going on in her head, but I'm not in the car with her." - Andrea Cremer, "Invisibility" (2013). Tags: Quotes Connect For Health Colorado Finally Delivers (Sort Of) To recap the saga: In late October of 2013, my wife set up an account at Connect For Health Colorado including a lengthy and intrusive application for Medicaid, even though we knew that we didn't qualify for it. Sometime after Thanksgiving, after many catastrophic system failures at Connect For Health, we finally get our Medicaid application rejection and are allowed to access the part of the website that allows you to compare and contrast health insurance plans. There are lots of plans and lots of details involved, but eventually, we pick a no deductible "gold plan" with CIGNA that will be hundreds of dollars cheaper than the health insurance that I have from Anthem (Blue Cross-Blue Shield) through the Colorado Bar Association (after Obamacare subsidies) has a $5,000 deductible for in network services, per person, and will no longer be available starting May 1, 2014 since it doesn't comply with Obamacare requirements. We submit our plan on the December 23, 2013 deadline to choose plans effective January 1, 2014. A day or two before January 29, 2014, we finally get an invoice from CIGNA for the health insurance we were unable to utilize from January 1, 2014 through January 31, 2014, because we had no health insurance cards and no one at CIGNA could confirm that we had health insurance from them. Some of the delay was due to Connect for Health not being able to get our information to CIGNA in a timely fashion, and some of the delay was due to CIGNA's failure to process the information in a timely fashion once it was received from Connect for Health. In order to try to avoid this kind of overlap of coverage, on January 29, 2014, we make a simple request that is supposed to take two weeks to fulfill. We change our start date from January 1, 2014 to March 1, 2014, allowing an ample thirty days for the change to be processed, so that we can pay our premium and have health insurance cards in hand when our new CIGNA coverage begins. Silly us. Earlier this week (i.e. April 23), about twelve weeks after our requested change in start date and four months after we chose our health insurance plan, we finally are given the opportunity to pay our March premium for CIGNA and get into their system, and have been promised that we will received temporary health insurance cards tomorrow. In the intervening twelve weeks, we had dozens of phone conversations with almost as many Connect For Health and CIGNA representatives (several times on conference calls involving representatives of both), about half of them managers and devoted probably thirty hours to the problem - hold times of half an hour to an hour were common. Sometimes they would talk to me about the health insurance application submitted by my wife for our family without question, other times, they refused to talk to me citing confidentiality requirements. We were told that there are hundreds of similarly situated people in the Connect For Health system and that there is no process for escalation of problem cases like ours to higher levels. Connect For Health representatives swore that they'd sent information to CIGNA that was actually never sent several times. We were promised calls back from Connect For Health representatives about ten or twelve times, and only received return calls two or three times. One of the two times we were given a direct line for a particular person, Connect for Health refused to connect us to that person when we called back. Threats of lawsuits and legislative intervention were to no avail. I was promised a response from someone outside the call center, but got no response, although I did get a name and address. Connect for Health mostly refuses to do business by mail, by e-mail, or in person, despite being supposedly a Colorado specific operation and their call centers are all across the United States. Eventually, my wife's dire and disgruntled posts all over the Connect for Health website got us a call from someone in the Connect for Health organization with a direct line, e-mail and apparently, the ability to finally get the job done in just a few days. One can get health insurance directly from a health insurance company, but doing so means that you forfeit the Obamacare premium subsidy, which Connect for Health has a monopoly upon. But, in the end, we will have ended up paying for my old health insurance from January through April, coming within a week of having no health insurance at all, and also paying for the new health insurance for March and April despite the fact that we won't have any opportunity to use until the last week of April. We were given an opportunity to move back the start date to May, and just like the first time we did it, we were told that it would just take two weeks. But, that would leave us uninsured for the first week of May and the last time we were told it would just take two weeks it actually took twelve, so we declined that opportunity. Connect for Health tells you that you can take a screen shot of your Connect for Health application and get health care from medical providers, but this is just a plain and simple lie, and one that health insurers are ill advised to participate in because, a screen shot is too early in the process to guarantee that a health insurance policy will actually be generated. A process that routinely encourages people to pay for health insurance that they didn't receive is fundamentally fraudulent. Connect for Health's insanely incompetent bumbling has cost my family about $2,500-$3,000 that we wouldn't have paid if they'd been doing their job, which eats up almost all of the economic benefits we would have received from Obamacare in the first year. All told, the process has taken about 70 hours of our time, more than half of which was due to various screw ups by Connect for Health, and I fully anticipate that we will have about 15 hours or more dealing with the health care billing screwups caused by having two health insurance policies in place for the same time for March and April. Assuming that our experience is typical of the hundreds of majorly screwed up cases in the system, Connect for Health has caused several hundreds of thousands of dollars to a million dollars of direct economic harm to people trying to sign up for health insurance, and thousands of hours of time for people trying to deal with their screw ups. Worse still, some of those people were probably denied necessary health care as a result of their bumbling and suffered much more serious harm as a result. I am currently exploring filing a class action lawsuit against Connect for Health seeking money damages for the class of people harmed by their failure to live up to their promises upon which people have relied and their contacts with health insurers and governments, as well as seeking injunctive relief to address the problems causing the damages. The irony of it is that I am a big supporter of Obamacare as public policy. Expanded Medicaid coverage, subsidized mandatory individual coverage for the more affluent uninsured in a well regulated market, and a largely unchanged situation for Medicare and group health care, may be an ugly kludge, but it dramatically reduces the ranks of the uninsured, substantively hurts almost no one, and meaningfully dents health care costs for those who pay most dearly for it under the old system, like self-employed people. But, the implementation of health insurance exchanges like Connect for Health has been so abysmally incompetent, that this little detail has tarnished the entire program. It is a problem that can and should be fixed. Nothing that Connect for Health is charged with doing is very difficult. But, because they have utterly fucked up this task, the promise of Obamacare has not been fully realized yet and immense problems have been created. Tags: bad business management, Colorado Politics, Connect For Health, Health Care, personal reflections, Rants How many attorneys are there in Colorado? As of December 31, 2013, there were 25,496 active attorneys in Colorado and 12,196 inactive attorneys in the state. I always knew that there were a significant number of inactive attorneys' in the state, but had never imagined that it was 32.4% of the total (almost a third). Over the course of the year, the state added 1,877 new attorneys and lost 983 attorneys (mostly to death). Of the new attorneys', however, 560 were admitted on a limited basis for a single client only, as pro hac vice attorneys in a single case, or in one case, as a temporary law processor for the duration of his or her tenure. After removing those attorneys from the rolls, the number of new attorneys net of lost attorneys was only 334, an increase of 1.3% which is slightly less than the 1.5% growth in population that Colorado experienced in that year. Tags: attorneys, Colorado Larimer County Judge Is Suspended, Publicly Censured And Resigns Larimer County, Colorado Judge Robert A. Rand was suspended on July 3, 2013 and then accepted a resolution of his case in which he received a public censure (in case 13SA172) from the Colorado Supreme Court, and resigned on February 10, 2014. Somehow, I managed to miss the news when it happened. The censure identifies seven instances when he made inappropriate joking comments about people who encountered in the court, six of which were sexist. It identifies two instances of inappropriate ex parte communications, one as a result of technological ignorance about how to do a conference call and a more serious case where he talked to a former paralegal related to a married couple coming before him as criminal defendants and failed to recuse himself. It also identifies numerous inappropriate, off the record discussions with criminal defendants after proceedings ended. The disciplinary counsel has identified problems created by the excessive confidentiality requirements involved in the formal judicial disciplinary process that is rarely invoked. On the whole, it is reassuring that Colorado's judicial disciplinary process manage to bring about the resignation of a judge who engaged in repeated, albeit minor, judicial ethics violations, without the intense political tussle of a legislative impeachment proceeding or cumbersome and not always well informed process of a retention election. Tags: Bad judges, Colorado Supreme Court, Courts, Feminism, Privacy, Robert Rand Pot Liberalization Not Linked To More Crime [A] new report contends that fourteen years later, even after Colorado legalized the sale of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use on Jan. 1 of this year, violent and property crime rates in the city are actually falling. According to data from the Denver Police Department, violent crime (including homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault) fell by 6.9% in the first quarter of 2014, compared with the same period in 2013. Property crime (including burglary, larceny, auto theft, theft from motor vehicle and arson) dropped by 11.1%. A study looking at the legalization of medical marijuana nationwide, published late last month in the journal PLOS ONE, found that the trend holds: Not only does medical marijuana legalization not correlate with an uptick in crime, researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas argue it may actually reduce it. Using statistics from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report and controlling for variables like the unemployment and poverty rates; per capita income; age of residents; proportion of residents with college degree; number of police officers and prisoners; and even beer consumption, researchers analyzed data from all 50 states between 1990 and 2006.... “The central finding gleaned from the present study was that MML (medical marijuana legalization) is not predictive of higher crime rates and may be related to reductions in rates of homicide and assault. Interestingly, robbery and burglary rates were unaffected by medicinal marijuana legislation, which runs counter to the claim that dispensaries and grow houses lead to an increase in victimization due to the opportunity structures linked to the amount of drugs and cash that are present.” Tags: Crime, Denver, drug war * Yesterday was the 100th anniversary of the Ludlow Massacre in Colorado in which: [A] gunfight broke out between members of the Colorado National Guard and striking coal miners employed by the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company near Trinidad, Colorado. During the fighting in and around a tent encampment of striking miners, eleven children and two women were killed when the tent above a pit they were taking shelter from the fighting in was set on fire. This event became known as the Ludlow Massacre, and shocked the nation into a greater awareness of the poor working conditions and exploitative "company town" economic predation faced by coal miners. Today, all mine workers in the U.S. have a right to unionize and a very large percentage do (unlike the bulk of the private sector work force in which unionization is at pre-labor law lows), and safety standards in mining are much higher, mostly as a result of the Mine Safety and Health Administration which rivals the National Transportation Safety Board which regulated air and rail traffic safety, for its effectiveness (in stark contrast to the largely ineffectual (outside of manufacturing) Occupational Health and Safety Administration, OSHA, which has never had sufficient funding relative to its regulatory jurisdiction to make much of a difference). The creation of a "company union" in the wake of the Ludlow massacre by Rockefeller's Colorado Fuel and Iron Company to prevent a real union with a more aggressive stance from filling the vacuum is one of the reasons that current U.S. law prohibits such unions which are common in places like Japan. But, coal mining remains a very dangerous profession relative to most other professions even today. There are far more coal mining and transportation and power plant deaths than there are deaths from nuclear power to workers and non-workers alike, for example. In recent years, many of the reduced deaths are due to automation rather than improved safety standards. Abroad, for example in China, safety standards for miners are much lower and there are many deaths. Worker's compensation, another aftermath of that era has been a mixed blessing, making some compensation for injured or killed workers almost automatic, but providing stingy amounts of compensation that are overrun with red tape. I can't recall the last time that the National Guard was called upon in any state to put down union activity, and the Kent State shooting of war protesters in Ohio, on May 4, 1970, before I was born, is one of the last notable times the National Guard killed U.S. civilians, although the National Guard was called upon to provide civil security in the wake 9-11 at airports and has been called upon to deal with civil unrest now and then on many occasions, generally under the direction of state governors rather than when called up to federal duty when the Posse Comitatus Act (arguably one of the most important parts of the "unwritten constitution" in the United States) applies. * It was also the day critical in the marijuana subculture, that evolved from a group of kids who smoked pot in California after school at that time in 1971, after which the number began to be associated with marijuana generally, and then morphed into a month and day instead of an hour and minute. One of the biggest events honoring this date in the Denver area was the Cannabis Cup at the Denver Merchandise Mart organized by High Times magazine, which had thousands of visitors paying $40 or so a head to get into to see the vendors and events. It was the 40th time the event was held and the first in a state with legalized recreational marijuana. The crowd was well behaved and there were few incidents of note. * It was also Hitler's birthday, * And, this year, it was Easter. Incidentally, one of the main historical investments of the Roman Catholic Church in astronomy (which continues to this day) originally involved the effort to correctly determine the date of Easter. The Vatican observatory is one of the reasons that this Christian denomination embraces the Big Bang and an allegorical, rather than literal, reading of the creation story in the Bible. Tags: Civil Liberties, Colorado, drug war, Energy, Federalism, History, military justice, Public Safety, Religion, Science, Technology, Unions Break In Blogging I will be consumed with a trial in a civil case where I represent a party as an attorney that is being held in Pueblo, Colorado for the next week or so. Therefore, blog posting will be light or non-existent. Impulsivity And Procrastination Are Aspects Of The Same Thing Twin studies show that inherited component of impulsivity and procrastination arise from a single genotype. In other words, they are both manifestations of the same underlying trait: 181 identical-twin pairs and 166 fraternal-twin pairs complete several surveys intended to probe their tendencies toward impulsivity and procrastination, as well as their ability to set and maintain goals. They found that procrastination is indeed heritable, just like impulsivity. Not only that, there seems to be a complete genetic overlap between procrastination and impulsivity -- that is, there are no genetic influences that are unique to either trait alone. The investigators at the University of Colorado at Boulder, "Gustavson and colleagues are now investigating how procrastination and impulsivity are related to higher-level cognitive abilities, such as executive functions, and whether these same genetic influences are related to other aspects of self-regulation in our day-to-day lives." The strong emerging inference is that at least some aspects or subtypes of ADHD, impulsivity, procrastination, grit and "W" (the key work ethic factor in academic and economic success that is orthogonal to IQ) may all be fundamentally part of the same dimensional personality trait. The underlying journal article is: D. E. Gustavson, A. Miyake, J. K. Hewitt, N. P. Friedman. "Genetic Relations Among Procrastination, Impulsivity, and Goal-Management Ability: Implications for the Evolutionary Origin of Procrastination." Psychological Science (2014); DOI: 10.1177/0956797614526260 Tags: genetics, IQ, neurodiversity, Psychology Reflections On Syria The apparent good guys don't always win in geopolitics. The dictatorial regime in Syria controlled by a minority Alawite ethnicity minority in that state, appears to have used a variety of tactics widely to be considered war crimes, such as the use of chemical weapons, the use of its Air Force to bomb its own people, shutting off rebels from humanitarian aid, and more, to defeat an armed Arab Spring uprising of its people against decades of dictatorial, one party regime rule there. There are pockets of dissent, but the Western powers that have the ability to intervene in favor of the rebels (or at least did at decisive moments that have since passed), were unwilling to commit to doing so in the way that they had in Libya just months before the Syrian uprising was in full swing, even after obtaining clear evidence that the regime used chemical weapons against its own citizens, and even has the death toll has approached or exceeded 100,000 in a country with a population smaller than California. The West has supplied arms in a manner that is barely covert, but did not create a no fly zone that could have interrupted Syrian air strikes against its own people, has not instituted a naval blockade, and has not deployed troops or carried out strikes on regime targets with cruise missiles or smart bombs as it did, for example, at the turning point of the Afghan civil war. In many ways the Alawites, were well suited to be successors to the French colonial rulers of the region. Their worldview was more tolerant and more comfortable with the notion of a secular, multi-ethnic state than the urban majority of more conventional Sunni Muslims, yet as self-described Muslims in a state where the vast majority of the people were Muslims of some description, they were more tolerable rulers than Orthodox or Maronite Christians, and were not committed to isolation from the large world in the way that the Druze minority. Their tribal and clan organization and solidification of a tight ethnic minority community gave them the organizational capability and levels of interpersonal trust needed to seize and hold onto power. Their mystical and syncretistic brand of Islam, following impulses within the faith not unlike those of Alevis in Turkey (many of whom are also Kurdish), and the Sufi mystical movement within Islam that has thrived in Pakistan, is hardly the secular, Enlightenment outlook that fueled the French Revolution. But, it is also a movement within Islam that provides relief from the intensely patriarchy, harsh and violent discipline, and emotionally restrained Islam of the Wahabbi Sunni Islam promoted by Saudi Arabia. The Ba'athist party in Syria, like the one in Iraq, allowed a multi-ethnic state with a meaningful and thriving commercial middle class developed a power base separate from the nation's oil wealth that endured for decades, but only at the cost of denying the public genuine democratic elections, political liberties, and freedom of authoritarian abuses of individuals (particular political dissenters). When the U.S. led invasion of Iraq (based to a great extent on an absurd claimed relationship between Iraq and the 9-11 terrorist) removed Saddam Hussein in Iraq, many Ba'athist went into exile in Syria whose sister Ba'athist regime had not yet fallen. Iraq's long bloody counterinsurgency against Western occupiers and parallel ethnic civil war (that is still far from over and produces major military engagements and terrorist incidents years after the U.S. withdrawal) has turned a multi-ethnic nation with a substantial commercial middle class into a set of ethnically segregated microstates sharing a single stream of oil revenues dispersed by a deadlocked parliamentary system that requires ethnic consensus for many actions. Many influential Ba'athists in Iraq have been disposessed of their wealth and political power. Ba'athist Alawites in Syria and their allies of once influential Iraqis in exile understandably had an intense personal stake in not seeing that scenario repeat itself in Syria. The U.S. and its Western allies have been reluctant to fully commit to support insurgents, because while they are Arab Spring revolutionaries who are victims of war crimes and want democratic reforms that a socialist dictatorship has denied them for decades, they are also mostly Sunni Muslims looking for an Islamist state who have welcomed assistance of Al-Qaeda and other organizations the U.S. saw as their terrorist opponents in Iraq (a nation which has a Shi'ite majority and many dissenting ethnic minority Kurds, but had a minority Sunni Arab dominated leadership under the Ba'athist regime). The French, who as a former colonial power there would have been a natural to lead a European intervention, instead decided that their intervention against Islamic insurgents in Mali was all of the colonial might that they could manage to exert in the world at that historical moment. Meanwhile, Russia chose to use its Security Council seat, resurgent naval power, and diplomatic resources to back the old Syrian regime against the Islamist Arab Spring insurgents who seem very similar to the Islamist insurgents in Chechnya that the Russian regime has devoted so many resources to putting down in the interest of showing political control over its territory even if the locals don't want them there. Also, as much as anything, Russia was loathe, as it has long been since the Soviet era, to thwart international efforts to impose global standard in the conduct of sovereign nation's internal affairs, so its natural instinct was to block foreign intervention in Syria as well. Their support for the Syrian regime effectively extended the Russian sphere of influence that had collapsed briefly with the fall of the Soviet Union, without committing much in the way of blood or treasure. Also, assuming that Syria's old regime does eventually manage to consolidate power, it will have no choice but seek Russian support in international political and economic affairs. Syria has no other patrons. Even the Arab states have turned their backs on the Syrians (since the Sunni insurgents in Syria have more ethnically and religiously in common with them). Russia's small favor will be an expensive one for Syria to repay, perhaps, for example, in favorable oil and gas deals, trade preferences, military procurement decisions, and international support for its controversial actions like its annexation of Crimea. So long as Syria has oil, it can repay those debts, even if its once cosmopolitan, commercial middle class economy apart from its oil wealth collapses for decades as a result of its civil war. Tags: culture, Foreign Affairs, Military, Political Tactics, Political Theory, Religion, Syria Why I Practice Law Obviously, I practice law because it is the easiest way for someone with a law degree to make a living. But, sometimes I doubt whether I should really be in this business. At heart, I am really more of a professor who practices law because he must (and I was even a full time professor of estate planning in a master's degree program for a while, until the for profit university I worked for laid of teaching staff since profit targets had not been met for our unit, and I was a professional journalist for a while at another point in time in a temporary position). While I do a very competent job of it with pain, sweat and tears, it doesn't always come naturally to me. There are people who don't dislike nearly as much as I do painstakingly keeping records of how they use every tenth of an hour of every day and accounting for every photocopy and postage expense, keeping their offices and case files in tidy good order, finding contact information of people they need to call, trying to get emotionally unsettled clients to focus on the tasks at hand, having nine little details that must all be attended to in one day in addition to one or two major projects, having a backlog of voice mails to return, and in general, being a super-bureaucrat who is superbly organized and perfectly prepared for every phone call and hearing according to a well honed system. Lots of the time, to be perfectly frank, practicing law is boring, tedious, exhausting, and scatter brained. And, honestly, the vast majority of lawyers have much more boring practices than I do. There are people who do nothing all day but simple divorces, or real estate closings, or federal corporate tax law, or drafting wills, with no variety whatsoever, for years on end. In contrast, I have done almost every aspect of law that my license authorizes me to practice, except criminal work. If I didn't have one of the most diverse practices in Denver, I would be bored to death. Even then, I work about three-quarters time, rather than full time, so that I can leave time for blogging and pursuit of my other academic hobbies and side projects (like "the book"), to keep myself from turning into a law zombie. There are absolutely lawyers who love their jobs more, and who are more naturally suited to their jobs, than I am. But, every time I get down in the dumps over not being a real "natural" to the practice of law, I encounter a grossly incompetent fellow lawyer in my practice. Perhaps, a divorce lawyer with thirty years experience who doesn't know how to properly introduce an exhibit in a permanent orders hearing, a civil litigation lawyer who doesn't understand how to amend a pleading, an opposing counsel who files a motion or brings a lawsuit with no hope of being granted or prevailing because the lawyer has no clue that it has no real probability of success, a lawyer who writes motion that don't contain any citations to controlling law or to any backup to the facts asserted, a lawyer who responds to discovery requests that contain false answers that he and his client are sure to be caught red handed manufacturing, and so on. After seeing how many lawyers who have been practicing law for many years and made a living at it are so profoundly incompetent, I remind myself, that even though I don't always enjoy the work that is left for lawyers to do, or feel like I have to struggle to get it done, or realize after the fact that I have missed tricks in a case that the top 0.1% of lawyers would have utilized, that the quality of the work that I do is profoundly more competent than the quality of work I see from some of my peers in the bar every day. So, yes, I realize, I do belong here practicing law, at least until something more entertaining that pays well comes along. Tags: Bad Lawyers, personal reflections Lilith and Vampires, Who Knew? One rather imaginative theory claims that vampires originated from two verses in the book of Genesis: The legend of Lilith derives from a theory that Genesis has two creation accounts (Genesis 1:27 and 2:7, 20–22). The two stories allow for two different women. Lilith does not appear in the Bible (apart from a debatable reference comparing her to a screech owl in the Hebrew text of Isaiah 34:14). Some rabbinic commentators, however, refer to Lilith as the first created woman, who refused to submit to Adam and fled from the garden. Eve was then created to be Adam's helper. After their expulsion from the garden, Adam reunited for a time with Lilith before finally returning to Eve. Lilith bore Adam a number of children, who became the demons of the Bible. According to kabbalistic legend, after Adam's reconciliation with Eve, Lilith took the title Queen of the Demons and became a murderer of infants and young boys, whom she turned into vampires. Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. Tags: culture, Feminism, Religion Connect For Health Colorado Finally Delivers (Sort... Larimer County Judge Is Suspended, Publicly Censur... Impulsivity And Procrastination Are Aspects Of The...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2015
__label__wiki	0.987173	0.987173	Profile: Patoranking Written by mikeonas on May 18, 2018 Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie (born 27 May 1990), better known by his stage name Patoranking, is a Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. Patoranking, who is a descent of Ebonyi, started his musical career doing underground collaborations with artists such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone. He signed a record deal with K-Solo’s Igberaga Records in 2010, releasing “Up in D Club” under the outfit. Patoranking became a protégé of Dem Mama Records after collaborating with Timaya on his song “Alubarika”. In February 2014, he signed a record deal with Foston Musik and released “Girlie O”, a single that put him in the limelight. On 9 February 2015, Patoranking announced via Instagram that he signed a distribution deal with VP Records. Life and music career Patoranking was born on 27 May 1990 to Mr. and Mrs. Okorie. He grew up in Ijegun Egba Satellite Town and later relocated to Ebute Metta. He attended Citizen Comprehensive College Epe, and later attended Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School in Iponri. Patoranking started his performing arts career as a street jam and carnival dancer. In a 2012 interview with Entertainment Express, he said that his stage name was given to him by a Jamaican artist whom he met at Alpha Beach in Lagos. Patoranking has cited Buju Banton, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Lucky Dube, Chaka Demus, Majek Fashek, Blackky, Blackface, Tuface and Marvelous Benjy as his key musical influences. In the aforementioned interview with Entertainment Express, he said he references socio-political issues in his music. He has described his music as a morally inclined variation of dancehall. In May 2012, Patoranking released a single titled “Iya Bisi” featuring Qdot and Kbaj. The song, which is a fusion of dancehall and Fuji, was produced by Drumphase. Patoranking told Entertainment Express that Qdot and Kbaj helped compose the song by sharing ideas with him. On 12 September 2013, Patoranking released the video and audio for “Alubarika” simultaneously. The song literally translates to “God’s Blessings” and features vocals from Timaya. The music video for “Alubarika”, which was shot by AJE Films, ran for 4 minutes and 16 seconds. According to an article posted by Victor Akande of The Nation, Patoranking described the song as a summary of his life as a musician. He also said that the song opened doors for him in terms of building a fan base and working with established musicians. In February 2014, Patoranking signed a record deal with Foston Musik and ended his affiliations with Dem Mama Records. During an interview with Toolz on NdaniTv’s The Juice, Timaya said that Patoranking left his label and was never officially signed. On 4 February 2014, Patoranking released “Girlie O”, a song produced by WizzyPro. The music video for the song was shot and directed in London by Moe Musa. It was released on 5 February 2014, a day after the audio release. In the music video, Patoranking liberates his next door neighbor from domestic violence by expressing his innate feelings to her. Foston Musik released “Girlie O Remix” on 19 May 2014 to critical acclaim. The song features vocals from Tiwa Savage. It debuted at number 9 on MTV Base’s Official Naija Top 10 chart. Tiwa Savage told Ehiz of the aforementioned chart show that she admires Patoranking’s music and decided to reach out to him to do the remix. The music video for “Girlie O Remix” was also shot and directed in London by Moe Musa. Joey Akan of the Pulse commented on the song and said that “On the new remix, the basic winning elements were not discarded. They were retained and improved. The beat, chorus, and dynamism were held onto, and major work put into the lyrics.” Patoranking was featured on Seyi Shay’s “Murda” single alongside Shaydee. The song was produced by Dokta Frabz and released on 1 April 2014. On 11 May 2014, the music video for “Murda” was uploaded onto Vevo. It was directed by Meji Alabi for JM Films. 2015 marked a successful year for Patoranking as 2 of his singles; “Daniella Whine” and “My Woman, My Everything” was chart toppers on the MTV base Official Naija Top 10 Chart. “Daniella Whine” debuted at number 4 in May and went on top of the chart at number 1 in June. “My Woman, My Everything” also made the chart when it was released, peaking at the number 2 spot. Tagged as music Nigeria Patoranking Profile	cc/2019-30/en_head_0006.json.gz/line2018

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