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Pope Francis summons bishops for summit on clergy sex abuse
By Stefano Pitrelli & Chico Harlan
September 13, 2018 — 2.39am
Rome: Alarmed by sexual abuse scandals in a number of countries, Pope Francis is summoning senior bishops to a meeting early next year to discuss the prevention of abuse by Roman Catholic clerics and the protection of children, the Vatican has announced.
The meeting of the heads of national bishops' conferences from around the world is scheduled for February 21-24 at the Vatican, a spokeswoman said.
The extraordinary meeting marks the most concrete step the pontiff has yet taken in response to a series of abuse cases that have roiled the church and thrown Francis' papacy into crisis.
The latest cases have increasingly revealed failures among higher-ups in reporting potential crimes and in punishing alleged abusers, causing anger among some Catholics who say the church has been too slow to build safeguards after decades of dealing with clerical abuse.
The meeting was announced a day before the Pope is to meet with leaders of the US Catholic Church to discuss some of the latest scandals.
The Americans have called on Francis to launch a Vatican-led investigation into how Theodore McCarrick, a former US cardinal, climbed the ranks, even as rumours swirled about his behaviour. McCarrick, 88, became a cardinal in 2001 and served as archbishop of Washington from 2001 to 2006. He resigned from the College of Cardinals in July.
In a first for the Catholic Church, Pope Francis will hold a bishops' summit to deal with sexual abuse in the clergy.
In addition, the Vatican has been rocked by an archbishop's accusations that the Pope knew for years about alleged sexual misconduct by a top American cardinal but took no action.
Abuse scandals have also shaken the Catholic Church in Australia, Chile and Ireland, among other countries. In the US, a grand jury report released last month from Pennsylvania found that more than 300 priests had sexually abused minors in the state over seven decades.
The planned Vatican meeting is believed to be unprecedented, indicating that the church recognises that clergy sex abuse is a global problem - potentially even in non-Western countries where the church maintains strong social power and cases have not come to light in great number.
The Vatican announced the event after Francis met with his Council of Cardinals, his de facto cabinet. The meeting in February will bring together the heads of all national bishops' conferences.
Former Archbishop Philip Wilson appeals conviction for sex abuse cover-up
Francis faces pressure on many fronts, particularly in how he handles the McCarrick investigation, which could point fingers back to members of the Vatican hierarchy. Francis has not responded directly to the accusations that he was told of McCarrick's misconduct in 2013, but the Vatican said Monday that "clarifications" would be forthcoming.
In Australia, Archbishop Philip Wilson was last month sentenced to home detention for concealing Hunter priest Jim Fletcher’s child sex crimes. The prosecution was a landmark case.
"[Francis'] credibility is under threat," said Marco Politi, a veteran Vatican watcher. "And thus he needs a strong action."
The Vatican's statement on Wednesday did not set out what the agenda might look like in February. Victims' groups have long said that the Vatican needs to better address how to deal with prelates who cover up abuse, and how to ensure that abuse victims have a clear way to report what happens to them. Protocols for dealing with abuse in the church vary wildly from country to country.
Catholics vow end to abuse cover-up but refuse to break seal of confession
Last month, in a letter to the world's Catholics, Francis said the church must prevent sexual abuse from being "covered up and perpetuated". But within the divided church, Francis's stance on the underlying reasons for abuse have been contested.
While Francis has often talked about sexual crimes as an abuse of power, some conservatives say the Pope has downplayed the role of homosexuality among priests while instead signalling a slightly more inclusive stance about gays within the church.
Washington Post, Fairfax Media
Australian man Lucas Fowler found dead in Canada in 'suspicious' circumstances
Man shocked to find his amputated leg on a cigarette packet
Dozens killed in suspected arson at animation studio
'We can defeat the Mafia': dozens of suspect Mafiosi arrested in three countries
Death sentence for jihadists who killed Scandinavian hikers
Trump says US warship destroyed Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz
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← Why the C.S. Lewis and Friends Colloquium is Awesome: The Bit About Students
The Inklings and King Arthur: Selfies and News →
Emily of New Moon’s Visitation of Beauty with Father Cassidy (L.M. Montgomery Series) #LMMI2018
Posted on June 14, 2018 by Brenton Dickieson
The story I want to share, the tale of Father Cassidy in Emily of New Moon, is looked on a little darkly in some parts of L.M. Montgomery studies. Part of this is because the Emily books can be read as a conversation about how Emily negotiates her world, particularly with regard to the men in her life. I spoke of her schoolmaster a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Carpenter who ruined his own life but through his brusque manner was able to help fan into flame the threatened spark of Emily’s literary ability. But there is also Dean Priest, who saves Emily’s life just as she is about to come into her teen years. In their encounter he claims her for his future wife, reshaping her imaginatively into an Egyptian priestess (i.e., temple prostitute?). One of the critical tensions in the trilogy is Emily’s struggle to come to terms with this man. Even granted that girls came earlier into womanhood a century ago, the Dean Priest scenes are more than a little creepy and yet are crafted in some of Montgomery’s most evocative prose.
Then we have Father Cassidy, who is read by some as another adult male shaping and forming the girl into his imaginary wont. I’m not so sure, though. Certainly, the father-mentor-brother-lover-friend lines blur in the Emily series, so Aunt Elizabeth is really kind of a female grandfather and Cousin Jimmy a non-adult man. I like these readings, but I want to step outside of them for a minute to look at Father Cassidy.
There are very few well-drawn Catholic figures in Montgomery’s work, and I think this is one of them. In this case, she uses the Catholic stereotypes to work for her. Instead of shoreline white trash or ignorant Acadian farmboys, she has with Father Cassidy a whimsical adult who is a friend of fairyland–I would argue even a kindred spirit.
Montgomery’s brilliant children often lose some of their brilliance as they settle into adulthood; readers complain that Anne disappears as the Anne books progress. I think Montgomery tries to stop that regression by creating an adult version of “kindred spirits,” what her best friend had once called “the race that knows Joseph.” In Anne’s House of Dreams and the early Ingleside books, the race that knows Joseph are a quiet collective of resonant souls. As Anne must learn in Anne of Green Gables that kindred spirits come in all shape and sizes, the race that knows Joseph has a diversity of personalities and points of view. Throughout her books, Montgomery uses these little cyphers to join together kindred spirits, things like the “household of faith,” those that have heard the “horns of elfland” or are “that kind of people” that see rock people on the Island’s north shores, those who are of the “sect of dreamers” or are “children of light.”
I want to read Father Cassidy in this category of characters.
The scene is one of crisis for little orphan girl Emily. She is creative and completely misunderstood in her old-fashioned household. Besides the daily persecution against her imagination, she is being blamed for the actions of her neighbour, Lofty John, who has threatened to mow down the little wood at the edge of the New Moon property–the wood that provides shade and beauty and blocks the wind. Trust me, as a child who grew up in a draughty house at the top of a hill in rural PEI, we would have dearly loved a grove on the west side of our house. The New Moon people were about to lose that gift and Emily was distraught.
“One day by the banks of Blair Water Emily sat down and wept” (ch. 18). Her close friend, Teddy, happens upon her and gives Emily the idea that Lofty John’s priest could be petitioned for help,
“Because the Catholics have to do just what their priests tell them to, haven’t they?” (ch. 18).
After turning the task over in her mind, determined and afraid, Emily decides to make the long walk to throw herself upon the mercies of Father Cassidy.
You have to read the passage with your imagination of an Irish Catholic PEI accent. Is Father Cassidy of the race that knows Joseph or one of the dark figures of Emily’s life? Or perhaps he is both? In any case, allow yourself to switch perspectives as you read: think of yourself as a little Scotch Presbyterian girl encountering a Catholic priest for the first time, and think of yourself as a country priest who has Emily Byrd Starr wander into his garden. Perhaps I can win you over to the idea that Fr. Cassidy holds “a passport to the geography of fairyland” (The Alpine Path ch. 5).
Emily went home with a determined twist to her mouth. She ate as much supper as she could–which wasn’t much, for Aunt Elizabeth’s face would have destroyed her appetite if she had had any–and then sneaked out of the house by the front door. Cousin Jimmy was working in his garden but he did not call her. Cousin Jimmy was always very sorrowful now. Emily stood a moment on the Grecian porch and looked at Lofty John’s bush–green-bosomed, waving, all lovely. Would it be a desecrated waste of stumps by Monday night?
Goaded by the thought Emily cast fear and hesitation to the winds and started briskly off down the lane. When she reached the gate she turned to the left on the long red road of mystery that ran up the Delectable Mountain. She had never been on that road before; it ran straight to White Cross; Emily was going to the parish house there to interview Father Cassidy. It was two miles to White Cross and Emily walked it all too soon–not because it was a beautiful road of wind and wild fern, haunted by little rabbits–but because she dreaded what awaited her at the end. She had been trying to think what she should say–how she should say it; but her invention failed her. She had no acquaintance with Catholic priests, and couldn’t imagine how you should talk to them at all. They were even more mysterious and unknowable than ministers. Suppose Father Cassidy should be dreadfully angry at her daring to come there and ask a favour. Perhaps it was a dreadful thing to do from every point of view. And very likely it would do no good. Very likely Father Cassidy would refuse to interfere with Lofty John, who was a good Catholic, while she was, in his opinion, a heretic. But for any chance, even the faintest, of averting the calamity impending over New Moon, Emily would have faced the entire Sacred College.
Horribly frightened, miserably nervous as she was, the idea of turning back never occurred to her. She was only sorry that she hadn’t put on her Venetian beads. They might have impressed Father Cassidy.
Although Emily had never been to White Cross she knew the parish house when she saw it–a fine, tree-embowered residence near the big white chapel with the flashing gilt cross on its spire and the four gilt angels, one on each of the little spires at the corners. Emily thought them very beautiful as they gleamed in the light of the lowering sun, and wished they could have some on the plain white church at Blair Water. She couldn’t understand why Catholics should have all the angels. But there was not time to puzzle over this, for the door was opening and the trim little maid was looking a question.
“Is–Father Cassidy–at–home?” asked Emily, rather jerkily.
“Can–I–see–him?”
“Come in,” said the little maid. Evidently there was no difficulty about seeing Father Cassidy–no mysterious ceremonies such as Emily had half expected, even if she were allowed to see him at all. She was shown into a book-lined room and left there, while the maid went to call Father Cassidy, who, she said, was working in the garden. That sounded quite natural and encouraging. If Father Cassidy worked in a garden, he could not be so very terrible.
Emily looked about her curiously. She was in a very pretty room–with cosy chairs, and pictures and flowers. Nothing alarming or uncanny about it–except a huge black cat who was sitting on the top of one of the bookcases. It was really an enormous creature. Emily adored cats and had always felt at home with any of them. But she had never seen such a cat as this. What with its size and its insolent, gold-hued eyes, set like living jewels in its black velvet face, it did not seem to belong to the same species as nice, cuddly, respectable kittens at all. Mr Dare would never have had such a beast about his manse. All Emily’s dread of Father Cassidy returned.
And then in came Father Cassidy, with the friendliest smile in the world. Emily took him in with her level glance as was her habit–or gift–and never again in the world was she the least bit afraid of Father Cassidy. He was big and broad-shouldered, with brown eyes and brown hair; and his very face was so deeply tanned from his inveterate habit of going about bareheaded in merciless sunshine, that it was brown, too. Emily thought he looked just like a big nut–a big, brown, wholesome nut.
Father Cassidy looked at her as he shook hands; Emily had one of her visitations of beauty just then. Excitement had brought a wildrose hue to her face, the sunlight brought out the watered-silk gloss of her black hair; her eyes were softly dark and limpid; but it was at her ears Father Cassidy suddenly bent to look. Emily had a moment of agonized wonder if they were clean.
“She’s got pointed ears,” said Father Cassidy, in a thrilling whisper. “Pointed ears! I knew she came straight from fairyland the minute I saw her. Sit down, Elf–if elves do sit–sit down and give me the latest news av Titania’s court.”
Emily’s foot was now on her native heath. Father Cassidy talked her language, and he talked it in such a mellow, throaty voice, slurring his “ofs” ever so softly as became a proper Irishman. But she shook her head a little sadly. With the burden of her errand on her soul she could not play the part of ambassadress from Elfland.
“I’m only Emily Starr of New Moon,” she said; and then gasped hurriedly, because there must be no deception–no sailing under false colours, “and I’m a Protestant.”
“And a very nice little Protestant you are,” said Father Cassidy. “But for sure I’m a bit disappointed. I’m used to Protestants–the woods hereabouts being full av them–but it’s a hundred years since the last elf called on me.”
Emily stared. Surely Father Cassidy wasn’t a hundred years old. He didn’t look more than fifty. Perhaps, though, Catholic priests did live longer than other people. She didn’t know exactly what to say so she said, a bit lamely,
“I see you have a cat.”
“Wrong.” Father Cassidy shook his head and groaned dismally. “A cat has me.”
Emily gave up trying to understand Father Cassidy. He was nice but ununderstandable. She let it go at that. And she must get on with her errand.
“You are a kind of minister, aren’t you?” she asked timidly. She didn’t know whether Father Cassidy would like being called a minister.
“Kind av,” he agreed amiably. “And you see ministers and priests can’t do their own swearing. They have to keep cats to do it for them. I never knew any cat that could sware as genteelly and effectively as the B’y.”
“Is that what you call him?” asked Emily, looking at the black cat in some awe. It seemed hardly safe to discuss him right before his face.
“That’s what he calls himself. My mother doesn’t like him because he steals the cream. Now, _I_ don’t mind his doing that; no, it’s his way av licking his jaws after it that I can’t stand. Oh, B’y, we’ve a fairy calling on us. Be excited for once, I implore you–there’s a duck av a cat.”
The B’y refused to be excited. He winked an insolent eye at Emily.
“Have you any idea what goes on in the head av a cat, elf?”
What queer questions Father Cassidy asked. Yet Emily thought she would like his questions if she were not so worried. Suddenly Father Cassidy leaned across the table and said,
“Now, just what’s bothering you?”
“I’m so unhappy,” said Emily piteously.
“So are lots av other people. Everybody is unhappy by spells, But creatures who have pointed ears shouldn’t be unhappy. It’s only mortals who should be that.”
“Oh, please–please–” Emily wondered what she should call him. Would it offend him if a Protestant called him “Father”? But she had to risk it–“please, Father Cassidy, I’m in such trouble and I’ve come to ask a great favour of you.”
Emily told him the whole tale from beginning to end–the old Murray-Sullivan feud, her erstwhile friendship with Lofty John, the Big Sweet apple, the unhappy consequence, and Lofty John’s threatened revenge. The B’y and Father Cassidy listened with equal gravity until she had finished. Then the B’y winked at her, but Father Cassidy put his long brown fingers together.
“Humph,” he said.
(“That’s the first time,” reflected Emily, “that I’ve ever heard anyone outside of a book say ‘Humph.'”)
“Humph,” said Father Cassidy again. “And you want me to put a stop to this nefarious deed?”
“If you can,” said Emily. “Oh, it would be so splendid if you could. Will you–will you?”
Father Cassidy fitted his fingers still more carefully together.
“I’m afraid I can hardly invoke the power av the keys to prevent Lofty John from disposing as he wishes av his own lawful property, you know, elf.”
Emily didn’t understand the allusion to the keys but she did understand that Father Cassidy was declining to bring the lever of the Church to bear on Lofty John. There was no hope, then. She could not keep the tears of disappointment out of her eyes.
“Oh, come now, darling, don’t cry,” implored Father Cassidy. “Elves never cry–they can’t. It would break my heart to discover you weren’t av the Green Folk. You may call yourself av New Moon and av any religion you like, but the fact remains that you belong to the Golden Age and the old gods. That’s why I must save your precious bit av greenwood for you.”
Emily stared.
“I think it can be done,” Father Cassidy went on. “I think if I go to Lofty John and have a heart-to-heart talk with him I can make him see reason. Lofty John and I are very good friends. He’s a reasonable creature, if you know how to take him–which means to flatter his vanity judiciously. I’ll put it to him, not as priest to parishioner, but as man to man, that no decent Irishman carries on a feud with women and that no sensible person is going to destroy for nothing but a grudge those fine old trees that have taken half a century to grow and can never be replaced. Why the man who cuts down such a tree except when it is really necessary should be hanged as high as Haman on a gallows made from the wood
av it.”
(Emily thought she would write that last sentence of Father Cassidy’s down in Cousin Jimmy’s blank book [her writing diary] when she got home.)
“But I won’t say THAT to Lofty John,” concluded Father Cassidy. “Yes, Emily av New Moon, I think we can consider it a settled thing that your bush will not be cut down.”
Suddenly Emily felt very happy. Somehow she had entire confidence in Father Cassidy. She was sure he would twist Lofty John around his little finger.
“Oh, I can never thank you enough!” she said earnestly.
“That’s true, so don’t waste breath trying. And now tell me things. Are there any more av you? And how long have you been yourself?”
“I’m twelve years old–I haven’t any brothers or sisters. And I think I’d better be going home.”
“Not till you’ve had a bite av lunch.”
“Oh, thank you, I’ve had my supper.”
“Two hours ago and a two-mile walk since. Don’t tell me. I’m sorry I haven’t any nectar and ambrosia on hand–such food as elves eat–and not even a saucer av moonshine–but my mother makes the best plum cake av any woman in P. E. Island. And we keep a cream cow. Wait here a bit. Don’t be afraid av the B’y. He eats tender little Protestants sometimes, but he never meddles with leprechauns.”
When Father Cassidy came back his mother came with him, carrying a tray. Emily had expected to see her big and brown too, but she was the tiniest woman imaginable, with snow-white, silky hair, mild blue eyes, and pink cheeks.
“Isn’t she the sweetest thing in the way av mothers?” asked Father Cassidy. “I keep her to look at. Av course–” Father Cassidy dropped his voice to a pig’s whisper–“there’s something odd about her. I’ve known that woman to stop right in the middle av housecleaning, and go off and spend an afternoon in the woods. Like yourself, I’m thinking she has some truck with fairies.”
Mrs Cassidy smiled, kissed Emily, said she must go out and finish her preserving, and trotted off.
“Now you sit right down here, Elf, and be human for ten minutes and we’ll have a friendly snack.”
Emily was hungry–a nice comfortable feeling she hadn’t experienced for a fortnight. Mrs Cassidy’s plum cake was all her reverend son claimed, and the cream cow seemed to be no myth.
“What do you think av me now?” asked Father Cassidy suddenly, finding Emily’s eyes fixed on him speculatively.
Emily blushed. She had been wondering if she dared ask another favour of Father Cassidy.
“I think you are awfully good,” she said.
“I am awfully good,” agreed Father Cassidy. “I’m so good that I’ll do what you want me to do–for I feel there’s something else you want me to do.”
“I’m in a scrape and I’ve been in it all summer. You see”–Emily was very sober–“I am a poetess.”
“Holy Mike! That is serious. I don’t know if I can do much for you. How long have you been that way?”
“Are you making fun of me?” asked Emily gravely.
Father Cassidy swallowed something besides plum cake.
“The saints forbid! It’s only that I’m rather overcome. To be after entertaining a lady av New Moon–and an elf–and a poetess all in one is a bit too much for a humble praste like meself. Have another slice av cake and tell me all about it.”
“It’s like this–I’m writing an epic.”
Father Cassidy suddenly leaned over and gave Emily’s wrist a little pinch.
“I just wanted to see if you were real,” he explained. “Yes–yes, you’re writing an epic–go on. I think I’ve got my second wind now.”
“I began it last spring. I called it The White Lady first but now I’ve changed it to The Child of the Sea. Don’t you think that’s a better title?”
“I’ve got three cantos done, and I can’t get any further because there’s something I don’t know and can’t find out. I’ve been so worried about it.”
“My epic,” said Emily, diligently devouring plum cake, “is about a very beautiful high-born girl who was stolen away from her real parents when she was a baby and brought up in a woodcutter’s hut.”
“One av the seven original plots in the world,” murmured Father Cassidy.
“Nothing. Just a bad habit av thinking aloud. Go on.”
“She had a lover of high degree but his family did not want him to marry her because she was only a woodcutter’s daughter–”
“Another of the seven plots–excuse me.”
“–so they sent him away to the Holy Land on a crusade and word came back that he was killed and then Editha–her name was Editha–went into a convent–”
Emily paused for a bite of plum cake and Father Cassidy took up the strain.
“And now her lover comes back very much alive, though covered with Paynim scars, and the secret av her birth is discovered through the dying confession av the old nurse and the birthmark on her arm.”
“How did you know?” gasped Emily in amazement.
“Oh, I guessed it–I’m a good guesser. But where’s your bother in all this?”
“I don’t know how to get her out of the convent,” confessed Emily. “I thought perhaps you would know how it could be done.”
Again Father Cassidy fitted his fingers.
“Let us see, now. It’s no light matter you’ve undertaken, young lady. How stands the case? Editha has taken the veil, not because she has a religious vocation but because she imagines her heart is broken. The Catholic Church does not release its nuns from their vows because they happen to think they’ve made a little mistake av that sort. No, no–we must have a better reason. Is this Editha the sole child av her real parents?”
“Oh, then the way is clear. If she had had any brothers or sisters you would have had to kill them off, which is a messy thing to do. Well, then, she is the sole daughter and heiress av a noble family who have for years been at deadly feud with another noble family–the family av the lover. Do you know what a feud is?”
“Of course,” said Emily disdainfully. “And I’ve got all that in the poem already.”
“So much the better. This feud has rent the kingdom in twain and can only be healed by an alliance between Capulet and Montague.”
“Those aren’t their names.”
“No matter. This, then, is a national affair, with far-reaching issues, therefore an appeal to the Supreme Pontiff is quite in order. What you want,” Father Cassidy nodded solemnly, “is a dispensation from Rome.”
“Dispensation is a hard word to work into a poem,” said Emily.
“Undoubtedly. But young ladies who will write epic poems and who will lay the scenes thereof amid times and manners av hundreds av years ago, and will choose heroines of a religion quite unknown to them, must expect to run up against a few snags.”
“Oh, I think I’ll be able to work it in,” said Emily cheerfully. “And I’m so much obliged to you. You don’t know what a relief it is to my mind. I’ll finish the poem right up now in a few weeks. I haven’t done a thing at it all summer. But then of course I’ve been busy. Ilse Burnley and I have been making a new language.”
“Making a–new–excuse me. Did you say language?”
“What’s the matter with English? Isn’t it good enough for you, you incomprehensible little being?”
“Oh, yes. THAT isn’t why we’re making a new one. You see in the spring, Cousin Jimmy got a lot of French boys to help plant the potatoes. I had to help too, and Ilse came to keep me company. And it was so annoying to hear those boys talking French when we couldn’t understand a word of it. They did it just to make us mad. Such jabbering! So Ilse and I just made up our minds we’d invent a new language that THEY couldn’t understand. We’re getting on fine and when the potato picking time comes we’ll be able to talk to each other and those boys won’t be able to understand a word we’re saying. Oh, it will be great fun!”
“I haven’t a doubt. But two girls who will go to all the trouble av inventing a new language just to get square with some poor little French boys–you’re beyond me,” said Father Cassidy, helplessly. “Goodness knows what you’ll be doing when you grow up. You’ll be Red Revolutionists. I tremble for Canada.”
“Oh, it isn’t a trouble–it’s fun. And all the girls in school are just wild because they hear us talking in it and can’t make it out. We can talk secrets right before them.”
“Human nature being what it is, I can see where the fun comes in all right. Let’s hear a sample av your language.”
“Nat millan O ste dolman bote ta Shrewsbury fernas ta poo litanos,” said Emily glibly. “That means, ‘Next summer I am going to Shrewsbury woods to pick strawberries.’ I yelled that across the playground to Ilse the other day at recess and oh, how everybody stared.”
“Staring, is it? I should say so. My own poor old eyes are all but dropping out av me head. Let’s hear a bit more av it.”
“Mo tral li dead seb ad li mo trene. Mo bertral seb mo bertrene das sten dead e ting setra. THAT means ‘My father is dead and so is my mother. My grandfather and grandmother have been dead a long time.” We haven’t invented a word for ‘dead’ yet. I think I will soon be able to write my poems in our language and then Aunt Elizabeth will not be able to read them if she finds them.”
“Have you written any other poetry besides your epic?”
“Oh, yes–but just short pieces–dozens of them.”
“H’m. Would you be so kind as to let me hear one av them?”
Emily was greatly flattered. And she did not mind letting Father Cassidy hear her precious stuff.
“I’ll recite my last poem,” she said, clearing her throat importantly. “It’s called Evening Dreams.”
Father Cassidy listened attentively. After the first verse a change came over his big brown face, and he began patting his finger tips together. When Emily finished she hung down her lashes and waited tremblingly. What if Father Cassidy said it was no good? No, he wouldn’t be so impolite–but if he bantered her as he had done about her epic–she would know what that meant.
Father Cassidy did not speak all at once. The prolonged suspense was terrible to Emily. She was afraid he could not praise and did not want to hurt her feelings by dispraise. All at once her “Evening Dreams” seemed trash and she wondered how she could ever have been silly enough to repeat it to Father Cassidy.
Of course, it was trash. Father Cassidy knew that well enough. All the same, for a child like this–and rhyme and rhythm were flawless–and there was one line–just one line–“the light of faintly golden stars”–for the sake of that line Father Cassidy suddenly said,
“Keep on–keep on writing poetry.”
“You mean–?” Emily was breathless.
“I mean you’ll be able to do something by and by. Something–I don’t know how much–but keep on–keep on.”
Emily was so happy she wanted to cry. It was the first word of commendation she had ever received except from her father–and a father might have too high an opinion of one. THIS was different. To the end of her struggle for recognition Emily never forgot Father Cassidy’s “Keep on” and the tone in which he said it.
“Aunt Elizabeth scolds me for writing poetry,” she said wistfully. “She says people will think I’m as simple as Cousin Jimmy.”
“The path of genius never did run smooth. But have another piece av cake–do, just to show there’s something human about you.”
“Ve, merry ti. O del re dolman cosey aman ri sen ritter. THAT means, ‘No, thank you. I must be going home before it gets dark.'”
“I’ll drive you home.”
“Oh, no, no. It’s very kind of you”–the English language was quite good enough for Emily now, “but I’d rather walk. “It’s–it’s–such good exercise.”
“Meaning,” said Father Cassidy with a twinkle in his eye, “that we must keep it from the old lady? Good-bye, and may you always see a happy face in your looking-glass!”
Emily was too happy to be tired on the way home. There seemed to be a bubble of joy in her heart–a shimmering, prismatic bubble. When she came to the top of the big hill and looked across to New Moon, her eyes were satisfied and loving. How beautiful it was,
lying embowered in the twilight of the old trees; the tips of the loftiest spruces came out in purple silhouette against the northwestern sky of rose and amber; down behind it the Blair Water dreamed in silver; the Wind Woman had folded her misty bat-wings in a valley of sunset and stillness lay over the world like a blessing. Emily felt sure everything would be all right. Father Cassidy would manage it in some way.
And he had told her to “keep on.”
This entry was posted in L.M. Montgomery, Memorable Quotes, On Writing and tagged Anne of Green Gables, Anne's House of Dreams, Emily of New Moon, kindred spirits, L.M. Montgomery, Lucy Maud Montgomery. Bookmark the permalink.
23 Responses to Emily of New Moon’s Visitation of Beauty with Father Cassidy (L.M. Montgomery Series) #LMMI2018
Allyson Wieland says:
Brenton, thank you for these Thursday posts. I got to visit PEI for the first time on May 30. Saw all the L.M. Montgomery sites (even drove past your university). I purchased her journals and Alpine Path after reading your posts. While I’ve read the Anne books many times, I somehow missed the Emily series and look forward to diving into them this summer.
I was intrigued by the abstract you posted awhile back regarding C.S. Lewis and L.M. Montgomery. Might I read the entire paper?
I started following your blog because of C.S. Lewis and company. L.M. Montgomery has been an unexpected, added delight. Thank you!
Dear Allyson, thank you for the nice note. You were here just as I was in the United States!
Emily is a nice series, so I hope you enjoy. My paper was only at presentation form at the conference but I’ll be working on it through the summer. If you email me in September I could share it. My email is:
junkola [at] gmail [dot] com
Callum Beck says:
If the commentators see anything dark in Father Cassidy I fear it says more about their dark hearts than either his or Lucy Maud’s. This is one of the gems in Lucy Maud’s writings, perhaps only exceeded by the woman who spanked the King.
Well, he is a wee bit condescending–one of the world’s great plots. But I think that is Montgomery mocking herself and her ilk and having fun more than anything else. Notice how Emily herself codes the event as a positive. Generally, I think scholars should trust a character like Emily.
Condescending is not the right word. Good-natured teasing is better, and it is clear that he is quite impressed with this little elf
Yes, an interesting first-impressions first-meeting analogue (from his perspective) of (literary) banter among friends (for example, Inklings). It both seems “she uses the Catholic stereotypes to work for her” and that she does so by depicting him using the Irish Catholic priestly stereotypes to work for him, too – as if this is to a good extent his ‘manner’, but not his only one – and one he sensitively modifies when she recites her poem.
Interesting last name, ‘Priest’, and “reshaping her imaginatively into an Egyptian priestess (i.e., temple prostitute?)” – whoa, that escalated quickly!
But it gets me wondering about ‘Ancient Egyptian fiction’ (and – what-all? Bible commentaries? popular (art) historical works?) in the background…
Would LMM have read Louisa May Alcott’s “Lost in a Pyramid; or, The Mummy’s Curse” (1869)? Its Wikipedia article notes that Jasmine Day points “to the anonymously published story ‘The Mummy’s Soul’ (1862) and Jane G. Austin’s ‘After Three Thousand Years’ (1868), where female mummies exact revenge on male desecrators” in the context, while “Gregory Eiselein and Anne K. Phillips suggest that Alcott follows the plot of Theophile Gauthier’s ‘The Mummy’s Foot’ (1847).” (Its Wikip. article gives its publication date as 1840, and links to a Project Gutenberg transcription of a Lafcadio Hearn translation published in 1908. Incidentally, if you don’t mind spoilers, its summary strikes me as tying in with some interesting Tolkien food for thought, though involving (half-)Elves rather than ancient Egyptians in his case. If you want to avoid spoilers, Alex Clarke read Gautier in a half-hour at LibriVox.org) Eiselin and Phillips are also noted to report “Jo March ‘attends a lecture on the Pyramids, which inspires her to use exotic backdrops for modern sensation stories'” in Little Women!
I’m not sure what would have made it to PEI, but IMDB returns movies from 1907, 1909, 1911, and 1914 with ‘Egyptian Princess’ in or as title (no ‘Egyptian Priestess’, though), and 1908, 1911, 1912, 1914, 1918, and 1923 with Mummy in or as title, which suggests a fair bit of Ancient-Egypt-related pop culture…
I don’t know about the Alcott link, but she had read her (who hadn’t), at least Little Women and some short stories (which I don’t know). Reviewers liked Montgomery to Alcott. I’ve checked her journals and there isn’t any reference to pieces like this. Her journals are a bit weird about reading. There are brief references, but rarely an account of what she is reading, so it’s hard to keep track with her reading. Is there an expert on this? I haven’t encountered them yet.
As far as the priest-Egypt thing, could it be that there is just a general, fuzzy, cultural sense of Egyptness? I have that of lots of cultures I don’t know anything about, and sometimes will read an old book for the first time (which doesn’t have a movie or play), and realize I have the whole story in my mind somehow, including resonances.
Yes, I think there could – probably in many ways ‘must’ – have been “a general […] sense of Egyptness”, following on (and on!) from the ‘Egyptomania’ after Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign and the results of its scholarly aspects – and the German version of the Wikipedia article on that phenomenon reminds us how this got a new boost from the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun – just in time (30 November 1922 “first announcement and press conference” to cite Wikipedia) for LMM working on the first Emily?
But I wonder if there might be one or another more specific reference in Mr. Priest thinking of a priestess? (Of course, “Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:45)…! Talk about “the race that knows Joseph”…)
[Curiously, when I try to go to the ‘American Egyptomania’ site one way, Mozilla tells me “The owner of chnm.gmu.edu has configured their website improperly. To protect your information from being stolen, Firefox has not connected to this website”, but I get there right away clicking the External Link from Wikipedia – leaving me rather nervous and bewildered!]
Yes, I don’t know why “Joseph” in the race that knows Joseph. It was a saying of her best friend, attested a decade before introduced in the books. Why Joseph instead of Mary or Tiglath Pileser II? Dunno.
Perhaps you could help me with the Dean Priest thing. They would have been pronouncing it “Praste” in our degraded exile accent of PEI. But Dean Priest’s nickname is is “Jarback.” Can you put your European brain to that? “Give me my Jar Back?” Or is it Germanic? Celtic? Welsh? Why is a droopy shouldered book worm called “Jarback”?
Here’s how he is introduced, in the Priest clan which Emily should marry into (but there are few choices, including at least one witch).
“The only dacent Praste among them is the wan they call Jarback Praste and he’s too
auld for you.”
“Why do they call him Jarback?”
“Wan av his shoulders is a l’il bit higher than the other. He’s got a bit of money and doesn’t be after having to work. A book worrum, I’m belaving.
Very interesting! It’s not an expression I recall encountering, but maybe I can find some dialect dictionaries online to check in… It could be ‘traditional’ – but it could be a sort of ‘folk poetry’. (Someone in my Welsh background was nicknamed ‘Tatws drwg’ – ‘Bad Potato’ – but I can’t remember just why…)
Is it, e.g., an image of the way the ‘shoulder’ of a jar curves up toward the mouth?
Is their background Scots (or Ulster)?
Someone here at this L.M. Montgomery conference suggested something more simple, “jarred back.” Maybe, not terribly creative.
These would be Scottish or Irish Protestants (what’s called Scotch-Irish or other worse names).
That would make sense (‘jar’ in that sense rather than the ‘container’ sense)…
I found an assortment of Scottish dictionaries in the Internet Archive, but nothing likely in any I’ve tried…
One has ‘Jadin’ as a word in Fife for “The stomach of a sow” – I don’t suppose Lewis had that in mind when he named the White Witch ‘Jadis’?
Wow – delightful excerpt! (with teasing pre- and post-conversation references to the Matter at Issue… don’t tell us: the more encouragement to giving it a try, soon…),
It is quite a strong book.
Another nice ‘double teaser’: I thought, ‘who and/or what is that in the tree?’ when I got to the (I take it) delightful Hodder & Stoughton dustjacket cover illustration, and then a bit later I read, “the Wind Woman had folded her misty bat-wings in a valley of sunset”.
Is this one of the details you’re thinking of telling us more about, or just a spur to getting the book asap ourselves?
I’ll have to leave it to you. The Wind Woman is an Emily invention, a personifying of the contradictory natures of permanence and change.
Fr. Cassidy, child of a community where dialect has survived in Canada, or directly a missionary immigrant himself? And what of his parishioners? Lewis’s 16 January 1954 letter to Sarah suddenly came to mind: “Where I grew up the great thing was Halloween (eve of All Saints’ Day). There was always a slightly eerie, spooky feeling mixed with games, events, and various kinds of fortune telling – not a good night on which to walk through a churchyard. (Tho’ in fact Irish people, believing in both, are much more afraid of fairies than of ghosts).” How was Lewis among such “Irish people” as a boy, how much of a move (after atheism, etc.) to mature Christian perspective? How do he and Fr. Cassidy compare as appreciators of ‘faerie’, etc.? But I should go catch up on the leprechaun link!
Funnily enough, trying to look something else up in the old Catholic Encyclopedia (as transcribed online at New Advent), I just encountered the 1910 article “The Irish (in countries other than Ireland)”, with a section – and correponding bibliography – on Canada!
There you go! I don’t know any 2nd generation Canadians with their national accent, but our local area has a lot of Scot-Irishism in its lilt, especially out in the country. I would presume he was an immigrant as a wee lad (sorry, that’s Scot–don’t know how to say that in Irish).
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Lubomir Zaoralek
Czech FM: 20-year sentence for Czech in Sudan groundless
PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Foreign Ministry has rejected as groundless a Sudanese court’s ruling that sentenced a Czech national to 20 years in prison.
The ministry said Petr Jasek was given the stiff prison term on Sunday by a court in Khartoum, where he was tried on charges that included espionage.
The ministry says a deputy foreign minister will travel to Sudan in the coming days to try to negotiate Jasek’s release and if necessary, Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek is ready go there, too.
Czech officials say Jasek was in Sudan to help local Christians and was arrested in December 2015.
In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said Jasek is in relatively good condition, but that there was no evidence to support his conviction or sentence.
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Redrawing America
Possible effects of gerrymandering seen in uncontested races
By DAVID A. LIEBJune 25, 2017
FILE - In this Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 file photo, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, center, is greeted on the House floor on the first day of the legislative session in Atlanta. In 2017, Georgia Republicans sought to change the boundaries of several state House districts, including a couple won by Republicans by single-digit margins last November. Some of the proposed shifts sought to move heavily black precincts _ where voters overwhelmingly support Democrats _ from Republican-held districts into ones occupied by Democrats. Although the bill passed the House, it died in the Senate. Ralston has said lawmakers were merely “trying to put communities of interest together.” (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
When voters cast ballots for state representatives last fall, millions of Americans essentially had no choice: In 42 percent of all such elections, candidates faced no major party opponents.
Political scientists say a major reason for the lack of choices is the way districts are drawn — gerrymandered, in some cases, to ensure as many comfortable seats as possible for the majority party by creating other districts overwhelmingly packed with voters for the minority party.
“With an increasing number of districts being drawn to deliberately favor one party over another — and with fewer voters indicating an interest in crossover voting — lots of potential candidates will look at those previous results and come to a conclusion that it’s too difficult to mount an election campaign in a district where their party is the minority,” said John McGlennon, a longtime professor of government and public policy at the College of William & Mary in Virginia who has tracked partisan competition in elections.
While the rate of uncontested races dipped slightly from 2014 to 2016, the percentage of people living in legislative districts without electoral choices has been generally rising over the past several decades.
About 4,700 state House and Assembly seats were up for election last year. Of those, 998 Democrats and 963 Republicans won without any opposition from the other major political party. In districts dominated by one party, election battles are fought mostly in the primaries; the winner from the majority party becomes a virtual shoo-in to win the general election.
Some states had a particularly high rate of uncompetitive races:
—In Georgia, just 31 of the 180 state House districts featured both Republican and Democratic candidates, a nation-high uncontested rate of 83 percent. Republicans hold almost two-thirds of the seats in the Georgia House of Representatives.
—In Massachusetts, just 34 of the 160 state House districts had candidates from both major parties, an uncontested rate of 79 percent. There, Democrats hold four-fifths of the House seats.
—About 75 percent of the state House races in Arkansas and South Carolina lacked either a Democratic or Republican candidate. Under an Arkansas law passed this year, the names of unopposed candidates won’t even have to be listed on future ballots. Unchallenged candidates will automatically be declared the winners.
Voting for unopposed candidates “just seems like an extra step in the process that we could eliminate,” said the sponsor of the Arkansas law, Rep. Charlotte Douglas, who hasn’t faced any opposition the past two elections.
She added: “You hate to say that it doesn’t count, because any vote counts, but it’s unnecessary.”
There are far fewer uncontested U.S. House races. Less than 15 percent of the 435 districts lacked a Republican or Democratic candidate last year.
But some of the same states were atop that noncompetitive list: Five of Massachusetts’ nine U.S. House districts lacked Republican candidates. Three of Arkansas’ four districts lacked Democratic opponents. And in Georgia, which has 14 U.S. House districts, four Republicans and one Democrat ran unopposed by the other major party.
There are reasons for unopposed elections aside from gerrymandering. Some states, particularly in the South, have political cultures that place less importance on partisan competition. Incumbency also poses a deterrent to potential challengers.
University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said the large number of uncompetitive districts in his home state may be due less to gerrymandering than to naturally segregated demographics, with Democratic-inclined black residents living in different areas than Republican-leaning white voters.
Yet Georgia’s Republican-led Legislature has continued to tinker with the district lines they drew after the 2010 Census in what some Democrats contend is an attempt to lessen competition.
A 2015 law, which was recently challenged in court , altered the boundaries of 17 Georgia House districts, including two narrowly won by Republicans the previous year.
This year, Georgia Republicans again sought to change the boundaries of several state House districts, including a couple won by Republicans by single-digit margins last November. Some of the proposed shifts sought to move heavily black precincts — where voters overwhelmingly support Democrats — from Republican-held districts into ones occupied by Democrats. Although the bill passed the House, it died in the Senate.
Republican House Speaker David Ralston has said lawmakers were merely “trying to put communities of interest together.” Democratic House Whip Carolyn Hugley criticized it as gerrymandering intended to create safer Republican seats.
“Every time our candidates get close to winning in these areas, then they come in to readjust them. It’s the same as moving the goal post further and further back,” Hugley said.
Several Democratic Georgia lawmakers teamed up with Republican state Sen. Josh McKoon this year to propose a constitutional amendment creating a bipartisan citizens’ redistricting commission. But the measure never made it beyond a House or Senate committee.
McKoon said Georgia’s current redistricting process “is horribly broken” and believes a commission could draw more logical boundaries.
“When you’re drawing the districts with an eye to representing communities of interest rather than partisan strength, you’re going to have more competitive districts,” he said.
Follow David A. Lieb at: http://twitter.com/DavidALieb
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Idaho Supreme Court
Idaho’s high court considers Otter’s grocery tax veto
By KIMBERLEE KRUESIJune 15, 2017
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Proponents of lawsuit claiming Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter took too long to veto a contentious grocery tax repeal bill argue the Idaho Supreme Court should look at the plain language in the state Constitution.
Idaho Falls attorney Bryan Smith, representing 30 state lawmakers challenging Otter’s veto, presented his argument in front of the state’s highest court Thursday. According to Smith, previous justices made the wrong decision nearly 40-years-ago when ruling how long a governor has to quash legislation.
“Don’t think there wasn’t a political risk for these 30 lawmakers to file this petition,” Smith said. “If we do not reward pioneers who defend the constitution, then unfortunately there will be a discouragement to bring cases such as this to this court.”
The lawsuit was filed in April after Otter vetoed legislation that would have repealed the state’s 6 percent sales tax on groceries. A handful of lawmakers have pushed for years to remove the tax on food and beverages, but faced resistance from legislative leaders. Lawmakers managed to work around leadership this year by completely rewriting a separate proposal during an amending session and securing enough supporters in both the House and Senate.
Otter had alerted lawmakers of his opposition before the bill was at his desk, arguing that the bill’s estimated $80 million cut to the general fund could negatively impact Idaho’s public school budget.
However, GOP lawmakers pushed the bill through anyway, making it a defining accomplishment during the 2017 session. Otter then received the grocery tax repeal bill on March 31, but issued his veto on April 11 — 11 days after adjournment.
In 1978, court justices issued a 3-2 ruling that a governor has 10 days to veto or approve a bill starting only after it lands on his desk. However, lawmakers upset with Otter’s veto decision have countered the Idaho Constitution plainly says the deadline kicks in after the Legislature adjourns.
Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane, representing the state, told the justices that Otter vetoed the bill and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney verified the governor’s decision because they were following the court’s prior decision. Kane warned that if the court overturns that decision, state leaders will be punished for following the law.
“State actors, like the governor and secretary of state, will be forced to ask ‘Did the court really mean what it said?’” Kane said.
The Idaho Constitution states that a governor has five days to veto or approve legislation when the Idaho Legislature is in session. It goes on to say that governor’s deadline is extended if the “legislature shall, by adjournment, prevent its return,” allowing a governor to veto a bill “within 10 days after such adjournment (Sundays excepted) or become law.”
This language prompted Justice Joel Horton to say “I’m having a great deal of trouble finding ambiguity within the phrase ’10 days after adjournment.’”
The court is expected to issue a ruling within the next few weeks.
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Update on the latest in business:
Stocks mostly unchanged in midday trading
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks have turned modestly lower in afternoon trading after spending much of the morning wavering between gains and losses.
Technology companies accounted for much of the decline. Financial, communication and health care stocks also helped pull the market lower. Consumer discretionary stocks notched gains.
The market is on track to extend losses from last week. Investors were weighing economic data pointing at slowing global growth. Bond yields fell, adding to a sharp decline last week.
BOEING-FAA-PLANE CRASH
Relationship between Boeing and the FAA faces new scrutiny this week on Capitol Hill.
UNDATED (AP) — The relationship between Boeing and the U.S. regulator that has set the global standard in aviation safety for decades will come under unprecedented scrutiny this week after two deadly airline crashes.
This week, Congress joins the investigation into Boeing and the FAA. On Wednesday, the Senate aviation subcommittee will examine how the FAA oversees safety in the commercial aviation industry.
The acting FAA chief is scheduled to testify. So is the Transportation Department’s inspector general, who is conducting a separate probe of the FAA’s decision to approve the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, the type of plane that crashed in Indonesia in October, and then in Ethiopia two weeks ago.
The House plans to hold its own hearings and The Associated Press has reported that the Justice Department is also investigating.
At the very least, it looks like Boeing and the FAA are going to be under more intense scrutiny for some time.
May says not enough support for EU divorce deal
LONDON (AP) —British Prime Minister Theresa May has conceded that her twice-rejected Brexit divorce deal would be defeated by Parliament again if she put it to a new vote, though she said she still hopes to change lawmakers’ minds and get the agreement approved, hoping to hold a vote later this week.
May also acknowledged that she may be about to lose control of the Brexit process to lawmakers who want to force the government to change direction. Pro-EU lawmakers plan to try to seize control of the process by holding a series of votes on alternatives to May’s deal.
At present, the U.K. is set to leave without agreement unless lawmakers approve a divorce deal or choose another path by April 12.
NORWAY-CRUISE SHIP-MAYDAY
Norway opens probe into why cruise ship ventured into storm
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norwegian officials have opened an investigation into why a cruise ship carrying more than 1,370 people set sail along the country’s often wild western coast despite storm warnings, forcing a major evacuation by helicopter.
Hospitals officials say one person is in critical but stable condition in an intensive care ward, and eight others are still hospitalized after the weekend ordeal.
The Viking Sky had left the northern city of Tromsoe and was headed for Stavanger in southern Norway when it had engine problems and issued a mayday call on Saturday afternoon.
The ship anchored in heavy seas to avoid being dashed on the rocks in an area known for shipwrecks. Norwegian authorities then launched a daring rescue operation despite the high winds, eventually winching 479 passengers off the ship by helicopter in an operation that went on for hours Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
BREAST IMPLANTS-SAFETY
US experts revisit breast implant safety after new concerns
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — U.S. medical authorities are revisiting the safety of breast implants used by millions of American women, the latest review in a multi-decade debate about their health effects.
An expert panel assembled by the Food and Drug Administration is meeting for two days to discuss the latest evidence about the risks of illness and complications with the devices, which are used for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
The FDA is grappling with a recently confirmed link between the implants and a rare form of cancer. Additionally, many women are pushing the agency to address longstanding — but unconfirmed — claims that implants can contribute to other chronic ailments.
The FDA panel will hear from researchers, plastic surgeons, patients and manufacturers.
For now, the FDA isn’t proposing any new restrictions or warnings.
SUPREME COURT-MICHAEL JORDAN IMAGE
High court won’t referee dispute over Michael Jordan images
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it won’t referee a dispute between Nike and a photographer who took a famous image of basketball great Michael Jordan.
The high court declined today to hear the copyright case brought by photographer Jacobus Rentmeester.
Rentmeester took a famous photograph of Jordan for Life magazine in 1984. It shows Jordan holding a basketball and leaping toward a basketball hoop. Nike later commissioned a new image that is inspired by Rentmeester’s photo. The logo for Nike’s Air Jordan shoes, called the “Jumpman Logo,” is based off Nike’s photo.
Rentmeester sued Nike in 2015 saying it had violated copyright law. The Supreme Court’s decision not to take the case means lower court rulings against Rentmeester will stand.
PETROCHEMICAL FIRE-TEXAS
Ship channel could stay closed several more days
HOUSTON (AP) — A U.S. Coast Guard official says it could be several more days before a section of the Houston Ship Channel closed amid cleanup efforts after a fire at a petrochemical storage facility is reopened. The Coast Guard said that officials let one ship pass through the affected area Sunday.
A spokesman said that ship didn’t interfere with the cleanup and didn’t get contaminated. They are running additional test runs with four more ships and barges.
Crews are cleaning up after products from storage tanks at the facility leaked into the ship channel following the March 17 fire. The tanks contained components of gasoline and materials used in nail polish remover, glues and paint thinner.
Intercontinental Terminals Company says it continues emptying the damaged tanks.
XARELTO LAWSUITS-SETTLEMENTS
Settlement reached in lawsuits over Xarelto blood thinner
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A $775 million settlement has been announced in roughly 25,000 lawsuits involving the blood-thinning medication Xarelto.
Cases consolidated in federal court in New Orleans date back to 2014. They involved claims that users of the medication, marketed by Bayer Healthcare and Janssen pharmaceuticals, were not adequately informed of risks of life-threatening complications.
The companies noted that they prevailed in six cases tried so far, and that they continue to believe the claims are without merit. They said in a news release that the settlement will end the cost and “distraction” of the litigation.
A statement from attorneys for the plaintiffs called the settlement a “fair and just resolution.”
FRANCE-CHINA
Chinese leader Xi in France to sign multibillion deals
PARIS (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping (shee jihn-peeng) has been greeted with full honors during a state visit to France in which he is expected to sign multibillion-dollar deals on energy, the food industry, transport and other sectors as well as a bilateral statement on climate change.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Xi and his wife, at the Arc de Triomphe (ahrk dih tree-OHMPF’) monument in Paris ahead of a state dinner.
A top official at the French presidency said about 30 deals were expected to be signed in a ceremony, half of them business contracts —for a global amount reaching billions of dollars— and other bilateral agreements.
China last year opened its market for French beef products following Macron’s state visit to China in 2018. France now expects similar opening for its poultry industry. Other expected deals involve French companies specialized in transports, renewable energy and city infrastructures.
INDIA-AILING AIRLINE
Chairman of India’s ailing Jet Airways resigns
NEW DELHI (AP) — The chairman of India’s private Jet Airways has quit amid mounting financial woes which have forced it to suspend 14 international routes and ground more than 80 planes.
A statement by the airline said its board today accepted the resignations of Chairman Naresh Goyal, his wife and a nominee of Gulf carrier Etihad Airways from the board. It said Goyal will also cease to be chairman.
Goyal has been trying to obtain new funding from Etihad Airways, which holds a 24 percent stake in the airline, which was founded 27 years ago.
The statement said the airline will receive 15 billion rupees ($217 million) in immediate funding under a recovery plan formulated by its creditors, led by government-owned State Bank of India.
It also said the board approved the setting up of an interim management committee to oversee daily operations and cash flow of the company.
The lenders will complete in the June-August quarter the bidding process for the issuing and sale of shares to new investors.
BRITAIN-SACKLER
UK-based Sackler family charity pauses new giving
LONDON (AP) — A charity connected to the wealthy Sackler family has paused new donations because of controversy over alleged links to the U.S. opioid crisis.
The chair of the Sackler Trust, Theresa Sackler, said in a statement today that media attention about legal cases in the U.S. is piling pressure on institutions supported by the trust, distracting them from their work. The trust has donated millions of pounds in the U.K.
The decision comes days after the Tate group of galleries in Britain said it wouldn’t accept further donations and the National Portrait Gallery said a 1 million-pound ($1.3 million) gift wouldn’t proceed.
The Sackler family owns Stamford, Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma, which has been accused of downplaying the addictiveness of painkiller OxyContin.
Theresa Sackler rejected “false accusations” against Purdue and the family.
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Home>How To's>SOLVED: App’s Can’t be opened using the Built-in Administrator account
SOLVED: App’s Can’t be opened using the Built-in Administrator account
Every computer running on Windows 10 (and all other versions of the OS) has a built-in Administrator account. This is the account users find when they boot their computer up for the very first time. The built-in Administrator account can be personalized and then used like any other user account, and it can also be deleted and replaced with a local user account or Microsoft account. The good thing about a built-in Administrator account is that it is not subject to the same laws and restrictions as Standard accounts and normal Administrator accounts in Windows 10.
There are certain limitations to the extent of change that can be brought about on a Windows 10 computer using a Standard account or an ordinary Administrator account, and even then the user has to jump through a lot of UAC (User Access Control) hoops. However, the built-in Administrator account’s capabilities are boundless – users can do anything they like, change anything they like and access anything they want to when logged into a built-in Administrator account. If, by any chance, a Windows 10 user deletes their built-in Administrator account, there is no reason to fret as it can just be re-enabled by right-clicking on the Start Menu button to open the WinX Menu, clicking on Command Prompt (Admin), typing in the following command and pressing Enter:
net user administrator /active:yes
Note: The built-in Administrator account is named Administrator by default. In the event that you changed the name of the built-in Administrator account before you deleted/disabled it, you are going to have to replace administrator in the command-line above with what you renamed the built-in Administrator account.
Being able to make any changes you like to your Windows 10 computer and being able to access anything you want to without ever having to be prompted for confirmation or your password by UAC is pretty neat. However, using a built-in Administrator account can sometimes go south and you can get stuck in it for good, especially if the Administrator account was the only user account you had on your computer. Users affected by this issue are stuck in their built-in Administrator accounts in the sense that they can’t create a new account for themselves by going in to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users and using any of the two options for user account creation provided.
Most people would think that being stuck in an all-powerful Administrator account in which you can do anything without ever having to deal with UAC or any other restrictions is a pretty sweet deal, but, in reality, it isn’t. A side effect of this issue is that affected users lose their ability to launch built-in applications and programs such as Microsoft Edge and Calculator, receiving a message stating that the “app can’t be opened using the Built-in Administrator account” every single time. This side effect takes this issue from ‘blessing in disguise’ to a total nightmare. Thankfully, though, it is entirely possible to fix this issue, and here’s what you need to do in order to do so:
Right-click on the Start Menu button to open the WinX Menu.
Click on Command Prompt (Admin).
Type the following into the elevated Command Prompt, replacing Username with what you want the new user account to be named, and press Enter:
net user “Username” /add
Once this command has been executed, a new Standard user account with the name you designated in the command will be created.
Once you have created a new Standard user account, you need to turn it into an Administrator To do so, type the following into the elevated Command Prompt, replacing Username with what you named the new user account, and press Enter:
net localgroup administrators “Username” /add
Log in to the new Administrator user account.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to create a new elevated Command Prompt.
Next, you need to turn the built-in Administrator account into a simple Standard user account. In order to do so, type the following into the elevated Command Prompt, replacing Administrator with the actual name of the built-in Administrator account (if you had changed its name in the past), and press Enter:
net localgroup users “Administrator” /add
Once the command-line described above has been successfully executed, you will not only have two user accounts on your computer but will also be able to launch built-in Windows 10 programs on your old built-in Administrator account which is now just an ordinary Standard user account.
SOLVED: Microsoft Edge Can’t be opened using the built-in…
Fix: This app can’t be activated by the built in administrator
FIX: Account has been disabled. Please see your System Administrator
How to Make a User Account an Administrator on Windows 10
It works Great.
K. Arrows says:
Your admin will need to push the policy to allow users to open apps. You can’t if you are part of a domain.
sindhu says:
tq for the solution. it really help me a lot… but the only thing tat i wan to know is can we delete the built in administrator account?
No, you cant and it shouldnt be deleted.
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Ghosts Of Shepherdstown Season 2
Deadly Recall Season 1
All About 8 Pack Volume 1: Car, Monster Trucks, Trucks, Fast Trains, Fun On Wheels, Motorcycles, Airplanes, Boats And Ships
Gaiam - Entertainment 25176565 - This collection of the ever-popular all about series gives children a fascinating tour of the things they just love to learn about! Children will be educated and enthralled about all of the big and wondrous things in their amazing, little worlds. Includes the following 8 all about episodes: cars, Monster Trucks, Motorcycles, Trucks, Fast Trains, Fun on Wheels, Airplanes, Boats & Ships Shrink-wrapped.
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All About 8 Pack Volume 2: Police, Fire Engines, Military, The Post Office, Building, Astronauts, Helicopters, Garbage & Recycling
Gaiam - Entertainment 25176566 - This collection of the ever-popular all about series gives children a fascinating tour of the things they just love to learn about! Children will be educated and enthralled about all of the big and wondrous things in their amazing, little worlds. Includes the following 8 all about episodes: the police, The Military, Fire Engines, The Post Office, Helicopters, Building, Astronauts, Garbage & Recycling Shrink-wrapped.
All About 8 Pack Volume 3: Horses, Old Mcdonald'S Farm, Rodeo, Cowboys, The Circus, Creepy Crawlies, Dinosaurs, Lumberjacks
All About Collection 10-Pack: Exciting Adventures
All About Collection 10-Pack: Explore & Discover
Mighty machines: Lights & ladders
All About Fast Trains/All About Airplanes
Diggers and Dozers
All About Garbage & Recycling
Mighty Machines: Mega Machines
The Biggest Machines in the World
Gaiam - Entertainment 25176567 - Shrink-wrapped. This collection of the ever-popular all about series gives children a fascinating tour of the things they just love to learn about! Children will be educated and enthralled about all of the big and wondrous things in their amazing, little worlds. Includes the following 8 all about episodes: horses, Rodeo, Dinosaurs, The Circus, Cowboys, Old McDonald's Farm, Creepy Crawlies, Lumberjacks Shrink-wrapped.
All About Cowboys For Kids Part 1
All About Cowboys for Kids, Part 2
Oh Wow! Cows!
All About: Old Mcdonald's Farm Circus Horses
Lots & Lots of Trucks DVD For Kids Volume 1 - Hard Working Trucks
Cowboys (All Aboard Books)
Cinedigm 42927120 - The all about collection 10-pack provides hours of learning fun with real-life workers in action! Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Explore and discover everything from prehistoric jungles to the wild West in 10 adventure-packed episodes from the ALL ABOUT series! With each episode, imagination will take flight as a magical genie and his lovable friends introduce construction workers, lumberjacks, train conductors and soldiers who talk about these very important jobs.
More information about Cinedigm 42927120
All About The Ultimate Collection Vol. 2
20 Sing-Along Stories
Hard Hat Harry: Race Cars and Monster Trucks
Leapfrog 10-dvd Mega Pack
Lots & Lots of Monster Trucks DVD Volume 1 - The Biggest and Baddest
Ya Otta Pinata BB012220 Tractor Pinata
The Biggest and Baddest - Lots & Lots of Monster Trucks DVD Volume 1
Marshall Publishing & Promotions, Inc. - Toddlers don't care what the talking heads have to say, they want to watch TRUCKS. Lots of bigfoot and other well known trucks. This dvd fits the bill perfectly. Then see the dirt fly and the parts explode as all your favorite vehicles including bigfoot and snakebite smash, spin and roll out of control! crank up the volume and let the high velocity sound tracks and supercharged special effects take you to the edge of your seat! this is one monster truck experience youll never forget!* thousANDS AND THOUSANDS ALREADY SOLD! AS SEEN ON TV! *PERFECT FOR MONSTER TRUCK FANS OF ALL AGES FROM 2 YEARS ON UP!Lots and Lots of Monster Trucks truly is Mega-Motor Mania at its best!Collect the entire series of Lots and Lots of DVDs, crash, CDs and Books! Lots and Lots of Monster Volume 2 and Lots of Trucks Volume 1 and 2 and Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks Volumes 1 and 2 make for hours of truck watching fun for all ages!HERES WHAT OUR HAPPY CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAYThe name says it all.
It is all monster Trucks and related fun stuff for kids. If you have a young one that adores all things vehicular, they will love this video. A happy customer!we have purchased several really bad DVDs that supposedly featured trucks, trains, etc. Shrink-wrapped. Since we got this for our two year old son, Im rating this a complete success.
The Biggest and Baddest - Lots & Lots of Monster Trucks DVD Volume 1 - If you are looking for just trucks and car video for kids to watch, this is it. With this dvd, they get to.
More information about Marshall Publishing & Promotions, Inc.
Lots & Lots of Monster Trucks DVD Volume 2 - Toughest Trucks on Earth
MONSTER TRUCK CLASSICS - Special Collector's Edition!
Monster Trucks [DVD]
I'm a Monster Truck (Little Golden Book)
MONSTER TRUCK CLASSICS 3 DVD Disc Set
Lots & Lots of Trucks for Kids DVD Volume 2 - Mighty Tough Trucks
Truck Jam
Lots & Lots of Fire Trucks For Kids DVD Vol 1
Cinedigm - Shrink-wrapped. Explore and discover everything from the sea to outer space in 10 adventure-packed episodes from the ALL ABOUT series! With each episode, imagination will take flight as a magical genie and his lovable friends introduce pilots, astronauts, truck drivers and boat captains who talk about these very important jobs.
Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. The all about collection 10-pack provides hours of learning fun with real-life workers in action! Shrink-wrapped.
More information about Cinedigm
Hard Hat Harry: Boats & Ships and Airplanes
PBS KIDS: It's Potty Time 2017 DVD
Toughest Trucks on Earth - Lots & Lots of Monster Trucks DVD Volume 2
Marshall Publishing & Promotions, Inc. - He can watch this action DVD over and over for hours. He absolutely ADORES the video. He loves this dvd and watches it over and over again. Customermy grandson, age 9, is getting to be quite an expert on monster trucks. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. If you have a child that loves Monster trucks, he will love this movie.
. Shrink-wrapped. Very happy mommy son is 4 years old and Monster Truck Crazy. He plays it pretty much every day. Plus much, much, high flying, quad racing, plus out of this world freestyle motocross, tuff trucks, non-stop, rc trucks, more!see all the thrills and spills of the toughest monster truck tours plus spectacular video footage including the youngest monster truck driver in the world - KID KJ, and Transaurus the car crunching metal monster! As a Bonus youll ride in the cab with Tailgator and get a birds eye view of what its like to drive a monster truck and then learn all about monster trucks from the Double Trouble Racing Team!Lots and Lots of Monster Trucks ® Volume 2 is over 60 minutes of the hottest, monster truck action that weve selected from hours and hours of action footage to make this a monster truck experience you will never forget.
Toughest Trucks on Earth - Lots & Lots of Monster Trucks DVD Volume 2 - B>* thousands and thousands already sold! *as seen on tv! *perfect for monster truck fans of all ages from 2 years on up!the lots and lots of monster trucks series is truly mega-motor mania at its best!collect the entire series of lots and lots of dvds, cds and books! lots and Lots of Monster Volume 1 and Lots of Trucks Volume 1 and 2 and Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks Volumes 1 and 2 make for hours of truck watching fun for all ages!HERES WHAT OUR HAPPY CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAYI bought this for my monster truck-obsessed 3 year old.
It has lots of footage and changes from one thing to the next so young ones dont lose interest. He loves his collection and this DVD will soon be worn out from use. Shrink-wrapped.
Lots and Lots of Trains DVD Vol 1 - Smokin' Steam and Diesel!
Mighty Machines: Mega Pack
NCircle Entertainment 26346777 - Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. This 4-pack is loaded with over 360 minutes of fast movin, rail ridin, high powerin, soarin mighty machines! So come on and join in on the adventure that is Mighty Machines! Episodes included: On the Farm At the Sawmill Deep Underground In the Train Yard Subways, Buses and Trains Shrink-wrapped.
Ncircle entertainment Mighty Machines: Mega Pack.
More information about NCircle Entertainment 26346777
Mighty Machines: Machines on the Job
Mighty Machines: Chomp! Crunch! Tear!
Mighty Machines: Winter Blast!
Mighty Machines: Big Wheels Rollin'
Mighty Machines: Revved Up!
Mighty Machines: Power Pack
Mighty Machines- Roadways to Runways
All About Trucks and Monster Trucks
Gaiam - Entertainment 2216752 - Ncircle entertainment Mighty Machines: Mega Pack. Good times video All About Trucks and Monster Trucks. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Two programs: all about trucks and all about mONSTER TRUCKS. Shrink-wrapped. This very popular series, entertaining, hosted by Backpack Jack, presents family friendly, and educational programs about the world around us.
More information about Gaiam - Entertainment 2216752
All About Big Red Fire Engines/All About Construction
All About Cars/All About Motorcycles
Little Steps: Adventures with Big Rigs
NCircle Entertainment 2268648 - It takes a lot of work to keep the city running, but these tough machines are on the job! Explore a real fire truck and see how it works. Find out where the garbage goes, and watch enormous tractors roll it into place. Follow street sweepers and tall tree trimmers as they keep the city clean and green. Shrink-wrapped.
Ncircle entertainment Mighty Machines: Mega Pack. Factory sealed DVD. Shrink-wrapped. It's off to work we go! Shrink-wrapped. Good times video All About Trucks and Monster Trucks. Shrink-wrapped.
More information about NCircle Entertainment 2268648
Mighty Machines: Tremendous Tools
NCircle Entertainment 2268647 - Shrink-wrapped. Building, diggers and dozers! huge shovels dig foundations, dynamite sends a smokestack crumbling to the ground, a towering crane builds a skyscraper, blasting and crushing! It's all in a day's work for front-end loaders, and a colossal crusher grinds up rock. Shrink-wrapped. So grab your hard hat, and let's get rollin' ! Shrink-wrapped.
Shrink-wrapped. Factory sealed DVD. Ncircle entertainment Mighty Machines: Mega Pack. Factory sealed DVD. Good times video All About Trucks and Monster Trucks.
Road Construction Ahead
Farm Country Ahead
Ghost in the Shell 2 : Innocence
Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Alternative Architecture (Original Japanese Version) Season 1
Ghost In The Shell: Solid State Society
Ghost in the Shell 2.0
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears
Ghost in the Shell: Individual Eleven
Ghost In The Shell: The Laughing Man
Armitage III: Poly Matrix
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Season 02: 2nd Gig
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain
Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Season 01
Appleseed: Alpha
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 2: Ghost Whispers
Cowboy Bebop - Complete Series
PSYCHO-PASS Season 1
Outlaw Star - The Complete Series
Steins;Gate, Part 1
Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu
Border 2: Ghost Whispers - Ghost in the Shell: Arise
Appleseed XIII Movie 1 - Tartaros
Appleseed XIII Movie 2 - Ouranos
Starship Troopers: Invasion
Appleseed XIII Season 1
Armitage III: Dual Matrix
Space Battleship Yamato (English Dubbed)
Starship Troopers: Traitor Of Mars
Beyond White Space
Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super heroes Unite plus bonus features!
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League
LEGO DC Super Heroes: The Flash
Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Super heroes Unite (plus bonus features!)
LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers
Lego: DC - Justice League Vs. Bizarro League (plus bonus features!)
LEGO Scooby-Doo! Blowout Beach Bash
LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu: Season 9
Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold
LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain
Lego: DC - Justice League Vs. Bizarro League plus bonus features!
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Brick Saga So Far Season 1
Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs. Mutants
Big Hero 6 (Theatrical)
Team Hot Wheels: The Origin of Awesome!
LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises Season 1
LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures Volume 1
LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales Season 1
Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts
Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem
Marvel's Spider-Man Volume 1
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
The Batman/Superman Movie
Scooby-Doo Meets Batman
Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright - Original Movie
Scooby-Doo! Big Top Scooby-Doo!
Scooby-Doo! And The Samurai Sword
Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon
Scooby-Doo! Wrestlemania Mystery
Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur
Scooby-Doo! & KISS: Rock & Roll Mystery
Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy?
Aloha Scooby-Doo!
Scooby-Doo: Winter Wonderdog
Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost
Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare
Scooby-Doo And The Loch Ness Monster
LEGO® Jurassic World: The Secret Exhibit, Season 1
Star Wars: A New Hope
Star Wars Rebels, Season 1
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 1
DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year
DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis
DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games
Barbie & Her Sisters in the Great Puppy Adventure
American Experience: The Bombing of Wall Street
American Experience: The Gilded Age
America in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era
American Experience: The 1930s
American Experience: The Island Murder
Million Dollar American Princesses
American Experience: The Eugenics Crusade
American Experience: Chinese Exclusion Act
America's Untold Story Season 1
A King's Story : The Love Story of the Century
American Masters: Decoding Watson
The Fabulous Allan Carr
American Experience: 1964
Hitler's Hollywood
American Gospel: Christ Alone
American Masters: Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive
American Experience: The Secret of Tuxedo Park
American Experience: Into The Amazon
A Dying King: The Shah of Iran
Mark Felt - The Man Who Brought Down The White House
Letters from Baghdad
33 & Beyond: The Royal Art Of Freemasonry
Dead Man's Line
The Giant Killer
My Uncle is the Green River Killer
White Boy
Murder on a Sunday Morning
The Family I Had
Murder in the Heartland: The Search for Video X
One Day in September
Atticus v. The Architect: The Political Assassination of Don Siegelman
The King of Thieves
Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes
All the Queen's Horses
Shock and Awe
54 (Director's Cut)
Antonio Lopez 1970: Sex Fashion Disco
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood
Love, Gilda
Remembering the Man
Down The Fence
A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power, and Jayson Blair at the New York Times
The China Hustle
How to Prepare for Prison
The Last Mogul
Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much
Murder in the Moonlight
Billboard Boys
Midnight Return: The Story of Billy Hayes and Turkey
Friday After Next
Friday (Director's Cut)
The Player's Club
How High
Boyz n' The Hood
Money Talks (1997)
Waist Deep
A Thin Line Between Love & Hate
The Wash
B.A.P.S.
PIMP
Straight Outta Compton Directors Cut
Love and Basketball
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
House Party 2
Booty Call
20th Century Fox 3347909 - The best baseball player in the neighborhood helps a new kid with his clumsy ball-handling. Shrink-wrapped.
More information about 20th Century Fox 3347909
WALT DISNEY PICTURES 2259225 - But things begin to look up when 11-year-old Roger, their biggest fan, starts giving Knox some winning tips from a real live angel named Al Christopher Lloyd. All the while learning to believe in themselves. The team miraculously climbs back into the pennant race. Danny glover plays george knox, the frustrated coach of the California Angels, a ragtag team of major-league misfits who are down on their luck.
Shrink-wrapped. With its heavenly mix of outrageous comedy, and amazing baseball action, dazzling special effects, Disney's ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD is an entertainment home run for the whole family!|The movie is a remake of a 1951 film starring Paul Douglas and Janet Leigh. In great britain, the film is known simply as ANGELS.
Angels In The Outfield - Catch the movie that flew over the fence and into the hearts of millions of cheering fans! It's Disney's ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD, the feel-good film about a young boy praying for a father -- and a struggling baseball team praying for a pennant.
More information about WALT DISNEY PICTURES 2259225
Little Giants (1994)
The Mighty Ducks/D2: The Mighty Ducks DVD 2-Pack
Rookie of The Year / The Sandlot
The Big Green
The Sandlot / The Sandlot 2 / Everyone's Hero / Rookie of the Year Quad Feature
The Rookie (Full Screen Edition)
Tom And Huck
WALT DISNEY PICTURES 2259365 - Shrink-wrapped. Then, and nonstop surprises!|early on one of the characters realizes, wild chases, raiders of the lost ark, the real adventure begins! now the kids face incredible dangers as they try to make their way home through the jungle of their own backyard! Hurricane sprinklers! Dive-bombing bees! A runaway lawn mower and much, 1981, when he accidentally shrinks his kids down to one-quarter-inch tall and tosses them out in the trash, much more! Directed by Academy AwardR-winner Joe Johnston Visual Effects, this record-breaking smash is full of amazing special effects, hilarious comedy, "We're now a quarter of an inch tall and 64 feet from the house.
Get set for the adventure of a lifetime in the #1 comedy hit of the year, HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS! Rick Moranis stars as a preoccupied inventor who just can't seem to get his electro-magnetic shrinking machine to work. Shrink-wrapped. That's an equivalent of 3. 2 miles. The movie was directed by joe johnston, who won a 1981 academy Award® for Visual Effects for RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Homeward Bound - The Incredible Journey / Homeward Bound II - Lost In San Francisco
Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves
Stuart Little Movie Collection
The Spy Kids Trilogy
Flubber
Family Favorite Treasures 3-Movie Collection (The Cat In The Hat / Babe / Beethoven)
20th Century Fox 3347908 - Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. A boy's broken arm heals in such a way that he takes over as pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Shrink-wrapped.
The Perfect Game
Little Big League
The Mighty Ducks
The Sandlot 2
20th Century Fox 2218699 - Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Set 10 years after the sandlot, the shabby dirt field is once again the place where neighborhood kids share laughs, face fears, and learn about the two most important things in life: baseball and friendship. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped.
The Sandlot: Heading Home
Sandlot, The [Blu-ray]
The Sandlot by 20th Century Fox by David M. Evans
The Babe
- Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Dvd shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Anniversary Edition
The Princess Bride (20th Anniversary Edition)
Labyrinth (30th Anniversary Edition)
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT 17616055 - Clifton Collins Jr. Star trek heads an all-star line-up of some of Hollywood’s brightest young stars as Cesar, who returns to his native Monterey, Mexico after his major league career is cut short. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. From the director of angels in the Outfield comes the incredible true story of the underdog foreign Little League team who inspired two nations.
Together, they beat the odds and overcome hardships and bigotry to compete in the 1957 Little League World Series. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Screen favorites Cheech Marin Spy Kids, Lou Gossett Jr. Iron eagle, emilie de ravin lost and david koechner anchorman are featured in this uplifting story in the winning tradition of Hoosiers that Boxoffice magazine cheered as "inspiring, Bruce McGill Animal House, richly entertaining, heartfelt…a perfect family movie.
The Perfect Game - Shrink-wrapped. Austin wizards of waverly place and Ryan Ochoa iCarly costar as impoverished baseball-loving kids who recruit him to coach their rag-tag team. Moises arias Hannah Montana, Jake T.
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Mile in His Shoes
The Final Season
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment - Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. When young alan parrish discovers a mysterious board game, until he is magically transported before the eyes of his friend, he doesn’t realize its unimaginable powers, Sarah, into the untamed jungles of JUMANJI! 26 years later he is freed from the game’s spell by two unsuspecting children.
Shrink-wrapped. 2017 dvd 20th anniversary release - international when young alan parrish discovers a mysterious board game, sarah, into the untamed jungles of JUMANJI! 26 years later, together with Judy Kirsten Dunst and Peter Bradley Pierce, until he is magically transported before the eyes of his friend, Alan Robin Williams reunites with Sarah Bonnie Hunt and, he doesn’t realize its unimaginable powers, tries to ou Shrink-wrapped.
Jumanji - Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Alan robin williams reunites with sarah bonnie hunt and together with judy kirsten dunst and peter BRADLEY PIERCE tries to outwit the game’s powerful forces in this imaginative adventure that combines breathtaking special effects with an enchanting mixture of comedy, magic and thrills.
More information about Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Cardinal Games Jumanji The Game Action Game
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
DUCKTALES: THE MOVIE TREASURE OF THE LOST LAMP
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment 25674459 - If you build it, he will come. With these words, iowa farmer ray Kinsella Kevin Costner is inspired by a voice he can't ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. Shrink-wrapped. A heartwarming experience that has moved critics and audiences like no other film of this generation, Field of Dreams is a glowing tribute to all who dare to dream.
. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Along the way he meets reclusive activist terence mann James Earl Jones, the mysterious “Doc” Graham Burt Lancaster and even the legendary “Shoeless Joe” Jackson Ray Liotta. Shrink-wrapped. Supported by his wife annie amy Madigan, Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true.
Field of Dreams - Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped.
The Natural: Director's Cut
A League of Their Own (Special Edition)
Eight Men Out (20th Anniversary Edition)
For Love of the Game
Rudy / Radio Double Feature
The Rookie Full Screen Edition
WALT DISNEY PICTURES 2259381 - Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. He'd had his shot playing baseball, blew out his shoulder, and retired without ever making it to the big leagues. Shrink-wrapped. The team went from worst to first, living up to his end of the bargain, and Jim, threw caution to the wind and was on the road to becoming the oldest rookie in the major leagues.
. This heartfelt, uplifting story about not giving up on your dreams is a remarkable and affecting story that will have everyone cheering. Shrink-wrapped. Then, in 1999, coach morris made a fateful bet with his perpetually losing team. From the studio that brought you reMEMBER THE TITANS comes an inspirational film based on a true story.
The Rookie Full Screen Edition - Shrink-wrapped. If they won the district championship, Morris -- who threw a 98 mph fastball -- would try out for the majors. Jim morris dennis quaid, father, teacher, and high school coach, thought his dream was over. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped.
Miracle (Full Screen Edition)
Rudy (Special Edition)
The Bad News Bears 1976
Paramount 26229322 - Shrink-wrapped. So, instead, the Bears have a good time. Shrink-wrapped. Walter matthau is at his absolute best as the gru mbling beer-guzzling former minor-league pitcher who gets roped into coa ching a band of half-pint misfits somewhat loosely called a team. Shipping weight: 017 lbs. Shrink-wrapped. Manufacturer:.
Shrink-wrapped. All music products are properly licensed and guaranteed authentic. With t his bunch in uniform, it's impossible to get caught up in the suburban c ompetitive spirit that drives other adults to extremes of parental dscip line. Brand name: ingram entertainment Mfg#: 883929303854. The bad news bear s is a movie about children that is refreshing, utterly believable, and quite cleverly funny.
The Bad News Bears 1976 - Bad news bears, the dvda major surprise as one of 1976's top grossing films. Shrink-wrapped. Genre: children/faMILY. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped. Shrink-wrapped.
More information about Paramount 26229322
Bad News Bears (2005)
League of Their Own, a (1992) / Natural, the - Set [Blu-ray]
80 Count – Mixed Bump Dots, Mixed Sizes and Colors
Anco Precision Ooma Wall Mount or Ooma Ceiling Mount Bracket for Ooma Telo Router
Grossery Gang The S4 Bug Strike Action Figure – Grot Dog
Crayola Sticker Design Studio, Sticker Maker, Gift for Kids, Ages 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Aoohome Extra Long Shower Curtain Fabric Bathroom Curtain Waffle Weave Pattern with Weighted Hem, Heavy Duty, 72×86 Inch, Grey
Designers Impressions 659632 Oil Rubbed Bronze Lift and Turn Drain Trim
Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart Bites
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12 May 2013 02:37:52 UTC
All snapshots from host rollingstone.tumblr.com
<a href="http://archive.today/3yyHw"> <img style="width:300px;height:200px;background-color:white" src="https://archive.li/3yyHw/e8927d29e48022e3c69d7bbbbcde6ddcd0a64b67/scr.png"><br> Rolling Stone – Page 1<br> archived 12 May 2013 02:37:52 UTC </a>
{{cite web | title = Rolling Stone – Page 1 | url = http://rollingstone.tumblr.com/ | date = 2013-05-12 | archiveurl = http://archive.today/3yyHw | archivedate = 2013-05-12 }}
The official Tumblr of
Rolling Stone Magazine.
7:05 pm - Sat, May 11, 2013
High-Res
Justin Bieber will make a cameo appearance on The Simpsons this weekend, thanks to a request by Matt Groening.
“Bob Marley’s extraordinary body of work spans the entire history of modern Jamaican music, from ska to rock steady to reggae. But he never lost sight of the emotional center of his art – his people, the sufferers of Trenchtown, of greater Kingston, of all the world’s ghettos. They placed their faith and hope in him, and he did not let them down.”
Bob Marley died 32 years ago today.
5:21 pm - Fri, May 10, 2013
#HueyLewis #vineportraits
“I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but even at this stage, I do feel that we are meant to be one of the great groups. There’s a certain spark, a certain chemistry, that was special about the Stones, the Who and the Beatles, and I think it’s also special about U2.” -Bono, 1981
Happy 53rd birthday Bono!
Palma Violets, a super-hyped young quartet out of South London, repped their native land’s proud tradition last night at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg. Read our review of the raucous show.
It’s long been known that Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis were making plans to record together the year before Hendrix’s death in 1970, but it turns out they were hoping that Paul McCartney would join them on bass. Hendrix, Davis and jazz drummer Tony Williams sent a telegram on Oct. 21, 1969, to the Beatles’ Apple Records, hoping to get McCartney in for a session.
Daft Punk sat down for a rare radio interview today with Australia’s Triple J and dove into the creative process behind their new track “Get Lucky,” as well as working with track collaborators Nile Rodgers and Pharrell. They said the collaboration was symbolic of how their new album, Random Access Memories, came together.
That sound is, as with all really good pop, at once both familiar and sui generis. There are punk elements in the driver’s seat, but the radio is tuned to Beach Boys/Beatles melodicism, and, to stretch the metaphor beyond all limits of help or hope, from the look of the clouds, it’s time to get the top up because the weather is threatening arena rock.
Weezer’s self-titled debut (a.k.a. the Blue Album) was released 19 years ago today.
As I Lay Dying singer Tim Lambesis pleaded not guilty to a charge he solicited the murder of his wife.
Slayer have shared the cause of Jeff Hanneman’s death last week, saying they have just learned the guitarist died from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver.
~ 1 of 116 ~
Here's why you should be tuning in to the Julia Louis-Dreyfus-driven political satire 'Veep': http://t.co/35cS2eY7pD
Justin Bieber will make a cameo appearance on 'The Simpsons' this weekend, thanks to a request from Matt Groening: http://t.co/iHotaZvtlY
From tonight's #SNL host Kristin Wiig to @MindyKaling, see our list of the 50 funniest people now: http://t.co/g8JyAWkFlV
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Expect Yelling From China, Mexico, Europe, Importers
Posted by Mish | January 24, 2017 9:33:49 | Economics
An Import Levy is on its way according to US tax policy chief Kevin Brady.
I firmly believe such tariffs will destroy jobs in the US and Globally, but my opinion does not matter. Others will soon be yelling as well.
“I do expect China and Europe and Mexico to yell about this,” says Kevin Brady.
Kevin Brady, the chief tax policymaker on Capitol Hill, launched a robust defence of his proposal to tax imports and sought to tie it to President Donald Trump’s “America first” economic agenda just as the new president appears to waver on the idea.
The plan to penalise importers and incentivise American exports has emerged as the most contentious part of the biggest proposed overhaul of the tax code in 30 years, a process that begins in Mr Brady’s Ways and Means committee in the House of Representatives.
“I do expect China and Europe and Mexico to yell about this,” Mr Brady said. “They have a tax advantage built in because America voluntarily gives them and their products a significant tax advantage over ours here in the United States and gives them a tax advantage in their own country as well. That unbalanced approach will not continue.”
Today foreign competitors “adjust” their taxes at their borders by adding taxes to American-made products and taking taxes off their own, he said, but the US did not.
By killing that “completely backwards” feature — which he would do by not letting US companies deduct import costs from their taxable income — Mr Brady said he would eliminate the price advantages of Chinese steel, Mexican cars and foreign oil.
But he faces a fierce battle over his plans. Big importers including retailers, apparel makers and the billionaire Koch brothers have united against the proposal, arguing it would cripple businesses that cannot source their products in the US and force them to raise prices for consumers.
This month Mr Trump called Mr Brady’s idea “too complicated”, telling the Wall Street Journal: “Anytime I hear border adjustment, I don’t love it.”
But he backtracked soon afterwards, telling the Axios news service that the report did not accurately reflect his views and that the border tax adjustment was “certainly something that is going to be discussed” in White House negotiations with congressional Republicans.
Not WTO Compliant
For starters Brady’s plan is not WTO compliant. Brady, Trump, and Paul Ryan likely know that.
However, given that WTO complaints take years to settle, the trio can pretend for years that the plan is WTO compliant.
Then, assuming it does get that far, the US can simply ignore the WTO. However, if this legislation passes, it is pretty naive to believe other nations will not act similarly.
Can Trump Win a Trade War?
At the recent world economic forum in Davos, Anthony Scaramucci, a Trump advisor proclaimed Trump would win trade war with China.
Perish the lunacy.
No One Wins Trade Wars
At the recent world economic forum in Davos, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated No One Can Win a Trade War.
“Many of the problems troubling the world are not caused by economic globalization. Whether you like it or not, the global economy is the big ocean you cannot escape from,” said Xi.
“We must remain committed to free trade and investment. We must promote trade and investment liberalization,” he said. “No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war.”
In a Trade War, No One Wins
The Hoover institute claims In a Trade War, No One Wins.
Trade is the opposite of a zero-sum game.
The solution to economic frustration is to help American workers, not stifle trade with tariffs or protectionism.
A trade deficit is nothing like a firm’s bottom line.
Americans actually strongly support foreign trade.
The “threat” from China is not just overblown but out of date.
Shrinking from world trade will hurt Americans in the end.
The above points from Douglas A. Irwin, a distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution and Professor in the Social Sciences in the Department of Economics at Dartmouth College.
The only debatable point is #4. But even that depends on how questions are phrased. If the vote is for cheaper prices undoubtedly they do. If asked about “fair trade” they probably don’t.
But in reality, the only fair trade is free trade, whether or not any other country does the same. Ultimately, if it’s good for the consumer, it’s good for the US.
If other countries act differently, it’s simply too bad for consumers in those countries.
Paying higher than necessary prices is never a good thing.
Reflections and Reader Comments on Free Trade: “China Doesn’t Play Fair!”
Fair Trade is Unfair; In Praise of Cheap Labor; Are Bad Jobs at Bad Wages Better than No Jobs at All?
A trade war looms and it will be as successful as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff act that contributed to the Great Depression.
88 thoughts on “Expect Yelling From China, Mexico, Europe, Importers”
Rob said:
January 24, 2017 9:41:02 at 9:41 PM
Smoot-Hawley……..
2banana said:
No one wins a trade war?
I know who will lose one.
A country with a massive export trade surplus. One with no free floating currency.
One that has no other option but to export or die.
Pi314 said:
January 24, 2017 11:51:58 at 11:51 PM
US doesn’t need to blockade the South China Sea. Imposing tariffs will get the job done – on time and under budget!
January 25, 2017 12:51:00 at 12:51 AM
Strongly agree. I fail to see why anyone thinks that the Chinese are not already winning a trade war against us. One which started in the mid 1990’s and continues today, with an aggregate $4.3 Trillion trade surplus in favor of China. If there’s a further “trade war” which we initiate by blocking this distorted trade, it is China which will “lose” if it does not float its currency. The idea that we can benefit by cheap goods while destroying our manufacturing resources and the technological competition they enable is laughable.
watchyasayin said:
January 25, 2017 9:03:16 at 9:03 AM
Except if China does float its currency, it will likely depreciate significantly, otherwise the Chinese wouldn’t have needed to spend over a trillion to (somewhat unsuccessfully) protect it from declining.
TJ said:
and right after they start this trade war, they will cut off their nose, because they do nor like their face.
Makes me think of Unions or demand for a well marketed product. Apple killed that premise, didn’t it? I am not an Apple fan by any means. Just sayin…..
Depends. Have you ever tried to buy airline tickets? Or asked your neighbor how much they paid for the exact same flight? Sometimes you pay half price to fly from Paris to Toronto if you stop over in Detroit, but if you get off in Detroit, the price is even higher.
Airlines know that filling the plane is better business than flying with the plane half empty. Pricing is much more complicated than cost of production. Some passengers subsidize others, and the subsidized passengers are defraying the fixed costs like the pilot and the plane and landing bills.
The same goes for countries. Industrial policy might mean that foreign consumers are getting a better deal than home consumers, because those export earnings are required to import physical capital, or because increased scale is needed to go to the next level of efficiency, or market share is required to launch other products, or because the country is better off producing its own stuff less cheaply to fund its own infrastructure and capital. Does industrial policy work? Of course. Look at Germany, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and many other examples. In Russia they see sanctions as a good thing (in some ways), leading to a boom in its own agricultural sector. How much sense does it make that European farmers with expensive land, high costs, and higher wages export cheaper produce to Russia where land and labor is plentiful and cheap?
Pricing is complicated in the real world.
joelg5 said:
Tariffs are a consumption tax. No different than the sales tax hikes in Japan, and probably with similar results. The GOP will view the revenues as deficit reduction or tax cut offsets, and the Democrats will see it as a permanent new source of funding for social programs that can be ratcheted up every few years. So, a Dem-GOP consensus on revenue raising without overt tax increases. Like drilling an oil well.
If tariffs raise prices, the FED will get the price inflation they have been loudly wishing for. Dollar devaluation via inflation will make deficits easier to finance. Environmentalists will get back the polluting steel mills and factories they fought against, and be reinvigorated now that the Keystone Pipeline is a done deal again.
Of course, the Chinese will reduce purchases of American agricultural products, and get their soybeans, corn and grains from Argentina, Brazil and elsewhere. If relations get really bad, they might figure what the heck and invade Taiwan to draw the USA into another Asian war and divert their own people from the economic difficulties. The USA can destroy China’s cities, and they will move into their backup (ghost) cities. The USA has no backup cities, if Russia joins the fray alongside China and it goes nuclear. Neo-cons will celebrate, as they will have their War on Russia via the indirect China route. Neo-cons have clearly not given up, and since Iran, Syria and Ukraine have failed to create a Russian war, let Trump stumble into it via China blunders.
kevinmackay said:
“Tariffs are a consumption tax.”
I like how you framed that, I might reuse it.
“Chinese will reduce purchases of American agricultural products”
People don’t seem to understand that the $20 billion total yearly US agriculture exports to China is less than one month of middle east war spending.
You lost me at “what the heck and invade Taiwan”.
To whose benefit?
Bob cannon said:
I think the EU adds an auto 15% in lieu of VAT to all imported US products Then tariffs
Amen Mish…… I love buying Chinese steel at whatever price they want to sell,,,
That should get some squalling…
Trump approves pipeline… Good
Then he says they have to use American made pipe… Bad,
where the heck and by what authority does he get to dictate where a company buys steel pipe,,, and in the process drive up the cost of this project that will get passed on to who???
Roger Beesley said:
Well if their pipe is anything like their drywall it is a good idea to use American made!
No different than the prevailing wage laws Democrats enacted to raise the price of labor. GOP just adds on laws to up materials costs. Long live the Swamp.
innertrader said:
I certainly hope “they” are yelling about it. Otherwise, it would still be to their benefit and our destruction…… LIKE IT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS!!!
One of the reasons America cannot compete is medical costs. Another is the 1$trillion or so for military spending. [You have to add in the VA, interest on the debt, Dept of Energy [nukes], secret budgets, Foreign Aid, supplementary war spending, etc etc]. Mediocre educational results is another. Those are a much bigger deal than so-called bad deals.
destroy pretend jobs said:
destroy jobs,lol,fastest growing jobs are gov’t employee,cashier,security guard more gov’t workers,pizza deliverers and janitors point is if those jobs get destroyed,who’s gonna miss em
Stephen Reed said:
Mish,
Please establish some metrics that we can monitor over Trump’s first 4 years to gauge whether his trade policies work or do not work.
I strongly believe that they will work. Indeed 50% import tariffs were imposed by Republicans back in the 1800s to build American industry from scratch to the world’s best.
How about numbers of manufacturing start-ups?
How about industrial union membership?
How about trade deficit?
How about inflation rate?
Pre-1900s USA did not honor copyrights, patents, trade secrets, etc. and was big on industrial espionage. USA publishing houses “stole” works of English authors without payment, stole industrial secrets, ripped off factory plans to create its industry, etc. USA back then was like China today, and the British Empire was the loser. Now USA is an Empire on the defensive, and not enough to “steal” from the rest of the world.
Winning the trade war could be tantamount to losing for the USA. Major export earner for USA is still agriculture, by a wide margin. Remember rise in GDP from soybean exports in 2016? China can send USA trade deficit skyrocketing and GDP down simply by sourcing its agricultural needs elsewhere. Bringing back a few factories will not compensate much in the macro-economic sense. Trump can be judged by GDP and trade deficit metrics.
Agriculture will make Trump the loser in a China trade war by GDP and trade deficit metrics. One of Trump’s first choices in Nov. was an ambassador to China from Iowa, a former governor who led agricultural delegations to meet Chinese leaders. So, likely Trump will recognize that China is right about everyone losing in a trade war. If things get bad for one side, as it did for Japan when squeezed by the USA in the 1930s, the War Hawks in Japan rose in power and Pearl Harbor led to a brutal Pacific War. If China invaded Taiwan, what would Trump do? No good choices there, so an aggressive China response would be a metric for branding Trump a loser even if it results in more factory jobs in the USA. Voters would make him a one-term president (loser), versus two-term president (winning metric).
How can agriculture be a major (export) earner for the US when there are so many subsidies? This applies to many other countries as well. How can subsidies to export industries make them into an earner? How can tax-free industrial areas be earners, if the industries there are not contributing to the infrastructure they use, or to the health care funds of their employees?
Why does government have to provide infrastructure and health care? Government does a crappy job with them like everything else it attempts.
Privatize them and then all users will pay without the middleman skimming off taxes and, as a side effect, ruining them.
Absolutely agree. The first thing to do is eliminate any third-party payer from the health care equation: no government, no insurance, no loans–if you want health care, pay for it out of pocket.
Thin the herd, right?
Fred Rogers said:
Mish — you keep talking about a trade war in one direction while ignoring your own argument in the other direction.
When China taxes and regulates (via silly customs rules) US products, you call that acceptable.
When Trump suggests the same thing for Chinese goods, you call that a trade war?
How about some consistency in your argument?
I am all for getting rid of tariffs in a perfect world, but I have no respect for people who say the US should just bend over and take whatever cr-p China hands us.
No tarriffs would be the ideal solution for all countries (in a perfect world), but you aren’t advocating that.
Instead, you have this very offensive idea that the US isn’t allowed to stand up for itself?
Bilejones said:
How do American cars do in Japan?
They sell badly, look outdated as soon as they leave the lot, get crummy gas mileage and need frequent repairs?
DBG8489 said:
So roughly the same as they do here?
How do US cars do in Japan? Who cares? You must be living in the 1950s to think autos are the sum and total of US existence.
The world does not revolve around what subsidies Detroit is getting this week. There are many other US industries that are very competitive
Drango said:
Japanese car companies are the most protected and subsidized in the world, when you count the hundreds of billions Japan has spent to keep the Yen weak. Without the aid of Japan’s central bank, there would be no car industry in Japan.
Keep the yen weak?
Only recently
packysite said:
Mish, I too believe Trumps 35% tariff will work. It’s not very often that I disagree with you but this is one of those rare moments. Most of the foreign manufactures built factories here in the USA over years . Most recently for my memory is SANY Corp a Chinese manufacturer built a huge facility in Atlanta for their cranes. Swedens Volvo purchased several failing USA companies such as Clark Michigan, wheel loaders and Mack Truck just examples basically were assembly facilitie. The
Atlanta area, South Georgia, Houston, Seattle, San Diego, and New Port News, Virginia areas have these assembly plants. There are many many more and even more will follow. Where Trumps economic stimulus plan is going to have a tough time will be finding enough raw materials to make Steel. Unless of course the iron and steel mines here in the USA go to double reduction facilities using Taconite tailings.
After all these year we’have to agree that free trade works until somebody decides to violate the terms. TheUS has gotten screwed because the WTO never does anything about it. So Now what? It’s back yo square one.
What free trade? Where? I thought it went extinct long ago.
James K. said:
Why is it perfectly OK for other countries to have VAT taxes and tariffs but if the USA does it we are wrong? If they drop theirs, we drop ours, otherwise….
Also, how do you think the last 30 years of globalization of this form have been working out for working Americans? Seems pretty obvious the answer is “badly.”
The definition of insanity to repeat the same thing over and over and expect different results. At least Trump is trying something new.
Jon Sellers said:
Working Americans? You are very naive if you think any of this was ever designed to help working Americans.
Totally agree. Mish and other free traders conveniently ignore all the tariffs already in place around the world. It is ok for them to protect their society, cut America from their market but we must open our borders unconditionally to trade. This is all about transferring Americas wealth to other countries. Trump is going to attempt to reverse this trend.
Germ said:
O/T – Robots Are Taking Over Oil Rigs
Nabors Industries, the world’s largest onshore driller, says it expects to cut the number of workers at each well site eventually to about five from 20 by deploying more automated drilling rigs.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-24/robots-are-taking-over-oil-rigs-as-roughnecks-become-expendable
According to IMF, IHS, Euler Hermes, US’s share in global GDP is 25.2%, but its share in global trade is only 12.2%. (http://harbourtimes.com/2017/01/24/tpp-off-the-table-whats-at-stake-and-wheres-hope/)
So the ‘retaliation’ claim is dubious because any escalation will aggravate the situation for those export-driven countries. Further, perpetual trade imbalance is not sustainable.
The United States does not have a trade imbalance. We just trade debt, like treasury bills, for finished products.
So who has been buying up real estate worldwide?
Tom Stalder said:
To my knowledge, China imposes today higher tariffs on many US goods than the US does on Chinese goods. In addition, there are many obstacles put in the way of foreign companies to do business in China. So, Jiping’s Davos address to the audience was pure propaganda of a guy who knows damn well that he could go down next year if Chinese exports would further crumble. He is shitting his pants.
Joe said:
Trump as president is what I always imaged it was like when one of those 14YO royal kids became king after their father died/was killed in the 1400’s. Whew. And we are only 4 days into this travesty. How much more crazy can Trump go?
Edward VI was very, very promising. Terrible shame he died early, a big improvement over his father and much of what went before.
He died, resulted in mass persecutions of Protestants etc. under Bloody Mary.
Careful what we wish for, study all history.
The kid was something special. He started schools in 1535 that still exist today, offer excellent education and open to any that pass the test to get irrespective of social class.
He began to take control and exercise authority early and from what I have read was very impressive.
He was against foreign wars from early on.
England needed him at the time. Mary was a nut-job.
Trump sure is driving the left crazy, but the left was there already, anyway. The left has turned into a travesty of identity politics.
The rest of us are going to move ahead and MAGA.
Remember those WallyMart stores that were closed and supposedly outfitted into FEMA camps for the”bad machines” that needed to be reprogrammed? Well, they are coming to take you away, Ha Ha, he je, to the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time…
Once instigated it will be hard to roll back with equal benefit to the consumer.
This will be a step-up in consumer prices and a future smaller step back down if repealed. A move to a permanently higher price level.
Any tax will be passed to the consumer but if rolled back not all the tax reduction will be passed on – human nature – corps will pass on some % of any tax reduction but pocket the rest.
Will the tax revenue and on shoring compensate the consumer?
Some big cost-benefit calculation needed including any increase in employment, increase in tax take, consumer price increase, hit to exports etc.
You failed to take into account the deflationary effect of automation. The factories being built will not be anything like those in the ’70s.
What happens if the Yuan fully floats and as a consequence of various US changes it tanks by an amount to compensate for US import taxes?
Chinese get inflation hit, trade falls off a cliff globally and the result is sum zero, just less wealth creation and distribution.
wrldtrst said:
I think the single most complicated area in all of financy econy stuff is in the area of international trade.
For a fact, people have no understanding of currency devaluation and its benefits-consequences, that part I watch everyone get wrong time and time again.
Also by basic net accounting, declaring winners due to trade imbalance. By accounting standards if two assets are transferred, there is no imbalance. So there is a serious problem in how trade imbalances are thought about.
It’s whether you can consume all your own production and the benefits vs consequences of import export that I try not to think much about for fear of it preoccupying me. It really is very complicated.
I’ve always liked the idea of free trade. But when Germany builds plants in Mexico, specifically for the purpose of selling a product to the U.S., instinct tells me something is very wrong there. An arbitrage is being exploited.
It seems to me, on the surface, that it is the economies such as China, with a focus on exporting that should be shitting a brick right now. But in reality production is the only true wealth, so why not re-tool your economy for domestic consumption and end of problem. Truly confuses me.
China is trying to shift to consumption and services. Needs a middle class of sufficient size.
You can say the US consumer has benefitted from lower pricing, emerging economies have benefited from investment and corps benefitted from higher margins. TRUE.
a) where has the US consumers money come from, how much via Gov, how much via Labour? If from Gov can that continue and if so at what consequence?
b) Are there unsustianbale imablances that right themselves and if so how?
c) Might the natural righting of the imbalances be very painful to the US/Consumer/Gov?
d) Can the US etc continue as is or does something need to change on the wealth creation and distribution front to return power to US Labour?
I am all for free trade. The only thing you generally want to see inflation in is trade volumes/values.
However, it is complex and using the US as consumer of last resort whilst the US itself is running big deficits can’t continue and the natural righting of the balance could be very unpleasant.
I don’t agree with Trump on this but I can see where they are coming from.
China and Germany both have to look over their shoulders.
if Germany has a problem with Trump so does the EU.
What the paymater feels, the EU handout beneficiaries are made to feel too.
Certainly the trade with the US is one-sided.
Mish – of US consumer spending – are there any indications as to how much is via:
1) Paid labour (out of wages)?
2) How much via US Gov distributions to population?
3) How much via personal debt for foreign cars etc?
That seems to be the problem. It appears Americans are buying on debt. China is selling everything and doing it with IOU’s. Americans are clearly purchasing more than they are producing. If it were purchase of productive assets, no problem. But I highly doubt that is the case.
Once again… Very complicated to analyze.
Yuan is near pegged, meaning no matter how many dollars produced ( via individual or national US debt) they buy the same, they do not devalue to restrict trade. The dollars collected by China are reinvested by the Chinese state into US ( gov. and bank) . Yuan may devalue now if floated, if floated in 2000 it may have strengthened, there is no proof in speculating past with present.
To me that is the main mechanism, all the other agreements are dressing. Obviously the above framework was part of opening trade with China.
So the US has partly adjusted its monetary and financial reality to that of China, that is to say the dollar and its economy have been pegged to Chinese state capitalist organisation.
You might say the peg is Chinese, but as long as you trade your currency for its, you are half of the peg and of what that peg both represents and leads to.
LFOldTimer said:
Let China, Mexico and Europe scream at the top of their spoiled lungs.
We finally have a new sheriff in town with a set of balls who refuses to take foreign bribes.
How refreshing!
Let them eat the crap sandwiches for once.
highspeeddub said:
The trade imbalance could not have happened without US printing.
The US should go back on the gold standard, end the fed and outlaw fractional reserve banking.
Tariffs will lower US productivity and the standard of living.
Trade imbalance could exist but not last under a gold standard
Six000MileYear said:
“Free and Fair Trade” requires laws in all counties to be the same, whether the citizens really want those laws. This clearly demonstrates sovereignty is the cost of “Free and Fair Trade”. As has been pointed out in prior blogs, one of the unaccounted costs in Chinese products is severe pollution. If all countries had the same business laws, then the cost of shipping would be the cost difference. Global trade of manufactured goods would be replaced by companies building factories in foreign markets.
“Free and Fair Trade” is a paradox.
“Zones” will use their consumers as a weapon. This is one basis of the EU.
Rather than trade war more like “access to my corral” war.
Bigger the number of sheep in the corral the more influence and leverage.
People used as just numbers.
This is a weapon the EU will use against the UK in Brexit.
It is also where the EU has greater material than the US except the EU exports more one way so the US has leverage.
Junker has said he will not bow a knee to the US, he forgets the balance of trade hangng over the head of the EU.
Why are so many (including Trump) ignorant about the Trade Deficit? Why do they ignore investment? Would a software developer on a 2D modeling program leave one of the squares out of the pythagorean theorem to prove a point? Do electricians say that V=I instead of V=IR as it suites them?
I’ll tell you why. First, economics is a study of human behavior that cannot be modeled mathematically. Second, the first point allows politicians to manipulate the system to gain more power. (this manipulation includes self-manipulation).
Conservatives who aren’t politicians (or crony businessmen) and also believe in protectionism have been duped.
jack1.jr@aol.com said:
EXCERPT FROM ARTICLE (Emphasis Added): “Today foreign competitors“adjust” their taxes at their borders by adding taxes to American-made productsand taking taxes off their own, he said, but the US did not. By killing that “completely backwards” feature — which he woulddo by not letting US companies deduct import costs from their taxable income —Mr Brady said he would eliminate the price advantages of Chinese steel, Mexicancars and foreign oil.” MISH, The Deck is stacked against USA Products ab initio!!! IF the 1st Sentence above is TRUE, THEN the USA for years (NO, make that Decades) has been playing the Import / Export Game with Other Countries w/ BOTH Hands tied behind its Back!!!
You absolutely MUST agree that this set up (if in fact is True) is Grossly Unfair to USA! ERGO, the suggested solution by Rep. Brady in the Article really doesn’t begin to go far enough. The Real Solution is to demand that all Other Countries that engage in such Practices described in the 1st Sentence above MUST Cease & Desist w/ such Practices immediately!
THEN the World will have Fair Trade — Right Now it surely is Truly UNFAIR TRADE against the USA ~~~ AND THUS Donald Trump is Right that Fair Trade does NOT Exist (although I’d venture a guess for the Wrong Reason, b/c I’d bet Donald isn’t even aware how one-sided against the USA the game is Now).
MISH, Don’t you Agree?
P.S.: A Real Service you can do for your Readers (& to absolutely Cement my above Argument) is to discover whether the practices set out in the 1st Sentence Quoted above are in fact TRUE & Let us know the Answer — You have the CONTACTS & therefore can quite readily do this! MISH, Will you follow up on this?
Mish doesn’t care if it is “unfair”. All he cares about is getting the products as inexpensively as possible. He considers that to be of higher value than Americans being paid more to do the same job.
Puddy said:
TARIFFS or any thing that resembles them will not work. They never have and never will. Industry moved from Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc to the South. That is tantamount to jobs “going over seas” for the workers in those northern states that lost their jobs. I don’t recall anyone in Michigan bitching or moan that those low wage workers in lets say Alabama or Tennessee stole their jobs, and the Michigan legislature needs to tariff goods from Alabama. In fact, that very thing occurred under the Articles of Confederation, and it was quickly leading to a complete collapse in trade among the several states at the time. The Constitution’s Commerce Clause is a direct result of those “tariffs” among the several states. The fact of the matter is that those jobs left the north for a more friendly business environments in the south. Some then left for even friendly business environments overseas. The consumer won by paying less in both cases. Those jobs that did stay in the U.S. were quickly replaced by 1) a robot or 2) completely eliminated through production methods that increased productivity.
Everyone runs a “trade deficit” with your local grocery or car dealership, but the world keeps on spinning doesn’t it?
Mish is dead on about this. You will pay much higher prices for your stuff, and the jobs that Trump is promising will not materialize. We will all be worse off in the end.
Many “Republicans” railed against Ron/Rand Paul for being isolationist when in fact they are both non-interventionists when it comes to foreign policy, but 100% for free trade. It certainly looks like the Republicans got the isolationist they were so afraid of in Trump. Good luck with that.
Hamsta said:
In general, I like the idea of free trade. But it may need to be modified for modern times.
The classical notion is that some countries or societies are better at provided goods than others and free trade will ensure the lowest overall effort in enjoying the goodies.
The trouble now is that what is really being traded is labor. The technology to produce goods (even complex, high tech things) can be readily downloaded to almost all but the most backward countries. So the primary factors of production now becomes labor costs (Including all the regulatory and safety issues) and local fiscal policy like taxes.
What has happened is that a lot of jobs went to China and far east and the West has paid them very well for junk and things that are not really required to live a good life. What is new is that the governments are willing to go into incredible levels of debt to transfer wealth to emerging countries in return for a mass of goods (mostly superfluous).
Maybe a controlled trade war is necessary to tap the brakes on this unbridled consumerism at the expense of US unemployment and huge public/private debt. A trade war may clarify what is important.
The one crying about “nobody wins a trade war” are those profiting from unlimited consumerism fueled by bizarre levels of nation debt. Without this dynamic going on, China would not be nearly as powerful a potential adversary as it has proven today.
Garry Gentry said:
I’ve read your blog for quite a while and you have been consistent on trade. However, since every other Industrialized Country and most of the third world low wage countries already use a VAT tax which is rebated or not charged on their exports how does it help America to simply say we believe in Free Trade and not do the same thing. Doing the same thing as the rest of the world does not seem like a trade war to me. Not doing the same things seem like simply bending over and taking it from the rest of the world.
rb said:
Of course they are going to yell, they have been screwing America for years.
Larry Roberts said:
The USA has something the world needs and wants: A market! We have Buyers!!. If you want access to our “Buyers Market”, paying a cover charge doesn’t seem out of line.
Steve O said:
“Big importers including retailers, apparel makers and the billionaire Koch brothers have united against the proposal, arguing it would cripple businesses that cannot source their products in the US and force them to raise prices for consumers.”
A Republican president at war with the Koch brothers and (although not actually named) the Walton family. This just gets better every day.
kidhorn said:
Trump is an independent who ran on the republican ticket.
Pierre said:
I don’t understand why you are afraid.
Do you realize the capacity of production of your country.
You have all the resources you need and can produce all kind of food. You are independant of the rest of the world.
Also, how american worker can compete with foreign workers without any social benefits in a country that has zero environemental protection?
If we impose tariffs on Chinese imports, can’t the Chinese just export to say Japan and then Japan export to the US? Japan would collect a small fee that is far less than the import tax. Or would we impose tariffs across the board on all imports?
Paul Niemi said:
It is too late to advise against a trade war with China, which the People’s Daily is also warning against today. We have been in a trade war with the Chinese regime at least since June/July, 2015, when the capital flight started out of China. If there was no trade war, China would not have capital controls in place, and its stock markets would be trading freely. Western companies that moved production to China got nervous about getting their money back out and put it to the test, the result being the markets crashed, the Chinese froze stock sales, and the question became how to account for owning worthless stocks in the Chinese ponzi. Foreign exchange is being smuggled out of China every possible way.
As things stand, Xi is taking personal control of the military and putting military people in key administrative positions. It looks like he is preparing a military dictatorship to replace the communist bureaucracy, because things over there look like financial armageddon is on the way. The regime is printing money like Venezuela to pay the bills. It could trigger a rebellion, if bank runs start, and China’s historical record shows that every 50 to 200 years the people rise up and slaughter everyone in the ruling dynasty to settle grievances. Xi knows that. It is the Chinese people, who are on the short end of the stick for having made consumer goods for Americans for the last 20 years, because when the Yuan devalues they are going to lose their savings once again, just like in Deng’s devaluation of 1992.
Well, they could sell their trillions in reserves to help alleviate this. Wonder what that will do to the dollar though?
President Hu a few years ago made the comment that China needed to create 17 million new jobs … a YEAR.
The subtext being that jobs needed to be created to stave off social unrest.
Not hearing any “Yelling” from AMERICAN workers … which is all I care about.
China has been ripping US off in software and drug patents and copyrights. It has also banned Google, Facebook, LinkedIn from the country. So how is that free trade?
From now on corporate America, if you think you will replace American bank workers with ATM’s without paying a tax, forget about it. If you think you will replace American truck drivers with self driving tractors without paying a tax, not gonna happen. If you think you will replace American factory workers with robots and automation without paying a tax, I say no. Make America great again!
qefraud said:
The tariff system needs to be completely reevaluated. I import a product from Switzerland and there is no tariff code to match my product, so they just use the closest thing that costs me 5.7% when the product doesn’t exist anywhere in the US. This added cost forces me to raise my prices which negatively affects my business.
If Trump can dismantle a lot of the insane regulations that make it so costly to build product here, the good for him. All the wage laws, pollution laws, liability laws, benefits laws, etc need to be reevaluated. It’s getting almost impossible for small businesses to survive today because of all this mandated pressure. We just attended the Shot Show in Vegas and I talked to a lot of business owners that are desperately looking for product that isn’t sold on Amazon or Ebay that they can make money on. Any product that has been commoditized on the net takes away any decent margins. If you are not a distributor or manufacturer, then you don’t have a chance in today’s retail market. If Trump were to increase tariffs on imports, then how long would it be before we could build manufacturing back to the point, where we could build the products here? And of course, the pricing of the products will be substantially higher and unless wages keep up, it becomes a zero cost game.
I found this article and Trump needs to hit this first. Stop the Chinese from dumping product directly to American consumers that is subsidized by the US taxpayers:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/09/12/the-postal-service-is-losing-millions-a-year-to-help-you-buy-cheap-stuff-from-china/?utm_term=.32a4d1358f64
mpowerOR said:
Tariffs = negotiation tactics.
If the US refused to import chinese steel/etc. for two weeks, would you describe that as a trade war?
Trump is merely reminding both the US political establishment & the rest of the world that the US has leverage and is willing to use it.
The US & it’s contemporary “free trade” policies are losers because the interests of global corps. have supplanted the interests of US citizens in these trade deals – we simply give state-less corporations what they want, while the US worker is no longer represented at all.
Trump is simply re-asserting the leverage that naturally accompanies the largest single market in the world. When the negotiation phase is over, our new trade deals will not be overly protectionist… they will likely promote ‘free trade’ more so than the deals they are replacing.
Tariffs/etc. are just tactics, not hard policy. Everyone relax.
Professorlocknload said:
With all the Goldman/Corporate apparatchiks strategically placed throughout the new administration, I would imagine the FIRE sector will do quite well over the next few years.
Got stawks?
Truth seeker said:
Mish I don’t like the import tax r the trade war that is beginning. Remember back with Reagan the dollar got way too strong so the Plaza accord was implemented to secretly take down the dollar to help reduce our trade deficit .Still u haven’t answered my question of what we can do about this massive deficit which with China is nearly a billion dollars a day. YOU are the president so what do u do to address this problem? Soon China and others will b able to buy and control huge amounts of American assets!
Maximus Minimus said:
Going back to Reagan, he also imposed quotas on Japanese car imports. As a result Japanese car makers built factories in the US, and of course it is cheaper, too. This was not extended to others, but it works quite well, now.
IMHO, cars imports was a good thing; otherwise Americans may still be driving boxy cars with too much chrome on them, but without government help the car industry would have gone the way of consumer electronics.
That may be true, but globalism hasn’t worked out particularly better than the EU.
Thus the pendulum swings back the other direction. The cycle phase inverts.
TARIFFS or any thing that resembles them will not work. They never have and never will. Industry moved from Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc to the South. That is tantamount to jobs “going over seas” for the workers in those northern states that lost their jobs. I don’t recall anyone in Michigan moaning that those low wage workers in lets say Alabama or Tennessee stole their jobs, and the Michigan legislature needs to tariff goods from Alabama. In fact, that very thing occurred under the Articles of Confederation, and it was quickly leading to a complete collapse in trade among the several states at the time. The Constitution’s Commerce Clause is a direct result of those “tariffs” among the several states. The fact of the matter is that those jobs left the north for a more friendly business environment in the south. Some then left for even friendly business environments overseas. The consumer won by paying less in both cases. Those jobs that did stay in the U.S. were quickly replaced by 1) a robot or 2) completely eliminated through production methods that increased productivity.
Everyone runs a “trade deficit” with your local grocery store or car dealership, but the world keeps on spinning doesn’t it?
President Trump on Wednesday signed two executive orders on immigration, including one that directs federal agencies to begin construction of a wall on the border with Mexico, his signature campaign promise.
One of the orders signed by Trump calls for the construction of “a large physical barrier on the southern border,” according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer.
I’m not saying you should like Trump but he”s doing what he said he would do.
doo_wop said:
China will hurt more. They buy govt debt to gain export markets and manufacturing expertise as the west outsources to cheaper labor. Chinese society is wonderful in many ways but it is not innovative. Remember, this is the place that had gun powder but never made guns. That hasn’t changed and continues to be their prime weakness. They need us much more than we need them. I think Trump understands this.
Merrill said:
Cheap imports are great, until you don’t have a job to pay even those low prices. If Americans are given the choice of having a job or being able to buy a car for a couple grand less, it would be much wiser to pay the higher price because, without a job, one won’t even be able to buy that cheap car.
ambrose bierce said:
February 5, 2017 10:13:03 at 10:13 AM
now the average joe is going to be working more and getting less, (paying for for consumer goods) at those shit jobs that went overseas, hours of mind numbing factory labor. i just hope those factories are in the middle of red states so those people (who voted for Trump) can get their fill of hard work and nothing to show for it. welcome to the gulag comrades
Wall Street Optimistic On Skechers After Record Q2
Hot Options Report For End Of Day - Friday, July 19
Selling Continues In Natural Gas, With Prices Closing Lower Every Day This Week
Gold Price Rally Hits Forecast Target - What’s Next For XAU/USD?
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[archiveorg catalogue63192526kans width=560 height=384 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]
Kansas State Agricultural College
Kansas State Agricultural College--Curricula--Catalogs--Periodicals, Kansas State Agricultural College--Students--Periodicals, Kansas State Agricultural College--Faculty--Periodicals
kansasstateuniversitylibrariescatalog; kansasstateuniversitylibraries; americana
LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation
Kansas State University Libraries
63rd (1925/26)
Course catalogs were published under the following titles: Catalogue of the officers and students of the Kansas State Agricultural College, with a brief history of the institution, 1st (1863/4); Annual catalogue of the officers and students of the Kansas State Agricultural College for, 2nd (1864/5)-4th (1868/9); Catalogue of the officers and students of the Kansas State Agricultural College for the year, 1869-1871/2; Hand-book of the Kansas State Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kansas, 1873/4; Biennial catalogue of the Kansas State Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kansas, calendar years, 1875/77; Catalogue of the State Agricultural College of Kansas, 1877/80-1896/97; Annual catalogue of the officers, students and graduates of the Kansas State Agricultural College, Manhattan, 35th (1897/98)-46th (1908/09); Catalogue, 47th (1909/10)-67th (1929/30); Complete catalogue number, 68th (1930/31)-81st (1943/1944); Catalogue, 1945/1946-1948/1949?; General catalogue, 1949/1950?-1958/1960; General catalog, 1960/1962-1990/1992. Course catalogs then split into undergraduate and graduate catalogs respectively: K-State undergraduate catalog, 1992/1994- ; K-State graduate catalog, 1993/1995-
LD2668 .A243
catalogue63192526kans
ark:/13960/t29899c8t
Page-progression
scribe3.indiana.archive.org
SINGLE PAGE ORIGINAL JP2 TAR download
Kansas State University Catalog
Uploaded by associate-jye-afamasaga on February 22, 2012
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Tag Archives: artisan
Name That Occupation
Since I did a post about what’s in a name, I decided to do another about names, from a different perspective. In my preoccupation with word meanings and etymology (history), I once made the unfounded claim that English surnames which ended in “er” were descriptions of what ancestors did for a living. While mainly true, there are a few which aren’t.
Thayer (or Tayer) means descendant of an Anglo-Saxon lord named Theodoric. He gave his name to the Thay (Tay) river in the south of Scotland, so a Thayer was anyone who lived within its catchment. The name Newcomer, mostly shortened to Newcomb, is obvious.
Since few people are as fascinated with the language as I am, I am not surprised that folks often don’t know the history and meanings of words they (mis)use every day. I am somewhat surprised that so few people know the origins of their family name. When the census-takers for the Domesday Book came around in the late 11th century, what people did for a living often became their identification.
Language, spelling and technology drift have often concealed to modern folk, how their distant relatives made a buck….or a thruppence. Baker and Fisher are still obvious. A Bower bowed to his betters, because he was a general servant. A Bowyer, on the other hand, was in the lord’s militia. Bowman is the more modern equivalent, without the “er”. While we’re playing with bows and arrows, Archer shot them, and (Jessica) Fletcher put the feathers on them.
A Walker walked/trod on soaking newly woven cloth, to felt (thicken) it. A Turner ran a woodworking lathe. A Parker maintained the lord’s park, and a Palmer had been a pilgrim to the Holy Land (palm trees). Coopers originally fabricated small crates like pigeon coops, or chicken coops. Later they specialized in cylinders with curved sides, and became barrel-makers.
Chandlers started by making/selling candles. When sea-faring trade grew, ships required many candles, and those who provided them branched out to providing all things needed for ocean voyages, and the name Chandler came to mean “ship provisioner.”
People sometimes ask if a butler, buttles. The king who ordered the Domesday census was French, and some English names came from French. Originally, a butler was a “bouteillier”, the wine steward. As the job expanded, he became a gentleman’s gentleman. Frankly, Rhett wouldn’t have given a damn. That same linguistic drift has turned the likes of the Anglo-Saxon Farnsworth, into the frog Phaneuf.
At a meeting of the Kitchener council, some years ago, a suggestion was made that a particularly thorny problem be referred to Weaver, Tanner and Miller. One of the dimmer lights on the council objected to letting “a bunch of tree-hugging artisans” have a look at private city business. Someone had to explain that they were a well-known and respected consulting firm. It’s just that their ancestors wove cloth, made leather, and ground grain, respectively.
Tanner’s cousin, Cordwainer, made specialty Cordovan leather, and like the Chandler expansion above, decided to make shoes from it. A cordovaner became a shoe-maker named Cordwainer. His partner, Cobbler, has almost as rare a name.
There are many occupation names which don’t end in “er.” A Wright was someone who fabricated something; therefore the description is playwright, not playwrite. Wrightson was his kid. A wagon maker was a Wainwright, and Little Joe Cartwright made little carts. Carter was the guy who was the medieval FedEx, making quick deliveries in his small, agile vehicle.
Like our neighbors, the Wrights, we Smiths produced things too. I am happy that, as a minor writer and language-lover, I can describe myself as a wordsmith. The family names Goldsmith and Silversmith came into being, but are reserved almost exclusively for Jews. In direct opposition to the Chandlers, our job scale reduced until the only Smiths were the guys pounding on hot iron.
One reason the name Smith is so common is that every city, town and village, no matter how small, had a guy wielding Thor’s hammer. Another reason is that semi-literate immigration officials, faced with a name with 27 consonants and no vowels, just put down SMITH. An ethnic-Chinese co-worker, with the Thai name Phoumey Siamanotham, had an Immigrations official tell him, “Your name is long,” so he opened bank accounts and got a job under the name Long.
My name Smith came from the Anglicizing of Schmidt, but, before spelling rules became quite so rigid, Smidt, Smit, and Schmit also existed. They all came from the Middle-German name Schmeid, which carried the connotation of heavy fabricator, a blacksmith rather than a shoemaker. Not surprisingly, its partner, the German name Bender, means light fabricator. The forebears of the actor Michael Fassbender were Master Fabricators.
What about you, my gentle readers? Do you have, or do you know anyone with, an occupation name? Have you ever thought about it?
Tagged artisan, barrels, cloth, customs, FedEx, genealogy, Holy Land, income, names, occupations, servant, shoes, trivia
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Emeco Sinks Restoration Hardware's Battleship: Navy Chair Dispute Settled
By Branden Klayko • January 29, 2013
Emeco’s Navy Chair. (Courtesy Emeco, Montage by AN)
During World War II, the U.S. Government asked Wilton Carlyle Dinges, founder of the Hanover, PA-based Electrical Machine and Equipment Company (now Emeco) to design a lightweight chair rugged enough to “withstand water, salt air and sailors.” That design became known as the Navy Chair (or the Model 1006 for purists) and today has become a staple of industrial-chic design. Now you can add “copycats” to that list after a legal dispute, involving a nearly-identical chair from Restoration Hardware called the “Naval Chair,” has been settled.
Emeco sued Restoration Hardware last October alleging infringement of Emeco’s trademark of the Navy Chair. “The irreparable harm caused by Restoration Hardware, an established company, to Emeco’s reputation and significant goodwill is massive, incomparable to that caused by a typical, small-time counterfeiter,” the company said at the time in a statement.
Now, Unbeige reports that the dispute “has been settled for an undisclosed sum.” According to a statement released by Emeco Monday, “As part of that settlement, Restoration Hardware has agreed to permanently cease selling the chairs that Emeco accused of infringement, and its existing inventory of such chairs will be recycled.”
The larger significance of this settlement is its implications to protecting the intellectual property of designers. Design copyright protection has been a contentious issue between designers, manufacturers, and counterfeiters—even reaching recently to the scale of architecture—and will continue to play out in coming years.
Copycats counterfeit Hardware Industrial Design Intellectual Property Lawsuits
February 8, 2019 What architects want: customizable kitchens
October 22, 2018 Finely detailed hardware that people can't keep their hands off of
August 20, 2018 Keep out the riffraff with these high-tech locks
July 10, 2018 New door hardware opens up creative possibilities
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PhD Fellowship at the Faculty of Law 2019, University of Bergen, Norway
Workshop/CfP - Policy and Diplomacy for Scientists: Introduction to Responsible Research Practices in Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, 9 - 13 September 2019, Italy
Princeton's Fung Global Fellows Program 2020-2021 - Thinking Globally, USA
Princeton Society of Fellows Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 2020-2023, USA
Harvard Academy Scholars Program in Social Sciences or Law 2020, USA
Batten, First Union, and Peter Nicolaisen International Fellowship Program 2020, USA
Affiliated Fellowships in Humanities and Social Sciences 2020-2021, Central European University, Hungary
PhD Scholarship at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Biomedical Innovation Law (CeBIL) 2019, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
MA Programme in "European Studies and the Eastern Neighbourhood of the EU" 2019, Romania
Postgraduate Research Fellowship in Slavonic Languages and Cultures 2019, University of Glasgow, UK
5 PhD scholarships at the Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy including CBS LAW 2019, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
Bonavero Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship in Human Rights Law and Practice 2019, University of Oxford, UK
PhD Scholarship at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Biomedical Innovation Law 2019, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Workshop/CfP - Labour History of Socialist Globalisation: The view from the Shop-floor, 10-11 October 2019, Germany
Conf/CfP - Welfare State and Violence: Comparative Perspectives on Western and Eastern Europe since the 1950s, 23-25 January 2020, Germany
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Posts Tagged ‘Tony Abbott’
George Bush, John Howard, Tony Abbott, US President Visit Australia
A day in the life of Our House under siege
In Brandis Remember This Freedom, Democracy, Margo Kingston on May 8, 2013 at 9:57 PM
Bush and Howard during visit to Australia. Credit. ABC
Margo: In this chapter from my book, I detail the unprecedented mauling of press, parliamentary and citizen’s freedom in Parliament by Howard when George Bush came to Canberra in 2003. Brandis was in the thick of it, and made no protest. My contemporaneous report of the events is Parliament meets Bush: A day in the life of our faltering democracy
Political systems have much more frequently been overthrown by their own corruption and decay than by external forces
Robert Menzies, ‘The Sickness of Democracy’, from The Forgotten People radio broadcasts, 1942
The anti-democratic hustle
On 8 October 2003 John Howard’s government lied to the Australian people to obtain their Parliament’s consent to hold a special joint sitting for President George W. Bush. Manager of business Tony Abbott told the people’s House:
‘The government has decided to deal with the visit of President Bush in precisely the same way that the Keating Government dealt with the visit of President Bush Senior on 2 January 1992. As well as the formal Parliamentary proceedings, there will obviously be an opportunity for all members of this Parliament to mix with President Bush, and very possibly to meet him.’
Senior ministers would hold talks with the President, Abbott said, adding, ‘Of course, there will be similar opportunities for the Leader of the Opposition and senior shadow ministers. This Parliament spends a lot of time dealing with what might be described as politics as usual, but it is important to put politics as usual aside for this day.’
The 1992 speech by Bush Senior was the first time any foreign head of state had addressed our Parliament. There is nothing in the Constitution to allow it and no precise rules in place. But his visit had gone well. Australians had generally supported our participation in the UN-endorsed coalition to drive Iraq from Kuwait, and the man who’d masterminded it arrived as a largely uncontroversial figure. ‘Politics as usual’ was put aside by making Bush Senior’s stay a state visit. He was welcomed at Kingsford Smith Air- port on his arrival in Australia by the Governor-General, Bill Hayden, with Prime Minister Keating in attendance; there was a state dinner hosted by the Governor-General at Government House, a non-partisan parliamentary dinner hosted by Keating, and meetings with government, Opposition and even farm lobby leaders. The President mixed equally with all our representatives after his speech to show his respect for the honour we, their electors, had extended to him; and he treated our media congenially and with even- handedness throughout.
Australian Prime Minister: Thank you for coming. And just before I invite the President to say a few words, just to outline, first of all, the structure of the press conference so we can operate smoothly . . . I hope we’ll be able to take a roughly even amount from both the Australian and visiting press . . .
American President: My [opening] remarks, Mr Prime Minister, will be very brief. And I simply want to, once again, thank you, thank all of our official hosts, and thank the people of Australia for the warmth of the reception on this visit . . . And I’ll be glad to take my share of the questions.
At that joint press conference Australian journalists asked Bush Senior about half of the twenty-two questions he fielded. Presumably when Abbott told Parliament that this next Bush visit would proceed in ‘precisely the same way’ both our press gallery and elected representatives felt reassured.
The anti-democratic sting
Contrary to Abbott’s pledge, the government already knew that, unlike the visit by his dad, the visit by Bush Junior would NOT be a state visit, but a partisan ‘working’ one, as a guest NOT of the governor-general, our head of state, but of John Howard. The President would NOT ‘very possibly . . . meet’ our parliamentarians, or even ‘obviously . . . mix’ with them. He would NOT ‘of course’ meet senior shadow ministers. He would NOT hold a press conference.
The government knew all this weeks before Abbott misled Parliament to obtain our consent. Read the rest of this entry »
Elitism, Misogyny, Noely Neate, Paid Parental Leave, PPL, Sexism, Tony Abbott
Is the world ready for PM Tony ‘what he meant to say’ Abbott?
In Federal Election, Misogyny, Noely Neate, Paid Parental LEave on May 8, 2013 at 6:48 PM
#WomenWithCalibre
By Noely Neate
I was not going to go here, because all manner of Feminists, accredited and self-proclaimed, have had a say. Some I agree with, some I think are getting hung up on exactly what many of us on Twitter are always complaining about, that is, focussing on a ‘gotcha’ instead of the actual merits of a policy.
I would love to be like some who try to be ‘above it all’, like the so-called ‘Legendary feminist Eva Cox’ (Mia Freedman’s words), though unfortunately, Ms Cox’s defence of Mr Abbott with “what Tony Abbott was trying to say in a somewhat clumsy way...” does not hold a hell of a lot of weight with me.
Ms Freedman chose a rather provocative title for her piece when she came out to bat for Mr Abbott, “I’m defending Tony Abbott. Let’s go.“, again translating what Mr Abbott ‘meant’ for us poor dumb punters as “He was simply making the point – albeit a little clunkily…”
Yet other articles have used various excuses for Mr Abbott such as “off-the-cuff”, “un-intended”. Even Paul Kelly on Sky a few weeks ago had to always interject with “So I think what you are saying…”
The fact is they are probably right, he really probably did not mean for it to come across as it did.
Tony Abbott would be an absolute moron to offend such a large proportion of the population intentionally, so to a certain degree I am sure that the example he used as to why this policy, The Coalition’s Paid Parental Leave scheme is so important, was basically just a brain fart.
Before I go further down the Mr Abbott’s all-time Bloopers road, let’s be above the petty gotcha’s and look at THE PPL policy. To me it’s not very pretty…
Considering the Liberals are best mates of big business, it seems pretty stupid to be annoying them by smacking them with a Levy – (note the Libs are allowed to use the word ‘levy’ unlike the ALP or Greens levies, which are always ‘taxes’) – let alone telling them to fund this super duper ‘ladies’ special for him. “Australian Industry Group” has already publicly let everyone know they are not happy campers.
Now add in the fact that for the first time in forever there is dissent in the ranks. The Liberals for the past few years have been ‘tighter than (fill in the blanks)’ yet we now have three MPs and counting, and more muttering that they are not happy little vegemites, going against what they call “sound Liberal policy”. So, close to an election that is not a good look.
I am not sure why Mr Abbott is staunchly defending his policy. There does not seem to be any good reason, as we have a Maternity Leave policy in place that is adequate and most women I know are more interested in ensuring actually they have a job to go back to AND have affordable and accessible childcare when they do. So to put so many offside when the only ones who will really benefit are a few highly paid female executives seems pretty dumb.
For people who keep saying ‘business is paying for it, not taxpayers’, you are delusional. There is no way in hell a Liberal Government is going to put a tax on their best mates, the 3000 big earning companies in this country, without them getting a concession at a later date in some way, shape or form. If they don’t publicly fight this policy then you know that the nudge-nudge, wink-wink deal has already been done. When big companies get any sort of business concession that means less revenue for the Government and we taxpayers fill in the shortfall. Not to mention they will also double-dip (as banks tend to do) and pass on the so-called extra levy to the consumers of their products. So in fact, you, the taxpayer, will probably pay for Mr Abbott’s gilt-edged PPL twice.
So why does Tony persist with his PPL? Chatting over a glass of wine, all we can come up with as a reason is that Margie suffered when she had to leave her job to have Tony’s daughters and he has promised her that his expensively educated daughters of calibre will never have to suffer the deprivations she did. Who would know? Read the rest of this entry »
ABC, ABC730, Leigh Sales, Peter Clarke, Tony Abbott
How Sales dropped the ball on Abbott
In ABC, Federal Election, Journalism, Peter Clarke on April 25, 2013 at 3:53 PM
Interview with @leighsales about to air on @abc730. Good to chat about our Real Solutions plan for Australia #abc730 pic.twitter.com/nnHOYu2FGF
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) April 24, 2013
By Peter Clarke,
Late last year, Leigh Sales interviewed Tony Abbott live on the 730 Report. Sales was sharp and persistent, Abbott poorly prepared and struggling. Sales beat claims of bias and won a coveted Walkley Award for TV interviewing.
Naturally viewers were relishing the prospect of a return bout, and Sales and the program promoted the interview on social media. It now seems that if Abbott agrees to be interviewed on an ABC current affairs program it is a ‘get’. Because of the history and the ongoing tensions between the office of the opposition leader and the ABC, there is an additional expectation from the audience.
Unlike Sales’ interviews with Prime Minister Gillard, there is no history between Sales and Abbott around key policy areas or even how they engage in these set-piece, contested, political interviews. Rather, each interview appears to be built from the ground up, as if it was the first one. Their rarity causes a fundamental problem in the continuity of enquiry.
I first reviewed Sales’ performance in a piece about her interview with Gillard after she stared down Rudd to retain her leadership, in which I was quite critical of both participants. I have long been an admirer of Sales, and cite her as one of the best we have.
Or I used to.
Something happened in that Gillard interview which diminished the natural and hard-won interviewing skills Sales had clearly demonstrated. She gleaned very little useful insight or information for citizens. Last night’s interview with Abbott was calmer and smoother than the Gillard one or Sales’ last interview with Abbott, but, again, very little content of real value emerged.
In fact, the most troubling aspect of the interview last night was that Sales did not appear to be listening acutely enough to Abbott’s answers. Alongside all the integrated skills and techniques in a top interviewer’s toolkit, LISTENING remains the key attribute. Without it, the ‘hollow dance’ becomes even more superficial.
This Abbott interview was roughly the same duration as the Gillard one – just over thirteen minutes. It was (as was the Gillard interview) pre-recorded. And Abbott was not in the studio with Sales. Here is a brief analysis of the interview transcript.
In her set-up, Sales frames the interview as an enquiry into the Coalition’s economic plan, stating that “your vote will boil down” to your judgement on how well the Labor government handled the Global Financial Crisis and associated spending. Her opening remarks to Abbott followed that line until she ask the gift (for Abbott) question: Are you asking the public to elect you on blind faith?
In my article on Sales’ Gillard interview, I suggested that the interview never recovered from asking a broad diffuse and opinionated first question. Sales’ opening gambit with Gillard:
After recent events, aren’t Australians well within their rights to conclude that the Gillard Government is a dysfunctional mess that deserves to be consigned to opposition as soon as possible?
Notice the similarity in form and approach? Gillard walked through the giant gap. So did Abbott.
Sales could have chosen, as her set-up promised, a specific, targeted first question around economic policy to stop Abbott being able to rely on the generalised, abstract discourse politicians favour to avoid the question and stay on message. But Sales went for the flourish again, and it let her down, again. Read the rest of this entry »
Asylum Seekers, Dogwhistle, Doubt, Election Billbaord, Fear, Indonesia, Michael Keenan, Refugees, Tony Abbott, Uncertainty, UNHCR
Abbott-v-truth on ‘illegals’
In Federal Election, Refugees on April 24, 2013 at 8:14 AM
By Tony Yegles
Leigh Sales won a Walkley Award for her interview with Mr Abbott on the 730 Report in August 2012. Part of this interview dealt with the issue of using the term “illegal” when referring to asylum seekers. Below is a quick reminder.
LEIGH SALES: Why have you referred repeatedly to illegal asylum boats coming to Australia? Do you accept that that’s illegal and that seeking asylum by any means is legal?
TONY ABBOTT: Most of the people who are coming to Australia by boat have passed through several countries on the way and if they simply wanted asylum they could have claimed that in any of the countries through which they’d passed.
LEIGH SALES: But I don’t believe that it’s actually illegal to pass through countries on your way to somewhere where you want to have asylum.
TONY ABBOTT: You try turning up in America without documents, without a visa, without a passport; you’ll be treated as very, very much illegal, Leigh. The other point I make, from recollection at least, is that the very term that the Government has officially used to describe these vessels is “suspected illegal entry vessel”.
LEIGH SALES: Do you – I’m asking you though, not about the Government. I’m asking: do you accept that it’s legal to come to Australia to seek asylum by any means – boat, plane – that it is actually legal to seek asylum?
TONY ABBOTT: I think that people should come to Australia through the front door, not through the back door. If people want a migration outcome, they should go through the migration channels.
LEIGH SALES: That’s an answer to the question if I asked you: how do you think people should seek asylum?, it’s not an answer to the question: is it legal to seek asylum?
Jon Faine also took Mr Abbott on about illegals in August last year, when the alternative PM conceded the point, but stuck to his script anyway.
Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that:
All people have a fundamental human right to seek asylum from persecution.
Leigh Sales not only won a Walkley Award but she was also cleared of bias in that interview by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Yet Mr Abbott keep using the term, and in Perth on April 24 he joined his custom’s spokesman Michael Keenan to put it on a billboard Read the rest of this entry »
CMC, David Ettridge, Hanson Slush Fund, One Nation, Pauline Hanson, Tony Abbott
The legal saga against One Nation, and legal possibilities against Abbott
In The Hanson Affair on April 18, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Margo Kingston: For people interested in the details of the One Nation court saga, the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission published a report in 2004. Here we publish its findings on Abbott’s involvement, then my 2003 Webdiary piece on the possibilities for legal action by Hanson and Ettridge and an explanation of champerty and maintenance.
CMC Report into the prosecution of Mr Ettridge and Ms Hanson
Source: CMC Report
First publisheed January 2004
Turning to Mr Abbott’s involvement, the Commission wrote to Mr Abbott and asked for
a submission. Having initially informed us that his part in the Hanson litigation was on
the public record, Mr Abbott replied by a letter dated 25 November 2003, which
attached published material relating to his connection with the matter. The
Commission has proceeded on the assumption that the material, in so far it attributes
statements or actions to Mr Abbott, is believed by him to be substantially correct. It
follows that Mr Abbott appears to accept that he established a trust to deal with One
Nation, with funds donated by a number of people whom he named, as well as a
number whom he did not name.
Mr Abbott indicated he would not provide details of the others who made donations
to the trust without an instruction from the Australian Electoral Commission, in
accordance with a provision of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The CMC has
no authority to pursue this aspect further.
On 3 September 1998 the Australian newspaper published that the trust had about
$100,000 in funds. Mr Abbott has said, in effect, that the trust was not a Liberal Party
organisation and that his purpose was to expose One Nation as a fraud. He also
explained to the media that he had, with the funds raised, supported two separate
legal attempts to shut down One Nation, one being an application made by a Ms
Barbara Hazelton and the other proceedings brought by Mr Sharples. Mr Abbott
appears to have admitted, on one occasion, that he had given a misleading answer to
an interviewer in relation to the matter, to the effect that he had not promised Mr
Sharples money at the outset, to be paid into a solicitor’s trust account; Mr Abbott later
explained that he had taken the interviewer’s question to relate solely to Liberal Party
funds. Mr Abbott said that he had once told Mr Sharples that he had organised pro
bono lawyers that he had organised pro bono lawyers for him and that he had
‘someone’ to cover the costs should they be awarded against him.
As to the criminal proceedings, Mr Abbott denies that he had any connection
whatsoever with them.
Mr Abbott’s activities gave financial support to Mr Sharples’s successful attempt to
establish that the registration of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation was procured by fraud.
The Commission has not been supplied with any evidence to contradict the substance
of Mr Abbott’s account of these events.
It seems clear that eventually Messrs Abbott and Sharples fell out, but the Commission
does not think it necessary to discuss the details of that disagreement. Nor is any
opinion here expressed as to whether, as has been suggested, what Mr Abbott did by
promoting litigation against Ms Hanson amounted to one or both of the two civil
wrongs called maintenance and champerty. That assertion, whether or not it is legally
correct, has no connection with the question whether Ms Hanson was accorded due
process — that depends on the nature of the court proceedings in which she was
involved and whether they were instituted and conducted fairly and with due regard
to her rights. Clearly, Mr Abbott’s conduct could not amount to misconduct within the
meaning of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001. Read the rest of this entry »
Big Business, Climate Denial, Ideology, IPA, Liberal Party, Lobby Group, Mining, Murdoch, Policy Bullet Points, Privatise Government, Tony Abbott
My people’s petition for Abbott to reveal his other IPA policies
In Federal Election, Ideology, IPA, Liberal Party, Tom Cummings on April 15, 2013 at 12:14 PM
By Tom Cummings (@cyenne40)
The Australian Labor Party is often accused of being at the beck and call of the unions. Of course there is a decent element of truth in this, in so far as they both tend to focus on workers rather than corporations, and the historical links between Australia’s unions and the ALP are many. However, in recent years those links have weakened (although never broken) and the dynamic of today is different than it was 20 or 30 years ago.
But what about the Liberal Party? What of their affiliations, their preferences? They have always come across as friends of industry and big business rather than the workers; their focus on ‘getting what you pay for’ is well in keeping with their conservative ideology and reputation.
The difference between the ALP and the Liberal Party in this respect is that, while the former is vilified for their union associations, the latter is largely forgiven for their industry bias. This may well be because the corporations they support are largely responsible for helping to shape and drive the public perception of such things, although that is a situation that is rapidly changing as non-traditional news outlets gain popularity and credibility.
But the Liberal Party of today has stronger, more visible links to the conservative side of town through its leader. Tony Abbott makes no secret of his relationships and associations with certain individuals within the Catholic church, the media and big business; and his fondness for sound-bites ahead of policy has left a vacuum that his friends seem only too happy to fill.
Nowhere was this more obvious than at the recent 70th anniversary dinner of the Institute of Public Affairs. The IPA is not well known to the majority of the public, yet this ‘independent libertarian think tank’ had News Ltd boss and IPA member Rupert Murdoch as their guest of honour. Right-wing commentator Andrew Bolt was the MC. Cardinal George Pell and mining magnate Gina Rinehart were in attendance. And Tony Abbott himself gave the speech welcoming Murdoch to the occasion (Murdoch’s ‘class war’ speech is published here).
One of the most frightening things about that night is that Abbott joked about a list of 75 policies that the IPA had published and encouraged him and his party to adopt. He listed which policies his Coalition had already taken on board: abolishing the carbon tax and the mining tax, privatising Medibank and slashing the public service were just a few.
“So, ladies and gentlemen, that is a big ‘yes’ to many of the 75 specific policies you urged upon me in that particular issue of the magazine….but Gough Whitlam I will never be!”
– Tony Abbott
The question here is this: where will Tony Abbott stop? How many more of the IPA’s radical policy suggestions entitled ‘Be like Gough’ will he adopt as party policy, before or after the election? We all saw last week what happens when Abbott tries to be creative with policy; the alternative NBN announcement with Malcolm Turnbull was an unmitigated disaster. How likely then that he will resist any further policy announcements for as long as possible, only to cherry-pick from the list the IPA has so kindly put together for him?
Because that list, and the 25 additional policies that the IPA subsequently released to make it an even 100, make for truly terrifying reading. It is a libertarian vision for the future, one without safety nets, one without protections, and one without regard for the individual.
That’s why I started a petition, calling on Tony Abbott to clarify which of the IPA’s 75 policies the Coalition plans to implement. Of course I have no illusions that this petition will ever reach Abbott, or that even if it did, that it would make an iota of difference to his actions. A friend of mine called it their “favourite useless waste of time” petition, and I can honestly see why!
But some people are reading it. Some people are seeing the list of 75 IPA policies, are seeing that Tony Abbott is already committed to implementing a number of these policies, and are concerned. Already the petition has attracted more than a thousand signatures… far more than I thought it ever would.
Because the common wisdom is that Tony Abbott will be prime minister before the end of the year. We need to think about that, and scrutinise what it will mean. It’s not good enough for him to hold all his cards close to his chest and promise that life will be better under his government. We deserve better than that; we deserve to be told.
Sign the petition now:
Petitioning Tony Abbott, Leader of the Opposition: Clarify which of the IPA’s 75 policies the Coalition plans to implement.
Broadband, Copper, FTTH, FTTN, FTTP, LNP, Malcolm Turnbull, NBN, Pascal Grosvenor, Telstra, Tony Abbott
@NoFibs NBN policy articles curated by citizen journo @pascalg15
In NBN, Pascale Grosvenor, Telecommunications on April 11, 2013 at 4:44 PM
Credit: Malcolm Turnbull Facebook – Spoof by The Geek
By Pascal Grosvenor
With all the claims and counter claims going back and forth via Twitter or Facebook I’ve been getting frustrated,because there’s lots of incorrect facts and sometimes outright lies being perpetrated. People on both sides of the political debate have been guilty of this.
My goal is to collate the articles I’ve read about the NBN Co’s FTTH or the LNP’s FTTN alternative in one place. I’ll regularly update this list.
FTTH is Fibre to the Home (sometimes referred to as FTTP or Fibre to the Premise)
FTTN is Fibre to the Node (the Telstra junction box at the end of the street)
I hope people find this useful. I include articles from both sides of the debate – please post comments or suggestions for extra articles to include. I won’t accept anything from the ALP or Liberal party websites or from politicians for obvious reasons.
Please post your comments or suggestions for extra articles to include.New links added 18/4/13 – they’re highlighted in yellow.
Disclaimer : I’m personally in favour of the ALP’s NBN. I think it’s the best option.
Note re Comments : Any comments with swearing or personal abuse of me (or anyone else) will not be approved. Play the ball not the person …
Technical/ IT based blog posts :
Credibility And The Alternate NBN (by @mwyres)
http://michaelwyres.com/2013/04/credibility-and-the-alternate-nbn/
Not All Technology Is Equal (by @sortius) http://sortius-is-a-geek.com/?p=2883
Coalitions NBN plan to stop consumers taking control of media (by @sortius)
Why not FTTN ? NBN Myths (comparing FTTN speeds) http://nbnmyths.wordpress.com/why-not-fttn/
Coalition’s NBN plan: where’s the cost of the copper? http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/14/coalition_broadband_plan/
@sortius on how and why the Coalition’s NBN policy is designed to fail (australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com)
Comments by ex Telstra linesman http://fibreorcopper.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/broadband-user-experiences/#comment-2
Articles in favor of FTTN :
Why the Coalition’s NBN plan makes sense http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/why-the-coalitions-nbn-plan-makes-sense-20130410-2hkx2.html
Broadband utopia is a pipedream: analyst
http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/broadband-utopia-is-a-pipedream-analyst-20130411-2hnl8.html#
Turnbull has saved the NBN http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/4/10/infrastructure/turnbull-has-saved-nbn
The case against /problems with FTTN – told by photos :
Worst of the worst: Photos of Australia’s copper network http://delimiter.com.au/2012/05/01/worst-of-the-worst-photos-of-australias-copper-network/
Some more articles :
#Fraudband is an #NBN fail, even for punters By Stephen Neate
A tale of two NBNs: the Coalition’s broadband policy explained http://theconversation.com/a-tale-of-two-nbns-the-coalitions-broadband-policy-explained-13304
News articles & opinion pieces from mainstream media :
The Coalition’s NBN policy is a triumph of short-termism over long-term vision (pcauthority.com.au)
NBN $17b cheaper, but slower (smh.com.au)
Coalition NBN Policy: Six Things To Think About (gizmodo.com.au)
Coalition’s NBN alternative bad for regional Australia : says telco expert http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/coalitions-nbn-alternative-bad-regional-aus/1823370/ …
NBN debate full of ‘erroneous’ information http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/nbn-debate-full-of-erroneous-information-20130404-2h8m9.html
Telstra will decide Coalition’s NBN: Hackett http://www.zdnet.com/au/telstra-will-decide-coalitions-nbn-hackett-7000013724/
Personal accounts of people now using the NBN :
(or who want to be on the NBN asap)
Imagining an amazing innovative future with Labor’s NBN
https://australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/imagining-an-amazing-innovative-future-with-labors-nbn
Jack McCaw’s NBN story
https://australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/jack-mccaws-nbn-story/
We are now connected to the NBN. Here’s a run-down on the install. And the speed!
http://alankerlin.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/we-are-now-connected-to-nbn-heres-run.html
Pass or fail? Kiama mum grades the NBN
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1356891/pass-or-fail-kiama-mum-grades-the-nbn/?cs=12
Why Jake’s impatient for the NBN
https://australiansforhonestpolitics.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/why-jakes-impatient-for-the-nbn/
Examples of other countries deploying FTTH :
Benefits of Ultra-Fast Broadband http://ufb.org.nz/benefits/
Japan launches world’s fastest home internet 2Gbps : http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/japan-launches-worlds-fastest-home-internet-20130416-2hxge.html
Taking on Provo, Utah failure proves Google is serious about FTTH http://www.tellusventure.com/blog/taking-on-provo-failure-proves-google-is-serious-about-ftth/
France Telecom strikes FTTH network pact with Bouygues Telecom http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/france-telecom-strikes-ftth-network-pact-bouygues-telecom/2012-01-17#ixzz2QnW70ZIF
Bernie Banton, Character Test, David Marr, Global Mail, Quarterly Essay, The Finnigans, Tony Abbott
Tony Abbott’s questions of character
In Federal Election, The Finnigans on April 1, 2013 at 10:01 PM
By @Thefinnigans
MARGO: @TheFinnigans is a friend from Webdiary days, and he’s been a serious supporter of my return to journalism for a while. He says he compiled this list of what he feels are some of Tony Abbott’s character questions in honour of my first venture back unto political writing for many years, A question of character. Thanks, Finnie, for everything. His first list for @NoFibs, published in She’s still standing but the media is blind, is our most popular post.
Tony Abbott, 29/11/2012 – on PM Gillard: ‘She had been a dodgy and unethical lawyer. The criticism was not about gender; she had failed the character test’.
Susan Mitchell – Tony Abbott is a bully who hates women, and his outdated social views are a threat to national cohesion and plurality, according to a polemical new book. In Tony Abbott: A Man’s Man, academic and writer Susan Mitchell attempts to deconstruct the Opposition Leader’s beliefs and character so that Australians ‘think again’ about the man who came within a whisker of forming government after last year’s general election.
David Marr – Oct 10, 2012 – David Marr talks to The Global Mail’s Mike Seccombe about his Quarterly Essay Political Animal: The Making of Tony Abbott. Tony Abbott’s values are old fashion rock solid 1950s Catholicism, that essentially it. He is essentially an old fashioned Catholic.
Laurie Oakes: Tony Abbott has a credibility issue – LET’s not beat about the bush. Tony Abbott tells lies. So what? Is there anything surprising about that? After all, he’s a politician. But it needs to be pointed out because the central message from Abbott supporters is that the Prime Minister is the liar – Ju-liar, in fact, according to the likes of Alan Jones. The Opposition Leader is portrayed – and portrays himself – as the epitome of honesty. A man whose word can always be trusted.
Tony Abbott’s Character:
00/00/1976 – Tony Abbott kicked in a glass panel door after a narrow defeat in the University Senate elections in 1976.
00/00/1977 – He came up to within an inch of my nose and punched the wall on either side of my head … It was done to intimidate (Barbara Ramjan)
00/00/1977 – Abbott’s famous flying squad of goons crashed down the stairs, threw me against the wall, kicked in the doors of the SRC, and started creating havoc
00/00/1977 – Confess to calling Barbara Ramjan a “chairthing” rather than chairperson
00/00/1977 – Lawyer David Patch: ‘Tony used to stand outside the women’s room with his right-wing mates and loudly tell sexist and homophobic jokes’.
00/00/1978 – Abbott allegedly throwing a punch and hitting Peter Woof at Sydney University
00/00/1978 – Was allegedly caught doing unethical or perhaps illegal things like changing the locks on the student union offices and other things
00/01/1978 – Charged with indecent assault of Helen Elizabeth Wilson
00/00/1979 – Lindsay Foyle: He decided the quickest way to settle our differences was to take me downstairs and demonstrate how I was wrong by punching my head in
16/10/1995 – Euthanasia is not about the right to die; it is about the right to kill
00/00/1997 – Father Nestor (convicted pedophile) – He was . . a beacon of humanity at the seminary
00/00/1998 – If it’s true … that men have more power, generally speaking, than women, is that a bad thing?
00/00/1998 – But what if men by philosophy or temperament are more adapted to exercise authority or to issue command?” Read the rest of this entry »
Catholi Church, Faith & Politics, Priesthood, Seminary, Tony Abbott
Tony Abbott on why he left the priesthood
In Federal Election on March 28, 2013 at 11:40 PM
Thanks to Laurie Cousins (@sydneysiderblue) for giving @NoFibs the hard copy of this piece.
By Tony Abbott
August 18. 1987
Source: The Bulletin
I WAS AGHAST to realise that something within me, long sickening, had quietly died and felt as a husband might feel who, in the fourth year of his marriage, suddenly knew that he no longer had any de sire, or tenderness, or esteem for a once beloved wife; no pleasure in her company; no wish to please; no curiosity about anything she might ever do or say or think; no hope of setting things right, no self reproach for the disaster… I had played every scene in the domestic tragedy, had found the early tiffs become more frequent, the tears less affecting, the reconciliations less sweet, till they engendered a mood of aloofness and cool criticism and the growing conviction it was the loved one who was at fault. Evelyn Waugh, Brideshead Revisited
As the newly ordained priests left the chapel of St Patrick’s seminary, the congregation burst into spontaneous applause. The previous evening, at rugby training at Sydney University oval, my announcement that I was quitting priestly training drew an equally enthusiastic (if more ribald) response. Three years’ grinding struggle to meet the Church’s standard was over. But a dream had died, as well – the dream that I could join that splendored company founded by Christ which has angered, amazed and enthralled the world ever since.
Since school days I had wrestled with the idea of becoming a priest. Casually suggested by a Jesuit mentor the appalling thought was not to be denied, despite degrees in Economics and Law from Sydney University, tumultuous involvement in student politics and a Rhodes scholarship which encompassed studies in politics and philosophy, playing for Oxford against the 1981 Wallabies and two blues as a heavyweight boxer. I shared fully in the ordinary foibles of youth. But why should personal ambivalence, parental misgivings and peer incomprehension hinder God ‘s plan?
“St Patrick ‘s is not the place for you,” a senior priest told me. “What are we going to do with you?” asked another after consulting my educational background. “You are about to experience the worst years of your life,” said a recently ordained acquaintance. What on Earth was I letting myself in for?
St Patrick’s seminary: has produced good priests but inspires little affection.
St Patrick’s is Australia’s oldest and largest seminary. It has trained most of NSW’s and many of Australia’s parochial clergy since 1889. These priests have generally lacked heroic asceticism, great scholarship or reforming zeal. But their human warmth, quirky administration and dogged devotion to an exhausting and often lonely ministry has justly earned the love of their people. For their many qualities, St Patrick’s must take credit. Yet the seminary, unlike its graduates, has never excited much warm feeling. Read the rest of this entry »
Australian Labor Party, Julia Gillard, Labor, Tony Abbott
I want to vote Labor – give me a reason!
In Federal Election, Noely Neate on March 25, 2013 at 3:39 PM
My grandfather “Chum”, bit of a dapper bloke in his day 🙂
Every man and his dog has given up Labor as a dead loss for the election in September. I am not so sure.
John Howard was pretty much in that position at one stage. and it was only the intervention of Tampa and Twin Towers Towers that saved his butt. The fact is that when people are scared they stay with the ‘devil they know’. Now, I don’t wish the likes of a Twin Towers to save the Labor Party, though a bit more focus on Tony Abbott’s policies may help level the playing field so that people could get past personalities to actually look at what each side will do for this country.
Having said that, I don’t hold out much hope for the ALP unless they can get back to grass roots. Basically we have a two horse race. There’s the Liberal/National coalition, which equals Money. Now everyone can relate to money, everyone has aspirations, so that is a no brainer for them to attract people. Labor has traditionally been Labor, equals unions.
For people like me – I am 45 in a few weeks – I understand that we owe the unions a lot. Without unions there would be no minimum wage and no safety requirements in the workplace and kids would be working working for two bucks an hour. Unfortunately, with so much small business now and the fact that the unions did such a bloody good job that the Government has taken over in some respects when it comes to fair pay and conditions, younger generations don’t ‘get’ or appreciate unions.
But they do see the news and unions scare them, Unions stopped them getting on that flight with Qantas to go to the mates 21st, Union ‘stuff’ meant they could not get that part-time job on the work site (that they were not qualified for but we won’t worry about that…). Unions have a bad rap.
Unfortunately for the unions they are not a large percentage of our population anymore. Also, like our politicians, too many union leaders are career managers, not actually from the site or factory floor, so it is even hard for old time blue collar workers to support them.
Worse, the Labor Party being so closely aligned with unions and the massive voting block they have that is not proportionate with the population actually makes the Liberals case for them. If you are not in an area that has a big union presence, like mine, unions mean nothing to you.
The funny thing is that Labor was not always like that. They had more members and more support, and it was not just because we had more blue collar jobs in this country. It was also because often the Labor party, just like the Lions or Rotary, were part of the community. Read the rest of this entry »
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Home Article ‘I would have killed myself’: Free app puts care at rape survivors’...
‘I would have killed myself’: Free app puts care at rape survivors’ fingertips
Pontsho Pilane
Bianca Jonkers* was gang raped and the free Vimba! app puts helped her access counselling and care.
One Friday night in April, Bianca Jonkers, her boyfriend and his cousin visited a local tavern for a fun night out. Jonkers, who prefers not to use her real name, had just relocated from the Western Cape to live with her boyfriend in Diepsloot, a township in northern Johannesburg.
“I came here to start a new life,” she explains. “We first lived in the Western Cape, but then my boyfriend got a job in Johannesburg and I wanted us to be together.”
Round about 11pm, the 41-year-old decided to return home. She left her boyfriend and his cousin behind for the 2 km walk to their rented backroom.
But about halfway, Jonkers was stopped by a group of seven men. “Give us your phone and money,” they shouted.
But she had neither. “All I had was eight rands in my back pocket.”
Jonkers pauses. She nervously swivels her keys.
“I knew I was in trouble. They started dragging me into a ditch where people dump their rubbish, next to a stream of water.”
Four of the seven men raped Jonkers. Repeatedly. One held a knife to her neck and threatened to kill her if she screamed for help. “I was scared, I would rather be alive than to be stabbed to death,” she explains.
She looks out the window of the wendy house of a Diepsloot rape counsellor where she sits in the corner of a white, foldable chair. “So I laid there, waiting for them to finish.”
Free number for help
The next day Jonkers’ landlord came to her help. The landlord dialled *134*403# on her cellphone – she had heard about the number at her church. She didn’t need any data or airtime to dial the number, because the app’s developers cover the cost of the data through “unstructured supplementary service data” (USSD) technology.
After Jonkers had dialled the number, she received an SMS with the numbers and addresses of organisations that could help. That’s how Jonkers ended up at Brown Lekekela’s wendy house.
He runs The Green Door, the only place of shelter in Diepsloot for women and children who have been abused. Lekekela counsels gender-based violence victims and helps them report their cases to the police. The Green Door is located in Extension 6, in his backyard.
Lekekela counselled Jonkers, who was still visibly devastated. “Every time I closed my eyes I heard their [the rapists’] voices. I could feel and hear everything but I couldn’t see their faces.”
Jonkers would never have received counselling if it wasn’t for *134*403#. “Most rape victims in Diepsloot don’t know where to find help,” explains Lekekela. “They just try and move on with their lives.”
According to a 2017 study published in the South African Journal of Psychiatry, receiving support and care from others helps sexual violence survivors cope significantly better with their trauma. But poor “integration of mental health services” at post-rape services result in only a few survivors receiving adequate trauma counselling.
While five organisations – The Green Door, Sonke Gender Justice, Lawyers Against Abuse, Africa Tikkun and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group – provide counselling and legal services in Diepsloot to victims of gender-based violence, few residents know how and where to find them.
In partnership with these organisations, Bhekisisa created and launched the Vimba! app in December. It helps survivors, who are mostly women and children, to know what to do and where to go when they’ve been abused. In addition to SMS’ing the contact details of the organisations, the app also sends a list of do’s and don’ts to users and collects data about the locations they dial from, as well as the time of reporting.
Lekekela named the app Vimba!, a well–known cry for help in South Africa. Vimba! means ‘to prevent, stop or halt’ in isiZulu. “If someone in the street is robbed or hurt and they shout: ‘Vimba!’ people will run towards them to help. That’s why we’ve chosen this name,” explains Lekekela.
He has jotted down 28 people in his register book who have come to his shelter as a direct result of Vimba! this year. The other venues are still in the process of calculating their numbers.
Vimba!’s data shows close to 500 people have dialled the helpline between December and April.
In a 2016 study conducted by Sonke Gender Justice and the University of the Witwatersrand, 56% of men who were surveyed in Diepsloot admitted to having raped or beaten a woman.
“People in Diepsloot don’t have airtime to phone me, so they will get my address from the app and walk here,” Lekekela says. “When they get here, I counsel them and help them to report their rapes.”
Vimba! app murals will be painted in eight extensions in Diepsloot to create more awareness about the helpline. (Delwyn Verasamy)
‘This is not the Western Cape’
After raping Jonkers, the group of men left – except for one, who stayed behind to continue.
“He was very tall and dark, and his left hand was wrapped in a white bandage,” Jonkers remembers.
She wipes the tears off her face.
“I could hear my boyfriend’s cousin shouting my name, but I couldn’t do anything. I was terrified that if I did he would hurt me.”
The man left her in the ditch. Following the sound of passing cars and chattering foot travellers, a bruised and barefoot Jonkers staggered back to the main road. Eventually, she found her boyfriend and his cousin.
Jonkers wanted her boyfriend to call the police so she could open a case. But he refused. “He said to me: ‘This is not the Western Cape, the police in Diepsloot won’t help us.'”
There is only one police station in Diepsloot. It services 13 extensions, with a population that local organisations estimate at about half a million. The only official figures come from the 2011 South African census, which counted 138 000 people in the township. Residents and businesses in the township say the population of Diepsloot is grossly underestimated.
In October 2015, Bhekisisa published a story, Diepsloot: Where men think it’s their right to rape about the prevalence of child rape in Diepsloot. Vimba! is the result of the overwhelming reaction to the story, which led to a partnership with organisations working with gender-based violence survivors in the township.
No rape kits in Diepsloot
Jonkers listened to her boyfriend; she didn’t call the police on the night of her rape. Together, they walked back home where she washed herself and went to bed.
But the sleep she desperately needed was nowhere to be found.
Lekekela however convinced her to report her rape to the police the next day. A detective from the police station drove Jonkers to Olivedale Hospital in Randburg, which is about 20 km away from Diepsloot. She was swabbed and given the morning-after pill to prevent her from falling pregnant, as well as a month’s dosage of antiretroviral drugs, or post-exposure prophylaxis, to reduce her chances of contracting HIV.
Lekekela says the two local clinics in Diepsloot don’t stock rape kits. The nearest Thuthuzela Care Centre – a one-stop, government-run service offering rape care – is at Tembisa Hospital, about 30km away.
Jonkers has also had therapy with a professional trauma counsellor.
According to Lekekela many people in Diepsloot don’t understand what gender-based violence is and why it is wrong. “People believe that it is okay for a husband to demand sex from his wife, and to beat her if she doesn’t oblige,” he says. “Before we address the issues of violence, we need to make sure people understand it first.”
When Vimba! was launched, posters were put up in public places like the mall and community centres around Diepsloot. But Lekekela believes more needs to be done to let everyone know about the hotline. That’s why he and a team of volunteers started to paint murals with the Vimba! message across the township this year.
The words “Dial *134*403# from any cellphone – for free/mahala” are painted on the white wall of Jabulani Supermarket in Extension 11. The shop, which is located on a busy street, is opposite a hair salon, and next to a small tavern. A vivid picture of a man interjecting another man raising his hand to a woman is captioned: “Men taking action against abuse”.
Lekekela explains: “Each of the extensions will have two wall paintings. This will make Vimba! more visible and more people will know about it.”
The bruises on Jonkers face are slowly fading away. She still has an open cut on her right foot. All the physical remnants of her rape will soon be gone, but the ordeal will stay with her for a long time to come.
She still gets nightmares. “I wish this didn’t happen to me.” The “new life” Jonkers came to find in Diepsloot started horrendously. She bows her head. “If Brown didn’t help me I would have killed myself.”
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Pontsho Pilane was a health journalist at Bhekisisa, the Mail & Guardian's health journalism centre between 2016 and 2018. She debuted as a journalist at The Daily Vox, where she wrote primarily about gender, race and how they intersect. She was previously a general news reporter at the M&G. Pilane holds two degrees in media studies from Wits University.
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Dark Mountains
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Irish Truth - The Irish Treasures Saga - Book 4
“You can’t be fecking serious,” Ian cursed and threw the papers on the desk. “They can’t be transferring him.” The man sitting on the other side of his desk sighed and leaned forward.
“No one is happy about this, Ian,” Kenneth explained. One of the founding partners of the Shannon Law Associates, Kenneth had usually been the one that would side with Ian on most things.
“Why the bloody hell would they be?” Ian shouted. “The man is a violent rapist, a serial murder! He deserves to be in the darkest pit of the most well secured prison we have, not in a bloody psychiatric hospital.”
“The judge signed the appeal, Ian,” Kenneth answered in a tired voice. “His decision is final.”
“His decision is fecking wrong,” Ian growled and stood to look out the window. Shannon was hidden behind a thick grey rain. It matched his mood. “Why wasn’t I allowed to argue?”
“The other partners thought this case was too personal for you to be able to argue successfully.”
“Well the lot of you didn’t do any better, did you?” Kenneth clenched his jaw but sighed.
“I’m sorry, Ian. We didn’t get the ruling we wanted, but we can’t change it now. He’s being transferred tomorrow.”
“This is a mistake,” Ian whispered.
“You don’t know that.”
“Aye,” Ian sighed and looked back at his partner. “I do.”
He took the rest of the day off. At least it was Friday and he wouldn’t be missing much. He had to get out of his office, away from his desk that was covered with the files of a murderer and his victims. He wanted to go home, back to the quiet beauty of the cliffs, back to his family.
He threw his briefcase in the lorry trunk and slammed it shut. The world was never fair. It was a lesson he had learned too early in life. And the truth, as powerful as it was, did nothing to change it.
It took a few hours to drive home. Thankfully, since he had left early, the traffic was light, mainly tourists on their way to see the Cliffs of Moher for the weekend.
He didn’t phone Brigid, though he could feel her faint connection to his mind. She would know he was hurting but would not call. She knew him well and would wait until he was ready to talk. He nearly cursed their connection and her ability to know when he was in pain. Since birth, they had shared a link like no other. Even from huge distances, they could connect with each other. He shook his head. There was no denying the gift he shared with his twin. Like the truth, denial wouldn’t change anything.
He briefly considered stopping at the pub to have a pint with his dad. But it was still the lunch hour, and Jamie would be busy serving fish, chips, and Guinness to the tourists. He wasn’t ready to see his father yet anyway. Raw wounds usually gave way to raw emotions and he didn’t want his father being on the receiving end of his present mood.
He pulled up to his cottage and parked. He could smell the saltwater from the ocean as soon as he opened the lorry door. Much as he had avoided coming home the last five years, he loved the way it smelled.
He threw his briefcase onto the table and noticed a pot of tea steeping in the kitchen. Steam was still wafting from the spout. Brigid must have gotten it ready before he’d arrived. He smiled. No doubt, the tea was infused with some of her many herbs to make his troubles lessen. He didn’t want tea just yet. What he wanted was a hot shower to soothe his aching muscles.
He kicked his shoes off and began unbuttoning his shirt as he walked to the bedroom. It smelled different since the last time he had been home, like pine, and something else he couldn’t place. Brigid must have brought over some new oils while he had been gone. He threw his shirt onto the bed and slipped his pants off by the bathroom door. When he opened the door, the steam hit his naked chest and he faltered.
This wasn’t right at all. Brigid wouldn’t have started a shower for him. There certainly would not be someone humming from behind the curtain, and there most definitely would not be a lacy bra hanging from the doorknob.
Someone was in his house. And not just someone, but a woman. He debated on going back to the kitchen and phoning the Garda but decided against it. This was his house, and he could certainly deal with a vagabond woman that had decided to use his home as a rest stop.
“I’ll have to ask you to leave this house immediately,” Ian shouted over the water, trying to sound as professional as possible. The humming stopped. There was no screaming, for which Ian was extremely thankful. But then again, maybe that was a bad thing. If the woman wasn’t scared, maybe she was going to come out fighting. The water shut off.
Ian swallowed, wishing he had just phoned the Garda in the first place. The curtain slid open slightly and the woman looked out with a lifted eyebrow. Her black, wavy hair was heavy with water and lay across the front of her shoulders. Her eyebrows winged up in contempt and her full lips were pursed.
“Pardon me?” her voice, thick with a Russian accent, was deep and lyrical, and not at all afraid. “You have some balls walking in on a woman taking a shower.” Ian swallowed. This was quickly becoming a more complicated situation.
“You are trespassing on private property and I must ask that you leave,” he ordered. “Immediately.” The woman’s eyebrows rose even higher and she tossed the shower curtain to the side. “Shit,” Ian swore as he averted his eyes, but not before he saw her in all her naked glory, glistening with droplets of water. This situation was worsening by the second.
The woman, at least what he had seen of her, was absolutely gorgeous. Long legs, fit, yet curvy waist, large breasts barely covered by her long hair. Ian scrunched his eyes shut, reaching blindly for a towel. He grabbed one and held it out to her. He thought about opening his eyes to see why she wasn’t taking it but thought better of it.
“Cover yourself, please,” he ordered. He heard the woman sigh as she took the towel.
“You can open your eyes now,” she said.
“You’re decent?” Ian asked.
“Da,” her voice was full of frustration. Ian opened his eyes and her face was only a few centimeters from his own. Her eyes, an extraordinary mix of deep brown and emerald green, were full of anger. “What are you doing in here?”
“What am I doing in here?” Ian spluttered. “What are you doing in here?”
“I was invited,” she answered.
“You most certainly were not invited,” he protested as she reached for another towel and began to dry her hair. “You must leave immediately or I will be forced to phone the Garda.”
The woman looked at him and chuckled. Actually chuckled. Then she walked past him back into the bedroom, dropping her towel as she went. This time Ian was too shocked to close his eyes. The woman was just as curvy and fit from this angle, but a multitude of fresh scars marred her back. She reached for the suitcase, that Ian hadn’t noticed when he had walked in, and grabbed some undergarments. She turned, still glorious, in her bra and knickers, and put her hands on her hips.
“You will stop blushing now, da?” she complained.
“Blushing?” Ian choked on the word. This woman was insane. “You are naked in my house!” The woman chuckled... again. Ian could feel his blood pressure rising.
“Only half naked now,” she pointed out. “You must be Ian then.” Ian found he could no longer speak. This whole situation was ludicrous. He must be dreaming. “I am not bothered by lack of clothing, as you seem to be. When naked, no one can hide the truth behind clothes. I like to see the truth.”
“Who the bloody hell are you?” Ian finally shouted. The woman smiled, making Ian’s heart skip awkwardly in his chest.
“I am Erin Tatyana Whitney,” she answered. “And you are Ian James MacQuill.”
“How the hell do you know my name?”
“Your sister told me,” she answered.
“My sister?”
“Da,” Erin answered, rolling her eyes. “She told me you would not be coming home until next month and I could stay at your cottage instead of paying for a hotel.”
“My sister said that?” Ian walked over to the bed and sat down. His legs felt like jelly. This could not be real. This gorgeous Russian woman, who apparently had nothing to hide, could not really be standing in his bedroom, half-naked.
“I can see that you are surprised enough to lose your tongue,” she replied sitting down next to him. He flinched. Her gorgeously long legs were brushing up against his. That was when he realized he wasn’t wearing any pants. He jumped off the bed like he’d been shocked and hastily pulled his pants on with one hand while he pulled his shirt out from under her with the other. He tried not to hyperventilate as he hastily buttoned it.
Erin sighed. This Irish man was nothing but nerves. It was a bit sad to see him dressing in such a hurry, as he had a very nice body. Compact, well-muscled, the perfect sprinkling of hair. He was quite interesting to look at. But he was nervous and, at least, seemed to be calming as he dressed. His dark green eyes had lost some of their panic. Erin crossed her legs and gestured for him to sit again.
“I think I’ll stand, thank you,” he replied, running a hand through his disheveled blonde hair.
“I am Maggie’s friend,” Erin told him as he paced the bedroom.
“Maggie MacGreen?”
“Da,” Erin answered. “She invited me to visit. I was going to stay at the bed and breakfast in Doolin but Maggie insisted on staying with her. I refused because she needs as much rest as she can get. Brigid was there checking on her, and suggested staying here. She assured me that you never came home and not to worry. Apparently, she was wrong.”
“Not wrong, exactly,” Ian muttered. “I have an apartment in Shannon and usually stay there. I had a bad day though and wanted to come home...” he trailed off, not liking how intently the woman was starting at him. It made him feel like he hadn’t put his clothes back on.
“I can leave,” she smiled as she joked. “You don’t have to phone the Garda.” Ian managed a smile at her teasing.
“No, no,” he interrupted. “Stay, please. I should have called Brigid before I left. She was right to invite you.”
“You do not mind?”
“No, I don’t,” he answered. “I’m sorry, it’s been a bloody mess of a day, and I wasn’t expecting to find a woman in my shower.” He chuckled. “I’ll go stay with Da at the pub.”
“It would not be right for me to push a man out of his own home.” Erin’s eyes darkened. “Is there not two bedrooms in this house?”
“Two? Aye, there is,” Ian answered. “But I can’t stay here with you.”
“It isn’t proper,” he stuttered, nervous again. “You’re a woman...”
“And you are a man,” she finished. “We don’t have to sleep together, Ian.” She teased and smiled when he blushed. She kept it to herself that her last statement may change. When his blush deepened her smile widened.
So, this was what Morgan had been referring to when she said Ian had talents for finding the truth in people. He had read her mind, involuntarily she guessed, by the way he was turning red. How very interesting.
“I don’t think it would be right,” Ian finally answered. “I don’t know you.”
“You don’t know me yet,” Erin corrected. “I do not feel right pushing you from your home.”
“Nonsense,” he answered, shaking off his nerves. “You should be close to Maggie and her house is just down the lane. Da has an extra bedroom and would more than likely enjoy the company.” He smiled, trying to avoid looking at her breasts that curved nicely over the lacy bra. “I’ll just pack a quick bag and leave you alone to finish dressing.”
Erin chuckled and watched as he went to the closet and pulled a small suitcase from the shelf. Reluctantly, she finished getting dressed as he packed. She did not want to make him any more nervous than he already was. Apparently, he was not used to seeing a woman without her clothes. Either that or he was gay. She saw his body jerk in surprise as she pondered. Very interesting. She walked him to the door and apologized again for taking over his house.
“Tis fine, Erin,” he assured her as he grabbed his briefcase. “Enjoy your visit.”
“I just might,” she purred, looking him over. He really was quite handsome. She saw the spark of desire in his eyes before he blushed and walked to his car. Definitely not gay. He faltered again and she smiled. That would teach him for listening to someone’s private thoughts. She waved as he drove down the lane. Ian MacQuill was a puzzle that she would have to figure out if she was to get any work done, and thankfully, Erin loved puzzles.
When writing a story, it helps to have a visual of what your characters look like. Having an actual picture of someone to base your character on helps you keep track of even the most minor details.
Inspiration for Characters
Ian MacQuill is haunted by his past. He's closed off but still loyal, fair, and strong. Karl Urban was the perfect muse for the heartsick Ian.
Copyright © 2018 Author Amanda Meredith - All Rights Reserved.
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VOTE FOR THIS BOOK
Randy Attwood Updated April 12, 2016
Write Review Add to favorites
Rated for Readers
Rated PG-13 (questionable content for children under 13)
Service brats grow up on military bases. Asylum brats grow up on the grounds of mental hospitals where their parents work. Both juveniles and adults will be riveted by the story of high school asylum brat Brad's week in 1964 that tests his sanity and grows him up faster than he ever wished.
The potential for bizarre at the Larned State Hospital is coalesced into one week of Brad's life. He thinks he's in love with the schizophrenic teen, Suzanne, who has to be tied up to keep from picking her palms until they bleed. Only Brad believes her story that she is trying to cleanse her palms of her father's semen. And only Brad believes he has the plan to save her when her father wants her released back into his care.
But it is the brutal murder of a townswoman and the missing status of her daughter, a nurse at the mental hospital that rivets the town's attention. Brad becomes a hero when he leads campus police to the hiding place of an AWOL patient/suspect, who believes he's John F. Kennedy. Brad knows he's not the culprit and gets further enmeshed in the mystery when, while working in the mental hospital's cafeteria's dish washing room finds a finger stuck in the mashed potatoes.
A group of employees who run a theft ring believe Brad is ratting on them so they take him to see Alex Krout, mass murderer and the most dangerous of the criminally insane, and threaten to throw Brad to the caged madman. And it's prom week at school. The desire for normalcy finds Brad with a dream date who's crazy about him.
The lit fuses hit the dynamite on prom night when a group of patients in the building for the criminally insane hold guards hostage and Alex Krout, squealing in his cell, waits for his chance to run amok.
{amazonWS:itemId=B005DC623E}
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: # Paid in Kindle Store
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← Facebook Follies
Posted on April 21, 2019 by avocadogrove
by Santiago De Choch
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”
I’ll never go back to Florida: I’ll die here, in Patagonia.
I was born in Florida. Grew up in the family farm. Joined the insurgency along with my family during the war to secede. Was there, victorious, on Republic Day, Gainesville, 2036. Then met and lost the great and only love of my life before leaving the Republic of Florida as it disappeared and rejoined the other 27 states in the US, defeated, disappointed and heartbroken. Me and Florida, both.
I grew up mostly in Spanish, with English almost entirely absent during the first 4 or 6 years of my life. German takes a 3rd place in fluency. This story is better told in English.
I have things to teach, may teach them to a son yet, but he won’t be the son I wanted, the son of Skylar Page.
My name is Rodrigo Bohn Olivares and I was born in Naples in 2020. Naples was an enclave of the very rich. I suppose it still is. My family, the Bohns, were not from there, but from Immokalee, a nearby farming town carved out of the Everglades. It supplied the Eastern US with fresh produce during Northern Hemisphere winters, prime growing season for South Florida. Cattle, honey production, poultry, tropical fruit all existed, but seasonal produce was always the main business. My mother had complications leading to my birth, and my father Carlos Bohn didn’t want to risk the primitive Immokalee clinic and took her to a top Naples hospital.
In a way, my family was rich, and I was born rich. We were rich in land, tools and structures, expertise. We’d have tons of cash during good harvests, but after covering payroll for hundreds and supplies and materials to take us to the next harvest, not much remained. That’s the life of the farmer. Although of course I exaggerate some. I come from old German farming stock: almost genetically disposed to saving for the future. Like the laborious ant, a good farmer always puts something away for the harsh season, while the grasshoppers fiddle in the sun. We were never cash rich like the Naples plutocracy, but could get the best and pay large amounts with a steady pulse when needed. The best, unfortunately, wasn’t enough to save my poor mother, Antonia Olivares. She died at childbirth, so I started my life with a heavy burden. She died that I may live.
Come think of it, Skylar Page also died that I may live. Two women sacrificed themselves for me.
Although could I really call Skylar “a woman”? And was it for me only she sacrificed?
Her body was that of a woman. I found her extremely beautiful and attractive, though not perfect. Her face had something of the deer and the owl in it, something that made you look twice when you first met her, to decide if she was beautiful or just strange. Her yellow eyes could be intimidating or lovely, depending on her mood. Hair fiery red, lots of freckles, a bit too tall for a woman but not taller than me, a pleasant and well proportioned body.
However, to call her a woman would perhaps not be accurate. Men and women are born from the mix of a father and a mother’s heritage; Skylar only had one parent, her father, Raymond Page. What I mean is that she was created from Mr Page, and Mr Page’s only, genetic stock. Her DNA was all his. Whatever combination of human traits had resulted, over millenia, in Raymond Page’s stock, had become in Skylar’s generation a relic, an artifact of the past, a dead language that would never again evolve or change, the language of the double helix frozen in time, endlessly replicating itself without the input of a partner. A clone.
Skylar was to be the first of a long line. A line rendered barren by design, able only to carry her father’s unique human signature into the future, not just the genetic key, but his personality, memories and accumulated knowledge and malice into the future.
How could malice, or goodness for that matter, be carried into the future? How could memory, Raymond Page’s feelings and recollections, be implanted in a genetic carbon copy after he had died? How could a personality survive the death of the bearer?
With Enhanced Technology, which was in its infancy then, and we fought. But it has prevailed, or at least hasn’t been defeated, and we’ll see what results of it. Nothing good, is my prediction. In any case, she may have been the first, but her demise didn’t mean the end of occult-aided technology, not just in genetics and reproduction, but in every field you may consider: devices and networking, AI and processing power, warfare, finance, surveillance, politics. The Technology Party has triumphed not just in Florida, but in the USA and most of the world. Even this backwater, Argentina, has a Partido Justicialista Tecnológico government; good thing Patagonia is a backwater within a backwater, and that in this part of the world, any law, edict or mandate will be ignored if you grease the right palms or have the right contacts.
That’s why I moved here when the Republic of Florida collapsed, that and the fact that a branch of the family, long lost but not quite, had settled in South Argentina when our ancestors left war-ravaged Germany after WW2, led by my great-great-grandfather, Karl Bohn, born in Bavaria in 1920, arrived in Buenos Aires in 1946. His younger son, Alfonso, born Argentinian, had been restless and moved to Florida in the late 1960’s to start his own farm. He was ambitious and wanted his lebensraum, not crowded by older brothers who took control over most Bohn Argentinian farms after Karl died. My grandfather Peter, his sons, Lukas, Lorenzo and my father Carlos, had all been born in Immokalee. I am a third-generation Floridian, but it is my family’s fate, or has been for the last hundred years, that despite our deep connection to the soil, we have had to move to different lands, and start farming anew.
My distant cousins received me with open arms when I arrived here, as defeated and destitute as my ancestor Karl Bohn had been almost a century before. But I didn’t have to start from scratch. I just went from growing okra to growing apples, in a way. I had to relearn the seasons, the soils, the ways of a different farm, but I’ve always been a good farmer, and was still young when I arrived. I miss the mangoes and lychees, the smoked mullet, the clams, all the flavors of my Florida youth, but have come to appreciate the abundant golden wheat, the wine, and of course, the Argentinian steak grilled over coals. I’ve been lucky. I should have died in Florida, but I’m still alive, 30 years later. I’m grateful for that.
I met Skylar Page in the spring of 2039: the third growing season after Republic Day, a very busy time at the farm. Winter is the main season for most vegetables in South Florida , and we were cranking that April, at the tail end of it. Workers were in the fields before dawn, harvesting. The warehouses were packing, drying, canning and pickling 24 hours a day, older hens and ducks were being butchered, new flocks started, hogs and rabbits were being smoked and made into jerky, eggplant and jalapeño seedlings were already growing by the thousands in shadehouses in preparation for summer planting, beekeepers were harvesting the honey winter crop, and late citrus such as tangelo and grapefruit were also ripe in our grove.
Our family had always believed in putting our eggs in as many baskets as possible. That’s how we survived the Old Country first, our uprootings and tribulations later. My elders had agreed we wouldn’t make the mistakes that had destroyed so many other farms: switching from food crops to ornamentals for the golf courses, investing all in strawberries or sweet peppers when prices looked promising, causing market gluts and sudden catastrophic plunges, and above all, selling the land to developers. Giving in to developers and speculators had been the main mistake of many, selling not just the land but their offspring’s future.
We, the Bohns, had kept our ways. Unlike so many others, we hadn’t forgotten, we were now here, in a land our ancestors could never have imagined, and our farm’s logo was on every cardboard box we shipped out: a smiling green bean under the Florida sun, and BOHN ORGANIC FARMS – IMMOKALEE, FL in Gothic lettering under it.
I was sitting in my truck, an antique Ford Ranger, parked outside the main building of the Ponce de León University in Golden Gate, where I was an Agricultural Sciences student, going over my biology notes for an exam. I remember the sunny day and how happy I was that I could drive my truck again – we had received AGPASS/FUELCAT2 stickers, and I had placed mine covering the almost useless old yellow EDUPASS/FUELCAT6. I felt good that day, strong, confident in my lucky stars. So I had chosen music bright and dashing to go with the day: Mendelssohn’s “Italian” symphony. I had prepared for the test thouroughly and wasn’t worried about it. I wasn’t worried about playing the symphony a bit too loudly either, windows open. Maybe the music was still illegal, I didn’t know if the young Republic of Florida had gotten around to abolishing all the silly laws of the last years of State, but security surely wouldn’t give me trouble about Mendelssohn.
Things were looking up for us, after years of sufferance. Farmers were important now, like never before. We had priority access to fuel and electricity. Even the president of the Republic was a farmer and a personal friend of our family, Jason Donnelly. Farmers were in charge, or we thought we were.
I saw her walking across the parking lot when I lifted my eyes from the biology notes. I’m quite sure I had not seen her before; I’d have remembered her. There was something special about her. The words “regal” and “aloof” come to mind, but that wasn’t all. She seemed miles above her surroundings, lost in her own thoughts. As she walked past a group of freshman students on the lot, one of them said something and made a move towards her. She froze him in his tracks with one cold glance and kept walking.
She was headed towards her own vehicle, a much newer electric model parked at the far end of the lot despite plenty of spots available closer to the building. I realized she’d walk right past me: I should stop staring and focus on my notes. I let some time pass, then raised my eyes again looking towards her car and expecting to see her in it. She wasn’t, so I looked again in the direction she had come from, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw her close and observing me with much interest and a faint, barely noticeable smile on her lips, standing a couple of feet from my side of the Ranger. I tried to do several things at once: put away the notes, which got unclipped and spilled all over my lap and onto the truck floor; turn off the music, hitting the wrong button and getting some loud Mexican music on the radio which took me several tries to kill; and saying “hello” in what I hoped would be a strong, manly voice that to my shame, came out thin and hesitant, luckily drowned in the corrido. When I managed to silence the damn radio, I said “hello” again.
– “Hello”, she said, and I noticed her yellow eyes for the first time. “Sorry to startle you.”
– “Not at all, not at all.”
– “The music you were listening to just now, I noticed it.”
I was at a loss for a moment. My grandfather had been a great influence in my life, and among other things, he had fostered a love of classical music in me. The problem was that until recently, you could have gotten in a whole lot of trouble for listening to it in public, because it was banned under the White Privilege Act, along with a lot of other things, books and such. Boy, did they give us trouble at the farm. All it took was a call to the Social Justice Police from some busybody or blackmailer. So even though times had changed, I automatically blurted out “Yes, I’m Hispanic. Do you like it, too?” Another behavior from the old times: always deny being white, and call attention upon the “Hispanic” part instead – never mind that one is always more than one thing. The world had been angry at some categories, so it was wise to claim at least two.
– “No, my favorite Latin music is tango, but corridos is not what you were listening to. You were listening to Mendelssohn, and my question is, was it the Scottish or the Italian? It bothers me I can’t place it”
I’m sure my jaw dropped for a few seconds. Outside of my immediate family, classical music had been an almost extinct art form even before the ban, as far as I knew. I managed to mumble,
– “Uh, the 4th, the Italian.”
– “Von Karajan?”
– “I believe so, let me see”, I said, found the CD case, and added, “yes, Von Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic.”
Now she was openly smiling and giving me a strange look. Her teeth were small and looked sharp as a predator’s.
– “A CD, how quaint. That thing must be 50 years old, at least. The recording, much older. I have the same version in my mobile. Have you heard of them? You use them for many things like calling, texting, and oh, they hold music, too. My name is Skylar Page. What’s yours?”
That was my first taste of her: ironic and straightforward, almost blunt.
– “Rodrigo. Rodrigo Bohn Olivares. Nice to meet you”.
– “Nice meeting you too, RRRodrigo”, she said, comically stretching the Spanish hard R in my name. I tried to keep her around a few more seconds:
– “You’re a student here, right? I don’t think I’ve seen you before. What’s your major?”
– “Oh, this and that. Nothing definite. Genetics, mostly, Dr Wu’s class. You’re in Ag Science, right?”
– “Yes. How did you…?”
– “The truck. The stickers on the truck. Your hands. It’s obvious”
I had to smile. Man, she was sharp. Beautiful, and sharp.
– “I’d like to… hm, could we maybe meet some other time? We can talk about music. Maybe we could…”
– “Yes, maybe we could, RRRodrigo”, she said, “I’m sure I’ll see you around. Do you help at Ms Gonzalez’ garden?”
– “I’ve been meaning to check it out. I’ll see you there sometime. Me voy. Hasta luego.”
– “Do you speak Spanish?”
– “Muy mal. Nos vemos.”
She walked away and I stared as she started her car and silently glided by, waving a hand as she did. The stickers on it were white, and the black lettering read ETCORPPASS/FUELCAT1+. Trumped mine. She could get recharged anywhere, anytime, and breeze past most SEC roadblocks. A few seconds later, another late model vehicle followed, two burly men in it. One of them gave me the briefest nod as they drove by, then typed something in the screenpad he was holding. As they drove away, I saw the SECPASS black stickers, and, much smaller, the Screaming Eagle emblem. These guys were no Ponce de León campus sec dummies. They were 101st Airborne, one of the toughest – and most expensive – security franchises. Then I realized I’d be late for the test, rushed into my classroom, stopping for just a second at the door for the facial recog system to register me and the green light to flash, sat down, and took it. I got a C.
My father had insisted I attend Ag Science classes at the nearby, nonprofit Ponce de León University, in many ways more of a trade school than a college. At the demo farm, frankly, I taught more than learned, due to my lifelong farming background. Ms Gonzalez, a stout, strong older Guatemalan, ran the 2-acre demo farm competently, despite not having any education at all. She was illiterate, which is by no means the same as ignorant. I was happy to be useful and help her train a new generation of growers. The Republic needed them desperately. As a child, she had started helping her dirt-poor family tend to the traditional milpa of corn, beans and squash (“the three sisters” of the original cultures throughout the Americas), and had come into the US as a teenager, paying a coyote to guide her and her twin sister with her family’s accumulated savings, and the promise of more as soon as she was in El Norte.
She had survived the passage, her sister hadn’t. She then worked like a mule for decades in the fields of Immokalee, saving every penny to send back home after the smuggler was paid off. I knew this because she had been a worker at our farm in her later years, before we insisted she should now quit the fields. She couldn’t be idle, though, and my father had come up with the inspired idea of insinuating her to the dean of Ponce de León, who set up the demo garden for her as part of the curriculum. Our family was a major donor to the university, which accounts for “suggestions” from the Bohn clan enacted quickly. This one had been particularly good. She was in her element.
I can clearly remember Skylar Page as she walked past the gate that first time at Ms Gonzalez’s garden: wearing faded work clothes, baggy jeans and a long sleeved shirt, all in clear colors, and a big hat, which is exactly what you wear when you work outside in Florida, with its murderous sun and myriads of no-see-ums, mosquitoes and fire ants ready to chew you up. Ms Gonzalez made a beeline towards her, walking as fast as her advanced age would allow, and let loose a stream of angry Spanish. I was working the worm bins with a few others some distance away from the gate, and could only catch a word here and there, “late”, “didn’t sign up”.
Skylar let the old gardener rant awhile, then soothingly spoke to her in hushed, respectful tones. Finally she pointed to rows of chard and collards that needed weeding, and moved to the side to let Skylar walk there. As she passed my group, she shot me an amused glance, but didn’t stop or talk to me.
I was pleased to see her weeding like a pro, at a steady pace, pulling up the weeds with roots and all. I could see she was making a good impression on Ms Gonzalez, who was famously cranky: she’d look in her direction now and then and then go back to harvesting clusters of Everglades tomatoes, a satisfied expression in her wrinkled dark face under the battered sombrero she always wore.
The brief coolness of winter had already faded away: the heat seemed to start earlier and earlier every year. Soon, Skylar was covered in sweat like the rest of us, but she never stopped her work or asked for water. It was Ms Gonzalez herself who brought her a glass from the cool water jug after an hour, and that told me she had accepted the newcomer. She liked to see what kind of worker one was before offering water, so she could dismiss the useless ones when they asked: “Si, go drink agua, and don’t come back, pendejo.”
Hours passed, everybody finished one chore and moved to the next under Ms Gonzalez’s stern direction. At long last, she stopped working, took a long drink of water, straightened her back and looked in the direction of the sun, now sinking in the West, towards the Gulf of Mexico. She clapped her hands a few times, which was the signal for us to go put our tools back in the shed and leave.
As the shadows darkened, some went to the hand-cranked water pump to splash their arms and faces, and Ms Gonzalez disappeared inside her cabin: she lived on the garden grounds, in a small cabin besides the shed. Soon, light appeared on the single window, and I could hear the rattling of dishes as she started preparing her dinner. I stood next to Skylar as she finished refreshing herself at the water pump, my desire for her strong.
Then she somehow ditched her bodyguards and came to spend the night with me.
We entered my land through one of the South gates, as I always did. Dogs started barking some distance away, and soon a pack of them approached the truck at speed. I slowed down and put my arm out of the window so they could smell it. Trotting behind them, two farm workers on night watch duty waved at me as I came to a stop.
– “Buenas noches, Don Rodrigo”, the oldest one said, and took his straw hat off.
– “Buenas noches, Camilo. Todo bien?”
– “Si, señor”
I told them that I had my corner of the land covered and they could go guard the other end of that fence, miles away. They had dogs, machetes, and an old shotgun. Their job was less to deter well armed intruders than to alert the farm of any breaching of the fence, and deal with poachers.
I drove the rough path edged by palmetto and pine before turning into neat rows of mango trees and then field after field, some still bearing winter produce, others newly planted or tilled, and some in fallow, planted with green manures: cowpeas, buckwheat.
Gradually my cabin, where I had lived alone since age 14, became visible, and we heard the barking of my dog, Beckenbauer, a big German shepherd jumping at the fence, happy to see me. “Ruhig sein, Beckenbauer! Stille machen! Legen, Beck!”. Beck was a guard dog and looked it. He had scars from old fights with coons and hogs, and from a time when he had held a madman with a machete in place for several minutes until help could arrive. As I was unlatching my gate, I heard Skylar get out of the truck, and Beck shot straight to her, bypassing me. He sniffed her extended hand for a moment, then licked it, and she smiled.
– “You’re not afraid of him. Most people are.”
– “Such a good dog. Why Beckenbauer?”
– “Best defender ever. Bayern Munich and the fearsome Mannschaft. Before my time, but I have the videos.”
– “Only speaks German?”
– “Spanish and English, too”, I said, smiling.
I turned the lights of my small cabin on, then we walked through the old citrus tree grove outside, to the outdoor kitchen and shed.
– “It’s pretty. What’s that?”, she asked, pointing to another structure some distance away, surrounded by thick cocoplums.
– “Outhouse and shower. There’s a sink and a mirror in there, if you need to use it”
– “I’d love a shower, RRRodrigo. Ms Gonzalez made me sweat today.”
– “No hot water, I’m out of propane.”
– “I never use hot water.”
– “Ah, OK, let me, um, turn the light on and check for spiders”
– “Never mind that. I’m not afraid. Haven’t you noticed? Of anything. It’s a curse I have.”
– “Why is that a curse?”
– “It’s gotten me into a lot of trouble. Do you have fresh towels in there?”
– “No, they’re inside. Let me go get some”
I came back, saw the light of the shower room was still off. I knocked. “I have some towels here. Let me get the light for you. It’s hard to find.”
– “Come in”, she said. I stepped in. There was enough moonlight to see her, standing naked, looking at me without a word. Her skin was very white, with lots of freckles in some places. She raised an arm, beckoning me to join her. I dropped the towels and embraced her, finding her mouth ready for my kiss. Soon, we were madly aroused. “Protection”, I whispered, “no need”, she answered. I pushed her against the wall and went into her. She made some strange noises as she climaxed, like birds cooing or owls calling. An owl actually answered the call from somewhere in the trees, outside.
After that night, we started seeing each other every time we could, spending nights at my cabin after demo farm days. Spring turned into Summer, and with it, a great heavyness set on the land. The rythms and routines of the farm changed with the season. There’s different things to grow all year round in Florida. Days had to start earlier, to take advantage of the cooler hours. By noon, bells and loudspeakers told the workers in the fields to seek shelter, and they slowly walked to their dwellings, to hammocks in deep shade, under the gaze of the sun, blank and pitiless, as Skylar often observed. Towards late afternoon, peasants would return to work. The sun was less cruel by then, but other tortures awaited: swarms of biting insects, and an oppressive humidity that would often break into violent storms. We lost four workers to lighting bolts. That summer of 2039 would also witness an explosion of dangerous creatures that seemed to lurk under every rotten log and dark corner: water moccasin and coral snakes, widow and recluse spiders claimed the lives of more Immokalee residents, and especially of their young children, than any other summer in memory.
To add to our woes, and despite our own best efforts and those of local authorities and churches, famine had set on the land. Immokalee and Homestead, the main farming hubs for SW and SE FL respectively, both had to mobilize their militias to keep the desperate out. There simply wasn’t enough food and shelter for everyone. Gainesville, the new capital, sent aid caravans, big, slow trucks, loaded with peanuts and potatoes and guarded by few, second-rate troops, as many as could be spared as the northern border had to be secured against raids from Washington. But they seldom made it South of Orlando: wild-eyed, skeletal mobs ambushed them. The walled enclaves of the wealthy in Naples and West Palm were well provisioned, and elite troops guarding them didn’t hesitate to open fire on the hungry crowds when they tried to push in. Giant Chinook cargo helicopters from those places landed at the farm weekly, and loaded bushels of Summer crops, sweet potatoes, eggplants, okra, along with crates of live chickens and rabbits. Machine-gunners sometimes opened fire on the crowds begging at our gates while flying out, just for sport. We hated them. Their firepower was far superior, and we couldn’t risk a confrontation, so we supplied them, made sure our population and workers were fed, and gave what little remained to churches to distribute to the hungry. My father had decided that was the only possible course of action. This decision weighed heavily on him.
The road from Naples to Ponce de León was kept clear by seasoned mercenaries with armored vehicles, and patrolled by killer drones. Most of the companies guarding the Naples road were franchises owned by Skylar father’s FloTech: NYPD, Marines, Rangers. Her bodyguards were elite 101st Airborne Iran vets. On the Immokalee side, the Madariagas, a clan involved in many activities legal and not, guaranteed security. I had talked to Frankie, the head of the clan and a family friend, about Skylar, so she could come and go as she pleased.
My father and uncles didn’t like all this, but let us be. I was on the cusp of becoming like them, an equal, a full grown man and leader. My decisions were to be respected, if not liked. That much had become clear in June, as the full council of family, farm foremen, regional allies, and militia captains convened.
Perhaps because of our youth, Skylar and me found it possible to forget the terrible scenes happening all around us when we were together. My cabin and grove were an oasis where, week after week, we got to know each other more intimately. We’d make love, take cold showers, turn on the small AC unit in the cabin as a special luxury. We’d smoke hand rolled cigars from the farm, or the better, Cuban ones smuggled in by the Madariagas, swinging in hammocks under the shade of trees, pick mangoes and get sticky eating them. Best days of my life.
We would lie in bed exhausted after lovemaking, and sometimes, especially at first, she would talk of the simplest things, of her love for all animals or her favorite recipes. She’d recite long paragraphs of poetry and drama from memory: Blake, Shakespeare, Yeats were her favorites.
But as time passed, and our intimacy progressed, she would absentmindedly mention earth-shattering things. Things that fell outrageously outside my field of experience, things I couldn’t imagine. Hard to understand things, explained by her as she laid in the hammock if no-see-ums were not too bad, cigar in hand. “There’s a new science now, a hyper science, preparing to become the Religion it has always wanted to be”, she’d start. The corporations in control of it had come to a commercially-friendly tag, “ET”, for its vague “enhanced technology” name, and it was now represented by a powerful political party too, the TP, Technology Party. “Gatekeeper scientist brujos are making deals with what’s beyond the gates, sponsored by tycoons like my father.”
Over the course of many nights that summer, it became clear to me that Skylar hated the abuse and murder of human beings inherent to the art of magi since remote times. A fair number of humans had been murdered to create her. Deities had been propitiated, energies released. Deals made, Faustian deals.
I write from a backwater, and the waves of change spread slowly and may not fully reach us here for decades to come, hopefully. I don’t know if a hypothetical future reader will be aware of some of the things I’m talking about here, so let me be clear: I don’t mean voluntary or involuntary tissue & organ donors. Or the many abused and murdered during the extended research that led to a first Vessel, Skylar Page. There was a fair number of both, but those were deaths in the name of science. Deaths manageable in public discourse, if more or less disapprovingly. What I’m saying is that enhanced technology requires human sacrifice, as well as other offerings such as animal and self sacrifice. So there’s a category of people who died so that Skylar would be that died not for science, but for a whole field of knowledge not only separate, but denied, unfathomable by science. Until recently, say until around the time I was born, and Skylar was “born”, in 2020.
Despite my youth back when this story happens, I already was responsible for hundreds of lives, for tasks of enormous significance like achieving a good crop or protecting it from raiders. I was no stranger to life and death decisions. I had been in the Florida War, president Jason Donnelly was a personal friend of my family and we had all been at his inaguration after fighting on his side. In a word: except for the natural awkwardness and stupidity of youth, I was no simpleton. The Bohns were not billionaires like the Naples and Miami cartels, but we fed a lot of people in times when food was scarce, we held territorial power and a degree of military capabilities in the form of our Farm & County Militia, and we were in politics too, in the Farmers Party that ultimately lost the battle for Florida. Despite all this, I had a hard time understanding her. My horror was met with her matter-of-factness, a cold delivery of facts too awful to contemplate.
I think now that she had a premonition. She knew she didn’t have long to live. Didn’t want to live long. That’s why she opened up to me so fast and so thoroughly. Above all, she didn’t want to be her father’s Vessel. The many rich and powerful striving to create their own Vessels to migrate into before death, adding a lifetime, potentially many lifetimes, to the one that was theirs to spend, should take heed of the fact that the first unfortunate born into that situation rejected it with heart and soul. “Glitches”, the technicians will say, “that have been fixed in the new releases”, but I don’t doubt that at least some of the new race are conspiring as I write this, irate and Luciferian in their hatred of the soulless men and bloodthirsty energies bringing them to life, possibly bent not just on taking their revenge on the “mothers” and “fathers” conjuring them into existence, but on the whole lot of us, guilty and innocent alike. And who could blame them?
As I had promised my elders, I didn’t let this love affair, my first, interfere with my responsibilities. I’d be up hours before dawn and head off to work after a cup of black, scalding coffee, leaving her sleeping in my bed. When I could, I’d be back for a few hours in the middle of the day, then go out again. Coming back in the dark, I’d stop to deliver dinner from the main farmhouse kitchen to the men guarding my road and gate, then drive on and see the lights of the outdoor kitchen lit, Skylar putting the finishing touches on our dinner, with Beckenbauer laying under the ceiling fan, lovingly watching her. When this happened, the times that she came to stay with me, I felt a warmth inside, a feeling of happiness, of the possibility of a life together, a family.
– “What are you cooking?”, I’d say, pouring us some farm mead or starfruit wine.
– “Poor man’s caviar. It’s a recipe I brought from my student days in Europe. It’s ready. Here, try it”, she said, dipped a piece of our coarse bread in it, and put it in my mouth.
– “It’s good! Is this the eggplants I brought earlier?”
– “Yes! You bake them whole, until soft, along with sweet peppers. Then put all that to sweat in a covered dish until it cools. That makes the skins easy to remove. Chop everything real fine with a knife, and add some lemon juice, raw garlic, salt, a pinch of sugar, and plenty of olive oil and red vinegar. Voilá!”
Her green-yellow eyes were full of joy as she explained all this, and the joy was contagious. She looked beautiful, with her red hair tied in a ponytail, and the eggplant dip tasted like home. I had never tried it before, but tasted like home. I include the recipe here because she always said it’s what she wanted to be remembered for.
Another time during Summer rainy season, we were driving the truck along cattle pastures, and she pointed at the mushrooms growing on piles of cow manure, spindly and light-colored. “What are those?”, she asked.
– “Psilocybes, cucumelos.”
– “That’s what I thought! Stop the truck, let’s pick some!”
– “Are you sure? I haven’t had one in years, they can be powerful.”
We picked about a dozen of the best, and drove back. After washing them, we sliced and sprinkled them with a little salt. We ate some, washing them down with big gulps of water. Their powerful effect soon became apparent. As the sunlight faded, we took a walk in the grove surrounding my cabin. We giggled and were silly for a while, but the next stage of the high took over soon, and we became more pensive, observing the world around us. We talked about what we were seeing in our altered state of mind, but words were not enough to describe the luminous sap flowing from the roots, through the trunk and branches of every tree, until reaching the tiniest capillary in the foliage. We tried to talk about the bright tendrils of energy emanating from every plant and creating an amazing network that breathed and pulsated. We tried to describe the entities we perceived all around us, some tiny, some massive, tried to describe our feeling of being observed by them, of now being in their plane of existence, intruders in their world. We didn’t feel threatened by them, but knew we were being watched as we left the grove and walked towards the wild scrub of pine and palmetto in complete darkness, not tripping or stumbling once, our bodies somehow navigating the starlit night without problem. “Yes”, she said, “this is another way for the third eye to open”, and then we both fell silent. Speaking had become difficult, our mouths felt swollen and dry, so we started conversing telepathically without realizing it. The thought of a snake or any other danger didn’t cross our minds once, and so those dangers never appeared.
For once in rainy season, it was a clear night, and the east sky started palpitating with a glow, growing brighter until it birthed a rising full moon. The world became brighter, and I looked at Skylar’s face: it was white and translucent, tiny veins visible under the skin, carrying minute amounts of blood that moved in unison with her heartbeat. Her mouth was crimson, her eyes completely yellow now, and very bright. Moths were circling her head like satellites, but as I focused my attention on them, I realized they were not moths but fairies, tiny winged humanlike figures having an animated conversation with her as they flew around her head, which was becoming brighter every minute.
I felt something tug at my legs, looked down and there was a very short, dark skinned naked old man with a white beard, not taller than my knees’ height, looking up at me and smiling. He made a fist, waved it and, without opening his mouth, still smiling, said to me “Be strong! Sé fuerte! Sei stark!” in my three languages simultaneously. I smiled back at him. The moon was high when I looked at Skylar again, and the moths, or fairies, were gone. She was looking at me, and her jewel-like eyes said “I want to show you a vision”. An image appeared inside my skull, grew larger, and soon occupied my whole field of vision: at first I thought I was seeing a multitude of ants moving around an antpile, but then I realized I was flying above charred terrain. Fires were burning, and columns of smoke rose up all around me as I flew. The moving figures were not ants but thousands of people. They were taking other people towards a pyramid, and dragging them to the top. I flew closer and saw the scene at the summit, which was flat. Naked and covered in blood, wearing masks, men were busy sacrificing prisoners as they reached the platform. Four masked figures held the captives’ limbs and spread them on stone altars, as a fifth one ripped open their chests and elevated the beating hearts towards the sky for a moment, before tossing them onto smoking braziers.
I realized I had been hearing powerful drums only when they fell silent. I looked everywhere to discover the cause of the sudden silence, and saw all faces were raised towards me. I would be discovered! I sensed a massive presence behind me, and turning around, my blood froze when I saw a giant emerging from a hole in the charred ground, cloaked in smoke. Its monstrous head was covered in scales and oozed blood, its eyes were dead and dark, and even though I was flying high, it was already almost level with me as I recoiled in horror. The mouth slowly opened, and as flocks of black birds flew all around it, crowing and cackling, a long tongue unfurled, almost reaching the creature’s chest. Inside the mouth, I could see human skulls by the hundreds, many with rotten flesh and eyeballs still attached to them. A piercing, loud wail filled the air, and a deadly stench, and as the giant started raising an arm towards me, fear filled my heart, and I started falling in a downward corkscrew motion, my flying powers gone. I screamed in terror, and the scene disappeared: I was laying on the ground, my head on Skylar’s lap. The world was dark again, the moon had set. Her face was sweet and her eyes bright as she caressed me like a mother rescuing her child from a nightmare. “You have to help me. I can’t do it alone. I need you to help me stop this”, she said, and I lost consciousness.
Raymond Page intended to occupy his Vessel on her 19th birthday, Oct 31st.
“Don’t ask the questions if you’re afraid of the answers”, she said, but that statement was itself a question: “are you afraid to know?” And of course I was. The revelations about who she was and what was going on in the Naples labs were horrifying. The reality of the new Republic in the summer of 2039 was discouraging too, but I didn’t have the luxury to be paralyzed by fear. I had to hold, or the center wouldn’t. Our lives would be blown away by the hurricanes, metaphorical and real, that kept coming at us, howling. But the terrors of my world were squared, cubed, in hers. Her lovely body, the soft skin that I adored, contained a maelstrom of horrors compared to whom the brutality of South Florida was commonplace and not that scary, really.
Yes, shortly after that visionary night, the hurricanes had started coming at us, one after another, like never before. Category 4 or above, every single one, and unnaturally numerous. Making a dire situation much, much worse with wanton death and destruction, lost crops, flattened structures, drowned animals, dead people. “Don’t ask the questions if you’re afraid of the answers”. We were sheltering that night in my childhood room in the enormous farmhouse, the sturdiest structure for miles around. My brother and uncles, and their families, as well as many workers and foremen, as many as could be taken in, were there too, the rest of them sheltering in basements and warehouses around the land.
My father, grim, brow deeply furrowed, sat in the cavernous dining room, every window covered and reinforced with plywood and sheet metal, listening to the emergency radio. Every so often, he would crank the handle to recharge it, then pour himself a drink and walk to the main door, open it a crack, peer outside and come back. My grandmother and aunts supervised the kitchen staff, and a meal was served as the fiercest bands of the storm started hitting us. Despite the thick brick walls, we could hear the raging, murderous winds outside. A flying object hit the house every few minutes, heavier and heavier objects, uprooted trees, farm equipment, dead animals. Water trickled under every door and from the ceilings as the hurricane brought torrential rains. My father had lost contact with other points at the farm, and only occassionally would pick up the government frequency from Gainesville, amid bursts of static: “… life threatening conditions… storm surge expected to flood coastal areas… all interests North of Chokoloskee and South of Punta Gorda should now shelter in place…”
The meal was served, more candles were lit, and dozens of us bowed our heads as my father said grace. “You send us many trials, Lord. One after another they come, yet we don’t lose faith. We’re hit, and hit again and again, but we stay strong. We don’t give in to despair but stand and fight. Many depend on us, in this house, this farm, this town and this Republic. We don’t pray to be spared. We pray for strength. Amen”, he said, “Amen” everybody answered. I admired him that night, the way he said his simple oration, holding his head high, his full beard jutting ahead as in defiance of the never ending wave of misfortune and trouble.
Nobody said much during dinner, and when it was over, the family, along with some guests who had taken refuge with us, retired to the music room, where tea and liquors were served. Skylar, who had not said much until then, raised her kirsch schnapps and said “to a great family and a grand tradition, to the noblest of all calls: making things grow and feeding us all. Thank you for your hospitality tonight. Prost! Salud!” Then, she approached my father and asked him something quietly. He looked at her for an instant, surprised, and nodded. She sat at the old piano that had been in the family since Germany, and played music for us. Chopin mostly, Grieg, and Beethoven, as the hurricane raged outside
Later, in my childhood room, I woke up feeling observed. Her eyes were fixed on me with intensity. She seemed to be waiting for me to say something, waiting in deep silence, not willing to push me but expecting, hoping I’d say the right thing. The storm was finally subsiding outside. I mustered the courage to talk to her.
– “Skylar, the other night, with the mushrooms… the scene you showed me. What was it? How did you do that.”
– “Don’t ask the questions if you’re afraid of the answers.”
– “I’m not. Tell me.”
Humans had forever interacted with cthonic entities. Some families had historically been mediums and sorcerers, passing their knowledge of magic and the ritual abuse it sometimes demanded down to their younger generations, for centuries and in a few cases, millenia. Dark knowledge was hard to obtain, but the results were real. The bloodline known as Page in its current iteration was one of the savviest and most ruthless. Their initial payment of knowledge had been from the force known as Moloch, in return for tributes of children’s suffering at its temples on the Mediterranean coast, 3,000 years ago. Then the bloodline had increased it over many generations, in Egypt, Asia Minor and Rome, slowly migrating to Celtic Europe, becoming Chiefs and Druids, going underground when the Cross prevailed, and embarking for America with the first waves of settlers. They had been in their element as soon as arrived, because, as Burroughs famously said and Skylar quoted, “America is not a young land: it is old, and dirty, and evil. Before the settlers, before the Indians, the evil was there… waiting”.
Power demands more power. And the Gods can give some in exchange for life forces spent to feed them, but are reluctant to give so much that their worshippers will become their equals, and start gobbling up their due. When fiefdoms and empires built around Gods collapse, and the stream of sacrifices and adoration dwindles, so dwindle the Gods. They slowly shrink back to their original shape and true importance as sovereigns of a particular spring, grove, or mountain. They only rule over a few snakes or jaguars, and are reduced to survive on the mice they hunt. After ruling over populous cities and vast territories with their far more richly tithing human populations, this is a painful withdrawal for them. Legacy streams of life force still flowing to them through myths, dreams, and the residual terror and awe of a disappearing culture also fade away as the culture is forgotten, making their torture worse.
The power that comes from tribute is their drug and fuel, and they will go to great extremes to stay connected to the feeding tube, increasing, Skylar’s ancestors noticed, their knowledge allowances to whoever will guarantee a steady supply of power and tribute.
Raymond Page’s namesake grandfather was the one who had made the breakthrough: “The Gods are junkies. If we play our cards right, and get them truly addicted, they’ll make concessions. They’ll give us more and more of what makes them gods every time we shut the spigot. They’ll suffer in agony and grant us what we want. And what we want is to become them, to replace them, but we need to hide that purpose until we are strong and can defeat them.”
So for three generations now, the Pages had been providing the Gods with richer nourishment. They had worked tirelessly to develop new vehicles of delivery for the Gods’ high. Torture and ritual sacrifice had increased, both in quantity and quality, but other streams had been created: software inserted in popular apps from almost the beginning of the digital age magically fed them spoonfuls of the souls of millions glued to their screens. Messages and incantations in popular film, music and television likewise resulted in slow degradation of their consumers, with every ounce of life force lost migrating to the Gods’ fund. Vast energies could be gathered by sowing the seeds of fear and hatred among different populations, and when those populations engaged in conflict
She explained that the bloodthirsty Gods didn’t give a fig about Gaia (the only Goddess she accepted) except as the field to grow their human crop upon, to be kept profitable and productive as a farm, producing by intensive use of poisons, without regard for the soil’s long term health, or for the goodness of the fruits it bears. Not just that: Skylar’s philosophy was in great part the study of how massive sacrifices required massive resources, and of how tired and angry Gaia was. It’s not only that the millions to die for the abominations had to live, eat and shit before their sacrifice. It’s that the millions needed to have screens if they were to channel their energy through them, and entertainments, and consumer goods, to keep them happy and stupefied.
Gaia, Skylar said, had told her that the only way to restore balance would be to fallow most of the Earth, especially the areas around “the biggest mouths”: openings to the realms to deities especially old, huge, gluttonous, and malevolent. The Yucatán, Haití, the deserts of Arizona, Sonora and Chihuahua, Tenochtitlán (Mexico City) had hosted the hungriest Gods for the longest time, and ET had brought them back hungrier than ever. The only way for them to be pushed back into their “mouths” again would be to starve them of tribute for centuries, let Nature slowly take over and restore peace. Some humans could remain, as long as they accepted their limits and didn’t try to build empires or re-awaken the Gods, but most would have to go.
She agonized over the question of who would have to carry on Gaia’s will. Humans alone couldn’t. In supporting the natural human impulse to propagate and be many, cunning observers, like her father, aware of the value that head of cattle holds for the cattleman, swam with the demographic flow, pleasing populations with the promise of a New Order without hunger or strife, if only they could be allowed to take over – if dissenting voices and those not bending to the robot and the Golem, to Moloch and Tláloc, were eliminated.
I sometimes could see a cloud darken Skylar’s face even in joyous moments, and I knew she was coming to the conclusion that she would have to do her part. She was already engaged in mild efforts at depopulation. She had used her access privileges and stealthily sabotaged operations here and there. Chip brain implant facilities, device battery assembly lines, chemical factories had been attacked with arson, hacking, even magic, by her and her ecoterrorist associates. The uber-rich men of the Naples compounds checking into elite clinics to have a penis enlargement would get an unscheduled vasectomy into the bargain. Their wives going for breast augmentation surgery would receive tainted silicone, slowly releasing agents that would kill the carrier within a year. Skylar was instrumental in aiding Dr Wu, FloTech’s Chief Science Officer (and a professor of genetics as a way to scout for young bright minds), in pursuing his parallel, illicit lines of research. On the human side, at least. How Dr Wu managed to fool the entities that had to be present when certain spells were cast in the labs as new and more potent forms of bioengineering emerged, she didn’t know. “He must be a very powerful magician”, she said.
It was Dr Wu who procured the weapons and reconnoitred for these guerrilla missions, sterilizing a few, eliminating others, putting a hiccup in the machine by disabling an assembly line for some time; but he, and Skylar herself, knew that this wasn’t enough by a long shot. More radical action was needed if they were to have a chance at winning. And what would winning look like? “The biggest mouths” rendered mute and unable to feed by depriving them of “the small mouths” of human populations around them.
As Fall begun, I collaborated in one of those efforts. A shipment of beans and okra had to be inoculated with a certain bacteria. The crop was destined to some lower middle class areas of Naples. Their inhabitants thought that they lived in a modern, well-run world. They thought they had jobs, entering numbers into screens, marketing VR games, or selling alligator purses to the shoppers at gated malls surrounded by famished masses and the environmental disaster that most of South Florida was. Skylar and Dr Wu explained the real purpose of those roughly 2,000 people: they were kept alive solely as part of a pool, one of many, of sacrificial victims. Screen time was kept cheap and plentiful in those quarters, social interactions in the real world discouraged in many ways, so when a “for sale” sign appeared in the yard – all identical in their green lawns – the neighbors were happy with FloTech’s explanation: the owners had been offered job upgrades out of town, and accepted. “Of course”, the neighbors, who also worked for some FloTech outfit, would say, “who wouldn’t?”
This was awful, but how was it my job to do anything about it? “Don’t think you are safe”, Dr Wu said, and Skylar sadly nodded from her perch behind him. “You and your family are given a pass now because you’re useful. At some point, you won’t be anymore. This is what will come to you, this or worse. Watch,” he said as he sat by one of the computer terminals and placed his hand on the screen for access. We were at one of FloTech’s many research facilities, afterhours, and everything glowed white except for the massive, black processing units lining a wall, performing billions of operations every second. He typed, and a video came up; Skylar pushed me gently from behind to make me approach Dr Wu and watch what he was showing me. I wish I hadn’t. A room very much like this one, with identical CPU’s along a wall, although the equipment seemed different. I can’t really describe what the purpose of that facility was, but what I did see was a group of maybe 10 teenaged naked boys and girls on racks, being flayed alive by what looked like furry midgets or apes wearing headresses of antlers. “They thought they were safe, too. Nobody is. Do you know what they died for? Officially, a bus accident. In real fact, they died for the secret of a better night vision system, a minor improvement in one of FloTech’s bioluminical based, thermal seeking, mixed-reality able vision aids. Records show that 85 abuctees from the Airport Rd Villages in total were… used in this way to achieve version 3.2 of these goggles. Understand, Mr Bohn: these people are bred like chickens. We will be doing them a favor by ending their lives ahead of time and without torture, neh?”
I still doubted, as Dr Wu pierced me with a somber gaze, but Skylar whispered in my ear: “Remember what the mushroom showed you; if the Beast is starved, the pyramid will crumble and fall, and the murderers on the top will fall with it.”
So I agreed to become a murderer myself, arranging to have the crop left in a warehouse under my control overnight, and dusting the tubs of produce with the contents of a tube. Airport Rd Villages was wiped out. FloTech and local government announced a new virus that killed people suddenly in their sleep had been discovered in the water, and gave all others in neighboring communities placebo vaccinations against it, and that was that. They knew it had been ecoterrorism, magic-terrorism. What they didn’t know is that it had been hatched from the inside. Now I shared some of Skylar’s burden, perhaps the best definition of love.
Famine outside the gated compounds was getting more acute every week as bird and frog populations declined, fish and most mammals having been eaten a long time ago. Bohn Farms was preparing massive plantings for the upcoming season, the biggest ever. All resources were being pushed to the limit, and I moved around my days in a daze, sending crews to till this field, plant the other. Civil war was breaking out again in Florida, and this second time, the Technology Party was aligning itself with Washington and they had the advantage. The raids on Immokalee were getting more intense every week, and we needed a good harvest in the Winter.
I loved Skylar, but hated her too. I now knew so much more than I had wanted to: opressive knowledge, the stuff of nightmares. It seemed to me now I had lived my whole life in a nightmare, but never understanding it for what it was, spared the details. The doors of perception had now been opened , and I resented this, resented it deeply. I was now a terrorist and murderer, hiding things from my family, privy to despairing knowledge. A happy future for us had been a possibility before; now, that prospect was dead.
The pervasive feeling was that nobody would come out alive and unhurt in Florida, us least of all. Time was running short for her. To flee was impossible. Magical forces too powerful to hide from could be summoned and would find her anywhere. The only option was to fight. But how?
At this point, in early October, I had a long meeting with my father, and opened my heart to him. Everything I’m telling here, the story of my time with Skylar and the things I had learned from her, even my shameful tainting of a crop bearing the family seal, all was revealed. I had no right to keep it to myself. This was terrible knowledge that Clan and Farm had to have. I didn’t know whether Skylar would take it as a betrayal, but I had to put my own on alert. By the time I left his house with the first sun, his hair, which had been gray, was white.
The following night, as I was laying in bed with Skylar, I was awaken by the sound of horses approaching. I jumped and armed myself, bidding Skylar to stay in the room; she followed me, holding Beckenbauer by the collar. As we stepped outside, we saw it was no danger; my own guards and watchmen were respectfully opening the gate for my father, my brother and uncles, and their escort bearing Kalashnikovs in the saddles and knives and revolvers on their belts, a dozen men stern and gloomy. My father dismounted and walked towards us, as one of my laborers held his horse and led it to water. He looked at Skylar for a very long time, and nobody moved or said anything during that. Then he turned his eyes in my direction and spoke:
– “The times are hard, son. You need to tell them what you told me last night. Or better yet, the señorita should”.
Without looking at her, I knew Skylar had been surprised. It only took her a second to understand. She had been standing back, but approached me now, and looking at my father in the eye, said:
– “Adelante, Don Carlos”, extending an arm to invite them to the outside kitchen, which had a big wooden table that could sit us all. “Señores, adelante, por favor. Van a querer café y licores?”
– “Café solamente, gracias”, he answered and sent his guards, and mine, to establish a perimeter and wait outside. Cigars were passed around, and Skylar appeared with a pot of fragrant coffee. We all sipped it. I noticed none of my kin was visibly armed, a sign of respect for my house. We all waited for my father to speak first:
– “Rodrigo, señorita Skylar, forgive us for coming to you like this. The times force us to it, and the bad news. Gainesville has fallen.”
– “Where’s Donnelly? Is he retreating with the troops?”
– “He’s dead, son. And most of his troops, too. Washington’s dropped a tactical nuke on Gainesville”
– “Some of the troops remain” explained my uncle Lukas, who looked like one of the motorcycle gangsters of yore with his long gray braided beard and leather vest. “Ocala is being mobilized, Lake O and Orlando, Tampa. Florida is not yet defeated. Your father has been designated President, Rodrigo”
– “I don’t know what to say… you surely don’t want congratulations.”
– “No, he doesn’t”, said Lorenzo. “He shouldn’t have accepted. It’s hopeless. We can’t fight them. We should be able to come to terms in exchange for safe passage. The Madariagas could arrange getting us to Cuba.”
– “How can you speak like that?”, I interrupted. “We have to fight! You have no idea of what the Technology Party really is. There’s no coming to terms, uncle! It’s us or them! They will show no mercy!”
– “Exactly!”, he yelled in a voice full of fear. He was thin, nervous and bald. “Us or them! And do you think it will be us? They just dropped an atomic bomb on us, fool!”
Slowly, my father rose: “Silencio! Miss Page, you understand the risk, our dilemma in sitting you at the table and making you privy to our considerations. You surely see we will have to come to an understanding, you and us, tonight. If we can’t, we’ll have to take you hostage.”
– “That, Don Carlos, wouldn’t be a bad idea”, Skylar said. “I see Rodrigo has opened your eyes to parts of reality that nobody wants to visit, and I apologize for shattering a part of all of you by knowledge of the true state of affairs. It’s all true. Unbelievable and true. Father knows of my love for Rodrigo”, she continued. “I was careful to let him know, to feign an intent for secrecy while dropping some hints around the right ears. This may be the sole reason your farm hasn’t been attacked yet. He could take it anytime he wanted it, but it will cost him troops, which are needed elsewhere as new war visits Florida.”
– “You’re damn right it would cost him troops”, uncle Lukas darkly said, stroking his beard.
– “He’s thinking ‘why fight for the farm, when I can take it through marriage?’. So he, my friends, is thinking of marrying Rodrigo. He intends to take what’s his this Halloween. He will live in what I was, and I will be no more”, she said, and hung her head. I rushed to embrace her. “Not if I can stop it!”
– “War is coming to Bohn Farms, one way or another. He will either conquer it by force, or conquer it by treachery when the families are joined in marriage.”
Skylar rose from her seat, eyes glowing and terrible: “So I say let’s bring war to him now, when he’s weak and not expecting it! Surrender is death, there’s no place for the weak in the world that’s coming! Raymond Page has something he very much wants, or rather, he doesn’t have it if I’m your hostage. Time is ticking. Halloween’s close. So we can force his hand to our advantage, if we’re bold”.
Slowly Don Carlos rose, and looking at Lorenzo said: “I think Miss Skylar speaks wisely. I say she’s one of us now. We will survive, or perish, together. Fighting. Now is the time to agree, or disagree, with my judgement, and face the consequences”. He kept staring at Lorenzo as the rest of us shouted “I second that!” Lorenzo mumbled “if that’s what y’all want”, and didn’t speak for the rest of the night.
A plan was hatched. By morning, all six of us at my kitchen table knew what would happen, and what parts we’d play in it. Skylar would stall for time, allowing my father and Gonzalo to prepare the defenses of the farm. Lorenzo would be dispatched to Immokalee and work with the Madariagas, a Mexican-Floridian family of smugglers that had been our allies for ages. The Madariagas would rally their own troops and the Seminole tribe, and also help us secure additional fuel, weapons and ammo. They would also, my father said looking sternly at Lorenzo, start working on plans to evacuate the women and children of our family, as well as theirs. “The women and children, if it goes badly. Not us. We fight”. Lukas would liaison with veteran militia forces in the area and muster them to Immokalee and the farm. He would also be in charge of arming every worker and peasant capable of fighting, and put all others, young and old, to work the fields, hoping for a harvest in the unlikely case we’d survive to see December.
In the meantime, Skylar would rally all the support she could from her ecoterrorist contacts, and mine Dr Wu for information about weak spots in Raymond Page’s Naples compound. And I would work on a plan to take our fury to the enemy, beheading FloTech and closing the gate to their underworld allies, in what amounted to a suicide mission.
As the others mounted and left at a gallop to start preparing for the trial of their lives, Skylar and I laid in the hamaca matrimonial, the double size hammock, watching the sun rise, sharing the silence.
Thousands were now preparing for war. Messages from Raymond to his Vessel, urging her to leave Immokalee and join him in Naples, got more urgent. Skylar ignored them, spending her time in meditation, steeling herself, gathering her forces.
News from Central Florida improved. Republican troops had for the most part stayed loyal, and spread out all over the territory in guerrilla warfare, so as not to be wiped out by another small nuke. My father Carlos sent word that he’d secure the South for the Republic if Washington could be held back.
Then, on the 20th, one of FloTech’s Chinooks, behemoths 80 years old that ran weekly food deliveries from the farm to Naples, appeared on the horizon. This time, it had an escort of two fully armed Apache helicopters and a flotilla of killer drones. I heard it coming in the distance. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Then rushed out of my cabin, telling Skylar as I left, “do what I say. Stay hidden here. Don’t let the drones see you.” I jumped inside my Ranger, which had now been fitted with a .50 machine gun in the back, as she retreated back into the house with Beckenbauer and locked the door. I saw my men running to me and one of Frankie Madariaga’s sons, Jesús, approach on his motorcycle. I frantically yelled “Camilo, in the truck! Jesse, Jesse, follow us!”
We could see the Chinook in the distance, cautiously approaching the helipad by the main warehouse. I saw that my father had put out a decoy, bringing out pallets of food, as if all was normal. After landing, the cargo doors were opened, airmen nervously looking around from inside. I rushed it without thinking, followed by Jesse, as Camilo pointed the .50 to the helicopter. I burst into the cockpit and put my pistol to the head of the pilot: “Do what I say and you live! Turn off the engines!”
The communications system was state of the art, much newer than the airship. I shot an inquiring look to the pilot. “It won’t work without my fingerprint.” I raised my gun to him and he put his finger to the thumbpad. The screen came to life, with an operator on it. He started talking, but I cut him short: “Shut up! Tell Page this: we have his daughter. Call your escorts, now! She dies if they attack! Understood? Fuck off!”
It worked. The flotilla gained height and disappeared, as my father joined me: “What now?”
– “Now, we stall some more. Negotiate. Ask for assurances that our farm will be left alone, offer free elections, whatever. They’ll say yes to everything, but we keep demanding guarantees. We drive Page mad. He needs Skylar in eleven days. We can keep him negotiating for maybe a week. He’ll run out of patience and lash out at us. If they overrun us in a day, the jig is up, they’ll just take Skylar and kill us all. We have to make them pay, maul them, buy time. Then, we start retreating, let him think he’s winning. You plead with him to spare the farm, and promise to send Skylar back to him in the Chinook. He won’t shoot it down if she’s inside. I’ll be inside too, and that’s as far as my planning goes. I’ll be on the ground in Naples, and intend to murder the bastard, so help me God. Skylar will deal with the other stuff, the demons, because nobody else can. You and uncles rally everything we have as we go for the jugular, and mount a counteroffensive to rout and exterminate them.”
– “Spoken like a true lion, son. Give me a hug”.
I went back to Skylar, and we kissed. She was fasting, and seemed to be getting smaller every day. We spent the night saying very little, caressing each other until sleep claimed us. I woke up strangely refreshed considering I had only slept a few hours, with great clarity of mind and feeling strong. Skylar brought me breakfast, and then took one of her devices out of her bag and set it on the table. When I felt ready, she turned it on, and Raymond Page was on the screen. I don’t want to talk about him too much, it disgusts me. This was the first time I was seeing his face. He looked like a vampire. Infinitely old and wicked, prying, always prying for a weakness to exploit. He shed crocodile tears for the fate of his “dear baby”, whom he asked to see. I pivoted the device slightly for the briefest time, enough for him to see she was there, not enough to try any sort of mind control gimmick.
Me and my father kept Page calling to negotiate for a week, until the 27th. He finally realized he’d been played, and launched an attack. Our scouts spotted his troops with enough time to spread out in fields and groves, along creeks, in secret hiding places. Our womenfolk, the very young and very old were secreted away. All the peasant families also took cover, and we all left our dwellings behind, for we knew they would be the first to be attacked.
Skylar simply retreated into the citrus grove, sat down and fell into a deep trance. I left her there as I rushed to meet the invaders.
Drones and helicopters pounded the main farmhouse and other buildings unchallenged. We let them approach to within a certain range, then struck them out of the sky. Drones were caught like fish in nets we had prepared, or blown out of the sky with birdshot. The Apaches didn’t have time to gain altitude before being hit by camouflaged nests of machine guns and RPG’s.
Distant shots towards the South told us that the Madariagas were already fighting the ground forces in the woods around Immokalee. Soon, gunfire erupted in the North, too: those were our own troops. I went to them in the Ford. As I approached the front line, Florida War veterans came out of their hiding places to salute me with raised fists. My father’s command post was set up under an old oak covered in Spanish moss. He was dispatching couriers. “All good at the farm?”
– “Good. Those birds are down. How’s here?”
– “They have some top troops, but not too many, West and North. They brought lots of compound sec, mall cops fat and soft: filler. I have Gonzalo with our best veterans holding their strongest column, Screaming Eagles.. Our campesinos are picking the mall cops one by one with rifles and machetes.”
– “The Madariagas?”
– “Frankie says they’ve got it. They’re holding and not letting anybody get close to Immokalee and the back of the farm.”
– “That’s good, Pa. Give them hell for a day or two, then start falling back”.
A short Indian man in huaraches, tire rubber sandals, approached us running. My father took him aside and came back to me grim faced: “You won’t like this. Frankie says they sent a party to Ponce de León and burned it to the ground. Some had taken refuge there and were massacred. Ms Gonzalez too, son. I’m sorry”.
– “Que hijos de puta. Que hijos de una gran puta… I’ll take Camilo and some troops and hit them on their way out.”
– “Don’t. We need you to cut the snake’s head.”
– “I’ll be fine, Pa. Just hit them hard and pull back. It’s the plan anyway.”
I jumped back into the truck before he could say anything, and drove off with another couple of truck-mounted .50’s following. We took back roads and shortcuts, firing bursts and scattering enemy troops when we spotted them, but not stopping until arriving in the glare of Ponce’s buildings burning. We slowly drove around until reaching the demo garden. I got off the truck and approached the bullet riddled corpse of Ms Gonzalez lying in a pool of blood by a bed of newly sprouted carrots. She had the machete she used to cut and strip bamboo stakes still clutched in her hand, and her open eyes pierced the darkening sky above her. Crying, I knelt and closed them. “You are now in the milpa with your hermanita. I’ll see you there. Rest.” Then I heard laughs, and the sound of clinking bottles. I signaled my men to dismount and approach the sound quietly. We saw a group of maybe 30 troops in compound security uniforms laughing and drinking around a bonfire. They were all that had been needed to raid the university grounds, full of civilians. Camilo signaled to silently spread around in the palmetto and wait for my lead. I aimed and shot a fat man with ribbons in his uniform with my pistol, then kept shooting as my men fired too, and soon they were all down. The last few had raised their arms in surrender, and been shot anyway, for that’s war. Some had fallen into the bonfire and it started smelling of roast meat as we walked around the bodies taking their weapons and ammo, and shooting the wounded in the head.
Skylar was still in the lotus position in the orange grove, her eyes closed, barely breathing. I came back to check on her often. She wouldn’t wake up or speak to me. Only Beckenbauer guarded her, laying at her feet day and night as the Bohns and the Madariagas played cat and mouse with the invaders, killing and dying, slowly retreating. The morning of the 30th I heard Skylar’s device vibrate. I picked it up, took a deep breath, and accepted Page’s call. His face was contorted in fury, and before a word was exchanged, he picked the severed head of my uncle Lorenzo, grabbing it by an ear, shoving it to an inch of his camera eye. “See this worm? See him, beaner? He thought he could make a deal with me. He thought he’d get something from me. He wanted out, and ha!, out he is! He also wanted out for your women, you filthy beaner, and for the women and brats of all the other fucking beaners and Mexicans, and I’ll let them out, too. One by one, starting now!” As he said that, a young, Indian faced girl was dragged into the field of vision by a uniformed thug. One of Frankie Madariaga’s granddaughters. Unceremoniously, Raymond Page stood up, pulled a knife and slit her throat. As the goon let her fall, he approached the camera again and thundered: “I’ll do the same to all of them, every ten minutes, until my daughter is back with me! Understand! Then I’ll go there and do the same to every living thing in and around Immokalee! With them!” He swiveled the camera to focus on another screen. It showed black-clad, exoskeleton wearing, powerfully armed Washington troops and battle robots entering Naples. “Understand! We’ve won already! Give her up, or be exterminated, every last one of you!”.
Skylar spoke to the screen. She had been standing behind me for a while. “Yes, Father. I will go back in the big helicopter now. Your command will be obeyed.” I turned off the screen and faced her. She smiled faintly and said “it’s now, love. Before he gets the new troops, before he kills too many of those poor folk. Let’s go.”
The Chinook’s engines were roaring when we arrived, Skylar, myself and Beckenbauer in the back of the truck. My choicest troops were in its belly, and the pilot sweated under the helmet as I sat next to him, prodded his ribs with my Glock, and said “fly us to FloTech compound. Try anything, any code message, anything, and I’ll shoot you and toss you out of the cockpit like trash. Go.”
The great beast took to the air. I looked into its cargo area and saw the hard, stoic faces of my clan’s warriors, and very small among them, Skylar, slowly starting to glow. A soft glow faintly surrounded her as her hour of doom approached. The men cast respectful glances in her direction and clutched their weapons. “Initiating descent, sir”, the pilot said after a while, and Skylar’s voice rose over the roar of the engines, “Not yet! Fly above the South Lab first!” I nodded to the pilot to do as she had said, and looked into her eyes. She spoke to me without moving her lips. Her voice was sweet inside my head as she told me “that’s where the gate is, love. The mouth. Where I need to push the demon into. Kill that man, don’t let him take me. And if you can’t kill him, kill me, kill me before tomorrow, for I don’t want to be his Vessel.”, she said, and as everybody gasped she slid one of the cargo doors open and stepped outside. Into the air. Beckenbauer almost jumped outside to follow her too, but I grabbed him at the last second.
The helicopter continued its half circle course towards the main helipad, which was atop the biggest building in town, right on the beach off of Vanderbilt Rd, FloTech’s corporate headquarters and Mr Page’s own residence as well. We all looked out of the windows of the Chinook, and when the angle was right to see the spot where she had jumped off again, a marvelous vision was revealed: Skylar was floating in the air hundreds of feet above the South Lab, getting smaller and smaller as we flew away, becoming a point of bright, blinding light. Suddenly her voice exploded in the sky, shattering the glass of windows in the Lab. It was her voice, and at the same time it wasn’t, it was like an angry angel’s, like a hurricane, sibilant and powerful, uttering… what? What curses, what invocations, what spells? For that’s what it was, I knew without understanding a word of it, a weapon, not a voice. As her litany continued, I could see walls collapsing. I had the impression of another luminous figure, on the ground, small in the distance but almost as bright as Skylar, a man with a staff walking towards the crumbling Lab building, casting angry invocations as well, in a much lower key. “Ah, Dr Wu”, I thought, “you have to close what you helped open. Don’t let Skylar do it alone” Then, I couldn’t look anymore, because we were in the last meters of air above the rooftop helipad, ready to touch ground. A heavily armed platoon had their weapons pointed towards us, and in their midst… could that be… was that my target? “Turn on facial recog, now!”, I screamed to the pilot. “I’m trying to land this thing, goddammit!” “Hover right here, turn facial on and point it to that man in a suit right there or you die!” He jerked the controls to stop the descent, and as the wind from the rotor blades forced the men on the roof to scatter and grab onto rails, he held the stick with one hand as he operated a screen with the other. The image was blurry, then the camera adjusted, moved out of focus again and finally, for a second, I saw him. I knew it before the voice system said “Raymond Page. FloTechCorp CEO. Technology Party candidate. Philantropist and…”
I tried to open the window on the co-pilot side but couldn’t. So I shot it, then kicked the shattered plexiglass to make an opening big enough to let half of my body out, pistol in hand. My ears were exploding with the fearsome invocations that pierced the air, and with a wailing, otherworldy cry that seemed to emerge from the disintegrating South Lab, as I emptied the magazine. I hit the bastard at least once, but he ducked and started crawling away – in a second, he had understood what was going on near the Lab, had understood his Vessel wasn’t on the Chinook, and in pain and fury was ordering his troops to open fire on us. Time slowed for me as I managed to get back inside the cockpit, tracers heading towards us as his troops on the roof discharged a wall of fire that started hitting the machine like hail. “Pilot, land us now!”, I screamed, but the large airship kept veering sideways – soon the helipad would not be below us anymore, but 160 stories of air, and we couldn’t levitate like Skylar. “Pilot!”, I screamed again, then saw he was dead. Grab the stick and try to control the Chinook, or jump out now, while we still could? “Out, out, out, out!” I yelled, and the men started jumping out through the cargo doors, into chaos and bullets. “Beckenbauer! Folge mir!” I screamed as I jumped, with only a few inches of roof left under us, and the noble beast followed with a great leap. He hit the ground running and took another giant leap that landed him right upon Raymond Page, who was trying to reach the stairs door, trailing blood. Beckenbauer’s jaws closed on the fiend’s neck, and I ran towards them, sensing rather than seeing the infernal scene all around me as farm militia battled the guard. The Chinook’s rotors hit the side of the building on the way down, until it veered off some and ended crashing on the Waterside Mall below and bursting into a ball of fire. The fever pitch of the spells and the piercing howling and wailing that answered them some distance away continued. I couldn’t stop for a second to make sense of it all. All I could see was my loyal Becks holding my enemy for me, helping me kill it. I had two bullets come through me at that point, and had broken a foot upon landing, but didn’t feel any pain. Enraged, I saw that Page had a knife in his hand, the same one he had used to murder Madariaga’s grandchild, and was furiously stabbing my dog with it, who nevertheless would not let go. His teeth were buried deep in Page’s neck even in death. A last spark of life animated Raymond Page’s hand, which kept weakly stabbing my dead dog. Slowly, almost gently, I took the bloody knife from his hand. With a great effort, I pushed poor dead Beckenbauer to the side. “Alles is gut, mein freund. Danke, freund, vielen dank. Wiedersehn, Beck”. Then I looked at the wretch laying there in a pool of his own, and my dog’s, blood. His makeup was a mess, as tears streamed down his cheeks. His wig had moved to one side, and the stench was unmistakable: he had soiled himself. Then he, the last scion of a long line of wizards, the man who would drink the blood and life energy of countless victims, who fancied himself the first superman, pleaded for his life. Begged for his life in the most disgraceful, humiliating way, promising power and riches if only… if only… I didn’t let him finish, and slit his throat from side to side, slicing deep with a serrating motion as if butchering a hog back at the farm, almost cutting his head off.
The rooftop battle was over. FloTech’s fighters were all dead, and most of the farm militia too. Old Camilo, badly wounded, came to me, and we helped each other crawl to the edge to witness the battle around the Lab. A giant, darkened crater marked the spot where Dr Wu had stood, aiding Skylar with his own spells. The Lab was in ruins, revealing the entrance of a dark, huge cave underneath. An enormous wraith, a shape that in turn looked like a giant bat, a snake, or a machine, shrieked and wailed as a tiny figure, Skylar, now on the ground, both hands raised, walked and seemed to push it towards that cave entrance with every tempest of sound she coaxed her tiny body to utter. Step by step she drove it back, and the monster writhed and recoiled, viciously lashing out with a tail, a claw, a string of curses deep and powerful that hit my beloved and almost fell her. But she gathered what strength she still had and kept pushing, relentlessly pushing, the God into the hole.
– “Camilo, the stairs! Let’s help her! Vamos!”
Before we could move, her voice filled my skull. Her sweet voice that I adored, I heard for the last time. “You live, my love. You plant more seeds, and teach others to live free of hubris in this world, not seeking to be Gaia’s masters but her servants, and to leave the old demons alone, rejecting the power they offer. Let them eat mice and birds, not souls. Tell the humans to stay few, for Gaia cannot feed many. I will not be a Vessel, thanks to you. Thank you for our time together, and for your courage. Adiós, Rodrigo.”
Then she charged the Naples God with the last of her strength and fury, pushing him to the pit in the ground, into which they fell together. I tried to scream but nothing came out of my throat. “Don Rodrigo! Mire, Don Rodrigo”, Camilo said, pointing East, to Immokalee, and I saw a mighty explosion rising, a mushroom cloud. “All is lost,” I thought, and fell into darkness.
I came to myself feeling sick. My wounds ached terribly, and the world rocked back and forth. Slowly, I realized I was in a cabin, on a boat. Camilo was looking at me, his arm in a sling, with another man I didn’t know. “Skylar! Father, uncles, brother… where?”, I managed to say. “Don’t think of that, Don Rodrigo”, he answered, “This man here is Don Gorostiza, the captain. A larger boat is waiting in La Habana. We, and the others we were able to save, will then travel to Buenos Aires, to the other Bohns. Frankie Madariaga made sure of that. Now rest.”
They say a cult of Skylar has been growing in Florida after I left, fought by the powers that be but spreading like wildfire nevertheless. The humblest laborers and slaves, freed of the unknown God buried by Skylar, albeit still living harsh, desperate lives under purely human masters, whisper her name and secretly get her symbol tattooed at night, in barns and groves: a smiling woman’s face with three eyes, hair growing into tree branches, under a moon, an owl and a bee. I am alive to witness the first stages of the woman I loved becoming a Goddess.
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The Tower of the Hand. © Fantasy Flight Games
The Tower of the Hand is located in the Red Keep on Aegon's High Hill in King's Landing. It contains the chambers of the Hand of the King. It has stood for three hundred years.
1 About
1.1 The secret passageway
2.1 A Game of Thrones
2.2 A Clash of Kings
2.4 A Feast for Crows
2.5 A Dance with Dragons
3 References and Notes
See also: Images of the Tower of the Hand
The tower's small hall is a long room with a high-vaulted ceiling and bench space for two hundred.[1] The private audience chamber is not as large as the king's, but has Myrish rugs, wall hangings, and a golden-tinted round window that give it a sense of intimacy.[2]
The tower also has a solar, and a garderobe. The tower has tall windows.[3]
The secret passageway
There is a secret passageway to the tower known to Lord Varys. In the tower there is a bedchamber with a canopied bed and sconces on the walls and rushes on the floor.[4] This is the Hand's bedchamber. From inside the hearth of this bedchamber there is a small secret door. From this door one can climb down two hundred and thirty rungs which lead to a small round chamber where half a dozen tunnels meet.[5]
Lord Eddard Stark is appointed Hand of the King by King Robert I Baratheon[6] and moves into the Tower of the Hand.[7]
Lord Tywin Lannister names his son Tyrion the acting Hand in his absence. Tyrion takes up residence in the Tower of the Hand.[8]
© Fantasy Flight Games
Lord Tywin takes over as Hand and moves into the Tower of the Hand.[9]
Before fleeing the Red Keep, Tyrion visits his father in the tower, gaining access through the secret passageway. There, in the Hand's bedchamber, he discovers his whore Shae in Tywin's bed. He strangles her, arms himself with a crossbow and then confronts his father in the privy and slays him in fury and escapes the same way he came in.[5]
Lord Tywin is discovered murdered in the Tower of the Hand. As Dowager Queen Cersei Lannister is about to view her father's body, which has been moved to his bed, she notices the secret door that she was told about when the news of Tywin's death was delivered. The door gapes open behind the ashes of the hearth, no bigger than an oven. She thinks to herself that a man would need to crawl through it.[10]
Ser Jaime Lannister and his men reduce the Tower of the Hand to a shell looking for Tyrion. Cersei decides to burn the tower. When Jaime asks her if she means to burn the tower, she tells him that she will after King Tommen I Baratheon's wedding feast. Cersei tells Jaime that their father was murdered in the Tower of the Hand and she cannot bear to look at it.[11]
After Tommen and Margaery Tyrell's wedding feast, Cersei leads the guests outside to watch as the pyromancers set the Tower of the Hand on fire. Fifty pots of wildfire placed inside the tower along with logs and casks of pitch are set alight. The Tower of the Hand is ruined. The greater part of Tyrion's possessions, which were still in the tower, were also destroyed.[11]
Later, outside of Riverrun, Lady Genna Lannister asks Jaime if it is true that Cersei burned the Red Keep but Jaime tells her that it was only the Tower of the Hand. Genna replies that Cersei would have done better to leave the tower and burn her Hand, Ser Harys Swyft, instead.[12]
Cersei tells Ser Kevan Lannister that Tommen told her that Lord Mace Tyrell intends on rebuilding the Tower of the Hand. Kevan concurs telling her that the new tower is to be twice as tall as the one she burned.[13]
↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 15, Tyrion III.
↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 39, Eddard X.
↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 54, Tyrion XII.
↑ 5.0 5.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 77, Tyrion XI.
↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 4, Eddard I.
↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 3, Tyrion I.
↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 19, Tyrion III.
↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 3, Cersei I.
↑ 11.0 11.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 33, Jaime V.
↑ A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
Retrieved from "https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?title=Tower_of_the_Hand&oldid=240194"
Red Keep
King's Landing
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Boston Bar Journal
A Peer Reviewed Publication of the Boston Bar Association
The Misuse of MassCourts as a Free Tenant Screening Device
Posted: October 21, 2015 | Author: bbabarjournal | Filed under: Fall 2015 Vol. 59 #4, Heads Up | Tags: Boston Bar Journal, housing court, housing court records, landlord tenant, legal, privacy, real estate, tenant blacklisting, tenant screening | Leave a comment
by Esme Caramello and Annette Duke
“If I see that a prospective tenant has ever had a lawyer in any proceeding at http://www.masscourts.org as of this case forward I no longer take them as a tenant. This is a free country. They certainly have a right to hire a lawyer and I have a right to not take them as tenants because of that.” Massachusetts Landlords Blog, June 12, 2015.
The Trial Court’s Electronic Case Access system (MassCourts) was not intended to be a direct, online “free tool for tenant screening.” But that is how it is increasingly being promoted and used:
“After years of lobbying from rental housing groups, the Massachusetts Housing Court has finally announced a powerful new and free tool for tenant screening: public internet access to all Summary Process, Small Claims, Civil and Supplementary Process case types…. This new system will enable landlords to research whether a potential or current tenant has been a party to a previous eviction, small claims or related housing case.” The Massachusetts Real Estate Law Blog, “ Massachusetts Housing Court and Tenant Eviction History Now Online,” April 24, 2013 (emphasis added).
While careful, conscientious tenant screening can help landlords avoid problems with new tenants, the automatic refusal to rent to anyone whose name appears in an online court database is a dangerous form of tenant blacklisting. Tenants are sometimes forced by absentee or unscrupulous landlords to access the courts to protect their families from unsafe conditions. For example, one tenant, 8½ months pregnant and shoveling the walkway in front of her unheated apartment, turned to the court to force an unresponsive bank that owned her building to pay its bills and maintain the property. Another faced a retaliatory eviction lawsuit after reporting a building-wide bedbug infestation affecting the health of her neighbors, families, and friends. Still another was brought into court after her landlord discovered she had a female partner. Blacklisting tenants like these merely because their names are online in MassCourts erects unfair barriers to finding an apartment for anyone who has ever been to court in a housing case – tens of thousands of people every year – and could place especially vulnerable people with limited housing options into a spiral towards homelessness.
While some landlords undoubtedly look beyond the mere fact of a tenant’s appearance in MassCourts to the actual “Disposition” or docket itself, even this increased level of scrutiny may not elicit an accurate picture of a tenant. MassCourts was not designed as a tenant-screening tool. It is a case management database built to assist the court system in managing litigation, and it uses shorthand that suffices for that purpose. It does not tell the real story behind any landlord-tenant dispute. Most summary process dockets, for example, ultimately reflect a judgment for the landlord. This does not equate to a finding the tenant was at fault. The vast majority of tenants are unrepresented, and the few who are lucky enough to access legal assistance often do not agree to have a judgment enter against them, but instead secure dismissal of the case or a straight agreement (with no judgment of eviction) in which the parties make commitments to each other, such as payment of rent in exchange for repairs.
To make matters worse, there are inaccuracies in the MassCourts database. For example, a review of housing cases closed by the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau in 2013 showed that in nearly 10% of the cases, MassCourts incorrectly displayed a judgment of eviction against the tenant when there was none. In MassCourts, “no-fault” evictions are sometimes miscoded as “cause” cases. Cases that have been dismissed may appear as open, active cases or even judgments in favor of the landlord. Minor children may erroneously appear as parties in their parents’ eviction cases, potentially hurting their creditworthiness before they have a chance to enter the adult world. MassCourts remote access takes these errors and turns them into major barriers to housing, with no way for a tenant to even know that this information is being used by a landlord and no clear way to challenge its accuracy.
Other states have recognized the problems with court-enabled tenant screening and scaled back access. For example, in 2012, the Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Office of Court Administration announced that the court would no longer include in the electronic data feed it sold to tenant screening companies the names of tenants involved in New York City Housing Court evictions. See Hon. Gerald Lebovits and Jennifer Addonizio, The Use of Tenant Screening Reports and Tenant Blacklisting, New York State Bar Association (2013). Applauding this action “to protect both New York’s tenants and the integrity of the court system,” one legislator explained: “When the fear of being ‘blacklisted’ causes many tenants to avoid the court and relinquish their legal rights, access to justice is fundamentally undermined.” Sen. Krueger Announces Courts to End Electronic Sale of Housing Court Data Used in “Tenant Blacklists” (2012).
Massachusetts, through the Trial Court Public Access to Court Records Committee, can and should implement safeguards that protect tenants without impairing the public’s right to open courts. A very limited change to how party identification information is displayed online could counteract the misuse of MassCourts: tenant names should be replaced with numbers or initials in the online database. Parties and attorneys would still be able to access case information online with docket numbers. The official case record would still be public, would still include parties’ names, and could be accessed by going to court. This change would balance protecting tenants’ rights with keeping court records public.
With 40,925 eviction cases filed in Housing and District courts across the Commonwealth in FY 2014 alone, the easy, online use of MassCourts as a free tenant screening tool has become a serious access to justice issue. Without reform, tenants will increasingly fear that the consequences of coming to court will be that they won’t be able to find housing in the future, and they will not see courts as a place to seek justice.
Annette Duke is a housing attorney at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, a statewide nonprofit poverty law and policy center. She specializes in public housing and landlord-tenant law and is currently working with the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission and a broad coalition of organizations to expand housing courts statewide.
Esme Caramello is the Faculty Director of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, a century-old student-run legal services organization that represents low income clients in housing, family, wage and hour, and government benefits cases. She is also a Clinical Professor at Harvard Law School, where she teaches courses in housing law and policy and legal skills and ethics.
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Taming a Strange New Beast: Securities Regulators Take on Digital Currency
Recovering Punitive Damages in Attorney Malpractice Cases
Look Before You Click: The Enforceability of Website and Smartphone App Terms and Conditions
Obtaining National Consensus on Key Opinion Practices: An Introduction to the Statement of Opinion Practices
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Bracewell’s White Collar Defense, Internal Investigations and Regulatory Enforcement Practice lawyers guide business institutions, executives and employees through the challenges associated with investigation and prosecution. Federal and state prosecutors and regulators, armed with new statutes and increased penalties, are placing institutions and individuals under increased scrutiny. As market commentators have noted, Bracewell lawyers have “distinguished themselves in ways unmatched from many other firms.” We conduct internal investigations, defend clients in criminal, civil and regulatory investigations or prosecutions and assist with corporate compliance programs.
Our battle-tested team includes a former federal judge and attorneys who have served in leadership positions in the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ), including Chief of the Criminal Fraud Section; the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Southern District of New York and the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas; the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); the New York County District Attorneys' Offices; and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). We handle matters related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, environmental crimes, broker-dealer violations, accounting and financial fraud, government contracts and False Claims Act/qui tam matters, healthcare fraud, tax and antitrust issues.
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At Bracewell, we counsel our clients, who are increasingly exploring new business opportunities around the globe, about what to expect from Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement and how to navigate these legal challenges within a complex international business environment. We help U.S. and multinational companies at every stage of the compliance and investigation process, reviewing delicate transactions and conducting due diligence on potential foreign business partners or agents, establishing FCPA compliance programs, and working with enforcement officials when sensitive situations arise.
We work with companies in virtually every sector of the global economy, including energy, aerospace, technology, manufacturing and business services. We notably represent companies that do business in high risk regions, where the use of joint ventures, sub-contractors and other third parties is commonplace and where export controls are required. In recent years, our lawyers have assisted clients with FCPA concerns in China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Europe, Dubai, Kuwait, India, and Mexico. Whether a company is seeking compliance advice or is under investigation, we possess the experience and knowledge to help.
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Of particular note is Judge Barbara Jones, who presided as a federal judge in the Southern District of New York for 17 years. Judge Jones was a member of the American Bar Association Corporate Monitor Standards Committee and assisted in authoring the ABA-approved standards for monitorships. She also served as the chair of the Response Systems to Adult Sexual Assault Crimes Panel, created by Congress in 2013. In that position, she was tasked to review and assess the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of sexual assaults in the U.S. military.
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Southern District of New York — Appointed as a Special Master by SDNY Judge Kimba Wood to manage the privilege review of documents seized from Donald Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen. Judge Jones led a small team of Bracewell partners that quickly and securely reviewed physical documents inside a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (“SCIF”) to ensure necessary security of information.
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Oil and gas exploration and production company — assisting with cyber preparedness matters
General aviation company — criminal matter and FCPA compliance matter related to international operations
Global asset management firm — drafting of an information security policy and an incident response plan
District Council of New York City (the “Carpenters Union”) — monitorship before the Honorable Richard Berman of the Southern District of New York. In her role representing the monitored entity, Judge Jones works with the court-appointed monitor and with the assigned Assistant U.S. Attorneys to improve and maintain the smooth functioning and progression of the monitorship.
Auto finance company — DOJ investigation into alleged violations of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA)
Chief financial officer of a public company — investigation for accounting fraud and manipulation of financial statements and SEC filings
U.S. private equity fund — internal investigation into allegations of foreign commercial bribery by employees
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Large public company — independent internal investigation into allegations of corporate malfeasance by the chief executive officer and global head of procurement
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High-level General Motors engineering executive — DOJ ignition switch investigation
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Privately owned real estate firm — drafting of an information security policy and management of the fallout of the loss of personally identifiable information (PII)
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International energy company — government contracting concerns
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Myntra to foray into home furnishing and jewellery segments
Move part of company's initiative to expand consumer base for attaining profitability by 2017
Richa Maheshwari
Updated: April 22, 2016, 09:21 IST
Flipkart-owned online fashion marketplace Myntra is diversifying into home furnishing, precious and non-precious jewellery and personal care segments in an attempt to widen its consumer base and shore up profits.
Myntra had restricted its presence to apparel and accessories, but will now take on focused players in the space such as Urban Ladder, PepperFry, Nykaa and Bluestone.
"This is a big bet for us to take our first step to expansion in the lifestyle segment, which will also help us meet our set target of attaining profitability by 2017," said Ananth Narayanan, CEO at Myntra, adding the company expects revenues of Rs 500 crore from the home furnishing segment in the next two years.
The company has tied up with 40 brands for the home furnishing segment, and will enter the personal care products space and jewellery segments by July. "In all these categories, we will be looking at mass premium segment where the margins are high, so it works for unit-economics," said Narayanan.
Sources said Myntra was toying with the idea of selling home furnishings and precious jewellery nearly two years ago, but decided not to venture into the space as home furnishing was high on logistics costs and had low repeat orders.
Also, the precious jewellery category demanded hi-tech features such as live chats and more, which they didn't have then.
According to industry analysts, home furnishing is a Rs 3,000-crore category and is growing at 70% year-on-year.
The estimated size of the domestic jewellery and bullion market in India is between $30 billion and $40 billion, respectively, and online sales of fashion and fine jewellery combined stood at $150 million in 2015.
The Bengaluru-based company is hiring architects and interior designers to help consumers pick and choose products on the platform.
Experts said Myntra's latest move could also be triggered by increasingly the competitive online fashion space which has seen the entry of two large conglomerates — Reliance and Aditya Birla — in the past few months.
“Since, the margins look tough in the home furnishing category, it does not make sense for a controlled marketplace to diversify into this," said an ex-Myntra employee. Leading marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart have been entering several new categories to gain economies of scale and mop up higher sales especially in big-ticket items such as furniture and jewellery.
Ananth Narayanan
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Home » Healthy Living » food » 5 Juice Labels That Are Killing You
5 Juice Labels That Are Killing You
Juice is supposed to be good for you, right? For example, one cup of 100-percent orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of potassium, folate and thiamine. Plus, 100-percent orange juice naturally contains the phytonutrient hesperidin, which research suggests may help maintain a healthy blood pressure and blood vessel function.
But your body may never feel the health benefits of 100-percent fruit juice if you’re buying the wrong juice.
See, some food manufacturers add sugar to balance the tart flavor of some juices. Mixed juice drink blends tend to have added sugar or are made from concentrate. They either don’t provide many nutrients or have more sugar than necessary. And all of this is carefully hidden on the label in slick marketing terms. But here’s what to look for and what the terms really mean:
This phrase is probably one of the biggest misleading phrases in the food industry. It has almost no meaning but it is used all the time. When you buy it you think that it means that it hasn’t been changed.
All it really means is that there have been no “synthetic substances,” artificial flavoring or colors added. The food may still have salt or other ingredients added, including high fructose corn syrup. Plus, those “natural” ingredients may be from animals.
Some juice companies sabotage your body by using shelf-stable juice concentrates instead of real juice. Juice concentrates are made from fruits and vegetables that are heated down to syrup and then have water added back in. So “concentrate” is just a fancy name for syrup. The concentration process involves both adding in and subtracting chemicals and natural plant by-products in order to condense the juice. During the concentration process, fruits and vegetables lose flavor and this is one of the reasons why companies have to re-add “flavoring” to make the juice taste fresh.
The concentration allows some juice companies to keep their juice shelf stable, preserved longer and allows them to save money during fruit processing.
You would think that if the label explicitly states “not from concentrate” it means it’s fresher, more real and better for your, right? Well, not necessarily. When most commercially available orange juices are made, according to the book Squeezed: What You Don’t Know About Orange Juice, many companies store juice in giant tanks and have the oxygen removed from them, which allows the liquid to keep for up to a year without spoiling. This storage makes the orange juice lose flavor. So the industry uses “flavor packs” to re-flavor the juice. Even if your juice says “100% juice” or “premium” on the ingredient label, it can still have these flavor packs, because they are not required to be listed on the ingredient label because technically they are derived from orange essence or oil.
“Pasteurized”
According to FoodBabe, most juice companies use traditional pasteurization or flash pasteurization to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, molds, and other microorganisms to safeguard our health by heating the juice (this would be the second time your juice is heated if you are drinking juice from concentrate). But during this process, pasteurization also kills raw enzymes, minerals and vitamins – the reason that we are drinking the juice in the first place. Heat kills the bad stuff and good stuff, making the juice pretty much worthless of nutrients…
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The Tangaroa Expedition (The Kon-Tiki Expedition) 2012 Documentary
All his life, Olav Heyerdahl had heard the stories of his grandfather: of how he crossed the Pacific in 1947 on a primitive raft made of balsa wood.
Now at last, he got to experience it first hand.
As a tribute to his grandfather and the original Kon-tiki expedition, Olav and his team built a new raft in Peru and sailed it all the way to Raiatea in French Polynesia.
When they arrived on the 24th of July 2006, after four months at sea, over a thousand people greeted them in a traditional Polynesian welcoming ceremony.
This is a spectacular and unique documentary of the modern day voyage, with footage of the 1947 expedition setting the context.
The 1947 Kon-tiki film won an Oscar, and Thor Heyerdahl's book has sold more the 50 millions copies worldwide.
At the time, the whole world was amazed by this eccentric Norwegian explorer.
The story continues to enthral 60 years later, only this time in colour.
The Tangaroa Expedition (The Kon-Tiki Expedition) ...
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WVU Recruiting Roundup: Countdown To Signing Day
December 15, 2018 December 14, 2018 Greg Hunter 3
With college football’s early signing period (Dec. 19-21) quickly approaching, West Virginia is putting together some of the final pieces for its class of 2019 puzzle.
Dana Holgorsen’s club currently has 15 verbal commitments. That number has bounced up and down lately, as WVU has had a number of defections in recent weeks – some who had their scholarship offers pulled for various reasons and others who decided to look elsewhere – to go along with additions from a couple recent commitments.
NCAA rules allow for a recruiting class to feature no more than 25 scholarship “counters” each year with a maximum total of 85 on the team at any one time.
West Virginia has approximately 76 players on scholarship on its roster this season, 14 of whom are departing seniors. There is typically attrition each year, as well, that will likely take away a few underclassmen.
No matter where it stands in terms of the 85-scholarship limit, though, WVU will only be able to use 23 scholarships for the class of 2019. The Mountaineers added three players last fall – Alabama transfer linebacker VanDarius Cowan, juco receiver Isaiah Esdale and freshman defensive end Tavis Lee – who fell into the “blue shirt” category, meaning West Virginia could count them back to the class of 2018 or forward to the class of 2019. Because WVU had room for just one to count back to last year’s class, it will have to count two ahead to this coming class. Because it’s all basically bookkeeping, it doesn’t really matter which one counts back and which two count ahead. What does matter is that it leaves West Virginia with a maximum of 23 new scholarships to use for the class of 2019.
Because the Mountaineers have dipped so deeply into all three branches of the transfer market – junior college, four-year and graduate – in recently years, they will almost certainly hold a few scholarships in reserve for some late additions this time as well. In the summer of 2017, WVU used some available scholarships for four-year transfers Jack Allison, Jovani Haskins and T.J. Simmons. Last spring it was able to add grad transfer defensive linemen Kenny Bigelow and Jabril Robinson because it had room. Following that pattern, West Virginia will likely keep a couple scholarships in reserve for new transfer options this coming spring or summer. In addition, some players the Mountaineers are targeting seem likely to hold their decisions until the February signing period (Feb. 6-April 1), so that’s another scholarship or two WVU will have to hold back if it wants to have room to add further prospects at that time.
Most of the players who have already verbally committed to West Virginia will likely sign National Letters of Intent on Dec. 19. Of the 16 players who signed LOIs with WVU last year (not including the grad transfers or blue shirts), 14 did so during the early signing period. Junior college transfers Joe Brown and Mike Brown were the only two future Mountaineers who didn’t sign their LOIs in December, as they didn’t come on board until February. Last year was the first time the NCAA had an early signing period for all FBS recruits, and most schools were like WVU in that 80 percent or more of their prospects signed in December. That will likely be the case again this year.
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If all 15 players currently on West Virginia’s commitment list sign with the Mountaineers next Wednesday, WVU will ink two defensive linemen (Taijh Alston and Jalen Thornton), one linebacker (Jared Bartlett), three offensive linemen (Donavan Beaver, Parker Moorer and Brandon Yates), two receivers (Terence Doston and Winston Wright), five defensive backs (Nicktroy Fortune, Kerry Martin, Dreshun Miller, Osita Smith, Tykee Smith), one running back (Tony Mathis) and one punter/placekicker (Kolton McGhee).
Considering WVU is going to hold a few of those 23 available scholarships in reserve for future use, it will likely sign somewhere in the range of 15-18 scholarship recipients on Wednesday. That would leave 5-8 more spots, depending on the final totals. According to BlueGoldNews.com’s Jeff Cobb, the Mountaineers still have a number of uncommitted players in their sights. Now not all may sign during the early period, but most probably will. It’s just a matter of if they’ll sign with West Virginia.
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 on Cobb’s list:
Ali Jennings
Ali Jennings, WR, Highland Springs High School, Richmond, Va. – The 6-2, 185-pound receiver will almost certainly be a Mountaineer. He’s been offered by Michigan State, North Carolina, Illinois and a number of others, but he’s seemingly had his sights set on WVU for quite a while. Having helped Highland Springs to its fourth straight Class 5A state title, in which the Springers have amassed a 57-3 record, he seems to fit in well as an outside receiver for West Virginia.
Blake Bedier, OL, Snow (Utah) Community College – WVU would like to sign a juco college offensive lineman to add some maturity to the class, and the 6-foot-5, 300-pound native of Lehi, Utah, is one of those the Mountaineers are targeting. Arizona, Baylor, Indiana, Rutgers and Missouri are some of the other Power 5 programs with offers in front of Bedier.
Glover Cook, RB/WR, Vanguard High School, Ocala, Fla. – Cook was previously verballed to Missouri, but recently decommitted from the Tigers and is now looking elsewhere. An outstanding running back in high school, others see the future of the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder as a receiver. Kentucky is heavily involved, as are Arkansas, Boston College, Cincinnati, Kansas and WVU.
M.J. Devonshire, DB, Aliquippa High School, Aliquippa, Pa. – A 5-foot-11, 170-pound cornerback, Devonshire is the latest in a long list of outstanding football prospects produced by Aliquippa, which in recent years has featured several who have come to West Virginia, like Dravon Askew-Henry and Kwantel Raines. Devonshire has plenty of high-end offers, including Ohio State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Iowa, WVU, Pitt and Penn State. Many think his recruiting choice will ultimately come down to the Mountaineers and Panthers, though there’s a very good chance Devonshire won’t make that decision until February.
Johnny Dixon, DB, Chamberlain High School, Tampa, Fla. – One of the top cornerback prospects in the country, Dixon has a who’s who list of offers, consisting of schools like Miami, Penn State, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina and plenty of others. WVU is on the list, but it could be tough for the Mountaineers to push their way to the head of the class.
Paiton Fears, OL, Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College – Fears is another juco offensive line prospect who would fit WVU’s desire to add an older player in that position group. The 6-foot-6, 327-pounder is a native of Minneola, Fla. He has reportedly narrowed his list to Arizona, Missouri and West Virginia.
Tavian Mayo, DB, Lee County High School, Leesburg, Ga. – After helping Lee County capture its second straight Class 6A Georgia state championship with a 15-0 record, Mayo actually has one more game remaining in his high school career. The Trojans will host St. Frances Academy of Baltimore in the GEICO State Champions Bowl on Dec. 22 in a 7:30 p.m. contest that will be televised by ESPNU. Mayo, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound cornerback, is one of the leaders of the Georgia powerhouse, and he has scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Iowa State and Nebraska, as well as WVU. West Virginia thinks so much of Mayo that Holgorsen and Mountaineer assistant Doug Belk were both on the sidelines at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta watching Mayo and Lee County defeat Northside-Warner Robins, 14-0, in the state championship game this past Tuesday.
Brian Merritt, DL, Colquitt County High School, Moultrie, Ga. – At 6-foot and 295 pounds, Merritt is a short, stocky high school defensive end who will likely move down to defensive tackle or noseguard at the college level. His lack of height is probably the reason more Power 5 programs haven’t extended offers, though both Pitt and West Virginia like his combination of strength and quickness and have scholarships on his table.
Jamel Starks, RB/DB, Southwest DeKalb High School, Decatur, Ga. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Starks was a running back and defensive back in high school, though most colleges seem to think he’ll be a cornerback at the next level. He visited Nebraska back in September, and the Cornhuskers are still on his radar. N.C. State also is in hot pursuit, as are the Mountaineers. Starks is said to be close friends with WVU commit Winston Wright, so that may help West Virginia’s cause.
Isheem Young, DB, Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia, Pa. – A hard-hitting, 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back and defensive back, Young was one of the nation’s top safety prospects in the class of 2018 with offers from the likes of Penn State, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, West Virginia and a couple dozen other college powerhouses. He committed to the Nittany Lions in the summer of 2018, but then a fateful mistake changed his path. Last December he was arrested and charged with being one of three people involved in an armed robbery at a South Philadelphia convenience store. Though he was 17 years old at the time of the crime, Young was initially charged as an adult. Eventually the court allowed Young plead to juvenile charges, and he avoided what could have been a lengthy prison sentence. Penn State dropped its offer. Having finished high school last June, Young is now looking to get his life back together and a college that he can call home. WVU may be the school that gives him a second chance. Current West Virginia commit Osita Smith was a teammate of Young’s at Imhotep in the past.
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Home › forums › WVU Recruiting Roundup: Countdown To Signing Day
This topic contains 3 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by Greg Hunter .
December 15, 2018 at 6:00 am #77110
WVU Recruiting Roundup: Countdown To Signing Day With college football’s early signing period (Dec. 19-21) quickly approaching, West Virginia is putti
[See the full post at: WVU Recruiting Roundup: Countdown To Signing Day]
December 15, 2018 at 10:14 am #77113
Great wrap up by Coach Hunter.
Couple notes:
-I think Jennings and Mayo are the two most likely commits this weekend.
-I think WVU and M.J. Devonshire have moved on from each other.
-OL Parker Moorer won’t take his official visit until January and says he plans to sign in February. Maryland still a factor with his recruiting.
NickyGaspipe
Do PWO’s sign LOI’s or anything that binds them to a certain school or is it purely a verbal agreement?
December 16, 2018 at 5:37 pm #77177
Technically, Preferred Walk-Ons do not sign National Letters of Intent. The sign institutional commitment letters. Those are institutional letters are not binding, so they don’t hold the walk-on to changing his mind, like an LOI does for a scholarship player.
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← Friday thoughts on tomorrow’s game
The ball’s in your court, Auburn. →
“There aren’t a lot of white running backs at the Division I level.”
You’d like to believe we’ve entered an enlightened era when college football players are judged strictly by their ability and not by their skin color. Sadly, College of the Sequoias coach Curtis Allen says that’s not the case.
Just not in the way you’d think.
Allen, a former Fresno State cornerback who also played in the Canadian Football League, has been around college football for 30 years. Since taking over the COS program in 2005, he’s sent 130 players to four-year schools. He knows what recruiters are looking for when evaluating a player, and he believes race plays a role.
The numbers back up Allen’s assertion.
Out of 120 Division I football programs, 110 of them have a leading rusher who is black.
There is only one white starting running back in the NFL — Peyton Hillis of the Cleveland Browns. Out of the top 40 NFL leading rushers, Hillis is the only white player on the list, and he ranks No. 17.
“For a long time, they didn’t want any black quarterbacks either,” Allen said. “I don’t understand why those perceptions are there. A player is a player. If he can play for me, I don’t care what color he is.”
Filed under College Football
56 responses to ““There aren’t a lot of white running backs at the Division I level.””
Ah, this argument. Is it not possible that black people are on average quicker and faster than white people, which leads to the disparity?
Potentially, but that doesn’t explain why there are certain positions dominated by white guys. Fullback in particular has always confused the hell out of me.
A quicker, faster Fullback is usually known as a linebacker. 🙂
Careful. We will be talking about Physics Professors next.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is my hero.
What if someone in reference to an article about an underrepresentation of blacks among quarterbacks or coaches said the following:
“Ah this argument. Is it not possible that (white) people are on average (smarter) and (more bright) than (black) people, which leads to the disparity?”
Such a comment would be considered racist wouldn’t it?
I do not think it would be racist if you had the overwhelming evidence there is for black men generally being better athletes than white men. The subject would certainly be taboo even if you did have such evidence though.
Their also a good bit of evidence that caucasians as a whole score better than those of on academic aptitude tests than those of African descent do, as a society we need to pick a standard of what is or isn’t racist to say and stick to it, if the comment you made about blacks generally running faster than whites is not to be considered racist neither should the second comment be. If the second is to be considered racist, so should the first. There are numerous extremely intelligent persons of black persons but their are also white guys that can outrun black guys.
I totally agree. And medically speaking, treating everyone as if they’re the same is dangerous. The problem is that studies of racial differences have been so abused in the past that it’s nearly impossible for most people to be rational about it. And of course, there’s always the chance that it could be misused in the future if you did study the matter in depth.
Definately. I can understand either approach, the history of racial strife might very well justify us being super sensitive about this kind of thing, if that’s true, fine, I get that, but let’s be consistent.
Dawg93
the movie “Top Secret!” immediately comes to mind:
“Do you know any good white basketball players?”
“There are no good white basketball players.”
I like how anytime there is a big white guy in basketball, the commentary is always that he “can really run the floor”. Anytime you read a breakdown of the NBA draft, and there is a white big man, you can bank on that being part of the analysis of the player. I’ve never quite figured out exactly what it means.
I’ve heard announcers in just about every sport use the same tired cliches at one time or another. Think about all the white athletes who got to the pros because of their “hard work.” Black athletes, however, succeed because of their “natural ability.” It’s a BS categorization either way you slice it.
masivatack
My friend invited me to join a NBA Fantasy league this year. Considering my complete indifference to basketball in general, I decided to put those assumptions to the test by drafting only white guys. Well the first week was actually pretty close and I lost by a respectable margin. This week…. I am getting completely waxed in all phases of the game except for Free Throw Percentage. Go figure.
I always loved that interview with Magic Johnson where he tells the story about how younger black NBA players have come to him and asked him: “Man, was Larry Bird really that good or was a big deal made of him because he was white?” To which Magic Johnson replies: “Man you have no idea how good Larry Bird was.”
Speaking as a Caucasian, I would just like to point out that I am sick and tired of being held down by the Man.
I’ve always wondered why white receivers have “deceptive speed”.
hayduke
I think it’s because they “are precise route runners” with “solid footwork”.
dawgfish
Not to mention their “hustle,” and the fact that they “play the game the right way.”
There will always be a place for the white guys at quarterback, fullback or possession receiver. Also, defense in general is off-limits to white guys. Pollack in ’04, Josh Mallard in ’01 and Kirby Smart in ’98 are the only ones I can even think of going 12 years back if you don’t count the punter. I think its more of a skill set issue that black guys have more often than white guys. The coaches put the best players on the field and I don’t think they are seeing it in black and white.
Reggie White- The Minsiter of Defense
Normaltown Mike
Roddy White is one of the top WR’s in the NFL!
King Jericho
John Lynch?
Oh, and Jim Leonard is a 5’8″ safety on one of the best defensive units around.
Jimmy the Greek is rolling over in his grave.
SC Dawg
Agreed. If you watch that 30 for 30 special you’ll notice that no one said that Jimmy was wrong. They just say he shouldn’t have said it.
“There aren’t a lot of black downhill skiers”
We had a strong white RB at Georgia the year Donnan beat Tennessee- Brett Millican. If I recall there was some press about him not getting a scholly or being able to compete in the SEC as a RB because he was white. I found that curious. There ARE indicators that definitely seem to follow (or precede) conditions that produce more athletes (Note: you get better athletes by having more athletes–because of competition, higher standards, and improvements passed down to the players coming along).
Chief among them, irrespective of race, are 1) “effectively” single-parent families (think of the football-productive coal mining areas of Pennsylvania during the mid-20th century; although there were 2 parents, Dad was down in the mine 12 hours a day and dead-tired when he got home), and 2) pervasive poverty. A higher percentage of young males growing up under these conditions will typically be drawn to either gangs or team sports–mainly because they provide identity, a non-matriarchal family, and strong father-figures.
The social dynamics are the same regardless of race. We just happen to live in a time when nearly 70% of black children are growing up in single-parent homes.
(Next time you hear of a “values-preaching” coach giving a “bad” kid a second or third chance after screwing up… remind yourself that some of these athletes are just now facing demands for self-discipline that you mastered in grammar school.)
I agree more with this attitude than just the blanket this race is a better athlete argument. I have seen more studies that link professional success to athletics based upon social economic status than I have to actual race. If you look at today’s professional athletes, very few of them grew up in economical successful families. If you factor out the athletic families (Sims, Mannings, etc.) the number of successful professional athletes drops to next to nothing. This trend goes back all the way to the early 1900’s. Back then it was the Italian, Irish, and Jewish athletes dominating college and the early professional sports. These were the immigrants and poor of the time. If you polled most kids in a poor neighborhood (regardless of race), they would rank the path to wealth in the following order; Sports, Lottery, and then an education. Also take a look at the kids that make up the participants in X games and Extreme Sports. Those are some great athletes. Kudos to the Senator for his willingness to discuss. Also, just to get it out of the way….Muckbeast I really don’t care how you feel about my posts.
Brett Millican was on scholarship when he was at UGA. He was pretty highly recruited coming out of Parkview. He did not get a lot of looks at Georgia because he was behind some other pretty good backs (Robert Edwards – 1st rounder, Olandis Gary – NFL starter, Patrick Pass – NFL starter) as well as the “immortal” Jasper Sanks. He got some time his senior year and scored against Carolina and a couple of other times.
Once on a wheel route I’m pretty sure.
He was large against Tennessee…. in Donnans win…the goal posts came down. Both of them. He was the difference in that game. Yes he was…and Robert Edwards wasn’t in that game……. I remember QC throw it over their heads Carter got the MVP but it was all Millican on third down conversions. And there was the press on a Euro-American (I hate the term Caucasian-sounds like Italian shoes……just apply that anthropologically term elsewhere and see what you gather) Brett as never really having a chance.
JaxDawg
I can’t believe none of you dolts failed to mention Joe Dudek.
http://www.sicovers.com/Product.aspx?pid=1319
And I’d say Gale Sayers is whiter than most white people.
And that Obama kid from Chi-town is half white and plays a mean pick-up game.
And my man Joe Dudek would have smoked Jo Backson, who was only 99% black (btw).
etenndawgfan
I have been wondering why UGA hasnt had any white linebackers. Meanwhile, it seems as if Ohio St has an all-american white linebacker every other year…so I know they exist. Not saying we should one, just wondering why I havent seen any in a while.
think about the demographics in GA vs Ohio.
P44Haynes
because Ohio State is in the midwest, and UGA is in the south.
Whit Marshall was the man!
he was a stupid drunk that got his ass whipped all the time by other less-drunk frat boys.
Are you forgetting Brandon Tolbert from 1997? And what about all the buzz around Chase Vasser? A white linebacker at UGA is like a hot girl at GTU.
Wasn’t it Tolbert and Bobo that got cuffed and stuffed for being in an altercation at Foxz?
same for Pennsylvania.
kurlos
“You’d like to believe we’ve entered an enlightened era when college football players are judged strictly by their ability and not by their skin color.’
Part of not being a racist, according to the Left, is, in fact, to sometimes judge people by their skin color.
To always or never use race as a factor equals racism. To sometimes use race as a factor equals enlightenment. ; )
Look at the D-lines of teams around the Mississippi river. There is a difference. Kind of like the vet in Alabama said, ” the further you get away from the train depot, the worse the football gets”.
You guys have busted on me for saying athletes are alot like hunting dogs. It is true though. Genetics and environment play are huge role in athletic development. Watch blacks children play outside. They are essentially doing plyometrics early in life. One thing, they are outside and not playing video games because they don’t have the money. All that is changing though, and couple that with the genetics thing. Hell, Tubberville even said when he recruited a kid that he wanted to see his momma and sisters. Translated, he wanted to see the bottom side of the pedigree or heifer line. Ask any cattleman, he will tell you the heifer line is as important as the bull. Same thing with dogs, what is the bitch line bringing into the equation.
I think black men liking women with big asses has something to do with it. A white man’s idea of a thing of beauty is a fine boned skinny woman. A brother loves him some thick women. Look at black women, on average they are taller, broader shouldered, and have big hips. This translates into producing a more athletic child. Call this racist or whatever, but it is all about the brood stock. That is part of the talent evaluation process. A coach has to know if the kid’s body can carry 20 to 30 lbs more. Does he have the body structure to handle it.
dudetheplayer
Jimmy the Greek incarnate, right here. 😉
Hey, it is about like two short, fat, big bone people having a kid and thinking the child is gonna be a distance runner. Yeah! If your a liberal you say the child will compete equally with a Kenyian.
“Look at black women, on average they are taller, broader shouldered, and have big hips”.
Michelle, you phone is ringing.
You knew who I was thinking about!!
‘Chelle, with the a*e vulva. to boot.
So does having a liquor store and a gun shop on every corner in the black community produce good RB’s?
I guess having a financial planner and a tennis racket shop on every corner in a white community doesn’t produce top notch RB.
elwoodGT
Wow. Just…. wow.
It’s all BS, of course.
Fastest kid I ever knew was white.
“Brood stock?” Seriously?
Usain Bolt is white?
H-Town Dawg
He didn’t say fastest man in the world, just the fastest he ever saw, presumably in person.
I was laughing while I typed, but I was serious. As much as we want to believe we are domesticated and civil, we still are animals. We are what we come from. Socially not always, but physically, yes.
The Big 10 is usually called the slow plodding running conference. Thats why the white LBers do okay up there. And then usually get to the NFL and suck or they faten them up and move them to the OL.
Do you guys remember that story on ESPN a few years ago about where speed comes from? They showed black kids in south florida running down swamp rabbits in the mucky sugar cane fields. You don’t see those cream of wheat, hash brown eatin’ mofos from Wisconsin doing that.
Danny Woodhead (Patriots) has been making some unbelievable runs this year. He is fast (4.33 to 4.38), great balance, great moves, and he is white. A little undersized at 5 ft 7 in. but he weighs in at 205 lbs.
Peyton Hillis is a monster at 6 ft 1 in. and 240 lbs….he also ran a 4.58 which is fast for his size….hell Dexter McCluster ran a 4.58 at the Combine and people don’t say he is slow.
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← What do you do when “4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 cokes” loses its allure?
Anticipation… is making me wait. →
What does Bret Bielema’s contract tell us about Butts-Mehre?
About what we’ve always known, I’m afraid.
The basics are these:
The first-year Arkansas coach will make $2.95 million annually, with on-field and academic incentives totaling up to an additional $700,000 each year. Bielema’s contract runs through Dec. 31, 2018.
According to a USA Today database updated July 1, 2013, Bielema would be the 12th-highest paid head coach in college football, according to terms of his contract, and fourth-highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.
Notice that “fourth-highest paid” mark? One of those other three ain’t Mark Richt.
Richt will make a guaranteed $2,811,340 a year under his new deal, which is just about what he was making previously. His deal runs through the 2016 season as previously announced.
So Arkansas’ new head coach is making more than the most senior head coach in college football’s toughest conference. And making it for a longer period.
Now, you can congratulate Greg McGarity for his shrewd fiscal management (and no doubt both he and his superiors are pleased) and you can assume that Richt is indeed content enough with his current gig to leave money on the table… but what if things change, as indeed they will some day? What if Richt entertains a serious, higher-dollar offer from another school? And for those of you who would cheer such a possibility, what makes you think that a school that pays its head coach less than Arkansas pays its man is going to be willing to step up financially and pay your dream choice the kind of bucks it will take to lure him to Athens?
Buck up. Maybe they can entice him with stories about the growth of the fabled reserve fund.
UPDATE: Marc Weiszer reminds me that I missed the last raise for Richt. His $3.2 million base is higher than Bielema’s. So at least Butts-Mehre is keeping up with Arkansas.
Filed under Georgia Football
101 responses to “What does Bret Bielema’s contract tell us about Butts-Mehre?”
joyridingdawg
For CMR….it is not about the money. I believe he is the only Coach in College Football who does not give a hoot about the money. He has endorsements that pay a great deal yearly.
Senator Blutarsky
If that’s the case, they sure wasted a lot of money on lawyers drafting his last contract, which is loaded with incentives.
While I tend to agree that Richt likes Athens, and as you say, he’s knowingly leaving money on the table (be it for assistants, facilities improvements, an indoor practice facility, among other items), but it does worry me a bit. I think he and his family like Athens, and that he’s not chasing the dollars, but Texas is going to be looking for a coach this offseason. And with his age, and past success, Mark Richt has got to look very, very attractive to the Longhorns. Say they call his agent up, and say they’re willing to give him a 10 yr contract, $5m per + incentives for winning conference and national titles. If that happens, then what? Does UGA match the offer? Does Richt leave if they don’t? I’d honestly rather not find out, and my heart says he’d still turn them down even if UGA didn’t want to come close to that level of commitment. But he’d have to be one of the names Texas likes most, and with their ability and willingness to pay combined with Georgia’s lack of willingness to pay in spite of the ability, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I thought it was possible.
Honestly, I think they’d offer MR more money to stay, but I can’t see B-M paying him $5 million/year. No offense to Richt – I’m not sure they’d pay that to anybody, including Saban.
Same here Senator, and therein lies the fear. I don’t see Texas having any problem paying that kind of money to a coach. Richt is still young enough (53), that if he wanted to he could spend another decade, if not two (if he lasted as long as Bowden, he’d have over 25 years left in him) on the sidelines. I also think Texas is arrogant enough to have anyone on their list they like, be it Saban or Meyer or even some NFL head coaches, so I can’t see their administration thinking Richt would be unobtainable to them. Age, style, success, he’d have to be near the top of the Longhorn list wouldn’t he (unless he/his agent made it clear he wouldn’t consider any other jobs but the one he’s got)? And if they come in willing to use the full force of their checkbook, someone willing to nearly double your salary is very hard to turn down, even for those not motivated by money. And if B-M wouldn’t match an offer, that puts him in a very awkward and unenviable position to make a decision.
It’s not just the checkbook Sanchez. Texas is one of those programs that backs its football program 100%. Georgia doesn’t. Bama is the only program really like that in the SEC, IMHO (some might say USCe under SOS). Being given the keys to a program with no internally-created limitations–that’s attractive to someone like CMR.
Will (the other one)
So, is there anything at all a fanbase can do in a situation like this? Can some big boasters point to the revenue we take in then the (relative) lack of spending compared to Alabama and say “we need to be doing this” and get results?
Or is this like being a fan of a pro team with a stingy owner?
Alums can lobby to get a football friendly Prez, and maybe we have now. Too soon to tell. But this “some things are more important than winning” is in our DNA it seems. Just read this blog–you’ll see it here all the time. But when the team doesn’t win–look out!
CMR is not in the UT profile. Perceived to be too similar to Mack. Think Bill Cowher type personality. They want someone to shake things up around here. They need it. (Remember, Boom had the job but couldn’t wait once “Mama” called him home.)
Which as you know is standard when you are recruiting a great Coach. Now go have a drink.
Parrish Walton (@ParrishWalton)
The money in the SEC for football will dictate UGA spends more when Richt retires. It will have to.
Because the market will demand it. Richt isn’t demanding it now, so why move the number up? When GM goes coach-hunting he’ll have to open it up.
They’ve never done that before. What makes this time around any different?
I tend to agree with Castleberry. Bobo will be McGarity’s ace in the hole if he doesn’t like what the market demands.
Because times change. The last time UGA went coach hunting was 2000, no? They know what everyone else makes, and more importantly, so do the fans. Perhaps I’m being naive to how cheap McGarity is, but I expect the next coach to make at least what Richt makes, and if he’s a proven head coach, more.
It’s not McGarity per se. It’s the culture at B-M. And McGarity is not exactly what I’d call a change agent.
If Bobo is the new hire, I guarantee you he makes less than Richt. And McGarity will know that before he goes shopping.
allthegoodnameswereused
I’ll never understand the statement people make something that includes statements like “‘with all the resources UGA has” blah, blah. We are a middle of the pack team as far as expenditures. Heck Arkansas BEFORE this new hire was spending more money on Football than us. We’ll spend a little more if we go with someone other than Bobo sure but we will still be middle of the pack, I don’t see that changing.
Georgia is middle of the pack in expenditures because they want to be, not because they have to be. If we quit focus on being a highly profitable non-profit entity for some reason, that means we spend some of these revenues we’re sitting on. Those are the resources Georgia has. To compare with Arkansas, Georgia has a significantly better instate recruiting to pull from. Which means better talent, and you also have to spend less to get that talent since they aren’t traveling as far to get to you and you don’t travel as far to get to them. Our facilities are good, not great as extravagance like Oregon and Tennessee’s stuff keep getting built, but we’re not far behind them in facilities, and as said, if we’re willing to spend more of the revenues coming in, we can build our own palace like those guys have. Fan support is strong, facilities strong, recruiting base as good as it gets, and we’ve got plenty of money to improve anywhere we want to improve. Expenditures schmenditures, Georgia is by no means middle of the pack in terms of resources.
Which makes some of the lack of spending all the more maddening. It’s not like the AA has stockholders waiting on dividend checks.
That said, I think it might be a mistake to assume because they’re generally cheap, they’d be cheap to the point of really hurting the program. McGarrity paid Grantham Kirby Smart money (and a multi-year deal). The problem, and it may not be a big one, is I don’t seem them as willing to hire top notch “extra” staff like Kevin Steele at Bama, or break records on an assistant like UT with Kiffin in ’09, or Chad Morris’s deal at Auburn with a Lake.
“Georgia is middle of the pack in expenditures because they want to be, not because they have to be” Well, that’s kind of my point, If we don’t spend it we don’t have it. Take Arkansas again, They take in less but spend more. Heck even if we just spent the same percentage we would be ahead of the game. The commitment isn’t there. That’s my point. What gives you any reason to believe that your second sentence would ever come true? I’m not talking about wishful thinking I mean hard evidence, it’s to the contrary. Before I go any further let me say I think UGA is a great ‘destination’ program with great resources including recruiting, the fan base you mention, etc. I highly disagree that’s it’s as good as a lot of folks seem to think it is as far as resources and in state talent is a resource . You’re looking at recruiting thru your red and black glasses. When I grew up in NW GA some 30 years ago most folks were UGA fans but even then you had a ton of BAMA, UT, AUBURN fans, etc. A lot of players loved UGA but would love to play for a living legend in the Bear. Kind of sounds like today with Saban. Twenty – twenty five years ago Georgia was a top 5 state for producing college players even then. Now it’s more like 4th I believe but with the population explosion you have a ton of people here now who didn’t grow up singing Glory Glory to old Georgia and worse they brought their allegiances to whatever team with them. Again I think GA has a great situation with it’s in state recruiting base and it IS an advantage. I just don’t think it’s quite the advantage some seem to believe it is.
He doesn’t care about the money, but I’ll bet he doesn’t want to be treated like a chump either. And he is.
I do not think he feels that way. He is an admired and righteous MAN.
Not sure what the hell this means, but I agree with the first part. Richt isn’t tied to his salary like some coaches. That won’t be the case after he retires, though. The next coach will need at least $3 as that’s what the market will demand.
“Not sure what the hell this means”
Neither does Jen who is glad all over that her husband, Brunt, was not hired by Georgia but if he were (such as if and when Mark stops being righteous about taking lowball pay) she would only have to change a gang sign, not a wardrobe
Beautiful day for college football! WPS Razorbacks! 3-0! Love my Game Day outfit from @shopsavoirfaire http://t.co/7JEcFw5JDQ—
Jen Bielema (@jenbielema) September 14, 2013
Not gonna lie. I’m a fan. Props to Bert.
“UPDATE: Marc Weiszer reminds me that I missed the last raise for Richt. His $3.2 million base is higher than Bielema’s.”
Jen tells husband to stop playing Marco Polo and ask for pay raise 😦
LOL. Thread over. You win.
Wow. I’d expect an outfit like that on a 25 year old recent grad, not the head coach’s wife.
You and Tim Fletcher
“1. Tim Fletcher@FletcherShow14 Sep
@jenbielema @shopsavoirfaire no distractions please. Tough schedule awaits your hubby. Start wearing sweats around the house
2. Jen Bielema@jenbielema14 Sep
@FletcherShow I do every day”
Only problem: It’s a smokin’ hot skin-tight sweat ensemble outfit
She might not be that much older than 25…
She’s ancient, “the 43-year-old is married to one hot 27 year old! Let’s meet Jen Hielsberg or Mrs. Bielema”
http://fabwags.com/jen-hielsberg-bielema-arkansas-coach-bret-bielemas-hot-wife/.
She’s only with him for his rock hard abs and oozing sex appeal
And he’s only with her because…
She’s exceptionally good at “Throwing’ the A” around?
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/09/sec-coachs-wife-invents-team-gang-sign/
Castleberry
I’m thinking Greg has Coach Bobo in his back pocket if Richt splits. Anyone thinking we’ll snag their dream candidate from another school is delusional.
Whenever Richt moves on, Georgia will have the pick of the litter of assistant coaches and will have most head coaches getting their agents on the phone. Saban and Meyer won’t, but soooo many coaches will.
Glen Mason ring a bell? I don’t see a track record for coach hiring at Georgia that would give me your confidence.
You can thank Richt for what will happen when the job opens up. He’s changed the game for Georgia. The state putting out some of the best talent in the country is also a big plus.
“It’s a great job, Mr. Coaching Candidate. In fact, it’s so great that you should be willing to take a few less bucks to coach here than at most other places.”
The job just sells itself. 😉
I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing. The scenario in the post was Richt leaving because another school backed up the truck to get him. That means we’re not willing to match an offer to keep one of the top coaches in the country. If that happened why would we pay to pay enough to steal away a TOP coach from somewhere else? We’d be talking about an unproven assistant.
Yep, it’s a different program than the Glen Mason era. Maybe coach feels like he is being treated fairly and doesn’t have the desire or ego to demand that he be in the top 3 in compensation in the SEC. Once you reach a certain threshold, most of the compensation decisions are made because of ego. WTF did Bob Nardelli need a $65MM severance package from the Home Depot for? For one reason only, he’s an egotistical prick. My guess is that CMR is not the guy that’s going to march into McGarity’s office and demand to be the 2nd or 3rd highest paid coach in the SEC come heck or high water.
I’ve been a fan long enough to remember several head-coaching hires, but I don’t recall B-M ever seriously considering an accomplished, major-college head coach for the opening.
Have they ever hired a coach with big-time success?
Not for football, but they have in other sports, like Ron Polk and Jim Harrick, who’d both had long and highly successful careers at other major conference programs.
CCRider
Second place I have seen this Bobo is HC in waiting crap! Lalalalalalala….fingers in the ears….lalalalalalalala…..I can’t hear you.
You can’t handle the truth! 😉
Keese
Bobo would be like Kramer for unlimited coffee “I’ll take it!!…”
I have a feeling CMR will finish his current contract and retire to spend more time on missions/family.
I agree with this, actually. I think he retires in 4-5 years.
“Richt is still young enough (53), [good enough, smart enough and doggone it, people like him] that if he wanted to he could spend another decade, if not two (if he lasted as long as Bowden, he’d have over 25 years left in him) on the sidelines.” (h/t Mr. Sanchez, some window up above)
I have a feeling CMR will out-Bowden Bowden and it will all happen at Georgia which if Mr. Sanchez is right would put CMR somewhere in the neighborhood of Year 1 of the Eighth Five-Year Plan when he hangs it up. That has all the potential of being a bummer for Bobo who would then be almost as old as Norm Chow is now
If CMR wanted more money he would have it.
Bulldog Joe
Bielema’s contract tells us Arkansas is more desperate than we are.
Plenty of time to count the beans when the season is over. GATA!
Mark Richt was born in Omaha.
He also spent a long time in Boca, and played at Miami. How much did that help when Miami was looking? Nebraska ain’t a concern, even if it’s a great program at a rougher than desired time right now. Texas definitely should be though with all they have financially, in recruiting base, facilities, etc.
That, and you people talking about Bobo as Head Coach are giving me nightmares. He’s grown on me a bit as an OC, but there’s just so, so much about the idea of him as HC in Athens that I really, really don’t want that to ever happen.
He’s grown on me a bit as an OC,
Seeing as he was the best OC in the country last year, I should hope so.
Great stats =/= “best OC in the country. He had a good year, after some suspect ones. And that was with good luck at OL, and once a decade talents at skill positions.
It was a joke.
If Richt has an exceptional year this year, ie winning an SEC championship, he will get a raise. If he doesn’t, he probably won’t.
I’d be surprised if he left UGA for another job not just because I don’t think it’s in his nature but also because I don’t think he’s that hot a commodity, at least not at the handful of school that could afford to make a game changing salary offer. Who exactly do we fear is going to ride in and offer him 4M a year right now? It’s not impossible, but as I said, I’d be surprised.
How many coaches are out there to whom you’d approve of UGA paying $4 million/year?
may I suggest starting with these 5: the vest, kiffin, charlie weiss, lou holtz, ron zook.
Nicely played, sir.
You forgot George O’Leary. His resume is impressive.
Not a lot. I was responding to your point that Richt might get stolen away from UGA. I just don’t see it. What school would pay him 4M right now? There are only 4 schools in the country currently paying their coach 4M a year: Bama, OU, Texas and Ohio State. Is Texas going to make a run at Mark Richt? I suppose it’s possible, but I’d be surprised.
Say you’re Texas, with the belief that you can get any, and I mean any, coach in the country. Who do you have higher on your list? Saban, maybe Meyer, and then who? Omitting NFL names like Shanahan or Belichek or Gruden or Tomlin, etc, who else would have a better resume for Texas to lust after than Richt?
If I’m Texas I want the guy who is going to have the best resume over the next 10 years, not the last 10. That’s pretty much why they’re getting rid of Mack. Phil Fulmer has a hell of a resume and it’s not doing him any good. I think they’ll go hard after a coach like David Shaw, or maybe even Kevin Sumlin.
Plenty of jobs comparable to Texas have opened up over the last few years, and Richt has never been a hot name for any of them. It seems like this burgeoning meme of “Texas wants Richt” is based on the similarities between Richt and Brown, but I’m not so sure that’s really in Richt’s favor in the eyes of Texas fans.
Put it this way, if the dominoes fell in such a way that Richt did leave for some job, and Mack Brown was available, would you want him at UGA?
Sumlin.
I don’t think he’d take it (if he can have a successful year post-JFF he’s gone to the NFL), but the Aggies heads would assplode if he took an interview.
Hobnail_Boot
In alphabetical order:
Richt
Saban
mdcgtp
Senator, I think you are way way off base here. I don’t think what Arkansas pays Bielma is of any significant relevance to UGA, McGarity, Richt, nor most UGA fans/observers. There are a few ways to think about Richt’s compensation. You have clearly chosen to discuss it on a relative basis. Given the transparency into college football coaching contracts, we know what the market pays for a head coach. Similarly, baseball players when they reach free agency know what other players at their position and value make. As a rule of thumb, each win over a replacement player or WAR as it is abbreviated is worth about $6M in the free agent market. Hold that thought for a moment as I love to the next way to think about his compensation.
Another way to think about his compensation is what incentives does it create for him? All things being equal, getting paid $3.2M is a lot of money for no promise of results, with a long term contract with a huge buyout, without even a HINT of a non-compete clause in the contract. Not many industries operate that way. Were I an AD, I would have a HUGELY incentive laden contract for both the head coach and entire coaching staff. While many of the revenues that support the AD are a recurring and growing, I have to believe there is a difference between them when you win the SEC and MNC and you don’t. Donations flow, licensing revenue increase, and other ancillary revenue streams become more valuable. Let the coaching staff share in that success.
We know pretty clearly what Richt’s WAR is. He is in fact on a percentage basis by far the winningest coach in the history of our program, and he is arguably doing it in the most difficult era in the conference. Dooley had engineered a permanent SEC schedule that included vandy, ole miss, and kentucky, and somehow missed bama, lsu and UT annually. now he also played SC and clemson, which were quasi SEC games. that said, i tend to think Richt is coaching in a more difficult era and doing a better job at it. that said, vince dooley was probably not a replacement level I.e., average) coach…donnan was. so I think one can make the case for some type of compensation based upon the 2-3 wins richt has averaged above Donnan (or base it on percentage to account for more games – one of which is the SEC title that Donnan never came with sniffing distance of).
But here is the thing, there are two ways to get WAR, you can pay for it (which is a loser’s game) or you can grow it. As an aside, between Uggla, BJ, and Justin upton, the Braves are paying $45M for essentially a sum total of 3 WAR from all three players. On the other hand, Simmons is worth 6 WAR and he is making nothing. Just because the market pays $6M/WAR does not mean you have to pay that. Similarly, the college coaching market is skewed. Purdue is paying Darrell Hazell $2.5M per year off his kent state success. think about that. let it sink in. If there was ever a case to NEVER pay up for a coach, that was it. the point being there are a LOT of guys who are smart and capable who come without a huge price tag. Chip kelly was coaching in NH before he became Oregon’s OC. Gary Patterson was Francione’s DC before he was elevated at TCU. heck, think about what texas is paying stacy searels and what we are paying his replacement will friend.
great organizations don’t base their compensation off the market. they pay someone what they think they are worth.
Were I an AD, I would have a HUGELY incentive laden contract for both the head coach and entire coaching staff.
That’s great. Just realize that you wouldn’t get a front line coach with an offer like that, because there are plenty of schools that would undercut you by offering higher base salaries.
there are plenty of coaches at different tiers of football that would kill for a UGA job. Perhaps you have heard of an industry called the hedge fund industry. Participants regularly work for modest base salaries to share in the investment profits they generate. While there is a heard mentality to asset allocators chasing performance and buying name brand funds, the most astute one are looking to capture alpha by allocating to managers before their management fees afford a private jet lifestyle. The same principle applies here. Hire guys who you think are exceptionally talented would kill for the opportunity to be a part of the UGA football program. there are countless number of stories like this in coaching as well. go read David Halberstam’s book on Belichick to see what he was willing to do to have a crack at being an NFL coach.
the thought that the only way to get a front line coach is to pay up for him is laughable.
Can you give me any recent examples of A-list coaches who took jobs at major college programs for less pay?
who is an “a list” coach? ultimately, unless you are hiring a proven winner in the heart of his prime, there are no A list coaches. Jimmy Johnson was not an A list coach when Miami hired him from Oklahoma State. Jimmy Johnson was A list when Dallas hired him. Not so much the second time around with the Dolphins. Saban was not an A list coach when LSU hired him the first time. spurrier was not an a list hire. There are very very few instances of A list coaches being “available”.
lets look at the last 20 years in college football. Saban is the only coach who was an A list hire at the time of his hire.
1993 bowden
1994 osborne
1996 spurrier
1997 carr/osborne
1998 fulmer
2000 stoopes
2001 coker (but lets credit butch davis)
2002 tressel
2003 saban/carroll
2004 carroll
2006 meyer
2009 saban
2010 chizik
so what about the other “high profile” proven guys?
Who else? Rich Rod at Michigan. How did that work out for them? How many times did someone pay up for Rick Neuhesial? How did Gary Barnett work out for Colorado?
Urban Meyer was a high profile hire and perhaps UF had to “pay up” to outbid Notre Dame at the time, but recall what he said made the difference in his decision. He solicited Herbstreit’s advice, who told him the UF and ND jobs were not close to equal and that he should take the UF job. Again, who is going to stay at Utah when UF comes with an offer.
Oh by the way, you think Bob Bolsby had to offer Jim Harbaugh a lot of money to the tiny catholic powerhouse University of San Diego (not San Diego State mind you!) to come to stanford. Obviously for every Harbaugh, there are 10 instances of Derek Dooley (maybe more).
Its not about the MONEY. It is NEVER ABOUT the money. It’s always about good process. the sports world is littered with sob stories of teams built on free agents to buy titles. it rarely works. the exact same principle applies here.
As an aside, between Uggla, BJ, and Justin upton, the Braves are paying $45M for essentially a sum total of 3 WAR from all three players. On the other hand, Simmons is worth 6 WAR and he is making nothing.
This analogy is worthless. Simmons is making nothing because he’s not eligible for free agency.
Senator, are you that small minded that you don’t get the distinction between growing talent and outbidding others for “proven” talent in hopes that it continues to produce.
As an AD, you can pay up for someone else’s head coach OR you can “grow your own” by hiring an assistant coach from the existing staff or another program. In all but a limited number of cases, will you have to “pay up” for the person.
I don’t know about small-mindedness, but I don’t think a program as established as Georgia’s is should be looking at hiring another school’s assistant coach. The kind of talent McGarity will be evaluating will either be established and expensive or more of a gamble and less pricey. I suspect Bobo’s gonna look mighty attractive when the day is done.
thats the thing…virtually every coach is a gamble. Its just that history proves that some are expensive gambles and others are not. Again, its about capturing a guy during the ascendant portion of his career. In some senses, I actually think we are doing that with Richt 2.0. Long term, UGA football may be better off for the mistakes that Richt made leading the program from 2006-2010. Certainly, one could argue the price was expensive in terms of disappointing on field results, but if we have successfully changed the culture of the program, that will serve us well to compete for national titles for years to come. 2012 and 2013 are NOT the only windows for this program.
That of course hinges on Bobo still being an assistant here when that time comes…
If we finish the season averaging over 500 ypg, some good offers might come his way.
God forbid anyone hire a HS coach as an assistant. Gee they may end up as an OC or even a HC one day. And some idiot will pay them large amounts of money. Wasted.
i think it says more about arkansas than it does uga.
they really do see themselves as one of the top 4 teams in the sec.
the rest of the world sees something different, but bielema is happy to take their money for the next few years until they figure it out.
uga paying mark richt on a scale that falls just after saban, les miles and spurrier makes sense to me.
that $400,000 raise is also the right call but it should be happening every year, not once in 5 years.
You plant a seed and yet you can’t even get a link….Will this Dawgbone black balling ever end? Eh Tu Senator?
http://www.sportsandgrits.com/2013/09/mark-richt-is-texas-top-target-to.html
Texas is coming and they are bringing JR Ewing Cadillacs full of money with them. I can’t wait to see the Richt-O-Philes faces when the beloved takes the money and runs.
As for all the other points….forces outside of your own control can sometimes dictate how your business model proceeds in the market place. We will have to pay more and that is just the way it is. Richt has the contract he has because he has earned it…just like it is.
Who would I want to see us pay $4 mill plus a year? Again with the no link love for you.
http://www.sportsandgrits.com/2013/09/mark-richt-will-replace-mack-brown-at.html
CC, my man, I wasn’t blackballing you. I read your posts and thought you were gracious at the end to Richt. But I think you’re going to be sadly, sadly disappointed if he leaves by whom B-M gets to replace him. That’s why I didn’t link your stuff.
BTW, I like Strong as much as you do, but there’s no way his academic/behavioral standards fly at UGA. He won’t be coming.
The most honorable, just, and upright Senator,
I appreciate your anti-blackballing position. A couple of years ago I came up with a descriptive term for the nervous nellies who fear a coaching search. Allow me to make a few points…if I may:
1. This ain’t 2001 anymore. There is Head Coach Inflation at play. The pay scale has changed and I am sure that G Mac knows the Dawgs will have to belly up to keep up.
2. A promotion of Mike Bobo to HC would cause Syrian level riots in the streets from Savannah to Augusta and on up to North Georgie.
3. A guy like Hudspeth, or Taggert from small schools or a coordinator like Chad Morris will be impossible to pawn off on the fan base. The Richt-O-Philes will be in full on Jihad over Texas taking Richt and they will demand an eye for an eye and a HC for a HC.
4. A certain douchebag University President who cared more about some non-sense called “a-ca-dem-ics” than the real reason colleges exist, Football, is gone now. Let me remind you that there was a meeting after the Boise St. and Sakerlina back to back losses in which the direction of the program was questioned by certain top brass.
However, not to discredit your point all together…..even I, The Overlord of all that which is evil in Dawgnation, the HNIC (head nay sayer in charge), the coldest of Cold Blooded Sausage Makers….have a small hint of fear….in the back of my mind…..dwelling within the deepest darkest recess of what used to be my soul….a fear know as– UGA HC Kirby Smart!
Smart doesn’t make sense to me for two reasons: one, he’s burned bridges at B-M with his now you see me/now you don’t act on the DC job offer, and, two, if you’re gonna hire Smart, isn’t it just easier (and cheaper) to hire Bobo?
I don’t think a Bobo hire is going to offend nearly as many people as you think/hope, either.
Hmmmmm….then it would appear that my evil work here is far from done…..and we are far from ascending to elite status as a program. You know sometimes I blame myself….it’s true. I sit looking around at the cave walls of Hell and say…”Am I just not evil enough? Is that why the Disney Dawgs never seem to truly lose ground?” Of course then I remember that I hate self loathing and I start concentrating of hating things again…..then I feel better.
It is because you are not evil enough. Receive Love – Give Love. Say it with me now.
Rugbydawg 79
I hope we have CMR for a long time-we are Lucky to have him
in my Opinion CMB will be a great HC-It is this Dogs wish that when the time comes we hire Bobo—silky smooth transition
the last offensive coordinator we hired has worked out pretty well….
“Eh Tu”?
Hello. “Et tu”. I’d forgive it as sarcasm? or a keyboard error but T is left handed and H is right handed.
“Id est quod id est”
Texas will not hire a Mack clone. They will get a Stoops/Sooner slayer. It is ALL they care about. 60 – 13 burns deeply.
63 – 21 and 55 – 17 for those who like to be precise about such things.
Mark Richt ain’t leaving Georgia. Large family support system surrounds him here. If you can’t wrap that up… you just can’t. That 40 grand an acre dirt in Oconee County may get ya 8000 now. Doesn’t matter what everyone else bid it up to. The ESPN money largesse will dry up the same way but UGa will not suffer like uT will. Hell uT is on life support now. Neither will Apple in spite of Samsung. LSU is up next. Linebacker play will be key. But, as usual, it’s been a fun read. Go Dawgs!
McGarity has programmed you well. He would be proud of your use of his “we can’t end up like Tennessee!” theme.
PROGRAMED WELL. What does that mean? Cannot be programed …does not compute….will rogers will rogers …danger…danger.
shane#1
I don’t see Texas going after Richt. I see only one coach that excites their boosters and fans enough to kick their donations up past aTm’s and that is Nick Saban. 5mil will be where negotiations start for Saban.
Bama is paying him $5.5 million right now. So if Texas offers him $5 million the answer is no. FYI Bama will never be outbid for Saban,
Saban plus J R=match made in heaven, or where CC calls home.
Richt is a lifer. He’ll be on the UGA sidelines until at least 2025 and likely longer than that.
Georgia is a top 5 job and while we are lucky to have Richt, it goes both ways.
You are correct Hobnail…Did you talk to CMR this morning too?
americusdawg
It’s getting late in the evening so I figured that I’d pose a possible scenario that is likely to occur at or by the end of this season … What happens if/when both the Texas & USC top jobs open up at approximately the same time frame? Two current/former (take your pick) top programs with wads of cash to throw at their new saviors? If so, I expect the domino effect will be quite interesting.
Jake (@jakebjohnson)
USC will take Kliff Kingsbury. He has the “look” they are searching for.
f i were CMR i would leave and let Charlie Strong come in.
Tyler Dawgden
1) Too many Dawg fans have misplaced faith that those in charge on campus rank success in athletics as solely a function of wins.
2)Too many Dawg fans have an over inflated sense of who would come to Georgia for a number less than all but about 5 programs.
3) Jimmy Sexton will reset what that number is come December 2013 or so.
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← Sexual assault, with honor
“I don’t think it’s anything about home or away.” →
Helluva division you got there.
The “SEC East really sucks” meme is approaching critical mass. Bill Connelly thinks the likely mismatch in the SECCG is grounds for blowing up conference divisional play altogether (eh,what does a Missouri carpetbagger* know about the SEC, anyway?).
* That’s a joke, son.
Also, I think Andy Staples is setting up the case to blame Georgia if the Dawgs manage to beat Auburn tomorrow and set in motion a chain of events that leads to Boom making an appearance in the championship game as the result of a multi-team 4-4 divisional logjam. And you didn’t believe Kirby Smart would have a major impact on the East in his maiden season.
2016 can’t end soon enough.
Filed under SEC Football
35 responses to “Helluva division you got there.”
James Stephenson
I do not care if SC goes to SEC Championship, beat the hell out of Auburn and GT and salvage this season.
down island way
Mista’ Stephenson, i concur! GO DAWGS!
Honestly, I’m rooting for the ‘Cats. What would be more SEC East than to send Kentucky to the championship game?
^This.
All I want for Christmas is an SEC with no divisions. That 3 permanent rivals plan Connely references would be absolutely amazing.
I like Connelly’s plan. If everybody is playing everybody else more often, the conference will get stronger top to bottom IMHO.
Most of the crazier scenario’s involve Tennessee losing a minimum of 2/3 to UK, Vandy, & Mizzou, some involve them losing all three. While that’s unlikely, I guess it’s possible.
But that’s not where I’m heading. I can’t help but think a 5 loss UT team is the cause that introduces the effect of seeing Booch exit stage left. I don’t want that. I want him hanging around due to his overratedness.
South Carolina won’t beat Florida, so it will be moot whether Georgia wins tomorrow or not.
South Carolina won’t beat UT either….wait…just saying, you never know.
No, you never KNOW, but Florida will be able to run the ball on South Carolina. That will make all the difference.
Also, it’s a good thing people didn’t overreact to everything in the from ’95 to 2002 when three-loss West teams were making the championship game about half the time.
Trey (@cpadawg)
It seems like everyone’s sense of history is what happened 10 minutes ago.
eethomaswfnc
Exactly my thoughts … the West absolutely sucked for most of the 90s.
The East basically dominated the SECCG until the latter 2000s. FU won it most of the time with Georgia winning 2 times and UT a time or two. LSU under Saban and Auburn under Tuberville are the only 2 SEC West teams I remember winning the SECCG until Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa.
You forgot about Mike Dubose somehow managing to win the SEC in ’98?
Yeah, I forgot about that one–an exception to the rule.
13-11 The West Leads…
’92: West
’93: East
’01 West
In defense of the recent East, the only truly mediocre team to make the title game during the West’s 7-year streak was South Carolina in ’10. You could maybe argue that Georgia in 2011 and Florida in 2015 were mediocre, but they were both 10-2. This year, obviously, is a different story.
That Georgia team in 2011 wasn’t mediocre. We lost to what was a top 5 Boise State team, gave away the USCe game with turnovers and special teams, got hammered by the best team in the country in the SECCG, and played not to lose vs. Michigan State. It was a pretty solid team …
Macallanlover
Everyone looks at that final score and thinks it wasn’t competitive but we dominated the first half, shutting their offense totally while we dropped 2 TD passes, 11 offensive yards I believe is all they managed. They had a questionable ST score just before the half to wake them up, Murray fumbled deep in our territory on the 2nd half opening drive, and they scored a garbage TD at the end when we went for it on 4th down around our own 20 when everyone would have normally punted it away.
Don’t get me wrong, LSU was the better team but I have never seen an LSU crowd that quiet in any stadium in America, we were very competitive in that game. But folks look at the headline and don’t read the story.
That’s very true. If we hit a couple of plays in that 1st half, who knows what happens? That defense was dominant in those first 30 minutes.
I was at the game. Yes, if they catch those passes, it may have given them enough momentum to get the upset. But they didn’t, and LSU did whatever they wanted in the second half while shutting Georgia down completely. It wasn’t competitive at all after halftime.
I meant ’99.
Bama ’92 and a couple of other times as well
If UGA doesn’t win the East, I flat out do not care who wins it…
Getting rid of divisions, nah, look what that did for the Big 12.
Hardcoredawg 93
I still don’t understand why the hell Missouri was let into the SEC.
“Show me” why they where let in…..
The decision to admit Missouri and to put them in the East was absolutely stupid. Then again, looking back on it, the league probably shouldn’t have admitted TAMU either. All of this was a Mike $live panic attack about the B1G going to 14.
It was a TV market they didn’t have. That’s pretty much it.
They have TVs in Missouri? Who knew?
So. IL Dawg
Simple, the SEC wanted Texas A&M. they couldn’t accept only one team since there are two divisions. So, Mizzou got in with A&M
They should have taken 2 Texas teams and moved Bama and Auburn into the East.
Dylan Dreyer's Booty
Sad commentary that even The Senator has to explain his jokes in print lest a viral meme get started.
Like many I don’t gas* who wins the East, Bama will crush them all. But recent history isn’t a reason to make wholesale changes. Plus, as has been noted many times, they only care about the money anyway.
*That’s an acronym, son. 😉
Boom winning the East after inheriting absolutely no talent? I’ll get the popcorn ready for those GTP posts…
AuditDawg
The takes would be spicy hot.
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Mamma Mia! at WBT: A Truly Sensational Show
Published: Monday, April 3, 2017 By: Sue Ann Witt Source: RisingMedia Group
Westchester Broadway Theatre is known for providing excellent productions of Broadway shows with wonderful performers. Year after year, the choices of shows and the presentations are as good as anything you will find on The Great White Way. To this writer, the current production, Mamma Mia!, is by far the best show ever seen at WBT, and one of the best shows seen anywhere. The entire cast delivers an extraordinary performance that no one should miss. If you grew up enjoying the music of ABBA, this is a must see show. If you enjoy outstanding singing and dancing, this is your go-to show. Each and every performer is absolutely sensational. Kudos go to all those involved in producing and directing, and especially the fabulous costumes.
The story of Mamma Mia! is a very simple one. Sophie is a 20-year-old girl, about to marry her fiancé, Sky. She longs to have her father walk her down the aisle but has no idea who he is. Finding her mother’s old diary, Sophie learns her mother had a love affair with three men 20 years ago. Believing one of the three men – Sam Carmichael, Bill Austin, Harry Bright - is her father, three months prior to the wedding she sends each an invitation to the wedding, writing in her mother Donna’s name, without letting her mother know.
The day before the wedding, on the Greek island of Kalokairi, the guests begin to arrive. First to arrive are Donna’s old best friends, Tanya, a rich woman who has been married and divorced three times, and Rosie, a single, carefree woman. The trio was once a girl group, “Donna and the Dynamos.” The three reminisce and share how their lives have been. Later that same day, the three men arrive, and they agree not to let Donna know that Sophie invited them. Donna is surprised to see her three former lovers and is upset by their presence. Sophie is sure she will know which one is her father but is confused when she can’t figure it out. She has a nightmare in which all three possible fathers fight for the right to walk her down the aisle. On the wedding day, she decides to have her mother walk her down the aisle. In the end, Sophie and Sky decide marriage is not necessary and, not wanting wedding preparations to be wasted, Sam proposes to Donna, she accepts, and at the end of the day, Sophie and Sky leave to tour the world.
Mamma Mia! was written by Catherine Johnson and is based on the wonderful music of ABBA, the Swedish songwriting group. Among the timeless songs are Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Honey Honey, S.O.S., Take A Chance On Me, Thank You For The Music, and so many more wonderful compositions.
The superb cast consists of Michelle Dawson (Donna), Elise Kinnon (Tanya), Jennifer Swiderski (Rosie), Xander Chauncey (Sam), Kilty Reidy (Harry), Brent Bateman (Bill), Mariah MacFarlane (Sophie), Nathan Cockroft (Sky), and the Ensemble: Deshawn Bowens, Brian Dillon, Brett-Marco Glauser, Alicia Hemann, Cameron Anika Hill, Lily Lewis, Sydney Patrick, Bailey Purvis, Matty Rickard, Kyle White, and Connor Wince.
Mamma Mia! runs now through June 25th. The theatre is located at One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford, NY 10523. For tickets or information, visit www.BroadwayTheatre.com or call 914-592-2222.
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Back to Workplace Culture 2.0
Recent DOL Guidance Not Entitled to Deference Post-Kisor
July 10, 2019 | Currents - Employment Law, Employment Lessons
+ADD TO E-BRIEFCASE
Peter J. Wozniak
Mark Wallin
In what appears to be the first decision concerning the so-called “20% rule” after Kisor v. Wilkie, a Virginia district court declined to give Auer deference to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s recent opinion letter on the topic.
As predicted in the wake of the Kisor decision, federal courts have begun to rely upon Kisor as it pertains to Auer deference concerning the 20% rule (or “80/20 rule”). This is a blow to employers who viewed the November 2018 DOL guidance as a positive step.
In Spencer, et al., v. Macado’s, Inc., a potential collective of servers and bartenders raised a dual jobs claim and side work claim, among other things, against the defendant restaurant. The plaintiffs alleged that the restaurant violated the FLSA by requiring them to perform non-tip-producing tasks that were unrelated to their tipped duties (dual jobs). The plaintiffs also claimed the restaurant required them to spend more than 20% of their time on non-tip-producing tasks that were related to their tipped duties (side work).
The defendant moved to dismiss based upon the DOL’s recent opinion letter and its February 2019 revisions to the DOL’s Field Operations Handbook. The letter and revisions essentially eliminated the “20% rule” and clarified that the dual jobs regulation “permits the employer to take a tip credit for any time the employee spends in duties related to the tipped occupation, even though such duties are not themselves directed toward producing tips.”
Relying on Kisor, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia declined to give the DOL’s recent guidance Auer deference, issuing a resounding defeat to the defendant. The court reasoned that new agency interpretations should not be afforded “Auer deference if the new interpretation ‘creates unfair surprise to regulated parties,’ which ‘may occur when an agency substitutes one view of a rule for another.’”
The court went on to state that “‘significant signs’ indicate that DOL’s new interpretation does not ‘reflect the agency’s fair and considered judgment on the matter in question.’” For instance, the court explained that “the new interpretation ‘reverses 30-year-old agency policy’ and that the issuance of the new interpretation ‘coincided with a change in administration,’ ‘strongly suggest[ing] that the change is a matter of policy, not an effort to determine the meaning of the regulation.’”
The further effects of Kisor on the DOL’s recent guidance will no doubt continue to play out in the district courts – and Spencer may well be a harbinger of things to come. Employers dealing with “20% rule” and “dual jobs” claims would be well served to be mindful of how this trend develops, as plaintiff employees will likely begin to rely upon the arguments made in these cases.
Seventh Circuit Holds ADA Does Not Necessarily Require...
Federal De Minimis Rule Does Not Apply To California State...
{B67CC07C-2AF8-4FD7-8E16-983A53E84AA8}
Divided SCOTUS Affirms Auer Deference to Agencies’ Interpretations
July 3, 2019 | Currents - Employment Law, Supreme Court Watch
Latest DOL Opinion Letter Says Goodbye to the 80-20 Rule
November 9, 2018 | Currents - Employment Law, Employment Lessons
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Big Ten Power Rankings: Penn State further proves top billing in post-Week 8 list
By Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, 2 years ago
Penn State made a loud statement vs. Michigan and remains king of the hill, setting up a showdown at Ohio State this Saturday. The fast-riser? Rutgers, winners of two—count ‘me—two games in a row and owners of the same Big Ten record as Michigan: 2-2.
[ MORE: Week 8 video | Best of Week 8 | AP & Coaches polls | Week 8 predictions revisited ]
Get my latest Big Ten Power Rankings, presented by ArcelorMittal, below.
1. Penn State (7-0, 4-0). It’s Saquon Barkley’s world. We’re just living in it. Will he pad his Heisman resume at Ohio State?
Last week: 1
Up next: at Ohio State
2. Wisconsin (7-0, 4-0). The Badgers biggest opponent is themselves. Stay hungry. Stay motivated. Stay focused.
Up next: at Illinois
3. Ohio State (6-1, 4-0). The Buckeyes were off last week. They will need the extra prep time for Penn State’s visit.
Up next: Penn State
4. Michigan State (6-1, 4-0). This is not the prettiest 6-1 team in the nation. Who cares? It’s wild how the Spartans have rebounded from a forgettable 2016.
Up next: at Northwestern
5. Michigan (5-2, 2-2). The offensive issues persist. And the vaunted defense got punched up for over 500 yards by Penn State.
Up next: Rutgers
6. Northwestern (4-3, 2-2). The Wildcats got a much-needed win vs. Iowa. This is an underrated defense.
Up next: Michigan State
7. Iowa (4-3, 1-3). The defense is fine, but the offense needs more traction in the rushing game.
Up next: Minnesota
8. Nebraska (3-4, 2-2). The Cornhuskers were off. Maybe the time off will allow Nebraska to regroup for a strong finish.
Last week: 10
Up next: at Purdue
9. Indiana (3-4, 0-4). The Hoosiers are oh-so-close to a big win. The schedule hasn’t been kind. IU’s first four B1G foes: Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and MSU. God bless Tom Allen.
Up next: at Maryland
10. Rutgers (3-4, 2-2). For the first time since joining the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights have won two league games in a row.
Up next: at Michigan
11. Purdue (3-4, 1-3). The offense is inept, scoring one TD in the last two games. How will the Boilermakers respond to the numbing loss at Rutgers?
Up next: Nebraska
12. Minnesota (4-3, 1-3). The Golden Gophers got a needed win vs. Illinois to end a three-game slide. More is needed from the passing game.
Up next: at Iowa
13. Maryland (3-4, 1-3). That win at Texas seems like 100 years ago, as the Terps have lost three in a row.
Up next: Indiana
14. Illinois (2-5, 0-4). That’s five defeats in a row for the Fighting Illini. Will this team win again?
Up next: Wisconsin
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer
About Tom Dienhart: BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, and send him questions to his weekly mailbag.
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Gary McPherson
Harold and the Angel of Death
Every privilege has a price, and protecting the innocent carries a cost. Harold finds himself in a world where friend and foe are hard to decipher as he attempts to save his father’s defense company. To add to his struggle, Harold must deal with the accusing specter of John Richmond. John reminds Harold how much the berserker inside him enjoyed taking John’s life. Is he a killer? Will he kill again? Joshua and Maria Zeev remind Harold he is not alone in his quest. CIA agent Darla Johanson has Harold’s heart, but are her motives pure? Harold discovers the link between CIA agent Garcia Hernandez and his family, but is it true? Can Harold trust a man whose cover is that of a dirty intelligence agent? Whom can Harold trust as the team attempts to bring in illegal arms dealer Chuck McGill? A man who provides weapons to ISIS factions, and other terror organizations in northern Africa. Will Harold be forced to kill again to ensure his, and his friends’ survival? Does agent Garcia’s plan to save Parabolic Defense Systems have merit, or will he use the company’s resources and then leave it bankrupt?
Gary McPherson (1966-) was born in Sacramento, California, and spent his childhood in Westminster, Ca. For most of his adult life, Gary has lived in North Carolina. He and his wife have lived in Charlotte, NC for the past twenty-six years. A change in health and a love of storytelling moved Gary from a 27-year career in Computer and Software Engineering to Author. Gary's favorite writing genre is mystery/thrillers. His debut novel, and first in the Berserker series, "Joshua and the Shadow of Death" released Oct 30, 2018. His second novel in the Berserker series, "Harold and the Angel of Death" is set to release May 2019. In addition, Gary has written a satire book of anecdotal short stories titled "Country Boy" under the pen name Lucius McCray. Lucius McCray's second book "Humor Deeper Than a Holler" is due to release in early 2019. You can find guest articles by Gary in Writer's Digest, Criminal Element, Crimespree, Magazine, and Patient Worthy. Gary provides free short stories on his website and runs a weekly livestream on Tuesday via his Twitch channel, gmacwriter, where he talks about writing with his health challenges and engages reader's questions.
The Best of Friends
One of the most enjoyable parts of writing "Harold and the Shadow of Death" is the interaction between Joshua and Harold. Not only do we get to see Joshua from an external viewpoint, but we also get to enjoy the comradery that has developed since the deaths of Harold's parents. Writing these scenes always brought a smile to my face.
Joshua’s voice broke through Harold’s thoughts, “I guess we should both prepare to meet with Chuck.”
Harold gave Joshua a half-smile. “What do you mean, Doc? I’ve been ready. Haven’t you showered yet?”
“No. I decided to grab some coffee and walk by your room to see if you were awake and found you and Darla out here.”
“Oh,” said Harold, “I thought that smell was the ocean.”
Joshua rolled his eyes. “Yes, well, it could be the crust on your lip from you drooling when Darla was here.”
Harold knew Joshua was kidding, but he still rubbed his lips.
Joshua laughed and stood up. “I’ll see you soon, Harry.”
“Make sure you shower before you do, Doc.”
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New Pac-12 policy prohibits transfers with misconduct issues
campussportswriter | Mar 13, 2016 5:00 pm
The Pac-12 has approved a new policy that will prohibit the addition of student-athlete transfers who at any point were disciplined for what the conference called “student misconduct,” per a report from NBC Sports. In this case, “student misconduct” is being defined as “assault, harassment, academic fraud, and other violations of campus behavior conduct policies.”
This decision comes on the heels of a policy the SEC enacted in May that will prevent student-athletes who had been disciplined for sexual assault or domestic violence at a prior university would not be allowed to transfer to schools within the conference. In the case of the Pac-12, potential transfers will need to self-disclose if they could at any point re-enroll at the school from which they are transferring.
“This is an important step to strengthen our student-athlete transfer admission processes and to address the safety of our students,” said UCLA chancellor and Pac-12 CEO Group president Gene Block.
This isn’t at all surprising that the Pac-12 would adopt such a policy. Not only did the SEC enact their own rule after former Georgia defensive tackle Jonathan Taylor was dismissed from the university for a domestic violence arrest only to be expelled from Alabama for the same reason shortly thereafter, but the Big 12 went through the same thing earlier this year. That was when former Boise State and Baylor linebacker Sam Ukwuachu was convicted of sexual assault despite former Broncos coach Chris Petersen allegedly warning Bears coach Art Briles about Ukwuachu’s behavioral issues, and the entire story became a mess.
Thus, the Pac-12 is just looking to cover all of its bases and keep those with off-field issues out of the conference, and rightfully so.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
Football,PAC 12PAC 12 Football
campussportswriterCAMPUSSPORTS Writer
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TOP 40 AWARDS NIGHT TICKETS
Criteria & Rules
The nominee:
must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
must be 39 years of age or younger for the entire calendar year for which they are considered
must work in a leadership role in any size organization from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors
is ineligible if a professional or amateur athlete, musician, artist, or elected government official
The Advisory Board will be looking for concrete and objective evidence, of the nominee’s achievements in each of four selection criteria:
Vision & Innovation
Impact & Influence
The ideal candidate will be active and engaged in work and community, a creative problem-solver, disciplined in performance, and generous in spirit — a real contributor to the fabric of our nation.
January 24, 2019: Deadline to submit a name in nomination
February 7, 2019: Nominee Submissions must be completed online
May 15, 2019: Advisory Board meets to select the Top 40
November 5 & 6, 2019: National Celebrations (held in Toronto)
NOTE: If the nominee is selected to receive the award, they will be expected to attend all events in person
October/November 2019: Regional event dates to be confirmed
Anyone can nominate an individual residing in Canada for consideration.
Nominees are required to complete an online submission.
All material is held in strict confidence and results will be reviewed by Caldwell, MNP and the Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Advisory Board.
Caldwell will ask shortlisted candidates to authorize a third party (Inline Reference Check) to complete criminal, credit, education, media, and citizenship/residency status checks.
CVs of shortlisted nominees will be shared with Inline Reference Check to facilitate background checks. Further materials may be requested by Inline Reference Check.
Shortlisted nominees will be notified by the end of April.
All nominees who participate will be notified by the end of June.
For further information about Canada’s Top 40 Under 40® please contact:
Michelle Jursa
Director, Programs
top40@caldwellpartners.com
Toronto 416-920-7702
Privacy Policy – ©2018 Caldwell Partners
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Test Technician
San Diego, California, United States
San Diego | California | United States
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
I ncludes, but is not limited to the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Responsible for training personnel in assigned area
Communicates tool, equipment and process issues appropriately
Monitors test and data to determine failures and non-typical results
Ensure on time execution of results
Enter test data into database or appropriate systems
Ensure accuracy of data, process adherence, and test execution
Act as tool and test experts in work centers as trained and be primary trainer on one or more tools as assigned by Lead.
Owns set-up, execution and verification of test, equipment and process in support of area assigned
Owns configuring and updates to hardware, software and firmware
Responsible for standard maintenance and calibration of equipment, systems and processes
Communicate data, issues and opportunities related to assigned work center and assist others in doing so appropriately. Typically communicates with key customer directly.
Ensure accurate entry of defects in database and other appropriate formats/systems.
Follow security, safety and testing procedures to ensure operational excellence.
Provide verbal and written test reports, and summarize observation as required.
Act as a first level responder to defects and issues on testing or equipment.
Escalate any down tooling or repair that is beyond Tech II scope to the area Lead and R&M Tech.
Provide technical and process support across assigned area
Act as a backup for the Tech II Lead assigned to the area.
Drives continuous process improvements for assigned work area
IND17
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Email 6226734e
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cce8d6a9 Alert me about jobs like this
d8ed0e02 I consent to the collection of my personal data so that Lionbridge may contact me and consider me for positions with Lionbridge.
First Name 19609b96
Last Name 64c782e9
Email e558aac7
Job Alert 07452c85
Departments 232058cb Departments 3dabef39 Administration All Digital Marketing Human Resources Information Technology Language Services Localization Engineering Marketing Operations Management Project and Program Management Quality Control Sales Sales Operations Software Development Technical Services Technical Writing Services Testing Vendor Management Web Development
Locations 06038a01 Locations fc006c03 Panama Canada Singapore Quebec, Canada Arlington, Virginia, United States Austin, Texas, United States Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Beijing, China Bellevue, Washington, United States Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Berlin, Germany Boise, Idaho, United States Bristol, England, United Kingdom Brossard, Quebec, Canada Chicago, Illinois, United States Columbus, Indiana, United States Copenhagen, Denmark Cork, County Cork, Ireland Corvallis, Oregon, United States Cypress, California, United States Derby, England, United Kingdom Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland Dublin, Ohio, United States Gothenburg, Västra Götaland County, Sweden Hong Kong, Hong Kong Independence, Missouri, United States Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Jinan, Shandong, China London, England, United Kingdom Los Angeles, California, United States Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Paris, Île-de-France, France Prince George, Virginia, United States Reading, England, United Kingdom Redmond, Washington, United States Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States San Diego, California, United States San Jose, California, United States San José, San José Province, Costa Rica São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil Seattle, Washington, United States Shanghai, China Sunnyvale, California, United States Taipei, Taiwan, Republic Of China Tampere, Finland Tokyo, Japan Waltham, Massachusetts, United States Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland Wilsonville, Oregon, United States Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan Žilina, Žilina Region, Slovakia Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
ca2f7ca0 I consent to the collection of my personal data so that Lionbridge may contact me and consider me for positions with Lionbridge.
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Quebec government reveals details of marijuana bill
CBC November 16, 2017
The Quebec government tabled its marijuana legislation this morning, releasing more details about how the sale and distribution of legal pot is to unfold in the province.
Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois called the framework an "evolving plan" that requires flexibility since the federal government has set July 1, 2018, as the target date for legalization.
"It's not the end, it's the only the beginning," she said. "It's certain that we will have to adapt."
Under the new plan, the legal age to buy, possess and consume marijuana in Quebec will be 18 — the same as the drinking age.
Other key points include:
- No one will be allowed to grow cannabis for personal use. It will also be banned to grow it for commercial use, unless following the laws set out by the government.
- It is prohibited for an adult to possess, in a place other than a public place, more than 150 grams of dried cannabis.
- It must be smoked in the same places as tobacco. Smoking will also be prohibited on university and CEGEP grounds.
- There will be zero tolerance for drivers — police officers will be able to ask for a saliva sample if they suspect someone is driving while high and will be able to suspend a driver's licence for 90 days if a sample comes back positive.
While saliva testing has yet to be federally regulated, the province says that police officers are being trained to detect signs of marijuana-impaired driving.
"The message we want to send is: if you consume cannabis, don't drive," said Transport Minister André Fortin.
The main goal of the plan is to protect the security and the health of all Quebecers, said Charlebois.
'A realistic price'
Under the plan, only the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQC) will be allowed to purchase cannabis from a producer, ensure its transportation and storage, and sell it, with certain exceptions.
The SQC will open 15 physical stores around the province where cannabis products will be sold and will also offer online sales. Finance Minister Carlo Leitão said there could be more stores in the future, but was unable to say how many.
Customers are not to have access to cannabis inside a store without the assistance of an employee, and the cannabis must only be visible from the inside the store.
The price has not been set: experts consulted by the government have suggested a price of $7 to 10 per gram in order to compete with the black market but not make it so cheap that it would encourage more consumption.
"We need to have a realistic price and realistic taxes," said Leitão.
Opposition slams bill
The proposed measures are aimed at limiting the risks associated with smoking marijuana, said Charlebois.
After consulting with experts, the government opted for the strictest regulations it could in light of the recommendations.
"Honestly, it would be better if there were no drugs in society, but you know as well as I do that it already exists on the black market," said Charlebois.
Coalition Avenir Québec MNA Simon Jolin-Barrette criticized the bill, calling it "permissive and timid."
He said his party plans to table an amendment boosting the minimum age to 21.
Sylvain Pagé, the Parti Québécois health critic, applauded the creation of the SQC, but said the province needs a more solid and detailed economic plan when it comes to selling legal pot.
"Where is the serious business model?" he said.
Deadline approaching
While Quebec's legalization plans are moving ahead, the province is still urging the federal government to give provinces more time — in part, because Ottawa still hasn't said how much cannabis tax revenue it will share with the provinces.
Even if it can't persuade Ottawa to push back the deadline, the government says it will be ready.
Among the provinces, only Ontario and New Brunswick have tabled legislation. Alberta is expected to do so shortly.
Quebec tries to ease tensions in Kanesatake land dispute
Worth the Wait: Maine Goat Farm's 'Last Babies' of Season Frolic in Coats
Ottawa to pay out nearly $1B to Armed Forces members alleging sexual misconduct
Bottle Cap Challenge Fail (July 2019) Fails of the Week | FailArmy
Jukin Media
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The Oxidative Microbial Degradation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
Searchable PDF / Kalamazoo College Only (1.074Mb)
Stenger, Mary Ruth
The explosive nature, toxicity and mutagenic capabilities of explosives make them a primary environmental concern. The most commonly used explosive is 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The problem of cleaning up many of the contaminated sites in the environment can be addressed using oxidative microbial degradation. Several bacteria which are believed to catabolize TNT as a carbon source have been isolated from soil. Biochemical tests were used to identify these bacteria. Both mixed and pure cultures were grown with succinate as a supplemental carbon source, as well as TNT since the bacteria had to be actively growing before optimal utilization of TNT could take place. Mixed cultures of these bacteria were tested for growth on six separate aromatic compounds as their sole carbon sources, and were foundto grow on only benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde. Use of a pre-exposure to toluene and benzyl alcohol as it affected growth on TNT was also tested. Mixed cultures exposed to toluene before addition of TNT appeared to have enzymes induced which increased the degradation of TNT, while pre-exposure to benzyl alcohol had no effect. TNT may be converted to toluene by oxidative removal of the nitro groups at which point degradation is slowed by the presence of a large amount of toluene which can be toxic if concentrations accumulate to too high a level.
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The NCGA’s Absolute Fear of the Veteran Public School Teacher
February 3, 2019 / caffeinatedrage
Veteran teachers openly discuss, study, and collaborate.
And they fight for public schools.
The powers that rule in the North Carolina General Assembly under Sen. Phil Berger and Rep. Tim Moore have been waging a war against public schools in our state for the last seven years. Under the guise of “reform,” GOP ultra-conservatives driven by ALEC-crafted policies have successfully enabled and instituted privatization efforts in many forms: unregulated charter school development, expansive growth of unproven vouchers, underfunding traditional public schools, and even propped an educational neophyte as state superintendent who has passively allowed the very department that is set to protect public schools to be heinously undercut.
These calculated moves against public schools in North Carolina might signal the ultimate goal in overhauling education in the Old North State – the systematic elimination of the veteran teacher.
Let me rephrase that.
A gerrymandered lawmaking body has passed budget after budget further indicating that many lawmakers in Raleigh will go to any length to poach the educational profession of veteran teachers.
In the last seven years, new teachers entering the profession in North Carolina have seen the removal of graduate degree pay bumps and due-process rights. While the “average” salary increases have been most friendly to newer teachers, those pay “increases” do translate to causing veteran teachers to have to make career-ending decisions rather early in their careers.
Without promise of much pay increase and no graduate degree pay bumps, those future veteran teachers may have to leave a profession they not only excel in and love, but serve as models for younger teachers to ensure professional integrity, the kind that was allowed to shine in a North Carolina of yesteryear when Republican governors and lawmakers were in the forefront of making sure public schools were a strength. And those teachers will not have due-process rights that would allow them to speak up about issues like compensation for fear of reprisal.
Students will suffer; communities will suffer.
The taking away of retiree state health benefits for teachers hired after January of 2021 is another step to create a system where students are more or less taught by contractors because the endangered species known as the “veteran teacher” will come to the point of extinction.
That whole idea of getting “the state more in line with perks private-sector employees get” might be one of the most misleading mantras that rules the mindsets of these lawmakers and education reformers. Why make a public sector service run like a business when public schools aren’t allowed to be businesses? If that were a reality, then schools could treat lawmakers like a Board of Directors of sorts and then rally to oust them at any time beside election years.
If a lawmaker wants to argue that public schools should run like a business and that teachers, staff, and administration should be treated like private-sector employees, then that lawmaker might need to look at the converse and see how unrelated those two entities really are. In fact, I would invite any lawmaker who favors this budgetary move to try and see if he/she could run a business like a public school. Maybe the differences between a public service and private enterprise might become more apparent because one is not even comparing apples to oranges. One is comparing apples to rocks.
Right now, we are not attracting the best and brightest. Just look at the past four years and see what has been done to make teaching an unenviable career in North Carolina. This recent action is making sure that anyone who may want to teach in North Carolina in the future will not stay in the profession for long.
Sen. Chad Barefoot’s 2017 bill called SB599 should then not be so puzzling. Bringing in alternate teacher-preparation programs that can be controlled by the state weakens the profession overall. This bill was supposedly introduced to help with the shortage in teachers. Why would we have a shortage of teachers?
That’s not a rhetorical question.
If the trends stay in place and we as a state do not replace those in Raleigh with lawmakers who will fully fund public schools and reinstate the very items that attract the best and brightest, then we will literally make the North Carolina veteran teacher an extinct entity.
Just look at the use of a “nuclear” option to pass last year’s budget without open debate or chance for amendment. That budget supposedly had more raises for teachers, just not for veteran teachers who have served this state for over two decades. If there is one thing that many GOP lawmakers like Berger, Moore, and others of their ilk (who don’t have term limits) despise more than veteran public school teachers, it’s open dialogue that may expose their hypocrisy.
And they sure as hell don’t collaborate unless it is in a locked room with only those of like opinions.
And we will fight.
In 2019, 2020, 2021, ….
← When Mark Johnson or Phil Berger Talk About “Average” Teacher Pay, They Fail to Mention…
About the Funding of the Opportunity Grants – What is Kept From Traditional Public Schools →
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Reminisce Society -- April 24
Rosa Snyder and Humanities Iowa presents:
Off the Map:
Stories of Abandoned and Disappearing Towns Around Iowa
Tuesday April 24 at 10 a.m.
Presented at the KC Hall
Please join us Tuesday April 24 as the Reminisce Society hosts Rosa Snyder’s Humanities Iowa program “Off the Map”. Throughout Iowa’s history, towns have been established following the success of different enterprises. From the height of the railroad and pioneer eras, to the boom of the coal industries; where businesses have gone towns have followed. Many existed for a few years, some slowly faded away over time, and a few never existed except as “paper” towns. Regardless of why they originated or why they diminished, each community has its own unique story. Towns are truly windows to our past and have helped form the history of our state. Discovering and learning about them helps to keep their names and memories from oblivion. Take a tour around Iowa exploring a sampling of these idiosyncratic communities in photographs and stories.
Directions and a brief description of each town will be made available. The Reminisce Society’s programs are free and open to everyone. If you are a person with a disability who requires special assistance or for further information, please call the library’s director, Sonja Ferrell at 641-682- 7563, extension 202.
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Top 41 Prospects: Minnesota Twins
by Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel
Below is an analysis of the prospects in the farm system of the Minnesota Twins. Scouting reports are compiled with information provided by industry sources as well as from our own (both Eric Longenhagen’s and Kiley McDaniel’s) observations. For more information on the 20-80 scouting scale by which all of our prospect content is governed you can click here. For further explanation of the merits and drawbacks of Future Value, read this.
All of the numbered prospects here also appear on The Board, a new feature at the site that offers sortable scouting information for every organization. That can be found here.
Top Prospects Team Lists
Twins Top Prospects
Highest Level
1 Royce Lewis 19.9 A+ SS 2020 65
2 Alex Kirilloff 21.5 A+ RF 2020 60
3 Brusdar Graterol 20.7 AA RHP 2021 50
4 Trevor Larnach 22.2 A+ RF 2020 50
5 Wander Javier 20.3 R SS 2022 45+
6 Jhoan Duran 21.3 A+ RHP 2022 45
7 Jose Miranda 20.8 A+ 2B 2022 45
8 Yunior Severino 19.6 A 2B 2023 45
9 Brent Rooker 24.5 AAA 1B 2019 40+
10 Ryan Jeffers 22.1 A+ C 2021 40+
11 Willians Astudillo 27.5 MLB 1B 2019 40+
12 Luis Arraez 22.0 AA 2B 2019 40+
13 Lewis Thorpe 23.4 AAA LHP 2019 40
14 Misael Urbina 17.0 R CF 2023 40
15 Jordan Balazovic 20.6 A RHP 2020 40
16 LaMonte Wade Jr 25.3 AAA LF 2019 40
17 Ben Rortvedt 21.6 A+ C 2021 40
18 Luis Rijo 20.6 A+ RHP 2022 40
19 Nick Gordon 23.5 AAA 2B 2019 40
20 Gilberto Celestino 20.2 AA CF 2021 40
21 Jovani Moran 22.0 AA LHP 2019 40
22 Devin Smeltzer 23.6 AA LHP 2019 40
23 Blayne Enlow 20.1 A RHP 2022 40
24 Akil Baddoo 20.7 A+ CF 2021 40
25 Luke Raley 24.6 AAA 1B 2020 40
26 Jorge Alcala 23.7 AA RHP 2020 40
27 Gabriel Maciel 20.3 A CF 2022 40
28 Prelander Berroa 19.0 R RHP 2022 40
29 Cole Sands 21.8 A RHP 2021 40
30 Travis Blankenhorn 22.7 A+ 2B 2020 40
31 Stephen Gonsalves 24.8 MLB LHP 2019 40
32 Kai-Wei Teng 20.4 R RHP 2023 40
33 Ryan Costello 22.9 A+ 1B 2021 40
34 Landon Leach 19.8 R RHP 2023 40
35 Griffin Jax 24.4 AA RHP 2020 40
36 Carlos Aguiar 17.6 R OF 2023 35+
37 Johan Quezada 24.7 A+ RHP 2020 35+
38 DaShawn Keirsey 21.9 A CF 2022 35+
39 Charles Mack 19.4 R 2B 2023 35+
40 Michael Helman 22.9 A+ 2B 2022 35+
41 Lewin Diaz 22.4 A+ 1B 2021 35+
Reading Options
Detail Level
Data Only
Position Filter
65 FV Prospects
1. Royce Lewis, SS
Drafted: 1st Round, 2017 from JSerra HS (CA) (MIN)
6′ 2″
Bat / Thr
R / R
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Raw Power
Game Power
Lewis was on the scouting radar early in his high school career in southern California, starring for one of the top programs in the country and showing above average tools at an early stage. Toward the end of showcase season, scouts started throwing around Derek Jeter comparisons, saying that Lewis had a similar frame with chance for a 70 bat, 55 raw power, and the possibility to stick at shortstop with some work. Others saw closer to a 50 or 55 bat and a center fielder, and his draft spring was up-and-down, with scouts that charted all of his games reporting his hitting stats were not strong, though the tools were all still present.
The Twins took him first overall and cut a below slot deal, as Lewis was seen as one of five options in a top tier of talent without a clear top prospect. Things have gone even better than expected for Lewis in pro ball, and he’s hit above league average at every stop and reached High-A at age 19 while improving defensively at shortstop. Most scouts think he can stick there, which was not the case even a year ago, and one long-time scout even said Lewis is ahead of where Jeter was defensively at the same stage. We’ll call it a 60 bat with 50 game power and 50 defense, but there’s ceiling for more in here.
2. Alex Kirilloff, RF
Drafted: 1st Round, 2016 from Plum HS (PA) (MIN)
L / L
Kirilloff comes from the Pittsburgh area, hardly a hotbed for talent, but he distinguished himself in the summer before his draft year despite a slightly quirky uppercut swing. By the end of the summer, scouts had seen enough from Kiriloff and Bo Bichette to convince them that these swings could work, and that Kirilloff and Bichette belonged in the top few rounds, with both continuing to exceedexpectations. Kirilloff went in the middle of the first round in 2016, and missed time immediately after playing his first 55 pro games with Tommy John surgery.
He came back for his first full season in 2018 and dominated both Low-A and High-A, hitting over .330 at both stops with 20 homers on the season and strikeout rates below league average. There’s some chance he is even more than just a 60 hitter with 55 or 60 power, which is what most scouts are projecting right now, with something like a 15-20% chance that Kirilloff turns into the next Joey Votto. There’s some disagreement about whether his 2018 season was him dominating pitching that didn’t challenge him, or if he has an approach that’s a little too aggressive and he just got away with it in 2018. Kirilloff is a fringy runner who’s an average defender in right field and has a plus arm, but he may bulk up and move to first base down the line, which would likely come with more power as well.
3. Brusdar Graterol, RHP
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2014 from Venezuela (MIN)
Sits/Tops
60/65 50/60 45/55 40/50 96-99 / 100
Graterol signed for $150,000 in 2014 out of Venezuela, got Tommy John surgery within a year, then got on the scouting radar a couple years later, when he was hitting the high-90s on the backfields in Ft. Myers, eventually hitting 100 mph. Before 2018, he had only made a handful of appearances outside of the DSL and GCL. His 2018 included eight sterling starts in Low-A and 11 very solid starts in Hi-A, all as a teenager.
Graterol has the making of a frontline starter, sitting 96-99 and hitting 100 mph often, mixing in a plus-flashing slider and a changeup that’s above average at its best. He’s a short strider and a bit of a dart-thrower, which is unusual for a pitcher that hits 100, but it helps Graterol throw more strikes than you would assume from a teenager hitting this kind of heat with an arm surgery in his past. The poor extension makes his velocity play lower than the radar gun readings, but with some incremental improvements in pitch execution and command, Graterol could shoot up our overall list, as he does more things like Sixto Sanchez than anyone else in the minors.
4. Trevor Larnach, RF
Drafted: 1st Round, 2018 from Oregon State (MIN)
L / R
Larnach hit several balls in excess of 110 mph during Oregon State’s opening weekend of his draft season, and he ended up slugging .652 that year. We were all-in despite scout concerns about his lack of range in the outfield and fear that he might just be a DH. The gap between where we had Larnach on our pre-draft board (12) and where he went (20) was large enough that we wondered if we were too high. Then Larnach hit .303/.390/.500 in pro ball during the rest of the summer, and we could sleep again. He has huge raw power and doesn’t swing with violence or effort to generate it; it’s just there. We’re very optimistic about him hitting enough to profile in an outfield corner.
45+ FV Prospects
5. Wander Javier, SS
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Dominican Republic (MIN)
Signed for an IFA franchise record $4 million, Javier was a “This is What They Look Like” amateur prospect, the skinny, athletically graceful, broad-shouldered teenager. Sometimes those players fill out too much to stay at shortstop, and end up as power-hitting third basemen; sometimes they don’t, and become starting shortstops with modest offensive ability. And sometimes, they develop in the Goldilocks Zone, stay at short, and make a big offensive impact. That last outcome’s existence, unlikely as it may be, puts prospects like Javier in a kind of rarified air, even when they haven’t yet done anything.
And Javier hasn’t. When should we start to worry about all the injuries? Since signing in 2015, Javier has played in just 50 games while dealing with various maladies. He was in street clothes during part of 2015 instructs for reasons unknown to us, he played in just nine games in 2016 due to a hamstring strain, was healthy in 2017, then missed all of 2018 with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. This spring, he strained his quad and did not break camp with an affiliate. His frame has filled out and looked explosive, and during the spring, he was noticeably stronger and more powerful than he was when he signed. Javier’s body, bat speed, swing foundation, and defensive fit is the stuff of stardom, but we have little-to-no data on important things like plate discipline and feel for contact, and the injury history has been troubling.
6. Jhoan Duran, RHP
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2014 from Dominican Republic (ARI)
55/60 45/50 50/60 40/50 93-96 / 98
Duran seemingly drew lots of trade interest while with Arizona. Loose, lean, and wielding premium stuff, his name was rumored to be on some PTBNL lists before he was ultimately traded to Minnesota as part of the Eduardo Escobar deal in 2018. During his first few pro seasons, Duran’s velocity yo-yo’d a bit; he was in the upper-90s at times, while more 91-95 at others. He was also demoted from the Northwest League back to the AZL in 2017 for reasons seemingly unrelated to performance. The following spring, not only was Duran’s velocity more stable — in the 93-96 range — but he was throwing strikes and had more consistent secondary stuff.
While he can spin a good breaking ball, Duran’s best secondary pitch is his changeup, which he sells with electric arm speed. He worked with better angle after the Twins acquired him last summer, a change that improved the playability of his breaking ball without taking away from his changeup’s movement. Now a physically mature, 230-pound 21-year-old, Duran seems poised to take a bit of a leap and perhaps reach the Florida State League later in the year. He may end up with three impact pitches if his secondaries have yet another gear of quality left to claim, which makes him a threat for the top 100 list either later this year or next.
7. Jose Miranda, 2B
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2016 from Leadership Christian HS (PR) (MIN)
Miranda is a strong-bodied, multi-positional infielder with advanced feel for contact. He’ll be 20 for the first half of the season and has already reached Hi-A, leaving comically low strikeout rates in his wake as he has climbed the minor league ladder. His strikeout rate has hovered around 10% throughout his career despite Miranda having been about a year and a half younger than the average player at each minor league stop.
He may start trading some contact for power (his early-season strikeout and fly ball rates would seem to indicate this might be happening) but that may require more selectivity to work. Miranda’s swing is currently bottom-hand heavy and he doesn’t rip the bat through contact the way most power hitters do. He’s been fine putting quality, low-lying contact into play to his pull side so far, but may be best served to hit for more power, especially if he eventually moves off short. He’s a version of the bat control/up the middle types we so love here at FanGraphs, if a slightly lesser version right now due to his quieter results to date and his mature physicality.
8. Yunior Severino, 2B
S / R
A thoroughly modern hitter, Severino has above-average ball/strike recognition for his age, and everything about his swing is geared for power. While he takes the occasional, gorgeous uppercut rip, it’s clear his feel for contact is undercooked from both sides of the plate, something that won’t be helped by a recent thumb fracture and ligament tear that may cost him most of this season. He’s increasingly likely to max out as a 40 hitter, or thereabouts, which makes it imperative that Severino learn to attack pitches he can drive and take his share of walks.
An amateur shortstop — he signed for $1.9 million with the Braves in their deep 2016 July 2nd class but was declared a free agent due to the Braves’ violations in the international realm, then signed for an additional $2.5 million bonus with Minnesota — Severino made all of seven 2019 starts at second base before hurting his thumb, and should settle in there. He could be a three true outcomes middle infielder à la Rickie Weeks, or peak Mark Bellhorn and Dan Uggla.
9. Brent Rooker, 1B
Drafted: 1st Round, 2017 from Mississippi State (MIN)
As a draft-eligible redshirt sophomore, Rooker hit .324/.376/.528 with 11 homers at Mississippi State. The Twins drafted him in the 38th round. He didn’t sign, returned to school, hit .287/.496/.810 with 23 homers, stole 18 bases, and was drafted 35th overall. Nobody was totally sure what to make of such remarkable improvement, and Rooker lives in the dreaded right/right 1B/DH bucket for most evaluators, but he had among the best raw power in his draft class and emphatically torched the best conference in college baseball.
Since entering pro ball, Rooker has performed and moved quickly, slugging 22 homers at Double-A in his first full pro season. His breaking ball recognition is questionable, and may be exposed more this year at Triple-A Rochester. The swing and miss issues combined with the defensive limitations are a bit of a problem, but Rooker has more power and is more athletic than most other hitters of this statistical ilk (like the Trey Mancinis and C.J. Crons of the world), so we like his chances of being a major league contributor fairly soon. We just doubt that he’s an average or better everyday first baseman, and instead think he’s a corner platoon bat.
10. Ryan Jeffers, C
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2018 from UNC Wilmington (MIN)
Jeffers emerged from relative obscurity in 2018 at UNC Wilmington to climb into the first day of the draft with a strong spring. He has 55 raw power and arm strength, carrying tools that allow him to punish mistakes at the plate and throw out runners from behind it. His receiving skills will be a 45 or 50, so he likely can stick at catcher, while his contact skills are a notch below that. Jeffers has a strength-based, power-focused swing, and catchers will often lose some of their athleticism more quickly than guys at other positions, so we don’t see him contributing a big batting average or on-base percentage, but there is low-end regular upside.
11. Willians Astudillo, 1B
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2008 from Venezuela (PHI)
Yes, Astudillo is still rookie-eligible even though he’s been part of the internet baseball zeitgeist for so long, the face of a movement that enjoys a certain of baseball’s many aesthetics. For our purposes, Astudillo forces us to consider how we define the hit tool without letting other skills bleed in, which leads us to all kinds of existential questions about traditional tool classifications. Eventually, your tools just are what your performance is, and Astudillo has accumulated about a month’s worth of freakish data that’s impossible to ignore. He has been, and this has been true his entire pro career, an elite K% (3%) and in-zone contact rate (96%) hitter, and were we to make a hierarchy of individual stats that indicate ability to hit, those would be at the top.
This thinking could be considered flawed. Jose Iglesias has had plus-plus contact rates throughout his career, but hits just .265 because he lacks strength. That’s a lack of power bleeding in to how the hit tool plays, but in his case we’d say the hit tool is still good. You could argue that, similar to power, we should have Raw Hit and Game Hit split into two tools. In that vein, Astudillo is again exemplary in the way his tools/skills interact, as his game power plays beneath his raw, because he can’t help himself but swing so damn much, and often the contact is sub-optimal. The Fat Ichiro moniker was bestowed upon Brett Wallace too soon; this is the genuine article.
Correctly dubbed “positionless” as a young prospect, Astudillo has ended up a passable glove at several of the places minor league managers tried to hide him in his early 20s. Minnesota has played him all over the field — catcher, first base, second base, third base, left field — and he’s okay everywhere. He had average catcher pop times in the big leagues last year. The “role” to expect here is that of a versatile corner bench bat. It’s just the strangest version of that, a husky super utility man, with maybe the best hand-eye coordination on the planet.
12. Luis Arraez, 2B
5′ 10″
Back from a 2017 ACL tear, Arraez hit for characteristically high rates of contact in 2018. He’s a career .328 hitter in the minors and has carried high averages to the upper levels, as he now has about half a season of Double-A at-bats under his belt. The type of contact Arraez makes is unique. He employs a punchy, minimalist swing, and just kind of throws the bat head at the baseball, leading to lots of opposite field contact. It’s worked so far, and Arraez has hit for enough contact to outweigh the total lack of game power that results from this kind of approach. It’s unlikely that this is an Altuveian situation where all of a sudden there’s power, because Altuve was pulling the ball in the minors.
Mostly because his actions are quite good, Arraez fits fine at second base. He’s a thicker guy and has begun to see more time at other positions (mostly other infield spots), and versatility will enable a team to roster him even if the lack of power turns out to be a problem. He likely projects as a bat-first utility guy, but there’s a chance he makes sufficient contact to be a regular at second.
13. Lewis Thorpe, LHP
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2012 from Australia (MIN)
R / L
50/50 50/50 60/60 45/50 45/50 90-94 / 95
Two consecutive seasons lost to a combination of Tommy John rehab and mononucleosis highlight a robust, early-career injury history for Thorpe, who has been encouragingly healthy for the last two years. He works at the top of the zone with a low-90s fastball, and beneath it with a big, breaking 12-to-6 curveball used against left and right-handed hitters, and he bisects the plate horizontally with a cutter/slider and changeup. A 6% walk rate in 2018 was comfortably Thorpe’s career best, which may be real development or just something that will regress to Thorpe’s career mean. It’s No. 4 or 5 starter stuff from an arm whose injury history, which one could argue should soon be expunged, moves him toward the back of that FV group. He’s at Triple-A and may see the big leagues this year.
14. Misael Urbina, CF
Urbina was one of the more advanced bats in his July 2 signing class from both a bat control and physical development perspective. He was also one of the youngest. Currently an above-average runner, there’s a fair chance he ends up in left field due to a lack of top-end speed, though it might depend on how his body develops. Urbina’s power projection is somewhat limited by his size, which may be an issue if he does eventually move to a corner. It would mean he would have to be a high-end contact hitter to profile as an impact big leaguer, but that seems like it’s in play because Urbina has so many promising bat-to-ball traits — timing, hand-eye coordination, all-fields feel — at such a young age.
15. Jordan Balazovic, RHP
Drafted: 5th Round, 2016 from St. Martin HS (CAN) (MIN)
After two years in the GCL (another Canadian high schooler further down this list was developed the same way), Balazovic spent the spring of 2018 in Extended and then skipped the Appy League and went right to Low-A. He dominated there, striking out 78 in 61.2 innings while walking just 18. He throws an unusually high number of strikes for such a lanky, young, cold-weather arm with a somewhat violent delivery, and he gets nasty vertical action on his breaking ball despite a mediocre spin rate.
There’s still some visual discomfort with Balazovic’s mechanics, but he’s throwing strikes early in his career and hasn’t been injured. He’ll move up this list with a full year of innings at his 2018 level of performance. For now he at least projects as a reliever, but has a puncher’s chance to be a No. 4 starter.
16. LaMonte Wade Jr, LF
Drafted: 9th Round, 2015 from Maryland (MIN)
Wade intrigues as the larger half of a corner outfield platoon. He’s not exactly tooled up, but he walks a lot — more than he strikes out against right-handed pitchers, in fact — and he’ll make up for some of what he lacks in power with rangy, corner outfield defense. It’s not spectacular, but there’s a clear role here. And with Wade at Triple-A and on the 40-man, he may get his first big league opportunity this season.
17. Ben Rortvedt, C
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2016 from Verona HS (WI) (MIN)
The beefcake Wisconsinite was sent back to the Midwest League to start 2018, thrived for six weeks there, then was promoted to Hi-A for the rest of the year. An improved receiver with a good arm, Rortvedt now projects as a passable catcher after looking kind of rough back there as an amateur and young pro. He has raw power befitting one of baseball’s more impressive physiques (Yandy Diaz is a good body comp) but hasn’t been able to get to it in games. A more pull-happy approach may unlock dormant game power, and the start of Rortvedt’s 2019 indicates it might be coming. He projects as a backup for now, with a chance the batted ball profile changes in a relevant way.
18. Luis Rijo, RHP
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Venezuela (NYY)
Part of Minnesota’s return from New York for Lance Lynn, Rijo is a hyper-efficient strike thrower whose curveball moves like a Wiffle ball, seemingly floating as it approaches the plate before it begins to bend and dive away from right-handed hitters. Because it’s a slower, loopy pitch, it may not miss bats against upper-level hitters, but it’s hard to square up because of how much depth it has, and Rijo locates it where he wants. So, too, can he spot his low-90s fastball where his catcher asks for it, working up at the letters and to both corners of the plate at will. His ceiling will likely be limited by stuff quality — though only 20, Rijo is physically mature and unlikely to grow into much more velocity — but the command makes him a high-probability starter and one who could move quickly.
19. Nick Gordon, 2B
Drafted: 1st Round, 2014 from Olympia HS (FL) (MIN)
Seen as a lock to stick at shortstop while he was an amateur, Gordon has been error-prone there for several years and saw more time at second in 2018. He projects there for most scouts. The movement in his batted ball profile has plateaued (Gordon began his career as an all-fields, groundball hitter but began pulling and lifting the ball more starting in 2016), but might still produce more power than is usual at second base right now, even if it’s generally middling. (Gordon raps on the side under the alter ego “G Cinco,” which is also the name of an ASU-educated “Artist Entrepreneur,” so one of the two of them may have a copyright issue on their hands.) Gordon’s star seems to have fallen quite a bit, and instead of projecting as a shortstop with some pop, he’ll now need to hit enough to play second everyday or risk being squeezed out of a roster spot. He began 2019 on the IL with a digestive issue.
20. Gilberto Celestino, CF
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Dominican Republic (HOU)
International scouts billed Celestino’s defense and contact skills as advanced, and Houston handled promoting him as if that were true before trading him to Minnesota as part of the Ryan Pressly deal. He spent the last few weeks of his first pro season up from the DSL, but was liberated from the complex the following summer and sent right to the Appy League at 18, then the Penn League the following year, before the trade. And Celestino has hit during that time, just not usually for power, as he didn’t add much raw strength during his late teens. He’s only 20 but has a modest, tweener frame and probably needs to develop into a special defender, a special hitter, or both, in order to profile everyday.
21. Jovani Moran, LHP
Drafted: 7th Round, 2015 from Carlos Beltran Academy (PR) (MIN)
Drafted as an arm action/athleticism project out of Puerto Rico, Moran’s velocity has grown significantly since his high school days; he’s developed a plus, maybe plus-plus changeup that has about 15 mph of velocity difference off his fastball. He’s amassed 174 strikeouts in 123 pro innings, mostly via multi-inning relief outings. Lefties with changeups are well-positioned for when three-batter minimums are put in place for relievers. Now at Double-A, Moran might factor into the Twins’ bullpen picture this year. He projects as a middle reliever.
22. Devin Smeltzer, LHP
Drafted: 5th Round, 2016 from San Jacinto JC (TX) (LAD)
Most pitchers tuck their gloves in by their ribs when they disconnect and begin to clear their front sides; Smeltzer’s glove extends way out away from his body, the start of one of baseball’s funkiest deliveries. Repertoire depth, plus fastball and breaking ball spin, and efficient strike-throwing all mix with the mechanical deception to enable Smeltzer’s success despite a lack of velocity. He’s long been projected as a reliever but continues to start in the minors, and he’s had some dominant outings in addition to the low walk rates, and his spin rate has ticked up pretty significantly each of the last two seasons, which is rare. He may end up in a multi-inning role of some kind, as his strange mechanics would certainly give hitters a weird look one time through the lineup.
Smeltzer was struck in the head by a comeback in mid-April. He walked off the field under his own power but it’s unclear what his timetable for return is at list publication.
23. Blayne Enlow, RHP
Drafted: 3rd Round, 2017 from St. Amat HS (LA) (MIN)
Your standard high school projection arm with a breaking ball, Enlow is back at Low-A to start 2019. Like most pitchers of this ilk, fastball command and the development of a third pitch stand between Enlow and industry confidence that he’s a starter. That stuff hasn’t developed just yet, but Enlow is still just 20. If that doesn’t happen, he’s likely to be a fine reliever.
24. Akil Baddoo, CF
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2016 from Salem HS (GA) (MIN)
Baddoo has some promising physical ingredients — speed, raw power — and three consecutive seasons of plus walk rates. For a player who was considered raw coming out of high school, his numbers at his age and level combination are compelling, and he’ll be a 20 year old at Hi-A all year. Visual evaluations of his feel to hit temper enthusiasm for his overall profile, as the game power manifests itself in a niche, dead-pull manner that upper-level pitching should be able to avoid. Scouts think he’s more of a platoon or fourth outfielder, while we think it’s likely that teams using a pro model will like him more than that because of his age and peripherals.
25. Luke Raley, 1B
Drafted: 7th Round, 2016 from Lake Erie College (OH) (LAD)
Raley is plus runner underway despite his size, and has big raw power that the Dodgers did well to tease out of him in games before trading him to Minnesota as part of the Brian Dozier deal last year. The small-school pedigree helps balance skepticism surrounding Raley’s performance (20 Double-A homers at age 23 last year) due to his age, and he projects to be a player quite similar to Daniel Palka or Scott Schebler.
26. Jorge Alcala, RHP
Acquired from Houston as part of the Ryan Pressly trade, Alcala has reached Double-A as a starter despite having been projected as a reliever for almost his entire pro career. Fastball control and a viable changeup have both been elusive, and you could argue Alcala’s issues repeating/locating also impact the way his slider plays, though it does have nasty late bite. He throws really hard — typically in the mid-90s, peaking above that — and has a great build. It makes sense to give him starter reps until he’s needed in the majors, since it means more chances for him to refine his secondary stuff and control. He’s a high-probability middle reliever, but he has a set-up man’s arm strength.
27. Gabriel Maciel, CF
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Brazil (ARI)
A tiny speedster, Maciel’s build is relatively unprojectable, but one can still project on most of his skills because he was only taught baseball’s basics while growing up in Brazil, and hasn’t been switch-hitting for very long. His game has some coherent small-ball elements already, as he took quickly to bunting and putting awkward contact into play, which, because of his speed, enables him to reach against bad, low-level defenses.
There’s so little power here that Maciel likely projects as a fourth outfielder, but his feel for contact is impressive for someone of his background and seemingly insufficient physicality, and if he ends up with a 6 or 7 bat, we might be talking about a regular.
28. Prelander Berroa, RHP
Tilt Berroa’s cap another 15 degrees and he’s a dead on-mound ringer for Fernando Rodney. Right now, he just throws tailing heat past hitters, but he has some nascent changeup feel and his arm speed and loose, rhythmic delivery makes one comfortable projecting on the changeup. His breaking ball is good enough to miss bats when it’s located. Berroa hasn’t harnessed his limbs or his release point yet, so you have to project pretty heavily on his command to buy that the slider will play one day, and that he’ll throw enough strikes to start. If that happens, he could be a No. 4 starter. If it doesn’t, a bullpen role will be determined by his changeup quality.
29. Cole Sands, RHP
Drafted: 5th Round, 2018 from Florida State (MIN)
Sands’ older brother Carson was a high pick by the Cubs, and prep teammate Cole Ragans was a high pick by Texas from a historically-strong prep pitching staff. The younger Sands had a similar profile as a prep prospect as he did coming out of Florida State: above average stuff and average command that varied by the day more than scouts wanted, with no true plus pitch. Sands had biceps tendonitis just before the draft, which created some uncertainty and ultimately appears to have pushed him down a bit on draft day; he signed for third round money in the fifth round. He projects as a fourth starter type.
30. Travis Blankenhorn, 2B
Drafted: 3rd Round, 2015 from Pottsville HS (PA) (MIN)
Though he’s gotten thick and stiff as his body has matured, the Twins continue to run Blankenhorn out at second and third base in addition to left field. He’s a 40 infield defender but as the club has shown with Astudillo, there are ways of hiding players like this in order to shoehorn their bat into the lineup. His swing is a bit grooved but Blankenhorn’s hands work well, and he has strength-driven doubles power. It’s not enough to profile everyday at one of the positions Blankenhorn is capable of playing regularly, but he should turn into a role-playing lefty bench bat.
31. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP
Drafted: 4th Round, 2013 from Cathedral Catholic HS (CA) (MIN)
Gonsalves cruised through the lower levels of the minors with three quality secondary offerings and a fastball that played above its velocity due to deception and a helpful spin axis. As he reached the upper levels, his ability to locate plateaued, and some would say it’s just gone backwards. His upper-80s fastball is vulnerable when it’s not in the right places, so Gonsalves has become a little walk-prone and gives up loud contact when he makes mistakes in the zone. Unless he can reclaim an ability to locate his fastball where it plays best (up near the letters), he’ll need to work heavily off his bevy of quality secondary offerings to get through a lineup multiple times. He’s on the IL to start the year (forearm) and looks like a No. 5 starter or low-leverage long reliever.
32. Kai-Wei Teng, RHP
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2017 from Taiwan (MIN)
Of the $3 million in bonus pool money the Twins suddenly had lying around after they voided Jelfy Marte’s deal due to vision issues, they spent $2.5 million on Yunior Severino and $500,000 on Teng, who pitched at an athletics high school in Taiwan. His arm action is a little rough, and Teng’s lower slot makes it hard for him to get on top of his curveball consistently, but he’s very well balanced over his blocking leg and otherwise has a smooth delivery. At this age and size, it’s possible no more than the low-90s velo will come, but that might be enough if that curveball matures, because Teng’s changeup is also very good. His timeline to the bigs has more to do with Minnesota’s need to add him to the 40-man, which means we probably won’t see him in the big leagues until Teng is comfortably in his mid-20s, even if he makes progress. But he might be a No. 4 or 5 starter one day.
33. Ryan Costello, 1B
Drafted: 31th Round, 2017 from Central Connecticut State (SEA)
A great small-school find by Seattle, Costello had a strong junior year after doing nothing as an underclassman, in part due to injury. Three strong months into his first full pro season, Costello had more than 40 extra-base hits and a 12% walk rate and had become of interest to eyeball scouts. A year after he was a 31st round pick, Seattle traded him in the Zach Duke deal. The Twins pushed him to a more age-apprpriate level immediately. He’s now an interesting sleeper 1B/3B bat, one who could at least play a corner utility/pinch hitting role.
34. Landon Leach, RHP
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2017 from Pickering HS (CAN) (MIN)
The assumption that Leach, a giant Canadian kid who was still just 17 on draft day, would take a while to develop was correct. He repeated the GCL last year, missed some time with injury, and is back in Fort Myers for Extended again this spring. He’s a low-90s sinker baller with middling secondary stuff, but he repeats his delivery and remains a teenage developmental project from a cold climate. He has depth starter stuff right now and you have to project heavily on the change and command to see more than a backend starter, but it’s possible.
35. Griffin Jax, RHP
Drafted: 3rd Round, 2016 from Air Force (MIN)
It seemed like the runway was clear for Jax to begin a pro career after graduating from Air Force. But about a month before he walked, the Department of Defense began once again requiring at least two years of active duty before graduates could apply to serve out their time in reserve status for the purpose of playing pro sports. Then baseball was reinstated as an Olympic sport, and Jax found an avenue to pro ball through the World Class Athlete Program, a military unit focused on training for the Games in the two years leading up to competition. So Jax, having sorted out some arcane rules about Air Force personnel being unable to have second streams of income, is technically an Air Force lieutenant training for the 2020 Olympics, while the Twins pay for his development, but don’t pay him.
Jax was 89-94 throughout the 2018 Fall League, with his secondary stuff about average, flashing above (especially the change). He could be a fifth starter, but if his fastball ticks up in short relief, he’ll fit in a mid-inning bullpen role. It’s unclear what happens to Jax and his military commitment after the 2020 games conclude.
36. Carlos Aguiar, OF
A body-beautiful outfielder with as good-looking a swing, Aguiar played all last year as a 16-year-old in the DSL. The best of his sweet, uppercut swings have flourishes of Ken Griffey, Jr.’s beautiful finish. The cement is drier on Aguiar’s body than is typical for a prospect this age, but he has some pop, feel for lifting the ball, and he held his head above water despite being one of the younger guys in the DSL last year. He’s an interesting, long-term corner outfield project.
37. Johan Quezada, RHP
60/60 45/50 40/45 94 / 0
After parts of five seasons in rookie or short-season ball, and one on the shelf for a shoulder surgery, Quezada finally made his full-season debut in 2018, just a few days shy of his 24th birthday. He came back throwing fire, sitting comfortably in the 94-98 range. An imposing mound presence at a towering 6-foot-6, Quezada creates extreme downhill plane on his fastball and vertical action on his slider, which aids its vertical depth in spite of a paltry spin rate. He’s understandably behind due to his limited pro workload, but he’s a candidate for quick promotion before he breaks again, and seems like a potential set-up type if the slider improves now that Quezada is finally pitching and developing again.
38. DaShawn Keirsey, CF
Drafted: 4th Round, 2018 from Utah (MIN)
Toward the end of the 2017 college season, Keirsey chased a Hunter Bishop flyball to the warning track and collided at high speed with the center field wall, fracturing and dislocating his hip. He couldn’t run for four months. It meant no Cape Cod League the summer before his draft year, and uncertainty that his best physical attribute — his speed — was gone. Though he didn’t look quite as explosive early the following year, Keirsey played his entire junior season and led the Pac-12 in doubles before signing as a slightly over slot fourth rounder. He currently projects as a bench outfielder whose medical might be grisly, but if more of his explosiveness returns, he could climb this list.
39. Charles Mack, 2B
Drafted: 6th Round, 2018 from Williamsville East HS (NY) (MIN)
After the Twins got slightly under slot deals done with a two early college draftees, they were free to spread over slot money throughout the rest of their draft, which included a $500,000 bonus for Mack in the sixth round. A Northeast prep bat with a stiff, but well-timed uppercut swing, Mack has a good chance to hit for gap power and stay on the infield somewhere. He’s relatively mature physically, but already has good power for his age. He didn’t hit well after signing, but the leap from New York high school to pro ball is a doozy.
40. Michael Helman, 2B
Drafted: 11th Round, 2018 from Texas A&M (MIN)
Helman’s cacophonous post-draft summer — .361/.409/.510 — caused some re-evaluation after he had just gotten about $200,000 as an 11th rounder a few months earlier. We’re still not all-in. His 2018 line included a .386 BABIP against competition beneath what he faced in college, he didn’t walk much, and visual evaluations yielded mixed feelings about his ability to sustain anything approaching that kind of game power. Helman is remarkably short to the baseball and tough to beat with velocity because his hands work in such a tight little circle. A more athletic, full-bodied swing may yield more pop, which, if it doesn’t take too much from his ability to make contact, would be a meaningful improvement. Realistically, he might be a utility infielder with bat and speed. He’s at Hi-A and soon turns 23.
41. Lewin Diaz, 1B
Diaz didn’t perform in his first try at the Florida State League, reaching base at just a .255 clip before his season ended with a thumb fracture, which required surgery. Don’t be fooled by his unconventional swing; he has feel to hit and feel for lifting the ball in the air regularly. But too often, Diaz swings at whatever he’s offered, limiting the quality of his contact and his ability to reach base. At first base, that might be a problem. Scouts have mixed opinions about his body and how it projects into his mid-to-late-20s, which is when Diaz will likely be on the 40-man fringe, perhaps a fit for some clubs in need of, or with room for, a big-bodied masher on their 40-man. The raw power and feel for lift/contact are enticing, but a more sentient approach would be nice.
Other Prospects of Note
Grouped by type and listed in order of preference within each category.
Upper-level Depth
Zack Littell, RHP
Jake Reed, RHP
Alex Robinson, LHP
Kohl Stewart, RHP
Andrew Vasquez, LHP
Tyler Jay, LHP
Several members of this group will likely help Minnesota this year, as most teams need about 20 pitchers to get through a season. Littell saw some big league time last year. He’s 23, has a low-90s fastball, and an average cutter, curveball, and change. He projects as a No. 5/6 starter. Reed is a three-pitch reliever with a funky delivery who has calmed down significantly since college. Robinson throws in the upper-90s when healthy. He and Reed are middle relief types. Stewart throws in the mid-90s but has below-average command and fringe secondary stuff, except for his breaking ball, which is average. Vasquez throws a ton of curveballs and is a fringe 40-man lefty. Jay’s stuff hasn’t quite returned since his many injuries, but he’s still a multi-pitch lefty with average stuff, and that seems rosterable.
Sleeper Arms
Edwar Colina, RHP
Dakota Chalmers, RHP
Ryley Widell, LHP
Regi Grace, RHP
Josh Winder, RHP
Colina is a thick 21-year-old with below-average command. He’ll touch 96 and has an average four-pitch mix. After a strong second half of 2018, he’s hurt to start this year. Chalmers has been 93-96 with a plus change and curveball in the past, but he’s had severe strike-throwing issues and isn’t on an affiliate roster right now. Widell is a lefty with three average pitches. Grace was one of two Mississippi high school kids signed to overslot deals in the top 10 rounds. His delivery is kind of rough, but he’ll show you 90-93 with feel for spin. Winder is a spin efficient righty with average stuff that plays up.
Sleeper Bats
Jeferson Morales, C
Willie Joe Garry, Jr., OF
Morales is currently dealing with a left knee injury of unknown severity, but he’s an athletic catcher with plate discipline and speed. Garry was the second of the two overslot high schoolers taken late on Day 2 last year. He’s a lefty outfield bat with some power and a good frame.
This is clearly one of the deeper systems in baseball, and has a few potential stars at the very top including a recent No. 1 overall pick, and yet it’s not discussed as often as the other great systems in the game. Perhaps this is because the big league team has a chance to compete, which makes us collectively fixate on the Twins’ October chances, compared to other clubs with good systems that have either pointed toward their coherent rebuild rather than dwell on a bad big league roster (San Diego), or “need” the farm to constantly feed cost-controlled players up the ladder (Tampa Bay). It might also just be media neglect.
It’s incredible the system is as good as it is considering how little the Twins have done in the Dominican Republic over the last several years. Only two of the 40 FV or better players on here are original Twins signees from the DR. Indeed, they’ve done much better in odd places like Australia or Eastern Asia than in the Dominican. That may change now that they’ve made some personnel changes in International Scouting. They’ve also done very well in Venezuela despite abandoning their complex in 2016 due to the country’s ongoing turmoil.
Let’s watch the next Twins draft to see if their 2018 strategy (two underslot college mashers early, then a bunch of overslot picks throughout the rest of the draft’s first two days) becomes a multi-year ideology.
We hoped you liked reading Top 41 Prospects: Minnesota Twins by Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel!
Sunday Notes: Tucker Barnhart is Embracing Data, Because Now He Can
Banged-Up Yankees Lose Judge But Gain Ground
I take personal offense to Astudillo’s grade. He is going to save baseball, tools and body be damned, and if that doesn’t bump him up a few notches then I am afraid I will have to challenge you to a duel. (not a real duel, like one with nerf swords, but I’m still going to win)
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California Attorney General Opinion No. 16-702
LexRoll.com > LexRoll (CA) > California Attorney General Opinions > California Attorney General Opinion No. 16-702
Opinion No.?16–702
?THE HONORABLE MARK L. NATIONS
KERN COUNTY COUNSEL
THE HONORABLE MARK L. NATIONS, KERN COUNTY COUNSEL, has requested an opinion on the following question:
Does Elections Code section 10515, subdivision (a), require a board of supervisors to appoint a director to a water district if to do so would result in the appointee holding incompatible public offices under Government Code section 1099?
Elections Code section 10515, subdivision (a), requires a board of supervisors to appoint a director to a water district without regard to whether the appointment might result in the holding of incompatible offices under Government Code section 1099. Nonetheless, an individual so appointed may not lawfully hold incompatible public offices; thus, if the particular offices are incompatible, the appointee and would-be dual officeholder will be deemed to have forfeited the first-held office upon accepting appointment to the second.
We are informed that two adjoining water districts located in Kern County (County) scheduled at-large general elections for their respective boards of directors. A director on each water district board filed a declaration of candidacy for election to the other district. No other declarations of candidacy were filed in either district within the time for filing. Elections Code section 10515 governs water district elections,1?and provides that, in such a circumstance?and where a sufficient number of voters do not petition for an election be conducted anyway?an unopposed candidate may request that, in lieu of holding a pro forma election, the ?supervising authority? (here, the County’s board of supervisors) appoint him or her to the seat for which he or she declared candidacy.2
Both unopposed candidates sought appointment under Elections Code section 10515, but the County Registrar of Voters raised concerns about whether the appointments would create incompatibility-of-office issues under Government Code section 1099, subdivision (a),3?and we are informed that, because of the Registrar’s concerns, the County’s board of supervisors did not make the appointments.
Here we are asked whether the board of supervisors may properly decline to make appointments to the director positions based on a concern over incompatibility of offices? i.e., despite the facially mandatory language of Elections Code section 10501, subdivision (a), which states that the ?supervising authority shall make these appointments.? We conclude that the board may not decline to make the appointments based on this concern, but hasten to add that incompatible dual office-holding?if that is indeed the result of such appointments?is nonetheless impermissible and carries specified legal consequences. Our analysis follows.
First, we think it important to clarify what is?not?at issue here. County Counsel has not asked?whether?the simultaneous occupancy of both director positions would amount to a holding of incompatible offices. The question of incompatibility requires consideration of the facts and circumstances of the individual case.4??The doctrine springs from considerations of public policy which demand that a public officer discharge his or her duties with undivided loyalty.?5?We have not been informed of the relationship between the two water districts, or of how the two districts might interact, or of how the duties of a director in respect to one district might be incompatible with his or her duty of loyalty to the other district.?For purposes of analysis, however, we will assume that the board of supervisors could entertain a reasonable concern that the simultaneous occupancy of the two offices would run afoul of Government Code section 1099, subdivision (a).
In construing section Elections Code 10515, subdivision (a) (hereafter ?section 10515(a)?), we apply settled principles of statutory construction. Our task ?is to ascertain the intent of the Legislature so as to effectuate the purpose of the law.?6?We start with the words of the statute themselves, ?giving to the language its usual, ordinary import and according significance, if possible, to every word, phrase and sentence in pursuance of the legislative purpose.?7?Where the plain meaning does not resolve a question of interpretation, we may consider legislative history and, if ambiguity persists, we may consider the consequences that will flow from a particular interpretation.8
Generally speaking, the rule with California codes is that ?shall? is mandatory and ?may? is permissive. The general rule applies unless otherwise apparent from context; or unless a mandatory construction would be inconsistent with the statute’s legislative purpose or would imply an unreasonable legislative purpose; unless legislative history shows otherwise;9?or unless other factors compel a different construction.10
Section 10515(a) is not unique. Similar provisions, providing for appointments to office in the event of a lack of nominees, exist elsewhere in the codes.11?Indeed, similar statutes are common throughout the nation.12?The manifest purpose of these statutes is to fill a vacancy in an elective office expeditiously when election is not a practical or efficient option, either because of a lack of candidates or because the candidates would run uncontested.13
We can find no reason to depart from the general rule calling for a mandatory construction where, as in the circumstances presented to us, an eligible candidate for the vacant seat has properly filed for election.14?Legislative history is silent on the matter and, accordingly, offers no basis for departing from the general rule. Appointment of the sole declared candidate as a ministerial function appears consistent with the intent of the Legislature.15
Notably, the only instance in which section 15105 authorizes the board of supervisors to exercise discretion in the choice of appointee is in the circumstance where?no candidate?has declared for election to the post. In that circumstance, the board of supervisors is given discretion to appoint ?any?person to the office who is qualified?on the date when the election would have been held.?16?The Legislature could have allowed the supervisors similarly broad discretion to select any qualified appointee in any circumstance where an election would not test voter support for a candidate?as where the candidate would run unopposed.17?But the Legislature did not do so. Instead, in such a circumstance, and in the absence of evident desire among the voters to have an election anyway, the Legislature mandated appointment of the only eligible candidate. In that circumstance, then, we may not read into the statute any qualification for appointment other than eligibility for candidacy.18
?Our analysis cannot end there, however. Although the board of supervisors is statutorily required to appoint the unopposed candidates under the circumstances contemplated here, it is nonetheless unlawful for an individual to simultaneously hold two incompatible public offices.19?Thus, although we are not asked to resolve the incompatibility issue itself, we find it appropriate to advise that?if?the offices in question are legally incompatible, the appointed officials must either decline appointment to the second offices to which they would be appointed, or, if they choose to accept that appointment, they will forfeit their right to hold their original offices.20?The parties involved should carefully consider whether service on both boards would present a legal incompatibility, what options are available, and the potential consequences.
If there is doubt about whether the offices in question are legally incompatible, there is an established post-appointment judicial remedy available to test the compatibility of the offices.21?Subdivision (b) of Government Code section 1099 expressly provides that the statutory proscription against holding incompatible offices is enforceable pursuant to section 803 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This procedure, commonly known as quo warranto,22?is ordinarily brought by a private person or a local agency in the name of the Attorney General to test title to public office.23
Quo warranto is a remedy commonly used to test incompatible holding of district offices.24?Again, in the event that two offices are adjudged to be incompatible, the would-be dual office holder is deemed to have forfeited the first office upon accepting the second.25?Accordingly, an interested member of the public or a local agency may seek leave to initiate a quo warranto proceeding to declare the first office vacant. A proceeding in quo warranto must be supported by factual allegations demonstrating the disabling incompatibility.26?The challenged office holder is permitted to file a response and contest the alleged facts.27
Section 10515(a) is mandatory by its terms, and no justification appears in either the statutory context or in the legislative history for construing the statute to be other than mandatory. We therefore conclude that the statute requires the board of supervisors to appoint a director to a water district without regard to whether the appointment might subsequently result in the holding of incompatible public offices under Government Code section 1099. Nonetheless, an individual so appointed may not lawfully hold incompatible public offices; thus, if the particular offices are incompatible, the appointee and would-be dual officeholder will be deemed to have forfeited the first-held office upon accepting appointment to the second.
Manuel M. Medeiros
Deputy Attorney General
Water Code section 35100 provides that ?District elections shall be conducted in conformity with the Uniform District Election Law (Part 4 (commencing with Section 10500) of Division 10 of the Elections Code) and any provisions of law generally applicable to districts organized under this division [related to water districts].?
Section 10515 provides, in pertinent part, as follows:
(a) If, by 5 p.m. on the 83rd day prior to the day fixed for the general district election: … (3) in the case of directors to be elected from the district at large, the number of persons who have filed a declaration of candidacy for director at large does not exceed the number of offices of director at large to be filled at that election …; and if a petition signed by 10 percent of the voters or 50 voters, whichever is the smaller number, in the district … requesting that the general district election be held has not been presented to the officer conducting the election, he or she shall submit a certificate of these facts to the supervising authority and request that the supervising authority, at a regular or special meeting held prior to the Monday before the first Friday in December in which the election is held, appoint to the office or offices the person or persons, if any, who have filed declarations of candidacy.?The supervising authority shall make these appointments.
(b) If no person has filed a declaration of candidacy for any office, the supervising authority shall appoint any person to the office who is qualified on the date when the election would have been held. The person appointed shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election for the office.
That statute provides:
(a) A public officer, including, but not limited to, an appointed or elected member of a governmental board, commission, committee, or other body, shall not simultaneously hold two public offices that are incompatible. Offices are incompatible when any of the following circumstances are present, unless simultaneous holding of the particular offices is compelled or expressly authorized by law:
(1) Either of the offices may audit, overrule, remove members of, dismiss employees of, or exercise supervisory powers over the other office or body.
(2) Based on the powers and jurisdiction of the offices, there is a possibility of a significant clash of duties or loyalties between the offices.
(3) Public policy considerations make it improper for one person to hold both offices.
In the circumstance presented to us, the asserted incompatibility would arise from simultaneous occupancy of seats on two different water district boards within the county. However, an incompatibility concern assertedly justifying refusal to appoint might also arise if, for example, the candidate for appointment held another office within state or local government.
See, e.g.,?98 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 94 (2015)?(simultaneous service on water replenishment district board and city council);?97 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 50 (2014)?(simultaneous service on fire protection district and community services district boards);?93 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 144 (2010)?(simultaneous service on sanitary district and park and recreation district boards);?91 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 25 (2008)?(simultaneous service on water replenishment district board and city council);?90 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 12 (2007)?(simultaneous service on Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Water Replenishment District of Southern California);?87 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 153 (2004)?(simultaneous service on water district and school district boards);?86 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 205 (2003)?(simultaneous service on irrigation district board and board of supervisors);?82 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 74 (1999)?(simultaneous service on water district board and city council);?80 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 242 (1997)?(simultaneous service as city treasurer and director of water district);?76 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 81 (1993)?(simultaneous service on San Gregorio Pass Water Agency board and Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District board);?75 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 10 (1992)?(simultaneous service on water district board and city council);?73 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 268 (1990)?(simultaneous service on school district board and water district board).
68 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 337, 339 (1985); see also?63 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 623, 625 (1980); 17 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 129, 130 (1951).
Dyna-Med, Inc. v. Fair Employment & Housing Com.?(1987) 43 Cal.3d 1379, 1386-1387.
Ibid.
Skillin v. Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego?(2017) 18 Cal.App.5th 35, 47;?Gananian v. Wagstaffe?(2011) 199 Cal.App.4th 1532, 1540.
Walt Rankin & Associates, Inc. v. City of Murrieta?(2000) 84 Cal.App.4th 605, 614?(unless context requires otherwise);?In re Sergio R. (2003) 106 Cal.App.4th 597, 605?(same); see also?People v. Superior Court (Zamudio)?(2000) 23 Cal.4th 183, 194(unless mandatory construction would imply an unreasonable legislative purpose);?In re A. V.?(2017) 11 Cal.App.5th 697, 710(unless mandatory construction would be inconsistent with the statute’s purpose);?Kim v. Euromotors West/The Auto Gallery(2007) 149 Cal.App.4th 170, 178?(same);?Ovadia v. Abdullah?(1994) 24 Cal.App.4th 1100, 1109?(unless legislative history shows otherwise);?97 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 57, 59 (2014)?(??shall? is ordinarily construed as mandatory except under unusual circumstances, such as when that construction would defeat the purpose of the statute); Elec. Code, ? 354 (?shall? is mandatory; ?may,? permissive).
See, e.g.,?Garrison v. Rourke?(1948) 32 Cal.2d 430?(statute providing that court in election contest ?shall? file findings and conclusions within ten days of submission thereof is not mandatory, notwithstanding Election Code definition of ?shall,? since construction of the statute as mandatory would result in divesting court of jurisdiction by implication); see also?Hagopian v. State?(2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 349, 366?(manifest public purpose of statute would be disserved by mandatory construction).
See, e.g., Ed. Code, ?? 5326, 5328 (school district governing board), 19514 (library district); Elec. Code, ?? 7228 (political party central committees), 10229 (municipal elections);?Pub. Res. Code, ? 5532?(Regional Park district); (Pub. Util. Code, ? 11852.5?(municipal utility district); Wat. Code, ?? 41307 (water storage district), 60141 (water replenishment district); see also Wat. Code App., ?? 37-6.2, 98-52, 99-7.1-1 (West);?28 Cal.Jur.3d Elections ? 20?(municipal elections).
See?One Person, No Votes: Unopposed Candidate Statutes and the State of Election Law, 2017 Wis.L.Rev. 885 (2017).
See, e.g.,?Binns v. Hite?(1964) 61 Cal.2d 107, 112?(procedures set out in former Elec. Code, ? 25304 [see now ? 8203] ?are without doubt reasonably designed to accomplish the legitimate purposes of the statute … includ[ing] simplification of an otherwise unduly long and confusing ballot by elimination of uncontested offices, reduction in the length of the ballot, facilitation of vote tabulation, and reduction of election costs?).
The qualifications of a candidate for elective office, or of an elective officer, of a water district are determined by the principal acts for those districts. (Wat. Code, ? 10514.) For example, in order to be eligible for office of director of a California Water District, a candidate must be a holder of title within the district. (Wat. Code, ? 40307.) A director of the Sutter County Flood Control and Water Conservation District must be an eligible voter of that district. (Wat. Code App., ? 125-203 (West).) The county election officer examines the declaration of candidacy and certifies that it is sufficient and conforms with the provisions of the Uniform District Election Law. (Elec. Code, ? 10513.)
By way of contrast, in the case of municipal elections with either no candidate or an unopposed candidate, the Legislature gives the city council the option to conduct the election anyway. (Elec. Code, ? 10229, subd. (a)(3); see also?Pub. Util. Code, ? 11852.5, subd. (a)(3)?[municipal utilities districts].)
Elec. Code, ? 10105, subd. (b) (emphasis added); see also Wat. Code App., ? 37-6.2 (?any qualified person?); Wat. Code, ? 41307 (appointment of ?a person who the board of supervisors selects?).
See, e.g., Ed. Code, ? 5328 (appointment of ?a qualified person or persons? when there is an ?insufficient number? of nominees).
See?Artus v. Gramercy Towers Condominium Association?(2018) 19 Cal.App.5th 923, 945?(not the role of courts to add statutory provisions the Legislature could have included, but did not); cf.,?Chinn v. KMR Property Management?(2008) 166 Cal.App.4th 175, 189?(if Legislature had intended more than one party to qualify as a prevailing party under the mandatory cost-award provision, it easily could have provided for the trial court to exercise discretion to award costs to more than one party);?99 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 82, 84 (2016)?(?We may not, under the guise of construction, attempt to rewrite a statute and, within the framework of the language used, we must interpret it in a manner to make it workable and reasonable?);?99 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 61, 65 & fn. 28 (2016)?(?It is not for us to rewrite the statute so as to disqualify an otherwise eligible official based on another person’s financial interest?); see also?87 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 168, 171 (2004).
Gov. Code, ? 1099, subd. (a).
See Gov. Code, ? 1099, subd. (b).
We also note that in?Fenton v. Board of Directors?(1984) 156 Cal.App.3d 1107, a community services district refused to seat a director that the board of supervisors had appointed, on the ground that the appointee was not qualified as a resident of the district. Whether or not a similar action would be within the jurisdiction of one or the other water districts here is a question beyond the scope of this opinion. (Cf. 41 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 98, 100 (1963) [re city council’s power to judge the qualifications of its members; Gov. Code, ? 36812].)
See, e.g.,?Alden v. Superior Court in and for San Luis Obispo County?(1963) 212 Cal.App.2d 764, 768.
See, e.g.,?Nicolopulos v. City of Lawndale?(2011) 91 Cal.App.4th 1221, 1225-1226. The common law action has been available since statehood to test incompatibility of offices. (See, e.g.,?People by McCullough ex rel. Simmons v. Sanderson(1866) 30 Cal. 160;?People ex rel. Johnson Atty. Gen. v. Bagley?(1890) 85 Cal. 343.)
See note 5?ante.
97 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 50, 52 & fn. 12 (2014).
See?Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, ?? 1,?2,?4.
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, ? 3.
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Weekly Cinema Digest – Star Wars special – Friday 18 December 2015
By Patrick von Sychowski | December 18, 2015 1:18 am PDT
This is the Star Wars film you’ve been looking for. (photo: Disney / Lucasfilm)
UK – Screen Daily has a long and detailed article by Tom Grater about the ins and outs of booking in “Star Wars: the Force Awakens”, with many smaller and art-house exhibitors caving in to the might of the Force. Lots of interesting nuggets of information. In an average week there are around 15 film releases, but this week only five (of which two are Bollywood and one is a documentary), as few distributors dare to counter-program to the space opera. For the Tricycle Cinema Disney asked for 60% of box office but only a two-week commitment. IN contrast, for “Spectre” Sony asked for a full 18 days. Glasgow Film Theatre is ne of the few art-house cinema not to book “Star Wars”. Screen Daily – 15 December 2015
Germany – Some 200 smaller German cinema have pulled out of a boycott of “Star Wars: the Force Awakens”. They had previously objected to Disney’s cut of each ticket going up from 47.7% to 53% and ticket prices up from €9.50 to €11.50 for a 3D screening. There will be re-negotiations of terms with Disney in January, but cinemas are already queueing up to screen Disney’s next film, “The Hateful Eight”. NWZ online – 15 December 2015
Canada – At least one exhibitor in Canada has followed the lead of cinema in UK and US in banning face masks and toy weapons (including light sabres) from “Star Wars” screenings. Montreal-based Guzzi Cinemas has a general policy against masks and there won’t be an exception for “Star Wars” fans says CEO Vincenzo Guzzo. CBC – 14 December 2015
France – A French exhibitor went to court to obtain a DCP of “Star Wars” to screen. Star and Star Saint-Exupéry in Strasbourg had applied to Disney and even appealed via the CNC audio-visual body, to no avail. He then took the case to the Commercial Court of Paris, who threw it out, and the cinema is now faced with a €11,000 legal bill. “Star Wars” will now screen in the cinemas from 30 December in 2D in English with subtitles. And Le Monde asks “What else is there to cinemas apart form ‘Star Wars’ this week?“; there’s a film about the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin by Amos Gitai, for those that prefer their movies without lightsabers. 20minutes – 15 December 2015
The Force is strong – particularly with older Fanboys (graphics: Movio Media)
New Zealand – Movie Media has released some audience insights about “Star Wars: the Force Awakens” and (surprise, surprise) it is particularly popular with men aged 30-50, compared with “Jurassic World” and opening night audiences are 70.4% male.
Over the first two weeks of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ release, 94.5% of presales buyers have booked tickets for opening week, with 38.8% on Thursday (opening night), 26.9% on Friday, 14.9% on Saturday, 7.5%on Sunday, and 2.4% on Christmas day. It is worth noting that 50.6% of the Thursday presales are for 7pm session.
The “Star Wars: the Force Awakens” audience attends cinema 18% less frequently than those that saw “Jurassic World”, meaning that the movie really is attracting people that wouldn’t otherwise come out to the cinema. Press Release – 16 December 2015
UCI’s genuinely unlimited ‘unlimited’ card. (source: UCI-Kinowelt)
Germany – UCI has introduced an ‘unlimited’ card in Germany. The aptly-named “UCI Unlimited card” costs €22.50 per month (minimum 12 months) and offers unlimited viewings of both 2D and 3D films, but excludes special event screenings like sports and opera. UCI has no Imax or specialty screens in Germany, so this ticket is indeed ‘unlimited’. It is the equivalent of three weekend tickets or four week-day tickets. Cinemaxx has a ‘Zeitkarte‘ (time card) that is equivalent at €33.25 per month while art-house chain Yorck Kinogruppe has a subscription model that allows unlimited viewing at its cinemas for €18.90 per month. MoviePilot (DE) – 14 December 2015
Adam M. Aron, AMC’s new CEO & President (photo: Business Wire)
USA (CA) – Adam M. Aron has been named CEO and President of AMC and a member of the AMC Board of Directors. He joins from Starwood Hotels and resorts, where his job was effectively made redundant by the merger with Marriott. Interestingly his predecessor at AMC, Gary Lopez, left the company to go into the hospitality business as CEO of Extended Stay America. He gave this interview to Deadline about his plans (hint: they involve a long trip to China). AMC also announced the completion of its Starplex Cinemas acquisition and issued a helpful guide with tips for seeing “Star Wars”; apparently “There are still plenty of tickets available for opening weekend,” but “Reserve your seat now, or get there early,” and “Wear a costume but leave your mask and blaster at home.” Press Release – 15 December 2015
Germany – Two-thirds of art-house cinemas surveyed by German trade body AG Kino-Gilde use ‘green’ electricity from renewable sources. AG Kino-Gilde helps members switch electricity providers by negotiating favourable group tariffs. European trade body CICAE is also pursuing this goal. Blickpunkt: Film – 15 December 2015
Concessions/F&B
UK – An insightful article by John (‘Ozseeker’) Sullivan about whether cinemas ‘anchor’ malls in terms of sales turnover. “There is now a wide prediction in the UK that up to 25% of [shopping centre] turnover is anticipated to come from Leisure(cinemas) and the Food & Beverage sectors – a big rise from the 3% formerly attributed to the miserable food courts of tester year.” LinkedIn – 16 December 2015
Super Mega Everything Combos contain lots of calories. (graphics: El Telegrafo)
Ecuador – Calories in a full snack combo contains more calories (2,944) than is required per day (1,800-2,000), as well as containing high level of salt and fat. This unsurprising finding goes on to explain that salt and fat are bad for you, in an article that concludes by noting that “salads are not offered in the cinema.” Strange that soda is listed as 90 calories, which seems either too much (for diet soda) or too little (for regular). El Telegraph (ES) – 17 December 2015
AMC Freehold NJ (photo: CBS / Scott Napolitano via Twitter)
USA (NJ) – The AMC Theatres complex at the Freehold Raceway Mall was evacuated after a bomb threat. No explosives were found and police are appealing for help to find the hoaxer. CBS NY – 14 December 2015
Germany – Ymagis’ Melody TMS is the latest piece of hardware to sign up to the Weischer Media ‘Cinema.Reloaded(TM) ready’ scheme. (Think of it as a THX for advertising, except without a snazzy logo.) Press Release (PDF) – 14 December 2015
Cinema Opening/Closings
Terry Benton, vice president of real estate for Strathmore Development. (photo: TBO / Linda Chion Kenney)
USA (FL) – Work has begun on the Riverview 14 multiplex and shopping centre. Goodrich Quality Theatres will be providing the 14-screen multiplex, featuring all-recliner seating as well as a 100-seat upscale burger restaurant licensed to sell beer and wine. The Michigan-based exhibitor has less than 300 screens in 30 locations, but is apparently “eager to stretch its wings in the Gibsonton/Riverview area.” TBO – 15 December 2015
Carmike Cherry Blossom 14 (photo: Record-Eagle)
USA (MI ) – Carmike Cherry Blossom 14 multiplex opened this past Wednesday, with tickets for all screenings on the first day (including the Imax screen), costing just USD $2 and proceeds going to the American Red Cross. The next day it was business as usual with “Star Wars: the Force Awakens” playing on 13 of the 14 screens. The new multiplex replaces The Horizon Cinema 10 and The Grand Traverse 9. Record-Eagle – 15 December 2015
Infoversum may be bankrupt, but still puts its press-photographs at disposal. (photo: Infoversum)
The Netherlands – What should be done about this closed 3D cinema? The first full dome cinema in Holland has had to close just a year after opening. Anticipating 260,000 visitors per year it only sold 40,000 tickets. A website petition has been launched on watdoenwemethetinfoversum.nl (“What do we do with the Infoversum?”). Send in your ideas. The Creators Project – 16 December 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_6IFtC40vE
Of course we felt we had to end with something “Star Wars” related, so double-bill offer you we do.
Patrick von Sychowski
Editor at Celluloid Junkie
Patrick was a Senior Analyst at Screen Digest, went on to launch the digital cinema operations of Unique and Deluxe Europe, then digitised Bollywood at Adlabs/RMW, and now writes, consults and appears on panels about cinema all over the world.
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Cinema of the Month: Zoo Palast Kino – Berlin, Germany - February 28, 2019
Tags: AMC Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Ymagis, Goodrich Quality Theatres, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", unlimited offer, Movio Media, Adam Aron, AG Kino-Gilde, Disney boycot, Guzzi Cinema, Infoversum, John Sullivan, UCI-Kinowelt, Weischer Media
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Veröffentlicht: Nov 2014
Label: Mr.305/Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records
Look, it's been ten years and eight albums -- you know what to expect from Pitbull. Namely, pool party jams, guest appearances by the fistful and boasts so silly Mr. 305 can barely keep a straight face. The bunched horns and Floribbean rhythms of "Fireball" outclass everything else. Still, he's not wrong to claim "the world is my block/ the globe is my home," not after helping write the official 2014 World Cup Song ("We Are One") and contributing to Penguins of Madagascar ("Celebrate"). On "Day Drinking," he even muscles into the burgeoning hick-hop scene. Covers all the bases, that Pitbull.
Jason Gubbels
Über dieses Album
Ah Leke
Celebrate (from the Original Motion Picture Penguins of Madagascar)
Sexy Beaches
Day Drinking
Drive You Crazy
Wild Wild Love
This Is Not A Drill
We Are One (Ole Ola) [The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Song]
Aktuellste Alben von Pitbull
Gotti (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Global Warming: Meltdown (Deluxe Version)
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Not recommended under 6, PG to 8 (Violence; Scary scenes)
details of classification and consumer advice lines for Despicable Me 2
a review of Despicable Me 2 completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 20 June 2013.
Children under 6 Not recommended due to violence and scary scenes
Children 6-8 parental guidance recommended due to violence and scary scenes
Children 8 and over OK for this age group
Name of movie: Despicable Me 2
Consumer advice lines: Mild animated violence
Length 98 minutes
Despicable Me 2 opens with a top-secret research laboratory in the Antarctic being stolen by a giant flying magnet that sucks the laboratory up into the air and whisks it away. The film then cuts to reformed super-villain Gru (voice of Steve Carell), who now uses his talents to keep his three adopted daughters, Margo (voice of Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (voice of Dana Gaier) and Agnes (voice of Elsie Kate) entertained. Gru’s legion of yellow minions are also taking on babysitting and house cleaning duties and helping Gru develop his legitimate business - a new line of delicious jams and jellies.
Gru’s new life is turned upside down when he is kidnapped by secret agent Lucy Wilde (voice of Kristen Wiig), who whisks him away for a meeting with Silas Ramsbottom (voice of Steve Coogan), the head of the Anti-Villain League. Silas informs Gru that a top-secret serum which can transform cute little rabbits into ferocious monsters has been stolen from a research lab in the Antarctic by an as yet unknown super-villain. The serum is believed to be hidden somewhere in a shopping mall with the super-villain responsible masquerading as one of the shop owners. Silas wants Gru to team up with agent Lucy Wild and go undercover as owners of a cupcakes shop, with Gru using his skills to determine which shop owner is the super-villain and then recover the serum.
It doesn’t take Gru long to recognise the owner of a Mexican restaurant, a man called Eduardo (voice of Benjamin Bratt) as the super-villain El Macho. El Macho’s master plan involves stealing Gru’s minions and using them for his own evil purposes. It is up to Gru and Lucy to stop El Macho and save the minions.
Super-villains; family relationships
Despicable Me 2 contains frequent over-the-top cartoon style slapstick violence and peril but no death, injury or blood and gore. Younger children may imitate some of the violence. Examples include:
A giant flying magnet sucks up an entire research laboratory along with numerous workers. We see workers, equipment, machinery and a portable toilet cubicle flying through the air as they are sucked up into the aircraft.
At a children’s birthday party young children wear warrior costumes and wield inflatable weapons, running around hitting each other over the head and body. One young boy is hit over the head, bursts into tears and runs off.
A young child holds a balloon in his mouth and a second child wielding a chain saw is about to cut the balloon when an adult intervenes and stops him.
Gru tries to incapacitate Lucy Wild with a freeze gun and Lucy retaliates by shooting him with a lipstick Taser, knocking him out. Lucy drags Gru’s unconscious body by his legs to her car, nearly runs him over when she reverses and then squashes him into the boot of the car.
In a flashback scene El Macho, in a fit of rage, grabs a man by the head and throws him across a room. We then see El Macho tied to a massive shark with sticks of dynamite strapped to his body. He plummets out of a plane and into a volcano which then explodes.
A chicken attacks Gru, pecking his head and groin, and then bursting out of his shirt front.
When El Macho discovers someone searching his shop at night he says, “Someone’s going to die tonight” and we see him holding a large knife in a threatening manner.
When Gru attempts to sneak into El Macho’s secret headquarters he sets off an array of booby traps, including flame throwers, axes and needle-like darts. By the time Gru has passed all the booby traps he has a soot-covered face and has several darts sticking out of him including one through his nose.
Lucy is strapped to a shark on a rocket loaded with dynamite and aimed at a smoking volcano. El Macho threatens to launch the rocket and kill Lucy. We see Gru frantically trying to cut Lucy free before the rocket is launched, but the rocket launches with Gru hanging on. Gru manages to free Lucy in mid flight.
In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes, there are some scenes in this movie that could scare or disturb children under the age of five, particularly in the 3D version. They include:
Several scenes of creatures, including white rabbits, a minion and El Macho himself, being injected with serum and transforming into purple monsters with ferocious teeth. After his transformation, El Macho goes on a rampage before being shot with a Taser.
A brief cartoon x-ray image of a woman’s skeleton and internal organs.
Younger children in this age group may also be scared by some of the above-mentioned scenes.
Children in this age group are unlikely to be scared by anything in this film.
Nothing of concern
None of concern, but some associated merchandise.
Despicable Me 2 contains occasional low-level romantic suggestions and inferences. Examples include:
In one scene a very persistent women flirts with Gru.
In several scenes Gru’s daughters encourage him to go dating.
A woman who mistakenly thinks a man slapped her on her bottom, slaps him across the face.
Gru’s daughter Margo flirts with a boy, saying, “He’s so cool”
Margo uses her phone to text a message to a boy. A worried looking Gru asks his other daughters if Margo is texting a girl or a boy.
The film contains some mild romantic activity and comical cartoon nudity. Examples include:
Gru’s three daughters fill out an on-line dating form for Gru, picking out a picture of Gru in a tight swim suit to attach to the dating form.
One of Gru’s minions imagines running with Lucy on a beach and offering her wine. As he is leaning forward to kiss Lucy on the lips, he is woken from his daydream.
In one scene El Macho rips open his shirt to reveal a naked hairy chest with a Mexican flag tattoo.
El Macho dances the tango with Lucy, swirling her around the dance floor and telling her that he is “free on Tuesdays”.
A number of female characters wear tight fitting dresses.
One of the film’s final scenes depicts Gru and Lucy being married and we see them kiss.
In one scene a woman who is on a date with Gru at a restaurant is suddenly rendered unconscious and falls face first into her dinner. Lucy appears and tells Gru that she shot the woman with tranquiliser
In a flashback scene we see El Macho putting rattle snake venom into a glass containing alcohol and drinking it.
The minions behave in an intoxicated manner while eating ice-cream and lollies at a party as if on a drunken binge. A number of the minions pass out.
We see a rabbit, some of Gru’s minions and El Macho injected with mutation serum.
Despicable Me 2 contains some mild name calling and toilet humour. Examples include:
“sheep’s butt”, “are you out of your gourd?”, “ they stink”
Gru’s daughter tells a female caller on the phone that Gru is “pooping”
the minions have ‘fart guns’ that shoot thick brown smoke
Despicable Me 2 is an animated family comedy, full of clever humour and likely to appeal to both school-age children and adults. The film brings back most of the main characters from the first Despicable Me film as well as a host of new ones. Children under 6 may be scared by some of the violence and by scenes of creatures transforming into monsters after being injected by serum. These are more intense in the 3D version.
The film promotes the importance of family and having a life partner. Gru continuously demonstrates his love for his children through his willingness to place their needs over his own and his constant care for them.
Parents may wish to discuss the pre-teen romance and flirting behaviour shown between Margo and her boyfriend.
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Badass Romance
heroes, heroines, and books that demand to be taken seriously
July 15, 2013 by pamela1740
Sex and the Single Girl: The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers
Do single people read romance stories differently?
I can hardly remember the last time I read a contemporary romance. So when I started seeing all the buzz on Twitter about The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers, I was mainly letting it flow around and by me. But many bloggers and authors I really admire and respect just kept saying such amazing things about this novella. Literally dozens of 5 star reviews on Goodreads. And then there was a giveaway (an easy one, that didn’t involve rafflecopter, thankfully!) … Well, I was intrigued enough to toss my twitter handle in, and I won a copy — or more accurately, a download. It’s a Loveswept e-release, currently available for only 99 cents, but still – free is pretty fun.
And it turns out, The Story Guy is … well, pretty damn fun, if you’re in the mood for a well-written quick read featuring “…a good guy with a bad story doing something stupid.”
The Guy: Brian Newburgh, bicyclist-thighed federal contracts attorney; lonely and looking for love but with seemingly insurmountable obstacles to a relationship, he begins a quirky (or bizarre, depending on how you feel about personal ads) series of semi-anonymous, semi-public, time-limited weekly encounters for “kissing only.” In trying to decide whether to label Brian a badass or not, I’ve decided he’s kind of an alphabet soup hero — he shows both his alpha and his beta sides during the course of this unusual courtship. He’s a Story Guy — if you like his story, you may think he’s kind of a badass for loving so fiercely, and he’s got a protective kinda possessive streak that shows to great advantage when we see him act with ruthless tenderness in a big “reveal” scene near the end of the book.
The Gal: Carrie West, self-assured and accomplished librarian with goals and ambitions, at 35 she feels overly single watching her friends pair off and start thinking about babies. She’s an interesting combination of self-awareness and denial, and because the entire story is told in her voice, there’s an interesting play between her authenticity and unreliability as a narrator.
The Tropes: Angsty, Tortured Hero With Secret; Sexy Librarian; Epistolary Romance (IM’ing, texting, phone sex); Love At First Sight; Sexy Stranger.
Yes, there is a lot of Sexy in this powerful little book. The eroticism is a key element of this couple’s journey of mutual discovery; it feels authentic and integral, though I confess to a preference for the sexy conversations and encounters with perhaps fewer descriptions of sensory details (all five) involving gussets and moistness.
The Setting: A large Midwestern U.S. city with a federal building, nice parks with pergolas, and a great library system.
From the publisher, courtesy of Goodreads:
In this eBook original novella, Mary Ann Rivers introduces a soulful and sexy tale of courage, sacrifice, and love.
I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only.
Carrie West is happy with her life . . . isn’t she? But when she sees this provocative online ad, the thirtysomething librarian can’t help but be tempted. After all, the photo of the anonymous poster is far too attractive to ignore. And when Wednesday finally arrives, it brings a first kiss that’s hotter than any she’s ever imagined. Brian Newburgh is an attorney, but there’s more to his life . . . that he won’t share with Carrie. Determined to have more than just Wednesdays, Carrie embarks on a quest to learn Brian’s story, certain that he will be worth the cost. But is she ready to gamble her heart on a man who just might be The One . . . even though she has no idea how their love story will end?
A story about the power of stories: Carrie is a children’s librarian, and there are numerous wonderful references to formative texts and the impact of fiction and childhood reading, from Where The Red Fern Grows to J.K. Rowling. Brian is a man with a “story” — when things get tough, GBF Justin exclaims, “When I said you should go for Story Boy I didn’t realize he was a Russian novel.” The idea, though, is that in taking this risky step with a stranger, Carrie is opening up her own book for Brian to become a chapter that has the potential to be written in boldface, or poetry, or, as Justin explains, a “life highlighter,” a “big ol’ paragraph of neon pink.”
Although it is admittedly almost too cute for words, I especially loved when Carrie finds out near the end of the book that Brian (for reasons that make sense, but are spoiler-ish) has actually been attending a read-aloud storytime at the city library. Rivers weaves together the several layers of this storytelling metaphor in ways that are compelling and clever.
I can’t say enough about how much I admire and appreciate a book that is itself in love with books, composed with the kind of careful prose that strongly divides readers — some will say it’s too effortful and consciously writerly while others will love it for this thoughtful attention to craft, like a deliciously artisanal wine … I’m happy to have writers this creative and challenging working in romance. Sometimes I like artisanal prose and sometimes I enjoy writing so fluid and lovely it just allows me to have the experience without deconstructing the sentences. For me, Rivers was able to strike the right balance, even with the first person narration.
Hero and/or Martyr? As I mentioned, many authors, reviewers and romancelandia thought-leaders have been buzzing about this book. There is a challenging and comprehensive discussion going on over at My Extensive Reading – if you’ve already read The Story Guy, or you don’t care about spoilers, don’t miss out on the amazing conversation Liz is hosting in the Comments. The truth is, I feel many of the important themes and issues raised by this unusual book have been eloquently and sufficiently articulated there, though the discussion covers the full story, including spoilers, so be warned.
It’s actually difficult to review this book or even tell you much about the discussion without getting into spoiler territory. Although it’s Carrie’s first-person present-tense POV throughout, the conflict and plot hinge on Brian’s familial and emotional history, and the way in which he has managed and compartmentalized his life. His back story is raw and sad and authentic, and readers seem to be divided about whether his restraint is an act of heroism and sacrifice, or a dysfunctional case of misplaced martyrdom. He’s beautifully written, because we mainly hear from him directly, in the form of dialogue, or through Carrie’s eyes. The best parts of the book are the conversations, and Carrie’s minute observations of Brian’s emotions and physical presence.
“It’s what I want. This man and his faraway gaze and rare dimples and gripping hands and voice so sad it called out over all the other sad men’s voices in the city’s most desperate corner. I think I’m wrong to want him, as if I am taking him away from where he knows he should be. I feel as though I’ve picked him out for myself, and with the tenacity and willfulness of a child, I’ve decided nothing else will do.”
Single White Female I’m having a more complicated response to Carrie herself. I think it’s because from the first pages of this book I had to suspend SO MUCH disbelief about this 30-something woman’s willingness to answer the personal ad. Has anyone been talking about Craigslist in connection with this book?? Because to me this is the part that seems the most fantastical. The Wednesday-only, kissing-only thing is clearly kind of a fun fantasy, but the mechanism of a faux Craigslist site — ‘the city’s most desperate corner’ — kept bothering me.
I’m wondering if it’s being single that makes this element more problematic for me. It’s true that I am always slower than a turtle in terms of adopting new technologies, and I have resisted Match.com and eHarmony and PlentyofFish in spite of the many many friends who have encouraged me in that direction, even offering to “do all the work” (eg. write and post a profile) for me. Let me just say firstly that, like Carrie, I don’t have many single friends — I’m surrounded by the happily (or unhappily, in a couple of cases) paired. But of my single friends who, also like Carrie, venture into the online dating world, are well-educated, professional, smart, sexy, in their 30s and 40s and read a lot of books, I don’t think any of them would consider following up on a Craigslist personal.
Bridget Fonda and Steven Weber in Single White Female (1992)
via allmovie.com
I stumbled over this – it only works as a plot device because it’s precisely NOT a matchmaking site and Brian’s only posted his cryptic ad, not a profile. There is a pretty detailed description of the site that makes it clear it’s based on Craigslist. But there’s a vulnerability in being middle aged and single (frankly, at my age, Carrie and Brian both actually seem young, but they’re not immature). Maybe I am just a risk averse wuss, but I kept thinking Whaaat?? I had to keep telling myself that she was just at a low ebb, goofing around reading the ads, clicked on his photo and fell in love with his looks. But. Still. Craigslist criminals can look fetching too, people! And frankly, it’s not just Carrie’s safety I was tripping up on — she becomes at times uncomfortably pushy in her pursuit of Brian and is clearly partly attracted to his sadness and vulnerability. The book skirts around the edges of the creepy, unsafe, stalker-y territory it has relied on for this central plot device, and this is something I’m still wrestling with.
So. Carrie speaks of having few epiphanies, but when she does, it’s internalized to become part of her identity. It turns out reading this wonderful novella has prompted an epiphany of sorts for me as a reader of romance.
I’m still puzzling this out, but I am beginning to wonder if my general avoidance of contemporary romance is connected to my being single. And (very) middle-aged. I haven’t done any research (yet) and I don’t know how the romance readership demographics are organized relative to various subgenres. But I realized that even though I was at times completely immersed in The Story Guy, and at other times I was pausing to admire the writing, something about it just didn’t take me where I want to go as a romance reader. And that this has nothing to do with this particular novella, and everything to do with its contemporary setting.
Juggling, Leaning In, and Work/Life Balance Aren’t Romantic The Story Guy, like all contemporary romance, is simultaneously too real-world and mundane (eg. “contemporary” with my own harried lived experience) and too fantastical for me. Reading about Carrie whiling away her evening waiting for a new message to pop up, or thinking about how thinly Brian is stretched to manage his work and the other demands on his time — that’s all too close to home for me. So the real-world contemporariness gets me into a place that’s very familiar, which means I have too much trouble going along with the various unlikely coincidences and circumstances through which our H/h meet, resolve their conflicts, surmount all obstacles, and reach their HEA.
It’s not that I’m not rooting for them, it’s just harder for me to enter into the fantasy. In a historical romance, or paranormal, or even an occasional 50 Shades clone erotic billionaire story, if it’s done well I’m already immersed in an alternate reality, and while I do care about historical authenticity, I can more easily let go of rigid adherence to questions of plausibility, plotting, and coincidence.
Miss Lonely Hearts? Shame of a Single Romance Reader? I don’t have time/space now to take this up fully, but my response to Carrie and her Craigslist gamble — which tapped some ambivalence about being single and the online complexities of contemporary courtship activities — got me thinking about the issue of reader shame again. I talked about this in a different context last month. Is there more/different stigma attached to reading romance for women who are single? We may be reading for many of the same reasons (pleasure, fantasy, escape, immersion, imagination, emotional satisfaction, id vortex, HEA guarantee, etc) as people who are at other points on the relationship spectrum (dating, divorced, married, living together, hooking up, you name it…) but do we feel that our reading habits may be judged differently? How do I feel about the baggage that comes with friends who I know are thinking that I read romance so much of the time as some kind of “poor substitute” for a relationship?
To be continued…. and I would love to hear your thoughts on this as I ponder a future post.
This entry was posted in Brothers and tagged angst-y hero, Badass Romance, book review, contemporary romance, Craigslist, debut novella, Loveswept, Mary Ann Rivers, personal ads, reading romance, romance novel, romance review, sexy librarian, sexy stranger, single white female, The Story Guy, tortured hero, vulnerable hero.
10 thoughts on “Sex and the Single Girl: The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers”
Miss Bates says:
I’ve been thinking about this post all morning and whether it’s different for a single, or married/attached woman to read romance. I can only try to think about this through the lens of my own experience. I, middle-aged and single, with a quietly satisfying career and no children, read romance as much as my best friend, who has a super-prestigious career, too many children, and a lummox of a husband. We read romance very very differently. So, my initial response is bland and boring, “it depends.” It depends on why you’re single, or married, whether this is what you’ve chosen and committed to (I think singlehood is a commitment, just as marriage is), whether you’re dissatisfied, or feel trapped by your single/married state. Your reading will only reflect your feelings.
When I re-discovered my love of reading romance a few years ago and my super-woman pal saw me reading them, she requested a few. I handed her, yes, Chase’s MR. IMPOSSIBLE and Crusie’s BET ME. Three sleepless nights later, she appeared at my door, harried and eyes dark-circled, like Oliver Twist with his bowl, “Some more, please.” Three e-readers later, she reads romance, interestingly enough, with a frenzy that I, single, middle-aged female, do not. For her, it is clearly an escape from the stress of her life, and whatever romance the lummox doesn’t provide. Now, isn’t that a judgement about a married person reading romance?
It comes with the territory of reading romance, whether you’re single or married, the stigma that somehow you’re compensating for a lack of romance, or physical intimacy, or whatever. Which is why I think it’s so important to defend, as George Eliot called them, these “silly novels by lady novelists” and analyze them and judge them just as one does any other form of literature, on merit and interest and what they say about the human condition. And to shrug away the nay-sayers.
pamela1740 says:
“It depends” is a totally valid answer. Of course Miss Bates is right about this, and perhaps it really is a very thin epiphany. As always, you are generous and kind, yet cut to the chase with much more clarity than I was able to muster.
I know it’s stretching the yarn quite thin to connect the contemporary setting, my visceral reaction to the personal ad Craigslist connection, ambivalence about the choice to be single, and the stigma all romance readers may be subjected to. It may have been something about Carrie’s musings about her single state. I bring different versions of myself to every book, and with this one I found myself feeling somewhat irritated to be presented with this alternate reality in which a single woman finds true love via Craigslist. Obviously we all choose to be in relationship or be single for deeply complex and personal reasons, and some of us may not have chosen to be as we are. I know it comes with the territory, but it still bothers me that people will make all kinds of assumptions about romance readers, and these assumptions frequently involve the notion that we are desperate for one thing or another that we’re not able to have “in real life.” Perhaps I was wondering if an author who is single would ever have crafted a plot that hinges on two desperate people risking stalkers and creeps in’the saddest corner of the city.’ So much else about the book rings true, but this didn’t. I know it’s a big part of what is daring about the book, but I began to wonder if I was feeling especially cranky about it, or more sensitive to the desperate single woman trope, as a not-desperate but occasionally restless resident of single-land.
Liz Mc2 says:
What a great post! I think the tension you note between reality and fantasy is a big part of why this novella provoked so much discussion (and thanks for the link to mine!). I see this with a number of newish contemporary authors, who are deliberately trying to write more “realistic” characters. But then they may include elements that read as pure fantasy (which is how I felt about quite a bit of Rivers’s novella, certainly the ad and that she answered it, and that no one in her life really freaked out about that).
I find this blend really interesting, partly because it explores a tension at the heart of the genre itself: many people read it for a fantasy “escape,” but also want real emotions. I think it relates, too, to a view of the genre as being, in part, a place where women’s fantasies, as opposed to men’s, are explored, depicted, given importance. But. When a writer is blending those two modes, especially in contemporary romance where the “real” parts are close to many readers’ lives, it’s hard to do successfully. I find many books like this I read are taking interesting risks that don’t entirely pay off (but that are still worth reading and doing). And I also think it may make for a much more variable reader response, because what the reader brings to the book, the way she is filling in its gaps or interpreting what is real/fantasy, may be even more significant a part of the reading experience than usual.
I’m middle-aged and long and happily married, and I find the reason I read romance varies from day to day: fantasy, escape, an emotional ride, quiet happiness, a real look at women’s lives (now or in the past), a chance to join a discussion with all the amazing people I’ve met online. Luckily there are books in the genre to meet all those needs!
Many thanks for hosting the ‘seminar’ on this book which helped me think through my sort of chaotic response to it! I do feel a little bit like the person who turned the paper in late, since I am not yet prepared for the Gaffney discussion and I’m still catching up here with the Story Guy….
I love that you note the online romance community and the chance to discuss why we read and what we like, as part of the great appeal of reading romance. I know that other forms of genre fiction also have strong online discussion communities, but perhaps because romance readers frequently grapple with various ways the stigma of women’s fiction is expressed, I think the discussions are especially robust.
Evangeline Holland says:
I find that as a singleton, my romance reading has become more…fraught? the closer my age has ticked to 30 (I turned 29 two weeks ago!! O__O). Where before it was pure fantasy–simply because all of the characters were older than me–the worries of the late 20something/early 30something heroines in contemporary romance now hit too close to the bone, lol. The worries of New Adult do as well. In the same vein, I still gravitate towards romance and women’s fiction because it is the only place where women’s fantasies and worries and anxieties–which play a role in my life–take precedence.
Fraught is a wonderful way to describe the weird inner dialogue I found myself having with regard to Carrie’s behavior as a middle aged single woman! What was she THINKING, I kept thinking. I think you are on to something in terms of our age/stage of life perhaps affecting our reading choices more significantly than marital status…
genevieveturner says:
As a married lady, with too many kids, but a wonderful husband, I have to say that I don’t specifically read romance to escape–at least no more than I use any kind of reading to escape. It’s a terrible cliche, I know, but I really am married to my true love, and often I find in romance a kind of remembering. A romance that I can get lost in evokes those delicous frissions that happened when we were first falling in love, the frissions that still happen when he smiles at me just so, or when he makes me laugh even when I want to smack him. So I read romance not so much to escape my husband, but to get all those delightful sensations he can evoke from me, only in book form. 🙂
As for contemporary vs. historical, I agree that the fantasy aspect is much easier to sustain in historicals. The conflicts in historical romances also seem to have higher stakes than in contemporaries. There are definitely contemporaries that I enjoy, but my default is to reach for a historical first.
I know what you mean about the way that a romance can evoke a fantasy that is deeply connected to a specific memory of a current or prior relationship. And – hooray for historicals! What was that about the death of historical romance, about two months ago…? Guess not!
MacPudel says:
Chiming in as a happily married, middle-aged female here. I really don’t confuse fiction with reality. I love romance and the HEA. I love detective novels and the HEA equivalent. I enjoy YA romance, second-chance-at-love romance, etc. and my main concern is that it be well executed. Obviously for fiction to happen, the characters have to be someone that’s not the author. Sometimes the author hits an off-note, whether with a historical misstep, sometimes, as in this case, with a failure to get insufficiently into the character’s head.
But can I make this about me now please? I am getting tired of HEAs that involve having a baby. Is that because I don’t have children of my own? I’ve just read my zillionth romance with an epilogue showing the couple and their beautiful baby integrated into their family. Are there no other dreams a couple can fulfill? Couldn’t the couple be sailing across the Pacific together in the epilogue, or putting the finishing touches on their dream home? In this case (Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky), the woman is 43 years old, she already has a daughter by a previous marriage who’s 24, and she gets pregnant the *first time* she has unprotected sex. I am not anti-baby. I just think the HEA is just as valid without showing the fruits of their love. Just like romances with infertility always include a miraculous pregnancy. To invoke Jane Eyre again, would that have been a better book with an epilogue showing Jane holding Rochester’s baby? I think not.
In response to your observations, Pamela, romance is not written only for those seeking their own HEA, or for an alternative to their drab existences. If the reader is missing part of the idealized equation (Prince Charming, or the inevitable beautiful healthy baby), she might feel left out at times, but I think it’s just lazy writing.
I’m so happy to hear your take on this. It’s so true that even at its best, on a macro level romance is mostly reinforcing very traditional social and domestic arrangements, with marriage and procreation the most common HEA. I’ve been seeing some interesting discussions recently about privilege and the romance genre, in relation to disability and/or other manifestations of difference. Sometimes I do wonder why I prefer to read books that — on the surface at least — appear to “overcome” or marginalize singlehood. And it goes without saying that disability is nearly always presented as something to be overcome. Childlessness is likewise more often than not portrayed as a lack, also to be overcome or “come to terms” with. Even the word childless – well, you get the point. So child-centered.
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← Who is the one imposing religious belief?
Smuggling meaning into a Godless universe →
Are rights invented or discovered?
Writing for The National Constitution Center, Lyle Denniston pinpoints the crux of the nation’s protracted same-sex marriage legal battle:
[it] will come down to a debate about granting a new right to a group of people, or confirming a right that is historically contained in the Constitution.
Denniston doesn’t consistently name the views, so for sake of reference let the former view be “invented rights” and the latter “discovered rights.” The Ninth Amendment seems to provide a justification for discovered rights:
“The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
That very promise, at least in one interpretation, set America and its institutions on a more or less continuous journey of discovering what those unspecified rights might be.
Are rights discovered like fossils? © 2008 Mr.TinDC, Flickr | CC-BY-ND | via Wylio
I’d like to draw out the ontological implication of discovered rights. Or rather, a paleontological implication. It would seem on this view that constitutional rights are always existing, like some fossils that lay hidden, waiting to be dug up at the right moment in history. It would seem to invite a type of metaphysical Platonism. It might be like the Augustinian doctrine of traduccionism, the idea that you, me, and all descendants of Adam were actually present within him at the Fall of Man. What one thinks of traduccionism theologically is one thing. But constitutionally, wouldn’t it be a little absurd to posit that all future rights were somehow actually embedded in the document at the time of the Founders, waiting to be unpacked in a more progressive time? Could I now be writing words that contain new, untold rights of future generations? It seems quite absurd.
I find the alternative view better. Rights when enumerated, are spoken into being as new creations. Metaphysically, they would seem to be constructs. This does not make me a rights nihilist, but it might make me a rights nominalist.
Denniston frames the driving question of the more skeptical view this way:
What gives a new group, seeking constitutional protection, the right to ask that it get a new right all of its own?
But for those who would unpack preexisting rights, the question is, “Why should guarantees of equality of fair treatment be frozen in constitutional time?”
Notice the language: “equality of fair treatment.” The meaning seems under-determined, but to me the phrase looks redundant. Doesn’t fair treatment already imply an equality of consideration?
Take potential U.S. presidents Arnold Schwarzenegger and Madonna. It may be that the Constitution on procedural grounds fairly prohibits foreign-born Arnold from assuming the office of presidency but permits Madonna for the job. In this case, both persons can be equally and fairly considered, while the outcome is unequal but fair.
Denniston presents a final juxtaposition of discovered rights versus invented rights:
Is it a sweeping right to choose one’s life mate without interference by government? Or is it a right that is fundamental only because it has deep roots in the traditional definition of one-man, one-woman marriage?
The first alternative is deeply twisted logic. The failure of government to affirm one’s very personal life choice does not constitute “interference.” This again confuses the positive right to receive something from government with the negative right to be left alone by government.
Denniston’s second alternative of rooting an individual right to marriage in tradition doesn’t sit quite right, either. The third, unpresented alternative is, why think marriage is a right at all? It seems to me that marriage, especially on the child-centered natural law view, is not anything more than a privilege or duty done for the public good. Let legal marriage bet distinct from personal, theological, and cultural conceptions of marriage.
Just as a childless individual pays taxes for and obtains the general benefits of public education, so we all generally benefit from stable child upbringings that obtain when men and women fulfill the obligations and responsibilities entailed in a marriage covenant. On this overlooked view, if there is a right to marriage, it does not belong to individual citizens, couples, or throuples, but to society as a whole.
This is why I find it especially alarming when attorneys general choose not to defend state constitutional amendments defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Protecting an arguable public interest should not be left to personal whim!
If marriage is a policy in the public interest, we should consider that individual rights may not be able to expand forever. It should be becoming clear that digging up or inventing new rights is at best an absurd exercise, and at worst, damaging to the nation.
Filed under All posts Tagged with politics, positive rights, same sex marriage, U.S. Constitution
About Lewis W
I earned an M.A. in Christian apologetics at Biola University, and occasionally write on ethics, truth, science and politics.
2 Responses to Are rights invented or discovered?
eyeontheuniverse says:
The current situation is actually something in between. Certainly we create rights – unless you are using some sort of religious framework they can only be seen as man made. However, once created they can have further reaching implications than is initially realized, and that is a discovery. It’s like saying “I call everything that is blue, spherical and solid a boggidywoomp.” You can still by out finding new boggidywoomps for years. Yes, working with a 200 year old definition may be somewhat silly, but you have to work with what you’ve got or change it. It’s the unwillingness to change, treating a legal document essentially as a religious one, that causes the problem.
If we think there is something about SSM that means the harm outweighs the good, the step would be to refine the “right” we had previously defined through our legal system on the national level. Religious marriages as you point out are another matter altogether and should be entirely disentangled from state recognized marriages.
cogitatingduck says:
Thanks for cogitating with me, eyeontheuniverse. I am committed to precision in language. Or as Dennis Prager says, “I prefer clarity over agreement.” I am not opposed to change per se. I just want us to know we really mean when we demand change. On common sense readings of the Constitution, I do not think it is true that the document means to guarantee just any unenumerated right we think of. As much as we have rights, we need good reasons to think those rights should be respected, and are not just what Nietzsche called a “will to power.” I would be right to reject someone’s claim, “I have just discovered an unenumerated right to half your income.”
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What is the Christological difference between the early Church fathers and the Arians?
There is a debate on whether or not precursor to Arianism can be found among the earliest church fathers before the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea. Among the early Christian authors whom the early Church considered authoritative we can find some whose teachings are similar with the Arians that were used by the Arians to assert that their theology is patristic. What then differentiate these Ante Nicene Fathers1 from the Arians in terms of their Christology?
1 Ante Nicene refer to before the Council of Nicaea in 325. They're early Church fathers who are venerated in the 24 sui juris Catholic churches, 16 canonical Eastern Orthodox churches, 6 canonical Oriental Orthodox churches, and Church of the East. Such as St. Justin Martyr, St. Theophilus of Antioch, Tertullian of Carthage, Origen of Alexandria, St. Dionysius of Alexandria, and St Lucian of Antioch.
trinity christology early-church church-fathers arianism
Adithia Kusno
Adithia KusnoAdithia Kusno
First of all, there was no Arianism prior to Arius because Arianism started with Arius.Arius began to teach a new teaching. He taught that the Logos had a beginning of existence.Although some scholars like Alexander Vasiliev refers to Lucian as the Arius before Arius.This merely shows that Lucian hold onto a proto-Arianism (source).
Arius was condemned while Justin, Theophilus, Dionysius, and pre-Nicene Fathers were considered Orthodox because the former denied consubstantiality (oneness in essence) of the Father and the Son while the latter supported it.
In Dialogue with Trypho Ch. 128 , Justin Martyr said: “this power is indivisible and inseparable from the Father" and “begotten from the Father, by His power and will, but not by abscission, as if the essence of the Father were divided,”
The Alexandrian Dionysius used the term "same substance," but refused to rely on it theologically because the word was not used in any biblical text (source).
Theophilus of Antioch spoke of the Logos as begotten from the substance (ousia) of the Father (source).
Athenagoras ( A.D. 177) wrote:
"We acknowledge one God, uncreated, eternal, invisible, impassable [i.e., not subject to suffering], incomprehensible, illimitable … by whom the universe has been created through his Logos … We acknowledge also a Son of God. Nor let anyone think it ridiculous that God should have a Son … the Son of God is the Logos of the Father. If … it occurs to you to inquire what is meant by the Son, I will state briefly that he is the first product of the Father, not as having been brought into existence, for from the beginning God, who is the eternal mind, had theLogos in himself, being from eternity instinct with Logos. (Plea for the Christians ch. 10)
Some of the pre-nicene fathers were subordinationists yet they still adhere to Jesus as "God of God." Gregory Thaumaturgus, Irenaeus, Athenagoras and others taught that the Son is eternally begotten from the Father not created from nothing. On the other hand, Arius introduced a completely alien thought to the church by teaching that the Logos had a beginning of existence, created from nothing.
Radz C. BrownRadz C. Brown
This is a nice answer. It's true that there was no Arianism prior to Arius. But as you mentioned there were precursors to Arianism. I'll elaborate more on why Arius rejected Samosatan homoousios terminology especially because Lucian like Samosata teach an adoptionistic homoousios. Arius himself later was accepted back by St. Constantine a few years after he accepted Nicene homoousios being read in Lucian manner like Eusebius of Nicomedia. About a moment when the Son was not is referring to innate Logos like Theophilus when he said God was alone before He begat the Logos to create the world. – Adithia Kusno Mar 2 '15 at 13:25
I think the key, as you mention, is that Arius denied the oneness of the Trinity's "essence." That is, he taught that the Son has a different "essence" than the Father. The orthodox Trinitarian formula is that there is one God (i.e. one "essence") in three distinct persons, yet each person is fully God. Arius, to the contrary, argued that the Son is not "God" in the same way that the Father is "God." – Rev. Aaron Simms Mar 2 '15 at 13:31
You might like to include Origen, and his concept of the Word as “deuteros theos” (a “second God”). Well after the Arian controversy, his detractors accused him of subordinationism and being a precursor of Arianism; his supporters defended him, insisting that he did not mean to attribute to the Word a distinct and inferior nature. – AthanasiusOfAlex Mar 2 '15 at 17:21
@Rev.AaronSimms I'll elaborate why Arius along with Eusebians had no issue with homoousion terminology because Ss Lucian and Dionysius accepted that terminology. We need to remember that prior to 362 ousia and hypostasis are synonym. This is why Nicene Fathers represent a wide range of theological strains from Marcellus of Ancyra to St. Meletius of Antioch. Arius' mistake was for considering Logos' sonship via divine energies not by essence. For Arius the Logos became the Son for the purpose of creation. Before His sonship He was innate in God. One God is the Father, read again Nicene creed. – Adithia Kusno Mar 4 '15 at 2:09
@AthanasiusOfAlex Fr you're right that Origen was very influential for Arius. Prior to Origen, Ss. Justin and Hippolytus already used second God terminology. I didn't include him because I want to focus only on those accepted as saints and to show that Arius and Eusebians were consistent with the pre-Nicene Trinitarianism. To be precise Arius' mistake is similar with Nestorius, lack of theological precisions. His language of innate Logos and energetic Logos in itself are Orthodox but he failed to accept eternal generation of Logos. Later I'll link Arius' denial to John Calvin who repeated this – Adithia Kusno Mar 4 '15 at 2:17
In the middle of the first volume of his five voluminous work on the history of Christian theology, as a Lutheran historian Jaroslav Pelikan writes,
The truth, even the truth of the Gospels, is never pure and clear, and rarely simple.
Jaroslav Pelikan, The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition, vol. 1, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971, p. 266.
It is simply impossible and beyond description to be able to explain the Trinity unequivocally says a Calvinist Millard Erickson,
He are three and they is one.
Millard Erickson, God in Three Persons, 1995, p. 270.
There is an open debate whether or not precursor to Arianism predate Nicene council. This answer will not address that debate but rather focusing on Ante Nicene Fathers' Trinitarianism to understand their differences when being compared with Arianism in terms of their Christology.
To help us grasp the context of Trinitarian development prior to Nicaea, let us briefly go through three Trinitarian traditions:
Roman Angelic Christology: The Messenger and the Message
St. Justin Martyr is recognized as “the most important of the Greek apologists of the second century and one of the noblest personalities of early Christian literature.” 1 Following Angelic Christology as commonly held among Early Christian and Second Temple Jewish literatures, he wrote,
I consider it necessary to repeat to you the words which narrate how He who is both Angel and God and Lord, and who appeared as a man to Abraham, and who wrestled in human form with Jacob, was seen by him when he fled from his brother Esau.
Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 58.
His Angelic Christology plays a fundamental role in his interpretation of the OT and in his Angelic Logos view. In terms of Justin’s conceptual framework, his use of the title Angel complement the title Logos and the Logos Christology for which he is famous. Justin’s use of the title Angel as a Christological title, based on the similarity of both title and function, is to show that Christ is the Angel of the Lord who appears throughout the OT (e.g., to Abraham in Genesis 15–22; to Jacob in Genesis 28–35; to Moses in Exodus 3; and to Joshua in Joshua 5–6). The Messenger is the Message Himself. He anticipated St. Augustine's notion that the OT is the new concealed and the NT is the old revealed.2
I shall attempt to persuade you, since you have understood the Scriptures, [of the truth] of what I say, that there is, and that there is said to be, another God and Lord subject to the Maker of all things; who is also called an Angel, because He announces to men whatsoever the Maker of all things—above whom there is no other God—wishes to announce to them.
This Patristic Angelic Christology should not be confused with John Calvin's view on Christ-Michael theory or Seven Day Adventist belief that the Archangel Michael is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Because the Church Fathers never conflate Michael with the Angel of the Lord; the two are distinct, the former an angel by nature while the later by voluntary condescension.
Our teacher of these things is Jesus Christ, who also was born for this purpose, and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judaea, in the times of Tiberius Caesar; and that we reasonably worship Him, having learned that He is the Son of the true God Himself, and holding Him in the second place, and the prophetic Spirit in the third, we will prove. For they proclaim our madness to consist in this, that we give to a crucified man a place second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the Creator of all; for they do not discern the mystery that is herein, to which, as we make it plain to you, we pray you to give heed.
Justin, The First Apology, 13.
Justin did not actually use the exact phrase second God (δεύτερος θεός) in reference to Jesus. However, he did use a couple of equivalents such as another God and Lord (Θεός και Κύριος έτερος) and referring to Him who is caused by the uncaused as a second place (δεύτερα χώρα).
God [is] the cause of His power and of His being Lord and God.
Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 129.
For Justin, the uncaused is the cause of the second divine person. This pre Nicene Angelic Logos view later reappeared during Arian controversy two centuries later.
Antiochene Logos Christology: The innate and the begotten Logos
St. Theophilus of Antioch was an important theologian and apologist in the early church. His work To Autolycus was widely read and referenced in the writings of St. Irenaeus of Lyon, Tertullian of Carthage, Novatian of Rome, Lactantius of Constantinople, and Eusebius of Caesarea. He is the first to use the word Trinity (τρίας) for the union of the three divine persons: “the three days, which were before the luminaries are types of the Trinity (τριάδος) of God and His Word (λόγος) and His Wisdom (σοφία).”3 There appears to have been a direct connection in the minds of the early Church fathers between the divine Counselor of Isa 9:6 and the plural pronouns of Gen 1:26. Theophilus, just prior to his use of the title Counselor, has stated that the “Let Us make” of Genesis was spoken by the Father “to none other than His own Logos and His own Sophia" who are his hands the agency through whom He creates.4 He anticipated Irenaeus on using the two hands of God as a metaphorical language.5
Theophilus is also the first to distinguish between the Logos ένδιάθετος and the Logos προφορικός—the Logos internal or innate in God and the Logos uttered or emitted by God. A distinction in a terminology, which will have an important role to play in the explication of later Trinitarian and Christological development during Arian controversy two centuries later. The Logos is both innate in the bowels of God and also distinct from God who begot Him before the creation, so that He might assist in it. God "having His own Logos internal—ένδιάθετον—begat Him, emitting—προφορικός—Him along with His own Wisdom before all things. He had His Logos as a Counselor in the things that were created by Him, and by Him He made all things.”6 Theophilus knows that the Logos is eternally pre-existent since God's Logos is always innate as the mind of God and constantly communicates with Him. “When God willed to make all that, He determined, He begot His Logos, uttered—προφορικοί—the firstborn of all creation, not Himself being emptied of the Logos but having begotten the Logos and always conversing with the Logos."7
The Son is Himself divine in nature; yet He remains distinct from God in person, i.e., the Logos is with God. In the divine economy it is the Son of God who becomes the Voice8 and the Letter of the Father sent into the world to be heard and seen by men. Theophilus calls the spoken Logos Son because He is the firstborn of creation.7 He is the theophanic presence of His Father: The begotten Logos is the face of God, the exact icon of God's subsistence (ὑπόστασις).9 As God's right hand He "assuming the person of the Father and Lord of all, went to the garden in the face of God, and conversed with Adam."7 At that time it's Orthodox to see the Trinitarian distinction sharing the same subsistent.10 Before later at Council in Alexandria in 362 St. Athanasius of Alexandria began to clarify the difference between substance (οὐσίας) and subsistence (ὑποστάσεως) which then set a stage for Cappadocian Trinitarian and Christological development.
Referring to the Johannine Prologue he wrote, "[it shows] that at first God was alone, and the Logos [already exists] in Him. ... The Logos, then, being God, and being naturally produced from God, whenever the Father of the universe wills, He sends Him to any place; and He, coming, is both heard and seen, being sent by Him."7 This view later developed further by Ss. Lucian of Antioch and Dionysius of Alexandria. He is the Son who is sent into the world as a representative of His Father, to be "heard and seen."7 He is called God's servant,6 reflective of His work in the world He created on behalf of His Master.11 This was an argument that the Arians later point to to show the antiquity of their argument, of the emanation of the spoken Logos "whenever the Father of the universe wills."7 Furthermore, Theophilus continues to point out that the begotten Logos "is called the Beginning because he leads and dominates everything fashioned through Him."6 Arius in his apologetic letter to Eusebius of Nicomedia refer to himself as a fellow Lucianist who was persecuted for preserving the faith of the Fathers.12
Alexandrian Sonship Christology: The eternal generation and subordination of the Son
St. Dionysius of Alexandria, a disciple of Origen, challenged Modalist homoousion (όμοούσιον) language and excommunicated Sabellius at a council in Alexandria in 260-1. Sabellius' theology of the silent God (θεος σιωπών) as distinct from the speaking God (θεός λάλων) was condemned by championing Origen's eternal generation together with Theophilus' and Lucian's views that God is "always conversing with the Logos."7 The spoken Logos co-exist eternally with God as His innate Logos. Before He became the firstborn in creation "at first God was alone, with the Logos in Him."7 At no time God was alone without His innate Logos.
In challenging this Modalism Dionysius used language, which some suspected of being tainted with subordinationism. In the Latin West this term or more precisely its Latin analogue had been a common expression since Tertullian. Novatian wrote about a common substance—communio substantiae ad Patrem—in the Trinity. It was in this context that Pope of Rome St. Dionysius wrote against the Sabellians and rebuked the Metropolitan of Alexandria for not using the term one substance. He avoided the Greek term common substance (όμοούσια) because similarly another council at Antioch in 268-9 also had been condemned the homoousion (όμοούσιον) language used by Samosatans.
The term consubstantial (όμοούσιος) was also used by the Gnostics in a usage, which clearly entailed emanation from the First Uncaused Cause. This explains the negative or cautious attitude that Origenists have toward the expressions one essence. He sent his letter to Council of Antioch in 268-9, convened to deliberate the theology of Paul of Samosata, rejected and condemned the term όμοούσια. It's in this context that he condemned the Samosatan term όμοούσια and talked of the Son as being generated or produced (ποιητά) from the Father following Theophilus, "being naturally produced from God."7 This exchange between the two bishops, Dionysius of Rome and Dionysius of Alexandria, foreshadows the coming Arian controversy 50 years later.
What is the difference between Ante Nicene Fathers and Anti Nicene Arians in terms of their Christology?
The word Logos as we know stands in Greek both for internal reason and external voice. Since the inward thought is immediately connected with and passes on into language-as its corresponding development-it was natural to consider the mental and vocal act as virtually one and the same. As the common term expressing them suggested, as if a thought were only an inchoate word, and a word only a spoken thought. Hence, came the innate (ένδιάθετος) and spoken (προφορικός) Logos, who thus both distinguished and identified thinking and speaking.
While Eunomius ... have shied ... from referring to the divinity of Jesus christ as divine "power," and earlier generation of anti-Nicene (including Arius and Asterius) was willing to allow that scriptural designation, provided that this christic "Power" and Logos was differentiated from the innate divine power and logos that was not hypostatic. These anti-Nicene ... acknowledge that God has a power intrinsic to his nature but not that this power is hypostatic.
Khaled Anatolios, Retrieving Nicaea: The Development and Meaning of Trinitarian Doctrine, Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, MI, 2011, p. 219. Emphasis by the author.
The term ύπόστάσις had been used in the past to distinguish the three in the Holy Trinity, especially by St. Hippolytus of Rome, Novatian, and Tertullian. For them, however, υπόστασις designated almost the same as ουσία, and they considered that as a synonym of the unity of essence. The term ύπόστάσις remained indistinct from the concept of essence and this is precisely why the terminology of Dionysius of Alexandria’s theology was so disturbing to the Latins. In general, until the middle of the fourth century substance (ουσία) and subsistence (ύπόστάσις) were interchangeable both as ideas and terms. St. Jerome in his letter to Pope St. Damasus bluntly writes that "the school of worldly science knew of no other meaning for the word subsistence than substance."13 In the anathemas pronounced by the Council of Nicaea ουσία and ύπόστάση are considered as identical.10
Later when the Fathers of the Council of Ancyra in 358 began to talk about three hypostases they were immediately accused of tritheism. Under the direction of Athanasius the Council of Alexandria in 362 declared that both forms of expression are compatible and have the same meaning. This, however, did not resolve the problem. Both terms had to be defined and established within an integral conceptual system. It was not possible to be satisfied with classical philosophical terminology because its vocabulary was insufficient for theology. Classical terms and concepts had to be reshaped. This task was undertaken by the Cappadocian Fathers a few decades later.
Following Justin, Theophilus, and Dionysius, Arius is famously known for saying,
There was once [the Son when He] was not—ήν ποτέ oτε ουκ ην.
Arius cited by Athanasius of Alexandria, Against the Arians, 3:61.
That statement when being compared with three Trinitarian traditions briefly outlined above apparently does not contradict one another. During Nicene council out of 320 bishops who attended, two refused to sign Nicene faith: Theonas of Marmarica and Secundus of Ptolemais. From 318 Nicene Fathers who signed the Nicene faith, three refused to excommunicate Arius: Theognis of Nicaea, Maris of Chalcedon, and Eusebius of Nicomedia. All five bishops were deposed and exiled together with Arius. Later the Church canonically exonerated and restored to their ecclesial ranks those three (who signed Nicene faith while refused to excommunicate Arius) together with Arius who then accepted Nicene terminology of consubstantial (όμοούσιος).14
In the recent decades there are many attempt to exonerate Arius. While we can find similarities between Arius and the Fathers prior to Nicaea, such that they all consider the Son receiving the essence from the Father and hence denying the Son as an autotheos (God in Himself). But in principle they're not on the same camp, because the former considered the Son's divinity which derived to be lesser in glory than the Father's divinity who has no origin of derivation. Despite the fact that many of the Church fathers prior to Nicaea like the Arians had no difficulty in affirming that the Logos is begotten by God's will15 to be His Son before time began. This is the principal issue that separate the Ante Nicene Fathers from the Anti Nicene Arians.
1 J. Quasten, Patrology, 4 vols., Westminster, MD: Newman, 1962-86, 1:196.
2 Augustine, A Treatise on the Spirit and the Letter, ch. 27.
3 Theophilus, Ad Autolycum, 2:15.
5 Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 5:17.
8 J. H. Charlesworth, “The Jewish Roots of Christology: The Discovery of the Hypostatic Voice,” Scottish Journal of Theology 39 (1986) 19-41.
9 St. Paul, Epistle to the Hebrews 1:3.
10 At the Council of Nicaea in 325 there was a pronouncement of anathema declared at the end of the Creed to those who distinguish the substance or subsistent which later was revised at Council of Alexandria in 362. This is why Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed omitted the anathemas in 381.
11 A language later used by Dionysius of Alexandria to show subordination of the spoken Logos to His Master.
12 Arius, Letter to Eusebius of Nicomedia, 319, cited by St. Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Ecclesiastical History, 1:4.
13 Jerome, Letter 15 to Pope Damasus.
14 Similar to Nestorius who later in his Bazaar of Heracleides explained that he holds no enmity regarding honoring the virgin Mary with the title of Theotokos like Theodore of Mopsuestia his teacher did but he was afraid that such terminology might revived Apollinarian Christology and shipwreck the whole Niceno-Constantinopolitan faith which Diodore of Tarsus worked so hard to preserve by distinguishing the two natures clearly. Arius likewise following Eusebius accepts Nicene όμοούσιος like St. Lucian and St. Dionysius before him. His concern was to combat Modalism by maintaining a clear distinction between the First Uncaused Cause who has no beginning and His spoken Logos who has a beginning begotten by the unbegotten.
15 During the Arian controversy, a new theological development was adopted where the internal processions within God in generation and spiration are considered not as an act of will but as an activity by nature. God by nature caused the Son's generation and the Holy Spirit's spiration. "What proceeds by nature from something is just like the thing from which it proceeds, but what proceeds from something by an act of the will is not of the same nature as that from which it proceeds but is as the one willing wishes it to be." St. Hilary, Categories 10.
The earlier fathers did sometimes make statements that later came to be recognized as formally heretical. But since no one called them on those statements during their lifetimes, we didn't get to see the debate play out. They didn't have a chance to say, "Oh yeah... good point," and explain, revise or qualify their statements. And on the negative side, they didn't have a chance to say, "Yes, that is what I mean. The Son is a creature!" So later generations give them the benefit of the doubt and interpret their language the way they believe the saint himself would have, if he'd had a reason to revisit it in his own lifetime. Only God knows if he really would have, of course, but it's obviously the right way to treat your father.
Eric PhillipsEric Phillips
It is an error to believe Arius popped out of a vacuum to teach his heresy. He didn't. Most do not know the background that began about 130 years prior to Nicea. If you understand the background, then you will understand the argument.
Arius taught that there was a time when Christ did not exist. He taught Christ was a creature, rather than Creator. In contrast, Nicea would teach that Christ is very God of very God. Those were the two choices.
Arius as it turns out was walking in the footsteps of Lucian of Antioch who was following in the footsteps of Paul of Samasoto.
So far we have these three men following the same idea of some form of adoptionism. Adoptionism is the idea, again, that Christ is a creature, either a good man who became god-like, or became god at his baptism, or something similar.
Now, the question is were they following anyone? The answer is yes. They were following Theodotus of Byzantium. He is the source for Arius' ideas. As Wiki confirms, the first known proponent of adoptionism was Theodotus.
The next question is how did adoptionism find its way into the Church? The answer is persecution.
. Hippolytus stated that Theodotus was a native of Byzantium, who denied Christ in time of persecution—a fact which accounted for his heresy, since he could thus maintain that he had only denied man, not God. -source-
So, yes there was "arianism" before it became known from Arius, its champion. It has a history and it sources to an important person at the time who because of persecution denied Christ. Because of that, including the full implication of God the Son, he invented the adoption theory. Thus he could deny that he denied God, but only a man.
SLMSLM
Theodotus of Byzantine deny the divinity of Christ prior to the baptism because he believed the Logos dwelt and made Jesus divine by resting on him as His tabernacle. Paul of Samosata deny the eternal existence of the Logos by making Him a demiurge first emanated when God chose to create the world through Him. St Lucian is a Catholic and an Eastern Orthodox saint. He believed that the Logos indeed eternally pre exist prior to creation. He only deny Origen's novel idea that the Logos is eternally begotten. He affirms the Logos is eternal but only begotten for the purpose of creation. – Adithia Kusno Jun 9 '18 at 4:39
Pretty much. The point is regarding Christ's nature Emmanuel God with us, born of a virgin. Arius denied that, but by tracing his belief back to the source we find not only the reasoning for denying God with us, born of a virgin, but also the fact of the reason for so denying. – SLM Jun 9 '18 at 14:04
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Are any of Arius' writings extant?
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Chicago’s Groundswell Coffee Surges Into Offsite Roastery and New Cafés
Howard Bryman | September 23, 2016
All images courtesy of Groundswell Coffee.
True to its name, Groundswell Coffee is gaining some serious momentum in Chicago. The small company, which opened its flagship roastery and café in the Ravenswood neighborhood last year, is expanding into a second retail location with a third on the way, while moving to an offsite roasting plant.
The new café opened earlier this week in the West Loop, on the ground floor of The Madison building at 1168 W. Madison St. A bit smaller than the original, the café can seat about 18 people in about 850 square feet.
The Groundswell West Loop cafe.
A La Marzocco Strada sits atop a bar decked out with reclaimed wood finishes, surrounded by another mural by local artist Brittany Bindrim, the same artist whose work swirls on the walls of the original café. Patrons are offered a traditional menu of espresso drinks, single-origin Chemex pour-over offerings, Curtis Batch brews and cold brew made one drip at a time by handmade Oji Kyoto-style slow-drip towers. The shop also offers a variety of whole-leaf teas, locally-baked pastries and house-made panini.
The company’s bright green Diedrich IR5 continues to turn out enough product for both locations and wholesale, with enough capacity to supply the upcoming third location as well.
“The little 5-kilo Diedrich is the Roaster That Could,” Groundswell founder Jason Foster told Daily Coffee News of the production line, to which they’ve added a Cropster-integrated Huky sample roaster for profiling and sample-roasting. The 2,900-square-foot new roastery is roughly a mile from the new café, and offers plenty of room for current and future green storage, cuppings and wholesale growth.
“It’s definitely a lot more practical,” Foster said of the off-site production warehouse. “Having a roaster in a café is a nice whimsical idea, but unfortunately it’s not practical forever. It was cool to get us started but now we’ve moved on.”
The company — not to be confused with the Minnesota coffee shop of the same name — continues to source the majority of its coffee through Café Imports, while some have also come through Crop to Cup Coffee Importers as well as a special small run of La’ali peaberry from Rayyan Mill, one of the intrepid importers that embarked upon an incredible journey to bring Yemeni coffees to the United States last year.
Foster is also particularly excited about the Oji slow-drip towers on display and in action at the newly opened shop. His pleasure in working with the passionate tower-makers at the Oji company and the arresting aesthetics of the devices have made them a focal point within the shop.
“It’s beautiful, handmade,” Foster said of the Oji towers. “There’s an eight-week lead time on these things and they really add a lot to the café. We have them on the counter behind glass.”
The Oji cold brew towers.
The third Groundswell coffee bar will be opening in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago later this fall.
Howard Bryman
Howard Bryman is the associate editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine. He is based in Portland, Oregon.
Tags: Cafe Imports, Chicago, Crop to Cup, Diedrich IR-5, Groundswell Coffee, Illinois, Jason Foster, Oji, Rayyan Mill
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News Update: Crack that Delayed ‘Discovery’ Space Shuttle Diagnosed
Posted on Nov 11, 2010 in Uncategorized
This terahertz image shows the 50 centimetre crack in the foam insulation of the space shuttle's fuel tank that appeared on Friday as the tank was being drained of liquid hydrogen after a fuel leak prevented the shuttle from launching.
CBS News has reported that after the cracked foam was removed on Tuesday night, cracks were found in an underlying structure called a stringer. Similar cracks were found on an external tank set to be used by the shuttle Atlantis in 2011.
The crack(s) "may be related to the use of lightweight materials in the latest generation of tanks. The crack in Atlantis' tank was repaired and engineers likely will follow a similar approach with Discovery's tank, possibly installing so-called doublers to reinforce the damaged stringer or a replacement section. Assuming management clearance to proceed and no other problems, fresh foam will be sprayed on, cured and sanded to match the surrounding insulation," according to William Harwood of CBS News.
The STS-133 could launch as soon as 30 November to deliver supplies and extra storage capacity to the International Space Station
via newscientist.com
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Association of maternal age with child health: A Japanese longitudinal study
Kato, Tsuguhiko
Yorifuji, Takashi
Yamakawa, Michiyo
Inoue, Sachiko
Doi, Hiroyuki
Eboshida, Akira
Kawachi, Ichiro
Kato, Tsuguhiko, Takashi Yorifuji, Michiyo Yamakawa, Sachiko Inoue, Hiroyuki Doi, Akira Eboshida, and Ichiro Kawachi. 2017. “Association of maternal age with child health: A Japanese longitudinal study.” PLoS ONE 12 (2): e0172544. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172544. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172544.
Average maternal age at birth has been rising steadily in Western and some Asian countries. Older maternal age has been associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes; however, studies on the relationship between maternal age and young children’s health remain scarce. Therefore, we sought to investigate the association of maternal age with child health outcomes in the Japanese population. We analyzed data from two birth cohorts of the nationwide Japanese Longitudinal Survey of Babies in 21st Century (n2001 = 47,715 and n2010 = 38,554). We estimated risks of unintentional injuries and hospital admissions at 18 and 66 months according to maternal age, controlling for the following potential confounders: parental education; maternal parity, smoking status, and employment status; household income; paternal age, and sex of the child. We also included the following as potential mediators: preterm births and birthweight. We observed a decreasing trend in the risks of children’s unintentional injuries and hospital admissions at 18 months according to maternal age in both cohorts. In the 2001 cohort, compared to mothers <25 years, odds ratios of hospital admission at 18 months were 0.97 [95% CI: 0.86, 1.09], 0.92 [0.81, 1.05], 0.76 [0.65, 0.90], and 0.71 [0.51, 0.98] for mothers aged 25.0–29.9, 30.0–34.9, 35.0–39.9, and >40.0 years, respectively, controlling for confounders. Our findings were in line with previous findings from population-based studies conducted in the United Kingdom and Canada suggesting that older maternal age may be beneficial for early child health.
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> Storage Hunters UK Celebrity Special
> #SeanKellyAuction T&C's
Storage Hunters UK Celebrity Special
#SeanKellyAuction T&C's
COMPETITION NOTICE
UKTV GENERAL COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS ALSO APPLY.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL GENERAL COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND WHO TO CONTACT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES OR ISSUES WITH THE COMPETITION.
NAME OF COMPETITION: Celebrity Storage Hunters Competition
METHOD OF ENTRY AND COMPETITION QUESTION: To enter, all entrants must upload a video to Twitter of themselves doing an impression of Celebrity Storage Hunters UK host Sean Kelly's famous bid-calling ("Video"). To qualify, the video must tag @Join_Dave and include the hashtag #SeanKellyAuction
There will one prize winner (the "Winner").
The prize shall consist of the following:
The Winner and a guest will spend one hour having a cocktail with Charlotte Crosby and Holly Hagan of Geordie Shore in a location in or around Newcastle. Following the cocktail, the Winner and their guest will be treated to dinner, without Charlotte and Holly. (the "Prize").
UKTV are happy to cover the cost of travel up to the total value of £100, and accommodation (where applicable) up to the total value of £200.
UKTV will also cover the cost of dinner for the winner and their guest, up to the value of £100. This includes one alcoholic drink each (additional to the cocktail with Charlotte and Holly).
No alternative prize will be given and the Prize is non-transferable and non-exchangeable. However, UKTV reserves the right to change the Prize due to circumstances beyond its control or to offer an alternative prize of similar value.
The Winner agrees to absolve UKTV from any liability that may result from or is claimed to have resulted from participating in the Competition or from the acceptance or use of the Prize. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions in any way limits the Promoter (or any other person or organisation's) liability for fraud, or death or personal injury caused by negligence.
It is your responsibility to pay any and all applicable taxes which may be due on prizes and to assess whether the prizes are suitable for you and to read and comply with any safety notices or instruction manuals delivered with any prize.
SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS:
All entrants must be over 18 years of age at the date of entry and a legal resident in the UK.
Employees of UKTV and any company associated with this Competition and their relatives are expressly forbidden from entering the Competition.
All entrants must have the internet service or mobile device bill payer's permission prior to entering.
Entrants and their nominated guest may be required to provide proof of identification and/or age before claiming the Prize.
Entrants must have obtained the consent of anyone who features in their Video.
COMPETITION PERIOD:
The Competition will be open between 10:00 Tuesday 11th October 2016 and 23:59 Wednesday 19th October 2016.
Any entries received outside of the Competition Period (for whatever reason) will be invalid but you may still be charged for the entry where costs apply.
WINNER SELECTION:
The Winner will be selected at random at the end of the Competition Period from all eligible entries received. Winner selection by UKTV is final and no correspondence will be entered into whatsoever regarding Winner selection.
The Winner must claim the Prize by successfully responding to the Promoter's notification by email or telephone within 7 days of the Promoter's first notification being sent.
The date of the Prize shall be at the Promoter's reasonable discretion and shall be subject to Charlotte and Holly's availability.
METHOD OF ENTRY & COST:
You can enter this Competition free of charge on Twitter as per the process described in section 2.
ENTRY LIMITATIONS:
Only one entry per person is allowed and in the case of multiple entries, only the original entry will be counted.
Any automated entries made by a 'bot' or by using any similar automated third party programme to submit multiple entries will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
Where a Winner has been selected and UKTV discovers or has reasonable grounds to believe that Winner has used a 'bot' or similar third party software to submit multiple entries, UKTV shall have the absolute discretion to select an alternative winner. Any further entrant will be selected on the same criteria as the original entrant and will be subject to these terms and conditions.
This Competition is offered to you by UKTV Media Limited ("UKTV"). Our registered office is at 10 Hammersmith Grove, London W6 7AP.
By entering this Competition you are submitting your details to UKTV and not to Twitter, Inc. This Competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Twitter, Inc.
For all queries or issues with this Competition please use the following contact details:
Email: viewers@uktv.co.uk Post: UKTV, PO BOX 6996, CARDIFF, CF15 5DS Phone: 020 3192 0504
Entry to the Competition gives UKTV the right, without separate consent or compensation, to publicise any Winners' names and counties and to make further use of these in printed publications and on the Internet solely for administering this Competition in accordance with applicable law.
LAW AND JURISDICTION:
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales, whose courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction.
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‘Carrier’ Podcast First Trailer: Upcoming Thriller Stars ‘Bad Times At The El Royale’s Cynthia Erivo
‘Annihilation’ Trailer: Natalie Portman Works Alien Biology In Alex Garland’s ‘Ex Machina’ Follow-Up
Erik Pedersen
Co-Managing Editor
More Stories By Erik
Stephen Colbert Weathers Donald Trump’s Carolina Hurricane
September 27, 2017 9:05am
“Can you describe its form?” “No.” Uh-oh. The questions don’t get much easier from there in the first teaser trailer for Annihilation, writer-director Alex Garland’s follow-up to Ex Machina that stars Natalie Portman. Check it out above.
Something has done something to the husband (Oscar Isaac) of the Biologist (Portman), and whatever it is, it appears to be quite sinister. In an effort to save him, she volunteers for a secret mission into alien territory — a cordoned-off forest where a shape-shifting, Aurora Borealis-looking being awaits. Seems that previous attempts to explore the area met with disastrous results.
Tessa Thompson, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Gina Rodriguez co-star in the pic Garland adapted from the first book in Jeff VanderMeer’s bestselling Southern Reach Trilogy. The filmmaker had penned such pics as 28 Days Later and Dredd before making his directing debut with the AI-themed Ex Machina, which earned him an Adapted Screenplay Oscar nom and won for Best Visual Effects. It also won a slew of British International Film Awards in 2015.
Paramount Pictures will release Skydance’s Annihilation wide on February 23. Have a look at the eerie trailer and tell us what you think.
Vet Execs Steve Beeks & Mike Dunn Launch Short Form Mobile Entertainment Venture Elemental Content; First Partnership With Madefire
Anchor Norah O'Donnell Closes First 'CBS Evening News' Broadcast With Pledge To Edward R. Murrow
'Carrier' Podcast First Trailer: Upcoming Thriller Stars 'Bad Times At The El Royale's Cynthia Erivo
'Mulan' Teaser Trailer Logs Epic 175M+ Views In First 24 Hours, Including 52M From China
‘Walking Dead’ Season 10 Trailer, Movie Tease, Gurira Goodbye, More
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HomePosts Tagged "EU"
EU Tag
Policy & Regulations, Security
Visa-free no longer hassle-free
ETIAS, European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), is a registration system set to launch in 2021, which will require any non-EU traveler with a visa waiver (57 countries), to complete prior to entry. For a fee, this new system will check the security credentials of travellers, prior to their visit to any EU member state.
Ukraine’s Passport Now More Powerful Than Russia’s
Ukraine’s passport is now more powerful than Russia’s due to a historic decision by the EU to grant citizens of Ukraine visa-free access to the bloc. The EU has granted visa-free travel to Ukrainians effective June 11, 2017, bringing the country one-step closer to participation in
This Is What the UK Passport Could Look Like
Dezeen Announces Winner of Passport Design Competition Leading architecture and design magazine Dezeen has announced the winner of its unofficial Brexit passport design competition. The jury selected a design that represents the country’s transition away from the EU, with the cover depicting the signature dark blue
More Visa-Free Travel to India
As of April 1, 2017, Cyprus, Italy, Azerbaijan, Mali and Cameroon now have visa-free access to India, making Cyprus and Italy the only countries in Europe to have that privilege. The move increases the global mobility of the five countries by one, giving them new visa-free
Georgia Enters Top 50 Passport Power Ranking Countries
Georgia Gains Visa-Free Access to EU In a historic decision, the European Parliament has granted Georgia visa-free access to the EU, including the Schengen zone, with 553 votes in favour, 66 against and 28 abstentions. Prior to the decision, Georgia’s passport had a visa-free score of 69,
Mexico May Have a More Powerful Passport Than the USA
EU-USA “visa war” may damage the US passport's power and value. The recently heightened diplomatic tensions between the US and the European Union around the lack of reciprocity for all EU members may negatively affect the power and reach of the US passport. In a vote
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Political Paranoia’s Fatal Attraction
Posted on March 7, 2015 by Ian | disorderedworld
‘Mass movements can rise and spread without belief in a God, but never without belief in a devil.’ Eric Hoffer
Paranoid personality disorder is one of a range of personality disorders classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association. It is characterised by pathological suspicion and an obsessive need to eliminate enemies, both real and imaginary.
Pathological paranoia played a dominant role in the mindsets of those responsible for the worst atrocities of the twentieth century.
In our contemporary world, reeling from global financial crisis, turmoil in the Middle East, and Russian aggression in Ukraine, the world is reacquainting itself once again with this deadliest of mental disorders.
Personality disorders are mental disorders that are characterized by long-lasting rigid patterns of thought and behaviour.
A person with paranoid personality disorder holds a fixed preconception that everyone is out to harm them. Holding this suspicion with absolute conviction, they will not be persuaded otherwise. Indeed, anyone who tries to reassure them will not only fail, but will immediately become an object of suspicion themselves.
Suspicion is a normal part of healthy human functioning. For those who suffer from paranoid personality disorder, however, thoughts of conspiracy and victimisation dominate their every waking moment. Since their paranoid delusions often have a partial basis in reality, those around them may be entirely unaware of just how severely distorted the paranoid person’s thinking processes are.
How to recognise it
Hostility and aggression are the most recognisable features of the paranoid personality.
The paranoid is highly strung, constantly on the defensive, and extremely sensitive to slight. To be around a paranoid person is to feel like you are constantly walking on eggshells, afraid of unwittingly doing something that will trigger their anger.
Since the paranoid operates on the assumption that everyone is out to get them, they constantly scrutinise the behaviour of those around them for ‘proof’ to confirm their suspicion. A whispered remark or a private joke among colleagues will be interpreted as aimed at and negative about the paranoid.
The disorder is self-fulfilling, as colleagues respond by retreating from the paranoid and, as the relationship deteriorates, become genuinely negative towards them.
Paranoid personality disorder has a destructive impact on the paranoid person in terms of their state of mind and on their ability to form and maintain nurturing relationships. Paranoids also has a destructive influence on those around them as their relentless suspicion takes its toll.
The real destructive power of the paranoid, however, occurs in the context of politics whenever a paranoid personality achieves a position of power. Their enormous destructiveness in such situations arises from the fact that paranoids do not have rivals to be negotiated with; they have enemies who must be destroyed.
Examples of paranoid political leaders
Paranoid personality disorder has played a central role in the worst atrocities in human history. Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot all exhibited the characteristics of paranoid personality disorder, and used paranoia as a central organising theme in their respective political projects.
For all of these paranoid leaders the destruction of an enemy was central to their political vision. For the communist leaders – Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot – the enemy to be annihilated was anyone who opposed the communist revolution. For Hitler, the enemies to be destroyed were both the nations that opposed his plans for conquest and the racial enemies – Jews, homosexuals, Gypsies, and the physically and mentally ill – who were ‘polluting’ the purity of the human race.
All of these leaders carried out brutal programmes of ‘cleansing’ aimed at eradicating the enemy – Hitler’s holocaust; Stalin’s purges and his unceasing campaigns of ethnic cleansing; Mao’s crusades to eradicate class enemies during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution; and Pol Pot’s murderous attempts to cleanse Cambodian society of the vestiges of modernity after Year Zero.
In all of these cases, and many more, the psychology of a leader with paranoid personality disorder coincided with a culture receptive to the paranoid’s siren call to create a brighter future by eradicating the enemies of progress. This deadly formula resulted time after time in the deaths of millions of innocents.
But were these leaders really paranoid?
In its early stages, political paranoia is difficult to pin down. This is because, as Robert Robins and Jerrold Post describe in their book ‘Political Paranoia’, it begins as a distortion of an appropriate political response, which then goes too far.
As Robins and Post argue, it wasn’t delusional for Stalin to be thinking that other nations were plotting against the Soviet revolution, or to be alert to the possibility that subordinates were plotting to undermine him. But Stalin’s paranoid response to these reasonable suspicions was to orchestrate purges that claimed the lives of between 24 and 40 million citizens of the Soviet Union. [1]
The difficulties in diagnosing individual leaders as paranoid are the same as the difficulties in diagnosing the paranoid personality in the workplace or the home.
To begin with, science has only recently begun to diagnose and characterise personality disorders. Until now the basic scientific knowledge that humanity is divided into a majority with normal psychological functioning, and a minority whose psychological disorders make them a threat to peace and reason has simply not been available. This ignorance of the fundamental diversity of human psychologies has, until now, left us unable to diagnose the primary origin of human evil.
A second factor is that, even when armed with this knowledge, recognising people with personality disorders can be extremely difficult. It is deeply engrained within us to assume that everyone around us who looks normal is just like us – emotionally, cognitively and otherwise. When faced with paranoid behaviour, most normal people tend to search for rational explanations and interpret such behaviour in terms of common sense. Unless you are in close contact with someone with paranoid personality disorder for a long enough period of time to recognise the rigidity and extreme nature of their personality, their behaviour may easily be dismissed as simply ‘difficult’.
A final, disturbing reason why paranoid individuals often go unrecognised is that people with paranoid personality disorders can often appeal to psychologically normal people. The absolute certainty of paranoid individuals, and their easy solution of blaming an unpopular ‘enemy’, can resonate with many at times of political or economic uncertainty.
The fatal attraction of the paranoid personality means that, tragically, we often willingly place power in their hands.
[1] Political Paranoia: The Psychopolitics of Hatred, Robert S. Robins and Jerrold M. Post, Yale University Press, 1997, page 24
This entry was posted in Dangerous Personalities Today and tagged Adolf Hitler, Mao, Paranoia, Paranoid personality disorder, Pol Pot, political paranoia, Stalin by Ian | disorderedworld. Bookmark the permalink.
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Pension Committee
Tuesday, 4th December, 2018 10.00 am
Agenda frontsheet PDF 144 KB
Agenda reports pack PDF 809 KB
Printed minutes PDF 60 KB
Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon CR0 1NX. View directions
Contact: Annette Wiles 020 8726 6000 x 64877 Email: annette.wiles@croydon.gov.uk
Minutes of the Previous Meeting PDF 65 KB
To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2018 as an accurate record.
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2018 were agreed as an accurate record. It was noted that the attendance of the Pensioner Representatives would move to the section recording those who were present at the meeting.
Disclosure of Interests
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.
There were none.
Urgent Business (if any)
To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.
There were no items of urgent business.
Forward Plan PDF 81 KB
Cllr Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, stated that whilst the Pension Board could comment on and provide feedback on the policy documents listed in paragraph 3.4 of the report, it was for the Pension Committee alone to review and amend these.
RESOLVED: The Pension Committee resolved to defer consideration of the report to allow for the reference of the report to the Pension Board for their comments.
Update on Asset Allocation PDF 95 KB
RESOLVED: The Pension Committee resolved to note the report and to request that M&G Investments be invited to a future meeting.
Transition to Emerging Markets Fund PDF 96 KB
Item 7 App Inalytics Croydon Transition Cost Analysis , item 13/18 PDF 125 KB
RESOLVED: The Pension Committee resolved to note the report.
Progress Report for Quarter Ended 30 September 2018 (Part A) PDF 171 KB
A formal vote of thanks to Richard Simpson, Executive Director of Resources, was agreed in recognition of his contribution to the work of the Committee.
Exclusion of the Press and Public
The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:
“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”
The following motion was moved by Councillor Pelling and seconded by Councillor Hall to exclude the press and public:
The motion was put and it was agreed by the Committee to exclude the press and public for the remainder of the meeting.
Minutes of the previous meeting (Part B)
View the reasons why item 16/18 is restricted
To approve the minutes (Part B) of the meeting held on 21 November 2018 as an accurate record.
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2018 (Part B) were agreed as an accurate record.
Progress Report for Quarter Ended 30 September 2018 (Part B)
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Industry Roundup: The Top 10 Most-Read Stories of January 2019
NATIONAL REPORT — The start of the new year meant new trends, new regulations and updated forecasts were top of mind for Convenience Store News readers. In the latest Industry Roundup, we present the top 10 most-read stories for the month of January, based on reader views:
1) NRF 2019: Focusing on the Customer Experience
Artificial intelligence. Frictionless commerce. Wireless connectivity. Those were just a few of the many technology trends and innovations on view at the National Retail Federation's NRF 2019: Retail's Big Show, held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York.
2) Convenience Store Retail Trends: Year in Review & 2019 Outlook
2018 was a year of change for the convenience retail industry — some net positives and some challenging developments. As the new year begins, what will last year's changes mean for the industry in 2019? How can convenience retailers prepare, adapt and thrive in a more consolidated, more competitive environment no longer buoyed by high gas prices?
3) New Year, New Batch of Regulations Across the U.S.
The stroke of midnight on Jan. 1 ushered in a new year, but it also brought with it myriad of new rules that affect the convenience store industry. The changes touch all corners of an operator's business — from foodservice to tobacco to the ever-growing wage battle.
4) What Consumers Want From Convenience Stores Today: Part 1
Consumers rate their experience in purchasing meals and beverages at convenience stores much better than fast-food or fast-casual restaurants in terms of speed of service and overall convenience. The majority also say that ready-to-go/serve-yourself foods, beverages and snacks are their preferred type of foodservice when they shop at a convenience store, according to a newly released Convenience Store Consumer Study by AlixPartners, a global consulting firm.
5) Rutter's Moves Forward With Plans to Add Video Gaming Terminals
Rutter's is looking to expand its offerings at some of its convenience stores with plans to add video gaming to 20 locations. The c-store retailer filed applications with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to bring video gaming terminals to 20 c-stores.
6) Walmart Kicks Off 2019 With Key Moves Around Grocery Delivery & Pickup
The big-box retailer kicked off what it describes as its largest and first-ever cross-platform marketing campaign for Walmart Grocery Pickup. Currently, the service is available nationwide and will roll out to more locations this year.
7) Analysts: Amazon Go Stores Bring in 50% More Revenue Than Typical C-stores
In its quest to out-convenience convenience stores, Amazon Go may even out-earn them, with the potential to be a new multi-billion dollar business for e-commerce retail giant Amazon Inc.
8) Starbucks Expands Delivery Service to Six Cities
In total, Starbucks Delivers will be available in seven U.S. cities this spring and the company remains on track to bring the service to nearly one-quarter of U.S. company-operated stores, Starbucks said.
9) New Convenience Store Offers Drove Strong Sales in 2018
Increased in-store sales in 2018 is driving convenience retailers' optimism into 2019, according to a new industry survey. NACS, the Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing, surveyed convenience store owners across the United States and found that 84 percent saw in-store sales tick up last year. In addition, 62 percent reported an increased in fuels gallons sold.
10) Motiva Partners With GasBuddy to Further GetUpside Loyalty Program
Motiva and technology company GetUpside are partnering with GasBuddy to allow customers to claim GetUpside personalized cash back offers directly through the GasBuddy mobile app. Customers will earn as much as 25 cents per gallon cash back based on their fuel purchase.
Motiva Partners With GasBuddy to Further GetUpside Loyalty Program
Motiva Plans to Expand GetUpside Program Across the U.S. in 2019
Sheetz Puts Its Story & Brand at Center of Tech Initiatives
Motiva Launches Nationwide Ad Campaign to Promote Its GetUpside Program
Industry Roundup: The Top 10 Most-Read Stories of June 2019
Retailers Should Tap Into Technology to Create Magic Moments for Consumers
Competitive Watch
Year in Review: Top Competitor Moves of 2018
Industry Roundup: The Top 10 Most-Read Stories of March 2019
Hy-Vee Opens Fast & Fresh C-store Concept
Immediate Need & Convenience Increasing Click-and-Collect's Allure
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Tag Archives: Scandal
2018 Primetime Emmys: Creative Arts Predictions
Posted by stoney20 in Awards Shows, Emmys, Predictions, Uncategorized
Anthouny Bourdain, Bill Hader, Black Mirror, Bob's Burgers, Creative Arts Emmy, Creative Arts Emmy Predictions, Emmy, Emmy Awards, Emmys, Jane Lynch, Matthew Goode, RuPaul, RuPaul's Drag Race, Saturday Night Live, Scandal, Seth MacFarlane, The Crown, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, USS Callister, Viola Davis, Wild Wild Country
2017/2018 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions – Creative Arts Awards
Next weekend is the two-day event where the Creative Arts Emmy award winners are revealed. Here are my predictions for every category.
Matthew Goode, The Crown
Viola Davis, Scandal
Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live
Jane Lynch, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Best Television Movie:
USS Callister (Black Mirror)
Best Writing – Variety Series:
Best Directing – Variety Series:
Saturday Night Live – “Donald Glover” – Don Roy King
Best Variety Special – Live:
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
Best Variety Special – Pre-Recorded:
Carol Burnett Show 50th Anniversary Special
RuPaul Charles, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Best Animated Program:
Bob’s Burgers – “V for Valentine-detta”
Best Animated Program – Short-Form:
Adventure Time – “Ring of Fire”
Best Art Direction – Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More):
The Handmaid’s Tale – “Seeds”/“First Blood”/“After”
Best Art Direction – Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More):
Game of Thrones – “Dragonstone”
Best Art Direction – Narrative Program (Half-Hour or Less):
Silicon Valley – “Tech Evangelist”/“Artificial Emotional Intelligence”
Best Art Direction – Variety, Reality or Reality-Competition Series:
Saturday Night Live – “Bill Hader”
Best Art Direction – Variety Special:
Best Casting – Drama Series:
Best Casting – Comedy Series:
Best Casting – TV Movie, Limited Series or Special:
Best Casting – Reality Program:
Best Children’s Program:
The Magical Wand Chase: A Sesame Street Special
Best Choreography:
So You Think You Can Dance – “Brand New”/“To Make You Feel My Love” – Mandy Moore
Best Cinematography – Single-Camera Series (One Hour):
The Handmaid’s Tale – “June”
Best Cinematography – Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour):
Barry – “Chapter Eight: Know Your Truth”
Best Cinematography – Multi-Camera Series:
Will & Grace – “A Gay Olde Christmas”
Best Cinematography – TV Movie or Limited Series:
Godless – “An Incident at Creede”
Best Cinematography – Non-Fiction Program:
Blue Planet II – “The Deep”
Best Cinematography – Reality Program:
Born This Way – “What Love Means”
Best Commercial:
The Talk: My Black Is Beautiful – P&G
Best Costumes – Contemporary Program:
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story – “The Man Who Would Be Vogue”
Best Costumes – Fantasy/Sci-Fi Program:
Game of Thrones – “Beyond the Wall”
Best Costumes – Period Program:
The Crown – “Dear Mrs. Kennedy”
Best Costumes – Variety, Non-Fiction or Reality Program:
RuPaul’s Drag Race – “10s Across the Board”
Best Directing – Non-Fiction Programming:
Jane – Brett Morgen
Best Directing – Reality Program:
Shark Tank – “Episode 903” – Ken Fuchs
Best Documentary or Non-Fiction Series:
Wild Wild Country
Best Documentary or Non-Fiction Special:
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling
Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking:
Best Hairstyling – Single-Camera Series:
Westworld – “Akane No Mai”
Best Hairstyling – Multi-Camera Series or Special:
Best Hairstyling – TV Movie/Limited Series:
Best Informational Series or Special:
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Best Interactive Program:
Best Interactive Program – Original:
Spider-Man: Homecoming VR Experience
Best Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Scripted Program:
Westworld – Chaos Takes Control Interactive Experience
Best Creative Achievement in Interactive Media – Unscripted Program:
The Oscars – All Access
Best Lighting Direction – Series:
The Voice – “Live Finals, Part 1 (Season 13)”
Best Lighting Direction – TV Movie, Limited Series or Special:
Best Main Title Design:
Best Main Title Theme Music:
Best Makeup – Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic):
Game of Thrones – “The Dragon and the Wolf”
Best Makeup – Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic):
Saturday Night Live – “Tina Fey”
Best Makeup – TV Movie/Limited Series (Non-Prosthetic):
American Horror Story: Cult
Best Makeup – Series, TV Movie, Limited Series or Special (Prosthetic):
Westworld – “The Riddle of the Sphinx”
Best Music Composition – Series:
Best Music Composition – TV Movie/Limited Series:
Godless – “Homecoming”
Best Music Direction:
Tony Bennett: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
Best Music and Lyrics:
A Christmas Story Live! – “In the Market for a Miracle”
Best Music Supervision:
Stranger Things – “Chapter Two: Trick or Treat, Freak”
Best Single-Camera Picture Editing – Drama Series:
Best Single-Camera Picture Editing – Comedy Series:
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – “Pilot”
Best Multi-Camera Picture Editing – Comedy Series:
The Big Bang Theory – “The Bow Tie Asymmetry”
Best Single-Camera Picture Editing – TV Movie/Limited Series:
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story – “Manhunt”
Best Picture Editing – Variety Program:
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – Segment: Border Patrol
Best Picture Editing – Non-Fiction Program:
Wild Wild Country – “Part 3”
Best Picture Editing – Reality Program (Structured):
Best Picture Editing – Reality Program (Unstructured):
Born This Way – Series Body of Work
Best Reality Program – Structured:
Best Reality Program – Unstructured:
Best Short Form Comedy or Drama Series:
Grey’s Anatomy: B Team
Best Short Form Non-Fiction or Reality Series:
Anthony Bourdain: Explore Parts Unknown
Best Short Form Variety Series:
Carpool Karaoke: The Series
Best Actor – Short Form Comedy or Drama Series:
Alexis Denisof, I Love Bekka & Lucy
Best Actress – Short Form Comedy or Drama Series:
Diarra Kilpatrick, American Koko
Best Sound Editing – Drama or Comedy Series (One Hour):
Game of Thrones – “The Spoils of War”
Best Sound Editing – Drama or Comedy Series (Half-Hour) or Animation:
Barry – “Chapter Seven: Loud, Fast and Keep Going”
Best Sound Editing – TV Movie, Limited Series or Special:
Best Sound Editing – Non-Fiction Program (Single or Multi-Camera):
The Vietnam War – “Episode 6: Things Fall Apart”
Best Sound Mixing – Drama or Comedy Series (One Hour):
Best Sound Mixing – Drama or Comedy Series (Half-Hour) or Animation:
Mozart in the Jungle – “Domo Arigato”
Best Sound Mixing – TV Movie or Limited Series:
Best Sound Mixing – Variety Program:
The 60th Annual Grammy Awards
Best Sound Mixing – Non-Fiction Program (Single or Multi-Camera):
The Defiant Ones – “Episode 1”
Best Special Visual Effects:
Best Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role:
Best Stunt Coordination – Drama Series, TV Movie or Limited Series:
Game of Thrones/em>
Best Stunt Coordination – Comedy Series or Variety Program:
Best Technical Direction – Series:
Jimmy Kimmel Live! – “Live in Brooklyn: Billy Joel and Tracy Morgan”
Best Technical Direction – TV Movie, Limited Series or Special:
Best Voice-Over Performance – Character:
Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy
Best Voice-Over Performance – Narrator:
Sir David Attenborough, Blue Planet II
Best Writing – Non-Fiction Program:
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – “Southern Italy” – Anthony Bourdain
Golden Globe Predictions 2015: Early Picks
Posted by stoney20 in Awards Shows, Golden Globes, Movies, Predictions, Television
American Horror Story: Freak Show, Amy Adams, Angelina Jolie, Benedict Cumberbatch, Big Eyes, Birdman, Black-ish, Boyhood, Brad Pitt, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Channing Tatum, David Oyelowo, Eddie Redmayne, Emily Blunt, Fargo, Felicity Jones, Foxcatcher, Fury, Girls, Golden Globe Predictions, Golden Globe Predictions 2015, Golden Globes, Gone Girl, House of Cards, How to Get Away with Murder, Inherent Vice, Into the Woods, Jessica Chastain, Julianne Moore, Keira Knightley, Kerry Washington, Lena Dunham, Mark Ruffalo, Meryl Streep, Michael Keaton, Modern Family, Olive Kitteridge, Orange Is the New Black, Patricia Arquette, Reese Witherspoon, Richard Linklater, Scandal, Selma, Silicon Valley, Steve Carell, The Affair, The Blacklist, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Honorable Woman, The Imitation Game, The Knick, The Leftovers, The Normal Heart, The Theory of Everything, True Detective, Unbroken, Veep, Viola Davis, Wild
It’s still a little early to do Golden Globe predictions, but that didn’t stop me from doing them. As usual, I’m sure there will be last minute switches in genre (example: American Hustle switching to Comedy/Musical at the absolute last possible second). So these are preliminary of course. I feel more confident with the Televison categories, but once again anything can happen between now and when the nominations are announced in December.
Best Picture – Drama:
Best Actor – Drama:
Steve Carell, Foxcatcher
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game
David Oyelowo, Selma
Brad Pitt, Fury
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
Best Actress – Drama:
Jessica Chastain, A Most Violent Year
Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon, Wild
Best Picture – Comedy/Musical:
Best Actor – Comedy/Musical:
Ralph Fiennes, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Michael Keaton, Birdman
Bill Murray, St. Vincent
Joaquin Phoenix, Inherent Vice
Christoph Waltz, Big Eyes
Best Actress – Comedy/Musical:
Amy Adams, Big Eyes
Emily Blunt, Into the Woods
Helen Mirren, The Hundred-Foot Journey
Melissa McCarthy, Tammy
Quvenzhane Wallis, Annie
Robert Duvall, The Judge
Edward Norton, Birdman
Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Channing Tatum, Foxcatcher
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Carmen Ejogo, Selma
Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
Emma Stone, Birdman
Meryl Streep, Into the Woods
David Fincher, Gone Girl
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Birdman
Angelina Jolie, Unbroken
Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher
Best Screenplay:
Birdman – Armando Bo, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolas Giacobone & Aljeandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Foxcatcher – E. Max Frye & Dan Futterman
Inherent Vice – Paul Thomas Anderson
The Theory of Everything – Anthony McCarten
Unbroken – Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Richard LaGravenese & William Nicholson
Woody Harrelson, True Detective
Matthew McConaughey, True Detective
Clive Owen, The Knick
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
James Spader, The Blacklist
Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Ruth Wilson, The Affair
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley
Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Lena Dunham, Girls
Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Taylor Schilling, Orange Is the New Black
Best TV Movie/Miniseries:
American Horror Story: Freak Show
The Honorable Woman
Best Actor – TV Movie/Miniseries:
Martin Freeman, Fargo
Bill Nighy, Salting the Battlefield
Mark Ruffalo, The Normal Heart
Kiefer Sutherland, 24: Live Another Day
Billy Bob Thornton, Fargo
Best Actress – TV Movie/Miniseries:
Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Honorable Woman
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Freak Show
Anna Maxwell Martin, Death Comes to Pemberley
Frances McDormand, Olive Kitteridge
Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Freak Show
Best Supporting Actor – Series, TV Movie or Miniseries:
Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart
Tony Hale, Veep
Colin Hanks, Fargo
Joshua Jackson, The Affair
Bill Murray, Olive Kitteridge
Best Supporting Actress – Series, TV Movie or Miniseries:
Kathy Bates, American Horror Story: Freak Show
Carrie Coon, The Leftovers
Kate Mulgrew, Orange Is the New Black
Julia Roberts, The Normal Heart
Allison Tolman, Fargo
Creative Arts Emmy Predictions 2014: Who Will Win?
Posted by stoney20 in Awards Shows, Emmys, Emmys 2014, Predictions, Television
Allison Janney, Best Animated Program, Best Guest Actor Comedy Emmy Predictions, Best Guest Actor Comedy Series, Best Guest Actor Drama Series, Best Guest Actor Drama Series Emmy Predictions, Best Guest Actress Comedy Emmy Predictions, Best Guest Actress Comedy Series, Best Guest Actress Drama Series, Best Guest Actress Drama Series Emmy Predictions, Best Variety Special, Bob Newhart, Creative Arts Emmy, Creative Arts Emmy 2014, Emmys, Emmys 2014, Futurama, Joe Morton, Laverne Cox, Masters of Sex, Orange Is the New Black, Scandal, The Big Bang Theory
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be given out on Saturday evening, August 16th. They won’t actually be broadcast until the following Saturday on FXM, but the winners will be revealed through the Emmys website and I’m sure journalists on Twitter will be sharing updates also. Let’s take a look at the categories that will be presented and who I think will win.
Dylan Baker, The Good Wife
Beau Bridges, Masters of Sex
Reg E. Cathey, House of Cards
Paul Giamatti, Downton Abbey
Robert Morse, Mad Men
Joe Morton, Scandal
*This is actually a very competitive race this year. First I’d like to count out two nominees: Dylan Baker & Paul Giamatti. I like both of those actors but I don’t think they stand much of a chance this year. Dylan Baker has his least memorable episode this season and I’m surprised he was even nominated. I don’t watch Downton Abbey, but I hear Giamatti wasn’t anything special. The other four guys in the category: I could see a scenario where any of them win. Reg E. Cathey is a respected charactor actor and the Emmy voters really seemed to love House of Cards this season. He had one of the better episodes of the season which makes for a solid submission. Beau Bridges was basically the third lead on Masters of Sex, appearing in 9 out of 12 episodes. He has a great submission and Emmy voters love him. Robert Morse has been consistently nominated in this category almost every year. And he has his strongest submission ever (and this is their last chance to give him an award). And Joe Morton is basically in the same boat as Beau Bridges. He was basically a Supporting Actor this season. He’s a respected actor that’s been around for years and Shonda Rhimes’ shows do very well in the Guest categories. Even though it’s a very competitive race, I think Joe Morton is going to be walking away with the Emmy statue on Saturday.*
Winner Prediction: Joe Morton, Scandal
Kate Burton, Scandal
Jane Fonda, The Newsroom
Allison Janney, Masters of Sex
Kate Mara, House of Cards
Margo Martindale, The Americans
Diana Rigg, Game of Thrones
*It’s interesting that three of the nominees have returned from last year. Unfortunately for them, I don’t think of any of them will win the award this year either. Diana Rigg didn’t have as memorable of a turn this year, Margo Martindale seems to have gotten in based on her name, and Jane Fonda doesn’t have a baity submission. Kate Mara was a huge surprise on nomination morning. I think her nomination speaks to the fact that the Emmy voters loved House of Cards this season. But her character is too divisive and her tape isn’t strong enough to overcome the other ladies in the category. Kate Burton could be a darkhorse winner. She’s previously been nominated this category for her performance on another Shonda Rhimes show, Grey’s Anatomy. Her character is over-the-top enough for voters to take notice and possible give her the win. But overall, this category is Allison Janney’s to lose. Her performance was one of the best on television last year. If her previous 4 wins for The West Wing prove anything, it’s that Emmy voters love Allison Janney. She should easily win this.*
Winner Prediction: Allison Janney, Masters of Sex
Steve Buscemi, Portlandia
Louis C.K., Saturday Night Live
Gary Cole, Veep
Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live
Nathan Lane, Modern Family
Bob Newhart, The Big Bang Theory
*This is another interesting category. I think the one person who I don’t expect to win this award is Steve Buscemi. He doesn’t really have a submission or character that rivals the other guys in this category. Louis C.K. had less memorable hosting gig this year, but voters love him so I could see him winning based on that alone. Gary Cole is basically a Supporting Actor in the wrong category. Voters really warmed up to Veep this season and gave it more nominations than before. He’s also a respected actor and could earn more voters based on that. Nathan Lane has been consistently nominated in this category, but his character is never featured enough in an episode to really gather up support and pick up the Emmy. I could see any of those three guys winning, but I think it’s going to be a battle of the two previous winners: Jimmy Fallon & Bob Newhart. Fallon won this award two years ago and he has a similar episode this year. Emmy voters have really started to like him (his shows/specials received nominations everywhere). I can see him winning again. Bob Newhart finally won an Emmy last year and I can see him doing it again. I personally thought he was even stronger this season and has a better submission. It’s going to be a close race but Bob Newhart should be taking home Emmy #2 on Saturday night.*
Winner Prediction: Bob Newhart, The Big Bang Theory
Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
Laverne Cox, Orange Is the New Black
Joan Cusack, Shameless
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live
Natasha Lyonne, Orange Is the New Black
Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live
*This is going to be a very interesting race. This is Joan Cusack’s 4th nomination in a row for Shameless (this time in the Comedy category). But she has the same issue as Nathan Lane. She’s never featured enough in an episode to have a strong submission to win the award. This is Melissa McCarthy’s 3rd nomination in a row for hosting SNL. But this was her weakest outing yet. If she couldn’t win for the first two gigs, she won’t win for this one. Tina Fey has previously won for her hosting duty on SNL, but it was during the Sarah Palin era and her episode wasn’t a very memorable one. Then there’s the three ladies from OITNB. I honestly think it’s going to be a race between those three women, and Laverne Cox is going to be taking the trophy home. She has the only episode where she is the featured flashback. She was also one of the breakout characters that everybody talked about. I could see Uzo Aduba possibly winning, but it seems that Laverne Cox has the best chances IMO.*
Winner Prediction: Laverne Cox, Orange Is the New Black
Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars
Anthony Bourdain, The Taste
Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance
Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn, Project Runway
Jane Lynch, Hollywood Game Night
Betty White, Betty White’s Off Their Rockers
*I’d like to count out Anthony Bourdain & Betty White right away. Emmy voters love to nominate them for anything, but they aren’t good enough to actually win this category. Tom Bergeron has already won and the show has been getting less and less recognized by voters. I think the other three contenders have a good shot of winning. Cat Deeley is overdue for a win and I think she’s recognizable enough to finally win a statue. Jane Lynch is another beloved Emmy favorite, but she’s actually good and prolific on the show to garner the most votes in the category. Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn won this award last year and I can see them doing it again. It’s going to be a close race but I think Klum & Gunn will be walking away with another win this year.*
Winner Prediction: Heidi Klum & Tim Gunn, Project Runway
Best Variety, Music or Comedy Special:
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Mel Brooks
The Beatles: The Night That Changed America
Best of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Primetime Special
Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays
The Kennedy Center Honors
Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles
*Emmy voters LOVE Mel Brooks. They’ve nominated a special involving Mel Brooks for 3 years in a row. But none of them are ever good enough to actually win. Some network should take note: do a decent Mel Brooks special and collect the Emmy award next year. But it’s a moot point anyway. The Kennedy Center Honors have won this award 5 years in a row and I think this year will be #6. None of the other specials are strong enough to overtake the front runner.*
Winner Prediction: The Kennedy Center Honors
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Manhattan Project
*I think Futurama is going easily take home another trophy in this category. It’s series finale was pretty fantastic and everyone raved about it. Archer & Bob’s Burgers both had great seasons, but they didn’t submit their best episodes and that’s going to hurt them. South Park is past its prime. Even though it won last year it doesn’t have a strong enough episode to take down Futurama. While animated movies have won in the past, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles probably won’t be respected enough to win.*
Winner Prediction: Futurama – “Meanwhile”
The Rest of the Categories
Best Writing – Variety, Music or Comedy Series:
Best Directing – Variety, Music or Comedy Series:
Saturday Night Live – “Jimmy Fallon” – Don Roy King
Best Animated Program – Short Format:
Adventure Time – “Be More”
Best Art Direction – Contemporary or Fantasy Series (Single-Camera):
Game of Thrones – “The Laws of God and Men”/”The Mountain and the Viper”
Best Art Direction – Period Series, TV Movie or Miniseries (Single-Camera):
Boardwalk Empire – “Erlkonig”/”The Old Ship of Zion”/”Farewell Daddy Blues”
Best Art Direction – Contemporary Program (Half-Hour or Less):
Modern Family – “Las Vegas”
Best Art Direction – Variety or Non-Fiction Program:
Best Casting – TV Movie/Miniseries:
One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp
So You Think You Can Dance – “The Edge of Glory”/”Feelin’ Good”/”I Can’t Make You Love Me” – Mandy Moore
Best Cinematography – Single-Camera Series:
True Detective – “Who Goes There”
How I Met Your Mother – “Daisy”
Best Cinematography – TV Movie/Miniseries:
Sherlock: His Last Vow
Best Cinematography – Non-Fiction Programming:
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – “Punjab”
Best Cinematography – Reality Programming:
Deadliest Catch – “Careful What You Wish For”
Childlike Imagination – General Imagination
Best Costumes – Series:
Game of Thrones – “The Lion and the Rose”
Best Costumes – TV Movie, Miniseries or Special:
The White Queen – “The Price of Power”
The Square – Jehane Noujaim
JFK (American Experience)
Life According to Sam
Saturday Night Live – “Anna Kendrick”
Best Hairstyling – TV Movie/Miniseries:
The Voice – NBC.com
Best Lighting Direction – Variety Series:
The Voice – “Episode 619A”
Best Lighting Direction – Variety Special:
Boardwalk Empire – “New York Sour”
Key & Peele – “East/West Bowl Rap”
Best Makeup – TV Movie/Miniseries (Non-Prosthetic):
Best Prosthetic Makeup – Series, TV Movie, Miniseries or Special:
Game of Thrones – “The Children”
Best Music Composition – Series (Original Dramatic Score):
House of Cards – “Chapter 26”
Best Music Composition – TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Dramatic Underscore):
The 67th Annual Tony Awards – “Bigger!”
Breaking Bad – “To’hajiilee”
Orange Is the New Black – “Tit Punch”
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – “#19006”
Best Single-Camera Picture Editing – TV Movie/Miniseries:
Fargo – “The Crocodile’s Dilemma”
Best Picture Editing – Variety Special or Short-Format Segment:
The Colbert Report – Segment: Stephfest Colbchella 13 – Daft Punk’d
Best Picture Editing – Non-Fiction Programming:
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey – “Standing Up in the Milky Way”
Best Picture Editing – Reality Programming:
Best Sound Editing – Series:
Game of Thrones – “The Watchers on the Wall”
Best Sound Editing – TV Movie, Miniseries or Special:
Best Sound Editing – Non-Fiction Programming:
Best Sound Mixing – Drama or Comedy Series (One-Hour):
Best Sound Mixing – Drama or Comedy Series (Half-Hour) and Animation:
The Simpsons – “Married to the Blob”
Best Sound Mixing – TV Movie/Miniseries:
Best Sound Mixing – Non-Fiction Programming:
American Masters – “Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin'”
Best Special Class Program:
The 67th Annual Tony Awards
Best Special Class Program – Live-Action Entertainment:
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: President Barack Obama
Best Special Class Program – Short-Format Non-Fiction:
30 for 30 Shorts
The Walking Dead – “30 Days Without an Accident”
Best Stunt Coordination – Drama Series, TV Movie or Miniseries:
Best Technical Direction – TV Movie, Miniseries or Special:
Seth Green, Robot Chicken DC Comics Special II: Villains in Paradise
Jeremy Irons, Game of Lions
Best Writing – Non-Fiction Programming:
JFK (American Experience) – Mark Zwonitzer
Upfronts 2014: ABC Fall Schedule Announced
Posted by stoney20 in Fall Schedule, News, Television
20/20, ABC, ABC Fall Schedule, ABC Fall Schedule 2014, ABC Upfront, America's Funniest Home Videos, American Crime, Black-ish, Castle, Cristela, Dancing with the Stars, Fall Schedule 2014, Forever, Fresh Off the Boat, Galavant, Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Last Man Standing, Manhattan Love Story, Marvel's Agent Carter, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Modern Family, Nashville, Once Upon a Time, Resurrection, Revenge, Scandal, Secrets & Lies, Selfie, Shark Tank, The Bachelor, The Goldbergs, The Great Christmas Light Fight, The Middle, The Taste, The Whispers
Upfront week continued as ABC took their turn to announce their new lineup for the fall. They are definitely taking a few risks with their Tuesday & Thursday lineups, their Sunday & Monday lineups stay the same from the spring and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. Let’s take a closer look.
7PM: America’s Funniest Home Videos
8PM: Once Upon a Time
9PM: Resurrection
10PM:: Revenge
*This is one of those cases where ABC kept everything the same. While everything is a solid performer, I don’t think this night is as buzzed or talked-about as it used to be for the network. Resurrection was a surprise hit for the network, but I wonder if they will be able to keep up the momentum heading into the fall. ABC also announced that Once Upon a Time and Resurrection will take a midseason break and they will air the new musical comedy Galavant and the new buzzed about drama American Crime in their spots. That’s at least a risky move that the network needed to make.*
8PM: Dancing with the Stars
10PM: Castle
*ABC kept everything the same here. There’s nothing wrong about it, but both of these shows are not aging well and the network will be in serious trouble when they are left without these programs in a couple seasons.*
8PM: Selfie
8:30PM: Manhattan Love Story
9PM: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
10PM: Forever
*ABC needed to move S.H.I.E.L.D. out of the line of fire from NCIS. I’m not sure the show will do any better an hour later, but it should do moderately better (especially since good word-of-mouth has been spreading about the show). ABC also announced that S.H.I.E.L.D. will follow the 12/12 format of other programs, with Marvel’s Agent Carter airing during the hiatus. The other new programs on this night don’t sound very interesting. Selfie‘s trailer didn’t make any kind of impression, Manhattan Love Story looks like the other rom-com single-camera shows that the networks are wild about this year, and the premise for Forever (an immortal medical examiner) doesn’t sound like ABC will find something stable for that failing timeslot.*
8PM: The Middle
8:30PM: The Goldbergs
9PM: Modern Family
9:30PM: Black-ish
10PM: Nashville
*I correctly predicted (most) of this lineup. The Goldbergs needed to move to stay alive and being sandwiched between The Middle and Modern Family can only improve its ratings. Black-ish seems very compatible with Modern Family and should retain most of its audience, hopefully. Nashville staying put is a little bit of a surprise. Maybe they’re banking on Black-ish being a bigger hit and providing a better lead-in for it.*
8PM: Grey’s Anatomy
9PM: Scandal
10PM: How to Get Away with Murder
*Shonda Rhimes Night! It’s pretty amazing that she completely owns a night of ABC programming now. It’s actually a smart move on their part. Grey’s Anatomy is still a consistent performer and should continue to do well an hour earlier. Scandal is the hot new show that should provide a great lead-in for ABC’s hottest commodity, How to Get Away with Murder starring Viola Davis.*
8PM: Last Man Standing
8:30PM: Cristela
9PM: Shark Tank
10PM: 20/20
*I correctly predicted this night too. There wasn’t any chance that Last Man Standing would be moving, and I highly doubted Shark Tank would move either. Talked about multi-camera pilot Cristela seemed the most logical choice as well to fill the gap between both shows. Once again, nothing too surprising.*
Drama: American Crime, Marvel’s Agent Carter, Secrets & Lies, The Whispers
Comedy: Fresh Off the Boat, Galavant
Reality: The Bachelor, The Great Christmas Light Fight, The Taste
*ABC doesn’t have a whole lot of stuff lined up for midseason yet. And the ones that they have ordered, pretty much have air dates already set. American Crime & Galavant will air Sundays starting in January. Marvel’s Agent Carter will air during the S.H.I.E.L.D. hiatus. And The Bachelor will take over in between cycles of DWTS. So the network doesn’t have a whole lot of shows in the well. They must be banking hard on all of their new shows being successes. We’ll see how that works out for them.*
Fall Schedule Predictions: ABC
Posted by stoney20 in Fall Schedule, Predictions, Television
ABC, ABC Fall Schedule, ABC Fall Schedule 2014, ABC Fall Schedule Predictions, American Crime, Black-ish, Castle, Cristela, Dancing with the Stars, Fall Schedule Predictions, Fresh Off the Boat, Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Keep it Together, Last Man Standing, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Modern Family, Nashville, Revenge, Saint Francis, Scandal, Sea of Fire, Secrets & Lies, Shark Tank, Shonda Rhimes, Suburgatory, The Bachelor, The Goldbergs, The Whispers, Viola Davis
Fall Schedule Predictions: ABC Needs a Big Change
Likely Renewed: America’s Funniest Home Videos, The Bachelor, Castle, Dancing with the Stars, The Goldbergs, Grey’s Anatomy, Last Man Standing, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Middle, Modern Family, Nashville, Once Upon a Time, Resurrection, Revenge, Scandal, Shark Tank, Suburgatory, 20/20
Likely Canceled: Betrayal, Mixology, The Neighbors, Super Fun Night, The Taste, Trophy Wife
Already Canceled/Ended: Back in the Game, Killer Women, Lucky 7, Mind Games, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
*ABC hasn’t made an official decisions regarding their shows yet. But most of the ones that are likely to be renewed are pretty much no-brainers. I would be shocked if any of those series didn’t make it. The only question marks I have are with Nashville and Resurrection. Nashville isn’t doing that well in the ratings but it still brings some buzz and attention to the network, which it desperately needs. Resurrection did amazing in its premiere, but has fallen off a little bit in subsequent weeks. Suburgatory is a minor question mark. But it probably only needs one more season to make it to syndication. So it’s chances are good for that reason alone.*
9PM: How to Get Away with Murder
10PM: American Crime
*ABC used to own this night. Now it’s struggling to survive. I think it needs a major change. Keeping the first two hours the same gives ABC some stability. AFV and Once Upon a Time are both solid performers that won’t do much better on a different night now. Resurrection has been doing very well in its timeslot, but I don’t know if ABC can bank on it enough to lead off the 9PM hour into another new series. ABC’s best bet is to wipe the slate clean and give its two biggest shows a showcase here. How to Get Away with Murder has the powerhouse combo of Viola Davis and creator Shonda Rhimes behind it. With enough promotion and marketing, people are going to watch it. American Crime is the other biggest pilot that ABC has this year. Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton and Oscar winning screenwriter John Ridley are going to be big selling points for viewers. ABC needs to rebrand their Sunday nights and having two of their biggest new series would go a long way towards accomplishing that.*
*I have no idea what ABC is going to do with this night. Dancing with the Stars is still solid but its not the juggernaut it used to be. It hasn’t been able to launch a new series ever. There’s no reason to change anything on this night. This looks to be Castle‘s final season and ABC probably won’t move it to another night because of that.*
8PM: Keep It Together
8:30PM: Saint Francis
9PM: Revenge
*Tuesday is a complete disaster for ABC. The Marvel series was supposed to be their saving grace, but the competition against NCIS proved too tough. They’ve got nothing good going for it. ABC has several multi-camera series that seem likely to be ordered to series. Keep It Together has the starpower of producer Kevin Hart behind it. That might be enough to lead-off the hour. Saint Francis is another multi-camera starring Michael Imperioli that has some buzz behind it. The other two hours of the evening? Throw some of their aging series there. Revenge and Nashville both have loyal audiences that will follow it to another evening. Neither of those shows are strong enough in their current timeslots, but they aren’t low enough to be canceled. Move them both to Tuesday to give ABC some traction that they have never been able to build with new series.*
10PM: Secrets & Lies
*As much as we think: ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. The Middle and Modern Family have both been consistently great in their timeslots. But they’ve failed to launch any series in five seasons. Despite that being the case, I don’t see ABC messing with their times yet. Their too successful. The Goldbergs is likely to survive to a second season. Sandwiched between The Middle and MF should help their ratings greatly. The other two time slots? I have no clue. Black-ish is a single-camera family comedy starring Anthony Anderson. It’s been getting some positive buzz so far. I can see it working there. Secrets & Lies is my guess for the 10PM hour. It’s a crime drama mixed with some serial elements. A little bit of a call back to Revenge, which was very successful in its first season in the same time period.*
10PM: Scandal
*Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal are the strongest aspects of ABC’s schedule. They won’t be moving anywhere. The Thursday at 8 P.M. time slot has been a huge trouble spot for ABC. I think their best move is to place Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. here. S.H.I.E.L.D. has done well in the ratings when it hasn’t gone up against a new episode of NCIS. There’s obviously an audience for the show but the conflicting time periods is a problem. Moving it to Thursday will allow the loyal audience to follow it and give ABC a fighting chance in that time period.*
*Shark Tank is one of ABC’s highest rated series. Many have been talking about moving to a more competitive night, but I don’t see it doing as well during a different night of the week. It’s doing fine on Fridays with 20/20. Last Man Standing has been doing pretty well on Friday nights and it needs another season to make it to syndication. It’s a lock for renewal. I doubt The Neighbors is coming back for another season, so that leaves the time slot behind LMS open. Cristela has been gaining some positive momentum and it has the same production team of LMS. It should be compatible.*
Midseason: The Bachelor, Fresh Off the Boat, Sea of Fire, Suburgatory, The Whispers
*The Bachelor switching off with DWTS has been successful and I don’t see ABC changing that. Suburgatory is getting closer to syndication, so it would be risky for ABC to cancel it now. And they need some new series for midseason. None of their new comedy pilots sound all that new or exciting, but Fresh Off the Boat has been getting the most notices from other sites so it’s probably ahead of the pack.*
Best of 2013: Top 100 Episodes of 2013 (30-21)
Posted by stoney20 in Best Episodes of 2013, Best of 2013, Lists, Television
30 Rock, American Horror Story: Asylum, Best Episodes of 2013, Best of 2013, Best TV of 2013, Breaking Bad, Girls, Parks and Recreation, Scandal, Shameless, The Good Wife, Veep
I’m counting down my Top 100 episodes of the year. It wasn’t that hard to narrow down the choices but it was difficult to put them in a sensible order. There was a lot of quality television and that made the list even more of a challenge to complete. I listed basic information about the episode along with the best scene from each one.
30. Scandal – “White Hat’s Back On”
Original Airdate: May 16
Written By: Shonda Rhimes
Directed By: Tom Verica
Best Scene: Final scene with Olivia & Fitz and the reveal involving Joe Morton.
29. 30 Rock – “Hogcock!/Last Lunch”
Original Airdate: January 31
Written By: Jack Burditt, Robert Carlock, Tina Fey & Tracey Wigfield
Directed By: Beth McCarthy-Miller
Best Scene: Liz & Tracy at the strip club and “Rural Juror” finale.
28. Girls – “On All Fours”
Original Airdate: March 10
Written By: Lena Dunham & Jenni Konner
Directed By: Lena Dunham
Best Scene: Marnie performs at Charlie’s party.
27. The Good Wife – “Outside the Bubble”
Original Airdate: October 20
Written By: Michelle King & Robert King
Directed By: Felix Alcala
Best Scene: Diane figures out what is going on with Alicia.
26. Veep – “First Response”
Original Airdate: June 9
Written By: Roger Drew & Armando Iannucci
Directed By: Armando Iannucci
Best Scene: Filming b-roll footage and Selina stands up for herself.
25. Shameless – “A Long Way From Home”
Original Airdate: March 3
Written By: Etan Frankel
Directed By: Mimi Leder
Best Scene: Fiona’s courtroom monologue.
24. Scandal – “Nobody Likes Babies”
Original Airdate: February 7
Written By: Mark Wilding
Best Scene: Fitz giving Verna’s eulogy intercut with flashback of him removing her oxygen mask.
23. Parks and Recreation – “Emergency Response”
Original Airdate: February 14
Written By: Norm Hiscock & Joe Mande
Directed By: Dean Holland
Best Scene: Montage of Ron answering questions on Pawnee today and Ben & Leslie decide to have their wedding tonight.
22. Breaking Bad – “To’hajiilee”
Original Airdate: September 8
Written By: George Mastras
Directed By: Michelle MacLaren
Best Scene: Walt’s drive to the desert and screaming to call off Todd’s uncle & his crew.
21. American Horror Story: Asylum – “Madness Ends”
Written By: Tim Minear
Directed By: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Best Scene: Conversation & showdown between Lana & Johnny.
Archer, Best Episodes of 2013, Best of 2013, Best TV of 2013, Bob's Burgers, Game of Thrones, Girls, Mad Men, Masters of Sex, Modern Family, Saturday Night Live, Scandal, The Good Wife
50. Archer – “Live and Let Dine”
Written By: Adam Reed
Best Scene: Anything with Mallory, Cheryl & Pam at the restaurant.
49. Modern Family – “My Hero”
Original Airdate: May 8
Written By: Abraham Higginbotham
Directed By: Gail Mancuso
Best Scene: Claire works the counter.
48. Bob’s Burgers – “Broadcast Wagstaff School News”
Written By: Greg Thompson
Directed By: Jennifer Coyle
Best Scene: Gene’s attempts at being Bob and the Mad Pooper is revealed.
47. Masters of Sex – “Manhigh”
Original Airdate: December 15
Written By: Michelle Ashford
Directed By: Michael Dinner
Best Scene: Margaret confronts her husband and Bill presents his study to the hospital.
46. Girls – “Together”
Written By: Judd Apatow & Lena Dunham
Best Scene: Adam rescues Hannah.
45. Saturday Night Live – “Justin Timberlake”
Written By: SNL writing staff
Directed By: Don Roy King
Best Scene: The 5-Timers Club and “It’s a Date”.
44. The Good Wife – “Red Team, Blue Team”
Directed By: Jim McKay
Best Scene: Alicia’s opening statement.
43. Scandal – “Any Questions?”
Written By: Matt Byrne
Directed By: Mark Tinker
Best Scene: Fitz and Mellie have a conversation before the press conference.
42. Game of Thrones – “Second Sons”
Written By: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss
Best Scene: Will Tyrion and Sansa consummate the marriage?
41. Mad Men – “For Immediate Release”
Written By: Matthew Weiner
Directed By: Jennifer Getzinger
Best Scene: Peggy is told about the merger of the firms.
30 Rock, Best Episodes of 2013, Best of 2013, Best TV of 2013, Bob's Burgers, Hannibal, Mad Men, Masters of Sex, Orange Is the New Black, Saturday Night Live, Scandal, The Good Wife, The Newsroom
60. Masters of Sex – “Fallout”
Original Airdate: December 1
Written By: Sam Shaw
Directed By: Lesli Linka Glatter
Best Scene: Margaret Scully has a talk with a prostitute.
59. Saturday Night Live – “Melissa McCarthy/Phoenix”
Original Airdate: April 6
Best Scene: Melissa McCarthy’s monologue, Sheila Kelly, and Honey Baked Ham bake-off.
58. The Good Wife – “What’s in the Box?”
Original Airdate: April 28
Directed By: Robert King
Best Scene: Final scene. “I’m in.”
57. Bob’s Burgers – “Christmas in the Car”
Written By: Steven Davis & Kelvin Yu
Directed By: Jennifer Coyle & Bernard Derriman
Best Scene: Hiding out in the car. “Where do babies come from?”
56. Mad Men – “The Better Half”
Written By: Erin Levy & Matthew Weiner
Directed By: Phil Abraham
Best Scene: Don & Betty spend the night together.
55. Scandal – “Truth or Consequences”
Written By: Peter Noah
Directed By: Jeannot Szwarc
Best Scene: Olivia and Cyrus. “Hire a lawyer. A good one!”
54. Orange Is the New Black – “Tall Men with Feelings”
Original Airdate: July 11
Written By: Lauren Morelli
Directed By: Constantine Makris
Best Scene: Everyone’s reaction to Larry’s NPR interview.
53. 30 Rock – “A Goon’s Deed in a Weary World”
Written By: Lang Fisher & Nina Pedrad
Directed By: Jeff Richmond
Best Scene: Liz leaves to go meet her children.
52. The Newsroom – “News Night with Will McAvoy”
Original Airdate: August 11
Written By: Aaron Sorkin
Directed By: Alan Poul
Best Scene: Will tells Mackenzie that his father died.
51. Hannibal – “Savoureux”
Original Airdate: June 20
Written By: Bryan Fuller, Steve Lightfoot & Scott Nimerfro
Directed By: David Slade
Best Scene: Graham & Hannibal return to the Hobbs house.
Archer, Best Episodes of 2013, Best of 2013, Best TV of 2013, Bob's Burgers, Modern Family, New Girl, Orange Is the New Black, Parenthood, Parks and Recreation, Scandal, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife
70. Parks and Recreation – “Two Parties”
Written By: Dave King
Best Scene: The guys at Colts Field.
69. Bob’s Burgers – “Fort Night”
Original Airdate: October 6
Written By: Mike Olsen
Directed By: Boohwan Lim & Kyounghee Lim
Best Scene: Bob and Linda go trick-or-treating and Andy’s “death”.
68. Orange Is the New Black – “Bora Bora Bora”
Written By: Nick Jones
Directed By: Andrew McCarthy
Best Scene: Miss Claudette has a visitor.
67. The Good Wife – “Death of a Client”
Best Scene: Peter offers Diane a seat on the Illinois Supreme Court.
66. Parenthood – “Small Victories”
Original Airdate: January 8
Written By: Sarah Watson
Directed By: Peter Krause
Best Scene: Drew’s breakdown at the end.
65. Archer – “Sea Tunt, Parts 1 & 2”
Original Airdate: April 4 & 11
Written By: Rick Cleveland & Adam Reed
Best Scene: Anything with Pam’s allergic reaction.
64. The Big Bang Theory – “The Romance Resonance”
Written By: Maria Ferrari, Tara Hernandez, Steve Holland, Eric Kaplan, Steven Molaro & Jim Reynolds
Directed By: Mark Cendrowski
Best Scene: The gang performs for Bernadette in quarantine.
63. New Girl – “Cooler”
Written By: Rebecca Addelman
Directed By: Max Winkler
Best Scene: Nick & Jess finally kiss.
62. Scandal – “It’s Handled”
Best Scene: Olivia, Fitz & Mellie in the bunker.
61. Modern Family – “The Old Man & the Tree”
Written By: Paul Corrigan & Brad Walsh
Directed By: Bryan Cranston
Best Scene: Cam & Mitchell hand out presents & Haley and Alex are ambushed.
Best Shows of 2013: Honorable Mention
Posted by stoney20 in Best of 2013, Lists, Television
Amy Poehler, Archer, Behind the Candelabra, Best of 2013, Best Shows of 2013, Best TV of 2013, Best TV Shows of 2013, Boardwalk Empire, Golden Globes, Great Performances, Live From Lincoln Center, Masters of Sex, Scandal, Shameless, Survivor, Television, The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards, Tina Fey, Top 20 Shows of 2013, Top of the Lake
There was a lot of fantastic programming that aired on television this past year. These are the shows that would make a Top 20 list, but these are ranked alphabetically.
Even in its fourth season Archer is still one of the most consistently funny shows. Not only does it function as a workplace comedy, featuring a cast of barely competent employees, but the action sequences are same of the most inventive and exciting things on television. The car chase in “The Papal Chase” episode was one of the most thrilling sequences on television last year. The voice cast also does terrific work every week. Amber Nash, as Pam, had a particularly standout season and H. Jon Benjamin (who also voices the lead on Bob’s Burgers) is always reliable as our arrogant lead character Sterling Archer.
I expected this made-for-television film to be very campy and would get enjoyment out of the trashiness of it. I didn’t expect to be a very humanizing portrayal of entertainer Liberace and his love affair with Scott Thorson. Steven Soderbergh’s direction and Richard LaGravenese’s script did an excellent job of making Liberace feel like a real person. Not to mention the unforgettable performance from Michael Douglas as Liberace himself. Douglas completely brought him to life in probably his performance to date. Matt Damon also gave his best performance in years as his lover Scott. Not to mention the colorful cast of supporting characters played by Dan Aykroyd, Rob Lowe and Scott Bakula. The one person who didn’t get credit was Debbie Reynolds as Liberace’s mother. She didn’t have a big role, but she made a big impact in her few small scenes.
I’ve been a strong supporter of this show from the first season. This is the first time it hasn’t made my Top 10 list. The season started off a little weaker than usual. It took a couple of episodes for the plot to get going. But once it did, it became the show that I loved again. The plot involving the rivalry between Chalky White and Dr. Narcisse was one of the most compelling story lines the show has ever done. It helped that actors Michael K. Williams and Jeffrey Wright were giving tremendous performances every week. Margot Bingham, as Daughter Maitland (the female who comes between them), had a breakout year as well. My only major complaint was the lack of Kelly Macdonald’s character Margaret this season. She’s been the most accessible character to the audience and that was missing this year. Macdonald was pregnant during the filming of most of the season, so I hope her role is back to what we expected from previous years.
The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards
As much as I love discussing and covering awards shows, the ceremonies themselves are rarely anything to write home about and mostly terrible. The Globes themselves have been a completely forgettable ceremony. Ricky Gervais’ mean-spirited hosting didn’t help the matters either. But this year Tina Fey & Amy Poehler took over the hosting duties and made it one of the best awards ceremonies in recent memories. Their opening monologue was basically a Weekend Update segment without the desks, which completely worked for this show. The jokes were relevant and sassy without being cruel. (Easily the best joke: “I haven’t been following the controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty, but when it comes to torture, I trust the lady who spent three years married to James Cameron.”) Also memorable: Kristen Wiig & Will Ferrell’s presentation of Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical Picture. And Jodie Foster’s Cecil B. DeMille speech was absolutely fascinating. Fey & Poehler are back to host again for the next two years and I can’t wait to see what they have in store.
Great Performances and Live From Lincoln Center
While NBC has garnered a lot of attention this year for their live production of The Sound of Music, PBS has been airing live theatrical productions for years now. And this year was a particularly bountiful year. Live From Lincoln Center had quite a few high quality shows that aired this year. Broadway divas Audra McDonald and Kristin Chenoweth both had terrific hour-long concerts. One Singular Sensation! Celebrating Marvin Hamlisch aired on December 31st last year, but I watched it on January 1st so I’m including it because it was an amazing concert featuring Broadway veterans honoring the late composer. And not to mention their airing of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, anchored by two heavyweight performances by Nathan Gunn & Kelli O’Hara. And I haven’t even started talking about Great Performances yet. They aired an amazing Barbra Streisand concert and a broadcast of a filmed concert version of Company with Neil Patrick Harris leading an all-star concert. Great Performances also aired the BBC miniseries The Hollow Crown which aired a fantastic film version of Richard II starring Ben Whishaw. Not to mention the documentaries focusing on The Raisin Cycle and the Jewish legacy of Broadway. Anybody that’s interested in theater of any type should keep an eye on these two programs consistently airing on PBS.
Another terrific new series that debuted during 2013. Masters of Sex follows the sexual study explorations of Dr. Bill Masters and his partner Virginia Johnson. The series is anchored by two amazing performances from Michael Sheen & Lizzy Caplan. Their chemistry together is absolutely perfect. But the show has also filled out the rest of the cast with colorful characters. Beau Bridges as the provost of the university and Allison Janney as his wife were absolutely heartbreaking in a storyline involving his hidden homosexuality. Janney gave one of the best performances of the year and is almost guaranteed a fifth Emmy win in the Guest Actress category next year. Ann Dowd was another standout guest performer as Dr. Masters’ mother. The show has a bit of improvement to do, like raising the stakes of the story lines a tiny bit, but their strongest episodes came in the back half of the season so I’m confident that they realized what has worked on the series so far and continue to do that.
This show came very close to making my Top 10. The back half of the second season that aired in early 2013 was absolutely fantastic. The story lines came together in a very smart and interesting way and it had one of the best ensembles on television. Kerry Washington gave one of her performances in “Truth or Consequences”, which should’ve been her Emmy tape. However I thought the show slipped a little bit in the third season so far. The season premiere was one of the best episodes of the series. The scene in the bunker between Olivia, Fitz & Mellie was dramatic television at its best. But the storylines didn’t seem to grow from there. The plot involving Khandi Alexander as Olivia’s mother is a complete rip-off/take-off on Alias‘ second season storyline with Lena Olin. It’s still an entertaining show but the third season hasn’t been a complete success so far.
This is still one of television’s most criminally under-recognized shows. It’s obviously on Emmy’s radar because Joan Cusack has received three consecutive nominations in the Guest category, but it’s still ignored everywhere else. That’s a huge crime this year, especially with Emmy Rossum’s amazing performance as Fiona. Her courtroom monologue in “A Long Way From Home” was one of the most heartbreaking moments of television this year and it was Rossum’s performance that made it so memorable. The show also took a different approach with Frank this season and put him on a more redeeming path at the end of the season. Frank is still a despicable character, but he seems to be on a new path. The rest of the ensemble was also terrific as always. Jeremy Allen White as Lip is one of the show’s strong points and he had another strong season of performances. The show returns for its fourth season on January 12th. I have to imagine that the show will continue its upward climb in quality.
Back in the year 2000, Survivor kicked off the reality-competition craze on network television. Now in 2013 it’s still going strong and still showing other reality shows how to keep the same format but making occasional changes that don’t betray the essence of the show. The 26th season of the show in the Spring brought back the Fans vs. Favorites twist and provided an extremely entertaining season, ultimately ending in the nerdy law student Cochran dominating the game and winning the $1 million dollar prize. The 27th season airing in the fall brought in a new twist: Blood vs. Water. It featured 10 returning players and 10 of their loved ones competing against each other. It completely raised the stakes of the game from the first minute. Not to mention the loved ones were just as entertaining and cutthroat as their veteran loved ones. This season also featured only the second instance in the show’s history of the tribe being completely deadlocked that they had to resort to drawing rocks.
Sundance made a big mark on television this year with a 6-part miniseries from filmmaker Jane Campion. This miniseries focused on police detective Robin being brought back to her hometown to investigate the disappearance of a pregnant 12 year-old girl. That’s only the basic plot and things get more complicated as the series goes on. The series was anchored by a terrific performance from Elisabeth Moss. We’ve known Moss as the quiet but determined Peggy Olson from Mad Men, but here she showed what a powerhouse she can be when given different material. Her performance was tough and vulnerable at the same time. It’s a shame she didn’t win the Emmy this year. The supporting cast was just as strong too, featuring interesting and strong performances from Peter Mullan, Thomas M. Wright and Holly Hunter. The conclusion of the main storyline was slightly less than satisfying, but it didn’t negate the intense and emotional hours that came before it.
HONORABLE MENTION: The Big Bang Theory, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Eastbound & Down, Hannibal, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, Shark Tank, Southland, 30 Rock, Top Chef, Treme
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Database Security Requirements Guide
Cat II (Medium) 126
Clear 126
U_Database_V2R8_SRG_Manual-xccdf.xml
U_Database_V2R1_STIG_Manual-xccdf.xml
The Database Security Requirements Guide (SRG) is published as a tool to improve the security of Department of Defense (DoD) information systems. The requirements are derived from the NIST 800-53 and related documents. Comments or proposed revisions to this document should be sent via e-mail to the following address: [email protected]
No Change 106
Updated 19
Added 1
V-32157 No Change
SRG-APP-000001-DB-000031
Database management includes the ability to control the number of users and user sessions utilizing a DBMS. Unlimited concurrent connections to the DBMS could allow a successful Denial of Service (DoS) attack by exhausting connection resources; and a system can also fail or be degraded by an overload of legitimate users. Limiting the number of concurrent sessions per user is helpful in reducing these risks.
This requirement addresses concurrent session control for a single account. It does not address concurrent sessions by a single user via multiple system accounts; and it does not deal with the total number of sessions across all accounts.
The capability to limit the number of concurrent sessions per user must be configured in or added to the DBMS (for example, by use of a logon trigger), when this is technically feasible. Note that it is not sufficient to limit sessions via a web server or application server alone, because legitimate users and adversaries can potentially connect to the DBMS by other means.
The organization will need to define the maximum number of concurrent sessions by account type, by account, or a combination thereof. In deciding on the appropriate number, it is important to consider the work requirements of the various types of users. For example, 2 might be an acceptable limit for general users accessing the database via an application; but 10 might be too few for a database administrator using a database management GUI tool, where each query tab and navigation pane may count as a separate session.
(Sessions may also be referred to as connections or logons, which for the purposes of this requirement are synonyms.)
Determine whether the system documentation specifies limits on the number of concurrent DBMS sessions per account by type of user. If it does not, assume a limit of 10 for database administrators and 2 for all other users.
Review the concurrent-sessions settings in the DBMS and/or the applications using it, and/or the system software supporting it.
If the DBMS is capable of enforcing this restriction but is not configured to do so, this is a finding. This holds even if the restriction is enforced by applications or supporting software.
If it is not technically feasible for the DBMS to enforce this restriction, but the application(s) or supporting software are configured to do so, this is not a finding.
If it is not technically feasible for the DBMS to enforce this restriction, and applications and supporting software are not so configured, this is a finding.
If the value for any type of user account is not set, this is a finding.
If a value is set but is not equal to the value specified in the documentation (or the default value defined in this check) for the type of user, this is a finding.
If the DBMS is capable of enforcing this restriction, but is not configured to do so, configure it to do so. (This may involve the development of one or more triggers.)
If it is not technically feasible for the DBMS to enforce this restriction, and the application(s) and supporting software are not configured to do so, configure them to do so.
If the value for any type of user account is not set, determine the correct value and set it.
If a value is set but is not equal to the value specified for the type of user, determine the correct value, set it, and update the documentation, as appropriate.
Enterprise environments make account management for applications and databases challenging and complex. A manual process for account management functions adds the risk of a potential oversight or other error. Managing accounts for the same person in multiple places is inefficient and prone to problems with consistency and synchronization.
A comprehensive application account management process that includes automation helps to ensure that accounts designated as requiring attention are consistently and promptly addressed.
Examples include, but are not limited to, using automation to take action on multiple accounts designated as inactive, suspended, or terminated, or by disabling accounts located in non-centralized account stores, such as multiple servers. Account management functions can also include: assignment of group or role membership; identifying account type; specifying user access authorizations (i.e., privileges); account removal, update, or termination; and administrative alerts. The use of automated mechanisms can include, for example: using email or text messaging to notify account managers when users are terminated or transferred; using the information system to monitor account usage; and using automated telephone notification to report atypical system account usage.
The DBMS must be configured to automatically utilize organization-level account management functions, and these functions must immediately enforce the organization's current account policy.
Automation may be comprised of differing technologies that when placed together contain an overall mechanism supporting an organization's automated account management requirements.
If all accounts are authenticated by the organization-level authentication/access mechanism and not by the DBMS, this is not a finding.
If there are any accounts managed by the DBMS, review the system documentation for justification and approval of these accounts.
If any DBMS-managed accounts exist that are not documented and approved, this is a finding.
Integrate DBMS security with an organization-level authentication/access mechanism providing account management for all users, groups, roles, and any other principals.
For each DBMS-managed account that is not documented and approved, either transfer it to management by the external mechanism, or document the need for it and obtain approval, as appropriate.
Authentication with a DoD-approved PKI certificate does not necessarily imply authorization to access the DBMS. To mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information by entities that have been issued certificates by DoD-approved PKIs, all DoD systems, including databases, must be properly configured to implement access control policies.
Successful authentication must not automatically give an entity access to an asset or security boundary. Authorization procedures and controls must be implemented to ensure each authenticated entity also has a validated and current authorization. Authorization is the process of determining whether an entity, once authenticated, is permitted to access a specific asset. Information systems use access control policies and enforcement mechanisms to implement this requirement.
Access control policies include identity-based policies, role-based policies, and attribute-based policies. Access enforcement mechanisms include access control lists, access control matrices, and cryptography. These policies and mechanisms must be employed by the application to control access between users (or processes acting on behalf of users) and objects (e.g., devices, files, records, processes, programs, and domains) in the information system.
This requirement is applicable to access control enforcement applications, a category that includes database management systems. If the DBMS does not follow applicable policy when approving access, it may be in conflict with networks or other applications in the information system. This may result in users either gaining or being denied access inappropriately and in conflict with applicable policy.
Check DBMS settings to determine whether users are restricted from accessing objects and data they are not authorized to access.
If appropriate access controls are not implemented to restrict access to authorized users and to restrict the access of those users to objects and data they are authorized to see, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS settings and access controls to permit user access only to objects and data that the user is authorized to view or interact with, and to prevent access to all other objects and data.
V-32347 Updated
SV-42684r34_rule
Non-repudiation of actions taken is required in order to maintain data integrity. Examples of particular actions taken by individuals include creating information, sending a message, approving information (e.g., indicating concurrence or signing a contract), and receiving a message.
Non-repudiation protects against later claims by a user of not having created, modified, or deleted a particular data item or collection of data in the database.
In designing a database, the organization must define the types of data and the user actions that must be protected from repudiation. The implementation must then include building audit features into the application data tables, and configuring the DBMS's audit tools to capture the necessary audit trail. Design and implementation also must ensure that applications pass individual user identification to the DBMS, even where the application connects to the DBMS with a standard, groupshared account.
Review system documentation to determine the data and the actions on data that need to be protected from repudiation by means of audit trails.
Review DBMS settings to determine whether users can be identified as individuals when using groupshared accounts. If the individual user who is using a groupshared account cannot be identified, this is a finding.
Review the design and the contents of the application data tables. If they do not include the necessary audit data, this is a finding.
Review the configuration of audit logs to determine whether auditing includes details identifying the individual user. If it does not, this is a finding.
Use accounts assigned to individual users. Where the application connects to the DBMS using a standard, groupshared account, ensure that it also captures the individual user identification and passes it to the DBMS.
Modify application database tables and all supporting code to capture the necessary audit data.
Modify the configuration of audit logs to include details identifying the individual user.
Without the capability to generate audit records, it would be difficult to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident or identify those responsible for one.
Audit records can be generated from various components within the DBMS (e.g., process, module). Certain specific application functionalities may be audited as well. The list of audited events is the set of events for which audits are to be generated. This set of events is typically a subset of the list of all events for which the system is capable of generating audit records.
DoD has defined the list of events for which the DBMS will provide an audit record generation capability as the following:
(i) Successful and unsuccessful attempts to access, modify, or delete privileges, security objects, security levels, or categories of information (e.g., classification levels);
(ii) Access actions, such as successful and unsuccessful logon attempts, privileged activities, or other system-level access, starting and ending time for user access to the system, concurrent logons from different workstations, successful and unsuccessful accesses to objects, all program initiations, and all direct access to the information system; and
(iii) All account creation, modification, disabling, and termination actions.
Organizations may define additional events requiring continuous or ad hoc auditing.
Check DBMS auditing to determine whether organization-defined auditable events are being audited by the system.
If organization-defined auditable events are not being audited, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS that supports the DoD minimum set of auditable events.
Configure the DBMS to generate audit records for at least the DoD minimum set of events.
Without the capability to restrict which roles and individuals can select which events are audited, unauthorized personnel may be able to prevent or interfere with the auditing of critical events.
Suppression of auditing could permit an adversary to evade detection.
Misconfigured audits can degrade the system's performance by overwhelming the audit log. Misconfigured audits may also make it more difficult to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident or identify those responsible for one.
Check DBMS settings and documentation to determine whether designated personnel are able to select which auditable events are being audited.
If designated personnel are not able to configure auditable events, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS's settings to allow designated personnel to select which auditable events are audited.
Under some circumstances, it may be useful to monitor who/what is reading privilege/permission/role information. Therefore, it must be possible to configure auditing to do this. DBMSs typically make such information available through views or functions.
This requirement addresses explicit requests for privilege/permission/role membership information. It does not refer to the implicit retrieval of privileges/permissions/role memberships that the DBMS continually performs to determine if any and every action on the database is permitted.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when privileges/permissions/role memberships are retrieved.
If the DBMS is not capable of this, this is a finding.
If the DBMS is currently required to audit the retrieval of privilege/permission/role membership information, review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when privileges/permissions/role memberships are retrieved.
If they are not produced, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when privileges/permissions/role memberships are retrieved.
If currently required, configure the DBMS to produce audit records when privileges/permissions/role memberships are retrieved.
Session auditing is for use when a user's activities are under investigation. To be sure of capturing all activity during those periods when session auditing is in use, it needs to be in operation for the whole time the DBMS is running.
Review DBMS vendor documentation to determine whether the DBMS software is capable of session auditing.
If the DBMS is not capable of session auditing and a third party product is not being used for session level auditing, this is a finding.
If the DBMS is capable of session level auditing and specific session audits are currently defined but session auditing is not enabled; or if a third-party product is available for session auditing and specific session audits are currently defined but session auditing is not enabled, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of session auditing.
Configure the DBMS software or third-party product to enable session auditing.
Without the capability to capture, record, and log all content related to a user session, investigations into suspicious user activity would be hampered.
Typically, this DBMS capability would be used in conjunction with comparable monitoring of a user's online session, involving other software components such as operating systems, web servers and front-end user applications. The current requirement, however, deals specifically with the DBMS.
Review DBMS vendor documentation to determine whether the DBMS is capable of capturing, recording, and logging all content related to an established user session.
If the DBMS is not capable of these actions, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of capturing, recording, and logging all content related to an established user session, or acquire a third-party application to perform this function.
Information system auditing capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Without establishing what type of event occurred, it would be difficult to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident or identify those responsible for one.
Audit record content that may be necessary to satisfy the requirement of this policy includes, for example, time stamps, user/process identifiers, event descriptions, success/fail indications, filenames involved, and access control or flow control rules invoked.
Associating event types with detected events in the application and audit logs provides a means of investigating an attack; recognizing resource utilization or capacity thresholds; or identifying an improperly configured application.
Database software is capable of a range of actions on data stored within the database. It is important, for accurate forensic analysis, to know exactly what actions were performed. This requires specific information regarding the event type an audit record is referring to. If event type information is not recorded and stored with the audit record, the record itself is of very limited use.
Check DBMS settings and existing audit records to verify information specific to the audit event type is being captured and stored with the audit records.
If audit records exist without information regarding what type of event occurred, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to include event type as part of the audit record.
Information system auditing capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Without establishing when events occurred, it is impossible to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident.
In order to compile an accurate risk assessment and provide forensic analysis, it is essential for security personnel to know the date and time when events occurred.
Associating the date and time with detected events in the application and audit logs provides a means of investigating an attack; recognizing resource utilization or capacity thresholds; or identifying an improperly configured application.
Database software is capable of a range of actions on data stored within the database. It is important, for accurate forensic analysis, to know exactly when specific actions were performed. This requires the date and time an audit record is referring to. If date and time information is not recorded and stored with the audit record, the record itself is of very limited use.
Check DBMS settings and existing audit records to verify information specific to the date and time of the event is being captured and stored with the audit records.
If audit records exist without the date and time of the event, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to include the date and time of the occurrence of the event as part of the audit record.
Information system auditing capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Without establishing where events occurred, it is impossible to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident.
In order to compile an accurate risk assessment and provide forensic analysis, it is essential for security personnel to know where events occurred, such as application components, modules, session identifiers, filenames, host names, and functionality.
Associating information about where the event occurred within the application provides a means of investigating an attack; recognizing resource utilization or capacity thresholds; or identifying an improperly configured application.
Check DBMS settings and existing audit records to verify information specific to where the event occurred is being captured and stored with the audit records.
If audit records exist without information regarding where the event occurred, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to include where the event occurred as part of the audit record.
Information system auditing capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Without establishing the source of the event, it is impossible to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident.
In addition to logging where events occur within the application, the application must also produce audit records that identify the application itself as the source of the event.
Associating information about the source of the event within the application provides a means of investigating an attack; recognizing resource utilization or capacity thresholds; or identifying an improperly configured application.
Check DBMS settings and existing audit records to verify information specific to the source (origin) of the event is being captured and stored with audit records.
If audit records exist without information regarding the source of the event, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to include the source of the event as part of the audit record.
Information system auditing capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Without information about the outcome of events, security personnel cannot make an accurate assessment as to whether an attack was successful or if changes were made to the security state of the system.
Event outcomes can include indicators of event success or failure and event-specific results (e.g., the security state of the information system after the event occurred). As such, they also provide a means to measure the impact of an event and help authorized personnel to determine the appropriate response.
Check DBMS settings and existing audit records to verify information specific to the outcome of the event is being captured and stored with the audit records.
If audit records exist without the outcome of the event that occurred, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to include the outcome of the event as part of the audit record.
Information system auditing capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Without information that establishes the identity of the subjects (i.e., users or processes acting on behalf of users) associated with the events, security personnel cannot determine responsibility for the potentially harmful event.
Identifiers (if authenticated or otherwise known) include, but are not limited to, user database tables, primary key values, user names, or process identifiers.
Check DBMS settings and existing audit records to verify a user name associated with the event is being captured and stored with the audit records. If audit records exist without specific user information, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to include user name as part of the audit record.
Information system auditing capability is critical for accurate forensic analysis. Reconstruction of harmful events or forensic analysis is not possible if audit records do not contain enough information. To support analysis, some types of events will need information to be logged that exceeds the basic requirements of event type, time stamps, location, source, outcome, and user identity. If additional information is not available, it could negatively impact forensic investigations into user actions or other malicious events.
The organization must determine what additional information is required for complete analysis of the audited events. The additional information required is dependent on the type of information (e.g., sensitivity of the data and the environment within which it resides). At a minimum, the organization must employ either full-text recording of privileged commands or the individual identities of group userusers of shared accounts, or both. The organization must maintain audit trails in sufficient detail to reconstruct events to determine the cause and impact of compromise.
Examples of detailed information the organization may require in audit records are full-text recording of privileged commands or the individual identities of groupshared account users.
Review the system documentation to identify what additional information the organization has determined to be necessary.
Check DBMS settings and existing audit records to verify that all organization-defined additional, more detailed information is in the audit records for audit events identified by type, location, or subject.
If any additional information is defined and is not contained in the audit records, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to include all organization-defined detailed information in the audit records for audit events identified by type, location, or subject.
It is critical that when the DBMS is at risk of failing to process audit logs as required, it take action to mitigate the failure. Audit processing failures include: software/hardware errors; failures in the audit capturing mechanisms; and audit storage capacity being reached or exceeded. Responses to audit failure depend upon the nature of the failure mode.
When the need for system availability does not outweigh the need for a complete audit trail, the DBMS should shut down immediately, rolling back all in-flight transactions.
Systems where audit trail completeness is paramount will most likely be at a lower MAC level than MAC I; the final determination is the prerogative of the application owner, subject to Authorizing Official concurrence. In any case, sufficient auditing resources must be allocated to avoid a shutdown in all but the most extreme situations.
If the application owner has determined that the need for system availability outweighs the need for a complete audit trail, this is not applicable (NA).
Review DBMS, OS, or third-party logging application settings and/or documentation to determine whether the system is capable of shutting down, rolling back all in-flight transactions, in the case of an auditing failure. If it is not, this is a finding.
If the system is capable of shutting down upon audit failure but is not configured to do so, this is a finding.
Configure the system to shut down, rolling back all in-flight transactions, in the case of an auditing failure.
Internal system clocks are typically a feature of server hardware and are maintained and used by the operating system. They are typically synchronized with an authoritative time server at regular intervals.
Without an internal system clock used as the reference for the time stored on each event to provide a trusted common reference for the time, forensic analysis would be impeded. Determining the correct time a particular event occurred on a system is critical when conducting forensic analysis and investigating system events.
Time stamps generated by the internal system clock and used by the DBMS shall include both date and time. The time may be expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a modern continuation of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), or local time with an offset from UTC.
If time sources other than the system time are used for audit records, the timeline of events can get skewed. This makes forensic analysis of the logs much less reliable.
Using product documentation, verify that the DBMS uses current time stamp values obtained from or synchronized with the internal system clock used by the operating system.
If it is not able to, this is a finding.
If it is able to but is configured so that it does not do so, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS that can use time stamp values obtained from or synchronized with the internal system clock used by the operating system.
Configure the DBMS to use time stamp values obtained from or synchronized with the internal system clock used by the operating system.
If audit data were to become compromised, then competent forensic analysis and discovery of the true source of potentially malicious system activity is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. In addition, access to audit records provides information an attacker could potentially use to his or her advantage.
To ensure the veracity of audit data, the information system and/or the application must protect audit information from any and all unauthorized access. This includes read, write, copy, etc.
This requirement can be achieved through multiple methods which will depend upon system architecture and design. Some commonly employed methods include ensuring log files enjoy the proper file system permissions utilizing file system protections and limiting log data location.
Additionally, applications with user interfaces to audit records should not allow for the unfettered manipulation of or access to those records via the application. If the application provides access to the audit data, the application becomes accountable for ensuring that audit information is protected from unauthorized access.
Audit information includes all information (e.g., audit records, audit settings, and audit reports) needed to successfully audit information system activity.
Review locations of audit logs, both internal to the database and database audit logs located at the operating system level.
Verify there are appropriate controls and permissions to protect the audit information from unauthorized access.
If appropriate controls and permissions do not exist, this is a finding.
Apply controls and modify permissions to protect database audit log data from unauthorized access, whether stored in the database itself or at the OS level.
If audit data were to become compromised, then competent forensic analysis and discovery of the true source of potentially malicious system activity is impossible to achieve.
To ensure the veracity of audit data the information system and/or the application must protect audit information from unauthorized modification.
This requirement can be achieved through multiple methods that will depend upon system architecture and design. Some commonly employed methods include ensuring log files enjoy the proper file system permissions and limiting log data locations.
Applications providing a user interface to audit data will leverage user permissions and roles identifying the user accessing the data and the corresponding rights that the user enjoys in order to make access decisions regarding the modification of audit data.
Modification of database audit data could mask the theft of, or the unauthorized modification of, sensitive data stored in the database.
Verify there are appropriate controls and permissions to protect the audit information from unauthorized modification.
Apply controls and modify permissions to protect database audit log data from unauthorized modification, whether stored in the database itself or at the OS level.
To ensure the veracity of audit data, the information system and/or the application must protect audit information from unauthorized deletion. This requirement can be achieved through multiple methods which will depend upon system architecture and design.
Some commonly employed methods include: ensuring log files enjoy the proper file system permissions utilizing file system protections; restricting access; and backing up log data to ensure log data is retained.
Applications providing a user interface to audit data will leverage user permissions and roles identifying the user accessing the data and the corresponding rights the user enjoys in order make access decisions regarding the deletion of audit data.
Deletion of database audit data could mask the theft of, or the unauthorized modification of, sensitive data stored in the database.
Review locations of audit logs, both internal to the database, and database audit logs located at the operating system level.
Verify there are appropriate controls and permissions to protect the audit information from unauthorized deletion.
Apply controls and modify permissions to protect database audit log data from unauthorized deletion, whether stored in the database itself or at the OS level.
Protecting audit data also includes identifying and protecting the tools used to view and manipulate log data.
Depending upon the log format and application, system and application log tools may provide the only means to manipulate and manage application and system log data. It is, therefore, imperative that access to audit tools be controlled and protected from unauthorized access.
Applications providing tools to interface with audit data will leverage user permissions and roles identifying the user accessing the tools and the corresponding rights the user enjoys in order make access decisions regarding the access to audit tools.
Audit tools include, but are not limited to, OS-provided audit tools, vendor-provided audit tools, and open source audit tools needed to successfully view and manipulate audit information system activity and records.
If an attacker were to gain access to audit tools, he could analyze audit logs for system weaknesses or weaknesses in the auditing itself. An attacker could also manipulate logs to hide evidence of malicious activity.
Review the access permissions to tools used to view or modify audit log data. These tools may include features within the DBMS itself or software external to the database.
If appropriate permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized access are not applied to these tools, this is a finding.
Apply or modify access controls and permissions (both within the DBMS and in the file system/operating system) to tools used to view or modify audit log data. Tools must be accessible by authorized personnel only.
Protecting audit data also includes identifying and protecting the tools used to view and manipulate log data. Therefore, protecting audit tools is necessary to prevent unauthorized operation on audit data.
Applications providing tools to interface with audit data will leverage user permissions and roles identifying the user accessing the tools and the corresponding rights the user enjoys in order make access decisions regarding the modification of audit tools.
Audit tools include, but are not limited to, vendor-provided and open source audit tools needed to successfully view and manipulate audit information system activity and records. Audit tools include custom queries and report generators.
If appropriate permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized configuration are not applied to these tools, this is a finding.
Apply or modify access controls and permissions (both within the DBMS and in the file system/operating system) to tools used to view or modify audit log data. Tools must be configurable by authorized personnel only.
Applications providing tools to interface with audit data will leverage user permissions and roles identifying the user accessing the tools and the corresponding rights the user enjoys in order make access decisions regarding the deletion of audit tools.
If appropriate permissions and access controls to prevent unauthorized removal are not applied to these tools, this is a finding.
Apply or modify access controls and permissions (both within the DBMS and in the file system/operating system) to tools used to view or modify audit log data. Ensure that tools may be removed by authorized personnel only.
Within the database, object ownership implies full privileges to the owned object, including the privilege to assign access to the owned objects to other subjects. Database functions and procedures can be coded using definer's rights. This allows anyone who utilizes the object to perform the actions if they were the owner. If not properly managed, this can lead to privileged actions being taken by unauthorized individuals.
Conversely, if critical tables or other objects rely on unauthorized owner accounts, these objects may be lost when an account is removed.
Review system documentation to identify accounts authorized to own database objects. Review accounts that own objects in the database(s).
If any database objects are found to be owned by users not authorized to own database objects, this is a finding.
Assign ownership of authorized objects to authorized object owner accounts.
When dealing with change control issues, it should be noted any changes to the hardware, software, and/or firmware components of the information system and/or application can potentially have significant effects on the overall security of the system.
Multiple applications can provide a cumulative negative effect. A vulnerability and subsequent exploit to one application can lead to an exploit of other applications sharing the same security context. For example, an exploit to a web server process that leads to unauthorized administrative access to host system directories can most likely lead to a compromise of all applications hosted by the same system. Database software not installed using dedicated directories both threatens and is threatened by other hosted applications. Access controls defined for one application may by default provide access to the other application's database objects or directories. Any method that provides any level of separation of security context assists in the protection between applications.
Review the DBMS software library directory and note other root directories located on the same disk directory or any subdirectories.
If any non-DBMS software directories exist on the disk directory, examine or investigate their use. If any of the directories are used by other applications, including third-party applications that use the DBMS, this is a finding.
Only applications that are required for the functioning and administration, not use, of the DBMS should be located in the same disk directory as the DBMS software libraries.
If other applications are located in the same directory as the DBMS, this is a finding.
For databases located on mainframes, confirm that the database and its configuration files are isolated in their own DASD pools.
If database software and database configuration files share DASD with other applications, this is a finding.
Install all applications on directories separate from the DBMS software library directory. Relocate any directories or reinstall other application software that currently shares the DBMS software library directory.
For mainframe-based databases, locate database software and configuration files in separate DASD pools from other mainframe applications.
When dealing with change control issues, it should be noted any changes to the hardware, software, and/or firmware components of the information system and/or application can have significant effects on the overall security of the system.
If the system were to allow any user to make changes to software libraries, then those changes might be implemented without undergoing the appropriate testing and approvals that are part of a robust change management process.
Accordingly, only qualified and authorized individuals shall be allowed access to information system components for purposes of initiating changes, including upgrades and modifications.
DBA and other privileged administrative or application owner accounts are granted privileges that allow actions that can have a great impact on database security and operation. It is especially important to grant privileged access to only those persons who are qualified and authorized to use them.
Review procedures for controlling, granting access to, and tracking use of the DBMS software installation account.
If access or use of this account is not restricted to the minimum number of personnel required or if unauthorized access to the account has been granted, this is a finding.
Develop, document, and implement procedures to restrict and track use of the DBMS software installation account.
Accordingly, only qualified and authorized individuals shall be allowed to obtain access to information system components for purposes of initiating changes, including upgrades and modifications.
Unmanaged changes that occur to the database software libraries or configuration can lead to unauthorized or compromised installations.
Review monitoring procedures and implementation evidence to verify monitoring of changes to database software libraries, related applications, and configuration files is done.
Verify the list of files, directories, and database application objects (procedures, functions, and triggers) being monitored is complete.
If monitoring does not occur or is not complete, this is a finding.
Implement procedures to monitor for unauthorized changes to DBMS software libraries, related software application libraries, and configuration files. If a third-party automated tool is not employed, an automated job that reports file information on the directories and files of interest and compares them to the baseline report for the same will meet the requirement.
Use file hashes or checksums for comparisons, as file dates may be manipulated by malicious users.
Information systems are capable of providing a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services, provided by default, may not be necessary to support essential organizational operations (e.g., key missions, functions).
It is detrimental for software products to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives. Examples include, but are not limited to, installing advertising software, demonstrations, or browser plugins not related to requirements or providing a wide array of functionality, not required for every mission, that cannot be disabled.
DBMSs must adhere to the principles of least functionality by providing only essential capabilities.
Demonstration and sample database objects and applications present publicly known attack points for malicious users. These demonstration and sample objects are meant to provide simple examples of coding specific functions and are not developed to prevent vulnerabilities from being introduced to the DBMS and host system.
Review vendor documentation and vendor websites to identify vendor-provided demonstration or sample databases, database applications, objects, and files.
Review the DBMS to determine if any of the demonstration and sample databases, database applications, or files are installed in the database or are included with the DBMS application.
If any are present in the database or are included with the DBMS application, this is a finding.
Remove any demonstration and sample databases, database applications, objects, and files from the DBMS.
It is detrimental for software products to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives.
Review the list of components and features installed with the database.
Use the DBMS product installation tool if supported and review the product installation documentation.
If unused components or features are installed and are not documented and authorized, this is a finding.
Uninstall unused components or features that are installed and can be uninstalled. Remove any database objects and applications that are installed to support them.
Unused, unnecessary DBMS components increase the attack vector for the DBMS by introducing additional targets for attack. By minimizing the services and applications installed on the system, the number of potential vulnerabilities is reduced. Components of the system that are unused and cannot be uninstalled must be disabled. The techniques available for disabling components will vary by DBMS product, OS, and the nature of the component and may include DBMS configuration settings, OS service settings, OS file access security, and DBMS user/grouple permissions.
Review the DBMS for unused components of the system that cannot be uninstalled.
If unused components or features are present on the system, can be disabled, and are not disabled, this is a finding.
Disable any unused components or features that cannot be uninstalled.
It is detrimental for applications to provide, or install by default, functionality exceeding requirements or mission objectives.
Applications must adhere to the principles of least functionality by providing only essential capabilities.
DBMSs may spawn additional external processes to execute procedures that are defined in the DBMS but stored in external host files (external procedures). The spawned process used to execute the external procedure may operate within a different OS security context than the DBMS and provide unauthorized access to the host system.
Review the database for definitions of application executable objects stored external to the database.
Determine if there are methods to disable use or access, or to remove definitions for external executable objects.
Verify each application executable object listed is authorized by the ISSO. If any are not, this is a finding.
Disable use of or remove any external application executable object definitions that are not authorized.
In order to prevent unauthorized connection of devices, unauthorized transfer of information, or unauthorized tunneling (i.e., embedding of data types within data types), organizations must disable or restrict unused or unnecessary physical and logical ports/protocols/services on information systems.
Applications are capable of providing a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services provided by default may not be necessary to support essential organizational operations. Additionally, it is sometimes convenient to provide multiple services from a single component (e.g., email and web services); however, doing so increases risk over limiting the services provided by any one component.
To support the requirements and principles of least functionality, the application must support the organizational requirements providing only essential capabilities and limiting the use of ports, protocols, and/or services to only those required, authorized, and approved to conduct official business or to address authorized quality of life issues.
Database Management Systems using ports, protocols, and services deemed unsafe are open to attack through those ports, protocols, and services. This can allow unauthorized access to the database and through the database to other components of the information system.
Review the DBMS settings and local documentation for functions, ports, protocols, and services that are not approved. If any are found, this is a finding.
Disable functions, ports, protocols, and services that are not approved.
To assure accountability and prevent unauthenticated access, organizational users must be identified and authenticated to prevent potential misuse and compromise of the system.
Organizational users include organizational employees or individuals the organization deems to have equivalent status of employees (e.g., contractors). Organizational users (and any processes acting on behalf of users) must be uniquely identified and authenticated for all accesses, except the following:
(i) Accesses explicitly identified and documented by the organization. Organizations document specific user actions that can be performed on the information system without identification or authentication; and
(ii) Accesses that occur through authorized use of group authenticators without individual authentication. Organizations may require unique identification of individuals in group accounts (e.g., shared privilegeusing shared accounts) or, for detailed accountability of individual activity.
Review DBMS settings to determine whether organizational users are uniquely identified and authenticated when logging on/connecting to the system.
If organizational users are not uniquely identified and authenticated, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS settings to uniquely identify and authenticate all organizational users who log on/connect to the system.
The DoD standard for authentication is DoD-approved PKI certificates.
Authentication based on User ID and Password may be used only when it is not possible to employ a PKI certificate, and requires AO approval.
In such cases, database passwords stored in clear text, using reversible encryption, or using unsalted hashes would be vulnerable to unauthorized disclosure. Database passwords must always be in the form of one-way, salted hashes when stored internally or externally to the DBMS.
Review the list of DBMS database objects, database configuration files, associated scripts, and applications defined within and external to the DBMS that access the database. The list should also include files or settings used to configure the operational environment for the DBMS and for interactive DBMS user accounts.
Determine whether any DBMS database objects, database configuration files, associated scripts, applications defined within or external to the DBMS that access the database, and DBMS/user environment files/settings contain database passwords. If any do, confirm that DBMS passwords stored internally or externally to the DBMS are hashed using FIPS-approved cryptographic algorithms and include a salt. If any passwords are stored in clear text, this is a finding. If any passwords are stored with reversible encryption, this is a finding. If any passwords are stored using unsalted hashes, this is a finding.
Develop, document, and maintain a list of DBMS database objects, database configuration files, associated scripts, applications defined within or external to the DBMS that access the database, and DBMS/user environment files/settings in the System Security Plan.
Record whether they do or do not contain DBMS passwords. If passwords are present, ensure that they are correctly hashed using one-way, salted hashing functions, and that the hashes are protected by host system security.
In such cases, passwords need to be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords during transmission.
DBMS passwords sent in clear text format across the network are vulnerable to discovery by unauthorized users. Disclosure of passwords may easily lead to unauthorized access to the database.
Review configuration settings for encrypting passwords in transit across the network. If passwords are not encrypted, this is a finding.
If it is determined that passwords are passed unencrypted at any point along the transmission path between the source and destination, this is a finding.
Configure encryption for transmission of passwords across the network. If the database does not provide encryption for logon events natively, employ encryption at the OS or network level.
Ensure passwords remain encrypted from source to destination.
A certificate’s certification path is the path from the end entity certificate to a trusted root certification authority (CA). Certification path validation is necessary for a relying party to make an informed decision regarding acceptance of an end entity certificate. Certification path validation includes checks such as certificate issuer trust, time validity and revocation status for each certificate in the certification path. Revocation status information for CA and subject certificates in a certification path is commonly provided via certificate revocation lists (CRLs) or online certificate status protocol (OCSP) responses.
Database Management Systems that do not validate certificates by performing RFC 5280-compliant certification path validation are in danger of accepting certificates that are invalid and/or counterfeit. This could allow unauthorized access to the database.
Review DBMS configuration to verify that certificates being accepted by the DBMS are validated by performing RFC 5280-compliant certification path validation.
If certificates are not being validated by performing RFC 5280-compliant certification path validation, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS to validate certificates by performing RFC 5280-compliant certification path validation.
The DoD standard for authentication is DoD-approved PKI certificates. PKI certificate-based authentication is performed by requiring the certificate holder to cryptographically prove possession of the corresponding private key.
If the private key is stolen, an attacker can use the private key(s) to impersonate the certificate holder. In cases where the DBMS-stored private keys are used to authenticate the DBMS to the system’s clients, loss of the corresponding private keys would allow an attacker to successfully perform undetected man in the middle attacks against the DBMS system and its clients.
Both the holder of a digital certificate and the issuing authority must take careful measures to protect the corresponding private key. Private keys should always be generated and protected in FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules.
All access to the private key(s) of the DBMS must be restricted to authorized and authenticated users. If unauthorized users have access to one or more of the DBMS's private keys, an attacker could gain access to the key(s) and use them to impersonate the database on the network or otherwise perform unauthorized actions.
Review DBMS configuration to determine whether appropriate access controls exist to protect the DBMS's private key(s). If the DMBS’s private key(s) are not stored in a FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module, this is a finding.
If access to the DBMS’s private key(s) is not restricted to authenticated and authorized users, this is a finding.
Store all DBMS PKI private keys in a FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module. Ensure access to the DBMS PKI private keys is restricted to only authenticated and authorized users.
The DoD standard for authentication is DoD-approved PKI certificates. Once a PKI certificate has been validated, it must be mapped to a DBMS user account for the authenticated identity to be meaningful to the DBMS and useful for authorization decisions.
Review DBMS configuration to verify DBMS user accounts are being mapped directly to unique identifying information within the validated PKI certificate.
If user accounts are not being mapped to authenticated identities, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS to map the authenticated identity directly to the DBMS user account.
Normally, with PKI authentication, the interaction with the user for authentication will be handled by a software component separate from the DBMS, such as ActivIdentity ActivClient. However, in cases where the DBMS controls the interaction, this requirement applies.
To prevent the compromise of authentication information such as passwords and PINs during the authentication process, the feedback from the system must not provide any information that would allow an unauthorized user to compromise the authentication mechanism.
Obfuscation of user-provided authentication secrets when typed into the system is a method used in addressing this risk.
Displaying asterisks when a user types in a password or a smart card PIN is an example of obscuring feedback of authentication secrets.
This calls for review of applications, which will require collaboration with the application developers. It is recognized that in many cases, the database administrator (DBA) is organizationally separate from the application developers, and may have limited, if any, access to source code. Nevertheless, protections of this type are so important to the secure operation of databases that they must not be ignored. At a minimum, the DBA must attempt to obtain assurances from the development organization that this issue has been addressed, and must document what has been discovered.
If all interaction with the user for purposes of authentication is handled by a software component separate from the DBMS, this is not a finding.
If any application, tool or feature associated with the DBMS/database displays any authentication secrets (to include PINs and passwords) during - or after - the authentication process, this is a finding.
Modify and configure each non-compliant application, tool, or feature associated with the DBMS/database so that it does not display authentication secrets.
Use of weak or not validated cryptographic algorithms undermines the purposes of utilizing encryption and digital signatures to protect data. Weak algorithms can be easily broken and not validated cryptographic modules may not implement algorithms correctly. Unapproved cryptographic modules or algorithms should not be relied on for authentication, confidentiality or integrity. Weak cryptography could allow an attacker to gain access to and modify data stored in the database as well as the administration settings of the DBMS.
Applications, including DBMSs, utilizing cryptography are required to use approved NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules that meet the requirements of applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidance.
The security functions validated as part of FIPS 140-2 for cryptographic modules are described in FIPS 140-2 Annex A.
NSA Type-X (where X=1, 2, 3, 4) products are NSA-certified, hardware-based encryption modules.
Review DBMS configuration to verify it is using NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules for cryptographic operations.
If NIST FIPS 140-2 validated modules are not being used for all cryptographic operations, this is a finding.
Utilize NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules for all cryptographic operations.
Non-organizational users include all information system users other than organizational users, which include organizational employees or individuals the organization deems to have equivalent status of employees (e.g., contractors, guest researchers, individuals from allied nations).
Non-organizational users shall be uniquely identified and authenticated for all accesses other than those accesses explicitly identified and documented by the organization when related to the use of anonymous access, such as accessing a web server.
Accordingly, a risk assessment is used in determining the authentication needs of the organization.
Scalability, practicality, and security are simultaneously considered in balancing the need to ensure ease of use for access to federal information and information systems with the need to protect and adequately mitigate risk to organizational operations, organizational assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation.
Review DBMS settings to determine whether non-organizational users are uniquely identified and authenticated when logging onto the system.
If non-organizational users are not uniquely identified and authenticated, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS settings to uniquely identify and authenticate all non-organizational users who log onto the system.
Information system management functionality includes functions necessary to administer databases, network components, workstations, or servers and typically requires privileged user access.
The separation of user functionality from information system management functionality is either physical or logical and is accomplished by using different computers, different central processing units, different instances of the operating system, different network addresses, combinations of these methods, or other methods, as appropriate.
An example of this type of separation is observed in web administrative interfaces that use separate authentication methods for users of any other information system resources.
This may include isolating the administrative interface on a different domain and with additional access controls.
If administrative functionality or information regarding DBMS management is presented on an interface available for users, information on DBMS settings may be inadvertently made available to the user.
Check DBMS settings and vendor documentation to verify that administrative functionality is separate from user functionality.
If administrator and general user functionality are not separated either physically or logically, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS to separate database administration and general user functionality.
Captured sessions can be reused in "replay" attacks. This requirement limits the ability of adversaries to capture and continue to employ previously valid session IDs.
This requirement focuses on communications protection for the DBMS session rather than for the network packet. The intent of this control is to establish grounds for confidence at each end of a communications session in the ongoing identity of the other party and in the validity of the information being transmitted.
Session IDs are tokens generated by DBMSs to uniquely identify a user's (or process's) session. DBMSs will make access decisions and execute logic based on the session ID.
Unique session IDs help to reduce predictability of said identifiers. Unique session IDs address man-in-the-middle attacks, including session hijacking or insertion of false information into a session. If the attacker is unable to identify or guess the session information related to pending application traffic, they will have more difficulty in hijacking the session or otherwise manipulating valid sessions.
When a user logs out, or when any other session termination event occurs, the DBMS must terminate the user session(s) to minimize the potential for sessions to be hijacked.
Review DBMS settings and vendor documentation to verify user sessions are terminated, and session identifiers invalidated, upon user logout. If they are not, this is a finding.
Review system documentation and organization policy to identify other events that should result in session terminations.
If other session termination events are defined, review DBMS settings to verify occurrences of these events would cause session termination, invalidating the session identifiers.
If occurrences of defined session terminating events do not cause session terminations, invalidating the session identifiers, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS settings to terminate sessions, invalidating their session identifiers, upon user logout.
Configure DBMS settings to terminate sessions, invalidating their session identifiers, upon the occurrence of any organization- or policy-defined session termination event.
DBMSs utilize sessions and session identifiers to control application behavior and user access. If an attacker can guess the session identifier or can inject or manually insert session information, the session may be compromised.
The DBMS must recognize only system-generated session identifiers. If an attacker were able to generate a session with a non-system-generated session identifier and have it recognized by the system, the attacker could gain access to the system without passing through access controls designed to limit database sessions to authorized users.
Review DBMS settings and vendor documentation to determine whether the DBMS recognizes session identifiers that are not system-generated.
If the DBMS recognizes session identifiers that are not system generated, this is a finding.
Utilize a DBMS product that only recognizes session identifiers that are system-generated.
Failure to a known state can address safety or security in accordance with the mission/business needs of the organization.
Failure to a known secure state helps prevent a loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability in the event of a failure of the information system or a component of the system.
Failure to a known safe state helps prevent systems from failing to a state that may cause loss of data or unauthorized access to system resources. Systems that fail suddenly and with no incorporated failure state planning may leave the hosting system available but with a reduced security protection capability. Preserving information system state data also facilitates system restart and return to the operational mode of the organization with less disruption of mission/business processes.
Databases must fail to a known consistent state. Transactions must be successfully completed or rolled back.
In general, security mechanisms should be designed so that a failure will follow the same execution path as disallowing the operation. For example, application security methods, such as isAuthorized(), isAuthenticated(), and validate(), should all return false if there is an exception during processing. If security controls can throw exceptions, they must be very clear about exactly what that condition means.
Abort refers to stopping a program or function before it has finished naturally. The term abort refers to both requested and unexpected terminations.
Check DBMS settings and vendor documentation to verify the DBMS properly handles transactions in the event of a system failure.
If open transactions are not rolled back to a consistent state during system failure, this is a finding.
The consistent state must include a security configuration that is at least as restrictive as before the system failure. If this is not guaranteed, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS settings so that, in the event of a system failure, the DBMS will roll back open transactions to a consistent state, to include a security configuration that is at least as restrictive as before the system failure.
Preserving information system state information helps to facilitate system restart and return to the operational mode of the organization with less disruption of mission/business processes.
Since it is usually not possible to test this capability in a production environment, systems should either be validated in a testing environment or prior to installation. This requirement is usually a function of the design of the IDPS component. Compliance can be verified by acceptance/validation processes or vendor attestation.
Check DBMS settings to determine whether organization-defined system state information is being preserved in the event of a system failure.
If organization-defined system state information is not being preserved, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS settings to preserve any organization-defined system state information in the event of a system failure.
This control is intended to address the confidentiality and integrity of information at rest in non-mobile devices and covers user information and system information. Information at rest refers to the state of information when it is located on a secondary storage device (e.g., disk drive, tape drive) within an organizational information system. Applications and application users generate information throughout the course of their application use.
User data generated, as well as application-specific configuration data, needs to be protected. Organizations may choose to employ different mechanisms to achieve confidentiality and integrity protections, as appropriate.
If the confidentiality and integrity of application data is not protected, the data will be open to compromise and unauthorized modification.
If the application owner and Authorizing Official have determined that encryption of data at rest is NOT required, this is not a finding.
Review DBMS settings to determine whether controls exist to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data at rest in the database.
If controls do not exist or are not enabled, this is a finding.
Apply appropriate controls to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data at rest in the database.
An isolation boundary provides access control and protects the integrity of the hardware, software, and firmware that perform security functions.
Security functions are the hardware, software, and/or firmware of the information system responsible for enforcing the system security policy and supporting the isolation of code and data on which the protection is based.
Developers and implementers can increase the assurance in security functions by employing well-defined security policy models; structured, disciplined, and rigorous hardware and software development techniques; and sound system/security engineering principles.
Database Management Systems typically separate security functionality from non-security functionality via separate databases or schemas. Database objects or code implementing security functionality should not be commingled with objects or code implementing application logic. When security and non-security functionality are commingled, users who have access to non-security functionality may be able to access security functionality.
Check DBMS settings to determine whether objects or code implementing security functionality are located in a separate security domain, such as a separate database or schema created specifically for security functionality.
If security-related database objects or code are not kept separate, this is a finding.
Locate security-related database objects and code in a separate database, schema, or other separate security domain from database objects and code implementing application logic.
Applications, including DBMSs, must prevent unauthorized and unintended information transfer via shared system resources.
Data used for the development and testing of applications often involves copying data from production. It is important that specific procedures exist for this process, to include the conditions under which such transfer may take place, where the copies may reside, and the rules for ensuring sensitive data are not exposed.
Copies of sensitive data must not be misplaced or left in a temporary location without the proper controls.
Review the procedures for the refreshing of development/test data from production.
Review any scripts or code that exists for the movement of production data to development/test systems, or to any other location or for any other purpose.
Verify that copies of production data are not left in unprotected locations.
If the code that exists for data movement does not comply with the organization-defined data transfer policy and/or fails to remove any copies of production data from unprotected locations, this is a finding.
Modify any code used for moving data from production to development/test systems to comply with the organization-defined data transfer policy, and to ensure copies of production data are not left in unsecured locations.
Invalid user input occurs when a user inserts data or characters into an application's data entry fields and the application is unprepared to process that data. This results in unanticipated application behavior, potentially leading to an application or information system compromise. Invalid user input is one of the primary methods employed when attempting to compromise an application.
With respect to database management systems, one class of threat is known as SQL Injection, or more generally, code injection. It takes advantage of the dynamic execution capabilities of various programming languages, including dialects of SQL. Potentially, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to data, including security settings, and severely corrupt or destroy the database.
Even when no such hijacking takes place, invalid input that gets recorded in the database, whether accidental or malicious, reduces the reliability and usability of the system. Available protections include data types, referential constraints, uniqueness constraints, range checking, and application-specific logic. Application-specific logic can be implemented within the database in stored procedures and triggers, where appropriate.
This calls for inspection of application source code, which will require collaboration with the application developers. It is recognized that in many cases, the database administrator (DBA) is organizationally separate from the application developers, and may have limited, if any, access to source code. Nevertheless, protections of this type are so important to the secure operation of databases that they must not be ignored. At a minimum, the DBA must attempt to obtain assurances from the development organization that this issue has been addressed, and must document what has been discovered.
Review DBMS code (stored procedures, functions, and triggers), application code, settings, column and field definitions, and constraints to determine whether the database is protected against invalid input.
If code exists that allows invalid data to be acted upon or input into the database, this is a finding.
If column/field definitions do not exist in the database, this is a finding.
If columns/fields do not contain constraints and validity checking where required, this is a finding.
Where a column/field is noted in the system documentation as necessarily free-form, even though its name and context suggest that it should be strongly typed and constrained, the absence of these protections is not a finding.
Where a column/field is clearly identified by name, caption or context as Notes, Comments, Description, Text, etc., the absence of these protections is not a finding.
Modify database code to properly validate data before it is put into the database or acted upon by the database.
Modify the database to contain column/field definitions for each column/field in the database.
Modify the database to contain constraints and validity checking on database columns and tables that require them for data integrity.
Any DBMS or associated application providing too much information in error messages on the screen or printout risks compromising the data and security of the system. The structure and content of error messages need to be carefully considered by the organization and development team.
Databases can inadvertently provide a wealth of information to an attacker through improperly handled error messages. In addition to sensitive business or personal information, database errors can provide host names, IP addresses, user names, and other system information not required for troubleshooting but very useful to someone targeting the system.
Carefully consider the structure/content of error messages. The extent to which information systems are able to identify and handle error conditions is guided by organizational policy and operational requirements. Information that could be exploited by adversaries includes, for example, logon attempts with passwords entered by mistake as the username, mission/business information that can be derived from (if not stated explicitly by) information recorded, and personal information, such as account numbers, social security numbers, and credit card numbers.
Check DBMS settings and custom database code to verify that error messages do not contain information beyond what is needed for troubleshooting the issue.
If database errors contain PII data, sensitive business data, or information useful for identifying the host system or database structure, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS settings, custom database code, and associated application code not to divulge sensitive information or information useful for system identification in error messages.
If the DBMS provides too much information in error logs and administrative messages to the screen, this could lead to compromise. The structure and content of error messages need to be carefully considered by the organization and development team. The extent to which the information system is able to identify and handle error conditions is guided by organizational policy and operational requirements.
Some default DBMS error messages can contain information that could aid an attacker in, among others things, identifying the database type, host address, or state of the database. Custom errors may contain sensitive customer information.
It is important that detailed error messages be visible only to those who are authorized to view them; that general users receive only generalized acknowledgment that errors have occurred; and that these generalized messages appear only when relevant to the user's task. For example, a message along the lines of, "An error has occurred. Unable to save your changes. If this problem persists, please contact your help desk" would be relevant. A message such as "Warning: your transaction generated a large number of page splits" would likely not be relevant.
Administrative users authorized to review detailed error messages typically are the ISSO, ISSM, SA, and DBA. Other individuals or roles may be specified according to organization-specific needs, with DBA approvalappropriate approval.
Check DBMS settings and custom database code to determine if detailed error messages are ever displayed to unauthorized individuals.
If detailed error messages are displayed to individuals not authorized to view them, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS settings, custom database code, and associated application code not to display detailed error messages to those not authorized to view them.
Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is based on the notion that individual users are "owners" of objects and therefore have discretion over who should be authorized to access the object and in which mode (e.g., read or write). Ownership is usually acquired as a consequence of creating the object or via specified ownership assignment. DAC allows the owner to determine who will have access to objects they control. An example of DAC includes user-controlled table permissions.
When discretionary access control policies are implemented, subjects are not constrained with regard to what actions they can take with information for which they have already been granted access. Thus, subjects that have been granted access to information are not prevented from passing (i.e., the subjects have the discretion to pass) the information to other subjects or objects.
A subject that is constrained in its operation by Mandatory Access Control policies is still able to operate under the less rigorous constraints of this requirement. Thus, while Mandatory Access Control imposes constraints preventing a subject from passing information to another subject operating at a different sensitivity level, this requirement permits the subject to pass the information to any subject at the same sensitivity level.
The policy is bounded by the information system boundary. Once the information is passed outside of the control of the information system, additional means may be required to ensure the constraints remain in effect. While the older, more traditional definitions of discretionary access control require identity-based access control, that limitation is not required for this use of discretionary access control.
Review system documentation to identify the required discretionary access control (DAC).
Review the security configuration of the database and DBMS. If applicable, review the security configuration of the application(s) using the database.
If the discretionary access control defined in the documentation is not implemented in the security configuration, this is a finding.
Implement the organization's DAC policy in the security configuration of the database and DBMS, and, if applicable, the security configuration of the application(s) using the database.
In certain situations, to provide required functionality, a DBMS needs to execute internal logic (stored procedures, functions, triggers, etc.) and/or external code modules with elevated privileges. However, if the privileges required for execution are at a higher level than the privileges assigned to organizational users invoking the functionality applications/programs, those users are indirectly provided with greater privileges than assigned by organizations.
Privilege elevation must be utilized only where necessary and protected from misuse.
Review the system documentation, database and DBMS security configuration, source code for DBMS internal logic, source code of external modules invoked by the DBMS, and source code of the application(s) using the database.
If elevation of DBMS privileges is utilized but not documented, this is a finding.
If elevation of DBMS privileges is documented, but not implemented as described in the documentation, this is a finding.
If the privilege-elevation logic can be invoked in ways other than intended, or in contexts other than intended, or by subjects/principals other than intended, this is a finding.
Determine where, when, how, and by what principals/subjects elevated privilege is needed.
Modify the database and DBMS security configuration, DBMS internal logic, external modules invoked by the DBMS, and the application(s) using the database, to ensure privilege elevation is used only as required.
Preventing non-privileged users from executing privileged functions mitigates the risk that unauthorized individuals or processes may gain unnecessary access to information or privileges.
System documentation should include a definition of the functionality considered privileged.
Depending on circumstances, privileged functions can include, for example, establishing accounts, performing system integrity checks, or administering cryptographic key management activities. Non-privileged users are individuals that do not possess appropriate authorizations. Circumventing intrusion detection and prevention mechanisms or malicious code protection mechanisms are examples of privileged functions that require protection from non-privileged users.
A privileged function in the DBMS/database context is any operation that modifies the structure of the database, its built-in logic, or its security settings. This would include all Data Definition Language (DDL) statements and all security-related statements. In an SQL environment, it encompasses, but is not necessarily limited to:
There may also be Data Manipulation Language (DML) statements that, subject to context, should be regarded as privileged. Possible examples include:
TRUNCATE TABLE;
DELETE, or
DELETE affecting more than n rows, for some n, or
DELETE without a WHERE clause;
UPDATE or
UPDATE affecting more than n rows, for some n, or
UPDATE without a WHERE clause;
any SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE to an application-defined security table executed by other than a security principal.
Depending on the capabilities of the DBMS and the design of the database and associated applications, the prevention of unauthorized use of privileged functions may be achieved by means of DBMS security features, database triggers, other mechanisms, or a combination of these.
Review the system documentation to obtain the definition of the database/DBMS functionality considered privileged in the context of the system in question.
Review the DBMS security configuration and/or other means used to protect privileged functionality from unauthorized use.
If the configuration does not protect all of the actions defined as privileged, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS security to protect all privileged functionality.
This addresses the termination of user-initiated logical sessions in contrast to the termination of network connections that are associated with communications sessions (i.e., network disconnect). A logical session (for local, network, and remote access) is initiated whenever a user (or process acting on behalf of a user) accesses an organizational information system. Such user sessions can be terminated (and thus terminate user access) without terminating network sessions.
Session termination ends all processes associated with a user's logical session except those batch processes/jobs that are specifically created by the user (i.e., session owner) to continue after the session is terminated.
Conditions or trigger events requiring automatic session termination can include, for example, organization-defined periods of user inactivity, targeted responses to certain types of incidents, and time-of-day restrictions on information system use.
This capability is typically reserved for specific cases where the system owner, data owner, or organization requires additional assurance.
Review system documentation to obtain the organization's definition of circumstances requiring automatic session termination. If the documentation explicitly states that such termination is not required or is prohibited, this is not a finding.
If the documentation requires automatic session termination, but the DBMS is not configured accordingly, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS to automatically terminate a user session after organization-defined conditions or trigger events requiring session termination.
If a user cannot explicitly end a DBMS session, the session may remain open and be exploited by an attacker; this is referred to as a zombie session.
Such logout may be explicit or implicit. Examples of explicit are: clicking on a "Log Out" link or button in the application window; clicking the Windows Start button and selecting "Log Out" or "Shut Down." Examples of implicit logout are: closing the application's (main) window; powering off the workstation without invoking the OS shutdown.
Both the explicit and implicit logouts must be detected by the DBMS.
In all cases, the DBMS must ensure that the user's DBMS session and all processes owned by the session are terminated.
This should not, however, interfere with batch processes/jobs initiated by the user during his/her online session: these should be permitted to run to completion.
Determine, by reviewing DBMS documentation and/or inquiring of the vendor's technical support staff, whether the DBMS satisfies this requirement; and, if it does, determine whether this is inherent, unchangeable behavior, or a configurable feature.
If the DBMS does not satisfy the requirement, this is a permanent finding.
If the behavior is inherent, this is permanently not a finding.
If the behavior is configurable, and the current configuration does not enforce it, this is a finding.
Where relevant, modify the configuration to allow the user to manually terminate a session initiated by that user.
Without the association of security labels to information, there is no basis for the DBMS to make security-related access-control decisions.
Security labels are abstractions representing the basic properties or characteristics of an entity (e.g., subjects and objects) with respect to safeguarding information.
These labels are typically associated with internal data structures (e.g., tables, rows) within the database and are used to enable the implementation of access control and flow control policies, reflect special dissemination, handling or distribution instructions, or support other aspects of the information security policy.
One example includes marking data as classified or FOUO. These security labels may be assigned manually or during data processing, but, either way, it is imperative these assignments are maintained while the data is in storage. If the security labels are lost when the data is stored, there is the risk of a data compromise.
The mechanism used to support security labeling may be a feature of the DBMS product, a third-party product, or custom application code.
If security labeling is not required, this is not a finding.
If security labeling requirements have been specified, but the security labeling is not implemented or does not reliably maintain labels on information in storage, this is a finding.
Enable DBMS features, deploy third-party software, or add custom data structures, data elements and application code, to provide reliable security labeling of information in storage.
If security labeling requirements have been specified, but the security labeling is not implemented or does not reliably maintain labels on information in process, this is a finding.
Enable DBMS features, deploy third-party software, or add custom data structures, data elements and application code, to provide reliable security labeling of information in process.
If security labeling requirements have been specified, but the security labeling is not implemented or does not reliably maintain labels on information in transmission, this is a finding.
Enable DBMS features, deploy third-party software, or add custom data structures, data elements and application code, to provide reliable security labeling of information in transmission.
Without the ability to centrally manage the content captured in the audit records, identification, troubleshooting, and correlation of suspicious behavior would be difficult and could lead to a delayed or incomplete analysis of an ongoing attack.
The content captured in audit records must be managed from a central location (necessitating automation). Centralized management of audit records and logs provides for efficiency in maintenance and management of records, as well as the backup and archiving of those records.
The DBMS may write audit records to database tables, to files in the file system, to other kinds of local repository, or directly to a centralized log management system. Whatever the method used, it must be compatible with off-loading the records to the centralized system.
Review the system documentation for a description of how audit records are off-loaded and how local audit log space is managed.
If the DBMS audit records are not written directly to or systematically transferred to a centralized log management system, this is a finding.
Configure and/or deploy software tools to ensure that DBMS audit records are written directly to or systematically transferred to a centralized log management system.
If the configuration of the DBMS's auditing is spread across multiple locations in the database management software, or across multiple commands, only loosely related, it is harder to use and takes longer to reconfigure in response to events.
The DBMS must provide a unified tool for audit configuration.
Review DBMS vendor documentation.
If the DBMS does not provide a unified tool for audit configuration, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS that provides a unified tool for audit configuration.
In order to ensure sufficient storage capacity for the audit logs, the DBMS must be able to allocate audit record storage capacity. Although another requirement (SRG-APP-000515-DB-000318) mandates that audit data be off-loaded to a centralized log management system, it remains necessary to provide space on the database server to serve as a buffer against outages and capacity limits of the off-loading mechanism.
The task of allocating audit record storage capacity is usually performed during initial installation of the DBMS and is closely associated with the DBA and system administrator roles. The DBA or system administrator will usually coordinate the allocation of physical drive space with the application owner/installer and the application will prompt the installer to provide the capacity information, the physical location of the disk, or both.
In determining the capacity requirements, consider such factors as: total number of users; expected number of concurrent users during busy periods; number and type of events being monitored; types and amounts of data being captured; the frequency/speed with which audit records are off-loaded to the central log management system; and any limitations that exist on the DBMS's ability to reuse the space formerly occupied by off-loaded records.
Investigate whether there have been any incidents where the DBMS ran out of audit log space since the last time the space was allocated or other corrective measures were taken.
If there have been, this is a finding.
Allocate sufficient audit file/table space to support peak demand.
Information stored in one location is vulnerable to accidental or incidental deletion or alteration.
Off-loading is a common process in information systems with limited audit storage capacity.
Review the system documentation for a description of how audit records are off-loaded.
If the DBMS has a continuous network connection to the centralized log management system, but the DBMS audit records are not written directly to the centralized log management system or transferred in near-real-time, this is a finding.
If the DBMS does not have a continuous network connection to the centralized log management system, and the DBMS audit records are not transferred to the centralized log management system weekly or more often, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS or deploy and configure software tools to transfer audit records to a centralized log management system, continuously and in near-real time where a continuous network connection to the log management system exists, or at least weekly in the absence of such a connection.
Organizations are required to use a central log management system, so, under normal conditions, the audit space allocated to the DBMS on its own server will not be an issue. However, space will still be required on the DBMS server for audit records in transit, and, under abnormal conditions, this could fill up. Since a requirement exists to halt processing upon audit failure, a service outage would result.
If support personnel are not notified immediately upon storage volume utilization reaching 75%, they are unable to plan for storage capacity expansion.
The appropriate support staff include, at a minimum, the ISSO and the DBA/SA.
Review system configuration.
If appropriate support staff are not notified immediately upon storage volume utilization reaching 75%, this is a finding.
Configure the system to notify appropriate support staff immediately upon storage volume utilization reaching 75%.
It is critical for the appropriate personnel to be aware if a system is at risk of failing to process audit logs as required. Without a real-time alert, security personnel may be unaware of an impending failure of the audit capability, and system operation may be adversely affected.
Alerts provide organizations with urgent messages. Real-time alerts provide these messages immediately (i.e., the time from event detection to alert occurs in seconds or less).
Review the system documentation to determine which audit failure events require real-time alerts.
Review the DBMS settings and code. If the real-time alerting that is specified in the documentation is not enabled, this is a finding.
Configure the system to provide an immediate real-time alert to appropriate support staff when a specified audit failure occurs.
When availability is an overriding concern, approved actions in response to an audit failure are as follows:
(i) If the failure was caused by the lack of audit record storage capacity, the DBMS must continue generating audit records, if possible (automatically restarting the audit service if necessary), overwriting the oldest audit records in a first-in-first-out manner.
(ii) If audit records are sent to a centralized collection server and communication with this server is lost or the server fails, the DBMS must queue audit records locally until communication is restored or until the audit records are retrieved manually. Upon restoration of the connection to the centralized collection server, action should be taken to synchronize the local audit data with the collection server.
Systems where availability is paramount will most likely be MAC I; the final determination is the prerogative of the application owner, subject to Authorizing Official concurrence. In any case, sufficient auditing resources must be allocated to avoid audit data loss in all but the most extreme situations.
If the application owner has determined that the need for system availability does not outweigh the need for a complete audit trail, this is not applicable (NA).
Review DBMS, OS, or third-party logging application settings and/or documentation to determine whether the system is capable of continuing to generate audit records, overwriting the oldest existing records, in the case of an auditing failure. If it is not, this is a finding.
If the system is capable of continuing to generate audit records upon audit failure but is not configured to do so, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of continuing to generate audit records upon audit failure.
Configure the system to continue to generate audit records, overwriting the oldest existing records, in the case of an auditing failure.
If time stamps are not consistently applied and there is no common time reference, it is difficult to perform forensic analysis.
Time stamps generated by the DBMS must include date and time. Time is commonly expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a modern continuation of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), or local time with an offset from UTC.
Some DBMS products offer a data type called TIMESTAMP that is not a representation of date and time. Rather, it is a database state counter and does not correspond to calendar and clock time. This requirement does not refer to that meaning of TIMESTAMP.
Verify that the DBMS generates time stamps, in audit records and application data, that maps to UTC.
If it does not, this is a finding.
Ensure the DBMS generates time stamps, in audit records and application data, that maps to UTC.
Without sufficient granularity of time stamps, it is not possible to adequately determine the chronological order of records.
Time stamps generated by the DBMS must include date and time. Granularity of time measurements refers to the precision available in time stamp values. Granularity coarser than one second is not sufficient for audit trail purposes. Time stamp values are typically presented with three or more decimal places of seconds; however, the actual granularity may be coarser than the apparent precision. For example, SQL Server's GETDATE()/CURRENT_TMESTAMP values are presented to three decimal places, but the granularity is not one millisecond: it is about 1/300 of a second.
Review product documentation to verify that the DBMS can generate time stamps with a granularity of one second or finer. If it cannot, this is a finding.
Review audit log records produced by the DBMS for confirmation that time stamps are recorded to a precision of one second or finer. If not, this is a finding.
Review time stamp values in audit trail columns/fields in application data in the database. If the time stamps are not recorded to a precision of one second or finer, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS that can generate and record time stamps with a granularity of one second or finer.
Configure auditing so that the time stamps are recorded to a precision of one second or finer.
Modify applications and/or column/field definitions so that the time stamps in audit trail columns/fields in application data are recorded to a precision of one second or finer.
If authorized individuals do not have the ability to modify auditing parameters in response to a changing threat environment, the organization may not be able to effectively respond, and important forensic information may be lost.
This requirement enables organizations to extend or limit auditing as necessary to meet organizational requirements. Auditing that is limited to conserve information system resources may be extended to address certain threat situations. In addition, auditing may be limited to a specific set of events to facilitate audit reduction, analysis, and reporting. Organizations can establish time thresholds in which audit actions are changed, for example, near real time, within minutes, or within hours.
If the DBMS does not provide the ability for users in authorized roles to reconfigure auditing at any time of the user's choosing, this is a finding.
If changes in audit configuration cannot take effect until after a certain time or date, or until some event, such as a server restart, has occurred, and if that time or event does not meet the requirements specified by the application owner, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS that provides the ability for users in authorized roles to reconfigure auditing at any time.
Deploy a DBMS that allows audit configuration changes to take effect within the timeframe required by the application owner and without involving actions or events that the application owner rules unacceptable.
To aid in diagnosis, it is necessary to keep track of failed attempts in addition to the successful ones.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to retrieve privileges/permissions/role membership.
If the DBMS is currently required to audit the retrieval of privilege/permission/role membership information, review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the DBMS denies retrieval of privileges/permissions/role memberships.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent retrieval of privileges/permissions/role memberships.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete access to privileges/permissions/role membership.
If currently required, configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies access to privileges/permissions/role membership.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent access to privileges/permissions/role membership.
Changes in the permissions, privileges, and roles granted to users and roles must be tracked. Without an audit trail, unauthorized elevation or restriction of individuals' and groups' privileges could go undetected. Elevated privileges give users access to information and functionality that they should not have; restricted privileges wrongly deny access to authorized users.
In an SQL environment, adding permissions is typically done via the GRANT command, or, in the negative, the DENY command.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when privileges/permissions/role memberships are added.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when privileges/permissions/role memberships are added.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when privileges/permissions/role memberships are added.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when privileges/permissions/role memberships are added.
Failed attempts to change the permissions, privileges, and roles granted to users and roles must be tracked. Without an audit trail, unauthorized attempts to elevate or restrict individuals' and groups' privileges could go undetected.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to add privileges/permissions/role membership.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the DBMS denies the addition of privileges/permissions/role membership.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent the addition of privileges/permissions/role membership.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete attempts to add privileges/permissions/role membership.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies attempts to add privileges/permissions/role membership.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent attempts to add privileges/permissions/role membership.
In an SQL environment, modifying permissions is typically done via the GRANT, REVOKE, and DENY commands.
If there is no distinction in the DBMS's security architecture between modifying permissions on the one hand, and adding and deleting permissions on the other hand, this is not a finding.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when privileges/permissions/role memberships are modified.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when privileges/permissions/role memberships are modified.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when privileges/permissions/role memberships are modified.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when privileges/permissions/role memberships are modified.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to modify privileges/permissions/role membership.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to modify privileges/permissions/role membership.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to modify privileges/permissions/role membership.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete attempts to modify privileges/permissions/role membership.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies attempts to modify privileges/permissions/role membership.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent attempts to modify privileges/permissions/role membership.
In an SQL environment, deleting permissions is typically done via the REVOKE or DENY command.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when privileges/permissions/role memberships are removed, revoked, or denied to any user or role.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when privileges/permissions/role memberships are removed, revoked, or denied to any user or role.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when privileges/permissions/role memberships are removed, revoked, or denied to any user or role.
Configure DBMS audit settings to generate an audit record when privileges/permissions/role memberships are removed, revoked, or denied to any user or role.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts remove, revoke, or deny privileges/permissions/role membership to any user or role.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to remove, revoke, or deny privileges/permissions/role membership to any user or role.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to remove, revoke, or deny privileges/permissions/role membership to any user or role.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete attempts to remove, revoke, or deny privileges/permissions/role membership to any user or role.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies attempts to remove, revoke, or deny privileges/permissions/role membership to any user or role.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent attempts to remove, revoke, or deny privileges/permissions/role membership to any user or role.
Changes to the security configuration must be tracked.
This requirement applies to situations where security data is retrieved or modified via data manipulation operations, as opposed to via specialized security functionality.
In an SQL environment, types of access include, but are not necessarily limited to:
If the DBMS architecture makes it impossible for any user, even with the highest privileges, to directly view or directly modify the contents of its built-in security objects, and if there are no additional, locally-defined security objects in the database(s), this is not a finding.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, are accessed, to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions of data, and execution of logic.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, are accessed, to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions of data, and execution of logic.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, are accessed.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, are accessed, to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions of data, and execution of logic.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to access security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions of data, and execution of logic.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to access security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions of data, and execution of logic.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to access security object.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete access to security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies access to security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions of data, and execution of logic.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent access to security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions of data, and execution of logic.
Changes in the database objects (tables, views, procedures, functions) that record and control permissions, privileges, and roles granted to users and roles must be tracked. Without an audit trail, unauthorized changes to the security subsystem could go undetected. The database could be severely compromised or rendered inoperative.
If the DBMS architecture makes it impossible for any user, even with the highest privileges, to modify the structure and logic of its built-in security objects, and if there are no additional, locally-defined security objects in the database(s), this is not a finding.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when security objects are modified.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when security objects are modified.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, are modified.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions, are modified.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to modify security objects.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to modify security objects.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to modify security objects.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete attempts to modify security objects, such as tables, views, procedures, and functions.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies attempts to modify security objects, to include reads, creations, modifications, and deletions.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent attempts to modify security objects, to include reads, creations, modifications, and deletions.
The removal of security objects from the database/DBMS would seriously degrade a system's information assurance posture. If such an event occurs, it must be logged.
If the DBMS architecture makes it impossible for any user, even with the highest privileges, to drop its built-in security objects, and if there are no additional, locally-defined security objects in the database(s), this is not a finding.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when security objects are drop.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when security objects are drop.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when security objects are deleted.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when security objects are deleted.
The removal of security objects from the database/DBMS would seriously degrade a system's information assurance posture. If such an action is attempted, it must be logged.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to drop security objects.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to drop security objects.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to drop security objects.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete attempts to delete security objects.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies attempts to delete security objects.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent attempts to delete security objects.
Changes in categories of information must be tracked. Without an audit trail, unauthorized access to protected data could go undetected.
For detailed information on categorizing information, refer to FIPS Publication 199, Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems, and FIPS Publication 200, Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when categories of information are accessed, to include reads, creations, modifications, and deletions.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when categories of information are accessed, to include reads, creations, modifications, and deletions.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when categories of information are accessed.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when categories of information are accessed, to include reads, creations, modifications, and deletions.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to access categories of information, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to access categories of information, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to access categories of information, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete access to categories of information.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies access to categories of information, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent access to categories of information, such access to include reads, creations, modifications and deletions.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when categories of information are modified.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when categories of information are modified.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when categories of information are modified.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when categories of information are modified.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to modify categories of information.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to modify categories of information.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to modify categories of information.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete modification of categories of information.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies modification of categories of information.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent modification of categories of information.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when categories of information are deleted.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when categories of information are deleted.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when categories of information are deleted.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when categories of information are deleted.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to delete categories of information.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to delete categories of information.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to delete categories of information.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete deletion of categories of information.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies deletion of categories of information.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent deletion of categories of information.
For completeness of forensic analysis, it is necessary to track who/what (a user or other principal) logs on to the DBMS.
Review the DBMS audit settings. If an audit record is not generated each time a user (or other principal) logs on or connects to the DBMS, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to generate an audit record each time a user (or other principal) logs on or connects to the DBMS. Ensure that the audit record contains the time of the event, the user ID, and session identifier.
For completeness of forensic analysis, it is necessary to track failed attempts to log on to the DBMS. While positive identification may not be possible in a case of failed authentication, as much information as possible about the incident must be captured.
Review the DBMS audit settings. If an audit record is not generated each time a user (or other principal) attempts but fails to log on or connect to the DBMS (including attempts where the user ID is invalid/unknown), this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to generate an audit record each time a user (or other principal) attempts but fails to log on or connect to the DBMS.
Include attempts where the user ID is invalid/unknown. Ensure that the audit record contains the time of the event and the user ID that was entered (if any).
For completeness of forensic analysis, it is necessary to know how long a user's (or other principal's) connection to the DBMS lasts. This can be achieved by recording disconnections, in addition to logons/connections, in the audit logs.
Disconnection may be initiated by the user or forced by the system (as in a timeout) or result from a system or network failure. To the greatest extent possible, all disconnections must be logged.
Review the DBMS audit settings. If an audit record is not generated each time a user (or other principal) logs off or disconnects from the DBMS voluntarily, or forced by the system, or because of connection or other failure, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to generate an audit record each time a user (or other principal) logs off or disconnects, whether voluntarily or forced by the system, or because of connection or other failure, from the DBMS.
Ensure that the audit record contains the time of the event, the user ID, and session identifier.
For completeness of forensic analysis, it is necessary to track who logs on to the DBMS.
Concurrent connections by the same user from multiple workstations may be valid use of the system; or such connections may be due to improper circumvention of the requirement to use the CAC for authentication; or they may indicate unauthorized account sharing; or they may be because an account has been compromised.
(If the fact of multiple, concurrent logons by a given user can be reliably reconstructed from the log entries for other events (logons/connections; voluntary and involuntary disconnections), then it is not mandatory to create additional log entries specifically for this.)
Review the DBMS audit settings.
If the fact of multiple, concurrent logons by a given user (or other principal) can be reliably reconstructed from the log entries for other events, then this is not a finding.
If an audit record is not generated each time a user (or other principal) who is already connected to the DBMS logs on or connects to the DBMS from a different workstation, this is a finding.
Configure DBMS audit settings to generate an audit record each time a user (or other principal) who is already connected to the DBMS logs on or connects to the DBMS from a different workstation.
Without tracking privileged activity, it would be difficult to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident or identify those responsible for one.
A privileged function in this context is any operation that modifies the structure of the database, its built-in logic, or its security settings. This would include all Data Definition Language (DDL) statements and all security-related statements. In an SQL environment, it encompasses, but is not necessarily limited to:
There may also be Data Manipulation Language (DML) statements that, subject to context, should be regarded as privileged. Possible examples in SQL include:
Depending on the capabilities of the DBMS and the design of the database and associated applications, audit logging may be achieved by means of DBMS auditing features, database triggers, other mechanisms, or a combination of these.
Note that it is particularly important to audit, and tightly control, any action that weakens the implementation of this requirement itself, since the objective is to have a complete audit trail of all administrative activity.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that authorized administrative users can designate actions as privileged and that audit records can be produced when privileged actions occur.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations and/or other means used to implement audit logging.
If audit logging covers at least all of the actions defined as privileged, this is not a finding; otherwise, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when privileged actions occur.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when privileged actions occur.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that authorized administrative users can designate actions as privileged and that audit records can be produced when the DBMS prevents attempted privileged actions.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the DBMS prevents attempted privileged actions.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when the DBMS prevents attempted privileged action.
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when the DBMS prevents attempted privileged actions.
Without tracking all or selected types of access to all or selected objects (tables, views, procedures, functions, etc.), it would be difficult to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident, or identify those responsible for one.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that administrative users can specify database objects for which access must be audited and can specify which kinds of access must be audited.
Review system documentation to determine whether the application owner has specified database objects (tables, views, procedures, functions, etc.) for which access must be audited. Review the DBMS/database security and audit settings to verify that the specified access to the specified objects is audited.
If not, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when object access occurs.
Configure audit settings to create audit records when the specified access to the specified objects occurs.
Without tracking all or selected types of access to all or selected objects (tables, views, procedures, functions, etc.), it would be difficult to establish, correlate, and investigate the events relating to an incident or identify those responsible for one.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that administrative users can specify database objects for which access must be audited, and can specify which kinds of access must be audited.
Review DBMS documentation to determine whether the application owner has specified database objects (tables, views, procedures, functions, etc.) for which access must be audited.
Review the DBMS/database security and audit settings to verify that audit records are created for unsuccessful attempts at the specified access to the specified objects.
Configure audit settings to create audit records when the specified access to the specified objects is unsuccessfully attempted.
In this context, direct access is any query, command, or call to the DBMS that comes from any source other than the application(s) that it supports. Examples would be the command line or a database management utility program. The intent is to capture all activity from administrative and non-standard sources.
If the DBMS does not generate audit records for all direct access to the database(s), this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS to generate audit records for all direct access to the database(s).
Failure to provide logical access restrictions associated with changes to configuration may have significant effects on the overall security of the system.
When dealing with access restrictions pertaining to change control, it should be noted that any changes to the hardware, software, and/or firmware components of the information system can potentially have significant effects on the overall security of the system.
Accordingly, only qualified and authorized individuals should be allowed to obtain access to system components for the purposes of initiating changes, including upgrades and modifications.
Review DBMS vendor documentation with respect to its ability to enforce access restrictions associated with changes to the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
If it is not able to do this, this is a finding.
Review the security configuration of the DBMS and database(s).
If it does not enforce access restrictions associated with changes to the configuration of the DBMS or database(s), this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of enforcing access restrictions associated with changes to the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
Configure the DBMS to enforce access restrictions associated with changes to the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
Without auditing the enforcement of access restrictions against changes to configuration, it would be difficult to identify attempted attacks and an audit trail would not be available for forensic investigation for after-the-fact actions.
Enforcement actions are the methods or mechanisms used to prevent unauthorized changes to configuration settings. Enforcement action methods may be as simple as denying access to a file based on the application of file permissions (access restriction). Audit items may consist of lists of actions blocked by access restrictions or changes identified after the fact.
Review DBMS documentation to verify that audit records can be produced when the system denies or fails to complete attempts to change the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when the system denies attempts to change the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
Review the DBMS/database security and audit configurations to verify that audit records are produced when other errors prevent attempts to change the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
Deploy a DBMS capable of producing the required audit records when it denies or fails to complete attempts to change the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when it denies attempts to change the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
Configure the DBMS to produce audit records when other errors prevent attempts to change the configuration of the DBMS or database(s).
If the DBMS were to allow any user to make changes to database structure or logic, then those changes might be implemented without undergoing the appropriate testing and approvals that are part of a robust change management process.
Identify the group(s)/role(s) established for DBMS modification.
Obtain the list of users in those group(s)/roles.
Identify the individuals authorized to modify the DBMS.
If unauthorized access to the group(s)/role(s) has been granted, this is a finding.
Revoke unauthorized memberships in the DBMS modification group(s)/role(s).
Configuring the DBMS to implement organization-wide security implementation guides and security checklists ensures compliance with federal standards and establishes a common security baseline across DoD that reflects the most restrictive security posture consistent with operational requirements.
In addition to this SRG, sources of guidance on security and information assurance exist. These include NSA configuration guides, CTOs, DTMs, and IAVMs. The DBMS must be configured in compliance with guidance from all such relevant sources.
Review the DBMS documentation and configuration to determine if the DBMS is configured in accordance with DoD security configuration and implementation guidance, including STIGs, NSA configuration guides, CTOs, and DTMs and IAVMs.
If the DBMS is not configured in accordance with security configuration settings, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS in accordance with DoD security configuration and implementation guidance, including STIGs, NSA configuration guides, CTOs, and DTMs and IAVMs.
Use of nonsecure network functions, ports, protocols, and services exposes the system to avoidable threats.
Review the network functions, ports, protocols, and services supported by the DBMS.
If any protocol is prohibited by the PPSM guidance and is enabled, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of disabling a network function, port, protocol, or service prohibited by the PPSM guidance.
Disable each prohibited network function, port, protocol, or service.
Allowing regular users to install software, without explicit privileges, creates the risk that untested or potentially malicious software will be installed on the system. Explicit privileges (escalated or administrative privileges) provide the regular user with explicit capabilities and control that exceed the rights of a regular user.
DBMS functionality and the nature and requirements of databases will vary; so while users are not permitted to install unapproved software, there may be instances where the organization allows the user to install approved software packages such as from an approved software repository. The requirements for production servers will be more restrictive than those used for development and research.
The DBMS must enforce software installation by users based upon what types of software installations are permitted (e.g., updates and security patches to existing software) and what types of installations are prohibited (e.g., software whose pedigree with regard to being potentially malicious is unknown or suspect) by the organization).
In the case of a database management system, this requirement covers stored procedures, functions, triggers, views, etc.
If the DBMS supports only software development, experimentation and/or developer-level testing (that is, excluding production systems, integration testing, stress testing, and user acceptance testing), this is not a finding.
Review the DBMS and database security settings with respect to non-administrative users' ability to create, alter, or replace logic modules, to include but not necessarily only stored procedures, functions, triggers, and views.
If any such permissions exist and are not documented and approved, this is a finding.
Document and obtain approval for any non-administrative users who require the ability to create, alter or replace logic modules.
Implement the approved permissions. Revoke any unapproved permissions.
If cached authentication information is out-of-date, the validity of the authentication information may be questionable.
Review system settings to determine whether the organization-defined limit for cached authentication is implemented.
If it is not implemented, this is a finding.
Modify system settings to implement the organization-defined limit on the lifetime of cached authenticators.
The DoD standard for authentication of an interactive user is the presentation of a Common Access Card (CAC) or other physical token bearing a valid, current, DoD-issued Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate, coupled with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be entered by the user at the beginning of each session and whenever re-authentication is required.
Without re-authentication, users may access resources or perform tasks for which they do not have authorization.
When applications provide the capability to change security roles or escalate the functional capability of the application, it is critical the user re-authenticate.
In addition to the re-authentication requirements associated with session locks, organizations may require re-authentication of individuals and/or devices in other situations, including (but not limited to) the following circumstances:
(i) When authenticators change;
(ii) When roles change;
(iii) When security categories of information systems change;
(iv) When the execution of privileged functions occurs;
(v) After a fixed period of time; or
(vi) Periodically.
Within the DoD, the minimum circumstances requiring re-authentication are privilege escalation and role changes.
Review the system documentation and the configuration of the DBMS and related applications and tools.
If there are any circumstances under which a user is not required to re-authenticate when changing role or escalating privileges, this is a finding.
If the information owner has identified additional cases where re-authentication is needed, but there are circumstances where the system does not ask the user to re-authenticate when those cases occur, this is a finding.
Modify and/or configure the DBMS and related applications and tools so that users are always required to re-authenticate when changing role or escalating privileges.
Modify and/or configure the DBMS and related applications and tools so that users are always required to re-authenticate when the specified cases needing reauthorization occur.
The purpose of this control is to prevent information, including encrypted representations of information, produced by the actions of a prior user/role (or the actions of a process acting on behalf of a prior user/role) from being available to any current user/role (or current process) that obtains access to a shared system resource (e.g., registers, main memory, secondary storage) after the resource has been released back to the information system. Control of information in shared resources is also referred to as object reuse.
Review the DBMS architecture to find out if and how it protects the private resources of one process or user (such as working memory, temporary tables, uncommitted data) from unauthorized access by another user or process.
If it does not effectively do so, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of effectively protecting the private resources of one process or user from unauthorized access by another user or process.
Configure the DBMS to effectively protect the private resources of one process or user from unauthorized access by another user or process.
Applications, including DBMSs, must prevent unauthorized and unintended information transfer via shared system resources. Permitting only DBMS processes and authorized, administrative users to have access to the files where the database resides helps ensure that those files are not shared inappropriately and are not open to backdoor access and manipulation.
Review the permissions granted to users by the operating system/file system on the database files, database log files and database backup files.
If any user/role who is not an authorized system administrator with a need to know or database administrator with a need to know, or a system account for running DBMS processes, is permitted to read/view any of these files, this is a finding.
Configure the permissions granted by the operating system/file system on the database files, database log files, and database backup files so that only relevant system accounts and authorized system administrators and database administrators with a need to know are permitted to read/view these files.
Information can be either unintentionally or maliciously disclosed or modified during preparation for transmission, including, for example, during aggregation, at protocol transformation points, and during packing/unpacking. These unauthorized disclosures or modifications compromise the confidentiality or integrity of the information.
Use of this requirement will be limited to situations where the data owner has a strict requirement for ensuring data integrity and confidentiality is maintained at every step of the data transfer and handling process.
When transmitting data, the DBMS, associated applications, and infrastructure must leverage transmission protection mechanisms.
If the data owner does not have a strict requirement for ensuring data integrity and confidentiality is maintained at every step of the data transfer and handling process, this is not a finding.
If the DBMS does not employ protective measures against unauthorized disclosure and modification during preparation for transmission, this is a finding.
Implement protective measures against unauthorized disclosure and modification during preparation for transmission.
Information can be either unintentionally or maliciously disclosed or modified during reception, including, for example, during aggregation, at protocol transformation points, and during packing/unpacking. These unauthorized disclosures or modifications compromise the confidentiality or integrity of the information.
This requirement applies only to those applications that are either distributed or can allow access to data nonlocally. Use of this requirement will be limited to situations where the data owner has a strict requirement for ensuring data integrity and confidentiality is maintained at every step of the data transfer and handling process.
When receiving data, the DBMS, associated applications, and infrastructure must leverage protection mechanisms.
If the DBMS, associated applications, and infrastructure do not employ protective measures against unauthorized disclosure and modification during reception, this is a finding.
Implement protective measures against unauthorized disclosure and modification during reception.
Use of weak or untested encryption algorithms undermines the purposes of utilizing encryption to protect data. The application must implement cryptographic modules adhering to the higher standards approved by the federal government since this provides assurance they have been tested and validated.
It is the responsibility of the data owner to assess the cryptography requirements in light of applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, and standards.
NSA-approved cryptography for classified networks is hardware based. This requirement addresses the compatibility of a DBMS with the encryption devices.
If the DBMS is deployed in an unclassified environment, this is not applicable (NA).
If the DBMS is incompatible with the use of NSA-approved cryptography, this is a finding.
If the DBMS is capable but does not use NSA-approved cryptography to protect classified information in accordance with applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, and standards, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS compatible with the use of NSA-approved cryptography.
Configure the DBMS and related system components to use NSA-approved cryptography to protect classified information in accordance with applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, and standards.
For detailed information, refer to NIST FIPS Publication 140-2, Security Requirements For Cryptographic Modules. Note that the product's cryptographic modules must be validated and certified by NIST as FIPS-compliant.
If the DBMS does not employ NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules to provision digital signatures, this is a finding.
Implement NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules to provision digital signatures.
If the DBMS does not employ NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules to generate and verify cryptographic hashes, this is a finding.
Implement a NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module in the DBMS for generation and verification of cryptographic hashes.
If the DBMS contains, or is intended to contain, unclassified information requiring confidentiality and cryptographic protection, and does not employ NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules to provide this protection, this is a finding.
Implement NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules to provide cryptographic protection for the unclassified information that requires it.
One class of man-in-the-middle, or session hijacking, attack involves the adversary guessing at valid session identifiers based on patterns in identifiers already known.
The preferred technique for thwarting guesses at Session IDs is the generation of unique session identifiers using a FIPS 140-2 approved random number generator.
However, it is recognized that available DBMS products do not all implement the preferred technique yet may have other protections against session hijacking. Therefore, other techniques are acceptable, provided they are demonstrated to be effective.
Review DBMS vendor documentation and system behavior (and if necessary, consult vendor representatives) to determine whether the DBMS can provide demonstrably effective protection against man-in-the-middle attacks that guess at session identifier values.
Review DBMS settings to determine whether protections against man-in-the-middle attacks that guess at session identifier values are enabled.
If they are not, this is a finding.
Utilize a DBMS product that can provide demonstrably effective protection against man-in-the-middle attacks that guess at session identifier values.
Configure DBMS settings to enable protections against man-in-the-middle attacks that guess at session identifier values.
Only DoD-approved external PKIs have been evaluated to ensure that they have security controls and identity vetting procedures in place which are sufficient for DoD systems to rely on the identity asserted in the certificate. PKIs lacking sufficient security controls and identity vetting procedures risk being compromised and issuing certificates that enable adversaries to impersonate legitimate users.
The authoritative list of DoD-approved PKIs is published at http://iase.disa.mil/pki-pke/interoperability.
This requirement focuses on communications protection for the DBMS session rather than for the network packet.
If the DBMS will accept non-DoD approved PKI end-entity certificates, this is a finding.
Revoke trust in any certificates not issued by a DoD-approved certificate authority. Configure the DBMS to accept only DoD and DoD-approved PKI end-entity certificates.
DBMSs handling data requiring "data at rest" protections must employ cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure and modification of the information at rest. These cryptographic mechanisms may be native to the DBMS or implemented via additional software or operating system/file system settings, as appropriate to the situation.
Selection of a cryptographic mechanism is based on the need to protect the integrity of organizational information. The strength of the mechanism is commensurate with the security category and/or classification of the information. Organizations have the flexibility to either encrypt all information on storage devices (i.e., full disk encryption) or encrypt specific data structures (e.g., files, records, or fields).
The decision whether and what to encrypt rests with the data owner and is also influenced by the physical measures taken to secure the equipment and media on which the information resides.
Review the system documentation to determine whether the organization has defined the information at rest that is to be protected from modification, which must include, at a minimum, PII and classified information.
If no information is identified as requiring such protection, this is not a finding.
Review the configuration of the DBMS, operating system/file system, and additional software as relevant.
If any of the information defined as requiring cryptographic protection from modification is not encrypted in a manner that provides the required level of protection, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS, operating system/file system, and additional software as relevant, to provide the required level of cryptographic protection.
Review the system documentation to determine whether the organization has defined the information at rest that is to be protected from disclosure, which must include, at a minimum, PII and classified information.
If the documentation indicates no information requires such protections, this is not a finding.
If any of the information defined as requiring protection is not encrypted in a manner that provides the required level of protection and is not physically secured to the required level, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS, operating system/file system, and additional software as relevant, to provide the required level of cryptographic protection for information requiring cryptographic protection against disclosure.
Secure the premises, equipment, and media to provide the required level of physical protection.
Database management systems can maintain separate execution domains for each executing process by assigning each process a separate address space. Each process has a distinct address space so that communication between processes is controlled through the security functions, and one process cannot modify the executing code of another process. Maintaining separate execution domains for executing processes can be achieved, for example, by implementing separate address spaces.
Review the DBMS architecture to find out if and how it protects the private resources of one process (such as working memory, temporary tables, uncommitted data and, especially, executable code) from unauthorized access or modification by another user or process.
If it is not capable of maintaining a separate execution domain for each executing process, this is a finding.
If the DBMS is capable of maintaining a separate execution domain for each executing process, but is configured not to do so, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS capable of maintaining a separate execution domain for each executing process.
If this is a configurable feature, configure the DBMS to implement it.
Previous versions of DBMS components that are not removed from the information system after updates have been installed may be exploited by adversaries.
Some DBMSs' installation tools may remove older versions of software automatically from the information system. In other cases, manual review and removal will be required. In planning installations and upgrades, organizations must include steps (automated, manual, or both) to identify and remove the outdated modules.
A transition period may be necessary when both the old and the new software are required. This should be taken into account in the planning.
If software components that have been replaced or made unnecessary are not removed, this is a finding.
Identify and remove software components that have been replaced or made unnecessary.
Security flaws with software applications, including database management systems, are discovered daily. Vendors are constantly updating and patching their products to address newly discovered security vulnerabilities. Organizations (including any contractor to the organization) are required to promptly install security-relevant software updates (e.g., patches, service packs, and hot fixes). Flaws discovered during security assessments, continuous monitoring, incident response activities, or information system error handling must also be addressed expeditiously.
Organization-defined time periods for updating security-relevant software may vary based on a variety of factors including, for example, the security category of the information system or the criticality of the update (i.e., severity of the vulnerability related to the discovered flaw).
This requirement will apply to software patch management solutions that are used to install patches across the enclave and also to applications themselves that are not part of that patch management solution. For example, many browsers today provide the capability to install their own patch software. Patch criticality, as well as system criticality, will vary. Therefore, the tactical situations regarding the patch management process will also vary. This means that the time period utilized must be a configurable parameter. Time frames for application of security-relevant software updates may be dependent upon the Information Assurance Vulnerability Management (IAVM) process.
The application will be configured to check for and install security-relevant software updates within an identified time period from the availability of the update. The specific time period will be defined by an authoritative source (e.g. IAVM, CTOs, DTMs, and STIGs).
Obtain evidence that software patches are consistently applied to the DBMS within the time frame defined for each patch.
If such evidence cannot be obtained, or the evidence that is obtained indicates a pattern of noncompliance, this is a finding.
Institute and adhere to policies and procedures to ensure that patches are consistently applied to the DBMS within the time allowed.
With respect to database management systems, one class of threat is known as SQL Injection, or more generally, code injection. It takes advantage of the dynamic execution capabilities of various programming languages, including dialects of SQL. In such cases, the attacker deduces the manner in which SQL statements are being processed, either from inside knowledge or by observing system behavior in response to invalid inputs. When the attacker identifies scenarios where SQL queries are being assembled by application code (which may be within the database or separate from it) and executed dynamically, the attacker is then able to craft input strings that subvert the intent of the query. Potentially, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to data, including security settings, and severely corrupt or destroy the database.
The principal protection against code injection is not to use dynamic execution except where it provides necessary functionality that cannot be utilized otherwise. Use strongly typed data items rather than general-purpose strings as input parameters to task-specific, pre-compiled stored procedures and functions (and triggers).
Review DBMS source code (stored procedures, functions, triggers) and application source code, to identify cases of dynamic code execution.
If dynamic code execution is employed in circumstances where the objective could practically be satisfied by static execution with strongly typed parameters, this is a finding.
Where dynamic code execution is employed in circumstances where the objective could practically be satisfied by static execution with strongly typed parameters, modify the code to do so.
When dynamic execution is necessary, ways to mitigate the risk include the following, which should be implemented both in the on-screen application and at the database level, in the stored procedures:
-- Allow strings as input only when necessary.
-- Rely on data typing to validate numbers, dates, etc. Do not accept invalid values. If substituting other values for them, think carefully about whether this could be subverted.
-- Limit the size of input strings to what is truly necessary.
-- If single quotes/apostrophes, double quotes, semicolons, equals signs, angle brackets, or square brackets will never be valid as input, reject them.
-- If comment markers will never be valid as input, reject them. In SQL, these are -- or /* */
-- If HTML and XML tags, entities, comments, etc., will never be valid, reject them.
-- If wildcards are present, reject them unless truly necessary. In SQL these are the underscore and the percentage sign, and the word ESCAPE is also a clue that wildcards are in use.
-- If SQL key words, such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, ALTER, DROP, ESCAPE, UNION, GRANT, REVOKE, DENY, MODIFY will never be valid, reject them. Use case-insensitive comparisons when searching for these. Bear in mind that some of these words, particularly Grant (as a person's name), could also be valid input.
-- If there are range limits on the values that may be entered, enforce those limits.
-- Institute procedures for inspection of programs for correct use of dynamic coding, by a party other than the developer.
-- Conduct rigorous testing of program modules that use dynamic coding, searching for ways to subvert the intended use.
-- Record the inspection and testing in the system documentation.
-- Bear in mind that all this applies not only to screen input, but also to the values in an incoming message to a web service or to a stored procedure called by a software component that has not itself been hardened in these ways. Not only can the caller be subject to such vulnerabilities; it may itself be the attacker.
Review DBMS source code (stored procedures, functions, triggers) and application source code to identify cases of dynamic code execution.
If dynamic code execution is employed without protective measures against code injection, this is a finding.
Where dynamic code execution is used, modify the code to implement protections against code injection.
A common vulnerability is unplanned behavior when invalid inputs are received. This requirement guards against adverse or unintended system behavior caused by invalid inputs, where information system responses to the invalid input may be disruptive or cause the system to fail into an unsafe state.
The behavior will be derived from the organizational and system requirements and includes, but is not limited to, notification of the appropriate personnel, creating an audit record, and rejecting invalid input.
Review system documentation to determine how input errors are to be handled in general and if any special handling is defined for specific circumstances.
Review the source code for database program objects (stored procedures, functions, triggers) and application source code to identify how the system responds to invalid input.
If it does not implement the documented behavior, this is a finding.
Revise and deploy the source code for database program objects (stored procedures, functions, triggers) and application source code, to implement the documented behavior.
OS/enterprise authentication and identification must be used (SRG-APP-000023-DB-000001). Native DBMS authentication may be used only when circumstances make it unavoidable; and must be documented and AO-approved. The DoD standard for authentication is DoD-approved PKI certificates. Authentication based on User ID and Password may be used only when it is not possible to employ a PKI certificate, and requires AO approval. In such cases, the DoD standards for password complexity and lifetime must be implemented. DBMS products that can inherit the rules for these from the operating system or access control program (e.g., Microsoft Active Directory) must be configured to do so. For other DBMSs, the rules must be enforced using available configuration parameters or custom code.
If DBMS authentication, using passwords, is not employed, this is not a finding. If the DBMS is configured to inherit password complexity and lifetime rules from the operating system or access control program, this is not a finding. Review the DBMS settings relating to password complexity. Determine whether the following rules are enforced. If any are not, this is a finding. a. minimum of 15 characters, including at least one of each of the following character sets: - Upper-case - Lower-case - Numerics - Special characters (e.g., ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + = - ' [ ] / ? > <) b. Minimum number of characters changed from previous password: 50 percent of the minimum password length; that is, eight Review the DBMS settings relating to password lifetime. Determine whether the following rules are enforced. If any are not, this is a finding. a. Password lifetime limits for interactive accounts: Minimum 24 hours, maximum 60 days b. Password lifetime limits for non-interactive accounts: Minimum 24 hours, maximum 365 days c. Number of password changes before an old one may be reused: Minimum of five
If the use of passwords is not needed, configure the DBMS to prevent their use if it is capable of this; if it is not so capable, institute policies and procedures to prohibit their use. If the DBMS can inherit password complexity rules from the operating system or access control program, configure it to do so. Otherwise, use DBMS configuration parameters and/or custom code to enforce the following rules for passwords: a. minimum of 15 characters, including at least one of each of the following character sets: - Upper-case - Lower-case - Numerics - Special characters (e.g., ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + = - ' [ ] / ? > <) b. Minimum number of characters changed from previous password: 50 percent of the minimum password length; that is, eight c. Password lifetime limits for interactive accounts: Minimum 24 hours, maximum 60 days d. Password lifetime limits for non-interactive accounts: Minimum 24 hours, maximum 365 days e. Number of password changes before an old one may be reused: Minimum of five
V-32182 Removed
Without confidentiality protection mechanisms, unauthorized individuals may gain access to sensitive information via a remote access session. Remote access is access to DoD nonpublic information systems by an authorized user (or an information system) communicating through an external, non-organization-controlled network. Remote access methods include, for example, dial-up, broadband, and wireless. Note that access via an approved and properly configured DoD Virtual Private Network (VPN) is deemed to be internal to the DoD Information Network (DoDIN) and so does not count as remote access. Note that remote access as defined here may not mean exactly the same thing as remote access in the terminology of the DBMS. Encryption provides a means to secure the remote connection to prevent unauthorized access to the data traversing the remote access connection, thereby providing a degree of confidentiality. The encryption strength of mechanism is selected based on the security categorization of the information. Logon/Account information can be compromised if authentication secrets (e.g., passwords) being passed over a public network are not secured via approved cryptography. This can result in unauthorized access to the database. DoD-approved cryptography is as specified in the NIST publication FIPS PUB 140-2, "Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules." Additionally, for classified systems, NSA Type-X (where X=1, 2, 3, 4) products are NSA-certified, hardware-based encryption modules.
Review settings to determine if the DBMS is configured to accept remote connections. If the DBMS is not configured to accept remote connections, this is not applicable (NA). Check DBMS settings to determine whether the authentication data for remote connections is being encrypted with approved cryptography. If authentication data for remote connections is not being encrypted with DoD-approved cryptography, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS to encrypt authentication data for remote connections using DoD-approved encryption.
Without confidentiality protection mechanisms, unauthorized individuals may gain access to sensitive information via a remote access session. Remote access is access to DoD nonpublic information systems by an authorized user (or an information system) communicating through an external, non-organization-controlled network. Remote access methods include, for example, dial-up, broadband, and wireless. Note that access via an approved and properly configured DoD Virtual Private Network (VPN) is deemed to be internal to the DoD Information Network (DoDIN) and so does not count as remote access. Note that remote access as defined here may not mean exactly the same thing as remote access in the terminology of the DBMS. Encryption provides a means to secure the remote connection to prevent unauthorized access to the data traversing the remote access connection, thereby providing a degree of confidentiality. The encryption strength of mechanism is selected based on the security categorization of the information. DoD-approved cryptography is as specified in the NIST publication FIPS PUB 140-2, "Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules." Additionally, for classified systems, NSA Type-X (where X=1, 2, 3, 4) products are NSA-certified, hardware-based encryption modules.
Review system documentation to determine whether the system handles classified information. If the system handles classified information, this is not applicable (NA). Review DBMS settings to determine if the database is configured to accept remote connections. If the database is not configured to accept remote connections, this is not a finding. Check DBMS settings to determine whether the data for remote connections is being encrypted using NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules. If data for remote connections is not being encrypted with DoD-approved cryptography, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS to encrypt data passing over remote connections using NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules.
Without cryptographic integrity protections, information can be altered by unauthorized users without detection. Remote access is access to DoD nonpublic information systems by an authorized user (or an information system) communicating through an external, non-organization-controlled network. Remote access methods include, for example, dial-up, broadband, and wireless. Note that access via an approved and properly configured DoD Virtual Private Network (VPN) is deemed to be internal to the DoD Information Network (DoDIN) and so does not count as remote access. Note that remote access as defined here may not mean exactly the same thing as remote access in the terminology of the DBMS. Cryptographic mechanisms used for protecting the integrity of information include, for example, signed hash functions. DoD-approved cryptography is as specified in the NIST publication FIPS PUB 140-2, "Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules." Additionally, for classified systems, NSA Type-X (where X=1, 2, 3, 4) products are NSA-certified, hardware-based encryption modules.
Review system documentation to determine whether the system handles classified information. If the system handles classified information, this is not applicable (NA). Review DBMS settings to determine if the database is configured to accept remote connections. If the database is not configured to accept remote connections, this is not a finding. Check DBMS settings to determine whether the integrity of data over remote connections is being protected using NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules. If data integrity for remote connections is not so protected, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS to ensure integrity of data passing over remote connections using NIST FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules.
Without confidentiality protection mechanisms, unauthorized individuals may gain access to sensitive information via a remote access session. Remote access is access to DoD nonpublic information systems by an authorized user (or an information system) communicating through an external, non-organization-controlled network. Remote access methods include, for example, dial-up, broadband, and wireless. Note that remote access as defined here may not mean exactly the same thing as remote access in the terminology of the DBMS. Encryption provides a means to secure the remote connection to prevent unauthorized access to the data traversing the remote access connection, thereby providing a degree of confidentiality. The encryption strength of mechanism is selected based on the security categorization of the information. DoD-approved cryptography is as specified in the NIST publication FIPS PUB 140-2, "Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules." Additionally, for classified systems, NSA Type-X (where X=1, 2, 3, 4) products are NSA-certified, hardware-based encryption modules.
Review system documentation to determine whether the system handles classified information. If the system does not handle classified information, this is not applicable (NA). Review DBMS settings to determine if the database is configured to accept remote connections. If the database is not configured to accept remote connections, this is not a finding. Check DBMS settings to determine whether the data for remote connections is being encrypted with DoD-approved cryptography. If data for remote connections is not being encrypted with DoD-approved cryptography, this is a finding.
Configure the DBMS to encrypt data passing over remote connections using DoD-approved encryption appropriate to the sensitivity level.
Without the ability to immediately disconnect or disable remote access, an attack or other compromise in progress would not be immediately stopped. The capability must exist to immediately disconnect current users remotely accessing the information system and/or disable further remote access. The speed of disconnect or disablement varies based on the criticality of missions/business functions and the need to eliminate immediate or future remote access to organizational information systems. The remote access application (e.g., VPN client) may implement features such as automatic disconnect (or user-initiated disconnect) in case of adverse information based on an indicator of compromise or attack.
Review the DBMS architecture and deployment. If the capability to immediately disconnect current users remotely accessing the information system and/or disable further remote access does not exist, this is a finding.
Deploy a DBMS with the capability to immediately disconnect current users remotely accessing the information system, and disable further remote access. Enable the capability to immediately disconnect current users remotely accessing the information system and/or disable further remote access.
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SPN fic: The penultimate day
Title: The penultimate day
Summary: Dean’s last year is almost up.
Warnings: m/m slash. Angst, of course.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not for profit.
Spoilers: S2 finale.
Word Count: 3333 (heh)
Author’s Notes: May 17th, 2007 was the day AHBL-2 aired. Written for bottom_sammy challenge prompt #1.
*** May 16th, 2008 ***
Dean wakes up to the familiar scent of citrus and ivory trapped in the circle of his arms, and he is smiling long before he opens his eyes. Looks up at the digital clock beside the bed and sighs, the lines of contentment meekly fading away to blankness.
It’s the penultimate day.
One last day of peace and quiet the boys can hope for in Dean’s lifetime. The day just before the ultimate day when the damn hellhounds come knocking, and keep knocking until midnight when they finally close in to make their prized collection. Dean’s soul… stuck for eternity in hell.
Oh well, high time he got cracking on the rest of his checklist. No time left to fucking dawdle now, is there?
Dean pushes away the terror creeping up his spine by sheer force of habit. It’s a natural God-given gift that he’s put to good use for over twenty-five years. Sammy may not have made it to his eighteenth birthday if it hadn’t been for Dean’s ability to lock his childhood away in a little box and devote his all to protect Sam, care for him and love him… keep him adequately nourished and hell if Sammy Gigantor wasn’t a living, breathing testament to the awesome job he did.
Dean looks down into his sleeping brother’s face and frowns a little. He doesn’t remember seeing those dark circles under Sam’s eyes the night before. A white blur of a memory snags at the corner of his mind but he can’t seem to pin it down long enough, so he lets it go. Opts instead to stroke Sam’s unruly hair out of his face, caressing the smooth edges of his jaw possessively.
His Sammy.
Dean let’s his hands wander across the flat lines and sharp angles of Sam’s torso, stopping to rub and tease a taut little nub until Sam moans in his sleep. Dean smirks and switches to the second nipple, tweaking it a little more forcefully, lowering his head soon after to lick the delicious sting away. And then Sammy is wide awake but pretending not to be, biting back a tiny smile with his eyes clenched tight, because this is a game they play often and the rules are very simple.
Let Dean wake the hell out of his little brother.
Dean eventually agrees to transfer his lips to somewhere else, somewhere lower and Sam is wheezing before it even begins. Barely breathes through the next few minutes as Dean licks his balls and tongues his perineum, swallows him whole and works him until Sam is screaming his release down Dean’s throat. Dean shushes him, hoping his brother’s howls don’t alert the demon sentinels right outside their door.
Sentinels? Yeah. It was Dean’s idea.
So one fine day not so long ago, Sammy wakes up and realizes he can do what Ava could do… control demons. Every single one of them bastards within a mile-wide radius. Hell he can even order them to cart their own asses back to hell without so much as a snivel of protest. Kickass, nice to have and all sure… but it also means that Sam can never be free from other demons, even hunters and who knew what else is out there.
Sam is going to be hunted for the rest of his damn life.
So once Dean had assured himself that his little ‘second coming or antichrist not sure which yet’ brother was strong enough to command Azazael's army of demons, he employed some of them to do what Dean soon wouldn’t be able to do himself.
Protect Sam.
Not long after that, Sam realizes that like Andy, he can control minds of regular people as well and man isn’t that the sweetest thing ever. Dean started a brand new checklist that day and so here they are, in the Beverly Hills Four Seasons, and in the Presidential Suite no less. But none of it compares to the absolute bliss Dean feels when he’s buried inside Sam, seated to the very base with Sam hot and pulsing and comfortably snug around him. He thinks he could live like this forever.
Or die happy, whatever.
Dean fucks Sam slowly, leisurely, rolling his hips and hitting the spot at the best of moments making Sam gasp and whimper despite himself. They climax nearly together after which Dean contemplates going back to sleep, except he really shouldn’t. He can’t.
All Dean’s ever wanted is for Sam to be happy. But there’s something else he’s really and truly wanted, and never admitted even to himself… a normal life, with Sam. A life in which they didn’t carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Where they get to hold hands and walk down Sunset Strip, shopping at the biggest stores and eating at the poshest restaurants… pink champagne and Russian caviar and all that expensive shit.
So yeah, that’s what they do.
Dean makes and watches Sam try out stuff at Bijan – designer shirts and jeans and shoes, cufflinks, even underwear. Loves the blush that starts as Sam’s feet and rises all the way up to his bright red cheeks. Loves the sighs of utter exasperation that fall from his swollen red lips but his eyes are constantly seeking Dean’s… every single second. Sonofabitch.
He is going to miss Sam so much.
Dean is amazed at Sam for being such a sport, fact he is acting slightly… resigned? Like he’s been expecting this. Dean had assumed his baby brother would put up a fight, maybe mope about and throw a tantrum or two, hell Dean had even hoped he would. Always is fun to get Sammy riled up just that little bit.
The prickling returns, growing out from the back of his head like a flashback of something that never happened… but Dean pushes it aside at the sight of a purple boa wrapped around a mannequin’s neck. Maybe he’ll ask Sam to model it for him over his new Armani jock straps.
That oughta get a rise out of him for sure.
They drive for hours until the sun sets, Dean pushing his baby to her limits because he knows she can take it… he made sure of it. Remembers the day Dad handed him the keys, and now he is about to do the same to Sam. But considering how badly Sam reacted to the leather jacket only yesterday, Dean isn’t exactly looking forward to doing this. You better take care of that car or else, he wants to say. But words get lodged in his throat and instead all he can do is spread his arm out. Sam shifts in closer, cuddles into his side and Dean holds him close, kisses the top of his head and keeps driving.
He said his goodbyes to Bobby, to Cassie and Ellen and Jo the best way he knew how. But what could he possibly say to Sam? In the end he says… nothing. And Sam for a change doesn’t seem to mind. His brother looks beat, both emotionally and physically, and God so fragile. Dean does his old box thing again, shoving everything deep inside and throwing away the key then quickly turning all his attention to Sam.
The penultimate day is about to end.
By nighttime Dean’s had enough of the world and he turns to look at Sam who hasn’t said much all day, but his bright big eyes never did learn to shut up. Dean complies and guns it back to the hotel, to their suite… the last place they’ll ever call home, temporary as always in true Winchester style. They’re melded together by the mouths when the elevator doors open and Dean pedals backward pulling Sam into the room with him. Pulls layer after layer of clothing off both their frames until they’re naked and tumbling into bed.
“Harder, Dean… fuck… harder…”
“As you wish, my King…”
Sam chuckles and grunts and arches his back to meet every one of Dean’s thrusts with equal passion and rigor. His boy king, his child king, his baby king… Dean never tires of teasing and he knows Sammy can take it. He makes love to Sam knowing it’s probably the last time he ever will. But strangely enough the thought doesn’t evoke the terror or sadness Dean expects it to. Fact he is surprised by how calmly he’s taking it all in. Almost as if he’s done it a few times over. His second last day on earth… Why is he not more worried?
More importantly, why is Sammy not freaking out?
Maybe they’ve had enough time to prepare themselves. Maybe… maybe Dean’s always known he’d end up in hell anyway… given his impressive record, fucking his own brother and all. All his thoughts are soon lost to the rhythm that rocks him deeper and tighter into Sam and Dean closes his eyes, throws his head back and just… lets… go.
“Dean…” Sam murmurs softly after a long comfortable silence. Dean holds him closer, spooning up behind him and resting his chin in the crook of Sam’s neck. Breathes in the soft curls of hair behind his right ear.
“Yes, my Liege…”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Okay, your Highness.”
Sam sighs, and turns within Dean’s embrace to look into his big brother’s face, eyes sparkling wet in the bright moonlight. “I’m so sorry…”
“Hey, shh…” Dean doesn’t want to hear it. He’d known it was a long shot from the very beginning. Touches Sam’s lips with a thumb before leaning in for a quick kiss. “Don’t you worry Sammy,” Dean winks. “You know what they say… better to rule in hell and shit, right?”
Sam smirks. “Yeah. You down there, and me up here…”
“Absolutely. Hail the Golden Age of the Winchester dynasty. Sweet!”
Dean is laughing, tickling Sam just enough to make him join in. And he knows it’s weak but forcing it anyway because he really can’t fall apart now. Not now.
Sam takes Dean’s face in his large, trembling hands. “I will get you out, no matter what.”
“Sammy…” Don’t do this to yourself… don’t do this to me.
“We’re going to be together forever, Dean. Say you believe me. You trust me, don’t you?”
There it is again… the complete lack of panic. The implicit trust in Sam’s words without doubt or question. Where is it coming from? Dean swallows and tries to smile back. So long as his little brother isn’t planning on jumping right after him into the hellfire, sure.
Dean still has a day left. Yeah… he is willing to believe.
He walks into the lobby a little past three AM and every head turns, drawn to the vision of the striking model-esque man, exuding such power with each stride of his endless legs. Power that both compels and repels every mortal crossing its path and while the man keeps walking on, they all pause mid-step and wonder… wonder where was it, and when was it that they saw him before. Struggle to ascertain the mysterious identity of this dauntingly beautiful man, this hardened… angel-faced boy with wide haunting eyes… eyes that now stalk the expanse of the hotel like he fucking owns it.
The young man ignores them easily, nods discretely to his lookout posted at the Concierge and rides the exclusive elevator back up to the sixteenth floor. Once he’s alone his head hangs low, and when the doors slide open he need not look up to know that his other two guards are still standing where he left them. They’d sooner die and go back to hell than let anyone or anything enter the inner sanctum, so to speak. They bow, very subtly, move out of his way and let him pass. And only when the thick oak doors are pulled close behind him that he lets his long thin body sag, exhausted… resigned.
Being the fucking boy king is proving to be really hard on his knees.
Sam drags his feet to the closest full-length mirror, slowly shrugging out of the ancient leather jacket and holds it to his chest with both arms. Breathes it in and his eyes water, thinking back to how he’d freaked and stormed out when Dean tried to hand it over to him. For good.
“Come on Sammy, quit being a girl alright. Now listen, this used to be Dad’s. He wore it the first night he saw Mom at Bennigan’s in…”
“I don’t wanna know! Alright? And I don’t want your stupid jacket!”
Sam remembers what that did to his big brother’s face, how the mask had slipped then shattered, leaving behind a more vulnerable Dean than he’d ever seen his whole life.
“What do you want me to do, huh?”
I don’t want you to die. Can you do that for me, Dean? Please?
His brother thinks that happened yesterday, and maybe, technically, it did.
Sam sighs heavily, hugging the jacket tighter if that were possible. If it weren’t for the old leather, he’d look like he’d stepped right out of the flashy Salvatore Ferragamo billboard over at Rodeo Drive and he knows exactly who he has to blame for it.
His big ‘won’t you fulfill my last dying wish’ brother.
Dean’s list of last wishes just keeps growing instead of reducing, and apparently includes a fetish for dressing Sammy up in expensive clothes and designer shoes and man-jewelry and stuff. Stuff they could have never ever afforded or even bothered for only a few days ago.
Sam keeps trying to lose count but it doesn’t work. He knows exactly how many days they’ve been here, holed up in the lap of luxurious decadence. Pandering to all of Dean’s impulsive fancies, anything to keep them both distracted from what is about to soon follow… that which is inevitable.
God knows he’s been trying.
The power of mind-control, the power to control demons, and a couple of other kick-ass stuff still isn’t enough to buy his brother’s soul back from that supreme sonofabitch. Sam Winchester commands a legion of one hundred and six demons that now walk among the living. Pretending to be mere mortals just so they never have to return to the fiery torments of hell again. They offer him their allegiance, their promise to toe the line and not hurt another human ever again.
In exchange, Sam promises not to send them back, keeps them safe from other hunters and supernatural entities envious of their newfound freedom. What they don’t know is that Sam is harboring them for one purpose and one alone. To cash them in, every single one of them batteries included, in fair trade for his brother’s life. After all, who out there wouldn’t want a genuine hell bred army of demons to command and call their own, right?
For God’s sake there has to be someone. Good or evil or who the fuck even cares. No, Sam feels no regret whatsoever, at least not yet. They’d worry about it later, when Dean is safe and ready to get back into the game again.
Sam holds his left wrist with his right hand, wraith-like fingertips resting on the dial of his beautiful new Patek Philippe, and closes his eyes. It’s a new power he’s developed very recently, thanks to a witch’s curse that somehow reacted with the demon Azazael’s blood running through his veins. One he hasn’t told Dean about, nor does he ever plan to.
It’s the penultimate day. The day before when the hellhounds come for Dean.
Except, it’s really not.
The penultimate day came and went two weeks ago. Only to come back again… and again… and again.
This is the thirteenth penultimate day.
Sam concentrates, welcomes the agonizing burst of pain exploding behind his eyes and in his chest; bites his lip to suppress any sounds that could alert his brother sleeping peacefully at the other end of the suite. And he pushes and pleads and begs, demands like the fucking demon king on earth that he is to let him have just one more day. Just one more chance to strike a new deal. Another chance to offer up something more, something extra, anything at all, to anyone at all… in exchange for his brother’s long and prosperous life.
It hurts. It hurts like hell, and when he can’t stand it any more Sam falls to the floor and it’s finally done. Smashing his knees with brute force onto the granite floor and he knows it’s going to ache like a bitch all day, but only until he falls again. Then it’ll hurt even more.
He imagines in great detail what Dean would say if he ever found out. God forbid if he ever woke up in the middle of the night and followed Sam out; saw him summoning a bunch of monsters every night… demons, pagan gods, sorcerers, djinns. Then returning home and twisting another bunch of celestial arms so they could turn back time, all for one guy…
Sam winces painfully, rubbing his wary eyes. Yeah. His ass would be toast.
We’re going to be together forever, Dean.
After awhile he manages to pick himself up and starts to strip, strewing his clothes back on the floor precisely how they’d landed earlier when Dean took them off of him. Looks at his reflection in a glass cabinet warily, feeling nothing but cold and numbness. His body is rapidly losing weight and muscle definition, dark rimmed eyes sinking back into their sockets and his hair’s gone flat and dull but he doesn’t care anymore. Stuck in an endless loop of stasis, the world outside these walls slowly but surely rots away and yet, he couldn’t give a fucking shit. Not anymore.
Not until he gets what he wants. What he needs.
Naked at last, he carefully threads his way to the bedroom, flicking lights off with a wave of his hand until nothing but cool moonlight streaks in through their windows. The sixteenth floor sure has its advantages.
Sam crawls back into bed, knowing Dean would automatically unfurl for him without waking up like he’s done every night since they first started sleeping together. He settles in, the severe tautness of his body slackening, just as Dean’s arms tighten around him and he sighs with infinite relief. Willing at last to surrender, if only for a couple of hours. Until morning comes and Dean drags him out of bed to celebrate their second last day together. Again.
With every new rewind, Sam’s reactions are wearing down, as are, he suspects, Dean’s. The déjà vu is starting to set in and it wouldn’t be long before Dean gets suspicious. Already he’s starting to wonder about the dark circles under Sam’s eyes and the sudden fragility of his ribs. But damn, the stupid boa this afternoon totally took him by surprise! Trust Dean to keep inventing newer, more creative ways to torture him even on the last fucking day of his life.
No. Not the last. Never the last. Not if he can help it.
Sam revels in the scent of musk and gunpowder that seems to forever cling to his brother, and shudders. Silently he prays to the God he once so vehemently believed in, to help him. Hopes that like everything else that’s twisted and insane and upside down in the Winchester way of life… maybe thirteen would prove a lucky number for them after all.
*** END ***
A/N: Pls let me know what you think?
Tags: fandom: supernatural, fic: spn: the penultimate day
Yeah it is not a happy story, unfortunately. I hope it ends well for them, but I wanted to leave it open ended for the readers. Thanks you so very much for reading and reviewing hon. I'm glad you liked it :)
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Advice, Cypher Ave Originals, Featured, News, Opinion, The Lists
5 Gay Slang Words That Prove Gay Men Hate Themselves
Nick Delmacy, 6 years ago 43 10 min read 1810
It appears that the only group of people on the planet that internally hates themselves more than African Americans are Gay Men. I can’t think of any other groups of people that consciously chooses to use immensely offensive words to describe themselves.
Self-Hatred is a serious matter and I don’t want to take this lightly. Many people do not think race should be compared to sexuality in any way, but I think there are some correlations here.
It can be argued that Black Americans’ use of the word “Nigger” as a casual descriptive term of endearment is the result of the unimaginable trauma caused by American Slavery and the subsequent period of Jim Crow Laws. Some say the wound created by that brutality will take much more time and therapy to heal. So Black people have chosen to attempt to use the word in a way that takes away its power.
What are Gay people’s excuse for the terms they use? I log into websites and message boards daily and see words used amongst gay men that if said by a non-gay person (more specifially a heterosexual man) would be unbelievably offensive. Gay men are masochists. They seem to like being mistreated and humiliated.
Are gay men also embracing the offensive words to take away their power when used by racists and homophobes? If that’s the case, why are the words still just as abrasive decades later? If African Americans have “redefined” the word “Nigger”, why did Paula Dean get such a backlash in 2013? Why can’t Justin Bieber say, “Whattup, Nigga” when addressing his boss Usher Raymond?
Its because the “redefining the definition” excuse is all bullshit. The word is just as offensive and potent as its always been. The same applies to gay terms, gay terms that gay men are seen using daily on Twitter, causal conversation, blogs and even University classrooms, are all still offensive. Which words am I referring to? Let’s look at 5 of them.
This is one of the oldest gay epithets known. Most gay men come out of the womb knowing the potency of this word. It is a word used by heterosexual bigots for decades to imply that a boy or man wasn’t living up the performance expected by his gender role. It was even more psychologically damaging when heard coming from a parent or father figure. “Stop being a sissy!” they would say to try to push away any signs of feminine behavior.
Yet gay men can be seen calling other gay men sissies all the time. One would think gay men would abolish this word from their self-descriptive vocabulary and quickly chastise anyone that used it as well.
Gay men and African Americans are probably the ONLY groups on the planet that do this. You don’t see Jews calling each other Kikes. You don’t see Chinese men calling each other Chinks. We must collectively end the self-hatred disguised as a “redefinition” of the offensive words.
A serious debate came up when blogger Waddie Grant covered the battle between two Memorial Day Gay Event Promoters last year. The founder of Sizzle Miami accused the promoters of DC Pride of printing flyers that stated something to the effect of, “The Ladies will be at Sizzle, but the Real Men will be at DC Pride.” No evidence could be produced to confirm this but the reaction from gay men online was, how could they do that…that’s so offensive to call effeminate men “ladies!”
The problem with this is gay men do it causally ALL THE TIME!
Here’s the deal. If one or two descriptive terms like “masculine” or “discreet” have to go, they all have to go. If gay men have a problem with others in the community saying that they’re not “real men,” they can’t in-turn call themselves or others “Girl” and “Ladies.” Need an example of this in action, check out the video below:
Hahahaha! Yeah, pretty funny. But it’s funny because its true. Its totally fine for men (gay or straight) to have effeminate mannerisms. Who cares, right? But there’s power in the words we choose to use to describe ourselves and one another.
Say my gay boss at the office gives me an assignment, is it appropriate for me to say, “Yes, ma’am” when responding to him? Especially if he himself often says, “Yes, ma’am” amongst his gay male friends over a round of Daiquiris?
This doesn’t only apply to effeminate men. All gay men should have a problem with female pronouns used to refer to other gay men. Especially the so-called masculine men that casually do it without a second thought of the ill effects.
How can we as a community get pissed at heterosexual men who attack us as being not “manly” when we as a group don’t even refer to each other as men? I’m not saying that gay men should try to adhere to some specific idea of what is masculine. However I do think we should not refer to ourselves as the opposite gender while simultaneous shouting that we’re all still in fact men.
Picture this: Justin Timberlake and Eminem adopt traditionally African American mannerisms and behaviors. That’s fine. But what if they also started calling themselves Black or African Americans? Like literally saying, “Us brothas are dominating the music game right now!” Everyone would be like:
So let’s all abolish female descriptors from Gay terminology. We will still embrace our effeminate, inbetween and masculine brothers, but the difference is we’ll all be referring to each other as the strong men we are.
The list continues on the next page…
Tags #Civil Rights #Femininity #Homophobia #Masculinity #Opinion #The Lists
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OckyDub, 3 weeks ago 1 min read
But White People Do It Too
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*rolls eyes*
every gay I know that uses Girl and Queen(myself included) is only meant in humor. I call it making the best out of a situation. We have it so hard in most cases and if we can’t poke fun at ourselves every now and again we would just be miserable.
LEE B
So you basicly saying if you can’t beat them join them huh? I understand people tryingt to put humor to something negative But like Nick said you may think you taking the power away by using those terms jokingly, but as soon as the WRONG person says those words it cuts deep. Then that vioce gets deeper that testosterone and adrenaline starts pumping and you ready to show who ever how manly you really are.
I feel the men who should be called women, and girl, are the male->female transgender dudes who actually want to be women and want to be recognized and identified as women.
No. I’m saying that some of us just see it as funny and we make light of it. We know we’re not girls and the humor is in the fact that we are not. Hmph. The conspiracy theorist in me almost believes this is a roundabout attack on fem men again since those are the ones that use the terms except for sissy. The difference between NIgger and the words you’ve highlighted here is that Nigger has an historical usage that was intended to be hurtful and demeaning. Queen/Girl/Trade do not have this historical baggage. Words like FAG and PUNK do and I never hear my gay friends use that term unless they are intentionally meaning to be offensive but that’s a different story. I can see Sissy fitting into the N word character, but once again thats only something I ever hear straight men or masculine men use to demean fem men. Queer…well I never hear anyone use that casually so I don’t know.
Lol dude read the article agian…. He actually says the every gay person need to stop using those terms..fem inbetween and masculine gay dudes.
I have heard white gay guys use the word queer @hannibal
Maybe you should take a minute and do some basic research. Seems that a number of posters here seem to have a ill informed skewed view of gay language.
Kasule
I hear that: if a gay dude calls me “girl,” I mean, I figure it’s meant to be funny and I’m over it – although it can add up after a while.
But if a STRAIGHT dude calls me “girl”…yeah I get kinda pissed…
@Nick I have to agree with you about those words.
I never use the words but I do notice them if I happen to be around gay people at work or just being out and about. I think that the best way for African-Americans and Gay people to take their power back is to not use the words. If you really want to empower yourself, use words like strong, independent, brave, courageous, etc. Don’t empower yourself (or someone else) by saying that you (or they) are an “independent b!tch/ni99a”, “snap queen”, desirable “trade”, a “butch fa99ot/sissy” and so on.
I think that we as a people (gays and African-Americans) have to really think about what we are doing to ourselves. It goes back as far as 1712 with the William Lynch speech/letter (see more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lynch_speech). White people influenced African-Americans to have an inferiority complex where we always feel that we are less than good enough. As time continued on, the Caucasian population did not have to do the work anymore to make Blacks feel like we are less than. We as African-Americans continue to keep doing that to ourselves.
The same goes for heterosexuals making homosexuals feel like they had a mental disorder back in the day and that we were doing the wrong thing for feeling the way we do.
It has become so second nature for African-Americans and Gay Men to say those derogatory terms as a way to empower themselves when they’ve forgotten the true origin and reason for…
Willie Lynch definitely applies, thanks for adding that @africanking
You’re welcome @nick!
Okay, okaaay, Mr. Nick Buzzkillington. I’ve been having my fun with Donnie McClurkin. “She” “Gospel Sissy” etc. Message received. Sheesh.
Dre G
Im not aware of this issue ever being raised before
I often say homo(s) because I identify with the term homsexual.does anyone find that word offensive since straight guys are known to use it negatively
C-Dotti
I never been called girl in person, but online is a different story. If someone called me girl in person I would chin check that punk. I have been known to refer to the stereotypical gays as “the girls” though. I be like the girls are gonna get you lmao
Black Pegasus
Okay Bishop Nick, I’m somewhat perplexed about your ‘outrage’ here. It goes without saying that I’m in agreement with you as it relates to the use of these terms. But why are you giving rappers and the hip hop genre a total pass when it comes to homophobic lyrics, yet take exception with the ‘kids’? You can demand that your gay brethren behave in a certain manner, yet give your blessings to the likes of J. Cole by referring to his destructive lyrics as “ART”???
Color me confused as f*ck
@blackpegasus I never gave J Cole or Hip Hip a pass on anything. I wrote an entire essay the other day about the homophobia in Hip Hop that we need to acknowledge more.
In this article I mentioned repeatedly that we have to get our own house in order first before was can expect any straight homophobes to tolerate us. Their offensive language about us, we use it on each other daily, yet we expect them not to. How can we expect to get respect when we don’t even respect ourselves amongst each other?
I hear you. When I said to my best friend (straight) that using “gay” as an insult on a TV sitcom is damaging for gays (and American culture, at large), he disagreed: “anti-gay language adds ‘color’ to dialogue in a TV comedy,” he told me.
What?! I was disappointed in him.
But to your point: when is it “art” (a pass) and when is it not “art”?
Can I even argue with my friend, if he perceives this comedy as “art”? It would get a pass!
TBlaze
I can understand the writers frustration and point of view. As a gay black man who also think internalized homophobia is one of our community’s most pressing issue I think it’s great to see this discussion happen. However, I’d just like to point out that perhaps we need to start looking a little deeper at some other issues, like gender bias, for instance. Why is it that men are so offended by being called, in any form, a girl? Is being likened to a female really so awful? Maybe if we reject biases based on gender being called a “Queen” could take a different spin. Also, although I think labels can be damaging they can also be empowering. Although you, or someone else may reject the term “Queer”, for many it’s self-affirming. There’s an argument to be made that there’s a long history of taking power from those who oppress by adopting their language and re-defining it to make it our own. Many years ago it would have been offensive to be called “Black” but now many of us use that term with pride, as I do. Language can be transitionary and fluid and meaning can evolve. A definition in a dictionary is very limited in scope and should not be the go to reference when understanding the complexity of certain words/labels. The intention of the writer is clear and I could not agree with that more but there are certainly other things to consider when having this discourse.
Thanks for your feedback. I would counter your questions with a question of my own: What’s really so wrong with being a man and being labeled as such amongst each other? Its not about being offended by an association with women. Again, we can’t get offended when homophobes say we’re not men if we don’t even recognize ourselves as men amongst each other.
I mentioned repeatedly in the article that I get the theory of taking power away from words but its clearly not working. These words are still offensive if used by the right people in the wrong ways. So how is this self-affirming?
I merely listed the dictionary definition of queer to show the word has no positive context in everyday society whatsoever. It also is STILL used as an negative epithet. What sense does it make to have that be the official label for a group of people? Why not start with a universally POSITIVE word than adopting a negative word that is still currently used against us?
This is like a kid being called an offensive nickname “Butt Ugly Larry” and his response as an adult is to change it to his Legal name.
Your welcome for the feed-back and I’m glad to contribute to the discussion. What I offered wasn’t not a criticism to your opinion piece but just food for thought.
Never did I suggest that there is something wrong with being called a man or recognized as such. I simply asked why is it that being associated with a woman is so offensive and I would argue that it’s gender bias based on Colonial/Puritanical ideology that deems women as less than, weak, inferior, etc. I could offer a myriad of examples, “you throw like a girl” “stop crying like a little girl” “man-up”. I would be no more inclined to be offended if someone were to look at me and say I was the color red than I would be if someone insinuated I was acting like a girl. Neither would be true but the difference here is that “red” has no negatives attached to it like “woman-like” does and I find that more offensive to my sisters/mothers than I anything.
I also suggested that language evolves. If you look in the dictionary for the word gay 20 years prior to today it would have a totally different meaning. Fag was a cigarette. Black was negatively used by our oppressors before the late 60’s/70’s when “we” reclaimed it to make it a label of pride. People can use plenty of derogatory, hurtful words and I’m not saying there should be a movement for every one of them to redefine them. But if Butt Ugly Larry wanted to start a campaign I would at least validate his feelings to do so.
This website is all about discussion so never feel out of place for offering a different point of view.
As for our comment, you make some valid points but many of them have nothing to do with this article. When modern gay men call Tyler Perry a “Closet Queen” or Donnie McClurkin a “Gossip Sissy”, I seriously doubt they are doing so to make a statement against “Colonial/Puritanical Ideological Gender Bias.”
Lasty, attempts to redefine negative words seems to be a trick that only African Americans and homosexuals try to pull off. Why not focus on POSITIVE words instead? The word GAY started off positive, why not adopt more words like that again instead of a word like “Queer” that universally means strange and is STILL used in verbal attacks by homophobes? If they tell us, “You guys are different” why is our response, “No we’re not, we’re Queer!”
HUH?!?! lol Anyway, thanks for adding to the discussion.
I can see this debate going on and on, which is cool and I think healthy as long as it’s respectful that we acknowledge these are just our individual points of view.
I do believe the comments I made speak directly to your article in that I just suggested we take look at the issue you raised using a broader lens, to expand upon what you started. In my initial post I stated that I understood your viewpoint and there was no disagreement with the important topic you raised.
Any words or language could be used as harmful. So yes, I totally agree, if someone calls out T. Perry or Donny in that manner, with the sole intent to cause pain or denigrate him then there’s an issue….no matter what term is used. I only suggested we look closer at why the feminizing someone seems like the ultimate offense. Is in not possible that there are deeper issues here to ponder?
And I don’t think reclaiming language is a trick, rather I see it as empowering, but again, that’s just my point of view which I dare to say other might share.
Lastly, I don’t see why we can’t embrace and honor our differences. In fact, I don’t want to assimilate into a culture or with those who continue to perpetuate hate, violence, and homophobic views. So sorry, I reject the assumption that my goal is to “be the same”. Different is not synonymous with lesser than or better than. Again, that’s a European/Colonial construct that we’ve been “tricked” into thinking is good.
@nick Donnie McClurkin and his kind have called us way worse than “gospel sissy,” so let’s not get dramatic. I won’t say it on this site anymore but let’s be clear:
When I mock the closeted ex-gay christians, who statistically fail at their “rebirth” in laughable numbers while increasing the suicide rates of our gay boys; I’m participating in a bit of well earned schadenfreude for the hypocrites who had it coming.
No, I’m not saying as a statement for gender bias and I’m not saying it based on the loose logic that I must hate myself. Rather, I enjoy saying it to fuck with people who hate me enough to want me gone.
No, take no offense man…I know you were just joking. I used that example in my response because it was fresh on my brain. However I do think we need to be mindful of the language we use, even if we are directing it towards homophobes themselves. I’m guilty of this myself so its an ever evolving process.
Exhibit REY
I agree with the concept of the article and the information in it so let’s break it down line by line shall we:
1. The word “Sissy” has more meaning to it than to belittle someone who’s homosexual but use of the word is primarily used to insult gays so I agree with you on this Nick!
2. Girl. Well, I don’t like for a homosexual to refer to me as “Girl” for the simple fact that I’m not in fact a girl. Granted, it’s the most popular term in the gay slang dictionary and some don’t find harm in it but my preference is to not have it used towards me since I don’t use it towards others.
3. Queen. I totally get your point on this Nick! Why use such a strong word as “Queen” to describe another gay man but when a hetero uses it towards you, you find it offensive? I’ve used the word before but I’m trying to slowly work it out my vocabulary.
4. Trade. I HATE THIS FUCKING WORD PERIOD!
5. Queer. The gay community would argue they’ve reclaimed power of this word by removing negative connotations from it. It all depends on who you ask because some gays don’t have a problem being called queer. Also, to some, the “Q” in LGBTQ stands for Questioning but I get the point you’re making.
All in all, this article has some truth to it but what I also noticed after reading this article is that as much as some of us claim we’re different from the heteros, we’re actually just like them with the exception of who sleeps next to us at night.
Overall, good job on…
Garrett McQueen
When I was doing my undergrad I had a sociology teacher (female) who not only hated the use of the word “girl” for gay guys, but for grown women as well! It’s a discussion that never gets old.
blackzw
I agree. Totally. This us so true of black male homosexuals here in the south if Africa. Africans are such sponges for western culture. So quick to absorb errthing that comes from yonder.
I think from a personal standpoint, a lot of the issue is with ppl thinking its okay to call me any of these terms, because Im gay. For some girl who has a super fem friend who says these words all of the time, to think it’s no big deal as long as the dude is gay. Its about the fight for gay men to not be seen as a monolith, just like blk folks are always jumping up about every time madea goes to jail, the fam reunion, or the damn grocery store!
It’s no secret that being seen as a blk, gay ‘miss girl’ stereotype is a big reason why many of us stay closeted.
QuietSoul
I love this post!! I have been saying for a while that using the words you said above is self-hatred. Why would a man think is OK to call themselves a girl when they are not? A man come in with different mannerisms and personalities…but they are still a man. The word “queer” is the worst one. There has to be a better word than that to use.
I’m involved in higher education and a lot of the classes and programs that cater to lgbt issues use the word “Queer”. I never really thought about the dictionary meaning of the word until I read it in the article. Why would you want to call yourself “Queer” after reading that definition? It sounds like something that people use to describe gay men when mainstream society didn’t understand what being gay was. The world is evolving; the gay community needs to do the same.
I wish we could just erase these words but it’s not the simple. These words are a part of the whole gay culture, not just the black gay culture. Unless visible gay leaders make it an issue to stop the self-hatred slang, these words will continue to be used by the oppressed and the oppressors.
I would argue that it’s more self hatred to dislike that some gays find humor and irony in referring to each other as “girl” or whatever what have you.
NOt ReaLLy N uSe
I have seen a lot of LBGTQ websites change the Q from queer to Questioning
@nick I totally agree with you bruh. I stopped being close to two really cool dudes because I don’t want to be referred to as “girl” or “bitch”. To me, its an insult to my manhood. At this stage in my life, I can only be close to people who reflect certain values any reference to the terms you mentioned will undermine those values. I refuse to accept that I am somehow a lesser version of what it means to be a man. I had to ask myself, does being same gender loving negate my manhood? I know it does not!
I often wonder why we as same gender loving men do not take the time to create the narrative about us rather instead of mirroring heterosexual social/sexual roles and norms or those created by the white gay community. We are in the unique position to present ourselves as self-affirming and whole MEN who can be found in all cross sections of life.
Amen!! Hallelujah!! Holla!! Code Ten!!
I was just thinking about this because a Facebook buddy posted a message about how much he enjoyed being at a gay outing because his “friends” were being so “shady,” doing “reads,” and “spilling the tea.” Because this guy is an attractive male and seen as being desirable, he’s a part of the in circle where those things may seem entertaining because it’s not directed toward him, but for many of us, it’s hurtful and unnecessary. It’s interesting that the things some of us don’t like about the community are the very things that other people love about it.
I don’t use any of the terms referred to in the article and that’s my preference, but I hope that one day, especially for those that want better for our community, we’ll break away from and grow out of some of the negativity that has come to be expected and welcomed from some of our members. Otherwise, we’ll just have to stay fragmented and let those that feel comfortable with that sort of thing do it amongst themselves while those that aren’t cool with it connect somewhere else.
I was picked on terribly as a child. And though I’m typically not the target of “tea” and “reads” I feel for those that are. The teasing and name calling from “friends” sounds and feels a lot like the teasing and name calling from our enemies.
Byron P.
Yeah I don’t really get it. I’m a male so in no way do I want to be referred to as girl or bitch. It’s just like black people saying n***a. Saying the word jokingly makes it okay but if somebody used it in a negative way against you then it’s time to fight. Using these words in everyday language doesn’t take power away from them. The black community and the gay community are so backwards. I think it’s really ridiculous to turn words that are used to demean us and turn them into terms of endearment that we use everyday without a second thought. We definitely have a long way to go.
@Bpaisle @nick Fellas, I’m with you. I refuse to engage in psychological warfare with myself! I know for a lot of people its all about perspective;however, someone among us has to MAN up and see the bigger picture. Too many sheeple! LOL
Yeah @bpaisle, @thinker, @mikeyllo, @quietsoul, @exhibitrey and @sb3000, I don’t have ANY friends in my circle who use these words and others like it. When gay dudes around me say offensive ish like girl, sissy and Queen I be like:
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If I tell dudes I have a problem with those words and why, they usually either watch themselves when they speak or they find me frequently absent when they’re around.
bougestsutton
I believe these words aren’t “negative” exactly, but based on your own history with these words and depending on the way these words are used, they can be. I’ve only ever heard NIGGA be used as “What’s up ma nigga..” or “Nigga please..” and this makes these terms acceptable to me when they are said because they’re not used disrespectfully, they’re used if anything as slang and a twisted sort of “term of endearment” if you will. I accept that these 5 words that MAY indicate some sort of self-hatred may make sense to the bloggers on this site that have been called these words out of hatred at some point, however, don’t penalize anyone who uses these words in a NON negative sense and then justify your opinion by saying “If you use these words, you’re going against the gay grain”
-BWS
Ocky Williams
For me what is going against the “gay grain” is the gay men who chose not to use these words in reference to themselves and other gays unlike the majority of Out gays. I respect and take pride in my manhood and maleness to verbally ignore my gender.
Rox808
I have never heard of “Trade” that is brand new to me. There are always a lot of guys using the word “Girl”. My ex and some of his friends always call each other girl. I myself do not like being called that at all. I am a man. not a girl
Nick, I don’t think “trade” is usually used in the context you’ve suggested, or at least it wasn’t in its origin. I think it has more to do with the “trade” involved in prostitution at its worst and quasi-prostitution or symbiotic relationships/encounters otherwise. For example, an otherwise straight dude might prostitute himself to a homosexual man, or a good-looking and more importantly, ‘masculine,’ mostly straight guy (bi guy if you prefer) will let himself be serviced or perhaps take a dominant sexual role, or submit to love making with a guy less masculine or less attractive or in some way in a league beneath him in desirability in exchange for money, pleasure, advancement, shelter, affection, status or whatever he needs. Some homosexual men learn to spot men willing to do this, and refer to the guys as ‘trade.’ Sometimes, especially if it’s a habitual role, the ‘trade’ will refer to the act itself as ‘trade.’ It as at times nearly contractual. The term ‘rough trade’ has a similar meaning, but usually is between partners of vastly different social backgrounds who are getting some thrill from interacting with a person of opposite position in society or a more mainstream homosexual guy sexually interacting with a more masculine guy (thug, street, and more curious than gay) in rough play (sometimes to the point of dom/sub or abuse.) Basically there is a trade of something or another between a usually receptive man who gets the thrill of sex with a…
Thanks for the history lesson; however what does the term “trade” mean today? Fem men refer to masc men as trade. When the term DL/Down Low first came on the scene it has nothing to do with gay men…but now it does. Whats your point here?
stylistPRINCE™
I definitely learned something from this blog! I think about that occasionally, it’s why gay communities are divided
I get you, and I do agree to a large extent.
But, what do you do with the gay men who feel they are ‘women’ in their identity? I don’t mean transgendered men who feel they are in the wrong body, I mean, they just don’t identify themselves as men, even though they are comfortable with their bodies. Should we discourage them from feeling that way, and urge them to use masculine terms for themselves?
BKoh
I have never, at multiple parties, parades, and other such events, ever heard a single gay person refer to any other gay person or themselves as a ‘sissy’, a ‘girl’, or a ‘trade’. Not even once. Nor have I heard any non-gay people use those words in reference to a gay person.
I’ve heard a transexual called a girl, but that is sort of the point of being a transexual; they want to be referred to as the other gender now. On top of that, transexuals don’t necessarily have anything to do with being gay or straight. I myself know one who is completely asexual.
Upon thinking about it, I can’t really remember anyone not on TV using the word queer to refer to gay people either. It’s one of those things I’ve only ever seen on TV, and I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the media doesn’t treat any culture in a completely accurate fashion..
Even ‘queen’ I’ve only heard used rarely in the context of an on-stage cross-dressing performer, who also, as a stage performer, doesn’t have to be gay any more than a female stripper at a men’s strip joint has to be straight. I mean even a lot of men that act in gay porn are only ‘gay for pay’, as they say.
So is the gay culture in my area just extremely dignified or something? I have a hard time believing that we’re that different.
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Home New gTLD BBC Confused About .Plumbing
BBC Confused About .Plumbing
Joe Alagna shared an article about preparing for the new gTLD domain names, and in the article, he wrote, “Although I like most of the vertically targeted domains, I am concerned about a few like .plumbing and .contractors. I was recently tasked with writing an article about each of those two TLDs. Forgive me, but as I sat at my computer, I couldn’t recall if the TLD was .plumbing, .plumber, or .plumbers.” It appears that the BBC has this very issue.
The BBC published an article today discussing whether anyone cares about whether England gets its own .England domain name extension. It’s an interesting discussion, but what caught my eye (and the attention of others) was a photo caption with a typo in it: “Tippers, a chain of builders merchants based in the Midlands, now has a website with the .plumbers suffix.”
As Joe Alagna predicted, the BBC confused the .plumbing extension with .plumbers, which does not exist, nor is their an application for this extension. Perhaps in the future, someone will apply for the .plumbers extension, but until that point in time, it’s going to be a typo, and likely a costly typo for companies who do use .Plumbing domain names.
When a searcher accidentally types in a url that has a suffix that doesn’t exist, they will likely be taken to a Google search page or an ISP error page. Perhaps they will realize they made an error, but if they are confused about the TLD and don’t notice the error, they may just start at square one and do a Google search for something else where they may or may not end up on the intended brand’s website. In fact, if someone is searching for Boston.Plumbing and they type in Boston.Plumbers, unless that website ranks very well in Google, other competitors will likely show up first.
At the very least in the short term, there will be confusion about new gTLD extensions. Some will be more confusing than others, but it is interesting to observe how this all plays out.
Thanks to Matthew Riches and Kevin Murphy for pointing this out.
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LouChe February 20, 2014 at 9:46 am
I’m sure people had the same problem remembering ‘.COM’ when it first came out too…
jZ February 20, 2014 at 11:23 am
perhaps, if there were sites using .com, .coms, .comes, .cawm, .comm…
LouChe February 20, 2014 at 6:07 pm
I suppose my point is not to forget how adaptable to change humans actually are!
….not including domainers of course 🙂
Sean February 20, 2014 at 10:42 am
However when you type in the correct tippers.plumbing into the address bar it resolves to PlumbingPlace.co.uk. So they aren’t even using the new extension as their main address despite claiming to do so
Sam February 20, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Yes your right it seems pointless even having the tippers.plumbing
E-commerce manager Allan Akers said the firm’s previous addresses had been “rather cumbersome and hard to remember”. (tippersbm co uk)
The new address, he hopes, will raise the company’s profile and boost trade. (That must be a joke)
Jeepers June 4, 2014 at 8:16 pm
If you’re speaking the domain to someone, you have…
Tippers.plumbing (5 syllables)
PlumbingPlace.co.uk (8 syllables)
I don’t think it’s that terrible, tbh. Maybe they’re in a local marketing campaign, who knows.
BullS February 20, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Confusion is good for business.
Hey Sir Elliot, the domaininvesting.com is not displaying well on Firefox…anybody got that problem?
pageok??
Elliot Silver February 20, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Just had a hosting upgrade at GoDaddy, so there might be some propagation issues for a little while.
Happened last nite too,
You See Elliot, I am good for something …..am watchin your back!
Konstantinos Zournas February 20, 2014 at 9:54 pm
I should avoid Go Daddy…
Most ppl at work use IE but majority of the people in the world use Firefox
I have IE…always crashes
have=HATE HATE HATE
Grave_Domainer February 20, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Didn’t know people from ‘that’ side of the Atlantic too watch, talk about BBC!
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Dottie Bond Photography
Adventure, Travel and Documentary Photography
WONDER + WANDER
Backpacking the Grand Canyon: Exploring the South Rim’s Wild Side
More than five million people visit the Grand Canyon each year; fewer than 5% of them descend below the rim to explore the Inner Canyon, and fewer still secure highly coveted backcountry permits for overnight trips—which is to say the Grand Canyon feels downright empty when you are exploring its labyrinthine features from 4,500 feet below the rim.
As is wont to happen when you have a healthy collection of adventurer-type friends, I was invited to join a group of women who were headed to Grand Canyon National Park in mid-April to backpack the renowned Escalante Route. Five days spent traipsing through one of America’s most iconic natural wonders with five other badass women who were certain to infuse me with some much-needed inspiration, insight, and laughter? Sign me up.
For a detailed summary of the Backpacking the Grand Canyon itinerary, see the full post in the Travel Itineraries section.
Faces of Morocco
When thinking back on my various travels, an inanimate object usually comes to mind to summarize the place—Florence’s Duomo, Cambodia’s Temples of Angkor, the fjords of Western Norway. Not so Morocco. I returned from that colorful country last week filled with slivers of stories of the lives of people with whom I intersected for only a moment or two as I passed through their world. The varied fabrics of their personalities left me with a fondness for the country that no dazzling riad or crumbling kasbah could similarly impart.
Urban Culture
Room With A View: 8 Al Mar
At the end of an inauspicious road in a sleepy Chilean surf town sits the 8 Al Mar Bed & Breakfast. You won’t be faulted if you can’t initially find the place. The boutique hotel sits in its own isolated cove fronting the Pacific Ocean, tucked amidst white-paneled houses with such little signage that you’d think the owners preferred to enjoy their property in complete isolation. And maybe they do. The eight room structure of glass and wood, designed by the Chilean architect Igor Moraga, is a befitting of a profile in an interior design magazine. Each room enjoys panoramic views of the Pacific and private balconies from which you can spend hours watching waves crash against the rocky beach while fishermen scour the coastline for mollusks washed ashore. A sun-saturated wooden terrace is populated with sunbeds and furniture carved from driftwood. Across the way, three hot tubs are screened behind wooden fences, allowing for privacy where guests can enjoy a bottle of Carménère while listening to the sonorous ocean. Is this paradise? I think so.
Heaven for Bibliophiles is Called Hatchards
“Make sure you visit Hatchards,” a friend advised upon hearing that I had an impending trip to London scheduled. “Wonderful bookstore. Adjacent to Fortnum’s. They have a subscription service—you pick a topic and once a month they’ll hand-select a book and mail it to you.” It’s no secret I love books. If I have spoken with you in the last six months, I probably asked you if you’re on Goodreads; and if you told me that you are not, I probably demanded that you download the app immediately and list what books you’ve read in 2016. I really, really love books. So when I heard there was a bookstore in central London which offers a monthly subscription tailored to the bibliophile’s individual interests, passions, and reading preferences, I made it my first stop after dropping off my bags at the hotel.
St. Petersburg to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian Railway
“Let’s go somewhere. We need an adventure,” a dear friend once said to me. We were sitting on the couch in my Denver, Colorado apartment, digesting Thai food and drinking wine. I had just earned a Master’s degree; Nicole was slated to begin medical school in the fall. We were both feeling equally free and adrift and antsy at that particular moment of our lives. Let’s go somewhere exotic. Somewhere far away. Somewhere where we could lose ourselves for a few weeks and forget our respective realities. Let’s go on an adventure—that’s what was said, but the subtext was so much greater than that statement. It took us five minutes of naming destinations—Turkey, the desert (but which desert?), somewhere beautiful in Europe—to settle on a trip so vast it would feel more like three trips in one: The Trans-Mongolian Railway. Rather than end in Vladivostok, the traditional terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway, we would switch trains in Irkutsk and venture through Mongolia to our ultimate destination, Beijing. The distance from St. Petersburg, Russia to Beijing, China via train is approximately 6,000 miles. Eight time zones are crossed en route. We would begin our trip in Europe, end in Asia, and circumnavigate the globe before it was all said and done.
“Let’s go somewhere,” Nicole said. And so we went around the world.
For a detailed summary of the St. Petersburg to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian Railway itinerary, see the full post in the Travel Itineraries section.
Peak Bloom in Washington, D.C.
When it’s springtime in Washington, D.C. only two words matter: Peak Bloom.
To Ski or to Après Ski? That is the Question in Whistler, BC
You need to visit Whistler-Blackcomb if you like any of the following: skiing; snowboarding; après ski; sore quads; shit-eating grins induced by big bowls, narrow chutes, and excess powder; sushi that tastes as if the fish was caught, killed, and filleted within the previous five minutes (and maybe it was); meeting Europeans outside of Europe; Kokanee or Molson; and stumbling upon attractive Aussies and Kiwis around every corner.
Almsgiving in Luang Prabang, Laos
As the sun rises in Luang Prabang, Laos, hundreds of Buddhist monks depart their various temples and walk in a single file procession down city streets collecting alms. This daily ritual, dating back to the 14th century, plays out today largely in the same way it has for 800 years—as a silent and spiritual river of orange moving through the still, heavy air of an early morning along the Mekong River.
A Day in the City by the Bay
From muffins to murals in the Mission District and hunting for exotic bourbon in South San Fran to walking along Chrissy Field savoring iconic views of that big red bridge, here’s a top-line guide of what to do when you have a day to spare in San Francisco.
Room With A View: Sala Lodges
Charmingly authentic, Sala Lodges in Siem Reap, Cambodia isn’t so much a hotel as it is a collection of Khmer homes—and while you’re there, it’s your home. The Temples of Angkor, named the best tourist attraction on the planet by Lonely Planet in 2015, are only a few miles away. Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Bayon along with the markets of Siem Reap and the rice paddy-speckled landscape of rural Cambodia are literally outside your front door. But with a house of your own so perfectly representative of rural Khmer life and with a staff so impossibly attentive and kind, the question becomes not where to go for the day but rather how you’re going to compel yourself to leave this personal paradise.
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Copyright © 2018 Dottie Bond | All rights reserved. Photography, illustrations and stories by Dottie Bond.
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“Batman and Friends”: A Discussion Guide
Tom Morris and Matt Morris are the editors of a a book called Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way (Open Court 2005). Matt’s own chapter (pages 102-117) is titled “Batman and Friends: Aristotle and the Dark Knight’s Inner Circle.” I created this discussion guide, based on Matt’s chapter, for my course on Faith, Film and Philosophy.
Read pages 102-105 and answer questions (1) through (4):
What explains the main title of this essay, “Batman and Friends”?
Morris writes that “Batman is often thought of as the most solitary superhero.” Do you agree with this assessment? How does this set things up for the main theme of Morris’s chapter?
The chapter sketches Aristotle’s three-fold analysis of friendship as developed in the Nichomachean Ethics. What three types of friendship does Aristotle describe? What is your assessment of Aristotle’s analysis? Is it plausible? Is it comprehensive? Do you have friendships of each kind?
Morris uses the Aristotelian analysis of friendship as a template for studying Batman’s closest relationships. Before reading Morris’s discussion of Batman’s relationships, write down your own thoughts about Batman’s relationships. What are his primary relationships? How would you describe each relationship in terms of Aristotle’s three-fold analysis of friendship?
Read pages 105-115 and answer these questions:
Which of Batman’s relationships does Morris consider in terms of the Aristotelian account of friendship? How does Morris classify each relationship? Do you agree with his classification? If you disagree, explain.
Is there anyone else who is closely related to Batman who is not considered by Morris in this essay? If so, identify the person or people you’re thinking of. What does Aristotle’s analysis of friendship imply about the relationship(s) you have in mind?
What is Morris’s primary thesis in this essay? What is your evaluation of Morris’s thesis?
Now read pages 115-117 and answer the following questions:
In this section of his essay, Morris writes about the “elusiveness” of a certain kind of friendship. How does he explain this elusiveness in Batman’s case? Do you agree that Batman is incapable of this kind of friendship? Explain your answer.
If you’ve seen one or both of the most recent Batman movies, Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008), what features of these films support or conflict with Morris’s analysis of Batman’s friendships?
Who has more or less authentic relationships with others, Batman or Bruce Wayne? Explain your answer.
Would it ever be possible for Batman to have the kind of friendship that Aristotle admires most? Explain your answer.
Morris identifies three things that can happen when we “philosophically address art, whether it’s a novel, a comic, a painting, or a film” (see pp. 116-17). What are these three things? What does Morris say is the most important contribution philosophical analysis of art can make? Do you believe that philosophy can play this role? In his use of philosophy to analyze Batman’s character and relationships, does Morris succeed in showing that philosophy can make this kind of contribution?
Morris concludes with an admonition. Think about your own ambitions and sense of calling. If you were to follow Morris’s admonition, what would it mean for you? Be as specific as possible. Does Morris’s counsel seem like good advice to you? Explain your answer.
Copyright © 2009 by R. Douglas Geivett
Filed under Film, Friendship, Leadership, Meaning of Life, Reading Groups, Reading Jags, Relationships Tagged with Aristotle, Batman, Books, Dark Knight, Discussion, Discussion Guides, Film, Film Discussion Guides, Friendship, Matt Morris, Nichomachean Ethics, Reading Groups, Superheroes
The Truman Show: A Discussion Guide
The Truman Show (USA, 1998); directed by Peter Weir
Chapter 4 of my book, Faith, Film and Philosophy, is titled “Escaping Into Reality: What We Can Learn from The Truman Show about the Knowledge Enterprise.” Here are discussion questions for the film The Truman Show that I’ve used in conjunction with this chapter.
What is Christof’s purpose in “designing” a life for Truman? What kind of life does he want for Truman? And what is Christof’s purpose in televising Truman’s life?
There’s The Truman Show that is the TV show the movie is about, and there’s the movie called The Truman Show that we see in the theatre or on DVD. We’ll call the TV show TS-1 and the movie TS-2. In TS-2, viewers of TS-1 are depicted in various ways. Presumably, they enjoy watching TS-1. What is it about TS-1 that keeps them watching? Why do they like watching? What does this say about them?
Those watching TS-1 seem to have opinions about the quality of life Truman has on “Seahaven.” What are they supposed to think about Truman and his quality of life? How does this compare with Christof’s attitude about Truman’s quality of life? Now think about how we are supposed to regard Truman’s life as we view the film, TS-2. Is there a difference between what we’re supposed to think or feel as we watch the movie and what the TV viewers are supposed to think and feel as they watch the TV show? Describe whatever differences you think of.
Truman falls in love with Sylvia, who is kicked off the show (TS-1). Later she calls in to speak with Christof during a rare interview on television. What is her thesis about what Christof is doing? Do you agree with her? Are we supposed to agree with her? Does she make a good argument? Can you think of ways to strengthen her argument?
What is this movie about? Do you think the filmmakers are making an argument? If so, what is that argument? What is the thesis and what evidence is presented in support of that thesis?
What kinds of freedom does Truman exercise while living in Seahaven? What kinds of freedom is he lacking? How is he presented from exercising these freedoms?
Are you more free than Truman? In what ways? Are you sure about this? Can you be sure? [This question was suggested to me by David Hunt, a contributor to Faith, Film and Philosophy.]
Some critics see Christof as a god-figure in this film and suggest that the film is actually a critique of the Christian worldview. If that’s true, what do the filmmakers assume about the Christian worldview, and especially about the Christian or biblical conception of divine sovereignty and human freedom? Based on your understanding of what the Bible teaches about such things, how is Truman’s life in Seahaven like, and how is it unlike, human existence in the actual world? Support your answer from the Bible and from evidence in the film.
In his chapter in Faith, Film and Philosophy, Geivett claims that this film illustrates how a person may be able to acquire knowledge that is important, even when much of his community is determined to deceive him or her. Is this a plausible claim about the film? How could this claim be challenged?
What does this film “say” about the responsibilities people have toward each other when it comes to seeking the truth and tracking the evidence? Can you describe some contemporary attitudes about truth, the objectivity of truth, and the possibility of knowing truth? How are these attitudes reinforced socially?
Filed under Acting, Anomalies, Christ Figure, Deception, Destiny, Evidence, Film Discussion Guides, Future, Human Freedom, Knowledge, Meaning of Life, Prayer Scenes, Providence, Romance, Romance Film, Skepticism, Social Ethics, Sociology of Knowledge, Teaching, Travel, True Love Tagged with Discussion Guides, Epistemology, Faith Film and Philosophy, Film, Intellectual Virtue, The Truman Show
Run Lola Run (Germany, 1998); directed by Tom Tykwer
Chapter 7 of my book, Faith, Film and Philosophy, is titled “What Would Have Been and What Could Be: Counterfactuals in It’s a Wonderful Life and Run Lola Run. The author is Jim Spiegel. Here are discussion questions for the film Run Lola Run that I’ve used in conjunction with his chapter.
Are there any elements in the film that you didn’t understand or can’t explain? Write down what comes to mind?
How would you explain the following: (a) the red hair, (b) the use of black and white, (c) the use of animation, (d) the rapid-fire photo shoots of people Lola encounters, (c) the breaking glass when she screams at different times
The film depicts three possible scenarios. Between the first scenario and the second is a scene when Lola asks Manni a series of questions. She begins with the question, “Do you love me?” What is funny about this scene? What is the logic of her questioning? How does Manni respond? Do you think he should have answered her differently?
Who are the people that Lola encounters during her race to catch up with Manni? What technique is used to portray their respective futures? Why are they portrayed in different ways from one scenario to another? What bearing does this have on the message of the film?
Is there humor in this film? If so, what is its significance, if any, for the message of the film? Is this a comedy? If not, is the humor accidental (not intended by the producers or director) or incidental (not salient to the main message of the film)? Explain your answer.
Between the second scenario and the third, Manni asks Lola, “What would you do if I died?” She thinks his question is stupid. Do you agree with Lola? Why would Manni ask such a thing? How is this bit of dialogue appropriate to the film? Is there anything significant about placing this scene here, rather than between the first and second scenarios?
Does the fact that this movie is in German make the movie more enjoyable, or less? Explain your answer. What would be lost, if anything, if it was in English? Do you think you would enjoy it more, or understand it better, if you understood German?
In the last scenario, while Lola is running with her eyes closed, and she doesn’t have the money, what is she saying? Whom is she addressing? Think about what happens next. Is this supposed to be related to her plea while running? If so, how?
At the Casino, Lola gets incredibly lucky. At this point in the film, is that a surprise? Why or why not?
There are places in the film where a group audience tends to respond with laughter. It’s as if there are cues in the film to laugh at these moments, and most people respond on cue. How does experience of a film in a group situation help in the process of understanding what a film is about, or what a viewer is supposed to believe or feel in response to a scene?
Filed under Alternate Possibilities, Casinos, Counterfactuals, Counterfactuals, Couples, Destiny, Drug Culture, Film Discussion Guides, Foreign Language Film, Future, Luck, Prayer Scenes, Providence, Robbery Scenes, Romance, Romance Film, Running Scenes, Scenes with Nuns, Teaching, Telephone Conversations, Tom Tykwer, True Love Tagged with Chance, Counterfactuals, Discussion Guides, Faith Film and Philosophy, Film, Love, Luck, Romance, Run Lola Run
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Tag Archives: kevin garnett
Time for the NBA to make a change
April 24, 2015 Regis Welch
It is about time that the National Basketball Association does something about player eligibility.
It is clear that undergraduates do not want to be apart of a dynasty and play all four years in college. Instead, they would rather play one year and then turn pro as the current eligibility rules require them to do.
Why can’t players just turn pro after graduating from high school? The athletes would have the opportunity to sink or swim at the professional level, while the players who actually want to play college basketball and get an education will be able to play at a more prestigious school in a better conference and in front of more people.
There have been success stories for players who opted to go pro.
Players that skipped college
Year Drafted Player Career Stats
1974 (ABA) Moses Malone 20 PPG; 12 RPG
1995 Kevin Garnett 18 PPG; 6 RPG
1996 Kobe Bryant 25 PPG; 5 RPG; 5 APG
2003 LeBron James 27 PPG; 7 RPG; 7 APG
There have also been some disasters. Though some of the flops played many seasons in the NBA, they never quite prospered like they were supposed to.
Players that flopped
2000 Darius Miles 8 Seasons; 10 PPG
2001 Kwame Brown 13 Seasons; 6 PPG; 5 RPG
2004 Robert Swift 4 Seasons; 10 PPG; 4 RPG
2004 Sebastian Telfair 12 Seasons; 7 PPG; 3 APG
*Stats courtesy Basketball-Reference.com
If players decide to play for the NCAA, they should be required to play for at least three years like in the NFL.
If the NBA did this all parties involved would benefit from the change.
The NBA would be able to draft franchise players at a much younger age if players come out of HS.
Players that go to college will get a chance to learn from another quality coach before going to the pros.
The NCAA would be able to exploit players for more than one season.
The men’s college game would become even more competitive thus creating a better product.
Respected college head coaches opinions:
“College is not for everybody. So if a kid doesn’t want to go to college, let him go to the pros. Let him go into the [D-League]. And if someone does want to go to college, let them go. We’re still going to have great basketball teams,” Rick Pitino said.
“Major League Baseball has the best idea of all. Three years before they’ll take a kid out of college, then they have a minor league system that they put the kids in. I’m sure that if the NBA followed the same thing, there would be a lot of kids in a minor league system that still were not good enough to play in the major NBA,” Bobby Knight.
Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed seeing Kentucky season. I believe that John Calipari is a creative virtuoso in the field of recruiting. You deserve to go to the Final Four every year whenever you can build a new program with that high of a turnover. Conversely, wasn’t college basketball better with group of recognizable players? You will never forget the Fab Five or Phi Slama Jama.
There are arguments for both side of this issue, but any system has to better than the one they are currently operating under.
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Where the Catholic tradition began in Kenosha and continues.
St. Elizabeth, St. James and Our Catholic Cemeteries
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Our Faith Formation serves children in preschool through high school. We prepare our young children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion and we prepare our high school students for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. We also have various adult studies throughout the year. Our emphasis is on the tradition and beauty of our Catholic teachings with a desire for our parishioners to grow in relationship with our Lord.
“The sacraments are ‘of the Church’ in the double sense that they are ‘by her’ and ‘for her.’ They are ‘by the Church,’ for she is the sacrament of Christ’s action at work in her through the mission of the Holy Spirit. They are ‘for the Church,’ since they manifest and communicate to men, above all in the Eucharist, the mystery of communion with the God who is love, One in three persons.” (CCC 1118)
If you are looking for sacramental records (such as baptism, first communion, marriage records) from a closed Parish (St. Casimir or St. George), please contact the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
If you have questions about the faith, or simply wish to explore Catholicism, call the parish office and request a meeting with Fr. Sean Granger. Exploration comes in so many forms – whether you’ve been away and haven’t completed the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation), whether you’re preparing for marriage and wish to enter the Church with your spouse, or whether your spiritual life is leading you to our Church. We welcome all walks of life to this beautiful Rite of Christian Initiation (aka RCIA – becoming Catholic).
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Every good gift comes from God. We, in turn, give back those gifts to God and our neighbor. Everyone is called to serve in time, talent or treasure. As you consider how you might serve, consider your gifts, interests and talents. Consider the unique ways in our parish: our festival, faith formation, the food pantry and regular donations as a way to give back to to your parish.
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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is designed for any one over the age of reason that has not been baptized, has been baptized in another Christian tradition or for anybody that has been baptized Catholic but have not participated in their faith throughout their life. To prepare you for this journey you will need to go through some level of preparation to receiving the sacraments. Call the parish office or complete the interest form here.
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songs (document genre) (90) + -
clippings (information artifacts) (14) + -
articles (13) + -
political cartoons (10) + -
pictures (two-dimensional representations) (1) + -
Vincent, Leopold (89) + -
Justice, B.M. (10) + -
White, C. S (6) + -
Beldin, Hattie V (2) + -
Johnson, S. T (2) + -
Stiter, D. J (2) + -
American Non-Conformist (1) + -
Babb, S. V (1) + -
Bacon, E. A (1) + -
Beecher, Geo. C (1) + -
Berhers, Sam (1) + -
Blakeman, Elisha D (1) + -
Blood, F.G (1) + -
Brown, O. C (1) + -
Bull, John (1) + -
Call, A. C (1) + -
Campbell, Geo (1) + -
Chesewright, Charles (1) + -
Clause, J C (1) + -
Cox, C. M. B (1) + -
Cox, T. J. (1) + -
Craven, Hermon W. (1) + -
Curtis, Emma G (1) + -
Dean, John A (1) + -
Dunning, Nelson A (1) + -
(-) = Populist Party (U.S.)
'Woman's Sphere' in the 'Kansas Famer, 9 February 1887'
clippings (information artifacts), articles
Kungle, Jennie Franc
'Exchange Support' in 6 November 1888 'Southern Mercury, 6 November 1888'
clippings (information artifacts), letters (correspondence)
Cox, T. J.
National Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union. Proceedings of the Farmers and Laborers Union of America, at St. Louis, Mo., December 3-7, 1889
books, proceedings
National Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union
'Some Legislation Asked For' in the 'Progressive Farmer 5 February 1889'
Progressive Farmer
Our Common schools in the 'Progressive Farmer 22 January 1889'
Marsh, Allie
'President Jones' Message' in 'Southern Mercury, 22 August 1889'
clippings (information artifacts), speeches
'Wants Equal Rights' in 'American Non-Conformist, 12 September 1889'
Phelps, R.S
'From Topolobampo' in 'The American Non-Conformist, 19 September 1889'
Lamb, C.J
'People's Ticket Resolutions' in the 'American Non-Conformist, 3 October 1889'
American Non-Conformist
'The Sub-treasury Plan' in 'The Advocate, 16 January 1890'
'Unlimited Gall' in 'The Alliance and Labor Songster: A Collection of Labor and Comic Songs, for the Use of Alliances, Grange Debating Clubs, and Political Gatherings'
Vincent, Leopold, Maxson, C. M
'The Granger's Yankeedoodle' in 'The Alliance and Labor Songster: A Collection of Labor and Comic Songs, for the Use of Alliances, Grange Debating Clubs, and Political Gatherings'
Vincent, Leopold, Wood, Geo. M
'Awake! Be Free' in 'The Alliance and Labor Songster: A Collection of Labor and Comic Songs, for the Use of Alliances, Grange Debating Clubs, and Political Gatherings'
Vincent, Leopold, Finson, H.W
'Good-bye, Old Party, Good-bye' in 'The Alliance and Labor Songster: A Collection of Labor and Comic Songs, for the Use of Alliances, Grange Debating Clubs, and Political Gatherings'
Vincent, Leopold, White, C. S
'The Light is Breaking' in 'The Alliance and Labor Songster: A Collection of Labor and Comic Songs, for the Use of Alliances, Grange Debating Clubs, and Political Gatherings'
Vincent, Leopold
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Abraham Lincoln historical digitization project (368) + -
Prairie Fire (332) + -
Mark Twain's Mississippi (6) + -
songs (document genre) (1) + -
Greene, William G (5) + -
Harrison, George M (3) + -
Jackson, Andrew (3) + -
Sandburg, Carl (3) + -
United States Office of Indian Affairs (3) + -
Black Hawk (2) + -
Hanks, John (2) + -
Illinois Militia (2) + -
King, Charles Bird (2) + -
Rutledge, John M (2) + -
Stuart, John T (2) + -
Western Engraving Company (2) + -
Adams, John Quincy (1) + -
Atwood, J. A (1) + -
Bale, Hardin (1) + -
Baringer, William E (1) + -
Bartlett, David W (1) + -
Branson, N. W (1) + -
Brown, B. Gratz (1) + -
Cass, Lewis (1) + -
Chapman, Augustus H. (1) + -
Chetlain, L. Augustus (1) + -
Political campaigns--United States--History (3) + -
Presidential candidates--United States--History (2) + -
Presidents--United States--History (2) + -
United States--Politics and government--History (2) + -
De Kalb (Ill. : Township) (1) + -
(-) = Black Hawk War, 1832
(-) ≠ memoirs
'David M. Pantier to William H. Herndon' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
books, letters (correspondence)
Wilson, Douglas L., ed., Davis, Rodney O., ed., Pantier, David M
'William G. Greene (William H. Herndon Interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
books, interviews
Wilson, Douglas L., ed., Davis, Rodney O., ed., Greene, William G
'John T. Stuart (William H. Herndon interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
Wilson, Douglas L., ed., Davis, Rodney O., ed., Stuart, John T
Massacre at Bad Axe
books, guidebooks, letters (correspondence)
Thayer, Crawford B
Abraham Lincoln historical digitization project, Prairie Fire
Letter to Senate and House of Representatives Concerning the Removal of the Indians
Fifty Years Ago: or, Gleanings Respecting the History of Northern Illinois a Few Years Previous to, and During the Black Hawk War
books, guidebooks
Woodruff, G. H
Treaty with the Kaskaskia and Peoria Tribes, Oct. 27, 1832, 7 Stat., 403
'8. Hardin Bale to William H. Herndon (interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
Wilson, Douglas L., ed., Davis, Rodney O., ed., Bale, Hardin
'Clipping from Menard Axis' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
books, letters (correspondence), articles
Wilson, Douglas L., ed., Davis, Rodney O., ed.
'John M. Rutledge to William H. Herndon' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
Wilson, Douglas L., ed., Davis, Rodney O., ed., Rutledge, John M
Narrative of the Capture and Providential Escape of Misses Frances and Almira Hall, Two Respectable Young Women (Sisters) of the Ages of 16 and 18--Who Were Taken Prisoners By the Savages, at a Frontier Settlement, Near Indian Creek, in May Last, When Fifteen of the Inhabitants Fell Victims to the Bloody Tomahawk and Scalping Knife ; Among Whom Were the Parents of the Unfortunate Females. Likewise is Added, the Interesting Narrative of the Captivity and Sufferings of Philip Brigdon, A Kentuckian, Who Fell Into the Hands of the Merciless Savages on Their Return to Their Settlement, Three Days After the Bloody Massacre
Edwards, William P
Phrenological Developments and Character of the Celebrated Indian Chief and Warrior, Black Hawk; With Cuts
articles, articles
'William G. Greene to William H. Herndon' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
'John Hanks to William H. Herndon (interview)' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln'
Wilson, Douglas L., ed., Davis, Rodney O., ed., Hanks, John
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Plant & Animal Genomics
Overview Genotyping Sequencing
Commercial Agriculture
Overview Agricultural Greater Good Sequencing Grants
Overview Agrigenomics Kits and Reagents
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Areas of Interest /Agrigenomics /Plant & Animal Genomics /Sequencing
Sequencing to improve breeding and selection
Understanding how genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to traits in plants and animals
Sequencing Crops and Livestock
As sequencing costs continue to decline, plant and animal sequencing is becoming a more common approach in agricultural research. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is especially useful in this field, where plant and animal genomes can be complex and prior knowledge scarce. Sequencing species of interest provides detailed information about genetic variation and how these factors influence traits.
Plant and Animal Sequencing Methods
De Novo Plant and Animal Sequencing
Whether a research project is focused on a novel species or one that has never been investigated before using genetic tools, de novo sequencing is a first step toward understanding the genetic underpinnings of a plant or animal’s functions and its interaction with the environment. Researchers can use a newly assembled genome to assign map positions and stack diverse breed information for subsequent resequencing to discover single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other genetic variations.
Whole-Genome Resequencing
When a species’ reference genome is available, whole-genome animal and plant sequencing is an efficient approach for discovering genes, SNPs, and structural variants, while simultaneously determining genotypes. Information from these studies will fill in the gaps that exist in the genetic maps of many plant and animal species, improving plant breeding and selection, and enabling definitive comparative genomic analyses within and across species.
Plant and Animal Transcriptome Sequencing
RNA sequencing is revolutionizing the exploration of gene expression in plants and animals, providing novel insights into changing expression levels that occur in development and during disease and stress conditions. It can be used to elucidate gene and protein function and interactions, identify tissue-specific list of RNA transcripts produced by an animal or plant genome (mRNAs, non-coding RNAs, and small RNAs), and discover new SNPs.
Animal and Plant Epigenetics
Adaptive responses to changes in the environment (such as food availability or drought conditions) can trigger phenotypic changes in plants and animals that affect their viability and reproductive fitness. By using sequencing to identify changes in DNA methylation, chromatin structure, and small RNA expression, researchers can better understand how epigenetic factors contribute to controlling these and other traits in a species of interest.
Targeted resequencing digs deeper into the exome or specific genomic regions of interest identified from large-scale association or linkage studies. This efficient and economical method sequences predetermined areas of genetic variation over many samples, identifying common and rare variants such as SNPs and copy number variants (CNVs).
These variants may represent beneficial mutations that can help inform breeding decisions and may reveal causative mutations responsible for plant or animal disease, or parasite susceptibility.
Genotyping by Sequencing
Genotyping by sequencing provides a low-cost genetic screening method to discover novel plant and animal SNPs and perform genotyping studies, often simultaneously in many specimens. By using animal and plant sequencing for routine screening, researchers can accelerate the return on investment in breeding practice.
Applications of this method include genetic mapping, screening backcross lines, purity testing, constructing haplotype maps, and performing association and genomic evaluation for plant genome studies.
Soil and Agricultural Metagenomics
Sequencing has transformed environmental metagenomics, enabling the study of large microbial communities directly in their natural environment without prior culturing. These studies can yield important information about diverse microbial populations associated with animal and plant development, from rumen flora that enhance animal digestion to root-associated bacteria involved in nitrogen fixation.
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) genome editing holds great potential for agriculture, food science, environmental science, and a broad range of other applications. NGS may be utilized at various stages of an editing workflow, from confirming gene knockouts to analyzing on- and off-target effects and assessing the the functional impact of gene edits.
Featured Animal and Plant Sequencing Research
Exploring the Unknown: NGS Supports Species Research
Researchers use Illumina sequencing to identify, characterize, and catalog the diversity of species, on land and in the sea.
Large-Scale Bull Genome Sequencing Enables Rapid Livestock Improvement
Sequencing data from the 1000 Bull Genomes Project is aiding discoveries of positive and negative traits, benefiting herds globally.
Versatile, High-Throughput Sequencing Supports Genome Center Growth
NGS expands genomic projects for plant and animal species ancient and new, large and small.
Plant Sequencing Sheds Light on Traditional Medicine
We traveled to Beijing, China, to interview Dr Chang Liu, the Deputy Director of the Center for Bioinformatics at the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD) Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Dr Chang is applying genomic technologies to study the herbs used in Chinese traditional medicine.
Traditional Medicine: A New Look at Nature's Treasures
Access the information you need—from BeadChips to library preparation for genome, transcriptome, or epigenome studies to sequencer selection, analysis, and support—all in one place. Select the best tools for your lab with our comprehensive guide designed specifically for research applications.
A low-cost, targeted solution for genotyping by sequencing of any nonhuman animal or plant species.
NovaSeq System
Scalable throughput and flexibility for virtually any sequencing method, genome, and scale of project.
View all agrigenomics products
Interested in receiving newsletters, case studies, and information on agrigenomics? Enter your email address.
Introduction to NGS for Agriculture
An introduction to Illumina next-generation sequencing technology for agricultural research.
Fish Genotyping with NGS
A novel sequencing method reduces cost and enables analysis of tens of thousands of fish.
Improving Drought Tolerance in Corn
Syngenta uses Illumina sequencing to understand the mode of action behind their new hybrid corn.
This application spotlight describes the advantages and considerations of several sequence-based genotyping research methods.
Sequencing Enables Selective Breeding of Goat Herd
Researchers in New Zealand use genotyping by sequencing to overcome cost and resource hurdles associated with genomic selection.
Tracking Foodborne Pathogens with NGS
Illumina sequencing enables this lab to perform agri-food pathogen testing and epidemiology efficiently.
Genotyping by Sequencing and Transcriptomics
The authors of this study used genotyping by sequencing to study crops with varying ploidy levels.
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Pricing for Customers
Home > Blog > Are we heading towards fume-free city centres?
Are we heading towards fume-free city centres?
In recent years, the UK has made significant moves to reduce air pollution in our city centres. Our environmentally-friendly car cleaning and fleet cleaning services are an effective way to reduce water waste, but at this stage, serious anti-air pollution measures are absolutely essential too. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that we have just 12 years to limit a climate change catastrophe, and the logical place to start is with the biggest polluters of them all – our cities.
Pollution pioneers around the world
Change is afoot in cities around the world. At the end of 2016, the mayors of Athens, Paris and Mexico City announced plans to take diesel cars and vans off their roads by 2025. In May last year, Hamburg was the first German city to ban some older diesel vehicles from two of its main arterial roads, while Oslo is working to ensure the ‘fewest possible vehicles’ travel through its city centre.
More ambitious still is Madrid, which at the end of November last year, banned all polluting vehicles from its city centre. Now, only vehicles that produce zero emissions can drive in downtown Madrid, making it a fully-fledged pollution pioneer. But what steps are we taking here in the UK?
London’s ULEZ (Ultra-Low Emission Zone)
To its credit, the UK government has also been playing its part in reducing levels of air pollution in some of our city centres. London’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone is set to come into force in April 2019 and will initially cover central London. In October 2021, the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will expand to cover an area bounded by the north and south circular roads.
Under the terms of the ULEZ, vehicles that don’t meet the strict exhaust emissions standards will have to pay a charge of £12.50 for every day they are used within the zone. The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day. Generally speaking, cars that are likely to fall foul of the new standards include pre-2006 petrol cars and pre-2015 diesel cars. You can go to Transport for London’s ’Check your Vehicle’ page to see if your car will be affected.
Why do we need to reduce air pollution in our city centres?
Air pollution is not only one of the biggest challenges facing the planet, but it also impacts the health of all those who live in and around our city centres. In London, road transport is the biggest source of air pollution, producing around half of the nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter in the atmosphere.
Currently, there are more than 360 primary schools in London in areas that exceed legal pollution levels. Sadly, many of the people who experience the highest levels of air pollution in London are the most vulnerable, with the toxic emissions damaging the development of children’s lungs and shortening the life expectancy of those with chronic illnesses.
Making environmental improvements is good for business
Of course, it’s not just our vehicles that are causing pollution in our cities. Businesses are also contributing not just to air pollution, but also to water waste and the pollution of water systems. The good news is that many businesses are no longer seeing improvements in sustainability as a cost they could do without. Far from it in fact. These days, improvements in environmental performance can be very good for business.
There are a number of benefits of ‘going green’ for businesses in a diverse range of sectors:
Comply with legislation – Rules include everything from responsible fleet cleaning to reducing packaging and minimising food waste. Failure to meet your legal obligations could lead to a hefty fine.
Cut costs – Using less water, energy and raw materials will improve your environmental credentials and reduce your costs.
Marketing opportunities – Demonstrating your green credentials can be a great way to market your business.
Attract and retain staff – These days, employees want to work for businesses that care about more than just profitability.
Improve stakeholder relations – Stakeholders such as suppliers, investors and regulators are all increasingly focused on a business’s environmental performance.
What can businesses do to become more environmentally-friendly?
Improving the environmental performance of your business does not need to be costly. Small, incremental changes add up to make a big difference. Everything from environmentally-friendly car cleaning to going paperless will help.
Recycling – Many businesses can reduce their climatic footprints by introducing recycling services within their operations. That will save carbon and materials and reduce the waste sent to landfill.
Flexible working – Letting employees work from home a few days a week will limit the number of journeys they take and reduce air pollution in city centres.
Going paperless – Although paper can be sourced from sustainable materials, energy is still required to create and recycle paper. Getting rid of all that paper is the perfect solution.
Install renewables – Do you have space to support solar panels or small wind turbines on your business’s site? If not, sourcing your energy from a renewable energy provider is just as good.
Environmentally-friendly fleet cleaning – Commercial fleet cleaning can create a huge amount of water waste and produce polluting runoff that damages the environment. Environmentally-friendly car cleaning solutions are a simple and cost-effective change you can make to protect the environment.
Be part of the solution, not the pollution!
At Dropless, we provide a mobile and waterless environmentally-friendly car cleaning service. Our professional cleaners travel to London businesses on bikes and use our innovative waterless cleaning method to clean your fleet while adhering to wastewater regulations. Boost your green credentials and get in touch with Dropless today.
Why Your Fleet is the Unofficial ‘Face’ of Your Business
In recent years, the UK has made significant moves to reduce air pollution in our city centres. Our environmentally-friendly car...
Corporate Responsibility: How to Show your Business is Environmentally Minded
How to start a career in fleet management
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Dubsism
What your view of sports and life would be if you had too many concussions
About Dubsism
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Dubsism At The Movies
2019 Movie Blog-a-Thons
Movies Everybody Loves That I Hate: Episode 3 – “Grease”
Today’s Movie: Grease
Stars: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
This movie is not on my list of essential films.
History brings us certain dates which as Franklin Roosevelt said “will live in infamy.” There’s the date of which he was speaking, December 7th, 1941. More recently there is September 11th, 2001. For my money, the Hollywood equivalent is June 16, 1978. This is the date that one of the most beloved Broadway shows of all-time was released as a major motion picture. It became one of the most beloved films; to this day “Grease” remains the top-grossing musical in American movie history.
An elephant on a steady diet of broccoli kale salad and chain-gunning Dulcolax couldn’t make a bigger shit-pile than this movie
Do you know the kind of people who like this movie? The kind of people who confuse “popular” with “good;” the kind of people who think Olive Garden is “good Italian” food. You could line up every cook from every Olive Garden and collectively they wouldn’t know Italian food if it kicked them in the taint. If you think “Grease” and Olive Garden would make a great dinner-and-movie date combination, please never have children. Invariably, you’ll fuck them up so badly they’ll end up liking that shit too.
Letting your kids eat Olive Garden is one thing; if you have no issues with your offspring becoming pre-diabetic gastropods before they are even out of middle school, that’s your deal. But if you let your kids watch “Grease,” you are virtually guaranteeing they will become reprobate pieces of shit because that’s the message this movie sends.
For over four decades, this film’s popularity has hidden it’s sinister undertones. That stops today because we here at Dubsism are here blow the lid of this thing.
1) Danny Zuko is monstrous piece of shit.
There’s a world full of feminist studies professors who love to deride this movie. Of course, these are all a bunch of ball-busting nags who have chin whiskers, arm hair, and a distinct proclivity to miss the point. They would have you believe that Grease is the most sexist, slut-shaming, virgin-shaming, dis-empowering, and discriminatory movie ever made against women. Even the people who are stupid enough to eat at Olive Garden understand that you have to be seriously retarded to ascribe even the slightest iota of pointed social commentary to this movie. Don’t get me wrong, those fat-butt, floppy-tit “vag-itarians” have a point, but who the fuck in their right mind can take this movie so seriously they think it can convey a social message?
Having said that, the point remains that Danny Zuko is an asswipe of the first order. First of all, what kind of a shithead wears a leather jacket to the beach? Even then, when he meets Sandy and falls for her, what better way is there to say “I love you” than rocketing a handful of sand into somebody’s face…TWICE!
After that, he spends the entire summer ignoring her, and when school starts and the star-crossed couple is re-united, he blows her off so he can “look cool” in front of his friends. The best part is all this nonsense comes after a tortuously long power ballad in which Danny’s friends urge him to share details about their sexual encounters, which a) never happened, and b) prompt Danny to insinuate he may have raped her.
If that weren’t enough, at the dance contest, he dumps Sandy for a hot spin with his ex. What a dick-breath.
2) All those fucking awful songs.
It’s only fitting that “Summer Nights” includes an implicit rape reference, because that’s what this whole soundtrack does to your ears. Worse yet, “Summer Nights” is the only song which came from the original Broadway production. All those other ear-fuckers like the title track “Grease,” “You’re the One That I Want,” and the ultimately terrible “Hopelessly Devoted to You” were all created just for the film. Not only that, but that last song propelled Olivia Newton-John’s career to a whole new level, needlessly subjecting the world to her bullshit. Look, there’s a reason why we deliberately placed Australia on the exact opposite side of the world, and nothing good comes from exporting Aussies back into civilization.
3) Sandy represents everything hate-able about white women.
Sandy is a walking embodiment of about 99.99999% of the reasons why those feminist studies professors go ape-shit over this movie. There’s a simple reason for that. Sandy is improbably good looking, and despite that, she manifests all the “(insert issue here)-shaming” white women love to self-inflict.
The average self-described “feminist” usually looks like Jabba the Hutt with “five o’clock” shadow; there’s just simply no such thing as a “hot” feminist. That’s why it vapor-locks their brains when a gorgeous woman like Sandy goes down the rabbit hole of self-defeatism over some nudnik of a man.
Think about it. If you’re a fugly-ass “feminist,” you’d kill to look like Sandy. You’d love to have every heterosexual male on earth and even a few of the gay ones kissing your ass. You can spew all the crap you want about “white privilege;” there’s NOTHING that trumps “hot girl privilege.” But Sandy pisses that all away for a shit-for-brains like Danny Zuko, which makes the feminist’s brains explode like a July 4th fireworks display.
In all actuality, Sandy is the complete package; she’s good-looking, not crazy, and has no vices. According to this movie however, these are all crippling qualities if you’re looking to keep a man, especially one you dated over the summer and on the first day of school acts like you never existed. Naturally at this point, even the non-feminists and Olive Garden customers are hoping this movie is about Sandy’s discovery that Danny is a fuck-tard and she realizes she is better off with him in her rear-view mirror. Sorry gang, but instead of this being an empowering tale of self-actualization and a journey about a nice girl finding a boy more worthy of her wholesome charms, this becomes an exercise in dysfunctional co-dependency.
Look at what this dumb-ass white girl does to try getting a man back who treats her like something he’d scrape off his shoe. She completely ruins her girl-nest-door golden locks with a rat-nest perm that would give any slut in an 80’s hair-metal video Aqua-Net envy. She trades in her sensible shoes for the tallest set of “fuck-me” pumps she can find, clads herself in a weird melange of spandex and leather which gives her a “biker whore meets dominatrix” look, and the piece d’resistance…she starts smoking!
But being the eternal optimists, the non-feminists and Olive Garden customers still cling to the idea that Sandy still has time to figure out she’s not being true to herself, does an “about face” and still ditches Danny. Head fake again, gang. Sandy’s descent into the maelstrom of denial and self-destruction is the HAPPY FUCKING ENDING!
Now…let’s get to the part that will get me called a “racist.” For the most part, the kind of women who would put up with Danny’s bullshit are white. White women are the ones who invented self-doubt. White women are the ones who body-shame themselves. White women are the ones who self-destruct over dickweeds like Danny Zuko. If you doubt that, imagine what would have happened if he pulled his crap with a black woman. He probably would have gotten the shit beaten out of him. Imagine what would have happened if he pulled his crap with a Hispanic woman. He might have gotten himself stabbed.
4) Rizzo is the world’s first feminist anti-hero.
This is an impressive accomplishment given the fact that Rizzo is a character of the 1950s and radical feminism doesn’t kick into high gear until the 1960’s. On the one hand, Rizzo owns her life. She is proud, resilient and resourceful. She has all the confidence and self-awareness modern feminism purports to be all about. She makes it clear she’s not content to stay home and wait for the “Mr. Right” to come along. Rizzo doesn’t change for anyone; she knows what she wants and she doesn’t relent.
At the same time, she is a glaring example of why the feminist movement of the 1960’s failed to achieve any of it’s major goals. Pre-eminent feminist Gloria Steinem is often mistakenly credited with the saying “a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” Regardless of who said it, it became a feminist rallying cry, and if it doesn’t tell you one of the goals was universal lesbianism, what will? After all, what’s left in a world with no men?
The problem is Rizzo isn’t a lesbian; she’s pretty damn far from it. Worse yet, for all her bravado, she’s as insecure as they come. That’s why when she gets slut-shamed, she takes such glee in virgin-shaming Sandy. But all the while she wants to be Sandy. Since her hidden insecurities give her a low self-esteem, she shits all over Kenickie who is the one guy who actually loves her, because she doesn’t feel she’s worthy of being loved.
5) Speaking of slut-shaming…
Let’s touch briefly on Frenchy, the beauty school dropout. You know she got that nick-name because she blew her prom date, and he put her business on the Danny Zuko News Network. Not only that, but this movie goes out of it’s way to destroy the aspirations of one of the only Rydell retards who is doing anything to further their life after high school. In other words, we are well on our way in this movie to sending the message to women that the only way you can be happy in life is to be a male-subjugated floozy.
Then there’s the matter of “beauty school.” Is that even a “thing” anymore? I’m no expert considering I look like a Milk-Dud with a chin-beard, but it would seem to me that the concept of being a white woman with a career as a hair sciences professional died with the abundant availability of Vietnamese refugees looking to escape SuperCuts.
6) Was Rydell the high school for retards?
Danny Zuko: High-School Senior and AARP Member.
Seriously, Rydell High School must have been the only high school in America where the average age of the student body was north of 30. How many times did these get get left back to be still in high school when they are all almost too old to be drafted? Stockard Channing is the worst; Rizzo looks like she’s about three cycles shy of menopause.
7) The type-casting of…well…pretty much everybody.
Don’t get me wrong…I love Stockard Channing, but at the time this movie was made, she’s got the best current Hollywood resume of anybody in this film, and it isn’t exactly “block-buster” material. Granted, I think “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh” and “The Big Bus” are damn fine comedies, but they weren’t exactly cornerstones for an “A-List” filmography. Yeah, I know “Grease” features old-school “studio-era” icons like Sid Caesar and Even Arden, but even in 1978, they are so “25 Years Ago.” Like I’ve already mentioned, at this point Olivia Newton-John is little more than a “B-list” country singer; it will be three more years before she gets “Physical” with us.
As for John Travolta, John Travolta is in the middle of his “”Welcome Back, Kotter” run and he’s just coming off “Saturday Night Fever,” which at the time made him “trendy at best,” but…
7) Speaking of John Travolta…
Sadly for his career, he didn’t die soon enough after he made this movie. Think about it, if Travolta would have croaked two years after Grease, he probably becomes the “James Dean” of his generation. Dean became an icon for making one great movie which spoke to a generation (Rebel Without A Cause) and two fair-to-borderline crappy ones which were incredibly popular.
“Saturday Night Fever” is Travolta’s generational movie, even though it hasn’t aged well; people who weren’t alive in the 1970’s have a limited concept of what a dark and fucked-up time it was in America. You can argue amongst yourselves the fair-to-borderline crappy yet popular nature of “Grease” and “Urban Cowboy.”
8) Speaking of people dying…
When we get to the “car race” scene, nobody bothered to Olivia Newton-John how filthy the Los Angeles river is. Seriously, if you aren’t familiar the with L.A. River, it’s essentially the world’s largest drainage ditch. It’s bone-dry most of the time, but when it isn’t, “drainage ditch” is a euphemism for “gigantic open sewer.” In other words, I’m amazed that after she was running around in it with no shoes, she didn’t catch her death from something involving softball-sized infectious pustules and shitting blood by the quart.
9) The female “G-Spot” does not operate like a carburetor.
It’s almost as if somebody deliberately tried to make as many sexual allegories about cars as they could possibly fathom. It all starts when all of Sandy’s friends need to know if Danny has a car; the obvious inference is there’s no back-seat sluttery possible if there’s no back seat. Meanwhile the boys are frantically using their shop class to build a car solely for the purpose of making a woman climax…like that’s even possible. If men could create female orgasms with a socket set and a couple quarts of 10-W-30, we wouldn’t have feminists or lesbians; every woman in this country would be too busy getting their bolts tightened.
Then there’s the role that car plays in…
10) The Completely Fucked-Up Ending
Fuck…I hardly know where to start with this. There’s the climactic dance scene which is really just so much choreographed sexual harassment; there’s more grabbing, groping, and up-skirting here than at Joe Biden’s house. I skipped over the part about Rizzo’s pregnancy scare, but it does lead to her rejection of Kenickie, which in turn leads to the surreal and obvious homoerotic exchange between himself and Danny. There’s no way you can watch that scene and not think they are about to lube up each other’s dip-sticks right there in front of God and the world.
Frankly, I would have been happy to see Danny and Kenickie come out together because I love anything which makes hypocritical religious dip-shits foam at the mouth. Besides; at least that relationship wasn’t over-flowing with sexual violence like the one between Danny and Sandy. Don’t forget, this all started with the sand-throwing incident, and culminates with Danny trying to cop a feel at the drive-in, an act for which Sandy retaliates by trying to “Lorena Bobbitt” him with a car-door. Danny and Kenickie would have probably turned out to be a nice, quiet couple living in a trendy apartment above Sunset Boulevard; Danny and Sandy have “murder-suicide” written all over them… a pre-cursor to “Bud” and “Sissy” from “Urban Cowboy.”
Not only are Danny and Sandy so co-dependent they’re going to eventually kill each other, they do a complete role-reversal. Danny goes from leather-jacket wearing greaseball to varsity jock complete with the douche-baggy letterman’s sweater; Sandy shows up every bit the biker slut ready to gang-bang the entire movie set.
But the part that really tipped me off to the fact Danny and Sandy are going to end up dead is the fact they drive off into the clouds at the end. What’s even worse is not only does this movie foreshadow their deaths, but insinuates they are getting into Heaven despite the fact they are both completely hate-able.
That brings us back to that goddamned car. How many people do you know that got into Heaven and drove a stolen car to get there? Everybody gets so caught up in the “driving off into the sky” angle nobody picks on that fact they ripped-off Kenickie’s car. To prove what a complete fuck-up Danny is, not only does he steal Kenickie’s ride, he puts the nab on a car he made fun of Kenickie for buying in the first place. Danny does nothing but call that car a chunk of shit, lets Kenickie pump a summer’s worth of sweat equity into it, then straight-up swipes it. Not only that, he did so literally right in front of Kenickie’s face in broad fucking daylight…and right after he gay-cock-blocked him.
If you’re all about completely nonsensical escapism, this movie is for you. Where else can you expunge all your own teen-ager trauma with fuck-awful songs sung by thirty-somethings and then jet away in a flying death-mobile? But for as much as I’ve just bagged on this movie, anything that simultaneously pisses off feminist lesbians and homophobe jerk-offs has clearly done something right.
Got a question, comment, or just want to yell at us? Hit us up at dubsism@yahoo.com, @Dubsism on Twitter, or on our Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook pages, and be sure to bookmark Dubsism.com so you don’t miss anything from the most interesting independent sports blog on the web.
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3 comments on “Movies Everybody Loves That I Hate: Episode 3 – “Grease””
Erica D.
Bless you, Dub! I have never liked this film and cringe at the soundtrack. Where is the appeal of this nonsense? This is the line where musicals and I part ways.
The sequel to this was worse (most people don’t really remember that). Also, after doing an IMDB check, they were going to have two more sequels and a TV series (Grease 2 flopped, so they thankfully decided against it).
SportsChump
Brilliant, sir.
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This entry was posted on July 4, 2019 by J-Dub in Humor, Movies and tagged Classic Movies, Movies, Movies I Hate.
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Cumberland hires legendary soccer coach Giuseppe Lamberti January 16, 2019 Legendary head coach, Giuseppe Lamberti, is tabbed as new Men's Head Soccer Coach Full Story
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Dukes Sign Richard Kessler February 1, 2018 Richard Kessler was named the new head men's soccer coach Full Story
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Cumberland Travels to Brookdale for Opening Round October 24, 2015 Cumberland and Brookdale face off in the opening round of the NJCAA Region 19 Soccer Tournament this afternoon. Full Story
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October 24, 2015 | Men's Soccer Late Jersey Blues Goal Sinks Dukes A late goal in the 82nd minute was the difference in a 1-0 quarter-final match between Cumberland and Brookdale Saturday Afternoon.
October 19, 2015 | Men's Soccer Dukes Blank Globe Institute, Clinch Playoff Berth With a 3-0 victory in the final regular-season contest, the Dukes clinched a spot in the Region 19 playoffs for the second consecutive season.
September 13, 2015 | Men's Soccer Dukes Outlast Passaic In 2-1 win over visiting Passaic County, the Dukes scored a goal in each half and survived a late goal from the Panthers to hold on for the win.
September 4, 2015 | Men's Soccer Men's Soccer Edges Hostos CC in Season Opener The Cumberland Men's Soccer Program opened up the 2015 campaign with a narrow 2-1 victory on the road at Hostos Community College.
October 25, 2014 | Men's Soccer Dukes Clip Hawks, Advance in Region 19 Playoffs With a 3-1 victory over the Hawks of Harrisburg Area Community College, the Dukes collected their first postseason win since the 2011 season.
October 22, 2014 | Men's Soccer Men's Soccer to Host Home Playoff Game The Cumberland Men's Soccer Program will host Harrisburg Area Community College this Saturday Afternoon.
October 8, 2014 | Men's Soccer Men's Soccer Edges Globe Institute In a game that was fast-paced and abundant in scoring opportunities, the Dukes gave up a lead then came from behind to secure win number ten on the...
October 5, 2014 | Men's Soccer Bergen Stuns Cumberland A sluggish first half performance from the Dukes defense gave way to early goals and proved to be too much to overcome as Cumberland dropped their...
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September 21, 2014 | Men's Soccer Men's Soccer Stumbles at Morris The Dukes stumbled on the road this weekend against the County College of Morris, who handed Cumberland their first loss of the season.
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September 9, 2014 | Men's Soccer Men's Soccer Tops Gloucester, Improves to 3-0 With a 5-2 victory over neighboring rival Rowan College at Gloucester County, the Dukes improved to an impressive 3-0 record.
September 8, 2014 | Men's Soccer Gazzara Named Conference Player of the Week Sophomore Captain AJ Gazzara has been named player of the week in the Garden State Athletic Conference.
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October 23, 2013 | Men's Soccer Cumberland's Gazzara Earns All- Conference, All-Region Honors Cumberland Freshman AJ Gazzara was named to the Second Team when both the All-Conference and All-Region XIX teams were announced on Tuesday.
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September 17, 2013 | Men's Soccer Dukes Hold Off Middlesex For the second game in a row, a first half goal held up as the Dukes move to 4-2 on the season.
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Wheaton-Warrenville, CUSD200 – Engage200
jan shaw CUSD 200, Uncategorized February 19, 2015 6 Minutes
Community manipulation in support of a new pre-school
In 2013, the taxpayers gave a resounding “NO” to the Jefferson, Early Childhood center referendum.
In 2014, the district conducted six “Engage200” sessions (January 15, 2014 to June 18, 2014)
The stated purpose was to determine what the community wanted. They claimed it was not about Jefferson.
However, the district had hired Unicom-ARC as a consultant for this process. Unicom has a reputation of using the ”Delphi technique” to lead communities to a desired result.
At Engage200, district presentations, the questions asked, and the make-up of the self-selecting community members all leaned towards the need for a new pre-school. It was not representative of the community as a whole.
May 2014, Superintendant, Dr Harris resigned. July 30, 2014, new superintendent, Dr. Schuler’s contract was approved. Schuler, who had served on the LUDA (Large Unit District Association) with Harris, was recommended for the job by Dr. Harris.
On 1/7/2015 the Dailey Herald reported that Superintendent Jeffrey Schuler said “… and very clearly, early childhood education was a big theme in that Engage200 process.” Read it here.
But, is this true? Or a manipulated process – a “Very well oiled machine” to deliver the “desired outcome?”
Let’s look at the facts, which we have from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, or from being personally involved. I am Jan Shaw. I was a candidate for CUSD200 School board in 2013. I have made public comments at several board meetings. I attended five out of the six Engage200 sessions. Mary Ann Vitone, who has been a CUSD200 watchdog for years, helped gather this data.
Jefferson referendum history:
Jefferson was built as an elementary school that had been closed due to lack of need.
CUSD 200 began using it again when the state mandated pre-school for 3 and 4 year olds with special needs.
As of 2013, all students qualifying for special needs early childhood education were receiving services and enrollment was relatively flat.
The District’s own architects designed a new early childhood center in 2007 at the same time as the Hubble plan. Had Hubble been scaled back a little, both Hubble and Jefferson could have been built for what was spent on Hubble. Jefferson was not a priority until the school board decided to put a $17.6 million referendum on the ballot in 2013.
The district planned to borrow the entire amount despite having received a $14.46 million grant in May 2012. The grant application dated back to 2003 and was for classroom additions to both high schools.
Jan Shaw, CUSD 200 candidate in 2013, stated that this money should be used for capital improvements prior to asking the taxpayers for any more money. She recommended a “NO” vote on the referendum.
On April 9, 2013, the taxpayers gave a resounding “NO” to the Jefferson referendum.
Engage 200 – Community Engagement
Hiring of Unicom-ARC
When we read that the district planned to hire Unicom-ARC, we did some web searches. We discovered that Unicom-ARC had worked on two previous CUSD 200 referendums.
In 2002, Friends of the schools (a PAC) paid Unicom-ARC $18,250 for consulting. That would be for the politics of selling the high school referendum.
In 2006, CUSD 200 paid Unicom-ARC $578. The Hubble referendum was in February 2008.
We discovered that Unicom had a reputation for facilitating committees that arrive at a predetermined consensus. And so, we asked board members to NOT hire Unicom-ARC! On November 13, 2013, the board voted 5-2 to hire Unicom for $49,500 as consultants for conducting community engagement (Gambaiani and Mathieson voting No).
The description of the Unicom plan as reported in My Suburban Life sounded to us like the Delphi Technique. See our previous write up on DuPageWatchdog.
Unicom-ARC’s website had been scrubbed, but http://www.illinoisloop.org/spinmeisters.html has data
that they quote from Unicom’s site prior to the scrubbing.
Turns out that UNICOM-ARC is no run of the mill “research” company. In a description of itself that UNICOM-ARC posted on a directory of union shops (maintained by the Union Label & Service Trades Department of the AFL-CIO), they say, We are all-union communications and public relations firm that specializes in serving labor, non-profit and community-based organizations. Unicom-ARC is experienced in
media outreach, planning campaign strategy and developing effective messages through focus groups and polling …
The bulk of their business comes from school districts who hire them for the explicit purpose of spiffing up their image as a prelude to passing tax hikes.
…Since 1970, our INTEGRATED approach has helped the
UNICOM•ARC team build an 80% “win” record in 118 election campaigns…
Mary Ann Vitone put in a FOIA requesting copies of emails from the district regarding Unicom. The district refused. She contacted the Illinois Attorney General (AG). The AG told the district that they must comply.
There was one email set in which Erica Loiacono, Director of Public Relations, described Naperville 203’s sessions as a “VERY well-oiled ‘Machine’” and noted that they were working with Unicom-ARC.
In another, Superintendent, Brian Harris to board members Jim Vroman and Brad Paulsen confirming a meeting with Unicom to discuss the details of the process including the “desired outcome.”
Of course the invitations to attend and media coverage all said that they wanted the community’s opinion. But, an email dated August 15, 2013 from board member Barb Intihar, mentioned the district providing “exact wording” so “to let him know we were not lying when we told him the effort would be broader than Jefferson.”
Jim Vroman & Brad Paulsen were in charge of picking the steering committee.
To understand how the Engage 200 sessions were conducted, see “Illinois taxpayer says school districts use ‘Delphi Technique’ communication strategy to manipulate voters” which was published by EAG news on April 30, 2014 click here
Some school leaders respect the voters’ decision and carry out their duties the best they can without the additional revenue. Others, however, refuse to take ‘no’ for an answer and look for ways to wear down taxpayers in advance of another referendum vote…
According to various sources, the Delphi Technique works something like this:
Officials representing a school district (or some other government body) hold a community meeting to gather input from citizens about which policies the district should pursue. But instead of seeking genuine feedback, district leaders manipulate the discussion so citizens end up “recommending” the very policies that the leaders wanted originally.
After the input meeting, district leaders take the recommended plan of action – created through audience manipulation – and put it on the ballot. The leaders effectively tell voters, “The community thinks we should proceed with that special building project (or tax increase, etc.), and anyone who disagrees with it is out-of-step with the majority.”
Having attended (and from FOIA’s for sign in sheets) we know that the self-selecting participants of Engage200 included many member of district staff, and pro-Jefferson-referendum individuals. Every session began with a presentation from District staff. Then each table was to discuss the evening’s questions and come to a “consensus.” The presentations would contain nuggets of data to give the desired answer to the questions. The questions tended to lean towards the need for a new larger pre-school and more money. Our comments, even when others at the table agreed with them, were written down only when I was the scribe (I wrote everybody’s ideas down). They did not make the final report.
Verbatim responses, the list of questions and the presentations can be found on the district’s website. For session 5, Finances: click here. Our table’s responses were unique in that we had ideas which were not in the presentation. I was amazed to see them highlighted on the district’s web page:
Also see our comments from the last meeting. The instructions were to review the draft… We had a great conversation and wrote only a few comments down (table 22) click here
Final Engage200 products are available on the district web click here
Note: Board Members Jim Gambaiani and Jim Mathieson both voted against hiring Unicom-ARC. From the November 13, 2013 CUSD 200 Board meeting minutes:
The Board discussed the community engagement process and the recommended vendor. Member Mathieson stated that he supports community engagement but will be voting no because he would have liked to have seen more vendors considered. Member Gambaiani stated that he supports the goal 100% but differs on the process and cannot support the recommendation due to the cost. All other Board members support the recommendation.
Board members Jim Vroman and Brad paulsen took the lead in the Engage200 process.
Jim Vroman and Jim Gambaiani are both up for re-election on April 7, 2015.
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3 thoughts on “Wheaton-Warrenville, CUSD200 – Engage200”
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New Zealanders Fight at Sydney Detention Centre, One Dead
Teamster / April 6, 2016
Rob Peihopa was brawling with his fellow countrymen just before his death.
A group of New Zealand detainees brawled at a Sydney detention centre, leaving one of them dead. A 42-year-old detainee at a Sydney immigration detention centre has died after he was involved in a fight with his fellow countrymen. The exact cause of death will be released after an autopsy is held.
NSW Police told AAP the man was found unconscious and paramedics were unable to revive him at the Villawood detention centre, west of Sydney, about 9.45pm AEST on Monday.
The man from New Zealand has been named Rob Peihopa who died after a fight…Mr Lagaaia told AAP Mr Peihopa was involved in a disagreement with other detainees at the centre, and then collapsed and could not be saved by paramedics. source
Mr Peihopa moved to Australia in 1989 and served two years in prison for his involvement in a police chase. However, that was unlikely to have been his first or only offence. On the day of his release he was picked up by immigration officers after his visa was cancelled. He was in the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre with other Kiwi crims, waiting for his appeal against detention to be heard. New Zealanders also have the option to return to New Zealand and lodge their appeals there, but Peihopa obviously opted to remain in detention and ‘slug it out’.
Fighting with other Kiwis
Vaelua Lagaaia, a detainee at the centre, said all of the New Zealand detainees knew him, and performed a haka before he was taken away.
“Just before they were gonna load his body up, they gave us the opportunity to have a little farewell for him. They also let us do a haka for him as they were taking his body away.”
Mr Lagaaia said Mr Peihopa had been visiting other New Zealand detainees at a neighbouring compound, but everyone was tight-lipped about what happened.
He said his death was a shock, because he was a fit man who exercised regularly, but it could have been the stress.
“It’s not easy being in here…” more
“Kiwi guys get bored, bash people up“
New Zealanders had previously been involved with rioting at the Christmas Island detention centre in November last year. Other detainees said they felt terrorised by Kiwis at the centre:
Slovakian Matej Cuperka, 25, who is awaiting deportation for overstaying a tourist visa, said he fears for his life. “We’re pretty scared that the Kiwi guys are going to get in here when they get bored and they will start bashing people up,” he told The West Australian.
The dead man at the centre of the riots has been identified as Iranian Kurd Fazal Chegani, believed to have been aged in his 30s. Sources have said he was an asylum seeker who had been in the centre for five years…
“The disturbance follows an incident on Saturday (November 7) in which a detainee escaped from the centre,” said the department in a statement.
“A search and rescue operation was immediately undertaken however the escapee’s body was later discovered by search and rescue teams on Sunday at the bottom of island cliffs away from the centre…source
Alexander Tokorua Peihopa and Bailey Junior Kurariki
Alexander Peihopa was 15 when he was sentenced to life for the killing of Michael Choy. He was paroled in 2012.
It is not known whether Rob Peihopa is related to Alexander Tokorua Peihopa. Alexander, then aged sixteen, was an associate of Bailey Kurariki. Peihopa was charged with murder and Kurariki with manslaughter after Pizza Delvery worker Michael Choy died when he was beaten with a baseball bat in a robbery in Papakura, south Auckland in September 2001.
Alexander Peihopa was one of two main perpetrators in the unprovoked and premeditated murder of Mr Choy. Peihopa was six when he first came to the attention of authorities, and there were 11 separate occasions where agency interventions were recorded.
According to his facebook page, Rob Peihopa was from south Auckland.
Kiwi Crims Terrorise Christmas Island Detainees, the Rise of the 501s
April 6, 2016 in New Zealand. Tags: Alexander Tokorua Peihopa, Bailey Junior Kurariki, Christmas Island, culture of violence, Kiwi crims, Michael Choy, Rob Peihopa, Villawood
Kiwis “Coward Punch” Kills Australian Water Polo Star, Cole Miller. Gang was Looking for a Fight
International Tourists Plead for Stiffer Rules in NZ’s Tourism Sector
← Asian Student in NZ “if you see a pack of young Maori/Polynesian males, be prepared to sprint PC is not worth dying for”
Death in the Morning, Images of the Ashburton WINZ Office Shooter Released →
5 thoughts on “New Zealanders Fight at Sydney Detention Centre, One Dead”
Hope he is okay 😦
Well bye ,bye.
Very interesting Admin. Here in Australia the incident was initially reported as a NZ citizen ‘has died’ in the detention centre.
We should tear up that ridiculous Trans Tasman migration agreement immediately.
I think you would be hard pressed to find a written agreement to tear up,my understanding is that it’s a completely informal agreement between Australia and N.Z.
Yes, I know, I used the term ‘tear up’ to indicate how angry I am with the entire hare-brained scheme. Kiwi are welcome—on equal terms with other immigrants. Australia should stop treating NZ as a quasi state.
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Indonesia Mount Merapi eruption : 8 rescue workers killed!
Image by baligraph via Flickr
8 Rescue workers killed on Mount Merapi
The bodies of four members of the Disaster Response Team were recovered from the slopes of Mount Merapi on Monday before rescue officials had to retreat as the volcano again roared into life.
Six bodies were recovered from the village of Glagaharjo in Sleman, Yogyakarta. The bodies of another two members of the response team, known as Tagana, believed to have been killed when Merapi exploded last Thursday, are yet to be found or recovered.
Some crazy people are still attempting to take advantage of the situation.
On Sunday, police arrested a man for attempting to steal livestock abandoned by those fleeing the eruptions.
The man was arrested attempting to steal 21 goats and five cows, but two accomplices managed to escape.
People flee Yogjakarta as the eruption of Mount Merapi continues
Frightened residents in a bustling city of 400,000 at the foot of Indonesia’s rumbling volcano headed out of town Monday, cramming onto trains and buses and even rented vehicles to seek refuge with family and friends far away.
“My parents have been calling … saying ‘You have to get out of there! You have to come home!’” said Linda Ervana, a 21-year-old history student who was waiting with friends at a train station in the university town of Yogyakarta, 30 kilometers from Mount Merapi.
After failing to get tickets, they finally decided to rent a minibus with other classmates.
The notoriously unpredictable mountain unleashed its most powerful eruption in a century Friday, sending hot clouds of gas, rocks and debris avalanching down its slopes at highway speeds, smothering entire villages and leaving a trail of charred corpses in its path.
Search for bodies stopped due to too high temperatures
Indonesian rescue workers were forced to abandon efforts to retrieve bodies of victims from the Nov. 5 eruption of Mount Merapi in central Java, as increasing ground temperature and volcanic instability made it unsafe to continue.
Rescuers had been using wooden boards to walk on in areas where the soil reached temperatures higher than 70 degrees Celsius, Oka Hamid, a spokesman at Red Cross Indonesia’s Yogyakarta branch, said today.
“We found five bodies at Glagaharjo village, but only one was removed,” Hamid said by phone. “We are coming down now because the ground there is too hot and Merapi is unstable.”
Non-flammable boots and special gloves are needed to protect rescuers from hot burning soil, Hamid said.
The latest death toll climbs to 141 with still bodies to recover
Filed under: Minor earthquakes, volcano | Tagged: dangerous eruptions, Indonesia, Merapi eruption, merapi rescue, Merapi volcano, Mount Merapi, Mt Merapi victims, Sleman, Yogjakarta, Yogyakarta | Comments Off on Indonesia Mount Merapi eruption : 8 rescue workers killed!
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Prize Fighters
Emmy offers a few small surprises in this year's nominations.
By Ken Tucker
Who’s the single person most deserving of an Emmy award come Sept. 21? That would be one Serena Radaelli, listed as ”Cher’s TV Wig Stylist” by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special category. Do you doubt the heroic patience, labor, and delicate sense of irony it must have required to keep the tempestuous Cher in a variety of hair during her NBC spectacular Cher: The Farewell Tour?
To be sure, beyond Ms. Radaelli, the Emmys are always a crapshoot. Even worse: a repetitive crapshoot. When the nominations were announced on July 17, did Martin Sheen really deserve another Emmy nod for this particular season of The West Wing, during which Aaron Sorkin went so off message — as they say in Washington — that he sailed right out the Burbank studio door? Of course Sheen didn’t. (Loved your Apocalypse Now Redux war-protest-arrest TV news spots, though, Martin.) But I kid the Academy voters; at least they cast off driftwood like Judging Amy in the key categories and provided one small shock: Law & Order failed to secure its 12th Outstanding Drama Series nod, which would have set a new record.
As for actor categories, they usually consist of five nominees — so did Tony Shalhoub really need to be squeezed in as a sixth? Not, I would argue, when the hour-long Monk is being considered a comedy and an infinitely better, funnier hour-long — Gilmore Girls — was overlooked. (Also idiotically ignored: Andy Richter Controls the Universe, The Wire, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s final season, and Boomtown’s first.)
HBO racked up 32 more nominations than close competitor NBC (109 versus 77). And while I am gratified that The Sopranos snared 13 of them, I was delighted that the more obscure prank-comedy series Da Ali G Show got three — and I’m over the moon that Cheryl Hines, who plays the most delightful wife on current TV, landed one of Curb Your Enthusiasm’s 10 nominations.
Staying with the worthies for a moment, there’s no question that The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, in this Iraq-war year, deserves to go three-for-three in its nominated categories. And may I put in a plug for Tim Matheson’s always-underrated performance as The West Wing’s vice prez, an uncommonly astute pick in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series list? More good news: Both Jennifer Garner and Lena Olin were recognized as something more than beautiful women in Alias. (Costar and beautiful guy himself Victor Garber also merits his return to nomination-ville.)
Which shows were excessively nominated? The patchy, puffy Six Feet Under, with 16, to be sure. But I certainly hope Peter Krause, so wrenchingly miserable all season, will beat out his best-drama-actor competition of Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland (24), the egregious Michael Chiklis (The Shield), and, yes, even James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) this particular year. I know: fat chance.
I’m expecting a Six Feet sweep again in drama and an Everybody Loves Raymond steamroller in comedy (possible, pleasing upset: Give Matt LeBlanc some love going into Friends’ final season, y’all!). Oh, and Ms. Radaelli, when you and Cher’s wigs win, gimme a little shout-out, okay?
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BET Awards 2019: See all the stars on the red carpet
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NBC News Richard Engel Opens Up About His 2-Year-Old's Battle With Rett Syndrome
June 15, 2018 16:14 By Fabiosa
Retts syndrome is a medical disorder that affects the neurology of children, almost exclusively girls. Symptoms include noticeable slowing in mental development, loss of motor skills, seizure, reduced intellectual ability, and problems walking. Dr. Andreas Rett, an Austrian physician, first described the condition in 1966.
For more info about the research being done with Henry and how it could hopefully help him and others, the lab is https://t.co/gr65xO8GSk story coming up @TODAYshow 7/7 pic.twitter.com/pi5spiMqD5
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) January 30, 2018
READ ALSO: Baby Boy Was Born Without A Brain, But His Parents Stay Strong And Give Him The Best They Can
Sadly, the condition also affects boys in rare cases, and NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel knows this too well. His 2-year-old son, Henry, happens to suffer from the condition.
Speaking on the TODAY show earlier this year, Engel recalled how a genetic scan result revealed his son’s condition. He was with U.S. troops in South Korea at the time.
I called the doctor and he said, 'We found something. It’s very, very severe. It’s life long, not treatable'. I was in a state of shock. I got back into this convoy, shaking. It was the worst day of my life.
Engel said he already sensed that something was wrong with his son when the boy could not clap or walk by the time he hit two. His wife, Mary Forrest, was equally concerned. He initially signed it off to late development.
It was a mystery and we thought, 'Okay, well, there are late bloomers'.
The test results proved him wrong, and Engel was hit the harsh reality that his son would not grow like most other children. Doctors revealed that the condition was untreatable and delivered even worse news.
Happy to have @RichardEngel home! pic.twitter.com/gdpMOMjajI
— Mary Engel (@MaryKForrest) March 4, 2018
Henry’s mental capacity may most likely never develop beyond the toddler stage, even though he will grow physically. The genetic brain disorder he suffers from is a variation of Rett syndrome, and he will live with it for the rest of his life.
READ ALSO: Epilepsy: Symptoms, Causes, Management, And Cases When Seizure Is An Emergency
Although the diagnosis is bleak, there is some hope for the future. Dr. Huda Zoghbi, the same researcher who helped discover the mutation that causes Rett syndrome, is currently working on possible treatments for the condition.
Henry's mutation is unique in the world. But because it's unique is what makes it so valuable. Sometimes, from the rarest thing, you can learn the most.
Dr. Huda Zoghbi https://t.co/gr65xO8GSk and her team discovered the origin of RETT Syndrome, now with Henry’s help she wants to beat it. Go Huda! pic.twitter.com/FAGo1CrrVP
Meanwhile, Engel and his wife are doing their best to keep Henry comfortable. The happy child undergoes physiotherapy and pays regular visits to the hospital for sensory stimulation. His mother dedicates all her time now to taking care of him and is keen on the little progress he makes.
I'm basically his manager for that and cheerleader. It gives me purpose, and it's important. I see it helping him.
More thoughts, reflections on being a new special needs parent. I hope others with children facing challenges can relate. @MaryKForrest and I are learning from all your feedback. Thank you. @TODAYshow https://t.co/4PNoIhYg24 pic.twitter.com/AHDi5Dfx1I
While managing Henry has been particularly challenging, Engel remains stedfast and loves his son unconditionally. He hopes his story will also motivate parents like him who have children suffering from Retts syndrome.
It’s not a story that anybody wants to tell. It is very difficult for us, but we wanted to raise awareness, to make other families with special needs children, children who are challenging, know that they're not alone.
Many special needs families wrote with advice after Henry’s story on @TODAYshow. They say to stay strong, to communicate with your partner, to enjoy your child everyday. I realized, isn't this what we should ALL be doing, always? https://t.co/fw8yJAhBI9 https://t.co/Zw0MM0IdPQ pic.twitter.com/AQwFclrcDZ
This week, Engel posted a Tweet where he gave an update of his son’s condition. Henry’s motor skills are improving in leaps and bounds. Now, he can manage drinking with a straw on his own and can even hold a gaze.
Proud mom post: Henry at speech and language therapy today. He’s getting the hang of drinking from a straw and continues practicing a low tech version of eyegaze (soon to go high tech in addition) Go H!! pic.twitter.com/VjBrJqCRNn
— Mary Engel (@MaryKForrest) June 13, 2018
Henry may still be a long way away from any real treatment, but in the time being, his loving parents are providing him all the care and attention he deserves.
READ ALSO: High School Wrestler Enjoys A Sandwich After Injury Left Him Paralyzed From Neck Down
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1 Actor/Actress / 5 Politician / 7 TV Personality / D
Stacey Dash
by ethnic · March 29, 2008
Birth Name: Stacey Lauretta Dash
Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity: African-Barbadian, Mexican
Stacey Dash is an American actress, talk show host, and politician. She is known for her roles in Clueless and The Cosby Show.
Stacey is the daughter of Linda (Lopez) and Dennis Dash. She stated on The Wendy Williams Show that she is of African-American and Mexican ancestry. Her African heritage includes roots in Barbados, as she twitted that she is “Mexican and Bajan” (Barbadian). She is a cousin of Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash.
Stacey has a son with her former partner, R&B singer and actor Christopher Williams, and a daughter with her former husband, Brian Lovell.
Sources: http://movies.yahoo.com
http://www.variety.com
Photo by prphotos
Tags: AfricanAfrican AmericanAfrican-BarbadianBarbadianMexican
neiltennant says:
everybody can support and believe in things
however some beliefs and supports are stupid
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/omarosa-trump-n-word_us_5b7032bee4b0ae32af98de02
omarosa Maingault Newman
was well known and established and defended republican party direction since 2003 but now we know what s behind the scenes
Tao Okamoto
Tab Hunter
Julian Perretta
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We are a union of representatives of Williams Syndrome people from various countries and states of Europe.
Williams Camps
In the past several International conferences on Williams syndrome have been organised by FEWS or national Williams organisations.
The cooperation of European Williams Syndrome organisations has lead to annual international camps with youngsters with Williams syndrome.
Williams Syndrome and research
Williams Syndrome (WS) is a rare disorder, caused by a microdeletion in chromosome number 7. The lost material contains approximately 20 contiguous genes, with most notably elastin, which is the “marker ...
The European Federation of Williams Syndrome (FEWS) is the official association of national organisations across Europe which are actively involved in supporting people with the rare genetic condition, ...
How can you help us
If you are interested in FEWS and you want to help us in any way, by donating money, organising a fundraising event or by giving practical information/data that might be useful to the FEWS, then please ...
FEWS - European Federation of Williams Syndrome organisations
Formed in 1998, we are a union of representatives of Williams Syndrome people from various countries and states of Europe, who share a common goal. We are determined to improve the lives of all those who suffer from this rare syndrome and we aim to do this in a few basic ways: - to raise international awareness - to build and reinforce our links within the European Community - to promote scientific, educational and social research - to provide learning opportunities - to provide holiday opportunities - to raise money for all of these
FEWS - European Federation of Williams Syndrome organisationsSunday, May 26th, 2019 at 7:52am
Germany also joined the British campaign #shareyourheart to raise awareness about Williams Syndrome #WilliamsSyndromeAwarenessWeekend
FEWS - European Federation of Williams Syndrome organisationsFriday, May 24th, 2019 at 7:40am
An annual meeting of the Spanish association took place last weekend from in a rural cabin in Albacete. 220 families from all over Spain participated.
They had the opportunity to celebrate the European Day of Williams syndrome with our campaign “Show the W”.
5 34 View on Facebook
FEWS - European Federation of Williams Syndrome organisationsWednesday, May 22nd, 2019 at 11:48pm
Germany held few meetings during the Williams Syndrome Awareness Weekend and this year they celebrate 30 years anniversary of the foundation of their association 🙂
1 5 View on Facebook
Photocontest 2017: Friendship and Williams Syndrome
The second Williams Syndrome photocontest took part in March and April 2017. This year the countries didn´t collect entries but everybody was able to send via email or facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FEWSPhotoContest/ where you can see all the entries.
Here are our winners:
1st place - Soraya Carmona /Spain/
2nd place - Mike Diez /Spain/
3rd place - Siska Van der Donckt /Netherlands/
Congratulations to winners and thanks to all participants.
Photocontest 2016: Music and Williams Syndrome
In January and February 2016 the first Williams Syndrome Photocontest was held. This year´s topic was Williams Syndrome and Music and each country within FEWS collected photographs of non-professional artists. Each country also selected three winners in two categories - category below 14 years and above 14 years. Later FEWS selected the overall winners of the competition and here are the winning photos:
Third place in the category above 14 years - Susan (Denmark)
Second place in the category above 14 years - Meta Dankfort-Nevel (Belgium)
The winner in the category above 14 years - Rosa Aznar Gomez (Spain)
The winner in the category up to 14 years - Alexia Colmorgen (Germany, 12 years old)
You can check the complete album on our facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1033726693357697.1073741829.781333178597051&type=3
International Williams Syndrome Conference in Rome
Next October 17th 2015, the Italian Williams Syndrome association AISW Onlus organises an International Conference 'Harmonize Williams Syndrome in Europe' in the Aula Magna of the Pontificial Lateranese University in Rome. You can find the program, speakers, venue, accomodation and registration information on www.hwsie.aisw.it.
European Conference on Williams Syndrome in Budapest
The European Conference on Williams Syndrome last November exceeded the expectations with almost 100 participants from 17 different countries. The majority of the participants came from the eastern European countries. They included mainly professionals involved with Williams people and were complemented by parents and representatives of Williams syndrome associations. 13 expert international speakers presented different topics going from genetics and medical to educational and social topics. You can find more details here.
Williams Syndrome and Eurovision song contest
A finish group Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät who consists of people with intellectual disabilities including Down and Williams Syndrome won against other eight contestants and will represent Finland for Eurovision song contest taking part in May 2015 in Vienna. Their songs deal for example with daily problems of people with disabilities, discrimination or politics. Besides this competition you can meet this group in film called Punk Syndrome.
http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-03-03/finlands-eurovision-finalists-sing-about-discrimination-against-mentally-disabled
· © 2019 FEWS · Designed by Themes & Co ·
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Video 5.4 - Characteristic Ideal Gas Expansion Paths
Statistical Molecular Thermodynamics
This introductory physical chemistry course examines the connections between molecular properties and the behavior of macroscopic chemical systems.
This is a very well designed thermodynamics course. I'm a Chemical Engineer and i am glad to have a new point of view of my daily rutine. 100% recomended to my collegues
Interesting and challenging. It brings together some Stats, Chemistry and Physics. The homework was thought provoking and informative. I learned a great deal.
This module is the most extensive in the course, so you may want to set aside a little extra time this week to address all of the material. We will encounter the First Law of Thermodynamics and discuss the nature of internal energy, heat, and work. Especially, we will focus on internal energy as a state function and heat and work as path functions. We will examine how gases can do (or have done on them) pressure-volume (PV) work and how the nature of gas expansion (or compression) affects that work as well as possible heat transfer between the gas and its surroundings. We will examine the molecular level details of pressure that permit its derivation from the partition function. Finally, we will consider another state function, enthalpy, its associated constant pressure heat capacity, and their utilities in the context of making predictions of standard thermochemistries of reaction or phase change. Homework problems will provide you the opportunity to demonstrate mastery in the application of the above concepts.
Video 5.4 - Characteristic Ideal Gas Expansion Paths14:20
Video 5.5 - Adiabatic Processes12:05
Video 5.6 - Microscopic Origin of Pressure6:08
Video 5.7 - Enthalpy9:49
Dr. Christopher J. Cramer
Distinguished McKnight and University Teaching Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Physics
We're now going to look at characteristic ideal gas expansion paths.
So we've got a road map and it's time to follow some roads.
And I'll remind you that we're going to consider three paths, and a reversible
isothermal expansion that'll take us from conditions p1, v1, t1 to p2, v2 t1.
So, the final temperature is the initial temperature.
We're going to consider the isothermal expansion, that's where the temperature
will never change. We're going to consider an adiabatic
expansion followed by heating at constant volume, and we're going to consider a
reversible constant pressure expansion, followed by cooling at constant volume.
Delta u's going to be the same for all paths because it's a state function.
It only depends on the start and end point.
But we're going to explore how q and w heat and work differ.
So let me start with the reversible isothermal expansion.
And I'll remind you that the energy of an ideal gas only depends on temperature.
And so if you remember say our monotomic ideal gas, the internal energy is 3
halves rt. So if the initial temperature and the
final temperature are the same, delta u is 0.
And as a result, it must be the case, since delta u is equal to q plus w, that
negative q equals w. Or, I could've written q equals negative
w, but it's going to be more convenient to write minus q equals w.
And so, I'll emphasize that we're on path a, by using this a subscript, but we have
the relationship minus q and I'll also emphasize that the reverse ability.
Minus q reversible a is equal to w reversible a.
Because the process is reversible and we've already done this as a, a prior
study of the reversible path. The external pressure which is going to
dictate how much work is being done is given by the gas, the ideal gas law
itself. That is its going to be equal to rt over
v and I'll keep the one here to emphasize its t one the same temperature as the
initial and final states. And when I solve the integral in order to
get the work it is minus rt log v2 over v1.
And so to try to make more clear the relationship between the work and the
heat. Let's just remember I'm expanding.
My v2 is greater than my v1. So the gas is doing work on the
surroundings. And, sure enough, v2 greater than v1
means that the log is a positive number. I'm multiplying a bunch of positive
numbers by the minus sign so work is negative, as it should be, for doing work
on the surroundings. And q must be positive, right, because
there is this minus sign preceding it as well.
So, q positive means heat is transferred to the system.
And so if you like what's happening here is, to keep the temperature constant as
the gas is doing work, heat is being added, right, and the total amount of
these two is equivalent. Work and heat are equivalent to one
another, so I'm putting as much heat in as work is being done.
Now let's consider path b. Path b is a reversible adiabatic
expansion. So what does adiabatic mean?
Adiabatic means no energy transferred as heat.
So if you like, I perfectly insulate the system from the surroundings.
Heat is not allowed into the system from the surroundings.
That is q is equal to w. There is no, no sorry not w, zero.
q is equal to zero. There is no heat transfer.
As a result, delta u is equal to w, du is equal to little delta w.
Now, for an ideal gas, again, u only depends on t.
And so if I want to know what's been the change in u, well, let me recall for you
that the constant volume heat capacity is the partial derivative of u with respect
to t. And for an ideal gas u only depends on T
so I don't have to write a partial, I can just write a normal derivative.
If I now move dt over on the other side, I get that du is equal to constant volume
heat capacity dt. So if I want to know the work and I know
it's equal to the change in the internal energy Then I just want to integrate my
state function from t1 to t2. So remember I'm going to t2 that's what
two defines here. That's the final temperature in this
adiabatic expansion. That's going to be equal to the integral
from t1 to t2 of cv which is itself a function of t dt.
I don't know what that number is, but if I did know the form of the, the heat
capacity as a function of temperature, I could carry out that integral.
For now, I'll just keep that around as, it's a number, all integrals are numbers.
I'm not sure what the number is in digits, but it's a number.
Alright and that derives again I'll just emphasize by replacing this du with cvtdt
and the reason I want to do that replacement is I know how the temperature
is varying. I want to integrate from one temperature
to another. So now lets do path c.
Like path c which will get us back toward the final place we want to get to, this
is our other road to get to the same destination.
I'm going to reversibly heat at constant volume.
So I'm just going to put heat into the system in order to increase the pressure
but it's in a, it's in a fixed volume. So, some container that is rigid.
Well, given delta v is equal to 0, work must be 0 because work is minus p
external dv. And there is no dv here, dv is 0 so the
work is 0. So we have only heat, and so delta u
along path c is going to be heat plus work, but work is 0, so it's just the
heat. Well, once again, I'll, I'll play the
game of figuring out, delta u is the integral of the heat capacity at constant
volume dt. The difference here is that my limits
have changed compared to the last slide. I'm now going from temperature two to
temperature one, not from temperature one to temperature two.
So, that's worth emphasizing, that it's t2 to t1.
So gain, that integral is a number. I'm not sure if it's 23.9 or 14.1, but
anyway, it's a number. What I'm interested in is the sum of
these two. That's the road I took to get to the
final destination. And so, what was the reversible heat for
the sum of path b plus c, well remember B was 80 adiabatic, for that the heat was
zero. And along C it's the integral from t2 to
t1 of the heat capacity dt. What about the work?
Well that's the work along b plus the work along c.
The work along c was constant volume so its zero.
What was it along the first path? It was integral t1 to t2 cv.
So what's the energy change? Well its energy change for b plus energy
change for c that's the integral from t1 to t2 of the capacity plus the integral
from t2 to t1. But, when you reverse the limits on a
definite integral, you just change the sine of the integral.
So, the sum of these two is 0, as it must be.
Energy's a state function, and it only depends on t for an ideal gas, and since
the destination temperature and the The point of departure temperature are the
same, the energy change is zero. So, as it must be for a state function,
delta u equals 0 along this path. But clearly along paths b and c, we got a
different answer then what we did along path a, for the work and for the heat.
Alright, we've done two, let's embark on our last pv journey.
And so, we're going to consider the sum of paths d and e.
And we're getting good at this, so I'm just going to do them both at the same
time, basically. So, path d is an expansion at constant
pressure, so that's like a constant external pressure.
That's an easy one to evaluate. So the work along path d, is minus p
external, it's p1, is the name of it in this case.
v2 minus v1, and along path e, the volume does not change.
If delta v is 0, then the work is 0. So, this is the total work for paths d
and e, minus p1 times v2 minus v1, Meanwhile, what's the change?
I'm going to actually do the internal energy first, before doing the heat.
You'll see why in a second. What is the change?
Well, just as we derived in the last case, you'll get an integral of a heat
capacity from one temperature to another, and then, you'll reverse those
temperatures, those'll cancel. We already knew they were going to
cancel, we know delta u for this process is zero, because the initial and final
temperatures are the same. And so given that delta u is equal to q
plus w, q must be negative of whatever w was.
It it p1 times v2 minus v1, we just removed the negative sign.
So, this is this is an illustration of something that's generally true.
That it's typically easier to get heat as the difference between internal energy
and work; than any other particular way. Because we sort of know how to compute
work, and we've got some ideas about how to compute energy in cases like ideal
gases. Heat can be trickier although certain
limits are easy. Adiabatic for instance means heat is
zero. That's an easy way to get head but let me
compare these paths then and make clear the difference between the exact
differential and the inexact differential, the state function versus
the path function. So, when we followed the purple curve,
when we did the reversible isothermal expansion.
Here were the works, the work there's just one work.
Here was the work, here was the heat. Alright, they differ from one another by
sign because they must sum to zero. And they involve the logarithm of the
volumes that are involved. When we followed the blue path, the
adiabatic expansion, followed by the constant volume heating, here were the
work, here was the work, and the heat, again.
And they differ in sign, the exact number we don't know, but it involves some
integral over the heat capacity. And then finally the red path involves
the pressure times the volume change along the initial constant pressure
expansion. And those three quantities red, purple,
and blue, clearly are different from one another.
Of course, delta u, the state function is independent of the path and it's equal to
0 for an ideal gas. But work and heat differ.
Alright. Well, we have the traversal of those
various paths behind us at this point. And hopefully you've gained some facility
for working with work and heat and energy and we'll be doing more of that because
it's kind of a critical aspect of Internalizing the ideas that underlie
first law concepts. I want to spend the next lecture taking
an additional look at adiabatic processes.
All right. So introduced for the first time here but
of some interest in general where we're controlling heat flow.
And in particular preventing heat flow in a system.
Prior to getting to that lecture though, let's do one more demonstration.
And in particular I want to explore pressure volume relationships.
And see what happens with temperatures when we do in fact compress gases,
perhaps suddenly with external pressure to small volumes.
So it's an interesting demo I hope you enjoy it, then we'll get back to
adiabatic processes. This demonstration explores another
variation on the theme of the relationships between pressure, volume,
and temperature for a gas. In this case, I have a tube with a piston
at the top, and I'm going to push down on the piston suddenly and quickly.
Thereby compressing the gas in the tube to a much smaller volume, and a higher
pressure. As my compression will be sudden, there
will be no time for the heat generated from my work on the gas to be dissipated
to the outside surroundings. Instead, the temperature of the gas will
rise from absorbing that heat energy Now we could measure the temperature of the
gas with a thermocouple of some sort. But it's a bit more fun to demonstrate
the temperature rise by placing some substance that can be ignited into the
tube. In this case, there is a small wisp of
cotton at the bottom. If the temperature becomes high enough
cotton should ignite and smolder. Well, actually that's a perfectly okay
demonstration. But I've taken the liberty of making it
all a bit more exciting by using gun cotton instead of plain cotton.
Thus, the cellulose that is cotton has been soaked in nitric and sulfuric acid
to generate nitrous cellulouse, or gun cotton.
And the nitration causes it to burn much more quickly once ignited by providing a
local source of oxygen that's not simply the rather dilute atmospheric gas.
Should we give it a try? [SOUND] Wow.
That gun cotton flared and disappeared instantly on compression of the air in
the tube. Let's see that one more time.
[SOUND] Okay. That's a good illustration of how pv work
can be transformed into heat. We'll be doing many problems to compute
such conversion as we proceed in the course.
So that you'll see how to predict such changes quantitatively.
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Spartacus – The Starz Series
SF+
Top Gun: Maverick – Official Trailer with Tom Cruise
Terminator: Dark Fate – San Diego Comic-Con Featurette, I Am Back!
MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 3: The Black Order | Launch Trailer
IT CHAPTER TWO – Final Trailer [HD]
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Season 6, Ep. 10 ‘Bad Idea, Love’ Promo
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | SDCC 2019 Hall H Extended Season 6 Trailer
When can the remaining episodes of Thunderbirds Are Go Season 3 be seen?
Star Trek: Picard – Poster: Has a new Number One?
Thunderbirds Are Go 318 “Avalanche” – Perils of vlogging, Mid-Season Finale +Clips
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Season 6 Episode 8 ‘Collision Course’ Promo
Captain Marvel Reviews – A Trip to the ’90s
Fantastic Beasts and Where to find Them – Reviews of Harry Potter prequel
Inferno Reviews, Reuniting Tom Hanks, director Ron Howard and so-so results
Deepwater Horizon Reviews – Truly honoring the real life brave men
The Magnificent Seven Reviews – Denzel Washington as today’s Yul Brynner
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – Buy Download, DVD or Blu-Ray
Colin Davies – Aug 11th, 2018 @ 9:39 am EDT
Frozen (2013) – Buy DVD, Blu-Ray, 3D or Download
Colin Davies – Aug 4th, 2018 @ 9:05 am EDT
Film Review Online
Home Tags Stargate Universe
Tag: Stargate Universe
Stargate Universe – Season 2 Episode 1
Colin Davies - Sep 27th, 2010 @ 8:32 pm EDT
Stargate Universe – Season 2 Premieres on September 28
Stephen Payne - Sep 27th, 2010 @ 8:06 pm EDT
Stargate Universe – Lou Diamond Phillips
Judy Sloane - Nov 4th, 2009 @ 11:22 am EDT
Stargate Universe – David Blue
Judy Sloane - Oct 25th, 2009 @ 8:14 am EDT
Stargate Universe – Producers Brad Wright & Robert Cooper
Judy Sloane - Oct 7th, 2009 @ 7:43 am EDT
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© 2008-2019 Film Review Online
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Ford Motor to put $500 million into electric vehicle startup Rivian
By Paul Lienert and Ankit Ajmera
(Reuters) - Ford Motor Co said on Wednesday it will invest $500 million in U.S. electric vehicle startup Rivian Automotive LLC, joining Amazon.com Inc in backing the potential rival to Silicon Valley's Tesla Inc.
Ford said it will use Rivian's "skateboard" - a chassis that bundles electric motor, batteries and controls - to build a new vehicle for North America. It did not provide details on what type of vehicle, and where or when it would be built.
Michigan-based Rivian, founded in 2009, has raised more than $1.5 billion from investors. A company spokesman declined to provide a valuation for the company, but investor website Dealroom.com estimates Rivian's value at $5 billion to $7 billion.
Tesla's market value is around $45 billion, while Ford's market cap is just under $38 billion. In mid-day trade, Ford shares were flat at $9.50, while those of Tesla were down a fraction at $263.07.
On Wednesday, Ford Chief Executive Jim Hackett said the deal with Rivian does not affect Ford's discussions with Volkswagen AG about sharing the German automaker’s electric vehicle architecture.
“It does not interfere" with Volkswagen, Hackett said during a conference call on Wednesday. “This is a specific platform that helps us in areas we weren’t considering with others.”
Rivian's first products, a large pickup truck and a utility vehicle, are slated to go into production in late 2020 and early 2021, CEO R.J. Scaringe said. Those two electric vehicles, along with the skateboard that Ford will use, will be built at Rivian's plant, a former Mitsubishi factory in Normal, Illinois.
Scaringe said Rivian and Ford "put this deal together over the last six months."
Announcement of the Ford deal followed reports that General Motors Co and Rivian had broken off discussions. Reuters reported in February that GM was in talks to invest in Rivian.
On Wednesday, a GM spokesman said the automaker "does not comment on discussions with other parties as a matter of policy."
In February, Amazon said it would lead a $700 million investment in Rivian.
Amazon also said this week that it will partner with Ford in providing cloud-based transportation services.
Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, automotive, said Ford already is "in the middle" of developing a battery-electric version of its best-selling F-series pickup "and we didn't want to slow that down."
Hinrichs will join the Rivian board.
Ford's said its investment in Rivian is separate from the No. 2 U.S. automaker's previously announced $11 billion investment in EVs, which include 40 hybrid and fully electric vehicles in its model lineup by 2022.
In March, VW and Ford signed a deal to develop mid-size pickup trucks and are continuing discussions about extending the alliance to include electric and autonomous vehicles and mobility services.
(Additional reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Bengaluru and Joe White in Detroit; Editing by Bernard Orr and Steve Orlofsky)
Tesla's new V3 Supercharger can charge up to 1,500 electric vehicles a day
Elon Musk says most cars lack the ‘soul’ that Tesla vehicles boast
Formula E: Inside the “Silicon Valley of Cars”
After Baidu tie-up, BMW taps Tencent for autonomous driving in China
Toyota creates accessible last-mile electric shuttle for 2020 Olympic Games
'Top Gear' takes on the internet's questions
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Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
For Office Use Only designed the exhibition catalog for Ai Weiwei’s Good Fences Make Good Neighbors, organized by the Public Art Fund. Documenting the over 300 artworks that were located across all five boroughs of New York City, the book serves as perhaps the only means to experience the vast breadth of the exhibition as a whole. Extending the graphic identity that we originally established for the 2018 exhibition, the publication includes over 350 pages and thousands of images, including hundreds of Instagram posts. The book is available for purchase at the Yale University Press website.
George Nakashima Woodworkers
© For Office Use Only LLC 2017-19
49 elizabeth street 4th floor new york ny 10013
hello@forofficeuseonly.com
Our website has detected that you are using a browser that will prevent you from accessing certain features. An upgrade is recommended to experience the full features of the Trahan Architects website. Use the links below to upgrade your exisiting browser.
If you feel you have reached this page in error, click here to continue to the site.
For Office Use Only is a graphic + digital design studio
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Google spills the beans on Apple
Image: FCC
“Contrary to published reports,” Apple (AAPL) told the FCC back in August in response to a government inquiry about why it rejected Google’s (GOOG) famous voice management app. “Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it.” (link)
What Google had to say about that was unknown because unlike Apple, which made public its response, Google asked that key portions of its letter to the FCC be kept confidential to protect “sensitive commercial conversations” between the two companies.
Now Google has spilled the beans. In a blog post Friday, Google attorney Richard Whitt announced that rather than fight several Freedom of Information Act requests, the company asked the FCC on Thursday to release the unredacted version of its letter.
You can read the full letter on the FCC’s website, but the thrust of the previously undisclosed passages is that Apple’s top marketing executive personally told Google that its app had been rejected. The key section is this one:
“The primary points of contact between the two companies were Alan Eustace, Google Senior Vice President of Engineer & Research, and Phil Schiller, Apple Senior Voice President of Worldwide Product Marketing. On July 7, Mr. Eustace and Mr. Schiller spoke over the phone. It was during this call that Mr. Schiller informed Mr. Eustace that Apple was rejecting the Google Voice application for the reasons described in 2(a).”
[The reason offered in 2(a): “because Apple believed the application duplicated the core dialing functionality of the iPhone.”]
Not only does Google’s version of events flatly contradict Apple’s, but its letter provides names and dates that could presumably be supported by phone records.
For what it’s worth, Google’s letter also supports the version promulgated by TechCrunch‘s Michael Arrington, who, citing sources at Google, had pronounced Apple’s public response “untrue,” “misleading,” and “a total lie.”
In response to a request for comment about the specific passage quoted above, Apple spokesperson Steve Dowling replied instead: “We do not agree with all of the statements made by Google in its letter. Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application. We continue to discuss it with Google.”
Dowling declined to specify which statements the company does or or doesn’t agree with.
What did Apple and Google talk about for three weeks in July?
Arrington to Apple: Liar liar pants on fire
The FCC is asking Apple and AT&T all the right questions
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No Win No Fee Employment Law Solicitors – Employment Tribunal Claims
No Win, No Fee Employment Law Solicitors
No Win No Fee Employment Law Solicitors
CJEU
Working Time: Workers can work 12 consecutive days without a Weekly Rest Break
Does the EU Working Time Directive allow for weekly rest for a worker of 24 hours to be given at any point in a 14-day period?
Yes, held the European Court of Justice in Maio Marques da Rosa v Varzim Sol. The case arose from a redundant casino worker in Portugal, who claimed his employer had not given him a weekly rest period of 24 hours at the appropriate time, and it should have been given at the latest after six consecutive working days. The casino operated 12 hours a day, 364 days of the year.
The CJEU held that there was no requirement for weekly rest to be provided after six consecutive days of work, it can be provided within each 7-day period. Therefore, the Directive allows a working pattern with a rest day at the start of one 7-day period and another rest day at the end of the following 7-day period, so working 12 consecutive days is permissible under the Working Time Directive.
11th November 2017 /0 Comments/by Dean Morris
https://employmenttribunal.claims/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Logostrapline-1.jpg 0 0 Dean Morris https://employmenttribunal.claims/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Logostrapline-1.jpg Dean Morris2017-11-11 11:15:102019-05-08 10:14:11Working Time: Workers can work 12 consecutive days without a Weekly Rest Break
Headscarves and Religious Discrimination
Does the banning of a headscarf at work constitute direct religious discrimination?
No, held the CJEU in Achbita v G4S Secure Solutions (the full judgment is not available yet, only the press summary).
G4S in Belgium operated a policy of ‘neutrality’, banning all wearing of political, religious or similar signs. A Muslim employee announced she wanted to start wearing a headscarf; she was told she could not, and she was then dismissed.
The CJEU held that G4S’s policy did not amount to direct discrimination on grounds of religion because it prohibited all religious signs, so it was not treating one religion less favourably than another.
It also held that G4S’s rule introduced a difference in treatment which was indirectly based on religion, as Muslims are placed at a particular disadvantage. It held that an employer’s desire to project an image of neutrality was a legitimate aim provided it applied only to customer-facing employees, and – more interestingly – left open the question of whether it would have been possible to redeploy Ms Achbite into a non- customer facing role (rather than dismiss her).
In an accompanying case, Bougnaoui and anor -v- Micropole SA the CJEU held that if a customer asks for a Muslim employee not to wear a headscarf, that is not a ‘genuine and determining occupational requirement’.
14th March 2017 /0 Comments/by Dean Morris
https://employmenttribunal.claims/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Logostrapline-1.jpg 0 0 Dean Morris https://employmenttribunal.claims/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Logostrapline-1.jpg Dean Morris2017-03-14 14:16:462019-05-14 10:18:10Headscarves and Religious Discrimination
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Employment tribunals delayed by months after scrapping of fees lawgazette.co.uk/news/employm… #ukemplaw
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Solicitor proceeds with discrimination claim against firm and members lawgazette.co.uk/news/solicit… #ukemplaw
Sacked Christian magistrate not discriminated against, rules appeal tribunal lawgazette.co.uk/law/sacked-c… #ukemplaw
3:03 pm · 21st June 2019
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Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Magic/Silencio
< Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter | Magic
Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter - Magic
Type Spell
Features Prevents an object making noise
First Appearance Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Silencio is used to silence an object or a person.
Extended DescriptionEdit
We see this charm being taught to the Trio in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Hermione is easily able to silence her raven; Harry and Ron have trouble with the toad they are supposed to be silencing, and are unable to silence Hermione's raven after they swap.
Later, Hermione silences a Death Eater who is calling out that he has found her, Harry, and Neville during the Battle at the Department of Mysteries.
There is some question as to whether this spell breaks the rule that defines Charms. According to the author, Charms are those spells which do not change the basic characteristic of an object. Transfiguration, therefore, is not a Charm as it involves changing objects into other objects, or making them vanish. And yet, the class where Silencio is being taught is Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class. Does silencing a raven change its essential raven nature? If not, this spell should be taught by the Charms instructor, Professor Flitwick.
There is some thought that, in silencing the Death Eater at the Department of Mysteries, Hermione may be attempting to prevent his casting more spells. This does not, in fact work, as the silenced Death Eater is still able to cast a disabling spell on Hermione. Casting spells silently is a skill that starts to be taught in sixth year, and at the time, the Trio are in their fifth year of school.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=Muggles%27_Guide_to_Harry_Potter/Magic/Silencio&oldid=3475359"
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North America > Canada > Atlantic Canada > New Brunswick > Bay of Fundy > Sussex (New Brunswick)
2.1 By car
4.1 In the Sussex area
Sussex is a town in Kings County, New Brunswick.
The town's population is about 4,300 people (2016), and the general area is home to some 35,000 people. It's a quiet, friendly area, where people on the street smile and say "Hi", even if by chance they don't know one another.
Sussex is nicknamed Dairytown and is known as the "Dairy Centre of the Maritimes"; the reason is obvious when you look in any direction. Farms dot the landscape of Sussex Farm and its outlying areas, and there are some operating within the town's boundaries. It's not uncommon to see tractors and other farm equipment travelling in town or on local roads, especially during fall harvest or haying seasons. Sussex really is an agricultural centre, besides the poultry and dairy farms, pastures of cattle, sheep and horses, a livestock auction is held in town every Wednesday, and it's home to the NB Agriculture Museum. Overlooking Sussex, Dairytown Products Limited turns New Brunswick milk into award-winning butter, and also operates "Mrs. Dunsters", a bakery famous for its doughnuts.
An underground salt and potash mine just east of town in the community of Penobsquis provided 400 jobs to the area until was closed in 2018. Potash is a key ingredient in fertilizer.
Camp Sussex (which is now the Sussex Industrial Park) housed Camp Sussex Mural, and trained most of the Canadian Army personnel who were dispatched overseas during the Second World War. The 8th Hussars Regiment is headquartered here and hundreds of veterans return each year to see the town that they called home during training.
By car[edit]
Sussex is on the Trans-Canada Highway (#2) 80 km southwest of Moncton and 72 km northeast of Saint John.
Maritime Bus, stops at the Circle K/Irving, 11 Route 890, Four Corners, toll-free: +1-800-575-1807. 3 buses a day from Moncton (1 hr, $20), and 3 buses a day from Saint John (1 hr 5 min, $20). (updated May 2019)
Moncton and Saint John Airports are the closest airports with scheduled service, and are 70-80 km away.
Convenience bridges: Called kissing bridges, Kings County has 16 covered bridges, but Sussex has 8 of those within 10 minutes of downtown, making it the "Covered Bridge Capital of Atlantic Canada". The Kings County Covered Bridge Festival is held here each July, but if you visit during the tourist season, stop at one of the Tourist Information Centres to pick-up a map showing all the local covered bridges.
Hussars Regimental Museum, 66 Broad St (in the historic Sussex Train Station), ☏ +1-506-433-5226. Jun 1-Aug 31: daily 9AM-8PM; Sep-May by appointment. The collection includes many items representing the life of the Regiment with original uniforms dating back to 1881, original Routine Orders dating back to 1893, memorabilia from members who represented the Regiment at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the world wars, UN/NATO peacekeeping tours, and the war in Afghanistan, and the flags from each of these eras. by donation. (updated May 2019)
Sussex Mural Project: 27 murals around town depicting its history, and includes a mural commemorating Camp Sussex. Maps are available at Sussex Town Hall (524 Main St), tourist information office at the train station, and some shops around town.
Agricultural Museum of New Brunswick, 28 Perry St, ☏ +1 506 433-6799. Jun-Aug: Tu-Su 9AM-5PM, or by appointment. Artifacts that are reminiscent of the family farm as it existed primarily prior to the 1970s. Displays of agricultural equipment, antique home settings, a schoolroom, blacksmith’s shop, and train station. (updated May 2019)
In the Sussex area[edit]
Apohaqui - The village of Apohaqui (pronounced Ap-o-hawk) is about a 5-minute drive west of Sussex by either Route 121 or Riverview Drive.Apohaqui The quiet village straddles the Kennebecasis River, and has nice little streets with new homes nestled next to older ones.
Berwick, Millstream & Lower Millstream – Travelling 10 km north of Sussex towards Fredericton on Route 10, Berwick is a small community at the crossroads of Lower Millstream (to the west), and the Head of Lower Millstream (to the east). Berwick has farms ranging from poultry to cattle and even an emu farm. It's not unusual to see whitetail deer in the morning or evening, snacking in the cabbage fields along the highway. On the other side of Berwick, towards the Head of Millstream you'll find more country homes, family farms, also Millstream Golf Club & Campground. Millstream has another of the Sussex area's covered bridges.
Norton - The Village of Norton is about 10 minutes west of Sussex via the 4-lane highway. Norton has some beautiful older homes, and churches.
Penobsquis (pronounced pen-ob-skwis) is to the east of Sussex on Route 114. Penobsquis has several points of interest, such as the Plumweseep PCS Mine - Penobsquis, NBCovered Bridge or the cement sculptures at Animal Land Park (seasonal).
Fundy National Park - Leaving Sussex, using exit #211 from the 4-lane highway for the most direct access to the park. The eastern exit from Penobsquisis also takes you to the park and the Village of Alma... it's a nice little detour. While in the park take the time to explore a few of the footpaths or plan a round of golf at the unique 9-hole course. The 1st tee is incredible.
Smith Creek, Newtown & Knightville – This quiet valley northeast of Sussex via Route 890, is a mix of rural homes and farmland. While travelling east on this winding country road you can continue on Route 890 towards Smith Creek and Newtown, or turn right onto the Knightville Road to go to Knightville. These 2 roads are joined at several points by smaller, usually dirt roads. One of these roads is the Oldfield Road, which is home to the famous Oldfield Covered Bridge.
Sussex Corner – For a visitor, if you miss the signs it might be hard to tell where Sussex ends and the Village of Sussex Corner begins. "The Corner" is like a smaller version of Sussex.
Fundy Trail Parkway – East of Sussex Corner via the Newline Road is the route to the Village of St. Martins and also the breathtaking Fundy Trail Parkway (open spring, summer and fall). From Sussex Corner, it's about a 40-minute drive to St. Martins and another 10 to the Parkway. You can drive or walk along the well-built paths and then take the shuttle bus back to one of the many parking lots. The Parkway runs 30 km and offers spectacular Bay of Fundy views en route to Fundy National Park.
Dutch Valley & Waterford – East of Sussex Corner, Dutch Valley is overlooked by a Dutch Valley - Sussex Cornersteep rock face that runs intermittently for several miles to Waterford.
Sussex drive-in theatre. Late May to early Sep: shows Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Children under 6 free, children (6-15 years) $8, adult (16-99 years $12; Sunday $28/carload. (updated May 2019)
Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta. 2nd weekend in September. As many as 30 hot air balloons fill the skies. Outdoor bandstand, huge indoor market, amusement rides, vendors. (updated May 2019)
Poley Mountain Ski Hill (10 km from Sussex past Dutch Valley towards Waterford), ☏ +1 506 433-7653. mid-December through end of March. 32 trails, 10 night trails, 5 lifts, 201 m vertical drop. Slope Side Bar & Grill Restaurant open in the winter. Rental shop, snow school available. Full day lift ticket: adult $40, student $29, senior $33, child 6-12 $24; night: $28, $23, $25, $19; 4 hours: $31, $23, $26, $20; child 5 & under: $10 any ticket. (updated May 2019)
Sussex is the main shopping centre for eastern half of Kings County. It has 2 small shopping malls, one downtown and second in a growing retail area in the western end of town.
The Sussex Downtown Business District is lined with small shops, restaurants and offices, while other parts of Main Street feature businesses such as insurance agencies and beauty salons set in attractive older buildings.
Sussex is a dairy community and has been famous for its dairy products for 19th century, so ice cream is part of its history. Since the days of Sussex Cheese and Butter Ltd., travellers have taken the time to stop for some great local ice cream. Today, the tradition continues as Sussex has several nice ice cream parlours to choose from.
Taste and See Restaurant, 609 Main St, ☏ +1 506-433-2555. Tu-Sa 7AM-3PM (F 'til 8PM). Burgers, poutines, wraps, vegetarian dishes. (updated May 2019)
Gasthof Old Bavarian Restaurant, 1130 Knightville Rd, ☏ +1 506 433-4735. Summer hours: F-Su noon-10PM; winter hours: F Sa noon-10PM, Su 3-10PM. Authentic German cuisine. The favourite restaurant of every old Bavarian in Sussex, New Brunswick. Mains $16-32, sausage dinners $8-20. (updated May 2019)
JJ's Diner, 216 Roachville Rd, ☏ +1 506 433-3470, toll-free: +1-800-565-2260. Daily 6AM-10PM. 1950s-themed diner with memorabilia from the 1950s and 60s. Breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, salads and dinners. (updated May 2019)
Sully's Ice Cream Parlour, 84 Broad St (in an old railway station), ☏ +1 506-435-2118. Summer: daily 11AM-9PM. Around 60 flavours, so it's twice as good as that American chain. (updated May 2019)
Sussex Craft Distillery, 119 Cougle Rd, Sussex Corner, ☏ +1 506-433-2800. Tu-F 9AM-5:30PM (may have longer hours in the summer). A small batch spirits distillery. Their signature product, Northern Comfort, is a maple rum liqueur made with molasses from Crosby’s Molasses in Saint John and Steeve’s Maple Syrup in Elgin. The rum is aged with a blend of spices and roasted Sugar Maple hardwood, harvested from the Acadian Forest eco-region of Southern New Brunswick. (updated May 2019)
There are several nice motels, inns, and comfy bed & breakfasts to accommodate you. If you have a RV or if summer camping is your preference, there are 4 full-service campgrounds within 15 minutes of town.
45.7493-65.42461 Animaland Camping, 12763 Rte 114, Penobsquis, ☏ +1 506 435-3245, ✉ reserve@animaland.ca. 25 family camping sites in a park of concrete animal sculptures. ATV trails, fire pits, picnic tables, access to heated pool, restaurant next door. $22-40, pets $10, day visitors $5. (updated May 2019)
Amsterdam Inn & Suites Sussex, 143 Main St, ☏ +1 506 499-9452, toll-free: +1-800-468-2828. Hot breakfast included, free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly rooms available. From $114. (updated May 2019)
Jonah Place, 977 Main St, ☏ +1 506 433-6978, toll-free: +1-866-448-8800. Full breakfast, private baths, 5 rooms. From $115. (updated May 2019)
Covered Bridge Inn, 818 Main St., ☏ +1 506-433-1805. Kitchenettes, close to downtown. From $74. (updated May 2019)
Routes through Sussex
Calais ← Saint John ← W E → Jct W 16px|link=Trans-Canada Highway E → END
Fredericton ← Jct 16px|link=Trans-Canada Highway ← W E → END
This city travel guide to Sussex is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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This travel guide page was last edited at 11:07, on 7 May 2019 by Wikivoyage user Ground Zero. Based on work by Wikivoyage users Traveler100, MuzikMachine, Traveler100bot, Eco84, Wrh2Bot, Matroc, LilHelpa, Texugo and Inasbot and others.
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Keith Alan Raniere AKA Vanguard on stage at V-Week talking to his mostly female followers.
Rosales: The Photographs Were Not Sexual — Keith Obtained Pleasure From the Torment
SLAVES IN ‘PARADICE’ – KEITH RANIERE AND THE ZODIAC
Omar Rosales
By Omar W. Rosales, Esq., Author of ‘American Cult’
One of the more troubling aspects of this case is the link between NXIVM and the occult. There seems to be an undercurrent of occult practices in the Secret hierarchy of ESP, Inc., that shows parallels to the Zodiac killer and Aleister Crowley. This is being revealed during the trial.
Keith was a student of esoteric religions. He knew about Tibetan Buddhist meditation rites as well as references to Western mythology. His book was titled ‘Odin and the Sphinx’. Why did he compare himself to Odin? Did he consider himself to be the Allfather?
ZODIAC KILLER
The Zodiac was a serial killer who terrorized the Bay Area in the 1960s and early 70s. Although never caught, the Zodiac was known and became popular for his taunts of the police. Zodiac would mail cyphers with clues to local newspapers and wait for the publicity. And Zodiac loved to be in the spotlight. One of his more famous notes was the Halloween Card of 1970. On October 27, 1970, San Francisco Chronicle writer Paul Avery received a card from the Zodiac. The card was a Halloween greeting and contained the phrase, “By fire, by gun, by rope, by knife…SLAVES FOR PARADICE”.
Paradise was intentionally misspelled as Zodiac loved puns. In the card, the Zodiac hand drew several symbols to show it was he and included his body count up to that time – 14 victims. He also said, “Peek a boo you are doomed.” Whomever the Zodiac was, he knew about mythology and literature. Zodiac read Milton, knew about theatre, and he could make cyphers. But, he also believed he and his victims were linked due to his victims’ painful deaths. That the psychic trauma created a bond, where the victims’ souls were forever linked to the Zodiac from the violent deaths – by fire, by gun, by rope, by knife. So why is Keith making slaves of women and telling them to, “Feel the Pain, Think of your Master”?
MK10ART – Keith Raniere
KEITH RANIERE
Other ancient civilizations buried slaves with their Kings and Queens. This was a common practice among ancient Egyptians, Vikings, Maya, and Aztecs. The belief was that the war captives or slaves would serve the King in the afterlife. To solidify the bond, the captives were killed at the funerals of the venerated rulers and then placed in the graves alongside their masters.
The Zodiac was also assembling Female Slaves for his afterlife. He believed that the souls of his victims would travel with him and serve him after he died. Was Keith doing the same thing? Did Keith become more and more aware of his mortality and seek to create a Slave Army to serve him beyond life?
Now Keith had read the Tibetan Buddhist and Indian Buddhist texts on meditation and reincarnation. Did Keith find something? More importantly, did he believe it too? Was he that insane, that like the Zodiac, Keith felt he could create an army of Female Sex Slaves that would serve him in the great hereafter?
Serial killers like the Zodiac also keep mementos known as ‘trophies’ of their kills. The serial killers will use the trophies as a memory anchor, to relive the memory of the kill. By holding the piece of clothing, touching the hairbrush, smelling the personal effects of the victim, the killer will be transported back to that moment of the kill.
But the problem is, it seems, no kill will ever beat the excitement that the serial killer received from the first time they killed another human. So, the killer will continue with their spree until they are caught or killed.
In one of Keith’s computers, he kept a backup file of all the pictures of women that he posed for his ‘studies.’ The pictures were of women on Keith’s bed, with closeups of their vaginas.
What if it wasn’t a study, but more of a trophy? An assemblage of all his victims. And this is where Keith’s psychopathic tendencies start to take over. He had to keep trophies. He could not help himself. That is how he gains pleasure – by tormenting women and later on reliving the torment.
Keith was happy to see Sylvie cry and squirm when he ordered her to spread her legs and be photographed. The photographs were not sexual. Keith did not masturbate to the photographs. Keith obtained pleasure from the torment. It was the feelings of shame, guilt, and sadness from the victims that gave him his excitement. It was not the women’s genitals, it was their suffering, pain, and anguish that made Keith aroused. That is why Keith made Sylvie come back. That is what excited Keith the most. Inflicting the pain on Sylvie. Because Keith knew Sylvie would feel even more ashamed the second time.
I will talk about Keith’s similarities to Crowley another time, when more testimony comes out. But make no mistake, Keith Raniere is a monster 100%.
Keith Alan Raniere
Guest View: Why I Fell for a Cult; ‘How did I not see through this stuff? Right?’
Dani’s Testimony Part 1 – How She Got Into Nxivm and How Keith ‘Helped Her
Shadow: Nicki Clyne – the Smartest Woman in Nxivm?
K.R. Claviger
Frank Report’s founder and lead writer Frank Parlato is one of the internet’s most decorated investigative journalists. His writing and investigations have helped expose major criminal organizations and scandals.
Frank’s work has been cited in major publications all over the world, including The New York Times, New York Post, The Daily Mail, VICE News, CNN, Rolling Stone, and more.
He is also the publisher and editor-in-chief of Artvoice, The Niagara Falls Reporter, Front Page and the South Buffalo News.
Flowers says:
As usual, Omar is inventing bizarre and baseless conspiracy theories. Keith is certainly a misogynistic, perverted POS, but he has no link to the zodiac killer, at all. And I see no evidence that shows the NXIVM was ever involved in the occult, either.
Why don’t you go invent some more believable right-wing conspiracies Omar-…..btw, how’s that lawsuit against Sara Bronfman working out for you-
Nutjob says:
Flowers- Is that really you- I thought you’d be the first one to love a conspiracy theory… My thoughts – I’m thinking Omar is really Frank with a good shave- Or, Omar is Sultan- And you’re right, Keith can’t be the zodiac killer because we all know Scott is.
niceguy says:
I 1/2 agree with Rosales. Interesting article and view point. Thank for sharing Rosales.
I would say it’s 50/50. If sex was not part it Raniere could have just created a group made up of just men like the Society of Protectors or more of a coupes based group.
shadowstate1958 says:
An interesting link between Aleister Crowley and L. Ron Hubbard is the bizarre scientist Jack Parsons who lived in Pasadena California.
Parsons was a self-taught scientific genius who helped found the Jet Propulsion Lab at Cal Tech.
Parsons also founded the OTO Lodge in Pasadena. Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO)
L. Ron Hubbard moved into Parsons’ Pasadena mansion and promptly stole Parsons’ girl friend and cheated the scientist on the sale of a yacht.
NXIVM is a chip off of the Scientology block.
Occult involvement in Pasadena
California.[91]
In August 1945 Hubbard moved into the Pasadena mansion of John “Jack” Whiteside Parsons. A leading rocket propulsion researcher at the California Institute of Technology and a founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Parsons led a double life as an avid occultist and Thelemite, follower of the English ceremonial magician Aleister Crowley and leader of a lodge of Crowley’s magical order, Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO).[17][92] He let rooms in the house only to tenants who he specified should be “atheists and those of a Bohemian disposition”.[93]
Hubbard, whom Parsons referred to in writing as “Frater H”,[96] became an enthusiastic collaborator in the Pasadena OTO. The two men collaborated on the “Babalon Working”, a sex magic ritual intended to summon an incarnation of Babalon, the supreme Thelemite Goddess. It was undertaken over several nights in February and March 1946 in order to summon an “elemental” who would participate in further sex magic.
Parsons used his “magical wand” to whip up a vortex of energy so the elemental would be summoned. Translated into plain English, Parsons jerked off in the name of spiritual advancement whilst Hubbard (referred to as “The Scribe” in the diary of the event) scanned the astral plane for signs and visions.[98]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard#Occult_involvement_in_Pasadena
Last night I looked through some of Pea Onyu’s old comments and found a reference to Raniere’s “magic wand”.
There has long been a strange relationship between Aleister Crowley and Hollywood.
“Crowley gained widespread notoriety during his lifetime, being a recreational drug experimenter, bisexual and an individualist social critic. He was denounced in the popular press as “the wickedest man in the world” and a Satanist. Crowley has remained a highly influential figure over Western esotericism and the counterculture”
During World War I Crowley lived in America and visited many cities that later became associated with NXIVM.
Crowley’s OTO was headquartered in Vancouver and he visited Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, all areas of later NXIVM activity.
Crowley also lived on an island in the Hudson River between Albany and New York City.
In 1918, Crowley went on a magical retreat in the wilderness of Esopus Island on the Hudson River. Here, he began a translation of the Tao Te Ching, painted Thelemic slogans on the riverside cliffs, and – he later claimed – experienced past life memories of being Ge Xuan, Pope Alexander VI, Alessandro Cagliostro, and Eliphas Levi.[135] Back in New York City, he moved to Greenwich Village, where he took Leah Hirsig as his lover and next Scarlet Woman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley#United_States:_1914–1919
When the Hollywood movie director William Desmond Taylor was murdered in 1922 Crowley’s book of erotic poetry “White Stains” was found in Taylor’s bungalow.
The two best books on Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard are “Strange Angel” and “Sex and Rockets”.
That’s some interesting, weird, crazy, and disturbing information. Boat load of connections. I heard something about this on some tv show years ago.
Actaeon says:
Problem with linking Raniere, serial killers, and the occult is Raniere is not a serial killer nor does he have any connection with the occult as far as I can see. Buddhism is not an occult religion. Additionally, there is no connection between serial killers and the occult.
There is a mistaken belief among certain religious groups that bands of satan worshipers lie in wait for their chance to snatch babies and conduct human sacrifices. These are the people who wanted to ban Harry Potter books from school libraries and who once burned hard rock albums in bonfires. During the Satanic Panic, teenagers with long hair, who listened to heavy metal music, found themselves wrongly convicted of crimes they had nothing to do with.
Yes, some people are interested in the occult. Some people are interested in neopaganism and Wicca. There exists a real Church of Satan, and a Satanic Temple (google them, they’re not what you might think). None of these things are about criminality or evil; I think they’re all kind of silly, but no sillier than Christianity or any other religion. And certainly no more evil. If you’re suggesting that there’s something creepy about “esoteric” religions, let’s have a look at Christianity’s universal symbol, the cross– it’s a device that was used for torture-executions. Pretty creepy, if you think about it.
I’d call NXIVM a cult, but it was somewhat unusual in that there was no real religious component. Raniere’s teachings seem to be a dog’s breakfast of self-realization platitudes, Ayn Rand triumph of the will foolishness, and Tantric nonsense about men’s seed and women being vessels. No promises about heaven, just about getting ahead in the here and now (and for Raniere, getting head in the here and now.)
I wouldn’t even describe Keith as a monster. More like a nasty little man who took advantage of people for his own profit, then fell flat on his face.
Scott Johnson says:
The empty cross is a symbol of Christ’s resurrection.
I hope you’re correct. I don’t think you are. I think Raniere is a serial killer. FIve deaths I’m thinking of.
Mark Foster says:
Thanks for the ongoing coverage of this monster and his trial.
Thank you for using your real name.
This is getting confusing, first everything that was done to the women was with consent,said in defense and now they were tortured comes up- Which is it-
INTRIGUED EXPIAN says:
Such an interesting angle. Thank you. Very enlightening.
Double Anonymous says:
Have you interviewed Keith about his sexual habits and violent fantasies-
If you have not, what allows you to come to these conclusions-
Darth VanDouche says:
Of course he did.
Don’t you remember the article that described a story about him as a child wherein which he held something over the head of a girl and relished in the idea that he knew he could get her in trouble with it-
It’s the same principle he applied to his cult. None of it was about helping others except as a “tool” to facilitate his own (primarily hedonistic) self-satisfaction. The ethics was all a means to an end: control, power, sex, and ego masturbation. That is all.
I cringe when I think I was in the presence of one so evil to the core, a murderer of soul and body. I hope the jury returns a guilty verdict on all charges and the judge gives him the maximum sentence. May this scum never see the light of day.
I sincerely believe we are all born to a clean slate. What triggers this level of evil- I wonder!
AnonyMaker says:
It’s a good point that Raniere may have derived more sadistic pleasure from getting women to submit explicit photographs, than sexual gratification – though given his apparent fetish for particular types of women, especially young ones, and photos of them in certain specific poses that may hearken back to the “beaver shot” porn mags of his youth, I don’t think a sexual element can be ruled out.
L. Ron Hubbard’s studies in the occult, particularly in one of Aleister Crowley’s OTO lodges, definitely influenced Dianetics and Scientology, and some new religious movement (NRM) scholars even place the Church of Scientology as one of two offshoots of Crowley’s Thelema – alongside the Church of Satan of Anton LaVey. Raniere definitely borrowed quite a bit from Scientology, along with NLP, and thus picked up some concepts and practices, but as far as I am aware or can tell, his only sources and influences in the occult were third-hand like that.
High control groups or cults tend to operate in many of the same ways – hence the lists of common characteristics – so similarities are not necessarily really indicative of actual connections.
The best book on the Zodiac Killer is by Robert Graysmith.
https://www.amazon.com/Zodiac-Shocking-Nations-Elusive-Serial/dp/0425212181
Some people believe that Zodiac based his killings by their relationship to Mount Diablo, the Devil’s Mountain, located in the East San Francisco Bay region near the Federal Penitentiary in Dublin California where Allison Mack will probably end up.
http://zodiackillerfacts.com/The%20Mysteries%20of%20the%20Mt.%20Diablo%20Map.htm
You are embarrassing yourself Mr Rosales, you look like Saul Goodman kind of lawyer.
Very interesting take. I don’t doubt it at all.
Soccermom2345 says:
“Was he that insane, that like the Zodiac, Keith felt he could create an army of Female Sex Slaves that would serve him in the great hereafter-” INSANE– Nope, just plain old evil, nothing more, nothing less. Prideful, greedy, wicked and sadistic.
I think he did masturbate to the photos. He’s just a horny guy who had a sick way of satisfying his urge.
“Was he that insane, that like the Zodiac, Keith felt he could create an army of Female Sex Slaves that would serve him in the great hereafter?” INSANE?? Nope, just plain old evil, nothing more, nothing less. Prideful, greedy, wicked and sadistic.
Village Diane: A Few Notes on the Trial
Marc Agnifilo is pretty good
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76 Scientists On A Glacier.
The women of Homeward Bound. CREDIT: Anne Christianson.
…Seltzer’s colleagues were more knowledgeable than your average gaggle of tourists. The travelers on her trip were all scientists, and several of them focus specifically on climate change. What’s more, her 75 companions on the three-week trip were all women, bound together on the largest-ever, all-female expedition to Antarctica. The trip was the focal point of a year-long leadership development program called Homeward Bound, which aims to groom 1,000 women with science backgrounds over the next ten years to influence public policy and dialogue.
While women made up more than 50 percent of the US workforce in 2016, they represented only 24 percent of workers in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math. Representation in public policy is even worse: Women hold less than 23 percent of parliamentary positions worldwide, and less than 20 percent of Congress is female. The founder of Homeward Bound told Reuters that inspiration came from the trip from hearing two scientists joke that a beard was a requirement to land an Antarctic research leadership role.
Steltzer echoed similar experiences. “At one point in time, women were present in equal measures to myself at a peer level,” she said. “But now that I’m in my early 40s, an associate professor, in many environments I’m in there are fewer women. There are ways we can do better.”
For Anne Christianson, a younger Homeward Bounder, the trip took on special importance for her work. Christianson is completing a Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota, and her dissertation focuses on how climate change disproportionately affects women in developing countries. She points out that, while it was easy to see the consequences of climate change watching glaciers in Antarctica, it’s important to keep in mind how climate change threatens women around the globe.
“We have these cascading impacts [of climate change] on women that simply aren’t seen in men,” Christianson said. “Women generally don’t have enough capital to build our own resilience to climate change.”
Rising temperatures are melting Antarctica. CREDIT: Anne Christianson.
For Westerners, it’s easy to see climate change as a threat to poor and rural women in distant, impoverished countries. But climate change isn’t just melting glaciers in Antarctica and flooding cities in Bangladesh. It’s already imperiling women within the United States, and the threat is getting more dire. Over 83 percent of poor single mothers in New Orleans were displaced in the post-Hurricane Katrina housing crisis — a statistic that bodes ominously for future climate disasters.
“We’ve already had our own climate refugees in the Gulf and in Alaska,” Christianson said. “The majority of people in poverty in this country are women who will be less able to adapt to what’s coming with climate change. Having more resources allows you to move away from sea-level rise and heat waves, to switch jobs, to find alternate sources of food and fuel.”
Even for progressives in the United States, the link between climate and gender can be hard to grasp. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) attempted to start a conversation on the issue in 2015 in by proposing a resolution to recognize “the disparate impact of climate change on women and the efforts of women globally to address climate change.” The bill moved nowhere fast in Congress and became a target for right-wing media, as outlets like Breitbart, The Daily Caller, and Fox News mocked a line in the bill that linked climate-induced food insecurity to prostitution.
Both Christianson and Steltzer say the female perspective in science is more important now than ever.
“There is a certain understanding that women scientists have of how hard it is to be heard, and right now all scientists are understanding what women scientists have experienced,” Christianson said.
“We’ve been in this state before, but a lot of our male colleagues haven’t,” Christianson said. “Because we’ve had to fight so hard for our personal rights, now that we’re trying to make our voices heard in our field of interests, and now that men are joining us for the first time, really, we can have more of a leadership role in how to make our voices heard.”
According to Hayhoe, that’s already happening. Female leadership in climate at the international level as playing a role in shifting the climate conversation.
Excellent reading, highly recommended. Full story here.
More good reading: Women are leading the way in HIV research.
Education, Environment, feminism, Science
rq says
I loved reading about this. I would love to participate in something like that sometime, myself -- Antarctica, the Arctic, the jungle, don’t care. I’ve been lucky in some respects (men are a strong minority in the lab, though in interactions with superiors, they still get preferential treatment i.e. handshakes even though neither one is senior rank), but the more they let me out to other places, the more important it seems to connect to the women around me, esp. those who hold positions of some relative authority. Couldn’t really say why, except some inner feeling that they’re more likely to advocate for change or development of some kind. Maybe it’s just because they have to be extra-active in order to ‘prove’ that they’re earned their authority.
Anyway, this was a great read, and I love the project, hope they do more of it with great success!
Caine says
I loved reading about it too. We need more of this, so much more.
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Kerala, Andhra and Tamil Nadu - news and strategy thread
arshyam
Postby arshyam » 25 May 2019 09:33
hanumadu wrote: I said before that Modi should learn Tamil for 2024. Also Modi is a great orator. His message is being lost in translation. In fact, any politician from the north has to learn as many southern Indian languages as possible, but Tamil is a must. It will immediately endear him to the people.
Not needed saar. It will onlee make these usual suspects bray loudly about Tamil pride and how Modi had to bow to it, and other related shite. It's okay however, to use a phrase here or there - any part of the world, people love it if a visitor tries to use the local language despite not knowing it. This is all the more true in places where the language attachment is high.
What's needed is a local Modi - Indic, charismatic, and Hindu nationalist to the core who can dominate any Tamil debates with wordplay. Someone like Jeyamohan, but who is also a politician. If not in BJP, in a friendly but independent outfit that can be supported to grow.
A tall order, I guess.
Re: Kerala, Andhra and Tamil Nadu - news and strategy thread
x-posting a few TN-related posts here from the elections thread based on ShyamSP garu's request. This is also a more relevant thread to discuss.
arshyam wrote:
chandrasekaran wrote: #3. Give tacit and overt encouragement to the Aadheenams big time. I am of the firm opinion that the non-upper-caste Hindu Mathams have done yeoman service in KA. We need to replicate that in TN as well.
This is a very important point, saar, thanks for bringing this up. Adheenams in TN aren't as big as in KA (think Siddaganga Math). The Siddaganga math also runs a lot of educational institutions, and provides spiritual grounding for a lot of people in the community. Various communities have their own mathas, like for Adichunchanagiri for Vokkaligas. Then there is Sringeri math, the ashta mathas in Udupi, etc. Together, they all help consolidate Hindu culture, which is why the rice-bag EJ types haven't been able to make any inroads in KA.
In TN, most of the mathas like the Kanchi math are regarded as Brahmins' institutions, which was why Jayalalitha was able to get away with the Shankaracharya's arrest. Beyond that, people's devotion is personal and simply go to the nearest temple, thiruvizha, etc. But this is also opens some people towards poaching by the EJ types.
Anyway, I am sure you know all this, but wanted to elaborate on your point for everyone's benefit, as I too think this is a significant difference between TN and KA when it comes to cultural and spiritual issues. AP is perhaps similar to TN in this regard: lots of famous and crowded temples at Tirupati, Kalahasthi, Srisailam, Bhadrachalam, Kanakadurga, Mantralayam, etc., but EJ activity for some reason continues unabated. Of course, it would be good to get some insights from AP+TS folks on this...
Theeran wrote:
arshyam wrote: This is a very important point, saar, thanks for bringing this up. Adheenams in TN aren't as big as in KA (think Siddaganga Math). The Siddaganga math also runs a lot of educational institutions, and provides spiritual grounding for a lot of people in the community. Various communities have their own mathas, like for Adichunchanagiri for Vokkaligas. Then there is Sringeri math, the ashta mathas in Udupi, etc. Together, they all help consolidate Hindu culture, which is why the rice-bag EJ types haven't been able to make any inroads in KA.
Perur adheenam is quite popular. There are numerous temples in the kongu region patronized by the locals that hardly anyone outside knows about. The temples are for karuppurayan, patteeswarar, maariamman.. The ones in eachanari, maruthamalai, pollachi Murugan temple to name just a few.
chandrasekaran wrote: Unlike AP (I could be wrong here, happy to be corrected) The Aadheenams in TN not only have a glorious past that goes all the way to a millennia, they control pretty much every temple in the cauvery belt and thereby at least at names sake quite a large swathe of property as well . I think it will be the same case with Madurai aadhenam (South TN) too. The main issue however is that for reasons unknown to me, they seem to maintain such a low profile. This is quite sad. Perhaps they are quite afraid to take on the *DK* goons directly.
I believe by giving them the full might of the central government, albeit tacitly, the rampant conversion racket can be countered without this being at odds at Tamil identity. If this is done the crypto's will have a big problem giving this a Brahmin/Aryan/Northie identity. One of the biggest ways BJP is discredited in TN is by labeling it as a brahmin/pappan party. There needs a solution to this and I think this is one way.
In fact this should go beyond Aadheenams, modern hindu organizations like Akshaya Patra, Iskon, Ramakrishna Matham, some of the northie Sri Vaishnav and Shaivaite sects must be encouraged to set up their branches and actively encouraged to do visible social service in the name of Hindu religion. Tamil must be the language however. This is quite easy as next to Sanskirt, Tamil perhaps has the largest corpus of Hindu literature, This needs to happen for the next 3-4 years and BJP's association must be overt towards the end of 4th year in time for 2023.
Shyam, the EJs have been way too powerful since the beginning because of DK and DMK gangs. Many such hindu figures have been falsely targeted and people still voted same parties. Even if TN had as many mathas as KA, all of them would have been hounded off by EJs with the help of D parties.
Yes, now they are powerful, and we can see the repeated attacks on Sadhguru and Sri Sri. But there is no other way I can think of saar. It's a hard fight, and will have to be fought. Just talking about Hindu issues when it is only a personal matter of faith won't win votes, people need to be invested in it.
vsunder wrote: The aadheenams wear deserted looks. Only a few old people there. I suppose younger people are busy doing whats app and forwarding memes. Other sites like jeeva samadhis in TN are largely unknown by younger people in TN. The buildings in the adheenams for the most part need serious renovation and are dilapidated. They are not only spiritual centers but also places where real history took place. A few of course are well patronized and are doing well, but the large majority are in dire straits.
An example is the Koviloor adheenam
http://www.kovilur.com/
It has a branch on the old giri pradikshina road in Tiruvannamalai and attached to it is the samadhi of that personage one Isanya Desikar
http://davidgodman.org/asaints/isdesikar.shtml
You can read Godman's article of the connection with Koviloor math. The aadhenam at T'Malai is in poor shape, dilapidated buildings, but a place of immense quiet and peace. Many historical things happened here, too numerous to list, even someone with a cursory interest in history leave alone the spiritual and other aspect would help in keeping the place in a sounder condition.
krisna wrote: wrt to Tamil Nadu and its language.
From what I know- Tamilians were not as paranoid than any other language people if looking thru prism of history. They were as good or bad as any other kingdom of the past in various parts of India. free movements of people etc.
post-1947 lot of changes happened. a lot of non Indian activities were unleashed in various parts of India to make them believe in non-Indianness.
In TN, it got a lightning rod with Hindi imposition which catapulted the present dravidian streak with political power.
Recall justice party etc even pre-independence had leaders feted in europe and america. they had as usual given sermons just like we have for scamgress and others.
One of the main issues in all the above is loss of Sanskrit Tamil connection.
for 1000s of years, Sanskrit as pan Indian language and various local languages have had close interactions with each other. No conflicts with each other. Each language helped other languages to co-exist peacefully.
many Indian languages have loan words for Sanskrit in their local vocabulary and some don't have.
Tamil as a language has loan words and has a rhythmical lyrical quality similar to Sanskrit (not sure how to word it).
One of the first things the dravidians did was to remove the loan words and all connections to Sanskrit in language. They gave various reasons like not suited to present times, easy on printing etc nonsense.
Later after gaining power made sure Tamil as the language remains a main issue. >1-2 Generations of Tamilians don't know even today about Sanskrit loan words and close relation to Sanskrit.
This creates a fertile field for these dumeels to claim that no relation to Sanskrit(hence major parts of India).
Thirukkural a Tamil classic is nothing but Manusmriti in the Tamil language. It is exactly the same sequence as Manusmriti and chapters are similar to it.
But with recent corruption and removal of all references by christian folks and now some islamic folks, chnages are in the making to make sure Tamilians are loisng their culture and heritage.
Post 1962 India -china war- JLN did a good thing - said any talk of rebellion against Indian state will be dealt with sternly. dravidians were in the forefront at that time were for leaving Indian union. They changed their tone and accepted Indian union.
Tamil Nadu is the land of Hindu temples for centuries. It is very closely a complete Hindu state. But with the above changes done in the last 100 + years with few generations losing the sense of history, it is easy for dumeels and Lemurians to exercise their stupidity and falsehoods on to youngsters.
It is time to reclaim our sense of history and Tamil pride in its Hinduness.
Key will be awareness of the Sanskrit connections to Tamil, loan words etc. The many Tamil hymns and songs and many others are Sanskrit translations adapted to Tamil people.
same goes for many parts of India-- key will revival of its true history- Hindu culture and its traditions.
NaMo has made "being Hindu is acceptable and uber cool" without creating animosity with others.has given confidence to many other normal Indians.
It is time to grab this period of opportunity to further the true revival of Indian culture and tradtions with its history.
It will take time money and selfless dedications of many Indians. The BIF will do everything to keep a lid on the Indian/Hindu revival after their hard-fought efforts to stop this in the last 100+ years.
will stop here. lot more to write.
Rishi_Tri
Postby Rishi_Tri » 25 May 2019 10:12
Collated numbers on TN from Election Commission website:
BJP was on upward trajectory till 1999.
Govindacharya left in 2000. It may have affected BJP's plan for whole of south barring Karnataka. Just my conjecture based on circumstantial evidence.
ShyamSP
Postby ShyamSP » 25 May 2019 10:22
arshyam wrote: x-posting a few TN-related posts here from the elections thread based on ShyamSP garu's request. This is also a more relevant thread to discuss.
Dhanyavadaalu arshyam garu. Some mattas, asrams, and temples mentioned there are useful for research.
Since we have a lot of new posters now, and we are generally discussing TN history to try to get some understanding of the recent election results, let me share one of my old GDF posts about the evolution of TN's political history. Some of the points and references may be out of date, as this post was made in the aftermath of the Jallikattu issue a few years ago, but the history part is still the same. It's a long post, but I hope people find it useful.
Goes without saying, please point out anything I might have got wrong. Always open to learning.
arshyam wrote: TN is as Hindu as it comes, despite BRF definitions of "south TN" and all its connotations. It's the same "south TN" that celebrates Jallikattu with such vigour and houses the revered Meenakshi temple in Madurai. But events of the past 100 years have taken their toll, let me explain how.
I may ramble about a bit as there are so many events that influenced each other, but I hope it will give enough perspective. Other TN folks, please jump in as you see fit in case I am wrong or didn't explain something correctly. It's a long post, so please bear with me.
Starting with the late 19th/early 20th century, EJ, DK ideologies started trying to spread (back then, it was less EJ, more RC, but in this post, I will use EJ to represent both). It was a time of many new discoveries that we ought to be proud of: the re-discovery of ancient Tamil literature, Indus/Saraswathi valley civilization, Sanskrit studies, etc. But the same time was witness to the utter destruction of Indic education, caste discrimination, and wide spread of colonial English education. These factors provided easy crutches for the colonial admins and EJ types to foster the Dravidian ideology. As we all know, this ideology wasn't of desi origin. But what many don't know is that this ideology actually found less takers in what today is TN than the other southern states (of today). A who's who of the Justice Party roster will show what I am talking about. I am not blaming the other southern states, but stating a fact. The EJ plan was to spread this ideology across the south and break it apart from the motherland.
However, as events played out, only the DK was left of the old Justice party and the movement slowly died out in the other states. In TN, it had gained strength, thanks to some genuine reforms like the struggle against untouchability and caste discrimination. Coupled with the spread of cinema, whose medium was strategically used by the DK/EJ types to spread their message, the Dravidian ideology gained more currency closer to independence. Also, I think it took root more in TN due to the revival of native pride based on the ancient-ness of Tamil. But at the same time, the Congress with its stalwarts like Rajaji, Kamaraj dominated Tamil politics with a very nationalist message. The DK ideology didn't take to politics though they tried - but the seeds were sown and tools like cinema continued to spread the message. Remember, this was restricted to TN now, as the interest died out in the other states. At the same, I would be remiss not to mention that a lot of excellent Hindu mythological and historical films were also made during this time period, and many were huge hits. And lots of people didn't take kindly to Periyar's open insult of Hindu symbols (chappal garland to gods, etc.). So it was not as if the DK ideology had a total monopoly. Hindu dharma was still very strong, though the fraying had started very slowly at the edges.
The first decade after independence saw the linguistic reorganization of states in 1953, which I maintain was a blow against our multilingual societies. This event brought up walls between states that had never existed in history, making a single language monopolize a state. Prior to this, it was common for people to be bilingual or multi-lingual, with knowledge of various languages considered as wealth, and one's mother tongue given pride of place in an emotional sense. Sort of hard to agree with today, but ask your grandparents if possible. My own used to speak various levels of Telugu, since we were based around Madras/Arcot belt, though our mother tongue was Tamil. One branch of the family had Kukke Subramanya (in KA) as the "kula-deivam". But with the state based on language, the education policies were revised to teach only one language in the main, which started acting slowly against multilingual ideas. Naturally, when one cannot understand a language, it's easy to feed false facts, misconceptions, etc. Is it not a coincidence that we're reflecting the same thing on this forum today?
It was the Hindi imposition move of JLN that gave them the next stool to stand on, and the DK (now split into the political DMK, which in '62 under Anna had dropped the separatist plank as well) seized the opportunity. Ironically, the Madras representatives in the Constituent assembly of 1948/49 that had wanted Sanskrit as GoI's official language, which would have made this issue redundant, but events turned out otherwise. It was perhaps the last time south Indians of all linguistic groups (Madras spread across all the southern states back then) had stood together on one issue.
By now, it was well established that Tamil was an ancient language with a wealth of literature, and the DK ideology, while not politically useful, was also quite widespread. And as I mentioned above, the one state one language policy was also established by now, along with the emotional attachment we all have our mother tongues. So when the Hindi rule was supposed to come about, the DMK's protest struck a chord and gained immediate and widespread support. The end result was to retain English, from which all of us are benefitting today in ITvity, etc., but also turned an entire generation of Tamilians against Hindi. It was not Hindi's fault that the politicians chose to play politics, but that's what happened. At the same time, parties like BJS with their "Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan" message didn't help. Note that Sanskrit was no where in the picture back then.
What happened next? In the 1967 elections, the DMK romped into power, and TN was Congress mukht. The Dravidian ideology had won. Tamil got a pride of place, but displaced all other languages, especially Hindi (which I think was as wrong as its imposition). At the same time, people from various states had called TN home, and continued to do so and speak their native languages without issues. In that respect, the Dravidian movement stayed true to its pan-southern ethos, and extended it to linguistic groups from elsewhere in north too. "Vandhavarai vazhavaikkam Tamizhnadu" gained currency (TN provides a livelihood to those who come), Rajinikant being the best example. But Hindi was needlessly demonized. At the same time, the people in the north (of Vindhyas) probably took this as an insult. I may be wrong here, but many folks from the north I have casually spoken to first remark on the anti-Hindi issue when they hear I am from TN. This includes some of my very best friends. No issues with it, but such repeated instances gave me an indication of how TN was perceived up north. Of course, under Madrasis, all southerners had a label attached, but TN was the only state that actually agitated against Hindi, though the feeling was there in other states to varying degrees. Even last month, my cab driver in BLR was complaining how folks speak to him only in Hindi, which he does not understand (no, he is not Tamil).
Anyway, a strong undercurrent was developing against the open atheism of DK and DMK, which included insulting Hindu symbols. MGR probably first sensed it, eventually paving the way for his exit and form the ADMK. The latter made no pretensions of rationalism and atheism, though it claimed Dravidian lineage. Basically, the ADMK sought to bring the Dravidian ideology towards the Indic centre. This was rewarded by the public in the first post-emergency election, when MGR romped home to the CM's chair, and continued to stay there till he died ten years later.
This was also the time of the SL problem, where there was a genuine institutional attack on Tamil speaking people. These Tamils were mostly practising Hindus, and are to this day, but were also prey to the same EJ gang. That the entire SL problem was a manifestation of the EJ ideology (specifically AIT) is another point to keep in mind. But, thanks to the anti-Hindi agitation earlier, the fact that Hindus in SL were being killed were not given much importance in the national mainstream. At best, it was a "Tamil issue" in SL. Indira Gandhi, to her credit, saw it for what it was, and how it would inflame passions in TN. If GoI didn't do anything, it could make things worse, considering how we had intervened in '71. So GoI acted swiftly by arming resistance groups in northern SL, like in '70-71. MGR, having been born in SL, was also emotionally invested in the issue, though he was technically Malayali by birth. But he lent his voice in strong support, and demand that GoI do something about it. Of course, powers larger than us eventually intervened to make the LTTE kill every moderate Tamil outfit and force India to act, again. That was the IPKF debacle, which RG undertook half-heartedly. Perhaps he was afraid of collateral damage given the LTTE's tendency to use women and children in combat, and the resulting protests in TN. Or perhaps he just felt dharmic about attacking women and children from air - at least one could exercise some restraint on the ground. Anyway, we'd never know.
But the DMK saw this as an opportunity to come back to political relevance, and asserted the Tamil identity again. Politicians began to openly hobnob with LTTE in the streets of Madras, much to the fear of the locals. At that time, most SL Tamils began to be looked at with suspicion, as no one knew who belonged to LTTE and who didn't. A few such people were arrested from respectable middle class areas in Madras cementing the fear further. I personally know of one such incident. There were periodic sounds of gunfire in Madras when someone settled scores with someone else. Hard to believe today, but it was quite scary back then. And the fact that our own Army was fighting these people across the sea, with the original SL problem still remaining confused most people. The welcome, or lack of, accorded to the Army when it returned to Madras is still something many of us remember with sadness. It was in this climate that MGR died, and AIADMK split with instability all around. The TINA factor and the Tamil card brought the DMK back into power in '89. Probably the worst period in TN politics, not to mention for the country at large, given the instability in the centre, followed by the BoP crisis.
Then, suddenly, RG was assassinated, right outside Madras. That was the straw that broke the camel's back - RG was well regarded in TN, as he was across the country. Bofors aside, he was seen to be young and dynamic, and had been on good terms with MGR for a long time. His efforts resolve the SL problem also brought him a lot of positive support. And he was killed on TN soil. That one incident ended the LTTE nonsense. Jayalalitha was massively voted into power - she won 225 out of 234 seats, and the DMK itself got 2. That's right, 2. And the rest is history regarding the LTTE in TN. The dreaded 'Q' branch of the TN police went after them with a vengeance and threw them out. Does it mean all such elements were thrown out? No - there will always be some sympathisers, but they were not in the mainstream anymore. The DMK was sent to political wilderness and dropped its open stance. Some elements like Vaiko continued to support the 'Eelam' demand, but in '02 Jaya ensured a long 18 month spell in jail for him under POTA. Ironically, he was part of the ruling NDA then and an MP. No protests, no one cared, beyond the occasional joke: "POTA-la ulla pottuta" (she put him inside under POTA).
During all this time, caste discrimination didn't stop, though it had reduced significantly. But there was now enough literature to support EJ activities, which continued unabated. Except IG in the '70s and RG to an extent in the '80s, and Modi now, GoI has been ambivalent about foreign funding for religious activities. So funds weren't a problem, and the Dravidian ideological political climate provided a cover for these forces to continue to operate. The emotional nature of Tamil people also made them easy targets for manipulation. But at the same time, the majority of people fought back to retain traditions. By fight back, I am not saying andolans or morchas, but simply sticking to our traditions and festivals - which are sufficient to retain the identity. But the political climate made that identity a Tamil identity and not an openly Hindu identity. It was an acceptable compromise as we (the nationalist Tamilians) got to keep our traditions intact, and also due to the fact they were not really mutually exclusive. In fact, these traditions have gained in strength - the Sabarimalai pilgrimage wasn't as big in the '70s as it is today. The crowds at Kumbakonam during Mahamaham have only increased. Visit any city in TN and see how the temples are patronised. Jallikattu and similar sports always start at the local temple. Till 2004. Since then, the EJ problem has "thalaviruchi adirikku", which means has gone out of control. It's a grim fight, but fight we have and will. Jallikattu was attempted to be hijacked, but the good people fought, and won for their customs, however interim it may be. But at least now, the NGO/EJ cat is out of the bag. Hopefully, it will bring some good outcomes regarding the insiduous connections across the NGO/EJ ecosystem. That press conference about Jallikattu and the vested interests behind it SwamyG saar had linked a while ago is instructive. It will get transmitted in the local media. Tughlak, a nationalist-right-of-centre magazine started by Cho in '70, will continue to write about such things from an Indic PoV.
Why am I saying all this? I am saying this to explain away misconceptions about the so-called separatist Tamil, which folks keep writing against, thanks to an agitation against language imposition we did a long time ago. But we are as Indian as anybody else, and bloody proud of it. Else, one would not have seen the following (not exhaustive by any means, just a few examples), who stay unforgotten till date:
1. Veerapandiya Kattabomman - killed by the British in 1799, probably one of the most inspirational legends in recent Tamil history
2. Marudu Pandiya, declaring independence of Jamboo dwipa from English domination, 1801.
3. The mutiny by our Army in Vellore, 1806
4. Subramaniya Bharati -
Muppadhu kodi mugamudayal,
Enil maipuram ondrudayal,
Ival Seppumozhi padhinetudayal,
Enil Sindhanai ondrudayal
- "This Bharatmaata has thirty crores of faces! But her body is one. She speaks eighteen languages! But her thought is one."
4. Netaji, outside of WB, is perhaps best known in TN. Please read up on the locals who supported the INA and its formation in Malaya - they were plantation labourers who were taken from TN.
I hope I don't have to cite folks like a certain Mr. Kalam to buttress my point further.
Overall, many TN folks are tired of having to defend our culture from EJ types and brainwashed Dravidian ideologues, but when they see MSM focussing only on the extremists (which are there in any society - ask me about BLR's goons from 2 months ago) or more of the same from a different angle, i.e. language, the response becomes, "Give me a break. I will fight for my culture with or without your help". That's what has got the chaddis of many people in a twist - they can't seem to understand this aspect. Modi got a lot of support as he showed some understanding of this underlying issue - hence his tacit support to the GoTN where needed. It hasn't gone unnoticed. But for once, if GoI were to openly step up and provide a narrative (think of covering fire for an analogy), it will help nationalist folks in TN get more organised. This is the same picture elsewhere in the country, but thanks to 10 years of UPA, TN is under greater pressure from EJ elements.
Lastly, and I will stop here, this song captures how we view ourselves in the Indian context: The Indian identity and Tamil identity are one and the same. Tamizha Tamizha From Roja - Lyrics and English Translation - YT
Last edited by arshyam on 25 May 2019 12:43, edited 1 time in total.
Rishi_Tri wrote: Collated numbers on TN from Election Commission website:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7Yr60EXsAALQuX.png
1999 was the aftermath of the Coimbatore blasts, which tried to target Advani. CP Radhakrishnan of the BJP won CBE seat in the 99 election (the same gent lost badly to the Communists in this election).
Postby Paul » 25 May 2019 10:45
Karthi won in Shivganga per officil CongI list.
Thank You arshyam Ji for the post above. Read every word of it.
Personally, this Hindi - Non Hindi is not as big as an issue as it is called out to be. Being North Indian, Chennai was my first Karm Bhoomi and my experience has been very different i.e., pleasant. And I am not talking about today but years ago.
I see TN, as cultural pole of Sanatan India with Madurai and Rameshwaram being the garbh grihams. In fact hordes of North Indians travel to shrines in TN. Anyway, hope to one day go back to Karm Bhoomi and repay my debts of Sanatan Dharma by helping its political re-acceptance.
Who funds EJs? It's not exactly random funding. There must be some serious motive rather than spreading the gospel?
Postby Lilo » 25 May 2019 11:51
ramana wrote: Chetak the vote share in Kerala tells it's own story.
BJP got 22% vote share. This means 1 in 5 Kerala voting public supported BJP.
And Hindus are about 50% in Kerala.
In other words about 1 in 2 Hindus voted.
In what alternate universe would we imagine this?
Kerala has changed.
The other Hindus voted to remove LDF.
That's the big picture.
End of Communist rule in Kerala.
Pinarayi Vijayan has lost the mandate.
He will cling on but he has no popular support.
So I believe Kerala has spoken. And its against Left.
Let me correct this here since we have the numbers on ECI website.
BJP got 12.5% vote in Kerala as per ECI.
So actually only 1 in 4 Hindus voted for BJP in Kerala.
So Kerala Hindus "choose not to be polarized by dutty outsiders" and remain secular in the embrace of the Congress.
NSS to vote for Shashi Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram
DECCAN CHRONICLE. | CYNTHIA CHANDRAN
Published Apr 17, 2019, 5:43 am IST
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress candidate Shashi Tharoor who is facing a formidable challenge from NDA’s Kummanam Rajasekharan here can heave a sigh of relief that the Thiruvananthapuram NSS taluk union has decided to support him.
Tharoor who is trying for a hatrick here has encountered opposition from the Sabarimala devotees who have ranged behind Kummanam. When the local Congress leaders realised the differences of opinion within the NSS taluk union on supporting Tharoor, they initiated damage control measures with taluk union president M. Sangeeth Kumar. The union had held namajapa rallies in front of the secretariat when the Sabarimala protest was at its height and Sangeeth Kumar was in the forefront of the agitation.
“The NSS leadership had issues with Tharoor at a personal level. But that has been settled and the local Congress leadership took efforts to ensure that all the traditional NSS votes go in favour of Tharoor. The local karayogams and vanitha samajams were briefed from Perunna on Friday,” said a senior Congress leader.
NSS general secretary Sukumaran Nair planned to convey to all the 5,600 odd karayogams across the state that the UDF will come back to power in the 2021 Assembly elections, it is learnt. The NSS has realised the BJP’s gameplan in not coming up with an ordinance on Sabarimala before the elections. However, the BJP camp is confident that Kummanam will secure the the traditional UDF votes because of the Sabarimala protest.
As per the 2011 census, Hindus constitute 66.46 percent of the total population of Thiruvananthapuram district, Christians 19.1 percent and Muslims 13.72 percent. NSS voters come to 26 percent as per the statistics provided by the BJP leadership.
Thiruvanathapuram voters as counselled by "caste elders" like Sukumaran Nair "realized the gameplan" of BJP that is why they voted for Tharoor ji in contrast to a person like "Kummanam Rajasekharan".
Tharoor ji looks his part of the suave wife killer who can be trusted to fight for Sabarimala as counselled by "caste elders".... in contrast how does sdre Kummanam look like hain ji ?
He looks like the dutty BJP gujarati "Gaud Saraswat" snake he is.
Sachin wrote:
Do they see Rahul ji voicing on behalf on Sabarimala in center - when congress didnt even put the word Sabarimala in their manifesto?
Rahul-ji had given the permission for the KL KPCC to take their own judgmental call on how to deal with the issue. And recently he also said that, he may have his ideas on the Sabari Mala temple and its belief system, but ultimately he would leave it to Keralites. It was the BJP who took up the issue big time in KL, and their promise was that if they win in the central government they will fix the issue. People of KL may now ask back; BJP has won big time in the country are they going to fix the issue now? Or was the deal that 20 Lok Sabha MPs have to come from KL, and then BJP *may* try to resolve the Sabari Mala temple issues. All said and done soon the commies and Congress is now going to stand beside the people and ask BJP Govt at the centre on what they plan to do now? And if BJP Govt at centre just brushes aside the issue, then for next time elections BJP in Kerala would continue to remain with 0 seats.
In Rahul Mehta's voice
Sachin ji,
please SMS your BJP state elected representative from parliament to convey this message to the LokSabha- that "you have realized the gameplan" of BJP.
Ohh i forgot you dont have a BJP representative from Kerala who can convey this to BJP leadership in the LokSabha !
Some one said "proof is in tasting"
For some here though salt may look like salt feel like salt shine like salt even taste like salt a thousand times- but they cant believe its salt .
So the salt has to prove its taste for the 1001th time before it can be called Salt.
Because Sukumaran Nair claims that its not salt - and "NSS "caste elders" have realized the gameplan of this "Gaud Saraswat" Salt"
Last edited by Lilo on 25 May 2019 13:01, edited 4 times in total.
chandrasekaran wrote: The main issue however is that for reasons unknown to me, they seem to maintain such a low profile.
Taking this discussion forward, does anyone know what could be the reason for the low profile?
Postby ramana » 25 May 2019 12:03
If not already done please translate or give a gist of this video
https://twitter.com/bshukla26/status/11 ... 30528?s=19
chandrasekaran wrote: In fact this should go beyond Aadheenams, modern hindu organizations like Akshaya Patra, Iskon, Ramakrishna Matham, some of the northie Sri Vaishnav and Shaivaite sects must be encouraged to set up their branches and actively encouraged to do visible social service in the name of Hindu religion. Tamil must be the language however. This is quite easy as next to Sanskirt, Tamil perhaps has the largest corpus of Hindu literature, This needs to happen for the next 3-4 years and BJP's association must be overt towards the end of 4th year in time for 2023.
Most of these orgs do try, I remember buying a Tamil book about the Akshardham temple in, of all the places, the Delhi Akshardham. But their ground presence within TN is not great.
BJP wins 0 seats in Kerala, Sabarimala storm showers seats on Cong instead
The party got 12.9 percent of the vote share, just two percent up from 10.8 in 2014
The BJP got 12.9 percent of the vote share, just two percent up from 10.8 percent in 2014 when there was a palpable Modi wave across the country. Only in one constituency did the BJP even manage to come second - in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.
krisna wrote: Tamil as a language has loan words and has a rhythmical lyrical quality similar to Sanskrit (not sure how to word it).
This is very true, and have heard from multiple people that because of this, they were able to learn Sanskrit faster. I don't know how to say it either, but your definition conveys the point.
krisna wrote: Later after gaining power made sure Tamil as the language remains a main issue. >1-2 Generations of Tamilians don't know even today about Sanskrit loan words and close relation to Sanskrit.
Irony is that when Sanskrit was widely used, Tamil and other languages only grew. Many more younger languages branched off and started to thrive. But in TN, there is an irrational fear about Sanskrit overwhelming Tamil, when the truth was Tamil grew when Sanskrit was also around.
I think this fear is simply carried forward from Hindi based on ignorance. While I can understand the fear of Hindi, as a westphalian state ends up imposing a single language and India is perhaps unique in trying to deal with those contradictions, I don't see why one should fear and oppose Sanskrit.
krisna wrote: Thirukkural a Tamil classic is nothing but Manusmriti in the Tamil language. It is exactly the same sequence as Manusmriti and chapters are similar to it.
Dr Nagaswamy explains it very well, and in subsequent talks, takes these dravidians to the cleaners. Well worth a watch.
For some strange reason, brits never bothered with these hindu/tamil pride stuff, some how managed it fine. Imagine Her Majesty learning Tamil to impress tamils and then building Madras city.
Only Mudiji and his dirty northee gujjus have to do all kinds of circus to make any inroads into tamil heartland.
Postby Vinu » 25 May 2019 13:26
One strategy I would recommend to debunk cooked up historical theories like AIT, Akbar the great etc is provide correct history in CBSE books immediately. Along with proper space for Tamil Kings and Emperors as well.
Thanks to TN Uniform System of school education act 2010 all middle class and above parents are preferring CBSE / ICSE schools than state board private schools. Opening up of Navodaya schools with merit based admission every district will help a lot. Many of TN private schools are owned by EJs or DMK politicians. This should be broken.
RTE should be fixed as well.
The will ensure rightly educated first time Dharmic voters for 2024
Karan M
Postby Karan M » 25 May 2019 13:29
If you fix school books, automatically people will prefer to vote for a nationalist govt than a lefty parasitical one.
UlanBatori
Postby UlanBatori » 25 May 2019 13:48
Massive task ahead if BeeJayPee is to rise from 12.4% vote to a winning level in Malloostan. It can happen if CONG comes to power in next assembly election and the disgust with the typical CONGi corruption turns into another Vimochana Samaram. As seen above, NSS etc decided to back the winner, because that is the only chance of survival. They will be praising themselves now because they are not isolated come next assembly election.
People need to do careful research on WHY voters support Cong vs. CPM or vice versa, in order to see how to transfer the cong votes. Both Cong and BJP are Hindi-belt based: why is one able to attract votes in KL vs. the other?
Also, what happens if RaGa is dislodged from INC throne? Imagine if they brought in a fairly young and energetic new face who learns well from NaMo lessons and has an IQ > 1.
Point is, there may be a role for a party that is a hybrid of INC and BJP nationalist and anti-CPM sentiment, that grows from the South. Centrist in religious issues. That would provide a serious alternative to BJP come 2024 and beyond.
uskumar
Postby uskumar » 25 May 2019 14:01
One factor about present position is demographics. Tn and kl are barely replacing their population. That too in states where there is lot of population travels a for work. Bjp will get it's shot at these States in 10 years when the immigrant ni population is 15 to 20 percent. Till then it will have to keep asking RSS to EJs at bay. One more issue that comes to my mind is systematic murder and extermination of bjp and RSS leaders in both these States. Surely this is no coincidence. It needs urgent investigation whether forces from abroad whether EJs or IS are funding and providing ground work like intelligence and target selection.
UlanBatori wrote: Point is, there may be a role for a party that is a hybrid of INC and BJP nationalist and anti-CPM sentiment, that grows from the South. Centrist in religious issues. That would provide a serious alternative to BJP come 2024 and beyond.
Sir, I would love for that to happen but has any si party shown that ambition. No. Take for example tn areas bordering AP up to Chennai. It has about 20 percent Telugu origin people which could have been a base for tdp. Have they ever tried to cultivate their base. same in areas bordering AP and Karnataka also.
Venky36
Postby Venky36 » 25 May 2019 14:25
TN is a short while away from joining the national mainstream. The no of young educated tamils are seeking an alternative but don't find it in admk-bjp combine. It needs a younger progressive leadership to head the front. 5 yrs hence this set will grow. Don't forget that Swami Vivekananda found his first sponsors in TN.
Kerala like Bengal will require decimation of left for a nationalist party to gain ground. For too long in both states we have had dysfunctional parties/combines which are status quoist and play into EJ hands
The low vote share of the BJP in KL does not look problematic if you consider that there was tactical voting in many of the constituencies to defeat the left. Cong was perceived (correctly I guess) to have the best chance of beating the commies. KL is only a setback from which the BJP can recover with the right efforts.
The decimation in TN is far more worrisome. Things look bleak there.
Aditya_V
Postby Aditya_V » 25 May 2019 15:26
Venky36 wrote: TN is a short while away from joining the national mainstream. The no of young educated tamils are seeking an alternative but don't find it in admk-bjp combine. It needs a younger progressive leadership to head the front. 5 yrs hence this set will grow. Don't forget that Swami Vivekananda found his first sponsors in TN.
I live in Chennai and was wondering how Stalin became suddenly so popular. Yes there is core secular types and there is drought and then it has it hit me.
TN has got addicted to freebee culture since 2006 colour TV mixer grinder etc. To Pongal 1000 Rs bonus. Even many Audi owners have taken advantage. So I think the main factor was a large section of the population thought they were going to get NYAY money. That has screwed the TN results. Ha ha so its greed of a large section of the population which probably got the result with many even earning 40k thinking they will get NYAY money. This explains why all UPA candidates suceeded but DMK could not demolish AIDMK in bye elections.
Guys I am now fairly convined its the past 2006 colour TV mixer Grinder, 10000Rs flood relief in 2016, 1000 Rs State Govt pongal bonus in 2019. Past education loan write off etc The public in TN got majorily greedily based on these experiences and have voted with thier greed.
Sounds reasonable to me...
Writing off education loans is an interesting point as I see many coming to US use that route of not worrying about paying back such loans. I have always wondered why govt or bank gives them out to begin with if it can't be recovered. But giving them out and forgetting them both can be for election votes. Does educational loan fall on central, state, or both governments? Are the borrowers required to put something as collateral? What prevents students from just taking money and run? Before aadhar, it would have been practically impossible to recover it back.
Postby arvin » 25 May 2019 18:57
Since Rae bareli will be the next target for AS blizzard, PV or SG will also shift to kerala. With 3 congi heavy weights there and state itself with 45% minorities, con system will make kerala their new home i feel.
There was a post on Jagan Reddy conversion to Hinduism. I tried to dig into this.
It seems this is based on the following video, which apparently is not about conversion but regarding some homam he did for AP special status back in April:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riSSsErtpKo
Folks in Andhra, what do you think of the situation?
India speaks daily also touched the subject of CBN and Jagan:
https://youtu.be/VZvRtMuZnMM
MurthyG
Postby MurthyG » 25 May 2019 20:14
May be OT here, I just noticed something as I was reading the Swarajya article https://swarajyamag.com/politics/tamil-nadu-five-years-of-anti-modi-propaganda-has-worked on how five years of anti-Modi propaganda worked to defeat the TsuNaMo in TN.
The BBC started channels in 2017 in Telugu and Gujarati (which look very professional). I am wondering if this is a trend we will see accelerate in the future. Perhaps it is the realization that English media in India is not effective to push the western POV and push their pet themes through these channels to an audience made pliable through the insidious RTE effect on education system.
It is time to reclaim all of the media space for thoroughly Indic channels, especially in Indian languages.
BBC regional language observation is correct one. Lot of people had resorted to ignoring English one as propaganda one. BBC was heavily pushing youtube feeds of anyone watching anything Hindu. To the point where one search on chalisa would bring BBC Hindi or Gujarati in your face constantly. It started six months ago and now after elections over the behavior has gone too.
Guys think about the assembly elections in Gujrat dec 2017, Karnataka, MP , Chattisgarh and Rajastan and GE 2019 in these states. All these states have one theme , outragous INC income support and Loan waiver promises before Assembly elections, no delivery on these promises by INC post election and electorate coming with a vegence destroying INC in General Election since they felt cheated. I belive in TN no one will admit it but a large section of the people voted UPA expecting 72k a year including middle class. Thats why the same wave did not take place in the bye elections.
Plus remember TN has the experience of free colour under MK, mixer grinder and plenthora of free schemes under JJ, Rs 10k of Central flood relief funds delivered by State before Assembly elections in 2016. Rs 1000 for Pongal in 2019. And not much experience with INC so the 72K temptation would have been huge. The other states fell for the INC temptation in assembly elections and have experience of non delivery of promises. TN has experience of leaders deliverying on Freebies. So this is main reason why TN results divereged from the national trend. Not some Stalin brillance or memes, then 22 bye elections should have been at his feet. It is this 72k has made people just vote blindly whether it communist or any one else.
Aditya_V wrote: Guys think about the assembly elections in Gujrat dec 2017, Karnataka, MP , Chattisgarh and Rajastan and GE 2019 in these states. All these states have one theme , outragous INC income support and Loan waiver promises before Assembly elections, no delivery on these promises by INC post election and electorate coming with a vegence destroying INC in General Election since they felt cheated. I belive in TN no one will admit it but a large section of the people voted UPA expecting 72k a year including middle class. Thats why the same wave did not take place in the bye elections.
If it were so, BJP would have won every seat last time around as it said that Rs 15 lac shall be deposited in every account after bringing back black money.
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Understanding the US - Again
Re: Understanding the US - Again
meena kandasamy
@meenakandasamy
My Kali kills. My Draupadi strips. My Sita climbs on a stranger’s lap. All my women militate. They brave bombs, belittle kings, take on the sun, take after me.
India/London
NYT snuggles in its usual place in the gutter. these op eds are designed to provoke and pull in well meaning NRIs trying to logic to argue. the best approach is to call NYT a anti-india and anti-hindu rag that it is and laugh at the thrashings of the BIF forces.
kar lo jo karna hai. ofcourse NRI parents should inform their school and college going kids about this filth. resident indians anyway dont give a rats a$$
Unfortunately most of NRIs don't do anything and prefer to stay pacified. Highly disorganized and prefer to run, hide, or pretend that it doesn't matter to them. Fighting genes don't exist. Heck, these NRIs won't even join mini crusades of asking vegetarian food under religious requirement clause. Recently, we have moved into community that's like 99% Telugu and for these people fighting for anything Hindu seems to be an alien concept. We are at the point where we are contemplating just moving out to different place where they are not afraid of celebrating Diwali under HoA charter, having Sanskrit street names, or demanding vegetarian food.
Meanwhile, Sam Sharma on media hit jobs on Hindus.
https://youtu.be/iPSyx4Q_0l8
desire not to seek confrontation even for legitimate issues is a indic failing.
others would not shy away from demanding halal or kosher food or permits to celebrate their festivals.
Oh yeah without any question. Others take over small cities, field their candidates, and start driving their agendas. In the same metroplex, peaceful people executed that plan on a small suburb and now have multiple communities where street names are Islamic and various of their flags including pakistani fly on select occasions. They systematically take over starting from HoA and moving upward each year. And not to be surprised, many of ours even join them and move to these sort of communities calling them brothers as they are not whites or blacks.
I just scratch my head thinking that I have had to fight lot less to get Diwali and vegetarian food accepted in white neighborhoods than in Hindu brown ones (obviously muslim ones are out of the question).
https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-abort ... -panicking
New Laws in Georgia and Alabama Have Women Panicking They Can’t Get Abortions
Now these same media people and Hindu haters are going to be quiet about not using any words like Church, Jesus, Christianity when writing on abortion topics.
Postby komal » 15 May 2019 19:02
Besides the good, white Christian women of AL and GA can always fly to DC to get thier abortions.
Lalmohan
Postby Lalmohan » 15 May 2019 19:31
^^^ nope, that will also be an offence
mm. . so far I have learnt, US has 25% of whole world billionaires and 40% of millionaires. Seems like they hold most of the wealth in the world. Next position is china. But it is distant second in numbers. US is way ahead of other countries. more than 5 x number compared to china which is no. 2.
India has very low 1% of millionaries.If we really want to cross 10trillion GDP, we need more numbers.
Postby kit » 15 May 2019 20:29
syam wrote: mm. . so far I have learnt, US has 25% of whole world billionaires and 40% of millionaires. Seems like they hold most of the wealth in the world. Next position is china. But it is distant second in numbers. US is way ahead of other countries. more than 5 x number compared to china which is no. 2.
Good find. Wealth disparity is glaring in India, any number differences between past years..doesnt depict some realities..are NRI population counted in the HNRI or the millionaire list ??.. cant quite believe those numbers
kit wrote: Good find. Wealth disparity is glaring in India, any number differences between past years..doesnt depict some realities..are NRI population counted in the HNRI or the millionaire list ??.. cant quite believe those numbers
Don't know NRI numbers.The number of NRIs who held millionaire status last year was 2.36 lakh.(2016 rndtv report)
I made basic lists. Kinda hesitated to post the whole thing. India has 106 bilnres accrding to latest forbes report. 343,000 millnrs acrd to wiki. For us, its 607 and 17,350,000. China 324 + 111(hk and tw) and 3,480,000(hk and tw not included). So, yeah. We are poor in numbers.
To reach 10 trillion GDP, we need at least 5 mil millionaires and 300 billnres.
chola wrote: The Trump admin had already came out and said so. Cheen is the first great rival who wasn't "caucasian."
Which sort of got me thinking. Technically, we are "caucasians" too. But I imagine this theory will be tested when we begin to pass them economically in three decades or so.
We are just brown guys. I don't think they will recognize our/their ancestry. If they had, they would have ditched xianity and went back to their pagan roots long time back. A guy like me understood where our ancestors came from with just few months of study, you think amerikis don't know the truth? they are not clueless. they are pretending. they are not brave enough to embrace their legacy.
Postby NRao » 16 May 2019 06:54
Former national economic council director tells House Republicans an analysis rated Trump a '10-out-of-10 narcissist'
https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/15/1862 ... cial-media
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS should advance FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Yet too many Americans have seen their accounts suspended, banned, or fraudulently reported for unclear “violations” of user policies.
No matter your views, if you suspect political bias caused such an action to be taken against you, share your story with President Trump.
freedom of speech vs freedom of hatred... civil societies have to draw the lines somewhere...
Location: The rings around Uranus.
Postby Mort Walker » 16 May 2019 16:06
Lalmohan wrote: freedom of speech vs freedom of hatred... civil societies have to draw the lines somewhere...
These are the same SM platforms which advocate BIF and ban RW speech. They have become an advocate for the urban naxals.
darshan wrote: https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-abortion-laws-in-georgia-and-alabama-have-women-panicking
It's not going to last long as the wives and daughters of their state legislators are the ones who get the most abortions.
Mort Walker wrote:
They have become an advocate for the urban naxals.
sorry, but that is too simplistic. they haven't got it right yet, but its not one sided. and it doesnt help to encourage the extremists (on either side) to find a ready platform to spread hate
There's a group that works on product that shapes institution's internet traffic. Their test setups run various test cases and see what their test case users see when visiting SM platforms to fact check box of Google news. For example, one such test setup is of an user that watches chalisa in the morning and in the evening. This user saw and continues to see many interesting things as test parameters are varied.
darshan wrote:
It's the tracking of words being used to write on such Christianity driven laws that interest me.
Rudradev
Postby Rudradev » 16 May 2019 17:59
Interesting. Whose hatred is to be policed, and whose is to be protected as free speech, or worse yet, "freedom of religion"?
Is Islam, which in & of itself prescribes an entire curriculum of institutionalized hatred, free to be practiced?
What of those accused of so called "Islamophobia"? Are they engaging in free speech, or disseminating hatred?
Also baffling to me is the meaning of the word "civil" in the term "civil societies".
The adjective "civil" is defined by the dictionary as:
1. relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters.
2. courteous and polite.
3. (of time measurement or a point in time) fixed by custom or law rather than being natural or astronomical.
"civil twilight starts at sunset"
I assume the first definition, "ordinary citizens and their concerns", is the one intended to apply here.
Now the "lines" that are drawn to delimit acceptable public discourse are hardly the purview of truly ordinary citizens, are they? No, they are determined by a rarefied elite: privileged denizens of the hallowed halls of academia, the media, and administrative institutions within the government. Foggy Bottom, Madison Avenue, Wall Street, Hollywood, Silicon Valley. Nothing at all "ordinary" about these people, and their claim of representing "civil society" when they arrogate unto themselves the authority to police discourse is positively Orwellian. They are about as "civil", in this sense, as the Indian political system has been "secular".
ofcourse you are right, but then truly free speech allows anyone to say anything, including islamists to say kill hindus and social media amplifies it
no society allows fully free speech or expression does it? so it tends to go by a majority moral view no? you and i may not agree with it at times, but its the way it tends to work
ricky_v
Postby ricky_v » 16 May 2019 19:41
if the medium is too off for one's taste one should and can find another; it is not imperative that everybody sing kumbaya on Twitter or circle jerk on fb, the vastness of the net assures that.
The only freedom in this mobocratic world is the anonymity of forums whatever they advocate, reprehensible for one might be holy war for another.
the danger is that whilst one can ignore something that one doesnt like - that ends up in creating self reinforcing bubbles
extremist ideologies of all kinds have spread far more rapidly thanks to social media than used to be the case
and anonymity allows people to vent their more extreme views without any concerns
the space for constructive dialogue has been eroded away
Lalmohan wrote: ofcourse you are right, but then truly free speech allows anyone to say anything, including islamists to say kill hindus and social media amplifies it
Now that’s some quick downhill skiing.
Lalmohan wrote: the danger is that whilst one can ignore something that one doesnt like - that ends up in creating self reinforcing bubbles
Please spare us the sanctimonious crap. You’re advocating the narrative of Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardeasi and A. Roy type of people who are clearly part of the BIF.
and you are talking complete nonsense
no it isnt, its raising the question of who gets to decide what is acceptable
SAT to use 'adversity score' for students applying to college
So far, 50 colleges have used it in making a decision about a prospective student's chances. The College Board plans to expand that to 150 higher learning institutions in the fall. The goal is to use it broadly by 2021.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/sat-to-use-a ... to-college
China formally arrests two Canadians on national security grounds
CNN Digital Expansion 2017. Ben Westcott
By Ben Westcott, CNN
Hong Kong (CNN)Chinese authorities have formally arrested two Canadians who have been held in detention for five months on suspicion of espionage, in a move likely to increase tension between Ottawa and Beijing.
Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were detained on December 10, accused of gathering and stealing "sensitive information and other intelligence" since 2017.
Their detainment came shortly after the arrest of a Chinese executive in Vancouver, a move which infuriated Beijing and sparked a diplomatic crisis.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday the arrest of Kovrig and Spavor had been approved by "Chinese prosecutorial authorities" and asked Canada to stop "making irresponsible remarks on China's rule of law."
"Michael Kovrig was recently arrested for spying on state secrets and intelligence for foreign entities, and Michael Spavor was recently arrested for stealing and unlawfully providing state secrets to foreign entities," Lu said.
in other news US has arrested a russian game developer for attempting to smuggle F-16 manuals out.
Mort Walker, debate the argument without name-calling or you will get a warning.
Lalmohan wrote:
When Twitter bans RW posts, be it in the US or India, one wonders who is the “decider” to determine acceptability?
nachiket wrote: Mort Walker, debate the argument without name-calling or you will get a warning.
I’m sorry. I apologize. Calling anyone a Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardesai or Arunadhati Roy is indeed a grave insult.
Singha wrote: in other news US has arrested a russian game developer for attempting to smuggle F-16 manuals out.
More Russia scare. The chinnis are doing far more.
Najunamar
Postby Najunamar » 17 May 2019 02:54
+1 Rudradevji
This kind of free speech for myself and my ilk but I will shut down any alternate view in the name of either morality policing or "hate speech" both of which I get to define and dictate the discourse on is what Mortji is describing accurately as sanctimonious bovine excreta. I fully concur with that view.
One way western civilizations deal with this is they allow full freedom for their own national topics/matters of interest but try and drown out any alternate views when it comes to subjects of interest to other nations.
Postby Kashi » 17 May 2019 11:44
Apparently freedom of speech does not apply to private organisations and individuals, unless of course....
US IT company sues government for denying H-1B visa to Indian professional
W DELHI: A Silicon Valley-based IT company has filed a lawsuit against the US government for denying the most soughtafter to a highly qualified Indian professional, terming the renunciation "arbitrary" and a "clear abuse of discretion".
Xterra Solutions alleged in its lawsuit that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) improperly denied H-1B visa to Praharsh Chandra Sai Venkata Anisetty, 28, whom it had hired as a Business System Analyst.
The company's H-1B petition on behalf of Anisetty was denied on the sole ground that the job offered to him did not qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation, the lawsuit said.
"The denial is not supported by substantial evidence in the record, is contrary to established legal precedent, and is arbitrary, capricious and constitutes a clear abuse of discretion," the company alleged and urged the Northern District of California US District Court to set aside the USCIS order.
The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
The most sought-after visa has an annual numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the US Congress. The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries with a US masters degree or higher are exempt from the cap.
Anisetty holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electronics and Communication Engineering) as well as a Master's of Science degree in Information Technology and Management from the University of Texas at Dallas.
He currently holds valid H-4 dependent status through his wife, the principal beneficiary of an H-1B application.
From 2014 to 2016, Anisetty held valid F-1 non-immigrant status as a student enrolled in the information technology and management master's program at Texas University.
Later, he also participated in Circular Practical Training, an employment-training programme with an established academic curriculum in the form of cooperative education programmes offered by sponsoring employers through agreements with F-1 students' universities.
The company asserted that Anisetty's current position as a Business Systems Analyst meets one or more of the criteria for an H-1B specialty occupation.
"USCIS's decision dated February 19, 2019 denying Xterra's H-1B petition, filed on behalf of Anisetty, was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not in accordance with the law," the lawsuit said.
The USCIS gave no explanation as to why, despite Xterra's significant evidentiary submissions in its request for evidence, documenting that Anisetty's position as a Business Analyst met all four criteria for a specialty occupation, it denied Xterra's petition to change Anisetty's status to that of the principal beneficiary of an H-1B petition, it said.
The company alleged that the USCIS acted arbitrarily and capriciously in finding that the current position offered to the Indian professional did not meet criterion that "a baccalaureate or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum requirement for entry into the particular position".
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ente ... 37411.html
by any other yardstick, this man would have been investigated by the law for his 'experiments' but being the rashtra pita and soon to be god, he never was.
link was posted in a trueindology thread.
https://twitter.com/TrueIndologyliv/sta ... 5841680384
TrueIndology
@TrueIndologyliv
16h16 hours ago
Dr. Ambedkar as India's law minister wanted to commute the sentence of Godse, an offer which Godse promptly denied to avail
Ambedkar the God of Indian liberals actually ended up praising Godse. Snippet excerpted from Dr. Koenraad Elst's book "Gandhi and Godse"
Follow Follow @TrueIndologyliv
Sadhvi pragya- "Godse was a patriot."
Liberal gang- non stop outrage.
Ambedkar in 1948- "Godse did a good thing. Gandhi was a danger to the country. Good will come out of Gandhi's death."
Liberal gang- Consuming Fevicol since 70 years
The above quote excepted from Ambedkar's letter is published in "Letters of Ambedkar(1993)", Page 205
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Jump to forum... Forums Rugby League - International International Rugby League and TV
Rugby League and TV
Discussion in 'International' started by Stallion, Jan 28, 2019.
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Stallion First Grade
Perth Red said: ↑
That would just see nrl clubs whinging and its quick demise like the nrl nines. At least this way it sits in the legit international season and makes it more than just a pre season friendly Comp
What we need now is some really big sponsors to give it financial credibility
AND FREE TO AIR TV COVERAGE! Now that would get the sponsors in and also much greater public awareness compared to the 30% audience through just pay tv coverage as its stands now.
Stallion, Jan 28, 2019
Dakink and Irish-bulldog like this.
Pommy Coach
Stallion said: ↑
We get it you want free to air. It’s not going to happen though as the rights have been sold and no free to air broadcaster is going to dump all their programming for a weekend. You don’t need to keep banging on about it.
Pommy, Jan 28, 2019
titoelcolombiano likes this.
Pommy said: ↑
Lol. It's an extremely important factor for international rugby league going forward! General public awareness is crucial for the international game. You think it's not worth discussing ? Some of us do! A 30% audience reach is embarassing! And simulcast on one of the many digital channels is not a big ask! Another fact you choose to ignore Pommy! Or are you keen for the international aspect of rugby league to be consigned to pay tv? Because in Australia (a rugby league World nines) deserves better coverage than perhaps 30%!
Rugby 7s hasn’t been hampered by being on Pay TV.
I’m not saying it’s not worth discussing I’m saying it has been discussed and the TV rights have been sold, it’s a done deal.
You mean Rugby union 7s. A very different resonance and sport compared to rugby league in Australia. It's a rugby league world tournament. It's in the deemed major heartland nation for this code, Australia. Looks like it's instead of a Kangaroos v LIONS match? So it deselves significant Public awareness and attention. I don't think someone like you would ever be on my marketing employee team for promoting rugby league. It's a very different scenario for union in Australia. It doesn't rate on tv !
No I mean Rugby 7s, because that’s what it’s called.
Neither does 9s dream an audience by the looks of it, as it’s been claimed on here that no FTA broadcaster bid on it.
No you don't mean that. I denote a disrespect for rugby league in your referencing on this site. I'm aware that's what rugby union is labeling many of their competitions. In reality it's a slight at rugby-league. It gives rugby league a secondary regard in naming. You want to continue I'll continue to note it as disrespectful toward rugby league on a rugby league website. Union or League and rugby union or rugby league is fine. Just so some respect for the code you purport to follow occurs. I'm aware of the widespread disrespect and it's not your fault but further adding to the misnomer on a rugby league designated site doesn't sit well with others that are aware of this form of 'disrespect ' for rugby league. It assumes the term "Rugby" is just for union and not league. That's not so, even though their exists a concerted push in many fronts for this to be accepted. I know you think this is over the top but it's not. It's the start of disrespecting rugby league at a very fundamental level. It's name!
hutch likes this.
No you don't mean that. I denote a disrespect for rugby league in your referencing on this site. I'm aware that's what rugby union is labeling many of their competitions. In reality it's a slight at rugby-league. It gives rugby league a secondary regard on namingredients. You want to continue I'll continue to note it as disrespectful toward rugby league on a rugby league website. Union or League and rugby union or rugby league is fine. Just so some respect for the purport to follow. I'm aware of the widespread disrespect and its not your fault but further adding to the misnomer on a rugby league designated site doesn't sit well with others that are aware of this form of 'disrespect ' for rugby league. It assumes the term "Rugby" is just for union and not league. That's not so even though their exists a concerted in many fronts for this to be accepted. I know you think this over the top but it's not. It's the start of disrespecting rugby league at a very fundamental level. It's name!
I’m not doing this again, in the words of Duncan Bannatyne i’m out.
Valheru First Grade
No FTA broadcaster bid for it. Are you suggesting we should force them to broadcast it?
The only way I see that happening is to put the event on the anti-syphoning list (not going to happen) or for the game (NRL) to take less money in the TV rights in exchange for the event being broadcast i.e. pay them to broadcast it.
Are you happy with that scenario?
Valheru, Jan 29, 2019
Valheru said: ↑
Are you aware that there exists numerous digital channels? The game of rugby league is very tv friendly! To not have a simulcast coverage of a rugby league world nines tournament in Australia is not effective in promoting the code or this tournament. The administrators lead by marketing people should have assured such tv coverage. It's another mistake!
You haven't answered my question.
The FTA broadcasters don't want to televise it on any of their channels. Are you suggesting we force them? If so, how would you go about doing that?
You are asserting that the free to air broadcasters don't want to broadcast the most popular football code bar none in the Australian market!? I'm suggesting some very poor administrators within rugby league have not made the effort to get this significant international tournament on FTA TV. It's not as if it's an unpopular sport and the multiple channels on FTA should have at least a simulcast arrangement with pay-TV. It's doable unless you think rugby league isn't attractive enough for such reasonable coverage?
It's not what I think, it is what the broadcasters are willing to pay for.
9's is not the same as traditional rugby league and you know it. To broadcast this the FTA stations would have to clear essentially 2 full days on one of their stations which they aren't going to do unless they are confident of extremely good ratings.
Perhaps one day they will be confident of that but clearly not yet so again, I ask you, do you suggest they are forced to broadcast the event?
They are digital channels! You don't think a World nines is worhy of coverage on a subsidiary FTA channel ?! We differ. To my eye there exists a slack regard for the rugbyleague product. For this tournament to be siphoned off to just 30% of the possible audience is a shame and reeks of poor judgement from wIthin rugbybleague and relevant broadcasters. Another MISTAKE!
Again, I am not giving you my opinion, I am simply relaying what the broadcasters are clearly not willing to pay for.
It is only worthy for FTA if someone is willing to pay for it. It doesn't matter how many channels they have.
Do you believe they should be forced to show it?
Let's put it this way. The broadcasters have made another mistake! Or people within rugby-league have. Or what should have happened is that this tournament is not being given the prominence it deserves the rugby league should have scheduled a Kangaroos v LIONS test in NSW instead of the seemingly undervalued or poorly regarded World nines tournament! There has been a stuff up and it's not good for the code going forward.
If the broadcasters have made a mistake that is their right to make. They are allowed to bid for what they want, that is called a free market.
That's no excuse for innept planning by rugby league administrators! There is a very attractive and long overdue test match between the Kangaroos and the touring Lions that could have occured in place of the World Nines! A massive tv audience would have been assured but sadly we have a poorly regarded World nines instead! A big mistake!
Perth Red Immortal
its likely to draw a bigger audience on Fox than buried on a digital channel, the viewing figures for those channels are terrible. Only way it would have had any exposure value is if the majority of the tournament was on digital then the finals were on FTA main channel on Sunday evening. But with no track record and sporadic nature of the tournament its not surprising no FTA tv company wanted to commit to it.
What the NRL could have done though is use its digital investment to broadcast it digitally free as part of the deal with Fox.
Perth Red, Jan 29, 2019
The GB tour is irrelevant to this discussion
We are talking about the merit of FTA broadcasters televising the 9s.
Glad you have finally seen sense and realise that the broadcasters can bid for what they want. They don't want the world 9s at the moment.
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Andrew Fairlie Scholarship 2019
Meet the Judges - Tom Kerridge
With the launch of the inaugural Andrew Fairlie Scholarship, we’re getting to know the judges that make up the expert judging panel. Now it’s the turn of Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kerridge.
Tom Kerridge
As a Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kerridge has a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to the food industry, and with three restaurants under his belt, he knows more than most what it takes to become a successful chef.
Here, we find out what inspired Tom in his career, how he constructs his menus and the qualities he is looking for in the next Andrew Fairlie Scholar.
Could you tell us a bit about your career background?
“I started off washing up, and fell in love with the industry back in the West Country working in country house hotels. The atmosphere and buzz of being in the kitchen is like nothing else. There is a great energy that exudes from the kitchen, that sense of expectation and excitement captured me from an early age.
“I moved up from London in my early 20s and worked in restaurants and hotels, many of which had Michelin stars – this is where I began to feel comfortable with the standard of cooking expected of me. Most importantly, quality and produce was at the forefront in these kitchens. I eventually moved to Norfolk to take on my first head chef position for David Adlard at Adlard’s Restaurant where, as a team, we succeeded in retaining a Michelin star for two guides.
“I then took the opportunity to open The Hand & Flowers with my wife Beth, which was our first business. We achieved a Michelin star within the first ten months of opening, with a very small kitchen and front of house team. As a company we have grown with some amazing people, and as a huge team effort we are now the very proud guardians of two Michelin stars at The Hand & Flowers.
“Four years ago we opened our second space called The Coach which, in its third year, achieved a Michelin star. Then last year we opened Kerridge’s Bar & Grill in the fantastic Corinthia Hotel in the centre of London. It is a great dining room with the ethos of our Marlow businesses running through it.”
Can you remember the first menu you designed?
“The first menu that was all mine would have been at Adlard’s in Norwich. What the dishes were I can’t remember exactly, however there is a basis and ethos to my menu design that I still follow to this day. I’m a huge fan of three course a la carte menus that include a hot starter, a cold meat starter (e.g a terrine), a soup, and a fish starter (maybe cured or soused), then build onwards from that.
“My main courses will always consist of two or three red meats, one or two white meats, plus fish options. Main course dishes should be exciting but not daunting, and a lot of mine are rejuvenated and revitalised old favourites. When it comes to desserts, oven permitting, they always include a soufflé, a chocolate pudding, seasonal fruit, a steamed or sponge-like cake and a cream based dessert.
What is your favourite thing about working in hospitality?
“The opportunities – the harder you work, the more exciting things happen so say yes to everything. You get the chance to meet so many exciting, diverse and eclectic people, and you can see the world, and taste and eat so many different things.”
What are the biggest challenges facing aspiring chefs today?
“To stay focused. There are so many opportunities to move between restaurants all the time, where chefs perhaps only leave to plate dishes and become ‘Instagram chefs’, rather than spending time in a kitchen for two or three years, learning to actually become a real ‘chef’.
“The process of running a kitchen is very different to the process of cooking. It is an equally important process that must be learnt for when young chefs make that leap and become head chefs.”
What impact do you think the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship will have on Scotland’s hospitality sector?
“I very much hope that the Scholarship brings through new, exciting, dynamic talent that Andrew would be proud of, showcasing the beautiful and amazing produce that Scotland has to offer.”
What 3 words would you use to describe a potential Andrew Fairlie scholar?
“Focused, passionate and generous.”
Do you have any advice for applicants to the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship?
“Stay true to what you believe in, be bold, confident and allow simplicity, matched with technique, to rule your heart.”
The Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is an incredible opportunity for aspiring chefs – do you think you have what it takes? You can find more details and apply for the scholarship here.
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Geert Wilders Is Refused UK Police Protection for #FreeTommy Demo
Posted on July 11, 2018 by Dymphna
There isn’t much direct news on this, but here’s a brief piece found on Twitter:
Geert Wilders’ speech for Tommy Robinson rally sabotaged by May’s Government
The United Kingdom is not free. The British people are a bound and seemingly gagged people.
In yet further efforts by the United Kingdom’s government, now seemingly to pander to the Muslim agenda, Geert Wilders’ speech, scheduled for the 14th at the #FreeTommy march, has to be cancelled.
The Party for Freedom leader tweeted this just now.
“UK Ambassador in The Hague just informed the Dutch authorities that they will not provide for my security in London this Saturday and will not give the Dutch diplomatic police weapon permits either, so, unfortunately, I cannot attend nor speak at the #FreeTommy rally in London.”
Is this another piece of timber in the gallows of which Theresa May’s government will hang? Will this attempt to silence the people, yet again, be the final nail and the impetus for the British people to roar yet louder?
Will Geert’s message be live streamed? Screens at the event? Periscope?
The British government may think they have kept Mr. Wilders’ speech out of London on Saturday. They can only prevent his physical appearance, however. His message will not be silenced.
By now, even the most skeptical of Brits are realising that ‘Tommy’ is the collective of all conservative Brits, here in the UK and beyond, that they are trying to censor and lock away.
What will you do? Join the #FreeTommy march 14 July on Whitehall.
It is to be fervently hoped that Geert Wilders will avail himself of technology to be heard at the demonstration. No doubt he’s working with the Middle East Forum to make that happen. Or with Ezra Levant, perhaps.
Don’t you wonder who else will be silenced?
By the way, there seems to be a balloon of Sadiq Khan flying over London. Or perhaps it was a photoshop job. At any rate, as a Muslim he can’t be portrayed as a pig, as has been done to Donald Trump (ask Trump if he cares), so he’ll have to be a bovine steer. You know, the kine missing their manly appurtenances.
This entry was posted in Civil Liberties, Counterjihad, Culture Wars, Eurabia, Geert Wilders, News, Tommy Robinson, UK by Dymphna. Bookmark the permalink.
27 thoughts on “Geert Wilders Is Refused UK Police Protection for #FreeTommy Demo”
Michael Copeland on July 11, 2018 at 7:16 pm said:
Two-tier Theresa’s days are numbered.
Bishop Guy Leven-Torres on July 11, 2018 at 8:49 pm said:
I hope we can arrest and detain May for High Treason eventually. We must have a new version of Nuremburg. I wrote to May some month ago and stated that I would do this if she persisted in her behaviour.
Plum on July 12, 2018 at 12:08 am said:
Given the current state of England, I really don’t know why you guys bothered to fight off the Nazis. At least they had the same artistic values.
Mark H on July 12, 2018 at 3:22 pm said:
Unless the artists were Jewish.
Sally Morris on July 12, 2018 at 8:56 pm said:
Perhaps. What I wonder, as an American, is why on earth we continue to participate in NATO. NATO was created to defend western European nations from the threat of Communism. This and other American welfare schemes have allowed Europe to spend their entire budget on domestic welfare, making them very attractive places to Muslims. So they did away with their own border security, waved the invaders in and are now basically under the control of people who want to kill Americans. Terrorists. So doesn’t it seem that instead of demanding that these countries ante up for their “fair share” of the defense budget that we should pull out of NATO ourselves? I mean, what, exactly, are we defending? Germany, Sweden, much of France, apparently most of Belgium and a fair share of Norway and the Netherlands are puppets of Islam. Turkey IS Islam. What do they want to do to America? Invade us and kill us off. England, once an ally which subscribed to many of the same values we do (like free speech) is not more restrictive of speech and press than most Communist countries. Recently Ezra Levant declined to compare England directly with Communist China, but I think he was much too generous. Phonies like Nigel Farage come out and make excuses for grabbing Tommy Robinson off the street and throwing him in prison. He claims we just are too dumb to understand the intricacies of British law and Robinson broke a very precious law by reading the names already listed on the BBC of defendants in a trial. Farage is also too much of a wuss to denounce the “grooming” scandal himself. He’s apparently quaking in his loafers. So why, then, should Americans pony up to defend that hideous administration? Just give me any kind of reason at all. I think we have more to be concerned with from our “allies” than we do from Putin (and that’s not to diminish the menace of Putin!). I say America – get out of NATO and spend that 4% of our national budget on securing our borders and deporting illegal (and a few other) immigrants.
Anon on July 11, 2018 at 9:07 pm said:
Well I tried to look up any detail on this and ended up on some Dutch site with a link to a story on London corruption. So off topic in a sense, but this story explain why locals don’t much (dare to or afford to) have a say
http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/rough-justice-for-anti-corruption-petitioners-who-got-tower-hamlets-mayor-lutfur-rahman-banned-and-now-face-1m-lawyers-bills-1-5602936
With an explanation of Rahman’s political group discernable in
http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/seasonal/election/elections-lutfur-rahman-back-in-the-ring-for-new-aspire-party-manifesto-in-tower-hamlets-vote-for-mayor-1-5476626
which is confounding given that the person who filed the suit claimed this is what allowed Labour to retake the seat… yet Labour reps. are defecting to Rahman!
Anyway it is a good insight into UK law and politics, if a bit of a long to read… sure Tommy would approve of my posting it so won’t feel guilty for that.
RonaldB on July 12, 2018 at 9:45 am said:
With all due respect, it sounded like the anti-corruption petitioners thought the funds for their legal bills would fall from the sky. Most people know when you contract a lawyer, you have to be very clear as to the compensation arrangements. The only exception is a case like Johnny Cochran and OJ Simpson, where you face a lifetime in prison, so there’s no negotiating fees.
Anyway, you can’t expect the lawyers to eat the legal expenses, unless there was a specific agreement to that effect.
The point is that you have to build up a million pound tab just to challenge corruption in government.
In other words justice is for the rich.
The lawyers will have juggled asset forfeiture of the accused as redemption before starting the case, may even have misled the plaintiffs into believing that would pay for the case, but obviously with a clause that the plaintiffs were ultimately on the hook. Remember this is after they won, the total would have been much higher had they lost and were charged for costs and damages.
You need a lawyer to understand the legal text, they had one…go figure.
Any more questions as to why people stay silent ? About the only other option to obtain some kind of justice is to protest on the street.
It isn’t me who needs the respect, it is the locals, and they are in practical terms denied from even asking for it.
tedh754 on July 11, 2018 at 9:16 pm said:
Did the Brits really beat back the Nazis, or did they let them in the front door decades later?
Lu on July 12, 2018 at 8:46 am said:
Remember the Munich treaty of 1938. Parts of my homeland sold to Hitler in exchange for … What exactly?
This shameful deal carries karma until now … And countries complicit in this are all stricken by it – one by one.
Karma, a fickle bitch lurking always around the corner, rewarding you for your misdeeds.
Anonymous on July 12, 2018 at 2:55 pm said:
Our politicians opened the door for them back in the 70’s. We [were] only supposed to be in the Common Market. Not the EU.
Dymphna on July 12, 2018 at 6:15 pm said:
And the once-Great Britain also promised its people a referendum vote on joining the EU…but the globalists were greedy and couldn’t wait to milk the cash cow of the EU. Not to mention that Brussels was pedophile heaven…
Anon on July 13, 2018 at 9:09 am said:
Not even the Common Market
and STILL they try managing UK in this post-truth way.
Theresa May: Dime-store cowboy — all hat and no cattle.
What a waste of intellect.
But then, when she had the opportunity to be a heroine — with no glory in sight — she chose instead to be an eater of her own people in order to fill her insatiable vanity with the praise of other eaters.
A disgusting woman — who chatters on as if she were the incarnation of Cicero, Churchill, and Chesterton — but whose inner life and intentions reflect a traitor’s heart.
Disenfranchised on July 12, 2018 at 3:16 am said:
Totally agree, I squirm with embarrassment every time
I watch her hunch backed, ” power stance”, facial
Contortionist, verbally incontinent performances at the despatch box.
A woeful Home Secretary only promoted to PM base on Gender. As for the first husband, has he escaped from
The Muppet show?
You can guarantee that the BBC will totally ignore
The Free Tommy demo whilst blanket cover the POTUS
I am ashamed to be British at the moment.
kevin king on July 13, 2018 at 1:21 pm said:
Yeah well, being part of a tribe can have its benefits, but when you look at the price you have to pay to be a part of the club, it’s clear the membership fees are way too overpriced.
The strange thing is most of the Brits are so ignorant they don’t even realise their country is [finished]. They can’t see beyond the next football game.
Bigfoot on July 12, 2018 at 2:20 am said:
It seems these miserable, childless women leaders are hellbent on destroying the societies which produced them.
Bimsy on July 12, 2018 at 2:25 pm said:
Isaiah 3 v 12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the ways of thy path.
manatthepub on July 12, 2018 at 4:19 am said:
Why can’t Geert just bring along a few of his heavies?
Dymphna on July 12, 2018 at 6:46 am said:
The UK refuses to let them carry weapons while there. Dutch Muslims, fully armed, would take that golden opportunity…
Baucent on July 12, 2018 at 8:16 am said:
But Geert was in London last month for the for the first Tommy rally, presumably his security detail went as well. But to refuse protection to him, a member of Parliament of a friendly nation is I would think unprecedented.
Clearly May and co are irritated by his support for Tommy.
Zionist Overlord #73 on July 12, 2018 at 8:46 am said:
I wonder if this notification is meant to serve as camouflage, and he will show up unannounced, counting on surprise to protect him.
Do the Dutch do that sort of thing?
Dymphna on July 12, 2018 at 12:09 pm said:
Wilders takes the threats with deadly seriousness. While in the Netherlands, he has – I think – both government and private security, and can’t have a permanent address. Once he leaves the country, he’s on his own. Which is why he travels with personal security – and they are armed.
The refusal of the UK to allow his own guards to have weapons tells you all you need to know about the exceptions British government is going to press in order to hold down attendance at the demonstrations. It is deliberate and spiteful.
Lu on July 12, 2018 at 4:56 pm said:
From a broader perspective if I may try: what all this says about a situation of an elected people’s representative in a free-world country – and in Europe at that – who has to fear for his life while speaking for the people having elected him.
To me it says a lot, namely it clearly shows where the West is: personal safety of a politician jeopardized in an unimaginable way, on par with pre-WWII times in Germany or post-WWII period of Stalinism in Eastern and Central Europe …
The story that the British government is a totalitarian tyranny that locks up dissenters and enables violent street fighters is a dog-bites-man story by now. The British leaders don’t even use a fig leaf claim that they are a free society. Better for them to not bring up the subject at all.
My advice to the Brits would be to look intensely into peer-to-peer networks, ways of passing around files and information without central servers, and the strongest encryption software they can lay their hands on. These are technologies appropriate for a totalitarian state, and may become the only means of exchanging information and political opinions.
Anon (what else!) on July 12, 2018 at 1:40 pm said:
And follow the Biblical advice to “seek out the old ways” in choice of operating system, programs and file formats.
A few thoughts: The older the OS is (eg pre graphical operating systems) the less chance of surveillance nasties being lodged in the system reporting to some alphabet agency or other. Older word processing formats (or plain html) are more likely to be modified plain text with control characters and therefore have no facility for hiding “payloads” or other macro nasties. For networking remember that Sneakernet was one of the first systems (you took the file on a floppy disk directly to the recipient!). Direct to recipient voice over internet calls without using a central server will increase the overhead of total surveillance quite dramatically so that it may be considered a waste of effort. And basically, if you don’t understand how the internet can be subverted to satisfy the needs of a surveillance state, don’t touch it with the proverbial barge-pole.
A country that has 900 police officers in London alone to monitor everyone’s facebook entries really ought to man up and find at least 50 officers and provide them to Wilders for security. They don’t for the same reason that they don’t allow Wilders’ own security in to protect him. They want to make the price of his “free speech” to be death. I don’t blame Wilders for this. The once-peaceful Netherlands has been riddled with shocking assassinations and threats of assassination – from their prime minister Pim Fortuyn to their famous filmmaker Theo Van Gogh to Ayaan Hirsi Ali (who has thus far escaped their fate). Muslims are very dangerous people, in case you didn’t know, and I say this knowing I will be slandered as a “racist” (and quite well aware that 1)I am not a racist and 2)Islam is not a “race”). They would love a chance to kill Wilders and someone forced into a life of “safe houses” knows better than to go around without security.
The fact is that NO ONE is supposed to have the right to speak freely in today’s Britain. It is the same kind of […] country Americans are properly warned not to go to.
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Home Company News Water.org Hits Milestone, Helping 10 Million In India Access Safe Water, Sanitation
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Water.org Hits Milestone, Helping 10 Million In India Access Safe Water, Sanitation
written by David May 9, 2019
Global non-profit enables small loans to empower those in poverty to finance taps, toilets
Water.org announces 10 million more people in India can now turn on a tap or use a toilet in their homes due to the access to small, affordable loans made possible through a solution known as WaterCredit, helping to narrow the gap in universal water and sanitation.
“We have come so far in India — the birthplace of our solution, WaterCredit — with the scale of our impact and the number of lives changed,” said Gary White, CEO and co-founder of Water.org, a global non-profit organization that helps people get access to safe water and sanitation through affordable financing.
Water.org piloted and developed WaterCredit, a proven and sustainable solution that puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. Together with its 113 partners, Water.org has catalyzed small loans and expert resources to make household water and toilet solutions a reality for more than 21 million people worldwide, 10 million in India.
“Access to loans gives the people we empower the freedom to decide what is the most appropriate solution to meet their needs,” said Vedika Bhandarkar, Managing Director, Water.org India. “And from the lenders’ point of view, they are comforted that the repayment rate is 99 percent. And they realize that lending for water and sanitation is good business and leads to huge improvements in the social and economic condition of their borrowers.”
Since 2005, Water.org has played a significant role in India’s progress towards improved water and sanitation. By working with 20 partners, including microfinance institutions, commercial banks and the Government of India, Water.org has helped mobilize more than two million loans in India to families in need of safe water and sanitation.
Globally, one in nine people lacks access to safe water and one in three lacks access to a toilet. Still, Bhandarkar remains optimistic that universal safe water and sanitation is achievable. Bhandarkar said, “We believe people in poverty have the capacity and the potential to solve their own problems provided that they have access to the right financial tools.”
Water.org is an international nonprofit organization that has positively transformed more than 21 million lives around the world with access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 25 years, we’ve been providing women hope, children health and families a future. Learn more at https://water.org.
Contact: Rosemary Gudelj
Rgudelj@water.org
SOURCE Water.org
http://www.water.org
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DLA moves EMall to DISA servers
Application provider Partnet helped with transition to .mil address
The Defense Logistics Agency has moved its procurement system, called EMall, to a computer center run by the Defense Information Systems Agency.
The move was brought about due to a mandate that all public-facing Defense Department servers have a .mil address, according to Todd VanderVeen, director of federal commerce systems for Partnet, which helped DLA relocate the servers to a DISA Defense Enterprise Computing Center (DECC). Partnet developed the e-commerce and search software used by EMall.
At present, the federal-focused e-commerce site EMall serves more than 40,000 regular military and federal users with a catalog of 50 million items. Annual sales can total up to $800 million.
“This transition was necessary to secure the continued integrity and interoperability of the DOD EMall system,” said Sheila Rayburn, DOD EMall Program Manager, in a statement. “It ensures that both DOD and civilian agencies can continue to effectively procure the products necessary to fulfill their mission-critical requirements.”
The production system is online, though various other components, such as the development infrastructure, still need to be finalized, VanderVeen said.
The move involved a number of challenges, VanderVeen said. EMall, which is based on a Java Enterprise Edition framework, goes through periodic upgrade to add new features, and the move was coordinated with one of these upgrades. With the move, a newer version of the operating system, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, was installed. The servers and applications were also certified under the 8510.1-M DOD Information Technology Security Certification and Accreditation Process.
DLA took the opportunity to upgrade EMall's sign-on system so DOD Common Access Cards could be used to conduct transactions. DLA has also embarked on getting the transaction system to conform to the Payment Card Industry's set of standards for security for electronic commerce.
With the new arrangement with DISA, the DLA gets final approval with matters pertaining to the applications while DISA is now in charge of the servers and supporting hardware. DISA has been offering other defense agencies computer processing in a hosted provider arrangement.
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Oh no, Samsung has a Passbook wallet app, too
Kevin C. Tofel Feb 27, 2013 - 6:50 AM CDT
Android(s goog) users pining over Apple’s(s aapl) Passbook wallet functionality need pine no more, provided they plan to use a Samsung smartphone. At a developer event on Wednesday, Samsung announced its own wallet software that replicates Apple’s Passbook functionality, complete with an open API for partner integration. Ironically, right after Apple announced Passbook ticket support at 13 Major League Baseball parks, Samsung noted that the MLB is an initial partner for its new wallet.
Samsung explained the new wallet feature along with a list of other launch partners during the developer session:
One of the most popular sessions this year featured the introduction of the open API for the Samsung Wallet service, which allows users to collect coupons, membership cards, tickets, and boarding passes from partners’ applications and store them in one place. The service’s launching partners like Walgreens, Belly, Major League Baseball Advanced Media , Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Lufthansa were announced during the session.
I’m conflicted by the news. It’s actually good for consumers to have similar functionality on both iOS and Android, provided the partner list is generally the same. I don’t want to have choose a platform, for example, because its wallet app is the only one that works with vendors I use. But I have to wonder: Why is Samsung doing this and not Google itself for Android?
This question gets back to the concern I just noted about platform choice. Because this app will only work with Samsung devices, it now becomes a choice of what brand of Android phone to use in support of wallet features. This shouldn’t be an initiative with an original equipment manufacturer; this should be a project for Android as a whole. I don’t blame Samsung; it accounts for more of the Android device market than any of its peers so why shouldn’t it keep pushing ahead?
Regardless, I love the idea of a digital wallet. Although I haven’t used it lately, I’m a big fan of paying for goods or services through my NFC-enabled phone with Google Wallet. But the point of a digital wallet is to eliminate our big, bulky physical wallets that are filled with currency, cards and whatever else we need to carry. Do we really want to start carrying multiple digital wallet solutions on our devices or choose a phone based on what wallet features it supports? I certainly don’t.
4 Responses to “Oh no, Samsung has a Passbook wallet app, too”
Peter Kropf February 27, 2013
This is Samsung being Samsung. Agressively quick. Google will add this passbook functionality soon.
But note well as Samsung seems to be playing hardball with Google now. Samsung is a “damn the torpedoes” company.
Perhaps a detente between Apple and Google will grow as they both realize Samsung plays for keeps and is quite adept at using the courts to further their MO – copy aggressively, become dominant, make any IP issues dissapear; they’ve done it in every business they enter.
ng72 February 27, 2013
Google Wallet with NFC was out before Passbook.
Once again, better marketing doesn’t make it first.
Racco February 27, 2013
Android fans that want something akin to Apple’s Passbook wallet features have had it since before Apple’s Passbook was even released.
PassWallet does the job.
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=passwallet&c=apps
ronald February 27, 2013
I might be wrong, but isn’t/should this be a card for Google now?
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