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LULAC v. Public Interest Legal Foundation
About this Case
Four Americans and the League of United Latin American Citizens of Richmond are suing the Public Interest Legal Foundation and its president, J. Christian Adams, for engaging in a multiyear campaign of voter intimidation in the state of Virginia.
Four Americans and the League of United Latin American Citizens of Richmond (“LULAC”) are suing the Public Interest Legal Foundation (“PILF”) and its president, J. Christian Adams, for engaging in a multiyear campaign of voter intimidation in the state of Virginia. They are trying to prove that PILF has violated both state and federal laws by falsely accusing eligible voters of registering and voting illegally, and by publishing — in reports still available online — those individuals’ names, home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and in some cases, social security numbers.
The complaint claims that, in 2016 and 2017 PILF published two reports claiming rampant voter fraud by non-citizens in Virginia. PILF made unfounded assertions that a number of individuals had been removed from state voting rolls for possibly being non-citizens. However, Virginia elections officials have repeatedly emphasized to PILF that even American citizens can be removed from the voting rolls for any number of reasons, including things as mundane as paperwork errors.
The plight of the four individual plaintiffs in this case is a prime example of how voter roll purges can harm even eligible voters. These four American citizens were removed from Virginia’s voting rolls, despite being legally eligible to vote and have a constitutional right to do so. PILF not only claimed that these individuals, and scores more, have voted illegally, accusing them of voter fraud felonies, they also published these individuals’ personal information in reports that are still available online.
PILF’s harmful accusations and the publication of plaintiffs’ sensitive personal information constitute intimidation tactics designed to threaten, embarrass, harass and dissuade plaintiffs and others from voting. Plaintiffs allege that PILF and its president have violated Virginia state law and several federal laws, including the seminal Voting Rights Act (VRA). The VRA prohibits the intimidation or attempted intimidation of any person attempting to vote.
PILF has responded to LULAC’s complaint by filing a motion to have it dismissed, alleging that the plaintiffs have not applied or satisfied the appropriate legal standards to prove voter intimidation.
CLC has filed a friend-of-the-court brief explaining that PILF’s interpretations of the law are patently incorrect, and that PILF’s publication of individuals’ personal information is a modern form of voter intimidation, strikingly similar to tactics used throughout our nation’s history to disenfranchise eligible voters.
PILF’s conduct undercuts one of our most fundamental rights, the right to vote. The organization’s intentional intimidation of eligible voters sends a clear message to plaintiffs and to the American people more broadly that political engagement may come at a steep price, and that exercising a constitutional right may lead to the publication of one’s most sensitive personal information on the Internet. PILF’s actions are designed to intimidate, to deter political participation and to undermine the functioning of American democratic processes. It is paramount that our political system safeguard the right of all to have their voice heard in the electoral process.
LULAC v. Public Interest Legal Foundation — CLC Amici Brief
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Tag Archives: Olympic 2016
9 Hijabi Olympians from Iran @ RIO 2016
Posted on August 6, 2016 by eliza noordin
Do you know there are more and more hijabi competing at the Olympics? Let’s find out who these amazing ladies from Iran. Iran has the four qualifying female shooters at the Rio 2016 and an archer who competes at both the Paralympics and the Olympics 2016. Other athletes compete in taekwondo, table tennis, shot put and rowing. Read on to learn more about them.
1. Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin, Taekwondo
She won a gold medal in the women’s 63-kg at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games and she beat London Olympic 2012 gold medalist Jade Jones at the 2015 World Championship.
Kimia Alizadeh is 18 years old
2. Leila Rajabi, shot putter
Leila hails from Belarusian and became an Iranian and converted to Islam after marrying Iranian athlete Peiman Rajabi.
3. Neda Shahsavari, Table tennis
Rio 2016 is Neda’s second Olympics. She was the first Iranian woman to represent Iran in table tennis at the London Olympics 2012
4. Zahra Nemati, Archer
This amazing lady competed in the Olympics for taekwondo until 2003 when got injured in a car accident, leaving both legs paralyzed. She took up archery in 2006. Now, she competes at both the Rio 201 the 2016 Summer Paralympics. She won two medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and individual gold and team bronze.
Zahra Nemati Archer
5. Mahsa Javar, Rowing
A rising star in rowing and new in the Olympics, she competes in the women’s single sculls competitions.
6. Elahe Asmadi, shooting
This is her second debut at the Olympics. She reached final women’s 10 meter air rifle at the London 2012. This year she competes for the same category. In the November 2015 edition, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) named her as the world’s best athlete for the 10-meter air rifle women category.
Elaheh, 32 hails from Tehran
7. Najmeh Khedmati, Shooting
Young and new in the shooting scene, Najmeh competes in women’s 10m air rifle and women’s 50m rifle 3 positions.
Young Najmeh Khidmati gets good support from parents
8. Golnoush Sebghatollahi. Shooting
Golnoush is another young shooter from Iran who qualifies in the women’s 10m air pistol and women’s 25m pistol. Shei won tickets to Rio 2016 2016 at the 2016 Asian Olympic Shooting Qualifying Tournament in India.
Golnoush is 25
9. Mahlagha Jambozorg, Shooting
She qualifies for the the Olympics for the second time after her first debut at the London 2012. At Rio 2016, she competes at the Women’s 50m rifle 3 positions after she won a silver medal at the Olympic Games Training Camp in France in June 2016.
Info Credit : Wikipedia
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/06/14/470412/Iran-sports-shooter-Mahlagha-Jambozorg-silver-Olympic-Games-Training-Camp-France
http://tkdlatino.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Kimia-Alizadeh-Zenoorin.jpg, http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46213000/jpg/_46213161_007798599-1.jpg, https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/c8/39/edc8396e6919d6b827cdd17ae23decb5.jpg,
https://worldarchery.org/news/93032/brown-strikes-gold-all-british-womens-compound-final, http://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/04/24/1056713/iranian-rower-mahsa-javar-advances-to-olympics, http://www.fisu.net/en/Najmeh-Khidmati-a-Young-Talented-Girl-3133.html?mbID=6562, https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1666/24541605782_b547a21c51_b.jpg
Posted in Be Inspired, Events, General | Tagged archery, ELAHE ASMADI, GOLNOUSH SEBGHATOLLAHI, hijab, iran, KIMIA ALIZADEH ZENOORIN, london 2012, MAHLAGHA JAMBOZORG, MAHSA JAVAR, NAJMEH KHEDMAT, NEDA SHAHSAVARI, olympic, Olympic 2016, rio 2016, rio2016, rowing, shooting female, shot putter, table tennis, taekwondo female, ZAHRA NEMATI | Leave a reply
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Blog of the Courtier
by William Newton
The Strange Tale Of The “OCD Art Thief”
August 1, 2017 August 1, 2017 / William Newton
The gentleman thief is a favorite character in storytelling. He steals paintings, art objects, and jewels while always looking dapper, often has a way with the ladies, and usually holds a greater interest in the thrill of the chase than in the value of the possessions which he obtains. You can find variations on this character in movie roles such as that of Cary Grant in “To Catch A Thief”, Steve MacQueen/Pierce Brosnan in both versions of “The Thomas Crown Affair”, or Vincent Cassel in “Ocean’s Twelve”.
But while we know that all of these characters are fictional, sometimes life really does imitate art.
Police in the south of France (natch) have recently apprehended a real-life version of this mythological character, in the form of a former French civil servant in his mid-40’s, who over the past twenty years has accumulated over 500 objects taken from private homes, hotels, museums, and art galleries. The cache includes paintings, drawings, and prints by artists such as Braque, Chagall, Degas, Derain, Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec, as well as a huge number of 19th and 20thcentury bronzes. There were also antique books and toys, ceramics, and recordings.
When caught, the alleged thief was apparently quite cheerful about it, and explained that he was motivated by kleptomania. The objects themselves were not put out on display inside his flat, but simply piled up. Moreover, unlike in most cases of art theft, where details of the crime are obliterated by the perpetrators so as to make recovery impossible or at least more difficult, this individual apparently labelled everything – including the date and location where the object was taken, and in some cases the approximate value of the object as well. No wonder then, that ArtNet has tagged him as the “OCD Art Thief”.
In looking through the hoard recovered by the police – which you can view here, split into four lengthy PDF’s – some themes emerge. The alleged thief definitely had a love for bronze sculpture, perhaps because it was smaller and easier to slip into the pockets of an overcoat than, say, a painting. It also seems as though he had a particular affinity for the work of Léopold Lelée (1872-1947), given the number of works by this French illustrator which were found to be in his possession. To be honest, until I read this story I had never heard of Lelée, an artist who seems to have transitioned from Art Nouveau to Modern Art rather successfully. (As an aside, learning about Lelée in researching this post proves a point that I’ve often made to my readers, when it comes to studying art history: there’s always an interesting new-to-you artist out there to discover.)
Yet perhaps most interesting of all in the hoard is the fact that, for reasons best known to himself, the alleged thief accumulated a number of works of art that carry a theme of penitence. There are works representing penitent sinners in attitudes of prayer, as well as representations of saints and scenes from Christian art. These things tempt us into psychoanalyzing why someone would steal such things. Was it a way for him to address feelings of guilt, by being constantly reminded of having broken the 5th Commandment? Or was the relative unpopularity of such imagery in the present day, thanks to our increasingly secular society, responsible for making these objects easier to steal, since fewer people would be paying attention to them? We may never know.
So far police have been able to return around 40 of the objects to their rightful owners. The hope is that, by publishing photographs of the recovered pieces, more of these things will be able to find their way back home. As to the alleged thief, his day in court is coming up sometime in the next few months, but given his unusual twist on the character of the gentleman thief, I suspect that there are already forces at work in the film industry, trying to come up with a script based on his exploits.
art, art history, art theft, Avignon, crime, France
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6 thoughts on “The Strange Tale Of The “OCD Art Thief””
J. F. Riordan
Don’t forget Father Brown’s gentleman thief, Flambeau, who also has a taste for religious art.
William Newton
d3b01946
Amazing! What a wonderful article.
The Poisoned Parrot
So interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
This blog is now permanently archived. Please go to wbdnewton.com to read new material or to get in touch.
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IUPUI IUPUI IUPUI
IUPUI Goes to Saudi Arabia 2018
Beginning with His Excellency & ending with distinguished alumni
Posted on March 14, 2018 by rewood
Dr. Hanafy Tantawy, PhD, Department of Homeland Security Officer with the Saudi Ministry of Health (r), and Professor of Biostatistics Constantin Yiannoutsos.
Two firsts for IUPUI and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bookended this intense day for the IUPUI Delegation. This morning, we travelled to the Saudi Ministry of Health to present the final report of the Demographic Health Survey 2017. This is the first time in history that a team has successfully completed such a survey to determine the level of health of Saudi citizens.
The survey included about a quarter of a million people with ten percent of those providing a sample or samples that could be tested by partners with whom we worked within the Kingdom. The outcome fit with findings on other public health surveys: people eat too much sugar and salt, need to increase their exercise, and shouldn’t smoke. In this, Saudis are similar to many people around the world.
Primary investigators at IUPUI were Constantin Yiannoutsos, professor of biostatistics in the Fairbanks School of Public Health, and Professor Angeles Martinez-Meir, Chair of the Department of Cariology, Operative Dentistry, and Dental Public Health in the School of Dentistry.
Naif Nabeel Abogazalah, doctoral student in dentistry, also played a pivotal role on this project, including bringing it to the attention of Dr. Martinez-Meir in the first place. He has also been a key member of this delegation’s trip to Saudi Arabia, helping to plan, arrange meetings, and successfully execute plans once we had arrived. In fact, Chancellor Paydar presented Naif with the pen used to sign the report during the formal presentation:
Chancellor Paydar signs the final report of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Demographic Health Survey 2017 at the Saudi Ministry of Health.
Finally, without the impressive work of biostatisticians Katie Lane and Beverly Musick and lead data manager Steve Brown, all from the Department of Biostatistics, I understand that this project would have been difficult if not impossible.
Kudos to this team as well as thanks to our colleagues at the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who were instrumental in moving this project forward:
His Excellency the Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah
Hani bin Abdulaziz Jokhdar, Deputy Minister of Health for Public Health
Hisham bin Ibrahim Al-Khashshan, Assistant Deputy Minister for Primary Health Care
Fouad Abogazalah, General Director of Health Center Affairs
Hanafy Tantawy, PhD, Department of Homeland Security Officer
Adel Ibrahim, MPH, DHS Data Manager
The presentation went well as did the follow up meeting, but, to be honest, the highlight for me was my selfie with Chancellor Paydar and His Excellency the Minister of Health. You can follow him on Twitter @tfrabiah.
Chancellor Paydar, Becky Wood, and His Excellency the Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
Immediately following the presentation ceremony at the Ministry of Health, the delegation returned to our hotel to prepare for our trip to Dammam in the Eastern Province.
Where Riyahd is cosmopolitan, established, and somewhat conservative, Dammam seemed to me like a place where renegades would feel at home. If it’s meaningful to you, compare Washington, D.C. to Austin or Dallas, Texas. This comparison works, in part, because in both the Eastern Province and much of the state of Texas, the discovery of oil has shaped the landscape, the economy, and the culture.
In the Kingdom, Standard Oil of California discovered oil in 1938. Over a period of years, This original company merged with others, including what later became know as Exxon and Mobil, and became the Arabian American Oil Company. Now known as Saudi ARAMCO and owned by Saudi Arabia, the company has grown into a multi-billion-dollar corporation that has over 65,000 employees worldwide and operates the world’s largest single hydrocarbon network, the Master Gas System.
Richard Reed explains my long meditation on Saudi ARAMCO. Currently Head of Corporate Emergency Management and Continuity there, Richard generously shared his time with Chancellor Paydar this evening prior to attending the Alumni Reception.
Richard is a proud graduate of IUPUI, double majoring in social work and psychology for his bachelor’s degree in 1995 and earning his master’s degree in social work a year later. His degrees reflect his close ties to IUPUI, with the School of Social Work being an IU school, and the School of Science, a Purdue school.
Richard has led the American Red Cross’s disaster relief efforts, has held senior positions at the FEMA and the National Security Council in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. In his current position, he is systematizing emergency response efforts for Saudi ARAMCO, drawing on experience he has gained managing the American response to the Ebola crisis, assisting in earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti, and facing many other crisis management challenging
Considering all of this, and so much else that Richard has achieved, it’s little wonder that he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2016 by the IU Alumni Association. An honor richly deserved.
The Alumni Reception offers the bookend at the end of the day and a marvelous welcome to the energy and dynamism of this part of the Eastern Province. The reception brought together around 30 IUPUI and IU alumni, who were eager to reminisce about their experiences and to share their current successes.
Faisal A. Alkadi graduated from the Kelley School in 2016 and was intent to share with me as much business knowledge as he possibly could. At one point, I shared with him the gesture my husband and I use when we want to change topics. Picture someone holding their right hand out, palm down, then turning their hand over with a bit of style as if turning over a playing card. I joke, but in all seriousness, Faisal credits the Kelley School with his great success in the Saudi business world where he is the business development manager of Althawaqh Food Company with 68 restaurants in the Kingdom and plans for more.
Faisal A. Alkadi, 2016 Kelley alum, credits his experience with Kelley for his success as Business Development Manager at Althawaqh Food Company in Saudi Arabia.
After remarks by Chancellor Paydar, I had the pleasure of visiting with Hajer Alibrahim, a recent graduate of the Herron School of Art + Design and recipient of the Windgate Fellowship from the Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design. Applicants may submit material by invitation only, and the center awards only 10 fellowships per year. Based on our conversation about printmaking, book making, furniture making, and other creative endeavors, I am confident that Hajer will make extraordinary use of this award.
I feel a similar sense of confidence about the entire group of alumni gathered this evening. Only their great potential outweighs all that they have already accomplished.
IUPUI and IU Alumni Reception in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Sad to say, only one more day to go here in Saudi Arabia. I’m grateful that you have been following along our journey, and I hope you return tomorrow for the last installment of the IUPUI Goes to Saudi Arabia 2018 blog with photos, updates, and stories.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly with questions at rewood@iupui.edu.
Filed under: UncategorizedTagged alumni, Angeles Martinez-Meir, Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar, Constantin Yiannoutsos, Dammam, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, Fairbanks School of Public Health, Herron School of Art + Design, His Excellency the Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Kelley School of Business, Naif Nabeel Abogazalah, Office of International Affairs, Richard Reed, Saudi ARAMCO, Saudi Ministry of Health, School of Dentistry, School of Engineering and Technology, School of Science, School of Social Work
Welcome to the IUPUI Goes to Saudi Arabia 2018 blog. Return to this site for regular stories and updates on IUPUI’s trip to Riyadh and Dammam.
Here you will also find information about IUPUI’s international partnerships, our alumni in Saudi Arabia, and new international initiatives.
Follow the journey through our photo gallery.
alumni Angeles Martinez-Meir ARAMCO architecture cat Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar Constantin Yiannoutsos Dammam David Russomanno Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia Fairbanks School of Public Health Gil Latz global heritage Herron School of Art + Design His Excellency the Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah Indiana University Archives international IUAA IU Alumni Association IUPUI IUPUI Office of Admissions IUPUI Student Club Jacob Surface Kelley School of Business King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals King Saud University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Maha Enazy Naif Nabeel Abogazalah Nasser al-Hujailan Office of International Affairs Paul Halverson Richard Reed Riyadh Saudi Arabia Saudi ARAMCO Saudi Ministry of Education Saudi Ministry of Health School of Dentistry School of Engineering and Technology School of Social Work study abroad sustainable energy U.S. Embassy
Office of International Affairs at IUPUI
IU Global Gateway Network
IUPUI Saudi Arabia Connections
World Languages and Cultures in the School of Liberal Arts
Saudi Students Club at IUPUI
School of Dentistry launches partnership with King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Who’s writing this Blog?
Becky Wood currently serves as the assistant to Chancellor Nasser Paydar for communications, managing internal and external relations for the office. She brings over a decade of experience in higher education communication to her role as well as 14 years teaching literature and composition in the college classroom.
An alum of Wichita State (Go Shocks!) with her doctorate from Indiana University, Wood has written for IU President Michael McRobbie, worked on strategic communication at the University of Chicago, and served as director of communications for the IU Libraries.
In addition, she is a working visual artist with a special interest in handmade books, watercolors, and custom-made floorcloths. Check out her art on Twitter.
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South Asia @ LSE
LSE's engagement with South Asia
LSE South Asia Centre
The Long Read: 68 years of Indian foreign policy by Raj Verma
As India becomes an increasingly important player on the global stage scholars have picked over different facets of India’s foreign policy in order to understand past priorities and predict future aspirations. Raj Verma assesses two new studies published this year and their contributions to the growing literature in this area.
Indian Foreign Policy: An Overview. Harsh V. Pant. Manchester University Press. 2016.
Engaging the World: India’s Foreign Policy Since 1947. Sumit Ganguly. Oxford University Press. 2016.
Since India undertook economic reforms in 1991 it has grown rapidly, at a pace of approximately 6-7 per cent during 1992-2002 and 8-9 per cent during 2003-2012. Today India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. Economic growth has also led to increased political and military prowess, so much so that some scholars have commented that India is an emerging great power while others state that it has already risen. Some even aver that the world is waiting for India to shape the new global order. As a result numerous scholars – both in India and abroad – have since the early 2000s tried to explicate the different facets of India’s foreign policy (FP) in order to understand past priorities and predict future aspirations.
This review essay focuses on two books which provide an overview of Indian FP since1947: Indian Foreign Policy: An Overview by Harsh Pant and Engaging the World: India’s Foreign Policy Since 1947, an edited volume by Sumit Ganguly. Both books provide a broad overview of independent India’s FP and promulgate that the South Asian giant lacks a coherent foreign policy. Several contributors to the edited volume (see chapters 2, 5, 12 and 17) also touch on India’s lack of ‘grand strategy’ but there is not much detail on what is meant by this. Pant offers a little more insight in his introduction, where he outlines how India’s FP is reactive and the use of power in foreign affairs is somehow considered pejorative. As a result, it is wary of hard power and unable to use force effectively. He attributes this to a deficit in India’s strategic culture, as well as to the marginalisation of the military and lack of institutionalisation and debate in the decision–making process.
Alex Gaylon CC BY-SA 2.0
Pant’s book is divided into four parts: Part I (Chapters 2-5) deals with India’s relations with major powers such as the US, China, Russia and the EU; Part II (Chapters 6-9) deals with countries in South Asia or such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan. Part III (Chapters 10-13) looks at countries in India’s extended neighbourhood such as South East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean Rim, and as far away as Africa, North East Asia and Latin America. Part IV deals with thematic issues such as role of India as a security provider in South Asia, East Asia and Africa (Chapter 14), where Pant argues that India struggles due to structural and domestic constraints including constraints on the exercise of power or force. The nuclear debate is discussed in Chapter 15. He asserts that one of the greatest foreign policy achievements has been that India ‘has been able to find its way into the global nuclear order on its terms” (p.221). However, it remains to be seen whether India can come to terms with the global nuclear stage as a status quo power having been a revisionist power for almost four decades. Chapter 16 examines India’s relations in the context of multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and different summits on climate change among others. With respect to multilateralism, India has tried to strike a balance between collective interest and advocating its own interest. Contrary to criticism domestically, external critics aver that India is a virtual naysayer, and it negotiates hard on trade and climate change issues. Thus India is a good at gaining concessions in these areas, but not on strategic and military issues.
Pant rightly states that the book is an introductory book rather than a detailed examination of India’s FP and its foreign relations. He has clearly compromised depth for breadth, and still has not been able to provide a comprehensive overview. There is significant repetition within and across chapters – it is particularly noticeable that major parts of chapters 14 and 16 are covered earlier in the book. It would have been better to provide more in-depth discussion and analysis of themes in the first three parts rather than separate them in Part IV. For example, Chapter 13 on competition between India and China in the Indian Ocean could have been incorporated in Chapter 3 on India-China relations.
The book also suffers from numerous typing errors and requires serious editing. For instance, p.97 refers to Sheikh Mujib ur Rehman (assassinated in a military coup in 1975) as the husband of the incumbent Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, later in the chapter, Pant correctly states that he is Sheikh Hasina’s father. The book is also not without conceptual problems. For instance in Chapter 13, Pant states that the main aim of the first phase of India’s Look East Policy was to improve economic relations with countries in South East Asia in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the 1991 balance of payment crisis. However, this is only partly correct. Another important reason was to garner strategic space in East Asia because of the change in the international order due to the USA’s partial withdrawal from East Asia after the end of the Cold War.
Coincidentally and surprisingly, the edited volume by Ganguly has a similar structure to Pant’s book but the objective is to provide “the most well informed, complete and critical analysis of India’s external relations” (p.2). Engaging the World does provide a more comprehensive and in-depth – though not exhaustive – analysis of India’s external relations and broad contours of FP from 1947-2015 relative to Pant by incorporating chapters on India’s energy, nuclear and economic policies (Part 5, chapters 16-18). Some contributors have conducted interviews with government officials, strategic thinkers and experts in India and officials from the armed forces which augment the analytical robustness and empirical richness of the chapters.
Contrary to Pant who had a more realistic overtone drawing broadly from structural realism and occasionally from classical realism (although Pant never explicitly states that he is employing these theories), Ganguly uses the ‘three levels’ of analysis as the conceptual framework. This is derived from Kenneth Waltz, who postulated ‘three images’ in 1959 in his pioneering work ‘Man, the State and War: A Theoretical Analysis’. The first image refers to the individual or the leader – his cognition, values, beliefs, ideas and ambitions and how this affects FP. The second image refers to the state, including the executive, institutions of the state and state-society relations among others and their impact on FP. The third image refers to the international system and the systemic pressures which influences and constrains a country’s FP due to its material power capabilities – economic, political and military. In 1961, J.D. Singer redefined the ‘three images’ as the ‘levels’ of analysis.
Ganguly asserts that the book makes a theoretical contribution to the existing literature on Indian FP by employing this framework (p.3). Although it does make a significant contribution, this international relations (IR) ‘three levels’ approach is arguably not the best tool to provide an overview of a country’s FP over a almost seven decades, and it undermines the efficacy of the edited book. A better option would be to use approaches from Foreign Policy Analysis, a sub branch of IR which employs the levels of analysis as well as additional concepts and frameworks, which would provide a better and more comprehensive perspective of FP and the decision-making processes.
The contributors have largely adhered to the ‘three levels’ approach to evaluate India’s external relations with other countries and India’s FP. However, in Chapter 16, the author has not been able to comprehend the ‘third’ image and has been unable to distinguish between external factors and systemic pressures/constraints which should be the focus. For instance, the competition/rivalry from Chinese national oil companies (NOCs) and how it affects the acquisition of oil blocks by Indian NOCs seen in the context of broader Sino-Indian rivalry is an example to third image or systemic factors (p.438). Yet the contributor also refers to domestic politics in Bangladesh and its impact on India’s energy policy or construction of a pipeline, which is an external rather than systemic factor. The framework has also led to a lot of repetition across chapters with almost all contributors discussing it in their introductions. Chapter 18 provides a summary of India’s economic and external relations with all the countries in South Asia and the major powers – Russia. China and the US – which is covered in Part 1 and Part 2. However, this does mean the chapters can be read as standalone chapters which deal comprehensively with the subject matter at hand.
Apart from the shortcomings mentioned above, neither book discusses ‘panchsheel’. Otherwise known as the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, the panchsheel signed in Beijing (then Peking) in 1954 between India and China form the key tenets of Indian (as well as Chinese) FP. In 1961, they also formed the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement established in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Furthermore, although both books provide an overview of India’s foreign policy since independence, both fall short of providing a comprehensive account. The edited volume by Ganguly scores over others by discussing India’s relations with UK, France and Germany which is not covered in detail in other books which have dealt with India’s relations with the EU as a whole. Although Pant discusses India’s relations with the three European powers in separate sub-sections in the chapter, he does not provide a detailed analysis.
Although readers should be mindful of the shortcomings and limitations of both books, Pant’s volume will be relevant for undergraduate students who want a broad over view of India’s FP without getting into embroiled in the nuances. The edited book by Sumit Ganguly is a better read for post-graduate students and scholars looking for a more comprehensive analysis of India’s FP.
This article gives the views of the author, and not the position of the South Asia @ LSE blog, nor of the London School of Economics. Please read our comments policy before posting.
Dr Raj Verma is Assistant Professor of International Relations and Foreign Policy at the School of International and Public Affairs, Jilin University, China and Visiting Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, India. He is the author of ‘India and China in Africa: A comparative perspective of the oil industry’, Routledge. He is working on the manuscript of his forthcoming book ‘Neoclassical Realism, political economy and resource mobilisation’.
Dr Verma is a regular contributor to the South Asia @ LSE blog. You can view previous contributions here.
September 6th, 2016|Book Reviews, Featured, LSE, Security and Foreign Policy|Comments Off on The Long Read: 68 years of Indian foreign policy by Raj Verma
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Published on Private Sector Development Blog
China stat of the day; plus, a turnaround in Zimbabwe?
Brian Hoyt
While IFC is strengthening its involvement in India, China is deepening its economic ties in Africa.
In his opening speech at this week's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Egypt, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao announced Beijing's latest commitment to its African trading partners, which includes $10bn in fresh loans (on top of $5bn already pledged in 2006):
We will help Africa build up its financing capabilities...we will provide 10 billion US dollars for Africa in concessional loans... China is ready to deepen practical cooperation in Africa.
China will also set up over 100 clean energy programs, and relieve or cancel the debt of 31 countries. Chinese direct investment in Africa has increased from nearly $500m in 2003 to $7.8bn in 2008.
Wen claims that this latest round of assistance comes with no strings attached:
Africa is fully capable of solving its own problems, in an African way
There is one story floating around the blogosphere that seems to highlight an African economy solving its own problems. The Telegraph is reporting an economic turnaround in Zimbabwe, which has been buoyed by the dollarization of the local economy:
The hyperinflation crisis has in a sense solved itself. The Zimbabwe dollar faded away as the army and then everybody else refused to accept it. The US dollar is now the coin of daily life. Prices have been stable for months. "Forget about a local currency," said Mr Biti.
Zimbabwe's central bank – an arm of state terror under Zanu PF enforcer Gideon Gono – has lost its cash cow. It is no longer able to skim profits from exchange rate arbitrage.
Harare's stock exchange is humming again. Volume has increased 20-fold, all now in US dollars. The mobile phone firm Econet – again able to import kit from China – has paid its first dollar dividend. Delta Beverages has installed a new bottling line after a surge in beer demand, a telltale sign of returning prosperity. The MDC has begun to lift exchange controls. It plans to privatise chunks of the economy, embarking on the most radical free market policies seen in Zimbabwe for half a century.
"It is extremely investor-friendly," said Elton Mangoma, the economic planning minister.
I wonder if the carrot of increased Chinese aid and investment helped Zimbabwe solve some of its own problems. Alas, one can only speculate.
Update: Philip Karp from the World Bank Institute gives his take over at our East Asia blog. In general, he is supportive of China's growing African involvement:
My own view is that China’s growing engagement is good for Africa, is good for China, and indeed is also good for traditional development partners like the World Bank. In addition to providing badly needed sources of financing, trade, and investment, China offers a number of development lessons that are quite relevant to African countries.
The emergence of China as a major player in African development offers African countries a choice.
However, in order for African countries to take full advantage of that choice, and to be fully in the driver’s seat in their relations with the Chinese Government and investors, it will be important for them to have more complete information about what is on offer in terms of levels and conditions of assistance, and on the real terms of the various commercial deals that China is bringing to the Table. This is one area where China can perhaps do a better job in translating the lessons it has learned as a recipient of international assistance into its own engagements with other developing countries.
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Development Afrique
The finances and deals done in Zimbabwe and with China haven't been put in the public domain for quite a while now. It is estimated that China has invested around US$600m, making it one of the biggest single foreign investors in the country.
China has invested quite a lot in neighbouring Mozambique such as land and agricultural research in grains, so with the land reforms in Zimbabwe, it will be interesting to see if China also move into this sector.
Despite the cooperation in health and construction, there have also been deals with K-8 fighter jets and armaments, the most famous case being the consignment of weapons that wasn't unloaded in many ports in Southern Africa before the elections, so this aspect must not be ignored either.
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‘Hillary and Clinton’ Starring Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow
(L to R): Zak Orth, Laurie Metcalf, John Lithgow in ‘Hillary and Clinton,’ directed by Joe Mantello, written by Luas Hnath (Julieta Cervantes)
Hillary and Clinton by Lucas Hnath, directed by the acute, clever Joe Mantello, currently at the Golden Theatre, begins with hypotheticals. Women live their lives in hypotheticals. What Ifs! And this is how the playwright has his character Hillary, who neither looks like nor effects the ethos of Hillary Clinton (played by Laurie Metcalf in a stunning, invested portrayal) opens her discussion in a relaxed “down-to-earth,” “behind the veil” confession to the audience. She posits a “What if?” supposition that there are “infinite possibilities” in our universe.
Hnath wrote the play when Barack Obama was in the full swing of his presidency. Considering what occurred during the 2016 election, Hnath’s play is doubly prescient and its underlying themes resonate more loudly than ever. In 2019 despite #Metoo, perhaps because of it, as much as we’d like to, we cannot pretend that women and men have equality in our culture, especially in light of a Trump presidency which is a throwback to women’s oppression in various forms that echos throughout American History.
For many women, “What if” doesn’t really get a chance to soar to a triumphant conclusion because there are an infinite number of “not possibles” preventing it. The sheer will that is required for women to overstep the “not possibles” is shattering. This is even so in an alternate universe of cultural equanimity, where it is a given that women succeed in obtaining leadership positions because men always lay down their egos and encourage them to do so.
Hnath subtly spins themes about paternalism and gender folkways in his subtle yet not so subtle fictional/nonfictional work. He does this aptly by hypothesizing about one of the most brilliant, competent and ambitious of women in the “free” world living today. Like no other in the political arena, Hillary Clinton embodies the possibilities of power and the smash downs to achieve it. Why is this, Hnath asks sub rosa? He answers this by factualizing his perception of Hillary Clinton’s relationship with Bill Clinton in the service of reminding us about women leadership and competence, about male ego and dominance, about the underlying primal realities of paternalism and male oppression and womens’ attempts to overcome.
At the play’s opening, an always on point Laurie Metcalf as Hillary, posits the probability that on another planet earth somewhere in our universe of “infinite possibilities” there is a Hillary running for the Democratic Party nomination during the 2008 primaries. Hillary, in competition with a man named Barack is losing. With Mark Penn (Zak Orth portrays the shambled-looking, frustrated and stressed campaign manager) Hillary attempts to determine the truth about why she is losing and how she will be able to recoup further losses if she can get more funds to refill her dwindling coffers.
After Mark offers explanations of her loss from his perspective, he indicates that perhaps it is not as bad as she suspects. The Obama campaign actually is daunted by her and has offered an opening for her to be his running mate when he is nominated if she drops out of the next two races and slowly fades away. Hillary interprets this to mean the Obama campaign is circling in for the “kill,” and expresses outrage that she might take such a deal. Despite Mark’s protestations she interprets it to mean she is going down for the count. Mark warns her not to call Bill for help and she promises not to.
Laurie Metcalf, Zak Orth in ‘Hillary and Clinton,’ directed by Joe Mantello, written by Lucas Hnath (Julieta Cervantes)
Twelve hours later, Bill (the wonderful Lithgow) who previously had been kicked off the campaign, shows up in New Hampshire to the starkly minimalistic hotel room (which indicates a lack of funds). When he swears they stayed there before, we consider perhaps this is a backhanded reference to his own campaign in the primaries which he successfully won. In small measure he is forcing her to “eat crow” that she needs him. Then he chides her and expresses his ire at having been thrown off the campaign by Mark.
Their clashes are revelatory. In these discussions they cover a myriad of intriguing subjects: her fear of losing, their lives together, his boredom, her personality, her lack of fire and warmth, that he exhausts her, references to his infidelity and strategies for the upcoming primaries to initiate wins. Some of the subjects are unfamiliar. Others we anticipate because we’ve heard talking heads discuss the Hillary “personality” problem.
Lithgow’s and Metcalf’s focused listening and responding to each other are particularly excellent during Hnath’s dynamic interchanges, well shepherded by Mantello. Importantly, in exploring the fictional/nonfictional complications of a marriage between two brilliant, competitive and ambitious individuals, Hnath reveals the conundrum. They need to be together, but also must be apart in their own identity and autonomy. In their wish to be themselves, they are also the couple in a shared unity and friendship which will end in uncertainty for Hillary and loss for Bill if they separate. The public trust has glued them together as one. Their bond is intangible and ineffable and Hnath particularly suggests this with great sensitivity.
Hnath grounds their arguments, thrusts and parries with homely marriage tropes which we identify and empathize with. They are intensely human, real, warm, vibrant, competitive, loving (their costumes suggest the “all masks off” feel). Underlying all of it are dollops of frustration, wrath, annoyance and fear thrown in for good measure.
Threaded throughout we understand that these two have a profound relationship based on many similarities and attractions based on differences. They have a mutual care and concern that is their greatest grace and their underlying curse. Indeed, Hillary, in anger wishes she could break away from the stench of Bill that follows her. But when he suggests to succeed she must get a divorce, she avers. It is a fascinating moment; for as she states, she knows that many would support this and believe this is the right action for her to take. However, she cannot; she states she will be with him forever. For that he is beyond grateful.
Into this mix is thrust the knowledge of a phone call between Hillary and Obama, during which Hillary accepted Obama’s offer to be his running mate. Upon this everything turns.
Laurie Metcalf, John Lithgow in ‘Hillary and Clinton,’ directed by Joe Mantello, written by Lucas Hnath (Julieta Cervantes)
When Bill steps into the campaign and gives her what she initially requested, he also oversteps his bounds causing rifts between Mark and Hillary. This causes a surprising series of events, one of which includes Barack coming to their hotel room to talk. Barack is portrayed by Peter Francis James in an interesting turn and resemblance to Obama in demeanor and stance. Barack confronts Hillary about the offer to be his running mate and the change in the fortunes of a race, after Bill becomes involved. He also reveals a tidbit of information that landed in his lap, information which will haunt the Clintons in the future.
There is no spoiler alert. You will have to see how Hnath arranges the chips to fall in this climax and how all of what we’ve seen before of their ties that bind, play out.
The play which expands on the premise of “infinite possibilities,” ends on it. From Hillary’s initial flipping of the coin that turns up a 50/50 heads/tails pattern of probabilities, we follow a series of events that decry any possibility of the coin toss dealing Hillary a winning hand. Hnath has brought us closer to explaining why she is not a winner this time, nor a winner in 2016, nor ever unless the earth tilts differently on its axis to produce another earth where Hillary somewhere “over the rainbow” on another earth is president.
Hnath allows us to fill in the unanswerable uncertainties and questions which he leaves open and encourages us to hope for in his poetic “on another earth Hillary is president.” For me this is heartbreaking especially now with the Mueller Investigation revealing a massive Russian warfare campaign to interfere with the election to put Trump in as the president, the results of which we are being deprived of in its full form. Indeed, Hillary lost the 2016 election on planet earth. She did this, perhaps for the reasons suggested intriguingly in the play.
However, Hnath’s powerful work and framing it with the backdrop of probabilities reveals more in what it doesn’t discuss because it was written before we understood what forces were ranging against the United States. Probabilities set up in coin tosses are random. What happened in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss (which is never alluded to in the play) is far from a probability. As more of the facts come out (despite the struggle to obfuscate and obstruct the report by the administration) her loss appears to be an inevitability…an inevitability which various illegal forces would go to extreme lengths to bring about.
peter Francis James, Laurie Metcalf, ‘Hillary and Clinton,’ directed by Joe Mantello, written by Lucas Hnath (Julieta Cervantes)
That this production is being presented now at the height of the issues with the release of the Mueller Report Investigation and the DOJ? Well! This is fascinating and curious. And it leads me to this theme: there is more to what appears to be so, what pundits say is so and what “the facts” are depending upon who “owns” them. In Hillary and Clinton, Hnath presents the “What If” and allows us to consider what the character Hillary says about running again at some point. She would like to; she must understand how to get there to win.
This forces us to ponder what happened in 2016 and then the character Hillary brings us back to the coin toss which makes her president on another earth. We go with Metcalf’s Hillary for one second, then are dropped into the pit of reality. She isn’t president. And why not? Because of Bill? Because of her personality? Because of the Clinton Foundation? Because of paternalism? Because she is a woman? Sure!
To my mind, Hillary Clinton’s loss was less about her personality and her relationship and Bill’s “stench” and more about what forces didn’t want her in and why not. All the ultra-conservative social media groups, Russian Intelligence institutions, Russian hackers, Republican Think Tank strategists, elite globalists and like-minded billionaire Americans were poised to prevent her win with systems “ON.” It was a monumental effort that is mind blowing. And very costly.
That’s why Hnath’s character Hillary tossing a coin at the beginning and conclusion of the play is brilliant in theme and profound message. It is frightening, heartbreaking and an eye-opener, however you frame the “What if.” There will never be a “What if” for Hillary. There is no alternate universe, earth or whatever. We must deal with what is and get to work about it.
Laurie Metcalf is gobsmacking; she’s nominated for a Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League for “Best Actress in a Play.” Lithgow is superb. Able assists, Zak Orth and Peter Francis James make this a play you must see. Hillary and Clinton will make you think; it will open your eyes. And as it did for me, it may break your heart.
Hillary and Clinton runs at the Golden Theatre (252 West 45th St.) until 21 July. It has no intermission. You can purchase tickets by going to the website and CLICKING HERE.
Posted in Broadway, NYC Theater Reviews
Tags: Golden Theatre, Hillary and Clinton, Joe Mantello, John Lithgow, Laurie Metcalf, Lucas Hnath, Peter Francis James, Zak Orth
Tribeca Film Festival Review 2018: ‘Every Act of Life,’ Looking Into the Brilliant Terrence McNally
(L to R): Director Jeff Kaufman, Terrence McNally, ‘Every Act of Life,’2018 Tribeca FF World Premiere Special Screening and Q & A, Moderator Frank Rich, unpictured (Carole Di Tosti),
Terrence McNally is a theatrical force of nature, though with his incredible humility in an age of self-promotion, he would be the last to admit it. With a career spanning six decades and major, ground-breaking successes on Broadway and Off, in film and television, and multiple theater awards every decade, the man is a dynamo, beloved by actors whose careers he has vaulted, actors whom he collaborates with in a symbiotic relationship again and again. At 80, he is still working, attending productions (I saw him in the audience of the musical production of the most Tony nominated musical SpongeBob SquarePants this summer.) and launching off into new projects, even as I write this.
The World Premiere Every Act of Life directed and written by Jeff Kaufman was given a special screening at Tribeca Film Festival 2018, with luminaries, actors and McNally himself attending for the Q and A afterward. In this formidable documentary about a formidable American playwright, Kaufman presents McNally’s career and personal life. From start to finish Every Act of Life is an intriguing and well-thought-out chronicle cobbled together with interviews, archived photos, video clips, well-researched facts, details, memorabilia and well-placed commentary by actors, directors, producers and McNally himself. The documentary is especially revealing in its presentation of how one individual’s love and passion for the theater, opera, music and art has impacted our culture and brought us together in a forward momentum of shared communication and understanding.
Tyne Daly (‘Mothers and Sons’ and ‘Master Class’), Nathan Lane (‘Love! Valor! Compassion!’ ‘The Lisbon Traviata,’ ‘ It’s Only a Play’)2018 Tribeca FF World Premiere and Special Screening and Q & A (Carole Di Tosti)
Beginning with his early plays and traveling right up to his most recent work, Kaufman lays out the seminal moments and turning points that have slowly fostered the personality and character of this mild-mannered and charmingly authentic persona that McNally is today. Early influences on his life McNally credits to his English teacher in Corpus Christi who encouraged him to write and attend schools outside of the area. But his love of musicals and Broadway, were initially inspired by his parents, transplanted New Yorkers, who brought him all the way from Texas to New York to see a few smash musicals with towering figures like Gertrude Lawrence in The King and I and Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun.
Terrence McNally, ‘Every Act of Life,’ 2018 Tribeca FF World Premiere Special Screening and Q & A (Carole Di Tosti)
The excitement and enchantment of live theater musicals were imprinted on his memory. And this love abides with him to this day as he continues to collaborate on musicals writing the book for numerous hits like The Kiss of the Spider Woman (1992), Ragtime (1996), The Full Monty (2000), The Visit (2001), Catch Me If You Can (2011), Anastasia (2017). He has also sharpened his wits and taken up collaborating on opera, for example in 2015, the production of Great Scott (music by Jake Heggie), premiered at Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Texas. He is a veritable tornado when it comes to writing new plays and collaborating with composers on musicals and operas.
Chita Rivera appeared in McNally’s ‘The Rink,’ (1984) ‘The Kiss of the Spider Woman,’ (1992, 93, 94) ‘The Visit,’ (2004). Tribeca FF 2018, World Premiere Screening and Q & A, ‘Every Act of Life.’Chita Rivera appears in Kaufman’s film about McNally. Here Chita Rivera appears at a 2018 LPTW event (Carole Di Tosti)
Following his English teacher’s advice, McNally attended Columbia University and was further shepherded by professors like Lionel Trilling for literature and Andrew Chiappe who steered him in the basics by having McNally and others read every work by Shakespeare in the order of their composition. After Columbia, McNally through a serendipitous introduction via The Actor’s Studio, cruised with John Steinbeck and family around the world as he tutored Steinbeck’s two young sons. This was another incredible experience which was to shape McNally’s writing career and broaden his horizons as well as establish his relationship with Steinbeck who inspired his writing. From these adventures he later fashioned the first act of And Things That Go Bump in the Night. Additionally, Steinbeck asked him to write a libretto for a musical adaptation of his novel East of Eden. One doesn’t know what one can do until a great American novelist like John Steinbeck asks you to do it.
F. Murray Abraham, ‘Every Act of Life,’ 2018 Tribeca FF World Premiere and Special Screening and Q & A (Carole Di Tosti)
Back in New York City, McNally used his connections at the Actor’s Studio to begin to workshop his nascent one-act plays. And it was in New York that he met the brilliant playwright Edward Albee who was just coming into his own. After a four-year tempestuous relationship during which Albee wrote The American Dream and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, they parted ways and McNally’s career began to take off gradually in theater, television and in film as he wrote screenplays for versions of his works first performed on Broadway and Off Broadway.
(L to R): Terrence McNally, Edward Albee, ‘Every Act of Life,’ 2018 Tribeca FF World Premiere Screening and Q & A (Carole Di Tosti)
Various tidbits appear in Kaufman’s documentary that fascinate. Some of the impressions are telling. He became addicted to alcohol and at a time when no one could admit to being gay, McNally confronted the oppressions of the culture and created some of the most insightful, poignant and endearing works related to the LGBT community and relatives confronting the AIDS epidemic. These include the TV miniseries Andre’s Mother for which he won an Emmy and later his Mothers and Sons starring Tyne Daly based upon the miniseries. Additionally, Lips Together, Teeth Apart, as well as an inside look at gay relationships for which he won his second Tony Award, Love! Valor! Compassion! also feature topics about confronting gender prejudice.
Joe Mantello, ‘Every Act of Life,’ 2018 Tribeca FF World Premiere Screening and Q & A (Carole Di Tosti)
Always concerned about the deep side of the human condition and striving above it, McNally first landed on the map when he was recognized for his portrayal of female-male relationships among the working classes (Frankie and Johnnie in the Claire de Lune) which was adapted into a screenplay starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. McNally’s versatility and humanity encompasses play topics that run the continuum. What is most important to him is human connections and the realization that we are together in this “thing” referred to as life. The beauty of our ability to connect, express love, overcome personal issues and adversity, with an assist from art and theater makes all the difference in discovering our purpose and fulfillment.
McNally’s dogged fight for LGBTQ rights at a time when it was most unfashionable and nearly anathema is an incredible achievement, considering the forces and money behind the attempt to liquify LGBTQ rights in the noxious march toward inhumanity and darkness led by the political conservative right-wing. Kaufman highlights the struggle. He also reveals how McNally overcame his addiction to alcohol and on that subject includes an amazing anecdote. Angela Lansbury’s love and honesty prompted her to speak directly to McNally to the effect that he must stop destroying himself. Indeed, she feared this most talented playwright, librettist and screenwriter would die an early death. Her influence and other factors eventually sent him down the road to wellness, where others were not as willfully fortunate.
What I appreciate in the film is McNally’s candor in discussing his “flops.” Of course, one might say that there are no flops in a playwright’s repertoire, only stepping stones which help them achieve their hard won success.
2018 Tribeca FF World Premiere Screening and Q & A, ‘Every Act of Life,’ (L to R): Jeff Kaufman, Terrence McNally, Tyne Daly, Nathan Lane, Joe Mantello, F. Murray Abraham (Carole Di Tosti)
Kaufman highlights McNally’s award-winning work (the musicals- The Kiss of the Spider Woman-1992 and Ragtime-1997 and his plays, Love! Valor! Compassion!-1994, Master Class-1995 and Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams-2005). The most incredible feature of this segment of the documentary is the commentary by living legends and McNally friends and collaborators, Chita Rivera, Nathan Lane, John Glover, Tyne Daly, John Kander, F. Murray Abraham, Joe Mantello, Angela Lansbury, Christine Baranski, Audra McDonald and many more. Indeed, the film is a who’s who of McNally’s posse, as well as a chronicle of his prodigious work ethic and love of theater, opera, ballet and music. His talents and breadth of knowledge about the Arts are absolutely staggering. And Kaufman gives us a historical perspective that is continually fresh and exciting.
Terrence McNally, ‘Every Act of Life,’ 2018 Tribeca FF World Premiere Screening and Q & A, (photo courtesy of the film)
I loved this film. I am familiar with McNally’s work having seen a number of his musicals and comedies on Broadway and Off. I split my sides enjoying them. However, Kaufman digs deep into the revelation of the anointed genius of this most wonderful of playwrights who connects the heavens to humanity with his words, impressions and inspirations, and joins us together in what can be compared to a holy act of communion in the theater. The film is a must see, and you will especially enjoy hearing how McNally and friends worked together to create some of the finest, most enduring works of American theater which in the future will surely be identified as classics.
‘Every Act of Life,’ Q and A, Tribeca FF 2018 with (L to R) Jeff Kaufman, Terrence McNally, Tyne Daly, Nathan Lane, Joe Mantello, F. Murray Abraham, moderated by Frank Rich who is not pictured (Carole Di Tosti)
After the World Premiere Screening there was a Q and A moderated by Frank Rich, who was a longtime critic of theater at The New York Times. McNally made an incredible admission during the Q and A. Even though he has a prodigious body of work trailing in his wake, he never really considered himself a playwright or a successful one at that, until a few years ago. I was gobsmacked. Such is the talent and evolving genius of this artist.
That Frank Rich was moderating individuals he has sometimes dunned in his previous job as New York Times Theater critic was a bit of an irony. He long held sway as THE Times CRITIC until 2011. Often he was acerbic and unwieldy in his self-aggrandizement and pretensions to be THE VOICE of theater, backed by the “heft” of The Times. After I accomplished some gentle research for this review, I discovered a note in Wikipedia on Kiss of the Spider Woman (musical) that bears sounding since the main subject of this film is American Theater and Terrence McNally as one of the fountains where we might go for a revitalizing drink..
It seems that in 1990 Kiss of the Spider Woman was being workshopped at “New Musicals” at the Performing Arts Center SUNY at Purchase. New Musicals‘ goal was to create, develop and provide a working home for sixteen new musicals over four years. When New York critics heard that the play was being workshopped in its initial production, they wanted to see it. Unfortunately, they couldn’t be persuaded not to review it despite the fact that producers, etc., were testing the waters to see what needed ironing out. Frank Rich and other critics filed “mostly negative reviews” of this initial workshopping of Kiss of the Spider Woman. Sadly, New Musicals, whose mission was honorable and vital for American theater and especially New York Theater, blew out and folded after the fiasco with Kiss. Don’t get me started on the state of American Theater and why it is that way.
Thankfully, two years later a producer developed Kiss of the Spider Woman. It went on in Toronto and The West End where it won An Evening Standard. It finally came back to the US where it received 7 Tony Awards and 3 Drama Desks and ran 904 performances, despite Rich’s reviews. Ultimately, the American public became the arbiter of the production.
American Theater has lost ground for many reasons and indeed, the gatekeepers, critics and money people have, for all intents and purposes, shot it to hell and drained its lifeblood. With the rise of Social Media, for good or ill, digital platforms and word of mouth continue to lift up productions so that their lasting value might be revealed to give them staying power. But it is enough? Rich went on to feather his own nest. Kiss of the Spider Woman found its audience. New Musicals is no more. And so it goes. In light of these events Every Act of Life is an important documentary about the history of American theater, and a master creator who has thrived in spite of changing times.
Posted in Film Festival Screenings, Film Reviews, Tribeca Film Festival
Tags: Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, Chita Rivera, Christine Baranski, Edward Albee, Every Act of Life, F. Murray Abraham, Jeff Kaufman, Joe Mantello, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Love!Valor!Compassion!, Nathan Lane, Ragtime, Terrence McNally, The Rink, The Visit, Tyne Daly
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CA Ct. App.
PATRICK KELLEY v. THE CONCO COMPANIES
Court of Appeal, First District, California.
PATRICK C. KELLEY, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. THE CONCO COMPANIES et al., Defendants and Respondents.
Law Offices of John T. Schreiber, John T. Schreiber for Plaintiff and Appellant. Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley, Michael E. Caples for Defendants and Respondents.
Patrick Kelley was an apprentice ironworker employed by respondent The Conco Companies (Conco). He complained that he was subjected to a barrage of sexually demeaning comments and gestures by his male supervisor, and later to similar comments by male coworkers, and that he was also subjected to physical threats by coworkers in retaliation for his complaints about his supervisor. Kelley's employer changed his work site to separate him from his harassers, but Kelley was later suspended by his union from its apprenticeship program rendering him ineligible for employment. After the suspension expired, he was not rehired by Conco. He filed suit against Conco and his former supervisor, and the trial court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment on Kelley's claims for sexual harassment, retaliation and related causes of action. We reverse as to Kelley's retaliation claim under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA; Govt.Code, § 12900 et seq.),1 and otherwise affirm.
I. Background
In October 2007, Kelley sued Conco and David Seaman (collectively, Defendants) for sex discrimination and sexual harassment in violation of FEHA (§ 12940); retaliation; termination in violation of public policy; failure to prevent discrimination; intentional infliction of emotional distress; and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Defendants moved for summary judgment. We summarize the evidence offered in support of and opposition to summary judgment, construing Kelley's evidence liberally and Defendants' evidence narrowly and drawing, as we must, all reasonable inferences in favor of Kelley. (Nazir v. United Airlines, Inc. (2009) 178 Cal.App.4th 243, 254.)
The Emeryville Jobsite Incidents
Conco is one of the largest concrete construction companies in California. Kelley was an apprentice ironworker with Ironworkers Union Local 378 (Local 378) and Conco was a union shop. To get work, Kelley would contact companies such as Conco directly and, once hired, he would inform the union and obtain a dispatch slip.
On July 28, 2006, Kelley was hired as an apprentice ironworker at Conco and began working at a job site in Emeryville with Seaman as his supervisor. On about July 30, 2006,2 Seaman told Kelley to move some rebar and not to mix up the pieces of different lengths. As Kelley moved the rebar, it did get mixed up and Kelley tried to sort the piles using his foot. Seaman yelled at Kelley to “fucking quit using [your] goddamn fucking foot; bend the fuck over and pick that shit up. Pick that shit up, bitch.” After Kelley completed that task, Seaman told him to tie some other rebar. While Kelley was bent over, Seaman came up behind him and called him a “bitch” and a “fucking punk.” He said Kelley had a “nice ass,” he wanted to “fuck [Kelley] in the ass,” Kelley's pants “made [his] ass look good,” Kelley would “look good in little girl's clothes,” he would “fuck the shit out of [Kelley's] ass,” he would “fuck [Kelley] better than [Kelley's] old lady,” he would make Kelley “his bitch,” he would “cum all over [Kelley's] ass” and he would “turn [Kelley] out.” After Kelley finished tying the rebar, Seaman told him to get down and screw metal plates to the wall. When Kelley got on his knees to complete the task, Seaman said, “That's where you belong[,] on your knees.” Kelley said that a coworker, who he identified only as a Hispanic male from Sacramento, “got in my face” and said he was going to “make me suck [Seaman's] dick” while he watched. Seaman said he thought the comment was a joke and thought it was funny.
Kelley confronted Seaman and said Seaman was “fucking gay.” Seaman responded angrily and “puffed up,” took off his tool bag and said he was going to “kick [Kelley's] ass.” 3 Seaman told Kelley to get off the job. Kelley began walking off the job, but a coworker told him not to leave because he would be fired.
Kelley remained on the job, ate lunch on the job site and did not interact with anyone. After lunch, Kelley spoke to Conco Field Safety Manager Joseph Anthony Gallegos, Jr. for 20 to 30 minutes and told him “exactly what happened.” 4 While talking about Seaman, Kelley became emotional, started crying and had to turn his head away. Gallegos told Kelley to keep working and he would talk to Seaman and the person in charge of the whole job and try to get Kelley off the job. After speaking to Seaman, Gallegos told Kelley, “ ‘Sorry, dude, there's nothing I can do. Stay on the job. If you leave you'll get fired.’ “
Gallegos asked Seaman “ ‘What the fuck you doing, Dave? Fuckin’ talking like that to that kid?' “ and Seaman responded, “ ‘Fuck, I don't know. I don't know why I said that.’ “ Gallegos told Seaman to calm down and apologize to Kelley. Gallegos and Seaman said that Seaman and Kelley shook hands and that Seaman apologized. Kelley agreed that he and Seaman shook hands, but denied that there was an apology.
On the afternoon of the Seaman incident, two coworkers called Kelley a “bitch” and one “got in [Kelley's] face” and “talk[ed] shit” to him. Seaman twice told them to leave Kelley alone, but Kelley heard them continue to say they were going to jump him after work. When Kelley got home, he called the Conco dispatcher, Scott Nava, asked to be assigned to a different job site, and explained why. Nava agreed and told him to report the next day to a Vallejo work site.
Kelley's Work in Vallejo and Redwood City
After leaving the Emeryville job site, Kelley worked on a Conco job in Vallejo for two days. On both days coworkers called him a “bitch,” “faggot,” and “narc” or “snitch” for complaining and two of them told him he would be lucky if he did not get his ass beat after work. A supervisor was within earshot but ignored the comments. Kelley reported the incident to Nava at the end of the day and Nava said, “ ‘Well, that's the way the trade is, man. That's just the way these guys are.’ “
A week or two after the Emeryville job, Seaman called Kelley and asked if he wanted a ride to a Conco job in Redwood City. Kelley accepted the ride because he was afraid he would lose his job if he declined. Seaman was not Kelley's supervisor on that job, and Kelley worked there for three or four days without incident. According to Seaman, Kelley's job performance was better in Redwood City than in Emeryville.
Kelley's Other Work for Conco
Kelley never worked with Seaman again, but he worked for Conco on other jobs over the next three months. On some jobs, he had no problems. At others, he heard remarks daily about what had happened with Seaman. He was called “punk bitch,” “snitch” or “fag,” and people would “get in his face” and would threaten to jump him after work. Kelley complained about this conduct to Scott Nava “two [to] three times a week” and asked to be removed from the jobs. Nava regularly moved him. Kelley also complained to at least one other person (“Tony”) at Conco on two or three occasions about the behavior.
Kelley's Suspension from the Union
Kelley was required to attend classes in order to maintain his status as a union apprentice. He wrote the union a letter asking for a day off so he could attend his brother's wedding and handed it to union representative Dana Fairchild before a class. After Kelley took the day off (which was after the incident with Seaman), Fairchild told Kelley he never received the letter and the absence was unauthorized. Fairchild raised the issue with the apprenticeship board and on October 3, 2006, Kelley was asked to leave a Conco job to attend a board meeting on the issue. At the meeting, the board suspended him for six months.5
The apprenticeship board notified Conco on October 10, 2006, that Kelley had been dropped from the program effective October 3 and was not eligible for employment or training under the terms of the union's collective bargaining agreement with Conco. Kelley never again worked at Conco.
Kelley's Subsequent Search for Work
After the suspension expired in about April 2007, the union told Kelley never to call or go back to Conco because there was no longer any kind of work for him there. When Kelley later tried to get work from other companies, he would be released after the first week of pay. When he asked the union why he was getting released, Fairchild “got on his case,” “yelled at him for what happened at Conco,” and said that was the reason he could not get work.
Kelley worked for short durations for other contractors including Brodhead Steel, Mission City Steel, Harris Salinas, and Shepard Steel. While working at Brodhead, Kelley's coworkers called him a “bitch” and a “narc” and one coworker who said he was a friend of Seaman told Kelley he was a “punk for doing what [he] did.” There were three incidents at Brodhead involving two workers. Kelley was fired from the Harris Salinas job because he tested positive for marijuana. The company told him to check back for work in a few months, but he was never rehired. Kelley's boss at Shepard said he wanted to keep Kelley, saying Kelley was a good worker, but told Kelley “the guys upstairs” did not think he was going to work out so he was let go.
Kelley's Resignation from Union
Kelley said that by October 2007, he was suffering a deep depression and did not want to go back to ironworking. He asked the union for a six-month leave of absence from the apprenticeship program “[d]ue to the unlawful harassment and discrimination I endured while employed by Conco Companies[.]” The union granted the request on November 26, 2007. Before that six-month leave of absence expired, Kelley resigned from the union. Once he resigned from the union, he could no longer work on union ironworker jobs. After his resignation, he was unable to find work as an ironworker and he was unemployed or employed in low-paying jobs.
Trial Court Rulings
At the hearing on the summary judgment motion, the court summarized its understanding of the evidence as follows. “[D]istilling as best I can [,] ․ all of a sudden, on one day, [Seaman] goes ballistic and gets so mad at Mr. Kelley that he lets loose with a great volume of extremely-unpleasant, ugly, sexually-ladened language and that that provokes something of a confrontation, in which [Kelley] challenges [Seaman] and the two of them square off, but, for some reason, no physical altercation ensues. And then, you know, things kind of go back to being more or less normal. [¶] ․ There doesn't appear to be any kind of a pervasive nature of this conduct[.][¶] The question in my mind is, is the incident in and of itself so severe, ․ so inherently destructive of [Kelley's] work environment that in and of itself it should be considered sexual harassment? ․ [T]hat's really the only question I have.” After hearing argument, the court took the matter under submission and subsequently issued a written order granting summary judgment to Defendants.
II. Discussion
A. Summary Judgment Standard
Summary judgment is appropriate “if all the papers submitted show that there is no triable issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (c).) “[T]he party moving for summary judgment bears the burden of persuasion that there is no triable issue of material fact and that he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law․ There is a triable issue of material fact if, and only if, the evidence would allow a reasonable trier of fact to find the underlying fact in favor of the party opposing the motion in accordance with the applicable standard of proof.” (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850 (Aguilar ), fns. omitted.) When the plaintiff bears the burden of proving facts by a preponderance of the evidence and the defendant moves for summary judgment, the defendant “must present evidence that would require a reasonable trier of fact not to find any underlying material fact more likely than not․” (Id. at p. 851.)
An order granting summary judgment is reviewed de novo. (Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 860.) In ruling on the motion, the court must draw all reasonable inferences from the evidence in the light most favorable to the opposing party. (Id. at p. 843.) “We liberally construe the evidence in support of the party opposing summary judgment and resolve doubts concerning the evidence in favor of that party. [Citation.]” (Yanowitz v. L'Oreal USA, Inc. (2005) 36 Cal.4th 1028, 1037 (Yanowitz ).)
B. Sexual Harassment and Sex Discrimination Cause of Action
FEHA's “ ‘prohibition against sexual harassment includes protection from a broad range of conduct, ranging from expressly or impliedly conditioning employment benefits on submission to or tolerance of unwelcome sexual advances, to the creation of a work environment that is hostile or abusive on the basis of sex.’ [Citation.]” (Lyle v. Warner Brothers Televison Productions (2006) 38 Cal.4th 264, 277 (Lyle ).) 6 Claims of a hostile or abusive working environment due to sexual harassment arise when a workplace is “permeated with ‘discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult [ ]’ [citation] that is ‘sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim's employment and create an abusive working environment [ ]’ [citation]․” (Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc. (1993) 510 U.S. 17, 21.) 7
“The elements of such a cause of action are: ‘(1) plaintiff belongs to a protected group; (2) plaintiff was subject to unwelcome sexual harassment; (3) the harassment complained of was based on sex; (4) the harassment complained of was sufficiently pervasive so as to alter the conditions of employment and create an abusive working environment; and (5) respondeat superior.’ [Citation.]” (Jones v. Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation (2007) 152 Cal.App.4th 1367, 1377.)
Kelley argues the trial court erred both in ruling that the evidence did not support an inference that he was harassed because of his sex, and in ruling that the harassment was not severe or pervasive enough to amount to an adverse employment action actionable under FEHA.
1. Discrimination Based on Sex
The sine qua non of any sexual harassment claim is that the plaintiff suffered discrimination because of sex. (Lyle, supra, 38 Cal.4th at pp. 279–280; Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc. (1998) 523 U.S. 75, 81 (Oncale ).) “ ‘ “The critical issue ․ is whether members of one sex are exposed to disadvantageous terms or conditions of employment to which members of the other sex are not exposed.” ‘ [Citations.]” (Lyle, at pp. 279–280, quoting Oncale, at p. 80.) A FEHA plaintiff must show “ ‘ “that gender is a substantial factor in the discrimination, and that if the plaintiff ‘had been a man she would not have been treated in the same manner.’ “ [Citation.]' [Citations.] Accordingly, it is the disparate treatment of an employee on the basis of sex ․ that is the essence of a sexual harassment claim.” (Lyle, at p. 280.) Because proof of discriminatory intent often depends on inferences rather than on direct evidence, very little evidence of such intent is necessary to defeat summary judgment. (Spitzer v. Good Guys, Inc. (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 1376, 1386; Heard v. Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. (1996) 44 Cal.App.4th 1735, 1751.)
In Oncale, the United States Supreme Court held that sexual harassment within the meaning of title VII could occur between members of the same sex as long as the plaintiff could establish that the harassment amounted to discrimination because of sex. (Oncale, supra, 523 U.S. at pp. 79–80.) We have no difficulty concluding that the same rule applies to FEHA actions, as our sister courts have held both before and after Oncale was decided. (Mogilefsky v. Superior Court (1993) 20 Cal.App.4th 1409, 1416–1418 (Mogilefsky ); Sheffield v. Los Angeles County Dept. of Social Services (2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 153, 160 (Sheffield ); Singleton v. United States Gypsum Co. (2006) 140 Cal.App.4th 1547, 1557 (Singleton ); but see Hart v. National Mortgage & Land Co. (1987) 189 Cal.App.3d 1420, 1426 [without analysis, concluding that same-sex sexual harassment claim failed because plaintiff did not show harassment because of his sex].)
The difficulty arises in determining when same-sex harassment amounts to discrimination because of sex. In Oncale, the Court observed that an inference of sex-based discrimination is often “easy to draw in most male-female sexual harassment situations” that involve proposals of sexual activity, but may not be so readily drawn in a same-sex context. (Oncale, supra, 523 U.S. at p. 80.) The Court clearly stated that the mere fact that harassment has sexual content is insufficient to establish that it constituted discrimination because of sex. (Id. at p. 80.) As noted, Oncale observes, “Title VII does not prohibit all verbal or physical harassment in the workplace; it is directed only at ‘discriminat[ion] ․ because of ․ sex.’ We have never held that workplace harassment, even harassment between men and women, is automatically discrimination because of sex merely because the words used have sexual content or connotations. ‘The critical issue[ ] ․ is whether members of one sex are exposed to disadvantageous terms or conditions of employment to which members of the other sex are not exposed.’ [Citation.]” (Oncale, supra, 523 U.S. at p. 80.) Similarly, the California Supreme Court has held that “it is the disparate treatment of an employee on the basis of sex—not the mere discussion of sex or use of vulgar language—that is the essence of a sexual harassment claim.” (Lyle, supra, 38 Cal.4th at p. 280.) Both courts have cautioned that title VII and FEHA should not be transformed into “a general civility code for the American workplace.” (Oncale, at p. 80; Lyle, at p. 295.)
Oncale suggests alternative “evidentiary route[s]” that could support an inference that same-sex harassment was discrimination because of sex. (Oncale, supra, 523 U.S. at pp. 80–81.) An inference of discrimination may be “easy to draw” in male-female sexual harassment situations where there are explicit or implicit proposals of sexual activity, and “[t]he same chain of inference would be available to a plaintiff alleging same-sex harassment, if there were credible evidence that the harasser was homosexual.” (Ibid.) An inference of discrimination on the basis of sex could be drawn where, for example, “a female victim is harassed in such sex-specific and derogatory terms by another woman as to make it clear that the harasser was motivated by general hostility to the presence of women in the workplace. A same-sex harassment plaintiff [might] also ․ offer direct comparative evidence about how the alleged harasser treated members of both sexes in a mixed-sex workplace.” (Ibid.)
While we agree with Kelley's assertion that these are not necessarily the exclusive means of establishing that inference, “[w]hatever evidentiary route the plaintiff chooses to follow, he or she must always prove that the conduct at issue was not merely tinged with offensive sexual connotations, but actually constituted ‘discrimination ․ because of ․ sex.’ “ (Oncale, supra, 523 U.S. at p. 81.)
We note first our agreement with the trial court's assessment that the relevant incident for consideration of this issue is that which occurred in Emeryville on or about July 30, 2006.8 Unquestionably, the language used by both Seaman and by one of Kelley's coworkers on July 30 was graphic, vulgar, and sexually explicit. The literal statements expressed sexual interest and solicited sexual activity. There was, however, no “credible evidence that the harasser was homosexual” or that the harassment was “motivated by sexual desire.” (See Oncale, supra, 523 U.S. at p. 80.) Kelley makes no contention here that Seaman's statements were intended to be taken literally. Instead, it appears undisputed that in the environment in which this incident took place, sexually taunting comments by supervisors and employees were commonplace, including gay innuendo, profanity, and rude, crude and insulting behavior. Such comments were made both jokingly and in anger.
The statements made to Kelley were crude, offensive and demeaning, as it was evident that they were intended to be. No evidence, however, was presented from which a reasonable trier of fact could conclude that they were an expression of actual sexual desire or intent by Seaman, or that they resulted from Kelley's actual or perceived sexual orientation. The mere fact that words may have sexual content or connotations, or discuss sex is not sufficient to establish sexual harassment. (Lyle, supra, 38 Cal.4th at pp. 279–280.) “[W]hile the use of vulgar or sexually disparaging language may be relevant to show discrimination, it is not necessarily sufficient, by itself, to establish actionable conduct.” (Id. at p. 281.)
Courts have routinely insisted on evidence that an alleged harasser was acting from genuine sexual interest before holding that the fact of a sexual proposition supported an inference of discrimination because of sex. (Davis v. Coastal Intern. Sec., Inc. (D.C.Cir.2002) 275 F.3d 1119, 1121, 1125 [where alleged harassers grabbed plaintiff's crotch, made kissing gestures & described oral sex, court distinguished cases involving “actual homosexual desire [that] motivated the harassment”]; McCown v. St. John's Health System (8th Cir.2003) 349 F.3d 540, 541–543 [where alleged harasser grabbed plaintiff's genitalia & simulated anal intercourse with plaintiff, evidence of sexual harassment was insufficient because there was “no evidence ․ that [the harasser] was homosexual and motivated by sexual desire”]; Pedroza v. Cintas Corp. No. 2 (8th Cir.2005) 397 F.3d 1063, 1069 [where alleged harasser attempted to kiss plaintiff on mouth & implied she wanted plaintiff sexually, evidence was insufficient that harassment was motivated by sexual desire]; see also La Day v. Catalyst Technology, Inc. (5th Cir.2002) 302 F.3d 474, 480 [explaining genuine sexual desire can be established by evidence that harasser intended to have sexual contact with plaintiff rather than merely humiliate plaintiff or that harasser made same-sex sexual advances to others]; Dick v. Phone Directories Co., Inc. (10th Cir.2005) 397 F.3d 1256, 1264–1265 [plaintiff must show harasser acted out of genuine sexual desire, but need not show harasser was homosexual].)
Kelley cites Singleton, supra, 140 Cal.App.4th 1547 in support of his argument that he was not required to show any sexual intent or motivation to establish his claim. In Singleton, our colleagues in the Second District held that same-sex harassment, very similar to the conduct alleged here, was gender-specific and thus constituted discrimination because of sex. (Id. at pp. 1561–1562.) In Singleton, male coworkers made homophobic comments to the male heterosexual plaintiff, repeatedly called him “ ‘Sing-a-ling,’ “ which plaintiff understood as a reference to a homosexual movie character, told plaintiff he was wearing tight jeans or a G-string, made gestures and comments suggesting plaintiff performed fellatio on his supervisor, threatened to anally penetrate the plaintiff, and solicited oral sex from plaintiff. (Id. at pp. 1552–1553.)
The Singleton court found evidence that Singleton was disparately treated because of his sex because the statements “targeted Singleton's heterosexual identity, and attacked it by and through their comments” thereby treating him “ ‘differently’ “ than they would have treated a woman. (Singleton, supra, 140 Cal.App.4th at p. 1562.) “It follows that the harassment was ‘because of sex,’ i.e., it employed attacks on Singleton's identity as a heterosexual male as a tool of harassment.” (Ibid.; see also Miner v. Mid–America Door Co. (Okla.Civ.App.2002) 68 P.3d 212, 219 [harassing comments “clearly were intended to attack Plaintiffs' masculinity [ & ] question their virility” but there was also evidence that women were not treated in the same manner].)
We respectfully disagree. Singleton finds that the gender-specific nature of the harassment establishes disparate treatment based on sex. Singleton ' s reasoning inevitably leads to the conclusion that any hostile, offensive and harassing comment or conduct, with or without sexual content or innuendo, made to one gender and which would not be made to the other, would constitute discrimination because of sex within the scope of FEHA. (Singleton, supra, 140 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1562, 1564.) What matters, however, is not whether the two sexes are treated differently in the workplace, but whether one of the sex is treated adversely to the other sex in the workplace because of their sex. (Oncale, supra, 523 U.S. at p. 80; Lyle, supra, 38 Cal.4th at pp. 279–280.)
While Kelley was undoubtedly subjected to grossly offensive comments and conduct, he did not produce evidence which would support a claim that he suffered discrimination in the workplace because of his gender.
2. Severe and Pervasive Harassment
Since we find that Kelley failed to meet his burden of establishing sex-based discrimination, we need not address the trial court finding that he also failed to establish that the conduct was “ ‘sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim's employment and create an abusive working environment[.]’ “ (Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc., supra, 510 U.S. at p. 21.) We observe, however, that although Kelley alleges conduct by Seaman that was patently offensive, the evidence Kelley presented failed to show pervasive hostile conduct, sexually motivated or otherwise, by Seaman or by any other supervisor on any date other than July 30, 2006.9 He concedes that he had no issues or difficulties with Seaman after that date. Kelley admitted that, after management intervention by Gallegos, Seaman ceased any personal harassment of Kelley on the very same day. After Gallegos talked to both Kelley and Seaman, Seaman left Kelley alone and Seaman even intervened when he overheard Kelley's coworkers make other harassing comments to Kelley. When Kelley subsequently rode with Seaman and worked with him at a Redwood City job site, he experienced no further harassment. Kelley offers evidence of workplace hostility and aggressive and threatening comments by coworkers on that date and thereafter, but makes no showing of any sexually discriminatory animus for that behavior. When Kelley complained about that harassment, he acknowledges that Conco moved him to different job sites at his request to separate him from the harassers.
“[T]o establish liability in a FEHA hostile work environment sexual harassment case, a plaintiff employee must show [he] was subjected to sexual advances, conduct, or comments that were severe enough or sufficiently pervasive to alter the conditions of [his] employment and create a hostile or abusive work environment. [Citations.]” (Lyle, supra, 38 Cal.4th at p. 283; Miller, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 462.)
“With respect to the pervasiveness of harassment, courts have held an employee generally cannot recover for harassment that is occasional, isolated, sporadic, or trivial; rather, the employee must show a concerted pattern of harassment of a repeated, routine, or a generalized nature. [Citations.]” (Lyle, supra, 38 Cal.4th at pp. 283–284; Herberg v. California Institute of the Arts (2002) 101 Cal.App.4th 142, 150–153 [liability for sexual harassment may not be imposed based on a single incident that does not involve egregious conduct akin to a physical assault or the threat thereof]; accord, Smith v. Northwest Financial Acceptance, Inc. (10th Cir.1997) 129 F.3d 1408, 1414 [“isolated incidents of harassment, while inappropriate and boorish, do not constitute pervasive conduct”].)
We believe the trial court correctly determined that Kelley failed to establish that he was subjected to a sexually discriminatory environment that altered the conditions of his employment. We affirm the trial court's summary adjudication of the sexual harassment claim in favor of Defendants.
C. Failure to Prevent Sexual Harassment
The trial court granted summary adjudication to Conco on Kelley's claim for failure to prevent sexual harassment because Kelley “failed to show that he was subjected to unlawful sexual harassment while employed by Conco. See Carter v. California Dept. of Veterans Affairs (2006) 38 Cal.4th 914, 925, fn. 4 (‘But courts have required a finding of actual discrimination or harassment under FEHA before a plaintiff may prevail under section 12940, subdivision (k)’).” We affirm on the same ground.
D. Retaliation
The trial court granted summary adjudication of Kelley's claim for retaliation under section 12940, subdivision (h) because Kelley “failed to present sufficient evidence to create a triable issue of material fact regarding the contention that he was subjected to an adverse employment action by Defendants because he complained about Seaman's misconduct to Joseph Gallegos and/or other managers of Conco. [Kelley] has completely failed to show that Conco's assertion that it had no choice but to terminate [his] employment on or about November 8, 2006, because he was dropped from the ironworkers apprenticeship program was pretextual. [Kelley's] contention that Conco now refuses to hire him after he was reinstated to the apprenticeship program because he has been blacklisted is not supported by any admissible evidence.”
1. Legal Standards
It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to “discharge, expel, or otherwise discriminate against any person because the person has opposed any practices forbidden under this part ․“ (§ 12940, subd. (h) (§ 12940(h)).) “[I]n order to establish a prima facie case of retaliation under the FEHA, a plaintiff must show (1) he or she engaged in a ‘protected activity,’ (2) the employer subjected the employee to an adverse employment action, and (3) a causal link existed between the protected activity and the employer's action. [Citations.] Once an employee establishes a prima facie case, the employer is required to offer a legitimate, nonretaliatory reason for the adverse employment action. [Citation.] If the employer produces a legitimate reason for the adverse employment action, the presumption of retaliation ‘ “ ‘drops out of the picture,’ “ ‘ and the burden shifts back to the employee to prove intentional retaliation. [Citation.]” (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1042.)
2. Protected Activity
“It is well established that a retaliation claim may be brought by an employee who has complained of or opposed conduct that the employee reasonably believes to be discriminatory, even when a court later determines the conduct was not actually prohibited by the FEHA. [Citations.] [¶] Strong policy considerations support this rule. Employees often are legally unsophisticated and will not be in a position to make an informed judgment as to whether a particular practice or conduct actually violates the governing antidiscrimination statute. A rule that permits an employer to retaliate against an employee with impunity whenever the employee's reasonable belief turns out to be incorrect would significantly deter employees from opposing conduct they believe to be discriminatory. [Citations.]” (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1043, fn. omitted.)
Moreover, a mistake of either fact or law may establish an employee's good faith but mistaken belief that he or she is opposing conduct prohibited by FEHA. (Miller, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 475.) As an illustration of a case where an employee's good faith but erroneous belief that he or she was protesting prohibited conduct, Miller cites Drinkwater v. Union Carbide Corp. (3d Cir.1990) 904 F.2d 853. (Miller, at p. 475.) In Drinkwater, the court held that the plaintiff's reliance on case law that was later overruled established her reasonable and good faith belief that the conduct she protested was a violation of antidiscrimination law. (Drinkwater, at pp. 865–866.) In this case, at the time Seaman harassed Kelley, two California courts of appeal had concluded that same-sex harassment that consisted of sexual comments designed to humiliate the plaintiff and challenge his gender identity constituted harassment because of sex within the meaning of FEHA. (Mogilefsky, supra, 20 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1412, 1415–1416; Singleton, supra, 140 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1561–1562, 1564.) Therefore, Kelley reasonably could have believed that the harassment he experienced at Conco violated section 12940, subdivision (j)(1). Kelley also could have reasonably believed that the harassment he experienced was sufficiently severe or pervasive to amount to an actionable hostile work environment. As we observed ante, we find that Kelley failed to produce sufficient evidence to make that showing. Kelley's belief, however, that it did amount to actionable harassment was reasonable.
We conclude Kelley has produced sufficient evidence to support an inference that he engaged in protected activity within the meaning of FEHA when he complained of Seaman's conduct.10
3. Adverse Employment Action and Causal Link
Section 12940(h) provides that it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer “to discharge, expel, or otherwise discriminate against any person” because the person opposed prohibited conduct. The term “otherwise discriminate” refers to and encompasses the same forms of adverse employment activity that are actionable under section 12940, subdivision (a)'s prohibition against discrimination because of sex. (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at pp. 1050–1051.) Creation or tolerance of a hostile work environment for an employee in retaliation for the employee's complaining about prohibited conduct is an adverse employment action within the meaning of section 12940(h). (Yanowitz, at pp. 1052–1053.) Moreover, an employer's alleged retaliatory responses may be considered collectively to determine whether the employee was subjected to an adverse employment action under section 12940(h). (Yanowitz, at pp. 1055–1056.)
Kelley argues that his termination from Conco upon his suspension from the union and Conco's failure to rehire him following his suspension were adverse employment actions taken in retaliation for his complaints about Seaman's harassment.11 He also complains of ongoing harassment at Conco jobs between the Seaman incident and his termination from the company. Although we concluded ante that these incidents did not create a hostile working environment for Kelley on the basis of sex, we consider here whether they amounted to a hostile working environment in retaliation for Kelley's complaints or otherwise contributed to an adverse employment action in retaliation for Kelley's complaints.
a. The Union Suspension
Kelley produced evidence that union representative Fairchild fabricated reasons for Kelley's suspension from the union in October 2006. However, Kelley fails to present any evidence that would support an inference that Conco caused his union to suspend him from its apprenticeship program. Kelley cites only Fairchild's hostile comments about Kelley's complaints about Conco, and Jeffrey Thomas's admission that he spoke to the union about Kelley's suspension. He also notes that Thomas was a longtime union member. But Thomas was the superintendent of the Conco ironworkers, Fairchild was the apprentice coordinator for the union, and Kelley was the only Conco employee on the union list of dropped apprentices. It was Thomas's responsibility to then let the job foreman know that an apprentice was ineligible to work. Kelley makes no showing that any communication between Thomas and Fairchild on his union status was unusual or suspicious, and offers nothing more than speculation that the union's action was at Conco's behest. Whatever Fairchild's motivation, nothing Kelley presented would support an inference of collusion or management involvement in the union suspension.
Kelley raises no triable issue about whether Conco caused the union to suspend him in retaliation for Kelley's complaints about harassment, and he acknowledges that he was ineligible for continued employment after that suspension. He therefore fails to show that Conco's basis for terminating him was pretextual.
b. Failure to Rehire
Kelley also argues that Conco's failure to rehire him after the expiration of his suspension was in retaliation for his complaints about sexual harassment.12 However, Kelley implicitly concedes in his reply brief that, although he worked for other employers following his reinstatement, he never again sought work with Conco. He explains that he did not seek additional work at Conco because Fairchild told him that he would not get work because of his conflict with Seaman. Kelley implies that he understood Fairchild's comment as an indication that Conco would not hire him if he reapplied for employment. Fairchild, however, was not a Conco employee or agent and Kelley produces no evidence that it would in fact have been futile to reapply for employment with Conco. He cannot show that Conco discriminated against him by failing to hire him for a job for which he did not apply.
c. Retaliatory Harassment
Kelley's final claim of retaliation is for continuing harassment at Conco work sites following his complaint about Seaman's harassment, including express references to Kelley's complaints about Seaman and threats of retaliatory violence. Kelley's evidence established a clear inference that he was subjected to retaliation by at least some of his coworkers as a result of his complaints against Seaman. Not only did the threatening statements allude to Kelley's prior complaint, but as Mark Benedet, Conco's superintendent of carpenters and Seaman's supervisor at the Emeryville job site testified, in the construction trades news of altercations between a supervisor and an employee passes “around the whole community.” In fact, Kelley alleged that he heard similar comments, and received similar threats, from coworkers on other non-Conco job sites on three occasions.
Mere ostracism in the workplace is insufficient to establish an adverse employment decision. (Brooks v. City of San Mateo (9th Cir.2000) 229 F.3d 917, 929; Strother v. S. Cal. Permanente Medical Group (9th Cir.1996) 79 F.3d 859, 869.) However, “ ‘[W]orkplace harassment, if sufficiently severe or pervasive, may in and of itself constitute an adverse employment action sufficient to satisfy the second prong of the prima facie case for ․ retaliation cases.’ [Citation].” (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1056, fn. 16.) The issue, however, is whether there was an adverse employment action for which Conco was responsible.
Section 12940(h) does not specifically address whether an employer can be held liable for retaliation by nonmanagement employees. Few California courts have considered the issue. In Birschtein v. New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 994, 1007, the court stated that a FEHA retaliation claim may be based on the acts of a coworker, but did so relying on cases dealing with the scope of an employer's duty to remedy harassment, and it did not discuss the scope of an employer's liability for retaliation by a coworker.
In Yanowitz, our Supreme Court cited with approval Gunnell v. Utah Valley State College (10th Cir.1998) 152 F.3d 1253, 1264 (Gunnell ) for the proposition that “coworker hostility or retaliatory harassment, if sufficiently severe, can constitute adverse employment action for purposes of a title VII retaliation claim.” (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1061.) In Gunnell, the court held that “an employer can only be liable for co-workers' retaliatory harassment where its supervisory or management personnel either (1) orchestrate the harassment or (2) know about the harassment and acquiesce in it in such a manner as to condone and encourage the co-workers' actions․ An employer may not be held liable for the retaliatory acts of co-workers if none of its supervisory or management-level personnel orchestrated, condoned, or encouraged the co-workers' actions, and no such management participation could occur if the supervisory or management-level personnel did not actually know of the co-workers' retaliation.” (Gunnell, at p. 1265; see also Knox v. State of Ind. (7th Cir.1996) 93 F.3d 1327, 1333–1336 (Knox ) [jury correctly instructed that employers can be liable under title VII for coworker retaliatory actions “when they know about and fail to correct the offensive conduct”].)
While no evidence was presented here that any Conco supervisory personnel orchestrated retaliatory action against Kelley, he did aver that he complained about this conduct to Scott Nava “two [to] three times a week” and at least one other person (“Tony”) at Conco on two or three occasions about the behavior.13 He alleged that an unidentified Conco supervisor was within earshot when some of the comments were made, but ignored them. Kelley said that the company did move him to other job sites in response to his complaints, but he also said that Nava told him, “ ‘Well, that's the way the trade is, man. That's just the way these guys are.’ “
We agree that an employer may be found to have engaged in an adverse employment action, and thus liable for retaliation under section 12940(h), “by permitting ․ fellow employees to punish [him] for invoking [his] rights.” (Knox, supra, 93 F.3d at pp. 1339.) We therefore hold that an employer may be held liable for coworker retaliatory conduct if the employer knew or should have known of coworker retaliatory conduct and either participated and encouraged the conduct, or failed to take reasonable actions to end the retaliatory conduct.
“Retaliation claims are inherently fact-specific, and the impact of an employer's action in a particular case must be evaluated in context․ [T]he determination of whether a particular action or course of conduct rises to the level of actionable conduct should take into account the unique circumstances of the affected employee as well as the workplace context of the claim.” (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1052, fn. omitted.) “[A] series of alleged discriminatory acts must be considered collectively rather than individually in determining whether the overall employment action is adverse [citations] and, in the end, the determination of whether there was an adverse employment action is made on a case-by-case basis, in light of the objective evidence. [Citation.]” (Holmes v. Petrovich Development Co., LLC (2011) 191 Cal.App.4th 1047, 1063.)
Kelley has raised triable issues as to whether coworkers engaged in retaliatory harassment sufficiently severe to constitute an adverse employment action, whether Conco had actual or constructive knowledge of the improper conduct, and whether it took appropriate action in response. Summary adjudication of this cause of action was therefore improper.
E. Termination in Violation of Public Policy
The trial court granted summary adjudication to Conco on Kelley's claim for termination in violation of public policy because Kelley “failed to show that Conco's assertion that it terminated his employment on November 8, 2006 because he was dropped from the ironworkers apprenticeship program was false or against the public policy of the State of California as expressed through its statutes and regulations.”
Sex discrimination in employment may support a claim of tortious discharge in violation of public policy. (Rojo v. Kliger (1990) 52 Cal.3d 65, 70–71, 90–91.) For the reasons stated ante, we conclude that Kelley has not shown Conco discharged him because of sex or in retaliation for his complaints. Rather, Conco discharged Kelley because he had been suspended by the union and Kelley has not produced evidence that would support an inference that Conco contributed to the union's decision to suspend Kelley.
Kelley does not cite legal authority that an employer is liable in tort for failing to rehire an employee in violation of public policy. (Cf. Daly v. Exxon Corp. (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 39, 45 [no tort liability for failing to renew written employment contract for fixed term in violation of public policy].) In any event, Kelley has not raised a triable issue about whether Conco directly or constructively refused to rehire him after the expiration of his union suspension.
We affirm the trial court's grant of summary adjudication of this claim.
F. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
The trial court granted summary adjudication to Conco on Kelley's claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, explaining, “Although the Court does not accept Defendants' contention that failure of the First Cause of Action [for sexual harassment] precludes the possibility that [Kelley] can prevail on the Fifth Cause of Action [for intentional infliction of emotional distress], the Court does not find sufficient evidence in the record to support [Kelley's] assertion that the conduct of Seaman and other Conco employees was ‘so extreme as to exceed all bounds of that usually tolerated in a civilized community.’ See Garamendi v. Golden Eagle Ins. Co. (2005) 128 Cal.App.4th 452, 480. Although the Court regards the conduct of Defendant Seaman as despicable and wholly unnecessary to his supervisory duties over [Kelley], the Court must consider the context in which it occurred.”
“A cause of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress exists when there is ‘ “ ‘ “(1) extreme and outrageous conduct by the defendant with the intention of causing, or reckless disregard of the probability of causing, emotional distress; (2) the plaintiff's suffering severe or extreme emotional distress; and (3) actual and proximate causation of the emotional distress by the defendant's outrageous conduct.” ‘ “ ‘ [Citations.] A defendant's conduct is ‘outrageous' when it is so ‘ “ ‘extreme as to exceed all bounds of that usually tolerated in a civilized community.’ “ ‘ [Citation.] And the defendant's conduct must be ‘ “ ‘intended to inflict injury or engaged in with the realization that injury will result.’ “ ‘ [Citation.] [¶] Liability for intentional infliction of emotional distress ‘ “does not extend to mere insults, indignities, threats, annoyances, petty oppressions, or other trivialities.” [Citation.]’ [Citations.] If properly pled, a claim for sexual harassment can establish ‘the outrageous behavior element of a cause of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress.’ (Fisher v. San Pedro Peninsula Hospital (1989) 214 Cal.App.3d 590, 618.)[¶] With respect to the requirement that a plaintiff show severe emotional distress, this court has set a high bar. ‘Severe emotional distress means “ ‘emotional distress of such substantial quality or enduring quality that no reasonable [person] in civilized society should be expected to endure it.’ “ ‘ [Citation.]” (Hughes v. Pair (2009) 46 Cal.4th 1035, 1050–1051.)
“An employer is liable for the wilful and malicious torts of its employees committed in the scope of employment. [Citation.]” (Fisher v. San Pedro Peninsula Hospital, supra, 214 Cal.App.3d at p. 618.) In order to hold Conco liable for the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress, Kelley must show that he was the victim of harassment that amounted to outrageous conduct, that the harasser was a Conco employee, and that the employee was acting within the scope of his employment when he harassed Kelley. (See ibid.)
As the trial court observed, the context in which Seaman's behavior occurred is significant. In the environment in which Kelley was employed, profanity, vulgarity and sexual taunting were commonplace and apparently generally accepted. Whether Seaman's behavior in that setting would be considered “so extreme as to exceed all bounds of that usually tolerated in a civilized community” is at least arguable. But even if we assume for purposes of argument that Seaman's conduct was sufficiently extreme and outrageous behavior to be actionable, we conclude Kelley cannot establish an intentional infliction tort claim because the record does not support an inference that he suffered severe emotional distress as a result of that harassment.
Although a reasonable factfinder could find that Kelley ultimately suffered serious distress,14 the evidence of that severe distress (severe depression causing him to take a leave of absence and ultimately resign from the union and to check himself into a hospital for psychiatric observation) occurred over a year later, in October 2007, and arose not from his single confrontation with Seaman on July 30, 2006, but only in response to his union suspension and the retaliatory harassment he suffered thereafter at both Conco job sites and elsewhere. While Kelley described his emotional reaction while he was discussing Seaman's actions with Gallegos, he attributed no other harm or injury to that discrete incident. Before Kelley's suspension from the union, Kelley continued to work regularly and appeared to have a good relationship with his Conco supervisor on his last job with the company. The severe depression did not arise until Kelley later lost his ability to work as an ironworker. Since he cannot causally attribute his severe emotional distress to Seaman's conduct, and thereby to Conco, he cannot establish a necessary element of this cause of action.
III. Disposition
The grant of summary judgment is reversed. Summary adjudication of the second cause of action is reversed. Summary adjudication of all other claims is affirmed. The parties shall bear their own costs on appeal. _
FN1. All statutory references are to the Government Code unless otherwise indicated.. FN1. All statutory references are to the Government Code unless otherwise indicated.
FN2. The record is unclear about which dates and for how many days Kelley worked on the Emeryville job. Kelley testified that he worked two days at Emeryville and that the main incident with Seaman occurred on the second day. He also testified that he drove himself back and forth from work each day he worked at Emeryville. Seaman testified that Kelley worked at Emeryville four days and that the main incident occurred on Kelley's fourth work day. Seaman also testified that he drove Kelley back and forth from work on two of Kelley's four work days at Emeryville. In his response to Defendants' statement of undisputed material facts, Kelley did not dispute that he worked at Emeryville for four days, despite his contradictory testimony. However, Robyn Read, a Conco human resources assistant responsible for maintaining the company's personnel records, averred that Kelley was hired on July 28, 2006, and Gallegos averred that he spoke to Seaman and Kelley at the Emeryville job site on July 30, 2006. Both Seaman and Kelley state that Gallegos spoke to them at the job site on the same day as the incident between Seaman and Kelley.. FN2. The record is unclear about which dates and for how many days Kelley worked on the Emeryville job. Kelley testified that he worked two days at Emeryville and that the main incident with Seaman occurred on the second day. He also testified that he drove himself back and forth from work each day he worked at Emeryville. Seaman testified that Kelley worked at Emeryville four days and that the main incident occurred on Kelley's fourth work day. Seaman also testified that he drove Kelley back and forth from work on two of Kelley's four work days at Emeryville. In his response to Defendants' statement of undisputed material facts, Kelley did not dispute that he worked at Emeryville for four days, despite his contradictory testimony. However, Robyn Read, a Conco human resources assistant responsible for maintaining the company's personnel records, averred that Kelley was hired on July 28, 2006, and Gallegos averred that he spoke to Seaman and Kelley at the Emeryville job site on July 30, 2006. Both Seaman and Kelley state that Gallegos spoke to them at the job site on the same day as the incident between Seaman and Kelley.
FN3. Seaman knew that fighting would be a basis for termination for both him and Kelley.. FN3. Seaman knew that fighting would be a basis for termination for both him and Kelley.
FN4. The parties dispute how the matter came to Gallegos's attention. Kelley testified that a coworker had expressed concern to Kelley about the incident and Kelley saw that coworker talk to Gallegos before Gallegos spoke to Kelley. Gallegos and Seaman testified and averred that Seaman asked Gallegos to come to the job site so he could observe Kelley's slow and inefficient job performance. Gallegos said he spoke to Seaman both before and after he talked to Kelley, but Seaman testified at his deposition that he spoke to Gallegos only after Kelley had already spoken to him.. FN4. The parties dispute how the matter came to Gallegos's attention. Kelley testified that a coworker had expressed concern to Kelley about the incident and Kelley saw that coworker talk to Gallegos before Gallegos spoke to Kelley. Gallegos and Seaman testified and averred that Seaman asked Gallegos to come to the job site so he could observe Kelley's slow and inefficient job performance. Gallegos said he spoke to Seaman both before and after he talked to Kelley, but Seaman testified at his deposition that he spoke to Gallegos only after Kelley had already spoken to him.
FN5. Fairchild later told Kelley he found the letter. The suspension was not reversed, however.. FN5. Fairchild later told Kelley he found the letter. The suspension was not reversed, however.
FN6. As noted, Kelley's first cause of action is based on both section 12940, subdivision (a)'s prohibition against discrimination because of sex and section 12940, subdivision (j)(1)'s prohibition against harassment because of sex. These are distinct causes of action that require different showings by the plaintiff. (See Roby v. McKesson Corp. (2009) 47 Cal.4th 686, 705–706.) However, Kelley's sole argument on appeal with respect to the first cause of action is that he was harassed. Therefore, we limit our discussion to that claim. (See Miller v. Department of Corrections (2005) 36 Cal.4th 446, 460, fn. 5 (Miller ).). FN6. As noted, Kelley's first cause of action is based on both section 12940, subdivision (a)'s prohibition against discrimination because of sex and section 12940, subdivision (j)(1)'s prohibition against harassment because of sex. These are distinct causes of action that require different showings by the plaintiff. (See Roby v. McKesson Corp. (2009) 47 Cal.4th 686, 705–706.) However, Kelley's sole argument on appeal with respect to the first cause of action is that he was harassed. Therefore, we limit our discussion to that claim. (See Miller v. Department of Corrections (2005) 36 Cal.4th 446, 460, fn. 5 (Miller ).)
FN7. “Because FEHA is considered a counterpart of the federal antidiscrimination statute (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.), federal decisions construing the latter may be relied on when interpreting FEHA. [Citation.]” (Dominguez v. Washington Mutual Bank (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 714, 722, fn. 8; see also Lyle, supra, at p. 279 [for hostile work environment claims, Cal. courts apply standards developed under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (title VII; 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.) ].). FN7. “Because FEHA is considered a counterpart of the federal antidiscrimination statute (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.), federal decisions construing the latter may be relied on when interpreting FEHA. [Citation.]” (Dominguez v. Washington Mutual Bank (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 714, 722, fn. 8; see also Lyle, supra, at p. 279 [for hostile work environment claims, Cal. courts apply standards developed under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (title VII; 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.) ].)
FN8. The threatening comments Kelley says were made by two coworkers later in the day on July 30 were apparently related to an argument about cigarettes, rather than to any altercation between Kelley and Seaman. As we discuss post, although Kelley points to continuing verbal harassment by coworkers “talking shit” to him at other job sites at later dates, those statements expressed apparent anger at Kelley and hostility for being a perceived “snitch” and “narc” for complaining about Seaman. Kelley quotes coworkers on other dates as referring to him as a “bitch.” “[T]he term ‘bitch’ is not so sex-specific and derogatory that its mere use necessarily constitutes harassment because of sex.” (Lyle, supra, 38 Cal.4th at p. 282.) He also alleges that unidentified coworkers also called him a “fag.”. FN8. The threatening comments Kelley says were made by two coworkers later in the day on July 30 were apparently related to an argument about cigarettes, rather than to any altercation between Kelley and Seaman. As we discuss post, although Kelley points to continuing verbal harassment by coworkers “talking shit” to him at other job sites at later dates, those statements expressed apparent anger at Kelley and hostility for being a perceived “snitch” and “narc” for complaining about Seaman. Kelley quotes coworkers on other dates as referring to him as a “bitch.” “[T]he term ‘bitch’ is not so sex-specific and derogatory that its mere use necessarily constitutes harassment because of sex.” (Lyle, supra, 38 Cal.4th at p. 282.) He also alleges that unidentified coworkers also called him a “fag.”
FN9. None of Kelley's managers or supervisors was trained on sexual harassment or discrimination until after Kelley filed his lawsuit. All agreed, based on their post-lawsuit training, that Seaman's and other employees' sexual comments violated company policy.. FN9. None of Kelley's managers or supervisors was trained on sexual harassment or discrimination until after Kelley filed his lawsuit. All agreed, based on their post-lawsuit training, that Seaman's and other employees' sexual comments violated company policy.
FN10. But see Hamm v. Weyauwega Milk Products, Inc. (7th Cir.2003) 332 F.3d 1058, 1059, 1065–1066 [because the alleged same-sex harassment in an all-male workplace did not amount to discrimination because of sex, plaintiff's complaints about the conduct did not concern an employment practice that violated title VII]; Spearman v. Ford Motor Co. (7th Cir.2000) 231 F.3d 1080, 1085, 1086, fn. 5 [because harassment based on plaintiff's sexual orientation did not amount to discrimination because of sex, plaintiff's complaints about the harassment did not concern an employment practice that violated title VII].. FN10. But see Hamm v. Weyauwega Milk Products, Inc. (7th Cir.2003) 332 F.3d 1058, 1059, 1065–1066 [because the alleged same-sex harassment in an all-male workplace did not amount to discrimination because of sex, plaintiff's complaints about the conduct did not concern an employment practice that violated title VII]; Spearman v. Ford Motor Co. (7th Cir.2000) 231 F.3d 1080, 1085, 1086, fn. 5 [because harassment based on plaintiff's sexual orientation did not amount to discrimination because of sex, plaintiff's complaints about the harassment did not concern an employment practice that violated title VII].
FN11. In the trial court, Kelley argued that Conco caused him to be blacklisted in the ironworker industry following the expiration of his union suspension, but he does not reassert this claim on appeal.. FN11. In the trial court, Kelley argued that Conco caused him to be blacklisted in the ironworker industry following the expiration of his union suspension, but he does not reassert this claim on appeal.
FN12. Section 12940(h) affords employees who engage in protected activities protection the same range of protection from adverse employment actions that are prohibited by section 12940, subdivision (a). (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1052.) Discriminatory actions under section 12940, subdivision (a) include a refusal to hire or employ.. FN12. Section 12940(h) affords employees who engage in protected activities protection the same range of protection from adverse employment actions that are prohibited by section 12940, subdivision (a). (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1052.) Discriminatory actions under section 12940, subdivision (a) include a refusal to hire or employ.
FN13. At oral argument, counsel for Conco argued that Nava was merely a “dispatcher” and not a supervisor whose knowledge could be imputed to Conco. For purposes of summary judgment, the evidence established that Nava had sufficient supervisory authority to redirect employees to alternative job locations at his discretion. While Kelley would have the burden of proof on this issue at trial, on summary judgment the defendant “must present evidence that would require a reasonable trier of fact not to find any underlying material fact more likely than not․” (Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 851.). FN13. At oral argument, counsel for Conco argued that Nava was merely a “dispatcher” and not a supervisor whose knowledge could be imputed to Conco. For purposes of summary judgment, the evidence established that Nava had sufficient supervisory authority to redirect employees to alternative job locations at his discretion. While Kelley would have the burden of proof on this issue at trial, on summary judgment the defendant “must present evidence that would require a reasonable trier of fact not to find any underlying material fact more likely than not․” (Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 851.)
FN14. Kelley said that he experienced stress, sexual impotence, fatigue, overeating, short temper, withdrawal, bouts of crying, depression, and sleeplessness for which he took medication.. FN14. Kelley said that he experienced stress, sexual impotence, fatigue, overeating, short temper, withdrawal, bouts of crying, depression, and sleeplessness for which he took medication.
We concur: Jones, P.J. Simons, J. Superior Court of Alameda County, No. RG07350171, John M. True III, Judge.
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B.P.O.E. LODGE NO. 2043 OF BRUNSWICK v. INGRAHAM
B.P.O.E. LODGE NO. 2043 OF BRUNSWICK v. INGRAHAM(1973)
Argued: Decided: April 16, 1973
See 412 U.S. 913 .
The appeal is dismissed for want of a substantial federal question.
Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, with whom Mr. Justice STEWART and Mr. Justice BLACKMUN concur, dissenting.
Appellants, 15 Maine lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, brought suit against the State Liquor Commission of Maine to enjoin it from denying them liquor licenses under 1301-A of Tit. 17 of the Maine Rev.Stat. Ann.,1 which reads:
'No person, firm or corporation holding a license under the State of Maine or any of its subdivisions for the dispensing of food, liquor or for any service or being a State of Maine corporation or a corporation authorized to do business in the State shall withhold membership, its facilities or services to any person on account of race, religion or national origin, except such organizations which are oriented to a particular religion or which are ethnic in character.'
The Elks require a person to be a 'white male citizen' to be a member. 2 The Commission denied licenses to the 15 subordinate lodges pursuant to 55(8) of Tit. 28 [411 U.S. 924 , 925] of the Maine Rev.Stat.Ann., which provides that the Commission, in issuing or renewing licenses, 'shall given consideration to the character of any applicant, the location of the place of business and the manner in which it has been operated.' The Commission stated that the 'whites' only limitation of the Elks Constitution established 'bad moral character' of the subordinate lodges. The Supreme Judicial Court, reversing a decision of the superior court which had granted appellants a permanent injunction, upheld the Commission's action. The court stated:
'We find is unnecessary to predicate our decision on the specific basis assigned by the Commission to support its actions-i. e., that [ appellants] had 'bad moral character.' We conclude, rather, that the Commission's ultimate denial of license renewals was justified under the avowed public policy of the State of Maine, as delineated in the provisions of 17 M.R.S.A. 1301-A, and the authority afforded the Commission under the statute conjoined with the provisions of 28 M.R. S.A. 55(8) allowing the Commission to take into account the 'character' of the plaintiffs (independently of 'morality' considerations) and the 'manner' by which they have 'operated." ( Emphasis added.)
In concluding that the Commission was justified in denying the licenses because the lodges had violated the State's public policy embodied in 1301-A, the court rejected appellants contention, inter alia, that the statute violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Appellants sought a stay pending appeal to this Court, and the state court denied it. A similar application to this Court, eventually referred to the Conference, was [411 U.S. 924 , 926] granted. The Court now dismisses the appeal for want of a substantial federal question. I cannot agree with this disposition.
The Maine court specifically considered appellants' claim that the exception for 'organizations which are oriented to a particular religion or which are ethnic in character' violates the Equal Protection Clause because it permits some associations to have liquor licenses notwithstanding their discriminatory membership policies. The court said:
'The fallacy of the argument is that it fails to recognize the difference between: (1) restrictive membership discriminations which are arbitrary, because without rational relationship to the fostering of the legitimate purposes for which the association has come into being, and (2) those which rationally promote such lawfully cognizable objectives. . . . Since such organizations are formed to promote lawful objectives which their members share as common interests by virtue of their religious or ethnic identities, their confining of membership to persons who bear the same religious or ethnic identity is a rational classification. It thus lacks the arbitrariness by which discrimination becomes invidious and which is outlawed by the 'equal protection of the laws' clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States when it is the result of State action.
'The exception as here recognized by the State of Maine is, therefore, consistent with the federal Fourteenth Amendment.'
Webster's New International Dictionary tells us that 'ethnic' means: 'Relating to community of physical and mental traits in races, or designating groups of races of mankind discriminated on the basis of common [411 U.S. 924 , 927] customs and characters.' The 'ethnic' exception in the Act therefore would seem to allow a Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, or African group to practice discrimination in their lodges and still get liquor licenses but not to allow the 'white' the same privilege. As stated long ago in Strauder v. West Virginia, 100 U.S. 303, 308 :
'If in those States where the colored people constitute a majority of the entire population a law should be enacted excluding all white men from jury service, thus denying to them the privilege of participating equally with the blacks in the administration of justice, we apprehend no one would be heard to claim that it would not be a denial to white men of the equal protection of the laws. Nor if a law should be passed excluding all naturalized Celtic Irishmen, would there be any doubt of its inconsistency with the spirit of the Amendment. The very fact that colored people are singled out and expressly denied by a statute all right to participate in the administration of the law, as jurors, because of their color, though they are citizens and may be in other respects fully qualified, is practically a brand upon them, affixed by the law; an assertion of their inferiority, and a stimulant to that race prejudice which is an impediment to securing to individuals of the race that equal justice which the law aims to secure to all others.'
We repeated the same thought in Hernandez v. Texas, 347 U.S. 475, 478 , in speaking of discrimination against persons of Mexican descent:
'Throughout our history differences in race and color have defined easily identifiable groups which have at times required the aid of the courts in securing equal treatment under the laws. But community prejudices are not static, and from time to time [411 U.S. 924 , 928] other differences from the community norm may define other groups which need the same protection. Whether such a group exists within a community is a question of fact. When the existence of a distinct class is demonstrated, and it is further shown that the laws, as written or as applied, single out that class for different treatment not based on some reasonable classification, the guarantees of the Constitution have been violated. The Fourteenth Amendment is not directed solely against discrimination due to a 'two-class theory'- that is, based upon differences between 'white' and Negro.'
That classifications based upon race3 or nationality4 are 'suspect' and therefore demand close scrutiny is well established. See San Antonio Ind. School Dist. v. Rodriquez, 411 U.S. 1 , 104-105, 36 L. Ed.2d 16 (Marshall, J., dissenting). I do not question the State's beneficient motives in attempting to eliminate the scourge of discrimination by whites against non-whites solely on the basis of color, but I cannot subscribe to the view that the State may legislate against this form of invidious discrimination and, at the same time, sanction and insulate another, albeit less invidious in the State's eyes. Since the Maine statute and its application by the Supreme Judicial Court raise, in my mind, a substantial question under the Equal Protection Clause, I would note probable jurisdiction.
[ Footnote 1 ] Section 1301-A was added to Tit. 17 in 1969. C. 371, Me.L.1969.
[ Footnote 2 ] Section 144 of the Elks Stat.Ann. (1972) provides: 'No person shall be accepted as a member of this Order unless he be a white citizen of the United States of America, of sound mind and body, of good character, not under the age of Twenty-one years, and a believer in God. No person shall be accepted as a member of this Order who is directly or indirectly a member of or in any way connected or affiliated with the Communist Party, or who believes or advocates the overthrow of our Government by force.' The By-Laws of the National Order apparently are incorporated in the by-laws of each subordinate lodge.
[ Footnote 3 ] See, i. g., McLaughlin v. Florida, 379 U.S. 184 , 191-192; Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1, 9 .
[ Footnote 4 ] See Oyama v. California, 332 U.S. 633 , 644-646; Korematsu v. United States, 323 U.S. 214, 216 .
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Were the Jews expecting the Messiah to suffer at all?
When Jesus spoke about his future suffering it did not seem to register properly.
(Matthew 16:22) Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
This raises the question: Did the Jews push the suffering of the servant Messiah (Isaiah 53) to the background of their mind, or was there no expectation that Messiah would suffer at all?
life-of-jesus prophecy messiah suffering-servant
Maybe a good question to ask at: judaism.stackexchange.com – The Freemason Nov 25 '14 at 18:11
Related question focusing solely on historical interpretations of Isaiah 53: What evidence is there that Isaiah 53 was viewed as a Messianic prophecy in pre-Christian times? – ThaddeusB Aug 29 '15 at 18:56
It does seem that the Jews hadn't understood that the Messiah would have to suffer, or that the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 was the Messiah. Apart from the verse you have quoted, there are other verses which suggest that the Jews didn't understand this.
They understood that the Christ would be the "King of Israel" (Matthew 15:32), they knew that he would be the one to govern the people of Israel (Matthew 2:6), but they didn't understand that his kingship was not of this world (John 18:36). They expected a political Messiah, one who would save them from their enemies in this world, not one who would "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). This is why, King Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem with him (Matthew 2:3), for he thought that the Christ would come and take his political throne from him.
Even after having the knowledge that he was indeed the Christ (Matthew 16:16), Peter rebuked him for saying that he would have to suffer. Even after he actually suffered and died, two of his disciples seemed to have no clue what was happening and Jesus said to them,
"O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" (Luke 24:25-26)
And then Jesus had to interpret the scriptures for them, to show them all the things in the scriptures about the Christ (Luke 24:27).
So it does seem that to the Jews, it wasn't plain and clear from the scriptures that the Messiah had to suffer and in fact the evidence shows that they were expecting him to rule like a political king and not undergo suffering.
LoveTheFaithLoveTheFaith
This is a good start but you may want to read this from a Jewish historian that proves the Jews did expect Messiah to suffer, 'in some way' and did link Isaih 53 to the Messiah. I think both sides of the history need to be included for an accepted answer, but +1 for the Biblical references. Cheers. Link: worthychristianlibrary.com/alfred-edersheim/… – Mike Jun 22 '12 at 4:48
Jesus referenced Psalm 22 on the cross, which in context, reads prophetic, biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+22 – Aaron Hall Nov 25 '14 at 23:01
The Jews did expect Messiah to suffer but not not at all in the way in which he did. His suffering was only supposed to be a temporary set back as a King waging war against the Gentiles. He was expected to arrive and war with Gog and Magog. During that war against the Gentiles, both He and Israel would suffer, only to gain victory over the entire Gentile world. Then the Gentiles would confess the God of Israel only to later fall way and face the final judgment. His was at first supposed to come, disappear and then reappear to destroy the Gentiles once and for all. His appearance and reappearance was not supposed to be associated with the destructions of Jerusalem as Jesus had said (Mathew 23:39 – 24:2). This idea that Christ espoused would cause nothing but never ending confusion for the Jew. Neither would his suffering be from a rejection from his people, which would seem like defeat to the dream. His suffering would be in the fight with Gentiles for Israel resulting in total victory.
For anyone interested in the detail I have provided many below.
Alfred Edersheim a Jewish historian is, one of the, if not ‘the’ best resource for understanding Jewish expectations before Christ. In general Jewish writings designate a happy period that would succeed the ‘present dispensation’ or ‘world’ (Olam hazzeh). This happy period would begin with ‘the days of the Messiah’ (ימות המשיח). These would stretch into the ‘coming age’ (Aṯid laḇo), and end with ‘the world to come’ (Olam habba).
So the Jewish expectation of Messiah was under three progressive stages: ‘the days of the Messiah’, ‘coming age’ and ‘the world to come’.
The ‘days of the Messiah’:
Alfred Edresheim summarizes this from ancient Hebrew writings:
The Birth of the Messiah would be unknown to His contemporaries; that He would appear, carry on His work, then disappear – probably for forty-five days; then reappear again and destroy the hostile powers of the world, notably ‘Edom,’ ‘Armilos,’ the Roman Power – the fourth and last world-empire (sometimes it is said: through Ishmael). Ransomed Israel would now be miraculously gathered from the ends of the earth, and brought back to their own land, the ten tribes sharing in their restoration, but this only on condition of their having repented of their former sins. According to the Midrash, all circumcised Israel would then be released from Gehenna, and the dead be raised – according to some authorities, by the Messiah, to Whom God would give ‘the Key of the Resurrection of the Dead.’ This Resurrection would take place in the land of Israel, and those of Israel who had been buried elsewhere would have to roll under ground – not without suffering pain – till they reached the sacred soil. Probably the reason of this strange idea, which was supported by an appeal to the direction of Jacob and Joseph as to their last resting-place, was to induce the Jews, after the final desolation of their land, not to quit Palestine. This Resurrection, which is variously supposed to take place at the beginning or during the course of the Messianic manifestation, would be announced by the blowing of the great trumpet. It would be difficult to say how many of these strange and confused views prevailed at the time of Christ; which of them were universally entertained as real dogmas; or from what source they had been originally derived. Probably many of them were popularly entertained, and afterwards further developed – as we believe, with elements distorted from Christian teaching.
The ‘coming age’:
All the resistance to God would be concentrated in the great war of Gog and Magog, and with it the prevalence of all wickedness be conjoined. And terrible would be the straits of Israel. Three times would the enemy seek to storm, the Holy City. But each time would the assault be repelled – at the last with complete destruction of the enemy. The sacred City would now be wholly rebuilt and inhabited. But oh, how different from of old! Its Sabbath-boundaries would be strewed with pearls and precious gems. The City itself would be lifted to a height of some nine miles – nay, with realistic application of Isa_49:20, it would reach up to the throne of God, while it would extend from Joppa as far as the gates of Damascus! For, Jerusalem was to be the dwelling-place of Israel, and the, resort of all nations. But more glorious in Jerusalem would be the new Temple which the Messiah was to rear, and to which those five things were to be restored which had been wanting in the former Sanctuary; the Golden Candlestick, the Ark, the Heaven-lit fire on the Altar, the Holy Ghost and the Cherubim. And the land of Israel would then be as wide as it had been sketched in the promise which God had given to Abraham, and which had never before been fulfilled – since the largest extent of Israel’s rule had only been over seven nations, whereas the Divine promise extended it over ten, if not over the whole earth.
Interestingly, during this time some Rabbis thought that that the Law would be imposed onto the Gentiles but others thought that some things in the Law would cease and all would be brought under a new Law.
Jerusalem would be as large as, at present, all Palestine, and Palestine as all the world. Corresponding to this miraculous extension would be a miraculous elevation of Jerusalem into the air
The land would spontaneously produce the best dresses and the finest cakes; the wheat would grow as high as palm-trees, nay, as the mountains, while the wind would miraculously convert the grain into flour, cast it into the valleys. Every tree would become fruit-bearing; nay, they were to break forth, and to bear fruit every day; daily was every woman to bear child, so that ultimately every Israelitish family would number as many as all Israel at the time of the Exodus. All sickness and disease, and all that could hurt, would pass away. As regarded death, the promise of its final abolition was, with characteristic ingenuity, applied to Israel, while the statement that the child should die an hundred years old was understood as referring to the Gentiles, and as teaching that, although they would die, yet their age would be greatly prolonged, so that a centenarian would be regarded as only a child. Lastly, such physical and outward loss as Rabbinism regarded as the consequence of the Fall, would be again restored to man.
Jerusalem would, as the residence of the Messiah, become the capital of the world, and Israel take the place of the (fourth) world-monarchy, the Roman Empire. After the Roman Empire none other was to rise, for it was to be immediately followed by the reign of Messiah.
The end of the war with Gog and Magog would close the Messianic era. The nations, who had given tribute to Messiah, would then rebel against Him, when He would destroy them by the breath of His mouth. Israel alone would be left on the face of the earth. Then there would be only one Resurrection and that of Israel alone.
Then the final Judgment would then commence, to be held in the valley of Jehoshaphat by God, at the head of the Heavenly Sanhedrin, composed of the elders of Israel. At the time of Christ the punishment of the wicked was regarded as of ’eternal duration’. Although there was some belief that mere annihilation would await the ‘less guilty’, the ‘guiltiest’ were to be reserved for eternal punishment. After pleading for mercy the Gentiles would be punished.
The ‘world to come’:
After the final judgment, the renewal of heaven and earth would take place.
In the latter neither physical nor moral darkness would any longer prevail, since the yeṣer hara, or ‘Evil impulse,’ would be destroyed. And renewed earth would bring forth all without blemish and in Paradisiacal perfection, while alike physical and moral evil had ceased. Then began the ‘Olam haba,’ or ‘world to come.’ The question, whether any functions or enjoyments of the body would continue, is variously answered. The reply of the Lord to the question of the Sadducees about marriage in the other world seems to imply, that materialistic views on the subject were entertained at the time. Many Rabbinic passages, such as about the great feast upon Leviathan and Behemoth prepared for the righteous in the latter days, confirm only too painfully the impression of grossly materialistic expectations.
All quotes are from 'The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah', by Alfred Edersheim.
Philip Schaff
There were only two people at the temple looking for him to come at all.
Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
The wise men from the East probably had access to the book of Daniel and could calculate the approximate time to Jesus.
Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Even though the Jews had access to Daniel, they had little interest in awaiting his arrival much less an expectation that he would suffer. They even had a hint that there would be trouble for the Messiah.
Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
The disciples were specifically told that Jesus would be mistreated.
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Yet even after having been told by Jesus what was going to happen, they were arguing about who was going the be the greatest in the kingdom the night before the crucifixion.
Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
The Jews were like most people, preoccupied with daily secular life. What they understood about the future was more in general about a kingdom that hearkened to the past glory of David and Solomon than to anything about the king.
We know that we would not be interested in Jesus if it were not for the work of the Father in some of us.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
A brilliant teacher at the time of Jesus was Gamaliel.
Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
He had probably heard Jesus teach. Yet the best his intellect and knowledge could produce was an "if".
Acts 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
The lack of knowledge and even interest in the Messiah is understandable. It is sad, but without the work of the Father in us, we would also be just as disinterested in Jesus.
I would say that the Jews did not "push back" their knowledge of Isaiah 53. I consider that they were unable to make anything relate-able out of it. What was more concrete for them was a view to a restored kingdom and national preeminence.
timftimf
Judaism doesn't really have a concept of the Messiah suffering. There's not really anything to quote in support of it because it's not there.
Your first thought is probably Isaiah 53 talking about the suffering servant. However this passage is clearly talking about Israel as the suffering servant. You have to read before and after the text to really get a full picture of what it's discussing.
Isaiah 41:8-9 "But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off.”
Isaiah 44:1 "But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!"
Isaiah 44:21 "Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me."
Isaiah 49:3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
So Jews don't ignore Isaiah 53. It's read as a whole without a pre determined conclusion of Messiah forgiving sin.
Isaiah 53:4 "Indeed, he bore our illnesses, and our pains-he carried them, yet we accounted him as plagued, smitten by God and oppressed."
When you read it as the suffering servant being Israel you see a very different picture. This is a very accurate description of how gentiles see Jews even to this day as well as a few Jews might feel in times of great suffering, oppression, war, and exile. Although god says numerous times Jews are blessed if they follow his teachings.
daviddavid
First, you must define the term "the messiah". What criteria make one "the messiah"? Is the fact that there are billions of people who call him "the messiah" enough to make one a messiah?
I hope you understand that these criteria should be well defined before the days of Jesus. You don't want your criteria to sound like "If he looks like Jesus, he is probably the messiah - hence Jesus is the messiah. QED."
So for example verses that talk about "casting lots for somebody's clothes" are not a prophecy about the messiah, since if this event really happened in Jesus life (doubtful, since there are older versions of the gospels without that story, which shows that somebody tried to fabricate a "prophecy" - but let's assume it did happen) - still, 100 years before Jesus, nobody who would read that verse would say it's something that MUST happen to "the messiah" - there's nothing in that verse that actually points to "the messiah". To say that it's a messianic prophecy means that it's valid for one to say that all those many verses that Jesus did not have something similar to them happen in his life - are actually messianic prophecies that Jesus failed to fulfill.... otherwise you are clearly choosing your "messianic prophecies" post factum, according to one criterion: did it (apparently) happen in Jesus' life or not....
To answer your question: no, the Jews were not expecting the messiah to suffer, because there is not one verse in the Hebrew Bible that says that that man would suffer.
There are passages in the Hebrew Bible that talk about suffering individuals, or suffering groups of people.
There are passages in the Hebrew Bible that talk about what people later started calling "the messiah".
But all those passages never overlap. When Christians say that passages of the former category talk about the messiah, they do so on faith alone - it's not in the text at all (read those texts for yourself!) - and many times it's clearly against the text and the context.
If you carefully read the passages of the latter type - you'd see that they are not actually concerned with the man himself, but with the age that he ushers, the changes he brings. That man himself is regarded as just a tool of God. The man himself is not to be worshiped - on the contrary, many of the passages show that that man would regard God as his ruler, and would be obedient to him. God obedient to himself?!? I would say that those who missed that point are the ones who misunderstood the text, not the Jews.
JudahJudah
Messiah means "anointed" by God, and God couldn't be constraint by any human definition in regards of who to send as the messiah, and misunderstood prophecy is still a prophecy even if it will be understood just at the time it fulfills itself. We, Christians, believe that Jesus as the Son of God had the authority to say: "These prophecies talk about me." It's a matter of faith, but this site is not about Truth but about faith of various Christian denominations. Plus, please add some source for "older versions of the gospels". – Pavel Dec 8 '12 at 12:59
@Pavel see my addition above. – Judah Dec 8 '12 at 20:53
For more information about Bart D. Ehrman as a critic, please my answer elsewhere. However, I think it fair to point out that he's not representative of any particularly Christian view. We would do well to listen to his scholarship in the field of textual criticism, but I wouldn't worry to much about his writings outside of the field. – Jon Ericson♦ Dec 8 '12 at 21:01
I would suggest that it's very difficult to know with certainty how pre-Christianity Jews understood messianic texts. (See this excellent question on Psalm 22 that has not yet acquired a definitive answer.) Part of the problem, as is obvious from the Qumran discoveries, the Jewish understanding of the Messiah was in active development at the time of Jesus. But as you indicate, the idea of a suffering Messiah was largely foreign to Jewish listeners. (+1 for the answer, though I would prefer it be more reasoned and less impassioned.) – Jon Ericson♦ Dec 8 '12 at 21:11
Judah: I'm afraid I need to reverse my vote. It's not that I disagree with you (in fact I'm very sympathetic to your argument), but because it's getting harder and harder to see how this is a helpful answer to the question. I hate to say it, but it seems like you might need a total rewrite in order to incorporate all the arguments you are attempting to include. I feel partially responsible for leading you astray by my comments. For instance, I'm not suggesting that Psalm 22 was a messianic text. I was suggesting it's very difficult to know if it was or not. – Jon Ericson♦ Dec 10 '12 at 18:59
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Home Ent Patrick Gamble Reviews
DVD Review: ‘A Lonely Place to Die’
Combining the adrenaline-fuelled pursuits of abseiling and mountain climbing with the heart-pounding tension of a horror flavoured thriller, director Julian Gilbey’s A Lonely Place to Die (2011) attempts to meld these exhilarating aspects into an exciting survival drama. Starring Melissa George, Ed Speleers and Sean Harris, A Lonely Place to Die was distinguished enough to be chosen as the closing night film for this year’s Film4 FrightFest – an impressive honour to be bestowed upon any home-grown horror film.
Set in the remote Scottish Highlands, we join five mountaineers on what appears to be a well deserved break from their mundane domestic lives. It’s unclear just how close these five strangers are but it soon becomes apparent they’ll have to work together if their trip is to go ahead as planned. After a brief scare whilst attempting to ascend a rather tricky slope, the group decide that the next day they’ll be less daring and travel across the countryside to a more manageable climb, where the visibility isn’t hampered by the rolling Scottish mist.
However, whilst taking a short break to catch their breath one of the group hears a haunting cry from the surrounding forest. They investigate, only to find a buried underground dungeon – the contents of which turn their pleasant rural escape into a treacherous game of cat and mouse with a group of heartless outlaws. Hot on our protagonist’s tales, these malevolent hunters are clearly driven purely by greed and an unstoppable desire to not let anything, or anyone get in their way.
There’s no denying that A Lonely Place to Die is a film with a genuinely interesting premise, that not only showcases an assured cast and crew but also an incredibly commendable drive to create something unique and different from the majority of British feature films.
However, Gilbey’s film has arrived at a time when British cinema is excelling, with 2011 features such as Submarine, Kill List and Attack the Block showcasing a refreshing change of direction from home-grown cinema, moving away from the low-budget kitchen-sink dramas we’ve become accustomed to and successfully branching out into genre cinema. Sadly this national cinematic resurgence dilutes A Lonely Place to Die’s inventive approach – especially as there remain a few niggling flaws that prevent it from joining the ranks of such critically successful British features.
The story manages to keep us gripped for the majority of the film’s run time but due to this lack of any conceivable emotional connection to any of the cast it sadly loses momentum during the final act. That’s not to say we lose interest, but after such a genuinely astonishing twist at the beginning of the second act it feels disappointing to no long be quite so immersed in the action, making the few moments where the film’s meagre budget becomes noticeable hard to ignore and sadly muddying the tension which up until that point had been slowly rising.
A Lonely Place to Die is an accomplished and well-conceived film which up until the final act builds an intriguing degree of tension, but which sadly never quite reaches the dramatic boiling point necessary to make it something more than just a mildly entertaining thriller. It’s obvious there are great things to come from Gilbey, who’s clearly an imaginative and creative director willing to bend the rules of filmmaking – sadly A Lonely Place to Die isn’t that film.
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Dedric Lawson Dean Wade Thomas Dziagwa Lindy Waters III Tyrese Haliburton Jarrett Culver Lagerald Vick Sports Basketball Men's basketball Men's sports Men's college basketball College basketball College sports
Texas Tech Big 12 Kansas Kansas State Texas Oklahoma State Iowa State
Texas Tech at Kansas highlights Big 12 action
By LUKE MEREDITH - Jan. 31, 2019 02:00 AM EST
Texas forward Jaxson Hayes (10) celebrates after he scored between Kansas forward Dedric Lawson (1) and guard Lagerald Vick (24) during the second half on an NCAA college basketball game in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Texas won 73-63. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
A look at the upcoming week around the Big 12 Conference.
GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Texas Tech at Kansas. The Red Raiders got a much-needed 84-65 win over TCU on Monday, just two days after holding off Arkansas in Lubbock. The Jayhawks fell to 5-3 in the league after losing at Texas 73-63 on Tuesday, and a loss on Saturday would seriously dampen their title hopes. Kansas typically never loses big games like this one in Phog Allen Fieldhouse, but this is starting to feel like an atypical season in Lawrence.
LOOKING AHEAD: Baylor hosts TCU in search of a 6-2 start to league play. The Bears, one of the nation's biggest surprises over the past few weeks, are coming off a 30-point blowout of Oklahoma. ...Kansas State travels to Oklahoma State. The Wildcats have won five in a row in the Big 12, but they're also coming off a humbling 65-53 loss at Texas A&M. ...The Longhorns will travel to Ames to face the Cyclones, while the Sooners play West Virginia in Morgantown. Oklahoma's NCAA Tournament hopes would take a hit if they lost to the scuffling Mountaineers.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Dean Wade, Kansas State: The Wildcats looked lost at times without the league's preseason player of the year. But Wade has hit his stride, averaging 16.5 points in his last four games. A healthy Wade makes K-State a serious title contender in a race that, for once, appears to be wide open.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Dedric Lawson of Kansas has to be considered the current favorite to win the conference's player of the year award. Lawson is averaging 19.5 points and a league-leading 11.1 rebounds a game, and he's eighth in the Big 12 with 22 blocks. ...Oklahoma State's Lindy Waters and Thomas Dziagwa are both shooting better than 43 percent on 3s. Only Iowa State's Tyrese Haliburton and Lagerald Vick of Kansas had higher percentages entering Wednesday's action. ... Jarrett Culver is averaging 18.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
ON THE WOMEN'S SIDE: Baylor shot up to No. 1 in the poll for the first time since 2013 on Monday. The Lady Bears grabbed the top spot after Notre Dame was stunned by North Carolina on Sunday. Baylor hosts Texas Tech on Saturday. ...Texas was 12th, but that'll likely change after the Longhorns lost to West Virginia at home on Monday. ...No. 23 Iowa State earned player of the week honors (Kristin Scott) and freshman of the week honors (Ashley Joens). It was the second straight week that Joens won the award for the league's top rookie.
More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
More AP college basketball: http://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25
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Kristian Doolittle Makai Mason Jared Butler Christian James Brady Manek Freddie Gillespie Rashard Odomes Devonte Bandoo Sports Men's basketball Men's sports Basketball Men's college basketball College basketball College sports
Baylor Big 12 Oklahoma
Bandoo leads Baylor past Oklahoma to end two-game skid
By JASON ORTS - Feb. 12, 2019 12:16 AM EST
Oklahoma guard Jamal Bieniemy, right, pushes out Baylor guard Mark Vital, left, while pulling in a loose ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in Waco, Texas. (Jose Yau/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)
WACO, Texas (AP) — Devonte Bandoo scored 19 points and Baylor ended a two-game losing streak with a 59-53 victory over Oklahoma on Monday night.
Bandoo was 5 for 7 from 3-point range to lead a Baylor bench that outscored Oklahoma's reserves 24-7 to sweep the season series. The Bears won the first meeting 77-47 on Jan. 28 in Norman, Oklahoma.
"Early, middle, late, Devonte was on fire," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "He played great and credit our guys for finding him. Devonte spends a lot of time working on his game, so I'm happy for his success."
The Bears (16-8, 7-4 Big 12) took control with a 13-2 run after the game was tied at 35, but they didn't put it away until a Freddie Gillespie putback made it a four-point game with 36 seconds remaining. That was Gillespie's only basket of the game, but he pulled down three rebounds and added a steal and block in the final three minutes. Jared Butler was the only other Bear in double figures with 11.
Makai Mason returned after missing Saturday's game for Baylor. He was 2-of-14 shooting, but he led the Bears with eight assists.
"Him just being on the court provides a big presence with his leadership. He's played in college for five years, so he knows the ins and outs," Bandoo said. "The other team knows he's such a dangerous threat out there. It does help. Teams really have to locate him. He can attack the basket and he's good at passing. They have to pay attention to him. When we don't have him it's tough."
Oklahoma was 3 for 16 from 3-point range (19 percent) and 8 for 15 from the free-throw line (53 percent). Kristian Doolittle led the Sooners (15-10, 3-9), who dropped their fifth straight, with 14 points, and Brady Manek and Christian James had 11 apiece.
"They shot the ball well. Every time they were open, they made the opportunity," Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said. "They shot it so well in the first half from 3 we didn't feel bad about where we were (at halftime). We did a little better job against the 3 in the second half, but they've got so many weapons. They've got a good ballclub."
Oklahoma had plenty of opportunities down the stretch but couldn't take advantage. The Sooners trailed 53-51 when Baylor was called for a flagrant foul. They came up empty when James missed both free throws, and they turned it over on the ensuing possession. A minute later and down by two again, Rashard Odomes slipped and fell on a drive for another turnover that set up Gillespie's deciding basket.
Baylor entered the game as the top 3-point shooting team in the Big 12 during conference play, and that ability kept them in the game in the first half. Eight of their 10 field goals during that time were from 3-point range, which accounted for 24 of their 31 points. That opened things up on the inside in the second half for the Bears, when they outscored the Sooners 18-10 in the paint and 8-0 off turnovers.
Oklahoma will play its second straight on the road against TCU on Saturday.
Baylor begins a two-game road trip against No. 15 Texas Tech on Saturday.
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Marial Shayok Talen Horton-Tucker Nick Babb Sports NBA basketball Professional basketball Men's college basketball College basketball Basketball College sports Men's basketball Men's sports NBA Draft
Iowa State Big 12
Iowa State's Horton-Tucker to declare for NBA Draft
- Apr. 01, 2019 04:34 PM EDT
Iowa State's Talen Horton-Tucker (11) and Lindell Wigginton watch a rebound alongside Ohio State's Andre Wesson (24) during the first half of a first round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament Friday, March 22, 2019, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State freshman guard Talen Horton-Tucker intends to declare himself eligible for the NBA Draft after just one season with the Cyclones.
Horton-Tucker announced his decision on Twitter on Monday, saying that it's in his best interests to "start the next chapter" of his life.
Horton-Tucker, a Chicago native, averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds a game for Iowa State in 2018-19. Although he faded a bit down the stretch, Horton-Tucker's 235-pound frame — combined with his ability to finish at the rim — could make him an intriguing pro prospect.
Iowa State will also lose Marial Shayok and Nick Weiler-Babb to graduation, and Cam Lard announced last week that he is leaving the program.
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USC’s sack leader over last two years declares for NFL
By John TaylorJan 14, 2018, 9:55 AM EDT
For the fourth time this year, USC’s 2018 roster has taken a significant hit.
On his personal Twitter account Saturday night, Rasheem Green announced that “[a]fter a lot of careful thought and discussions with my family, trusted friends, and the USC coaching staff,” he has decided to forego his senior season and make himself available for the April NFL draft.
✌🏿❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/irsBy5DljR
— Rasheem Green (@ras_green) January 13, 2018
Green was named first-team All-Pac-12 following the 2017 season. The 6-5, 280-pound defensive lineman led the Trojans in sacks each of the past two seasons — six in 2016 and 10 this past year.
In addition to Green, wide receiver Deontay Burnett (HERE), quarterback Sam Darnold (HERE) and running back Ronald Jones (HERE) have all announced they were leaving USC early for the NFL.
Tags: Deontay Burnett
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Entertainment » Movies
Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben)
by Robert Nesti
EDGE National Arts & Entertainment Editor
Friday Feb 8, 2019
'Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben)'
When someone goes missing in an Asgar Farhadi movie, it is time for concern. Such was the case with "About Elly," his riveting 2009 drama that followed what happened when the title character disappears while on vacation with friends and family at an Iranian beach resort. The same plot device informs Farhad's newest film, "Everybody Knows"; in this case, it is the teenage daughter of top-billed Penelope Cruz who goes missing.
The setting is a remote Spanish town that Laura (Cruz) visits to attend her sister's wedding. She has traveled from Argentina with Irene, her teenage daughter and Diego, her young son, but without her husband Alejandro, who can't travel because of work. Her large family is introduced in a dizzying fashion in the opening sequence, in which the many guests arrive, who not only include members of Laura's family, but those of the groom's and the many neighbors and friends, who include winegrower Paco, (Javier Bardem). Years before, he was romantically linked to Laura, a relationship that is something, as its title suggests, that everybody knows.
That piece of information is divulged by a teenage boy whom Irene meets upon arrival and flirts with, first on a motorbike and then in the bell tower of the church where the initials of Laura and Paco are carved on the graffiti-filled walls. Irene is a bit rebellious, ringing the church bell while the wedding ceremony goes on in the church below. The moment allows the priest to thank the absent Alejandro for financing rebuilding the façade of the church with hopes that he might take on the bell tower next.
The mention of Alejandro's wealth doesn't register amongst the tumult of the wedding and the reception, which Farhadi stages with warmth and humor; but comes to play more seriously once the lights go out and Irene goes missing. The kidnappers demand a hefty ransom and that no one contacts the police. Newspaper clippings of an earlier child kidnapping gone bad left behind on Irene's bed only underscore that these kidnappers mean business.
In the melodrama that follows deep-rooted resentments against Paco by Laura's family involving how he acquired the land (now a successful vineyard) come to the surface. Perhaps the best advice Laura and Paco should follow is to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
The film evolves into an Agatha Christie mystery in which everyone — from Paco and his wife Bea to the local young people hired to film the ceremony become suspect. That Laura and Paco were an item also comes to play, significantly with the big reveal that comes two-thirds of the way through. This reveal turns out to be obvious turns the story into a melodrama about Laura's relationship with the men in her life and with her family, some of whom may not be acting in her best interest.
Farhadi is an expert at examining the frictions in relationships that come to light in extraordinary circumstances, as well as their larger social and political implications. Working on his first European sponsored film, he replaces the repressive social politics of his native Iran with the more tribal ones found in this Spanish town. But instead of building to a cathartic conclusion, Farhadi, who also wrote the script, appears stymied by his own mystery and the darker impulses of his characters. He ends the film on an inconclusive note that may or may not allude to justice being done.
That's not to suggest that "Everybody Knows" isn't worth viewing. Farhadi is an expert at establishing character and mood, easily transitioning from the boisterous wedding sequence to the darker, more urgent search for the missing girl. One of the more memorable scenes has the townspeople watching the wedding videos as they search for clues, seeing themselves in a celebratory mood that diminishes with Irene's disappearance. As he shows in his previous work, Farhadi has a great rapport with his actors, notably Cruz and Bardem who bring pathos to a couple that can't escape the past no matter how hard they tried.
Seventeen-year-old Stella spends most of her time in the hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. Her life is full of routines, boundaries and self-control -- all of which get put to the test when she meets Will, an impossibly charming teen who has the same illness. There's an instant flirtation, though restrictions dictate that they must maintain a safe distance between them. As their connection intensifies, so does the temptation to throw the rules out the window and embrace that attraction.
Runtime :: 133 mins
Release Date :: Nov 30, 2018
Language :: Silent
Country :: Spain
http://focusfeatures.com/everybody-knows/
Robert Nesti can be reached at rnesti@edgemedianetwork.com.
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Chapter 4 Metropolitan and Rural Strategies - Draft
Index | International | PCSD Home
Metropolitan and Rural Strategies
Goal Statement for Sustainable Communities
�Encourage people to work together to create healthy communities where natural and historic resources are preserved, jobs are available, sprawl is contained, neighborhoods are secure, education is lifelong, transportation and health care are accessible, and all citizens have opportunities to improve the quality of their lives.� -- Sustainable America, 1996
In Sustainable America, the President's Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) presented a vision of community development that embraced economic, environmental, and equity concerns -- a vision informed by the collective aspirations and experiences of communities around the nation. It presented a case for urgent action for communities to combat air and water pollution, loss of ecosystems, poverty, energy inefficiency, and other threats to their current and future well-being. Most importantly, Sustainable America affirmed the national importance of building vibrant, healthy, and liveable communities. Since its publication, the imperatives of sustainable communities are increasingly taking hold, gaining momentum, and producing benefits. As stated in a September 1998 speech by Vice President Gore, �While the blight of poor development and its social consequences have many names, the solutions, pioneered by local citizens, are starting to coalesce into a movement. In the future, livable communities will be the basis of our competitiveness and economic strength.�
Over the past five years of the Council's work, we have observed considerable innovation in how people with different interests can act collectively to strengthen their communities. In hundreds of communities and regions across America, community leaders representing citizens groups, elected officials, businesses, and other stakeholders are "rolling up their sleeves" to engage each other and work together. Whether they are restoring watersheds, creating accessible transportation alternatives, championing more efficient use of land, fostering racial and cultural tolerance, making housing more affordable, linking people with quality jobs, or creating new environmentally sensitive businesses, these community leaders are improving the lives of today's citizens while safeguarding their communities for future generations.
There is no denying the power of example these efforts provide. Although we are witnessing more activities and successes, most sustainable community development initiatives face daunting technical, financial, and institutional obstacles. In order to fulfill the promise of sustainable communities affirmed in Sustainable America, we must find ways to overcome these obstacles and replicate those strategies that are working. This chapter addresses a fundamental question: How can we, as a nation, help sustainable community initiatives �get over the hump� from inspiration to implementation?
The Metropolitan and Rural Strategies Task Force has developed a framework for implementation that highlights five �strategic opportunities� for sustainable community development -- �green infrastructure,� land use and development, community revitalization and reinvestment, rural enterprise and community development, and materials reuse and resource efficiency. We believe that investing in each of these five areas leads to a comprehensive approach to sustainable community development. However, communities that invest resources in any one of these five areas can benefit in their efforts to develop sustainably. The framework also identifies three types of tools that, if available, can help people overcome major implementation obstacles: information and technical assistance, economic incentives and financial assistance, and local capacity and partnerships.
This chapter recommends policies and actions that describe how the Federal government, State, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and community-based organizations can take leadership and work together on sustainable community development and how they can provide the tools and resources that can move communities in metropolitan and rural areas from vision to action.
The Context for Implementation: Why Place Matters
In 1830, Alex deToqueville observed that there were two abiding characteristics of American life that were unique and helped ensure our society's success. The first was place-based, small town democracy, while the second was creative and flexible kinds of civic and business organizations. Another unique characteristic of American life is our diversity. While our differences have divided us, our diversity is also a strength that provides us with different perspectives and vast arrays of knowledge. Embedded in our diversity, therefore, are the keys we can use, in unity and understanding, to resolve the challenges facing our communities and to create new opportunities. Our review of projects and programs from around the country confirms that successful initiatives share these and other characteristics:
They serve, invest in, and respect people
They invest in and respect places
They align with or create new market forces to improve community well-being
They look for and build on the hidden assets of their communities
They constructively address issues of race and class
They build regional alliances and multi-stakeholder coalitions
They are locally-driven
In particular, more and more individuals and leaders are recognizing the intrinsic value of the places in which people live, work, and visit. In part, they are recognizing that healthy and liveable communities provide a measure of security and stability in a rapidly changing society. Economic networks and markets are becoming increasingly globalized, people and businesses are increasingly mobile, and America is becoming older overall and considerably more culturally and racially diverse. These dynamics, among many others, are challenging communities to develop adaptive and flexible strategies that build on their unique assets and create a sense of �why here.�
Technically, �place� is the geographic union of natural landscapes and systems, and human settlements and structures. Behavioral, social, and environmental scientists, in books such as Winifred Gallagher's, The Power of Place and James Kunstler's, The Geography of Nowhere, also underscore what we all intuitively know: that our physical surroundings shape our thoughts and emotions, define our identity, and anchor our sense of community. Invisible to most of us, place also predetermines limits on our carrying capacity -- the degree to which natural systems can sustain life and successfully accommodate the needs and activities of humans. Place-based strategies, which recognize the diversity of places, therefore, are essential to maintaining and enhancing our social and environmental health.
Community leaders are recognizing that place is defined by more than artificial jurisdictional lines. Many of the issues facing communities -- air and water quality, transportation, land and natural resource conservation, affordable housing, and economic development -- spread beyond the arbitrary lines of political jurisdiction. As such, regions are becoming an increasing focus of interest due to shared ecosystems, the spillover effects of actions by individual jurisdictions, and the significance of regional economies, whose gross national products sometimes match or exceed those of entire countries.1 Successful initiatives often recognize that a region is greater than the sum of its parts in order to create more realistic and useful policies and plans. Because of the complexity of regions, successful initiatives also recognize that problems and challenges can best be tackled by networks of people, places, and markets acting to achieve mutual benefits. The pace, creativity and dynamism of these partnership initiatives contrasts starkly with stand-alone initiatives -- whether those are structured by government, community or business acting alone.
Although the role of local and regional communities is becoming increasingly important, particularly in the context of recent devolution of responsibilities to States and localities, some traditional responsibilities must be preserved. In the development and implementation of place-based strategies, Federal agencies must continue to represent and protect national interests that may not be represented by local interests in all cases, such as controlling pollution, protecting biodiversity, and safeguarding civil rights.2
America has endured for over two centuries, but to sustain a high quality of life for everyone over the next two centuries requires that policies, programs, institutions, and culture adapt to changing elements, adopt methods to reinforce the elements that make communities work, and that can recognize new opportunities.
Five Strategic Opportunities for Sustainable Community Development
The writer Marcel Proust once wrote that �the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.� Individuals and institutions are viewing their communities through the lens of sustainable community development, and by doing so, are finding new or rediscovering local economic, ecological, and social assets. By having new perspectives, communities are also discovering new opportunities to strengthen their communities. They are becoming more involved in local government, community affairs, and entrepreneurial endeavors to capitalize on these opportunities.
In the November 1998 elections, for example, voters' decisions at the polls triggered a little over $7 billion of new State and local money for an array of land conservation, quality of life, farmland and forest protection, and growth management programs and activities.3 Articles in mainstream journals, such as The Economist and U.S. News and World Report, are heralding the sustainability agendas of rural and metropolitan places, such as Chattanooga and Portland, that have greatly enhanced the economic competitiveness of and breathed new life into their communities. Environmental industries, ranging from manufacturers of energy efficient products to cleanup services to �green building� construction are growing more quickly than the economy at large and already represent a significant part of the economy.4
Based on our review of several initiatives and activities from around the country, we believe that five strategic opportunity areas hold particular promise and potential for channeling activities toward successful endeavors. If addressed collectively, these five areas also provide a comprehensive approach to sustainable community development:
Green Infrastructure: Infrastructure is normally a term that describes networks of roads, rapid transit systems, sewers, waterlines, utility lines, and other artificially made physical structures that provide public services. �Green infrastructure� is the network of open space, airsheds, watersheds, woodlands, wildlife habitat, parks, and other natural areas, which provide many vital services, such as providing nutrients and replenishing soils for agriculture, sustaining human life and biodiversity, providing natural stormwater drainage, providing recreational space, improving the physical attractiveness of an area, and naturally filtering air and water. To sustain these benefits, many communities are increasingly promoting place-based approaches to conserve, protect, and restore local and regional systems of natural resources and amenities.
Land Use and Development: Over the last several decades, sprawled development characterized by low-density, single-purpose land use; ad-hoc, disjointed planning; discontinuous �leapfrog� development patterns; and excessive consumption of greenfields has exacerbated economic, environmental, and social problems. To overcome or avoid such consequences, communities are increasingly adopting what is being called �smart growth,� a term that describes the design and management of the physical expansion of existing communities and the creation of new ones in order to decrease sprawl, conserve open space, reverse disinvestment in existing communities, respect nature's carrying capacity, increase social interaction, and provide protection from natural hazards -- in short, to make communities more livable. Smart growth is not anti-growth; rather, it confronts inefficient and haphazard growth. Smart growth links development decisions with quality of life by recognizing that how and where structures are built and how those structures impact lifestyles, the environment, local economies, and social interaction are the factors that make land use and development a community asset or liability.
Community Revitalization and Reinvestment: Disinvestment within older, central cities and �inner ring� suburbs has weakened social and physical infrastructures, and exacerbated poverty and other social inequities. In rural communities, the loss of farmland and natural resources has disrupted economic and social systems. Community reinvestment and revitalization that directly addresses these problems is a critical part of sustainable community development. To create a nation of sustainable communities, every community must be encouraged to use its local economic, ecological, and social resources and assets to provide a high quality of life for its residents. These assets often include undercounted purchasing power, housing stock, transportation access, vacant and underutilized land, and biodiversity that can be found in the hearts of even the most distressed and impoverished communities. Yet, due to historical disinvestment and its negative results, both real and perceived, external resources and reinvestment are needed to help distressed communities leverage their assets more effectively. Community reinvestment is also a natural complement to smart growth -- in order to manage future growth more effectively we must encourage reinvestment in existing communities.
Rural Community and Enterprise Development: The structure and assets of rural America are fundamentally different than that of the nation's metropolitan areas. Consequently, different approaches to collaboration and sustainable development within rural places are needed. Still, rural, suburban, and urban communities are mutually dependent upon one another, and more intense thinking and information on rural and urban/suburban connections, such as those between food production and food dependence or ecosystem management is needed. A number of new strategies, such as community-supported agriculture, organic farming, forest conservation, eco-tourism, and other sustainable enterprises are being developed and implemented that appreciate the fragility and vulnerability of rural economies and social structures and their relationship to urban America.
Materials Use and Resource Efficiency: Increasingly, the materials of the earth are being moved out of the earth's crust and stored in built structures and products or used to provide services, such as energy. These material deposits in existing structures and products are looked at by many as the �mines� of the future, giving rise to new industries that could spur both community and economic renewal in communities across the country. Strategies that conserve resources and minimize waste by retaining, recycling, reusing, and remanufacturing the embedded material assets are taking hold in metropolitan and rural communities. The remanufacturing industries have doubled in size to a $73 billion industry employing 486,000 persons.5 The growth in post-consumer recycling has justified the cancellation of incinerators and landfills from coast-to-coast in favor of materials reuse, collection, and upgrading.6 And dozens of new �eco-industrial parks� where networked firms improve resource and energy efficiency through synergistic exchange of wastes, are being developed across America.7
Although those engaged in each of these five opportunity areas for sustainable community development face unique impediments to their implementation, collectively they confront three major types of obstacles that not only impede the progress of individual initiatives, but make it more difficult to replicate successful strategies:
Information, technical skills, and learning networks to communicate problems and benefits to the public, conceive effective solutions, and inform planning and decision-making are inaccessible or inadequate;
The market often fails to value social, cultural, and environmental assets or to reward positive action to protect and conserve them. In addition, because of their relative newness, many initiatives have difficulty accessing adequate financing; and
Multiple jurisdictional boundaries, sectoral fragmentation, and land ownership make it difficult to solve shared challenges.
Framework for Implementation
Strategic Opportunities
Green infrastructure Land use and development Community revitalization and reinvestment Rural community and enterprise development Materials use and resource efficiency
Information and Technical Assistance
Economic Mechanisms, Incentives, and Financial Assistance - - - - -
Local Capacity and Regional Partnerships
The framework recognizes that many tools are needed to implement activities in any one strategic opportunity area. More importantly, the framework recognizes that there are cross-cutting issues that can be collectively addressed to support many different types of sustainable community projects. Examples range from new kinds of information-sharing and learning networks; to strategies to balance regulatory flexibility with performance and accountability; to new forms of financial institutions, services, products, and markets; to new civic and partnership arrangements:
Information and technical assistance: Information is an indispensable tool for making a credible case for action to decision makers and the public, selecting sustainable strategies, and evaluating progress. Information alone is not enough. Networks connecting individuals and institutions must exist to enable them to share that information.
Economic incentives and financial assistance: Economic incentives and financial assistance can create standing for communities in the marketplace, significantly increasing their strength and potential for sustainability. In particular, market-based strategies and public sector incentives can be used to build on and strengthen local and regional assets. Individual initiatives and enterprises also need start-up and long-term financing and access to capital.
Local capacity and partnerships: The ability of local individuals and organizations to lead and implement initiatives is an indispensable element of success. They must be able to find common ground and build trust and partnerships among people of diverse economic, cultural, and racial backgrounds. For challenges whose solutions spread beyond arbitrary political boundaries, community, government, and market actors must form regional and multi-jurisdictional partnerships in order to build sustainable communities.
Numerous stakeholders have already taken creative and bold steps to advance the use of these tools. Our recommendations of specific policies and actions, presented later in this chapter, acknowledge these efforts, but also contends that more can be done. The Federal government can continue to play a key role by coordinating and focusing its vast array of resources to foster regional solutions. State and local governments, community-based and environmental nonprofits, businesses, universities, foundations, and individuals also have important roles to play. In particular, by forging vital partnerships that transcend political boundaries and sectoral divides, these stakeholders can provide the necessary information, economic incentives, and financial assistance to empower communities to implement sustainable development strategies.
A key for rapid implementation of sustainable community development will be to make the most out of existing authority and resources. By immediately undertaking new initiatives and building upon initiatives already underway, we can achieve the following within the next three years:
By Year 1: Learning Through Information and Networks. In one year, we can enhance existing capacity by deploying new information toolkits and creating learning networks to rapidly enable cross-regional innovation and partnership. We can also begin to make a persuasive and credible case for action to the public and key decision-makers through education and communications.
By Year 2: Leveraging Markets and Financial Intermediaries. By year two, we can be ready to leverage economic mechanisms and financial intermediaries to create the crucial financial support needed by communities seeking sustainable solutions. We can also leverage the economic mechanisms needed to create incentives for everybody to act in ways that enhance sustainability.
By Year 3: Linking Institutions to Build Local Capacity and Partnerships. By year three, we can institutionalize strong regional and multi-jurisdictional partnerships and local capacity that will institutionalize sustainable community development.
By �learning, leveraging, and linking,� various stakeholders can work together to create communities where everyone in every generation can enjoy a high quality of life.
Chapter Organization
The main body of this chapter consists of five sections:
Strategic Opportunities for Sustainable Community Development: This section discusses the benefits of implementing initiatives targeted to the five strategic opportunity areas discussed earlier. This section also identifies how successful initiatives share many common characteristics that can inform metropolitan and rural strategies to build sustainable communities.
Information and Technical Assistance: Supporting Continuous Community Learning: This section provides background on and recommended policies and actions to improve information and technical assistance tools. These policies and actions target five areas: public education for sustainability; learning networks and technical assistance; accessible and user-friendly information and data; improved analytical tools and methods; and indicators and evaluation methods.
Economic Incentives and Financial Assistance: Putting �Place' in Market place: This section provides background on and recommended policies and actions to improve economic incentives and financial assistance. These policies and actions target seven areas: new market mechanisms and incentives; regional alliances between urban and rural markets; private and public financial intermediaries; tax policies and subsidy reform; economic development planning; engaging the private sector; and workforce development.
Local Capacity and Partnerships: Creating �Civic DNA': This section contains background on and recommended policies and actions to build local capacity and partnerships for sustainable community development. These policies and actions target three areas: building local capacity; building regional and multi-jurisdictional partnerships; and building a multicultural society.
Conclusions: Priorities and a Plan for Implementation. Although there are several actions that are necessary in the long-run to advance sustainable community development, this section identifies high-priority and high-pay-off policy recommendations that can be achieved within the next three years.
This chapter also contains appendices, which provide tables that show how the tools of information and technical assistance, economic incentives and financial assistance, and local capacity and partnerships can be tailored to advance progress in the five strategic opportunity areas. The appendices also includes selected references and examples of how sustainable development can be supported at different scales.
Strategic Opportunities for Sustainable Community Development
We believe that five strategic opportunity areas for sustainable community development -- �green infrastructure,� land use and development, community revitalization and reinvestment, rural enterprise and community development, and materials reuse and resource efficiency -- hold particular potential and promise. Communities are increasingly investing resources and time in these five broad areas in order to resolve pressing economic, ecological, and social challenges. These initiatives are being supported at multiple levels -- neighborhood, city, regional, state, national, and global. Successful initiatives share many common characteristics that can inform the development of policy and projects.
Five Strategic Opportunities for Addressing Community Challenges
The five strategic opportunity areas present a comprehensive overview of and approach to sustainable community development. Collectively, they address five challenges faced by communities:
Depletion and degradation of ecosystems and natural resources
Detrimental land use and development patterns
Disinvestment in established communities and entrenched poverty
Economic and social distress in rural communities
Inefficient use of materials and resources
The opportunity areas are not discrete; instead, they overlap and complement one another. For example, brownfield development -- which reclaims and redevelops vacant and abandoned land -- is a strategy that can advance the objectives of all five areas. Each of the opportunities are described below.
A Lacodan saying epitomizes the philosophy of �green infrastructure�: �What the people of the city do not realize is that the roots of all living things are tied together.� Natural resources perform numerous valuable environmental and social functions. They recycle nutrients and replenish soils, purify water, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, provide biodiversity that serve as herbs and medications, and provide habitat for wildlife and amenities for people. In a May 1997 article in the journal Nature, several ecologists and economists identified 17 services provided by ecosystems emphasizing that �the services of ecological systems and the natural capital stocks that produce them are critical to the function of the Earth's life support system. They contribute to human welfare, both directly and indirectly, and therefore represent part of the total economic value of the planet.�8 When these functions are completed naturally by ecosystems, there is a lower cost to society to obtain these necessities. Most of these services, however, lie outside the market and their values are difficult to calculate. The economy does recognize that many industries are tied directly and indirectly on ecosystems and natural resources. For example, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining, construction, furniture making, printing, textiles, and recreation are all important economic sectors that rely on healthy ecosystems, particularly in rural communities.
Unfortunately, ecosystems and natural resources across the country have been detrimentally impacted by human activities. Rapid land development in many parts of the U.S. -- accompanied by increasing demand for natural resources, such as timber and fossil fuels -- have intensified air and water pollution, destroyed wildlife habitat, and threatened biodiversity. Agricultural and forestry efforts have also increased pressures on environmental and natural resources, particularly water contamination from pesticides, soil erosion, and organic waste. These detrimental impacts are particularly challenging for communities whose economies and cultural identities are tied to their natural resources.
To counter these negative effects, communities are increasingly promoting local and regional approaches to conserve, protect, restore, and manage �green infrastructure� -- the network of open space, airsheds, water-wetland corridors, wildlife habitats, parks, and other natural spaces, resources, and amenities. The emphasis of green infrastructure strategies is somewhat different from traditional development and conservation efforts, which stress the design and impact of development to minimize air and water pollution. While this concern for pollution focuses on environmental repair, it often neglects the pace, shape, and location of development in relationship to important natural resource values and amenities. Green infrastructure strategies actively seek to understand, leverage, and value the different ecological, social, and economic functions provided by natural systems.
Green infrastructure efforts are exemplified by Maryland's Integrated Natural Resource Assessment, Florida's Preservation 2000, the Catskill Mountain Watershed protection for New York City's Water Supply, Pinelands National Reserve in New Jersey, and West Eugene, Oregon's Wetlands Plan. Green infrastructure strategies range from the simple to the complex. They include tree planting to reduce the urban heat island effect, conversion of abandoned railroad tracks to develop green corridors for pedestrians and cyclists, and creation of rooftop gardens. Other strategies include stormwater management, grading, erosion prevention, sediment control for construction sites, wetlands creation and trading, and urban design for watershed protection. In a more sophisticated green infrastructure approach, New York City's Jamaica Bay Watershed Management Plan brought together a team of sanitary and water quality engineers, natural resource and land use planners, whose integrated use of natural processes with hard engineering, reduced the cost of clean water compliance from $2.3 billion to $1.2 billion, while also improving the environment.9
Land use and development
Over the last several decades, sprawled development characterized by low-density land use, discontinuous �leapfrog� development patterns; ad-hoc, disjointed planning; excessive consumption of greenfields; and conscious segregation of land use has exacerbated economic, environmental, and social problems. �Sprawl� is inefficient land development that fails to value the overall design of a community or region or its intrinsic ecology.
In many areas of the country, land development exceeds population growth by six- to eight-fold. It's estimated that, on average, each person uses four to five times more land for roads, homes, and shopping now than 40 years ago.10 The reasons for this vary for each place, but are exacerbated by subsidization of new exurban infrastructure (for example, transportation, sewer, and water service), population pressures, and emigration of the middle class from cities to suburban developments. From 1970 to 1990, for example, metropolitan St. Louis lost half its central city population, but still increased overall population by 35 percent, and experienced a 354 percent increase in utilized land. In the last ten years, metropolitan Atlanta has converted 1.1 million acres of farmland and forests to other uses.11 Over the next 25 years, the State of Maryland expects that its population will grow by 20 percent, or by roughly 1 million people. Nearly 500,000 people are expected to leave existing communities and move to exurban areas. Given this, Maryland's governor, Paris Glendening voiced concerns that the population �will consume as much land in central Maryland in the next 25 years as it did over the entire 300-year history of the state.�12
Although sprawled development provides immediate and direct benefits to the people who move to outer areas, as well as occasional short-term benefits for those purchasing property left behind by people and businesses moving outward, the costs are longer term and borne by society at large. Due in part to dispersed settlement patterns, Americans drive 2.5 trillion miles annually -- about what the rest of the world drives in a year -- exacerbating congestion, air pollution, and the carbon dioxide that contributes to global climate change. Since 1970, nearly 6 million middle-income and affluent families have left central cities, exacerbating class and racial segregation within regions. In 1996, poverty rates averaged 9.4 percent in the suburbs, 16.3 percent in rural communities, and 19.6 percent in the central cities.
As sprawl continues, it perpetuates a cycle in which moving outward becomes the reflex response to perceptions of real or perceived problems in existing communities. In turn, it becomes easier to ignore the problems in the communities that are left behind. When the problems are not real, but only perceived, they often become real as the community becomes less and less desirable as people move from it. When the problems are real, those remaining in the community often have inadequate resources to resolve the problems. Moreover, despite the short-term benefits of moving outward, research is increasingly showing that over time that economic and social problems as well as the pattern of disinvestment migrate from cities to suburbs. Tom Bier at Cleveland State University in looking at disinvestment from the City of Cleveland, found that �the impact of policies that support movement outward is far from confined to the central city. In time, numerous suburbs will decline as the city has declined.�13 Myron Orfield's analysis of disinvestment in Minneapolis and David Rusk's analysis of several metropolitan areas in the U.S. also reinforce the conclusion that unless we begin investing in already existing communities, today's winners will be tomorrow's losers.
Recognizing the problems of sprawl, disinvestment, and the inequitable subsidies for new development, a broad expanse of people from diverse backgrounds, geographic areas, and interests are coalescing around �smart growth� strategies. Smart growth is not anti-growth, but rather promotes efficient use of land and other resources to meet human needs, while preserving natural assets and resources to enable those human needs to be met over the long-term. A survey by State Resource Strategies identified 224 ballot measures in the November 1998 election that triggered $7.29 billion of new State and local money for an array of conservation, quality-of-life, and growth management programs and activities.."14 In discussing growing public engagement, a November 1998 New York Times article, �The New Politics of Urban Sprawl,� reported that �People say their new communities have become too dependent on the automobile, too removed from nature, too close to the clutter of box retail stores.�."15
Proponents of local smart growth initiatives include States (most prominently, Oregon, Maryland, New Jersey, and Florida); localities; regional councils; business groups; and community-based, religious, and environmental coalitions. The strategies approach land use and development on a number of fronts. For example, analysis in Chicago of the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission's land use inventory suggests that all the region's expected growth (700,000 households in the next twenty years) could be accommodated within walking (� mile) or shuttle (3 miles) distance of the region's existing mass transit, within current zoned densities.."16 South Carolina's legislature established a new Office of Regional Development that works with regional councils to assess local needs and prioritize water supply and sewage treatment projects for the legislature. The office found that efficient development patterns curbing sprawl would save about 8 percent for construction of water supply and waste water facilities.."17 Other efforts are aimed at protecting farm and forestland, conserving natural and open space, and promoting more efficient community design.
Community reinvestment and revitalization
Community reinvestment and revitalization must confront an intricate and complex array of interlocking economic, social, and environmental challenges. Entrenched poverty in central cities, older suburbs, and rural communities will require that investment and attention are redirected inward and the social costs of dealing with poverty are shared by society at large. Another key will be to build strong local economies that connect to regional and global economies in ways that sustain people and places.
Almost 25 percent of African-American and Hispanic residents of central cities live in census tracts with more than 40 percent poverty rates. Only 3 percent of white central city residents live in such census tracts. Between 1985 and 1996, 60 percent of children in urban school districts failed to achieve basic levels of competency in reading and math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. In high-poverty urban neighborhoods, 77 percent failed basic skills in reading, and 67 percent failed basic skills in math. In the 20 largest urban school districts, more than half of the students never graduate. Despite robust economic growth, between 1993 and 1995, a record 5.3 million very low-income renters paid more than 50 percent of their income for rent or lived in substandard quality housing.
Disinvestment in the infrastructure of older communities has also reduced their access and undermined their comparative advantage. The Federal Highway Administration's analysis of highway costs shows that failure to maintain and preserve major systems leads to premature rebuilding and significant congestion costs, each of which easily run into the tens of billions of dollars annually.."18
While reinvestment by outsiders is necessary, older communities are not simply relying on handouts. Rather they are creating a case for investment by demonstrating how profitable it can be to those who invest and they are mobilizing internal resources to generate investment from within. Communities have traditionally tried to leverage their local assets. Building on the observation of successful community-based experience in Chicago and elsewhere, colleagues John McKnight and John Kretzmann launched an effort now known as the Asset-Based Community Development Institute at Northwestern; their approach has been adopted in hundreds of communities across the nation.."19 �Even the poorest neighborhood is a place where individuals and organizations represent resources upon which to build,� write John McKnight and John Kretzmann in their book, Building Communities From the Inside Out, �The key to neighborhood regeneration is to locate all of the available local assets, to begin connecting them with one another in ways that multiply their power and effectiveness, and to begin harnessing those local institutions that are not yet available for local development purposes.�."20 Michael Sherraden at George Washington University has written a seminal book on how asset-based economic policy can be most effective in implementing welfare reform.."21
Sustainable community development recognizes a diverse expanse of local economic, ecological and social assets. Various studies demonstrates that significant retail purchasing power is �leaking� out of poor communities in metropolitan and rural areas and that this aggregated market demand could be cost-effectively served by new retail facilities within the communities themselves.."22 In Chicago, Michael Porter conservative estimate was that in the inner city core communities of Chicago's West and South Sides alone the market was missing an easy $2 billion/year in purchasing power. A joint analysis by The Chicago United and the Center for Neighborhood Technology estimated that the total purchasing power within a two mile radius of a single rail transit stop in West Garfield Park is $2 billion per year. Investments in rehabilitation and home ownership are also key because expenditures in tangible assets such as in home ownership represent a potential pathway out of poverty; many studies suggest that the majority of assets owned by the working poor are predominated by real estate. Strategies are also targeting improving public schools, safety and security, and the environment to increase quality of life, retain middle-class households, and attract investment.
Rural Community and Enterprise Development
Rural America contains 83 percent of the nation's land and is home to 21 percent of its people.."23 Rural communities are particularly vulnerable to economic and land development pressures. Since the end of World War II, America has shifted one million acres of land per year from natural resource-based uses to urban/suburban uses. Today, the most threatened areas are the Central Valley of California, the valleys of the Pacific Northwest, most of the upper east coast, regions of Texas, the areas west of Chicago, and south Florida. All of these areas face the threat of negative impacts on habitat, open space, water quality, air quality, and quality of life for those living in both rural and metropolitan areas. Responding to crises, rural communities often pursue short-term coping strategies, which foster industrial, agricultural, and resource extraction practices that fail to achieve long-term economic prosperity, cause lasting environmental damage, and undermine the cultural heritage and quality of life of rural residents.
Real earnings per job, an indicator of the strength of the economy and its ability to provide good jobs, remain consistently and substantially lower in rural America than in metropolitan areas. The poverty rate for rural communities in 1996 was 15.5 percent, 2.2 percent higher than in urban areas. In the rural South, the poverty rate is 19.2 percent. Rural median household income is only 77 percent that of urban areas, and rural black households and female-headed households is only 50 percent of that of all households. In rural America, many people work, but remain in poverty. Although about 25 percent of the nation's poor live in rural areas, rural America is home to about 30 percent of the working poor because of the prevalence of low-skill, low-wage jobs. Work in traditional rural industries, such as farming, livestock, and fishing, does not guarantee that a family will be lifted out of poverty. Nearly 98 percent of those working on farms require off-farm income to support their families.
Among the many needs of rural communities is a menu of resources and processes that can beused to develop and implement a vision of sustainable community that builds on rural assets and resources. Rural sustainable community initiatives are embracing a diverse range of options that build on local assets and also attempt to diversify rural economies. They include heritage tourism (both natural and cultural), value-added processing of local agricultural and forest products, �niche� manufacturing (such as local crafts and cottage industries), sustainable agriculture, fishing or forestry, and community-supported agriculture that seeks to develop linkages between urban and rural markets.
What is Rural America and What Makes it Unique?
As the vast majority of Americans have come to live in urban or suburban areas, people's notions of �rural� communities has become vague and probably tinged with the golden glow of commercials that glorify small town living. Indeed, among the synonyms that Webster's Dictionary suggests for �rural� are: simple, artless, and plain.
In reality, rural communities are based on social structures that are quite complex. Furthermore, the conditions these communities contend with often relate to broad social, economic, and political forces that are increasingly global in nature.
Many different ways of categorizing rural communities are possible, but the most useful may be based on location in relation to urban areas or to special resources, for this often determines the type and rate of change with which the community is faced. Three broad categories are proposed here: communities on the urban fringe; communities beyond urban influence; and communities located within or adjacent to special resources or landscapes.
Communities on the Urban Fringe: are confronted with advancing suburban development. Local government officials increasingly find themselves dealing with the impacts of highway and other infrastructure decisions made by other levels of government. The rapid physical, economic, and social change associated with suburbanization often renders the community unrecognizable to long-time residents. Eventually development and population growth result in the once rural community losing its distinct identity and becoming part of the sprawling metropolitan area.
Communities beyond the urban influence: most likely retain their agricultural or other rural character. In many, changes in agricultural policy have had severe impacts on the small farmers who were traditionally at the heart of the communities. Their populations are declining and aging, as young people leave to seek employment elsewhere. Efforts to attract newcomers who seek a small town life and to generate new economic activity often have a hard time competing with small communities that fall into the third category.
Communities located adjacent to special resources or landscapes: these communities may fall into two very different subcategories: communities with natural resource based economies (i.e., forestry, agriculture, fishing and mining) and communities located adjacent to special landscapes.
Communities with resource-based economies are vulnerable to changes in national environmental policy and to inadequate management and/or depletion of the resource. In either event, the community may confront the same problems of out-migration and declining economy that characterize other rural communities that are beyond urban influence. However, those that have not spoiled the environmental quality of their area may seek the benefits of being in the second subcategory- a community located within a special landscape.
�Gateway communities�are those communities which border public lands, including national and state parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, heritage areas, and the like. These communities have typically been recognized as the destinations of choice for much of the country's migrating populace. The same holds true for communities located within other landscapes of special quality that have not received formal designation. Many of these communities, with their scenic settings, environmental quality and easy access to recreational activity, have been experiencing rapid change as a result of increased tourism and second (or retirement) home development. The jobs resulting from the tourism economy may be seasonal and pay only minimum wages. But increasingly these communities are also attracting the �lone eagles�- -the consultants and executives who can live anywhere- and the small high-tech companies which provide well-compensated jobs. Thus these communities face new demands on their infrastructure and rapid change in their economic base and social composition.
Materials Reuse and Resource Efficiency
Increasingly, the materials of the earth are being moved out of the earth's crust and stored in artificial structures or used to provide services, such as energy. According to the Federal Interagency Working Group on Industrial Ecology, Material, and Energy Flows, per capita materials use by weight has increased five-fold during this century. At the beginning of the century about 41 percent by weight of the materials used in the United States were renewable. By 1995, the domestic use of renewable resources had dropped to only 6 percent. Americans also generate more than 10 billion tons of solid waste each year through extraction and production of raw materials and consumption of goods and services. We also waste at least $250 billion a year worth of energy, enough to increase personal wealth by more than $3,000 per family per year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 65 million tons of demolition waste are generated each year, with 31 percent (20 million) tons coming from residential projects and 69 percent (45 million tons) from non-residential projects. Only about 20 to 30 percent is reused or recycled.."24
These material deposits in existing built structures and products are looked at by many as the �mines� of the future, giving rise to materials reuse and resource efficiency industries that could spur both community and economic renewal in cities across the country, reduce the need for virgin natural resources to be mined and harvested, while saving already threatened forests and natural areas from future degradation. A number of strategies are gaining prominence:
Energy and resource efficiency: Communities are promoting energy and resource efficiency as well as �green building� construction, which uses materials that are environmentally less damaging than their alternatives as well as embraces renewable energy, energy efficient, and resource conservation technologies.
Recycling: The growth in post-consumer recycling has justified the cancellation of incinerators and landfills from coast-to-coast in favor of materials reuse, collection and upgrading.."25 In 1993, the number of U.S. curbside pickup programs for recyclables grew from 1,042 in 1988 to 6,678 in 1993.."26 Recycling 60 percent of U.S. solid waste could save the energy equivalent of 315 million barrels of oil each year. In ten Northeastern U.S. States alone, more than 103,000 people are employed in firms that process or manufacture recycled materials, adding more than $7.2 billion in value to recovered materials.."27
Eco-industrial development: The emergent practice of industrial ecology recognizes that inter-firm relationships, as well as relationships between firms and their communities, can be managed synergistically to enhance new resource efficiencies.."28 Dozens of new �eco-industrial parks� based on these principles are being developed across America.."29 In Denmark, the Kalundbourg eco-industrial park annually saves 19,000 tons of oil, 30,000 tons of coal, 600,000 cubic meters of water; and also reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 130,000 tons.
Remanufacturing: Remanufacturing saves labor, capital costs, energy, and materials embodied in existing products by reusing and upgrading parts. The remanufacturing industries have doubled in size to a $53 billion industry employing 486,000 persons.."30 These are primarily small firms operating in niche markets, such as the remanufacturing of auto parts.
Deconstruction: Often called construction in reverse, deconstruction is a strategic and applied approach to taking buildings apart and salvaging materials often at the same or less cost than traditional demolition.."31 Deconstruction also requires significantly more labor than traditional demolition, creating 10 to 15 times as many jobs. Several cities are viewing deconstruction as a way to address their abandoned housing problems while also creating job training for local people.
Common Elements of Success
Several hundred community initiatives around the country are working on these fronts of sustainable community development. Through sheer initiative and fortitude many communities are already realizing the benefits of sustainable community development. Although sustainable community development is a locally driven process, the goals and objectives of communities in metropolitan and rural areas can be enabled and supported at many different scales, including neighborhood, village, city, regional, state, national, and global (examples are provided in the appendices).
The lessons learned from these examples and others can inform broader policies and actions. We have found that successes in sustainable community development share the following common elements:
They serve and invest in people: Investment in individuals is critical because individual initiative is often the key motivating force for action. To move towards sustainability, individuals need to feel empowered to make a difference in their communities. Still, researchers suggest that it takes more than individual human capital to address the economic, environmental, and social challenges of communities. It takes social capital. Communities all contain stocks of social capital, as represented by community and civic organizations, knowledge-based industries, and independent journalism, libraries, universities, and philanthropy. Through networks and interest-based connections, individuals get ideas, better understand issues, and link to resources outside the community. Successful strategies strengthen interactions and learning among individuals and organizations.
They invest in places -- they are �place-based�: More and more communities are recognizing the intrinsic value of the places in which they live, work, and visit. Roger Bolton at Williams College submits that a �sense of place� is an intangible economic and social asset. Lamont Hempel at Claremont College in reviewing the literature on sustainable communities concurs, arguing that communities need �roots and wings� to succeed at complex goals. Michael Cohen's thoughtful review of the role of �place� in a dynamic world economy concludes that �perhaps landscape is more than physical infrastructure but in fact social infrastructure as well.�
They align with or create new market forces: A healthy market is one in which the systems and incentives exist to deliver the goods and services that satisfy community desires and achieve a high quality of life for all community members continuously over the long term. A recent study by Alice Shabecoff and colleagues for the Joyce Foundation of emerging �Green Communities, Green Jobs� initiatives found that success typically hinges on aligning with financial and market mechanisms. Rather than simply trying to fight against market forces, more and more efforts and innovations are attempting to create standing for communities in the market and to create new or redirect existing market forces to improve the environment, counter sprawl and disinvestment, and directly benefit individuals and families.
They find and then build on the local assets of their communities: The concept of �building assets� -- through home ownership, education and business ownership--is gaining recognition as a successful and essential strategy for helping low-income families to move out of poverty. Citizens are also beginning to recognize natural resources as natural capital, ecological wealth, or environmental assets. These concepts help leaders to recognize the need to manage, protect, and build upon these assets to strengthen and invigorate their communities.
They constructively address issues of race and class:> America is becoming older overall, with more kids in school, and considerably more culturally and racially diverse. The minority population is projected to increase by 16.5 million during the 1990's, and minority population is expected to account for more than three-quarters of the population growth between 2000 and 2010. In addition, although national figures suggest that income levels are growing and poverty rates are falling for all groups, households in the top fifth earned nearly half of the national income, while the share going to the poorest fifth was less than 4 percent. Children, who make up 26 percent of the population, account for 40 percent of the nation's poor. Sustainability efforts must address sustainability for all persons, not just those who can afford it. Looking at sustainability in metropolitan and rural communities forces us to deal directly with the tensions between the capacity to plan for the long-term future and the need to deal equitably with the basic needs of today. Many communities are using changing demographics to create new opportunities and to build linkages between people of different backgrounds, classes, and cultures. They are discovering the educational, economic, and overall social value of cultural diversity and are consciously striving to embrace diversity as a community asset.
They build regional alliances and multi-stakeholder coalitions: Successful innovations recognize that multiple partners are needed to solve the complex and widespread challenges facing communities. The theme of local interdependence takes on special meaning when we think about an increasingly networked economy: observing the rise of both regional and international business networks, we are urged to remember the �competitive advantage of the inner city,� to pursue �collaborative advantage� effectively, and build linkages between urban and rural places.
They are locally-driven: Successful innovations focus on local issues, are locally-driven, and build on local assets while cognizant of more global issues and opportunities. In this context, the Federal government is a convener and facilitator, adapting Federal resources to respond to local needs. As the Federal government has learned over the years, a top-down approach cannot unleash the local leadership needed to sustain local initiatives. Government involvement must be flexible and responsive to local needs; it must not prescribe one-size-fits-all responses. At the same time, government can facilitate dialogue among varied interests to arrive at mutually workable solutions, while looking out for the national interest. As it has over the past several years and continues to today, government must sometimes dismantle obstacles that it has inadvertently created in order for bottom-up strategies to succeed.
Change and growth take place when a community dares to experiment. John Kennedy remarked, �There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.� Ultimately, the transition toward sustainability will come down to action taken at the community level all across the nation. It will require the integration of many innovations that concern people, ecology, buildings, utilities, electronic media, open space, natural resources, and economic and social arrangements. Sustainable community development does not call for diminishing existing economic and environmental laws, policies, and programs; rather, it requires a philosophical shift in the approach we use to meet environmental, social, and economic objectives. It will mean using existing authority and resources to simultaneously achieve as many goals as possible while recognizing the interdependence of people, places, and markets.
Opportunity favors preparation. Achieving rapid and widespread replication of successes will require tools -- information and technical assistance, economic mechanisms and financial assistance, and local capacity and partnership -- that promote flexibility, remove obstacles, and empower local initiative.
Information and Technical Assistance: Supporting Continuous Community Learning
Knowledge creation through information and technical assistance is an indispensable element of sustainable community development. As advocated by Sustainable America, �building a knowledge of the interdependence among economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity will help citizens understand, communicate, and participate in the decisions that affect their lives.�."32 However, many individuals and institutions embarking on sustainable community activities lack the information on how to implement sustainable community strategies more effectively and to refine models and strategies. In particular, in a constantly changing world, a community's ability to learn will, in part, determine the degree to which it will flourish or languish. Much as high-performance companies invest in knowledge creation to maintain long-term competitiveness, investment in the systems that enable continuous learning for sustainability can secure a comparative advantage for communities. Our recommendations to support continuous community learning address five areas:
Education on sustainability challenges and opportunities that can make a persuasive and credible case for action to decision-makers and the public;
Learning networks and technical assistance that can institutionalize knowledge and build local capacity for recognizing and solving problems, and identifying and refining sustainable strategies;
Accessible and user-friendly information and data that are relevant to sustainable community concerns and can demonstrate the connections between the economy, the environment, and equity;
Improved analytical tools and methods to enable better problem-solving, planning, and decision-making; and
Indicators and performance measures that can track performance toward desired goals.
Policy Recommendation 1: Reinvigorate and advance public education on sustainability
Action 1: The PCSD, in conjunction with the Administration and the Smart Growth Network, should launch a public action campaign on smart growth. These partners would sponsor a five-year national campaign and dialogue aimed at addressing land use and growth issues through community action. The campaign would be launched at the National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America. Communities throughout America would be asked to identify natural capital assets, local and regional land use and growth issues, assess the impacts of sprawl-related problems, identify solutions and their benefits, and make commitments to form or strengthen partnerships to implement solutions. National incentive programs, such as those identified most recently by the White House's Council on Environmental Quality and Community Empowerment Board forthcoming joint report, Building Livable Communities for the 21st Century: Federal Support for Smart Growth and Regional Cooperation, would be introduced as part of the campaign.
Action 2: The Administration should reinvigorate the �Education for Sustainability� program. The Department of Education should continue to take responsibility for implementing education for sustainability. The Administration should target sustained funding and dedicated staff to ensure the continuation of this program and the Sustainable Development Extension Network, which originated in Sustainable America. The Federal government should also encourage businesses, localities, and regional organizations to partner to develop and implement educational programs and curriculum on sustainability for children and young adults. For example, corporate leaders from Louisiana-Pacific in the Pacific Northwest sponsor Salmon Corps, a program that engages young Native Americans and other at risk youth in the restoration of salmon habitats in the Columbia River Basin. While educating young people about their heritage and traditions, the program provides useful skills while also helping to restore critical salmon and wildlife habitats throughout the region.
Action 3: The PCSD, working with its associates, should promote civic journalism for sustainability. With the participation of prominent civic journalists and media specialists, the PCSD should develop a communications strategy to promote coverage of local, regional, and national sustainable community efforts around the nation. This communications strategy would promote and explain sustainable development, and continue to popularize sustainability concepts following the National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America.
Policy Recommendation 2: Institutionalize knowledge through learning networks and technical assistance
Action 1. The USDA and land grant system, responding to the mandate of the President's Council on Sustainable Development and as a part of the Sustainable Development Extension Network, will create a learning infrastructure for sustainable communities. This learning infrastructure will be electronic, paper, and direct contact--high tech with the potential of high touch. The infrastructure will provide information on how to: 1) accomplish specific community development tasks; 2) connect with potential regional partners; and 3) access potential funding sources. As part of this effort, the Council for Excellence in Government will convene a group of partners within USDA to work with the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities in order to bring together the various technical assistance services now available within the land grant system. This initiative would partner with the Council on Environmental Quality, the PCSD, the four Regional Rural Development Centers, as well as ATTRA. This effort would also link to HUD's Office of Rural Housing, which has resources to create an information clearinghouse on innovative housing and economic development strategies, as well as funding for direct grants for development projects.
Action 2. As part of a larger community-based conservation education strategy, organizations serving local government should partner with natural resource agencies to train local government mangers to include �green infrastructure� in community plans. All too often local governments and citizens have had insufficient involvement in planning and managing forest and other ecosystem resources in their communities. Local government managers are in a key position to facilitate community involvement and spur activities that protect and sustain natural resources. Local government organizations that train local government managers (like the International City/County Management Association) should partner with natural resource agencies (like USDA's Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service) to develop and test training materials and courses. The objectives should be to increase awareness of the economic and social values associated with �green infrastructure� and natural resource stewardship, provide inclusive community-driven strategic planning on future growth and development, and demonstrate improved decision-making through the use of environmental data and Geographic Information System (GIS) planning tools.
Action 3. Federal, State, and local agencies should coordinate their technical assistance programs to overcome program fragmentation and duplication. For example, MAST (Multi-Agency Service Team), jointly sponsored by the Maine State Planning Office and the Maine Rural Development Council, brought together a wide variety of public and quasi-public sector service providers to resolve multiple problems facing small- and medium-sized secondary wood products manufacturers in Maine. The State of Maryland has created the Revitalization Center in Baltimore, which co-locates representatives from all agencies involved in revitalization and smart growth activities to facilitate greater interaction and ease of access by the communities they serve. Such coordinated technical assistance efforts should target under served groups.
Policy Recommendation 3: Disseminate more accessible and user-friendly information and data relevant to sustainable community development
Action 1. The PCSD, working with its associates, should design a central, user-friendly information clearinghouse on sustainability. The Federal government, community-based organizations, and associations have already accomplished a great deal in linking sustainability information available on the world wide web. The PCSD should develop an information support system that can address questions stimulated by the National Town Meeting and facilitate information exchange among sustainable community development initiatives.
Action 2. The Administration should implement the universal service guidelines, as defined in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, to ensure that low-income and rural communities have access to internet resources. The majority of American communities are not yet wired for wide-spectrum telecommunications, and there is as yet no plan to guarantee that the �last mile� of high-capacity hookup will reach older and lower income communities, who will nonetheless help pay for system upgrade and modernization.."33 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working to implement the �Snowe-Rockefeller� provision of the Telecommunications Act, which requires the FCC to ensure that public libraries, as well as schools and rural health care providers, can obtain telecommunications services at affordable rates. In particular, libraries with internet access and resource centers could provide the means for access to electronic information to households without internet access. States should be encouraged to follow the lead of Wisconsin, which has created an advanced telecommunications fund to support the extension of new technologies into institutions such as libraries.
Policy Recommendation 4: Develop and disseminate improved analytical tools and methods
Action 1: Federal agencies and foundations should improve the capability of communities to use GIS information in support of place-based ecosystem management, sustainable land use, and community reinvestment. In particular, PCSD should support a proposed Community/Federal Information Partnership in which the Secretary of the Interior will lead a four-year interagency initiative to: 1) advance the capacity of communities and regions to create and use geospatial data; and 2) to improve Federal agencies' capabilities to provide community information. These agencies should provide incentives in the form of demonstration grants, training and technical assistance, or subsidies for software upgrades where needed. Communities especially need tools and analytical methods to map assets for various types of sustainable development. These areas include information and trends of land development patterns, inventory of built and manufactured assets, place-based ecological, social, and economic capital. HUD's Community 2020 GIS-software, for example, enables users to graphically depict how and where Federal funds are being spent, what various characteristics of a community are, and other vital community-based information. The program also expands the user's ability to participate knowledgeably in the Consolidated Planning process required for HUD block grant funding.
Action 2. The PCSD should support a proposed Administration action to have the DOT in cooperation with EPA, DOE, HUD, and the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities, establish a comprehensive program to develop new and improved analytical tools for land use, transportation, and environmental planning. States and localities need useful tools for analyzing and modernizing their planning laws and techniques, and for guiding public and private development in a sustainable manner. The Administration's efforts should acknowledge ongoing efforts by professional associations that have developed planning tools on smart growth, such as the American Planning Association's Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook and Clearinghouse, which is federally funded.
Action 3. The Federal government, foundations, and technical assistance providers should design and disseminate tools and methods that can assess the benefits of investments in sustainable community strategies. In particular, there are tools that need to capture the cross-benefits of investments. For example, PLACES3 software, a land use and urban design model sponsored by the Department of Energy, identifies the energy impacts of land use decisions. Other tools are needed to estimate the benefits of investments in green infrastructure, materials reuse and resource efficiency strategies, and sustainable rural strategies more precisely.
Action 4. Funders and developers of new and upgraded analytical tools should adopt guiding principles on tool development for sustainability. This effort was initiated at a November 1998 workshop, Tools for Community Design and Decision-making, hosted by the Chattanooga Institute, with co-sponsorship from U.S. Department of Energy. These principles promote criteria and standards that can enable tools to be more accessible, adaptable, interactive, and user-friendly to a variety of users.
Action 5. Local communities should experiment with technologies that can create more inclusive participation in decision-making and planning. The use of television for electronic town meetings has been used to facilitate visioning in Houston through the IMAGINE HOUSTON project. This project received a 12 percent share of the viewing audience, reaching more than 250,000 people.."34 Linking Up Villages, a Boston-based project, is using local electronic bulletin boards and software called Multi-User Sessions in Community (MUSIC), designed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, to allow participants to create an online version of their communities. Neighbors in Dorchester, a working-class Boston neighborhood, have used the software to create a food co-operative, a neighborhood watch, and a community newsletter.
Policy Recommendation 5: Promote technical assistance on the use of indicators and evaluation methods
Action 1. Civic organizations, foundations, and other NGOs, working with PCSD and the Interagency Working Group on Sustainable Development Indicators, should sponsor a series of workshops helping citizens to employ existing or new tools to track progress on sustainable community development. This effort should be accomplished in conjunction with a proposed Administrative initiative to have the Council on Environmental Quality chair a working group of representatives of the National Partnership to Reinvent Government, the Interagency Working Group on Sustainable Development Indicators and the Federal Geographic Data Committee. The working group would provide technical assistance to communities and regions that wish to develop indicators, benchmarks, or other performance measures to inform local decision-making processes.
Action 2. State, local government, and regional organizations should support the use of indicators to show interdependence of jurisdictions within regions. The National Association of Regional Councils, for example, is currently developing a State of the Regions Report to help benchmark the performance of regions on a number of economic, environmental, and social factors. In metropolitan areas, such as Baltimore, Cleveland, Portland, Seattle, and Chattanooga, local civic, business, and community groups have compiled indicators that show how regional concerns are interrelated and the effectiveness of regional cooperation. In addition, the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities has launched a sustainable community indicators project, profiling city and country experiences with indicators. Federal agencies, organized by USDA, are working cooperatively with the Joint Center to better understand how community indicator efforts connect to regional and national indicator efforts. The nation's commitment to sustainable forest management also provides an opportunity for Federal agencies to assist local governments and to learn together about the relationship among indicator efforts and how to think more globally about indicators while acting locally.
Action 3. The PCSD should support an Administration proposal to develop new economic statistics to measure reinvestment. In this proposal, the Department of Commerce would develop �statistical barometers� to capture reinvestment in the renovation of commercial and residential projects and Brownfields redevelopment. Presently, government statistics track the economy and economic development based almost exclusively on new commercial and residential activities (such as �housing starts�), which discourages the financial and business industry from recognizing opportunities for community reinvestment.
Action 4. The Interagency Working Group on Sustainable Development Indicators, working with human service providers and community-based indicator projects, should develop indicators that can better measure social capital and local capacity. Measures of social capital have proceeded along several lines. One line measures the dimensions and frequency of interactions within and outside the community. Examples are inventories of civic associations that provide information on members including numbers and characteristics as age, gender and race. Such inventories can also determine frequency of meetings, decision making processes, finances, and services provided to members and non-members. Another line of measurement is to assess the impact of various types of social capital on the ability to reach sustainable development goals.
Economic Incentives and Financial Assistance: Putting �Place� in Marketplace
Sustainable America advocated economic development strategies that �capitalize on unique local attributes and on technological advances in energy and resource efficiency, to create jobs and build strong, diversified local economies.� Transforming current models of development to ones that are more sustainable depends on defining the relationship between healthy communities and economic factors.
Unfortunately, many sustainable community development efforts struggle to make markets work for them. A recent study by the Alice Shabecoff and colleagues for the Joyce Foundation of emerging �Green Communities, Green Jobs� initiatives found that: 1) the systems that have successfully built the current community development industry are insufficiently market-oriented to take advantage of current forces supportive of regionally-scaled sustainable development opportunities; 2) significant experimentation and demonstration of such opportunities is proceeding; and 3) new kinds of enabling systems would enable these opportunities to proliferate more readily.."35 Our recommendations target seven activities that can begin to harness the power of the marketplace for sustainable community development:
Institutionalize new market-based incentives that can advance sustainable community development goals and opportunities. A healthy market is one in which the systems and incentives exist to deliver the goods and services which will satisfy community desires inclusively and achieve a high quality of life for all continuously over the long-term. Quality of life considerations such as a clean environment, convenience and access, a sense of community and place, a sufficient and quality labor force, and job access�all represent assets whose values need to be recognized or reinforced by the market. By taking the time to understand and more explicitly value these assets through new economic incentives and financial assistance, we can create standing for sustainable community goals in the marketplace.
Broker regional alliances that link urban and rural markets. Communities can organize regional alliances and pilots emphasizing market research and expansion, technology development and transfer, collaborative approaches to ecosystem management, and other strategic ventures which socially, economically, and environmentally support and enhance regions.
Enhance the capabilities and diversity of public and private financial intermediaries in order to increase access to capital. Finance is a critical component of sustainability. Basic community redevelopment and reinvestment requires finance. Green products, green business, green technology and production methods, green houses and cars, etc. all require loans or investment capital. Consumers need finance to pay for greater water and energy efficiency, or for more fuel-efficient automobiles. A community needs finance to promote ecologically sound industrial parks or to build training centers for ecologically-minded entrepreneurs. Gaps in finance, therefore, greatly impede progress on sustainable community development.
Promote shift in tax policies and subsidy reform. In Sustainable America, the PCSD advocated both a shift in tax policies and subsidy reform to encourage employment and economic opportunity, while discouraging environmentally damaging production and consumption decisions. These are both long-term processes, but are also valuable and necessary.
Promote holistic economic development planning that embraces sustainability objectives. Development, focused on short-term economic goals, has created multiple challenges for communities in metropolitan and rural areas. Merely generating revenue and jobs, though essential, does not necessarily move a community closer to meeting its needs and its vision. As a result, more communities are asking essential and fundamental questions: Do regional and local economic development plans truly integrate quality of life and jobs programs? Do they benefit all people and pay for themselves? Do they emphasize attracting, growing, and nurturing businesses that really make sense in light of social, economic, and environmental considerations?
Engage private sector businesses in sustainable community development. Although many people hold strong environmental and social ideals, the primary motivation of private industries and the public at large is still the economic bottom line. Given the rapid changes in global commerce, telecommunications, and transportation, private institutions such as businesses, banks, and transportation companies can increasingly plan �strategically� around markets, sectors, and networks as if place didn't matter. There is a role for the individual firm to play in moving us toward sustainable communities by the way it conducts its business. Sustainable community development efforts must capture the importance of firm-level action, and also demonstrate that firms can the bottom line and help to achieve larger economic, environmental, and social goals.
Promote workforce development that links to sustainability principles. Workforce development relies upon a vast network of systems operating throughout all levels of society. It is subject to complex economic and environmental influences. Identifying, accessing and coordinating the tremendous resources and expertise devoted to this network, in order to more fully nurture human potential to fulfill workforce needs, is one of the greatest challenges in creating sustainable communities. A key component of this challenge is to link employment and training systems to sustainable community goals and objectives.
Characteristics of Sustainable Markets
A marketplace that is supportive of sustainable development opportunities possesses the following characteristics:
Recognizes that community, cultural, and ecological concerns are as important as economic concerns
Supports strategies that take the long-view instead of short-term profit maximization
Appropriately values scarce natural resources and the services provided by ecosystems (e.g., green infrastructure)
Internalizes the environmental and social costs of doing business
Ensures that all sectors benefit equitably from the wealth garnered from economic development
Encourages open flows of information and data to foster continuous learning, performance tracking, and accountability
Makes appropriate capital and funding available for sustainable development
Encourages private sector leadership in sustainable community initiatives
Catalyzes entrepreneurial energy that can develop and cultivate new sustainable opportunities
Encourages resource efficiency in industry and business
Encourages mutually supportive connections between urban and rural markets, and between local and larger regional and global economies
Policy Recommendation 6: Create and experiment with new market mechanisms that promote sustainable community development goals and opportunities
Federal, State, and local government and community-based organizations should seek innovative and strategic partnerships with formal financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, and insurance companies for the purpose of creating new products and services that can help metropolitan and rural communities achieve sustainability goals. In particular, these partnerships should conduct and evaluate pilots to demonstrate feasibility and performance:
Action 1: Through already existing pilots, public/private partnerships should evaluate how Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) can achieve sustainable community objectives. IDAs provide a means to build wealth for poor and low-income people by matching savings with funds from external sources, such as foundations, corporations, religious institutions, and government. IDA savings can be used only for specific asset-building purposes, such as education and training, home ownership, and development of home-based and micro-enterprise businesses. The Treasury Departments's EFT99 initiative, which mandates electronic fund transfer for Federal distributions, provides a unique opportunity to link welfare and welfare-to-work recipients with mainstream financial institutions. Building personal assets and facilitating connections to mainstream banks can become vital in building sustainable communities in distressed metropolitan and rural areas. Over twenty states have changed policies to enable Individual Development Account experiments, many of which are being coordinated by the Corporation for Enterprise Development, a non-profit organization based in Washington D.C.."36
Action 2: The Federal government should work with lenders to expand research on Location Efficient Mortgages. The Location Efficient Mortgage (LEM) is intended to enable home buyers to shift money saved on transportation costs to housing. By foregoing an automobile and living in areas that are transit accessible, potential homebuyers can qualify for a higher mortgage. By living locally, residents in a typical accessible neighborhood in Chicago can save almost $7,000 per year, as well as reduce air pollution and energy consumption. The LEM Partnership, begun in 1996, includes the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Surface Transportation Policy Project, and Fannie Mae, who are conducting pilots in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Analysis of urban access are also underway in Miami, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. In support of a proposed White House action on smart growth and regional collaboration, the PCSD should assist EPA, DOE, and DOT to track and evaluate ongoing LEM pilot programs. These agencies, along with foundations, financial institutions, and community-based organizations, should also identify ways that better information can help the marketplace value location-efficiency.
Action 3: The Federal government working with State and local government and the private sector should provide incentives to capture the air quality benefits of compact development. A U.S. EPA study demonstrates that developing infill sites rather than �greenfield� sites on the fringe of a currently developed area results in lower vehicles miles traveled, translating into lower emissions increases. Where this air quality benefit occurs, cities and States should be able to capture these benefits and apply them to requirements under the Clean Air Act. A forthcoming proposal by the Administration designates that the EPA, working with other Federal and State agencies, coordinate and expand existing pilot projects such as the Clean Air Brownfields Partnership Pilot and the Urban Heat Island Reduction Initiative. This partnership will identify methodologies to capture the benefits of urban redevelopment under the Clean Air Act and determine how those methodologies can be replicated.
Action 4: The Federal government, environmental and community-based non-profits, and foundations should evaluate the effectiveness of �Forest Banks� and their adaption to promote better management of other ecosystems and natural resources. The Forest Bank concept is under development by The Nature Conservancy in several sites, including southwest Virginia. Through the Bank a forest landowner can deposit timber rights and receive immediately an annual annuity at a fixed percentage (probably 3 to 5 percent) of the timber's value. The Nature Conservancy will take over responsibility for the management and eventual harvest of the timber using sustainable forestry principles that will not degrade the land or impair the habitat of endangered species, and the local economy will benefit as higher quality timber is moved to the marketplace. Such market-based strategies are particularly attractive in places where there are competing demands on finite natural resources, such as land use, timber use, and fish stocks. In addition to conservation banking, several market-based incentives were identified in a report by the Keystone National Policy Dialogue on Ecosystem Management, including assurances, forest certification, forest legacy and stewardship incentives, tradeable development rights, public benefits rating system, effluent trading in watersheds, and air quality incentives.
Action 5: Government, finance, business, foundations, and community-based organizations should periodically convene multi-sector �design teams� to assess the effectiveness of market-based strategies and pilots and identify new innovations. These teams would: 1) inventory the capability of existing market systems and instruments; 2) exchange knowledge about potential market incentives that can meet sustainable community goals and objectives; 3) evaluate the benefits of market incentives; and 4) specify new market-based scenarios, mechanisms, and incentives that would advance sustainable community development in metropolitan and rural areas.
Policy Recommendation 7: Broker strategic alliances between urban and rural markets
Action 1. The President's Council on Sustainable Development, working with the Council on Environmental Quality, USDA, other Federal agencies, and private sector partners including non-government organizations, should develop strategic alliances to link urban and rural markets and foster joint development opportunities. A memorandum of understanding should be used to organize regional alliances and pilots emphasizing market research and expansion, technology development and transfer, collaborative approaches to ecosystem management, and other strategic ventures which support regions.
Action 2. Federal and State agencies should partner with regional entrepreneurs to link urban consumers and rural producers through direct marketing channels for locally grown food. Such links would offer opportunities to protect farmland located in or near metropolitan areas while maintaining economically viable small farm production. These direct marketing opportunities can be promoted and enhanced by a variety of Federal and State programs and activities, including community food security programs, community supported agriculture, development of value-added processing and marketing enterprises, cooperatives, procurement policies, school meal programs, and other institutional food systems, and farmers' markets. Success stories, lessons learned, and elements of success need to be identified and evaluated so that replication of successful programs, policies, and activities can be pursued.
Action 3. Natural resource agencies, including the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, should work together to bolster natural resource-based opportunities as part of sustainable community development efforts. Greater Federal interagency cooperation is needed to help communities understand and incorporate opportunities to conserve and protect natural resources and ecosystems, which are often decoupled from community and economic development strategies. Although natural resources and the land base is viewed as rural, many value-added jobs are located in urban areas. There is a need for agencies to organize their collective enterprise development efforts and, in particular, help expand the work of the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities with cities and counties nationwide on natural resource-based enterprise development. This work can help strengthen the linkages between rural and urban America and reinforce the connections between the environment and economic development.
Action 4. USDA, should take the lead in supporting efforts to protect farm, ranch, and forest lands. An alliance of organizations and agencies concerned about protecting historically rural lands threatened by conversion to other uses is forming around ecological and productivity concerns. By helping to organize national efforts in conjunction with the Land Trust Alliance and organizations like the American Farmland Trust and The Nature Conservancy, agencies could support research and analyses to more holistically characterize the issue from the perspectives of protecting farm, ranch, and forest lands, and identify needed policy and program responses including expanded incentives to conserve �working lands� in urbanizing areas as well as at the edges of metropolitan areas. In addition, Federal agencies will help sponsor and organize a national conference on �Working Lands and Development� in June 1999 in follow-up to the National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America in order to inform and understand issues and opportunities from the perspectives of professionals and public officials involved with land use issues or related transportation, rural development, or urban development issues which influence land use. The Federal government can help regions grow smarter through the productive use of existing infrastructure and the conservation of critical natural resources on farm, ranch, and forest lands.
Policy Recommendation 8: Federal, State, and local government, working with public and private financial intermediaries, should increase access to capital available to sustainable community initiatives
Action 1: Using the power of the National Performance Review Act, the Administration should continue to consolidate and coordinate Federal programs and allow flexibility to enable States and locals to consolidate smaller separate grant programs. Many sustainable community initiatives are spearheaded by community groups that lack the experience, fiscal resources, and time to work within the complex administrative structure of government. Other organizations have the resources and devote them accordingly, but could be more productive if the resources were targeted elsewhere. Although Federal, State, and local governments have taken action -- exemplified by the SBA's One-Stop Capital Shops; HUD's Storefront Offices, Continuum of Care, and SuperNOFA (Notices of Funding Availability); and EDA's assistance programs -- continuous attention should be given to encouraging funding flexibility and �one-stop shopping.�
Action 2. The USDA, working with financial institutions and rural community development corporation, should develop strategies that address rural credit concerns. The range of financial institutions involved in rural communities is often small. Some sectors of rural America are well served, such as large farms and housing. Less well served are sustainable agriculture, small farms, small municipalities interested in rural development projects, and entrepreneurs interested in new non-farm businesses -- precisely the types of entities that could serve as the foundation of rural sustainable communities.
Action 3. The Administration should create a commission comprising banks, governments, and community development corporations to evaluate how recent organizational/corporate/legal restructuring of financial institutions can provide opportunities for sustainable community development. A variety of public obligations go along with the regulation of restructuring. Each new merger in the banking and financial services industry, particularly of the scale evidenced int he past two years (such as the recent Citicorp - Travelers insurance merger to create a $700 billion institution and the merger between NationsBank and BankAmerica) will create new kinds of reinvestment obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act. For example, as regulatory practices move from command-and-control to more flexible performance-based systems, increased public disclosure requirements increase the opportunities for public intervention and negotiation to guarantee that what emerges will produce tangible community and consumer benefits. The commission may also evaluate if it is necessary to ratchet up CRA obligations, applying these obligations to all financial institutions, and expanding the Federal pool of funds (currently about $350 million) for seeding new community development financial corporations (CDFIs).
Action 4. The Federal government should evaluate how restructuring could impact access to capital in low-income communities. The current era of mergers and consolidations in the banking sector may mean the downsizing or closure of less-profitable branches. The most vulnerable banks will probably be those in impoverished inner-city and rural communities. The proliferation of finance companies, credit cards, bond instruments, and so forth leave the impression that America has more than enough capital to finance the greening of its economy. Despite the incentives provided by Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and the spread of community development financial institutions (CDFIs), poor communities still lack banks or other institutions in which to place their savings, and the poor in general remain unable to access affordable credit. This especially impairs movement toward sustainability in inner-city and rural communities.
Action 5. The Federal, State, and local government, community development corporations, and community non-profits should develop networks and databases to enable community initiatives to identify potential funders. In some cases, because of their newness and perceived risk, business start-ups require multiple sources of financing. One remanufacturing start-up, for example, needed 15 sources of financing. Federal, State, and local government should publicize their existing virtual assistance centers and programs, such as SBA Business Information Centers, One Stop Capital Shops, ACENet, Low-Doc Loans, Microloans, SBA Express. These entities should also follow the example of U.S. EPA's Partnership Matrix project, which attempts to map all of their community development-related partners, assets, and programs in one place, and HUD's SuperNOFA guidebook, which lists all of its funding programs, who is eligible for them, and how the funds can be used. Efforts such as these enable people to quickly determine what technical and financial assistance is available in a given area.
Action 6. Federal, State, and local government, business, and financial institutions should identify ways of bundling assets as a means of attracting finance. The restructuring of entire industries such as utilities and railroads is creating newly orphaned land resources -- already assembled rights-of-way -- that represent reinvestment opportunities for coalitions of multiple municipalities and communities that these rights-of-way pass through. The recognition of such joint stakes was the key to saving the oldest elevated line in Chicago, the Green Line, which linked with Chicago's western suburbs, and in creating new suburb-to-suburb rail service linking O'Hare Airport with far suburbs at the Wisconsin border. Brownfield efforts in many parts of the country are assembling vacant and underutilized land in ways that also attract financing. Multiple stakeholders should identify and highlight other aggregation opportunities, such as green infrastructure, that can attract greater investment interest.
Action 7. The Administration should strengthen and support community-owned banks. Michael Cohen, in reflecting on recent experiments in community banking, notes that ��the spread of these institutions�is reflected in the dynamism of community projects, which contrast sharply to the public sector investments of �public institutions. It is not only that the small institutions work faster and more efficiently, but they deliver �just-in-time' resources when that are needed for high priority projects.."37 Local ownership is an important way that a community can inoculate its banks from unwanted shutdowns, mergers, or departures and ensure a high level of community reinvestment of savings. The argument for local ownership applies with even greater force to nondepository financial institutions, which have no CRA obligations for community reinvestment. Only about one in five dollars of savings these days goes to banks, thrifts, or credit unions. The PCSD, community development corporations, and foundations, should also highlight all kinds of local depository institutions -- commercial banks like South Shore, thrifts like the Union Savings Bank of Albuquerque, and community-development credit unions like Raleigh-Durham Self-Help -- that are helping low-income members and small businesses finance myriad sustainability initiatives.
Action 8: The appropriate Federal agencies, in collaboration with the private sector, should institute a research and development process and pilot program to determine the value of a secondary market for commercial lending. HUD, for example, has launched a pilot for creating such a secondary market and has developed a budget proposal to take the concept to a larger scale. The Community Reinvestment Fund, which services 15 states, operates a secondary market for development loans. It does so by purchasing loans, at market values, from local nonprofit and municipal economic development and affordable housing revolving loan funds. CRF then sells bonds, backed by pools of these development loans, to investors. This secondary market enables local organizations to raise cash to fund projects, and it helps them to become less reliant on foundations and government to fund their ongoing development lending programs. CRF has provided capital to 61 community development lenders by purchasing 877 loans totaling more than $58.5 million.."38
Action 9: The Federal, State, and local government should strengthen relationships with the philanthropic sector to leverage their respective funds as a source of capital for sustainable community development. There are more than 400 foundations with combined total assets of $10 billion. The foundations play a critical part in supporting community development for the general community well-being. The public sector should work with foundations on place-based community development initiatives to better leverage public and private funds.
Action 10: The PCSD should identify how alternative financing structures can support sustainable community development. For communities that lack resources, ad-hoc efforts to provide loan and equity capital become important. The PCSD, working with others, should highlight: credit circles in extended immigrant families; small bond issues like Deli Dollars that enable retailers to raise capital from their customers; special loan platforms in existing banks, created and run by ecologically-minded grassroots groups (like the E.F. Schumacher Society); networks of businesses that create an internal currency to encourage local buying and selling (e.g., the Economic Circle in Switzerland); local money systems that promote consumer-business partnerships at the community level (as in Ithaca, New York); and micro-lending entities (such as Working Capital in Delaware).
Policy Recommendation 9: Promote Shift in Tax Policies and Subsidy Reform
Action 1. The Administration should assess the impacts of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 on land use and development patterns and community reinvestment. There are two facets to this assessment. First, the new budget-tax law virtually repeals the capital gains tax on the sale of personal homes. The Environmental Law Institute estimates that the law could affect nearly $4 million in sales of existing homes each year, many of which involve capital gains. At the same time, the 1997 Act has created new opportunities for urban revitalization by making housing rehabilitation by owner-occupants an opportunity to generate tax-free income, but it is unclear whether homebuyers will be drawn to infill development. Second, as noted by the Council on Environmental Quality, the law includes the first new tax incentive for land conservation in over a decade which makes certain land in or near a metropolitan area, national park, wilderness area, or urban national forest eligible for favorable estate tax treatment through the donation of a qualified perpetual conservation easement. USDA, working with the Department of Treasury and other appropriate agencies, should identify how the conservation incentive provisions should work.
Policy Recommendation 10: Promote holistic economic development planning
Action 1: The Economic Development Administration should take the lead to develop and deliver educational forums for State, local, and tribal economic development planners on how economic planning can align with sustainable community goals and how to recruit sustainable businesses. Already, EDA planning supports 320 economic development districts and 65 Indian Tribes staffed and operated locally to help communities build capacity to focus on long-term economic challenges. Since economic development districts are often coordinating entities for various Federal Programs, EDA also supports and encourages interdisciplinary regional planning that encompasses economic, social, and environmental factors.
Action 2: Elected political leaders, community leaders, local business leadership, labor representatives, and local government agencies should work together with residents to develop a consensus about what types of business investment would succeed in their community and which are desired, and communicate this consensus to brokers, trade associations, and potential investors. Community groups should also create, where possible, a single partnership that can represent all interests of the community when new businesses are considering investing in the community. National community development organizations, industry associations, and economic development agencies should work together to identify and promote industry-specific strategies--ones that promote sustainability--for increasing investment by these industries in their communities. In particular, building on experience from the empowerment zones and enterprise communities, these groups should look at how to promote new economic opportunities for sustainable small businesses in low-income communities.
Action 3: Elected political leaders, community leaders, local business leadership, labor representatives, and local government agencies should establish strong linkages between economic planning/development activities and education and training systems. Often business development and recruitment efforts are not firmly linked with education and job training programs. Too often this means that even though businesses decide to locate in a particular community, the residents of the community who have the greatest need for jobs do not have the skills to acquire and/or retain jobs in these businesses. Firmer linkages will establish feedback mechanisms whereby education and training programs can better prepare their participants for the jobs which are expected to be located in an area in the future.
Policy Recommendation 11: Engage and promote private sector investment and activity in sustainable community development
Action 1: The PCSD, working with leaders from financial institutions, business, and community-based organizations, should convene a series of national forums to engage the financial community and private sector in sustainable community revitalization: These forums would identify opportunities for the private sector to engage and invest in sustainable community alternatives. They would open a dialogue and result in high-level commitments from the private sector leaders to partner with government, NGOs, community development corporations, etc. on sustainable community initiatives and to remove barriers and obstacles to sustainable community revitalization in metropolitan and rural areas.
Action 2: Key stakeholders should continue to modify existing programs and jointly develop and implement new policies to make infill properties better able to compete with greenfields. Developing infill property is often more costly and complicated than developing greenfields. Federal and State policies have been enacted that attempt to level the playing field between urban and exurban locations, but Federal, State, and local governments should continue to review existing policies and develop new ones to provide the same level and quality of investment and services to the inner city and older suburbs as is provided to exurban locations. For example, the Federal government should continue to review existing policies and develop new ones to fully implement Brownfields legislation and its National Brownfields Partnership to support efforts to cleanup and redevelop brownfield sites. States should investigate the replicability of the growth management initiatives of the city of Portland and the States of Maryland, Florida, and New Jersey. City governments should also work with business associations to reduce or eliminate regulations that impose costly and unreasonable barriers to business development in distressed communities.
Action 3: Government, industry associations, and nonprofits should conduct research to determine best practices, successful strategies, and the profitability of existing and potential sustainable investments in metropolitan and rural communities. This research should be disseminated widely through trade associations, business groups, business schools, and the print media with a wide audience of business executives, Wall Street analysts, and real estate professionals.
Action 4. Federal, State, and local government and community non-profits should develop networks to match green businesses with the needs of municipalities, communities, and each other. This could be particularly relevant for facilitating outsourcing in ways that strengthen local economies and help fledgling green businesses find green suppliers and potential customers. For example, The Triangle J Council of Governments Industrial Ecosystem Development Project, a partnership between U.S. EPA, the North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance, regional development agencies, and local universities, is surveying a range of companies in the region for waste and raw material connections that could be made between companies. The Interagency Working Group on Environmental Technology is developing a database with Public Technology Inc., to match State and local municipalities, based on their specific needs, with environmental technology providers. Citizens in Appalachia are using interactive technologies to tie their communities into the new world economy through the Appalachian Community Economic Network, or ACENet. With ACENet's help, more than 20 entrepreneurs have found customers through the Public WebMarket, a project orchestrated by the Center for Civic Networking.
Action 5: The Federal and State government, community development corporations, and non-profits should identify how existing programs for small businesses and microenterprises can be tailored for green and sustainable start-ups. Microbusinesses in the U.S. comprise an �invisible economy� that goes largely unnoticed in economic development debates. Recent research, however, reveals that microbusinesses with four or fewer employees generated 43 percent of the net new jobs created from 1990 to 1994.."39 Multiple stakeholders should promote new economic opportunities for small businesses in low-income communities and address gaps in finance, in rich and poor communities alike, for small commercial loans (under $50- 100,000).
Action 6: Government should build upon the important lessons learned from the implementation of empowerment zones and enterprise communities within distressed metropolitan and rural neighborhoods. The combination of locally determined strategies, performance accountability, substantial flexibility, and federal investment should be explored by Federal and State agencies for other initiatives that are targeted to rural and metropolitan communities.
Action 7: The Administration should promote opportunities for Federal procurement contracts with businesses located in distressed urban and rural areas. Because of Internet and procurement reform, firms do not have to be concentrated in Washington, D.C. and a few other metropolitan areas to serve Federal headquarters and other regional offices.
Action 8: Private sector firms can help build sustainable communities by adopting the tenets of sustainability in their mission and everyday business activities. The accompanying text box provides a list of economic, social, and ecological characteristics of a sustainable business.
What is a Sustainable Business?
The private sector, can play a key role in helping communities become sustainable, by adopting the characteristics of sustainability:
Economic Characteristics:
Is a revenue enhancer for the community.
Is economically viable and competitive.
Complements rather than displaces other local firms.
Helps diversify the employment base, which provides new multipliers and stability.
Reinforces a region's comparative advantage.
Social Characteristics:
Provides jobs that meet the quantitative needs of the local labor pool by paying a living wage.
Provides safe, decent, and meaningful jobs that address the qualitative needs of the local labor pool. Work should leave workers with confidence in themselves, stability for the future, and a sense of self that allows them to be good citizens and family members. Jobs should enhance the skill level of workers, thereby making them more employable and the community more attractive to firms seeking highly skilled workers.
Provides jobs that address the distributive inequities in the local labor market by providing jobs for the low to moderate income families in the community.
Produces goods and services in a way that does not diminish the quality of life of the community, such as obstructing open spaces, creating traffic congestion, noise, and causing irreversible environmental harm.
Ecological Characteristics:
Produces goods that work within the limits of local ecosystems, by protecting air and water quality, and natural systems. And eventually moves towards increased resource efficiency and even being restorative -- leaving the environment better off than found.
Produces goods that work within the limits of global ecosystems.
Uses science and knowledge of natural systems to inform and guide business endeavors.
Uses materials that support sustainability, as well as supplies products whose use supports sustainability.
Policy Recommendation 12: Promote sustainable strategies to workforce development
Historically, services provided to those seeking work have been fragmented. This results in training and work readiness programs that are not linked to job placement activities or other support services such as transportation. But each of these services is a vital link in the chain to successful employment and retention.
Action 1: Federal, state and local agencies, the private sector and community organizations engaged in workforce development and welfare to work should integrate their programs so that those most in need of help can access a seamless system of support services. Approaches for thinking about necessary systems, people, and commitments to accomplish this are presented in the accompanying text box.
Action 2: The U.S. Department of Transportation, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, should continue to aggressively implement the Job Access and Reverse Commute Grant program, authorized in TEA-21, to address gaps in the transportation system that hamper welfare recipients and other low income people from getting to jobs and other support services. Transportation has been identified as a key element of job placement and retention. Those who seek work cannot work if they can't get to work. At the local level, agencies, nonprofits, community organizations and other public and private sector entities should coordinate efforts to ensure that employment transportation needs are identified in priority order and integrated with the existing transportation system. Employers should take a lead role in identifying and meeting the transportation needs of their workforce, both by directly providing services and working with other employers and transportation providers to assure effective and timely access.
Action 3. HUD should be able to provide funding to managers of affordable housing projects to enable them to implement and provide the comprehensive services necessary to help residents of HUD-assisted housing developments to find and retain jobs. These funds will enable HUD to complement the efforts of the Department of Labor and TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) and extend its existing efforts to link residents of poor neighborhoods with support services and jobs outside of their neighborhoods to people that is not able to reach under existing programs.
Sustainable Approaches to Workforce Development
Training systems must link to current employment systems, anticipate and plan for future jobs, and integrate and leverage current training resources across government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (e.g., school-to-work, welfare-to-work).
Employment systems must link to current training systems to inform, steer, bolster and nurture their efforts.
All economic development efforts should have explicit links to job training and continuous learning programs to ensure that all sectors of society benefit from development.
Local development, that benefits from public investments, should be required to train and hire locally.
Local programs should maximize the value of Federal and State workforce development funding through such methods as one-stop career centers and school-to-work programs.
Workforce development efforts must recognize personal potential and dignity.
No one should be denied the opportunity to receive training or other employment support. (An individual who is not �poor,� but determines that he or she wants assistance should be eligible for assistance.)
There should always be a reasonable opportunity to obtain a job related to the training being provided.
People deserve to be informed about what worker training is available, and what a career in that field may be like.
Support systems are crucial to the success of individuals endeavoring to break the poverty cycle (e.g., life skills training, transportation, day care, substance abuse counseling).
People should be provided role models and mentors, and �case management� care from providers.
Commitment:
Communities deserve to know what workforce development opportunities may (or may not) be available to them, and to be part of the decision-making process as to whether or not particular types of jobs and industry fit their identity and goals.
Local champions are crucial in initiating and maintaining local workforce development. All of the other aspects of workforce development must come together at the local level via partnerships and alliances that put aside turf and politics for the greater good.
Local industry, business, government and non-governmental organizations must be united, committed, and capable of making workforce development support local people.
Local Capacity and Partnerships: Creating �Civic DNA�
Recognizing that the challenges facing communities spread beyond sectoral and jurisdictional boundaries, Sustainable America and the PCSD's subsequent report, Building on Consensus, advocated collaborative regional planning and cooperation. As noted in a recent report by the National Academy of Public Administration, regional challenges include preparing and linking people with high quality jobs that are dispersed throughout a region and increasingly concentrated in suburbs; competing economically through the development of world class communications, information, and transportation systems; providing an array of affordable housing opportunities throughout a region; creating and maintaining high quality, equitable school systems; preserving quality of life by protecting the environment; controlling traffic congestion; and revitalizing central cities, rural towns, and older suburbs.
There is a serious gap between the complexity of these challenges and the types of leadership and capacity that is needed at the local and regional level to resolve them. �The search is on to discover a new civic DNA, the biochemistry of leadership that fits the demands and opportunities of the 21st century,� write Neal Peirce and Curtis Johnson in their book, Boundary Crossers, �Regional and local leadership -- shared across the civic, business, and government sectors by people willing to cross the old and familiar boundaries -- is more critical than ever.�
In order to advance sustainable community development, we need policies and leadership that build the capacity of individuals and institutions to recognize challenges, forge innovative solutions, and track performance. Success is contingent on investing in people, particularly by developing those essential �sparkplugs� who can mobilize local support for projects. We also need policies that seek to build relationships among diverse individuals, institutions, and jurisdictions. The recommendations in this section address three areas of activity concerning local capacity and partnerships:
Building local capacity. Sustainable development efforts are often influenced by a community's ability to help itself create a vision of the future, then formulate and implement strategies with the government and private sectors, and assess progress towards that vision. This capability is vested in an array of formal and informal networks of individuals and institutions. When a community is rich in this capability, there is a strong community spirit manifested in myriad ways: strong local philanthropy, volunteerism, worker commitment to business, and business support of community initiatives. As much of the social and cultural landscape in the United States undergoes profound change, communities are challenged to re-create the webs of local interaction that nurture local capacity and community spirit.
Building regional and multi-jurisdictional partnerships. Regional collaboration can take multiple forms and occur at different points of entry in the same geographic area. Regardless of the form, regional collaboration must embrace community-based, intergovernmental, and market-informed processes. Community-based regionalism attempts to fairly represent the concerns of all community interests (NGOs, private sector, and government) in finding mutual solutions to pressing community challenges. Intergovernmental regionalism attempts to efficiently and expediently target public sector investment and resources to address challenges that cross jurisdictional boundaries. Market-informed regionalism attempts to ensure that whatever incentives are developed on the public side can be used to leverage real resources and commitments on the private side. Community, government, and market actors can form a powerful consensus, building a culture of inclusive engagement, to support sustainable communities.
The America of the 21st century will be more racially and culturally diverse. The minority population is projected to increase by 16.5 million during the 1990's, and accounting for more than three quarters of the population growth between 2000 and 2010. There is much work to be done in building a thriving multicultural society in America that is unified, not fragmented. Unless multiple stakeholders foster greater cultural tolerance and acceptance, current trends may point to greater segregation in the future. In the last decade, for example, major metropolitan cities, such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, experienced significant out-migrations of middle-class whites as new immigrants arrived. Sustainability initiatives will be challenged to address race and culture in ways that promote economic, social, and economic well-being for all residents.
Policy Recommendation 13: Build local capacity for sustainable community development
Action 1. Federal agencies, local government, the private sector, community groups, and foundations should develop and support a series of working sessions to build local capacity for sustainable community development. These working sessions would bring together community leaders and key agencies to build local capacity for decision-making and collaboration by: 1) ensuring access to good information; 2) providing a range of technical assistance; 3) helping communities acquire analytical tools; and 4) training local individuals and organizations on best practices. Such working sessions could also provide a mechanism for regional collaboration. As originally proposed in the National Academy of Public Administration's report, Building Stronger Communities and Regions: Can the Federal Government Help?, such workshops could �lay the foundations for a permanent forum between regions and the many different federal agencies that have an interest in regional problem-solving.�."40 Such academies could be tied to existing outreach programs at universities, created from whole cloth like HUD's Community Builders Fellows program, sponsored by regional, statewide, or community foundations, etc.
Action 2: Local governments and other funders should experiment with allowing local people and neighborhood groups to steward public money. After noticing a falling-off in city-run neighborhood improvement programs, the city of Savannah decided to surrender control of improvement money to residents. The city's Grants to Blocks program gives residents money--up to $500--to improve their neighborhoods. From 1993 to 1997, residents completed more than 700 beautification projects, and over 1,500 leaders attended training workshops on community building or leadership development. The city witnessed dramatic improvements in civic engagement, neighborhood revitalization, and financial investment.
Strategies Concerning People and Local Capacity
Sustainable community development initiatives must serve and invest in people. Strategies can build local capacity in the following ways:
Unleash the potential that resides within individuals--human capital-- through education, occupation, health care, and other human services.
Increase social capital--the relationships among people--which allows human capital to move toward its potential.
Enable people to have sufficient ownership of resources to implement projects and programs. People will invest in their neighborhoods and work hard to make them better if they, and not exclusively government, have can steward public funds.
Incorporate leadership training in sustainable development strategies.
Build informal capital--�entrepreneurial social infrastructure�--through the acceptance of alternatives, networks, and resource mobilization.
Work with people to help them utilize their skills, knowledge, and abilities, so that they can utilize experts, rather than depend on experts.
Strengthen relationships and communication among people and institutions to improve community initiative, responsibility, and adaptability.
Engage multiple stakeholders in inclusive visioning and strategic planning processes.
Policy Recommendation 14: Encourage Regional and Multi-jurisdictional Partnerships
Action 1. The Federal government should provide incentives for collaboration and use more flexible and regional approaches to align its information and its investments. These incentives could include financing for metropolitan collaborative pilot projects, as well as promote innovative strategies for regional land use planning. The Federal government should work with localities to determine how best to coordinate its vast array of information, technical assistance, and funding to meet local and regional goals.
Action 2. HUD, in conjunction with other Federal agencies, should be given the authority and resources to provide new flexible funding to multi-jurisdictional, multi-sectoral partnerships created in regions across the country to use in designing and implementing regional approaches to community and economic development. Funding would be provided to cooperative partnerships of government, business, community, and institutional representatives from multiple jurisdictions within a region that have agreed to and show the capacity for quick action in adopting regional approaches. The funding should: 1) overcome the hesitancy of localities to sacrifice their limited, piecemeal resources toward inter-jurisdictional work; 2) enable cities and counties to respond to their sustainable development needs in the manner they see as best; 3) enable regional partnerships to secure the capacity -- with staff, technology, technical assistance, and more -- needed to accelerate concrete collaborations; 4) partially cover the costs of implementing regional initiatives; and 5) create lessons that can be shared with other regions facing similar challenges. It would make a solid statement to the nation that the Federal government views bottom-up, cooperative, inter-jurisdictional, and inter-sectoral partnerships as a critical tool for addressing the existing development and embracing the sustainable development opportunities of the next millennium.
Action 3: HUD should be given the authority and resources to provide flexible dollars to partnerships of two or more jurisdictions who agree to create and implement a regional affordable housing plan. The money would incentivize such action by creating additional funding to demonstration participants, which will leverage existing affordable housing dollars. The regional plans would be designed to create a more balanced distribution of affordable housing across jurisdictions participating in the demonstration. In particular, the strategies must attempt to increase the availability of affordable housing in areas with high growth in low-skilled jobs and inadequate supplies of housing for low-income workers.
Action 4: States, regional councils, and local governments should incorporate sustainability mission and goals into the planning guidelines of regions, such as on smart growth and eco-system management. Local governments, individually and regionally, operate within the legislative and administrative frameworks set by their State governments. State governments can help shape the course of their regions by embracing sustainability approaches and ways of thinking.
Common Elements of Regional Collaboration
There is not one driver, champion, or model of regional collaboration. A survey of case studies reveals an array of champions, including: government agencies, foundations, public interest coalitions, civic leaders, and elected officials. Who is the champion is less important than what makes a champion. Across the board, champions are adept at building relationships across diverse and disparate interests. They frame issues in ways that can bring an array of stakeholders to the table who are prepared to allocate resources and work over a period of time to implement creative solutions to everybody's problems. Champions also recognize the importance of building the process from within the community. Thus, they have the ability to develop community capacity and to create truly inclusive processes.
Successful models include components of the following:
Informal Structures: Civic organizations, citizen assemblies, area-wide task forces, and alternative planning organizations tend to be less threatening to citizens and elected representatives who wish to retain local control (at the local level, especially in rural areas). Models vary depending upon local conditions.
Single Issues: Most successful cases form around one issue, which can include: business development, transportation access, land use, environmental quality, welfare reform, housing, and so forth. More often than not, single issue projects evolve into broader initiatives.
Networks of Communications: Strong civic organizations and other forms of cross community organization often provide a pre-existing infrastructure for a conversation about the need to collaborate and stay committed to collaboration.
Lending Leaders: Seed funding is essential to provide the opportunities for collaborations to emerge and take form. It takes time for communities to develop the internal capacity to trust, participate and join partnerships.
Inclusive Processes:To quote one researcher �to change a system, you need the whole system in the room.� Of particular importance is including people who bring different knowledge, values, and ways of thinking into the process.
Attempts at collaboration face three significant types of obstacles. First, the rules and regulations at a State and Federal level place unrealistic and cumbersome requirements on collaboration. Often the champions of these efforts are community groups that lack the experience, fiscal resources, and time to work within the complex administrative structure of government. Second, collaborations have to overcome a long history of distrust and fragmentation among groups within regions. Third, both the structure of the political process and financial markets tend to foster short attention spans, whereas collaborations require a long-term focus.
Conditions for Effectiveness for Multistakeholder Partnerships
The Bay Area Alliance for Sustainable Development (BAASD), brought the executive directors of the regional agencies together for the first time, to discuss the many concerns with overlapping jurisdictions or relationships in a nine county area of the San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area. BAASD includes representatives from business, foundations, religious community, environment, social equity(housing, homeless, multicultural groups), regional, state and federal agencies and local officials. BAASD has worked for a year mainly with pro bono support particularly from the business community and has compiled lessons learned about regional and multi-jurisdictional process:
The process should help advance a recognized need already within the interests and /or workplans of stakeholder groups. Critical issues where conflict exists, like the environment, may not get the attention needed through the consensus process.
The process needs to be fair and involve all stakeholders, especially when there are broad issues. Collaborative processes may consume the time of less funded participants, hurting their needed advocacy work in other areas. Too broad an agenda may discourage participation by groups focused on single issues.
The process needs to identify key leadership, workplans, timelines, and funding support and have agreed upon procedures for raising and resolving issues.
Attention should be given to going beyond good feelings, to produce management solutions and assure the time put in produces results worth the effort.
The process needs the right people representing key constituencies and/or organizations that have parity in terms of experience, expertise, and negotiating skills.
Participants need to be available for what can be a time consuming and longer term process.
Stakeholders need to be able to assure they represent their respective organizations and/or constituencies and can get buy in to the agreed upon consensus as well as additional support from these same groups for ongoing work of task forces etc.
An adequate and publicly available data base/inventory can enhance the work of stakeholder groups. BAASD has been assisted in the completion of its data base and inventory of area "successes", reports, etc.) by the regional EPA and the Association of Bay Area Governments. In addition, the Alliance conducted initial meetings that focused on the experience and concerns of each of the respective stakeholder groups from the economic, environmental and social equity areas.
A public education program can enhance success.
Many stakeholders cannot afford to be involved and thus the more well funded constituencies (usually business) may control the agenda.
It can be difficult in securing ongoing input from local, State and Federal participants in whose domain lie many of the obstacles that need to be addressed.
Often the distant stakeholders cannot participate due to time and travel constraints and thus their interests may not be fully represented.
Sometimes the fears of agencies about being undermined, or the fear or lack of trust by others of the same agencies, may create problems in reaching goals.
Policy Recommendation 15: Develop Initiatives to Support and Strengthen Multicultural Relationships
Action 1: The PCSD should work with the Administration to identify how national initiatives on sustainable development can complement national initiatives on building multicultural acceptance. In particular, the Administration should continue to promote dialogue on cultural ethics and values.
Action 2. The PCSD, working with community-based groups on environmental justice, community revitalization, and health and human services, should develop a series of workshops on how sustainability initiatives can provide opportunities for poor and low-income individuals and communities.
Conclusion: Priorities and a Plan for Implementation
Sustainable development requires coordination and partnerships to harness the disparate energies of numerous actors into a focused and cohesive movement. A key for rapid implementation of sustainable community development will be to make the most out of existing authority and resources. We've prioritize recommendations that we believe are particularly high pay-off and can be achieved within the next three years. Year 1 would focus on learning, Year 2 on leveraging markets and financial intermediaries, and Year 3 on linking individuals and organizations to build local capacity and partnerships.
Year 1: Learning Through Information and Networks
In one year, we can enhance existing capacity by deploying new information toolkits, and creating a learning network to rapidly enable cross-regional innovation and partnerships. We can also begin to make a persuasive and credible case for action to the public and key decision-makers through education. We've identified four priority actions in this area:
Federal agencies, local government, the private sector, community groups, and foundations should develop and support a series of working sessions to build local capacity for sustainable community development. These working sessions would bring together community leaders and key agencies to build local capacity for decision-making and collaboration by: 1) ensuring access to good information; 2) providing a range of technical assistance; 3) helping communities acquire analytical tools; and 4) training local individuals and organizations on best practices. Such working sessions could also provide a mechanism for regional collaboration. As originally proposed in the National Academy of Public Administration's report, Building Stronger Communities and Regions: Can the Federal Government Help?, such workshops could �lay the foundations for a permanent forum between regions and the many different federal agencies that have an interest in regional problem-solving.�."41
Build a learning infrastructure for rural community development. A proposed joint venture facilitated by USDA and involving the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities will serve as a one-stop venue for rural communities developing and implementing sustainable projects. Using the Sustainable Development Extension Network and partnering with a range of Federal agencies and private sector sources, the infrastructure will provide communities with information on: 1) accomplishing specific community development tasks; 2) connecting with regional contacts; and 3) potential funding sources. Most importantly, the infrastructure will promote peer-to-peer exchange and learning.
Launch a public action campaign on smart growth. Public interest in �smart growth� (e.g., sustainable land use and development) is growing around the country. The PCSD, in conjunction with the Administration and the Smart Growth Network, should develop and sponsor a five-year national campaign and dialogue aimed at addressing land use and growth issues through community action. The campaign would also link to three other efforts:
1) National incentive programs, such as those identified most recently by the White House's Council on Environmental Quality and the Community Empowerment Board in their forthcoming joint report, Building Livable Communities for the 21st Century: Federal Support for Smart Growth and Regional Cooperation, would be introduced as part of the campaign;
2) The campaign would disseminate the results of Growing Smart, a five year project, funded by the Federal Government, that provides a compendium of useful tools for States, regional entities, and local jurisdictions to consider, adopt, adapt, and use; and
3) The campaign would encourage the use of the Land-Based Classification Standards (LBCS), a project funded by DOT, HUD, FEMA, DOD, USDA, and the American Planning Association. The purpose of the LBCS is to standardize a broad variety of data on land use and development that is collected and stored at the local, regional, state, and national levels. Standardized data from the LBCS system would be compatible and, thus, easily transferrable between jurisdictions, agencies, and institutions. The system will be offered free for any government agency, organization or company to use.."42
Coordinate Federal, State, and local technical assistance programs to overcome program fragmentation and duplication. In particular, a multi-agency service team approach, such as that currently used in the National Brownfields Initiative and the State of Maryland's Revitalization Center, could bring together expertise of a wide variety of public and quasi-public sector service providers to bear on the five strategic opportunities discussed earlier in this chapter. The use of these teams should prioritize service to under served groups.
Year 2: Leveraging Markets and Financial Intermediaries
By year two, we can be ready to leverage financial and technical intermediaries to create the crucial financial support needed by communities seeking to create sustainable projects. We can also create the economic incentives needed to encourage everybody to act in ways that enhance sustainability. In particular, we should prioritize pilots in the following five areas. These pilots would help us learn to create better incentives, develop strategies for counting the benefits of environmental improvements, and evaluate performance:
Support and evaluate pilots of location efficient mortgages. The Location Efficient Mortgage (LEM) is intended to enable home buyers to shift money saved on transportation costs to housing. By foregoing an automobile and living in areas that are transit accessible, potential homebuyers can qualify for a higher mortgage. By living locally, residents in a typical accessible neighborhood in Chicago can save almost $7,000 per year, as well as reduce air pollution and energy consumption. The LEM Partnership, begun in 1996, includes the Center for Neighborhood Technology, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Surface Transportation Policy Project, and Fannie Mae. In support of a proposed White House action on smart growth and regional collaboration, the PCSD should assist EPA, DOE, and DOT to track and evaluate ongoing LEM pilot programs. These agencies, along with foundations, financial institutions, and community-based organizations, should also identify ways that better information can help the marketplace value location-efficiency.
Facilitate networks to match partners in ways that will stimulate sustainable businesses. Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and community non-profits should develop networks to match green businesses and enterprises with the needs of municipalities, communities, and each other. These networks could promote outsourcing in ways that strengthen local economies and help fledgling green businesses find green suppliers and potential customers. Presently, the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Technology is developing a database with Public Technology Inc., to match State and local municipalities, based on their specific needs, with environmental technology providers. Citizens in Appalachia are using interactive technologies to tie their communities into the new world economy through the Appalachian Community Economic Network, or ACENet. Based on these experiences, multiple stakeholders should evaluate how such networks can support the five strategic opportunities addressed by the Metropolitan and Rural Strategies Task Force's implementation framework.
Support pilots of Forest Banks. The Nature Conservancy is working to develop a bank where a forest landowner can deposit timber rights and receive immediately an annual annuity at a fixed percentage (around 3 to 5 percent) of the value of that timber. The Forest Bank is an incentive based approach that makes available a high-quality supply of a community's timber resource for value-added processing, while ensuring the long-term integrity of the forest ecosystem.
Support pilots of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs): IDAs provide a mechanism to build wealth for poor and low-income people. When IDA holders make deposits, those funds are matched by external sources: foundations, corporations, religious institutions, and government. IDA savings can be used for education and training, home ownership, and development of home-based and micro-enterprise businesses. Over twenty states have changed policies to enable Individual Development Account experiments.."43 These assets can become vital in building sustainable communities in distressed metropolitan and rural areas. Through the Treasury Department's EFT99 initiative that mandates electronic funds transfer for Federal payments, IDAs also offer the opportunity to link welfare-to-work participants and other payment recipients to mainstream financial institutions.
Year 3: Linking Institutions to Build Local Capacity and Partnerships
By year three, we can institutionalize the strong partnerships and local capacity that will institutionalize sustainable community development. These types of projects could support networks for regional and community enterprise; make innovative finance everyday business; change policy and marketplace rules to support a culture of place-based continuous improvement; and systematically align Federal strategy with effective localism. There are three priority actions that if undertaken today can deliver benefits within the next three years:
The Federal government should provide incentives for collaboration and use more flexible and regional approaches to align information and investments. These incentives could include financing for metropolitan collaborative pilot projects, as well as promote innovative strategies for regional land use planning. The Federal government should work with localities to determine how best to coordinate its vast array of information, technical assistance, and funding to meet local and regional goals. In particular, HUD should be given the authority and resources to provide flexible funding to multi-jurisdictional and multi-sectoral partnerships created in regions to use in designing and implementing regional approaches to community and economic development in collaboration with other agencies. HUD should also be given the authority and resources to provide flexible dollars to partnerships of two or more jurisdictions who agree to create and implement a regional affordable housing plan.
Develop strategic alliances to link urban and rural markets and foster joint development opportunities. The President's Council on Sustainable Development, working with the Council on Environmental Quality, USDA, other Federal agencies, and private sector partners including non-government organizations, should develop strategic alliances to link urban and rural markets and foster joint development opportunities. A memorandum of understanding should be used to organize regional alliances and pilots emphasizing market research and expansion, technology development and transfer, collaborative approaches to ecosystem management, and other strategic ventures that support the region socially, economically, and environmentally.
Develop and support ongoing initiatives to foster multicultural understanding and respect. The Administration, with the support of State, local, and tribal governments, foundations, the private sector, and community-based organizations, should continue to promote dialogue on cultural ethics and values. This dialogue should also aim to reinforce the equity component of sustainable community development.
As a result of this approach, we can expect a set of outcomes, which will have the following benefits:
Build trust and restore people's confidence in each other and in the public sector, thereby encouraging civic engagement;
Deliver tangible benefits (economic, environmental, quality of life) to communities in need, while expanding the technical definition of "communities in need" to include all places feeling distress and desiring to take charge of their future;
Create an orientation toward the future and a willingness to act rapidly to address and prevent long-term challenges (e.g., Y2K, global warming, etc.);
Use public authority and resources to buttress local economies; and
Position this generation and the next on a path to sustainability.
Numerous stakeholders, working on a variety of sustainable community development issues, have already taken creative and bold steps to advance the use of the tools and resources addressed in this chapter. We need stronger systems in place, however, to enable continuous learning and continuous resource sharing. By �learning, leveraging, and linking,� various stakeholders can work together to create the necessary synergy to replicate successes and help sustainable community development initiatives move from inspiration to implementation. And by forging vital partnerships that transcend arbitrary political jurisdictions and sectoral divides, these stakeholders can empower communities to leverage their ecological, economic, and social assets to secure a high quality of life for those living today and for future generations.
PCSD - Final Report - Table of Contents - Draft
Appendix - Draft
Expanded Table of Contents - Draft
Executive Summary - Draft
Chapter 2 Climate Change - Draft
Chapter 3 Environmental Management - Draft
Chapter 5 International - Draft
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Board index ‹ GENERAL DISCUSSION - The Age of Media Fakery ‹ Worldwide media deceptions
Anything on the news and elsewhere in the media with evidence of digital manipulation, bogus story-lines and propaganda
First unread post • 37 posts • Page 3 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Re: DNA Technology
by antipodean on Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:25 am
Here's a case that was solved as a result of DNA technology. I know the arresting officer, and knew the victim.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/arti ... d=10615959
by ICfreely on Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:00 am
Dear antipodean,
My condolences.
1) You knowing the victim and officer does not validate “DNA technology.”
2) The officer and prosecutor most likely accept “DNA technology” at face value. That the “science” has been settled and “DNA fingerprinting” can be conclusively narrowed down to a specific individual.
3) The same holds true for the professionals who ran the tests.
4) Most importantly the perpetrator, like most people, also believes that DNA results are iron clad.
"Obviously, a guilty plea means you don't have to go through a trial, which is a blessing for our family."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10615959
The fact of the matter is if the perpetrator had the resources to fight the charges and hire a team of specialists to scrutinize the lab’s methodology he (innocent or guilty) would have been able to get the results nullified.
DNA computing is a branch of computing which uses DNA, biochemistry, and molecular biology hardware, instead of the traditional silicon-based computer technologies. Research and development in this area concerns theory, experiments, and applications of DNA computing. The term "molectronics" has sometimes been used, but this term has already been used for an earlier technology, a then-unsuccessful rival of the first integrated circuits;[1] this term has also been used more generally, for molecular-scale electronic technology.[2]
This field was initially developed by Leonard Adleman of the University of Southern California, in 1994.[3] Adleman demonstrated a proof-of-concept use of DNA as a form of computation which solved the seven-point Hamiltonian path problem. Since the initial Adleman experiments, advances have been made and various Turing machines have been proven to be constructible.[4][5]
While the initial interest was in using this novel approach to tackle NP-hard problems, it was soon realized that they may not be best suited for this type of computation, and several proposals have been made to find a "killer application" for this approach. In 1997, computer scientist Mitsunori Ogihara working with biologist Animesh Ray suggested one to be the evaluation of Boolean circuits and described an implementation.[6][7]
In 2002, researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, unveiled a programmable molecular computing machine composed of enzymes and DNA molecules instead of silicon microchips.[8] On April 28, 2004, Ehud Shapiro, Yaakov Benenson, Binyamin Gil, Uri Ben-Dor, and Rivka Adar at the Weizmann Institute announced in the journal Nature that they had constructed a DNA computer coupled with an input and output module which would theoretically be capable of diagnosing cancerous activity within a cell, and releasing an anti-cancer drug upon diagnosis.[9]
In January 2013, researchers were able to store a JPEG photograph, a set of Shakespearean sonnets, and an audio file of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech I Have a Dream on DNA digital data storage.[10]
In March 2013, researchers created a transcriptor (a biological transistor).[11]
In August 2016, researchers used the CRISPR gene-editing system to insert a GIF of a galloping horse and rider into the DNA of living bacteria.[12]
Latest research on DNA computing can perform reversible DNA computing bringing it one step closer to the silicon-based computing used in PC. In particular, John Reif and his group at Duke University proposed two different techniques to reuse the computing DNA complexes. The first design uses dsDNA gates[13] while the second design uses DNA hairpin complexes[14]. While both the designs face some issues such as reaction leaks, this is a significant breakthrough in the field of DNA computing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_computing
Proof of concept (PoC) is a realization of a certain method or idea in order to demonstrate its feasibility,[1] or a demonstration in principle with the aim of verifying that some concept or theory has practical potential.[citation needed] A proof of concept is usually small and may or may not be complete.
Usage history
The appearance of the term in news archives suggests it might have been in common use as early as 1967.[2] In 1969 Committee on Science and Astronautics. Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology hearing proof of concept was defined as following "The Board defined proof of concept as a phase in development in which experimental hardware is constructed and tested to explore and demonstrate the feasibility of a new concept".[3]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_of_concept
If you’re already sold on “DNA technology”, then so be it. If not, then I suggest you revisit my following post:
DNA Identification - Some Lingering and Emerging Evidentiary Issues (1997)
“The road to judicial acceptance of DNA identification evidence has been rocky. An initial period of enthusiastic acceptance gave way to widespread apprehension that the vanishingly small probabilities said to be associated with a matching type in an unrelated individual were exaggerated (National Research Council, 1996). At the same time that these concerns were being addressed, the technology of DNA typing has been making major strides. Thus, the road to judicial acceptance has been paved with good intentions, contradictory contentions, and new inventions.”
http://homepages.law.asu.edu/~kayed/pub ... omega7.htm
FBI resists scrutiny of 'matches' - A crime lab's findings raise doubts about the reliability of genetic profiles. The bureau pushes back. (2008)
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/20/local/me-dna20
DNA's Dirty Little Secret - A forensic tool renowned for exonerating the innocent may actually be putting them in prison. - Michael Bobelian (2010)
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/featur ... elian.html
UNRELIABLE EVIDENCE? A LOOK AT DNA FORENSICS (2010)
“Scientists are starting to question this assumption that 10-13 loci are enough to rule out the possibility of a random match to DNA other than the suspect. In other words, if 10-13 loci are not enough to make a definitive barcode, then a 10-13 loci DNA profile can actually match more than one individual.”
http://www.marymeetsdolly.com/blog/inde ... nsics.html
Forensic DNA Evidence: The Myth of Infallibility – William C. Thompson (2012)
“The rhetoric of infallibility proved helpful in establishing the admissibility of forensic DNA tests and persuading judges and jurors of its epistemic authority. It has also played an important role in the promotion of government DNA databases.4 Innocent people have nothing to fear from being included in a database, promoters claim. Because the tests are infallible, the risk of a false incrimination must necessarily be nil. One indication of the success and influence of the rhetoric of infallibility is that until quite recently concerns about false incriminations played almost no role in policy discussions. For example, David Lazer’s otherwise excellent edited volume, DNA and the Criminal Justice System, which offers a broad assessment of ways in which DNA evidence is transforming the justice system, says almost nothing about the potential for false incriminations. The infallibility of DNA tests has, for most purposes, become an accepted fact— one of the shared assumptions underlying the policy debate.”
“In the case of Josiah Sutton, for example, the laboratory reported an RMP of 1 in 690,000 (the frequency of Sutton’s profile) when the probability of a random match to the mixed evidentiary sample was approximately1 in 15. (Also, because Sutton was one of two men who were falsely accused of the crime, the chance the lab would find a coincidental match to at least one of them was approximately 1 in 8.)”
“Do innocent people really have nothing to fear from DNA evidence? It should now be clear to readers that this claim is overstated. Cross-contamination of samples, mislabeling, and misinterpretation of test results have caused (and will continue to cause) false DNA matches. Coincidental matches and intentional planting of evidence create added risks of false incrimination. These risks are magnified for people whose profiles are included in government DNA databases. We know less than we should about the nature and scope of these risks, and we have done far less than we should to minimize and control these risks.”
“At present there is no generally accepted method. The approach laboratories typically use is to compute the frequency of genotypes at loci where the two profiles match and simply ignore loci where they do not. This approach has been strongly criticized for understating the likelihood of a coincidental match (and thereby overstating the value of the DNA evidence), but it remains the most common approach in cases of this type and is currently used throughout the United States.”
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm? ... id=2214379
DNA Evidence: Brave New World, Same Old Problems By Ken Strutin, Published on October 14, 2013
http://www.llrx.com/node/2425/print
MODELING SUSPECTS' FACES USING DNA FROM CRIME SCENES (2015)
“In the past few years, researchers have made big strides toward being able to reconstruct people's appearance from their DNA. Parabon NanoLabs isn't the first company to think to offering such services to police. Biotech companies Identitas and Illumina both offer eye and hair color guesses from DNA samples. Parabon NanoLabs seems to be unique in offering an illustrated face estimate. Outside experts say the illustrations are not likely to be accurate, however, based on the research that's been done about the genetics of human faces. Greytak counters that because of proprietary research, Snapshot illustrations are more accurate than one might think—and anyway, they need only to be close enough to jog the memory of a witness. Snapshot hasn't yet been validated by outside groups, which researchers Popular Science talked to believe should be the next step.”
“Greytak says Parabon NanoLabs often validates Snapshot with its clients, who are federal and state law enforcement agencies. The agencies send Parabon NanoLabs DNA samples from people they know. The company generates a face illustration, then the agency sends the company photos of the actual person for comparison. It's a step many agencies go through before deciding to buy Snapshot for a case, Greytak says. Depending on how voluminous and fresh DNA samples are, a Snapshot illustration may cost up to $5,000 per suspect.”
“So how likely is it that police will start reverse-engineering faces for all the DNA they find on a crime scene? Will Snapshot become, as Greytak hopes, "a key step in investigations"? The answers might depend on the service's cost and how much police trust its science, but not on its legality.”
“Curious whether there might be restrictions on reverse-engineering suspects' faces, Popular Science contacted David Kaye, a law professor at Pennsylvania State University who specializes in scientific evidence. "Leaving aside the question of whether this can be done accurately, I don't see any issue, frankly," he says. Police are generally allowed to figure out as much as they can from a crime scene, he adds.”
http://www.popsci.com/new-service-rever ... ime-scenes
DNA 17 – The New DNA Profiling Standard (2015)
http://www.sciencenutshell.com/dna-17-n ... -standard/
DNA error
http://dnaerrors.freehomepage.com/
https://cluesforum.info/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1487#p2394363
May I ask what the term “DNA technology” means to you (what your definition of it is)?
ICfreely
by antipodean on Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:22 am
I don't want to get into a pissing contest over who has the greater understanding of how DNA works.
What interests me is how was the case then solved without the existence of DNA.
As soon as Marie's body was found at the back of the factory, I straight away thought that her murder was probably carried out by someone who's parents (given Marie's age) may have once worked at the factory. & I thought Marie may have known her killer.
I find it worrying that the Police took so long to convict Reekers given that he once worked there. And he had previous for violent rape.
by ICfreely on Tue Mar 12, 2019 11:38 pm
antipodean wrote: I don't want to get into a pissing contest over who has the greater understanding of how DNA works.
Neither do I, dear antipodean. Trying to figure out "how DNA works" as you say is comparable to trying to figure out how "viruses" work. Your guess is as good as mine.
I’m posting a few excerpts from the following article because it’s too long to post in its entirety. It’s definitely worth a read. Maybe it’ll help you better understand why I don’t believe in “DNA fingerprinting.”
The False Promise of DNA Testing
The forensic technique is becoming ever more common—and ever less reliable.
Matthew Shaer
The DNA evidence was harder to refute. Having seen enough prime-time TV to believe that a DNA test would vindicate them, Sutton and Adams had agreed, while in custody, to provide the police with blood samples. The blood had been sent to the Houston crime lab, where an analyst named Christy Kim extracted and amplified DNA from the samples until the distinct genetic markers that swim in every human cell were visible, on test strips, as a staggered line of blue dots.
Kim then compared those results with DNA obtained from the victim’s body and clothing and from a semen stain found in the back of the Expedition. A vaginal swab contained a complex mixture of genetic material from at least three contributors, including the victim herself. Kim had to determine whether Sutton’s or Adams’s genetic markers could be found anywhere in the pattern of dots. Her report, delivered to police and prosecutors, didn’t implicate Adams, but concluded that Sutton’s DNA was “consistent” with the mixture from the vaginal swab.
In 1999, a jury found Sutton guilty of aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. “I knew Josiah was innocent,” Batie told me. “Knew in my heart. But what could I do?” She wrote to the governor and to state representatives, but no one proved willing to help. She also wrote to lawyers at the Innocence Project in New York, who told her that, as a rule, they didn’t take cases where a definitive DNA match had been established.
[Why not?
The Innocence Project, founded in 1992 by Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck at Cardozo School of Law, exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
https://www.innocenceproject.org/about/
Seeing as exonerating the wrongly convicted through DNA testing is their specialty one would think that Innocence Project would, in the least, take a cursory look at Sutton’s case. Unless, of course, Peter Neufeld and Barry Scheck’s primary purpose is to establish the infallibility of DNA forensics.. After 20 years of closely following these shysters that's my contention.]
Batie hand-delivered the files from her son’s case to Raziq, who forwarded them on to William Thompson, the UC Irvine professor. Thompson had been studying forensic science for decades. He’d begun writing about DNA evidence from a critical perspective in the mid-1980s, as a doctoral candidate at Stanford, and had staked out what he describes as a “lonely” position as a forensic-DNA skeptic. “The technology had been accepted by the public as a silver bullet,” Thompson told me this winter. “I happened to believe that it wasn’t.”
Thompson was gratified by the overturning of Sutton’s conviction: The dangers he’d been warning about were obviously real. “For me, there was a shift of emphasis after Josiah,” Thompson told me. “It was no longer a question of whether errors are possible. It was a question of how many, and what exactly we’re going to do about it.” But as technological advances have made DNA evidence at once more trusted and farther-reaching, the answer has only become more elusive.
DNA typing has long been held up as the exception to the rule—an infallible technique rooted in unassailable science. Unlike most other forensic techniques, developed or commissioned by police departments, this one arose from an academic discipline, and has been studied and validated by researchers around the world. The method was pioneered by a British geneticist named Alec Jeffreys, who stumbled onto it in the autumn of 1984, in the course of his research on genetic sequencing, and soon put it to use in the field, helping police crack a pair of previously unsolved murders in the British Midlands. That case, and Jeffreys’s invention, made front-page news around the globe. “It was said that Dr. Alec Jeffreys had done a disservice to crime writers the world over, whose stories often center around doubtful identity and uncertain parentage,” the former detective Joseph Wambaugh wrote in The Blooding, his book on the Midlands murders.
A new era of forensics was being ushered in, one based not on intrinsically imperfect intuition or inherently subjective techniques that seemed like science, but on human genetics. Several private companies in the U.S. and the U.K., sensing a commercial opportunity, opened their own forensic-DNA labs. “Conclusive results in only one test!” read an advertisement for Cellmark Diagnostics, one of the first companies to market DNA-typing technology stateside. “That’s all it takes.”
As Jay Aronson, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, notes in Genetic Witness, his history of what came to be known as the “DNA wars,” the technology’s introduction to the American legal system was by no means smooth. Defense attorneys protested that DNA typing did not pass the Frye Test, a legal standard that requires scientific evidence to have earned widespread acceptance in its field; many prominent academics complained that testing firms were not being adequately transparent about their techniques. And in 1995, during the murder trial of O. J. Simpson, members of his so-called Dream Team famously used the specter of DNA-sample contamination—at the point of collection, and in the crime lab—to invalidate evidence linking Simpson to the crimes.
Among them were Dream Team members Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld, who had founded the Innocence Project in 1992. Now convinced that DNA analysis, provided the evidence was collected cleanly, could expose the racism and prejudice endemic to the criminal-justice system, the two attorneys set about applying it to dozens of questionable felony convictions. They have since won 178 exonerations using DNA testing; in the majority of the cases, the wrongfully convicted were black. “Defense lawyers sleep. Prosecutors lie. DNA testing is to justice what the telescope is for the stars … a way to see things as they really are ,” Scheck and Neufeld wrote in a 2000 book, Actual Innocence, co-authored by the journalist Jim Dwyer.
[There’s no doubt in my mind that Scheck and Neufeld are shysters of the highest order. And I don’t make this claim lightly.]
While helping to overturn wrongful convictions, DNA was also becoming more integral to establishing guilt. The number of state and local crime labs started to multiply, as did the number of cases involving DNA evidence. In 2000, the year after Sutton was convicted, the FBI’s database contained fewer than 500,000 DNA profiles, and had aided in some 1,600 criminal investigations in its first two years of existence. The database has since grown to include more than 15 million profiles, which contributed to tens of thousands of investigations last year alone.
As recognition of DNA’s revelatory power seeped into popular culture, courtroom experts started talking about a “CSI effect,” whereby juries, schooled by television police procedurals, needed only to hear those three magic letters—DNA—to arrive at a guilty verdict. In 2008, Donald E. Shelton, a felony trial judge in Michigan, published a study in which 1,027 randomly summoned jurors in the city of Ann Arbor were polled on what they expected prosecutors to present during a criminal trial. Three-quarters of the jurors said they expected DNA evidence in rape cases, and nearly half said they expected it in murder or attempted-murder cases; 22 percent said they expected DNA evidence in every criminal case. Shelton quotes one district attorney as saying, “They expect us to have the most advanced technology possible, and they expect it to look like it does on television.”
Shelton found that jurors’ expectations had little effect on their willingness to convict, but other research has shown DNA to be a powerful propellant in the courtroom. A researcher in Australia recently found that sexual-assault cases involving DNA evidence there were twice as likely to reach trial and 33 times as likely to result in a guilty verdict; homicide cases were 14 times as likely to reach trial and 23 times as likely to end in a guilty verdict. As the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, in the United Kingdom, pointed out in a major study on forensic evidence, even the knowledge that the prosecution intends to introduce a DNA match could be enough to get a defendant to capitulate.
“You reached a point where the questions about collection and analysis and storage had largely stopped,” says Bicka Barlow, an attorney in San Francisco who has been handling cases involving DNA evidence for two decades. “DNA evidence was entrenched. And in a lot of situations, for a lot of lawyers, it was now too costly and time-intensive to fight.”
Think of it this way: There are many thousands of paintings with blue backgrounds, but fewer with blue backgrounds and yellow flowers, and fewer still with blue backgrounds, yellow flowers, and a mounted knight in the foreground. When a forensic analyst compares alleles at 13 locations—the standard for most labs—the odds of two unrelated people matching at all of them are less than one in 1 billion.
With mixtures, the math gets a lot more complicated: The number of alleles in a sample doubles in the case of two contributors, and triples in the case of three. Now, rather than a painting, the DNA profile is like a stack of transparency films. The analyst must determine how many contributors are involved, and which alleles belong to whom. If the sample is very small or degraded—the two often go hand in hand—alleles might drop out in some locations, or appear to exist where they do not. Suddenly, we are dealing not so much with an objective science as an interpretive art.
A groundbreaking study by Itiel Dror, a cognitive neuroscientist at University College London, and Greg Hampikian, a biology and criminal-justice professor at Boise State University, illustrates exactly how subjective the reading of complex mixtures can be. In 2010, Dror and Hampikian obtained paperwork from a 2002 Georgia rape trial that hinged on DNA typing: The main evidence implicating the defendant was the accusation of a co-defendant who was testifying in exchange for a reduced sentence. Two forensic scientists had concluded that the defendant could not be excluded as a contributor to the mixture of sperm from inside the victim, meaning his DNA was a possible match; the defendant was found guilty.
Dror and Hampikian gave the DNA evidence to 17 lab technicians for examination, withholding context about the case to ensure unbiased results. All of the techs were experienced, with an average of nine years in the field. Dror and Hampikian asked them to determine whether the mixture included DNA from the defendant.
In 2011, the results of the experiment were made public: Only one of the 17 lab technicians concurred that the defendant could not be excluded as a contributor. Twelve told Dror and Hampikian that the DNA was exclusionary, and four said that it was inconclusive. In other words, had any one of those 16 scientists been responsible for the original DNA analysis, the rape trial could have played out in a radically different way. Toward the end of the study, Dror and Hampikian quote the early DNA-testing pioneer Peter Gill, who once noted, “If you show 10 colleagues a mixture, you will probably end up with 10 different answers” as to the identity of the contributor. (The study findings are now at the center of the defendant’s motion for a new trial.)
“Ironically, you have a technology that was meant to help eliminate subjectivity in forensics,” Erin Murphy, a law professor at NYU, told me recently. “But when you start to drill down deeper into the way crime laboratories operate today, you see that the subjectivity is still there: Standards vary, training levels vary, quality varies.”
The growing potential for mistakes in DNA testing has inspired a solution fitting for the digital age: automation, or the “complete removal of the human being from doing any subjective decision making,” as Mark Perlin, the CEO of the DNA-testing firm Cybergenetics, put it to me recently.
Perlin grew interested in DNA-typing techniques in the 1990s, while working as a researcher on genome technology at Carnegie Mellon, and spent some time reviewing recent papers on forensic usage. He was “really disappointed” by what he found, he told me: Faced with complex DNA mixtures, analysts too frequently arrived at flawed conclusions. An experienced coder, he set about designing software that could take some of the guesswork out of DNA profiling. It could also process results much faster. In 1996, Perlin waved goodbye to his post at Carnegie Mellon, and together with his wife, Ria David, and a small cadre of employees, focused on developing a program they dubbed TrueAllele.
At the core of TrueAllele is an algorithm: Data from DNA test strips are uploaded to a computer and run through an array of probability models until the software spits out a likelihood ratio—the probability, weighed against coincidence, that sample X is a match with sample Y. The idea, Perlin told me when I visited Cybergenetics headquarters, in Pittsburgh, was to correctly differentiate individual DNA profiles found at the scene of a crime. He gave me an example: A lab submits data from a complex DNA mixture found on a knife used in a homicide. The TrueAllele system might conclude that a match between the knife and a suspect is “5 trillion times more probable than coincidence,” and thus that the suspect almost certainly touched the knife. No more analysts squinting at their equipment, trying to correspond alleles with contributors. “Our program,” Perlin told me proudly, “is able to do all that for you, more accurately.”
Around us, half a dozen analysts and coders sat hunched over computer screens. The office was windowless and devoid of any kind of decoration, save for a whiteboard laced with equations—the vibe was more bootstrapped start-up than CSI. “I think visitors are surprised not to see bubbling vials and lab equipment,” Perlin acknowledged. “But that’s not us.”
He led me down the hallway and into a storage room. Row upon row of Cybergenetics-branded Apple desktop computers lined the shelves: ready-made TrueAllele kits. Perlin could not tell me exactly how many software units he sells each year, but he allowed that TrueAllele had been purchased by crime labs in Oman, Australia, and 11 U.S. states; last year, Cybergenetics hired its first full-time salesman.
Four years ago, in one of its more high-profile tests to date, the software was used to connect an extremely small trace of DNA at a murder scene in Schenectady, New York, to the killer, an acquaintance of the victim. A similarly reliable match, Perlin told me, would have been very difficult to obtain by more analog means.
And the software’s potential is only starting to be mined, he added. TrueAllele’s ability to pull matches from microscopic or muddled traces of DNA is helping crack cold cases, by reprocessing evidence once dismissed as inconclusive. “You hear the word inconclusive, you naturally think, Okay. It’s done,” Perlin told me, his eyes widening. “But it’s not! It just means [the lab technicians] can’t interpret it. Let me ask you: What’s the societal impact of half a crime lab’s evidence being called inconclusive and prosecutors and police and defenders mistakenly believing that this means it’s uninformative data?”
His critics have a darker view. William Thompson points out that Perlin has declined to make public the algorithm that drives the program. “You do have a black-box situation happening here,” Thompson told me. “The data go in, and out comes the solution, and we’re not fully informed of what happened in between.”
When I interviewed Perlin at Cybergenetics headquarters, I raised the matter of transparency. He was visibly annoyed. He noted that he’d published detailed papers on the theory behind TrueAllele, and filed patent applications, too: “We have disclosed not the trade secrets of the source code or the engineering details, but the basic math.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/06/a-reasonable-doubt/480747/
by ICfreely on Wed Mar 13, 2019 2:48 am
antipodean wrote: What interests me is how was the case then solved without the existence of DNA.
His specific blood type (especially if it's rare) could have helped narrow the field:
Blood groups systems
Again, my condolences, antipodean. IMO, the perpetrator's belief in the infallibility of "DNA fingerprinting" solved (if you want to use that word) the case.
quote form the article I posted:
As the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, in the United Kingdom, pointed out in a major study on forensic evidence, even the knowledge that the prosecution intends to introduce a DNA match could be enough to get a defendant to capitulate.
According to the article you posted the perpetrator was riddled with guilt as it was. Once he was told that there was a "DNA match" he capitulated. He would have most likely done the same if he were told there were eyewitnesses, video, photographs or traditional fingerprints (which is also more subjective than realized) placing him at the crime scene.
What troubles me is the fact that while Innocence Project has been getting all the headlines for reversing a few hundred convictions Based on DNA, untold thousands have been convicted solely based on it. In other words, someone can be convicted of a crime based solely on a "DNA match" produced by highly questionable patented (secretive) computer algorithms.
“DNA evidence was entrenched. And in a lot of situations, for a lot of lawyers, it was now too costly and time-intensive to fight.”
And if the defendant doesn't have the resources to challenge the results, then they're done for. I find it extremely troubling that a rich guilty person can nullify the results while a poor innocent person cannot. Do you see what I'm getting at?
by patrix on Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:11 am
This is very interesting. I wonder if there are any double blind studies that show how accurate DNA testing is? A pretty easy study to design I would say. A lawyer that has a client with deep pockets could even do one to raise reasonable doubt. Have some people touch various objects and have blood samples in front of witnesses and video and then send them to various DNA labs. Does anyone know if this ever been done?
by aa5 on Sun Mar 17, 2019 9:59 am
It goes with my general thesis that 'scientists' are the priests of our society. And the priests of all societies are the holders of truth and wisdom, all societies view their own priests as 'all knowing'. This is why no matter the question our scientists claim to have answers, as the society demands them to be all knowing. And not just for the past and the present, but to know everything about the future too.
So the scientists carry out some ritual that no one but them understands, and tells the awestruck people 'the truth'. Anyone who questions the scientists is a horrible heretic.
Patrix's idea is a good one, like for a ruling group in some country that wants to find out the what the real state of the technology is.
Return to Worldwide media deceptions
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News 19 May 2016
Fight against child labour: ICI launches the ECLIC project
The Eliminating Child Labor in Cocoa – ECLIC project, funded by the United States Department of Labor and implemented by the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), has been launched by the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, president of the National Surveillance Committee (CNS). Madame Ouattara was represented at the launching ceremony by the Minister of Labour and Social Protection Mr Moussa Dosso, who is also President of the Inter-ministerial Committee against child trafficking and exploitation and child labour. The project extends over a period of 4 years (from November 2015 to November 2019).
The ECLIC project will enable 50 cocoa-farming communities in Côte d’Ivoire to devise and implement Community Action Plans (CAPs) to fight against child labour. In these communities 5,450 vulnerable children, engaged in or running the risk of being engaged in child labour, will be helped. They will receive various forms of support, social benefits and/or educational aid. The project will also target 1,500 vulnerable households to promote sustainable means of subsistence.
For Mme Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire and president of the CNS, “ECLIC is the fruit of close collaboration between the United States Government (technical and financial partner), ICI (the executive agency) and the Government of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, through the CNS and the CIM which have provided multiple support from the stage of drafting the project to that of obtaining its funding by the American Government”. She added that she was therefore pleased to launch this project, which contributes to the implementation of the Côte d’Ivoire Government’s new 2015-2017 action plan to fight against child labour and thus represents a further step towards the emergence of a Côte d’Ivoire that is free from this blight.
According to Mme Euphrasie Aka, regional representative for West and Central Africa and National Coordinator of the Foundation, ICI “will make it a point of honour to implement the ECLIC project, respecting the required standards”. It is a challenge for ICI, but also a promise to make every effort to ensure that it succeeds. “For ICI, ECLIC must be an overture to the implementation of many more large-scale projects, in order to make a significant impact on the everyday lives of children in the cocoa-growing communities,” she declared.
On 26 April this year, ICI signed a Partnership Agreement with the National Surveillance Committee (CNS), whose president is the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, to promote child protection in the Ivorian cocoa sector. The Agreement expands the existing mutual support in the priority areas of the Ivorian government’s 2015-2017 National Action Plan for the elimination of child labour, including in particular the mapping of educational facilities built by the cocoa industrialists, the building and rehabilitation of basic social infrastructure, and the reinforcement and extension of the National Child Labour Monitoring System in Côte d’Ivoire (SOSTECI).
Selected media coverage of the ECLIC launch:
Agence Ivoirienne de Presse: La Fondation ICI va lancer le projet ECLIC
Agence Ivoirienne de Presse: La Fondation ICI appelle à des partenariats multiples pour financer ses opérations
Abidjan.net: La Fondation ICI va lancer le projet ECLIC
Africa News Hub: La Fondation ICI sollicite des partenaires pour le financement de ses opérations
RTI: evening news May 19th 2016
Touton published its Sustainable Sourcing Report 2018
Field Stories6 May 2019
"These books will help me study well and achieve good grades"
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The Mesmerizer
Born to wealth, bin Laden studied business administration, then turned to terror
Newsweek/September 24, 2001
By Rod Nordland and Jeffrey Bartholet
Osama bin Laden likes to pose with an AK-47, yet he seems a bit awkward with a gun. He's a thin reed of a man roughly 6 feet 5 and just 160 pounds, according to FBI Wanted posters: soft-spoken, languid in his movements, almost effeminate. His eyes twinkle. His immense charisma, in fact, derives not simply from his capacity for violence, but for the gentle manner in which he comports himself. He enjoys poetry, of a sort. The muse hit him during the wedding of his son Mohammed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, early this year - four months after the suicide bombing of the USS Cole that killed 17 American sailors:
The piece of the bodies of infidels were flying like dust particles/If you would have seen it with your own eyes, you would have been very pleased/And your heart would have been filled with joy.
That paean to the Cole bombers is now part of a bin Laden recruitment tape on sale around the Middle East and in other Islamic countries like Pakistan. The recitation is accompanied by video of an explosion - subtitled "Destruction of the Destroyer Cole followed by news footage of the damaged ship. The full 100 minutes of propaganda also features footage of bin Laden firing the AK-47, and a clip of him exhorting Muslims to further attacks. "With small means and great faith, we can defeat the mightiest military power of modern times,"he says. "America is much weaker than it seems."At one point, bin Laden seems to be grooming his followers for suicide missions: "You will not die needlessly,"he counsels them. "Your lives are in the hands of God."
Much to his own satisfaction, bin Laden has become the living symbol of global terror. This is partly related to his talent for orchestrating bombing operations. Yet his true genius is for building and buffing his own legend and rallying others to the cause. He's first among equals in a movement that includes some of the world's most ruthless - and ruthlessly ambitious - men. And he knows that every time America attacks him and fails, as it did with cruise missiles after the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa, his stature grows.
Bin Laden has spent much of his life preparing for an epic confrontation with what he calls the "Crusader-Zionist alliance."His family hails from the Hadramawt region of Yemen, but bin Laden was raised in Saudi Arabia, where his father had a fabulously successful construction company. Osama was the 17th of more than 50 children sired by his father. Some of the extended bin Laden brood apparently spent time in the United States and developed ties there, but Osama got his education in business administration at King Abdul Aziz University in Jidda, where he became attracted to fundamentalist ideology.
After the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979, the budding rebel found his cause. At first he provided logistical help, including cash and construction equipment, making himself extremely useful to the threadbare fighters of the Afghan resistance. But eventually he moved to battlefield operations. Although bin Laden never had a direct relationship with American intelligence agents (as far as we know), the CIA certainly was pleased that a wealthy Saudi had appeared on the scene to help finance the anti-Soviet jihad. In 1986, bin Laden helped build the Khost tunnel complex, for instance, which the CIA was also funding as a major arms depot, training facility and medical center.
It was in Afghanistan that bin Laden began to cultivate his legend. He likes to tell the story of the Soviet mortar shell that landed beside him, and never blew up, and recalls bombs that cascaded on his headquarters but never exploded. Many of his comrades were impressed with the way the rich kid handled himself under fire. "He not only gave his money, but also gave himself,"Palestinian follower Hamza Mohammed told an interviewer. "He came down from his palace to live with the Afghan peasants and the Arab fighters. He cooked with them, ate with them, dug trenches with them. That was bin Laden's way."
Bin Laden returned to Saudi Arabia as a kind of cult hero in 1989. His speeches at mosques were often recorded and eagerly passed around the Middle East. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, bin Laden argued for activating vets of the Afghan war to repulse the armies of secular Iraq. But the Saudi leadership opted for American help, infuriating bin Laden, who railed against the intrusion of "infidels" he believes are corrupting and oppressing Muslims around the world. When U.S. forces remained in Saudi Arabia after the war, bin Laden fled to Sudan. From there he nurtured his international network, which ran things ranging from soybean farms to terrorist operations.
Under U.S. pressure, Sudan forced bin Laden to leave the country in 1996, and he returned to Afghanistan as the "guest" of the Taliban militia. According to some reports, he sealed his tight relationships there by marrying off one of his daughters to the Taliban's supreme leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar. (In 1999 or early 2000, bin Laden himself married for the fourth time, to a 17-year-old Yemeni girl.)
Some suspect that bin Laden is now living in shelters dug out of caves, perhaps in the dry hills near Kandahar; others believe that he has moved to a new base in the Hindu Kush mountains in northwestern Afghanistan. Wherever he is, you can bet that he's pleased with himself. It's not hard to imagine the thin crescent of a smile on his face as he hears about the armies gathering against him.
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Pioneering Women
Hisako Koyama Was The Amateur Female Astronomer Who's Earned Galileo Status
It's not every day an amateur rises to the level of history's greatest scientists, and it's even rarer for that amateur to be a non-European woman with just a high-school education. But that's the story of Hisako Koyama, a Japanese astronomer born in the early 20th century whose thousands of sunspot illustrations are being published right alongside greats like Galileo himself.
An Unlikely Life
Koyama was born in 1916 and graduated from a Tokyo high school in the 1930s, a rare feat for any child during that era. In pre-WWII Japan, women still didn't have the right to vote, and were encouraged to fulfill the saying "umeyo, fuyaseyo": have more babies and increase the population.
But Koyama had her sights set higher — much higher. She devoured astronomy books, including a reference guide on how to make telescopes. She even made her own telescope after being inspired by a trip to the Tonichi Planetarium in Tokyo, and soon got ahold of a store-bought refractor telescope as a gift from her ever-supportive father.
She used that very telescope to check out the sun. After a month of careful observation, she managed to sketch her first sunspots in 1944. That was a much easier challenge than what she did next: she gathered the courage to mail it to Professor Issei Yamamoto, the Solar section president of the Oriental Astronomical Association (OAA). Incredibly, she received a reply: "Thank you for your observation report," Yamamoto wrote. "Yes, they are sunspots." That bit of positive feedback was all Koyama needed to dive head-first into a life of astronomy.
Over the next two years, she began making regular observations of the sun at Tokyo's National Museum of Nature and Science, known then as the Tokyo Science Museum. She was hired as a staff observer there in and continued to work for the museum until she retired in 1981. Over that time, she chronicled and published more than 8,000 sunspot groups, including the largest sunspot of the 20th century in 1947. All the while, she was a passionate science communicator who organized frequent special events and monthly seminars for the public. From the beginning of her career until her death in 1997, Koyama made more than 10,000 solar sketches.
Modern Discovery
Fast forward to modern day: a group of scientists is trying to figure out how many sunspots humanity has seen since the first observation in 1610. As they're rifling through 400 years of historical observations, they happen upon Koyama's work, and add her drawings to the others they had collected from the likes of Pierre Gassendi, Johann Caspar Staudacher, Heinrich Schwabe, Rudolf Wolf, and of course, Galileo Galilei.
"Those five names are the giants of sunspot records," said Delores Knipp, a space weather scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder and the lead author of a study about Koyama's work. "And her name comes right along with them. So clearly, her records are in a class of great historical scientific records."
That reconstruction of the sunspot record will help scientists better understand how the sun's magnetic activity changes over time and, accordingly, how that affects Earth. Koyama's sketches fill what may otherwise be a 40-year gap in that record. And to imagine, all she needed were kind words from a role model. "How many young 'Ms. Koyamas' might there be in today's world, just on the verge of scientific contribution and discovery," Knibb writes in the study, "if only for a nudge of encouragement in the right direction?"
To learn more about pioneering women, we recommend "Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-and the World." The audiobook is free with a trial of Audible. We handpick reading recommendations we think you may like. If you choose to make a purchase through that link, Curiosity will get a share of the sale.
What Are Sunspots?
– Science Channel
Written by Ashley Hamer October 20, 2017
Astronomers Once Watched a Star Turn Directly Into a Black Hole
Alpha Centauri Might Include a Stolen Star
Scientists Women
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Preview: The elite women’s road race at the 2018 Australian Road Nationals
by Simone Giuliani
Photography by Cycling Australia, Con Chronis and Kirsty Baxter
WOMEN'S CYCLING BROUGHT TO YOU BY ORBEA
If ever there was a year where we were set for an aggressive battle for the national title this is it. There is, of course, enough prestige in the title alone, but Cycling Australia raised the stakes for the 2018 FedUni Road National Championships even higher. An automatic nomination to the nation’s Commonwealth Games team, and all the publicity that comes with it, is up for grabs for the winning rider.
Plus Mitchelton-Scott – who took a clean sweep of the elite titles last year – will be determined to do whatever they can to use their superior numbers to make sure a rider on their team is wearing Australia’s national colours in 2018. The road race is the last chance for the nation’s only UCI registered women’s team to walk away with a set of elite green and gold stripes.
Here’s what you need to know about Sunday’s race.
The 104.4 km road race for the Elite and Under 23 women will be run at 8:50am AEST on Sunday. Fortunately for the riders it looks like they will escape Saturday’s sweltering conditions, which have caused the cancellation of the Australian Gran Fondo National Championships. A mild day with a top of 25°C is forecast.
For 14 of the past 16 editions of the Australian Road Nationals, riders have tackled a challenging 10km circuit up and around Mt. Buninyong. In 2018 that circuit has changed … but only marginally.
The circuit still starts and finishes in Buninyong and it still features the 2.8km climb partway up Mt. Buninyong — the only change to the course is the descent back into Buninyong. Rather than taking the usual route down Fisken Road, the riders will now weave their way around Federation University — the Road Nationals’ new title sponsor — before joining the main road back into Buninyong.
The result is a circuit that’s 11.6 kilometre long. This longer lap means the riders will actually do fewer laps of the course — and therefore fewer ascents of Mt. Buninyong — than in previous years. In 2018 the Elite and Under 23 women will be racing nine laps of the 11.6 kilometre course, for a total of 104.4 kilometres compared with 10 laps and 102 kilometres last year.
Mitchelton-Scott may have dropped Orica from its title this year but its still coming into the Australian championships with a similar story; multiple strong cards to play and a powerful contingent in both skill and numbers to back up its key riders.
What is different is that while the team has a strong hand, it no longer looks quite as unbeatable. Last year the women’s team entered the road race with two elite titles already under its belt and then it took out the clean sweep.
This year solo rider Rebecca Wiasak snatched the criterium title, beating Mitchelton-Scott’s Sarah Roy to the line. In the time trial Katrin Garfoot (QAS) was streets ahead of her rivals, taking her third title in a row. But this year she isn’t wearing Mitchelton-Scott colours, having left the Aussie team this year to focus on the Commonwealth Games and family.
The loss of defending Australian champion Garfoot means that in one stroke they’ve lost a strong card and created a formidable rival. The World Championship road race silver medallist will be out there on her own but given her record still has to be in with a chance of doubling up and winning the title again.
Garfoot celebrating victory in 2017 with then teammate Spratt smiling in second.
Amanda Spratt has to be the biggest favourite to capture an elite jersey for Mitchelton-Scott in the road race. Spratt won in 2016 and came second in 2017 after breaking away with then teammate and eventual winner Garfoot. She has continued to show powerful form throughout 2017, even stealing victories during the holiday break.
Someone’s got form! You’ve just become my pick for the @CyclingAus Nationals road race @AmandaSpratt. So ruthless stealing 15 of my @Strava QOMs on the ultimate form tester climb in the Blue Mountains. pic.twitter.com/QIfyWd2IHZ
— Rebecca Wiasak (@RebeccaWiasak) December 27, 2017
Plus with Garfoot off the team Spratt is the obvious leader, however that doesn’t mean there aren’t others in the squad of seven who could pull off the win.
Newly signed to Mitchelton-Scott, Lucy Kennedy was third last year and the only rider on the podium not with Orica-Scott (Mitchelton-Scott’s former incarnation). She held onto a breaking away Spratt and Garfoot longer than anyone else, before time-trialling to the end to hold off a group of chasers. Kennedy was also a star of the High5 Australian Women’s Road Development Team in 2017, walking away the winner of the 2.2 classified Tour de l’Ardeche. To top that off she surprised even herself by coming second at the Road Nats time trial on Friday.
To be a chance for the win she will be looking for a small break out the front or a solo run to the line. Why? Because, as Kennedy told reporters after last year’s race, “I can’t sprint to save my life”.
However, there will be plenty of riders out there working hard to try and leave Mitchelton-Scott walking away from Road Nats empty handed. Firstly there are the Aussie professional riders that spend their year overseas racing for other teams and the up and coming domestic cyclists who are chasing their big break.
One rider never far from the pointy end is Shara Gillow (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope). She has finished in the top ten of the national road race five out of the last six years. Often she is flying solo, as while she raced for Orica-AIS earlier in the decade she has found a home at European-based teams in recent years. This year though, she will have a valuable teammate at the Australian championships in long-time friend Lauren Kitchen, a new signing to FDJ.
Gillow time trialling to the bottom step of the podium. Photo: Con Chronis
In fact looking ahead to Sunday seems to be Gillow’s tonic for slipping to third in the time trial on Friday after years of top two performances.
“After a bit of a disappointment today I think I’ll more than ever be geed up for Sunday,” Gillow told reporters. “It is a strong field but I’m pretty confident.”
Peta Mullens (Hagens Berman Supermint) is always one to watch. She doesn’t spend all her season on the road like much of her competition, working to a programme that includes plenty of mountain biking and – in recent years – a touch of cyclocross.
Riding on the road for an American team means Mullens is also without teammates to help her out, but that doesn’t mean her rivals can afford to rest easy. She fares well on the hills and can finish with a powerful sprint. The Bendigo based rider uses these skills to compensate for the lack of support, as she demonstrated in 2015 when she clinched the national road title. Plus she has often been vocal about her desire to represent Australia on the road, so that automatic Commonwealth Games team nomination is bound to provide some extra incentive.
Peta Mullens (Hagens Berman – Supermint) at the 2017 Bay Crits. Photo: Kirsty Baxter
Rachel Neylan is another of last year’s Orica-Scott riders that is flying solo but has such a history of delivering that means she can’t be dismissed. The World Championship silver medallist, who has been on the Road Nat’s podium twice in the last three years, signed up for the new women’s Movistar team in 2018.
Shannon Malseed is one of the riders who shone on the domestic scene last year to watch. Malseed who took out Australia’s National Road Series in 2017, has moved on from Holden Women’s Cycling to join US-based team TIBCO. With growing confidence and form following an extremely successful season she’s bound to work hard to try and make the step up to the podium this year, after last year taking fourth.
For the first time, this year the women’s road race will be broadcast live. Both SBS Viceland and Fox Sports will start broadcasting at 10am (AEST) with two hours of live coverage of the women’s road race. Of course to find out what’s happening before then you can always turn to social media, with Cycling Australia regularly posting updates on Twitter and then there’s #RoadNats.
The best place to follow the race, though, has to be cheering along on the roadside on the climb. That’s where the atmosphere adds a whole new level of excitement and you can often see the race winning breaks launched. There are shuttles running all day to take you out onto the course, or you can simply ride your bike up the hill.
Of course Ella CyclingTips will also be on the ground covering the race so keep an eye on the Ella page, Ella CyclingTips Instagram and Facebook for the latest news.
You can find a preview of the men’s road race on CyclingTips.
Follow the link for the startlist for the elite women’s road race at the 2018 Australian Road National Championships.
Tags: 2018 Australian Road National Championships, Amanda Spratt, Features, Katrin Garfoot
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Stability: School’s underrated X-factor makes Belmont Elementary a shining star in Pueblo
Kaelia and Sunny were called into Principal Stephanie Smith’s office to tell the truth. They weren’t called in to inform on another student’s bad behavior, but given the more unusual opportunity to tell on their teachers.
Sunny: “They work together as a team to find out what we’re going to do, and if we get stumped on something, like we don’t know something, they help us understand it.”
And tell on their parents.
Kaelia: “My mom gets along with the teachers, she talks with them, she wants to be their friend. They think it’s great that I’m learning a lot from this school.”
And talk about the big lessons they’re learning.
Sunny: “If you don’t strive for success, than you might not get to where you want to be, and you’ll just be lonely.”
Kaelia: “You can’t just say, ‘I can’t do this.’ You always have to say, ‘I can do this. I can get through this.’ You can’t just give up right away. You don’t do that.”
Kaelia and Sunny love their school
Sunny and Kaelia haven’t been inside every school in Pueblo, but these third graders have both attended another school in District 60. Even with that short sampling, they’re convinced Belmont Elementary is the best school in the city.
“I love school. I was sick for two days last week and I kept telling my mom that I was better,” Sunny confesses with a sly smile. Not to be out-complimented, Kaelia brags, “I wake up earlier than I should just to get ready to go to school.”
Many education watchers in the city and state don’t share this enthusiasm for Pueblo City Schools. District 60 is better known by the word ‘turnaround,’ a term for failing schools that are on the clock to bring up student performance. Belmont is not a turnaround school even though its staff faces the same Pueblo realities: high poverty and unemployment, low incomes, and great public reluctance to raise revenue for public education with its limited means.
Belmont’s Principal Smith
“In Pueblo we have some of the hardest working educators probably anywhere. We work our tails off, but we don’t always see the results of that in numbers, in test scores,” said Smith, Belmont’s principal of seven years. “I’m not sure that people outside of Pueblo, and even here, get how significantly challenging our schools are as a whole. We don’t have a mix of student needs in Pueblo. We have a demographic continuum that starts high-need, and just gets higher and higher and higher.”
Belmont has not only survived but thrived in conditions where similar schools are struggling. The key to its success starts at the top, with Principal Smith and her predecessors.
“We’ve had four principals in 59 years, which is practically unheard of,” said 4th grade teacher Terry McCanne. “You have to have stability in leadership. A lot of Pueblo schools have had 25 principals in that time, and the average turnover of every two to three years isn’t going to cut it.”
Terry McCanne teaches 4th grade math
“Every time you have a new principal, the programs are going to change, the expectations are going to change, and that is really what makes Belmont good. We’ve stayed stable,” added library media specialist Julie Naccarato. “We’re not a school that gets a new principal every two years. The stability helps.”
Kendra Zerfas, a 5th grade teacher, says principal firing is too often the silver-bullet, quick-fix to whatever issue a school is having. “Administrative offices think, ‘Let’s just get a change of principal in there and it will make the difference.’ That’s the absolute wrong approach to take. The more stable your principal is, the more stable your building is going to be.”
Principal stability has led to teacher stability at Belmont. “I believe having stability in leadership is really important in developing a good school. Once you get a reputation of being a good school, many teachers want to teach there,” said McCanne, who has taught at Belmont for 20 years. Naccarato has taught Belmont students for 17 years, Zerfas for 12.
Kendra Zerfas checks progress one-on-one with her 5th graders
“That is something to celebrate and tell other districts and schools,” Zerfas said of Belmont’s experienced workforce. “You don’t want 90% of your staff to be a first-year staff. You need to have a good mix of veteran teachers because they teach younger teachers how to handle change and problems.”
CharLou Simonson, a kindergarten teacher here for 29 years, is proud to be part of the long history of teachers who have stayed Team Belmont. “That’s been the trend since I’ve been here, teachers stay. It’s a very cohesive staff and that really helps too.”
Principal and teacher stability has led to a solid community reputation that in turn fosters student stability.
“The principals and teachers get to know the families, and the families become very comfortable with them, and that’s what makes Belmont special,” Zerfas explains. “Many Belmont families have their kids come here kindergarten through 5th grade, then their brothers and sisters come here. Even when families move, they still come here because they don’t want to switch schools.”
According to Smith, nearly 200 of Belmont’s 550 students choice-in to attend Belmont from across the city.
“I get challenged here at Belmont,” said Lauren, a 5th grader in the Gifted and Talented program. “If math problems or worksheets are a little too easy, they’ll give me a more challenging one. It really helps because I feel like I’ve grown so much. I’ve been really successful over the years.”
So if stability is demonstrated to be a positive force at Belmont, trickling benefit down from principal to teacher to student, why don’t we see more stability at other Pueblo schools?
“That’s a good question. Because there hasn’t been consistency at other schools, it’s a problem that just keeps feeding itself,” Simonson offers. “The more instability there is, the more people don’t want to stay because it’s not a stable feeling. So then people leave, and then it’s not stable. That’s the real challenge in truly turning a school around.”
CharLou Simonson has taught kindergarten at Belmont for 29 years
Though every teacher CEA spoke with felt fortunate to work in a highly successful school, they have aspirations for working in a better school system. Among the roadblocks they face:
Curriculum: “The powers that be are causing what I call curriculum-creep, where what used to be taught in 6th grade is now taught in 5th grade, and now it’s even coming down to 4th grade. It’s not developmentally appropriate and it’s a huge challenge for us to get kids up to the level that’s expected. It’s gone too far.” (McCanne)
Testing: “Testing has taken over the whole feel of a school in many ways. Here, kids know that tests are important, but we’re not making it into the be-all and end-all of the school year. I think a lot of schools focus way more than they need to on the whole process because they’re scared. They hear rumors of, ‘We’re going to close you down.’ That’s scary. So then they think, ‘We better make sure we’re doing well on these tests.’ That doesn’t necessarily make you do well on tests.” (Simonson)
Funding: “I wish the taxpayers in this city who didn’t have children in school anymore would understand how poor our city is and the majority of our kids are. If they would support a mill levy or a bond, it would trickle into businesses and improve everything else. That’s what I think the everyday lay person doesn’t get. They don’t understand what kinds of financial things we’re seeing here.” (Zerfas)
The education of children like Kaelia, Sunny and Lauren are impacted by these challenges, but Belmont mitigates them better than most through a stable learning environment.
“Schools reflect society. You can’t really change society by changing the schools, and yet we all try to do that,” Simonson reflected. “That’s what we try every day – we try to fix it. I don’t really think we can, but we are a positive force toward that change.”
Kaelia and Sunny certainly appreciate the stable, caring staff. When asked about the lessons and skills they’ll take with them when they leave Belmont, they couldn’t even fathom the thought of leaving.
Kaelia: “I just love this school, I don’t ever want to leave it.”
Sunny: “I’m going to take my principal, my teachers, and my stuff – but mostly my principal and my teachers.”
Note: Terry McCanne, Kendra Zerfas, Julie Naccarato, and CharLou Simonson are all members of Pueblo Education Association. Belmont Elementary has 27 members of Pueblo EA and classified employee associations.
Filed under: Funding, Parental Involvement, Public Education, Quality Teachers, Teacher Profiles, Teaching and learning conditions, Teaching Profession | Tagged: Belmont Elementary, curriculum, District 60, Pueblo, Pueblo City Schools, school funding, stability, staff turnover, teacher turnover, turnaround | Leave a comment »
Community rallies to reduce testing time, red tape in education
A community movement known as “Free Our Teachers, Value Our Students” kicked off Feb. 18, with educators, parents, students, legislators, and community members gathered at the Denver Press Club to call for reductions of testing time, educational mandates and bureaucratic red tape in Colorado’s public schools.
Red tape is tying up more Colorado teachers,
“This is a campaign to say, ‘No more mandates.’ Let’s make sure we have all the tools to give students the best education and a solid future,” said Kerrie Dallman, president of the Colorado Education Association, in opening remarks. “We’re seeing actual teaching time vaporize because of increased red tape and testing mandates. That’s not good for anyone. It’s not good for our students and it’s not good for the educators.”
Dallman introduced a new video spot highlighting some of the pressing issues facing Colorado public schools, including anemic funding for a growing student population, a corporate-driven testing culture absorbing classroom time, and the loss of vital instruction time for students. Supporters were also encouraged to share their stories on a new Facebook page, also named “Free Our Teachers, Value Our Students,” which had more than 350 ‘likes’ overnight.
Glass speaks at the kickoff event for “Free Our Teachers, Value Our Students.”
Jason Glass, superintendent of Eagle County Schools, spoke to the enormous amount of change his schools are going through while enduring massive budget cuts.
“The state schools have experienced an historic gutting of education funding while simultaneously being saddled with an unprecedented number of state government reforms,” said Glass. “The combined effect of these two forces puts our schools in a pressure and policy vice-grip that, by the accounts of those actually working in our community schools, makes the goal of becoming a high-performing education system a more elusive endeavor.”
While Glass said he supports the Colorado Academic Standards and Common Core State Standards, he said no other country subjects every student, every year to machine-scored standardized testing and hitches those results to school and educator accountability.
“Of all the international systems which purportedly outperform the United States, and whose results we so often pine after, none of them uses such an approach when it comes to student assessment. Instead, our higher performing global competitors rely on more heavily on classroom level, formative assessments…that are more squarely focused on improving instruction,” Glass said. “The heaping of accountability, and more and more blame and shame-based education policies on this still very unproven assessment system, has generated reactionary fear, and it is that fear that is the root cause of much of the resistance to these new systems.”
Rossi watches her students speak to supporters of less testing, less red tape.
A February poll of 1,200 Colorado public school teachers, released yesterday by CEA, found teachers spend more than 30% of their instruction time with students preparing and administering tests, with a clear majority of teachers favoring less than 10% of instruction time devoted to testing. Several teachers and students spoke at the event who typically spend 50 days during the academic year preparing for and taking standardized tests. Jefferson County EA member Stephie Rossi brought three of her students from Wheat Ridge High School to explain that current standardized testing doesn’t generate critical thinking and isn’t aligned to the skills and knowledge learned in class.
“The test was boring. It wasn’t calibrated toward what I was learning,” said Michael Coyne, who recalled having to re-study material from a previous year just to prepare for a test. “We really need to refine our standardized tests so that they’re more focused to what we’re learning in the classroom, not toward a set standard that really doesn’t reflect the state curriculum.”
Colorado kids are losing teacher instruction time for testing of questionable value.
Are kids just a test score in school today? Dee Blecha, a special education teacher and Wray EA member, asked this as she reflected over the changes she’s seen over a 33-year career. Blecha said what’s missing for her in today’s classroom is the opportunity to form relationships with students.
“A test doesn’t mean anything to students. What does mean something to you is the fact that your teacher likes you, that your teacher cares about you as a human being. And that’s the part that I’ve struggled with,” said Blecha. “How do I find the time – as I muddle through the red tape, as I progress monitor, as I standardize test, as I crunch the numbers, as I look at data – how do I find time to make sure that I continually connect with kids each and every day, each and every hour?”
Rep. Young represents House District 50.
Rep. Dave Young of Greeley, a career junior high school teacher, said he would not choose to teach in today’s high-stakes testing environment.
“Teachers need to drive the instruction, and the sense I have now is, they’re not in control of that,” said Young. “Let’s think about how we can put teachers back in control of the instruction experience in the classroom.”
Young observed decisions on education reform and funding in the Capitol are overly invested in standardized testing and often miss the mark on what is central to the learning experience – the interaction between teachers and students.
“We’re engaged in test preparation, and that’s okay if you agree that the test is what we really want. But I’m not convinced that any test really measures the full scope of what we value, what we want people to learn. I want deeper learning, and that’s hard to measure on a standardized test.”
Filed under: Funding, Public Education, Quality Teachers, Teaching and learning conditions, Teaching Profession | Tagged: "Kerrie Dallman", accountability, corporate-driven testing, critical thinking, Dee Blecha, education mandates, Free Our Teachers, instruction time, Jason Glass, red tape, Rep. Dave Young, school funding, standardized test, Value Our Students | Leave a comment »
Gov., CEA officially kickoff campaign to increase investment in Colorado schools, students
Posted on August 21, 2013 by ceawhatworks
CEA leaders turn out for the campaign launch
Top leaders of the Colorado Education Association, from the Denver metro area to Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, gathered at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, Aug. 15, for the official campaign launch for “Colorado Commits to Kids,” an education funding ballot initiative that will go before Colorado voters in November.
Gov. John Hickenlooper, Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and other political and business leaders spoke at the campaign kickoff, explaining the necessity to increase Colorado’s investment in public education to give students the skills and tools they need to compete for jobs, achieve their potential and make a better life.
CEA Pres. Kerrie Dallman thanks Gov. Hickenlooper for his support of Colorado Commits to Kids
Hickenlooper called the initiative “the single-most comprehensive education reform initiative in the history of the United States” during his remarks.
“We’re not going to get anywhere without an educated workforce. Colorado has got to be ready to have those jobs filled in the 21st Century,” Hickenlooper said about the impact increased education funding would have on energy, aerospace and other sectors that drive our economy. “With the Colorado Commits to Kids initiative, we get to build a better Colorado for our students, for our families, for our businesses, and for every future generation that’s going to come after us.”
The “Colorado Commits to Kids” ballot initiative would generate $950 million annually to improve public education under the provisions of the Future School Finance Act (Senate Bill 213). The State Legislature passed and Hickenlooper signed SB 213 in May to bring badly needed resources to our public school system. Over the past five years, lawmakers cut more than $1 billion from our schools and Colorado now spends $2,000 less per student than the national average.
SB 213 begins to address the shortfalls by overhauling a school funding system that has not changed in nearly 20 years. In his remarks, Garcia highlighted some of the benefits of SB 213, which calls for increased funding for all students with targeted resources to students who need help the most: at-risk preschool, full-day kindergarten, special education and gifted and talented, and English- language learners.
Lt. Gov. Garcia speaks at the kickoff for the ballot initiative campaign
“We know that not all kids enter school on equal footing. We know that not all kids speak the same language at home. We know that not all kids have books in the home. We know that not all kids make the same progress when they show up at school,” said Garcia. “If we want kids to graduate and all be ready for higher education, we need to make sure we can provide the level of individualized support that most district cannot now afford to offer. That’s what is key, and it’s key not just for those students, but for the long-term good of this state.”
Two days later, CEA held a statewide leader conference in Denver to plan how its Local Associations will reach out to members and voters with the facts on “Colorado Commits to Kids.”
CEA VP Amie Baca-Oehlert reviews campaign materials that show how “Colorado Commits to Kids” funding will better serve all students in all communities
At the conference, more than 70 leaders and staff affirmed “We’re All In” on passing the ballot measure and engaged in table discussions on how educators can drive voter support in their communities. They reviewed the success of the summer signature drive, in which CEA leaders, members and staff collected more than 19,400 signatures toward putting the initiative on the November statewide ballot, and they looked at ways to engage more CEA members to become involved in the campaign.
“This is about our students,” CEA President Kerrie Dallman told the conference participants. “A lot of us have talked over the last several years about the importance of taking action on social justice issues. I can’t think of an issue more important to us and our organization than the future of our kids and the investment in our kids’ future. Securing their future is exactly what these dollars are going to do.”
Filed under: Early childhood literacy, Funding, Public Education, Quality Teachers, SB 191, Teaching and learning conditions, Teaching Profession | Tagged: "Colorado Commits to Kids", "Green Mountain High School", "Kerrie Dallman", "Lt. Gov. Garcia", "public education", "SB 213", CEA, Colorado Education Association, education funding, Hickenlooper, school funding | Leave a comment »
Secretary Duncan on ‘Preschool for All’ at Denver townhall
Posted on July 22, 2013 by ceawhatworks
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke at a Denver townhall meeting, July 19, about a proposal to provide every four-year-old child with access to high-quality preschoool, while also incentivizing states to adopt full-day kindergarten policies.
President Obama is proposing a series of new investments that will establish a continuum of high-quality early learning for a child – beginning at birth and continuing to age five.
Secretary Duncan told the audience at the Clayton Early Learning Campus that less then 30% of the nation’s four-year-olds have access to high-quality preschool programs, and as a result, children starting kindergarten in disadvantaged communities are typically more than a year behind in academic and social skills.
“We have to close what I call the ‘opportunity gap’. Our children, from every community, are as smart, as talented, as great as children anywhere. We just haven’t given them the chance to be successful,” said Duncan.
The Secretary was joined by a panel representing several segments of the Colorado community – business, military, faith, law enforcement – each explaining how investment in early childhood education is crucial from their perspective.
“From a business person’s perspective, to see the efficiency of the investment thorugh my involvement at the state and national level, I’ve seen many evidences of the power of investing in kids,” said Brad Busse, an investment banker and early childhood education advocate who sits on the state’s Early Childhood Leadership Commission. “The reason I’m involved in this is that I think investing in kids early is the best investment we can make.”
Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey said he’s been asked many time over a 30-year career how to best prevent crime, and found early childhood education is the best answer.
“We prevent crime by investing in kids. We prevent crimes by supporting (education) programs,” said Morrissey. “When you get into my system, the criminal justice system, it’s too late. We are the system of last resort…The system you work in (education) is a lot more cost-effective than the system I work in.”
Duncan and his fellow panlists took many questions from the audience, including one on “Colorado Commits to Kids”, the education funding ballot initiative that would raise Colorado’s investment in public education by nearly $1 billion. CEA members and other groups are gathering voter signatures to put the measure on the statewide ballot in November.
“It’s a big initiative here in the state. I desperately hope it moves forward. I think the implications for the state’s children, for the state’s ecomony, are huge,” said Duncan.
Busse added, “Hopefully the success that we have with the ballot initiative in Colorado will be something that will go to other states. It’s a great model. This isn’t just a Colorado (issue), but something that affects all Americans.”
The townhall was hosted by Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia at the Clayton Early Learning Campus in Denver. Garcia said in his introductory remarks, “What we need to really be thinking about is the ‘school readiness gap’, the fact that some of our kids show up more ready than others, more prepared to learn and be successful. So we really want to focus on, and talk about how we make sure everyone has that opportunity.”
Giving every young child that opportunity may come down to how we think of education funding, according to Duncan.
“Do we think of education as an investment, or do we think of education as an expense?” asked Duncan. “There’s a lot of folks I work with and respect, but just fundamentally disagree with in Congress, who think we should be cutting back in education – cutting back from early childhood, cutting back from K-12, cutting back the college PELL grants. I just think we cut off our nose to spite our face when we do that.
“I spend a lot of time looking at our international competitors – Singapore, South Korea, China, India – and they are investing very, very heavily in innovation, in education, in early childhood education,” added Duncan. “I just want our children to have a chance to compete on a level playing field.”
Filed under: Early childhood literacy, Funding, Public Education | Leave a comment »
Teaching grant to give more Colorado students access to STEM instruction
Posted on January 15, 2013 by ceawhatworks
Colorado is the first state to receive a challenge grant from the National Education Association and matching-fund partners to train more teachers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Kerrie Dallman at Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia at the Colorado STEM expansion press conference, Jan. 15
Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia made the announcement today at Northglenn High School, which is transitioning into a STEM school to emphasize student learning in subjects projected to drive many 21st-century careers.
The NEA will provide $200,000 to the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL) for teacher training and certification, technology and support to expand its math and science program in Colorado. The NEA’s challenge grant is being matched by grants from the Morgridge Family Foundation ($150,000) and Xcel Energy ($50,000).
The NEA’s goal is to raise $1.5 million in efforts to spread the NJCTL teacher training model to many states. The Center cultivates teachers who are highly qualified and skilled educators to fill science and math teacher shortages, and has added more than 130 new physics and chemistry teachers in New Jersey since 2009.
Quotes from the participating organizations:
(watch video of remarks by Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and CEA President Kerrie Dallman on CEA’s YouTube channel)
“Colorado’s economy is adding jobs in STEM-related fields every day and we need to meet this growing demand by educating a highly-skilled and competitive workforce. Colorado is replicating progressive science and math training programs that will help translate a teacher’s first-rate instruction into better learning for students in the classroom.” – Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia
“We know a great teacher can make a tremendous impact on a student’s desire and ability to master STEM content, but Colorado lacks the number of teachers we need to help enough students learn these exciting subjects. This investment will grow our talent pool of outstanding STEM teachers and further our state’s collective goal of preparing every student to thrive in a dynamic economy.” – Kerrie Dallman, Colorado Education Association president
“We are thrilled to be working together to get additional qualified, caring, and committed math and science teachers into the state’s classrooms. There is a clear understanding that our nation’s prosperity is tied to innovation and that innovation will be spurred on by our ability to engage our students in STEM subjects and programs. NEA will continue to lead efforts to improve teaching and learning and invest in programs that work.” – Dennis Van Roekel, National Education Association president
“The Morgridge Family Foundation is thrilled to be a part of bringing Bob Goodman and his exceptional physics and math training programs to Colorado. We believe in doing all we can to transform the lives of students and teachers through proven instructional strategies. We are especially proud to support the early adopters at Northglenn High School and Adams 12 who have demonstrated a strong commitment to STEM education.” – Carrie Morgridge, Morgridge Family Foundation vice president
“Improving STEM education is imperative for the energy business and other sectors as well as our overall economy. More than half of our current jobs require STEM degrees or extensive math or science skills. These are positions critical to our business.” – David Eves, president and CEO of Public Service Co. of Colorado, an Xcel Energy company
“I want to express my appreciation to the NEA, Morgridge Family Foundation and Xcel Energy for having confidence in a program that has proven so successful in New Jersey and for providing the financial support needed to bring it to the students of Colorado.” – Dr. Bob Goodman, New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning executive director
On the national front, President Obama wants to add 100,000 highly qualified and skilled educators to better prepare students in the STEM subjects that are expected to be critical in 2.7 million new jobs over the next five years.
Kerrie Dallman with Northglenn High students after the press conference
Filed under: Funding, Jobs and the economy, Quality Teachers, Teaching Profession | Leave a comment »
TELL Colorado Survey begins February 6
As educators know, there is a clear connection between teaching conditions and student learning. This is why CEA is working with statewide partners for the third time to offer the TELL Colorado Survey to teachers from February 6 to March 6. We want to find out more about Colorado’s K-12 schools from the people who know them the best.
The TELL Colorado Survey is an anonymous, online survey which gives teachers and other licensed school-based educators the opportunity to tell their perceptions of the teaching and learning conditions in their schools. The survey data will provide educators, schools, districts, the Legislature, Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and CEA and its partners with information we can all use to improve our schools and support pro-education policies.
The TELL Colorado Survey (TELL stands for Teaching, Empowering, Leading, and Learning) was offered in 2009 and 2011, supported by funding from the Legislature. State-based versions of the survey are offered in a dozen other states in partnership with The New Teacher Center. CEA is working with CDE, CASE, CASB, the League of Charter Schools, and the Colorado Federation of Teachers on this year’s survey.
The TELL Colorado survey takes about 20-30 minutes and addresses issues of time, empowerment, leadership, resources, student conduct, community engagement, professional development, and mentoring. In their schools during the last week of January, educators will get individual letters with personal codes for taking the survey. After the close of the survey on March 6, The New Teacher Center will analyze data from all the schools that have sufficient participation for a written, school level report. Through this analysis, each school will have its own data to use in school improvement planning. The initial data will be available beginning in April.
Filed under: Funding, News, Public Education, Quality Teachers, Teaching and learning conditions, Teaching Profession, TELL Survey, Uncategorized | Tagged: 21st century skills and teaching, CEA, Colorado Education Association, educator effectiveness, quality teacher, teacher effectiveness, teaching and learning conditions | Leave a comment »
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Houston AstrodomeBy Bukowsky18 CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
Breaking News Industry News Venue News
Houston Has Its Domecoming Party Prior To Astrodome Overhaul
Posted on 10 April, 2018, 09:59 pm EDT April 10, 2018 by Joe Reinartz Contact Me
HOUSTON (CelebrityAccess) Houstonians paid one last visit to the its Eight Wonder of the World Monday before it gets a multimillion-dollar repurposing.
About 25,000 fans celebrated the Houston Astrodome on its 53d anniversary at the “Domecoming,” a party of sorts at the famous stadium and former home to baseball’s Astros and NFL’s Oilers before it closes for a $105 million redevelopment.
The county-owned Astrodome opened in 1965 but has been vacant for 19 years and shuttered to all events in 2009 (although there was a similar “Domecoming” for the 50th anniversary). Much of that has to do with the introduction of NRG Stadium, which opened its doors in 2002 and is literally on the other side of the parking lot.
It’s been a long time since the old stadium and its state-of-the-art dome, and this fake grass called “Astroturf,” was the wave of the future, with a baseball grounds crew that dressed up as spacemen (the venue opened the same year as NASA came to Houston).
The party included memorabilia and fans wearing T-shirts from years past, according to the Associated Press.
Renovations are expected to begin in October and wrap in 2020. County commissioners approved ithe renovations, which will include 1,400 parking spaces and upgrades for festivals and commercial use, two months ago.
RodeoHouston, the Offshore Technology Conference, and various car and boat shows are anxious to use the new version of the building, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett told the Houston Chronicle.
“We’ve come up with a plan that will let this nine acres be used and rented,” Emmett said. “I am more about using it than saving it. It’s more than nostalgia. It’s a great opportunity to convert it into a revenue generator for the whole NRG complex.”
“It’s like being in a ghost town,” Former Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini told the paper. “I remember coming in here with the rafters packed with people, screaming and yelling and celebrating.”
Marc Oswald To Launch ‘The Song’ TV Show Next Year
Posted by Joe Reinartz - July 11, 2019
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CFO Moves – week ending December 7, 2012
Posted on December 10, 2012 Written by Dergel CFO Admin Leave a Comment
Lithium Technologies Visual IQ Global Eagle Acquisition Corp.
Indiana University Big Fish Sequential Brands Group, Inc.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. Mission Community Bancorp PDL BioPharma, Inc.
EchoStar Corp. Interline Brands, Inc. UniGroup
Heritage Oaks Bancorp SquareTrade Yodle
Group FMG Saba Pressure BioSciences, Inc.
OrthoAccel Technologies Endologix, Inc. Tranzyme Pharma
Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Harris & Harris Group, Inc. Emailvision
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. CoaLogix Dole Food Company, Inc.
Abakan Inc. ANTs Software, Inc. Brunswick Corporation
Capstart Bank Endowment Capital Group, LP Martifer Solar USA
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Lithium Technologies announced that it has named Mark Culhane as its new Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Culhane served as Executive Vice President and CFO of DemandTec, prior to negotiating and leading its sale to IBM. Currently, Culhane serves on the Board of Directors of CallidusCloud, and is chairman of its audit committee and a member of its compensation committee. Previously, Culhane was CFO of iManage, and held the CFO role at publicly traded SciClone Pharmaceuticals.
Visual IQ announced that Angiras “AK” Koorapaty has joined the company in the role of chief financial officer. Prior to joining Visual IQ, Koorapaty served as chief financial officer of NitroSecurity. He has also held chief financial officer positions at Core Security Technologies, Webhire (acquired by Kenexa Corporation) and Corechange (acquired by Open Text Corporation). Prior, he spent nearly a decade in various financial management roles at Allstate Insurance Company.
Global Eagle Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: EAGL) announced that Jeff Epstein, formerly the Executive Vice President and CFO of Oracle Corporation, agreed to join the Global Eagle Board of Directors as independent director upon closing of its proposed business combination in which Global Eagle will acquire Row 44, Inc. (Row 44) and 86% of Advanced Inflight Alliance AG and will be renamed Global Eagle Entertainment Inc. Epstein also has agreed to serve as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Epstein served as EVP and CFO of Oracle from 2008 to 2011. Epstein has also served as the Chief Financial Officer at DoubleClick, VNU’s Media Measurement and Information Group (now Nielsen) and King World Productions (a unit of CBS Entertainment). Currently, Epstein is a Senior Advisor at Oak Hill Capital Partners and an Executive in Residence for Bessemer Venture Partners, both of which are located in Menlo Park, CA. Epstein currently serves on the boards of Priceline.com and Shutterstock.
Indiana University announced that IU Treasurer MaryFrances McCourt has been appointed interim vice president and chief financial officer effective Jan. 1. She will succeed Neil Theobald, who is leaving IU at the end of the year to become president of Temple University. McCourt joined IU as treasurer in 2005 from Agilysys Inc.
Big Fish announced the promotion of Dave Stephenson from CFO to President and CFO. Dave joined Big Fish in 2011, after 11 years at Amazon.com, most recently in the role of vice president of finance for the company’s North American Retail division. Dave previously provided financial leadership for Amazon’s Marketplace business and Amazon Web Services, among other areas. Prior to Amazon, Dave spent nine years with Procter & Gamble.
Sequential Brands Group, Inc. (OTC: SQBG) announced that Gary Klein has joined the Company as its Chief Financial Officer. Gary Klein previously served as Vice President of Finance at Iconix Brand Group. Prior to Iconix, Mr. Klein held finance-related positions at TV Guide Publishing Group, Columbia House and Office.com.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CWST) said it has promoted chief financial officer Ed Johnson to the post of president and chief operating officer, and that Ned Coletta, vice president of finance and investor relations, would become the company’s new senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. The company also said that Paul Larkin, who had served as president and chief operating officer, has left the company. Before joining Casella as chief financial officer in 2010, Johnson was chief financial officer at Waste Services, Inc. Previously, Johnson was president of Able Telcom during its turnaround, and has been a senior leader in six publicly traded companies, as well as a member of the board of directors at two companies, including Attwoods, PLC.
Mission Community Bancorp (OTC: MISN) announced that Thomas Tolda has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mission Community Bancorp and its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Mission Community Bank. Most recently, Mr. Tolda served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Heritage Oaks Bancorp in Paso Robles for the past two years. Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer at East West Bancorp in Los Angeles, Chief Financial Officer for the Consumer Credit Group at Wells Fargo & Co., and Chief Financial Officer at Citibank Federal Savings Bank.
PDL BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: PDLI) announced that Bruce Tomlinson has resigned his position as vice president and chief financial officer of PDL due to personal reasons.
EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ: SATS) announced that David J. Rayner will return to the role of chief financial officer of EchoStar. Kenneth G. Carroll, the current chief financial officer of EchoStar, will assume a broadened role of executive vice president of corporate and business development. Mr. Rayner left his position as chief financial officer of EchoStar in November 2011 to serve as the chief financial officer of a Denver-based start-up. Mr. Rayner has a long history with EchoStar, dating back to 2004 when EchoStar and DISH Network Corp. (DISH) were part of the same company. At DISH, he served first as chief financial officer and later as executive vice president of installation and service networks. After the spin-off of EchoStar in 2008, Mr. Rayner served first as the chief administrative officer and later as chief financial officer of EchoStar until 2011. Prior to his tenure at EchoStar, Mr. Rayner was an executive with Time Warner Telecom in Denver. Prior to joining EchoStar in 2010, Mr. Carroll served as president and chief operating officer of WildBlue Communications, chief financial officer for Liberty Satellite & Technology and chief financial officer for direct-to-home satellite TV provider PrimeStar.
Interline Brands, Inc. announced that John A. Ebner, Interline’s Chief Financial Officer, has informed the Board of Directors of his desire to leave the Company to pursue new opportunities closer to his family. Mr. Ebner will remain in his current position with Interline through March 2013.
UniGroup, parent of United Van Lines, Mayflower and other transportation-related companies, announced that Mark Schroeder, formerly chief financial officer at Patriot Coal, is the new CFO for the company. Schroeder also has worked for McDonnell Douglas Corp. and Ernst & Young, an accounting firm.
Heritage Oaks Bancorp (NASDAQ: HEOP) announced the appointment of Mark K. Olson as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Heritage Oaks Bank. Most recently, Mr. Olson served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Pacific Capital Bancorp and its subsidiary Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, until its acquisition by UnionBanCal Corporation. Prior to Pacific Capital Bancorp, Mr. Olson served as Vice President and Finance Director at Goldman Sachs Bank, USA. Mr. Olson also held a number of senior financial management positions at Westcorp, a $16 billion diversified financial services holding company company for Western Financial Bank, a federally chartered savings bank, and WFS Financial, a nationwide automobile finance company, prior to its acquisition by Wachovia Corporation.
SquareTrade announced that Michael Adler has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to joining SquareTrade, Michael Adler served as executive vice president and CFO of Expedia. Prior to Expedia, Michael served as SVP of financial planning and analysis for IAC/InterActiveCorp. Before joining IAC, Michael served in senior leadership positions at companies including SchoolSports (now known as ESPN Rise) and Cheyenne Software. Michael currently serves on the Board of Directors for Yodle, Inc.
Yodle announced that Michael Adler has been named to its board of directors and has also been appointed as chairperson of the audit committee. Mr. Adler recently joined SquareTrade®, the top-rated protection plan company, as CFO and previously held executive level positions at other companies such as Expedia, Inc., IAC/InterActiveCorp, and Styleclick.
Group FMG announced today that Sandeep Kulkarni has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Group FMG. Kulkarni joins Group FMG from Monsanto. In his twelve year career with Monsanto, Kulkarni held various senior positions in Singapore, the U.S. & India. His work experience prior to Monsanto includes roles with Coca-Cola, Pharmacia and Iridium.
Saba (NASDAQ: SABA) announced the appointment of Michael Shahbazian as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Shahbazian joins Saba from PDF Solutions where he served as the Company’s Interim CFO and Vice President of Finance from March 2012 to May 2012 and from June 2011 through December 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Shahbazian served as chief financial officer at various companies, including Guidewire Software, Inc. from November 2007 to July 2009, Embarcadero Technologies from October 2005 through July 2007 and Niku Corporation (acquired by Computer Associates) from January 2003 to August 2005.
Pressure BioSciences, Inc. (OTC: PBIO) announced that Conrad F. Mir has joined the Company as its chief financial officer (“CFO”). Most recently, Mr. Mir was chairman and CEO of Genetic Immunity, Inc. (GI). Prior to GI, Mr. Mir served as executive director of Advaxis, Inc. Prior to GI and Advaxis, Mr. Mir worked for several investment banks including Sanford C. Bernstein, First Liberty Investment Group, and Nomura Securities International.
OrthoAccel Technologies announced that Pamela Westbrook has been named Chief Financial Officer, Vice President Finance & Administration. For the past five years, she has provided financial consulting services for a number of privately-owned start-up medical device companies, including OrthoAccel. Prior to that, she served as CFO at Cyberonics, Inc. and the Physicians Resource Group. In addition, she was Vice President, Finance for SulzerMedica USA, Inc, and Vice President, Controller for Sulzer Carbomedics, Inc. She also held a Director-level position with Intermedics, Inc.
Endologix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELGX) announced that Robert J. Krist, Chief Financial Officer, has decided to retire. Mr. Krist will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer until a successor has been hired.
Tranzyme Pharma (NASDAQ: TZYM) announced that Richard I. Eisenstadt, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, has resigned effective January 4, 2013, to pursue a new career opportunity. Upon the effective date of Mr. Eisenstadt’s resignation, Tranzyme’s Controller, Rhonda L. Stanley will perform the duties of principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the Company.
Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) announced that Brian W. Kocher, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, has been named to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Kocher has held various senior leadership positions since joining Chiquita in 2005. Prior to serving as Chief Financial Officer, he was President, North America; President, Europe and the Middle East; and Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. He has more than 18 years of accounting, sales, finance and business process change expertise, including senior roles at General Electric, Hill-Rom, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Harris & Harris Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TINY) announced that it has appointed Patricia N. Egan as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2013. Ms. Egan has served as Chief Accounting Officer, as a Vice President and as Senior Controller since June 2005. From June 2005 to December 2005, from August 2006 to March 2008 and from May 2008 to December 31, 2008, she served as an Assistant Secretary. From January 2006 to January 2012, she served as Treasurer and as Secretary of H&H Ventures Management, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Ventures”). Since January 2012, she has served as Chief Accounting Officer, as a Vice President and as Senior Controller of Ventures
Emailvision announced that Jim Beach has been appointed the role of Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Jim served as CFO & VP at ADP Dealer Services International. Previously, Jim served as CFO and EVP of Cobalt Group Inc., CFO at Attachmate Corporation / WRQ, Inc., CFO at DataChannel, Inc., CFO and SVP at Applied Microsystems Corp.
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV) announced that Clay Williams has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of National Oilwell Varco. Mr. Williams has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 2005. He served as Varco International, Inc.’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from January 2003 until its merger with the Company in March 2005. Jeremy Thigpen will assume the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Thigpen has served as the Company’s President – Downhole Pumping and Solutions since 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Thigpen was the President of the Company’s Downhole Tools group from 2003 until 2007.
CoaLogix announced the hiring of Brett Ellis as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company. Mr. Ellis was most recently with Charlotte based FairPoint Communications where he held the position of Vice President — Business Planning and Financial Reporting; Vice President — Financial Reporting & Investor Relations and Vice President — Assistant Corporate Controller. Prior to that, Brett was with CT Communications in the role of Manager — Financial Reporting.
Dole Food Company, Inc. (NYSE: DOLE) announced that Keith C. Mitchell, current chief financial officer of Dole’s North American Fresh Fruit business, will become Chief Financial Officer; Joseph S. Tesoriero, current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be leaving Dole.
Abakan Inc. (OTC: ABKI) announced that it has appointed David Charbonneau as its new chief financial officer. Mr. Charbonneau has served as a member of the Corporation’s board of directors and as the head of Abakan’s audit, compensation, nominating and ethics committees since June of this year. The transition from his role on the board of directors to chief financial officer is part of a vigorous expansion of Abakan’s executive team. Prior to joining Abakan, Mr. Charbonneau served as the CFO of Diamond Engineered Space Inc., later sold to GE Capital, and Waco International Corporation, a subsidiary of an Australian public company.
ANTs Software, Inc. (OTC: ANTS) announced the addition of Elise Vetula, who joins ANTs as Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board Of Directors, from NextTraq where she served as the Comptroller.
Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) announced its plan of succession for chief financial officer, naming William L. Metzger to this position. Most recently vice president and treasurer of the Company, Metzger will succeed Peter B. Hamilton, who is retiring in February 2013. Metzger joined Brunswick in 1987 as a manager in the accounting department. In 1991, he was assigned to Brunswick’s internal audit staff as a manager, and in 1996 was named director – corporate accounting. In 2001, Metzger was named vice president and treasurer.
CapStar Bank announced that Rob Anderson has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President of Business Performance Management with Bank of America Corporation. Additionally, he held multiple Finance roles with Bank of America, including serving as Chief Financial Officer of Business Banking. Between two different tenures at Bank of America Corporation, Anderson served as SVP of Capital One Bank, North America, and Chief Financial Officer of Capital One’s Commercial Bank.
Endowment Capital Group, LP announced that Pam Strisofsky has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director. Prior to joining Endowment Capital, Pam was a Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of TL Ventures.
Martifer Solar USA named senior banking executive Roland Kiser as its Chief Financial Officer. Kiser is a veteran of UBS and HSH Nordbank.
Filed Under: CFO, CFO Search, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Search, Fired, Hired, NASDAQ, NYSE, Private Equity, Replaced, Resigned, Retained Search, Venture Capital, Vice President Finance Tagged With: Abakan, ANTs Software, Big Fish, Brunswick Corporation, Capstart Bank, Casella Waste Systems, Chiquita Brands International, CoaLogix, Dole Food Company, EchoStar, Emailvision, Endologix, Endowment Capital Group, Global Eagle Acquisition Corp., Group FMG, Harris & Harris Group, Heritage Oaks Bancorp, Indiana University, Interline Brands, Lithium Technologies, Martifer Solar USA, Mission Community Bancorp, National Oilwell Varco, OrthoAccel Technologies, PDL BioPharma, Pressure BioSciences, Saba, Sequential Brands Group, SquareTrade, Tranzyme Pharma, UniGroup, Visual IQ, Yodle
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Hungarian diplomats annual meeting in Budapest – UPDATE
Hungary investment volume up 7 pc in Q4
Published on 29 February 2016
migrant quotas
Budapest, February 29 (MTI) – Hungary must strive for good relations with Austria and find lasting forms of cooperation, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told Hungarian diplomats at their annual meeting on Monday. He told that threats made to withdraw European Union funding from central European countries were “unacceptable” and should be ignored. Orbán raised the issue of whether Hungary would eventually adopt the euro, saying that the decision would hinge on whether the nation was unified on the question. At stake, he added, is the country’s ability to pursue its own, sovereign economic policies.
Hungary must strive for good relations with Austria
Orbán said that “rude as the Austrian head of state’s statements may be”, he tried to speak to the Austrian people rather than to the chancellor, and he refused to be “impolite to the Austrian people”.
“Austria is an important partner for Hungary and will continue to be,” he said.
Orban: Threats to withdraw EU funding from central European countries ‘unacceptable’
Orbán poured scorn on “a few people” who “think there are those who work hard for their prosperity” and then there are the “poor, unlucky” central Europeans who get a little money “shoved over”.
Freedom to pursue national economic policy at stake on euro-adoption issue
Orbán pointed out that the vote of a two-thirds majority of lawmakers would be needed to adopt the single currency.
“This means that if the issue comes up concerning whether Hungary should join the euro zone or continue to pursue its independent economic policies and stay on the outside … a decision should be made based on national unity,” the prime minister said.
He called the “dilemma a great intellectual challenge for the next few years”, since more countries are “now seriously getting familiar with the idea that after the single currency could be even deeper integration.”
“This challenge is there for every country that is not a member of the euro zone. It is not certain that the end result would justify the endeavour, and we have to be prepared to adapt to a situation, but it does not do any harm to think about what Hungary’s interests would be in such a situation,” Orbán said.
Orban surveys state of relations with neighbours
Hungarian politicians in Romania are being subjected to a political campaign to undermine them and there are efforts to exclude leaders of the Hungarian ethnic minority, Orbán said. This must be properly challenged, he added.
At the annual meeting of foreign ministry mission heads, the prime minister said Hungarian-Slovak relations are in order, Hungarian-Serbian relations are well-balanced and with Croatia “we are trying to put relations in order … which is not easy because the network of relations has been damaged,” he said.
Commenting on Slovenia, Orbán said ties have been neglected but hopes of good cooperation in the future are high.
In Ukraine it is unclear when the country will become a constitutional state with a western-like economic structure, he said. He said, however, that it is in Hungary’s interest that there should always be “something” between Russia and Hungary and “we should not have a common border with Russia.”
Orbán noted that the sanctions against Russia will not be automatically extended at the end of the first half of this year.
Foreign ministry’s enhanced trade role paying dividends
As part of the reforms, trade diplomacy received a prominent role in the ministry’s operations.
The good performance of Hungary’s diplomats stands behind the growth of Hungarian exports, Orban told an annual meeting of foreign ministry mission heads.
Both exports and FDI are performing superbly, Orbán said. Investors need to be brought in, “they need to be spurred and inspired”, he added.
Orban rallies diplomats
Hungary is balanced and stable with a declining public debt, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told Hungarian diplomats at their annual meeting in Budapest on Monday.
He told them that the foreign ministry enjoys high prestige within the government and it plays a key role in the country’s affairs.
Orban told the diplomats that Hungary is respected, which does not mean that “they say a lot of good things about us”.
“But the fact that the world deals with a country of ten million which is integrated into [a bloc of] 500 million is a serious achievement,” he added.
Szijjártó slams calls for EU funding withdrawal
At an annual meeting of Hungarian diplomats, Szijjártó slammed recent calls for European Union funding to be withdrawn from Hungary.
The minister said this was “blackmail”. EU funding is based on contracts that do not specify agreement with the European mainstream as a condition for receiving them, he said. Hungarian ambassadors should “proudly and bravely” reject such calls, since EU money is not alms but funds that Hungary is entitled to, he added.
The migration crisis will stay on the agenda this year and every analyst agrees that the pressure on the continent will increase. Even the most cautious estimates suggest that 30 million to 35 million people are in the vicinity of southern and southeastern Europe who could easily decide to set out towards Europe. He said he expects serious disputes to continue about the possible solutions.
Commenting on energy security, Szijjártó said this is not only central Europe’s responsibility and interest but belongs to the whole of Europe. If the exploration of Black Sea gas fields in Romania starts and an interconnector between Hungary and Romania is built, then Hungary will have new resources. Paks will also stay on the agenda and Hungary will act like all countries that have built nuclear plants in recent years. It will refuse to give up the opportunity just because some people try to hinder the investment for financial reasons, he added.
Commenting on economic challenges, Szijjarto said there is an unprecedented fight for investment and export opportunities, and he asked the ambassadors to put in even more efficient and dynamic work in this field.
In connection with the Ukraine situation, he said it is in Europe’s interest that pragmatic dialogue between the EU and Russia should be restarted and continue in the long term. It is necessary to discuss sanctions, and, even though it is incumbent on all to stick to them, the damage they are causing to Hungarian and European economies should not be neglected.
Szijjártó noted that reforms in the ministry had put economic diplomacy at the forefront of its work, and 2015 was the first year in which the new structure had functioned throughout. Last year’s data expressly show that Hungary had notched up its highest export and foreign trade surplus of all time.
The minister said that Hungary’s policy of eastern and southern opening was not at the expense of economic relations with Europe and the United States but rather it was worth putting efforts in these directions alongside developing ties with traditional western markets. He insisted that the policy was already bearing fruit as China, Japan and India were in 4th, 5th and 6th places in terms of FDI into Hungary.
Szijjártó said that in 2015 decisions had been made to open six foreign missions and two — in Tashkent and Addis-Ababa — had already started operating, while the others would open by the end of the year. Proposals are being examined on expanding Hungarian missions in South America, too, he said.
Jobbik calls diplomats’ meeting ‘smokescreen’
The Jobbik party said the government’s meeting with diplomats earlier in the day was a “smokescreen” and that the prime minister and the foreign minister were only running a communication campaign instead of doing real diplomatic work.
Márton Gyöngyösi, deputy leader of parliament’s foreign affairs committee and a lawmaker for Jobbik, said it was a “shortsighted” assessment of diplomatic achievements when merely economic indicators are cited as a measurement of success. He added that it was an “amateurish” idea to scrap the Institute of Foreign Affairs and External Economy, which is an institute for strategic planning.
Gyöngyösi added that the government has been unable to improve the situation of Hungarian communities beyond the borders and asked the government to fight for the rights of these ethnic Hungarians.
Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters
Jack Russell says:
Hungary should leave the EU while it still can. The EU is a plan conceived to destroy the European peoples and replace them with 3rd world enemys that will wreck the cultures and heritage that have flourished for centuries.
USA would deploy tanks in Tata, Orban is careful because of Moscow
According to hir24.hu, since it is stationing, the Parliament says…
Hungarian government: EU-Turkey weekend summit on migration crucial
Budapest (MTI) – The upcoming EU-Turkey summit focusing on migration…
African man drives trolleys in Budapest
Have you met the African trolley driver in Budapest?
Hungarian foreign minister proposes urgent enlargement of EU
Warsaw, November 29 (MTI) – The European Union should be…
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First Impressions of the New iMac Pro
Apple held a small briefing yesterday in New York City to officially unveil the new iMac Pros, which went on sale today.
It is decidedly more expensive than its non-pro iMac siblings — the iMac Pro starts at $4999, but most configurations will cost significantly more. But make no mistake — if you buy one of these, you’re getting true professional performance for your money. You’re not just getting (admittedly gorgeous) space gray anodized aluminum.
The entire lineup of iMac Pros is based on Intel’s new Xeon W CPUs, and they are exclusively SSD-based. There are no configurations with spinning hard drives or Fusion drives — according to Apple, the system architecture is designed only to work with SSDs for internal storage. These components are all high-end: the RAM is 2666 MHz DDR 4 ECC; the SSD storage has write speeds of 3.3 GB/sec and read speeds of 2.8 GB/sec. They have more Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports than the regular iMacs (including support for attaching up to two 5K external displays), 10-gigabit Ethernet (regular iMacs have plain old gigabit Ethernet), and the iMac Pro even has better-sounding speakers.
Here’s how quickly the price can escalate though: the base model $4999 iMac Pro has an 8-core CPU, 32 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD, a Radeon Pro Vega 56 graphics card, and the exclusive space gray Magic Mouse. If you upgrade to 64 GB of RAM, 2 TB SSD, the Vega 64 graphics card, and the space gray Magic Trackpad (instead of, not in addition to, the Magic Mouse), the price goes to $7,249. A 10-core iMac Pro with maxed out RAM (128 GB) and SSD storage (4 TB) and the Vega 64 graphics card is $11,599.
Apple is not fucking around with these machines, and neither are the people who will be buying them.
Apple invited a nice array of third-party developers to demo their software on the iMac Pro. My notes:
Adobe Dimension CC: Dimension is a relatively new app from Adobe. It lets designers create photo-realistic 3D renderings from 2D designs — for example, consumer packaging labels. Dimension’s rendering performance scales linearly with the number of CPU cores, which means it renders 2-5 times faster on iMac Pro compared to a regular iMac or MacBook Pro.
Gravity Sketch: VR-based 3D sketching. Very cool. I got to try it out, and in a nut, it’s almost more like sculpting than drawing. The iMac Pro is the only Mac capable of supporting Gravity Sketch.
Twinmotion: A real-time 3D visualization app. Architects can use Twinmotion to create 3D models from CAD drawings, and turn them into something akin to a 3D video game where you can, effectively, walk around and see what it would look like to be there. It includes features like setting the time of day, and even simulating various weather conditions and seasons of the year, all of which affect the lighting. And it’s all rendered in real time.
Electronauts: A VR music production app from a company called Survios, heretofore known for creating VR games. Electronauts was only officially announced today. It’s primarily a DJ app — creating, recording, and performing live electronic music, but it’s mixed with a game-like atmosphere akin to something like Guitar Hero. The interface is entirely VR-based — there is no non-VR UI, and the iMac Pro (a) runs Electronauts wonderfully — perfectly smooth at a high frame rate, and (b) is the only Mac capable of running it at all.
Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro X: Logic now allows massively multi-tracked projects to play in real-time. On any other Mac, sufficently complex projects would require either pre-rendering or real-time playback with compressed fidelity. Today’s new release of Final Cut Pro X adds editing features for VR experiences. Again, only on iMac Pro.
The bottom line is that for some tasks, the iMac Pros now handle full-fidelity playback in real-time that on any other Mac — MacBook Pro or Mac Pro — would require rendering or lower-fidelity playback. For other tasks, notably VR, the iMac Pro supports software that simply cannot run on any other Mac today.1
Apple has been effectively out of the professional desktop hardware game for a few years. The “trash can” Mac Pro design of 2013 languished, unchanged technically, in Apple’s product line for reasons unexplained until last April, when Apple took the unprecedented step of holding a small media summit to announce (a) that they were working on a “completely rethought” Mac Pro, and (b) had a pro-targeted iMac in the works that would ship by the end of 2017.
The new iMac Pros that started shipping today deliver on half of that promise. These are serious, undeniably professional machines. The Mac has gone from being a non-player in the burgeoning world of VR to a credible contender in one fell swoop. Two questions remain in my mind:
First, when is the “completely rethought” Mac Pro going to ship, and what is it going to offer above and beyond the iMac Pro besides separating the computer hardware from the display? Apple had nothing to say regarding the new Mac Pro other than that it is still forthcoming. If I needed the performance of modern professional desktop hardware, I would order an iMac Pro today. I wouldn’t wait.
Second, and to me far more importantly: how committed is Apple to keeping the iMac Pro up to date? It’s an impressive piece of engineering — do not let the appearance fool you into thinking that the iMac Pro is just an iMac with a dark finish and speed-bumped processors. Internally, it’s a completely different architecture. But the 2013 Mac Pro was an impressive piece of engineering and design that Apple put a lot of effort into, too.
My hope is that the iMac Pro has been designed with the future in mind. VR is moving fast. Even on today’s leading hardware, the best VR experience is still insufficient — resolution is low (individual pixels are visible, clearly) and latency is still a huge problem. The end game for VR is an experience equivalent to our real-world vision. Every year’s worth of CPU and GPU improvements will be needed to get from here to there, so the iMac Pro will need to be updated on a roughly annual basis to remain relevant.
Some excellent reports from other writers who attended yesterday’s briefing:
Rene Ritchie at iMore: “Beauty of a Beast”.
Matthew Panzarino at TechCrunch: “Apple’s iMac Pro Is a Love Letter to Developers”.
Lance Ulanoff: “Apple’s iMac Pro Is a Processing Monster”.
Dieter Bohn at The Verge: “The iMac Pro Is a Beast, but It’s Not for Everybody”.
All of the VR demos at Apple’s briefing yesterday used the HTC Vive VR headset and controllers. None of them used the Oculus Rift. ↩︎
Previous: High Sierra Root Login Bug Was Mentioned on Apple’s Support Forums Two Weeks Ago
Next: Apple Addresses Why Some iPhones With Older Batteries Are Benchmarking Slower
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Deborah Lipstadt, Author
Antisemitism: Here and Now
One of the enduring attractions of conspiracy theories is that they explain everything.
Your manuscript is multiply-rejected, it’s a conspiracy of Jewish book editors or publishers. Don’t like what you read or see on the news, blame the Jews who allegedly control all the world’s media. Your party is being rejected by voters and will lose its majority in the House of Representatives, summon up the myth of Jewish bankers who run the world. In the loudly-expressed opinion of the leader of that dramatically reduced minority of Republicans in the house, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, that was the doing of George Soros, notoriously rich and notoriously Jewish, and the frequent target of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories like McCarthy’s.
Which explains why McCarthy is a “hypocritical oaf.” Oafish he may have been for some time, but his hypocrisy was manifest in his recent call for the removal of Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee: “Anti-Semitic tropes have no place in the halls of Congress,” McCarthy tweeted. “It is dangerous for Democrat (sic) leadership to stay silent on this reckless language.”
The “reckless language” that McCarthy said should draw the same punishment laid on Republican Representative Steve King of Iowa for his open and decades-long espousal of white supremacy, was Representative Omar’s claim that “the Benjamins, Baby” – big money from the American-Israeli lobbying organization AIPAC – bought congressional support for Israel.
The claim was literally incorrect, as AIPAC and dozens of politicians of both parties rushed to point out. AIPAC does not make cash donations. But, that explanation is intentionally incomplete, as the former AIPAC staffer and journalist-blogger M.J. Rosenberg noted. AIPAC has a large political unit that gives guidance and support to favored politicians, and has been known to recommend to its members that they give direct financial aid to friendly candidates. Benjamins – dollars doled out in the hundreds – are not infrequently involved.
Still, many of Representative Omar’s fellow Democrats denounced her comments for their alleged anti-Semitic tropes and brought her to an apology: “Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes,” Ms. Omar said in a statement released on Twitter. “My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole. I unequivocally apologize.”
“Lame,” was President Donald Trump’s word for the apology, adding, “she didn’t mean a word of it.”
This from the same lame-brain who claimed “very fine people” joined the marchers in Charlottesville, Virginia who chanted, “Jews will not replace us.” Or maybe he included the “fine people” dressed in battle fatigues carrying semi-automatic rifles who stood across the street from Charlottesville’s Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, and who threatened on Nazi websites to burn it down.
Perhaps Trump’s method of dealing with those threatening anti-Semites would have the same one he suggested immediately after Joseph Bowers gunned down 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue: If there were armed guards outside the shul, he said, the attack might have been prevented.
No student of antisemitic tropes would have missed the logic of the president’s thinking: blame the victims.
Deborah Lipstadt is an American historian, best known as author of the new book Antisemitism: Here and Now, as well as Denying the Holocaust (1993), History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier (2005) and The Eichmann Trial (2011). She is currently the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University in Georgia, United States.
https://www.amazon.com/Antisemitism-Here-Deborah-Lipstadt/dp/0805243372
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/11/opinion/ilhan-omar-antisemitism.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/08/opinion/sunday/israel-progressive-anti-semitism.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/11/us/politics/ilhan-omar-anti-semitism.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/02/11/its-all-about-benjamins-baby-ilhan-omar-again-accused-anti-semitism-over-tweets/?utm_term=.d94ffba571e0
https://forward.com/opinion/419112/ilhan-omar-tweeted-something-anti-semitic-again/?utm_source=PostUp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News%202/11&utm_maildate=02/11/2019
https://forward.com/fast-forward/419143/pelosi-omar-apologize-anti-semitic-comments-aipac/
https://forward.com/fast-forward/419123/ilhan-omar-aipac-israel-antisemitism-jewish-democrats/
https://forward.com/news/breaking-news/419111/ilhan-omar-just-doesnt-understand-aipac-heres-how-it-works/
https://theintercept.com/2019/02/11/ilhan-omar-israel-lobby-documentary/?utm_source=The+Intercept+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a08dad408f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_16&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e00a5122d3-a08dad408f-132482617
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/as-anti-semitism-rises-in-france-macrons-government-struggles-to-respond/2019/02/19/2aa9fb52-345a-11e9-8375-e3dcf6b68558_story.html?utm_term=.38df174b5b20
https://www.thenation.com/article/antisemitism-conspiracy-ilhan-omar/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%2002142019&utm_term=daily
https://www.newyorker.com/news/current/trumps-response-to-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-and-his-obsession-with-the-word-frankly
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/why-trumps-unscripted-response-the-pittsburgh-shootings-was-so-wrong
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/08/nazis-racism-charlottesville/536928/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/11/ilhan-omar-anti-semitism-allegation/2836508002/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/30/books/review/deborah-e-lipstadt-antisemitism.html?emc=edit_bk_20190201&nl=book-review&nl_art=&nlid=3087935edit_bk_20190201&ref=headline&te=1
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ilhan-omars-tweets-were-appalling-what-happened-next-was-inspiring/2019/02/11/aa2235e8-2e47-11e9-8ad3-9a5b113ecd3c_story.html?utm_term=.1366f7ebd2ae
https://www.thenation.com/article/ady-barkan-aipac-ilhan-omar/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%2002132019&utm_term=daily
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/13/real-lesson-controversy-over-rep-ilhan-omars-tweets/?utm_term=.df65ca21ce55
https://lobelog.com/ilhan-omar-aipac-and-denial/#more-47722
https://www.thenation.com/article/aipac-omar-israel-congress-anti-semitism/
CATEGORIES: Books we like, Human Rights, US Politics
TAGS: Antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt
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Dan Joseph, author
The Last Ride of the Iron Horse
Larry Cohler
Ron Swoboda, author, major league baseball player
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The African Church at the Corner of Second & Walnut
December 9, 2018 December 20, 2018 / David Cecelski
Detail from the frontispiece of David Walker’s Appeal, 3rd edition (1830). Walker was born and raised in Wilmington and may have been a member of the Methodist church that Susan Johnson visited in 1801.
This is the 10th part of my series on Susan Edwards Johnson’s diary of her travels on the North Carolina coast in 1800 and 1801. I found the diary last spring at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford, Conn.
One last note before I leave Wilmington and conclude my series on Susan Johnson’s diary by looking at her trip to the Black River–
On January 24, 1801, Susan Johnson’s diary describes a visit to a Methodist church in Wilmington, N.C., that was a strange new experience for her: enslaved Africans and African Americans made up a large majority of the congregation. In addition, she may have been sitting near a young boy who would grow up and become one of the most important voices for freedom and justice in American history.
Her day began less auspiciously. On that same Sunday, she first attended worship services at another church, St. James Episcopal.
Of the Episcopalians, Susan wrote only a single line in her diary—
Still in town. Went to Church. Heard a good sermon, the congregation very small.
Perhaps feeling a want of the spirit, or perhaps out of mere curiosity, she decided that afternoon to attend the town’s Methodist church as well.
At Wilmington’s African Church
At that time, the Methodist church was called simply the “African Church.” (After the Civil War, the church divided into a predominantly white congregation that is now Grace United Methodist Church and into a predominantly black congregation, St. Stephen AME Church).
In her diary, Susan wrote—
In the afternoon went to a Methodist meeting—heard a ranting sermon . . . as is customary from that sect. This congregation is principally of negroes. The Methodist have done much good to the miserable people [– ] have made them more faithful to their Masters & more moral & decent in every respect—the Society is mostly supported by the Blacks….
Stained glass windows depicting (left to right) Charles Wesley, John Wesley and Francis Asbury, all central figures in the establishment of Methodism. Memorial Chapel, Lake Junaluska, N.C.
To say that the congregation “was mostly supported by the Blacks” was a bit of an understatement. Two years later, in 1803, when Francis Asbury (the first bishop of American Methodism) stopped in Wilmington, he visited the church and later wrote in his diary:
I met the people of color, leaders and stewarts [sic]; we have eight hundred and seventy-eight Africans and a few whites in fellowship.
A Methodist minister named William Meredith had intentionally founded the church as a mission for Wilmington’s enslaved people. That was in 1797, and he was a white man from Great Britain and had previously been a missionary in the British West Indies.
The Rev. Meredith or one of Susan’s hosts apparently told her that the church was steering the enslaved congregants to be “more faithful to their Masters & more moral & decent in every respect.”
Early Methodists and Slavery
Many local slaveholders would have begged to differ. Methodism was a new, upstart branch of Christianity, and they looked at early Methodism with deep suspicion.
Guion Griffis Johnson. Courtesy, University of North Carolina Library
One of the great North Carolina historians, Guion Griffis Johnson, discussed the early Methodists and their relationship to the enslaved in her 1937 masterpiece, Ante-bellum North Carolina: A Social History.
She wrote—
The new religion… met opposition on all sides. It was called “Nigger religion” because Methodist leaders made a special effort to preach to the Negroes and because they opposed slavery. The Methodist preachers often had a peculiar manner of speaking. They made direct appeals to the emotions so that shouting and “trembling” frequently accompanied their meetings. Such extravagances naturally led to persecution. In various parts of the State, particularly at Wilmington, Methodist ministers were arrested or assaulted, churches were burned, and at least one man applied a “blister-plaster” to his wife to cure her of Methodism.
By 1801, when Susan Johnson worshiped there, the Wilmington church had a small building at the corner of Second and Walnut streets. Rev. Meredith had already been imprisoned on one occasion, and whites had burned the church at least once.
Throughout the early 19th century, slaveholders suspected Methodists of being abolitionists. After every slave uprising, they cast blame on Methodist evangelists and their teachings.
In his The Experience of Thomas H. Jones (Boston, 1862), the former slave described how white Methodists in Wilmington assisted him to conceal his wife and children on a ship headed to the North.
In Wilmington, slaveholders also blamed (sometimes with good cause) white Methodists for assisting enslaved Methodists to flee on the Underground Railroad.
During those years, many white Methodist clergymen remained intent on bringing the Gospel to free and enslaved people alike. Echoing what Susan heard, they generally insisted that they were only concerned for the enslaved people’s souls and were not anti-slavery at all.
In reality, that was often the case, but not always.
Among black Methodists, there was no such debate. In the early Methodist prayer meetings and Sunday schools, they wedded their own struggle for freedom to a Biblical vision of exile, struggle and salvation that was straight out of Exodus.
David Walker’s Appeal
And then there is this: David Walker, one of the most influential anti-slavery voices in American history, may have been at that Methodist meeting that Susan attended in January 1801.
Walker was born a free black in Wilmington on Sept. 26, 1796, so he would have been 4 years old at that time. (The mother’s status defined the child’s status: Walker’s father was enslaved, but his mother was free so he was born free.)
He would leave Wilmington when he was a young man. Of that moment, he later wrote:
If I remain in this bloody land, I will not live long…I cannot remain where I must hear slaves’ chains continually and where I must encounter the insults of their hypocritical enslavers.
After leaving Wilmington, David Walker eventually settled in Boston, Mass. There he became an important anti-slavery activist and writer, most famous for a pamphlet that he wrote in 1829.
Frontispiece to the 3rd edition of David Walker’s Appeal (1830)
That pamphlet was called Walker’s Appeal, in Four Articles; Together with a Preamble, to the Coloured Citizens of the World, but in Particular, and Very Expressly, to Those of the United States of America, Written in Boston, State of Massachusetts, September 28, 1829.
The title might have been long and ungainly, but Walker’s pamphlet ranks up there with Thomas Paine’s Common Sense in its place in the American literature of freedom and liberty.
“Enriched . . . with our Blood and Tears”
Walker’s Appeal was a slaveholder’s worst nightmare, however: a black man staking a claim to America and calling for free blacks and the enslaved peoples of the U.S. to rise up and take their freedom, if whites would not give up slavery peacefully.
America is more our country, than it is the whites — we have enriched it with our blood and tears.
Across the South, white political leaders outlawed Walker’s Appeal. They made it illegal for the Appeal to enter their state and imposed harsh punishments for those who were found with the pamphlet in their possession. One state, Georgia, even announced a bounty for Walker’s assassination.
We can see Walker’s Christian upbringing is his Appeal. In its language, its cadence and its moral framework, the Appeal drew heavily on the Bible, as well as on the political ideas of the Enlightenment.
Not surprisingly, his most important biographer, historian Peter Hinks, has argued that Walker belonged to—or at least had a connection to— the Methodist church that Susan Johnson attended on Jan. 24, 1801.
Copy of the 3rd edition of David Walker’s Appeal (1830). Courtesy, Docsouth
Hinks is the author of an excellent biography of Walker titled To Awaken My Afflicted Brethren. He also edited an annotated edition of the Appeal that has important background information for understanding Walker and his times.
In both works, Hinks traced Walker’s militant anti-slavery vision to underground intellectual currents that had existed in the African American communities of Wilmington and Charleston, South Carolina, the other city where Walker lived before going north to Boston.
With respect to Wilmington, Hinks specifically identifies the city’s Methodist church as one of the likelier African-American institutions to have influenced young Walker.
I find the possibility irresistible: when she attended that little Methodist church, Susan Johnson may have been sitting a few pews away from David Walker. Of course, she could not possibly have imagined who that young boy would become, just as she did not know the fires of freedom and justice that smoldered there at the corner of Second and Walnut streets.
Next time– my conclusion of this series– Susan Johnson and the Black River
Love in the Archives, Susan Johnson's Diary
abolition, African American churches, New Hanover County, Religion and Faith, Slave Resistance, Wilmington N.C.
← A Jonkunnu Christmas at Historic Stagville– this Saturday!
The Witch at the Black River →
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Chief Joseph White Bull
Chief Joseph White Bull, a scalp-shirt wearer or principal chief of the Minneconjou Sioux, amassed an enviable record of courage in the Battle of Little Big Horn in which he counted 7 coups, killed two soldiers in hand-to-hand combat, one of whom he later believed to be Georg A. Custer, and captured two guns and 12 horses. He died in 1947 aged 97.
“My cousin Bad Soup (Bad Juice) took a buckskin jacket off a dead soldier-chief – one I had shot earlier. In one of the pockets he found coils of long yellow hair. ‘That man there was Long hair Custer’ he told me. He thought he was the greatest man on earth, but he lies there now. He cut his hair so he would be scalped.” – Cherry Creek, SD 1939
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Senate Overview
Senate: Do Democrats Have a Path to the Majority?
@jennifereduffy
Senate Democrats believe that winning the majority in 2020 is well within their reach. While the map looks much better for them than it did in 2018, do they have a clear path to the majority? At least today, this is not a yes or no question. The real answer is: it depends. It depends on a range of factors; some of which are in Democrats’ control and some that just aren’t.
To win the majority, Democrats need to score a net gain of three seats if they win the White House or four seats if Republicans prevail.
It is true that Democrats are looking at a better map this cycle than the one they faced in 2018. Of the 12 seats that they are defending, only one – U.S. Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama – is in a state that President Trump carried in 2016. If Republicans want to put other states in play, there are really only three possibilities, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters in Michigan, Tina Smith in Minnesota and Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire. But, Republicans will have to recruit very credible first-tier candidates if they are going to turn potential into possibility. The only way other opportunities might open up is if there is a retirement. At this point, all Democratic incumbents have said that they intend to seek re-election. If that holds, this will be the second consecutive cycle without a Democratic retirement.
Of the 22 seats that Republicans are defending this cycle, including open seats in Kansas and Tennessee, there are three in real danger: U.S. Sens. Martha McSally in Arizona, Cory Gardner in Colorado and Susan Collins in Maine. While Trump carried Arizona by four points in 2016, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won Colorado by five points and Maine by three points. These races will be very competitive as long as Democrats recruit credible candidates.
If this represents the Senate landscape in the fall of 2020, Democrats would be hard pressed to win the majority. In this scenario, they would have to hold on to Alabama, win the White House and pick up Arizona, Colorado and Maine. Certainly, this is possible because anything in politics is possible. It’s just not probable.
Thus, Democrats have to work to expand the playing field beyond the GOP’s most vulnerable seats. To that end, they believe that they can put Georgia and North Carolina, where U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Thom Tillis are seeking second terms, in play. Trump carried Georgia by five points and North Carolina by four points in 2016. If Democrats want to make these competitive, they will need very solid first-tier candidates. In Georgia, party strategists are waiting to see if 2018 gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams runs. Abrams’ candidacy would put the race in Toss Up. Most other potential candidates would have to earn their way to Toss Up.
Although it’s still very early, North Carolina has been something of a recruiting disappointment for Democrats. Their first choice, state Attorney General Josh Stein, has opted to run for re-election rather than take on Tillis. Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, who was Mayor of Charlotte from 2009 – 2013, has also taken a pass. And like Georgia, there isn’t another obvious first-tier candidate.
Democrats are also actively recruiting in the open seat in Kansas, as well as in Iowa where U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is seeking a second term, in Kentucky against GOP Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and in Texas against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
They can and do make credible arguments in each of these states: Democrats won the gubernatorial race in Kansas in 2018, creating an opening for the party; Ernst is running in a presidential year in a state in which Trump isn’t as popular as a Republican President would be expected to be; McConnell appears to have weak poll numbers; and Democrat Beto O’Rourke came within three points of defeating GOP U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2016 (in truth, Cornyn is in better shape than Cruz was at this point in the cycle).
None of these is an easy race for Democrats. They might be able to recruit candidates who can make these races competitive, but their chances of winning any of them seem slim today. It’s more likely, though, that Democratic strategists are looking to make Republicans devote resources to these races and hopefully at the expense of other, more vulnerable contests.
So what is Democrats’ path to the majority? Let’s stipulate simply based on presidential performance that Alabama is the North Dakota of 2020 and Jones doesn’t win a full term. That means that Democrats need to pick up four Republicans seats if they win the White House or five if they don’t. To do this, they would need to sweep the three most vulnerable GOP-held seats (Arizona, Colorado and Maine) and then win both Georgia and North Carolina, or see lightning strike in Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky or Texas. Is this a plausible scenario? Sure, in theory. But, if nothing else, this scenario demonstrates how narrow Democrats’ path to the majority really is.
Of course, the biggest “it depends” factor is the identity of the Democratic presidential nominee. Will the party nominate someone who is acceptable to voters in Georgia and North Carolina? Will the nominee be too progressive for Arizona voters, or not progressive enough for Democratic base voters in Colorado? The answers to these questions won’t be known for more than a year, but the eventual nominee will be important in defining what kind of path Democrats face in their quest for the majority.
Image Credit: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
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AutoNation Office of Corporate Communications and Public Policy
AutoNation Achieves Milestone of Its' 9 Millionth Vehicle Sold
Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO of AutoNation the largest car retailer in the United States was in Bradenton Florida to award a new Ford F150 pickup truck to an AutoNation customer who was purchasing a new truck for his small business. Mr. James Gordon, a 92 year old small business owner, was the 9 millionth retail vehicle customer; from the founding of the company by Wayne Huizenga.
Appearing on CNBC Mr. Jackson responded to Joe Kernen anchor of the morning show "Squawk Box" in that 'cars were flying off of the lots in the United States in July according to “Auto Data” a national car data sales accounting service . Nearly 15.7 million vehicles will be sold on an annual sales rate - versus 14 million a year ago. Mr. Jackson may have been conservative in his sales projections for the U.S. this year but the trend in sales figures so far has been confirming his projections. With the stock at an all-time high, the company sold over 25,000 units in the month of July.
"What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is how quickly we've achieved it," said Mike Jackson. "It's a real testament to our business philosophy and our coast-to-coast team of over 21,000 associates who have the talent and tenacity to accomplish amazing things."
Total retail new vehicle unit sales in July 2013, as reported to the applicable automotive manufacturers, were 25,403, an increase of 17% as compared to July 2012. Same-store retail new vehicle unit sales in July 2013 were 24,195, an increase of 12% as compared to July 2012. Total retail new vehicle unit sales for AutoNation's operating segments were as follows:
AutoNation New Vehicle Retail Unit Sale July 2013
7,950 for Domestic, up 23% versus July 2012,
13,066 for Import, up 14% versus July 2012, and
4,387 for Premium Luxury, up 19% versus July 2012.
There were 25 selling days in July 2013 versus 24 selling days in July 2012. AutoNation expects to report August 2013 retail new vehicle unit sales on Thursday, September 5, 2013.
AutoNation Announces Record Earnings for 2nd Quarter 2013 - Up 11% Year Over Year
Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO of AutoNation the largest auto and truck retailer in the United States; appeared on CNBC with Becky Quick, Joe Kernen and Steve Liesman this morning to announce the company’s continuing record of all-time highs in quarterly earnings.
EPS from continuing operations for the 2nd quarter of 2013 was $0.73 per share, up 11% compared to second quarter 2012 adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $0.66 ($0.64 on a GAAP basis). Total revenue was $4.4 billion, an increase of 13%, as compared to the same year-ago period. This represents an increase across all major business sectors resulting in an operating income of $181 million dollars for the quarter; an increase of 10% as compared to the same year-ago period.
Mr. Jackson responded to Joe Kernen when asked about the projected annual production of vehicles in the U.S. for the current year. "Well Joe, I forecasted the mid-15 million units for the industry and was one of the most optimistic projections 'out there'. Now, I can absolutely confirm the industry is on track to do that."
"If you look at the two issues concerning the U.S. market, namely interest rates, well, auto retail is very much active in the short end of the yield curve. We see little change in the interest rates for our customers or the cost of our inventory maitanence. Nevertheless, some interest rates will move higher. But, it looks like it's sometime down the road, for autos. An increase of 100 basis points means about $15 a month more that customers will have to pay on an avrage loan."
"Gas prices are the second issue that we have to contend with. The consumer is now used to a gas price of around $3.50 per gallon, an now the freakout number is up to around $5 a gallon."
"The new buyer has embraced the new technologies around fuel economy, multi-speed transmissions, and for the life of me, I can't understand why gasoline is $3.50 a gallon. With the average miles driven annually in the U.S. down from the peak of '07; and oil gushing out all over america, we have dramatically increased supply. In the country people are driving more fuel efficient cars; so, any common sense would say, gas prices are coming down."
Mr. Jackson continues. " There has been a dramatic change in consumer behavior compared to five years or ten years ago. First the industry has a technical solution for fuel economy. hybrids and electrics. that's part of it. that's 3 to 4% of the business. we've had a dramatic break through in turbo chargeing, direct injection, multi-speed transmissions, the computer systems on the car that can manage and integrate those complex systems, they work seamlessly to give you great performance and dramatically improve fuel efficiency without having smaller cars or to drive slower."
"But, as you know, Joe, Americans don't like going backwards in life. it's a tough sell to say, hey, you want better fuel economy. you got to get something slower. This doesn't work in America. The industry has provided a great technical solution in new engineering."
Click on video icon to view
AutoNation Announces Total Retail New Vehicle Unit Sales Increased of 14% - Versus June 2012
AutoNation today announced total vehicle unit sales for the month of July 2012 saw an increase of 14% year over year in the companyy's stores nationwide for a total of 25,162 units. There were 26 selling days in June 2013 versus 27 selling days in June 2012. AutoNation expects to report July 2013 retail new vehicle unit sales on Friday, August 2, 2013. The states of Florida and California saw an increase of 8% and 10% respectively.
AutoNation New Vehicle Unit Sales for June 2013
8,130 for Domestic, up 15% versus June 2012,
12,460 for Import, up 8% versus June 2012, and
4,572 for Premium Luxury, up 8% versus June 2012.
AutoNation Announces Total Retail New Vehicle Unit Sales of 26,372 in May 2013 – UP 11%
Mike Jackson Chairman and CEO of AutoNation - America's largest automotive retailer, today appeared on CNBC with the legendary Bob Lutz, past Vice Chairman of General Motors, to announce the company's total retail new vehicle unit sales in May 2013 as reported to the applicable automotive manufacturers were 26,372 - an increase of 11% as compared to May 2012. Same-store retail new vehicle unit sales in May 2013 were 25,566; an increase of 8% as compared to May 2012. Total retail new vehicle unit sales for the month were as follows.
AutoNation New Unit Sales for May 2013
8,287 for Domestic, up 14% versus May 2012
13,181 for Import, up 7% versus May 2012
4,904 for Premium Luxury, up 17% versus May 2012
Mike Jackson explained to Michelle Caruso-Cabrera of CNBC and guest hosts of its morning show Squawk Box that ... 'Driven by truck sales, up 27%, and a 16% increase in California real estate sales as housing is particularly strong; the U.S. is on the way back to over 16 million units" [annual unit sales rate]. Mr. Jackson was pleased to give his economic overview of the current state of the U.S. auto industry. "This is a new industry with "real accomplishments". He goes on to say ... 'thanks goes to visonaries like Bob Lutz, as the industry can now make a profit even at 11 million units of annual sales and we all remember the days when the American manufacturers needed 16 million units just to break even. Now, because of the renaissance it undertook over the past years to reduce legacy costs, reorganize its management structures, reduce inventory, and streamline delivery systems, Detroit has accomplished "real" change that has made a strategic economic difference that will yield results for generations to come' ...
... 'Couple that with an increased product cadence of new design and engineering, and you have an industry with true momentum in today's U.S. economy.'
Click on video icon to view.
Mike Jackson on Fox Business – “The Economy is Genuinely Improving Based on Fundamentals”
Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO of AutoNation the largest car and truck retailer in America appeared on Fox Business from Phoenix Arizona during the company's national “re-branding campaign tour”. Mr. Jackson was pleased with the company’s performance over the past year with a 29% increase in stock price and that the change in the national branding of all the AutoNation stores was going so well. It will cntinue throughout the summer.
Liz Clamon business news analyst, asked Mr. Jackson about his view of the current economic conditions; and what where the contributing factors for AutoNation’s great performance?
Mr. Jackson responded. 'Well Liz, I think that the U. S. economy is genuinely is improving. While it has been on fiscal and monetary stimulus since 2008, now there are continuing significant bright spots in the areas of energy, housing, and the automotive industries that are based on "real fundamentals"'....
' Firstly [Liz] – “Fracking", invented by an Texas entrepreneur in the oil industry, has unlocked tremendous energy reserves in the United States which has provide the increase in production by 2 million barrels per day in oil production. This also has created much needed, high paying jobs. Secondly – house prices have stabilized and are now rising. This has improved the conditions with the construction industry and there is now a brighter employment picture as we will build 1 million new homes this year. Finally – the U.S. car industry is providing the most advanced products ever to the American consumer; and is continuing its renaissance. This should remain in place for years.
'As a result of the crisis of 2008-2009 causing an almost complete stop of the purchase or repair of their vehicles for about 11 years, the U. S. consumer is now having to fix the car they have, or come in and talk to us to buy a new one. But whether it's a vehicle from Detroit, the Japanese, or the differentiated Germans, the customer never has had a better choice; from small cars through pickup trucks with improved fuel efficiencies, advanced design, quality fit and finish, as well as the availability of historically low interest rates.' This is what is fueling the continued strong performance.
Liz Clamon then asked Mike his view of energy prices for the summer. Mr. Jackson indicated that because of the increased production both in the U.S. and you can buy a barrel of oil from Canada for as low as $65 per barrel. consequently gasoline prices are “coming down” which is very unusual; " We are producing "summer blends which adds about 20-25 cents per gallon to the price of gasoline and prices are still falling. If this continues, by the Fall, prices should be even lower. '
"Well, we'll leave it there for now Mike"; it was good to see you in Phoenix where you are on your "rebranding campaign."
"Yes, Liz we're here in Phoenix with our billion dollar business, making the change in the branding of our stores in the Southwest; and are welcoming our latest additions; our new Honda and Hundai stores for the Phoenix area.'
AutoNation Announces Total Retail New Unit Sales Up 10% for April 2013 - Total of 22,515 units
Mike Jackson, Chairman and COE of AutoNation America's largest automotive retailer, appearing on CNBC, announced today that the company’s total retail new vehicle unit sales in April 2013, as reported to the applicable automotive manufacturers, were 22,515, an increase of 10% as compared to April 2012. Same-store retail new vehicle unit sales in April 2013 were 21,950, an increase of 7% as compared to April 2012. Total retail new vehicle unit sales for AutoNation's operating segments were as follows:
AutoNation Total Retail Unit Sales April 2013
7,588 for Domestic, up 20% versus April 2012,
10,853 for Import, up 5% versus April 2012, and
4,074 for Premium Luxury, up 5% versus April 2012.
There were 25 selling days in April 2013 compared to 24 selling days in April 2012. AutoNation expects to report May 2013 retail new vehicle unit sales on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
AutoNation also announces today that Mercedes-Benz has awarded a new franchise to the company to be built in the Tampa, Florida market. The new franchise is subject to customary conditions, and the new Mercedes-Benz store to be constructed by AutoNation is expected to open in 2014. This will be AutoNation's 18th Mercedes-Benz franchise. AutoNation currently sells approximately 11% of the Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the United States.
Mr. Jackson stated, "We are pleased to expand our Mercedes-Benz representation by adding a new franchise in a key market where we don't currently represent Mercedes-Benz. We are excited about the Mercedes-Benz product pipeline and to have the opportunity to offer Mercedes-Benz products to more of our customers."
AutoNation Reports All-Time Record Quarterly EPS from Continuing Operations
Mike Jackson Chairman and CEO of AutoNation, the largest retailer of cars and trucks in the United States, was interviewed by Becky Quick and Joe Kernen on CNBC today and was pleased to report to Wall Street that EPS from continuing operations for the company was at an all-time record high of $0.68 per share; up 21% compared to the year-ago period. With total revenue of $4.1 billion, up 12% compared to the year-ago period, with sales increasing across all major business sectors the operating income was $169 million, which reflects an increase of 14% compared to the year-ago period.
On the Acquisition front, AutoNation will acquire Honda and Hyundai stores in Phoenix, Arizona and a Toyota store in Dallas, Texas with annual revenues of approximately $250 million to add to the total revenue of the U.S operations.
To provide more detail, “first quarter net income from continuing operations was $83 million, as compared to a net income from continuing operations of $74 million, or $0.56 per share, for the same period in the prior year. This represents a 21% improvement on a per-share basis. First quarter revenue of this year totaled $4.1 billion, compared to $3.7 billion in the year-ago period, which is an increase of 12%, that was driven by a strong performance in all of the company's business sectors - new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and service, and finance and insurance. AutoNation's retail new vehicle unit sales increased 9% overall and 6% on a same store basis."
A pleased Mike Jackson indicated that "AutoNation delivered solid double-digit growth in operating income, which drove a 21% increase in EPS from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2013, as profitability increased in each of our business sectors.” The company continues to expect that industry new vehicle sales will be approximately in mid-15 million units range in 2013 for total US annual vehicle sales."
AutoNation's First Quarter of 2013 Results:
Domestic - Domestic segment income was $59 million compared to year-ago segment income of $50 million.
Import - Import segment income was $71 million compared to year-ago segment income of $62 million.
Premium Luxury - Premium Luxury segment income was $69 million compared to year-ago segment income of $59 million.
Regarding AutoNation's rebranding strategy; Mr. Jackson provided the following update. "Our coast-to-coast rebranding rollout is on track, and as of March 31st, 30% of our Domestic and Import units were sold under the rebranded AutoNation name."
Additionally, as part of its continued expansion under the nationwide rebranded strategic initiative the company also is announcing that it has signed agreements to acquire SanTan Honda Superstore and Hyundai of Tempe in Phoenix, and Don Davis Toyota Scion in Dallas. The annual revenue for all three stores is approximately $250 million and together these stores sold approximately 8,300 new and used retail units in 2012. The acquisitions are subject to manufacturer approval and other customary closing conditions but are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2013.
"These acquisitions align with our strategy to offer all of our core vehicle brands to consumers within our key markets – Mr. Jackson stated. We are pleased to add Honda and Hyundai franchises to our Phoenix platform. The franchises are in attractive automotive retail locations and facilities, and the acquisitions will enhance our franchise mix in Phoenix. We are also pleased to add a Toyota franchise to our high-performing Dallas-Fort Worth platform."
AutoNation Reports a 7% Increase in total retail new vehicle unit sales for March of 2013 Year over Year Total 27,199 Units
Mike Jackson Chairman and CEO of AutoNation, America's largest automotive retailer, today appeared on CNBC to announce that the company’s total retail new vehicle unit sales in March 2013, as reported to the applicable automotive manufacturers, were 27,199, an increase of 7% as compared to March 2012. Same-store retail new vehicle unit sales in March 2013 were 26,441, an increase of 4% as compared to March 2012. There were 27 selling days in March 2013 compared to 28 selling days in March 2012. Total retail new vehicle unit sales for AutoNation's operating segments were as follows:
AutoNation New Retail Unit Sales for the Month of March 2013
8,448 for Domestic, up 6% versus March 2012
13,789 for Import, up 4% versus March 2012
4,962 for Premium Luxury, up 15% versus March 2012
Additionally, Mr. Jackson reported that for the first quarter of 2013, AutoNation's total retail new vehicle unit sales, as reported, increased 10%, with Domestic up 12%, Import up 6%, and Premium Luxury up 19%, in each case as compared to the first quarter of 2012. Same-store retail new vehicle unit sales as reported to the applicable automotive manufacturers increased 7% compared to the first quarter of 2012.
AutoNation expects to report April 2013 retail new vehicle unit sales on Thursday, May 2, 2013.
AutoNation Announces Total February Retail New Vehicle Unit Sales of 21,168 - An increase of 6%
Mike Jackson Chairman and CEO of AutoNation - America's largest automotive retailer, appearing on CNBC today, in an interview with Jim Cramer, announced the company's total retail new vehicle unit sales in the month of February 2013, as reported to the applicable automotive manufacturers, were 21,168 total units, an increase of 6% as compared to February 2012. Same-store retail new vehicle unit sales in February 2013 were 20,623 total units, an increase of 3% as compared to February 2012. Total retail new vehicle unit sales for AutoNation's operating segments were as follows:
AutoNation Retail Unit Sales February 2013
6,655 - Domestic, up 8% versus February 2012,
10,467 - Import, up 0% versus February 2012
4,046 - Premium Luxury, up 19% versus February 2012.
On a daily selling rate basis, AutoNation's total retail new vehicle unit sales increased 10%. There were 24 selling days in February 2013 compared to 25 selling days in February 2012.
Mike Jackson begins..."It is always good to see you Jim [Jim Cramer of CNBC] ... As you said...Yes, these are really good times for the auto industry, and for once in my life I'm in the right place at the right time; and I have certainly paid my dues to get here..."
Let me begin ... 'first, the bright spots in the auto sales our premium retail unit sales are up 19%, pickup trucks are up 16 %, California sales were strong - up 10%. We see strong used car residual values and there remains a still strong genuine replacement need by the U. S. consumer. Couple that with plenty of low cost financing, fantastic new products and the higher gas prices recently, and these factors are supporting the current monthly 15.4 million SAAR (Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Selling Rate) in the U.S. marketplace. Additionally, we continue to see a car age of 11 years and 160,000 miles on the average vehicle that is being traded in [at our stores]". So the demand for new vehicles should continue; based on these factors.'
'Surprisingly, as I mentioned previously, the higher gas prices are actually supporting sales; and seems to be an incentive for the purchase of the newer car models which are now providing a 20% increase in fuel efficiency. The consumer can now have an accelerated cost payback in the purchase of a new vehicle at the higher fuel prices as the engineering of newer engines is providing for higher fuel efficiencies and operating cost savings.
As to additional reasons for the strong retail sales... "To your point Jim", we see that - the consumer is watching ‘what’s going on down in Washington’ and are saying that "we have had our austerity program and have gotten our house in order". They are not allowing the gridlock and dysfunction in Washington to hold them back from ‘moving on with their lives’. Couple that with higher auto sales, stability in the housing market and an improving energy "factor" - "I think there is a chance for much stronger growth for the U.S. economy."
AutoNation expects to report March 2013 retail new vehicle unit sales on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.
AutoNation Contributes 1 Million Dollars to Recent Charity - "Give Kids the World"
In an appearance on the Fox Business News Network, Mike Jackson - Chairman and CEO of AutoNation, joined Liz Claman, anchor of “The Closing Bell”, to review where the U.S. auto industry was headed; this, particularly after a stunning recovery of the “Big Three” auto-makers from the depression of U.S. vehicle sales a few years ago caused by the financial crisis of 2008-2009.
Mr. Jackson, was pleased that U.S. auto industry is currently reaping the rewards of the strategic initiatives and national reorganization it made during the recovery period up until today, as well as a cyclical recovery of the U.S. consumer and the U.S. economy in general; despite the political gridlock in the nation's capital. ‘The auto industry continues to be a "bright spot" in the U.S. economy, and the recovery should continue into the foreseeable future; Mike Jackson explained. This, as a result of the following "drivers" ... One, a true replacement need, i.e. vehicles currently being traded in have 150,000 - 200,000 mile on them; two – well engineered and designed products are coming from all auto makers; three – there has been a "stabilization" of housing prices and a sense of a housing recovery in the economy; four – the auto industry remains a secure place to lend, providing low interest financing, and five – the us consumer has repaired their balance sheets at home and are moving on with their lives while seeming to ignore the “dysfunction” in Washington DC.'
‘As far as rising prices of fuel, the industry has responded with advanced engineered products that can offer a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency while maintaining historic performance standards this provides the customer the most advanced products ever made; providing a fuel efficiency/performance ratio that is being enthusiastically accepted by the customer.’ We should continue to see strong sales patterns through this year achieving a mid 15 million SAAR (units sold nationwide) for 2013.
“Give Kids the World”
AutoNation and Mr. Jackson announced the company's most recent charity gift of 1 million dollars to its most current chosen charity "Give Kids the World" which is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.
Over 120,000 children have had their dreams come true at Give Kids The World. No child in need has ever been turned away. Give Kids The World is a place where families find joy, laughter, serenity, and a lifetime of memories.
'Our CFO (Mike Short) has been chairman of this charity for the past 10 years... and one of our board members – "Bob Brown" has dedicated much of his time all over the world to the benefit of children. This is an inspiring charity.'
Autonation - America's Largest Auto Retailer
AutoNation Drive
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Paris Jackson denies reports she fell asleep while driving
Chris Jancelewicz GlobalNews.ca
Paris Jackson attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Tony Barson/FilmMagic
NOTE: This article contains language that some readers might find disturbing. Please read at your own discretion.
UPDATE: After denying a TMZ report which claimed she recently attempted suicide, Paris Jackson — the sole daughter of Michael Jackson — has been faced with a number of additional accusations she claims are untrue.
On Monday morning, outlets including Daily Mail and Hot New Hip Hop reported that the 20-year-old had fallen asleep at the wheel while driving, after a number of photos surfaced of her with her eyes closed in a car.
Jackson took to Twitter to refute these allegations. She wrote that she was parked at a gas station “waiting” for her “boyfriend to pump gas,” adding that she simply closed her eyes to listen to her favourite song.
She pointed her fingers at the paparazzi, suggesting that they picked the perfect angle to “accuse of falling asleep at the wheel.”
this past week it’s been nonstop bullshit i’m so sick of it
Since the release of HBO’s documentary, Leaving Neverland — the Michael Jackson exposé — the young Jackson has been fighting to defend herself from numerous online tabloids.
“This past week, it’s been nonstop bulls**t, I’m so sick of it,” she concluded in another tweet posted on Monday evening.
Paris Jackson arrives at the premiere of Netflix's 'The Dirt' at ArcLight Hollywood on March 18, 2019 in Hollywood, Calif.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
ORIGINAL STORY: Paris Jackson, the daughter of late pop icon Michael Jackson, angrily lashed out at a TMZ report over the weekend that claimed she had attempted suicide. The gossip site said that the younger Jackson had tried to take her own life due to public reaction against her father in the wake of documentary Leaving Neverland.
Jackson angrily tweeted at the celebrity site, saying “f**k you you f**king liars” almost immediately after the story was posted. Shortly after, she posted another tweet featuring question marks and a frowning emoji.
READ MORE: Mother files $500-billion lawsuit against Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman
The story claimed that the 20-year-old was in “stable condition.” Sourcing family members and law-enforcement officials, TMZ initially reported that Jackson was placed on psychiatric hold, but later said that she was released from hospital.
Despite Jackson’s denial, reputable news sources like People and ABC News also reported about her hospitalization, but they referred to it as an “accident” and “incident” instead, citing “sources.”
A source told People magazine that “Paris had an accident this morning that required medical treatment. She is currently resting at home and doing fine.”
READ MORE: Indigenous artist Jeremy Dutcher delivers moving reconciliation speech at Junos
Additionally, a public information officer from the Los Angeles Police Department told People that Jackson was transported to hospital for a suicide attempt.
“At about 7:28 a.m., officers responded to the 7200 block of Hillside for an ambulance attempt suicide,” said Tony Im with the LAPD. “The victim was transported to a local hospital.”
WATCH BELOW: Paris Jackson vaguely defends her father
Over the past two weeks, following the release of the doc, there has been much blowback regarding the singer and his past alleged behaviour with young boys. After people online asked her opinion about the doc, she explained in a now-deleted tweet on March 14 that it’s “not her role” to defend her father.
She also tweeted that “there’s nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said.”
there’s nothing i can say that hasn’t already been said in regards to defense. taj is doing a perfect job on his own. and i support him. but that’s not my role. i’m just tryna get everyone to chill out and go with the flow, be mellow and think about the bigger picture. that’s me.
The Michael Jackson estate has filed a lawsuit against TV network HBO, saying Leaving Neverland violates a deal to not disparage the singer.
Jackson has struggled with mental health issues in the past, and most recently entered treatment in mid-January of this year. Reports of her attempting suicide go back as far as 2013, when she was only 15 years old.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Depression Hurts and Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) all offer ways of getting help if you, or someone you know, is suffering from mental health issues.
— With files from Adam Wallis
Follow @CJancelewicz
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The Court Theatre Celebrates New Zealand Theatre Month this September
The focus is on home-grown works at The Court Theatre this September as New Zealand Theatre Month, created to celebrate and elevate Aotearoa theatre, begins.
New Zealand Theatre Month is being championed by one of our most successful and well-loved playwrights, Roger Hall, who has been organising the celebration alongside Malcolm Calder and John Daly-Peoples.
“At the beginning of last year, I thought ‘bugger it, I’m going to do it!’ Because in my bones I felt this was something that should be done, needed to be done and could be done. We have a lot of theatre history to be proud of,” Hall says.
For Ross Gumbley, Artistic Director at The Court Theatre, the month is a fantastic way to commemorate and grow awareness of the breadth and quality of theatre that New Zealand produces.
“I think the fact that it is New Zealand Theatre Month is really important to celebrate. In many ways we’ve been going through a golden age of New Zealand playwrighting. In the last 15 to 20 years New Zealand plays have exploded onto our stage. There used to be a very set idea of what a New Zealand play was, but since then a New Zealand play can now celebrate not just New Zealand, but New Zealand’s place in the world. The colourfulness and the absolute kaleidoscope that New Zealand theatre has become is a great thing to celebrate.”
Here at The Court, the month will be acknowledged in a number of ways, with a range of events for both audiences and theatre practitioners running throughout September.
On The Court’s mainstage, heart-warming comedy Mum’s Choir will be running from September 15th, with Hansel and Gretel entertaining the kids in a silent-adaptation of the fairy-tale classic from September 29th. New Zealand’s longest running late-night comedy show Scared Scriptless will be hosting its own birthday party within the month, performing two very special 8pm shows on the 7th & 8th September – alongside its usual 10:15pm performances every other Friday and Saturday. To end New Zealand Theatre Month at The Court, Pacific Underground’s flagship production Fresh Off the Boat will be returning with a rehearsed reading of the play being performed on the 30th September.
Budding performers will be taking part in the month, with a range of The Court’s drama students (aged 7 – 16) performing a showcase of their work on the 16th September, followed by the Senior Theatresports™ Final on the 23rd September as The Court Jesters judge the South Island’s best young improvisors.
Stepping outside of The Shed in Addington, The Court will be bringing some theatrical magic into our libraries in The Court Theatre in the Shelves. On the 13th, 20th and 27th of September, local actors will be visiting 6 libraries across the city to perform monologues from their favourite New Zealand plays, explaining what they love about them and answering any questions audiences have.
For those who make their living in the industry, The Artists’ Tent will launch the month on the 6th September, giving the creative community of Christchurch a chance to come together and connect, followed by a Christchurch Hui for Women in Theatre on the 20th September.
For Mum’s Choir writer Alison Quigan, NZ Theatre Month is important as it provides an opportunity to focus on New Zealand written plays in an environment that can be crowded with international works.
“It’s a great chance to have the conversation about why we do theatre, who is it for & how is it different from televison and film? Can we truly be an asset to our community, tell our stories and celebrate our lifestyle if we are simply regurgitating someone else’s culture?”
Hall will certainly be welcoming those kind of questions as the month begins. For him, the state of New Zealand theatre is far different now than it was when he began his career – and with celebrations like New Zealand Theatre Month, is only getting better.
“I used to say when I first started that if it said ‘New Zealand play’ people avoided it. But now it makes no difference. We’ve come a long way - a New Zealand play isn’t a novelty now, it’s just another play. Which is how it should be.”
New Zealand Theatre Month runs throughout September with a range of events being held and presented by The Court Theatre. The full schedule of events can be viewed here.
MUM'S CHOIR
Written by Alison Quigan, the writer of Flagons and Foxtrots and Shop Till You Drop, Mum’s Choir is a heartwarming comedy about a gloriously typical New Zealand family.
The Court Theatre Education Programme is packed full of exciting opportunities to engage, participate, and have fun.
The Court Education
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Home » AGM » A Year of Growth and the Year Ahead: 2018 Annual General Meeting
A Year of Growth and the Year Ahead: 2018 Annual General Meeting
10 Jul, 2018 in AGM by Lauren Rab
Identity Week in Canada was a great success. Over the course of three days, leading identity and digital economy experts came together to discuss how to move digital identity forward in Canada. IdentityNORTH’s Annual Summit was held at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre on June 19 and 20. The following day, DIACC hosted our Annual General Meeting (AGM).
At the AGM, the DIACC members voted on the Board of Directors. John Sharpe, Vice President of CGI, and Allan Foster, Vice President of Global Partner Success at ForgeRock, were re-elected as Directors, and Sajith Nair, Partner of Cybersecurity and Privacy at PwC Canada was named as an Advisor to the DIACC Board of Directors. We’re thrilled to have fresh perspectives on our leadership team that will continue to drive progress.
This has been a year of tremendous growth for the DIACC community. In 2016, the organization counted 29 members, but over the past 2 years this number nearly doubled, growing to 50 members. The council also has a growing international profile, with presence and recognition in New Zealand, Norway and the United States. DIACC has ramped up participation in international events, including the 2018 European Identity & Cloud Conference. We are proud of our uniquely collaborative and community-centred strategy, which is unlocking the capabilities of the public and private sectors.
The AGM featured a wide variety of demos and Q & A sessions that put a spotlight on the diverse membership of the community. Patrick Cormier from Notarius provided an overview of our new Innovation Expert Committee and called on members interested in pushing forward new initiatives and technologies to join.
Shelley Bryen of WorldReach Software shared a presentation on the implications, opportunities, and challenges of border-crossing as we move towards a virtual border. Bryen noted that, with policy changing “at the speed of tweets”, it is important to be ready for these changes. She highlighted how innovations such as facial recognition and information transfer prior to arrival can enable seamless border travel.
Patrick Drolet of Notarius provided an overview of trends in digital transformation, including a demonstration of how a visible digital seal can create a bridge between electronic and paper documents. Approaches like this make the transition to digital easier and enhancing trust.
“Fantastic sessions and informative conversations with the community”
The Government of B.C.’s John Jordan demonstrated how governments are working together to help businesses reduce the cost of government registration forms and permits to make for a more efficient process. Under this system, known as “TheOrgBook”, the hope is to make it easier for businesses to work with matters like verifying government issued licences and permits instead of using paper.
Allan Foster from ForgeRock offered a demo of the new Verified.Me collaborative platform, which will launch in Canada later this year. It allows users to open a Canadian bank account with a UK digital ID, without having to visit a branch. Users install an app on their mobile device that confirms their identity, allowing businesses and governments to immediately do transactions without asking for proof of identity.
Amber D. Scott of Outlier Solutions presented a compliance overview that demonstrated the need for regulations that are simultaneously more robust and flexible to take into account emerging technologies including cryptocurrencies and digital identity solutions.
As a further testament of DIACC’s international reach, Karl Kilb, CEO of New York City-based Boloro Global Solutions, provided an informative overview of the trends in mobile authentication.
The DIACC meeting concluded with a panel, consisting of Colleen Boldon, Hugh McKee and Greg Elcich. The panelists discussed final thoughts and calls to action. On digital identity progress in Canada, Boldon said: “I think we’re at a tipping point. We can feel it, we can touch it, and we’re close to getting it done.”
Thank you to everyone who came out and who has consistently participated in the community to bring digital identity to this point. We will work together to enhance clarity around our objectives and accelerate awareness about the role of secure, reliable digital identity. As the conversation grows and this technology becomes increasingly important, our community is bigger, stronger, and more vital than ever before.
← Biggest IdentityNORTH to Date Brings Together Digital Identity Leaders and DIACC Members
AGM 2018 Content →
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Tom Toles Cartoon Appearing in the Spectrum Newspaper, Volume 23, Number 43, Prodigal Sun Insert, Page 1, December 8, 1972
Toles, Tom
State University of New York at Buffalo -- Periodicals
College student newspapers and periodicals -- New York (State) -- Buffalo
Bars (drinking establishments)
This is page one of the insert, Prodigal Sun, within The Spectrum Newspaper, Volume 23, Number 43 from December 8, 1972. One of Tom Toles' political cartoons is featured on the page.
The Spectrum ( 9/9/00_3)
State University of New York at Buffalo. University Archives
State University of New York at Buffalo.
Researchers must contact University Archives to obtain reproductions of images and to request permission to use any image. Persons who publish or use this material in any manner assume all responsibility for identifying copyright holders and meeting any requisites for use.
RG9-9-00-3_23_43_1972_ProdigalSun_p1
LIB-UA038
Physical Dimensions
Tom Toles Cartoons, 1969-1973.
State University of New York at Buffalo, Student life, Student newspapers
“Tom Toles Cartoon Appearing in the Spectrum Newspaper, Volume 23, Number 43, Prodigal Sun Insert, Page 1, December 8, 1972,” Digital Collections - University at Buffalo Libraries, accessed July 16, 2019, https://digital.lib.buffalo.edu/items/show/78781.
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Items Saint-Louis (Le marché).
Saint-Louis (Le marché).
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division
Mission Hourst
Sur le Niger et au pays des Touaregs: La mission Hourst
Mission Hourst (Photographer)
Place: Paris
Publisher: Plon
Shelf locator: Sc 916.62-H (Hourst. Sur le Niger. 1898)
Saint-Louis (Senegal)
Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): d03e7600-c6ce-012f-e891-58d385a7bc34
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division, The New York Public Library. "Saint-Louis (Le marché)." The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1898. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47df-a08c-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division, The New York Public Library. "Saint-Louis (Le marché)." New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed July 16, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47df-a08c-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division, The New York Public Library. (1898). Saint-Louis (Le marché). Retrieved from http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47df-a08c-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
<ref name=NYPL>{{cite web | url=http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47df-a08c-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 | title= (still image) Saint-Louis (Le marché)., (1898) }} |author=Digital Collections, The New York Public Library |accessdate=July 16, 2019 |publisher=The New York Public Library, Astor, Lennox, and Tilden Foundation}}</ref>
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More Progress Toward Gene Editing for Kids with Muscular Dystrophy
Posted on February 26th, 2019 by Dr. Francis Collins
Caption: Muscles of untreated mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (left) compared to muscles of similar mice one year after gene-editing treatment (right). Dystrophin production (green) is restored in treated animals, despite therapy-related immune response to the Cas9 editing enzyme (dark spots in white inset). Credit: Charles Gersbach, Duke University, Durham, NC
Thanks to CRISPR and other gene editing technologies, hopes have never been greater for treating or even curing Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and many other rare, genetic diseases that once seemed tragically out of reach. The latest encouraging news comes from a study in which a single infusion of a CRISPR editing system produced lasting benefits in a mouse model of DMD.
There currently is no way to cure DMD, an ultimately fatal disease that mainly affects boys. Caused by mutations in a gene that codes for a critical protein called dystrophin, DMD progressively weakens the skeletal and heart muscles. People with DMD are usually in wheelchairs by the age of 10, with most dying before the age of 30.
The exquisite targeting ability of CRISPR/Cas9 editing systems rely on a sequence-specific guide RNA to direct a scissor-like, bacterial enzyme (Cas9) to just the right spot in the genome, where it can be used to cut out, replace, or repair disease-causing mutations. In previous studies in mice and dogs, researchers directly infused CRISPR systems directly into the animals bodies. This “in vivo” approach to gene editing successfully restored production of functional dystrophin proteins, strengthening animals’ muscles within weeks of treatment.
But an important question remained: would CRISPR’s benefits persist over the long term? The answer in a mouse model of DMD appears to be “yes,” according to findings published recently in Nature Medicine by Charles Gersbach, Duke University, Durham, NC, and his colleagues [1]. Specifically, the NIH-funded team found that after mice with DMD received one infusion of a specially designed CRISPR/Cas9 system, the abnormal gene was edited in a way that restored dystrophin production in skeletal and heart muscles for more than a year. What’s more, lasting improvements were seen in the structure of the animals’ muscles throughout the same time period.
As exciting as these results may be, much more research is needed to explore both the safety and the efficacy of in vivo gene editing before it can be tried in humans with DMD. For instance, the researchers found that older mice that received the editing system developed an immune response to the bacterially-derived Cas9 protein. However, this response didn’t prevent the CRISPR/Cas9 system from doing its job or appear to cause any adverse effects. Interestingly, younger animals didn’t show such a response.
It’s worth noting that the immune systems of mice and people often respond quite differently. But the findings do highlight some possible challenges of such treatments, as well as approaches to reduce possible side effects. For instance, the latest findings suggest CRISPR/Cas9 treatment might best be done early in life, before an infant’s immune system is fully developed. Also, if it’s necessary to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 to older individuals, it may be beneficial to suppress the immune system temporarily.
Another concern about CRISPR technology is the potential for damaging, “off-target” edits to other parts of the genome. In the new work, the Duke team found that its CRISPR system made very few “off-target” edits. However, the system did make a surprising number of complex edits to the targeted dystrophin gene, including integration of the viral vector used to deliver Cas9. While those editing “errors” might reduce the efficacy of treatment, researchers said they didn’t appear to affect the health of the mice studied.
It’s important to emphasize that this gene editing research aimed at curing DMD is being done in non-reproductive (somatic) cells, primarily muscle tissue. The NIH does not support the use of gene editing technologies in human embryos or human reproductive (germline) cells, which would change the genetic makeup of future offspring.
As such, the Duke researchers’ CRISPR/Cas9 system is designed to work optimally in a range of muscle and muscle-progenitor cells. Still, they were able to detect editing of the dystrophin-producing gene in the liver, kidney, brain, and other tissues. Importantly, there was no evidence of edits in the germline cells of the mice. The researchers note that their CRISPR system can be reconfigured to limit gene editing to mature muscle cells, although that may reduce the treatment’s efficacy.
It’s truly encouraging to see that CRISPR gene editing may confer lasting benefits in an animal model of DMD, but a great many questions remain before trying this new approach in kids with DMD. But that time is coming—so let’s boldly go forth and get answers to those questions on behalf of all who are affected by this heartbreaking disease.
[1] Long-term evaluation of AAV-CRISPR genome editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Nelson CE, Wu Y, Gemberling MP, Oliver ML, Waller MA, Bohning JD, Robinson-Hamm JN, Bulaklak K, Castellanos Rivera RM, Collier JH, Asokan A, Gersbach CA. Nat Med. 2019 Feb 18.
Muscular Dystrophy Information Page (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH)
Gersbach Lab (Duke University, Durham, NC)
Somatic Cell Genome Editing (Common Fund/NIH)
NIH Support: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
Tags: children, CRISPR, CRISPR/Cas9, DMD, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, dystrophin, gene editing, genetic diseases, in vivo gene editing, muscle, muscle wasting, muscular dystrophy, rare disease, Somatic Cell Genome Editing, somatic cells
ptdt says:
Michael Rogers says:
Surely gene editing technology is the most exciting technology to come along in a great while, promising tremendous benefits to society and imbued with the potential for great misuse and abuse. I’d love to see some future blog reports on how NIH is working with scientists, ethicists, and public representatives to ensure the former and prevent the latter.
Thank you for all your work. Is this gene editing tool likely to eventually assist female Manifesting Carriers of DMD, with a deletion between exon 42/43 ? When will human trials commence ?
Are there any possibilities that this technigue could produce cancer growth?
What are the latest proceedings in Spinal Muscular Atrophy ? Is it curable ?
Where is the technology and progress for Gene Editing for Friedreichs Ataxia Patients?
HEMANT KUMAR says:
It’s really an achievement that the scientists have found the treatment to recover DMD fatal disease. I congratulate all the scientists again . . .
I myself suffer from this condition. i’m 27 right now and i may not have enough time. i hope i’m around when or if this can work on humans. thank you all anyone trying to find a cure
Can gene editing be applied also to GNE Myopathy sufferers with affected Gene 9.
I welcome any feedback you can offer.
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Maritza| 20 February, 2015
Xcaret park in Riviera Maya Mexico
In Xcaret you can experience everything you can expect from an unforgettable journey: Imagine stunning natural landscapes where we combine the green of the jungle with the turquoise blue sea; adds soft white sand beaches, ancient archaeological sites and hundreds of species of exotic animals. The natural park Xcaret is a place that boasts the best of the traditions and culture of Mexico. A paradise where natural beauty and cultural richness of the Mexican Caribbean only 45 minutes from Cancun, Quintana Roo combined.
In this park you will find around 40 attractions of nature and culture as the Butterfly (first in Mexico), where you can observe species native to the Yucatan Peninsula; a Coral Reef Aquarium, unique in its kind, and one of the few places in the world where you can see reef structures in their natural habitat; You can also admire hundreds of species endemic to the region as a breeding ground for regional fauna. Admire the view of the Sacred Paradise Mexico and the Caribbean Sea from the Rotating Scenic Tower; whisper your secrets in the House of Whispers and be amazed with the smells and colors in the Living Museum of Orchids.
At nightfall, Xcaret Park becomes stage for more than 300 actors in Xcaret Mexico Spectacular, an event that gives you a tour of dance, light and sound through the history of Mexico through its music, costumes and traditions, as stagings of Maya history and conquest, the ballgame and folk dancing. Also, throughout the year you can enjoy different historical and cultural activities such as the Sacred Mayan Journey, ritual meant the crossroads of the ancient Maya to the island of Cozumel to worship the goddess Ixchel; or the Festival of Life and Death, where the faithful departed, one of the quintessential Mexican traditions is commemorated.
Destinations News
Find the best hotels in New York
Destinations Lifestyle Traditions
Festival of Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico with pre-Spanish roots in it
Metro Malaga finally opens to El Perchel
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by Marcella Tocco
Interview With Grammy Award Winner Angélique Kidjo
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Angélique Kidjo from Benin has changed from the femme fatale of Afro-Funk to the new Mama Africa as successor to Miriam Makeba. In the Australian premiere of her latest project, she remains unpredictable: transforming the iconic Talking Heads album Remain in Light. Angélique chats with Eastside’s Matt McMahon during his show Blow on the 7th of March 2019 about her new album and her upcoming performance at the Sydney Opera House for International Women’s Day.
Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is now one of the world’s leading artists, with thirteen stunning albums to her credit. Considered “the only African diva” by Time Magazine, she is a true performer whose striking voice, stage presence and willingness to experiment have earned the respect of her peers. Angélique will be performing at the Sydney Opera House for International Women’s Day on the 8th of March 2019.
Over the course of her career, Kidjo has successfully brought together the traditional sounds of her childhood in Benin with the RnB, funk, jazz and more.
At the Sydney Opera house she will present the Australian premiere of her latest project; the reinvention of Talking Heads’ classic 1980 album, Remain in Light. Recorded with the superstar producer Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Jay Z, Drake, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift), Kidjo’s powerful reimagining of tracks such as ‘Once in a Lifetime’ and ‘Born Under Punches’, picking up on the original’s Afrobeat undertones, has been described as “Visionary…illustrates Kidjo’s grand majesty” – NPR Music
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Remove this filter Infectious disease: Influenza
Remove this filter Infectious disease: Avian influenza virus
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Epidemiological update: Highly pathogenic influenza A(H7N7) in poultry and transmission to three human poultry workers in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, September 2013
Epidemiological update - 18 Sep 2013
On 14 August 2013 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in poultry in Ostellato, Ferrara province, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Influenza subtype A(H7N7) was confirmed.
Avian influenza virus
Epidemiological update: A(H7N9) influenza virus, China, 19 December 2013
Epidemiological update - 19 Dec 2013
In March 2013, Chinese authorities announced the identification of a novel reassortant A(H7N9) avian influenza virus in patients in eastern China.
Influenza A(H7N9) virus
Influenza in humans, avian origin
Zoonotic influenza
Epidemiological update: avian influenza A(H5N1), 8 January 2014
Epidemiological update - 8 Jan 2014
On 8 January 2014, Canada reported a fatal imported case of influenza A(H5N1) infection. This is the first confirmed human case of H5N1 in North America.
Epidemiological update A(H7N9) influenza, 6 February 2014
Epidemiological update - 6 Feb 2014
In March 2013, Chinese authorities announced the identification of a novel reassortant A(H7N9) influenza virus in patients in eastern China. Since then, human cases have continued to be reported, and as of 7 February 2014 (Figure 1), there have been 308 laboratory-confirmed cases: Zhejiang (122), Guangdong (54), Shanghai (42), Jiangsu (36), Fujian (19), Hunan (7), Jiangxi (5), Henan (4), Anhui (4) ,Beijing (3), Shandong (2), Hebei (1), Guangxi (2), Guizhou (1), Hong Kong (4) and Taiwan (2). In addition, the virus has been detected in one asymptomatic case in Beijing.
Public health response
Very low public health threat related to outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N8) in turkeys in Germany
News - 12 Nov 2014
The risk of transmission of avian influenza A(H5N8) to the general public in the EU/EEA countries is extremely low.
Epidemiological update: Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, China
Epidemiological update - 11 Feb 2015
On 4 February 2015, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of 83 additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. Onset dates ranged from 20 December 2014 to 27 January 2015.
Low risk to public health in the EU from low pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N7) viruses
News - 12 Feb 2015
Epidemiological update: increase in reporting of human cases of A(H5N1) influenza, Egypt, 9 April 2015
Epidemiological update - 9 Apr 2015
Epidemiological update: increase in reporting of human cases of A(H5N1) influenza, Egypt
Recent upsurge of A(H7N9) cases in China, updated rapid risk assessment
News - 29 Jan 2017
A steep increase of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) has been reported since the beginning of December 2016 from China. At present, the most immediate threat to EU citizens is to those living or visiting influenza A(H7N9)-affected areas in China concludes the updated rapid risk assessment.
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You are here: Home / In the Media / JDC Names Alan Gill New CEO
JDC Names Alan Gill New CEO
November 26, 2012 By eJP
New York, NY – November 26, 2012 – The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) has named Alan Gill as its next CEO. Gill, whose career in the Jewish community has been marked by purposeful professional leadership, will take the helm of the global Jewish humanitarian organization on January 31, 2013. Gill’s unanimous nomination by a selection committee of JDC’s Board of Directors and confirmation by the Board’s Executive Committee came after an extensive global search conducted by executive search firm DRG.
A 20-year veteran of JDC, Gill currently serves as the organization’s Executive Director of International Relations. In this role, he created and built a global operation to support the organization’s humanitarian mission in more than 70 countries and Israel. Under his leadership, the organization’s annual, direct philanthropic revenue has increased tenfold with significant growth in foundation, major donor, governmental and general donor support, bringing JDC’s total annual budget to $350 million. This growth has enabled JDC to expand its critically needed humanitarian assistance and Jewish community development in post-communist countries and to address growing social gaps in Israel.
Gill also played a leadership role in launching many of JDC’s landmark programs including Ashalim, a unique public and private/non-profit partnership to address the needs of Israel’s children at risk; The Hunger Relief Campaign for impoverished elderly Jews in post-Soviet countries and the development of community centers for the renewal of Jewish life in those communities; and PACT – Parents and Children Together – an internationally recognized program for the education and cultural integration of Ethiopian-Israeli preschool children and their parents. Gill also served as a special advisor to the organization’s Former Soviet Union operations and was a member of JDC’s emergency relief team during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, providing urgently needed assistance to elderly Jews trapped behind the Russian lines.
Before moving to Israel in 1993, Gill served as the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Columbus, Ohio. His chief accomplishments included significantly expanding community services through establishing satellite operations in emerging Jewish areas; establishing group homes for Jewish adults with special needs (among the first in the United States); establishing a comprehensive resettlement program for Jewish émigrés from the Soviet Union; nearly doubling the federation’s annual campaign during his tenure; and developing a statewide Hillel funding consortium for Jewish university students in Ohio. He also served as founder of The Ohio State University’s graduate training program for Jewish Communal Service, and was a part-time professor at Ohio State’s College of Social Work.
Gill’s name will be included in the slate of officers to be voted on by JDC’s Board at its regular board meeting next week. Gill holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Ohio University, and a master’s in social work from Ohio State.
Gill and his wife, Rhona, will move to New York from their home in Jerusalem in advance of his taking the reins as CEO on January 31st.
Filed Under: In the Media Tagged With: JDC/American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
Fran Gordon says
I am thrilled to join in the chorus of congratulations to my dear friend Alan Gill! The JDC and the Jewish World, the “system” and the world at large, will all benefit from Alan’s leadership. Nice to know that at least in the non-profit world, there are great people of quality willing to assume great amounts of responsibility!!
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Acclaimed by Herbert von Karajan, no less, as ‘the Carmen of the century’, Teresa Berganza was a singer who defied easy categorization. Her voice, pure and even throughout its two-and-a-half octave compass, was both distinctive and exceptionally beautiful: a creamy, subtly-coloured mezzo that soared and shone in the soprano range. Beginning her long career in Monteverdi, Bach and arie antiche, Berganza first made her international reputation in Mozart and Rossini. Two decades later, her revelatory Carmen in Piero Faggioni’s 1977 Edinburgh Festival production, conducted by Claudio Abbado, is still talked about by those whose heard it. ‘Carmen involved a personal change in my character,’ she later recalled. ‘Until then I’d always played “nice” roles, with none of the sheer force of this one.’
Berganza was, of course, a natural in the operas and (in her early career) zarzuelas of her native Spain – say, as the miller’s wife in Falla’s El sombrero de tres picos, or as an earthy and impassioned Salud in La vida breve (which she recorded with José Carreras as her faithless lover Paco). After her triumphant Carmen, and now with a richer, smokier lower register, she further extended her operatic repertoire to embrace such roles as Dulcinée (in Massenet’s Don Quichotte), and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, hailed in Gramophone as one of the finest on record. The vocal allure and vivid presence she brought to her many stage roles also informed her recital appearances, in music that ranged from arie antiche to French mélodies and the Spanish and Basque songs in which she was consummate.
Born in Madrid in 1935, Berganza attributes her rock-solid technique to the scrupulous schooling she received from Lola Rodriguez Aragón, who had herself been a pupil of the great Elisabeth Schumann. After winning first prize at the Madrid Conservatory in 1954, she provoked critical superlatives when she sang Dorabella, aged just 22, in the 1957 Aix-en-Provence Festival. Glyndebourne lost no time snapping up the young mezzo as Cherubino for their 1958 Figaro, in which her wide-eyed, coltish eagerness frequently stole the show.
‘Her execution of florid music and ability to colour words and phrases make her the ideal Rossini singer,’ wrote Harold Rosenthal in the New Grove Dictionary of Music. With her captivating stage personality and dazzling coloratura technique – honed in her rigorous schooling in traditional bel canto methods – Berganza was indeed a natural in Rossini, who with Mozart remained one of the twin cornerstones of her career. She made her debut at the Piccola Scala in 1958 as Isolier in Le comte Ory, and her US debut as Isabella (L’italiana in Algeri) the following year. After her 1960 Covent Garden debut as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, this plum Rossini mezzo role became another of her calling cards, along with the title role in La Cenerentola, with which Berganza had delighted Glyndebourne audiences in 1959. In his history of Glyndebourne (Methuen, 1965), Spike Hughes admiringly noted ‘that peculiar Spanish quality of voice and personality which had characterised Conchita Supervia’s classic performance of the part’.
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May Special Editorial: Re-envisioning ELT/Choutari in the Aftermath of Great Earthquake
May 20, 2015 praveenkumaryadava Editorial Leave a comment
We apologize for the hiatus in May — as you know, the entire nation was stunned by the major earthquakes that took the lives of thousands and affected those of millions of others in Nepal.
As we start gathering and rebuilding hope, energy, and enthusiasm as educators and citizens, and as members of the profession across national borders, we realize the need to ask new questions. Our questions must be situated in the new context of rebuilding the nation, as well as reforming education.
English Language Teaching (ELT) has always been a means for achieving social goals, and not an end. This is the time to think about what that end, that purpose of ELT and of education at large is. This is the time to reconnect ELT and education at large with challenges, changes, and opportunities in life and society. This is the time to embrace new ideas and perspectives, methods and technologies, people and cultures.
ELT is a means to prepare students for society, professions, and successful lives. We must now reframe the teaching of English language and literature (and all the knowledge and people that they connect to) within the vision of a new Nepal. A Nepal that rises from the rubble. A Nepal that took a disaster and turned into a new journey.
At times, it feels as if work that like this only serves to reinforce the inequity in the society, that it best serves the already privileged. Those of us who run this blog are teachers and scholars mostly living in cities; we use technological platforms that are not available for the majority; and we focus on a foreign language that, for many, is only taught and learned to pass exams (which are deeply discouraging and can drive many away from future careers in learning altogether). This feels like we are driving little scooters around a few cities in a country where doing so will only reach a quarter of the population; half of the nation is only reachable by buses and tractors, and the other quarter is unreached by any vehicle so far. Who are we doing all this for? Are fellow teachers across the country able to join conversations like this, conversations that are framed on the terms of those whom they cannot relate to? How far can technologies go in engaging teachers in vastly different contexts and situations across the country? And, most significantly, what is the new vision for the relatively few connected scholars/teachers after the national crisis, this rising from the dust? How can we leave behind our old modes of thinking and develop new visions, new alliances, new strategies?
ELT is one of our links to the rest of the world. It is also a link between many disciplines in our education. And it is a link between education and many professions in the world. English as a lingua franca links our young generations to bodies of knowledge and other nations/cultures, and to professions like diplomacy and development, business and journalism in the broader/global context. But English has also created bottlenecks in opportunities, hope, and confidence for generations of communities that are already disenfranchised in other ways.
So, especially in the aftermath of this national disaster, how can we expand the scope of opportunities above while disrupting the bottlenecks? How can we pause to think about the many ugly realities of inequality, marginalization, and irresponsibility of the privileged that the disaster has exposed–and how can we start using education (including ELT) to start addressing the problems and building on the opportunities?
At a more practical level, because Nepal is prone to different types of disasters (including earthquake, floods, and landslide, which take thousands of lives every year), how can we re-envision ELT curricula, pedagogy, and resources in order to help prevent damage of infrastructure and loss of life in the future. It is not enough to stand akimbo and say that these are issues that the engineers will take care for the society. No doubt, we cannot prevent them; but the community must be aware of three R’s of disasters — readiness, response and recovery — before, during, and after natural calamities. In this sense, everyone can and should be partner-engineers of social vision, of thinking and communicating new ideas, of forging a new future.
Incidentally, it was saturday when schools and colleges were closed when the first earthquake jolted the nation. Even the second earthquake occurred during daytime at a time closure of educational institutes were already announced in the aftermath of the disaster. Otherwise, casualties, especially students and teachers might have been worse. It is high time for teachers, practitioners and education experts, including ELT communities, to contribute to raise awareness among children and youths in schools and colleges about disaster management. Education is the most effective means to disseminate such knowledge and skills in the community.
We hope to raise broader issues of education in the days to come. We invite you to contribute your blog posts to this venue, encouraging you to write about a broader range of issues, including classroom practice and the emerging issues of the day. During the month, please consider joining ongoing conversations on our Facebook page.
Let us envision rebuilding our society, and education an ELT can be important tools. You can be an important agent. Let us rise from the dust and leave a legacy of resourcefulness and resilience for future generations.
Praveen Kumar Yadav and ELT Choutari Team
(with contributions from former editor Shyam Sharma)
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A Blog by Christine Becerra
Events Around Seattle
Brazilian Nights at The Triple Door
Antonio Adolfo is a Pianist, among other musical talents, who grew up in Rio de Janeiro. He has been a musician since he was a teenager, participating in many jazz shows in Brazil. He has toured with many singers and wrote music for Stevie Wonder, Earl Klugh, Dionne Warwick and more. He has released more than 25 albums and has opened his own school in Brazil. He has two albums nominated for the 2014 Latin Grammy awards with another album on its way. This upcoming album is recorded with Carol Saboya and Hendrik Meurkens and has been recorded in New York and Rio. http://www.antonioadolfomusic.com
Hendrik Meurkens began his musical career in Germany. He has performed, composed, recorded and toured with Harry Sweets Edison and Buddy Tate. His first album was recorded in Brazil. He has 24 albums and has established himself as the first major new voice on the harmonica since Toots Thielemans. This artist, known for Brazilian Jazz, won the Brazilian International Press Award in 2014. http://hendrikmeurkens.com
Both Antonio Adolfo and Hendrik Meurkens will perform with special guests tonight on May 22nd at the Triple Door. Tickets are $40. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Tag: MOAS
The team from MOAS gets ready to rescue migrants who set sail from Libya on a rubber dinghy.
Almost every day, I receive an email from the International Organization for Migration containing the latest update on migration issues around the world. Many of you may not know that more than 60 million people are on the move, either as refugees fleeing horrendous situations in their homelands or economic migrants seeking a way out of a life of poverty.
Today, the IOM update included a number. Migrant arrivals in Europe via the Mediterranean: 302,149. Deaths at sea: 3,501.
The numbers are higher than they were last year at this time, yet it seems to me that European nations are addressing the crisis in an incremental way that won’t likely lead to a permanent solution.
In July, I spent almost a week with the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, a private rescue outfit started by American millionaire Chris Catrambone and his wife, Regina. They were sickened by what they perceived as a lack of response from governments. They were called to action by Pope Francis who visited the Italian island of Lampedusa, then a hub for migrants, and shamed the rich countries for a lack of action.
Eva, a Nigerian woman, gets some much needed sleep after being rescued at sea.
I’ve reported on natural disasters that kill thousands and leave even more in dire conditions. I’ve reported from war zones, where I have seen the worst of humanity unfold before my eyes.
I did not expect I would feel the kind of emotions I did during my days on the Topaz Responder, a ship chartered by MOAS to patrol the Mediterranean with the sole purpose of plucking desperate people from the sea.
In one day, MOAS rescued 366 people. Luckily, everyone had survived. I spoke with many of those on board. Some had traveled for months and experienced the worst physical conditions as well as abuse by human smugglers and Libyan militias. A Nigerian woman, Esther, told me she was right next to her brother he was shot and killed by gunmen.
Even after those harrowing journeys, refugees and migrants then board flimsy boats to make a long crossing to Europe. Some die of dehydration. Most of the deaths are from drowning and in the winter months, hypothermia.
I thought about the kind of desperation that drives human beings to risk everything for a better life. I can’t fully understand it because I live such a privileged and comfortable life compared to them. But I try hard to report their stories.
Yes, we should be outraged when a photograph of a shell-shocked Syrian boy goes viral on social media. But that’s not enough.
It’s important for those of us who live in rich countries to know the stories of people who were born to poor countries rife with corrupt and callous leaders who do little for their people. It’s important to open our eyes to the suffering of people who endure constant war and conflict.
I encourage everyone to think about how huge the numbers are in the refugee crisis. Think about what it would feel like if you were forced from your home knowing, that you may never see it again. What if you were separated from your mother or father, your husband or wife, your children?
Here’s a link to a few stories I’ve written recently on the crisis, including the one I reported thanks to MOAS.
Fatal crossings on the Mediterranean
How the Syrian crisis came to small-town Canada
Refugees face hurdles in America
The long, sad story of Fallujah
Central American children come to America
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By: B.A. Paris
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed by: Lynette Latzko
Review Date: September 22, 2016
A mere eighteen months ago, Grace Harrington, a fruit buyer for Harrods store, and her younger sister Millie, who has Down’s Syndrome, met Jack Angel in a park. Millie and Jack shared a dance and Grace was immediately smitten. Jack was a strikingly handsome lawyer, and like his namesake, a perfect angel who defended battered women from their abusive husbands. He had never lost a case, and Jack’s charismatic, gentlemanly behavior quickly won the heart of Grace, thus beginning a whirlwind romance that culminated in marriage. Grace believed she had the perfect life and was delighted that Jack was her husband and wanted to eventually move Millie into their home. As time goes by, the reader gets glimpses of a completely wonderful marriage filled with inseparable love, wealth and happiness and, at the same time, strange cracks in the relationship are artfully revealed making readers wonder if everything is truly as perfect as Grace and Jack portray to the world.
Each fast-paced chapter in Behind Closed Doors is written in Grace’s voice and switches back and forth from the past to the present. Novels which time-travel in this manner often confuse readers, however, in this story it only enhances the suspense, leaving the reader hanging on the edge of their seat, while the author explains what events have occurred to lead into the breathlessly scary present. The two main characters, Grace and Jack, are so well-developed that readers easily get swept up into the story, feeling every bit of the terror that Grace experiences, which at first leaks out in a trickle, and then rushes in like a flood, while Jack cunningly hooks readers in with his charm and slaughters this facade with the shocking reality that he isn't exactly the wonderful man he portrays himself as being to the rest of the world.
Readers may be somewhat disappointed with the ending because it feels a bit rushed. After being provided a detailed blood-chilling, horrific and claustrophobic feeling throughout the book, there is a desire for an equally dreadful and justified ending, which is not completely provided. Perhaps even an epilogue could provide more closure for everyone who has taken this thrilling ride into the horrors of the marriage between Grace and Jack. However, this should not dissuade readers into skipping Behind Closed Doors. On the contrary, it is a recommended read that goes beyond a mere fictional story and peers into what can occur in real life domestic violence situations.
Quill says: B. A. Paris’ debut novel is a tremendous psychological thriller that is destined to be featured on the big screen.
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Fellowship Place | New Haven CT
A Supportive Community Fostering Mental Health
You are here: Home / About Fellowship Place / Our History
In the early 1960’s the general public had little understanding or compassion for people who suffered from a serious mental illness. The mentally ill were often treated as outcasts and confined to large, state operated psychiatric institutions for years of their adult lives. Most communities did not make it easy to open new mental health programs. The term “Not in My Backyard” or NIMBY refers to the strong and often very vocal opposition expressed by people when asked to support new community based programs. Fortunately, in New Haven a group of creative and forward-looking mental health professionals and volunteers came together to find new ways to engage and humanely serve people with chronic mental illness upon their discharge from the state hospitals. A “club” was formed where the mentally ill could socialize and make friends. In 1961 the concept of clubs for the mentally ill was taking root across Connecticut. New Haven’s Fellowship Club was one of twelve clubs in the state.
The Fellowship Club’s first home was in the basement of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) on Chapel Street. The group met on Monday nights for coffee, dances, and other leisure activities. Over time, the Club added programs, expanded its hours of operation, and eventually moved to Fellowship Place’s current location on Elm Street in New Haven.
Fellowship Place owes a debt of gratitude to the JCC for its willingness to host our first program. Without the JCC’s support, Fellowship Place may not have happened. Our founders, led by Phyllis McDowell, were turned down by several organizations before finding a home at the JCC. Most of the organizations approached considered a social program for the mentally ill “too risky”, evidence of the fear and stigma associated with mental illness.
Today Fellowship Place is a rich vibrant community that continues to evolve and meet the changing needs of people suffering from mental illness in the Greater New Haven area.
Support Fellowship Place
Donations by check payable to:
Fellowship Place, Inc.
Fellowship Place is supported through Federal and State Funding, and by numerous Private Foundations, Corporations and generous Individuals like you.
© 2019 Fellowship Place · 441 Elm Street, New Haven, CT 06511 · 203-401-4227
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Highlights of the Silk Road
The Silk Road was an ancient network of intercontinental trade routes connecting China and the Far East with the Middle East and Europe. As well as exchanging luxury products like Chinese silk, spices, salt, sugar, jade, and fur, the disparate civilisations connected by the Silk Road also forged deep social, cultural and religious links – a meeting of minds that played an essential role in the development of the region.
It was on the Silk Road that overland travel was born, and to this day it remains one of the quintessential overlanding journeys. But with a network of routes spanning over 7,000km, there’s a lot to take in – so we’ve highlighted some of the top sights and cities you can see along the Silk Road below.
Come face-to-face with the Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an are one of the world’s most famous archaeological discoveries. This thousands-strong, life-sized, highly-detailed (no two faces are the same) army was set in place over two millennia ago to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and remained undiscovered until 1974, when it was stumbled upon by local farmers drilling a well. In the years since, it has become Xi’an’s premier attraction.
Rest your legs at Tash Rabat
Nestled high in the hills of Kyrgyzstan is Tash Rabat, a well-preserved stone caravanserai dating from the 15th Century and which would have accommodated travellers and merchants making their way along the Silk Road. In a country known more for its mountainous landscapes than its historical landmarks, it’s particularly remarkable; built from crushed stone on clay mortar, it consists of 31 dome-shaped rooms laid out in perfect symmetry. Its location near the Torugart Pass into China is spectacular and makes for an atmospheric and essential stop on a Silk Road journey.
Be mindful at Bǐnglíng Sì
The relatively inaccessible Buddhist grotto Bǐnglíng Sì sits along the Yellow River and is home to a wide array of carvings and frescoes – notably the centrepiece Maitreya Buddha, a 27m-high statue carved into the cliff side. There are over 180 small caves and nearly 700 statues at Bǐnglíng Sì, all well-preserved in spite of centuries of damage from erosion and earthquakes.
Gaze into the ‘Door to Hell’
Appropriately known as the ‘Door to Hell’, the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert was first discovered in 1971 by Soviet engineers, who were drilling the area for oil. This huge pocket of natural gas was only protected by a thin crust of earth, which collapsed as they began drilling, not only subsuming their drilling equipment but also now spewing out methane in great quantities. To prevent the gas spreading, the engineers set it on fire – and it’s believed to have been burning continuously ever since.
Explore atmospheric Bukhara
The city of Bukhara in Uzbekistan was once a very powerful Khanate, controlling most of Turkmenistan and the surrounding area. Many of the buildings here are spectacular and well-preserved (the government has invested a considerable amount into maintaining it), particularly the Ark Fortress, Ismail Samanid Mausoleum, and the famous Kalyan Minaret (also known as the Death Tower). Exploring the streets, you really get the feeling that this is how Central Asia was before Soviet domination.
Discover historic Samarkand
A city brimming with history, Samarkand became famous in the 14th Century as the birthplace of the warlord Timur and the capital of his Sultanate. Thanks to its central location along the Silk Road, the town originally grew prosperous as a crossroads between East and West, creating a melting pot of different cultures and traditions whose influences are still very much apparent today. Highlights include the iconic Registan Square, Guri Amir and the Shah-i-Zinda mausoleum.
Walk around rocky Göreme
Göreme is an enchanting little town in the heart of the Cappadocia Mountains, and one of the few such settlements in the area in which the rock-hewn houses are still inhabited. The region is perhaps most famous for its rocky landscape of “fairy chimneys”, magnificent pillars of volcanic ash eroded over millions of years into unique and surreal shapes, and its celebrated open-air museum, which contains the finest of the area’s rock-cut churches and some beautiful frescoes.
Photograph the colourful Zhangye National Geopark
The Zhangye National Geopark is famous for its so-called ‘Rainbow Mountains’, Technicolor rock formations produced over the course of 24 million years by the accrual of sandstone and other mineral deposits, which have then been eroded into the most remarkable shapes. Located in the Gansu province in northwest China, the 124 square miles of this National Park are some of the most beautiful, not just in China, but anywhere along the Silk Route.
Haggle at the Kashgar Marketplace
Kashgar is a remote western outpost in the Uighur province of Xinjiang, which has managed to maintain an exotic atmosphere despite the ubiquitous march of Chinese modernity. For resident and visitor alike, the highlight of life here is the massive Sunday Market, for which tens of thousands of people from miles around flock to the city to buy and sell. You can find just about anything you can imagine here, as well as a few things you can’t...
Trek the hills at Jeti-Oguz
Seven spectacular red sandstone cliffs stand guard over the entrance to the Jeti Oguz Valley. Local tradition says that the cliffs were once wild bulls, immobilised by the gods to stop them terrorising local yurt dwellers. It’s perhaps Kyrgyzstan’s most beloved natural landmark, which is no small feat in a country renowned for its mountainous beauty.
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Tag Archives: tornadoes outside the US
Posted on July 16, 2012 by ExtremePlanet
In 2012, a powerful, long-tracked tornado swept through the Polish countryside – causing one fatality. Southern Poland is one of several regions across the world that are occasionally prone to violent tornadoes.
□ The United States experiences more violent tornadoes than the rest of the world combined. In spite of this, the atmospheric ingredients needed to form rotating thunderstorms are present across the world. Strong tornadoes have occurred on every continent except Antarctica. Bangladesh has seen more tornado related deaths in the last three decades than the United States, and some of the most violent tornado footage ever recorded has come out of Eastern Europe. Few countries keep meticulous records of severe weather events like the US, so information is limited. With the data available, I have compiled a list of some of the most powerful tornadoes that have occurred outside the United States since 1940.
10. JAPAN – Saroma, Hokkaido – November 7, 2006
There are two known photographs of the Saroma tornado as it tore a narrow but intense path through a residential area in the Wakasa district.
Most tornadoes in Japan form in the outer rainbands of tropical cyclones, though some are spawned within supercell thunderstorms with pronounced hook-echos. On November 7, 2006, an unusual supercell thunderstorm developed over the Japanese island of Hokkaido. A rope-like tornado formed a few miles south of the island’s northern shoreline and tore through two dozen buildings in the Wakasa district of Saroma. Two homes were completely leveled and nine people were killed in the destruction of a two-story pre-fabricated building. Airborne projectiles penetrated the walls and roofs of homes, and cars were thrown more than 30 yards. Damage surveys later determined that the tornado was of borderline F2/F3 intensity in the Wakasa district. The Saroma tornado remains the deadliest tornado to strike Japan in the past 70 years.
The tornado left a narrow streak of damage through a strip of buildings lining a highway. All nine deaths occurred in the destruction of a large pre-fabricated apartment building (visible at bottom left).
Heavy damage in the Wakasa district. Airborne projectiles penetrated buildings and left battering marks on standing structures.
9. POLAND – Zimna/Wodka, Strzelce – August 15, 2008
Two views of a mutli-vortex tornado that caused three deaths in Poland in 2008.
A dozen tornadoes tore through southern Poland in the summer of 2008. The most significant tornado of the outbreak was a large, multi-vortex storm that travelled over 60 miles. The tornado tore through an agricultural area and destroyed dozens of rural homes, killing three people. Vehicles caught in the tornado’s path were swept off roads and mangled. Damage photographs indicate the tornado likely caused damage of low-end F3 intensity, although some unofficial sources cite the tornado as an F4. Geographically, Poland is situated in one of the most tornado prone regions in Europe and is one of the few places outside the United States where large tornadoes occur on a semi-regular basis.
The deadliest tornado during the August 2008 tornado outbreak leveled homes in southern Poland. The tornado hurled vehicles through the air as it crossed a highway near the Slovakian border. Light-poles on the highway were bent to the ground.
Tornado damage in Balcarzowice. (Photo gallery)
8. SOUTH AFRICA – Duduza, East Rand – October 2, 2011
The Duduza tornado killed one person as it tore through rural areas outside Johannesburg. Video of the tornado shows rotation and structure possibly consistent with a storm of F3 or F4 intensity.
A strong tornado developed in rural areas east of Johannesburg in the spring of 2011. The powerful storm tore through a working class neighborhood and destroyed several dozen homes. Some of the buildings devastated by the tornado had thick stone walls that may have added significant structural strength, although the overall construction of the area was substandard. One person was killed and several more were injured. South Africa is one of the few areas outside the US that consistently sees powerful and deadly tornadoes. More than 100 people have been killed by tornadoes in South Africa since 1948.
View of the destroyed homes following the deadly Duduza tornado in South Africa. (Image by Daniel Born)
7. Tsukuba, Japan – May 6, 2012
In 2012, a powerful tornado left a 10-mile path of destruction north of Tokyo, Japan. The narrow tornado swept over dozens of multi-level apartment buildings and caused more than $50 million in damage.
In the late-spring on 2012, a supercell thunderstorm spawned a violent tornado that touched down northwest of downtown Tsubuka City, Japan. The tornado slowly intensified as it twisted through a rural area, uprooting trees and damaging agricultural buildings. Video evidence indicates that the tornado remained fairly narrow, less than 50 yards in width, as roared to the northeast at 30mph. The tornado reached F3 intensity as it tore through an industrial area, destroying wood homes and hurling cars through the air. A teenage boy was killed in the destruction of a home, and more than two dozen people were severely injured. A damage survey later revealed that several homes were swept completely away, though the construction quality did not warrant an F4 or F5 rating. In one area, a home’s concrete foundation was ripped from the ground and flipped upside down (“Quick report on…”, 2012). The severity of the damage was unprecedented in Japan, a nation where few storms surpass marginal F2 intensity.
At left, the Tsukuba tornado swept a small home completely away adjacent to a five-story apartment complex that was severely damaged. At center, the mat foundation of a destroyed home was uprooted from the ground by the tornado’s powerful updraft. At right, a tree was debarked – a damage feature rarely seen outside the United States.
At center right, view of a home that was swept completely away by the Tsukuba tornado. The primary damage swath was often only 20 yards wide.
6. FRANCE – Hautmont, Nord France – August 3, 2008
The Hautmont tornado was very narrow at certain points in its life and yet strong enough to completely obliterate a two-story home. Most homes in France are built with substantially heavier materials than US homes and may require stronger winds to be destroyed.
During the summer of 2008, a powerful supercell thunderstorm developed over the farmland of northern France. An intense tornado touched down and swept through 12 miles of agricultural land near the Belgium border. The hardest hit town was Hautmont, where three people died and several large homes were completely leveled. The death toll included the town’s deputy mayor and his wife, both of whom were killed when their large home was flattened. The worst damage was generally confined to an extremely narrow path less than 50 yards wide. One unlucky home was almost completely swept away while two neighboring homes remained comparatively unscathed. Additionally, large trees were stripped of leaves and branches and metal posts surrounding a soccer field were bent to the ground.
Some meteorologists believed the tornado deserved an F4 rating, but the ever-conservative French meteorological board gave the tornado an F3 rating. Outside the United States and Canada, the Hautmont tornado likely caused the most intense tornado damage ever clearly photographed.
Heavy damage in Hautmont. Two fatalities occurred in the home at lower right.
5. CANADA – Barrie/Grand Valley, Ontario – May 31, 1985
The Barrie, Ontario tornado left a narrow swath of intense damage on Murray Street, where several homes were completely obliterated. (Image by John Mahler)
On May 31, 1985, an unprecedented outbreak of violent tornadoes swept across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario. In Ontario, the tornadoes killed 12 people and caused 200 million dollars in damage. The deadliest tornado swept through the town of Barrie at F4 intensity and killed eight people along its six mile path. The deaths included a mother and child who were killed when their Crawford Street home was swept away, leaving nothing but “a concrete pad” (Bruineman, 2010). Vehicles and bodies were blown several hundred yards, and several large factories were completely leveled.
A second violent tornado formed in another massive supercell just south of the Barrie storm and devastated areas near Grand Valley. The Grand Valley tornado travelled 62 miles – the longest path ever surveyed in Canada – and was potentially even more violent than the shorter-lived Barrie tornado. The storm caused F4 damage and killed four people – two deaths occurred in destroyed homes, one in a vehicle and another man died of injuries in a destroyed shed.
Severe damage caused by the 1985 Barrie tornado. An even stronger tornado may have formed in Ontario that day, only a few miles south of Barrie.
4. CANADA – Edmonton, Alberta – July 31, 1987
The most famous view of the Edmonton tornado of 1987. The massive tornado was remarkable for forming so far north – more than 300 miles above the US-Canadian border.
The Edmonton tornado was massive even by tornado alley standards. It remains the northernmost violent tornado in history, and the second deadliest tornado in North America during the 1980’s. It touched down to the south of Edmonton in the community of Mill Woods and roared almost due north through eastern sections of the city. Had the tornado formed a few miles farther to the west, it may have become one of the deadliest and most damaging tornadoes in world history as it would have torn directly through the high-rise district of downtown Edmonton and impacted more than 10,000 homes at F4 intensity. The tornado was at maximum intensity as it passed through an industrial area, completely leveling dozens of large businesses and killing 12 people. The tornado then crossed the North Saskatchewan River and paralleled a housing subdivision, where dozens of homes were destroyed. Near the end of its life, the tornado narrowed and tore through the Evergreen Mobile Home Park, killing 15 people. Overall, the tornado caused 27 deaths and more than 300 million dollars in damage.
Some articles have discussed the possibility that the tornado may have reached F5 intensity. Most of the residential damage caused by the tornado was in the F2/F3 range, primarily because the tornado travelled parallel to a housing subdivision without ever actually passing through it. Damage in the industrial area was more intense and indicative of high-end F4 intensity. No homes were swept away and no vehicles were reportedly carried more than 200 yards, so it is unlikely the tornado will ever be upgraded to an F5.
Two pictures of severe damage in the Edmonton industrial area. At left, the devastated Dillingham and Multech Construction Company. At right, a lumber company that was destroyed. The pronounced wind rowing north of the building is indicative of extreme winds.
The Edmonton tornado had narrowed and was near the end of its life when it struck the Evergreen Mobile Home Park. More than 100 mobile homes were destroyed and 15 people were killed.
3. CANADA – Tecumseh, Ontario – June 17, 1946
The Tecumseh tornado on June 17, 1946, was one of the strongest tornadoes ever recorded outside the United States.
In 1946, an extremely powerful tornado swept through southwest Ontario and caused possible F5 damage in the town of Tecumseh. The narrow and fast moving tornado first touched down in Michigan and rapidly strengthened as it crossed the Canadian border. Seventeen people were killed as homes were reduced to bare foundations. There were multiple deaths in several households and many of the bodies were stripped naked and thrown more than 100 yards. Much like the Elie F5 tornado 60 years later, the Tecumseh tornado was extremely compact and powerful and never took on the “wedge” appearance common to violent tornadoes in the United States. When the Fujita Scale was developed in the 1970’s researchers attempted to rate past tornadoes via the available damage photographs and newspaper reports. The Tecumseh tornado was given an F4 rating but left some damage indicative of F5 strength. One home was so thoroughly destroyed that even its underground basement walls collapsed and were partially blown away.
The home at upper left was destroyed and swept away in the Tecumseh tornado.
View of a home that was completely destroyed by the Tecumseh tornado. The basement walls collapsed, causing a landslide of dirt to partially fill the empty cellar. Though the quality of construction is unknown, damage of this severity hints at possible F5 winds. The narrow tornado was very selective, leaving homes across the street with little damage.
2. CANADA – Elie, Manitoba – June 22, 2007
The Elie, Manitoba tornado was filmed as it ripped an entire frame home from its foundation and tossed it into the air. The tornado meandered around the town of Elie and rapidly strengthened near the end of its life as it narrowed and began to dissipate.
The only tornado outside the United States that has officially been given an F5 rating formed east of Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the summer of 2007. The storm spun out of a low precipitation supercell and touched down a few miles northwest of the town of Elie. The tornado executed several counterclockwise loops as it meandered to the west of the small community. Near the end of its path, the tornado narrowed and intensified as it turned north towards a row of houses on Elie street. Video footage shows the violent tornado ripping one home from its foundation and lofting it into the air. The videographer also caught a van being hurled more than 200 yards from where it originated. Three homes were swept from their foundations, one of which was later determined to have been well-constructed. The complete destruction of the well-built home and the violent motion recorded on film were the basis of the F5 rating.
Aerial view of three homes that were obliterated by the Elie tornado. The empty foundation at top was the basis of the F5 rating. The tornado was executing a counterclockwise loop and entered the area from top right and exited at bottom.
1. RUSSIA – Ivanovo, West Russia – June 9, 1984
Next to nothing is known about the West Russian tornado outbreak of June 1984. Satellite images show an impressive series of large and well formed supercell thunderstorms the day the outbreak took place in the vicinity of Ivanovo.
Very little information is available on a violent tornado outbreak that swept through areas north of Moscow in the summer of 1984. The Soviet Union had not yet disbanded and few details were leaked to the international media, despite the fact that the outbreak occurred within the home video age. The outbreak was the result of a series of violent supercell thunderstorms that travelled north-northeast at speeds greater than 50mph (Finch and Bikos, 2012). Local newspapers reported that massive hailstone, some over 2lbs in weight, fell over the affected areas.
Sources indicate that 400 people were killed, with most of the fatalities likely the result of a single tornado that tore through the town of Ivanovo. A French research article describes how the tornado threw cars long distances, lifted a 350-ton operating crane and leveled “steel-reinforced” buildings. According to the same article, the Russians unofficially awarded the tornado an F4 rating, although some of the damage was indicative of F5 strength. The article also states that another tornado that affected the town of Kostroma was given an F4 rating but may also have reached F5 strength. An english-language article describes how the Ivanovo tornado scoured pavement from a highway and hurled a 120,000lb water tank several blocks.
Archived satellite images from June of 1984 show an impressive severe weather set up reminiscent of large outbreaks in tornado alley. If the reports are all true, then the outbreak was an unprecedented event and astoundingly violent for an area generally accustomed to tornadoes only capable of inflicting F1 and F2 damage. Pavement scouring and the movement of massive industrial equipment is likely indicative of winds of F5 intensity. At the same time, media reports from the former Soviet Union are notoriously unreliable, so the available information is by no means “proof” that the outbreak produced tornadoes capable of causing EF5 damage.
Purported photograph of the Ivanovo tornado. Russia rarely sees tornado related deaths, so the 1984 Outbreak was an extraordinarily unusual event. (Finch, 2011)
□ Over a long enough time scale, over many generations, violent tornadoes undoubtably touch down in every corner of the unfrozen world. Rotating supercell thunderstorms have been documented via doppler radar off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands, far from any traditional continental severe weather setup. The chances of an F5 tornado forming over the open ocean, or England, or Japan, or the rest of the non-arctic landmasses is exceptionally small. But weather patterns, and extreme natural events, are sometimes separated by hundreds, thousands, or even millions of years.
In March of 2006, an unusual severe weather set-up formed in the open ocean near the islands of Hawaii. Radar documented a well-formed supercell thunderstorm, likely with a large tornadic waterspout, 100 miles off the coast of the Big Island. Such discoveries highlight the existence of strong tornadoes, however rare they may occur, in locations unaccustomed to severe thunderstorms. (Image by Nash, Rydell and Kodama, 2006)
Posted in canada tornadoes, canadian tornado, ef5 tornado, ef5 tornado damage, f5 tornado, f5 tornado damage, inside a tornado, most powerful tornado ever, strongest tornado ever recorded, tornado, tornado aerial damage, tornado analysis, tornado facts, tornado intensity, Tornado outbreak comparison, tornado pictures, Tornado wind measurements, Tornadoes in Africa, Tornadoes in Europe, Uncategorized Tagged 1984 ivanova tornado, 1984 ivanovo tornado, african tornadoes, argentina tornadoes, barrie tornado, duduza tornado, elie tornado, europe tornado, european tornadoes, f4 tornado, freak tornado, grand valley tornado, hautmont tornado, hokkaido tornado, international tornadoes, rare tornado, russia tornadoes, south africa tornado, tecumseh tornado, tornado facts, tornado poland, tornadoes in japan, tornadoes in poland, tornadoes outside the US, windsor tornado 1946
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Innocent until proven guilty?
The presentation of suspects in criminal proceedings
June 3, 2019 - Presumption of innocence
Executive summaryConclusions and recommendations
The presumption of innocence has been described as a “golden thread” running through criminal law. It is a norm of customary international law and is protected by numerous international treaties and in national legal systems. The presumption of innocence is crucial to ensuring a fair trial in individual cases, to protecting the integrity of the justice system, and to respecting the human dignity of people who are accused of committing crimes. Despite this, in practice, violations of this important legal principle are common. Public appetite for sensation, real-crime, real-time stories places enormous pressure on public authorities and the media to violate the presumption of innocence. The presumption of innocence also has to be balanced against other aspects of the right to a fair trial (such as the principle of open justice) and other human rights (such as free speech).
This report seeks to identify key threats (and possible solutions) to violations of the presumption of innocence resulting from statements made by public authorities about ongoing proceedings; the content and tone of press coverage; and the use of restraints in courtrooms or in public settings. It draws on a wealth of data: (a) a global survey of law and practice on the presentation of suspects; (b) a sociological study on the impact of images of arrest and different measures of restraint on public perceptions of guilt; (c) content analysis of crime-related news stories in newspapers, online press and broadcast television news programmes in seven countries to assess compliance with the presumption of innocence; and (d) comparative research on the presentation of suspects before the courts in five countries.
Although it is a clear violation of the presumption of innocence for a public authority to make public statements implying the guilt of a suspect, such statements are a common occurrence in many countries across the globe (including in Europe). This is a particular problem where there is considerable public interest due to the nature of the offence or identity of the suspect. Furthermore, in many countries there is systemic press reliance on leaks of confidential information from public authorities, which are exceedingly hard to investigate and sanction.
a. Clear legal regimes are required to prohibit public officials making public statements that imply the guilt of a suspect. Crucially, violations need to be investigated and enforced by impartial bodies, regardless of the seniority of the official in question.
b. Journalists should not be required to reveal their sources but efforts, detailed in this report, should be taken to address the issue of leaks to the press and to sanction violations.
c. Where public officials make public statements implying the guilt of a suspect or leak information to the press, effective redress must be provided.
“Television and newspapers are loaded with interviews of police officers who give journalists copies of arrest warrants and pictures. Police push their agenda with videos they took for the case file – giving the material to TV channels and websites.” – Italian lawyer
Media reporting on crime-related cases frequently violates the presumption of innocence. Suspects are commonly presented as though they are guilty and reporting is often unbalanced against the suspect. Some groups of marginalised suspects are more likely to bear the brunt of these problems. This problem is not, however, easily addressed due to the important principle of media freedom, the growing range of media outlets and social media.
a. Training should be offered to journalists on the presumption of innocence to help them understand this important but complex issue and the impact their reporting can have on the fairness of trials and the dignity of suspects.
b. It should be prohibited for the press to take and publish photographs of people in restraints.
c. The codes of conduct adopted by professional associations of journalists should contain a specific section on covering criminal proceedings.
d. Where reporting is found to violate the presumption of innocence, appropriate measures should be taken to rectify this.
“The police officers arrested my client at 5 a.m. in the morning. She opened the door in her nightwear, dishevelled. When she opened the door, the press were behind the police. It is to be noted that she is an elderly woman. After the arrest, all newspaper and TV channels broadcast pictures and videos of her and the arrest.” – Croatian defence lawyer
Presentation of suspects in court and in public
In many countries it is common for suspects to be paraded in physical restraints before the public and media at the time of their arrest and during their transfer to and from court. In courts, too, it is common for suspects to be restrained (even placed in cages or glass boxes) when there is no justification for this. This can cause irreversible damage to a suspect’s reputation and can also affect judgments about a person’s guilt or innocence. Even robust rules governing how suspects are presented in public and in court do not always prove effective in practice, including because of the huge public appetite for these images.
a. Robust legal regimes (and practical infrastructure, such as court layouts) should be put in place to limit the use of restraints and the suspect’s exposure to the public and press at the time of arrest and during transport to and from court.
b. Any form of restraint in court should be strictly limited and should only be used where a case-specific decision has been made by the court that this is required. Relevant information on circumstances relevant to the necessity of restraints should be provided to judges well in advance of hearings. Cages or glass boxes should be removed from all courtrooms.
c. Training of law enforcement officials is needed to change the culture in relation to the use of restraining measures and special protections against the use of restraints should be put in place for vulnerable groups of suspects (children, elderly people, pregnant women).
“Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that suspects and accused persons are not presented as being guilty, in court or in public, through the use of measures of physical restraint.” – EU Presumption of Innocence Directive
Watch our short film below where we share the stories of Nahuel, János and Robert to show what can happen when the right to be presumed innocent isn't respected.
The presumption of innocence is protected as a matter of law in a wealth of human rights instruments and in national legal systems. It is crucial to ensuring a fair trial in individual cases, to protecting the integrity of the justice system, and to protecting the human dignity of people who are accused of committing crimes. It is clear that the presumption of innocence is affected by how suspects are presented in public, by statements made in public by public authorities about ongoing proceedings, by the content and tone of press coverage, and by the use of restraints in courtrooms or in public settings.
There is huge appetite for sensational, real-crime, real-time stories. This creates pressure for public authorities and the media to violate the presumption of innocence. Even without this, it would be challenging to implement these aspects of the presumption of innocence. For example, bright-line rules are hard to define: sometimes it will be necessary to arrest a person in a public place (even if that exposes them to press scrutiny) or to restrain them in court (even if that could affect how they are perceived by the decision-maker). Protecting the presumption of innocence also has to be balanced against other aspects of the right to a fair trial (such as the principle of open justice) and other human rights (such as free speech).
a. The EU Directive is an important first step in making the presumption of innocence a reality in Europe but the EU will have to invest considerable time and political will to ensure its effective implementation. Member States’ courts will also have to refer questions to the CJEU where it is unclear what EU law requires.
b. Meaningful reform will require profound changes of law, practice and culture. Robust laws are important, but a formalistic legal approach will not suffice. Long-term engagement of law enforcement, legal professionals (including judges, prosecutors and the defence) and the media will be crucial, alongside broader public education.
It is a clear violation of the presumption of innocence for a public authority to make public statements implying the guilt of a suspect. This can exert inappropriate pressure on the decision-maker, undermine trust in the justice system and irretrievably damage a suspect’s reputation. In practice, however, such statements are a common occurrence in many countries across the globe (including in Europe), particular where there is considerable public interest due to the nature of the offence or identity of the suspect.
The important principle that media should be protected from being required to reveal their sources, facilitates the systemic press reliance on leaks from public authorities. These can take various forms: the press being tipped off about a high-profile arrest, the disclosure of the identity of a suspect or leaking of evidence. It also results in the routine use of quotations from the press from “anonymous sources close to the investigation”. Such leaks are exceedingly hard to investigate and sanction, and can create significant bias in press reporting.
a. Clear legal regimes are required to prohibit public officials making public statements implying the guilt of a suspect. Crucially, violations need to be investigated and enforced by impartial bodies, regardless of the seniority of the official in question.
b. Journalists should not be required to reveal their sources but efforts should still be taken to address the issue of leaks to the press (and to sanction violations), for example:
Information (such as the time of a high-profile arrest) and evidence should be shared with a restricted group of appropriately-trained people to minimise the risk of leaks.
Access to and sharing of restricted information should be monitored where possible (i.e. through technology which records who accesses electronic records); and
Leaks should be robustly investigated by an impartial body
c. Where it is found that public officials have made public statements implying the guilt of a suspect, redress must be provided. In particularly severe cases, this threatens the chance of the suspect receiving a fair trial, or undermines the integrity of the justice system, it may be appropriate to drop criminal charges or quash a conviction. Other remedies might include the payment of compensation and/or a public apology to victims.
There are considerable differences in how countries’ legal systems approach the question of how open ongoing criminal proceedings (or aspects of them) should be: some apply high-levels of secrecy (emphasising the importance of securing the fairness of proceedings and protecting the dignity of the suspect); others emphasise the importance of open justice. It is, however, clear that even where countries seek to impose secrecy, this frequently fails where there is considerable public interest in the story.
Media reporting on crime-related cases frequently violates the presumption of innocence. Suspects are commonly presented as though they are guilty (particularly in attention-grabbing headlines) and reporting is often unbalanced against the suspect. Some groups of suspects (migrants, refugees and/or Muslim) are more likely to bear the brunt of these problems. Although the picture certainly varies between countries and between sections of the press, there is clearly a huge problem. It is not, however, one that is easily addressed (at least, not by legal regulation) due to the important principle of media freedom, and the growing range of media outlets and the democratisation of the news through social media.
a. Training should be offered to journalists on the presumption of innocence to help them understand this important but complex issue and the impact their reporting can have. Training should be based on the personal participation of former defendants who can share their personal experience on how the coverage of their trial impacted their lives during and after the proceeding.
b. Only the journalists who have undergone training on these issues should be allowed to cover criminal proceedings (c.f. the mandatory training for legal aid lawyers).
c. It would also be valuable to monitor press coverage (for example, of high-profile crime-related stories) and to use this to expose (and respond) in a timely fashion to reporting that violates the presumption of innocence.
d. The adoption of a blanket prohibition on taking photos of people in restraints.
e. The codes of conduct adopted by professional associations of journalists should contain a specific section on covering criminal proceedings.
f. Where reporting is found to violate the presumption of innocence, appropriate measures should be taken to rectify this. In some extreme cases, for example involving statements by senior political figures or authorities directly involved in the criminal proceedings, where this could fundamentally threaten the integrity of the justice system, and the chance of a fair trial, it may be appropriate to drop criminal charges or quash a conviction. Other remedies might include the payment of compensation, publishing corrections or making public apologies.
Presentation in court and in public
Research has shown that if people see an image of someone being arrested they are likely to think the person is guilty; and that the more severe the restraint used, the more likely this is. Despite this (perhaps because of it) in many countries it is common for suspects to be paraded before the media at the time of their arrest or during transfers to and from court. There is no doubt about the press appetite for these images. Neither is there any doubt about how these humiliating images can threaten fair trials or cause irreversible damage to a suspects’ ability to recover after the ordeal of being prosecuted (even if they are cleared of any wrongdoing).
The perp walk has nevertheless become ubiquitous in some countries, most famously the US. Many countries in Europe have robust rules governing how suspects are presented in court (including the use of restraints and how a person is transported to and from court) including to protect the presumption of innocence. These do not, however, always provide effective protections in practice. Countries have, however, developed good practices in this area, for example, by ensuring that suspects are spared the glare of publicity when they enter and leave court (often in restraints) by providing discrete routes where they cannot be seen.
It should be easier to protect the presumption of innocence in the more controlled setting of the courtroom; to ensure that the suspect is not presented in a way that makes them appear guilty. In practice, however, in some countries it is common for suspects to be restrained in court when there is no objective justification for this. Furthermore, many courts are simply set up in a way that makes all suspects look as though they are dangerous. The use of secure docks is common, despite research that shows the impact the use of docks has on whether a person is convicted.
a. Robust legal regimes should be put in place regarding how suspects are presented in public. These should limit the use of restraints and limit the suspect’s exposure to the public and press (at the time of arrest, where possible, and during transport to and from the court). Violations need to be effectively enforced with redress provided to victims.
b. The use of any form of restraint in court should be strictly limited and should only be made where a case-specific decision has been made by the court that this is required. The dock (whether cages or glass boxes) should be removed from all courtrooms.
c. The creation of court infrastructure where possible to make sure that defendants are not exposed to public attention when they arrive and leave in restraints, and that this should be a requirement whenever a court building is constructed or renovated.
d. Training of law enforcement officials in order to change the culture in relation to the use of restraining measures.
e. Special regulation for vulnerable groups of suspects (children, elderly people, pregnant women) to make it the default that they are not restrained only if absolutely necessary and inevitable.
f. Other circumstances reducing the likelihood of the need for the application of means of restraint (the minor nature of the offence, voluntary surrender) should also be identified and it should be prescribed that if these prevail, restraints should be applied only exceptionally if other circumstances make it absolutely necessary and inevitable.
g. Relevant information on circumstances that may substantiate or weaken the necessity of using means of restraint shall be provided to judges well in advance of hearings so that they could make a sufficiently informed and well-grounded decision on whether means of restraint are necessary to be applied in the courtroom. The information may be provided through a database for assessing risks, which is accessible to both the escorting authorities and the courts, and can be reviewed and challenged by the concerned detainee.
Read the full report 'Innocent until proven guilty? The presentation of suspects in criminal proceedings' here.
Read a summary of the conclusions and recommendations here.
The report was produced as part of the project “The Importance of Appearances: How Suspects and Accused Persons are Presented in the Courtroom, in Public and in the Media”, coordinated by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee with partners Aditus Foundation (Malta), Fair Trials, Human Right House, Zagreb (Croatia), Mérték (Hungary), Rights International Spain, and the University of Vienna.
The project was funded by the European Union’s Justice Programme (2014–2020). The content of this publication represents the views of the authors only and is their sole responsibility. The European Commission does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
If you are a journalist interested in this story, please telephone Fair Trials’ press department on +44 (0) 20 7822 2370 or +32 (0) 2 360 04 71.
Innocent until proven guilty? The presumption of innocence regularly violated across the globe
The importance of appearances
Presumption of innocence in Bulgaria: abuse for political ends
Glass boxes in courtrooms violate presumption of innocence, finds French Ombudsperson
Receive updates on our work and news about Fair Trials globally
Keep up to date Receive updates on our work and news about Fair Trials globally
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← A Book for Every Child!
Summertime Fun! →
The Story of Mo Willems
Did you ever know a kid in school who was always doodling during class? The margins of their papers filled up each day with patterns, wandering lines, and zany characters.
Now-famous children’s book author and illustrator Mo Willems, started out just that way. Doodling and drawing cartoons in school and at home in New Orleans, Willems was one of those kids who couldn’t stop creating and loved using his imagination. He drew, wrote stories, acted and even directed plays in his elementary and high school days and then as an adult tried his hand at stand up comedy.
After moving to New York City, Willems went on to create animation and write for children’s television, including Nickelodeon, and won Emmy awards for Sesame Street pieces. He eventually made his break into the children’s book world in 2003 with his book, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.” From there Willems has been busily creating books for children and accumulating multiple honors and awards including the Caldecott Medal for illustration, the Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal for beginning readers books, and Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s videos of his stories.
Willems’ style of illustration reflects his long history of cartooning. His characters are simple drawings in black line. Emotions are shown exaggerated in facial expressions and body language. Backgrounds are one or two flat colors or actual photographs. He has more than 50 published children’s books, many of which are parts of a series of stories incorporating kid-generated predicaments and humorous scenarios.
The “Knuffle Bunny” series stars a young girl named Trixie (like his own daughter) in a big city dragging around her stuffed bunny, who suffers some unfortunate mishaps in each book.
The Pigeon series features a whiny pigeon acting very much like a preschooler. He pleads, gets worried, is demanding, dramatic, and thankful too. Pigeon speaks directly to the reader of the book in each story, asking for help in getting what he wants. In this way the reader/listener is also part of the story.
Elephant and Piggie books are especially for children learning to read independently,with reading strategies embedded into the story. Each book has many “sight” words, that is, words that are used in literature frequently that children can learn just by seeing them over and over. There are a limited number of different words in each book and those words are easily decoded using phonics, or “sounding out.” The illustrations give clues to help children figure out hard words, so can be used as an additional strategy to help understand the story.
Now a stay-home dad and full-time author/illustrator, Willems lives in Northampton, Massachusetts with his wife Cher and teen aged daughter Trixie. His newest series, “Cat the Cat,” made its appearance in 2010. To the delight of his young fans, Willems is still creating and publishing children’s books and has posted many videos of his stories, riding the wave of his past 15 years of success.
Filed under author spotlight, Early Readers, Mo Willems
Tagged as Family Reading Partnership, Katrina Morse, Mo Willems
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January 28, 2012 Book reviews No Comments
Editorial Review of Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay: Dawn of the Tramp by Ted Okuda, David Maska
Charlie Chaplin is universally hailed as the greatest comedic talent in the history of motion pictures. And yet Chaplin’s early efforts – which account for more than half of his total output-are often overlooked in favor of his later films. In 1914 Chaplin appeared in a total of 35 films for the Keystone Film Company; the following year he signed with the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company, where he wrote, directed and starred in more than a dozen short comedies. Though the resulting pictures were frequently crude and erratic, they reveal the emergence of a formidable comic genius. Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay: Dawn of the Tramp is a film-by-film examination of this period in Chaplin’s career, tracing the birth of his beloved “Tramp” character and his evolution as an actor and filmmaker. Also discussed are how these movies have been re-edited, recopied, reissued and retitled over the years, with a special section that matches pseudonym titles to their original source film. Charlie Chaplin at Keystone and Essanay: Dawn of the Tramp is a fascinating look at the first celluloid steps taken by this legendary laughmaker, and is a must for all Chaplin fans, old and new.
Ted Okuda is the author of The Columbia Comedy Shorts and The Monogram Checklist, and co-author of The Jerry Lewis Films and The Golden Age of Chicago Children’s Television. David Maska is a film collector/historian whose articles have appeared in Classic Images and Filmfax. Ted Okuda is the author of The Columbia Comedy Shorts and The Monogram Checklist, and co-author of The Jerry Lewis Films and The Golden Age of Chicago Children’s Television. David Maska is a film collector/historian whose articles have appeared in Classic Images and Filmfax.
Tags: Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin: A Photo Diary
Charlie Chaplin Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers series)
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Tag Archives: Naomi Capon
Out of the Unknown Series 1; episode 7 “Sucker Bait” by Isaac Asimov
“Sucker Bait” was broadcast on 15th November 1965.
Cast: Mark Annuncio_ Clive Endersby, Doctor Sheffield – John Meillon, Fawkes – Roger Croucher, Novee – Burt Kwouk. Captain Follenbee- Bill Nagy
Script: Meade Roberts
Director: Naomi Capon.
Producer and Story Edtor: Irene Shubik, Associate Producer: George Spenton-Foster.
“Sucker Bait” was a novella first serialised in the February and March 1954 issues of Astounding Science Fiction, and reprinted in the 1955 collection The Martian Way and Other Stories.
The story begins on the bridge of a spaceship in flight with countless stars visible. (All stories like this seem to begin on the bridge). We are in some undated future where there is a Confederation of 83,000 worlds. Men still wear polo-necks, though, but at least they have the escaped the uniform blond hair of previous episodes. The crew is multi-racial, but there are no women on board.
Captain Follenbee summons a crew member, Mark Annuncio, to see him. Whilst the rest of the crew are scientists, laughing and joking as they go about their various tasks, Annuncio in these opening scenes is established as an outsider, who is regarded with suspicion by the other men. Novee comments, You’ve got to remember he’s a mnemonic, a weird and special lot.
Mark Annuncio (Clive Endersby)
Annuncio gets into an argument with the Captain when he refuses to let him see the ship’s log. He is rescued by Doctor Sheffield who explains who he is, ostensibly for the Captain’s benefit , but really for our benefit what a mnemonic does (mnemonic derives from the Greek word meaning memory).
…Computers are limited, they have to be asked questions. Sometimes it never occurs to people to ask them the right questions. Therefore mankind needs a computer that is non-mechanical, that has some imagination. There is such a computer… in each and every one of us…Somewhere inside the human brain is a record of every fact that’s ever been impinged upon. Very little is consciously remembered,, but it’s all there. A slight association can bring it back to us without knowing where it came from or why. Now that is called “a hunch” or “a feeling”… Now some people are better at it than other. Others are almost perfect, like Mark Annuncio.
So we train them to read, look, listen and do it better and more efficiently. It doesn’t really matter what data they collect. Any data may be useful, and every in no machine could possibly make.once in a while a mnemonic makes a correlation…You see Mark is different from us… mnemonics are taken into the service about the the age of five. In a sens etheya re force-grown. We allow them no contact with normal people in case they develop normal mental habits. They are highly strung, easily upset, and easily ruined. I am here to see that does not happen. mark is an instrumnet, the most valuable instrument on this ship. There are only a hundred like him in the universe.
When he is annoyed (which happens quite often) Annuncio refers to the other crew members as “Non Compos” which Doctor Sheffield explains means “Non Compos Mentis” ie “not of sound mind.”
The ship is heading for a planet called Troas which Mark has identifiied as a planet where a colony was established, but then the colonists all died. Their mission is to find out why. When the ship arives an expedition – which includes Mark and Doctor Sheffield _ is sent to the rocky surface. They find no sign of the colonists, just burial mounds. Increasingly the crew feel uneasy. Fawkes wakes from a dream believing that there was someone in the tent: They’re all around us. Intelligent beings out there now. I’m telling you, I saw in the tent and out here. Novee tries to convince him that it was just a nightmare. but Fawkes is convinced that there is intelligent life on the planet.
However it is Annunncio who realises the real truth of why the colonists died and takes drastic action that saves their lives. He pieces together a number of different facts to reveal that they were poisoned by beryllium, an element that humanity has forgotten about, but about which he once read an obscure paper. Data matters, it seems .
My view is that not a great deal of drama in this story, while the issue as to whether it is morally right to create mnemonics is not touched on.
Naomi Capon (1921-1987), who directed the story, was one of only two women directors working at the BBC in 1965. The other was Paddy Russell.
Posted in 1960s, Isaac Asimov, Out of the Unknown and tagged Naomi Capon. Bookmark the permalink.
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Al Ghad
The Al Ghad (Arabic: الغد meaning Tomorrow) is a privately owned and the first independent Arabic daily national newspaper published in Jordan and headquartered in Amman.[1]
The front page of the Al Ghad on Sunday 31 October 2010
Print, online
Al Faridah Specialized Printing
1 August 2004; 14 years ago (2004-08-01)
Political alignment
Arabic and English
Al Ghad website
History and profileEdit
Al Ghad was founded by Mohammad Alayyan in August 2004.[1][2][3] Alayyan is also the chairman of the Al Faridah Specialized Printing, publisher of the daily.[3][4] As of 2005 Emad Hmoud was the editor-in-chief of the paper.[5]
Militants stormed the paper's headquarters in November 2011, attacking employees. Editor-in-chief Mustafa Saleh's resignation the following month coincided with the dismissal of Jumana Ghunaimat, editor-and-chief of the state-owned al-Rai, by then-Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communication, Rakan Al-Majali.[6] Its editor-in-chief was Jumana Ghunaimat[1][7] who was appointed to the post in late 2011,[8] through 2018. As of 2011[update] Mohammed Sweidan was the managing editor of the daily.[9]
In addition to its print version, it launched online version[1] which has reached a significant number of readers.[2] It was the 10th most visited website for 2010 in the MENA region.[10]
The paper was awarded three prizes in the categories of Best Design, Best Front Page, and Best Electronic Portal in the 7th Asia Media Awards, organized by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (IFRA).[2] In 2018, Al Ghad was named the most influential Arabic newspaper website by Industry Arabic.[11]
ContentEdit
The newspaper is organized into five sections:[2]
Al Ghad Al Urduni (الغد الأردني): for local news of Jordan
Arabs and the World ( العرب والعالم): covers international and regional news
Al Tahaddi (التحدي): for sports news
Economy (اقتصاد): covers international economics and business news
Hyatuna (حياتنا): covers health and lifestyle news
List of newspapers in Jordan
^ a b c d Rana F. Sweis; Dina Baslan (10 October 2013). "Mapping Digital Media: Jordan" (PDF). Open Society Foundations. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
^ a b c d "Al Ghad". Media Me. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ a b The Report: Emerging Jordan 2007. Oxford Business Group. 2007. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-902339-74-0. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
^ "Board of Directors". Jordan Media Institute. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
^ "Report on Media in Jordan for 2005". IFEX. 21 March 2006. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
^ "Press and Cultural Freedom in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine" (Annual report). SKeyes. 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
^ "Jumana Ghunaimat". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
^ "Maaytah to Head Al Arab Al Yawm, Ghnaimat chief editor of Al Ghad daily". Ammon News. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
^ Sweis, Rana F. (2 March 2011). "In Jordan, Some Regret a Missed Opportunity". The New York Times. Amman. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
^ "Forbes Releases Top 50 MENA Online Newspapers; Lebanon Fails to Make Top 10". Jad Aoun. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
^ "RANKED: The Most Influential Arabic Newspapers (2018 Edition) - Industry Arabic". Industry Arabic. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Al_Ghad&oldid=905239792"
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Base unit (measurement)
This article is about the type of unit of measure. For the concept in number theory, see Fundamental unit (number theory).
Find sources: "Base unit" measurement – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
A base unit (also referred to as a fundamental unit) is a unit adopted for measurement of a base quantity. A base quantity is one of a conventionally chosen subset of physical quantities, where no quantity in the subset can be expressed in terms of the others. The SI units, or Systeme International d'unites which consists of the metre, kilogram, second, ampere, Kelvin, mole and candela are base units.
' A base unit is one that has been explicitly so designated; a secondary unit for the same quantity is a derived unit. For example, when used with the International System of Units, the gram is a derived unit, not a base unit.
In the language of measurement, quantities are quantifiable aspects of the world, such as time, distance, velocity, mass, temperature, energy, and weight, and units are used to describe their magnitude or quantity. Many of these quantities are related to each other by various physical laws, and as a result the units of a quantities can be generally be expressed as a product of powers of other units; for example, momentum is mass multiplied by velocity, while velocity is measured in distance divided by time. These relationships are discussed in dimensional analysis. Those that can be expressed in this fashion in terms of the base units are called derived units [fr].
International System of UnitsEdit
Main article: SI base units
In the International System of Units, there are seven base units: kilogram, metre, candela, second, ampere, kelvin, and mole.
Natural unitsEdit
Main article: Natural units
A set of fundamental dimensions of physical quantity is a minimal set of units such that every physical quantity can be expressed in terms of this set. The traditional fundamental dimensions of physical quantity are mass, length, time, charge, and temperature, but in principle, other fundamental quantities could be used. Electric current could be used instead of charge or speed could be used instead of length. Some physicists have not recognized temperature as a fundamental dimension of physical quantity since it simply expresses the energy per particle per degree of freedom which can be expressed in terms of energy (or mass, length, and time). In addition, some physicists recognize electric charge as a separate fundamental dimension of physical quantity, even if it has been expressed in terms of mass, length, and time in unit systems such as the electrostatic cgs system. There are also physicists who have cast doubt on the very existence of incompatible fundamental quantities[1].
There are other relationships between physical quantities that can be expressed by means of fundamental constants, and to some extent it is an arbitrary decision whether to retain the fundamental constant as a quantity with dimensions or simply to define it as unity or a fixed dimensionless number, and reduce the number of explicit fundamental constants by one. The ontological issue is whether these fundamental constants really exist as dimensional or dimensionless quantities. This is equivalent to treating length as the same commensureable physical material as time or understanding electric charge as a combination of quantities of mass, length, and time which may seem less natural than thinking of temperature as measuring the same material as energy (which is expressible in terms of mass, length, and time).
For instance, time and distance are related to each other by the speed of light, c, which is a fundamental constant. It is possible to use this relationship to eliminate either the unit of time or that of distance. Similar considerations apply to the Planck constant, h, which relates energy (with dimension expressible in terms of mass, length and time) to frequency (with dimension expressible in terms of time). In theoretical physics it is customary to use such units (natural units) in which c = 1 and ħ = 1. A similar choice can be applied to the vacuum permittivity or permittivity of free space, ε0.
One could eliminate any of the metre and second by setting c to unity (or to any other fixed dimensionless number).
One could then eliminate the kilogram by setting ħ to a dimensionless number.
One could then further eliminate the ampere by setting either the permittivity of free space ε0 (alternatively, the Coulomb constant ke = 1/(4πε0)) or the elementary charge e to a dimensionless number.
One could similarly eliminate the mole as a base unit by reference to Avogadro's number.
One could eliminate the kelvin as it can be argued that temperature simply expresses the energy per particle per degree of freedom, which can be expressed in terms of energy (or mass, length, and time). Another way of saying this is that Boltzmann's constant kB could be expressed as a fixed dimensionless number.
Similarly, one could eliminate the candela, as that is defined in terms of other physical quantities.
That leaves one base dimension and an associated base unit, but we still have plenty of fundamental constants left to eliminate that too – for instance one could use G, the gravitational constant, me, the electron rest mass, or Λ, the cosmological constant.
A widely used choice, in particular for theoretical physics, is given by the system of Planck units, which are defined by setting ħ = c = G = kB = ke = 1.
Using natural units leaves every physical quantity expressed as a dimensionless number which is noted by physicists disputing the very existence of incompatible fundamental physical quantities.[1][2][3]
Characteristic units
Dimensional analysis
Natural units
^ a b Michael Duff (2014). "How fundamental are fundamental constants?". arXiv:1412.2040. doi:10.1080/00107514.2014.980093 (inactive 2019-04-09).
^ Jackson, John David (1998). "Appendix on Units and Dimensions". Classical Electrodynamics (PDF). John Wiley and Sons. p. 775. Retrieved 13 January 2014. The arbitrariness in the number of fundamental units and in the dimensions of any physical quantity in terms of those units has been emphasized by Abraham, Plank, Bridgman, Birge, and others.
^ Birge, Raymond T. (1935). "On the establishment of fundamental and derived units, with special reference to electric units. Part I." (PDF). American Journal of Physics. 3: 102–109. Bibcode:1935AmJPh...3..102B. doi:10.1119/1.1992945. Retrieved 13 January 2014. Because, however, of the arbitrary character of dimensions, as presented so ably by Bridgman, the choice and number of fundamental units are arbitrary.
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Dee Palmer
Dee Palmer, formerly David Palmer (London, 2 July 1937), is an English composer, arranger,[1] and keyboardist best known for having been a member of the progressive rock group Jethro Tull from 1972 to 1980.[2]
David Palmer
(1937-07-02) 2 July 1937 (age 82)
Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England
Rock, soundtrack, modern classical
Occupation(s)
Arranger, musician
Keyboards, clarinet
Jethro Tull, Bert Jansch, Maddy Prior
http://missdeepalmer.com/
Early careerEdit
Palmer studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music with Richard Rodney Bennett, winning the Eric Coates Prize and The Boosey and Hawkes Prize and during her studentship taught clarinet to second study students. She was appointed a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in 1994.[3]
Jethro TullEdit
See main article: Jethro Tull
Going about her early career as a jobbing arranger and conductor of recording sessions, Palmer recorded her first album project, Nicola, in 1967 with Bert Jansch. She was then referred to Terry Ellis, then manager of the early Jethro Tull, which was making its first album at Sound Techniques Studio in Chelsea, London. At short notice, Palmer came up with arrangements for the horns and strings on the Mick Abrahams composition, "Move on Alone" from the This Was album. This work and professional performance endeared her to the band[4] and she was soon to visit them again, with a string quartet arrangement to "A Christmas Song". Palmer arranged string, brass, and woodwind parts for Jethro Tull songs in the late 1960s and early 1970s, before formally joining the group in 1976 and primarily playing electronic keyboard instruments.
In 1980, leader Ian Anderson intended to release the album A with other musicians as a solo project, but was persuaded by his record label to release it instead under the Jethro Tull name. This resulted in every member of the group, including Palmer, leaving except guitarist Martin Barre and Anderson himself. Palmer formed a new group, Tallis, with former Jethro Tull pianist and organist John Evan. The new group was not commercially successful, and Palmer returned to film scoring and sessions.[citation needed]
Solo workEdit
Beginning in the 1980s, Palmer produced several albums of orchestral arrangements of the music of various rock groups, including Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, the Beatles and Queen.[5]
In 2017, Dee Palmer announced the release of her first solo album. Through Darkened Glass was released in January 2018 and has the guest appearance of former band-mate Martin Barre.[6][7]
Gender transitionEdit
In 1998, Palmer came out as transgender and intersex, changing her name to Dee. Palmer was born with genital ambiguity, assigned male at birth, and underwent several surgeries, the last in her late twenties. Palmer said her gender dysphoria had been a part of her life since she had been young, and that the dysphoria "started to reassert itself again" in the year following the death of her wife Maggie in 1995.[8][9][10]
DiscographyEdit
SoloEdit
Through Darkened Glass (2018)
With Jethro TullEdit
Providing orchestral arrangements
This Was (1968)
Stand Up (1969)
Benefit (1970)
Aqualung (1971)
Thick as a Brick (1972)
A Passion Play (1973)
War Child (1974)
Minstrel in the Gallery (1975)
Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die! (1976)
As a full-time member
Songs from the Wood (1977)
Heavy Horses (1978)
Bursting Out (1978 live album)
Stormwatch (1979)
Nightcap : The Unreleased Masters 1972–1991 (1993)
Live at Madison Square Garden 1978 (2009 DVD)
Symphonic arrangementsEdit
A Classic Case, also known as Classic Jethro Tull (1986)
We Know What We Like (Genesis) (1987)
Orchestral Maneuvers: The Music Of Pink Floyd (1991)
Symphonic Music of Yes (1993)
Passing Open Windows: A Symphonic Tribute to Queen (1996)
Orchestral Sgt. Pepper's (version of The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)
^ Nollen, Scott Allen (2002). Jethro Tull: A History of the Band, 1968–2001. McFarland. pp. 185–. ISBN 978-0-7864-1101-6. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
^ Buckley, Peter (1 November 2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. Rough Guides. pp. 551–. ISBN 978-1-84353-105-0. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
^ "Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music (FRAM)". Royal Academy of Music. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
^ Eder, Bruce. "David Palmer". VH1. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
^ Thompson, Dave (1 November 2004). Turn It On Again: Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins & Genesis. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 260–. ISBN 9780879308100. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
^ "Through Darkened Glass, by Dee Palmer". Dee Palmer. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
^ "Dee Palmer - Through Darkened Glass". Discogs. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
^ "Dee Palmer Interview with David Rees". Official Jethro Tull website. 29 June 2004. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
^ Out. Here Publishing. December 2004. pp. 113–. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
^ Wright, Jeb (October 2004). "Dee Palmer Interview". Classic Rock Revisited. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2012. CS1 maint: Unfit url (link)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dee_Palmer&oldid=889883523"
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Dogface (military)
For other uses, see Dogface.
Dogface refers to a U.S. Army foot soldier serving in the infantry, especially in World War II.
History and usageEdit
The origin of the term is difficult to ascertain. According to the recollections of veteran Phillip Leveque:
Perhaps I should explain the derivation of the term "dogface". He lived in "pup tents" and foxholes. We were treated like dogs in training. We had dog tags for identification. The basic story is that wounded soldiers in the Civil War had tags tied to them with string indicating the nature of their wounds. The tags were like those put on a pet dog or horse, but I can't imagine anybody living in a horse tent or being called a horseface. Correctly speaking, only Infantrymen are called dogfaces. Much of the time we were filthy, cold and wet as a duck-hunting dog and we were ordered around sternly and loudly like a half-trained dog.[1]
The term was used in media such as "Up Front" by combat cartoonist Bill Mauldin, who may have heard the term while serving with the 45th Infantry Division in Italy.
The term gained a high profile in the USA when it was used in the 1955 Hollywood film To Hell and Back, based on the best-selling autobiography of Audie Murphy, the most decorated U.S. soldier of World War II, and starring Murphy in the lead role. The film included a song, The Dogface Soldier, originally written in 1942 by two U.S. Army infantry soldiers; it was adopted as the song of the 3rd Infantry Division, and was widely played and sung during the war.[2] The song eventually sold 300,000 copies.[2] The song is still sung every morning after reveille by the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division while in garrison at Fort Stewart, Georgia and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.[citation needed]
The term is also mentioned in "The Caine Mutiny" by Herman Wouk: "'If they decide to survey this bucket we'll sit on the beach with the dogfaces for a year waiting our chance for a ride back. Fix the pumps and you've got your private limousine to take you home, maybe in a week. How about another look at the pumps?' The pumps were repaired in two days."[3] In this instance it does not have the same meaning as a soldier "dogface," but a face like a sad dog.
Devil Dog
G.I.
^ Alchemy For A Foxhole-A Salute to the ASTP Men http://www.89infdivww2.org/memories/levequeastp1.htm
^ a b The Dogface Soldier http://www.dogfacesoldiers.org/info/dogface.htm
^ Wouk, Herman (15 January 2013). "The Caine Mutiny: A Novel of World War II". Little, Brown – via Google Books.
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The Ironbridge Gorge is a deep gorge, containing the River Severn in Shropshire, England. It was first formed by a glacial overflow from the long drained away Lake Lapworth, at the end of the last ice age. The deep exposure of the rocks cut through by the gorge exposed commercial deposits of coal, iron ore, limestone and fireclay, which enabled the rapid economic development of the area during the early Industrial Revolution.[1][2]
The Iron Bridge
Ironbridge, United Kingdom
Cultural: i, ii, iv, vi
547.9 ha
www.ironbridge.org.uk
52°37′35″N 2°28′22″W / 52.62639°N 2.47278°W / 52.62639; -2.47278
Location of Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire
Show map of Shropshire
Ironbridge Gorge (the United Kingdom)
Show map of the United Kingdom
The Ironbridge Gorge looking east towards the Iron Bridge
Originally called the Severn Gorge, the gorge now takes its name from its famous Iron Bridge, the first iron bridge of its kind in the world, and a monument to the industry that began there. The bridge was built in 1779 to link the industrial town of Broseley with the smaller mining town of Madeley and the growing industrial centre of Coalbrookdale.
There are two reasons the site was so useful to the early industrialists. The raw materials, coal, iron ore, limestone and clay, for the manufacture of iron, tiles and porcelain are exposed or easily mined in the gorge. The deep and wide river allowed easy transport of products to the sea.
FormationEdit
The gorge carries the River Severn south towards the Bristol Channel. It was formed during the last ice age when the water from the previously north-flowing river became trapped in a lake (Lake Lapworth) created when the Irish Sea ice sheet dammed the river. The lake level rose until the water flowed through the hills to the south. This flow eroded a path through the hills, forming the gorge and permanently diverting the Severn southwards.[3][4][5][6]
The Gorge parishEdit
The Gorge is a civil parish of Telford and Wrekin borough. It covers the part of Ironbridge Gorge that falls within the Telford and Wrekin Council area, which is most of it, and includes settlements such as Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale and Coalport (but not Buildwas or Broseley) and part of Jackfield. It is divided into three parish wards: Lightmoor, Ironbridge, and Coalport & Jackfield. The parish council has its offices and holds its meetings at the Maws Craft Centre in Jackfield.[7]
The population of this civil parish at the 2011 census was 3,275.[8]
Women in the Ironbridge Gorge ward had the third lowest life expectancy at birth, 74 years, of any ward in England and Wales in 2016.[9]
Conservation in the GorgeEdit
Green Wood Centre has spent over twenty years training new coppice and woodland workers, with the aim of reviving the coppicing industry.
Severn Gorge Countryside Trust manages most of the woodland, grassland and other countryside within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, around 260 hectares (640 acres) in all. BTCV's Green Gym works with the trust to assist them on woodland work.
Severn Gorge Countryside Trust and The Green Wood Centre run a joint volunteer project enabling local people to engage locally in activities such as coppicing, scrub removal, deer fencing, step building and woodland management.
The Iron Bridge in 2003 with its previous grey colour
Downstream from the ironbridge
Redressing the bridge in 2007
Ironbridge Gorge Museums
Geology of Shropshire
Ironbridge Power Station
Listed buildings in The Gorge
^ Pannett, David (2008). "The Ice Age Legacy in North Shropshire" (PDF). Proceedings of the Shropshire Geological Society. 13: 86–91. ISSN 1750-855X.
^ Wills, L.J. (1924). "The Development of the Severn Valley in the Neighbourhood of Iron-Bridge and Bridgnorth". Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. 80: 274–308. doi:10.1144/GSL.JGS.1924.080.01-04.15.
^ Lapworth, C. (1898). Missing or empty |title= (help)
^ Harmer, F.W. (1907). "The Origin of Certain Cañon-like Valleys". Quart. J. geol. Soc. Lond. 63: 470–514. doi:10.1144/GSL.JGS.1907.063.01-04.33.
^ Wills, L.J. (1924). "The Development of the Severn Valley in the Neighbourhood of Iron-Bridge and Bridgnorth". Quart. J. geol. Soc. Lond. 80: 274–308. doi:10.1144/GSL.JGS.1924.080.01-04.15.
^ Beckinsale, R.P.; Richardson, L. (1964). "Recent Findings on the Physical Development of the Lower Severn Valley". The Geographical Journal. 130 (1): 87–105. JSTOR 1794269.
^ "Welcome". The Gorge Parish Council. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
^ "Civil Parish population 2011". Retrieved 25 November 2015.
^ Bennett, James; et al. (22 November 2018). "Contributions of diseases and injuries to widening life expectancy inequalities in England from 2001 to 2016: a population-based analysis of vital registration data". Lancet public health. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ironbridge Gorge.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ironbridge.
This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (March 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Ironbridge Gorge Visitor Information
Telford Culture Zone
Tourism Website for Ironbridge
Ironbridge Gorge Tourism website
ITV Local footage at Ironbridge Gorge
Photo of the Gorge from the air[permanent dead link]
The Ironbridge Gorge by Virtual Shropshire
World Heritage Site information from UNESCO
Map of UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ironbridge Archaeology
Green Wood Centre
Severn Gorge Countryside Trust
Green Gym
Landslides in the Ironbridge Gorge by the British Geological Survey
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Stillaguamish River
The Stillaguamish River is a river in northwest Washington in the United States. It is mainly composed of two forks, the longer North Fork Stillaguamish (45 miles (72 km)) and the South Fork Stillaguamish. The two forks join near Arlington. From there the Stillaguamish River proper flows for 22 miles (35 km) to Puget Sound. The river's watershed drains part of the Cascade Range north of Seattle.
The South Fork of the Stillaguamish River near Verlot
Location of the mouth of the Stillaguamish River in Washington
Show map of Washington (state)
Stillaguamish River (the United States)
North Cascades
⁃ coordinates
48°12′14″N 122°7′38″W / 48.20389°N 122.12722°W / 48.20389; -122.12722[1]
⁃ location
Port Susan
48°14′18″N 122°22′38″W / 48.23833°N 122.37722°W / 48.23833; -122.37722Coordinates: 48°14′18″N 122°22′38″W / 48.23833°N 122.37722°W / 48.23833; -122.37722[1]
⁃ elevation
0 m (0 ft)
67 mi (108 km)[2]
Basin size
CourseEdit
North Fork Valley west of Darrington
The Stillaguamish River is formed from the confluence of the North and South Forks, both of which rise in the Cascades. The North Fork rises as several branches in a remote area of Skagit County near Finney Peak, approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Darrington. Collecting many tributary creeks, the river flows south, then west through the foothills along the Skagit-Snohomish county line. Tributaries of the North Fork Stillaguamish River include Boulder River and Deer Creek.
The South Fork (30 miles (48 km)) rises near in central Snohomish County, 20 miles (32 km) south of Darrington, and flows west and northwest by Silverton, Verlot, and Granite Falls.
The two forks unite at Arlington in northwestern Snohomish County. The combined stream flows west, entering the north end of Port Susan, an arm of Puget Sound, in Stanwood, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Arlington. Between the North and South Forks there is a portion of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest called the Boulder River Wilderness.
Natural historyEdit
The Stillaguamish River and its tributaries are known for their salmon runs. Eight salmonid species use the streams for spawning, including Chinook, coho, chum, pink, and sockeye salmon, steelhead trout, sea-run cutthroat, and bull trout.
HydrologyEdit
The north fork of the Stillaguamish river level is monitored by gauges operated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS),[3] and river levels can vary by as much as 13 feet (4.0 m). The river level rises and falls very quickly, with the average north fork flood duration of eight hours. Of the five highest north fork flood levels on record, three have occurred since 2009.[4]
Variant names for the Stillaguamish River, according to the USGS, include Tuxpam River, Stoh-luk-whahmpsh River, Stillaquamish River, Steilaguamish River, Stalukahamish River, and other similar spellings.
The 2014 Oso landslide occurred on the North Fork of the Stillaguamish.
List of Washington rivers
^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Stillaguamish River
^ Including North Fork
^ http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=argw1&wfo=sew
^ http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/crests.php?wfo=sew&gage=argw1&crest_type=historic
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stillaguamish River.
Snohomish County, Stillaguamish Watershed
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The Pepsodent Show
(Redirected from The Bob Hope Show)
The Pepsodent Show is an American radio comedy program broadcast during the Golden Age of Radio. The program starred comedian Bob Hope and his sidekick Jerry Colonna along with Blanche Stewart and Elvia Allman as high-society crazies Brenda and Cobina as well as a continuously rotating supporting cast and musicians which included, for a time, Judy Garland, Frances Langford and Desi Arnaz and his orchestra.
The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope
The Bob Hope Pepsodent Show
The Bob Hope Show
Jerry Colonna
Skinnay Ennis
Blanche Stewart
Elvia Allman
Frances Langford
The Desi Arnaz Orchestra
Bill Goodwin
Wendell Niles
Art Baker
Norman Morrell
Bob Stephenson
Al Capstaff
September 27, 1938 (1938-09-27) – June 8, 1948 (1948-06-08)
132 (according to the Radio Gold Index)
150 (other sources)
Opening theme
The Pepsodent Show, along with Edgar Bergen's Chase and Sanborn Hour, Jack Benny's The Jack Benny Program, and Fred Allen's Texaco Star Theatre, was one of the most listened-to programs during World War II.
The Pepsodent Show was broadcast Tuesday nights at 10:00 over NBC from September 27, 1938–June 8, 1948. For most of its run, Pepsodent followed Fibber McGee and Molly on Tuesdays[1] and preceded The Raleigh Cigarette Program starring Red Skelton.[2]
BackgroundEdit
Pepsodent toothpasteEdit
Main article: Pepsodent
Pepsodent toothpaste sponsored the program for its entire 10-year run. Pepsodent was founded by Pepsodent Company based in Chicago in 1915. The namesake of Pepsodent came from pepsin. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme designed to break down and digest food deposits on the teeth. Pepsin was an ingredient used in early Pepsodent toothpaste.[3]
By the late 1920s, sales for Pepsodent had plummeted to the point of near bankruptcy.[4] In an effort to boost sales, Pepsodent became the official sponsor of Amos 'n' Andy, a continuation of WGN's popular Sam 'n' Henry starring Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll. The first Pepsodent sponsored episode of Amos 'n' Andy aired on August 19, 1929.[5]
It was also during the run of Amos 'n' Andy that Pepsodent began advertising the supposed ingredient Irium. Irium is another word for sodium lauryl sulfate, an inexpensive ionic surfactant.[6] Even though the advertising was convincing enough for people to actually believe that Irium is real, in a 1994 speech, then-FCC chairman Reed Hundt claimed that the "Irium" mentioned in Pepsodent advertisements "didn't exist".[7]
Bob HopeEdit
Main article: Bob Hope
Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope to British parents in Eltham, London on May 29, 1903. Hope, along with his parents and siblings emigrated to the United States aboard the SS Philadelphia and passed through Ellis Island on March 30, 1908, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio.[8]
Hope first entered show business in the 1920s joining the Vaudeville circuit. Around 1928, Hope adopted the name Bob as he believed it was a more stage-friendly name.[9] During the early 1930s, Hope began a gig with New York's Palace Theatre and also performed in his first Broadway play as part of the cast of 1930's Smiles. Hope soon found himself apart of the cast of 1932's Ballyhoo of 1932 and Jerome Kern's Roberta in 1933. In 1936, Hope shared star billing with Ethel Merman and Jimmy Durante in Cole Porter's Broadway musical Red, Hot and Blue.
Hope made his radio debut in 1933 during the talent portion of Rudy Vallée's The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour.[10] Hope appeared in his first feature film The Big Broadcast of 1938 in 1938.[11] His fellow co-stars included W.C. Fields, Dorothy Lamour, Shirley Ross and Martha Raye.[12]
The Intimate RevueEdit
After Hope's success on The Rudy Vallée Show, NBC offered Hope his own radio show, The Intimate Revue, the first of several precursors to The Pepsodent Show. The Intimate Revue premiered on the Blue Network on January 4, 1935. Sponsored by Emerson's Bromo-Seltzer, alongside Hope in the starring cast were singers James Melton, Jane Froman and Patricia Wilder with musical accompaniment from Al Goodman. The program ended on April 5, 1935.[13]
The Atlantic FamilyEdit
Hope's next radio program, The Atlantic Family, was for Atlantic Oil. This program premiered on CBS on September 14, 1935. The program ended its run nearly a whole year after it began on September 3, 1936. The program aired Saturdays at 7 for most of its run until moving to Thursdays at 7 for the last three months. Wilder came with Hope to this series alongside tenor Frank Parker with Red Nichols and his Five Pennies providing the music.[13]
The Rippling Rhythm Revue/The Woodbury Soap Show and Your Hollywood ParadeEdit
In May 1937, Hope signed a 26-week contract for the new The Rippling Rhythm Revue, (alternative title: The Woodbury Soap Show) sponsored by Woodbury soap.[14][15] Hope began his 26 weeks on May 9, 1937 back on the Blue Network. The show's name derived from a musical gimmick by maestro Shep Fields in which Fields would blow bubbles while his orchestra played music.[1]
Along with Fields leading his orchestra and Hope in the role of host, Frank Parker from The Atlantic Family was again brought on as lead tenor. The program aired Sundays at 9 until the end of the 26 weeks on September 6, 1937.
On December 29, Hope joined the cast of Your Hollywood Parade on NBC. Sponsored by American Tobacco's Lucky Strike cigarettes, the program originally starred Dick Powell[1] and was a spin-off of the popular music program Your Hit Parade. Airing Wednesdays at 10, Hope hosted the program for a single season ending his association with Lucky Strike on March 23, 1938.[13]
The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope premiered on Tuesday night September 27, 1938, over the stations of the National Broadcasting Company. Hope was the star of the program with Jerry Colonna as Hope's sidekick. Each program usually began with an opening monologue by Hope, a little banter with Colonna, a couple exchanges and a few skits with other members of the cast and the week's guest stars and finally a concluding skit.[16]
The original Pepsodent cast consisted of Bob Hope, Jerry Colonna, Blanche Stewart and Elvia Allman. Stewart and Allman portrayed high-society crazies Brenda and Cobina, respectively. Bill Goodwin was the program's original announcer, Skinnay Ennis was the program's original bandleader and Judy Garland, 16 at the time, was the program's original vocalist.[17] The program's cast changed often over the course of the ten years Pepsodent was on the air. In total, during the run of The Pepsodent Show, listeners heard the arrival and departure of four announcers, five vocalists and three bandleaders. Among the program's other vocalists were Frances Langford and Doris Day and among the bandleaders to be heard on the program were Les Brown and Desi Arnaz.
The Pepsodent Show soon became a part of the most listened-to radio programs in America and Bob Hope soon became a household name, due in part because of his opening monologue at the beginning of the program which has been noted as the most popular part of each episode.[18] Originally Hope had a team of eight writers whom he paid out of his salary $2500 a week to compose the jokes and materials he used for the each show. Included in the original team of Pepsodent writers were Mel Shavelson, Norman Panama, Jack Rose, Sherwood Schwartz, and Schwartz's brother Al. His writing eventually grew to fifteen and some of the newcomers to the show included Milt Josefsberg, Larry Gelbart and Hal Block.[19]
The program saw its highest ratings during World War II. According to Crossley, Pepsodent was the no. 1 rated program on the air for two consecutive years (1942–43; 1943–44) receiving a Hooperating of 40.9 in 1942.[20]
As the war ensued, Hope tried to enlist in the service. However, he was told he could better serve as an entertainer. With that, Hope joined the United Service Organizations (USO). With his USO troupe, Hope traveled to the likes of Sicily, England, Alaska, North Africa and the South Pacific entertaining the servicemen and women in the military.[21] Hope also became a regular performer on the Armed Forces Radio Network.
Even with Hope constantly traveling overseas to perform for the troops, The Pepsodent Show still continued production. Soon after Hope joined the USO, The Pepsodent Show began broadcasting from military bases across the country. The May 6, 1941, installment of the radio series aired from March Army Air Force Field in Riverside, California. This was the first remote broadcast of Hope's coast-to-coast radio program and became the first of hundreds of radio and television broadcasts Hope performed for the entertainment of U.S. soldiers. Broadcasting in front of a live audience of soldiers and gearing the subject matter of the monologue to the troops, Hope fashioned a very successful variant on the radio comedy variety format. World War II-era stateside radio audiences, as well as the troops, appreciated Hope's soldier-directed monologues, which provided home audiences with a special affinity with the soldiers' lives and their contributions to the country.[18] Gerd Horten, author of the book Radio Goes to War, documents in this book, about seven Pepsodent episodes aired between 1941 and 1943 broadcast from different military bases across the nation.[22]
Swan Soap and The Bob Hope ShowEdit
September 14, 1948 (1948-09-14) – April 21, 1955 (1955-04-21)
Swan Soap
Jell-O
American Dairy
General Foods
After the war, The Pepsodent Show steadily began to decline in the ratings. By 1948, ratings were so low that Pepsodent pulled sponsorship and on Tuesday June 8, 1948, the last broadcast of The Pepsodent Show aired over NBC.
Despite cancellation, Hope still continued on radio. Lever Brothers' Swan soap began sponsoring The Bob Hope Show.[23] The Bob Hope Show premiered on September 14, 1948 on NBC. By this point, most of the regulars from The Pepsodent Show left to further pursue their careers. Doris Day, who was the vocalist for The Pepsodent Show after Gloria Jean's departure, was the only one of Hope's Pepsodent co-stars who continued to perform on The Bob Hope Show.[13] Hy Averback was the announcer.
Airing Tuesdays at 9, the program was at direct competition with the new sitcom Life with Luigi, which aired at the same time on CBS. Life with Luigi proved to be the season's new hit, crushing The Bob Hope Show in the ratings. Like Pepsodent before, due to the poor ratings, Swan pulled its sponsorship of The Bob Hope Show in 1950. The last Swan-sponsored episode of the program aired on June 13.
The next fall on October 3, The Bob Hope Show premiered under the sponsorship of Chesterfield cigarettes. Over the next five years, The Bob Hope Show aired under various sponsors, including Jell-O and General Foods, in various timeslots until its final episode aired on April 21, 1955.
Broadcast historyEdit
The Pepsodent ShowEdit
For the entirety of the program's ten-year run, The Pepsodent Show was broadcast on Tuesday nights from 10-10:30. The Pepsodent Show aired immediately after Fibber McGee and Molly, another one of radio's most popular shows. For six years, (1941–44; 1945–48), The Pepsodent Show was followed by Red Skelton's Raleigh Cigarette Program at 10:30.
The Bob Hope ShowEdit
Tuesdays at 9-9:30 pm September 14, 1948 June 13, 1950 NBC Swan Soap
October 3, 1950 1952 Chesterfield
Wednesdays at 10-10:30 pm 1953 Jell-O
Fridays at 8:30-9:00 pm 1953 1954 American Dairy
Thursdays at 8:3-9:00 pm 1954 April 21, 1955
Weekdays at 9:30-9:45 am
11:45 am-12 pm
10:30-10:45 am November 10, 1952 July 9, 1954 General Foods
Cast and crewEdit
MainEdit
Jerry Colonna as Hope's madcap
Blanche Stewart as Brenda
Elvia Allman as Cobina
Barbara Jo Allen as Vera Vague
Trudy Erwin as the Pepsodent girl
CrewEdit
MusicEdit
ConductorsEdit
Skinnay Ennis (bandleader; 1938-1943)
Stan Kenton (maestro; 1943-1946)
Desi Arnaz (bandleader; 1946-1947)
Les Brown (bandleader; 1947-1948)
VocalistsEdit
Judy Garland (1938-1939)
Frances Langford (1939-1947)
Gloria Jean (1947-1948)
Doris Day (1947-1950)
AnnouncersEdit
Producer-DirectorsEdit
WritersEdit
Melville Shavelson
Norman Sullivan
Norman Panama
Larry Markes
Marv Fischer
Paul Laven
Hal Block
Ted McKay
Samuel Kurtzman
Fred Fox
Wilkie Mahoney
After PepsodentEdit
After the end of The Pepsodent Show, sales of Pepsodent toothpaste still were steady. Pepsodent also still continued to sponsor popular programs on the radio. Pepsodent sponsored CBS's popular comedy My Friend Irma in the evening and Arthur Godfrey Time and Art Linkletter's House Party during the daytime.[4] Pepsodent's sales began to decline during the 1960s as people became aware of role of fluoride in cavity protection. As brands such as Colgate, Crest and Gleem began incorporating fluoride in their toothpastes, Pepsodent was hesitant to do so, leading to the increasing popularity of those three brands and the decline in popularity for Pepsodent. Pepsodent did eventually add fluoride in their toothpaste but not before sales for Pepsodent plummeted to an all-time low. In 2003, household-manufacturing company Church & Dwight purchased the Pepsodent brand rights in the United States from Unilever. Pepsodent continues to be sold today.[24]
As far as Bob Hope, after Pepsodent and The Bob Hope Show, Hope moved into the new medium of television. Hope was most famous for his television specials on NBC, the first special airing in April 1950. The specials were often sponsored by General Motors (1955–61), Chrysler (1963–73), and Texaco (1975–85).[25] Chrysler also sponsored Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, Hope's weekly anthology series on NBC during the 1960s.
Hope also continued performing with the USO for 50 years until 1991 and was made an "honorary veteran" by President Bill Clinton in 1997. Hope was honored for his contributions to radio in 1990 when he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.[26] Hope continued performing well into his 90s and died at the age of 100 on July 27, 2003 in his home in Toluca Lake, California of pneumonia.[27] Hope was interred in the Bob Hope Memorial Garden at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Los Angeles.[28]
^ a b c Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-1950-7678-3. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
^ Hyatt, Wesley (2004). A Critical History of Television's The Red Skelton Show, 1951-1971. McFarland. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-7864-1732-2. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
^ Sefcik, Lisa (July 8, 2015). "What Is Pepsodent Toothpaste?". Livestrong.com. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
^ a b "A Success Story….. From Near Extinction To Top Selling Brand". www.old-time.com. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
^ "Amos 'n' Andy To Start New Radio Series". The Pittsburgh Press. July 28, 1929. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
^ Budavari, Susan; O'Neil, Maryadele J.; Smith, Ann; Heckelman, Patricia E.; Kinneary, Joanne F. (1996). "sodium lauryl sulfate". The Merck Index (12th ed.). Whitehouse Station, New Jersey: Merk & Co., Inc. p. 1478.
^ Hundt, Reed E. (October 13, 1994). "Address Before the NAB Radio Show". Retrieved December 15, 2015.
^ Moreno, Barry (2008). Ellis Island's Famous Immigrants. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-7385-5533-1.
^ Young, William H.; Young, Nancy K. (2010). World War II and the Postwar Years in America: A Historical and Cultural Encyclopedia, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 381. ISBN 978-0-3133-5652-0. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
^ "BOB HOPE SHOW - Old-Time Radio Series". www.radiospirits.com. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
^ King, Susan (November 29, 2014). "Timeline: Key Moments in Bob Hope's Life and Career". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
^ Vaudeville old & new: an encyclopedia of variety performances in America, Volume 1. Psychology Press. 2004. p. 526. ISBN 978-0-415-93853-2. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
^ a b c d Dunning, p. 105
^ Quirk, Lawrence J. (2000). Bob Hope: The Road Well Traveled. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 94. ISBN 1-557-83450-4.
^ Sterling, Christopher H. (2013). Biographical Encyclopedia of American Radio. Routledge. p. 178. ISBN 978-1-136-99376-3. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
^ "History of Radio Comedy". www.oocities.org. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
^ Schechter, Scott (2006). Judy Garland: The Day-by-day Chronicle of a Legend. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 61–65. ISBN 978-1-5897-9300-2. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
^ a b "Bob Hope and American Variety". Library of Congress. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
^ Nachman, Gerald (1998). Raised on Radio. Pantheon Books, New York. p. 144. ISBN 0-307-82894-8.
^ McLeod, Elizabeth (2005). The Original Amos 'n' Andy: Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll and the 1928-1943 Radio Serial. McFarland. p. 167. ISBN 978-1-4766-0971-3. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
^ Sterling, p. 179
^ Horten, Gerd (2002). Radio Goes to War: The Cultural Politics of Propaganda During World War II. University of California Press. p. 205. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
^ Young & Young, p. 382
^ "THE HISTORY OF PEPSODENT TOOTHPASTE". www.intelligentdental.com. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
^ Grudens, Richard (2002). The Spirit of Bob Hope: One Hundred Years, One Million Laughs. Sioux Falls, SD: Pine Hill Press. pp. 47–48. ISBN 978-1-57579-227-9.
^ "Bob Hope". National Radio Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
^ "Comedian Bob Hope dies". BBC News. July 28, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
^ Doyle, Paula (August 23, 2005). "Bob Hope Memorial Garden opens at San Fernando Mission". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on August 24, 2005. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
"Listing of Episodes of The Pepsodent Show". J. David Goldin.
AudioEdit
Listen to four episodes of The Pepsodent Show at the Internet Archive
Listen to 20 episodes of The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope at Radio Echoes
Bob Hope can be found at Outlaws Old Time Radio Corner
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Pepsodent_Show&oldid=891603056"
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genus of mammals, includes common chimpanzee and bonobo
In the chimp you have sympathy between a mother and a child but you seldom find it anywhere else. Sympathy is a very, very human characteristic.
Chimpanzee, sometimes colloquially "chimp", is the common name for the two extant species of apes in the genus Pan. The Congo River forms the boundary between the native habitats of the two species:
Common chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes (West and Central Africa)
Bonobo, Pan paniscus (forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
QuotesEdit
I cannot conceive of chimpanzees developing emotions, one for the other, comparable in any way to the tenderness, the protectiveness, tolerance, and spiritual exhilaration that are the hallmarks of human love in its truest and deepest sense.
Jane Goodall, In the Shadow of Man (1971), p. 199.
Humans have more sympathy. In the chimp you have sympathy between a mother and a child but you seldom find it anywhere else. Sympathy is a very, very human characteristic.
Jane Goodall, quoted in "The Fascinating Chimpanzee", Awake!, 8 January 1985 pg. 27, citing an interview by WWF News (World Wildlife Fund)[specific citation needed]
Studying chimps ‘has helped me to realize, perhaps more than anything else, just how different we are from them’.
The human brain is composed almost exclusively of the [cerebral] cortex. The brain of a chimpanzee, for example, also has a cortex, but in far smaller proportions. The cortex allows us to think, to remember, to imagine. Essentially, we are human beings by virtue of our cortex.
Edoardo Boncinelli, director of research in molecular biology, Milan, Italy; as attributed by anonymous (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania), Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? (1998).
Children, behold the Chimpanzee,
He sits on the ancestral tree
From which we sprang in ages gone.
I'm glad we sprang; had we held on,
We might, for aught that I can say,
Be horrid chimpanzees today.
Oliver Herford, quoted in The Fireside Book of Humorous Poetry (Hamish Hamilton, 1965), p. 26.
The Cerebral Cortex is the surface region of the brain that is most strongly linked to intelligence. A human’s cerebral cortex, if flattened, would cover four pages of typing paper; a chimpanzee’s would cover only one page; and a rat’s would cover a postage stamp.
Scientific American.[specific citation needed]
If chimpanzees can experience loneliness and mental anguish, it becomes more wrong to use them for experiments in which they are isolated and anticipate daily pain.
Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy, When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals (London: Vintage, 1996. ISBN 0-09-947891-9, Preface, p. 15.
Look up chimpanzees in Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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The Exorcist III
1990 film by William Peter Blatty
The Exorcist III, also known as William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist III and Exorcist III: Legion is a 1990 horror film, a sequel to the 1973 film, The Exorcist.
Lieutenant KindermanEdit
I cannot believe you just said that. What kind of a world is this? Are you an animal? Do you know what Macbeth is about? I'll tell you. It's a play about the numbing of the moral sense. I tell Ryan that we have nothing to go on in this case. You know what he says to me? "Win some, lose some." You're a racist, Ryan. Did you know that?
On the entrance exam for new policemen, they ask, "What are rabies and what would you do for them?" Ryan said, "Rabies are Jewish priests and I would do anything I possible could for them."
I was signaling beings on Mars. Sometimes they answer.
My wife's mother is visiting, Father. And Tuesday night, she's cooking us a carp. It's a tasty fish, I've got nothing against it. But, because it's supposedly filled with impurities, she buys it live and for three days, it's been swimming... up and down... in my bathtub. Up and down... and I hate it. I can't stand the sight of it, moving its gills. Now, you're standing very close to me, Father; have you noticed? Yes. I haven't had a bath for three days. I can't go home until the carp is asleep because if I see it, swimming... I'll kill it.
This I believe... I believe in death. I believe in disease. I believe in injustice, and inhumanity, and torture, and anger, and hate. I believe in murder. I believe in pain. I believe in cruelty, and infidelity. I believe in slime, and stink, and in every crawling, putrid thing, every possible ugliness and corruption, YOU SON OF A BITCH! I BELIEVE... in you.
Damien KarrasEdit
I have dreams of a rose... and falling down a long flight of steps.
Bill, now! Shoot now! Kill me now!
We won. Now free me.
Father Joseph DyerEdit
Jesus loves you, everyone else thinks you're an asshole.
I've been standing out there for centuries. Four new popes have been elected. That's a lot of white smoke.
I once spent a year hearing childrens's confessions and I wound up a lemon drop junkie. The little wierdos keep breathing it on you along with all that pot. And between the two of them, I've got a feeling it's probably addictive.
We're going to live forever, Bill. We're spirits.
Go in peace, my child. May the Schwartz be with you.
No, Bill. I'm not dreaming.
The Gemini Killer/Patient XEdit
Did you get my message? I left it with Keating. Nice girl. Good heart.
I like plays. The good ones. Shakespeare... I like Titus Andronicus the best - it's sweet. Incidentally, did you know that you are talking to an artist? I sometimes do special things to my victims: things that are creative. Of course, it takes knowledge, pride in your work. For example, a decapitated head can continue to see for approximately twenty seconds. So when I have one that's gawking, I always hold it up so that it can see its body. It's a little extra I throw in for no added charge. I must admit it makes me chuckle every time. Life is fun. It's a wonderful life, in fact, for some. It's too bad about poor Father Dyer. I killed him, you know. An interesting problem, but finally, it worked! First, a bit of the old succinylcholine to permit one to work without, ah, annoying distractions. Then, a three foot catheter threaded directly into the inferior vena cava -- or, superior vena cava. It's a matter of taste, I think, don't you? Then the tube moves through the vein, under the crease of the arm, into the vein that leads directly into the heart, and then, you just hold up the legs, and you squeeze the blood manually into the tube from the arms and the legs. There's a little shaking and pounding at the end for the dregs - it isn't perfect. There's a little blood left, I'm afraid. But, regardless, the overall effect is astonishing! And isn't that really what counts in the end? Yes, of course, Good Show Biz, Lieutenant, the EFFECT! And then, off comes the head without spilling one single drop of blood. Now I call that SHOWMANSHIP, Lieutenant!
Yes, about this body of mine. Friend of yours. Well, there I was so awfully dead in that electric chair. I didn't like it. Would you? It's upsetting. There was still so much killing to do, and there I was, in the void, without a body. But then along came, well, you know, my friend. One of them. Those others over there. The cruel ones, the Master. And he thought that my work should continue. But in this body, in this body in particular, in fact. Ooooh, let's call it revenge. The certain matter of an exorcism I think Father Karras expelled certain parties from the body of a child. Certain parties were not pleased. To say the least. To say the very least. And so my friend, the Master, devised this pretty little scheme as a way of getting back. Of creating a stumbling block. A scandal. A horror to the eyes of all men who seek faith, using the body of this saintly priest as an instrument of... well, you know my work. But the main thing... is the torment of your friend, Father Karras, as he watches while I rip, and cut, and MUTILATE THE INNOCENT! His friends! And again! AND AGAIN! AND ON AND ON! HE IS INSIDE WITH US! HE WILL NEVER GET AWAY! HIS PAIN WON'T END! Oh, gracious me. Was I raving? Please forgive me. I'm mad...
Where was I? Oh, yes. The Master. He was kind, you see. He brought me to our mutual acquaintance Father Karras. Not to well at the time. I'm afraid he was, passing on in the dying mode, as we say. So, as Karras was about to slip out of his body-- is this true? The Master was slipping me in. Oh, now there was some confusion when the medic said that Karras was dead-- I mean, he was dead, technically speaking. I mean, his time was up. He wanted out. But I was in! A little traumatized, true. I mean, after all, his brain were jelly. Lack of oxygen, and all that sort of thing. You understand? It took a maximum effort that at last got me out of that cheap little coffin. Vow of poverty, disgusting. Never mind. Toward the end, a slapstick comic relief. When that old Brother Faine, who was tending the bodies, saw me climbing from the coffin. [laughs] It's the smiles that keep us going. Don't you think? The little giggles and bits of good cheer.
Catatonics are so easy to possess.
The Exorcist III quotes at the Internet Movie Database
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(1961-02-06) 6 February 1961 (age 58)
Holon, Israel
1970－present
Label(s)
(2001－2015)
Partner(s)
Alex Koo
International Award, Council of Fashion Designers of America (2005)
Alber Elbaz (Hebrew: אלבר אלבז, born 6 February 1961) is an Israeli fashion designer. After a number of other fashion houses, he was the creative director Lanvin in Paris from 2001 until October 2015.[1][2][3][4]
2 Fashion career
3 Art and graphics
Elbaz was born in Casablanca, Morocco, to a Moroccan Jewish family. He immigrated to Israel with his family at the age of ten and grew up in Holon.[5][6] Elbaz served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, and subsequently he studied at the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design in Ramat Gan. His life partner is Alex Koo, Lanvin's director of merchandising.[7]
Fashion career[edit]
Elbaz began designing for Lanvin in 2001. In October 2015, he announced that he had been let go from the fashion house[8] since he disagreed with the company's major shareholder, Shaw-Lan Wang. Elbaz also complained about the lack of strategy and targeted investment of the company.[9]
He designed all of the costumes Natalie Portman wore in the film A Tale of Love and Darkness which she also wrote and directed.[10]
Art and graphics[edit]
Dress of the Year 2005
In 2006, Elbaz introduced new packaging for Lanvin, featuring a light forget-me-not blue color, a favorite shade which Lanvin purportedly had seen in a Fra Angelico fresco. Packaging included shopping bags imprinted with Paul Iribe's 1907 illustration of Lanvin and her daughter Marguerite, and shoe boxes designed like antique library files, tied with black ribbons to emphasize the precious nature of the product.
Elbaz illustrated the song "Lady Jane" in singer-songwriter Mika's extended play Songs for Sorrow.[11]
In 2012, Rizzoli published a book of 3,000 photographs documenting Elbaz's work for Lanvin.[12]
Awards and recognition[edit]
International Award, Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), June 2005
Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, Paris, January 25, 2007
One of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World, 2007[13]
Honorary doctorate awarded by the Royal College of Art, July 2014.[14]
Elbaz's simple, feminine clothing, which has been compared to Lanvin's 1920s outfits, has been lauded by the fashion press. Suzy Menkes wrote: "Elbaz is every woman's darling. And that includes Nicole, Kate, Chloë Sevigny, Sofia Coppola and a slew of rising movie names."[15]
Israeli fashion
^ "Alber Elbaz". Prestige Magazine. March 4, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
^ "The Tatler List". Tatler. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016.
^ "Couture for Everyday". LUX Magazine. September 2013.
^ "Alber Elbaz Pushed Out at Lanvin". WWD. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
^ Vogue's Alber Elbaz Biography
^ The New Yorker:Profil Alber Ebaz
^ CONLON, SCARLETT. "Confirmed: Alber Elbaz Departing Lanvin". Retrieved September 24, 2016.
^ "Confirmed: Alber Elbaz Departing Lanvin". www.vogue.co.uk. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
^ Minow, Nell. "Interview: Natalie Portman on "A Tale of Love and Darkness"". Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
^ "Mika and Lanvin book launch". www.vogue.co.uk. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
^ The Inside Story of a Couture Dream in the Making
^ The Time 100, Natalie Portman May 3, 2007
^ "Honorary Doctors". RCA. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
^ "At Lanvin, a master of improvisation", Suzy Menkes, International Herald Tribune, May 24, 2005
Alber Elbaz at FMD
Lanvin collaborates with Acne for a 2009 jean collection, JCReport
Alber Elbaz collaborates with H&M, VOGUE.COM UK
BNF: cb15676294h (data)
SNAC: w6c54r2g
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alber_Elbaz&oldid=901204025"
Israeli fashion designers
Jewish fashion designers
Legion of Honour recipients
LGBT fashion designers
LGBT Jews
LGBT people from Morocco
People from Casablanca
People from Holon
Moroccan emigrants to Israel
Israeli emigrants to France
Moroccan Jews
Israeli people of Moroccan-Jewish descent
CFDA Award winners
LGBT people from Israel
20th-century Moroccan artists
Sephardi Jews
Mizrahi Jews
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(Redirected from Family history)
This article is about the study of family lineage and history. For the philosophical technique developed by Nietzsche and Foucault, see Genealogy (philosophy). For the medical family history, see Family history (medicine). For the sociocultural evolution of kinship, see History of the family. For other uses, see Genealogy (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Jineology.
Find sources: "Genealogy" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
The family tree of Ludwig Herzog von Württemberg (ruled 1568–1593)
Genealogy (from Greek: γενεαλογία genealogia "the making of a pedigree")[1] is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members. The results are often displayed in charts or written as narratives. Although generally used interchangeably, the traditional definition of "genealogy" begins with a person who is usually deceased and traces his or her descendants forward in time, whereas, "family history" begins with a person who is usually living and traces his or her ancestors.[2][3] Both the National Genealogical Society in the United States and the Society of Genealogists in the United Kingdom state that the word "genealogy" often refers to the scholarly discipline of researching lineages and connecting generations, whereas "family history" often refers to biographical studies of ones family, including family narratives and traditions.[4][5]
The pursuit of family history and origins tends to be shaped by several motives, including the desire to carve out a place for one's family in the larger historical picture, a sense of responsibility to preserve the past for future generations, and self-satisfaction in accurate storytelling.[6] Genealogy research is also performed for scholarly or forensic purposes.
2 Motivation
2.1 Personal or medical interest
2.2 Community or religious obligation
2.3 Establishing identity
2.4 Legal and forensic research
2.5 Scholarly research
3.1 Modern times
4 Research process
4.1 Genetic analysis
4.2 Collaboration
4.3 Volunteerism
4.4 Software
5 Records and documentation
5.1 List of record types
5.2 FamilySearch collections
5.3 Indexing ancestral Information
6 Types of information
6.1 Family names
6.2 Given names
6.3 Place names
6.4 Dates
6.5 Occupations
7 Reliability of sources
7.1 Knowledge of the informant
7.2 Motivation of the informant
7.3 The effect of time
7.4 Copying and compiling errors
7.5 Primary and secondary sources
12 generations patrilineage of a Hindu Lingayat male from central Karnataka spanning over 275 years, depicted in descending order
Amateur genealogists typically pursue their own ancestry and that of their spouses. Professional genealogists may also conduct research for others, publish books on genealogical methods, teach, or produce their own databases. They may work for companies that provide software or produce materials of use to other professionals and to amateurs. Both try to understand not just where and when people lived, but also their lifestyles, biographies, and motivations. This often requires—or leads to—knowledge of antiquated laws, old political boundaries, migration trends, and historical socioeconomic or religious conditions.
Genealogists sometimes specialize in a particular group, e.g. a Scottish clan; a particular surname, such as in a one-name study; a small community, e.g. a single village or parish, such as in a one-place study; or a particular, often famous, person. Bloodlines of Salem is an example of a specialized family-history group. It welcomes members who can prove descent from a participant of the Salem Witch Trials or who simply choose to support the group.
Genealogists and family historians often join family history societies, where novices can learn from more experienced researchers. Such societies generally serve a specific geographical area. Their members may also index records to make them more accessible, and engage in advocacy and other efforts to preserve public records and cemeteries. Some schools engage students in such projects as a means to reinforce lessons regarding immigration and history.[7] Other benefits include family medical histories with families with serious medical conditions that are hereditary.
The terms "genealogy" and "family history" are often used synonymously, but some offer a slight difference in definition. The Society of Genealogists, while also using the terms interchangeably, describes genealogy as the "establishment of a Pedigree by extracting evidence, from valid sources, of how one generation is connected to the next" and family history as "a biographical study of a genealogically proven family and of the community and country in which they lived".[5]
Motivation[edit]
Individuals conduct genealogical research for a number of reasons.
Personal or medical interest[edit]
Private individuals do genealogy out of curiosity about their heritage. This curiosity can be particularly strong among those whose family histories were lost or unknown due to, for example, adoption or separation from family through divorce, death, or other situations.[8] In addition to simply wanting to know more about who they are and where they came from, individuals may research their genealogy to learn about any hereditary diseases in their family history.[9]
There is a growing interest in family history in the media as a result of advertising and television shows sponsored by large genealogy companies such as Ancestry.com. This coupled with easier access to online records and the affordability of DNA tests has both inspired curiosity and allowed those who are curious to easily start investigating their ancestry.[10][11]
Community or religious obligation[edit]
In communitarian societies, one's identity is defined as much by one's kin network as by individual achievement, and the question "Who are you?" would be answered by a description of father, mother, and tribe. New Zealand Māori, for example, learn whakapapa (genealogies) to discover who they are.[12][13][14][15]
Family history plays a part in the practice of some religious belief systems. For example, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has a doctrine of baptism for the dead, which necessitates that members of that faith engage in family history research.[16][17][18]
In East Asian countries that were historically shaped by Confucianism, many people follow a practice of ancestor worship as well as genealogical record-keeping. Ancestor's names are inscribed on tablets and placed in shrines, where rituals are performed. Genealogies are also recorded in genealogy books. This practice is rooted in the belief that respect for one's family is a foundation for a healthy society.[19]
Establishing identity[edit]
Individuals who wish to belong to a specific lineage society or become citizens of a country (for example, Ireland) or indigenous tribe perform genealogical research. Royal families have kept records of their genealogies in order to establish their right to rule. In societies such as Australia or the United States, there was by the 20th century growing pride in the pioneers and nation-builders. Establishing descent from these was, and is, important to lineage societies such as the Daughters of the American Revolution and The Mayflower Society.[citation needed]
Modern family history explores new sources of status, such as celebrating the resilience of families that survived generations of poverty or slavery, or the success of families in integrating across racial or national boundaries. Some family histories even emphasize links to celebrity criminals, such as the bushranger Ned Kelly in Australia.[citation needed]
Legal and forensic research[edit]
Lawyers involved in probate cases do genealogy to locate heirs of property.[20][21] Detectives may perform genealogical research using DNA evidence to identify victims of homicides or perpetrators of crimes.[22][23][24][25][26]
Scholarly research[edit]
Historians and geneticists may do genealogical research to gain a greater understanding of specific topics in their respective fields. Professional genealogists conduct paid genealogical research for any of the above individuals. They also publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.[27][28]
A Medieval genealogy traced from Adam and Eve
Historically, in Western societies the focus of genealogy was on the kinship and descent of rulers and nobles, often arguing or demonstrating the legitimacy of claims to wealth and power. The term often overlapped with heraldry, in which the ancestry of royalty was reflected in their coats of arms. Modern scholars consider many claimed noble ancestries to be fabrications, such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle that traced the ancestry of several English kings to the god Woden.[citation needed]
Some family trees have been maintained for considerable periods. The family tree of Confucius has been maintained for over 2,500 years and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest extant family tree. The fifth edition of the Confucius Genealogy was printed in 2009 by the Confucius Genealogy Compilation Committee (CGCC).[29][30]
Modern times[edit]
In modern times, genealogy became more widespread, with commoners as well as nobility researching and maintaining their family trees.[31] Genealogy received a boost in the late 1970s with the television broadcast of Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley. His account of his family's descent from the African tribesman Kunta Kinte inspired many others to study their own lines.[32]
With the advent of the Internet, the number of resources readily accessible to genealogists has vastly increased, resulting in an explosion of interest in the topic.[33] According to some sources, genealogy is one of the most popular topics on the Internet.[34] The Internet has become not only a major source of data for genealogists, but also of education and communication.
In India, Charans are the Bards who traditionally keep the written genealogy records of various castes. Some notable places where traditional genealogy records are kept include: Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Varanasi and Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Kurukshetra (Haryana), Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra), and Chintpurni (Himachal Pradesh).[35]
United States[edit]
Genealogical research in the United States was first systematized in the early 19th century, especially by John Farmer (1789–1838).[36] Before Farmer's efforts, tracing one's genealogy was seen as an attempt by colonists to secure a measure of social standing within the British Empire, an aim that was counter to the new republic's egalitarian, future-oriented ethos.[36] As Fourth of July celebrations commemorating the Founding Fathers and the heroes of the Revolutionary War became increasingly popular, however, the pursuit of 'antiquarianism,' which focused on local history, became acceptable as a way to honor the achievements of early Americans.[citation needed] Farmer capitalized on the acceptability of antiquarianism to frame genealogy within the early republic's ideological framework of pride in one's American ancestors. He corresponded with other antiquarians in New England, where antiquarianism and genealogy were well established, and became a coordinator, booster, and contributor to the growing movement. In the 1820s, he and fellow antiquarians began to produce genealogical and antiquarian tracts in earnest, slowly gaining a devoted audience among the American people. Though Farmer died in 1839, his efforts led to the creation of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), one of New England's oldest and most prominent organizations dedicated to the preservation of public records.[37] NEHGS publishes the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.
The Genealogical Society of Utah, founded in 1894, later became the Family History Department of the LDS Church. The department's research facility, the Family History Library, which Utah.com states is "the largest genealogical library in the world,"[38] was established to assist in tracing family lineages for special religious ceremonies which Latter-day Saints believe will seal family units together for eternity. Latter-day Saints believe that this fulfilled a biblical prophecy stating that the prophet Elijah would return to "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers."[39] There is a network of church-operated Family History Centers all over the country and around the world, where volunteers assist the public with tracing their ancestors.[40] Brigham Young University offers bachelor's degree, minor, and concentration programs in Family History, and is the only school in North America to offer this.[41]
The American Society of Genealogists is the scholarly honorary society of the U.S. genealogical field. Founded by John Insley Coddington, Arthur Adams, and Meredith B. Colket, Jr., in December 1940, its membership is limited to 50 living fellows. ASG publishes The Genealogist, a scholarly journal of genealogical research semi-annually since 1980. Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, who bear the post-nominal acronym FASG, have written some of the most notable genealogical materials of the last half-century.[42]
Some of the most notable scholarly American genealogical journals are The American Genealogist, National Genealogical Society Quarterly, The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, and The Genealogist.[43][44]
Research process[edit]
Genealogical research is a complex process that uses historical records and sometimes genetic analysis to demonstrate kinship. Reliable conclusions are based on the quality of sources, ideally original records, the information within those sources, ideally primary or firsthand information, and the evidence that can be drawn, directly or indirectly, from that information. In many instances, genealogists must skillfully assemble indirect or circumstantial evidence to build a case for identity and kinship. All evidence and conclusions, together with the documentation that supports them, is then assembled to create a cohesive genealogy or family history.[45]
Genealogists begin their research by collecting family documents and stories. This creates a foundation for documentary research, which involves examining and evaluating historical records for evidence about ancestors and other relatives, their kinship ties, and the events that occurred in their lives. As a rule, genealogists begin with the present and work backward in time. Historical, social, and family context is essential to achieving correct identification of individuals and relationships. Source citation is also important when conducting genealogical research.[46] To keep track of collected material, family group sheets and pedigree charts are used. Formerly handwritten, these can now be generated by genealogical software.
Genetic analysis[edit]
Main article: Genetic genealogy
Variations of VNTR allele lengths in 6 individuals
Because a person's DNA contains information that has been passed down relatively unchanged from early ancestors, analysis of DNA is sometimes used for genealogical research. Three DNA types are of particular interest: mitochondrial DNA that we all possess and that is passed down with only minor mutations through the matrilineal (direct female) line; the Y-chromosome, present only in males, which is passed down with only minor mutations through the patrilineal (direct male) line; and the Autosomal DNA, which is found in the 22 non-gender specific chromosomes (autosomes) inherited from both parents, which can uncover relatives from any branch of the family.
A genealogical DNA test allows two individuals to find the probability that they are, or are not, related within an estimated number of generations. Individual genetic test results are collected in databases to match people descended from a relatively recent common ancestor. See, for example, the Molecular Genealogy Research Project. These tests are limited to either the patrilineal or the matrilineal line.
Collaboration[edit]
Most genealogy software programs can export information about persons and their relationships in a standardized format called GEDCOM. In that format it can be shared with other genealogists, added to databases, or converted into family web sites. Social networking service (SNS) websites allow genealogists to share data and build their family trees online. Members can upload their family trees and contact other family historians to fill in gaps in their research. In addition to the (SNS) websites, there are other resources that encourage genealogists to connect and share information such as http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ and http://rsl.rootsweb.ancestry.com/.
Volunteerism[edit]
Volunteer efforts figure prominently in genealogy.[47] These range from the extremely informal to the highly organized.
On the informal side are the many popular and useful message boards such as Rootschat and mailing lists on particular surnames, regions, and other topics. These forums can be used to try to find relatives, request record lookups, obtain research advice, and much more.
Many genealogists participate in loosely organized projects, both online and off. These collaborations take numerous forms. Some projects prepare name indexes for records, such as probate cases, and publish the indexes, either online or off. These indexes can be used as finding aids to locate original records. Other projects transcribe or abstract records. Offering record lookups for particular geographic areas is another common service. Volunteers do record lookups or take photos in their home areas for researchers who are unable to travel.
Those looking for a structured volunteer environment can join one of thousands of genealogical societies worldwide. Most societies have a unique area of focus, such as a particular surname, ethnicity, geographic area, or descendancy from participants in a given historical event. Genealogical societies are almost exclusively staffed by volunteers and may offer a broad range of services, including maintaining libraries for members' use, publishing newsletters, providing research assistance to the public, offering classes or seminars, and organizing record preservation or transcription projects.
Software[edit]
Gramps is an example of genealogy software.
Main article: Genealogy software
Genealogy software is used to collect, store, sort, and display genealogical data. At a minimum, genealogy software accommodates basic information about individuals, including births, marriages, and deaths. Many programs allow for additional biographical information, including occupation, residence, and notes, and most also offer a method for keeping track of the sources for each piece of evidence.
Most programs can generate basic kinship charts and reports, allow for the import of digital photographs and the export of data in the GEDCOM format (short for GEnealogical Data COMmunication) so that data can be shared with those using other genealogy software. More advanced features include the ability to restrict the information that is shared, usually by removing information about living people out of privacy concerns; the import of sound files; the generation of family history books, web pages and other publications; the ability to handle same-sex marriages and children born out of wedlock; searching the Internet for data; and the provision of research guidance.
Programs may be geared toward a specific religion, with fields relevant to that religion, or to specific nationalities or ethnic groups, with source types relevant for those groups.
Records and documentation[edit]
A family history page from an antebellum era family Bible
Genealogists use a wide variety of records in their research. To effectively conduct genealogical research, it is important to understand how the records were created, what information is included in them, and how and where to access them.
List of record types[edit]
Records that are used in genealogy research include:
Marriage and divorce records
Adoption records
Biographies and biographical profiles (e.g. Who's Who)
Baptism or christening
Brit milah or Baby naming certificates
Bar or bat mitzvah
Funeral or death
City directories[48] and telephone directories
Coroner's reports
Civil records
Diaries, personal letters and family Bibles
DNA tests[49]
Emigration, immigration and naturalization records
Hereditary & lineage organization records, e.g. Daughters of the American Revolution records
Land and property records, deeds
Military and conscription records
Occupational records
Poorhouse, workhouse, almshouse, and asylum records
School and alumni association records
Ship passenger lists
Social Security (within the US) and pension records
Tombstones, cemetery records, and funeral home records
Voter registration records
To keep track of their citizens, governments began keeping records of persons who were neither royalty nor nobility. In England and Germany, for example, such record keeping started with parish registers in the 16th century.[50] As more of the population was recorded, there were sufficient records to follow a family. Major life events, such as births, marriages, and deaths, were often documented with a license, permit, or report. Genealogists locate these records in local, regional or national offices or archives and extract information about family relationships and recreate timelines of persons' lives.
In China, India and other Asian countries, genealogy books are used to record the names, occupations, and other information about family members, with some books dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. In the eastern Indian state of Bihar, there is a written tradition of genealogical records among Maithil Brahmins and Karna Kayasthas called "Panjis", dating to the 12th century CE. Even today these records are consulted prior to marriages.[51][52][53]
In Ireland, genealogical records were recorded by professional families of senchaidh (historians) until as late as the mid-17th century. Perhaps the most outstanding example of this genre is Leabhar na nGenealach/The Great Book of Irish Genealogies, by Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh (d. 1671), published in 2004.
FamilySearch collections[edit]
The Family History Library, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is the world's largest library dedicated to genealogical research.
The LDS Church has engaged in large-scale microfilming of records of genealogical value. Its Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, houses over 2 million microfiche and microfilms of genealogically relevant material, which are also available for on-site research at over 4500 Family History Centers worldwide.[54]
FamilySearch's website includes many resources for genealogists: a FamilyTree database, historical records,[55] digitized family history books,[56] resources and indexing for African American genealogy such as slave and bank records,[57] and a Family History Research Wiki containing research guidance articles.[58]
Indexing ancestral Information[edit]
Indexing is the process of transcribing parish records, city vital records, and other reports, to a digital database for searching. Volunteers and professionals participate in the indexing process. Since 2006, the microfilm in the FamilySearch granite mountain vault is in the process of being digitally scanned, available online, and eventually indexed.[59][60]
For example, after the 72-year legal limit for releasing personal information for the United States Census was reached in 2012, genealogical groups cooperated to index the 132 million residents registered in the 1940 United States Census.[61]
Between 2006 and 2012, the FamilySearch indexing effort produced more than 1 billion searchable records.[62]
Types of information[edit]
Genealogists who seek to reconstruct the lives of each ancestor consider all historical information to be "genealogical" information. Traditionally, the basic information needed to ensure correct identification of each person are place names, occupations, family names, first names, and dates. However, modern genealogists greatly expand this list, recognizing the need to place this information in its historical context in order to properly evaluate genealogical evidence and distinguish between same-name individuals. A great deal of information is available for British ancestry[63] with growing resources for other ethnic groups.[64]
Family names[edit]
Lineage of a family, c1809
Family names are simultaneously one of the most important pieces of genealogical information, and a source of significant confusion for researchers.[65]
In many cultures, the name of a person refers to the family to which he or she belongs. This is called the family name, surname, or last name. Patronymics are names that identify an individual based on the father's name. For example, Marga Olafsdottir is Marga, daughter of Olaf, and Olaf Thorsson is Olaf, son of Thor. Many cultures used patronymics before surnames were adopted or came into use. The Dutch in New York, for example, used the patronymic system of names until 1687 when the advent of English rule mandated surname usage.[66] In Iceland, patronymics are used by a majority of the population.[67] In Denmark and Norway patronymics and farm names were generally in use through the 19th century and beyond, though surnames began to come into fashion toward the end of the 19th century in some parts of the country. Not until 1856 in Denmark[68] and 1923 in Norway[69] were there laws requiring surnames.
The transmission of names across generations, marriages and other relationships, and immigration may cause difficulty in genealogical research. For instance, women in many cultures have routinely used their spouse's surnames. When a woman remarried, she may have changed her name and the names of her children; only her name; or changed no names. Her birth name (maiden name) may be reflected in her children's middle names; her own middle name; or dropped entirely.[70] Children may sometimes assume stepparent, foster parent, or adoptive parent names. Because official records may reflect many kinds of surname change, without explaining the underlying reason for the change, the correct identification of a person recorded identified with more than one name is challenging. Immigrants to America often Americanized their names.[71]
Surname data may be found in trade directories, census returns, birth, death, and marriage records.
Given names[edit]
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Genealogical data regarding given names (first names) is subject to many of the same problems as are family names and place names. Additionally, the use of nicknames is very common. For example, Beth, Lizzie or Betty are all common for Elizabeth, and Jack, John and Jonathan may be interchanged.
Middle names provide additional information. Middle names may be inherited, follow naming customs, or be treated as part of the family name. For instance, in some Latin cultures, both the mother's family name and the father's family name are used by the children.
Historically, naming traditions existed in some places and cultures. Even in areas that tended to use naming conventions, however, they were by no means universal. Families may have used them some of the time, among some of their children, or not at all. A pattern might also be broken to name a newborn after a recently deceased sibling, aunt or uncle.
An example of a naming tradition from England, Scotland and Ireland:
Child Namesake
1st son paternal grandfather
2nd son maternal grandfather
3rd son father
4th son father's oldest brother
1st daughter maternal grandmother
2nd daughter paternal grandmother
3rd daughter mother
4th daughter mother's oldest sister
Another example is in some areas of Germany, where siblings were given the same first name, often of a favourite saint or local nobility, but different second names by which they were known (Rufname). If a child died, the next child of the same gender that was born may have been given the same name. It is not uncommon that a list of a particular couple's children will show one or two names repeated.
Personal names have periods of popularity, so it is not uncommon to find many similarly named people in a generation, and even similarly named families; e.g., "William and Mary and their children David, Mary, and John".
Many names may be identified strongly with a particular gender; e.g., William for boys, and Mary for girls. Others may be ambiguous, e.g., Lee, or have only slightly variant spellings based on gender, e.g., Frances (usually female) and Francis (usually male).
Place names[edit]
While the locations of ancestors' residences and life events are core elements of the genealogist's quest, they can often be confusing. Place names may be subject to variant spellings by partially literate scribes. Locations may have identical or very similar names. For example, the village name Brockton occurs six times in the border area between the English counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire. Shifts in political borders must also be understood. Parish, county, and national borders have frequently been modified. Old records may contain references to farms and villages that have ceased to exist. When working with older records from Poland, where borders and place names have changed frequently in past centuries, a source with maps and sample records such as A Translation Guide to 19th-Century Polish-Language Civil-Registration Documents can be invaluable.
Available sources may include vital records (civil or church registration), censuses, and tax assessments. Oral tradition is also an important source, although it must be used with caution. When no source information is available for a location, circumstantial evidence may provide a probable answer based on a person's or a family's place of residence at the time of the event.
Maps and gazetteers are important sources for understanding the places researched. They show the relationship of an area to neighboring communities and may be of help in understanding migration patterns. Family tree mapping using online mapping tools such as Google Earth (particularly when used with Historical Map overlays such as those from the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection) assist in the process of understanding the significance of geographical locations.
Dates[edit]
It is wise to exercise extreme caution with dates. Dates are more difficult to recall years after an event, and are more easily mistranscribed than other types of genealogical data.[72] Therefore, one should determine whether the date was recorded at the time of the event or at a later date. Dates of birth in vital records or civil registrations and in church records at baptism are generally accurate because they were usually recorded near the time of the event. Family Bibles are often a source for dates, but can be written from memory long after the event. When the same ink and handwriting is used for all entries, the dates were probably written at the same time and therefore will be less reliable since the earlier dates were probably recorded well after the event. The publication date of the Bible also provides a clue about when the dates were recorded since they could not have been recorded at any earlier date.
People sometimes reduce their age on marriage, and those under "full age" may increase their age in order to marry or to join the armed forces. Census returns are notoriously unreliable for ages or for assuming an approximate death date. Ages over 15 in the 1841 census in the UK are rounded down to the next lower multiple of five years.
Although baptismal dates are often used to approximate birth dates, some families waited years before baptizing children, and adult baptisms are the norm in some religions. Both birth and marriage dates may have been adjusted to cover for pre-wedding pregnancies.
Calendar changes must also be considered. In 1752, England and her American colonies changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. In the same year, the date the new year began was changed. Prior to 1752 it was 25 March; this was changed to 1 January. Many other European countries had already made the calendar changes before England had, sometimes centuries earlier. By 1751 there was an 11-day discrepancy between the date in England and the date in other European countries.
For further detail on the changes involved in moving from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, see: Gregorian calendar.
The French Republican Calendar or French Revolutionary Calendar was a calendar proposed during the French Revolution, and used by the French government for about 12 years from late 1793 to 1805, and for 18 days in 1871 in Paris. Dates in official records at this time use the revolutionary calendar and need "translating" into the Gregorian calendar for calculating ages etc. There are various websites which do this.[73]
Occupations[edit]
Occupational information may be important to understanding an ancestor's life and for distinguishing two people with the same name. A person's occupation may have been related to his or her social status, political interest, and migration pattern. Since skilled trades are often passed from father to son, occupation may also be indirect evidence of a family relationship.
It is important to remember that a person may change occupations, and that titles change over time as well. Some workers no longer fit for their primary trade often took less prestigious jobs later in life, while others moved upwards in prestige.[74] Many unskilled ancestors had a variety of jobs depending on the season and local trade requirements. Census returns may contain some embellishment; e.g., from labourer to mason, or from journeyman to master craftsman. Names for old or unfamiliar local occupations may cause confusion if poorly legible. For example, an ostler (a keeper of horses) and a hostler (an innkeeper) could easily be confused for one another. Likewise, descriptions of such occupations may also be problematic. The perplexing description "ironer of rabbit burrows" may turn out to describe an ironer (profession) in the Bristol district named Rabbit Burrows. Several trades have regionally preferred terms. For example, "shoemaker" and "cordwainer" have the same meaning. Finally, many apparently obscure jobs are part of a larger trade community, such as watchmaking, framework knitting or gunmaking.
Occupational data may be reported in occupational licenses, tax assessments, membership records of professional organizations, trade directories, census returns, and vital records (civil registration). Occupational dictionaries are available to explain many obscure and archaic trades.[75]
Reliability of sources[edit]
Information found in historical or genealogical sources can be unreliable and it is good practice to evaluate all sources with a critical eye. Factors influencing the reliability of genealogical information include: the knowledge of the informant (or writer); the bias and mental state of the informant (or write; the passage of time and the potential for copying and compiling errors.
The quality of census data has been of special interest to historians, who have investigated reliability issues.[72][76]
Knowledge of the informant[edit]
The informant is the individual who provided the recorded information. Genealogists must carefully consider who provided the information and what he or she knew. In many cases the informant is identified in the record itself. For example, a death certificate usually has two informants: a physician who provides information about the time and cause of death and a family member who provides the birth date, names of parents, etc.
When the informant is not identified, one can sometimes deduce information about the identity of the person by careful examination of the source. One should first consider who was alive (and nearby) when the record was created. When the informant is also the person recording the information, the handwriting can be compared to other handwriting samples.
When a source does not provide clues about the informant, genealogists should treat the source with caution. These sources can be useful if they can be compared with independent sources. For example, a census record by itself cannot be given much weight because the informant is unknown. However, when censuses for several years concur on a piece of information that would not likely be guessed by a neighbor, it is likely that the information in these censuses was provided by a family member or other informed person. On the other hand, information in a single census cannot be confirmed by information in an undocumented compiled genealogy since the genealogy may have used the census record as its source and might therefore be dependent on the same misinformed individual.
Motivation of the informant[edit]
Even individuals who had knowledge of the fact, sometimes intentionally or unintentionally provided false or misleading information. A person may have lied in order to obtain a government benefit (such as a military pension), avoid taxation, or cover up an embarrassing situation (such as the existence of a non-marital child). A person with a distressed state of mind may not be able to accurately recall information. Many genealogical records were recorded at the time of a loved one's death, and so genealogists should consider the effect that grief may have had on the informant of these records.
The effect of time[edit]
The passage of time often affects a person's ability to recall information. Therefore, as a general rule, data recorded soon after the event are usually more reliable than data recorded many years later. However, some types of data are more difficult to recall after many years than others. One type especially prone to recollection errors is dates. Also the ability to recall is affected by the significance that the event had to the individual. These values may have been affected by cultural or individual preferences.
Copying and compiling errors[edit]
Genealogists must consider the effects that copying and compiling errors may have had on the information in a source. For this reason, sources are generally categorized in two categories: original and derivative. An original source is one that is not based on another source. A derivative source is information taken from another source. This distinction is important because each time a source is copied, information about the record may be lost and errors may result from the copyist misreading, mistyping, or miswriting the information. Genealogists should consider the number of times information has been copied and the types of derivation a piece of information has undergone. The types of derivatives include: photocopies, transcriptions, abstracts, translations, extractions, and compilations.
In addition to copying errors, compiled sources (such as published genealogies and online pedigree databases) are susceptible to misidentification errors and incorrect conclusions based on circumstantial evidence. Identity errors usually occur when two or more individuals are assumed to be the same person. Circumstantial or indirect evidence does not explicitly answer a genealogical question, but either may be used with other sources to answer the question, suggest a probable answer, or eliminate certain possibilities. Compilers sometimes draw hasty conclusions from circumstantial evidence without sufficiently examining all available sources, without properly understanding the evidence, and without appropriately indicating the level of uncertainty.
Primary and secondary sources[edit]
In genealogical research, information can be obtained from primary or secondary sources. Primary sources are records that were made at the time of the event, for example a death certificate would be a primary source for a person's death date and place. Secondary sources are records that are made days, weeks, months, or even years after an event.
Cluster genealogy
Descent from antiquity
Genealogical DNA test
Genealogical numbering systems
International Museum for Family History
Genealogy tourism
List of genealogy databases
List of Mormon family organizations
Forensic genealogy
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^ James B. Allen et al. "Hearts Turned To The Fathers," BYU Studies 1994–1995 34(2): 4–392
^ "Family History Centers," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Newsroom, Accessed 2 Jul 2019.
^ https://history.byu.edu/Pages/Programs/FamilyHistory/default.aspx
^ American Society of Genealogists (ASG) (2014). "Fellows of the American Society of Genealogists". ASG. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
^ 5 Genealogical Journals You Should Be Reading
^ David L. Greene, "Scholarly Genealogical Journals in America, The American Genealogist 61 (1985-86): 116-20.
^ Board for Certification of Genealogists, The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2000); National Genealogical Society, American Genealogy (Arlington, Virginia: 2005); Val D. Greenwood, The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, 3d ed. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2000)"
^ Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007).
^ Peter Wayner, (2004-04-22). "From Shared Resources, Your Personal History". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
^ Peter R. Knights, "City Directories as Aids to Ante-Bellum Urban Studies: A Research Note," Historical Methods Newsletter, Sept. 1969 2:1–9
^ Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Documentation vs. DNA: The False Argument," blog post, QuickTips: The Blog @ Evidence Explained (https://www.evidenceexplained.com/quicktips/documentation-vs-DNA-false-argument : posted 28 July 2018).
^ Thea Miller, "The German registry: The evolution of a recordkeeping model," Archival Science Volume 3, Number 1 / March, 2003 pp 43–62; Michael Drake, "An Elementary Exercise in Parish Register Demography," Economic History Review Vol. 14, No. 3 (1962), pp. 427–445 in JSTOR
^ Verma, Binod Bihari (1973). Maithili Karna Kayasthak Panjik Sarvekshan (A Survey of the Panji of the Karan Kayasthas of Mithila). Madhepura: Krānti Bihārī Varmā. OCLC 20044508.
^ Carolyn Brown Heinz,. "Fieldnotes: First lesson of the Genealogist". Department of Anthropology, California State University, Chico. Archived from the original on 2008-03-29. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
^ Pranava K Chaudhary (3 April 2007). "Family records of Maithil Brahmins lost". India Times. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
^ Donald Harman Akenson, Some Family: The Mormons and How Humanity Keeps Track of Itself Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2007; Johni Cerny and Wendy Elliott, The Library: A Guide to the LDS Family History Library. Salt Lake City: Ancestry Pub., 1988.
^ "Thanks A Billion," FamilySearch Press Release. Retrieved 4-22-2013; "News and Press: Official FamilySearch.org News and Press Releases," FamilySearch. Retrieved 2013-5-26.
^ "FamilySearch Family History Books Reaches a New Milestone," FamilySearch, 5 August 2013. Retrieved 2013-8-5.
^ "FamilySearch African American Genealogy Records". FamilySearch. February 3, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
^ "Research Wiki," FamilySearch. Retrieved 2013-5-26; FamilySearch Wiki contributors, "Research Outlines," FamilySearch Wiki. Retrieved 2013-5-26.
^ "Mormon church's storied Granite Mountain vault opened for virtual tour". Deseret News. April 29, 2010.
^ "Granite Mountain Records Vault". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. March 14, 2014.
^ "United States Census 1940". FamilySearch. December 25, 2012.
^ "Family History Volunteers Reach Billion-Record Milestone". The Church of JESUS CHRIST of LATTER-DAY SAINTS. April 22, 2013.
^ Mark D. Herber, Ancestral Trails: The Complete Guide to British Genealogy and Family History 2nd ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2006; David Hey, Family History and Local History in England. London: Longman, 1987; Sherry Irvine, Scottish Ancestry: Research Methods for Family Historians, 2nd ed. Provo, UT: Ancestry, 2003; David Moody, Scottish Family History. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1990.
^ Trafford R. Cole, Italian Genealogical Records: How to Use Italian Civil, Ecclesiastical & Other Records in Family History Research Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry, 1995; Cruise, M. T. W., Guidelines For Ancestry Research With an Emphasis on African-American Genealogy Dublin, VA: Author, 2007; Jessie Carney Smith, Ethnic Genealogy: A Research Guide, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983.
^ G. J. A. Guth, "Surname Spellings and Computerised Record Linkage," Historical Methods Newsletter, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 10–19, 1976.
^ Lorine McGinnis Schulze,. "Dutch Patronymics of the 1600s". Olive Tree Genealogy. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
^ Surnames made their way into the language in the 19th and 20th century, but are not widely used. In order to protect the patronymics system, in Iceland it is forbidden by law to introduce a new surname. "Lög um Mannanöfn" (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2008-01-29.
^ An earlier law was in effect in 1828, but was largely ignored in the rural areas.
^ "Lov av 9. februar 1923 nr. 2 om personnavn (Norwegian Name Law of 1923)" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 2007-06-10. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
^ E. A. Wrigley, English population history from family reconstitution, 1580–1837 (1997); Catherine Quantin et al., "Which are the best identifiers for record linkage?," Informatics for Health and Social Care 2004, Vol. 29, No. 3-4, Pages 221–227
^ Marc Picard, "Genealogical Evidence and the Americanization of European Family Names," Names: American Name Society 2009 57(1): 30–51
^ a b Peter R. Knights, "The Accuracy of Age Reporting in the Manuscript Federal Census of 1850 and 1860," Historical Methods Newsletter, 4 (1971), 79–83; Karen Oppenheim Mason and Lisa G. Cope, "Sources of Age and Date-of-Birth Misreporting in the 1900 U.S. Census," Demography vol. 24, no. 4 (Nov., 1987), pp. 563–573.
^ "Calendar Converter". Fourmilab.ch. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
^ Robert M. Hauser, "Occupational Status in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries", Historical Methods (1982) vol. 15, no. 3, 111–126.
^ For example, United States Bureau of Employment Security, The Dictionary of Occupational Titles (1939)
^ Richard H. Steckel, "The Quality of Census Data for Historical Inquiry: A Research Agenda," Social Science History, vol. 15, no. 4 (Winter, 1991), pp. 579–599.
This article's further reading may not follow Wikipedia's content policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing less relevant or redundant publications with the same point of view; or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations. (July 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Christian, Peter (2012). The Genealogist's Internet (5th ed.). London, England: Bloomsbury. ISBN 978-1-4081-5957-6.
McClure, Rhonda (2002). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy (2nd ed.). Indianapolis: Alpha. ISBN 0-02-864267-8.
Merriman, Brenda Dougall (2010). Genealogical Standards of Evidence: A Guide for Family Historians (2nd ed.). Toronto: Ontario Genealogical Society. ISBN 978-1-55488-451-3.
Morgan, George G. (2009). How to Do Everything: Genealogy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Simpson, Jack (2008). Basics of Genealogy Reference: A Librarian's Guide. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 978-1-59158-514-5.
Durie, Bruce (2009). Scottish Genealogy. Stroud, England: History Press.
Grenham, John (2006). Tracing Your Irish Ancestors (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co.
Herber, Mark D. (2004). Ancestral Trails: The Complete Guide to British Genealogy and Family History (2nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co.
Hey, David (2008). The Oxford Companion to Family and Local History (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ryan, James G. (1997). Irish Records: Sources for Family and Local History. Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry.
Ching, Frank (1988). Ancestors: 900 Years in the Life of a Chinese Family. New York City, NY: Morrow. ISBN 0-688-04461-1.
Yan, May (2010). Research Guide to Chinese Genealogy (2nd ed.). Global Research and Archival Management.
Adams, Suzanne Russo (2008). Finding Your Italian Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide. Provo, UT: Ancestry.
Chorzempa, Rosemary A. (1993). Polish roots = Korzenie polskie. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co.
Malka, Jeffrey S. (2009). Sephardic Genealogy: Discovering Your Sephardic Ancestors and Their World (2nd ed.). Bergenfield, NJ: Avotaynu.
Riemer, Shirley J.; Minert, Roger P. (2010). The German Research Companion (3rd ed.). Sacramento, CA: Lorelei Press.
Eales, Anne Bruner; Kvasnicka,, Robert M., eds. (2000). Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States. Washington, DC: National Archives.
Greenwood, Val. D. (2000). The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co.
Kennedy, Patricia; Roy, Janine (1984). Tracing Your Ancestors in Canada (8th, rev. ed.). Ottawa: Public Archives Canada. ISBN 0-662-13339-0.
Rose, Christine (2004). Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures. San Jose, CA: CR Publications. ISBN 0-929626-16-8.
Smith, Marian L. (n.d.). "American Names: Declaring Independence". Immigration Daily. American Immigration LLC.
Szucs, Loretto Dennis; Luebking, Sandra Hargreaves (2006). The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy (3rd, rev. ed.). Provo, UT: Ancestry.
Taylor, Robert M.; Crandall, Ralph S. (1986). Generations and Change: Genealogical Perspectives in Social History. Mercer University Press.
Weil, François (2013). Family Trees: A History of Genealogy in America. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Willard, Jim; Willard, Terry; Wilson, Jane (1997). Ancestors: A Beginners Guide to Family History and Genealogy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
See also: List of general genealogy databases and List of national archives
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Fleur-de-lys Studios
(Redirected from Fleur-de-Lys Studios)
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Contributing Property
Front elevation, 2008
Show map of Rhode Island
7 Thomas St., Providence, Rhode Island
41°49′40″N 71°24′33″W / 41.82778°N 71.40917°W / 41.82778; -71.40917Coordinates: 41°49′40″N 71°24′33″W / 41.82778°N 71.40917°W / 41.82778; -71.40917
Edmund Russell Willson, et al.
Tudor Revival
College Hill Historic District (#70000019)
October 5, 1992[1]
Designated NHL
Designated NHLDCP
The Fleur-de-Lys Studios, also known as Fleur-de-Lis Studios or Sydney Burleigh Studio, is a historic art studio, and an important structure in the development of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the United States. It is located at 7 Thomas Street in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. It was designed by Sydney Burleigh and Edmund R. Willson, and built in 1885. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992.[2][3]
2 In popular culture
The studio is a 2 1⁄2-story wood frame building, set on the densely built north side of Thomas Street, opposite the First Baptist Meetinghouse (also a National Historic Landmark). Its main facade is half-timbered, with elaborately stuccoed sections filling the spaces between the timbers. On the first level there are two bays, that on the right with a grouping of six casement windows in two tiers of three, of different sizes at each tier. The left bay has a recessed entranceway, topped by a row of stucco panels and windows above. The second level projects slightly, and has paired casement windows that project in a manner resembling a folding screen. On either side and in between these two sections are colored panels bearing allegorical representations of Sculpture, Painting, and Architecture. The triangular gable area above this level is shingled, with a recessed square window just below the gable point.[3]
The interior is relatively simple, with an enclosed stair rising on the left side of the building to a mezzanine level, a full second floor, and the attic area. The first floor is divided, with a classroom and reception area in the south, and a studio space on the north side. A staircase in the northwest corner leads from the studio to the mezzanine. The mezzanine is open, with a small studio space over the entrance. Smaller studio spaces occupy the second floor and attic level.[3]
The building was a design collaboration between the artist Sydney Richmond Burleigh (1853-1931) and the architect Edmund R. Willson (1853-1906), and was built in 1885-86 in a collaborative effort involving both local builders and a local version of the London-based Art Workers Guild established by Burleigh.[3] Among the artists contributing to the decoration was Charles Walter Stetson.[4]
The building drew immediate notice in architectural publications in recognition for its unification of useful and ornamental arts.[3]
George William Whitaker, known as the "Dean of Providence Painters," shared space with Burleigh in the studio during the late 1800s.[5]
In 1939, the structure was deeded to the Providence Art Club by Burleigh's widow.[4] In accordance with the stipulation of her gift, the space is still used for artists studios.[4]
Horror writer H. P. Lovecraft made the Fleur-de-Lys building the residence of his character Henry Anthony Wilcox, a young artist and sculptor, in his famous tale "The Call of Cthulhu." Bertrand K. Hart, then literary editor of the Providence Journal and author of a regular column, "The Sideshow", read the story in an anthology, T. Everett Harre's Beware After Dark! (1929) and was astounded to find that Wilcox's residence (7 Thomas Street) was the same as the address where he had once resided. Feigning to offense, he vowed in his column of November 30, 1929, to send a ghost to Lovecraft's home at 3 a.m. to scare him; Lovecraft promptly wrote the poem "The Messenger" at 3 a.m. that night. Hart published the poem in his column of December 3.[6]
Rhode Island portal
National Register of Historic Places listings in Providence, Rhode Island
List of National Historic Landmarks in Rhode Island
^ National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
^ a b "Fleur-de-lys Studios". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
^ a b c d e "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Fleur-de-Lys Studios" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying photos, exterior and interior, from 19. (32 KB)
^ a b c "Our History: The Art Club's Buildings". The Providence Art Club. The Providence Art Club. Retrieved 17 April 2015. When the house was deeded to the Art Club by Mrs. Burleigh in 1939, she stipulated it continue to be used for artists’ studios, as it has been to this day.
^ "George W. Whitaker". Pierce Galleries, Inc. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
^ Joshi, S. T.; Schultz, David E. (2001). An H. P. Lovecraft Encyclopedia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. pp. 29–30, 104.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fleur-de-lys Studios.
Providence Art Club: About the Fleur-de-Lys Building
Rhode Island artist Anthony Tomaselli maintains a studio here
Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. RI-393, "Fleur De Lys Studio, 7 Thomas Street, Providence, Providence County, RI", 5 measured drawings
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Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fleur-de-lys_Studios&oldid=867297194"
Buildings and structures in Providence, Rhode Island
National Historic Landmarks in Rhode Island
Cultural infrastructure completed in 1885
Commercial buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island
Tudor Revival architecture in Rhode Island
Historic American Buildings Survey in Rhode Island
National Register of Historic Places in Providence, Rhode Island
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Historic district contributing properties in Rhode Island
This page was last edited on 4 November 2018, at 21:56 (UTC).
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Analysis: Brazil risks Middle East trade with Israel embassy move
Reuters November 8, 2018
By Ana Mano and Jake Spring
SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) - A proposal by Brazil's next president to relocate its embassy in Israel, following U.S. President Donald Trump's lead, may set off a diplomatic storm in the Muslim world, threatening a key market for the world's largest meat companies.
Brazil is by far the world's largest exporter of halal meat, which complies with Muslim dietary rules. President-elect Jair Bolsonaro's plans to move Brazil's embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, strengthening relations with Israel, has already upset Egypt and could soon stir trouble with other Islamic nations.
"The reaction will be given not only as an individual country but on behalf of the whole Muslim world," a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "We are expecting Brazil to act with reason and not confront the Muslim world."
Brazil exports $16 billion annually to the Middle East and Turkey, with just 3 percent going to Israel, according to government statistics.
More than a quarter of Brazil's exports to the region are meat. Both Brazil's JBS SA (JBSS3.SA), the world's top beef producer, and BRF SA (BRFS3.SA), the No. 1 poultry exporter, have bet big on the growing demand for halal meat.
Brazil exports over $5 billion of halal meat per year, more than twice its nearest rivals, Australia and India, according to Salaam Gateway, a partnership between the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre and Thomson Reuters.
Bolsonaro's proposal for the Israel embassy is part of his overhaul of Brazilian foreign policy, cozying up to major powers such as the United States and undoing what he calls leftist predecessors' alliances based on "ideological bias."
Trump's decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem in May stirred a hornets' nest in the Middle East, and the United States had few allies follow suit. Guatemala did so in the days afterward while Paraguay has since reversed a similar decision.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Bolsonaro for the plan to move Brazil's embassy, calling him a "friend."
But after Egypt abruptly cancelled a visit from Brazilian diplomats and business leaders this week, Bolsonaro said his decision on the embassy in Israel was not final.
Bolsonaro has shown already he is not afraid to give an important trade partner a poke in the eye, following the example of the U.S. president, whom he openly admires and emulates in both political style and foreign policy.
Like Trump, Bolsonaro railed against China on the campaign trail. He has softened his stance since the election last month, however, amid lobbying from diplomats and executives keen to protect relations with Brazil's largest trading partner.
CANCELLED TRIP
The pressure from the Middle East may be more blunt.
Egypt on Monday called off the visit by Brazil's top diplomat and executives just days before they were set to arrive, which two diplomatic sources said was a direct response to Bolsonaro's proposal to move the embassy.
The Egyptian embassy blamed a scheduling conflict.
That has sounded alarm bells in Brazil's meat industry.
BRF Chairman Pedro Parente said on Thursday earnings call that the Israel embassy issue was "cause for concern."
"We have a very important trade with Arab and halal markets," he told journalists. "We are confident that when a discussion of the matter involves the relevant areas — the farm, trade and foreign ministries — they will certainly reach the best solution."
BRF's halal business segment contributed a quarter of its operating revenue and nearly half of its operating profit in the third quarter.
Halal chicken represented nearly half of Brazil's overall chicken exports of $7.1 billion last year, according to Brazil meatpacking group ABPA.
"There is a $2-billion trade between Egypt and Brazil, mainly in the food agricultural sector, and within that sector mainly in beef and poultry," Egypt's Ambassador to Brazil Alaa Roushdy told Reuters.
He declined to comment on a hypothetical move of the embassy or if it could have any impact on trade.
BRF has processing plants in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to meet growing demand for halal meat. The company aims to double its output of processed products in the Gulf by 2023, its head of halal operations said at an October event.
JBS sent more than an eighth of its exports to the Middle East and Africa in 2017, second only to the Greater China region.
Representatives for JBS declined to comment on fallout from a potential embassy move.
The Arab-Brazil Chamber of Commerce expects Brazil's total exports to a grouping of 22 Arab countries, which excludes non-Arab Muslim nations such as Iran, to swell to $20 billion by 2022, up from $13.5 billion in 2017.
Rubens Hannun, the chamber's president, added that Brazil also stands to benefit from infrastructure investment from Arab sovereign funds. UAE's Mubadala Development Co, for example, poured some $2 billion into Brazilian commodities empire EBX earlier this decade.
"We do not want any noise in this relationship," Hannun said. "We are afraid that would open a door for the competition."
(Reporting by Ana Mano in Sao Paulo, Jake Spring and Anthony Boadle in Brasilia, Tulay Karadeniz in AnkaraWriting by Jake Spring; Editing by Brad Haynes and Cynthia Osterman)
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US Steel Companies Might Get Another Lifeline from Trump
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Here’s What Hedge Funds Think About Ferro Corporation (FOE)
Investing in small cap stocks has historically been a way to outperform the market, as small cap companies typically grow faster on average than the blue chips. That outperformance comes with a price, however, as there are occasional periods of higher volatility. The last 8 months is one of those periods, as the Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has underperformed the larger S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by nearly 9 percentage points. Given that the funds we track tend to have a disproportionate amount of their portfolios in smaller cap stocks, they have seen some volatility in their portfolios too. Actually their moves are potentially one of the factors that contributed to this volatility. In this article, we use our extensive database of hedge fund holdings to find out what the smart money thinks of Ferro Corporation (NYSE:FOE).
Ferro Corporation (NYSE:FOE) was in 16 hedge funds' portfolios at the end of the first quarter of 2019. FOE has experienced a decrease in support from the world's most elite money managers of late. There were 19 hedge funds in our database with FOE positions at the end of the previous quarter. Our calculations also showed that FOE isn't among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds.
In the eyes of most market participants, hedge funds are seen as unimportant, outdated investment vehicles of the past. While there are over 8000 funds in operation at present, We hone in on the masters of this club, around 750 funds. It is estimated that this group of investors orchestrate bulk of the smart money's total asset base, and by paying attention to their inimitable stock picks, Insider Monkey has determined numerous investment strategies that have historically outperformed the S&P 500 index. Insider Monkey's flagship hedge fund strategy surpassed the S&P 500 index by around 5 percentage points per annum since its inception in May 2014 through June 18th. We were able to generate large returns even by identifying short candidates. Our portfolio of short stocks lost 28.2% since February 2017 (through June 18th) even though the market was up nearly 30% during the same period. We just shared a list of 5 short targets in our latest quarterly update and they are already down an average of 8.2% in a month whereas our long picks outperformed the market by 2.5 percentage points in this volatile 5 week period (our long picks also beat the market by 15 percentage points so far this year).
Matthew Hulsizer PEAK6 Capital
Let's view the recent hedge fund action surrounding Ferro Corporation (NYSE:FOE).
What have hedge funds been doing with Ferro Corporation (NYSE:FOE)?
Heading into the second quarter of 2019, a total of 16 of the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held long positions in this stock, a change of -16% from one quarter earlier. By comparison, 16 hedge funds held shares or bullish call options in FOE a year ago. With the smart money's capital changing hands, there exists a few notable hedge fund managers who were upping their holdings substantially (or already accumulated large positions).
FOE_jun2019
More specifically, GAMCO Investors was the largest shareholder of Ferro Corporation (NYSE:FOE), with a stake worth $81 million reported as of the end of March. Trailing GAMCO Investors was Luminus Management, which amassed a stake valued at $75.9 million. Royce & Associates, Brigade Capital, and Scopus Asset Management were also very fond of the stock, giving the stock large weights in their portfolios.
Seeing as Ferro Corporation (NYSE:FOE) has witnessed bearish sentiment from the entirety of the hedge funds we track, it's safe to say that there lies a certain "tier" of fund managers that elected to cut their full holdings in the third quarter. It's worth mentioning that Ken Griffin's Citadel Investment Group sold off the largest stake of the "upper crust" of funds watched by Insider Monkey, valued at close to $0.9 million in stock, and Paul Marshall and Ian Wace's Marshall Wace LLP was right behind this move, as the fund cut about $0.9 million worth. These transactions are intriguing to say the least, as total hedge fund interest dropped by 3 funds in the third quarter.
Let's check out hedge fund activity in other stocks - not necessarily in the same industry as Ferro Corporation (NYSE:FOE) but similarly valued. These stocks are Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:PBH), Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX), FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:FFG), and AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc (NYSE:AMC). This group of stocks' market values resemble FOE's market value.
[table] Ticker, No of HFs with positions, Total Value of HF Positions (x1000), Change in HF Position PBH,13,66863,-2 MATX,9,6472,-3 FFG,7,7522,1 AMC,18,121829,-3 Average,11.75,50672,-1.75 [/table]
As you can see these stocks had an average of 11.75 hedge funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $51 million. That figure was $216 million in FOE's case. AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc (NYSE:AMC) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:FFG) is the least popular one with only 7 bullish hedge fund positions. Ferro Corporation (NYSE:FOE) is not the most popular stock in this group but hedge fund interest is still above average. This is a slightly positive signal but we'd rather spend our time researching stocks that hedge funds are piling on. Our calculations showed that top 20 most popular stocks among hedge funds returned 6.2% in Q2 through June 19th and outperformed the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by nearly 3 percentage points. Unfortunately FOE wasn't nearly as popular as these 20 stocks and hedge funds that were betting on FOE were disappointed as the stock returned -19.6% during the same period and underperformed the market. If you are interested in investing in large cap stocks with huge upside potential, you should check out the top 20 most popular stocks among hedge funds as 13 of these stocks already outperformed the market so far in Q2.
Jeffrey Epstein’s $559 million worth of assets, itemized
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Here’s What Hedge Funds Think About Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX)
The elite funds run by legendary investors such as David Tepper and Dan Loeb make hundreds of millions of dollars for themselves and their investors by spending enormous resources doing research on small cap stocks that big investment banks don't follow. Because of their pay structures, they have strong incentives to do the research necessary to beat the market. That's why we pay close attention to what they think in small cap stocks. In this article, we take a closer look at Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) from the perspective of those elite funds.
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) has seen a decrease in enthusiasm from smart money of late. Our calculations also showed that FCX isn't among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds.
So, why do we pay attention to hedge fund sentiment before making any investment decisions? Our research has shown that hedge funds' small-cap stock picks managed to beat the market by double digits annually between 1999 and 2016, but the margin of outperformance has been declining in recent years. Nevertheless, we were still able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the market by 40 percentage points since May 2014 through May 30, 2019 (see the details here). We were also able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that underperformed the market by 10 percentage points annually between 2006 and 2017. Interestingly the margin of underperformance of these stocks has been increasing in recent years. Investors who are long the market and short these stocks would have returned more than 27% annually between 2015 and 2017. We have been tracking and sharing the list of these stocks since February 2017 in our quarterly newsletter. Even if you aren't comfortable with shorting stocks, you should at least avoid initiating long positions in our short portfolio.
Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds
Let's take a look at the fresh hedge fund action encompassing Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX).
How are hedge funds trading Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX)?
At the end of the first quarter, a total of 42 of the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held long positions in this stock, a change of -2% from the fourth quarter of 2018. The graph below displays the number of hedge funds with bullish position in FCX over the last 15 quarters. With hedgies' positions undergoing their usual ebb and flow, there exists a select group of key hedge fund managers who were adding to their holdings significantly (or already accumulated large positions).
FCX_jun2019
Among these funds, Icahn Capital LP held the most valuable stake in Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX), which was worth $570.5 million at the end of the first quarter. On the second spot was Fisher Asset Management which amassed $333.8 million worth of shares. Moreover, Citadel Investment Group, Adage Capital Management, and Millennium Management were also bullish on Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX), allocating a large percentage of their portfolios to this stock.
Seeing as Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) has experienced a decline in interest from the smart money, it's safe to say that there was a specific group of fund managers who were dropping their positions entirely heading into Q3. Interestingly, David Cohen and Harold Levy's Iridian Asset Management said goodbye to the biggest stake of all the hedgies monitored by Insider Monkey, totaling close to $83.1 million in stock. Peter Rathjens, Bruce Clarke and John Campbell's fund, Arrowstreet Capital, also sold off its stock, about $32.2 million worth. These moves are important to note, as total hedge fund interest fell by 1 funds heading into Q3.
Let's check out hedge fund activity in other stocks similar to Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX). We will take a look at Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ:CERN), International Paper Company (NYSE:IP), Liberty Global plc (NASDAQ:LBTYA), and Veeva Systems Inc (NYSE:VEEV). This group of stocks' market values are similar to FCX's market value.
[table] Ticker, No of HFs with positions, Total Value of HF Positions (x1000), Change in HF Position CERN,29,828412,7 IP,29,250823,-5 LBTYA,28,1332379,-4 VEEV,27,654411,-4 Average,28.25,766506,-1.5 [/table]
As you can see these stocks had an average of 28.25 hedge funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $767 million. That figure was $1414 million in FCX's case. Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ:CERN) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand Veeva Systems Inc (NYSE:VEEV) is the least popular one with only 27 bullish hedge fund positions. Compared to these stocks Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) is more popular among hedge funds. Our calculations showed that top 20 most popular stocks among hedge funds returned 1.9% in Q2 through May 30th and outperformed the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by more than 3 percentage points. Unfortunately FCX wasn't nearly as popular as these 20 stocks and hedge funds that were betting on FCX were disappointed as the stock returned -23.5% during the same period and underperformed the market. If you are interested in investing in large cap stocks with huge upside potential, you should check out the top 20 most popular stocks among hedge funds as 13 of these stocks already outperformed the market in Q2.
Why Is India Trying to Kill Off Hedge Funds?
Will Smith & Nephew plc's (LON:SN.) Earnings Grow Over The Next Year?
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Screenprint in colors
76.5 x 104 cm (30 x 41 in)
https://fineartmultiple.com/richard-hamilton-i-m-dreaming-of-a-white-christmas/
Richard Hamilton Inquiry
Details RHA-67-1538038473-X-75 Edition NN of 75 Excellent
About Richard Hamilton
Richard Hamilton (born 1922 in London, UK, died 2011) was a British painter and graphic designer. Upon graduating from the Royal Academy Schools and the Slade School of Art in the 1950s, he became a member of The Independent Group, an artist association regarded as the forerunner of the British Pop-Art movement. Inspired by the American culture of commerce, Richard Hamilton worked with materials such as Hollywood-posters, footage and… Read more
More work by Richard Hamilton
I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas, 1971
In Horne's House, 1981/1982
Fashion-plate, 1969-70
Un des Effets des Eaux de Miers (from “Eighteen Small Prints”), 1973
$1,300 / €1,131
Swingeing London 67, 1968
Readymade Shadows, 2005-2006
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Home / Movie Database / Penelope Wilton
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)
A group of British retirees (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy) decide to "outsource" their retirement to exotic -- and less expensive -- India. Lured by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel, and imagining a life of leisu...
The BFG (2016)
The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for...
The television series Downton Abbey followed the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who worked for them at the turn of the 20th century in an Edwardian English country house. Over its 6 seasons, the series garnered 3 Golden Globe Awards, 15...
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015)
THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), and it's making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his ey...
Shaun isn't having the greatest of times: the staff at the appliance store he works in doesn't take him very seriously as temporary boss; his girlfriend Liz has had enough of always meeting at the Winchester Arms along with his best mate; and...
The Ring WAS: $14.99 NOW: $4.99
Old School WAS: $14.99 NOW: $4.99
Total Recall WAS: $9.99 NOW: $4.99
Bram Stoker's Dracula WAS: $14.99 NOW: $4.99
A Fish Called Wanda WAS: $14.99 NOW: $4.99
Manhunter WAS: $7.99 NOW: $4.99
Wayward Pines WAS: $14.99 NOW: $4.99
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The South Asia Channel: New information about possible U.S. abuses in Afghanistan New information about possib...
The South Asia Channel
New information about possible U.S. abuses in Afghanistan
More accusations Human Rights Watch released a statement on Wednesday that called upon the U.S. government to undertake a "thorough and impartial investigation" into new allegations regarding the role of U.S. soldiers in the killing of 18 men in Afghanistan in late 2012 and early 2013 (HRW). The statement was prompted by a Rolling Stone ...
By Emily Schneider, November 7, 2013
| November 7, 2013, 1:34 PM
SHAH MARAI/AFP/Getty Images
More accusations
Human Rights Watch released a statement on Wednesday that called upon the U.S. government to undertake a "thorough and impartial investigation" into new allegations regarding the role of U.S. soldiers in the killing of 18 men in Afghanistan in late 2012 and early 2013 (HRW). The statement was prompted by a Rolling Stone article published earlier in the day that contained new information about the role of U.S. Special Forces unit ODA 3124 in the deaths (Rolling Stone). According to the article, residents in Afghanistan’s Nerkh province became suspicious of U.S. abuses in November 2012 when they alleged that 10 civilians had been arrested and then disappeared. In February 2013, the body of a man who had been arrested by U.S. forces was found with its throat slit. ODA 3124 withdrew from Nerkh in April, following local protests and pressure from Afghan President Hamid Karzai about their presence there. Soon after, a local shepherd found human remains near the unit’s former base. In the next two months, human remains were found in five other locations around the base – amounting to 18 individuals in total.
The U.S. military has repeatedly denied any involvement in the crimes. Col. Jane Crichton, the U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force spokeswoman, told the Wall Street Journal in July that there was no credible evidence to substantiate misconduct by coalition or U.S. forces after a thorough investigation (WSJ). Human Rights Watch argued that the incidents, which could amount to the greatest war crimes by U.S. forces since 2001, should be investigated in light of the new information so that U.S. authorities can establish exactly what happened and who is responsible.
That’s commitment
Just about a week after saying that Australia’s combat mission in Afghanistan would end before Christmas, the country’s officials have offered to keep up to 400 troops in Afghanistan after NATO forces withdraw at the end of next year (RFE/RL). Jon Philip, the Australian ambassador to Afghanistan, said Australia is willing to keep between 100 and 400 troops in Afghanistan "into 2015 and onwards," but that it is at the discretion of Afghan officials. Australia currently has around 1,200 soldiers in Afghanistan, most of which are based in Uruzgan province.
As the November 11 registration deadline for the April 2014 elections approaches, less than a quarter of Afghanistan’s eligible voters have signed up to vote (AJE). Approximately 12 million Afghans are eligible to vote, but barely 2.7 million have registered, according to the country’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) officials. They added that almost one million of those registered so far are women. The IEC has deployed mobile registration units across the country in hopes of reaching more of the eligible voters, but violence in southern and eastern regions has kept the turnout low (Pajhwok).
Drone shooting?
Pakistani lawmakers urged the federal government on Wednesday to shoot down U.S. drones if the aircrafts continue to violate Pakistan’s sovereignty (ET, Pajhwok). On the floor of the National Assembly, Dr. Shireen Mazari of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party said the targeting should be used as a last resort to "convey a louder message to the United States that drones are counterproductive and not acceptable to us." While other lawmakers endorsed her view, most agreed that the Pakistani government should avoid direct confrontation with the United States and pursue the proposed peace plan with the Taliban instead.
Pakistani police detained at least 98 suspects, five of them Afghan nationals, on Wednesday during raids on houses and businesses throughout Peshawar (Dawn). The operation was a joint effort between the police, army, and Frontier Corps to find suspected terrorists operating in the region. Peshawar is situated on the edge of Pakistan’s tribal areas, which the United States has labeled a hot bed for al-Qaeda and Taliban activity. The city has been victim to many militant attacks in recent years, and this sting operation was an effort to maintain the peace.
It was revealed on Thursday that at least 1,500 people have been arrested in Karachi as the first phase of a similar security operation comes to a close (ET). Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the Pakistani Senate that the security operation, which began on September 7, was over and that preparation for the next phase was beginning. One high profile case from the operation was the arrest of NAME?, the leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a liberal political party in Pakistan, which caused some to criticize the operation as being politically motivated (ET).
The band plays on
In the Pakistani megacity of Karachi, Shakeel "Cassette Wallah" is a security guard by day, and a passionate dhol drummer by night. Like many artists, Shakeel has held a number of menial jobs over the years as dhol playing is not a lucrative business, but according to him, he’s "addicted to playing the dhol [traditional drums]. Nothing else can quench my thirst" (ET). While dhol players used to be regularly booked for weddings, birthdays, and other celebratory functions, they are now competing with DJs and electronic sound systems. But despite the fact that they can go days or weeks without a paying gig, Shakeel and others like him regularly check their local dhol offices to see if there is a chance for them to play, determined to bring the traditional art form back to
its "glory days."
— Emily Schneider
Emily Schneider is a program associate in the International Security Program at New America. She is also an assistant editor of the South Asia channel. Twitter: @emilydsch
Tags: AfPak, AfPak Channel, South Asia Daily Brief
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Scott v. United States – Forensics to Identify Defendant
ForensicsVirginia · April 30, 2019
A government computer forensics expert specialized in online child exploitation investigations that involve the internet testified to the ownership of the phone number used by the suspect, the alleged free texting app for cell phones, the suspect’s email address and other evidence found in an Android device. The defendant appears not to have retained his own computer forensics expert to review and potentially challenge the evidence and instead relied on an attempted appeal of his conviction based on other grounds. – Domingo J. Rivera
ROBERT HAROLD SCOTT, JR., Petitioner,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Respondent.
CRIMINAL NO. 2:13cr164
CIVIL NO. 2:17cv228
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA NORFOLK DIVISION
OPINION AND ORDER
This matter comes before the Court upon Robert Harold Scott, Jr.’s (“Petitioner”) Motion Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence (“§ 2255 Motion”). ECF No. 214. Subsequent to filing such motion and in connection with same, Petitioner also filed a Motion for Discovery, ECF No. 217; a Motion for Leave to Amend based on the discoverable materials (“Motion to Amend”), ECF No. 216; a Motion for an Evidentiary Hearing, ECF No. 218; and a Motion for Leave to Supplement Petitioner’s § 2255 Motion (“Motion to Supplement”), ECF No. 219. For the reasons set forth herein, Petitioner’s § 2255 Motion, Motion for Discovery, Motion to Amend, Motion for an Evidentiary Hearing, and Motion to Supplement are all DENIED.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 21, 2013, Petitioner was named in a criminal indictment charging him with various counts of production and receipt of child pornography. ECF No. 16. On January 9, 2014, those charges were dismissed, and Petitioner was named in a superseding criminal indictment charging him with various counts of production and receipt of child pornography as well as various counts of conspiracy to produce child pornography and use of interstate
commerce to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. ECF No. 26. On March 5, 2014, those charges were dismissed, and Petitioner was named, along with three co-defendants, in a thirty-three-count second superseding indictment. ECF No. 39. Petitioner was charged with twenty-eight of the thirty-three counts, including five counts of Conspiracy to Produce Child Pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e) (Counts 1-5); eight counts of Production of Child Pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) (Counts 6-13); eight counts of Receipt of Child Pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2) (Counts 15-17, 19, 21, 23, 25-26); five counts of Use of Interstate Commerce Facility to Entice Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) (Counts 27-31); and two counts of Destruction of Records, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1519 (Counts 32-33). Id.
PETITIONER’S MOTION TO SUPPRESS
On December 18, 2013, Petitioner, by counsel, filed a motion to suppress statements made by Petitioner during an allegedly unlawful interrogation by law enforcement on September 18, 2013 (“Motion to Suppress”). ECF No. 22. On January 3, 2014, the United States (“Government”) filed its response in opposition. ECF No. 25. On March 18, 2014, Petitioner, by counsel, filed a motion to withdraw the Motion to Suppress. ECF No. 54. On that same day, the parties appeared before the Court on Petitioner’s motion to withdraw. SeeECF No. 55. At the hearing, the Court asked Petitioner if he consented to the withdrawal of his Motion to Suppress:
THE COURT: Mr. Scott, will you come forward, please. Mr. Scott, [the motion to suppress] was an indication that perhaps a statement may have been taken from you without properly advising you of your rights under Miranda decision of the Supreme Court and the question is your counsel made a motion to suppress any statement made by you. Now she’s saying she wants to withdraw that motion. I want to make sure that you want to withdraw that motion.
DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: You understand by withdrawing the motion you will not be able, in essence, to contest the testimony, if it comes in, that you were given a Miranda warning before taking the statement from you. Do you understand that, sir?
THE COURT: And you’re willing to withdraw the motion to suppress it; that is, you’re willing to go ahead and approve the conduct that your counsel has made in this case. Is that correct?
3/18/2014 Hr’g Tr., ECF No. 187, at 2:19-3:14. Based on Petitioner’s consent, the Court granted the motion, and Petitioner’s Motion to Suppress was withdrawn. ECF No. 55.
TRIAL AND SENTENCING
Petitioner’s five-day jury trial began on July 8, 2014. SeeECF No. 106. On July 11, 2014, at the close of the Government’s evidence, the defense moved for a judgment of acquittal pursuant to Rule 29 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which the Court denied. ECF No. 111. The defense did not present any evidence. Id.On July 14, 2014, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on all counts. ECF No. 113.
On November 17, 2014, the Court sentenced Petitioner to a prison term of life plus forty years. SeeJudgment, ECF No. 170, at 2. This term includes a term of thirty years each on Counts 1-13; a term of twenty years each on Counts 15-17, 19, 21, 23, 25-26; and a term of life each on Counts 27-31, all to be served concurrently. Id.Petitioner’s prison term also includes a term of twenty years on Count 32 and a term of twenty years on Count 33, to be served consecutively to each other and to all other counts. Id.
DIRECT APPEAL
On December 1, 2014, Petitioner appealed his judgment of conviction to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (“Court of Appeals”). ECF No. 173. The sole
issue on appeal was whether this Court erred by admitting evidence of Petitioner’s other acts of misconduct pursuant to Rule 404(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence. ECF No. 207; United States v. Scott, 631 F. App’x 137 (4th Cir. 2016) (per curium) (unpublished). On January 20, 2016, the Court of Appeals affirmed Petitioner’s conviction and sentence. Id.The mandate of the Court of Appeals issued on February 11, 2016. ECF No. 209.
PETITIONER’S MOTIONS FOR POST-CONVICTION RELIEF
On April 18, 2017, Petitioner timely filed the instant § 2255 Motion and a supporting memorandum (“Pet. Mem.”), ECF Nos. 214 and 215, which were docketed by the Clerk of this Court on April 24, 2017. See18 U.S.C. § 2255(f)(1); Houston v. Lack, 487 U.S. 266, 276 (1988) (establishing prison mailbox rule). On the same day, Petitioner also filed a Motion for Discovery (ECF No. 217); Motion for Leave to Amend his § 2255 Motion based on discoverable materials (ECF No. 216); and Motion for an Evidentiary Hearing on his § 2255 Motion (ECF No. 218).
On November 6, 2017, Petitioner filed a Motion to Supplement, in which he seeks leave to supplement his § 2255 Motion with two sworn declarations. ECF No. 219;seeid., Exs. 1, 2. The first declaration is dated November 18, 2016, and the second is dated March 3, 2017, both of which predate the filing of Petitioner’s § 2255 Motion.
§ 2255 MOTION TO VACATE, SET ASIDE OR CORRECT SENTENCE
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Section 2255 allows a federal prisoner to move to “vacate, set aside or correct” a federal sentence upon the following grounds: [1] that “the sentence was imposed in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States, or [2] that the court was without jurisdiction to impose such a sentence, or [3] that the sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law, or [4] is otherwise subject to collateral attack.” 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The Supreme Court has held that
2255 is the appropriate vehicle by which a federal prisoner may challenge both his conviction and sentence. Davis v. United States, 417 U.S. 333, 343-44 (1974).
When filing a § 2255 petition, the petitioner bears the burden of proving his grounds for relief by a preponderance of the evidence. Miller v. United States, 261 F.2d 546, 547 (4th Cir. 1958)). However, a pro se petitioner is entitled to have his petition and issues asserted therein construed liberally. Gordon, 574 F.2d at 1151. Upon reviewing a § 2255 motion, the district court may, in its discretion, deny the motion without a hearing. Raines v. United States, 423 F.2d 526, 529-31 (4th Cir. 1970). But it may only do so if “the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 2255(b). For instance, if the motion can be resolved exclusively on issues of law, and no questions of fact exist, then summary dismissal is appropriate without an evidentiary hearing. SeeGreen v. United States, 65 F.3d 546, 548-49 (6th Cir. 1995).
Procedural Default
A § 2255 motion “may not do service for an appeal.” United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 165 (1982). Issues already fully litigated on direct appeal may not be raised again under the guise of a collateral attack. Boeckenhaupt v. United States, 537 F.2d 1182, 1183 (4th Cir. 1976). And, generally, any claim that could have been raised at trial or on direct appeal, but was not, is barred as procedurally defaulted. Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614, 622 (1998). However, the doctrine of procedural default excludes claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, Massaro v. United States, 538 U.S. 500, 504 (2003), as such claims are generally not cognizable on direct appeal unless the record on appeal conclusively shows ineffective assistance, United States v. Richardson, 195 F.3d 192, 198 (4th Cir. 1999) (internal citation omitted).
When a claim is procedurally defaulted, a § 2255 movant is completely barred from seeking relief on that claim unless he can show that: (1) there would be a “fundamental
miscarriage of justice” if relief is denied, such as being actually innocent of the crime, Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 495-96 (1986), or (2) that there is “cause” sufficient to excuse the default and “actual prejudice” resulting from the error, Frady, 456 U.S. at 169 (citations omitted).
The cause and prejudice standard is a “significantly higher hurdle than would exist on direct appeal.” Frady, 456 U.S. at 166. “Cause” for a procedural default must turn on something external to the claim or defense itself, Murray, 477 U.S. at 488, which, courts have consistently held, includes ineffective assistance of counsel. United States v. Breckenridge, 93 F.3d 132, 134 n.1 (4th Cir. 1996) (collecting cases); see alsoSmith v. Dixon, 14 F.3d 956, 973 (4th Cir. 1994) (noting in the context of a § 2254 motion that “an attorney’s ineffectiveness may constitute cause for excusing a procedural default” if the petitioner can show that he had a constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel and that such assistance was constitutionally ineffective). To show “actual prejudice,” a habeas petitioner must demonstrate that the claimed error worked to “his actual and substantial disadvantage.” Satcher v. Pruitt, 126 F.3d 561, 572 (4th Cir. 1997) (internal citation omitted); see alsoFry v. Pliler, 551 U.S. 112, 116 (2007) (defining “actual prejudice” as a “substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury’s verdict”) (citation omitted).
Reviewing Claims of Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
The Sixth Amendment guarantees criminal defendants the right to effective assistance of counsel both during trial and on first appeal as of right. Evitts v. Lucey, 469 U.S. 387, 396 (1985). To succeed on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a petitioner must satisfy the two-prong test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), by showing (1) deficient performance of counsel and (2) resulting prejudice.
To satisfy the first prong, the petitioner must show that counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Id.at 690. To do so, the petitioner must articulate
specific acts or omissions whereby counsel’s performance fell “outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance.” Id.When reviewing the propriety of these alleged acts or omissions, courts must give substantial deference to defense counsel’s strategic judgments. Id.at 689-90. Indeed, “[o]nce counsel conducts a reasonable investigation of law and facts in a particular case, his strategic decisions are ‘virtually unchallengeable.'” Powell v. Kelly, 562 F.3d 656, 670 (4th Cir. 2009) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690 (petitioner must overcome the presumption that the challenged action might be considered sound trial strategy)).
To satisfy the second prong under Strickland, the petitioner must show that he was prejudiced by counsel’s deficient performance. In other words, petitioner must show that it is “reasonably likely” that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceedings would have been different.Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, 111-12 (2011) (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 696). “The likelihood of a different result must be substantial, not just conceivable.” Id.(citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693). The burden is on the petitioner to affirmatively prove prejudice. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693. Furthermore, if a petitioner fails to satisfy either prong of the Stricklandtest, a reviewing court need not consider the other element. United States v. Roane, 378 F.3d 382, 404 (4th Cir. 2004).
PETITIONER’S § 2255 MOTION
In his § 2255 Motion, Petitioner claims that this Court should vacate his conviction and sentence because he received ineffective assistance of counsel in violation of his Sixth Amendment rights. Pet. Mem., ECF No. 215. Specifically, Petitioner claims that defense counsel rendered ineffective assistance in four ways:1(1) failing to file a motion to suppress statements and other evidence; (2) failing to request a Frankshearing with respect to his search
warrant; (3) failing to present a defense or call witnesses at trial; and (4) committing several small errors that had the “cumulative effect” of ineffective assistance. Id.at 9-36. The Court will address each in turn.
Failure to File a Motion to Suppress
Petitioner first argues that defense counsel was ineffective by failing to file a motion to suppress the following evidence: (i) statements made by Petitioner while being interrogated by law enforcement on September 18, 2013, and (ii) evidence recovered from Petitioner’s cell phone after it was seized by law enforcement on September 18, 2013. Pet. Mem., ECF No. 215, at 9-19. In order to prevail on an ineffectiveness claim based upon counsel’s failure to file a motion to suppress, a petitioner must show that counsel’s performance was deficient by demonstrating that the “unfiled motion would have had ‘some substance,'” Grueninger v. Dir., Virginia Dep’t of Corr., 813 F.3d 517, 525 (4th Cir. 2016) (quoting Tice v. Johnson, 647 F.3d 87, 104 (4th Cir. 2011)), and must show prejudice by demonstrating both “(1) that the motion was meritorious and likely would have been granted, and (2) a reasonable probability that granting the motion would have affected the outcome of his trial,” id.(quoting Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 375 (1986)).
a.Petitioner’s Statements to Law Enforcement
Petitioner argues that defense counsel should have filed a motion to suppress the statements he made to law enforcement on September 18, 2013, because such statements were made during a custodial interrogation during which Petitioner did not receive Mirandawarnings. At the outset, the Court notes that defense counsel initially filed a motion to suppress on this exact issue, arguing that “[Petitioner] was subjected to a custodial interrogation [on September 18, 2013] without receiving Mirandawarnings.” ECF No. 22 at 6. As noted above, defense counsel later withdrew this motion to suppress, a decision to which Petitioner expressly
consented before the Court. SeesupraPart I.A.
It is apparent from the record that the decision to withdraw the suppression motion was based on the sound judgment of defense counsel that such motion was without merit. Just before the motion was withdrawn, the Government filed its response in opposition, which detailed the circumstances of Petitioner’s arrest and interrogation. ECF No. 25. The Government explained that, on September 18, 2013, Special Agent Paul Wolpert of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) executed a search warrant of Petitioner’s residence; Agent Wolpert arrived at Petitioner’s residence just before 8:00 a.m.; Agent Wolpert asked Petitioner to speak with him in Agent Wolpert’s vehicle while the search was being conducted; Petitioner consented to relocating to Agent Wolpert’s vehicle; and upon reaching the vehicle, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Agent Wolpert read Petitioner a typed sheet of Mirandawarnings before asking Petitioner any further questions.2ECF No. 25 at 6. Because Agent Wolpert’s account of the interrogation directly contradicted the sole basis of Petitioner’s motion to suppress, it is clear that such motion lacked “substance.” Tice, 647 F.3d at 104. Even though Petitioner maintains that he was not Mirandized on the night of his arrest, he cannot show – in light of HSI Agent Wolpert’s likely testimony – that the motion to suppress Petitioner’s statements was “meritorious and likely would have been granted.” Grueninger, 813 F.3d at 525. Therefore, Petitioner cannot prevail on his claim for ineffective assistance of counsel on that ground.
b.Evidence from Petitioner’s Cell Phone
Petitioner also argues that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to
suppress the evidence obtained from his cell phone that was seized during the search of his residence on September 18, 2013. ECF No. 215 at 18. In support, Petitioner claims that, while law enforcement officers had a warrant to search his residence, they did not have a separate warrant to search the contents of his cell phone. Id.at 19. However, this claim is plainly refuted by the record. The search warrant obtained by Agent Wolpert on September 17, 2013, contained an attachment (“Attachment B”) which expressly includes among the “items to be seized” any and all materials, records, or documents depicting, containing, or pertaining to “the possession, receipt, distribution and/or reproduction of child pornography,” as well as “any record or documents which shows the offer to transmit through interstate commerce any depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.” SeeSearch and Seizure Warrant, Case No. 2:13ms203, Trial Exhibit RS-14, Attachment B. The Attachment expressly states that “the terms records, documents, programs, application or materials” used therein include those “created, modified or stored in any form,” including electronically. Id.(emphasis added). Therefore, Agent Wolpert’s search warrant clearly authorized the seizure of Petitioner’s cell phones and other electronic devices and a search for evidence contained therein. For this reason, Petitioner’s claim that defense counsel should have moved to suppress the cell phone evidence in his case is baseless.
Failure to Request a Franks Hearing
Petitioner next argues that his defense counsel was ineffective for failing to request a Frankshearing. In Franks v. Delaware, the Supreme Court held that a defendant challenging the validity of a search warrant is entitled to a hearing if he makes a preliminary showing that: (1) officers knowingly or recklessly made false statements or made a statement with “reckless disregard for the truth” and (2) the allegedly false statement or omission was material. 438 U.S. 154, 155-56, 171 (1978). In his § 2255 Motion, Petitioner claims that the search warrant
executed in his case was based on either (1) the unreliable hearsay of a confidential informant, Ms. Latouche’s best friend, or (2) Ms. Latouche herself who was involved in the criminal offense and thus was motivated to lie. ECF No. 215 at 21. For these reasons, Petitioner purportedly made multiple requests to defense counsel to request a Frankshearing to challenge the search warrant, but defense counsel declined to do so. Id.at 22.
As a threshold matter, Petitioner’s claim that the search warrant was based on hearsay and/or the accusations of Ms. Latouche is without merit. According to testimony at trial, the investigation into Petitioner’s offense began in July, 2013, when a confidential informant made a complaint to the Chesapeake Police Department (“CPD”) that Ms. Kanealeen Latouche made pornographic videos of her two children, ages 2 and 3. Trial Tr., ECF No. 220:12-221:18. Sergeant Person of the CPD and Agent Wolpert of HSI then began an investigation into Ms. Latouche. With Ms. Latouche’s consent, the officers seized her cell phone, which contained evidence that she made pornographic videos of her children. Id.at 228:10-229:12. She was arrested shortly thereafter. Id.A forensic report of her cell phone revealed several emails and text messages between Ms. Latouche and an individual identified as “Mike Pyro,” who solicited the pornographic material of Ms. Latouche’s children and then attempted to use such material for extortion. Id.at 265:2-6. On July 31, 2013, Agent Wolpert issued a Customs Summons to Google Inc. and to multiple texting application companies for information concerning the email address and phone numbers associated with Mike Pyro. Id.at 263:1-24. From the responses, Agent Wolpert was able to link Mike Pyro to an address in Virginia Beach at which Petitioner resided. Based on all of this information, Agent Wolpert secured a warrant to search Petitioner’s residence. SeeApplication for Search Warrant, Trial Exhibit RS-14, at 9.
In his § 2255 Motion, Petitioner has not shown or even alleged that Agent Wolpert
knowingly or recklessly made false statements or statements with a “reckless disregard for the truth” in securing this search warrant. Therefore, Petitioner has presented no support for his claim that his attorney erred by not requesting a Frankshearing. Accordingly, Petitioner’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel based on same is without merit.3
Failure to Present a Defense or Call Witnesses at Trial
Petitioner next argues that defense counsel were ineffective because they failed to present an affirmative defense or call any witnesses at trial. ECF No. 215 at 27, 32. Specifically, Petitioner claims that defense counsel told the jury during opening statements that the defense would show that other individuals could have committed the offense, but then “never provided this defense, or any defense for that matter to the jury.” Id.at 28. Petitioner adds that defense counsel “‘rested’ immediately after the Government’s case-in-chief.” Id.In order to assess the merits of this claim, it is first necessary to summarize the evidence against Petitioner at trial.
a.Summary of the Evidence at Trial
At trial, the Government presented evidence that, between 2012 and 2013, Petitioner entered into five conspiracies with five different women to produce child pornography involving seven minor victims: Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4, and John Doe 1, 2, and 3. The Government also presented evidence that Petitioner requested and received images of such child pornography via the internet, and that he destroyed evidence of his crime with respect to two of the conspiracies. Crucial to the Government’s case was proving that Petitioner used certain phone numbers, email addresses, and other internet identities to communicate with his co-conspirators. Seeinfraat 16-17. An outline of the evidence pertaining to each conspiracy follows.
Conspiracy #1 – Kanealeen Latouche
Ms. Latouche testified that, in 2012 and 2013, she was living with her mother in Chesapeake along with her two children, a 3 year-old son (John Doe 3) and a 2 year-old daughter (Jane Doe 4). Tr. at 485:4-14. In October, 2012, a woman unknown to Ms. Latouche, named “Olivia Rose,” contacted her via Facebook and asked her if she wanted to make some money. Tr. at 488:17-489:6. When Ms. Latouche responded “yes,” Olivia Rose instructed her to contact a person named “Mike Pyro” at pyro75747@gmail.com with naked pictures of herself. Tr. at 489:8-489:23. On October 29, 2012, Ms. Latouche initiated contact with Mike Pyro as instructed. Tr. at 490:6-17. Mike Pyro initially told Ms. Latouche that she could make money by throwing a party during which she would perform sex acts. Tr. at 490:17-25. A short time later, a woman named “Jasmine,” previously unknown to Ms. Latouche, contacted her via Facebook and they exchanged phone numbers. Tr. at 493:15-25. In April, 2013, Ms. Latouche and Jasmine texted each other, during which Jasmine claimed to know Olivia Rose and encouraged Ms. Latouche to participate in one of Mike Pyro’s sex parties. Tr. at 495:3-496:1, 497:14-15. Jasmine provided Ms. Latouche with Mike Pyro’s phone number: (757) 214-6379. Tr. at 497:24-498:1. Jasmine’s phone number was (757) 349-6440. Tr. at 498:5.
On April 23, 2013, Ms. Latouche texted Mike Pyro to express interest in doing a sex party. Tr. at 499:5, 501:23. Mike Pyro asked Ms. Latouche to bring her children to the sex parties, which she initially refused. Tr. at 502:10-12. He then offered her $15,000 to bring her children. Tr. at 502:13. He specifically offered $20,000 if Jane Doe 4 would perform a hand job. Tr. at 504:4-7. Ms. Latouche further testified that Mike Pyro instructed her to record videos of her performing sex acts on her children and of the children performing sex acts on each other, which she did. Tr. at 507:2-508:25. Ms. Latouche confirmed that she sent multiples emails to Mike Pyro containing such videos. Tr. at 508:20-25. The relevant portions of all text messages, emails, and videos described above were admitted into evidence and presented to the jury.
Conspiracy #2 – Shaniesta Banks.
Ms. Banks testified that, between February and April of 2013, she lived in Virginia Beach. Tr. at 524:18-22. In February, 2013, a woman unknown to Ms. Banks, named “Olivia Rose,” contacted her via Facebook and asked her if she wanted to make some money by “dancing,” meaning stripping. Tr. at 526:16-20; 527:6-14. When Ms. Banks responded “yes,” Olivia Rose instructed her to email a person named “Mike Pyro” at pyro75747@gmail.com with pictures of herself and her genitalia. Tr. at 527:15-25; 528:13-14. On February 21, 2013, Ms. Banks emailed Mike Pyro as instructed. Tr. at 528:10-529:4. In response, Mike Pyro instructed her to send additional pictures to him via text at (757) 214-6379. Tr. at 529:8-14. After Ms. Banks texted Mike Pyro, he told her that she could make $100,000 by throwing sex parties for various men during which she would engage in sexual intercourse with them. Tr. at 530:14-25. Ms. Banks agreed to host a sex party and rented a hotel room from February 22-25, 2013 for that
purpose. Tr. at 533:12-22. Only one person named “Rob Base” showed up to the party on the first two nights. Tr. at 535:9-538:3. Ms. Banks confirmed at trial that Petitioner was Rob Base. Tr. at 538:2-6. After that time, Mike Pyro asked Ms. Banks about her siblings, and she confirmed that she had a four year-old sister (Jane Doe 2). Tr. at 538:19-25. Mike Pyro offered Ms. Banks $150,000 to record a video of Jane Doe 2 and Ms. Banks performing oral sex on each other, to which Ms. Banks agreed. Tr. at 539:1-13. Ms. Banks testified that she made such video on her iPhone and then emailed the video to Mike Pyro. Tr. at 539:14-540:17. Mike Pyro expressed dissatisfaction with the video and threatened that, unless Ms. Banks recorded another video of the same activity and sent it to him, he would put her other videos on the internet. Tr. at 550:19-551:1. On March 13, 2013, Ms. Banks complied with his demand and emailed him another video of her and Jane Doe 2 engaging in sexual activity. Tr. at 550:5-551:1. On March 28, 2013, Mike Pyro instructed Ms. Banks to film another video at a hotel room. Tr. at 553:9-24. Rob Base (Petitioner) showed up to the hotel room, saying that Pyro sent him. Tr. at 554:9-16. Petitioner and Ms. Banks then filmed themselves having sex while Jane Doe 2 was lying naked next to them on the bed. Tr. at 555:11-23. The relevant portions of all text messages, emails, and videos described above were admitted into evidence and presented to the jury.
Conspiracy #3 – Nina Calderon
Ms. Calderon testified that, in 2013, she was living in Portsmouth with her two year-old daughter (Jane Doe 3). Tr. at 623:19-24. In March, 2013, a woman unknown to Ms. Calderon, named “Olivia Rose,” contacted her via Facebook and asked her if she wanted to make some money by hosting hotel parties. Tr. at 625:10-19. When Ms. Calderon responded “yes,” Olivia Rose instructed her to email a person named “Mike Pyro” at pyro75747@gmail.com expressing her interest. Tr. at 625:21-24; 627:4-6. On March 27, 2013, she emailed Mike Pyro as instructed and asked him about hosting sex parties. Tr. at 627:1-19. He requested that she email six nude pictures of herself. Tr. at 627:19-21. On March 28, 2013, Ms. Calderon booked a hotel room for the purpose of hosting a sex party. Tr. at 628:14-20. An unknown male, whom Ms. Calderon identified at trial as the Petitioner, showed up at the hotel room later that night and had sex with Ms. Calderon. Tr. at 630: 3-23. After expressing dissatisfaction with the party, Mike Pyro then requested via text message that Ms. Calderon host another hotel party with Jane Doe 3 present. Tr. at 631:15-23. Ms. Calderon refused, at which time Mike Pyro suggested that she make a video with Jane Doe 3 performing oral sex instead. Tr. at 632:9-15. Ms. Calderon agreed and, on March 31, 2013, she recorded the video. Tr. at 632:17-633:2. She then sent the video to Mike Pyro via email. Tr. at 633:7-24. Two days later, Olivia Rose began threatening Ms. Calderon via Facebook that she would release her videos to the public. Tr. at 634:22-635:8, 636:19-24. The relevant portions of all text messages, emails, and videos described above were admitted into evidence and presented to the jury.
Conspiracy #4 – Sierra Halsey
Ms. Halsey testified that, in 2013, she was living in Suffolk with her mother and five year-old brother (John Doe 1). Tr. at 641:13-21. At that time, Ms. Halsey also often cared for her one year-old nephew (John Doe 2). Tr. at 642:22-643:4. In March, 2013, a woman unknown to Ms. Halsey, named “Olivia Rose,” contacted her via Facebook and asked her if she wanted to make some money by dancing and by hosting hotel parties. Tr. at 644:24-645:14. Olivia Rose instructed her to contact a person named “Mike Pyro” with a picture of herself. Tr. at 645:18-646:24. On March 12, 2013, Ms. Halsey contacted Mike Pyro by email at pyro75747@gmail.com to express interest in hosting a sex party. Tr. at 646:16-647:6. In response, he requested that she text him at (757) 214-6379. Tr. at 647:8. Via text message, he requested that Ms. Halsey first attend a “sample party” with his acquaintance, “Rob Base,” whom she identified at trial as the Petitioner. Tr. at 647:24-649:20. A couple nights later, she showed up at a hotel where Rob Base (Petitioner) and some of his friends were located for this “sample party.” Tr. at 650:3-6. After it was over, Mike Pyro confirmed that the sample party went well and offered her $120,000 to host a real party. Tr. at 651:1-16. Ms. Halsey agreed and hosted a second party, but only Rob Base (Petitioner) attended it. Tr. 652:1-17. During such party, Ms. Halsey and Petitioner made several sex videos together, but Mike Pyro was dissatisfied with them and demanded that Ms. Halsey host yet another party. Tr. at 652:17-653:2. He also asked Ms. Halsey to bring her nephew (John Doe 1) and brother (John Doe 2) to the party. Tr. at 666:18. When Ms. Halsey refused, he offered her $150,000, and she eventually agreed. Tr. at 667:1-15.
On March 26, 2013, Ms. Halsey hosted a third party, and brought John Doe 1 with her to the party. Tr. 654:8-16. Mike Pyro also asked Ms. Halsey via text message to make certain sex videos with her five year-old brother (John Doe 2) in order to get paid. Tr. at 667:21-668:6; 670:7. Ms. Halsey made such a video, and on April 12, 2013, she emailed it to Mike Pyro. Tr. at 668:9-25. She made two additional videos involving John Doe 1 at Mike Pyro’s request and emailed them to Mike Pyro in April, 2013. Tr. at 669:25-670:10. Mike Pyro expressed dissatisfaction with the videos and requested that Ms. Halsey make a video with her one year-old nephew (John Doe 2) instead. Tr. at 671:15-20. She agreed, and made a video of her performing sex acts on John Doe 2 as Mike Pyro instructed. Tr. at 672:24-673:10. She sent such video to Mike Pyro via email on April 19, 2013. Tr. at 671:2-5, 673:4-6. Mike Pyro expressed dissatisfaction with the video and requested that Ms. Halsey bring her one year-old nephew (John Doe 2) to a sex party instead. Tr. at 673:13-18. Ms. Halsey agreed and brought John Doe 2 to a hotel room where Rob Base (the Petitioner) was present. Tr. at 674:9-17. At Mike Pyro’s instruction, she and Rob Base then recorded a video of them having sex while Ms. Halsey performed oral sex on John Doe 2. Tr. at 674:18-675:9. She then sent such video to Mike Pyro via email. Tr. at 675:14. Mike Pyro frequently threatened to make Ms. Halsey’s sex videos public as a means of exerting control over Ms. Halsey. Tr. at 677:9-15.
Around this time, Ms. Halsey began a dating relationship with Rob Base (Petitioner). Tr. at 677:22-678:4. After Petitioner was arrested in September, 2013, he instructed Ms. Halsey via phone calls at the jail to delete his Pyro email account and to delete the Facebook page of Olivia Rose. Tr. at 679:25-680:11. At trial, Ms. Halsey heard and identified five different jail calls between her and Petitioner confirming same. Tr. at 680:19-684:22, 685:8-15, 686:1-7. On September 22, 2013, Ms. Halsey successfully deleted the pyro75747@gmail.com email account as instructed by Petitioner. Tr. at 685:15-25. Petitioner also instructed her to delete two texting apps on his phone, one called “textPlus” and the other called “Pinger.” Tr. at 686:17-23. She explained that one number was used for Olivia Rose and the other was used for Mike Pyro. Tr. at 686:25. Petitioner further instructed Ms. Halsey to meet with his attorneys and tell them that his friend named “Skrillz” frequently visited his house and used Petitioner’s phone and computer. Tr. at 688:5-23.
Conspiracy #5 – Shavonna Whitfield
Ms. Whitfield did not testify because, at the time of Petitioner’s trial, she had pled not guilty to related charges and was awaiting her own trial. However, Agent Wolpert testified to a variety of email and text exchanges between Ms. Whitfield and Mike Pyro. For example, he discovered several emails containing nude images of both Ms. Whitfield and Jane Doe 1 that were sent to Mike Pyro’s email address in November, 2012. Tr. at 352:14-18. The IP address linked to Ms. Whitfield’s email account matches Ms. Whitfield’s residence; the phone number she used is linked to her name and address; and Agent Wolpert was able to identify Ms. Whitfield in the videos because he arrested Ms. Whitfield and knew what she looked like. Tr. at 375:2-9; 376:16-23. Agent Wolpert also recovered text messages between Ms. Whitfield and Mike Pyro in which Mike Pyro asked her to attend sex parties and to bring her minor children along. Tr. at 354:6-21. Agent Wolpert further testified about text messages between Ms. Whitfield and Mike Pyro in which she agrees to send erotic pictures of Jane Doe 1 for $15,000. 360:4-16. Ms. Whitfield emailed such pictures to Mike Pyro on November 24, 2012. Tr. at 361:4-8.
Proof of Petitioner’s Identity
To prove that Petitioner was involved in each of the above conspiracies, the Government presented extensive evidence at trial that Petitioner was the person behind every relevant communication with the co-conspirators: that he was “Olivia Rose” and “Jasmine” on Facebook, who used the phone number (757) 349-6440; that he was “Mike Pyro” using the email address pyro75747@gmail.com and the phone number (757) 214-6379; and that he was the person known as “Rob Base.” Specifically, HSI Agent Wolpert, who testified at trial as an expert in
computer forensics and online child exploitation investigations that involve the internet, Tr. at 707:12-17, testified to the following facts in order to prove Petitioner’s various identities:
The phone number used by “Mike Pyro,” (757) 214-6379, was owned by company called GOGII, Inc., also known as textPlus, which administers a free texting app for cell phones. Tr. at 280:25-281:21. In a response to a subpoena about this number, textPlus confirmed that the number was registered to a user named “pyro75747” and to an email address of pyro75747@gmail.com, which was linked to an Android phone, Model LS855. Tr. at 286:16-18, 288:10-16.
• The phone number used by both “Jasmine” and “Olivia,” (757) 349-6440, was owned by a company called Pinger, Inc., which administers a free texting app for cell phones. Tr. at 289:20-292:24, 292:7-9. In a response to a subpoena about this number, Pinger confirmed that the number was registered to a user named “Livia75747,” which was linked to the same Android device described above. Tr. at 292:10-293:12.
• This same Android device had four different email accounts associated with it, including “rbase757@gmail,” “robertscott265@gmail,” and “pyro75747@gmail.” Tr. at 295:10-13.
• This same Android device was found in Petitioner’s residence and was seized by law enforcement on the night he was arrested. Tr. at 323:24-324:4.
• The memory card from Petitioner’s Android phone contained videos and images of Ms. Calderon and Jane Doe 3, Tr. at 718:22-25, 722:11-13, and of Ms. Banks and Jane Doe 2, Tr. at 720:18-24. The memory card also included photos that each co-conspirator had received from Mike Pyro. Tr. at 735:14-736:21.
• Agents extracted emails from this same Android phone, including emails from Ms. Halsey containing videos of her, John Doe 2, and Petitioner in a hotel room. Tr. at 725:12-15.
• This same phone’s contacts included a contact named “Ma,” which matched the phone number of Petitioner’s mother. Tr. at 724:18-22.
• The IP address associated with the conversations between Mike Pyro and Ms. Latouche originated from an address in Virginia Beach, where Petitioner resided. Tr. at 306:23-307:5.
• In response to a subpoena regarding the Mike Pyro’s email address and textPlus
account, MegaPath, an internet service provider (“ISP”), confirmed that both the Mike Pyro email address and the Mike Pyro textPlus account were accessed from the same hotel in Virginia Beach where several of the co-conspirator’s sex parties occurred and which Rob Base attended. Tr. at 726:18-24, 727:11-21.
• In addition, MegaPath’s subpoena response confirmed that the last time the textPlus app was used by Mike Pyro was September 18, 2013, just hours before Petitioner was arrested. Tr. at 751:10-15.
• According to a subpoena response from Google Inc., Mike Pyro’s email address was deactivated on September 22, 2013, Tr. at 737:20-22, which is consistent with Ms. Halsey’s testimony that she deactivated the account on that day.
• In response to a subpoena regarding Mike Pyro’s textPlus account, Cox Communications confirmed that, on numerous days between 2012 and 2013, this account was accessed from the IP address matching Petitioner’s residence in Virginia Beach. Tr. 739:14-741:21. For example, the IP address matched Petitioner’s residence on days that Mike Pyro received emails containing child pornography produced by Ms. Halsey, Tr. at 749:1-9, and on each day Mike Pyro received communications from Ms. Latouche, Tr. at 749:22-750:1. In many other instances, the IP address matched one of the two hotels that Rob Base (Petitioner) visited for various sex parties with Petitioner’s co-conspirators. Tr. at 747:18-748:9.
b.Petitioner’s Defense at Trial
Petitioner claims that defense counsel failed to present a defense at his trial and simply “rested” after the close of the Government’s evidence. However, this claim is plainly refuted by the record. While the defense did not put on its own evidence, defense counsel repeatedly suggested through opening argument and cross-examination that other individuals may have acted as “Mike Pyro.” For example, during the cross-examination of Ms. Banks, defense counsel emphasized that Ms. Banks had never met Mike Pyro or spoken to him on the phone, and confirmed that other individuals, including Skrillz and Nick Oliver, had attended Ms. Banks’ sex parties. Tr. at 565:22-567:8. During the cross-examination of Mr. Harmon (Petitioner’s stepfather with whom Petitioner resided), defense counsel asked several questions about Petitioner’s friends coming and going from the home and possibly using the home’s Wi-Fi. Tr.
at 617:14-618:23. During the cross-examination of Ms. Halsey, defense counsel confirmed that a good friend of Ms. Halsey once told Ms. Halsey that she met Olivia Rose in person. Tr. at 692:1-11. Defense counsel also confirmed that Ms. Halsey told Agent Wolpert that she often received communications from Mike Pyro at the same time she was hanging out with Petitioner. Tr. at 693:2-9. Moreover, during the cross-examination of Agent Wolpert, defense counsel confirmed that one memory card can be moved from one cellular device to another and that virtual private networks can create a “virtual tunnel” between two different electronic devices so that the devices act as one. Tr. at 753:6-7, 754:18-25. All of these examples belie Petitioner’s claim that his attorneys failed to present the defense of mistaken identity.
Petitioner also emphasizes that his attorneys failed to call witnesses in his defense. ECF No. 215 at 33. He specifically identifies Doree Sanders, who was subpoenaed by defense counsel but was never called to testify. Id.at 34. According to Petitioner, Ms. Sanders would have testified that other individuals, including “Skrillz,” had access to Petitioner’s phone and texting applications and thus could have committed the offense. Id.However, Petitioner has not presented any evidence to overcome this Court’s presumption that defense counsel’s choice not to call Ms. Sanders was sound trial strategy. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690. Indeed, defense counsel could have had several legitimate reasons for this decision, including lack of credibility, weakness of the evidence, and/or the risk of opening unwanted evidentiary doors. Therefore, Petitioner has not met his burden to show that this decision fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, which is necessary to state a claim underStrickland.
c.Petitioner Cannot Show Prejudice
In any event, even if Petitioner could show that his attorneys erred in their trial strategy, his ineffectiveness claim would still fail because he cannot show prejudice. As outlined in great detail above, the evidence presented against Petitioner at trial was overwhelming. Through the
testimony of Petitioner’s co-conspirators, coupled with extensive phone and email records, the Government showed a disturbing and consistent pattern in which the Petitioner made initial contact with his co-conspirators; made promises of money in exchange for sex parties; demanded more and more illicit activities culminating in demands for pornographic images of minor children; received such images via email; and then used them for extortion. The various identities that Petitioner used to orchestrate and hide these activities were all linked to the same phone (Petitioner’s phone) and to the same address (Petitioner’s address). While the defense suggested that multiple people could have had access to these online identities, not a single witness identified any other person using Petitioner’s devices or accessing the password-protected internet at Petitioner’s home. Moreover, the only person proven to know the log-in and password information for all of the various identities was Petitioner, which was confirmed by his girlfriend, Ms. Halsey, who testified that Petitioner provided her such information after his arrest so that she could delete his accounts. This testimony was corroborated by recorded jail phone calls between Petitioner and Ms. Halsey after his arrest. Based on this and all of the other evidence outlined above, Petitioner has not and cannot show that it is “reasonably likely” that, but for counsel’s alleged errors, the result of the trial would have been different. Harrington, 562 U.S. at 111-12 (citation omitted). For this reason too, Petitioner’s third claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is without merit.
Commission of Cumulative Errors at Trial
Lastly, Petitioner argues that defense counsel committed several small errors “that were wide spread enough and prejudicial enough to have fatally infected the petitioners [sic] trial” and therefore amount to ineffective assistance of counsel under the “cumulative error doctrine.” ECF No. 215 at 35. These alleged errors include failure to properly impeach law enforcement officers, failure to file pretrial motions, and failure to present a defense at trial. Id.at 35-36.
Just as with Petitioner’s previous ineffectiveness claim, this claim fails because he cannot show prejudice. Petitioner cannot affirmatively show that, had his attorneys altered their trial strategy, added a few questions on cross-examination, or called some of Petitioner’s friends as witnesses that the result of his trial would likely have been different. These changes would not have overcome the overwhelming evidence of Petitioner’s guilt, including the extensive evidence that Petitioner was acting as “Mike Pyro” at all times relevant to the crimes. SeesupraPart II.B.3. For this reason, Petitioner’s fourth claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is without merit.
For the reasons above, Petitioner has failed to satisfy the two-prong test of Stricklandwith respect to any of his ineffective assistance of counsel claims. Therefore, he has not stated a claim for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Accordingly, Petitioner’s §2255 Motion must be and is hereby DENIED.
III. PETITIONER’S MISCELLANEOUS MOTIONS
As noted previously, Petitioner also filed several miscellaneous motions in connection with his § 2255 Motion, which are now before the Court. These include Petitioner’s Motion for Discovery, ECF No. 217; Motion for Leave to Amend based on the discoverable materials (“Motion to Amend”), ECF No. 216; Motion for an Evidentiary Hearing, ECF No. 218; and Motion for Leave to Supplement Petitioner’s § 2255 Motion (“Motion to Supplement”), ECF No. 219.
The first three motions sound in Rules 6 and 8 of the Rules Governing § 2255 Proceedings. Rule 6 provides that a “judge may, for good cause, authorize a party to conduct discovery under the Federal Rules of Criminal or Civil Procedure[.]” Rule 8 provides that, “if the [§2255] motion is not dismissed, the judge must review the answer, any transcripts and
records of prior proceedings, and any materials submitted under Rule 7 to determine whether an evidentiary hearing is warranted.” As stated above, the Court may deny a § 2255 motion without an evidentiary hearing if “the motion and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the prisoner is entitled to no relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 2255(b).
In this case, the Court reviewed Petitioner’s § 2255 Motion, supporting memorandum, and the entire record of his case and conclusively found that Petitioner is not entitled to the relief that he requests in his motion. SeesupraPart II. For this reason, the Court finds that it would be futile to conduct an evidentiary hearing or to permit Petitioner to conduct discovery and therefore DENIESPetitioner’s requests for same. ECF Nos. 217, 218. Furthermore, because Petitioner’s Motion to Amend, ECF No. 216, is premised entirely on this Court permitting him to conduct discovery, such motion is alsoDENIED.
Finally, with regard to Petitioner’s Motion for Leave to Supplement, ECF No. 219, the Court notes that the Rules Governing Section 2255 Proceedings do not speak to the proper procedure for amending § 2255 motions. Therefore, courts typically apply Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“Rule 15”) to the amendment of § 2255 motions. SeeUnited States v. Pittman, 209 F.3d 314, 317 (4th Cir. 2000). As Petitioner seeks to supplement his § 2255 Motion well in excess of twenty-one days past its filing,4Rule 15(a) provides that Petitioner may only do so “with the opposing party’s written consent or the court’s leave.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2). The rule further states that the Court “should freely give leave when justice so requires.” Id.If the Court denies a motion to amend, it must provide a “justifying reason,” such as prejudice to the opposing party, bad faith by the movant, or futility. Equal Rights Ctr. v. Niles Bolton Assocs., 602 F.3d 597, 603 (4th Cir. 2010) (citation omitted). In the instant case,
the Court finds that granting Petitioner leave to supplement his § 2255 Motion would be futile because such motion has failed to state a claim for relief under § 2255. SeesupraPart II. Indeed, Petitioner’s proposed supplementary documents, ECF Nos. 219-1 and 219-2, would not alter the Court’s finding with respect to his ineffectiveness claims given Petitioner’s inability to show prejudice under Strickland. Seediscussion supraPart II.B.3. For this reason, the Court DENIESPetitioner’s Motion to Supplement. ECF No. 219.
In summary, for the reasons stated herein, the Court hereby ORDERSas follows:
1) Petitioner’s Motion Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside or Correct Sentence is DENIED.ECF No. 214.
2) Petitioner’s Motion for Leave to Amend his § 2255 Motion is DENIED.ECF No. 216.
3) Petitioner’s Motion for Discovery pursuant to Rule 6 of the Rules Governing § 2255 is DENIED.ECF No. 217.
4) Petitioner’s Motion for an Evidentiary Hearing is DENIED.ECF No. 218.
5) Petitioner’s Motion for Leave to Supplement his § 2255 Motion is DENIED.ECF No. 219.
Petitioner is ADVISEDthat he may appeal from this final Order by submitting a written notice of appeal to the Clerk of the United States District Court, United States Courthouse at 600 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. Such written notice must be received by the Clerk within sixty (60) days from the date of this Order. However, because Petitioner has failed to demonstrate “a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right,” the Court shall not issue a certificate of appealability pursuant to Rule 22(b) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. SeeMiller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336 (2003); 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c).
The Clerk is DIRECTEDto forward a copy of this Order to Petitioner and to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/_________
Robert G. Doumar
Senior United States District Judge
1.Petitioner’s memorandum actually identifies five ways, but the third and fourth overlap and thus are merged herein for efficiency purposes. SeeECF No. 215.
2.The sheet contained the following: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court, or other proceedings. You have the right to consult an attorney before making any statement or answering any questions. You have the right to have an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning, if you wish. If you decide to answer questions now, you still have the right to stop the questioning at any time, or to stop questioning for the purpose of consulting an attorney.” Id.at 6-7.
3.Petitioner also argues that he was never afforded the opportunity to cross examine the confidential informant who initially reported Ms. Latouche to the CPD, which violated “his 6th Amendment right to confrontation.” ECF No. 215 at 27. This argument is also without merit because statements made by the confidential informant were never offered as evidence against Petitioner at trial.
4.Petitioner’s Motion to Supplement was received by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals more than six months later after his § 2255 was filed. SeeECF No. 219.
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LeadershipCEO Daily
Trump’s Trade Fallout, Tech Hit, China Bear Market: CEO Daily for June 26, 2018
Alan Murray
David Meyer
Apple CEO Tim Cook kicked off the conversation Monday at the Fortune CEO Initiative in San Francisco, saying he felt compelled to speak out about the Trump administration’s treatment of children at the border last week because it was “squarely in the dignity and respect situation.”
In an interview with the Irish Times while in Dublin, Cook had called the administration’s zero tolerance policy “inhumane.” At Apple, he explained last night, “we don’t get into politics; we stick to policy.” But “business is just a collection of people, and if people have values, than a business should, too.” The administration’s separation of children from parents at the border violated Apple’s values, and “if you don’t speak out, you are in the appalling ‘silence of good people’ category.”
Cook acknowledged that some people believe his company should stay quiet and focus on issues that directly affect the bottom line. “You are never going to fulfill your mission of changing the world by doing that,” he said.
The Apple CEO also talked about the protection of people’s privacy as one of his company’s core values…while avoiding any specific mention of Facebook or Google. “We have felt very strongly on this issue from the beginning. We could see building a detailed profile on people likely would result in significant harm over time…that it could be used for nefarious purposes.”
Cook’s comments, in conversation with my colleague Adam Lashinsky, were the opener for the annual meeting of this community of CEOs, who are focused on how companies can strengthen their contributions to society. In the question and answer session, Cook was asked about whether short-term pressure from shareholders made it harder for companies to make decisions in the long-term interest of society.
“You have to have a board and a CEO and a management team that is willing to put aside the stock price and make the right decision,” he said. “If you make a decision based on short-term investors, you are going to make a terrible decision. You have to look yourself in the mirror and say: ‘I’m going to take the heat.’”
More news below.
@alansmurray
alan.murray@fortune.com
Trump’s Trade Fallout
U.S. firms are starting to feel the effects of President Donald Trump’s trade war efforts, with Mid-Continent Nail laying off workers and Harley-Davidson announcing plans to move some manufacturing offshore, in order to sell hogs to Europeans at reasonable prices. With stock markets roiled, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has tried to deny reports that the U.S. will take measures against Chinese companies’ use of and investment into American tech, saying the White House will apply such measures to “all countries that are trying to steal our technology.” Fortune
Tech Hit
Tech companies have been particularly affected in the aforementioned stock-market turbulence. Netflix fell by 6.5%, in its worst day since mid-2016. That said, its stock has still doubled in value so far this year. Square also dropped 6%, Twitter 5% and Stitch Fix 10%. Chipmaker Micron lost almost 7% of its value, and AMD and Nvidia each fell over 4%. CNBC
China Bear Market
Meanwhile, Shanghai’s benchmark stock index is now in official bear territory. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.5% today, taking it down 20% from its peak in January. That loss is bigger than Canada’s entire economy, by the way. If it loses another 6%, the biggest Asian stock market will instead be in Japan. Again, internet companies were particularly hard-hit, as were telecoms. Tariffs aren’t the only worry—investors are concerned about a property bubble and debt risks, too. South China Morning Post
GE’s Healthcare Spinoff
General Electric’s self-dismemberment continues, this time with a reported plan to spin off its healthcare business and its stake in oil-services outfit Baker Hughes. According to the Wall Street Journal, this is the “conclusion” of CEO John Flannery’s big strategic review, and it will be presented to investors today. WSJ
Around the Water Cooler
Child Detention Camps
A manager at a Texas facility for housing hundreds of migrant children has branded President Trump’s policies—responsible for splitting those kids from their parents—as “dumb” and “stupid.” The manager, who news organizations did not name, said: “All it did was harm children…This operation would not be necessary had it not been for the separation.” Guardian
Instagram Value
Instagram is apparently worth more than $100 billion on its own, according to Bloomberg‘s calculations. The image-sharing service is—of course—part of Facebook, but it’s an ever-larger part, with a billion monthly active users. Analysts reckon it will double that user base within the next five years. Crucially, its users are younger on average than Facebook’s. Bloomberg
Heathrow Expansion
British parliamentarians have backed plans to build a third runway at London Heathrow airport. Environmentalists opposed the plan and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who used to bitterly object to the expansion, conveniently found himself in Afghanistan on the day of the vote. The new runway will increase Heathrow’s annual capacity to 130 million passengers, from a current level of 85.5 million. BBC
Copyright Debacle
Google is taking a lot of flack for opposing a major copyright reform in the EU. But, while the company is acting out of self-interest, it’s also right in this case—the new copyright directive would make it much harder for people to share information (and memes), and it would boost surveillance and censorship on the internet. Here’s a guide to what’s happening as this debate reaches its end game. Fortune
This edition of CEO Daily was edited by David Meyer. Find previous editions here, and sign up for other Fortune newsletters here.
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George R.R. Martin Confirms Starks, Direwolves, and More Details for the GAME OF THRONES Prequel
TV George R.R. MartinGame of ThronesPrequelHBOImage Safe about a week ago by Joey Paur
Thanks to George R.R. Martin, we have a few new details to share with you regarding HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series that is currently in production.
Martin is calling the untitled series “The Long Night,” which is the era that the story is set in, which is about 5,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and this is going to be a very different Westeros that won’t be familiar to fans. It’s explained:
“Westeros is a very different place. There’s no King’s Landing. There’s no Iron Throne. There are no Targaryens — Valyria has hardly begun to rise yet with its dragons and the great empire that it built. We’re dealing with a different and older world and hopefully that will be part of the fun of the series.”
It’s also been said that “the project chronicles the world's descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour.” The network previously teased the plot with the following logline:
"Only one thing is for sure: from the horrifying secrets of Westeros' history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend… it's not the story we think we know."
During a recent interview with EW, Martin revealed a few new things about the series that fans might find interesting. He says that the story will include members of the House Stark of Winterfell, as well as their direwolves.
“The Starks will definitely be there. Obviously the White Walkers are here — or as they’re called in my books, The Others — and that will be an aspect of it. There are things like direwolves and mammoths.”
For those of you familiar with the history of Westeros, the Starks descended from the First Men of Westeros, so it makes sense that they would have a place in this series. Martin goes on to say:
“The Lannisters aren’t there yet, but Casterly Rock is certainly there; it’s like the Rock of Gibraltar. It’s actually occupied by the Casterlys — for whom it’s still named after in the time of Game of Thrones.”
Martin also revealed that Westeros is divided into 100 different kingdoms in the series!
“We talk about the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; there were Seven Kingdoms at the time of Aegon’s Conquest. But if you go back further then there are nine kingdoms, and 12 kingdoms, and eventually you get back to where there are a hundred kingdoms — petty kingdoms — and that’s the era we’re talking about here.”
This is certainly going to make for an interesting Westeros! It seems like the setting for a dangerous, chaotic, and lawless world! The report says it seems like the “Wild West Westeros.”
This sounds like it could seriously be a great show, and I’m excited to see how it turns out! Jane Goldman is leading the charge on this project, and it will star Naomi Watts, Josh Whitehouse, Denise Gough, Miranda Richardson, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Alex Sharp and Toby Regbo. S.J. Clarkson (Jessica Jones) is directing.
What do you think about these new details that have been released?
George R.R. Martin Has Ideas For a GAME OF THRONES Spin-Off
George R.R. Martin Says There Are 5 GAME OF THRONES Spinoffs in Development and They're All Prequels
HBO Orders GAME OF THRONES Prequel Series and it Will Be Set a Thousand Years Before the Event's of GOT
George R.R. Martin Says That GAME OF THRONES Could've Gone Up To 13 Seasons
George R.R. Martin Shares Another GAME OF THRONES Series Idea and Discusses the Upcoming Prequel
The GAME OF THRONES Prequel Series Starts Shooting and The First Image Has Been Released
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Tag Archives: University of Adelaide
New ‘Hybrid’ Nano-Glass now has smart potential
A graphic representation of nanoparticles embedded in glass. Credit: University of Adelaide
Australian researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a method for embedding light-emitting nanoparticles into glass without losing any of their unique properties – a major step towards ‘smart glass’ applications such as 3D display screens or remote radiation sensors.
This new “hybrid glass” successfully combines the properties of these special luminescent (or light-emitting) nanoparticles with the well-known aspects of glass, such as transparency and the ability to be processed into various shapes including very fine optical fibres.
The research, in collaboration with Macquarie University and University of Melbourne, has been published online in the journal Advanced Optical Materials.
“These novel luminescent nanoparticles, called upconversion nanoparticles, have become promising candidates for a whole variety of ultra-high tech applications such as biological sensing, biomedical imaging and 3D volumetric displays,” says lead author Dr Tim Zhao, from the University of Adelaide’s School of Physical Sciences and Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS).
“Integrating these nanoparticles into glass, which is usually inert, opens up exciting possibilities for new hybrid materials and devices that can take advantage of the properties of nanoparticles in ways we haven’t been able to do before. For example, neuroscientists currently use dye injected into the brain and lasers to be able to guide a glass pipette to the site they are interested in. If fluorescent nanoparticles were embedded in the glass pipettes, the unique luminescence of the hybrid glass could act like a torch to guide the pipette directly to the individual neurons of interest.”
Although this method was developed with upconversion nanoparticles, the researchers believe their new ‘direct-doping’ approach can be generalised to other nanoparticles with interesting photonic, electronic and magnetic properties. There will be many applications – depending on the properties of the nanoparticle.
“If we infuse glass with a nanoparticle that is sensitive to radiation and then draw that hybrid glass into a fibre, we could have a remote sensor suitable for nuclear facilities,” says Dr Zhao.
To date, the method used to integrate upconversion nanoparticles into glass has relied on the in-situ growth of the nanoparticles within the glass.
“We’ve seen remarkable progress in this area but the control over the nanoparticles and the glass compositions has been limited, restricting the development of many proposed applications,” says project leader Professor Heike Ebendorff-Heideprem, Deputy Director of IPAS.
“With our new direct doping method, which involves synthesizing the nanoparticles and glass separately and then combining them using the right conditions, we’ve been able to keep the nanoparticles intact and well dispersed throughout the glass. The nanoparticles remain functional and the glass transparency is still very close to its original quality. We are heading towards a whole new world of hybrid glass and devices for light-based technologies.”
Explore further: Ancient Roman glass inspires modern science
More information: Jiangbo Zhao et al. Upconversion Nanocrystal-Doped Glass: A New Paradigm for Photonic Materials, Advanced Optical Materials (2016). DOI: 10.1002/adom.201600296
Journal reference: Advanced Optical Materials
Provided by: University of Adelaide
Posted in Nanotechnology Tagged breakthrough discovery, Genesis Nanotechnology, Nano Solar Cells, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, Solar Cells, Solar energy, University of Adelaide
Nanotechnology material could help reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants
(Nanowerk News) University of Adelaide researchers have developed a new nanomaterial that could help reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power stations.
The new nanomaterial, described in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (“Post-synthetic Structural Processing in a Metal–Organic Framework Material as a Mechanism for Exceptional CO2/N2 Selectivity”), efficiently separates the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from nitrogen, the other significant component of the waste gas released by coal-fired power stations. This would allow the carbon dioxide to be separated before being stored, rather than released to the atmosphere.
“A considerable amount of Australia‘s – and the world’s – carbon dioxide emissions come from coal-fired power stations,” says Associate Professor Christopher Sumby, project leader and ARC Future Fellow in the University’s School of Chemistry and Physics.
“Removing CO2 from the flue gas mixture is the focus of a lot of research. Most of Australia’s energy generation still comes from coal. Changing to cleaner energies is not that straightforward but, if we can clean up the emissions, we’ve got a great stop-gap technology.”
The researchers have produced a new absorbent material, called a ‘metal-organic framework‘, which has “remarkable selectivity” for separating CO2 from nitrogen.
“It is like a sponge but at a nanoscale,” says Associate Professor Sumby. “The material has small pores that gas molecules can fit into – a CO2 molecule fits but a nitrogen molecule is slightly too big. That’s how we separate them.”
Other methods of separating CO2 from nitrogen are energy-intensive and expensive. This material has the potential to be more energy efficient. It’s easy to regenerate (removing the CO2) for reuse, with small changes in temperature or pressure.
“This material could be used as it is but there are probably smarter ways to implement the benefits,” says Associate Professor Sumby.
“One of the next steps we’re pursuing is taking the material in powder form and dispersing it in a membrane. That may be more practical for industrial use.”
The project is funded by the Science Industry Endowment Fund and is a collaboration between researchers in the Centre of Advanced Nanomaterials, in the School of Chemistry and Physics, and the CSIRO.
Source: University of Adeleide
Read more: http://www.nanowerk.com/news2/newsid=31235.php#ixzz2YdWOaqRt
1 Comment Posted in Energy Independence, Environment, Nanotechnology, Renewable Energy Tagged Australia, Carbon dioxide, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Energy Independence, Environment, Fossil-fuel power station, Greenhouse gas, International & U.S. Business News Recon, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Metal-organic framework, Nanotechnology, Renewable Energy, Science, University of Adelaide
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New York: Dining
Reservations and Regulars at Momos and
By Fat Guy, March 12, 2008 in New York: Dining
Thanks for starting this topic, Mitch. I think I'd like to add to it with an excerpt from the "How to Dine" class from the eGCI, which was based on my book, Turning the Tables.
Most every restaurant is really two: the one the public eats at, and the one where the regulars dine. Being a regular affects every aspect of the dining experience, from getting that tough-to-book table on a busy Saturday night, to getting the waitstaff's best service, to getting special off-menu dishes and off-list wines. The best restaurant isn't the one with the highest Zagat rating, the most stars from the local paper, or that cute celebrity chef. It's the one where you’re a regular.
This news can be discouraging to some, but it needn't be to you: by being a proactive and knowledgeable customer, you can start getting treated like a regular on your very first visit. A special relationship with a restaurant is one of life's great pleasures, and such a relationship can be far easier and quicker to establish than many people think. You don't need to be wealthy, a celebrity, or great-looking to be a regular. I’m none of the three, and I do pretty well in restaurants. And while you can't exactly become a regular in a single visit, you can make a lot of progress in that direction.
The benefits of being a regular will, of course, increase with each visit to a restaurant. Although each individual meal at a top restaurant should be excellent, most seasoned veteran diners take the long view. To them, eating a first meal at a restaurant is like a first date: it's a preview that helps you decide if you're going to want a second date. Most every restaurant, like every dating partner, keeps a little something in reserve for subsequent encounters. The first meal won't expose you to the full range of an establishment's capabilities, but it will give you a taste. On the later visits, things can get even more interesting.
But you can't make those repeat visits if you're constantly eating at the latest trendy place. Becoming a regular requires focus, whereas the relentless pursuit of the new and the different cuts directly against depth of enjoyment at just a few well-chosen places. There are more than six thousand restaurants in Chicago, and New York has something in the neighborhood of twenty-thousand; given how many close and open each week, any large city has too many to visit in a lifetime. Since you'll never visit them all, don't try. Instead, zero in on a handful of restaurants to satisfy your various dining needs -- the special-occasion place, the business-lunch place, the neighborhood place where you go for a quick bite -- and cultivate the heck out of your relationship with the staff at each one. You'll soon find you don't often get the urge to eat anywhere else, and that new restaurants have to fight to get onto your schedule instead of vice versa.
Before and during your first visit, do a little research. Every level of restaurant in every city has both an official and an unofficial dress code. The official dress code tells you the minimum ("no jeans, no sneakers" or "jackets required for gentlemen"), but what you want to know is the unofficial code: what are people really going to be wearing? The way to find out is to call ahead and ask. Other questions -- there are no stupid ones -- should be asked on the spot, while dining. Those in the service profession usually love to share their knowledge with newcomers to their restaurant or to fine dining in general. Whether you want to know what a funny-shaped utensil is for or what the best dish on the menu is, just look your server in the eye and ask, "Can you tell me about this?" The first time my wife (then-girlfriend) and I dined at Bouley in New York City, we didn’t know what a sauce spoon was. When we asked, the waiter took us under his wing -- and that's exactly where you want to be.
Most good restaurants' waitstaffs will recognize you after two or three visits (and certainly the restaurant's reservations computer will, assuming you use the same name and phone number each time). In that sense, anybody who visits a restaurant often enough eventually becomes a regular by default. But there are levels of regulars, and if you're going to visit the restaurant anyway, you may as well attain the highest, super-VIP level by being proactive. Learn the name of your waiter and the maitre d' or manager, and, more importantly, make certain they learn yours. The easiest way to accomplish this: "I really enjoyed my meal today. My name is Steven Shaw." If you aren’t answered with, "Thank you, Mr. Shaw, my name is François, please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you in the future," then there’s something wrong with you, or with the restaurant. (Of course you should use your name, not mine. There are still a few places out there that are annoyed with me for giving them bad reviews.)
A restaurant is a business, but a relationship with a restaurant is not just about money. Especially when dealing with waitstaff, the human element can often eclipse financial concerns. Sure, money is important to people in the restaurant business, just as it's important to lawyers. But like the law, the restaurant business is a service business, and all lawyers know that there are good clients and bad clients, and that you can have bad billionaire clients and great penniless clients. When cultivating a relationship with a restaurant's service staff, being nice often counts at least as much as callously throwing money around. The use of "please" and "thank you," and general acknowledgment of your waiter as a fellow human being, will immeasurably improve your stock.
And there's something that counts as much as or more than being nice: being interested. Any chef or waiter can tell you how disheartening it is to work so hard to create the best possible food and service experience, and then to dish it out to a mostly uncaring clientele that chose the restaurant for the scene, not the food. If you can distinguish yourself as someone who really cares about the restaurant's work, you will be everybody's favorite customer. The quickest approach? Again, ask questions, which indicates interest. Interest is one of the highest compliments you can pay. Of course, if you do choose to distribute a little extra cash, a twenty-dollar bill and a discreet "thank you" never hurts.
Do not, however, make the egregious mistake of faking it. Don't try to be someone you're not in order to impress a restaurant's staff. Aside from being undignified, this is doomed to failure. Every experienced waiter is a part-time amateur psychoanalyst and can spot a poseur clear across a crowded dining room. It's not necessary to try to appear learned about wine and food, or to appear absurdly enthusiastic. You'll get a lot further by deferring to the staff's expertise than you will by showing off your own. You may learn something, too.
Lots more to say on the subject . . .
Steven A. Shaw aka "Fat Guy"
Co-founder, Society for Culinary Arts & Letters, sshaw@egstaff.org
Proud signatory to the eG Ethics code
Director, New Media Studies, International Culinary Center (take my food-blogging course)
Sneakeater
But again, that's not the issue here.
The issue here is whether a tiny restaurant can justifiably withhold ONE PERK from its regulars.
I mean, FG, what it sounds like is that you're pissed off because David Chang is trying to interfere with your paradigm. But I thought that's what Momo is all about.
Were I pissed off, the main thing I'd be pissed off about is the insistence that I have some ulterior motive here. You'll find that the discussion makes a lot more sense if you take what I'm saying at face value, just as I've always done with your comments no matter how sure I am that you're wrong in any particular instance.
To the substantive argument that you've made, reservations are not just "ONE PERK." Reservations are foundational. Without them, you can't go to the restaurant. So yeah, where I'm a regular, I absolutely expect that the restaurant will do what it can to accommodate me. This expectation is based on both common sense and empirical observation. And it's not about my paradigm or any sort of paradigm particular to the restaurant industry. It's about businesses giving valued customers their due. I don't become a regular customer of a business -- especially not a luxury business -- when that business doesn't allocate its resources in favor of its best customers. That's not a paradigm, that's just a mistake.
But again, it's not about me, no matter how much you wish to personalize the argument. It's about the problems inherent in this sort of contrived egalitarianism.
Simon_S
Location:Dublin, Ireland
I've watched this topic from afar (safe in the knowledge that I'm probably never going to get the chance to eat at Ko anyway) but the question of treating regulars well vs. an "egalitarian" system intrigues me.
It strikes me that what FG is saying is simply good business sense for the vast majority of restaurants, but I wonder if in this case the "egalitarian model" makes *more* sense.
Firstly, a restaurant (albeit a pricey restaurant) with 12 or 14 covers in a place like NY probably has enough depth of clientele to keep them going for a long time without needing to worry too much about repeat business. Chang (like Hansel) is so hot right now. As well as the eGullet-style patron, there are probably plenty of others who will want to eat there on the back of the hype and inevitably cracking Bruni review. So that covers things for quite some time and gets a lot of bums on seats.
The thing is, when that hype wears off, I have a sneaking suspicion that the kind of diner who will ensure Ko is filled every night is the kind of diner who approves of the "egalitarian" model -- young, hip, happy to drop serious cash for really good food without needing the other trappings of fine dining, basically the kind of person who does not really frequent Daniel or the equivalent. I suspect that, among such a demographic, even the vague sense that a 12-14 seater restaurant was really a private club that you couldn't get into would be a killer blow.
There isn't much wiggle-room with such a low number of seats: if you're catering for regulars and VIPs in the usual way, you're probably going to need pretty much all of those seats, otherwise many who think they're of VIP status are going to lose out pretty regularly. One way to ensure such regulars don't get pissed off is to tell them there are no concessions for regulars, ergo you're special, we want you, we'll treat you well when you get here, but we just can't guarantee reservations.
Of course, I don't believe that the 100% egalitarian system is ever really possible. If Chang's mother wants to eat at Ko, he's going to find her a seat, not a computer terminal. I'm 100% sure that there'll always be special dispensation for those *really* close, but I think there just isn't enough room to extend this luxury to all who might be considered VIPs at a larger restaurant.
well, taking the topic of this thread at face value:
I get comped something a fair amount...even on the first visit...at a lot of places. I also get into a lot of hard-to-get-into places at prime times on prime nights (say 9:00 on a Saturday).
how? I don't do reservations. the actual fact of the matter is that in NYC, your odds of getting into a hard-to-get-into restaurant at a prime time are much higher as a walk-in than making a reservation...unless you are a VIP or a regular. simple fact. and I'm not just talking about sitting at the bar (although sitting at the bar and conversing with the bartender is the easiest way to start getting comps).
I'm talking about parties of 2, 3, 4...
the caveat here is that obviously you can't guarantee it will work with any particular restaurant. so you have to have a backup plan...you should have three different restaurants in the same neighborhood that you're willing to eat at.
another thing: yes, a $20 bill (or more) can work wonders. but it works in one way...given in a handshake...as you're leaving the restaurant...as a "thank you" for a favor given....not as a direct bribe.
oh, and what Simon S. said.
oakapple
In Turning the Tables, Fat Guy suggested that it's much better to become a regular at just a few places, rather than try a whole bunch of places. He reiterates it here. I disagreed then, and I disagree now.
The suggestion is also at odds with his own track record. Given Fat Guy's practically encyclopedic knowledge of NYC restaurants, it's clear that he's out to try as many of them as realistically possible. So am I.
He is also fortunate enough to have become a regular at a few of those places, and to have seen the benefits that accrue by doing so. This I have not done, for a variety of reasons. And for most people, I don't think it's particularly necessary or useful.
The fact is, in the OpenTable era, there is hardly a day or time when you can't get into a great restaurant. For instance, just now I searched for a 4-top at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday), and got back 528 restaurants with availability within 2 hours of that, including several excellent ones at exactly 8:00 (along with a lot of dreck, to be sure). There's something seriously wrong with you if you can't find a restaurant on that list for just about any mood or price range. Even Per Se was available, albeit at 9:00.
Now, it would be extremely tedious to have to call restaurants one by one at short notice. A decade ago, that would've been your only option. But when you can find availability online instantly, it's less important to have a "go to place" that, no matter what, can always accommodate you.
FG's point on the Momofuku thread was seriously misunderstood. He wasn't saying, "Unless they treat me like royalty, I'm not going there." He was merely saying that at places where he makes a large investment of time and money — he doesn't expect Ko to be one of them — he expects to be treated like a valued customer. And one way smart restaurants do that is by holding back some seats for regulars. It's too soon to tell whether Ko will do that; they could be doing it already, for all we know.
I doubt that very many people become regulars with a quid pro quo explicitly in mind. FG became a regular at Gramercy Tavern primarily because he loves the place. I doubt that he, of all people, would waste his time there if this weren't the case. But at the same time, he both appreciates and expects that his loyalty will be rewarded. Why shouldn't he? It seems logical enough.
Marc Shepherd
http://nyjournal.squarespace.com/
slkinsey
Location:New York, New York
I think it's possible to see both sides of this.
Of course a regular will get, should get and reasonably does expect a certain amount of special treatment. That's the nature of the business, and of course the nature of the perks change from business to business. In some contexts, the perk may simply involve simply being recognized by the staff or being able to say "the regular" and get your food and/or drink just the way you like it. In other contexts, it may involve comping, preferential reservations, etc. Certainly I have stopped going to some perfectly good restaurants because I didn't feel like my continued patronage was sufficiently appreciated, and eventually took my business elsewhere -- not necessarily deliberately, but rather that the restaurant's lack of special attention made it easy for another place to win my affections with their easygoing special attention. I've posted about this in the past with respect to the demise of the excellent Upper West Side middlebrow neighborhood restaurant, @SCQ. Ultimately @SQC failed, in my opinion, because they never were able to sustain the kind of loyal following and repeat business they needed due to FOH problems and a failure to adequately reward regulars with perks. In contrast, the second time I went to the TriBeCa Landmarc, I was recognized, seated at the same table I had requested on my previous visit, told about an offal special that would be of particular interest to me, etc. Despite the fact that the food at @SQC could be more refined and innovative than the usually straightforward fare at Landmarc, it was pretty easy to transfer loyalty and business to Landmarc after getting better treatment on my second there visit than I had had over the course of several years patronizing @SQC.
On the other hand, Momofuku Ko is a very different kind of restaurant. For one, it's not clear to me that this is a restaurant that will depend greatly upon repeat business from regulars at Momofuku Ko in order to sustain profitability and popularity. To the extent that the restaurant is sustained by regulars, these can be regulars at the other Momo businesses who are perked at those venues according to the somewhat unique practices associated with the Momofuku brand. And while it does seem clear to me that the other Momofukus do perk their regulars, it's also true that it seems to be a fairly different kind of perking that happens at these venues. As Momofuku regulars have observed, for example, they still sometimes have to wait an hour to be seated rather than being jumped to the front of the line as would be both normal and expected at most restaurants. This suggests to me that a Momofuku regular is not the same sort of person as, say, a Grammercy Tavern regular or a Landmarc regular. If the discussion here is any indication, it seems that around 95% of Momofuku regulars, semi-regulars and fans (or, rather 100% minus 1 person) kind of like the idea of Momofuku Ko's unusual reservations system. And, just as much as these regulars don't mind waiting an hour for a seat at Noodle Bar (which "normal" regulars would never abide) they don't seem to mind Ko's reservations system. Again: these are people who are Momofuku regulars, but are unlikely to become Momofuku Ko regulars -- and trips to Ko are likely to be a special treat. It's not clear that, under Ko's model, there can be such a thing as a "regular" at Momofuku Ko. Can this work and be sustainable? We'll see. Chang so far has a pretty good track record of having success doing things a little differently than conventional wisdom says he should. He also has a pretty good track record of making whatever changes and tweaks are required to succeed. It will be interesting to see what happens the first few times someone who's tight with the Momo crew asks if there's some way they can sneak in a few reservations in advance as a special favor. Of course, unless that person blabs, no one will ever know.
If Chang's mother wants to eat at Ko, he's going to find her a seat, not a computer terminal.
Well, in Chang's defense, he has been proactive about appearances here. As chronicled in the GQ profile of Chang:
Joe and Sherri [Chang's parents] showed up one night to have dinner. When they were done, their son handed Joe a bill for $50. “My wife was really shocked that parents had to pay the tab,” he says, “but I think it was really smart to show all the managers and support team that nobody gets comped. So I paid. I gave him $100 and told him to keep the change.”
So it's certainly possible that he'll tell his parents no.
weinoo
This was exactly the point I was trying to make when I suggested that I didn't feel like getting a reservation, at any restaurant, either by having to hit the reload button on my computer or the redial button on my telephone. It's not that once-in-a-lifetime concert, it's a restaurant.
Mitch Weinstein aka "weinoo"
mweinstein@eGstaff.org
Tasty Travails - My Blog
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Was it you baby...or just a Brilliant Disguise?
My knowledge of New York City restaurants is hardly encyclopedic. Most weeks, I probably don't even dine out as often as you or Nathan or whomever. But our positions are also different, because I do this for a (sort of) living. So I'm able to maintain some breadth of knowledge because, for example, I was just doing a story for Crain's on wine bars and so I visited about 40 wine bars over a period of a couple of weeks -- sometimes several a night -- and Crain's paid. Now I know a lot about wine bars, it's true. I also get invited to various press previews and such, which helps me keep tabs on new places. What you can be sure of, though, is that when I pay for a meal out of the household budget it will usually be at a place where I'm a regular or expect I might become one. There are of course exceptions. If a new opening is very important -- like Ko, or Per Se -- I'll pay to go there at least once even though I'm sure I won't become a regular (at Per Se, on account of the cost; at Ko, on account of the reservations policy). But most of the time you'll find me allocating my limited dining budget at places where I'm a regular. (Except at New Green Bo where they've abused me for a decade but I don't care because it's so cheap and good.)
And I think your conclusion, that being a regular isn't "necessary or useful" for most people, is a claim you're not in a position to make at this time. Certainly, personal tastes vary. You may be a person who fundamentally favors diversity of experience to depth of experience. But you only have the diversity part right now, so it's premature for you to judge. I've corresponded with hundreds of people (well, a few dozen at least) who've read my book (judging from my sales figures they all shared one copy) and have been amazed and delighted at the treatment regulars can get at restaurants. I mean, I've seen enough "My eyes are opened!" correspondence hit my inbox on this issue in the past couple of years that I can say for sure that the "not necessary or useful for most people" theory is not valid.
spaetzle_maker
Shudder away, but when you pay a couple of hundred dollars for dinner gratitude may not be the appropriate sentiment.
well, that we agree on. but there's a flipside to it...when I'm spending a couple hundred dollars at a restaurant whether it's the first time or the fiftieth time, I expect good treatment. when a restaurant is concentrating primarily on taking care of its regulars, the treatment for the non-regulars (who are paying the same money) often suffers.
I think that there was a misinterpretation here of what I'm saying. I'm grateful for my situation that I can eat out on a regular basis. I walk into a restaurant feeling happy about that. I'm not walking into a restaurant thinking "How am I going to get even more".
It's not that I'm grateful to a restaurant for letting me eat there and spend a lot of money. That's ridiculous.
Edited March 14, 2008 by spaetzle_maker (log)
As I've said before, I'm also of the view that you have an ulterior motive, although I believe that you honestly don't think you do.
I think you've built a business model on there being a special preferred category of "regular" diners who get preferential reservation access, extra courses, comped drinks, better tables, or whatever. I think the excerpt you posted from your course bears this out. I think that you pay your bills, at least in part, by the assumption that this is the relationship that restuarants have [and should have] with customers. And I think that 99.9% of your time, you are right that there is this multi-tiered approach to restaurants and there will always be an audience that wants to learn the lessons you teach about how to join that club of insiders.
What's interesting to me though is that Chiang - someone who we all seem to admire - has decided to not do that and at least try to have a complete no-favorites reservation book. And it sounds to me like almost everyone here - momo regulars and others - think that's pretty cool.
I don't hear anyone other than you saying (and I know you'll disagree with how I paraphrase here) that:
-he's a hypocrite because he had a friends and family and media week
-he's probably still sneaking his friends and family and VIPS in through the back door
-his regulars will be outraged
-this will never work
So yes, I think you have an axe to grind here, because there's a piece of the "old paradigm" that Chiang is experimenting with here, and it's the specific part of the old paradigm that you seem to have build a career on.
My views on that piece are pretty clear, and I think they're in line with what several others have said - I've occasionally experienced preferential treatment from restaurants that know me, but never in an especially reliable way. It's nice when it happens but it's not expected and I don't feel even slightly entitled to it. On the other hand, I've seen restaurants fawning over guests who do have a sense of entitlement to these perks and it's rubbed me the wrong way - making me feel like I'm one of those plane passengers shlubbing through the first class cabin past people sipping "champagne" as I make my way to my middle seat in row 3000.
So on the whole, I don't like that piece of the paradigm, notwithstanding the fact that I sometimes benefit from it.
It bums me out that Chiang's decision to experiment with this piece of the puzzle is something that someone on this board is going to actually criticise and deride him for.
[Counting the moments until the eG powers that be summon security to gently escort me out of the building]
Edited March 14, 2008 by jimk (log)
And I think your conclusion, that being a regular isn't "necessary or useful" for most people, is a claim you're not in a position to make at this time. Certainly, personal tastes vary. You may be a person who fundamentally favors diversity of experience to depth of experience. But you only have the diversity part right now, so it's premature for you to judge.
Yes, but by the same token, you've never (as far as I can tell) foregone the 'diversity' part of the equation, so I could argue that you don't know what it's like to never try anything new, which is essentially what your book advocates.
I haven't advocated foregoing the diversity part of the equation. Most people I know who are serious regulars at a few great restaurants do indeed try the important new places, and various other circumstances arise (e.g., their friends choose where to eat some nights) that satisfy the need for diversity. Or maybe sometimes you just want the seafood sausage at Chanterelle even though in all other respects you can't stand Chanterelle. Diversity gets its share, pretty much no matter what. But you talk to people who are entrenched regulars at great restaurants and the overwhelming majority say, "You know, I'm a regular at X, Y and Z, and they treat me so well at those places, and I only dine out Q times a month. So a different restaurant has to present a fairly compelling argument in order to get a place on my dining schedule."
Sure, but of course what's convenient for one person is inconvenient for another. Given its neighborhood, Ssam Bar is a hassle for me to get there, and if we want to eat at a reasonably prime time on a weekend night we have to build an hour or two of walking around the block or whatever into our evening.
For Ko, it took me 40 minutes of hitting refresh the other day but that 40 minutes got a reservation for 2 at 7:30 on a Saturday night. So for me, a 2-top at Ko involved less hassle than a 2-top at Ssam bar.
Possible that I just got lucky on Ko though and that it'll never happen again.
Anthony A
Fat Guy: I agree that regulars should be given preferential treatment and perks at their favorite restaurant. I am just not so sure that these privileges should extend across a Chef's entire stable of eateries.
Momofuku Ko is unique in that it is a small 14 seat establishment and from my point of view there is a danger of turning this into another Rao's if only Momofuku chain regulars and VIP'S are given premier access to the reservation process.
Regulars are important to the lifeblood of restaurants, but they are not investors, and their buying power and influence should end at the point when their demands interfere with the mission or vision with the Proprietors.
Chang may have gotten into a business where providing high levels of service are paramount, but he also went into business, because like many entreprenuers he doesn't like somebody else telling him what to do. Which in a round about way is what the irate "regulars" are attempting by engaging in their tantrum because they cannot manipulate the booking process at a new restaurant.
I do make an exception for what I'd call "unique experiences" — and Ko falls in that category. I also spent 20 minutes on hold with Per Se to get a reservation, and it was well worth it.
On the other hand, I have never been to Gramercy Tavern because it's too difficult to get in. Obviously it's no more difficult than Ko or Per Se—clearly less so, in fact. But it hasn't 'grabbed me' enough that I'm willing to make it an obsession, which it clearly needs to be if you want to dine there at what I consider to be a reasonable time.
Likewise, my fitful attempts to get a reservation at Babbo (I've dined at the bar in the past) have been met with failure, and at this point I've stopped trying.
You did get lucky, because that was the first day. The site was only intermittently working, and they had a whole week's worth of tables to sell. The last couple of days, the "next open day" has sold out in under two minutes.
Edited March 14, 2008 by oakapple (log)
Anthony A is exactly right. There was some suggestion that Chang is being hypocritical because he had a "Friends & Family" before opening with the purported "no preference" system. But the point is, if Chang gave preferences the way "normal" restaurants do, the people at F&F (and a few others) would be the ONLY people who EVER get to eat at Ko.
Now I'm not arguing that there are NO people who are EVER going to get seating preferences at Ko. I'm not that naive. I'm sure there are super-regulars, visiting chefs, family, and others who may be squeezed in. I'm only arguing that Chang's refusal to extend such privileges to the usual extent makes sense AT THIS PARTICULAR RESTAURANT.
And is nothing Chang's regulars should take umbrage to.
Edited March 14, 2008 by Sneakeater (log)
foodhunter
of course there are back doors if you work in the biz meaning in the kitchen we are given benefits that regular crowds and press are not shown, because many of us have worked long painful hours for limited pay,,,, that we feel the need to treat each other better than the civilian crowd....... ill go out of my way to make sure that a respected garde manger guy, referred by a friend gets better treatment than a big roller/ blogger/ know it all foodie will ever get,,, simply because we as chefs see these people as kin,,, where as the others are just "civilians" no matter how important you may think you are,,, your not as important as a guy who busts his ass for 300 bones a week,
The purported backdoor I was referring to was not for someone ITB, it was for a big spending regular. I have no problem with that per se, just with the whole "democratic" approach to dining that still seems to have room for a little bit of favoritism.
But there's a difference between "a little bit of favoritism" and effectively closing the doors of your restaurant to the general public.
If Chang doesn't want Ko to turn into the EV Rao's -- a place you simply can't get into if you don't have connections -- I think that's only to be applauded.
Really, I look at the whole thing -- not just the reservations system but the entire restaurant concept -- as an experiment. Changs other places also opened as experiments to one extent or another. Noodle Bar seems to have worked pretty well from the get-go. Ssam Bar, needless to say, went through considerable evolution. And both places continue to evolve. This is fundamentally different from many restaurants. Babbo, for example, really hasn't changed meaningfully since its doors opened, and while Gramercy Tavern has certainly changed plenty under the new chef, it's still not on the same scale of change that we've seen at Ssam Bar.
So, he's trying out a new idea. The chances are that it won't work out quite the way it was expected to work, and I have the feeling that we'll see plenty of evolution in all aspects of Ko. I hope we all agree that trying new things is interesting and good, and I certainly feel that Chang's willingness to try new things (and then try more new things based on results or unexpected developments) is one of the most interesting things about his work.
I guess you're not going to let go of the desire to personalize the argument. Still, I'll do my best to engage you on the substantive, non-personal aspects of what you're saying.
It sounds pretty cool, so most people can be expected to think it's pretty cool. I don't. That's why we're having this discussion. But surely you'd agree that arguments -- as opposed to legislative disagreements -- don't get resolved "democratically." They get decided by things like facts. Eventually, we'll have a lot more factual data, but we already have some. For example, the friends and family thing:
"Friends and family" is of course euphemism for "high-value customers, members of the press, and a few friends and family." I believe that concept is inherently at odds with an egalitarian system of allocating seats. That's why you get comments like the introduction to Ruth Reichl's piece on Ko:
Halfway through dinner at the new Momofuku Ko it hits you: You will never eat dinner here again.
“No phone. No favorites. No exceptions,” vows David Chang: His new restaurant will take reservations only online, on a first-come, first-served basis, starting one week ahead.
I wouldn't say it's flat out hypocrisy to invite Ruth Reichl for the purposes of press coverage while claiming "No favorites." But I do think it's borderline. Certainly, it's a clear "have your cake and eat it too" situation.
Let's assume he isn't. Don't you agree that if the owners of the restaurant ever do those things in the future then it will be clearly hypocritical?
If every seat at the restaurant is full all the time, those points could turn out to be academic from a business perspective. Likewise, if all manner of other schemes for rewarding regulars are kept intact (extra dishes at Ko, VIP treatment at the other Momofuku restaurants) then the reservations piece of the egalitarian plan could be sustainable -- though again we get into contradictions between the no-VIP reservations theory and the old-paradigm-VIP theory applied to all other aspects of the Momofuku group's operations.
But if every seat isn't full all the time -- if business slows down on Monday nights a year from now -- there could be problems. That's when a business looks back and says, gee, maybe we should have cultivated a group of regulars a little better. Because regulars keep restaurants full on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. In addition, even in a 100%-reserved-every-day scenario, regulars are many times more reliable in terms of no-show rates than a group of people selected at random. Regulars are also likely to spend more on marginal items. Regulars, for the most part, are more enjoyable for the staff to deal with.
I have no axe to grind, I have not "built a career" on preferential reservations for regulars, and if you persist in accusing me of having ulterior motives I'll have little choice but to ignore your subsequent comments.
jm chen
It is Chang's business and he is entitled to choose how he allocates seats on any given night. No reservations at all? Fine. Internet-only reservations? Fine. Hand dice out at the door and only people who roll double sixes can come in? That's fine too. His business, his choice.
Sure, we'd all like to eat there. He has chosen to require us to run the reservations gauntlet if we do. And the time when we know whether that is/was a good idea is a long way off yet.
In the meantime, there are plenty of other places to eat.
Cooking and writing and writing about cooking at the SIMMER blog
Pop culture commentary at Intrepid Media
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Documents filtered by: Author="Washington, George"
[Diary entry: 17 March 1770]
17. Rid with Mr. West to Mr. Triplets to settle the Lines of Harrisons Patent. Passd by the Mill with Colo. Lewis. Mr. Whiting went home this Mor⟨n⟩ing & Mr. West in the Afternn. from T[riplet]s.
Harrison’s patent, a grant of 266 acres made to William Harrison 4 Dec. 1706, lay northwest of Dogue Run between the lands that GW had bought from Pearson and the Ashfords in 1761–62 and Trenn’s land, which he had bought in 1764. Part of the patent was now owned by John West Jr.’s mother, Sybil, a daughter of William Harrison, and the remainder by William Triplett (Lord Fairfax’s grant to GW, 4 Mar. 1771, Northern Neck Deeds and Grants, Book I, 187, Vi Microfilm; deed of Sybil West to Triplett, 26 Mar. 1777, Fairfax County Deeds, Book M–1, 315–16, Vi Microfilm). The boundaries of the patent were surveyed on this day because GW’s proposed new millrace and dams would be near the southeast line and might infringe upon it.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/01-02-02-0005-0006-0018
Year: A New Mill and a Journey to the Ohio
Month: [March 1770]
“[Diary entry: 17 March 1770],” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed April 11, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/01-02-02-0005-0006-0018. [Original source: The Diaries of George Washington, vol. 2, 14 January 1766 – 31 December 1770, ed. Donald Jackson. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1976, p. 221.]
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Documents filtered by: Recipient="Laurens, Henry" AND Period="Revolutionary War"
From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 11 September 1778
To the President of the Congress
Passi September 11. 1778
I have the Honour to inclose to Congress, the latest Gazettes. We have no other Intelligence than is contained in them.
Since the 11. July the Date of Lord Howes Letter, announcing the Arrival of the Compte D’Estaing off Sandy Hook,1 We have not a syllable from America by Way of England. In France We have nothing from America Since 3 July. This long Interval leaves a vast Scope for Imagination to play, and accordingly there is no End to the Speculations, prompted by the Hopes and Fears of the Nations of Europe. We are Weary of Conjectures, and must patiently wait for Time to end them. I have the Honour to be, with very great Respect, sir your most obedient servant2
RC (PCC, No. 84, I, f. 17); docketed: “Letter from J. Adams Sept. 11. 1778. Referred to Comee on foreign affrs.” LbC (Adams Papers); notation: “favd by 1st Lt in the service of So Car. and by Capt John Gale.”
1. Howe’s letter, as printed in the English newspapers, reached JA and the other Commissioners on 30 Aug. (JA, Diary and Autobiography description begins Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. description ends , 2:319; see also London Chronicle, 22–25 Aug.).
2. This letter was probably that read before the congress on 12 Dec. (JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. description ends , 12:1214).
Laurens, Henry
President of Congress
“From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 11 September 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed April 11, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-07-02-0021. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 7, September 1778 – February 1779, ed. Gregg L. Lint, Robert J. Taylor, Richard Alan Ryerson, Celeste Walker, and Joanna M. Revelas. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989, p. 25.]
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Home National News The Next Mayor of Chicago Will Be a Black Woman
The Next Mayor of Chicago Will Be a Black Woman
Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle came out on top of last night’s primary election in Chicago and will face off in the general election April 2, ensuring that Chicago’s next mayor will, for the first time ever, be a Black woman.
Lightfoot, former president of the Chicago Police board, led the field of 14 candidates Tuesday. Preckwinkle, a former alder and current president of the Cook County Board, was locked in a tight race for second with Bill Daley, the son and brother of former mayors. Daley conceded around 10 pm, however, setting up the historic general election.
Lightfoot said during a Tuesday speech that she and her supporters had showed the city what “change looks like,” according to Block Club Chicago. “We need to continue to have this very important dialogue about this city’s future, about the narrative of who we are going to be to break from the past and have a vision of the future that includes all of us in every neighborhood,” Lightfoot said in the speech. “This election was going to be about whether or not we were resigned to the status quo or if we were resolved to fight for what’s right. It’s about whether we will accept only investing in the Downtown while neighborhoods cry out for attention and resources or whether we’re committed to making all neighborhoods safe.”
If elected, Lightfoot would also be the city’s first openly gay mayor.
In a speech Tuesday, Preckwinkle said she will fight against the “powers-that-be” in Chicago, and that she’s running for her children and grandchildren, according to Block Club Chicago.
“I want to make sure they have access to a great education and real opportunities afterwards, that they’re safe and happy, that they’re thinking about their futures and not worried about their present,” Preckwinkle said in a speech Tuesday. “As your mayor, I can do something to make that hope a reality for all our children. Because this race isn’t about me — it’s about all of us. It’s about our shared vision for our city.”
Current Mayor Rahm Emmanuel announced in September that he wouldn’t run for re-election, prompting the most crowded race in Chicago’s history.
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GAR Analysis
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Founded in 1902, Allen & Gledhill started growing its arbitration practice in the late 1980s under the leadership of former partner Michael Hwang SC, and is now one of Singapore’s largest firms with over 300 lawyers. The 30-strong arbitration practice is co-led by partners Andrew Yeo and Edwin Tong.
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The group expanded significantly in 2013 with the hire of five partners from Rajah & Tann, including that firm’s head of international arbitration, Chong Yee Leong.
Members of Allen & Gledhill are closely involved in Singapore’s various dispute resolution initiatives. Former senior partner Lucien Wong, a much-respected banking and finance lawyer, was chair of the SIAC board of directors before his recent appointment as Singapore’s attorney general. Partners Ang Cheng Hock SC and Chong Yee Leong are part of a committee that drew up the plans for the Singapore International Commercial Court, and the firm also has a number of members on the SIAC Users’ Council.
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Further back, it helped the Philippines defeat a US$565 million ICC claim by a German-led consortium over a concession to build and operate a terminal at the international airport in Manila, as co-counsel to White & Case.
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Allen & Gledhill represents a Singapore-listed company in a US$150 million contract dispute regarding construction of a power plant in India; as well as a steel and manufacturing group in two ICC arbitrations worth US$227 million arising from a Malaysian steel plant.
The firm won a victory for Taiwanese clients in their US$23 million ICC claim in relation to the importation of pharmaceuticals. The claim alleged breaches of a supply agreement and involved regulatory issues in Chinese and Taiwanese law.
In March 2017, it helped a Singaporean client settle a dispute relating to a copper and gold mine in Laos, which had seen a subcontractor allege breaches of a services agreement.
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Allen & Gledhill promotes India-focused partner
Japanese firm recruits from Freshfields
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Global Africans
Africa Gone Global!
Remembering the Global Citizen: Mandela 100 Concert
Elenor Jones, Author
Posted on 18Dec February 4, 2019
South Africa was set abuzz on August 21st when it was announced that international superstars would be heading to the country in order to perform at the Global Citizen: Mandela 100 music festival. Besides international superstars, the line-up was also jam-packed with African artists and on December 2nd, thousands headed to the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg in order to witness this historic event first-hand.
With the aim of fulfilling Mandela’s vision of ending extreme poverty, the actions taken in the name of Global Citizen: Mandela 100 will affect the lives of almost 138,000,000 people.
Helping to Fulfil Mandela’s Vision
The Global Citizen: Mandela 100 event brought together its largest contingency of dignitaries, heads of state, a collection of the world’s most talented artists and personalities, and thousands of ‘global citizens’ to rejoice in the centenary of Nelson Mandela.
With the vision of bringing together thousands of voices in order to take action against poverty and effect change, the Global Citizen: Mandela 100 event surpassed its initial goal of $1 billion in commitments by 7 times thanks to offers from the World Bank, PEPFAR, Vodacom, Cisco, the South African government, and the co-hosts of the event, the Motsepe Foundation.
International and Local Music Superstars
With performances by international music stars Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams, Chris Martin, Eddie Vedder, Usher, Kacey Musgraves and African music stars Cassper Nyovest, D’Banj, Femi Kuti, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, and Wizkid, the stage of the Global Citizen: Mandela 100 event was certainly star-studded – almost as star-studded as online slots real money Canada!
However, the musical performances were just part of the event as guests were surprised by hosts Oprah Winfrey, Sir Bob Geldof, Gayle King, Tyler Perry, and Forest Whitaker as they each gave moving tributes to former-President Nelson Mandela and called for people to effect change in the lives of others.
Earning a Free Ticket by Taking Action
What sets the Global Citizen initiative apart from other concerts aimed at raising funds for the less fortunate is that 70,000 tickets are given away for free to those who take specific actions to effect change ahead of the event itself.
Some of the most powerful voices in the world gathered in order to communicate a message to the higher-ups which control our society: people are dying and something has to be done about it.
A total of 512,640 actions were taken calling upon the South African government to address areas such as water and sanitation, education, gender equality, nutrition, and healthcare. The 58 commitments made worth $7,096,996,725 will affect the lives of 137,368,628 people.
Positivity Marred by Post-Concert Controversy
However, while the event was intended to spread a message of positivity and hope, the events which took place outside of the FNB Stadium after the event had completed marred its intentions. Hundreds of South Africans took to Twitter to detail horror stories of violence and theft outside of the stadium without any police in sight.
It’s unfortunate that an event aimed at raising assistance for poverty was marred by events which ultimately stem from the same source.
The Top 10 Must-See African Attractions
5 Instances of Controversial Art In South Africa
Copyright © 2019 Global Africans All Rights Reserved | global by
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Features, InterviewMaria Lewis November 18, 2015 A WOMAN OF FIRSTS: An Interview with Lexi Alexander, Interview, Lexi AlexanderComment
A WOMAN OF FIRSTS: An Interview with Lexi Alexander
lexi-alexander
Lexi Alexander is a woman of firsts.
She was the first woman to direct a Marvel or DC Comics superhero movie.
She was one of the first women to teach US Marine Corps hand-to-hand combat.
And now she’s one of only three ladies to direct TV’s testosterone-heavy hit Arrow.
For the Oscar-nominated filmmaker who has developed a cult following from her flicks Green Street Hooligans and Punisher: War Zone, it’s just another day surviving in the male-dominated workplace that is Hollywood.
“It’s funny,” she laughs, speaking from her home in LA. “When you do action as a woman suddenly they don’t want you to do anything else.
“I wouldn’t know what a ‘woman film’ is like and how you make it.
“A chick flick wouldn’t be something I would write or direct, but I’m also the girl who watches Dirty Dancing 50 times and sees Love Actually every year.
“I’m not snobbish about it and I don’t look down on it, I just wouldn’t know how to do it.”
What she does know how to do – and well – is action.
Even Sons Of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter is the first to give her a shout out for her work inspiring his hit series.
It’s a style that comes informed from her previous career as one of the world’s top martial artists: she won world championships at 19 in point fighting and karate.
It was on the circuit that she met and befriended Chuck Norris, who was one of the key people behind getting the then twenty-something Alexander over from Germany to work as a stuntwoman and fight instructor.
“There’s no career in martial arts really, so I had all these people saying to me ‘Lexi, you could be the female Jean Claude Van Damme.’
“Especially in the early nineties, when you had all these famous martial artists making B movies.
“Chuck sponsored my Green Card and sent me to a very specific acting school, which I really enjoyed, but I just didn’t want to act.
“Even when I became a stuntwoman and thought this will be how I finance film school to become a director, it was very hard because I’m not a size zero – I’m not even a size six most of the time.
“As an actress I would never cut it and even as a stuntwoman - at the end of the nineties there was this whole Ally McBeal thing and everyone was so skinny - I was too big to cover the actresses I needed to cover.”
Fast forward some 20 years and Alexander has left her stuntwoman days behind her (excluding that time she saw and became obsessed with Mad Max: Fury Road which “made me want to get back into stunting”).
Her short film about a boxer – Johnny Flynton – was nominated for an Oscar and her debut feature Green Street Hooligans kickstarted the career of Charlie Hunnam (Sons Of Anarchy, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak) and won Alexander a swag of awards on the international film festival circuit.
Her next steps have been anything but conventional, yet she’s the first to admit “I don’t like being told what to do”.
Considered a “hot director” in Hollywood, Alexander says she took meeting after meeting before landing her second film – Punisher: War Zone.
“I pushed for any film that had a boxer in it following Johnny Flynton, but I was told no because of my gender many times.
“I took all the meetings and after two years of not having a next thing, I took the Punisher – which was not my first choice.”
arrowlexialexander-138759
The adaptation of Marvel’s cutthroat comic book vigilante wasn’t a commercial or critical success, but over time has become beloved by fans – including Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D star Patton Oswalt who calls it one of his favourite superhero films ever and that it had him “standing up on my chair and cheering”.
For a complete change of pace, Alexander did a family film Lifted - which saw her tap into an entirely new demographic.
But it wasn’t long before she was back doing what she does best: balls-to-the -wall action.
While Entertainment Weekly have been happily tapping her to direct everything from Wonder Woman to one of the Star Wars spin-offs, Alexander has dipped her toe into the world of television.
Directing the fourth episode of the latest season of Arrow (which airs in Australia next week), the filmmaker of Palestinian and German heritage has won some high-profile admirers in the show’s stars Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards (with Amell saying that working with her created some of his favourite scenes in the “entire history of the show”).
She credits Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl showrunner Andrew Kreisberg with getting her on the show after he “hunted” her down and fellow showrunner Wendy Mericle for being an incredible go-to boss.
But the biggest asset, she says, was the loyal Arrow fanbase.
“I have two cult movies so I’m used to interacting with fans, but what has been neat about the Arrow fandom is how polite and passionate they are.
“I have literally made new friends from it. Most fanbases are very protective of their show, but I would be tweeting pictures from the set and people would be reply back to me saying ‘thank you so much for sharing’.”
Twitter has been a fourm Alexander has truly utilised as both an outspoken feminist and someone fighting for gender equality in the creative space.
With nearly 20,000 followers she tweets everything from support for fellow filmmakers like Effie Brown and Ava DuVernay, to depressing statistics about Hollywood’s gender disparity in front of and behind the camera (link ).
Not afraid to face internet trolls on the regular, Alexander has no time for playing it safe.
“Equality is either intersectional or it’s nothing at all,” she says confidently.
“You can’t leave people behind.”
FIVE STAR FILMS #85: Gaslight (George Cukor - 1944)
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Home Companies Google Top 10 Creative YouTube Ads In 2013! Creativity Can Empower Paid Media!...
Top 10 Creative YouTube Ads In 2013! Creativity Can Empower Paid Media! [REPORT]
Varun Nayak
The undisputed king of video content, Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) owned YouTube, has revolutionized the realm of video ads for publishers and viewers across the globe. Brands and YouTube users are on the site spending more than 4 billion hours of video viewing every month, followed by 72 hours of video uploading per minute, as both the activities are not charged for by YouTube. Publishers have effectively used the platform by placing creative and heart warming video ads which strike a chord with the viewer, when compared to the paid ads. According to a report by ComScore, more than 47.1 billion online content videos were viewed in November alone out of which 26.8 billion were ad views, by the Americans.
Ad Viewing Increased By 155.2% In Last 1 year! Time To Be Innovative And Crafty To Drive More Views For Video Ads!
People are increasingly viewing ads on YouTube than TV or any other network. The main reason being that YouTube ads can be skipped easily if they don’t seem exciting, YouTube video ads are more creative, viral and users can also view other similar ads which might match their interests, in the side bar. Ad views increased from 10.5 billion in 2012 to a whopping 26.8 billion in 2013, marking an increase of 155.2%. YouTube was the top viewed website for video content in November 2013 with 163.5 million unique visitors leaving behind AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) with 73 million viewers and Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) with 66.2 million viewers. Advertisers are expected to invest close to $5.6 billion on YouTube for branding in 2013.
Top Ten Video Ads On YouTube Leader Board 2013!
YouTube has combined top ten video ads which were more famous in 2013 for their creativity index rather than the number of views. Top video ads which created a great deal of buzz amongst YouTube users are listed below.
Producer of Mineral water from French alps, Evian designed a very crafty video ad which amassed 68,401,464 views on YouTube. The ad was innovative and was designed by the BETC agency and directors from LA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfxB5ut-KTs
Beauty care products (like skin care, body lotions and creams) producing firm Dove had launched a real beauty campaign with the hashtag #WeAreBeautiful, a video ad which uplifted the fact that women look much more beautiful than they think. This cleverly designed video ad received a warm welcome with the total numbers of views crossing 60,946,474 mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaOjMXyJGk
The world’s first and foremost browser in the 90s, Internet Explorer launched a campaign under the ticker name browseryoulovedtohate for redemption of the browser by launch of IE 11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkM6RJf15cg
Pepsi MAX had launched an ad with Jeff Gordon, the American professional stock car racing driver which drove over 39,902,762 views and is still growing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5mHPo2yDG8
Poopourri.com, producer of scented products to drive away undesired odors had launched video ad which went viral and has recorded nearly 21,007,443 views till date. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKLnhuzh9uY
Kmart.com, an American chain of discount stores, had uploaded quite a cheeky video ad on YouTube to promote its free shipping offer under the hashtag #ShipMyPants. The video ad gathered approximately 20,329,661 views. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I03UmJbK0lA
Myxer.com which provides free ringtones, free iPhone ringtones, free wallpapers and videos had launched a video ad to promote downloading of hump day ringtones. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWBhP0EQ1lA
America based auto firm, Ram Trucks came up with an innovative ad to drive sales of its work trucks, total views were about 16,713,441. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMpZ0TGjbWE
Volkswagen publicized its Game Day TV commercial through a soothing video ad which recorded about 14,803,356. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H0xPWAtaa8
Audi launched a video ad named big Game commercial PROM which recorded about 10,775,251 views. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhmS6QLd5Q
Source : Google Insights
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Christmas 1968 -- David Berg's talk to the young people in Huntington Beach -- The Lightclub
By David Brandt Berg - October 25, 1970
(Continued from part 2)
NOW YOU SEE THEY TOOK THEIR TURNS: THEY CAME, MINISTERED IN THE TEMPLE, and WENT HOME. They didn't just have one guy that did all the ministering all the time, some preacher that was a big shot all the time, but they took turns. The Jewish Temple was a very democratic set-up. They had a lot of priests and a lot of laymen who ministered there, and nearly everybody had their chance. I think we're more like that than any church I know of. The old Quaker church used to be that way, they deliberately sat around in a circle, the Brethren Church is that way. They deliberately didn't have a stage up front or a pulpit, to show that God could work through anybody in the circle. In form, at least, they're supposedly sharing the ministration of the Spirit.
BUT I THINK OF ANY CHURCH I KNOW OF, YOU GUYS HAVE MORE TO SAY THAN ANY CHURCH I EVER PREACHED TO, THAT'S FOR SURE! In fact, I have a hard time sometimes getting through what I'm trying to say! Ha! But I like that! Like school, I loved to teach school because the students could participate, ask questions, make comments and get answers, and that's the way you learn. People that just sit around and go to sleep while the preacher is droning on and on, learn little or nothing. And as my wife was remarking after service last Sunday morning, how in the World do they expect those people to learn anything when they only go to church one hour a week? What do they expect to accomplish? She said she discussed it with a reporter.
SHE SAID, IN ANYTHING YOU DO, WHAT CAN YOU ACCOMPLISH IN ONE HOUR? What job of any kind that you know of can you really accomplish in one hour? You can hardly even see a movie on TV in one hour! You don't go to school for just one hour a week! You don't go to work just one hour a week! You don't take exercise just one hour a week! You don't study just one hour a week! You don't eat just one hour a week! My God! What does the church expect to accomplish in only one hour a week? Well, I'll tell you what you've accomplished, they've accomplished little or nothing! That's the mess they're in today!
THIS WAS A TOUGH MINISTRY DEAR JOHN THE BAPTIST HAD, and he wasn't a member of the Baptist church incidently! He didn't even found the Baptist church. In fact, he'd probably be ashamed of the Baptist church. God bless the Baptists who love the Lord, don't misunderstand me. Thank God for all Christians, thank God for all true churches of Jesus Christ, whatever their denomination, don't misunderstand me. I really get teed off at'm sometimes.
BUT HOW ARE THEY GOING TO KNOW UNLESS YOU TELL'M? Their preachers aren't telling'm. And how's the preacher going to know unless you tell him? Because their seminary didn't tell'm. And how's the seminary going to know unless you tell'm? Because the denomination didn't tell'm. How's the denomination going to know unless you tell'm? Their forefathers didn't tell'm!
THEY'VE BEEN IN THE SAME RUT FOR GENERATIONS, same rut ever since they cleaned out that pagan temple in Rome in 222 AD and put up new idols and new pictures and a new priesthood and called it Christian -- sad day for the church! Before that they were doing a pretty good job, up till then, but that was the beginning of the end. That was the first church building in history. First building ever used exclusively for the purposes of Christian worship recorded in history is that building in Rome 222 AD, and it was an old renovated pagan temple.
"AS SOON AS THE DAYS OF HIS MINISTRATION WERE ACCOMPLISHED, HE DEPARTED TO HIS OWN HOUSE." They took turns ministering in the Temple. He went home. "And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." Was she thankful? (Staff member: Amen!) What did she mean by "take away my reproach"? You mean it was a reproach to have family planning? It was a reproach to restrict the population explosion? You mean to tell me that birth control was a reproach? That it was a reproach not to have children? Yes!
IT WAS A SHAME and A REPROACH TO A WOMAN NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THAT DAY! I think maybe a little bit along that line even today unless God has separated you utterly to His service. Even Paul who seemed to sound like he's so much against marriage sometimes, says "nevertheless let the younger women marry and bear children!" (1Tim.5:14 .) He doesn't say the old woman or the old maids, but the younger women! -- And you can have kids pretty young, as a lot of girls have found out! But that was God's plan, that was God's way, and if a woman didn't have children in that day it was considered a terrible reproach that God must have cursed her, she must be a terrible sinner of some kind -- struck barren! And some women are struck barren, did you know that? Some women couldn't have children if they tried.
IN THAT RECENT REPORT ON HUMAN SEXUALITY WRITTEN BY THOSE TWO DOCTORS, MASTERS and JOHNSTON, they discovered that certain women who cannot have children have some kind of acid or fluid or something in their female organs which kills the sperm the minute it hits that organ! It doesn't last a fraction of a second, it kills it. And it's not a disease, not diseased women, either. It's not women that have some kind of disease, but perfectly healthy normal women in every other respect. There's something there that God has allowed that kills the sperm immediately. They've been struck barren by the Lord, couldn't have a child no matter how hard they tried. So it was a reproach to be barren in those days.
"AND IN THE SIXTH MONTH THE ANGEL GABRIEL WAS SENT FROM GOD UNTO A CITY OF GALILEE NAMED NAZARETH, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." What does this mean, "espoused"? Let's don't use that word "engaged," it doesn't mean a thing today. Betrothed, promised! They hadn't actually lived together yet. "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING VERY SHOCKING HERE! I don't know whether you're strong enough to bear it or not. I don't know just what this means or how it happened or how God did it, but I will tell you this much: From constant usage in the Scripture throughout the whole Bible, this terminology here "came in unto her" usually meant the sex act! Now Jesus was the child of God, He was the Son of Jehovah, right? But if God means by this that He used the Angel Gabriel as a part of God Himself, representing God to accomplish the act, that I don't know, but it's something to think about for people that theorise about how God did it. I don't know, I'm just telling you the meanings here as they are in other passages.
"But the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be." Certainly she was surprised! "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God."
HISTORIANS THEORISE THAT HER AGE WAS ABOUT 16 AT THIS TIME. I don't know where they get that, but that's what they say, about 16. "Oh no," society would say today, "she should have waited till at least she was 18 or 21! I wonder if her parents gave acceptance! You've got to finish college first. You can go out and live all you want to with any number of men, but just don't get married yet!" Our modern society and its mores and its standards of morality so-called, or standards of immorality, and its laws, literally encourage the immorality of youth today! We have had parents tell us with their own mouths, they offer to set the young people up in an apartment and let'm live together rather than let them get married. "We don't mind you living with a girl, but just don't marry her!"
MODERN SOCIETY CONDONES IMMORALITY! IT ENCOURAGES IMMORALITY! Its laws almost compel immorality amongst young people, forbidding them to marry without parents' consent, and the parents forbid them to marry, so my God, what are they going to do? We've got cases in our own midst where they've had problems along that line. Society, parents and the laws forbid them to obey the will of God! Now you can understand with wicked parents having wicked children, why they should be concerned about these things and figure, well, they don't have enough sense to get married until they're 18 or 21. Let me tell you, if they haven't got God, they'll never have enough sense to get married! And it doesn't matter how much they marry or how many times, they'll still not have enough sense to stay married or have a decent marriage or a happy marriage! I don't care how old you are, age has nothing to do with it. If God is in it they could get married at 12 and it still be of God!
WELL, THE CHURCH HAS MADE ALL THESE THINGS SO ETHEREAL and SO SPIRITUAL and SO FAR AWAY! I'm trying to bring it down to Earth and show you how human in was, how literal it was, how real it was, it happened to a woman, who was a woman just like you! And it happened literally! She literally conceived and bare a child without any human agency! How it happened, I don't know. We have God's Word, and that's all we know. How the Holy Ghost did it, we don't know.
"AND BEHOLD, THOU SHALT CONCEIVE IN THY WOMB and BRING FORTH A SON, and SHALT CALL HIS NAME JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" -- which shows obviously she hadn't yet married her husband. "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."
"AND BEHOLD, THY COUSIN ELISABETH, SHE HATH ALSO CONCEIVED A SON IN HER OLD AGE: and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren." Now where was Mary? What was her hometown? Where was she living? (Staff member: Nazareth.) Where was that? Well, it was way up North near the Sea of Galilee, quite a ways North of Jerusalem -- a long journey. I think it was about a three days journey, they figured about 25 miles a day in those days, it was quite a distance North. Where did Elisabeth and Zacharias live? Well, apparently they must have lived fairly close to Jerusalem, because he was a Levite and a priest and a regular minister there. So later when Mary came to visit her cousin Elisabeth, she had to make quite a trip! So God is appearing, His angel is appearing to these two different women in two different places, and also to the husband Zacharias.
SO IT WASN'T EASY, BUT NEVERTHELESS, LISTEN TO WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY -- a little 16-year-old girl who loved and believed God so much! They say, "Ah, these teenagers, what do they know? What can they do?" I'll tell you what they know, they know enough to know the World's in a mess! And I'll tell you what they can do, they can take it over! And they can even be the Mother of the Son of God! She was! "Oh, how could my daughter, only 16, know anything about God or religion at that age? She's crazy! She's gone fanatical on religion down at that Light Club!"
MARY WAS SO YIELDED TO GOD, SO DEDICATED, SO CONSECRATED, and LOVED THE LORD SO MUCH, that though she was already betrothed to another man, she was willing to say what? What was her answer? (Staff member: "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy Word. And the angel departed from her.") "Here am I, Lord! Take me! Whatever You want to do, Lord!" Are you willing? Even if it almost breaks up your engagement? Even if your loved one maybe can't understand? Are you willing to say, "Lord, here am I! Behold, I'm Your handmaiden, I'm Your servant!"
YOU KNOW, WE GLOSS THESE THINGS OVER WITH SUCH BEAUTIFUL LITTLE SUNDAY SCHOOL PICTURES and we don't really know the agony and the torment of soul and the battle that some of these people may have had! Mary was just as human as you are! Joseph was just as human as you are! All these characters were. But the churches gloss them and glaze them over into a separate sphere of the untouchables: "These holy ones! Nobody ever like them any more! Nobody could ever be like them any more! This is something special, it only happened once and there's not going to be any prophets or any priests or anything like that any more! No more. It all happened way back 2,000 years ago and forget about it. We've got our own way now; we've got our own system now. The church can't be expected to live that way today." How many times have you heard this? (Continued in part 4)
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family International
Question: * Enter the third letter of the word castle.
Printer/Text-only page of all 5 parts of this article
...and much more -- all in terms that are relatable and easy to follow. Personal accounts from active Christians around the world confirm that God is still alive and working just as wonderfully as ever on behalf of those who love Him.
Put that power to work for you! Connect with the source of love, happiness, peace, freedom, contentment, and the rest of the best life has to offer -- God, who the Bible says is love. Change your life! Change your world! Get activated!
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Contact Heritage
Backward Glance – The day Alan Kippax’s cricket team came to Nambour
Sunshine Coast Cultural Heritage Reference Group
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While our Australian cricketers are competing at the World Cup in England, we remember when the Sunshine Coast had a rare chance to see international cricketers in action at the Nambour cricket ground.
Alan Falconer Kippax was a cricketer playing for New South Wales and Australia. He was regarded as one of the great stylists of Australian cricket during the era between the two World Wars.
He became a regular in the Australian Cricket team between the 1928-29 and 1932-33 seasons.
Jack Morrison Gregory, another international cricketer, was also part of the team. He played 129 first class matches for New South Wales and 24 international tests between 1920 and 1928.
He was known mainly as a fearsome right-arm fast bowler but he also achieved a batting average of 36.50 and 1146 runs including two centuries, batting left-handed and gloveless.
A Nambour Chronicle report on May 6, 1927 said “history was made in North Coast cricket annals on Monday last, when Mr Alan Kippax’s team visited Nambour. The occasion was noteworthy inasmuch as it is the first time that an interstate team and especially comprising world-famed cricketers, had visited this part of the State.”
Long before the morning passenger train from Gympie arrived, many cars had gathered in Currie Street and crowds had congregated around the station. Special trams even ran from Coolum and Mapleton for the event.
The team were welcomed with a civic reception, Maroochy Shire Council Chairman, Mr JT Lowe the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr W Whalley and others extended the welcome on behalf of residents from the Maroochy Shire.
The team was then taken on a tour to Kureelpa for a picturesque view of the area. They also voiced a desire to sample pineapples and a detour was taken to Mr Arthur Harvey’s residence, where the team dined on slices of the delicious fruit.
Play began at 11.30am, by this time a large number of people had paid the two shilling admission fee, and those with cars had chosen a good vantage point on the slope beside the oval.
Considerable interest was shown in the tall, athletic form of Gregory, and his happy disposition appealed to the crowd. The next to excite the minds of the cricket enthusiasts was Alan Kippax, an outstanding international batsman.
The North Coast team won the toss and decided to bat first being all out for 149, JM Gregory got three wickets for 16 runs and took a spectacular catch in slips.
During the New South Wales innings, the crowd started chanting “Gregory! Gregory!” – who was comfortably watching the match from a car.
The crowd went wild when the big hitting bowler strode out to the centre and hit some tremendous drives which had the opposition ducking their heads in every direction.
Kippax delighted the crowd with his exquisite shot making and was greatly applauded.
Close of play came when the crowd struggled to see the ball in the fading light, the visitors finished on six for 184.
That evening, the cricketers were feted at a banquet in the Royal Hotel with a splendid menu prepared by the proprietor, Mrs Perren, followed by a Ball at the Empire Hall.
The figure of a light stepping Mr Jack Gregory could be seen towering over the heads and shoulders of the other dancers.
As seen by the popularity of this event, cricket has long been part of the culture and sporting history on the Sunshine Coast.
In the 1800s, paddocks were used as cricket grounds with pitches cut out of a levelled area of paddock. Players had to deal with the extra hazard of cows grazing in the outfield.
Townsend’s paddock in Burnett Street was one where games were often played in Buderim from the late 1800s.
In 1903 the Moreton Cricket Association was formed. It included teams from Woombye, Nambour, Waratahs and Landsborough. The Chronicle Cricket Club as well as Kenilworth and Eumundi also formed a combined team, to take part.
Other clubs were also forming in other areas of the coast.
A club at Caloundra was formed in 1927 and played their first game on an area referred to as Black Flat, now Tripconey. Later that year a concrete pitch was laid.
Cricket was a serious game and below par performances were noted.
After a C Grade match, a cricket advertisement was placed in the Nambour Chronicle in 1932 “For Sale, without reserve, one complete setting of ducks; the thirteenth given away. Apply the C Grade team, further information from the Association Secretary.”
Social matches were played as well. Matches between married and single members were popular with the editor of the Nambour Chronicle writing that the married men should be given a handicap of four runs per child, which in a match played by members of the Nambour club would have resulted in the married men having a 62-run start.
Over the years, the number of clubs grew and the grounds were much improved.
According to a report in the Nambour Chronicle, one club would be very pleased to get their new cricket wicket.
Their last match resembled a game of water polo when several players made graceful dives into pools of water when trying to stop the ball.
Women cricket teams were also beginning to form in the 1930s.
In 1932 the members of the Maleny Cricket Club expressed their willingness to assist the ladies in their endeavour to form a Women’s Cricket Club in Maleny.
Buderim also had their own Buderim Girls cricket team in the 1940s.
Over the years, times and the game have changed but the thrill of seeing a tall, ferocious fast bowler sending down thunderbolts and a batsman executing graceful shot making is the same today as it was at the beginning, be it in a backyard, on the school oval, a cricket ground or Lords.
Thanks to staff at Sunshine Coast Council’s Heritage Library and Picture Sunshine Coast for these images.
Hero image: Junior cricket team at the Nambour Show grounds, Nambour, November 1969
Image 1: Cricket players at Maleny, ca 1930
Image 2: Cricket match at Maleny, ca 1920s
Image 3: Buderim Girls Cricket Team, ca 1945
Image 4: Chevallum Cricket Club, 1940s
Image 5: Sightscreens built by the Nambour Cricket Club in preparation for the English touring side visit, Nambour, 1974. The screens were built at a cost of $1000 and officially opened in February 1974 by the then Nambour Cricket Club Patron, Harry Balkin. The English touring side visited in November 1974.
Image 6: Visiting school cricket team at Buderim, ca 1900
Image 7: Jack Gregory batting during a cricket match, New South Wales, ca. 1930s.
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Last updated on: 12/22/2014 9:44:00 AM PST | Author: ProCon.org
New ProCon.org Website! – Should Birth Control Pills Be Available Over-the-Counter?
2/21/2019 - Our new topic explores the pros and cons in the debate over making birth control pills available over-the-counter (OTC). 9.1 million women (12.6% of contraceptive users) use birth control pills, which are the second-most commonly used method of contraception in the United States. Proponents say making the birth control pill available over-the-counter would lower teen pregnancy rates, provide contraceptive access to medically underserved women, and ease access to a health-improving drug with decades of safe use. Opponents say making the Pill over-the-counter would raise the cost of contraception for women, pose a danger to teens' and women's health by removing the doctor's visit requirement, and limit what options are made available.
Our new website presents the top pro & con arguments and quotes, a history of the debate, a video gallery, the prescription status of birth control pills around the world, and a list of drugs switched from prescription to OTC status.
Researcher Wanted at Educational Nonprofit ProCon.org
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US Department of Labor Cites ProCon.org for Its ‘Up-to-Date Information’ on Same-Sex Marriage
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RSS, Social, Newsletter – Get Your Latest Updates
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101 Books Cited ProCon.org in 2014 – a 48.5% Increase over 2013
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ProCon.org referenced 462 times by media outlets in 2014
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50 Famous Quotes about Critical Thinking
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ProCon.org Critical Thinking Seminar
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ProCon.org 10th Anniversary Contests and Prizes
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Educators in over 5,000 schools have used ProCon.org
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Check out some great photos from our successful charity golf tournament
12/18/2013 - Check out some great photos from our successful charity golf tournament which took place on Dec. 2nd at the Calabasas Country Club. Thank you to all our players, sponsors, and organizers.
In attendance were dozens of celebrities including: former NHL player Marty McSorley, former MLB player Royce Clayton, former NFL player Hank Baskett and his wife, reality TV star Kendra Wilkinson, senior golf pro Steve Pate, former NBA player Norm Nixon, and actors Patrick Warburton, Alan Thicke, Anthony Anderson, Ryan Merriman, Sheila Shah, Stephen Bishop, Chris Rich, Jeremy Sumpter, Christopher McDonald, Paula Trickey, Josh Morrow, Kato Kaelin, and others.
Teachers, librarians, and administrators in more than 4,150 schools have used ProCon.org
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9/20/2013 - 241 Books Citing ProCon.org - We've added another 40 books to the list of published texts citing ProCon.org research. Some of the authors who used ProCon.org in their works include Glenn Beck, Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Stefan Halper, Dick Morris, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, Tavis Smiley, and Joseph Stiglitz.
How Educators Use ProCon.org
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ProCon.org and Pivot.tv Join Forces on Critical Thinking Campaign
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7/25/2013 - Critical Thinking Quotes - Read insights on critical thinking from famous thinkers such as Plato, Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Jefferson.
ProCon.org Used by Educators in over 4,000 Schools
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Critical Thinking Explained
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5/7/2013 - 221 Books Citing ProCon.org - We've added another 26 books to the list of published texts citing ProCon.org research. Some of the authors who used ProCon.org include Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, Tavis Smiley, and Joseph Stiglitz.
Which topic should we pick next?
4/19/2013 - Which topic should we pick next? – Please take our brief survey and let us know which issues you would like ProCon.org to research next.
Educators in over 3,750 schools in all 50 US states and 55 countries use ProCon.org
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Student Video Contest Highlights
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Reader Survey results
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Celebrity Golf Tournament
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ProCon.org Reader Survey, 2013
2/5/2013 - ProCon.org Reader Survey, 2013 - Please take a couple of minutes to tell us about yourself, and let us know how we’re doing and what we can do to improve.
Watch seven wonderful student films about ProCon.org
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Critical Thinking Video Series #2: Milk
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NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should United States maintain its embargo against Cuba?
12/20/2012 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Should the United States maintain its embargo against Cuba? - February 7, 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the ongoing US embargo against Cuba. Proponents of the embargo say that the economic sanctions and travel restrictions should remain until Cuba meets the conditions set out by US law, and that it is an important bargaining chip to pressure Cuba to improve human rights. Opponents of the embargo say that it is an outdated, failed policy that hurts the US economy and Cuban citizens, and that the rest of the world is against the US sanctions. Our 46th website explores the pros and cons in the debate over the Cuba embargo.
ProCon.org Student Video Contest
12/5/2012 - - ProCon.org Student Video Contest – The early entry deadline was Dec. 1, and Mark from Oregon won the $100 Amazon.com gift card. Congratulations! The final deadline for video entries is Monday Dec. 31. See what has been submitted so far.
3,218 schools in all 50 states and 50 countries Use ProCon.org
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10/11/2012 - 174 Books Citing ProCon.org - We've added 16 new books to the list of works citing ProCon.org research, including books about the Middle East, bioethics, criminal law, and even the death of Bruce Lee.
8/10/2012 - 158 Books Citing ProCon.org – See how more than 150 authors including Glenn Beck, Mark Bittman, Newt Gingrich, Stefan Halper, Dick Morris, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Schmoker, Tavis Smiley, and Joseph Stiglitz have cited ProCon.org research in their books.
Books, Articles, and Studies about Using Controversial Issues to Stimulate Critical Thinking
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82 Books Citing ProCon.org
7/23/2012 - 82 Books Citing ProCon.org – See how 82 authors including Glenn Beck, Newt Gingrich, Dick Morris, Michael J. Schmoker, and Tavis Smiley have cited ProCon.org research in their books.
New ProCon.org Website
5/24/2012 - – NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is golf a sport? – Our 43rd website explores the pros and cons in the debate over whether golf is a sport. Proponents argue that golf meets the definition of "sport" found in the dictionary, requires physical exertion and coordination, and is recognized as a sport by sporting goods companies, athletic associations, fans, and the media. Opponents argue that golf better meets the definition of "game" than "sport," does not require rigorous physical activity, and can be played professionally by people who are overweight, injured, or non-athletic.
ProCon.org has been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in 2,522 schools in all 50 states and 45 countries
3/13/2012 - - ProCon.org has been used by teachers, librarians, and administrators in 2,522 schools in all 50 states and 45 countries. Thank you to the educators in those 508 elementary and middle schools, 1,295 high schools, and 719 colleges and universities who benefit from our free educational resources.
Teachers and librarians, if you have not already done so, please take our 2-minute survey and let us know how YOU use ProCon.org. With roughly 100,000 schools in the United States, we need all your help to promote critical thinking in today's youth.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should churches (defined as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt?
11/14/2011 - – NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should churches (defined as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, etc.) remain tax-exempt? – US churches have been exempt from paying income and property taxes since the country's founding. Debate continues over whether or not these tax benefits should be retained, especially during our tough economic times. Proponents argue that a tax exemption keeps the government out of church finances, and that churches deserve a tax break because they provide crucial social services. Opponents argue that giving churches special tax exemptions violates the separation of church and state, and that the government cannot afford what amounts to a subsidy worth billions of dollars every year. Our 44th website explores the pros and cons in the debate over church tax exemptions.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Which candidate should be US president in 2012?
10/24/2011 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Which candidate should be US president in 2012? – ProCon.org has researched the US presidential candidates and their views on 25 issues ranging from abortion to global warming to medical marijuana to waterboarding. Our 43rd website also features resources on US presidential election history, debate transcripts, a step-by-step guide on how to become president, and more. We will add at least 50 more issues and several new resources over the coming months to help you decide who should be the next president of the United States.
ProCon.org highlighted in the Congressional Record
7/6/2011 - – On July 6, 2011, ProCon.org was highlighted in the Congressional Record when Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) honored ProCon.org by reading a glowing statement about the organization on the floor of the US House of Representatives. His statement said in part: "It is my distinct pleasure to honor the staff of ProCon.org and wish them continued successes in their service to the American public. Their unbiased and truthful presentation makes a tremendous contribution to the political system."
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is the use of standardized tests improving education in America?
6/22/2011 - – NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is the use of standardized tests improving education in America? – Standardized tests have been a part of American education since the mid-1800s. Their use skyrocketed after 2002's No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandated annual testing in all 50 states. Proponents say standardized tests are a fair and objective measure of student achievement, and that they ensure teachers and schools are accountable. Opponents say the tests are neither fair nor objective, and that their use narrows the curriculum and promotes "teaching to the test." ProCon.org's 42nd website explores the pros and cons in the debate over standardized tests.
NEW! Interactive Readers Comments
4/29/2011 - – NEW! Interactive Readers Comments – You can now share your comments about ProCon.org issues with millions of other people, and reply to, vote on, or just read already posted comments. If you want, you can also get emails telling you when your comment gets posted, and when others reply to your comment.
To join or read the debate, click on the "Comment” link in the left column of any ProCon.org page or click the "Comment” button on the homepage of any ProCon.org issue. Like everything at ProCon.org, it’s free and there’s no registration required.
Test the comments system on "Should prescription drugs be advertising directly to consumers?" and "Should felons be allowed to vote?" to see our new feature for yourself.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should people become vegetarian?
4/21/2011 - - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Should people become vegetarian? - In 2010, people in the US ate an average of 57.5 pounds of beef, 46.5 pounds of pork, and 82 pounds of chicken. Vegetarians, about 3.2% of the US population, do not eat meat (including poultry and seafood). Many proponents of vegetarianism say that the meatless diet is healthier and better for the environment, and that killing animals for food is wrong. Many opponents of vegetarianism say that eating meat is natural, healthful, humane, and that people have done it for millions of years. ProCon.org’s 41st website explores the pros and cons in the debate over vegetarianism.
Help ProCon.org Win $5,000
2/14/2011 - - Help ProCon.org Win $5,000: Write a short review of ProCon.org by Feb. 28 for a contest at GreatNonprofits.org. The most-reviewed nonprofit wins, so please take a few minutes and help us compete for the prize!
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should teachers get tenure?
1/13/2011 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Should teachers get tenure? - Teacher tenure is the increasingly controversial form of job protection that public school teachers in all states receive after 1-7 years on the job. Proponents of tenure argue that it protects teachers from being fired for personal or political reasons, and prevents the firing of experienced teachers to hire less expensive new teachers. Opponents argue that this job protection makes the removal of poorly performing teachers so difficult and costly that most schools end up retaining their bad teachers, and that tenure is no longer needed given current laws against job discrimination. ProCon.org's 40th website explores the pros and cons of whether or not teachers should get tenure.
ProCon.org has been used by 1,500 schools in 32 countries and all 50 US states
12/29/2010 - - ProCon.org has been used by 1,500 schools in 32 countries and all 50 US states. 278 elementary and middle schools, 710 high schools, and 512 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international school using ProCon.org is in Malaysia.
Kamy Akhavan becomes President of ProCon.org
12/7/2010 - - ProCon.org is happy to announce that our Managing Editor, Kamy Akhavan, is now the new President of our organization. Kamy, who has been with ProCon.org since Dec. 7, 2004, will also continue his duties as Managing Editor. Visit Kamy's profile to read more about his qualifications.
Help ProCon.org Select Its Next Topic
11/29/2010 - - Help ProCon.org Select Its Next Topic - Take our survey to tell us which controversial topics you want to see ProCon.org cover in 2011. Select your favorite issues from a list of 25 topics ranging from animal research and astrology to whistleblowers and zoos.
ProCon.org received 1,054,740 website sessions in Oct. 2010
11/1/2010 - - ProCon.org received 1,054,740 website sessions in Oct. 2010 – the highest number of sessions we have ever received in a month.
ProCon.org in the News
11/1/2010 - - ProCon.org in the News - ProCon.org has received over 100 media references so far in 2010 compared to 76 for all of 2009. References to ProCon.org in 2010 have come from mainstream media sources including the Washington Post, CNN, Huffington Post, CNBC, AOL News, and Discovery News, as well as several radio interviews on NPR and Fox News affiliates.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Was Ronald Reagan a good president?
10/18/2010 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Was Ronald Reagan a good president? - Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from Jan. 20, 1981 to Jan. 19, 1989. His supporters point to his accomplishments, including stimulating US economic growth, strengthening national defense, revitalizing the Republican Party, and ending the global Cold War. His detractors contend that Reagan's poor policies, such as bloating national defense, drastically cutting social services, and making arms-for-hostages deals, led the country into record deficits and global embarrassment. ProCon.org's 38th website explores the pros and cons of whether or not Ronald Reagan was a good president.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Was Bill Clinton a good president?
10/18/2010 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Was Bill Clinton a good president? – Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States from Jan. 20, 1993 to Jan. 19, 2001. His supporters contend that under his presidency the US enjoyed the lowest unemployment in recent history, low crime rates, and a budget surplus. His detractors blame his policies for the financial crisis that began in 2007 and point to his scandals and impeachment by Congress. ProCon.org's 39th website explores the pros and cons of whether or not Bill Clinton was a good president.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is it appropriate to build a Muslim community center (aka the “Ground Zero Mosque”) near the World Trade Center site?
10/5/2010 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Is it appropriate to build a Muslim community center (aka the "Ground Zero Mosque”) near the World Trade Center site? – The debate over the ''Ground Zero Mosque'' has grown from a local discussion to an issue of international prominence. Proponents argue that the 16-story Muslim community center will be an asset to the neighborhood and local economy, and its construction demonstrates America’s religious tolerance. Opponents argue that the ''Ground Zero Mosque'' is an insensitive and disrespectful political ploy by radical Islamists that will inflict emotional distress on families who suffered casualties on Sep. 11, 2001. ProCon.org's 37th website explores the pros and cons of the ''Ground Zero Mosque'' debate.
How to Cite ProCon.org in Bibliographies and Endnotes
9/24/2010 - How to Cite ProCon.org in Bibliographies and Endnotes - You can now click the "Cite" button on the upper-right corner of any ProCon.org page to see that page's citation style according to the Modern Language Association Style Manual (MLA), the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian) - four of the most popular bibliographic protocols.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should gay marriage be legal?
9/16/2010 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Should gay marriage be legal? – Gay marriage is allowed in ten countries, five US states, and the District of Columbia. 30 states have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Proponents argue that same-sex couples should have access to the same marriage benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Opponents argue that altering the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman will further weaken a threatened institution. ProCon.org's 36th website explores the pros and cons of legalizing gay marriage.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Are the March 2010 federal health care reform laws good for America?
9/2/2010 - - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Are the March 2010 federal health care reform laws good for America? – The March 2010 health care reforms were hailed by proponents as "landmark legislation" that will provide affordable health care to millions of currently uninsured Americans. Opponents railed against the bill warning that it was a "government takeover" of medicine that would lower the quality of care and drive up the federal deficit. Our 35th and newest website, provides pros and cons on 34 commonly asked questions regarding the March 2010 health care reform laws using statements from over 150 experts including President Barack Obama (pro), former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (con), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (pro), House Majority Leader John Boehner (con), AARP (pro), US Chamber of Commerce (con), New York Times (pro), Wall Street Journal (con), and dozens more.
ProCon.org has now been used by 1,322 schools in 31 countries and all 50 US states
8/4/2010 - - ProCon.org has now been used by 1,322 schools in 31 countries and all 50 US states. 249 elementary and middle schools, 615 high schools, and 458 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is human activity a substantial cause of global climate change?
6/15/2010 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Is human activity a substantial cause of global climate change? - Over the 20th century the earth warmed 1-1.4°F and climate changes including more intense heat waves, stronger hurricanes, loss of sea ice, glacier retreat, and more droughts have occurred. As of Apr. 2010, levels of the greenhouse gas CO2 were 389 parts per million – allegedly higher than at any time in the last 650,000 years.
Some people argue that rising levels of human-produced greenhouse gases are warming the planet and causing the climate to change. Others argue that reported greenhouse gas increases are too small to change the climate, and that 20th century warming has been the result of natural processes such as fluctuations in the sun’s heat and ocean currents. ProCon.org's newest and 34th website explores the pros and cons in this debate.
ProCon.org has now been used by 1,267 schools in 31 countries and all 50 US states.
6/14/2010 - ProCon.org has now been used by 1,267 schools in 31 countries and all 50 US states. 239 elementary and middle schools, 589 high schools, and 439 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Kazakhstan and Kenya.
5/12/2010 - ProCon.org has now been used by 1,205 schools in 29 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 225 elementary and middle schools, 548 high schools, and 432 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Serbia, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.
UPDATED: Quotes About Critical Thinking
5/3/2010 - UPDATED: Quotes about Critical Thinking - Read 25 selected quotes about critical thinking from Confucius, Plato, Socrates, Ben Franklin, Albert Einstein, John Maynard Keynes, Mohandas Gandhi, and others.
New ProCon.org Website – Abortion
4/21/2010 - NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should abortion be legal? – Since the Jan. 22, 1973 US Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade through 2005, more than 45 million legal abortions have been performed in the United States. One out of five pregnancies end in abortion, and 40% of all women have an abortion by the age of 45. "Pro-life” proponents generally believe abortion is immoral because personhood begins at conception, and therefore abortion kills innocent human beings. "Pro-choice” advocates contend that a woman's right to control her pregnancy outweighs any right claimed for an embryo or fetus. ProCon.org's newest website explores the pros and cons in this debate.
In The News 200
4/21/2010 - - ProCon.org in the News - ProCon.org surpassed 200 mentions in the press for the first time in our history. We have been referenced in the media 35 times already in 2010, including articles by CNBC, the Guardian, and AOL News.
How Schools Are Using ProCon.org
4/16/2010 - ProCon.org has now been used by 1,159 schools in 26 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 213 elementary and middle schools, 528 high schools, and 418 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.
NEW: Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America’s kids (K-12)?
4/16/2010 - NEW: Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America's kids (K-12)? - Read the top pro, con, and not clearly pro or con arguments from D.A.R.E., President Obama, the Office of the Surgeon General, the Government Accountability Office, as well as policemen, economists, schools, and others.
ProCon.org Surpasses One Million Monthly Sessions
4/1/2010 - - ProCon.org Surpasses One Million Monthly Sessions - In March 2010, ProCon.org received 1,026,399 website sessions – the first time we have received over a million sessions in a month. The new record marked a 90% increase in traffic over Mar. 2009 and an 88% increase for the first three months of 2010 over the first three months of 2009. We are thrilled that so many teachers, students and others are finding our free and unbiased content so useful. Thank you to all our readers, supporters, and donors for helping us to attain this milestone in our effort to promote critical thinking for a better tomorrow.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should adults have the right to carry a concealed handgun?
3/31/2010 - - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Should adults have the right to carry a concealed handgun? - 48 states allow for the concealed carry of handguns. Proponents argue that carrying concealed handguns deters crime and is a right granted by the Second Amendment. Opponents counter that concealed guns lead to more crime and increase the chances of arguments becoming lethal. Read the press release (21 KB) .
ProCon.org a hit at the 2010 San Diego Science Festival
3/30/2010 - - NEW: ProCon.org a hit at the 2010 San Diego Science Festival. 500-600 people participated in our interactive booth, including students, teachers, scientists, parents, and others. Check out some of our photos from the event to see how much critical thinking took place in our booth.
3/10/2010 - - ProCon.org has now been used by 1,077 schools in 26 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 189 elementary and middle schools, 480 high schools, and 408 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America’s kids (K-12)?
2/18/2010 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Is the D.A.R.E. program good for America's kids (K-12)? - Supporters of D.A.R.E. argue that the program annually helps over 35 million kids in all 50 states and 43 countries to resist drug abuse. Critics counter that decades of research shows D.A.R.E. is ineffective, marketing not science-based, and can actually increase drug use by students.
2/9/2010 - - ProCon.org has now been used by 1,009 schools in 26 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 176 elementary and middle schools, 435 high schools, and 398 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international school using ProCon.org is in Qatar.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should any vaccines be required for children?
1/18/2010 - NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should any vaccines be required for children? – All 50 states require vaccinations for children entering public schools although 48 states allow exemptions for religious reasons and 20 for philosophical reasons. While proponents argue that vaccines save lives, prevent epidemics, and reduce harm from illness, opponents counter that vaccinations should not be required because they may do more harm (cause illness, reduce immunity, etc.) than good. ProCon.org's newest website explores the pros and cons of the debate surrounding vaccination.
932 schools using ProCon.org
1/14/2010 - ProCon.org has now been used by 932 schools in 25 countries and all 50 US states. We are thrilled to have 161 elementary and middle schools, 390 high schools, and 381 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Russia, Spain, and Thailand.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is obesity a disease?
12/28/2009 - NEW ProCon.org Website! – Is obesity a disease? – An estimated 72 million people in the US as of 2006 (34.3% of the adult population) are obese and 10% of all US medical spending ($147 billion) in 2008 was attributed to obesity-related health conditions. The FDA, IRS, and the World Health Organization have stated obesity is a disease while other government and medical entities, such as the House of Representatives, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the American College of Physicians, have not. ProCon.org's newest website explores the pros and cons in this debate.
ProCon.org has now been used by 802 schools in 22 countries and all 50 US states
12/18/2009 - ProCon.org has now been used by 802 schools in 22 countries and all 50 US states. The newest international schools using ProCon.org are in Austria, Israel, Netherlands, Philippines, and Singapore. We are thrilled to have 136 elementary and middle schools, 313 high schools, and 353 colleges and universities using the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?
12/9/2009 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Do violent video games contribute to youth violence? - Critics argue that violent video games are to blame for school shootings, increases in bullying, and violence towards women and that research supports these assertions. Defenders of violent video games counter that the research is deeply flawed, that violent video games provide a safe outlet for aggressive feelings, and that video game content is protected free speech. ProCon.org's newest website explores the pros and cons of this debate.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should Social Security be privatized?
11/24/2009 - NEW ProCon.org Website! - Should Social Security be privatized? - Social Security, the largest government program in the world and the biggest expenditure ($612 billion) in the US federal budget, is projected to become unsustainable by 2037. ProCon.org's newest website explores the pros and cons of whether Social Security should be privatized to give people control of their own retirement funds and help ensure that their safety net remains intact.
11/6/2009 - UPDATED: How 728 Schools Are Using ProCon.org – ProCon.org is now used by schools in all 50 US states (North Dakota just added) and 17 countries (Sweden and Macedonia just added). 119 elementary and middle schools, 282 high schools, and 327 colleges and universities use the free nonpartisan research we provide to stimulate critical thinking.
NEW: ProCon.org Volunteers & Interns
11/4/2009 - - NEW: ProCon.org Volunteers & Interns - See the latest volunteer research opportunities at ProCon.org along with profiles of our talented and hard working senior interns, interns, and volunteers.
high school student survey
10/28/2009 - NEW: Survey for High School Students Only – If you’re in high school, please take our 10 question survey about ProCon.org, critical thinking, and you.
UPDATED: Benefits of Teaching Controversial Issues
10/7/2009 - UPDATED: Benefits of Teaching Controversial Issues – Five highlighted facts about the benefits of critical thinking and 28 articles, studies, and books about teaching controversial issues in the classroom.
UPDATED: Lesson Planning with ProCon.org
10/5/2009 - UPDATED: Lesson Planning with ProCon.org - 11 lesson plan ideas for using ProCon.org in the classroom to engage critical thinking while meeting 15 national teaching standards.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Are cell phones safe?
9/24/2009 - - NEW ProCon.org Website! – Are cell phones safe? – Cell phones use a form of radiation called radio frequency (RF) to send their signal. This RF radiation is regulated by the FCC, and has been deemed safe by a number of government and private scientific studies. However, some studies have found that the radiation from cell phones may increase the chance of developing cancer and other health problems. ProCon.org's newest website explores the pros and cons of whether or not cell phones are safe to use.
NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care?
9/18/2009 - NEW ProCon.org Website! – Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care? – With millions uninsured, the US is one of the few - if not the only - developed nations that does not guarantee health care for its citizens. Many Americans believe that health care for all would be too expensive and unearned. ProCon.org's newest website explores the pros and cons of whether there should be the right to health care in the US.
UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org
8/11/2009 - - UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org - See how teachers and librarians from 588 schools in 48 states and 14 countries use ProCon.org in their classrooms and school libraries.
8/6/2009 - ProCon.org added six more media references to its In the News page including a mention of our Prescription Drug Ads website in Business Week.
anniversary page
8/5/2009 - ProCon.org Five Year Anniversary - ProCon.org celebrated its 5-year anniversary on July 14, 2009 with a party for supporters and friends from 4-7 pm in our Santa Monica office. We also held five anniversary contests and awarded winners over $500 in cash and prizes. See photos and video from the party, find out who won the contests, and read highlights and reflections from our first five years.
Winners of the ProCon.org 5-Year Anniversary contests announced!
8/4/2009 - Winners of the ProCon.org 5-Year Anniversary contests announced! Each winner receives $100 and our gratitude. See who won the ProCon.org Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter, and Scavenger Hunts contests. Thank you to all who participated.
NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! – Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age?
7/29/2009 - NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! - Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to a younger age? - Our new micro site presents an overview, pro and con arguments, little-known “Did You Know” facts, videos, graphics, and a comprehensive list of sources on the issue of lowering the drinking age.
O’Connell
7/16/2009 - California State Schools Chief Jack O’Connell Praises ProCon.org - The California State Superintendent of Public Instruction wrote that ProCon.org is a "...great resource that breaks down hot button issues with quality, sourced info... The best part about procon.org is the entire web site is free to use. No ads, no registration necessary. If you’re in ed, check it out." Visit ProCon.org for Teachers for details.
ProCon.org Celebrates Its Five Year Anniversary
7/2/2009 - ProCon.org Celebrates Its Five Year Anniversary - July 2009 marks our fifth anniversary and we're celebrating with five contests where you can win up to $500. Visit our anniversary page to read contest details, a statement from our Chairman, top five highlights, select readers' comments, and more.
6/24/2009 - UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org - See how teachers and librarians from 516 schools in 48 states and 14 countries use ProCon.org in their classrooms and school libraries.
UPDATED: In the News
6/22/2009 - - UPDATED: In the News - See the most recent media refrences to ProCon.org in the Telegraph, WRPI, the Thom Hartmann Radio Program, and more.
– NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! – Should prescription drugs be advertised directly to consumers?
6/8/2009 - - NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! - Should prescription drugs be advertised directly to consumers? - This website is our first ever site meaning it took us less than 35 hours to build. The site contains a "did you know?" section, an overview of the issue, pro and con arguments, an image and video gallery, a reader survey, and a listing of all our sources.
Articles about Using Controversial Issues to Stimulate Critical Thinking
5/29/2009 - UPDATED: Books and Articles about Using Controversial Issues to Stimulate Critical Thinking: Take a look at our list of 16 publications, including 15 full text articles, on this important educational topic.
Volunteer Page
5/19/2009 - Our Volunteer Program – created on Feb. 9, 2009 – has been a great success. We thank all the volunteers who have helped us so far, and we encourage others to consider becoming a ProCon.org volunteer or intern.
4/10/2009 - UPDATED: In the News - 113 mainstream media--the most recent including Washington Post, Guardian, and CBS News--have referenced ProCon.org’s websites.
4/7/2009 - - NEW: Join ProCon.org on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
NEW: Survey for Teachers and Librarians – Please take our 2-minute survey so we can learn how to make our sites more useful to educators.
4/2/2009 - NEW: Survey for Teachers and Librarians - Please take our 2-minute survey so we can learn how to make our sites more useful to educators.
4/2/2009 - – NEW DESIGN – Whether you are visiting for the first time or coming back for the 100th time, we’d love to know: What do you think of our new website design?
In the news at 103
3/23/2009 - UPDATED: In the News – We added 10 more media references and surpassed 100 mentions in the press for the first time in our history. 103 mainstream media outlets have now referenced ProCon.org.
3/9/2009 - UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org – See how 66 elementary and middle schools, 133 high schools, and 176 colleges and universities in 45 states and eight countries use ProCon.org content in their educational materials.
new website alt energy
3/2/2009 - – NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! – Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels? – Our 17th issue website has over 200 pro and con responses from more than 175 experts on energy topics such as oil, solar, wind, nuclear, ethanol, biofuels, hydrogen vs. electricity, subsidies, and more.
2/25/2009 - - UPDATED: In the News - Our list of media references has grown to 93. See the latest additions from Popular Science magazine, Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN), two radio stations, and more.
2/25/2009 - - Articles about Using Controversial Issues to Stimulate Critical Thinking – Attention educators. We have compiled over a dozen published articles on why and how to develop critical thinking skills by teaching controversial topics in the classroom.
2/6/2009 - - UPDATED: How Schools Are Using ProCon.org - See how 352 schools in 45 states and eight countries use ProCon.org content in their educational materials.
Best Non-Profit to Work for
2/2/2009 - ProCon.org was honored to receive the 2008 “Best Non-Profit to Work For” award in a national competition. ProCon.org was one of five winners in its class of “non-profits with an operating budget of under $2.5 million.” There were 15 winners total. There are roughly 1,000,000 nonprofit organizations in the United States.
Topic Survey
1/12/2009 - NEW TOPIC SURVEY - Select the topic you would most like ProCon.org to cover next.
Schools using ProCon
12/31/2008 - - UPDATED: See How Schools Are Using ProCon.org: 50 elementary and middle schools, 100 high schools, and 116 colleges and universities (that we know of) have used ProCon.org in their teaching materials.
new sports website announcement
12/29/2008 - NEW PROCON.ORG WEBSITE! - Should performance enhancing drugs (such as steroids) be accepted in sports? Read over 250 pro and con responses from more than 200 experts on nearly 30 subjects related to drugs in sports at our 17th website, sports.procon.org.
Big Three auto makers compared to Toyota and Honda by ProCon.org
12/3/2008 - Big Three auto makers compared to Toyota and Honda by ProCon.org – We explore the question “Should the Big Three auto makers be bailed out by the US government?” in our first ever “mini” site. See the 144-point comparison chart and read statements from Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Paul Krugman, and many others.
ProCon.org for Teachers
11/18/2008 - NEW: ProCon.org for Teachers - Lesson plan ideas, natl. teaching standards, articles about teaching controversial issues, teachers' comments, and students' comments.
6 more media references
11/4/2008 - – ProCon.org was referenced in the media six times last week. See our In the News page for the Swedish, Russian, and four US publications that mentioned ProCon.org.
In the Classroom – 256 schools in 42 states and five countries reference ProCon.org in their K-12 and university level lesson plans and resource lists.
10/14/2008 - - UPDATED: In the Classroom - 256 schools in 42 states and five countries reference ProCon.org in their K-12 and university level lesson plans and resource lists.
four more media references
10/9/2008 - ProCon.org received four more media references in the last three days. See our coverage at Slate, National Catholic Reporter, and others in our growing In the News page.
user survey results
10/3/2008 - ProCon.org User Survey passes 1,000 responses. See the survey results so far.
Two more media references
9/30/2008 - – ProCon.org received two more media mentions last week. Visit our In the News page to see our latest media references.
NEW: four more media references
8/26/2008 - - NEW: ProCon.org received four more media references in the last 30 days.
Death Penalty site launch
7/31/2008 - - NEW WEBSITE: Death Penalty ProCon.org – “Should the death penalty be abolished?” Read pros, cons, stats, news, bios, and more great information related to this perennially controversial topic. Explore our 15th issue website at ProCon.org and let us know what you think.
New ProCon.org Design and Features as of June 30, 2008
6/30/2008 - - We are proud to announce the new ProCon.org sites that became available Monday June 30, 2008. See over 10 new features in a new design and layout that took over 25 people nearly 2 years and 9,000 hours to complete. If you like what you see, please tell your friends.
5/30/2008 - - NEW WEBSITE: Insider Trading ProCon.org – Should "insider trading" by Congress continue to be legal? Read pros, cons, and general reference information in the debate over whether Congressional representatives should be allowed to trade stocks based on material nonpublic information that they acquire during their normal Congressional duties.
ProCon.org Referenced in the Los Angeles Times and the Social Studies Professional
5/23/2008 - - ProCon.org Referenced in the Los Angeles Times and the Social Studies Professional – The number of media references to ProCon.org increased to 50 this week with favorable coverage by two respected publications.
4/17/2008 - - NEW: User Survey – Please help us by taking our 1-2 minute survey on your experience at ProCon.org. Your feedback will help us to improve.
NEW: Subscribe to our free RSS feed
2/29/2008 - - NEW: Subscribe to our free RSS feed and automatically receive the latest news and notices from our 13 ProCon.org websites. To subscribe, click on the RSS button in the top right of the homepage and follow the instructions provided on the screen. It takes a few seconds, and you can unsubscribe whenever you want.
NEW WEBSITE: 2008 Election ProCon.org
12/12/2007 - - NEW WEBSITE: 2008 Election ProCon.org – Read pro and con statements from the 2008 presidential candidates on several issues including abortion, education, environment, gun control, Iran, Iraq, religion, social security, and many more. Decide for yourself which candidate would make the best US President.
NEW WEBSITE: Immigration ProCon.org
11/26/2007 - - NEW WEBSITE: Immigration ProCon.org – What are the solutions to illegal immigration? ProCon.org explores the debate over illegal immigration with 50 questions, 200+ sources, and over 350 pro, con, and general reference responses.
Milk ProCon.org
9/28/2007 - - NEW WEBSITE: Milk ProCon.org - Is drinking milk healthy for humans? We investigate health claims about milk using over 100 experts. The results of our research show conflicting data on milk's effect on cancer, heart disease, weight loss, diabetes, children's development, and other health issues. Visit our newest website and tell us what you think.
2008 Presidential Election Poll
6/26/2007 - - 2008 Presidential Election Poll - Visit our parent website ProCon.org and vote on the issues you want us to ask the U.S. Presidential candidates. Poll will close on July 15th.
New ProCon.org website, Prostitution ProCon.org
5/14/2007 - - New ProCon.org website:
ProCon.org launched its 10th website today, Prostitution ProCon.org, which explores the core question “Should prostitution be legal?” The site features over 200 expert sources from Presidential hopefuls Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton to Ann Landers, Heidi Fleiss, Susan B. Anthony, and the ACLU.
1/30/2007 - - Our comprehensive search engine (top right on the homepage) allows visitors to quickly find a word or phrase on the Under God ProCon.org website. The search function at www.procon.org allows visitors to simultaneously search all ProCon.org websites.
Euthanasia ProCon.org
1/8/2007 - - Euthanasia ProCon.org, our newest website, was launched today. It features nearly 600 pro, con, and general reference arguments in 80 questions. Visit the site today and decide for yourself: "Should euthanasia be legal?"
April ProCon.org Poll
4/8/2005 - - April ProCon.org Poll - Visit our parent site www.ProCon.org and help us select the best slogan for the organization.
ProCon.org. (2014, December 22). Our Latest Updates – Archive. Retrieved from https://gun-control.procon.org/our-latest-updates/archive/
ProCon.org, "Our Latest Updates – Archive," ProCon.org. last modified December 22, 2014. https://gun-control.procon.org/our-latest-updates/archive/.
ProCon.org, "Our Latest Updates – Archive." ProCon.org. 22 Dec. 2014, gun-control.procon.org/our-latest-updates/archive/
ProCon.org. "Our Latest Updates – Archive." ProCon.org. Last modified on December 22, 2014. Accessed July 16, 2019. https://gun-control.procon.org/our-latest-updates/archive/
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Home Top Stories of the Fall 2016 Semester
Top Stories of the Fall 2016 Semester
Presidential politics, a new campus residence hall and the university’s entering freshman class ranked among GW Today’s most-read stories.
By Ruth Steinhardt
Fall 2016 was action-packed for the George Washington University, as an unprecedentedly diverse freshman class began their college careers and a roller-coaster presidential election brought excitement to the country’s most politically active campus, Below, George Washington Today looks back at some of the semester’s most popular stories.
1. Bernie Sanders’ Book Tour includes a Stop at Lisner Auditorium
This semester saw several high-profile visitors to campus, including Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), a defining voice of the presidential race, was among the most popular.
2. District House Opens for Move-In
Readers were eager for a first look at GW’s newest and largest residence hall, which welcomed almost 900 of its first residents in August.
3. Student-Run Food Pantry to Open at GW
In the face of a national food security problem affecting college students around the country, GW opened the Store, a discreet unmanned food bank, on District House’s lowest level. The Store also was covered by national news outlets like The Washington Post.
4. New Test-Optional Policy Helped Shape More Diverse Freshman Class
Among students who entered as freshmen in fall 2016—the first freshman class admitted under GW’s test-optional admissions policy—GW saw a 33 percent increase in students from underrepresented minority groups.
5. Introducing the GW Class of 2020
Some of those new students, including political activists, burgeoning innovators and a long-distance sailor were profiled at the beginning of the year.
6. GW Receives Martin Delaney Grant for HIV Cure Research
University researchers working on immunotherapeutic approaches to combating HIV received a five-year collaboratory grant from the National Institutes of Health. It was one of several major steps forward for university research this semester, including a $7.5 million grant to study child health and the opening of the Churchill Library and Center.
7. Shock Dawns for College Democrats
The consequences of Donald Trump’s victory in November’s presidential election still reverberate on campus, with many students joining in large-scale protests. Administrators took the opportunity to reiterate university values including support for undocumented students. Outside of Washington, D.C., GW alumni like Democratic Sen.-elect Tammy Duckworth, M.A. ’92, triumphed in other races.
8. GW Welcomes New Students With First Night Celebration
More than 2,500 students from more than 1,700 high schools in 49 states, the District of Columbia and 61 countries entered GW in the fall, and the university welcomed them with its traditional slate of events.
9. Alumnus Receives Prestigious Rhodes Scholarship
Readers ate up the story of Josh Pickar, B.A. ’14, who was awarded a full scholarship to Oxford University to study global governance and diplomacy.
10. The Nation’s Haunted Capital
GW Today participated in the campfire-tale tradition with a compendium of local legends like Abraham Lincoln’s ghost and the U.S. Capitol’s demon cat. It wasn’t the semester’s first moment of historical interest: In September, members of the GW Ballet club dressed up to recreate a 1961 photograph.
Bernie Sanders: ‘The American People Are on Our Side’
Sen. Sanders talked about working with the Trump administration while promoting his new memoir “Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In” at GW.
Students Protest Divisive Rhetoric and Policies of the President-Elect
Hundreds of students marched to the White House chanting slogans before ending the demonstration in front of Rice Hall.
Behind the Scenes of District House
21st Street project is poised to become GW’s second-largest residence hall.
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Associate or Professor of Health Sciences, Education & Research
Date Posted Dec. 6, 2018
Title Associate or Professor of Health Sciences, Education & Research
University University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY, United States
Department 7N900:HEALTH SCIENCES - CLINICAL SCIENCE
Website For Job http://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/210956
Job Categories Professor
Academic Fields Health Services/Research & Policy
Health Administration & Policy
The College of Health Sciences (CHS) invites applications for a faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level in the Division of Health Sciences, Education, and Research (HSER). The person in this position will take a leadership role in growing research capacity focused on health services research and population health research with opportunities to pursue collaborations within and outside the College. Research productivity in the College is nationally ranked by NIH in the top 20 of allied health colleges. Current HSER faculty research interests include multi-sector collaboration in population health, the impact of health inequities and the social determinants on health outcomes, and health information systems. Many opportunities for collaboration exist within centers and colleges across campus such as the College of Public Health, Center for Health Services Research, the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, the Center for Health Equity Transformation, and UK HealthCare NCI-Designated Markey Cancer Center.
Ideal candidates will have demonstrated a record of ongoing extramural research funding and scientific publications. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in health services research with a particular interest in those individuals that can build the Division’s expertise in health systems, comparative effectiveness, quality of care, and health equity research. Candidates should also demonstrate a strong record of teaching, service, and mentorship. The successful applicant should have experience sufficient to qualify for an appointment at the rank of associate or full professor with tenure. This position will have a primary appointment in the Department of Clinical Sciences, HSER Division. Applicants must possess a doctoral degree. Rank, tenure status and salary are commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Programs within HSER include the Human Health Sciences (HHS) and Clinical Leadership and Management (CLM) undergraduate degrees. HHS is designed to provide the needed prerequisites for pursuit of advanced degrees in dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, and other health professions through identified tracks. The CLM degree and Certificate option provides training and experience specifically in the area of health services management, health law, health policy, and ethics. Opportunities to work with graduate students in the Rehabilitation Sciences PhD and other CHS programs will also be available.
Potential Team Hire with College of Public Health:
The College of Public Health currently seeks a Full Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy to contribute to a growing faculty research capacity in health services research and health policy. A team hire between the College of Health Sciences and the College of Public Health would facilitate collaborative research and increase alignment between the academic programs in the College of Health Sciences and College of Public Health. Both hires will contribute to the University of Kentucky’s increasing focus on advancing health services research across colleges and disciplines.
Candidates should apply on line with a curriculum vita and letter of interest. Those candidates interested in the team hire should address their interest in the letter. Questions should be directed to the search committee co-chair, Rachel Hogg Graham., Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Wethington Building Room 209F, 900 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, or email rachel.hogg@uky.edu. This is not in lieu of submitting an application for consideration.
Applications should be submitted by January 25th, 2019. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.
About the University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, a beautiful city of approximately 308,000 residents in the heart of the Bluegrass Region of central Kentucky; known for its scenic countryside, thoroughbred horse industry and home to numerous cultural organizations. Founded in 1865 as a land-grant institution, UK is nestled in the scenic heart of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Recently ranked as one of the safest, most creative, and the brainiest cities in the nation, Lexington is an ideal location to experience the work-life balance that the University strives to provide to its employees.
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING Graduate Programs Director
Temple University College of Public Health
Posted Apr. 12, 2019
Principal Faculty - Assistant or Associate Professor
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
5 N. Y. L. Rev. [i] (1927)
What Is HeinOnline?
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Hometown: Osceola
SurveyFill out a survey online.
Agriculture Policy
Appropriations - General Administration
Emerging Issues in Education
Warren.Love@house.mo.gov
Rep. Warren D. Love, a Republican, represents Hickory, St. Clair and parts of Benton and Cedar counties (District 125). He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012.
In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Love is a rancher, restaurant owner, and carpenter-contractor. Rep. Love had a 20 year career of Sales and Sales Management with MoorMan Mfg. Company.
Rep. Love is a member of several organizations including: Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, National Rifle Association, and Gideons International. He attends Hopewell Baptist Church in Osceola.
A 1968 graduate of Osceola High, Rep. Love attended University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg and Metro Jr. College in Kansas City, KS.
Born February 3, 1950, in Osceola, Rep. Love resides in Osceola with his wife, Marla. They have four children: Elizabeth, Anna, Charles, and John, and 10 grandchildren.
Sponsored Bills This Menu Item Is Currently Collapsed. Press Enter to Refresh the Page and Expand It.
Past Legislation This Menu Item Is Currently Expanded.
100th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
99th General Assembly, 1st Extraordinary Session
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Spacey: Underwood ‘Would Kill’ Trump
Article, Funny
Kevin Spacey knows what it takes to be president. After all, he plays Frank Underwood in House of Cards and has experienced the Washington lifestyle firsthand.
While speaking at a gala benefiting the Kevin Spacey Foundation and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, he suggested that Underwood would decimate Donald Trump.
“You have to recognize that there’s a distinction: one of them is a fictional character,” he said before pausing, “and the other of them is a fictional character.”
“But, actually, I don’t think The Donald would ever make it to a debate with Frank Underwood, because Frank would kill him.”
He briefly touched on the current political climate and how it turned away young voters.
“I so believe in public service,” Spacey said. “And I think it’s particularly hard nowadays for young people to see and look at our political process and be inspired by it.”
“I hope that the fact that not a lot of s— does get done doesn’t dissuade people from wanting to join public service, whether it’s running for office or doing anything you can to help other people.”
“I hope out show doesn’t dissuade that,” Spacey, 56, added. “It certainly hasn’t for me. I’m fascinated by the political process.”
Several nonfictional lawmakers were on hand for Monday’s soiree as money was raised for the Spacey’s foundation, which helps provide education and scholarships for young people interested in theater and film, and Ripken’s charity, which brings athletics to undeserved and disadvantaged communities.
Among those eyed in the audience: House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), whom Spacey shadowed while researching his “House of Cards” role, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).
The event reportedly raised more than $1 million for the two foundations.
Photo credit: The Hill.
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Going back to school
I have taken a long break from school but I wonder if I should go back? There were many things that I wanted to do but I could never decide on what I wanted. At first I wanted to be a doctor but I realized that IO didn't have the passion for medicine. I also wanted to be a programmer but I realized that I am not that good at Advanced Math, I also wanted to be an Engineer although I also realized I need to do Advanced math as well. There are lots of things that I wanted to do but I don't know if I should stick to one career. What should I do?
Don't ask me, I don't fucking know.
That's something you figure out yourself.
Really though, you need to ask yourself what you want to do. Do you want to take a chance on something you really want, or do you want some measure of stability and safety?
InsanityAddict
Diet NEET
Go for an MBA, you can peddle soulless managerial skills in pretty much any sector.
RedEyedAbyss
Stop relying on anonymous Internet strangers to make life decisions for you.
1. Random internet strangers are not good sources of information, though I admit that sometimes they can be sources of inspiration or ideas.
2. I've come to the realization that, no matter what path one chooses, there's gonna be something unpleasant about that path -- long hours in practice sessions for a musician, writing papers in the sciences and social sciences, slogging through highly advanced applied math as an engineer -- and there's no way of avoiding it. But once you get through that, you will almost certainly feel that you've accomplished something awesome.
3. A lot of people make a career out of one thing, and also do something else on the side. Some people become more famous for the something else. Different people put different amounts of time and effort into the two sides, depending on their needs and their desires.
vandro
He who laments and can't let go of the past is forever doomed to solitude.
Appliad maths are a bad thing for engineers? What I hate is making papers.
ninjaclown
At least you get to go back to school, some asshole stabbed five people to death at an end of University classes party yesterday.
lrdgck
"you duck spawn, refined creature, you try to be cynical, yokel, but all that comes out of it is that you're a dunce!!!!! you duck plug!"
I'd say stabbing people to death goes beyond what usually gets one classified as a mere asshole.
I have considered more "choice" words to describe him (the suspect is the son of a senior police officer, god damn it) but I'm kind of in shock at the moment.
Sorry to hear of this, though at least it's good to know you are safe.
Don't worry about me, I was never in danger from a spree that happened at a house party only a handful of people were invited to. Still, being called the worst mass murder in the city's history doesn't sound too great.
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Joyce Bowen - "This Side of Life"
Social Issues, Fiction, NonFiction
Historical Social Issues
“In My Experience” NonFiction
Personal Stories with a Social Bite
If This Passes, It’s Most Likely Over
H.R.2527 – Vaccinate All Children Act of 2019
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2527/text
So many of us have suffered the damage. We’ve lost children; been bankrupted, and lived lives of dismay. Politicians are blind to our pain and suffering. It seems they just don’t care. This bill is not the final blow; it’s simply the beginning of the end for many of us. Adult mandates will soon follow.
Could this pass into Law in the Fall of 2019?
There seems to be a love affair going on in our Federal Government when it comes to those shots. A search on vaccin at congress.gov revealed these results:
https://www.congress.gov/search?q=%7B%22congress%22%3A%22116%22%2C%22source%22%3A%22legislation%22%2C%22search%22%3A%22vaccin%22%7D&searchResultViewType=expanded
There will be no moving from state to state. H.R. 2527 at the Federal level offers grants to States to institute vaccine mandates for our suffering children. We are being sold out.
One politician sent me an answer to my plea. It went like this:
Dear Joyce,
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about public health policy.
Our health system develops innovative treatments, performs groundbreaking procedures, and attracts some of the best and brightest scientists to our hospitals and research labs. But we have a significant amount of work to do to reduce costs, shrink socioeconomic differences in health outcomes, and improve the health of all Americans – including through prevention and public health efforts.
Programs that prevent the spread of disease, promote public health, and keep health care costs low save lives – and they are a great investment. According to Trust for America’s Health, every dollar invested in proven public health programs yields $5.60 in health care savings within a five-year period. I have fought to protect these programs, including by speaking out against Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which created the vital Prevention and Public Health Fund. This fund supports fundamental public health programs, including lead poisoning prevention, prevention for many chronic diseases such as obesity, and vaccine coverage.
In order to strengthen public health, I am particularly interested in improving antibiotic stewardship, expanding access to lifesaving vaccines, and strengthening our nation’s ability to respond to disease outbreaks. The increase in antibiotic resistance is a growing public health problem, and we need to both improve antibiotic stewardship and develop new antibiotics that are able to treat infections. There is strong and growing evidence that antibiotic use in food animals can lead to antibiotic resistance in humans, yet the use of medically important drugs in food animals continues to grow. I have continued to work with my colleagues to evaluate and promote efforts that federal agencies are taking to monitor and control antibiotic resistance in animals.
It is critical that Congress and the Administration invest the resources necessary to fully support public health – especially when dealing with infectious disease outbreaks. We need to work to prevent such outbreaks, but we also need the resources to respond to them if and when they occur. We also need to do more to ensure that children and families have access to nutritious food, and I will continue to support increased funding for federal anti-hunger and nutrition programs.
I will continue working with my Senate colleagues to find ways to support public health programs that could help us revolutionize the landscape of health prevention and treatment. I will also continue to fight for investments in prevention and public health programs – whether through antibiotic stewardship, immunizations, or pandemic preparedness and response activities.
I appreciate your reaching out to me, and please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about issues of importance to you.
My answer went like this:
What is in these shots is killing and maiming people. It’s quite disheartening to see you people are not intelligent enough to understand the science. The alternative is that you people are being heavily compensated by the pharmaceutical industry.
You people have wiped out my family with these death-dealing shots. Shame on you. There are millions of us now, and we will not abide these toxic shots. You are bankrupting our health and finances with these shots. You will bankrupt the country. Seventy% of all adults in the US are chronically ill. Fifty-four % of our children are chronically ill. That’s a hell of a report card for you people.
Abolish this law.
Supreme Court Upholds Immunity for Vaccine Manufacturers
https://www.goldbergsegalla.com/news-and-knowledge/news/supreme-court-upholds-immunity-for-vaccine-manufacturers
Perhaps then vaccines will become safe and effective.
Vaccinating pregnant women? Babies will and are being born sick.
Integrated analysis of environmental and genetic influences on cord blood DNA methylation in new-borns
These are healthy?
Vaccine Excipient Summary
Excipients Included in U.S. Vaccines, by Vaccine
There’s so much more out there.
I’ve been called dangerous and been accused of killing people with my story. I’m still trying to figure out why I must die to promote what?
Here is one plea I sent to a reporter in California:
On Wed, Feb 20, 2019 at 6:08 PM crwriter <crwriter@comcast.net> wrote:
I can’t remember when I’ve been so terrified. Vaccines took out my whole family. What are you people doing? I mean, seriously. I have two fingers left with which to type. It probably cost the school system $1,000,000 to educate my damaged children. That’s property tax money where I come from—the taxpayers paid.
Some of us cannot be vaccinated—not all. There is a gene variant on the MTHFR gene that subjects us to too much damage with these shots. It is relative to mitochondrial DNA. It’s estimated that 20% or more have this gene variant.
There is plenty of research out there to show how these shots damage people. The CDC’s own data proved the autism link—read “Vaccine Whistleblower” with the forward written by RFK Jr. There’s much more out there.
Mainstream media is not covering these stories. I know begging doesn’t help, but I’ll beg you anyway. Someone out there in mainstream media please do the research!
Here was his answer:
What a crock of shit. I’d laugh, but people like you are literally getting people killed.
From that journalist’s answer, I take it that those who cannot have these shots are not part of the “herd.” I never wanted to be a cow anyway. I will continue to fight for my life and the lives of my sons. We will all fight to save our loved ones.
I sent another reporter this email:
Yes—the science is clear—20+% of the population are severely damaged by these shots. There is a test to determine who is at risk, but they won’t do it. Why? It flys in the face of the dogma that 95% must be given these shots to attain herd immunity. So if you cannot give these shots to a chunk of the population, how do they force mandates? It’s $ signs for industry—they will make trillions. They do not care about health at all.
You cannot sue vaccine-makers in this country. Congress passed a law in 1986 indemnifying vaccine companies from any liability for damage. The result? Parents—and now taxpayers—foot the bill. How do I know? These shots wiped out my body, my children, and my life. My children and I are in that unlucky 20+%.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pharma-vaccines-lawsuit-idUSTRE71L41420110222
Medical exemptions are a joke. I have ASIA—Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome caused by Adjuvants.
Top Israeli Doctor Points to Vaccines as Contributing to the Rising Rate of Autoimmune Diseases
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2012.02537.x
When I asked my doctor for a medical exemption, she cheerily said,
“The immunocompromised are especially vaccinated. Even cancer patients being sent off to chemotherapy are vaccinated.”
I brought a friend of 38+ years with me, and he was completely shocked. Another shot could kill me or, at the very least, put me in a wheelchair. It could take away the two fingers I have left with which to send you this email.
Just try to get medical for something that is caused by vaccines in this country. It’s ni unto impossible. I’m on my own.
Vaccine ingredients are extremely toxic. A list of ingredients lies below. The list is from the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/b/excipient-table-2.pdf
Abolish the 1986 law indemnifying vaccine makers from liability. See how fast things change. Stop letting industry use our bodies for income, or put those of us who cannot have these shots on an island and leave us alone. Then you can partake of these shots your hearts’ content. And, hey—cheer up—the adult schedule is in place, and mandates for you are coming. I suggest you get in line now.
Joyce Bowen
This page is a journey through life. I first sought to bring awareness about children's deaths at the hands of parents; meandered through issues impacting others; culminating with tragedies perpetrated by society and our institutions. A sprinkle of fiction meanders throughout. Come walk with me.
Uncategorized, Vaccination
You have to watch this. Industry did the Same Thing with Statins as They did with… 15 Minutes in
Controlled Opposition
My Name is ASIA
URL on Controlled Opposition
remise a neuf toit acier on To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate?
Peter Lawton on Finally. The Real Story Behind Andrew Wakefield and the MMR Vaccine
Kiersten on New Delivery System for Vaccines?
Jimmy on My Story of Child Abuse
Information on this website may be shared freely with the caveat that there is no monetary gain.
© 2019 Joyce Bowen – “This Side of Life”
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You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2009.
Buddha gets his cake
May 27, 2009 in Buddhism | Tags: Birthday, Maine Coon cat, wife | by John Halbrook | Leave a comment
In addition to gearing up for our annual pilgrimage to the Stewart House in Nova Scotia, I’ve been attending to my wife’s birthday celebration. She was happy enough to delay the actual purchase of a present until she found something that pleased her, but there was the card, the cake and fill in present to be found. In deference to her feelings, I won’t mention which life marker just passed, but it was one she hadn’t expected quite so soon.
And we had a cat crisis to deal with. I have written only once about our cat in this blog, and that was when we sent her on a very convoluted route from Florida to Melbourne, and then into the dreaded place called quarantine. Unlike the tom next door, Tibbey is a very quiet, well-mannered Maine Coon cat. Her principal focus seems to be grooming herself, something she takes very, very seriously. She is an attractive cat and wants to stay that way.
Somehow she managed to slice open her pad. We didn’t notice it until Saturday night, which meant that we had to take her to an emergency clinic. Since then, we’ve been shuttling her back and forth to our regular vet on what seems to be a continuous basis. Despite sporting an “Elizabethan” collar, (which looks much better on Cate Blanchett), she has no difficulty shedding bandages that wrap all the way up her leg. And then there are the pills.
Needless to say, I needed a diversion. What could be better than Buddha’s day? It is celebrated over the weekend of February 16 and 17 at Federation Square in the centre of Melbourne. It marks the birthday of Prince Siddartha Gautama, who was to become Sakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
Soon after his birth, nine heavenly dragons appeared and emitted two streams, one cool and one warm, and the purest fragrant rain fell to bathe the newborn Prince. He immediately took seven steps and seven lotus flowers sprang from his feet. Flowers drifted down from the heavens. Not bad for a new baby. He was born into a very wealthy family and not allowed to venture from the palace. One day as a young man he ventured out and witnessed distressing sights that changed his life forever– people plagued by old age, disease, poverty and death. Siddartha dedicated the rest of his life to finding a way to be free of earthly troubles, to put an end to suffering.
In Melbourne there are a number of nationalities with large Buddhist populations– Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Japanese and Indonesian. The event is sponsored by the Buddha’s Light International Association and Fo Guang Shan Melbourne, one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the world. In Australia, Buddhism is the fastest growing religion, the second largest religious group in every state.
There were a good number of activities and events spread out over the two days, from flower arranging to Tai Chi, meditation to demonstrations of vegetarian cooking. There was an interfaith prayer for world peace, a baby blessing ceremony and the ritual bathing the Buddha. According to Buddhists, it is simple to wash away physical dirt, but much more difficult to cleanse one’s inner dirt of greed, anger and ignorance.
Buddhism is the only religion that has appealed to me since I cast off my Christian upbringing. It seems to encourage the practice of peace, not simply the preaching of it. Have a joyful attitude and keep an open mind; have courage and compassion for all things.
Our cat’s philosophy has a certain appeal as well. Wash your paws, keep a clean coat and the rest will take care of itself. With any luck, your keepers are reasonably intelligent, well-intentioned, and trainable. Cheers.
May 15, 2009 in Black Saturday, Bushfire fatalities | Tags: Bushfires Royal Commission, earthquakes, Giampaolo Giuliani, Italy, L'Aquila, Marysville | by John Halbrook | Leave a comment
The government of Victoria is going through a hand-wringing exercise about the devastation of the bush fires, particularly Black Saturday. Thirty-four people died in the town of Marysville following the delivery of a report (prepared for Victoria’s Emergency Services Commissioner) declaring that everyone in the town was safe.
That the intensity of the bush fires took everyone by surprise is not at issue; the real questions are about the wisdom of the “stay or flee ” policy that is currently in favor and the CFA (Country Fire Authority) warnings that seem to have been seriously negligent in giving residents at risk timely warnings of the dangerous inferno.
A national review of disaster preparedness done three years ago found the states’ ability to warn its citizens inadequate to the task. Most people here simply call 000 in the case of emergencies. When the lines get overloaded, the calls get farmed out to centers that do not necessarily have adequate information to assess a risky situation for the caller. In the case of the bush fires, neither the telephone or the internet was up to the task of saving citizens.
Even though the adjacent town of Narbethong was under ember attack hours before the blaze approached Marysville, there was no idication of that on the CFA website. A map indicating that Marysville was in the path of an inferno was faxed to a nearby incident control center just one hour before the town was engulfed in flames. The nearby town of Srathewen was not even mentioned in the warning. Twenty-seven people died there on February 7, the infamous day now known as “Black Saturday.”
Kinglake fire devastation - Reuters/ Mike Tsikas
Ironically, a team of American fire fighters from California has been here recently studying the Australian example. They seem to have concluded that the spirit of volunteerism which makes the Australian policy of ‘fight or flee’ an option is missing in the U.S. The policy in California is based on a more authoritarian approach: get people out whether they like it or not; worry about houses and property later.
I lived in L.A. for seven years, through bush fires, earthquakes and mudslides. In terms of fatalities, nothing came close to the horror of Black Saturday. I am not suggesting that my native land does these things better than Australia. The response to the hurricanes in New Orleans gives the lie to that. But in this particular case, reliance on peoples’ instincts for survival, mateship, rugged individualism and the myth of the brave Australian battler may have been carried just a little too far. Fire doesn’t respect rugged individualism or mateship.
In terms of warnings, the most troubling example of late may have been the one that was blatantly ignored right before the devastating earthquake in Italy just a month ago. The seismologist, Giampaolo Giuliani, drove through the town of L’Aquila in a van with a loudspeaker warning the public about an impending earthquake in March. He was accused of inciting panic and threatened with charges of public mischief.
The city government shut him down and Italy’s Major Risks Committee met in the town on March 31, playing down his disaster prediction, saying it was impossible to predict earthquakes with any accuracy. The quake hit at 3:32 AM, six kilometers northeast of L’Aquila. Over 200 people died. Seismologists from around the world have dismissed the prediction as a fluke, insisting that such detailed predictions are impossible with current data.
But the fact is, he did offer fair warning to the good people of the town and he was roundly rebuked for his efforts. Did anybody say I’m sorry?
Pies, Pasties and Sausage Rolls
May 8, 2009 in Aussie food | Tags: Feguson, Plarre, Tiddley Oggies | by John Halbrook | Leave a comment
You could be forgiven for thinking we don’t actually eat here. With the exception of breakfast cereal, I have written virtually nothing about restaurants or local foods, such as kangaroo or Tiddley Oggies. It is a serious omission. We don’t dine out often, but we do eat, and I shop for groceries two or three times a week.
If you could rate people on some sort of sliding scale with carnivores at the top of the scale and vegans at the bottom, Australian males would be at the top or even over the top. Since their post-aboriginal culinary heritage began in England, it is not surprising that part of the meat eaters’ consumption is associated with the bakery business– meat pies and sausage rolls. It is said that these date back to Egyptian times.
In Melbourne, there are two family names solidly linked to the bakery business– Ferguson and Plarre. “Percy” Ferguson was born here in 1880; Otto Plare was born in Germany in 1882. From the time Otto sailed for Melbourne and set up shop on Puckle Street in Moonee Ponds, these two men were rivals. Both men enlisted their family members in their bakeries; both families lived above their shops and both bakers found their best customers among the immigrant population. They emphasized quality and good service.
The bakeries thrived when Melbourne boomed and struggled during the Depression. Otto had traveled and worked in highly cultivated places before emigrating, so he had an advantage when it came to “fancy” cakes and pastries. Ferguson had perfected very popular pies. Their sons took an avid interest in baking. Ray Plarre was actually caned for drawing pastry designs in school.
On a brief visit to Melbourne in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson’s Air Force One was met by Eileen Plarre’s little green Prefect (car). There was a large crowd of people who had made a corridor to the plane, but instead of the President coming out, Eileen took advantage of the opening to deliver rum truffles, green frogs and other fancies directly to the President. She had the perfect cover, a police escort right from the Puckle Street bakery.
In 1980, under ever-increasing competition from other bakeries, the two firms merged. Their meat pies include country chicken, steak and onion, beef and cheese, sweet curry etc. The company’s pasties got a name change when Ken and Pam Ferguson discovered that the original name for pasties (which has an entirely different connotation in North America), was “oggies.” Tiddley means proper. Pasties are stuffed with vegetables instead of meat.
According to Wikepedia, Australian meat pies were generally locally produced locally because of the lack of refrigeration in the early days of pie production. One brand that began at a local bakery in Bendigo has been branded by its association with Australian Rules football– Four N Twenty.
A floater is a an inverted meat pie, smothered in a plate of thick green pea soup. It is typically covered with tomato sauce, often enlivened with mint sauce or malt vinegar. The Chiko roll consists of boned mutton, celery, cabbage, barley, rice, carrot and spices in a tube of egg, flour and dough, which is then deep-fried. The wrap was designed to be unusually thick so it will survive handling at football matches.
By this time in this post, you may be positively salivating, your taste buds overwhelmed with the idea of these delicacies. I cannot claim responsibility for the stampede of gastronomic tourism that is surely about to begin, but if Australia wants to shower me with some of the dollars they have left over from the “Australia” campaign, I won’t mind. Not a tiddley bit.
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International Soft Computing & Data Mining (SCDM) Conference
Jun 25, 2019 / KFUEIT news
Special Session:
Emerging Trends in Information Technology and Data Science
In recent years, Information Technology has been emerged as the leading area in the field of research innovation, and development. With the growth of computational, telecommunication technologies and social networking, data becomes the most addressable issue in contemporary world. The volume of the data and its processing is the major area of interest for data scientists. Data is rapidly going to change the life of the people in contemporary world. Both Big Data Analytics and pervasive computing hinge on the principle axis of data analytics. The theoretical principles of computer science and data engineering is applied for analysing, designing and developing computer system and adapt it in practice.
The purpose of the special session is to provide an overview of the modern technologies of information technology and latest tools that has significant contribution in the era of Data Science. The key technologies in information technology includes information security, networks, image processing, internet of things, data science and business analytics: data mining, machine learning, visualization techniques, predictive modelling, and statistics.
Special Session Committee
The committee consists of the following faculty members of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology for special session of SCDM Conference 2020:
(Special Session Chair’s)
Dr. Muhammad Faheem Mushtaq
Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and IT, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.
faheem.mushtaq@kfueit.edu.pk, Contact: +923136668045
Dr. Saleem Ullah
saleem.ullah@kfueit.edu.pk
Engr. Dr. Attaullah Buriro
attaullah.buriro@kfueit.edu.pk
http://scdm.uthm.edu.my/scdm2020/index.php/special-session
We are highly grateful to Allah the Almighty who enabled us for the research collaboration in the field of Information Technology. The help and support provided by Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor and Engr. Prof Dr. Mohammad Munir Ahmad, Dean of KFUEIT, to encourage for collaboration is greatly acknowledged. The contribution of the faculty members is also appreciated.
Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology (KFUEIT)
Rahim Yar Khan is located in Southern Punjab and is a major city and industrial hub of the region. This region of Punjab is bordered by areas of Balochistan and Sindh that are similarly deprived in terms of facilities for higher education in science and technology. For decades, students from the region had to travel hundreds of miles to get engineering and technology education, even when they would be lucky enough to get admission in the face of high competition on limited seats in the public sector engineering universities of the province. Hence, establishment of an Engineering University in the city had been a long standing demand of the people of Rahim Yar Khan. Successive governments, over the years, had been making unfulfilled promises on this account. However, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab, being a man of action and not mere words, fulfilled this demand on 22 April 2014 by laying the foundation of Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology on Abu Dhabi Road, Rahim Yar Khan. The Government of Punjab started out by providing 220 Acres of land and thereafter through the involvement of the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore under the dynamic leadership of its then Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Akram Khan, a PC-1 of Rs. 3,847 Million was prepared and subsequently approved by the Planning & Development Board, Punjab for the Establishment of Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan. M/S NESPAK, the world renowned National Engineering Services of Pakistan, were engaged as Consultants for Engineering Design and Resident Engineering Supervision for Campus Construction.
The Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan Act (Act XVI of 2014) was passed by the Punjab Assembly on 29 May 2014 to provide the legal foundations and framework for the University. Classes were started in four rented classrooms of the Government College of Technology, Shehbazpur Road, some 18 kms away from the actual campus site, on 1st September 2014 for a batch of 200 students equally divided in the four disciplines of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology.
The first duly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University, Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz joined on 2nd September 2015. Dr. Athar Mahboob started fast track execution of the project by shifting classes and administration to University’s own campus on Abu Dhabi Road in few renovated buildings. After due process of following PPRA regulations several contracts for construction of buildings and infrastructure development have already been awarded. Remaining contracts are in the process of award before the end of the year. First meeting of the duly constituted Syndicate of the University was held on 19 May 2016. The Syndicate while approving the Annual Report and the Budget Estimates expressed its satisfaction over the rapid progress being made for establishment of the University under the able leadership of its Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob and assured of its fullest cooperation and support.
To become a world-class University of Engineering and Information Technology that contributes significantly to the development of regional economy and uplift of local community by becoming a power house of intellectual and human capital generation.
To offer an undergraduate educational experience in Engineering and Information Technology Where:
The curriculum and its delivery conform to international standards.
The students are provided an environment for wholesome development of their personality and creative potential.
The graduates produced are most sought after by prospective employers.
To conduct research to solve local and national problems requiring Engineering or Information Technology based solutions.
Core Values of KFUEIT
K = Knowledge-able
F = Faithful
U = Useful
E = Eco-friendly
I = Innovative
T = Tolerant
The Department of Information Technology at KFUEIT offers students and faculty a close-knit community to learn, discover, and innovate, in a shared quest for computational solutions to a spectrum of challenging problems. Our focus is on quality teaching and research using state-of-the-art facilities. The department copes with the modern needs of Information Technology where the main objective is to produce quality computer professionals and software engineers to meet the emerging demands of IT at national and international markets. We have a well-designed curriculum as per HEC requirements with a combination of foundation, core and elective courses supported by the final year projects and internship program. The examination of the department is based on the semester system under unified exam policy of the university. The department educates and conducts research covering wide areas from fundamental technologies such as software engineering, image processing, object oriented programming, computer architecture, algorithms, database system, networks and communications, and Internet technologies, which support infrastructures of the highly information-oriented society to applied and advanced technologies. To achieve this mission, we provide attractive educational programs for students to learn from the basics to advanced technologies related to computer science and information technology. Through our educational programs, students are expected to become leading developers and researchers who are highly motivated and have practical, creative, and management skills to drive an advanced next-generation information society in all industrial fields. In addition to the above, we have specialized faculty for this program.
To be recognized as a center of excellence internationally in teaching and research in computer science to contribute for the local and national development.
Our mission is to provide a quality education in computer science;
To produce graduates who are successful professionally, ethically, technically and scientifically to make positive contributions to the society.
To create, share, and apply knowledge in interdisciplinary research areas to perform a significant role in the continuing local and global transformations.
To contribute positively to the economic development of the country providing services to the local community.
To prepare the human resources to overcome the shortage of skilled manpower who can face the challenges of the 21st Century.
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RoughRiders Helping Canadian Team Touched By Tragedy
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
The Humboldt Broncos Junior League hockey team of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada was recently involved in a fatal bus accident, killing 14 people and injuring 15 others.
Since the news broke, Eastern Iowa hockey teams have sprung into action to help.
The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders have teamed with all Culver's restaurant locations in the Cedar Rapids metro area, for a Meet & Greet event this Wednesday night, April 11 from 4-8 p.m. Culver's in the Cedar Rapids area are located at:
1005 N. Center Point Rd., Hiawatha
2405 Edgewood Rd. SW, Cedar Rapids
1375 Red Fox Way, Marion
Stop by, meet the team, and 10 percent of all proceeds from purchases that night will be donated to the Humboldt Broncos.
Meanwhile, fundraisers also took place this past weekend. Proceeds from the April 7 Chuck-A-Puck contest in a game between the RoughRiders and Sioux City at the Stable, were donated to help assist the families of the victims of this tragedy.
The Waterloo Black Hawks auctioned off a special jersey to raise funds for the Humboldt team.
Find out more about this tragic story here. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the public to help the families of the victims of this tragedy. Our condolences are with the families of those lost and injured.
[Via Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Facebook page, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Facebook page, Waterloo Black Hawks Facebook page, CBS2, Humboldt Broncos GoFundMe page]
Filed Under: Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, hockey, Waterloo Blackhawks
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explore Read the full series ↝
Medicine Stories ⬿
Black Ancestral Medicine in Ecuador’s Pacific Coast
Every tincture solution contains plants that grow in the northern forests of Esmeraldas. Photo: Raul Ceballos
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Raul Ceballos
This article is a part of Medicine Stories, an exclusive series made possible by a grant from the Elna Vesara Ostern Fund.
Ecuador is home to some of the richest biodiversity and cultural diversity in the world, attracting more than 700,000 foreign nationals in 2017 alone. But while the world knows much about the heritage of the Kichwas in the mountains or the Shuar in the Amazon, the public profile of the country downplays its very deep Black history. The coastal province of Esmeraldas is much more than a hotbed for the most savory seafood dishes Ecuador has to offer. It is also home to the Afro-Ecuadorian community and a rich variety of distinct medicinal practices, cultural traditions and ceremonial festivals, such as the Marimba now recognized by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Esmeraldas region originated as a series of Maroon settlements made up of people escaping from the Colombian slave trade. Fleeing the brutal conditions of the metal mines in Colombia, many people sought refuge in the forests of the Choco region on the Pacific coast; a zone that ranges from Panama all the way to the northern coast of Ecuador. Despite initial conflicts with coastal Indigenous nations (the Chachi, Awá, Epera, and Cayapas), the escaped slaves would soon develop a long, complex, and intertwining history spanning more than 400 years of cultural and communal exchange. Along with music and cuisine, Black and Indigenous communities on the coast share some of the same cosmological qualities of traditional medicine and healing.
In Esmeraldas province, there are two main regions to take note of: the ancestral North and the touristy South. The differences between the two are striking. The South of Esmeraldas can be described as a much hotter region that is characterized by a chain of beaches. It also has a close relationship with public and private capital investments in tourism and oil production. The North, however, is primarily jungle and it is comprised of a network of rivers that stretch all the way into Colombia, with rich, fertile lands dominated by gold deposits and the African Palm industry. The region, which is made up of the counties San Lorenzo and Eloy Alfaro, has also been described as “Nobody’s Land” for its recent history of wanton gold extraction at the expense of the pollution of its rivers. San Lorenzo is the northernmost point of the province, sharing a border with Colombia. It is considered a key ancestral center of the Black community in Ecuador.
Women as the Stewards of Healing
The best way to describe Esmeraldas in regards to its ancestral medicine is that it is a “hybrid community,” a place in which people seek multiple forms of healing for conditions that affect them throughout their lives. We can say it is a way to cover one’s bases. In San Lorenzo, people often seek out ancestral medicines as a first aid, only resorting to hospitals when all other remedies fail or during emergencies. Throughout my time here, most people are reactionary when seeking care, so regular visits to a doctor for physicals are only done when it is an institutional requirement (such as enrollment for school).
A noteworthy quality of Afro-Ecuadorian traditional medicine in Northern Esmeraldas is that women are often the carriers and purveyors of these practices, a striking difference from their Indigenous counterparts. Benita Angulo (colloquially known as Venus) is from San Lorenzo and is a partera (a midwife) and a comadrona (a role that functions much like a doula). She is also a licensed auxiliary nurse and worked in the Public Health Ministry for 18 years, only having recently retired. Before her career in the public sector, Venus practiced medicine for more than 30 years as an attendant for her now-deceased mother, one of the only parteras in San Lorenzo. Although she is now retired from formal employment, Benita still attends to pregnant women who seek her services; “and I give them a great price at $20,” she would often say with a smile.
Venus stands in her back patio, which is a garden of all of the plants she utilizes for her work. Photo: Raul Ceballos
“So much has changed since those times with my mother.” It is clear that the presence and reach of the state public healthcare system has really weakened the practice and maintenance of ancestral medicine. Through former president Rafael Correa’s “Citizen’s Revolution,” medical services are provided free-of-charge and people in San Lorenzo, which is one of the poorest regions of the country, often take up this option. In addition, the national government refuses to economically integrate parteras into the state healthcare system, so the parteras that would’ve otherwise charged for their services in older times now remain outpriced by a bloated healthcare system. Today, comadronas can hardly live off of their craft alone and must make ends meet by participating in more formal economies such as gold mining in the rivers (playando) and hunting for concha (black shell clams) in the mangroves.
Venus shows me one of the bins of cultivated herbs she uses to treat her patients. Photo: Raul Ceballos
For much of Ecuador’s history, Esmeraldas was often neglected and marginalized from the national political spotlight. Western trained doctors and nurses were rarely a presence, and when they did find themselves in the region they often collaborated with local healers and the parteras. Venus reflected fondly of a doctor from Quito, Dr. Aurelio Fuentes, whom was particularly interested in the endemic plants of the region and their curative properties. He often collaborated with local healers to better streamline the care people received and make sure they had all ends covered. For the better part of 30 years, he was the only Western-trained doctor in San Lorenzo until he retired in the 1990s. In this context of scarcity, parteras were the first line of defense for expecting mothers–and they often employed many elements of nature such as river currents, plants, and even wild weeds in the forest.
When evaluating any healthcare system, it is important to analyze how that “universal public health system” modifies itself based on each regional context to better meet the needs of the community. Under Correa, a couple new hospitals were built in Northern Esmeraldas and the increased access to Western medicine was hailed as a milestone for the Black community. The quality of that care, however, leaves much to be desired. “Modern” obstetrics and prenatal care, Venus laments, has automated the relationship between woman and healer, centralizing the experience around the time/comfort of the doctor as opposed to the well-being of the person. She had stressed to me that during her time in the public health system, she had seen lines of pregnant women waiting to give birth, some of which were even left naked at the hospital. “That’s not how we did things as parteras. We gave individual care to each woman, covered her in a blanket. It was all so personal, we bathed her in plant solutions to soothe her. It isn’t like that now… now there are assembly lines.”
Plants and Nature are the Most Effective Medicines
Walking through her small ranch of about 6 hectares, Yenny Nazareno points out which plants/weeds can be used to season food and which have medicinal applications— they were often one in the same. Chillangua (Eryngium foetidum) is a staple in Afro-Ecuadorian cuisine that is often used to season fish and meats. As a tea however, it can soothe and calm an upset stomach. Chiraran (Ocimum basilicum, or Wild Basil) is also a delicious condiment for seasoning food and it, too, can be prepared as a tea to cleanse the liver.
In addition to the plants in the forest, the rivers are an important factor in healing and childbirth. Both Venus and Yenny indicated that, in combination with massages to the stomach, the flow of the river could be used to help a woman give birth as the currents would orient the baby in her body.
Yenny points out to me the plant called Nacedera, which is often prepared for various ailments in a women’s pregnancy. Photo: Raul Ceballos
While pills and pharmaceuticals dominate women’s pregnancy in other areas of Ecuador, plant preparations still make up the first line of defense in San Lorenzo. In medicinal preparations called tragos, different plants, fruits, and spices can be mixed together with sugar cane alcohol for a variety of applications. Nacedera is a plant that grows in the forests of northern Esmeraldas; it is often used as a tea to treat inflammation in pregnant women. After giving birth, it can also be prepared as a beberizo1, often mixed with sulfur, brown sugar, and fermented sugar cane to help women shrink their bellies and prevent wrinkling. Unfortunately, due to the wide and concentrated use of pesticides in the monoculture of the northern forests of Esmeraldas, many of the wild plants/weeds that were used for generations to cure sickness are now disappearing.
Yenny picks some wild weeds from the ground to prepare our lunch for the day. These same weeds are also used as medicines for various stomach ailments. Photo: Raul Ceballos
In addition to plants, song and prayer can be effective tools in healing a person, especially in cases where a disease is more spiritual. Like most places in the world, Afro-Ecuadorian culture in Esmeraldas carries its own history of ethno-diseases such as El Ojo (The Eye), Mal Aire (Bad Air), and El Espanto (The Fright). In addition to plant preparations and baths, different kinds of prayers and songs are invoked to complete the healing process for these ailments. Songs and lullabies are mostly used to lull sick children into a state of tranquility and rest so they won’t have to think about their conditions. “There is an intangible magic when it comes to these cantos (songs),” Yenny told me, affirming the psychological and vibrational effects these practices have on the healing process. It is already well-established that sleep heals our bodies tremendously, and so invoking rest on children to stimulate this healing is a very powerful process in traditional medicine.
https://intercontinentalcry.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Cantos-de-San-Lorenzo.mp3
Developments in Medicinal Science in the Afro-Ecuadorian Community
Marco Vernaza is what one might call a maverick in the realm of health in San Lorenzo. He is part of a small group of medicinal workers, many of which are also Western trained, whom aim to restore some of the traditional values of healing that once existed in the region. Like Venus, he is also formally educated (he has a degree in Nutrition), but he is informed by his experiences and culture. His aunt, whom he followed closely during his childhood, was a curandera (female traditional healer) who primarily used plant medicines to treat patients in San Lorenzo. This stayed with him throughout his life and his career.
Today, he treats patients using the principles he learned at university and the ones that he grew up with in San Lorenzo. Interestingly, he is currently experimenting with the usage of tinctures as treatment for chronic illness using plants in the area (including some of the plants mentioned previously). He told me that tinctures and the alcohol used to extract the molecules from each plant are concentrated doses that, at small frequencies, can provide tremendous benefits to his patients. He has treated people with diabetes and chronic pain, and is currently treating a woman suffering from cancer who has grown tired of chemotherapy. When asked about what drove her to this decision, he replied: “it really has to do with the quality of how you want your life or your death.”
Marco with his set of tinctures. Each bottle is filled with a solution of alcohol and ancestral plants that grow in the region. Photo: Raul Ceballos
Alcohol as a catalyst for treatment is not something new either. In addition to the beberizo mentioned earlier, there are a variety of other alcohol preparations that help people medicinally. The gloriado, for example, is a staple ancestral drink here in San Lorenzo made with a variety of plants, sulfur, aguardiente (sugar cane alcohol) and different spices. For stomach problems, it works like a charm (it has my testimony) and certain preparations can help with fertility problems. There are some people that even come from the cities to seek the perfect gloriado to help them conceive a child.
The Ecuadorian State: Gatekeepers of Medical Diversity
The constitution of Ecuador has a fairly progressive stance in regards to the practice and recognition of the territory’s traditional medicines. Despite these symbolic inclusions to the state, however, traditional practitioners cannot legally prescribe or diagnose sickness. Under “Acuerdo 037,” a law passed in 2016, ancestral medicines are legally grouped together with “alternative medicines” and subject to the same legal penalties/conditions. “This was a low blow, another form of killing a medicine,” Marco stressed to me upon explaining the law. The second-class status of traditional medicines was echoed by Venus as well, “parteras are not even allowed to enter the emergency room of their patients. They are restricting our very movements as healers.”
Although recognized by some as a Leftist country, Ecuador goes only so far as to recognize ancestral knowledge. No concrete effort has been made to integrate that knowledge and the people whom practice it with the state’s health initiatives. In other parts of the country, mainly the Sierra (the region of the Andes Mountains), local pressure has obligated more resources to partially include Indigenous midwives in the wider health network or at the very least create spaces for them. The medical revolution is far from sight, however;in Esmeraldas, all efforts to institutionally protect both Indigenous and Black medicine have been met with corruption by state and local actors. Yenny recounted that the few efforts funded by NGO’s and grants to create spaces for Black curanderas and parteras failed due to San Lorenzo’s particularly corrupt political climate.
Diversity in the Evolution of Medicine
Latin America isn’t a place where communities search for only one form of healing. It has historically been a melting pot of ancestral knowledge stemming from Indigenous communities and the Africans brought over through slavery. These “hybrid communities” are made up of people who seek multiple sources of healing to cover their bases. In San Lorenzo, folks often go to their local curandera or curandero (male traditional healer) and a Western-trained medical doctor at the state hospital in the same week—and it never creates any sense of contradiction. This complex relationship is not lost on the people either, as Marco explained: “the act of healing is never an absolute practice. We as healers basically practice art and therefore can never promise results.” Every patient that Marco sees he also treats as a case for investigation and experimentation to optimize which combinations of tinctures and plant remedies work best for some conditions over others.
Marco demonstrates to me his tincture kit. Each vial contains about a month’s worth of tincture extract for his patients. Photo: Raul Ceballos
And even with all of his knowledge and insistence in the practice of botanical and ancestral medical interventions, Marco never refuted the merits of Western medicine: “it is very useful for emergencies.” His philosophy stresses casting a wider net into our health so that we may live more fully and holistically. “We all have unique cosmic distinctions… Every person is different and requires their health care be catered to their individual needs.” In addition, he argues, everyone should have the right to access these treatments at fair prices, free, or at the very least with support from their state medical system. Calling them “Medicinas Libres” (Free Medicines), Marco stresses that treatments for chronic conditions should be accessible so that “people can learn and apply ancestral medicine at home and in their communities for as little cost as possible.”
The Future of Wellness?
We are currently in the third year of the International Decade for People of African Descent, a recognition that indicates and highlights another branch of collective contributions to our human patrimony. One of the more insidious legacies of colonialism was the minimization and extermination of Indigenous and African trajectories of science, medicine, and engineering. It did not just attack practitioners but also created a system that would siphon off space and resources so that only certain kinds of medicine would evolve and flourish at the expense of others.
As exemplified in San Lorenzo, there will always be individuals whom are ecstatic about developing medicines that cater to the needs of their communities. It is telling how even in the “plurinational state” of Ecuador, which revolutionized the state’s relationship with its citizens, the institutional and legal impediments that stifle the development of traditional healing must be reconciled. Now more than ever in the 21st century, we are at risk of losing entire lineages of knowledge and healing, languages, and music, and every piece that we lose is a piece of human patrimony lost forever. The context in Ecuador, as well as for the rest of the world, begs the important question: how will we structure our state’s institutions to integrate other forms of medicine so that we can build a dynamic and flourishing diversity of wellness? As Marco candidly observed: “each form of medicine is just a piece of the same cake. The art of healing is figuring out the pieces that work best in our lives.”
1 Beberizo is a mixture of the nacedera plant with other condiments for treating pregnant women and women whom have just given birth.
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Synod meet on Amazonia to debate ordination of married men
There will also be discussion on the type of ministries that could be adopted by women in the region
Nicolas Senèze
(Photo: DAVIDEB89/STOCK.ADOBE.COM)
The working document of the Synod of Bishops' special assembly on Amazonia, to be held in October, canvasses the issue of priestly ordination of married men to ensure sacraments are available in the most remote areas.
This is an example of the Church wanting to inculturate itself more in the Amazon.
It is only a "suggestion" but the following words have been carefully chosen:
"While affirming that celibacy is a gift for the Church, it is requested that the most remote areas of the region study the possibility of priestly ordinations of elders, preferably indigenous, respected and accepted by their communities, even having an established and stable family, in order to ensure the sacraments that accompany and support Christian life."
Certainly, the term "viri probati" (men who have proven themselves) is not mentioned. "An expression too much used," explains Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, who presented, on June 17 in the Vatican, the working document which the participants of the Synod assembly on the theme, Amazonia: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology will debate from Oct. 6 to 27.
A Church 'attentive to the peoples and the earth'
It is a debate that should be lively, particularly on the ordination of married men, as well as on the proposal to "identify the type of official ministry that can be conferred on women, taking into account the central role they play today in the Amazonian Church."
These proposals are to be placed in the context of this "Church with an Amazonian and missionary face" which is listening to the "peoples and the earth" described in the document.
To prepare it, the Pan-Amazonian Church Network (REPAM) organized 260 "listening times" in recent months, bringing together 22,000 people throughout the Amazon: its synthesis largely feeds into the proposed text, identifying those "cries from the earth and the poor" to which the Church is invited to listen.
Following the logic of Laudato si', Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical on the environment, it indeed draws a picture where "everything is linked;" linking different threats to the environment and peoples: forest destruction and migration as well as urbanization and its consequences on families and communities. It also links issues such as education and the impacts of corruption.
Neither "major economic interests, greedy for oil, gas, wood, agro-industrial monocultures" nor an "ecological conservatism that cares about biomass but ignores the Amazonian peoples" are spared.
Ecological and pastoral conversion
Faced with this, integral ecology is put forward as a solution, with a focus on the defense of life "threatened with destruction and by the exploitation of the environment," as well as by the destruction of the cultures of the Amazonian peoples.
"The indigenous peoples of the Amazon have an 'ancestral wisdom,' a lifestyle where everything is linked: they have a sense of connection to transcendence and nature, to community and family," explains Jesuit Father Humberto Yáñez, professor of moral theology at the Gregorian University.
"They have an approach to life that affects education as well as health, work as well as religiosity."
Ecological conversion is therefore combined with pastoral conversion, with inculturation going so far as to consider liturgical adaptations to Amazonian cultures and, therefore, to reflect on indigenous vocations as well as on new ministries: for women, but also more broadly for lay people and young people.
Bishop Fabio Fabene, Under-Secretary of the Synod of bishops, explains: "From the consultation emerged the suffering of the peoples in relation to the lack of the Eucharist."
'Addressing the Real Needs of Indigenous Cultures'
Without naivety, the text also highlights "resistance", thus citing "economic interests and a technocratic paradigm that refuses any attempt at change."
Nor does it hide the fact that they can come from within the Church itself.
In his last book, Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, warned: "No authority, no Synod (assembly) for any reason or for any regional necessity, can give itself the power to separate purely and simply priesthood and priestly celibacy."
The Synod assembly's working document responds: "We must move beyond rigid positions that do not take sufficient account of people's concrete lives and pastoral realities to meet the real needs of indigenous peoples and cultures."
The debates are therefore likely to be agitated. And the success of the Synod will depend in part on the ability of those with various opposing views to unite. The proposal of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, an agro-industry defender, to convene a "counter-synod" has not yet met with much of a positive response.
But, while the working document invites an "alliance" with those who fight for the poor and the environment, a "convergence of struggles" of those who want this Synod assembly to fail cannot be ruled out.
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